John's signature on estate papers filed in Cumberland Co. PA in 1825
Data source is "The Mumma Family of Cumberland, Pennsylvania" book by Samuel Hertzler Mumma 1962
Data source is Doug Mumma. doug@mumma.org
Little has previously been known about John. In Samuel H. Mummas notebook, only his name is listed as a son of Frederick Mumma. He has now been identified as being an attorney who moved to Union County around 1821 and his Will identifies his siblings which confirm he is the son of Frederick Mumma, b. abt 1770 . The key documents are the estate papers of John filed in Union County. The following facts have been uncovered.
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Deed - recorded 14 May 1822 (Union County courthouse records)
John Mumma, Esq. and John B Chapman, Esq purchase 488 & 1/2 acres of land (1/2 equal undivided interests) from a Ludwig Heffer for the price of $100. This land is located in the townships of White Deer and Baffaloc [sic], Union County
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From the Union Times, dated 1824 {Microfilm at Bucknell University}
[From Deaths & Marriages for Central PA 1771-1882 by MaryBelle Foutz]
"Nov 20, Tuesday Last, by S. Wilson Esq. John Mumma, Esq. and Mrs. Mary Grossman, both New Berlin
ESTATE PAPERS OF JOHN MUMMA
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Last Will and Testament of John Mumma, decd. filed March 2, 1826, Union County, PA
"I give and devise unto my beloved wife, Mary, during the natural life, provided she so long remains my widow, my house and lot with the appurtenances, which in New Berlin aforsaid, now in the hands and possession of George A Sawyer Erwin, and in case of the death or marriage of my said wife, it is my will and l do hereby order an direct my Executors, herein after mentioned or the renunciation of them, to make sale of the above mentioned house and lot with the appurtenances, by public or private sale and the proceeds there of to be applied in the following manner, one hundred Dollars there of to be paid to my step daughter, Mary Grossman, and the residue to be divided equally between my brothers Samuel, Frederick and my sister Mary. I further bequeath unto my beloved wife, Mary all my personal estate, subject to the payment of my just debts and one hundred dollars which I bequeath out of the same unto my beloved mother - and lastly I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my freinds, James Merrill and Joseph Stitwell, Esquires of New Berlin, my executors with powers to make, execute and deliver all such deed or deeds of conveyance as my be necessary for the granting and appreasing of the above house and lot with appurtenances unto the purchasor or purchasers there of - In Witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twelfth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and twenty six"
signed by two witnesses, James F. Linn and John Lashell, Esq., plus John Mumma' signature with his seal.
On March 4th 1826, an inventory of Johns estate was completed with an estimated value of $81.75
An accounting filed 15 November 1845 by Thomas Clingen, administator of the James Merrill estate (James, John's administrator, died beteen 1826 and 1845 when the final accounting is filed. No mention of disbersments are made to Mary, his wife or to any of his children. The only item of signifence is the following reference:
o "46 Paid Register of Cumberalnd Co for ?????[closing?] the acct of John Mumma, who was exec. of John Mumma of said county account as filed by James Merrill.............$7.43"
o The above entry suggests this payment may have been made in 1828 by James Merrill
o Another entry in 1829 shows he made a 5 day travel expense to attend ???? (widow) Mumma & brothers. Possibly this was to Cumberland Co. to close some business.
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HISTORY OF THE SUSQUEHANNA & JUNIATA VALLEYS, page 1204
"John Mumma, who was deputy attorney-general from 1824 to 1826, came to New Berlin about 1821. He boarded as Seebolds' Hotel a few years, and then took rooms with a widow, Mrs. Grossman, who kept a hotel on Water Street, who he afterwards married. She was a lively, attractive woman, about 40 years of age, some 15 years his senior. He died February, 1826, and is interred in the New Berlin Cemetery. He left no children"
[Note: a search of the New Berlin Cemetery records has not revealed a tombstone for John]
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ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY, by John B. Linn, 1877 publicaton by Lane S. Hart., Harrisburg, PA
(1826) Feb. 20, DIED, John Mumma, Esq. 28.
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Extract from the "Lycoming Gazette", Thursday Publication, Published by William Brindle
Williamsport, PA, 16 Jul 1807-3 May 1826
courtesy of the Lycoming County GenWeb -
http://www.rootsweb.com/~pasulliv/reviews/lycominggazette.html
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1 Mar. 1826
John MUMMA, Esq., Deputy Attorney General for Union Co., died in New Berlin on the 19th ult., after a severe illness. he has left a widow to mourn his loss.
"
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The cemetery has been searched, but no tombstone has been found for John.
