JOHANN MARTHIN WOLFARTH/MARTIN WOLFORD

WOLFORD

So far we have gathered facts on “Ma Mason” Linnie Gertrude – then - Linnie's father, Wylie Riseden - next - John Milton – on to - Doctor John Milton – then - father Major John and now Johann Martin Wolford.

Johann Martin Wolfarth, you will see a name change from Wolfarth to Wolford.
JOHANN MARTHIN WOLFARTH/MARTIN WOLFORD, was born January 1, 1730, died December 09, 1780 in Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, (now West) Virginia, He died on 9 Dec 1780 in Shepherdstown, Jefferson Co, WV.(249) He was buried in Shepardstown, Va Rev. War Marker.(153) In "West Virginians in the American Revolution" by Johnston is found the following: Johan Martin Wohlfarth, member of Capt. Stephenson's Co. in 1775, 1776 when it was at Roxbury Camp and Staten Island, per Treva Walton. He married Magdalen ELEANOR "LENNY" about 1769. Lenny was born April 10, 1752, died September 13, 1822 in Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, (now West) Virginia. Note: Shepherdstown is in the very northeastern corner of what is now West Virginia. After the death of Johann in 1780, Eleanor married GEORGE REYNOLDS in 1782. George is said to have drowned in Jefferson County while trying to save another person in 1818. .. The Wolfords and Reynolds lived in the same area at the same time and probably were close friends. They have headstones in the same cemetery. Note: Elender Reynolds born on April 10, 1752 is buried in the same row as Rezin Reynolds, and Jacob Wolford. Children of JOHANN MARTIN WOLFORD and "LENNY" .....ELIZABETH WOLFORD, b. about January 01, 1771. ii....JACOB WOLFORD, b. February 15, 1772. ii....Maj. JOHN WOLFORD b. December 22, 1774.

Johan “Martin” was first mentioned in Shepherdstown in 1764. He was founder of a church in 1765. In 1765 there were only nine families of Lutherans in Shepherdstown. so says the record of that church, among these were Heinrich Budinger and Martin Wohlfarth. Johan or who many called Martin married in 1769, died December 1780. Martin was a prominent, wealthy man. He left over 400 acres of land and several properties in Shepherdstown. He owned 2 stills and the home he lived in was prominently adjacent to the mill and river, making it quite valuable. The property was a well known Tavern for many, many years. So, Johan was a very busy man who ran supplies during the The Revolution to far away places. He was an executor for the town founder, Thomas Shepherd. He amassed a small fortune in 15 years, (1764-1780) and was one of the 12 founders of the most prominent church in Shepherdstown. He was a respected and busy man and yet his kids didn't know him very well, his children were very young when he died. His son John moved on to Kentucky selling his share of his father's stock to build his own future. Martin spent the last days of his life in a hospital in Winchester, 30 minute drive from Shepherdstown and world away by horse drawn buggy. At any rate Johan Martin Wohlfarth is buried in the graveyard that appears to have been the first burial ground used in Shepherdstown, the church yard of what is now the German Reformed Church, but which used to be a union church. He lived 50 years.

Johan's wife, “Lenny” remarried to a friend of Johan's, George Reynolds. George, Lenny, Johann and many of their children are buried side by side. George and Lenny had several more children.

Wohlfarth, Johan Martin. 

We do have a transcribed copy of his will.....

From my (Jeanie Edwards) notes on John Martin:
From Will book No. I of Berkley Co. Martinsburg, West Virginia dated 1768-1788. 
He left land to wife Elenor, profits of all lands and lots in Mecklenburg and personal estate during the time she remains and my widow. If she remarries, she is to take one third. 
Eldest son Jacob 310 acres bought from Benjamin Chaplaine and 100 acres bought from Edward Lucas 
To son John 50 acres bought from William Morgan and Benjamin Chaplaine and stills. Lot 81 where I now live. 
To daughter Elizabeth lot I bought from Michael Lond and lot from Issac Druggett N79, bed, plates, etc. 
Signed Martin Wolford L.S. Executor friend William Morgan.

As with the Mason line there are more names to explore past Johann Martin Wolford. I won't add those names until I'm sure with documentation. With the Mason and the Wolford line we find people of determination. They have the same struggles we have and they made it through so much. From our line we found believers, farmers, landlords, a doctor, Major – people that lived to a “ripe old age” and ones that passed away young. May we be just that....people of faith and determination but not neglect letting our younger generations know of the people that came before them. I so wish my grandparents were alive so I could share this information with them. I find it sad that information was not passed down. We all need encouragement and pride in where we came from.

Actually you could plug in the information I have given you into familysearch.org and once it is plugged in go to relativefinder.org and you would be amazed how many Presidents, Kings, Entertainers, Declaration Signers, Astronauts we are connected to.

Next I'm on to the McKay/McCuller line that my grandma Nanny came from. I can't wait to find all the details!!