Notes:
Even though his father and brother were literate and educated, Jacob could not or would not sign his name on documents and always signed with an "X"
1850 Census, York Co., Heidelburg twp., 4 Oct 1850, dwelling 117
Samuel Mumma, 55, farmer, $29,000 real estate, b: PA
Barbara " , 53, b: PA
Jacob " , 31, painter, b: PA
Samuel " , 29, miller, b: PA
Caroline Reuacer, 24, b: PA
1860 Census, York Co., Heidelburg Twp., July 1860
Samuel Mumma, 66, m. farmer, $2000 personal property, b. PA
Barb Mumma, 61, wife, b. PA
Jacob Mumma, 39, mechanic, b. PA
Samuel Mumma, 38, miller, b. PA
1870 Census, York Co., Heidelberg Twp., 4 Aug 1870
Mumma, Saml, 75, no trade, $4000 real estate, $1000 personal, b. PA
" , Barbara, 73, keeping house, b. PA
" , Jacob, 51, laborer, b. PA
" , Samuel, 49, miller, b. PA
1880 Census, York Co., Penn Twp., 11 June 1880, dwelling 277
Mumma, Samuel B., 59, single, miller, b: PA/PA/PA
" , Samel Sr., 85, father, widowed, farmer, b: PA/PA/PA
" , Jacob, 60, single, watchmaker, b: PA/PA/PA
A transcription of the tombstone inscriptions of the Mumma Cemetery on York Street, Hanover incorrectly lists Jacob's death year as 1899 in a book called, "York County, PA Cemetery Insriptions, Vol II." The transcriptions were copied, February 1953. At that time, they estimated that about half of the original tombstones were missing. Also they said many of them wre broken. Now in 2004, only one monument remains erect and all of the other stones have been laid flat on the ground.
The Baltimore Sun - February 8, 1893
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DEATH OF A RECLUSE
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Jacob Mumma, of Hanover, Pa slept in a coffin on legs.
[Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun]
HANOVER, Pa, Feb. 7 - Mr. Jacob Mumma, the recluse, died on Sunday evening at his residence, on the York road, about one mile from Hanover. Since 1848 he was away but once from his strange and dreary place of abode and on that occasion, between 1848 and 1838 he visited England and while there received a patent on a watch, was offered $80,000 for the right, but he wanted $1000,000 and got nothing. This, in connection with a love affairr dissppointment, preyed on his mind to such an extent that he became decidely eccentric and decided to retire from society and live by himself. He would only see a few people who hadd business with him and these were limited to five. In early life he mingled in society and enjoyed himself to the fullest extent and worked on his father's farrm.
His father, Samuel Mumma, who died about seven years ago, owned the place where he died, consisting of a farm containing over 100 acres, a three-story brick mill, widely known as Mumma's Mill, and a two story roomy brick dwelling-house. On his death it became the property of Jacob and his brother, Samuel B., who died about one year ago, when it became the property of Jacob. Since then he sold the farm to Samuel Bare, who has been living in the house up to his death. Bills were out for the sale of the mill property on Saturday last, but the sale was postponed on account of Mr. Mumma's illness. He had three rooms in the house reserved for apartments.
In winter he would live entirely in the cellar, 8 by 10 feet, (here he would eat and sleep) and in the summer time he would occupy a room on the second floor and one above that on the third floor. He went from on room to the other by the aid of a ladder, having holes cut through the floor and ceilings, never going in any other part of the house. Often at night he would come forth from his haunt and stroll over the farm in order to see that all was well and at the same time get a little fresh air and exercise. Some years ago he had a casket made, in which he slept until he died. Some time ago he imagined that rats and mice might get at him while asleep and had high stilts put to the casket, getting in and out with a ladder. He has a tin box made and left in care of the undertaker, in which he wants to be buried. He had no use for a doctor, preacher or barber. His hair is very long.
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[Hanover Spectator, 16 Feb 1893]
Mumma's Will
The will of the late Jacob Mumma, the Penn township recluse has been probated. It was thought the paper would, after the fashion of its writer's live, contain some odd request, but it is an ordinary document. The followin is the Will:
"
I Jaocb Mumma, of Penn township, York county, Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make and publish this, my last will and testament in manner following, viz: I direct that all my just debts, and funeral expenses, be fully paid and satisfied.
It is my wish, and I do hereby request and direct my esteemed friend, Samuel M. Bare, that whenever he will build a new dwelling house on the premises where I now reside, that he will have place therein a suitable corner stone and deposit therein a certain box, as I have directed him in my lifetime. - All the residue and remainder of my estate, real, personal and mixed I give and bequeath unto my estemed friend, Mr. Samuel M. Bare, absolutely, his heirs and assigns.
And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my said friend, Mr. Samuel M. Bare, sole executor of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I, Jacob Mumma, the testator, have here unto set my hand and seal this 19th day January, A.D., one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three.
his
Jacob "X" Mumma
mark [seal]
Witnesses: Phillip S. Bowman, Daniel R. Snyder, Lewis B. Bortner
"