Person Page 15

Ernest Edward ("Jake") Billiter was born on 29 September 1897 in Gamble Run, Tyler Co, West Virginia. He and Ida Mae ("Idy") Billiter were married on 29 September 1932 in Oakland, Maryland. He died on 17 November 1952, at age 55, in New Martinsville, Wetzel Co, West Virginia. He was buried in Kendle Cem, Gamble Run, Tyler Co, West Virginia.

Military service: WWI, US Army, Camp May, NJ. 5' 5-3/4", brown hair, brown eyes, medium complexion.

Hettie Mae Billiter was born on 17 January 1898 in Tyler Co, West Virginia. She and Benjamin Franklin ("Frank") Stewart were married on 14 September 1914. She died on 16 January 1981, at age 82, in Weirton. West Virginia. She was buried in Kendle Cem, Wetzel Co, West Virginia.

Donald Eugene Billiter, Sr, was born on 3 May 1933 in Paden City, Tyler Co, West Virginia. He died on 17 February 2016, at age 82, in Marietta, Ohio. He was buried in Kendall Cem, Paden City, West Virginia.

Donald Eugene Billiter, Sr, held the title Sr. Don was b May 3, 1932, according to his obituary.

Mettie Billiter was born on 5 September 1887 in Lincoln Dist, Tyler Co, West Virginia. She and James Cleveland Nolan were married on 4 March 1908 in New Martinsville, Wetzel Co, West Virginia. She died on 11 March 1983, at age 95, in Cadiz, Ohio. She was buried in Northview Cem, New Martinsville, Wetzel Co, West Virginia.

James and Mettie lived on and owned the second tallest mountain between Wheeling and Parkersburg. The first antennas for television in this area were placed on their property at the top of Paden Fork Hill, Paden City, Wetzel Co., WV. Courtesy Mae Nolan.

Floyd ("Steve") Billiter was born on 2 March 1895 in Paden City, Tyler Co, West Virginia. He and Helen Lucile Hayes were married on 23 December 1937 in Cumberland, Allegheny Co, Maryland. He died on 11 October 1965, at age 70, in Wheeling, Ohio Co, West Virginia. He was buried in North View Cem, New Martinsville, Wetzel Co, West Virginia.

Edwin ("Mose") Billiter was born on 2 February 1897 in Paden City, Wetzel Co, West Virginia. He died on 12 October 1991, at age 94, in New Martinsville, Wetzel Co, West Virginia. He was buried in Kendle Cem, Gamble Run, Wetzel Co, West Virginia.

Fred Layman Billiter was born on 25 February 1920 in Paden City, Tyler Co, West Virginia. He and Florence Irene McCoy were married on 14 December 1946 in Sistersville, Tyler Co, West Virginia.

Florence Irene McCoy was born on 12 July 1924 in Sharon, Pennsylvania. She was married. She and Fred Layman Billiter were married on 14 December 1946 in Sistersville, Tyler Co, West Virginia. She died on 18 December 2009, at age 85.

Alexander Mozena was born about 1836 in Monroe Co, Ohio. He and Euphemia ("Famy") Billiter were married about 1860. He died on 7 July 1887 in Monroe Co, Ohio.

Spelled Massena in some records.
1870 Monroe Co, OH census (Ohio Twp); courtesy Karen Romick
Alexander Mozena 34 OH
Uthamy 26 WV
Alexander 6 OH
Mary 2 OH
Rosanna 7/12 OH
Many of Alexander Mozena descendants and accompaning details are courtesy
Dick Henthorn. See: http://members.aol.com/Rhenthorn1/index.htm.

Jane Billiter was born on 22 May 1825 in Pennsylvania. She and Jesse Lydick were married about 1843. She died on 15 April 1882, at age 56, in West Virginia. She was buried in New Bethel Cem, West Virginia.

Joseph C Billiter was born about 1827 in Virginia. He and Lucinda Greathouse were married on 25 June 1848 in Green Co, Pennsylvania.

Had dealings with Harmon Greathouse in Clark Co, MO, later lived in Adair Co, Mo. Joseph and Lucinda
are probably buried at Mt. Carmel Cem, Adair Co, MO in the part that had been the Billiter family
cemetery. Courtesy Donna Lester.

Also courtesy Donna:
"Rank: Private
Organization: Enrolled Missouri Militia
Name of Unit: Capt. Isaac Simbler's Independent Company Adair County E.
M.M.
Period of Service: GO 107 (GO means General Order)
Enlisted: 1 September 1864
Where: Adair County, MO
Remarks: Relieved from duty 11 March 1865." Married by Francis Drake Esq of Richhill Twp, Green Co, PA. Marriage information courtesy Gladys Treadway, 9/2000.

