Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery Emmitsville, Maryland
Thomas Fisher (1763-1845)	Catherine Warner Fisher (1769-1844)

A6 Thomas Fisher Jr., born April 30, 1763 near Littleston, Pennsylvania, died July 8, 1845; married Catherine Warner, born December 14, 1769; died March 17, 1844. Click to view a newspaper notice of the Estate Sale for Thomas Fisher's Farm, found in the Repubican Compliler, Gettysburgh, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1845.

Thomas and Catherine Fisher are both buried in Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery where they attended church (see pics at right). They farmed in southern Adams County, Cumberland Township near the Mason Dixon line and March Creek, mostly in Emmitsburg district of Frederick County.

Click to view this land in a contemporary map (Google Maps): between Rock Creek and Marsh Creek on the border of Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Thomas Fisher Jr. (1763-1845) was a prosperous farmer -- in 1799 Germany Twp assessed him for 1,487 acres. He also was a man who liked to move -- in 1803 he sold his share of his father's 1764 patent lands (southwest of Littlestown) to George Geiselman and took possession of a new farm on Marsh Creek, straddling the Mason-Dixon Line. This farm was part of the old Frenchman's Purchase; on a modern map it extended from Bullfrog Road to Marsh Creek, encompassing the site of the present-day Mason-Dixon Farms. These lands were sold by Thomas Jr.'s heirs to Abraham Waybright, whose name adorns them in mid-19th century atlases.

Thomas had nine children. His daughter Lydia Fisher (b. 1801) married David Sheets. Daughter Elizabeth Ann Fisher (b. 1804) married Jacob Sheets. And daughter Mary Fisher (b. 1798) married Abraham Reiff and then George Lewis Shriver. Connections abound here. Lydia was the mother of Jeremiah Sheets, while George L. Shriver was Jeremiah's guardian after David died in 1846.

In his 1843 will, Thomas Fisher Jr. made an interesting bequest. He left Jeremiah -- then just 16 -- "the house and lot of about 12 acres of land near the Hill meeting house in Freedom Township". That house was then occupied by David and his family, but Fisher added the proviso "that the said Jeremiah shall not be compelled to pay into the hands of the said David Sheets anything herein bequeathed to the use of my said daughter Lydia Sheets but that the same shall remain and continue in his hands and that during the life of the said David Sheets the profits thereof shall be paid to the said Lydia Sheets annually" and discharged to Jeremiah. He also left Jeremiah $400 and noted that it was "my intention that the income of both bequests shall go to the separate use of my daughter Lydia Sheets, and it shall not be applied either directly or indirectly to the use of David Sheets husband of said Lydia."

David Sheets was born in 1788 and consistently identified as "of John" to differentiate him from another David Sheets in the area at the time -- even his tombstone in Lower Marsh Creek Cemetery includes the "of John." But which John Sheets was his father? No document has emerged to help solve this question, but maps might.

In 1796 Jacob Sheets resurveyed and patented 528 acres of a plantation called Neighbor's Agreement, drawn from lands that had belonged to the plantations Addition to Brook's Discovery on the Rich Lands, Nasby's Good Luck, Frenchman's Purchase and Benjamin's Inspection. These lands straddled the Monocacy River, which was then in Frederick County, Maryland and now serves as the border between Frederick and Carroll counties. They were mostly on the west side of the river.

In 1797 Jacob sold 115 acres, most of it on the east side of the Monocacy, to his son John, who had already bought a small bit of land from his father. Jacob died in 1806 and is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Taneytown. In his will, he left his home farm of 130 acres to John, mostly on the southeast side but also including his merchant mill and saw mill on the northwest. I suspect the sale and the bequest refer to the same land. In his will, Jacob left a 130-acre farm on the northwest side of the Monocacy to his son George, referring to it as the land on which he was living.

Those lands practically adjoin the Fisher farm (see related map), which leads me to my conclusion: the John Sheets who fathered David Sheets is the same John Sheets who inherited his father Jacob Sheets's lands and mills. John lived on the east side of the Monocacy for about a decade before taking over his father's farmstead on the west side in 1808. David Sheets was then about 20. I think the Jacob Sheets who married Elizabeth Ann Fisher was David's cousin, son of George Sheets. Jacob and Elizabeth's son was named George Thomas Sheets, a perfect fit if he was named for his grandfathers. The Fishers would have been practically next-door neighbors to these two closely related Sheets men.

