Information added on 16 November 2006. Go to another "New flashing star".

  My mother  was the Great- Granddaughter of  Rudolph MOREE  from Canton Bern, Switzerland. Her grandmother was  Anna BIEDERMANN also from Canton Bern (bear), Switzerland.  I really knew nothing else about them. So - - - -  now (32 years later) I know the following: I also know that incorrect information has been floating over the Internet. How can we possibly keep our own family information correct and true, so that the unknowns are not passing bad information along that can be believed for hundreds of years...... Very frustrating!

    Switzerland is a very small country, roughly 1/3 the size of the state of Ohio. Each canton (or state)  is just a very small part of this country and it is basically a federation of several cantons that were independent in early times. Each person was a citizen of the canton and of the community or commune. This means that all records of each individual or family is maintained at the commune level.
    There are two published works that are a necessity to see. "Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz", 1971 - basically is Families of Switzerland. There are six volumns that contain a listing of all surnames and the areas (towns or villages) where those names were found. It tells you whether the family name was found in a village before 1800. IF the surname is no longer found in Switzerland, it will not be listed. If all the family of that surname emigrated  in the 18th century, it will not be listed.
    Another source to be used: "Lists of Swiss Emigrants in the Eighteenth Century to the American Colonies", rep.1976 by A.B. Faust & G.M. Brumbaugh. However, it does not contain every Swiss emigration at that time period.

    German, Italian, French and Romansh (old Latin dialect) languages are all spoken there. Most of the surnames have been Americanized to some degree.
    Every canton in Switzerland has a state archive. Every canton handles civil registry the way they want.

    My interest surrounded  the Canton of Bern.  Their State archives address is: Staatsarchiv des Kanton Bern, Falkenplatz 4, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. The archives has historical material for all time periods in this canton.
    The Bernese government persecuted the Anabaptists, sometimes condemning them to death. They also confiscated their properties. Many Mennonites left Bern and went to the Netherlands, to Alsac and the Palatinate.
    Research on individual families has to be done at the commune level in Canton Bern and none of the records were placed in a central repository so few are availabl on microfilm. BUT they do have excellent records, fine archives and most of the staff speak English.
    My source for the above is from "Notes on Research Sources for 18th Century Emigration from the Swiss Cantons Basel-Land, Basel-Stadt, Bern, & Zùrich" - Aids for PA Genealogical Research #4, by Annette K. Burgert of AKB Publications.

 I  did not know when the family came into America. I started subscribing to the quarterly newsletter "Swiss Connections" published by Maralyn A. Wellauer. She is a well-known author, lecturer and acknowledged expert on Switzerland research. Through a query I placed in this newsletter, I received a letter from a professional genealogist, who saw it, wanted me to know the name of Moree was the Americanized version and gave me the most information that I have found on this family. I am eternally grateful to Mr. John Hoppi. He basically started my research on this family.

I now have the immigration record for the Moree family.  Found that Rodolphe MORY arrived in New York City on 25 Aug 1825 on the schooner ship "The Francis Henrietta" from Le Havre, France. (Line:15 List #548)
      [Ancestry.com "New York Passengers Lists, 1820-1957, database on line]
With him was his family  according to the manifest from the Ship's master:
 Mory, Rudolph - b. 1785
 Mory, Anna - wife b. 1785
 Mory, John - son b. ca 1811
 Mory,  Anna - dau b. ca 1815
 Mory,  Rodolphe - b. ca 1817
 Mory, Benedict - son, b. ca 1820 - THIS IS OUR BENJAMIN
 Mory, Christian - son b. ca 1822
They were traveling with another family from Switzerland. Listed on the manifest were their list of luggage they brought with them. They brought their wagon, which we assume was loaded with their belongings.

 ANCESTRY.com showed that Rodolphe Mory immigrated in 1825 to NY at the age of 40, est. birth year ca 1785, which we believe is right.
Source - also "Richland Co., OH Naturalizations" in the Pastfinder Vo. 11:1, Jan-Mar 1992 pp 4-6 pg. 4.- Source Publication Code: 7397.11
 Shows Rodolf Mory/Morree, now aged 46 years, b. 1786, native of Switzerland sailed from Havre de gras 1825, landed in NY in 1825, in Richland Co, OH more than 5 years. Dated 31 Oct 1832.
NARA Film M261-70  and FHL film #0350272 and #0350273
"Passenger Arrivals at the Port of New York, 1820-1829, Elizabeth P. Bentley, GPC 1999, pp.65501272 (Ju-Z). Source Publication Code: 503.10.92
 

                    Rudolf Möri was born  in Feb 1785 Canton of Bern, Switzerland.

1.    Marriage Register - 1810 - for Rudolph Moree and Anna Biederman
2.    Marriage Banns - SOURCE: Staatsarchiv Bern, K Bùrglen 12, Eherodel 1752-1840, page 85:
The marriage register of Bùrglen, the parish to which Jens belongs, under the year 1810, finds the following banns entry - shown below

verkùndet            Aussere                1810                            Schein ertheilt
banns read                    outsiders                                                                        (marriage) license given
                    (grooms having citizenship in other parishes.)

Octob: 28            Rudolf Möri, Joh:  sel.                  Sohn von Hermrigen                  K: Teùffelen
                                    (s/o Johannes deceased)               (citizen)   of Hermrigen,     parish:   Täuffelen
Nov: 4, 11            Anna Biedermann            Nikl.        sel.        Tochter    von  Jeis,                     zu  Bùhl              K:  Walperswyl
                                    (d/o Niklaus deceased of Jens    (Jeis = dialect spelling)    residing)  at                 Bùhl,  parish of Walperswil
 

It turned out that this ancestor of mine was neither a Moret nor a Mori, but a Möri from Hermrigen. It was not apparent in the Familiennamenbuch because it is alphabetized as if it were spelled Moeri, which is the proper English transcription. (The vowel sound has no English equivalent). So MOREE is obviously an Americanized spelling.

Then the marriage register of Täuffelen, the parish for which Hermrigen belongs. The banns entry for this couple was then found there and also the fact that the the marriage ceremony was performed in still ANOTHER parish, Kappelen on 17 Nov 1810.

                                                                                         1810                    copulat.    cappelen
entry #                                                                                                          ort  u.  tag  (marriage place & date)
13.    Rudolf Möri            von  Hermrigen    hansen sohn  (Hans is short for Johannes)    17. nov.
        Anna Bidermann -    jeis        K: bùrglen            klausen  Tochter    (Klaus is short for Niklaus)

SO:  Rudolph Mori and Anna Bidermann were married on 17 Nov 1810 and had posted their banns in two different places from where the marriage actually took place.   Would I have ever found this myself?  No! It was found by Mr. John Hùppi, the professional genealogist of Thun, Switzerland, who  answered my  query in The Swiss Connection  in 1993.

Mr. Hùppi also sent me the christening entry for one of this couple's children.

1814    d. 3 t  Aprill (baptism date)
#15. eodem die                eine eheliche  Anna            nat.  d. 26  Martij
  same day                a legitimate                           born
(more than one christening entered under that date)

  Par        Rudolf Moeri        von Hermringen
                  Anna Bidermann   von  Jens   K. Bùrglen

    Test        Hans Krebs        von    Bùhl   K. Walperswyl        (witnesses)
                    Anna Hofmann    von    Lattrigen  K.  Sutz
                        Herrn Ammann Batschelet    Frau v:  Hermringen        (=Godparents)
                                            Mayor Batschlet's wife
        Magdalena Biedermann    von   Jens,  Bendicht  Gnegis  Frau
                        von Merzligen K. Bùrglen     der Mutter  Schwester   (the mother's sister)

SO: The child, Anna, was born 26 Mar 1814 and it named the witnesses and Godparents for the christening.
Anna and Magdalena were daughters of Niklaus Bidermann and Rudolf was the son of Johannes.
The areas mentioned are Jens, Bùhl, and Keppelen, along with Hermrigen.  [I will put the map on this page soon.]
To the west of these areas is the Lake of Biel and the region is known as the Seeland - The Lake Country.

16 November 2006  - I now know when the Rudolph MOREE family immigrated to America. ANCESTRY.COM just added more passenger lists to their website.
Found that Rodolphe MORY arrived in New York City on 25 Aug 1825 on the schooner ship "The Francis Henrietta" from Le Havre, France. (Line:15 List #548)
      [Ancestry.com "New York Passengers Lists, 1820-1957, database on line]
With him was his family  according to the manifest from the Ship's master:
 Mory, Rudolph - b. 1785
 Mory, Anna - wife b. 1785
 Mory, John - son b. ca 1811
 Mory,  Anna - dau b. ca 1815
 Mory,  Rodolphe - b. ca 1817
 Mory, Benedict - son, b. ca 1820 - THIS IS OUR BENJAMIN
 Mory, Christian - son b. ca 1822
They were traveling with another family from Switzerland. Listed on the manifest were their list of luggage they brought with them. They brought their wagon, which we assume was loaded with their belongings.
 ANCESTRY.com ahowed that Rodolphe Mory immigrated in 1825 to NY at the age of 40, est. birth year ca 1785, which we believe is right.
Source - also "Richland Co., OH Naturalizations" in the Pathfinder Vo. 11:1, Jan-Mar 1992 pp 4-6 pg. 4.- Source Publication Code: 7397.11
NARA Film M261-70  and FHL film #0350272 and #0350273
"Passenger Arrivals at the Port of New York, 1820-1829, Elizabeth P. Bentley, GPC 1999, pp.65501272 (Ju-Z). Source Publication Code: 503.10.92

(In checking to see if I could find a picture of the ship "Francis Henrietta" - I found that the ship was also used for whaling as well as carrying passengers. Possibly a schooner and we found a bill of sale for the ship in the Charles W. Morgan Collection (Coll.27). Bill of sale was to Hayward P. Cushing. I am still looking for a picture of the Frances Henrietta ship.
www.mysticseaport.org/library/Manuscriptes/coll/coll027.cfm
www.library.mysticseaport.orginitiative/CRegister.cfm?BibID=35077.
    We still don't know where or if  they settled anywhere before they came on west to Richland Co.,OH.
Rudolph died on 8 Aug 1846 in Jefferson Twp., Richland Co.,Ohio where he had his farm. He is buried in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Richland County. Anna died in 1868 and is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, in Kendallville, Noble Co., Indiana, under the same stone as Samuel Hoke (her son in law).

Their family consisted of the following:
   1. Anna - b. Mar 1814 who m. Samuel HOKE in 1840. She died 14 Mar 1880 in Avilla, Noble Co.,IN.
   2. John - b.ca 1816 and he m. Sarah Ann HOKE. He is thought to have lived near Fredricktown, Lancaster Co.,
            Ohio where they died. He had a son Amos Moree.
   3. Rudolph Jr. - b. 27 Jun 1817 m. Eliza BARE. She was b. 1825 and d. 1907. He d. 10 Jun 1886 Kendallville         Noble Co., Indiana and is buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Their children:
        a. John H. Moree - b. 1849.
        b. Sarah Moree -
        c. William Moree - b. May 1855
   4.**Benjamin - my great grandfather - was b. 18 Feb 1820 in Bern, Switzerland.
   5. Samuel - b. ca 1822 - I have no further info on him.
   6. Christopher - b. 9 Feb 1823 (last child b. in Switz). He m. Maria/Mariah LEEDY on 21 Nov 1848 and stayed in Ohio. She was d/o Samuel and Sarah LEEDY.  He d. 9 May 1908 in Berlin Twp., Knox Co., (Info from The Leedy Family History).  Their children were:
            a. John Crofford Moree - b. 2 Nov 1849.
            b. Mary Olive Moree - b. 1 Apr 1851.
            c. Francisco Doria "Dory" Moree - b.23 Jun 1853.
            d. Maria Theresa Moree - b.21 Sep 1856.
            e. Arnetta Jenette Moree - b.1 May 1859.
            f. Caleb Ellsworth Moree - b. 3 Aug 1861.
            g. Cassius Brough Moree - 31 May 1864.
            h. Louisa Elma Moree - b. 26 Dec 1866.
            i. Sarah Alice Moree - b. 7 Jun 1868.
    7. Jacob - b. ca 1827 in Richland Co.,OH and he remained in OH.
                  (It looks like the HOKE and MOREE families must have lived on neighboring farms.)
SOURCES: Biographical Sketches of Richland County, Ohio; Tombstone in Jefferson Twp., Richland Co., Ohio; and the Family Bible of Christopher Moree; Death Records and Cemetery of Richland Co., Ohio.

A letter from Gardner Beers was received in February 1975 (he died in 1980) and he sent me a copy of the "History of the Moree Family". He said he had received it enclosed in a letter.
"This is a history taken from old Family Bibles and from memory of things told to me by my Grandfathr Christopher Moree. Great Grandfather Rudalph Moree owned several small pieces of land in Switzerland, not all in one piece as we have here, the largest of these being 3 acres.
    In those days it was considered quite an achievement to own so much ground there. However, Great Grandfather sold all his land and with his wife and 6 children came to America - this was in the year 1826(?). Their trip to America was made in a sailing boat and they were 3 months on the water. They had friends living near Lancaster, Ohio where they stayed while the father looked for a suitable home for his family. They finally settled on a 160-acres farm in Richland County where another son, Jacob was born.
    Their family grew up on this farm - then as familys(?) often do they scattered about the country. One son Sam went to California and some settled in Indiand & Michigan - 3 sons remained in Ohio - namely John, Christopher and Jacob.
    There is no record of Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother's death other than they died on their home place and were buried in Steels Cemetery near their Richland county farm. We were told Great Grandfathers only relative was a sister living in Switzerland - her married name was never found in the old records so nothing is known of her or her family."
SOURCES: Christopher Moree Family Bible; "The Leedy Family History" pg.126 by Gordon M. Comnelly, 1985 (#251-51)    Gateway Press Call #929.273 L517c.
Christopher Moree was a cabinetmaker and the family belonged to the Progressive Brethren Church. He owned his father's Webster Dictionary and they lived in Ankenytown, Ohio. His picture is in the Leedy Family History.

       The family of Benjamin MOREE (my ggf): Benjamin and  Lydia Ann HOKE were married in her father's home on 19 Dec 1843 in Knox Co.,OH, by Justice of Peace, George Aubery. She was b. 17 May 1821 in York Co.,PA, d/o John (Johannes HOCH) HOKE and Evaline GESSELMAN. Benjamin d. 4 Oct 1895 and Lydia d. 21 May 1906 both in Kendalville, Noble Co.,IN. They are buried in the Lakeview Cemetery in Kendallville, with Burkhalter funeral home making the arrangements. The family attended the Lutheran Church. [Kendallville is about 25 miles north of Fort Wayne, IN.]
    Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church history stated that Ben Moree was baptised there in 1848, as was Lydia Hoke Moree.Three of their daughters (Ellen, Amanda, Mary E.) wre confirmed thre in 1864.  One entry showed that Mrs. Lydia Moree sat in the same pew that she had for many years (there was no date on that entry). Lydia donated a stained glass window in the memory of Benjamin after he died in 1895. The picture showed that it was a tall narrow window with six rings, one on top of the other so they intertwine. Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church was a small country church on county road 750 and is east of Albion about 5-6 miles, on State Rd. 8, then a turn to the south, going about 1/4 mile. The church sits on the east side of the road and the cemetery in on the west side of the road. Daughter, Ellen Moree Fisher is buried there with her husband. [the information on the church and it's history courtesy of Jean Becker]
    Benjamin was a witness at court for the bill on "Canall Line" in case of Jacob ORVILER & Elizabeth HUBBARD on 14 May 1839 - along with George NOBLES, Levi GREEN, Erastus LEWIS, James HUBERT, John GIMERSON, & William B. HILL. [Justice of the Peace Records and Day Books, Noble Co., Indiana]
    He emigrated from Ohio to Allen Township, Noble Co. in 1848. The land he purchased was totally uncleared at they time. They settled on this land and began clearing and improving it. ["Counties of LaGrange & Noble, Indiana", by F.A.Batten Co, 1882]

