Henry, as he was commonly called, is listed on the passenger
list of the ship Charming Nancy, Charles Stedman, Master. He
arrived in the port of Philadelphia on October 8, 1737. He
took the Oath of Allegiance that same day. The passengers were
Palatines imported from Rotterdam, last from Plymouth. The
spelling of his name on the original ship list was Georg
Henrick Ansparger. On a different copy of the same list
Henry's name is spelled Jerg Heinrich Ernsperger. Henry was
most probably single, but over 16 years of age since he took
the oath of allegiance. That would make his date of birth
circa 1720. It is possible that the Christian Hersberg also on
the same ship, with his wife Barbara and his children Anna and
Peter, is a brother to Henry, but no proof of that has been
found. Henry was a cordwainer (leatherworker who made things of
cordovan, especially shoes) and a farmer. He married Maria
Magdalena Rausch about 1740-41, probably in the First Reformed
Church of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, although a record has
not yet been found. (From cemetery records) One of the earliest
found records of land transactions is that of Henry Ernsperger
(Arnsperger) buying 99 acres of land from Hans Neisley in
Conestoga Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Hans
Neisley had bought 200 acres of land from Christopher
Franciscus. He sold 99 acres to Henry on 15 April, 1747 and
another 100 acres to Phillip Knight. The warrant was dated 26
April, 1748 and returned by Henry 28 April, 1748. Henry
received his patent 2 May 1748. Conestoga Township is located
in the southwest portion of Lancaster County. Its western
border is the Susquehanna River. It is bordered on the
northwest by Manor Township and Manheim Township, on the north
by Lampetre Township, and on the south by Martock Township.
Henry's land was in close proximity to Conestoga Creek and Mill
Creek in that township. On 16 January, 1750, Henry and
Magdalena mortgaged 99 acres to Phillip Ellog for 100 pounds;
signed by Henry in German. Soon after this Henry and Magdalena
decided to move to Donegal Township which lies west of
Conestoga Township along the Susquehanna River. Henry sold his
99 acres in Conestoga Township to Daniel Keepots on 5 July,
1751. He received 370 pounds for his land. Between 1751 and
1754 Henry and Magdalena purchased 225 acres of land in Donegal
Township. It appears Henry either became very ill or had a
serious accident sometime in January, 1754. His will is dated
25 January, 1754 and it was witnessed by Christian Fox and
Charles Glasses. The will was verified on 6 March 1754. From
this Henry died sometime in February, 1754. The inventory of
the estate was filed 6 March, 1754 and valued at 556 pounds 19
shillings 6 pence. Henry did not mention his children in his
will except to leave 1/3 to them. Henry died at a relatively
young age. Probably 35-40 years old. He left Magdalena with
probably six minor children. The oldest being about 12 years
old and the youngest being only 2 years old. Magdalena
remarried within one year of Henry's death to Christian Fox
(Fuchs), a witness to Henry's will. On 5 March 1755, Christian
and Magdalena Fox petitioned the Court to sell part of the 225
acres of land from Henry's estate to pay debts of the estate.
The petition was granted. On 18 May 1755 Christian and
Magdalena were sponsors for the baptism of Magdalena Grund,
daughter of Henry and Catherine Grund, in the First Reformed
Church of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Magdalena and
Christian bought and sold land in Donegal Township through
1772. About this time, they moved into York County, which is
across the Susquehanna River from Donegal Twp. Christian is
buried in the Reformed and Lutheran Cemetery, in Arendtsville.
Arendtsville is located twenty miles north of Hagerstown,
Maryland, where Christopher Ernsberger settled.

Official translation made by Abraham Myer and filed in the
Court in 1754.

Henry Ernstberger: In the name of God father son and
Holy Ghost know all men by these presents and to whom these
presents shall or occasion have to know and wear as the soul is
made to the likeness of God .... (translation indicates next
line is unreadable)
Any of worldly goods unto the hand and grace of God if they
should depart from my body and my body interment to be buried
in a christian like and decent manner at the resurrection
received the same again by the mighty power of God.

2nd My world estate belonging thereto left after my deceased I
give and bequeath the third part to wife Magdalena the
moveables as may be named as at will and she shall be Heirs
thereto as __ the plantation belonging so I give my will that
she shall do therewith what she pleases or find it to be best
but if she should not be able to manage said plantation then
she shall sell it by herself or upon the ____ ____ the third
part thereof she shall be a Heirs thereto this I have willed by
my good and sound mind & memory that these presents shall stand
before ___ and wor[l]dly offices. In witness whereof I have
here unto set my hand and seal.

