52 Ancestors: #20, Catherine (Newbert) Sukeforth: Broad Bay Pioneer Daughter

Three months ago I related the tale of my ex-Hessian mercenary four times great grandfather, Andreas Suchfort (Andrew Sukeforth). Andreas provided only part of my one-eighth German heritage; his wife, Catherine Newbert (Neubert, Newbit), was also of German extraction, but by a very different route.

Beginning in 1742, several groups of German immigrants settled in the so-called Waldo Patent in Maine, forming a colony known as Broad Bay (later incorporated as the town of Waldoboro in 1773). The immigrant families who arrived aboard the ship Elizabeth in 1753 included 13-year-old Johannes (John) Neubert (born 1740, Froestockheim, Unterfranken, Bayern [Bavaria], Germany)¹ and 8-year-old Maria Elisabetha Benner (born 1744, Herbornseelbach, Hessen-Nassau, Germany)². About 1761 they married, and had eleven or twelve children.

The third of these was Catherine, born about 1764 in Broad Bay, Lincoln County, Maine.³ Catherine married, about 1778, Andreas Suchfort,⁴ a Hessian mercenary taken prisoner after the Battles of Saratoga.

Catherine and Andreas apparently had at least eight children:

1. John Suckforth, b. 1783, married Hannah P. Maddocks
2. Robert Suckforth, b. ca 1780-88, married 1) Mary "Polly" Miller, 2) Jane _____
3. Sally Suckforth, b. ca 1789, never married
4. Margaret Suckforth, b. 1792, married Waterman T. Newbert
5. Philip Suckforth, b. 1793, married Thankful Robinson
6. Love Suckforth, b. 1804, married Alden T. Newbert
7. Henry Suckforth,⁵ b. ca 1806-07, married 1) Hepsibah C. Ripley, 2) Mary C. Seavey
8. Ebenezer Suckforth,⁶ b. ca 1812-13, married Elizabeth "Betsey" Rokes

Catherine never appeared by name in a U.S. census, but we can infer her presence in Andrew's household from 1790 to 1830 and, probably, in son Philip's household in 1840:

• 1790, Barrettstown: one of two females in the household⁷
• 1800, Barrettstown Plantation: one female age 26-44 (Catherine would be 36)⁸
• 1810, Hope: one female 45 & up (Catherine would be 46)⁹
• 1820, Hope: one female 45 & up (Catherine would be 56)¹⁰
• 1830, Hope: one female 60-69 (Catherine would be 66)¹¹
• 1840, Hope: one female 70-79 (Catherine would be 76)¹²

Catherine does not appear in the 1850 census (nor does Andreas), so we can assume ahe died between 1840 and 1850. She was probably buried in Hope but there is no record of the location.

My descent from Catherine Newbert:

• Catherine Newbert and Andreas Suchfort (Andrew Sukeforth)
• Robert Suckforth (Sukeforth) and Polly Miller
• Simon Sukeforth and Jane Miller
• Sarah C. Sukeforth and Silas Kirk
• Chester F. Kirk and Mary M. Hodsdon (my paternal grandparents)

(Note: This post is in response to Amy Johnson Crow's "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" challenge at No Story Too Small.)

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SOURCES

1. Wilford W. Whitaker and Gary T. Horlacher, Broad Bay Pioneers (Rockport, Maine: Picton Press, 1998), p. 489.
2. Ibid., p. 354.
3. Ibid., p. 490.
4. Ibid., p. 603. I'm suspicious of Whitaker & Horlacher's marriage date estimate of 1778, because (a) Catherine would have been only 14 (assuming that her birth year is correct), and (b) they also claim that Andreas came to Waldoboro "after 1778" (my emphasis). The date may have been chosen to accommodate the questionable 1780 birthdate for Robert. A birthdate of 1785 for him is more compatible with the census records, and would mean John was the oldest child, born 1783, allowing a marriage in 1782 at a more reasonable age of 18.
5. The assignment of Henry as Andreas's son is tentative. (The family did include a son of about this age, but it could conceivably be an Andrew Jr., ca 1808-1836, currently assigned to Robert's family.) In the 1840 census, Henry's household included one male 80-89, probably Andreas (who would have been about 85) who was no longer a head of household. This, in tandem with additional evidence provided by land deeds, seems a likely indication of a father-son relationship.
6. It seems highly questionable that Ebenezer could be Catherine's son, as she would have been at least 48 at his birth. Whitaker & Horlacher give Ebenezer's birth as 1802, but no source is indicated, and the available census records and his gravestone all point to 1812-13.
7. 1790 U.S. Census, Maine, Barrettstown, p. 107, Andrass Suchfort household; database and digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com : accessed 12 Dec 2012).
8. 1800 U.S. Census, Maine, Barrettstown Plantation, p. 662, unnumbered 4th line, Andrew Sukforth [sic] household; digital images, ProQuest, HeritageQuest Online (access through participating libraries : accessed 14 Apr 2012).
9. 1810 U.S. Census, Maine, Hope, unnumbered 9th line, Andrew Suchfort household; digital image, ProQuest, HeritageQuest Online (access through participating libraries : accessed 14 Apr 2012).
10. 1820 U.S. Census, Maine, Hope, p. 279 (penned), col. 1, unnumbered line 19, Andw Suckforth household; digital image, ProQuest, HeritageQuest Online (access through participating libraries : accessed 14 Apr 2012).
11. 1830 U.S. Census, Maine, Hope, p. 508 (penned), unnumbered line 4, Andrew Suckforth household; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com : accessed 8 Jun 2012).
12. 1840 U.S. Census, Waldo County, Maine, Hope, p. 316 (stamped), unnumbered line 27, Philip Suckforth household; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com : accessed 8 Jun 2012).

