Re: The Dunkers
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In reply to:
The Dunkers
Scott English 4/13/09
Dr. D.W. Bly of Bridgewater College wrote in 2000, “I recently checked the Neckarau [Germany] records… inserted in the early baptisms, anno 1653, hatt sich Jacob Christoffel Meckendorffer am 27th May engagement vom Papisishen glauben zum Reformierrten sich zu bekehren…”Translated, “On 27 May Jacob Christoffel Meckendorffer announced that he had converted from Papist belief to the Reformed [Calvinist] faith.”It goes on to say that he was admitted into membership in the Reformed Church.
However, there is also A History of the German Baptist Brethren, Brumbaugh, Brethren Publishing House, Mount Morris, IL, 1899 reprinted 1961.From a list of the members who joined the German Baptist Brethren in Europe… Johannis Meinterfeer (Mickinterfer) and Phronik Meinterfeer.
And, European Origins of the Brethren: A Source Book on the Beginnings of the Church of the Brethren in the Early Eighteenth Century, Elgin, IL, The Brethren Press, 1958, pp.296-298.Names that appear on the list of passengers that arrived with Alexander Mack in 1729 on the ship “Allen,”John Mickendorfer and Vernonica (sic) Mickendorfer.
It’s probable that some of those listed as ship passengers were not members of the Brethren group, nevertheless Johannes and Veronica appear on two lists associated with the German Baptist Brethren.
However, documentation of their association with the Dunkers ends with their arrival in colonial America.The Church of the Brethren, in correspondence with Raymond Kringer stated that, “[We have] been unable to find this name on any of the membership lists that are available to us.”In addition, Johannes re-married and their child was baptized in St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Germantown 1746.The Dunkers believed in adult baptism.Kringer wrote, “It is my belief that… they were members of Mack’s Brethren sect when they secured passage on the Allen, [but] they did not remain so very long after they reached America.”
There’s no proof that Johannes emigrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia.