JOHANN CASPER HEPLER
1713 - 1769

The history of the Hepler-Heppler-Hoeppler-Hepler-Heabler family in America begins in 1748, when Casper Hoeppler, his wife Susanna and two small sons landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From 1682 to 1776 the province of Pennsylvania was the objective point of emigration from Germany, France and Switzerland. As early as 1727 the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania passed a resolution that the masters of the vessels importing Germans and others from Europe shall be examined whether they have permission to carry these people; that a list be taken of the emigrants, the place from which they came, their occupation and their reason for coming to America. Our immigrant Johann Casper Hepler was born July 10, 1713 and his wife Susanna Scheible December 18, 1718.

A writing was drawn up which each emigrant must sign in his own handwriting declaring allegiance and subjection to the king of Great Britain and fidelity to the Proprietary of the Province. These ship lists are published in the "Colonial Records" and "Rupps Immigrants" and the originals are preserved in the Library at Harrisburg.

It was early in 1748 when the Hoepplers - Casper, Susanna and their first born Jacob,and baby Christopher set sail on the ship Patience (John Browne, Master) from Rotterdam, Holland, for the New World. The passenger list of this boat shows Casper Hepler (Hoeppler) was the seventeenth person to sign the usual forms at Philadelphia Court House, on September 16, 1748.

Although documentation is lacking to connect the above immigrant with the early settler, the family historian relates that Upper Milford Township in Northampton County was his destination. This is approximately 30 miles north of Philadelphia, in the southern part of present day Lehigh County, ten miles south of Allentown. The area is described:

The soils of the Milfords is very productive and is well cultivated, which is the chief employment of the inhabitants. The Milfords are well-watered with the best and most wholesome water found in the Lehigh County or any county in Pennsylvania. The surface formation is very irregular, mountainous and hilly. In the southern part of Lower Milford is the Hosensack Hill or the great Mill Hill, commonly called "der Crosse Muehlberg". Although there are many acres of land untillable in the Milfords, these hills furnish fuel and timber... and are a great protection from destructive storms.

The decision to settle here was unlikely based on proximity to market, since Philadelphia was a two-day wagon journey away. Availability of land was an important factor; since this was still frontier, property was obtainable, and 115 acres was claimed. The German language predominance and the Lutheran religion established would be additional conditons favoring settlement in then Northampton County, an area of largely German inhabitants, thus lessening the cultural shock.

Dillingersville Union School & Church. Casper and his family were members of this church. It was built as a church & school.

As in many early communities, the local church was a significant binding element, and it is from the records of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Upper Milford (near Dillingersville) that the progress of the Hepler family is traced. The church was started about 1744. The church was abandoned about 1791. Member from this church formed the nucleus of the Lutheran Church at Zionsville.

In 1757 a new congregation was organized at the Second Upper Milford Lutheran Congregation. This is the church at Old Zionsville and the present church is a stately old edifice with a beautifully kept cemetery. While Casper is not mentioned as one of the organizers, we find that he and his sons, Jacob and Christopher were communicants in 1765. The Reformed Church was also built in 1757. The church record book started at this time. The early history of the churches at Zionsville is somewhat confusing, but apparently there were separate Lutheran & Reformed church buildings from the beginning,said to have been log structures until 1818. At that time the building had become old & unsatisfactory & the Lutheran congregation decided to erect a new church. A number of the Reformed families then left the Reformed congregation & joined the Lutherans in erecting a Union Church. The arrangement continued until 1871 at which time the Reformed members sold their interest inthe building & rejoined the original Reformed Church.

The genealogist in looking up baptisms at Zionsville must therefore remember 4 places to examine records. Dillingersville and Zionsville Lutheran Church records, Reformed that separated itself & the original Reformed record itself.

The church records document at communion services, and the 1754, 1755, 1766, and 1757 rosters show Casper and Susanna Hepler (spelled Hopfeler, Hepper, Heppeler or Hoebler) present. One newborn son is mentioned---Michael Hepler (spelled Hoppler), born January 2, 1757 and baptized March 6, 1757, sponsored by Michael Scheibele and wife Barbara. Although Casper Hepler's name is listed in 1758 and 1760, the name of Susanna Hepler is no longer found after 1757 and it is presumed she died about this time.

