Jacob Bucher ^{2 3 4}

   Other names for Jacob were Jacob Beacher, Jacob Beicher, Jacob Bicher, Jacob Bicker, Jacob Biecher, Jacob Boucher, Jacob Bücher, Johan Jacob Bücher and Jacob Buecher.

  General Notes:

In German the word bücher means "books."

  Burial Notes:

The old Salem Lutheran Church yard cemetery was just behind the Salem Lutheran Church on the corner of 8th and Willow Streets and set apart for burial purposes in 1765.

Unfortunately, when the cemetery land was needed by the church for new chapel and parking lot, the old cemetery graves were reinterred to Mount Lebanon Cemetery and no tombstones were erected at the new location. The church notes for the graves show some of the tombstone inscriptions were unreadable. Luckily, the tombstone inscription was described years earlier in Egle's History of Lebanon County published in 1883. The tombstones read according to Egle:

Jacob Bicker b. Dec 1, 1758 d. Feb 23, 1842
Johan Jacob Bicker b. Dec 18, 1782 d. 1812
Maria Catharina Bicker Sep 25, 1747 Dec 8, 1830

In addition the church records show this tombstone existed:
Maria Magdalena Bicher Jan 27, 1780 Aug 8, 1812

Note that Egle listed the names as Bicker whereas the church records record them as Bicher, which is consistent with the church christening records.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Alt. Name. ¹² Pronouncing and spelling Jacob Bücher's name was likely a challenge for an English speaking Census taker, which may explain why records for him and his descendants are itself so often misspelled.

Learning how Jacob would have pronounced his own name can help a researcher know what spelling variations to search for. The name was pronounced similar to Biecher or Beacher or Bicher.

This guide from the University of Exeter explains how the ü is pronounced. The German long "ü" and short "ü" are two of the hardest sounds for the English speaker to master, as there are no direct equivalents in the English language. For the long "ü" sound - which can be written "ü" or "üh", but never "üü" -, try saying a long German "ie" sound (as in the town of "Kiel", and then purse your lips as you say it, and you should be getting a perfect long "ü" - "kühl" (="cool").

• Tax List, 1770, , Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA. The list shows:
Biecher, Engle, 1770, Cocalico, Inmate
Biecher, Jacob, 1770, Cocalico, Inmate
"Inmate" indicates they were taxpayers who rented rather than land owners. Jacob, Engle's son, would be 12 at this time.
The author of this Lancaster tax list index notes that Engle Biecher appeared in the 1769 list as Engle Bicker, shoemaker. In the 1771 list, Jacob appeared as Jacob Becher.

• Tax List, 1773, Lebanon Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA. ¹³ On this tax list:
Becher, Jacob, Wid'r, 150 acres, 2 horses, 3 cattle, 7 servants, .6 tax.

• Fact: He signed the petition to create Dauphin County from Lancaster County, 1775. ¹⁴

• Military Service, 1778, , Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA. ¹⁵ Muster Roll of the Revolutionary War Company of Captain Andrew Ream
"Return of my Second Company and Third Battalion now belonging to the Eighth Company. And Sixth Battalion Lancaster County Militia."
Captain: Andrew Ream, Lieutenant: Henry Ream
Within this company here are surnames of interest to us:
In the 2nd Class: Jacob Bucher
In the 6th Class: Jacob Beaker
In the 7th Class: John Bucher, John Beaker

Since Jacob's obituary mentions he was a solider of the Revolution, we are sure one of these is his listing.

• Military Service: enrolled as Private in the Revolutionary War, 22 Jun 1778, , Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA. ¹

• Oath: Allegiance to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 22 Jun 1778, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA. ^{1 16} Sworn to Justice Henry Sheaffer. Appearing on the same list are Jacob Bicker, Wilhelm Bicker, Johannes Becker, Jacob Becker.

