Ancestor of the Month

June 2008

Michael Weigand

b.1656   d. after 1732

Michael Weigand (Weygand /Wygant /Weygandt /and various other spellings) is another of our Palatine ancestors.  Born in Neider Solheim Hessen, Germany, he is reported to be the son of Georg Hermann Weigand (b c1616-d. 1666), a Lutheran bishop, and his wife Appolonia. George Hermann’s parents were Hermann Weygand and Juliane Fischbach.   Michael’s parentage has been challenged, however, for records of Georg Hermann Weigand’s children do not include a son named Michael.  Georg Hermann’s family fell ill with the plague in 1666, and he and seven of his ten children died in August of that year.  Michael was not listed as one of the dead nor was he included in the three surviving children. Since Neider Saulheim baptismal records only began in 1680, it is possible that Georg Herrmann was our Michael’s father, but more proof is needed.  It is interesting to note, however, that Michael did name one of his sons Georg, though it was his second son rather than the first.

Marriage

Michael married Anna Catharina Unknown (b.1654-d?) in Germany, and the couple had three children there.  Their oldest, a daughter named Anna Maria (our ancestor) was born in 1695.  They then had two sons, Tobias, born in 1701, and Georg (called Jury) born in 1703.

Life in the Rhineland-Palatinate

Michael was a husbandman or farmer in the Palatinate of Germany.  Originally part of the old Roman Empire, this land in the Rhine River area had been desirable and productive, but religious wars had destroyed the land and the people.  Cities and farms were wiped out.  People were tortured, raped, and killed.  Louis XIV had vowed to “make it [the area] a wilderness,” and he and other invaders had succeeded. 

A number of people from the Palatinate migrated to Pennsylvania early in the exodus.  Most of them came for purely religious reasons rather than economical ones, and since the devastation in the Palatinate had not advanced as far as it was to do later, the early immigrants were able to bring money and supplies with them. 

Rev. Joshua Kocherthal

By the first decade of the Eighteenth Century, however, conditions for the Palatines were intolerable, and to make matters worse, the winter of 1708-1709 was particularly harsh.  Unfortunately, the people did not have the means to migrate.  A Lutheran clergyman named Rev. Joshua Kocherthal took up his fellow countrymen’s cause.  He went to London to gain support, and in 1706 wrote and distributed a pamphlet in which he proposed South Carolina as a good place for Germans to colonize.  His plan found favor with the British government and with Queen Anne who agreed to subsidize the group of fifteen Lutherans and twenty-six Calvinists Kocherthal led and to provide them with transport to the colonies.

The eventual decision was to send the group to New York rather than SC (although Jamaica and Antigua were also discussed).  This plan would be beneficial to both the English and the Germans.  The English hoped the refugees--known to be honest and hardworking-- would manufacture naval supplies such as ship masts, tar, and pitch.  In return, the Queen gave the Germans food for a year, agricultural tools and supplies, and financial support.  The group would also become British citizens before their voyage.

On 10 May 1708, two warrants were issued for the distribution of money to the Palatines while they were still in London.  One warrant gave the group one hundred pounds; the other gave them forty shillings a day backdated from 15 April 1708 until their transportation to New York.   At another point, the Queen gave them each a stipend of 9 pence per day.  All this support was wonderful, but it fell short.  In 1710, trying to get more subsidies from the British, Kocherthal listed the supplies needed for establishing a “small plantation” and came up with a figure around £500.  Establishing farms in NY was more costly than most had imagined.

Queen Anne

The Queen was interested in supporting the Palatines for several reasons.  First was the fact that they were in great need and had aroused the world with their pitiable state.  As her predecessor, King William had done, Anne encouraged and gave aid to the Protestants fleeing Germany.  Second, Queen Anne’s beloved husband, Prince George of Denmark, was of German Lutheran stock.  After his death in 1708, Anne became even more interested and influential in the Palatine Cause.  Third, the Germans were known to be honest, hardworking, and skilled.  The English hoped to exchange land in the new Palatine colony for naval stores and materials such as masts, pitch, and tar that the colonists would be able to produce for England.   Fourth, the Germans were to be given land up the river from the British settlers already there and would serve as a “frontier [or buffer zone] against the French and their Indians.” 

(Remember from our ancestor Benedictus Kuhn how German settlers would also be used again as a “buffer” in SC in the 1750’s.  See “Benedictus Kuhn” in the Archives.  Go to the top of this page; click the sentence about previously published articles, and when you get to the Archives, scroll down the left navigation bar to “Benedictus Kuhn.”)