Ahnentafel of Chester F. Kirk

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to post a brief five-generation Ahnentafel and pedigree chart for each of my four grandparents, starting this week with my paternal grandfather, Chester Frank Kirk.

Pedigree of Chester Frank Kirk (click on the image for a larger view)

1 Chester Frank KIRK. He was born in Warren, ME, on 10 Sep 1857. Died on 13 Jul 1939 in Lewiston, ME; he was 81. He was buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, ME, on 15 Jul 1939. Occupation: Clockworks machinist and veterinary surgeon; mechanic.

He married Mary Milliken HODSDON ca 1901-03 in prob Andover, ME.

2 Silas KIRK. He was born in Warren, ME, on 9 May 1827. Died on 9 May 1909 in Lewiston, ME; he was 82. He was buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, ME. Occupation: Carpenter and mechanic. Cause of death: Old age and nephritis.

He married Sarah C. SUKEFORTH on 12 Jun 1856 in Warren, ME.

3 Sarah C. SUKEFORTH. She was born in Washington, ME, on 31 Mar 1838. Died on 26 May 1905 in Freeport, ME; she was 67. She was buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, ME. Cause of death: Softening of brain.

4 Jabez Bradbury KIRK(PATRICK). He was born in Warren, ME, on 10 May 1800. Died on 26 Feb 1884 in Warren, ME; he was 83. He was buried in Newcomb Cemetery, Warren, ME. Occupation: Carpenter and shipwright.

He married Abigail FAULKNER on 13 Nov 1825 in prob Warren, ME.

5 Abigail FAULKNER. She was born in Maitland, Douglas Twp, Hants Co, NS, on 14 Oct 1808. Died on 4 Oct 1891 in Warren, ME; she was 82. She was buried in Newcomb Cemetery, Warren, ME.

6 Simon SUKEFORTH. He was born in Washington, ME, ca 1813. Died on 13 Aug 1874 in prob Washington, ME; he was 61. He was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Washington, ME. Occupation: farmer.

He married Jane MILLER abt 1832-33.

7 Jane MILLER. She was born in Friendship, ME, on 30 Jul 1810. Died on 29 Apr 1879 in Washington, ME; she was 68. She was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Washington, ME.

8 John KIRKPATRICK 2d. He was born in Warren, ME, in 1773. Died on 13 Dec 1825 in N. Warren, ME; he was 52. He was buried in Town Cemetery, Warren, ME. Occupation: Farmer.

He married Nancy STARRETT on 26 Aug 1798 in Warren, ME.

9 Nancy STARRETT. She was born in Warren, ME, in 1777. Died on 22 Apr 1834 in Warren, ME; she was 57. She was buried in Town Cemetery, Warren, ME.

10 Edward FAULKNER.

He married Margaret MORRISON.

11 Margaret MORRISON.

12 Robert SUCKFORTH. He was born in Union, ME, ca 1780-88. He was born in Appleton, ME. Died in 1860-1870 in Washington, ME; he was 80. Occupation: farmer.

He married Mary/Polly MILLER ca Jul 1807 in prob Hope, ME.

13 Mary/Polly MILLER. She was born in Friendship or Waldoboro, ME, in 1775. She was born ? 1790. Died ca 1850-60 in Washington, ME; she was 75.