• Tax List, 1779, , Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA. ¹⁷ He is likely recorded as Jacob Beegher of Lebanon Township. The lists for 1779-1781 show the following:
Bucher, Benedict, Cocalico, 1779
Bucher, Chrisly, Donegal 1779
Bucher, Hans, Warwick, 1781
Bucher, John Cocalico, 1779
Bucher, John Jr., Cocalico, 1779
Bucher, Joseph, Warwick, 1781
Bucher, Peter, Stumpstown, 1780, tailor
Beegher, Jacob, Lebanon, 1779

• Book: History of Dauphin County, Mar 1784. ¹⁸ The history book for many pages describes the efforts of citizens to stop the government from establishing Harris' Ferry, which became Harrisburg, from becoming the county seat of the new county being split from Lancaster, namely, Dauphin. On a petition to object to the county seat location, we find a list of the citizens of Lebanon Township, which includes:

Jacob Bicher [probably Jacob Bucher b.1758]
Jacob Embich [listed next to Jacob, interesting in that later Bichers intermarry with the Embich family, and a relationship probably began with these two Jacobs.]

• Church, 1785, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ¹¹ From the book, Old Salem in Lebanon : a history of the congregation and town:
In the beginning of 1784 Rev. Kurtz baptized a child of Peter Schindel, in summer a child of Adam Reis and Jacob, son of John Schnee, and at the close of the year he baptized a child of Philip Greenwalt, and nearly two years later a child of Mr. Greenwalt's son. In 1785-87 he baptized children of Jacob Buecher, Adam Weiss, George Reinoel, and Adam Reis.

• Census, 1790, Lebanon, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, USA. ¹⁹ Determining which 1790 Census record belongs to this John Jacob is not an easy task, as there are quite a few possibilities in Pennsylvania. Since misspellings of names especially German ones are common, Soundex was used to find all "sounds like" names similar to Bucher. Names searched included Bacher, Backer, Baker, Beacher, Becher, Becker, Beeker, Begger, Bekker, Beiger, Besoar, Beshore, Bieger, Bicher, Bichert, Bicker, Biecher, Bigcher, Bigger, Boger, Bogher, Booker, Bouchar, Bougher, Bougher, Bucker as well as Bucher.

While all of Pennsylvania was reviewed carefully, it is most likely Jacob was living close to Lebanon since his children were baptized in Salem Lutheran Church just prior to 1790. Within areas close to Lebanon possible matches were found with surnames Becker, Beeker, Besoar, Bicker, Bickert and Bucher.

Some of these could be eliminated because their family is well researched and they are known to be unrelated to Jacob Bucher b.1758.

A careful review of the many possible records reveals that only one had the proper count of 1 male over 16, 2 males under 16, and 2 females, which is what we expect to find given Jacob's family composition in 1790 when he would have been 32 years old, his wife Catherine 43, his daughter Maria Magdalena 10, and sons John Jacob 8 and William 5.

The one record that matches correctly is Jacob Beacherd in Lebanon, which was in Dauphin County in 1790.

It is ironic that the census taker in an attempt to spell the German pronunciation of Jacob's name came up with a variation so close to the Beacher name that later descendants adopted.

• Sponsor, 12 May 1794, Lebanon: Tabor First Reformed Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ²⁰ Jacob Bicher and wife Catharina are sponsors for the baptism of Johannes, son of Fridrich Schweitzer and Magdalena.

• Sponsor, 19 Apr 1795, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁹ He and his wife Maria Catarina sponsor the baptism of: Weis, Anna Margreta born 18 Jan 1795, parents Jacob Weis and wife Margreta.

• Sponsor, 3 Jan 1796, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁹ Jacob and wife Catarina were sponsors for Brucker, John Christian b. 27 Nov 1795, father Christian Brucker wife Margreta.

• Tax List, 1798, Lebanon Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, USA. ²¹ The Federal Direct Tax was levied in 1798 for the purpose of raising a war chest for possible war with France. On July 9, 1798, an act was passed by Congress providing "for the valuation of lands and dwelling houses and the enumeration of slaves within the United States." Assessors were to compile a list of houses, land, and slaves and then evaluate and assess them accordingly. On July 14, 1798, Congress passed an additional Act to lay and collect a direct tax within the United States, fixing the amount to be raised at $2,000,000, of which Pennsylvania was to raise $237,177.72.

