According to the captain's list, there were 127 passengers on board, 74 of whom were men over the age of sixteen years of age. Only 49 took the oath of Allegiance on arrival. Their wives and children became citizens automatically, because of the oath taken by their head of household. An excerpt from the Minutes of the Provincial Council, printed in Colonial Records, Volume II, page 570, states "at the courthouse of Philadelphia, September 23, 1734, 49 Palatines, who, with their families, making in all 127 persons, were imported in the Ship Hope, Daniel Reed, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, as by clearance thence, were this day qualified as usual".

It is presumed that the Germans in Germantown, Philadelphia, gave advice to these immigrants. Otherwise, why would they come to the little settlement in the woods of Northern Hunterdon County..a place so far away from the mainstreams of traffic in that era? Also, it is presumed that Fritz chose the water route as his means of travel. Once past the rapids of the Delaware, he went upstream to the Musconetcong River, which borders the northerns boundaries of the presently known Hunterdon County. He probably left the river before reaching Beattystown, NJ, which saved him a long trek over the Schooleys Mountain trail, down into German Valley. If he left the river near the present New Hampton, a ten-mile overland trek would land him in Cokesbury.

It was here, surrounded by German-speaking friends, that he acquired property. The homestead of the immigrant Epgert seems to be far in from the main road between Cokesbury and Lebanon, NJ. However, when he settled there, the present road did not even exist. He was really closer to what is now termed a "back road".

The house is still standing and is amazingly well preserved. The original section is of stone, stuccoed, complete with huge fireplace, and Dutch door. Behind the fireplace was a full width room, probably used for the parents' bedroom. Above was the loft for the older children, which was warmed by the fireplace. It stayed in the Herbert family until the early 1900's.

There is a private burial ground on the property. Herbert's will made provision for a square rod of land back of the house, to be kept for that purpose. According to the anecdotal accounts of living descendants, this is the last resting place for the Apgar patriarch (Fritz), his wife (Anna Eva Schaefer), and his son, Herbert.

A stone plaque on the property, mistakenly naming Johannes Peter Apgard (1714- ? ) as the family patriarch, marks the homestead.

The following order of children born to Fritz Epgert and his wives as determined by German church records, ages of their children and presumed children, and grandchildren, dates of property acquisitions, and Hunterdon County church records. The exact birthdates of Herbert, Hans Peter, Heinrich, Jacob, William, Frederick, and Conrad are known and it is believed that George was perhaps the youngest.

Just click on the different leaves on our family tree below for more information on each of the children.