YorksPast

Plus Correcting Errors & Omissions on the Present Marker

This photo shows the marker placed over the common Erb Burial Plot graves within Section L of Mt. Rose Cemetery. The specific location within Section L is the North Half of Lot 215. This is the promised follow-up post; to examine this marker in greater detail.

My post Mysteries of Springettsbury Township’s Erb Burial Plot contains the background on when and why the 44 graves within the Erb Burial Plot in Springettsbury Township were re-interred in two common graves within Mt. Rose Cemetery in Spring Garden Township. In 1964 it was permissible to do this to old family cemeteries. However after Pennsylvania passed the Historic Burial Places Preservation Act in 1994, moving such cemeteries is illegal.

I’ve received numerous inquiries about what happened to the original gravestones? They were not transferred to Mt. Rose Cemetery. If anyone knows what happened to the original gravestones or has any photos of those gravestones, please comment. The original location of the Erb Burial Plot within Springettsbury Township is indicated in these aerial photos.

These are northward looking aerial photos east of I-83 Interchange at Mt. Rose Avenue. The top view is a detail from a circa 1961 aerial photo by Dave Allen and is from the Springettsbury Township Historic Preservation Committee Archives. The lower photo is a 2014 Bing.com Birds Eye View. Continue reading, as I provide further details on the people that were buried within this private burial plot. 

 

The removal of the remains from the Erb Burial Plot in Springettsbury Township, during 1964, is referenced within the Cemetery Books at the York County Heritage Trust; Volume II, page 224. This volume also lists the gravestone details, recorded from the 44 headstones on November 20, 1933 by Alice E. Starner and Henry J. Young. Today the two common graves within Mt. Rose Cemetery in Spring Garden Township are covered with the following marker.

I’ll examine the marker in four sections. For each section I’ll zoom-in on that section of the marker and provide the details originally on the gravestones. Comments include additional details about each person, primarily derived from examining U. S. Census records and comparing them to the information on the gravestones. Family history sources at the York County Heritage Trust were also consulted.

The marker covering the Erb Burial Plot graves in Mt. Rose Cemetery has a few mistakes; these are identified. Many older gravestones list date of death and age in years-months-days. I’ve confirmed that several single dates were incorrectly assumed to be date of birth, to create the information for the marker plaque. I’ve calculated the date of birth for several individuals using calendar months and not the 30-day rule.

Section 1

Solomon Emige [1805-1880]

• Gravestone: Solomon Emige (S 19, 1805 – F 14, 1880; 74-4-21)
• Comment: Not sure why surname spelled Emige on gravestone, since Emig is used fairly consistently for Solomon.

Mary Emig [1804-1889]

• Gravestone: Mary Emig (Wife of Solomon; Jl 4, 1804 – O 1, 1889; 85-2-27)
• Comment: Mary is the daughter of John Erb [1769-1844], per Deed in York County Recorder of Deed Book 10U, page 21.

Emanuel Emig [1828-1894]

• Gravestone: Emanuel Emig (N 5, 1828 – N 8, 1894; 66-0-3)
• Comment: Emanuel is son of Solomon [1805-1880] and Mary Emig [1804-1889].

Magdalena Emig [1828-1887]

• Gravestone: Magdalena Emig (Wife of Emanuel; F 26, 1828 – F 9, 1887; 58-11-13)
• Comment: Maiden name of Magdalena is Strickler.

Henry Erb [Infant 1878]

• Gravestone: Henry Erb (Infant son of Christopher & Rebecca A.; 1878)
• Comment: Christopher Erb also went by Christian Erb [1849-1919]. He is a son of John [1809-1851] and Catharine Erb [1807-1879].

John Erb [Infant 1875]

• Gravestone: John Erb (Infant son of Christopher & Rebecca A.; 1875)
• Comment: Christopher & Rebecca A. Erb were married in 1873; by 1900, they had 8 children, of whom 6 were still living at that time, therefore Henry and John were their only two children that died as infants.

