Tobias Custer, born Abt. 1710 in Switzerland; died 1765.

He married Ann Elizabeth Zimmerman Abt. 1732.

Tobias' first known record is a land grant from Pennsylvania, on behalf of Tobias, directed to Nicholas Scull, Surveyor General of the Province of Pennsylvania, over the signature of James Hamilton, who represented the land office. This document is dated January 30, 1750. In the grant it is stated that Tobias had requested fifty acres of land in Rapho Twp. from the proprietaries adjoining the lands of Henry Myer and John Hare. Nicholas Scull was authorized to survey, or cause to be surveyed, these fifty acres. By agreement, Tobias was held responsible for the payment of seven pounds and fifteen shillings, plus "a yearly quit rent of one half penny sterling for every acre thereof", payable to the Penns. There are records indicating that Tobias owned 189 1/4 acres in Rapho Twp. in addition to the fifty acres bought from the Penns. This larger tract was warranted to Tobais on January 31, 1750. On December 6, he sold the 189 1/4 acres to his son John. The fifty acres appears to have come to John in a separate transaction on or about January 10, 1765.

OCCUPATION: Farmer 189 acres in Rapho Twp, Lancaster County, PA near Lebanon, PA

BIRTH: 1710, MD

DEATH: Apr 1765, Rapho Twp, Lancaster Co, PA near Lebanon, PA

were granted on February 14, 1765 to John Custard for the estate of Tobias Custard. After payment of obligations, twenty-eight pounds, six shillings and two and a half pence remained to be divided among his widow and children. Estate papers name the widow as Anna Elizabeth Custard, and his children as George Custard, the eldest son; Anna, wife of Jacob Hollinger on the the daughters of the dec'd; John Custard; and Abraham Custard.

On the 20th of October, 1753 Anna Elizabeth/Esterly gave birth to a set of twins Adam and Christopher. Adam is our diredt descendent. Prior to the births of these twins, Anna Elizabeth must have been ill as a friend of hers , one Anna Kuster, came to live with them to care for the house and the children. Anna Kuster/Custer was the daughter of Tobias Kuster, a blacksmith from Philadelphia and head of a prominent Mennonite family of that era. It is believed that Anna Kuster and Anna Edterly Hollinger belonged to the same Friends Meeting of Mennonites.

From what records could be located, Anna Esterly Hollinger either died in giving birth to the twins or within a year thereafter. Anna Kuster stayed on even after her friend died caring for Jacob's children. In 1754 Anna Kuster married Jacob Hollinger who was then 53 years old.

In 1757 a son was born to this second marriage of Jacob's. He was named Johan George and was born on April 4, 1754. Also recorded at the same time was a son Tobias, again possibly twins. If so, the tradition is correct, for this would have been the third set of twins born to Jacob.

In 1761 a daughter Anna Barbara was born. This seems to be the last child born to Jacob.

In 1782 Jacob died, about May 7, but more accurately between March 23 and June 13.

Anna went to live with her son George and later with her son Adam, our ancestor. She served as as sponsor for one of Adam's children, Johanne, born on December 8, 1783. Anna died around the year of 1800 and was buried on Adam's farm beside Jacob. Adam's farm was somewhere in Lancaster County, present day Warwick Township.

During Jacob's lifetime and his marriages to Anna Esterly and Anna Kuster, he fathered eleven children. They are as follows: Jacob, Nicklaus, Kristian, John, Christopher, Adam, George, Tobias, Anna, Valentine and Barbara.