Johannes Han, AKA Johannes Hand
American name: John Hand
1767-1846

John Hand was reportedly large and powerfully built. He was respected by both his fellowmen and the native peoples alike. It is rumored he married twice, once to a Pennsylvania Dutch girl, and a second time to the daughter of a Delaware Indian Chief. I have found no evidence that a second marriage took place.

Things that are strictly evidentiary: In 1788, John Hand took up land in lower Mohantongo Township, now Tower City, Pennsylvania, and settled there. On April 1, 1788, John Hand signed an agreement with Daniel Williams, father of the Williams Valley. In this agreement, he repeatedly signed as 'John Han.' Other contracts were signed as 'Johannes Hand,' and in most of the later paper trail, he uses the more shortened version still, John Hand, which was to become his American name. During his lifetime he amassed quite a bit of land in this region. One report, an account from his great great grandson, Harvey D. Hand, born 1902, of Muir, Pennsylvania, claimed John Hand, Sr. "was the owner of all the land in these parts for as far as the eye could see." Like his fellowmen Quakers, John Hand was a devoutly religious man, hard working, civic-minded, hard-headed from some accounts, and conducted his affairs in the local German dialect. He was a very active member in his community, contributing to the development of much municipal infrastructure. John Hand had 13 children with the Hand last name and died in 1877.

	John Hand, Jr., 1791-1877. Son of Johannes Han and Margraid.

Eldest son's descendant line: Johannes Han's first born son, John Hand, Jr., had four sons of his own that I know of: Edward, John, David, and Joseph. Edward Hand, eldest son of John Hand, Jr., was born 1830 and grew up to become a farmer, minister and a blacksmith by trade. He married Elizabeth Updegrove on February 3, 1856, and together they had thirteen children. (Catherine Alice Hand 1856, John Franklin Hand 1858-1919, Elmira Hand 1859-1871, Charles Henry Hand 1861-1911, Albert Hand 1863-1934, William Geary Hand 1865-1926, Edward Hand 1867-1868, Lizzie Agnes Hand 1869-1943, George Grant Hand 1871-1948, Emma Jane Hand 1873-1917, Milton Forrest Hand 1875-1914, Edwin Wesley 1877-1906, and one final daughter born dead in 1880.) Through his eldest son John, and his eldest son Edward, and his eldest son John Franklin Hand, Johannes Han is my 5th-great-grandfather.

I've collected names other than those in my own immediate branch. If you are looking for a Hand descended from Johannes, I might be of help. There are also a few names and dates listed on the Descendants Outline page. You might want to look there first.