Eckler Family Bible

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

AN ECKLER FAMILY RECORD

David Kendall Martin, F.A.S.G.

Pre-Revolutionary 18th century Bible records for Mohawk Valley families are important discoveries. Although it remains elusive, such a prize is the Eckler family Bible.

In August 1949 Albert Ross Eckler, PhD., author of The Eckler-Ackler-Ackley Family (1970) and now of Spring Valley Road, Morristown, New Jersey 07960, found the Bible on the shelf of a closet in the home of Mrs. Maggie Gage, born in 1874, a daughter of Eli and Emily (Ackler) Spohn. Mrs. Gage lived 1.7 miles west of Columbia Center in Herkimer County, New York. At that time Ross Eckler made a careful transcript of the Bible's family record, a transcript he is generously willing to share.

Subsequently, about 1985, when he returned to recheck the Bible, he found Mrs. Gage had died. Her granddaughter, Beulah (House) , widow of Schuyler Dievendorf, thought she had the Bible in her attic, but was vague about its location. Ross Eckler visited her twice more to see the Bible, but without success. His last visit was in 1988 when he was bitten by her dog and required a tetanus booster shot. The following year Mrs. Dievendorf died. When Ross talked with her daughter who lived next door, she allowed him a brief examination of the attic, but he could not find the Bible there. Since then, Ken D. Johnson of Grand Island, Nebraska, has looked for the Bible in the neighborhood, but to no avail. Its whereabouts today are unknown.

The Bible is in German. From Ross Eckler's notes made in 1949 we know that on the inside front cover, in the upper righthand corner, are the words (probably handwritten):

Anno 1754 Con Gebi

This might be the year the Bible was purchased. The meaning of Con Gebi is not clear. One guess is that it is the Italian con (with) and the German Gebet (prayer). In the printed text appears:

Mit Urkund diesel Briefs besiegelt mit Unserm Kayseri. aufgedrucken Secret-Insiegel, der geben ist zu Wien den dreg und zwantzigsten Augusti Anno Siebenzehen hundert Sieben und Vierzig, Unsers Reichs im Zweyten.

That is, "With attestation by letter sealed with our imperial separate-seal affixed, which was given at Vienna the twenty-third of August in the year seventeen hundred forty-seven, the second year of our reign," referring to the Holy Roman Emperor Francis I who began to rule in 1745. The question immediately arises, is this a Catholic or a Protestant Bible? As the Bible's title page - and now the entire Bible - are missing, these are our best clues to its date and origin.

The family record in the Bible is for the family of Johan Hendrick Eckler, aged 21, a passenger on the ship Loyal Judith, which sailed from Rotterdam, stopped at Cowes in England, and landed in Philadelphia on 25 September 1732; and of his wife Anna Margaretha Jung, no doubt the Anna Margreth, a twin of Johann Henrich, born 24 January 1716, children of Henrich and Anna Margreth Jung, sponsored at baptism in the Palatine camps in the Schoharie Valley by Conrad Scheutz and Ottilia Weber (for Johann Henrich) and Jacob Weber and Anna Margretha Zimmerman (for Anna Margreth), as recorded by the Rev. Joshua Kocherthal (Lou D. MacWethy: The Book of Names; St.Johnsville, New York, 1933; reprinted by the Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, 1969, pg.32; and Walter Allen Knittle: Early Eighteenth Century Palatine Emigration; Philadelphia, 1937; reprinted by the Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, 1965, "The Simmendinger Register" pg.295. See also Henry Z Jones, Jr., F.A.S.G.: The Palatine Families of New York; Universal City, California, 1985, pp.422+, and More Palatine Families; Universal City, California, 1991, pp.345-6). Full details for the individuals mentioned in the family record are found in Ross Eckler's book cited above, hereafter the Eckler genealogy. Identifications, translations, and questionable readings of words and letters have been added in brackets below. Translations of the various German formulas are given only the first time they are met.

[inside front cover page]:

Joh Hendrik Eckler Bin Gebohren im Jahr Christi 17ii Den 16 oktober und meine Ehfrau annamargretha Ekier ist gebohren im Jahr Christi 1716 Den 14 November. [...was born in the year of Christ 1711 the 16 October and my wife ... was born in the year of Christ 1716 the 14 November.]

