Nicolai 50th wedding anniversary
The Wamhoffs arrived in Michigan from Germany in the 1890s. The Nicolai ancestors are also German immigrants to America. They arrived in colonial America and settled in the Pennsylvania “Dutch” counties near Philadelphia between 1732 and 1750. They were called Pennsylvania Dutch because they spoke German (Deutsche) not because they were from Holland. These colonial ancestors fought for American independence from England and participated in the westward migration after the War.
These early immigrants include the Eichholtz, Herman, Hoffmeister, and Quickel families. Friedrich Eichholtz was listed as a Revolutionary War patriot. That was a designation given to colonists who supported the Revolutionary War by contributing money, supplies, or some other service to the American cause. Friedrich Michael Witterecht arrived in 1748. His son Peter was a Revolutionary War soldier serving in the Pennsylvania Militia.
Another early arrival was the Lenhart family. If you visit Pennsylvania Dutch country you should drop by the Borough of Lenhartsville, PA, named after your ancestors.
In the early 1800s, the Eichholtz, Hoffmeister, and Witterecht families followed the migration path as new lands were opening to settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains. They relocated to Springfield, Ohio by 1810 where their children married and started families. By 1860 the Hoffmasters continued on to Allegan County, Michigan where Susanna married the recent arrival, Gottfried Nicolai. Gottfiied’s granddaughter Edith Louise married Charles Henry Wamhoff, the last of the clan who arrived in 1890.
The map below shows the states and principalities that later became Germany:
The Wamhoff Family
Johann, Heinrich, and Charles Wamhoff were born in Osnabruck, Lower Saxony, Germany. Henry (Heinrich) married Louisa Commans in 1877. Louisa’s parents, Frederick and Mary Commans, later immigrated from Hanover to Michigan arriving on April 29, 1882. Eight years later the three generations of Wamhoffs joined their in-laws sailing from Bremen in Germany and then from Southampton England arriving in New York May 13, 1890, on the ship “Werra”, and settling in Allegan County, Michigan, near the Commans family.
The Nicolai Family
Johann Gottfried Nicolai (1834-1918) came to America with his father Johann, his brother, and three sisters. The family was from Leibschel, Brandenburg, Prussia. They sailed on the ship “Louis Napoleon” from Hamburg 16 June 1855 arriving in New York.
Johann married Susanna Hoffmaster in Michigan, July 3, 1864. Their son Edward Karl married Augusta Knuth. The Knuth family arrived from Prussia in the 1870s. Augusta’s grandparents Ludwig and Marie Knuth migrated from Prussia, first. They left their son August in Germany and came to North America in 1857, arriving in Quebec and later settling in Bureau, Illinois. August married in Germany and the family emigrated to Michigan where their daughter, Augusta married into the Nicolai family.
John, Peter, Susanna (Hoffmaster), Isaac, and Phillip Eichholtz
Back Row: Wilhelm Friedrich Nicolai, Martha Nicolai, Johannes Herman Nicolai, Karl Edward Nicolai, Jydia Nicolai, Franklin B. Nicolai, Albert Nicolai, and Anna Nicolai. Front Row: John Gottfried Nicolai, Rose Susanna Nicolai, Peter Nicolai, and Susanna C. Hoffmaster Nicolai
John and Susanna’s son Edward Karl married Augusta Knuth in 1895.
The Hoffmaster Family
The Hoffmasters arrived in America generations earlier than the Nicolais. Susanna Hoffmaster’s father, Gottlieb was born in Wurttemberg in southern Germany, then Bavaria. Georg and Maria left Fellbach in the Kingdom of Würtemberg with eight children in January 1817 to emigrate to America (Gottlieb was 8 years old). Fellbach and much of Germany had been under French occupation for many years. Napoleon had levied heavy taxes upon the people to finance his campaign in Russia. Starting in 1814, the people of Fellbach were suffering from lack of food. George and Maria had already lost three children.
The Hoffmasters arrived in America in 1817 and settled in Mahoning County, Ohio. In 1854 the family relocated to Michigan.
The following is from “A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan” Henry F. Thomas. The article is about Susanna’s brother John, but discusses their father Gottlieb:
The Eichholtz Family
Susanna Hoffmaster’s mother’s side of the family are also descended from German immigrants, but they arrived in colonial America before the Revolutionary War. They are from the group known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. They weren’t Dutch at all, they were from Germany and Switzerland and spoke German (Deutsche).
