Jacob Bicher ^{3 4}

   Other names for Jacob were Jacob Beacher,⁷ Jacob Beecher,⁸ Jacob Beicher,⁹ Jacob Bicker,⁵ Jacob Biecher,¹⁰ Jacob Bucher,^{2 11 12 13} Jacob Bücher,¹ Johan Jacob Bücher and Jacob Buecher.¹⁴

  General Notes:

In German the word bücher means "books."

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Relatives To Research: Peter Biecher was among the first to purchase a land lot in Stites Town, which became Lebanon., 1759, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁵ Jacob is somehow related to a Peter Biecher, who was among the first to purchase a land lot in Stites Town, which became Lebanon. To be a landowner in 1759, Peter must have been born about the time of Jacob's father, Engel, so perhaps he is Jacob's uncle, or even grandfather?

From the book Old Salem in Lebanon : a history of the congregation and town:

The year 1759 was a busy year for Stites and his little town, and at this time he gave deeds for many of the most valuable and prominent sites in the place. The lot diagonally opposite the Farmer's Flotel, where Charles B. Rauch now resides, he deeded to George Beetrich. This was evidently the year in which the lots along Eighth street were sold. The corner lot, with the old house on it, belonging to Geo. Krause & Co., was deeded by Stites to Martin Light on February 28, 1759. The witnesses to this transaction were George Reynolds and two others who signed their names in German,

It was numbered lot 54. No. 53, the lot on which Boger's Drug Store now stands, was also sold shortly afterward by Stites to Martin Light. On the 4th of March Stites sold the lot at Eighth and Willow streets, where John Henry Miller's property now stands, just opposite the Salem church, on Willow street, to George Hats.* Less than a week later John Huber buys from Stites lot No. 48, where the Court House now is, at a rent of six shillings annually.** Not so long afterward this Court House lot came into the possession of Jacob Stieb, one of the first members of Salem church. Lot No. 47, the central one on the Court House block, was sold to Philip Gloninger, and with lot 46, was finally sold to Charles Greenwald and the County Commissioners.* In this same year lots No. 28, 29 and 30, beginning at Eighth and Cumberland streets, and running from the Central Hotel and First National Bank to the hardware store, Stites sold to Jacob Shofner.** Lot No. 27, further down, was sold to Peter Biecher. The P. O. S. of A. Hall property, on the opposite side of the street, Stites sold in the same year to Philip Ollinger.* Lots No. 31 and 32, now the properties of Dr. Mease and the Colonial Hotel were also sold this year.

2. Tax List: 1770, , Lancaster, PA. 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.

3. Tax List: 1773, Lebanon Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹⁶ On this tax list:
Becher, Jacob, Wid'r, 150 acres, 2 horses, 3 cattle, 7 servants, .6 tax.

4. Fact: He signed the petition to create Dauphin County from Lancaster County. In 1813 Dauphin was split to create Lebanon county., 1775. ¹⁷

5. He served in the military in 1778 in , Lancaster, PA. 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.

6. He served in the military enrolled as Private in the Revolutionary War on 22 Jun 1778 in , Lancaster, PA. ¹

7. Oath: Allegiance to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 22 Jun 1778, Heidelberg Twp., Lancaster, PA. ^{1 18} Sworn to Justice Henry Sheaffer. Appearing on the same list are Jacob Bicker, Wilhelm Bicker, Johannes Becker, Jacob Becker.

8. Tax List: 1779, , Lancaster, PA. ¹⁹ 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

9. Tax List: 1782, Lebanon Twp., Lancaster, PA. ^{20 21} On the 1782 tax list in Lancaster County for Lebanon Township, Jacob Bicher is listed with no acres, no horses, 1 cattle, no servants, and a tax due of 10 pounds.

10. Book: History of Dauphin County, Mar 1784. ²²
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.]

11. In 1785 in Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁴ 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.

