Person:George Tarr (2)

Introducing George Tarr from Eastern PA to Venango Co, PA___________________________________________________________

The Tarr Name

George Tarr, as all currently known sources relate, was born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania c 25 September 1766; his parentage appears to be of German immigrants. His surname may have been a derivative of Tarr such as Dorr, Durr, and the like.

Who's George Tarr's Father?

A recent flurry of information leads this researcher to speculate on the possible ancestry of George Tarr:

• 1. Gasper Dorr or Durr, born Palatinate; married before 1735 and came to American colonies bef 1749.
• 2. Johannes Balthaser Durr, b Palatinate c1735; came to American colonies in 1749 aboard the ship Dragon which landed in Philadelphia; he married Maria Catherina (unknown) but it's not known where this marriage took place, but they supposedly had 11 children. Johannes Balthaser migrated to Ellicott Mills, MD and took an Oath of Allegience at Baltimore, Maryland on 26 Sept 1768. From there he moved to the Sewickley Settlement before the American Revolution. In 1783 he owned 300 Acres, 2 horses, 2 cattle, 2 sheep, and lived in Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA where he was a potter by trade, and a member of the Zion-Lutheran Church. He died on 20 Jan 1792 but his burial place and that of his wife is not known.
• 3. Johann Friederich (Frederick) Tarr was listed in the 1800 Westmoreland Co, PA federal census

00110 20011 and in 1820 Buffalo Twp, Armstrong Co, PA; supposedly Frederick died there in 1825.

The following may be candidates for George’s father, but this needs to be researched further.

• Hans Georg Dorr and wife Anna Margaretha; Daughter Maria Eva; Son Hans Gorg; Daughter Maria Margaretha, 1747 PA

Source: Burget, Annette K. Eighteenth Century Emigrants from German-Speaking Lands to North America. Publications of the Pennsylvania German Society, 16/19. Birdsboro, PA: The Pennsylvania German Society. Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau. 1983, p95

• Peter and Maria Margaretha Fuchs Dorr 1764 US

Source: Krebs, Frederick. "Pfaelzer Amerika-Auswanderer des 18. Jahrhunderts." In Familie und Volk, vol. 5:2 (Mar.-Apr. 1956), pp. 60-62; vol. 5:4 (July-Aug. 1956), pp. 154-157; vol. 5:5 (Sept.-Oct. 1956), p179

• Johann Georg Dorr to US 1752

Emigration from the Rhenish Palatinate and the Saarland in the 18th century. Date of emigration with intended destination or date and port of arrival. Sources of the information on emigration and town of origin also provided. Source Bibliography: Hacker, Werner. Auswanderungen aus Rheinpfalz und Saarland im 18. Jahrhundert. Stuttgart, Germany: Konrad Theiss Verlag, Villastrasse 11, W-7000 Stuttgart, 1987, p285

• Johann Heinrich Dorr to US 1742

Source: Hall, Charles M. "Surname Index." In The Palatine Immigrant. Vol. 1:3 (Winter 1976), p15

• Johann Heinrich Dorr to US 1742 PA

Emigrants to America from the jurisdiction of Oppenheim. From records of the former German Electoral Palatine jurisdiction of Oppenheim, stored in the Oppenheim city archives. About 50 emigrants to Pennsylvania, matched with entries in nos. 9041 and 9042 Source: Krebs, Frederick. "Amerika-Auswanderer aus dem Oberamt Oppenheim 1742-1749." In Hessische Familienkunde, vol. 3:6 (June 1955), cols. 341-344, p343

• Johann Heinrich Dorr 1742 to Philadelphia, PA

Source: Rupp, Israel Daniel. A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and Other Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776, with a Statement of the Names of Ships, Whence They Sailed, and the Date of Their Arrival at Philadelphia, Chronologically Arranged, Together with the Necessary Historical and Other Notes, also, an Appendix Containing Lists of More Than One Thousand German and French Names in New York prior to 1712. Leipzig [Germany], p154

• Johann Dorr to US 1741-1767, PA

Source: Smith, Clifford Neal. Emigrants from the Principality of Hessen-Hanau, Germany, 1741-1767. (German-American Genealogical Research Monograph, 6.) McNeal, Ariz.: Westland Publications, 1979. p21

Johannes Dorr 1743 PA Source: Egle, William Henry, editor Names of Foreigners Who Took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania, 1727-1775, with the Foreign Arrivals, 1786-1808. (Pennsylvania Archives, ser. 2, vol. 17.) Harrisburg [PA]: E.K. Meyers, 1890. 787p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1967, p240

• Henerach Dorr to US 1742 to PA b c 1719.

