Johann Christian (Merkel) Merckel (1678 - bef. 1766)

Born 29 Dec 1678 in Hassloch, Kurfürstentum Pfalz, Heiliges Römisches Reich [uncertain]

Husband of Anna Catharina (Benner) Mercklen — married 1707 in Heiliges Römisches Reich

Descendants

Died before 22 May 1766 before age 87 in Moselem Springs, Richmond Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania

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Christian (Merkel) Merckel was a Palatine Migrant. Join: Palatine Migration Project Discuss: palatine_migration

Biography

Christian (Merkel) Merckel migrated from = Germany to Pennsylvania.

This profile is part of the Markle Name Study.

This profile is part of the Merkel Name Study.

Christian (Merkel) Merckel was an early settler in Pennsylvania.

Johan Christian was born about 1678. He passed away about 1766.

Johann Christian Markle was born 19 Jul 1687 in Hassloch/Pfalz, Germany or Schillersdorf Departement du Bas-Rhin Alsace, France. He died 1 May 1766 in Moselem Springs, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Extract from the record of baptism at Oberbronn Lutheran Church, Alsace, Germany: Anno Domino 1678 Dec 29, a son of Johann George Markle, Wheelwright, of Schullersburg was baptized and was named Johann Christmann. That the above is a true copy from the Book of Baptism, Witness the hand of the present parson J.J. Aulber, Done in Oberbronn Nov 10, 1907. ^[1] According to Annette Burgert in Palatine Origins of Some Pennsylvania Pioneers, he was the son of Hans Georg Marcklin, citizen and cartwright and Esther Haus, daughter of Diebold, citizen and cook at Oberbrunn. She gives the marriage date for the parents in the Schillersdorf Lutheran churchbook (June 16, 1672) and baptism records for Christian's siblings Diebold, Margretha, Niclaus and Hans Georg in those records, and states "probably Christian (gap in bp. record 1674-76)." There is more information about Christian and his family in that source.^[2]

He was born in Schillersdorf, which at that time belonged to the Countship of Hanau, part of the Holy Roman Empire. France was an independent nation. Hans or Johann Christman are baptism names, rarely used other than in baptism and occasionally marriage records. About 95% of all German males from this era have the same "first name"

Christian Mercklin married Anna Catharina Benner on 6 January 1707 in Frankenthal, Pfalz, Bayern. He was a journeyman wainwright, son of Hanß Georg Mercklin, wainwright at Schüllersdorf in Lower Alsace near Buschweiler, which belonged to the Count von Hanau. She was the daughter of Johannes Benner(s), citizen and smith at Lambsheim.^[3]

This is full children list, although only 9 survived him:^[4]

1. Jacob Merkel, b. about 1708, Lambsheim, Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, d. before 1766
2. Margaretha Catharina Merkel, b. about 1710, Lambsheim, Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, d. before 1766
3. Conrad Merkel, b. about 1711, Lambsheim, Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany,^[5] d. before 1766
4. Maria Catarina Merckel, b. 14 May 1715, Lambsheim, Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, d. 7 Oct 1795
5. Frankiena Merkel, b. about 1717, Lambsheim, Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
6. Maria Appolonia Merkel, b. about 1719, d. 28 Jan 1774
7. Peter Merckel, b. 15 Apr 1721, d. Jun 1785, Richmond Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
8. AnnaMaria Merkel, b. 1724
9. Anna Helena Merckel, b. 21 Feb 1725, d. 18 Mar 1803
10. Christian Merkel, b. 28 Aug 1728, d. 27 Jan 1814, Cumru Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
11. George Merckel, b. 27 Jul 1729, d. 13 Feb 1779
12. Casper Merkel, b. 16 Sep 1730, d. 15 Sep 1819

Will

His will was dated 25 Apr 1749 and proved 22 May 1766.^[6][7] It has been transcribed as follows:^[8]

1749: Berks County, PA

In the Name of God Amen

I Christian Merckel of or near Mossillie Creek In the County of Philadelphia In the Province of Pennsylvania yeoman; being at present in good Health and of Sound and perfect Mind and Memory, blessed be the Lord for the same butt considering the uncertainty of this Transitory Life, Do therefore hereby make this my Last Will and Testament in Manner following, That is to say and First of all I Recommend my Soul into the Hand of Allmighty God and my Body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent Manner at the Discretion of my Executors herein after named. And as touching my worldly affairs and Estate wherewith the Lord has blessed mine Endeavours, I Will and dispose of the same as follows, That is to say

It is my Will And I give and devise unto my two Sons Peter Merckel and George Merckel [they paying the Legacies herein after mentioned] and their Heirs and assigns, all the singular my Land and Estate both Real and personal whatsoever, To hold unto them the said Peter Merckel and George Merckel share and share alike in Equall shares and portions and to their Heirs and Assigns for Ever

