Data source is the 1990 book, "Moomaw-Mumma-Mumaw-Mumaugh Genealogy" compiled by Robert Austin Moomaw (deceased).
Data source is Richard & Dee Luht, email luht@mosquitonet.com
Data source is Barbara Archer. E-mail bcarcher@earthlink.net
Data source is Douglas Mumma, 2123 Farmington Place, Livermore, CA 94550, email = doug@mumma.org
The official lists of the German Immigrants who landed at Philadelphia, PA prior to the Revolutionary War were translated by the Pennsylvania German Society and published under title, "The German Pioneer" by Strassberger and Hinkle. After 1728, all ships captains were required to submit the names of all German immigrants aboard their ships. In addition, the immigrants themselves were required to go to the courthouse and sign two oaths.
David Mumma was listed as a boy under 16 years on the passenger list. His birth is calculated from his death date and age recorded in the church records.
List # 21A is the captain's list of the Palentines who arrived in Philadelphia on September 18 (old style) 1732 on board the ship "Johnson" of London, commanded by David Crocket. Recorded by age groups were the following: men over 16 years, Leonard Mumma; women over 14 years, Juliana Mumma; boys under 16 years, Anthony Mumma, David Mumma, and Christian Mumma; girls under 14 years, Juliana Mumma, and Katharina Mumma.
From the tax records of Hempfield Township of Lancaster County, a David Muma appears on the 1751 tax list (first surviving tax list) and is listed until 1773 when he sells his land to his eldest son, John. In 1770, John purchases 250 acres of land in Baltimore County of Maryland and is listed as being "from Lancaster County, PA" when he bought 200 acres in March and listed as being "of this county" when he purchased an additional 50 acres in November of 1770. David belonged to "First Reformed Church of Baltimore" where his grand children were baptized and he was initially buried..
In addition, we are fortunate to have a bible owned by Philip (1788-1835) & Sophia Schunck. Philip's mother was Anna "Nancy" Mumma who married Johannes "John" Schunck. The birth of all of David's children are recorded. This bible can be viewed in the Archives of this website.
http://www.mumma.org/archives/bible6.html
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John Mumma Born 15 Nov.r 1750
David Mumma Born 17 Feb.y 1753
Elizabeth Mumma Born 4 April 1754
Christian Mumma Born 15 Jan.y 1757
Ann Mumma Born 5 Feb.y 1759
Susan Mumma Born 22 Nov.r 1762
Abraham Mumma Born 19 May 1766, died 24 Jun 1789
These are a few of the early land transactions by David Mumma [Can be viewed on line at
http://www.mdlandrec.net
*** 27 Nov 1856 - Book B P folio - Thomas Sheredine to Robert Long - over 200 acres "Kingsbury Resurveyed"
which also mentiones the original tract including the "Princpia Iron Works".
*** 3 March 1770 - Book AL B folio 19 - Robert Long to David Mumma of Lancaster County, PA - 200 acres of "Kingsbury Resurveyed" for 350 pounds of Pennsylvania money.
*** 19 Nov 1770 - Book AL B folio 615 - Robert Long to David Mumma of Baltimore County, PA - 50 acres of "Sheredines Bottom Enlarged" for 127 pounds of Pennsylvania money.
Between March and November, 1770, David and family moved to Baltimore.
Then David grants 5 acre plots of land from the 50 acres of "Sheredines Bottom Enlarged" which he owns to his sons and son-in-laws for 5 shillings.
*** 19 March 1885 - Book WG X folio 11 - 5 acres from David Mumma to Christian Mumma
*** 19 March 1885 - Book WG X folio 15 - 5 acres from David Mumma to David Mumma
*** 19 March 1885 - Book WG X folio 170 - 5 acres from David Mumma to Lawrence Hickman
*** 19 March 1885 - Book WG X folio 172 - 5 acres from David Mumma to John Schunck
Maryland State Archives MARYLAND INDEXES (Assessment of 1783, Index)
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Christian Mumma. Lots (2), improved. BA Baltimore East Hundred, p. 5. MSA S 1161-2-4 1/4/5/45
David Mumma. BA Baltimore East Hundred, p. 5. MSA S 1161-2-4 1/4/5/45
David Mummer. Sheridans Bottom, pt, 50 acres. BA Back River Lower Hundred, p. 6. MSA S 1161-2-3 1/4/5/45
David Mummer. Kingsbury Resurveyed, pt, 200 acres. BA Back River Lower Hundred, p. 6. MSA S 1161-2-3
One of the most interesting things surrounding David Mumma is his 2nd marriage to a Barbara Hickman on 8 July 1783 when David is 56 years old. Barbara's age is unknown, but several children by them are recorded in the 1st German Reformed church records. After David dies, Barbara remarries to a Michael Hettinger. Michael dies and he leaves land to Barbara. After Barbara dies, her Mumma children are identified in a Deed when they sell the land. The ages of some of the children shows that they were born prior to the Marriage of David and Barbara. In addition, David does not acknowledge the existance of these children.
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Last Will and Testament of DAVID MUMMA, Baltimore, M
In the name of God Amen. I David Mumma of Baltimore County in the State of Maryland, being in perfect health of body and intending with the Grace of God to make a voyage to Holland and for fear of accidents think it necessary to settle my worldly affairs' and in order to do the same (if it should please God to take me before I return home that things may be settled as I intend them, I have made this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally I recommend my soul to God trusting through the merits & intercession of my Blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ to receive forgiveness of my sins and as to what worldly estate it hath pleased God to bless me with or I am entitled to after my just debts and funeral charges are paid by my Executor hereafter named I give and dispose of in following manner and form Vis: Item, I give and bequeath unto my three children namely Abraham Mumma, Elizabeth Hickman and Susanna Lutz my tract of land and plantation whereon I now live to be equally divided between them. On this and no other consideration whatsoever that they pay their brother David Mumma the sum of one hundred pounds current money out of the profits the land above willed to them. They may either divide the land equally amongst them or make sale thereof as may best suit them so that they pay my son David the sum above mentioned without fraud or delay as soon as possible they can after my death. Item, I give and bequeath unto my wife Barbara Mumma the sum of ten pounds, first money to be paid her yearly and every year during her natural life as she may have occasion or necessity for the sane and that the same be paid her by my three children above named Abram Mumma, Elizabeth Hickman and Susannah Lutz out of the profits the lands given them or otherwise they are to pay her that sum yearly as above mentioned an these conditions being complied with I give the load to them their heirs and assigns forever, Item. I give and bequeath unto my two grandchildren William Mumma and Susanna Mumma the five acres of land I bought of my son Christian Muma when they arrive of age, to receive the same to them and their heirs forever or to the survivor in case either should die before they arrive of age to receive the same. Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandson David Hickman the tract of land I bought of Jonathan Hudson deceased adjoining Samuel Lindall's containing twenty or thirty acres more or less to him his heirs and assigns forever. Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Christian Mumma and to my daughter Nancy Shunk one shilling sterling money each in full of their part of my real and personal estate. They having heretofore had what I Intended them of my estate and their conduct and behavior to me of late has been such that I dont think they are deserving of anything more from me. And all the rest of my estate after the legacies are paid I give and bequeath unto my three children Abram Mumma, Elizabeth Hickman and Susannah Lutz to be equally divided between them. And lastly for the true compliance and to see this my will duly executed and complied with I have and do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my loving friend Peter Albright to be my whole and sole Executor to this my last will and testament revoking and waking void all former will or wills heretofore made by me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and assigned my seal this 20th Day of August in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty Eight.
DAVID MUMMA (seal)
Signed Sealed Published and declared by David Manna to be his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers who he declared to be witnesses thereto and at his request we have subscribed our names in his presence and of each other.
[signed by] Robert Davidson, John Hawn, William Asquith
Baltimore County„ to wit on the 17th Day of October 1791 came Robert Davidson, John Hawn and Wm. Asquith, subscribing evidence to, the aforegoing last will and testament of David Mumma late of said County deceased and made oath that they did see the testator sign and seal this will, that they heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their knowledge of sound disposing mind memory and understanding. That they subscribed their names as witnesses to this will in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other.
Sworn before me Register of wills for Baltimore County.
Wm. Buchanan
Baltimore County to wit. On the 17th day of October 1791 came Peter Albright, the appointed Executor of the last will and testament of David Mumma late of said County deceased and did refuse to act as Executor to said Will by virtue of such appointment and did therefore renounce all his right title and claim to said Executorship. Accordingly before me Register of wills for Baltimore County
Wm. Buchanan
Baltimore County to wit. On the 17 day of October 1791 came Barbara Mumma the widow
of David Mumma late of Said county deceased and quitted her claim to the legacies and bequests made to her in the Will of the said husband deceased and elected in lieu thereof her Dower or third part of the deceased estate both real and personal according to law, before me Register of wills for Baltimore County.
