Nicholas Carper was born in Germany in 1710 and arrived in Philadelphia, PA August 11, 1732 on the English Ship Samuel, from Rotterdam by way of Cowes, on the Isle of Wright, Great Britain. Like many other immigrants, Nicholas Carpers correct name is in doubt. In three documents dealing with his arrival in Philadelphia, his name is variously spelled Nicholas Corber, Niklas Korper and Niklas Kerper. His signature appears on two documents, but is in German and can be interpreted to fit many spellings.

There is no mention of a wife or family in any of the documents, except in deeds in Berks County, PA in 1740, 1744 and 1748 a wife named Margaret as being one of the parts in land transfers. Jacob Carper, a son of Nicholas, is believed to have been born in Germany. He may have been omitted from the various lists because of his age or he may have come to America at a later date.

Nicholas is believed to have lived in PA until about 1750, when he moved to Western area of MD around Sharpsburg. Three land deeds in Berks County PA detail the purchase and later resale of land in that county by a Nicholas Carper between the years 1740 and 1748. This indicates that Nicholas lived there from 1740 to 1748 before moving somewhere. But here was more than one Nicholas Carper in PA inthat period.

•Name: Nicolas Carper •Suffix: Sr •Sex: M •Birth: ABT 1703 in Baden Germany •Death: AFT 1790 in Lancaster Co., PA Marriage 1 Ann Margaretha Barbara Marsteller b: 12 Feb 1709 in Pfungstadt, Hesse-Darmstadt, Reichelsheim, Germany •Married: 3 Dec 1734 in New Providence, Montgomery, PA Children

1. John "Jacob" Carper b: 8 Apr 1748 in Lancaster, PA

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Notes:

Carper Family History published 1949: https://archive.org/details/carperfamilytree00melg/page/n21

One source claims Nicolaus Kerber (Carper) born 14, February 1703 at Unterostern, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and father Hans Joerg Kerber, born 6 Dec. 1669 died 6 Dec. 1772 at Unterostern, Hesse-Darmstadt, Parish of Reichelsheim, Germany. Hans' father was Alexander Kerber (Koerber).- Carolyn Carper Farr-Wilson.

Nicholas Carper was born in Germany in 1710 and arrived in Philadelphia, PA August 11, 1732. Like many other immigrants, Nicholas Carpers correct name is in doubt. In three documents dealing with his arrival in Philadelphia, his name is variously spelled Nicholas Corber, Niklas Korper and Niklas Kerper. His signature appears on two documents, but is in German and can be interpreted to fit many spellings. There is no mention of a wife or family in any of the documents. Jacob Carper, a son of Nicholas, is believed to have been born in Germany. He may have been omitted from the various lists because of his age or he may have come to America at a later date. Nicholas is believed to have lived in PA until about 1750, when he moved to MD. Three land deeds in Berks County PA detail the purchase and later resale of land in that county by a Nicholas Carper between the years 1740 and 1748. This indicates that Nicholas lived there from 1140 to 1748 before moving somewhere. But here was more than one Nicholas Carper in PA in that period.

Immigration:

On board the ship Samuel, Hugh Percy commander, from Rotterdam via Cowes, England, qualified 11 Aug 1732, Nicholas CORBER (umlaut over the O), age 22. The first version of the list, written by the captain or one of the ship's officers, includes women and children, non of whom have a surname similar to Nicholas'. There were 106 men (age 16 and older), 89 women and 84 children on board, for a total of 279 passengers, all of whom are noted to be Palatines. In the second and third versions of the list for this ship, which is made up of the adult male passengers' signatures, your ancestor signed his own name as Niklas KORPER (umlaut over the O) and Niklas KERPER, respectively.

Note: Cowes was an English port on the Isle of Wight). He was Niklas Korper on the signature list on the ship, Niklas Kerper on Clerk of Court's list when passengers took oath of allegiance to King of England and American Colonies (called 'Declaration of FIdelity and Abjuration'), and he was Nicholas Corber on the ship captain's list. - Margery Ellis.

Jacob CARPER, s/o the immigrant Nicholas1, lived in Maryland and was the father of at least three children. There may have been others, but only three are documented - Nicholas, Margaret and Jacob. Jacob CARPER, third generation married Mary PECK and Margaret CARPER married Jacob PECK (son and daughter of Jacob PECK and Lydia BORDEN). And our ancestor, Nicholas CARPER married Elizabeth HARVEY. In 1778 all three families moved from Maryland to Botetourt County, Virginia, where Martha BORDEN resided. Martha a year later married Robert HARVEY. I can't help but feel that they all moved, seeking a slice of the "BORDEN Pie." They settled in the area of Fincastle, where many CARPERS still live.