Annie J. Wightman [1848-1874]

• Gravestone: Annie J. Wightman (Daughter of Washington E. & Cassandra Morrison; Ja 22, 1848 – My 4, 1874)

John Horn [1778-1868]

• Gravestone: John Horn (Mr 17, 1778 – My 18, 1868; 90-2-1)

Elizabeth Kendig [1795-1875]

• Gravestone: Elizabeth Kendig (Ap 17, 1795 – Ap 15, 1875; 79-11-28)

Landis [Children of Horace & Sarah]

• Gravestone: Landis (Children of Horace & Sarah; no dates given)
• Comment: Horace Landis was a son of Jacob Landis [1800-1883]; the Landes spelling is also occasionally used in records.

Section 2

John Erb [1901-1955] … CORRECT YEARS ARE: [1847-1901]

• Gravestone: John Erb (Ap 10, 1901; 53-10-28)
• Comment: No death certificate or obituaries were found for a death in 1955, as opposed to several records for the death of John Erb on April 10, 1901. John’s date of birth calculates as May 13, 1847. This matches John Erb, in the U. S. Census, as the son of John [1809-1851] and Catharine Erb [1807-1879].

Matilda Langram [1844-1881]

• Gravestone: Matilda Langram (Wife of Levi; D 14, 1844 – Ja 18, 1881; 36-1-4)
• Comment: Matilda is the daughter of John [1809-1851] and Catharine Erb [1807-1879], per obituary of Catharine; she died at the home of her son-in-law. Levi Langram.

Catharine Erb [1807-1879]

• Gravestone: Catharine Erb (Wife of John; D 18, 1807 – Ag 25, 1879; 71-8-7)

John Erb [1809-1851]

• Gravestone: John Erb (Jl 4, 1809 – Jl 2, 1851; 41-11-29)
• Comment: John Erb is most likely the son of John [1769-1844] and Elizabeth Erb [1767-1845].

Erb [Children of John & Catharine]

• Gravestone: Erb (Infant Children of John & Catharine; no dates given)

John Erb [Nov. 17, 1858]

• Gravestone: John Erb (Son of Emanuel & L; N 17, 1858; 1-0-2)
• Comment: John is the son of Emanuel [1836- ]and Lovina Erb [1837- ]. Emanuel [1836- ] is the son of John [1809-1851] and Catharine Erb [1807-1879]. The date of birth for this infant, calculates as November 15, 1857.

Leander Emig [June 29, 1850]

• Gravestone: Leander Emig (Je 29, 1850; 1-1-15)
• Comment: The date of birth for this infant, calculates as May 14, 1849. Leander is a child of Emanuel [1828-1894] Magdalena Emig [1828-1887].

Granville Emig [1852-1857]

• Gravestone: Granville Emig (Mr 4, 1852 – Je 22, 1857; 5-3-18)
• Comment: Granville is likely a child of Emanuel [1828-1894] Magdalena Emig [1828-1887].

Leander S. Landes [1846-1890]

• Gravestone: Leander S. Landes (Ap 23, 1846 – Ap 3, 1890; 43-11-10)
• Comment: Leander is a child of John [1820-1873] and Catharine Landes [1823-1855].

Landes [Infant of John & Louise]

• Gravestone: Landes (Infant Child of John & Louisa; no dates given)
• Comment: Louisa Williams [1836- ] is the second wife of John Landes [1820-1873], following the death of his first wife Catharine in 1855.

Section 3

Catharine Landes [Infant-1853]

• Gravestone: Catharine Landes (Daughter of John & Catharine; died Ag 10, 1853; 0-3-18)
• Comment: Catharine Landes date of birth calculates as April 23, 1853. She is the daughter of John [1820-1873] and Catharine Landes [1823-1855].

John Landes [1820-1873]

• Gravestone: John Landes (Ag 18, 1820 – O 7, 1873; 53-1-20)
• Comment: John Landes [1820-1873] was married to Catharine Strickler on September 29, 1840, and following death of his first wife Catharine in 1855, he married Louisa Williams [1836- ]; the second marriage taking place prior to the 1860 U. S. Census.

Catharine Landes [Wife of John-1855]

• Gravestone: Catharine Landes (Wife of John; My 6, 1855; 31-7-14)
• Comment: Catharine Landes date of birth calculates as September 22, 1823. Her maiden name is Strickler.

