It is thought that the Feuersteins came to Berg und Thal from the Austrian Tyrol sometime during the 15th century.
On May 3, 1771 he sold 159 acres of the tract he inherited from his father to his brother, Joseph.
From 1774-1779 he was taxed in Dublin Township, Bedord Co., PA where he owned 100 acres in 1779.
In the period 1779-1786, the family lived in Peters Township, Cumberland (now Franklin) Co., PA where he owned a 150 acre farm on Connococheague Creek. In 1781 he served as a private 5th class in the Cumberland County militia commanded by Captain Robert Dickey and later Captain Patrick Jack.
In 1785 he purchased land in Peters Township from Samuel and Sarah (Campbell) Holliday of Wayne Township.
On May 8, 1786 Nicholas and wife, Eve, sold this land to Joseph Fleeginger of Lancaster Co., PA. In 1786 the family moved to Frederick Co., MD. By deed dated May 15, 1786 Nicholas paid 5 shillings to Thomas Taylor of Loudoun Co., VA for 238 1/2 acres part of "Resuvy of Anchor and Hope" on the east side of the Catoctin Creek. In 1790 he was head of family in Frederick Co., MD.
His household consisted of himself, four females and two boys under 16.
On Sept. 23, 1794 Nicholas apprenticed his son Matthias, age 17, to Samuel Slifer, blacksmith, for three years.
By deed dated May 30, 1796 Nicholas sold his Frederick County farm to Christian Ehrenspeerger of Washington Co., MD for 800.
In 1796 his family moved to Rockbridge Co., VA where Nicholas purchased a farm three miles from Natural Bridge. They later settled on Mill Creek in Botetourt Co., VA.
His will is dated Jun 20, 1804 and probated in Botetourt Co., VA court at the Nov. 1808 Court. He made requests to his wife Eve Catherine and to his children John, Magdelen (wife of John Wren), Susannah (wife of Philip Heilman), Eve (wife of John Kalbflish), Nicholas, Elizabeth, Catherine (wife of Charles Long), and Mathias. Sons Mathias and John were appointed executors. In 1810, his widow, aged over 45, was head of the only Firestone household in Botetourt Co., VA.
Her will was dated Sept. 1, 1828 and probated in McMinn Co., TN on June 2, 1829. She bequeathed her entire estate to son Mathias. His descendants moved from Virginia to McMinn Co., Tennessee and on to Greene Co., Missouri.
Their children included:
1. Eva Catherine Firestone b: 3 JUL 1763 in Dover Township, Bedford, York Co., PA
2. Nicholas Firestone b: 30 JAN 1767 in Peters Twp., Cumberland Co., PA
3. John Firestone b: 20 MAY 1769 in Dover Township, Bedford, York Co., PA
4. Mathias Firestone b: 16 OCT 1777 in Dover or Duplin Township, Bedford, York Co., PA
5. Catherine Firestone b: 15 JUN 1771 in Dover Township, Bedford, York Co., PA
6. Mary Magdalene Firestone b: 2 MAR 1774 in Dover Township, Bedford, York Co., PA
7. Susannah Firestone b: 24 MAR 1780 in Peters Twp., Cumberland Co., PA
8. Elizabeth Firestone b: ABT. 1783 in Peters Twp., Cumberland Co., PA
From Russell's Firestone Genealogy (1993):
Nicholas Firestone, Jr., oldest son of Nicholas and Catharina (Nunnenmacher) Feyerstein, was born at Thal, 17 April 1735. Aged 21 years [sic], he qualified with his father for entry at Philadelphia 24 September 1753. Presumably upon completion of his term of indentured service in Pennsylvania, he and Eva Catharina Schwab were married in 1761. In July 1763 their first child was baptized at Salem or Strayer's Reformed Church in Dover Township, York County. In York County on 11 January 1768 he and his stepmother Catherine Firestone were appointed administrators of his late father's estate in Paradise Township. On 30 May 1770 he petitioned the Orphans Court for permission to take his father's 3OO-acretract, and was ordered to pay the other heirs their respective shares. On 6 April 1771 the tract in Paradise Township was resurveyed at 296 1/2acres for Nicholas and his brother Joseph Firestone. By deed dated 3 May 1771 Nicholas, of Paradise Township, farmer, sold a 159-acre part of the tract to Joseph Firestone for £150.
