This analysis of the Funk and French families may prove if these families were one and the same or not. Two lines of these families exist in America, first in Pennsylvania and then in the Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia areas. The timetable is the same. The two families are:

1. Jacob Sr., Jacob Jr., John, Henry, Joseph, and William Funk

2. Jacob Sr., Jacob Jr., John, Henry French

But . . . after reading all the data below, we believe these families are separate families for these reasons:

· The French family did not have a Joseph nor an Adam.

· The French family did not live along the Shenandoah River in Virginia (Strasburg and Sandy Hook).

· The French family were not Mennonites.

· None of the surnames of other families living near the Funk family were the same as those of the French family.

· The French family did not live in Frederick Co., VA, as the Funk family did.

· Jacob French was not a priest, Bishop, or minister as Jacob Funk was.

Derivatives of the Surname Funk

The German name “Funk” means “radio” in German. Ancestry.com has noted that the names Funk and Fanck, Franck, Franck, Fersch, Frand, Frank, Frech, Fremt, Fucks, and Funck could actually have been French. Members of the Funk family were Abraham, Adam, Ann, Barbara, Barbary, Catherine, Caty, David, Dorothy, Elizabeth, Esther, Frances, Harvey, Henry, Jacob, John, Joseph, Magdalene, Martin, Mary, Mathias, Rosina, Samuel, and Susannah.

Emigration of the Funk Family

Jacob Funk was b. ca. 1708, used the name Jacob Funks, emigrated on the Ship “James Goodwill” from Rotterdam, Holland, to the Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 11 Sep 1728. See ship records: http://www.immigrantships.net/v2/1700v2/jamesgoodwill17280911.html. His actual spelling of his surname as it appears on the list was “Fucks”. He may have married Martha probably about 1729 and had their first child in 1730. This website: http://www.ristenbatt.com/genealogy/shplst14.htm states the he was above 16 years old when the ship arrived on 11 Sep 1728, therefore, he was born in 1712 or before.

Early Settlement and History

Jacob Funk emigrated to the Lancaster County area of Pennsylvania where most of the settlers were Swiss and German, then migrated to the Shenandoah Valley in present-day Virginia. The Funk brothers (Jacob and John) were of Mennonite background, while others were German Lutheran or Reformed.

The following information is from the website: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ajobebrown/atnip/va2.html.

The North Fork of the Shenandoah River, in the present-day Virginia counties of Frederick, Warren and Shenandoah, was mainly settled by German or Swiss-German pioneers. Many settled on fertile farms which had been created by the winding 'Seven Bends' of the Shenandoah River's North Fork.

It was therefore not surprising that when settlers headed west, this region was the first claimed by land speculators and early settlers looking for good farming land. Some of the early land speculators were Joist Hite, Robert McKay, Jonas Denton and John Denton. Hildebrand Inabnet purchased 132 acres from Jonas Little, a descendant of the above Denton. Most of this land in the Sandy Hook - Strasburg area was sold to German-speaking settlers from Pennsylvania. Henry Willis, who owned all the 2030 acres where Strasburg is now located, sold his entire tract to Jacob Funk in the summer of 1735. William Russell, who owned all of the Sandy Hook tract, more than 6000 acres, would later sell much of this land to Christian Bowman in 1737 (Orange Co., Deed Book, "2", p. 1) Thomas Chester would later sell 500 acres at the mouth of Passage Creek to John Funk in 1739 (Orange Co., Deed Book "3", p. 370).

In 1735, Henry Willis, one of the original land speculators of this area, sold his entire 2030-acre tract to Jacob Funk. Jacob later sold part of this land to his brother, John Funk. In 1739, John Funk bought 500 acres of land at the mouth of Passage Creek from Thomas Chester, Orange Co., Deed Book "3", p. 370) Also, John Funk, Sr. was among several German pioneers who obtained a land patent as soon as Fairfax opened an office in 1749. He got seven grants for his children, south of Strasburg. In From the Rhine to the Shenandoah, by Daniel Bly, it states:

"His neighbors, John and Lawrence Marty, Christian Hockman and Hildebrand Inabnet were already connected with this group and Christian's young brothers and sisters were involved with them . . . In 1764 Christian Luther and Christina, her sister, Anna Maria and her husband John Marty and others joined with Ezekiel Sangmeister and moved permanently back to Ephrata."

Soon this area became the crossroads of the immigrant trails. Though the settlers were mostly farmers, most were still highly-specialized tradesmen that consisted of millers, carpenters, and coopers. The most important of these trades was Funk’s Mill, already in existence as early as 1743. After a furnace and forge were built as ore was found in the nearby mountains, the Funk brothers (Jacob and John), among only a few others, prospected precious metals in 1763. In 1770-71, the Funk brothers (Jacob and John) returned to Sandy Hook as Indians attacked. Disease was also prevalent during 1763-64. The Funk brothers (Jacob and John) moved across the river to the newly-formed town of Strasburg, and the remaining settlers learned to live peacefully with each other and put their religious differences behind them (such as the Sabbatarians).

Personal Property Tax Records

These records show a real distinction between Funck and French or else these names would have been spelled the same if it were the same family.

