The Bunger and House families were close, perhaps related. Let's look at four baptisms of House children.
Matheus Haus & wife Maria Margaretha (parents)
Saloma, born 28 Feb 1776 (child baptized)
Valentin Bunger and wife Elisabetha (sponsors)Matheus Hauss & wife Maria Margaretha (parents)
Cath. Eliz., born 14 Feb 1778 (child baptized)
Valentin Bunger and wife Elisabetha (sponsors)Matheis Haus & Margretha (parents)
Moses, born 20 Apr 1787 (child baptized)
Joseph Holskla, Elisabetha Holskla (sponsors)Matheis Hauss & Margaretha (parents)
Sara, born 4 Jul 1789 (child baptized)
Christopher Zimmerman & wife An. Maria
These are the only baptisms recorded at the German Lutheran (Hebron) Church for Matheus House. Immediately, some questions are raised. Are all the four fathers the same person? Matheus Haus, Sr., did have a son, Matheus Haus, Jr. The younger Matheas was confirmed in 1785 at the age of 19. While he might have been a parent in 1787 and in 1789, the sponsors do not seem appropriate. They were at least middle aged. Also there is a civil record of a marriage in Culpeper County of Matthias to Susannah Floyd in 1792, which would also suggest that the father of Moses and Sara above was Matheis, Sr. I conclude the father of all four children above was the same.
The mother's name above is slightly different but not enough different to raise concerns. The difference merely suggests, "Look out."
The problem that raises my concerns to the serious level is the choice of sponsors for the last two children. We know that the Bunger and House families seem to be related. Just the consecutive sequence of five names being confirmed in 1782 of John Bunger, Adam House, Michael House, Margaret Bunger, and Margaret Bunger would alert us to the possibility. (See "Hebron Communion Lists," second edition, by Mielke and Blankenbaker.) Many other records tell us a similar story.
What do Joseph Holtzclaw, Elisabeth Holtzclaw, Christopher Zimmerman, and Ann Mary Zimmerman have in common? And what does that suggest about Margaret House, the mother?
This is your homework assignment. Send in your answers.
(08 Jan 03)
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