Forney, Johann Adam

Biography
Arrived at Philadelphia Oct. 16, 1721. (His name was spelled "Farny" on the passenger list; and his wife "Lowisa Farnison"). He was a tailor. He lived first in Philadelphia County, then in Conewago, near Hanover, Pa. He was wounded by an Indian (poisoned arrow) and died in Conewago about 1752.

The following is from "Roots and Fruits":
Forney''s name in Germany was Johann Adam Faurney, but like many other Germans with Johann or Hans as an initial given name, he dropped the Johann shortly after coming to this country.

Adam Forney, with his wife and four children, arrived at the port of Philadelphia on Oct. 16, 1721. He was originally a tailor in the Palatinate, whither his ancestors had probably come as Huguenot refugees from religious persecution in France. For ten years he lived in Philadelphia Co.

The earliest record of purchase of lands on "Digges Choice", within the present limits of York Co. Pa., was made by Adam Forney, "farmer and tailor" on Oct. 5, 1731. This purchase of 150 acres covered what is today the heart of the city of Hanover, Pa. By 1734 he had moved his family to this location near the new Conewago settlement. He was one of the first settlers in this area. Here he became a farmer and inn-keeper.

John Digges of the Province of Maryland sold tracts within this 10,000 acre grant. For many years possession of this large area was disputed between the Provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Adam Forney was actively engaged in this dispute. He got into a lot of trouble by refusing to pay taxes to Maryland and arousing his German neighbors to fight for recognition of their allegiance to Pennsylavnia. The long controversy resulted in the establishment of the Mason-Dixon Line in 1768.

In the records of the Council of Maryland (18th Cent. Folio, Commission Book, 82) is the following entry: "Furney, Adam, Planter of Baltimore County, native of High Germany, naturalized, 4 June 1738 and his children, Mark, Nicholas, Philip, Charlotte, Mary, Clara. (Ref: Maryland Historical Magazine, vol. 26, p.151)

The membership roll of the National Society, Daughters of the American Colonists lists #9899 and #9900 (vol.10) as descendants of "Johann Adam Forney (1690-1752) a Palatine settler, an early landed proprietor of Hanover, Pa."

The Forney Sword is in the Hanover Public Library. It is believed the ancestral family Bible of the Forneys is there also. Lilac Farm, 9 Beck Mill Road, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Kaufman [this was written in Aug 1976], is on the original tract. Mrs. Kaufman is a direct descendant of Johann Adam Forney. (This information on ownership not dated.)

The certificate of dismissal which Adam Forney received upon his departure from Wachenheim furnishes evidence of his favorable standing among his fellow citizens in Germany. The English translation published in "The Forney Family 1690-1893" follows:

Certificate given to Adam Forney:

"We, magistrates, burgomasters and council of the city of Wachenheim-in-the-Haardt certify herewith that before us came the worthy Johann Adam Forney, citizen and tailor here, the legitimate son of the worthy Christian Forney, also a citizen here, and informed us that he, with his wedded wife, Elisabetha Lowisa, have firmly resolved to set out with their four children and effects on the journey to the island of Pennsylvania and to settle there; but he stands in need of an attested certificate of how he behaved with us and why he departed, such as he can show at the place of his settlement. Which we gave him according to his reasonable desire and truthfully; moreover because we believe it would really be required in order that no one may calumniate our citizen or citizen''s children; although we have indeed sought diligently and earnestly to dissuade him from such departure yet he remains of his first intention; therefore after steadfast perseverance we have given the said Johann Adam Forney this certificate:

"That as long as we have known him he has behaved himself honorably, piously and honestly, as well becomes a citizen and artisan, and moreover, showed himself so neighborly that no one has had any complaint to make of him; he also is bound to no compulsory service or serfdom; he will not be unwilling to give, to show with all readiness to those of his intended residence all affection and kindness. To this true certificate we, the authorities have affixed our City Council''s Great Seal to this statement which is given in Wachenheim-in-the-Haardt, the 7th of May 1721."



