The Johannes and Johann Georg Eisel (also Eÿsel or Eusel) families settled in the colony of Norka in August 1767. The two Eisel men are probably brothers.
Johannes Eisel was probably born in Herfa. His baptism was recorded at the parish church in Friedewald on 28 April 1728. He is the son of Johann Heinrich Eisel and his wife Anna Martha. Johannes married Anna Christina Becker on 4 April 1762 in Ronshausen. Anna Christina is the daughter of the colonist Anton Becker (Bäcker) from Ronshausen and his first wife, Anna Barbara Bachmann. Johannes and Anna Christina had two children who were born in Ronshausen:
- Joachim, baptized 23 August 1762
- Anna Elisabeth, baptized 4 April 1765
Johann Georg Eisel was probably born in Herfa, and his baptism was recorded at the parish church in Friedewald in November 1740. He is the son of Johann Heinrich Eisel and his wife Anna Barbara. Johann Georg married Anna Catharina Becker on 8 July 1765 in Ronshausen. Anna Catharina is also the daughter of Anton and Anna Barbara Becker. Johann Georg and Anna Christina had two children in Ronshausen prior to their marriage:
- Johann Heinrich, baptized 17 September 1762, died before 19 July 1766
- Anna Catharina Elisabeth, baptized 15 February 1764
Both Eisel families decided to become Russian colonists. They sailed from Lübeck and arrived in Oranienbaum, Russia, on 19 July 1766, as public colonists aboard the ship "Fortitudo" commanded by John Scott. Also aboard this ship were Anna Christina and Anna Catharina's father, Anton Becker, and his second wife, and their brother, Johann George Becker, and his family.
All of the surviving members of the Eisel and Becker families arrived in the colony of Norka on 15 August 1767.
Johannes and Anna Christina are recorded in the 1767 census as household 154. Their son, Joachim, died en route to the settlement area.
Johann Georg and Anna Catharina Eisel, and their daughter Anna Catharina Elisabeth, are recorded in the 1767 census as household 149.
Anton Becker and his second wife, Maria Catharina, are listed in household 160 of the 1767 census of Norka. Anton's son, Johann George, and his family are listed in household 159.
Parish records of Ronshausen Hersfeld-Rotenburg 1714-1773 on Archion.de
Parish records of Friedewald Hersfeld-Rotenburg 1717-1801 on Archion.de
Idt, Andreas and Georg Rauschenbach. Deutsche Kolonisten im Jahr 1766 in Oranienbaum und in den Siedlungsorten – Die Kuhlberg-Listen. 2nd Edition. Nos. 3604, 3607, 3608, and 3650.
Pleve, Igor. Einwanderung in das Wolgagebiet, 1764-1767, Band 3 (Göttingen: Göttinger Arbeitskreis, 2005): Pgs. 269, 270, 272.
