Individual Details
Peter Newcomer Senior
(Abt 1680 - 29 Jan 1732/33)
Peter Newcomer, Sr. may be the Peter (1680-?) son of Wolfgang Neukommet, III, of Hinten, Eggiwil, Bern, Switzerland.
Neukommet is the spelling of the Newcomer surname on a marriage record in Switzerland in 1704 for a Peter. Not sure if this is my ancestor Peter.
Newcomat was the spelling on my Peter's will. "Neu" and "komm" translate as "new" and "come", I have been told by one who speaks German, but "et" makes it a command--"come here". Use of "er" is common to signify a person of or from a given location, however I have found no place named "Neukomm." Another possibility is that the German pronunciation sounded like the English "Newcomer."
Neukommer was the spelling for an Allfort and a Heinrich, reported by Charlie Newcomer. However, I cannot verify a link between my Newcomers and Allfort and Heinrich Neukommer.
At any rate, I cannot verify that the Peter Newcomer who immigrated to America and the Peter who married Katharina Blaser on 27 April 1704 in Langnau Im Emmantel, Berne, Switzerland are the same person.
The tombstone of a grandson (Henry Newcomer) of Peter Newcomer is inscribed Heinrich Neukommets.
My Peter landed in Philadelphia in 1717, one of about 300 Mennonites and Quakers aboard three ships that sailed from London. He was Langnau, Switzerland. In 1724 he was taxed in Conestoga. And, we know that Peter became a naturalized British citizen on 14 February 1729/1730.
We do know that Martin Kendig returned to the Palatinate to recruit more Anabaptist families of Swiss origin, and that he returned in 1717 with more families. My Peter Neukommet was among those families.
Other Newcomers may have emigrated earlier than Peter. Oscar Kuhns listed Neukomm as one of the Swiss Germans to come to Lancaster County and settle on land previously patented on 23 October 1710 to Hans Herr and Martin Kundig. No first name is given for the Neukomm that was part of the is group.
A Hans Newcomer is listed on the Conestoga Township tax roles in 1718, 1721 and 1725. How, and if, this Hans relates to Peter is unknown.
Peter spoke his will to Hance Musleman and Simeon King, just hours before his death at his home. A month later, on 23 February of 1732/33, his will was written in High Dutch and officially recorded. Some time later, probably the 4th or 7th of February 1753 (this date is also written on the cover/title page of Peter's will), the will was translated into English.
Peter, left his land to his middle son, Wolfgang Newcomer. Peter's oldest son, Johannes (John), concurred with the will. I guess that Johannes already owned property, and thus did not need the farm and did not contest the will.
Confusion arises from the English version where Peter stated, "...having so much confidence of the goodness of my afore son Woolfgang that I am certain he will help to raise his younger brothers and sisters." To the best of my knowledge, Wolfgang only had one younger brother, Peter, Jr. Also, various sources list only one daughter, however some sources give "Magdalena" and other sources give "Maria" as the the one sister. Maybe there were more brothers and sisters than I have found. For now, I am relying on the "middle son" phrase from the will to back up the listing of three sons. Also, maybe the plural for both brothers and sisters is a poor translation.
Now, where was this farm that Peter left to Wolfgang? I think it is the same farm that Wolfgang lived on when Wolfgang's son, Christian, was born in 1749. The farm can be located today by following the sign posted in the service station at the corner of New Holland Pike (Route 23) and Hess Road. The United Methodist Church posted the sign to honor Christian Newcomer's role in the early years of the United Brethren in Christ. The United Brethren in Christ changed names and eventually merged with the Methodists in the 1960s to become the United Methodists. The farm is at 353 East Eby Road, Leola 17540.
To substantiate that this farm was Peter's, a warrant issued in May 1735 to David Thomas for acreage near Mill Creek states that the Thomas property adjoins the properties of Peter Newcomer and Simon King of Leacock Township. Mill Creek runs just south of 353 Eby Road, about one farm's worth. Also, Simon King was a witness to Peter's will. My source for Thomas's will is Marsha Hoffman Rising. However, there is one inconsistency: Peter Newcomer died in 1732 or 1733. The farm next to David Thomas's would have been Wolfgang Newcomer's by 1735. I have chosen to live with this inconsistency and still assert that Wolfgang's farm was his father's and that the Peter Newcomer mentioned in Thomas's deed is my ancestor, Peter.
