Christian Jacob Burkholder

Christian Jacob Burkholder (known as Jacob) was born 14 December 1772 in Lancaster, PA and died at Hamilton, Wentworth Co., `7 September 1843. He was the son of Jacob Burkholder and Sophia De Roche.

Christian Jacob married Catherine Mary Hess on 17 November 1794 at Hamilton, Ontario. Hannah was the daughter of Michael Hess 1740-1808 of Mount Bethel, PA, and Gertraudt Van Courtlandt 1744-1808. She was born in Lancaster County, PA on 5 September 1777 and died in Hamilton, Wentworth County, Ontario on 14 September 1862.

Children:

Sophia Burkholder - born 29 Sep. 1803 Barton County, Ontario; died 4 May 1877, Hamilton, ON - married Henry Beasley (son of Richard Beasley and Henrietta Springer: see below) on 16 December 1823, Hamilton, ON

Daniel Hess Burkholder 1804 - 1868

Anna Burkholder 1807 - 1846

John H. Burkholder 1810 - 1895

David Burkholder 1822 - 1900

Cf. A Mountain and a City: The Story of Hamilton, Marjorie Freeman Campbell

p. 99: "In the District of Gore, Henry Beasley, eldest son of Richard, was appointed first registrar (of Hamilton) holding office four years. In 1844 he also became Treasurer of the Town of Hamilton. His marriage to Sophia, daughter of Jacob Burkholder and Catherine Maria Hess, united three pioneer lakehead families." (i.e. Beasley, Hess, Burkholder). Richard Beasley (died Feb. 16, 1842) was the first white settler at the Head of the Lake, to become Hamilton, Ontario. He owned the land where at a later date Alan Napier MacNab erected his Dundurn castle estate. Richard was buried at Christ Church cemetery, Hamilton, ON.

Children of Richard Beasley and Henrietta Springer were: Catherine, John Wesley, Richard S. 1824-1893, Thomas 1828-1910, Michael Burkholder 1833-1919, David Clement 1836-1907, Sophia 1840-1933, Henry 1843-1851.

Christian Jacob Burkholder died at the age of 30 leaving Katherine with seven young children. She took over control of the farm and its livestock. During the War of 1812 she stood up to invading and plundering American soldiers who were taking off her cattle; and won that 'battle.'