Lease between Jacob Funck and William French, 1750

Amelia C. Gilreath, compiler, Frederick County, Virginia Deed Books 1, 2, 3, 4, 1743-1758, (Nokesville, VA: Privately printed, 1989) p. 62. Book 2, page 91 - 5 May 1750 [Lease] between Jacob Funck of Frederick County [to] Wm French of County aforesaid … Consideration of five shillings … all that Tract of Land … which fell into the Heirship by his Honorable Father Jacob Funck dec'd. Containing one hundred acres of Land being part of a Greater Tract patent by Colonel Henry Willis lying on the North River of Chenendo [sic]] be the same which he sd Jacob Funck is entitled to by the death of his sd father Jacob Funck dec'd Containing one hundred Acres of Land being part of a Greater Tract be the same which he sd Jacob is entitled to by the death of his sd father Jacob Funk dec'd. … rent of one Ear of Indian Corn at the feast of Saint Michael the arch angel …

Wit: Gervase A. Doughhett
Jacob Funck
Joseph Helms
William ( ) Tidwell
Recorded 8 May 1750

William French appears in 1782 in the Frederick Co., VA Continental Census. William French also appears in the 1784 census in Prince William Co., VA.

Lease between William Tidwell and William French, 1753

Amelia C. Gilreath, compiler, Frederick County, Virginia Deed Books 1, 2, 3, 4, 1743-1758, (Nokesville, Va: Privately printed, 1989) p. 103. Book 3. Page 43 - 30 April 1753 [Lease} Between William Tidwell of County of Frederick [to] William French of said County consideration of five Shillings … one certain Tract of Land … containing one hundred acres and the same that the said William Tidwell purchased of Jacob Funk … Yielding and paying the Rent of one pepper corn on Lady Day next …

Wit: G. Jones
Recorded: 1 May 1753.

Lease between Gervase Doughhetee and William Doughty, 1760

Amelia C. Gilreath, compiler, Frederick County, Virginia Deed Books 5, 6, 7, 8, 1757-1763, (Nokesville, VA: P.p., 1990) p. 40. Bk 6 - pg. 118, 4 Aug. 1760 [Lease] Between Gervase Doughhetee son of William Doughhetee late Deceased of county of Frederick [to] William Doughty of said county … consideration of five shillings … Parcel of Land situate lying and being on the North side of the North River of Shanando … containing two hundred Acres … It being Conveyed to William Doughhee Sen. by deed of L&R from Jacob Funk and William French … it had disented (sic) to his son Gervase Doughhetee who is Heir at Law…..

Lease between Andrew Lindamood and Peter French, 1771

Amelia C. Gilreath, comp., Frederick County, Virginia Deed Books 15 and 16 1771-1775, (Nokesville, VA: P.p., 1992) p. 12. Bk 15, p. 65 - 5 Aug 1771 [Lease] Between Andrew Lindamood of County of Frederick [to] Peter French of the other part… consideration of five Shillings … Tract of Land situate lying and being on a branch of drain of Stony Creek … containing two hundred acres … the same being part of a greater Tract of four hundred and twenty five Acres of Land granted to Mary Denham by deed from under the hand and seal of the right Honorable Thomas Lord Fairfax the 13th Oct. 1762 and by Said Mary Denham conveyed to the said Andrew Lindamood by deeds of L & R recorded in the County Court … Yielding and Paying rent of one Pepper corn on Lady day next …

wit: 1 wit. Signed in German Andrew (XX)0 Lindamood
Thomas wood
Recorded: 7 Aug. 1771

Land Deeds of Samuel French (a black slave)

It is very possible that this Samuel French was FFA Chart #146. Definitely more research is needed.

Amelia C. Gilreath, comp., Frederick County, Virginia Deed Books 15 and 16 1771-1775, (Nokesville, VA: P.p., 1992) p. 85. Size Roll of Capt. Mercer's Company, 2 Aug. 1756 Roll gave name, date and place of enlistment, age, height, trade, country, description.

SAMUEL FRENCH - 1 Dec. 1754, Fairfax, 27, 5'10", sawyer, Maryland, black complexion, black curled hair

p. 92 Pay Roll of Capt. George Mercer's Company September 1756. Samuel French and Pay Roll of Capt. George Mercer's Company October 1756. Samuel French

p. 280 Bounty Land Warrants for the French and Indian War. In May 1779 the Virginia Legislature placed a time limit of 12 months on receiving land based on service. The acreage was based on the rank. Field officers 5,000 acres, captain 3,000 acres staff officer 2,000 a nomcom. 200 acres and private 50 acres.

SAMUEL FRENCH Certificate from Lord Dunmore that Samuel French is entitled to 200 acres for service as a sergeant, which he desires to locate in Botetourt co. 29 May 1774. Assigned to Thomas Stuart.

Land Record, Frederick Co., VA, 1759, Adam Funk

5-7 Feb 1759 Frederick Co VA DB5:204-9. Joseph Combs to Peter CATLETT, both of Frederick, consid. 5 shillings. Parcel of land containing 300 acres situate in Frederick and purch. by sd. Joseph Combs of Thomas HOOPER… corner to Adam FUNK… Rent: one Ear of Indian Corn on last day of said Term. Dated: 5 Feb 1759. s/Joseph Combs. Wits: John NEAVILL, Marquis CALMES. Release. Dated: 6 Feb 1759. Consid: L80. [same as above] Rec 7 Feb 1759 (Frederick Co, VA Deed Book Series Volume 2, Deed Books 5, 6, 7, 8, 1757-1763, Abstracted, Amelia C. Gilreath, 1990)

Funk vs. French Family

Research has suggested that Jacob Funk who immigrated to the Lancaster County area of Pennsylvania where most of the settlers were Swiss and German, then migrated to the Shenandoah Valley in present-day Virginia, was perhaps a name derivative for French. The Funk brothers (Jacob and John) were of Mennonite background, while others were German Lutheran or Reformed. No connection can be found showing that these two families were one and the same. The emigrant was Heinrich (Henry) Funk and he had two sons: Jacob and John. William and Peter French are predominately mentioned in various leases between them and Jacob Funk in Frederick Co., VA in 1771-1772, but we have found no connection to Jacob French of Berkeley Co. even though these deeds were all written about the same time. See website: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ajobebrown/atnip/va2.html.

