Johannes Christian Merklin

Some believe he is son of the brother Peter. Hence there is a duplicate: Johann Christian Merkel See also the discussion under the profile.

JOHN CHRISTIAN MERKLING AND ANNA CATHERINA BENNER (BENDER?) Son of Hans Georg Merckel and Esther Haus Daughter of Johannes Benner (or Bender) and --?-- Parents of Johann Casper Markle By: Lora Lee Ament 428 Center Road Monroeville PA 15146 Date: June 11, 2006, Revised May 13, 2013 SUMMARY: Johann Christian Merkel was born about 1678 in Schullersburg (Schillersdorf), Germany, son of Hans Georg Merckel and Esther Haus. He was baptized December 29, 1678 at Oberbronn Lutheran Church, Alsace (Elsass), Germany. The name has been spelled variably as Merckel, Merckling, Merkel, or Merklin. Hans George & Esther Haus Merckel had several children of whom we have record: Peter, George, Casper, Catharina, Anna Maria, Anna Lena and Gideon. It has been said that at least two of Johan Christian’s brothers, as well as he, came to America, but this is not substantiated. Johann Christian was a Lutheran and he married his only known wife, Anna Catharina Bender or Benner on January 6, 1707 at Heuchelheim Kirche. She was the daughter of Johannes Benner, abbot of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation and also a blacksmith of Lambsheim and an unknown mother. Johann Christian had 13 children, of which 9 survived. During the period 1704-1709 Johann Christian was living in Lambsheim, married and had seven children, as indicated on the tax lists. A daughter, Maria Catharina was born May 14, 1715 while the family was living in Lambsheim. This is important, because it is proof of John Christian’s emigration to America, as her story is easily proven via her husband, Johan Caspar Stoever, one of the first preachers in the colony of Pennsylvania. He wrote that his wife was born in Lambsheim, and thus confirms this fact. Johan Christian Merkle was a wagon-maker in Lambsheim, as was his father. He also practiced this profession when he settled in America. On April 19, 1719 the record states he sold his house in Lambsheim and emigrated to Pennsylvania along with his father-in-law. Whether his father-in-law accompanied him is not able to be proven. Although there are sources on-line that say Johann Christian emigrated as early as 1703, and that he had been previously married to a daughter of a noted Dutch sea captain, Jemima Weurtz, this has been disproven as the imaginings of a romantic granddaughter. He reportedly had come to America in 1703, divorced or abandoned wealthy Jemima, and returned to Holland where he married a woman named Anna Catharina Brucher. This is completely false. His sole recorded marriage is to Anna Catharina Benner or Bender of Lambsheim. He also was not a Huguenot fleeing persecution as reported, but rather a Lutheran. His motivation for coming to America was probably for a better life. He seems to have been an astute businessman and probably saw the opportunities for wagon-makers and coach-makers in the new country. Johann Christian arrived with his family on The Phoenix in 1719. Johann Christian Merkel and his family settled in Moselem Springs or Salem Springs, Philadelphia County, later Berks County, PA probably about 1720 where he was a farmer, blacksmith and coach-maker. If he lived anywhere previously, we know that by 1728 he was living at Moselem Springs, through the baptism of one of his children. His father-in-law who reportedly emigrated with him was a blacksmith and if he really did accompany Johann Christian, he, too, probably was part of this enterprising business. Johann and his family were very active members of the Zion Lutheran Church at Moselem Springs having founded the church in 1737. He seems to be strongly committed to his faith and it is interesting to note that he was listed as an abbot of the Heuchelheim Kirche, at the baptism of his daughter, Maria Catharina and his father-in-law was listed as an abbot at the time of Johan Christians’ marriage. It is presumed from this title that they were some sort of deacon or church official, but not full-time with the church, as would be a minister.

The children of Johan Christian Merkel and Anna Catherina Benner were: Name Birth Date Marriage Date Spouse Death Johan Jacob Aug-1708 Died young Margaretha Cathrina May-1710 Died young Johan Conrad 13-Oct-1711 Died young Anna Maria Catherine 14-May-1713 18-Apr-1733 Johann Casper Stoever 07-Oct-1795 Bap. 21-Jan-1715 Berks County Pa 13-May-1799 Berks Co. (?) Lancaster Co., Pa Maria Appolonia 1718 13-Jul-1739 Johann Jacob Hill 28-Jan-1774 Lambscheim Ger Berks Co Pa b. 1716 - Germany Windsor Twp d. 1776 –Windsor Twp. Johann Peter 13-Apr-1721 16-Nov-1750 Anna Cathrina Grimm 25-Jul-1785 Berks County Pa Berks Co Pa b. 31-May-1730 Richmond, Berks Co Anna Maria 1724 11-Dec-1745 Johann Frederich Kramer 1809 Berks Co. Berks Co. Pa Moselem Springs PA b. Germany 1723 d. 1786 Berks Co. Anna Helena 21-Feb-1725 30-Oct-1750 Peter Biehlin (Biehl) 16-Mar-1805 Moselem Pa Berks Co Pa b. Darmstadt, Germany bur. Zion Luth d. 20-Dec-1802 Berks Co. Moselem Sprgs. Anna Francianna* 1727 16-Apr-1745 Michael Rugh 13-Jul-1782 (See notes) Moselem Spgs. Moselem Spgs. b. 1724 Bas-Rhin, France Hempfield Twp. d. 28-Mar-1820 Westmoreland Co Hempfield, West. Co. Christian 29-Aug-1728 14-Nov-1745 Juliane Guerst (Kerst) 14-Jan-1814 Moselem Spgs. b. 2-Mar-1733 Reading, Pa Johann George 27-Sep-1729 10-Oct-1750 Anna Christine Hill 1-Jan-1779 b. 4-Sep-1726 Richmond, Berks JOHAN CASPER 16-Sep-1730 1-Apr-1755 1. ELISABETH GRIMM24-Sep-1819 (GASPARD)b. 31-May-1731 So.Huntingdon Berks County Pa Twp, Westm’land d. 1775 S.Huntingdon Twp. Westmoreland Co. 2. Mary Rothermel b. Abt. 1756 Berks Co Pa There may have been another Maria Catharina born in 1711-1714, who also died young. This would account for his reported 13 children.

