Christian
Kropf/Cropp/Grubb (Sr.) Family
Germany(or Switz) and Pennsylvania
Christoph/Christian
Kropf/Grubb Sr. (Cropp/Kropf/Kroph)
b. before 1680 Germany or Switzerland
[based
on
minimum
age
of
sons
in
1729]
d. after Sept. 1729 probably in Pennsylvania or Virginia
m. (unknown date but probably before
1684 in Germany or Switzerland
[based
on
minimum
age
of
sons
in
1729]
b. before 1664 Germany
d. unknown date probably in Germany
her father: unknown mother:
unknown
his father: unknown Swiss Kropf
his mother: unknown
| Children |
(possibly a cousin or uncle)
Daniel Kropf/Grubb
|
b. ?
|
d.
|
m. immigrates on the "Allen" in 1729 but removed on the
list from the others, listed as "sick" |
| Andreas Grubb |
b. probably before 1701 in Wittgenstein region of
Germany |
d. probably in USA
|
m.
|
| Jacob Kropf/Grubb* |
b. probably before 1702 probably in Berne area of
Switzerland |
d. about 1785
|
m.Maria/Mary Oplinger/Uplinger
|
| Christoph
/ Christian Grubb jr.* |
b. c 1703 probably in Berne area of Switzerland
|
d. |
m. Rosine
Kipp
|
*based on the listing of the ship
"Allen" and possible birthdate.
1729, before Sept
We know for certain that Christian Grubb
Sr. and his family were members of the Brethren
church, also known as the Anabaptists, Dunkers or
German Baptists. There is a list of converts who
joined the German Baptist Brethren in Europe which includes
the names of Daniel, Jacob, Andrew, Christian and Christian
Cropp Jr. Meaning, of course, that they joined before
1729 when they came to the colonies on the ship "Allen"
that arrived in the colonies from Rotterdam on
September 11, 1729, James Craigie, master. ["Passengers of
the Allen" - The Brethren Network].
We also know that a Christian Kropf of 1672 was very active
in the Mennonite church in Switzerland. Whether or not he is
a direct ancestor is not so important that he was known to
be active in the church which could have forced the
emigration to the Wittgenstein area of Germany of the entire
Kropf family. This is where they met Allexander Mack,
a Prussian minister. They were listed as converts of the
German Baptist Brethren before 1729. The Kropfs may
have left Switzerland in 1711 but would then have stayed in
Germany for about 18 years before finally getting on the
ship "Allen in 1729 to go to the colonies.
1711- "Christian Kroff with
his wife, three sons, ages ten, two and one, a shoemaker"
are forced to leave Switzerland on a ship down the Rhine river to
Holland. [Eshleman 185]
1729- Sept 15 - The
"Allen" , Captain James Crigs/Craigie from; Rotterdam by way
of Cowes arrived in Philadelphia. It held 59 families
that made up 126 persons (actually list contains 132 by my
count).
An earlier date for the ship seems to indicate when in was
in Cowes, Isle of Wight, GB, 7 July 1728.
as listed in the record of the "Allen" 15 Sept 1729.
#34 Christoph Kropf
#35 Rosina
#36 Andreas
Kropf
#37 Jacob Kropf
"sick"
#38
Christoph Kropf, jun.
second to the last in the list
#130 Daniel Kropf
Ms. Whipple, in her article on the
Brethern, indicates that the group of Brethren were led by
Alexander Mack, a minister from Surhuisterveen,
Holland. However, Alexander Mack was a
Prussian(now German) minister, born near Heidelberg) who had
established his group of "New Baptists" in 1718.
Apparently Mack went around Germany converted and recruited
pilgrims to emigrate. Listed on the Allen was also
Allexander Mack, Johannes Mack, Velten Mack, and Allexander
Mack, Jun. The area that they came from is identified
as the region of Wittgenstein. I found the general area and the actual town of
Wittgenstein only a few miles west of the town of
Laasphe. This is almost exactly in the middle of
a triangle made by the towns of Koln, Kassels and Frankfurt
in present day Germany. This prince of this area of
Germany became a protector for desenters of most protestant
sect and drew to it by reputation German and Swiss
individuals. [Whipple, Judith Cox,
"European Origins of the Brethren"]
Bad Laasphe, Sigen-Wittgenstein, Germany
[Wikkipedia Common]
There has always been a question about
how or why Christian came to the colonies. We feel
certain that it was to escape persecution for his religious
beliefs. The Anabaptist, as a group, believed that
infant baptism was much too premature and began urging
re-baptism of the populous. They also believed that
swearing an oath of loyalty to anyone but God was
wrong. This was viewed as blasphemy and treasonous and
brought down reactions that included psychological and
physical abuse including being burned at the stake.
