The Hoshall family research says that Henry’s father was also named Henry. I’m not sure the basis of that statement. I also don’t think there is any evidence that this Henry (2) was born in 1720. I think that is a made up date that only suits the purpose of being reasonable for a man who had sons in the 1740’s and 1750’s.

This Henry existed. The main issue, in my mind, as it relates to this Henry is was he living in Holland when his sons, Jesse and Henry, left for America? I don’t believe that whole idea is documented factually. It’s possible one or other of the family bibles had Dutch origins and that is why the family believed they were of Dutch origin -- but I wonder if it wasn’t only that when Henry moved to Canada it was said he was Pennsylvania “Dutch”.

But, no matter. Let’s just say that Jesse was the son of Henry whose father was definitely German. I suspect Jesse did emigrate from Holland. And for sure, Jesse came to America, he was our immigrant ancestor, and that is where the real story of this family begins.

As an aside, it is interesting that the family histories call their earliest ancestor Henrich (the German name) and then the subsequent men of that name Hendrik. It brings to mind my research into the Pennypacker ancestors of my Grandma Mertz -- her ancestor Hendrik Pennebecker, of Dutch origin, signed his name in America as Henrich when he was writing in German and Henry when he was writing in English. At least the Hoshall family histories have that little, but important, detail right.