-- MERGED NOTE ------------

Arrived at Philadelphia Oct. 16, 1721. (His name was spelled "Farny" on the passenger list; and his wife "Lowisa Farnison"). He was a tailor. He lived first in Philadelphia County, then in Conewago, near Hanover, Pa. He was wounded by an Indian (poisoned arrow) and died in Conewago about 1752.

The following is from "Roots and Fruits":
Forney''s name in Germany was Johann Adam Faurney, but like many other Germans with Johann or Hans as an initial given name, he dropped the Johann shortly after coming to this country.

Adam Forney, with his wife and four children, arrived at the port of Philadelphia on Oct. 16, 1721. He was originally a tailor in the Palatinate, whither his ancestors had probably come as Huguenot refugees from religious persecution in France. For ten years he lived in Philadelphia Co.

The earliest record of purchase of lands on "Digges Choice", within the present limits of York Co. Pa., was made by Adam Forney, "farmer and tailor" on Oct. 5, 1731. This purchase of 150 acres covered what is today the heart of the city of Hanover, Pa. By 1734 he had moved his family to this location near the new Conewago settlement. He was one of the first settlers in this area. Here he became a farmer and inn-keeper.

John Digges of the Province of Maryland sold tracts within this 10,000 acre grant. For many years possession of this large area was disputed between the Provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Adam Forney was actively engaged in this dispute. He got into a lot of trouble by refusing to pay taxes to Maryland and arousing his German neighbors to fight for recognition of their allegiance to Pennsylavnia. The long controversy resulted in the establishment of the Mason-Dixon Line in 1768.

In the records of the Council of Maryland (18th Cent. Folio, Commission Book, 82) is the following entry: "Furney, Adam, Planter of Baltimore County, native of High Germany, naturalized, 4 June 1738 and his children, Mark, Nicholas, Philip, Charlotte, Mary, Clara. (Ref: Maryland Historical Magazine, vol. 26, p.151)

The membership roll of the National Society, Daughters of the American Colonists lists #9899 and #9900 (vol.10) as descendants of "Johann Adam Forney (1690-1752) a Palatine settler, an early landed proprietor of Hanover, Pa."

The Forney Sword is in the Hanover Public Library. It is believed the ancestral family Bible of the Forneys is there also. Lilac Farm, 9 Beck Mill Road, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Kaufman [this was written in Aug 1976], is on the original tract. Mrs. Kaufman is a direct descendant of Johann Adam Forney. (This information on ownership not dated.)

The certificate of dismissal which Adam Forney received upon his departure from Wachenheim furnishes evidence of his favorable standing among his fellow citizens in Germany. The English translation published in "The Forney Family 1690-1893" follows:

Certificate given to Adam Forney:

"We, magistrates, burgomasters and council of the city of Wachenheim-in-the-Haardt certify herewith that before us came the worthy Johann Adam Forney, citizen and tailor here, the legitimate son of the worthy Christian Forney, also a citizen here, and informed us that he, with his wedded wife, Elisabetha Lowisa, have firmly resolved to set out with their four children and effects on the journey to the island of Pennsylvania and to settle there; but he stands in need of an attested certificate of how he behaved with us and why he departed, such as he can show at the place of his settlement. Which we gave him according to his reasonable desire and truthfully; moreover because we believe it would really be required in order that no one may calumniate our citizen or citizen''s children; although we have indeed sought diligently and earnestly to dissuade him from such departure yet he remains of his first intention; therefore after steadfast perseverance we have given the said Johann Adam Forney this certificate:

"That as long as we have known him he has behaved himself honorably, piously and honestly, as well becomes a citizen and artisan, and moreover, showed himself so neighborly that no one has had any complaint to make of him; he also is bound to no compulsory service or serfdom; he will not be unwilling to give, to show with all readiness to those of his intended residence all affection and kindness. To this true certificate we, the authorities have affixed our City Council''s Great Seal to this statement which is given in Wachenheim-in-the-Haardt, the 7th of May 1721."
Facts
  • 1690 - Birth - ; Wachenheim-On-The-Hart
  • 1752 - Death -
Ancestors
   
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Christian Forney
1634 - 3 APR 1734
  
  
  
