Individual Details
Reverend Anthony Jacob HENCKEL
(27 October 1668 - 12 August 1728)
~~ The Reverend Anthony Jacob HENCKEL was the "Pastor of the Lutherans" who, with 363 of his flock and family members, sailed to the new land of America in "three little ships" from Germany in 1717. He was almost 50 years old. ~~
The Lutherans, headed by the Rev. Anthony Jacob HENCKEL and his son-in-law, Valentine Geiger, arrived on one of the three vessels which reached Phildelphia in September 19, 1717, "Capt. Richmond, Capt. Tower & Capt. Eyers, waited upon the Board with the list of Palatines they had imported here from London; by which list it appeared that Capt. Richmond had imported one hundred & sixty- four, Capt. Towers ninety-one, and Capt. Eyers one hundred and eight." In 1718, Anthony Jacob Henckel acquired a tract of 250 acres in Hanover Township, where as Muehlenburg testifies, he "ministered for a number of years to the first settlers of that region."
SOURCE: Strassburger, Ralph Beaver, Pennsylvania German Piuoneers,-Vol.1-11 , Norristown, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania German Society, 1934.
ORGIN OF THE SHIP
It was through the arrival of these three ships of 1717, with their 363 Palatines, that the attention of the provincial authorites was first directed, with serious concern, to these newcomers. On September 17, 1717, Governor William Keith:
"Observed to the Council, that great numbers of foreigners, from Germany, strangers to our language and Constitution, having lately been imported into this Province, daily dispersed themselves immediately after Landing, without producing any Certificates, from whence they came or what they were; & as they seemed to have first landed in Britain, & afterwards to have left it without any License from the Government, or so much as their knowledge, so in the same manner they behaved here, without making the least application to himself or to any of the Magistrates; That as this Practise might be of very dangerous Consequences,since by the same method any number of foreigners from any nation whatever, as well masters of vessels who have lately imported any of these foeigners be from any nation whatever, as well Enemys as friends, might throw themselves upon us. The Governor, therefore, thought it requisite that this matter should be considered by the Board, & accordingly it was considered, & "tis Ordered thereupon, that all masters of vessels lately imported any of these foreigners be summonded to appear at this Board, to render an Account of the Number and character of their Passengers respectively from Britain; That all those who are already Landed be required by a Proclamation, to be issued for that purpose, to Repair within the space of the month to some Magistrate, particularly to the Recorder of this City, to take such Oaths appointed by Law as are Necessary to give assurances of their being well affected to his Majesty and his government; But because some of these foreigners are said to be Mennonists, who cannot for Conscience sake take such Oaths, that those persons be admitted upon their giving any Equivalent assurances in their own way and manner, & that the Naval Offier of this Port be required not to admit any inward bound vessel to an Entry, until the Master shall first give an exact list of all their passengers imported by them."
SOURCE: This letter of Guldin was translated and published by the writer in the journal of Presbyterian Historical Society, Vol. xiv, pp. 28-41; 46-73
In response to this order of the Council, the captains of the three ships that had just arrived appeared before the Council two days later and handed in lists of the Palatines whom they had imported. After this one action, however, the order of the Council was apparently forgotten or failed to be enforced. At least there are no more references in the minutes of the Council to this subject, which implies that during the next ten years no other captains were required to submit lists. Neither is there any evidence that the proclamation of the Governor was issued or that the subject or immigration excited any more discussion.
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Settling in New Hanover near Pottstown Pennsylvania, The Reverend Anthony Jacob HENCKEL was to have great impact on the future of America's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was probably responsible for organizing first Lutheran congregations in Pennsylvania. Soon after his arrival, he resumed his ministerial duties, traveling the district by horseback visiting homes of German settlers, christening infants, performing marriages, establishing schools and churches.
He founded the orginal church in 1721 at the present location of "St. Michael's Lutheran Church" at Germantown , Pennsylvania, at Germantown Avenue and Phil Ellena Street. In the adjoining church cemetery he, his wife, and son Anthony lie buried.
