Anna Justina Almas

Anna Justina Almas was born 9 August, 1782, New Germantown (now 'Oldwick), Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. She died before 1812 in Ancaster Twp., Wentworth County, Ontario. She was the daughter of Christian Almas and Magdalena Bacher. Anna married John Hendershot, son of Christian Hendershot and Christina Smith, about 1805, in Ontario. John was born about 1780 in New Germantown, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. He died on 4 September 1812 at Queenston Heights, Ontario.

Upon his death, John Hendershot's children were orphaned and their guardianship was left to Christian Almas (which John had arranged before going off to this battle, in the War of 1812). See p 80, Voil 4 #2, Ontario Register (1971). Papers of the Heir and Devises Commission, Ontario Archives, Toronto, RG 40, Ser. 5, 1861, Parcel 109.

John was killed at the battle of Queenston Heights while serving as a Private in the 1st Flank, Co. 5th Lincoln, led by Capt. Samuel Hatt. John was the first casualty in the battle; killed 4 September 1812. A sniper's bullet from across the river hit him - an almost impossible occurence since in those times a bullet rarely travelled so far. He was reportedly standing duty on Thompson Point, north of the Whirlpool when killed.

John and Anna had the following children:

Christopher Hendershot - born 16 June 1807; died 18 September 1859

Madeline 'Sarah' Hendershot - born ca 1808-1811 (called 'Maddie')

Margaret Hendershot - born ca 1812; died 17 March 1892

 

Land Petition of John Hendershot - 4 April 1809

To His Excellency Francis Gore, Esq, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Upper Canada

In Council

The Petition of John Hendershot of the Township of Ancaster, yeoman, Humbly showeth:

That your peitioner is the fourth son of Christian Hendershot, who came into this Province with a Family consisting of a wife and seventeen children. That his father resides in the Township of Toronto, and wishes that his son should settle near him; wherefore your Petitioner humnbly prays your Excellency would be pleased to grant him a Lease of Lot number, Twenty-eight in the Third Concession, South side of Dundas Street in the said Township of Toronto, subject to the conditions expressed in the notice issued from the office of the late Lieutenant Governor Hunter, dated 16 October, 1802, and craves leavfe to offer John (Mulat) of the Township of Toronto, yeoman as a surity to be joined in a Bond with your Petitioner to (insure) the payments of the rents according to the terms of Lease.

And is in duty bound, he shall ever pray John Hendershot

 

York, 4 April, 1809 - That Christian Hendershot is seventy-five years of age and had a family of twenty-three children and at ??? And that it is his desire on account of his age and infirmities to have his children settle near him. "This property had been reserved for the Crown. It was heavily timbered on north part of the lot principally 'Pine' & on the southern part 'Old Pine & Hickory' reported by the Surveyor as containing Timber fit for Masting." Chewitt & Ridout

1810 - Received Crown Grant, 3 April 1810 - Lot 28, Concession 3 S, Dundas Street, Toronto Twp., Peel Co., near where his father settled (National Archives, Ottawa: Upper Canada Land Papers)

"Peter Hendershot" by Gordon Wesley Hendershot (Loyalist Ancestors, Hamilton Area) states that John was the descendent of Michael Henneschield and his wife Katherine, who were Palatines who arrived in America on Jly 13, 1710, settling finally in New Germantown (now 'Oldwick), New Jersey. Michael was a violin maker and had taught this art to his children and grandchildren. He died in 1749. Two of his descendants, John and Peter, served the British in the Revolutionary War and came to Canada as Loyalist refugees. John was later killed at Queenston Heights. Peter's Grant was of 200 acres, Lot 10, Concesssion 6 & Lot 10, Concession 7 in Pelham Twp. besides that of his own seven sons and 4 daughters. Peter raised Sarah, d/o of his brother after John was killed.