HI all
I have a couple of questions concerning the above couple in the subject line.
They are supposed to have immigrated to America in 1732 on the ship Samuel, arriving in
Philadelphia. I’ve tracked down the ship list at Ship Transcribers Guild, and can confirm
that similarly named persons were on that ship, though not traveling as a married couple
(apparently)
There’s also documentation that they married in 1734 by the REv. Stover, when they were
living in Skipjack PA, outside of Philadelphia. Not quite the same names, but close.
Both are supposed to have come from Hesse Darmstadt in Germany. He from Unterosten, she
from Pflugstadt. Those are two small villages outside of Darmstadt, and very near each
other. So it is believable that they were on the same ship.
I can confirm with original source documentation that there was a "Margaretha Barbara
Marsteller” born in Pflugstadt 1708/09 that matches Margretha’s description in the ship
and marriage record
I can’t confirm that Nicholas Carper was born in Unterosten
They are also supposed to have had a son Jacob born in 1730. So far I’ve not been able to
confirm that with original source documentation.
Here’s my question…If Jacob is in fact their son, how does that fit with his birth in
1730, their marriage in 1734, and his absence in the ships records?
There are a couple of explanations that come to mind (and have been suggested by others in
many instances)
a) He was illegitimate, and remained in Germany for sometime, before joining his parents
in America as an adult
b) He was illegitimate, but under the age of 3, and not listed on the ships passenger
list (no persons under 3 out of a couple hundred people, are shown so the argument is that
there should have been some very young children, but they must not have been shown).
c) There is a confusion of some sort, and perhaps Nicholas and Margretha were married in
Germany before they immigrated. In which case, the marriage by the Rev Stover is for a
couple by a different name
d) Jacob is not their child.
So far Ive not seen direct evidence that Jacob is in fact the child of the couple who were
married by the Rev. Stover. Does anyone have such evidence?
Also, what is the evidence that Nicholas was in fact born in Unterosten, Darmstadt?
Thanks
Appreciate any help I can get.
Bill