I am a direct desendant from Martin Nitschmann and Suzanna Weicht, both killed in the Gnaddehutten Massacre in Lehighton, Pennsylvania in November, 1755. They were my great grandparents, 6 generations back. I am also related to Bishop David Nitschmann (great uncle, 6 generations back). Would like to hear from any other Nitchmans or anyone associated with the Moravians in Pennsylvania, Ohio or the Gnaddehutten Massacre. Also, would like to hear from anyone whose ancestors traveled onboard the Moravian ship, Irene in 1749. Thank you, Mark Nitchman

Betty Green has written a very nice history of the Irene and its voyages:

http://www.fmoran.com/irene.html

Faye Moran and I have added links from the passenger lists to material on our site for those who eventually came to the Moravian settlement in North Carolina

Correction: The spelling should be Gnadenhutten Massacre. I should have known better.

Hello Mark,
I am a descendant of John Hirst who arrived on the Ship Irene in 1749.
His wife was Philippina Hoeth. Her parents and most of her siblings were killed in the massacre on 10 December 1755. Her first husband, John Christian Boemper, was killed on 15 Jan 1756.
Happy to share any information that is useful to you, but don't think I have anything on Nitschmann or Weicht.
Leah

Hello Mark, I am responding to your posting. As you can see we have much in common. I am Mark Erik Nitchman and I live in Washington State now but am a native of Ohio where most of my family still live. I am 45 and work as a Merchant Marine Officer with the Washington State ferries.

Martin Nitschmann was the first generation in America, I am the ninth. As best I can tell the bloodline is this: Martin, Johannes 1751 to 1827, Philip Nitchman 1780-1849, Martin 1805-1883, Thomas 1851-1934, Clyde 1884-1949, Herman 1909-1998?, David 1935- , Mark 1959- ,

I have no information on Irene but have a copy of "Nitchmans in America" Nov 91 which you may find of some use. Feel free to contact me using the e-mail address above.

I wish you good fortune in your search.

Mark

Mark, This is so cool. I too am a direct descendant of Martin Nitschmann. Bloodlines as follws: Martin, Johannes, Phillip, James Libert, Alphaeus Fenton Nitchman,Charles Nitchman, Bessie Nitchman, Robert Nitchman and then me. I am an 8th generation Nitchman. My uncle Paul Nitchman is the author of the book which you have! There is also my cousin Steve Nitchman in Spokane who is following and tracing all of this. We are also related to Bishop David Nitschmann (he was Martin's nephew). I think that we are also related to David Nitschmann who founded the city of Bethlehem, PA (I believe he was Martin's father). Feel free to email me anytime at: machinegunner25@hotmail.com By the way I am ex Coast Guard and am living in Ellensburg, Wa. Do get back in touch.

Hello Mark, very nice to make the connection. I have a buddy in Ellensburg that I motorcycle camp with once in a while. I did 8 years in the naval reserve due to the mechant marine experience and am surronded by ex-Coasties at the ferry system.

Family lore is that we did found Bethlehem as you mention. I will inform my parents in Ohio of our connections, as they sent me the "Nitchman's in America" it sounds like they have either met your Uncle or at least corresponded with him in the past.

I find it pretty ironic that there are two Mark Nitchman's who followed the sea and ended up in Washington State. Until yesterday I had never heard of or met another person with the last name of Nitchman outside of my immediate family.

How small the world can be, is amazing.

Let's stay in touch, it would be nice to meet sometime, when the passes clear....

I am new to the genealogy search, and to this site. I have recently been given documents about my ancestors and would like to expand my knowledge.
If what I am reading is correct, I too have an ancestral grandmother, who perished in the flames of this Massacre.
Her name, Anna Catherine (Ludwig) Senseman. Her husband, Henirich Joahim Senseman escaped with 30 Christian Indians to Bethlehem.
I have information from Bethlehem Diary that dates back to June 25, 1742, that speaks of bands being formed. The Nitschmann's and the Sensemann's were grouped together in one of the married classes. Along with, Hartens, Zeisberger's, Seibold's, and Demuth's.
I am not too sure if I am reading it correctly. This is how it reads: Then the bands were announced in the following order: and The Haus-Gemeine consists of the following brethren sisters: I. The Classes of the Married People, grouped together: 1. {Johannesl Brandmuller and Rosina Nitsch [mann]}.
This is the site this was found at: http://bdhp.moravian.edu/community_records/bethlehem_diary/6...
I hope you are well and that this helps you in your search.

Blessings,
Cynthia K. Scott

Hello,
I'm doing some research on Martin Nitschmann (born 1713 in Zauchtel) and Gnadenhütten massacre in 1755. I don't understand the blood relations described here between Martin Nitschmann and Bishop David Nitschmann. Following the book 'Das Geschlecht Nitschmann des Kontinents' written by Josef Nitschmann in 1940s, Martin Nitschmann had only two brothers: Hans (born 27 June 1703) who died unmarried, and Melchior (12 March 1705) who died as a child in 1710.

I am also a direct decendant of these two. My mom has a detailed genealogy account dating all the way back to the 14 or 1500s. My mother is shipping it to me soon and I will be able to provide more information...I don't want to give you false info off the top of my head. How far back have you been able to trace our ancestors? I'm sure you have already seen this, but I've attached a link to an Acrobat Document on the papers of Biship David Nitschmann.

http://www.moravianchurcharchives.org/nitschmann.pdf

Thank you!
Katie

Martin Nischmann is David Nitschmann's grandfather, I believe. I'll have to check out the exact info and let you know.

I am wondering about your family ties. I am Janis (Senseman) Watson and am decendent from William and Catherine (Eschelman)Senseman who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. I live in West Charleston, Miami County, Ohio

Does anyone have any information on a Anna Maria Nitschmann born 1723 died 1801, born in Trautenau, Silesia. She married first a John Gottfried Engle and second John Frederich Peter Sr. She ia my ggggrandmother. I would like to know who her parents were and any other information on her that you may have.

I have traced them as far back as 1545 with the earliest know Nitschmann name being that of Valentin Nitschmann. I did not know there were any earlier records. Please tell me if and when you find them. This is fascinating. Thanks and warm regards, Mark Nitchman

Hi Mark,

That's as far as I've gotten as well. :) I didn't have the info in front of me at the time and must have exaggerated a bit. I hope someday they'll be able to trace further than that!

I am a descendant of Philip Servas who first set foot in America on August 27, 1739. He arrived at Philadelphia aboard the Samuel, an English ship commanded by Hugh Percy.

My ancestors were Moravians and escaped the massacre when they heard and smelled what was going on and ran to Nazareth to be helped by their fellow Moravians.

Lucy H.

Hey katie,
Its wierd finding a thread on this site written by my father's sister's daughter. Haha. My dad still keeps up with the history and all that. You should ask him about Martin and David sometime. He's told me about the massacre countless times but I forget how everyones related.
Happy thanksgiving,

andrewnitchman