Welcome
to the Hockensmith/Hockersmith Family Association Homepage.
This
site will probably always be under construction and until it reaches it's
ultimate format and content, it is here as a flag and a reminder to
genealogists and family researchers that our family surnames are being
researched and that there is a place to come to receive assistance and
information on our family members.
Variations in spelling our name
include:
- HAWKERSMITH
- HOCKENSMITH
- HOCKERSMITH
- HACKENSCHMIDT (original surname)
The
first member of our family to come to America has been documented to be Konrad
Hackenschmidt who was born
in Europe circa 1720. He boarded the ship (snow) Betsey at the port of
Rotterdam, Holland and proceded to Deal, England and finally landed at the city
docks of Philadelphia in the Pennsylvania Colony on the 27th day of August,
1739. Konrad was naturalized as a British subject twenty-two years later on 9
Sep 1761 while living in Frederick Co., Maryland. Click on Konrad's name to
read about all the documented events we know of concerning him.
Konrad
married (to whom we do not yet know) shortly after arriving in America. He and
his first wife had (at least) four sons:
Whether
or not there were daughters born to this family is not a matter of record that
we can locate. But we are still looking. Konrad was a farmer by trade and there
are indications that he may have been a merchant also.
Konrad
married for the second time circa 1783 to Anna Christina WINHOLTS, widow of
Frederick Winholts who died circa 1782.
Konrad
was a Lutheran in his service to God, and no doubt a devout Christian. The
Lutheran religion was one of the first in the Restoration movement and placed
much emphasis on obeying the Holy Scriptures. Thus, the fact that Konrad was
ordained as an elder in his church, signifies that he was indeed a righteous
man. This fact is demonstrated in some of the facts described herein - notice
that in April of 1765 Konrad bought all the household goods, livestock, and
land of Thomas McCLAIN. Then 15 years later, gave it back to Thomas' son,
William. Truly the act of a Christian heart!
Although
the exact date of Konrad's death is not known, we can determine that it
occurred within a one year and 349 day span - between the time his will was
written (31 May 1793) and when it was proved (15 May 1795).
Please e-mail me if:
- you are in need of family information,
- you have family information to share,
LINKS
Follow this LINK to other Family Members
and Genealogical Links.
THANKS
FOR STOPPING BY.
This
page first posted on April 28, 1997.
Last
UPDATED on 27 March 2006. 
THE
END
and Susan, thanks for the palms!
