Johannes Jacob Morningstar (abt. 1740)

Born about 1740 in Germany

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Mae (Brunner) Morningstar — married 30 Sep 1768 in Washington County, Maryland

Descendants

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Biography

Johannes was born about 1732.^[1]

"ABRAHAM MORNINGSTAR was born in Humberstone, in the year 1821. His father, Benjamin Morningstar, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1789, and his mother (whose maiden name was Leah Stoner) was a daughter of Christian Stoner, one of the earliest settlers of Humbertone. Our subject's grandfather and great-grandfather were born in Bavaria, and emigrated, the latter dying on the passage out. His grandfather was but nine years of age when he landed in Pennsylvania, where, in after years, he farmed and conducted a factory for fulling cloth, until the outbreak of the American revolution, when, being a Loyalist, he sank the heavy machinery of his factory in the river to hide it from the rebels, and came to Canada, settling near Black Creek. At the close of the war he returned to his native land with a horse and cart to bring the machinery to this country, where he contemplated starting a factory. On the return trip the horse gave out with its heavy load (the plate used for pressing cloth weighing about half a ton) and Mr. Morningstar traded the horse for a yoke of oxen and proceeded on his journey. He had not got more than halfway home, however, when his funds gave out and he was sorely puzzled as to how the expenses for the balance of the trip were to be met. Meeting a friendly Quaker he related the circumstances to him. The Quaker heard his story, and saying "Thee looks like an honest man," gave him the required amount, for which he took no note in writing of any kind. The Quaker stated that he would be in Canada the next spring and that the money could then be returned to him. Mr. Morningstar arrived safely at home after an absence of nineteen weeks. The Quaker was paid his money when he called at the appointed time. The woolen mill, which was started with the machinery brought from Pennsylvania, continued to exist as the property of the Morningstar family for about fifty years. Benjamin, our subject's father was born in 1789, and consequently was about three years of age when the family came to Canada in 1792. In 1814 they removed from Black Creek to the farm in Humberstone where Abraham Morningstar was born. He has, until recent years, followed the business of farming in Humberstone. He was married in 1844, to Mary Sherk who was born in 1826 ; she is a daughter of Jacob Sherk. They have had a family of ten of whom seven are living. Caroline is the wife of E. B. Near, jeweller. Stonebridge ; Catharine married Philip Zavitz of Bertie ; Wilson is the proprietor of the flouring and shoddy mills at DeCew's Falls;^[2] Clayton is in business at Weston, Ontario ; Cyrenus farms in Humberstone ; Almira and Wallace are unmarried and living at home. Our subject now resides in the village of Stonebridge, where he is enjoying a well-earned rest from the active duties of life."^[3]

Willoughby, 1798: Clerk, Thomas Cummings ; Assessors, William Cook, Jacob Morningstar ; Collector, John Garner; Wardens, Christian Vinegar, Mathias Boughner.^[4]

Morningstar, Jacob^[5]

On 18 Sep 1817 (Reg 21 Aug 1822) John Morningstar sold to Jacob Morningstar 100 acres in Lot 22 Gore of Willoughby Twp. and Lot 16 Concession 9 from the Niagara River, Bertie Twp. (A251 #6163)

On 28 Oct 1820 (Reg 21 Aug 1822) Jacob Morningstar sold to Joseph Morningstar 100 acres in Lot 22 Gore of Willoughby Twp. & Lot 16 Concession 9 from the Niagara River, Bertie Twp. for ₤218.15 (A250 #6162)

Morningstar, Jacob^[6]

On 29 Mar 1806 (Reg 31 May 1806) Jacob Morningstar et ux sold to Henry Neff 63 acres part of Lot 18 in the Broken Fronts on South East Angle Niagara River Concession, Willoughby Twp. (A47 #1034)

On 11 Jun 1809 (Reg 10 Jun 1822) Jacob Morningstar & Henry Neff sold to Reuben Wait two parcels 63 acres & 2 roods commencing 10 chs northwest from the northeast Broken Front & 60 acres commencing at the northwest angle Lot 18 Broken Fronts on South East Angle Niagara River Concession, Willoughby Twp. (A98 #6101)

On 18 Sep 1819 (Reg 21 Aug 1822) John Beam sold to Jacob Morningstar all 100 acres in Lot 22 adjoining the Cross Concession, Willoughby Twp. (A101 #6163)

On 28 Oct 1820 (Reg 21 Aug 1822) Jacob Morningstar sold to Joseph Morningstar all 100 acres in Lot 22 adjoining the Cross Concession, Willoughby Twp. (A100 #6162)

On 19 Feb 1829 (Reg 8 Aug 1829) John Morningstar sold to Jacob Morningstar 100 acres part of Lots 17 & 18 Broken Fronts on South East Angle Niagara River Concession, Willoughby Twp. (A166 #7702)

"Atkinson, William (c. 1778- ) was born in Bedford or Somerset County, Pennsylvania and came to Ontario before 1810. He married Asenath (Senia) Morningstar (1777-1872), daughter of Willoughby Township pioneer Johann Jacob Morningstar and widow of Ephraim Bearss. William and Senia Atkinson lived in Woodhouse Township, Norfolk County in 1812 then lived in the area of Grimsby and Clinton Townships in Lincoln County. After William died, Senia lived in South Dorchester Township, Elgin County then in Walpole Township, Haldimand County."^[7]

WILLOUGHBY CENSUS FOR 1823 ^[8]

Jacob MORNINGSTAR

Jacob MORNINGSTAR, Sr.

Joseph MORNINGSTAR

• Son, Jacob, son of Jacob, referred to as Jr and Sr in the 1850s, isn't even born, yet. This Jacob Sr. must refer to his grandfather. Either that, or maybe his father, John, also went by Jacob, sometimes..."John Jacob"?

Sources

1. ↑ A source for this information is needed.
2. ↑ Morningstar Mill at DeCew Falls [1]
3. ↑ The history of the county of Welland, Ontario, its past and present [microform] [2]
4. ↑ A century of municipal history, 1792-1892 [microform] [3]
5. ↑ Settler Records "M", Bertie Township, Welland County [4]
6. ↑ Settler Records “M” Willoughby Township, Welland County [5]
7. ↑ The Ontario Pioneers Genealogies Surnames "A" [6]
8. ↑ WILLOUGHBY CENSUS FOR 1823 [7]