12. Petition: Jacob Bicher signed a petition submitted to the Pennsylvania General Assembly., on 1 Apr 1785, in , , PA. ²³ Farmers in Lancaster County were protesting against the expansion of the Market House on High Street in Philadelphia, fearing that they needed High Street to remain wide so their wagons could bring produce from Lancaster to Philadelphia for sale.
Here is the peitition:
------------------------
To the General Assembly of Representatives of the Freemen of Pennsylvania
The Memorial and Petition of divers Freeman of the County of Lancaster Respectfully sheweth,
That your memorialists stand informed, that repeated applications have been made to the honourable House, for a law to extend the Market House on High Street, still farther westward.
That it is of great importance to the Farmer to have a ready access with his wagon into the heart of the city; The price of his produce, and the readiness of sale, greatly depend upon it; There he can most easily purchase such goods as he may have occasion for, and best inform himself of the lowest price at which they are sold. While, on the contrary, if he be obliged to remain at the outskirts of the city, there are fewer purchasers for his produce, he is at greater difficulty to obtain what he wants to purchase, and more liable to be imposed on by the few traders who may reside there.
That High Street, from its great width, is well calculated for accommodating wagons, while they remain in the city; but the other streets are too narrow as to be extremely inconvenient That even that street, wide as it is, has lately often been much crowded, and that increase of wagons is so great, as must soon render a want of room for them a distressing circumstance That the farmer who brings his produce from a great distance, in wagons, may as reasonably expect accommodations, while he remains in the city, as those who bring their produce a smaller distance on horseback That while there is no other suitable place than High Street, yet provided for the reception of great number of wagons, there are many other convenient places for those who bring their produce on horseback, and which may be extended to any degree of conveniency.
Your petitioners therefore pray, that until some large open square, near the centre of the trading part of the city, can be obtained for the reception of wagons, the entrance into the heart of the city by High Street, may not be any further interrupted, or prevented, by any means whatever.
And your petitioners as in duty bound, will etc.

<we show only a partial list of signatures adjacent to Jacob Bicher's. See the source for the full list.>

Michael Miller
Hannes Schee
Harris Schnebli
Jacob Vicks
Andon Carmeni
Leonhart Imel
Peter Miller
Jacob Bicher
Hannes Daner
Sebastan Wolf
Jno Philip Peck
Johanes Imel

13. He appeared on the census in 1790 in Lebanon, Dauphin, PA. ²⁴ The 1790 census recorded in Lebanon township Jacob Beacherd with this household:

Free White Persons - Males - Under 16: 2 (sons Jacob and William)
Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over: 1 (father Jacob)
Free White Persons - Females: 2 (daughter Maria and mother)
Number of Household Members: 5

14. He owned Jacob Beecher sold land to Michael Theiss on 13 Jul 1790 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. This deed can be viewed at the Lebanon County Historical Society in the Lebanon County Ground Rent Deeds collection Item 33 Box 20, Lebanon Borough #152.

15. He appeared as a sponsor at a baptism on 12 May 1794 at Lebanon: Tabor First Reformed Church, Lebanon, PA. Jacob Bicher and wife Catharina are sponsors for the baptism of Johannes, son of Fridrich Schweitzer and Magdalena. ²⁵

16. He appeared as a sponsor at a baptism on 19 Apr 1795 at Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. He and his wife Maria Catarina sponsor the baptism of: Weis, Anna Margreta born 18 Jan 1795, parents Jacob Weis and wife Margreta. ³

17. He appeared as a sponsor at a baptism on 3 Jan 1796 at Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. Jacob and wife Catarina were sponsors for Brucker, John Christian b. 27 Nov 1795, father Christian Brucker wife Margreta.
³

18. Tax List: 1798, Lebanon Twp., Dauphin Co, , PA. ²⁶ 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.

19. Tax List: 1798, Lebanon, Dauphin, PA. ²⁷ 54. Occupant: Brechbill. Owner: Beecher Jacob. Lebanon. 1 dwelling house, 1 out house, 48 perches land, valuation $500. valuation revised by commissioners $625. 1 dwelling house, 2 acres land, valuation $200, valuation revised by commissioners $250.

