Born sometime before 1690.
Her husband, Adam Hilbush, was beheaded on his own chopping block by Catholics for religious freedom, in Palatinate area of southern Germany.
"Mother" Hollowbush emigrated from the Palatine, Germany with 3 sons. Her youngest son, Yost, is believed to have died before reaching America.∼Barbara Bickhart was the wife of Adam Hülpüsch. The surname evolved to Hollowbush (Hollenbush and variations) in Montgomery County where the family first settled (it was part of Philadelphia County at the time) and later Hilbish when Adam and others of his family moved to Freeburg, Snyder Co, PA.
Barbara was the daughter of Johannes Bickhart. Her 1762 marriage to Adam was documented in the records of Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church in Montgomery County. It is not known when exactly she was born but 1739 is certainly a good estimate. Her last mention in any record was 1789 and it seems clear she died before 1802 when her husband Adam and son Peter left Montgomery County and moved to Freeburg. Her son Henry stayed in Montgomery County on the original homestead and the Hollowbush spelling was retained.
The Hollowbush family of Montgomery County has been the subject of serious genealogical inquiry since the 1890's. Reverend John Allen Mertz — whose mother was Susan Hilbish — and who was influenced to become a pastor by two of his Hilbish uncles — attended Ursinus College in Montgomery County in the 1880's and became quite interested in learning about his Hollowbush ancestors.
It is so easy now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to wonder how he got the family history so wrong. But he did the best he could in the late 1800's. It is harder to understand now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to see how many of the myths originated by Rev. Mertz still get repeated and believed by modern day researchers.
Rev. John Allen Mertz believed that "Mother" Hollowbush came to America in the 1730's with her three sons: Christian, Peter and Jost. However, the arrival of Christian and Peter is documented — it was 1749. Their life in Wied, Germany and the birth of their children is documented in German church records in the years leading up their departure. The death of their mother, Anna Maria (Schmidt) Hülpüsch, in Germany in about 1720, is documented in those same church records. There was no third son Jost, however, Peter had a son Jost who was the person of that name who came to America.
The mistaken date of arrival is probably because Rev. Mertz found Peter and Christian listed as early members of the Old Goshenhoppen Church in Montgomery County and misunderstood that even though it was followed by a list of baptisms starting in 1731, the list of early members was dated about 1758.
Rev. John Allen Mertz observed that in Germany in the early 1700's some people were persecuted for their religious beliefs and wrote: "Perhaps if we had the records, the father of Peter, Christian and Jost fell in the defense of the Reformed faith." In the next several decades this vague speculation evolved to become the myth that the father was beheaded for his religious beliefs and soon thereafter the family fled the country. German church records however show that the father — Johann Henrich — died in 1743 and there is no mention of there being anything unusual about his death. And in any event, his sons didn't depart until six years later. Some of his family stayed behind.
Finally, Rev. Mertz believed that it was Christian who was the father of the several male Hollowbushes of the next generation and therefore was the original Hollowbush ancestor of everyone of that name in America at the time. In point of fact, it was exactly the opposite. Christian had only daughters (that survived) and that is known by his will which explicitly says: "And the residue of my estate I give and devise unto my four children named Catharina, Mary Elisabeth, Jacobina, and Margret." On the other hand, in 1789 (20 years after Peter died, it took that long to settle his estate), the Orphans Court approved distributions for Peter's children including his five sons: Adam, Christian, Henry, Yost and Peter.
As part of Rev. Mertz's efforts to commemorate his family history, he and others purchased the small family cemetery there in 1894 and erected a cenotaph in 1902 to honor his forbears. The memorial says:
"In memory of Mother Hollowbush & sons Peter & Christian, Emigrated from the Palatinate Germany 1730 settled on this tract where they and relatives lie buried. Mother died 1745 Peter 1768 Christian 1778. Erected 28 Aug 1902 by descendants of nine generations."
The factual errors here are that the family did not arrive in 1730 and the Mother of Peter and Christian did not come to America and did not die in 1745.
Even though "Mother" Hollowbush is not buried in this family cemetery, there may be a Mrs. Hollowbush who died in the 1700's and who was born in Germany that is buried there. Peter's second wife, Maria Dorothea Finckler, came to America, survived him and died in 1790. But she was not buried in the Hollowbush family cemetery, instead it was on the farm of her daughter and son-in-law.
Christian's wife, Anna Maria Reiffner, did come to America and died a month before Christian. It is not known where she was buried. Nor is it known where Barbara Bickhart, for whom this memorial has been created, is buried. But it is possible, perhaps even likely, that it was the family cemetery in Montgomery County.
