Individual Details

Immigration

Most of the thirteen original families of Germantown, Pennsylvania came from Crefeld, where the Lucken family had occupied an honorable position for many generations. Jan Lucken came in the "Concord", which cleared from London, July 24, 1683 and arrived at Chester, Pennsylvania on the Delaware, October 6, 1683, having on board also Thones Kunders, William Streepers, Reynier Tyson and altogether some thirty-two liberty seeking families who founded Germantown on a tract of land which they purchased before leaving Germany, and which was laid out to them on their arrival. Jan Lucken received his allotment of land in German Township and became at once prominent in its government and affairs. He was chosen constable of the town in 1691, burgess in 1694, sheriff in 1695, and bailiff in 1702. He prospered in the New Settlement and in 1709 acquired a plantation of five hundred acres in Towemencin (sp?) Township, Philadelphia (now Montgomery) County.

Like nearly all of the first families of Germantown, that of Jan Lucken were Mennonites prior to accepting the invitation of William Penn to settle in his new Province of Pennsylvania, and they brought with them to America the first Bible printed by the Mennonites on the press of Peter Sevastian in 1598. Jan Lucken marries about the time of his embarking to America, Mary Tyson, who died in 1742, sister of Reynier Tyson, who accompanied them to America.

Event

In 1709, January 10th, John Lucken purchased from Samuel Carpenter five hundred and five acres of land, a part of which is now owned by William J. Hallowell, near Davis Grove, Montgomery Co., (1864)

Event

in 1720, John and wife, Mary Lucken, sold to Peter Lucken one hundred and fifty acres

Death

Jan Lucken owned extensive tracts of land in Germantown and vicinity. One of these tracts was situated in Towamencin Township, and extended from the brick church to Kulpsville. Another tract of 500 acres was located on what is now the Doylestown and Willow Grove turnpike, on the county line...



“Was among the first settlers of Germantown, now part of the city of Philadelphia. He was one of the thirteen heads of families who arrived at Philadelphia on the 8th of October, 1683, as passengers on the ‘Concord,’ William Jeffries, master, after a voyage of nearly eleven weeks. Some were from Germany and others from Holland, and it is not certainly known from what place Jan Lucken came. His wife Mary, doubtless newly married, accompanied him. They were perhaps Mennonites at the time of their arrival, but at a later date were identified with the Friends. His name became anglicised to John, and in time Lucken passed into Lukens. John Luken and Arnold Clinken were appointed overseers of the Germantown Meeting, 1 mo., 25, 1706, and he was frequently a representative thence to the quarterly meeting. By occupation he was a weaver. The will of Jan Lucken of Germantown, weaver, dated 8th month 9th, 1741, and proved January 24th, 1744, names sons Mathias and Abraham as executors, and provides in the vent of the death of either, his son Joseph shall act instead