Catherine may have been born in Pennsylvania or Germany around 1774. I have found conflicting information and do not know who her parents are or anything about them.
On September 24, 1795, Catherine Haeltzel married Samuel Dannaker in St. Michael's & Zion Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I surmise that they had a son who was born 2 years after their marriage. They named him Samuel Girdon Dannaker.
Samuel Dannaker (Sr ) died prior to 29 Oct 1799, because on this date, James Girdon married widow Catherine Dannaker, age 25, in the same church where she married her 1st husband. All of the sermons at the German Lutheran church were performed in German. More than likely, both Catherine and her husband Capt. James Girdon spoke German as their 1st language. Documentation proves that Capt. James Girdon wrote in English, and therefore I am assuming that both he and his wife spoke English as well.
On 16 Nov. 1814, James Girdon bore witness for Samuel Girdon Dannaker on his application to the US Seaman's Protection Certificate. Samuel Girdon Dannaker was 17 years old. He actually became a crew member on Capt. James Girdon's ship named Atlas, that was bound for Sumatra and Bombay.
On the Brig Neptune in 1820, Samuel Dannaker cosigned for articles that James Girdon had shipped. The captain of the ship referring to Samuel Dannaker as "Mr Samuel Dannaker" when none of the others on the ship were referred to as "Mr. ". I think that was a sign of respect. My thought is that James Girdon and Samuel Dannaker (Sr) were very good friends and or possibly Mariners together in the early days of James Girdon's immigration to Philadelphia. Samuel Dannaker and Catherine bestowed their son with the middle name of GIRDON out of respect or admiration for James Girdon. From my research, I do believe that Samuel Girdon Dannaker was James Girdon's Step-son, but I do not have concrete proof.
Catherine and Captain James Girdon were the parents of six (6) children ~ 3 girls and 3 boys. As the wife of a Sea Captain, she was often times left alone for long periods of time, while her husband sailed the 7 seas. By all accounts, they lived by the river in Keys Alley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Keys Alley ran from East to West, from Front Street to 2nd Street between Sassafras and Vine Street. Keys Alley is no longer in existence, but Elfreth's Alley, referred to as "Our nation's oldest residential street," dating to 1702, is still in existence today. A description of the Alleys and streets of Philadelphia from 1767, describes it as being located running E & W from Front to 2nd St. between Mulberry and Sassafras Street. Keys Alley and Elfreth's Alley ran parallel to one another. Today, this area is called "Old City", and is a neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the area near the Delaware River where William Penn and the Quakers first settled. To tourists, it is best known as the site of Independence Hall and its encompassing Independence National Historical Park, Elfreth's Alley, Carpenters' Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and many of Philadelphia's other historic sites. It is such a shame that Keys Alley was not preserved, but fortunately, one can walk Elfreth's Alley, and can get the feel of what Keys Alley must have looked like when Catherine and her family resided there.
In 1841 Catherine's husband, Captain James Girdon died at sea, in the 69th year of his age, while on board the ship Eliza & Susan from Monteviedo. He was one of the oldest masters of vessels sailing out of Philadelphia at the time of his death. Catherine lived for another 12 years, and buried three of her adult children before she passed away on 9 July 1853.
Upon Catharine's death at the age of 79, she was buried on 11 Jul 1853, @ St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her daughter Minerva and her son Charles had predeceased her, and were also buried in this cemetery.
Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1806 in response to pressure from Philadelphia Lutherans to have sermons delivered in English rather than German. General John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, famed Revolutionary War hero, led some 3,000 members out of the German-speaking St. Michael's-Zion Church, so that they could proclaim the Gospel in the new language of the people (English).
In 1924, Saint John's Lutheran Church was the oldest English Lutheran Church in the world, when it was demolished to make way for the Philadelphia approach and plaza of the Delaware River (Benjamin Franklin) Bridge. The Bridge Commission ordered the church property condemned in July, 1924 after a lengthy court battle, which the congregation lost. Remains and monuments were supposed to have been moved to the new burial ground in Laurel Hill Cemetery, but none of the monuments for my family were moved. A plaque by the side of the road is all that honors this history. Please see the black & white picture on this page, of the St. John's Lutheran Church and Cemetery, before its demolition.