1743 Den augustus ist meine Dochter Maria Cattrina in dem [Herrn] Entschlaffen. [... my daughter ... fell asleep in the Lord]

1743 Den 8 augustus ist mein Sohn Johannis in dem [Herrn] Entschlaffen

1746 Den 5 may ist mein Sohn Stoffel in dem Herrn Entschlaffen. [son Christopher]

1764 den 27 November ist mein Sohn Hendrick und. Meine Dochter Liesa Catharina in den Ehstand Getretten. [... my son Hendrick and my daughter Liesa Catharina entered into marriage. This is a double wedding of Hendrick Eckler Jr. with Christina -and his sister, Elizabeth Catharina Eckler, with. Michael Snyder.]

Anno 1764 Den 27 November bin Ich Michael Schneider mit meinen Lieben Haussfrau Liesa Catharina in Den Ehstand getrett[en]. [... I, Michael Schneider, entered into marriage with my beloved wife ...

Anno 1765 Den 10 September rnorgens ist mir Meine Dochter anna rnargretha zur welt gebahren Die tauffgezeugen waren Hendrick Eckeler und seine Haus frau [... in the morning my [Michael Snyder's] daughter ... was born into the world to me [.] The sponsors at her baptism were Hendrick Eckler and his wife.]

[change of ink] Anno 1767 Den 30 tag [Mots?, hard to read, Marz?, i.e. March] ist mir meine Dochter lisabet [?, hard to read] zu welt gebohren Die tauf-gezeugen waren _Casper Caver [?, hard to read surname] and seine Ehfrau. [Elizabeth Snyder, daughter of Michael].

Anno 1769 Den 15 Januari 1st mir meine Docher [sic] Mag[t]elena zur welt gebahren Die tauffgezeigen waren Johannes Eckler und Magtelena 8chneidern. [The child is Magdelena Snyder, daughter of Michael].

[Three intervening Snyder children were not recorded in this Bible record; see the Eckler genealogy pg.122.]

[change of ink] Anno 1782 Der 17 Meij Ist Mir mein Sohn pitter zur Welt Geboren Die Dauff Gezeige [i.e. Taufgezeugeza waren pitter Eckler und seine Haus frau [Peter Snyder, son of Michael].

[here follows some writing too faint to read but with dates after 1800] Double space - 4 times

[first loose page, apparently tucked inside the front of the Bible]

Anno 1797 Den 6 Janauari ist mir mein [Sohn] Henrick zur Welt geboren Die tauf[ge]zeigen waren Henrick Eckler und ] Eckler [son of Peter and Christina (Kramer) Eckler; six previous children of this couple were not recorded in this Bible record; see the Eckler genealogy pp.360-1]

Anno 1799 Den 17 August 1st mir me n Sohn Benjamen zur Welt Gebohren Die taufzeigerrIViaren Kunrata Haus und seine Has [sic] frau [son of Peter and Christina (Kramer) Eckler]

[different writing] Anne 1801 Den 22 July ist mir mein Sohn Gottfrit zur Welt gebohren Die tauf gezeig[en] [waren] Vonhorn; no given name recorded, Van Horn] und seine Hausfrau [son of Peter and Christina (Kramer) Eckler]

[Three children of this couple born after Godfrey were William, Christina, and Elizabeth Eckler (see the Eckler genealogy pg.361. The rest of this page has faded very badly, but apparently the writing is English, not German, and the dates are after 1800. Perhaps this is a record of the births of these three children.]

[second loose page, apparently tucked inside the front of the Bible]:

Anno 1738 auf Martine, bin ich Hendrich Eckler mit meiner Lieber haussfrau Anamargretha Jungin in den Heiligen Ehstand getreten Zusammen Kinder gezeugen folget. (... at Martinmas (i.e. 11 November, St. Martin's Day), I Hendrich Eckler entered together with my dear wife Anna Margaretha Jung into the Holy state of matrimony [.] [Our] witnessed [i.e. baptized] children follow.]