Taken from original manuscripts in the state archives. Names given throughout pages 1-677. Foreigners arriving in Pennsylvania named on pages 521-667. No. 3776, Kelker, supplements this. Source: Egle, William Henry, editor Names of Foreigners Who Took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania, 1727-1775, with the Foreign Arrivals, 1786-1808. (Pennsylvania Archives, ser. 2, vol. 17.) Harrisburg [PA]: E.K. Meyers, 1890. 787p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1967, p229

• Johann Adam Dorr 1749 to US in Philadelphia, PA

Source: Strassburger, Ralph Beaver. Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808. Edited by William John Hinke. Norristown [PA]: Pennsylvania German Society, 1934. 3 vols. Vols. 1 and 3 reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1964. Repr. 1983. Vol. 1. 1727-1775, p397

• Johann Adam Dorr 1754 to PA

Source: Egle, William Henry, editor Names of Foreigners Who Took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania, 1727-1775, with the Foreign Arrivals, 1786-1808. (Pennsylvania Archives, ser. 2, vol. 17.) Harrisburg [PA]: E.K. Meyers, 1890. 787p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1967, p429

• Johann Christian Dorr 1753 to Philadelphia, PA

Source: Strassburger, Ralph Beaver. Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808. Edited by William John Hinke. Norristown [PA]: Pennsylvania German Society, 1934. 3 vols. Vols. 1 and 3 reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1964. Repr. 1983. Vol. 1. 1727-1775. p523 Source: Vogel, Doris Glade. List 199B: Foreigners Imported in the Ship Edinburg, Capt. James Russel, were qualified 14 September, 1753. In Palatines to America (Illinois Chapter, Quincy, IL), vol. 3:4 (December 1983/January 1984), p8

Where Was George Tarr Born?

• 1. In one source George Tarr is referred to as “born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania”.

*Sketch of George W. Tarr, Herbert C. Bell, History of Venango Co, PA. Its Past and Present, 1890, p1050

• 2. From a second source George Tarr is referred to as being of German ancestry, a son of German immigrants. If this were true his parents were both from that area designated as Germany before 1766; they would have migrated from Germany to Pennsylvania (eastern) before 1766. Whether George Tarr had any siblings is not currently known.

*Sketch of George Tarr, JH Newton, History of Venango Co, PA, 1879, p567

• 3. In a third source George Tarr and his wife were identified as born in Germany and immigrating to the US in 1792. Since George Tarr and his wife Barbara died prior to the 1850 US Federal Census, which identified census inclusions with a place of birth, we may never know the truth of statements #1,2,and 3, but his children in subsequent census data either identified their parents as born in PA or left that information blank.

*Sketch of George W. Tarr, Samuel P. Bates, Our County and Its People: A Historical and Memorial of Crawford Co, PA, 1899, p866

Oral tradition has also passed on the information that George Tarr lived in Centre Co, PA prior to his settlement in Venango Co, PA, but no other data has been discovered to substantiate this.

Various Renderings of George Tarr's Life

George Tarr settled in Venango Co, PA c1800 where he allegedly owned over 1,000 acres, but his total acreage never exceeded 800 acres. In the 1800 US Federal Census for Venango Co, PA, the Tarr family was not listed. He cleared the forest and improved a farm; he built a small log cabin in which he resided for nearly 40 years and he later bought land on the roadway and erected a larger and neater home where he died. In those early settlement years things were very scarce and provisions for the family’s subsistence were difficult to find so they were compelled to take up potatoes they had planted earlier and ea them. Bears, panthers, wolves, deer, and wild turkey were plentiful.

