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).

 

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Please e-mail me if:

  • you are in need of family information,
  • you have family information to share,

at timhock@bellsouth.net

 

 

FAMILY MARRIAGES

 

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This page first posted on April 28, 1997.

Last UPDATED on 5 November 2007.

THE END

 

and Susan, thanks for the palms!