Category: Family

Ahnentafel Roulette—#24 Karl Phillipp Greulich

Randy Seaver at Geneamusings posts a genealogy fun challenge every Saturday. Today is ahnentafel roulette. The rules are:

1) What year was one of your great-grandfathers born?  Divide this number by 80 and round the number off to a whole number. This is your “roulette number.”
2) Use your pedigree charts or your family tree genealogy software program to find the person with that number in your ancestral name list (some people call it an “ahnentafel” – your software will create this – use the “Ahnentafel List” option, or similar). Who is that person, and what are his/her vital information?
3) Tell us three facts about that person in your ancestral name list with the “roulette number.”
4) Write about it in a blog post on your own blog, in a Facebook status or a Google Stream post, or as a comment on this blog post.
5) NOTE:  If you do not have a person’s name for your “roulette number” then “spin” the wheel again – pick a great-grandmother, a grandfather, a parent, a favorite aunt or cousin, yourself, or even your children!  Or pick an ancestor!

So, I chose a great grandfather (in fact, I tried this will all four of them!), got his birth year (1880), and divided by 80. The number, rounded to a whole number, was 24 (all four times!).

Number 24 in my ahnentafel report was Karl “Charles” Phillipp Greulich.

Three facts about my great great grandfather are:

  1. Charles was born 13 September 1838 in Haag, Mosbach, Baden-Wurtemberg (now Germany) to Georg Phillipp Greulich and Anna Margaretha Wurzel.
  2. In 1755, when Charles was 17, his father died and his property went to his eldest (adopted) son Phillipp Peter, son of Georg’s first wife, Maria Katharina Lindenbach. Charles, his sister Eva, and their half-brother Georg Phillipp Jakob emigrated to the United States, arriving in New York on 28 January 1856.
  3. Charles was a shoemaker in East Greenville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, who had fourteen children with his two wives—one with his first wife Susanna Krauss Wolf, and thirteen with his second wife, Susanna’s sister, Caroline Krauss Wolf. They were daughters of Joel and Elizabeth (Krauss) Wolf.

featured image photo credit: Håkan Dahlström via photopin cc

Hans and Catharine Frantz of Manor Township

The Sons of Hans & Catharina Frantz

In my last post, I reported that based on deed research Michael Frantz of Londonderry and Lower Paxton townships was the son of Hans and Catharina Frantz of Manor Township. When Michael died two men—Jacob Frantz of Manor and Christian Frantz of Manheim—were the administrators of his estate and guardians of his underage children. Were they Michael’s brothers?

The last will and testament of John Frantz of Manor Township was proven 10 February 1787. It was a German will, recorded in Will Book Y2, so it is not available online at FamilySearch. Is there any other way to determine the names of Hans’ children?

On 18 April 1785, Hans and his wife sold 224 acres in Derry Township to his son Michael.1 This could be part of a pattern I’ve seen fairly often in researching Lancaster County families and their land transactions—aged parents selling their land to their children in the years before their deaths. Land was wealth. So, selling to his children was a means for a father (most often) to disperse his estate exactly as he wanted while he was still alive. It also allowed him to generate an income to support himself, his wife, and possibly younger children who hadn’t yet moved out into the world.

It’s a pattern that I believe held true for Hans Frantz of Manor Township. In the years just prior to writing his will, Hans and Catharine sold several tracts of land to Christian, John, Michael and Jacob Frantz. At least three of the tracts were outside Manor Township, possibly indicating that they had been purchased specifically for their children.

Christian Frantz

Christian Frantz tract, DonegalOn 27 December 1783, Hans and Catharine sold Christian Frantz 296 acres in Donegal Township, adjoining that of Ephraim Moore, Robert Allison, John Allison, Elizabeth Mitchell, William Bryan, and Samuel Fulton.2 Hans had purchased this land from Simon Snyder on 23 August 1769.3 Christian and Mary Frantz, of Manheim Township, sold the land in Donegal on 14 May 1785 to Christian Nisle.4

John Frantz Jr.

John Frantz Jr. land, DonegalOn 12 March 1785, Hans and Catharina sold 175 acres in Donegal to John Frantz (the younger), of Donegal.5 They had purchased it from David and Grace Caldwell on 18 May 1761. This land had been patented to Patrick Allison, Grace’s father, on 20 May 1737.6 The following spring, on 3 May 1786, John and Elizabeth Frantz, of Warwick Township, sold this tract of land in Donegal to John Longenecker.7

Jacob Frantz

Hans Frantz Manor Township landOn 7 November 1785, Hans Frantz sold 166 acres of land in Manor Township to Jacob Frantz. This tract adjoined that of Rudy Herr, Henry Kilhover, and George Ziegler.8 Hans bought this land from Christian and Barbara Frantz in 1746/7.9 It was originally part of the Andrew Hamilton tract. It passed from Hamilton to Michael Baughman, then part of it to Christian Frantz. I believe this was likely the “mansion tract” or Manor land where Hans and Catharine resided.


While these land sales follow a pattern that seems to indicate a familial relationship between the parties, these deeds—unlike Michael’s land sale of 1790—do not specifically name Christian, John, or Jacob as the children of Hans Frantz.

However, when Jacob wrote his will on 16 April 1799, he directed that his “wife and children shall keep house together on my Plantation in Mannor township for the use of my Estate until my Eldest son John shall arrive to the age of twenty one years…”10 Furthermore, he nominated his brothers John and Christian to be his executors. On 22 January 1803, John Frantz and Christian Frantz, executors, and John Frantz, the eldest son of Jacob Frantz of Lampeter, appointed appraisers for the Manor Township property on Little Conestoga Creek, adjoining land of John Kilheffer and Rudy Herr.11

In his will, Jacob left his Lampeter Township land, where he lived, to his sons Jacob and Christian. This land adjoined that of “Andrew Heller, Jacob Kreder, George Bards, Conestogo Creek and others.”12 On 7 February 1807, Jacob Frantz of Lampeter received a mortgage on the Lampeter property from “John Frantz of Warwick Township and Christian Frantz of Manheim Township both of the county and state aforesaid,” executors of the last will and testament of Jacob Frantz, deceased.13

Jacob’s will and the related deeds indicate that his brothers John and Christian were of the same locations as the men who purchased land from Hans and Catharina Frantz. Additionally, Christian Frantz of Manheim was both the administrator of Michael Frantz’s estate and guardian of his daughters Mary and Elizabeth, and executor of Jacob Frantz’s will.

While there could have been multiple men of the same names in these locations, bit-by-bit I am building a case that Michael Frantz of Lower Paxton, Jacob Frantz of Manor and Lampeter, Christian Frantz of Manheim, and John Frantz of Warwick were the sons of Hans and Catharina Frantz of Manor Township.

52 Ancestors: Henry Moyer Eshbach (1807-1872)

52 Ancestors - Henry Moyer EshbachAccording to her death certificate, Lydia (Eshbach) Waage’s parents were Henry Eshbach and Lydia Bobb.1 Henry was born 23 April 1807 in Hereford Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania and died 18 August 1872,2 quite likely in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania where he had been a bartender 2 years previously.3 He was buried at Pennsburg Reformed Church cemetery, Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Henry was at various times a tailor,4 an innkeeper,5 and a bartender.6

About 1836, Henry married Catherine Lydia Bobb, daughter of Daniel and Anna Margaret (Herb) Bobb Jr., of Hereford Township. She was born 6 November 1805 and died 16 March 1859.7 She was buried at Pennsburg Reformed Church cemetery.

After Lydia’s death in 1859, Henry moved his family to Lancaster Borough.8 He may have married again as there was a 46 year-old Maria living in the household with the family in 1860.

To the best of my knowledge, Henry and Lydia had children:

  1. Amanda Catharine Eshbach (27 Feb 1838—23 Jan 1904), married Rev. Jacob Kehm
  2. Anna Maria Eshbach (3 Apr 1841—5 Jan 1908), married John Troxel
  3. Reichel Eshbach (1 Feb 1843—bet 25 Jun & 1 Jul 1862), Reichel died during the Seven Days Battles at Richmond during the Civil War.
  4. Lydia S. Eshbach (3 Oct 1845—7 May 1910), married Dr. Charles T. Waage
  5. Rufus Thomas Eshbach (17 Mar 1847–17 Dec 1912), married Jane Wylam
  6. Elizabeth Eshbach (ca 1848—?)
  7. Elias Eshbach (ca 1852—?)

The first five children are all included in Rev. Fretz’s A Genealogical Record of the Descendants of Christian and Hans Meyer and Other Pioneers. Elizabeth and Elias are not. It’s possible that they are Henry’s step-children, if he did, in fact, marry again after Lydia’s death, but before the 1860 census.