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Descendancy Chart
Johann Adam Forney b: 1690 d: 1752
Elizabetha Louisa Farnison b: 1694 d: 20 JUL 1753
John Nicholaus Forney b: 7 JAN 1715 d: AUG 1805
Abraham Forney b: 1740 d: 27 AUG 1824
Abraham Forney b: 1780 d: 2 JUN 1856
Soloman Forney b: 15 APR 1812 d: 31 JUL 1878
Mary Ann b: 29 APR 1817 d: 21 FEB 1899
Frederick S. Forney b: SEP 1846 d: 1932
Ruth A. Delong b: MAR 1859 d: 1926
Harry M. Forney b: 10 MAY 1881 d: 21 SEP 1889
Merton Curtis Forney b: 9 FEB 1879 d: 27 APR 1933
Minnie May Forney b: 4 OCT 1884 d: 4 JAN 1974
Mary E. Forney b: 1853 d: 26 DEC 1928
Margaret Jane Forney b: 1843 d: 1863
Francis F. Forney b: WFT Est. 1829-1849 d: WFT Est. 1861-1920
Harriet Forney b: CALC 1850
George Forney b: ABT 1843 d: BEF 1943
John Forney b: 12 AUG 1835 d: 29 JUN 1909
William Joseph Forney b: ABT 1876 d: BEF 1986
Linder James Forney b: 1841 d: JAN 1900
Eliza E. Stiles b: 11 NOV 1853 d: JUN 1936
Brady Mary Forney b: 26 JAN 1876 d: 21 JAN 1972
Lee Embree Farris b: 24 DEC 1872 d: 16 NOV 1933
Phyllis Kathryn Farris b: 7 FEB 1902 d: 30 MAR 1999
Richard Allen Schell b: 10 OCT 1902 d: 18 SEP 1994
James Allen Schell b: 12 AUG 1924 d: 22 JUL 2011
Patricia Rose Tucker b: 25 OCT 1924 d: 24 FEB 2014
10 Charles Richard Schell b: 27 NOV 1961
Lisa Ann Benner b: 7 JUL 1962
10 James Allen Schell b: 1 MAR 1953
Carol Marie Huels b: 23 NOV 1951
10 Patricia Jean Schell b: 26 FEB 1956
William Stevens Beasley b: 18 OCT 1953
10 Sally Tucker Schell b: 24 NOV 1959
Bradford Blair Oxenhandler b: 18 NOV 1958
Searle Edith Farris b: 11 DEC 1903 d: 9 AUG 1970
Myron Hultmark b: ABT 1900 d: 16 APR 1977
Searle Lee Hultmark b: 21 JUL 1923
Sterling Wesley Allison b: 25 JUL 1923 d: 18 DEC 1985
10 Wesley Arden Allison b: 21 FEB 1949
10 Myron Leslie Allison b: 6 MAY 1950
Joni Mellerup b: 28 DEC 1960
10 John Brady Allison b: 7 MAR 1954
10 Searle Farris Allison b: 26 APR 1957
10 Carl Richard Allison b: 5 OCT 1959 d: 9 APR 2017
Lashon Frantz b: 7 JUN 1963 d: 25 JAN 2017
10 Phyllis Schell Allison b: 3 NOV 1961
James Anthony Moore b: 5 MAR 1964
Sterling Wesley Allison b: 25 JUL 1923 d: 18 DEC 1985
10 Wesley Arden Allison b: 21 FEB 1949
10 Myron Leslie Allison b: 6 MAY 1950
Joni Mellerup b: 28 DEC 1960
10 John Brady Allison b: 7 MAR 1954
10 Searle Farris Allison b: 26 APR 1957
10 Carl Richard Allison b: 5 OCT 1959 d: 9 APR 2017
Lashon Frantz b: 7 JUN 1963 d: 25 JAN 2017
10 Phyllis Schell Allison b: 3 NOV 1961
James Anthony Moore b: 5 MAR 1964
Myron Linder Hultmark b: 2 NOV 1925 d: 9 FEB 1960
Myron Hultmark b: ABT 1900 d: 16 APR 1977
Searle Lee Hultmark b: 21 JUL 1923
