Johan Tobias Horine (1725-1773)
Written & Researched by John D. Barrett
Generation No. 6

Ancestral line: A1 Jerg Horein | B1 Jacob Horein | C8 George Horein | D1 Johannes Horein | E3 Hans Adam Hohrein

Boyhood home of Johann Tobias Horein in Flien, Germany
Boyhood home of Johann Tobias Horein in Flien, Germany
Boyhood home of Johann Tobias Horein in Flien, Germany
This property belonged to the Hohrien family until 1810.
 (Photographs by Mr. Gerhard Munzing, 2004)
F1 Tobias Horine was born May 05, 1725 in Grantschein, Wurttemburg, Germany, and died October 21, 1773 in Middletown Valley, Frederick County, Maryland. He married Elizabeth Possert September 24, 1751 in Falckner's Swamp, New Hanover, Pennsylvania (Now Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania), daughter of Jurg Possert. Nine children.

Tobias Horine was born in Grantschen, Wurttemburg, Germany and baptized in Flein near Heilbronn on May 7, 1725, son of Hans Adam and Anna Catherine Horain. Hans and Catherine lived and are buried in Grantschen.

The first Horein recorded in America was Leonhard who arrived in Philadelphia in 1747 aboard the ship "Restauration" from Rotterdam, by way of Leith, and captained by James Hall. At this time no connection between Leonhard and Tobias has been uncovered. The "Passengers and Immigration List Index" lists Tobias Horein as having reported to the Court House in Philadelphia as having been "imported" Tuesday, October 17, 1749, aboard the ship "Dragon" from Rotterdam, by way of Portsmouth, England. The ship was captained by Daniel Nicholas. The list of 244 persons was Palatines, Wurtembergers, and Alsatians. He was able to sign his name on this and other documents.

According to D. V. Russell's' "Genealogy of Western Maryland", Tobias Horine married Elizabeth Poussert, daughter of Jurg Possert, at Falckner Swamp Church near (New) Hanover, Pennsylvania, (now Gilbertsville, Montgomery County) September 24, 1751. He was called Johann Tobias Haarim in the record of the time. Elizabeth was confirmed there before the congregation on 8 April 1750 at age 16. Tobias and Elizabeth had at least one child there prior to moving to Maryland.

D. V. Russell states that a will on file (at Flein, Heilbronn, Orphans Court #318) of Tobias' father, Adam Horain, was written because Adam wanted an exception of distribution as was required by the laws of the times. The document was written 9 November 1769, "wherein Hans Adam Hohrein, calling himself citizen and commoner, stated that he wanted his estate divided equally among his wife and the children of both his first and second marriages. He mentioned first the daughter of his first marriage Mary Magdalena, now the wife of Johan Friedrich Eberle, who had received her portion already. Next he dealt with Tobias Hohrein, the only living son of his first marriage, who is still living. Tobias against his fathers wishes, in his 17th year before the age of majority, left home, which not only insulted his father but deprived him in those years when he could have been of some benefit to his father. The children of the second marriage, conversely, had lent him a hand and helped him increase his fortune. He therefore ordered that Tobias, instead of his inheritance he should have by law of both real and personal property, have only 300 Guldin (florin, equal to about 25 pounds) and that his inheritance be divided equally among the children of both marriages, excluding the second wife. But if Tobias were to come back or send a power of attorney, then the other children would share proportionately from the balance." He stated further that by German law, a father had the right to give more to one child than the others, provided the second wife did not benefit by such action, a law to protect the children of a first marriage. This will does not name the second wife or the other children.

A codicil was attached February 19, 1772. Madame Hohrein summoned town officials to his sick bed to confirm his will. Adam stated that the 300 Guldin would only be given if Tobias came for it. The will was witnessed and signed by the same officials, Christian Jacob Schmid, a magistrate; T. J. Rudolph Meisert, land commissioner and Jorg Baltas Munzig, judge. This will opens a mystery of where Tobias was after leaving his father at age 17 and arriving in Philadelphia at about age 24.