From Kelle Metz:

My earliest known Funk ancestor was Heinrich Funk b c1614 d between 1663 & 1670 m 20 Aug 1634 Cathrina Meylin b 1612 d 1681>Henrich Funk Bap 25 Nov 1643 Mettmenstetten GER d between 1717 & 1729 Strasburg Twp Lancaster Co PA m Fronica unknown >Jacob Funk will probated 3 Oct 1746, Frederick Co. VA, miller; 1735 moved to Shenandoah Co VA m Francis unknown>Elizabeth Funk m Samuel Boehm b c1715 prob GER d c1795 Shenandoah Co VA>Magdalene Boehm b c1742 d c1798 KY m c1763 Frederick Co VA Abraham Hiestand b c1740 prob PA d ? Abraham m2 Elizabeth unknown c1805>Mary Magdalena Hiestand b c1775 Page/Orange Co VA d ? m1 c1791 Washington Co TN John Lemmon Jr. b c1773 VA d by Aug 30 1813 KY Mary Magdalena m2 Jacob Fry 14 Nov 1827 Spencer Co IN.

It appears that Jacob and John Funk were either sons or grandsons of my Henrich Funk & Cathrina Meylin brothers of my Elizabeth Funk m Samuel Boehm. I show that Jacob b1725 sold 150 acres to the Ephrata Sabbatarians, moved to Conococheague, MD, built mills, and founded Funkstown m Ann unknown. John b c1741 will probated 1784 (youngest s/o Jacob Funk & Francis unknown) m Catharine Stover. Or are the Jacob and John Funk mentioned on the web page my Jacob Funk wp 3 Oct 1746, and his brother John Funk b c1678 immigrated to PA 1710, in 1739 lived in Orange Co VA? My Funck/Funk info per "Mennonite Family History, Vol VIII, Number 2, April 1989."

From Margaret Amundsen:

I think the following shows that the family name was Funck or Funk and changed to French. Check on Funk in Frederick Co. MD records as Washington Co where Hagerstown is located was formed from Frederick Co. It looks like there was more than one Henry with the family unless the Henry for whom Jacob paid taxes for in 1800 was his father and not his son. Often a first appearance on the personal property tax records indicates the son has reached 16 years of age. I suggest anyone whose line this might be follow the personal property tax records for Berkeley Co. and later Jefferson Co. W VA. This records can be ordered from Richmond as they are state records. Margaret Amundson

First Generation

1.1 Hans Heinrich Funk, b. Aug 1639 in Ober Mettmenstetten, Switzerland, and d. ca. 1744 at the age of 105 – is that possible?. He m. Barbel Frey ca. 1659.

Second Generation

Children of Hans Heinrich and Barbel (Frey) Funk, 1.1

2.1* Heinrich Funk was the first immigrant to Pennsylvania of this family. He was b. in 1675 in Germany, and died in 1743 at the age of 68 in Lancaster Co., PA. He was also known as Heinrich Funck. He married Veronica Fronica and had children: Martin, Jacob, Mary, Samuel, Henry, Frena, and Treena. He immigrated to Pennsylvania ca. 1697.

Third Generation

Children of Heinrich and Veronica (Fronica) Funk, 2.1

3.1 Martin Funk, b. 1 Jan 1693 in Germany.

3.2* Jacob Funk, b. ca. 1695 in Bonfeld, Heilbronn, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, died on 3 Oct 1746 in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA, as per a lease on 8 May 1750 in which he was already deceased, but gave land to his son William French. He emigrated perhaps from Germany to Hagerstown, MD which became part of Frederick Co., VA, and then Berkeley Co., WV. His father may have been Heinrich (Henry) Funk (1643-1735) and his mother could have been Veronica Fronica (1678-1735). He may have originally taken the migration path from England to Germany and then to the New Colony. Jacob m. Frances ca. 1719. Another record says Jacob m. Veronica Franey in Lancaster, PA, in 1718, when he was 23.

The following paragraphs are from “Pioneers of Old Frederick County, Virginia” by Cecil O’Dell, p. 373.

Jacob Funk was deceased by 3 Oct 1746 when his will (dated 28 Jun 1746) was proved in Frederick County Court. He bequeathed the mill and the 106 acres belonging to it to his youngest son John who was born in 1735 “as soon as he is capable”. (Tract 114K, Map 11) Jacob’s wife Frances and two small children were given the right of residence on the mill property. He instructed that his son Jacob Jr. be held accountable for the balance due on the 438-acre plantation (Tract 114I). He bequeathed 150 acres to his son Henry and if Henry declined to accept the property, he would receive equal shares in the total estate (Tract 114J). Henry Jr. sold the 150-acre tract to Jacob Jr., executor, in 1754. Jacob willed two shares each to his sons John, Jacob, and Henry and one share each for daughters Frances, Elizabeth, Mary, and Barbara, a total of 10 shares in his net estate. He appointed son Jacob Funk and cousin John Funk Jr. to serve as executors. Witnesses were John Willcocks, William Tidwell, and John Tidwell. The inventory of Jacob’s estate included 100 acres (Tract J, Map 11), bonds, notes, debts, and receivables of about 434 pounds. The inventory was returned to Court by John Funk Jr., executor, on 4 Mar 1746/46. (Note that the Tidwell brothers are mentioned various times in other deed of this Funk family).