Henry and Lydia (Bobb) Eshbach were my 3x great grandparents.


This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my eighteenth 52 Ancestors post and part of week twenty-eight.

A Father for Michael Frantz

I wrote about Michael Frantz of Lower Paxton Township in an earlier post, regarding his estate in 1797. Based on that research, I posited that Michael possibly had two brothers—Jacob Frantz of Manor Township and Christian Frantz of  Manheim Township. They were the administrators of his estate and guardians of his minor children. So, I set out to learn more about Michael, Jacob and Christian to see if I could prove a family connection.

Michael Frantz

When he died, Michael was of Paxton Township. Working backward, I found a number of deed transactions for him. On 23 June 1793, Michael and Franey his wife sold seven acres and sixty-seven perches of land to Susanna Eaglea.1 This was part of two tracts of land purchased by Michael Frantz and John Nissley on 15 April 1790 from Samuel and Joseph Hutchinson.2 On 19 August 1790, Michael and John Nissley had divided the land they’d purchased from the Hutchinsons into two tracts of 187 acres.3 All of these deeds place Michael in Paxton Township.4

After Feronica’s father, John Nissly, died in 1789, the couple acknowledged the receipt of £300—£185 during his lifetime and £115 from his executor, Michael Nissley.5 At the time, the couple was recorded as being “of Londonderry in the County of dauphin.” Michael was taxed at Londonderry in 1787, 17866, 17807, and 1779.8

Chestnut HallDeed records show that Michael Frantz purchased “Chestnut Hall,” a tract of 224 acres then located in Derry Township, on 18 April 1785 from Hans and Catharina Frantz of Manor Township.9 The deed does not specify any relationship between Michael and Hans and his wife.

However, when Michael and his wife Feronica sold this land on 6 May 1790 to George Myer, the deed named Michael as “one of his [Hans’] sons and one of the parties hereto belonging.”10 Hans had purchased this tract from John and Catharine Chestnut on 8 May 1775.11 The fact that Michael was taxed in Londonderry in 1779 and 1780—before he bought it—may indicate that he was living and working this land by then, even though his father still owned it.

According to a biography of Michael A. Frantz, Michael’s grandson, Michael was “born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and in early manhood removed to Dauphin County, where he purchased a tract of land… He was highly esteemed in the community and spent the remainder of his life there.”12 This is consistent with the deed research.

Based on this deed research, Michael Frantz was most likely the son of Hans Frantz of Manor Township. Did Hans have sons named Jacob and Christian? Check in next week as the research continues.

52 Ancestors: Jacob C. Walker (1833-1915)

52 Ancestors - Jacob WalkerJacob Walker was born 3 November 1833 in Runville, Boggs Township, Centre County.1 He died 24 July 1915 of “parenchymatous nephritis” in Centre Hall, aged 81 years, 8 months and 21 days. He was buried 27 Jul 1915 in the Reformed and Lutheran cemetery in Centre Hall. According to his obituary, he was the son of George and Ellen Walker.2 However, I believe Jacob was the son of George and his first wife, Catharine.3

Jacob was a farmer and made his home in Pine Glen, Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. In 1854,4 he married Mary Eckley, daughter of John D. and Catharine (Walker) Eckley.5 Mary was born 8 July 1836, quite likely in Boggs Township, and died 18 July 1911 in Centre Hall of breast cancer. She was buried with her husband in the Reformed and Lutheran cemetery in Centre Hall.

Jacob and Mary had 10 children:

  1. Susanna Walker (1856-1910) married Nicholas Vallimont
  2. Victoria Walker (1858-1938) married Samuel T. Hoover
  3. Henrietta Walker (1860-1862)
  4. Benner Walker (1861-?) married Viola “Ollie” White
  5. Jackson S. Walker (1863-1947) married Mary (___)
  6. Simon C. Walker (1864-aft 1920) married Emma Bell (___)
  7. Nancy Jane Walker (1867-1906) married Henry Lee Borger
  8. Lucy Walker (1868-?) married John Eisele
  9. William Walker (1872-aft 1930) married Hattie Malone
  10. Ada Bell Walker (1874-1892)

Jacob and Mary (Eckley) Walker are my 3x great grandparents.


This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my seventeenth 52 Ancestors post and part of week twenty-seven.

1911 Hocker Family Reunion

I came across a newspaper article entitled “Hocker Family Meets in Reunion” from the Harrisburg Patriot about the first annual Hocker family reunion that was held 7 September 1911 in Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Nearly 200 local family members attended, most from around Penbrook.

The article read:

Hocker Family Meets In Reunion
Penbrook Furnishes Big Delegation to Reservoir Park Outing
Officers Are Elected

The first annual reunion of the Hocker family was held yesterday at Reservoir Park. It was attended by two hundred persons, for the most part from the vicinity of Penbrook. The meeting for the reports of the committees and election of officers started at noon and lasted until four o’clock. Members of the family began to assemble in the park at about ten o’clock in the morning and continual arrivals kept up all day.

The idea of having a family reunion originated over a month ago with several of the members of the family and they held a meeting on the evening of August 9 at the home of T.H. Hinely in Penbrook. At this meeting temporary officers were elected and at the reunion yesterday these officers were re-elected to serve one year.

The meeting yesterday was held in the pavilion on the hill above the reservoir and was opened by the Rev. C.F. Rupp, who also gave the address of welcome. Following this George E. Shaffer gave a brief historical account of the family. The minutes were read by the secretary, H. E. Hocker, after which the committee for deciding the date for the reunion next year was appointed.

Officers Elected

The following officers were elected: President, George B. Hocker, of Lower Paxton township; vice president, George L. Hocker of Penbrook; secretary, H. E. Hocker, of Penbrook; assistant secretary, G. Lester Hocker, Lower Paxton township; treasurer, Harry Holtzman, Susquehanna township; historian, George E. Shaffer, Harrisburg. These officers constitute a committee to decide the date of meeting next year. The place is Reservoir Park.

The following made up the committee that made the first annual reunion a success: George E. Shaffer, chairman; David Smith, F.J. Hinley and Joseph Hocker, all of Penbrook. Several of the oldes members of the family were present yesterday, and were able to be about with the younger ones. Among them were Joseph Hocker, aged seventy-three years, and Martin Hocker, aged seventy-one years, whose wives are still living, and Mrs. Lettie Smith, aged seventy-four years, all of Penbrook.

This article mentions a number of Hocker family members—most of whom I immediately recognized. But there were several names that I didn’t know, including some of those elected as officers of the reunion committee.

Here is a list of the elected officers:

  • George B. Hocker, Lower Paxton twp
  • George L. Hocker, Penbrook Borough
  • H. E. Hocker, Penbrook Borough
  • G. Lester Hocker, Lower Paxton twp
  • Harry Holtzman, Susquehanna twp
  • George E. Shaffer, Harrisburg

Other names mentioned in the article included:

  • T.H. Hinley, Penbrook
  • David Smith
  • F.J. Hinley
  • Joseph Hocker

My interest piqued, I decided to do a little research to see if I could connect the names I didn’t recognize to the family. Here’s what I found.

The three eldest members of the family that attended the reunion—Joseph Hocker (aged 73), Martin Hocker (aged 71), and Lettie Smith (aged 74)—were all children of George and Mary (Brubaker) Hocker, and grandchildren of George and Elizabeth (Hassler) Hocker.

George and Mary (Brubaker) Hocker had the following children:

  1. Anna Maria Hocker (1835-1880), married Isaac Holtzman (1832-1892)
  2. Lydia Hocker (1837-1923), married David Smith (1827-1899)
  3. Joseph Hocker (1839-1928), married Lydia Keller (1844-1940)
  4. Martin Hocker (1841-1915), married Rosa A. Smeltzer (1847-1921)
  5. Emanuel Hocker (1842-1862)
  6. Wilhelmina Jane Hocker (1845-1888), married Clinton Ezra Shaffer (1841-1911)
  7. Mary Elizabeth Hocker (1847-1923), married Frank W. Miller (1849/50-1928)
  8. Susanna Emma Hocker (1849-bef 1896)
  9. George Benjamin Hocker (1851-1929), married Catharine Kelchner (1852-1894), married Elizabeth M. Balsbaugh (1859-1930)
  10. Henry Harrison Hocker (1854-1930), married Anna Heisey (1853-1934)
  11. Samuel Augustus Hocker (1856-1931), married Amanda Elizabeth Crum (1862-1947)
  12. Elizabeth Ellen Hocker (1859-1922), married William Henry Jones (1864-1921)

So, I identified the officers as:

  • George B. Hocker -> son of George and Mary (Brubaker) Hocker
  • George L. Hocker -> son of Martin and Rosa A. (Smeltzer) Hocker
  • H. E. Hocker -> son of George B. and Catharine (Kelchner) Hocker
  • G. Lester Hocker -> son of George Albert and Jennie Elizabeth (Miller) Hocker, grandson of Joseph and Lydia (Keller) Hocker
  • Harry Holtzman -> son of Isaac and Anna Maria (Hocker) Holtzman
  • George E. Shaffer -> son of Clinton and Wilhelmina Jane (Hocker) Shaffer

These men had all been identified through previous research. So, too had Joseph Hocker, son of Joseph and Lydia (Keller) Hocker. I wondered about David Smith, because Lydia Hocker’s husband was deceased. A little census research turned up David and Lydia (Hocker) Smith’s son, David R. Smith. F.J. Hinely was Frank J. Heinly, the husband of Jennie Hocker (1873-1949), daughter of George B. and Catharine (Kelchner) Hocker. I’m not sure who T.H. Hinely was , possibly a relation of Frank’s?

