John Nicholas HeilNov 14, 1741, John Nicholas Heil married Maria Margaretta Theisen, the daughter of Peter Theisen, a shoemaker in Meisenheim. Maria was born abt 1720, in nearby Medard. [Meil Hiles] Their children: John [b. 26 Dec. 1745]
Jonathan [1747?]
Mary Margaret [aft 1748?]
Susannah [b. 18 July 1753]
Mary Elizabeth [aft 1748?]
Catharine [Rinkenbach mentioned the taking of Catharine Hailin; Frontier Forts mentioned a child of Nicholas Heil was taken] Public references to a daughter of Nicholas Heil Rinkenbach's list of Indian victims [click for pdf of list]:
"Jan., 1756 Catharina Hailin Takin prisoner"
The entry in the Moravian diary for January 26, 1756:
"Specification of all the strangers, who are now living in Nazareth.
...From here have moved again:
...Joh. Nic. Heil, - - 2 sons and 3 daughters. One daughter is probably killed by the Indians."
John [age 11]
Jonathan [9]
Mary Margaret [at most 8]
Susannah [3]
Mary Elizabeth [at most 8]It would seem that any later accounts were based on this diary entry. An entry from the diary of the Moravian Congregation at Nazareth tells that a daughter of Nicholas Heil was "Taken captive by Indians, presumed dead." I have seen no record of her body being found. I am trying to find the source notes in my stack, but I do believe it also says she was 10 years old at the time. I have found no other entries about Catharine Heil anywhere else. [Dan Tanzos] A reference that may point to the return from captivity of Catharine Heil
23 September 1762:
"Guardians for 5 minor children of Nicholas Hyle
widow: Mary Margaret, now wife of Nicholas Leverman
5 children:
John, over age 14...guardian Peter Dahl [born 26 Dec 1745 so age 18]
Jonathan, over age 14, guardian, step-father, Nicholas Leverman [at least age 16]
Mary Margaret, under age 14 [at least age 6-13]
Susannah, " " [b. 18 July 1753 so age 9]
Mary Elizabeth " " [at least age 6-13]
guardian: for 3 younger children - Caspar Dahl"
"Estate of Nicholas Heil, Plainfield Twp, 170 acres -
report of inquest by Sheriff Peter Kachlein, Esq. on motion of Richard Peters.
6 children: John Heil, eldest son - accepted the land others not named."
John [born 1745 so age 22]
Jonathan
Mary Margaret [at least age 11-18]
Susannah [age 14]
Mary Elizabeth [at least age 11-18]
Maria Catharine [age 24 if born in 1743] So between 1762 and 1767 the number of children mentioned in the Orphans Court records for the deceased Nicholas Heil increased from 5 to 6. Due to the return of Catharine from captivity? Nicholas' return from captivity: Before June 17, 1761 Nicholas Silvius and Maria Catharine marry: By January 1766 tax period, Nicholas no longer appeared in the taxes as a single man. First child, Barbara, born about 1768.
Catharine Silvius as a baptism sponsor of a Heil child:Johannes [John] Heil married Maria Barbara (Silvius), sister of Nicholas Silvius. Their fourth child:
#4. Maria Catharine HEIL was born on 16 Dec 1774 in Northampton Co., PA. She was baptized on 20 Jan 1775 in Evangelical Congregation (aka. Salem - Big Moore), Moore Twp., Northampton Co., PA.
The sponsor at the baptism of Maria Catharine Heil was Catharine Silvis-in (Silvius). (Records of Evangelical Congregation of Moorestown, Northampton Co., PA, Book R, pg. 1, Marx Room, Easton Public Library)
(Note: On the same day, Jonathan Heil and his wife, Anna M., appeared as sponsors at the baptism of Maria Barbara Silvis, born 7 Dec 1774, daughter of Johannes and Anna [Maria Barbara?] Silvis.)
The stroke of luck here is that Catharine Silvius is the lone sponsor. Had her husband Nicholas been a sponsor as well, Catharine's presence as a sponsor would have only added to the possibility of her being a Heil and since Nicholas was the brother of the baby Catharine's mother, it could have been that Catharine was only there as Nicholas's wife. But, Catharine was the lone sponsor.
So we now know that there was enough of a connection to the Heil family for Catharine Silvius to appear as a lone sponsor at the baptism of Maria Catharine Heil, and that Maria Catharine Silvius was important enough to be the child's namesake. Is there another Catharine Silvius who is not Nicholas's wife who could possibly be the sponsor here? [Dan Tanzos]
Johan Nic. Heil's story [from Mel Hiles]: Nicholas Heil was Jonathan's father. The son of a linen weaver, Johann Nickel Heil (Nicholas) was born in Meisenheim Germany in Nov 1715 and baptized on Dec 2, 1715 in the Meisenheim Lutheran Church. In Nov 14, 1741, he married Maria Margaretta Theisen, the daughter of Peter Theisen, a shoemaker in Meisenheim. Maria was born abt 1720, in nearby Medard.
In 1742, Nicholas and Maria, arrived in Philadelphia aboard the ship Robert and Alice and settled in Northampton County, Pa. Arrival: Philadelphia, 24 Sep 1742. The ship lists only Nicholas. The Heil children and their spouses:
John m. Maria Barbara
Silvius
Jonathan m. Anna Maria Silvius(1) Elizabeth(2)
Mary m. Martin Meier
Susanna m. Johann Frantz
Mary m. William Right
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