Hester Keyser (1779 - 1847)

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This information is from The Keyser Family the Bicentnnial Reunion of the Keyser Family 1688 - 1888, Descendants of Dirck Keyser of Amsterdam, Compiled by Charles S. Keyser, Philadelphia, 1889, pages 144 and 145.

Born: March 16, 1779, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died: December 25, 1847
Married: John Fox, March 21, 1799, St. Michael's and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Parents of John Fox:

Father: Johann Michael Fuchs (Fox)
Mother: Sarah "Salome" Lybrand

Parents of Hester Keyser:

Father: Benjamin Keyser, b. unknown, d. unknown, m. Ann Nice prior to 1776.
Mother: Ann Nice

Children of John Fox and Hester Keyser:

1. William Lybrand Fox, m. Marian Holahan

2. Benjamin Fox, m. Louisa Batson

3. Ann Fox, b. 1808; d. July 22, 1856, m. Cephas G. Childs

4. Edward John Fox, m. Martha Chew Johnson
Children of Edward John Fox and Martha Chew Johnson: 1.) William Lybrand Fox; 2.) Thomas Rabb Fox; 3.) Esther Fox; 4.) Edward Wayne Fox; 5.) John Michael Fox b. October 25, 1832, m. Mary J. Simpson February 9, 1859.

Miscellaneous information about Hester Keyser:

John Fox Will Abstract, Philadelphia
Posted on Rootsweb: 10 Jan 2001 12:00PM GMT

Classification: Will
Surnames: Fox
John Fox; not dated; mentioned wife Esther Fox and children; youngest son Edward; properties in Philadelphia, some held in connection with Michael Fox; witnesses Michael Fox, Samuel Fox, Michael Lybrand; Administrations to Michael Fox and Samuel Fox, November 13, 1811

---------------------------

History: 1813: Genealogical Data contained in the Statutes at Large, Commonwealth of PA
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Vi. P. Limric

LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA GENEALOGICAL DATA
Copyright Vi P. Limric 1999

Source: The Statues at Large of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg PA, 1911
LAWS PASSED SESSION 1812/13 -- HARRISBURG, PA.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In General Assembly met and is hereby enacted by the Authority of the Same.

9. An act authorizing MICHAEL FOX and SAMUEL FOX, administrators with the will annexed, of JOHN FOX, late of the city of Philadelphia, brickmaker, dec., to grant and convey real estate. That it shall be lawful for the administrators to grant and convey the real estate, of John Fox dec., as if they had been nominated and appointed executors of the will.
22 Dec 1812.

Sarah Salome Lybrand (about 1745 - unknown)

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Born: about 1745
Died: unknown
Married: Johann Michael Fuchs (Fox), May 25, 1762, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Parents of Sarah Salome Lybrand*:
*Information provided from the Stammbaum der Familien website for Leibbrandt - Leibbrand - Leibrand - Leibrandt - Leipprand; in USA also spelled as: Lybrand - Leibrant; in UK also spelled as: Liebbrandt. http://www.leibbrandt.com/stamm.htm

Father: Johann Konrad Leibbrand, b. 15 July 1701, Leonberg, d. 1753 at sea returning to Germany on the ship "Rhine".
Mother: Regina Salome Weiss, b. abt. 1730 in Leonberg, Württemberg
Emigrated to America: 1751 Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, on the ship "Duke of Württemberg".

Children of Johann Konrad Lybrand and Regina Salome Weiss:
1. George Heinrich Lybrand, b. 14 NOV 1734 in Leonberg, Württemberg, d. 23 SEP 1776 in Berks County, Pennsylvania

2. Conrad Lybrand, b. Germany, d. 1792 Philadelphia

3. Johann Christian Lybrand, b. 1744 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, d. 26 NOV 1826 in Philadelphia

4. Sarah "Salome" Lybrand, b. abt 1745

5. Dorothy Lybrand

6. Christina Catherine Lybrand, b. 9 JAN 1754 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Children of Johann Michael Fox and Sarah Salome Lybrand

1. John George Fox
b. February 8, 1763, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


2. Joseph Fox
b. February 29, 1764, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; d. October 30, 1764, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


3.Mary Dorothea Fox
b. June 11, 1765, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; d. July 16, 1842, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; m. Johann Frederick Forepaugh, July 9, 1786, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


4. Salome (Hannah) Fox
b. February 22, 1767, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, d. May 12, 1769 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


5. John Conrad Fox
b. April 28, 1770, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


6. Samuel Fox
b. July 6, 1777; d. August 15, 1870, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; m. Elizabeth Wehling, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fox Brick Makers in Philadelphia Directories

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Here is a list of individuals found in Philadelphia Directories who indicated that their profession was brickmaker or bricklayer. Note: I've been told that in early Philadelphia it was common for house numbers to change as new dwellings were built on a block.

