Hans Michael Holt (1696 - abt. 1767)

Born 30 Dec 1696 in Stetten, Vorderösterreich, Heiliges Römisches Reich

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Elisabeth (Scheible) Holt — married 1716 in Spotsylvania,, Virginia

Descendants

Died about Nov 1767 at about age 70 in Orange, North Carolina

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Biography

When Hans Michael Holt (Hold) was born on December 30, 1696, in Stetten am Heuchelberg, Württemberg (now Baden-Württemberg, Germany), his father, Martin (Holt) Hold (1642-1710), was 54 and his mother, Anna Maria (Brickhmann) Holt (1665-1723), was 31.

During 1717, Hans Michael Hold/Holt emigrated from Alsace and the Palatinate regions of Germany bound for America.

"The families of the Second Germanna Colony, mostly Lutherans seeking to escape from the persecutions of the French, traveled up the Rhine River to board ship at Rotterdam."^[1] "Their ship departed on 12 July 1717, en route to Pennsylvania. The colonists' choice of vessel was, in hindsight, profoundly unfortunate. They made the customary stop in London, but there, they were detained for several weeks, while their captain (Capt. Scott) was imprisoned for debt."^[2] "food supplies dwindled while passengers waited for the captain's release. Actual starvation took the lives of many passengers at sea." "The revised list of constituency of the 1717 colony shows that at least 138 persons left Germany at the time, so perhaps as many as fifty people perished, most of them children."^[3] "Very little is known about the actual voyage across the ocean, but once arrived, the captain did not land in Pennsylvania, but landed in Virginia."^[1] "Their captain's heart had not been soften by his own recent experiences, but sought to replenish himself at the expense of the friendless Germans. He claimed that they had not paid their passage money, which claim may have been true, and refused to allow them to land until Governor Spotswood gave him the amount he demanded."^[4]"While Spotswood may have recognized the injustice done these immigrants, he obtained agreement in advance to extract eight years of indentured labor from them. He profited from the situation by gaining an additional year of service, as the normal time was only seven years, and they were indentured to Gov. Spotswood, not the British Government.'[3] "The captain released the immigrants to Spotswood but only after he had confiscated all of their belongings. Spotswood, established them at or near Germanna. where the original colony was located."^[4]

"The customary period of indentured service in Virginia was seven years, but as the 1717 colonists approached the end of their indenture, Governor Spotswood was reluctant to allow them their freedom." In 1724, "he filed a suit against nineteen men. Michael Holt and George Scheible were among the nineteen.^[5]

The second colony at Germanna settled first across the Rapidan River from Fort Germanna, Virginia then from 1725 to 1727 began to move to the Robinson River Valley in present day Madison County and patent land in their own names.^[6]

"In 1725 the entire colony, now released, moved to the Robinson River near the foot of the Blue Mountains, in the present Madison County, Virginia. Here in June, 1726, they received large patents of land. They had chosen for their home a place that stood on the very border of civilization. Surrounded thus by the dangers and difficulties of the frontier life they made their homes and reached a certain degree of prosperity."^[4]

Michael Holt married Anna Elisabeth Scheible, daughter of Johann George Scheible, before 7 September 1725 (when they jointly sued Friedrich Cobbler, another Germanna colonist).^[5] They had 14 children together.

On 24 June 1726, Michael Holt of St Geoerge Parish in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, received a grant of 400 acres in the Robinson River area.

We have given granted and confirmed and by these presents for us Our Heirs and Successors do give grant and confirm unto Michael Holt of St. George Parish in Spotsylvania County one certain tract or parcel of land containing four hundred acres lying and being in the parish and county aforesaid and in the first forks of Rappidan River and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at three red oaks by the side of a branch of the Island Run thence north sixty five degrees west three hundred and twenty poles to three white oaks by another branch of the Island Run thence south twenty five degrees west two hundred poles to a white and red oak thence south sixty five degrees east three hundred and twenty poles to the beginning place. . . . Witness our trusty and well beloved Hugh Drysdale Esqr. Our Lieut. Govr. at Williamsburg under the seal of Our said Colony the twenty fourth day of June one thousand seven hundred and twenty six in the twelfth year of Our Reighn. (Virginia Patents 12, 1724-26. p. 477)"^[4]

On 28 September, Michael Holt was granted an addiitonal 245 acres in the same area at the "first fork of the Rappadan River; Beginning and extending corner to the said Michael Holt and John Broyl" Spotsylvania County.^[7]

On January 1, 1734/35, The area in which they lived became Orange County on 1 January 1734/35, then Culpeper County on 18 May 1749, and finally Madison County in 1792.

