Herman Updegraff

     Herman Updegraff was born in 1711 at Germantown, Philadelphia County, Province of Pennsylvania, America. He was the son of Isaac Updegraff. Herman Updegraff first married Mary Ann Louden, daughter of John Louden and Margaret Tanner, circa 1729. Herman Updegraff married a second time Ann [—?—] in 1750. Herman Updegraff died in 1758 at age 47 years.
     Herman's year of birth is established according to an account of a deposition taken by the Court at Lancaster, PA on 8/29/1746 which states...Harmon Updegraffe, aged 35 yrs. or thereabouts, who being...I have not seen this record.

Herman was raised in Germantown, then Chester County, PA. In 1745 he and his brothers Jacob and Dirck removed to York County, PA. He was given the King's commission on 4/25/1751 as justice of the peace and of the Common Pleas Court for York County and appears to have served as justice until his death. In deeds, tax lists, etc. he is identified as a Cordwainer and Shoemaker and in his will he gives instruction as to the disposition of his 'Taning, currying and shoemaking business'.

Orphans' Court Abstract of York County, PA - Vol. A - 2/6/1750 he was appointed as guardian of Michael, Anthony, William, John and Rebecca Ulrigh, minor orphans of Joseph Ulrigh of York County, deceased. Reference: Coderus Chronicles V I #4, page 13.

Will dated 7/19/1758, probated 9/19/1758 York County, PA - had a house and lot in Yorktown, PA, adjacent to John Moon's lot, to his wife Anna Ursula, a plantation on Conewago Creek, adjacent to brother Peter's place, to son Derrick (Dietrich); that his sons William and Harman and John stay together and carry on the business of tanning, currying and shoemaking until the leather now in the tanyard be all dressed fit for sale; residue to be equally divided amongst all my children and my daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Deets; my beloved wife Anna Ursula and my cousin, Joseph Updergraef, Hatter of Yorktown as Executors. Letters Testementary (widow's renouncement) to Joseph Updegraff on 8/13/1758.

Other References: Sketch of the Life of Thomas Updegraff - 1881.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF HERMAN UPDEGRAFF Died 1758

In the Name of God Amen, this nineteenth day of July one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight, I, Herman Updegraef being sick and weak in body but of sound and disposing Mind and Memory do make this my last will and Testament, to wit, Imprimis I order all my just Debts and Funeral Charges to be paid by my Executors hereinafter named.

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Anna Ursula the House and Lot in York Town adjoining John Meem's Lot to hold to her my said wife Anna Ursula during her Natural Life. I also give and bequeath unto my wife, Anna Ursula the sum of one hundred pounds to be and remain in her Hands during her natural life for her support and the support of my three Younger Children during their Minority but in case she should marry again then the one hundred pounds to return to my Estate; and in case she should not marry at her death the one hundred pounds or what may remain of it together with above mentioned House and lot to be equally divided amongst my children and my Daughter in law Elizabeth Deets.

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my son Derrick my Plantation situated on Conewego Creek adjoining my Brother Peter's Place to hold to him my said son Derrick and to his Heirs & assigns forever he paying therefore to my Executors the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds in Yearly payments without Interest at twenty pounds every year, the last or eight payment will be but ten pounds, the payments to be made regularly and every year the twenty-fifth day of December the first to be made the twenty-fifth day of December next.

Item it is my will that all the residue of my Estate both real and personal be sold by my Executors in the best manner they can and at such times or time as they shall think fit and necessary.

Item it is my will that my sons William and Herman and John do stay together and carry on the Business as usual of tanning currying and shoemaking until the Leather now in the Tanyard be all dressed fit for sale, William to receive wages as usual.

Item it is my will that what remains of my Estate (after my just Debts and funeral Charges are paid and the one hundred pounds hereinbefore mentioned) be equally Divided amongst all my children and my Daughter in Law Elizabeth Deets share and share alike, that each male child receive its share at the age of twenty two Years and each female child at the age of Eighteen Years and receive no Interest for their share whilst my wife remains my Widow.

Lastly, I do nominate, constitute and appoint my beloved wife Anna Ursula and my cousin Joseph Updegraff of Yorktown, hatter, executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made and ratifying and confirming this only, to be my last will and testament.

Witness my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

HER. UPDEGRAFF (L. S.)

Signed, sealed, published and declared, by the said Herman Updegraff as and for his testament and last will in the presence of us.

John Adlum
Joseph Chambers
Geo. Schaller

I, the above named Herman Updegraff, on consideration of my will, do think fit to make this alteration, to wit-- In case my beloved wife should marry or die before my youngest child be fourteen years old then and in either case, I order the One hundred pounds and the house and lot not to be divided until my youngest child be fourteen years old, but the interest of the One hundred pounds and the rent of the house to be applied to the support of my three younger children, until the youngest be fourteen years old, and then to be divided as in this will is heretofore directed.

Witness my hand and seal the 19th, July 1758.

HER. UPDEGRAFF. ( L. S. )

Witnesses present,
John Adlum
Joseph Chambers
George Scheller

The Will of Herman Updegraeff, 1758, from a certified copy, registered in York County, Pa.

1758.