Jonas (Jonathan) Kohn-Zerkowitz

JONAS [JONATHAN] KOHN-ZERKOWITZ, b. Trebic, 1765, son of Simon Kohn-Zerkowitz and his first wife Nechama; d. in Obuda, c.Dec 1821, age about 55 yrs.

Because he did not have familianten status, he moved over the border into Hungary at around age 20. He went first to Trencsen City (c1785) where his brother Simon was living. He stayed there perhaps 2-3 years before then moving to Obuda [now Budapest]. He was living in Obuda as early as 1790 – his older son Leopold, born in 1790, is said to have been born there. However, he seems to have been in financial distress in Oct 1793 when he was “unable to pay tax”: Vetus Buda / Obuda, Hungary, October 1793: ZERKOVA, Jonathan – unable to pay tax because of death, emigration, or impoverishment”.

He was visiting his native Trebic in Jul 1797 when he served (along with his father Simon) as a witness of the marriage of his sister Barbara to Markus Diamand .

Over the years, as a “peddler” in Obuda, he became more financially secure, and close to his death, had a servant residing in his household. V. Buda / Obuda, 1821-1822: ZERKOVICZ, Jonathan, peddler, with wife, one son, one daughter, and one servant. His occupation was said to have been a pipe carver.

His first wife, whom he m. c1788, was Lea [Leonora], b. c1768. She died in Obuda prior to 1804.

His second wife, whom he m. c1804, was Barbara [Babetti] [Elisabeth] [%E2%80%9CBetty%E2%80%9D] Graner, b. Hungary, c1768; d. Obuda, 1836. She was a widow living in Obuda in 1828 -- Obuda, 1828: CZERKOWITZ, Barb.