Monday, November 19, 2007
Nicholas’ Son William
William Jenkins, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jenkins, in answering a questionnaire in 1876 said that he was born "At Mr. Thomas Beer’s Lot 50" in 1783. He said they sailed "In ‘1783' in the Polly - From the United States of America", that they landed in 1783, that "Mary Jenkins Died on the passage", named his father, Nicholas Jenkins, as being the first shoemaker in their area, and said the oldest wayside tavern he knew of belonged to Nicholas Jenkins. But he also said that his brother, James Jenkins, was the first born in their settlement after coming there, possibly meaning that James was the first born in Pownal after relocating from their original home in Vernon River, Lot 49. [Source: PAPEI, Acc. 2702, Series 20, Vol. 296-317, William Jenkins.] [No birth or christening record for William Jenkins has been found. Could it be that William mixed the story of the "Polly" with that of the troop transport ship from Charlottetown to Quebec? Or was the "Polly" the ship that brought the family from New York about 1787 after their arrival back from Germany?] Next door neighbour Peter Praught, born in Lot 50, PEI in 1796, in answering the same questionnaire as William Jenkins in 1876 said the old men and women he remembered were "Nicholas Jenkins and his wife. He was born in Germany. And she was born in New York". [Source: PAPEI, Acc. 2702, Series 20, Vol. 296-317, Peter Praught.]
William Jenkins died in 1880. The Examiner of 1 March 1880 says he died aged 92, which would have him born about 1787. This is about the year of Nicholas and family arriving on the Island from Germany, and is considered possible. Some time before 1810 William married Eleanor Acorn. They lived in Birch Hill, Lot 49, PE on land where the Birch Hill Church of Scotland now stands, and next door to Peter Ballem. A deed dated 20 Feb 1855 transferred 50 acres to son Joseph, William signing and Eleanor marking an 'X'. Another deed dated 1862 signed by William, Eleanor and Benjamin covered sale of land to the Church of Scotland for a church. William and Eleanor had 11 children as follows:
1. Elizabeth Jenkins, born 6 March 1810, died 7 April 1905, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married Martin Myers 12 March 1831 and had 11 children.
2. Margaret Ann Jenkins, born 20 August 1811, died 1905, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married James B. Roberts 5 August 1835 and had 7 children.
3. James Gray Jenkins, born 1815, died 6 August 1900, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Jane J. Burhoe and had 9 children.
4. William (Billy Dundas) Jenkins, born 1 August 1819, died 15 September 1900. He married Mary Burhoe 18 December 1839 and had 10 children.
5. Henry J. Jenkins, born 28 July 1820, died 23 February 1882, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Hannah Jones 30 July 1846 and had 11 children.
6. John Jenkins, born 24 December 1824, died 6 March 1909, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married first Elizabeth (Betty) Ballem 16 September 1845 and had 10 children. He married second Anna Maria MacLean 21 November 1891 and had 2 children.
7. Joseph Jenkins, born 17 February 1826, died 7 March 1907, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Anne MacPherson 7 March 1849 and had 9 children.
8. Sarah Jane Jenkins, born July 1827, died 25 January 1914, buried in Murray River Cemetery, Lot 63, PEI. She married Thomas M. Jenkins 21 November 1848 and had 12 children. Sarah and Thomas were half first cousins (their fathers were half brothers).
9. Benjamin Jenkins, born 4 April 1832, died 19 October 1919, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Mary Jane Gay 30 November 1859 and had 13 children.
10. Elinor (Leonore) Jenkins, born 4 June 1835, died 31 March 1929, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married William Bishop Ballem 31 July 1856 and had 10 children.
11. Nicholas Jenkins, born about 1837 in Birch Hill, Lot 49, PEI.
William Jenkins died in 1880. The Examiner of 1 March 1880 says he died aged 92, which would have him born about 1787. This is about the year of Nicholas and family arriving on the Island from Germany, and is considered possible. Some time before 1810 William married Eleanor Acorn. They lived in Birch Hill, Lot 49, PE on land where the Birch Hill Church of Scotland now stands, and next door to Peter Ballem. A deed dated 20 Feb 1855 transferred 50 acres to son Joseph, William signing and Eleanor marking an 'X'. Another deed dated 1862 signed by William, Eleanor and Benjamin covered sale of land to the Church of Scotland for a church. William and Eleanor had 11 children as follows:
1. Elizabeth Jenkins, born 6 March 1810, died 7 April 1905, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married Martin Myers 12 March 1831 and had 11 children.
2. Margaret Ann Jenkins, born 20 August 1811, died 1905, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married James B. Roberts 5 August 1835 and had 7 children.
3. James Gray Jenkins, born 1815, died 6 August 1900, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Jane J. Burhoe and had 9 children.
4. William (Billy Dundas) Jenkins, born 1 August 1819, died 15 September 1900. He married Mary Burhoe 18 December 1839 and had 10 children.
5. Henry J. Jenkins, born 28 July 1820, died 23 February 1882, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Hannah Jones 30 July 1846 and had 11 children.
6. John Jenkins, born 24 December 1824, died 6 March 1909, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married first Elizabeth (Betty) Ballem 16 September 1845 and had 10 children. He married second Anna Maria MacLean 21 November 1891 and had 2 children.
7. Joseph Jenkins, born 17 February 1826, died 7 March 1907, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Anne MacPherson 7 March 1849 and had 9 children.
8. Sarah Jane Jenkins, born July 1827, died 25 January 1914, buried in Murray River Cemetery, Lot 63, PEI. She married Thomas M. Jenkins 21 November 1848 and had 12 children. Sarah and Thomas were half first cousins (their fathers were half brothers).
9. Benjamin Jenkins, born 4 April 1832, died 19 October 1919, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Mary Jane Gay 30 November 1859 and had 13 children.
10. Elinor (Leonore) Jenkins, born 4 June 1835, died 31 March 1929, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married William Bishop Ballem 31 July 1856 and had 10 children.
11. Nicholas Jenkins, born about 1837 in Birch Hill, Lot 49, PEI.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Nicholas’ Daughter Susannah
As previously stated, family tradition has said that Nicholas’ daughter Susannah was born about 1778/1779 in Hanover, Germany. The only documentation for this date is in the 1881 Census of Lot 49, PEI where she was listed as aged 102, born in Germany. A search of all church baptismal records at the Stadtarchiv, Hanover for the period 1775-1782 turned up no record for either John or Susannah, in fact for no Henckel at all during that period. [Source: Letter of 31 Aug 1979 from Stadtarchiv, Hanover to Beryl (MacDonald) Barrett] Either her assumed age or place of birth (or both) is probably incorrect, as her father had left home before 3 Mar 1776 for America when only 20 years old.
On 18 December 1785 a daughter, Susanna, was born in Treysa, Germany to Nicolaus Henckel, master shoemaker and his wife Elizabeth nee Robinson, born in New York. One of the witnesses was Susanna Beckmerin. Although Susanna's birth date has been shown to be later than had been previously thought, family lore has said she was born in Germany, and this was recorded in the same town in Hessen Cassel where her father Nicolaus had been born. Thus she would be a product of Nicholas’ second marriage, not his first. Susannah died aged 98 on 14 May 1884, possibly in Greek River, and was buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49. Her plot was reportedly surrounded by a wrought iron fence with grave markers attached, which was removed for maintenance in the 1930s and subsequently lost. She is the only child of Nicholas whose date of birth has been found. Susannah was known as "Aunt Sukey" or "Sookey".
