Johann Adam Werner Sr (abt. 1708 - abt. 1775)

Born about 25 Oct 1708 in Massenbach, Brackenheim, Württemberg, Heiliges Römisches Reich [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Katarina Barbara (Sigler) Varner — married 1 May 1725 in Massenbach, Heilbronn, Württemberg, Heiliges Römisches Reich

Descendants

Died about 25 Jul 1775 at about age 66 in York County, Pennsylvania

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Biography

"Johann Adam Werner was born before 1707 in Germany. He married Maria Catharina Sigler in Germany, and their older children are recorded in the Evangelische Kirchburch of Massenbach, Schwaigern, Wuerttemburg, Germany. His wife Catharana and their children, John Adam and Catharina eimgrated to America in 1732. The September 18th 1732 passenger list of the galley, Johnson lists each of them by name: Hans Adam Verner (man over 16), his presumed wife, Katharina Verner (woman over 14), presumed son, Adam Verner (boy under 16), and presumed daughter Katharina Verner (Girl under 14).. This is a rare occurence in the records as few ship bothered to list the name of the entire family. This happy occurrence positively identifies the Werner family.

The family members are listed regularly in the church records of St. Georges Lutheran Church in Massenbach, Germany, up to 1731 and completely disappear from the records after that date. (note: St. George was a Catholic saint, however, Massenbach was owned by a petty Luteran noble descended through a knightly order. St George The Dragon Slayer, is traditionally the patron saint of all knights, regardless of their religious affinity.)"

"Adam, the Partiarch of the American Werners and Varners (some of the descendants adopted the spelling VARNER and others remained with WERNER or WARNER) who descend from him became a relatively prosperous farmer in America."

"It is not known when the family moved to Germany Township in Adams County (then York Co.), PA. and the years from 1732 to 1755 are unknown to us. But, aside from his 153 acres, his inventory of personal goods is extensive and includes items of considerable value, such as a smooth bore rifle, a grindstone, 4 books, a cow, and 8 sheep."

"In 1755 as a Highway Commissioner he was responsible for maintenance of roads that were used by farmers to bring their crops to market. This was an important position that was given only to the most responsible of people. It is highly unlikely that Adam was elected to this important position immediately upon arrival in Germany Twp. It is therefore believable that the family had lived there for a number of years and acquired a good reputation before Adam was elected to office."

"Adam also held a number of other elected civil offices. From 1755 on the served consecutive single year terms as Highway Commissioner, Overseer of the Poor, Constable and Tax Collector. Interestingly, in the source of this information, the "Roster of Township Officers, York County, 1749-1800, Adam's surname is spelled "Warner", "Vernor", "Werner" and in 1758 as "Varner", perhaps the earliest, albeit accidental, spelling of the name that was later adopted as the standard spelling of the name by several descending family lines.

"Records of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Manheim, York Co., Less than 10 miles north of the Werner farm, a widower name Adam Werner married a single woman named Catharina Weber in 1763. No other church records for Adam or Catharina or birth or marriage records of their children have been found. Adam's will was recorded and executed by his son Jacob, who inherited the bulk of Adam's estate including the farm. Catharina, whether his original spouse or a later spouse was living at the time of Adam's death in June or July of 1775."^[1]

Birth

02 Oct 1708 in Massenbach. Johann Adam is the son of Johann Georg Werner and Anna Ursula.^[2]

Baptism

27 OCT 1708. Evangelisch-Lutherische,Bad Duerkheim,Pfalz,Bavaria. ^[3] See Research Note.

Marriage

01 May 1725 in Massenbach. Johann Adam Werner (son of Hans Jerg Werner) with Catharina Barbara (daughter of baker Johann Martin Sigle from Nordheim).^[4]

Immigration

Date: 18 Sep 1732

Place: Port of Philadelphia

Ship: The Johnson Galley

From: London, England

Commander: David Crockatt^[5][6].

On the ship with Hans Verner (man over 16) are his presumed wife Katarina Verner (woman over 14), son Adam Verner (boy under 16), and daughter Katharina Verner (girl under 14).

Residence

Germany Township, York, Pennsylvania.

Death

26 JUL 1775^[7]

Will

Recorded 27 Jul 1775 York County, PA

A transcription of the Will of Adam Warner, AKA Johanes Adam Werner, may be found on page 8 of "The Varner Family of Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi", 389 pp. by Kevin W. Davis 2005.

The Will was dated June 20, 1770 and recorded July 27, 1775 in Will Book C, page 302 in York County, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Probate Records 1683-1994; FamilySearch

The Will names his son, Jacob Warner as Executor and names his wife, Catherana and other children: George Warner, Christopher Warner, Fronancy (wife of Henry Bruther), John Warner, Catherana (wife of Jacob Founts) and John Adam Warner.

Research note

Conflicting information regarding birth, baptism and marriage places. The Johann Adam who married in Massenbach was from Massenbach (birth) and not from Dürkheim (Baptism). Also the attached mother does not fit to the one born in Massenbach. The supposed son´s birth place also does not seem very likely. Probably several profiles got mixed here. More sources needed.

DNA

Progenitor of Johann "Hans" Adam Werner (born 1708) subgroup in FamilyTreeDNA Varner Surname Project as referenced 10 Jun 2019.

Sources

1. ↑ Website: Descendants of Hans WERNER,Generation No. 4, byAnita Pleasant,, Updated April 27, 2005, Accessed on 10 Jun 2019
2. ↑ Church book Massenbach, Württemberg: Landeskirchliches Archiv Stuttgart > Dekanat Brackenheim > Massenbach > Mischbuch 1701-1752 Band 2 [1]
3. ↑ Ancestry.com Germany, Select Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898 Publication: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014
4. ↑ Church book Massenbach, Württemberg: Landeskirchliches Archiv Stuttgart > Dekanat Brackenheim > Massenbach > Mischbuch 1701-1752 Band 2 [2]
5. ↑ Website:[German Pioneers to Pennsylvania, Passenger Ships' Lists, Includes People from the Palatine], By: Donna E. Ristenbatt, as referenced 10 Jun 2019
6. ↑ Ancestry.com U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Publication: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010 Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Year: 1733; Page Number: 559
7. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 20 June 2019), memorial page for Johann Adam Werner (Varner) (2 Sep 1708–26 Jul 1775), Find A Grave Memorial no. Find A Grave: Memorial #81279212, ; Maintained by David Werner (contributor 46795810) Unknown.Germany, York, Pennsylvania, USA.

• Werner Family Structure and Decendants - http://www.fmoran.com/werner.html
• Varner, Bruce: George Varner (c1789-c1861) of Oglethorpe Co., Georgia,Boone, Pettis, and Miller Counties, Missouri, his Ancestors and Descendants

Acknowledgments

• Thank you to Robert Warner for creating WikiTree profile Werner-591 through the import of Robert Warner Family Tree.ged on Aug 9, 2013.
• Thank you to Sheri Havens for creating Varner-233 on 20 Nov 13.