 PREFACE
The publication of the “Genealogical Record of The Schwenkfelders” in 1879 was a pioneer work. The question has often been asked—What were the motives that led the Schwenkfelders to undertake such a unique piece of work?—for it is not known that the descendants of any other group of religious refugees who migrated to Pennsylvania undertook a similar task. It is difficult to describe the motives that led the Schwenkfelders of fifty years ago to engage in such an undertaking. The fact that there have always been among the Schwenkfelders a few men and women who had the foresight to put on paper, either in the form of diaries or in chronological records, the main facts pertaining to the history of this unique group of people, is worthy of notice. Not only were diaries kept, as is explained in the pages of this book, but birth, marriage and death records of the adherents of the denomination were faithfully recorded by one or more of the emigrants. Had it not been for these faithful diarists and chroniclers, the complete accounts of the various phases of the early Schwenkfelder activities found in this book, would not have been possible.
From the minutes of the “Schwenkfelder Society,” we learn that at various times after the organization of the body in 1782, a proposal to publish a more complete list of the writings of Caspar von Schwenckfeld, together with the main facts of the history of the body of people called “Schwenk-felders” than had yet appeared, had been under consideration.
Prior to this time the only publication of any prominence regarding the Schwenkfelders was the “Erlauterung fiir Herrn Caspar Schwenckfeld und die zugethanen seiner Lehre,” written by Rev. Christopher Schultz in 1771, which is a vindication of Schwenckfeld and his adherents, with a brief history of their wanderings up to 1740, together with a summary of their confession of faith.
A short time prior to 1768, several copies of the “Preussische Heiden Staats und lebens Geschichte Friedrich II,” printed in Tubingen in 1760, had come into the hands of the Schwenkfelders in PennsylÂvania. This publication reminded them of the royal invitation given them in 1742 by Frederick the Great to return to their estates in Silesia and to enjoy religious liberty. A meeting was therefore called in “Shippach” (Salford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania), and the “Fathers” decided to acquaint the world with the truth concerning their doctrine and history, the result of which was the publication of the “Erlauterung.” (See The Schwenkfeldian, Vol. V, p. 5.)
At the fall Conference of the “Schwenkfelder Society” in Worcester, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, held on October 30, 1875, letters were read from Robert Barclay of England, and Christopher Heydrick of Venango County, Pennsylvania, asking for information regarding the doctrines of Schwenckfeld, and the religious principles and practices of the congregation in America as well as historical accounts of the Schwenkfelders.
A committee consisting of Rev. Joshua Schultz, Daniel S. Schultz, and Rev. William Schultz of the Upper District; Samuel Anders, Rev. William S. Anders, and William A. Yeakle of the Lower District was appointed to answer these requests. The labors of this committee naturally turned the attention of their constituents to the subject of genealogy, and the result was the publication in 1879 of the pioneer work, “The Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders.”
This printing of the material collected by the various chroniclers of the Schwenkfelders must have aroused and awakened a desire for further investigation and study, as ten years afterwards in 1889, at the fall conference of the Church, held in Towamencin, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a resolution was passed to the effect that a “Family Register” of the members of the Society and their descendants should be made, or be continued from the date where the Genealogical Record ” (which we have in our possession)” ends. It was also decided that suitable persons should be appointed to keep and continue such a record.
As a result of this action Registrars were appointed in each District to keep records of births, marriages and deaths of -members of the congregation. But there was a strong desire among many of the members to have these records published, and at various times movements were started and committees appointed to devise ways and means to bring about the revision of the first Record.
At the Kriebel Family Reunion in 1905, a resolution was adopted that a Committee be appointed to prepare a new edition of the “Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders,” and in 1906 the Executive Committee sent out circulars giving reasons for the publication of a new edition. The committee appointed comprised the following: Howard W. Kriebel, Elmer K. Schultz, Jesse H. Snyder, Jr.,
 George K. Brecht, Wesley B. Beyer, Rev. William S. Anders, and Frank A. Hartranft. But due to a lack of sufficient encouragement in response to the circulars sent out, nothing came of the movement.
On February 22, 1912, a self-appointed committee met in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and likewise discussed plans for collecting statistics to be used in the publication of a revised edition of “The Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders.” A circular asking for genealogical information was sent to various heads of families, but no provision was made for financing the project nor for editing the material gathered.
The late Judge Christopher Heydrick of Franklin, Pennsylvania, one of the three original promoÂters of the “Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders” of 1879 (the other two being the late Gen. John F. Hartranft and the late Senator William A. Yeakle) maintained his interest in the genealogy of the Schwenkfelders up to the time of his death in 1914. In his conversation with the members of the Schwenkfelder Church he repeatedly urged the compilation of a new Genealogy of this people. Originally the promoters of the first Genealogical Record contemplated the translation and publication of valuable historical documents as part of the general program of the Record, but the plan was abanÂdoned; hence Judge Heydrick was exceedingly anxious that the new edition should contain as full an account of the history of the Schwenkfelders as it was possible to obtain.
In a letter written by Judge Heydrick just four days before his death, to a prominent Schwenkfelder he again made the statement that he was so fond of quoting, “I shall never forget that the late Senator Yeakle told me that in his researches preparatory to the publication of the Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders he had not heard of a single descendant of the immigrant Schwenkfelders of 1734 who had been convicted or even suspected of an immoral act. Can not something now be done to get the largest practical number of the now living descendants of the immigrant Schwenkfelders acquainted with one another and with the history of their ancestors? I beg leave to suggest that the proposed revision of the Genealogical Record of the Sehwenkfelders be made more historical than was heretofore thought of.” Furthermore one of the last requests made by Judge Heydrick of his family was to urge the Schwenkfelders to revise the “Genealogical Record.”
As a direct result of this request, the General Conference of the Schwenkfelder Church held at Palm, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1914, passed a resolution that “the matter of revising the Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders be referred to the Board of .Publication with power to act.” At the next meeting of the Conference another resolution was adopted authorizing the Board of Publication to devise means for publishing such a revised edition “without interfering with the financing of the `Corpus Schwenckfeldianorum’.”
Acting on this resolution the Board of Publication referred the matter to the Committee on Publication which was to have sole charge of formulating plans to comply with the resolutions passed by the General Conference. In order to defray the cost of the project, the Committee decided to secure a sufficient number of guarantors to underwrite the cost of collecting and editing the family records. By June, 1917, pledges to the amount of $2,500 were secured, whereupon the project was deputized to a sub-committee composed of representatives of the guarantors to be known as the “Publishing ComÂmittee” which was to have sole charge of collecting the family data, the editing of the same, and the distribution of the books when the work was completed.
At a joint meeting of the guarantors arid the Board of Publication held in Norristown, PennsylÂvania, the following were selected as the “Publishing Committee:” Elmer K. Schultz, Wayne C. Meschter, and Samuel K. Brecht. This committee met in Philadelphia soon after and organized with Elmer .K. Schultz, as chairman; Samuel K. Brecht, as Secretary and Editor; and Wayne C. Meschter, Treasurer. One of the first acts of the Committee was to increase the guaranty fund to $3,000. Samuel Yeakle and Dr. J. E. B. Buckenham were later added to the membership of the Committee.
The Editor immediately started assembling family records, taking over those already collected by the self-appointed committee mentioned above. The launching of such a project soon after the United States entered upon the World War was a bold undertaking as later events proved.
The Editor had not been engaged in his work many months before it was seen that the cost of assembling and editing the family data would exceed the $3,000 pledged, if the various clues of family relationships were to be carried out to their fullest extent. The Publishing Committee instructed him to proceed along the lines already outlined and to complete the book as soon as possible, with the assurance that the necessary funds for defraying the cost would be provided.
The ravages of the World War and the consequent unsettled conditions interfered very seriously with the collection of family records, and also vastly increased the cost of compiling the data so that the sum of $10,000 was spent in compiling and editing the material before it was ready for the printer.
It might be well to state that this sum does not include the cost of the paper, printing, distribution of the books, nor any editorial compensation. The data in connection within families has been compiled from the most reliable sources. Careful searches were made c.
records, cemeteries, family Bibles, church records and other historical documents, while pe.. interviews were had whenever possible. In general the data was recorded as given, and when conflicting information was obtained from different individuals, an effort was made to secure corroboratit data before it was inserted. The reader will find statements in the various families indicating that the records were not verified, or that complete information was unobtainable. In general when no other statement is made, the data was obtained from some immediate member of the family, or it was taken from the “Genealogical Record” of 1879.
An effort was made to revise the data to July, 1917, in those families whose records were obtained before that time, and in all other cases the information was recorded as of the time received by the Editor. However, many families took pains to keep the Editor informed of any changes in their records, and these facts have been inserted, in some cases up to December, 1922.
The many variations in the spelling of the family name by members of the same family have been a cause of much trouble to the Editor. He has been obliged to accept the spelling given on the family record blanks, and the reader will notice many cases where the spelling of the family name was changed by the children, or by brothers and sisters. In some instances parents and children do not agree as to dates of birth, death, and marriage of members of their own family. Likewise the examination of tombstones and family Bibles also occasionally produces conflicting data.
Special attention is called to the illustrations appearing in the book, many of which were taken especially for this publication. With the kind assistance of Dr. E. E. S. Johnson, it has been possible to include many European views illustrating typical scenes in the countries from which the immigrant Schwenkfelders fled. These were fortunately secured before the outbreak of the World War.
The Publishing Committee decided that with the exception of the ministry or groups of individuals illustrating certain phases of Schwenkfelder activities, photographs of living individuals should not be included in this publication. This will account for the omission of many portraits that otherwise would have been included, and the extreme modesty that has characterized most of the Schwenkfelders and their descendants has made it difficult to secure photographs to illustrate the various family groups.
The Chapters on the “Homes and Burial Places,” and “The Migrations of the Schwenkfelders” were prepared in large part by Howard Wiegner Kriebel who searched the deed books and collected the data for the plates “A to H” showing the location of the homes of the immigrant Schwenkfelders. These plates were made from drawings to scale from the abstracts of the deeds made by Mr. Kriebel. Most of the field work necessary to secure the data was also done by Mr. Kriebel who visited many cemeteries and copied the tombstone inscriptions of Schwenkfelder descendants. Deed books, wills, and administration books were carefully searched in order to establish connections between various families.
For more than thirty years Mr. Kriebel had been gathering material pertaining to the history of the Schwenkfelders and their descendants. He also made an intensive study of the immigrant lists to establish family connections, and all this material was placed at the disposal of the Editor, for which Mr. Kriebel deserves the gratitude of the Editor as well as of the readers. Without Mr. Kriebel’s co-operation it would not have been possible to secure much of the information included in this book.
The system of numbering the immigrants and the various families was also devised by Mr. Kriebel, and only slight modification was necessary to make the plan sufficiently flexible to adapt it to the manner in which it is used. [See “Explanations and Abbreviations.”] A study of the system of family numbering together with the scheme of cross references will appeal to the reader who is desirous of tracing his family connections.
It is impossible to list separately the many kind correspondents who furnished data for this book. Where no source is given, it may generally be credited to some member of the family interested.
In addition to those mentioned in the body of the book as having furnished data, the following must also be mentioned:
John Miller Rinewalt, Mount Carroll, Ill.; Daniel Urffer, Pottstown, Pa.; Charles Jones, GermanÂtown, Pa.; George Sheppard, Penn Yan, N. Y.; Wesley K. Schultz, Hereford, Pa.; Charles Kriebel, Detroit, Mich.; Gaius M. Brumbaugh, M.D., Washington, D. C.; G. Lester Hartranft, Montgomery, Pa.; William H. Anders, Lansdale, Pa.; George S. Kratz, Lansdale, Pa., R. D.; and many others.
Elmer Ellsworth S. Johnson, Ph. D., who searched the archives and church books of Silesia. Saxony with the assistance of Selina Gerhard Schultz, the Editor is indebted for a large amount of a concerning the Schwenkfelders before their migration to Pennsylvania. Dr. Johnson has collected cast amount of information concerning the Schwenkfelders in Europe prior to their migration, which _e contemplates publishing in book form in the near future. He has traced some family lines back to the 14th century. In view of this future publication the Editor made no effort to trace the ancestry prior to the migration.
Mr. Herbert Heebner Smith gave many valuable suggestions regarding the arrangement of title pages and illustrations.
To Prof. H. H. Shenk, custodian of the Public Records, Harrisburg, Pa., the Editor is indebted for many photostats of manuscripts that are preserved in the State Library.
Acknowledgment is also due Mr. Ernest Spofford, Assistant Librarian of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, for many valuable suggestions, and for kindness shown the Editor and his associates while searching the Archives of the Historical Society.
The readers owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. James M. Anders who took sufficient time from his manifold duties to write the scholarly introduction to this book.
Credit is due Dr. 0. S. Kriebel, Principal of Perkiomen School and Chairman of the Publication Committee of the Board of Publication of the Schwenkfelder Church for the actual undertaking of the publication of this book. His optimism and enthusiasm were the factors that led the Editor to assume the responsibility of editing the material in connection with his other duties.
The Editor wishes to express his gratitude to Miss Helen Shultz, who supervised the collection and codification of most of the family records and assisted in the editing of the same, and who read the proof of the entire book in addition to supervising the making of the Index.
In the final analysis the guarantors who advanced the funds for collecting the data and preparing it for the printer deserve the greatest credit for their faith in the enterprise and their funds that made this book possible.
In addition to the typographical errors that appear in the book, the Editor will be grateful to be informed of any errors of fact that are found on its pages.
SAMUEL K. BRECHT, Editor.
The Publishing Committee sends this book out with the hope that all who advanced money to pay the expenses of compiling this Genealogy are well repaid by the rich content of hitherto unpubÂlished, and in many cases unknown, documents. The printing of historical data as well as of family records for the benefit of posterity is the duty of every generation, but the publication of the genealogy of a group of religious refugees is unique, and the reader will learn that the Schwenkfelders were in many ways a unique people.
The Committee expresses its gratitude to all advance subscribers for the book whose deposits helped to pay the printer’s bills as they became due, and it is their hope that they will assist in a wide distribution of the book among the families whose records are included within its pages.
For the kind and continued co-operation of Rand McNally & Company, the printers of this Genealogical Record, the Committee is especially grateful. The making of a book of such large proÂportions embodying the various fonts of type required by the Editor, presented many difficulties which were all happily overcome, and the Editor and the other members of the Publishing Committee desire to record their appreciation of the many courtesies extended them by the printers.
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January, 1923. |
ELMER K. SCHULTZ WAYNE C. MESCHTER SAMUEL K. BRECHT SAMUEL YEAKLE J. E. BURNETT BUCKENHAM, M. D. Publishing Committee. |
EXPLANATIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Throughout this genealogy a system of family-numbering has been employed by means of which the line of descent of every family can be traced together with the respective immigrant Schwenkfelder ancestor of each one.
All emigrants have been numbered consecutively: thus, Melchior Kriebel is number “25” on the emigrant list, and hence the family number “[25]” has been assigned to him. Furthermore, all the married male descendants of Melchior Kriebel will have the key number “25” preceding their own individual family number: for example, the family number of David Kriebel is “[25-5],” which means that he is descended from emigrant “25,” who is Melchior Kriebel, and that the David Kriebel family is the fifth family recorded in line of descent from Melchior Kriebel. When a descendant marries more than once, there is a family number for each marriage: David Kriebel married twice, and hence his first family record has the number “[25-5a],” while the number “[25-5b]” is assigned to the family of his second marriage. This likewise applies to several emigrants: Balzer Heydrick, who was emiÂgrant “52,” was married twice, and therefore has the two family numbers of “[52a]” and “[52b].”
In the case of the marriage of a female descendant, her family takes the family number of her husband, providing the latter is himself of Schwenkfelder origin. For example, Susanna Kriebel, a daughter of George Kriebel whose family is “[25-3],” married Christopher Yeakle, a Schwenkfelder descendant; the family number, therefore, that is assigned to Susanna Kriebel Yeakle is that of her husband, or “[160-3].”
However, when a female descendant marries a man who is not of Schwenkfelder blood, she retains her own emigrant ancestral number, just as the male descendant does. Thus, Anna Schultz, a daughter of Melchior Schultz whose family is “[7-2],” married Adam Hillegass, who was a non-Schwenk_ elder; her family number therefore is “[7-9].”
All numbers preceded by the capital letter “E” are emigrant numbers and will be found only after the name of an emigrant. Numbers preceding a name are in all cases Family numbers: for example, “[25-3] GEORGE KRIEBEL [E 99], Â s Caspar and Susanna (Wiegner)
Kriebel [25-1]” means that the individual number of the George Kriebel family is ” [25-3J” ; that George Kriebel himself was the ninety-ninth emigrant on the list; and that the number of his parents’ family is [25-1], by reference to which record all genealogical facts concerning his father, mother, brothers and sisters can be ascertained.
After the family groups had all been numbered a large amount of additional information was obtained concerning some of the families. In order to include this data and have the families inserted in their proper sequence, the system of decimal numbers was introduced; for example, “[21-332.4]” is the number assigned to the record of John Hoffman.
The reader will observe that married children only have family numbers in this book, as the scheme employed is one of family numbering instead of the usual method of numbering each child in a family. By this plan of numbering the reader may readily trace the ancestry of any Schwenk-felder descendant in the book. Furthermore, at the end of the book will be found the index in which the names of all parents and children recorded in the book are listed together with the page on which they appear.
Upon a cursory glance through the genealogical part of the book, the reader will discover that one or both of the names of the parents of a family have been set in bold-face capital letters. This device is employed to designate the parents of Schwenkfelder origin, while light-face capital letters have been used to show the name of the parent of non-Schwenkfelder descent. Thus at a glance the reader can tell whether the heads of a family are both Schwenkfelder descendants or not.
It may be well to explain also that the genealogy has been arranged in “chapters”; for instance, all families having the key number “[25]” follow in order after the emigrant family whose number is “[25],” or that of Melchior Kriebel. And the chapters themselves are arranged in order according to the family number of the respective emigrant heads—the one with the lowest number appearing first in the book.
In the case of varying dates, both are given with one of them enclosed in parentheses; when there is doubt as to a date, a question mark, enclosed in parentheses, follows the date.
Besides the common and accepted abbreviations, which may be found in any dictionary, the following additional abbreviations have been used in this book:
A. A. Y.—A. A. Yeakle
ab.—about
A. B.—”American Boyers”
ad.—address
Adm.—administration
A. H. M.—Andrew H. Mester
ans.—answered
Arch.—Archives
b—born
bap.—baptized
Bdrf. Ch. Bk.—Berthelsdorf Church Book
bef.—before
bet.—between
B. F.—”Brumbach Families”
B. H.—Balthasar Hoffman
Bk.—book
Brig.—brigantine
B. T. D.—Benjamin T. Dettor cem.—cemetery
C. K. M.—Cyrus K. Meschter
Col. Rec.—Colonial Records
C. S. W.—Charles S. Wieand
d—died
dau—daughter
dec—deceased
d. s. p.—died without issue
E—emigrant
E. E. S. J.—Elmer E. S. Johnson
E. M.—Edward Mathews
F, Fam.—family
gdn.—guardian
Gosh.—Goshenhoppen
Gtn.—Germantown, Phila., Pa.
inf.—information
J. E. B.—J. E. B. Buckenham
J. F. 11.—John F. Hartranft
Jgfr.—Jungfrau (maiden)
J. L. M.—John Lewis Masters
Hdrf. Ch. Bk.—Harpersdorf Church Book
Hist.—History
H. S.—Helen Shultz
H. W. K.—Howard W. Kriebel
m—Married
N. Hdrf.—Nieder Harpersdorf
N. S.—New Style (Method of recording time)
0. C.—Orphans’ Court
0. Hdrf.—Ober Harpersdorf
0. S.—Old Style (Method of recording time)
0. S. S.—Oscar S. Schultz
Perk. Reg.—Perkiomen Region
prob.—probated
R. B. M.—Raymond Boileau Mixsell
Ref.—Reformed
res.—residence, or resides
ret.—returned
s—son
Schw.—Schwenkfelder
Schw. Hist. Lib., or S. H. L.—Schwenkfelder Historical
Library
Ser.—Series
T. S. G.—Thomas S. Gerhard
unans.—unanswered
unrn—unmarried
tv—wife
W. A. Y.—William A. Yeakle
W. W. P.—William Wagener Porter
BIBLIOGRAPHY
American Boyers: Rev. Charles C. Boyer, Ph.D. Kutztown, Pa., 1915.
Ausfiihrliche Geschichte Kaspar v. Schwenkfelds und der Schwenkfelder: Oswald Kadelbach. Lauban, 1860.
