John was a carpenter by trade who resided initially in Lancaster Twp. and then Lancaster Bor., Lancaster Co., PA. He had the reputation of being able to hew a log as smoothly as though it had been planed. In middle life he became a contractor and builder in the city of Lancaster. He was first listed in the Lancaster Twp. tax lists in 1789 where he is taxed for 75 acres of land, 2 horses and 2 cows. He was listed in Capt. John Wedely's Co. 1st Battalion, Lancaster Co. Militia with his father and brother Daniel in 1789. He continued to be taxed in Lancaster Twp. until 1792. He was next listed in the Lancaster Bor. tax lists starting in 1797 when his occupation was given as laborer. In 1800 he was assessed for 3?a lots in Lancaster Bor. and his occupation was now given as a joiner. In 1814 he was taxed for both an old and a new house in Lancaster Bor. and his occupation was now given as a carpenter. He was taxed for two lots on Orange Street, Lancaster, PA in the 1815 Federal Tax. Both lots having 64' frontage and being 245' in depth, one with a wood dwelling and the other with one of brick. He bought lot #788 in Lancaster City with 64' 4.5" frontage on Orange Street and 145' in depth and bounded on the east by Charlotte Street from William Hamilton, Esq. on Mar. 24, 1809 which he later sold to Jacob Bundle on Nov. 1, 1815. On Dec. 6, 1813 John, who was listed as a house carpenter, signed a promissory note to his brother, Daniel Erisman distiller, for 200 Pounds. Both were listed as being from Lancaster Bor., Lancaster Co., PA. By deed dated the same day, Dec. 6, 1813, Daniel sold to John a lot on the south side of Orange St. containing 64' frontage and being 245' in depth. J1813ohn sold ?a of this property to his son John Jr. on May 15, 1828. On Apr. 1, 1829 John sold a one story log dwelling and tract of land situated on the west side of Mulberry Street, Lancaster, PA to George King. In the agreement John was called a joiner. The Lancaster County Historical Society holds some of his original records in manuscript group #101. John was enumerated in the 1800 and 1810 Census in Lancaster Bor. while in 1820 he was enumerated in Lancaster Twp., both in Lancaster Co., PA. He was enumerated in the 1840 and 1850 Census in the household of son Michael in Lancaster Twp., Lancaster Co., PA. At his death John left no probate records. There is an error in the Lancaster Moravian Church records as to John's parents. These records state that he was born in 1765 died in 1853 and was the son of Jacob & Maria (Kaufman) Erisman. In the same records another John Erisman is listed, that died in 1824, also as the son of Jacob & Maria (Kaufman) Erisman. Obviously one of these entries is in error. By looking at the ages of Jacob and John, since John was only a few years older, it is easily determined the second entry mentioned above is the correct one. All the tax records given above also support this conclusion.
Source: Oliver J. Smith, IV
- Lancaster Co. Deed, Lancaster Co. Courthouse, Lancaster, Pa. (Book-Volume-Page):
Page: 13-144, 13-147, B-24-514 and B-24-516
-PA Archives
Page: Pennsylvania Archives, 6th series, III, p. 463.
-1800 Census of the United States (State, County, City/Township, Page):
Page: PA, Lancaster, Lancaster Boro., 101
-1810 Census of the United States (State, County, City/Township, Page):
Page: PA, Lancaster, Lancaster Boro., 584
-1820 Census of the United States (State, County, City/Township, Page):
Page: PA, Lancaster, Lancaster Twp., 94