" ST. MICHAEL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH" 6671 Germantown Ave; Philadelphia PA 19119-2252 Phone: 848-0199
It is not far distant to Chestnut Hill where Reverend HENCKEL was killed by a fall from a horse, in August 1728, at the age of 60. It is told that, as he was returning home one dark night from a sick bed of one of his parishioners who had sent for him, his horse stumbled and threw him. He was carried into the home of Herman Groothausen, where he dictated his noncupative Will. He died the same night of August 12, 1728.
His record covers over 35 years of active service as a Lutheran Minister. Extensive research has been done on this noble and serious ancestor. He matriculated May 5, 1688 at Giessen University, Giessen, GERMANY. He served 25 years as a pastor with various congregations in the northern Kraichgua area, east of Heidelberg. His letters, that have been preserved, further indicate he was an intelligent, well-educated minister for his period.
The reverend Anthony Jacob HENCKEL and his wife Maria Elizabeth are buried at St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
===========
Anthony Jacob established and was the first pastor of St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Anthony died in Philadelphia on August , 1728 and is buried in St. Michael's Church Cemetery. The following is his Will.
THE NONCUPATIVE [oral] WILL
OF
REVEREND ANTHONY JACOB HENCKEL
Anthony Jacob Henckel of Hanover Townshop in the county of Philadelphia, in the province of Pennsylvania, Minister being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and memory, did in the presence of us the subscribers declare that this last Will and Testamant in manner hereinafter following, that is to say:
First, that the testator did give and bequeath unto his wife Maria Elizabeth during her widowhood the possession and enjoyment of all his the said testators estate, real and personal, and that if said wife should marry again that then she should have only a third of his real estate as usually allowed by law.
Second, also he the said testator did give, devise, and bequeath unto his two youngest sons John Justus and Anthony Jacob and to their heirs and assigns forever, all of his the said tesator's plantation and tract of 250 acres of land situated in New Hanover Township aforesaid, tro be equally divided between his two sons share and share alike where of they shall be possessed after their mother's decease or marring, which ever should first happen, after which possession they, his two sons, John Justus and Jacob Anthony, should by equal contributions pay out of the said testator's real estate the full sum of 100 pounds of lawful money of Pennsylvania five other children, namely of her heirs, Maria Elizabeth, and Maria Catherine, share and share alike.
Third, also, the said testator did give, devise, and bequeath unto his aforesaid eldest son, Gerhard Anthony, the sum of five shillings, or the value then of over and above his equal shareof ye 100 pounds aforesaid.
In testimony to the truth whereof we the subscribers have set our hands in evidence in witness hereunto.
Dated the twelfth day of August, Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred and twenty-eight.
Herman Groothausen
Hans Michael Schwenstock
George Ruger
Philadelphia, August 17, 1728
. There personally appeared Herman Groothausen, Hans Michael Schwenstock, and George Ruger, witness to the forgioing, nun-cupative will, and on their oath did declare that the testator Anthony Jacob Henkel, on the twelth day of this instant, August, fell off his horse on the road from Philadephia to his home in New Hanover Township, which disabled him, and he was carrid to the house of the deponent Herman Groothausen in the manor of Springfield, where the testator lying very ill, bid the deponents take notice that the contents of the within and above writing was his Will, and the deponents do say that the testator at this time of his speaking the said nun-cupative will was of sound mind, memoery, and understanding, to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Peter Evans, Reg-General
Letters of Administration. Reg-Office
Philadelphia, Book C, page 109.
On September 14, 1728, Maria Elizabeth, the widow of Reverand Anthony Jacob Henckel, was granted letters of adminstration the estate, and gave bond of 200 pounds for the proper performance of her duties.
