I first came upon the Housel family while researching early families and their properties in old Amwell Township. Later on, I found Ann Housel, wife of Flemington banker John C. Hopewell (see “One Man Makes a Difference.”) The family is a very old one in Hunterdon County.
Originally the name was spelled Hausschild, Hauschildt.1. This version of the Housel Family Tree was updated December 11, 2021. (Please discard previous versions.) The changes were prompted by the comments of Carl Christensen (below).
The Housels were important in early Hunterdon County, but like so many German families, they are difficult to research and much needed information is simply missing. This tree is the best I can do for now; however, there are still loose ends, Housels whose parents have not been identified. That being the case, please feel free to add comments and point out errors in the comments below, as Carl Christensen has done.
I only go about 5 or 6 generations; after that, most of the families will have emigrated away from Hunterdon County. Spouses whose family trees are published on this website are shown in caps. The usual rules apply—children of daughters get listed but not their grandchildren.
First Generation:
(1) Casper Housel (c.1675 – c.1739) & unknown spouse
Housel was an immigrant from Neuwied, Germany, part of the Palatine migration. In my previous version of this tree, I had identified Casper Housel as one of the sons of “Elder Housel” who immigrated to NJ from Germany. After reconsidering, I feel I must name Casper as the father of three sons, rather than their brother. Casper Housel acquired property in the West Jersey Society Great Tract in the north section of Hunterdon County in 1735 and died about 1739 when Court Kuhl & Jacob Houshall were named trustees of his estate. He is said to have been buried in the Housel Family Burying Ground in Ringoes, which has been lost to time and neglect.
Second Generation:
(1) Casper Housel & unknown spouse
| (2.1) Johannes Housel (1698 – 1761) & Neeltje Eleanor (c.1710 – )
| (2.2) Mathias Housel (1700 – 1778) & Matalaina
| (2.3) Jacob Jacobus Housel (~1700 – 1761) & Maria Catharina
Third Generation:
(1) Casper Housel & unknown spouse
| (2.1) Johannes Housel & Neeltje Eleanor
| | (3.1) Susannah Mariya Housel (1729 – 1793) & Andrew Andreas Trimmer (c.1726 – 1795)
| | (3.2) Elizabeth Susanna Housel (1723 – c.1781) & Anthony Trimmer (c.1725 – bef. 1754)
| | (3.3) Johannis Housel (1734 – bef. 1755)
| | (3.4) Peter Housel Sr. (1736 – 1821) & Maria Catharina Kemple (c.1738 – bef. 1774)
| | (3.5) William D. Housel (1738 – 1829) & Elizabeth Kemple (1746 – 1813)
Note that Elizabeth and Maria Kemple were sisters.
In a previous version of this tree, I had identified William Housel (1728 – c.1809) as a son of Johannes & Neeltje Housel. He was a minister and immigrant from Neuwied, Germany. Like many others of the early Housel family, he spent some time in Amwell Township, ministering to the German Baptist Church there under John Naas. He had been “called to the ministry” in 1750, succeeding John Bechleshammer and Gideon Rouser. He later settled in Readington Township, and died there in 1809 after writing a will, naming wife Altia, leaving $266.46 to the Trustees of the German Baptist Church in Amwell “of which I am a member,” and bequests to Jacob Wagner & John Newell.
Carl Christensen (in his comment below) points out that I left out Peter Housel as one of the children of Johannes & Neeltje Housel, and mistakenly confused the William Housel who was Peter’s brother with the Rev. William Housel, whose parents are unknown.
Based on the new information, it appears that all the children of Johannes & Neeltje left Hunterdon County, except son Johannis, who died young. I should point out that I am not very interested in the families that moved away from Hunterdon County, which sometimes leads me astray, as in this case. I will include the children who were born in Hunterdon but will not pursue their families after they leave. Thanks to Carl for setting me straight on this Housel family.
