Jacob Maurer was documented in Annette Burgert's “Palatine Origins” book as having come from Freinsheim, Germany sometime between 1717 and 1727 (a period when no good lists of immigrants existed). He was the son of Johann Rudolff and wife Fronica. Jacob had brothers named: Friederich, Johann Rudolph, Andreas and Johannes. Johannes died young but Jacob and his other two brothers appeared in the New Goshenhoppen records.

IMMIGRANT. He and his brothers probably came “pre-list”. They were among the very first wave of German immigrants whose arrival then spurred the State of Pennsylvania in 1727 to begin listing all arriving passengers.

Actual will from Phila Co Will Book M, pp 173-176. Will written 26 Jun 1761 proved 18 Aug 1761. Mentions wife Sophia and youngest son Peter who is about 13 to inherit his plantation. Eldest son Andrew given Berks Co plantation and grist mill. Second son Jacob given money. Mentions third son Frederick to share in ownership of home plantation upon Peter's maturity. Names six daughters: Margaret dec’d /o Paul Rothermel, Veronica w/o John Schell, Barbara w/o Isaac Borto, Ann Mary and Catharina. David Schultz was a witness.

Burgert also noted that in the records of New Goshenhoppen, Jacob and wife Sophia Lisabeth had Andreas baptized 1732, Elisabetha baptized 1737 and Anna Maria baptized 1741. Veronica Maurer was confirmed sometime between 1748-1758.

Burgert listed Jacob as the oldest son of Rudolff and Fronica. She did not give a birth date but she noted that the records for the Reformed congregation in Freinsheim began in 1704 and she also noted that both Jacob and his brother were confirmed in 1717 and thus concluded they were older than brother Johann Rudolph who was baptized in 1704.

Jacob's 1761 will mentioned wife Sophia, four sons and six daughters -- one of whom (presumably second oldest of the six) was Veronica, wife of John Schell.