American Residence

26 Star Flag of the United States (1837-1845)

In 1844, the Aumen family arrived in America at the port of Baltimore, Maryland, and traveled 50 miles northwest through their new homeland of the United States in order to take up residence at Two Taverns, near the town of Germany, in Adams County, Pennsylvania.  At present day, Two Taverns is an unincorporated community on Pennsylvania Route 97, also called the Baltimore Pike, on the ten mile stretch between Gettysburg and Littlestown, Pennsylvania.  1897 Adams County court documents describe the property as "located in Germany Township, Adams County, on the Baltimore Pike, South of Littlestown, consisting of a two story frame dwelling house, lot 245 feet deep, 35 feet front, small stable.  The taxes amount to about $5.  The insurance policy expires May 2, 1900."  Family legend tells us that the house served as a hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg.

A newspaper clipping from page 2 of the August 21, 1958 New Oxford Item about the Aumen family reunion describes the Aumen immigrants' journey to America:

"AUMEN FAMILY REUNION-Bernard Aumen, New Oxford, was elected vice-president of the Aumen family reunion held at Harrisburg.  Mr. Aumen was a member of the reunion committee.  Christopher Gephart, New Oxford, was given a prize for the youngest baby present.  The family are descendants of Barnet and Margaret Aumen, who with three children, migrated to America from Bremen, Germany, about 125 years ago, traveling by wagon train for nine days before reaching the port from which they sailed.  A son was born, on the way to port.  After six weeks on a sail boat they landed in Baltimore, but located in Two Taverns."

John Tyler, 10th President of the United States (1841-1845)

The following information is from Pat Padian, a descendant of John Aumen:

"Trying to find actual house owned by Barnabas Aumen around July 2-3,1863 (Gettysburg's battle). I have a first-hand account of the family's hiding in the basement as bullets ripped through the house & how the soldiers cooked in the kitchen & the barn was used as a hospital. However, the house does not show on any war map under their name-must have been listed with the original owner.

Quote 1-"Mr. Aumen lived in Gettysburg in a stone house 600 feet east of Little Round Top at the time of the great battle".

Quote 2- "under property transfer" : "In 1882, Barnabas Aumen and wife, Germany 3 TWP., sold to William G. Aumen of that township for $2690 a property of approximately 23 acres in that township. The deed has just been filed (July 20,1955 ). In 1883 William G. Aumen and wife, Cumberland Twp. sold to David Menchey, Germany TWP for $29,000. the same property.""

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States (1861-1865) at Gettysburg

If this is true that the house was sold in 1883 to David Menchey, then this would appear to be in contradiction to the Adams County Court Records concerning the 1897 estate of Barnabas Aumen. It seems that $29,000 is a typo, as the whole estate of Barnabas was only worth $2,000.  Also, if the house was only 600 feet, from Little Round Top, the family would have moved out and the property would have been demolished.  600 yards is more reasonable but not by much.  Waiting for confirmation about these sources.

The 1880 US Census also lists a 25 year old William Aumen as living with his wife Jennie and her parents James and Mary A. Rider.  He was apparently working on his father-in-law's farm in Cumberland Township in Adams County.  William's older brothers John, Cornelius, and Francis already had established families of their own.  Francis was a laborer with his family in Mount Joy Township.  Cornelius was a farmer with his family in Taneytown, Carroll County, Maryland.  The eldest son, John, could not be located in the 1880 census According to the 1880 census, Barney Aumen, 68, farmed in Germany Township with his sons Edward, 23, and Sylvester, 17, as farm laborers.  The family's neighbors were Josephus and Sarah King and Samuel and Annie Mehling.  His daughter Lucinda, 28, was a housekeeper. His wife Margaret, 62, suffered from rheumatism and Barney from dyspepsia. Barnabas was getting too old to run the farm and his help was running out.  Edward would be married within the year and Sylvester would be married in about five.  So Barnabas began to sell his farm to William in 1883.

Perhaps the 23 acres that Barnabas sold to William and that William sold to David Menchey in 1883 was only a portion of the family farm, and William continued to live in the Aumen house and work the family farm as 1897 Adams County Court documents which reveal the 1888 promissory note between Barnabas and William indicate.

The 1880 US Census lists David F. Menchey as a 22 year old teacher living in Germany Township in Adams County with his parents Ephraim and Catharine Menchey, farmers, and one female servant.  No Mencheys could be located in Adams County during the 1890 census.  The 1900 census records lists David Menchey's parents, "Ephriam and Catharine B. Menchey," as still living in Germany Township with the same maidservant from 1880.

Although it is unlikely, perhaps we are talking about more than one property here.  However, the location of the property or properties would be in the triangle formed by the Taneytown Road, the Baltimore Pike, and the Maryland-Pennsylvania border.

46 Star Flag of the United States (1908-1912)