Item It is my Will And I give unto my two other Sons Christian and Casper Merckel That is to say unto Each of them the Sum of one hundred Pounds Lawfull Money of Pennsylvania to be paid unto Each of them the said Christian and Caspar, by the said Peter and George Merckel out of my Estate in Manner herein after mentioned

Item It is my Will And I give and Bequeath unto Each of my five Daughter, Viz Catherine (Stover), Frankina (Rugh), Mary (Hill), Anne Maria (Cramer) and Anne Lena Merckel The Sum of Forty Pound Lawfull Money of Pennsylvania Each, to be paid unto Each of them my said five Daughters, by the said Peter and George Merckel out of my Estate in manner herein after mentioned, That is to say, That they the said Peter and George Merckel shall within one year next after my Decease pay the Sum of Fifty poun currency _____ the Legatees above mentioned their heirs Ex'. Ad. or assigns, and so yearly in Every year next after pay the like Sum of Fifty Pound, toward discharging all the above Legacies until the same and Every part thereof are fully paid off, Yet so that they My said tow Sons Peter and George shall and may then deduct and discount as much of any of the afores'd Legacies, as at the time of my Decease shall appear to have at any time before been paid by the said Peter and George, unto my other tow Sons Christian and Caspar, or unto my said five Daughters unto any of them as part of their said respective Legacies or Share in my Estate,

And I Do hereby Nominate and appoint my said two Sons Peter Merckel and George Merckel to be the only Executors of this my Last Will and Testament hereby Enjoyning my said Exec¹rs to pay and discharge all my just Debts and funerall Expences,

And I do hereby revoke disannull and declare Void all former and other Wills and Testaments by me at any time heretofore made hereby ratifying and declaring this and not other to be my Last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the twenty fifth Day of Aprill in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty Nine

Signed Sealed and Published by the said Testator as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us as Witnesses hereto required

Peter Reiss

Andreas ____

Christian (M) Merckel (his mark)

Church Records

Children's baptisms found in Frankenthal, Bayern (first three), and Heuchelheim (Anna Franzina):

1. 1708. 6 August. Johann Jacob Mercklin, of Christian Mercklin and Anna Catharina.^[9]
2. 1711. 13 8tober. Johann Conrad, of Christian Mercklin and Anna Catharina. ^[5]
3. 1715. 21 January. Maria Catharina Mercklin, of Christian Mercklin and Anna Catharina.^[10]
4. 1717. 3 Febr. "Christian Merklin, Burger und Wagner zu Lambsheim cum uxore Anna Catharina, [lispor] driiten Febr. 1717 ein Tochter eintauften, Gevatter waren: Johann Adam Baumann Burger und Brike daselbst cum uxore Anna Franzina das kind heist, Anna Franzina."

Research Notes

• Johann Markle was also known as Mercklin", "John Chrisman Markle", "John Christian Merkel", "John Christian Merckling aka Mercklen", "Merkel".

• Note: Burton D. Munhall, 17533 Fairlawn Drive, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 states Johann Christian Merkel fled to Amsterdam, Holland from Alsace-Lorraine section of Merzig on the Rhine, near Metz, to avoid religious persecution after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes which occurred 18 October 1685. His first wife was Jemima Weurtz, sister of the noted Admiral Weurtz of the Dutch Navy. He first came to America in 1703, apparently with Jemima Weurtz. No record of any children. There is speculation that says Jemima Weurtz was the mother of all his children, however, other sources claim he returned to Holland where he married Catharina Brucker and had their first two children before returning to America on the ship "Phoenix" on either 19 April 1718 or 19 April 1719. For the time being, I will list the children as being from his first marriage. This needs to be investigated in more depth. Johann Christian Merkel settled in Salem (Moselem) Springs, Philadelphia Co., later Berks Co., PA where he was a farmer, blacksmith and coach-maker.

Other records show that Catherina Bruckner was the mother of all his children.

Comments attributed to Glen Swartz

Notes : According to Glen Swartz family historian Johann Markle claims his memorial has a few errors: Christian was not persecuted, French Huguenot, and the ship he immigrated on is not known. He was born in Schillersdorf, which at that time belonged to the Countship of Hanau, part of the Holy Roman Empire. France was an independent nation. aka Hans Christman Merklin. Hans or Johann are baptism names, rarely used other than in baptism and occasionally marriage records. 

Also according to Glen Swartz, in an Internet post made on 17 July 2007:

Time to correct some of the unfounded internet garbage (and some printed).

Johann Christian Merkel/Merckel/Markle, 1678-1766.

