Peter Kock of Karlskrona, Sweden; Curasao; and Philadelphia and Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania

PETER KOCK OF KARLSKRONA, SWEDEN; CURASAO; AND PHILADELPHIA AND CHESTNUT HILL, PENNSYLVANIA Scott C. Steward D ii ring the 1740s, when the American Lutheran community was in tumult, Peter Kock of Philadelphia and Germantown was probably the most important Swedish Lutheran layman in America. A resident of Pennsylvania for only a decade, Kock was senior warden of the Old Swedes’ (Gloria Dei) Church in Wicaco (now part of Philadelphia) during the years when the strife between Gloria Dei’s pastor and its vestry was felt throughout Pennsylvania and other American colonies, with echoes as far away as London and Uppsala. Peter Kock was the man to whom Henry Melchior Muhlenberg turned for advice upon his arrival in Phila¬ delphia and the man whose power was fell by Count Zinzendorf during the latter’s American sojourn, following Kock's death in 1749, the Rever¬ end Israel Acrelius blamed him for the turbulence experienced by the Lutheran community during the previous decade. Kock was a successful merchant, with ties to New York, London, and Curasao, where he married his first wife, the mother of his children. In the years after his death, however, his estate was compromised. As he left no sons to carry on his surname, his prominence waned. Yet his descen¬ dants are numerous and include prominent names such as Mrs. George Gordon Meade [Margaretta Sergeant], the second Mrs. Louis Comfort Tif¬ fany |Louise Wakeman Knox], and Mrs. Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller [Mar¬ garetta Large “Happy” Fitler].1 GENEALOGICAL SUMMARY PETER1 KOCK was born in or near Karlskrona, Sweden, l i November 1 70-1- and died 10 September 1749 in Chestnut Hill.* Pieter Cok geboren Scott ( Steward (SSteward@nchgs.org) is Director of Publications at the New lingland Historic Genealogical Society, lie is a descendant of Sarah (Lcffcrts) Beckman. l Margaretta Sergeant and Margaretta hitler are Carmick descendants; Louise Wakeman Knox is a Lcffcrts descendant. “ Birth date and place from marriage record (Nederlands Hcrvormdc Kerk |Dutch Reformed Church], Curasao, Kerkelijke registers |church registers!, 171 t- 1822; Trouwcn [marriagesl 171 i-1822 |EI1I. #.38,832]), but his baptism in Sweden has not been found. That he was Swedish is mentioned in Adolph li, Benson, I’cter Kahn 's Travels in North America. 2 volumes (New York: Wilson-Erickson, Inc., 1937), 1:3 t. )8 (states lie was born in Karlskrona); and Jehu Curtis Clay, Annals of the Sirciles on the Pennsylvania (ienealogiatl Magazine Vol. tb (20 10) 213 214 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 46 beide Carlskrona ge/agen Koniglyke ran Sweeden met SYBREGHT WIEI.IX ./. II geboren <>/> Curasao. Getuygen lirydegroomzyde Gabriel Lix-raven, ambient , Brydezyde Adolph Wielix eti Catharina Appel Wed. van (an de Veer. f/l]//e liter ivixmayligh. hide huwelyke staaten na J Proclaniati havertig, de 24 May 1730 (Peter Cok, born in the environs of Carlskrona in the Kingdom of Sweden, [married] with Sybreght Wielix, spinster, born on Curasao. Witness for the groom Gabriel Lix-raven, absent[?], wit¬ nesses for the bride Adolph Wielix and Catharina Appel, widow of Jan de Veer. All residing here. Entered into the married state after 3 Proclama¬ tions, 24 May 1730). ' She died after 19 July 1733 (birth of last child).5 Pieter Koek married second 19 January 1738 at the New York Dutch Reformed Church on New York license dated I I January 1738 CATHARINA VAN HORNE,6 who was baptized 30 July 1704 at the New York Dutch Reformed Church, child of Abraham Van Hoorn and Maritie Provoost,7 and buried 20 December 173.3 at Christ Episcopal Church, Phila¬ delphia.8 She married second 26 April 1730 in Philadelphia John McEvers,9 widower of her first cousin, another