Susannah was married some time before 1808 to Thomas Robertson, believed born about 1780, with date of death and parents unknown. They lived in Mount Albion, Lot 48, PEI, and later moved to Greek River, Lot 63. He was a Carpenter and Teacher. When they moved, the house they had built in Mount Albion was used as the first school in the community. They had four children as follows:
1. Nicholas Robertson, born 26 February 1808, died 17 October 1885, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Maria MacPherson 27 December 1831 and had 14 children.
2. Thomas Robertson, born about 1810. He married Sarah Hume 4 March 1840 and had 1 child.
3. James Robertson, born about 1812, died 1895. He married first Mary Murray 1841 and had 7 children. She died 11 August 1857, and James married second Mary Jenkins 26 September 1862, with no issue from this marriage.
4. Eleanor Robertson, born about 1815, died before the 1881 Census. She married James Bishop 30 December 1834 and had 7 children.
As usual, if you have any corrections or additions, please let me know by email at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca
On 18 December 1785 a daughter, Susanna, was born in Treysa, Germany to Nicolaus Henckel, master shoemaker and his wife Elizabeth nee Robinson, born in New York. One of the witnesses was Susanna Beckmerin. Although Susanna's birth date has been shown to be later than had been previously thought, family lore has said she was born in Germany, and this was recorded in the same town in Hessen Cassel where her father Nicolaus had been born. Thus she would be a product of Nicholas’ second marriage, not his first. Susannah died aged 98 on 14 May 1884, possibly in Greek River, and was buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49. Her plot was reportedly surrounded by a wrought iron fence with grave markers attached, which was removed for maintenance in the 1930s and subsequently lost. She is the only child of Nicholas whose date of birth has been found. Susannah was known as "Aunt Sukey" or "Sookey".
Susannah was married some time before 1808 to Thomas Robertson, believed born about 1780, with date of death and parents unknown. They lived in Mount Albion, Lot 48, PEI, and later moved to Greek River, Lot 63. He was a Carpenter and Teacher. When they moved, the house they had built in Mount Albion was used as the first school in the community. They had four children as follows:
1. Nicholas Robertson, born 26 February 1808, died 17 October 1885, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Maria MacPherson 27 December 1831 and had 14 children.
2. Thomas Robertson, born about 1810. He married Sarah Hume 4 March 1840 and had 1 child.
3. James Robertson, born about 1812, died 1895. He married first Mary Murray 1841 and had 7 children. She died 11 August 1857, and James married second Mary Jenkins 26 September 1862, with no issue from this marriage.
4. Eleanor Robertson, born about 1815, died before the 1881 Census. She married James Bishop 30 December 1834 and had 7 children.
As usual, if you have any corrections or additions, please let me know by email at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Nicholas’ Oldest Son from His first Marriage
As previously stated, family tradition has said that Nicholas’ oldest son John was born in Hanover, Germany about 1777. A search of all church baptismal records at the Stadtarchiv, Hanover for the period 1775-1782 turned up no record for either John or his sister Susannah. In fact for no Henckel at all during that period in Hanover. [Source: Letter of 31 Aug 1979 from Stadtarchiv, Hanover to Beryl (MacDonald) Barrett]. As Nicholas had left Ziegenhain, Germany 3 March 1776 at age 20, it is highly unlikely that John was born in Germany, but more probably in New York or Pennsylvania. No birth or christening records have been found to date anywhere.
According to Ludlow Jenkins, John lived for a short while in Mount Albion, Lot 48, PEI before moving to Seal River, Lot 49 and finally to Alberry Plains, Lot 50. A land conveyance of 70 acres on Township #49 from David Gay to John Jenkins was dated 2 May 1808 and registered 3 May 1808. [Liber 13, Folio 419] There must have been some animosity between John and his father, for when Nicholas died John was left only "five shillings should he demand it". The "Examiner" of 16 July 1866 said John died 20 June in Lot 49 after some years illness aged 89 years.
John married Christene Anne MacGregor, born 1788 (probably in Nova Scotia), daughter of John MacGregor, and died 1866 in PEI. Their burial place is unknown. They had 8 children as follows:
1. Catherine Jenkins, born about 1811, died 2 October 1883, and buried in Murray Harbour South Cemetery, Lot 64, PEI. She married Obediah White 24 December 1831 and had 9 children.
2. John J. Jenkins, born about 1816, died 29 January 1883, and buried in Union Cemetery, Union Road, Lot 51, PEI. He married Mary Mellish 24 February 1842 and had 7 children.
3. Elizabeth Ann Jenkins, born about 1817, died 19 May 1879, and buried in Murray Harbour South Cemetery, Lot 64, PEI. She married John Hooper 4 July 1839 and had 8 children.
4. George E. Jenkins, born 5 August 1819, died 9 April 1898, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Susannah Marie Hawkins 9 October 1850 and had 8 children.
5. Thomas M. Jenkins, born 28 January 1821, died 28 January 1892, and buried in Murray River Cemetery, Lot 63, PEI. He married Sarah Jane Gray Jenkins 21 November 1848 and had 12 children. Thomas and Sarah were half first cousins (their fathers were half brothers).
6. Caroline Hayden Jenkins, born 1822, died 9 May 1919, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She never married, lived with her brother George, and died at the home of nephew Giles Jenkins in Millview.
7. William Jenkins, born about 1824. He reportedly left PEI to possibly go to New York or out West.
8. Isabella Jenkins, born 13 April 1831, died 30 October 1898, and buried in Lower Montague United cemetery, Lot 59, PEI. She married James I. Phillips 4 March 1861 and had 3 children.
As usual, if you have any corrections or additions, please let me know by email at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca
According to Ludlow Jenkins, John lived for a short while in Mount Albion, Lot 48, PEI before moving to Seal River, Lot 49 and finally to Alberry Plains, Lot 50. A land conveyance of 70 acres on Township #49 from David Gay to John Jenkins was dated 2 May 1808 and registered 3 May 1808. [Liber 13, Folio 419] There must have been some animosity between John and his father, for when Nicholas died John was left only "five shillings should he demand it". The "Examiner" of 16 July 1866 said John died 20 June in Lot 49 after some years illness aged 89 years.
John married Christene Anne MacGregor, born 1788 (probably in Nova Scotia), daughter of John MacGregor, and died 1866 in PEI. Their burial place is unknown. They had 8 children as follows:
1. Catherine Jenkins, born about 1811, died 2 October 1883, and buried in Murray Harbour South Cemetery, Lot 64, PEI. She married Obediah White 24 December 1831 and had 9 children.
2. John J. Jenkins, born about 1816, died 29 January 1883, and buried in Union Cemetery, Union Road, Lot 51, PEI. He married Mary Mellish 24 February 1842 and had 7 children.
3. Elizabeth Ann Jenkins, born about 1817, died 19 May 1879, and buried in Murray Harbour South Cemetery, Lot 64, PEI. She married John Hooper 4 July 1839 and had 8 children.