14 William MILLER. Died aft 1837 in Friendship, ME.

He married [--?--] [--?--].

15 [--?--] [--?--].

16 John KIRKPATRICK. He was born in Scotland ca 1734. Died in Jun 1785 in Warren, ME; he was 51. He was buried in Old Settlers' Cemetery, Warren, ME. Occupation: cooper.

He married Ann BRADBURY on 3 Nov 1758 in Falmouth (now Portland), ME.

17 Ann BRADBURY. She was born in Falmouth (now Portland), ME, on 3 Jan 1736. Died on 19 Jan 1817 in Warren, ME; she was 81.

18 Col. Thomas STARRETT. He was born in Warren, ME, in 1738. Died on 22 or 31 Jan 1822 in Warren, ME; he was 84.

He married Rebecca LEWIS on 3 Jun 1762 in Dedham, MA.

19 Rebecca LEWIS. She was born in Dedham, MA, on 8 May 1743. Died on 26 Jun 1813; she was 70.

20 Robert FAULKNER. He was born in prob County Tyrone, Ireland, ca 1733.

He married Hannah FAULKNER.

21 Hannah FAULKNER. She was born in County Monagan, Ireland.

24 Andreas SUCHFORT. He was born in Hannover, Sachsen, Germany, ? 11 Jan 1755. Died aft 1840 in Washington, ME; he was 84. Died ? 1840 in Waldoboro, ME; he was 84. Died ca 1830 in Washington, ME; he was 74. He was buried in Metcalf Cemetery, Appleton, ME.

He married Catherine NEWBERT ca 1778.

25 Catherine NEWBERT. She was born in Broad Bay, MA, ca 1764. She was born ca 1760-62. She was born in Waldoboro, ME, ? 1766. Died aft 1840 in prob Hope, ME; she was 76.

26 [--?--] MILLER.

He married Margaret [--?--].

27 Margaret [--?--]. She was born in Germany ca 1753. Died aft 1850; she was 97.

28 William MILLER. He was born ca 1750.

Index

[--?--]
    [--?--]    15
    Margaret (ca1753 - >1850)    27
BRADBURY
    Ann (1736 - 1817)    17
FAULKNER
    Abigail (1808 - 1891)    5
    Edward    10
    Hannah    21
    Robert (ca1733 - )    20
HODSDON
    Mary Milliken (1882 - 1965)    spouse of 1
KIRK
    Chester Frank (1857 - 1939)    1
    Silas (1827 - 1909)    2
KIRK(PATRICK)
    Jabez Bradbury (1800 - 1884)    4
    John (ca1734 - 1785)    16
    John 2d (1773 - 1825)    8
LEWIS
    Rebecca (1743 - 1813)    19
MILLER
    [--?--]    26
    Jane (1810 - 1879)    7
    Mary/Polly (1775 - ca1850)    13
    William ( - >1837)    14
    William (ca1750 - )    28
MORRISON
    Margaret    11
NEWBERT
    Catherine (ca1764 - >1840)    25
STARRETT
    Nancy (1777 - 1834)    9
    Col. Thomas (1738 - 1822)    18
SUCHFORT
    Andreas (?1755 - >1840)    24
SUCKFORTH
    Robert (ca1780 - 1860)    12
SUKEFORTH
    Sarah C. (1838 - 1905)    3
    Simon (ca1813 - 1874)    6

52 Ancestors: #7, Andrew Sukeforth: A Hessian in the Family

Thirty-odd years ago, I had only a passing interest in genealogy and family history. My younger brother was the avid family genealogist, and I admit I sometimes only half-listened to his accounts of what he had found in his research. As far as anyone knew, our family consisted of a nearly solid line of farmers (and the occasional shipwright) of Scots, Irish, and English origin, with a one-eighth portion of French-Canadian farmers thrown in – in other words, a typical New Englander mix, or so we believed.

That is, until the day my brother called me with a startling revelation about a previously-unrecognized aspect of our lineage. You see, there was this Hessian mercenary...

Eighteenth century illustration of two Hessian soldiers.

During the American Revolutionary War, the princes of several small German states hired out some of their regular army units – about 30,000 soldiers altogether, nearly half from the Hesse region (hence the "Hessian" sobriquet) – to the British, who found it easier to hire mercenaries than to recruit soldiers themselves. (Calling them "mercenaries" is a bit misleading, implying as it does that the soldier hired himself out for pay; on the contrary, a good many were press-ganged into the prince's service, with the prince getting paid when he hired them out.)

