FROM: http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj17.htm : JOHN NEPOMUCENE Also known as John of Nepomuk; John Wolflin; Martyr of the Confessional Memorial: 16 May Profile While a child, he was cured by the prayers of his parents; they then consecrated him to God. Priest. Great preacher who converted thousands. Vicar-general of Prague. Counselor and advocate of the poor in the court of King Wenceslaus IV. Refused several bishoprics. Confessor to the queen, and taught her to bear the cross of her ill-tempered husband the king. Imprisoned for refusing to disclose the queen's confession to the king. When he continued to honor the seal of the confessional, he was ordered executed. Symbol of Bohemian nationalism. His image has been used in art as a symbol of the sacrament of Confession, and many bridges in Europe bear his likeness as their protector. Born c..1340 as John Wolflin at Nepomuk, Bohemia. Died: burned, then tied to a wheel and thrown off a bridge into the Moldau River on 20 March 1393; on the night of his death, seven stars hovered over the placed where he drowned. Canonized in 1729. Name Meaning God is gracious ( = John) Patron: against calumnies, against indiscretions, against slander, Bohemia, bridge builders, bridges, confessors, Czech Republic, discretion, floods, good confession, running water, silence. -----Original Message----- From: SharonCL [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 2:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ILCLINTON] Re: Name of Nepomuk Greetings, Read through your line. It may interest you to know that the name "Nepomuk" is an ancient statement of the name "John", "Johan", "Johannes". I have an explanation of the legend regarding St John being the saint that guards bridges, but it is in low German and I cannot get it translated. I found this name in my husband's family who lived in Bavaria. Maybe your family lived in Bavaria. Best wishes and Happy holidays. SharonCL ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2002 10:50 AM Subject: [ILCLINTON] Re: Family research > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/ig.2ADE/7.2 > > Message Board Post: > > Hello, > > I have listings in my wife's line with many Middekes. Maybe you have some info that can help. We would be willing to share what we have so far. Her line is as follows: > > Johan Herm nee Escher Middeke, b. 1764, d. March 21, 1841 in Hertmann Germany, married to Anna Maria Adelheidis Moller, b. Oct 10, 1772 and died June 17, 1838 in Hertmann, Germany. They had a daughter Maria Margaretha Middeke, b. Aug. 14, 1798 d. July 18, 1863 in Hertmann Germany. She married Johan Nepomuk Hinkamp, b. Sep 22, 1792 and d. Oct. 2, 1868 also in Hertmann Germany. He too the Middeke name from the farm they were living on. They had a son Johan Arnold Bernard Middeke, b. Dec 2, 1821 in Germany and d. April 21, 1886 in St. Rose, Clinton Co., IL. He married Clara Leuwekamp, b. May 22, 1832 and d. March 24, 1910 in St. Rose, Clinton Co., IL. They had a daughter Margaretha Middeke, b. Feb 14, 1862 in Clinton Co., IL and d. June 26, 1917 in Beckemeyer, Clinton Co., IL. She married Theodore Detmer, thus my wifes paternal line towards Gail (Detmer) Jones, my wife. Her mother still lives in Clinton County and we visit often. > > If any of this looks familiar, or you have any further information to add, please let me know and maybe we can get a copy or visit when we come over that way. Thanks for any help you may have! > > Patrick