4. George E. Jenkins, born 5 August 1819, died 9 April 1898, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Susannah Marie Hawkins 9 October 1850 and had 8 children.
5. Thomas M. Jenkins, born 28 January 1821, died 28 January 1892, and buried in Murray River Cemetery, Lot 63, PEI. He married Sarah Jane Gray Jenkins 21 November 1848 and had 12 children. Thomas and Sarah were half first cousins (their fathers were half brothers).
6. Caroline Hayden Jenkins, born 1822, died 9 May 1919, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She never married, lived with her brother George, and died at the home of nephew Giles Jenkins in Millview.
7. William Jenkins, born about 1824. He reportedly left PEI to possibly go to New York or out West.
8. Isabella Jenkins, born 13 April 1831, died 30 October 1898, and buried in Lower Montague United cemetery, Lot 59, PEI. She married James I. Phillips 4 March 1861 and had 3 children.
As usual, if you have any corrections or additions, please let me know by email at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca
Monday, September 3, 2007
Another Go At Births and Ages
The following appeared in the newspaper Examiner, Charlottetown, PEI, in the 1 March 1880 edition [adjacent to the obituary of Catherine (Jenkins) Mutlow]
"A long lived family. - a notice of a death which appears in our column has induced us to make enquiries respecting a family remarkable for their great age to which its members have attained. Nicholas Jenkins and his wife emigrated to this Island from Germany about the year 1782 with three children. They settled first at Vernon River and removed after a short stay to Cherry Valley, from which place they came to Pownal, where they resided to the day of their death. After coming to the Island seven children were born to them, some of whom are still living. Nicholas Jenking [sic] the father died at 76. His wife 75, John Jenkins 90, George accidently killed 51, Susannah is still alive aged 100, William died at 92, Nicholas 90, Catherine 91, James still alive aged 88, Henry died at 81, Elizabeth 86 and Leanor 72."
This article, obviously taken from hearsay, appears to contain many errors. For instance: Nicholas Jenkins and his wife emigrated to this Island from Germany about the year 1787 with three children [John and Susanna (Henckel) Jenkins and Peter (Baum) Ballem].
Nicholas Jenkins the father, born 28 March 1755, died 15 July 1823, would have been aged 68 years 3 months 18 days.
Elizabeth his wife, birth date unknown, died 29 July 1823, was probably not 7 years older than Nicholas.
John Jenkins, birth date and place unknown, died 20 June 1866, if born about 1777 would have been 90.
Susannah, born 18 Dec 1785, died 14 May 1884 aged 98 years, would have been 94 in 1880, not 100.
George, birth date unknown, was accidently killed 30 Oct 1836, but if at age 51 would have been born about 1785 when the family was still living in Germany.
William, birth date in PEI unknown, if died at 92 earlier in 1880 would have been born about 1787, about the year of their arrival on the Island. Considered possible.
Nicholas, birth date in PEI unknown, died 1877, if died aged 90 would have been born about 1787. Considered possible.
Catherine, birth date in PEI unknown, died 10 Feb 1880, if died aged 91 would have been born about 1788. Considered possible.
Henry, birth date in PEI unknown, died about 1870, if died at 81 would have been born about 1789. Considered possible.
James, birth date in PEI unknown, died 24 Feb 1877, if aged 88 in 1880, would have been born about 1791. Considered possible.
Many of you have wondered before about the ages in that newspaper article. Has anybody thought of how it should have read? What are the actual birth dates of Nicholas' children? How old were they really at death? Can anyone help? If you don't wish to post a comment for everyone to see, perhaps you might email me on any of the postings at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca . Look forward to hearing from you.
"A long lived family. - a notice of a death which appears in our column has induced us to make enquiries respecting a family remarkable for their great age to which its members have attained. Nicholas Jenkins and his wife emigrated to this Island from Germany about the year 1782 with three children. They settled first at Vernon River and removed after a short stay to Cherry Valley, from which place they came to Pownal, where they resided to the day of their death. After coming to the Island seven children were born to them, some of whom are still living. Nicholas Jenking [sic] the father died at 76. His wife 75, John Jenkins 90, George accidently killed 51, Susannah is still alive aged 100, William died at 92, Nicholas 90, Catherine 91, James still alive aged 88, Henry died at 81, Elizabeth 86 and Leanor 72."
This article, obviously taken from hearsay, appears to contain many errors. For instance: Nicholas Jenkins and his wife emigrated to this Island from Germany about the year 1787 with three children [John and Susanna (Henckel) Jenkins and Peter (Baum) Ballem].
Nicholas Jenkins the father, born 28 March 1755, died 15 July 1823, would have been aged 68 years 3 months 18 days.
Elizabeth his wife, birth date unknown, died 29 July 1823, was probably not 7 years older than Nicholas.
John Jenkins, birth date and place unknown, died 20 June 1866, if born about 1777 would have been 90.
Susannah, born 18 Dec 1785, died 14 May 1884 aged 98 years, would have been 94 in 1880, not 100.
George, birth date unknown, was accidently killed 30 Oct 1836, but if at age 51 would have been born about 1785 when the family was still living in Germany.
William, birth date in PEI unknown, if died at 92 earlier in 1880 would have been born about 1787, about the year of their arrival on the Island. Considered possible.
Nicholas, birth date in PEI unknown, died 1877, if died aged 90 would have been born about 1787. Considered possible.
Catherine, birth date in PEI unknown, died 10 Feb 1880, if died aged 91 would have been born about 1788. Considered possible.
Henry, birth date in PEI unknown, died about 1870, if died at 81 would have been born about 1789. Considered possible.
James, birth date in PEI unknown, died 24 Feb 1877, if aged 88 in 1880, would have been born about 1791. Considered possible.
Many of you have wondered before about the ages in that newspaper article. Has anybody thought of how it should have read? What are the actual birth dates of Nicholas' children? How old were they really at death? Can anyone help? If you don't wish to post a comment for everyone to see, perhaps you might email me on any of the postings at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca . Look forward to hearing from you.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Nicholas’ Wife Elizabeth Was Mother of Peter Ballem; But Who Was Her First Husband?
To begin, the surname Ballem (or Ballum) was probably originally spelled Baum, which is German for tree. Correct pronunciation is indicated by the most common early spelling variation as Bollum. Since the name was changed from Baum to the contrived forms Ballem or Ballum by Peter Baum following his arrival in Prince Edward Island (PEI), it has been assumed in the past that all of that name are descended from him. While the name Ballem is relatively uncommon, there are some by that name who do not appear to be descended from our Peter. Massachusetts Vital Records contain a number of families with spellings Ballem, Ballum, and Ballam. Places of birth include Boston, Duxbury and Cambridge (MA), Arichat (NS), Ireland and Russia. In PEI the name has predominantly been spelled Ballem in Queens County, while two of Peter's sons, George Malcolm and John, relocated to western Prince County where John's descendants use the spelling Ballum.