Anno 1739 den 11 augustus ist mir men [sic] sohn Hendrick zur welt gebohren die tauf gezeugen waren Hendrich Jung und seine Ehefrau.

Anno 1740 den 13 November 1st mir meine Dochter Maria Cathrina zur welt gebohren die tauff gezeugen waren Jost Kremer und Maria Cathrina Jungen.

Anno 1742 den 12 october ist mir mein sohn Johanne zur welt gebohren die Tauff gezeugen waren Jo-hannes Jung und Marialisabeth Krausin.

Anno 1744 den 12 Augustus ist mir mein sohn Stoffel zur welt gebohren die Tauffgezeugen waren Hendrich Jung und seine Ehefrau.

Anno 1746 den 17 September is [sic] mir rneine Dochter Lisacathrina zur welt gebohren die Tauff gezeugen waren Hendrich Walrath und seine Ehefrau.

Anno 1748 den 25 December ist mir mein Sohn Stoffel zur welt gebohren die Tauffgezeugen waren Theodores Kral und Gertraud Jungen

Anno 1751 den 24 Juni ist mir mein sohn Johanes zur welt gebohren die Tauffgezeugen waren Johannes Vetterly und Lisabeth Jungen.

Anno 1754 den 2 July is [sic] mir mein Sohn Petter zur welt gebohren die Tauffgezeugen waren Petter Adami und. Anamargretha Habermann.

Anno 1757 der 30 October ist mir mein sohn Jacob zur welt gebohren die Tauffgezeugen waren Jacob Contriman und Margretha Disch[b/lo]tin

Anno 1760 den 22 May 1st mir mein sohn Johan Leonhard zur welt gebohren die Tauff gezeugen waren Hendrick Walratt Junir und Cathrina Kremerin.

[first page in the back of the Bible]:

Anno 1775 Den 20 December 1st Mir Meine Dochter Catrina zur welt Gebohren die daufgezeigen Henrick Eckler und Seine hausfrau. [daughter of Christopher and Catharine ( ) Eckler]

Anno 1779 [sic - the Eckler genealogy gives his year of birth as 1777] Den 8 Abrill 1st Mir Mein Sohn pitter zur welt gebohren die dauff gezeugen waren pitter Eckler Berned diefentorf [son of Christopher and Catharine ( - ) Eckler]

Anno 1782 Den 2 Juni 1st Mir Meine dochter Anna zur welt gebohren die Dauf gez[eugen] waren, Henrich Eckler Junior und Seine hausfrau. [daughter of Christopher and Catharine ( ) Eckler]

Anno 1785 Den 15 Agust [sic] 1st Mir Mein Sohn Stoffel zur welt gebohren Die dauf Gezeigen waren Jacob Walrath and seine hausfrau. [son of Christopher and Catharine Eckler]

Anno 1787 Den 19 Nofember [the Eckler genealogy gives 1788] 1st Mir Mein sohn Nicolas zur welt Gebohren die Dauf gezeigen wahren Steffanies Eiseman und seine haus frau [son of Christopher and Catharine ( ) Eckler]

[faint] Anno 1790 Den 27 Augst fsicj 1st mir Mein sohn Johannis zur welt gebohren die tauff gezeigen fwaren - (not legible)] und seine hausfrau

[There are two additional children of Christopher and Catharine ( ) Eckler not recorded in this Bible; see the Eckler genealogy _ pg.68.]

Ano [sic] 1763 Catharine Young was born July the 4th [probably a daughter of Jacob and Dorothy (Rickert) Young; she married 11 March 1787 Leonard Eckler at Fort Plain; see the Eckler genealogy pg. 271.]

