2. Jacob Wollam Elder (Matthias ) was born about 1715 in , Berkeley, Va. He died in 1790 in , Berkeley, Va. He was buried in , Morgan Co., W. Va.
Baltzer's father was an Elder Jacob Wollam.and we have authentic records to show that this first Jacob Wollam lived in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia before the English King gave this land to Lord Fairfax. Of the early life of Jacob the first, we have nothing that is authentic or trustworthy, only a tradition, which you with those before you, and after you, would love to remember and relate.
These people were of French origin in a very remote age when religious persecution was rampant in France. Our ancestors not submitting to the Catholic faith were driven from their ancestral home in France. They emigrated to somewhere on the upper waters of the Rhine, near a small stream called Ulm. This is the origin of our name Wollam. Now in this highly pictured story, Jacob first appears as a youth of 20 summers. He is supposed, in this story, to be almost a slave to a rich and egotistic Baron. He is not a slave in a strict sense, as he is dressed and groomed and supposed to be elite in his appearance and accounts to his master. He is a stable man and a very trusty. This man had a very refined and beautiful daughter, Magdalena by name (which was the name of Jacob's wife and Baltzer's mother as is recorded in Will Book No.I, page 150, in Martinsburg,West Va.) Magdalena was in love with the low but trusty stable man and Jacob more than met her half way. The baron threatened them but as in all fictitous stories, could not quench the burning flame of a woman's love. Resolving to separate them and not wanting to give up a trusty horse man he ordered his daughter to leave home and kept Jacob. The girl carrying her belongings in a basket started for Holland. Jacob remained a short time then ran away. They met somewhere in Holland in time to get a sailing boat for America. They landed in Philadelphia and made their way from there with some of Jacob's brothers to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Here he lived and raised his family of six boys; Baltzer, Mathias, Peter, Shem, John and Jacob. Jacob, the youngest son of this first Jacob, received as a gift from his father, a gun. John was given a colt. Everything except these items were willed to his beloved wife (Magdalena). Baltzer was made executor of the will. John married a Miss Pitzer. He entered into a contract with the girl's father giving bond in the sum of 50 pounds, if he failed to marry the girl at the stipulated date he would forfeit the 50 pounds. He did not fail. They were married at the appointed time. One Jacob Racob, a personal friend of Baltzer, died without heirs so willed Baltzer his entire estate, among which was a tract of land on the Yadkin River in SC. Baltzer deeds this land to his brother John, who with his new wife Mary Pitzer Wollam emigrated to this new southern home and passes from our knowledge. Baltzer married Mary Weaver who became our ancestral grandmother. Peter moved to Western Penna. and settled on Ten Mile Creek, a tributary of the Monongahela. His descendants are in and around Washington and Waynesburg, Penna, and their name is OLLAM. But Peter's name is on record in Washington as Wollam.Last Will and Testament of Jacob Woolam copied from the Aug. 13, 1908 edition
of Risingsun, Unique Weekly. (as printed) (As received from Roy Wollam, May 23, 1997)In the name of God amen, I Jacob Woolam of Berkley County in the Colony of
Virginia, Whereas being weak in body but of sound memory blessed be God do this thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say First I give all my Estate wherein I now live to my dear wife Magdalene. Some of Children being a along with her but if my
children want to go and do for themselves then shall all the goods be sold and my dear wife shall get her living out of it as long as she is a widow but if she mary another Husband she is to have the one third of all my Estate and the remaining shall be equally divided among my eleven children except my son
Daniel shall have a colt and my son John one colt and my youngest son Jacob
Woolam shall have my gun but nevertheless to permit my three sons to have their equal shares of the two thirds of my Estate as well as the rest of my children namely Balser Woolam, Mathias Woolam, Peter Woolam, Windel Woolam, Daniel Woolam, John Woolam, Sham Woolam, and Jacob Woolam, and Julianna wife of Jacob Shilling and Magdalene wife of John Morsey and Hannah Woolam and also I make and ordain Michael Pitzon and George Lowman to be Executors in this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written.Jacob X(his mark) Woolam
Signed, sealed and delivered by the said Jacob Woolam as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who was present at the signing and sealing thereof,
John Barnard
Frank Barnard X(his mark) PeasorAt a court held for Berkley County the 17th day of November 1778. This last
Will and Testament of Jacob Woolam deceased was presented in Court by George
Lowman and Michael Pitzon the Executer therein named who made oath thereto
according to law. and the same being proved by oaths of John Barnard, Frank
Barnard Peasor witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion
of the said Executors who entered into Bond with John Barnard Franks surety in the penalty of One Thousand pounds conditioned for their true faithful
administration of the Estate certificate is granted them for obtaining a
probate thereof in due form of Law.Tests Will Drew Ct. Curt.
Entered in Will Book, 1, Page 150, Martinsburg, County of Berkley West Va.
Jacob married Maria Magdalena Bashaar daughter of Johann George Bashaar and Maria Elizabeth Wennerich in 1743 in , Lancaster Co, Pa. Maria was born about 1724 in , Ulster, Ny. She died after 1780 in , Va.
Note: Spelling Boeschaarin from AOL info 6 Oct 1995
Jacob and Maria had the following children:
+ 3 M i Johann Baltzer Wollam 4 M ii Mathias Wollam was born in 1747 in , Lancaster Co, Pa. He died after 1790.
NOTE:From GEDCOM alwollam.ged received from Roy Wollam, May,1997.+ 5 M iii Peter Wollam 6 M iv Wendle Wollam was born in 1751 in , Lancaster Co, Pa. 7 M v Shem (Sham) Wollam was born in 1753.
Shem the fourth son of Jacob, born 1751, settled in Northwestern PA. Here he built a cabin, in the then unprotected wilderness at the time when the Indians were killing settlers and burning houses. Shem was trapped with his young wife in his own house. The Indians demanded that he come out or they would fire the cabin. After consultation with his wife they both agreed that he go out and take a running chance for his life. He crept out a small window without boots or hat and carried a rifle and a hatchet with a few rounds of ammunition which was soon wasted. He ran for his life followed by a band of Indians. They too were out of powder but sometimes were so close as to almost strike him down. They followed him for two days and one night without rest or food until they came to a narrow stream with high and rocky banks. Shem made one more desperate effort and leaped the stream. Had he missed his landing he would have fallen on the rocks below. The red men never tried to make the jump. Shem crept off to a hiding place where he tore up a buckskin jacket that he had worn and tied up his bleeding feet. After a few hours sleep he made his way slowly and cautiously back to the cabin where he found, to his delight, his wife. The Indians had been true to their promise and disturbed nothing. Shem made his home and reared his family in Northwestern Penna. (Elder Jacoh's will, dated 4-13-1778 ,Berkley Co.,Va. also lists ch.: Wendel, Daniel, Magdalene (Morsey), Juliana (Shilling), and Hannah.)Shem married Hannah, Wife of Shem Wollam. 8 M vi Daniel Wollam was born in 1755. 9 M vii John Wollam was born in 1757. 10 M viii Jacob Wollam was born in 1759. 11 F ix Juliana Wollam was born in 1761. Juliana married Jacob Shillengood. 12 F x Magdalena Wollam was born in 1763. Magdalena married John Morrisey. John was born about 1763. 13 F xi Hannah Wollam was born about 1765.