The Emigrants

Finally, in October of 1708, the group of 53 German refugees headed by Rev. Kocherthal boarded the ship, Globe, and set sail for America.  (The original group had included 41 Palatines--10 men, 10 women and 21 children —but other families were added before the trip began and two children were born during the voyage.)  Captain Congreve headed the two-month voyage which was fraught with bad weather. The refugees were primarily farmers (husbandmen) but also included vineyard keepers, carpenters, joiners, smiths, weavers, cabinetmakers, and masons, as well as a stocking maker and a clerk.   Also on board was the newly appointed governor of New York, Gov. John Lovelace, 4th Lord Lovelace of Hurley.  Lovelace was “dropped off” in Manhattan, and the Globe sailed about 60 miles further up the Hudson.   (Lovelace was a good friend to the immigrants; unfortunately he became ill and died in May of 1709, just a few months after the group arrived in the colonies.)

The Immigrants

On New Year's Day, 1709, the Globe reached the spot where Quassaic Creek joins the Hudson and decided to settle there.  Immediately they attempted to build temporary huts for shelter from the harsh winter, but eventually were forced back downstream to Flushing, New York where they remained until the weather warmed up.  (Some sources say they never left Flushing in the first place; others say they spent the winter in NYC.  Contemporary accounts indicate that the rivers were frozen) The Queen had given the group 2,190 acres up the Hudson, which they named Newburgh after a city in the northern Palatinate.  (They did not actually receive deeds to this property until 1719, ten years after their arrival.  This failure to receive their deeds quickly became a matter of contention.)

Michael and his wife Anna Catharina were among the oldest of the settlers.  Michael was 52 and Anna Catharina was 54.  He was a husbandman or farmer, and he and other members of the group were given tools and supplies by the Queen.  Michael received “1 great file, 1 smaller file, 1 mortising chisel, 1 Joyster (whatever that is), 1 Agor [augur], besides several pieces more.” 

Life in Newburgh

In April 1709, after the terrible winter of 1708 and 09, Michael and Anna Catharina went with the rest of their group to the land allotted to them up the Hudson River.  Their family received 250 acres (designated Lot #2). They worked hard to develop their land, and times there were difficult.  As if just surviving were not enough, the colonists did not always get along.  A religious squabble arose when 19 colonists had “withdrawn from communion with the minister and others.”  For their alleged misconduct, the 19 had their “allowance” withheld. This dispute was resolved, but it shows that the colonists did not always get along.  Another squabble arose over the tools belonging to Melchior Gulch.  Gulch remained in London in October of 1708 and did not sail with the original colonists because his wife developed cancer.  He stayed with her until she died and then he and his son and daughter joined the group in NY.  Queen Anne had given Gulch a number of additional tools plus two grindstones and a barrel of lime.  When he arrived in New York, his fellow German colonists took his additional tools and distributed them among the group.  (Our Michael was one of the colonists later listed as a receiver of part of Gulch’s property.)   Gulch was irate because he said the tools were for him and his son and were not for the group as a whole.  For these and other reasons—such as the difficulty of life in general--the British hope for naval stores and materials did not work out.  Some colonists moved to PA where they were much more successful.  The difficulties in the NY German colony were widely known and caused many later German refugees to opt for PA rather than NY.

Although there were squabbles over religion, Martin and Maria Catharina were obviously very involved in the religious life of their community.  In 1710 they sponsored a child of Jacob Webber and Anna Elizabeth.  In 1711 they sponsored a child of George and Elizabeth Lockslides and an illegitimate daughter of Catherine Birgis.  In 1718 they sponsored a child of Andreas and Anna Catherina Volek and another Webber child in 1721.

In Newburgh Martin and Maria Catharina did not add any children to their own family—probably because of their advancing years.   Their three children grew up in the Highlands of New York where all met and married spouses and began their own families.

Martin’s Children and Grandchildren

Daughter Anna Maria (b. 1695- d.?)  married widower Robert Stapleton (b. c1690 d. between 25 Oct 1754-06 May 1755) on 8 May 1716.  Robert and Anna Maria had 3 children while they were still living in New York: 

1. Tobias (b. 15 May 1717-d?)

2. Elisabeth (b. 3 April 1719-d.?), and

3. Catharina (b. 7 June 1721-d?)

Around 1724 Robert and Anna Maria sold their land in NY and took their family to Berks County, PA, where the rest of their children were born.  Birthplaces and dates were apparently not recorded for Hannabeth, William (b. 1720), John, Mary, and Sarah.  Two other children   Johannes George (Charles) born 13 Jun 1731 and Anna Margaretha (our ancestor) born 10 Aug 1734 were both born in Oley, PA and were baptized there by Rev. Johan Casper Stoever. 

