[Glenn and Marcy Gidlof.FTW]
From Petersburgh,Springfield township history, page 317: The post office was first established with the name of Musser's Mill, and had in 1811, John Musser for postmaster. ... As early as 1803 Peter Musser got in operation saw and grist mills, a little north of the village, on the site of the present old mill. John Musser, John Pontius and D. Whitmeyer were among the subsequent owners.
-------------------------------------------------
August 31, 1811 John Musser purchased a waterway across the farm of Jacob Rudisill. - WPA Cards
[Glenn and Marcy Gidlof.FTW]
Last Will and Testament
From Peter Musser's will located in the Columbiana County Probate records, Lisbon Ohio:
In the name of God amen. I Peter Musser Sr., of Columbiana County and State of Ohio, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory. I do make and publish this my last will and testament. In the manner and form following that is to say first, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Margaret Musser everything that she pleases to have of my moveable property and the rest of my personal estate, goods and chattles of what kind and nature. ____ or moveable property that my wife Margaret must be ____, My oldest son John Musser, he has sixty dollars before hand of one note. He has forty dollars before hand of another note but my next oldest son Peter Musser he has before hand one hundred and thirty dollars. My youngest son Jacob Musser he has before hand five dollars and ____ a note that he gives merepaid ten dolars on the note. My son in law, Jacob Rudicill he is clear, my son in law Isreal Warner he has before hand thirty dollars. I furthur give and bequeath to my youngest son Jacob Musser that improvement that Isaac Delong and me has ____ for, and all of the land that I claimed there that lays south from the said Jacob Musser. Three hundred acres that ____ have to his three hundred acres without any exceptions to hold to him the said Jacob Musser, his heirs and assigners forever. I furthur give and bequeath that land that lies west from the mill that I ___. To my five children, that is to say, John Musser, Peter Musser, Jacob Musser, Jacob Rudicill and Israel Warner to be sheared (sic) as equal as possible, one as much as the other. If any of my children will bring up an account against me for working for me since I live out in the country for helping at my house or mill or clearing land on this place for me, they shall pay that money that I had to pay for the improvements they got. I furthur give and bequeath fifty dollars of that bond that I have against Daniel Musser to the use of Presbyterian and Lutheran Meeting House in Springfield Congregation. I furthur give and bequeath to my beloved wife Margaret Musser, ten dollars in cash and ten bushel of wheat to be paid yearly out of my estate as long as she lives. I hereby appoint Jacob Rudicill and John Musser my excutors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness wherefore I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 16th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and eight.
Signed Peter Musser by his mark
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Peter Musser, Sr. to be his last will and testament in the presences of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the prescence of the testator.
Witnesses present
John Lozer
----------------------------------------------------------------
!Part of this information from WPA notes at New Castle public library. His will was probated in 1808 at Lisbon, Ohio, Columbiana County, listing his wife and five children as heirs.
----
From: Penna. Archives, Fifth Series, Vol 7, Pt 1: County of Lancaster, p.31 and 33: A MUSTER ROLE OF THE FIRST SALISBURY COMPANY AND THE EIGHT CLASS OF THE FIRST BATTALION OF LANCASTER COUNTY MILITIA COMMANDED BY LIEUT. COL. GEOR. STEWART, NOVR. 20TH, 1780 &C. (c.)
The Classes of Men Belonging to Capt. William Smyth's Company
Destinguished. 1780 (c.)
Privates 2nd Class lists Peter Musser
From: Penna. Archives, Fifth Series, Vol 7, Pt 2: County of Lancaster, p 637,638,639,640:
A REPORT OF THE OFFICERS OF THE SEVENTH BATTALION OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY MILITIA COMMANDED BY COLONEL JOHN BOYD WHO WAS ELECTED THE DAY OF MAY 1777 (c.) A TRUE ACCT. OF THE MILITIA DRAUGHT MADE IN THE WEST END OF STRASBURGH TOWNSHIP. (c.)
Captain James Brown, was the commander of the 1st Company in which Peter Musser was a Private, 2nd class.From Fort Wayne Library: Mosser,Moser,Musser,Muser Family in America, by Breitbard Gc929.1, M8525403b, 1853239:
Peter Musser Sr. of Mahoning County, Ohio. He was a private 2nd class in Capt. Smythe's company of Lancaster County (Pa.) Militia; Also in Capt. Wright's company in Sept. 1776. He was born in 1740. He married Margaret _____ (1743-1821).