Wm. Buchanan
Ref. Baltimore Co. Wills Book #5, pg. 20
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Some people have listed that Leonard Mumma and his family family lived in Grosskarlbach prior to immigration to America. After all of my research, both here and in Germany, I don't feel we have conclusive proof. From DNA testing of MUMMA and MOMMA men, we can conclude that the MUMMA families of America descend from the MOMMAs of Europe. Further, it has been suggested that David Mumma of Baltimore returned to Germany where he married a woman by the name of Gertraud Neumann. While it could be possible, I think it highly likely based on the known facts and arguments presented below
http://www.mumma.org/archives/NewsV3N4.pdf - 599 kb> and a write-up by Dick Hirtzel "
http://www.mumma.org/archives/DickHirtzel.pdf">
http://www.mumma.org/archives/DickHirtzel.pdf - 1034 kb>. Dick Hirtzel, through the assistance of a college student, was the person who supplied much information in the Family History Ancestral file regarding the Momma family.]
The following facts are known.
1) On 20 Aug 1788, David Mumma, the son of Leonard Mumma wrote his Will [Letzter Wille] - Baltimore County Wills Book #5, pg 20] and states "Intending with the Grace of God to make a voyage to Holland and for fear of accidents (I) think it necessary to settle my worldly affairs". He then named his wife, Barbara, and his children. In his Will, he left only 20 pounds to his wife and 1 shilling to two of his chidren because "their conduct and behavior to me of late has been such that I don't think they are deserving of anything more from me". He left the balance of his estate to the remaining children. The three girls are married and two of the three sons are likewise married. David's age at this time is about 61 years old.
2) The Gerolsheim Evangelical Lutheran Church records [FHL1457589] of Germany state, "On February 23, 1789, David Muma, a widower from America, born at Großkarlbach, married Gertraud Neümann, a daughter of the school master of Gerolsheim." Some people have suggested that this David Muma was the son of Leonard and this record provides the primary evidence that Leonard Mumma came from this region of Germany prior to migrating to America.
From Nov 6, 1789 to December 25, 1789, Barbara Mumma had the following notice printed in the Baltimore Journal newspaper.
"NOTICE is hereby given, that the subscriber intends petitioning the General Assembly of Maryland, at their next session, for a Law to prevent her husband, DAVID MUMMA, from disposing of, or, in any wife, conveying his property away, to the prejudice of his Wife and Children."
3) Barbara Mumma, David's presumed wife, is listed in Baltimore in the 1790 census as the head of a household living with several children. David is not listed.
4) A David Mumma died on 14 Oct, 1791 and this fact is recorded in the First Reformed Church records in Baltimore. There is no comment recorded that he died in Germany [FHL0013700 or Family Tree Maker CD#178]
5) On 17 Oct 1791, David's Will is recorded in the Baltimore Courthouse. His executor, Peter Albright renounces his executorship. David's wife, Barbara renounces the money David left her in his Will in favor of her 1/3 dower right.
The first 2 facts are often used to "prove" that this David, who wrote his Will in Baltimore and is the one who married Gertraud Neumann in Germany. I am not convinced for the following reasons:
a) I find it very unusual that a man would leave America, at age 60, to travel to Gerolsheim, Germany to marry Gertraud Neümann, especially if he didn't know her before he left. David was only 5 years old when he left Germany to come to America, so he would have remembered very little about his homeland. Why would he consider taking such a perilous journey?
b) Did he know Gertraud? How did he meet her? Was she living in Baltimore and they were returning to Germany together to marry? To me, this marriage would suggest that David likely lived in the Gerolsheim area of for a period of time. Also, the record states that he was a widower. Since his wife, Barbara is still alive and he identified her in his Will, we know this statement is not true, if he is the same "David Mumma".
c) The journey time and connections are incredible. From the time he wrote his Will on 20 Aug 1788 until he marries Gertraud on February 23, 1789 is only 15 weeks. That is not a long time to book passage, sail to Amsterdam (which takes about 6 weeks), book passage on another ship going up the Rhine River, find his way to Grosskarlbach or Gerolsheim and then meet Gertraud and convince her to marry him. His ability to accomplish this in 15 weeks would have been amazing, and is one of the major reasons I doubt that this church entry is talking about the David Mumma of Baltimore.
Ships upon which David could have returned to Holland and then returned to America are listed below. These dates and ship names that arrived in Baltimore, Maryland are from the book "Pennsylvania German Pioneers" by Ralph B. Strassburger and William J. Hinke, published in 1934 by the Pennsylvania German Society, Norristown, PA. Of course, David could have gone to Philadelphia to catch a ship to Germany.