The complete, document-based fully researched story of this family can be found on this website:
http://www.hilbishgenealogy.com∼Barbara Bickhart was the wife of Adam Hülpüsch. The surname evolved to Hollowbush (Hollenbush and variations) in Montgomery County where the family first settled (it was part of Philadelphia County at the time) and later Hilbish when Adam and others of his family moved to Freeburg, Snyder Co, PA.
Barbara was the daughter of Johannes Bickhart. Her 1762 marriage to Adam was documented in the records of Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church in Montgomery County. It is not known when exactly she was born but 1739 is certainly a good estimate. Her last mention in any record was 1789 and it seems clear she died before 1802 when her husband Adam and son Peter left Montgomery County and moved to Freeburg. Her son Henry stayed in Montgomery County on the original homestead and the Hollowbush spelling was retained.
The Hollowbush family of Montgomery County has been the subject of serious genealogical inquiry since the 1890's. Reverend John Allen Mertz — whose mother was Susan Hilbish — and who was influenced to become a pastor by two of his Hilbish uncles — attended Ursinus College in Montgomery County in the 1880's and became quite interested in learning about his Hollowbush ancestors.
It is so easy now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to wonder how he got the family history so wrong. But he did the best he could in the late 1800's. It is harder to understand now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to see how many of the myths originated by Rev. Mertz still get repeated and believed by modern day researchers.
Rev. John Allen Mertz believed that "Mother" Hollowbush came to America in the 1730's with her three sons: Christian, Peter and Jost. However, the arrival of Christian and Peter is documented — it was 1749. Their life in Wied, Germany and the birth of their children is documented in German church records in the years leading up their departure. The death of their mother, Anna Maria (Schmidt) Hülpüsch, in Germany in about 1720, is documented in those same church records. There was no third son Jost, however, Peter had a son Jost who was the person of that name who came to America.
The mistaken date of arrival is probably because Rev. Mertz found Peter and Christian listed as early members of the Old Goshenhoppen Church in Montgomery County and misunderstood that even though it was followed by a list of baptisms starting in 1731, the list of early members was dated about 1758.
Rev. John Allen Mertz observed that in Germany in the early 1700's some people were persecuted for their religious beliefs and wrote: "Perhaps if we had the records, the father of Peter, Christian and Jost fell in the defense of the Reformed faith." In the next several decades this vague speculation evolved to become the myth that the father was beheaded for his religious beliefs and soon thereafter the family fled the country. German church records however show that the father — Johann Henrich — died in 1743 and there is no mention of there being anything unusual about his death. And in any event, his sons didn't depart until six years later. Some of his family stayed behind.
Finally, Rev. Mertz believed that it was Christian who was the father of the several male Hollowbushes of the next generation and therefore was the original Hollowbush ancestor of everyone of that name in America at the time. In point of fact, it was exactly the opposite. Christian had only daughters (that survived) and that is known by his will which explicitly says: "And the residue of my estate I give and devise unto my four children named Catharina, Mary Elisabeth, Jacobina, and Margret." On the other hand, in 1789 (20 years after Peter died, it took that long to settle his estate), the Orphans Court approved distributions for Peter's children including his five sons: Adam, Christian, Henry, Yost and Peter.
As part of Rev. Mertz's efforts to commemorate his family history, he and others purchased the small family cemetery there in 1894 and erected a cenotaph in 1902 to honor his forbears. The memorial says:
"In memory of Mother Hollowbush & sons Peter & Christian, Emigrated from the Palatinate Germany 1730 settled on this tract where they and relatives lie buried. Mother died 1745 Peter 1768 Christian 1778. Erected 28 Aug 1902 by descendants of nine generations."
The factual errors here are that the family did not arrive in 1730 and the Mother of Peter and Christian did not come to America and did not die in 1745.
Even though "Mother" Hollowbush is not buried in this family cemetery, there may be a Mrs. Hollowbush who died in the 1700's and who was born in Germany that is buried there. Peter's second wife, Maria Dorothea Finckler, came to America, survived him and died in 1790. But she was not buried in the Hollowbush family cemetery, instead it was on the farm of her daughter and son-in-law.
Christian's wife, Anna Maria Reiffner, did come to America and died a month before Christian. It is not known where she was buried. Nor is it known where Barbara Bickhart, for whom this memorial has been created, is buried. But it is possible, perhaps even likely, that it was the family cemetery in Montgomery County.
