The will of her mother, Barbara, written in 1803 and proved in 1818, mentioned her daughter Sarah Mertz and the inventory in her estate file included a bond from Philip Mertz.

Philip is known from his baptism at Mertz Church by his parents Philip and Catharina. That birth record says he was born 19 Oct 1772. He is designated H1c.

I first find Philip in Census in 1840 in Maxatawny Township where his father had lived. He was there too in 1850. I would have thought he would have shown up earlier but I cannot find him.

In the 1800 Census, Philip Sr’s household included several younger males: one age 10-16, 3 age 16-26 and 1 26-45. I would bet Philip Jr was one of them as well his other sons, none of whom had yet married.

But the 1810 Census may be more informative. In addition to Philip Sr, and Catharina, there was a younger male and female both age 26-45 present and also two females age 0-9. In 1810, I can find Philip Sr’s others sons elsewhere in Census, only Philip Jr cannot be found. We know he was married and had at least one daughter by 1810 so my conclusion is Philip Jr and his now growing family were living with his father in 1810.

There is a memorial for him at Mertz Church, though the photo is of his wife Sara’s tombstone. Somewhere I saw that he had been buried at Zion’s (aka Ziegel’s) Church in Windsor Township. I don’t know where I got that information. Patty Mertz said he was buried at Mertz Church and it certainly would be logical that he was there. But why no photo?

In any event, he is on find-a-grave — at Mertz Church. The birth date given there is 8 Oct 1772, slightly off from the church record.