Pennsylvania Families

Some rootsweb sites put the birth of Matthias' son William in eastern Pennsylvania, either Northhampton or Lehigh County. Lehigh is where Erhardt Weber is said to have settled. Jacob and Matthias Kern are said to have traveled to America with Erhardt, their cousin.

Matthias in Westmoreland Co:

20 Nov 1773: was a witness to a deed in either Fairfield or Donegal Township.
22 June 1774: he owned land which was a boundary in a description of
another land sale.
18 Sep 1775: he was a witness to another deed.
(Source: a book at New England Historic and Genealogical Society Library, 19 Dec 2003, in Westmoreland Co. section)
Taxed in 1783 on 200 acres in Donegal Township. Source: rootsweb, citing Returns of Taxables for the Counties of Bedford (1773 to 1784).
Matthias and Anna Christine Kern sponsored children for baptism in 1784 and 1785. Source: rootsweb, citing The Church Records of Western Pennsylvan ia 1772-1791 and 1792-1804 by Paul Miller Ruff.

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1790 Census, Donegal Twp., Westmoreland Co., PA
Series M637, Roll 9, page 94

Kerns, Mathias
3 males 16 and over, 0 males under 16, 2 females

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from: Rootsweb database, Our O'Neal History
Updated: Sun Nov 30 2003, Contact: Ken O'Neal
Citing transcription of Will of Mathias KERN Vol. 1 # 158, Westmoreland Co. 1800:

"In the Name of God, Amen. I Matthias Karins of the Township of Donneyga ll in the County of Westmoreland & State of Pennsylvania being frail in body but of sound mind memory and understanding & knowing that it is appointed for all men to die do hereby make and declare this to be my last Will & Testament....Item I give and bequeath and I do allow my land and property is to be all sold and divided equally share and share alike William and Rosena Petter and George and I do allow Adam Nisely and
George Kelse to be Executors..... Proved November 10th 1800 & recorded."

The children sold the land. Also from: Rootsweb database, Our O'Neal History:

From Westmoreland County Deed Book, Vol. 6 Pt. 1, page 50 which records
the sale of William Kern & others to Philip Hoof on Feb.2, 1801 of the property of Mathias KERN. Initial text:
" To all people to whom these presents may come, William Kern and Catherine his wife of Fayette County, George Eager and Rosanna his wife, Peter Kern and Eve his wife, and George Kern and Susanna his wife of Westmoreland County the State of Pennsylvania send greeting. Whereas Mathias Kerns of Donegal Township in the County of Westmoreland and State aforesaid, lately departed this life having made his last Will and Testament, and in the same devised as follows viz 'I do..my land and
property to be sold and divided equally share and share alike between William, Rosanna, Peter and George....Now know ye that the said William Kerns and Catherine his wife of Fayette County, George Eager and Rosanna his wife, Peter Kern and Eve his wife, and George Kern and Susanna his wife children and Heirs at Law of the said Matthias Kerns, deceased...".