Hans Michel BackerThe descendants of Martin Luther Baker get together in May of each year at a Lutheran Church in Hickory. I have been in touch with some of them on serveral occasions regarding the genealogy of our common ancester. They have an oral tradition in their family that John Baker came to America in 1727 along with his brothers, Henry and Philip, and his sister, Elizabeth. I can nothing to substantiate that claiml. What I have found and believe to be accurate is the following which could only be documented with further research in the State of Pennsylvania.In 1737 the ship "Samuel" left Rotterdam bound for America. On her passenger manifest is listed Hands Michel Backer, age 23 (bron in 1714). Also listed is Philip Backer, age 54. The "Samuel" put into port in Cowes, England to pick up supplies and take on passengers and asailed for Philadelphia where she docked in August, 1727. As mandated by law both Hans and Philip took the oath of allegiance on August 30, 1737. Hans is the shortened form of Johann which translates into John in English. Michel (Michael) is a name that appears in our family and, associated with the name Philip, lends even more legitimacy to my belief that Hans Michel Backer is our ancestor who journey to America. Elizabeth, being female, was not required by law to be listed as was Henry if he were under age 16. Hans Michel Backer appear first on themembership list of Christ Lutheran Church, also called Tulpehocken, in 1738 when he and his wife presented a boy, also named Johann Michel, bron on January 2 to be baptized on January 24. He again appears on a tax toll in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 1752. In a newspaper article dated May 25, 1767 a Johann Michel Backer (questionable as whether the son bron in 1728 or the father) is named as the school teacher in Tulpehocken near present-day Reading, Pennsylvania. Any other children bron to Hans Michel Backer are unknown. What remains in my research is to locate in Pennsylvania, specifically Berks County, documentation of the family of Hans Michel Backer. His will or other documents would lend credence to what I believe is factual. Prepared by: Dr. Robert H. Baker, III Web site maintained by: Vicky Sawyer, TGAW Last updated: January 24, 2001 |