A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy
the genealogy & family research site of Kris Hocker
I just discovered that Maria Margaretha (Hager) Elser was the aunt of Hans Adam Hacker’s brother-in-law Lorentz Haushalter. My ancestor Hans Adam traveled to Pennsylvania on the same ship as Heinrich Mock and Johan Peter Elser, also of Rußheim. Heinrich Mock was Margaretha’s fiancée and Johan Peter Elser was her son. They all settled in Lancaster County and were members of the Warwick Congregation in Warwick/Elizabeth Township.
If you’ve been following my Huber/Hoover research, you may have seen me refer to some of them as “Byerland Hoovers.” Who were they? And why am I calling them the “Byerland Hoovers?”
The Byerland Hoovers were the earliest Hoover families to appear in the Lancaster County tax records. They were all Mennonites who settled in Conestoga and Pequea townships along Pequea Creek. They are called the Byerland Hoovers because of their proximity to the Byer/Boyer Mennonite Meeting House.1
Joanne Hoover coded these Hoovers in her research as follows:
Tracts at least partially owned by Byerland Hoover families
[H] Woolrich Hoover died prior to 23 Jun 1759 when his heirs sold his property (orange tract marked H) to his eldest son Johannes Hover.2 He likely died in 1757 as an inventory was filed for his estate that year. He was listed amongst other immigrants who had been in Pennsylvania since 1718 in an 1729 naturalization list.3
[J] Jacob Hoover was also likely in Pennsylvania by 1718. He was assessed £10 on his property (blue tract marked J) in 1720.4 His land went to his son John who patented it and an adjoining tract (see J2). This land remained with John’s descendants for many, many years.
Joanne Hoover includes only one Henry Hoover and includes all the [K] and [K2] tracts as belonging to one man. Based on my land research, I believe there were two Henry Hoovers. [K] Henry Hoover died in 1757 and left his land (yellow tracts marked K) to his son John Hoover and daughter Elizabeth (Hoover) Boyer.5
[K2] Henry Hoover and his wife Catharine divided their property (yellow-orange tracts marked K2) between their sons John and Jacob Hoover in 1767.6 I traced this land through deeds from the children of Jacob (d. 1788) and John (d. ca 1810).
Joanne Hoover presumed that [H] Ulrich, [J] Jacob and [K] Henry “were the brothers named in the York County, Pennsylvania, will written Feb 15, 1771 by Christian Hoover who died without issue.”7 I have not been able to prove or disprove this theory. The fact that Christian named Johannes Huber and Johannes Line—two names seen often in Conestoga/Martic townships—as trustees of money Christian wanted paid out to the surviving children of his brothers Jacob, Ulrich, and Henry makes it a tantalizing possibility.
[D1] Jacob Hoover was the son of Hans Huber of Earl Township. His descendants are documented in the book The Huber-Hoover Family History by Harry M. Hoover.
There were other tracts in this same general location that belonged to Hoovers.
The two tract in lighter orange—H2 and H3—may have been purchased by sons of [H] Woolrich Hoover. [H2] was purchased by John Hoover from Jacob Eshleman in 1754.8 He had patented 25 acres just to the west in 1752.9
Part of [H3] was purchased by Ulrich Hoover [Jr.?] from the heirs of Henry Line in 1771.10 Ulrich’s eldest son sold this property to his step-father Christian Huber in 1788 and to Abraham Kendig in 1789.11
The two gray tracts also belonged to Hoovers. The top one was warranted in 1803 and patented in 1811 to Martin Huber. I am not sure if this Martin was the grandson of [D1] Jacob Hoover or the grandson of [K2] Henry Hoover. The boot-shaped tract was warranted to Jacob Hoover in 1796 and patented to him in 1803. He may have been the son of [H3] Ulrich Hoover (one survey showed this tract as being of Ulrich Hoover), the son of [D1] Jacob Hoover or the grandson of [K2] Henry Hoover. Without information on the subsequent transfer of these properties it’s difficult to determine the owner’s identity.
So, these are the families that make up the “Byerland Hoovers.”
On 26 June 1781, Henry Fetter married Christina Hacker, daughter of Hans Adam and Maria Elisabetha (Weidman) Hacker, at Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Berks County, Pennsylvania.1 Bill Wingeard in his A German-American Hacker-Hocker Genealogy names Henry as the son of Bernhard and Gertrude (___) Fetter. Unfortunately, he doesn’t provide a source for that information.
