JOHAN MICHAEL KNAPPENBERGER FAMILY
* IMMIGRANT *

UPDATED May 28, 2009

GENERAL INFORMATION

Johan Michael Knappenberger was born 27 August 1709 in Widdern, Jagstkreis, Wuerttemberg, the son of Johan Albrecht and Anna Katherine Knappenberger.  He first married Anna Magdalena KNOEPFER in Wuerttemburg and had three children.  It seems that his wife and three small children perished during the trip to Pennsylvania.

When Johan Michael arrived in Philadelphia in 1738, he was a widower.  There he met and married Catherine HEILIG (her uncle was the famous clockmaker, Henry Heilig,  in Philadelphia) and purchased land in Macungie Township, then part of Northampton County and later part of Lehigh County, PA.  

Johan Michael and Catherine Heilig, daughter of J. George Heilig, were married on 15 May 1739 in Six Corner Church of Red Hill, Montgomery County, PA.   Catherine was born about 1719 in Montgomery County, PA and she died about 1766 in Northampton County, PA.   

Johan Michael was instrumental in the founding of the Lehigh Church of Lower Macungie about 1745.  He died at the age of 42 on 13 June 1751 in Macungie Township, Northampton County, PA, and is buried at Lehigh Church.  Catherine then married Jacob Tanner/Danner.

CHILDREN
OF JOHAN MICHAEL KNAPPENBERGER AND ANNA MAGDALENA KNOEPFER

JOHAN GEORGE SEBASTIAN (1733-1738)

Johan George Sebastian was born 16 November 1733 in Widdern and died 1738 en route to America.

MARIA DOROTHEA KNAPPENBERGER (1735-1738)

Maria Dorothea was born 10 January 1735 in Widdern and died 1738 en route to America.

MARIA LUISE KNAPPENBERGER (1736-1738)

Maria Luise was born 25 February 1736 in Widdern and died 1738 en route to America.

CHILDREN
OF JOHAN MICHAEL KNAPPENBERGER AND CATHERINE HEILIG

SUSANNA MARGARETHA KNAPPENBERGER (1740-1756)

Susanna Margaretha was born 30 October 1740.  She died at the age of 15 on 6 March 1756 in Macungie Township, Northampton County, PA and was buried in Lehigh Zion Church Cemetery.

MARIA ANNA BARBARA KNAPPENBERGER (1742-1801)

Maria Anna Barbara was born 30 October 1742.  She died 22 January 1801 in Northampton County, PA.  Maria married John Mathias EIGNER who was born 2 June 1735 in Lancaster County, PA.  This couple had eleven children.  More information on this couple and their family can be gained by clicking on her name above.

JOHAN HENRICH "HENRY" KNAPPENBERGER (1744-1818)

Johan Henrich was born 10 September 1744 and died 14 August 1818 in Macungie Township, Lehigh County, PA.  He married Anna Margaret /Anna Margaretha [nee BABEL], widow of Henry Heilig, Jr., who had died in 1766.  Margaret was born 1743 and died 9 October 1818 in Macungie Township, Lehigh County, PA.  They are buried at Lehigh Zion Church cemetery in Macungie Township, Lehigh County, PA.  This couple had twelve children.  More information on this couple and their family can be gained by clicking on his name above.

JOHAN GEORGE KNAPPENBERGER (1745-1819)

Johan George known as "George" was born 20 October 1745 and died 16 February 1819 in Catawissa, Columbia County, PA.  George's guardian upon the death of his father was Frederich Shafer.  George served as a Captain of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Company, Northampton County Militia in the Revolutionary War.  His younger brother, Conrad,  was listed as a Sergeant in the same company.  It seems George was involved with the ferry business in Catawissa, Columbia County, PA.  George married Catharine HITTEL, daughter of Michael Hittel, Sr. and Anna Marie, in 1762 in Northampton County, PA.  Catharine was born 1746 in Northampton County, PA and died February 1829 in Catawissa, Columbia County, PA.  They had one child named Catherine Knappenberger who was born about 1791, married Samuel WATERS, had two sons, and died sometime between 1830 and 1840.  More information on this family can be gained by clicking on Johan George Knappenberger's name above.  Special Thanks to Harriett Carmine and Linda Garrison for their invaluable help with the WATERS FAMILY.

Conrad was born 21 October 1747 in Macungie Township, Northampton County, PA and died 20 November 1818 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA.  He married Eva "Barbara" BLOSE in 1768 in Macungie Township, Northampton County, PA.  Barbara was born about 1750 and died January 1823 in Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio.  Conrad and Barbara moved their family to Westmoreland County, PA about 1789.   More information on this family can be gained by clicking on Conrad's name above.

CATHARINE MARGARET KNAPPENBERGER (1750-?)

Catharine Margaret was born 23 October 1750 in Macungie Township, PA.  In court papers of 1762, "Katerine" was listed as being under age 14 with the guardian listed as Frederick Romich.  No further information has been found on her at this time.