    Benjamin owned a farm of 140 acres Allen Twp. He paid $401.48 cash for it from Noah A. & wife Frances M. WHITNEY. Book 6, pg.448 - 23 Nov 1848. He also had a deed in 1840 Bk.B, pg. 446.(could not find this) The 140 acres = S part of NW quarter of Section N3-100 N part of SW quarter of same, Twp 34 N of Range N11 East. Recorded as Benjamin MOREY and witnessed by Myers & Collins - [Film#550,253]
    Their children:::
1. Amos Moree - b. 10 Oct 1845 Jefferson Twp., Richland Co.OH. He d. at 2 yrs.2mo, 17 days on 27 Aug 1847  is buried in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery there.
2. Amanda Moree - b. 1846 Richland Co.,OH. She m. Frederick George GRETZINGER(1836-1924) 2 Dec 1867 and
         she d. in 1934. Burial Sweet Cemetery, Jefferson Twp., Richland Co.,OH. [mar.lic.under Marie Bk2 -166]
3.  Ellen/Elnora N. Moree - b.Jul 1848 Richland Co., OH. She m. Moses D. FISHER 19 Oct 1867. [Bk.2-349] They had 9 children and she d. 24 Mar 1929 Noble          Co.,IN. Moses b. 10 Jan 1844, d. 22 Mar 1914.Bur. Mt.Pleasant Church cemetery.. She was listed as Elnora in her father's will.
4.  Mary E. Moree  - b. b.1850 Kendallville. She m. Edward LOWER 13 Apr 1873, and d. 1931 in Kendallville. Also bur.
          in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery there. [Bk 3, pg.101]
5.**George DeForest Moree - my grandfather - b.13 Nov 1854 Avilla, Noble Co.,Indiana.
6.  Emma A. Moree - b. 1858 in Kendallville, m. Lewis RENSCH 6 Jul 1904 [Bk 8, pg.480] She d. in 1941 in Kendallville
         and is bur.in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
7.  Surena Alice Moree - b. 1860 in Kendallville. She m. James A. Berry 20 Sep 1893 [Bk.6 pg.512] and she d. 1926
         there. She is bur.in Mt.Pleasant Cemetery.
SOURCES: "150 Years of Noble County, Indiana"; "The History of Noble Co.,IN", 1980; Knox County, Ohio Marriage Records Vol.2 H-Q Film #317423 pg 471; Marriage Records of Noble Co.,IN, 1859-1899 by Ruth M. Slevin, 1971 also Marriage Records of Noble Co. 1900-1925.