In rewriting the genealogy, I’ve been trying to identify and make sense of the contemporary Fetter/Fehder/Feather/Vetter/Vehders living in the Warwick and Cocalico township in the late 1700s. There are at least two Henry Fetters that I need to clarify in the source data that I’ve found. Since writing about my research helps me to clarify my thoughts and findings, here goes.
Henry Carpenter 700-acre tract in Warwick (now Clay) & Cocalico townships
On 13 May 1759, William and Salome (Wister) Chancellor sold 95 1/2 acres in Cocalico Township to Henry Feather.2 It adjoined land that had been or was to be granted to Bernhard Feather. This 95 acres was part of a larger tract of 350 acres that Henry Carpenter had sold to his grand-daughter Salome Wister on 21 November 1743.3 This tract included 32 acres that Daniel Fiere had sold Salome Wister on 12 June 1750.4 The tract the Chancellors sold adjoined land of “Henry Stouffer,” placing it on the north-eastern portion of the two tracts shown in the map (see Henry Carpenter’s 700 acres).
I did not find a deed record of Bernhard Fetter’s purchase, but both he and Henry took out mortgages on their properties—both 95 1/2 acres—on 1 Jun 1759.5 Bernhard’s wife’s name is recorded as Gertraut. Henry’s wife’s name is recorded as Anna Maria.
Bernhard & Henry Feather tracts, Cocalico Township
Bernhard is listed in Warwick tax records as “Berned Feter” in 1754.6 There is also a “Leard Fether” in Warwick in 1751. Bernhard is listed in 1769 in Cocalico and in 1770 in Warwick with the note “& a place in Cocalico.”7 Two Henry Feather’s are listed in Cocalico in 1770, as is a Conrad Feather.8 One Henry Feather is listed as “a single man with his father.” The other Henry’s listing indicates that he was listed as “Fetter” in 1769.
Additional tax records list Bernhard Fetter in Warwick Township in 1771, 1772, and 1773.9 In 1779, a “Fetter, Geo & Henry” are listed instead of Bernhard.10 It’s possible (maybe even probable) that these were Bernhard’s sons. Meanwhile, a Henry Feather is listed as a freeman (unmarried) in Cocalico Township in 1771, 1772, and taxed on 90 acres in 1773 and 40 acres in 1779.11
An inventory is listed for Bernhard Feather of Warwick Township in 1777 in the Archive Collections at the Lancaster County Historical Society.12 So, depending on the actual date of the inventory, Bernhard died in late 1776 or 1777. A will abstract is online for Gertraut Feather of Warwick Township. It indicates her will was written on 22 December 1792 and filed on 19 June 1794.13 It only names one child: Elizabeth, wife of John Frymyer.
Henry and Anna Mary Fetter of Cocalico Township sold 95.5 acres to Henry and Peter Fetter on 24 May 1773.14 These were likely their sons. They likely also had a son named Bernhard. A will abstract of Bernhard Feather of Cocalico Township in 1816 names his brother Peter and his nieces as: Susanna Brubaker, Christiana, Elizabeth Schlebach (wife of Henry), Mary Klingaman (wife of Michael).15 A deed naming appraisers for the lands of Henry Feder of Cocalico Township in 1822 names the same women as his daughters, plus Susanna Henly, a widow and only daughter of Henry’s son, Henry [III?].16
Given that Henry and Bernhard Fetter purchased land in 1759, they would have to have been born at or before 1738 (≥21 years of age). Because he was listed in tax records in 1754, Bernhard was likely born prior to 1733. Henry [Jr.] and Peter Fetter would have been born at or before 1752 (≥ 21 years of age in 1773). One of the two Henry Fetters listed in Cocalico Township tax records in 1770 was likely recently of age. The other at least a couple of years older.
