Jacob Burkholder
Jacob Burkholder (son of Jacob Burkholder and Unknown) was born in Apr 1747 in Ementhal, Bern, Switzerland. He died on 2 Mar 1817 in Barton Twp., Wentworth, Ontario, Canada. He was buried in Barton Twp., Wentworth, Ontario, Canada. He married Sophia De Roche in Sep 1765 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Sophia De Roche (sometimes Reche) was born on 21 May 1749 in France. the daughter of Abraham De Roche. She died on 9 Apr 1838 in Barton Twp., Wentworth, Ontario, Canada. She was buried in Barton Twp., Wentworth, Ontario, Canada. Ruth Burkholder records: Sophia moved to Switzerland from France at the age of 12 to escape persecution as a Huguenot; Fluent in French, German, and English; Also on the "Myrtilla" in 1765. Burial: Burkholder United Church Cemetery, Hamilton, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada ;-Notes: She was a French girl, supposedly of Huguenot descent.
They had the following children:
i John BURKHOLDER was born about 1766 in , , Pennsylvania. He died before 1794 in , , Pennsylvania.
ii Hester BURKHOLDER was born about 1769 in , , Pennsylvania. She died before 1794 in , , Pennsylvania.
iii Christian Jacob BURKHOLDER was born on 14 Dec 1770, Lancaster, PA. He died on 17 Sep 1843, Hamilton, ON; buried Burkholder United Church Cemetery, Wentworth Co., ON; spouse: Catherine Mary Hess (1777 - 1862)
iv David BURKHOLDER was born on 10 Sep 1772. He died on 5 Oct 1843.
v Jacob BURKHOLDER was born on 8 Nov 1774. He died on 25 Mar 1814.
vi Barbara BURKHOLDER was born in 1776.
vii Magdalina BURKHOLDER was born on 18 Jul 1781. She died on 15 Mar 1874.
viii Joseph BURKHOLDER was born about 1783 in , Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. He died 1 in Oct 1794. He was buried in Burkholder United Church Cemetery, Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada.
ix George BURKHOLDER.
x Peter BURKHOLDER was born on 24 Feb 1795. He died on 21 Dec 1867
Ruth Burkholder: has Jacob dying in 1813 spent boyhood in Mannheim, Baden, Germany; sailed with brothers John and Christian on the "Myrtilla"; landed Philadelphia 21 Sep 1765; to Lancaster Co PA 1765; came to Canada 1794; settled L8 C5 Barton Twp; earned a living as a weaver.
BIOGRAPHY:
(BY Cynthia McDowell)
Jacob Burkholder: 3 Apr 1747 - 2 Mar 1813; married 1766? in Lancaster County
PASophia De Roche; 21 May 1748 - 9 Apr 1839
Jacob Burkholder was born in Switzerland and spent his boyhood in Mannheim, Baden, Germany. He arrived in Philadelphia 21 Sep 1765 with brothers John and Christian on the "Myrtilla". They went to Lancaster County PA, where he lived for nearly 30 years. In 1794, he followed his eldest son to Canada, coming by Conestoga wagon drawn by oxen, crossing the Niagara River at Buffalo, then following the Ridge Road to Barton " ...they had to swim their horses and cattle across the Niagara River. They had a wagon box made air tight to hold Sophia and their possessions - including apple seeds to start an orchard, and all other seeds for grain and flowers. Jacob's chair is still in existence. Sophia sat on it many weary miles and hours on the journey to Canada." The 1808 assessment roll shows them on Lot 9 Concession 5 Barton Township where he earned a living as a weaver. He died in Barton and is buried in family cemetery on Mohawk Road, Hamilton.
Sophia De Roche was born in France. Her family were of Huguenot faith and suffered greatly for it. She once escaped from soldiers while in France by hiding up the wide chimney of the family home. They moved to Switzerland when she was age 12 to escape persecution. As a result she became fluent in French, German and English. She also arrive in Pennsylvania in 1765, travelling on the same ship, the "Myrtilla" as Jacob Burkholder. Her father was also along on this voyage. She died in Barton and is buried in the family farm cemetery on Mohawk Road Hamilton, ON. This farm cemetery became the Burkholder United Church Cemetery.
Jacob and Sophia had a total of eleven children; three died in infancy before they left Pennsylvania; and two young sons died in Upper Canada, and are buried on the family farm. They had one child after arriving in Barton. So from six children there were sixty-one children in the next generation, and the family began to spread throughout the Hamilton area and the Niagara Peninsula. Many of the grandchildren moved back to the United States, going first to Michigan and then further west.
Among the other passengers on thier ship "Myrtilla" was a family of five French-Swiss Huguenot Porstenants including Abraham de ROCHE and his daughter Sophia.
They were then asked in 1787 when the Constitution was adopted to take an allegience to the new government. Since as Mennonites they had given promise once to uphold ENGLAND. They did not see how they could repudiate that allegience. So, at this time in 1791 Col. John Simcoe, Lt. Gov. of Upper Canada, offered to give each man who would come there to live 200 acres of land. So. They decided to move to CANADA. Christian went on ahead to secure the 800 acres., 200 for him, 200 for his father, 200 for Jacob Jr.,and 200 for David. Peter was not born til after they arrived and he eventaully got his fathers acres. Joseph must have died on the way to CANADA. The land was over the Mountain Ridge near Lake Ontario called "the Head of the Lake". This land was registered at the Niagra land office for $20.00. They left PA. in fall of 1794 with Christian guiding the way. Jacob had obtained a wagon, a plow, oxen and a cow for their new homestead. The homestead has been handed down thru many generations of BURKHOLDERS.