Other spellings of names that may have become Newcomer and appear in Pennsylvania census or on Strassburger shipping lines list of passengers are:
Niewcomer, Newkomer, Newcummer, Newcumber, Newcome and Newcomer.
In German, I have been told:
* Neu translates as new.
* Komm translates as come.
* Komet translates as comet or meteor.
* Kommet translates as come here.
* Kometen translates as rapid.
* Neukommer translates as Newcomer.
In all of the spellings, the individuals were German-speaking Anabaptists from Landvogtei of Erguel, a part of Bishopric of Basel, Canton Berne, Switzerland. Many Anabaptists left Switzerland because of religious persecution or to seek better economic conditions.
Agnes Long, in referring to Peter Newcomer stated that the "older members were Mennonites..."
Mennonites originated in the Netherlands, and were part of the Anabaptist movement. In Switzerland, the Anabaptists were mostly Swiss Brethren and some Mennonites. Between 1625 and 1660, 1,170 Mennonites were executed in France. In Zurich, Switzerland, between 1527 and 1670 authorities odered the Anabapatists, call "Taufers", to renounce their faith or loose their property. When Anabaptists resisted they were often tortured to death. The methods were quite horrendous.
The German Baptist Brethren originated in Crefeld, Palatinate, Germany in 1709. Along with English Quakers, Mennonites and Brethren believed in (1) separation of church and state, (2) adult baptism, (3) opposition to military service, and (4) refusal to swear any kind of oath. Due to persecution by Reformed churches, Mennonites established two customs that lasted even after the need ceased. Holding of religious services in private homes began as a way to avoid detection by the authorities. Burial in family plots began because Mennonites were forbidden burial in recognized church cemeteries.
A Christian Nieuwkommet, 38, and his wife and 6 children, with 7th expected, were recorded in January 1672 at Greisheim, northwest of Strasbough, France. Hans Nieuwkommet and his family lived in the Black Forest of Germany for a short while before moving on to France.
A Babe Newcomer was among the Bern, Switzerland Anabaptists that fled to the Palatinate in 1671.
In 1699 a Mennonite Christian Neucommet was living in Lower Palatinate. In 1731 a Christian Newcomer is listed as a deacon at Rohrrohf, two hours east of Mannheim, Germany.
Palatinate immigrants to the Susquehanna River in 1711 include Hans Newkomen. Hans Newcomer is mentioned among the early settlers of western Chester County along the Susquehanna River. A Hans Newcomer is listed on the assessment roles in 1718, 1721 and 1725. Peter Newcomer is also listed for 1721 and 1725.
Immigrants to Philadelphia from Rotterdam, Holland include Johannes Navcommet or Neykomet on 15 June 1728 aboard the ship Mortonhouse, Christian NewComer Sr. and Jr. in 1742, Christian Newcomer on the ship Brotherhood on 3 November 1750, Christian and Ulrich Nieucomer 1754 and Christian Newcomer in 1754.
A John Newcomer was listed as owning 60 acres of land in Conestoga Manor in 1735.
In 1745 a Ulrich Newcomer, a Swiss, was "found" wandering in France or Germany.
Scharf credits the first Newcomer in the USA to Heinrich Neukomer who immigrated to American in 1724, settling in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Richard Davis believes, but cannot prove, that Peter Newcomer's father was Wolfgang Neukommet, III. I have entered Davis' data into my files, but not connected them because of the lack of verification.
Through all of the information that I have seen, I find it conclusive that my ancestor Peter Newcomer came to what is now Lancaster County by 1719. I also am persuaded that his farm is still a farm and has the same boundaries as his original plot. His descendant line to me is relatively easy to trace. From his time to mine, if the descendant/ancestor was born in the 1700s, they were born in what is now Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. If they were in the 1800s, they were born in Washington County, Maryland, and, if they were in the 1900s, they were born in Ogle County, Illinois, as was I.
Neukommet is the spelling of the Newcomer surname on a marriage record in Switzerland in 1704 for a Peter. Not sure if this is my ancestor Peter.
Newcomat was the spelling on my Peter's will. "Neu" and "komm" translate as "new" and "come", I have been told by one who speaks German, but "et" makes it a command--"come here". Use of "er" is common to signify a person of or from a given location, however I have found no place named "Neukomm." Another possibility is that the German pronunciation sounded like the English "Newcomer."
