John Phillip Custer, Sr., born 1737 in Lancaster Co., Pa; died September 1812 in Quemahoning Twp., Somerset Co., Pa.

Barbara Margaretha Bleistein, born in Pa; died Abt. 1810 in Pa.

John & Barbara were married on  November 28, 1752 in Christ Church, Upper Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., Pa.

John enlisted into the War about 1781, he was a Private First Class in Captain John Moore's Second Battalion, Lancaster County Militia in which he served as a substitute for Abraham Sebolt. This tour of duty went to Bucks County, Pennsylvania according to the Muster Roll of the 5th, 6th, and 7th classes dated 1781. About 1783, he enrolled in Captain Wendel Weaver's Seventh Company, Second Battalion, Lancaster County Militia.

BIRTH: 1738, Holland

DEATH: 24 Aug 1812, Conemaugh Twp., Somerset Co., PA

EVENT: A.k.a./ nickname: Johannes Kustert, John Custard

Dated July 13, 1811 and proven on August 24, 1812: I, Johannes Kustert, of Strassbache, write this will for the benefit of my housewife, Margretta. Margretta is to have my house and stable as long as she wants it or lives there or can hold it, and any one cow that she wants. One bed, one large kettle, one small kettle, one spinning wheel, all kitchen utensils that she brought, one large chest and all that is in it, one dozen pewter spoons. Witness this, my hand and seal this day, July 13, 1811. If she leaves the farm she is to have $300 cash, with the above mentioned articles. Johannes Custert (seal); Christian Blauch and Jacob Blauch.

Frederick Custer Of His Father John Custer: Take notice that the last will and Testament of John Kuster decd has this day been proven in the Register's Office for said County and you are hereby cited to appear at the next Orphans Court to be held for said County on the last Monday in August inst at Somerset to show cause if any you have why the Letter of Administration granted to you should not be revoked and disanulled. Witness my hand and seal of office this 24th day of August 1812. Alexander Ogle, Register.

To the honorable the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Somerset now comprising on Orphans Court in and for said County 28th December anno Domini 1812. The Petition of Frederick Custer on the heirs of John Custard of Conemaugh Twp. in said County deceased. Humbly Sheweth. That your petitioners said father lately died Intestate leaving a Widow to wit Margaret and issue six children to wit, Fredk (your petitioner), John, Jacob, Abraham, Barbara intermarried with Henry Reed, and Catharine intermarried with William Fenlow, and that the said Intestate decd seized in his demesne as of fee of and in a certain messuage or one undivided half of two hundred and sixty acres of land or thereabouts situate in Conemaugh Twp., in said county with the appurtenances. Your Petitioner therefore prays your honours to award an Inquest to make partition of the premises aforesaid to and amongst the children and Preventatives of the said Intestate in such manor and in such proportion as by the laws of this Commonwealth is directed if such partition can be made without prejudice to or spoiling the whole, but if such partition cannot be made thereof as aforesaid, then to value and appraise the same and make report of their proceedings according to law. And he will ever prayed etc. his mark Fredk Custard.

Inquisition indicted and taken at the house of John Custard in the County of Somerset on the thirteenth day of May eighteen hundred and thirteen. Before Frederick Neff Esquire high Sheriff of the aforesaid, by virtue of a writ of Partition or Valuation to him directed and to this Inquisition amean__the oaths of Joseph Berky, Daniel Shaver, Philip Cocker, Henry Gibler, William LaDoras, and Andrew Wertz. And the solemn affirmation of Peter Berky, Michael Spitzer, Peter Spitzer, Christian Kaufman, Joseph Miller, and John Bumdryer. ___free honest and lawful men of this Bailiwick who on their oaths and affirmations aforesaid do say that they went to the messuage and premises whereof John Custard in the writ named decd seized and possessed then and there did find that the same could not be divided and parted to and among the parties in the said writ named without prejudice to and spoiling the whole thereof. And therefore the Inquest aforesaid on their oath and affirmations as aforesaid have valued and appraised same at the sum of three Dollars per acre. In Testimony whereof as well the said Sheriff as the Inquest aforesaid have to this Inquisition interchangeably set their hands and seals. Dated the day and year above written. his mark: Joseph E Berky, Frank Neff Shiff, Daniel Shaver, Peter Berky, and other signatures.

NOTES FOR Barbara Margaretha Bleistein:

RENOUNCIATION:

I, Margaret Custer, widow of John Custer, dec'd late of Quemahoning Twp., Somerset County do hereby renounce my right to the administration upon the Estate of my said husband and also I acknowledge I have rec'd from Frederick Custer the Administrator with the will annexed and the several articles bequeathed to me by the will of my said husband which is in full satisfaction of my dower or third of the pension of Estate of the deceased. Witness my hand and seal the eleventh day of September AD 1812. Her X mark (Margrate Kustard) Witnesses: Peter Berkey and Johanes (?)