Johan Bernhard (Voegeli) Fegele (1712 - 1782)

Born 31 May 1712 in Hoffenheim, Sinsheim, Baden, Deutschland

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Catharina Beck — married 1732 in German Empire

Descendants

Died 1 Mar 1782 at age 69 in Longswamp, Berks, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Bernhard (Voegeli) Fegele has German Roots.

Johan Bernhard Voegeli was born in 1712.^[1] He was the son of Johannes Vögeli and Anna Maria Gilbert of Hoffenheim, Germany.^[2] Here is a clip from the Hoffenheim parish register showing his baptism in Germany:

Johan Bernhard Voegeli Baptism

The Voegeli family immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1733.^[3] Once settled in America, there appears to have been difficulties in the spelling and pronunciation of the surname, which ended up with many branches of Fagleys and Fegleys. The word "vogel" can be translated from German to English and it means "bird." One branch of Bernhard Voegeli's descendants specifically changed their name to "Bird" when they moved from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.^[4] Here is a clip from the Ship Hope's manifest, courtesy of Ralph Beaver Strassburger's excellent research.^[5]

Fegley Passengers on The Ship Hope

Bernhard Fegley is the progenitor of a large branch of the Fegley family tree.^[6] Unfortunately, most lineages are a bit messed up. Part of the confusion is that Bernhard's son Peter married Elizabeth Mertz and his grandson married Elizabeth Low. Somehow family members confuse the two families and it was published incorrectly many times.

Bernhard Fegley's brother John George Fegley is an approved DAR patriot, as are three of Bernhard's sons. It is likely that Bernhard Fegley could have had some type of service during the American Revolutionary War. This is a subject for future research.

Bernhard "Fegele" made his will in German, dated April 18, 1781. It was presented to the probate court of Berks County, Pennsylvania on April 2,1782.^[7] The following children were named in the 1782 Will of Bernhard Fegele of Longswamp Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania:

Christian, the "eldest son," who is DAR patriot number A113697.

Catharine, who was married to Conrad Jaeger

Anna Margaretha

Eve

Henry, who is DAR patriot number A038695.

Peter

Anna Maria

John Bernard, the "youngest son," who is DAR patriot number A038693.

Sources

1. ↑ "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPD8-ZFCQ : 16 March 2023), Johannes Vögel in entry for Johan Bernhard Vögel, 31 May 1712; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Birth, Hoffenheim, Sinsheim, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
2. ↑ Hickman, Donald Roger, Fegley Report, Family Tree Maker File on Rootsweb. Link to Fegley Report
3. ↑ Burguert, Annette Kunselmann. Eighteenth Century Emigrants from German-Speaking Lands to North America. Publications of the Pennsylvania German Society, 16/19. Birdsboro, PA: The Pennsylvania German Society. Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau. 1983. p 461.
4. ↑ J H Beers & Co, Historical and biographical annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Volume II, The biography of Daniel E Fegley, 1915, page 1213.
5. ↑ Strassburger, Ralph Beaver, Pennsylvania German Pioneers Volume II [A Publication of the Original List of Arrivals In the Port of Philadelphia From 1727 to 1808], Genealogical Publishing Company, 1934, p 121 - 122. Link to Book
6. ↑ Roberts, Charles Rhodes et al, History of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of its Families, Volume II, 1914, page 335. Link to Book
7. ↑ Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993, Berks County, Pennsylvania, Abstract of Wills, Vol 1, 1752-1798, Will Abstract of Bernhard Fegele, p 286-287, Image 209 of 375. Link to Will Abstract