The Beginnings

The Wolf Family in America began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was here on August 8, 1769 at St. Michaels and Zion church that Eve Catherine Crebs became the bride of Andrew Wolf. (Variations of the surname include Wolf, Wolfe, Woolf and Wolff.) (Pennsylvania Archives. Second Series, Vol. 9, p. 349. records of St. Michaels and Zion Church, Philadelphia) The Marriage license shows Crebs misspelled Criles (and it has more spellings than has Wolf in the family, among them being Crebbs, Krebs, Kribs, Cribbs, Griggs, etc.).  Eve Catherine was said to have been confirmed at the New Hanover Church on April 8, 1750, but I was unable to document this as fact.

Andrew , the progenitor of all the Wolf's included in this presentation, came to America on the passenger ship HERO, sailing from Rotterdam, last from Cowes, which qualified at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 27, 1764. He signed the abjuration list by making his mark (X). This meant that his name was actually written in by someone else and they wrote Andreas Wolff (Strassburger and Hinke, "Pennsylvania German Pioneer," Vol. 1, p. 697). Records show he paid L15 for his passage. One note of interest, I was unable to find another record in that time frame of the HERO ever making another voyage to America.  Doctor Andrew Wolf, son of Christopher Wolf and grandson of Andrew, was the authority for the statement that his grandfather, for whom he was named, came to America soon after "becoming of age" (21), which would make his birth year 1743.
 

History of the Hocking Valley. 1883

It is uncertain exactly when the young couple came west to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, but it can be surmised that Andrew and his growing pioneer family did not have an easy life on the frontier of their new country. Andrew, himself saw Revolutionary War service and was called on to take part in skirmishes with the Indians around the countryside. Indians were a constant worry to settlers, who sometimes banded together to petition the governor for help.

 One such petition, signed by Andrew Wolff, Lot Darling, George Helbingar, and others, dated 1774, endorsed "Fort Shippin  at John Proctor's Esq" asking for protection from Indian depredations. (Pennsylvania Archives, 1st Series; also, Caldwell's   History of Indiana County, 1880, p. 138) Petitions of the inhabitants of Westmoreland and Ohio counties in Pennsylvania,  people of the the border counties assembles and petitioned the governor, John Penn, setting forth there was a great reason to  apprehend that the country would again be immediately involved in all the horrors of an Indian war that their circumstances at  the time were truly alarming, "Our houses abandoned to pillage; labor and industry entirely at a standstill; our crops destroyed  by cattle; our flocks dispersed; the minds of our people distracted with the terrors of falling along with the helpless and  unprotected families, the immediate victims of savage barbarity, in the midst of these scenes of desolation and ruin, next to the  Almighty, we look to your honor, hoping from your known benevolence and humanity, such protection and relief as your honor shall meet."

During the Revolution, Andrew Wolff is noted as a private Captain Samuel Roger's company in the First Battalion of Cumberland County militia, his name appearing in a roll of Captain Rogers dated August 16, 1780 . 5th Series, Vol. 6 page 90 & 124, Pennsylvania Archives. He is also recorded as a member of the Pennsylvania Militia, 1791, on page 663, 6th Series, Vol. 5. With this entry is a note by him and others "We, the undersigned subscribers, Do acknowledge to have received of Charles Campbell, the sum annexed to our names for our services as rangers on the frontier, $1.00." Three other listings of his service are found in the Pennsylvania Archives on p. 124, Series 5, Vol. 6, he is listed in 5th Company, 2nd class, first battalions of Cumberland County Militia, march 1, 1782. A class roll of Captain Samuel Rogers' Company (being the 5th) of the first Battalions of Cumberland County Militia includes him on August 16, 1780. One page 89,
Series 5, Vol. 6, in the division of public records, Pennsylvania State Library C, he is listed among soldiers who received depreciation pay as per canceled certificates.

Andrew Wolf seems to have lived in Derry Township of Westmoreland county, where he appears on various tax lists. but a number of his children were baptized at Zion Church or Herolds (also spelled Harrolds) Church as it was known. later he lived in Black Lick Township of what later was Indiana County (or perhaps is was the same place, but township boundaries had changed). A tax list of Westmoreland County for 1783 shows Andrew in Armstrong Township (this is what would later be Black Lick Township), having one tract of land. (Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, volume 22). Westmoreland County deed
book entry in Survey Book D, Volume 90, p. 2, shows a land grant to Andrew Wolf dated March 21, 1786 for 183-3/4 acres on the south side of Black Lick Creek in Armstrong Township, Westmoreland County, PA. He died there in 1803.
 

The Children of Andrew Wolf

George Wolf born June 26,1771

The Zion church, more commonly called "Herrolds," had a record of confirmants who were confirmed and blessed on May 27, 1792, and partook of the Lord's Supper for the first time. In this record, as shown in the history of the Old Zion Church, is shown the name of John Wolff, age. Another list of confirmants under the date April 20, 1784, includes the name Anna Maria Wolff, age 17, which also agrees with her 1776 birth date. I have included several records so you may comprehend the difficulty of the spellings, dates, etc..