The complete, document-based fully researched story of this family can be found on this website:
http://www.hilbishgenealogy.com
Her husband, Adam Hilbush, was beheaded on his own chopping block by Catholics for religious freedom, in Palatinate area of southern Germany.
"Mother" Hollowbush emigrated from the Palatine, Germany with 3 sons. Her youngest son, Yost, is believed to have died before reaching America.∼Barbara Bickhart was the wife of Adam Hülpüsch. The surname evolved to Hollowbush (Hollenbush and variations) in Montgomery County where the family first settled (it was part of Philadelphia County at the time) and later Hilbish when Adam and others of his family moved to Freeburg, Snyder Co, PA.
Barbara was the daughter of Johannes Bickhart. Her 1762 marriage to Adam was documented in the records of Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church in Montgomery County. It is not known when exactly she was born but 1739 is certainly a good estimate. Her last mention in any record was 1789 and it seems clear she died before 1802 when her husband Adam and son Peter left Montgomery County and moved to Freeburg. Her son Henry stayed in Montgomery County on the original homestead and the Hollowbush spelling was retained.
The Hollowbush family of Montgomery County has been the subject of serious genealogical inquiry since the 1890's. Reverend John Allen Mertz — whose mother was Susan Hilbish — and who was influenced to become a pastor by two of his Hilbish uncles — attended Ursinus College in Montgomery County in the 1880's and became quite interested in learning about his Hollowbush ancestors.
It is so easy now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to wonder how he got the family history so wrong. But he did the best he could in the late 1800's. It is harder to understand now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to see how many of the myths originated by Rev. Mertz still get repeated and believed by modern day researchers.
Rev. John Allen Mertz believed that "Mother" Hollowbush came to America in the 1730's with her three sons: Christian, Peter and Jost. However, the arrival of Christian and Peter is documented — it was 1749. Their life in Wied, Germany and the birth of their children is documented in German church records in the years leading up their departure. The death of their mother, Anna Maria (Schmidt) Hülpüsch, in Germany in about 1720, is documented in those same church records. There was no third son Jost, however, Peter had a son Jost who was the person of that name who came to America.
The mistaken date of arrival is probably because Rev. Mertz found Peter and Christian listed as early members of the Old Goshenhoppen Church in Montgomery County and misunderstood that even though it was followed by a list of baptisms starting in 1731, the list of early members was dated about 1758.
Rev. John Allen Mertz observed that in Germany in the early 1700's some people were persecuted for their religious beliefs and wrote: "Perhaps if we had the records, the father of Peter, Christian and Jost fell in the defense of the Reformed faith." In the next several decades this vague speculation evolved to become the myth that the father was beheaded for his religious beliefs and soon thereafter the family fled the country. German church records however show that the father — Johann Henrich — died in 1743 and there is no mention of there being anything unusual about his death. And in any event, his sons didn't depart until six years later. Some of his family stayed behind.
Finally, Rev. Mertz believed that it was Christian who was the father of the several male Hollowbushes of the next generation and therefore was the original Hollowbush ancestor of everyone of that name in America at the time. In point of fact, it was exactly the opposite. Christian had only daughters (that survived) and that is known by his will which explicitly says: "And the residue of my estate I give and devise unto my four children named Catharina, Mary Elisabeth, Jacobina, and Margret." On the other hand, in 1789 (20 years after Peter died, it took that long to settle his estate), the Orphans Court approved distributions for Peter's children including his five sons: Adam, Christian, Henry, Yost and Peter.
As part of Rev. Mertz's efforts to commemorate his family history, he and others purchased the small family cemetery there in 1894 and erected a cenotaph in 1902 to honor his forbears. The memorial says:
"In memory of Mother Hollowbush & sons Peter & Christian, Emigrated from the Palatinate Germany 1730 settled on this tract where they and relatives lie buried. Mother died 1745 Peter 1768 Christian 1778. Erected 28 Aug 1902 by descendants of nine generations."
The factual errors here are that the family did not arrive in 1730 and the Mother of Peter and Christian did not come to America and did not die in 1745.
Even though "Mother" Hollowbush is not buried in this family cemetery, there may be a Mrs. Hollowbush who died in the 1700's and who was born in Germany that is buried there. Peter's second wife, Maria Dorothea Finckler, came to America, survived him and died in 1790. But she was not buried in the Hollowbush family cemetery, instead it was on the farm of her daughter and son-in-law.
Christian's wife, Anna Maria Reiffner, did come to America and died a month before Christian. It is not known where she was buried. Nor is it known where Barbara Bickhart, for whom this memorial has been created, is buried. But it is possible, perhaps even likely, that it was the family cemetery in Montgomery County.