APPRAISEMENT OF THE ESTATE
An invetory of all and singular, the lands, goods, chattles and credits of Anthony Jacob Henckel, late of New Hanover Township, in the county of Philadelphia, deceased, taken and appraised the twenty-seventh day of August, Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred by us whose names are herein written:
Imprimis- The Plantation 150 pounds
Item- The wagon, 7 horses and gear 50
Item-Thre mares 12
Item-Cows and young cattle 20
Item-Corn in Bin 20
Item-Books 3
Item-Pewter 3 Schillings
Item-A fire shovel 0 5
Item-Two saddles 1 10
Item-One pot and iron plate 0 10
Item-One bed 1
Item-Share and colter and harrow with iron tines 2 10
Item-Parcel of Sheep 1 10
Item-Hogs 1
Total 266 5
Item-Debt due the estate 76 15
Adam Garman
==============
SOURCE
"HENCKEL GENEALOGY" William & Minnie Wyatt Junkin: 1964; page 882
Lisa Hinkle Siders
jsiders@ameritech.net
The Lutherans, headed by the Rev. Anthony Jacob HENCKEL and his son-in-law, Valentine Geiger, arrived on one of the three vessels which reached Phildelphia in September 19, 1717, "Capt. Richmond, Capt. Tower & Capt. Eyers, waited upon the Board with the list of Palatines they had imported here from London; by which list it appeared that Capt. Richmond had imported one hundred & sixty- four, Capt. Towers ninety-one, and Capt. Eyers one hundred and eight." In 1718, Anthony Jacob Henckel acquired a tract of 250 acres in Hanover Township, where as Muehlenburg testifies, he "ministered for a number of years to the first settlers of that region."
SOURCE: Strassburger, Ralph Beaver, Pennsylvania German Piuoneers,-Vol.1-11 , Norristown, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania German Society, 1934.
ORGIN OF THE SHIP
It was through the arrival of these three ships of 1717, with their 363 Palatines, that the attention of the provincial authorites was first directed, with serious concern, to these newcomers. On September 17, 1717, Governor William Keith:
"Observed to the Council, that great numbers of foreigners, from Germany, strangers to our language and Constitution, having lately been imported into this Province, daily dispersed themselves immediately after Landing, without producing any Certificates, from whence they came or what they were; & as they seemed to have first landed in Britain, & afterwards to have left it without any License from the Government, or so much as their knowledge, so in the same manner they behaved here, without making the least application to himself or to any of the Magistrates; That as this Practise might be of very dangerous Consequences,since by the same method any number of foreigners from any nation whatever, as well masters of vessels who have lately imported any of these foeigners be from any nation whatever, as well Enemys as friends, might throw themselves upon us. The Governor, therefore, thought it requisite that this matter should be considered by the Board, & accordingly it was considered, & "tis Ordered thereupon, that all masters of vessels lately imported any of these foreigners be summonded to appear at this Board, to render an Account of the Number and character of their Passengers respectively from Britain; That all those who are already Landed be required by a Proclamation, to be issued for that purpose, to Repair within the space of the month to some Magistrate, particularly to the Recorder of this City, to take such Oaths appointed by Law as are Necessary to give assurances of their being well affected to his Majesty and his government; But because some of these foreigners are said to be Mennonists, who cannot for Conscience sake take such Oaths, that those persons be admitted upon their giving any Equivalent assurances in their own way and manner, & that the Naval Offier of this Port be required not to admit any inward bound vessel to an Entry, until the Master shall first give an exact list of all their passengers imported by them."
SOURCE: This letter of Guldin was translated and published by the writer in the journal of Presbyterian Historical Society, Vol. xiv, pp. 28-41; 46-73
In response to this order of the Council, the captains of the three ships that had just arrived appeared before the Council two days later and handed in lists of the Palatines whom they had imported. After this one action, however, the order of the Council was apparently forgotten or failed to be enforced. At least there are no more references in the minutes of the Council to this subject, which implies that during the next ten years no other captains were required to submit lists. Neither is there any evidence that the proclamation of the Governor was issued or that the subject or immigration excited any more discussion.
******************************************************************************
Settling in New Hanover near Pottstown Pennsylvania, The Reverend Anthony Jacob HENCKEL was to have great impact on the future of America's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was probably responsible for organizing first Lutheran congregations in Pennsylvania. Soon after his arrival, he resumed his ministerial duties, traveling the district by horseback visiting homes of German settlers, christening infants, performing marriages, establishing schools and churches.