In 1808 John sold the lands on the east side of the Monocacy to Joseph Lohr; from there they passed through the hands of Lewis Motter (1816), John Young (1832) and John H Sterner (1862). The state of Maryland considers the farmhouse historically significant and has documented it extensively as the John Sheets Farm. That farm is noted in 19th-century atlases and still exists today -- it's impossible to miss on its curve of the Monocacy off Baptist Road. The handsome Sheets farmhouse on the west side of the river also still stands along the Harney Road; for a time this property was called Hidden Valley Farm. Jacob Sheets's mills are indicated on early maps of Frederick County.

SOURCE: Jason Fry Research

Last Will of Thamas Fisher (Jr.)
[August 1, 1843]

In the name of God Amen. Thomas Fisher of Adams County in the State of Pennsylvania, being of advanced age and weak in body but of Sound and disposing mind, and death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and being desirous to Settle my worldly affairs and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence do therefore make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is today First and principally I commit my Soul into the hands of Almighty God and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors, herein after named, and after my debts and funeral charges are paid. I devise and bequeath as follows:

This Indenture - Made the 1st day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight Hundred and Forty Six Between Abraham Fisher and Issac Fisher Executors of the Last Will and Testament of Thomas Fisher Late of Cumberland Township in the County of Adams and State of Pennsylvania Dec'd of the first part and Abraham Waybright of the Township of Freedom in the County of the State aforesaid of the other part - Whereas the said Thomas Fisher by love and virture of (-----) good conveyances and asurances in the Law, duly had and executed became in his Lifetime lawfully seized in his (demisesne?) as of fee of and in a certain Tract of Land situated and being in the Township of Cumberland and the Township of Freedom in the County of Adams and the State of Pennsylvania in part and partly in the Emmitsburg District in the County of Frederick in the State of Maryland bounded and described as follows - BEGINNING at the Stones on the south side of Marshcreek being a corner of the Lands of the Heirs of Alexander Horner Dec'd and the Lands of Jacob Waybright thence across and down said Creek by Lands of Heirs of Alexander Horner south eighty eight degrees East thirty six perches and six tenths to A post, thencly by the said Lands of Said Heirs, Seventy seven degrees East thirty two perches to A post, thence by said Lands, South eighty three and one half degrees East fourteen perches to A post thence along said Lands south seventy one degrees East Eighteen perches to A post near North bank of siad Marchcreek, thence from the Creek by said Lands North five and three fourth degrees East twelve perches to A psot thence by said Lends south Eight eight degrees East one Hundred and Sixty nive perches and five tenths to Stones thence by Lands of William Walker South twenty nine degrees west sixty six perches and eitht tenths to Stones thence by said Lands south three and one half degrees East sixty four perches and seven tenths to Stones thence along said Lands south two degrees west twenty three perches of three tenths to Stones, thence by Lands of John Eyler North sixty four and three fourth degrees west one hundred and fifty two perches and eight tenths to Stones thence by said Lands south thirty six and one half degrees west forty eight perches and two tenths to Stones thence by said Lands, one degree and one half west one hundred and twelve perches to Stones , thence by Lands of Robert Fleming South Sixty Six and one fourth degrees west Forty seven perches and eitht tenths to Stones thence also North Sixty five and one fourth degrees West Sixty nine perches and Six tenths to Stones and White oak on the near Lands of William Patterson tnece said Lands North Forty nine and three fourths degrees East twelve perches to Stones thence by said Lands, North Sixteen degrees East fifty three perches and eight tenths to Stones, thence also north Eighty seven degrees West forty six perches and eight tenths to Stones, thence by Lands of Jacob Waybright.

