Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameCatherine Hersh 
Birth1787, Pennsylvania
DeathSep 1856, Westmoreland Co, PA
BurialRidge Churches Union Cem, Mt Pleasant, Westmoreland Co, PA
Anst File#1JLB-DPR
Misc. Notes
Catharine HERSH was born about 1787 in Pennsylvania. She died in Westmoreland Co, PA. Possible burial in St. John's Lutheran Reformed Church Cemetery, Unity Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA.
Spouses
Birth1778, York Co, PA
Death18 Apr 1853, Unity Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA
BurialRidge Churches Union Cem, Mt Pleasant, Westmoreland Co, PA
FatherJohannes Porch (~1730-~1806)
MotherUrsula Zimmerman (~1750-~1815)
Misc. Notes
Porch History (1923) says he was born 1778, consistent with his obituary, while his headstone says he was born 1782.
Listed in 1810 with his wife and one son in Lancaster, Lancaster Co, PA.
1820: Jacob PORTCH; male 2 < 10, 1 = 10-16, 1 = 26-45; female 1 < 10, 1 = 16-26.
They sold land in Lancaster Co, and purchased land in Westmoreland Co in 1814.
From "Old and New Westmoreland," by Hedley, 1918, p. 1067:
"The Porch family, now so prominent and well known in Unity township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was founded in this part of the State by Jacob Porch... Jacob Porch came to Donegal, Cook Township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, but after remaining there a short time made his permanent home in Unity township on the farm adjoining that which is now the property of William Henry Porch. Jacob Porch's wife had been before her marriage, Catherine Hershey, and she, after her husband's death, continued to live on the old homestead, her death, occurring there in extreme age. Jacob Porch and his wife were the parents of several sons besides Frederick, as follows: David and Henry, and a daughter, Sophia, who became the wife of Henry Loos, who resided near the old Porch home for many years. Both David and Henry Porch went in young manhood to Ohio, where they settled, the first in Knox county and the second in Hancock county, where they made their permanent homes.
A deed dated 21 May 1853 in Vol. 35, pg 366 of Westmoreland Co, PA only identifies four (4) children. Per this deed, Henry is living in Findlay, Hancock Co OH and David is in Knox Co, OH.
[Obituary] - Westmoreland Intelligencer 28 April 1853 "d 4-18 Jacob Porch of Unity Twp., aged 74 yrs."
Listed in the book, "Marriage and Death Notices from Weekly Newspapers 1818-1865 Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Vol. 1" p. 223 copied and compiled by Della Reagan Fischer (Mrs. Frank Christian), McKeesport, PA 1963, 974.881/G1 V21 and FHL film 0844896, item 2.
Jacob's will dated 20 May 1852 indicates he was a resident of Unity Twp. in Westmoreland Co. Heirs named in the will: Henry Porch of Findlay in Hancock Co, OH, Frederick Porch, David Porch of Knox Co, OH and Sophia Lose. Frederick Porch and Henry Lose were the executors of the estate, probated 25 April 1853. (Westmoreland Will Book 3, pp. 405-6)
The family has erected a memorial to him at the Ridge Churches Union Cemetery in Trauger (near Mt. Pleasant). It is next to the old stone for his son, Frederick Porch, who died in 1880.
Listed in 1810 with his wife and one son in Lancaster, Lancaster Co, PA.
1820: Jacob PORTCH; male 2 < 10, 1 = 10-16, 1 = 26-45; female 1 < 10, 1 = 16-26.
They sold land in Lancaster Co, and purchased land in Westmoreland Co in 1814.
From "Old and New Westmoreland," by Hedley, 1918, p. 1067:
"The Porch family, now so prominent and well known in Unity township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, was founded in this part of the State by Jacob Porch... Jacob Porch came to Donegal, Cook Township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, but after remaining there a short time made his permanent home in Unity township on the farm adjoining that which is now the property of William Henry Porch. Jacob Porch's wife had been before her marriage, Catherine Hershey, and she, after her husband's death, continued to live on the old homestead, her death, occurring there in extreme age. Jacob Porch and his wife were the parents of several sons besides Frederick, as follows: David and Henry, and a daughter, Sophia, who became the wife of Henry Loos, who resided near the old Porch home for many years. Both David and Henry Porch went in young manhood to Ohio, where they settled, the first in Knox county and the second in Hancock county, where they made their permanent homes.
A deed dated 21 May 1853 in Vol. 35, pg 366 of Westmoreland Co, PA only identifies four (4) children. Per this deed, Henry is living in Findlay, Hancock Co OH and David is in Knox Co, OH.
[Obituary] - Westmoreland Intelligencer 28 April 1853 "d 4-18 Jacob Porch of Unity Twp., aged 74 yrs."
Listed in the book, "Marriage and Death Notices from Weekly Newspapers 1818-1865 Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Vol. 1" p. 223 copied and compiled by Della Reagan Fischer (Mrs. Frank Christian), McKeesport, PA 1963, 974.881/G1 V21 and FHL film 0844896, item 2.
Jacob's will dated 20 May 1852 indicates he was a resident of Unity Twp. in Westmoreland Co. Heirs named in the will: Henry Porch of Findlay in Hancock Co, OH, Frederick Porch, David Porch of Knox Co, OH and Sophia Lose. Frederick Porch and Henry Lose were the executors of the estate, probated 25 April 1853. (Westmoreland Will Book 3, pp. 405-6)
The family has erected a memorial to him at the Ridge Churches Union Cemetery in Trauger (near Mt. Pleasant). It is next to the old stone for his son, Frederick Porch, who died in 1880.
Marriage12 Jul 1807, Lancaster Co, PA
Marr Memoby Dr Muhlenberg in Trinity Lutheran Church