1808
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th
Fox, John 365 Mulberry
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1809
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, John 365 Mulberry
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th
Fox, Samuel M. 23 Sansom
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1811
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, John 365 Mulberry
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th
Fox, Samuel M. 23 Sansom

1813
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th
Fox, widow of John 365 Mulberry

1814
Fox, widow of John 365 Mulberry
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th

1816
Fox, widow of John 365 Mulberry
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th

1817
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, widow of John 365 Mulberry

1825
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1828
Fox, M. 12 N. 9th
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1829
Fox, M. 37 Filbert
Fox, M. 12 N. 9th
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1830
Fox, M. 37 Filbert
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox & Bowers South above Broad

1831
Fox, M. 37 Filbert
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1833
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, M. 37 Filbert

1835
Fox, Samuel M. Montgomery Sq.

1837
Fox, Samuel M. 99 Filbert
Fox, John E. 367 Arch
Fox, George 6 near Phoenix Tavern
Fox, Charles Race above 13th
Fox, Samuel 40 Filbert

1839
Fox, James C. 33 Dean
Fox, Charles 469 Sassafras
Fox, Isaac Cadwalader above Master
Fox, Samuel 40 Filbert
Fox, S.M. 99 Filbert
Fox, George 6th above Poplar

1843
Fox, S.M. 32 Madison

1844
Fox, S.M. 36 Rittenhouse
Fox, Samuel 9 Rittenhouse

1846
Fox, S.M. 36 Rittenhouse

1847
Fox, S.M. 3 Park Place

1848
Fox, Samuel M. Rittenhouse N Schuykill 8

1849
Fox, Samuel M. Rittenhouse N Schuykill 8

1855
Fox, Isaac Nicetown Lane
Fox, Elijah J. 401 S. Front
Fox, Lewis Robinson below Montgomery
Fox, Samuel 2 N 16t

George Hinds Sharp (1847 - 1910)

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Note: his name may be George Hines Sharp. My mother identified him on the back of a photo as Uncle Hines.

Born: June 18, 1847, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi
Died: after 1910 possibly in Washington, Louisiana
Married: Leona Gardner, October 20, 1869, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi

Father: Joseph Arrington Sharp, Sr.
Mother: Orleanna McGehee

Here are photos taken about 1921 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The top photo is of my mother, Velma Mae Fox (Stewart). The bottom photo shows, back row l. to r.: Bud, Velma May Fox, Uncle Hines (George Hines Sharp) ; front row l. to r.: Grandma Barwick (Orleanna Sharp Barwick), Aunt Leona (Leona Gardner Sharp). I don't know who Bud is. He may have been a Sharp relative or he may have been a Barwick relative. Both families lived in that area of Mississippi.

Joseph Arrington Sharp, Sr. (1815 - 1902)

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Born: December 28, 1815, Rockingham County, North Carolina
Died: October 7, 1902, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi
Married: Orleanna McGehee, May 8, 1827, Amite County, Mississippi.

Father: George Hinds Sharp
Mother: Mary Hamilton

Story of Joseph Arrington Sharp
Here is a copy of a very old photocopy that my Uncle Red (William Irvin Fox) and Aunt (Martha Chrisman Fox) received about 1980 or earlier when they went to Mississippi looking for information about the family. I don't know where this is from, but the handwriting does look very old. Click image to enlarge.



Story of Orleanna McGehee
This is another handwritten family history that my Uncle Red (William Irvin Fox) and Aunt (Martha Chrisman Fox) received about 1980 or earlier when they went to Mississippi looking for information about the family. I also don't know where this is from, but the handwriting does look very old. Click image to enlarge.