He first appeared in Frederick County records when a deed was recorded on May 1, 1754 (E.423) for a property containing 81 acres, and called "Johnson's Delight". This property was purchased from Thomas Johnson* and his wife Mary for seventeen pound, seventeen shillings, and seven pence. This property was located on the south side of Mill Creek between Middletown and Harmony, then called Beallsville, on Hollow Road. He bought 303 acres on November 10, 1761 and applied for a patent; the land was re surveyed on April 1, 1762 and was found to contain only 58 acres clear of earlier surveys, and therefore added 245 acres of contiguous vacant land in two pieces; the certificate was for 303 acres in Conococheague Manor and renamed Schin Talir Gutt. A patent was issued May 24, 1764. A discrepancy was also corrected by deed from Thomas Johnson to Tobias dated November 28, 1769 when Tobias paid him 20 pounds for a deficiency of 31 acres in the original 81 acre tract.

The map of "Schin Talir Gutt", surveyed in 1762, is shown as located between Routes U.S. 40 and 70, the eastern most point is the Johnson Family Graveyard off of Route #40. The property continues west of Gambrills State Park to a point south and west of #40 south of Harmony.

"WMG" lists Tobias as a witness to the will of Jacob Stayley on 6 June 1764. He, George Nogel and Deeter Bowert signed as witness. Deed was translated to English by Michael Trisler.

Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frederick Maryland. Photo taken in October, 2000 He took communion at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Frederick May 3 (see photo on right), 1767 and was naturalized at Annapolis May 7, 1767 in a group consisting of Adam Deetz, William House, David Stadelmyer, John Michael Wittmyer, all Germans of Frederick County. Witnesses were Tobias Reissner and Rudolph Crecelius. A notation dated June 12, 1770 coupling his name with Peter Wedel of Conegetschick appeared in a German newspaper published in Philadelphia. Tobias' son, Tobias II, married Peter Wedels' daughter.

Tobias Horein, farmer, made his will August 14, 1773, when very sick. He left his three sons Adam, Tobias, and Samuel 150 pounds each at age 21, the money to be lent out at interest until then. One month after his death, all movable, except what was necessary to maintain his family were to be sold at public auction, being evaluated first by two neighbors indifferently chosen; all debts to be paid from this sale; and the mill to be properly finished, and if any money remained, to be distributed evenly among his children: Adam, Tobias, Samuel, Magdellen, Susanna, Catharine, Judith, Mary, and Elizabeth when of age. Wife Elizabeth and Adam were to have the plantation for nine years, as long as Adam behaved in a dutiful, industrious sober honest manner to his mother; if not (in the opinion of the executor), he was to be dispossessed.

At the end of nine years, the mill and 20 acres adjoining were to be publicly sold and of the remainder of the plantation, one third to go to wife Elizabeth and the rest divided among the children, reserving 150 pounds for the sons. "If there is or may be or will be any estate by my father Adam Horein of Flein near Heilbronn, Germany, left to me." to be divided equally.

Tobias (II) and Samuel were to be sent to an English School and instructed until they knew the Rule of Three **** (view an article that discusses the concept of the Rule of Three), and the daughters to be sent to Dutch (probably Deutsch) schools until they could read Dutch perfectly, the schooling to be paid by his wife and Adam out of profit of the plantation. If any children died, his or her share would be divided equally. Wife was to have her share of the moveables. Michael Troutman of Frederick County to be executor. /s/ Tobias Horein. Witnesses were Thomas Johnson, William Lyons, and Hugh Kelly; acknowledged and probated October 30, 1773.

Descending Jacob's Ladder, a genealogy history of the Troutman family by Thomas L. Troutman 1993, reports that John Michael Troutman (1739-1814) a large Kentucky land owner, administered Tobias estate in Frederick County.

The inventory was taken November 20, 1773 by Thomas Johnson and George Bril and signed by Elizabeth Horine (by mark), it included 1 wagon, 4 wagon wheels, 2 horses and tack, 2 colts, 2 steers, several cows, 10 sheep, 10 geese, 6 shoats (?), 3 sows, wearing apparel, household goods, farming implements, beehives, windmill, a Bible and psalm book, a conk shell, total 168 pounds, 10 shillings, 5 pence. The inventory was attested to February 10, 1774. The executor filed his accounts November 8, 1774, which showed a balance of 204 pounds, 7 shillings, 7 1/2 pence. Charles Hedges witnessed.

