Michael Tanner [T560] (Abt. 1701

Michael Tanner

Born: ca. 1701 in Germany
Married: Eva ?
Died: 23 Mar 1777 in PA
Father: unconfirmed Hans Danner/Dahner
Mother:
Religion: Michael's - Lutheran; Eva's - Catholic

Children:

John Storm

Michael Tanner

{External Link!}

Discussion

There is some confusion as to exactly which person is this Michael Tanner. For one thing, the name Tanner seems to have evolved from and changed back to Danner for some individuals. Also, Getzendanner appears to have been another root version changed to Tanner. Worse, there appear to have been at least two Michael Tanners in the same area of PA at about the same period of time.

One Michael Tanner was in PA and MD in the 1730s and was involved in the Cresap disturbances. This likely is the one listed as arriving Philadelphia 27 Sep 1727 aboard the Ship James Goodwill, from Rotterdam, but last of Falmouth. Brethren Pioneers considers this is the Michael Tanner identified on this page. The book states that he was born in Mannheim, Germany (according to A. R. Wentz) and that he had a first wife Amy with whom he arrived in Philadelphia in September 1727 as Mennonites. During the Cresap disturbances, he was leader and spokesman for the German settlers and had his land sold by Cresap in 1735. In 1737, Tanner was captured in a raid and briefly held in Annopolis. The book goes on to observe that he was prominent in York County, his name appearing frequently in various records. In 1770, Tanner and his second wife Eva were listed as members of Little Conewago Brethren Congregation near Hanover and they had eight children. Tanner bought 50 acres of Miller's Chance and a lot in Taneytown in 1765 and added another lot in 1786. In 1770, he bought 51 acres of Owing's Chance. The two large parcels were deeded by Michael and wife Eve to their son-in-law John Storrum (John Storm) in 1777. Son-in-law Michael was the executor for Michael Tanner's will in 1777. Based on evidence below, it appears that Brethren Pioneers has mixed the doings of two Michael Tanners. The Mennonite Michael Tanner/Danner can be distinguished by the following:

Wives: Amy, Anna
Children: Jacob, Heinrich/Henry, Philip (both Michaels had a son Michael, Jr.); Catharine, Anna, Mary, Elizabeth.
Timing: Probably anything predating about 1740 in America.
Location: Residing in Manheim Twp (now Heidelberg Twp), specifically near Hanover; land in Heidelberg & Codorus Twps.

Stephen M. Lawson's page talks about a Michael Tanner who did not arrive here until 15 years later. He notes that the primary information source for Tanner family is from Miles S. Philbeck's article "The Search for Michael Tanner," in the Bulletin of the Genealogical Society of Old Tryon County, Inc., Feb. 1995 (23:1, pp. 1-13). Michael Tanner/Danner - b. about 1701, Wiesloch, Germany; d. about Mar. 1777, Frederick Co., MD. Called citizen and baker at Walldorf, Germany in baptism of daughter Apollonia. Arrived at Philadelphia, PA on Sep. 24, 1742 aboard the Robert and Alice, In a deed dated Jun. 11, 1772 in Frederick Co., MD, all Michael's children are named, except for Apollonia. Will dated Sep. 5, 1776 and filed Mar. 23, 1777 in Frederick Co., MD. Married Jan. 17, 1728, Walldorf, Germany. Maria Eva - b. Germany. Apparently Roman Catholic. Two daughters were baptized at the Walldorf Catholic Church, and son Michael at the Leimen Lutheran Church. Based on the data from Germany, I have to agree that the Michael Tanner in this lineage was not the one involved with Cresap (besides, my ancestors never seem to have done anything to make them famous).

Will of Teater Danner of Dover Twp, York Co, PA was written 16 Jan 1759 and probated 14 Mar 1759. The youngest son Tobias was to care for his mother; a brother Casper and sister Judit are mentioned. Administrative account cc/a-187 filed 25 Aug 1761. Tobias Tanner is listed in the 1762 and 1772 tax lists for Dover.