Neukommer was the spelling for an Allfort and a Heinrich, reported by Charlie Newcomer. However, I cannot verify a link between my Newcomers and Allfort and Heinrich Neukommer.
At any rate, I cannot verify that the Peter Newcomer who immigrated to America and the Peter who married Katharina Blaser on 27 April 1704 in Langnau Im Emmantel, Berne, Switzerland are the same person.
The tombstone of a grandson (Henry Newcomer) of Peter Newcomer is inscribed Heinrich Neukommets.
My Peter landed in Philadelphia in 1717, one of about 300 Mennonites and Quakers aboard three ships that sailed from London. He was Langnau, Switzerland. In 1724 he was taxed in Conestoga. And, we know that Peter became a naturalized British citizen on 14 February 1729/1730.
We do know that Martin Kendig returned to the Palatinate to recruit more Anabaptist families of Swiss origin, and that he returned in 1717 with more families. My Peter Neukommet was among those families.
Other Newcomers may have emigrated earlier than Peter. Oscar Kuhns listed Neukomm as one of the Swiss Germans to come to Lancaster County and settle on land previously patented on 23 October 1710 to Hans Herr and Martin Kundig. No first name is given for the Neukomm that was part of the is group.
A Hans Newcomer is listed on the Conestoga Township tax roles in 1718, 1721 and 1725. How, and if, this Hans relates to Peter is unknown.
Peter spoke his will to Hance Musleman and Simeon King, just hours before his death at his home. A month later, on 23 February of 1732/33, his will was written in High Dutch and officially recorded. Some time later, probably the 4th or 7th of February 1753 (this date is also written on the cover/title page of Peter's will), the will was translated into English.
Peter, left his land to his middle son, Wolfgang Newcomer. Peter's oldest son, Johannes (John), concurred with the will. I guess that Johannes already owned property, and thus did not need the farm and did not contest the will.
Confusion arises from the English version where Peter stated, "...having so much confidence of the goodness of my afore son Woolfgang that I am certain he will help to raise his younger brothers and sisters." To the best of my knowledge, Wolfgang only had one younger brother, Peter, Jr. Also, various sources list only one daughter, however some sources give "Magdalena" and other sources give "Maria" as the the one sister. Maybe there were more brothers and sisters than I have found. For now, I am relying on the "middle son" phrase from the will to back up the listing of three sons. Also, maybe the plural for both brothers and sisters is a poor translation.
Now, where was this farm that Peter left to Wolfgang? I think it is the same farm that Wolfgang lived on when Wolfgang's son, Christian, was born in 1749. The farm can be located today by following the sign posted in the service station at the corner of New Holland Pike (Route 23) and Hess Road. The United Methodist Church posted the sign to honor Christian Newcomer's role in the early years of the United Brethren in Christ. The United Brethren in Christ changed names and eventually merged with the Methodists in the 1960s to become the United Methodists. The farm is at 353 East Eby Road, Leola 17540.
To substantiate that this farm was Peter's, a warrant issued in May 1735 to David Thomas for acreage near Mill Creek states that the Thomas property adjoins the properties of Peter Newcomer and Simon King of Leacock Township. Mill Creek runs just south of 353 Eby Road, about one farm's worth. Also, Simon King was a witness to Peter's will. My source for Thomas's will is Marsha Hoffman Rising. However, there is one inconsistency: Peter Newcomer died in 1732 or 1733. The farm next to David Thomas's would have been Wolfgang Newcomer's by 1735. I have chosen to live with this inconsistency and still assert that Wolfgang's farm was his father's and that the Peter Newcomer mentioned in Thomas's deed is my ancestor, Peter.
Other spellings of names that may have become Newcomer and appear in Pennsylvania census or on Strassburger shipping lines list of passengers are:
Niewcomer, Newkomer, Newcummer, Newcumber, Newcome and Newcomer.
In German, I have been told:
* Neu translates as new.
* Komm translates as come.
* Komet translates as comet or meteor.
* Kommet translates as come here.
* Kometen translates as rapid.
* Neukommer translates as Newcomer.
In all of the spellings, the individuals were German-speaking Anabaptists from Landvogtei of Erguel, a part of Bishopric of Basel, Canton Berne, Switzerland. Many Anabaptists left Switzerland because of religious persecution or to seek better economic conditions.
Agnes Long, in referring to Peter Newcomer stated that the "older members were Mennonites..."