He founded the orginal church in 1721 at the present location of "St. Michael's Lutheran Church" at Germantown , Pennsylvania, at Germantown Avenue and Phil Ellena Street. In the adjoining church cemetery he, his wife, and son Anthony lie buried.
" ST. MICHAEL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH" 6671 Germantown Ave; Philadelphia PA 19119-2252 Phone: 848-0199
It is not far distant to Chestnut Hill where Reverend HENCKEL was killed by a fall from a horse, in August 1728, at the age of 60. It is told that, as he was returning home one dark night from a sick bed of one of his parishioners who had sent for him, his horse stumbled and threw him. He was carried into the home of Herman Groothausen, where he dictated his noncupative Will. He died the same night of August 12, 1728.
His record covers over 35 years of active service as a Lutheran Minister. Extensive research has been done on this noble and serious ancestor. He matriculated May 5, 1688 at Giessen University, Giessen, GERMANY. He served 25 years as a pastor with various congregations in the northern Kraichgua area, east of Heidelberg. His letters, that have been preserved, further indicate he was an intelligent, well-educated minister for his period.
The reverend Anthony Jacob HENCKEL and his wife Maria Elizabeth are buried at St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
===========
Anthony Jacob established and was the first pastor of St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Anthony died in Philadelphia on August , 1728 and is buried in St. Michael's Church Cemetery. The following is his Will.
THE NONCUPATIVE [oral] WILL
OF
REVEREND ANTHONY JACOB HENCKEL
Anthony Jacob Henckel of Hanover Townshop in the county of Philadelphia, in the province of Pennsylvania, Minister being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and memory, did in the presence of us the subscribers declare that this last Will and Testamant in manner hereinafter following, that is to say:
First, that the testator did give and bequeath unto his wife Maria Elizabeth during her widowhood the possession and enjoyment of all his the said testators estate, real and personal, and that if said wife should marry again that then she should have only a third of his real estate as usually allowed by law.
Second, also he the said testator did give, devise, and bequeath unto his two youngest sons John Justus and Anthony Jacob and to their heirs and assigns forever, all of his the said tesator's plantation and tract of 250 acres of land situated in New Hanover Township aforesaid, tro be equally divided between his two sons share and share alike where of they shall be possessed after their mother's decease or marring, which ever should first happen, after which possession they, his two sons, John Justus and Jacob Anthony, should by equal contributions pay out of the said testator's real estate the full sum of 100 pounds of lawful money of Pennsylvania five other children, namely of her heirs, Maria Elizabeth, and Maria Catherine, share and share alike.
Third, also, the said testator did give, devise, and bequeath unto his aforesaid eldest son, Gerhard Anthony, the sum of five shillings, or the value then of over and above his equal shareof ye 100 pounds aforesaid.
In testimony to the truth whereof we the subscribers have set our hands in evidence in witness hereunto.
Dated the twelfth day of August, Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred and twenty-eight.
Herman Groothausen
Hans Michael Schwenstock
George Ruger
Philadelphia, August 17, 1728
. There personally appeared Herman Groothausen, Hans Michael Schwenstock, and George Ruger, witness to the forgioing, nun-cupative will, and on their oath did declare that the testator Anthony Jacob Henkel, on the twelth day of this instant, August, fell off his horse on the road from Philadephia to his home in New Hanover Township, which disabled him, and he was carrid to the house of the deponent Herman Groothausen in the manor of Springfield, where the testator lying very ill, bid the deponents take notice that the contents of the within and above writing was his Will, and the deponents do say that the testator at this time of his speaking the said nun-cupative will was of sound mind, memoery, and understanding, to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Peter Evans, Reg-General
Letters of Administration. Reg-Office
Philadelphia, Book C, page 109.
On September 14, 1728, Maria Elizabeth, the widow of Reverand Anthony Jacob Henckel, was granted letters of adminstration the estate, and gave bond of 200 pounds for the proper performance of her duties.
