Jacob Christlieb, Son of Carl and Catharina Christlieb
1791–1884
Jacob Christlieb was the sixth-born child of Carl and Catharina Umberger Christlieb. Born on 27 March 1791, he and his brother, Isaac, were fraternal twins. Jacob married Julia Ann Morritt, 13 April 1824. Dying thirty years after Julia Ann, 9 May 1884, Jacob Christlieb was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Newville, Pennsylvania.
Apprenticed to learn the tailoring trade in his boyhood, Jacob often traveled and worked in the homes of his customers. His nephew, Benjamin Franklin Christlieb, wrote the following:
“During infancy, Isaac gave promise of a longer life than his twin brother, being more robust. A Scotch-Irish neighbor by the name of Patton encouraged the parents in urging that the puny babe might live longer than the robust one. That was the sequel.” The Christlieb Family, p. 21.
“In his boyhood, he was apprenticed to learn the tailoring trade: being then of a fragile constitution, that vocation was selected as being more suitable to him than farming. On completing his apprenticeship, he sometimes found employment as a journeyman in tailor shops, and on other occasions, he was employed by families to make clothing at their homes, which custom was then much in vogue and was known as “roasting the goose.”
“In 1812, he made a journey through parts of Virginia and Ohio to see the West and find employment at his trade as opportunities might appear and also to visit his uncle, Jacob Christlieb, who resided near where Philippi, West Virginia, is now located.”
“The journey was made on foot, and, after visiting his uncle, he journeyed to Marietta, Steubenville and Canton, Ohio, successively, finding employment as a tailor occasionally, the latter being unsatisfactory in the matter of receiving prompt payment for his labor in the undeveloped condition of that country. The journey between those places was mostly through vast tracts of forest. Canton had just made its beginning as a town and consisted of a few houses only.”
“According to an arrangement made with his uncle, he returned to the latter’s place in Virginia, from where the two made the trip to Pennsylvania, where the uncle and father—the two long separated brothers—were once more brought together. . . .” The Christlieb Family, pp. 24-25.
“The two brothers met to enjoy each other’s presence, the consummation of which was brought around 1812, through the instrumentality of Jacob Christlieb, the son of the younger brother Charles [Carl]. The two older brothers, Jacob and Charles on meeting, fell into each others’ embrace and wept many tears of joy, as memory recalled the many incidents and vicissitudes of their lives in pertaining to Germany, the voyage across the ocean and pioneering experiences in America.”
“After their emotions had subsided to some degree, Charles inquired of his brother Jacob as to his welfare during the long period of their separation and, in reply to an inquiry as to his family, the latter replied, “Charley, I’ve been unlucky. A tree fell on my family and killed all but fourteen.” In answer to the returning question of Jacob, Charles remarked: “I have six boys and each one has a sister;” describing a family of six boys and one girl.” Ibid, p. 14.
Jacob Christlieb was 21 years of age when he journeyed westward, earning his way as a tailor and to visit his Uncle Jacob in Virginia. Ten years later, he married at age 31, as recorded by B.F. Christlieb.
"Jacob Christlieb married Miss Julia Morritt in 1822, and with his wife settled on land which he purchased previously from his half-uncle George Buck [Georg Bock]. He, like his ancestors, was of a theological turn of mind and was a zealous follower of Martin Luther, being a member of the Lutheran denomination from his youth till his death. Jacob died May 9, 1884. His wife, Julia Ann, died September 1854.” Ibid, p. 25.
Jacob and Julia Ann were the parents of ten children: Samuel, Mary Jane, Ann Catharine, Elizabeth Rachel, Nancy, Sarah, David Rosenmiller, Lavina, and twins Ellen and Levi. Brief biographies of these fourth-generation family members can be found in B.F. Christlieb’s The Christlieb Family, pages 34-37.
About a year after the reunion of the brothers, Jacob, son of Carl, who was a tailor by trade, brought suit against Archibald McCoy for non-payment of services from December 12, 1813, to January 6, 1819. The total amount owed was $12.42.
Heading the list of grievances is written, “Witness the said Justice at Mifflin Township the 24th Day of August 1819.”
It appears that the court ruled in Jacob’s favor, for on September 3, 1819, it ordered that McCoy pay to Jacob Christlieb $9.42. McCoy was also required to pay $10.61 for the cost of the suit that took place at Mifflin Township on September 25th.
The 1828 Tax List for Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, identifies him as Jacob Christlieb, Tailor. In the 1830 census, he is listed as Jacob Crislif.
The 1840 Federal Census shows Jacob Christlip as Head of Household with the following; one male born 1790-1800 (Jacob); one male born 1820-1825 (unknown); one male born 1825-1830 (Samuel); one male born 1835-1840 (David R.); one female born 1790-1800 (wife, Julia Ann); one female born 1820-1825 (unknown); two females born 1830-1835 (Elizabeth Rachel); one female born 1835-1840 (Ann Catharine). Elizabeth Rachel may have been counted as two persons.
An 1850 Farm Census for South Mifflin Township, Perry County, Pennsylvania, reads as follows: Jacob Christlieb, 100 improved acres; 50 unimproved acres; $2400 cash value of farm; 100 value farming implements & machinery; 3 horses; 7 milch cows; 9 other cattle; 24 sheep; 10 swine; $469 value of livestock; 100 bushels wheat; 75 bushels rye; 50 bushels Indian corn; 100 bushels oats; 40 lbs. wool; 15 bushels Irish potatoes; 12 bushels buckwheat; 570 lbs. butter; 35 tons hay; 3 bushels clover seed; 2 bushel other grass seed; 10 bushels flaxseed; $26 value of homemade manufactures; $83 value of animals slaughtered.