He was NOT born in Metz or Lorraine or Hasslock. He was NOT a son of Peter Markle. He was NOT a son of Magdalena Coehorn. [Note: Wikitree issues a warning because her death date comes before his birth date. This should be a red flag.] He did NOT, and NEVER was married to a Jemima Weurtz (That was some work of fiction created by one of his great-granddaughters in a vanity flush - and this fiction continues to persist). There is NO evidence his brothers followed him, though they may have been related. He was NOT a General. He did NOT come to America in 1703. He did NOT live in Holland. He did NOT immigrate on the ship Phoenix. He was NOT Huguenot.

(Now someone is going to come along and say, "I have," "I was told," "my GEDCOM has," "Ancestry.com WFT says," "my research," "IGI says," someone else's research, etc., etc. -- but, none can cite any original or primary records to support any of the above).

The simple truth is he was born in Schillersdorf, s/o George Merckel and Esther Haus. He was Lutheran, and married to Anna Catharina Bender/Benner, his only known wife. He had 13 children, 9 surviving. 1704-1719 he was living in Lambsheim, where he married and had seven children. He immigrated once, about 1719/20 on an unknown ship (no extant record exists showing the exact date or ship he immigrated on). His reasons for immigration where probably economic, as was true for most of the Palatine immigrants. The evidence is irrefutable. So, working backward.

-- The first proof Christian of Lambsheim is identical to Christian of Richmond Twp.

His daughter Maria Catharina Merckel m. Johann Caspar Stoever. Her husband wrote his wife "Maria Catarina Stoeverin was born the 14th of May 1715 in Lambsheim, District of Kurpfalz, to Christian Merkling and Maria Cath, sponsor was Catarina Schmidling." Her baptism record at the Evangelische Kirche, Heuchelheim reads: Christian Merklin, Wagner of Lambscheim and Anna Catharina ... 21 Jan 1715, ... Maria ... Schmidt.. Maria Catharina. [could be a transcription error here, as baptism date comes before birth date. Check primary sources.]

-- The second proof Christian of Lambsheim is identical to Christian of Schillersdorf.

Christian Merckel was taxed in 1704 at Lambsheim. He m. 6 Jan 1707 at the Heuchelheim Kirche to Anna Catharina Bender/Benner, his record reads: Christian Mercklin, wagon maker, son of Hans Georg Mercklin, wagon maker from Schülkersdorff located in Elsass, and Anna Catherine, daughter of Johannes Benner, blacksmith in Lambsheim... Christian sold his house at Lambsheim in 1719 and the record states he immigrated to PA along with his father-in-law. Christian died before 22 May 1766 (probate) at Moselem Creek, Richmond Twp, Berks Co, PA.

Additional Sources

Accounts of this man from secondary sources that may contain errors and fiction:

Montgomery, Morton L. Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, Embracing a Concise History of the County and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of the Representative Families, Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1909, 2 volumes.

This book (page 789) presents the following story:

During the Revocation period in France John Christian Merklen (Markley) born 1678 accompanied his parents to Amsterdam, Holland, whence he emigrated in about 1732 to America, becoming one of earliest of the Alsatian emigrants to Pennsylvania. He came down into the Maxatawny Valley and located at Moselem Springs (then Mosillia Creek) in Richmond, Berks county. He died in 1766, the father of numerous family, as follows:

1. Peter whose children were Christian, Bernhard, Gideon, Catharine, Elizabeth, Sophia, Maria, and Esther.
2. George
3. Christian, who was county commissioner of Berks county from 1767 to 1770.
4. Casper (Gaspard) who in 1771 became a trans Allegheny pioneer and settled in West Newton Westmoreland county where he erected the first mill west of the mountains and also a stockade fort for the protection of the settlers.
5. Cath Stover
6. Franklina Rough
7. Mary Hill
8. Anna Maria Kramer
9. Anna Lena.

John Christian Merklen had considerable means when he emigrated. As early as May 1734 he took up 150 acres of land and six years later April 23 1740 he took up another patent of 150 and again July 9 1741 a patent of fifty acres all in that section of Richmond township known as the Flat. On Nov 16 1751 he conveyed 175 acres of land in the Flat to his son George for the natural love and affection and for other considerations and five pounds of current money of Pennsylvania to him in hand given.

There were three other pioneer settlers of the name who came over somewhat later than John Christian and settled in the same township on adjoining lands. They were his kinsmen, possibly brothers, and their names Johan Nicholaus, Heinrich, and Johan Georg. Deeds on record show that Nicholaus in 1759 sold land to Georg who later sold it to his son Daniel and he in turn in 1843 to his son John. In 1757 Johan Georg Mercklen was a witness to a land transaction between Nicholaus Merklen et al.

Merkel, Norton W. "The Merkel, Merkle, Markle, Markel Freündschaft," Fleetwood, PA: N. Merkel, 1977. (This work incorporated a lot of Gustave Anjou's work. -- Note added by James Rugh at 18:29, 17 June 2018.)

