Johann Michael Decker (1730 - 1776)

Born 20 Aug 1730 in Hirstein, Zweibrucken, Kurfürstentum Pfalz, Heiliges Römisches Reich

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Maria (Doerr) Decker — married 31 Jul 1759 in Host Church, Berks, Province of Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 30 Sep 1776 at age 46 in Tulpehocken, Berks, Pennsylvania

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Biography

Michael was the son of Johann Heinrich Decker and Anna Barbara Kunzer

Birth and Early Life

At the time of Johann Michael Decker’s birth, Henrich was a member of the community of Hirstien (today in the District of St Wendel). In 1731, the Duchy of Zwiebrucker was a dependency of France but it is now part of Saarland Germany. Believed to be Descendants of Johannes Zehrung, pg 740, Wilson Zaring. Descendants of Johannes Zehrung, pg 740, Wilson Zaring. HX Society of PA.

Arrival in Pennsylvania

Through decree of the Zweibruchen government of 7 May 1867, the property of John Michael Deckerm who had gone to America 15 years previously, was confiscated. He was son of Heinrich Decker, a member of the community of Hirstien (today in the District of St Wendel). The remainder of his credit a sum of 347 florins, was to be confiscated according to a decree of the government dated 6 Jun 1767. The sum was to be raised for the government by the two brothers of the emigrant, who had taken over the house and properties. Through a further decree of, the Zweibrucken government dated 29 Nov 1768, the property of Wendel Decker of Hirstein was confiscated for Treasure, a sum of 12 florins, 3 batzen and 12 pfennig. He had gone secretly with his family out of the country, with manumission, and had according to report, gone to the new land. Wendel Decker arrive in Philadelphia on the ship minerva, he took the oath on 12 Dec 1768. (Strassburger-Hinkle, List 271 C) Michael Decker was sick on arrival in Philadelphia on the ship "Edinburgh", he took oath on 14 Sep 1753. (Strassburger-Hinke, Lists 1998 and C) Michael was a miller and a farmer. He arrive in Philadelphia, on 14 Sep 1753, aboard the ship Edeiburgh. C

Marriages and Children

Michael married Anna Marie Doerr, a widow with two young children, on July 13, 1759.

Michael and Anna had at least 4 children together:

1. Jacob
2. Elizabeth
3. Michael
4. Charles

They may have had another daughter, Catherine, who died in childhood.

Michael may have had a second wife, Margaretta Hofman, who he married in 1771.

Death and Estate

Michael wrote his will on August 29, 1776 and the document was probated on September 13, 1776 meaning Michael died sometime between those two dates. He appointed Nicholas Kilmer executor and had the document witnessed by George Niedig and Peter Shycker.

Michael's will reveals that his wife, Margarette, had left him. He wrote:

"Whereas my wife Margarette hath been unfaithful to me and about 11 month ago went off with a worthless young fellow and left me in my miserable condition and I have not seen her since therefore I bequeath to her the sum of five shillings and have no more of my Real or Personal Estate."

Michael left the remainder of his estate to his children. His will stated:

"I give and devise to my son Jacob Decker his heirs and assign forever my Land and Plantation with all the Buildings, whereon I now live in Tulpenhocken Twp which Plantation he shall take into Possession as soon as George Niedig's Farm is out, for which he rented it from me, upon this Condition that my Son Jacob Decker or his Heirs, Shall pay for the Plantation the Sum of Six Hundred Pounds current Money of the State of PA to be paid as follows: to wit, Fifty Pounds when he has had the Plantation one year in his Possession or up to my herein after said Executor for the use of my Daughter Elizabeth and then in each succeeding year fifty pounds to my Executor until the said Six Hundred pounds are paid, the second payment of my son Michael, the third for the use if my son Charles, and so by turns until each of my children to with, Elizabeth, Michael, and Charles has two hundred pounds. Fourthly, As touching my personal Estate, herein I give and bequeath to my son Jacob the Mare and Cow for his birthright, and I give in advance to my daughter Elizabeth her Bedstead with bedding etc....the residue to be sold to a vender and proceeds equally divided among my four children." ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ "Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L991-CHDG?cc=1999196&wc=9PM6-BZ4%3A268499201%2C268973901 : 3 July 2014), Berks county courthouses, Pennsylvania. Estates 1752-1799 Brady, Samuel-Dehart, William; Estate of Michael Decker, image 1984 of 2158;

• Source: Author: Lineages, Inc., comp Title: Lebanon County, Pennsylvania Marriages, 1769-1864: Trinity Tulpehocken Reformed Congregation Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000.Original data - Records transcribed from Family History Library copies of church records for this locality. For more information, see Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) #974.819 K2w.
• Source: Author: Gale Research Title: Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010.Original data - Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2010.Original data: Filby, P. William, ed. Passenge;
• Source: Author: Ancestry.com Title: Pennsylvania Church Records - Adams, Berks, and Lancaster Counties, 1729-1881 Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - Extracted from microfilmed transcriptions of the original church records. The microfilmed records are located at the Family History Library.Original data: