Queries

 

Carlos Peretti (8 Sept., 2005) — Los Algarrobos

Dear René and Peter: I check from time to time your website and found news about Benitz 2005 at Fort Ross, Ca. I was glad to see that it was a successful event.

Though I am not a member of the Benitz family I feel as I were part of it since our "estancia" in Argentina, Los Algarrobos, is full of memories of the Benitzs.

The reason I have decided to contact you is to let you know (and through you to the rest of the family) that the restoration of the main house of the estancia where John Benitz lived is on the way. We plan to open the ground floor this summer (hope) and complete the rest during 2006. It should be finished by the summer of 2007.

I enclosed few pictures showing the outside while at work. In a few weeks the house will be painted and will look better. I will keep you informed about the progress  of the restoration and will send more pictures.

Kind regards to the whole family.

Carlos Peretti

 

Chris Owen (2 July, 2002) — John Todd's recollections of his travels with Alfred Benitz

Dear Peter - Many thanks for such a speedy response. I presume that John and Alfred's paths must have crossed through the cattle business or possibly through John's boss (any relation to George Hall on your website?). Anyway I have typed this from the first page of the first volume of his Memories of Argentine journal written en route to the Yukon in 1905:

“When on the Empress of Ireland (C.O.: a ship I presume!!!!!) one day I...”
[please click here if you wish to see the full text.]

I hope that sheds some light on John's time in Argentina if not his actually meeting with Alfred. It is probably too much to hope that Alfred left a record of the missing fourth Chaco hunt! I have no objection to your putting any correspondence on the website and would be very happy if John and Mary wished to get in contact. I am based in London and would be delighted to meet up on your next visit if time and tide allow.

Best, Chris

 

Chris Owen (1 July, 2002) — G-grandson of John Todd, travel & hunting companion of Alfred Benitz

Dear Peter - I am the great grandson of John Todd of Wigton in Cumberland - his daughter Annie married my father's father, D I Owen. John (b. 1863) accompanied some shorthorn bulls out to the Argentine in 1887 and stayed for the best part of ten years managing an estancia near Rosario in Sante Fe on behalf of A S Hall. He made several hunting trips in the Gran Chaco with Don Alfredo - I'm not sure how they met - between 1890 and 1901 and they undertook further expeditions together to the Yukon 1905 and British East Africa 1910. John died just after World War II. When my grandmother died, I was left a number of his rough diaries from these expeditions - and several photographs including a portrait of Alfred - and have just started to go through them. They are very practical but not exactly chatty. I tried searching for Benitz on the web on the offchance and was very excited to find your site. If Alfred left similar journals from these trips I would be fascinated to read them (There is reference to hunting trips on page 4 but I don't think they have been posted yet?). Most of John Todd's journals have been typed up but I don't know whether the quality will permit scanning. I will look into it. I very much hope to hear from you.

Best wishes, Chris Owen

 

Javier Maffucci Moore (22 April, 2004) — Wilhelm Benitz - Arrival in Argentina, 1874

Hi Peter,

I do believe you'll enjoy this:

“The largest capitalist in the way of an agricultural settler that has as yet alighted on the shores of the Plate has just arrived. Mr. William Benitez is an old Californian colonist and he has come out here with a family of twelve persons, and a capital of 80,000 patacones. Mr. Wilcken has recommended him to settle down in the Santa Fe colonies, wich, we believe, he intends doing, and we shall, doubtless, soon hear of scientific farming on a large scale up there. Won't our friend Mr. William Perkins be right glad to see Mr. Benitez? to whom we wish every success in his new home”

The Standard, october 21st, 1874

*********************************************************

“We had a visit today from Mr. Benitez, the rich Californian, who comes with a large capital to settle in the Plate, he purposes making a trip to the Californian Colony in the Gran Chaco, and having a good look round before settling down”

The Standard, october 22nd, 1874

*************************************************************

“Rosario, october 27th, 1874

“....Mr. Benitez, the Californian gentleman whose arrival you mentioned in The Standard, has paid us a visit and has already inspected part of the railway lands. He has returned to Buenos Ayres for his family. He appears to be favourably impressed with the province of Santa Fe as far as he has seen it...

“William Perkins”

The Standard, october 28th, 1874

ttyl, Javier

 

Javier Maffucci Moore (26 April, 2002) — Franz Benitz (1803-1852) & Colonia California

Hi Peter,

I just came back from Santa Fe. Well, as I imagined after reading again the official documents in the Archives we have that Franz Benitz came alone with the Moores, and made a petition to buy land in the future California Colony for himself and on behalf of his brother William.

Then in a a note dated February, 14th, 1882, Alexander Mc lean (another of the founders of Colonia California) wrote to the governor of Santa Fe saying: “que habiendo fallecido Don Francisco Benitz sin cumplir con las condiciones del contrato sobre fundación de la Colonia Espin, como fiador del contratante señor Johnson, a quien sucedió el señor Benitz, estoy obligado al pago de la fianza de tres mil pesos fuertes, establecida en dicho contrato. En consecuencia ocurro ante V.E. suplicándole que teniendo en cuenta el mayor valor del terreno, los gastos cuantiosos hechos por mí y otros para cumplir el contrato y las crecientes pasadas que hicieron del campo del Espin una isla, se digne exonerar de dicha fianza, mandando cancelar la hipoteca que al efecto he constituido sobre mi casa habitación...” (the government finally granted the petition as asked by McLean).

[Translation by PBz: “Don Francisco Benitz having died without meeting the requirements of the contract for founding the Espin Colony, as guarantor for the contractor Mr. Johnson, who was succeeded by Mr. Benitz, I am obliged to pay the guaranteed amount of three thousand pesos fuertes established in said contract.  Consequently I come before Your Excellency begging you to take into account the increased value of the land, the large expenses made by me and others in fulfilling the contract and the past floods which made an island of the Espín land, please void said guarantee, ordering cancelled the mortgage that I obtained to that effect upon my home...“

So there was a project to install a new colony in the Espin that was never established, because Franz Benitz died. Also, Franz Benitz continued to have some relations with his friends in the Colonia California.

I read the chapters of Alfred Benitz biography and I will try to identified the Moores he mentioned, I am sure they belong to my family.

The town today known as Romang was called Mal-abrigo till 1885, and the town today known as Malabrigo was known before as Colonia Ella.

I have a map of the Calchaqui area and before it cross the route between Calchaqui and Alejandra the “arroyo el Espin” is divided in two on one hand “EL Espin” and the other “El Yacaré”.

I have check the provincial census of 1887 and I did not find any Benitz in San Javier Department.

I hope all this will help you, I will send you by normal mail some copies of documents that you might enjoy.

Saludos desde esta complicada Argentina, Javier

 

Javier Maffucci Moore (16 April, 2002) — Franz Benitz (1803-1852) & Colonia California

Hi Peter,

Before I leave Buenos Aires I want to answer you (I am going to Rosario tomorrow to check the 1887 provincial Census that, amazingly, has been microfilmed, if I get to go to Santa Fe I will check again the records about Colonia California).

It is hard to explain without a map but Pajaro Blanco was the name given in the '60s to the area between San Javier village, what is today Reconquista (in those days the abandoned reducción San Gerónimo del Rey), the Paraná river and the Saladillos rivers. But then was used mainly to design[ate] the area around Alejandra. Also was the name of one of the largest estancias in Alejandra. I do not have a map here but Laguna El Cristal is not Laguna El Yacaré, the Laguna El Cristal [is] today a kind of resort for the people from Calchaquí, because the water is salted and has beaches or sort of. [Estancia El Cristal] used to belong to my family (estancia El Cristal where my grandparents lived circa 1915) but then was expropiadaby the Government, so may be Alfred was a neighbour of my family. I did not recognize the name of his wife but I'll check in Alejandra. Of course, in those days northern Santa Fe was a land for adventure and romance, and specially Alejandra and Calchaqui were well known for his bailes and fiestas, and his beautiful women. Alfred's story remind me some others in my family, we have several Moores unrecognized going around but you know they are family as soon as you see their faces!!!

Keep in touch, Javier

 

Javier Maffucci Moore (15 April, 2002) — Franz Benitz (1803-1852) & Colonia California

Hello Peter,

What a pity, I just came back yesterday from Miami, but next time I will visit you, of course if you came to Argentina please call me. Yes, you can publish my e-mail in your site, that I must repeat is amazing.

Well, (I will write this in English you tell me if it's all right) as I told you before my gggrandfather, William Tandy Moore with a group of friends and relatives came to Argentina in 1865/66, they contacted a government agent for inmigration in Santa Fe, and went with him (Guillermo Perkins) beyond the frontier to explore the northeastern coast of Santa Fe (an area known as “Pajaro Blanco”). When they came back they bought some land near the San Javier village (a “ reducción” de indios, an old church and a “fortin”, nada más) where they established a colony called “California”. I have a copy of the record of that operation and the first petition is signed by Franz Benitz (I will send you a copy).

Circa 1871 the lot belonging to “Francisco Bennetz” was sold to Robert Wasp, and by the info I've got from your site by 1874 Franz Benitz was again in California.

In other petition made at the same time as the one I've mentioned before appears as petitioners Franz and William Benitz, but as far as your site explains William was not here in 1866, am I right?? I have to check again that record in Santa Fe to see if that petition is signed by William or he is only represented by Franz.

First I began to search my family, but then I began also interested to know what happen with the rest of the first settlers of “Colonia California”, I want to know if there is any mention of the Moores in the Benitz files, or how he met and why they decided to came here, I know William Tandy Moore (and his large family) lived in Sonoma and Santa Rosa [California, USA], so may be they met there, and I also know W.T. Moore was a “southerner” (he called two of his childs Jefferson Beauregard and Robert Lee) and his departure was just at the end of the Civil War, and may be that had something to do with his travel.

Finally the Colonia California wasn't a success (during the first years they have some fights with the Indians, who killed W.T.'s first son), W.T. Moore left Argentina in 1877 and returned to the US with all his family, except my ggrandfather, Moses Thomas Moore, who finally established in Alejandra (a british colony north of the California), and I think most of the settlers did the same. Colonia California still is there but is only a few houses, and some estancias, but became in the last years a successful destination for Europeans (mainly French) that like hunting ducks.

Well, I will send you some copies of the articles or documents I have, and I am planning to go to Sante Fe city next week, so any news I will let you know,

I know there was a project of another colony of Americans in Espin but that never established as far as I know.

Do you have a copy of that article you mentioned?

Keep in touch,

Yours, Javier Maffucci Moore  

 

Javier Maffucci Moore (12 April, 2002) — Franz Benitz (1803-1852) & Colonia California

I am so surprised with my visit to your amazing page about the Benitz. I am a descendant of William T. Moore, who established the California Colony in Santa [Fé] Province, Argentina, in 1866, and of course, one of the first settlers was a Benitz. Now, I am traveling in Mexico and can't remember very well the names but I think there were 2 men called Benitz, could be Joseph or Francis?? . Well, as soon as I came back to Argentina, I will write to you again with more details. I began tracing my own family but then I also included all the first settlers of the “Colonia California”, someone told me about Las Rosas, but I never pay any attention to that till now. I will send you some documents I have signed by Benitz I think is something about a land petition in Argentina. I will be back home in a week and a half. Sincerely yours,

Javier L. Maffucci Moore

 

Kamala James (7 April, 2002) — Anton Benitz (1803-1852) family tree

For Anna Benitz: She also had a daughter “May” (Mary in 1880 census) who ended up in Louisville, KY owning “Miller’s Cafeteria” which was in business up until a few years ago... I found in the 1880 census John A. Miller (collector for IC Brewery) married to Annie J. Miller with 7 children! My great grandmother went by Lucy, and claimed her middle name to be Cecilia (a name she also gave to my grandmother for a middle name) the census lists her as “Cecilia” age is correct. Stella B. is listed in census as Mary Stella B. Miller... Here's the whole line up:

Children:

Mary T. Miller b. 1860

John A. Miller b. 1862

George E. Miller b. 1863

William R. Miller b. 1868

Cecilia A. Miller b. 1870 (Lucy)

Mary Stella B. Miller b. 1874

Josephine A. Miller b. 1878

Residence: 231 Frankstown Ave. Pittsburgh

In the 1910 miracode index, there is a John A. Miller with a daughter Annie J Miller (possibly their son...oldest daughter named after his mother?)

Thanks for the info - it's helping to fill in some spaces!

Peter, I have a photo of Anna Benitz, but no scanner, if you want I can mail you a copy... Let me know, Kamala

 

James Bell (7 April, 2002) — Anton Benitz (1803-1852) family tree

Hey Peter!

