Bachtell is also spelled: Bachtel,
Baghtel, Baghtol, Bechold, Bechtel,
Bechtle, Bechtolt, Bechtold, Beghtel, Beghtol, Buchtel,
Pachtel, and
Petell.
also spelled Crouse
Pennsylvania is one of the 13 original states and was originally founded in 1681 as a result of a royal land grant to William Penn, the son of the state's namesake.
Estate inventories give us a glance into the home life of Colonial Americans.
Elizabeth Bachtell Krause was born about 1747 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Martin and Elizabeth Bachtell.
She married Valentine Krause (Krauss). Valentine was baptized on September 27, 1741 at New Hanover Lutheran Church. His parents were Heinrich and Anna Maria Krause. The sponsor at his baptism was Valentin Ott. He was confirmed on April 21, 1754.
Elizabeth and Valentine's children may have included:
Catherine Krause
Johannes Krause
Henry Krause
Daniel Krause
Jacob
Krause
In 1761 Valentine and other members of the Old Trappe Church purchased land for a Lutheran church.
In 1768, Johan Valentin Krauss was in Philadelphia Township.
In 1799 in New Hanover, Valentine Krause was a farmer with 130 acres, 2 horses, and 4 cows.
Valentine died on April 2, 1786 in New Hanover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Elizabeth inherited furniture and household items and was allowed the use of their house, but the farm was to be sold. She was also provided maintenance during her widowhood. She was also to inherit 100 pounds with the provision that "Martin Bechtell her father or his heirs shall not demand
the sum of money."
The remainder of the estate was to be equally divided among wife and their
children: John, Henry, Daniel and Jacob.
First printed in Boston 1745
New Hanover Township, Montgomery (was Philadelphia) County, Pennsylvania was a section of the Frankfort Land Development Company in the early eighteenth century. It was called Falkner's Swamp because it was controlled by Daniel Falkner. He ceded to John Sprogell in 1708. Sprogell ousted many first settlers claiming that their titles were not legal. In spite of this fraud, Sprogell kept control of 22,000 acres. Many settlers were forced to buy back their own land.
The villages in the township included Swamp, Fagleysville, New Hanover Square, and Pleasant Run.
American colonists continued to use British monetary units, namely the pound, shilling and pence for which £1 (orli) equalled 20s and 1s equalled 12d. In 1792 the dollar was established as the basic unit of currency.
Women played an essential role in American society as mothers and homemakers.
from Bean's History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
In November, 1761, a purchase was effected on the part of the Lutherans by George Michael Bastian, John Kepler and Valentine Krause, and for the German Reformed by Martin Keeler, Henry Keely and Valentine Sheelich as trustees. In addition, mention was made that if a house of worship was erected thereon, it was to be held equally by the two denominations.
Krauss, Valentine
New Hanover-
Proved May 18, 1786
To wife Elizabeth, furniture, beds, etc, with use of house and her
maintenance during her widowhood. Farm to be sold. One hundred pds to
wife provided Martin Bechtell her father or his heirs shall not demand
the sum of money me.
Remainder to be equally divided among wife and 4
children, John, Henry, Daniel and Jacob.
Execs; Brothers-in-law John Swenk, Jacob Shanz.
Wit, Jacob Bechtell,
Adam Brant, Leonhard Hartranft
Lush forests in Colonial America allowed settlers to build wooden homes.
from Vol. 2 New Hanover Lutheran Church, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Births:
Parents: Henrich and Anna Maria Krauss
Johannes Mar 1740 Sponsor: Johannes Krause
Valentine Sep 1741 Sponsor: Valentin Ott
Johannes Heinrich Mar 1744 May 1744 Sponsor: Heinrich Krebs and wife.
Georg Henrich Oct 1745 Sponsor: Daniel Christman and wife.
Maria Feb 1749 May 1749 Sponsor: Maria Krauss, dau of Michael.
Johann Michael Aug 1750 Apr 1752 Sponsor: Michael Bastian and wife.
Eva Maria May 1753 Nov 1753 Sponsor: Michael Bastian and wife
Regina Apr 1756 Oct 1756 Sponsor: Michael Bastian and wife
Choosing a Godparent sponsor was not just a formality in 17th century Germany. Each child had one Godparent of the same gender. It established ties between families that were near kinship. The Godparent was expected to provide spiritual support and material support in times of need.
