William Rorer

M, #153, b. 1 January 1816, d. 21 January 1899
William Rorer, Father (on the left) and Maria Rorer, Mother (on the right) in the Doylestown Presbyterian Church Cemetery
FatherJacob Rorer b. bt 1780 - 1790, d. bt 1840 - 1850
MotherSarah Street b. c 1786, d. 16 Mar 1857
ChartsDescendant Chart (Box)
Descendant Chart (Indented)
Ancestral Line of Jack H.Rorer
Last Edited1 May 2018
Birth*1 January 1816 William Rorer was born on 1 January 1816 in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA.1,2 
 He was the son of Jacob Rorer and Sarah Street. 
Marriage* He married Maria Litlow, daughter of John Litlow and Catherine (?).3 
Census 1850*17 September 1850 He and Maria Litlow appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Upper Milford Township, Lehigh, PA, enumerated 17 September 1850. Their children William, Sarah and George were listed as living with them. William was a cooper owning real estate valued at $500. He was about 28 years old; Maria was about 30.4 
Tax Lists*1856 He had moved from Upper Milford and was listed on the Tax Lists at Plumstead, Bucks, PA, in 1856. In 1860, he appeared on the New Britain tax lists. He owned two horses, valued at $50, one cow, valued at $11. His income was $100 per year. He owed County Tax of $.32 and $.15 for State Tax.5 
Census 1860*2 July 1860 William and Maria appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of New Britain Township, Bucks, PA, enumerated 2 July 1860. Their children William, Sarah, George, Theodore and John were listed as living with them. Ten years earlier, William had been a cooper. By 1860, he had become a farmer with $500 worth of personal property.6 
Milit-Beg*31 October 1862 He began military service on 31 October 1862. 46 year old William was drafted for service during the Civil War. He served 7 months and 6 days as a Private in Company E, 174th Pennsylvania Infantry. Pennsylvania was unable to meet its quota of soldiers from volunteers and instituted the (unpopular) draft. Eight of the ten companies of the 174th Regiment were draftees from Bucks County. Men from Northampton County comprised the other two companies. The men were sent to West Philadelphia to rendezvous. From there they travelled to Washington, D.C. On the 31st of December they were ordered to New Bern, North Carolina, arriving there on 6 Jan 1863. From there they were ordered to reinforce the army operating in front of Charleston. They sailed from Beaufort to Hilton Head arriving there on 5 Feb 1863. They disembarked at Helena Island where they remained until 27 Feb. They then proceeded to Beaufort, South Carolina. They remained in camp on garrison duty until June and then transferred to Hilton Head. With their term of service expiring soon, the men were ordered back to Philadelphia at the end of July and were mustered out 7 Aug 1863. It appears that this regiment was able to avoid partaking in some of the horrendous fighting going on in other parts of the country.7,8 
Milit-End*7 August 1863 He ended military service on 7 August 1863. He received an honorable discharge.7 
Compiler's Comment*8 August 1863 What happened to his farm and family while he was gone for 7 months? Perhaps by the time he went into the regiment, the crops had already been harvested. But what about the spring planting? William's oldest son was also serving in the military. Were Maria and the older children able to put the crops in the ground? Did family and friends help the families whose men had been drafted? 
Census 1870*23 August 1870 William and Maria appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Lumberville, 134th District, Plumstead Township, Bucks, PA, enumerated 23 August 1870. Their children George and Theodore were listed as living with them. William was a farmer with real estate valued at $3000 and personal property of $2000.9 
Event-Misc*24 February 1874 "BURGLARY at GARDENVILLE.- The ROBBER SHOT and CAPTURED.- Sometime after midnight on Thursday morning last Andrew Swope, a clerk in the store of Gotwals & Son, at Gardenville, was aroused by a noise as if caused by some person getting into the building. Soon afterward he heard somebody in the tailor shop, in the south corner of the building. The robber was then heard to go down into the store room and light a match, then go to the outer door and unlock it. He then went back up the stairs and stopped at Swope's door and took hold of the knob. Swope by this time had prepared himself with a pistol, and was waiting for the robber to enter, but he passed on and went into the tailor shop again. Swope then left his room and called Jonas Gotwals, whose room was on the same floor, and the two went down into the store, the outside door of which was found unlocked and the money drawer open. It was now thought that the robber had left, but soon after he was again heard in the tailor shop above. The two young men then went outside to guard the store and prevent the robber's