Genealogical Proof Statement: The Two Martin Rohrers

     This is the fourth and final proof statement that Shively and I have co-authored to date.  It is my hope that we continue to make progress and have the need to write more.  In this paper we differentiate between the two Martin Rohrer's that were living in Western Maryland in the late 1700s.

Differentiating Between the Martin Rohrer’s of Washington County, Maryland. 

     The early Rohrer families of Washington County, Maryland have many given names that are used over and over in the same and subsequent generations, making differentiation a challenge to the researcher.  Common given names in the families for males were Frederick, Samuel, Jacob, and John.  One name that is not used as often but very often confused by researchers is Martin.  

     The two Martin’s addressed in this paper lived in Washington County, Maryland in the latter 1700s.  One was born in Germany in 1738 and purchased land in Washington County, Maryland in 1765.  He can be found in numerous land records as he purchased a lot of land in the area.  He attended the German Reformed Church and married Christina Myers.  The couple had seven children — all daughters.  It is believed that this Martin was the son of Frederick Rohrer.  He died in 1806.  Martin the immigrant is often confused with another Martin who was in the area at the same time.  

     This second Martin was born in 1751 in Lampeter Twp., Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.   A death date has not been found for this second Martin but is believed to be about 1783-1786 which makes for further confusion.  The younger Martin inherited land in Washington County, Maryland from his father John as stated in John’s will filed in Pennsylvania (1771).  

     The land the younger Martin inherited was called “Piney Hill”.  In the 1783, Washington County,  Maryland Tax Assessment  (Washington County - Maryland State Archives MARYLAND INDEXES (Assessment of 1783, Index) 1783 MSA S 1437) there is listed: Martin Rorer. Brothers Request, 481 acres. WA Upper Antietam and Jerusalem (p. 60 MSA S1161-10-9 1/4/5/53)  and Martin Rorer. Piney Hill, 300 acres, WA Lower Antietam and Sharpsburg (p. 36. MSA S1161-11-1. 1/4/5/54.)  This record clearly differentiates between the two Martins by the location of their land. The first Martin listed is Martin the Immigrant and the second Martin is the younger Martin.  

Mary Rohrer Dexter

Shirley Boyd

September 2018