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]
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.
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.
Franklin State / Sullivan
Co.,
Tenn H
| Ancestoral Chart #2
Return to Cheryl's Family
Index
| email to Cheryl Grubb
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