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| Johann Andreas Strickler (1705-1796) |
| Strickler Families of the World |
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| One of the earlyGerman-speaking settlers of the are today Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania was Johann Andreas Strickler. First records of his family were published by the Strickler Family Association in the book entitled Stricklers of Pennsylvania. This is a popular yet somewhat misguiding source for Strickler information. The chapter here on Andrew Strickler has been many years in the making. In the early months of 2003 information became available which helped define who Andrew was. Born as Johann Andreas Strickler, Andrew was raised in the small farming community of Birkenaur located on the outskirts of Weinheim, Germany. Andreas was no doubt raised as a farmer and was a participant in the Lutheran Church there, the religion of his wife. His family fled Switzerland in decades past to free themselves of the oppression they faced for being Mennonites. In the 1680�s his father had moved to near Ibersheim, Germany on the west side of the Rhine. Without getting into much of the boring details, the governing authorities for the Ibersheim community restricted the number of Mennonite families that could live at Ibersheim. Becoming more and more crowded and under increasing pressures, many families migrated to neighboring towns. Over the decades the family lived in this region, the governors also took occasion to persecute the Mennonites. On numerous occasions they fled to the Netherlands and as far as Friedrichstadt in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Northern Germany (near Denmark). In fact a number of Strickler families remained in Friedrichstadt. In October 1693, his father was among the settlers to migrate back to Rhineland Germany. It is then discovering that the Ibersheim community was to crowded, that the family moved across the river to the small and quiet town of Birkenaur. The family remained members of the Mennonite Church however in Birkenaur, had befriended the local Lutherans. Who Were Andreas' Parents? To this day, no substantive evidence has been found to connect Andreas Strickler to the known Strickler lineages. However recently the research of Eberhart and Rudolf Strickler (descendants of Jakob Strickler, a Mennonite) strongly suggest that Andreas belonged to the same family as their ancestor Jakob Strickler. Several other families were in the area. Evidence is strongest in linking Andreas to the Jakob Strickler tradition, which lists a son named Johann b. c1705. However given the existence of at least one other Strickler family in the nearby region, it is not a foregone conclusion that Andreas was of the Jakob Strickler tradition. A second Strickler family that of a Rudolph Strickler also could represent the lineage of Andreas Strickler however the possibility seems rather unlikely. Let us examine now more closely the possibly forefather�s of Andreas Strickler. You can conclude for yourself which lineage you believe is correct for Andreas.Strickler. What is known about the parents of Johann Andreas Strickler is that his mother was apparently named Margaretha. According to clerical records when J Andreas married Margaretha (no last name given) attested and witnessed the marriage. Her relationship, although not stated, is widely accepted to have been his mother. On numerous other occassions with other families clerical records of marriages werre attest to by a close relative, usually the father or in this case probably the mother. First: Rudolph Strickler of Muhlbach and later Neustadt a.d. Weinstra�e : Rudolph Strickler b. 23 Jan 1633 in Burstel, W�denswil, SWI and resident of Richterswil, Switzerland, son of Hans Heinrich Strickler b. 29 Jul 1602. Rudolph married Maria W�st and in 1661 moved to Muhlbach, Germany. Muhlbach is a small farming community south of Bernwangen. Bernwangen again being just south of Steinfurt, one of the earliest Mennonite settlements in Germany. However Rudolph appears to be a Lutheran. There is no record of children born to Rudolph and Maria. Maria died and Rudolf remarried to Elisabetha Frey on 27 May 1673 in Neustadt a.d. Weinstra�e. Rudolph and Elizabeth had 8 children; Heinrich, Matthaeus, Barbara, Anna Maria, Anna Apollonia, Kuengold, Philip Peter and Ulrich; born between 1673 and 1686. It must be noted that some speculate that the Rudolph Strickler that married Elisabeth Frey was actually the son of Rudolf who married Maria. Research into these families is continuing and I expect to have some updates by mid 2008 after Eberhard Stricklers' planned trip to the Bernwagen area. There are a large number of Strickers also