Bogan-Pfahler-Kehrer-Reber-Volkmer

Sebastian Kunkel lived in the village of Floersbach in the principality of then Hessen Hanau. Three of his sons: Johannes (Hans), George and Lawrence and one daughter Eva Elizabeth left their homes between 1748 and 1751 and separately crossed the Atlantic Ocean to settle in eastern Pennsylvania. Sebastian was born, lived and died in Floersbach, a village so small that it did not even have a church. The family for several generations attended the church in Kempfenbrunn which was located about 1 1/2 miles from their village. Here can be found the record of Kunkel births, marriages, and deaths, not only for Sebastian's family, but numerous other Kunkels who were probably related. Floersbach is now part of the community called "Floersbachtal" and is located in a farming area approximately 30 miles east of Frankfort and 20 miles north of Wuerzburg. It is in the northern part of the Spessart Forest at the Hessen/Bavaria border and dates back to the Holy Roman Empire. Sebastian was baptized in the Kempfenbrunn Church. Sebastian was the second oldest of five children, four boys and a girl. Hans was listed as having an occupation of juror, which we are told was like a minor justice of the peace in the village. Sebastian met his wife Anna Catherine Samer, the daughter of Georg Samer in Floersbach. They were married at the kempfenbrunn church on 29 Jan 1700. Their first son, Melchoir, was born about 9 months later on 5 Nov. 1700. [The Sons of Sebastian Kunkel]

The sons of Sebastian Kunkel all had some money. Georg was listed as having considerably more than his brother Johannes. The Hessian government did not want to lose tax payers and charged for approval for emigration The charge for the rich was 10% and raised to 20% in 1751. Much has been written about the perils of the 4 to 5 months sea journeys to this county. The trips starting at pickup points along the Rhine River were it could take 4 to 5 weeks to reach the sea because of the frequent stops at custom-houses at which the ships were examined. They then had to cross the North Sea, making a last stop at Cowes, on the Isle of Wight in England before making the long trip crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Long waits at the various ports could consume a travelers resources. Departures were in April or May after the winter storms had subsided and most ships arrived in Philadelphia, PA in the month of September. With the parents of this family - "Sebastian and wife" both being deceased and the prevalent wars and famine that existed in Central Europe, these children had a good reason to seek a better life. The arrival with their families is well documented from both the ship captains list and the listing of those who signed - "....declaring their allegiance and fidelity to this Providence and the Government of PA." The three brothers did get together after arriving in PA, in succeeding years. This is established by both Church records and legal documents files in the Northampton County Court house after the death of Lawrence Kunkel on 15 Jan. 1756, when he was ambushed by the Indians. (Notes from: Christina Hoffman and Bob Rowland - December 2000 via).