APPRAISEMENT OF THE ESTATE
An invetory of all and singular, the lands, goods, chattles and credits of Anthony Jacob Henckel, late of New Hanover Township, in the county of Philadelphia, deceased, taken and appraised the twenty-seventh day of August, Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred by us whose names are herein written:
Imprimis- The Plantation 150 pounds
Item- The wagon, 7 horses and gear 50
Item-Thre mares 12
Item-Cows and young cattle 20
Item-Corn in Bin 20
Item-Books 3
Item-Pewter 3 Schillings
Item-A fire shovel 0 5
Item-Two saddles 1 10
Item-One pot and iron plate 0 10
Item-One bed 1
Item-Share and colter and harrow with iron tines 2 10
Item-Parcel of Sheep 1 10
Item-Hogs 1
Total 266 5
Item-Debt due the estate 76 15
Adam Garman
==============
SOURCE
"HENCKEL GENEALOGY" William & Minnie Wyatt Junkin: 1964; page 882
Lisa Hinkle Siders
jsiders@ameritech.net
Events
| Birth | 27 October 1668 | Merenberg, Hessen-Nassau, Germany | |||
| Christen | 27 December 1668 | Merenberg, Hessen-Nassau, Germany |  | ||
| Marriage | 25 April 1692 | Daudenzell, Mosbach, Baden, Germany - Maria Elizabeth DENTZER | | ||
| Burial | 1728 | St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Germantown, Pennsylvania | | ||
| Death | 12 August 1728 | Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | | ||
| Alt name | Anthonius Jacobus Henckel | ||||
| Ancestral File Number | 4RNS-MC | ||||
| Reference No | 6 | ||||
| Occupation | Reverend (Luthern Church) |
Families
| Spouse | Maria Elizabeth DENTZER (1672 - 1744) |
| Child | Johann Nicholaus HENCKEL (1693 - 1693) |
| Child | Johanna Frederica HENCKEL (1694 - 1739) |
| Child | Johann Melchoir HENCKEL (1696 - 1706) |
| Child | Johann Gerhard HENCKEL (1698 - 1736) |
| Child | Maria Elizabetha HENCKEL (1699 - 1746) |
| Child | Georg Rudolph HENCKEL (1701 - 1788) |
| Child | Anna Maria Christina HENCKEL (1704 - 1708) |
| Child | Johann Justus HENCKEL (1706 - 1788) |
| Child | Benigna Maria HENCKEL (1707 - 1708) |
| Child | Jacob Anthony HENCKEL (1709 - 1751) |
| Child | Maria Catherina HENCKEL (1711 - 1785) |
| Child | Johann Philipp HENCKEL (1713 - ) |
| Father | Herr Georg HENCKEL (1635 - 1678) |
| Mother | Anna Eulalia DENTZER (1640 - 1700) |
| Sibling | Elizabetha Catherina HENCKEL ( - ) |
| Sibling | Johann Christianus HENCKEL (1670 - ) |
| Sibling | Johann Konradus HENCKEL ( - ) |
| Sibling | Johann Georg HENCKEL ( - ) |
| Sibling | Philip Conrad HENCKEL ( - ) |
Endnotes
1. Compilers: William Sumner Junkin, Minnie Wyatt Junkin, The Henckel Genealogy, 1500-1960: Ancestry and Descendants of Reverend Anthony Jacob Henckel 1668-1728 (Spokane, Washington: C. W. Hill Printing Company, 1964).
2. Compilers: William Sumner Junkin, Minnie Wyatt Junkin, The Henckel Genealogy, 1500-1960: Ancestry and Descendants of Reverend Anthony Jacob Henckel 1668-1728 (Spokane, Washington: C. W. Hill Printing Company, 1964).
3. Compilers: William Sumner Junkin, Minnie Wyatt Junkin, The Henckel Genealogy, 1500-1960: Ancestry and Descendants of Reverend Anthony Jacob Henckel 1668-1728 (Spokane, Washington: C. W. Hill Printing Company, 1964).
4. Compilers: William Sumner Junkin, Minnie Wyatt Junkin, The Henckel Genealogy, 1500-1960: Ancestry and Descendants of Reverend Anthony Jacob Henckel 1668-1728 (Spokane, Washington: C. W. Hill Printing Company, 1964).