The complete, document-based fully researched story of this family can be found on this website:
http://www.hilbishgenealogy.com∼Barbara Bickhart was the wife of Adam Hülpüsch. The surname evolved to Hollowbush (Hollenbush and variations) in Montgomery County where the family first settled (it was part of Philadelphia County at the time) and later Hilbish when Adam and others of his family moved to Freeburg, Snyder Co, PA.
Barbara was the daughter of Johannes Bickhart. Her 1762 marriage to Adam was documented in the records of Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church in Montgomery County. It is not known when exactly she was born but 1739 is certainly a good estimate. Her last mention in any record was 1789 and it seems clear she died before 1802 when her husband Adam and son Peter left Montgomery County and moved to Freeburg. Her son Henry stayed in Montgomery County on the original homestead and the Hollowbush spelling was retained.
The Hollowbush family of Montgomery County has been the subject of serious genealogical inquiry since the 1890's. Reverend John Allen Mertz — whose mother was Susan Hilbish — and who was influenced to become a pastor by two of his Hilbish uncles — attended Ursinus College in Montgomery County in the 1880's and became quite interested in learning about his Hollowbush ancestors.
It is so easy now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to wonder how he got the family history so wrong. But he did the best he could in the late 1800's. It is harder to understand now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to see how many of the myths originated by Rev. Mertz still get repeated and believed by modern day researchers.
Rev. John Allen Mertz believed that "Mother" Hollowbush came to America in the 1730's with her three sons: Christian, Peter and Jost. However, the arrival of Christian and Peter is documented — it was 1749. Their life in Wied, Germany and the birth of their children is documented in German church records in the years leading up their departure. The death of their mother, Anna Maria (Schmidt) Hülpüsch, in Germany in about 1720, is documented in those same church records. There was no third son Jost, however, Peter had a son Jost who was the person of that name who came to America.
The mistaken date of arrival is probably because Rev. Mertz found Peter and Christian listed as early members of the Old Goshenhoppen Church in Montgomery County and misunderstood that even though it was followed by a list of baptisms starting in 1731, the list of early members was dated about 1758.
Rev. John Allen Mertz observed that in Germany in the early 1700's some people were persecuted for their religious beliefs and wrote: "Perhaps if we had the records, the father of Peter, Christian and Jost fell in the defense of the Reformed faith." In the next several decades this vague speculation evolved to become the myth that the father was beheaded for his religious beliefs and soon thereafter the family fled the country. German church records however show that the father — Johann Henrich — died in 1743 and there is no mention of there being anything unusual about his death. And in any event, his sons didn't depart until six years later. Some of his family stayed behind.
Finally, Rev. Mertz believed that it was Christian who was the father of the several male Hollowbushes of the next generation and therefore was the original Hollowbush ancestor of everyone of that name in America at the time. In point of fact, it was exactly the opposite. Christian had only daughters (that survived) and that is known by his will which explicitly says: "And the residue of my estate I give and devise unto my four children named Catharina, Mary Elisabeth, Jacobina, and Margret." On the other hand, in 1789 (20 years after Peter died, it took that long to settle his estate), the Orphans Court approved distributions for Peter's children including his five sons: Adam, Christian, Henry, Yost and Peter.
As part of Rev. Mertz's efforts to commemorate his family history, he and others purchased the small family cemetery there in 1894 and erected a cenotaph in 1902 to honor his forbears. The memorial says:
"In memory of Mother Hollowbush & sons Peter & Christian, Emigrated from the Palatinate Germany 1730 settled on this tract where they and relatives lie buried. Mother died 1745 Peter 1768 Christian 1778. Erected 28 Aug 1902 by descendants of nine generations."
The factual errors here are that the family did not arrive in 1730 and the Mother of Peter and Christian did not come to America and did not die in 1745.
Even though "Mother" Hollowbush is not buried in this family cemetery, there may be a Mrs. Hollowbush who died in the 1700's and who was born in Germany that is buried there. Peter's second wife, Maria Dorothea Finckler, came to America, survived him and died in 1790. But she was not buried in the Hollowbush family cemetery, instead it was on the farm of her daughter and son-in-law.
Christian's wife, Anna Maria Reiffner, did come to America and died a month before Christian. It is not known where she was buried. Nor is it known where Barbara Bickhart, for whom this memorial has been created, is buried. But it is possible, perhaps even likely, that it was the family cemetery in Montgomery County.
The complete, document-based fully researched story of this family can be found on this website:
http://www.hilbishgenealogy.com
Born sometime before 1690.