In the period 1774-1779 Nicholas was taxed in Dublin Township, Bedford County, Pa., where he owned 100 acres in 1779. In the period 1779-1786 the family lived in Peters Township, Cumberland [now Franklin] County, Pa., where he owned a lSO-acre farm on Conococheague Creek. In 1781 he served as a private 5th class in the Cumberland County militia company commanded by Captain Robert Dickey and (later) Captain Patrick Jack. In 1785 Nicholas purchased land in Peters Township from Samuel and Sarah (Campbell) Holliday of Wayne Township. On 8 May 1786 Nicholas and wife Eve Firestone of Peters Township sold this land to Joseph Fleeginger of
Lancaster County.
In 1786 the family moved to Frederick County, Maryland. By deed dated 15 May 1786 Nicholas paid 5 shillings to Thomas Taylor of Loudoun County, Virginia, for a 238 1/2 acre part of Resurvey of Anchor and Hope on the east side of Catoctin Creek. This tract was located southwest of Broad Run, northwest of Jefferson Village, adjoining William Rice's property. Nicholas was head of family in Frederick County in 1790, his household consisting of himself, four females, and two boys aged under 16. On 23 September 1794 Nicholas apprenticed his son Matthias, age 17 on 16 October last, to Samuel Slifer, blacksmith, for three years.29 By deed dated 30 May 1796 Nicholas Firestone, Sr., sold his Frederick County farm to Christian Ehrensperger of Washington County, Md., for £800.
In 1796 they moved to Rockbridge County, Virginia, where Nicholas purchased a farm three miles from Natural Bridge. They later settled on Mill Creek in Botetourt County, Virginia. Nicholas's will was dated 20 June 1804 and probated in Botetourt County at the November 1808 Court. He made bequests to his wife Eve Catherine and to his children John, Magdalen (wife of John Wren), Susannah (wife of Philip Heilman), Eve (wife of John Kalbflish), Nicholas, Elizabeth, Catherine (wife of Charles Long), and Mathias. Sons Mathias and John were appointed executors.
His widow Evey Firestone, aged over 45 years, was head of the only Firestone household in Botetourt County in 1810, with a man and woman aged 26 to 44. The will of Eve Firestone was dated 1 September 1828 and probated in McMinn County, Tenn., 2 June 1829. She bequeathed her entire estate to her son Matthias Firestone, whom she appointed executor. She named her other children: Eve Calflesh, Kitty Long, Mary Rice, Susannah Dingledine, Elizabeth Lamparter otherwise Elizabeth Johns, Nicholas Firestone, and John Firestone.
Children of Nicholas and Eve (Schwab) Firestone:
i. Eva Catharina3 Firestone, bp. Dover Twp., York Co., Pa., by the Rev. Jacob Lischy, pastor of Salem (Strayer's) Reformed Church, 3 July 1763; witnesses: John and Eva Catharina Stiefler; m. John Kalbfleish of Frederick Co., Md.; surname later anglicized to "Veal"; m. (2) [--] Myers; res. Cumberland Co., Pa.
ii. Nicholas Firestone, Jr., b. 30 Jan. 1767.
iii. John Firestone, b. 20 May 1769; d. near Amsterdam, Botetourt Co., Va., 20 July 1854; m. Botetourt Co., 20 Aug. 1803 Margarer/"Peggy" Thrasher; head of family Rockbridge Co., Va., 1810; Botetourt Co., Va. 1830, 1840 , 1850; issue: John, Catherine, David M., Michael T, Eliza, Margaret, Samuel L, Joseph I...3 iv. Catherine Firestone, b. 15 June 1771; d. Unity Twp., Columbiana Co., Ohio, 20 Oct. 1837, aged 66y 4m 5d; bur. Unity Brick Church Cemetery; m. Frederick Co., Md., license dtd. 16 Dec. 1793 Charles Long; issue: Charles, Israel v. Mary Magdalena Firestone, b. 2 March 1774; bp. Reformed Church, Hagerstown, Md., 16 June 1774; witnesses: Nicles Schneider and wife Catharinal"; d. near Salem, Roanoke Co., Va., 1850; m. Rockbridge Co., Va., 21 Jan. 1800 John Wren/Renn.