This family is descended from the immigrant Adam Hacker through his eldest son Frederick, older brother to my ancestor Johan Adam Hocker Jr. After Frederick’s death, his son George sold his property in Lancaster County in 1813 and moved to the Harrisburg area with his wife Elizabeth (Hassler) Hocker, possibly to be near his uncles, four of whom—Johannes, Christopher, Adam, and Martin—had moved to Harrisburg in the late 1780s.

52 Ancestors: Mary Ann Hocker (1834—1903) Finding Relatives in Unusual Sources

I was scanning some gravestone photos the other day to add to Findagrave and became intrigued with a couple that I had photographed, but that didn’t ring any bells. I had included them in the plastic sleeve with those of Adam and Eve (Hamaker) Hocker. The two gravestones—for Mary Ann Hocker and Solomon Hocker—captured my attention because the markers were of the same style as Adam and Eve’s.

 

Mary Ann Hocker (d.1903) gravestone

Gravestone for Mary Ann Hocker

I had to wonder if Mary Ann and Solomon were children of Adam and Eve. According to the information I have, Adam Hocker married Eve Hamaker, daughter of Adam Hamaker and Magdalena Snavely, on 22 February 1838 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.1 Calculating Mary Ann’s birth date from her age at the time of her death, as recorded on her gravestone, I got 30 November 1834—before Adam and Eve were married.

Could she have been the child of a previously unknown former marriage? In an 1870 probate petition Adam Hocker Jr., Adam’s son, reports that his father left a widow and nine children: “Jacob, John, Adam, Elizabeth Cumbler, wife of George Cumbler, Sarah, David, Melinda, Martin and Anne.”2 Going by this, Adam did not have a daughter named Mary Ann.

However, I found a newspaper announcement from the Harrisburg Patriot of 2 June 1871 that named the heirs and legal representatives of Adam Hocker, late of Swatara Township as: “Mary Hocker, Jacob Hocker, John Hocker, Adam Hocker, Elizabeth Cumbler, wife of George Cumbler, Sarah Hocker, David Hocker, Melinda Hocker, Martin Hocker and Anna Hocker.”3 This indicates that Adam did have a daughter named Mary.

So, I had two conflicting pieces of information. Which was correct?

Reviewing census records (18404, 18505, 18706, 18807), I found Mary living in Adam and/or Eve’s household for each of the years. In the case of the 1840 census, there was a female in the appropriate age group to have been born in 1834 who presumably could have been Mary. Only the 1880 census enumeration provided the relationship to the head of household—Eve—as “daughter.”

However, the most illuminating source was a legal report from the 12th Judicial District, reporting on the estate of Mary Hocker of Steelton, Pennsylvania. Apparently, Mary lived with her sister Annie (Hocker) Longenecker, wife of William Longenecker, for the last ten years of her life.8 After Mary died, Annie applied for compensation for “$3,120 [from Mary’s estate] for boarding, washing, lodging and care for six years immediately preceding her death.” The report mentions by name the administrator (John Hocker) as well as siblings—Adam Hocker and Mrs. Cumbler [Elizabeth (Hocker) Cumbler]. Ultimately, the court ruled against Annie, but the case provides evidence that Mary Ann Hocker was the daughter of Adam Hocker.

Whether Adam was married previously or not, I don’t know. Eve (Hamaker) Hocker’s obituary states that she had 8 children survive her.9 My information shows that her children—Jacob, John, Adam, Elizabeth, Sarah, Malinda, Martin and Annie—all were still living in 1892. Only David had predeceased her, having died in 1887 at the age of 36.10 Mary Ann was still alive, not dieing until 1903, so it is possible that she was the child of Adam and an as yet unknown first wife.

In this case, two somewhat unusual sources—a newspaper announcement and a court report—provided the information required to connect Mary Ann Hocker to Adam and Eve Hocker, showing her to be a child of Adam Hocker.


Adam and Eve’s relationship to my Hacker-Hocker lines is currently unknown. William Wingeard incorrectly identified Adam as the son of Rev. John4 Hocker (Johan Adam3, Johan Adam2, Christopher1, StephenA) and Christianna Sterling. However, that Adam moved to Montgomery County, Ohio in the late 1830s with the rest of Rev. John Hocker’s family. Other possible fathers for Adam include: George Hocker, son of Frederick3; John Hocker, son of Frederick3; and George Hocker, son of Adam2.

This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my sixteenth 52 Ancestors post and part of week twenty-six.

 

52 Ancestors: Anna (Frantz) Hocker (1827-1918)

Anna (Frantz) Hocker, widow of Levi Hocker, died on 3 February 1918 in Pennsylvania.1 Her death certificate began my research into her family.

Anna Frantz Hocker death certificate 1828-1918What did I learn from this death certificate?

  • Anna died at 102 Tuscarora Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
  • Anna was a widow.
  • Anna was born 13 September 1828.
  • Anna was 90 years, 3 months and 20 days old when she died.
  • Anna died 3 February 1918.
  • Anna died from a cerebral hemorrhage of 13 days duration.
  • Anna was born in Pennsylvania.
  • Anna’s father was named Michael Frantz.
  • Michael was born in Pennsylvania.
  • Anna’s mother was named Eliza Walters.
  • Eliza was born in Pennsylvania.
  • Anna was buried in Oberlin Cemetery on 7 February 1918.

Some of the information in this record is likely to be more reliable than the rest. Since this is her death record, information regarding her death was completed at or about the time of her death. If you look at #15 on the certificate, you will see that it was filed on 6 February 1918, 3 days after her death by D.H. Ellinger, the local registrar. This information is more likely to be accurate than secondhand information like her birth date. That’s not to say the secondhand data isn’t correct, just that it must be verified through other records.

Anna died at 102 Tuscarora Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

In this case, Anna died at the same address as that of the record’s informant: H. Hershey Hocker, who turns out to be Anna’s son. According to an article about her 88th birthday celebration, Anna had made her home with her son for several years.2 As early as 1910, Hershey, Anna and Sarah, Hershey’s wife, were all living at 102 Tuscarora.3

The house was still standing as of June 2011 and can be seen on the “street view” at Google Maps.

Anna was a widow.

Her husband Levi Hocker had died 31 October 1876.4

 Anna was born 13 September 1828.

According to her death certificate, Anna was born 13 September 1828. Her gravestone indicates that she was born in 1827. Two newspaper articles were written—one each for her 88th and 89th birthdays in 1915 and 1916, placing birth in 1827.5 Her age in census records is consistent with a late 1827 birthday. The 1900 census states she was born in September 1827.6 So, Hershey was only off by one year on his mother’s date of birth.

Anna was born in Pennsylvania.

Census records consistently state that Anna was born in Pennsylvania.

Anna’s father was named Michael Frantz; Michael was born in Pennsylvania.

According to the History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania by Luther Reily Kelker, “Anna, [wife of] Levi Hocker, deceased” was the daughter of Michael Frantz and his second wife Elizabeth Walters.7 Michael Frantz was born to Michael Frantz and Feronica Nissley in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania8 on 24 May 1789 [calculated] and died 5 June 1865.9 His death occurred four days before Anna gave birth to her youngest surviving son, Herbert Hershey Hocker.10 While, Hershey may not have known his maternal grandfather, I’m fairly certain he knew of him. Especially because…

Anna’s mother was named Elizabeth Walters.

In 1880, an Elizabeth Frantz, “mother,” was living in Anna Hocker’s household with Anna and some of her children—Francis Michael, Curtin, Maggie and Hershey—as was Maggie Frantz, “sister.”11 Hershey was 14 years old at that time, so he certainly knew—and remembered—his maternal grandmother and Aunt Maggie.

Elizabeth’s gravestone in Churchville cemetery names her as “Elizabeth Walters wife of Michael Frantz.”12

Eliza was born in Pennsylvania.

Per the 1880 census, Elizabeth and her parents were all born in Pennsylvania.

