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Note: Leonhard Kratz was drafted as a soldier of the Hessen-
Hanau Regiment Erbprinz in 1776 and served with his
Regiment in Canada. He was born in Dudenhofen 12 km
south of Hanau/Main, where still today many families with
this name live. His Regiment became part of the British
invasion army under General Burgoyne which in 1777 was
defeated by the Americans at Saratoga and Leonhard
became a prisoner. His story has been told and may be
found on the internet, and of course in my book "The
Hessians of Upper Canada". He finally settled at the shores
of lake Erie at Kingsville, County of Essex, Ontario, and
there on the Rootsweb Message Board you will find his
biography. Every step of his life is documented. While
settling down and raising a large family, the school teacher
of his children changed the name of Kratz to SCRATCH,
and from there on his descendants are living with this
name, which is a straight translation - kratz - scratch.
The town historian of Dudenhofen has also provided the
ancestry of Leonhard Kratz for several generations.
Just thought this would interest anyone researching KRATZ.
Greetings,
John Helmut Merz, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
KRATZ, Johann Leonhard, aka. Leonard SCRATCH*********************************************One of the first settlers in Kingsville, Ontario. His biography from his day of birth to his last day. Investigated every step of his way by John Helmut Merz,author of "He was a Hessian" and "Hessians of Upper Canada".---------Johann Leonhard Kratz was a soldier of the Hesse-Hanau Regt. Erbprinz hired by King George III of England to fight in the American Revolution. He was captured by the American rebels as part of the General Burgoyne army at Saratoga, N.Y. in October 1777, and as a prisoner went to Boston, Mass. andCharlottesville, Virginia were he escaped and joined a group of farmers (Munger & Toffelmeyer) who attempted to relocate from the Shenandoah Valley to Kentucky. Leonhard met Munger's daughter Mary and they married. British troops under Captain Bird and several hundred Indians surprised the new settlements and took them prisoner to Detroit. Later they were freed and were offered land in the new settlements across in Canada. But here are the dates ofJohann Leonhard Kratz, each one documented with the help of German, American and Canadian archives and from personal papers provided by his descendants:TIME TABLE of the life of LEONHARD KRATZ/SCRATCH1756 Johann Leonhard Kratz born 8.March at Dudenhofen/Hanau.1759 Father Peter Kratz died 2. May 1759.1770 Leonhard starts a six-year apprenticeship with Master weaver Johann Mahr.1776 Conscripted to Hanau Regt.Erbprinz, 3.Comp., Regimentleft Hanau 15.March 1776, arrived at Quebec 1.June 17761777 Taken prisoner with General Burgoyne in Saratoga in Oct., and marched to prison camp Winter Hill/Boston.1778 At Winter Hill until Novemeber, and from there to Charlottesville, Virginia.1779 Arriving at prison camp Charlottesville on 14.Jan.1779, escaped 31.May from camp and found shelter by German settler Munger, farming in the Shenandoah valley. Went with Munger's waggon train to Kentucky, on the way married Munger's daughter Mary. 1780 Captured by Capt.Bird's British and Indian troops at Ruddell's fort in Kentucky, and taken as prisoner to Detroit. Released in August and settled with wife Mary as farmer for landowner Macomb on Hog Island in the Detroit River.1782 Son Peter born on Hog Island (died 1783). In Fall of 1782 secured his farm crop, left his family on Hog Isl. Got as far as Niagara to Butler's Rangers on 6.October.1783 After having been listed as a Casual from Oct., left Niagara appr. 8.May, and reported back to his old Regt. Erbprinz in St.Antoine, Quebec on 29. May 1783. He went back with his Regiment to Germany leaving Quebec in August and arriving at garrison city of Hanau in Nov.1784 On duty at barracks in Hanau. While on furlough together with his comrade Nikolaus Hamann of Dudenhofen had a drink, did some damage, was jailed, and probably with the help of his officer, escaped from jail with his comrade Hamann. Both are listed in the Regiments files as having deserted, and they somehow made their way back to Canada. Hamann remained in Quebec, while Leonhard returned to Hog Island during the summer, where he learned that his son Peter had died.1785 Returning to farming. Daughter Susannah born 23.July 1785 at Hog Island.1786 Son Peter born 29.Nov. at Trenton, near Detroit, after leaving Hog Island on account of Indian trouble.1787 Started farming on Gross Isle for the Macombs. Received land ticket for lot 12.1788 Daughter Isabella born on Grosse Isle, 17. May.1789 Daughter Catharina born on Grosse Isle, the fourth living child.1790 Petitions for lot 31 of John Wirt, and petition for in name of son Peter for lot 12.1791 Daughter Mary born on Grosse Isle.1792 Landboard approves transfer of lot 12 for lot 2 and Kratz family moves to Gosfield Ts.1793 Daughter Elizabeth born in Gosfield Ts.1795 Son Leonard born in Gosfield Ts.1797 Son Henry born in Gosfield Ts.1801 Son John born in Gosfield Ts.1829 Leonhard Kratz aka. Leonard Scratch passed away on 12.August 1829, and was buried at the shores of Lake Erie, on his lot no.2 where he has built his house.1823, Leonhard and his wife Mary built a large and spacious brick house near Lake Erie. There they spent the remainder of their years. In my imagination, I can see him sitting and relaxing in the evening breezes at the sandy shores of Lake Erie, looking out over the endless expanse of water, thinking of his turbulent past, and, I am sure, thinking of his homeland so far away, which he left behind,never to see again. Leonhard passed away on the 12th of August 1829. He wished to be buried at his favourite place at the lake, and his family complied with his wish. A few years later, one of hose famous Lake Erie storms swept over the shores and washed his grave out into the deep waters of the lake. A fitting end to the remains of a man who crossed the ocean in search of love, freedom, and happiness, and who could find no rest.Leonhard Kratz, the "Hessian", was a true Canadian pioneer,and Canada, his adopted country, was fortunate to have beenHis choice. --------E N D-------------
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