All the men listed here were also listed
as passengers on the "Allen" along with Rosine Kropf, who is
listed on some copies of the ship manifest separately.
In the list there were no Kropf/Grubb/Cropp children under
the age of 15 with this name. Along on this same ship
with Allexander Mack, Johannes Mack, Velten Mack, and
Allexander Mack, Jun. Reverend Mack was the leader who
brought the group to Pennsylvannia. [ship manifest
We know that a Christian Grubb had come from Germany in 1738
on the "Robert and Alice". He was listed as age
35. Many have assumed for years that our Christian
Grubb came with his family in 1738. This is not proved
with the ships roster. The complete roster lists him
apparently traveling without wife or children but there
were others on board that were going to Lancaster, PA as he
was. That may be important to the history but their
connection to him is unknown at this time. At
age 35 in 1738 would mean he was born in 1703 or 29 years
old at entering the colonies in 1729 on the "Allen", since
all the children had be at less than 15 years old and he was
not listed as a child, and meaning that he could not be the
father of the children of the earlier list. He
needs to be the apparently youngest son of Christian
Sr. according to the order of the list.
Subsequent records from the Peaked Mountain Church indicate
that Rosine, although listed as the wife of the Christian
Sr., seems to be the wife of Christian Jr. She has to have
been married to Christian Jr. in Germany and had no children
until in the colonies.
Travel in 1738 from Germany was considered to be "The Year
of the Destroying Angels" for the number of people who
died. The German serfs had undergone many challenges
with swinging allegences of the local rulers toward various
religions. Lutherans and Catholics seemed be able to allow
some freedom to worship but when Calvinism became official
religion of the Elector many Protestants wanted to leave the
area of German Palatine. The desperation of the serf locked
farmers forced them to clog the border areas of Holland on
their way to the ports of Rotterdam looking for passage to
the Colonies. The Dutch authorities were worried that
holding them for a long time at the border would create a
situation of potential outbreaks of epidemic. The
Dutch commanderied ships from England and their own fleets
to eleviate the pressure. One record citing the
Wurts records says that of the over 6,500 people who boarded
ships some 24 ships in this year 2,260 people died on the
voyage. More information on these voyages can be found
on this Ship
Ordeal
web page.
1738, Sept. 11 - Christian Grub[sic]
arrived
at
Philadephia,
PA
from
Rotterdam
on
board
the "Robert and Alice."
All male passengers signed into the ship's log. Christian signed in
German as Christian Krupf. His age is listed as 35 and seems to be
traveling without wife or children. All
passengers were required to take an Oath of Allegiance to the King
of England. Christian signed in his native language of German.
Because of the earlier record of Christian and family entering in
1729 on the "Allen" original theories of the family have had to be
revised. The Christian Grub entering on the "Robert and Alice"
must be Christian JR. [roster of the "Robert and Alice",
Progenealogist 1/20/07]
[List of immigrants taking "oath" Sept.11, 1738 Philadelphia]
Christian Grub was on the list of immigrants taking the "oath in
1738.
1738 - Christian Kropf Jr. received a warrant for land in
Tulpehocken Township, Lancaster county Pennsylvania. [Pough] I think the date here is wrong based
on the following document.
1741 - The following document is
handwritten and faint in areas. The digital image is
available on Ancestry.com. The date is very legible.
Pennsylvania
By the Proprietaries
Whereas by virtue of a Warrant
under our Solom Seal bearing unto the tenth day of August
in the year of our lord 1737 a
survey of One hundred and fourteen acres of land laying within
Tulpahocca Township in the
County of Lancaster was made unto Jacob Hoobler of the same
county under (? other)
Conditions the Said Warrant mentioned which Conditions not
having been
complied with by the said Jacob
Hoobler the said Warrant and Survey made in pursuance thereof
or become utterley (??) And Christian Kropf having
requested that we would grant him the
said land under the same Metes
and Bounds and agreed to pay to our use the Consideration
Money which ought to have been
paid by the said Jacob Hoobler for the same
Then are to authorize and
require you to accept and receive the aforesaid Survey and make
return of the same for the use
and Behoof of the said Christian
Kropf into our Secretary's
Office in order for the
Confirmation for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant
Proven
under my Hand and the Seal of
the Land Office by Virtue of certain Powers from
the said Proprietaries at
Philadelphia this Tenth day of December Anno Domini 1741.