WILL OF BENJAMIN  MOREE:    20 December 1888, Recorded 25 October 1895  Book 4, Pg. 57-59 Albian, Noble County, Indiana.  Estate # 1320  Executor: Frank P. BOTHWELL; Administrator: Jacob M. HAINES;
Witnesses: Thomas L. GRAVES and George M. FISH.    Spouse: Lydia Ann (Hoke) Moree
    In the name of the Benevolent Father of all, I Benjamin Moree of Noble County, Indiana do make and publish this my last Will and Testament.
1st   I give and devise to my beloved wife in lieu of her interest in my lande the farm on which we now reside Situate in Section 3- in Allen Township, Noble County, Indiana containing about 140 acres of land during her natural life and all the Stock, house hold goode furniture provisions and all other goods and chatels which may be there on at the time of my decease during her natural lifetime as aforesaid, she however selling so much of said personality as maybe necessary and required to pay all my just debts, At the death of my said wife it is my desire that said have and such of said personal property as remains undisposed of shall descend to and become the absolute property of the children of myself and my said wife. towit: George, Emma A. Alice. MaryE. Elnora and Amanda, share and share alike with this **exception however that I have paid debts for my said Son George to the amount of $804 the interest on which will amount to the sum of $46.00 at least.
   Now in making distribution of my estate under this Will by reason of the **facts aforesaid I desire that my said Son George shall receive $850.00 less than any other children before mentioned, provided may further, however that if my said Son George presents any claim against my estate of any description whatever except by virtue of this will or object to the deduction from his said share of the part of my estate-whatever but the same shall be equally divided btween our said Children. Emma A: Alice: Mary E: Elnora: and Amanda - share and share alike.
2nd    It is my desire that  Two Hundred Dollars shall be used and expended out of my estate i teh purchase of Suitable Tombe Stones for myself and wife.
3rd    I hereby revoke all former Wills by me made. In testimony hereof I have here unto Set my hand and Seal this 20th date of December 1888                                                                                                           his
                                                                                                                    Benjamin  X  Moree
                                                                                                                                                                  mark
Signed and acknowledged by said Benjamin Moreee as his last Will and Testament in our presence, and signed by us in his presence at his request this 20th day o December 1888
                                                                                                                                        Thomas L. Graves
                                                                                                                                        George M. Fish
Codicil
Whereas I Benjamin Moree on this day mady my last Will and Testament   I do hereby declare the following to be a codical to the same.
      It is my desire and Order that the land mentioned in my said Will shall not be sold by any of my said heirs in parcels but when any sale is made there of the whole shall be sold together and the proceeds there from divided between my said legatees according to their Several interests as set forth n said Will
      It is my further desire that my said son George shall be charged with six per Cent Interest on the $850.00  held by me against him as mentioned in said Will from the date hereof  === the date of my death.
                           In testamoney whereof  I ahve here unto set my hand and seal this the 20th day of December 1888
                                                                                                                                                        Benjamin X Moree
    Signed by Benjamin Moree as a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in our presence this 20th day of December 1888 and signed by us at the same time in his presence at his request as witnesses there to:
                                                                                                                                  Thomas L. Graves
                                                                                                                                  George M. Fish
                Filed
                      Oct. 25 1895
                                                    Frank P. Bothwell
                                                                                   Clerk Noble Cir. Court
+++++++
The State of Indiana }
   Noble County       }      S.S.
                                                                Be it remembered that on the 25th day of October 1895    Thomas L. Graves one of the subscribing witnesses to the within and foregoing last Will and Testament of Benjamin Moree late of said County - deceased  personally appeared before the Clerk of the circuit Court of  Noble County - in the State of Indiana and being duly sworn by the Clerk of said Court, upon his oath,declared and testified as follows, that is to say: That on the 20th Day of December 1999 he saw the said Benjamin Moree sign his name to said instrument in writing a - and for his last Will and Testament, and that this deposdant(?) at the same time heard the said Benjamin Moree declare the said instrument in writing to be his last Will and Testament and that the said instrument in writing was at the same time, at the request of the said Benjamin Moree, and with his consent attested and subscribed by the said Thomas l. Graves & by George M. Fish in the presence of said Testator and in the presence of each other, as subscribing witnesses thereto and that the said Benjamin Moree was at the time signing and subscribing of said instrument in writing as aforesaid of full age. (that is more than twenty one years of age, and of sound and disposing mind and memory , and not under any coercion or restraint. as the said deposcent verily believe. that decendent died in Noble County, Indiana on the day -- of October 1895 and further deposcent(?) says not.
                                                                                                                            Thomas L. Graves
    Sworn to and subscribed by the said Thomas L. Graves be fore me Clerk of said Court at albion, the 25th day of October 1895
                                                                                                                                                   Frank P. Bothwell, Clerk.
++++++++++++
The State of Indiana }
   Noble County       }  S.S.
                                                I Frank P. Bothwell Clerk of the Circuit Court of Noble County, Indiana do hereby certify that the = = = = = =  = Will and Testament of Benjamin Moree has been duly and admitted to probate and duly proved by the testimony of Thomas L. Graves one of the subscrbing witnesses thereto: that a complete record of said Will and of the testimony of the said Thomas L. Graves in proof there of has been by me duly made and recorded in Book 4 at Pages 57-58-59 of the Record of Wills of said County
            In Attestation whereof, I have here unto subscribed my name and affixed the sear of said Court of Albion this 25th day of October 1895:
                                                                                                                                    Frank P. Bothwell
                                                                                                                                            Clerk Circuit Court    - Noble County
            FILED:  October 25 1895
                               Frank P. Bothwell, Clerk Noble Cir. Court.    Estate: #1320
============================================================================================================================
**What I  knew about George DeForest Moree  & Benjamin Moree many years ago - was that  when Benjamin died in 1895 -  George had made the remark "The only thing that I want are the coins that held down my father's eyes" - at the time of Benjamin's death. I thought that was strange and certainly indicated a rift between the two as with being the only son, he would have generally inherited the farm, I would have thought. But when I found Benjamin's will, I solved what I thought was the reason for George's remarks. He had borrowed money from his father and then did not pay it back so Benjamin took care of that in his will. Maybe he asked George for it - who had obviously had paid his debt. Guilt sometimes makes rifts in families as we all know. I was glad to find the will and codicil to know what had happened between the father and his son.******
============================================================================================================================

