Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
NameCatharina Stern 
Birth1800
Memo(find-a-grave tombstone photo)
Death6 March 1860
Memo(Morgenland burial records)
BurialMorgenland Church, Lehigh Co, PA
Spouses
Birthabout 1795
Memo(minor over 14 when his father died)
Death1872
Memo(will proved 20 Jan 1873)
FatherRichard Mertz (Y3) (1762-1810)
MotherMaria
Birth, Parent-Proof, Designation notes for Henry (Spouse 1)
The Orphans Court petitions after Richard’s death named two sons: Henry born about 1795 or 1796 and John who was clearly the John baptized by Richard and Maria, born 26 Oct 1804.
But I don’t know for sure what happened to either of them. Maybe they both died young, maybe not. In the 1850 Census, in Lehigh County, in or near Whitehall Township where Richard last lived, there was a Jonas Mertz, age 47 [1803], and a Henry Mertz, age 56 [1794], that I considered might be these two brothers. I thought it not inconceivable that the boy baptized as John later came to call himself Jonas.
But I have subsequently found evidence that Jonas was Jonas, designated G1b2, who was of an entirely different early Northampton County Mertz line. But that Jonas did not have a brother named Henry (that I know of) so I strongly suspect Henry of Whitehall was Richard’s son.
When Henry wrote his will in 1871, he left $500 to his wife (his second wife I am quite sure) and the remainder of his estate to the Reformed and Lutheran Church of Jordan and Morgenland. There are three Mertzes buried at Morgenland: Catharina whose tombstone says wife of Heinrich Mertz (she was Henry’s first wife I believe) and then Jonas and his wife Sarah, of the other Mertz line. I believe Jonas and Henry are another case I think of “mixing of the blood”.
Henry is designated Y3a.
But I don’t know for sure what happened to either of them. Maybe they both died young, maybe not. In the 1850 Census, in Lehigh County, in or near Whitehall Township where Richard last lived, there was a Jonas Mertz, age 47 [1803], and a Henry Mertz, age 56 [1794], that I considered might be these two brothers. I thought it not inconceivable that the boy baptized as John later came to call himself Jonas.
But I have subsequently found evidence that Jonas was Jonas, designated G1b2, who was of an entirely different early Northampton County Mertz line. But that Jonas did not have a brother named Henry (that I know of) so I strongly suspect Henry of Whitehall was Richard’s son.
When Henry wrote his will in 1871, he left $500 to his wife (his second wife I am quite sure) and the remainder of his estate to the Reformed and Lutheran Church of Jordan and Morgenland. There are three Mertzes buried at Morgenland: Catharina whose tombstone says wife of Heinrich Mertz (she was Henry’s first wife I believe) and then Jonas and his wife Sarah, of the other Mertz line. I believe Jonas and Henry are another case I think of “mixing of the blood”.
Henry is designated Y3a.
Relocated and Census Tracking notes for Henry (Spouse 1)
A Henry Mertz appears in the 1850 Census, age 56, living in North Whitehall. I have no better idea who he is so I am guessing he was this Henry.
He was still there in Whitehall in 1870.
He was still there in Whitehall in 1870.
Death and Find-a-Grave notes for Henry (Spouse 1)
Henry Mertz wrote his will 7 May 1871, it proved 20 Jan 1873. He left money to his wife “Cressen” and everything else to the Reformed and Lutheran Churches of Jordan and Morganland.
Since in 1850, his wife was Catharina and since there is a Catharina buried at Morgenland, wife of Heinrich, I believe Cressen (Christena) was his second wife.
Since in 1850, his wife was Catharina and since there is a Catharina buried at Morgenland, wife of Heinrich, I believe Cressen (Christena) was his second wife.