Catharina Van Horne.10 Delaware from Their T'irst Settlement in /6.16, to the Present Time (Philadelphia: II. Hooker & Co., 1858), 143-44. .3 Pennsylvanische Geshichts-Schreiher, 16 September 1749, in Edward W. 1 locker, Genealogical Data Relating to the German Settlers of Pennsylvania anti Adjacent Ter¬ ritory from Advertisements in German Newspapers (Baltimore: Genealogical Publish¬ ing Company, 1980) 14: | 16 September 17491 "Peter Koch, merchant, of Philadelphia, died on the 10th at his plantation, along Wissahickon Creek," and 34: 1 16 June 1752] “The late Peter Koch's plantation at Chestnut Hill (above Germantown), next to Wisgart Miller, is for sale, with an adjacent paper mill, several houses and 200 acres." Henry Melchior Muhlenberg noted “the death of our old friend, Mr. Peter Koek," in his llalle Nachrichtcn for September 1749 ( Theodore G. Tapper! and John W. Doberslein, The Journals of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, 3 volumes [Philadelphia: The Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania anil Adjacent States, 1942-581, 1:228). i Curacao Reformed Dutch Church Marriage Registers (note 2). 8 Stephen Carmick Bible, photocopy in the Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (GSP), at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (I1SP) (HUE #382,723, item 1 ). 6 Marriages from /6.19 to 1801 in the Reformed Dutch Church, New AmsterdamNew York City, volume 9( 1940) in Collections of the New York Genealogical and Bio¬ graphical Society |originally published as volume l( 1 890)|, 16.3. New York Marriages Previous to I78i: A Reprint of the Original Petition of 1800 with Additions and Correc¬ tions including: Supplementary List of Marriage Licenses; New York Marriage Licenses (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968), t2() (groom's name erroneously Rock). Haptisms from /6.19 to 17JO in the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam and New York, volume 2( 1901 ) in Collections of the New York Genealogical and Bio¬ graphical Society, 300. 8 Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (Fill, t* 1 ,490,578, item 3). 9 Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (Fill. * 1,490,578, item 3). 10 George Olin Zabriskie, “The Jan Corncliscn Van lloorn/Van Horne Family of New York and New Jersey," The American Genealogist 46(197(9:47-57, 110-16, 170-77, 235-43, at 235-36: 47(1971): 50-55, at 51. 2010 Peter Kock of Sweden, Curasao, and Pennsylvania 215 Children of Peter' Kock and Sybreght Wieli.x: 1 1 i. Ki.sjii NERICIA2 KOCK, baptized 8 May 1731 at the Willemstcd, Curasao, Dutch Reformed Church, sponsors Fredrik Cock ejus & loco (represented by) Johannes Iloutvat junior and Elsje Nerieia Kok 1 1 ejus & loco Sara Wilix;1' the wife of Direk Lcfferts died 16 August 1756, buried 17 August 1756 at the New York Dutch Reformed Church;1 ' married 2 January 1751 at the First Reformed Church of Philadelphia DlRCK LEFFERTS,1"5 who was baptized 26 April 1719 at the New York Dutch Reformed Church as Dirk, son of Abraham Leffers and Sara Hooglant,16 and died 14 April 1799 in New York. 1 Children ofDirck t.efferls and Elsje NericiiC Kock, baptized at the New York Dutch Reformed Church}*' I. Sarah I.efferts, baptized 16 October 1751 as Sara, child of Dirk Leffcrts and Elsje Kock, sponsors Abraham I.efferts and Anna Kock, sin¬ gle woman; “Widow Heckman" died 12 October 1798, buried same day:19 married 30 May 1775 in Woodbridgc, New Jersey, James J. Beckman,-0 on New Jersey license dated 30 May 1775, securities Theophilus Heckman of the City of New York and John Vanliornc of the County of Middlesex, New Jersey.