Children of Joseph Arrington Sharp, Sr. and Orleanna McGehee:

1. Edward Christopher Sharp
b. March 20, 1844, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; d. March 30, 1923, New Orleans, Louisiana; m. Theodosus Mary Jones, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi.

2. George Hinds Sharp
b. June 18, 1847, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; d. after 1910 possibly in Washington, Louisiana; m. Leona Gardner, October 20, 1869, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi.

3. David Hamilton Sharp
b. February 12, 1849, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; d. January 30, 1936, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; m #1 Melissa J. Wilkinson, September 3, 1873; m. #2 Sarah Elizabeth Causey July 2, 1879, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi. Click here for more information about David Hamilton Sharp and Sarah Elizabeth Causey at Descendants of William Causey, 1744-1828, of Mississippi on Family Tree Maker.


4. Mary Musadorah Sharp
b. April 23, 1851, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; d. unknown; m. Thomas A. Robinson, October 21, 1869, Mississippi.

5. Verona Jane Sharp
June 19, 1853, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; d. May 19, 1937, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi

6. William Crawford Sharp
b. October 17, 1855, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; d. October 20, 1927, Vicksburg, Mississippi, m. Nancy Dixon, December 19, 1852, Amite County, Mississippi.

7. Joseph Arrington Sharp, Jr.
b. January 19, 1858, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; d. 1951, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi

8. Emma Virginia Sharp
b. November 21, 1861, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; d. August 11, 1863, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi

9. John Hilton Sharp
b. December 19, 1864, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; d. July 10, 1934, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; m. #1 Mattie Howell, September 9, 1888, Mississippi.

10. Virgil Hiller Sharp
b. November 14, 1867, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi

11. Orleanna Sharp (a.k.a. Emma Anna Sharp)
b. August 28, 1862, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; d. March 8, 1926, Memphis, Tennessee; m. John Noel Barwick January 8, 1879, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi.

In Amite County, Mississippi, just north of Liberty is the Sharp family cemetery at the intersection of Freeman Road and Meadville Road. Here are the inscriptions found on the headstones in that cemetery:

Browder, Emily (McGehee)
Nov. 14, 1823 - Apr. 1, 1903
Married Samuel H. Browder, April 16, 1840

Browder, W. F.
June 2, 1841 - Oct. 13, 1887
Married D. G. Baty, February 26, 1870

Sharp, A. J.
1858 - 1951

Sharp, Mentor & Bud Sharp
(Mentor) Mar. 19, 1899 - Oct. 6, 1889
(Bud) Jan. 19, 1884 - Sept. 25, 1885
Sons of W.C. & M.O. Sharp*

*W.C. Sharp wed M.O. Dixon Dec. 5, 1879

Sharp, D. H. (David Hamilton Sharp)
Feb. 12, 1849 - Jan. 30, 1936
Married Malissa J. Wilkinson, September 3, 1873; married July 2, 1879 Sarah E. Causey, b. September 5, 1856 and d. February 12, 1909

Sharp, Deborah
Jan. 21, 1936 - Jan. 23, 1936

Sharp, Emma V.
Nov. 21, 1861 - Aug. 11, 1863
D/o J.A. & O.A. Sharp

Sharp, Hinds
July 21, 1886 - Aug. 21, 2886
S/o G.H. & L.M. Sharp

Sharp, J. A.
Dec. 28, 1815 - Oct. 7, 1902

Sharp, J. L.
July 19, 1889 - Oct. 30, 1961

Sharp, John H.
1865 - 1933
Married Mattie E. Howell, September 9, 1888

Sharp, Joseph Turner
Stillborn Feb. 7, 1937

Sharp, M. E. (Mattie E. Howell)
Apr, 28, 1869 - Aug. 8, 1910
W/o J.H. Sharp

Sharp, Sarah E.
Sept. 5, 1856 - Feb. 12, 1909
W/o D.H. Sharp

Shanahan, Lelia Sharp
Feb. 2, 1908 - Feb. 18, 1935
D/o Tyson A. and Daisy Cotten Sharp

Sharp, Tyson A. & Daisy Cotten Sharp
(Tyson) Dec. 16, 1882 - Jan. 30, 1967
(Daisy) Feb. 21, 1880 - Aug. 3, 1942

George Hinds Sharp (about 1790 - 1871)

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The earliest Sharp in my family history is George Hinds Sharp. He may have been born about 1790 possibly in North Carolina or Virginia. Paul Walker of Pike County, Mississippi, has supplied much of the information about George Sharp and his wife, Mary Hamilton. Be sure to visit Paul Walker’s “Walker Family of SW Mississippi” information on Rootsweb. As of this writing, George's and Mary's parents are unknown.

