Jacob Bock^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}

1789 - 1867  (78 years)

• Name	Jacob Bock
  Born	18 Feb 1789	, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania   [1, 5, 6, 7, 8]
  Gender	Male
  Birth	18 Feb 1798
  Land	Wilmot Township - Block A Concession 4 Lot 09, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Land	1816	Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 118, Waterloo County, Ontario   [9]
  Public Service	1823	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [10]
  	Assessor - Waterloo Township
  Public Service	1823	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [10]
  	Clerk - Waterloo Township
  Land	1831	Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 118, Waterloo County, Ontario
  Military	War of 1812
  Public Service	1843	Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [10]
  	Assessor - Wilmot Township
  Occupation	1852	Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	potter
  		redware barrel by Jacob Bock This small redware barrel by Jacob Bock is signed "1827 Waterloo." Bock, who lived in Wilmot Township, was one of the earliest documented potters in Ontario PHOTO SOURCE: JOSEPH SCHNEIDER HAUS, REGION OF WATERLOO/PRIVATE COLLECTION
  Occupation	1861	Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Retired Farmer
  Residence	1861	Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Mennonite
  Eby ID Number	00012-1130
  Died	18 Mar 1867	Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 5, 6, 12]
  Buried	Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario   [5]
  Person ID	I15934	Generations
  Last Modified	25 Apr 2024

  
  

  Mother	Mary Reichert,   b. 1769, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Married	, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania   [1]
  Family ID	F2561	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Father	Frederick Bock,   b. 21 Feb 1769, , Wuerttemberg, Germany ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Mother	Mary Reichert,   b. 1769, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Married	1795	, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania   [1, 3]
  Family ID	F2560	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Catharine Shupe,   b. 29 Mar 1798, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 2 May 1869, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 71 years)
  Children	1. Levi Bock,   b. 20 May 1815, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 19 Nov 1880, Near New Dundee, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 65 years)   2. John Bock,   b. 24 Sep 1816, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 17 Oct 1892, Near New Dundee, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 76 years)   3. Mary Bock,   b. 1 May 1818, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 28 Jul 1900, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 82 years)   4. Elizabeth Bock,   b. 25 Oct 1819, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 12 Oct 1851, Near New Dundee, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 31 years)   5. Catharine Bock,   b. 15 Feb 1821, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 24 Nov 1897, Near, Berne, Huron Co., Michigan  (Age 76 years)   6. Magdalena Bock,   b. 4 Aug 1822, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 15 Aug 1876, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 54 years)   7. David Bock,   b. 19 Feb 1824, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 24 Jan 1903, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 78 years)   8. Rebecca Bock,   b. 6 Sep 1825, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   9. Jacob Bock,   b. 2 Apr 1828, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   10. Benjamin Bock,   b. 7 May 1830, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 14 Mar 1911, Carnarvon Township, Manitoulin Island, Algoma District, Ontario  (Age 80 years)   11. Gideon Bock,   b. 18 May 1832, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 16 Jun 1849, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 17 years)   12. Samuel Bock,   b. 11 Aug 1834, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 10 Feb 1840, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 5 years)   13. Frederick Bock,   b. 19 Apr 1836, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada ,   d. 9 Aug 1836, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 0 years)   14. Ezra Bock,   b. 23 Jun 1837, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 23 Jun 1837, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 0 years)   15. Susannah Bock,   b. 11 May 1840, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 3 Nov 1924, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 84 years)
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F2102	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Catherine Shupe,   b. 1796, , USA ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Married	1815  [8]
  Children	1. Magdalena Bock,   b. 1823, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Susan Bock,   b. 1839, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F263832	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Bock, Jacob & (Katherine Shupe) homestead.jpg Comment: Built early 1800's~~Location: New Dundee, Ontario, Canada~~Date: ~~Photographic process: Gelatin-silver~~Original photograph size: 126x89mm~~Photograph contributed by: Mel L. Bock of Clearwater, Florida, USA~~Photographer (if known):

  
  