Julianna (Morritt) Christlieb died, at age 50, on 28 September 1854, and was buried in the Prospect Hill Cemetery in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
The 1860 Federal Census for Mifflin Township shows the following, all of whom were born in Pennsylvania: Jacob Christlieb, farmer, born 1790. Children listed: David, born 1840; Ann, born 1839; Nancy, born 1842; Sarah, born 1844; Lavinia, born 1846; Margaret E., born 1847; Levi, born 1847. (Levi and Margaret Ellen Christlieb were fraternal twins.)
The 1880 Federal Census lists Jacob Christlieb, born 1791, Tailor & Widower. Both parents born in Pennsylvania. In the household is son Samuel, farmer, born 1827; daughter Matilda, born 1830; granddaughter, Ida (single), born 1836; son William (single), born 1860.
Jacob Christlieb lived as a widower for 30 years, dying at age 93 on 9 May 1884. He was interred in Prospect Hill Cemetery, near his wife, Julianna.
In his will that was made six years prior to his death in 1874, Jacob stated that “any and all promissory notes which I now hold against my son, David R. Christlieb, and any changes in my books against my said son, David R. Christlieb and I direct my executor not to collect the same from my said son, but to hand said notes to him taking his receipt for the same as in full of his interest or claim in my estate.”
Pertaining to his other children, Jacob added, “I give and bequeath unto my children to wit: Samuel J., Mary J. (widow of David Mowry), Ann C. (wife of Samuel Bear), Elizabeth R. (wife of David R. Baker), Sarah (wife of Zacharias Baseshore), Nancy (wife of Jacob Hummel), Lavinia (wife of Jacob Weast), Margaretta E. and Levi, share and share alike.”
On August 30, 1878, Jacob added a codicil, which, in part, reads:
“Whereas I have for a number of years resided with someone of my children and having paid all charges for medical and other services and expenses from time to time, I do hereby declare my will to be that if any of my said children named in my last will and testament bearing date the 15th day of May 1874, shall make a charge against me or my estate for maintenances or attendance on me during sickness or for any other matter or thing that there and in that case, I do order and direct my said Executor to withhold the payment of the share of said child or children so claiming pay for any service or services or for any other matter or thing done for me during my lifetime...”
Jacob Christlieb, twin of Isaac, died at age 93, on May 9, 1884. Twelve days after his death, an appraisement and inventory of Jacob Christlieb’s personal estate was recorded on May 21, 1884. The document reveals that Jacob lived with few possessions after the death of his wife, Julianna, 30 years prior. Various items including furniture, bedding, an eight-day clock, books, and fabrics, were valued at a modest $18.20.
The appraisement-inventory reveals that Jacob was generous in lending money to family and friends. Dating from 1874 to 1883, were notes totaling $1,810.78. Among them were five separate notes to his son, David R. Christlieb, totaling $954.25; a $100 note to his son, Levi; a $200 note to his daughter, Mary Jane Mowry; and one in the amount of $231.53 to his younger brother, Solomon Christlieb.
Filed on September 13, 1884, the estate vendue list that reveals what various items sold for at the Jacob Christlieb’s estate sale on September 11th. All but a few of the 54 items listed sold for more than 50¢. Jacob’s son, Samuel, bought several items including a coal stove and pipe for $2.00, a rocking chair for $1.10, a bureau for $1.50 and a secretary for $3.00. The secretary had been appraised for 75¢. Son-in-law, Jacob Hummel, bought most of the bedding. He paid $6.50 for the clock that had been appraised for 50¢. Jacob’s son-in-law, George Ginter, paid $1.00 for a watch, an item not listed in the appraisal.
The following is a photograph of Jacob and Juliana’s home in Mifflin Township. Constructed of wood with two-story porches at one end, its genre is found throughout this area of Pennsylvania. Original portions of the house may have been of logs. The windows appear to be Victorian replacements. Jacob and Julia reared ten children in this house. Although of poor quality from the start, the photograph is of great value to Jacob and Juliana’s descendants and others.
Jacob Christlieb's house in Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Children of Jacob Christlieb and Julianna Morritt
Samuel Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Carl Christlieb2, Jacob Christlieb3) [989], born 10 October 1826; married 1851, Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Matilda Hershey; died 12 Nov 1908, age 82.
Mary J. Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Carl Christlieb2, Jacob Christlieb3) [997], born 1828; married, 1849, David Mowry; died 1888.
Ann Catherine Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Carl Christlieb2, Jacob Christlieb3) [997], born 9 December 1829, Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; married, 18 February 1863 near Newville in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Samuel Baer/Bear.
Elizabeth Rachel Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Carl Christlieb2, Jacob Christlieb3) [998], born 6 June 1832; married, 1854, David R. Baker.
Nancy Caroline Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Carl Christlieb2, Jacob Christlieb3) [1000], born 24 August 1835; married, 17 February 1864, Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Jacob Hummel; died 26 October 1916.
David Rosenmiller Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Carl Christlieb2, Jacob Christlieb3) [1001], born 6 November 1839, Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; married, 15 September 1870, Mary Elizabeth Coffin, in Hutchinson, Minnesota; died 23 September 1925, Montgomery County, Ohio.
Sarah Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Carl Christlieb2, Jacob Christlieb3) [1002], born 1844; married, 1860, Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Zacharias Baseshore.
Louvinia Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Carl Christlieb2, Jacob Christlieb3) [1002], born 1841; married, 1859, Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Jacob Weast.
Levi Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Carl Christlieb2, Jacob Christlieb3) [1003], born 1846 (Twin of Ellen).
Margaret Ellen Christlieb (Friedrich Carl Christlieb1, Carl Christlieb2, Jacob Christlieb3) [1003], born 1846 (Twin of Levi); married, 1875 in Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, George Ginter.
