Hans Martin Kirschmann
&
Johan Martin Kirschman
Immigrate to America
Johan Martin Kirschman’s immigration story begins in 1752 in the Württemberg domain of the Palatine (Germany today) where he lived with his family. His father is Hans Martin Kirschmann and his mother is Catharine Schloweiss of Kleebrunn in Wurtemburg who was first married to the late Mr. Ehler and then married to Hans Martin Kirschmann (4). He has two sisters that we know of: Maria and Catharina.
Further research into German church records on Hans Martin Kirschmann may reveal he was of advanced age when he married Mrs. Catharine Schloweiss Ehler. It was a second marriage for her, and perhaps for him as wll. Perhaps Hans Martin Kirschmann may have additional older children in Germany. But this is only speculation.
Hans Martin Kirschmann (b. 1715 Germany d. 1760 Lunenburg, Virginia) & Catharina Schloweiss Ehler Kirschmann ( b. 1717 d. 1767)
Johan Martin Kirschman b. abt. 1737 in Württembergl; d. 1804, Bedford Co., Virginia m. Agnes Schwartz 1756, Berks Co., Pennsylvania
Maria Kirschman b. abt. 1740 in Württemberg
Catharina Kirschman b. abt. 1742 in Wurttemberg
Note: Ages are calculated based on marriage dates. Johan Martin married about 1755. When Johan Martin seeks his mother and sisters in 1761 he was not aware of either of them being married yet as he did not use their married last names. Therefore, his sisters were likely younger than him.
Further research into German records will someday tell us more about his family in Wurttemberg, but for now we know Johan Martin Kirschman was a 15-year-old young man(5) who was joining his Lutheran family in the massive German migration to America between 1730-1775 that would encompass more than 30,000 people and 320 immigrant ships.(1)
The Journey to America Begins
In the early spring of 1752 young Johan Martin Kirschman embarked with his family on a difficult long journey that typically took five to six months to complete. From Wurttemberg, the Kirschmann family took passage on a ship down the Rhine River to Rotterdam, Holland (as was customary). This trip down the Rhine lasted around four to six weeks, and over the course of the expedition the ship would be “examined at twenty-six customs houses—all at the convenience of the customs house officials which prolonged the journey. During the process, ships were detained, and the immigrant passengers spent a considerable amount of money.”(6)
Like most German immigrants of the 18th Century, when the Kirschmans finally reached Holland, they were detained with the other passengers for another few weeks while waiting to obtain passage across the Atlantic Ocean to Philadelphia. To save what little money was left, the poor immigrants camped outside the city of Rotterdam and rationed food. The Kirschman’s financial status is not known.
Finally it was time for Johan Martin Kirschman and his family to board the Edinburgh commanded by Captain James Russel. Ship manifests show the captain was experienced making the crossing to America as he had done so once a year since 1748.(7) http://www.progenealogists.com/palproject/pa/1748edin.htm
From Rotterdam the ship always sailed first to Cowes on the Isle of Wight in England to obtain clearance from the British authorities and to await favorable winds. After another week or two passed, the insufferable voyage across the Atlantic began.
Once en route to the Port of Philadelphia, the voyage would last seven to twelve more weeks depending on the winds. Johan Martin Kirschman would have been packed into the densely crowded ship with about 300 passengers, and given insufficient and improper food and water. The conditions were ideal for disease, particularly dysentery, scurvy, typhoid, and smallpox, which resulted in the death of many on board.
Eventually the Edinburgh arrived at port in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 19, 1752. Upon arrival, German immigrants were met with skepticism: eighteenth-century Pennsylvania authorities were said to have feared the extremely large number of non-British arrivals, thinking their loyalty was to their homeland and not to the British Crown. The authorities therefore devised a two-fold remedy for their fears:
1) The captains of ships importing non-British immigrants were ordered to submit lists of all the people they imported.
2) Male passengers age 16 and older were ordered to sign the oath of allegiance to the English king.
Fortunately for genealogists, these rules resulted in preserving tens of thousands of names of German ancestors. A thorough search of these names shows that Hans Martin Kirschmann is the only "Kirschman" listed in this entire book. The only other name spelling similarity occurs nearly a decade later with Johan Christian Kirschenman. But these are the only two listed.