• Notes

  Jacob Bock, "was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 18th, 1798. He came to Canada when a mere lad and made his home with his uncle, Christian Reichart, who resided at Freeport, Ontario. He was married to Catharine daughter of old John and Elizabeth (Diefenbacher) Shupe. She was born March 29th 1798, and died May 2nd, 1869. He died March 18th 1867. The resided near New Dundee, Ontario, on the farm now possessed by Mr. David E. Bergey. To them was born a family of fifteen children" Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.]. _________________________________ On the 18th of March, in Wilmot Township, Waterloo Co., C.W., JACOB BOCK, aged 78 years and one month. He leaves a widow and ten children to mourn their loss. Funeral sermons were preached by the brethren George Smith and Moses Bowman. He was a Deacon in the Mennonite Church for 24 years. L.B. HERALD OF TRUTH - Volume IV, Number 5 - May 1867 - Page 78 ____________________________________ Jacob Bock's Will: The last will and testament of Jacob Bock the Elder of the Township of Wilmot in the County of Waterloo, in the Province of Upper Canada. I Jacob Bock considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being yet of sound mind and memory thanks be to God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament in the following manner and form. First, I will that my funeral expenses and other lawful debts shall as soon as may be paid by hereinafter named Executor out of my Estate. I will that after my death my beloved wife Katharine shall have and own and possess all the household furniture together with all and singular the effects commodities and income from the farm on which we now live and every property that I may be in possession of at my death the same to have and to hold for her own use and benefit as long as she shall live. I Will that after her death all the household furniture and all her private property shall he appraised and sold by my after named executor to the best advantage either public or private as to him shall seem most fit and proper. I also will that my daughter Magdalena shall have the sum of One Hundred Dollars and the privilege of taking any article at the appraisment for her own use, all this over and above her lawful share. I Will that one year after the demise of myself and wife my Estate shall be settled and a division made among all my children so they all receive ever equal and alike, and concerning the legacy in my favor from my Brother John's Estate in the State of Pennsylvania when that becomes due and is collected then I Will that that also be divided even equal and alike, and lastly that Wendle Hallman of the Township of Wilmot in the County of Waterloo and Province of Upper Canada be constituted and appointed the Executor of this my last will and Testament and he is hereby enpowered to collect debts grant receipts and to do my thing and everything that may be required in settling up the Estate, revoking all former wills heretofore by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of January one thousand eight hundred and sixty one. Signed, Jacob Bock Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said Jacob Bock as his last will and testament in the presence of us, who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed their names. Signed, John Hallman; Jacob Bock, Junior. Filed for recording, October 27 A.D. 1876. A true copy taken from the original Nov. 16, 1876. A. A. Skinner, Register. (Source: Will Book, Vol H., Page ________________________________ JACOB BOCK (1789-1867): WATERLOO COUNTY'S FIRST POTTER by Michael Bird Dr. Bird, an associate professor of Religious Studies at Renison College, University of Waterloo, has made an extensive study of Germanic folk arts and crafts in Ontario and is the author of a number of books and articles dealing with the subject. The tradition of village craftsmanship was particularly strong throughout the 19th century in Waterloo County, supported by the German settlers and their descendants who patronized local cabinetmakers, blacksmiths, weavers and potters. Of special interest is a Mennonite craftsman who produced redware pottery in the 1820s, making him the earliest known potter of Waterloo County, and one of the earliest in Upper Canada. During the early waves of emigration from Pennsylvania to Waterloo Township, numerous talented craftsmen brought with them the necessary skills required by a fledgling community along the Grand River. Among these early settlers appears the name of Jacob Bock, a Pennsylvania-German Mennonite whose family made the trek from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Canada in the early 1800s. According to the account of local historian Ezra E. Eby, Jacob Bock came to Canada when a mere lad and made his home with his uncle, Christian Reichert, who resided at Freeport, Ontario.(Footnote 1) Married to Catharine Shupe (1798-1869), he lived in the Freeport area until eventually moving a few miles further to the west, where he took up farming near New Dundee, settling on the farm later owned by David E. Bergey. Throughout his life, Jacob Bock was to serve the local community in various capacities, including both civic and religious functions. In 1823 he was appointed township clerk, a task he performed until 1827, when the position was filled by David Clemens. (Footnote 2) Bock returned to these duties in later years. In a letter written in 1844 to his brothers John and David, of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, Jacob narrates the following interesting story: I myself have now been confined for two weeks with a sore foot. I had for two years to travel our township regularly to take the assessment, and this year on the 8th of March, when on my return home after taking my route, my horse fell with me and bruised my right foot in such a manner that after riding about a mile my foot swelled so that I had to cut the boot to get it off. (Footnote 3) In addition to his services as township clerk, Jacob Bock accepted, somewhat reluctantly, the township position of superintendent of Common Schools, which he described as a very critical, harassing, difficult, unprofitable and like-wise responsible business, and an imposed task which ...I still expect to get through with credit to myself and without incurring any penalty. (Footnote 4) That Jacob Bock was a man of strong religious character is attested by family recollection and by notes preserved by descendants, (Footnote 5) and by the fact he was ordained the first deacon in the Blenheim Mennonite Church, assuming that position in 1841. (Footnote 6) He served in this capacity until his death in 1867, when he was succeeded by John Cressman. (Footnote 7) On the basis of known signed and dated pieces, it appears that the pottery-making career of Jacob Bock was brief and of modest proportion. The positively identifiable crocks from his hand were made within a few short years. Most were made in a single year, 1825, between