Hoffman

Johann Balthasar Hoffman, son of Phillip Hoffman, was born in Mittelgründau and baptized on 21 June 1719.  Balthasar, a linen weaver, married Anna Catharina on 29 March 1742.  The Gründau parish records report the baptisms and deaths of four chidren, all born in Mittelgründau:  Johann Michael, born 3 April, baptized 7 April 1743, died 5 February 1749; Catharina, born 3 July, baptized 4 July 1745, died 14 Feb 1757; Eva, born 8 February, baptized 11 February 1748, died 24 May 1756; and Anna Margaretha, born 26 December 1750, baptized 1 January 1751, died 31 May 1762.  Anna Catharina died on 4 January 1751.  On 8 June 1752, Balthasar married Friederica Christina Maria Müller, daughter of the late Johannes Müller of Altenhaßlau.  The Gründau parish records report baptisms and deaths of four more children:  Julianna, born 9 March, baptized 10 March, died 16 May 1757; Johannes, born 9 October, baptized 11 Oct 1758, death date unknown; Elisabetha, birth date unknown, died 31 May 1763; and Elisabetha, born 18 August and baptized 26 August, 1765.  

Balthasar, his wife, and child Elisabeth, arrived in Russia on 4 July 1766.  He settles in Messer along with his wife and child Katharina, and are reported on the Messer First Settler's List in Family #54.