Adam sold the 303 acre property October 10, 1786 to Michael Troutman for 55 pounds. Troutman must have had other powers as executor, on March 20 1783 he sold 73 acres of Schin Talir Gutt to Henry Staley, and on August 20, 1783 he had 40 acres of the tract re surveyed under the name "Troutmans Delight". One wonders if these sales were known by the heirs. On November 22, 1793, while living in Bullitt County, Kentucky, he gave his friend Joseph Swearingen power of attorney and in May 1796 sold Troutmans Delight, with other land to Jacob Staley. This property would eventually return to the Horine family.

Baptismal records of Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church lists the following births and baptisms of some of the children of Tobias and Elizabeth. (All names are spelled as they are in the various records.)

The number in front of each name above was their order of birth within the family.

The following was copied from administrative records of wills in county records:
Tobias HORINE deceased Michael TROUTMAN executor. 2/3 of 8 years rent of a still the widow having renounced the will of deceased claiming her thirds of rent. Sale of mill land.
More About Johan Tobias Horein: More About Elizabeth Possert:
Children of Johan Tobias Horein and Elizabeth Possert are:

NOTES

* I often wondered if there is a connection here between Thomas Johnson, Esq.; first governor of Maryland, lifelong friend and business associate of George Washington, who saved his command of the Colonial Army; member of the Continental Congress, and one of the first Justices of the Supreme Court. He and his family had extensive land holdings in the area; particularly at Catoctin Furnace and Mill Creek, which is the area in question. However, he didn't acquire his property until 1760 and did not move to Frederick permanently until 1761. During this era it was not unusual for people to acquire large land tracts in distant areas for investment only. However, Donna Valley Russell, in Vol 1., No.3 "WMG" pretty much clears that up by proving there was another Thomas Johnson in the area far earlier than the founding patriot.
** The Samuel reported by Darla Jones may have been related to another line as Court House records indicate this Samuel is definitely the son of Tobias and Elizabeth.
*** "WMG" date of Adams son, John H. (Johan Heinrich) Horine, birth differ with church records which gives his birth (9 Apr 1775) and baptism (11 Jun 1775). "Schildknechts, Vol II" reports that an Adam Horine immigrated from the city of Hyne, near Heilbrun, on the Neckar River, and settled in the Middletown Valley. Although I long thought it was his brother, his father's will indicates he had no brother, so the Adam in question must have been his son.
**** The rule of three, also called the golden rule, was a method for finding a fourth number, given a series of three in which the proportion between the first and second is the same as that between the third and unknown fourth. Basically, it is ratios, if you learned to do those in junior high school. For example, if the three numbers were one and three and seven, then the fourth number would be twenty-one. (If you don't understand how this works, then you can see why it was considered difficult enough to be specified in an apprenticeship contract.)

The preceding genealogy research data was obtained from many sources. Most biographical sketches were extracted from Donna Valley Russell's Western Maryland Genealogy and William's and McKinsey's History of Frederick County Maryland, Volume I and II.

Other sources were:
Scharfs History of Western Maryland
A History of Carrollton Manor
Census records; 1790-1890
Various court records. (As indicated)
Newspaper clippings. (as Indicated)
Monocacy and Catoctin, Vol I & II, C. E. Schildknecht
"Names in Stone"
Church records of Zion Lutheran, Middletown, Maryland
Church records Evangelical Lutheran, Frederick, Maryland

Although I did not use foot notes in this report, I have tried to cite my sources where possible. Early on, when I began this search, it was a project I did for my own curiosity and I therefore was lackadaisical in my note keeping, not meaning to disseminate this information to others. Where possible I have corrected this oversight and have updated from time to time.

There are some discrepancies between some information I have obtained and data supplied by others. Most of these are minor and concern dates and ages. There are some incidences where there is confusion about Tobias Horine I and Tobias Horine II as being the first Horine in Western Maryland, I hope this will clarify that, as most of my records are from published public records of the day.

Most spelling in this report is entered as they were listed in the various documents, however, I'm sure there are a few "typos" that I apologize for. If any errors are discovered in this paper, I would appreciated being advised of same, so it may be corrected

Note: I am currently gathering information on the following early families of Frederick County who were connected to the Horines by marriage: Routzahn, Dutrow, Summers, Bowlus, Merkle, Doub, and Shanks. If you wish, I will send them on completion.

JDB
April 19, 1997

The Horine Family History is a compilation of information gathered over the past 60+ years by Mr. Paul G. Horine, Darla (Horine) Jones, John David Barrett, Eric T. Davis, Karen Montgomery, and many other contributors.

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