The Oak Tree by Thomas Bewick

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:

  1. Phyllis B. D’Autrechy, Some Old Records of Hunterdon County, 1701-1838, Alexandria German Reformed Church Records, 1763-1802, p.115