Malinda Landes [Nov. 28, 1852]

• Gravestone: Malinda Landes (Daughter of John & Catharine; N 28, 1852; 4-5-8)
• Comment: Malinda Landes date of birth calculates as June 20, 1848. She is the daughter of John [1820-1873] and Catharine Landes [1823-1855].

Sarah Landes [Sept. 4, 1841]

• Gravestone: Sarah Landes (Daughter of John & Catharine; S 4, 1841; 0-0-26)
• Comment: Sarah Landes date of birth calculates as August 9, 1841. She is the daughter of John [1820-1873] and Catharine Landes [1823-1855].

Emanuel Erb [1791-1856]

• Gravestone: Emanuel Erb (S 17, 1791 – Je 4, 1856; 64-8-17)
• Comment: Emanuel Erb is most likely the son of John [1769-1844] and Elizabeth Erb [1767-1845].

Daniel Frey [1859-1924] … CORRECT YEARS ARE: [1793-1859]

• Gravestone: Daniel Frey (Mr 7, 1859; 65-5-28)
• Comment: No death certificate, obituaries or census records were found corresponding with a birth/death in 1859/1924. I suspect, as per usual convention, March 7, 1859 is actually the date of death. Daniel’s date of birth calculates as September 7, 1793.

Agnes Emelia Alice Morrison [1862]

• Gravestone: Agnes Emelia Alice Morrison (Daughter of F. W. E. & C.; Ap 12, 1862; 0-6-16)
• Comment: Agnes is the daughter of Washington E. [1824-1867] and Cassandra Morrison [1821-1892]. Agnes date of birth calculates as September 27, 1861.

Anna Camaway [1814-1835]

• Gravestone: Anna Camaway (O 10, 1814 – Mr 20, 1835; 20-5-10)

Margaret Morrison [Dec. 16, 1863]

• Gravestone: Margaret Morrison (Daughter of Washington E. & Cassandra; D 16, 1863; 18-6-21)
• Comment: Margaret’s date of birth calculates as May 25, 1845.

Section 4

Washington E. Morrison [Sept. 1, 1867]

• Gravestone: Washington E. Morrison (S 1, 1867; 42-8-25)
• Comment: Washington E. Morrison’s date of birth calculates as December 7, 1824.

Cassandra Morrison [1821-1892]

• Gravestone: Cassandra Morrison (Wife of Washington E.; O 8, 1821 – O 16, 1892)
• Comment: The 1850 U. S. Census has Washington and Cassandra’s oldest child, John Morrison, born in 1842; therefore they were married circa 1841.

John Erb [July 12, 1844]

• Gravestone: John Erb (Jl 12, 1844; 74-11-0)
• Comment: John Erb’s date of birth calculates as August 12, 1769. On August 21, 1812, John Erb purchases 96-acres in the area surrounding the eventual location of the Erb Burial Plot; reference York County Deed Book 2X, page 112.

Elizabeth Erb [Sept. 15, 1845]

• Gravestone: Elizabeth Erb (S 15, 1845; 78-4-0)
• Comment: Elizabeth Erb is very likely the wife of John Erb [1769-1844]. Elizabeth’s date of birth calculates as May 15, 1767.

Jacob Erb [Nov. 8, 1871]

• Gravestone: Jacob Erb (Son of Jacob & Elizabeth; N 8, 1871; 34-7-19)
• Comment: Jacob Erb is the son of Jacob [1807-1878] and Elizabeth Erb [1808-1891]. Jacob’s date of birth calculates as March 20, 1837.

Levi Erb [1844-1846]

• Gravestone: Levi Erb (Jl 16, 1844 – Ag 7, 1846; 2-0-22)
• Comment: Levi Erb is likely the son of Jacob [1807-1878] and Elizabeth Erb [1808-1891].

Johan Erb [1842-1846]

• Gravestone: Johan Erb (My 5, 1842 – Ag 9, 1846; 4-3-3)
• Comment: Johan Erb is likely the son of Jacob [1807-1878] and Elizabeth Erb [1808-1891].