| (2.2) Mathias Housel & Matalaina
| | (3.1) Cobus Jacob Housel (c.1734 – 1824) & unknown spouse
| | (3.2) John Housel (1735 – 1819) & Mary Anna Wilson (c.1766 – 1817)
| | (3.3) Christian Housel (c.1738 – )
| | (3.4) Mary Housel (1743 – 1799) & Johann William BELLIS (1740 – 1826)
| | (3.5) Frances Housel (1751 – 1821) & Abraham WILLIAMSON (1751 – 1829)
| (2.3) Jacob Jacobus Housel & Maria Catharina
| | (3.1) Mathias Housel (c.1734 – 1818)
| | | m. 1) Anne Sutphin (c.1742 – c.1770)
| | | m. 2) Anne WILLIAMSON (c.1750 – 1814) d/o Johannis Williamson 1771-c.1769
| | (3.2) Peter Housel (c.1736 – 1784) & Maria Mary HOPPOCK (c.1736 – 1817)
| | (3.3) Catharine Housel (c.1740 – ) & Jacob CASE (c.1736 – 1774)
| | (3.4) Martin Housel (c.1744 – 1804) & Aulcha
| | (3.5) Mary Housel (c.1755 – )
Fourth Generation:
(1) Casper Housel & unknown spouse
| (2.2) Mathias Housel & Matalaina
| | (3.1) Cobus Jacob Housel & unknown spouse
| | | (4.1) Rebecca Housel (c.1785 – )
| | | (4.2) Jasper Housel (c.1787 – )
| | | (4.3) John Housel (c.1790 – 1819)
| | | (4.4) Matthias Housel (1800 – 1866) & Amy Mettler (1804 – 1861)
| | (3.2) John Housel & Mary Anna Wilson
| | | (4.1) Thomas Housel (1790 – 1857) & Marab (1792 – 1874)
| | (3.4) Mary Housel & Johann William BELLIS
| | | (4) Adam Bellis (c.1774 – 1807)
| | | (4) Eleanor Bellis (1775 – 1854) & Rev. John Jacob Wack (1774 – 1851)
| | | (4) William W. Bellis Jr. (1776 – 1853)
| | | | | m. 1) Margaret Young (1774 – 1854)
| | | | | m. 2) Elizabeth Bower (c.1785 – )
| | | | | m. 3) Mary Huff (1784 – 1888)
| | | (4) David Bellis (1778 – 1872)
| | | | | m. 1) Eleanor Schenck (1782 – 1835)
| | | | | m. 2) Elizabeth Sutphen (1786 – 1847)
| | | | | m. 3) Rachel (c.1800 – )
| | | (4) John William Bellis (1781 – 1855)
| | | | | m. 1) Margaret Kuhl (1784 – 1808)
| | | | | m. 2) Sarah Lyst (1783 – 1864)
| | | (4) Matthias Bellis (1781 – 1826) & Elizabeth Sutphen (1786 – 1847)
| | (3.5) Frances Housel & Abraham WILLIAMSON
| | | (4) Derrick Williamson (1778 – 1852) & Catherine Leffler (1785 – 1871)
| | | (4) Eleanor Williamson (1781 – 1867) & Adam WILLIAMSON (1786 – 1868)
| | | (4) Sarah Williamson (c.1783 – 1843)
| | | (4) Abraham Williamson (1783 – 1851)
| | | | | m. 1) Frances (Fanny) Larew
| | | | | m. 2) Elizabeth RITTENHOUSE (1804 – 1862)
| | | (4) Matthias Williamson (1787 – 1875) & Susan Slack (c.1811 – 1859)
| (2.3) Jacob Jacobus Housel & Maria Catharina
| | (3.1) Mathias Housel & Anne Williamson
| | | (4.1) Agnes Housel (1763 – 1831) & James Salter (1754 – 1829)
| | | (4.2) John Housel (1767 – 1811)
| | | | | m. 1) Catharine
| | | | | m. 2) Jennie
| | | | | m. 3) Mary (1781 – 1846)
| | | (4.3) Anne Housel (1770 – 1840) & Bergen Covert (1765 – 1839)
| | | (4.4) Jacob Housel (c.1783 – )
| | | (4.5) Mary Housel (c.1785 – ) & unknown Case (c.1780 – )
| | (3.2) Peter Housel & Maria Mary HOPPOCK
| | | (4.1) Jacob Housel Esq. (1764 – 1825)
| | | | | m. 1) Ruth Roberts (c.1763 – c.1784)
| | | | | m. 2) Mary FISHER (1751 – 1829)
| | | | | m. 3) Rosanna Snyder (c.1795 – )
| | | (4.2) Catharine Housel (1777 – 1868) & William Marsh (1759 – 1839)
| | (3.3) Catharine Housel & Jacob Case
| | | (4.1) Mary Case (c.1760 – after 1840) & William Hann (1759 – after 1850)
| | | (4.2) William Case (c.1765 – )
| | | (4.3) Peter Case (c.1765 – )
| | | (4.4) Jacob Case Jr. (c.1770 – 1843) & Mary Servis (c.1775 – )
| | | (4.5) Catharine Case (c.1770 – ) & Isaac Servis (c.1770 – 1846)
| | | (4.6) Martin Case (1774 – 1846) & Mary Sewey (1778 – 1824)
| | (3.4) Martin Housel & Aulcha
| | | (4.1) Catherine Housel (c.1765 – )
| | | (4.2) Mary Housel (c.1766 – )
| | | (4.3) Elizabeth Housel (c.1768 – )
| | | (4.4) Sarah Housel (c.1768 – )
| | | (4.5) Jacob Housel (c.1770 – 1859) & Amelia Closson (c.1770 – )
| | | (4.6) Joshua Housel (1771 – 1852) & Charity Hagaman (1776 – )
Fifth Generation:
(1) Casper Housel, spouse unknown
| (2.2) Mathias Housel & Matalaina
| | (3.1) Cobus Jacob Housel & unknown spouse
| | | (4.4) Matthias Housel & Amy Mettler
| | | | (5.1) James B. Housel (1827 – 1887) & Rhoda POULSON (1834 – 1913)
| | | | (5.2) Sarah W. Housel (1836 – 1844)
| | | | (5.3) Mary Frances Housel (c.1839 – 1844)
| | | | (5.4) William H. Housel (1843 – 1862)
| | (3.2) John Housel & Mary Anna Wilson
| | | (4.1) Thomas Housel & Marab
| | | | (5.1) Rebecca Ann Housel (1816 – 1905) & Wilson Forker (c.1816 – 1895)
| | | | (5.2) Nathan Housel (1832 – 1901) & Emma
| (2.3) Jacob Jacobus Housel & Maria Catharina
| | (3.1) Mathias Housel & Anne WILLIAMSON
| | | (4.1) Agnes Housel & James Salter
| | | | (5.1) John Salter (1789 – 1873) & Elizabeth WOLVERTON (1791 – 1868)
| | | | (5.2) Matthias Salter (1792 – 1871) & Anna Crosley (1795 – 1858)
| | | (4.2) John Housel & 1) Catharine
| | | | (5.1) John Housel (1772 – 1826) & Elizabeth Bilby (1776 – 1860)
| | | (4.2) John Housel & 2) Jennie
| | | | (5.2) Joseph Housel (1780 – 1872)
| | | | | | m. 1) Rebecca Dusenbury (c.1785 – 1841)
| | | | | | m. 2) Susan LAKE (1796 – )
| | | (4.2) John Housel & 3) Mary
| | | | (5.3) Anna Housel (1791 – 1826) & Job WOLVERTON (1788 – 1864)
| | | | (5.4) William Housel (c.1794 – 1875) & Elizabeth (1795 – 1866)
| | | (4.3) Anne Housel & Bergen Covert
| | | | (5.1) James Covert
| | (3.2) Peter Housel & Maria Mary HOPPOCK
| | | (4.1) Jacob Housel Esq. & 2) Mary FISHER
| | | | (5.1) Wilson Housel (1786 – 1856) & Abigail Lowrey (1787 – 1858)
| | | | (5.2) Amelia Housel (c.1791 – c.1805)
| | | | (5.3) Amy Housel (c.1796 – c.1863) & William Muirhead (c.1792 – )
| | | | (5.4) George W. Housel (c.1804 – 1890)
| | | | | | m. 1) Rebecca Ann Bishop (1803 – 1864)
| | | | | | m. 1) Mattie
Sixth Generation:
(1) Casper Housel, spouse unknown
| (2.2) Mathias Housel & Matalaina
| | (3.1) Cobus Jacob Housel & unknown spouse
| | | (4.4) Matthias Housel & Amy Mettler
| | | | (5.1) James B. Housel & Rhoda POULSON
| | | | | (6.1) Isabel Housel (1857 – 1918) & William S. Kline (1854 – 1930)
| | | | | (6.2) Georgiana Housel (1859 – after 1910) & Frey
| | | | | (6.3) Sarah Jane Housel (1864 – 1868)
| | | | | (6.4) Charles Housel (1872 – 1876)
| | | | | (6.5) Walter Housel (1874 – 1876)
| | (3.2) John Housel & Mary Anna Wilson
| | | (4.1) Thomas Housel & Marab
| | | | (5.1) Rebecca Ann Housel & Wilson Forker
