Individual Details

Catharine HEIFFNER

(14 Feb 1782 - 9 Apr 1863)

Catharine Heffner (Heiffner) was a daughter of John Heffner. She is often erroneously listed as the first wife of the George Helman living in East Mahoning Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Her father's will written in 1823 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania and probated in 1828 gives us the first clue. Although it does not give her husband's first name, her father prevents him from sharing in her inheritance by giving her the interest on it and giving the principal to her children after they become 21. He states that her husband deserted her and their children leaving them living in poverty.

The second clue to the identity of Catharine (Heiffner) Helman's husband occurs after the death of George Sebastian Helman, Jr. in 1832. George Helman, one of the children of George Sebastian Helman, Jr, is presumed dead and Catharine's brother, John Heffner, is appointed guardian in 1833 for George and Catharine's children: Elizabeth, Susan, John, Polly, and Peter, all of whom are over 14 years of age except for Peter who is under 14 years of age. The guardianship order is vacated in 1835 since George Helman is not deceased as thought.

Catharine Helman is listed as a head of household in the 1830 and 1840 censuses in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. She is living with a John W. and Elizabeth Cromer in the 1850 and 1860 censuses in Franklin County. She had a daughter Elizabeth so this is probably her daughter and son in law. Find A Grave has a tombstone for Catherine Heiffner Helman born 14 February 1782 and died 9 April 1863. She is buried in Mont Alto Cemetery, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

George Helman is living in Washington Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania with Fanny in the 1850 and 1860 censuses. He is living with his son Gordon in the 1870 census. Gordon Hellman's death certificate gives his parents names as George Helman and Frances Strange. It is not known if George Helman obtained a divorce before marrying or living with Fanny since the Franklin County records indicate he deserted his wife and children sometime prior to 1823. He then shows up in 1835 to collect his inheritance from his father. He evidently was with Fanny soon after leaving his wife Catharine since he has children with her in the 1820's and 1830's. When George Helman sold property in 1860, Fanny did not release her dower right but it is not known if she was living then. It is not known if George's children to his first wife Catharine and his children with Fanny knew about each other.

Events

Birth14 Feb 1782
MarriageAbt 1811George HELMAN
Census1830Washington Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Census1840Quincy Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania
MiscellaneousJan 1849petitoned the Court for payment of interest on $600 due her from her father, John Heffner's estate, payable annually - Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Census1850Quincy Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Census1860Quincy Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Death9 Apr 1863
BurialApr 1863Mont Alto Cemetery, Mont Alto, Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Families

SpouseGeorge HELMAN (1783 - 1870)
ChildElizabeth HELMAN (1812 - )
ChildSusan HELMAN (1819 - )
ChildJohn HELMAN (1819 - )
ChildPolly HELMAN (1819 - )
ChildPeter HELMAN (1822 - )
FatherJohn HEFFNER ( - 1828)
MotherUnknown ( - )
SiblingJohn W. HEFFNER (1779 - 1856)
SiblingElizabeth HEFFNER ( - 1823)
SiblingMargaret HEFFNER ( - 1823)

Endnotes

1. Mont Alto Cemetery (Mont Alto, Franklkin County, Pennsylvania), Find A Grave, database and images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 February 2016), memorial page for Catherine Heiffner Helman, Find A Grave Memorial # 54541512, memorial created by Douglas Helman, photograph by Karen Smith.

2. Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Probate Records, John Hieffner (1828), John Hieffner's Will, 30 August 1823; probated January 1828; Franklin County Courthouse, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

3. Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Records C:156-157, Petition of Daniel Hefner by his guardian David Wertz , Request to partition real estate (names heirs of John Hefner), 1828; Franklin County Courthouse, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

4. 1830 U.S. census, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Washington Township, page 351, Catharine Helman; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 February 2016); from National Archives microfilm M19, roll 151.

5. 1840 U.S. census, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Quincy Township, page 250, Cathn Helman; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 February 2016); from National Archives microfilm M704, roll 458.

6. Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Records F:99, Petition of Catharine Helman, Request for payment of interest on $600 legacy out of John Heffner's real estate payable annually, January Term 1849; Franklin County Courthouse, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

7. 1850 U.S. census, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Quincy Township, page 408B, dwelling 101, family 108, Catharine Helman; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 February 2016); from National Archives microfilm M432, roll 782.

8. 1860 U.S. census, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Quincy Township, Mont Alto Post Office, page 800 (stamped), page 62 (penned), dwelling 454, family 445, Catharine Helman; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 December 2013); from National Archives microfilm M653, roll 1112.

9. Mont Alto Cemetery (Mont Alto, Franklkin County, Pennsylvania), Find A Grave, database and images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 February 2016), memorial page for Catherine Heiffner Helman, Find A Grave Memorial # 54541512, memorial created by Douglas Helman, photograph by Karen Smith.

10. Mont Alto Cemetery (Mont Alto, Franklkin County, Pennsylvania), Find A Grave, database and images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 February 2016), memorial page for Catherine Heiffner Helman, Find A Grave Memorial # 54541512, memorial created by Douglas Helman, photograph by Karen Smith.