in that area that may be conencted to the family. Pros for the Rudolph Argument The only evidence that suggests that Rudolph was the father of Johann Andreas Strickler is the proximity of Rudolph to where Andreas was married in 1732. There aren�t sufficient records of names for grandchildren of Rudolph to know if he even had grandsons that remained in the area or if he moved elsewhere. He probably had at least one grandson Johann Rudolph Georgious Strickler of Hilsbach. Later another set of Stricklers lived near Hilsbach. They were Mennonite and probably in the Jakob Strickler tradition (see below). Cons Against the Rudolph Argument Well let us look logically at the dates. We know that Andreas was born in 1705. If Andrew were a son by Rudolf�s second wife Elizabeth then she would have already been 53 when Andrew was born. This of course doesn�t eliminate the possibility that Andrew is a grandson of Rudolf. However this seems like a remote possibility as sons Heinrich lived in Speyer and had no child named Andrew, son Ulrich died in infancy and Philip and Matthaeus each disappear from records. Secondly all indications are that J Andreas' mother was named Margaretha. Neither of Rudolf's wives were named Margaretha. Second: Hans Jacob Strickler of Birkenaurhof Hans Jacob Strickler was born 20 May 1677 in Haruti, Hirzel, SWI , son of Hans Strickler and Anna Asper. His Uncle Hans Jacob Strickler probably raised him after the death of his father Hans in 1679. The research of Eberhardt and Rudolf Strickler states that Hans Jakob married Margaretha. She is in one record called Margarethe Eggli and not Margarethe Strickler, suggesting her maiden name was Eggli. Hand Jacob's wife remarried 16 October 1726 to Hans B�r (1684-1741). They had six children together and lived at Birkenaurhof, Germany, west of Bernwangen and east of Ibersheim. Records of the town of Birkenaur list a Jacob Strickler living there in 1702 with wife Margarethe and a son not named. Again he is there in tax records living on an estate in 1706 with wife two sons and a daughter.. He apparently lived there until his death 9 Apr 1725 , as this is where his wife Margaretha remarried in October 1726. (Note: the son not named is probably Johannes Strickler b. c1699) . For those seeking original source document the names appear as Stricker and Stryklar. Pros for the Hans Jacob Strickler Argument First, we can use the same argument used by those who believe that Rudolph is his father. That is we could argue proximity. Jacob lived at Birkenaur just west of Bernwangen and actually a little closer to Bernwangen than is Muhlbach. Secondly, there is some tradition in certain of the Andreas Strickler lines that the family came from Birkenaur. We know that Jacob Strickler lived in Birkenaur just before Andreas was born. So the location and timing is correct. Thirdly, Jakob Strickler (3 May 1703-29 Oct 1759) was married to Christina Kirsch who appears to be a sister of Margaretha Kirsch who married Johann Andreas Strickler. This suggests a very close relationship between Jakob Strickler and Andreas Strickler. Jakob Strickler (b.1703) had a youngest son named Andreas b. 1742. Fourthly, Jakob Strickler (b.1703) had a son Jakob Strickler (7 Apr 1728-14 Jun 1770). Jakob (b.1728) married Elizabeth Gr�ff, d/o Johannes Gr�ff who was a cousin to Andreas Strickler�s (b.1705) second wife, suggesting a further close link between the families. I may also note that Jakob & Elizabeth had a son named Andreas b. 1767. Fifthly, the wife of Hans Jacob Strickler was named Margaretha. Margaretha appears to have been the name of Johann Andreas' mother. Cons Against the Hans Jacob Strickler Argument I personally cannot find any strong arguments against Hans Jacob Strickler as the father of Andreas Strickler. I however will say that I am not 100% convinced that Hans Jacob is the father, but is the most likely candidate. Some argue against Hans Jacob stating there are no name similarities. Well, that�s not true. There are. Andreas is a common name amongst Hans Jacob Strickler�s cousin�s children in Hirzel. Andreas named his eldest daughter Margarethe. His mother�s name appears to have been Margarethe. He names a son Conrad, one of the most common names in all of the Hirzel Strickler families. The Jakob Strickler tradition often uses the name Andreas. So there are name similarities. Is any of this concrete proof? You make the decision for yourself. I encourage you to continue to look for collaborating information. If you find any, please let me know. One note, if you get to Bernwangen and look for the marriage information for Andreas, the certificate and the age attestment are not located together, but are separated in the registry book. Andreas� Family Life Johann