Seventh Generation

14. John Justice HENKEL was born on 10 Feb 1705/6 in Daudenzell, Germany and baptized on 17 Feb 1705/6. He died in 1778 in German Valley, West Virginia. The first record found on Jost Henkel appeared in the records of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Daudenzell, Germany, in the original handwriting of his father, the pfarrer or pastor, translated as follows:

"John Justus Henkel born at Daudenzell on February 10, 1706; baptized on Feb. 17, 1706; Godparent Herr John Justus Berthold, the Palatinate Collector of the Minnenberg tax district in Guttenback."

John Justus Henkel accompanied his parents to America at the age of eleven arriving on one of the "three little ships" that landed in the fall of 1717 at Philadelphia. He married about 1730, Maria Magdalena Eschmann (d/o Abraham and Elizabeth Eschman was German-Swiss origin) and they moved to Macungie Creek Settlement and joined the Goshenhoppen congregation which, after 1812, was located in Lehigh Co., Pa. In 1750 he sold his holdings and moved to Rowan (now Davidson) Co., NC, settling on Dutchman's Creek about thirteen miles from Salisbury near the "Forks of the Yadkin". In 1760, because of Indian depredations, he and his family moved to Augusta County, Va., settling in the beautiful section known as "Germany Valley" which was located in Rockingham Co. Va. in 1778, later a part of Pendleton Co. (organized in 1788 from Augusta, Hardy, and Rockingham Counties). In 1863, West Virginia was formed and German Valley became a part of Pendleton County in that state. The first improvement in Germany Valley by Jost Henckel was the construction of a stockade with an enclosed area large enough to house his large family and other settlers' families in the immediate vicinity. This structure/blockhouse became known as Hinkle's Fort and was an outpost prior and during the Revolutionary War with John Justus Henkel (Sr.) known as the fort's commander.

Upon his death, his son Abraham Henkle was in charge. The fort was probably abandoned when it was no longer needed for the settlers' protection. (a granite marker was erected Oct. 10, 1935 and dedicated at the site by a Henckel Family Reunion held May 29, 1936. It was placed as near the original site of The Fort as was practical. A granite marker was also placed in the Henckel Farm Cemetery to mark the graves of John Justus Henckel, Sr. and his wife, Magdalena nee Eschmann who pioneered in Pa., NC, and Va.) There are various spellings of this surname with descendants of J.J. Henckel known throughout the nation as Henkels, Henkles or Hinkles with the latter predominate. By a court entry dated 24 Aug. 1778, provided the knowledge that Jost Hinckle was deceased when his Last Will and Testament was proved by joseph Cheuvront one of the Witnesses and ordered that the other, Philip Harper, be examined. When accomplished, Jost Henkel (Jost Jr.) was qualified as one of the executors. The service of John Justus Henckel (Jost) as commander of Hinkle's Fort and in furnishing supplies to the Colonial forces has been recognized officially by the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution and other patriotic orders as a qualification for membership.

John Justice HENKEL and Mary Magdalena ESCHMANN were married about 1730 in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Mary Magdalena ESCHMANN (daughter of Abraham ESCHMANN and Elizabeth) was born about 1711, reportedly in Oley Twp., Berks County, Pennsylvania. They had the following children: