Person:Thones Kunders (1)

Related

The Original Thirteen Settlers of Germantown, PA

Ancestry Public Member Trees for Thones Kunders

References

Note

NB:This page could use a lot of TLC. There's considerable information here, but the page needs extensive reorganization, and the family data incorporated into the standard information fields. The language style is also a bit florid, and could be simplified without loss of information.

Background

The history behind Original 13 settlers of Germantown, Pennsylvania is interesting, involved, and at times mysterious, but the primary incentive that induced them to leave their homeland was based simply on principles of freedom. America was the perfect solution to an ongoing problem... "religious persecution".

Note: The issues of religious conflict during this time period are deep and involved, and are not expounded upon in this "brief" explanation. Look for other links to sources on topics mentioned in this website where you can find more in-depth information.

Read the document In 1681, William Penn had been granted land in America from the King of England, and began a search for candidates to inhabit his new world. Penn was looking for righteous, pious, God-fearing men and their families to fulfill his dream of a land where people were free to worship without fear of retribution. This noble project was referred to by Penn as his "Holy Experiment".

       He encountered the German people in the lower Rhine Valley, who were in need of relief from oppression, hostility, and religious persecution, and found they filled his requirements for religious, moral, and economic status perfectly. As a result, 13 families from the lower Rhine region were invited by William Penn to come to the new land of opportunity, to be a part of the creation of a new type of world... at last, freedom of worship... in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

       These are the families who we now refer to as "The Original 13".  (NEEDS SOURCE for the above information)

      The Concord was the name of the ship that carried the first German immigrant group from Europe to America, composed of 13 Mennonite-Quaker families of Krefeld. The ship left the Thames harbor at Gravesend on 24 July 1683 and after a difficult journey of two and one-half months arrived safely at Philadelphia  on 6 October 1683. It carried a complement of 40 crewmen and 120 passengers.  Source:  http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/contents/concord_ship 

NOTE: There is NO photo of the Concord and the one depicted on the stamps celebrating the 300 year anniversary of the arrival is a generic ship of the time.

Thones Kunders house was standing until 1979 (p. 68 of "The Conrad Family," Chpt. 10 by Vivian Cook), the tricentennial. Walls still remain of it in 1891 at 4537 Germantown Ave. Later the house was a barbershop by Christopher Kinzel and another time it was known as Lesher's Tavern. He also owned Side Lot No. 2 situated near the railroad bridge at Wayne Junction on the west side of Germantown Ave. (Source: Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36) A plaque beside the door of his home in Germantown reads: "On this site stood the house of Thones Kunders one of thirteen settlers of Germatown in 1683. Here was the first meeting place of the Society of Friends in Germantown. From members of this meeting went forth in 1686, the first formal protest in America against human slavery"

	NOTE:  Website: <http://www.ushistory.org/germantown/lower/kunders.htm> says Thones' house is 5109 Germantown Ave.

Scientific American article "All at Sea" by James Burke states:  "...one of the first people to import rum and molasses to Philadelphia in the early 18th century was a Prussian immigrant named Thones Kunders, who it is said got a taste for his business (and more) after overhearing a couple of villainous-looking pirate types discussing peg legs, keel hauling, buried treasure, etc. But not just any old buried treasure. The fabled (and at the time unrecovered) ill-gottens of one  Edward Teach, a.k.a. Blackbeard. So Kunders (the story goes) went and dug it up, and quicker than yo-ho-ho he was in the import-export business, with a small merchant fleet, and doing nicely, thank you. More than can be said for Blackbeard himself, who started as one of the first Spanish Main pirates (raiding, pillaging, torturing anything and anybody in the Caribbean, Virginia and the Carolinas). And who finished not much later (captured and decapitated)." (Website: www.sciam.com/2000/0600issue/0600connections.html)  (NOTE:  No other source has been found and frankly, this is doubtful per Emily)

Minutes of the Board of Property, Minute Book G, Penn. Arch, 2nd Series, Vol. 19, pgs 270, 274 & 312:  Dennis Conders was listed as a dyer when he was obtaining a warrant for property he had purchased from Aret Lenarts for 500 A.