Johan Friedrich Eicholtz was a colonial immigrant to Pennsylvania. Like many at that time, he went by his middle name. He was born in Wurttemberg in 1723 and arrived in Philadelphia, September 27, 1746, on the “Ann Galley” sailing from Rotterdam.
This excerpt from a county history book mentions Friedreich as an early settler and mentions his in-laws, the Quickels:
Per Quickel Family History by David M. Quickel, dated February 17, 1967 pages 29 and 30
“Frederick Eicholtz obtained a warrant during 1753, for a 200 acre tract of land, then in Dover now in Conewago Township. He built a saw and grist-mill along a stream which flows through this tract; Peter Kunkel was the last Miller at this mill. The only roads were trails through the forest, which had to be cleared so crops could be planted, this took many years to do so.
The only school or church they could attend was at York, the Lutheran invited the reformed people in this community to build a house of their own. This project was achieved in 1767, when a deed for 30 acres of land was secured by Frederick Eicholtz, Henry Shank and Ludwig Weir as Trustees.
A stone house was erected on this land in 1767, it was used until 1770 for a place of worship, until 1850, it was the first school house. It was an ideal location for a school, the only sounds to divert the mind of the pupils, were produced by the winds and animals in the forest, and sound of a small stream nearby, its last use in 1955 was for a home. The stone house was still there in 1965.
A deed, dated Nov 20, 1826 was given to Henry Meisenhelter, by Frederick Eicholtz, Jr. and John Heneise, as executors of the estate of Frederick Eicholtz, Sr, this was for the greater part of this land. No tombstones to show the dates of Frederick and Catherine have been found, they were no doubt buried beside her parents on the George Quickel farm at Eastmount.”
Friedrich was listed as a Revolutionary War patriot. That was a designation given to colonists who supported the Revolutionary War by contributing money, supplies, or some other service to the American cause. He was 53 years old in 1776, a little old to do much fighting in the war itself. There were several Eichholtz and Quickels who served in Washington’s army.
Friedrich Eichholtz’ will:
April 3, 1797
Last Will and Testament of Frederick Eichholtz, dec’d. Proven April 3, 1797
In the Name of God Amen—–I Fredrick Eichholtz of dover Township in the county of York and state of Pennsylvania Yeoman being in perfect health of body and of sound disposing mind and understanding thanks be to god therefore do this fifteenth Day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety one make and publish this my last Will and Testament as follows, first I commend my soul into Hands of Almighty God who gave it me and my body to the Earth to be decently buried hoping for a Joyful resurrection through Jesus Christ my Dear Redeemer and as toutching my worldly Estate I give and dispose of the same as follows, First I order that all my Just debts and funeral Charge to be paid and satisfied. Item I give and bequeath unto Catharina my dear wife the thried part of all the Income arising from and out of my Plantation during her natural Life if she so long continues a widow, with full Liberty and Possession of my now dwelling House but in case she and my children disagree to Live together, I give order and direct in such case that my wife Catherina shall have full use and intire possession of my house on the Little planation, further my will is that my Plantation be rented out to any one of my sons, that my be willing to rent the same but if neither of my sons will accept of renting the same then I order the same to be rented out to any other person. Item I Give and bequeath unto Catherina my wife, Viz. one cow, one heifer, her choice of two sheep one iron pot, one kettle, one pewter bason, one dish and six pewter plates all at her choice. I also give her all the Beddings and Bedsteads and all the Linens for her use and for the use of my younger children of whome she is to take care of, the use of ye washing tubs and pails. And it is also my will that the Leasee of my Plantation deliver unto my wife when occassion requires an easy Riding Creature for her use also the Leasee or occupier of my Plantation shall deliver yearly Unto Catherina my wife The third part of the Grain by the bushe and thirds of all other Produce and crops, raised and growing on the premises to the place of her Dwelling and to the barn and stables for her use during her widowhood. Item I give and bequeath unto my Eldest son Mathias one waggon, one horse and one cow over and above his Equal share of my Estate, which articles he has allready received of me.