[pencil, faint] Stofels Ecklers Kind ist gestorben Den 8 April in 1792. [probably Stoffel (Christopher) born 1785 above]

[second page in the back of the Bible]:

Anno 1788 Den 24 May ist mir meine Dochter Anna margreda zur welt gebohren die dauf gezeigen waren Adam Jung und seine Hausfrau. [daughter of Leonard and Catharine (Young) Eckler]

Anno 1790 Den 21 July 1st mir sohn [sic] Jacob zur Welt gebohren Die dauf Gezeigen waren Jacob Jung und seine Hausfrau [son of Leonard and Catharine (Young) Eckler]

Anno 1791 Den 28 nofember 1st Mir Mine sohn Jeri zur welt gebohren Die tauf gezeigen waren Jeri Jung und Annamargreta Eckler [son of Leonard and Catharine (Young) Eckler]

Anno 1793 Den 26 Mertz 1st mir mein Sohn Henrich zur welt gebohren Die tauf gezeigen waren Henrich Eckler und seine hausfrau [son of Leonard and Catharine (Young) Eckler]

Anno 1795 Den 9 Juny 1st mir mein Sohn Atam zur wel [sic] gebohren Die tauf Gezeigen waren Gorg Schall und seine hausfrau [son of Leonard and Catharine (Young) Eckler]

Anno 179[7?] Den 12 febervary 1st mir mein Sohn Leonhart zur welt gebohren. Die Dauf gezeige 5_63 waren meine muter Margret Eckler [son of Leonard and Catharine (Young) Eckler]

Anno 1802 den 11 december ist margreta Eckler in dem herren EndSchlaffen [This could be Margaret Hoover/Hoyerf wife of Johanes Eckler born 1751 above.]

Anno 1803 Dem 6 January ist mir mein Sohn Johannes zuhr weld gebohren die tauf gezeigen wahren John Rickert und Dorode Young [son of Leonard and Catharine (Young) Eckler]

[very faint writing, dates after 1800; 24 of abril 1814 can be read]

Anno 1802 den 24 october ist meine mutter Magerred in der Herrn entschlafen. [Anna Margaretha Jung, wife of Joh Hendrik Eckler, the immigrant]

[third page in the back of the Bible]:

Anno 1776 Den 14 Nofember Ist Mein [Sohn] Henrich zur Welt Gebohren Die dauff gezeugen 'waren] Henrich Eckler und Seine haus frau [son of John and Margaret (Hoover/Hoyer) Eckler]

Anno 1778 Den 10 october ist Mir Mein Sohn [Jacob? zur Welt Gebohren Die dauf gezeugen waren Jacob haberman und Seine Haus frau. [son of John and Margaret (Hoover/Hoyer) Eckler]

Anno 1780 Den 10 December Ist MierMeine dochter Ehliessabeth sur Welt Gebohren Die Dauf Gezeugen wahren Nigel Schneiter und Seine Haus frau [daughter of John and Margaret (Hoover/Hoyer) Eckler]

Anno 1782 Den 5 October 1st mier Mein Sohn Johannes zur welt gebohren die dauf gezeugen wahren Daniel Ullendorf und Seine Haus frau [son of John and Margaret (Hoover/Hoyer) Eckler]

Anno 1783 den [8?] Agust [sic] 1st Mir Mein Sohn Christ Jan [Christian] zur welt gebohren die dauffgezeugen Wahren Gottlieb Schneider und Seine Ehfrau. [son of John and Margaret (Hoover/Hoyer) Eckler]

Anno 1788 den 5 october ist Mir Mein [Sohn] Pitter zur welt gebohren Die dauf Gezeugen [waren] pitter Eckler und Seine Haus frau. [son of John and Margaret (Hoover/Hoyer) Eckler] [faint] Ano [sic]

1790 den [?] Juny [ist mir mein Sohn?] Daniel zur [Welt gebohren die Taufgezeugenfl waren [ (illegible) Eckler und seine Haus frau? [son of John and Margaret (Hoover/Hoyer) Eckler]

1794 den 18 october ist mir meine tochder [zufl Margreta zur welt gebohren die tauffgezeigen Wahren Konrat hays Margrata [fell] [daughter of John and Margaret (Hoover/Hoyer) Eckler]

1798 Den 21 July ist mir Mein Sohn [Daniel?] zur welt gebohren Die daufgezeigen waren Christoffel Eckler und seine Eh [frau.] [son of John and Margaret (Hoover/Hoyer) Eckler]

[The handwriting of this entry and that directly opposite on the previous page telling of the death of Margaret (Jung) Eckler match] Anno 1781 Den 6 December 1st Mein [vatte(r?)] Henrich Eckler In dem [Herrn] Ent Schlaffen