Hans Jorg Sommer

   Another name for Hans was Johann Georg Somer.

  General Notes:

Johan Jorg Sommers (John George Sommers) was born in Germany/Flanders in 1713. He arrived in Philadelphia abord the "St. Andrew" 29 Oct 1738 which I believed sailed from Rotterdam and settled in New Hanover, Montgomery, Pennsylvania. He fathered one child in Germany. His first marriage in Germany was either a seperation by death, divorce, or other means. He immigrated to America and either friends or relatives brought his son over at a later date. He married his second wife Marie Margretha. On 12 Aug. 1766 George Sommers received a grant of 442 acres on Tom's Brook in Frederick County, Virgina now Shenandoah County., Virginia from Lord Thomas Fairfax. All males of Johan Jorg Sommers were named Johan after St. John. The middle name diferentiated them.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Web Reference: Descendants of Michael Somer.
The major portion of the data was researched and compiled by Dale L. Harmon of 3319 Waterbury Dr., Durham, NC. 27707.

Johann George (Hans Jorg) Somer was born in Germany about 1713 and died in Shenandoah County VA in 1782. George married Maria Margaretha Mentz in German in 1736. Maria, a daughter of George and Eva Margaretha Mentz, was born in Germany in 1720.

Johann arrived in Philadelphia, PA October 27 1738 aboard the ship "St. Andrew" which sailed from Rotterdam, Holland. His wife, his son, his parents and his wife's parents had preceded him, arriving in Philadelphia October 8, 1737 aboard the "Charming Nancy."

The name "Hans Summer" appeared on the ships register, "Johannes George Somer" on the arrival list, and "Han Georg Sommer" on the naturalization list. In an original handwritten list the immigrant signed his name Johan Georg Sommer.

The ship list indicated that Johann George came from the Palatinate area of Germany.

Records of the Lutheran Church, New Hanover Township, Falkner Swamp, Montgomery County PA include information on the family of George. Prior to 1745 there are very few records for the Lutheran Church found in this area. In searching these records, Mr. Starr cautions the researcher to be aware of problems in interpreting German names when they are changed to English such as Schwartz changing to Black and Jeager to Yeager or Hunter.

George received a land grant for 442 acres on Toms Brook near the present site of Fisher Hill, Shenandoah County VA on August 12, 1766. George Sommer of Shenandoah County wrote a will on June 19, 1782. The will was probated there on April 26, 1787. His heirs were:

Wife: Mary Margaretha Sommer
Sons:
• Johannes Sommer
• Michael Sommers
• John Sommer
• Paul Sommer
• Andrew Sommer (youngest son)
Daughters:
Elizabeth Yeager
• Eve Black

Friends John Mauk (Hawk) and Philipe Wendel were nominated as executors. Witnesses were Alexander Hite, Abraham Hartman (?), and Johannah Jarsman (??).

Children of Johan George and Maria Margaretha Somer:

• Johannis John, b. 1737, d. 1803, m. Elizabetha Reitennauer, 24 Jan 1764

• Margretha Cathrina Elizabetha, b. 1742, m. Andreas Jaeger (Andrew Yeager), 1759

• Johan Michael, b. 2 Mar 1745 , d. circa 1782, m. Nancy Ann Zumwal

• John, b. 13 Dec 1746, d. circa 1806, m. Elizabetha ------

• Johan Paul, b. 28 Jul 1748, m. Elizabeth Hull

• Maria Eve, b. 18 Sep 1751, m. Martin Schwartz

• Johann Jacob, b.27 Apr 1754, d.a. child, Christened Jun 2 1754 in the Lutheran Church, New Hanover, Township, Montgomery County PA.

• Andreas, b. 8 Jan 1757, d.circa 1828, m. Veronica "Trena" Heiser

Hans married Maria Margaretha Mentz, daughter of Johann Mentz and Eva Margaetha. (Maria Margaretha Mentz was born in Germany and died in Tom's Brook, Shenandoah, Virginia.)