As executor, Jacob Funk Jr, born 1725, and his wife Anne sold the 100-acre tract listed in Jacob Sr.’s inventory to William French for 20 pounds on 7 May 1750. Jacob Jr. of Frederick County, Maryland sold the 150 acres which he had purchased from his brother Henry in 1754 (Tract 1148, Map 11) back to Henry for 187 pounds on 7 May 1757.

Jacob Funk Jr. had moved to Frederick County, Maryland in present-day Washington County, south of Hagerstown, Maryland on Alternate U.S. Highway 40. He became a large landowner in the county, owning several thousand acres of land in the Antietam Valley. Some of this land is in Corbetts and Doub’s Addition to Hagerstown, Maryland.

He built the first mill on Antietam Creek at Funkstown, likely before the town was laid out. The town of Jerusalem, now Funkstown, Maryland, was laid out by him in the year 1768. He styles himself in the first deed, Jacob Funck (Funk), merchant. The first deed for a lot sold in this town was to Henry Snider, June 4^th, 1768. The name Jerusalem has been abandoned by its inhabitants and the name Funkstown, after its founder instead, by an act of incorporation.

In the year 1768, he bought a tract of land on the Potomac, east of Georgetown. On this land he laid out the town of Hamburg in the year 1771. One account of the laying out of Washington,

3.3 Mary Funk, b. ca. 1697 in Bonfeld, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. She died in Lancaster Co., PA.

3.4 Samuel Funk, b. 1698 in Manor Township, Lancaster Co., PA, d. 7 Dec 1779 at the age of 81 in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA. His parents, therefore, must have immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1697.

3.5 Henry Funk, b. ca. 1700 in Lancaster Co., PA, d. in 1788 at age 88 in Lancaster Co., PA. Another source says he d. 8 Jul 1758 at Indian Creek, Franconia Township, Montgomery Co., PA, and is buried at Delp’s Graveyard, Indian Creek Road, Franconia Township, Montgomery Co., PA. For more information, see http://www.usfunks.net/family/funk/Research/Funck_Hans_Heinrich_Meyli_1639.htm.

This same website suggests that Henry came to America from Ibersheim in the Palatinate, leaving on 21 Mar 1717 and arriving in Philadelphia on 10 Aug 1717. They traveled with a large group of Palatine Mennonites. For more information, see http://www.usfunks.net/family/funk/Research/Funck_Henry_Bishop_1694.htm.

Henry Funk Jr. is mentioned in Jacob Funk I’s will of 28 Jun 1746; therefore, it is assumed that there was a Henry Funk Sr. who had son John Jr. who is mentioned in Jacob’s will as his cousin. This John Jr. along with Jacob Jr. were appointed executors of Jacob’s will of 28 Jun 1746. Henry may have been a bishop and minister of the Mennonite Church in Oct 1738, when he and Dielman Kolb organized the Mennonite Congregation in Salford, Pennsylvania. It is assumed, therefore, that Henry did not marry. He and Dielman Kolb had died by 25 Mar 1763 when various church papers were drawn and survivors took over as trustees.

This was the original Funk burying ground showing the stone marker for Bishop Henry Funk, near Bucks Co. line near Telford, PA.

For further information, see http://www.archive.org/stream/strassburgerfamil00instra/strassburgerfamil00instra_djvu.txt.

3.6 Frena Funk, b. ca. 1704 in Lancaster Co., PA.

3.7 Treena Funk, b. ca. 1714 in Lancaster Co., PA.

Fourth Generation

Children of Jacob I and Frances Funk, 3.2

4.1 Frances (or Frainey) Funk, b. 1720 in Strasburg, Lancaster Co., PA, d. 1795 at age 75 in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA. She was the daughter of Jacob mentioned in his will of 28 Jun 1746. She was named after her mother, Frances.

4.2 Elizabeth Funk, b. 1722 in Lancaster, PA, d. 1803, age 81, in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA. She was the daughter of Jacob mentioned in his will of 28 Jun 1746.

2.3 Henry Funk, b. 1722 in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA, d. 8 Jul 1787, age 65, on Funk Farm, Washington, MD. He was mentioned in his father’s will of 28 Jun 1746. He sold the 150-acre tract he received from his father to Henry’s brother, Jacob, in 1754. In turn, Jacob willed two shares each to his sons John, Jacob, and Henry. Evidence indicates that the wife of Henry Funk of Strasburg (possibly Elizabeth) was a daughter of Jacob Hockman. Elizabeth Hockman was b. ca. 1726.

His children: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/154762/person/464780113

4.4* Jacob Funk, b. Sep 1724 in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA, according to his father’s will of 28 Jun 1746. Jacob Funk Jr. moved to Frederick County, Maryland in present-day Washington County, south of Hagerstown, Maryland on Alternate U.S. Highway 40. He became a large landowner in the county, owning several thousand acres of land in the Antietam Valley. Some of this land is in Corbetts and Doub’s Addition to Hagerstown, Maryland.