Henry and Christina (Ernst) Vetter had a daughter Susanna, born 31 January 1774, baptized in Reiher’s Reformed Church on 9 January 1774.17 I believe this Henry Vetter is Henry Jr., the son of Henry and Anna Maria (___) Fetter. Henry and Christina had two other children baptized at Reiher’s Reformed Church: John Henry, born 10 March 1776, baptized 5 Apr 1776 and Samuel, born 6 November 1777, baptized 21 December 1777.18 Susanna’s birth places the marriage of Henry and Christina (Ernst) Fetter about 1772. That would place Henry’s birth about 1751, possibly a few years earlier. This fits perfectly with a child of Henry and Anna Maria (___) Fetter and the Henry Fetter taxed in Cocalico Township in 1771—1773.
The 1822 deed naming appraisers for the land Henry Fetter left his daughters also names a widowed daughter of his son. What’s interesting about her is the fact that her guardian, Isaac Erb, is also named in the document. This indicates that although she was a widow, she was not yet 21 years of age. Therefore, she was born about 1802, maybe a few years later. That is certainly consistent with a father who was born in the 1770s or very early 1780s.
Which of these Henry Fetters married Christina Hacker, daughter of Hans Adam and Elisabetha (Weidman) Hacker? Until I can find the means to distinguish between the various men of this name, I won’t be able to accurately document Henry and Christina (Hacker) Fetter. I’ve got a start in gathering data, but I believe I need more information on these families—if I can get it—to truly be able to identify them in the records. If you have information on any of these families, please leave a comment!
Jacob Huber was born circa 1698, and likely immigrated in 1717.1 He appears on tax records for Conestoga Township, Chester County from 1718 through 1725, settling on Pequea Creek on a tract of land in Conestoga and Martic Townships (now Pequea and Providence) which adjoined Ulrich Huber’s land. He warranted 105 acres.2 It was surveyed 28 Jan 1733. He is listed with four children in Lancaster County on a reconstructed 1732 census of Mennonite families.3
Jacob & John Huber Martic & Conestoga Township Tracts
Jacob likely died sometime prior to 23 Nov 1739. Hans Boyer, a neighbor, patented his land on 26 Nov 1739.4 Boyer’s survey refers to Jacob Huber’s tract as belonging to the Widow Hoober. This tract of 105 acres was patented to John Huber on 2 Oct 1744.5 The survey refers to this tract as being of “Barbara (the widow of Jacob) Hoover… in right of Martin Kendrick and John Heer.6 John Hoover patented an adjoining tract of land, containing 110 acres, on 25 May 1756. This tract was surveyed in 1738.7,8
If you go by Davis’ 1732 reconstructed Mennonite census, then Jacob and Barbara (___) Huber had at least four children prior to 1732. Davis provides two possible birth years for Jacob—1675 and 1698. I do not know which is his most recent determination, however I am inclined to go by the 1698 date. A 34-year-old man is far more likely to have four children living at home than a 57-year-old—assuming, of course, the validity of the Mennonite census listing.
To date I have found only one possible child for Jacob and Barbara (___) Huber:
Jacob Huber may have been—depending on the birth year—either the elder brother or father of Ulrich Huber of Conestoga. He may have been related to either or both Henry Huber’s of Martic/Conestoga townships. If Joanne M. Hoover is correct in her assumptions, then Jacob, Ulrich, Henry (presumably the elder, d. ca 1757), Christian Huber of Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania, and Ann (Huber) Keny were all siblings as named in Christian’s will.26 It is certainly a possibility. However, there were other men of these names living in York County to whom Christian’s will might have been referring.
Jane Evans Best indicates that Jacob may have been the son of Hans Heinrich Huber and Barbel Suter, baptized 30 Jun 1698 in Hausen, Switzerland.27 If she is correct, this would make him the brother of one of the Henry Huber’s of Martic/Conestoga township and possibly a cousin of Hans Huber of Earl Township and his son Jacob Huber who settled nearby in Martic (now Providence) township—just up the Pequea, in fact.
I‘m in the midst of rewriting the Hacker/Hocker family genealogy featuring the descendants of Christoph and Anna Margaretha (Jock) Hacker of Rußheim, Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany and Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. And I need your help!
If you have family information or photos you’d like to see included in the book, please contact me.
The book will be following the descendants of:
Christoph and Anna Margaretha (Jock) Hacker
* New/corrected information
I won’t be including information on people who are still living. I currently plan to make the book available in multiple formats—both printed, PDF and ebook.