Her husband, Adam Hilbush, was beheaded on his own chopping block by Catholics for religious freedom, in Palatinate area of southern Germany.
"Mother" Hollowbush emigrated from the Palatine, Germany with 3 sons. Her youngest son, Yost, is believed to have died before reaching America.∼Barbara Bickhart was the wife of Adam Hülpüsch. The surname evolved to Hollowbush (Hollenbush and variations) in Montgomery County where the family first settled (it was part of Philadelphia County at the time) and later Hilbish when Adam and others of his family moved to Freeburg, Snyder Co, PA.
Barbara was the daughter of Johannes Bickhart. Her 1762 marriage to Adam was documented in the records of Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church in Montgomery County. It is not known when exactly she was born but 1739 is certainly a good estimate. Her last mention in any record was 1789 and it seems clear she died before 1802 when her husband Adam and son Peter left Montgomery County and moved to Freeburg. Her son Henry stayed in Montgomery County on the original homestead and the Hollowbush spelling was retained.
The Hollowbush family of Montgomery County has been the subject of serious genealogical inquiry since the 1890's. Reverend John Allen Mertz — whose mother was Susan Hilbish — and who was influenced to become a pastor by two of his Hilbish uncles — attended Ursinus College in Montgomery County in the 1880's and became quite interested in learning about his Hollowbush ancestors.
It is so easy now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to wonder how he got the family history so wrong. But he did the best he could in the late 1800's. It is harder to understand now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to see how many of the myths originated by Rev. Mertz still get repeated and believed by modern day researchers.
Rev. John Allen Mertz believed that "Mother" Hollowbush came to America in the 1730's with her three sons: Christian, Peter and Jost. However, the arrival of Christian and Peter is documented — it was 1749. Their life in Wied, Germany and the birth of their children is documented in German church records in the years leading up their departure. The death of their mother, Anna Maria (Schmidt) Hülpüsch, in Germany in about 1720, is documented in those same church records. There was no third son Jost, however, Peter had a son Jost who was the person of that name who came to America.
The mistaken date of arrival is probably because Rev. Mertz found Peter and Christian listed as early members of the Old Goshenhoppen Church in Montgomery County and misunderstood that even though it was followed by a list of baptisms starting in 1731, the list of early members was dated about 1758.
Rev. John Allen Mertz observed that in Germany in the early 1700's some people were persecuted for their religious beliefs and wrote: "Perhaps if we had the records, the father of Peter, Christian and Jost fell in the defense of the Reformed faith." In the next several decades this vague speculation evolved to become the myth that the father was beheaded for his religious beliefs and soon thereafter the family fled the country. German church records however show that the father — Johann Henrich — died in 1743 and there is no mention of there being anything unusual about his death. And in any event, his sons didn't depart until six years later. Some of his family stayed behind.
Finally, Rev. Mertz believed that it was Christian who was the father of the several male Hollowbushes of the next generation and therefore was the original Hollowbush ancestor of everyone of that name in America at the time. In point of fact, it was exactly the opposite. Christian had only daughters (that survived) and that is known by his will which explicitly says: "And the residue of my estate I give and devise unto my four children named Catharina, Mary Elisabeth, Jacobina, and Margret." On the other hand, in 1789 (20 years after Peter died, it took that long to settle his estate), the Orphans Court approved distributions for Peter's children including his five sons: Adam, Christian, Henry, Yost and Peter.
As part of Rev. Mertz's efforts to commemorate his family history, he and others purchased the small family cemetery there in 1894 and erected a cenotaph in 1902 to honor his forbears. The memorial says:
"In memory of Mother Hollowbush & sons Peter & Christian, Emigrated from the Palatinate Germany 1730 settled on this tract where they and relatives lie buried. Mother died 1745 Peter 1768 Christian 1778. Erected 28 Aug 1902 by descendants of nine generations."
The factual errors here are that the family did not arrive in 1730 and the Mother of Peter and Christian did not come to America and did not die in 1745.
Even though "Mother" Hollowbush is not buried in this family cemetery, there may be a Mrs. Hollowbush who died in the 1700's and who was born in Germany that is buried there. Peter's second wife, Maria Dorothea Finckler, came to America, survived him and died in 1790. But she was not buried in the Hollowbush family cemetery, instead it was on the farm of her daughter and son-in-law.
Christian's wife, Anna Maria Reiffner, did come to America and died a month before Christian. It is not known where she was buried. Nor is it known where Barbara Bickhart, for whom this memorial has been created, is buried. But it is possible, perhaps even likely, that it was the family cemetery in Montgomery County.