| | | | | (6.1) John Wilson Forker (1839 – 1881) & Mary B. Schomp (1839 – 1902)
| | | | | (6.2) Elmira Forker (1841 – 1913)
| | | | | (6.3) Mary Ann Forker (1844 – 1872) & John H. Vlerebome (1839 – 1911)
| (2.3) Jacob Jacobus Housel & Maria Catharina
| | (3.1) Mathias Housel & Anne WILLIAMSON
| | | (4.2) John Housel & 1) Catharine
| | | | (5.1) John Housel & Elizabeth Bilby
| | | | | (6.1) Effie Housel (c.1803 – 1891) & William Roberts (1798 – 1877)
| | | | | (6.2) Charles Housel (c.1815 – 1891) & Elizabeth Burket (1817 – 1901)
| | | | | (6.3) Ann Housel (1815 – 1902) & Dea. Charles Burket (1810 – 1887)
| | | | | (6.4) Reading Housel (c.1821 – ~1894) & Mary HEATH (c.1824 – after 1900)
| | | (4.2) John Housel & 2) Jennie
| | | | (5.2) Joseph Housel (1780 – 1872) & 1) Rebecca Dusenbury (c.1785 – 1841)
| | | | | (6.1) Abigail Housel (1808 – 1887) & William Mathias BELLIS (1802 – 1890)
| | | | | (6.2) Henry T. Housel (1809 – 1886) & Eliza C. Cramer (1814 – 1887)
| | | | | (6.3) Charles Housel (c.1810 – )
| | | | | (6.4) Theodore Housel (1813 – 1897) & Elizabeth Price (1809 – 1888)
| | | | | (6.5) Wilson S. Housel (1816 – 1895)
| | | | | (6.6) Samuel Housel (1821 – 1863) & Rebecca (c.1821 – )
| | | | | (6.7) Sarah Ann Housell (c.1825 – ) & Archibald BUCHANAN Jr. (c.1815 – 1879)
| | | | | (6.8) Joseph Housel (1827 – 1911) & Sarah M. Boughner (1834 – 1898)
| | | (4.2) John Housel & 3) Mary
| | | | (5.3) Anna Housel & Job WOLVERTON
| | | | | (6.1) Andrew Wolverton (1809 – 1881) & Rebecca DILTS (1807 – 1886)
| | | | | (6.2) John H. Wolverton (1810 – 1880)
| | | | | (6.3) Joel Wolverton (c.1811 – 1871) & Lucinda ROCKAFELLAR (c.1815 – )
| | | | | (6.4) Ann Wolverton (1815 – 1862) & Jonas Bosenbury (1814 – 1865)
| | | | | (6.5) Mary H. Wolverton (1818 – 1901) & Philip ROCKAFELLOW (1817 – 1880)
| | | | | (6.6) William H. Wolverton (c.1826 – 1900) & Amanda Lewis (c.1829 – 1909)
| | | | (5.2) William Housel & Elizabeth
| | | | | (6.1) Rebecca Maria Housel (1816 – 1820)
| | | | | (6.2) Sarah Housel (1818 – 1870)
| | | | | (6.3) William Kuhl Housel (1826 – 1913) & Sarah Shepherd (1819 – 1897)
| | | | | (6.4) Lemuel Housel (1836 – 1838)
| | (3.2) Peter Housel & Maria Mary HOPPOCK
| | | (4.1) Jacob Housel Esq. & 2) Mary FISHER
| | | | (5.1) Wilson Housel & Abigail Lowrey
| | | | | (6.1) Mary Housel (c.1815 – )
| | | | | (6.2) Amelia L. Housel (c.1817 – ) & Thomas T. Mann, M.D. (c.1815 – )
| | | | | (6.3) Cornelia Housel (c.1821 – )
| | | | | (6.4) Abigail Housel (c.1824 – 1830)
| | | | | (6.5) Susan Housel (1826 – 1893) & Thomas M. Field (c.1825 – )
| | | | | (6.6) George M. Housel (1832 – ) & Mary McPherson (c.1826 – )
| | | | (5.4) George W. Housel & 1) Rebecca Ann Bishop
| | | | | (6.1) Levi B. Housel (c.1829 – 1889) & Matilda L. Raab (1837 – 1919)
| | | | | (6.2) Wilson Housel (c.1842 – c.1909) & Lavinia Pinkerton (1849 – 1925)
Another Housel branch:
Abraham Housel: I have not been able to connect Abraham Housel with the rest of the Hunterdon Housel families. Based on his age, Abraham would be a member of the 4th generation. I believe he was the father of Elizabeth Hunt and Ann Hopewell, but am not certain.
