John Lionberger (abt. 1746 - bef. 1815)

Born about 1746 in Frederick County (now Page Co.), Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Barbara (Boyer) Lionberger — married 1769 (to 1771) in Frederick Co, Virginia

Husband of Barbara (Stover) Lienberger — married 1772 (to 1785) in Frederick County, Virginia

Husband of Barbara (Hershberger) Lionberger — married 28 Jun 1785 in Shenandoah Co., VA, USA

Descendants

Died before 11 Sep 1815 before about age 69 in Hawksbill Creek, Shenandoah, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Soldier John Lionberger served with Virginia Militia during the American Revolution.

John Lionberger performed Patriotic Service in the American Revolution.

John Lionberger is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A069638.

John Lionberger is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: 237048
Rank: Patriotic Service / Soldier

John served during the American Revolution as a soldier from Virginia under Capt Michael Reader. He also provided Patriotic Service when he supplied beef for the Army.^[1]

John Lionberger was likely the eldest son of his father John Lionberger, being the first under-age son named in his father's will dated 26 November 1756 in Frederick County, Virginia, followed by brothers David and Peter.^[2]

264 acres of land from the estate of John Lionberger, dec'd, lying in Frederick County was recorded surveyed for John dated 20 June 1771 by the executors of his father, Lewis Pence and Christian Grove. His brother David was surveyed 305 adjacent acres, and brother Peter, 276 1/2 acres.^[3]

Record has not been found of how John Lionberger came to own his brother David's 305 acre survey but it appears he did, for on the 24th & 25th of March 1777, John Lionberger and his wife Barbara, then of Dunmore County, Virginia (same location, new county formed), entered into indentures of lease & release with Peter Lionberger of the same place for 305 acres bounded by John Lionberger's 264 acre survey on Little Hawksbill Creek.^[4] These brothers appear to have been swapping land for land because on the 25th & 26th of August, Peter Lionberger & Magdalene his wife of Dunmore County entered into indentures of Lease & Release with John Lionberger, selling to John the 276 1/2 acres surveyed to Peter in 1771, described as bequeathed to him by the will of his deceased father John Lionberger and part of an original tract of 1100 acres surveyed to the late John Lionberger. This appears to have been a land swap because these indentures mention the land is corner to Lionberger's late, or in other words, recent survey of 379 acres.^[5]

The following is the will of John Lionberger, Sr., dated 16 Jan 1813. His will was proved 11 September 1815 and his estate was inventoried 28 Sept 1815.^[6]

Will

In the name of God, Amen. I John Lionberger, Senr of this County of Shenandoah and State of Virginia, do make, ordain, publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament, revoking all others in manner and form following, viz; First--To my four sons Samuel, Abraham, Joseph, and Jacob and my beloved wife, Barbara, I give and bequeath the plantation whereon I now live to remain whole and undivided until my son Jacob becomes or arrives to lawful age and in the meantime the profits thereof to be equally divided amongst the sons, Samuel, Abraham, Joseph, Jacob and Barbara, my wife.
SECOND--My sons Samuel, Abraham, Jacob and Joseph shall pay unto my daughters, Mary, Leah and Magdalene the sum of twelve hundred dollars to be equally divided among my said daughters: To be paid in the following manner, viz: One hundred dollars in twelve months after my decease and annually one hundred dollars thereafter until the whole is paid.
THIRDLY, to my son David Peter, and the heirs of my son John I give and bequeath the sum of one shilling each (which shall be in addition to what I have given them before) be in full of their share of my estate.
FOURTHLY--After my decease I desire that all my personal estate shall be sold by my Executors herein after mentioned, on a credit of twelve months and the proceeds thereof equally divided among my children, viz: Barbara, Susannah, Rebecca, Mary, Samuel, Abraham, Joseph, Leah, Magdalene, and Jacob and also my beloved wife, Barbara.
FIFTHLY--I give and bequeath my black smith tools to my sons, viz: Samuel, Abraham, Joseph and Jacob
SIXTHLY--To my wife Barbara I give during her natural life one bed and furniture, my clock, my corner cupboard, my stove and pipe, my large table, two milk cows, such as she may choose amongst all I have at my death. Also possession of her choice of rooms in my house, and privilege of my kitchen, all which she shall enjoy during her natural life, provided she remains my widow, but if she marries again, then viz: at her marriage the whole of the property herein given and bequeathed to her shall revert to my children, viz: her part of the land shall revert to my sons Samuel, Abraham, Joseph, and Jacob her part of the personal property (One bed and furniture excepted, which I give her there being forever) shall revert to my children, Barbara, Susannah, Rebecca, Mary, Samuel, Abraham, Joseph, Leah, Magdalene, and Jacob.
SEVENTHLY--I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my friends William S. Marye and William R. Almond sole executors of this my last will and testament. As witness my hand and seal this 16th day of January in the year of our Lord 1813.