The Weigand’s second child and first son, Tobias (b. 1701-d.1776), was married to Catherine Elizabeth “Eve” Webber (b. c1706 in Cornwell, NY-d.?) on 28 Jun 1724 in Newburgh, Orange Co., NY. The couple had several children:

1.         Tobias, Jr.  (b. 26 Jun 1728 in Cornwall, Orange Co., NY d.?)  Tobias, Jr. served as a Revolutionary soldier in Col. Hasbrouck's regiment.

2.         Martin (b. 1726 at Newburgh, Orange Co., NY-d. 1792) married Susan Albertson, daughter of Joseph Albertson.  The couple had only one child, Martin, Jr.   Martin, Sr. owned the Weigand Tavern in Newburgh.

Martin Weigand and Weigand’s Tavern were to play important roles during the Revolution.  Martin was “an outspoken patriot.”  Transportation was lacking during the time, and Martin helped provide it.  Only he, Col. Palmer, and Col. Hasbrouch had wagons in the area and a few people had oxcarts.  When two militia companies were formed in 1775, Martin became an Ensign in Capt. Samuel Clark’s company and was eventually promoted to First Lieutenant. 

The importance of the Weigand Tavern to the Revolution also began in 1775, when Martin placed a “Pledge of Association” in the tavern where “avowed friends of the American Cause” could sign their names. In addition, supposedly the first order issued by Col. Hasbrouck after he was given his command was:

"Newburgh, Dec. 18,1775. Pursuant to the orders of Congress to the regiment under my command to be in readiness upon any proper alarm, I have appointed the place of general rendezvous to be at the house of Martin Weigand in Newburgh Precinct.” signed J. Hasbrouck, Col." 

(During the times taverns were the customary “meeting places” where news and political information were exchanged.)

In 1775 the Weigand Tavern in Newburgh was frequented by George Washington while he was stationed nearby for 16 months.  (Newburgh was also headquarters for Washington in 1782 and 1783)  In 1782 when the American army crossed the Hudson and went into winter quarters above the Highlands, General Anthony Wayne stayed at “the old hotel of Martin Weigand, in Newburgh.”
 

3.         Johannes John (b 1740 at Newburgh, Orange Co., NY-d 15 Dec 1804) married Hannah Rider on 24 Aug 1764.  The couple had three sons:  John, Jr., Andrew, and George B.

4.         Berger (b. 6 Feb 1731 in Newburgh, Orange Co., NY-d after 16 May 1791 at Newburgh, Orange, New York)

5.         Michael (b. 20 Sep 1733 in Newburgh, Ulster Co., NY-d after 1790)

6.         Elizabeth (b 21 Mar 1736 in Newburgh, Ulster Co., NY-d?)

7.         Magadalena (b. 15 Oct 1738 in Newburgh, Ulster Co., NY-d?)

Michael and Anna Maria’s third child, Georg (Jury) (b. 1703-d.1778), was married c1722 in Marlborough, Ulster Co., NY to Janetje Jane Bond (b 1706 in Newburgh, Ulster Co., NY-d.1770). Janetje was the daughter of Captain William and Susanna Bond.  Georg and Janetje’s children were:

1. William  (b. c1722 in Marlborough, Ulster Co., NY – d. 1781)
2. Michael  (b.  9 Jun 1723 in Marlborough, Ulster Co., NY – d 10 Sep 1807)
3. John George (b 30 Aug 1727 – d?)
4. Catherine (b. 16 Apr 1729 in Marlborough, Ulster Co., NY – d?)
5. Susanna (b. 26 Jan 1732 in Marlborough, Ulster Co., NY –d after 1792)
6. Jane (b.1734 in Marlborough, Ulster Co., NY-d?)
7. Anna Marie (b. 5 Apr 1736 in Newburgh, Ulster Co., NY-d. after 1792)
8. Sarah (b. 21 Sep 1738 in Marlborough, Ulster Co., NY-d. after 1792)
9. Nancy Anna (b.1 Apr 1741 – d. 4 Oct 1807)
10. West (b.26 Mar 1746 d. after 1792) (West was a girl.)  She married Joseph Pressler

Move to Oley, Berks County, PA

When Robert and Anna Maria Stapleton sold their NY land holdings and moved to PA, Michael and his wife did the same.  After struggling to develop their farm in Newburgh for about 15 years, they were ready to sell their land in 1725 and moved to Oley, PA, for hopefully greener pastures.  By this time Michael was 69 and Anna Catharina was 71.  Sons Tobias and Georg both opted to stay in New York where they and their families prospered. The two elder Weigands continued their church involvement in Oley, and in 1732 sponsored another child’s baptism.

