The family of Leonard Berkheimer 1722-1804

 Leonard Berkheimer and his family certainly lived through some interesting times.  He lived in Frankenthal, Rheinplatz, in what is now Germany until he emigrated to Pennsylvania with his family, when he was about 10 years old.  His age would have been correct for him to be involved in the French and Indian War, although I've not found any records of that.  At a minimum, there would have been times in his life when he and his neighbors would have felt threatened by reports of attacks from native peoples, whether during the first war, the Revolutionary War, or possibly even after that.  He married Maria Catherine Kerger (also seen as Karcher). the daughter of Johan Philip and Anna Mararetha Reeb Kerger in 1744.  Leonard died in 1804 near Perkiomen, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a little over nine years after the death of Maria Catherine.  I have seen it suggested that he married for a second time, but have not found a name, date, or documentation for that.  

Leonard and Catherine had as many as nine children together, some documented better than others.  Sadly, there were just five children left when Leonard died, per his will.  Their first child, Johann Michael, was one who died an early death.  He was born in 1744 and died either a few days later, or a year and a few days later.  (I can't find a good record about this).

If Michael died in 1745, his sister, Maria Salome, had been born just a few weeks before Michael's death, in 1745.  She married Valentine Carl Nungesser, the son of Valentine and Catherine Elizabeth Carl Nungesser. Their children are Elizabeth, Margarete, John, Mary, William, and Christina. Maria Salome died in 1832 in Lower Providence, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.  In her father's will, her name is given as "Salomy", and some say she was best known as "Sally".

Johannes George was born in 1747 and died in 1830 at Center Square, Montgomery County, Pa.  He is a Revolutionary War veteran.  He married Susanna Hawke, the daughter of Michael and Eva Steger Hawke.  Their children are Catherine, Michael, George, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, Jacob, William, and Mary.  

Philip was born in 1749 and died in 1811 in Greene County, Pennsylvania.  I am not certain of his wife's name, but she may have been Barbara Balding, not further identified.  His or their children are John, Henry, Philip, Elizabeth, Reanna, Magdalena, Nancy, Barbara, Samuel, William, Catherine, and Sarah. 

Johann Heinrich was born in 1751 and that is pretty much all I am sure of about him.  He may have lived until 1836 and died in Harrison County, Virginia (now West Virginia), or that may be a different "Henry".  I have seen several names for his wife or wives but am not confident about any of them.  Hannah Allder is one name I see mentioned also, and Juliana Catherine surname unknown is another.  If he is the man I found in the 1800 census, there may be as many as 8 children in his family, but I am not confident that I know the names of any of them.  This family needs work!  

Johan Jacob was born in 1753 and died in 1757. 

William was born in 1755 and perhaps died in 1793.  His wife is possibly Margaretha Scherer but I have not found anything to support that, nor records of children, nor even a death record.  

Andrew (Andreas) was born in 1758 and died in 1802, in Montgomery County, Pa.  He is a Revolutionary War veteran.  He may have married Christina, and there may (or may not) be a daughter named Elizabeth.  This is another family that needs further research.  There is a Berkheimer with no first name given in Upper Salford, Montgomery County, Pa in the 1800 census and it is possible that this is Andrew.  There were two children in the home at that time.  

And finally, Magdalena was born in 1760 and died after 1830.  She married Samuel Goodnight, the son of Christian and Mary Magdalena Grunholtz Gutknecht.  Their children are Martha, Christopher, Leonard, and Catherine.  I have written of this family when I wrote about the Goodnight line.   

This is what puzzles me: Leonard and Maria Catherine are ancestors of former President Barack Obama.  It seems that there should be more information already gathered about this family!