On 24 Jul 1924, Catherine, along with her daughter Minerva, and son Charles, were re-interred at North Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their remains were placed in a mass grave containing other individuals from St. John's Churchyard. There are no tombstones or markers at Laurel Hill Cemetery to remember the lives of these three individuals. Although Laurel Hill Cemetery is a very historic and charming cemetery, it is a far cry from the beautiful and peaceful place where they were initially laid to rest. The City of Philadelphia has committed many travesties regarding their lack of historical preservation and destruction of sacred historic locations, and this is only one example. I am very proud to remember my 4th Great grandmother, Catherine Healtzel Girdon ♥, with a description of her life and the time in which she lived.
One of my hopes in writing and posting this information regarding my 4th Great grandparents, is for all of the family trees out there that do not have the correct information, to rectify their trees. Copying information from one tree to another without doing your own research and due diligence, perpetuates all of those errors. Also, copying information from this site or any place else and placing it on your own tree and calling it your own work, is not good genealogical protocol or courtesy, no less proper resourcing of material.
The above information was researched, written, and complied by BBP with ♥, by Catherine's 4th Great Granddaughter. (originally posted 11 Jul 2014. Updated 14 Dec 2023).
On September 24, 1795, Catherine Haeltzel married Samuel Dannaker in St. Michael's & Zion Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I surmise that they had a son who was born 2 years after their marriage. They named him Samuel Girdon Dannaker.
Samuel Dannaker (Sr ) died prior to 29 Oct 1799, because on this date, James Girdon married widow Catherine Dannaker, age 25, in the same church where she married her 1st husband. All of the sermons at the German Lutheran church were performed in German. More than likely, both Catherine and her husband Capt. James Girdon spoke German as their 1st language. Documentation proves that Capt. James Girdon wrote in English, and therefore I am assuming that both he and his wife spoke English as well.
On 16 Nov. 1814, James Girdon bore witness for Samuel Girdon Dannaker on his application to the US Seaman's Protection Certificate. Samuel Girdon Dannaker was 17 years old. He actually became a crew member on Capt. James Girdon's ship named Atlas, that was bound for Sumatra and Bombay.
On the Brig Neptune in 1820, Samuel Dannaker cosigned for articles that James Girdon had shipped. The captain of the ship referring to Samuel Dannaker as "Mr Samuel Dannaker" when none of the others on the ship were referred to as "Mr. ". I think that was a sign of respect. My thought is that James Girdon and Samuel Dannaker (Sr) were very good friends and or possibly Mariners together in the early days of James Girdon's immigration to Philadelphia. Samuel Dannaker and Catherine bestowed their son with the middle name of GIRDON out of respect or admiration for James Girdon. From my research, I do believe that Samuel Girdon Dannaker was James Girdon's Step-son, but I do not have concrete proof.
Catherine and Captain James Girdon were the parents of six (6) children ~ 3 girls and 3 boys. As the wife of a Sea Captain, she was often times left alone for long periods of time, while her husband sailed the 7 seas. By all accounts, they lived by the river in Keys Alley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Keys Alley ran from East to West, from Front Street to 2nd Street between Sassafras and Vine Street. Keys Alley is no longer in existence, but Elfreth's Alley, referred to as "Our nation's oldest residential street," dating to 1702, is still in existence today. A description of the Alleys and streets of Philadelphia from 1767, describes it as being located running E & W from Front to 2nd St. between Mulberry and Sassafras Street. Keys Alley and Elfreth's Alley ran parallel to one another. Today, this area is called "Old City", and is a neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the area near the Delaware River where William Penn and the Quakers first settled. To tourists, it is best known as the site of Independence Hall and its encompassing Independence National Historical Park, Elfreth's Alley, Carpenters' Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and many of Philadelphia's other historic sites. It is such a shame that Keys Alley was not preserved, but fortunately, one can walk Elfreth's Alley, and can get the feel of what Keys Alley must have looked like when Catherine and her family resided there.
In 1841 Catherine's husband, Captain James Girdon died at sea, in the 69th year of his age, while on board the ship Eliza & Susan from Monteviedo. He was one of the oldest masters of vessels sailing out of Philadelphia at the time of his death. Catherine lived for another 12 years, and buried three of her adult children before she passed away on 9 July 1853.
Upon Catharine's death at the age of 79, she was buried on 11 Jul 1853, @ St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her daughter Minerva and her son Charles had predeceased her, and were also buried in this cemetery.
Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1806 in response to pressure from Philadelphia Lutherans to have sermons delivered in English rather than German. General John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, famed Revolutionary War hero, led some 3,000 members out of the German-speaking St. Michael's-Zion Church, so that they could proclaim the Gospel in the new language of the people (English).
In 1924, Saint John's Lutheran Church was the oldest English Lutheran Church in the world, when it was demolished to make way for the Philadelphia approach and plaza of the Delaware River (Benjamin Franklin) Bridge. The Bridge Commission ordered the church property condemned in July, 1924 after a lengthy court battle, which the congregation lost. Remains and monuments were supposed to have been moved to the new burial ground in Laurel Hill Cemetery, but none of the monuments for my family were moved. A plaque by the side of the road is all that honors this history. Please see the black & white picture on this page, of the St. John's Lutheran Church and Cemetery, before its demolition.
On 24 Jul 1924, Catherine, along with her daughter Minerva, and son Charles, were re-interred at North Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their remains were placed in a mass grave containing other individuals from St. John's Churchyard. There are no tombstones or markers at Laurel Hill Cemetery to remember the lives of these three individuals. Although Laurel Hill Cemetery is a very historic and charming cemetery, it is a far cry from the beautiful and peaceful place where they were initially laid to rest. The City of Philadelphia has committed many travesties regarding their lack of historical preservation and destruction of sacred historic locations, and this is only one example. I am very proud to remember my 4th Great grandmother, Catherine Healtzel Girdon ♥, with a description of her life and the time in which she lived.
One of my hopes in writing and posting this information regarding my 4th Great grandparents, is for all of the family trees out there that do not have the correct information, to rectify their trees. Copying information from one tree to another without doing your own research and due diligence, perpetuates all of those errors. Also, copying information from this site or any place else and placing it on your own tree and calling it your own work, is not good genealogical protocol or courtesy, no less proper resourcing of material.
The above information was researched, written, and complied by BBP with ♥, by Catherine's 4th Great Granddaughter. (originally posted 11 Jul 2014. Updated 14 Dec 2023).
Catherine may have been born in Pennsylvania or Germany around 1774. I have found conflicting information and do not know who her parents are or anything about them.
On September 24, 1795, Catherine Haeltzel married Samuel Dannaker in St. Michael's & Zion Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I surmise that they had a son who was born 2 years after their marriage. They named him Samuel Girdon Dannaker.
Samuel Dannaker (Sr ) died prior to 29 Oct 1799, because on this date, James Girdon married widow Catherine Dannaker, age 25, in the same church where she married her 1st husband. All of the sermons at the German Lutheran church were performed in German. More than likely, both Catherine and her husband Capt. James Girdon spoke German as their 1st language. Documentation proves that Capt. James Girdon wrote in English, and therefore I am assuming that both he and his wife spoke English as well.
On 16 Nov. 1814, James Girdon bore witness for Samuel Girdon Dannaker on his application to the US Seaman's Protection Certificate. Samuel Girdon Dannaker was 17 years old. He actually became a crew member on Capt. James Girdon's ship named Atlas, that was bound for Sumatra and Bombay.
On the Brig Neptune in 1820, Samuel Dannaker cosigned for articles that James Girdon had shipped. The captain of the ship referring to Samuel Dannaker as "Mr Samuel Dannaker" when none of the others on the ship were referred to as "Mr. ". I think that was a sign of respect. My thought is that James Girdon and Samuel Dannaker (Sr) were very good friends and or possibly Mariners together in the early days of James Girdon's immigration to Philadelphia. Samuel Dannaker and Catherine bestowed their son with the middle name of GIRDON out of respect or admiration for James Girdon. From my research, I do believe that Samuel Girdon Dannaker was James Girdon's Step-son, but I do not have concrete proof.
Catherine and Captain James Girdon were the parents of six (6) children ~ 3 girls and 3 boys. As the wife of a Sea Captain, she was often times left alone for long periods of time, while her husband sailed the 7 seas. By all accounts, they lived by the river in Keys Alley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Keys Alley ran from East to West, from Front Street to 2nd Street between Sassafras and Vine Street. Keys Alley is no longer in existence, but Elfreth's Alley, referred to as "Our nation's oldest residential street," dating to 1702, is still in existence today. A description of the Alleys and streets of Philadelphia from 1767, describes it as being located running E & W from Front to 2nd St. between Mulberry and Sassafras Street. Keys Alley and Elfreth's Alley ran parallel to one another. Today, this area is called "Old City", and is a neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the area near the Delaware River where William Penn and the Quakers first settled. To tourists, it is best known as the site of Independence Hall and its encompassing Independence National Historical Park, Elfreth's Alley, Carpenters' Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and many of Philadelphia's other historic sites. It is such a shame that Keys Alley was not preserved, but fortunately, one can walk Elfreth's Alley, and can get the feel of what Keys Alley must have looked like when Catherine and her family resided there.
In 1841 Catherine's husband, Captain James Girdon died at sea, in the 69th year of his age, while on board the ship Eliza & Susan from Monteviedo. He was one of the oldest masters of vessels sailing out of Philadelphia at the time of his death. Catherine lived for another 12 years, and buried three of her adult children before she passed away on 9 July 1853.
Upon Catharine's death at the age of 79, she was buried on 11 Jul 1853, @ St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her daughter Minerva and her son Charles had predeceased her, and were also buried in this cemetery.
Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1806 in response to pressure from Philadelphia Lutherans to have sermons delivered in English rather than German. General John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, famed Revolutionary War hero, led some 3,000 members out of the German-speaking St. Michael's-Zion Church, so that they could proclaim the Gospel in the new language of the people (English).
In 1924, Saint John's Lutheran Church was the oldest English Lutheran Church in the world, when it was demolished to make way for the Philadelphia approach and plaza of the Delaware River (Benjamin Franklin) Bridge. The Bridge Commission ordered the church property condemned in July, 1924 after a lengthy court battle, which the congregation lost. Remains and monuments were supposed to have been moved to the new burial ground in Laurel Hill Cemetery, but none of the monuments for my family were moved. A plaque by the side of the road is all that honors this history. Please see the black & white picture on this page, of the St. John's Lutheran Church and Cemetery, before its demolition.
On 24 Jul 1924, Catherine, along with her daughter Minerva, and son Charles, were re-interred at North Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their remains were placed in a mass grave containing other individuals from St. John's Churchyard. There are no tombstones or markers at Laurel Hill Cemetery to remember the lives of these three individuals. Although Laurel Hill Cemetery is a very historic and charming cemetery, it is a far cry from the beautiful and peaceful place where they were initially laid to rest. The City of Philadelphia has committed many travesties regarding their lack of historical preservation and destruction of sacred historic locations, and this is only one example. I am very proud to remember my 4th Great grandmother, Catherine Healtzel Girdon ♥, with a description of her life and the time in which she lived.
One of my hopes in writing and posting this information regarding my 4th Great grandparents, is for all of the family trees out there that do not have the correct information, to rectify their trees. Copying information from one tree to another without doing your own research and due diligence, perpetuates all of those errors. Also, copying information from this site or any place else and placing it on your own tree and calling it your own work, is not good genealogical protocol or courtesy, no less proper resourcing of material.
The above information was researched, written, and complied by BBP with ♥, by Catherine's 4th Great Granddaughter. (originally posted 11 Jul 2014. Updated 14 Dec 2023).
On September 24, 1795, Catherine Haeltzel married Samuel Dannaker in St. Michael's & Zion Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I surmise that they had a son who was born 2 years after their marriage. They named him Samuel Girdon Dannaker.
Samuel Dannaker (Sr ) died prior to 29 Oct 1799, because on this date, James Girdon married widow Catherine Dannaker, age 25, in the same church where she married her 1st husband. All of the sermons at the German Lutheran church were performed in German. More than likely, both Catherine and her husband Capt. James Girdon spoke German as their 1st language. Documentation proves that Capt. James Girdon wrote in English, and therefore I am assuming that both he and his wife spoke English as well.
On 16 Nov. 1814, James Girdon bore witness for Samuel Girdon Dannaker on his application to the US Seaman's Protection Certificate. Samuel Girdon Dannaker was 17 years old. He actually became a crew member on Capt. James Girdon's ship named Atlas, that was bound for Sumatra and Bombay.