Henry Ernsperger Seal (this was signed in original German
script)

Donegal the 25th day of January 1754
Christian Fox Charles Glasseo

Lancaster __ March the 6th 1754 Before me the subscriber came
Christian Fox and Charles Glasseo the witnesses to the within
written testament and on their __ and say that they were
present and saw and heard Henry Ernsberger the testator within
named sign seal publish pronounce and declare the within
writing __ and for his last will and Testament and at the
doing thereof he was of sound deposing mind memory and
understanding according to the best of their knowledge
observation and being.[:ITAL]

Edw. Shippen D.B.|

• Married: ABT 1740 in Lancaster Co, PA
• Event: Inventory 04 MAR 1754 in Lancaster, PA
• Note:

  The following is the Inventory of Henry Ernstberger:
  A Brindled cow three years old & calf - 2:5:0
  A Brown cow - 2:10:0
  Cow with a Bell - 2:5:0
  A Red cow - 2:15:0
  A Red cow two years old - 1:5:0
  Two Yearlings - 1:3:0
  A Sorrell Horse Six years old 6:0:0
  A Bay mare fifteen years old 5:0:0
  An old Bay horse 1:0:0
  A Sorrel Horse four years old 7:10:0
  A Little Yearling 0:10:0
  4 Pair Waggon Gears an old Saddle & 2 Bridles 2:5:0
  A Plantation Wagon 7:0:0
  A Windmill 2:0:0
  A Grindstone 0:4:0
  Plow and Irons(?) 0:15:0
  Five Sheep 1:0:0
  Twelve Hoggs 2:5:0
  Mawl Rings & Wedge 0:4:0
  A Gun 1:5:0
  3 Potts, 3 Brass Kettles, 1 Tea Kettle, 2 Laddles, 1 Flesh fork
  and 1 Iron Pan 2:10:0
  An Iron Kettle and Crook 1:4:0
  A Bigg Cedar Tub 0:8:0
  Pewter (?) 1:5:0
  4 Juggs and 2 Stone Crocks 0:7:0
  Weights and Iron Hatchel (?) and Shoemakers Tools -0:10:0 A Bed
  sted , a Chest, a Teap[ot 7 3 cups & saucers 0:16:0
  2 Coats, 1 Jacket, 1 par Leather Britches, 1 hat 2:0:0
  A Bed and bed stead 1:5:0
  Old Iron 0:5:0
  A 1/2 Busholl and 2 old Biddles 0:3:0
  3 Scyths & five sickles 0:8:0
  5 old Baggs 0:5:0
  9 Busholls Hemp seed at 6/ 2:14:0
  Flour 2:0:0
  2 Pr. Britch bands 0:5:0
  A hand saw, five old axes, an old spade, Chozelli(?), Dung
  fork, shovel and Hay fork 1:15:0
  A Stove 2:10:0
  A Cutting box & knife & stool 0:7:6
  An Iron Harrow 0:8:0
  4 Barrells & Hogshead 0:15:0
  Hemp Supposed (?) 12 18:0:0
  225 acres land 450:0:0
  
  Total 539:9:6

1. Maria Agnesia ERNSTBERGER b: 09 MAR 1742 in Lancaster Co, PA
2. Ulrich ERNSHBERGER b: ABT 1744 in Lancaster Co, PA
3. Christopher ARNSBERGER Sr b: ABT 1746 in Lancaster Co., Pa
4. Maria Dorothea ERNSTBERGER b: 01 DEC 1748 in Lancaster Co, PA
5. Paul ARNSPIGER b: ABT 1750 in Lancaster Co, PA
6. George Henry ARNSBERGER b: 14 FEB 1751 in Lancaster, PA
7. Michael ERNSTBERGER b: ABT 1753 in Lancaster Co., Pa

1. Title: Pennsylvania Archives, Series: Series III, File Reference:
   019,303
   Abbrev: PA Archives
   Repository:
   Name: Arizona State Library
2. Title: FIRST REFORMED CHURCH LANCASTER CO PENNYSLVANIA
   Abbrev: 1st Reformed Church, 1st Ref C
3. Title: PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN SOCIETY PROCEEDINGS
   Abbrev: PA German Society, Trinity Lut
4. Title: Henry Ernstberger, Will Book
   Abbrev: Henry Ernstberger, Will Book
   Repository:
   Name: Unknown repository
   Note:
   Lancaster co, PA; Warren co KY
5. Title: PA Orphans Court Proceedings
   Abbrev: Orphans Court, PA Proceedings
   Repository:
   Name: Orphans court Lancaster co, Pa
   
   Page: P.30