Yerkes has also been spelled Gerkes, Gerckes, Jerghes, Jerghjes, Jurckes,Yercas, Yercks, Yerkhas, Yerkas, Yerkiss, Yerks, and Yerkus
Byberry is a township in the northeast corner of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. The Walton brothers were early settlers. Moreland Township was just west of Byberry. When Montgomery County broke off in 1784, Moreland was divided into two townships, both called Moreland. In 1917 the Montgomery County Moreland split into Upper Moreland Township and Lower Moreland Township.
Herman Yerkes was born in 1689 in Germantown, Pennsylvania or he immigrated to America with his parents from Germany or Holland. He was the son of Anthony and Margaret Yerkes. He was a farmer and a miller. His brother was Adolphus Yerkes.
In 1729 he was naturalized. The assembly declared him entitled to the rights and privileges of subjects of the king. His will was dated February 5, 1750 and proved on April 3, 1750(?).
A yeoman was a man who owned and cultivated a small farm. He belonged to the class below the gentry or land owners. A husbandman was a free tenant farmer. The social status of a husbandman was below that of a yeoman.