the dates of January 4 and September 17. One jar is dated 1822, making it possibly the earliest known surviving example of Ontario redware pottery. That pottery-making was a short-lived activity is suggested in the remark by descendants, pottery-making must have been a sideline for him; he was really a farmer first and foremost. (Footnote 8) Pottery examples attributable to Jacob Bock are few in number, but include several unusual straight-sided earthenware jars with applied decoration in the form of faces and a figure labelled S. Ambrosius. From these pieces it is apparent that he employed a mould with which he was able to fashion identical details. Made of dark earthenware, these jars are finished with transparent glaze. They do not possess the dramatic mottling or spatter technique used by many Germanic potters in Ontario, although the interiors are finished with a black speckling similar to that used by later Waterloo County potters such as William K. Eby (1831-1910) of Conestogo. The choice of design motifs on the Bock earthenware jars suggests the possibility that he was familiar with comparatively sophisticated European press-moulded ceramics. Such applied figurative details are to be seen also on stoneware pottery. It is not inconceivable that he had seen a single piece from which he adapted general design arrangements used in his own work. The figure of St. Ambrosius, known traditionally as patron saint of bees, is imprinted four times on some jars, while on the September 17, 1825 example it appears twice. Some jars have a small number of applied faces, while the September 17 jar has this detail applied in 46 places around the exterior of the piece! In contrast to much simple utilitarian earthenware of Ontario's Germanic settlements, the pieces made by Jacob Bock present an almost formal appearance, an effect to be achieved again at a much later date by Germanic potters in Huron County who produced urns and flowerpots with applied sprigs and floral embellishments. While Jacob Bock made a very small number of jars during a brief period for localized use, these later potters manufactured a large quantity of decorated earthenware over a lengthy period for comparatively wide distribution. Two other pre-1830 pottery examples found in Waterloo County are of somewhat less certain attribution. One is a simple storage jar with the date 1820 inscribed on the bottom, found in Preston (Cambridge). Another is a redware barrel, inscribed Waterloo 1827. The signature on this piece, if by the same hand, suggests a production of at least five years. If by another hand, it raises the intriguing possibility of two potters at work in Waterloo Township at an extremely early date. Although the pottery-making career of Jacob Bock was of short duration, it is interesting that he apparently continued to think of himself as a craftsman until late in life. Indeed, in the 1851 Ontario Census there appears a last descriptive entry: Jacob Bock potter retired craftsman. (Footnote 9) FOOTNOTES 1. Ezra E. Eby, A Biographical History of Early Settlers and Their Descendants in Waterloo Township (Kitchener: reprinted by Eldon D. Weber, 1971), p. 69. 2. Waterloo Historical Society, vol. 16 (1928), p. 39. 3. Waterloo Historical Society, vol. 50 (1962), p. 93. 4. Ibid., p. 93. 5. Much helpful information was generously provided to the writer by Evelyn Blundell, Mildred Lehman and other descendants in conversations in August and September, 1980. 6. Cf. L. J. Burkholder, A Brief History of the Mennonites in Ontario (Toronto, 1935), p. 280. 7. Ibid., p. 64. 8. Cameron Bock of New Dundee made this observation in conversations with the author in January, 1980, indicating that it was a generally-held view among family descendants. 9. Recorded in 1851 Ontario Census Returns, District 2, Wilmot Township, Waterloo County, p. 69. (Source: Waterloo Historical Society, Volume 20, 1982) ________________ "... On the 18th day of June, 1812, President Madison declared war against England. This placed the Pennsylvania people in a very trying position and as they could not be induced to take up arms, they were pressed into service as teamsters and were obliged to furnish their own horses. Ox-teams were employed when no horses were to be had. Those who were required to serve in this capacity were Christian Schneider Jr., Peter Erb, Joseph Eby, Samuel Eschelman, Benjamin Springer, Frederick Herner, Jacob Bock, Henry Pannebecker, John Scheirich, Henry Wismer, John Biehn, Adam Shupe and Wildfong. In January, 1813, General Proctor defeated the Americans near Detroit, capturing General Wilkinson with 500 men. In September General Harrison having been joined by a fierce body of riflemen from Kentucky, advanced towards Detroit in such force that General Proctor crossed the Detroit River and retreated up the Thames. On being followed by the American Army of 3500 men, he made a stand at Moraviantown with 800 British and 500 Indians under Tecumseh. This warrior was killed, and Proctor retreated in great confusion to Burlington Heights in order to join the Niagara Army. A number of the Waterloo people were up at the battle on the Thames. These Waterloo boys acting as teamsters had taken shelter in a swamp near by while the battle was being fought. An officer of the British army, seeing that all was lost, gave them warning, said 'Boys, all is lost, clear out and make the best you can,' upon which some ran, while others unhitched their horses and rode off for their lives. Christian Schneider Jr., who carried the money-safe on his wagon, cleared out on his horses, leaving the wagon with all its contents behind. In this defeat old Adam Shupe was taken prisoner by the Americans. He was taken before General Harrison who, perceiving his innocent and harmless appearance, dismissed him and granted him permission to return to his Canadian home. He lost both his horses and wagon. Christian Schneider was away the greater part of the summer. On his first trip he had a two-horse team. After being home a few weeks he had to go again, this time with a four-horse team. During this war which lasted a little more than two years, quite a number of small battles were fought in the Niagara Peninsula and in the vicinity of Detroit. Quite a few of these Pennsylvania Dutch boys were pressed to serve as teamsters and exposed to all manner of danger, but strange to say, not one lost his life through the war. On the 24th of December, 1814, peace was made between England and the United States, leaving each in exactly the same position as they had been before the war. After peace was restored the government of Canada fully compensated those teamsters for their losses during the war and for their valuable services. Christian Schneider Jr. was paid $5.00 a day for the time he served with a two-horse team, and $8.00 per day for a four-horse team, besides they were paid for horses and wagons that were lost during the time they served the government." Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