One such "Hessian" was young Andreas Suchfort, born ca 1755, perhaps in Hesse-Kassel or maybe Hanover.¹ We don't know if Andreas was impressed into service or was a volunteer, but we do know he was one of the hundreds (or thousands) of Hessians taken prisoner in 1777 when British General John Burgoyne surrendered at Stillwater after the Battles of Saratoga.² Some of the prisoners were exchanged and returned to their German homelands; some deserted after being exchanged; and many were "paroled" to work as farm hands, settling permanently in North America.

Andreas appears to have been one of the latter. Again, it's unclear how he happened to end up in Boston (many, if not most, of the captured Hessians were sent to Pennsylvania), but in the fall of 1778, he came from there to Stirlington (or Sterlingtown), Maine, "sponsored" by Philip Robbins, one of the earliest settlers of the area.³ He soon married Catherine Newbert, the daughter of a Bavarian immigrant from Waldoboro, Maine (originally the Broad Bay colony of German settlers).⁴ They lived in Stirlington Plantation until after its incorporation as the town of Union in 1786, eventually settling in the part of Barrettstown Plantation which later became Hope, and later still was set off to Appleton.

Andreas became Andrew, and over the years the Suchfort surname evolved through Suchforth and Suckforth to the present-day Sukeforth. Andrew and Catherine raised a small horde of Suchforths and Suckforths (anywhere from six to a baker's dozen, depending on the source you consult⁵), who in turn produced at least 26 little Suckforths and Sukeforths (and four Newberts – two of Andrew's daughters married two Newbert brothers, their first cousins). Succeeding generations were equally prolific, and by the time Andrew died (ca 1840-1850⁶), Knox County and the surrounding area was swarming with Sukeforths.

In particular, Andrew's son Robert married Polly Miller⁷ (another descendant of the Broad Bay Germans), and one of their ten children was Simon Sukeforth. Simon married Jane Miller⁸ (again a Broad Bay descendant and very possibly Simon's first cousin); they had eight children, one of whom, Sarah, married Silas Kirk (week 2) and became my great-grandmother.

Thus it was that my brother had discovered our one-eighth German heritage, as well as our kinship to pretty much every Sukeforth in the entire United States; the name appears to be unique in origin. While the majority of Andrew's descendants stayed in Maine (particularly in Knox and surrounding counties) for several generations, an intrepid few migrated to Massachusetts, Minnesota, Colorado, and California, initiating offshoots of the Sukeforth clan in those then-distant parts. Today, I can be virtually certain that anyone named Sukeforth, anywhere in the U.S., is my fourth or fifth cousin, or perhaps second or third once or twice removed.

And it all began with one captured Hessian mercenary...

(Note: This post is in response to Amy Johnson Crow's "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" challenge at No Story Too Small.)

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SOURCES

1. Royce W. Miller, ed. and comp., Register of Deaths, Appleton, Maine, 6th ed., (Appleton, Maine: Appleton Historical  Society, 1999, updated 2001), p. 183; Marshall Kenneth Kirk, "Tentative Pedigree of Sarah C. Sukeforth", 10 Jun 1990, papers of Marshall K. Kirk, privately held by the author, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Miller states the birth year and lists the place as Hesse-Cassel, Germany. The pedigree chart lists the place of birth as Völkerode, Hannover, Germany. Neither gives a source for the information.
2. Royce W. Miller and Elmer E. Light, History of Burkettville (Appleton, Maine: Appleton Historical  Society, 1996), p. 36; digital images, FamilySearch (http://books.familysearch.org : accessed 11 Jun 2012).
3. Ibid. 
4. Wilford W. Whitaker and Gary T. Horlacher, Broad Bay Pioneers (Rockport, Maine: Picton Press, 1998), p. 490. 
5. Miller and Light, p. 37, list six sons but no daughters. Miller, Register of Deaths, p. 183, lists eight sons (omitting one of the six given by Miller and Light, but adding three more) and four daughters. Whitaker and Horlacher, pp. 603-4, list four sons, five daughters, and four children of unspecified gender. My own analysis of the census records, together with the other sources, appears to verify five sons (two are only tentatively identified by name) and three daughters. The broad span of nearly 25 years for the children's birth dates means that several of the male Sukeforths born in the early 1800s could be either Andrew's youngest sons, or his grandsons by his eldest sons.
6. Whitaker and Horlacher, p. 603.
7. Ibid.
8. “Maine, Death Records, 1617-1922,” database and digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com : accessed 31 Oct 2013), Sarah C. Kirke, 1905; lists Sarah's parents as Simon "Lukeforth" and Jane Miller.