Here is a photo I found on findagrave.com.
Its location is Mt. Olivet cemetery, Frederick, MD, in which also lies the grave of Francis Scott Key, writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
It is a long-shot, but I am investigating the possibility this might be Philip Myers’ brother. According to cousin Paula, Michael Myers (brother of Philip) is the great-great grandfather of Dr. Charles Myers, author of “A Connecticut Yankee in Penn’s Woods: the Life and Times of Thomas Bennet.” Michael Myers is not my direct ancestor, but I am keenly interested in finding anything out I can about him, in hopes it may lead to his (and Philip’s) parents, who purportedly immigrated from Germany, and settled in Frederick, MD in the 1760’s, but who are otherwise a total mystery, including even their names.
Michael himself is almost as vague; all I have from Paula is his name – no spouse, dates, or residence history. Also on Internet genealogy sites, his name appears (as the father of Madison Myers) with no other information. No Michael Myers is listed bearing the vital information shown on the gravestone above.
The “gravestone Michael’s” birth date is in the ball park, but so far, no other indication or counter-indication, other than geography. Incidentally, I found the marriage record of this couple (6 Oct. 1792) in a printed source, Marriage Licenses of Frederick County 1778-1810 by Margaret E. Myers(!). Despite the author’s name, this is no real help in connecting or disconnecting the gravestone with the brother of my fourth great-grandfather.
The monument in the photo looks relatively new, indicating some interest on the part of their descendants, whom I am trying to identify, locate, and contact.
Information relating to the family’s immigration from Germany is very sketchy and somewhat contradictory – e.g., the purported year of their journey, 1760, falls in the middle of the Seven Years’ War (called the “French & Indian War” in the US). During these years, European immigration to the New World was at a virtual standstill. 1766, the alternative given by at least one printed source, is more likely historically, but without the father’s name, I am pretty much grasping at straws.
Anecdotally, distant cousin Harry Myers, of Port Clinton, Ohio, told me that Philip’s family first arrived in Philadelphia, before settling in Maryland. He did not know the source of that tidbit. If true, it is helpful, as surviving immigrant lists are fairly extensive for Philly, although far from complete. They are all consolidated in the book, Pennsylvania German Pioneers … 1727-1808, by Ralph Strassburger. As already mentioned, the Seven Years’ War pretty much interrupted the flow. Out of a total 324 ships listed between 1727 and 1775 carrying German immigrants to Philadelphia, only one is shown between 1756 and 1763. Of course, cousin Harry may have been incorrect; Philip and family may have sailed directly to Maryland colony. Passenger lists for Maryland arrivals during any of the 18th century are nonexistent, as far as I currently know. But we can assume that there was a similar dearth of arrivals there during the Seven Years’ (aka French & Indian) War.
At least I think we can. It occurred to me that other ports, such as Baltimore, may have been less affected by the fighting than was Philadelphia. But it looks like the war in Europe was equally responsible. The page I had copied from Eighteenth Century register of emigrants from Southwest Germany by Werner Hacker, contains almost 120 names (all with the surname Mayer – that is how this book spells Myers). Of the 120, only one emigrated during the war years.
And so, the search continues. Stay tuned.
Cheryl
Sep 4, 2010
Madison Fouts Myers was one of Michael and Elizabeth (Fout(s)) Myers sons. He married Harriet Myers, a daughter of Philip and Martha (Bennet) Myers. I have just started working on this line but I haven’t found anything to indicate he is the brother of Philip. I will keep it in mind as I research.
George
Sep 4, 2010
Wow, thank you so much, Cheryl. This is a big step, *possibly* forward, but certainly a step 🙂
Michael Myers of Frederick County, part 1 « Ole's Blog
Dec 25, 2010
[…] may recall a gravestone in Frederick Town of a Michael Myers (1768-1815), whom at least one casual anecdote indicates is […]
Two Michael’s (Michael Myers, part 5) « Ole's Blog
Jan 8, 2011
[…] this Michael could conceivably be the blacksmith of Myers Ford, he could not be the “gravestone” Michael, who married Elizabeth Fout in 1792 and is buried with her at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. […]
He’s the one (Michael Myers, part 6) « Ole's Blog
Jan 14, 2011
[…] (as I have nicknamed him) is indeed the husband of Elizabeth Fout, and so he is the “gravestone” Michael, and, by anecdote at least, brother of Philip and Lawrence […]
Madison Myers, the Link « Ole's Blog
Jan 18, 2011
[…] first post about Michael Myers’ gravestone drew a comment to the effect that Madison F. (Fout) Myers was indeed the son of that particular […]
Cousin Paula Howell
Mar 7, 2011
George,
Was just rereading the Michael Saga. I’m going up to D.C. in the next few months and would very much like to go to said cemetery and other places in Maryland that might have info that would be beneficial. If you have any specifics as to where I should go, let me know. Paula
I would love to have your password. Thanks.
George
Mar 7, 2011
That’s great, cousin. I will email you the password today, & some more Maryland info later. Just for “seeing the ground,” you might want to visit the Michael Myers land and nearby “Myers Ford,” near Creagerstown. I can give you all the details by email. See this post.
Sarah Shanley
Feb 1, 2015
Do you have a copy of “The Myers Family” written by Charles Myers in Illinois in May 1885? It doesn’t include the given name of our Myers ancestor who emigrated from Germany but it does include some mention of Michael. “Fourth son – farmer in Maryland – raised a large family – one daughter of whom married George Eichelberger of Virginia…..”
George
Feb 1, 2015
Thanks for the comment. I am not familiar with that piece; would love to read it. That Charles Myers (1827-1920) is only a name in my family tree, whom I know little about. Are you a descendant of his? I see his mother’s name was Sarah.
The post you read is outdated, though. A cousin and I have gathered a load of info on Michael Myers, & I visited his grave and home site. See this page about Michael, and this post is the beginning of a long trip through a bunch of Myers sites.