William Erb [March 31, 1862]

• Gravestone: Wm. Erb (Son of Jacob & Eliz.; Mr 31, 1862; 13-8-7)
• Comment: William Erb is the son of Jacob [1807-1878] and Elizabeth Erb [1808-1891]. William’s date of birth calculates as July 24, 1848.

Jacob Gable [June 17, 1868]

• Gravestone: Jacob Gable (Son of Amos & Leah; Je 17, 1868; 2-5-18)
• Comment: Jacob Gable’s mother is Leah (Erb) Gable [born March 1839]; she is the daughter of Jacob [1807-1878] and Elizabeth Erb [1808-1891]. Jacob Gable’s date of birth calculates as December 30, 1865.

Sarah Ann Wise [1866-1871]

• Gravestone: Sarah Ann Wise (Daughter of John A. & Mary A.; D 19, 1866 – Jl 8, 1871)
• Comment: Sarah Ann Wise’s mother is Mary A. (Erb) Wise [1833-1904]; she is the daughter of Jacob [1807-1878] and Elizabeth Erb [1808-1891].

 

Missing Information with respect to Marker within Mt. Rose Cemetery

Information from the following four Erb Burial Plot gravestones was recorded in 1933, however none of this information appears on the marker within Mt. Rose Cemetery. Where they simply forgot? Maybe they ran out of space on the marker. Maybe family members re-interred the remains of these four to another cemetery; if anyone knows the story, please post a comment.

Jacob Erb [1807-1878]

• Gravestone: Jacob Erb (S 5, 1807 – Je 18, 1878; 70-9-13)
• Comment: Jacob Erb is most likely the son of John [1769-1844] and Elizabeth Erb [1767-1845].

Elizabeth Erb [1808-1891]

• Gravestone: Elizabeth Erb (Wife of Jacob; Ag 3, 1808 – Jl 6, 1891; 82-11-3)
• Comment: The maiden name of Elizabeth is Wambaugh.

Henry Erb [1831-1897]

• Gravestone: Henry Erb (Mr 4, 1831 – N 27, 1897; 66-8-23)
• Comment: Henry is the son of Jacob [1807-1878] and Elizabeth Erb [1808-1891].

Mary Erb [1835-1917]

• Gravestone: Mary Erb (Wife of Henry; Je 4, 1835 – S 28, 1917; 82-3-24)
• Comment: Mary Erb is the daughter of Jacob Driver and Mary Strickler. Per her Pennsylvania Death Certificate, she was buried in ‘Erb Graveyard’ on October 1, 1917.

 

ERB BURIAL PLOT SUMMARY

Burials in this family graveyard occurred between 1835 and 1917. The Burial Plot was originated within Spring Garden Township, York County, PA; however it became part of Springettsbury Township upon the establishment of that township from Spring Garden Township in 1891. The graveyard was located within the original 96-acres of land purchased by John Erb [1769-1844] in this part of York County on August 21, 1812. In 1964, the remains of those interred in the Erb Burial Plot were transferred and re-interred in two common graves in the North Half of Lot 215 in Section L of Mt. Rose Cemetery in Spring Garden Township.

For the most part, those buried in this burial plot are the children, in-laws and descendants of John [1769-1844] and Elizabeth Erb [1767-1845]. Because they are buried in the same family graveyard, a few of their children most likely are: Emanuel Erb [1791-1856], Mary (Erb) Emig [1804-1889], Jacob Erb [1807-1878] and John Erb [1809-1851]. There is a strong suspicion that Cassandra Morrison [1821-1855] and Catharine Landes [1823-1855] are daughters of Emanuel Erb [1791-1856]. Mary (Erb) Emig is the only proved connection to John Erb, per an original source; if any of my readers have discovered original source citations for the other children, please post a comment.

Related posts include:

• Mysteries of Springettsbury Township’s Erb Burial Plot
• The Famed Twin Barns along Mt. Rose Avenue
• Decorative twin barns at Mt. Rose Ave. Exit 18
• Dr. Neal O. Hively Connected Draft Map of The Manor of Springettsbury
• Location of Strickler’s Cemetery in Springettsbury Township

Reading the Headlines: A Quick Index to All YorksPast Posts