All in all, Hershey only made a minor error in the information he provided for his mother’s death certificate and this information led me to additional information on Anna and her parents.

Summary

Anna Frantz, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Walters) Frantz, was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania—most likely on her father’s property near Oberlin. She married Levi Hocker on 6 February 1851 and the couple settled in Swatara Township where Levi was a farmer. Levi died in 1876, but Anna survived to the age of 90, dieing 3 February 1918 at her son Hershey’s home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Anna and Levi had 9 children:

  1. Benjamin Franklin Hocker (1852-1919)
  2. Francis Michael Hocker (1854-1919)
  3. Mary Elizabeth Hocker Farnsler (1855-1939)
  4. Emma L. Hocker Brinser (1857-1942)
  5. George Warren Hocker (1858-1868)
  6. Albert Curtin Hocker (1860-1940)
  7. Margaret A. Hocker Hughes (1863-1957)
  8. Herbert Hershey Hocker (1865-1946)
  9. John Edward Hocker (1869-1873)

Anna and Levi were my 3x great grandparents.


This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my fifteenth 52 Ancestors post and part of week twenty-five.

 

Surname Saturday: My Ahnentafel List

I don’t believe I actually have a full list of my direct ancestors anywhere on my site. So, for Surname Saturday, I thought I’d do an ahnentafel report of my ancestral lines as I have them in my family database.

What’s an ahnentafel report? Here’s a definition from the Encyclopedia of Genealogy:

Ahnentafel
“Ahnentafel is a German word that literally translates as ‘ancestor table’. It is a list of all known ancestors of an individual and includes the full name of each ancestor as well as dates and places of birth, marriage, and death whenever possible.”1

My Ahnentafel

Please consider this unproven information, unless otherwise documented on this site. There are sections where I’m still working on connections between generations. And since it’s unproven, I will be making revisions to this page, adding, deleting, etc.

I’ve added a line break between paternal and maternal lines to help distinguish between the two.

1. Me


Generation Two

2. Dad
3. Mom


Generation Three (Grandparents)

4. William H. Hocker Jr. (1918-2008)
5. Ruth Olive (Hoover) Hocker (1920-2016)

6. Russell R. Gruelich (1910-1999)
7. Mildred E. Wieder (1912-2002)


Generation Four (GG)

8. William H. Hocker Sr. (1890-1967)
9. Isabella Aitken Smith (1893-1962)
10. Clyde Leroy Hoover (1886-1972)
11. Nora Malinda Houdeshell (1891-1965)

12. Elmer Calvin Greulich (1880-1947)
13. Lillian Witmer Snyder (1879-1949)
14. Edwin J. Wieder (1880-1960)
15. Mary Catharine Waage (1877-1970)


Generation Five (2nd GG)

16. Albert Curtin Hocker (1860-1940)
17. Lillian Ainsley Leedy (1861-1942)
18. William Smith (1851-1905)
19. Eliza Craig Bonnington (1866-1946)
20. Samuel Thomas Hoover (1857-1930)
21. Victoria Walker (1859-1938)
22. George W. Houdeshell (1868-1941)
23. Lovina Caroline Force (1872-1964)

24. Karl “Charles” Phillip Greulich (1838-1904)
25. Caroline Krauss Wolf (1945-1915)
26. Henry Deischer Snyder (1859-1931)
27. Saraphine Kline Witmer (1861-1938)
28. Emanuel John Wieder (1855-1929)
29. Alavesta Esther Dillinger (1857-1923)
30. Dr. Charles Theodore Waage (1827-1921)
31. Lydia S. Eshbach (1845-1910)


Generation Six (3rd GG)

32. Levi Hocker (1824-1876)
33. Anna Frantz (1828-1918)
34. Samuel Krehl Leedy (1829-1912)
35. Sarah Parsons (1833-c1920)
36. James Smith (1812-1856)
37. Isabella Aitken (1816-1856)
38. Peter Purvis Bonnington (c1844-1891)
39. Elizabeth Buchanan (c1844-1928)
40. Christian Hoover (c1825-1887)
41. Caroline Kinnard (c1830-1877)
42. Jacob C. Walker (1833-1915)
43. Mary M. Eckley (1836-1911)
44. James Benjamin Houdeshell (1842-1926)
45. Phoebe Mayes (1846-1921)
46. Jefferson Force (1833-1910)
47. Susan Mulhollan (1841-1917)

48. George Philip Greulich (1784-1855)
49. Anna Margaretha Wurzel (1797-1854)
50. Joel Wolf (1810-1895)
51. Elizabeth Krauss (1814-1900)
52. Joseph Snyder (1826-1895)
53. Judith Deysher (1830-1906)
54. Edward Jones Witmer (1833-1912)
55. Lydia Amanda Kline (1836-1926)
56. Saulus Wieder (1813-1888)
57. Anna Mechling (1815-1907)
58. William Dillinger (1825-1896)
59. Helena Person (1829-1894)
60. Rev. Caius Frederic “Guy Frederick” Sophus Waage (1797-1884)
61. Angelina Garber (1806-1897)
62. Henry Moyer Eshbach (1807-1872)
63. Catherine Lydia Bobb (1808-1859)


Generation Seven (4th GG)

64. George Hocker (1794-1873)
65. Mary Magdalena “Molly” Landis (1800-1825)
66. Michael Frantz Jr. (1789-1865)
67. Elizabeth Walters (1800-1882)
68. John Harbaugh Leedy (1797-1888)
69. Catharine Krehl (1798-1870)
70. Anthony Parsons (1793-1834)
71. Catharine Bowerman (ca 1808-bef 1842)
72. Thomas Smith (?-bef. 1856)
73. Agnes Nimmo (?-bef 1856)
74. William Aitken (c1781/2-1854)
75. Marian Brown (c1782-bef 1856)
76. William Bonnington (c1816-1885)
77. Margaret Purves (c1821-bet 1844-1847)
78. James Buchanan (c1812/22-1888)
79. Sarah Craig (c1809-bet 1851-1861)
80. Philip Hoover (1802-1882)
81. Hannah Thomas (1802-1880)
82. Thomas Kinnard (1798-c1857)
83. Maria Fisher (c1808-c1865)
84. George M. Walker (1805-1891)
85. Catharine Walker (1808-c1846)
86. John D. Eckley (c1807-1890)
87. Catharine Walker (c1818-1846)
88. Adam Howdyshell (c1787/91-aft 1880)
89. Mary Sine (c1800/02-bef 1880)
90. John Mayes Jr. (c1814-1895)
91. Mary Ann Walker (1811-1888)
92. Unknown Force (?-bef. 1850)
93. Unknown (?-bef 1850)
94. John Mulhollan (1800-1860)
95. Emily Boileau (1805-1842)

96. Johan Adam Greulich (1751-1808)
97. Maria Katharine Wilhelm (1758-1832)
98. Johann Georg Wurzel
99. Anna Elizabeth Zimmerman
100. Jacob Wolf (1787-1868)
101. Magdalena Brey (1788-1852)
102. George Krauss (1783-1844)
103. Christina Schultz (1787-1877)
104. Henry Schneider (1792-1860)
105. Sarah Wissler (1799-1852)
106. Peter Deischer (1793-1861)
107. Anna Maria Trump (1791-1874)
108. John Witmer (1811-1885)
109. Rachel Jones (1809-1897)
110. Philip Kline (1799-1877)
111. Lydia Markley (1806-1890)
112. Johan Adam Wieder (1782-1858)
113. Anna Christina Strassburger (11 Dec 1785-26 Jan 1823)
114. John Jarret Mechling (1778-1856)
115. Anna Margaret Oberley (1776-1866)
116. William Dillinger (1793-1854)
117. Elizabeth Diess (1805-1883)
118. Abraham Person (1797-1876)
119. Esther Schneider (1801-1867)
120. Claus Heinrich Waage (?-ca 1811)
121. Catharina Dorothea Hoffmeister
122. Benjamin Garber (1769-1818)
123. Hannah Reiner (1774-aft 1860)
124. Christian Eshbach (1766-1838)
125. Veronica Francis Moyer (1777-1838)
126. Daniel Bobb (1780-1866)
127. Anna Margaret Herb (1783-1865)


Generation Eight (5th GG)

