The Tobias Bickels of Old Tulpehocken

MEMZERZMENERBROMENMERNOMBEW The Pennsylvania GENEALOGICAL R§ Magazine 2'4 N24424 • 24242424 PIMP/M2a4P/PiPSM PiMP/MPSOMM The Tobias Bickels of Old Tulpehocken JOHN F. VALLENTINE DENTrrY or similarity of name is often taken for granted as being equivalent to identity of person. Direct evidence proving that multiple references to a given name apply to the same person is not always obtainable. Even when only indirect evidence is available, the genealogist may arrive at an affirmative conclusion of identity if (1) the name is uncommon, (2) the time interval and the locality are restricted, and (3) the evidence is generally unconflicting. But these guidelines for applying indirect evidence have proven inadequate in identifying Tobias Bickel of the old Tulpehocken district of western Berks County, Pennsylvania, and vicinity. It has commonly been assumed that all references to Tobias Bickel in the mid-1700s in the records of the Tulpehocken-Heidelberg area common to Lebanon and Berks Counties, apply to the same person.' Yet a careful evaluation of the evidence assures that there were three contemporary Tobias Bickels in this area in the 1740s as follows: 1. TOBIAS BICKEL (BoCKEL, MECKEL), born 1711, and died 1791; a Moravian of North Heidelberg Township, Berks County. 2. TOBIAS BICKEL (BECHTELL), "late of Lancaster County," who died 1748; apparently lived near Bernville, Berks County. 3. Tomas BICICELa died between 1784 and 1790; resided near Myers- I 59 60 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine town, now in Lebanon County, and later in Snyder County, then in Northumberland County. Identification of the respective Bickels is aided by a knowledge of the history of the county and township divisions of this area during the mid1700s. The Tulpehocken-Heidelberg area was included in Tulpehocken Township upon the erection of Lancaster County in 1729 from Chester County. At a later date Heidelberg Township was created from that portion of Tulpehocken Township lying south of Tulpehocken Creek. The eastern portions of both townships were included in Berks County upon its formation in 1752. The western portions remained in Lancaster County until Dauphin County was created in 1785, but were included in Lebanon County after 1813. 1. TOBIAS BICKEL, THE MORAVIAN The record of this man and his family is relatively complete. The family was written up in the Historical Review of Berks County some years ago.' From this source and from the Moravian Archives at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the following review is given to help distinguish him from the other Tobias Bickels. Tobias Bickel, the Moravian of North Heidelberg Township, Berks County, was the son of John Gotthard Bockel and wife Anna Sybilla Gastenberger, and was born 13 November 1711, at Durkheim, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany. Tobias, with his family, sailed from Rotterdam on the Ship Saint Andrew and qualified at Philadelphia on 26 September 1737. After coming to Philadelphia, Tobias settled in North Heidelberg Township. Although baptised in the Lutheran Church in Germany, Tobias became a Moravian about 1744, after his settlement in Berks County. "Tobias acquired 282 acres of land at Heidelberg. The deeds to him from the sons of William Penn are dated in 1748 and 1765, but probably Tobias occupied the land, or at least a part of it, shortly after his arrival. The records show that shortly before his death he divided the farm into two parts, and gave one-half to his son Anthony and the other half to his son Tobias (or John Tobias), Jr." ' Tobias Bickel, the father, was the warrantee for the following tracts of land in Heidelberg Township: (1) Tobias Beekil, 50 acres in Lancaster County, warrant dated 28 Ottober 1742. (2) Tobias Boeckel and Tobias Bechtel, 200 acres in Lancaster County, warrant dated 20 August 1747." (3) Tobias Bockel, two warrants for 20 acres each in Berks County, each dated 10 June 1756. The Tobias Bickels 61 Tobias deeded the above 50-acre tract on 20 May 1748 to "Joseph Spangonberry, Charles Brogden and Timothy Housfield." In this deed he was referred to as "Tobias Boeckell of