Bergey Genealogy: David Hendricks Bergey. Phila., Pa., 1907.
Berthelsdorf Church Records: Berthelsdorf, Saxony.
Biographical Annals of Montgomery County-Volumes I and II: Ellwood Roberts. New York, N. Y., 1904.
Carl Regent’s Verzeichnisz aller Schwenkfelder in Lang Neundorf, Armenruhe, Lauterseiffen, und
Harpersdorf, Sprottau. Friedrich Schneider. 1878.
Christopher Wiegner’s Diary (Schwenkfelder Historical Library).
Chronicles of Pennsylvania: Keith.-
Collection of Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania: Prof. I. Daniel Rupp. Phila., Pa., 1876.
Colonial Records: Harrisburg, Pa., 1838-1840.
Dankbare Erinnerung an die Gemeinde der Schwenkfelder zu Philadelphia in Nord Amerika: C. G. Anton. Gorlitz, 1816.
David Schultz’s Almanac Diaries (Schwenkfelder Historical Library).
Dotterer Papers: Henry S. Dotterer. Phila., Pa., 1900.
Erlauterung far Herrn Caspar Schwenkfeld und die Zugethanen Seiner Lehre: Jauer, 1771-Second
Edition, Sumneytown, Pa., 1830.
Fretz’s History: A. J. Fretz. Milton, Pa., 1904.
“Freundschaft,” Stager-Rudy Relationship: H. J. Stager. Phila., Pa., 1912.
Genealogy of the Brumbach Families: Gaius Marcus Brumbaugh, M.S., M.D. New York, 1913. –
Genealogical History of the Cassel Family: Daniel Kolb Cassel. Norristown, Pennsylvania, 1896.
Genealogical Record of the Descendants of the Schwenkfelders: Rev. Reuben Kriebel. Manayunk,Phila.,Pa.,1879.                                                                                                   •
Genealogical Studies and Ancestry of Marguerite and John Eyerman: John Eyerman. Easton, Pa.,1902.
Germantown, 1753-1756: Hotchkiss.
Groton Avery Clan: (The Averys of Groton) Homer DeLois Sweet. Syracuse, 1894.
Harley Genealogy: George F. P. Wanger. Pottstown, Pa. (MS.)
Harpersdorf Mission Records (Harpersdorf, Silesia).
Heintze Correspondence: Correspondence of the early immigrant Schwenkfelders with Carl Ehrenfried Heintze. (Schwenkfelder Historical Library.)
Herrnhut Archives: (Herrnhut, Saxony).
Historical Notes: Isaac Schultz. (Schwenkfelder Historical Library.)
Historical Notes: Ethan Allen Weaver. Germantown, Pa., 1906.
History of Allen County (Ind.): Helm, 1880.
History of Berks County (Pa.): Morton L. Montgomery. Chicago, 1909.
History of Bucks County (Pa.): J. H. Battle. Phila., Pa., 1887.
History of Chester County (Pa.): J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Cope. Phila., Pa., 1881.
History of Cumberland County (Pa.): Conway P. Wing. Phila., 1879.
History of Easton (Pa.): Rev. Uzal W. Condit.
History of Evangelical Association: Rev. Reuben Yeakel.
History of Goshenhoppen Reformed Charge: Prof. William John Hinke. Lancaster, Pa., 1920.
History of Lehigh County (Pa.): Charles R. Roberts, et al. 1914.
History of Lower Salford Township (Pa.): James Y. Heckler. Harleysville, Pa., 1888.
History of Lycoming County (Pa.): John F. Meginnes. Chicago, 1892.
History of Mercer County (Pa.): William S. Garvin. Chicago, 1888.
History of Montgomery County (Pa.): Theodore W. Bean. Phila., 1884.
History of Ontario (Can.): Eby. Toronto, 1895.
History of Steuben County (N. Y.) : W. W. Clayton. Phila., 1879.
History of Towamencin Township (Pa.): Edward Mathews. Skippack, 1897.
History of Venango County (Pa.): S. J. M. Eaton. Franklin, 1876.Â
History of Yates County (N. Y.): Stafford C. Cleveland. Penn Yan, N. Y., 1873.
Jacobs’ Orchestral Monthly. December, 1921.
Landmarks of Steuben County (N. Y.): Harlo Hakes, et al. Syracuse, 1896.
Longacre Genealogy: A History of the Longacre-Longaker-Longenecker Family. Philadelphia.
Marriages in Goshenhoppen: Henry S. Dotterer. Historical Register.
Maryland Records: Gaius Marcus Brumbaugh, M.S., M.D. Baltimore, Md., 1915.
Memoirs of the Wilkinson Family: Rev. Israel Wilkinson. Published by Davis and Penniman, 1869.
Men of Montgomery County (Pa.): M. Auge. Norristown, Pa., 1879.
Men of New York.
Mixsell and Allied Families.
Montgomery County (Pa.) Historical Society Publications: Norristown, Pa., 1895-1910.
Moyer Family Genealogy: Rev. A. J. Fretz. Harleysville, Pa., 1896.
Nyce Papers: Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Old Graveyards of Northampton, Pa., and vicinity: John Eyerman. Easton, Pa., 1899.
Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania German, The: November, 1908.
Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography.
Pennsylvania Marriages: John C. Stoever. Harrisburg, Pa., 1896.
Pennsylvania—Province and State: Boyle.
Pennsylvania Register: Hazard, Phila., 1828-1836.
Pennsylvania State Archives.
Pennsylvanische Berichte for 1750: Christopher Sauer, editor. Germantown, Pa.
Pennypacker Collection (Schwenkfelder Historical Library).
Perkiomen Region: Henry S. Dotterer. Phila., 1894-1901.
Proceedings of the Pennsylvania-German Society: Lancaster, Pa.
Publications of the Huguenot Society of London: Vol. XXIV. 1921. M. S. Guiseppi.
Records of Hill Church, Berks Co., Pa.
Records of Lutheran Church, Brickerville, Pa.
Records of Mt. Airy Lutheran Church, Phila., Pa.
Records of New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, East Greenville, Pa.
Records of Reformed Church, Germantown, Phila., Pa.
Records of St. Michael’s Church, Phila., Pa.
Records of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church: Pennsylvania Archives, 3d Series, Vol. 9. Harrisburg, 1880.
Reformed Church Fathers: Harbaugh.
Regent cat. Schwenkfeldianorum (Schwenkfelder Historical Library).
Schwenkfelder Hymnology: Allen Anders Seipt, A.M., Ph.D. Phila., 1909.
Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania, The: H. W. Kriebel. Lancaster, Pa., 1904.
Shenkel’s Church and Cemetery Records, near Pottstown, Pa.
Sheppard Manuscripts: In the possession of George S. Sheppard of Penn Yan, N. Y.
The Schwenkfeldian: Monthly publication of the Schwenkfelder Church.
Ueber den geschichtlichen Verlauf der Reformation in Liegnitz. Ueber ihren and Spateren Kampf
gegen die Kaiserliche Jesuiten Mission in Harpersdorf. A. F. H. Schneider. Berlin, 1862.
Unitats Archiv—Archives of the Moravian Church, Herrnhut, Saxony.
Universities and their Sons (U. of Pa.): Joshua L. Chamberlain. Boston, 1898-1902.
Who’s Who in America: John W. Leonard. Chicago, 1899-1902.
Who’s Who in Pennsylvania: Lewis R. Hamersly, 1904; John Leonard, 1908
INTRODUCTION
BY JAMES MESCHTER ANDERS, M. D., PH. D., LL. D.
The preparation and publication of the Revised Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders was a most commendable undertaking. To bring to light, record and preserve the genealogy of families and individuals, much of it from the dust of forgetfulness, will prove to be a means of disseminating welcome information to the living and future generations; but more than this, it will increase sympathy and friendliness between persons who are connected by ties of blood, religion, and humanity. RecognizÂing the significance of this work, it follows that the committee authorized to perform the arduous task of revising and amplifying our genealogical knowledge of the Schwenkfelders by proving up descent, acted with wise enthusiasm and a fine discrimination.
The performance of a service so colossal and confessedly difficult as the tracing of genealogical record of a denomination, even though small, is only possible with persons specially trained and imbued with the spirit of sacrifice. Moreover, the successful consummation of the stupendous task by the author, Prof. S. K. Brecht, is worthy of all commendation, and the undivided support of the entire body of descendants of the immigrant Schwenkfelders.
Information such as this volume contains should ever have a lively interest for the members of a sect, however small, and for all who have descended from those who shaped its previous course in education, religion and in civic and social morality. True it is that the modern age is bending its energies toward the future, so that few care to look back at the past. While this is a correct observation of history in general, in the case of those antecedents who are related by the bonds of blood and bold adventure, it would be regrettable in the extreme to permit the present to get out of touch with them and their affairs—economic, social and religious.
The editor of this work has requested me to contribute an introductory chapter of a general character that will set forth the main historic features and the present social and economic status and activities of the Schwenkfelder denomination. I accepted, not because of any specialized knowlÂedge bearing on the subject, but because of my desire to render tribute to the social, moral, and spiritual traditions to which I owe more than I dare hope to repay. I shall not attempt to describe the great changes and wonderful progress of American life due to new discoveries and inventions during the period under review. Again, the historic sketch of Caspar von Schwenkfeld and of the sect which gears his name and their many trials before emigrating to Pennsylvania, as well as, for more than a century after settling on our shores, by C. Heydrick, Esq., is a true and praiseworthy account, so that certain aspects of the earlier narrative relating to this small band, in particular all that pertains to the pre-emigration period, need not be recounted here.
My task it is to describe the life, events, and achievements of the Schwenkfelders with especial emphasis upon those of more recent times with the desire and hope that by this means we shall be better tempered and prepared to face, and penetrate into, the future. Whilst historic reviews such as this undertaking purports to be, usually afford the reader a look at great personages and events, to the present and future generations—to us—a brief résumé of the economic interests and customs, as well as religious and social activities of the common stc-f3s. Schwenkfelders, is in my view, of far
greater and more commanding interest and importance.