As to the identity of Peter's father and his place of birth, family tradition has been as follows. Young Peter arrived in PEI with his mother and her new husband Nicholas Henckel in the 1780's. An October 1937 letter from Priscilla Jane (Ballem) Loring to her son Malcolm says that her father William Bishop Ballem, age 39 years when Peter died, "used to tell that his great grandfather's name was Charles Ballem, Captain of an American Army. His men all got in behind the wall, the gate was closed; he climbed the wall and was shot by a British sentry." In a December 1937 letter to Priscilla from George Wallace Ballem, age 8 years when Peter died, he said Peter's father was "William Ballem, born in Amsterdam, Holland, don't know his age, was shot in the Battle of Brandywine, 1777. He was a sharpshooter in that battle" during the American Revolution. The Battle of Brandywine was fought 11 September 1777 at Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, about 40 km southwest of Philadelphia, and involved 18,000 British against 11,000 Americans. It has also been said that Peter’s father was Lt. Col. Friedrick Baum, who died at the Battle of Bennington on the New York/Vermont border in August 1777. Peter’s mother Elizabeth, maiden name unknown, was thought to have been born about 1747. She, young son Peter, and a daughter possibly named Mary, were said to have sailed from Amsterdam to New York to join him, but upon arrival found that he had recently been killed in battle. She reportedly took out a land grant, available to those who were loyal to the Crown, and arrived at the Island of St. John (now PEI) to settle about 1777. The daughter is believed to have been sent back to Germany to live with relatives as nothing more is known about her.
From these conflicting stories based on family tradition, we turn next to German and American Revolutionary War source documents. The possibility that Peter's father was the Hessian officer Lt. Colonel Samuel Frederick Baum who died as a result of the Battle of Bennington in August 1777 has been dismissed by Mrs. Beryl (MacDonald) Barrett, a Certified Genealogist. Research in Germany has found that Lt. Col. Baum had both wife and mistress who, along with his daughters, vigorously contested his will in Germany for many years. This resulted in many public documents, none of which establishes any link with either a son Peter or a wife Elizabeth. Also, except for Lt. Col. Baum, there were no others of that name at the Battle of Bennington. However, records list a Lt. (later Captain) Jacob Baum, a Sergeant Bernhard Baum, a Grenadier Johannes Baum, and a Private Henrich Baum. Not enough is known about any of them at this time, but this gives us possible leads for future research. There has yet to be found any mention of a Charles or William Baum which might provide a link with those names mentioned in family tradition.
The possibility exists that Elizabeth’s first husband, Peter’s father, had arrived in America prior to 1776 and the beginning of the Revolution. He could have been among the German settlers of Pennsylvania or New York. However, to date no record of marriage or birth to provide a link to our Peter has been found. A book titled Descendants of Frederick Baum of New York State by Mrs. Clayton C. Baum of Cortland, NY says this Frederick Baum was born 24 October 1758 in Oppenhein, Montgomery County, NY and died there 16 October 1843. A Phillipp Baum, born in Holland and believed to be Frederick's brother, arrived in the United States aboard the ship Hampshire on 7 September 1748 and settled near what is now Canajoharie, Montgomery County. L. Frank Baum, born in the same area and a descendant of Phillipp, was the author of Wizard of Oz and other books. This indicates there were others by the name Baum living in New York state before, during and after the American Revolution.
Can anyone help add to this? It is a great puzzle which has not yet been solved.
As to the identity of Peter's father and his place of birth, family tradition has been as follows. Young Peter arrived in PEI with his mother and her new husband Nicholas Henckel in the 1780's. An October 1937 letter from Priscilla Jane (Ballem) Loring to her son Malcolm says that her father William Bishop Ballem, age 39 years when Peter died, "used to tell that his great grandfather's name was Charles Ballem, Captain of an American Army. His men all got in behind the wall, the gate was closed; he climbed the wall and was shot by a British sentry." In a December 1937 letter to Priscilla from George Wallace Ballem, age 8 years when Peter died, he said Peter's father was "William Ballem, born in Amsterdam, Holland, don't know his age, was shot in the Battle of Brandywine, 1777. He was a sharpshooter in that battle" during the American Revolution. The Battle of Brandywine was fought 11 September 1777 at Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, about 40 km southwest of Philadelphia, and involved 18,000 British against 11,000 Americans. It has also been said that Peter’s father was Lt. Col. Friedrick Baum, who died at the Battle of Bennington on the New York/Vermont border in August 1777. Peter’s mother Elizabeth, maiden name unknown, was thought to have been born about 1747. She, young son Peter, and a daughter possibly named Mary, were said to have sailed from Amsterdam to New York to join him, but upon arrival found that he had recently been killed in battle. She reportedly took out a land grant, available to those who were loyal to the Crown, and arrived at the Island of St. John (now PEI) to settle about 1777. The daughter is believed to have been sent back to Germany to live with relatives as nothing more is known about her.
From these conflicting stories based on family tradition, we turn next to German and American Revolutionary War source documents. The possibility that Peter's father was the Hessian officer Lt. Colonel Samuel Frederick Baum who died as a result of the Battle of Bennington in August 1777 has been dismissed by Mrs. Beryl (MacDonald) Barrett, a Certified Genealogist. Research in Germany has found that Lt. Col. Baum had both wife and mistress who, along with his daughters, vigorously contested his will in Germany for many years. This resulted in many public documents, none of which establishes any link with either a son Peter or a wife Elizabeth. Also, except for Lt. Col. Baum, there were no others of that name at the Battle of Bennington. However, records list a Lt. (later Captain) Jacob Baum, a Sergeant Bernhard Baum, a Grenadier Johannes Baum, and a Private Henrich Baum. Not enough is known about any of them at this time, but this gives us possible leads for future research. There has yet to be found any mention of a Charles or William Baum which might provide a link with those names mentioned in family tradition.
The possibility exists that Elizabeth’s first husband, Peter’s father, had arrived in America prior to 1776 and the beginning of the Revolution. He could have been among the German settlers of Pennsylvania or New York. However, to date no record of marriage or birth to provide a link to our Peter has been found. A book titled Descendants of Frederick Baum of New York State by Mrs. Clayton C. Baum of Cortland, NY says this Frederick Baum was born 24 October 1758 in Oppenhein, Montgomery County, NY and died there 16 October 1843. A Phillipp Baum, born in Holland and believed to be Frederick's brother, arrived in the United States aboard the ship Hampshire on 7 September 1748 and settled near what is now Canajoharie, Montgomery County. L. Frank Baum, born in the same area and a descendant of Phillipp, was the author of Wizard of Oz and other books. This indicates there were others by the name Baum living in New York state before, during and after the American Revolution.
Can anyone help add to this? It is a great puzzle which has not yet been solved.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Treysa & Ziegenhain Photos
Modern map showing Schwalmstadt, Germany, with Treysa on the left and Ziegenhain to the right. They were amalgamated in 1970, along with some outlying villages, to form Schwalmstadt. Nicholas was born in Treysa, and served in the army from Ziegenhain. (click on the photos to enlarge them)
Ziegenhain, Germany. It was here that Nicholas became a soldier, and departed from here for America on 3 March 1776 as Drummer in the von Knyphausen Regiment. He was also discharged from the regiment here in April 1785.
Steinerne Haus, Ziegenhain, much as it would have been when Nicholas was there.
Schuhmacher, or shoemaker, shop in Treysa. Young Nicholas would have learned the trade from his father Johan Hermann Henckel, who was a Master Shoemaker, before becoming a soldier. In addition to farming, Nicholas also did leather work in PEI.