End of the Journey

Because of the 1732 baptism, we know that Michael lived to be at least 76 and his wife lived to be at least 78.  We do not know when and where they died, though it was probably in Berks County, PA.  If Michael wrote a will, it is still to be found.  Michael’s life was difficult, but he persevered.  He brought his family to the colonies hoping for a better life.  His daughter and her husband later moved on into VA, and their children would travel on to TN.  Michael’s sons remained in NY and prospered in the new world.  They supported the Revolution, which would establish and guarantee the freedoms their parents had come to the new world to secure.

Michael Weigand was Mamaw McCarter’s 6 great grandfather.  If you are Mary Elizabeth Hatcher’s great, great grandchild, Michael Weigand is your 11 great grandfather

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Line of Descent from Michael Weigand to Mary Elizabeth Hatcher McCarter

Michael Weigand (1656-1723) + Anna Catharina Unknown (?-?)

Anna Maria Weigand (1695 bef. 747) + Robert Stapleton (1690-1754)

Catharina Margaretha Stapleton (1722-1796) + Simon Derrick (1718-1787)

Johannes (John) Frederick  Derrick (1740-1790) + Anna Maria Dunkleberger (1742-1796)

Elizabeth Derrick (1762-aft 1830) + Adam B. Fuchs (Fox) (1780-1814/1830)

Johannes Fox  (1784-1852) + Nancy Patterson (1787-bef.1860)

Christina “Ticey” Fox (1813-?) + Joseph Sutton (1812-?)

Russell Merritt Sutton ( 1834-1874) + Elizabeth Ann Headrick (1836-?)

Susannah Ann Sutton (1866-1903)  + Elder Israel Alexander Hatcher (1860-1950)

Mary Elizabeth Hatcher (1889-1969) + Rev. Eli McCarter (1886-1955)

Sources

“Ancestors of James Monroe.” Stapleton http://www.csbvp.com/Stapleton/stapleton.htm

Batdorff Family Genealogy Forum

http://www.jenforum.net/batdorff/messages/128.html

“Ferguson’s Family Tree and Branches” http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=debbieferguson&id=I107244

“Garver Genealogy” http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lmgarver/fam01106.html

 “History of Newburgh, NY” http://books.google.com/books?id=PxgXUZMJSzUC&pg=PA262&lpg=PA262&dq=%22Michael+Weigand%22+family&source=web&ots=GhFXgfbwgX&sig=wvQfBAWHewU1BcbiVoZdEvCnTr0&hl=en#PPA262,M1

Knittle, Walter Allen, Ph.D. Dept. of History, College of New York.  Early Eighteenth Century Palatine Emigration:  A British Government Redemptioner Project to Manufacture Naval Stores.  Chapter II.  “The Palatine Emigration of 1708”  Philadelphia: n.p., 1937.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mtroy/docs/Palatine_Book/knittlech2.htm

“LOVELESS-NY-L Archives.”  http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/LOVELESS-NY/2007-08/1187276980

MacWethy, Lou D.  “Joshua Von Kocherthal” in Three Rivers: Hudson, Mohawk, Schoharie. The Book of Names, Especially Relating to the Early Palatines and the First Settlers in the Mohawk Valley.  St. Johnsville, NY:  The Enterprise and News, 1933  http://www.fortklock.com/namekochsketch.htm

“Names, Age, and Occupation of these who Accompanied
Rev. Joshua Kocherthal “ http://www.museumstuff.com/family-history/names/Barbara-Weigand.php

Nettles, Curtis P.  “Pioneering in America.”  Collier’s Encyclopedia, 1997.  Sierra On-Line, Inc.

“Old Cemetery, The” http://www.oldtowncemetery.org/amerrevbio.html

‘Palantine Ships” Olive Tree Genealogy http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/ships/pal_engtony.shtml

Parker, Kathryn.  History of the Palatine Emigration to America http://www.rootsweb.com/~nygreen2/palatine_history.htm

“Stonehouse and Related Families”  http://www.stonehouse.ca/tree/p432.htm

“Weigand, George.”   http://www.csbvp.com/Stapleton/GeorgeWeigand.htm

Weigand Family Genforum  genforum.genealogy.com/weigand/

Weygandt Genforum.  http://genforum.genealogy.com.weyganddt

Wyant/Weygandt Family Connections 

 http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=swkp&id=109223