It is, however, fitting to pause at the outset to consider briefly the influences which the ideals and principles of the earlier generations of Schwenkfelders wielded with respect to civic and, more imÂportantly still, religious liberty, and their effect upon :he progress a…id development of the communities in which they resided. It might be asked pertinently z.,re there to be found, at this writing, those persons who would make the great material sacrifices, who would risk their all on account of their religious convictions, as did those who were transported to America by the now historic ship, the St. Andrew? To them the migration to the western hemisphere meant a decided loss of comforts, of means, and the severance of ties, which doubtless caused, in many cases at least, a painful wrench of the heart. On the other hand, it resulted in a gain of new satisfactions, chief among which was that of absolute religious freedom, the enjoyment of the free and democratic spirit of America. The vision of the immigrant fathers abides to challenge their children of to-day.
It is the earnest hope and belief of the writer that salutary lessons may be drawn from a résumé of the part played as useful citizens, and the instrumentalities employed, by this little band of church men and women in the past and present. In the first place, it will be easily possible to indicate that they can point with pride to the conduct and detailed work of their churches, their educational instituÂtions and other agencies, as well as to the wider relations of the denomination to the public welfare and the state, although owing to the exigencies of time and space, the salient facts only can be given in compact form here.
It is clear that whilst the original nucleus of 184 souls who first put foot upon American soil in 1734 were fixed in their determination to escape religious persecution, to reach a land of civil and spiritual liberty, they had no further aspirations which were peculiarly and entirely their own. In this connection it is interesting to recall the fact that the struggle on this continent for self-government had already begun and an increasing divergence between England and the colonies had already set in, at the time of the chief migration of the Schwenkfelders to America, although the American Revolution, speaking historically, did not begin until 1769; so that soon after setting foot on free soil, they were face to face with a conflict of far reaching historic importance and as the result of which, the indepenÂdence of the colonial states was secured. Moreover, the fact that upon their arrival in this country, Indian attacks all along the line of the colonies were growing more terrible and that these were not quelled until ‘1763, when with the Peace of Paris the brilliant career of France as an American power was over, should be recollected.
It may be truly said that it was faith in God, who for them was an ever present reality, which distinguished them above all else. Without doubt, all had belonged to civilized and somewhat cultured communities at home and in many ways their dominating ideas of life resembled those of the people with whom they established social and commercial relationships in this western hemisphere, and to whom they were gradually bound by bonds of human interest and speech. In this connection the following statement by the late Governor Pennypacker is significant: “The Schwenkfelders who emigrated in a body to Pennsylvania were the most intelligent group of people who came to America in the colonial period.”
They were not then, nor have they since, been spurred by the passion for politics, and whilst they abhorred war, were by no means pacifists. Neither have they been given to society life, nor dissipated their energies and means in the pursuit of pleasure, and above all, sports. On the other hand, the dominating principle of their lives was of deep spiritual origin, although quite industrious and energetic in the pursuit of gain, without the slightest show of the spirit of carelessness and ease. Moreover, from the moment that their freedom from oppression was assured, there never was an hour that they did not recognize and appreciate their newly-found privileges, as evidenced by the institution of an annual celebration of so-called “Gedachtniss Tag,” which has been observed without interruption until the present day. Thus each year a new allegiance is given to the ideals and sense of profound gratitude exemplified by the immigrant Schwenkfelders.
That the popularity of these unique yearly meetings of fellowship, inspiration and undying gratitude has been steadily increasing, is undoubted. The writer is glad to note the steady decline of the tendency to clamor against the oppression suffered by those who actuated by noble impulses emigrated to a land of unbounded liberty on the one hand, and a new emphasis upon the use to be made of what they purchased by their sacrifices for their successors—for us—on the other.
The majority of this small original group of immigrants settled in the central and upper portions of Montgomery County, as well as Lehigh, Berks and Bucks Counties, of Pennsylvania. Here they led most respectable lives and their material interests soon became for a considerable period of time, more or less unified, drawn together as they vi-re, by the ties of family and gratitude. Later on, like other eastern people (after the war of the Revolution) they shared in the process of unifying the nation through inter-state migration. For example, in 1791 David Wagener, a prosperous farmer and land owner, residing in Montgomery C.ounty, removed his family to a Friend’s Settlement on the west bank of Seneca Lake, there becoming a part owner of a grist mill. Five years later he bought the land on which the village of Penn Yan was founded by his son, Abraham, in the year 1800. This has been a thrifty, rapidly-growing village, and to Abraham Wagener had been accorded the distinction of being elected the first President of the Board of Trustees upon its incorporation in April, 1833, and also the privilege of naming the village streets when they were first opened. Not a few Schwenkfelders and their descendants have broken away from the central nucleus located in Pennsylvania, scattering to many different States of the Union.
Before coming to this country, the Schwenkfelders were for the most part agriculturists, hence they naturally chose husbandry as their chief calling upon reaching these shores, clearing and culÂtivating the earth with great assiduity. Whilst they succeeded during these earlier years of their sojourn in a new and promising environment to add to their originally impoverished condition, and whilst their wants and particular needs grew simultaneously, it may be justly claimed that they lived honestly and simply, the while showing a marked degree of thrift and the highest regard for Iaw and order—the guardian of their precious liberty.
With few exceptions, the Schwenkfelders for generations were land-owners, to whom in the opinion of certain political economists, go all the advantages gained by progress. At all events, the direct and natural result of the conditions they were striving for, was improvement in the material state of all within their influence. They were, in truth, children of the soil, and this was the storehouse upon which they drew; more than this, their dependence upon land was the principal factor in the determinaÂtion of their social, intellectual and moral condition, since it amply supplied their main wants and desires. Here reference should be made to the fact that as a class they gave evidence of marked industry, frugality and intelligence. As individual farmers, the head of the family obtained in addition to hired labor, the assistance of his wife and children. This fact, likewise decidedly aided their material progress.
The gift of this primitive folk to the nameless mass, the middle class of society, which forms the tested foundation of our American institutions, was the-highly creditable way in which they performed the task committed to them by destiny. Moreover, their ideals were of an enduring character and to us falls the duty of securing their intact preservation.
As successful agriculturists they contributed their full share to a calling which has ever been held to be first in point of practical importance, and therefore to economic progress, during several generaÂtions.. True it is that many of these industrious men and women were, however, an integral part of that practical spirit, which has ever won above arts and letters, science, or great historic personages. Indeed, we must to-day render thanks for the role played by our ancestors, near and remote, and for the immense service they rendered, judged by proper standards, to the local community and the state. The history of the descendants of the immigrant Schwenkfelders of the last century, however, comprehends the records of not a few men who in various localities of our own and other states of the union, and in equally varied fields of endeavor, have reflected lustre upon themselves and their anteÂcedents alike (vide infra).
The Schwenkfelders did not elect to elude their social and charitable obligations, and after the custom of the times, gave both financial aid and personal service to the public welfare. Obviously, during the colonial period the time was far distant when it could be hoped to establish relationships that could allow the good of the whole to become the ruling element in the community. Then as now, approbation of one’s fellowmen and the massing of wealth were proportional, but the Schwenkfelders were not without that essential principle which would look to the good of humanity.
It would not be possible to show that opportunities for social enjoyments were abundant, and that the lives of all were not more or less sordid owing to a lack of social outlets, even among families in the most comfortable circumstances. On the other hand, it is a just observation that there existed a limited, social intercourse consisting for the most part of an inter-visitation between families, most commonly either “week end” visits, or on the Sabbath day following the morning church services. Their observance of the Sabbath, however, was rigid and as has been said of that of _the Pilgrim Fathers, involved a recognition of the fact that the “right of Sabbath rest for one depends upon a law of Sabbath rest for all.” Doubtless, the personal freedom in the civic and moral realms, which the earlier Schwenkfelders enjoyed gave encouragement to and opportunity for, the cultivation of the primitive virtues.
At a later date, freedom from actual wants, showed itself in mental and moral improvement, as well as in thrift and greater average intelligence. Among the Schwenkfelders increasing skill, prudence and knowledge were most probably not so much attributed to the common school, the newspaper and their meagre libraries, as to a better material condition in general.
Their dress down to a comparatively recent period, was rigidly plain; bonnets were worn by the women and broad-brimMed stiff hats by the men. Personal decoration by means of jewels was pracÂtically unknown, if we except ear-rings of a simple pattern. Neatness and cleanliness of person and wearing apparel, however, were decidedly in evidence. In their household were found the national spirit and traditions of a noble past, but they spoke a different language—called “Pennsylvania GerÂman” up to half a century ago.
The Schwenkfelders for upwards of a century after their arrival in this country opposed any matrimonial alliance of either sons or daughters with those of the parents of other denominations with the effect that the evil results of consanguinity became evident in certain families. More recently, however, this narrowness of spirit with its smoldering discontent has given way to a more natural and progressive state of things in the realm of social and individual moral responsibility to the end that a greater justice was brought to light and a healthier and happier group of people has been evolved.
It is worthy of note that the Schwenkfelders can claim to have been an integral part of the basic national stock and also that they participated in a small way in the process of assimilation of newÂcomers including the foreign-born. Of the majority of this small sect (now numbering all told 1350 souls) for a century and a half after settling in this country, it might be said they lived a quiet, useful country life, were good neighbors, good American citizens, chiefly interested in agriculture, domestic problems, religion, education and the pursuit of reading. With the passing of time, .however, they helped to swell the tide that has brought about marked urban concentration.
We should be grateful to those ancestral traditions whose encircling glory we of the present day, in common with our predecessors, have inherited. The earlier forbears who settled this country have long rested in their graves and none there be that remember them, but one would be lacking in percepÂtion and appreciation, who did not discern that their piety, influence and example are yet a potent force in the community in which they labored with fruitful results.
This small band has been privileged to observe and had their spirits touched by many wars of democracy against despotic autocracy since their arrival in this country. In 1775 they saw the new western hemisphere democracy born to the modern world; they witnessed the Revolutionary War which settled for all time the independence of these United States of America and the Civil War which completely banished slavery from this hemisphere, as well as the recent great conflict, which it is hoped, will settle for all time the question of military autocratic domination of the world.
But though the Schwenkfelders never approved of the old methods of settling international disÂputes by war, when it became indispensably necessary for America to accept gauge of battle in order to crush a natural foe to liberty, they displayed loyalty, heroism and patriotism by their active participaÂtion both at home and in the field, while some made the supreme sacrifice. Males of military age proved themselves to be “valiant men. able to bear, the buckler and the sword.” The Schwenkfelders, however, have ever been champions of peace and now that the great war-ogre has been curbed, they are, with the song of gratitude in their hearts, hoping for the realization of an organized, world-wide democÂracy that will insure future peace by its inherent moral force.
