In Lancaster County Orphans Court on December 6, 1781, Conrad Fastnacht (sic) and his wife Catharine, a daughter of the deceased Leonard Acker, filed a petition regarding land owned by the deceased, who had died intestate owning a 200 acre tract in Earl Township. The petitioners wanted to hold the land. It was noted that the deceased had left a widow and six children, two of whom were still minors. A report was to be made at the next Orphans Court session. There is no mention of a report made at the following sessions of the court regarding this petition, but on March 7, 1783, a petition was made by Michael Sower and his wife Anna Maria, a daughter of the deceased Leonard Acre (sic), to hold a 225 acre tract in Earl Township. On April 10, a report was made concerning the 225 acres, which had been found to be 211 1/2 acres. The land was confirmed to the eldest son Jacob who was to pay the other heirs. On June 2, 1784, the court made a motion to issue a citation to Jacob Acre to appear on June 7 to show cause why he had not complied with the 1783 order to pay the distributive shares. On June 15, 1784, a motion was made by Jacob Acre, eldest son of Leonard Acre, Michael Sower, who was married to Leonard's daughter Mary, Conrad Fasnacht, who was married to another daughter Catharine, and Jacob Waggoner, who was married to another daughter Elizabeth. Referees were appointed to value and appraise the rents of the real estate for as long as they were in the possession of the said Jacob Acre. The referees made their report on June 25. It is not clear whether the 200 acres in the first petition were the same as the 211 1/2 acres acquired by Jacob, but they probably were since they were approximately the same size. In any event, there is important genealogical information contained in these proceedings. It was also noted in the 1783 petition that Leonard had left a widow and five children. If this is correct, then one of the children had died, probably Eva, who was mentioned only once (1775) in the guardianship proceedings. Catharine and Anna Maria were of age in 1775, Jacob was a minor above 14 years of age, and Elizabeth, Eva and Leonard were under 14. Jim Ensinger

I've tried to establish the origins of the Acker/Ecker families of Earl & Brecknock townships for years. I cannot connect the Leonard Acker family of Earl tp. to the Abraham Ecker/Eicher family or families of Brecknock & Earl townships--nor to the Philip Eckert family of Leacock & Earl township. The Acker family of Hempfield tp. descends from Casper Acker of the Coventry region in Chester County. Proof there lies in deed records. That family was Mennonite or Brethren. Here follows ongoing research notes that--coupled with Mr. Ensinger's posting--gives a pretty thorough picture of the Leonard Acker family: The lands of Leonard Acker: 141 ? a. Earl tp. war. 14 Mar 1754 to Jacob Duman sur. 13 9m. 1759 pat. 10 Apr 1761 to warrantee (AA-1-223) 59a, 93p Earl tp. war. 16 Mar 1786 to Jacob Acker sur. 17 Apr 1786 pat. 11 May 1786 to warrantee (P6-278) Patent AA-1-223: 141 ? a. Earl tp. pat. 10 Apr 1761 to Jacob Duman, the warrantee In pursuance of a warrant dated 14 Mar 1754, Jacob Duman, yeoman, of Lancaster County had surveyed 141 ? a. Earl tp. on 13 Sep 1759. Description: by land of Philip Sheafer, land of Christian Showalter, land of Thomas Cochran, and land of William Cochran. Patent P6-278: Not yet compiled. Note: Though the warrant does not explain, this tract was originally part of 325a Earl tp. surveyed to Robert Shanklin on 8 4m. 1738 in pursuance of a warrant dated 8 Aug 1737. Adjoining tracts warranted to Jacob Acker and Philipp Schaeffer were also part of this earlier tract. The warrant should specify this information. Note: On 10 Apr 1783, the Orphans Court confirmed 211A to Jacob Acker, the eldest son of Leonard Acker, deceased. It appears that Leonard Acker owned the above two tracts. The warrant for the 1786 tract should indicate Leonard Acker as the prior owner. 