If you would like to receive announcements about the book, please sign-up for the Hacker-Hocker Genealogy mailing list.
On 22 November 1717, the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania warranted 5,000 acres to Martin Kendig and John Herr in then Conestoga, Chester County.1 I. Taylor surveyed 210 acres on the Pequea, adjoining Widow Hoober, Ulrich Hoober, and John Ffarrer, part of the 5,000 acres warranted to Martin Kendig and John Heer, to Hans Boyer on 10 May 1719.2 Hans patented this tract on 26 November 1739.3
Hans Boyer’s Conestoga Tract
Hans Boyer and his wife Barbara sold 210 acres, adjoining John Forrer, Ulrich Huber, and the Widow Hoober, to their son Samuel Boyer on 27 March 1748.4 Samuel Boyer and his wife Mary solid 1 acre to the Mennonist Conegregation on 10 December 1755.5 This became the Byerland Mennonite Meeting house.
On 10 January 1758, Samuel and Mary Boyer sold 14 acres to Tobias Boyer.6 Two years later on 3 October 1760, Tobias and Mary Boyer sold two tracts—including these 14 acres—to David Worley.7 David and his wife Ann then sold these two tracts to Christian Line on 11 March 1769.8
On 10 August 1769, Samuel and Mary Boyer sold 195 acres to Abraham and Mary Hess.9 Several months later, Abraham and Mary Hess sold the 195 acres to Jacob Smith.10 In November 1770, Jacob Smith purchased two tracts of land—including the 14 acres—from Christian and Anna (Boyer) Line.11
Jacob and Magdalena (Good) Smith sold two tracts—ten acres 126 perches and one acres 58 perches—to Abraham Kagey on 22 June 1776.12 The couple sold 60 acres to John Funk.13 On 15 October 1780, John and Ann Funk confirmed these same 60 acres back to Jacob Smith.14 Then on 20 December 1784 Abraham Kagey’s executors—Abraham Kagey Jr. and Christian Shank—sold the two tracks totaling about 11 acres purchased from Jacob Smith to Andrew Sureus.15 Andrew & Catherine Surearus sold on 13 September 1790 two tracts to Christian and Peter Huber—one of 10 acres 126 perches and the other one acres and 58 perches.16
After Jacob Smith’s death, the 195 acres he owned were partitioned into two sections. The first, containing 125 acres 50 perches was granted to Jacob Smith [Jr.]. The other contained 72 acres 78 perches (not including the acre deeded to the Mennonists) and was granted to Christian Smith. Jacob Smith renounced his claim to the 125 acres, so it was awarded to Abraham Smith, the third son. However, Abraham then sold this parcel to Jacob on 11 April 1805.17 Then in May 1805, Jacob Smith sold to his brother Christian two tracts from the 125 acres—one of 40 acres 150 perches, adjoining land of Jacob Smith, Abraham Huber, Henry Zercher and Christian Smith, the other of three acres 140 perches, adjoining land of Jacob Smith, Christian Smith and Pequea Creek.18
I’ve been working on my Hacker/Hocker family book recently and am wondering what to do with the unconnected Hacker and Hocker families in my database. Ideally, I’d like to be able to trace them back and identify parents and other family members. Realistically, I may not be able to do so.
For the purposes of the book, I’ll most likely include them in either separate chapters or appendices. In the past I’ve shared some of these families here on the website. I thought I’d list out these families in hope that someone out there recognizes them and might have some clues to offer…
Adam Hocker was born 19 October 1812 and died 26 September 1870. He was buried in Churchville Cemetery in Oberlin, Swatara Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. On 22 February 1838, he married Eve Hamaker, daughter of Adam and Magdalena (Snavely) Hamaker of Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. She was born 24 June 1817 and died 14 November 1892. She was buried with her husband in Churchville Cemetery. The family lived in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Adam and Eve (Hamaker) Hocker had children:
John Hocker was born 6 July 1815 and died 21 January 1882 in Swatara Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He was buried in Churchville Cemetery. On 3 December 1835, he married Sarah Beinhower, daughter of John Peter and Mary Ann (Smith) Beinhower). She was born 12 January 1814 and died 12 November 1901. She, too, was buried in Churchville Cemetery. The family lived in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
John and Sarah (Beinhower) Hocker had one child:
Jacob Hacker was born 28 September 1803 in Lancaster County and died 26 July 1873. He was buried in Emanuel Lutheran Church cemetery in Brickerville, Elizabeth Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Circa 1841, he married Maria Krieg, daughter of John Elias and Anna Maria (Gibbons) Krieg. She was born 5 August 1819 and died 22 March 1898. The family lived in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Jacob and Maria (Krieg) Hacker had children:
Jacob R. Hacker was born 26 August 1838 and died 16 February 1906 in Ephrata. He was buried in Bowman’s Cemetery in Ephrata. Circa 1870, he married Sarah (___). She was born 6 February 1849 and died 26 July 1921. The family lived in Lancaster and Lebanon counties.