Sterling Wesley Allison b: 25 JUL 1923 d: 18 DEC 1985
10 Wesley Arden Allison b: 21 FEB 1949
10 Myron Leslie Allison b: 6 MAY 1950
Joni Mellerup b: 28 DEC 1960
10 John Brady Allison b: 7 MAR 1954
10 Searle Farris Allison b: 26 APR 1957
10 Carl Richard Allison b: 5 OCT 1959 d: 9 APR 2017
Lashon Frantz b: 7 JUN 1963 d: 25 JAN 2017
10 Phyllis Schell Allison b: 3 NOV 1961
James Anthony Moore b: 5 MAR 1964
Sterling Wesley Allison b: 25 JUL 1923 d: 18 DEC 1985
10 Wesley Arden Allison b: 21 FEB 1949
10 Myron Leslie Allison b: 6 MAY 1950
Joni Mellerup b: 28 DEC 1960
10 John Brady Allison b: 7 MAR 1954
10 Searle Farris Allison b: 26 APR 1957
10 Carl Richard Allison b: 5 OCT 1959 d: 9 APR 2017
Lashon Frantz b: 7 JUN 1963 d: 25 JAN 2017
10 Phyllis Schell Allison b: 3 NOV 1961
James Anthony Moore b: 5 MAR 1964
Myron Linder Hultmark b: 2 NOV 1925 d: 9 FEB 1960
John Linder Farris b: 21 JUL 1909 d: 28 SEP 1982
Ann Phyllis Farris b: 5 MAR 1931
10 Sara Catherine Ellis b: 15 NOV 1951
John Lee Farris b: 26 JUL 1936
10 Julia Marie Farris b: 11 SEP 1966
10 John Carter Farris b: 16 DEC 1967
10 Jeffrey Farris b: 12 JUN 1969
10 Peter John Farris b: 1978
Mary Sue Farris b: 16 SEP 1941
James Reuben Farris b: 19 APR 1911
Phyllis Kathleen Farris b: 25 JUN 1940
10 Lyndia Leonard b: 6 JAN 1960
Lee Arthur Chaffin b: 30 OCT 1923 d: 5 JUN 2016
10 Lyndia Lee Chaffin b: 6 JAN 1960
10 James Lee Chaffin b: 26 SEP 1961 d: 23 NOV 2016
Vada Vivian Forney b: 30 JAN 1883 d: JAN 1909
Jacob Forney b: JUL 1781 d: BEF 1824
Catharine Forney b: ABT 1771
Marx Oberle Forney b: 6 OCT 1713 d: 1800
Barbel b: 1718 d: BET 1749 AND 1811
Maria Eva Forney b: 26 MAY 1746 d: 1770
Georg Carl Gelwicks b: 16 SEP 1741
Eva Cathrine Gelwicks b: 29 MAR 1767
Christian George Forney b: 26 MAR 1749 d: 11 AUG 1824
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Anna Margaretha Forney b: 11 MAY 1755 d: ABT 1775
Johann Adam Forney b: 15 FEB 1757 d: 21 JUN 1834
Marx Forney b: 6 APR 1760 d: 5 AUG 1844
Daniel Forney b: 17 AUG 1762 d: 4 OCT 1846
Louisa Harbater Forney b: 24 APR 1718
Frederick Philip Forney b: 29 SEP 1724 d: 3 FEB 1783
Elizabeth Sherz b: 1732 d: 8 AUG 1794
Adam Forney b: 15 JUN 1754
Marie Forney b: 17 SEP 1755
Lovice Forney b: 1757
Elizabeth Forney b: 4 OCT 1758
Philip Forney b: 7 JUL 1760
Samuel Forney b: 23 APR 1762
Peter Forney b: 7 NOV 1763
Hanna Forney b: 27 MAR 1767
Jacob Forney b: 12 OCT 1770
Susana Forney b: 8 OCT 1773
Sally Forney b: 20 FEB 1776
Clara Forney b: 16 FEB 1728
Maria Eva Forney b: 6 JAN 1721
Joseph Peter Forney b: 1744 d: 17 APR 1802
Mary Madgalena Forney b: JAN 1717 d: 1717