Fifth Generation:
| | (3) unknown Housel parents
| | | (4.1) Abraham Housel (1784 – 1819) & Ann (1789 – 1870)
| | | | (5.1) Elizabeth Housel (c.1810 – 1881) & Andrew HUNT (c.1807 – )
| | | | (5.2) Ann Housel (c.1814 – 1885) & John C. Hopewell (1814 – 1888)
Sixth Generation:
| | (3) unknown Housel parents
| | | (4.1) Abraham Housel & Ann
| | | | (5.1) Elizabeth Housel & Andrew Hunt
| | | | | (6.1) Abigail Hunt (c.1834 – )
| | | | | (6.2) Amos Hunt (c.1835 – )
| | | | | (6.3) Ann Hunt (c.1844 – )
| | | | (5.2) Ann Housel & John C. Hopewell
| | | | | (6.1) Sarah Hopewell (1836 – 1918)
| | | | | (6.2) Adelia Hopewell (1838 – 1884) & George Anderson Capner (1838 – 1894)
| | | | | (6.3) John Beckett Hopewell (1841 – 1906) & Annie M. Crater (1844 – 1881)
| | | | | (6.4) Mary Fabian Hopewell (1844 – 1931)
| | | | | (6.5) Mellie Hopewell (c.1846 – bef. 1881) & Thomas Smith Chittenden (1846 – 1882)
| | | | | (6.6) Joseph R. Hopewell (1848 – 1888)
| | | | | (6.7) Charles F. B. Hopewell (1852 – 1895)
Seventh Generation:
| | (3) unknown Housel parents
| | | (4.1) Abraham Housel & Ann
| | | | (5.2) Ann Housel & John C. Hopewell
| | | | | (6.2) Adelia Hopewell & George Anderson Capner
| | | | | | (7.1) John Hopewell Capner (1863 – 1878)
| | | | | (6.3) John Beckett Hopewell & Annie M. Crater
| | | | | | (7.1) Bertha C. Hopewell (1869 – 1869)
| | | | | | (7.2) Annie Hopewell (1871 – )
| | | | | | (7.3) Bessie Richardson Hopewell (1871 – 1964)
| | | | | (6.5) Mary Mellie Hopewell & Thomas Smith Chittenden
| | | | | | (7.1) John Hopewell Chittenden (1868 – 1868)
Unattached Housels
For those of you who like to work on genealogical puzzles, here are Housels that have no parents. I am listing here just the ones who were likely born in the 18th century.
Abraham Housel i (c.1770-1843), resident of Bethlehem Twp., blacksmith, married to Hannah Cook, father of three known children. Who were his parents?
Abraham Housel ii (about the same age as ii), married to Hester Smith, lived in Bethlehem Twp.
Catharine Housel, married 1817 Benjamin W. Dennis, Esq. of Lambertville & PA.
Christian Housel—may not have been a Housel at all, as his name was spelled Harsell. In 1768 he took a mortgaged from John Smith (H.C. Mtg 1-074).
Elijah Housel, served in the Revolution under command of Capt. Daniel Bray at Coreyll’s Ferry.
Elizabeth Housel, married 1807 Henry Leonard; probably lived in Franklin Twp.
Elizabeth Housel bought a lot in Flemington in 1857, a farm of 60 acres in Raritan in 1862, and sold her Flemington lot to Elizabeth Anne Perry in 1865. I don’t know if Elizabeth was a spinster or a widow.
Isaac Housel (c.1785-1834), married to Charlotte Forker, father of Jacob, Mary & Susan.
John & Aramena Housel of Amwell sold a small lot in Amwell to Joseph Housel in 1810.
Katharine Housel, wife of Simeon Pownall (1721-1772) of Bucks County, PA.
Margaret Housel, wife of Mathias Cowell, mother of Margaret Cowell (1768-1856), who married Jacob Kyple, Jr.
Rachel Housel, a German immigrant, was married to Johann Philip Case, c.1738, lived in Amwell Twp.
Ruth Ann Housel, b.c. 1790, married to Gariel Hoff Leigh, mother of Arbour H. Leigh.
Sarah Housel, bought land in Alexandria Twp. in 1810 from Jeremiah Mathis.
Rev. Wm Housel (1728-1809) of Readington Twp., and wife Altia. Seems to come out of nowhere.
William Housel who wrote his will c.1818 and had heirs living in Ohio.