-1 2. Abraham I.efferts, baptized 8 October 1752, child of Dirk Lcfferts and Elsje Kock, sponsors Pieter Clopper and wife lilisabet I.efferts; 1 1 Henson, Peter Kahn (note 2), 1:22, includes a footnote to the effect that Rev. John B. Dylandcr (ea. 1709-1741) “married a daughter of the merchant Peter Kock.” How¬ ever, Israel Acrelius, a contemporary witness, describes Dylander’s widow as "the daughter of Peter Kock, of Passayungh," a different man (Israel Acrelius, "A History of New Sweden; or. The Settlements on the River Delaware” in Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania 1 l| 18741:240-41). I- Fredrik and F.lsje Nerieia were likely paternal relatives residing in Sweden. Curasao Reformed Dutch Church Dopcn |Baptism] Registers (Fill. #38,851). i i . Burial Registers of the Reformed Dutch Church, New York" (handwritten tran¬ script at the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society 1 Fill. #17,7771). IS "Dirk I.efferts, widower, of New York, ill. Iileie |sic| Kock, of Philadelphia City, on January 2, 1751" (F. Edward Wright, Early Records of the First Reformed Church of Philadelphia, 2 volumes (Westminster, Md.: Family Line, 1 994 1, 1:124). 10 Baptisms from I7.il to I SIX) in the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam and New York, volume 3( 1902) in Collections of the New York Genealogical and Bio¬ graphical Society, 4 1 2. 17 James J. Beckman Bible (typescript copy in the author's possession). I bis record was in the possession of Theodora (Ayer) Randolph, the author's great-aunt, in 1981. file typeface suggests the copy was made in the mid-twentieth century, and while the document's provenance is unclear, Mrs. Randolph was a great-great-great-granddaughtcr of James J. Beckman, as follows: Theodora1’ Ayer, Sara Theodora'’ Ilslcy, Emily Anne' Finlay, John Beckman ' Finlay, Anne2 Beckman, Janies Beckman. 18 Baptisms, I7.i I- IS00, Reformed Dutch Church, New York (note 16), 171, 179, " J.1 188, 213. 19 2() “New York Dutch Reformed Church Burials" (note 14). . Married, 30 May, 1775, at Wood Bridge, By parson Roe" (James J. Beckman Bible |note 17]). “ New Jersey Marriage Licenses 1711 1795, roll 1 (New Jersey Archives microfilm). Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 216 Vol. 46 died between 21 August 1771 (daughter's baptism)22 and November 1785 (Effe called widow); married by say 1770 (child baptized in 1771) Efye Provoost, who died after November 1785 when “Effe Provost, Wid’w of Ah. l.efferts [transferred to the New York Dutch Reformed Church] by cert, from Ilackinsack."2' .5. Pieter l.efferts, baptized 7 November 175.5, child of Dirk l.efferts and Elsje Kock, sponsors Evert Byranck and wife Maria Canon; “a child of Dirck l.efferts" buried 1.5 September 1754 at the New York Dutch Reformed ( lliurch.2 i. Elsje l.efferts, baptized It) |.s/< |2S August 1756, child of Dirk l.efferts and Elsje Kok obilt |deceased |; sponsors Stephen Carmeek and Annarettha Bout Unis r. v. Michiel Milleke, beide tot Philadelphia [Henri¬ etta Boude wife of Michael llillegas, both of Philadelphia! and Pieter Clopper and Elizabet l.efferts z. h. r. [his wife]; "a child of Dirck Lefferts" buried 19 June 1757 at the New York Dutch Reformed ‘ Church.26 ii. ANNA CATHARINA2 KOCK, baptized I i April 1733 at the Willemsted, Cura¬ sao, Dutch Reformed Church, sponsors Gerrit Wielix and Elizabeth Wielix.27 iii. ANNA CHRISTINA2 KOCK, born 19.|uly 17.35 on Curasao, baptized there 28 July I7.35;2H died 22 September 1797 in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania;29 mar¬ ried It) April 1755 in New York City as his second wife STEPHEN CAR¬ MICK,'0 who was born .31 January 1718/9, second son of Peter Carmick and Sarah (Hall) Blading' 1 and died 26 June 1774 in Philadelphia.'2 22 Records of the Reformed Dutch Churches of Hackensack and Schraalenhnrgh, New Jersey in Collections of the Holland Society of New York, 2 volumes (New York: Holland Society of New York, 1891 ), 2:252. 2' "Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in the City of New York," New York Genealogical and liiogra/da'cal Record \N) GIIR\ 61 ( I930):278. 