Eliza Musselman (1824 - 1904)

Eliza Musselman Anewalt was one difficult Grammy to track down!  Who were the parents of this grandmother?  My curious mind wanted to know.

Eliza Anewalt,  Salem Church Cem., 

Gilbert, Monroe Co., Pa

Stephen Anewalt, St. John’s Cem.

Palmerton, Carbon Co., PA

Trying to learn the maiden name of a grandmother in the family tree can be a challenge!  There are many reasons why her maiden name may not have been included in official records, but I think the biggest reason was that recording her birth name was just not considered important.  

Beginning with the personal records kept by Beatrice Graver Smith, Ron's grandmother,  I learned that Beatrice's mother was Jennie Lauer, daughter of  William Lauer and Amanda Anewalt and that Amanda's father was Stephen Anewalt. The 1850 census record showed that Stephen's wife was named Eliza. Clearly her gravestone confirms that Eliza was the wife of Stephen Anewalt.

Next I wrote for the death certificates of  William and Amanda Anewalt Lauer. Viola! Confirmation of her maiden name was found when I received  those death certificates.  Imagine my excitement! For a genealogist, breaking down a brick wall is like the joy  experienced with the birth of a baby.  Amanda’s certificate provided the names of her mother and father, Stephen Anewalt and Eliza Musselman.  Finally, I had proof of Eliza's birth name!

A record for her birth was found on Ancestry.com. This record appears in a list of baptisms from 1820. Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Schoenersville, Lehigh, Pennsylvania. "Musselmann, Elizabeth b. 24 Aug. ----, bp. (no date)   Parents: Michael Musselmann and Sara. Sponsors: Casper Meier and Barbara."  It should be noted that the names Sara and Salome where often interchangeable. I have also found records that use the name Sally.

An email note from a fellow researcher confirmed that she was the daughter of  Michael Musselman and his wife Salome Miller of North Whitehall Twp., Lehigh Co., PA. They were the parents of: 

Clarissa (1821-1878) m. Charles Roth; 

Eliza (1824-1904) m. Stephen Anewalt; 

Thomas (1823-bef 1830); 

Aaron (1826-1885) m. Diana Schady 

Elias (1829-1904) m. Fevanna Schneck; 

Reuben (1833-1859) m. Anna Moyer; 

Tilghman (1837-1916) m. Anna Moyer (widow of his brother Rueben) 

Additional proof that I had the right family connection was found in the obituary of her brother, Aaron Musselman,  who died December 25, 1885 which names his living siblings;  brothers and sister: Tilghman of Lockport; Elias of Ironton; and Mrs. Eliza Anewalt of Lehigh Gap.

Eliza Musselman Anewalt was born on  August 24, 1824 and died September 4, 1904. She is buried  in the Salem Church Cemetery in, Gilbert, Monroe Co., Pa. She 70 years old. Her husband Stephen Anewalt  was born  on June 10, 1815 and died May 28, 1871 at the age of  56 years, 11 months and 18 days old.  He was buried in the Old Towamensing Cemetery at St. John's Union Church,  Palmerton Pa.

They had the following children:

1.  Sarah, born on April 1, 1842,  died August 6, 1910; she was married to John Hepler.

2.  Elias,  born in 1844. He married Eliza Reichert.

3.  Lewis, born on May 2, 1845, died on December 16, 1910; he married Sarah Schneck. 

4.  Tobias, born on February 15, 1847. Tobias died in 1847.

5.  Amanda, born May 21, 1848, July 7, 1909; she was married to William Lauer.

6.  Samuel, born on 24 February 24, 1851, died April 15, 1925; he married Mary Knecht.

7.  John, born on August 13, 1853, died on January 6, 1929; married to Mary Gruber. 

8.  George Oskar, born on 27 June 27, 1859.  He died on 8 October 1859.

9.  Edward Milton was born on April 1, 1861.

10. Ellen Susanna was born on July 13, 1863.

 Sources:

• Personal family history records of Cynthia H. Smith, Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania
• Personal family history records of Beatrice Smith
• Bowmanstown Budge, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tonybennyhoff/lp1908-1909.pdf
• Lehighton Evening Leader, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tonybennyhoff/lel1906-1907.pdf
• Find A Grave Memorial # 97720466 and #141644320
• Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1924: Amanda Lower, #66156; William Lower, #16280

                              GENEALOGY IS A WORK OF HEART

Your comments and suggestions below are appreciated. It is with pleasure that I am able to present this information here for you to see. If you discover a relationship here, I would very much enjoy hearing from you. 

                                                      Copyright

This page  © 2018, Cynthia H. Smith

Send email to chsmith47@yahoo.com

This site may be linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent. The copyright on this page must appear on all copied and/or printed material.