T. Chalkley says Thones was "a man of inoffensive life, much given to hospitality and left a good report behind him."  (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36 citing "The Friend," vol. XXIX, p. 268)

Timeline:

1648:  Thones Kunders was born, the same year of the Thirty Years armistice, 1648.  (Source:  "The Conrad Family", Chpt. 10 as sent by Violet Coo of Pacifica, CA)

1657:  Krefeld, Germany.  Dennis Conrad was "convinced of the principles of Turth by William Ames in or about the year 1657." (He became a Quaker) (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36)

1673:  The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. XXXI, No. 3, 1980, p. 202 states:  "At the same time there was a young man in Goch who was baptized there 9 Jul 1673:  'Theunis Koenders, bachelor, son of Koendert Lensen.'"

1677:  Krefeld, Germany, first Sunday after Trinity (May 31) Anno domini 1677 in Krefeld at the Reformed Church, the bans of marriage were published for 'Tonis Kuners of Gladbach and Lentgen Mattheisen (spinster) of Kaldenkirch, dau of Theis Doors."  (Source:  The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. XXXI, No. 3, 1980, p. 202)  Her name appears as Lijntijen Teisen in the Quaker wedding document.

1679:  Krefeld, Germany lists Thonis Conradts as a townsman.

1681:  Krefeld, Germany, Quaker marriage record, 20d, 3m, 1681.  Derick Isacks and Noleken Vijten married 20d, 3m, 1681.  Signed by Tunnes Keunen.   (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36 citing "William Penn and the Dutch Quaker Migration to Pennsylvania," by Wm. I. Hull, p. 207-8) 

1683:  Krefeld, Germany.  "1683, the 2 of June Toniss Hekker had his child buried (paid for the coffin cloth) 7 (schillings) 6 (heller)."  Reformed Congregation of Kerfeld.  Four eldest children, b. in Krefeld were Konrad, Matthias, Agnes and Entgen.  this confirms the fact that Coen Heckers and Entgen, and Theis Doors and Agnes were their grandparents."   (Source:  The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. XXXI, No. 3, 1980, p. 204)

1683:  Krefeld, Germany, 8 Jun 1683.  Tonis Kunders purchased from Leonard Arets, a weaver, of Crefeld, for 10 pounds a warrant for 500 A. of land to be located in PA.

1683:  Gravesend, England.  Tones and wife Elin set sail on the "Concord" 24 Jul 1683 for PA.  (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36)

1683:  Philadelphia Co, PA, 6 Oct 1683. Tonis Kunders and others arrived on the ship Concord out of Gravensend, England and leaving Krefeld, German.  

1683:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  Friend's meeting in Germantown was held at his house in 1683.  (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36)

1688: Philadelphia Co, PA, 18 Feb 1688. The first slavery protest was signed at the Quaker Meeting at Tonis Kunders' house. (Source: Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36; _William Penn and the Dutch Quaker Migration to Pennsylvania_, by Wm. I. Hull, p. 219; & website <http://www.ushistory.org/germantown/lower/kunders.htm> for full date) A historical marker stands on the site of the house, now demolished. The table on which the protest, signed by Francis Daniel Pastorius, Garret Hendericks, Derick up de Graeff and Abraham up Den Graef, can be seen in the Germantown Mennonite Meeting House.

1689:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  Wm. Penn granted a charter for the town of Germantown and Thones was one of the eleven.  He was appointed in that document to be a Burgesses, his name being spelled:  Tenis Coenderts and Tunes Cunders.  (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36)

1691:  Philadelphia Co, PA. Tennis Conderts was naturalized in 1691 and he then changed his name to Dennis Conreds.  (Nathuralization at this time was a loyalty oath to the King of England.)  (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36 citing "Abstarct of account given in 'Thones Kunders and His Children,' p. 5-9.  Published 1891) (Also,  _William Penn and the Dutch Quaker Migration to Pennsylvania_, by Wm. I. Hull, p. 420)

1693:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  Tunes Conders on Tax List  (Source: PA Mag, vol. Viii, p. 99 "The First Tax List ofr Philadlephia County")  Assessed 50.4.2.  ( _William Penn and the Dutch Quaker Migration to Pennsylvania_, by Wm. I. Hull, p. 218)

1694:  Germantown, Philadelphia Co, PA.  Thones Kunders Juryman 12-5-1694/5; 8-8-1695; 15 Sep 1702; 4-3-1704.  (Source:  Court Records of Germantown; Colls Hist. Soc of PA, vol. 1, 1853, p. 243-57; The Settlement of Germantown by Samuel W. Pennybacker, p. 288)