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1752 Passenger Lists - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hans Martin Kirschmann is listed as a passenger on the ship Edinburgh with Captain James Russel, from Amsterdam, last from Cowes, which arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 19, 1752.
Source: A Collection of Thirty Thousand Names of German Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776, by Prof. L. Daniel Rupp. Published by Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc. 1985. Pg. 273 FHL 974.8 w2ra.
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Having arrived safely in the port of Philadelphia, Hans Martin Kirschmann and his fellow male passengers who were age 16 or older and deemed healthy were led to the city hall to sign their oath of allegiance to the King George II of Great Britain. On the list is found the following:
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1752 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Oath of Allegiance.
Hans Martin Kirschmann. James Russel, Captain. From Rotterdam. Last from Cowes, England. Qualified Sept. 19, 1752. (No other males 16 and over with the same or similar last name are listed. Record states the ship is from “Rotterdam” but a translation of the ship records state “Amsterdam.” Further research on the ship Edinburgh and Captain James Russel indicates he regularly sailed from Rotterdam between 1748-1753, so the translation of “Amsterdam” was likely a mistake)
Source: Names of Foreigners, who took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania 1727 to 1775. William Henry Egle, M.D. Pg. 352-352.
Once en route to the Port of Philadelphia, the voyage would last seven to twelve more weeks depending on the winds. Johan Martin Kirschman would have been packed into the densely crowded ship with about 300 passengers, and given insufficient and improper food and water. The conditions were ideal for disease, particularly dysentery, scurvy, typhoid, and smallpox, which resulted in the death of many on board.
Eventually the Edinburgh arrived at port in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 19, 1752. Upon arrival, German immigrants were met with skepticism: eighteenth-century Pennsylvania authorities were said to have feared the extremely large number of non-British arrivals, thinking their loyalty was to their homeland and not to the British Crown. The authorities therefore devised a two-fold remedy for their fears:
1) The captains of ships importing non-British immigrants were ordered to submit lists of all the people they imported.
2) Male passengers age 16 and older were ordered to sign the oath of allegiance to the English king.
Fortunately for genealogists, these rules resulted in preserving tens of thousands of names of German ancestors. A thorough search of these names shows that Hans Martin Kirschmann is the only "Kirschman" listed in this entire book. The only other name spelling similarity occurs nearly a decade later with Johan Christian Kirschenman. But these are the only two listed.
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1752 Passenger Lists - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hans Martin Kirschmann is listed as a passenger on the ship Edinburgh with Captain James Russel, from Amsterdam, last from Cowes, which arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 19, 1752.
Source: A Collection of Thirty Thousand Names of German Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776, by Prof. L. Daniel Rupp. Published by Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc. 1985. Pg. 273 FHL 974.8 w2ra.
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Having arrived safely in the port of Philadelphia, Hans Martin Kirschmann and his fellow male passengers who were age 16 or older and deemed healthy were led to the city hall to sign their oath of allegiance to the King George II of Great Britain. On the list is found the following:
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1752 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Oath of Allegiance.
Hans Martin Kirschmann. James Russel, Captain. From Rotterdam. Last from Cowes, England. Qualified Sept. 19, 1752. (No other males 16 and over with the same or similar last name are listed. Record states the ship is from “Rotterdam” but a translation of the ship records state “Amsterdam.” Further research on the ship Edinburgh and Captain James Russel indicates he regularly sailed from Rotterdam between 1748-1753, so the translation of “Amsterdam” was likely a mistake)
Source: Names of Foreigners, who took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania 1727 to 1775. William Henry Egle, M.D. Pg. 352-352.
Source: http://www.korns.org/misc/PAA-OoA/PAA-OoA-PDF.pdf (This is the book)
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A copy of the original page indicates Hans Martin Kirschman signed his own name. The writing is scribbled by today's standards, but it is his full name without the typical mark "x" as most of the other passengers used. This would indicated he was an educated man.
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A copy of the original page indicates Hans Martin Kirschman signed his own name. The writing is scribbled by today's standards, but it is his full name without the typical mark "x" as most of the other passengers used. This would indicated he was an educated man.
Once the Oath of Allegiance was signed, Hans Martin Kirschmann next had to settle his debt to the ship’s captain. Immigrants who still had some money left to pay the passage, or those with well-to-do friends or family who could pay the passage, squared their account with the Captain and were released. Many of the Palatinate Germans were too poor to pay their passage across the sea and many were sold as indentured servants to pay off their debt. The term of indenture was anywhere from three to seven years of hard labor and with extreme deprivations.