Pio: Thomas
To William Parfons Surveyor
General
[Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952]
1761- Christian Grubb first known land purchase in Frederick Co.,
VA. Purchase was made 24 JUN 1761...from Burr Harrison and wife,
Mary Anne to Christian Grub, 400 acres in Frederick Co. on Stoney
Creek. [Deed Book 12, page 566, recorded 1768]
We, however, don't know which
Christian this refers to. We feel this had to be Christian Jr.
since Christian Sr. would have been 101 years old by this date.
Christian Jr. would still be 59 years old by this date if my
calculations are correct.
1762, SEPT 25 - Jacob Grubb purchases, 250a. "On the waters of
Smiths Creek near the foot of the Peeked Mountains." [Patents No.
35, 1762-64, p.13, Augusta County, VA] Baptismal records of the
church in 1762 state that Jacob was 26 years old., Daniel was 24 and
Margaret was 18. A (AD) This
then must be a grandchild of Christian Sr.
1762. At the "Pinquit" (Peaked) Mountain and the South "Chanithor"
(Shenandoah), in Virginia, the following children were baptized on
Saturday, February 27th [note 2]:(Jacob here is born in 1736. Notice
that Rosina Kipp is not the wife of Christian Kroph)
| parents |
children |
sponsor |
Christian Kroph
and wife |
(35)Jacob , aged 26, years |
John Jacob Nicolaus and wife Anna Barbara Rosina, nee
Kipp |
| (ditto) |
(36) Daniel, age 24 |
Jacob Arkebrech (Argenbright) and wife Susanna |
| (ditto) |
(37) Margaret, age 18 years |
I.C. Van Gemuenden,the Reformed minister wife, M.A. Van
Germuenden, also Jacob Perschinger, Reformed elder, and
wife Maria Catharine |
Peter Mueller (Miller) and wife Margaret
|
(51) Jacob, born April 17, 1785; bapt. June 18
|
Jacob Croop and wife Barbara
Peter Mueller and Margaret is actually the Margaret,
daughter of Christian Kroph, Jr.. Her brother is
the sponsor of the baptism |
Jacob Croop and wife Anna Barbara
|
(63) John, born March 9, 1765; bapt. June 18
|
John Argebrecht and Catharine Vogt
|
Daniel Grub and Elizabeth
|
(88)Mary Catharine, born December 15, 1775
|
Peter Miller and wife Anna Maria
|
Martin Finder and Barbara
|
(91) Barbara, born Feb. 24, 1776
|
Jacob Grub and Barbara
|
Marriages in 1762:
On March 2. Jacob Kropp (Cropp), son of
Christian Kropp and Anna Barbara Metzger, daughter of
Eroge Valentine Metzger
On March 2. Peter Mueller, son of Henry Mueller, and
Margaret Kropp, daughter of Christian Kropp.
On Saturday, Feb. 27, 1762 was received as a member of the
congregation, upon confession of her faith, Margaret Kropp
(Cropp)
[Peaked
Mountain
Church
Record,
edited
by
Prof.
Wm. J. Hinke and Charles Kemper]
|
The Peaked Mountain Church was an early German Lutheran church
and holds some of the earliest records of colonist of German
descent. In various records of the Peaked Mountain Church, their
last name is spelled at least three different ways. Early records
spell the name as Krupt, later changed to Kruph, translated as
Croop, late listings as Grub or Grubb. This has be Christian
Jr. for the same reasons of age and the children would have to be
his adult children.
According to the records of Peaked Mountain Church, Rockingham Co.,
VA all of the eight children of Christian Grub did not come over on
the "Robert and Alice". Records of the church refer to his "5 sons
and 3 dau." Ernest Grubb writes:
that the "Peaked Mountain Church.(is) located near the Old
Frederick and Augusta Co. line. I think at first the location
was very close to the line because both the families of
Christian, who lived in Frederick, and 3 of his children, who
lived in "then" Augusta, now Rockingham, were baptized and
attended there as early as 1762. The church was re-built once
before it was decided to join with a nearby Reform church...the
articles joining the churches were signed by Jacob and Daniel
(sons of Christian) and also Peter Miller, a son-in-law. The
church was re-located to a point near the town of Magaheysville,
VA and called The Reformed Lutheran Church" [ Ernest Grubb email
of 19 Nov 1997]
1769, March - the will of Christian Grubb is probated. [Will Book 5,
p. 477. Federick Co., Virginia]
Will dated 4 March1769. Frederick County Will book 5 page 477
It was recorded in Winchester in Frederick Co., VA. Catherine is
named as his wife and all of his eight children. Abraham, his son,
was named executor of the estate. He also inherits the bulk of the
estate beside being the controller of his mother's share. We must
assume that Abraham is the oldest of the children by the position
as executor. This probably means that he was the oldest of the
surviving children. He could possibly be the oldest surviving male
child. Christian apparently dies within the month of between Mar.
