Heinrich Merkel - b. circa 1450 in Lubesk, near Nuremberg, Germany which includes Metz [?]

Johann Christian Merkel or his father, Peter, with family fled to Holland in 1685 upon Revocation of Edict of Nantes [?]

Metz is located in Province of Moselle, France, boardering Germany. It was later seded [?] to France.

Family fled from Holland to Pflatz [?]

German born, but in land sede to France, some say Merkels are German; others, French Huguenots.

Johann Christian Merkel sailed from Holland to America

Peter, father, and his son were married to French women and were members of Reformed or Colonists [?] Communion of France in 16th and 17th centuries as French Protestants, they were called French Huguenots, actually being of German descent.

Parents of Johann Christian Merkel: Peter Merkel or Merchlin [?] and Magdalina [?] Coehorn [?] (French woman).

[paragraph illegible - cut]

Johann Christian Merkel settled in 1718 or 1719 in Maiden Springs, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA

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[recent ammendment - different hand]

The Merkels were French Huguenots living in France when the Catholics were prosecuting them. Christian Merkel fled to America where he bought land from Wm Penn's son. The Merkels settled in Berks County, Pa in 1742 [sic].

above Merkel family information was recorded unknown, and held by Martha McNeil2