The complete, document-based fully researched story of this family can be found on this website:
http://www.hilbishgenealogy.com∼Barbara Bickhart was the wife of Adam Hülpüsch. The surname evolved to Hollowbush (Hollenbush and variations) in Montgomery County where the family first settled (it was part of Philadelphia County at the time) and later Hilbish when Adam and others of his family moved to Freeburg, Snyder Co, PA.
Barbara was the daughter of Johannes Bickhart. Her 1762 marriage to Adam was documented in the records of Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church in Montgomery County. It is not known when exactly she was born but 1739 is certainly a good estimate. Her last mention in any record was 1789 and it seems clear she died before 1802 when her husband Adam and son Peter left Montgomery County and moved to Freeburg. Her son Henry stayed in Montgomery County on the original homestead and the Hollowbush spelling was retained.
The Hollowbush family of Montgomery County has been the subject of serious genealogical inquiry since the 1890's. Reverend John Allen Mertz — whose mother was Susan Hilbish — and who was influenced to become a pastor by two of his Hilbish uncles — attended Ursinus College in Montgomery County in the 1880's and became quite interested in learning about his Hollowbush ancestors.
It is so easy now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to wonder how he got the family history so wrong. But he did the best he could in the late 1800's. It is harder to understand now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to see how many of the myths originated by Rev. Mertz still get repeated and believed by modern day researchers.
Rev. John Allen Mertz believed that "Mother" Hollowbush came to America in the 1730's with her three sons: Christian, Peter and Jost. However, the arrival of Christian and Peter is documented — it was 1749. Their life in Wied, Germany and the birth of their children is documented in German church records in the years leading up their departure. The death of their mother, Anna Maria (Schmidt) Hülpüsch, in Germany in about 1720, is documented in those same church records. There was no third son Jost, however, Peter had a son Jost who was the person of that name who came to America.
The mistaken date of arrival is probably because Rev. Mertz found Peter and Christian listed as early members of the Old Goshenhoppen Church in Montgomery County and misunderstood that even though it was followed by a list of baptisms starting in 1731, the list of early members was dated about 1758.
Rev. John Allen Mertz observed that in Germany in the early 1700's some people were persecuted for their religious beliefs and wrote: "Perhaps if we had the records, the father of Peter, Christian and Jost fell in the defense of the Reformed faith." In the next several decades this vague speculation evolved to become the myth that the father was beheaded for his religious beliefs and soon thereafter the family fled the country. German church records however show that the father — Johann Henrich — died in 1743 and there is no mention of there being anything unusual about his death. And in any event, his sons didn't depart until six years later. Some of his family stayed behind.
Finally, Rev. Mertz believed that it was Christian who was the father of the several male Hollowbushes of the next generation and therefore was the original Hollowbush ancestor of everyone of that name in America at the time. In point of fact, it was exactly the opposite. Christian had only daughters (that survived) and that is known by his will which explicitly says: "And the residue of my estate I give and devise unto my four children named Catharina, Mary Elisabeth, Jacobina, and Margret." On the other hand, in 1789 (20 years after Peter died, it took that long to settle his estate), the Orphans Court approved distributions for Peter's children including his five sons: Adam, Christian, Henry, Yost and Peter.
As part of Rev. Mertz's efforts to commemorate his family history, he and others purchased the small family cemetery there in 1894 and erected a cenotaph in 1902 to honor his forbears. The memorial says:
"In memory of Mother Hollowbush & sons Peter & Christian, Emigrated from the Palatinate Germany 1730 settled on this tract where they and relatives lie buried. Mother died 1745 Peter 1768 Christian 1778. Erected 28 Aug 1902 by descendants of nine generations."
The factual errors here are that the family did not arrive in 1730 and the Mother of Peter and Christian did not come to America and did not die in 1745.
Even though "Mother" Hollowbush is not buried in this family cemetery, there may be a Mrs. Hollowbush who died in the 1700's and who was born in Germany that is buried there. Peter's second wife, Maria Dorothea Finckler, came to America, survived him and died in 1790. But she was not buried in the Hollowbush family cemetery, instead it was on the farm of her daughter and son-in-law.
Christian's wife, Anna Maria Reiffner, did come to America and died a month before Christian. It is not known where she was buried. Nor is it known where Barbara Bickhart, for whom this memorial has been created, is buried. But it is possible, perhaps even likely, that it was the family cemetery in Montgomery County.
The complete, document-based fully researched story of this family can be found on this website:
http://www.hilbishgenealogy.com
Her husband, Adam Hilbush, was beheaded on his own chopping block by Catholics for religious freedom, in Palatinate area of southern Germany.
