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At this point in our research we have traced our Zimmermans back to Johann Jacob Zimmerman, born 1644 in Germany. He, his wife, Maria Margaretha Schaal Zimmerman, and at least 4 children were preparing to depart for America in 1693 when Johann Jacob died. In 1694 Maria Margaretha and her children, Phillip Christian, Maria Margaretha, Matthias, and Jacob Christopher, set sail for America. Arriving in Philadelphia 6 months later, most members stayed in the Philadelphia and Berks County area until the late 1700's and early 1800's. Several of the earliest members of this family were Mennonites with many buried in Skippack Cemetery in Philadelphia. Liz Allison, on her research trip to MontgomeryCo, PA in February, 1998, found the tombstones of Sibella VanFossen Zimmerman; Lenhard Zzimmerman (next to Sibella); Mary Engle Zimmerman and her husband, Arnold Zimmerman; Susanna Zimmerman (no dates); Elizabeth Supplee Zimmerman and Jacob Zimmerman, her husband; Christopher and Magdalena Shutt Zimmerman, his wife. These early Zimmermans were Mennonites. From the book "The Creation, Founding and Early Settlers of Bebber's Township, PennsylvaniaCo, Province of Pennsylvania, 1702" comes the following: Johann Jacob was the author of 18 published works on theology and astronomy. He was a professor of mathematics in Heidelburg, Germany from 1684-1689. They were on the ship "Santa Maria" which left London February, 1694. They landed at Bohemia Manor (cecilCo, MD), arrived in Philadephia June 23, 1694, and proceeded to Germantown. From Pennsylvania several of them went to Blount County, Tennessee, but apparently for only a short period of time, perhaps 20-30 years. Those found were located about 10-15 miles south of Maryville owning property on Nine Mile Creek. Others appear to have gone directly to Ohio, mainly to Butler County. At this point there are so many of them in the area, we have yet to unravel them. It is in both Tennessee and Ohio that the Zimmerman name has been changed to Timmerman and Timberman. |
Lastupdated September 16, 1998