By 1775, at least 100,000 Germans had entered the colonies, making up a third of the population of Pennsylvania. (Germans in the American Revolutionary War, Robert Wilde) Like many of his neighbors, Joseph Fox (Fuchs) was of German descent. The Land Patent map pictured below shows a number of adjoining properties. Joseph Fox and another ancestor, Valentine Miller, were neighbors. Their farms were in the area that is now Washington Township on the border of Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Now, that was an interesting discovery.
Joseph, born June 12, 1761, was the son of Johann Christophel Fuchs and Rosina Elisabetha Link. His father immigrated to America at the age of 27, arriving September 27, 1740 on the ship Lydia from Germany. Johann Christophel Fuchs is recognized through the DAR as having provided Patriotic Service. He may have been too old to fight, having died May 1, 1780, during the time period of the Revolutionary War. But he, like so many of American German population in Northampton County was a true patriot and supporter of the American pursuit for Independence.
The Pennsylvania Archives 5th Series reports that Joseph enlisted as a private in the 5th Battalion, Mount Bethel Company, Northampton County, Militia, Private 7th class., May 1, 1782. He served under the command of Captain John Long. Nothing more is known about his service record. The usual tour of duty is reported to have been 6 months.
He was married to Christina Reimel, daughter of George Reimel and his wife Anna Elizabeth Barbara. Christina was born in 1762. Joseph and Christina were married on the 6th of November, 1781.
The 1790 census for Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County Pennsylvania:
Fox, Joseph 1 free white male, 1 free white males under age of 16, 5 free white females
The records of the births and baptisms of most of their children appear in the Church Records of the Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Congregation of Mount Bethel Township, Northampton Co., Pa. 1914. Services at this church were conducted in German until 1840. These records are the first transcription from the old German Record. The transcription was done by the Rev. Dr. Wm. Wackernagel, Professor in Muhlenburg College for the Rev. W.E. Werner, pastor of the Christ Lutheran Church in Upper Mount Bethel.
1. Anna Elizabeth Fuchs was born October 22, 1782 and baptized on November 3, 1782.
2. Rosina Fuchs was born April 10, 1784. She was baptized at St, Peter's Union Church in Plainfield Township.
3. George Fuchs was born February 22, 1788 and baptized on March 30. 1788.
4. Susanna Fuchs was born October 5, 1789 and baptized on October 25, 1789.
5. Anna Maria Fuchs was born October 15, 1791 and baptized on January 22, 1792.
6. Joseph Fuchs, Jr was born April 13, 1794 and baptized on May 11, 1794.
7. Catherine Fuchs was born March 22, 1796 and baptized on May 8, 1796.
8. Christopher Fuchs was born March 13, 1798 and baptized on May 13, 1798.
9. Eva Fuchs was born 14 January, 1800 (birth record not found)
10. Sarah Fuchs was born April 14, 1802 and baptized on May 30, 1802.
11. Johann Fuchs was born January 21, 1804 and baptized on April 29, 1804.
12. Christine Fuchs was born August 21, 1805 and baptized on December 1, 1805.
13. Jacob Fuchs was born 1807 (birth record not found)
Joseph is buried in the Old Union Cemetery in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. His grave is honored with an American flag. He died May 22, 1821.
The location of Christina's grave is unknown. Her name does not appear in the list of burials transcribed in the early 1900's for the Old Union Cemetery, but it seems likely that she is also buried here. She died in 1832.
Joseph Fox and Christina Reimel were the 6th great grand parents of my husband Ronald. Their daughter Susanna married Joseph Ross who had a daughter named Caroline. Caroline married married Philip Deats and had a son named Joseph whose daughter Lillie May married George Good. Their son Earl married Edna May Frey.
This page and all contents © 2013 Cynthia H. Smith
Email to chsmith47@yahoo.com
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