Bios: Descendants of Johann Peter HAMACHER, 1680-1804: Lancaster County Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Terry Fregly. tfregly@worldnet.att.net USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Descendants of Johann Peter HAMACHER, 1680-1804 JOHANN PETER HAMACHER was born ABT 1680 in Germany, and died February 27, 1730. He married ANNA ELIZABETH DUNSCHMANN -MARCHENBACH February 14, 1703. Children of Johann HAMACHER and Anna DUNSCHMANN-MARCHENBACH are: JOHN HUBRECHT 2 HAMACHER, b. ABT 1713, Palatine, Germany; d. October 22, 1804. JOHANN ADAM HAMACHER, b. ABT 1717, Werkhausen, Germany; d. November 7, 1783, Derry TWP, Lancaster, PA. Generation No. 2 JOHN HUBRECHT 2 HAMACHER (JOHANN PETER ) was born ABT 1713 in Palatine, Germany, and died October 22, 1804. He married (1) MARY BOLLINGER. He married (2) MAGDALENE LIME April 27, 1762 Children of John Hamacher and Mary Bollinger are: ABRAHAM 3 HAMACHER, m. ELIZABETH HEISTAND. JOSEPH HAMACHER, m. ELIZABETH HOFFMAN, March 18, 1806 CHRISTIAN HAMACHER. ELIZABETH HAMACHER, m. JOSEPH EVANS, August 9, 1796, St Jas JOHN HAMACHER, b. June 17, 1764 DANIEL HAMACHER, SR, b. April 15, 1781; d. August 28, 1862. JOHANN ADAM 2 HAMACHER (JOHANN PETER ) was born ABT 1717 in Werkhausen, Germany, and died November 7, 1783 in Derry TWP, Lancaster, PA6. He married EVE ANN RILEY Bef 1740. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Immigrant Ancestor ADAM HAMAKER and his Family Compiled 1954 by J.L. Hamaker Lynchburg, VA The Derry Homestead In the year 1762 Adam was granted a Patent for 295A in Derry Twp., on the Swatara Creek, in that large loop which the creek makes between Hummelstown and Union Deposit. His land adjoined the area which was later laid out to form the village of Hummelstown. In the same year he bought an additional 106 A from John Garber, adjoining his tract on the west and extending over Spring Creek. Here he built another mill and it was this tract which he bequeathed, in his will, to his son Christian. At this time Adam was investing heavily in land and held a large acreage up to the time of his death in 1783. Moreover, much of this land was of the very best in Dauphin Co. He well illustrated to oft reported statement that the Pennsylvania Dutch were notable for good judgment of what was the best land. In 1765 he applied for a warrant for another 119*A and received the patent for this in the next year. In 1773 Adam bought a tract of 174 3/4A from Brindle and Beyer. This tract lay in the loop of the Swatara just south of Hummelstown. This property, because of the striking oxbow curve of the creek, came to be know as Fiddler's Elbow. On it he had a mill which at the time of his death was being operated by his two sons, Philip and Samuel, to who he will the place. In the year 1762 Adam sold a parcel of land to John McClure. This transaction is of especial interest to us for the fact that the deed was signed by Adam and his wife Ann. This being the first intimation e have that Adam now had a second wife. The old Adam Hammacher homestead lies just outside the town limits of Hummelstown and near the Swatara Creek at a point where the road from Hummelstown to Union Deposit makes a bend from a northerly to a northeasterly direction. The build of a low hill and are not visible until one reaches the bend of the road just referred to. The barn, which is of the Dutch bank-barn type, makes use of the hill for the ramp, or bank, which gives entrance to the barn-floors. The home stands to the north, on the other side of the lane leading in from the highway. The barn is in good condition but shows the results of many years weathering. the lower story - the stabling part - is of stone. The upper parts are frame, unpainted but adorned on th e gable end by one of those characteristic Dutch ornamental circles. The house is also true to type with one unique peculiarity. The smokehouse which usually is a small detached outbuilding is here incorporated in the main building, taking the place of what would otherwise be a room. While these buildings are old it is not likely that they date from the time of Adam. But we have no evidence bearing on the question of date of construction. If now we return to the highway and proceed on toward Union Deposit we come to a point where the road crosses Spring Creek, previously referred to. This is the site of the mill which Adam left to his son Christian. There is probably no vestige of the mill left and probably none of the original buildings remain. An old home was demolished a few years ago and a new one erected. All that remains is a memory. Now on these more than 400 broad acres there is room for still another farm, the one Adam left to his oldest son, Adam Jr. To see this homestead we return to a point near Hummelstown where another road branches off and runs due east. This road today is called the Hershey road although the now thriving town of Hershey had not been dreamed of for a hundred years after the time of Adam. Immediately we turn over on the Hershey road we see, a half mile before us on the sloping fields to the left of the road, a fine example of the better class of Pennsylvania Dutch farm homesteads. A lane, several hundred yards long, leads directly to a point between house and barn. Just before we reach the main buildings we see on our right and directly in front of the house, a two story brick spring-house, a rather exceptional dignity to bestow upon a spring-house. The main house, itself is, of course, also of brick and would not appear out of place in the residential suburbs of a city. On our other side stands the barn, which is also of the best type of Dutch farm architecture. The only special feature about the barn is the memorial stone in the gable which bears the inscription: BUILT BY ADAM AND MOLLY HAMAKER 1820 End