Among the more strictly private functions of the Schwenkfelders, as a denomination, were the work and associated activities of their educational and religious institutions. It is natural that in addition to the union of material interests, of which mention has been made above, there should be formed a moral, intellectual and spiritual unity. For example, it was not difficult to amalgamate their ideals and sentiments, as well as doctrines and beliefs. On the other hand, no effort to govern the social, moral or economic life of the community was made, and a no more law-abiding body of citizens could have been found. From an economic aspect the interests of the Schwenkfelders did not differ to any extent from those of other sects among whom they lived; from the political angle, however, the majority were “whigs,” while later upon its birth they joined the republican party almost without exception. As stated above, the earlier generations of Schwenkfelders had no political aspirations, but in recent times not a few have held important local public positions.
The intellectual history of the Schwenkfelders reveals that many of the original small company were well-educated, and there was a general sentiment among all in favor of advanced mental training. Indeed, it is an authenticated fact that the Schwenkfelders early established first-class schools in Pennsylvania, although in a modified and rudimentary form. [Vide Historical Sketch, p. 15.] Here we see the implantation of the seeds of a greater freedom and an intellectual advancement, the narrow traditionalism and puritanism of their day and generation notwithstanding. Moreover, by the same token they were conforming to the law, generally appreciated at the present, that what you would have appear in the mature generation you must put into the curricula of our public and secondary schools.
To understand the public spirit of these, our pioneers, in matters educational and spiritual, there would be no better way, if time and space permitted, than to study the life, influence and activities of such a man as Christopher Schultz, who represented them most admirably. It can only be added that he being possessed of many good qualities both of heart and mind exerted a great force in the denomination as well as the state, and assumed naturally a leading role, preparing a system of church government which was adopted on the 17th of August, 1782, the while stimulating the zeal and intelliÂgence of his contemporaries. Without doubt, he had beside him many willing and powerful helpers, notably the Revs. George Weiss, Balthasar Heebner and Balthasar Hoffman.
In not a few instances, individual talents forced their way into prominence among the earlier descendants of this group of immigrants. These and other men belonging to this sect at different later periods of time realized that only by placing themselves in direct contact with the world was it possible to develop their talents in a fuller degree. No Schwenkfelder, however, received the advanÂtages of college or university training until a comparatively recent date, but at present writing, without doubt the percentage of young men identified with this denomination who are embracing the benefits of a liberal education, is higher than that of any other sect.
Whilst the need for education is fully appreciated by the Schwenkfelder Church, it must be recollected that the knowledge gained must be assimilated, if we would avoid the creation of a false valuation in the minds of the student as to the role he will play in the world. It has been well said that the acquisition of facts unassimilated, necessitates bringing theory and practice closer together.
Brief reference should be made here to a well-known educational institution, Perkiomen School for Boys, which was founded in 1875 by Rev. C. S. Wieand under the title, Perkiomen Seminary. In 1892, it became the property of the Schwenkfelder church and Dr. O. S. Kriebel(the present incumbent) was made Principal. The growth of this institution has been steady, and healthy; its beneficent influence and effectiveness, as a school to prepare boys for colleges and universities, as well as the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, are beyond question. The early success of Perkiomen School for Boys may be said to have been the turning-point where the rather stern, gloomy influences preÂvailing, were tempered by scholarship and by evidences of healthful relaxation as well as a lessening of the shadows around their lives and a widening of the horizon. This institution has further served to infuse a new spirit of good taste and refinement, not only into the student-body, but into the community and church as well.
Christianity in the Schwenkfelder Church for more than a century after its inception in this country consisted of religious and moral training only, without helpful and voluntary agencies, which came into being at a much later date, although the same thing might be said of other denominations at that day. Humanitarianism, which is the mode of the present day, and in whose ranks are to be found practically the entire membership of the denomination at this writing, was then hazy and lacking in zeal for want of organization. There was no opportunity given by which intelligent and zealous laymen could actively assist in the moral and religious quality of the membership; no armed organizational force to carry on social service duties, so much needed to encourage and guide the more helpless and dependent classes. So-called “Kinderlehr,” however, was carried on as an unique and solemn religious custom and with far reaching moral and spiritual benefits.
It was, on the whole, a period of gospel sermons with no indications of an abandonment of religion and certain moral sanctions so obvious at present throughout the Protestant world. They truly beÂlieved in the ultimate supremacy of the spiritual values and we of to-day should consider whether or not some of that spiritual vitality which characterized our church in earlier days has been lost. Who will sound the world note of warning so much needed by all denominations at the present day?
The forms of worship and the meeting houses were primitive, and the souls of the worshipers received and accepted every impression to which they were subjected, but they were not wholly without prejudice. It was not until the year 1790 that the first church edifice was erected in what had been designated as the “Upper District,” in contradistinction to the “Lower District,” for administraÂtive conveniences. Prior to this time, divine services had been held at private residences, following the custom which had been established in the Fatherland.
The clergy was until a comparatively recent period self-educated, being chosen from among the lay members of the church by ballot. Their discourses, however, showed them to be true servants of the Master and were listened to with manifest sympathy and benefit, while not a few inculcated the ideas of civic and religious duties with much power. The singing until a time easily within human recollection was entirely congregational; that is to say without the aid of either choir or instrumental music. Unfortunately, it was in consequence of the narrowness and unprogressiveness of the deÂnomination as an organized body that many members from time to time, forsook the religion of their fathers and identified themselves with other more progressive churches.
In this connection, mention should be made of the fact that the observance of the holy sacraments was first instituted in the year 1877 at the home of Anthony K. Heebner, Worcester, Pennsylvania. It has been obvious that the adoption of this universally recognized religious ceremonial requirement witnessed the infusion of a new and broader spirit in the entire denomination and one more in harmony with the real spiritual needs of mankind.
The quarter of a century last passed, however, has brought this sect forward far beyond the hopes and expectations of those who had been long advocating a change to more advanced methods and an enlargement of the sphere of church activity. For example the membership had grown from 305 in 1895 to 635 in 1903, and 1280 in 1919. It will be observed from these figures that the denomination has more than quadrupled itself in the quarter of a century last passed.
Mention should be made of the deep interest in more recent years of the Schwenkfelders in Christian Missions, both at home and abroad. At home, a new-born mission was first announced at Philadelphia in 1895, ten years later at Norristown (1905) and at Lansdale in 1916, the two first named enterprises having since become successful church organizations, while the last-named is still a flourishing mission church. Abroad, a sister with a true missionary spirit, Miss Flora Heebner, has been the representative of this church in Taiku, China, since 1904, where she is carrying on a splendid work with well-directed effort in various branches of missionary activity.
Great and commendable as were the sacrifices made by the small band of Schwenkfelders, who emigrated to our shores, as has been observed above, to realize that a member of the nobility not lacking in imperial qualities should abandon his high station, should simplify himself, as it were, and assume the role of an ardent christian reformer as did Casper von Schwenkfeld, was an even greater surrender of earthly means, comforts and ties. The fact therefore that the Publication Board of the Schwenk-felder Church has been glad to share the burden equally with Hartford Theological Seminary in publishing the so-called Corpus Schwenckfeldianorum—a stupendous work in 17 volumes (6 of which have already appeared), which contains the theology and writings of this world-famed reformer, need excite no surprise.
At first, edited by Dr. Chester David Hartranft, the noted biblical scholar and historian, since his demise which occurred in 1914, Dr. E. E. S. Johnson, who had been associate editor previously, became the natural successor to Dr. Hartranft, having been as the result of experience and training, especially well qualified for the important and responsible position. Let us hope that the ardent, moral and spiritual ideals of the great reformer, Casper von Schwenkfeld, may through the mediation of this extensive presentation, serve a practical end; that is, animate an ever widening circle of readers with the spirit of the Master.
Among the educational agencies projected by the Schwenkfelder Church in recent times is “The Schwenkfeldian,” a monthly periodical which gives publicity to the work and activities of the various local churches and also serves as a vehicle for the expression of opinion on historic, sociologic, moral and religious subjects. The launching of this journal was a constructive piece of work and should, among other things, help to arouse this denomination to the importance of giving increased attention to its needs and true situation. The editorial discussions of social, moral and religious topics provide food for reflection to all its readers, since they are carried on by men of education and sound discernment. The “Schwenkfeldian” is in every respect worthy of support and popular appreciation.
So soon as the more active objections to modern methods by certain leading officials in the denomination had been overcome, a new spirit, a display of modern organizational effort in many directions, of which the church may justly feel proud, including the special fields of endeavor briefly referred to above, rapidly ensued. We see now such fine fruits of christianity in the Schwenkfelder Church as missionary work, education, benevolence, social service, faith and love, all adding to the joy of worship and individual happiness.
We should realize that the accumulated heritage of the previous generations of Schwenkfelders has made this generation rich at birth, that a denomination is not a physical fact, but a moral and spiritual fact in which the dead have furnished the chief content of the atmosphere we are privileged to breathe. We must ever recollect that no denomination, no more than an individual, can live unto itself. The Schwenkfelder Church has been, is, and the writer hopes ever shall continue to be an advoÂcate of the principle of co-operation between protestant churches representing differing creeds. Indeed, in recent years it has repeatedly exemplified this principle, it is a particular pleasure to state. Finally, it behooves the present generation of Schwenkfelders to mediate the higher social virtues and moral ideals to those that shall come after them.
THE SCHWENKFELDERS AN HISTORICAL SKETCH
BY HON. CHRISTOPHER HEYDRICK
(Reprinted from the edition of 1879)
The Schwenkfelders were so called from Caspar Schwenkfeld, a Silesian nobleman. He was born at Ossing (now Ossig), in Liibner circle, in the Principality of Liegnitz, in Lower Silesia, in 1490, was educated at Cologne, and dwelt several years at other universities, where theology early attracted his attention, and the writings of the Church Fathers became his favorite study. Quitting university life he visited many German courts, and devoted some years to the culture which, in his time, was supposed to befit his rank, qualifying himself for knighthood, and becoming, as he says in one of his epistles, a courtier. While yet a young man he entered the service of Carl, Duke of Mfinsterberg, a grandson of Podiebrad, the Hussite King of Bohemia, at whose court the doctrines of John Huss were received, and by none more heartily than by the young knight and courtier. They made a deep and lasting impression upon his mind, and doubtless gave direction to his future life and labors. Bodily infirmities soon unfitted him for knightly duties, and he quitted the service of the Duke of Miinsterberg and became Counsellor to Frederick II., Duke of Liegnitz, whom he served in that capacity a number of years. lfaeology, however, had stronger attractions for him than affairs of state. He made the acquaintan of many theologians who were drifting in the direction of the Reformation, among whom were Valentine Crautwald, Johann Sigismund Werner, and Fabian Eckel, and under the influence of such associations the impressions received at Munsterberg deepened until, as he expressed it, God touched his heart, and he withdrew from the ducal court and was chosen Canon of St. John’s Church, in Liegnitz. Luther had now withdrawn from the Church of Rome, and his preaching attracted Schwenkfeld’s attention and inspired him with a more intense zeal for the service of the Divine Master. He was at one with Luther upon the issues which the latter had raised with the Roman Catholic Church, and could no longer hold his position in St. John’s Church without violence to his conscience. He therefore renounced it to become an evangelist, and, for thirty-six years, with voice and pen, exhort men to repentance and godliness.