24 . Burial Registers, New York Dutch Reformed Church” (note 14). 2' The published registers give the day as 10, between 15 and 21. but this cannot be correct, as (lie mother died on the 16th. 2(. . Burial Registers, New York Dutch Reformed Church" (note 14). 27 Curacao Reformed Dutch Church Baptismal Registers (note 13). 28 . Anna Christina Carmick Daughter to Peter & Sibra Kock was born In the Island of Curasoa the 19th July 1735 this I Enter with my own hand Anna Christina Carmick 1755" and "Anna Kock was born in Curacoa ye 19th July 1735 & Baptized ye 28. July following” (both entries in the Stephen Carmick Bible |note 5]). 29 Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). 91 “Stephen Carmick & Anna Christina Kock was married in New York By the Revel. Mr. Barclay April 10th 1755 aht. 7 oClock in ye Evening" (Stephen Carmick Bible [note 5]). The bridegroom was called "Stephen Carmuek,” the bride "Anna Cock” in the rec¬ ords of Trinity Church ("Records of Trinity Church Parish, New York City,” NYGIiR 69 [ I9.38|:277). Margret Carmick, daughter of Stephen and Mary, born It) January 1748, was baptized 1 2 June 1750 at Christchurch, Philadelphia (christchurchphila.org). "Note: Hall— Brading— Carmickc," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and biogra¬ phy 17(1893): I 1.3. .32 Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). " 2010 Peter Kock of Sweden, Curasao, and Pennsylvania 217 Children of Stephen Cannick and Anna Christina"' Kock, baptized at Christ episcopal Church, Philadelphia:'' I. Elizabeth Carmick, born 15 January 1756, baptized 15 March 1756; "Stephen Carmick’s daughter” died 3 September 1756, buried 4 Sep¬ tember 1756 in Christ Church Yard, Philadelphia/1 2. Anna Carmick, born 9 August 1757, baptized 6 October 1757, spon¬ sors Dirck Lefferts and Henrietta Hillegas/*5 died 1 October 1827, buried 3 October 1827 in Christ Church Yard, Philadelphia;'6 married I March 1784 in Philadelphia James Horatio Watmough. '7 3. Peter Carmick, born 20 September 1759, baptized 26 September 1759, sponsors Thomas Campbell, Dr. Richard Farmer, and Sarah Parmer;'* died unmarried. The Carmick family Bible states he was "lost at Sea probably iu Sep'r 1782 on a passage in the Ship Favorite front Baltimore to France after sailing never heard of.”'9 4. John Carmick, born 8 June 1761, baptized 11 July 1761, sponsors William Plumstead, Dr. Richard Farmer, and Mrs. York; *0 “Stephen Carmick’s son” died 22 June 1762, buried 27 June 1762 in Christ Church Yard, Philadelphia.11 5. Stephen Carmick, born 27 November 1762, baptized 29 December 1762, sponsors Peter Turner, Jr., and Mrs. Bukey bird;12 “Stephen Carmick’s son” died 5 June 1763, buried same day in Christ Church Yard, Philadelphia.9-' 6. Elizabeth Alice Carmick, born 28 June 1764, baptized 19 January 1765, sponsors Alexander Lunan, Margaret Potts, and Sarah Camp¬ bell;11 died 30 August 1765, buried 31 August 1765 in Christ Church Yard, Philadelphia. |S 7. Sarah Carmick, born 7 September 1766, baptized 17 May 1767; died unmarried 27 October 1822, buried 28 October in Christ Church Yard, Philadelphia. 16 ’' 33 Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (Fill. #l,i90,578, items 3- D; Ste¬ phen Carmick Bible (note 5). 3 i Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (Fill. #1,490,578, item 3); also Charles R. Ilildchurn, baptisms amt burials from the Records of Christ Church, Phitadelphia, 1709-1760 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1982), 17, 129. Sponsors named in Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). .36 Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (Fill. #1,490,580, item 1); also Edward I.. Clark, A Record of the Inscriptions on the Tablets and Grave-Stones of the burial Grounds op Christ Church. Philadelphia (Philadelphia: Collins, Printer, 1864), 555. 