THE EARLY ECKARDS AND THEIR ANCESTRY

Sources:

  Hans Christmann Ruhlmann His middle name was Christmann (not Christian) and her first name was Susanna (not Catherina) per Carr's research: This is documented in Annette Burgert's Eighteenth Century Emigrants from the Northern Alsace to America, pp.415-6 Susanna Catharina (maiden name unknown)   Born in what is now northern France. Ruhlmann has also been seen as Ruhleman, Rolman, and even Rubman.
  b. ca. 1675
d. 17 Aug. 1741		 m. b. ca 1675
d. 11 Nov. 1742		    
           
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    Johann Jacob Ruhlmann   Appolonia Herkel          
Alleged ancestry according to FamilySearch   b. Jan./Feb. 1696
baptized 5 February 1696 at Langensoultzbach, France (per Carr's research)
d. 1772		 m. 16 Feb. 1719, Langensoultzbach, France b. ?
d. ?		 Jacob Ruhlmann was baptized February 5, 1696. He was born at Sultzbach, Alsace, in what is now France. He married Appolonia Herkel at Langensoultzbach, Alsace, in what is now France, on February 16, 1719. Appolonia was born at Roth/Wissembourg, in what is now France. "Jacob and Appolonia arrived at Philadelphia in 1733 on the ship Hope; listed with them were children Hans Jan, age 9, and Maria, age 7. This must have been son Hans Georg, age 12, and daughter Maria Magdalena, age 7. However, we know from subsequent PA records that Maria Catharina also came with them. In PA, Jacob and Appolonia at Muddy Creek in Lancaster County had twins Johan Jacob and Maria Appolonia born 15 May and baptized 20 July 1735" (Carr research). Refer to "Jacobes Rolleman" on the ship list p. 117 later listed as "Jacob Rulman" on the Oath of Government p. 121 of Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Volume I, 1727-1775, a continuation of the list for "Ship Hope, of London, Daniel Reid, Mr, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, did this day take & subscribe the Oaths of Government" (p. 120). According to A History of Highland County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, B.L., © 1911 The Stone Printing and Manufacturing Co. (p. 367), Jacob came to South Fork, Pendleton County, VA (now WV), in 1753
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Johann (John) Casper Eckhardt (Eckert) (Also seen as Johnannes Caspar Heckert and Casper Eckard, Sr.) Johann (who went by "Casper") was from Germany. Maria was born in Langensoultzbach in what is now France and was baptized 16 December 1723. Maria came to America aboard the ship Hope in 1733 with her father, mother, and brother. Refer to "Maria Rollman" on p. 118 of Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Volume I, 1727-1775. They settled in Pennsylvania. Johann (Casper) and Maria married November 29, 1743, in Carcoosing, PA, by Rev. John Stoever (as per Linda Custer). Several land transactions indicate that Casper and Maria Catherina were alive in 1773 (as per Ron Eckard). John Caspar Eckard first appears in 1738 (refer to details on the right) in the New Holland Lutheran Church. Maria Cat(h)arina Ruhlman(n) (Ruhlman or Rolman) Discussion (2016) regarding Maria Catharina Ruhlmann indicating Maria Catharina (Ruhlmann) Eckard was not the same as Maria Catharina Zorn. Correspondence (December 2018) with Jeff Carr regarding his research seems to put the discussion to rest. Further the January 2019 summary of his research puts it to rest as well: "[A] researcher sent me copies of Berks Co., PA deeds in which Casper [Sr.] and Catherine Eckard sold land warranted to them in 1768 in Cumru Twp. to sons Abraham and Philip in Aug. 1772. Philip sold his share to Abraham in Nov. 1774, and Abraham and Philip sold some land in May 1780 [no book and page citation given for these deeds]. Given this 1772 deed, Maria Catherina (Ruhlmann) Eckard cannot have been the wife of Jacob Zorn in the [1750s and 1760s]. Maria Catherina (Ruhlmann) Eckard's brothers Jacob Jr. and Christian Ruleman are first documented in the Pendleton area Augusta County records in 1758 and 1764, respectively. Jacob Ruleman bought 200 acres of patent land from Green, Wood, and Russell in May 1763 [ACDBk. 11, p.448]; this land was where the Sugar Grove Naval Base was. On the same day, Jacob Ruleman and Catherine Zorn together bought another 200 acres, immediately south/upstream from Jacob’s property; this land included the mouth of Little Fork, emptying into the South Fork [ACDBk. 11, p.440]. Boston [Sebastian] Hoover [Sr.] also bought the same day another 200 acre plot, again, immediately south/upstream from the Ruleman and Zorn property [ACDBk. 11, p.465]. The locations of these tracts are identified in Bill Rice's Colonial Records of the Upper Potomac, Vol. 4: Surveys and Land Claims Before 1757, p.147."

