Petri Family History & Genealogy

Johan Jacob Petri/Petree was from Schonborn, Germany (near Alterkulz) south of Bopard. He was born Jan. 24, 1723 (contrary to 9/1722) and baptized Jan 31, 1723. He was the son of Johan/Nickel/Niklas Petri and 2nd wife Anna Margaretha Schall (of Biebern) and were married Jan. 1722. Niklas died 11/1750 and is buried in Schonborn. Niklas' father was Johannes Petri, he died 1712. Johannes father was also called Johann and he died 1673. I have copies of the following documents: baptism record of Jacob Petri; marriage record of Niklas and Margarthea in 1722; death record of Niklas in 1750; marriage record of Jacob and Anna, 1747, Kutztown, PA, Mt. Zion Moselim Church; passenger ship list ofthe Loyal Judith with Jacob Petri's signature, 1743."

Johan Jacob's surname was spelled Petri and Petry but the spelling was changed later to Petree and Petree. Johan left Germany in his youth after learning the trade of a shoemaker. He sailed from Rotterdam on the ship "Loyal Judith", and arrived in Philadelphia, PA 2 Sep 1743. Jacob and Eva raised a sizeable family before moving to NC. Their two oldest sons, Adam and John left PA to come to NC, probably by way of Norfolk,VA and then west from Norfolk and down into NC. They must have written or gone back to convince Johan and Eva to also come to NC. Jacob was "getting along in years" by this time, but moved to a new country and became a solid citizen. There is a record of Jacob Petree being naturalized on 4 Apr 1762 in Windsor Township, Bucks Co., PA. Records indicate Jacob was a shoemaker, but land records, estate papers, will, etc., after he reached this area, show farming was his primary occupation in NC. Land was the lure that encouraged Jacob and his adult sons to move from PA. His two oldest sons fought the Chicamoga Indians defending the colony just before the Revolution. Jacob provided supplies for NC forces and was reimbursed for this according to payment records. Jacob and his son, John Henry, were patriots in the American Revolution, DAR # 729510. Jacob and his wife were Lutheran. He and Adam Geiger received 100 acres as a land grant for the "German Church" (now the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Rural Hall, NC)
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This is the will of Johann Jacob Petri, Sr.:

In the name of God Amen! I, Jacob Petri, of Stokes County in the State of North Carolina, a farmer, being in good health and of sound mind and memory, thanks be given to Almighty God, calling into mind the mortality of men and knowing it to be the destination for all men once to die,do make and ordain this my last will and testament viz: Principally and first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of my creator, Jesus Christ and my body to be buried in a descent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors, and as touching such world estate wherewith it hath pleased Almighty God to help me in this world, I give and devise the same in manner and form following viz:

l. Whereas I have heretofore made over and delivered unto my two sons named Henry Petri and Jacob Petri all of my tract of land with my plantation and improvements thereon situate lying and being in Stokes County on both sides of the Neatman Creek as by the several instruments of writing namely, Henry Petry, bearing date the 20th of May 1795, and Jacob Petri bearing date of 26th day of February in the year of our Lord 1798, more fully and at large appears, now it is my will that immediately after my decease, my executors hereafter named shall make out unto the aforesaid sons, Henry and Jacob a good and lawful conveyance in fee simple for the aforementioned land to have and to hold the same for themselves and their heirs forever, reference must always be had to the aforementioned instruments of writing to all intents and purposes.

2. All of the remaining part of my estate shall after my death be divided as follows viz: I give to Eva Barbara, my daughter married to Adam Wolf, Esq., one dollar of the United States and no more, the rest of my children shall have an equal share. They are named John Henry, Jacob, Adam, John, Mary Catherine, Mary Dorothy, Elisabeth Margaretha and Johanna, each and every one shall have an equal share out of my estate.

3. And whereas two of my aforesaid sons named Adam and John are already dead, I will that the share of my estate which I have hereby given and demised to them shall be given to their children to be divided between them share and share alike, namely Adam's share shall be divided unto six parts amongst his six children, named Sarah, Barbara, Elisabeth, Mary, Catharina and Francis and likewise John's share shall be divided equally unto seven parts amongst his seven children named Susanna, Jacob, William, Mary, John, Henry and George and their share they shall have and hold for themselves and their heirs forever.

4. And I hereby make, ordain, constitute and appoint my trusty friends John Kraus and my sons Henry Petri and Jacob Petri, Executors of this my last will and testament who are hereby empowered to pay off all my lawful debts and settle all my accounts and I do hereby annul and make void all my former wills or legacies done by me either in writing or by word of mouth ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Three.

s/Jacob Petri - Seal

Witnessed by John Rights, John Baker and Johnson Rutledge. (Will Book # 2, Stokes Co., NC, September Term, 1804.)