37 Philadelphia Christ Episcopal ( lunch Registers ( Fill. #384,802, item 1 ). Sponsors named in Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). '9 Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). 1,1 Sponsors named in Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). 1 Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (EI1L #1,490,578, item 3). 12 Sponsors named in Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). i3 Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (Fill. #384,802, item 2). 99 Sponsors named in Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). |S Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (El 1L #384,802, item 2). 96 Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (Fill. #384,802, item 2); also Clark, burial Grounds of Christ Church (note 36), 554. " '* ‘ 218 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 46 8. John Carmick, born 13 December 1767, baptized 28 May 1768, spon¬ sors Mr. Durkee [presumably Jacob Duche, rector of Christ Church] and Michael llillcgas;'7 lost at sea with bis eldest brother in the wreck of the Favorite circa September 1782. ,H 9. Stephen Carmick, born 2 July 1769, baptized 1 December 1769, sponsors William Richards and wife;49 died 6 April 1820, buried 8 April in Christ Church Yard, Philadelphia;40 married in Philadelphia 1 1 January 1 798 Susanna Cozens.4 1 10. Richard Lefferts Carmick, born 5 October 1770, baptized September 1771, sponsors Dirck Lefferts and bis wife Anna Provoost;;42 died unmarried 4 October 1799 in Harrisburg.4-4 11. Clement Carmick, born 11 January 1772, baptized 9 April I773;4'1 died 10 November 1777.44 12. Daniel Carmick, born 4 April 1773, baptized 9 April 1773, sponsors Richard Farmer and bis wife Elizabeth;46 died 5 November 1816 in New Orleans, l.ousiana;4 married ?— Cowperthwait.40 1.3. Edward Carmick (twin), born IS March 1774, baptized same day;49 died 28 October 1777 60 14. Elizabeth Carmick (twin), born IS March 1774, baptized same day; died unmarried 27 January 1838, buried in Christ Church Yard, Phila¬ — delphia.61 ■17 Sponsors named in Stephen ( ,'armick Bible (note S); godmother's name obscured. 10 Stephen Carmick Bible (note S). 19 Sponsors named in Stephen Carmick Bible (note S). 40 Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (Fill. *384,802, item 2); also Clark, llitrinl (iron nds of Christ Church (note 36), SS3. 41 The records of the parishes of Christ Church and St. Peter’s Church were kept together; the marriage was performed by the rector of St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers |Fill. * 1,490,579, item 31). Sponsors named in Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5 ). 44 Clayfxiole’s American Daily Advertiser, 10 October 1799, *7120, page 3; Died on Friday last, at Harrisburg, of nervous fever, after a short illness, Richard Carmick, Esq. formerly of Philadelphia; Stephen Carmick Bible states that he "departed this life in September |sic ] 1799 at Harrisburgh in Penn'a where he was interred." 41 Beneath his entry in Stephen Carmick Bible the following has been scored through: “Dirck Lefferts and Mrs. Lefferts stood for his god father & god mother." 44 Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). 46 Sponsors named in Stephen Carmick Bible. Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). 4,s "A Genealogical History of the Reed, White and Watmough Families" (typescript, Collections of the GSP, Gen Re 20 |FH1. #522,063, item 2|), II. Her given name is said elsewhere to be Margaret. 49 The Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5) states “Edward [was] born first." (>u Stephen Carmick Bible (note 5). 61 Philadelphia Christ Episcopal Church Registers (Fill. #1,490,579, item 2); also ( dark. Buried Grounds of Chris I Church (note 36), 554