Mennonites originated in the Netherlands, and were part of the Anabaptist movement. In Switzerland, the Anabaptists were mostly Swiss Brethren and some Mennonites. Between 1625 and 1660, 1,170 Mennonites were executed in France. In Zurich, Switzerland, between 1527 and 1670 authorities odered the Anabapatists, call "Taufers", to renounce their faith or loose their property. When Anabaptists resisted they were often tortured to death. The methods were quite horrendous.
The German Baptist Brethren originated in Crefeld, Palatinate, Germany in 1709. Along with English Quakers, Mennonites and Brethren believed in (1) separation of church and state, (2) adult baptism, (3) opposition to military service, and (4) refusal to swear any kind of oath. Due to persecution by Reformed churches, Mennonites established two customs that lasted even after the need ceased. Holding of religious services in private homes began as a way to avoid detection by the authorities. Burial in family plots began because Mennonites were forbidden burial in recognized church cemeteries.
A Christian Nieuwkommet, 38, and his wife and 6 children, with 7th expected, were recorded in January 1672 at Greisheim, northwest of Strasbough, France. Hans Nieuwkommet and his family lived in the Black Forest of Germany for a short while before moving on to France.
A Babe Newcomer was among the Bern, Switzerland Anabaptists that fled to the Palatinate in 1671.
In 1699 a Mennonite Christian Neucommet was living in Lower Palatinate. In 1731 a Christian Newcomer is listed as a deacon at Rohrrohf, two hours east of Mannheim, Germany.
Palatinate immigrants to the Susquehanna River in 1711 include Hans Newkomen. Hans Newcomer is mentioned among the early settlers of western Chester County along the Susquehanna River. A Hans Newcomer is listed on the assessment roles in 1718, 1721 and 1725. Peter Newcomer is also listed for 1721 and 1725.
Immigrants to Philadelphia from Rotterdam, Holland include Johannes Navcommet or Neykomet on 15 June 1728 aboard the ship Mortonhouse, Christian NewComer Sr. and Jr. in 1742, Christian Newcomer on the ship Brotherhood on 3 November 1750, Christian and Ulrich Nieucomer 1754 and Christian Newcomer in 1754.
A John Newcomer was listed as owning 60 acres of land in Conestoga Manor in 1735.
In 1745 a Ulrich Newcomer, a Swiss, was "found" wandering in France or Germany.
Scharf credits the first Newcomer in the USA to Heinrich Neukomer who immigrated to American in 1724, settling in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Richard Davis believes, but cannot prove, that Peter Newcomer's father was Wolfgang Neukommet, III. I have entered Davis' data into my files, but not connected them because of the lack of verification.
Through all of the information that I have seen, I find it conclusive that my ancestor Peter Newcomer came to what is now Lancaster County by 1719. I also am persuaded that his farm is still a farm and has the same boundaries as his original plot. His descendant line to me is relatively easy to trace. From his time to mine, if the descendant/ancestor was born in the 1700s, they were born in what is now Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. If they were in the 1800s, they were born in Washington County, Maryland, and, if they were in the 1900s, they were born in Ogle County, Illinois, as was I.
Events
| Birth | Abt 1680 | Langnau Im Immental, Bern, Switzerland |  |  | |
| Death | 29 Jan 1732/33 | Leacock, Lancaster, PA | | ||
| Alt name | Peter Neukommet | ||||
| Alt name | Peter Newcomat | ||||
| Will | Leacock, Lancaster, PA | |
Families
| Spouse | ms ( - ) |
| Child | Hans Newcomer Senior (1707 - ) |
| Child | Wolfgang Newcomer (1710 - 1771) |
| Child | Newcomer (1713 - ) |
| Child | Peter Newcomer Junior (1715 - 1755) |
| Child | Magdalena Newcomer ( - ) |
Notes
Birth
Peter Newcomer, Sr. was born on 15 January 1675, according to Ancestry.com (no further source citation was given). Another source gave ca. 1684, and Allan Garber gave maybe 1680.Death
Peter Newcomer, Sr. spoke his will to Hance Musleman and Simeon King just before his death (will A-1-10, Leacock Township).Will
Peter Newcomer's will is A-1-10, Online Vol. A-B, Image 7.Endnotes
1. Richard Warren Davis, "Swiss and German Mennonite Immigrants From the Palatinate, 1704-1717," Mennonite Family History, XIII, No. 1 (January 1994): 15.