Author: William Leslie Lehman PLS

John Jacob Menges was born on 11 August 1752 in Alsace Lorraine, France to John Peter Menges (1732-1806) and Maria Catherine Menges (1740-1806). He came to America on the ship "Tyger" arriving 19 November 1771 at Philadelphia. About 1772 he married Elizabeth Glessner (1759-1832). It is believed they were married in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Their children were:
1. Anna Margaret Menges Clark was bone in September of 1774, likely in Berks County, Pennsylvania. She married Samuel Clark on September 17, 1793 in Brothersvalley Township (now Stonycreek Township), Bedford County (now Somerset County). She died after 1852 in Somerset County.
2. John Menges was born c. 1776 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He married Barbara Miller. He died in Somerset County about 1850.
3. Adam Menges was born on November 30, 1777 in Caernarvon Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. He married Magdalena Ditty around 1800. He died on November 1, 1829 in Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, PA.
4. Mary Elizabeth Menges Ling was born on June 4, 1781 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. She and her husband Philip Ling were members of the Shade Lutheran Church. She died in Shade Township on February 14, 1874.
5. Catherine Menges Ling Lambert was born on September 17, 1783 in Brothersvalley Township (now Stonycreek Township), Bedford County (now Somerset County) and died in Shade Township, Somerset County about 1875. She married first to Christian Ling around 1809 and then later to a Mr. Lambert.
6. Peter Menges was born February 15, 1785 in Brothersvalley Township (now Stonycreek Township), Bedford County (now Somerset County), Pennsylvania. He married Susanna Bisel.
7. John Henry Menges was born on September 7, 1787 in what is now Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, PA. He died in March 1858. He married Christina Stump in about 1815 and they lived in Shade Township, Somerset County, PA
8. Joseph Henry Menges was born June 19, 1790 in what today is Stonycreek Township, Somerset County. He married twice: First to Margaret Elizabeth Secret and second to Catherine Geiger in about 1839. He died on January 23, 1848 in Somerset County, PA
9. Ludwig Menges was born on February 9, 1795 in what is today Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, PA. He died before 1827.
10. Jacob John Menges was born on June 16, 1796 in Quemahoning or Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He married Anna Speicher. He died on July 3, 1879 in Upper Yoder Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
He was warranted 224.25 acres of land on the western slope of the Allegheny Mountain in Brothersvalley Township, Bedford County (now Somerset County). He lived for the rest of his life, on this tract, in Stonycreek Township, Bedford Co. (now Somerset County).
He and his wife Elizabeth and his family attended the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Berlin, Pa. and later attended the Glade Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church in Stonycreek Township. Both are buried in the Glade Union Church cemetery.
Johan was a farmer and shown as a weaver in the 1796 Tax List for Stonycreek Township.
On 18 March 1798 Jacob Menges was appointed constable for Stonycreek Township.
Johan died on 24 January 1827 in Stony Creek Township, Somerset, Pennsylvania. John Jacob Menges wrote his will in German on 7 June 1825, and it was filed on 29 January 1827. The will was witnessed by George Peter Kimmel, George Boyer, and John Menges.
From his Gravestone: 1828 Hier Ruhen Johen Jacob Menges Gebohren Aug. 11, 1752. Und hat sein lazed gebracht Auf. 74 Ihar. und 6 monat. (Translation: Here lies John Jacob Menges. Born Aug. 11, 1752, and who lived 74 years and 6 months)
In his will, he provides for his wife Elizabeth by giving her the house, two gardens, the meadows, two fields from before the house upwards, and if she wants any plowing done, then he who lives on the old place shall do it and bring in the garden firewood and make the hay and put it on the stable, they shall give her yearly ten bushels of wheat get it ground and bring it to her.
He served during the Revolutionary War as a private in the Berks County Militia during 1781. He served alongside his Uncle Henry Menges with the 5th Battalion Southern Section 8th Company from Caernarvon Twp., Berks County, PA.

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