It is not known whether Hans Martin Kirschmann had sufficient funds to pay his debt or whether he or his family became indentured servants. But we do know by his wife’s account in an ad she placed to find her brother in 1757 that she was living in Luneberg, Virginia, married to Mr. Kirschmann, and was by this time “in a condition to help her brother if needed.”(4) As a result, it is concluded the Kirschmanns had sufficient funds and therefore were not indentured servants.
The New World
In America, the German-speaking Palatine immigrants were referred to as the "Pennsylvania Dutch." They weren't “Dutch” in the modern sense of Holland Dutch; but ethnic Germans or “Deutsch” who fled the Southern Rhineland Palatinate of what is now called Germany. The Pennsylvania Dutch language is ultimately a derivative of Palatinate German.
As soon as they could, the newly arrived German immigrants set off to establish themselves in their new country. The German immigration through the port of Philadelphia by so many people of the same characteristics and with much the same goals soon crowded the counties that were adjacent to the growing city and county of Philadelphia.
In 1752 the Palatine Germans settled beyond the Quakers of Philadelphia County into the Western Frontier of York, Lancaster, and newly created Berks counties. Some say Pennsylvania gave these hardy Germans land on the Western Frontier in an effort to set up a buffer zone between the Indians and the Quakers who would not bear arms. The western frontier of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania were basically at the mercy of the savage Indians who frequently attacked the unprotected settlements. The end of the “Seven Years War” (1754-1762) between the English and the French and Indians would eventually resolve that problem.
When the Germans discovered they were welcome in Maryland and Virginia and could settle on land less exposed to hostile Indians, they left Pennsylvania in force. It was these German families who built all of those marvelous old stone farmhouses and the magnificent barns throughout Pennsylvania, Western Maryland around Frederick County, and in Virginia/West Virginia.
Eventually the Pennsylvania Dutch would settled a region stretching from just north of Philadelphia, west through Lancaster and York, then down through Winchester, the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, through the Piedmont of North Carolina, and central Georgia. By 1790 they had also established colonies in western Virginia territory, which is a region we now call Kentucky.
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County Formations in Pennsylvania: (8)
1749: York (from Lancaster Co.)
1752: Berks & Northampton (from Lancaster Co.)
1771: Bedford (from Cumberland Co.)
1878: Lackawanna (last county to be formed in Pennsylvania)
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Note: Regarding the birth place of Agnes Schwartz Kirschman: Some family tree listings on the internet show Agnes Schwartz was born around the 1730s in or “of” Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, so it should be noted that Lackawanna was created in 1878, long after Agnes was born and died. It is also in an area several counties north of Berks and not located along the usual migratory path of these Pennsylvania Dutch Pioneers prior to the 1800s. Though it may be possible the Schwartz family may have immigrated to Lackawanna county, it is not where Agnes was born in the 1730s.
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Kirschmans in Pennsylvania
As the Kirschman's journey in America continues, documentation shows many variations in spellings of the German surname as it eventually evolves into the anglicized "Cashman." Hans Martin Kirschman knew how to write, and of course, spell his name as evidence by the ship's log. But his son and grandsons did not learn how to write their names (evidence by their mark "x") so they were dependant on the scribes taking the information to spell the name the way it sounded. Ergo, the variations in spellings are great.
Kirshman Kishman Kiessman Kersman Keshman Cashman
While this narrative will use the main spelling of the name as “Kirschman”to avoid confusion, transcriptions of documents are left as the name was spelled on the original document.
In 1752 Johan Martin Kirschman and his family arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Documentation on his early life in Pennsylvania is mostly unavailable, but within a few years Ms. Agnesia Schwartz caught his attention. Though only about 18 years old, a courtship ensued and marriage followed. The year is calculated to be about 1755, about one year prior to the birth of their first child.
1755 Pennsylvania
Johan Martin Kirschman marries Agnesia Schwartz.
The first record of Johan Martin Kirschman living in Pennsylvania is found in Berks County in 1756, which at this time lied on the northern boundary of Philadelphia County. The Germans in Berks County were far more numerous than all the other settlers combined. They settled the best lands and there built homes, churches, and school houses.
http://books.google.com/books?id=FVQVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA199&lpg=PA199&dq=Moselem+Church+in+Richmond+Pennsylvania&source=bl&ots=Yy0C2FQR1A&sig=UCDePBRtBPaYuI91pUlaJG8bA0g&hl=en&ei=KFN3SsrfPIqmNsHf8LAM&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4#v=onepage&q=&f=false
One of the first buildings erected in Berks County was the old Zion Moselem Church in the township of Richmond.(9) The records of this old Lutheran church show Johan Martin Kirschman and his wife baptizing their infant son Johan George Kirschman.
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1756 Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Joh. Georg. Kirschman is born 5 May 1756 to Martin and Agnesia Schwartz Kirschman. Baptized 23 May 1756 in the Moselem Lutheran Church.
Source: Pennsylvania Births, Berks County 1710-1780. John T. Humphrey. Humphrey Publications. Pg. 177; FHL 974.816 k2h.
Source: Berks County Church Records of the 18th Century Vol. 2, F. Edward Wright. Family Line Publications. Pg. 192. FHL 974.816 k2
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Pennsylvania’s Berks County was comprised of several small townships or villages. The Quakers were the pioneers of the town of Maidencreek, named after the stream that flows through it. But in 1756 when the town’s governing assembly declared war on the native Indians – offering rewards for Indian scalps – the peace-seeking Quakers resigned and left. This opened up land and opportunity for other Germans to move in. Maidencreek flourished and grew for nearly a century until it was divided, forming the new town of Ontelaunee in1849.(9)
From 1756 to 1767 Johan Martin Kirschman is documented to be living in Maidencreek, Berks, Pennsylvania. Although birth records of only two of his children are found here, it is concluded all children born to Johan Martin and Agnes Kirschman between 1756 and 1768 were likely born in Maidencreek, Berks, Pennsylvania where they are documented to be living.
Sometime before 1757, Johan Martin Kirschman’s parents and two sisters moved south into Lunenburg, Virginia. The Kirschman family was now, like so many other immigrant families, separated from beloved extended family members with minimal means to communicate. Many immigrants had not heard from family since they left their homeland abroad.
Without an organized postal system or any other means of long-distant communication, how would immigrants find their missing relatives? As was customary among the Pennsylvania Dutch at this time, they placed a notice in the Pennsylvanische Berichte German newspaper. On a trip back to Pennsylvania to visit her son Johan Martin Kirschman and new grandson Georg, Catharina Kirschman published the following notice:
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1757 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Notice in Pennsylvanische Berichte (newspaper) October 29, 1757 reads:
"If there is a person in the country by the name of Joh. Gottlieb Schloweiss, he is informed that his sister Catharina Ehler from Kleebrunn in Wurtemburg, but now living in Lunenberg near Halifax, has come to Phila. and seeks her brother Gottlieb Schloweiss and cannot find him. She is now married the second time to Mr. Kirschmann in Lunenberg and is in a condition to help her brother if he needs it."
Source: Notices by German and Swiss Settlers seeking information of members of their families, kindred, or friends 1742 – 1761. Anita L. Eyster. Pg. 16 FHL 974.8 A1 #526. (4)
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It is not known whether Catharina Kirschmann found her brother. However, Anita L. Eyster, who compiled the above book, did not name the ship on which Joh. Gottlieb Schloweiss immigrated as she did with most everyone else, which means his name isn’t listed on any immigration or oath of allegiance lists. Either he arrived while still under age 16 or perhaps Mr. Schloweiss did not survive the journey across the Atlantic.
Fortunately, her notice gives us additional information about Johan Martin Kirschman’s mother Catharina: Mr. Schloweiss and Catharina Schloweiss Ehler Kirschman are from Kleebrunn in Wurttemberg. Catharina was married previously to Mr. Ehler who died. Gottlieb Schloweiss set sail for America prior to Catharina marrying Hans Martin Kirschmann because she had to tell him about her second marriage to Mr. Kirschmann.
More than three years had passed. Johan Martin Kirschman had not heard from his sisters and now-widowed mother for some time so he sought to find word of them. His wife Agnes also desired to learn of her two brothers. Johan Martin Kirschman published the following notice:
One of the first buildings erected in Berks County was the old Zion Moselem Church in the township of Richmond.(9) The records of this old Lutheran church show Johan Martin Kirschman and his wife baptizing their infant son Johan George Kirschman.
