1.) Johannes (aka Hans, Hannes, John) Roland
born 1694 in Germany
died 1763 in Leacock Township, PA
His Will executed by him 12/7/1763
He possibly immigrated to the US in September 29, 1738 on THE NANCY. Is this a myth? Researcher George P. Rowland postulates that Hans and wife were here before 1738, and his collection of research is part of the Washington County Library archives. They cannot be taken from the library, but must be read/copied there on the premises.
It is theorized that he came over clandestinely with about three of his children on a French ship and had been recruited by the Penns in Europe for his weaving skills. George P. Rowland, Jr., Rowland genealogist, also theorizes that Johannes came over in 1727, just before ship lists became a requirement.
married Anne Maria (aka Anna Mary, Ann Mary, Anna Maria)
born 1698 in Germany
Hannes’ Will refers to her as Ann Mary
They would have been married before 1720 in Europe
Hannes was part of the Conestoga Congregation (German Baptist Brethren). Conrad Beisel was the chosen Minister and in 1728, he published his Treatise on the Sabbath. In November, 1736, Hans and his family leaves Ephrata, the communal society . Hannes may have been a householder, living off the compound with his family.
He bought his initial 250 acres on May 5, 1736, and the actual sale occurred in Philadelphia.
He sold 200 of those acres to his son Jacob (the Patriarch) on June 13, 1752
Allegedly, they are both buried Leacock, Lancaster Co, PA
Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery. This is under suspicion and is currently being researched. Steve Ness at the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society says there is no record of these burials there.
Had six children: John Roland, Jr.; Jacob Roland; Feronica Roland,who was born before 1720 in Germany: Catharine Roland; Mary Roland; and Anna Roland, born 1727 in Lancaster, PA
Mary Roland married Joseph Grebil and Ann Roland married Jacob Funk
Mary and Joseph Grebill were also involved in the Ephrata/Beisel Schism. They moved to Maryland, probably after 1747. They bought land in Maryland sometime about 1748-1750.
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The son of Hannes and Ann Mary:
2.) Jacob Roland
born 1717 in Lancaster Co., PA
died November 1, 1794, Washington Co., MD
buried in Marsh Head, Washington Co, MD on the Agreed in Peace land tract
In the family, he is known as “The Patriarch.”
married Elizabeth May Martin, daughter of Hans Heinrich Martin and Anna Oberholtzer
born April 6, 1727 in Palatinate, Germany
died January 17, 1792
buried with husband in Marsh Head, Washington Co. MD on the Agreed in Peace land tract
What is AGREED IN PEACE?
The land tract which Jacob Roland purchased from his brother in law Joseph Grebill.
It later became a cemetery for members of the Rowland, Grebill, and Funk families, among others.
The son of Jacob Roland and Elizabeth May Martin was:
3.) John Roland
born 1755, Leacock, Lancaster Co., PA
died September 10, 1834, Washington County, MD
John married Barbara Gray
born 1755 Lancaster County, PA
died October 11, 1841 in Hagerstown, MD.
Very little of her is known. However, I believe that her father was John Grey, who died in 1789 in Washington County, MD., and that her mother was Catherine Gray, who died in 1795 in Washington County, MD.
Son of John Roland and Elizabeth Barbara Gray:
4.) Jacob Roland
born February 7, 1781 in Hagerstown, MD.
died February 18, 1820 in Washington County, MD.
married Elizabeth Wolf, daughter of Jacob Wolf and his wife Catherine Zug
born April 1, 1789
died October 31, 1834
Elizabeth was born in Welsh Run, Franklin County, PA. She was the daughter of Jacob Wolf and his wife Catherine Zug. Again, both the Wolf and Zug families were prominent in the area at the time.
Their son
5.) Daniel Rowland
born February 21, 1808 Bonnesboro, MD
died May 15, 1859
buried on his own farm in Hagerstown, MD.
married Elizabeth Rhinehart, daughter of David Rinehart and his wife Catherine Wolf
born May 14, 1817
died October 9, 1863
buried with her husband on the family farm.
This farm was initially owned by Elizabeth’s father, David Rinehart, who gave it to his son-in-law. I do not know how long it was then in the Rowland family. However, it eventually came to be owned by Arthur Herbst and was located on Whitehall Road.
Arthur Herbst died, and the Farm was sold to some Mennonites who eventually demolished the original house. It is believed that the original barn is still there, together with a small family burial where Daniel, his wife Elizabeth, and Elizabeth’s parents are built. The burials are in a small space under a tree and enclosed by a black iron fence. I am trying to get confirmation on this burial and will need someone to go over there and ask to see it. Also, I have reason to believe that Daniel may have lost this farm, which he received from this father-in-law. There is notice of a sale of the farm by the estate’s trustees a few years after he died. I have written for the articles from the Washington County Free Library to confirm.
Their son
6.) David Rowland
born March 18, 1839 in Washington Co, MD
died July 1, 1919 in Grinnell, Iowa
buried in the Independent Odd Fellows\Memorial cemetery in Iowa County, Iowa
Obituary available
married Eliza Virginia Spessard, daughter of the Rev. David S. Spesard and Martha A. Kline
born 1840 in Rockingham Co, VA
died June 14, 1900 in Brooklyn, Iowa
buried in the Odd Fellows/Memorial cemetery in Iowa County, Iowa
Obituary available
They moved west in 1872 from Maryland to Warren Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa where they bought a farm.
This is a link to the cemetery in which they are buried: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=1163737&CScnty=594&CSsr=61&
From the Washington County Free Public Library index online, there are references to a public sale of their farm and a suit in equity involving them, just a few years after they married. Also, there is a mention that they intended to move west. I have written for these articles.
Their son
7.) Alva E. Rowland
born Nov. 16, 1861 in Elba, VA (now the town of Gretna, VA)
died September 24, 1919 in Corvallis, Ore.
Buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Linn Co., Oregon in plot no. 485
Photograph of burial available
married Ella Clingman, daughter of George Washington Clingman and Nancy J. Walkey
born April 8, 1860 in Stephenson County, Illinois
married February 23, 1884 in Stephenson County, Illinois
died 1952 in Linn County, Oregon
Buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Linn Co., Oregon, in plot no. 485-1
Photograph of burial available
Their son
8.) Dr. Floyd E. Rowland
born December 28, 1885, Hartwick, Poweshiek County, Iowa (allegedly in a sod hut)
died June 11, 1961, Hyannis, Barnstable Co., MA
He was cremated, and his ashes were dispersed to sea in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Cape Cod, MA near the town of Chatham, MA which was his home when he died. The homestead which he purchased in Chatham after WWII remains in the family.
married Autillia V. Liska (aka Audra Liska), daughter of Josef Liska and Verna E. Liska
born November 17, 1907 in Scio, Oregon
died June 21, 1998, North Chatham, MA, Barnstable Co., MA
Like her husband, she was also cremated with her ashes dispersed to sea in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Cape Cod, MA near the town of Chatham, MA. At the time of her death, Audra (as she was known to family and friends) was a resident of Liberty Commons, located in Chatham, MA.
Their daughter is my mother:
9.) Floy D. Rowland
born October 21, 1933 in Boston, MA
still living
married Dan Louis Eilers, son of Wilfred C. Eilers and Theresa Schroeder
born October 2, 1932 in Madison County, Illinois
died January 18, 2006, North Chatham, MA, Barnstable County (Liberty Commons Nrsg Home)
cremated–ashes in the ocean
They married December 19, 1954 at Fort Devon, MA
Their daughters
10.) Dana D. Eilers (me)
born September 15, 1956, Urbana, Illinois
still living
1974 graduate Edwardsville High School
1978 graduate of Smith College
1981 graduate New England School of Law
licensed attorney Massachusetts, Illinois, and Missouri
Author: THE PRACTICAL PAGAN and PAGANS AND THE LAW: UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS
Franca V. Eilers (my sister)
born July 29, 1960
Alton, Illinois
1978 graduate Edwardsville High School
1982 graduate University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois
Licensed recreational therapist and substance abuse counselor
THROUGH THE GRANDMOTHERS
From Elizabeth O. Martin
Isaac Martin
born 1641
died 1729
married UNKNOWN
their son
Christian Martin
born 1669 in Eriswil, Switzerland
died 1748, Lancaster Co, PA
buried Weaverland Cemetery, Lancaster Co., PA
married Elisabeth
born 1672 Switzerland
died1750, Lancaster Co., PA
buried in Weaverland Cemetery, Lancaster Co., PA
their son
Hans Heinrich Martin
born 1701, Europe
died 1784, Earl Township, Lane Co., PA
buried Lichty, Cemetery, Lancaster Co., PA
In 1724, he married Anna Oberholtzer (born 1699 in Europe; buried Lichty Cemetery)
Their daughter, Elizabeth O. Martin married Jacob Rowland
From Elizabeth Rhinehart
Mathias Rinehart married Maria Catherine
Their son
Henry Peter Rinehart
born August 6, 1769 in Lebanon, PA
died June 6, 1850 in Keedysville, Washington Co, MD
married Elizabeth Longenecker
born September 17, 1769 PA
died May 5, 1864
Their son
David Rinehart
born April 23, 1793 Washington Co, MD
died March 10, 1863
married Catherine
Their daughter Elizabeth Rhinehart married Daniel Rowland
From Elizabeth Wolf
Ulrich Zug
born about 1690 died September 17, 1747 Warwick Township, Lancaster, PA
married Barbara Bachman
Their son
Jacob Zug
born January, 1724, in Germany
died January 17, 1792 in Washington, MD
married Mary Eliza Willaner
born about 1730
Their Daughter
Catherine Zug
born March 13, 1756 in PA
died December 18, 1815 in Washington, MD
married Jacob Wolf
born March 17, 1753 in Welsh Run Township, Montgomery, Franklin Co., PA
died March 7, 1830 in Fairplay, Washington CO, MD
their daughter Elizabeth Wolf married Jacob Rowland