4 and Apr. 4 of 1769
Frederick County Clerk's Office, Winchester, VIRGINIA dated March
4, 1769 Proven April 4, 1769.
In the Name of God Amen I Christian Grubb of Frederick
County in the Colony of Virginia being Weak in Body but of sound
Memory Blessed be God do as it to day this fourth day of March in
the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and Sixty nine
make and Publish this by Last Will & Testament in manner
following (that is to say) First I give my son Jacob Grubb
the sum of three Pounds one Pound to be paid one Year after my
Decease and one pound to be paid one Year after my Decease and one
Pound three Years after my Decease also I Give to my son
Daniel Grubb and to my daughter Barbara Grubb and Catharine
Grubb and Frank Grubb and John Grubb and Margaret
Grubb Each of them the sum of five Shillings to paid on
demd. after my decease and also I give unto my son Abraham
Grubb to his Heirs and Assigns that Plantation or Tract of
Land I now Live on situate on Stoney Creek in this County also I
Give to my wife Catharine Grubb the third part of my whole
Estate during her Natural Life and Widowhood and what Remains of
my Estate & Cattle and Houshold goods all and every I Give to
my Son Abraham Grubb to his Heirs and Assigns forever and I make
and ordain him my said son Abraham Grubb Sole Executor of
this my Last Will in Trust for the Intents and purposes in this my
Will Contained to take Care and see the same Performed according
to my True Intent and meaning in Witness whereof I the said
Christian Grubb have to this my Last Will and Testament set my
hand and seal the day and Year above Written Signed Sealed &
Delivered by the said Christian Grubb as and for His Last
Will and Testament in the Presence of us who were present at the )
Signing and sealing thereof)
his
Jacob r Rinker Senr
mark
|
his
Christian C Grubb
mark
|
|
his
John X Crenwine
mark
|
| Jacob Rinker Junr. |
|
At a Court Held for Frederick County April 4 1769.
This Last Will and Testament of Christina Grubb decd. was proved
by the oaths of the Witnesses thereton and ordered to be
recorded. Upon the Motion of Abraam Grubb the Executer therein
Named, who made oath therto Certificate is Granted him for
obtaining a Probate therof In due form he having entered into
Bond together with Jacom Rinker and Matthias Painter his
Securitys in the Penalty of Two hundred Pounds Conditioned for
Faithful Adminstration & the sd. Decedents Estate.
By the Court
. . . Ja. Keith C. Ct.
This is to certify that the foregoing will of Christian Grubb is
a true copy of record as found in the Frederick County Clerk's
Office at Winchester, Virginia.
signed Lucy K. Holister, Notary Public in and for County of
Frederick , State of Virginia, Feb. 11, 1967
The following inventory of Christina Grubb's estate gives further
information on its assessed value.
INVENTORY OF CHRISTINA GRUBB, DECD. WILL BOOK 3 - PAGE 503 -
RECORDED AUGUST 2, 1769
FREDERICK COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
"An Atteachment of the Personal Estate of Christina Grubb Deceased
of Frederick County in the Colny of Virginia which being Appraised
by John Six Cullip Sink & Isaac Funkhouser the Twenty ninth
day of July 1769"
| One bay Mare £7..10 one Dun Horse £2..5 .... |
9..15..0 |
| One Bay Horse £5.. 10......................... |
5..10..0 |
| One Cow Bells £2..2 ..one Cow with Star on Forehead ....
