The Linkes/Linkous Family History Homepage.
NEW ADDENDUM, 2002
Courtesy of Karr Linkous
Please refer to pages 7, 55, 57, 58 and 548 for references to a Johannes Heinrich Linckorst, baptized on April 1, 1742 in St. Michael's Church of Weissenborn, the son of Conradi and Maria Catharina Linckorst. This person was presented in the book "The Linkous Family History Expanded" as the Henry Linkous who came to America as a German Soldier on behalf of the British in the American War of Independence, remained here after the war, married Elizabeth Shiflet and became the progenitor of all Linkouses in America. I have learned that this is wrong. The little cross by this person's name in the church book with the date October 13, 1809 means that this Henrich Linckorst died on that date. (See the fourth entry on page 55 of the Linkous History Book.) If this Henrich Linckorst died in 1809 in Germany, he obviously cannot be the Henrich Linckorst who died in Montgomery County, Virginia on August 23, 1822, age 77, and the progenitor of the Linkous family in America. (See the first entry on page 25 of the Linkous History Book, a photograph of a page in the Linkous Family Bible.)
More research in the Church Book of St. Martin's Church of Lüderode, Eichfeld, Germany, a nearby church to St. Michael's Church in Weissenborn, has turned up the correct Johannes Heinricus Linckorst in the baptismal records for the year 1744 (bottom of page 95 of the church book). The St. Martin's Church entry in Latin is as follows:
"24 Augusti Baptizatus est Joannes Henricus Linckorst, Joachimi Linckorst filius Legitimus, levanti Joanne Henrico Brodhun Weissenbornensi."
In English, this is translated to be:
"On the 24, August was baptized Johannes Henricus Linckorst, legitimate son of Joachim Linckorst, sponsor Johannes Henricus Brodhun from Weissenborn."
If this child was baptized a few days after his birth, the fit is perfect that he would have been 77 years old on his death date of August 23, 1822. Thus, we may safely conclude this is the correct Heinrich.
Scattered entries and the absence of other entries in the W-L record suggest that Joachim, father of Heinrich, was born in Duderstadt (6 miles from Weissenborn-Lüderode) of parents who had moved there from Weissenborn-Lüderode; that he spent his life in Duderstadt and was buried there. Probably because of family ties to the family living in W-L, Joachim was named godfather to several children in W-L in the time 1740-1750, as well as having his own child, Heinrich, baptized there. The church books at Duderstadt probably contain our needed additional information, but they have not been accessed yet. They are located in an archive in Hildesheim according to my helpful German friend.
So, we should realize that:
1. Everything that has been said in the book about our ancestor, Henry Linkous, being a German soldier and what happened in the life of that German soldier is correct. However, our ancestor had only one wife (Elizabeth Shiftlet) and one family (American), contrary to what was presented as likely in the Linkous Family History book.
2. Everything that has been said in the book about the German family lines of Heinrich Linckorst, born in 1742 and who stayed in Germany, is correct. But, he is not the progenitor of the American Linkouses. He was undoubtedly a cousin of our ancestor.
Recently, more research in the Church Book of St. Michael's Church of Weissenborn, Eichfeld, Germany has turned up another Johannes Heinricus Linckorst, baptized on August 24, 1744 in the same church, the son of Joachim Linckorst.
This child, baptized on August 24, 1744 would seem to be the same person who is recorded in a family bible (See page 25 of the Book) as "departed this life on August 23, 1822 in his 77 year of his age." If he be 77 years old on August 24, then he could have been born between January 1, 1745 and August 22, 1745; or he could have been born between August 23, 1744 and December 31, 1744. Thus, everthing checks if he be baptized on his birthday. But wait! There is the matter of adjustment to the Gregorian calendar to contend with. It happened in America after Henry was born.
Catholic Germany went on the Gregorian calendar in the year 1584. However, the American Colonies did not make the change until 1752. In America in 1752, dates were advanced 11 days when the Gregorian calendar was adopted. When Henry got to America, the colonies were on the same calendar as the part of Germany in which he was baptized. Probably, he knew his birth by the Gregorian calendar and knew that no adjustment was needed.
So, we should realize that:
1. Everthing that has been said in the book about Henry Linkous being a German sodier and what that German soldier did is CORRECT.
2. Everything that has been said about the (other) Henry Linkous, BORN IN 1742, is correct EXCEPT that he DID NOT come to America and DID NOT have two families. He is NOT the progenitor of the American Linkouses.
3. The progenitor of the American Linkouses WAS born in 1744 in Weissenborn and all that has been said in the book about the village and its setting is CORRECT. He had only ONE wife (Elizabrth Shiflet) and one family (American).
That is how it looks in April of 1998. Eventually, we may get more details on the life in Germany of the Henry Linkous, born 1744. When we do, perhaps an addendum can be sent to everyone who purchased a book.
Clovis E. Linkous, April 18,1998.
The Linkes/Linkous Family History Homepage.