Jacob Hoover the Wagoner

Jacob Hoover is listed on this Muster Roll as the wagoner to General Muhlenberg:

Jacob likely commanded a Conestoga Wagon, very similar to this example:

The Conestoga Wagon was said to be built in 1717 and was named for Conestoga Township, Lancaster, PA--the same area Jacob Hoover was from. The wooden and iron-rimmed wagons pulled by horses or mules, were built with a curved floor in order to keep supplies from shifting during travel on rough or uneven surfaces. Wagons were usually about 18 feet long, 11 feet high, 4 feet wide, and could haul up to 12,000 pounds of supplies or men. In order to keep the wagon from sinking in water, the seams between the boards were filled with tar.

Jacob Hoover Military Discharge

On October 12, 1779, following the Sullivan Expedition, Jacob Hoover is discharged from the Continental Army, and returns to his wife and family.

Sample of Jacob Hoover Pay Roll Stubs 

Last Will and Testament of Jacob Hoover 1730-1800

In November of 1800, Jacob Hoover put his last will and testament to paper. He died the following month on or around the 10th and was buried in Woodberry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. His will of proved, or submitted to court, in March of 1801. Later in 1801, his wife Anna passed away was buried in the same area, but at this time the true location of their grave site has never been found.

"In the name of God, Amen, I Jacob Hoover of Woodberry Township Bedford County & State of Pennsylvania being weak of Body but of Sound Mind and Memory and Understanding blessed be God for the same Do make and Publish this my Last will & Testament in manner and form Following to wit, and first of all I Commend my Immortal Soul into the hand of God who gave it, and my body to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian like manner at the Discretion of my Executors herein after Named and as to Such worldly Estate wherewith it hath Blessed God to bless me in this Life I give and Dispose of the same in the following Manner to wit I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Anna Hoover her heirs or assigns the sum of one hundred and Twenty seven pounds Lawful money of Pennsylvania which money she has Securities for in her own name I also give unto her heirs or assigns the further sum of five pounds three shillings and nine pence to be paid out to her out of my property at my Decease. I also give and bequeath unto her her heirs or assigns all my household Goods and Movable Effects (Except what money I have either in hand or otherwise belonging to me) I also give unto her the whole Use Possession and benefit of the Plantation I now live on with all the Appurtenances I now live on with all the appurtenances thereunto belong ing During the full term of her Natural Life And at her Decease to be or sold and added to the rest of my Estate and Divided as is herein after Directed I also give and bequeath unto my son Henry Hoover that Just Sum of four shillings Good and Lawful money of Pennsylvania and as to all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my estate of what Kind and Nature so ever I allow to be Divided into Ten Equal parts or shares; And I Do hereby give and bequeath to my Martin Hoover one full share I also Give and bequeath to my son John Hoover one full share I also Give and bequeath to my Daughter Anne Houser one full share I also give and bequeath to my son Christopher Hoover one full share I also Give and bequeath to my Daughter Barbara Rice one full share I also give and bequeath to my Daughter Frena [Hoover] one full share I also give and bequeath to my Daughter Madlina Rorah one full share I also give & bequeath to my son Peter Hoover one full share except [twenty] five pounds which is to be reduced out of his share I also give and bequeath to my son Abraham Hoover one full share Except twenty five pounds which is to be reduced out of his share I also give & bequeath unto my two grandsons Christophel and Andrew Hoover of my Henry Hoover one full share Except Twenty five pounds which is to be reduced from their share And the sum of five Pounds is to be reduced out of the Last mentioned share I give  & bequeath unto my Jacob Hoover with what he has before Received which is to be all his part and the share which I bequeath to my two grand sons Christophel and Andrew Hoover I allow to be equally Divided between them Each to have an Equal part thereof.

And Lastly I nominate, Constitute  Ordain and Appoint my two Trusty son in-laws Martin Houser of Woodberry Township Bedford County & State of Pennsylvania & Jacob Rice of Washington County and state of Maryland to be the sole Executors of this my Last Will & Testament And I do hereby utterly Disallow Revoke and Disannul all and every other former Testaments Wills Legacies and be quests by me in any way named and bequeathed Ratifying and Confirming this and no Other to be my Last Will and Testament In Witness where of I have hereunto set me hand and seal the tenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred Jacob Huber.

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the
above named Jacob Hoover to be his Last
Will and Testament in the presence of us
who have hereunto subscribed our names
as Witness in the Presence of the Testator.
We the Witnesses Do hereby Certify that
the words (her heirs or assigns) above lines
fifteen and seventee was wrote and Interlined be
fore the Testator Signed his name thereunto
Jacob Shoenfeld
Peter his X mark Bower"

Source: Jacob Hoover Will (1801) Bedford County Will Book A:15