Heidelberg Township." The tract had been patented to him 13 May 1748, and was located adjacent to other land he held. Tobias Boeckel was taxed on 150 acres in Heidelberg Township in 1779; but Tobias Rickle, Sr., was taxed only for personal property in 1784, while Tobias Hickle (Jr.) was taxed for 116 acres" In his will dated 14 June 1789, and probated at Reading on 21 April 1792," Tobias Boeckel made provision for his second wife Mary Elizabeth. To his sons John Tobias and Anthony he bequeathed his "land and plantation as they have parted it among them, for which they must pay 400 pounds to my other children as follows: to Elizabeth, Magdalena, Frederick, John Nicholas, Mary, and the heirs of my deceased son John." From various sources " and the burial records of North Heidelberg Church," it appears that Tobias Boeckel was born 13 November 1711 in the Palatinate, and died 29 September 1791. He married 1st, in the Palatinate on Palm Sunday 1734, ANNA CHRISTINA KOESTER. Anna Christina was born 6 May 1714, a daughter of Jacob Kuester (Kyester) and his wife Elizabeth Dilkle, and died 31 January 1775. Tobias and Anna Christina had either 14 or 15 children, of whom 7 or 8 survived." Tobias married 2nd, in 1779, MARIA ELIZABETH TOCK (DOCK), widow of Nicholas Glat, who survived him. Known issue of Tobias Bickel and his 1st wife Anna Christina Kuester: i. CATHARINE ELIZABETH BICKEL, b. 29 November 1734; d. January 1735 in Germany. fi. ANNA ELIZABETH BICKEL, b. 1736; d. 1737 aboard ship off the coast of Holland. iii. Tomas BICKEL, b. March 1738; d. December 1738. iv. EVA ELIZABETH BICKEL, bapt. 28 November 1739;. d. February 1743. V. JOHN NICOLAUS BICKEL, b. 20 October 1741;H d. 13 September 1822; M. BARBARA MOLL. Vi. FREDERICK BICKEL, b. 9 November 1743* d. 1 October 1802; M. ANNA BARBARA FREY. VII. MARIA IhmeL, b. 30 November 1745; living when her father wrote his will in 1789; no further information. viii. DANIEL BICKEL, b. 8 January 1748; d. 1 February 1748. ix. PtuLie JACOB BICKEL, b. 17 December 1748; d. 6 February 1749. X. JOHN Blum., b. 6 April 1750; d- 1 September 1782; m. MARY EVA BATTEICHER. Xi. MAGDALENA BICKEL, b. 9 May 1752; d. 14 January 1814; m. JOSEPH KNAUSS. Xil. JOHN TOBIAS BICKEL, b. 6 December 1754; d. 24 December 1814; m. 1st, SALOME GLAT; M. 2nd, ELIZABETH FEISER. ANTHONY (ANTON) BICKEL, b. 23 February 1757; living in 1789 when his father's will was written; m. MAGDALENA ROMIG. XiV. ELIZABETH BICKEL, b. 13 April 1759; d. 17 December 1821 ; m. ABRAHAM KNAUSS. 62 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 1 TOBIAS BICKEL (BECHTELL) WHO DIED 1748 In his will dated 11 June 1748," TOBIAS BECHTELL named his wife Anna Elizabeth, son John George, son John Nicklas, daughter Anna Margred, and daughter Anna Maria. A Catrina Knop, possibly also a daughter, received one full share in the estate. Witnesses were Fredrick Gtirhart, Tobias Bechel, and John Zerben. Letters of administration were issued to Anna Elizabeth Bechtell, widow of Tobias Bechtell "late of Lancaster County," on 29 June 1748. The will was probated at Philadelphia. According to the records of Christ Lutheran Church in Tulpehocken, Tobias Bechtel of Northkill (Bemville) was buried 16 June 1748, apparently in the Northkill Cemetery." When Eva Elizabeth, daughter of Tobias Bickel (the Moravian of later date) and his wife Anna Christina, was baptised on 28 November 1739 in the Bern Reformed Church, Tobias Bechtel and wife Anna Elizabeth were the witnesses." Association in both the above church record and the 1748 will of Tobias and the apparent co-warrantees of land suggest a close tie between these two Tobiases. A blood relationship is possible, but Tobias who died in 1748 may indeed have been a Bechtel and not a Bickel. 