Andreas Strickler, Sr. Son of Hans Jakob & Margaretha (Eggli?) Strickler Born: 12 Jan 1705, Birkenaurhof, Heidelberg, Pfalz, GER Died: 6 May 1796, (Dauphin Co., PA (now Lebanon Co., PA) Buried: Heidelberg Lutheran Church Congregational Cemetery Immigrated: 11 September 1728 at Philadelphia aboard the ship Goodwill (Rupp�s 30,000 Names) Naturalized: 24 September 1744, Naturalized as a resident of Lancaster Co. wishing to become a citizen of the Province of Pennsylvania (PA Arch., Series 2, Vol 2) Married 1st: 29 April 1728, Bernwangen Evangelical Lutheran Church, Heidelberg, Pfalz, GER Margaretha Anna Kirsch Daughter of George Leonardt Kirsch (unproved) Born: 8 Oct 1708, Bernwangen, Heidleberg, Pfalz, GER, d. 12 Oct 1753, Lancaster Co., PA (now Lebanon), complications of childbirth Buried: Heidelberg Lutheran Church Congregational Cemetery (Records of Christ Lutheran Church Cem) He married 2nd: ca Oct 1761, Lancaster/Lebanon Co., PA Anna Margaretha Catherina Graff Daughter of Andreas Graff Born: 24 Nov 1727, Germany Died: ca 21 Sep 1800, in present day Lebanon Co., PA Buried: Heidleberg Evangelical Lutheran Congregational Church Born into a poor farming family, Andreas set sail in late June 1728 for America with his new wife Margaretha Kirsch. He arrived at Philadelphia aboard the ship James Goodwill and made his way westward into Lancaster County. Andrew probably lived in the Hempfield area for a number of years before settling on his own farm. The Hempfield area is where Abraham, Heinrich and Conrad Strickler as well as Dorothea (Strickler) Shellenberger were already residing. By 1736, Andrew�s family by his wife Margaretha Kirsch was growing larger. I keep mentioning his marriage to Margaretha Kirsch to dispel the Stricklers of Pennsylvania statement that Andrew married first Margaretha Graff, daughter of Andreas Graff. It was also reported by Stricklers of Pennsylvania that Andreas Graff immigrated 11 September 1732 on the ship Pennsylvania Merchant. However further investigation shows that an Andreas Graff did immigrate with Andreas Strickler aboard the ship James Goodwill. It is most likely that Andreas Strickler married secondly to Margaretha Catherina Graff daughter of the said Andreas Graff. This would explain for the fact that Andreas had married Margaretha Kirsch and also allow for the family tradition that he had married to a daughter of Andreas Graff. First record of Andrew owning land occurs in 1736. On 16 November 1736, Andreas warranted 150 acres of land in what is today Lebanon County (Egle�s History of Lebanon Co.) Then on 16 January 1737, he again warranted 50 more acres at the same location. It is unknown as to the exact date he moved to this location. He may have moved there prior to 1736. Some Records From Egle�s History of Lebanon Co., PA In 1751, Andrew payed tax in Heidelberg Twp. In 1752, Andrew was tithed & taxed at Heidelberg Twp. In 1758, Andrew is again tithed at Heidelberg. In 1760 he served as overseer of roads for Heidelberg Township. In 1777, Andrew was assessed a fine for being a non-associator. This was a designation for one who, for religious or other reasons, refused to swear allegiance or bear arms for the province against King George. In 1782, the list of taxables included an Andrew Strickler who was the owner of 150 acres of land. In 1785, Andrew was taxed the same. Andrew in the Census In 1790, Andreas was listed in the Dauphin County Census, together with his sons, Andrew, George, and Leonhard. Andreas�s Will: Andreas drew up his will on 3 May 1794. The will was probated on 8 Jun 1796 . Andrew arranges for the disposal of his body and soul; after which he disposes of his earthly goods. He bequeaths to his beloved wife, Margaret, in greatest detail, money, furnishings, and provender to keep her during the "term of her natural life". He stipulated that, after her death, everything that he had bequeathed to her should be sold at public venue with the proceeds to be equally divided among his eleven children, whom he names, presumably in chronological order, as: Margaret, who was married to Romiss Eichelberger, but who is now deceased, Leonhard, George, Andrew, Catherine, wife of George Meiser, Maria Catherine, wife of Frederick Kapp, Elizabeth, wife of Matthias Durr, Conrad, Magdalena, Peter and Michael. His plantation, which he had ordered to be rented during his widow's lifetime, was to be divided into two equal parts and sold, with the proceeds to go to his children. He gives George and Leonhard each five shillings, they being his eldest sons. This establishes that they were twins. His youngest daughter, for reasons unstated, received a cow and a heifer above her share with the other children. Andrew appointed his son George Strickler and his