Children: John, Peter (founder of Petersburg), Jacob (drum major, war of 1812). There were four sons, and two daughters. He died in 1808. He is buried in the Old Church Cemetery at Petersburg. He kept a tavern, built a sawmill and gristmill. He came from York County, Penna. in 1801. He was the first settler in Springfield Township, was wealthy, bought four sections of land.
Reference: Penna Archives, Series 5, Vol 7, pages 33,640; page 202, vol 2, History.GONE TO OHIO (in Orlando Pub.Libr. --see RIN292) ---- Musser, Peter, OH 1801 from York Co., PA; d. 1808; children--John, Peter, Jacob, Eve (m. Israel Warner), another daughter m. Jacob Rudisill.
---
From "History of Trumbull and Mahoning Counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches" Vol. 1 H. Z. Williams and Bro., Cleveland 1882 Located at the Canfield Branch of the Youngstown Public Library 977.139Township of Springfield
The early history of Springfield is somewhat obscure. None of the original settlers remain, and what little recorded history they had has been destroyed. The recollection of descendants of those who came to the township as pioneers are not clear, and their statements concerning that period are contradictory. It appears, however, that the township was permanently settled about 1801, and that Peter Musser was the first to establish himself in what is now Springfield. He came from York Co., PA, and having considerable means purchased the four sections in the southeast corner of the township, living a little north of the prresent village of Petersburgh. Here he built small grist and saw mills, and made other desireable improvements.
He died in 1808, leaving a family of four sons and two daughters. The oldest son, John, succed to the mill property, but after a few years, removed to Missouri. Peter was the proprietor of the village site, and the founder of Petersburgh. He removed to the northern part of the state. The third son, Jacob, lived in the village, selling there the first goods. He enlisted in the army in 1812, and afterwards in the army of the United States, serving as a drum major; he finally settled in Missouri. His son Jacob now lives in Petersburgh, and is one of it's oldest citizens.
One of Musser's daughters was married to Israel Warner, who came with his father in law in 1801 and settled on the farm now occupied by his son Ellis. Other sons of Warner were John, George, Peter, David, Israel, William and Jacob. Some of these yet live in Springfield and the adjoining towns. Israel Warner was a captain in 1812. The other daughter of Musser married Jacob Rudisill, and lived north of the Warner homestead.
----
From "Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley" history. Publisher and date unknown but the date was after 1920.Apparently the the first settlers of Springfield township were Peter Musser and Israel Warner who came from York County, Pennsylvania, in 1801and located just north of the present village of Petersburgh. Musser built a grist mill and a saw mill and farmed on a large scale...
Petersburgh was founded by Peter Musser about 1805 and after his death it was named in his honor. Musser was the original storekeeper as well as the first miller and sawyer., the original grist mill being supplanted in 1874 by a modern steam sawmill. Under the name of Musser's Mills a postoffice was established at Petersburgh in 1811 with Jacob Musser as postmaster and in 1815 James Wallace opened a store there, although a pioneer tavern had been kept earlier by Peter Musser at his farm house....
----
From AGLL Film at OGS: Peter's will was probated in 1808. His wife is listed as Margaret. His children are John, Peter, Jacob, Unnamed Daughter Married to Jacob Rudisill, and Eva, Married to Israel Warner.
----
From the book at the Public Library in East Liverpool, Ohio 08/05/96: Offical Roster, Solders of the American Revolution who lived in the state of Ohio. Published 1938 by the DAR.Musser, Peter Sr. Mahoning Co. Pvt. 2nd class, Cap't. Smith's Co., Lancaster Co. PA Mil.; Also in capt.Joseph Wright's Co. Sept 11, 1776. Br 1740 Mar. Margaret (1743-1821). Children John, Peter (Founder of Petersburg) Jacob (Drum Major, War of 1812). There were four sons and two daughters. D 1808 B old Church Cem, Petersburgh, O. Kept a tavern, built sawmill and gristmill. Came from York Co. in 1801. Was first settler in Springfield Twp., wealthy, bought 4 sections of land. Ref: Pa. Archives, series 5, vol 7 P. 33640, 202, Vol. 2 Hist. Trumbull and Mahoning Counties, Williams 1877-8 Fur. info Mahoning Co. map.
----
Listing from DAR Patriot Index - Centennial Edition
Musser, Peter b 1740 PA d p 9/29/1808 OH m Margaret - - - Pvt PA
----
From Petersburgh,Springfield township history, page 317: The first public house was kept by Peter Musser, now owned by A. Kneasel;...As early as 1803 Peter Musser got in operation saw and grist mills, a little north of the village, on the site of the present old mill. John Musser, John Pontius and D. Whitmeyer were among the subsequent owners.