History of Georg David Uhl
Source:
The following is an abridged version of information from "The Uhl Connection (1599-1999)", First Edition, written by Harriett Uhl McManus.
Georg David Uhl immigrated to America in 1754 by way of Pennsylvania. Ship records show he was alone with no family with him. He arrived in Philadephia on 21 Oct 1754 on the ship Bannister. On posting on a RootsWeb forum shows him on the the Ship Bannister manifest as David Oool (G. Davit Uhll).
He left the village of Bretten, Germany with his friend Alexander Finck. They were in trouble with the law after admitting to stealing oak branches from the municipal forest -- his case was held on 11 Mar 1754. Alexander was in trouble over an oxen deal.
Harriett McManus believes that David and Alexander were counsins.
David left his family behind in Bretten. At the time of his departure, he was the only living child of 5 other siblings to Johann David Uhl and Maria Agnes Steinmetz.
His father, Johann, was born about 1688 and died at age 58 on 14 Jul 1746 in Bretten, Germany. His mother, Maria, was born 12 Jan 1702 (the daughter of Johann Georg Steinmetz and stepfather Johann Georg Wanner) in Bretten.
David's one brother, Georg Franz Uhl, was born 8 Jan 1729 dying unmarried on 15 Feb 1747. David's sisters all died young:
- Catharina Elisabeth (15 Jul 1733 - 14 Mar 1735)
- Elisabeth Dorothea (4 Apr 1736 - 14 Jan 1740)
- Eva Barbara (4 Aug 1739 - 18 May 1749)
- Maria Barbara (24 Jun 1744 - 6 Aug 1746)
Of the journey to America, McManus writes:
The person had to have some money as just the trip up the Rhine to Rotterdam was expensive. Every Dukedom along the Rhine had a toll and each person had to pay. The toll booths could have been as high as forty.
The ships were overcrowded. What little possessions they were able to bring with them to the port of departure were sometimes left behind so more paying people [could be let] on the ship. Of course they [ran] out of food and water. Passing ships were stopped to secure supplies and rain water was collected for drinking. There was no sanitation and the overcrowded conditions were a key factor of the high mortality rate on board ship.
After a hard trip of many weeks before David could come ashore he had to swear allegiance to the English Throne then he was released to the mercy of the English who was [there] to try to get what little possessions he had left. Not knowing the language it was very easy to be taken advantage of. The Germans were very trusting, being honest people they could not think others would not be just as honest.
The Germans [had] left their native land for many reasons. Some were starving, the rough winters and the long war and some were in trouble with the law.
Once in Pennsylvania, Georg David settled in Roxborough township (just northwest of Philadelphia).
He was married on 27 Jul 1761 to Ursula Wagner. Ursula's parents were Jacob and Margaretha Wagner.
David and Ursula's first son, Jacob, was born on 27 Dec 1766. He was baptized at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Germantown, Pennsylvania on 27 Mar 1767. (note: no other children's names were recorded as being baptized at St. Michael's). They had a total of 6 children (3 boys, 3 girls):
- Ann (???? - ????) -- listed as first born as she was listed first in David's will.
- Jacob (as just mentioned) (1766 - 1855)
- David (Junior) (1768 - about 1846)
- Susanah (about 1771 - 1818)
- Catherine (1779 - ????)
- Johann George (1783 - ????).
Georg David's occupation was most likely that of a farmer.
