NOTES ABOUT RUDOLPH MARCH (MARTZ)

Our First March In America

The earliest known MARCH that I have found is Rudolph.  As far as can be determined, 
he was born about 1720 near the Swiss/German border. He arrived in Pennsylvania from 
Rotterdam on the 30th of August 1743 on the ship the FRANCIS AND ELIZABETH.

   He took the Oath of Allegiance that date and signed it Rudolph MARTZ. The copy 
which follows, reads:

At the Court House Philadelphia August 30th 1743.
Present
The Honourable George Thomas Legal Governor

	                          Samuel Hassel       William Allen           }              
				  Abraham Taylor      James Hamilton          } Esq's    
	 			  Joshua Maddox       (   ?   ) Robinson      }

The Foreigners whose Names are underwritten imported
			in the Ship Francis & Elizabeth, George North Master 
		        from Rotterdam but last from Cowes did this day take 
		        the foregoing Oaths or Qualifications to the Government
		     				         Viz

Rudolph may have stayed in Pennsylvania for a period of time and married Amelia BARR 
there.  A survey dated 1750 shows land in his name in the Township of Brecknock in 
Lancaster County.  

 	The Pennsylvania survey reads:
Pennsylvania             By the Proprietaries.

WHEREAS Rudolph Martz of the County of Lancaster hath requested that we would grant 
him to take up Fifty Acres of land adjoining Jacob Overholts & Henry Brindle in 
Brecknock Township in the said County of Lancaster for which he agrees to pay to our 
Use at the value of Fifteen Pounds, Ten Shillings, current Money of this Province, 
for One Hundred Acres and the Yearly Quit-Rent of One Half penny Sterling for every 
Acre thereof.
These are therefore to authorize and require you to survey or cause to be survey'd 
unto the said Rudolph  Martz at the Place aforesaid, according to the Method of 
Townships appointed, the said  Quantity of fifty Acres,if not already survey'd or 
appropriated, and make Return thereof into the Secretaries Office, in Order for 
further Confirmation, for which this shall be your sufficient Warrent; which survey 
in Case the said Rudolph Martz fulfil the above Agreement within Three Months from 
the date hereof, shall be valid, otherwise void.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal of the Land-Office, by Virtue of certain Powers from 
the said Proprietaries, at Philadelphia, this Twenty First Day of May Anno Domini, 
1750 ------

	To Nicholas Schull, Surveyor General                   James (?Stamville)

From Pennsylvania, they moved to the Orangeburg District in South Carolina, where 
some say that it was here that he married Amelia BARR. I have not found a marriage 
record in either place.  
By 1755 they were in Rowan County, North Carolina. He was a witness to a deed dated 
29 Dec 1755.  

	From the Rowan County Minister of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, dated 23 April 
1768, the following brand was recorded by Rudolph MARCH:

	"Rudolph March came into Open Court and prayed that he may have his Year 
Marks Recorded and Brand Recorded. The Year Mark is thus a Swallow Forke in the Right 
Year and a Crap in the Left and the Brand is thus R M."

1764 through 1769 we find that Rudolph served as jury member for the County Court. 
By November 1771 he was dead and his son Rudolph, Jr. was appointed administrator 
of his estate which was valued at L 240.15.16. He died intestate, meaning without 
a will. The record reads as follows:  

	"On Motion of John Dunn Esq'r

	Ordered of the Court that Rudolph March son and heir of Rudolph March dec'd. 
Letters of Administration of all and singular the goods and Chattles of Rudolph March 
Dec'd, he having First Quallifyed in Open Court according to Law and Offered for 
s___  Paul Beffell and Adam Beffell in the sum of 1200."

	The inventory of the sale of the estate was dated 5 Feb 1772. It was valued 
at 1240.15.6.

Took ship for America at Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Ship was named "Francis 
Elizabeth".  Arrived in Lancaster County, Penn. on August 30, 1743. Migrated first to 
Orance Co. SC and then to Rowan County NC where he lived the rest of his life. 
Rotterdam was the port of trans-atlantic embarcation for Germans, Swiss and French. 
Especially in use in 1700 - 1750 during the Palatinate Wars (Thirty Years War) that 
devistated the over 300 tiny Countries we call "Germany".
From the book: In Retrospect - MARCH, compiled by Delores 'Dee Eckroat March 	   

Charlotte Curlee Ramsey
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cramsey/index.html