Angier C Billiter was born in 1828 in Pennsylvania. He and Sarah H were married. He died in 1897, at age ~69, in Belmont Co, Ohio. He was buried in 1897 in Lloydsville Cem, Richland Twp, Belmont Co, Oh.

Birth year and death year/place from cemetery inscription courtesy Karen Romick.
Anger's family group courtesy Donna Lester.

Jesse Lydick was born about 1821 in Maryland. He and Jane Billiter were married about 1843.

Jessie was a blacksmith.

Lucinda Greathouse was born about 1830 in Virginia. She and Joseph C Billiter were married on 25 June 1848 in Green Co, Pennsylvania. She died about 1888.

Married by Francis Drake Esq of Richhill Twp, Green Co, PA. Marriage information courtesy Gladys Treadway, 9/2000.

Sarah Elizabeth Billiter was born about July 1849 in Marshall Co, West Virginia. She and Gabriel W Tuttle were married on 22 April 1869 in Adair Co, Missouri. She and Daniel W Tuttle were married on 12 March 1876 in Adair Co, Missouri. She died after 1887 in Adair Co, Missouri. She was buried in Mt Carmel Cem, Adair Co, Missouri.

Joseph Billiter was born in England. He and Elizabeth Fuller were married in June 1674 in Maryland Colony. He died about August 1687 in Colonial Maryland.

"The Early Settlers of Maryland" by Skordas shows the record of Joseph Billiter [affectionately condensed to "Old Joe" by this author, his ggggggg-grandson, Jim, (JHB)] in liber 17, folio 74 of Maryland Land Patents. Joseph was transported 1671. I.e.: someone else paid his passage. (In his prefix Skordas says, "... 'transported' means that someone other than the person indexed paid for his passage. Quite often a person 'transported' is also described as a 'servant', which means that he had contracted to repay the cost of his transportation by agreeing to act as a servant for a period of years. Under certain of the Conditions of Plantation, a servant was entitled to claim fifty acres of land upon completing his period of servitude satisfactorily. Such claims are indicated by the word 'service'.") Courtesy JHB.

ARRIVAL in the Maryland colony is attested by:

The 'Importing' of Joseph Billiter to the Maryland Colony in 1671 (Courtesy Jim Billiter). Transcription by Jim Billiter. Pointer courtesy Marsha Bovey.

Source: Maryland State Archives, Land Patents, Liber 17, Folio 74. Underscores "_____" indicate unreadable text.

Transcription history: 3/5/2002 - Initial transcript.

Transcription starts:
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Page title:
"( 74 ) 1679"

Placement. The entry in the land patent involving Joseph Billiter
is near the middle of the page (folio) and its 10 lines occupy
about 1/5th of the page's total content.

Margin entry: "( 145 )" on line 1.
Margin entry: "Talbot County" on line 2.

(centered on line 1) "August 20th 1679"
"Robert Farington (*) (**) proved then five Rights due for Importing
himself Ann his wife Jane his Daughter and Joseph Billiter &
Phillip Sutton his Servants into this Province to inhabit in
may 1671."
"_____ November 1679 ________ Matt Warde"
"Warrant then issued in the name of Robert Farrington (*) of Talbot
County for two hundred and fifty acres of Land it being due to
him for Transporting himself Ann his wife Jane his Daughter
Joseph Billiter and Phillip Sutton into this Province to Inhabit."
"Certificate returnable the 7th of February next"
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Transcription ends.

Transcriber's notes:
* There are two differing spellings of Robert's surname: FarRngton and FaRRington in the document. [ If one is inclined to choose between the FaRRington and FaRington surname spellings, I would suggest that FaRRington would be the best choice. From 1990 US census data FaRRington ranks 3009th (there are 3008 surmames more frequently occuring in the 1990 US census). The variant FaRington is 'not found'; either totally absent or so infrequent as to not register on the 1990 census' radar. Contrast that rank with the BillEter/BillIter surname ranks: billEter - 74926th, billIter - 32383rd. ]

** Others have mentioned that 'Farington/Farrington' could equally well be transcribed as 'Harington/Harrington'. I have chosen 'F' because the uppercase, old-style, script 'F' is certainly identical to that of the first letter in 'February', which appears at least twice elsewhere on folio 74.

