John Bicher ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7}

   Other names for John were Johan Bicher, Johannes Bicher,⁶ Johanns Bicher,³ John Biecher,^{9 10} John Bischer,¹¹ Johann Bucher ¹² and John Bucher.^{13 14}

   FamilySearch ID: 9C6N-PSS.

  Burial Notes:

Johanns Bicher is buried in section A 38 20 next to Catherine Bicher in section A 38 21.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1800 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹⁵ The 1800 census records Henry Beeker (the census taker's handwriting isn't certain) living in Brecknock Township with a household consisting of:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1791-1800) = 1 son John
10-15 (1785-1790) = 1 son Elias
26-44 (1756-1774) = 1 father Henry
Females (born)
26-44 (1756-1774) = 1 wife Susanna
Listed nearby are surnames that marry into our Buecher families: Frey/Fry, Kern/Kearn, Good. Listed next to Henry are Peter Fanckhauser Sr. and Jr., Joseph Bechtel, John Lesher and George Wright.

2. Court: Orphan's Court on 27 Mar 1804 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster, PA. ⁷ John Beecher a minor son of Henry Beecher and grand son of Christopher Kern late of Brecknock township deceased by his late wife Susanna Beecher, a daughter of the said Christopher Kern deceased being above the age of fourteen years, comes into court and chooses his father Henry Beecher of the same township, Guardian over his Estate during his minority -- The Court approve of and appoint the said Henry Beecher his Guardian accordingly.
The Court appoint Henry Beecher of Brecknock township Guardian over the estate of Elias Beecher a minor son of the said Henry Beecher, and grand son of Christopher Kern late of the same township deceased by his late wife Susanna Beecher, a daughter of the said Christopher Kern deceased during his minority -- he being under the age of fourteen years.

--------------- Research notes-----------------
Obviously the court recorder's record is confusing in that the order of the record sounds like Susanna Beecher was Christopher Kern's wife, not his daughter. But it gives us valuable information. Susanna was "deceased" by early 1804 meaning after birthing sons John and Henry Bicher (aka Beecher) Susanna died, likely while giving birth to Elias or a 3rd stillborn child. Following her young death, the record suggests that her children lived with her father Christopher Kern until his death, at which time the court appointed the children's father Henry Bicher (aka Beecher) as the guardian. Sadly, we know from Henry Buecher's bible that he died five years later in 1809, when son John was 18 and son Elias 12.
This explains why we only find two surviving children for Henry Buecher/Bicher, John and Elias.

3. Military on 10 Aug 1814 in Harrisburg, Dauphin, PA: War of 1812: Private. ¹⁶ Return of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Classes of the Third Company 66th Regt. Penn'a Militia, who have been notified to meet at Harrisburg the 10th day of August 1814 to be inspected.
Joel Bailey, first Lieut. Com'd.

First Class
Joel Bailey, 1st Lieut. 3 Comp.
James Chambers
Wm. Freemole
Geo. Stabley
Abraham Swartz
Alex Jackson
Jon. P. McCabe
Peter Mooney
John Beicher
Henry Wilson
John Rodney
Daniel Miller.

4. Census in 1820 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹⁷ Males (born)
Under 10 (1811-1820) = 1 son Jacob
45 & over (<=1775) = 1 father John
Females (born)
10-15 (1805-1810) = 2 daughters Elizabeth & Lydia
26-44 (1776-1794) = 1 wife Catharina
45 & over (<=1775) = 1 (mother-in-law?)
.

5. Census in 1830 in Brecknock, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. ¹⁸ The 1830 census recorded John Bechard (sic) with this household:
Males (born)
Under 5 (1826-1830) = 2 sons Isaac and Henry
5-9 (1821-1825) = 1 son William
10-14 (1816-1820) = 1 son Jacob
30-39 (1791-1800) = 1 father John
Females (born)
10-14 (1816-1820) = 2 daughters Elizabeth & Lydia
30-39 (1791-1800) = 1 mother Catharine.

6. Census in 1840 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹⁹ The 1840 Census recorded "John Becher" in Brecknock Township with this household:
Males (born)
5-9 (1831-1835) = 1 son (Henry)
10-14 (1826-1830) = 1 son (Isaac)
15-19 (1821-1825) = 1 son (William)
50-59 (1781-1790) = 1 father (John)
Females (born)
40-49 (1791-1800) = 1 mother (Catherine).