And here are some Housels who don’t even have a first name:
Unknown Housel married to Lydia VanBuskirk, who inherited $1000 from Joseph Hankinson in 1783; identified as Lydia Housel.
Unknown Housel had sons Joseph (1780-1872), Casper and Charles (c.1789-1811); spouse unknown.
Unknown Housel, living in Clinton Twp. in 1843, father of Wm B. Housel and Josiah C. Housel.
Unknown Housel, married to Jemima whose obituary published in 1839 stated that Mrs. Jemima Housel died at an advanced age at her home in Delaware Twp.
Footnote:
- Phyllis B. D’Autrechy, Some Old Records of Hunterdon County, 1701-1838, Alexandria German Reformed Church Records, 1763-1802, p.115 ↩
Kay H. Larsen
April 9, 2021 @ 12:22 pm
Just to muddy the waters a bit, I have a great-great grandmother who was a Housel. Her name was Effy Housel, born probably Feb or March of 1803 in New Jersey, died 15 Oct. 1891 in Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, NJ. She was the daughter of John Housel and Elizabeth (?). Effy married William Roberts in 1822 and gave birth to seven children including my great-grandmother Rachel Ann Roberts wife of Andrew Sherman. William and Effy lived in Alexandria Township and are buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, Hunterdon County, NJ. I have some tenuous clues that seem to indicate that Effy’s mother’s maiden name may have been Elizabeth BILBY, daughter of one John Bilby who died prior to June 1827.
Marfy Goodspeed
April 11, 2021 @ 7:26 pm
Kay–your comment led me to find a mistake. I’m going to put John Housel (1767-1811) in his place, I hope. (This may take a little time.)
Kay H. Larsen
April 13, 2021 @ 9:12 am
Marfy, Glad if I helped (?????). Take your time. Genealogy can’t be rushed. Otherwise, by now, I’d have found out which one of Adam and Eve’s kids I’m descended from. LOL!
Marfy Goodspeed
April 13, 2021 @ 10:23 am
I think I’ve gotten your family in there now. Let me know if it looks alright.
Kay H. Larsen
April 13, 2021 @ 11:36 am
At first glance it looks just fine. I see you listed Elizabeth BILBY as John’s (5.1) wife. As I told you my clues to her were tenuous (an unsourced Ancestry tree claiming that her name was Bilby and a deed from 1827, concerning the sale of a property between Jonathan and Margaret Bilby of the township of Washington in the County of Morris and William Roberts of Alexandria Township, County of Hunterdon (no mention of Effy even though they were married in 1822. The writing is so poor that even with a magnifying glass, my eyes glaze over. Plus deeds are not my forte. The land apparently originally belonged to John Housel . I will try to find some time to go over it carefully and write it out so I can understand it. Or I can try to make a copy and send it to you. I believe the house is still standing today . I have been told that it is the big old house at the corner of Mechlin Corner Road and Airport Rd (to Alexandria Field).
Carl Christensen
December 7, 2021 @ 1:19 am
I appreciate this rough outline of the Housel Family that you have prepared. While it offers differences from my own outline of the family, many of those differences have inconclusive evidence to support the assertion. Similarly, I can find at least one difference between your outline and mine where I CAN point to evidence that I think will sway your mind. And unfortunately, that same evidence that will add yet another unknown to the list of many unknowns presented with this family.
This discussion centers around (3.1) William Housel and wife, buried Readington, who you call son of (2.2) Johannes Housel. I believe this to be an error. The WILL left by (2.2) Johannes Housel points specifically to sons Peter and William (not sure why you have not mentioned Peter, but maybe we can discuss that later). While assuming that William Housel of Readington is one and the same as the son of Johannes seems very natural (especially if your concentration is focused on Hunterdon, New Jersey). It won’t take long if you’re looking for William’s brother Peter Housel, to come across another William Housel who more perfectly fits the family. This is the William Housel who dies at Chillisquaque, Northumberland Pennsylvania in 1829 at age 91. A full dialogue with evidence is presented for this man at (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Houshell-5). I hope you will look at it.
Unfortunately I have only speculation about the lineage of ‘Reverend’ William Housel of the Trimmer notebooks and of Readington. Getting into that speculation will really get us “into the weeds” with respect to the Housels, Huzels, and Houseals (etc); OR will get us into further speculation about the role of Casper Housel with respect to the three known brothers (Johannes, Jacob and Mathias).
Peace to you.
Marfy Goodspeed
December 11, 2021 @ 2:39 pm
Thank you Carl. Your comments have inspired me to take a fresh look at the Housel tree.