1696:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  Tonis served as town recorder  (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36)

1700:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  Tonis was one of the "three eldest Burgesses" 9-7-1700/1 and 1 Dec 1705.  He is also mentioned as "Burgess" 1703 & 2 Dec 1706.  He was Justice 12-15-1702/3.  (Sources:  Court Recs of Germantown; Colls Hist. Soc of PA,, vol 1, 1853, p. 243-57; The Settlement of Germantown by Samuel W. Pennybacker, p. 288)

1701:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  "Dennis Konders of German Town, Dyer, having  purchased 500 Acres of Land in the Province, had yet taken up but 225 A thereof and had 275 A untaken up remaining, which 275 A for the better Accomodation of 3 of his sons now of age besides 4 children more, born in the Country; he requests that the Prop'ry would grant him either out of the Overplus adjoyning on the German Twon or out of his Manor of Springfield, to which the Governor answered in his own hand: (I am Contented to allow this Petition but not out of the Manor, being my Children's who are of age....Wm. Penn)
	Upon which 'tis Ordered that when ssaid Konders can find a fitt place that the Propry has it is his Power to dispose of, A Warrant be granted according to the said Petition and Answer."   (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36 citing PA Arch., 2d Series, vol. XIX, p. 270; Minutes of the Board of Property, Book G)

1702:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  Dennis Cunnard was "an overseer of ye Church"  (Friend's Meeting) before 12-22-1702, as he was succeeded in that office on that date.  (Source:  Mins. of Abington MM, PA 1682-1746, p. 46, 94, 103, 118)

1704:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  Tonis served on a Germantown jury.  (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36 &  _William Penn and the Dutch Quaker Migration to Pennsylvania_, by Wm. I. Hull, p.220)

1704:  Philadelphia Co, PA. Thones signed a deed (along with many others) for Paul Wolff (Wulf), a weaver to receive a lot in Germantown.  Was recorded in Germantown Grund and Lager Buch, p. 209.  ( _William Penn and the Dutch Quaker Migration to Pennsylvania_, by Wm. I. Hull, p. 410)

1705:   Germantown, Philadelphia Co, PA.  20th d, 4thm, 1705.  "Friencds of Germantown bo't of Heivert Paper a Lott or fifty acres of land for the sum of Sixty Pounds Curr't silver money of PA.  Subscription of Friends belonging to Germantown Meeting and paid as followeth, by Aret Klincken, John Luken, William Strepers, Denis Kunders, Lenert Arets....William Wilkinsoen...Daniel Pastorius...Cunrad Cunders (in all 48 pounds 15 shill in cas and 70 pounds 5 s. 2d in work and materials."  (_William Penn and the Dutch Quaker Mirgration to Pennsylvania_ by William I. Hull, Clearfield Co, Geneal. Pub Co, Baltimore, MD 1990, p. 188)   Tonis contributed 10 pounds 11 shillings (The Conrad Family by Vivian Cook, p. 68)  to the stone meeting house built in 1705.  (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36)  (Note:  Later the addr of 4537 Germantown Ave was given to this home)

1709:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  A certificate that reads:  "We whose names are to these presents subscribed, do hereby certify until all whom it may concern, that soon after our arrival in this provice of Pennsylvania, in Oct 1683, to our certain knowledge herman op den Graff, Dirk op den Graff and Abraham op den Graff, as well as we ourselves, in the cave of Francis Daniel pastorius, at Philadelphia, did cast lots for the respective lots which they and we then began to settle in Germantown; and the said Graffs (three borthers0 have sold their several lots, each by himself, no less than if a Division in writing had been made by them.  Witness our hands this 29th, Nov. AD 1709.  Lenart Arets, Jan Lensen Thomas Hunder (Thones Kunders), William Streygert (Willem Streypers), Reiner Tysen, Abraham Tunes, Jan Lucken"   (_William Penn and the Dutch Quaker Migration to Pennsylvania_, by Wm. I. Hull, p. 295-6)

1716:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  Dennis Cunnard was chosen Overseer of Germantown Mtg. 3-28-1716 & 12-27-1720.  (Source:  Mins. of Abington MM, PA 1682-1746, p. 46, 94, 103, 118)

1717:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  Dennis Cunnard was appointed to attend Quarterly Meeting.  11-27-1717.  (Source:  Mins. of Abington MM, PA 1682-1746, p. 46, 94, 103, 118)

1717:  Philadelphia Co, PA, DB G-11:423, 9 Jun 1717.  Barbara Cunrads et al. to Connelius Conrad.  Thomas Kunders, father of Mathias had received title to this tract in 1711.  In 1714 he conveyed the property to his son who presumable made his home there.