3. TOBIAS BICKEL OF NEAR MYERSTOWN The Bickels and Basslers were neighbors and early settlers near where Myerstown is now located in the present Jackson Township, Lebanon County." In 1739 when Bethel Township, then in Lancaster County, was taken from Lebanon Township, the new township line went north of Tobias Bickel's land excluding his farm. In 1752, residents in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster (later Lebanon) County, included Tobias Bickel and Henry Bassler." They were again taxed in the same township in 1758. On 8 July 1757, between Valentine Herckelroad's and Tobias Bickel's farms in Heidelberg Township, four Indians scalped a young woman and killed two children." Rupp recorded that both Tobias Bickel and John Henrich Basler settled in Lancaster County between 1719 and 1730." On 19 September 1737, Tobias Beitel was issued a warrant for 200 acres of land situated in Tulpehoccon Township adjoining lands of Thomas Thompson and Nicholas Reeme." However, on 5 October 1743, he vacated the warrant and assigned the survey of 230 acres to Martin Kersner. By virtue of a warrant for 100 acres dated 14 December 1737, the Proprietors of Pennsylvania granted to Tobias Pickle of Lancaster County, a tract of 100 acres located in Tulpehocken Township adjoining other land of the said Tobias and of Valentine Urick." The patent was dated 12 October 1749, and recorded 19 June 1750. The Tobias Bickels 63 On 9 September 1768, Tobias Pickell and wife Catherine of Heidelberg Township deeded two tracts of land totalling 250 acres to John Weaver of Heidelberg Township." This deed provides considerable details of land ownership in describing the 204-acre and the 46-acre tracts comprising the 250 acres. The larger tract was described as being on Tulpehocken Creek in Heidelberg Township, adjoining land of Adam Moser, Simon Coppenheffer, other land of Tobias Pickell, Valentine Urey, Nickloss Schwengel and Christian Laymon. Excluded from the tract were 15 acres deeded on 23 February 1767 by Tobias and his wife Cathefine to Jacob Smith. This 204-acre tract was described as the same 200 acres which Casper Wistar and his wife Catharina had deeded to Tobias on 10 November 1737. The 46-acre tract, adjoining land of Leonard Snell, Thomas Bosler, Simon Bosler, and other land of Tobias, was part of the 100 acres patented to Tobias on 12 October 1749. This deed was recorded 19 November 1771. However, by 21 May 1771, John Weaver had paid only £1174 of the £2100 purchase price, and "Tobias Bickel of Penns Township in the County of Cumberland" assigned the debt from John Weaver to Simon Coppenhever of Lancaster County." The deed stated that Tobias had previously received money totaling £1864 on the 250-acre tract from Simon. The assignment was recorded 9 October 1771. The remaining 53 acres of the 100-acre patent of 12 October 1749 was deeded by Tobias on 29 June 1768, to Simon Coppenhaver.' This deed was witnessed on 11 March 1769, but apparently was not recorded until about 1794 and after Dauphin County had been organized to include the area in question. Tobias Bichell of Heidelberg Township deeded to Simon Koppenhoffer on 13 June 1768, 200 acres of manor land and 100 acres of "Penn's land" in Heidelberg Township." This deed was recorded 26 August 1768, and was a trust deed only since the 200 acres of manor land and the 100 acres of "Penn's land" as described were the same as that above, adjoining land of Nicholas Mosser, Simon Koppenhoffer, Leonard Snea, John Urich, Nicholas Swingle, and Christian Leaman. The description specified "the land of Leonhard Snea, Jacob Smith's and Bassler's all ready sold only excepted." Snyder County Pioneers" reports that Tobias Bickel became a resident in 1770 of what later became Snyder County, and was assessed in 1771 in Penn Township when it was still Northumberland County. It further reports that Tobias had two wives and that he was probably buried at Row's Church Cemetery in Penn Township. After his removal from near Myerstown, his place of residence was variously included in Cumberland County (to 1771), in Bedford County (briefly in 1771), in Northumberland County (1771 to 1813), in Union County (1813 to 1855), and lastly in Snyder Count)' (after 1855). 