Individual Details

Event

On February 20, 1717, his father conveyed to him 85 acres of land upon which he settled. The tract bordered upon the river Schuylkill, and embraced a large part of what since became the borough of Manayunk, and subsequently a ward of the city.The area comprised all between Washington and Levering Streets as now subdivided. Jacob lived in, probably, a log house in the meadow on the easterly side of Green Lane until 1736, when he built a stone house on the westerly side of this street. The date stone—which was an ostentatious embellishment in the architecture of those days—bears hisinitials, and is still preserved. His great grandson, Peregrine Wharton Levering, during his lifetime and occupancy of the premises, enlarged the structure. Since his death, which occurred in 1888, his unmarried daughter, Eliza, demolished the old mansion and (in 1890) erected a modern dwelling upon the site. Ever since Feb. 29, 1691, when Wigard purchased the land of Thomas Hill, it has been owned by some Levering,and since 1736, has the occupant of the dwelling site, ancient and modern, born the family name.
Jacob owned, also, a considerable estate on the opposite side of the Schuylkill, now in Lower Merion Township, in Montg. Co. This remained in family succession to and including his great-grandson John Levering", who died in 1878.

Death

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Wills, 1682-1819
Date: 22 Dec 1752
Prove Date: 22 Oct 1753
BookPage: K:114
Remarks: Levering,Jacob. Roxborrow, Co. of Philadelphia. Joiner. Dec. 22, 1752. Oct. 22,1753. Children: Magdalen, wife of Samuel Showter, Abraham, Wikkard,William, Jacob, Anthony, Benjamin and Septimus. Exec: Sons Abraham and Septimus.

His will is dated December 22, 1752. Inthis he describes himself as Jacob Levering, of Roxborrow Township, in the county of Philada., Joyner. After providing for the payment of any debts and funeral expenses, he bequeaths:
To his " Daughter Magdalen, who is married to Samuel Showier, and to her heirs or assigns my Negro girl called Peg.
To his " Three eldest sons, Abraham, Wigard and William Levering, and to each of them, the sum of five pounds, money of Pensilvania, apiece."
To his "son Jacob Levering twenty-four acres of land in Roxborrow Township aforesaid between the Plymouth
Road (now Ridge Avenue) and Schullkill," as described, "and the sum of Ninety Pounds Lawful Money," etc.
To his "son Anthony Levering all my Land in Merion Township, in the county aforesaid (then Philad.) by computation fifteen acres, together withthe Saw Mill, Buildings, and timber Wheels, thereunto belonging," etc.
To his "son Benjamin Levering, twenty-four acres of land along the side of the beforementioned piece given to my son Jacob"—described—"and the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds money aforesaid."
To his "youngest son Septimus Levering, All that tract of land whereon Ilive, Together with all the Improvements and buildings thereon erected"; also, sundry articles of personal property, as listed, to which he adds, " and my Negro boy called Kit," and—
Lastly. I do nominate and appoint my sons Abraham Levering and Septimus Levering to be my whole and sole Executors, giving them full power and authority to sell and dispose of all my other Land or Lands, Ground Rents,whatsomever, etc., and to Sign, Seal and Deliver any Deed or writing of confirmation for the same as absolute and fully as if I myself were Personally Present."
And with the usual afterthought, he adds,"It is my will that my Executors Pay the sum of Ten Pounds abovementioned (?) to my above-named Daughter Magdalen, and that my son William shall have my large Iron Kettle which I have long since also promised to him, before my estate be divided as above."
This will was proved October 22, 1753. Among the articles listed in the inventory of the estate were "A large Bible in the Germain tongue,"appraised at ,£1.10, and "A large Dutch Bible," appraised at ,£0.15,and other books.
Mr. Jones states:"None of these books can now be found." As the first bible was in German, and appraised at the precise valuation affixed in the inventory of his father's estate but a few years before, I believe this to have been Wigard Levering's old volume, which was handed down in the line of Jacob to Mrs. Kirk, before named.