An early church record lists Maria Susanna Schelle, daughter of Joh. Schelle, b.16 Oct 1768; sponsor Anna Maria Maurer.

Census Listings 1790-1850. She can be accounted for with her husband in 1790-1830 and lives alone in 1850. She does not seem to be living with any of her children in 1840, nor on her own.

1850. Susanna Hilbish is a head of household. Her neighbor is Henry Hilbish (her son). They are still in Washington Township.

The records of Old Goshenhoppen Church in Montgomery County say that Peter Hollenbusch of Old Goshenhoppen married Susanna Schell of Falkner Swamp 15 Apr 1788.

Wagensellar’s ”Snyder County Cemeteries” cites at St. Peter’s Union Cemetery “Susan, wife of Peter, died 28 Sep 1857 age 89y 1m 18d [implies born 10 Aug 1765]” so there we have the evidence of her birth and death date. I know she was buried at St. Peter’s as I have seen her tombstone.

In the estate file for Frana Hilbish, wife of Adam, there is a note from Peter Hilbish appointing John Hilbish to administer "my fathers and his wife estate". The wording "his wife" not "my mother" makes it sound like Frana was Adam's second wife. The reason he did not say "our” father's estate is that John was Adam’s grandson and Peter’s nephew. But this proves Adam was Peter’s father.

Further and absolute proof exists in the form of a release given by Peter Hilbish 15 Nov 1827 on behalf of John Hilbish stating that all claims on the estate of Peter’s father Adam had been satisfied. This release is in Union County deed book F page 479.

Those documents and the fact that they moved together from Montgomery County to Snyder County all confirm that Peter was the son of Adam.

Peter Hollenbush came with his father Adam from Montgomery County to Freeburg in about 1802. The 1802 tax records of Montgomery County say "removed out of the county" and the 1803 will of Philip Mertz refers to his neighbor Peter Hilbish, the new spelling adopted by the family upon their arrival in Freeburg.

Census Listings 1790-1830. I have found him and he is head of household all of these years. In 1790 and 1800 he is in Montgomery County and then in 1810-1830 he is first in Northumberland and then Union County. In fact, he moved directly to the Freeburg area in 1820 which at the time was Nothumberland County, then Union and then well after Peter died Snyder.

His birth date and death date are taken from his tombstone. I have seen these tombstones myself — the Motz’s (George’s son and his family) are in the front row, with Peter Mertz and Catherine Motz immediately behind them and the Hilbishes to their right. Peter’s is now a little difficult to read, but there exist several cemetery transcriptions made years ago when it would have been more readable. Wagensellar, for example, lists: ”Peter Hilbish born 2 Feb 1763 died 21 May 1834 age 71y 3m 19d”.

His birth place is presumed because it is where his parents lived at the time. His burial place is known as I have seen his tombstone. The marriage of Peter Hilbish and Susanna Schell is documented in early church records and we know his wife’s name was Susan from her tombstone. The only wrinkle is that a Peter Hilbish of Montgomery County (I believe a cousin, once removed) married Susanna Kerst, but I believe there is evidence that this is not our Peter Hilbish nor our Susanna.

The lineup of graves at St Peter’s is thus. From left to right starting with grave #7: Catherine wife of Peter Mertz, Peter Mertz, Franklin Mertz son of Peter & Susan, William M Mertz son of Peter & Susan, Henry Hilbish, Elizabeth wife of Henry Hilbish, Polly Ann daughter of John & Susan (Hilbish) Hummel, Calvin Hollenbush son of John & Sarah, Sarah wife of John Hilbish, John Hilbish, Peter Hilbish, Susanna Hilbish, an Arbogast, George & Harriet Hilbish, Peter P Mertz, Susan (Hilbish) wife of Peter P Mertz. Peter’s Mertz’s niece married an Arbogast.
 

The Mertz family and Hilbish family lived as neighbors in Freeburg over several generations and are connected through marriage in several ways and with several Hummel tie-ins as well. Peter Hilbish's granddaughter Amelia Hummel married George Peter Mertz and another granddaughter, Susan, married George's brother Peter P Mertz. Yet another Susan Hilbish, daughter of Peter, married John Hummel.

The close relationship between these families can be seen in one particular line of graves at St Peter’s, in this order: Catherine wife of Peter Mertz, Peter Mertz, eight graves of family members of theirs or Peter Hilbish or both, Peter Hilbish, Susanna Hilbish, two more graves of descendants and then Peter P Mertz and Susan (Hilbish) wife of Peter P Mertz.

Peter’s will dated 25 Sep 1832 proved 5 Jun 1834 mentioned: wife Susan and children Daniel (youngest), Catherine (Mrs. Benj Hummel), Elizabeth (Heinly), Sarah (Yoder), Susan (Hummel), John, Henry, Peter, Jacob and Maria Polly (Mauer).

Some of these children are listed as descendants below, these are the others:

Johannes born 9 Feb 1789 died 9 Sep 1840 married Sarah Gross, both buried Freeburg.

Maria Polly was born 7 Jun 1793 died 5 Dec 1861 married Jacob Maurer (1791-1863) both buried New Berlin.

Peter Jr. (Petrus) was born 11 Apr 1797 died 13 Jul 1858 in Bristol, IN. He married first Catherine Weller and second Catherine Bickhart.

Elizabeth born 1804 in Freeburg died after 1870 married Jacob Heinly and moved to Mifflin County.

Jacob born 24 Oct 1805 in Freeburg died 5 Jan 1859 in Jackson Twp, North’d Co, his wife was Hannah Kerlin.

Sarah born 28 Apr 1808 in Freeburg died 24 Jan 1887 in Middlecreek Twp, Snyder Co, her husband was Samuel Yoder.