North Sixteen east thirty three perches and one thenth to Stones, thence by said Lands North three and one half degrees East thirty two perches and seven tenths to Stones, thence North Forty two and one half degrees East, Sixty and four tenths perches to Stones, thence North one degree east twenty one perches to Stones thence thence North 33 degrees east fifteen and one hlaf perches to Stones thence North 1/2 degree West 20 3/10ths perches to Stones, thence North 52 1/2 degrees east 17 perches to the place of BEGINNING. Conatining - 282 acres and 93 perches - and being so therefor seized as aforsaid the said Thomas Fisher Dec'd on the first day of August, Anno Domini One thousand Eight hundred and forty three made his Last Will and Testament in writing and on the second day of July A.D. 1845 A codiciel thereto, wherein and whereby among other things he did order and direct his executors therein after named to Sell and Convey the said described Tract of Land for the best price that could be had therefor, and his said Last Will did make and constitute the said Abraham Fisher and Issac Fisher, to be the Executots and died without altering or revoking the same, as in and by the said Will remaining in the Registers office at Gettysburg in the county aforesaid Reference thereto being had Will (Miore) at Large appear - and now this Indenture Witnesseth that the said Abraham Fisher and Issac Fisher Executors as aforesaid for and in consideration of the aforsaid debt or sum of Five Thousand Six Hundred Sity Dollars to him in hand will and truly paid by the said Abraham Waybright aforesaid at and before the ensealing and delivery hereto the receipt whereof is herby acknowledged have granted bargained Sold Aliened Released and Confirmed and by these presents by force and Virtueof the said Last recited Will Do Grant Bargain and Sell Alien Release and confirm unto the said Abraham Waybright and unto his heirs and assigns all that above mentioned and described messuage containing Two Hundred and Eight two Acres and ninety three perches as aforesaid mentioned neat measure - Together with all and Singular the Buildings and improvements thereon made or erected, profits, commoadities, advantages, Emoluments, Here dictaments and Appurtenances, whatsoever to the said described parcel or Tract of Land Lying as aforesaid belonging or in any wisw appertaining and the Revisions, Remainers, Rents, Issues and Profirs thereof Also all the Estate Right, Title, Interest, Use, Possession, Property, Claim and Demand, whatsoever of him the said Thomas Fisher Dec'd at and immediately before the time of his deceace in Law and in equity or otherwise howsoever of in, to, or out of the same, To have and to Hold the said parcel or tract of Land Farm as above described and the premises hereby granted, mentioned or intendeded so to be, with the appurtenances, unto said Abraham Waybright and unto his hiers and assigns forever to their only proper use benefit and behoof and to and for no other intent meaing or purpose whatsoever - And the said Abraham Fisher and Issac Fisher Executors as aforesaid for themselves their Heirs Executors and Adminstrators do severally but not jointly but each for his own acts only, convenant, promise, grant and agree to and with the said Abraham Waybright and his hiers and assigns By these presents that they the said Abraham Fisher and Issac Fisher have not herefor done or committed abd act matter or thing whatsoever whereby the premises hereby granted or any part thereof is are or shall or may be impeached chnaged or incumbered in title, charge Estate or otherwise howsoever - In testimony whereof the said Abraham Fisher and Issac Fisher Executors

Children of Thomas Fisher Jr. and Catherine Warner:

B1 Rachel Fisher, born June 9, 1789 died August 13, 1852; married George Hospelhorn.

St. Elias Evangelical Luthern Church Cemetery Emmitsburg, Maryland

B2 Johannes (John) Fisher, born November 19, 1791, died April 19, 1847, buried Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Emmitsburg, Maryland; Christened April 9, 1792. Sponsors John and Catherine Werner; married Catherine _______.

B3 Abraham Fisher, (twin) born October 5, 1796. Christened March 12, 1797, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Littlestown, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Sponsors Abraham Werner and Sally. Died 1885. Buried Lutheran church in Emmitsburg. Married Elizabeth Benner born 1797 died 1829. Farmed and operated Fisher's Mill on Possum Creek at the Great Conewago.

C1 Abraham Fisher Jr., (twin) born 1826, died 1915. Married Julia Ann Dieh, born 1829, died 1910.

C2 Issac Newton Fisher, (twin) born 1826, died ___. Married Elizabeth S. Everett born 1835, died 1927.

B4 Isaac Fisher, (twin) born October 5, 1796 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Littlestown, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Sponsors Abraham Werner and Sally, died March 2, 1872; married Sarah Row, born 1796 , died 1867 (Headstone); Buried Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

B5 Mary (Maria) Fisher, born November 4, 1798, Christened February 16, 1799, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Littlestown, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Sponsors James Fisher and Elisabeth. Died July 7, 1878. Buried Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery. Married (1) Abraham Rife; married 1817 in Frederick County, Maryland. Married (2) George Lewis Shriver after 1822. (George Lewis Shriver married Sarah Krise March 17, 1818 in Frederick County, Maryland. Sarah died Jan. 26, 1822. Buried Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery).

B6 Lydia Fisher, born June 7, 1801, Christened August 2, 1801, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Littlestown; Died Mar. 9, 1880. Buried Phoutz Meeting House Cemetery, Gettysburg. Married David Sheets, Died 1846. The Orphans Court appointed George Shriver as Jeremiah's guardian in 1847. This makes sense because George married Mary Fisher Rife, Jeremiah’s aunt.

B7 Elizabeth Ann Fisher, born August 5, 1804, died October 26, 1869; Christened June 30, 1805, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Littlestown, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Sponsors William Leitner and Christina. Married Jacob Sheets, born January 67, 1801, died April 8, 1885.

B8 George Fisher, married 1850.

B9 Susannah Fisher, born June 15, 1795. Married (Jacob?) Ockerman. Lived in Freedom Township Frederick (?) County.

C1 William Thomas Ockerman