In the year 1768, he bought a tract of land on the Potomac, east of Georgetown. On this land he laid out the town of Hamburg in the year 1771. One account of the laying out of Washington,

4.5 William Funk, b. ca. 1725 as he was a landowner in 1750.

Amelia C. Gilreath, compiler, Frederick County, Virginia Deed Books 1, 2, 3, 4, 1743-1758, (Nokesville, VA: Privately printed, 1989) p. 62. Book 2, page 91 - 5 May 1750 [Lease] between Jacob Funck of Frederick County [to] Wm French of County aforesaid … Consideration of five shillings … all that Tract of Land … which fell into the Heirship by his Honorable Father Jacob Funck dec'd. rContaining one hundred acres of Land being part of a Greater Tract patent by Colonel Henry Willis lying on the North River of Chenendo [sic]] be the same which he sd Jacob Funck is entitled to by the death of his sd father Jacob Funck dec'd Containing one hundred Acres of Land being part of a Greater Tract be the same which he sd Jacob is entitled to by the death of his sd father Jacob Funk dec'd. … rent of one Ear of Indian Corn at the feast of Saint Michael the arch angel …

Wit: Gervase A. Doughhett
Jacob Funck
Joseph Helms
William ( ) Tidwell
Recorded 8 May 1750

William French appears in 1782 in the Frederick Co., VA Continental Census. A William French also appears in the 1784 census in Prince William Co., VA.

Colonel Henry Willis was b. in Feb 1692, d. 14 Sep 1740, and founded the city of Fredericksburg. He emigrated from England to Virginia ca. 1640. His ancestors were from Cumnor, Berkshire, England.

Amelia C. Gilreath, compiler, Frederick County, Virginia Deed Books 1, 2, 3, 4, 1743-1758, (Nokesville, Va: Privately printed, 1989) p. 103. Book 3. Page 43 - 30 April 1753 [Lease} Between William Tidwell of County of Frederick [to] William French of said County consideration of five Shillings … one certain Tract of Land … containing one hundred acres and the same that the said William Tidwell purchased of Jacob Funk … Yielding and paying the Rent of one pepper corn on Lady Day next …

Wit: G. Jones
Recorded: 1 May 1753.

4.6 Mary Funk, b. 1728 in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA, d. 1797, age 69. She was the daughter of Jacob mentioned in his will of 28 Jun 1746.

4.7 Barbara Funk, b. 1734 in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA, d. 1758, age 24. She was the daughter of Jacob mentioned in his will of 28 Jun 1746.

4.8* John Funk, b. 1735 in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA, d. 25 May 1784, age 48. He was Jacob’s youngest son according to Jacob’s will of 28 Jun 1746. John’s father died when John was only 11 years old. John had his family in York Co., PA from approx 1763 to 1775. But, for some reason, he is buried in Hagerstown, MD when he died on Dec 25, 1787. Hedgesville, WV is not that far away from Hagerstown causing me to wonder if there might be come connections if only because of the geographical proximity.

Funck’s Jerusalem Town

The plan for a village named “Jerusalem,” bounded on three sides by the Antietam Creek, was unveiled by Jacob Funck in 1767. The town boasted 177 lots, each being 82 feet 6 inches wide and 231 feet in length with one exception, lot #43 which by necessity was smaller. Shortly afterwards, lots were for sale and the town soon had fifteen log houses. Early residents referred to it as ‘Funck’s Jerusalem Town’ which became part of Washington County in 1776.

Work on a comfortable stone house of the proprietor of Jerusalem Town was completed in 1769. Jacob Funck, his wife Ann, and their family of four girls and two boys moved into their new residence on lot #165, now designated as 35 West Baltimore Street.

Since its very beginning, Funkstown was known for its mills. Their first mill was built in 1762. It was flourmill operated by Henry Funck. By 1785 Jerusalem was home for an iron furnace, brickyard, powder factory, grist and woolen mills and a host of inns and shops. The last mill built in 1859 was a flourmill which burned in September of 1929. It was run by the Antietam Mill Company.

Jacob Funck was a Washington County Representative to the Maryland House of Delegates, 1785-1787. He divested himself of all land holdings in Washington County in 1791. That year, he and his family moved to Jefferson County, Kentucky where they lived until his death at the age of 67 in 1794.

Dr. Christian Borestler settled in Jerusalem around 1784. He brought with him 70 German families that settled in the community. Needless to say, German was the predominant language spoken.

Catawba, Delaware, Cherokee and Powhatan Indians lived in and traveled through this area hunting, fishing and farming. Antietam Creek is named after these Native Americans.

-- from http://www.funkstown.com/history/

Funkstown

Funkstown originally was 88 acres of land sold to German immigrant Henry Funck by Frederick Calvert in 1754. The town was laid out by Henry and his brother Jacob in 1767; they named the place “Jerusalem.”

Jerusalem was surrounded on three sides by Antietam Creek, which accounts for the fact that its principal industry was milling. There were mills of various kinds—including a powder mill that supplied Washington’s army during the Revolutionary War. The largest of them was a flour mill built by Henry Funck in 1762 in the area to the rear of the town’s present fire hall. It operated until 1929, when it was destroyed by fire. The powder mill blew up in 1810.

Jerusalem was a center of activity for the frontier in its early years. The local commerce during those years included, besides the flour mill and powder mill, a paper mill, a sawmill, a woolen mill, a wagon yard, and several inns and taverns. The National Pike was constructed through Jerusalem in 1823, contributing further to the commercial activity of the town. The community became a favorite stopping place for travelers. But the prosperity withered when the railroad was built a mile to the west of the town in 1832. Nevertheless, the community incorporated as a municipality in 1840 under the name “Funkstown,” a shortening of Funck’s Jerusalem Town, the name by which the community had come to be known early in the 19th century.