|
3..17..0 |
| One Heifer £ 1..7 1 Black Heifer 18/ 1 Bull £2 .... |
3.. 5..0 |
| One Black Bull 18/ one Specked Heifer 14/........ |
1..12..0 |
| One Black Heifer 10/ one Specked Bull 8 / 1 Cow Calf 4
.... |
1.. 2..0 |
| one Red Calf 4/ one Calf 5/ 1 Cow and Calf £2..10 |
2..19..0 |
| A Parcel of Hogs £3 1 Truck Wagon £ 1 ......... |
4.. 0..0 |
| Seven Hives of Bees £2 Nine Empty Bee Hives 11/ |
2..11..0 |
| One Cross Cut saw £1 Cooper Tools 13/ ..... |
1..13..0 |
| Seven Augers 15/ four Chisels and a pair Pinchers 5/
.... |
1.. 0..0 |
| One Adse and Trumpery 5/ one Log Chain 7/ ...... |
0..12..0 |
| Two Grubing hoes 11/ one Maul and Wedges 6/ ..... |
0..17..0 |
| Two Axes 5/ Three Weading hoes 9/ one Gun 12/ ...... |
1.. 6..0 |
| One prow 2/6/ Three sicles 2 Oats Credles & sizes 8/
.... |
0..17..6 |
| One grindstone 10/ one Saddle 8/ some Horse Gears 5/
..... |
1.. 3..0 |
| Two Iron Pots and 2 Pans & other Implements 13/
........... |
0..13..0 |
| Pewter War 12/ Cooper Ware 13/ ............. |
1.. 5..0 |
| Four Powdering Tubs and other Implements 9/ ....... |
0.. 9..0 |
| One Half Barrel and other Implements 10/ .......... |
1.. 8..0 |
| Plough & Plough Tacklings 18/ 6 Books 10/ ........ |
1.. 8..0 |
| One Chest 8/ one Half Bushel 3/ 1 Taylor Share 1/ ...... |
0..12..0 |
| Some Bottles 3/ Three Bells 4/ three Bags 7/ 1 Sickle 8/
..... |
1.. 2..0 |
| Gold Seales 4/ Wheat and Rie £5/10 ........... |
5..14..0 |
| Cash 17/ one Mortar 3/ .................... |
0.. 2..6 |
At a court Continued and Held for Frederick County August 2nd 1769
This Appraise of the Estate of Christina Grubb Decd. was Returned
in to Court ordered to be Recorded.
By the Court
James Keith ...... C. Ct.
from a transcribed copy made in Feb. 11, 1967 Frederick Co.,
Viriginia
1769 Mar- We know that Abraham was named executor of Christian's
will and received 2/3 of the land. He sold this to Abel Roberts 6
years after his father's death and also sold his mother's share
after her death in 1778.
1771- 3 Aug. - Jacob Grubb purchases 79 acres. "On the north side of
the Picked Mountain on a branch of Smith's Creek." [Patents No. 40,
1771-72, p.620, Augusta County, VA]
In a letter 3 Feb 1963, Polly Phillips of Knoxville, TN. a
descendant of Jacob Jr. written to Olive Grubb Devore.
"Jacob Grub lived in Grainger Co., Tennessee in 1815. Jacob Jr.
lived near Luttrell. Barbara Grub the wife of old Jacob
predeceased Jacob, and he remarried. The name of wife No. 2 we
never learned, She was always referred to as "that woman". It
seems that she got all Jacob had and his children were left
without an inheritance. They and their children were used to
being well off. Jacob was living in Jefferson County, Tenn. when
he died. The area is now covered with the waters of Cherokee
Lake. In the 1830's he was a member of the "Black Oak" Baptist
Church. If the church records were available we might find some
record of him. Jacob's land in Grainger Co. was in the Indian
Cave vicinity...
source:
Whipple, Judith Cox quote from "European Origins of the Brethren":
A Source book of the Beginnings of the Church of the Bretehren in
the Early Eighteenth Century, Elgin, Illinois., The Brethren
Press, 1958, pp. 296-298. The Church of the Brethren Network -
http://www.cob-net.org/
Hinke, Prof. William J. and Kemper, Charles E. editors. Records
of the Peaked Mountain Church, Rockingham Co., VA.
Grubb, Georgia Jane. "My Name's Grubb", by Lib. of Cong. #75-27342
Wust, Klaus. "The Year of the Destroying Angels-1738" from Beyond
Germanna, Vol. 10, Number 1, January 1998. segements are also reproduced on
rootsweb.ancestry.com.
Land records of Frederick Co., VA.
Passenger List of the "Allen" 15 Sept 1729 - ProGenealogist.com
Passenger List of the "Robert and Alice" Sept. 11, 1738 -
ProGenealogist.com.
Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952 -
Ancestry.com
Probate records of Frederick Co., VA. Will Book 5, p. 477.
records of Olive Grubb DeVore and George Wanger, Grubb family
historian, 1913,
records of Ernest Grubb. Egrubb@a-o.com
Will of Christian Grubb, Will Book 3, pg. 477, proved 4 APR 1769;
Frederick Co., VA.
History
of the Mennonite Migration
Franklin State / Sullivan Co.,
Tenn H | Ancestor
Chart #2
Cheryl's Family Index | email to Cheryl Grubb
________________________________________________________________________
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