The Bucher/Booker Family, 1686-1990: Chapter I, Part 2

Again, I would like to mention at this time that the similarity of the ‘B’ and ‘P’ sound by the early Buchers caused the civil authorities to record the Bucher name as “Poker.” By the 1790’s, the John Michael Bucher family returned to the original spelling of Bucher. The John Phillip Bucher family who by that time were living in Shenandoah County, began to spell their surname in the English way, Booker. Also, it was not uncommon in German families to name all their sons, John, followed by their first name, then their surname.

In Order Book #3, (1748) Frederick County, Virginia, Woolrick Poker [Bucher] sued Richard Tadfe? (Tass or Tabb?) for 3 pounds, 15 shillings, plus costs which the court ordered to be paid. Page 249, in the same book, Ulrick Poker vs. Lyon Lepman for 4 pounds, 10 shillings, and 6 pence, and costs granted from an attachment in the hands of the sheriff. (In other words, the sheriff had already seized Lepman’s estate, and he paid Poker from what he had seized.)

On 1 July 1747 John Woolrich Poker [Bucher] wrote his will, and upon his death, it was recorded on 14 February 1751 in Frederick County, Virginia’s Will Book #1, pages 436 and 437 as follows:

The will was proved in open court Thursday 14 February 1751 by oath of Edward Rogers; Barbary Poker Executrix. In Will Book #1, page 437 posted on the same day was the Bond of Barbary Poker with Jacob Funk and Stephen Hotsonpella as administrator of John Woolrich Poker [Bucher]. Barbara signed with her “B.” Jacob Funk signed his name. Stephen Hotsonpella made his H. Also, found in the same Will Book on page 438, and dated 25 February 1751, is the appraisal of the estate of Ulrick Poker with Barbary Poker as administrator, and the actual appraisal done and signed by Samuel Pritchard, Jacob Nicewarner [Neuswanger], Robert Allen and Lawrence Stephens and Barbary Pocker.

On the next page (485), I found the following statement:

On 6 May 1750 there is found in Deed Book 2, page 90f:

This lease for land from Jost Hite to John Woolrick Poker was proved in Open Court by the oaths of George Bowman, Joseph Carroll, and John Hite, Gent. Evidence thereto which on the motion of the said John Woolrick Poker was admitted and record. Teste, J.Wood C.C.

This Indenture made the fifth day of May in the year of our Lord 1750 Between Jost Hite …and John Woolrick Poker… Witnesseth that the said Jost Hite for and in Consideration of the sum of Twenty pounds to him in hand paid the Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledged, Hath Granted, Bargained and Sold aliened Released, and Confirmed and by these presents doth Grant, Bargain and sell alien Release and Confirm the said John Woolrick Poker in his actual possession now being by virtue of a Bargain and Sale to him…transferring…into possession and to his heirs and assign forever all that tract piece or parcell of Land containing 441 acres… [Same witnesses] Yost Heydt

While looking through Frederick County Court Order Book #17, I discovered a notation on page 5, dated 7 May 1778, that states that John Hite [son of Jost Hite] was appointed as administrator of Ulrick Poker’s will on 9 November 1750. This proves that Ulrich Bucher died between May and November 1750.

According to Hammond’s research, Hans Ulrich Bucher and his first wife, Anna Maria Schellinger(in), had two children:

From Ulrich’s Will, Hammond’s research and mine, Hans Ulrich Bucher’s second marriage to Susanna Barbara Wirth resulted in the following children.

On pages 23 and 24 of Shenandoah Valley Pioneer Settlers, by Hammond, there is a complete listings of notations involving Frederick County, Virginia Land Records, and John Michael Poker [Bucher] and son, Philip Peter Poker [Bucher]. Since my line is mainly concerned with John Philip Bucher, and for the sake of continuity, I have included only those listings from Frederick County that refer to our Philip Bucher, his mother and siblings. Much of the following information was researched by Karen Cooper of Woodstock, Virginia, a professional genealogist with much experience in the Shenandoah Valley region.

In Frederick County Law Order Book #6, page 12, dated 6 June 1754, Philip Poker [Bucher] instituted a civil suit against George Bruce. Case was dismissed; probably settled out of court.

In Order Book #6, 1754-55, on page 70, Barbara Poker [Bucher] sues for debt against Ortho Peters and William Potter.

On 3 December 1755 in Frederick County, Deed Book #4, pages 150-151 Philip Poker [Bucher] sells a half lot (lot #29) in the town of Winchester to John Lemly of Winchester; also Philip sold a half lot (#32 of 7 acres 3 rods and 31 perches – originally part of Lord Fairfax’s addition to the town of Winchester). Although throughout the deed, the county clerk uses the name Phillip Poker, the signature of Philip Bucher is signed in “old German” script with an obvious “B” in Bucher. Philip was paid 7 pounds, 17 shillings, and 6 pence. He again signed in German after receiving his money, this time with a “J” in front of Philip. This was recorded on 3 August 1756, and since no wife gave permission for the sell, we can assume Philip was not married at this time.

From “Northern Neck Warrants, and Surveys” in the Virginia State Library, we find listed a Mr. Lewis Stephens. No Warrant, Surveyed 13 March 1756, 437 acres on drains of “Opekon [Creek] and Crooked Run” adjoining his own lands, Major Reed, Capt. Hite and Peter Stephens. Chainmen were Philip Poker [Bucher] and Stephen “Hossipell“; Surveyed by John Baylis.