1719-1720:  Philadelphia Co, PA Thones & Lijntijen Kunders sold 80 A. to Johannes Gumre and "the Congregation of the Brethren" popularly known as the Dunkards or Tunkers. ( _William Penn and the Dutch Quaker Migration to Pennsylvania_, by Wm. I. Hull, p. 219-220)

1724:  Philadelphia Co, PA.  Tunis Cunders (Dennis Cunrads), Cunrad Cunrads, John Cunrad, Anthony Klincken, & Margaret Tissen  (among many others) helped complete the front wall on the main road of the "Upper Germatown Burying Ground" which was begun in May 1724. " The sum of all the charges for the work comes to  40 pounds 8s 4d."  (Source:  Pennsylvania vital Records, Vol. 1, p. 558 -- at Forum Library, Portland, OR)

1729:  Germantown, Philadelphia Co, PA, WB E: 121. 19 Jun 1722/30 Dec 1729.  Thones Kunders died.  Will of Dennis Cunrads.  to my son-in-law Griffith Jones, dwelling and lot where I now dwell, containing 50 A. of land, he finding Anthony Loofe (now living with me) suffiecient [sic] meat and drink, washing lodging and apparel; he, the said Griffith Jones to pay for said land 150 pounds, which, after the death of said Anthony Loofe shall be equally divided amongst my children:  Cunrad Cunrads, Mathias Cunrads, John Cunrads, Henry Cunrads, Ann Streepers, Agnes Powell and Elizabeth Jones.
	To my said children, all remainder of my estate, real and personal, equally divided.  Ex:  son Cunrad Cunrads and my son-in-law Griffith Jones.  Wit:  Peter Shoemaker, Dirk Jansen, David Hey.
	Beit:  ....to Griffith Jones, the bed and furniture standing in the new Room to be for the use of friends.  (Source:  Roberts & Walton Family Sketches, p. 32-36 citing "Thones Kunders and His Children," p. 10)

1729: Find-a-grave (no stone photo, but has his signature. See my files) fro Thones Kunders 
Birth:  1653
Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany 
Death:  Dec. 30, 1729
Germantown
Philadelphia County
Pennsylvania, USA 
Thones Kunders was one of the first 13 German families to come to America aboard the "Concord" in 1683 and establish Germantown,Pa.It was in Thones Kunders house that the first anti-Slavery document in America was written,in 1688.A historical marker stands at the site. 
Burial:
Germantown Preparatory Meeting of Friends Cemetery 
Germantown
Philadelphia County
Pennsylvania, USA 
Created by: Doris Ann
Record added: Aug 16, 2005 
Find A Grave Memorial# 11544394 

___________________________________________________________________

(Tonis Coenen Heckers)

Birth: ca 1646-1651, Neuwerk, Honschaft Damm, Mönchengladbach, Dukedome of Julich, Rhineland (now Germany)

Bapt: 9 Jul 1673, Goch, Prussia

Death: Dec 1729, Germantown, Philadelphia, PA

Burial: Germantown, Philadelphia, PA

Occ: Weaver, (Blue Dyer), Burgess Of Germantown

Father: Koendort ( Coen) Lenssen HECKERS (ca 1614-ca 1691)

Mother: Anna ( Entgen) THONES (ca 1632-1691)

Spouse: Elin (Or Helene) TYSON (Or THEISSEN)

Birth: ca 1650, Kalden Kirchen, Rineland, Prussia

Bapt: 20 May 1670, Goch

Death: bef 1729, Germantown, Philadelphia, PA

Father: Matthias (Theis) DOORS (ca 1614-)

Mother: Agnes (or Nees) -?- (1616-)

Marr: 13 May 1677, Crefeld (Krefeld), Rhineland, Germany

Children:

.....1. Cunraed [CUNRAEDS] (1678-1747)

.....2. Matthis [Madtis, Mathis] [CONDERS] (1679-ca 1726)

.....3. John [CUNNARD] (1681-<1765)

.....4. Ann (Entgen) [CUNREDS] (1684-<1752)

.....5. Agnes [CUNREDS] (1686-?)