RELIGION:

The early Billiters were Quakers (Society of Friends), attested to by their participation in Third Haven Meeting, Talbot Co, MD in the late 1600's. (Courtesy Marsha Bovey.) Whether Old Joe was a Quaker upon arrival in May, 1671 or joined during Fox's missionary campaign along the colonial east coast shortly thereafter is a matter for debate. Fox was the founder of the Quakers in England in 1652 and he was active in the Delmarva about February-March 1672. (Courtesy Jim Billiter)

Old Joe's MARRIAGE is attested by:

Talbot County Maryland Records Volumes 1-2 compiled by R. Bernice Leonard -

"June 1674 Elizabeth Fuller to Joseph Billetor, Plaster [ed.: 'planter'?] - power
of attorney to acknowledge and make voyd all my right, title and
interest of my husband's now dwelling plantation. Witnesses
William Phillips and William Hogon." Courtesy Dave Gerth.

Two of Old Joe's children, Grace and Thomas, were married in the Church of England (St Peter's Parish) in the early 1700's [1704 and 1715 respectively]. This is probably a consequence of the imposition of the state church about 1694 by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the English Crown on Maryland, previously tolerant of all religions (Christian-Trinitarian) from the time of its founding by the Calverts, the several Lords Baltimore. Several CofE ministers had reported to the Archbishop that the Maryland colonists were 'iniquitous' and desparately in need of CofE ministries, along with the 'livings' attendant to CofE minsters of the period. The state then imposed a tax of 40 pounds of tobacco on each household to support the 'livings' of the CofE ministers. Old Joe probably died in 1687 and he wasn't all that old, because he left a young family behind. Elizabeth and the children probably could not afford to support two religions, especially when one possessed the enforcement authority of the Crown. Conclusion: some of the children, and perhaps the entire family group, were converts (or re-converts) to the Anglican religion after 1694.

This observation is supported by the fact that early colonial Quakers were discouraged from marrying outside the Society. "...Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s 1704 Book of Discipline included a provision discouraging the marriage of Friends to non-Friends; its 1712 Discipline recommended disownment (that is, expulsion) of members who married 'out of meeting'; and its 1722 Discipline required immediate disownment for this conduct." ['Faith and Practice', anon, 1997, pub of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.] (Courtesy Jim Billiter)

Many have looked into the early Maryland Billiters: from the research of Marsha Bovey in the early 1980's to the Billiter Family listing in 'Colonial Families of the Eastern Shore of Maryland', Volume 5, Peden and Wright, Willow Bend Books, Westminster, MD, 1999 (Courtesy Gladys Treadway). The citations here for this family group and for son Edward's line to Joseph's g-grandson, Edward, mainly follow the latter source, since it is concise and fairly exhaustive.

Names of the children and their birth dates are in Third Haven records (Courtesy Marsha Bovey). Joseph's approximate date of death is taken from the fact that Third Haven Meeting showed concern for the Widow Billeter on 21 August 1687. Courtesy Peden and Wright.

(Source: Maryland Quaker (Friends), Volume 3, Record of Third Haven (Tred Avon), Talbot County, Maryland.) Courtesy Carol Eddleman 2010

Also: From "Maryland Eastern Shore Vital Records" by F. Edward Wright 1982. Children of Joseph and Elizabeth Billiter: (Courtesy EKB)
Joseph b. 8/17/1677
Elizabeth b. 9/13/1679
Thomas b. 9/28/1681
Edward b. 10/18/1683
Grace b. 3/13/1686

Old Joe probably came from England, though genealogies and related correspondence attending Marsha Bovey's early research state, sans sources, that Old Joe was from Mannedorf, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. This 'Swiss origin' assertion for Old Joe probably stems from the influential Swiss genealogists, Julius Billeters Sr and Jr. They, professional genealogists, had stated that the Billiter/Billeter name was 'strictly Swiss', and many of us took them at their word, which now (December, 2000) seems to be mistaken in the case of the early Billiters of Maryland.

"The Billeters from Mannedorf and the Zweifels from Linthal" by Julius C. Billeter, 1984 published by Joseph Lyon & Associates, Salt Lake City. This is a geneology going to the very early 16th century for Julius' family. Mannedorf is in Canton Zurich. There is no mention of emigration to America that would associate this family with ours. Some noteworthy extracts:
P. 65. "The Billeters were early settlers in Mannedorf, having come originally from Bilten, canton Glarus. The name is believed to signify someone who came from Bilten. The Billeters, sometime spelled Billiter, ..."
P. 67. "Shortly after the Billeters established themselves in Mannedorf, one branch of the family left Mannedorf and settled in the city of Zurich." (From context this was prior to 1520 - JHB)
P. 68. "There is in the city of London a complex of buildings and streets named Billiter. Although the spelling is very similar, no connection with the family name Billeter has been established." (P. 69) "... Although the origin is not known, it suggests the name Billiter might be a derivative of Bell-zeter - a bell founder."
P. 71. begins a discussion of the several Billeter coats of arms with drawings. Courtesy JHB.