128. Johan Adam Hacker (1764-c1821)
129. Sophia Maria [Hershey?] (1769-c1739)
130. Henry Landis Jr. (1764-1824)
131. Catharine Baum (?-bef 1823)
132. Michael Frantz (c1742-c1797)
133. Feronica “Fannie” Nissley (1759-1813
134. Jacob Walters (bef 1775-1840)
135. Anna [Stauffer?] (1775-1845)
136. Samuel Leedy (c1773-c1833)
137. Catharine (___) (c1774-bef 1820)
138. Johan Michael Krehl (1763-1818)
139. Wilhelmina Stehley (c1780-1853)
140. James Parsons
141. Elizabeth [Steele?]
152. Robert Bonnington (c1780-1821)
153. Agnes Inglis (c1794-bet 1851-1857)
156. John Buchanan (?-bef 1851)
157. Mary Irvine/Erwin (c1795-bet 1851-1861)
160. Christian Hoover (1776-1850)
161. Maria Barbara Harmon (1773-1870)
162. John Thomas (c1766-c1839)
163. Margaretta Mackin (?_bef 1839)
164. Thomas Kinnard (c1770-aft 1830)
165. Ann “Nancy” Lee (c1775-?)
166. William Fisher
167. Elizabeth Rambach
168. Jacob Walker (c1770-1833)
169. Margaret McElwain (c1770-aft 1833)
170. Andrew Walker (1769-1857) [also #182, #348]
171. Catharine Margaret Fetzer (1775-1850) [also #183, #349]
172. Unknown Eckley
173. Unknown
174. John Walker (ca 1769-1864)
175. Mary Lucas (1799-ca 1802)
176. Laurence Howdershell (c1759-aft 1850)
177. Susanna Rader (c1761-?)
178. Adam Sine
179. Catharina Howdershell (c1783-?)
180. John Mayes (c1786-1851)
181. Elizabeth (___) (c1784-aft 1850)
182. Andrew Walker [also #170]
183. Catherine Margaret Fetzer [see #171]
188. Rudolph Mulhollan (c1776/80-1855)
189. Mary Werham (c1770-1844)
190. Daniel Boileau (1772-1840)
191. Mary [Robertson?] (1775-1863)

192. Hans Adam Greulich (1721-1797)
193. Anna Elisabeth Gerich (1728-1758)
200. Conrad Wolf (c1760-?)
201. Catharina Yeakel (1761-?)
202. Conrad Brey (1740-1827)
203. Maria Magdalena Klein (1749-1834)
204. Balthasar Krauss (1743-1805)
205. Susanna Yeakel (1744-1820)
206. Andrew Schultz (1753-1802)
207. Charlotte Yeakel (1750-1825)
208. Jacob Schneider (c1756/65-c1829)
209. Catharina Nuss (c1776/84-aft 1829)
210. Godfried Wißler (c1757-c1829)
211. Eva Catharina Weiss (1759-aft fall 1815)
212. Daniel Deischer (c1758-bet 1810-1820)
213. Catharine Rein (c1756/65-aft 1810)
214. Johann Adam Trump (1758-1828)
215. Barbara (___) (1759-1816)
216. Jacob Witmer (1786-1861)
217. Susanna Baum (1789-1867)
218. Henry Jones (1776-1854)
219. Martha Bartleson (?-bef 1830)
220. Johan Jacob Kline (1754-1847)
221. Eva Elisabetha Heilig (1762-1846)
222. Daniel Markley (ca 1775-1823)
223. Hannah Hertzel (1777-1852)
224. Johan Adam Wieder Jr. (1750-1825)
225. Christina Dut (1757-1836)
226. Johan Andreas Strassburger (1754-1825)
227. Eva Yeager (1754-1835)
228. Thomas Mechling (1751-1785)
229. Katharine Welsh/Walsh (1754-1830)
230. John Oberley (1746-1805)
231. Elizabetha Uhler (1751-1831)
232. Johan Henry Dillinger (1767-1939)
233. Anna Maria Ochs (c1776-aft 1850)
234. Jacob Diess (1779-1862)
235. Maria Eva Ortt (1784-1864)
236. Unknown Person
237. Unknown
238. Jacob Schneider (1778-1860)
239. Anna Maria Shaffer (1780-1863)
244. Benedict Garber (1732-1817)
245. Dorothea Loreht (1733-1807)
246. Unknown Reiner
247. Unknown
248. Christian Eshbach (1737-1809)
249. Catharine Stauffer (1743-1789)
250. Christian Moyer/Meyer (1755-1826)
251. Anna Frances Bauer (1757-1809)
252. Daniel Bobb (1747-1833)
253. Maria Catharine Gilbert (1755-1840)
254. Abraham Herb (?-c1813)
255. Anna Sibilla Fuchs (1757-1848)


Generation Nine (6th GG)

256. Johan Adam Hacker (1727-1782)
257. Maria Elisabetha Weidman (1733-aft 1790)
260. Henry Landis (1736-1785)
261. Anna Poorman (1745-1818)
262. Johann Philip Baum (ca 1718-ca 1793)
263. Anna Barbara Klem (?-ca 1821)
264. Johannes “Hans” Frantz (bef 1721-1787)
265. Catharine (___)
266. John Nissley (c1722-1789)
267. Maria Seegrist/Sechrist (c1720-c1784)
268. Jacob Walter (ca 1718-ca 1798)
272. Jacob Leedy (1738-1806)
273. Elizabeth Hauff
276. Michael Krehl (c1737-1788)
277. Margaret (___)
278. Jacob Stehley (?-1793)
279. Elizabeth (Kettering?) (?-aft 1800) [maybe 2nd wife?]
282. ?? Anthony Steel
283. ?? Mary (___) Steel
284. Johannes Bowerman (1761-1835)
285. Anna Elizabeth (___) Bowerman
286. Peter Schott (1762-1833)
287. Catharina Magdalena Fritz (1769-1855)
320. George Hoover (c1730/40-1813)
321. Eva Elizabetha (___) (?-aft 1790)
322. Christian Harmon
323. Christina Magdalena Lenhart
324. Garret Thomas (1732-ca 1797)
325. Maria Magdalena (___) (?-aft Jun 1803)
328. Jacob Kinnard (ca 1740-?)
330. Capt. James Lee (1747-1790)
331. Susanna Winemore (?-1790)
332. Adam Fisher
333. Margaret Meckler Hankey/Hanke
342. Andrew Fetzer (?-1804) [also #366]
343. Magdalena Dotterer (1748-1804) [also #367]
348. Andrew Walker [also #170]
349. Catherine Margaret Fetzer [also #171]
350. Charles Lucas (1768-1854)
351. Nancy McCalmont
352. Johann Michael Howdershell (1729-1813) [also #716]
353. Maria Dorothea Seitel [also #717]
354. Adam Rader (1725-1783)
355. Mary Margaret Zimmerman (1727-1795)
356. Unknown Sine
357. Unknown
358. Michael Houdeshell (1760-1832)
359. Barbara Rader (1766-?)
360. Thomas Mayes (1753-1827)
366. Andrew Fetzer [also #342]
367. Magdalena Dotterer [also #343]

384. Georg Greulich
386. Hans Philipp Gerich (1692-1737)
387. Maria Catharina Jacob (1699-1754)
400. Johan Conrad Wolf
401. [Maria Elisabetha?]
402. Jeremias Yeakel (1713-1763) [also #414]
403. Unknown Wolf [also #415]
404. Johann Georg Brey (1712-ca 1793)
405. Maria Catharina (___) (?-ca 1791)
406. Johan Michael Klein (1716-1798) [also #440]
407. Anna Maria Catharina Kuntz (1730-1786) [also #441]
408. Balthasar Krauss (1706-1774)
409. Susanna Hoffman (1708-1791)
410. Johannes Heinrich Yeakel (1708-1781)
411. Susanna Heydrick (1710-1793)
412. Rev. Christopher Schultz (1718-1789)
413. Rosina Yeakel (1721-1800)
414. Jeremias Yeakel [see #402]
415. Unknown Wolf [see #403]
416. Elias Schneider (1733-1779)
417. Anna Maria Nuss (1740-aft 1782)
418. Conrad Nuss (1743-1808)
419. Anna Margaretha Roeder (1745-?)
420. Jacob Wisler (ca 1725-ca 1806)
421. Esther (___)
422. Hans Erhardt Weiss (c1722-1777)
423. Susanna Huth (c1727-aft 1782)
424. Jacob Deischer (c1730-1804)
425. Anna Siegfried (ca 1735-c1803)
426. ?? Rein
427. ?? (___) Rein
428. Johann Adam Trump (1722-ca 1802)
429. Anna Maria Weitzel (ca 1733-ca 1794)
432. Jacob Witmer
434. Michael Baum
435. Catharine (___)
436. Edward Jones (1737-1823)
437. Rachel Lewis (1748-1826)
440. Johan Michael Klein [also #406]
441. Anna Maria Catharina Kuntz [see #407]
442. George Heilig (1732-1796)
443. Elisabetha Barbara [Mueller?]
446. Jacob Hertzel (ca 1734-1807)
447. Catharine Hartzell (aft 1732-?)
448. Johan Adam Wieder (1721-1798)
449. Anna Margaretha (___) (c1723-?) or Maria Wayet?
450. Johann George Dut (1723-1790)
451. Barbara (___)
452. Johan Andreas Strassburger (1716-?)
453. Catherina Rosina Kolb (?-1771)
454. John Jäger (1721-1796)
455. Eva Elizabeth Schneider (1728-1804)
456. Theobald Mechling (bef 1728-1765)
457. Anna Elisabeth Lauer
458. Johannes Wilhelm Welsh (1719-1805)
459. Maria Elizabetha Neighbor [Nachbar]
460. Johan Rudolph Oberley (1712-c1780)
461. Margaretha (___) Oberley
462. Valentine Uhler (1714-1768)
463. Maria Magdalena (___) Uhler
464. John Georg Dillinger (bef 1740-aft 1787)
465. Eva Christina (___) Dillinger
466. Mathias Ochs Jr. (c1743-aft 1790)
467. Anna Rosina Schwenk (1751-1778)
468. Peter Deiss (1753-1786)
469. Elizabeth Stahlnecker (1757-1835)
470. Johannes Ortt (1749-1798)
471. Maria Rosina Fischer (1750-1839)
476. David Schneider (bef 1757-1785)
477. Esther (___) Schneider
478. ? William Shaeffer (?-1807)
479. ? Magdalena (___) Shaeffer
488. Henry Garber (c1700-1740/1)
489. Anna Catharine (___) Garber
498. Daniel Stauffer (1697-aft 1763) [see #1010]
499. Maria Catherine Merckel [see #1011]
500. Rev. Peter Moyer (1723-1793)
501. ? Magdalena Clemmer
502. Michael Bauer (1718-1784)
503. Veronica Landis (1733-1823)
504. Johan Conrad Bobb (c1715-1760)
505. Elizabeth Stauffer (c1715-1774)
506. Johan Bernhard Gilbert (c1730-1798)
507. Maria Elizabeth Meyer
508. Abraham Herb (1719-1779)
509. Gertraut (___) Herb
510. Johan Adam Fuchs (1716-1797)
511. Anna Margaretha [Roemelt?]