This era of six years peace and plenty was rudely broken when in 1755 General Braddock was defeated by the French and Indians in Western Pennsylvania. The red man was immediately appeared in small groups in different sections of the settlements and began a murderous warfare against the unsuspecting settlers. A report in 12-11-1755 states that 200 hostile Indians were roaming about the plantations killing settlers, and burning down their houses. Such were the trials, tribulations and dangers the first families of settlers experienced in the new land, and in the midst of them was Casper Hepler with his growing family, now consisting of his wife and four children, Jacob, Christopher, Casper and George.

In 1758 Susanna Hepler no longer appears. Se probably died about this time and Casper re-married about 1762 to Anna Mary who survived him, and is mentioned in his will.

The hardships of twenty years pioneer life told on Casper Hepler and on April 29, 1769, he made his last will and testament. When he died is not known but the will was probated August 1, 1769, at Easton, Pa. He was only fifty-seven years old. His estate was left to his wife Anna Mary as long as she remained his widow: at her death to his sons; Jacob, two fifths, Christopher, Casper Jr. and George, each one-fifth. He also willed to the overseers of the Lutheran Church of Upper Milford, presumably the church at Zionsville- twenty shillings, which gives us a good idea of his character and integrity. Twenty shillings seems a small sum now, but then 300 acres of land could be bought for that sum. His burial place, though urgently sought, has never been found but it is most likely at Zionsville. All the old stones have been removed as they were illegible.

Casper Hepler was a weaver of cloth and worked at his trade. His farm which he acquired in 1753 was farmed by Michael Scheible, probably his brother-in-law. Anna Mary died about 1771. for it was then that the Venue of personal property was held and final account filed.

Jacob the oldest son sold his two-fifth portion of the home farm to his brother Christopher, who in turn sold his share and the two shares he bought from brother Jacob to Casper. Jacob bought land in Luzerne County. Later Jacob relocated to Armstrong County, Pa. The youngest brother George sold his one-fifth to Casper and established a home in Whitehall Township. Christopher settled in North Carolina.

THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION

In 1775 Old Man Mars again looms up in the shape of Great Britain in its last and final efforts to subdue the spirits of the colonists. At once the four sons of Casper: Jacob, Christopher, Casper Jr. & George left their families of very young children to fight for their freedom against the British.

Jacob at once joined the regiment under Colonel Seigfried at Bethlehem, Pa. This outfit was part of General Israel Putman's Brigade, the man who made famous the saying "Don't shoot till you see the whites of their eyes". Casper joined Colonel Kooken's Company, Second Battalion, Northampton County, Pa. and George Hepler in the Sixth Battalion,under Captain Jacob Peterman.

Again in the Militia Rolls of 1785 appear the names of Casper Hepler, Jacob Hepler and Stoffel Hepler.

Following the war Jacob sold his two-fifth portion to his brother Christopher, and bought land in Luzerne County. He lived there for sometime, later moving and buying a farm in Armstrong County, Pa. There are thousands of Heplers living there today.

In 1785 Christopher sold out his portion of the farm to Casper Jr. Christopher took his young family and moved to North Carolina and settled in what was then Rowan County, now Davies. They traveled in large Conestoga wagons.

Casper Jr. bought his brother Christopher's portion of the farm in 1785. He, his wife Anna Maria and their children lived there. December 9, 1795 he sold his farm to Balthaser Shultz. Casper set out in a north westerly direction to Mahantongo Township, Berks County, now Eldred Township, Schuylkill County, Pa.

DAR records claim that George died in the war. His family at that time was living in Whitehall Township, then Northampton County, now Lehigh County, Pa.

Johann Caspar Hepler b. 10- Jul 1713 d. 1769
Susanna Scheible b. 18- Dec 1718 d. 1857

Children

The Heplers were a very religious family and after the long trip to America aboard the ship Patience, and the long trip from Philadelphia to Northampton County, I'm sure they prayed to God to give thanks for their safe journey. The hymn that is playing, "God himself is with us" probably reflects their feelings upon arriving in America.

Click on one of Caspar's children above to continue the Hepler story or
click on one of the ships below to sail back to a previous page!

Shortcut to Hepler Database
Shortcut to Scheible Database

Source: The Hepler Family History, by Avice Hepler Morgan. First Edition, Gateway Press Inc., Baltimore, 1986. Pg. 1-5.

    
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