Julius' comment about Bell-founding is important, and Middle English etymology seems to confirm that 'Billiter' is derived from the occupation Bell-founder, or Bellyeter. William le Belyotar is mentioned somewhere in English records in 1247, as is Robert le Bellegeter in 1283, making the first mentions of the name in England older than that of the Swiss by more than a century. Courtesy RuthAnn Billiter Francis and JHB. (Etymology: see OED)

Joseph was involved in land transactions in the Delmarva in just a few years after arriving in the Maryland colony.

From: "Cavaliers and Pioneers - Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants".
- Capt Southy Littleton 4250 acres in Northhampton County between Maggettey Bay and the seabord side. From the sandy point of Old Plantation Cr. mouth to " Divell's Ditch". Date 10/5/1674. Page 538. Several people and acreage are listed in this entry, including on 4/9/1674, 800 acres for transfer of 16 persons including John Billetor. In patent book #6.
- Mr. Lancelot Bathurst 5000 acres in New Kent County, south side of Pomunky Riv upon branches of Crump Creek. 10/21/1687. Page 598. 10/20/1682 deserted and now granted by order and transfer to 100 persons, including Joseph Billitor. Patent book #7.
- Col Southy Littleton 150 acres Accomack County in the forehead neck of north side of King's Creek at Posamoke on William's Gutt or Creek and between the bounds between Virginia and Maryland. Date 4/30/1679. Page 676. Granted 10/1/1675 and deserted then granted by order and transfer to three persons, including Joseph Billesor. Courtesy EKB.

Also, Tuckahoe Neck p. 5. From Volume 3, Talbot Co. Land Records, p. 262. June 10 1678 Nicholas Hackett and wife Mary to Joseph Billeter, Plasterer 600 acres called "Hacketts Garden" on east side of Tuckahoe Creek. Courtesy Cathy Downes.

The mention of a John Billiter, rather than Joseph, is interesting. Is this simply a 'scriveners error' or were there other Billiters in the colonies (VA or MD) contemporary with, or earlier than, Old Joe's arrival in 1671? Peden and Wright found an 'unplaced' Billiter in their genealogy: 'Stephens Billtor, who appeared in a list of debts in the estate of Edward Coppedge of Kent Co, on 8 Apr 1676. ['Inventories and Accounts', abstracted by Skinner.].

Elizabeth Fuller and Joseph Billiter were married in June 1674 in Maryland Colony.

Joseph Billiter was born on 17 August 1677 in Talbot Co, Colonial Maryland.

Elizabeth Billiter was born on 13 September 1679 in Talbot Co, Colonial Maryland.

Thomas Billiter was born on 28 September 1681 in Talbot Co, Colonial Maryland. He and Sarah King were married on 14 August 1715 in St Peter's Parish, Talbot, Colonial Maryland.

Thomas's line courtesy Jim and Ellen Billiter.

IGI Maryland. Also "Maryland Eastern Shore Vital Records" by Wright
Billiter, Grace m. John Michall 9/2/1704, Talbot Co., St. Peter's Parish. M507951/0115.
Billiter, Thomas m. Sarah King 8/14/1715, Talbot Co., St. Peter's Parish. M507951/0271.
Billeter, John m. Nancy Pritchard 9/15/1819, Talbot Co. 7016919/0028. Courtesy RMB

Kent County, Delaware probate records. From "Calendar of Kent County Delaware Probate Records 1680-1800", pub. by Public Archives Commission of Delaware, 1944.
Sarah Billiter's will made 4/18/1742. Sons: John, Thomas, Daniel, Joab; daughter: Johanna. Probated 4/30/1742. Original may be found in the Delaware hall of records. Joab and Thomas were younger than 20 or 22 in 1742; difficult to read. Courtesy JHB.

Edward Billiter was born on 18 October 1683 in Talbot Co, Colonial Maryland. He and Anne Sumerly were married. He died after 1741.

Edward's birth is from Third Haven Meeting. Courtesy Marsha Bovey.