Tor zur Schwalm in Treysa, Germany. Nicholas was born in Treysa 28 March 1775. Many buildings such as this are as they were when Nicholas lived there.
A 1954 photo of the Rathaus restaurant in Treysa.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Nicholas Jenkins and the Island Census of 1798
Copy from History of Prince Edward Island, by Duncan Campbell, published by Bremner Brothers, Charlottetown, PEI, in 1875, p. 215.
The oldest surviving British Census of what is now Prince Edward Island is that of 1798. The only surviving source of this census is incomplete, and contained in a History of Prince Edward Island, by Duncan Campbell, published by Bremner Brothers, Charlottetown, PEI, in 1875. On page 215 it includes a line with the following information:
Lot 49 - Nicks. Jenkins, 6 males under 16 yrs, 1 male 16 to 60, 3 females under 16, 1 female 16 to 60.
It has always been a puzzle as to which family members were included in this census, and how they might fit into the age groupings as listed. The following presents what is confirmed by quality sources, information based on family tradition, and some educated guesses to help fill in the blanks. Any suggested sources of further research, corrections, expansions and improvements is both welcomed and encouraged
We have read previously that on 3 March 1776 the Regiment von Knyphausen departed the garrison at Ziegenhain, Germany. Regimental Drummer Nicolaus Henckel would have been aged 20 years & 11 months at the time. It is considered unlikely that he would have been already married.
Family tradition has said that Nicholas’ oldest son John was born in Hanover, Germany about 1777. A search of all church baptismal records at the Stadtarchiv, Hanover for the period 1775-1782 turned up no record for either John or his sister Susannah. In fact for no Henckel at all during that period in Hanover. [Source: Letter of 31 Aug 1979 from Stadtarchiv, Hanover to Beryl (MacDonald) Barrett] As Nicholas had left Ziegenhain, Germany 3 March 1776, it is highly unlikely that John was born in Germany, but more probably in New York or Pennsylvania. No birth or christening records have been found to date anywhere.
Family lore has also said that daughter Susannah from Nicholas’ first marriage was born in Hanover, Germany about 1778 or 1779. The only documentation for this date is long after the fact in the 1881 Census of Lot 49, PEI where she was listed as aged 102, born in Germany. As noted above, a search of all church baptismal records at the Stadtarchiv, Hanover for the period 1775-1782 turned up no record for either John or Susannah. Either her assumed age or place of birth (or both) is/are probably incorrect, due to when we know Nicholas left Germany for America.
We have also read previously that on 27 October 1779 five officers and 200 Hessian soldiers commanded by Col. Heinrich Borck of the Regiment Knyphausen aboard the transport Archer arrived at Charlotte Town in Saint Johns Island (PEI). Nicholas then would have been aged 24 years & 7 months. Source documents have been found that shows at least two of the men who had been in PEI that winter of 1779 through June of 1780, Weckesser [Vickerson], and Fischer [Fisher], had returned to Germany in 1783, had been discharged from the Regiment at Ziegenhain in Hessen as Nicholas had, and later returned to live out their lives in PEI. They had both come from the same area in the Schwalm Valley where Nicholas had been born.
We have also read previously that on 27 July 1783 a Nicholas Henkle was married to Betsey Robinson in the Presbyterian Church, Jamaica, Long Island, NY by Rev. Matthias Burnet. [Source: Manuscript owned by the Long Island Historical Society of Brooklyn, NY, copied by Josephine C. Frost (Mrs. Samuel Knapp Frost), Brooklyn, NY, 1914] No other information was given other than the date of the marriage and the names of the bride and groom. This would have been less than a month before Nicholas departed for Germany after the War. Nicholas would then have been aged 28 years & 4 months.
At the end of the Revolutionary War, the soldiers of the Regiment von Knyphausen sailed for Germany on 15 August 1783. They arrived back in the garrison city of the Regiment, Ziegenhain on 16 October 1783.
Family tradition has said Nicholas Jenkins first settled in Vernon River, Lot 49, in 1783, about where St. Joachims Roman Catholic Church later stood. However, this most probably happened after December 1785 and before November 1787 as we shall see. A search by Paulette McNally at the PEI Archives of Military Muster Rolls from 14 June 1783 to September 1784, and of Loyalist land grants 1783-1786, turned up no reference to any Henckel or Jenkins in the Island.
William Jenkins, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jenkins, wrote in 1876 in response to a questionnaire that he was born “At Mr. Thomas Beer’s Lot 50" in 1783. He said the family had sailed “In ‘1783' in the Polly - From the United States of America”. He said they landed in 1783, that “Mary Jenkins Died on the passage”, named his father, Nicholas Jenkins, as being the first shoemaker in their area, and said the oldest wayside tavern he knew of belonged to Nicholas Jenkins. But he also said that his brother, James Jenkins, was the first born in their settlement after coming there, possibly meaning that James was the first born in Pownal after relocating from their original home in Vernon River, Lot 49, to Cherry Valley, Lot 50, and shortly after to
Pownal, Lot 49. [Source: PAPEI, Acc. 2702, Series 20, Vol. 296-317, William Jenkins] No birth or christening record for William Jenkins has yet been found. Could it be that William mixed the story of the Polly with that of the troop transport ship from Charlottetown to Quebec? Or was this Polly the ship that brought the family from New York about 1787 after their arrival back from Germany? Next door neighbour Peter Praught , born in Lot 50, PEI in 1796, in answering the same questionnaire as William Jenkins, in 1876 said the old men and women he remembered were “Nicholas Jenkins and his wife. He was born in Germany. And she was born in New York”. [Source: PAPEI, Acc. 2702, Series 20, Vol. 296-317, Peter Praught] This appears to support Nicholas’ marriage to Betsy Robinson in Long Island, NY.
Henry B. Jenkins, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jenkins, born about 1784 in Lot 49, PEI. This is only a previously assumed date; no birth or christening record has yet been found.
George Jenkins, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jenkins, born about 1785 in Lot 49, PEI. This is also only a previously assumed date; no birth or christening record has yet been found.
Nikolaus Henckel's military records show him taking furlough or discharge from Regiment von Knyphausen at Ziegenhain, Germany in April 1785, further strengthening the idea that he had returned to Germany in 1783. [Source: HETRINA III, no. 7424]
On 18 December 1785, a daughter Susanna was born in Treysa, Germany to “Nicolaus Henckel, master shoemaker, and his wife Elizabeth nee Robinson of New York born”. Witnesses were Susanna Beckmerin, and another illegible name. Although Susanna's birthdate has been shown to be later than had been previously thought (based solely on what someone had given in the 1881 Census), family lore has said she was born in Germany. This birth was recorded in the same town in Hessen Cassel where her father had been born, although she would be a product of Nicholas’ second marriage, not his first.
Nicholas Jenkins, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jenkins, born about 1787 in Lot 49, PEI. This is also only a previously assumed date; no birth or christening record has yet been found.
One other very interesting piece of information was found regarding Nicholas and Elizabeth Henckel which adds to the mystery of this family. Listed in Treysa, Germany under "Buriels 1787" was this:
27 November 1787 - “Anna Maria of the absconded citizen and Master Shoe Maker Nicholaus Henkel and also absconded wife Elizabeth nee Ropison (Robison) born in New York, once living there [NY?] with illegitimate child, died on 27 November at 1pm, 9 years old.”