7. He signed a will Note: Will transcribed in will book as John Becher on 25 Mar 1843 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster, PA. ²⁰ In the name of God, Amen. I John Bicher of the Township of Brecknock in the County of Lancaster Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Yeoman, being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind, memory, and understanding, blessed be God for the same, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, that is to say, principally and first of all I commend my immortal soul into the hands of God who gave it, and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors herein after named. And as such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner, viz.:

Item: It is my Will and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be done after my decease.
Item: It is my Will and I do order and direct that my dear wife Catharine shall take on her apportion and flock to her use and award of my Executors and have the farming and household goods that she may need. And all other personal Estate shall be sold, and I order that she shall apply all her personal property and farming utensils remaining, shall be sold by my Executors by public vendue or outcry, immediately after my decease. So order that my Real Estate in the Township of Providence where I now reside containing about seventy acres of land with the appurtenances as it is held by me with reservation for the highest and best bidder at such time as at least part of the year as my Executors herein named consider that think the most suitable. It is further my Will and I do direct that my Executors shall not sell my farm before that time of the first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four, or at such time as my Executors deem to give satisfaction to the purchasers of purchasers of my Real Estate.
Item: I give all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid out of my Personal Estate and money arising from the sale of my farm, the maximum sum of twenty or thirty dollars and any such sums and to be paid out of the last of my last named wife Catharine was as my Executors shall agree, to which last property** had to be reserved for my dear wife Catharine was a sum of one and all my Personal Estate and to be paid out of my Personal Estate and the money arising from the sale of my farm, after the debts where paid, it is my will that the cash property shall be held by my heirs and the interest thereof equally divided between them share and share alike. Item: I give all of my estate after the decease of my wife to my heirs to be equally divided among them share and share alike.
Item: I do hereby nominate and appoint my trusty friend, Amos Schneder and my son Jacob Bicher to be the Executors of this my last Will and Testament, granting to them all and every such lawful power and authority to sign, sell, and convey deeds and titles to my Real Estate as I myself could do if I were here present, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named John Bicher as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have here unto set our names.
John Bicher (Seal)
Witnesses:
Jacob Lausch
Jacob Van Nida
.

8. Probate on 5 Apr 1847 in , Lancaster, PA. ²¹ Lancaster County: On the 5th day of April, Anno Domini 1843, before me the subscriber, personally appeared Jacob Lausch and Jacob Van Nida, the subscribing witnesses to the preceding Will, and on their Solemn Affirmations say that they were present and saw and heard John Bicher the testator therein named sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament, and at the doing, thereof he was of sound and well disposing mind, memory and under standing, to the best of their knowledge observation and belief.
Jos. Ehrenfried, Deputy Regr.

April 5th 1847 - Letters Testamentary granted to Amos Schneder Schneder and Jacob Bicher, the Executors, they being duly affirmed well and truly to administer the goods and chattels rights and credits of the said Tes. according to law and also that they will diligently and faithfully regard and well and truly comply with the provisions of faith of the Law relating to Collateral Inheritances.

9. Court: Orphan's Court in Nov 1847 in Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. ²² John Bicher decd.
The petition of Henry Bicher of Brecknock Township Respectfully represents That he is a minor son above the age of 14 years of John Bicher of said township decd. and has no person to take care of his person and estate as Guardian and would therefore ask your Honors to appoint Henry Stauffer of East Cocalico township in said County as his Guardian. Whereupon the Court appoint Henry Stauffer Guardian as prayed for.

10. Newspaper: Pennsylvania Weekly Telegraph, 21 Mar 1848, Harrisburg, Dauphin, PA. ²³ Penn'a Legislature
Senate
Mr. Jordan, called up the bill to confirm the sale of the real estate of John Bicher, late of Brecknock township Lancaster co.; which was read a second and third times and passed.

11. Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on 24 Mar 1848 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster, PA. ²⁴ No. 186. An Act.
Section 2. That the sales made, or which shall hereafter be made, by the executors or surviving executor of John Bicher, late of Brecknock township, Lancaster county, deceased, of said deceased's real estate, shall be and they are hereby confirmed, allowed and made good, valid and effectual in the purchaser or purchasers thereof; and the executors aforesaid, or the survivor, shall have full power and authority to convey and grant to the purchaser or purchasers of such real estate, all the right and title to the testator, in the premises sold, which he had and held at and immediately before his death: Provided, That the purchaser or purchasers thereof comply fully with the conditions of such sale or sales.

Approved -- the twenty-fourth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.

12. Newspaper: Lancaster Examiner, 19 Apr 1848, Lancaster, Lancaster, PA. ²⁵ Lancaster County Legislation.
We subjoin a list of the acts passed at the recent session of the Legislature, having reference particularly to Lancaster county.
...<snip>
An Act confirming sale of the real estate of John Bicher, late of Brecknock township, Lancaster county.
...<snip>.

13. John Bicher's son Jacob sold John's land to Jacob Spatz on 7 Dec 1848 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster, PA. ²⁶ John Bicher's Executors To Jacob Spatz - This Indenture made the Seventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight (1848) between Amos Schneder of Brecknock Township Lancaster County and State of Pennsylvania and Jacob Bicher of the Same place aforesaid Executors of the last will and testament of John Bicher late of Brecknock township aforesaid Yeoman deceased of the one part and Jacob Spatz of the Same place aforesaid Yeoman of the other part. Whereas Christopher Kern and Elizabeth his wife by deed of date the third day of April Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and twenty, for the consideration therein mentioned did grant and confirm unto Said John Bicher in fee a certain messuage or tenement and tract of land Situate in the township of Brecknock aforesaid containing Sixty four acres of land neat measure with the appurtenances. To hold the Same to him his heirs and assigns for ever. It being the Same premises which Henry Kern and wife by deed of date the twenty ninth day of May eighteen hundred and nine for the consideration therein mentioned did grant and confirm unto the Said Christopher Kern in fee. To hold the Same to him his heirs and assigns for ever as in and by Said Several in part recited Indentures both duly made and executed and intended to be recorded relation being thereunto respectively had more fully and at large appears By Force and virtue of which said first in part recited Indenture or of some other good conveyance and assurances in the law duly had and executed the said John Bicher became in his life time lawfully Seized in his demise as of fee of and in the messuage or tenement and tract of Sixty four acres of land aforesaid with the appertenances and being So thereof Seized as aforesaid made his last will and testament in writing bearing date the fifteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three wherein and whereby among other things therein contained he ordered and directed that his whole was that consisting of the messuage or tenement and tract of land aforesaid Should be sold by his executors in said will named of which said will be appointed the Said Amos Schneder and Jacob Bicher executors as in and by Said last will and testament since said testators decease duly proved and remaining in the Registers Office of Said Lancaster County relation being thereunto had appears - Now this Indenture Witnesseth that the Said Amos Schneder and Jacob Bicher executors as aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of one thousand nine hundred and fifty two dollars to them in hand paid by the Said Jacob Spatz at and before the ensealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge have granted bargained Sold aliened released and confirmed and by these presents by force and virtue of the Said last recited will do grant bargain Sell alien release and confirm unto the said Jacob Spatz and to his heirs and assigns all that the above mentioned messuage or tenement and tract of land aforesaid. Situate in Brecknock Township aforesaid bounded and described by the courses and distances as follows to wit Beginning Situate at a stone in a line of late Adam Behm's land and extending by the Same South nineteen degrees East fifty one perches and four tenth to a Spanish Oak thence by land of late Gabriel Laush South forty nine degrees West twenty Six perches to a Stone thence by land of the Same and land late of Jacob Stoner respectively South nineteen degrees and a half East Seventy four perches and a half to a Stone thence by land of Said Jacob Stoner South Seventy degrees West forty two perches to a Hickory thence by land late of Henry Laush North thirty Seven degrees and a half West fifty five perches to a stone thence by the Same South forty nine degrees West twenty perches to a stone thence by land late of the aforesaid Henry Kern all the following lines North thirty five degrees and three quarters west fifty perches to a Stone North Seventy three degrees and a half East twenty Seven perches and a half to a Stone North Sixteen degrees West four perches to a Stone South Seventy four degrees west three perches and a half to a stone North thirty degrees West nineteen perches to a Stone north fifty five degrees east nineteen perches and two tenths to a Stone North thirty eight degrees west Seventeen perches and four tenths to a Stone North Seventy degrees and thirty eight minutes East eighty two perches and four tenths to the place of Beginning Containing Sixty four acres of land neat Measure Together with all and Singular other the houses out houses buildings barns Stables ways woods waters water courses rights liberties privileges hereditaments and appertenances whatsoever thereunto beloonging or in any wise appertaining and the reversions and remainders rents issues and profits thereof and also all the estate right title interest property possession claim and demand whatsoever of the Said John Bicher at and immediately before the time of his decease, in law or equity or otherwise howsoever of in to or out of the Same To have and to hold the said messuage or tenement and tract of Sixty four acres of land neat measure hereditaments and premises hereby granted or mentioned or intended so to be with the appurtenances unto the Said Jacob Spatz his heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Jacob Spatz his heirs and assigns forever. under and Subject to certain water rights and privileges as is particularly mentioned in the deed from Christopher Kern to John Bicher as aforesaid. And the Said Amos Schneder and Jacob Bicher for themselves their heirs executors and administrators do Severally and not jointly nor the one for the other or for the act or deed of the other but each for his own acts only covenant promise grant and agree to and with the Said Jacob Spatz his heirs and assigns by these presents that they the said Amos Schneder and Jacob Bicher have not heretofore done committed or willingly or willingly suffered to be done of committed any act matter or thing whatsoever whereby the premises hereby granted or any part thereof is are or Shall or may be impeached charged or encumbered in title charge estate or otherwise howsoever In Witness Whereof the Said parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably Set their hands and Seals the day and year first above written.
Amos Schneder (seal)
Jacob Bicher (seal)
Sealed and Delivered in the presence of us
Samuel Lefsley (seal)
J. B. Good (seal)
Received on the day of the date of the above written Indenture of and from the above named Jacob Spatz the Sum of one thousand nine hundred and fifty two dollars lawful money of the United States it being the consideration money above mentioned in full
Amos Schneder (seal)
Jacob Bicher (seal).

John married Catharina Schnader, daughter of Baltzer Schnader and Barbara Kitzmiller. (Catharina Schnader was born on 11 Jul 1794 in Terre Hill, Lancaster, PA ^{3 8 27 28 29}, christened on 13 Jul 1794 in New Holland: Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, PA,³⁰ died in 1852 in , Lancaster, PA ^{3 8 28 29} and was buried in East Cocalico Twp.: Muddy Creek Church Cemetery, Lancaster, PA ^{3 14 28 29}.)