Remember that old guy Paul Anthony Benitz of La Jolla, California that you telephoned some years ago? Well he was your dad's (and my dad's) third cousin!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What you can find out these days without leaving your desk! Barbara Becker in her email to you got the census dates wrong. 1850 not 1860. Once I confirmed that then everything started to fall into place.

I found the records for St. Mary's RC Cemetery, 4503 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh (Lawrenceville), PA 15224-1387. There are 5 Benitzs buried there. Anton Benitz (1803-1852), Anthony E Benitz (1847-1910), Agnes Benitz (1842-1887), John Benitz (1870-1941), and Lucie A Benitz (1852-1920).

According to the census of 1850 Anton had 4 children: Francis? (1830)?, Anna (1839 or 1840), John (1841 or 1842), Joseph (1844), and one not mentioned in the census, a son called Anthony E. Benitz (1847-1910).

I believe John (Anton's son) is John J. Benitz who signed up in 1861 with the 61st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War. He would have been about 20 years old.

The 1880 Census confirmed some important information. Anthony E. Benitz was married to Emma Logan and had two children William Logan Benitz (1872-1942 / became a Professor of Engineering at Notre Dame, Indiana) and Anna (1874).

Anthony E. Benitz (1847-1910) has been described as a Pittsburgh businessman and one of the founders of the Iron City Brewery. The 1880 Census lists his occupation as coach builder. The family lived at 20 Shakespeare Street, Pittsburgh on a block of property owned by William Logan, Emma's father.

John A. Miller and Anna Benitz had a least two children:

Lucy C. Miller who married Anthony Ambrose Kountz on June 20, 1895.

Stella B. Miller who married Herman Hegner, an attorney, on October 14, 1897.

William Logan Benitz (1872-1942) married Eleanor Howard and had three sons: William Howard (1902-1995), Paul Anthony (1906-2000), and Timothy (1909-1979).

There you have it. I am sure I will be able to dig up more later. but now I have to get back to work.

James

 

Kamala James (17 December, 2001) — Anton Benitz (1803-1852) family tree

Dear Peter,

I have just this past year begun researching my family lineage, and was so pleased to have found your web site!! I am the Great-great granddaughter of Anna Benitz, daughter of Anton Benitz of Pittsburgh. I don't know if you want details to add to your tree, but here it is for the taking! (I feel it's the least I can do to reciprocate for your wonderful research!)

Anna Benitz married John A. Miller of Pennsylvania, children:

Lucy C. Miller (I don't know the others, can send information as I get it)

Lucy Miller married Anthony Ambrose Kountz of Pittsburgh June 20, 1895 children (all born in Pittsburgh PA):

Herbert Kountz b.1896 (m. Margaretha Vink - 3 children: Herbert Jr., Diana, Dorothy)

Eugene Kountz b. 1898 (m. Virginia Hinds - daughter Kathlyn born in Cleveland OH)

Mercedes Kountz b.1901(m. Clarence Brodt - son Gary Arthur Brodt born in Cleveland OH)

Dorothy Cecilia Kountz b. 1904 (m. John Henry Rowland Perkins - 2 children:

...[information deleted as persons are living]...

Don't know if you need it/want it/care, but there it is! Again, thank you for the years of research you saved me on Anna's family line!! Happiest of Holidays to you and the entire Benitz clan!

Warmest thanks,

Kamala James

Great Great Granddaughter of Anna Benitz

 

Dianna Benitz (8 July, 2001) — Hienrich Benitz & fly (Prussia & Wathena, Kansas, USA, 1824-1900)

My name is Dianna Benitz. My daughter Deanine found your site a few days ago and I decided to check it out. I believe that my husband Richard Arden is a cousin of Dan's. I would like very much to contact him concerning his information on Heinrich (Henry) Benitz. My father in law was David Alto Benitz of Wathena Ks. His father was Alto Richard Benitz son of William Benitz and grandson of Heinrich. I have no futher information past Heinrich but do have the dates of his birth as 10/01/1824 in West Prussia and death as 4/19/1900 in Wathena Ks.

I would like very much to learn more for the family records if possible (from either of you should you have more information to share.) In the meantime I am going to contact Dick's cousin in Libby Mt. and then the Washington cousins to check out your site. This is really interesting to read about the history you have accumulated. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us!

 

Robert Douglass (22 April, 2001) — William (Dutch Bill) Howard, short articles from Sonoma County Democrat re Fort Ross 1863-4, Sonoma County tax assessment roll, 1864

Enclosed is the biography of William Howard, as well as a few other items I found during research lately that I thought you might want. The article about the accident at Fort Ross coal mine does not mention W. 0. Benitz, but it occurred during his period of ownership. A few years back, I participated in an attempt to locate the lost coal mine, but we were not successful. I will be up at the Fort this coming weekend in conjunction with a Santa Rosa Junior College excavation of a Russian period deposit that is eroding out of a gully near the beach below Fort.

 

Barbara Becker (13 April, 2001) — Mary Ann “Nany” Benitz / Mahrer (Endingen, Germany, & Pittsburgh, USA, 1880)

..... Since I last wrote, I have new information about Mary Ann Benitz.  I have received the 1880 Pittsburgh census and need to look at it.  I found a woman in Pittsburgh whose ancestor was Hart and it turns out that Urban Mahrers's wife who died in 1895 was NOT Mary Ann Benitz, but Mary Ann Hart and that in the 1880 census Urban Mahrer was listed as divorced and was staying with the Neckerman family who were related to him.  And I believe that Mary Ann Benitz was still living in their home.  If I recall correctly, she died in April, 1880 and so I don't know if she would be in the census.  I will look.

The woman in Pittsburgh did not find a divorce record.  So I have no proof of that, but it is most likely.  I also think that Urban Mahrer's ex-wife was buried in the Mahrer plot.  I'll have to look at the copy of the Mahrer plot.   And I believe I also have the copy of the death record for Mary A. Benitz Mahrer.

Next week I will let you know if I find her in the census and will let you know the information about the Mary Ann Mahrer buried in the plot.

 

Dan Benitz (26 March, 2001) — Hienrich Benitz & fly (Zemmin, Germany, & Kansas, USA, 1870's)

Just happened on to Benitz.com/  What a super job you all have done.  You have motivated me to dig into family records.  I am a teacher of Industrial Technology.....

My roots go back to Wathena, Kansas.  My Dads name was Arthor.  His dad was Emil (he came over at the age of around 12 with three brothers) and his parents Hienrich (Henry) came over a few years later.  I believe in the early 1870's.  Emil was born around 1860's and Hienrich around1820's.  They came from an area around Butow from a village called Zemmin (?)  As near as I can tell this was Pomerainia or Prussia but Dad always said they were from Germany.  Hope I am not boring you but I think we are connected at period of time.

Do you have any information prior to William Otto Benitz?

I find it very interesting about such an adventurous group as the Benitz's were and are.

Thanks so much for any information you can get to me.

 

Robert Douglass (5 March, 2001) — Research at Berkeley re W.O.Benitz letters & William (Dutch Bill) Howard

Thanks for your email. I looked up the Benitz letters on the UC Berkeley catalog, and have enclosed the listing below in italics. It sounds like it is perhaps what you already have. You can access the UCB catalog online at:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Catalogs/

Do you have the William (Dutch Bill) Howard biography (about 3 pages) from the 1880 Munro-Fraser History of Sonoma County? I can send it if you want it. I guess Howard descendants are cousins of yours, am I correct?

Best Wishes, Robert.

Title Benitz family letters, 1852-1863.

Author Benitz family.

Description 1 portfolio.

Notes

Photocopies of six letters, translated from the German originals, written primarily by William Benitz to members of the family, describing his farming and cattle raising operations at Fort Ross, California.

Photocopies

Holder of originals:Originals in posession of family.

FOR REFERENCE USE ONLY. Reproduction prohibited. Direct requests for copies or permission to publish to owner of the original.

Subject Headings

Agriculture — California — Sonoma County.

Germans — California.

Fort Ross (Calif.)

Other Authors

Benitz, William.

Holdings Bancroft BANC MSS 76/58 c; Non-circulating; may be used only in The Bancroft Library.

Robert Douglass (3 March, 2001 — Research re sawmill at Timber Cove, + Salt Point & Rancho German

I came across your extensive website while researching the historical overview for a Salt Point/Highway 1 project that I am working on. One of the tasks I had was to concisely summarize ownership of the Salt Point area, an almost impossible job in light of its convoluted history. I have not yet had a chance to go through your whole website, but I look forward to reading all you have posted. Anyway...I noticed you were requesting more info on the Rancho German land case for which you have some of the court transcription posted. I believe this is from the Mayer, et al. v. United States California Land Case No. 199, 1852. The reference I have says that the manuscript is at the Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley. The Bancroft also has a portfolio of Benitz family letters, 1852-1863, which you are probably already aware of.

On a related note, I am working on my thesis (cultural resources management) at Sonoma State on the historical archaeology of William R. Miller's sawmill (1872-1876) in Salt Point State Park. Miller and a partner Allison had previously bought land at Timber Cove (north end of Muniz Rancho) from your ancestor William Benitz in 1866 and operated a sawmill there. Do you possibly have any family information mentioning Miller? I also understand William Benitz also had a sawmill near Timber Cove at one time.

Although you probably know more of the local history than I do, please don't hesitate to ask if you think I may be of any help.

 

Carol Oligschlaeger (29 January, 2001) — Hienrich Benitz & fly (Prussia & Wathena, Kansas, USA, 1824-1900)

I believe I am a descendant from the Benitz who came from Prussia. I have traced back to Heinrich Benitz who was born October 1, 1824, in Prussia. They lived 35 miles from the Baltic Sea. They traveled 135 miles to board a ship at Hamberg and arrived at New York in July of 1875. The family settled in Wathena, Kansas, (northeast Kansas) and numerous descendants still live in the surrounding areas. It would be interesting to know if anyone finds a connection between the two Benitz' families. I don't know any family prior to Heinrich. If you ever find a connection or any other information you think might be helpful to me, I would appreciate hearing from you.

By the way, your Benitz webpage and information is very interesting. I enjoyed reading it.

 

Floyd Poenitz (16 January, 2001) — Poenitz fly (Saxony, Germany, & Texas, USA, late 1800's)

I was directed to your website today and wanted to congratulate you on a job well done. I too am working on my family history and genealogy. The POENITZ family that I'm from stems from Saxony, Germany. My grandfather immigrated in the late 1800's to Texas. In the Sachsen dialect the Ps are pronounced as Bs and the oe as e (long a).

I too have a lot of old pictures and family treasures that I'd like to put on the internet....  My question is: All the pictures and info you have on the site must take up quite a few megs of space. Who do you rent the server space from?.... Thanks for any tips or suggestions you can give me. Good luck with the site.  Great job!!!

 

Barbara Becker (6 October, 1999) — Mary Ann “Nany” Benitz / Mahrer (Endingen, Germany, & Pittsburgh, USA, 1880)

I saw your Baden-Wuerttemberg query regarding the Benitz family. I was particularly interested in the sister, “Nany” and her husband Mahrer, because I have ancestors in Pittsburgh by the name of Mahrer. They must have emigrated from Switzerland around the late 1820s or 1832 (not certain) and I first found Urban Mahrer (my greatgrandmother's brother)in the 1840 Pittsburgh census. He was married to a Mary Anna, whose last name I don't know. I never found a marriage record (Catholic) for them in Pittsburgh although I did for his sisters. There was also supposed to be another brother, the name of which no one in my family knows. As to Urban Mahrer, I never got the impression that he and his wife went to Argentina in 74 and came back, but then who knows. I know that both of them died in Pittsburgh, he in 1891 and she in 1895. They are both buried in St. Mary's cemetery. Urban in his Declaration of Intent states he was from Germany, while all his sisters say they are from Switzerland (M"ohlin, Kt. Aargau). He was called Captain Mahrer in one of the 1850 Pittsburgh directories. Later he was listed as a pattern maker. He also sponsored a Neckerman from Baden in Pittsburgh and I wonder if he had lived in this part of Germany. I would make sense since it borders on Switzerland.

What I am wondering is whether “Nany” was married to a Mahrer before she emigrated or whether she met a Mahrer in Cleveland or in Pittsburgh. What year might she have gone to Pittsburgh? I have looked at your website and wondered also when “Nany” and Mr. Mahrer came back to the U.S., did they return to Pittsburgh? Did they have children? I am rather intrigued with this and hope you might have some clues. I know the Mahrers lived in the part of Pittsburgh that was called Lawrenceville. I wonder if the Anton Benitz lived around there in 1852.

Thank you very much for reading my letter. If you do have any information (or don't), I will greatly appreciate your response.

---

© Peter Benitz (Benitz Family)