Johann Christian was naturalized March 23, 1741. There are several Philadelphia County records (from which Berks County was taken) which indicate land purchases by Johann Christian:

Year Number of Acres Location 1734 150 Mosilla Creek (Moselem) 1740 150 The Flat – Richmond Township 1741 150 The Flat – Richmond Township 1745 350 Berks County 1746 150 Berks County Johann Christian died May 26, 1766 in Berks County and his will, which had been prepared in April of 1749, was probated then. He left his property to sons Johan Peter and Johan George, as they were the two who remained in the area of his settlement. For his sons Caspar and Christian, he left 100 pounds paid to them by Peter and George from the estate. It may be that Johan Christian felt that his other sons would settle elsewhere. Each daughter received 40 pounds to be paid from the estate by the two executors. It appears that his wife, Anna Catharina pre-deceased him, but strangely, his will, written in 1749 does not mention her at all, although it is thought she died about 1760, after the writing of his will. It is presumed that Johan Christian and Anna Catharina Merckel are buried at Zion Moselem Lutheran Cemetery in Richmond Township, Berks County. There is a marker there installed in recent years with some details of Johan Christian’s life, some of which are inaccurate. The original maker is probably missing or deteriorated. Notes: Johann Christian’s Birth and Baptisminformation comes from Book of Baptism of the Oberbronn Lutheran Church, Alsace, Germany. Name as given was Johan Christmann. Witness was parson, J. J. Aulber. His marriageto Anna Catharina Bender (or Benner) is recorded from the church. A xeroxed copy is in the file of Lora Lee Ament. Phil Knox has been very involved in research of Johann Christian Merckling and has through his research dispelled many myths about him. Another source which clarifies many misinformation: http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/merkel/409/ Arrival in America: Pa. Archives, Series 2, Volume 17, P. 15. Birth and baptism dates for the children are taken from the Book of Baptisms, Heuchelheim Evangelical Church. Moselem Lutheran Church. It is a known fact that Johan Christian founded this church. His office as abbot at the church in Germany leads one to believe that he may have served as preacher at times at the church, when none was available. According to a publication from 1818, "The Religious World Displayed" "…we still find particularly in the south of Germany among the dignitaries of the Lutheran church Abbotswho are frequently at the same time Superintendents and possess the rank as Catholic predecessors enjoyed". Whatever his duties, he was something more than an average churchgoer.

• * * * Land purchases: From Patent Book A Vol. 12, p. 217, etc. His original purchases were from Thomas and John Penn, sons of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania.
• * * * Naturalization of John Christian Merckling: PA Archives, Vol. 2, Page 354.
• * * * Some of the biographical information is from "The Forefathers and Families of Certain Settlers in Western PA" by William Boyd Duff, printed privately 1976. Copy at Murrysville PA Library. This is also where one finds the false story about John Christian being married to Jemima Wuertz. It appears this was the story of a great granddaughter, entirely made up. Although there are some who maintain that Jemima Wuertz was the mother of John Christian's children, I believe this has been disproved by the original copies of Johann Christian’s marriage record.
• * * * Johan Christian's will was dated 25 Apr 1749 & proved 22 May 1766. J.V. Thompson Journals vol. 1, p. 180-181; vol. 2, p. 328; vol. 21, p. 318. Copy in Lora Lee’s files.
• * * *
• Story of Franzianna Merckel Rugh and Michael Rugh’s capture by Indians: This is an interesting story of the pioneer times. "On 13 July 1782 Michael Rugh, his wife Phoebe, his 3 children, and his mother Francina, (daughter of Johan Christian Mercklin) were attending a celebration for a wedding that had taken place the day before at a location known as "Miller's Place" or "Miller 's Blockhouse". This was the home of the Samuel Miller family. (Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County Pa.)

The entire wedding party was attacked by Indians. Several were killed, possibly including Michael's mother, Francina. Mrs. Miller was scalped and managed to survive only to wear a skull cap for the rest of her life to hide her lack of hair. On that same day another element of the same group of raiders attacked and totally burned and destroyed the county town of Hannastown. (Note: The county seat). 
Fifteen persons at "Millers" were taken prisoner the day of the attack. Michael and his family were among the fifteen captives. They were taken to the Indian's camp near what is now Oil City Pennsylvania. They spent the winter as prisoners there. Michael's young son died that winter.

Michael (Jr). and Phoebe (his wife) were taken the following spring to Canada where they were held as POWs by the British. Their daughter, Mary, remained behind with the Indians.

At war's end Michael & Phoebe were released, sent to New York City, and thus were then able to make their way home.

According to a story related by Mrs Hannah Rough Rowe (aged 88 in 1881), the daughter, Mary, was eventually discovered with some Indians who had come in to trade. Her face and arms were stained to hide her real color. The sum of ten dollars was paid for her release.

Soon after his return from captivity Michael built and moved into a new house on his property in Franklin Township. (Near the present day Meadowink Golf Course") ……Christian Mercklin's daughter. (Note from Lora Lee: This property stands today - a substantial stone residence.)
• Emigration: 1719 - Germany to Philadelphia
  • Updated from MyHeritage Family Trees via father Hans Georg Merkel by SmartCopy: Jul 18 2015, 13:40:41 UTC