*Sketch of George Tarr, JH Newton, History of Venango Co, PA, 1879, p567

He resided in Sugarcreek Twp until 1841 when his residence became part of Oakland Twp. He was taxed in 1805 for property valued at $235. His tax for land from 1806 for several years after was for 400 acres. In 1807 he was taxed for land of 400 acres in Cherrytree Twp.On 2 Dec 1812 he bought 300 acres of an unseated tract in French Creek Twp (previous owner - Mr. Greenleaf). He was taxed through 1823 for 400 acres in Cherrytree Twp. In the spring of 1829 he and wife Barbara sold 163 acres to son Martin Tarr on 6 Apr 1829 and 150 acres sold to son Jacob Tarr on 23 May 1829 with Barbara signing with an X. The remaining 100 acres George willed to son George Tarr, JR.

Census Records

1810 Derry, Dauphin, Pennsylvania; Roll: 54; Page: 723 1/2; Image: 6.00. George Tarr 11010/110100

1820 Sugarcreek, Venango, Pennsylvania; Roll: M33_114; Page: 7; Image: 16. George Tarr 11010110001

1830; Census Place: Sugarcreek, Venango, Pennsylvania; Roll: 164; Page: 28. George Tarr 001000001/00010001

1840 Venango, Pennsylvania; Roll: 497; Page: 78. George Tarr 1m 70-80; 1f 60-70

George Tarr's Will

George Tarr's will was written 24 Dec 1832 with James Kinnear & John Galbraith as witnesses. It was probated 29 Apr 1845. Executor was Samuel Bailey of Franklin. This will was found in

Will Book Vol. 2 Page 631, Venango Co, PA

• To grandson's and daughters, the lawfull children of my second son, John Tarr and Mary his wife, by names George Tarr, George Tarr, John Tarr, Isaac Tarr, Martin Tarr, Barbara, Amelia, and Jane Tarr, numbering eight, and any child that may be born, _____ gives 100 acres of land. It is bordered on the north by John Tarr and Benehoof. 390 acres. The profits of the farm were to support John and Mary Tarr and provide an education of said children as far as common English scholar. The tract was not to be sold until the youngest child came of age.

• To Barbara Tarr, his wife, all food grown on the land, at least 2 pounds of the best tea, 12 pounds of good coffee with a reasonable proportion of sugar, honey, molasses, cheese, and one good safe riding horse, saddle & bridle, one good milch cow to be well kept, the milch to be prepared and taken care of for the use of said Barbara as occassion may require, and to have the whole and full use of the fireroom, or parlor, situated in & on the southern end of the dwelling house on said premises, a good clock to be and remain therein, with a full and complete feather bed and bedding, also wood with a stove suitable to cook placed therein as soon as convenient & keep a constant supply of dry cut wood at all times piled outside the stoop or (?) with a door cut out of said room adjoining the wood house in front next to the leading highway; also to furnish at all times sufficient dress and wearing apparel which is faithfully attended to and is to be & stand in lien of any further dower. If she wants to live with a son or daughter, she will get 100 dollars annually. George is to see to this.

• To four grandchildren of my son Matthias, dec'd, John Tarr one dollar, Mathew Tarr one dollar, Jacob Tarr one dollar, Elizabeth Turner one dollar.

• To four grandchildren Sally Tarr one dollar, James and George Tarr one dollar (each), and Fanny Tarr one dollar.

• To fifth and youngest son, George Tarr to receive the 390 acre plantation on which he was living in Sugar Creek Twp.

Burial Site

Tarr Cemetery, Cherrytree Twp, Venango Co, PA, is located on the Roche Farm on Township Rd 595 about 1 mile from the village of Cherrytree. This farm was originally settled by George Tarr who came from Eastern PA about 1800 and was in the Tarr family for three generations and then was sold to Alpheus Kellogg.

George Tarr, husband of Barbara, died 3 Apr 1847 @78Y 6M 9D (I believe the year is 1845)

“Tarr Cemetery,” //freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~treasures/pa/venango/tarr.htm, 16 May 2008