vi. Mathias Firestone, b. 16 Oct. 1777; d. McMinn Co., Tenn., 2 May 1850; m. (1) Botetourt Co., Va., 3 Nov. 1798 Mary/"Polly" Hill of Rockbridge Co. (b. 1773; d. 1838); m. (2) McMinn Co., Tenn., 16 March 1839 Mary Fenny (d. 1850); head of family Rockbridge Co. 1810; settled in Hiwassee Purchase, McMinn Co., Tenn., Athens Post Office, by 1827; issue: William, Samuel, Sarah, David Jefferson, Alfred, Elizabeth, John, Mary Ann, Mathias.
vii. Susannah Firestone, b. Peters Twp., Pa., 24 March 1780; d. on Mason's Creek east of Salem, Roanoke Co., Va., 9 April 1851; m. (1) 1800 Philip Heilman of Rockbridge Co., Va.; res. 5 miles east of Lexington, Va.; m. (2) 1812 John B. Dingledine.
viii. Elizabeth/"Betsey" Firestone, b. c1783; m. (1) John Lambert; res. Roanoke, Va.; m. (2) [-] Johns.
ix. Mary Firestone, m. before 1828 [--] Rice.
(ed.) I have found no evidence of a second child named Mary.
The following notes by GeneJunky:
Sources:
1. Title: Firestone Family of Frederick Co. Maryland, #03 Nicholas Firestone (Nicholas): Firestone Family of Frederick County, Maryland, Subject: #03 Nicholas Firestone, Volume: 9, No. 1, Page: 8-11
Abbrev: Russell (1993): #03 Nicholas Firestone
Author: George Ely Russell
Page: page 8, "Nicholas2 Firestone, Jr., oldest son of Nicholas and Catharina (Nunnenmacher) Feyerstein, was born at Thal 17 April 1735...," cites "Parish Registers for Evangelical Church for Berg, 1712-1794, film nos. 729847 (baptisms) and 729848 (marriages and burials), LDS Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah; Firestone entries abstracted and translated from the German by Mrs. Trudy Schenk, A.G., Salt Lake City, 1991"
2. Title: Eighteenth Century Emigrants...: FIRESTONE: Eighteenth Century Emigrants from Northern Alsace to America, Series: Publications of the Pennsylvania German Society : v. 26, Page: page 158, entry 139, File Reference: Feuerstein, Nickell and Nicholas, Jr. of Thal
Abbrev: 18th Century Emigrants (Alsace): FIRESTONE
Author: Burgert, Annette Kunselman
Publication: Picton Press, Camden, Maine, 1992
Note:
viewed 15 Dec 1997 at FHL, call number 974.8 B4pgp v. 26; copies extracted
Page: therein, parish records of Berg Lutheran Church call out birth/baptisms for children of "Nickel Feyerstein (also Feuerstein), carpenter at Thal," and his wife, "Anna Catharina nee Nunnemacher," including "Johann Niclaus," b. 12 Apr 1735, bap. 19 Apr 1735"
3. Title: Canton of Drulingen: Canton of Drulingen, Name Of Person: communes of Berg (405 inhabitants) and Thal-Drulingen (186 inhabitants), Url: http://lmo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canton_de_Drulingen,_Fran%C3%A7a, Version: wiki
Abbrev: Wikipedia: Canton of Drulingen
Publication: Wikipédia, L'encyclopédie libre, Access Date, 10 July 2007
Note:
site viewed as translated by Google.com
4. Title: Firestone Family of Frederick Co. Maryland, #01 Nicholas Firestone: Firestone Family of Frederick County, Maryland, Subject: #01 Nicholas Firestone, Volume: 9, No. 1, Page: 3-7
Abbrev: Russell (1993): #01 Nicholas Firestone
Author: George Ely Russell
5. Title: Firestone Family History (1904): Nicholas: Firestone Family History, Subject: Nicholas Firestone, Edition: typescript, Version: FHL film 1035628, item 2, File Reference: R. Ulmer, transcription of. dtd 2000
Abbrev: Firestone (1904): Nicholas
Author: Firestone, Jason
Publication: Chicago, 1904
Page: about page 4, "In 1761 [Nicholas Firestone] married Miss Eva Catherine Schwab and moved onto a farm near that of his father in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, until the year 1786 when he moved..."