Although not by nature a controversialist, as his writings abundantly testify, Schwenkfeld soon came to differ with the great Reformer on several points, chief among which related to the Eucharist, to the efficacy of the Divine Word, to the human nature of Christ, and to baptism. Schwenkfeld rejected the doctrine of impanation or consubstantiation as well as that of transubstantiation, and held that Christ taught (Matt. xxvi. 26) that “such as this broken bread is to the body, so is my body to the soul, a true and real food, which nourishes, sanctifies, and delights the soul; and such as this wine is to the body, so, in its effects, is my blood to the soul, which it strengthens and refreshes;” and, as a corollary, that the impenitent, though he would eat of the bread of the Lord, could not eat the body of the Lord, but that the penitent believer did partake of both, not only at the sacramental altar, but elsewhere.
In respect to the second point of difference, he denied that the external word, which is committed to writing in the Scriptures, was endowed with the power of healing, illuminating, and renewing the mind, but ascribed this power to the Internal or Eternal Word, i. e., Christ himself. (John i. 1-14; Rev. xix. 13.) He regretted that Luther, who at first was quite in accord with him, should see fit afterwards to ascribe to the written, outward, or preached word that power and efficacy which is inherent only in Christ, the Eternal Word. Luther translated Romans x. 17: “So kommt der Glaube aus der Predigt, das Predigen aber durch das Wort Gottes”—So faith cometh by preaching, but preachÂing by the word of God; while Schwenkfeld followed the original closely, rendering it in the equivalent of the English translation: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Upon the third point of difference Schwenkfeld would not allow Christ’s human nature in its exalted state to be called a creature or created substance, holding that such denomination was “inÂfinitely below His majestic dignity, reunited, as it is in that glorious state, with the Divine Essence.” He also rejected infant baptism, holding that instruction and faith should precede baptism (Acts viii. 12, 13; Mark xvi. 15, 16; Matt. xxviii. 19); and that the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper were not intended as “a channel and means” through which the unregenerated participant could obtain salvation.
Having settled in his own mind the true meaning of the words uttered by our Lord at the instituÂtion of the sacramental feast, Schwenkfeld wrote out his views and submitted them to his friend Crautwald, who at first rejected them, and reproved him sharply for what he esteemed his heresy. Schwenkfeld, however, besought him to pray over the matter, and examine the words of the institution closely in the original tongue, declaring his conviction, in harmony with his theory of the operation of the Divine Word, that Christ had revealed the meaning to him. Crautwald finally promised to pray and think over the matter, and the result was his conversion. Speaking of this conference in one of his letters, Schwenkfeld says: “A fortnight later he (Crautwald) wrote me a Latin letter that the Lord Christ had revealed to him also the true meaning of the words.”
Earnestly desiring harmony rather than polemic discussion, and hoping that an interchange of opinions would lead to an agreement with Luther, Schwenkfeld determined to seek a personal interview with him, and accordingly, in September, 1525, visited him at Wittenberg, and laid before him his views together with Crautwald’s letter. Bugenhagen, Pomeranus, and Justus Jonas were present, and the conference, which continued several days, was marked by Christian courtesy. Luther was in a condescending mood and said to Schwenkfeld: “I say truly that I have been troubled with this docÂtrinal point for three years. Now your opinion is acceptable to me; it is very good if you can prove it. Finally, I say that your doctrinal point is not objectionable to me if you can prove it. I, also, was strongly inclined to it, and have long striven against it, and still have to strive against it.”
Schwenkfeld’s mission seemed to have been successful, at least so far as to justify the belief that his views would receive respectful consideration, and he parted from the reformers in friendship, and, we may well suppose, returned to his own country with a light heart. But he was doomed to disÂappointment. After two months Luther returned his manuscript and Crautwald’s letter, and wrote him in his characteristic style, that he and Crautwald must cease to lead the people astray; that the blood of those whom they led astray would be upon their heads, and closed with these words: “Kurtz-um, entwieder ihr oder wir miissen des Teufels leibeigen seyn, well wir uns beiderseits Gottes Wort riihmen”—In short, either you or we must be in the bond service of the devil, because we, on both sides, appeal to the word of God.
Troubles now began to thicken. Cut off from fellowship with the Lutherans, Schwenkfeld was none the less an object of the hatred of the Catholics. Even Ferdinand, King of Bohemia and Hungary, afterwards Emperor of Germany, whose liberality to the Protestants brought him into such disfavor at Rome that Pope Paul IV. refused to ratify his elevation to the imperial dignity, could not tolerate his teachings in respect to the Sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism, misrepresented as they were by the Catholic clergy, and wrote to the Duke of Liegnitz to proceed to extreme measures for his reÂpression—Silesia then being under the suzerainty of the Bohemian kings. But the Duke was so far in sympathy with Schwenkfeld that he had printed for the use of his own household a “Confession of Faith” drawn up by two of the latter’s co-workers and most intimate friends,—Eckel and Werner,—and embodying the very doctrines which were so distasteful to the King’s spiritual advisers. Moreover, a friendship, formed while Schwenkfeld was Counsellor to the Duke and never afterwards interrupted, forbade compliance with the King’s command. But the Duke was powerless to protect his friend, and therefore advised him to retire from Silesia until more tolerant counsels should prevail at the royal court. He accordingly left Silesia in 1529 for a journey through Germany, but, as the sequel proved, never to return to his native land,—a circumstance which gave occasion for the story circulated by his enemies at the time, and since repeated by some German writers, that he had been expelled by the Duke at the instance of Ferdinand, a story that Sehwenkfeld expressly refuted on several occasions, and which is disproved by his friendly correspondence with the Duke until the latter’s death. ThenceÂforth he had no settled abiding-place, but moved about from city to city, defending his doctrines and faith in public conferences and discussions with the learned, and before the Magistrates at Augsburg, Nurnberg, Strasburg, Tubingen, and Ulm; often persecuted, and at least once—at Tubingen in 1535—tried for heresy, when he was so far acquitted as to be promised freedom of religious worship in private, though forbidden to speak publicly.
His life was one of unremitting labor. Besides preaching, he maintained an extensive corresponÂdence with learned men and others of high rank throughout Germany and in Switzerland, and wrote many books and pamphlets, several editions of which were published—one in 1592, in four large quarto volumes. A spirit of deep and fervent piety pervaded his writings; and, although when controversy was forced upon him he stoutly defended his opinions upon disputed points of doctrine, he held that repentance of sin, purity of life, and humble trust in the cleansing efficacy of the blood of Christ were of infinitely more importance than subscription to dogmas and observance of the Sacraments. Hence he desired not to establish an independent church, but frequently declared, in his writings, his unwillingÂness to separate himself from any who loved Christ. Not withstanding the irreconcilable differences between himself and Luther, and the harsh treatment which he had received from the latter after the Wittenberg conference, he never ceased to frankly acknowledge his obligations and express in the warmÂest terms his gratitude to the great reformer for the services he had rendered to him in common with all who were seeking the truth; and as late as 1543, less than three years before Luther’s death, wrote him, earnestly and affectionately entreating him to examine his “Confession of Faith Concerning the Person of Christ,” a work then just published, and point out his errors, if any. He died at the city of Ulm on the 10th of December, 1562, leaving a name unspotted by any charge except that of heresy, and that only in respect to the doctrines herein mentioned, and others held in common by the reformers. His opponents accorded him the praise of possessing great learning combined with modesty, meekness, piety, and a loving spirit.
Although the establishment of an independent church was a purpose never entertained by Schwenk-feld, he had, so far as successful teaching of his distinctive doctrines went, prepared the way for it. Many clergymen and noblemen and other influential and learned men in Silesia and throughout Germany, and in some localities, especially in the Principalities of Liegnitz and Jauer, almost the entire population, embraced his doctrines; and for a time his adherents enjoyed the public ministration of the Gospel in not a few of the churches where they were most numerous, not as a distinct sect, but as part of the reformed Church in its wider sense. But their prosperity was short-lived. State reasons inclined the Protestant princes to favor the larger following of Luther, and most of the evangelical pastors who adhered to Schwenkfeld’s views were displaced, while but few were permitted to end their days with the churches which they served in Schwenkfeld’s time, and these under admonitions to observe the Sacraments according to the Lutheran practice. Even Frederick II. of Liegnitz, whose friendship for Schwenkfeld never abated, yielded late in life to the pressure of the dominant influences in the Protestant Church, and dismissed the Court Preacher Werner for no other reason than that he continued to teach the same doctrines that the Duke approved when Schwenkfeld was near the Court. But Frederick could not entirely forget his first love, and while he lived no severity was exercised towards the people in his dominions.
After the Duke’s death, however, they fared worse. That they, on the one hand, were Protestant and Evangelical, and on the other declined fellowship with the Lutherans, was enough to excite the intolerant spirit of the age, and invite persecution from all sides. Other circumstances conspired to bring them into disfavor alike with the clergy and the civil magistrates. Their rejection of infant baptism was sufficient, in the judgnient of those who cared not to inquire further, to justify the charge that they were Anabaptists, and bring upon them the odium of the excesses committed by that sect but a few years before at Miinster. Neither the explicit denial by Schwenkfeld in his lifetime of any sympathy with the Anabaptists, nor the blameless lives of the people, who rendered unto Caesar the things that were Caesar’s, and strove according to their knowledge to render unto God the things that were God’s, availed to free them from that charge. They were called Schwenkfelders in derision,—a name which they accepted,—and were stigmatized by almost every name that was supposed to convey a reproach. The new Duke, Frederick III., determined to stamp them out of his dominions, and issued a stringent decree against them, among other things imposing a fine of five hundred florins upon any person who should harbor an Anabaptist, by which he meant a Schwenkfelder, and later, ordered all their books to be seized and burned.