This book is not available for my review. -- Smith-62120 03:00, 7 December 2021 (UTC)

Primary Records

Original Primary Records, identified by James Rugh at 18:29, 17 June 2018:

• Burgert, Annette K., FASG., "Palatine Origins of Some Pennsylvania Pioneers", Myerstown, PA: AKB Pub, 2000, pp225-6. (while not an original document, her work is all based on original primary documents)
• Rembe, Heinrich. "Lambsheim. Die Familien von 1547 bis 1800 - für Maxdorf bis 1830: mit Angaben aus Weisenheim a. S. Eyersheim und Ormsheim." 2 vol. Otterbach-Kaiserslautern: F. Arbogast, 1971.
• Evangelische Kirche Heuchelheim (BA. Frankenthal), Kirchenbuch (FHL film 0193892).
• Evangelische Kirche Oberbronn (Kr. Hagenau), Kirchenbuch (FHL 7759030).
• Evangelische Kirche Schillersdorf, Kirchenbuch (FHL film 760930)

Data from earlier versions of this profile

Name

Johann Christian /Merckling/^[11]

Name: John Christian /Merkel/^[12]

Birth

19 JUL 1678 Haßloch, Bad Durkheim, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany^[11]

Death

1766 Moselem Springs, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA^[11]

Immigration

Arrival 1720 Pennsylvania^[11]

Marriage

1711 Germany^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ Additional source information for this record is needed. Was it found in an archive, or at the church, for example? Who documented it?
2. ↑ Burgert, Annette Kunselman. Palatine Origins of Some Pennsylvania Pioneers. AKB Publications, Myerstown, Pennsylvania, 2000. page 225.
3. ↑ "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPKV-8ZQ4 : 27 October 2021), Christian Mercklin, 6 Jan 1707; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Marriage, Frankenthal, Frankenthal, Pfalz, Bayern, Deutschland, Oppau, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
4. ↑ A source is needed for this list
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPKV-8ZVV : 27 October 2021), Johann Conrad Mercklin, 13 Oct 1711; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Frankenthal, Frankenthal, Pfalz, Bayern, Deutschland, Oppau, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany. Record Image: "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSC9-TKMP?cc=3015626 : 21 October 2019), > image 52 of 348; Records extracted and images digitized by Ancestry.com. German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
6. ↑ J.V. Thompson Journals vol. 1, p. 123 (Will of Christian Merckel), 180-181; vol. 2, p. 328; vol. 21, p. 318
7. ↑ Image of will is online at https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8802/images/005538047_01634
8. ↑ Last Will and Testament of Christian Merckel, Berks County, GenWeb. File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Tim Conrad.
9. ↑ "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPKV-T5V4 : 27 October 2021), Johann Jacob Mercklin, 6 Aug 1708; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Frankenthal, Frankenthal, Pfalz, Bayern, Deutschland, Oppau, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
10. ↑ "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPKV-MN4P : 27 October 2021), Maria Catharina Mercklin, 21 Jan 1715; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Frankenthal, Frankenthal, Pfalz, Bayern, Deutschland, Oppau, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4} Ancestry Family Tree Ancestry Family Tree 39749854 (Dead URL: abandoned family tree)
12. ↑ Ancestry Family Trees: https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/12332544/person/-222278471/facts (private family tree)

BURIAL Zion Moselem Lutheran Church Cemetery Moselem, Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA Created by: myta Added: 20 Jan 2011 Find A Grave: Memorial #64442180

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20574862/christian-merckel : accessed 06 December 2021), memorial page for Christian “Johann” Merckel (29 Dec 1678–1766), Find A Grave: Memorial #20574862, citing Zion Moselem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Moselem, Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Glen Swartz (contributor 46889224). Note: Photographed memorial is a modern stone, placed in 2007 by attendees of a reunion. It contains a biography that presumably is based on received family history.
• https://www.geni.com/people/Johann-Merkel/6000000007445707645
• ROTHERMEL FAMILIES oF AMERICA PG 623..
• Johann Christian Markle in Smith Family of Bedford County Pa. 3/21/2006. Updated: 05-15-2019 12:05:67. Owner: Henry Blain.
• J.V. Thompson Journals, vol. 1, p. 180-181; vol. 2, p. 328; vol. 21, p. 318. Note: The source is a 28-volume collection of the journals of Josiah VanKirk Thompson, born February 15, 1854, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, documenting his many years of genealogical research.
• Smith Family of Bedford County Pennsylvania
• See also: Space:Pennsylvania Frontier 1750 on WikiTree

Acknowledgments

• Thank you to Richard Ludwig for creating WikiTree profile Merckling-1 through the import of Richard Ludwig's Family.ged on Jan 18, 2013.
• This person was created through the import of David Rentschler Family Tree_2010-09-30.ged on 01 October 2010.