"On September 28, 1761, Christian Sensenig of Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, died from a wound inflicted on September 16 by Bernard Hubley of the borough of Lancaster. Hubley was a burgess or civic leader of Lancaster and a deacon, elder, and trustee of Trinity Lutheran Church. Sensenig was a Mennonite farmer, husband, and father. This article will explore this incident, the court case arising out of this incident, and the economic impact of Sensenig's death on his wife and two children...documents from various sources, including sworn statements of eyewitnesses to this incident, paint a clear picture of some details. Severn court documents are transcribed at the end of this article."
Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-63) and indexes.
Summary
Joseph Shirk (1820-1902) was an Old Order Mennonite of Lancaster County. He was a farmer, carpenter,surveyor,printer,and manufacturer of agricultural and domestic tools.
"His mechanical and inventive skills applied to agricultural and domestic life were exceptional, as was his knowledge of stronomy, surveying, and botany...Was he 'one of the great American inventors of the nineteenth century'? Was he truly the first person to invent these various items?...Or was he a 'minor genius' whose accomplishments have been greatly exaggerated by admiring friends and relatives?" [Introduction]
Chapters: I. Biography: Documented by primary sources/ II. Existing objects: Made by or associated with Joseph Shirk/ III. Objects: Made by or associated with Joseph Shirk in primary sources/ IV. Oral traditions: Expressed or written after the death of Joseph Shirk/ V. Conclusion.