64 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine In his will dated 16 October 1784, and proved 10 March 1790," in what was then Northumberland County, Tobias Bickel, Sr., of Penn Township, left bequests to the following children or their heirs: the heirs of Henry, deceased, Tobias, John, Simon, Thomas, Jacob, Catherine, Mary Elizabeth, Maria Margaret, Anna Maria, and Rosina. However, he had at least 13 children, all of whom, except Henry and Tobias (b. ca. 1754), are recorded in the baptismal records of the Rev. John Casper Stoever." Known Issue of Tobias Bickel of near Myersrown: i. JOHN BrczEL, b. 16 March, bapt. 18 March 1744, Heinrich Baselei sponsor; d. 1805; M. MARIA CATHARINE (possibly DUPES or WITWER )• ii. MARIA MARGARETHA BICKEL, b. 22 March, bapt. 5 July 1746, "sponsors, the above and wife (2nd wife);" m. 12 March 1765, TOBIAS LEHMAN.. Pi. HENRY BICKEL, b. ca. 1748; d. April 1781; M. ESTHER REGINA SHARP. IV. SIMON BICICEL, b. February, bapt. 5 March 1750, sponsors Heinrich Baseler and wife; d. 1824; m. CATHERINE ELIZABETH BUCHTEL. V ANNA MARIA BICKEL, b. April, bapt. 28 May 1751, sponsors Simon Bawler and Anna Maria Moseler. V. THOMAS BICKEL, b. 20 October 1752, bapt. 5 January 1753, Simon Carl, sponsor; (11. BARBARA WEAVER. VD. TOBIAS BICKEL, b. ca. 1754;34 d. 1816; m. ANN CATHERINE AUMILLER. viii. ROSINA BICKEL, b. 13 March, bapt. 4 May 1755, sponsors Thomas Kuppenhoefer and wife Elisabetha; m. 24 October 1771, MICHAEL TREASTER, JR. ix. JOHN JACOB BICKEL, b. 24 April, bapt. 5 July 1757, sponsors John Jacob Moser and wife Regina; d. 12 September 1852; m. MARY MAGDALENE ULRICH. X. CHRISTIAN BICKEL, b. 22 March, bapt. 31 March 1764, sponsors Jacob Schnellbecker and wife; d. 19 November 1831; m. 30 April 1797, MAUDLIN RISCHEL OT PRISHEL. Xi. MARIA CATAIUNA BICKEL, b. 9 September, bapt. 10 September 1765, sponsors Jacob Schmidt and wife Juliana; probably d. young. twin of Maria Catarina, b. 9 September, bapt. 10 September 1765, sponsors Jacob Schmidt and wife Elizabetha Did xiii. JOHN TOBIAS BICKEL, b. September, bapt. 21 September 1766, sponsors John Jacob Schmidt and wife Margaretha; probably d. young. ELIZABETHA BICKEL, The father of eleven of these children was given by Pastor Stoever as "Tobias Bickel of Tulpehocken." Although the name of the mother is specified for none of the children, at least those born after 27 June 1751 were by Tobias's wife Catherine. On that date Tobias and wife Catherine were witnesses at the baptism of Tobias, son of Henry Basler and wife Maria Magdalena (sic) .5 The following data indicate that Tobias had a previous wife, and that by her he had John, Maria Margaretha, and possibly Henry Bickel. On 10 March 1748[/9], the heirs of John Zeller, including Tobias Bickel in right of his deceased wife Margredalis. released their rights in 125 acres of land The Tobias Bickels 65 to Peter Zeller, another heir." It is of note that as of this date Tobias Bickel, the Moravian, was married to Anna Christina, and Tobias Bickel (Bechtel]) of Bernville had been married to Anna Elizabeth and had died between 11 and 16 June 1748. The process of elimination and geographical association assures that Margredalis Zeller was the first wife of Tobias Bickel who resided near Myerstown. It is probable that the "Mrs. Tobias Bickel, aged 33 years 5 months," who was buried 9 June 1748, at Christ Lutheran Church, Stouchsburg, was Margredalis Bickel nee Zeller." Since the widow of Tobias Bechtell "late of Lancaster County," was granted letters of administration on his estate on 29 June 1748, it could not have been she. And the first wife of Tobias Bickel, the Moravian, did not die until 1775. It also appears probable that Maria Margaret, wife of John Henry Sassier, was a sister of Tobias Bickel of Myerstown. At the christening of their daughter Dorothea on 30 March 1746, the record stated that the parents were John Henry Bassler and his wife Maria Margaret nee Bickel." Not only did Tobias witness the christening of one of Henry and Maria Margaret Bassler's children, but the latter couple in turn witnessed the baptisms of three of Tobias Bickel's children, according to Pastor Stoever's records, and named one of their sons Tobias. Intensive efforts by the author have failed to prove the parentage of either Tobias Bickel or Maria Margaret nee Bickel, wife of John Henry Bassler (the latter couple being ancestors of the author). It has been speculated that Tobias Bickel of Myerstown was a son of either Christopher Bickel or George Felte Bickel, each of whom had arrived in Philadelphia by 26 September 1732." In an account of "Die