Jesse made a faint imprint on history. But we know he existed. He was first named in Orphans Court records as a minor under the age of 14 when his father died in 1815 and then listed as deceased leaving two daughters in both the will of his mother and the estate settlement of his uncle.

I don’t know for sure when he was born but there are clues. I believe from Census tick marks he was born before 1810. He was listed fourth — after David, Anna and Maria — on his mother’s petition to the Orphans Court. He was first listed as a single taxpayer on an 1830 Sunbury tax list. All this points to possibly an 1809 or so birth. I think maybe he married about 1831 and died about 1837. He never was listed in Census. His daughters, known from his uncle’s property division, were Susanna and Elizabeth.

In 1834, he was appointed administrator of his wife’s estate. Her name was Susan and his sureties were John Richstine and John Martz. John Martz was no doubt his brother, John Richstine was an uncle, married to Jesse’s aunt, Susan Martz. It makes me wonder if perhaps Jesse’s wife was Susan Richstine.

Jesse’s Northumberland County will proved 23 Aug 1837 with Geo C Welker executor.

Even though Jesse never was listed as head of household in any Census, he did reach adulthood, married and had children. He is designated P2a2.