These measures had the opposite effect to that intended; the number of Schwenkfelders increased rather than diminished, but the persecutors did not gain wisdom from experience. Persecutions increased from year to year, until about 1580, when it seemed that every means that the ingenuity of man could devise was employed to coerce these people into either the Lutheran or the Catholic Church. In addition to former methods, the clergy refused to solemnize marriages until the contracting parties would partake of the Sacrament at the parochial church; men and women were dragged in chains into churches; leading men were expelled from the country; frequently when the people met at private houses for worship, as was their custom, they were arrested and imprisoned, often in dungeons, where many died from starvation, cold, and violent treatment, and others contracted diseases of which they died soon after their release; and finally large numbers were sent to Vienna, and there condemned without trial to serve in the wars with the Turks, or as oarsmen on Mediterranean galleys. And so the weary years passed until the outbreak of the Thirty Years’ War necessitated conciliation, when the Schwenkfelders accepted the horrors of that prolonged struggle as a grateful change from the cruelties of religious persecution. But soon after the peace of Westphalia the old persecutions were renewed with, if possible, increased rigor. From 1650 until 1658 they were especially severe.
Amid all these persecutions, without churches, without organization, robbed to a great extent of their religious books, and forbidden under severe penalties to reprint those that had been committed to the flames, the Schwenkfelders maintained their faith and their worship in the Fatherland for more than two centuries. The Bible was, indeed, allowed to them, and of this they were diligent readers; and, notwithstanding the efforts to suppress their literature, copies of Schwenkfeld’s works and the sermons and other writings of Johann Sigismund Werner, Michael Hiller, Erasmus Weichenhan, and Christian Hoburg were here and there preserved, and these served the multitude who met at the houses of their possessors to hear them read. The entire Sabbath, from morning till night, was spent in worship and in listening to the reading of such books.
Martin John, a learned physician of Hockenau, who wrote in the latter part of the seventeenth century, says: “Whoever had books, read on Sundays, and the others went to hear. The order was thus: In the morning, after each one had prayed when he rose from his bed, they assembled and sang the morning song standing; then they prayed from a prayer-book and sang a hymn of invocation, especially to the. Holy Ghost, all standing; after that they sang sitting, then prayed, and thereupon read some sermons; then prayed again and sang a couple of hymns; after that they ate at midday; then prayed again standing and sang an invocatory hymn, after which they read quite until evening, when they prayed and sang standing. This was the order on Sunday, and when the people came together in the week-time (for spinning) they then almost always sang, and when any one wished to go home they knelt down together and prayed.”
Towards the close of the seventeenth century the spirit of intolerance relaxed, and the Lutheran Church presenting her attractive side to this people, large numbers, especially of the young, were won over to her communion, and from that time the Schwenkfelders gradually decreased, until in 1718 they numbered only a few hundreds where they had formerly been counted by the thousands, and had disappeared entirely from many villages where they had once been numerous. Reduced in numbers as they now were, their conversion to the Roman Catholic faith was, nevertheless, deemed by the Jesuits an object of sufficient importance to enlist the energies of the Order in that direction, and in furtherance of such object they commenced operations about this time at the Imperial Court. It was not difficult to persuade Charles VI. that the treaty of Westphalia in its interdiction of religious persecution did not protect the Schwenkfelders. An order to the government at Liegnitz to send in an official report of that people and their creed was therefore readily obtained, and in obedience thereto some of the leading men were summoned to appear at Liegnitz on the 19th.. of May, 1718, where they were questioned and required to hand in a written declaration or confession of their faith and some of their doctrinal and devotional books. Next, the Lutheran pastors at Harpersdorf and Neudorf were required to furnish lists of the Schwenkfelders in their respective parishes.
These proceedings were followed in December, 1719, by the appearance of two Jesuit priests bearing a “Legitimation,” issued by the Superior Magistracy at Breslau, in the name and by command of the Emperor, accrediting them as missionaries for the conversion of the Schwenkfelders, in the following words:
“The Roman Emperor, also King in Germany, Spain, Hungary, and Bohemia, by his acting Privy Counsellor, Director, Chancellor, and Counsellors at the Royal Superior Domain in the Duchy of Upper and Lower Silesia.
“Offers first his courteous services, amity, and all blessings to the royal offices and domains, as also to the magisÂtrates, rulers, and officers, and to all lower jurisdictions, and others. And whereas his Imperial Majesty, our most gracious master, by virtue of a most gracious rescript issued unto the Royal Superior Domain on the 18th day of September last, has graciously declared in what manner a mission should be established for the conversion of the Schwenkfelders living in the Principalities of Schweidnitz, Jauer, and Liegnitz, and has most graciously thought proper to appoint for this purpose two priests from the Jesuit Society, namely, the worthy P. P. Johann Milahn and Carolum Regent, and has furthermore graciously commanded that the Superior Domain should provide said Patres MissionÂaries with letters patent so that they might not be impeded in their beneficial undertaking, therefore all the magisÂtrates, rulers, and other inhabitants, of whatever standing, office, or condition, are accordingly enjoined not to molest in any way those Patres Missionaries, nor to impede them in their ecclesiastical functions quo quo modo, under avoidÂance of severe animadversion, but moreover they are commanded to render them readily all possible assistance and help, and thus not to give cause for any complaint. In executing hereby the most gracious command of his Imperial Majesty we have no doubt of your acting in accordance therewith.
“HANS ANTON COUNT SCHAFGOTSCH (L. S.), ex consilio Reg. Cur.
“FRANZ CARL COUNT COTTULINSKY, Due. Silesize.
“M. J. AGLO VON WIESENSTEIN, etc.
“BRESLAU, the 9th of October, 1719.”
The royal government at Liegnitz added to this Legitimation of the Superior Magistracy, the following:
“All the hereinbefore named dominions, especially those at Harpersdorf, Armenruh, and Hockenau, where within the Principality of Liegnitz the most Schwenkfelders are living and dwelling, and all the inhabitants of the precinct of Goldberg, are hereby strictly directed, ordered, and commanded not to hinder the above-named two _Nitres Soc. Jesu in this mission charge conferred upon them by his Maj., not even under the pretence that they are overreaching the missionary object; but much less subject them to anything unbecoming or troublesome, but moreover to manifest to them with readiness all necessary assistance. By all of which ye shall show your proper regard, etc.
“W., Corm, or WURBEN, Governor-General.
“LiEnNiTz, the 15th day of December, 1719.”
At first the missionaries required only the men to attend their services, and sought to win them by expounding the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and attempting to refute those of the Schwenkfelders. But in the latter they found no easy task. To the end that they might know what they had to refute, they demanded answers in writing to a number of questions. These were cheerfully given, and at considerable length; every proposition being supported by abundant citations of Scripture and from the Church Fathers. Finding the people so strongly fortified in their religious opinions, and so apt to defend them, the missionaries became irritated and threatened to adopt harsher methods after the close of the year 1720. Accordingly, early in the year 1721, it was announced that the women and children must be brought to the missionaries for instruction in the Catholic religion; and an imperial edict to this effect was exhibited.
There was now consternation among the people. So long as only men of mature judgment were required to hear the instructions of the missionaries, they feared nothing, but they could not endure the subjection of their tender offspring to teachings and influences which they regarded as pernicious. They therefore, on the 5th of May, 1721, dispatched three deputies—Christopher Hoffmann, Balthasar Hoffmann, and Balthasar Hoffrichter—to Vienna to sue for toleration. These deputies were graciously received by the Emperor, and remained at the Court five years, during which time they presented no less than seventeen memorials to the Emperor in person at audiences granted for that purpose, setting forth the persecutions suffered by their people at the hands of the missionaries and of the magistrates at the instigation of the missionaries, and praying for toleration and protection. But notwithstanding the Emperor’s uniform kindness of manner at these audiences, and thathe ordered a cessation of violence until further consideration, matters constantly grew worse in Silesia.
When parents refused to present their children for instruction, they were imprisoned; women were placed in the stocks and compelled to lie in cold rooms in the winter without so much as straw under them; and when imprisonment failed to bring the people with their children to the missionary services, fines and extortions were added. Marriages were forbidden unless the parties would promise to rear their offspring in the Catholic faith, and when young people went into other countries to be married, they were imprisoned for that on their return. The dead were not allowed Christian burial in the churchyards where their ancestors of the same faith for many generations slept, but were required to be interred in cattle-ways, and sorrowing friends were forbidden to follow the remains of loved ones to these ignominious resting-places. Hundreds of Schwenkfelders were so buried at Harpersdorf, Langenneudorf, and Lauterseifen during the twenty years that the mission was maintained. The missionaries claimed guardianship of all orphan children of Sehwenkfelders, and thus the last hours of the dying were embittered by the thought that their children must be educated in a faith that they themselves abhorred. And to prevent escape from the horrible situation in which they were placed, the people were forbidden to sell their property or, under any pretext, leave the country, and severe penalties were denounced against any person who should assist a Schwenkfelder to escape by purÂchasing his property, or otherwise.
The deputies made a final appeal to the Emperor for mercy on the 28th of July, 1725. That appeal was answered by the publication—in September—of the following decree:
“CHARLES THE SIXTH.
“DEAR FAITHFUL: We received your obedient report of March 20th, of this year, by which you have informed us of the condition of the ecclesiastical mission appointed for the conversion of those Schwenkfelder Sectariorum sojournÂing at several places in our Duchy of Silesia. As we now most graciously desire a better progress of the mission. we therefore provide:
“Primo, most graciously to wit: That the mission henceforth exercise all their power to accomplish the work of conversion with profit and good effect. And likewise
“Secundo, that all watchful oversight of the mock preachers and Seductores from the authority of the country, and especially from those missionaries, be kept as heretofore commanded, and in case of any trespass at once to arrest the guilty and to punish them in terrorem alior, and to report to us aggravating occurrences if thought proper, and also we desire that the same may be understood concerning those Schwenkfelder inhabitants and housekeepers who permit Schwenkfelder conventicula in their houses, or who are leaders or instigators to persistence in those heretical errors. In such a manner that they shall be arrested as soon as the same shall be sufficiently apparent, brought here and their names entered. So it shall “Tertio, not only be a settled matter that’the Schwenkfelder books of instruction shall be hunted up and taken away, as also no less
“Quarto, that the children of the Schwenkfelders shall be brought to preaching and catechizing, and also the adulti Sectarii themselves shall be held to the presence and hearing thereof, and those who without good cause absent themselves, shall at the first occurrence be charged with a money fine in proportion to their circumstances; for the second time it shall be doubled; upon further renitenz to the contrary they shall be punished according to the nature of the case with arrest or opere publico: and further the Schwenkfelder congregations in their submissive requests to be tolerated in their confession of faith in future, are once for all refused, and they shall never hereafter venture to present any new supplications; and be it in all seriousness announced to all the respective jurisdictions and public authorities that the missionary fathers shall by nothing, and in no way or manner, be hindered, but upon their call shall receive all necessary assistance with all force and effect. Also to report to us, from time to time, all future occurÂrences by and through our royal Bohemian Court Bureau. Herein let our will be executed.
