Re: Michael Hess & Hannah Cowen (of PA and VA)

Frank,
I have just gotten some information recently in my search on my gr.gr.gr. grandmother Elizabeth (Hess) Neff and am positive that your Michael is the brother to Elizabeth.I had ordered the will and estate file from the York County Archives (PA) concerning Michael & Elizabeth's parents, Michael and Catherine.The elder Michael had died November 7, 1852 and they had lived in Fairview Twp., York, PA.The will and other court documents list Michael and Catherine's children, as well as a few grandchildren.
Although your Michael and his wife Hannah had moved to Virginia, they eventually moved to Madison County, Indiana where the younger Michael had died in 1878.Michael & Hannah's daughter, Mary Ann, had married a Roman Gilmore (they also lived in Madison Co., IN).Mary Ann's brother, Amos, went to Indiana as well, although brother John B. Hess stayed in Shenandoah Co., VA where he was married with 13 children.The court papers that I received listed 2 granddaughters for your Michael - an Emma Slaughter who it said was the daughter of Samuel Hess (deceased son) and a Lydia Scott (minor of Samuel).I don't know much about Samuel, although it appears he may have been married twice (first to Eliza J. ? and then secondly to Ida J. Harshberger).A wedding date I found for Samuel and Ida was October 3, 1878 from on-line records that I came across.Hope this helps in some way.
Sincerely,
Laura Baumeister
[email protected]