6. Title: Firestone Family History (1904): Nicholas: Firestone Family History, Subject: Nicholas Firestone, Edition: typescript, Version: FHL film 1035628, item 2, File Reference: R. Ulmer, transcription of. dtd 2000
Abbrev: Firestone (1904): Nicholas
Author: Firestone, Jason
Publication: Chicago, 1904
Page: about page 4-5, "His will is on record in the Court House of Botetourt County, Virginia, and bears date June 20, 1804, of which the following is a copy..."
7. Title: American Revolutionary soldiers of Franklin County, Pennnsylvania [sic] - Firestone, N: American Revolutionary soldiers of Franklin County, Pennnsylvania [sic], Page: 79, File Reference: Nicholas Firestone
Abbrev: Rev Sol. of Franklin Co., PA - Firestone, Nicholas
Author: Fredrick, Virginia Shannon
Publication: c1944, Access Date, 19 Jul 2007
8. Title: Firestone Family of Frederick Co. Maryland, #03 Nicholas Firestone (Nicholas): Firestone Family of Frederick County, Maryland, Subject: #03 Nicholas Firestone, Volume: 9, No. 1, Page: 8-11
Abbrev: Russell (1993): #03 Nicholas Firestone
Author: George Ely Russell
Page: citing _Pennsylvania Archives_, 3rd ser., 23:749; 5th ser., 6:285, 291
9. Title: Firestone Family of Frederick Co. Maryland, #03 Nicholas Firestone (Nicholas): Firestone Family of Frederick County, Maryland, Subject: #03 Nicholas Firestone, Volume: 9, No. 1, Page: 8-11
Abbrev: Russell (1993): #03 Nicholas Firestone
Author: George Ely Russell
Page: page 6, therein, "Johann Niclaus2 Feyerstein, b. 17 April 1735; bp. [Berg Evangelical Lutheran Church] 19 April 1735; witnesses: Hans Feuerstein (farmer in Thal), Hanss Nickel Scheurer (son of late tailor Daniel Scheurer, former tailor in Thal), Anna Maria Feyerstein (wife of Andrea Feyerstein, linen weaver in Thal), and Anna Margaretha Giess (single daughter of Joh. Michael Giess, Lutheran schoolmaster in Eyweiler)," Russell notes, "Johannes/Hanss Feyerstein/Feuerstein died 29 Dec. 1759 and was buried 31 Dec. in the cemetery of Berg. Court councillor for 20 years, church councillor, mayor of the villages of Berg & Thal since 1752, age 63 yrs. and a little over 5 months, born in 1698. First wife m. 9 Feb. 1719 to Anna Christina Mu(e)ller (died 22 Feb. 1720). Second wife [m.] 22 Jan. 1729 Anna Margreta Weiland/Weylandt (d. 5 July 1778 age 76y 4m). (Berg Parish Church Books)," also that, "[Johann] Andreas Feyerstein/Feuerstein, citizen and weaver of linen in Thal, d. 6 March 1753, bur. the 8th, age 47y 2m 28d; m. 20 Jan. 1728 Anna Maria Strauch (d. 20 Jan. 1786);" cites also Parish Registers for Evangelical Church for Berg, 1712-1794, film nos. 729847 (baptisms) and 729848 (marriages and burials), LDS Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah: Firestone entries abstracted and translated from the German by Mrs. Trudy Schenk, A.G., Salt Lake City, 1991
10. Title: Firestone Family History (1904): Nicholas: Firestone Family History, Subject: Nicholas Firestone, Edition: typescript, Version: FHL film 1035628, item 2, File Reference: R. Ulmer, transcription of. dtd 2000
Abbrev: Firestone (1904): Nicholas
Author: Firestone, Jason
Publication: Chicago, 1904
Page: about page 4, "[In 786..] he moved to Trapp, now called Jefferson, Frederick County, Maryland, ten miles from Frederick City. Here he lived for ten years on a farm which he owned on Mill Creek. On account of the frequent and damaging overflows from the creek he became dissatisfied, sold his farm and in 1796 moved from Maryland to Virginia."