On July 10, 1863, during the Confederate Army’s retreat from Gettysburg, a diversionary battle was fought at Funkstown while General Lee established a nine-mile battle line from Williamsport to St. James. The battle that was fought around the town and in the vicinity of today’s town park resulted in 479 soldiers killed or wounded and the use of residences in Funkstown as hospitals. In the end, General George Meade was unable to move his men fast enough from Chambersburg to engage the Confederate forces before Lee retreated across the Potomac River on the night of July 13.

A major element of life in Funkstown in the early part of the 20th century was the electric trolley. By 1904, the final section of track from Boonsboro across South Mountain to Myersville was completed, and travellers could then enjoy a scenic two-hour, 29-mile trip between Hagerstown and Frederick. That section closed down in 1938, although other sections of the 87.5-mile Hagerstown and Frederick Railway survived until mid-century.

Today, still straddling a remnant of the old National Pike and with 250 years of history to savor, Funkstown is a growing, vibrant residential community. The natural beauty of the area draws new residents just as it attracted the early German settlers. The many historic houses and other buildings still in use add to the town’s allure.

-- from http://www.mdmunicipal.org/cities/index.cfm?townname=Funkstown&page=home

Descendants of the Hockman Family, with information about the Funk Family of Shenandoah Co., VA, website: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/o/c/Robert-Stephen-Hockman/PDFGENE1.pdf.

David’s Friendship

Hagerstown, Maryland, newspaper article on “David’s Friendship” house named to list of 11 threatened historic properties in state, March 10 and 11, 2011.

http://www.marylandlife.com/articles/david’s-friendship

An 18th-century stone house on Downsville Pike near Halfway has been named to Preservation Maryland's 2011 "Endangered Maryland" list of 11 threatened historic properties throughout the state.

The 1780 home, known as "David's Friendship," is one of only 12 remaining stone homes built in Washington County prior to that date, according to the listing.

"The site was part of Allegheny Power's 400-acre technology park for more than 20 years," Preservation Maryland's list said. "Since being sold in 2005, the effects of deterioration and neglect have taken their toll."

Patricia Schooley, a local preservationist who nominated the property for the list, said she hoped the publicity would help attract a buyer to fix up the building for commercial use.

"There aren't very many 18th century stone houses in this county, and every one of them should be saved," Schooley said. "We just don't have an excess."

David's Friendship history

March 10, 2011|By PAT SCHOOLEY

(Editor's note: Patricia Schooley wrote this column which was originally published in The Herald-Mail on May 30, 1999.)

The stone house sits well back from Downsville Pike down a curved gravel lane, behind a metal farm gate, surrounded by cornfields and pasture. A new exit from Interstate 70 will soon bring traffic by the old house, and new businesses will be springing up along the route. The area will change rapidly.

The house faces northwest and has five bays with a central entrance sheltered by a one-story porch. The entrance is broad and has a double door, each with two raised panels. Above is a two-light transom. On this façade, the first-floor openings have segmental arches, and another arch, now filled in, appears at ground level, showing there once was a window into the cellar at that point. The central opening on the second level is a floor-length window that may have been a door at one time. A simple water table defines the foundation on both this faÍade and the southwest elevation. A date stone in the opposite (northeast) gable is inscribed "J.F. 1780," and all openings on this face, except the two small attic windows, have segmental arches above them.

There are four rooms on the first floor, with the main entrance opening into the largest of these. A hall separates the two rooms at the back of the house, leading from a door into the large front room to the back door of the house. The stairs rise gently to the second floor from this hall.

Balusters are turned and quite short, with the balustrade only about 20 inches high. The spandrel beneath the stairs has raised panels. A door to the cellar opens beneath the stairs. Originally there also was a door opposite this one that gave access to the cellar stairs from the southeast room, which was at one time the kitchen.

There are corner fireplaces with matching mantels and tall firebox openings in the large room and the room behind it. Fireplaces do not appear to have been present in the other two rooms on the first level, but chimneys in these areas would have accommodated stoves. Upstairs are two more corner fireplaces in the front bedrooms. These have no mantels, and the walls are plastered to the arched lintel above each firebox, which has stepped-back shoulders on either side of the opening.

The partial cellar has two entrances: the inner stairs, and a bulkhead at the rear of the building. This entrance itself probably is original but the door once was wider. The ceiling reveals close-set beams, logs that have been flattened on the upper and lower sides, with stones and clay filling the spaces between as insulation. A great, triangular stone mass on the gable end supports the corner fireplaces above it. One side of this mass has a tall, narrow arch and the other a cubby. There are several other cubbies in the cellar walls. This insulation and the diagonal fireplaces are typical features of 18th-century architecture in this area.

Brothers Jacob and Henry Funck came to this area in 1749 to purchase land. Their children changed the spelling of the family name to Funk.

Henry's son Joseph received part of his father's "Marsh Head" land grant in 1779. Apparently Joseph built this stone house the following year. A few years later, Joseph traded homes with his brother John, who was a minister in the nearby Marsh Church, so that each brother could be closer to his work. Thus, in 1785 John Funk received a deed to a 145.25-acre parcel of land from Joseph Funk. This parcel contained parts of eight land patents including "Marsh Head" and "Resurvey on Marsh Head," and the deed included "all houses, buildings and improvements." On Oct. 28, 1796, John Funk patented 147 3/8 acres as "David's Friendship," probably the same land he had received from Joseph Funk 11 years earlier. There was a David Funk, but, as with most patents, there's no way to tell who this one was named for.

