An American Family History

Elizabeth Bachtell Krause was born about 1747 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Martin and Elizabeth Bachtell.

She married Valentine Krause (Krauss). Valentine was baptized on September 27, 1741 at New Hanover Lutheran Church. His parents were Heinrich and Anna Maria Krause. The sponsor at his baptism was Valentin Ott. He was confirmed on April 21, 1754.

Elizabeth and Valentine's children may have included:
Catherine Krause
Johannes Krause
Henry Krause
Daniel Krause
Jacob Krause

In 1761 Valentine and other members of the Old Trappe Church purchased land for a Lutheran church.

In 1768, Johan Valentin Krauss was in Philadelphia Township.

In 1799 in New Hanover, Valentine Krause was a farmer with 130 acres, 2 horses, and 4 cows.

Valentine died on April 2, 1786 in New Hanover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Elizabeth inherited furniture and household items and was allowed the use of their house, but the farm was to be sold. She was also provided maintenance during her widowhood. She was also to inherit 100 pounds with the provision that "Martin Bechtell her father or his heirs shall not demand the sum of money."

The remainder of the estate was to be equally divided among wife and their children: John, Henry, Daniel and Jacob.

First printed in Boston 1745

New Hanover Township, Montgomery (was Philadelphia) County, Pennsylvania was a section of the Frankfort Land Development Company in the early eighteenth century. It was called Falkner's Swamp because it was controlled by Daniel Falkner. He ceded to John Sprogell in 1708. Sprogell ousted many first settlers claiming that their titles were not legal. In spite of this fraud, Sprogell kept control of 22,000 acres. Many settlers were forced to buy back their own land. The villages in the township included Swamp, Fagleysville, New Hanover Square, and Pleasant Run.