"Mother" Hollowbush emigrated from the Palatine, Germany with 3 sons. Her youngest son, Yost, is believed to have died before reaching America.∼Barbara Bickhart was the wife of Adam Hülpüsch. The surname evolved to Hollowbush (Hollenbush and variations) in Montgomery County where the family first settled (it was part of Philadelphia County at the time) and later Hilbish when Adam and others of his family moved to Freeburg, Snyder Co, PA.
Barbara was the daughter of Johannes Bickhart. Her 1762 marriage to Adam was documented in the records of Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church in Montgomery County. It is not known when exactly she was born but 1739 is certainly a good estimate. Her last mention in any record was 1789 and it seems clear she died before 1802 when her husband Adam and son Peter left Montgomery County and moved to Freeburg. Her son Henry stayed in Montgomery County on the original homestead and the Hollowbush spelling was retained.
The Hollowbush family of Montgomery County has been the subject of serious genealogical inquiry since the 1890's. Reverend John Allen Mertz — whose mother was Susan Hilbish — and who was influenced to become a pastor by two of his Hilbish uncles — attended Ursinus College in Montgomery County in the 1880's and became quite interested in learning about his Hollowbush ancestors.
It is so easy now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to wonder how he got the family history so wrong. But he did the best he could in the late 1800's. It is harder to understand now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to see how many of the myths originated by Rev. Mertz still get repeated and believed by modern day researchers.
Rev. John Allen Mertz believed that "Mother" Hollowbush came to America in the 1730's with her three sons: Christian, Peter and Jost. However, the arrival of Christian and Peter is documented — it was 1749. Their life in Wied, Germany and the birth of their children is documented in German church records in the years leading up their departure. The death of their mother, Anna Maria (Schmidt) Hülpüsch, in Germany in about 1720, is documented in those same church records. There was no third son Jost, however, Peter had a son Jost who was the person of that name who came to America.
The mistaken date of arrival is probably because Rev. Mertz found Peter and Christian listed as early members of the Old Goshenhoppen Church in Montgomery County and misunderstood that even though it was followed by a list of baptisms starting in 1731, the list of early members was dated about 1758.
Rev. John Allen Mertz observed that in Germany in the early 1700's some people were persecuted for their religious beliefs and wrote: "Perhaps if we had the records, the father of Peter, Christian and Jost fell in the defense of the Reformed faith." In the next several decades this vague speculation evolved to become the myth that the father was beheaded for his religious beliefs and soon thereafter the family fled the country. German church records however show that the father — Johann Henrich — died in 1743 and there is no mention of there being anything unusual about his death. And in any event, his sons didn't depart until six years later. Some of his family stayed behind.
Finally, Rev. Mertz believed that it was Christian who was the father of the several male Hollowbushes of the next generation and therefore was the original Hollowbush ancestor of everyone of that name in America at the time. In point of fact, it was exactly the opposite. Christian had only daughters (that survived) and that is known by his will which explicitly says: "And the residue of my estate I give and devise unto my four children named Catharina, Mary Elisabeth, Jacobina, and Margret." On the other hand, in 1789 (20 years after Peter died, it took that long to settle his estate), the Orphans Court approved distributions for Peter's children including his five sons: Adam, Christian, Henry, Yost and Peter.
As part of Rev. Mertz's efforts to commemorate his family history, he and others purchased the small family cemetery there in 1894 and erected a cenotaph in 1902 to honor his forbears. The memorial says:
"In memory of Mother Hollowbush & sons Peter & Christian, Emigrated from the Palatinate Germany 1730 settled on this tract where they and relatives lie buried. Mother died 1745 Peter 1768 Christian 1778. Erected 28 Aug 1902 by descendants of nine generations."
The factual errors here are that the family did not arrive in 1730 and the Mother of Peter and Christian did not come to America and did not die in 1745.
Even though "Mother" Hollowbush is not buried in this family cemetery, there may be a Mrs. Hollowbush who died in the 1700's and who was born in Germany that is buried there. Peter's second wife, Maria Dorothea Finckler, came to America, survived him and died in 1790. But she was not buried in the Hollowbush family cemetery, instead it was on the farm of her daughter and son-in-law.
Christian's wife, Anna Maria Reiffner, did come to America and died a month before Christian. It is not known where she was buried. Nor is it known where Barbara Bickhart, for whom this memorial has been created, is buried. But it is possible, perhaps even likely, that it was the family cemetery in Montgomery County.
