Jacob Friedrich Spoering, Back to Germany

St. Andreas, Verden

*Hermann Heinrich "Henry" Spoering, his wife, and several children left Germany to emigrate to America in 1882, leaving several siblings behind. His father was Jacob Friedrich Spoering, who died before Henry left Germany.  

Jacob Friedrich Spoering was born on Farm 5, Stedebergen, Verden, Lower Saxony, Germany on July 18, 1810, and was baptized at Saint Andreas Church (Lutheran) on July 21, 1810.

St. Johannes, Visselhoevede

 He married Catharina Margareta Norden, daughter of Johann Juergen and Anna Margareta (Bremer) Spoering on December 2, 1841, in Visselhovede, Germany. Jacob was about 31 at this time and Catharina, about ten years younger, born January 15, 1821, in Hollehrden.  The couple married in Visselhovede at the St. Johanniskirche (the same church some of the Ellings attended).

This is the marriage document for Jacob F. Spoering,  son of Johann Spoering, family cottager in Stedebergen and Catharina Margaretha Norden, daughter of Johann Juergen Norden, householder in Hollehrden.

Catharina was born in Hollehrden (now Lehrden), Rotenberg, Wumme, Lower Saxony.  At some point, Jacob and Catharina moved from the Stedebergen Farm 5  to Hollehrden before their first child, Johann Friedrich Spoering was born on October 15, 1842.  Since Jacob F. was the youngest son, he may have moved to the Norden farm of his wife, perhaps having a cash settlement from his father because he did not inherit Farm 5 Stedebergen and/or a dowry/farm from his wife's family, the Nordens

So Herman Heinrich was the second son, born on January 16, 1845, and an only daughter, Ilse Catharina Maria, came on November 16, 1847.  Last, the youngest child was Hermann Diedrich, born on June 24, 1850.

Stellichte (home of the Elling ancestors before immigrating) is just east of Lehrden (Hollehrden).  Stedebergen, a very small village is just south of Lehrden, Rotenberg, Wumme, Lower Saxony, Germany. It does not show up on this map.
The social circle of the people of this time was very small, as the only way to travel was by horse, horse and cart, or walking. For instance, the distance between Lehrden and Stellichte (Ellings) is 3.2 km. (The Spoerings and the Ellings lived quite close together, but may or may not have known each other.)  Perhaps about a 10 mile radius would be the limit for traveling from home.

The death date for Jacob Friedrich is thought to be July 14, 1860 in Hollehrden.  A death record for Catharina could not be found.
These are my great-great grandparents.