son-in-law George Meiser as his executors. He signed with his mark, suggesting that he was illiterate. The two witnesses were Michael Trion and Samuel Rex. On 22 Oct 1800 the executors appeared in court and gave their account of Andrew Strickler's estate. There was a balance of 240 pounds, 7 shillings, and 3 pence that was distributed among the children and the heirs of the deceased children, each child or the heirs thereof receiving 22 pounds, 3 shillings, and 1 penny. Those named in the final account are as follows: Margaret Eichelberger's three children, Leonhard, George, Andrew's four children, George Meiser and wife, Frederick Kapp and wife, Mathias Derr and wife, Conrad, Peter, Michael, and Frederick Lehman* (see below) and wife. This agrees with the names in the will. This is recorded in the Dauphin County courthouse, in Orphans Court Book B, page 161. Andrew died on 6 May 1796, according to the petition filed by his son George on 14 Apr 1817, and recorded in Lebanon County Orphans Court Book A, page 261. The petition stated that Andreas died intestate, possessed of 32 acres of land that he had omitted from his will that had been probated in Dauphin County before Lebanon County was incorporated. On 8 Apr 1817, George Strickler petitioned the Orphans Court of Lebanon County, saying that his father, Andrew Strickler, had died intestate on 6 May 1796, leaving 11 children: Leonhard, deceased, leaving 6 children, Andrew, deceased, leaving 4 children, Conrad, deceased, leaving 4 children, Peter, Michael, Magdalena, wife of Frederick Clemens, Elizabeth, wife of Matthias Durst, Catharine, wife of George Meiser, deceased, leaving 2 children, Margaret, the wife of Frederick Kapp, deceased, leaving 7 children, Rebecca, the wife of Hieronymous Eichelberger, and afterward the wife of Peter Derr, deceased, leaving 2 children. George forgot to list himself as one of the 11 children. There are several differences between the distribution list and the petition list. Frederick Lehman* was really Frederick Clemens; Mathias Durst was really Mathias Durr; Frederick Kapp's wife was Maria Catherine, not Margaret. Finally, if Margaret Eichelberger was deceased in 1800 when Andreas's first estate was distributed, how could she have married Peter Derr. He said his father had left a tract of 32 acres of land in Heidelberg Township and asked the court to order an inquest to partition the land. The court ordered the sheriff to conduct the inquest and to report to the court before 4 Aug 1817. This action is recorded in the Lebanon County Register of Wills office, in Orphans Court Book A, on pages 291 and 292. On 5 Aug 1817, the sheriff reported that the land could not be divided without spoiling the whole, and that the property had been valued by the inquest jurors at $100 per acre. The court ordered the heirs to appear on 22 Sep 1817 to accept or refuse to take the real estate at the appraisement. This is recorded in the Register of Wills office in Orphans Court Book A, on pages 299 and 300. On 22 Sep 1817, the court ordered the heirs of Andrew Strickler to appear and accept or refuse to take the said real estate at the appraisement. No one appearing, the court ordered the sale of the real estate by the estate administrator, Leonhard Strickler, on 25 Oct 1817. This action is recorded in the Lebanon County Register of Wills office in Orphans Court Book A, on pages 321 and 322. Andreas�s Children: (By Margaretha Kirsch) Children: i Maria Margaretha Strickler b. 6 Jan 1730. ii Johann Andreas Strickler Jr. b. 24 Mar 1732. iii Maria Elizabeth Strickler, b. 12 Jul 1734, Lebanon Co., PA christened 9 Oct 1748, Lebanon Co., PA aged 14yrs 3m, d. 16 Sep 1752, Lebanon Co., PA. iv Johann George Strickler b. 12 Feb 1738. v Johann Leonard Strickler, 1st. b. 12 Feb 1738. vi Anna Catherina Strickler b. 3 May 1741. vii Maria Barbara Catherina Strickler b. 2 Oct 1742. viii Johann Jacob Strickler, b. 3 Sep 1749, Millbach, Lebanon Co., PA, d. 9 Dec 1766, Millbach, Lebanon Co., PA aged 17 y 3m 3d He is called Johann Jacob Stricker. No parents are listed at his burial. He was probably the son of Andreas Strickler. ix Maria Elisapetha Strickler, b. 22 Aug 1753, Lebanon Co., PA, d. 26 May 1850, Mill Creek Twp., Lebanon Co., PA. Children By Anna Graff He married (2) Anna Katharina Margaretha Graff, 29 Oct 1758, Christ Lutheran Church, Stouchsburg, PA, Children: x Johann Conrad Strickler b. 21 Aug 1762. xi Anna Magdelena Strickler, b. 17 Jan 1766, Lancaster Co., PA (now Lebanon Co.), christened 3 Feb 1767, Christ Lutheran Church, d. 2 May 1831, Lebanon Co., PA. xii Peter Strickler b. 4 Jun 1768. . xiii Michael Strickler b. 15 Feb 1770. |
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| Uploaded 25 Aug 2007; Last updated 27 Aug 2007 |