Jacob R. and Sarah (___) Hacker had children:
Thomas Jefferson Hacker was born 24 September 1854 in Lincoln, Lancaster County and died 4 March 1924 in Wyomissing, Berks County. He was the son of Levi and Harriet (Yagle) Hacker. Circa 1874/5, he married Susan Meckly, daughter of William and Lucinda (___) Meckly. She was born 25 December 1855 and died 31 January 1943. The couple are both buried in Bergstrasse Cemetery in Ephrata.
T.J. and Susan (Meckly) Hacker had one child, a son:
Maurice Elwood Hacker was born 28 July 1868 in Akron, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and died 21 Dec 1915. He was buried in Mt. Tunnel Cemetery in Elizabethtown. On 23 February 1894, he married Margaret Wilhelmina Murray in Lancaster County. She was born 22 September 1870 and died 3 January 1955. She, too, was buried in Mt. Tunnel Cemetery.
The couple had children:
In addition to these families, there are several from Wingeard’s genealogy that I’m researching and wondering about, questioning their placement in the family tree. More on them later.
Do you have Hacker/Hockers from Pennsylvania that you’re researching? Drop me a line and tell me all about them.
After Johan “Hans” Adam Hacker died circa 1782 and the settling of his estate, several of his sons—Johannes, Christopher, Johan Adam Jr., Martin, and perhaps for a time, Johan George—left Lancaster County and came to Harrisburg. The earliest record of them in the city is a mention of the Adam Hocker tavern in the 1787 tax records.
The brothers engaged in business with each other—Adam and Christopher likely operating the tavern together as they were taxed together in 1791 and 1793.1 John and Martin purchased land together in Lower Paxton Township in 1796.2
By 1796, John had moved to East Pennsborough Township, Cumberland County. He and his wife Catharina Scholl purchased 50 acres of land there on 13 Jun 1796.3 They sold one of their lots in Harrisburg purchased also in 1796.4
In May 1801, John and Catharine sold the 50 acres they’d purchased from Andrew Lee.5 By 10 Feb 1802, John Hocker was dead.6 He was 44 years old.
John died intestate—without a will. Here are transcriptions for the settling of his estate.
John Hocker, deceased~
Be it Remembered that on the 10th day of February A.D. 1802 Letters of Administration Issued in Common Form to Jacob Miller of East Pennsborough and George Coover of Allen Township, all and singular the Goods and Chattles rights and credits which were which were of John Hocker deceased. Inventory and Accounts to be Exhibited into the Registers Office in the Borough of Carlisle in time appointed by Law~
Witness my hand George Kline, Register7
Came into Court Jacob Miller and George Coover Administrators of the Estate of John Hocker late of East Pennsbro [sic] Township deceased and passed a petition to the Court setting forth that the personal estate of the said deceased amounting to the sum of five hundred and eighty two pounds nineteen shillings and six pence hath been sold be the petitioners That by the terms of the sale the money was not yet due or payable That there had come to the knowledge of the petitioners debts due by the Intestate to the amount of three thousand two hundred and thirty four pounds and upwards There was no fund in the hands of the petitioners from which the said debts could be paid or the minor children supported other than the amount arising from the sale of the personal estate above stated That the intestate died seized of a plantation containing one hundred and eighty one and one half acres situate in East Pennsbro [sic] & Allen Townships The petitioners therefore prayed the Court to make an order that they might sell the whole of the said tract of Land or such part of it as the Court may think necessary for raising a fund to pay the Debts of Intestate and to support the three minor children of the said deceased.
