Data research by Doug Mumma, doug@mumma.org
A letter which contained the "Mumaugh" surname was auctioned on E-bay. I was able to have the owner provide me with a scanned copy. The following is the information I extracted.
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This folded lettersheet / stampless letter has a circular date stamp for CUMBERLAND Md, an 18 3/4 cent rate and is addressed to Dr. M.Z. Kreider, Lancaster, Ohio and is a three page letter written by H.H. McKay. The headline is Cumberland Md Jany 17th 1843.
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Cumberland Md January 17th 1843
Dr Sir
I enclose to you an affidavit on the subject of
the claim of Joseph Mumaugh – proving that Joseph
is the only son and heir at law of his father Jacob and
that Jacob was the son and heir of your Conrad
Mumaugh. The affidavit is by one well acquainted
with all of the family of Mumaughs from grand father
down – we could have got any number of our own
town citizens to testify as to Joseph being the son of
Jacob but they were not personally familiar
with the fact that Jacob being the son of Conrad,
as Conrad had before his removal to Ohio, lived
over in Va in the neighborhood of Lightider (sp?). I
suppose this will be sufficient.
As Joseph Mumaugh my client, is very poor and now
very hard pressed for a little money, I am very anxious
to obtain this money for him at once, if it be possible.
I know his necessities from the fact, that one of his
creditors had him in jail some time ago for debt,
and he now says that what money is in your hands
would pay all his debts. He has, I am told, been
very intemperate, but for the last year has entirely
reformed and is now one of those men who have
to retrieve their character and as it were, start again
in the world. I feel disposed to encourage
him especially as he has a wife and young family
to support. I have told him that the money is safe
for him and will be got as soon as the Bank will
pay it over to you, but I can hardly make him
believe that a bank cannot pay him that much
money at any time. Therefore you will allow
me to request you to urge the matter as soon
as possible. I would have written and enclosed
a power of attorney from Joseph Mumaugh to me
in due form but I suppose it unnecessary
as I can give you any receipt in any form
you may desire.
Please write me an answer, if possible
remit the money in any form by notes
or draft by mail or otherwise, or
if you cannot remit the money write me
about what time you think it can
be got, as I know my client will
call very frequently to hear the answer.
I suppose that the Bank would at
any time, after an examination of
its affairs so as to ascertain that
there is sufficient assets to ____ sell,
liabilities, pay out such a deposite
as this. My health is very bad just
now. I can hardly sit in the office
to do business. Your friend and humble servant,
William N. McKay
Mess be____ Tramp &. Stembery owners a fee
for professional services for their clients, at
their request on taking testimony about one
year ago – it is $10.00 We would be glad
if you could include that amount with
the other and remit the whole – they have
no doubt forgotten it.
Joseph Mumaugh says he is informed that the
widow of Conrad is certainly dead and
died in your county, and that there will
be about $200 coming to him from her
estate – Mr. William Graham near your
town can tell all about it – Will
you inquire into the matter fully
and if she is dead and anything is
coming, get if for him, paying
yourself for all trouble – Deduct
expenses out of this present money which
may arise before remittance,
W. N. McKay
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In 1950, Joseph would have been between the age of 30-35 which I expect would have been considered to be "young" compared to August Beerman or Mrs. Betzall. Joseph could have possibly have had 2 male cousins living in Cumberland county, but they would have been older that 40 years and that would probably not be considered to be young. The following information is found in the Allegany records.
I believe the following story found in the "History of Cumberland, Md" relates to this Joseph Mumma and his death.
History of Cumberland, Md (1878)
by William Harrison Lowdermilk
http://www.archive.org/stream/historycumberla00lowdgoog/historycumberla00lowdgoog_djvu.txt
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p368 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1850.
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April 24. — Joseph Mumma was shot and killed by
August Beerman and Joseph Stick, both of whom
fired upon him at the same instant. Mumma endeav-
ored to enter the house of Mrs. Betzall, on the North
end of Mechanic street, when the two men named
who were inside, shot him. They were arrested and
sent to jail on a charge of murder.
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1850-51.] LOCAL INCIDENTS. p371
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At the same term of Court, November 1850,
August Beerman was tried for the murder of Joseph
Mumma, and acquitted.
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Since the articles above did not provide a lot of detail, I contacted MaryJo A. Price, Special Collections Librarian, Lewis J. Ort Library, Frostburg State University and she was able to extract the following newspaper articles.
"The Cumberland Alleganian" 27 April 1850
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MURDER -- On Wednesday night last, a young man named Joseph Mumma, a native of this place, was kiled by a gun-shot, fired at him from the house of Mrs. Betzoldt, at the west end of Mechanic street. It appears that a German butcher, named August Beerman, also resided in the house and that for some time past, there have been contentions and quarrels between the friends of Mrs. B. and Beerman; and a few nights since, it is said some unknown persons stoned the house. Beerman in consequence prepared fire-arms; and on Wednesday night, about half past 11 o'clock, on hearing a noise at the door of the house, he, with a young man named Stick, who resides with him, went to the door, where they found the deceased, who manifested a determination to enter the house. Beerman and Stick thereupon both fired upon him. A heavy load of shot entered the throat of Mumma, killing him instantly.
Beerman immediately repaired to a magistrate, and gave him a statement of the affair. A coroner's jury was summoned by Pierce Byrne, esq. whose verdict was that the deceased was willfully murdered by Beerman and Stick.
The deceased was unfortunately a man of intemperate habits, and is supposed was under the influence of liquor at the time of the occurrence.
Beerman and Stick were committed to jail, to answer the charge of murder; and as the Grand Jury were discharged on Tuesday, they cannot have their trials before the October Court.
Cumberland Alleganian - 2 Nov 1850
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Augustus Beerman, indicated for the murder of Joseph Mumma, in April last, was tried on Wednesday. It appeared in evidence that the house occupied by Beerman and a Mrs. Betzoldt, had been stoned by a party of individuals on the night previous to the murder - that Beerman had sought legal information and redress, and had been advised to procure fire-arms to protect his premises from similar assaults - that on the night charged to the indictment, Mumma had approached the house in a noisy and threatening manner, when Beerman fired upon him with a loaded musket, killing Mumma instantly - and that Beerman immediately surrendered himself. The defense set up was, justifiable or excusable homicide. The case was given to the Jury about ten o'clock - On Thursday morning, they came into Court with a verdict of NOT GUILTY. Counsel for the State, District Attorney Brewer, and A Beall. For the Traverser, Messrs, Pearre and McCulloh.