The complete, document-based fully researched story of this family can be found on this website:
http://www.hilbishgenealogy.com∼Barbara Bickhart was the wife of Adam Hülpüsch. The surname evolved to Hollowbush (Hollenbush and variations) in Montgomery County where the family first settled (it was part of Philadelphia County at the time) and later Hilbish when Adam and others of his family moved to Freeburg, Snyder Co, PA.
Barbara was the daughter of Johannes Bickhart. Her 1762 marriage to Adam was documented in the records of Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church in Montgomery County. It is not known when exactly she was born but 1739 is certainly a good estimate. Her last mention in any record was 1789 and it seems clear she died before 1802 when her husband Adam and son Peter left Montgomery County and moved to Freeburg. Her son Henry stayed in Montgomery County on the original homestead and the Hollowbush spelling was retained.
The Hollowbush family of Montgomery County has been the subject of serious genealogical inquiry since the 1890's. Reverend John Allen Mertz — whose mother was Susan Hilbish — and who was influenced to become a pastor by two of his Hilbish uncles — attended Ursinus College in Montgomery County in the 1880's and became quite interested in learning about his Hollowbush ancestors.
It is so easy now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to wonder how he got the family history so wrong. But he did the best he could in the late 1800's. It is harder to understand now when so much genealogical information has been computerized and made searchable to see how many of the myths originated by Rev. Mertz still get repeated and believed by modern day researchers.
Rev. John Allen Mertz believed that "Mother" Hollowbush came to America in the 1730's with her three sons: Christian, Peter and Jost. However, the arrival of Christian and Peter is documented — it was 1749. Their life in Wied, Germany and the birth of their children is documented in German church records in the years leading up their departure. The death of their mother, Anna Maria (Schmidt) Hülpüsch, in Germany in about 1720, is documented in those same church records. There was no third son Jost, however, Peter had a son Jost who was the person of that name who came to America.
The mistaken date of arrival is probably because Rev. Mertz found Peter and Christian listed as early members of the Old Goshenhoppen Church in Montgomery County and misunderstood that even though it was followed by a list of baptisms starting in 1731, the list of early members was dated about 1758.
Rev. John Allen Mertz observed that in Germany in the early 1700's some people were persecuted for their religious beliefs and wrote: "Perhaps if we had the records, the father of Peter, Christian and Jost fell in the defense of the Reformed faith." In the next several decades this vague speculation evolved to become the myth that the father was beheaded for his religious beliefs and soon thereafter the family fled the country. German church records however show that the father — Johann Henrich — died in 1743 and there is no mention of there being anything unusual about his death. And in any event, his sons didn't depart until six years later. Some of his family stayed behind.
Finally, Rev. Mertz believed that it was Christian who was the father of the several male Hollowbushes of the next generation and therefore was the original Hollowbush ancestor of everyone of that name in America at the time. In point of fact, it was exactly the opposite. Christian had only daughters (that survived) and that is known by his will which explicitly says: "And the residue of my estate I give and devise unto my four children named Catharina, Mary Elisabeth, Jacobina, and Margret." On the other hand, in 1789 (20 years after Peter died, it took that long to settle his estate), the Orphans Court approved distributions for Peter's children including his five sons: Adam, Christian, Henry, Yost and Peter.
As part of Rev. Mertz's efforts to commemorate his family history, he and others purchased the small family cemetery there in 1894 and erected a cenotaph in 1902 to honor his forbears. The memorial says:
"In memory of Mother Hollowbush & sons Peter & Christian, Emigrated from the Palatinate Germany 1730 settled on this tract where they and relatives lie buried. Mother died 1745 Peter 1768 Christian 1778. Erected 28 Aug 1902 by descendants of nine generations."
The factual errors here are that the family did not arrive in 1730 and the Mother of Peter and Christian did not come to America and did not die in 1745.
Even though "Mother" Hollowbush is not buried in this family cemetery, there may be a Mrs. Hollowbush who died in the 1700's and who was born in Germany that is buried there. Peter's second wife, Maria Dorothea Finckler, came to America, survived him and died in 1790. But she was not buried in the Hollowbush family cemetery, instead it was on the farm of her daughter and son-in-law.
Christian's wife, Anna Maria Reiffner, did come to America and died a month before Christian. It is not known where she was buried. Nor is it known where Barbara Bickhart, for whom this memorial has been created, is buried. But it is possible, perhaps even likely, that it was the family cemetery in Montgomery County.
The complete, document-based fully researched story of this family can be found on this website:
http://www.hilbishgenealogy.com
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