On 5 August 1729, Michael Holt, and others, obtained permission to clear a road from the island in the first fork to White Oak Run "for to roll their tobacco."[(Kemper, p. 366]

During 1734, Michael accompanied Rev. John Casper Stoever to Germany to collect funds for the Hebron Lutheran Church of Virginia. Holt and Stoever became estranged during the trip and "Rev. Stoever remained in Danzig, Germany and continued to collect funds for the new church in Virginia while Michael left Danzig and stopped in London on his return trip. In London, he engaged an assistant for Pastor Stoever, the Rev. George Samuel Klug, who was ordained August 30, 1736 at Danzig. Michael Holt was back in Orange County, Virginia by April, 1738."^[5][4] "Stoever died on the return voyage."^[8]

On 23 July 1740, Michael Holt of St. Marks Parish, Orange County, bought from William Eddings of the same parish, 250 acres of "woodland ground" located in the fork of the Rapidan River in St. Mark's Parish. Witnesses: Christopher Yowill (his mark), Mark Hicks (his mark). Proved 24 July 1740 (Deed Book 4, p.164)

On 23 March 1742, William Rucker of Orange County (Virginia) sold to Michael Holt of Orange County, 100 acres in the fork of Elk Run in Orange County. Proved Mar. 24, 1742" (Deed Book 7, p. 175)

On 4 April 1755, Michael Holt and Elizabeth, his wife, of Brumfield Parish, Culpeper County, Virginia, sold to Jeremiah Early of the same parish and county, all that tract of land granted to Michael Holt by patent dated June 24, 1726, containing 400 acres, also 100 acres in Brumfield Parish, being part of a tract granted to John Rucker. Signed: Michael Holt, Elizabeth Holt (her mark). Witnesses: Jos. Edins (his mark), Wm. Harvey (his mark), Thos. Kirtley, Thos. Stanton. Proved Apr. 17, 1755." (Deed Book B, p. 283) ^[4]

On 14 April 1755, Michael Holt and his wife Elizabeth, John Holt and his wife Mary, all of Culpeper County, Virginia, sold to Adam Garr of the same county, 122-1/2 acres in Culpeper County, part of a patent for 245 acres granted to Michael Holt on Sept. 28, 1728. Signed: Michael Holt, Elizabeth Holt (her mark), John Holt (his mark), Mary Holt (her mark). Witnesses: Jas. Barbour, Adam Wilhite (his mark), Martin Rouse (his mark). Proved Apr. 17 and July 17, 1755." (Deed Book B, p. 287)

On 20 August 1759, Michael Holt was issued grant no. 52 for739 acres of land in Orange County (North Carolina) lying on the waters of the little Alamance; Beginning at a hickory on a line Commanly Called McCullocks old line then running North cross a Branch 60 chains to a Black Jack then East Cross Phillip Spring Branch 80 chains to a Black Jack and hickory Bush then South crossw a Branch 105 chains to a white oak then West cross a Branch 35 chains to a Stone on the said McCullocks line No. 45 Westerly to the first Station. Dated 20th day of August, 1759 (North Carolina Land Grant Bk. 14, p. 423, file 690)." ^[4]

Michael Holt wrote his will on 31 October 1765 at Orange County, North Carolina. ^[9][10]

In the name of God amen I Michael Holt Senior of Orange County in the province of North Carolina do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following, hereby revoking and annulling all former and other will and wills heretofor by me made, and first I comment my soul into the hands of my God from whom I received it hereby trusting in his mercy and the merits of and Blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ for forgivness of my Sins and life everlasting and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently Buried at the Discretion of my Executors and as to my worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with. I dispose thereof in manner and form following I lend in the first place to my Dearly beloved wife Elizabeth the house and manner plantation whereon I now live and also all other Lands and Tenements whatsoever and wheresoever belonging or appertaining to me to her use and benefit during the course of her Natural life, and I likewise lend unto my wife the use possession and Injoyment of all my Negroes Movables and other Personal Estate to her during the course of her natural life and my will is that she do Enjoy the same without let or molestation of any. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Peter after the deceased of my said Wife the two hundred acres of land whereon I now live. Including the houses out houses fences and all Right and Property in anywise appertaining thereto To hold to my son Peter his Heirs and assigns forever. Item I give divide and bequeath all the rest Residence and Remainder of all my Real and Personal Estate to be equally Divided among my children as may be alive at this time of my said wifes Decease, Share and Share alike and I do hereby Ordain and Appoint my Dear son Michael Holt Junior and Nicholas Holt Junior Executors of this my last will and testament. In Witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this thirty first Day of October in the Year of our Redemption one thousand seven hundred sixty five.

Michael Holt (Seal)

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereby set out Names and each in the presence of the other.

John Butler, William Carlisle

Orange November Court 1767

The Execution of the within Deed was duly found in open court by the oath of John Butler and was Ordered to be Recorded. Test. Francis Nash CC

Michael Holt was buried at the Mount Zion Church Cemetery, Cedar Grove Township, Orange County, North Carolina, USA.^[11]

Research Notes

Marriage to Ann Elizabeth Scheible was after Michael Hold/Holt emmigrated to America. Anna Elisabetha Scheible, daughter of Johann George Scheible and his wife Maria Eleanora (Ockert), all of Oberöwisheim, Baden (Germany), are also listed with the 2nd colony of Fort Germanna.^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD, Portrait of a Governor", By Walter Havighurst.
2. ↑ "THE GERMANNA RECORD, No. Six", By The Momorial Foundation of The Germanna Colonies in Virginia, Inc., June 1965.
3. ↑ "'ANCESTRY AND DESCENDANTS OF THE NASSUA-SIEGEN IMMIGRANTS TO VIRGINIA 1714 - 1750", By B.C. Holtzclaw (Germanna Record, No. Five) 1964.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} "THE PATERNAL ANCESTRY OF IVAN LEE HOLT, III", By Isabel Stebbins Giulvezan (St. Louis, MO.) 1962.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} "BEFORE GERMANNA', No. 5: By Johni Cerny & Gary J. Zimmerman (Salt Lake City, Utah: Lineages, Inc.) 1990. Spotsylvania County, Virginia Order Book, 1724-30, p.8."
6. ↑ Historic Germanna: The 1717 Colony, Stetten am Heuchelberg, Württemberg; Hold/Holt, Hans Michael; (https://germanna.org/things-to-do/research-your-germanna-roots/).
7. ↑ Land Office Patents No.14, 1728-1732 (pt.1 & 2), p. 100 & 101 (Reel 11). Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia; Genre Land grants; Subject Holt, Michael grantee; Creation Date1728 - 0928; Land titles -- Registration and transfer -- Virginia -- Spotsylvania County, VA. Available online & microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41.
8. ↑ "THE GERMAN COLONY of 1717", By Arthur Leslie Keith, Printed in The William & Mary College Quarterly, Vol. 24. Richmond Va.: Whittel & Shipperson, 1918, p. 185.
9. ↑ Orange County Record of Wills 1752-1795, c. 073.80001 NC State Archives, NC, Vol. A, pp. 76-77.
10. ↑ Holt Will Abstracts of Orange NC: (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/63763-abstracts-of-wills-from-records-in-office-of-clerk-of-superior-court-for-orange-county-north-carolina-at-hillsboro-north-carolina-books-a-b-c-d?viewer=1&offset=0#page=30&viewer=picture&o=search&n=0&q=Holt)
11. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137861825/hans-michael-holt : accessed 12 July 2022), memorial page for Hans Michael Holt Sr. (29 Dec 1696–Nov 1767), Find A Grave: Memorial #137861825, citing Mount Zion Christian Church Cemetery, Cedar Grove Township, Orange County, North Carolina, USA ; Maintained by Sharon Holt (contributor 47766592).
12. ↑ Germanna History: (https://germanna.org/things-to-do/research-your-germanna-roots/)

• The Germanna Record, No. 13 - The Blankenbaker, Weaver, and Wilhoit Families, The Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colonies, Inc., Publishers, 2006
• Marshall, Maudie Marie (Holt), 1908-. The Descendants of Michael Holt. Houston, Texas, 1967, pages 6-25

See also:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #137861825 Hans Michael Holt
• FamilySearch Record: LZNK-LVT profile of Hans Michael Holt
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rayjac/holt/holtfamily.hm
• http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/a/r/n/Sandra-Arnold-Brewster/GENE3-0001.html
• Germanna Second Colony for a list of additional 1717 emmigrants.
• Germanna Colonies for a history of Germanna, Colony of Virginia.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Whitney Peterson for creating Holt-1979 on 11 Aug 13.