Edward Billetton witnessed the will of James Dashiell of Somerset Co on 16 Feb 1708/09. ['Maryland Calendar of Wills, 3:120]

Edward Billiter, John Tomlinson, and Anne Billiter witnessed a land conveyence in Dorchester Co on 21 Jul 1715. [Dorchaster Land Records, 6 Old 252]

Edward Billiter was named executor of the will of William Wetharell on 14 Dec 1717, and also guardian of William's son, John, until he reached age 18. Ed renounced executorship on 11 Jan 1717 (when the will was proved) unto Elizabeth, widow of William. (O/S vs N/S date confusion?) ['Maryland Calendar of Wills', 4:138]

On 14 March 1721 Henry Turner conveyed to Edward Billiter 100 acres of land, 'Fancy' in the east side of Great Choptank River in the freshes and on the east side of of the SE branch of Phillips Creek. [Dorchester Land Records, 2 Old 106]

Anne Billittor witnessed the will of Mary Molehorne of Dorchester Co on 1 Aug 1721. ['Maryland Calendar of Wills', 5:73]

On 17 Nov 1721 Edward Billiter and wife Anne, in their own right and as attorneys for John Sumerly, conveyed to William Trippe 100 acres, 'Guinney Plantation' adjoining 'Gotham' and 'Sark' in Dorchester Co. Power of attorney from John Sumerly, s/o Thomas Sumerly of London (deseased) and of Mary his wife (deceased). Mary was d/o Francis Soane (deceased), and niece of his brother Joseph Soane (deceased). The POA to Edward Billeter and Anne his wife, brother and sister of said John Sumerly. Proved before Robert Grundy and W Clayton, Justices for Talbot Co. The following documents were presented:
1) Baptismal certificate of Mary, d/o Francis Sone, baptized 3 Jan 1632, William Taswell, Rector of St Mary Newington, Surrey.
2) Marriage certificate of Thomas Sumerly and Mary Sone, m 22 Apr 1656 at the Parish Church of St James, Dukes Place, John Avery, Clerk.
3) Burial certificate of Mary Sumerly, buried 4 Jul 1698 at the Parish Church of St Paul, Shadwell, John Hendry, Deputy Clerk.
4) Birth certificate of John Sumerly, son of Thomas Sumerly and Mary his wife, b 5 Jun 1666 at the Parish Church of St Paul, Shadwell, John Hendry, Deputy Clarke. [Dorchester Land Records, 2 Old 97]

On 18 Jul 1722 Edward Billiter and wife Anne conveyed to John Tomlinson 100 acres, part of 'Nancies Delight' on the west side of the NW Branch of the Nanticoke River. [Dorchester Land Records, 2 Old 136]

On 9 Jan 1723 Edward Billiter, cordwainer, of Dorchester Co, and Anne his wife conveyed to John Taylor, merchant, of Talbot Co, 50 acre tract, 'Nancy's Delight' between the branches of Hunting Creek and branches of the NW Fork of the Nanticoke River. [Dorchester Land Records, 8 Old 47]

On 15 Mar 1723 Edward Billiter conveyed to Peter Taylor a 100-acre tract, 'Fancy' on a branch of Phillips Creek. [Dorchester Land Records, 2 Old 167]

On 16 Nov 1728 Edward Billiter and Anne his wife, of Dorchester Co, conveyed to Jones Dawson, of Dorchester Co, cordwainer, a 50-acre tract, 'Billiter's Landing', on Fowling Creek. [Dorchester Land Records, 8 Old 243]

In Jul 1729 Edward Billiter, age 45, deposing regarding bounder of tract 'Cleland', stated he was shown the land at the mouth of Hog Creek by William Callow about 28 years ago. [Dorchester Land Records, 8 Old 432]

Edward Billiter of Dorchester Co, planter, age about 48, deposed [something?] between 10 Nov 1732 and 20 Jan 1732 [O/S?]. [Dorchester Land Records, 9 Old 158]

Edward Billiter of Dorchester Co deposed [something?] between 11 Mar 1739 and 8 Nov 1740. [Dorchester Land Records, 12 Old 128]

Edward Billiter of Dorchester Co, age about 60, deposed [something?] on 16 Jan 1741. [Talbot Co Land Commissions, 2:269].

Grace Billiter was born on 13 March 1686 in Talbot Co, Colonial Maryland. She and John Michall were married on 2 September 1704 in St Peter's Parish, Talbot, Colonial Maryland.

!IGI: Married Saint Peters Parish, Talbot, Maryland.
The ruin of St. Peter's Episcopal church is visible at
a small historic site on the east side of the highway
a few miles south of Easton, MD. There's a cemetery
adjacent to the ruin and we (Jim, Ellen, and Lucy in 1993)
looked for Billiter graves, finding none. Many of
the tombstone markings were unreadable.

John Michall and Grace Billiter were married on 2 September 1704 in St Peter's Parish, Talbot, Colonial Maryland.