Will of Daniel Clymer - employer of Johan Jacob Odenkirkchen
>CLYMER, DANIEL, Esq., Berks Co. >May 5, 1803. Codicil October 29, 1807. Probate. February 9, 1810. >To dau. Nancy Ã60. >All remainder to sons William and Edward, both minors. >Exrs: Friend Ed. TILGHMAN of Phila. and Thomas ROSS. >Codicil November 22, 1804 authorizes executors to pay Ã25 yearly to >Presbyterian minister of Brandywine church for support of Ann, the >widow of my old friend and servant John OTTENKIRK who had he lived till >the 27th of this month would have lived in my house and in my employ 33 >years, and education of their children Anna, Hester, James and >Margaret. Letters of Adm. to sons William and Edward, the executor >named renouncing. Wits: A. KUHN and Benjamin TILGHMAN. At Philadelphia in 1771 we have the arrival of Johann Jacob Odenkirchenon the BRIGANTINE RECOVERY (31 Oct. 1771). The ships log indicated JohannJacob Odenkirchen came over from the Palitinate region (Middle or UpperRhine region)of pres ent day Germany.
John Peter Odenkirken arrived in Philadelphia as an indentured servantin 1771 (Johann Jacobs' son) served as an indentured servant to Daniel Clymer on Nov 1 1771 Residence was listed as Philadelphia andthe term of indenture was 6 yr 10 mo and 7 days Amount L25
Note
At Philadelphia, we have the arrival of Johann Jacob Odenkirchen, his wife and three children on the BRIGANTINE RECOVERY (31 Oct. 1771) The ships log indicated Johann Jacob Odenkirchen came over from the Palitinate region (Middle or Upper Rhine region)of present day Germany. Also in 1771, his son John Peter Odenkirken arrived in Philadelphia as an indentured servant to Daniel Clymer on Nov 1 1771 Residence was listed as Philadelphia and the term of indenture was 6 yr 10 mo and 7 days Amount L25.
Note: In the 18th and early 19th century, the term \"Palatine\" was used in America to describe immigrants from \"The Palatinate\" and other adjoining German-speaking areas. Finding an American reference to someone being from the \"Palatinate\" may not point to a specific place of origin, but rather an approximate location in or near western or southern Germany.
We can only speculate about why they came to America, but sometime after they arrived both sons are listed as owning farms in Berks Co. Pennsylvania. Thousands of other Germans were also attracted to the colony and, by the time of the Revolution, comprised a third of the population. The volume of German immigration increased after 1727, coming largely from the Rhineland. The Pennsylvania Germans settled most heavily in the interior counties of Northampton, Berks, Lancaster and Lehigh, and neighboring areas. Their skill and industry transformed this region into a rich farming country, contributing greatly to the expanding prosperity of the province.
Pennsylvania was a leading agricultural area and produced surpluses for export, adding to its wealth. By the 1750s, an exceptionally prosperous farming area had developed in southeastern Pennsylvania. Wheat and corn were the leading crops, though rye, hemp, and flax were also important. This may have been the attraction for our family.
Note
Johann Jacob Odenkirchen Birthdate: 1730 Birthplace: Palatinate Region, Germany Death: 1789 (58-59) Caernarvon, Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Immediate Family:
Husband of ? Odenkirchen Father of Eva Maria Reichel; John Peter Ottenkirk and George Oatencirck Odenkirk
Individuals - Odenkirk-Kindig-McClure-Arnold