1737: Warrant to Robert Shanklin 1738: Survey to Robert Shanklin, 325A (Shanklin apparently never complied with the terms and the warrant was vacated) 1754: Warrant to Jacob Duman 1759: Survey to Jacob Duman, 141A (part of original Shanklin tract) 1763: Jacob Duman to Leonard Acker, 141A (FF-301) 1783: Leonard Acker (via Orphans Court) to eldest son Jacob Acker, 211A, including said 141A (OC 10 Apr 1783) 1786: Warrant (2.) to the said Jacob Acker 1786: Survey (2.) to Jacob Acker, 59A 1786: Patent to Jacob Acker, 59A, giving him a total of 211A (including an allowance for roads) 1786: Jacob Acker to John Smith, 10A (FF-306) 1786: Jacob Acker to John Bitzer, 100A (FF-301) 1786: John Bitzer to Peter Krebs & Jacob Stauffer, 100A (FF-303) 1787: Jacob Acker to Jonathan Roland, about 101A (GG-212) 1795: John Smith to the said Jacob Stauffer, 10A (XX-279) FF-373: Michael Sauer, yeoman, & his wife Anna Maria and Jacob Wagner, yeoman, & his wife Elizabeth, all of Earl tp. [the said Anna Maria & Elizabeth being two daughters of Leonhard Acker, deceased, late of Earl tp.] rel.to Jacob Acker of same [the eldest son of the said Leonhard Acker, deceased] --Their right & claim to 205 ? a. Earl tp.: HISTORY: Late the estate of said Leonhard Acker. 1 Aug 1784: Petter Hackert & EC FF-301: Jacob Acker, yeoman, & his wife Elizabeth of Earl tp. enf-rel.to John Bitzer, yeoman, of same 110a Earl tp. [excepting ten acres previously granted to Jacob Smith]: HISTORY: Part of two adjoining tracts: (1.) 141 ? a. Earl tp. pat. 10 Apr 1761 to Jacob Thomen (Ref. PB AA-1-223). On 4 Mar 1763, Jacob Thomen & his wife Susanna granted the same to Leonard Acker. Said Leonard Acker died intestate leaving a widow named Elizabeth and issue several children. The Orphans Court confirmed the real estate to Jacob Acker, the eldest son & party hereto. (2.) 59 ? a. Earl tp. pat. 11 May 1786 to said Jacob Acker (Ref. PB #6, page 278). [Note: The patent source information is only given in the following indenture.] 20 May 1786: Henry Weaver & Samuel Stoufer FF-303: John Bitzer, yeoman, & his wife Mary of Earl tp. enf-rel.to Peter Krebs & Jacob Stouffer, yeomen, both of same 110a Earl tp. [excepting ten acres previously granted to Jacob Smith]: HISTORY: It being the same tract given in the preceding indenture. 1 Jul 1786: Jacob Weber & John Weber FF-306: Jacob Acker, yeoman, & his wife Elizabeth of Earl tp. enf-rel.to John Smith [sic-see preceding indentures], weaver, of same 10a Earl tp.: HISTORY: It being part of the same two tracts given in the history of Deed FF-301. --26 Jul 1786: John Miller & Henry Ream GG-212: Jacob Acker, yeoman, & his wife Elizabeth of Earl tp. enf-rel.to Jonathan Rowland, storekeeper, of same --Two tracts: (1.) 141 ? a. Earl tp. [excepting sundry lots previously sold] and (2.) 59 ? a. Earl tp.: HISTORY: Both late part of the estate of Leonard Acker, yeoman, late of Earl tp., who died intestate. By law, the properties descended to his son Jacob, the party hereto. On 11 May 1786, said Jacob Acker patented the 59 ? a. tract (Ref. PB #6, page 278). 18 Aug 1787: John Luther & John Hetzel NN-171: Leonard Acker, late of Earl tp., died intestate seized of 205 ? a. Earl tp. He left a widow and the following children: Jacob Acker (the eldest son), Leonard Acker, Anna Maria wife of Michael Sauer, and Elizabeth wife of Jacob Wagner. On 1 Aug 1784, Michael Sauer & his wife and Jacob Wagner & his wife quitclaim their right & title to the said Jacob Acker. Since, Jacob Acker has granted certain parcels to Peter Kreps & Jacob Stoffer and Jonathan Rowland. However, it has been determined that the titles are defective since no release has been given by Leonard Acker (the son). As the said Leonard Acker is incapable of governing himself, the Court of Common Pleas appointed his brother Jacob Acker as well as Michael Bitzer, both of Earl tp., as his guardians. Now, by their indenture, Jacob Acker & Michael Bitzer formally quitclaim their ward's right & title to the aforesaid parcels of land. --26 Sep 1791 XX-279: John Smith, weaver, of Earl tp. enf-rel.to Jacob Stauffer, yeoman, of same 10a Earl tp.: HISTORY: Part of two tracts acquired by Jacob Acker: (1.) 141 ? a. Earl tp. pat. 10 Apr 1761 to Jacob Tommen (Ref. PB AA-1-233). On 4 Mar 1763, Jacob Tommen & his wife Susanna granted the same to Leonard Acker. Said Leonard Acker died intestate leaving a widow named Elizabeth and issue several children. The Orphans Court has since confirmed the real estate to Jacob Acker, the eldest son. And (2.) 59 ? a. Earl tp. pat. 11 May 1786 to the said Jacob Acker (Ref. PB #6, page 278). // On 26 Jul 1786, Jacob Acker & his wife Elizabeth granted 10a Earl tp. [part of both aforesaid tracts] to John Smith, the party hereto. --18 Nov 1795: Frederick Seeger & Moses Bauer