Potomac Edison purchased this 1780 house and its more than 147 acres in 1960.

Balusters on the main staircase are turned and quite short, with the balustrade only about twenty inches high.

The basement ceiling reveals close-set beams, logs that have been flattened on the upper and lower sides, with stones and clay filling the spaces between as insulation.

In the northeast gable, a date stone is inscribed J. F. 1780 for Joseph Funk.

David's Friendship

Potomac Edison purchased this 1780 house

The stone house sits well back from Downsville Pike down a curved gravel lane, beyond a metal farm gate and surrounded by cornfields and pasture. A new exit from Interstate 70 will soon bring traffic by the old house, and new businesses will be springing up along the route. The area will change rapidly.

The house faces northwest and has five bays with a central entrance sheltered by a one-story porch. The entrance is broad and has a double door, each with two raised panels. Above is a two-light transom. On this façade, the first floor openings have segmental arches; and another arch, now filled in, appears at ground level, showing there once was a window into the cellar at that place. The central opening on the second level is a floor-length window that may have been a door at one time. A simple water table defines the foundation on both this façade and the southwest elevation. A date stone in the opposite (northeast) gable is inscribed J. F. 1780; and all openings on this face, except the two small attic windows, have segmental arches above them.

There are four rooms on the first floor, with the main entrance opening into the largest of these. A hall separates the two rooms at the back of the house, and leads from a door into the large front room to the back door of the house. The stairs rise gently to the second floor from this hall. Balusters are turned and quite short, with the balustrade only about twenty inches high. The spandrel beneath the stairs has raised panels. A door to the cellar opens beneath these stairs. Originally there was also a door opposite this one that gave access to the cellar stairs from the southeast room, the kitchen at one time. Corner fireplaces with matching mantels and tall firebox openings dominate the large room and the room behind it. Fireplaces do not appear to have been present in the other two rooms on the first level, but chimneys in these areas would have accommodated stoves. Upstairs two more corner fireplaces furnish the front bedrooms. These have no mantels, and the walls are plastered to the arched lintel above each firebox. These fireboxes have stepped-back shoulders on either side.

The partial cellar has two entrances: the inner stairs, and a bulkhead at the rear of the building. This entrance itself is probably original but the door once was wider. The ceiling reveals close-set beams, logs that have been flattened on the upper and lower sides, with stones and clay filling the spaces between as insulation. A great, triangular stone mass on the gable end supports the corner fireplaces above it. One side of this mass has a tall, narrow arch and the other a cubby. There are several other cubbies in the cellar walls. The ceiling insulation and the diagonal fireplaces are typical features of 18th century architecture in this area.

Brothers Jacob and Henry Funck [sic] came to this area in 1749 to purchase land. Henry’s son Joseph received part of his father’s Marsh Head land grant in 1779. Apparently Joseph built this stone house the following year. A few years later, Joseph traded homes with his brother John, who was a minister in the nearby Marsh Church, so that each brother could be closer to his work. Thus, in 1785 John Funk received a deed to a 145 and 1/4 acre parcel of land from Joseph Funk. This parcel contained parts of eight different land patents including Marsh Head and Resurvey on Marsh Head, and the deed included ...all houses, buildings and Improvements. On October 28, 1796, John Funk patented 147 and 3/8 acres as David’s Friendship, probably the same land he had received from Joseph Funk eleven years earlier.

Potomac Edison purchased this home and its 147 plus acres in 1960. The deed stated that the parcel was part of land patented as David’s Friendship. For the next quarter century, the land was rented as a farm, with the farm family living in the house. In the late 1980s a woman from an historical society contacted the company with her concern that the house was deteriorating. Spurred by this visit, the company took a closer look at the property.

Mike Eckard is Director of Customer Affairs and Marketing for Allegheny Power Corporation. He has had a very close relationship with David’s Friendship for many years. Once he learned of the home’s historical significance, it was decided to shore the building up. Mike is in charge of putting together the new Technology Park for the company, and he felt that David’s Friendship would be a fine keystone for this park. “It would set the tone of the park”, he said, “So we’ve always had it in our plans for the development of the park. There are other parks near the Baltimore/Washington area that have integrated historic structures into the theme of the park; so the company decided to conserve it and use it. A corporate decision was made not to destroy the house because it has a lot of historical significance, and we think it can fit very well into the park.”

Architects came, evaluated the building and found its structural integrity intact. The stone was repointed, the chimney reinforced and the roof was replaced with historically accurate cedar shakes. Shutters were replaced and the porch was restored. The windows were repaired using drawings and old photographs of the building and storm windows added. All work was done under the supervision of an architectural historian. The windows have two-over-two sashes dating from an early renovation of the house and are part of the development of the building over time.

David’s Friendship has been stabilized and secured. The interior has been cleaned. “If we restore it, how do we use it, as the park’s office? Offer it for meetings and events for tenants of the business park? We decided to wait and see how the park develops before pursuing our options,” says Mike. Midge Teahan, General Manager of Corporate Communications, adds, “Since our corporate headquarters is located here in Washington County, there is a tremendous sensitivity to and appreciation for the historical significance of the area, which is very special and unique. When you think of Washington County, of the historical relevance of it and that David’s Friendship is built of native stone out of the fields,” says Mike, “this is something precious; and we’re going to keep it and use it to set the theme of the park. It has always been our intention to build it into the park. I’m not sure what the ultimate use is going to be; we’ll discuss that with the business partner with whom we develop the park; but I can tell you this, it is going to be a central part of the park. It’s going to be the entrance to Phase One of the park.”

