Person:Peter Klassen (5)

It is not certain which of Peter's youngest 3 children (if any) were from his third wife, Christina Penner. Bergthal Gemeinde Buch (A178a) states that Martin (the youngest) is the son of his second wife, Elizabeth, without any supporting evidence or argument. However, GRANDMA, while originally noting that there is no evidence for who is the mother of the 3 youngest children, suggested that Martin was Christina's son because her father was named Martin. More recently, the editors of GRANDMA appear to have concluded that the 1795 census (the only evidence for Peter's wife being named Elizabeth) is incorrect and that Christina was the mother of all his children.

Unruh (page 244) lists Peter Klassen and his wife Eliza in a 1795 list of 1794 immigrants - this would suggest that Elizabeth was still alive in 1795 (assuming that if she had died since immigration, it would have been noted) - if so, Johann is most likely her son.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 1795 census, Schönwiese not settled, in Unruh, Benjamin Heinrich. Die niederländisch-niederdeutschen Hintergründe der mennonitischen Ostwanderungen: im 16., 18. und 19 Jahrhundert. (Karlsruhe-Rüppurr: B. H. Unruh, 1955)
   page 244.

   'Flämische Mennoniten, angekommen 1794, noch nicht angesiedelt, gehören jedoch zum Verwaltungsbezirk. ...
   Peter Klason (Klaassen) 51 J, Frau Elisa 30, Sö Peter 6, Egan (Egon) 5, Tö Elisa 9, Christina 3.'
   
   Translation:
   Flemish Mennonites who arrived in 1794, not yet settled, except for the administrative district [colony]. ...
   Peter Klaassen 51 yrs, wife Elisa 30, sons Peter 6, Egon 5, daughters Elisa 9, Christina 3.

2. ↑ 1802 census (27 Apr 1802), Neuendorf #20, in Unruh, Benjamin Heinrich. Die niederländisch-niederdeutschen Hintergründe der mennonitischen Ostwanderungen: im 16., 18. und 19 Jahrhundert. (Karlsruhe-Rüppurr: B. H. Unruh, 1955)
   page 255.

   'Peter Classen 58 J, Frau Christina 42, Ki Elisabeth 15, Christina 9, Johann 7, Peter 3, Martin 1.'

3. ↑ Neuendorf #21, in 1801 Census, Chortitza Colony, South Russia: Odessa Archives, Fond 6, Inventory 1, File 67, compiled by Tim Ja.

   'Peter Claassen 58; his wife Christina 42; first son Johan 7; second son Peter 3; third son Martin 1; first daughter Elisabeth 15; second daughter Christina 9.'

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Chortitza Colony Vital Records: 1801-1813: Odessa Archives, Fund 6, Inventory 1, Files 65, 98, 780, compiled b.

   1802 October 9, Peter Clasen, death, age 59, Neuendorf

5. ↑ Neuendorf I.26, in Schapansky, Henry. The old colony (Chortitza) of Russia: early history and first settlers in the context of the Mennonite Migrations. (Canada?: H. Schapansky, c2001)
   page 303.

   'Peter Klassen (1744-9.10.1802) Schönwiese 1795, Neuendorf 1802
   Likely Walldorf 1776: 1 dau., Rosenort Gem..
   m1) X (unknown)
   m2) Eliesabeth X (b. 1765, d. before 1802)
   m3) [as her first husband] Kristina Penner (b. 20.5.1759) Widow Klassen, Neuendorf 1803
   [who married second] Johann Janzen (b. 1781) Neuendorf 1808'

6. ↑ 1806 census, Neuendorf, in Rempel, Peter; Alfred H. Redekopp; and Richard D. Thiessen. Mennonite migration to Russia, 1788-1828. (Winnipeg: Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, 2000)
   page 35.

   'Peter Klassen ([name also given in Cyrillic]) arrived in Russia in 1794 and was an original settler Neuendorf, Chortitza. ... In 1806 the owner of the farm is Johann Jansen ([name also given in Cyrillic]), whose family consists of 3 males and 1 female. (W3 - 24.7.1806)'

7.   1802 changes, Neuendorf #112, in Unruh, Benjamin Heinrich. Die niederländisch-niederdeutschen Hintergründe der mennonitischen Ostwanderungen: im 16., 18. und 19 Jahrhundert. (Karlsruhe-Rüppurr: B. H. Unruh, 1955)
   pages 246 & 249.

   'Die "Feuerstellen-Listen 1802"
   "Verzeichnis der Wirthen in der Chortietzer Colonie, so wie sie anfangs in der Colonie Etabliret sind, und durch welch einen Umstand die Nahmen der Ersten Wirthe verändert worden" 1802 ...
   Peter Klassen ist noch ohnverändert Peter Klassen.'
   
   Translation:
   The Homestead List 1802
   Directory of landlords in Chortitza Colony, as they were first established in the colony and by what circumstance the names of the first landlord were changed, 1802 ...
   Peter Klassen is still unchanged Peter Klassen.'

8.   Penner, Glenn H. (compiler). The Complete 1776 Census of Mennonites in West Prussia.

   Peter Claasen, Walldorf, 1 husband, 1 wife, no children
   Comments: to Russia? Grandma #197190?

   This information contradicts Schapansky, who says that the census indicates one daughter. Since this is a transcription, it is not clear which is correct. In either case, if this census record refers to this Peter, he must have been married before he married Elizabeth, who was born too late to be his wife in 1776.

9.   Peter Klassen #197190, in California Mennonite Historical Society. GRANDMA: Genealogical Registry and Database of Mennonite Ancestry.