Jacob Rittenhouse
ID # 8452, (1808-1857)
| Father | Michael Rittenhouse (1768-1852) |
| Mother | Barbara Hunsberger (1783-1849) |
| Birth | Jacob Rittenhouse was born on 1 May 1808. |
| Marriage | He married Sarah Fretz. |
| Death | He died on 6 December 1857 at age 49. |
| Burial | He was buried at Campden Mennonite Cemetery, Clinton Twp., Clinton Twp.. |
| Note | Vol. 7 of the Annals of the Forty tells us that Jacob Rittenhouse was the son of Michael Rittenhouse and Barbara Hunsberger. It goes on to say that they had 'no issue' ( no children). They appear in Clinton Township in the 1851 census. Jacob is shown as 44 and Sarah as 55. They are buried in Campden Mennonite Cemetery in Clinton Township and their dates of birth and death are taken from the transcription of this cemetery as recorded by the Niagara branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. Sarah's maiden name has yet to be found. As mentioned, the Annals of the Forty tell that Jacob Rittenhouse was the son of Michael and Barbara. We also find the same information in A Genealogical Record of the Descendants of Christian and Hans Meyer by Rev. A. J. Fretz, 1896, New Printing House, Harlesville, Pa. Page 84 identifies Jacob as a son of Michael and Barbara and tells that he married Sarah, but does not provide Sarah's surname. Jacob Rittenhouse, at the time of his death, was the owner of lot 16 in the 7th concession of Clinton Township. This was a 100 acre lot. The property was purchased from George House in 1833 by Michael Rittenhouse, presumeably Jacob's father, and, in turn, purchased by Jacob from Michael in 1835. The next transaction for the land is actually to note Jacob's will, apparently dated December of 1848 and registered on January 7, 1858, the property being in favour of his wife Sarah. This appears on the Abstract Index for this property and is the last record so far found or sought. So far as the ownership is concerned, this agrees with the 1842 census record that shows Jacob in possession of lot 16 on the 7th. It should be said that this information is also provided in Jacob's will as discussed under notes for Sarah. The one difficulty with the will is that the ink has rather smudged the concession number, but once it is found that the concession number was the seventh, then, yes, with a bit of imagination one can read that into what was intended in the will. |
| Last Edited | 1 Feb 2021 |