Source: Peter Hockenberry and Descendants of his Son, John Hockenberry
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A booklet assembled in 1975 by Edith and Horace Renick of Stuart, Florida, entitled Peter Hockenberry and Descendants of his Son, John Hockenberry, contains lots of information about direct ancestors Peter Hockenberry, John Hockenberry, and others.
The following are selected transcriptions from this booklet:
Peter Hockenberry was born in West Germany ca. 1718 settled in what is now Fannett Twp., Franklin Co., Pa. about 1750. His "Will" was probably Feb. 20 1811 Chambersburg, Pa. Children named: Henry, John, Mary, Margaret, James, Jeremiah, Peter, Catherine, Nancy, Samuel, and Robert. After marriage John lived in Perry and Butler Counties, Robert in Butler Co., Pa., Henry, James and Jeremiah in Franklin and Huntington Counties and then to parts unknown. Peter, Jr. and Samuel had at least five children each and the other brothers had more.
Peter Hockenberry
born ~1718, Germany
died Feb 1811, Franklin Co., PA
first marriage, spouse's name unknown
second marriage, spouse's name Alice, named in "Will"
Peter was born in or near Hachenburg, Germany which is a few miles southeast of Bonn, Germany. In Germany the name was spelled Hachenberg, but if they lived in a village they went by Hachenburger or Hachenberger. We believe that Peter, his 1st wife and five children landed in New Jersey about 1750 (probably Chanbers, NJ) and went in to PA to the western edge of the settlement which was the Susquehanna River. They settled just beyond the River in what is now FannettTwp., Franklin Co., PA in the extreme northern tip of the county north of Chambersburg, PA. After a period of time Peter and his oldest boys owned large tracts of land, three mills, and a number of homes. During the Revolutionary War Peter and four of his sons: Henry, John, James, and Jeremiah, fought several tours of duty - as did two of Henry's sons, Henry Jr. and Casper. During the Revolution several hundred early settlers living along the Susquehanna River were killed by Tories and Indians on the side of the Tories. Records show that some of the Hockenberry's signed petitions requesting arms to defend themselves against such killings. Peter's "Will" recorded in Feb 1811 is to be found in the Chambersburg, PA Court House. All of Peter's children and his 2nd wife, Alice, were named in Peter's Will and all of his boys and Alice can be found in early censuses.
Children-birthdates estimated from Census dates:
1. Henry 1740 2. John 1741 Children from 3. Mary 1744 1st Marriage 4. Margaret 1746 5. James 1748 6. Jeremiah 1760 _____________ 7. Peter, Jr. 1790 8. Catherine Children from 9. Nancy 2nd Marriage 10. Samuel 1795 11. Robert 1797
After Peter's death in 1811 in his 90's his widow, Alice, who was the same age as some of his oldest children lived with Samuel a number of years in Franklin and Huntingdon Counties. Then she lived alone in Perry County next door to some of James' children until her death between 1840 and 1850.
John Hockenberry
born ~1741 probably in Germany
died ~1839 probably buried near Coaltown, norwest of West Sunbury, PA. Old tombstones are too smooth to read. Died in late 90's.
married Hannah Kelly
Came to America about 1750 with his parents and lived with his parents in Fannett Twp., Franklin Co., PA probably until his marriage at which time he lived in Tobogne Twp. in Cumberland Co., PA (Became a part of Perry Co. in 1830) and probably operated his father's stave mill in Tobogne Twp.-obtained 400 acres of land in Cumberland County on 3 Feb 1796 (PA Archives, 3rd Series, Vol. 25). Signed a petition May 18, 1778 asking for arms to defend themselves against the Tories and Indians. During the Revolutionary War he fought several tours of duty. John's family except for his married son, John Jr., moved to Brady Twp., Butler Co., PA in 1803 - a few miles south of Slippery Rock, PA according to "The History of Butler Co." in Butler, PA library, he moved to Cherry Twp., Butler Co. soon after 1830 and died there before 1840. His wife had died soon after they moved to Butler Co., PA.
Children:
1. John, Jr. 2. Casper b. 1785 m. Margaret Shaffer 3. Joseph b. 1786 m. Elizabeth 4. Elizabeth m. James Buchanan 5. Jane m. Moses McCandless 6. Annie married and died in Ohio 7. Ellen m. William Graham 8. Jonathon* b. 1795 m. Sarah Freeman
- According to the 1800 census, Jonathon was older than his four sisters.
