Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Name8G GF Claus Jensen 
Birth1658
Deathbefore 1 June 1711, Germantown, Phila Co, PA2940
Memo(date will proved)
Parent-Proof notes for 8G GF Claus Jensen
In 1683, thirteen Mennonite families left Crefeld, Germany and came to America where they settled Germantown, near Philadelphia. The name Klas Jensen of Mulheim, Germany (near Crefeld) was listed in the Crefeld records saying that in 1684 he emigrated to America. This man was most certainly the same man of that name who showed up in Germantown a short time later was an important man of that town.
No one claims to know the names of the European ancestors of Klas (Claus) Jensen. In her book on his descendants “Jansen/Johnson Family of Chester County”, Athena Johnson Bogart tells of the Jansen family of Holland who became Mennonites and were persecuted for their beliefs. Mennonites were one of any number of religious sects that can be grouped under the name Anabaptists. Anabaptists believe that baptism is a sacrament that should occur when a person is an adult, not an infant. There was a certain man named Elbert Jansen who was burned at the stake in 1549, with others, in Holland for such beliefs.
It is known, too, that many Mennonites fled Holland after that event and went to the area of Crefeld, Germany. So, while no direct connection between Klaus and Elbert is known, it may be there was some connection.
No one claims to know the names of the European ancestors of Klas (Claus) Jensen. In her book on his descendants “Jansen/Johnson Family of Chester County”, Athena Johnson Bogart tells of the Jansen family of Holland who became Mennonites and were persecuted for their beliefs. Mennonites were one of any number of religious sects that can be grouped under the name Anabaptists. Anabaptists believe that baptism is a sacrament that should occur when a person is an adult, not an infant. There was a certain man named Elbert Jansen who was burned at the stake in 1549, with others, in Holland for such beliefs.
It is known, too, that many Mennonites fled Holland after that event and went to the area of Crefeld, Germany. So, while no direct connection between Klaus and Elbert is known, it may be there was some connection.
Relocated notes for 8G GF Claus Jensen
IMMIGRANT. He was among the Crefeld Mennonites who came from that place in Germany to America in 1683 and 1684 and settled Germantown.
Discrepant Facts notes for 8G GF Claus Jensen
I am aware of several sources that have studied the Jansen family. The unanimous opinion is that Claus Jensen was born about 1658, came to America from Mulheim, Germany in 1684, settled in Germantown and later moved to Skippack, Montgomery County where he died in 1745.
They totally leave unexplained whether they think it reasonable that this Claus Jensen lived to the age of 87. They totally ignore that some if not most of the children of Claus Jensen who died in 1745 were minors -- thus born in the late 1720’s when this older Claus Jensen would have been 70 years old or so. And they totally ignore that a man named Claus Jamsen Sr. died in Germantown in 1711 with a son and sole heir named Claus.
I choose on the other hand to believe that Claus Jamsen was none other than Claus Jensen Sr. and that the biographies of Claus and his son Claus have been merged by those other researchers. I believe Claus Sr. died in Germantown in 1711 and his son Claus moved to Skippack and died there in 1745.
They totally leave unexplained whether they think it reasonable that this Claus Jensen lived to the age of 87. They totally ignore that some if not most of the children of Claus Jensen who died in 1745 were minors -- thus born in the late 1720’s when this older Claus Jensen would have been 70 years old or so. And they totally ignore that a man named Claus Jamsen Sr. died in Germantown in 1711 with a son and sole heir named Claus.
I choose on the other hand to believe that Claus Jamsen was none other than Claus Jensen Sr. and that the biographies of Claus and his son Claus have been merged by those other researchers. I believe Claus Sr. died in Germantown in 1711 and his son Claus moved to Skippack and died there in 1745.
My Comments notes for 8G GF Claus Jensen
I have the will of Claus who died in 1711. His last name has been transcribed by others as Jamsen but in my opinion it could just as easily have actually said Jansen and in any event spellings were fluid back then. It was written 15 Mar 1710/11. He mentioned only one person -- his son Claus Jr. -- to whom he left all his property and who he named as Executor. The will proved 1 Jun 1711.