Born: 10 Nov 1714 in Germany Married: Maria Magdalena Kogel (10 Dec 1710 - 17 Apr 1789) Died: Jun-Sep 1777

Father: Stephan Krafft Mother: Anna Catharina ? Religion: Lutheran

Children:

Conrad Kraft (Mar 1741 - 22 Oct 1792); m. Dorothea Rosch 30 Apr 1765 in Berks Co., PA
Anna Catharina Krafft (Sep 1744 - )

Discussion

• On 29 May 1736, Martin Krafft married Maria Magdalena Kogel in Hoefingen, Necharkreis, Wuerttemberg; Lutheran. Husband's father was Stephan Krafft and wife's father as Jacob Kogel. Maria being born 10 Dec 1710 is consistent with this marriage date.
• On 10 Nov 1714, a Martin Krafft was born to Stephan & Anna Catharina at Evangelisch, Hoefingen, Neckarkreis, Wuerttemberg; Lutheran. Obviously the same Martin. Birth date fits.
• On 24 Mar 1741, a Johan Conrad Krafft, sone of Martin and Maria Magdalena Krafft, was christened at Evangelisch, Hoefingen, Neckarkreis, Wuerttemberg.
• Martin's church in Pennsylvania was Lutheran.
• There are a number of Krafft and Kogel families in the area of Hoefingen, Lauffen, Ditzingen, Fellbach, Leonberg, and possbly Sersheim, which are all relatively close to one another west-northwest of Stuttgart.

Supporting Information

Wills

KRAFFT - Martin Krafft, Reading June 23, 1777 Sept 10, 1777 To wife Maria Magdelena all estate as long as she lives and what remains at her decease to my grand-children in equal shares when of age. To the Holy Trinity church ten pounds. To son Conrad 48 pounds, he being indebted to me in that sum. Letters to Maria Magdalena Krafft, the widow.

Church Records

• FHL Film 1056695 - Johann Conrad Krafft, christened 24 Mar 1741 at Evangelisch, Hoefingen, Neckarkreis, Wuerttemberg; father - Martin Krafft; mother - Maria Magdalena
• FHL Film 1056695 Anna Catharina Krafft, christened 27 Sep 1744 at Evangelisch, Hoefingen, Neckarkreis, Wuerttemberg; father - Martin Krafft; mother - Maria Magdalena
• Berks Co. Marriages 1730-1800 lists marriage of Conrad Kraft, son of Martin, of Reading to Dorothea Rosch, daughter of Michael on 30 Apr 1765 by Rev. Johann Andr. King.
• Trinity Lutheran Church records, Berks Co, PA lists death of Maria Magdelena Kraft(in), wife of Martin Kraft deceased, age 78.4.7, died 17 Apr 1789 and buried 19 Apr.

Land Records

• Book 2 page 316 - Registrar's Office Sept 10, 1777. Letter of Administration for will of Martin Krafft, granted to Mary Magdalena Krafft, widow and relic of said deceased.
• Book 11 Page 519-20 - Administration granted to Peter Graff (also Martin Graff). In 1790, the property of Martin Krafft on Queen St. Reading (Land granted by Thomas Penn & Richard Penn in 1754 recorded in patent book A Vol 18 page 231) was sold to William Jones Jr., a school teacher.

Secondary References

• 1752 Reading, Berks Co Taxables list shows Martin Craft.
• 1767 Reading (p 6)
  • Kraft, Martin: house 1, lot 1, cattle 1, tax 1
  • Kraft, Conrad: house 1, lot ¹/₂, tax 2
• 1768 Reading (p 92)
  • Kraft, Martin, shoemaker: house 1, lot 1, cattle 1, tax 2
  • Kraft, Conrad, shoemaker: house 1, lot ¹/₂, tax 2
• 1779 Reading 1779 (p 272)
  • Krafft, Magdalena: tax 430

"Berks Co. Naturalizations 1752-1772"
taken from Naturalization of Foreign Protestants in the American and West Indian Colonies, pursuant to Statute 13, George II, c. 7. edited by M. S. Giuseppi
Act, passed in 1740, allowed any foreigner who had lived in a British territory from 7 years to obtain the same rights as a natural born Englishman by appearing before a chief judge and taking an oath of allegiance.

• 22 Mar 1761 - Martin Crafft, Reading
• 1 Sep 1765 - Conrad Kraft, Reading

• 10 Nov 1714 - Martin Krafft born to Stephan & Anna Catharina in Hoefingen, Necharkreis, Wuerttemberg; Lutheran. FHL film 1056695
• 29 May 1736 - Martin Krafft married Maria Magdalena Kogel in Hoefingen, Necharkreis, Wuerttemberg; Lutheran. Husband' father: Stephan Krafft. Wife's father: Jacob Kogel. FHL film 1056695