Jacob Levering ¹

  General Notes:

LEVERING FAMILY
HISTORY AND GENEALOGY.
BY COL. JOHN LEVERING, OF LAFAYETTE, INDIANA,

Jacob LEVERING b 21 Jan 1693, Roxborough Pa; d Oct 1753, Whitpaine Pa Occ: Joyner Reli:Mennonite m'd 2 Feb 1717 to Alice (Aeltie) TUNES b 1-1691/2 d between Jan. 15,1779 and March 24,1753 and he followed in October, 1753. Her Father was Abraham TUNES (~1660-~1710) Her Mother was Beatrix (Boetzen) LUKEN Jacob was probably the first of the family born in the place. Wigard conveyed to Jacob 85 acres of land on February 20,1717. Jacob owned, also, a considerable estate on the opposite side of the Schuylkill, now Lower Merion Township, in Montg.Co. This remained in family succession to and including his great-grandson John Levering, who died in 1878.

On February 20, 1717, his father conveyed to him 85 acres of land upon which he settled. The tract borderedupon the river Schuylkill, and embraced a large part of what since became the borough of Manayunk, and subsequently a ward of the city. The area comprised all between Washington and Levering Streets as now subdivided.

Jacob lived in, probably, a log house in the meadow on the easterly side of Green Lane until 1736, when he built a stone house on the westerly side of this street. The date stone--which was an ostentatious embellishment in the architecture of those days--bears his initials, and is still preserved.

His great grandson, Peregrine Wharton Levering, during his lifetime and occupancy of the premises, enlarged the structure. Since his death, which occurred in 1888, his unmarried daughter, Eliza, demolished the old mansion and (in 1890) erected a modern dwelling upon the site.

Ever since Feb. 29, 1691, when Wigard purchased the land of Thomas Hill, it has been owned by some Levering, and since 1736, has the occupant of the dwelling site, ancient and modern, born the family name.

Jacob owned, also, a considerable estate on the opposite side of the Schuylkill, now in Lower Merion Township, in Montg. Co. This remained in family succession to and including his great-grandson John Levering6, who died in 1878. His wife Alice died, as evidenced by documents, between the dates of Jan. 15, 1750, and March 24, 1753, and he followed in October, 1753.

He left a considerable estate. The inventory of personalty alone amounted to œ594.01. His will is dated December 22, 1752. In this he describes himself as Jacob Levering, of Roxborrow Township, in the county of Philada., Joyner. After providing for the payment of any debts and funeral expenses, he bequeaths: To his "Daughter Magdalen, who is married to Samuel Showler, and to her heirs or assigns my Negro girl called Peg. To his "Three eldest sons, Abraham, Wigard and William Levering, and to each of them, the sum of five pounds, money of Pensilvania, apiece." To his "son Jacob Levering twenty-four acres of land in Roxborrow Township aforesaid between the Plymouth

Road (now Ridge Avenue) and Schullkill," as described, "and the sum of Ninety Pounds Lawful Money," etc.
To his "son Anthony Levering all my Land in Merion Township, in the county aforesaid (then Philad.) by computation fifteen acres, together with the Saw Mill, Buildings, and timber Wheels, thereunto belonging," etc.
To his "son Benjamin Levering, twenty-four acres of land along the side of the beforementioned piece given to my son Jacob"--described--"and the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds money aforesaid."
To his "youngest son Septimus Levering, All that tract of land whereon I live, Together with all the Improvements and buildings thereon erected"; also, sundry articles of personal property, as listed, to which he adds, "and my Negro boy called Kit," and--
Lastly. I do nominate and appoint my sons Abraham Levering and Septimus Levering to be my whole and sole Executors, giving them full power and authority to sell and dispose of all my other Land or Lands, Ground Rents, whatsomever, etc., and to Sign, Seal and Deliver any Deed or writing of confirmation for the same as absolute and fully as if I myself were Personally Present."
And with the usual afterthought, he adds, "It is my will that my Executors Pay the sum of Ten Pounds above mentioned (?) to my above-named Daughter Magdalen, and that my son William shall have my large Iron Kettle which I have long since also promised to him, before my estate be divided as above."
This will was proved October 22, 1753. Among the articles listed in the inventory of the estate were "A large Bible in the Germain tongue," appraised at œ1.10, and "A large Dutch Bible," appraised at œ0.15, and other books.
Mr. Jones states: "None of these books can now be found." As the first bible was in German, and appraised at the precise valuation affixed in the inventory of his father's estate but a few years before, I believe this to have been Wigard Levering's old volume, which was handed down in the line of Jacob to Mrs. Kirk, before named.

Their children were: Magdalena (~1716-), Abraham (1717-1804), Wigard (Wechard) (1719-1782), William (1721-1785), Jacob (~1723-1807), Anthony (~1725-1788), Benjamin (1728-1804), Septimus (~1731-)

Jacob, on his marriage in 1717, was made the owner of eighty-five acres, bordering on the river Schuylkill, of the home farm, by deed from his parents, dated February 20 of that year. The signature of his mother, Magdalena, to this deed is the last record evidence we have of her.

This deed provided an easement for "free egress and regress to or from the hereby bargained tract through the said Wechart and William's other land as far as the Plymouth Road (now Ridge Avenue), nevertheless it shall be lawful for the said Jacob, afore written, to fence in all the said tract leaving a gate of Barrs or Shut rails." This right of way became what is known as the steep hill street between Manayunk and Roxborough, called Green Lane.