Born: about 1790 (assuming he was about 20 when his son was born)
Died: March 31, 1871, Lewisburg, Marshall County, Tennessee
Married: Mary Hamilton, November 25, 1811, Caswell County, North Carolina

Children of George Hinds Sharp and Mary Hamilton:

1. Joseph Arrington Sharp, Sr.
b. December 28, 1815, Rockingham County, North Carolina; d. October 7, 1902, Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi; m. Orleanna McGehee, May 8, 1827, Amite County, Mississippi.

2. John Winfield Sharp
b. 1825 in Tennessee or North Carolina; d. June 7, 1887, Summit, Pike County, Mississippi; m. Louisa Ann McGehee, May 12, 1842.

In Amite County, Mississippi, just north of Liberty is the Sharp family cemetery at the intersection of Freeman Road and Meadville Road. Here are the inscriptions found on the headstones in that cemetery:

Browder, Emily (McGehee)
Nov. 14, 1823 - Apr. 1, 1903
Married Samuel H. Browder, April 16, 1840

Browder, W. F.
June 2, 1841 - Oct. 13, 1887
Married D. G. Baty, February 26, 1870

Sharp, A. J.
1858 - 1951

Sharp, Mentor & Bud Sharp
(Mentor) Mar. 19, 1899 - Oct. 6, 1889
(Bud) Jan. 19, 1884 - Sept. 25, 1885
Sons of W.C. & M.O. Sharp*

*W.C. Sharp wed M.O. Dixon Dec. 5, 1879

Sharp, D. H. (David Hamilton Sharp)
Feb. 12, 1849 - Jan. 30, 1936
Married Malissa J. Wilkinson, September 3, 1873; married July 2, 1879 Sarah E. Causey, b. September 5, 1856 and d. February 12, 1909

Sharp, Deborah
Jan. 21, 1936 - Jan. 23, 1936

Sharp, Emma V.
Nov. 21, 1861 - Aug. 11, 1863
D/o J.A. & O.A. Sharp

Sharp, Hinds
July 21, 1886 - Aug. 21, 2886
S/o G.H. & L.M. Sharp

Sharp, J. A.
Dec. 28, 1815 - Oct. 7, 1902

Sharp, J. L.
July 19, 1889 - Oct. 30, 1961

Sharp, John H.
1865 - 1933
Married Mattie E. Howell, September 9, 1888

Sharp, Joseph Turner
Stillborn Feb. 7, 1937

Sharp, M. E. (Mattie E. Howell)
Apr, 28, 1869 - Aug. 8, 1910
W/o J.H. Sharp

Sharp, Sarah E.
Sept. 5, 1856 - Feb. 12, 1909
W/o D.H. Sharp

Shanahan, Lelia Sharp
Feb. 2, 1908 - Feb. 18, 1935
D/o Tyson A. and Daisy Cotten Sharp

Sharp, Tyson A. & Daisy Cotten Sharp
(Tyson) Dec. 16, 1882 - Jan. 30, 1967
(Daisy) Feb. 21, 1880 - Aug. 3, 1942

Information about Ronaldson's Cemetery, Philadelphia (Samuel Fox family burials)

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Ronaldson's Cemetery, aka Philadelphia Cemetery

The playground that replaced it is a dreary, ugly place.

Ronaldson's Cemetery

This cemetery was incorporated as the Philadelphia Cemetery Company. It was located at Shippen (now Bainbridge), 9th and Fitzwater St. It was established by a deed of trust from James Ronaldson, 1827. Photographed in the collection of the City History Society of Phila.

Article in The Phila. Bulletin (not dated, found at Genealogical Soc. of Pa.)

Old Cemetery in South Phila. Soon to Be a City Playground

by Joseph T. Reichwein

The last chapter is about to be written in the history of Ronaldson Cemetery, an old Philadelphia landmark.