Whereupon it is considered by the Court and ordered that the said Jacob Miller and George Cover Administrators aforesaid make public sale of the tract of land aforesaid on Tuesday the fifth day of October next between the hours of twelve [ink spot] and four o’Clock in the afternoon of that day on the premises and by six written notices to be made our on good paper and delivered to the Sheriff or Constable to be fixed up in the most public places of the County at least ten days before the day of the said sale and that the said Administrators make return of their proceedings to the next stated Orphans Court.
~ By the Court8
Came into Court Jacob Miller and George Koover administrators of all singular the goods & chattles [sic] rights & credits of John Hocker deceased & produced an account of the Administration The Court upon consideration having adjusted & passed the same find a balance of nine hundred & fifty six pounds and eight pence in the hands of the administrators subject to distribution according to law see page 186.
~By the Court9
Came into Court Jacob Miller and George Koover Administrators of all and singular the goods and chattles [sic] rights and credits which were of John Hocker late of the township of East Pennsborough township deceased and produced as supplemental Administration account of the Estate of the said deceased The Court having adjusted and passed the same find a balance of one hundred and ninety two pounds and four shillings in the hands of the Administrators subject to distribution according to Law.
~By the Court10
Came to the Court Mary Hocker minor above the age of fourteen years Orphan daughter of John Hocker deceased and prayed to the Court to appoint Christopher Eigelberger Guardian over her person and estate. The Court upon consideration appoint the said Christopher Eigleberger Guardian over the person and estate of the said Mary Hocker minor Orphan Daughter of the said John Hocker deceased during her minority or until another Guardian or Guardians be appointed in his Room
~By the Court
Came to the Court Catharine Hocker mother & next friend of Elizabeth Hocker and Sally Hocker minors under the age of fourteen years Orphan Children of John Hocker deceased and prayed the Court appoint a proper person Guardian over the persons and estates of the said Elizabeth Hocker and Sally Hocker minor Orphan Children of the said John Hocker deceased. Whereupon the Court appointed John Rupley Guardian over the persons & estates of the said minors during their minority or until another Guardian or Guardians be appointed in his Room
~By the Court11
Johannes and Eva Catharina (Scholl) Hocker had three daughters:
Adam, Stophel and John Hocker, 1792 Harrisburg Tax Valuations
Recently, I’ve been dedicating some time to updating and revising rewriting my great uncle William Wingeard’s A German-American Hacker-Hocker Genealogy. Because Bill did not footnote his data, I’ve had to redo quite a bit of research that he’d already done. Additionally, I have done quite a bit of new research and I’m trying to add that to the book, as well.
In the first edition, Bill did not include any information on Johan “Hans” Adam Hacker’s son Johan George (1766-1846). Fortunately, I have found some information on my 6 times great uncle. Unfortunately, it’s causing some consternation as I try to determine whether it actually refers to Johan George, son of Adam, or George, son of Frederick—Johan’s George’s older brother.
Most of the information that I’ve located on Johan George can be found on his page in the “My Family” section of the site. I won’t repeat it here.
The problem I’m running into is in trying to identify his children. I have one definite child—Joseph Hacker (1816-1891). His baptism record lists Johan George and Christina Hacker as his parents and Christopher and Ann Miller as his sponsors. This is consistent with Johan George’s data, including his association with his brother-in-law Christopher Miller.
I also found a communion list from 1825 that lists what appears to be Johan George and Christina with two daughters—Catharina and Elisabetha. Three other Hackers—George, Peter, and Lydia—are listed with those receiving confirmation.
6 Nov 1825, Communion List at Salem Lutheran Church
I’m wondering if the George, Peter and Lydia listed are Johan George and Christina’s children. There are no other Hackers listed in the communion list and it seems plausible that Johan George and Christina would want to see their children confirmed. I know little about the confirmation process in the Lutheran or Reformed Church, but if I recall correctly my friends who were confirmed did so at about the age of 14 years. Assuming that there could be some leeway to either side, that would put the birth years for George, Peter and Lydia as approximately 1810-1815 (aged 10-15).