29 SEP 1789 Philadelphia
1 OCT 1789 Mary
31 MAR 1790 Philadelphia Packet
4 OCT 1790 Mary
18 JAN 1791 Philadelphia Packet
30 JUN 1791 Mary
10 AUG 1791 Diana
23 AUG 1791 Philadelphia Packet
12 SEP 1791 Fair American
27 SEP 1791 Pallas
22 OCT 1791 Van Stophorst
d) The final issue is that David Mumma's death is listed in the First Reformed Church of Baltimore records as occuring on October 14, 1791. There is no comment that he died in Germany. His Will was "proved" on October 17, 1791, only 3 days after his announced death. This means he muct have been living in Baltimore at the time of his death. If this is the same David Mumma, then how and when did he return to America? Also, no wife, other than Barbara, is mentioned. What happened to Gertraud?
When his Will is recorded, the executor he named, Peter Albright, refuses to serve and David's wife, Barbara, refuses to accept the 20 pound inheritance that he gave her and she elects her "1/3 dower rights" instead. Obviously it was not a happy marriage and his executor was not happy with Davod.
Based on these facts, I strongly feel that David was not in a pleasant mood when he wrote his Will and simply injected the statement about considering to take a trip to Holland. Possily he sailed to Holland, but to go to Gerolsheim and marry Gertraud is highly unlikely.
OTHER RECORDS THAT WERE EXAMINED
* June 1, 1728 - The Heuchelheim Evangelical-Lutheran Church records [FHL0193892] state that Eva Sÿbilla Muhmain of Großkarlbach married Johann Heinrich Kayssners. Dick Hirtzel speculated that "Muhmain" and "Mumma" are one in the same name, just written as the female form by the church scribes. He suggests that this might be Eva Sibylla Momma who was baptized in Stolberg on 25 August, 1697 as recorded by Macco in his 1907 book about the Momma family. The Heuchelheim Evangelical-Lutheran records show that Eva Sybilla Kaisser died and was buried on 21 Sep 1763 at the age of 66 years, 3 weeks which would put her birth about 30 Aug 1697. [This is very close to the published baptism of 25 Aug 1697 for Eva Sibylla Momma of Aachen]. I suppose it is possible these two ladies are one in the same, but Sibylla / Sÿbilla were very common given names and these similar dates may be a pure coincidence. In all prior cases, the Momma/Mumma name is spelled very clearly and easy to read and transcribe and that is not the case for this record in Heuchelheim. I have never seen this way of spelling the surname.
Another interesting record is that of the Anna Catharina Mumma
* 12 Oct 1742 Sebastian Heckman, citizen and master weaver married Anna Catharina Mumma after the required three proclamations. This is the very first entry written in the Grosskarlbach Reformed Church records [FHL0191872]. Unfortunately, all the records of this church prior to 1742 are lost. The name is clearly spelled as Muma with a bar over the m to signify it is doubled. Evidence of this record suggests that a family who spelled their name 'Mumma' existed in the region. The births of this family are easily traced in the church records with the first son, David being born a year after they were married. Additional births of children can be found in 1747, 1750, 1753, 1758 and 1760. Of special interest to me is the birth of Juliana Catharina Heckman born 18 March 1753. My ancestor, Henry Mumma (b. ~1760) married a Juliana Heckman in Lancaster Trinity Church on 22 Apr 1780 and it makes me pause to wonder whether his wife and this Juliana Heckman could be one in the same persons
I have searched through the known MOMMA records and can find no evidence for a girl by the name of Anna Catharina Momma of the right age. So now we have some curious facts. Church records exist for several individuals in the Grosskarlbach area whose names were clearly recorded as MUMMA and not MOMMA, the normal spelling for this family in the Aachen/Stolberg area.
SUMMARY
Since both immigrant Jacob and Leonard clearly spelled their names as "Mumma" upon arrival in America in 1731/1732, a close link to Grosskarlbach is strongly suggested because it is one of the few places where the MUMMA surname spelling clearly exists and David Mumma's records seemed like a perfect fit. If one assumes there is a connection to Grosskarlbach, then Anna Catharina Mumma Heckman was likely a sister or cousin of Leonard and Jacob. I am not convinced that Leonard Mumma, who arrived in America in 1732, is the same as Johann Leonard Momma who was born in Stolberg in 1696 or that he migrated to Grosskarlbach. Again most of the evidence seems to be circumstantial.
From Y-chromosome DNA testing I have confirmed that the MUMMA and MOMMA family share a common ancestor in the recent past. The question is which Momma is the common and where in Germany?