Today workmen began converting the 123- year-old burial ground bounded by Bainbridge and Fitzwater sts. in the block between 8th and 9th, into a city playground.

Thus will end a riches-to-rags existence for the cemetery, which was once considered the most beautiful in the country, but which, for the last 25 years has been a eglected eyesore-a dumping ground for neighborhood junk.

13,500 to be Reburied

First step in the conversion will be the disinterment and reburial of some 13,500 dead.

Included are the bodies of Revolutionary War heroes and stars of the early stage.

The bodies of six patriots and the stones that mark their graves will be transferred to the burial ground behind Old Swedes Church, Swanson and Christian sts. The area is now a national shrine.

The other dead will be reburied in a section of Forest Hills Cemetery, Somerton. Their graves will be marked by bronze tablets and the crumbling old tombstones in Ronaldson's will be destroyed.

Ronaldson's Cemetery was founded in 1827 by James Ronaldson, who came to this city from Scotland and established a type foundry.

Ronaldson founded the burial grounds because there was no place but Potter's Field in which to bury persons who belonged to no religious congregation.

Many Actors There

Ronaldson's is listed in some old records as "the actor's cemetery," because so many theatrical people are buried there. Most actors, in those days, couldn't be placed in church cemeteries, so their friends purchased space in Ronaldson's.

The main entrance was on Bainbridge St. A wide avenue ran back to Fitzwater st., and many gravel walks cut through the plot. The whole place was beautifully landscaped. Flowers bloomed everywhere.

There are little buildings on each side of the massive iron gate. The founder designed one to be the residence of the caretaker.

The other served as the "bell house." In it, persons who died unexpectedly were placed for three days. A string attached to a bell was placed in their hands so that if there was a move of returning life the bell would ring and arouse the caretaker

Mrs. Karl Boesenhofer, whose Father used to be caretaker, still lives in the tiny residence. The bell house has fallen into disrepair. Both buildings will be torn down.

Funds Inadequate

Ronaldson saved a portion of the space at the front of the plot for his family and sold the rest. In 1833, the lot-holders were Incorporated as the Philadelphia Cemetery Company.

Many of the Revolutionary War soldiers buried there were transferred from an old burial ground behind Independence Hall.

As the lot-holders died and the shape of the city changed, interest in the old cemetery declined. The caretaker remained, but funds to keep the place in condition were inadequate.

According to the records, the last persons buried there were several influenza victims in 1918.

Today Ronaldson is littered with tin cans, pop bottles and trash of all sorts. The paths and graves are weed-covered. Many of the high monuments and markers are crumbled.

As far back as 1922 it was proposed that the city take over the land. Finally, in 1946, after a long series of discussions and court proceedings, the city and the cemetery company reached their agreement. The city will foot the bill for the removal and reburial of the bodies.

The work will be done under the direction of Thomas A. Morris, president of the Evergreen Memorial Park Assn.

Rector Makes Search

Dr. John Craig Ronk, rector of Old Swedes Church, when he learned of the proposed move, made a search of the cemetery and located, through still legible stones, the graves of six old soldiers. They include General William Irvine, who died in 1804 after serving in the Revolution and also as a delegate to the Continental Congress: Captain William Moore, who died at the age of 86: Captain Abraham Parsons, who according to his tombstone, "served all through the Revolution and was for a time a prisoner of the British." Captain Wm. McFadden, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who died here in 1839, and Captain John Barber,who served in the war of 1812.

Dr. Ronk has set aside a corner of Old Swedes Cemetery for their new graves.

Morris said the big stone over the grave of Ronaldson, still in fairly good shape, will be placed in Forest Hills as the hub of the new cemetery.

A history & interesting ancedotes about Ronaldson's Cemetery can be found in "Men and Things column" of the Phila. Bulletin, July 22, 1891, a copy of which is in Ashmead's Newspaper Cutting, vol. 4, pp. 137-139

>From Genealogies of Pa. Families by Broderbund Software Inc., Banner Blue Div.

James Ronaldson, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, the first president of The
Franklin Instit. 1824-1841, vice-president of the St. Andrew's Soc.
1829-1830, and owned and laid out Ronaldson's Cemetery. It was a burial
ground for the interment of his friend's and deceased human beings other than
person's of color.