Supporting Information

Wills

Written 5 Sep 1776; filed for probate 23 Mar 1777. John Storum executor. Discusses two lots in Taney Town. Ten pounds to son Andrew Tanner and remainder divided equally in five shares, one to each child.

Church Records

19 March 1745 - Lower Bermudian Church, Adams Co, PA lists baptism of Johannes, son of Michael and Eva Danner by Rev. Jacob Lischy [association with Lischy is one way to probably distinguish this Michael Tanner family from the other].

25 Jan 1752 - Christ Reformed Church, Littlestown, York (now Adams) Co, PA lists Johann Michael Tanner and Maria Eva as sponsors for Johann Michael, son of Michael and Maria Elisabeth Kuntz.

Land Records

York County, PA

24 May 1760 - Jacob Schreyer of Germane [sic] Twp. to Thomas Fisher a tract of land in Germane Twp. in York Co., adjoining Michael Tanner and Mathias Marker. [from York Co PA Deeeds by J. L. Alguire]
1762 - Hamiltonban Twp. tax £0.2.3
1762 - Germany Twp. tax £0.6.0 & 0.2.3
9 Nov 1762 - Acquired 153 acres on Md. line
8 Dec 1764 - Deeded to Michael Tanner Jr 23 acres of 153 acres on Md. line
1768 - Germany Twp. tax of £0.2.3 (Michael Danner)
1772 - to Michael Schenck remainder of 153 acres

Frederick County, MD

1765 - Purchased from Raphael Taney (Deed Book J, pg 1160)
1765 - Purchased from Michael Miller (Deed Book J, pg 1277)
1768 - Purchased from George Clarke (Deed Book L, pg 254)
1770 - Purchased from Samuel Owings (Deed Book L, pg 650)
11 Jun 1772 - to son John Tanner 50 acres of Millers Chance and 50 acres, part of Owings Chance.
8 May 1775 - to John Sturrom 50 acres of Millers Chance and 51 acres of Resurvey on Owings Chance.

Early German Settlers of York Co., PA by K. A. Dull

2 Jun 1762 - Michael Danner received a warrant for 280 acres in Codorus and Manheim Townships; surveyed as 259.56 acres on 6 Jun 1767; interest began on 1 Mar 1755
19 Jan 1767 - Henry Danner recieved a warrant for 150 acres in Heidelberg and North Codorus Twp, surveyed as 175.127 acres called Grievious Valley.

Peter Tanner bought portion of Addition to Brooks Discovery on Rich Land from Brooks
13 Aug 1755 - Peter Tanner bought 103 acres from Brooks
20 Mar 1764 - Tetur Tanner bought 60 acres of Brooks Discovery on Rich Land from Vouch

Secondary References

New World Immigrants II, Annotations to Strassburger and Hinke's Pennylvania German Pioneers [FTM CD170] ed. by M. Tepper, by Friedrich Krebs, State Archives, Speyer on the Upper Rhine, W. Germany. Early Emigration from the County of Heidelberg, in Electoral Palatinate, to America 1736-7. Records deposited in the State Archives at Karlsruhe.

Indigent brothers Michael and Dieter Danner of Walldorf were permitted to emigrate. They landed as Michael and Dietrich Danner on the ship Robert and Alice; took oath of allegiance 24 Sep 1742.

New World Immigrants II, Pensylvania Dutch Pioneers [FTM CD170] ed. by M. Tepper.

Danner, Michel and Dieter, from Walldort who wish to emigrate are relieved of emigration fees because the sum realized from the sale of their properties was insufficient to cover their depts. Source: Oberamtsprotokolle of Heidelberg, 1742. [Michel Danner, Dietrich Danner, Ship Robert and Alice] Sept. 24 1742.

"The Search for Michael Tanner," Bulletin of the Genealogical Society of Old Tryon County, Inc., Feb. 1995 (23:1, pp. 1-13)