1738 Record:

The Acker Project on FamilyTreeDNA states the following:
"CASPER ECKARD, SR. OF LANCASTER & BERKS CO'S., PA AND AUGUSTA CO., VA
The earliest known record involving Casper in Lancaster County seems to be as a baptismal sponsor for a child of one Michael Bentz in the New Holland Lutheran Church in 1738. He apparently resided variously on both sides of the county line, as both his 1743 marriage to Maria Catharina Ruhlman and the 1745 baptism of their eldest child are listed among the records of Rev. Stover, while their second child was baptized in the Muddy Creek Church in Berks Co. Three decades later, in 1773, having sold the last of his land holdings, Casper removed with his family from PA and soon thereafter appeared in Augusta Co., VA where his son Casper Jr. had resided since early 1770. The wills of two of Casper and Maria Catherina's children prove the existence of three sons in all: Casper Jr., Abraham, and Philip. While documentation of these 3 brothers can be found in the counties of Augusta, Rockingham and Pendleton, no trace of spouses or children can be found for the former two. Therefore, Philip is in all likelihood the progenitor of the remaining descendants bearing the Eckard surname in Casper’s lineage. Interestingly, a Francis Acord who seems to have resided near or with Casper Eckard in Augusta Co. is believed to be related in some way. This is made all the more compelling by the presence of both a (second) Casper Eckert and a Francis Eckert (or Heckert) in the Berks/Lancaster region during the same period when Casper Eckard resided there. Any such relation between Casper and these or the various other Eckard/Eckert families in the Berks/Lancaster vicinity, though a matter of much speculation, has never yet been proven on paper. However, the most important break comes with the recent DNA match between the Casper lineage and that of Peter Eckert of Heidelberg, Lebanon Co., PA...."

Carr's research mentions the 1738 record: "The first known record of Casper was when he sponsored the 1738 baptism for a son of Michael Bentz/Pence at Muddy Creek Church in Lancaster County. Joh. Casper Eckard received a warrant for 50 acres in Cumru Twp, Lancaster [now Berks] Co., PA on 5-31-1744. In PA, a warrant was the written order authorizing the right to have the property surveyed; once that was done, a person could apply for the patent. Casper and Maria Catharina (Ruhlmann) Eckard appear to have had 5 children, of whom the first two children were also baptized at Muddy Creek Church at New Holland, PA: 1. Eva Maria bp. 25 April 1745 d.1792, Pendleton m. --- Lutz. 2. Joh. Casper bp. 19 March 1747 d.1779, in Rev. War; 3. Philip b.ca.1749 d.1820, Pendleton m. 1) Barbara ----; 2) Sophia Catherine (Rexroad) Fleisher, March 1799, div. 1803. 4. Abraham b.ca.1751 d.12 Oct. 1812 , Pend. m. never. 5. Anna Maria b.ca.1753 d. aft. 1801 m. Johan Michael Harhold Sr., 9 March 1773, PA."
b. 1725
d. after 1773		 m. 29 November 1743 at Muddy Creek Church, Cacoosing (near the Tulpehocken area), PA, by Rev. John Casper Stover
Also see Marriage Records (1730-1779) of Rev. John Casper Stoever, Pennsylvania/Maryland compiled by Mildred Smith [Archive Version] and refer to Carr's research. 		b. 16 December 1723, Langensoultzbach, Palatinate (in what is now France)
d. March 1764 in Pendleton County, Virginia (what is now West Virginia)		            
                 
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"It seems likely that Philip came to the Pendleton area in late 1778, after Casper Jr.'s death, to claim his land. Philip was accused of treasonous behavior in March 1779 in Rockingham County; he was bound by the Court to be of good behavior for a year, and his securities were Henry Stone and Christian Ruleman. When they sold the land in PA in May 1780, Abraham was still of Cumru Twp., Berks County, while Philip was of Augusta Co., VA; by July, Abraham had joined him, when he had a survey for 150 acres on the South Fork. Abraham was last taxed in Cumru Twp. in 1780" (Carr's research). Philip Eckard, Sr.
(Also seen as Eckert)
"The Pioneer"



Revolutionary War Patriot

FamilySearch record showing Philip Eckard in Capt. Peter Hull's Augusta County Militia

Philip Eckard is listed in Capt. Peter Hull's Division in Section No. 180 of Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War McAllister's Data by J.T. McAllister.