Item I order that all the Meat and Victuals shall be for the use of my family and as much grain as will sustain them till the ____ harvest after my decease, also I order tht the Leasee or occupyer of my plantation shall sow yearly the Like quantity of acres of Ground with Grain as he finds sown thereon and to keep the same in good repairs of fences and if one of my sons shall rent the premises then my clothspress and kitching dresser shall remain on the premises but if a stranger rents the premises, the same are to be sold it is also my will that all my Books and pewter ware (herein not devised) shall not be sold but be equally devided amongst all my chidren in share a like as they may agree, Item I Give unto my son George one weavers Loom with the Geers and utensils thereto belonging over and above his Equal share of my Estate herein ordered and devised.
Item also my will is that all the rest of my household goods and effects whatsover (which are herein not afore devised Given or bequeathed) shall be sold at publick vendue by my Escecutors and the whole money arising out of the Sales thereof be to Equally divided to any amongst all my Children in Equal Share alike
Item after the decease of Catherina my said wife I order and direct my Escecutors herein named to sell all my lands and Tenements by publick or private Sale to the best advandage for the best price that can be had for the Same, and also in case Catherina my wife shall again marry, at and Immediately after her Intermarriage I order my Escecutors to make sale of my lands and Tenements in manner aprised. And in such case of her Intermarriage my will is that she the said Catherina my wife shall have no more of my personal estate then what she is intitled to by the Laws and Customs of This Commonwealth, made and provided item the money arising from the sales of my lands and tenements I order to be equally distributed by my Escecutors to and amongst all my children in Equal share alike and such as are under age to receive their respective shares when they arrive to the age of twenty one years and also that my
Escecutors or the Survivor of them put all monies arising out of the Sales of my Real and personal Estate on Interest, for the use of my Children which are under age. Item I give and bequath unto my said wife in case she intermarries the sum of fifty pounds and no more in full for her sahre and right of into my Real Estate whatsoever and Lastly I hereby Nominate and appoint my Loving son Fredrick Eichholtz and Joh Henisey to be Escecutors of this my last will and Testament. Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testatment for wifness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the Day and Year first above written
Signature of Fredrick Eichholtz
Friedrich’s son Phillip (1777-1842) married Susannah Witterecht in 1800. By 1810 they had migrated along with Susannah’s father to Springfield, Ohio. Springfield was founded in 1801 and in 1810 it was the western terminus for the new National Road, the first major road project built by the federal government connecting Cumberland, Maryland to the Ohio River. Their daughter Susanna married Gottlieb Hoffmaster in Ohio and later migrated to Michigan.
The Quickel Family
Susannah’s paternal great-grandfather was Johann Georg Quickel 1716-1784. He was the son of John Christophel and Anna Barbara (Ross) Quickel. He was born in Brandau, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. He married Maria Ursula Miller on April 23, 1739, in Conestoga, Lancaster, PA.
John George, John Michael and John Philip Quickel, presumably brothers, immigrated on 19 October 1736 to Philadelphia, PA. They were “imported on the Brigantine John of Perth Amboy, George Frazer, Master, from Rotterdam but last from Dover”, and settled in Manheim Twp., Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
1736 Palatine Immigration list – Quickel is 6th from the bottom on the right column
His daughter Anna Catharine married Johan Eichholtz in 1763.
He died on 6 Feb 1784 (aged 67) Dover, York County, Pennsylvania, USA, and was buried in the Quickel’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Zions View, York County, Pennsylvania.
The Witterecht – Lenhart Families
Susannah Eichholtz’ maternal great-grandparents emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania Dutch settlements near Philadelphia. Frederick Michael and Magdalena Lenhart Witterecht arrived in 1748.
Their son Johan Petrus Witterecht was born 22 May 1753 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
He married Maria Margaret Herman in 1775 in York County, PA. She was born 4 Dec 1751 in York County. Maria Margaret’s parents and grandparents emigrated to York County in 1750.
Peter was a Revolutionary War soldier serving in Captain Simon Kobenhafer’s Co, York Co Pa, Militia, along with his brother, George. In the National Archives they have a payroll entry: “Payroll of party of York Co Militia who apprehended British deserters and prisoners and brought them to the stockade fort, Peter Witerecht, Jorg Witerecht”
The immigrant Michael Witterecht arrived in Pennsylvania before 1750, as a teenager. In 1750, he married Magdalena Lenhart, the daughter of Peter Lenhart. She arrived with her parents in 1748. Her father was Johan Peter Lenhart, Sr.