Generation Ten (7th GG)

512. Christoph Hacker (1697-c1775)
513. Anna Margaretha Jock (1696-c1773)
514. Martin Weidman (1712-c1768)
515. Anna Margaretha Still (1703-aft 1766)
520. Felix Landis Jr. (1708-1770)
521. Catharine Loban (1708-c1747)
522. Stephen Poorman (1714-ca 1782)
523. Anna (___) Poorman
532. Hans Nissley (bef 1676-bef 1747)
533. ? Feronica Good
534. Michael Sechrist (1695-1750)
535. Anna (___) Sechrist
544. Johannes Marte Lidi (c1715-1761)
545. Maria Elizabeth (___) Lidi
556. Ulrich Stehley (1700-1766)
557. Anna (___) Stehley (ca 1705-1771)
572. Ludwig Schott (1712-1788)
573. Anna Barbara Laur[in?] (1734-1795)
574. George Henry Fritz
575. Elizabeth (___) Fritz
640. Michael Huber (bef 1714-1789)
644. ??Johann Georg Harmon
645. ?? Catharina Schuler
646. ?? Johann Peter Lenhart (1708-1774)
647. ?? Maria Margaretha (___)
660. John Lees (1721-1776)
662. Philip Winemore (1714-1783)
663. Anna Barbara Jantzen (1718-1810)
664. Adam Fisher
686. Matthias Dotterer (1717-?) [also #1398]
687. Anna Catharine Roth (1710-?) [also #1399]
698. Andrew Fetzer [also #342]
699. Magdalena Dotterer [also #343]
700. Benedict Lucas (1733-1826)
701. Mary McKibben
704. Hans Michael Haudenschild [also #1432]
705. Anna Margaretha Ruch [also #1433]
706. John Seitel [also #1434]
707. Barbara Dreher [also #1435]
708. Johann Adam Rader (1706-1773) [also #2872]
709. Anna Barbara Bender (1708-1773) [also #2873]
716. Johan Michael Howdershell [see #352]
717. Maria Dorothea Seitel [see #353]
718. Adam Rader
719. Clara Riddle
734. Mathias Dotterer [also #686]
735. Anna Catharina Roth [also #687]

772. Hans Jacob Gerich (1652-1724)
773. Magdalena Zimmerman (1646-1724)
774. Hans Jorg Jacob (1660-1739)
775. Maria Eva Seyfridt (1669-1737)
804. David Yeakel (c1659-?) [also #820, #828]
805. Susanna Heydrick [also #821, #829]
812. Johann Jacob Klein (c1690-?) [also #880]
813. Anna Catharine (___) (c1692-?) [also #881]
814. Johan Jacob Kuntz (1692-1754) [also #882]
815. Anna Margaret Pfalsgraff [also #883]
816. Melchoir Krauss (?-1733)
817. Anna Heidrig (c1675-1755)
818. George Hoffman
819. Barbara Seipt
820. David Yeakel [also #804, 828]
821.  Susanna Heydrick [see #805, 829]
822. Melchoir Heydrick
823. Barbara (___)
824. Melchoir Schultz (?-1734)
825. Susanna Kriebel (?-1732)
826. Balthasar Yeakel (?-1738)
827. Regina John (?-1747)
828. David Yeakel [also #804, 820]
829. Susanna Heydrick [also #805, 821]
832. Johann Conrad Schneider (1699-1759)
833. Eva Catharina Betz (1701-1779)
834. Jacob Nuss (1716-1757) [see #836]
835. Anna Maria Reiher (1712-?) [see #836]
836. Jacob Nuss (1716-1757) [see #834]
837. Anna Maria Reiher (1712-?) [see #835]
838. Johann Michael Roeder (1714-1789)
839. Maria Susanna Zimmerman (1712-1749)
840. Jacob Wißler (1695-1752)
841. Magdalena (___) (ca 1698-1784)
844. Johann Georg Weiß (ca 1701-1743)
845. Maria Anna Catharina Klein
846. Johannes Huth (c1680-1759)
847. Maria Anna Sähm
848. Johannes Deischer (c1684-c1761)
849. Anna Barbara (___) (c1684-ca 1761)
850. Johannes Siegfried (1690-1747)
851. Anna Elisabetha Seves (1697-1767)
856. Johannes Adam Trump (1695-1732)
857. Ursula Ossell (1692-1760)
858. Johann Jacob Wetzel (1695-1774)
872. John Jones (1716-1758)
873. Mary West (1715-1815)
874. Henry Lewis (?-1797)
875. Margaret James (?-1798)
880. Johann Jacob Klein [also #812]
881. Anna Catharine (___) [also #813]
882. Johan Jacob Kuntz [also #814]
883. Anna Margaret Pfalsgraff [also #815]
884. Johann Heinrich Heilig (c1700-1775)
885. Susanna Rittenhouse (1698-1769)
886. Georg Müller
892. Ulrich Hertzel (1705-1771)
893. Anna Margaret (___) Hertzel
894. Jorg Henrich Hertzel (1715-1784)
895. Margaretha (___) Hertzel
900. David Dut (c1700-?)
901. Catharine Muller (c1697-?)
904. Johan Ulrich Strassburger
905. Maria Elisabeth Flicken
910. Johann Adam Schneider (ca 1696-ca 1746)
911. Anna Elisabetha Klein
914. Johann Peter Lauer (ca 1680-1754)
915. Anna Margaretha (___) (ca 1680-aft 1754)
918. Leonard Neighbor [Nachbar]
928. Henrich William Dillinger (c1680-bef 1728) [also #1870]
932. Matthias Ochs (bef 1700-?)
933. Anna Maria (___)
934. Johann Martin Schwenk
935. Anna Maria Dillinger
938. George Stahlnecker (c1718-1786)
939. Anna Maria Elisabetha Ohlwein (c1726-?)
940. [Johannes Ortt? (?-1785)]
941. [Sabina (___)?]
942. Christian Fischer (?-1779)
943. Maria Magdalena Gebbhardt
952. Jacob Schneider (?–bef 18 May 1785)
953. Maria (___) Schneider
976. [Jacob Gerber?]
996. Johannes “Hans” Stauffer (1655-1740) [also #2020]
997. Kinget Kungold Hiestand (1658-?) [also #2021]
998. Johann Christian Merckel (ca 1678-1766)
998. Balthsara Merckle (1660-?) [see #2022]
999. Anna Catharina [Bender?] (?-bef 1749)
999. Veronica (___) ??
999. Elisabetha (___) Merckle ?? [see #2023]
1004. Hans Bauer (1670-bef. 1749)
1005. Anna Willener (1677-?)
1006. Johannes Landis (1690-1747)
1007. Ann Musselman (1695-1748)
1010. Daniel Stauffer [also #498]
1011.  Catherine [Merckel?] [also #499]
1012. Johann Jurg Gilbert (1698-ca 1753)
1013. Anna Elisabetha Gruber
1014. Frederick Meyer
1015. Julianna Catharine (___)
1016. Jacob Fuchs
1017. Maria Catharina (___)