escape. They next called to their aid Daniel Gotwals, the senior proprietor, and William Rorer and his son Theodore, living near by, were also summoned and soon on the ground. Young Gotwals and Swope now went up to the door of the tailor shop, and finding that the man was still there, they returned to their companions below and the party at once proceeded to capture the burglar. William Rorer led the way, followed by Mr. Gotwals and Swope, the latter carrying a pistol in one hand and a light in the other. Young Gotwals and Theodore Rorer were stationed outside to guard the building and cut off the robber's retreat. On attempting to open the shop door it was found the man was standing against it. On being asked what he was doing there he made no reply. He was then told if he did not give himself up they would shoot, but he still remained silent. Mr. Gotwals spoke to him several times and asked him to give his name, but he refused to say anything. Swope was sent below for another light, and as he was returning with it, the report of a gun was heard on the outside of the house. It appears that as the two young men, Gotwals and Rorer, were watching on the outside of the building the burglar came out of the shop on the platform at the head of the stairs, Gotwals spoke to him two or three times and asked who was there, and receiving no reply he told Rorer, who had a gun loaded with No.4 shot, to shoot, which he did. The man then spoke for the first time, saying, "What did you shoot me for?" As soon as they heard the voice they discovered that it was a man named Henry Foyle, who for three or four months had been serving as ostler at John Price's tavern, in the village. The contents of the gun struck him in the breast, going through a heavy overcoat and his other clothing. The blood flowed pretty freely from the wound, which, however, on examination by Dr. Cooper, was found not to be dangerous. His clothing doubtless saved his life. Foyle was taken to the Bucks County Hospital, but was afterwards committed to prison. He is from Lehigh county. It is not known that he obtained anything from the store. A pair of new stockings was found outside. The act is principally chargeable to whiskey."10 
(Witness) Deed Grantor2 April 1877 He purchased from Edward Rorer, his brother, 4 acres of land located in Doylestown Township, Bucks, PA on on 2 April 1877. William paid $738.75.11 
Census 1880*16 June 1880 William and Maria appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Buckingham, Bucks, PA, enumerated 16 June 1880. William was a 63 year old farmer; Maria was 57.12 
Pension*6 August 1890 On 6 August 1890, he applied for a pension under the Dependent and Disability Pension Act passed by Congress and signed in to law by President Benjamin Harrison on 27 Jun 1890. The pension was awarded to veterans who served at least ninety days, were honorably discharged, and were unable to perform manual labor, regardless of their financial situation. He was awarded pension certificate 584826.13,14 
Death*21 January 1899 He died on 21 January 1899 at Buckingham, Bucks, PA, at age 83. William had been born in Germantown. He died after two weeks of the grippe. His occupation was listed as laborer. (Note: the obituary said date of death was 20 January. The church record lists date of death as 21 Jan.)15,2 
Obituary*23 January 1899 He's death was was recorded in an Obituary on 23 January 1899 at Doylestown Township, Bucks, PA. "William Rorer died at his home in Doylestown township, on Saturday evening, in the eighty-third year of his age. He had been in ill health for some time and recently contracted the grippe, which developed into pneumonia and caused his death.The deceased had been a resident of Doylestown for a number of years and is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maria Rorer, four sons and one daughter: William H., who is now living at home; John, is in business in Kansas city; Theodore, of Canton, Illinois, George, who is engaged in gold mining in Alaska; and Mrs. Sarah Downing, New York."16 
Burial*26 January 1899 He was buried on 26 January 1899 at Lot 114, Doylestown Presbyterian Churchyard, Doylestown, Bucks, PA. Caroline and Gilbert (possibly a child of Caroline and George Rorer) Rorer were also buried in this lot, although they do not have stones.15,2 
Probate31 January 1899 His estate was probated on 31 January 1899 at Bucks County Courthouse, Doyllestown, Bucks, PA. Wife, Maria, was administratrix. She must not have been able to write as she signed the documents with an "X". The assets of the estate were valued at $1291.53 which included $1250 for real estate. The expenses were $610.95. The expenses included $130 paid to William H. Rorer for labor through April, 1900.17 
Pension*4 May 1899 "William Rorer, deceased, of Doylestown, has been granted an increase of pension from $8 to $12 a month, and Mrs. Maria Rorer has been granted a widow's pension of $8 a month."18 

Family

Maria Litlow b. 5 Mar 1823, d. 15 Mar 1912
Children

Citations

  1. [S1119] Doylestown Intelligencer, 23 Jan 1899, extracted from the Doylestown Newspaper at the Bucks County Historical Society, Doylestown, PA.
  2. [S1124] The History Committee, A History of Doylestown Presbyterian Church, page 186.
  3. [S1132] Maria Rorer, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963.
  4. [S1113] 1850 U.S. census, Lehigh, PA, population schedule, Upper Milford Township, page 45A, dwelling 322, family 332.
  5. [S1130] Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Tax Records, 1782-1860, at the Bucks County Historical Society, Doylestown, PA; Title no 102. roll 52.
  6. [S1116] 1860 U.S. census, Bucks, PA, population schedule, New Britain Township, page 24, dwelling 159, family 189.
  7. [S1133] Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census, Bucks, Pennsyvania, Buckingham, E.D. 94, page 1, home 86, family 92.
  8. [S1134] 174th Pennsylvania Infantry Soldier Roster- History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 4, by Samuel Bates, 1869, online www.civilwarindex.com/armypa/174th_pa_infantry.html.
  9. [S1115] 1870 U.S. census, Bucks, PA, population schedule, Plumstead Township, district 134, page 64, dwelling 522, family 515.
  10. [S1716] Bucks County Intelligencer, 24 Feb 1874, courtesy of Paul Rorer.
  11. [S1343] Deed Edward Rorer to William Rorer, Book 182, page 464.
  12. [S1128] 1880 U.S. census, Bucks, PA, population schedule, Buckingham, E.D. 135, page 151A, dwelling 242, family 293.
  13. [S1138] U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, online www.ancestry.com (accessed 13 Apr 2015).
  14. [S1139] Dependent and Disability Pension Act, online en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dependent-and-Disability-Pension-Act.
  15. [S560] Death record, copied by Suzette Snyder, Orphan's Court.
  16. [S1119] Doylestown Intelligencer, 23 Jan 1899.
  17. [S1165] Probate File 20953.
  18. [S1713] Doylestown Intelligencer, 04 May 1899, courtesy of Paul Rorer.

Maria Litlow

F, #154, b. 5 March 1823, d. 15 March 1912
The compiler is unsure of the maiden name of Maria Rorer listed on her death certificate. Is it Litlow, Sitlow, Titlow?
FatherJohn Litlow
MotherCatherine (?)
ChartsDescendant Chart (Box)
Descendant Chart (Indented)
Ancestral Line of Jack H.Rorer
Last Edited7 May 2018
Birth*5 March 1823 According to church and cemetery records, Maria Litlow was born on 5 March 1823.1,2 
Note* However, the death certificate information provided by her son, William H. Rorer, gave the birth date as Mar 1820.3 
 She was the daughter of John Litlow and Catherine (?) 
Marriage* She married William Rorer, son of Jacob Rorer and Sarah Street.3 
Census 1850*17 September 1850 Maria and William appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Upper Milford Township, Lehigh, PA, enumerated 17 September 1850. Their children William, Sarah and George were listed as living with them.4 
Census 1860*2 July 1860 By 2 July 1860, Maria and William and their children William, Sarah, George, Theodore and John had moved to New Britain Township, Bucks, PA.5 
Census 1870*23 August 1870 She and William Rorer appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Lumberville, 134th District, Plumstead Township, Bucks, PA, enumerated 23 August 1870. Their children George and Theodore were listed as living with them.6 
Church*March 1877 She joined the Doylestown Presbyterian Church, Doylestown, Bucks, PA on March 1877.7 
Census 1880*16 June 1880 Maria and William were living in Buckingham, Bucks, PA, on 16 June 1880.8 
Pension*2 February 1899 Maria applied for a widow's pension 2 February 1899 based on her husband's Civil War service. She was awarded Certificate 477370.9 
Pension*4 May 1899 "William Rorer, deceased, of Doylestown, has been granted an increase of pension from $8 to $12 a month, and Mrs. Maria Rorer has been granted a widow's pension of $8 a month."10 
Death*15 March 1912 She died on 15 March 1912 at Mechanic Street, Doylestown, Bucks, PA, at age 89. Cause of death was chronic nephritis.3 
Burial* She was buried at Lot 114, Doylestown Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Doylestown, PA.1,2 

Family

William Rorer b. 1 Jan 1816, d. 21 Jan 1899
Children

Citations

  1. [S1024] Robert Elwood Hoagland G.R.S., "Research Report", extracted from cemetery files of Spruance Library, Doylestown, PA.
  2. [S1124] The History Committee, A History of Doylestown Presbyterian Church, page 186.
  3. [S1132] Maria Rorer, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963.
  4. [S1113] 1850 U.S. census, Lehigh, PA, population schedule, Upper Milford Township, page 45A, dwelling 322, family 332.
  5. [S1116] 1860 U.S. census, Bucks, PA, population schedule, New Britain Township, page 24, dwelling 159, family 189.
  6. [S1115] 1870 U.S. census, Bucks, PA, population schedule, Plumstead Township, district 134, page 64, dwelling 522, family 515.
  7. [S1024] Robert Elwood Hoagland G.R.S., "Research Report."
  8. [S1128] 1880 U.S. census, Bucks, PA, population schedule, Buckingham, E.D. 135, page 151A, dwelling 242, family 293.
  9. [S1129] William Rorer, Civil War Pension, 584826, Widow's certificate number 477370.
  10. [S1713] Doylestown Intelligencer, 04 May 1899, courtesy of Paul Rorer.