11. Title: Firestone Family History (1904): Nicholas: Firestone Family History, Subject: Nicholas Firestone, Edition: typescript, Version: FHL film 1035628, item 2, File Reference: R. Ulmer, transcription of. dtd 2000
Abbrev: Firestone (1904): Nicholas
Author: Firestone, Jason
Publication: Chicago, 1904
Page: about page 4, "[In 1796 he] moved from Maryland to Virginia [purchasing] a farm three miles from Natural Bridge, Rockbridge County, Va., where he died in 1807."
12. Title: Firestone Family of Frederick Co. Maryland, #03 Nicholas Firestone (Nicholas): Firestone Family of Frederick County, Maryland, Subject: #03 Nicholas Firestone, Volume: 9, No. 1, Page: 8-11
Abbrev: Russell (1993): #03 Nicholas Firestone
Author: George Ely Russell
Page: therein, "Presumably upon completion of his term of indentured service in Pennsylvania, he and Eva Catharina Schwab were married in 1761," citing, "Jason W. Firestone, Firestone Family of America (typescript, Chicago, 1904); five genealogical churts mounted in the copy at LDS Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah"
13. Title: Family Data Collection - FIRESTONE/SCHWAB: Family Data Collection, Record Type: Marriages, Subject: Johann Nicholas Firestone and Eva Ctherine Schwab, Location: Provo, UT, File Reference: m. 1761 at Canace, Franklin County, PA
Abbrev: Family Data Collection - FIRESTONE-SCHWAB
Author: West, Edmund
Publication: Access Date, 10 July 2007
14. Title: Census_MD, Frederick Co.: (1790US) FIRESTONE, Nicholas, Household: Nicholas Firestone (indexed as Nichoias Firestone), State: Maryland, County: Frederick County, Version: 1790, Volumes: 1-2-4-0-0 (apparently Nicholas and his wife, with 2 sons under the age of 16 and three daughters), Page: 243 (written across face of page), Line No Early Census: line 17 (excluding header), Roll And Film Number: M637, roll 3
Abbrev: Census: (1790US) FIRESTONE, Nicholas
Publication: , Access Date, 10 July 2007
Note:
preface, found on page marked 156, was dated 20 April 1791 and signed by Ralph Crabb1,2,3
FIRESTONE, Nicholas Jr. Nicholas Feuerstein [Firestone] arrived at Philadelphia [from northern Alsace] in 1753 and in 1761 married Eva Catharina Schwab. After living in Bedford County, Pennsylvania and serving in the Revolutionary War, they settled in 1786 on a farm near Trapp (later Jefferson) in southern Middletown Valley. In 1796 they sold their Maryland farm and purchased a farm three miles from Natural Bridge, Virginia. Of their eight children, none apparently remained in Frederick County, but migrated on to Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. [Ref: 0-46. Also, see Ref: M-9:2-14].
[List 204 A] A List of mens Names and ages, Imported in the Ship Peggy, Capt. James Abercrombie, from Rotterdam, 24 September, 1753.
Nicholus Fyrestein, 40
Nicholus Do., Jun., 21
[Endorsed:]
List of Foreigners imported in the ship Peggy, Capt. James
Abercrombie, Qualified 24th Sept. 1753.
119 Stedman.
[List 204 B] Foreigners imported in the Ship Peggy, Capt. James Abercrombie, From Rotterdam. Qualified 25th Sept. 1753.
Nickell Füerstein
Nickel Feuer[stein]
[Endorsed:] List of Foreigners imported in the Ship Peggy, Capt.
James Abercrombie
Qualified 24th Sept. 1753.
