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WILLIAM J MISSIMER

THE STORY AS I KNOW IT

William J. Missimer was born June 11, 1825 in Pennsylvania to Cassimer Missimer and Mary Gregg. from Bible Records from the Missimer Bible, published by John B. Perry in Philadelphia FHL #896755 item 1. I do not know where but close to the Lancaster/Chester County area.

William Missimer wed Martha Ann Devlin on Nov. 29, 1849. I do not know where but they were living with her parents a year later. re Delaware 1850 Census, New Castle count Mill Creek Hundred, page 3 Their marriage was also in the Bible Records.

In 1860 they had four children. They were still in Mill Creek Hundred but this time the added info is Post office Mermaid. William Missimer was a wheel wright. re the Delaware 1860 Census, roll M653_97, page 318. It gives the following details:
Wm Missimer, age 35, wheel wright, born PA
Martha A, age 30, born Delaware
George, age 10, born Delaware
Thomas, age 6, born Delaware
David, age 4, born Delaware
Matthew M., age 1, male born Delaware (I believe this is wrong, It should be Martha M.(mary), female
Thomas Miller, age 17, appretice Wheel Wright, born Delaware
Hannah Devlin, age 72, born Delaware

In 1860 there was a Chester County Orphans Court Document, a letter of Administration for Casimer Missimer #13721, dated April 2, 1860. It was found at the chester County Archives. The letter names William Missimer of New Castle County Delaware Administrator for the estate of Cassimer Missimer of New Castle County, Delaware. There had been no will for Cassimer found by that time. Cassimer had lived in Chester County, but when his wife died
in 1853 he moved in with this son lliving in Delaware at the time. There here is a New Castle County, Delaware Probate record held at the Delaware Archives dated 1858. I need to reed that.

Sometime in the next 4 years the family moved to Chester County Pennsylvania Franklin Township, Kemblesville. there the family is found on the 1870 Chester County Census, page 18 with 2 more children both born in PA. The details:
William Missimer, age 45, Wheelwright, value of property $13,000, personal property $500, born PA
Martha A., age 40, keeping house, born DE
George W., age 19, apprentise wheelwright, born DE
Thomas Y., age 16, working on farm, born DE, in school
David B. age 13, working on farm, born De, in school
Martha M.,age 11, born DE, in school (they have her right, this time)
Hannah E., age 5, born PA
Ida N., age 1, born PA
Hannah Devlin, age 86, born DE ( she aged 14 years since 1860)

According to the Bible Records, there was one more child, William Missimer, born march24, 1862. He died May 20, 1864. It does not say where he
was born, but he is buried at New London Presbyterian church. Thus we can assume they were living in Pa by May 20, 1864. See at end of story for the documentation.

The 1873 Chester county Property Map,http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/14049/Franklin++London+Britain/Chester+County+1873/Pennsylvania/ shows William Missimer in Chesterville, Rt. 841 comes from the southwest and makes a right angle left turn in the town. It continues straight as Chesterville Rd. The Missimer house was just beyond intersection, 2nd on the right.

The Missimer family continued there at least in 1880. they are on the Chester County Census 1880, Franklin township, , roll 1114, page 406. The details:
William Missimer, age 55, Wagon maker
Martha Ann, age 50
George W., age 29,
Lizzie, age 15 (Hannah's middle name must have been Elizabeth)
Ida, age 11

The Bible Records give us our final known detail. William Missimer died May 11, 1883, probably at home.   He is buried in New London Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
His widow, Martha Mary Missimer lived another 26 years. She died Oct. 4, 1909 and is also buried in New London Presbyterian church Cemetery. What is really nice is their tombstone tells their story. There is a photo of it at Find A Grave Memorial# 38583263
It is a large stone and reads "William Missimer son of
                                    Cassimer and Mary Gregg Missimer
                                        June 11, 1825 - May 11, 1883
                                     Martha Ann Missimer daughter of
                                          Charles and Hannah Devlin
                                    March 9, 1830 - October 4, 1908
On the reverse side is an inscription "In memory of their Daughter Elizabeth Haines".

Near by is a smaller stone that reads " Son Willie Missimer March 24, 1862, May 20 1864".

The New London Presbyterian Church was constructed in 1844. It is still a lovely active church on Rt. 896 near chruch Road.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

If you know the answer please CONTACT US

Where was he born?
Get the probate records for Cassimer.
Find the spouses of all their children.

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Doc; gpmis020.html
Date created: 11/30/2011
Date edited 11/4/2023