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Abraham Kurtz (arr. 1749)

Abraham Kurtz

Hertzler 1885, footnote to Fam. 414 and Fam. 579

“Abraham Kurtz, residing when he died in Lancaster Co., Pa.; a native of Germany, arrived in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 3d, 1740, in the ship Robard and Alice … He had two sons with his first wife … Abraham Kurtz revisited Germany and there married his second wife, Barbara Bolinger. With her he returned to Pa.; arrived in Philadelphia, Sep. 15th, 1749, in the ship Phoenix.”

Confirmed on the ship list: an “Abraham Kurtz” is on the Phoenix, 15 Sep 1749, in Rupp and in C. Henry Smith (1929), in the same group as Joseph Mischler, Christian Kurtz, the Nafzgers, Kauffmans and Hochstetlers. So the Kurtz and Mishler families, both ancestors of Christopher, crossed on the same ship. (A “Martin Ritter” is on the same list: possibly kin of Barbara Ritter (1749–1823), unproven.)

A double ancestor. Christopher descends from him through two sons: Joseph Kurtz (fl. 1800) (b. 1765; father of Veronica Kurtz (1800–1845)) and Abraham Kurtz (1753–1831) (father of Susanna Kurtz (fl. 1800)). Susanna’s son Abraham Mast (1802–1877) married Joseph’s daughter Veronica, so the couple were first cousins once removed.

Children named (Hertzler 1885): by his first wife, Christian and “Eochley”; by Barbara Bolinger, Abraham (1753, m. Barbara Ritter), John (m. Barbara Garver), Peter, Barbara (b. 25 Apr 1755, m. Henry Zug 1775) and Joseph (b. 21 May 1765, m. Frances Miller).

Both crossings confirmed in the original ship lists (2026-11-01)

Pennsylvania German Pioneers: “Abraham Curts”, ship Robert & Alice, Walter Goodman, qualified 3 December 1740 (list 79 A), exactly the date Hertzler gives; and “Abraham Kurtz”, ship Phoenix, John Mason, 15 September 1749 (list 133 C). So the family story of two crossings, before and after his return to Germany for a second wife, is borne out by the records.

Aside: a Christopher Bolinger came on the Robert & Alice on 3 Sep 1739 (list 71 A). Possibly kin of Barbara Bolinger (arr. 1749); unproven.

Research tasks

  • Phoenix 1749 and Robert & Alice 1740 confirmed in Pennsylvania German Pioneers (2026-11-01)
  • Lancaster/Berks probate for Abraham Kurtz (d. Lancaster Co., before c.1790) naming his children task/human

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 414 footnote) read: from Germany, Robert and Alice 1740; m. (2) Barbara Bolinger in Germany; Phoenix 15 Sep 1749; his parents and home village not given
  • 2026-10-31: Rupp 30,000 Names and Smith 1929: Abraham Kurtz on the Phoenix, 15 Sep 1749, with Joseph Mischler and Christian Kurtz (confirms the arrival)
  • 2026-11-01: Pennsylvania German Pioneers vol. 1: ‘Abraham Curts’ on list 79 A, ship Robert & Alice, Walter Goodman, qualified 3 Dec 1740 (exactly Hertzler’s date for his first arrival); ‘Abraham Kurtz’ signed list 133 C, ship Phoenix, John Mason, 15 Sep 1749. Both of Hertzler’s arrivals confirmed. Also: a ‘Christopher Bolinger’ on the Robert & Alice, 3 Sep 1739 (list 71 A): possibly kin of Barbara Bolinger, though Hertzler says she married Abraham in Germany

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

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