The following buildings and land appears in the tax assessment list belonging to Jacob Buecher (Jacob Beecher). Deed references: A42, D54, E42 I- II-
(adjoining Ginder, Christ Est.)
House, 35x24, wood, 2 stories, acres: 48 perches, assessment 500, valuation 625.
Potter shop, 20x15, wood, 1 story, valuation 200
(adjoining Allwein, Conrad)
House, 20x20, wood, 1 story, 2 acres, assessment 200, valuation 250.
House, 35x24, well finished.
House, 20x20, in middling good order.
Barn (old), 30x18, stone, 75acres, assessment 1350, valuation 1587.50.
Still house, stone/wood
(adjoining Beck, John Ph.)
Land, 144 perches, assessment 45, valuation 56.25.

• Sponsor, 1 Feb 1798, Lebanon: Tabor First Reformed Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ²² The baptism record of Rebecca, daughter of Philip Berry and Catharina, lists the sponsors as "Jacob Bicher and Maria Catharina."

• Census, 1800, Lebanon Borough, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, USA. ²³ Jacob Becher is listed in the 1800 census in Lebanon boro, Dauphin County (today's Lebanon County). In his household:

1 male 26 to 45 (a son, either Jacob or William)
1 male over 45 (Jacob the father)
1 female 16 to 26 (since Jacob's daughter married in 1801, probably this is a wife of son Jacob or William)
1 female over 45 (Catherine the mother)

• Sponsor, 3 May 1801, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁹ Jacob and his wife sponsored the baptism of Gerlast, Eva b. 19 Nov 1800, parents Gottlieb Gottfried Gerlast and wife.

• Church, 26 Dec 1803, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁸ A constitution regarding the operation of Salem Lutheran Church was read to the congregation on Christmas Day, 1803. The constitution is signed December 26th, 1803, by John George Lochman, preacher of the congregation; Jacob Stieb, Anthony Dobler, Conrad Hofman, trustees; Peter Fischer, Jacob Beicher, Conrad Reinohl, Bernhard Embich, George Beckley, George Reinohl, Jr., deacons; Henry Gilbert, treasurer; Christian Ulrich, George Kurtz, Johannes Fernsler, Jacob Embich, Frederick Steiner, Jacob Ritscher, Frederick Beckly.

• Witness, 24 Jun 1804, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁹ Jacob Bucher was witness with Maria Lochman to the wedding of Ehrhard Heckedorn to Maria Brenner on 24 Jun 1804. Note: Ehrhard is likely related to Jacob's wife Catherine, since Johannes Heckedorn was her first husband.

• Witness, 14 Sep 1804, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁹ Jacob Bucher and wife were sponsors for the burial of Jacob Emrich, 14 years, 5 months 8 days. Born 5 Apr 1790. Son of Barhard Embrich and wife. Died of a nervous fever, sick 8 days.

• Sponsor, Apr 1805, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁹ Jacob and his wife were sponsors for the baptism of Burkhart, Thomas born 18 Aug 1804, parents George Burkhart and wife.

• Sponsor, Nov 1805, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁹ Jacob and his wife sponsored the baptism of Burkhart, Jacob. born 14 Nov 1805, George Burkhart and wife.

• Witness, 31 Jan 1809. ⁹ Jacob Bicher and wife were witnesses at the burial of Margreta Weiss in February 1809. Church notes about her death record she was "14 years 13 days, daughter of Jacob Weiss and wife Margreta born 18 Jan 1795. Sickness, asthma."
The Bichers were obviously close friends of the Weiss family for many years because they were sponsors for Margreta's baptism in 1795.

• Sponsor, 24 Dec 1815, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁹ Jacob and wife Catharina were sponsors at the baptism of Wirth, Jacob, born 8 Dec1815, parents Johannes Wirth and wife Anna Maria.

• Census, 1820, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ²⁴ After a review of many possible 1820 census records in Berks, Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster, and Schuylkill Counties the record that appears to match closest is found in Lebanon.

Jacob Beesher is how the census index lists the name, but an inspection of the actual written handwriting reveals it could easily be Bucher -- what appears to be two e's and an s can also appear to be one u and a c. In either event, the phonetic pronunciation in German of Bücher would sound like Beesher.

In 1820 Jacob Bucher Sr. (b.1758) would be 62 and his wife Catherine 73. His son, John Jacob b.1782 would be 38 except he died in 1812. Since John Jacob's wife also died in 1812 giving birth to a child, it is believed the grandfather raised the son's children, who by 1820 would have these ages: Lydia 11, William 9, and Jacob 8. All of these fit perfectly into the Census record found which shows:

2 males 0 to 9 years old
2 males 45 and older
1 female 10 to 15 years old
1 female 45 and older

However, the Census also shows these additional people present in the household:
1 male 26 to 44 years old
1 female 0 to 9 years old

The male could be J.William b.1785, the elder Jacob's other son. Also note that the mother of the children, Mary (nee Michal) is not present.

• Sponsor, 25 Jun 1820, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁹ Jacob Bicher and wife Maria Catharina were sponsors at the baptism of Roland, George Jacob, born 17 May 1820, parents Johannes Roland and wife Elisabeth.

• Book: History of Lebanon County, 1822. ²⁵ In William Henry Egle's History of Lebanon County on page 135 is a list of the taxable inhabitants of Lebanon Borough in 1822, the year following its incorporation. Included in the list is Jacob Beacher. This is first known time when Jacob's surname appears as modern day families spell it.

• Sponsor, 3 Dec 1827, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁹ Jacob and his wife Maria Catharina Bicher were sponsors at the baptism of their granddaughter, Meily, Sarah Ann born 3 Dec 1827, parents William Meily and wife Lydia.

• Census, 1830, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ²⁶ Jacob Beicher is listed in Lebanon Borough on page 35 in the 1830 Census. Living in the household are:
Males (born)
Under 5 (1826-1830) = 2 great grandsons ?
15-19 (1811-1815) = 1 grandson (William or Jacob?)
70-79 (1751-1760) = 1 Jacob
Females (born)
40-49 (1781-1790) = 1 ?? (Mary Michael?)
80-89 (1741-1750) = 1 wife Catherine

This appears to be the household of Jacob Bucher born 1758. His age would be 72 in 1830, and his wife Catherine 83, explaining the two elderly household heads perfectly.

Since his son, John Jacob (born 1782 who would be 48 in 1830) had died of an accident with a sickle, the 15-19 year old male could be either grandson Jacob (born 1812) or William (born 1811). Likely the older William age 19 was already off living on his own, as was Lydia age 21, and this is Jacob.

The female 40-49 could be Mary Bicher (nee Michael), wife of John Jacob (born 1782), since her husband died in 1812.

• Census, 1840, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ⁷ Jacob Beacher appears in the 1840 Census in Lebanon living alone. His age is in category 80-89 (so he was born 1751-1760).

The next listing on this page is his grandson, William Beacher.
Males (born)
Under 5 (1836-1840) = 1
5-9 (1831-1835) = 1
15-19 (1821-1825) = 1
30-39 (1801-1810) = 3
Females (born)
Under 5 (1836-1840) = 1
20-29 (1811-1820) = 1
50-59 (1781-1790) = 1
60-69 (1771-1780) = 1

• Probate, 1842. ¹ Lebanon estate records show his last effects, totaling $728 in value (over half being notes due on loans to family and friends) and the presence of his grandsons, "W. Beecher" and "Jacob Biecher" at the auction. His horse and sleigh brought $8.75, combined!

• Obituary: Lebanon Courier, 2 Mar 1842, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA. ^{10 27} Died...on the 23rd February, in this place, Mr. Jacob Biecher, in the 81th year of his age. The deceased was a soldier of the Revolution.

Jacob married Anna Maria Catharine Haman, daughter of Baltzar Hamman and Margaret, on 11 Apr 1779 in Stouchsburg: Christ Lutheran Church, Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA.^{1 2} (Anna Maria Catharine Haman was born on 25 Sep 1747 in , , Pennsylvania, USA,^{5 6 28} died on 8 Dec 1830 in Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA ^{5 6 28} and was buried in Dec 1830 in Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA ^{5 6 9}.)