The Curfman Emigrants: Conrad & Daniel

Johann Conrad Korffmann (1709-1785), born on September 20, 1709, in Stein-Bockenheim to Johann Daniel and Susanna Reiss Korffmann, played a significant role in the local governance of Stein-Bockenheim. He served as a magistrate of the Stein-Bockenheim Probate Court before 1764, where his responsibilities included surveying, overseeing land and house sales, and certifying records and probated wills. After the conclusion of the Seven Years War in Europe, known as the French and Indian War in America, he embarked on a journey to the New World.

In 1764, Johann Conrad, along with his family, immigrated to Philadelphia aboard the ship Prince of Wales. Upon arrival, he pledged allegiance to Pennsylvania as a colony of Great Britain on November 5, 1764. By this time, around one-third of the settlers in Pennsylvania were of German descent. Though details about the journey are scarce, it is suggested that Conrad, having family land through his brother Daniel, likely managed to pay his own way to Pennsylvania.

Image credit: Robert Joseph Curfman's 1971 book on Curfman Genealogy

Settling in York County, specifically in the part of Shrewsbury Township now known as Springfield Township, Johann Conrad obtained land near his brother Daniel's property. The earliest family lands were situated southwest of Loganville and southeast of Seven Valley. Conrad's land bordered Friedensaal (Shuster’s Church), the first Evangelical church of the family in America. Conrad and his wife, Anna Margaretha Scheffer, witnessed several baptisms at Friedensaal church between 1771 and 1778. He was also recorded in the early financial records of St. Peter’s Reformed church, a German Calvinist Church, along with Jacob and Daniel Korffmann.

Image credit: Keith Curfman photo of Friedensaal Evangelical Church

Shrewsbury was built on both sides of a hill and was known as "Swerichsackstettle" or "saddlebags." It was later named Martinsburg, then even later it was changed to Loganville. Johann Conrad and Anna Margaret's property was located two miles southwest of present day Loganville, York Co. Johann Conrad Korffmann passed away at the age of 75 on approximately July 27, 1785, in Shrewsbury Township (Springfield), York County. He was survived by his wife Anna, who died in 1788 in York, PA. The couple had seven children. Anna Margaretha Scheffer, Conrad's wife, was the daughter of Johann Carl and Anna Gertrud Scheffer.

Following their time in York, some of Conrad's descendants briefly resided in Frederick, Maryland, before eventually settling in Huntingdon Co., Pennsylvania, where many still reside today. Descendants of Conrad's brother Daniel moved to Virginia and North Carolina.

Emigration to the New World

In the mid-1700s, two brothers, Johann Daniel and Johann Conrad Korffmann, embarked on a journey to the New World, becoming part of the significant wave of German emigration known as the Pennsylvania German migration. This migration, primarily originating from the Rhineland region, was driven by various factors such as religious persecution, economic hardships, and the allure of religious freedom and economic opportunities in the New World.

Johann Daniel Korffmann (1718-After 1770): Johann Daniel, born on April 21, 1718, in Stein-Bockenheim, made the voyage to America in 1741 as a passenger on the "Friendship," traveling from Rotterdam to Philadelphia. His life in America extended beyond 1770. The Grehweiler archives in Germany indicate that Daniel and his wife Catherine emigrated to improve his economic situation. As perhaps the youngest surviving son in the family, there was little to look forward to, as his father was already dead and whatever his portion would have been, it would have been received.

Daniel and his wife Anna Catherina Dietrich emigrated to America in 1741 on the ship "Friendship," arriving in Philadelphia October 12, 1741. Most probably they spent that winter in Philadelphia. They are placed there by the PA Early Census Index in 1741. The Corfman family website places Daniel's Oath of Allegiance: 12 Oct 1741, To Pennsylvania in Philadelphia; no source given.

They are found next in Hackensack, NJ, where their son Peter was baptized. Then they moved to Dutchess Co. NY, Rhinebeck area, where their daughter Magdalena, was baptized in St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Catherine Dietrich evidently died following the birth of Magdalena, and Daniel that year married Catherine Stoppelbein. From the 2d Catherine were born Daniel, Barbara, Maria, and John.

After the baptism of John, they moved to Pennsylvania, where they settled two miles southwest of Loganville, York County, PA. Daniel is said to have had the first American deed of land in the family, which is probably true, but that research knows nothing of Dutchess co.. On Dec 26 of 1760 he purchased 100 acres in Shrewsbury Twp. from Ludwig Treiwer. According to the Curfman genealogy, Daniel was a weaver and stocking maker and by 1783 owned both saw and grist mills. Source of info

Johann Conrad Korffmann (1709-1785): Johann Conrad, born on December 20, 1709, in Stein-Bockenheim, played a crucial role in the local governance of Stein-Bockenheim before his emigration in 1764. He served as a magistrate, surveyor, and member of the town court. After the Seven Years War, he sailed on the ship Prince of Wales to Philadelphia, signing the Oath of Allegiance in November 1764. Conrad settled in York County, Pennsylvania, witnessing significant events at Friedensaal Church, a church which received its land deed from Conrad and still stands today. Conrad passed away in 1785, though his grave, nor that of his brother Daniel or wife have been found.