PROBATE RECORD FOR LYDIA A.MOREE:      Estate # 1321
        Jacob M. HAINES, Administrator                                    Letter issued Oct. 30, 1906
   Final report appvd. Jan. I, 1908 -  Order Book 20, page 474
            Administrator discharged -   Order Book 20, page 497
Comes now said administrator by Prickett & Carver, his attorneys, and files and presents to the court his duly verified report and vouchers of the distribution made by him, pursuant tothe order of this court, heretofore made herein, of the surplus funds of said estate. Showing therein that there was the sum of $960.64, in his hands for distribution belonging to said estate, - that has paid to George Moree, the sum of $160.10 2/3, to Emma A. Rensch, $160.10 2/3, to Alice Berry, $160.10 2/3, Mary E Lower, $160.10 2/3, Elnora Fisher, $160.10 2/3 and to Amanda Gretzinger, $160.10 2/3: which said report and vouchers are in the following words and figures, to-wit: (here insert)
    And upon due examination thereof and being fully advised in the premises, it is now here ordered and adjudged by the court that said report of distribution be, and the same hereby is, in all things approved,and that said administrator be, and he hereby is, released and discharged from his said trust, and that said estate be, and the same hereby is, adjudged fully administered upon, and finally settled and determined.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Both Lydia Ann (Hoke/Hoch)  Moree and Benjamin Moree are buried at the Lake View Cemetery. This is located in Wayne Township, Noble County, Indiana, a short distance northeast of Kendallville, approximately 1/2 mile North of U.S. 6 on Riley Road. The original section of Lake View is located on the East side of Riley Road and a newer section of the cemetery in located on the West side of Riley Road.  Benjamin & Lydia's graves are located in the Section I-Moree Section.

From Indiana: A New Historical Guide, 1980  - pg. 30.
Noble County, Indiana - was officially organized by an act of the legislature in 1836 and was formed from Elkhart, Lagrange, and Allen counties. The county was named for James Noble, who was the 1st U.S. Senator of Indiana, elected in 1816 and reelected in 1821 and 1827.
    The centrally located town of Albion became the county seat in 1847, but was located in three different sites before that time. In the 1830's and 1840's, a strip mine operated near the early county seats. Bog iron ore was hauled to a nearby forge until the mines were abandoned in 1854. Traditionally, Noble County is agricultural in natural though some of the county's larger towns now support a diversified industrial base.  The county ranks number one in sheep production for the state.
    Sylvan Lake was a 630-acre lake created in 1830's from the north branch of the Elkhart River and was to be a reservoir for a canal to connect Lake Michigan with the Wabash and Erie Canal at Fort Wayne. The state abandoned the program before the canal project was well under way.
    The first courthouse was completed in 1847 but it was destroyed by fire in 1859. Two years later the next courthouse was constructed of brick and designed to be fireproof but it was proved too small for the county's growing administration system.
    Kendallville is 7.9 miles from Albion and was settled in 1836 by William MITCHELL of New York and he platted the town in 1849. It was named after Amos Kendall, postmaster general of the U.S. under President Andrew Jackson, and was incorporated as a town in 1863 and as a city in 1866. It is called an "industrial center which proudly claims - "the world takes what Kendallville makes".