John (X) Lionbarger (Seal)

Will of Barbara Lionberger, widow of John
In the name of God Amen I Barbara Lionberger, widow of John Lionberger, Senr. dec'd; do make ordain publish and declare this, as and for my last Will and Testament, in the manner and form following, vizt~ First, Whereas my husband did by will give me one fifth part of the lands he died seized and possessed of, I give the same to my four sons Samuel, Abraham, Joseph & Jacob Lionberger & to their heirs forever, I also give to then the said Samuel, Abraham, Joseph & Jacob the rents and profits of the said one fifth part of land up to this date, and all the money which I may have, & that which may also be owing to me, by bond note, or account at my decease. Secondly, all the remainder of my property I give to my daughters Mary, Leah & Magdalene & to the heirs of their bodies forever, and it is my will and desire that my said daughter divide my wearing apparel, for I do not wish them sold or given to any other person or persons. Thirdly, I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my friend Abraham Spitler, Sole executor of this my last Will and testament~as witness my hand Seal this eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty Six.

Barbara (herXmark) Lionberger

Signed, Sealed, acknowledged
in presence of
Ambrose C Booton
Joseph Grove
Emanuel Grave^[7]

Research Notes

Peter Hay, who married in 1802 to Rebecca Lionberger, received a distribution from the estate of John Lionberger, Jr. in virtue of his wife's interest in the land of the deceased. Rebecca was not a daughter of John Lionberger, Jr., but was his sister, the daughter Rebecca named in the will of John Lionberger, Sr. in 1813...Could these siblings (John & Rebecca) have received land in right of their dec'd mother, or John received the land with Rebecca as his survivor sibling?

• [3] Will of John Lionberger, Jr. dated 11 Oct 1806, proved 8 Dec 1806. Names widow, Susannah & ch: Reuben, Daniel, Ann, John (youngest), brother David Lionberger & Joseph Roads as executors (Joseph Roads appears to have been the sole executor at the final settlement made by his own administrators after he too died.). Shenandoah Will Book F, p. 506.
• [4] 20 Dec 1806 Appraisal of Estate of John Lionberger, Jr. Shenandoah Co. Will Book G, p. 98-101.
• [5] Estate Sale Bill of John Lionbarger, Junr., dec'd. Returned 23 Dec 1806. Will Book G, p. 119-124.
• [6] 29 May 1812 Accounting of Estate of John Lionberger, Jr., dec'd. Peter Hay pd. in virtue of his wife's interest in land of the dec'd. Shenandoah Va. Will Book H, p. 231.

John Lionberger's will was likely transcribed by the Court Clerk into the will book with no comma between the phrase " my son David Peter, and heirs of my son John, dec'd. The following deed from John & wife Barbara proves he did indeed have a son named Peter, Jr in 1805, possibly indicating his own brother Peter was still living.

• [7] 31 Jan 1805 Indenture from John Lionberger, Senr. & Barbara his wife of Shenandoah Co., VA to Peter Lionberger of the same (son of said John) 174 acres on both sides of Little Hawksbill Creek being part of two parcels bounded together. Note in margin: Deed Del'd to David Lionberger Febry 9th 1804. Relinquishment of Barbara Lionberger who could not conveniently travel to Court recorded 3 Feb 1805. Shenandoah Co., VA Deed Book O, p. 146-147.

John Leuenberger (aka "Lionberger") was born in 1746, shortly after his parents emigrated to the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, from Lancaster County, Province of Pennsylvania. He was the son of Hans Johannes "John" Leuenberger Jr. (1710-1757), a Mennonite immigrant from Bern Canton, Switzerland, and his wife, Barbara (Bar) Lionberger (abt.1713-abt.1785), the Pennsylvania-born daughter of Swiss Mennonnite immigrants. The area near Little Hawksbill Creek where the family set up their 2,000+ acre "plantation" has been under several Virginia counties: Augusta County, 1738-1743; Frederick County, 1743 to 1772; Shenandoah County, 1772 to 1830; Page County, 1830-Present. ^[8]

According to a family-researched genealogy profile, John Lionberger (III) had 3 wives, all of them with the first name of Barbara; all of them married in Virginia. He was twice a widower. Here are his 3 marriages and 12 known children:

1. Barbara (Boyer) Lionberger (abt.1750-abt.1771), married around 1769 in Frederick Co., VA (now Page Co.). 1 child:
   1. David C. Lionberger: b: 1771 in Frederick Co., VA. Death: before 16 April 1830 (will proven date) in Licking County, Ohio.
2. Barbara (Stover) Lienberger (aft.1746-abt.1784); married in 1772 in Frederick Co., VA (now Page Co.). - 5 children:
   1. Rebecca Lionberger: b: 1772 in (now Page Co., VA); d: before July 1818 in Shenandoah Co., Virginia (Page Co.).
   2. Barbara (Leinbarger) Grove (1773-abt.1853); d: 18 June 1853 in Rutland Twp., LaSalle Co., Illinois
   3. John Lionberger (IV): b: 1774 in Shenandoah Co., VA (Page Co.); d: 1806 in Shenandoah Co., VA (Page Co.)
   4. Peter Lionberger (abt.1777-1851); died: 8 December 1856 in Adams Co., Illinois, USA
   5. Susanna (Lionberger) Kite (1779-1819); d: April 1819 in Ohio, USA
3. Barbara (Hershberger) Lionberger (abt.1763-); married 28 Jun 1785 in Woodstock, Shenandoah Co., VA (now Page Co.); d: 3 May 1845 in Page County, VA. - 6 children:
   1. Mary Lionberger: b: 1786 in Hawksbill, Shenandoah Co., VA (now Page Co.); d: 19 Dec 1863 in Hancock Co., Illinois
   2. Samuel Lionberger: b: 1790 in Hawksbill, Shenandoah Co., VA (now Page Co.); d: April 1868 in Hawksbill, Page Co., Virginia, USA
   3. Abraham (Abram) Lionberger: b: 1792 in Shenandoah Co., VA (now Page Co.); d: 24 June 1868 in Hancock Co., Illinois
   4. Joseph Lionberger: b: 1794 in Shenandoah Co., VA (now Page Co.); d: January 1868 in Hancock Co., Illinois
   5. Magdalene (Lionberger) Mauck (1799-1870); d: 31 May 1870 in Luray, Page Co., Virginia
   6. Jacob Lionberger: b: 9 Aug 1801 in Shenandoah Co., VA (now Page Co.); d: 28 March 1887 in Hancock Co., Illinois

John Lionberger III passed away just before 11 September 1815 (when his will was proven) on his plantation near Hawksbill Creek, Shenandoah County (now Page Co.), Virginia, USA. ^[9] He was most-likely buried on his farm; no grave-site is known today. He does have a Find A Grave Memorial: ^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 8 March 2024), "Record of John Lionberger", Ancestor # A069638.
2. ↑ Will of John Lionberger dated 26 Nov 1756, proved 7 June 1757. Frederick County, VA. Will Book 2, p. 227.
3. ↑ The Virginia Genealogical Society. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly and Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Vol 8. No. 3. p. 64.
4. ↑ [1] 24 & 25 March 1777 Indentures of Lease & Release from John Lionberger & Barbara his wife to Peter Lionberger, 350 acres on Little Hawksbill bounding John Lionberger's 264 acres survey and Samuel Shorts line. Shenandoah Co. VA Deed Book B, p. 468-471.
5. ↑ [2] 25 & 26 Aug 1777 Indentures of Lease & Release from Peter Lionberger & Magdalene his wife of Dunmore Co. to John Lionberger of the same, 276 1/2 acres on Little Hawksbill Creek, bequeathed to Peter by will of his father John Lionberger, part of a 1100 acre former survey of the said John Lionberger, dec'd. Shenandoah Co. VA Deed Book B, p. 523-526.
6. ↑ Will of John Lionberger, Senr. dated 16 Jan 1813, proved 11 Sept 1815. Shenandoah Va. Will Book H, p. 416, 483, & 486.
7. ↑ Will of Barbara Lionberger dated 8 March 1836, proved 24 March 1845. Page Co., VA Will Book C, p. 36-37.
8. ↑ https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/214129/I5342/john-lionberger/individual Note: This 2dy source, by a descendant, includes references to several family sources and is well-researched. Unless contradicted by "primary" sources, it can be considered definitive. It includes links to both his parents & his own family. The family name changed from Swiss German "Leuenberger" to "Lionberger," with other minor spelling variants, in this generation.
9. ↑ Brett Stuart, "Stuart-Lionberger Family Tree" on RootsWeb.
10. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/78237123/john-lionberger : accessed 18 May 2021), memorial page for John Lionberger (1746–1815), Find A Grave: Memorial #78237123, ; Maintained by Family Seeker (contributor 47327947) Unknown.

• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR78-ZQP : 5 December 2014), John Lionberger and Susannah Hay, 01 Jan 1800; citing Shenandoah, Virginia, reference p 108; FHL microfilm 33,930.

• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR78-6Q6 : 5 December 2014), Peter Hay and Rebecca Leinberger, 19 Jun 1802; citing Shenandoah, Virginia, reference p 122; FHL microfilm 33,930.
• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR76-8MN : 6 August 2020), John in entry for John Grove, 1790.
• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR78-6QD : 6 August 2020), John in entry for Peter Hay, 1802.
• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR7D-YZ7 : 6 August 2020), John in entry for Saml. Grove, 1807.
• "Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRSG-5RB : 29 January 2020), J. Lionberger in entry for Magdaline Mauck, 1870.
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LX3Z-1HY

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Lionbergar-2 was created from first-hand information as remembered by Richard Green, Thursday, April 30, 2015.

• WikiTree profile Lionberger-6 was created through the import of GerkeFam.ged on Jun 14, 2012 by Matthew Gerke. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Matthew and others.