Generation Eleven (8th GG)

1024. Johan Stephen Hacker (c1646-1702)
1025. Anna Maria (___)
1026. Hans Theobald Jock (1659-1708)
1027. Margaretha Hausser/Häusler (1669-1715)
1028. Matthias Martin Weidman (1677-1743)
1029. Anna Catharina Scholl (1678-1723)
1030. Heinrich Still
1031. Anna Barbara Munck (1664-1706)
1040. Felix Landis (c1677-1739)
1041. Rosina Weltner (?-aft 1739)
1044. Johann Georg Böhrman (ca 1665-ca 1746)
1064. Hans Nüssli
1065. Anna Bär (1639-?)
1068. Bartholomew Sechrist
1069. Barbara (___)
1372. Johann Michael Dotterer (1682-1756) [also #1468, #2796]
1373. Margaretha (___) [also #1469, #2786]
1398. Matthias Dotterer [also #686]
1399. Anna Catharina Roth [also #687]
1416. Johann Adam Roeder (1669-1721) [also, #1676, 5744]
1417. Anna Katharine Tauber (1670-1751) [also #1677, #5745]
1418. Mathias Bender (ca 1678-1744) [also #5746]
1419. Anna Catharina [Voltz?] (ca 1690-1764) [also #5747]
1432. Hans Michael Haudenschild [also #704]
1433. Anna Margaretha Ruch [also #705]
1434. John Seitel [also #706]
1435. Barbara Dreiher [also #707]
1436. Mathias Rader (1726-1789)
1437. Jessie Bender (ca 1728-1815)
1438. [Cornelius Riddle?]
1439. [Ingabo Allen?]
1468. Johannes Michael Dotterer [also #1372, #2796]
1469. Margaretha (___) [also #1373, #2787

1544. Hans Gerich
1546. Hans Zimmerman
1550. Hans Philipp Seyfridt
1551. Maria Zimmerman
1628. Johann Georg Kuntz (1658-1710) [also #1764]
1629. Anna Catharine Müller (1658-?) [also #1765]
1630. Johann Jacob Pfalsgraff [also #1766]
1631. Margaretha (___) [also #1767]
1634. Melchior Heidrig
1649. Anna (___) Schultz
1650. Casper Kriebel
1664. Johann Conrad Schneider (1679-?)
1665. Catharina (___) Schneider
1666. Johann Sebastian Betz (1663-1733)
1667. Maria Margaretha Barbara Langer [Loinger] (1666-1716)
1670. Johann Michael Reiher (1686-1772) [see #1674]
1671. Anna Maria Seeland (?-1742) [see #1675]
1674. Johann Michael Reiher (1686-1772) [see #1670]
1675. Anna Maria Seeland (?-1742) [see #1671]
1676. Johann Adam Roeder [also #1416, #5744]
1677. Anna Katharine Tauber [also #1417, #5745]
1678. Andreas Zimmerman (1680-1733)
1679. Anna Elisabetha Müller (1672-1740)
1692. Johannes Huth
1693. Hans Jacob Sähm
1716. Conrad Weitzel
1717. Margaretha (___) Weitzel
1744. [?] Jones (?-bef 1727)
1745. Margaret Clayton (?-ca 1727)
1746. Nathaniel West (ca 1683-1749)
1747. Elizabeth (___) West
1748. Morris Lewis
1749. Dorothy (___) Lewis
1750. William James (ca 1692-bef 1778)
1751. Mary Evans (?-1765)
1764. Johann Georg Kuntz [also #1628]
1765. Anna Catharine Müller [also #1629]
1766. Johann Jacob Pfalsgraff [also #1630]
1767. Margaretha (___) Pfalsgraff [also #1631]
1770. Nicholas Rittenhouse (1666-1734)
1771. Wilhelmina Pietre Dewees (1673-1737)
1784. Clemens Hirtzel (1659-1707)
1785. Anna Sinter (1664-1738)
1788. Paulus Hirtzel (1677-1745)
1789. Anna Catharina Wagner
1868. Peter Schwenk (1690-1753)
1869. Anna Barbara (___) Schwenk
1870. Heinrich William Dillinger (ca 1680-bef 1770) [also #928]
1886. Justina (___) Gebbhart
1904. Heinrich Schneider (aka Taylor)
1905. Elizabeth (___) Schneider
1992. Hans Stauffer [see #4040]
1993. Madlena Neuenschwander [see #4041]
1994. Hans Hiestand [see #4042]
1995. Regula Aeshmann [see #4043]
1996. Jürg Merckle [see #4044]
1997. Eva Moser [see #4045]
1998. Johannes [Bender?]
2012. Jacob Landis (1667-1730)
2013. Anna Witmer
2014. Michael Musselman (1674-1726)
2020. Johannes “Hans” Stauffer [also #996]
2021. Kinget Kungold Hiestand [also #997]
2022. Balthasar Merckle (1660-?) [see #998]
2023. Elisabetha (___) Merckle [see #999]
2024. Johann Jacob Gilbert (?-1744)


Generation Twelve (9th GG)

2052. Hans Andreas Jock (1627-1693)
2054. Andrew Häuszler (c1630-?)
2056. Hans Peter Weidman (c1648-1692)
2057. Elisabetha Cammerer (1653-1704)
2058. Johann Matthaeus Scholl (1636-1682)
2059. Eva Meinzer (c1640-1692)
2062. Christoph Munck
2063. Anna Christina Weidman (c1642-aft 1686)
2080. Hans Jakob Landis [?] [also #4024]
2130. Oswald Bär (bef 1614-aft 1679)
2131. Elisabeth Lamprecht (ca 1617-ca 1662)
2744. Hans Dotterer (1649-1686) [also #2936]
2745. Anna Simoes [also #2937]
2786. Johannes Michael Dotterer [also #1372, #1468]
2787. Margaretha (___) [also #1373, #1469]
2832. Johann Adam Rader (1645-1722) [also 3352]
2833. Anna Maria Bender (1644-1723) [also #3353]
2872. Johann Adam Rader (1706-1773) [also #708, 3351]
2873. Anna Barbara Bender (1708-1773) [also #709, 3352]
2936. Hans Dotterer (1649-1686) [also #2744]
2937. Anna Simoes [also #2745]

3332. Hans Wolfgang Betz (1636-1694)
3333. Anna Ursula Heittelin (1640-?)
3334. Johann Leonhardt Langer [Loinger]
3340. Johann Michel Reyer [see #3348]
3341. Anna Catharine (___) Reyer [see #3349]
3342. Deitrich Seeland [see #3350]
3343. Amalia Maria (___) Seeland [see #3351]
3348. Johann Michael Reyer [see #3340]
3349. Anna Catharine (___) Reyer [see #3341]
3350. Dietrich Seeland [see #3342]
3351. Amalia Maria (___) Seeland [see #3343]
3352. Johann Adam Rader [also #2832]
3353. Anna Maria Bender [also #2833]
3356. Georg Zimmerman
3358. Hans Wolff Müller
3359. Catharine (___)
3490. Richard Clayton [Cleaton] (1645-1705)
3491. Elizabetha Bennett (1647-?)
3492. Nathaniel West Jr. (1648-1697)
3493. Elizabeth Dungan (1666-1699)
3500. John James
3501. Elizabeth (__) James
3540. Willem Rittenhouse (1644-1708)
3541. Gertruid Kersten Pieters (1646-1708)
3568. Heinrich Hirzel (1619-1663) [see also #7152]
3569. Maria Steiner (1625-?) [see also #7153]
3570. Hans Sinter
3571. Margaretha Nayer
3576. Johann Heinrich Hirtzel (1652-1716)
3577. Margaretha Rudi (1649-1694)
3578. Georg Wagner
3984. Christian Stauffer [see #8080]
3985. Adelheid Opliger [see #8081]
3986. Michel Neuenschwander [see #8082]
3987. Verena Haslibach [see #8083]
4024. Hans Jakob Landis [also #2080]
4040. Hans Stauffer [see #1992]
4041. Madlena Neuenschwander [see #1993]
4042. Hans Hiestand [see #1994]
4043. Regula Aeshmann [see #1995]
4044. Jürg Merckle [see #1996]
4045. Eva Moser [see #1997]


Generation Thirteen (10th GG)

