Notes on the Hoffman Family of Allegany County File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Carol Askey askeycj@ix.netcom.com USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. _________________________________________________________________________ Comments: I have collected Hoffman data from the sources I have at home. It is not a complete collection of data regarding the Hoffman Family. The only clear connections are from the History of AC which states Henry W and George A are brothers and George is their father and David is their grandfather. In 1850, Henry & George are living in Cumberland. Any other connections are pure speculation. Jacob of Frederick Town probably had more sons than Peter, but none are mentioned. It appears from the account below that Jacob stayed in Frederick Co. From the marriages listed below, there were clearly a number of Hoffman families in AC. Those tagged "Shaw" were most likely in the western part of the county. If the David Hoffman who married Elizabeth Jenifer is the grandfather of Henry W & George A, timing is pretty questionable. George A was born in Oct 1823, David & Elizabeth were married in late March 1803. The father of George A & Henry W would have had a very narrow window (20 yrs and 6 mos) to be conceived & born, marry and father his first son. But, I would guess that the 73 year old Elizabeth found in District #2 is David's wife, Elizabeth Jenifer. Living close enough to Elizabeth to suggest a link to Elizabeth & David are Maria Hoffman Clemmer age 45, wife of Jacob and David Hoffman age 28. (see 1850 census data) In Scharf's history, he refers to David as simply David prior to 1800, by 1805, Scharf begins to call him David, Sr. This would inidcate that David had a son named David. I would guess that the David who married Elizabeth Jenifer is that son. What isn't clear is the relationship between David, Sr & George, as both are listed as property owners as early as 1787. These two seem more likely to be brothers than father and son. On the other hand, no George Hoffman shows up in the AC marriage records until 1834. The 1800 & 1810 census data may help to clear up ages of these men and put everything in perspective. Of course, land records would be even more enlightening. ==== From the History of Western Maryland by Scharf: ============================================== He speaks of a "Jacob Huffman who resided in Frederick Town. Jacob, who was of German parentage, had a vegetable farm , from which he supplied the Frederick market. He died on the farm." The discussion mentions a son Peter who went to Baltimore in 1771. The remainder of the write-up (p459) speaks of Peter's children & grandchildren and Peter's accomplishments in Baltimore. No other children of Jacob are mentioned. p1345-1360 In 1799, AC commissioners who were to lay off the county into voting Districts: John B. Beall, David Hoffman, Thomas Stewart, William Shaw, George Robinet (of Nathan) and Jesse Tomlinson. George Hoffman served on the petit jury in April 1798, and on the grand jury in April 1799. George was also listed under Levy Court & County Commissioners from 1813 to 1824, in 1828 and from 1831-1832. Valentine served from 1825-1827 and in 1829. Jacob Hofman served in 1830. John A Hoffman served in the House of Delegates in 1822, 1824, 1827. Valentine Hoffman & Jacob Clemmer were apointed justices of the peace in 1828 & 1829; John A Hoffman was appointed in 1829; Valentine was also appointed in 1830. In 1836, Valentine, Jacom Clemmer and John G Hoffman were appointed magestrates. in 1831, David Hoffman was the school Trustee for a public school near Selby's Port. P 1372-75 Sharf discusses the early development of Cumberland. Authorization for the erection of the town of Cumberland - by legislative act on Jan 20, 1787. Included in the list of 35 residents at that time are both David and George Hoffman. Most houses were built west & north of Wills Creek. David Hoffman was the first to build his 40 by 25 foot log house on the east side of the creek, just south of the Blue Spring. In Jan 1805, George Hoffman and 4 others were appointed to provide an accurate survey of the town, as none existed. The part east of Wills Creek proved most problematic. By 1813, there were 138 homes in Cumberland. George Hoffman's property value was $230, and David Hoffman, Sr's property was valued at $817. At that time, only Thomas Beall of Samuel ($1,815), John Anderson ($1,080) and Walter Slicer ($1,025) held property valued higher than David, Sr's property. In Oct 1783, Thomas Beall had purchased "Walnut Bottom" & "Limestone Rock." He was assessed for both of these properties in the 1783 tax assessment for Washington County. My guess is that David & George arrived after 1783 and before 1787. On page 1400, Scharf tells of Henry W. Hoffman, a distinguished Cumberland lawyer. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1855-1857, served as sergeant-at-arms in the House (1859-60) and was appointed by President Lincoln collector of the port of Baltimore. He was an excellent orator and spoke at the 1876 centennial celebration in Cumberland. From the History of Allegany County by Thomas & Williams: ========================================================= p126 - George A & Henry W Hoffman are brothers. George served as Cumberland's postmaster from March 27,1861 - April 11, 1865. p301 - small bio of Judge Henry W. Hoffman Henry W was born in Cumberland 11/10/1825, s/o George, gs/o David - early settler of Cumberland. He studied law with Thomas J McKaig...admitted to the bar in 1848. "In 1883, he was elected Associate Judge of the Sixth Judicial District of Maryland, which office he held until his death, July 28, 1895." Cumberland Times: ================= HOFFMAN 18 Apr 1891 George A Hoffman died today at his residence of S Liberty Street. After falling down in January, he has been affected by nervous prostration. He was born in this city on 16 Oct 1823 and married Miss Rhoda Thomas of Winchester VA in Jan 1858. He leaves a widow and 3 children: Misses Tillie and Zelea and also Dr Eugene Hoffman of this city. The funeral is from the home with Rev Dr Moffitt and burial in Rose Hill Cemetery. 1850 Census - Cumberland: ========================= p 235B dw# 3381 fm# 3428 John S Hoffman 56, Tanner RE=$14,000, Born in MD Mary - 55 - Born in MD George - 27 - Gentleman - Born in MD (probably George A.) dw# 3382 fm# 3429 Henry Hoffman - 25 - Attorney - Born in MD Rachel - 27 - Born in MD (From "Gone But Not Forgotten" - Rachel Osborn) Margaret - 2 - Born in MD dw# 3383 fm# 3430 John Hoffman - 63 - Farmer - Born in MD - living with Catherine Butler 50 (See marriages below) p238 dw# 3420 fm# 3467 D. L. Hoffman - 51- Female - Born in MD - living with Emily Healey 32 p219 dw# 3097 fm# 3142 John J Hofman - 56 - Gentleman - RE-$50,000 - Born in MD Mary - 50 - Born in MD Fanny - 13 - Born in MD George Hoffman - 18 - Born in MD 1850 Census - Election District #6 - near Cumberland ==================================================== dw# 2148 fm# 2180 Edmund B Hoffman - 41 - Re $ 700 - Born in MD Sophea - 37 - Born in MD Elizabeth 16 - Born in MD George - 14 - Born in MD Martin 13 - Born in MD - attended school Malandon ? - 5 - Male - Born in MD Mary Jane - 1 - Born in MD 1850 Census - Election District #5 (Frostburg area) =================================================== John Hoffman - 27 - Labourer - Born in MD - married within the year Eve - 25 - Born in MD 1850 Census - Election District #2 [now in Garrett Co] ====================================================== p25 dw# 325 fm# 328 David Hoffman - 28 - Farmer - RE= $1,800 - Born in MD Harriet - 28 - Born in PA Martha - 8 - Born in MD - attended school J. H. - 4 - male - Born in MD Florence - 2 - Born in MD p24B dw# 320 fm# 322 Elizabeth Hoffman - 73 - RE=$200 - Born in MD [probably Elizabeth Jenifer] Jacob Stuck - 25 - Laborer - Born in MD Ann Stuck 23 - RE=$25 - Born in MD [next door is Jacob Clemmer & Maria - see marriages below] 1820 Census District #5 (Frostburg) =================================== Valentine Hoffman (45 or above) (farmer) - wife between 26 & 45 3 sons: 1 under 10, 2 between 10 & 15 3 daugs: 1 under 10, 1 between 10 & 15, 1 between 16 & 25 Enumerated just before Valentine: John Neff, Junior (between 26 & 45)(farmer) - wife (between 16 & 25) [poss. Harriet] 2 daugs: 2 under 10 (see marriage below) Note: Districts 4 & 5 enumerated by John A Hoffman Allegany County Marriage Licenses/Marriages =========================================== 1799 11/14 Hoffman, Jacob Heck, Margaret 1802 04/06 Slicer, Nathaniel Hoffman, Susanna shaw 1803 03/19 Huffman, David Jenifer, Betsy license 1803 03/24 Hoffman, David Jenifer, Elizabeth shaw 1803 01/20 Thistle, Thomas Hoffman, Elizabeth shaw 1811 06/18 Rizer, George of Martin Hoffman, Margaret 1816 05/28 Doll, Michael Hoffman, Mary 1816 05/16 Hoffman, John of Valentine Foster, Mary Tanner? 1850 census 1816 10/29 Smith, James Hoffman, Maria 1817 04/10 Hoffman, Jno. of Geo. Bonwart, Mary Gentleman? 1850 census 1818 12/16 Neff, John Jr. Huffman, Harriet 1820 10/28 Neff, Jacob Hoffman, Eliza 1822 04/15 Fearn, John Hoffman, Mary 1825 03/29 Butler, Jonathan Hoffman, Catherine p235B 1850 census 1826 09/16 Robey, Hezekiah Hoffman, Susanna 1829 05/13 Hoffman, Henry Hays, Mary 1829 07/05 Clemmer, Jacob Hoffman, Maria 1832 09/16 Hoffman, Edmund B. Rizer, Sophia 1834 05/12 Hoffman, George Clary, Marian 1836 09/06 Shryer, Marcus H. Hoffman, Eliz M. 1837 09/20 Humbertson, William Hoffman, Ann M. 1838 10/04 Davy, William Hoffman, Ann 1840 07/04 Adams, Alex M. Hoffman, Margaret Ann 1840 09/16 Hoblitzell, James H. Hoffman, Cath. 1840 09/27 Willis, William Hoffman, Cath. 1844 03/14 Bruce, George Hoffman, Margaret K. 1844 07/17 Walton, Alexander Hoffman, Eliz