Allegheny Power is searching for a private developer who will develop Friendship Technology Park with protective covenants and strict architectural standards that set the tone. Midge says, “We are very sensitive to the need for good jobs coming into the county. We want to provide something that is not in Washington County, similar to some of the better ones you see around Frederick and Baltimore and Washington. We want a low-density campus environment with a lot of amenities—the kind of environment that employees in high quality companies demand, with a lot of green areas and a lot of walking trails; and the house fits in really, really, really well with that. We live there, and it’s our corporate headquarters, and we won’t accept a low quality development. Allegheny Power takes its corporate citizenship very seriously, and we recognize the value of being a partner in community endeavors and in endeavors that enhance the quality of life in the community. This park will do that, certainly. Preserving something that has the historical significance of David’s Friendship protects a certain quality of life in this area.”

Mike adds, “We will not short-circuit quality for a quick buck.” This corporation has had the vision to see this old farmhouse as the development tool that it is. Four-and-one-tenth acres have been laid out around the house to give it space within the new center. When the purpose of the building is decided, it will be restored and adaptively reused. A treasure has been saved.

http://washingtoncountyhistoricaltrust.org/art_davids.php#

An 18th-century stone house on Downsville Pike near Halfway has been named to Preservation Maryland's 2011 "Endangered Maryland" list of 11 threatened historic properties throughout the state. The 1780 home, known as "David's Friendship," is one of only 12 remaining stone homes built in Washington County prior to that date, according to the listing. "The site was part of Allegheny Power's 400-acre technology park for more than 20 years," Preservation Maryland's list said. "Since being sold in 2005, the effects of deterioration and neglect have taken their toll." Patricia Schooley, a local preservationist who nominated the property for the list, said she hoped the publicity would help attract a buyer to fix up the building for commercial use. "There aren't very many 18th century stone houses in this county, and every one of them should be saved," Schooley said. "We just don't have an excess."  The house is on land that Joseph Funk received in 1779 from his father, Henry Funck, who came to the area in 1749 to buy land with his brother, Jacob, according to a history of the property written by Schooley, who sits on the board of the Washington County Historical Society and the Washington County Historical Trust.  A date stone inscribed "J.F. 1780" suggests Joseph Funk built the house the following year.  Potomac Edison bought the home and its more than 147 acres in 1960, and for the next quarter-century, the land was rented as a farm, according to Schooley's history. Allegheny Power later began restoring the building with an intent to make it the centerpiece of its corporate headquarters, Schooley said.  After the power company moved its headquarters to Greensburg, Pa., in 2004, Brad Fulton and his father, Adna, bought the property, Schooley said. "They didn't realize how important it was, historically," she said.  As the property sat vacant, it was broken into, windows were broken, sills rotted, and vegetation grew up over the house.  Then, last spring, Schooley and fellow Historical Trust member Sandra Iser contacted the Fultons and took them out to see the condition of the house, Schooley said.  Since then, the Fultons have secured the house and had the windows repaired and the vines removed, she said.  "The present owners are being good stewards, but this is not what they do," she said.  Schooley said she hoped that making the Endangered Maryland list — which was featured in the March/April edition of Maryland Life magazine — would bring the property to the attention of a buyer who would restore it and take advantage of tax incentives available for historic properties. "There's somebody for every old building," she said. "There's some business out there that will look at this and say, 'This is the place for me.'"  The property was selected for the list by a panel of historic preservationists based on its level of threat, historic and architectural significance and community commitment, a Preservation Maryland news release said.  It is the preservation group's fifth Endangered Maryland listing, which now includes 53 historic sites throughout Maryland.   Previous Washington County properties have included the Almshouse in Hagerstown in 2010 and the Brumbaugh Kendle Grove Farmstead near Hagerstown Regional Airport in 2009.

Historical Sketch of Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Franklin County is 3 counties west of where the French family lived in Lancaster.

http://www.archive.org/stream/historicalsketch00inmcau/historicalsketch00inmcau_djvu.txt

ANTIETAM HOME," DR. I. N. SNIVEIA', PROPRIETOR,

This attractive place was the residence of the late Abraham Barr, who purchased it from Mr. Jacob Funk, October 28th, 1848. It being part of the real estate of which John Funk, father of the said Jacob, died possessed, having inherited it from his father, John Funk, Sr. A considerable portion of this tract was, prior to the establishment of Mason & Dixon's line, in Maryland, as is shown by a patent deed made by the Right Honorable Lord, proprietor of the late province of Maryland, bearing date the tenth day of August, A. D. 1753, to a certain Jacob Gans, who deeded the same to John Miller on the 22d day of June, A. D. 1784. About three acres arc still in the State of Maryland ; the balance, 212 acres, are in Washington township, Franklin County, Pa., two miles due south of Waynesboro, on the Maryland line, while that beautiful stream, the now historic Antietam, flows through it, watering its rich meadows. It is supplied with three excellent springs of cold water, and quite near the house there is a good waterpower. The land is diversified in its character, being limestone, sandstone and soapstone. Having an abundance of first-class material for lime, it is not a matter of surprise that it is in good condition and very productive.

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