4112. Hans Weidman (c1618—1664-1674) [also #4127]
4113. Anna Margaretha (___) (1617-aft 1675) [also #4128]
4114. Antoni Cammerer (c1626-1689)
4115. Anna Sidonia (___) (?-1703)
4116. Jost Scholl (c1610-1662)
4117. Barbara Dieterich (c1614-1684)
4118. Johann Andreas Meinzer (c1595-1674)
4119. Margaretha (___) (c1603-1663)
4126. Hans Weidman [also #4112]
4127. Anna Margaretha (___) [also #4113]
4260. Hans Bär (ca 1570-1617)
4261. Anna Biedermann (ca 1575-1618)
4262. Felix Lamprecht
4263. Barbara Meili
5592. Hans Dotterer [also #2744]
5593. Anna Simoes [also #2745]
5744. Johann Adam Roeder [also #1676]
5745. Anna Katharine Tauber [also #1677]
5746. Mathias Bender [also #1418]
5747. Anna Catharina [Voltz?] [also #1419]

6664. George Betz (1595-1674)
6665. Eva Ottilia Schweicker (1590-1666)
6666. George Heittelin
6982. Edward Bennett (1616-1667)
6983. Anna Tillsley (1624-1674)
6984. Nathaniel West (?-1658)
6986. Rev. Thomas Dungan (1634/35-1687)
6987. Elizabeth Weaver (1647-1697)
7144. Jacob Hirzel (1580-1634)[see also #14304]
7145. Madalen Keller (1581-?) [see also #14305]
7152. Heinrich Hirzel (1619-1663) [see also #3568]
7153. Maria Steiner (1625-?) [see also #3569]
8080. Christian Stauffer
8081. Adelheid Opliger
8082. Michel Neuenschwander
8083. Verena Haslibach


Generation Fourteen (11th GG)

8520. Hans Bär (ca 1545-bef 1614)
8521. Kathrina Huber (ca 1549-1622)
11488. Johann Adam Roeder [also #2832]
11489. Anna Maria Bender [also #2833]

13328. Hans Betz
13330. Casper Schweicker
13966. John Tilsley (1590-1640)
13967. Elinor (___) Tilsley (1592-1663)
13968. Matthew West (ca 1598-ca 1676)
13972. William Dungan (ca 1600-1636)
13973. Francis Latham (1608/9-1677)
13974. Clement Weaver (1625-1683)
13975. Mary Freeborn (1626-?)
14304. Jacob Hirzel (1580-1634)[see also #7144]
14305. Madalen Keller (1581-?) [see also #7145]


Generation Fifteen (12th GG)

[none]

27932. Ralph Tillsley (?-1602)
27944. ? Thomas Dungan (?-1604)
27945. ? Mary (___)
27946. Lewis Latham (?-1655)
27947. Elizabeth (___) Latham
27948. Clement Weaver (1591-1683)
27949. Rebecca Holbrook (1597-1635)
27950. William Freeborn (1594-1670)
27951. Mary Wilson (ca 1601-1670)


Generation Sixteen (13th GG)

[none]

55864. Richard Tillsley (1524-1601)
55896. ? Thomas Weaver (1560-65-?)
55897. ? Margaret Adams
55988. Sr. William Holbrook (ca 1568-1625)
55989. Edith Saunders/Coles (ca 1562-1612)


Phew! That’s a lot of names. And as I entered them, I realized that there are a whole lot of people that I know very little about. With as much fun as I’m having on my projects, maybe it’s time to start focusing on the people from whom I’m [allegedly] descended.

52 Ancestors: Martin Weidman (1698-1768) Will

Martin Weidman, my 7x great-grandfather, was born in 1698, in Gräben, Baden-Durlach. He died prior to 11 October 1768 in Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Martin wrote his last will and testament on 6 June 1766 and it was proven on 11 October 1768.1

[page 301]
Martin Weidman dec’d
In the name of God Amen I Martin Weidman of Cocalico Township Yeoman calling unto Memory the Mortality of my Body do hereby make this my last will and testament whilst sound in Body and Mind To my beloved Wife Margaretha I give and devise the Interest of  of one third Part of my Personal Estate during her Natural Life but if that should not suffice for her Maintenance she shall have a right to take so much of the Principal
[page 302]
as will be necessary for her Maintenance To my Eldest son Christopher I give and devise a Sum of Fifty Pounds Lawful Money of Pennsylvania wherein is included a Sum of Twenty five Pounds Money aforesaid which oweth to him the £75 this shall be instead of his two Shares and it is my Will, that he shall besides this have no other prerogative before my other Heirs The Residue of my Estate all my Heirs shall divide among themselves in equal Shares, and the Heirs of my son Wendel deceased shal in herit their Fathers share Farther I Ordain that my son Jacob Shall pay a sum of Nine Hundred Pounds due to me by him every Year after my Death the sum of Sixty Pounds to my heirs, until the whole is also paid and Satisfied, the first payment shall have my son Christopher 2 the second my Daughter Elizabeth Wife of Adam Haker the tird [sic] my Son Jacob the fourth my Daughter Margaretha Wife of George Haker the fifth my Daughter Barbara Wife of Bernhard Gartner the sixth my Daughter Catharina, Wife to George Wachter and so forth in this Wise, until the whole sum above mentioned is paid Finally I Constitute and Ordain Executors of this my last Will my two sons Christopher and Jacob In Witness whereof I have to these Presents set my hand & Seal this Sixth
day of June Anno Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred & Sixty Six ~
Signed sealed & acknowledged by the Testator to be his      Martin Weidtman {seal}
last Will & Testament in the presence of us underwritten Witnesses who saw him Sign the same Jeremias Miller, Samuel Funk, Jacob Funk, Peter Miller ~
Memorandum I thought proper to Annix this by way of Inttorsement to this my last Will that my Wife shall have the use of my best bed and all my Linnen during her life Witness my hand this Thirteenth day of June 1766 added before sealing further she shall all the use of my best cow to by kept in fother by my son Jacob shall provice her with firewood during her life this thirteenth day of June 1766 aforesd.    Martin Weidtman {seal}
Signed and acknowledged by the Testator to be his Indorsement in the Presence of Peter Miller
Lancaster County Ss On the Eleventh day of October Anno Domini 1768 Before me the Subscriber Personally appeared Samuel Funk and Jacob Funk two of the subscribing witnesses to the within Will and on their Solmn Affirmation did declare and Affirm that they were present and saw and heard Martin Weidman the Testator within named Sign Seal Publish pronounce and declare the within Writing as and for his Last Will & Testament and that at the doing thereof he was of Sound and well disposing Mind Memory & Understanding to the best of their knowledge observation & belief ~
Lancaster County Ss on the Thirteenth day of October Anno Domini 1768 Before me the Subscriber personally appeared the above and within named Peter Miller one of the Subscribing Witnesses to the within Will and Codicil and on his Solemn Affirmation According to Law did declare and say  that he was present and Saw and heard Martin Widman the Testator within named Sign Seal publish pronounce and declare the above writing as Codicil to his Last Will & Testament and that at the doing thereof at the several times therein contained  he was of sound and well disposing Mind Memory and Understanding to the best of his Knowledge Observation and belief ~
Be it Remembered that on the Eleventh day of October Anno Domini 1768 The Last Will and Testament of Martin Weidman late of Cocalico
[page 303]
Township in the County of Lancaster Yeoman deceased was proved in due form of law and Letters Testamentary thereon were granted to Christopher Weidman and Jacob Weidman the Executors therein named they being first duly Qualified well and truly to Administer the Estate of the said Dec’d & to Exhibit a true & perfect Inventory thereof into the Registers Office at Lancaster on or before the Eleventh day of November next and to Render a true and Just account of their Administration on the said Estate when thereto Lawfully required given under the seal of the said office ~ by me

Martin and his wife Margaretha had seven children, as named in his will:

  1. Christopher Weidman
  2. Maria Elisabeth Weidman
  3. Wendell Weidman
  4. Johan Jacob Weidman
  5. Anna Margaretha Weidman
  6. Maria Barbara Weidman
  7. Catharina Weidman

Maria Elisabetha Weidman married my 6x great-grandfather and immigrant, Johan “Hans” Adam Hacker. Her sister, Anna Margaretha Weidman, married Adam’s younger brother Johan Georg Hacker. Both men settled in Cocalico Township on land near to Martin Weidman’s warranted tracts. While Adam and his family remained in Lancaster County, George eventually moved his family to Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County, just north of Germantown.

I believe the Weidmans may have been from Graben. A 1709 list of inhabitants2 of the town list “Christoph Weidtmann” and “Matthias Weidtmann,” possibly Martin’s father and uncle?


This post is part of an ongoing, blogging challenge entitled 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, created by Amy Crow of No Story Too Small. Participants must write about one ancestor every week. This is my fourteenth 52 Ancestors post and part of week seventeen.