From
Carolyn Gerard/Paul and Bea Boltz Book: Boltz Puls Pulse Pults Pultz July 1997
Edition
4. John Michael Boltz (2.Johann2 , 1.Hans1 ) b. 23 Mar 1733,
Eggenstein, Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany,3 resided: Germany, PA,VA, occupation:
Farmer, m. about 1757, in Pennsylvania, Veronica _?_, resided: Germany,PA,VA,
d. Nov 1806, Jefferson Co. Virginia, cemetery: Union, Middleway, Jefferson Co.
Virginia, religion: Lutheran. John died Jun 1806, Jefferson Co. Virginia, cemetery:
Union, Middleway, Jefferson Co. Virginia, religion: Lutheran.
Church records show that Michael was christened 29 Mar 1733. The witnesses were
Philip Jacob Stuz and wife Magdalena, Eve Catherine, wife of Michael Nagel,
"citizen and court official" and Juliana (surname could not be read).
Michael served in the Revolutionary War as a Private, 3rd Class, 2nd Battalion
Lancaster County Militia on tours of duty during 1777-1781, PENNSYLVANIA ARCHIVES,
FIFTH SERIES, Vol.7, pages 129, 148-149.
Soon after the death of his father in 1784, Michael and his family moved to
Berkeley Co. Virginia (WV). He bought 440 acres on the east side of the Opequon
Creek for 800 pounds January 10, 1788, (DB 8, p.259). Two years later, April
15, 1790, Michael and Elioner gave 102 acres to their son David, (DB 9, p.292)
and sold 100 acres to David Fry (DB 9, p.263). On February 27, 1800 Michael
bought a lot in Smithfield on the north side of Turkey Spring Branch for 15
pounds (DB 16, p.132).
Michael and Nicholas Shaull were managers and trustees of the Evangelists Lutheran
Church when the church bought a lot in Smithfield, January 13, 1799 (DB 15,
p.235). In 1801, the land on the east side of the Opequon Creek became part
of the newly formed Jefferson Co. Smithfield (Middleway as it is known today)
as well as Michael's farm then were part of Jefferson County.
The surname Firnssler was used for Veronica in a letter written by Bessie Harley
Eagle in 1926. This letter was found in the " Boltz" file in the Lebanon
Co. PA Genealogical Society, but nothing else has been found to substantiate
the said surname or other parts of the letter.
Veronica was named Fanny in Michael's will. In Berkeley Co. DB 9, p.292 she
was named as Elinor but her signature in German was Veronika. Her name appeared
as Eleanor in Jefferson Co. Sale Book 1, p.430. Her name, likely, was Eleanor
Veronica. Nelly also appeared in a deed which is a nickname for Eleanor. The
Germans usually used one of their middle names as to what they were called but
often used their first name in legal papers. Also, the name Boltz was Anglicized
by many in the family and changed to Pultz, Pulse, Puls and Pults.
Michael wrote his will April 9, 1806 and the witnesses were Sabastian Eaty and
John Calvert. He did not live long after that for the will was proved in court
in Jefferson Co. June 10, 1806. The surviving children were named in the will
and the sons and daughters of his deceased son, Michael, were to get his share
when they came of age, Jefferson Co. WV Will Book 1, p.293. The sale is recorded
in the Jefferson Co. WV Sale Book 1, p.588. The account records which names
the children and the children of his deceased son, Michael, are recorded in
Jefferson Co. WV Account Book 1, p.595-598 p.669-671.
The date of death of Veronica has not been established. The sale of her personal
property, when she was deceased, took place 20 Nov 1806, SB 1, p.430. DAR papers
list two different dates of death, 20 Aug 1806 and 30 Aug 1806.
Children:
7. i John Michael Boltz b. 22 Jan 1758.
8. ii Jacob Frederick Boltz b. 2 Mar 1760.
9. iii Catharine Sophia Boltz b. 28 Oct 1761.
10. iv Mary Barbara Boltz b. 28 Oct 1761.
11. v John Pulse b. 6 Nov 1763.
12. vi George Boltz b. 19 Nov 1765.
13. vii David Pulse b. 12 Mar 1768.
14. viii Frederick Pulse b. 11 Nov 1769.
ix John Peter Boltz b. 18 Oct 1771, Derry Twp. Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania, d.
prior 1775, Derry Twp. Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania. Peter was baptized 28 Oct
1771 at the Bindnagle Lutheran & Reformed Church, Derry Twp, Lancaster Co.
(now Dauphin Co.) Sponsors were John Zimmerman and Elizabeth Mueller (both single).
15. x Catharine Elizabeth Barbara Boltz b. 21 Dec 1772.
xi Peter Boltz b. 29 Jun 1775, Derry Twp. Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania,14 resided:
PA,VA.
John Peter was baptized 16 Jul 1775 at the Bindnagle Lutheran and Reformed Church
in Derry Twp. Lancaster Co. PA. The sponsors were Michael Hochlaender and wife
Catherine. His name appeared as Pulse and Pultz on Jefferson Co. WV documents.
He was a member of the Lutheran Church in Martinsburg, VA in 1794. He also was
one of the original purchaser of a lot in Smithfield between 1794 and 1797.
Peter Pulse and George Pulse signed a petition to get the horse troop in what
is now Jefferson Co. It was recognized in 1795. Berkeley Co. had the 67th Regiment
and the part that became Jefferson Co. had the 55th Regiment. Executive papers
pertaining to the militia are in the Virginia State Library in Richmond. The
papers show that Peter Pulse was assigned as ensign Sep 1802. William Grantham
was named ensign in place of Peter Pulse in "troop of horse" known
as the Shepherdstown Cavalry, June 1808. This is probably the time Peter left
Jefferson Co.
An account settlement of 1810 on the estate of Peter's father lists money paid
to Elisha Boyd for Peter Pulse as one of the legatees. It is probable that Peter
settled in Hamilton Co. Ohio where a Peter Pulse appears on the 1830 and 1840
census.