X. JACOB3: b. Jan. 21, 1693, at Roxborough, which has become
a part of the 21st ward of the city of Philadelphia.
He was probably the first of the family name born in the
place. He married Alice, or Alce, Tunes. (61)

On February 20, 1717, his father conveyed to him 85 acres of land upon which he settled. The tract bordered upon the river Schuylkill, and embraced a large part of what since became the borough of Manayunk, and subsequently a ward of the city. The area comprised all between Washington and Levering Streets as now subdivided. Jacob lived in, probably, a log house in the meadow on the easterly side of Green Lane until 1736, when he built a stone house on the westerly side of this street. The date stone--which was an ostentatious embellishment in the architecture of those days--bears his initials, and is still preserved. His great grandson, Peregrine Wharton Levering, during his lifetime and occupancy of the premises, enlarged the structure. Since his death, which occurred in 1888, his unmarried daughter, Eliza, demolished the old mansion and (in 1890) erected a modern dwelling upon the site. Ever since Feb. 29, 1691, when Wigard purchased the land of Thomas Hill, it has been owned by some Levering, and since 1736, has the occupant of the dwelling site, ancient and modern, born the family name.

Jacob owned, also, a considerable estate on the opposite side of the Schuylkill, now in Lower Merion Township, in Montg. Co. This remained in family succession to and including his great-grandson John Levering6, who died in 1878.

Will: His wife Alice died, as evidenced by documents, between the dates of Jan. 15, 1750, and March 24, 1753, and he followed in October, 1753. He left a considerable estate. The inventory of personalty alone amounted to o594.01.

His will is dated December 22, 1752. In this he describes himself as Jacob Levering, of Roxborrow Township, in the county of Philada., Joyner. After providing for the payment of any debts and funeral expenses, he bequeaths:
To his "Daughter Magdalen, who is married to Samuel Showler, and to her heirs or assigns my Negro girl called Peg.
To his "Three eldest sons, Abraham, Wigard and William Levering, and to each of them, the sum of five pounds, money of Pensilvania, apiece."
To his "son Jacob Levering twenty-four acres of land in Roxborrow Township aforesaid between the Plymouth
Road (now Ridge Avenue) and Schullkill," as described, "and the sum of Ninety Pounds Lawful Money," etc.
To his "son Anthony Levering all my Land in Merion Township, in the county aforesaid (then Philad.) by computation fifteen acres, together with the Saw Mill, Buildings, and timber Wheels, thereunto belonging," etc.
To his "son Benjamin Levering, twenty-four acres of land along the side of the beforementioned piece given to my son Jacob"--described--"and the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds money aforesaid."
To his "youngest son Septimus Levering, All that tract of land whereon I live, Together with all the Improvements and buildings thereon erected"; also, sundry articles of personal property, as listed, to which he adds, "and my Negro boy called Kit," and--
Lastly. I do nominate and appoint my sons Abraham Levering and Septimus Levering to be my whole and sole Executors, giving them full power and authority to sell and dispose of all my other Land or Lands, Ground Rents, whatsomever, etc., and to Sign, Seal and Deliver any Deed or writing of confirmation for the same as absolute and fully as if I myself were Personally Present."
And with the usual afterthought, he adds, "It is my will that my Executors Pay the sum of Ten Pounds above mentioned (?) to my above-named Daughter Magdalen, and that my son William shall have my large Iron Kettle which I have long since also promised to him, before my estate be divided as above."
This will was proved October 22, 1753. Among the articles listed in the inventory of the estate were "A large Bible in the Germain tongue," appraised at o1.10, and "A large Dutch Bible," appraised at o0.15, and other books.
Mr. Jones states: "None of these books can now be found." As the first bible was in German, and appraised at the precise valuation affixed in the inventory of his father's estate but a few years before, I believe this to have been Wigard Levering's old volume, which was handed down in the line of Jacob to Mrs. Kirk, before named.

Decedent Jacob Levering Roxborrow, Philadelphia Co. Joiner K:114 22 12 1752 22 10 1753 Remarks: Levering, Jacob. Roxborrow, Co. of Philadelphia. Joiner. Dec. 22, 1752. Oct. 22, 1753. Children: Magdalen, wife of Samuel Showter, Abraham, Wikkard, William, Jacob, Anthony, Benjamin and Septimus. Exec: Sons Abraham and Septimus. Granddaughter Hannah Levering 1:279 20 8 1798 3 1 1805 Remarks: Abraham Levering. Roxborough Township, City of Philadelphia. Charges the estate with support of his wife (name not given), she being infirm. Legacies to eldest son Jacob and his three daus. Sarah, Hannah and Mary, and to his own daughters Margaret and Mary. To sons John and Samuel land on northwestwardly side of plantation where on I now dwell, bounded by Benjamin, William and Nathan Levering's lands. Rem. of estate, real and personal, to son Anthony. Exec: Sons John and Anthony Levering. Letters granted to Anthony Levering. Executor Michael Levering 1:188 15 5 1801 10 3 1804 Remarks: Benjamin Levering. Roxborough Township, Co. of Philadelphia. Farmer. Wife: Catharine. Exec: Son Michael Levering and son-in-law Peter Widener.

Jacob married Alice (Aeltie) Tunes, daughter of Abraham (Tunis) Tunes and Beatrix (Boetzen) Luken, on 2 Feb 1717. (Alice (Aeltie) Tunes was born between 1691 and 1692 and died before Dec 1732.)