According to the 1810 census record for Johan George in Cocalico Township, his family was composed of the following members:1
So far, this looks a good match for these children belonging to Johan George and Christina. Let’s look at the 1820 census enumeration for the family:2
Again, it seems plausible that George, Peter, Lydia, Catharina and Elisabetha were the children of Johan George and Christina (Miller) Hacker. Joseph, born in 1816, would likely have been too young for confirmation in 1825.
However, George’s nephew, George Hocker—son of Frederick Hacker—allegedly had sons named George and Peter and a daughter Christina. I say allegedly, because Bill included the information in his book, but did not include his source for this information, making it difficult to verify.
From what I can tell he may have posited them as children from the 1840 census enumeration of Ephrata Township. In 1840, there are four Hacker families in Ephrata Township—George Hacker, George Hacker Sr., John Hacker, and Peter Hacker. Here are their households:
| George Hocker3 | George Hocker Sr.4 | John Hocker5 | Peter Hocker6 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Neither of the two Georges appears to be a match to Johan George Hacker, both men being too young. They could be George Hocker, son of Frederick, and his alleged son, George Hocker Jr., with a few extra household members. Peter Hocker’s household is a good match to that of Peter and Hannah (Reinhold) Hacker of Lancaster County.
If so, what were they doing back in Lancaster County? And is proximity enough to identify them as immediate family?
George received his father’s property after Frederick died in 1812 and his older brother John refused it. George sold the property in 1813 and purchased property in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania in 1814.7 George and his wife Elizabeth had children baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Harrisburg in 1814 (Catharina) and 1817 (Sarah). They also had children baptized at Shoop’s Church in 1819 (Andrew), 1821 (Daniel), and 1824 (Eli).
According to my family members, George’s property was in the southwest corner of Lower Paxton, near where Lower Paxton, Susquehanna and Upper Swatara townships meet. I found one tax record for George Hocker in Lower Paxton Township in 1813. I found multiple tax records for Susquehanna Township for George Hocker between 1816 and 1829.
I believe I found George Hocker in Upper Swatara Township in the 1830 census. The household included:
I also found records of a George Hocker as a tenant taxed in Upper Swatara in 1830 through 1832, and 1834 where his name is crossed out and removed written in.
I haven’t found gravestones for George or Elizabeth, so he may have moved back to Lancaster County. The evidence places him in Dauphin County until at least 1834, then I have no more data until the possible 1840 census enumeration. If George did move back to Lancaster County, not all of his family went with him. Two of his children were married in Salem Reformed Church in Harrisburg in 1840. Andrew Hocker married Susan Wannamacher on 27 Aug 1840.8 Sarah Hocker married Jacob Ruth on 12 Nov 1840.9
The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia, Dauphin County states that Joseph Hocker, son of George and Mary “Polly” (Brubaker) Hocker, was born in Lancaster County on 19 Feb 1839.10 That would make him one of the 2 males under 5 years old in the 1840 census enumeration for George Hocker in Ephrata Township. But this isn’t enough to prove that George was the son of George Sr. and grandson of Frederick Hacker.
By 1850, George and Mary “Polly” (Brubaker) Hocker were in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania and they remained in this area until their deaths in 1872. Both were buried in Dauphin County, perhaps in Crum’s cemetery. Today their tombstones can be found in Shoop’s Cemetery in Lower Paxton Township.11 George and Polly (Brubaker) Hocker have similarities of location to George and Elizabeth (Hassler) Hocker. It’s possible that George Sr. moved back to Lancaster County where he’d grown up and George Jr. eventually moved back to Dauphin County where he’d grown up.
So, while this is all very interesting information, it doesn’t help me to identify Johan George’s children. If George, Peter and Lydia, Catharina, and Elisabetha were the children of Johan George and Christina (Miller) Hacker, what happened to them? Do the 1840 enumerations of Ephrata Township refer to this George and Peter or to George Hocker’s children—if they were, indeed, his children?
At this point, I don’t have any answers. Baptismal records for the early 1800s—specifically from 1804 through 1815—may help identify the parentage of Catharina, Elisabetha, George, Peter and Lydia. Tax records for Lebanon (1810—1825) and Lancaster (1820—1846) counties may help to pinpoint Johan George’s exact location and whether or not George Hocker moved back circa 1834. I’m hoping I can find some evidence.
Oh, did I mention that Frederick’s eldest son John also had a son named George and daughter named Lydia?! Wish me luck.