Hans Johannes Meyer, Jr.

Life

Johannes signed a will in Lancaster County on 30 Jan 1722..

In 1693 signed letter as leader from Rudelsheim for Mennonites going to Friedrichstadt; .

In 1707 he was recorded as wounded in war since 1690..

He settled lands as early as 1709 and was granted warrents for them in 1718. .

All these Warrents and Patents in and about Strasburg and Conestoga, Lancaster Co. were granted by William Penn's land authorities..

On 27 Sep 1717 warranted 350 acres on Conestoga Creek. .

On Feb. 10, 1719 purchased 300 acres on Conestoga Creek from John Farrer, to whom it was warranted on
Aug. 2, 1716.

Sources:.

1. Best, Jane Evans, Meyer Families Update. An update on her previous articles which included Meyer data. p. 33..

2. Swiss & German Pioneer Settlers of PA., 1700-1800..

Immigration

In order to be working the land in 1709, Hans must have immigrated before then. A 1709 date is evocative, because the New York Palantines arrived there between 1709 and 1711. But while it is possible Hans and his family were among them, and later went to Pennsylvania when the promised tracts of land turned out to be unavailable, the evidence isn't there for a New York arrival. While a Johan Meyer with a wife and three children embarked in Holland for eventual immigration to New York, there were only three children, not the large family Hans Meyer had at the time. Miscounting children was common but there is a lot of difference between three and ten.

It is therefore more likely that our Hans arrived directly into Pennsylvania, especially since he contracted land directly from William Penn. There is a Hans Meyer who arrived between 1618 and 1718, but we don't know exactly when. But it's safe to say that Hans and his family arrived somewhere around 1709.