| Johannes and Rebecca became parents to a daughter, Catherine Gertsie in 1682, born in Krefield. As part of a group of 13 families they departed Krefield, primarily due to religious persecution, plus the promise of William Penn and Franz Pastorius of a more peaceful and prosperous life. They arrived in Rottendam, Holland and while awaiting transport, Johannes bought 200 acres of land from William Penn. \This land was to become part of Germantown, Pennsylvania. They left Holland for England and gained transport on the ship the "Concord" to America. While on the voyage, Rebecca bore another child, Pieter. In October of 1683 they landed in America. Johannes prospered, bought 1000 acres in Bucks county and moved there. Johannes and Rebecca had 6 children. Catherine, Pieter, Judith,Paul, Abraham and Samuel. Samuel is from whom I am descended. Later years Samuel's family moved to Loudon county Virginia, which is now West Virginia. Some moved back to Pennsylvania but John Blaker remained. John's son James Andrew married Phoebe Elizabeth Raglan(d). Members of Phoebe's family had settled in Mississippi and presumably James and Phoebe followed. Thus they were the first Blakers in Mississippi. |