It should be mentioned that in the same month many young children and adults had died as though there was some kind of an epidemic. A 9 year old child would have been born about 1778 when Nicholas was in Pennsylvania or New York. It could be assumed that it was their illegitimate child that they brought back with them to Germany in the Fall of 1783. Susannah was born in 1785, so sometime between December1785 and November of 1787 Nicholas and Elizabeth had left (or absconded) Treysa, probably for the Island.
Catherine Jenkins, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jenkins, born about 1788 in Lot 49, PEI. This is also only a previously assumed date; no birth or christening record has yet been found.
About 1792 Nicholas and family moved to Cherry Valley, Lot 50, PEI. [Source: Examiner, Charlottetown, 1 March 1880. Name spelled Nicholas “Jenking”, other errors as to date of arrival, number of children, ages, etc.] This begs the question of when Nicholas and family relocated from Vernon River to Cherry Valley then Pownal. Was it after the birth of Catherine and before that of James?
James Jenkins, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jenkins, born about 1792 in Lot 49, PEI. This is also only a previously assumed date; no birth or christening record has yet been found.
On 2 August 1792 the trial of Joseph Farrow from Vernon River Settlement was reported. He had been charged three days earlier with the rape of a 12 or 13 year old girl from the community, “a small boy of about 17 being eye witness to the whole transaction”. This witness was 17 year old Peter Bollam, whose testimony helped convict the accused, resulting in the ...“first execution that ever took place in this Island”. [Source: PAPEI, Royal Gazette and Miscellany of the Island of Saint John, Charlottetown, 2 August 1792, p. 4] Family tradition has always said Peter Ballem was the son of Nicholas’ second wife Elizabeth by her first husband, a Hessian soldier who died during the Revolutionary War. But more of this in a future entry.
Elizabeth Jenkins, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jenkins, born about 1792 in Lot 49, PEI. This is also only a previously assumed date; no birth or christening record has yet been found.
Magdalene (Laney) Jenkins, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jenkins, born about 1792 in Lot 49, PEI. This is also only a previously assumed date; no birth or christening record has yet been found.
On 1 February 1796, 100 acres of land in Pownal, Lot 49 was transferred from Ann Clark to “Nicholas Jenkins” for 50 Pounds lawful money of the Island of Saint John, but it was signed by “Nicolaus Henckell”.
In April 1798 he is listed as Nicks. Jenkins, Head of Family on Lot No. 49 in the first surviving census of PEI: “A Return of the Inhabitants on the Island of Saint John, taken in April 1798, by order of His Excellency Governor Fanning.......” The family consisted of seven males (six under 16 years of age and one between 16 to 60) and four females (three under 16 and one between the ages of 16 and 60) for a total of 11 people. This would indicate that Nicholas’ son John Jenkins (then about 21) and Elizabeth’s son Peter Ballem (then about 23) were living elsewhere at the time. However, the only known source of this census is incomplete and does not list them elsewhere on the Island.
Further Questions and Research Suggestions:
Regarding a previous marriage for Nicholas: A search of marriage records in Ziegenhain, Germany from 1760 to 1830 turned up no marriage record for any Nikolaus Henckel. [Source: Letter of 30 Nov 1981 from Evangelisch Reformierte Kirchengemeinde Ziegenhain to Beryl (MacDonald) Barrett, Charlottetown, PE]
Is Susannah's date of birth wrong in family tradition, and/or is her place of birth wrong?
Where was Nicholas' first wife when their children were born and who was she? A few wives traveled with their husbands from Hessen to America and were even among the prisoners at Trenton, but it is doubtful that many soldiers traveled back and forth to Germany to visit their wives.
The exact date Nicholas Henckel arrived in PEI has always been in question.
Peter Bollam (Ballem/Baum) was the son of Nicholas’ second wife by her first husband, unknown Baum, so 2 August 1792 is the earliest documented evidence of Nicholas and family on the Island, and places them in the Vernon River Settlement. It should also be noted that based on Peter’s age in 1792, he would have been born about 1775, and at his death 24 January 1874 he would have been about 99, a more believable age than that of 106 as per his headstone.
According to tradition, Nicholas’ first two children were born of his first marriage. As discussed earlier, tradition also states that the two children arrived in PEI with their father, his second wife, and her son, Peter Ballem about 1783. She was a widow named Elizabeth Baum (Ballem) whose husband was said to have been killed in 1776 or 1777 in the American Revolution. Both Nicholas' children were said to have been born in Germany. The 1881 Census of P.E.I, lists Suzannah as being 102 years old (which would mean that she was born ca. 1779), born in Germany, and living with her son James Robertson, a farmer on Lot 49.
The years of birth and order of birth of Nicholas and Elizabeth’s children born in PEI have always been subject to speculation, especially in relation to who might have been included in the April 1798 Census. No birth records have yet been found, with ages at death often based only on those presented by Ludlow Jenkins in 1938 newspaper articles under the heading “Old Times South of the Hillsboro”which were known to have included inaccuracies.
Now to a possible family configuration for Nicholas (Henckel) Jenkins, with birth order modified to fit 1798 Census (followed by their age as it would have been in 1798).
With first wife, unknown:
1. John, born ca. 1777 in NY; died 20 Jun 1866 aet 89 years [Examiner, 16 Jul 1866] (20-21 yrs)
2. Mary, born ca 1779 in NY; died ca. 1788 on passage to PEI (Deceased)
With second wife Elizabeth Robinson, married 27 Jul 1783 in Long Island, NY:
1. Susannah, born 18 Dec 1785 in Treysa, Germany; died 14 May 1884 age 99 years? (12 yrs)
2. Nicholas, born 1787 (poss. enroute to PEI?); died 1877 in PEI age 90 years. (10-11 yrs)
3. William, born ca. 1788 in PEI; died 1877 age 92 years (89 years) (9-10 yrs)
4. James, born ca. 1792; died after 1880. (age 88 years old in 1880) (5-6 yrs)
5. Catherine, born ca. 1793 in PEI; died 10 Feb 1880 age 85 years. (4-5 yrs)
6. Elizabeth, born ca. 1794 in PEI; died 1879 age 85 years? (3-4 yrs)
7. George, born ca. 1795 in PEI; died 30 Aug 1836 age 41 years? (2-3 yrs)
8. Magdalene, born ca. 1797 in PEI; died 1858 age 66 years (per headstone, not b. 1792) (0/1 yr)
9. Henry, born ca. 1799 in PEI; died ca. 1880 age 81 years? (Not born yet)
Also: Peter Ballem, born ca. 1775 (about 17 yrs old in Aug 1792) (22-23 yrs)
PEI Census of April 1798
Only Existing Source: History of Prince Edward Island, by Duncan Campbell, pub. by Bremner Brothers, Charlottetown, PEI, 1875, p. 215.
Lot 49 - Nicks. Jenkins, 6 males under 16 yrs, 1 male 16 to 60, 3 females under 16, 1 female 16 to 60.
Possible children in this Census (based on current information) included:
Nicholas Jr., William, James, George, Henry, Susannah, Catherine, Elizabeth
Did they have another male child (under 16 in 1798) who died young?
John (Henckel) Jenkins (age 20 or 21) and Peter (Baum) Ballem (age 22 or 23) probably not living at home in 1798.
Is this possible? Is it probable? Do you agree, disagree, or have another theory?
Please let me know so among us we might finally sort this out.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Nicholas Henckel’s Military Record
von Knyphausen Regiment Uniform
1755 - Nikolaus Henckel's military records give two different dates for his birth in Treysa (now part of Schwalmstadt), Germany. One date shown is 1754/55 and the other is 1756/57. [Source: HETRINA III, no. 7420 & 7424]
28 March 1755 - Nikolaus Henckel was born in Treysa, Germany to Johannes Hermann Henckel, citizen and shoemaker and Mother, Anna Elisabeth nee Ott according to the Treysa parish records. [Source: Lutheran Kirchenbuch, Treysa, Germany] The records show the father of Nicolaus as being born in Treysa.
April 1775 - Nicolaus’ military records show that he joined his regiment in Germany. He was listed as a Tambour (drummer) in the 3rd Company (von Minnigerode Company) of the Hessen-Kassel Regiment von Knyphausen. [Source: HETRINA III, no. 7420, entered April 1775]
3 March 1776 - Regiment von Knyphausen departed the garrison at Ziegenhain (now part of Schwalmstadt), Germany.
15-17 April 1776 - Embarked Port of Bremerlehe (now Bremerhaven) on board the Claudina for Portsmouth, England. By 26 April there were about 8,000 troops assembled.
6 May 1776 - Sailed from Portsmouth, England for America.
12 August 1776 - Arrived off Sandy Point, Long Island.
August 1776 - Regiment von Knyphausen fought at Long Island [Source: Clifford Neal Smith Monograph No 3]
October 1776 - Regiment von Knyphausen fought at White Plains, NY [Source: Clifford Neal Smith Monograph No 3]
November 1776 - Regiment von Knyphausen fought at Fort Washington [Source: Clifford Neal Smith Monograph No 3]
26 Dec 1776 - Regiment von Knyphausen fought at Trenton, NJ; the Regiment’s only loss; Nikolaus Henckel taken prisoner.. [Source: HETRINA III, no. 7421, entered Feb 1777]
27 December 1776 - Nikolaus was on the List of Prisoners taken directly to Lancaster, Pennsylvania after the Battle of Trenton. Nikolaus Henckel and Henrich Heinman (of Company 5 of the Rall Regiment) were held as a prisoners by Christopher Kucher of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. [Sources: HETRINA III, no. 7421, entered Feb 1777; JJSHA Vol 3, No. 1, p. 12; Johannes Schwalm the Hessian, p. 234] Kucher was a flour miller on the Quittapahilla Creek in Lebanon, whose family had lived there since 1732. [Source: "The Mills of the Quittapahilla", by Henry S. Heilman, 1903] "The Hessian View Of America 1776-1783" a 'List of Hessian Prisoners Who Went Out To Work and Names of Their Employers' states on p 10 that 868...Hessians who were captured at Trenton, December 26, 1976 were marched to Pennsylvania-Dutch country. Many were confined in camps only a short time. Beginning September 10, 1777, and continuing through November 20, 397 prisoners were released to work for civilians.....most worked ....Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading and York.
21 June 1778 - Nicolaus Henckel, on list of prisoners included in the march to Philadelphia for exchange. [Source: HETRINA III, no. 7422] He was later sent back to rejoin his unit in New York. They built huts for the winter about six miles from the city. [Source: "Journal of the Fusilier Regiment von Knyphausen kept by Lt. Ritter; English translation from Harriet Irving Library, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, p. 61]
September 1779 - Troops made up of the von Knyphausen regiment were being sent in transport ships to Quebec to help quell any uprising that might occur. There was concern that the French residents of Quebec might join with the forces sent from France who were aiding the Americans. On their trip from New York to Quebec the convoy of transports encountered a storm, and also the enemy, in the form of privateers. Two of the ships, Molly and Triton, were lost by being battered in the storm and the men aboard were captured by the privateers. [Source: "Journal of the Fusilier Regiment von Knyphausen kept by Lt. Ritter; English translation from Harriet Irving Library, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, pp. 67-69]
27 October 1779 - Five officers and 200 Hessian soldiers commanded by Col. Heinrich Borck of the Regiment Knyphausen aboard the transport Archer arrived at Charlotte Town in Saint Johns Island (Prince Edward Island, Canada). The Archer had made its way safely to the Island by way of Nova Scotia and through the Strait of Canso. They had been on their way to Quebec when it was thought that the ship, after encountering a storm, was not safe enough to continue. [Source: "Journal of the Fusilier Regiment von Knyphausen kept by Lt. Ritter; English translation from Harriet Irving Library, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, pp. 71-73]
16 June 1780 - The remnants of the Knyphausen Regiment left Charlotte Town on the brig Polly, arriving at Quebec City 29 June 1780. [Source: "Journal of the Fusilier Regiment von Knyphausen kept by Lt. Ritter; English translation from Harriet Irving Library, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, pp. 76-77]
October 1781 - The remnants of the Knyphausen Regiment, including Nicolaus Henckel, left Quebec City and wintered in Halifax, NS.
Spring 1782 - The remnants of the Knyphausen Regiment which wintered in Halifax returned to New York.
27 July 1783 - A Nicholas Henkle was married to Betsey Robinson in the Presbyterian Church, Jamaica, Long Island, NY by Rev. Matthias Burnet. [Source: Manuscript owned by the Long Island Historical Society of Brooklyn, NY, copied by Josephine C. Frost (Mrs. Samuel Knapp Frost), Brooklyn, NY, 1914]
15 August 1783 - At the end of the Revolutionary War, the soldiers of the Regiment von Knyphausen sailed for Germany.
16 October 1783 - Regiment von Knyphausen arrived back in the garrison city of the Regiment, Ziegenhain.
April 1785 - Nikolaus Henckel's military records show him taking furlough from his Regiment, but nothing has been found to tell us when or if Nikolaus was ever discharged. [Source: HETRINA III, no. 7424]
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
NICHOLAS JENKINS
After the American Revolution many Loyalist refugees and disbanded troops fled north, some coming to New Brunswick via Saint John and numbers arriving at Shelburne, Nova Scotia. These new settlers were industrious, home-loving people who would make excellent settlers to fill the expanses of empty land on the Island of St. John. With this thought in mind Governor Patterson offered Loyalists and Disbanded Troops free land if they would come to the Island to settle.
It appears that NICHOLAUS HENCKELL may have been in the Hessian regiment of Knyphausen en route to Quebec from New York in the fall of 1779 when ice conditions prevented the ship from reaching Quebec City. They put into the Island of St. John, where these Hessians under Col. Henn de Borch stayed until June 1780, according to John Stewart in an Account of P.E.I.
From the will of Nicholaus Henckell written and signed on 23 November 1818, we learn that he was known there as Nicolas Jenkins, an anglicized pronounciation of the German name. Nicholas' will is interesting in the light it sheds on the times in which he lived. To his four daughters, "Suzannah, Catherine, Elizabeth and Lenah, (he left) Two Good Merchantable Cows and four Sheep each of them". To his wife he left the farm "during her widowhood or if she does not marry during her Natural life. She was to live with their son Henry, who was to have it after her death. At that time Henry was to pay to his brothers "George, William, Nicholas, and James the sum of Forty Pounds Currency Each ... But as Cash is hard to be got in this Island I desire that it may be paid in the produce of the Country... so that it will not distress my son Henry". To his son John he left "five shillings if he demands it".
It appears that Nicholas settled first in Vernon River, just north-west of the present Roman Catholic Church, according to an undated map at the Public Archives of Prince Edward Island. Some say he then moved to Cherry Valley. We find that he moved to Pownal in 1796 when he bought one hundred acres in Lot 49 from Ann Clarke. From a map of that area in 1810 we see that he had 100 acres next to Frederick Fraught. He owned the Tavern "The Black Bull" in that area.
In the Census of 1798 for Lot 49, "Nicks Jenkins" appears with eleven in the household, one male and one female whose ages were between sixteen and sixty and six males and three females under sixteen.
Many legends exist among the desendants of Nicholas and Elizabeth and often they are conflicting. Little documentation has been found before 1798. It is said that Nicholas Jenkins came here with two children, a son John born c. 1777 and a daughter Susannah born c. 1780 in Germany, according to the 1881 Census. There is no known record of their mother's name, although one legend is that she was a Jenkins from the Scilly Islands. In support of this story would appear to be the fact that one child in each succeeding generation was nicknamed "Skilly".
Tradition says that Nicholas Jenkins married c. 1783 "the Widow" Elizabeth Baum (Ballem) whose husband was killed in 1776 or 1777 in the American Revolution, leaving her with two children, a son, Peter, born c. 1768, and a daughter who was supposed to have been sent back to Germany to be raised in Elizabeth's family.
Nicholas and Elizabeth had eight more children. However, no documentation can be found for their birth dates. Elizabeth Baume (Henckell) Jenkins and Nicholas died two weeks apart; he on 15 July, 1823 and she on 30 July, 1823. According to the burial records for Charlotte Parish, they were buried in the Elm Avenue Cemetery, but no stone exists.
(From an article submitted October 2004 by Douglas B. MacDonald and Beryl Barrett for inclusion in the book "An Island Refuge: Loyalist and Disbanded Troops on the Island of Saint John" as an update to one published in 1983 and incorrectly attributed to Beryl Barrett. The updated book has yet to be published.)
PS: Don't take this as gospel yet, as there has been more info found since then.
After the American Revolution many Loyalist refugees and disbanded troops fled north, some coming to New Brunswick via Saint John and numbers arriving at Shelburne, Nova Scotia. These new settlers were industrious, home-loving people who would make excellent settlers to fill the expanses of empty land on the Island of St. John. With this thought in mind Governor Patterson offered Loyalists and Disbanded Troops free land if they would come to the Island to settle.
It appears that NICHOLAUS HENCKELL may have been in the Hessian regiment of Knyphausen en route to Quebec from New York in the fall of 1779 when ice conditions prevented the ship from reaching Quebec City. They put into the Island of St. John, where these Hessians under Col. Henn de Borch stayed until June 1780, according to John Stewart in an Account of P.E.I.
From the will of Nicholaus Henckell written and signed on 23 November 1818, we learn that he was known there as Nicolas Jenkins, an anglicized pronounciation of the German name. Nicholas' will is interesting in the light it sheds on the times in which he lived. To his four daughters, "Suzannah, Catherine, Elizabeth and Lenah, (he left) Two Good Merchantable Cows and four Sheep each of them". To his wife he left the farm "during her widowhood or if she does not marry during her Natural life. She was to live with their son Henry, who was to have it after her death. At that time Henry was to pay to his brothers "George, William, Nicholas, and James the sum of Forty Pounds Currency Each ... But as Cash is hard to be got in this Island I desire that it may be paid in the produce of the Country... so that it will not distress my son Henry". To his son John he left "five shillings if he demands it".
It appears that Nicholas settled first in Vernon River, just north-west of the present Roman Catholic Church, according to an undated map at the Public Archives of Prince Edward Island. Some say he then moved to Cherry Valley. We find that he moved to Pownal in 1796 when he bought one hundred acres in Lot 49 from Ann Clarke. From a map of that area in 1810 we see that he had 100 acres next to Frederick Fraught. He owned the Tavern "The Black Bull" in that area.
In the Census of 1798 for Lot 49, "Nicks Jenkins" appears with eleven in the household, one male and one female whose ages were between sixteen and sixty and six males and three females under sixteen.
Many legends exist among the desendants of Nicholas and Elizabeth and often they are conflicting. Little documentation has been found before 1798. It is said that Nicholas Jenkins came here with two children, a son John born c. 1777 and a daughter Susannah born c. 1780 in Germany, according to the 1881 Census. There is no known record of their mother's name, although one legend is that she was a Jenkins from the Scilly Islands. In support of this story would appear to be the fact that one child in each succeeding generation was nicknamed "Skilly".
Tradition says that Nicholas Jenkins married c. 1783 "the Widow" Elizabeth Baum (Ballem) whose husband was killed in 1776 or 1777 in the American Revolution, leaving her with two children, a son, Peter, born c. 1768, and a daughter who was supposed to have been sent back to Germany to be raised in Elizabeth's family.
Nicholas and Elizabeth had eight more children. However, no documentation can be found for their birth dates. Elizabeth Baume (Henckell) Jenkins and Nicholas died two weeks apart; he on 15 July, 1823 and she on 30 July, 1823. According to the burial records for Charlotte Parish, they were buried in the Elm Avenue Cemetery, but no stone exists.
(From an article submitted October 2004 by Douglas B. MacDonald and Beryl Barrett for inclusion in the book "An Island Refuge: Loyalist and Disbanded Troops on the Island of Saint John" as an update to one published in 1983 and incorrectly attributed to Beryl Barrett. The updated book has yet to be published.)
PS: Don't take this as gospel yet, as there has been more info found since then.
Introduction to Doug's Genealogy
The purpose of this blog is to explore and exchange any information available concerning descendants of Nicholas (Henckle) Jenkins and Peter Ballem (Ballum), two related families of 18th Century Prince Edward Island, Canada.
It is planned to present their beginnings in Germany, their involvement as Hessian soldiers in the American Revolutionary War, and their arrival in Prince Edward Island. Also to be covered will be some of their descendants. Particular attention will be given to what has been made public in the past, problems with some of that information, and corrections to published information where available. Most importantly, conflicting information from the past will be posted in the hopes that others may be able to help with sorting out the correct details.
All of this is in the context of preparing a book on the genealogy of each of these families. To date I have information on more than 17,700 Jenkins descendants, and about 2,500 Ballem/Ballum descendants.
It is planned to present their beginnings in Germany, their involvement as Hessian soldiers in the American Revolutionary War, and their arrival in Prince Edward Island. Also to be covered will be some of their descendants. Particular attention will be given to what has been made public in the past, problems with some of that information, and corrections to published information where available. Most importantly, conflicting information from the past will be posted in the hopes that others may be able to help with sorting out the correct details.
All of this is in the context of preparing a book on the genealogy of each of these families. To date I have information on more than 17,700 Jenkins descendants, and about 2,500 Ballem/Ballum descendants.
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