Henry Rickenbach (arr. 1740)
Fisher, The Diary, 1972
Sailed from Rotterdam on the Friendship, signing the oath as “Heinrich Rickenbacher” (Pennsylvania German Pioneers),, landed at Philadelphia 23 September 1740. His will was filed in Lancaster County, Leacock Township, March 1741, six months later, naming six children all born in Europe: Elizabeth, Adam, Hans, Jacob, Margred and Henry.
Fisher calls him “the ancestor of the early Amish settlers by that name in Lancaster, Berks and the adjoining counties”. His daughter Elizabeth married the Northkill minister Johannes Kurtz. His wife’s name is not given.
- Rupp’s Friendship list (23 Sep 1740, list 75) checked 2026-11-01: “Henrich Unkenbacher”, almost certainly Rickenbacher misread
- Confirmed 2026-11-01: Pennsylvania German Pioneers vol. 1 (signature lists, ship Friendship, 23 Sep 1740) prints “Heinrich Rickenbacher” (Rupp’s “Unkenbacher”)
- Find the 1741 Lancaster will abstract task/ai
Children in this vault
Sources
Narratives and research
Research log
- 2026-11-01: Pennsylvania German Pioneers vol. 1, Friendship 23 Sep 1740 signature list: ‘Heinrich Rickenbacher’ (his own signature) — arrival documented
- 2026-11-01: Rupp, 30,000 Names, list 75 (ship Friendship, William Vittery, from Rotterdam via Cowes, 23 Sep 1740, 120 Palatines and Switzers): no Rickenbach by that spelling; a ‘Henrich Unkenbacher’ is listed, very probably Rupp’s misreading of Rickenbacher (to confirm in Pennsylvania German Pioneers, which prints facsimile signatures). Same ship: Hans and Jacob Slebacher (Schlabach)
- 2026-11-01: Fisher, The Diary 1972: sailed from Rotterdam on the Friendship, landed Philadelphia 23 Sep 1740; will probated Lancaster Co. (Leacock Twp.) March 1741; children born in Europe: Elizabeth, Adam, Hans, Jacob, Margred, Henry. Wife not named. Ship list (Rupp / PGP) not yet checked
Record compiled 1 November 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.