20. He appeared as a sponsor at a baptism on 1 Feb 1798 at Lebanon: Tabor First Reformed Church, Lebanon, PA. The baptism record of Rebecca, daughter of Philip Berry and Catharina, lists the sponsors as "Jacob Bicher and Maria Catharina." ²⁸

21. He appeared on the census in 1800 in Lebanon Boro., Dauphin, PA. ²⁹ 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)

22. Tax List: Jacob Beecher appears on 1800 enumeration list for Lebanon in Dauphin (now Lebanon) County., 1800, Lebanon Boro., Dauphin, PA. ⁸

23. He appeared as a sponsor at a baptism on 3 May 1801 at Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. Jacob and his wife sponsored the baptism of Gerlast, Eva b. 19 Nov 1800, parents Gottlieb Gottfried Gerlast and wife.
³

24. On 26 Dec 1803 in Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. ⁹ 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.

25. Witness: 24 Jun 1804, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. ³ 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.

26. Witness: 14 Sep 1804, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. ³ 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.

27. He appeared as a sponsor at a baptism on Apr 1805 at Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. Jacob and his wife were sponsors for the baptism of Burkhart, Thomas born 18 Aug 1804, parents George Burkhart and wife. ³

28. He appeared as a sponsor at a baptism on Nov 1805 at Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. Jacob and his wife sponsored the baptism of Burkhart, Jacob. born 14 Nov 1805, George Burkhart and wife. ³

29. Witness: 31 Jan 1809, Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. ³ 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.

30. He appeared as a sponsor at a baptism on 24 Dec 1815 at Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. Jacob and wife Catharina were sponsors at the baptism of Wirth, Jacob, born 8 Dec 1815, parents Johannes Wirth and wife Anna Maria. ³

31. Fact: Jacob Bicher named in PA State Charter as a purchasor of shares to build a road from Reading to Hummelstown (today known as U.S. 422), 16 Feb 1816, Harrisburg, Dauphin, PA. ³⁰

32. He appeared on the census in 1820 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ³¹ 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.

33. He appeared as a sponsor at a baptism on 25 Jun 1820 at Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. 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. ³

34. Book: History of Lebanon County, 1822. ³²
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.

35. He appeared as a sponsor at a baptism on 3 Dec 1827 at Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA. 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.
³

36. He appeared on the census in 1830 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ³³ 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.

37. He owned Jacob Biecher sold land to Henry Fisher on 22 Dec 1832 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. This deed can be viewed at Lebanon County Historical Society in the Oversized Lebanon County Ground Rent Deeds collection, item #14.

38. He appeared on the census in 1840 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. 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

39. He had an estate probated in 1842 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. 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!

40. His obituary was published in the Reading Adler: "aam 23sten Februar, in der Stadt Libanon, Jacob Bicher, im Alter von 84 Jahren, ein Revolutions Soldat" on 1 Mar 1842 in Reading, Berks, PA. ⁶ English Translation: on the 23rd of February in the city of Lebanon, Jacob Bicher, aged 84 years, a soldier Revolution.

41. His obituary was published in the Lebanon Courier on 2 Mar 1842 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ^{34 35} 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.

42. He has conflicting burial information of Graves moved to Mount Lebanon Cemtery, Nov 1898 and Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. 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 Memorial Chapel and parking lot, the old cemetery graves were reinterred in September-November 1898 to Mount Lebanon Cemetery in a single vault with no indentification. 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.

Another list of burials is in Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church; Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania; burial records, 1773-1876 by Frederick Weiser, published in 1969.

Jacob married Anna Maria Catherine Hamman, daughter of Balthasar Hamman and Anna Margaretha Zimmerman, on 11 Apr 1779 in Stouchsburg: Christ Lutheran Church, Berks, PA.^{1 2} (Anna Maria Catherine Hamman was born on 25 Sep 1747 in North Whitehall Twp., Lehigh, PA,^{5 36} died on 8 Dec 1830 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA ^{5 36} and was buried in Dec 1830 in Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA ^{3 5}.)