From Order Book #7, page 245 on 8 June 1757, Michael Poker [Bucher] was made heir at law to Alexander Poker [Bucher], deceased.

Colonel George Washington and Colonel Martin were candidates for the House of Burgesses in 1758. From Quarles’ “George Washington and Winchester Virginia, 1748-1758,” an 80 page booklet; taken from Volume VIII: Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society Papers, we find on 24 July 1758 Michael Poker [Bucher] and Philip Poker [Bucher] voting for both Colonel Washington and Colonel Martin. Again, in 1761, Colonel Washington received votes for the House of Burgesses from Michael Poker and Philip Poker, and this time from Ulrich’s youngest son, George Poker. The qualifications to vote was at least 21 years old, white male and an owner for one year of at least 100 acres on, or 25 acres “with house and plantation in his possession or occupied by a tenant in the county in which he voted.“

From Order Book #8, 1758-60, page 311, Barbara Poker vs. Christopher Bomgardner, case dismissed, agreed out of court. On page 348, George Poker complains against his master, Christopher Lambert.

From Order Book #9, page 33, George Poker vs. Christopher Lambert, arguments were heard and dismissed. On page 390, the court orders George Wright to pay John Poker 175 Lbs. of tobacco for 7 days attendance for him as evidence against Pritchard.

On 1 March 1759 Philip Poker [Bucher] and wife, Elizabeth, of Frederick County, Virginia sell to David Dedrick, butcher [occupation], 200 acres: “… it being part of a greater Track of Four hundred acres Purchased by John Ulrick Poker from Jost Hite and the last will and Testament of the said John Ulrick Poker Demised to the above named Philip Poker, his son the said Bargained Promises [the land] lying on the Opeckon Creek in the said County of Frederick...” Signed by Philip Bucher and Elizabeth who made her mark. Recorded Wednesday 4 April 1759 by J. Wood and released earlier 6 March 1759 by Philip and wife, Elizabeth Poker, for 100 pounds “current money of Virginia.”

Again, it is interesting to note that although the name of Philip Poker is used by the county clerk throughout the deed, it is signed in German script by J. Philip Bucher and Elizabeth J. who made her mark.

Philip’s brother, Jacob Bucher, buys from Peter Froman 1/2 of a lot of land in Winchester on 6 September 1762. Recorded by clerk J. A. Keith, 7 September 1762.

From Order Book #11, 1763-64, page 451, Barbary Poker vs. Nicholas Helmich for 2 pounds, and her cost in court agreed to be recovered by her.

From Order Book #13, 1765-67, page 50, dated 6 March 1766, Jacob Booker is appointed constable. On page 417, Mary C. Otto vs. George Poker, dismissed agreed. She is administrator of Tobias Otto, deceased.

From Deed Book #11, page 230, dated 1 October 1766, Philip Poker [Bucher] and wife, Mary, sell to Nicholas Pitman, 1/2 acre lot in the town of Stephensburgh, #3 on German Street. Also, Philip and wife sell lots of 5 acres each #72 and #111. Philip signed and Mary made her X. This is present day Stephens’ City. It would seem now that our Philip had a second wife, Mary, or she had a double name – Mary Elizabeth. Witnesses are Com. Hanvill, Wm. Lingleton (penciled through and Singleton is written), and William Cryer. The deed was recorded 4 November 1766 by James Keith. The release was dated 1 November 1766 and sold for 38 pounds. The two lots are described as being on Passage and Rabbit Lane. (Rabbit Lane was one of the most important streets in town then.)

Also from Deed Book #11, page 233, dated 31 October 1766, Philip Poker [Bucher] and wife, Mary, sell to Casemore Plumb 1/2 acre lot – deed not complete – and lots of five acres each – #81 and #130. Philip signed, and Mary made her X. The same witnesses from the previous deed are listed, and the deed is recorded 4 November 1766 by Keith. The release was dated 1 November 1766, and the lots were sold for 20 pounds. The lots were described as: lot #4 on German Street, and for the 5 acre lots, lot #81 was on Squirrel Lane, and Lot #130 was on Deer and Turkey Lane.

(Between 1762 and 1766, the Clerks stopped the grantors from signing their own signature. The Clerk began just writing the name Poker for Bucher; we do not see the German script anymore.)

From Order Book # 14, page 195, dated 2 March 1768, George Booker is sworn in as constable.

From Order Book #14 part 2, 1767-70, page 586, dated 8 February 1770, John Poker is appointed administrator of George Poker, deceased. Court appoints appraisers David Brown, John Hite, Stephen Hotspeller, and John Allen, or any three of them.

From Order Book 315, 1770-72, page 8, Barbara Poker vs. John Thomas for debt. On page 68 Barbara Poker vs. Joseph Vincent, administrator of Frederick Feaghelm for debt of 3 pounds, 14 shillings and costs; court agreed with her. Barbara Bucher must have been one determined woman. I get the impression that she was a good businesswoman, though there seems to be no appraisement of her estate. She may have remarried.

The Bucher/Booker Family, 1686-1990 © 1990 Charles Lee Booker Jr.