Image credit: Robert Joseph Curfman's 1971 book on Curfman Genealogy

The surviving family of Johann Philipp Korffmann, brother to Daniel and Conrad, also immigrated with Conrad in 1764. One of Philipp's sons, likely named Heinrich or Henry Corfman, witnessed a baptism with Conrad at Friedensaal Church in 1771. Henry later served in the York County Militia under the name Henrich Korbman.

Between 1710 and 1760, a substantial German immigration occurred due to war, religious turmoil, and political changes. The journey to Philadelphia took about six months and comprised the trip down the Rhine river in Germany to Rotterdam, Holland, then to Cowes, England and finally the ocean voyage that could be made in seven weeks with the best wind but often took from eight to twelve weeks.

The journey across the Atlantic was challenging, with cramped conditions, limited rations, and high mortality rates due to diseases. Life aboard the ships during the transatlantic journey presented numerous challenges for the passengers. Passengers were housed in the ship's hold, enduring cramped and unsanitary conditions. Privacy was minimal, with limited space for personal activities. Food supplies were basic and often consisted of staples like hardtack, dried peas, and salted meat. The monotony of the diet, coupled with limited fresh produce, contributed to nutritional challenges. The close quarters and unsanitary conditions on board facilitated the spread of diseases. The lack of proper sanitation facilities and fresh air contributed to high mortality rates during the journey. Many passengers succumbed to illnesses before reaching their destination. We do not have records of any Curfmans dying on the voyage. The diverse group of passengers faced language barriers and cultural differences, leading to social challenges aboard the ship. Interaction and communication were complicated, and the mix of backgrounds often created tensions among passengers.

The transatlantic journey was not only physically demanding but also emotionally and mentally taxing for those on board. These challenging conditions underscore the resilience of the immigrants who sought a new life in the New World despite the hardships encountered during the voyage.However, the resilience of these immigrants contributed significantly to the cultural, agricultural, and economic development of Pennsylvania, leaving a lasting impact on the region.

Upon arrival, these early settlers faced a life of hard work, initially for personal sustenance and later for selling surplus goods. Men and women worked tirelessly, engaging in agriculture and various domestic tasks. The change in diet was substantial, with the newly tilled soils providing higher yields and a more varied diet compared to Europe.

Between two-thirds and three-fourths of the German immigrants came to Pennsylvania due to the word of mouth of the ones that went before. The German immigrants were much different from the other immigrants. First, they came in family groups and they were not poor and many possessed small farms in German lands. For them, their migration was a step up for them. Many of the Germans used the indenture system to finance their passages. Germans were the first major European Christians to be prejudiced against. The English prejudice against Germans grew as the German immigration increased between 1710 and 1760. Benjamin Franklin called them “Palatine boors,” William Smith who was head of the College of Philadelphia, called them “ignorant” and proposed a scheme to “Anglicize” the children of the Germans.

Arrival in Pennsylvania

Port of Arrival: Many German immigrants arrived in the port of Philadelphia, where they were processed and had to take oaths of allegiance.

Integration: Once in Pennsylvania, German immigrants often settled in communities where they could practice their religion freely, contributing to the establishment of distinct cultural and religious communities.

Cultural Impact: The Pennsylvania Germans made significant contributions to the cultural, agricultural, and economic development of Pennsylvania. They brought with them distinctive traditions, including the Pennsylvania Dutch language, which is a dialect of German.

Information on York Co. and Shrewsbury

York county was early a rich and productive agricultural area. The first white settlement west of the Susquehanna fiver was made in York, the county seat, by a German colony in 1735. It was the capitol of the United States, 1777-8.

In the mid- to late 1700s, York County, Pennsylvania, was a part of the American colonies and played a significant role in the early history of the United States. York County was established on August 19, 1749, and was formed from part of Lancaster County. It was named after the city of York in England.

The region was primarily inhabited by European settlers, including English, German, and Scots-Irish immigrants, who were attracted to the fertile land and economic opportunities. Like many other areas in colonial America, agriculture was the backbone of the economy in York County. Farmers cultivated crops such as wheat, corn, and tobacco. The county's fertile soil and favorable climate contributed to its success as an agricultural region.

York County played a notable role during the American Revolution. The town of York, the county seat, gained historical significance when it served as the temporary capital of the United States. The Continental Congress met in York from September 1777 to June 1778 while Philadelphia was under threat of British occupation. The Articles of Confederation were drafted and adopted in York during this time. During the period of the American revolution several members of the family served in the York County Militia--JACOB, DANIEL, HENRY and PETER.

Scheffer family lineage

• Lorenz Scheffer (Born about 1655 - Before 1738): Lorenz Scheffer, born around 1655 in Sprendlingen, Reinhessen, Germany, passed away before 1738. He is the father of Johann Carl Scheffer.

• Johann Carl Scheffer (Born about 1676 - Between 1740 and 1749): Johann Carl Scheffer was born around 1676 in Sprendlingen, Germany, and died between 1740 and 1749. He was married to Anna Gertrud Gerbrud, born in September 1677 and died in January 1751. They had a daughter named Anna Margaretha Scheffer.

• Anna Margaretha Scheffer (Born about 1712 - About 1788): Born around 1712 in Sprendlingen, Germany, Anna Margaretha Scheffer passed away about 1788 in York, Pennsylvania. She married Johann Conrad Korffmann, and together they had eight children, including Johann Philipp Korffmann. Johann Philipp would go on to become one of the original settlers of Cassville, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.