 JOHN WOLF born February 17, 1774, baptized February 9, 1778 at Herrolds church. Sponsored by Mother, Eva  Crebs Wolf, wife of Andrew.

 ELIZABETH WOLF born July 23, 1776, baptized February 9, 1778. Sponsors were Jacob Zehner and wife
Catherine.

 ANNA MARIA WOLF born 23 July 1776 (twin of Elizabeth) also baptized February 9, 1778. Sponsors were
George Zehner and wife Anna Maria.

 JOHN CHRISTIAN WOLF born February 20, 1778, baptized January 23, 1779. Sponsors were John Crebs and Sophia Sebring.

 CHRISTOPHER WOLF born February 23 1780. Baptized March 19, 1780. Sponsors were George Haeddenbach and wife Anna Margaretta.

 CATHERINE WOLF born June 19, 1782. Baptized June 8, 1783. Sponsors were Philip Muhleisen and wife
Maria Barbara. (from Rev. Weber's Records)

 JACOB WOLF born August 15, 1784, baptized April 17, 1785. Sponsors were Jacob Zenher and wife Catherine.  (from Herrolds Reformed Church records)

From German Reformed and Lutheran church records, Reverend Paul M. Ruff, Volume 1 and Volume 2 on Wolff families in Westmoreland County 1772-1804, the following was taken

 JOHANNES WOLFF born 2/17/1774 baptized 2/9/1778

 ELIZABETH WOLFF born 7/23/1776 baptized 2/9/1778 sponsored by Jacob Zehner

 ANNA MARIA WOLFF born 7/23/1776 baptized 2/9/1778 sponsored by George Zehner and Anna Maria

 JOHN CHRISTIAN WOLFF born 10/20/1778 baptized 1/19/1779 sponsored by Johannes Krebs and Sophie Rebe

 CHRISTIAN or CHRISTOPHER WOLFF born 2/23/1780 baptized 3/19/1780 sponsored by George Hattenbach and Anna Magretha

 JACOB WOLFF born 8/16/1784 baptized 4/17/1785 sponsored by Jacob Lehner and Catherine.

After the death of Eva Wolf around 1785, Andrew remarried, this time to Catherine (unknown surname), who was a widow with one daughter. The following children were born to Andrew and his second wife

 BARBARA WOLF born about 1789

 SALOME (SARAH) WOLF born January 12, 1791. Baptized July 8, 1792. sponsors were Jacob Krebs and his wife Anna Maria. (from Rev. Webers records)

 HANNAH WOLF born August 4, 1796 and baptized August 29, 1803. Sponsors were George Crebs and wife Barbara.  (from Greensburg Lutheran Church records)

 MARTHA WOLF

The Neighbors

 These old pioneer names appear again and again in the two preserved day books from local stores of the day. From the day book of Charles Campbell's store ( probably at "Campbell's Mills in Blackjack Township, now Indiana County )

George Wolf

Peter Fair

January 1795 Andrew Woolf  ( bought a straw knife )

George Wolf

February 1795 Andrew Woolf ( a shawl)

George Cribbs

Peter Fair ( 1 cross-cut saw, etc. )

April 25, 1795 George Wolf

November 25, 1795 George Wolf

Taken from a day book of a store at Old Newport, (Indiana County). The accounts of which begin June 25, 1805 George
Cribbs ( "Balance on a quart")

1808

Miss Kitty Wolf ( 1 pr. cotton stockings)

George Cribbs June.,

Peter Fair

John Harold (One pair snuffers)

1809 John Harold ( 3 gallons apple brandy, etc.)

Taken from The Wolf Family History by Nora Wolf Atkinson

More on Andrew

After the death of Eve Catherine Crebs, Andrew took a second wife, also named Catherine (Unknown surname) who had a daughter from a previous marriage. Her name was Catherine too. Andrew died in 1803 and his will was recorded in Westmoreland County Courthouse, Greensburg, PA. in June , 1803. It is supposed that the children of his first marriage were not mentioned because they had received their shares before they migrated to the Ohio Valley. The will was recorded by John Fair, who married Andrew's daughter Elizabeth, and one John Weidmann. The will is a study in the simple but prized possessions of the day.

THE WILL

To my wife Catherine 50 acres on the Frank town Road beginning at John McCready's corner and running so as to take in the spring we now use at this present ; one bed and clothes; one mare and saddle and bridle and the two cows that hat calves and the whole of the sheep and three pails and one bucket and one washing tub and one ten gallon kettle; six pewter plates and tea cups and saucers; coffee pot and tea kettle and coffee mill and stove and wheel and reel and ax; one hoe; one chest and table and pair of cotton cards and collar hams and chains; All grain in the ground for widow and children for their support and the plow irons; The 50 acres at her death to be equally deviled between my four children, Barbara, Sarah, Hanna and Martha.

I will to my step-daughter, Catherine, a rigid heifer and a new spinning wheel and her bed. To my daughter Barbara Woolf and Sarah and Hanna and Martha Woolf, one bed; two quilts, one covered; one pillow and sheet and bedstead.

5th I will allow the remainder of my real and personal estate to be sold and debts paid by executors and money divided among the whole of my children.

Andrew appointed Daniel Olio and wife Catherine as executors. Dated June 15, 1803 and signed by his mark.

Witnessed by Charles Campbell and Robert Mechling.

Taken from Wolf Family History by Nora Wolf Atkinson pages 15 & 16.

The Indiana County, PA. Orphans Court Docket , Book 1, Page 1 shows that on the 2nd Monday in March 1807, on petition of Barbara Wolf and Sarah Wolf, children of Andrew Wolf, deceased, minors over 14 years of age, chose Samuel Gumtree as their guardian, and he was so appointed.

After Andrew's death, his widow, Catherine, continued to live on the homestead in Blackjack Township, where she appears on the tax lists of 1807 as a "Tavern Keeper" and similarly for a number of years. Evidently Andrew Wolf's place was a well known tavern or stopping place on the old Frank town Road through the lower part of Indiana County, PA.

I compiled this and other history and a ten generation genealogy  for my family in 1997. You know, except for Andrew our family cemetery holds every generation . I am a descendant of Andrew's son Christopher Wolf who owned Wolf Plains in Athens County Ohio that is referred to on the migration page by a descendant of the Herald family. The Wolf family cemetery is also online.  Christopher and Jacob Wolf (brothers) married sisters, Rhode and Lydia Door, daughters of Captain Matthew Door, of Ct. and of Revolutionary War fame, having fought in Washington's army in the Battle of Sara toga as well as other
battles. He is in Pioneers Cemetery  at Wolf Plains and with no monument. The government will be approached soon about getting one.

An Early Petition to Governor John Penn of Pennsylvania
      From The History of Indiana County, Pennsylvania by J. A. Caldwell, p. 138; Newark, Ohio, 1880

Petitions of the Inhabitants of Westmoreland and Ohio Counties "The people of the border counties assembled and petitioned
Governor John PENN, setting forth "that there was great reason to apprehend that the country would again be immediately
involved in all the horrors of an Indian war; that their circumstances, at that critical time, were truly alarming; deserted by the
greater part of our neighbors and fellow-subjects, unprotected with places of strength to resort to with ammunition, provisions,
and with almost every other necessary store. Our houses abandoned to pillage; labor and industry entirely at a stand; our crops
destroyed by cattle; our flocks dispersed; the minds of our people distracted with the terrors of falling, along with the helpless
and unprotected families, the immediate victims of savage barbarity. In the midst of these scenes of desolation and ruin, next to
the Almighty, we look to your Honor, hoping, from your known benevolence and humanity, such protection and relief as your
Honor shall see meet." A number of petitions of this kind were signed and sent to Governor Penn, one dated 1774, Fort
Shippen, at Captain John PROCTOR's. Signed by Lot DARLING, Andrew WOOLF, George HELBINGBAR, Samuel
SLOAN, William CALDWELL, Robert ROULSTON, William ALLISON, William COERTNY, John PATRICK, Benjamin
COCHRAN, David MAXWILL, Wm. HUGHS, Elias PETTET, James GAMMEL, James FORSYTH, Robert TAYLOR,
John LESLIE, William ANDERSON, Joseph CAMPBELL, John McKEE, George MOORE, William PERRY, Charles
MITCHELL, James WALLACE, John SCOTT, Knight SCOTT, Robert STEVENSON, Andrew ALLISON, John COX,
William MICHEL, Joseph MAN, George HENRY, James CAMPBELL, Josias CAMPBELL, Paul WAG, John LAM,
Joseph SAPHUT, Isaac PARR, John MOORE, Robert BEISLEIN, John LYDICK, Philip COUZE, William McCALL,
George SMIELE, Ferguson MOORHEAD, Richard JARVIS, David KILLGOUR, John PROCTOR, Samuel
MOORHEAD, William LOCHRY, James HAMILTON, Arthur HARVEY, Patrick ARCHBOLD, William MOUNT, John
DAVIS, John HARRY, John PUGAN, Robert MARSHALL, John CAMPBELL, Henry ZANE, Robert CALDWELL,
George LEASURE, James STEVENSON, Thomas STEVENSON, Robert COCHRAN, John TAYLOR, William SLONE,
William MARTIN, Robert CALDWELL, Andrew MITCHELL, David SLOAN, James FULTON, Francis McGINNIE,
James CARNAHAN, William THOMPSON, Allen SLOAN, Moses DICKIE, Nathaniel BRYAN."
 

Jody Cullison