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1756 Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Joh. Georg. Kirschman is born 5 May 1756 to Martin and Agnesia Schwartz Kirschman. Baptized 23 May 1756 in the Moselem Lutheran Church.
Source: Pennsylvania Births, Berks County 1710-1780. John T. Humphrey. Humphrey Publications. Pg. 177; FHL 974.816 k2h.
Source: Berks County Church Records of the 18th Century Vol. 2, F. Edward Wright. Family Line Publications. Pg. 192. FHL 974.816 k2
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Pennsylvania’s Berks County was comprised of several small townships or villages. The Quakers were the pioneers of the town of Maidencreek, named after the stream that flows through it. But in 1756 when the town’s governing assembly declared war on the native Indians – offering rewards for Indian scalps – the peace-seeking Quakers resigned and left. This opened up land and opportunity for other Germans to move in. Maidencreek flourished and grew for nearly a century until it was divided, forming the new town of Ontelaunee in1849.(9)
From 1756 to 1767 Johan Martin Kirschman is documented to be living in Maidencreek, Berks, Pennsylvania. Although birth records of only two of his children are found here, it is concluded all children born to Johan Martin and Agnes Kirschman between 1756 and 1768 were likely born in Maidencreek, Berks, Pennsylvania where they are documented to be living.
Sometime before 1757, Johan Martin Kirschman’s parents and two sisters moved south into Lunenburg, Virginia. The Kirschman family was now, like so many other immigrant families, separated from beloved extended family members with minimal means to communicate. Many immigrants had not heard from family since they left their homeland abroad.
Without an organized postal system or any other means of long-distant communication, how would immigrants find their missing relatives? As was customary among the Pennsylvania Dutch at this time, they placed a notice in the Pennsylvanische Berichte German newspaper. On a trip back to Pennsylvania to visit her son Johan Martin Kirschman and new grandson Georg, Catharina Kirschman published the following notice:
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1757 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Notice in Pennsylvanische Berichte (newspaper) October 29, 1757 reads:
"If there is a person in the country by the name of Joh. Gottlieb Schloweiss, he is informed that his sister Catharina Ehler from Kleebrunn in Wurtemburg, but now living in Lunenberg near Halifax, has come to Phila. and seeks her brother Gottlieb Schloweiss and cannot find him. She is now married the second time to Mr. Kirschmann in Lunenberg and is in a condition to help her brother if he needs it."
Source: Notices by German and Swiss Settlers seeking information of members of their families, kindred, or friends 1742 – 1761. Anita L. Eyster. Pg. 16 FHL 974.8 A1 #526. (4)
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It is not known whether Catharina Kirschmann found her brother. However, Anita L. Eyster, who compiled the above book, did not name the ship on which Joh. Gottlieb Schloweiss immigrated as she did with most everyone else, which means his name isn’t listed on any immigration or oath of allegiance lists. Either he arrived while still under age 16 or perhaps Mr. Schloweiss did not survive the journey across the Atlantic.
Fortunately, her notice gives us additional information about Johan Martin Kirschman’s mother Catharina: Mr. Schloweiss and Catharina Schloweiss Ehler Kirschman are from Kleebrunn in Wurttemberg. Catharina was married previously to Mr. Ehler who died. Gottlieb Schloweiss set sail for America prior to Catharina marrying Hans Martin Kirschmann because she had to tell him about her second marriage to Mr. Kirschmann.
More than three years had passed. Johan Martin Kirschman had not heard from his sisters and now-widowed mother for some time so he sought to find word of them. His wife Agnes also desired to learn of her two brothers. Johan Martin Kirschman published the following notice:
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1761 Maiden Creek Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Notice in Pennsylvanische Berichte (newspaper) reads: Feb. 13, 1761 reads:
"Joh. Martin Kirschmann, from the Wurttemberg domain of the Palatine Duke in Weiler, would like to know the whereabouts of his mother, Catharina Kirschmann, his brothers in law Christian & Friedrich Schwartz, and his sisters Maria & Catharina Kirschmann. Joh. Martin Kirschmann is living in Maidencreek Tp. Berks Co. "
"Joh. Martin Kirschmann, from the Wurttemberg domain of the Palatine Duke in Weiler, would like to know the whereabouts of his mother, Catharina Kirschmann, his brothers in law Christian & Friedrich Schwartz, and his sisters Maria & Catharina Kirschmann. Joh. Martin Kirschmann is living in Maidencreek Tp. Berks Co. "
Ship Edinburgh, Sep. 19, 1752 Hans Martin Kirschmann (added by author Anita L. Eyster)
Souce: Notices by German and Swiss Settlers seeking information of members of their families, kindred, or friends 1742 – 1761. Anita L. Eyster. Pg. 21 FHL 974.8 A1 #526 (4)
Source: German Settlers of Penn. Sowers Newspaper for 13 Feb. 1761. Pg. 92
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This 1761 notice tell us a great deal about the Kirschman family, including where the Johan Martin & Agnes are living. It also gives the names of various family members, but in particular it names Johan Martin's mother, Catharina, which helps us match her to the earlier notice of 1759.
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Interestingly, Johan Martin Kirschman must have known his father Hans Martin Kirschman had died since he isn’t looking for him. He also isn't looking for any brothers, and since no other Kirschmans can be found in this area, it can be concluded that he did not have any living brothers in America.
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Given the difficulty of travel by covered wagons, it's unlikely the Kirschman family lived in other counties between the time they are found on records of Berks County, Pennsylvania at the birth of their first child in 1756, placed a notice in 1761, and the birth of son Christian in 1766 all in Berks Co.
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1766 Berks County, Pennsylvania
Christian Kirschmann born 9 Feb 1766 to Martin and Agnes Kirschmann.
Baptized on 12 March 1766 in the Moselem Lutheran Church.
Christian Kirschmann born 9 Feb 1766 to Martin and Agnes Kirschmann.
Baptized on 12 March 1766 in the Moselem Lutheran Church.
Source: Pennsylvania Births, Berks County 1710-1780. John T. Humphrey. Humphrey Publications. Pg. 177; FHL 974.816 k2h.
Source: Berks County Church Records of the 18th Century Vol. 2. F. Edward Wright. Family Line Publications. Pg. 192. FHL 974.816 k2
Source: Berks County Church Records of the 18th Century Vol. 2. F. Edward Wright. Family Line Publications. Pg. 192. FHL 974.816 k2
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In 1767 Johan Martin Kirschman and his family are still living in Berks County, Pennsylvania where he is found on the tax list. During the time from 1756 to 1767 in Berks County, Johan Martin Kirschman kept busy with farming and being a carpenter. Johan Martin did not yet own land.
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1767 Maiden Creek Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Martin Kirschman, carpenter, is taxed for 1 horse and 2 cattle. No acres.
Source: Tax List of Berks County 1767. Family Line Publications. FHL 974.816
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~evilsizer/1767berk.html
Note: The Township of Ontelaunee was formed out of Maidencreek in 1849, nearly 80 years after the Kirschman family left Maidencreek, Berks County, Penn.
Martin Kirschman, carpenter, is taxed for 1 horse and 2 cattle. No acres.
Source: Tax List of Berks County 1767. Family Line Publications. FHL 974.816
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~evilsizer/1767berk.html
Note: The Township of Ontelaunee was formed out of Maidencreek in 1849, nearly 80 years after the Kirschman family left Maidencreek, Berks County, Penn.
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Johan Martin & Agnes Kirschman Family:
Johan George Kirschman b. 5 May 1756, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Catherine Kirschman (Abt. 1760) Berks County, Pennsylvania
Johan Martin Kirschman, Jr. (Martin Cashman) (10 July 1762) Berks County, Pennsylvania
Mary Kirschman (Abt. 1764) Berks County, Pennsylvania
Christian Kirschman b. 9 Feb 1766, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Abraham Kirschman (abt. 1768) Berks County, Pennsylvania
Elizabeth Kirschman b. 31 October 1775, York County, Pennsylvania
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The only birth records found are for George and Christian, both of whom were baptized in the Zion Moselem Lutheran Church in Berks County, and the youngest child Elizabeth in York County. All the other dates above in parenthesis are approximated or given by various family researchers, but the names are listed in the same order as they appear on their father’s will. It appears that the Kirschman family suffered the loss of several children as evidenced by gaps in ages between the children.
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Conflicts with the British
The French & Indian War (also known as the Seven Years War) ended in 1763 with a treaty signed by the British Government with the Indians that promised settlers would not cross the Appalachian Mountains – if they did, it was at the peril of their lives with no retaliation from the British. As long as settlers stayed east of the Appalachian Mountains, they had little fear of Indian attacks on the western frontiers of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. As a result, the Germans began migrating westward in force, stopping only at the Appalachians.
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By the early 1770s political tensions escalated between Britain’s King George and his Colonial subjects. The British laws became oppressive. Johan Martin Kirschman, like his fellow colonists, was plagued by English taxes used to pay for that Seven-Years War and all the Redcoat soldiers now stationed in the colonies to enforce the oppressive laws. In 1773 news of an “Indian” raid on a British tea ship in Boston had reached Berks County.
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More troubling was the news of fighting between the local militia and British soldiers had started in Massachusetts in 1775. The rebellion (depending on one’s point of view) spread throughout the Colonies: Revolutionaries had gained control of each of the thirteen colonial governments, had set up a Second Continental Congress, and had formed a Continental Army.
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Like so many other settlers, Johan Martin Kirschman had already packed the family's covered wagon and was moving westward. By 1775, the Kirschman family were well on their way following the Monocacy Trail toward the rich, fertile lands of the Cumberland Valley.
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The "Monocacy Trail" to Maryland
The "Monocacy Trail" to Maryland
One of the many Pennsylvania Dutch early migration routes was the “Monocacy Trail.” It led from Philadelphia southwest through Lancaster and York counties of southeastern Pennsylvania before crossing into Maryland, and then ending in the rich, fertile Cumberland Valley of Frederick County, Maryland. Immigrants traveling from Pennsylvania to Virginia used the Monocacy Trail to Frederick County and then connected to the Braddock Trail to cross the Potomac River into Berkeley County, Virginia where the beautiful Shenandoah Valley begins on the western side. (11)
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See Map of the Monocacy Trail (spring green) – SE Pennsylvania to Frederick, Maryland
http://noel.mcn.org/Westmoreland/MigrationTrails.htm
http://noel.mcn.org/Westmoreland/MigrationTrails.htm
For description and history of Monocacy Trail:
See Map of 1776 Pennsylvania: http://www.familyhistory101.com/maps/pa_cf.html//
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The Kleikam (Claycomb) family, who would soon become involved in the Kirschman family’s life, left Lancaster County around 1770 on the Monocacy Trail to Frederick, and then traveled on the Braddock Trail to settle in Berkeley County, Virginia around 1773. (12)
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The Kleikam (Claycomb) family, who would soon become involved in the Kirschman family’s life, left Lancaster County around 1770 on the Monocacy Trail to Frederick, and then traveled on the Braddock Trail to settle in Berkeley County, Virginia around 1773. (12)
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In the spring of 1775 from Berks County, Johan Martin Kirshman and his family started on the Monocacy Trail through southeastern Pennsylvania. They moved quickly through Lancaster County and on into York County where they remained for the winter. A record of them is found in the fall of 1775 when their infant Elizabeth is born in York County:
In the spring of 1775 from Berks County, Johan Martin Kirshman and his family started on the Monocacy Trail through southeastern Pennsylvania. They moved quickly through Lancaster County and on into York County where they remained for the winter. A record of them is found in the fall of 1775 when their infant Elizabeth is born in York County:
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1775 York County, Pennsylvania (Formed in 1749 from Lancaster Co.)
Elizabeth Kirschman is born on 31 October 1775 to Martin and Agnes Kirschman.
Source: Pennsylvania Births, York County 1730-1800. FHL 974.841 k2hj
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1775 York County, Pennsylvania (Formed in 1749 from Lancaster Co.)
Elizabeth Kirschman is born on 31 October 1775 to Martin and Agnes Kirschman.
Source: Pennsylvania Births, York County 1730-1800. FHL 974.841 k2hj
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In the Spring of 1776 after the snows had melted and the ground hardened enough for wagon wheels, Johan Martin Kirschman loaded his family back into their covered wagon and set off again on the Monocacy Trail to the Cumberland Valley.
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Johan Martin Kirschman was eager to get his family safely settled before war reached this area.
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To continue reading this sage of the Kirschman Family's Journey in America, click on "older posts" at bottom right hand corner.
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