“Johan Peter” was born and married in Horn, Hunsrueck, Germany. Town is between Trier and Mainz. Hunsruck is a mountain range. Horn is in Landkreis (county) of Simmern, Westphalia.
His birth town, Horn, is just south of where the Mosel River joins the Rhine. Today, there is a village named Klosterkumbd, located about 4 miles north of Simmern, the county seat. The Chumd Nunnery (Kloster-kumbd) has been in ruins since the 18th century.
Peter Lenhart was the son of Johan Christopffel Leonhard and Anna Eva Kesler. He married Maria Margaretha “Margaret” ___. His son Jacob was born in Zweibrucken, Germany.
Peter, his wife Margaretta, and sons, Jacob and Wilhelm (and other children) arrived in Philadelphia, PA by ship “Two Brothers,” captained by Thomas Arnot, in 15 Sept. 1748. The ship came from Rotterdam, last from Portsmouth, England. (“PA German Pioneers,” by Strassburger.) 1749 was the peak year for mass immigration and more than 6,000 people came to the port of Philadelphia.
The Lenharts first settled in Berks Co., PA, and in 1749 recorded a patent for property in Greenwich Twp. He was a pioneer settler in Dover Twp. Of York County. He helped to build the Salem Union Lutheran Church in Dover. The church was later known as Strecher’s Church.
Peter conveyed this land to son, Jacob in 1771, and it is now known as the town of Lenhartsville. Two landmarks remain of the period in which they had lived – a building in the western part of the borough, erected in 1812, and the old church where the Lenharts worshipped.
Peter’s will, dated March 21, 1774, probated April 8, 1774. He died Apr. 4, 1774 York County Pennsylvania and was buried at Salem (Strayer’s) Cemetery; Dover, York, PA.
His Will: 21 Mar 1774
I Peter Leonhart of Dover Township in the County of York and Province of Pennsylvania Farmer, being Sick and Weak in Body but of perfect, Sound and Disposing mind and Memory Do make and ~ publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following /to wit/ I commend my Soul to God who gave it, and my Body to be Buried in a decent Christian like manner by my Executors herein after named ~ and as [t]ouching Such Worldly Goods where with it hath pleased God to Bless me with . my will and Desire is that first of all, all my just Debts and Funeral Expences be Honestly paid by my Executors as Soon as possible after my Decease. And I do give unto my dear and well beloved Wife ~ Margaret all the Profits and Interest arrising from my personal Estate, over and above all the Houshold furniture, her Bed and Beding, and what my Son William is bound by Article to give us Yearly, during her natural life, And After her Decease, I order the Remaining part of my Estate to be divided in The following manner among my Several Children herein after named (to wit) I give to my Son Philip the Sum of Twenty Pounds Lawful money of the Province aforesaid. Item. I give to my Son Jacob the like Sum of Twenty pounds. Item. I Give to my Son George the Sum of Thirty pounds like lawful money. Item. I Give to my Son Christopher the Sum of Ten pounds like lawful money. Item. I Give to my Son Henry the Sum of Thirty pounds like lawful money. Item. I Give to my Son Peter the Sum of Twenty pounds like lawful money. Item. I Give to my Son Frederick the Sum of Thirty pounds like lawful money. Item. I Give to my Son Godfrey the Sum of Fifty pounds like lawful money. Item. I Give to my Son William Two Horses or Mares which he Chuses out of all I have, with the Gears and Tackling, also two Cows which he Chuses, as also the Wagon Plow and Harrow, all which he is to have and enjoy Imediately after my decease any thing above said to the Contrary notwithstanding, and what Remains /if anything/ my Will is and I do order the Same to be Equally ~ Divided between my said Children. And I do Nominate and appoint, my said Son William Leonhart and my Trusty Friend Daniel ~ Messerley both in Dover Township aforesaid to be the Executors of this my last Will and Testament, in trust for the intents and purposes in this my Will contained. And I do hereby Revoke disallow and make Void all other and former Will and Wills by me heretofore made. In Witness whereof I the said Peter Leonhart the Testator have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal this Twenty first Day of March in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy four. Signed, Sealed, published and declared by ) the above named Peter Leonhart the Testator as for ) his last Will and Testament in the presence ) of us, who in his presence and at his Request have ) [Petter? L– – – – t] hereunto Subscribed our names as Witnesses to the Same. ) Daniel [Ragen] [Adam Dehl ] [Gerhart Gneff]
Signed