119 [men]
+21 [women & children]
140 [Total]4
ITEM 1. I give and bequeath unto my son John all and singular my lands, messuages and tenements, whereon my said son John now lives, by him to be possessed and enjoyed, reserving the title thereon, and the house wherein he now lives to myself as long as I live, for which land my said son John is to pay unto his mother and sisters, hereafter mentioned the just and full sum of nine hundred dollars, at the time and in the manner following, to-wit, vis:
One year after my death he is to pay One Hundred and Fifty Dollars unto my daughter Eva, now the wife of Kalbflish; two years after my death, unto my son Nicholas Seventy-eight Dollars & two-thirds of a dollar, he having already received two hundred and twenty-one dollars & one-third. And whereas there will be seventy-one dollars and one-third of a balance of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars, which my said son John is to pay yearly and every year, until he has paid the full sum of Nine Hundred Dollars. It is my will that my son pay the said balance of Seventy-one dollars and one-third in the second year after my death unto my four children following, in equal shares, to-wit: to my above said son Nicholas, my daughter Eve, the wife of John Kalbflish, my daughter Magdolen, the wife of John Wren, and my daughter Susannah, the wife of Phillip Hoilman, and all to be paid two years after my death. Three years after my death, he is to pay unto my daughter Magdolen, now the wife of John Wren, One Hundred and fifty dollars. And four years after my death, one hundred and fifty dollars unto my daughter Susannah, now the wife of Philip Hoilman. And five years after my death, one hundred and fifty dollars to my daughter Eve, now the wife of John Kalbflish. And six years after my death one hundred and fifty dollars more to be equally divided among my three children, following to-wit: My son Nicholas, my daughter Magdolen, now the wife of John Wren, and my daughter Susannah, now the wife of Phillip Hoilman.
Secondly, I bequeath unto my youngest daughter Elizabeth all and singular the lands, messuages and tenements, whereon I now live by her to be possessed and enjoyed reserving the title thereon and house in which I live to myself, as long as I and my wife live provided she remains a widow. But in case my wife was to marry again after my death, she is then to give full and complete possession of the house and all that belongs to the premises unto my said daughter Elizabeth. And for the said land my said daughter Elizabeth is to pay unto my four children to-wit: to my daughter Eve, now the wife of John Kalbflish, to my son Nicholas, to my daughter Magdolen, the wife of John Wren , and to my daughter Susannah, the wife of Phillip Hoilman, one hundred pounds, in the following manner, to-wit: One year after my and my wife's death, or in case of my wife marrying again, ten pounds unto my said daughter Eve, the wife of John Kalbflish, then the next year ten pounds to my son Nicholas; the third year ten pounds to my daughter Magdoelen, now the wife of John Wren: the fourth year ten pounds to my daughter Susannah, the wife of Phillip Hoilman; the fifth year to begin again at my daughter Eve & pay ten pounds; the sixth year ten pounds to my son Nicholas; the seventh ten pounds to my said daughter Magdolen; the eighth year ten pounds to my said daughter Susannah; the ninth year ten pounds to be equally divided between my aforesaid four children; the tenth year ten pounds to be equally divided between aforesaid four children.
Thirdly, If I should die before my wife, my above mentioned son John is to give unto my beloved wife, Eve Catherine, yearly and every year as long as she remains my widow, fifteen bushels of wheat, fifteen bushels rye, fifteen bushels of corn, ten bushels of turnips, ten bushels of good hackled flax, and to give her one cow, at her own expense and to furnish her with a gentle horse whenever she wants to ride, and in case my wife should marry again, then my said John is to pay her yearly during her life ten dollars per year, also one cow, her bed, her wearing apparel and no more.
Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Catherine, now the wife of Charles Long, one hundred and fifty acres of land, for which the said C. Long hath already got a deed, and the land in possession, but be it remembered that the said Charles Long is to pay out of the said land unto myself on or before the 1st day of April, 1805, the just and full sum of three hundred dollars, in one entire sum, or otherwise the above said deed is to be void.
Fifthly, I give and bequeath unto my son Mathias the one hundred and fifty acres of land on which he now lives.
Sixthly, It is my last will that after my death, there be a public vendue made of my personal estate, except the necessary household and kitchen furniture that may be necessary for my wife to keep house with. And the monies arising therefrom, together with all the money being in my possession or owing to me by notes, bonds, bank accounts or otherwise, at my death to be equally divided among my four children, to-wit: my son Nicholas, my daughter Eve, Magdolen and Susannah.
Lastly, I do herby ordain and appoint my son Mathias Firestone and my son John Firestone to be the sole Executors of this my last will and testament.
Dated June 20th, 1804 Nicholas Firestone Attested:
John George Butler
William Butler