I have a DNA match with whom I potentially share Philip Ekert, Sr., as common ancestor. Barbara Bennett.

Barbara Propst Coming from Pennsylvania and perhaps stopping in Maryland, Philip Eckard, Sr., settled in what is now Stony Run of the Sugar Grove District of Pendleton County, WV, around 1776. Barbara died in the 1790s. Philip, Sr., then married Sophia Rexroad Fleisher in 1799 (substantiated by USGenWeb) and they later divorced in 1803.

Pendleton County Deed Book notes mentioning Philip Eckard

Philip was in Captain Peter Hull's Company, 2nd Batalion, Augusta Militia, 1779, with his brother Abraham. Also see Highland County, Virginia: VaGenWeb Page: Highland Soldiers in the Revolutionary War.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Records for Philip Eckert

Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Record for Philip Eckart/Eckard

 b. btwn 1747 & 1751 (ca. 1749) in PA
d. 1820
Philip's will
Abraham's will (Philip's brother, not son)		 m. ? b. ?
d. btwn 1793 & 1798		 Philip, Sr., was one of the men in Captain Jacob Hoover's company according to the Sept. 6, 1794, Muster Rolls of Pendleton Militia and joined Captain Peter Hull's company of the Highland Militia in 1779, which had gone to Yorktown according to the US GenWeb VA Highland History. Also see p. 194 of A History of Highland County, Virginia by Morton.

Philip's military record
        Also see A Handbook of Highland County - Philip Sr. witnesses a murder.
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  Abraham Eckard I have multiple DNA matches with whom I share Abraham Eckhard as a common ancestor. Joseph Koch, Janet Echard, Clara Henry and Laura Blair. And I have DNA matches who match both Abraham and Sarah Ann "Sally" (Faint) Eckhard as common ancestors. Katherine Leach, Alexx Kent, Shannon Kent, Robin Henderson and Hailey Echard. Sarah "Sally" Ann Fend (Faint)  
  b. ca. 1791
d. 1860		 m. 27 Dec. 1817 OR 21 Dec. 1814 (latter date as per Linda Custer) in Pendleton Co. of what is now WV. USGenWeb gives the marriage year as 1816. b. 1795
d. by 5 July 1874
Will: page 1 | page 2		  
         
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There are two records for Absalom Eckard (seen as Echard/Eckhard) fighting for the Confederacy in the Civil War: As a private in Co. K, 62nd Regiment, Virginia Mounted Infantry and as a sergeant in Co. A, 46th Virginia Regiment (Additional source: U.S. National Park Service, The Civil War in the East: 62nd VA and 46th VA). Absalom Eckard
(also seen as Absolum Eckert on USGenWeb Births and Absolom Ekert in below marriage documentation as well as with nickname "Abs")		 I have DNA matches sharing this couple as common ancestors. Bradley Gutshall Patterson and Curtis Marozzi. ↑
Sarah J. Lamb		 Buried at St. Michael's Church cemetery where many of the early Eckards are buried. Click here for a picture of the church from the view of the cemetery.
Picture taken 31 Oct. 1998.
Location: Sugar Grove, WV.
Census of Pendleton County with Eckards 1810-1870

Absalom Eckard - Civil War		 b. 18 April 1825
d. 16 Feb. 1898
Will: [page 1][page 2]
Find-A-Grave Memorial		 m. 5 Oct. 1844 by George Schmucker, Pendleton County, VA/WV
marriage
document, year further substantiated by USGenWeb		 b. 22 July 1825
d. 10 or 20 March 1903 in dropsy
Find-A-Grave Memorial		 Also see The Parish Register, St. Michael's (Wildfang's Church, Pendleton County, West Virginia, Volume I, 1807-1881, translated and transcribed, 1966, by George M. Smith

or

St. Michael's Lutheran-Reformed Church Pendleton County, West Virginia, baptismal and birth records.
         