From "Family Records of Noble County, Indiana" by Mr. Misselhorn  - page 1      OLD TRAILS
    This region before the advent of the white man was a network of Indian trails.Then as now, the lands in the vicinity of the heads of the lakes were one the Highway between the east and west. These trails have been adopted in many instances as the line of  permanent roads by the successors of the roving Indians and their ancient predecessors, the Mound Builders.
    "The Old Indian Trail", now a modern highway was a footpath laid out by the Indians before the coming of the white man, was between the points where White Pigeon, Michigan and Fort Wayne, Indiana now stands. It was widened in time to team track width and in 1839, many covered ox-drawn emigrant wagons wended their way over the rough road that had been cut through the timber and settled at different points along the Angling Road.  The reason the Old Indian Trail was chosen as a route was an act of diplomacy, beliving it would establish friendlier and safer relationship.

Rudolph Morï was a citizen of Canton Bern, Switzerland and s/o Johannes Morï. Johannes, a citizen of Hermrigen, Tauffelen parish, Canton Bern,  was deceased at the time of the marriage of Rudolf & Anna.

This information was given to me by John Huppi, a professional genealogist - Sustenstrasse, 24,  36-4 Thun, Switz. in his letter of 8 Feb 1993. I had inserted a query concerning this family in the "Swiss Connections" newsletter published by Maralyn Wellauer, and he was answering this query.

The source for the marriage register was Staatsarachiv Bern, K.Burglen 12, Eherode 1752-1840, pg. 85. Register was of Burglen, parish that Jens belongs to and he sent a copy of register of the Marriage Banns - 10/28 and 11/4  1811 read in Burglen parish, Jens, Canton Bern, Switzerland. Marriage license was given and they were listed as "outsiders" of that parish. It was alphabetized as if it was spelled MOERI - which is the proper English translation.

Rudolph was listed as "s/o Johannes, dec'd, a citizen of Hermrigen, Tauffelen parish." Anna was listed as "d/o Niklaus, dec'd of Jens, residing at Buhl, parish of Walperswil on 11/12  1810.

Rudolf brought his wife and six children to America in 1825. It is not sure where they embarked or lived until they finally settled in Jefferson Twp. in Richland Co., OH. Some to the information was from the family Bible of Christopher Moree.

Burial: 8 Aug 1846 - tombstone in Salem Lutheran Cem., Richland Co.,Ohio. He d. at age of 60 years, 6 mos and 15 days.
Cemetery is in SE 1/4 section 6, located onthe N. side of Bellville, OH, on Johnsville Rd, or Cedar Fork Rd. Cemetery was constructed in 1860 Jefferson Twp, Richland Co., OH.  Rd. 31 (Bellville-Johnsville Rd. or Cedar Fork Rd.), west of Twp. Rd. 348      (Ritter Rd.)  Next to Salem Lutheran Church. Section 6  - [Knox Co., OH Web Site.]
Source: pg. 140 - Richland Co., Ohio, Cemetery Records,published 1981 #ACC4342 - of the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery & Church

Letter from Gardner Beers (dec. 1980) on 3 Feb 1975 - send me a copy of "History of Moree Family". He said it was enclosed in a letter to him.
 "This is a history taken from old Family Bibles and from memory of things told to me by my Grandfather Christopher Moree. Great Grandfather Rudolph Moree owned several small pieces of land in Switzerland - (not in one piece) as we have here, the largest being 3 acres. In those days it was considered quite an achievement  to own so much ground there. However, in the year 1825 (?) Their trip to America was made in a sail boat - they were 3 months on the water . They had friends living near Lancaster, Ohio where they stayed while the father looked for a suitable home for his family. They finally settled on a 160 acre farm in Richland Co. where another son, Jacob was born.
 Their family grew up on this farm - then as familys(?) often do they scattered about the country. One son Sam went to California and some settled in Ind & Michigan - 3 sons remained in Ohio - namely John, Christopher & Jacob.
 There is no record of Great Grandfather and Great Grandmothers death other than they died on their home place and were buried in Steels Cemetery near their Richland Co. farm. We were told Great Grandfathers only relative was a sister living in Switzerland - her married name was never found in the old records so nothing is known of her or her family.
 The name of Rudolph and Anna's children are -"  (they are listed on the family group sheet)
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