.....6. Henry [CUNREDS] (1689-ca 1758) - (Henry's Great Grandson, Sir Samuel CUNARD [1787-1865] began the Cunard Shipping Lines)

.....7. Elizabeth [CUNREDS] (1691-<1757)

Notes: Thones was one of the first 13 German families to come to America aboard the "Concord" in 1683 and establish Germantown, PA (now a portion of Philadelphia). He and the other passengers were Quakers and Mennonites, escaping persecution in Germany. Very soon after the arrival of this little band, the first Friends meeting in Germantown was held in the house of Thones Kunders, and likely was continued there until the first meeting-house was built in 1686. It was in Thones Kunders' House that the first Anti-Slavery document in America was written in 1688. It proved too controversial for even the Quakers to approve at their monthly and yearly meetings.

    Burgess of Germantown in 1691; Elected one of the Fens-besichtger "Fence-viewers" in 1692 (Viewers made sure a town's inhabitants kept their livestock from running at large); Town Recorder in 1696; Justice Dec. 16, 1702;  Juryman in 1694/5,1702,1704. Overseer of Friends' Meeting before Dec. 1702; chosen Overseer of Germantown Meeting Mar. 1716 & Dec. 1720; appointed to attend Quarterly Meeting Nov. 1717.  He was among those naturalized by an Act of Assembly, 1708-1709. (NEEDS SOURCES for the above information)

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COLONIAL & REVOLUTIONARY LINEAGES OF AMERICA THE CONRAD LINE - Pg 296 I. Thomas (Thones) Kunders, as the name was originally spelled, was born about 1653-58, and died in the Fall of 1729 at Germantown, PA. His early life was spent at Crefeld, Germany, where he worked as a blue dryer. A group of one-half dozen neighbors at Crefeld purchased 1800 acres of land in PA from William Penn. One of these, Lenart Arets, whose wife was a sister of Kunder's wife, sold to him 500 acres of this land. A party of 13 families, consisting of 33 persons, left Crefeld. They sailed 24 Jul 1683 on the ship "Concord," and, upon their arrival in PA, located at Germanton. The Kunder's home was on what is now Germantown Avenue. He was a Friend and in 1688 was one of the Friends of Germantown who voiced the first opposition to slavery. When the town was incorporated in 1692, he was chosen one of the burgesses.

  He married Elin Steypers, supposed to have been a sister of William Steypers. The first three children were born in Crefeld; the others in Germantown. They assumed the name Conrad. Among their seven children was a son:

.....Ia. Matthis, of whom further. (HC Conrad: "Thomas Kunders & His Children" pg 5-7, 11, 16, 19, 22)

Ia. Matthis Conders or Conrad, as the name became at this time, son of Thomas & Elin (Steypers) Kunders, was born at Crefeld, Germany 25 Jan 1679, and died at Germantown, PA in 1726. His will dated 29 Oct 1725, was proved 09 Apr 1726. He came to America with his parents at an early age. He married Barbara Tyson (Tyson II) Among the children named in his will was a daughter: .....Ia1. Margaret, of who further. (Ibid, pg 14)

Ia1. Margaret Conrad, daughter of Matthis & Barbara (Tyson) Conrad, born in 1709 married Jacob Shoemaker (First Shoemaker Line III)

(Ibid, pg 14 BH Shoemaker: "Genealogy of the Shoemaker Family of Cheltenham, PA")

WILL CUNARDS, DENNIS. Germantown, Co. of Philadelphia. June 19, 1722/3. December 30, 1729. E.121. Son-in-Law: Griffith Jones. Children: Cunrad, Mathias, John, Henry, Ann Streepers, Agnes Powell, Elizabeth Jones. Friend: Anthony Loofe. Exec: Cunrad Cunrads, Griffith Jones. Wit: Peter Shoemaker, Dirk Jansen, David Hey.

1. ↑ The geographical gazeteer in use on WeRelate, is probably not quite accurate as to this location. "Prussia" as such ceased to exist in 1946. The area is now "North Rhine-Westphalia", When THones Kunders lived here it was in the Dukedom of Julich. Some place his birth in "Newark, Honschaft Damm" which is presumably a smaller locale within Monchengladbach, as the area is known today.