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descendants via son Noah Webster Eckard via his marriage to Phebe Jane Simmons		   
THE EARLY ECKARDS AND THEIR ANCESTRY

Hans           Catherina                Born in northern FRANCE.
Christman   +  (maiden name             Ruhlman has also been seen
Ruhlmann    |   uknown)                 as Ruhleman, Rolman, and 
b. approx.  |  b. approx.               even Rubman.
1675        |  1675
d. Aug. 17, |  d. Nov. 11,
1741        |  1742
            |
            |
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         Jacob    +   Appolonia       Jacob Ruhlman was baptized 
         Ruhlmann |   Herkel          February 5, 1696.  He was born 
         b. 1696  |                   at Sultzbach, Alsace, France.  
                  |                   He married Appolonia Herkel at
                  |                   Longensaultzbach, Alsace, 
                  |                   France on February 16, 1719.  
                  |                   Appolonia was born at 
                  |                   Roth/Wissembourg, France.
                  |
     Johann    Maria                Johann was from GERMANY. Maria 
     (John)  + Cat(h)arina          came to America aboard the ship
     Casper  | Ruhlman(n)           Hope in 1733 with her father, 
    Eckhardt | (Ruhleman            mother, and brother.  They 
    (Eckert) |  or Rolman)          settled in Pennsylvania. Johann
             |  b. 1723             and Maria married Nov. 29, 1743,
Also seen as |  Langensoultzbach,   in Carcoosing, PA, by Rev. John
Johannes     |  Germany (France)    Casper Stoever (as per Linda Custer).
Caspar       |  Baptized Dec. 16,   Several land transactions 
Heckert      |  1723.               indicate that Casper and Maria 
             |                      Catherina were alive in 1773 
             |                      as per Ron Eckard.
             |                      John Caspar Eckard first appears
             |                      in 1738 in the New Holland
             |                      Lutheran Church.
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           Philip      Barbara    Coming from Pennsylvania, and
           Eckard   +  Propst     perhaps stopping in Maryland,
           Sr.      |             Philip Eckard, Sr., settled in 
           "The     |             what is now Stony Run of the
           Pioneer" |  d. btwn    Sugar Grove District of Pendleton
           b. btwn  |  1793 &     County, West Virginia, around 1776.
           1747 and |  1798       Barbara died in the 1790s. 
           1751, PA |             Philip Sr. then married 
           (c.1749) |             Sophia Rexroad Fleisher in 1799 
           d. 1820  |             and they later divorced in 1803.
                    |
                    |           Philip, Sr., was one of the men in 
                    |           Captain Jacob Hoover's company
                    |           according to the Sept. 6, 1794, Muster 
                    |           Rolls of Pendleton Militia and joined
                    |           Captain Peter Hull's company of the 
                    |           Highland Militia in 1779, which had
                    |           gone to Yorktown according to the 
                    |           US GenWeb VA Highland History.  
                    |
                    |   Also see A Handbook of Highland County - Philip Sr. witnesses a murder.
                    |
                    |           Click HERE for Philip's will.
                    |
                    |           Click HERE for Abraham's will.
                    |           (This is not the will of the Abraham below.
                    |            Rather, it is the will of the brother of
                    |            Philip Eckard, Sr., who is named Abraham)
                    |
                    |
                    |
                   Abraham   Sarah "Sally"      Married December 27,
                   Eckard  + Ann Fend (Faint)   1817, but Linda Custer
          b. approx. 1791  | b. approx. 1795    reports the date as
          d. 1860          |                    December 21, 1814, 
                           |                    in Pendleton Co., WV.
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                        Absalom  Sarah
                        Eckard + J.     Absalom Eckard Marriage Document
             b. April 18, 1825   Lamb   
             m. abt. 1844        b. July 22, 1825
             d. Feb. 16, 1898    d. March 10, 1903 in Dropsy

                        Buried at St. Michaels Church cemetery where
                        many of the early Eckards are buried.  Click
                        here for a picture of the church from the view
                        of the cemetery. Picture taken 31 Oct. 1998.
                        Location: Sugar Grove, WV. 

Also see The Parish Register, St. Michael's (Wildfang's Church, Pendleton County, West Virginia, Volume I, 1807-1881, 
translated and transcribed, 1966, by George M. Smith 
or St. Michael's Lutheran-Reformed Church Pendleton County, West Virginia, baptismal and birth records.