On the Brig Neptune in 1820, Samuel Dannaker cosigned for articles that James Girdon had shipped. The captain of the ship referring to Samuel Dannaker as "Mr Samuel Dannaker" when none of the others on the ship were referred to as "Mr. ". I think that was a sign of respect. My thought is that James Girdon and Samuel Dannaker (Sr) were very good friends and or possibly Mariners together in the early days of James Girdon's immigration to Philadelphia. Samuel Dannaker and Catherine bestowed their son with the middle name of GIRDON out of respect or admiration for James Girdon. From my research, I do believe that Samuel Girdon Dannaker was James Girdon's Step-son, but I do not have concrete proof.
Catherine and Captain James Girdon were the parents of six (6) children ~ 3 girls and 3 boys. As the wife of a Sea Captain, she was often times left alone for long periods of time, while her husband sailed the 7 seas. By all accounts, they lived by the river in Keys Alley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Keys Alley ran from East to West, from Front Street to 2nd Street between Sassafras and Vine Street. Keys Alley is no longer in existence, but Elfreth's Alley, referred to as "Our nation's oldest residential street," dating to 1702, is still in existence today. A description of the Alleys and streets of Philadelphia from 1767, describes it as being located running E & W from Front to 2nd St. between Mulberry and Sassafras Street. Keys Alley and Elfreth's Alley ran parallel to one another. Today, this area is called "Old City", and is a neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the area near the Delaware River where William Penn and the Quakers first settled. To tourists, it is best known as the site of Independence Hall and its encompassing Independence National Historical Park, Elfreth's Alley, Carpenters' Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and many of Philadelphia's other historic sites. It is such a shame that Keys Alley was not preserved, but fortunately, one can walk Elfreth's Alley, and can get the feel of what Keys Alley must have looked like when Catherine and her family resided there.
In 1841 Catherine's husband, Captain James Girdon died at sea, in the 69th year of his age, while on board the ship Eliza & Susan from Monteviedo. He was one of the oldest masters of vessels sailing out of Philadelphia at the time of his death. Catherine lived for another 12 years, and buried three of her adult children before she passed away on 9 July 1853.
Upon Catharine's death at the age of 79, she was buried on 11 Jul 1853, @ St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her daughter Minerva and her son Charles had predeceased her, and were also buried in this cemetery.
Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1806 in response to pressure from Philadelphia Lutherans to have sermons delivered in English rather than German. General John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, famed Revolutionary War hero, led some 3,000 members out of the German-speaking St. Michael's-Zion Church, so that they could proclaim the Gospel in the new language of the people (English).
In 1924, Saint John's Lutheran Church was the oldest English Lutheran Church in the world, when it was demolished to make way for the Philadelphia approach and plaza of the Delaware River (Benjamin Franklin) Bridge. The Bridge Commission ordered the church property condemned in July, 1924 after a lengthy court battle, which the congregation lost. Remains and monuments were supposed to have been moved to the new burial ground in Laurel Hill Cemetery, but none of the monuments for my family were moved. A plaque by the side of the road is all that honors this history. Please see the black & white picture on this page, of the St. John's Lutheran Church and Cemetery, before its demolition.
On 24 Jul 1924, Catherine, along with her daughter Minerva, and son Charles, were re-interred at North Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their remains were placed in a mass grave containing other individuals from St. John's Churchyard. There are no tombstones or markers at Laurel Hill Cemetery to remember the lives of these three individuals. Although Laurel Hill Cemetery is a very historic and charming cemetery, it is a far cry from the beautiful and peaceful place where they were initially laid to rest. The City of Philadelphia has committed many travesties regarding their lack of historical preservation and destruction of sacred historic locations, and this is only one example. I am very proud to remember my 4th Great grandmother, Catherine Healtzel Girdon ♥, with a description of her life and the time in which she lived.
One of my hopes in writing and posting this information regarding my 4th Great grandparents, is for all of the family trees out there that do not have the correct information, to rectify their trees. Copying information from one tree to another without doing your own research and due diligence, perpetuates all of those errors. Also, copying information from this site or any place else and placing it on your own tree and calling it your own work, is not good genealogical protocol or courtesy, no less proper resourcing of material.
The above information was researched, written, and complied by BBP with ♥, by Catherine's 4th Great Granddaughter. (originally posted 11 Jul 2014. Updated 14 Dec 2023).
Inscription
If she originally had a tombstone when she was buried in the churchyard of St. John's, the stone was not moved with her when she was re-interred to Laurel Hill Cemetery. There is NO tombstone or even a marker for her at Laurel Hill Cemetery. She is buried in a mass grave along with others from St. John's Cemetery.
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
