(Reverend) Martin2 Urner (Ulrich1), probably born 1695(9) in Alsace, France(A); died 29 March 1755(9) in Coventry (now North Coventry), Chester, Pennsylvania; married first to Catharine Reist(B)(F) who died April 1752 in Coventry (now North Coventry)(9); married second to Barbara ________ who was born 08 May 1712(F) and died 08 May 1796(F).
Martin was recorded in Chester (now Lancaster) County, Pennsylvania in 1712(C). He bought land from William Penn for a farm in now Chester County that he later called Belwood; he received the Warrant on 28 December 1717, and the Patent on 10 May 1718 (Minute Book H, Board of Property, Province of Pennsylvania; and Patent Book A, Volume 5, page 345, Philadelphia). It was on the west side of the Schuylkill River directly across from the present-day city of Pottstown, Montgomery, Pennsylvania. [NOTE: Part of his homestead is now part of the Belle Wood Golf Club.]
He was taxed in Schuylkill (later Coventry) District beginning in 1718 (recorded as Merdin Urner; in 1720 as Martyn Ormer or Orner; in 1724 as Martyn Urner; in 1753 as Martin Orner)(5).
In December 1723, Martin and Catherine, along with four of their neighbors, traveled to Germantown where, on Christmas Day, they were the first six persons ever baptized in America by the Church of the Brethren(B). When he returned home to North Coventry, he immediately began holding services in his home and proselytizing among his neighbors. On Saturday, 07 November 1724, Peter Becker, the leader of the Brethren in America, helped him organize the Coventry Church of the Brethren in his home(B). It was the second Brethren church in America, after the one in Germantown, and Martin served as its first minister(B). When Alex Mack, the founder of the Brethren, came to America in 1729, the first Elder that he ordained in America was Martin Urner(B). Martin served as bishop of the Coventry congregation until his death(B).
Martin and his assistant George Adam Martin were responsible for convening the first Great Assembly of the Brethren in 1742, which is believed to have been held at his home(B). In 1743, he donated some of his land for the Coventry Brethren Graveyard(B).
The 18 August 1750 issue of Christopher Sauer’s newspaper, the Pennsylvanische Geschichts-Schreiber described a Jacob Stutzman as “living on the Schuylkill, near Martin Orner”. On 22 September 1752, Martin was a witness to the will of George Grubb, blacksmith of Coventry, Pennsylvania (Chester Will Book K, #116).
The will of “Martin Urner of Cofentary” (Chester Will Book K, page 284), which was signed 24 March and proved 10 April 1755, mentions wife Barbra, child Mary, grandson David Urner under 21 and his living mother Elizabeth, grandson Jacob Urner under 21 and daughter-in-law Barbra Urner, son-in-law Andrew Wolf and grandsons John, Andrew and Martin Wolf, and Executors Martin Urner, “Junior” [his nephew and his successor as bishop of the Coventry Church] and Jacob Frick.
“Barbara Urner” [presumably still a widow] is on the list of members of the Coventry Church of the Brethren in 1770(G).
Martin and Catharine are buried at the Coventry Brethren Graveyard. Barbara is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery at Parker Ford, Chester, Pennsylvania.
Children, all with first wife, possibly not in correct birth order:
+ Mary3 Urner, died 27 September 1747(9) in Coventry; married to Andrew Wolff who later moved to Frederick (now Carroll) County, Maryland.
Martin3 Urner, died about February 1746; married 05 June 1745(1) to Elizabeth (Grubb) Addis (her second marriage) who died 31 January 1761.
[She was the daughter of Heinrich Grob and Catherine Addis (daughter of Thomas and Catherine Addis). Thomas Addis was a farmer in Frederick, Philadelphia (now Montgomery), Pennsylvania. Thomas Addis’ will (Philadelphia Will Book E, page 181), which was signed 02 January 1732 and proved 14 March 1732, mentions, among others, widow Catrin, and eldest daughter Catherine wife of Henry Groob. After Heinrich Grob died in February 1727, Catherine (Addis) Grubb later married a Jacob Frick. A deed recorded 06 April 1749 (Philadelphia Deed Book 36, page 052) mentions Jacob Grubb, George Grubb, John Grubb, Abraham Grubb, and Elizabeth Orner, alias Addis, widow, of one part; and Conrad Grubb, of the other part [NOTE: those were the heirs of Henry and Catherine (Addis) Grubb, and the deed involves Conrad buying out the other heirs’ interests in the land]. A Grubb genealogy is in Earle Nelson’s GEDCOM.]
Martin’s estate (Philadelphia Will Book F, file #078), Letters of Administration to widow Elizabeth and father Martin filed 11 March 1746. He is buried at the Coventry Brethren Graveyard. Only child:
+ David4 Orner, born 1746(F); married Elizabeth ______; moved to Greenwood, Cumberland (now Perry), Pennsylvania.
Jacob3 Urner, died 21 February 1753(9); married to Barbara Lichty/Light(G) (daughter of Jacob and Barbara Lichty/Light) who was born about 1730-31 in Caernarvon, Lancaster, Pennsylvania and died probably in Rockingham County, Virginia. His will (Philadelphia Will Book F, file #482), which was proved 06 March 1753, mentions widow Barbara. He is buried at the Coventry Brethren Graveyard. [She was married second by 1756 to Ulrich Grumbacher who was born 1734 and died 1775 in Frederick (now Carroll) County, Maryland, and had at least five more children.] [Info from Lichty/Light descendant Frank Light; more info is in his GEDCOM.] Only child:
+ Jacob4 Urner, born 1753(F); married Christiana Miller; moved to Cherry Grove, Rockingham, Virginia.
Catherine3 Urner, died young; unmarried(F).
John3 Urner, died 1747 at Coventry; unmarried(F).
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