Reformirten Kirchen Aeltesten," dated 1744, included in the records of the Trinity Tulpehocken Reformed Church, both a Henrich Bickel and a Tobias Bickel were listed." The fact that Tobias named his first son Henry suggests that Henrich might have been a close relative, and possibly even a brother." However, proof of the parentage of Tobias Bickel of Myerstown and later Snyder Co. must await further research." NOTES J Charles A. Fisher, Snyder County Pioneers (Selinsgrove, Pa., 1938), 9. John F. Vallentine, "Zeller Family Revision," The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, XXVII (No. 2, 1971), 95. In the latter article, two distinct Tobi. Bickels were confused by the editor, a confusion which was not in the original manuscript. The present article was written, in part, to correct this error. Paul I. Bickel, "Tobias Bickel and His Descendants," Historical Review of Berko County. IV (Na. 3, 1939), 87-90. Manuscript notes from the records of the North Heidelberg Church and the Bethlehem Church in the Moravian Archives at Bethlehems also manuscript notes of Clarence E. Heckel 66 The Pennsylvania Genealpgical Magazine provided to the author by his widow. Mrs. Elizabeth R. Heckel, Middleburg, Pa., on 28 April 1959. f William J. Hinke, ed., Pennsylvania German Pioneers (Norristown, Pa., 1934), I, 180, List 47-B. Tobias signed his name "Dobias Booked," ibid., II, 186. o "Tobias Bickel and His Descendants," 87, cited in Note 2. °Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, XXIV, 360, 364; ibid., XXVI, 244. It is speculated that the Tobias Bechtel as a co-warrantee was the Tobias Bickel or BechMII who died in 1748. Neither the warrant, the survey, or the patent to this tract can be located in the Bureau of Land Records, Harrisburg. °Lancaster County Deed Book B, 568: 20 May 1748, Tobias Boeckel to Joseph Spangonberry et ate. At least two of these grantees, Charles Brogden (Brockden) and Timothy Housfield (Horsfield), were Moravians. Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, XVIII, 132, 623. to Berke County Will Book B, 279, will of Tobias Boeckel. ‘I "Tobias Bickel and His Descendants," 88, cited in Note 2; manuscript notes of Clarence E. Beckel, cited in Note 3 , m. A. Gruber, Burials and Tombstone Inscriptions, 18-19. Originals at the Historical Society of Berks County, Reading. . . I° The uncertainty as to number of children of Tobias Bickel and wife Christina Roster has not been resolved. A Johanna Maria, daughter of Tobias Bechtel, was b. 24 May and bapt. 10 August 1740, at Northkill, for which see Records of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at the Tulpehocken Nearby the Northkill, 5, at Historical Society of Berlin County, Reading, and also "Baptismal and other Records of the 'Little Tulpehocken Church'" in William Henry Egle, ed., Notes and Queries • • . , Annual Volume 1899, 186, hereinafter cited as Egle, AV1899. It is uncertain whether this child belonged to Tobias Bickel, the Moravian, or to Tobias Bickel (Beaten) and wife Anna Elizabeth. 14 "Tobias Bickel and His Descendants," 88, cited in Note 2; Clarence E. Beekel's manuscript notes, cited in Note 3. it Church Records of the Bern Reformed Church, Bern Township, Berlin County, Pa., 1738-1835, I, at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa. The child Eva Elizabeth at her baptism in 1739 had as sponsors Tobias Bechtel and wife Anna Elizabeth. tO Records of Evangelical Lutheran Church at the Tulpehocken, 9, cited in Note 13; sponsors for the child Johann Nicolaus on 8 November 1741 were Johann Nicolaus Holder and wife. See also Egle, AV-I899, 186, cited in Note 13. it "Abstracts of Wills Recorded in the Administration Books, Register's Office, Philadelphia," Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, V (No. 2, 1913), 180. I° Church Record of Christ [Lutheran] Church in Tulpehocken, Berks County, 390, in Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (GSP). This record was translated from the original German by P. C. Cron and W. T. Stauffer in 1949. 15 Church Records of Bern Reformed Church, 1, cited in Note 15. zo William Henry Egle, History of Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, 1883), 205; Myerstown Bicentennial Comm., Myerstown Bicentennial, 1768-1968 (Myerstown, 1968), 22. L Daniel Rupp, History of the Counties of Berks and Lebanon (Lancaster, Pa., 1844), 302, 343. °° History of Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, 196, 197, cited in Note 20. Daniel Rupp, A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names . • (Baltimore, Md., 1965 reprint), 438. 24 Warrant No. 109 for Lancaster County filed at the Bureau of Land Records, Harrisburg. See also Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, XXIV, 358. °° Ibid., XXIV, 499; Pennsylvania Patent Book A-I5, 435. z° Lancaster County Deed Book 0, 514-516: 9 September 1768, Tobias Picket' to John Weaver. at Lancaster County Deed Book 0, 482: 21 May 1771, Tobias Bickel to Simon Coppenhever 00 Dauphin County Deed Book ID, 372: 29 June 1768, Tobias Bickel to Simon Coppenhaver The Tobias Bickels 67 29 Lancaster County Deed Book M, 4481 13 June 1768, Tobias Bichell to Simon Kopp.Wert 30 Snyder County Pioneers, 9, cited in Note I. 91 Charles A. Fisher, Abstracts of Snyder County Probate and Orphans Court Records. 1772-1855 (Selinsgrove, Pa., 1940), 22. 32 "Baptismal Records of Rev. John Casper Stoever, 1730-1779," William H. Egle, Notes and Queries. -4 Annual Volume 1896, 36, 51, 75, hereinafter cited as Egle, AV-1896. SO Elsewhere in the Rev. Stoever's records Mafia Margaretha% birthdate is given as 22 June, and her baptismal date as 7 July 1746, with sponsors as "Heinrich Bossier and wife." Ibid., 51. The entry on page 36, which gives the sponsors as "the above and wife (2nd wife)" appears to apply to Heinrich Baseler rather than Tobias Bickel, but no evidence has been found that Heinrich had a former wife. For Maria Margaretha's marriage see ibid., 104. .1 The listing of this child, in addition to the John Tobias born in 1766, is based on the fact that the Tobias of ca. 1754 had a child Maria Christina b. 10 February 1775, and another, John Jacob, b. 22 June 1778, for which see the records of Row's Salem Lutheran Church in Charles A. Fisher, Early Pennsylvania Births (1675-1875) (Selinsgrove, Pa., 1947), I. Church Record of Christ [Lutheran] Church in Tulpehocken, 21, cited in Note 18. " Lancaster County Deed Book L, 81 , 10 March 1748[19], John Seller's heirs to Peter Zeller. 87 Church Record of Christ [Lutheran] Church in Tulpehocken, 390, cited in Note 18. " Ibid., 13. "Snyder County Pioneers, 9, Caul in Note 1; Pennsylvania German Pioneers, I, 94-96, Lists 25•A-B-C, cited in Note 4. '11. Church Record of Trinity Tulpehocken Reformed Church, Jackson Township, Lebanon County, 1748-1864, I, 417, GSP. Pastor Stoever baptized two children of Heinrich Bickel of Tulpehockem Jacob, bapt. 20 December 1743, sponsors William Leaner, and his wife, and Christian, bapt. 14 May 1745, sponsors Christian Schmidt and wife, for which see Egle, AV-1896, 35. 0011 should be noted that one fraudulent genealogy has purported that Tobias Bickel was a son of John Christopher Bickel (1682-1756) and his wife Rosina Sunburn, who had arrived at Philadelphia by 26 September 1732. It was further purported that Maria Margaret, wife of John Henry Hassler, was a daughter of George Felte Bickel (b. 1683) and wife Mona Haefflen. The presumption of fraudulence is based on the party offering this Bickel pedigree for sale, refusing to document the sources for checking, and later being indicted on several counts of genealogical fraudulence through the U.S. mails. "I, MARY Foss of the City of Phila.& Widow being through the mercy of God in health and Sound in mind & understanding; but reflecting on the uncertainty of time and the certainty of death do think proper to order the manner in which I would have the Estate I may die possessed of distributed by making this my last Will & Testament as follows vizi. — Imprimis my will is that my Body shall be interred in a plain decent manner, without any superfluity or unnecessary expence and that my funeral charges be paid as soon as may be, without allowing under that denomination for any mourning apparel, believing it to be a custom which has no foundation in Justice or necessity . • • from will dated August 14,1_797, proved March 22 and 24, 1801