  
  

• Sources

  [S3] Book - Vol I A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other townships of the county : being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin..., 283. [S3] Book - Vol I A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other townships of the county : being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin..., 781. [S10] Book - Vol II A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other townships of the county : being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin..., 158. [S10] Book - Vol II A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other townships of the county : being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin..., 193. [S138] Cemetery - ON, Oxford, Blenheim - Blenheim Mennonite Internet Link Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery online. Zum undenken von/ Jacob Bock/ geb. Feb 18, 1798/ geft Marz 18-, 1867/ ulter 78 jahre u. 1 m.1 [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 28 Mar 1867. Jakob Bock died 18 Mar 1867 near New Dundee, 78 yrs, 1 mth. [S134] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1851, Div 2 Pg 17. Jacob BOCK Potter USA Mennonite 63 Catherine BOCK USA Mennonite 54 Magdalen BOCK Canada Mennonite 30 Benjamin BOCK Carpenter Canada Mennonite 22 Susanna BOCK Canada Mennonite 12 [S844] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1861, Sect. 1 Page 4. [S1322] Land - Founding Families of Waterloo Township 1800-1830, 14. [S1449] Book - Grassroots Government Biographies of Waterloo Township Councillors. [S134] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1851, Div 2 Pg 17. [S32] News - Herald of Truth, Volume IV, Number 5 - May 1867 - Page 78.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 18 Feb 1789 - , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania Land - - Wilmot Township - Block A Concession 4 Lot 09, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Land - 1816 - Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 118, Waterloo County, Ontario Public Service - Assessor - Waterloo Township - 1823 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Public Service - Clerk - Waterloo Township - 1823 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Land - 1831 - Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 118, Waterloo County, Ontario Public Service - Assessor - Wilmot Township - 1843 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - potter - 1852 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Retired Farmer - 1861 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Mennonite - 1861 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 18 Mar 1867 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Blenheim Township, Oxford Co., Ontario  = Link to Google Earth