“Decreed at Vienna, the 30th of July, 1725.
“CHARLES,
“Ad mandatum, “Joh. Christoph Jordan.
“FEED. COMES VINSKY,
“Ris Bohcemiw Sup Cancellarius.
“To the Royal Superior Magistracy
“in Silesia.
“Presented the 19th of August, 1725.
“The foregoing copy was taken from the original, with the same carefully compared and found to agree with the
same in every particular, which is hereby attested by deliberately attaching thereto the great royal official seal.
“So done at the Royal Castle in Jauer, the 19th of September, 1725.
“L. S.”
The missionaries now bent all their energies to the accomplishment of the work in hand, and to the full exercised with the utmost rigor the powers granted to them, and were aided therein by the civil magistrates even to patrolling the highways to prevent the escape of any of the doomed people. Thus was this unhappy people shut up to the choice of either apostasy, or continued endurance of the ever-increasing miseries of their situation, or flight. The first was to the true Schwenkfelder simply impossible; the second was too horrible to be contemplated. They therefore resolved to escape from the country at all hazards.
The exodus commenced in the month of February, 1726. During that month and the months of March, April, and May following, upwards of one hundred and seventy families escaped by night from Harpersdorf, Armenruh, and Hockenau, and fled on foot to Upper Lusatia. then a part of the Electorate of Saxony, and found shelter at Wirsa near Greissenbeig, Gorlitz, Hennersdorf near Gorlitz, Berthels-dorf, and Herrnhut. In consequence of the prohibition of sales of property by Schwenkfelders, and the police regulations to prevent emigration, they were obliged to leave all their property behind except what they could carry upon their backs or upon wheelbarrows. Consequently the less provident, who had laid up little or no money, found themselves in great destitution amongst strangers. They were, however, hospitably received, and treated with much consideration by the Senate of Gorlitz, and by Count Zinzendorf, at Berthelsdorf and Herrnhut, and soon after their arrival assistance came to them unexpectedly from theretofore unknown friends in Holland. They lived here in a state of uncertainty as to the future for eight years.
The assistance received from Holland led to a correspondence with the Dutch benefactors, who strongly advised emigration to Pennsylvania. Some, however, began to purchase homes in Lusatia, and it is doubtful whether all would not have settled there permanently had not subsequent events proved the advice of the Hollanders to have been both timely and wise. In the spring of 1733 Count Zinzendorf informed them that they would be tolerated no longer in Lusatia, and referred them to the superior magistrate at Bautzen for the reasons. It was ascertained that application had been made for their enforced return to Silesia. They were, however, permitted to remain until the next spring.
Soon after Count Zinzendorf’s announcement that protection would be withdrawn, two families emigrated to Pennsylvania, arriving at Philadelphia on the 18th of September (0. S.), 1733. Their report of the country, and the advice of the friends in Holland, determined about forty families to follow them. Their first care was to proceed orderly and obtain the permission of the sovereign to whom they proposed to transfer their allegiance. This secured, they set out in April, 1734, for Altona, in Denmark, where they arrived on the 17th of May. On their arrival at Altona, they found preparaÂtions made for their reception, and were most hospitably entertained until the 28th, when they emÂbarked on three small vessels for Haarlem, arriving at the latter place on the 6th of June. Here they were received with open arms, and overwhelmed with kindness by their benefactors of former years.
The disinterested kindness of a mercantile house in Haarlem, composed’ of three brothers, AbraÂham, Isaac, and John Von Byuschanse, deserves more than a passing notice here. Their attentions to the strangers were not limited to seeing that there were no actual wants unsupplied; they strove by personal attentions to make the stay of the party in Haarlem enjoyable. The little ones especially came in for a full share of their kindly offices. Part of the contribution sent to Gorlitz in 1726 for the relief of the destitute remained unexpended, and those having it in charge offered to return it to the donors, there being no further need of such assistance. The Messrs. Von Byuschanse would not listen to the offer, but directed the fund to be expended for the benefit of the poorer people when they should arrive in Pennsylvania. And not content with all that they had done, they insisted upon providing at their own expense a vessel for the transportation of the whole company to Philadelphia, and defraying the entire expense of the voyage. This noble benefaction was bread cast upon the waters. The deÂscendants and successors in the business of the Messrs. Von Byuschanse met with reverses in the year 1790. Information of this fact coming to the Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania, they, in grateful rememÂbrance of the kindness shown to their own ancestors and to some of themselves in childhood more than half a century before, raised a considerable sum of money [seven hundred pounds or about 3000 dollars says Hazard’s Register of Pa., Vol. 4, July 1829, p. 127], and sent it to the relief of the distressed house.
The emigrants remained at Haarlem, enjoying the munificent hospitality of the Messrs. Von Byuschanse, until the 19th of June, when they proceeded to Rotterdam, and there embarked for Pennsylvania on an English ship, the St. Andrew, which had been chartered for them by their large-hearted friends, and touching at Plymouth, England, arrived at Philadelphia on the 22d of September (N. S.), 1734. On the next day all male persons over the age of sixteen years proceeded to the StateÂhouse, and there subscribed a pledge of allegiance to George II., King of Great Britain, and his sucÂcessors, and of fidelity to the proprietor of the province. They spent the 24th in thanksgiving to Almighty God for delivering them out of the hands of their persecutors, for raising up friends in the times of their greatest need, and for leading them into a land of freedom, where they might worship Him unmolested by civil or ecclesiastical power. This day, the 24th of September, was thenceforth set apart to be observed by them and their descendants, through all time, as a day of Thanksgiving commemorative of the Divine goodness manifested in their deliverance from the persecutions of the Fatherland. To this day it is so observed.
The little band who had passed through so many trials together were now to separate. Some settled within the present limits of the city of Philadelphia, in the neighborhood of Chestnut Hill; others in the now counties of Montgomery, Berks, and Lehigh, there to convert the wilderness into happy homes, that in many instances have been enjoyed by their descendants till this day. It is needÂless to dwell on the hardships and privations of the first few years. They were such as were the common lot of all the early settlers of Pennsylvania, mitigated by the remembrance of what had been exchanged for them.
Dispersed as the people were, they nevertheless remained one in faith and in the bonds of mutual sympathy and love, and promptly set up the worship of Almighty God in their new home. They were without a pastor, but fortunately not without a man qualified by many gifts and graces to fill the sacred office. That man was George Weiss. He had been selected on the eve of departure from Lusatia to “give instruction to the children, and render such other spiritual services as might be required,” and had conducted the thanksgiving services on arrival in this country and perhaps other services, and having proved acceptable, was, in December, 1734, elected by the “house fathers” to the pastoral office. He served with great acceptance till his death, in 1740, when he was succeeded by Rev. Balthasar Hoffman.
It was natural to expect that the remaining Schwenkfelders would follow their emigrant brethren as rapidly as circumstances would admit. Such, however, was not the case. The very violence of the missionaries worked its own temporary cure, and for a time the necessity for flight was removed. Says Kadelbach: [Ausfurliche Geschichte Caspar Schwenkfelds und der Schwenkfelder in Schlesien, der Ober Lausitz und Amerika, Lauban, 18601 “The respective local rulers, lords of the soil, saw with indignation the expatriation of their most active and peaceful subjects, and the decline of the prosperity of their communities.” Thus was an influential public opinion awakened against the missionaries, not so much, indeed, by the outrageous cruelty of their methods, as by its effects on the public prosperity; but it was none the less potent, and its pressure was felt in a quarter where it was least expected to be respected. The same author says: “Even the Catholic clergy of the surrounding country declared themselves by no means in accord with the behavior of the missionaries, and were greatly dissatisfied with this sort of conversion.” Of course this meant a change of tactics, and the Schwenkfelders had comparative rest for a few years.
About the close of the year 1735, however, the old methods of conversion were revived, and in the following year a number of families fled into Saxony, whence one family came to Pennsylvania the same year, and four others in 1737. Again there was anxiety about the loss of subjects, and, whether in consequence of representations by the local governments or of other promptings, an imperial order was issued temporarily suspending the exercise of the extraordinary powers of the missionaries, and directing a searching investigation of their conduct; and again there was comparative exemption from persecution.
But whatever steadiness of purpose Charles VI. manifested in the general administration of the affairs of the empire, his conduct towards the Schwenkfelders had always been characterized by fickleÂness. Each spasmodic exhibition of a tolerant disposition had been followed by a more intolerant decree from the Imperial Court, and it was too late now when, nearing the end of his career, he was engaged in securing guarantees of the inviolability, after his death, of the Pragmatic Sanction, to expect more firmness in his good intentions towards this people than he had before shown. The next spring a decree was published to the effect that the “Schwenkfelder heresy” must be trodden out, and its adherents coerced into the Catholic Church within one year. But it was a vain decree. The hour of final deliverance and, in some measure, of retribution, was approaching. Within the year appointed for the extermination of the Schwenkfelders Charles had paid the debt of nature, and Frederick the Great had vindicated his better title to Silesia, under the agreement of mutual succession made two centuries before between his ancestor, the Elector of Brandenburg, and the Duke of Liegnitz, and had proclaimed religious freedom in the long-misgoverned principalities.
Frederick was not content to merely put a stop to religious persecutions. Damage had been sustained by the country in the loss of valued subjects, and great wrongs had been done to individuals. He desired to repair the former and was willing to redress the latter even at the expense of the royal treasury. For that purpose he issued an edict in 1742 which reflects the highest honor upon himself, and, when the insignificance of their numbers is considered, pays a flattering tribute to the worth of the exiled Schwenkfelders. As exhibiting the estimation in which the ancestors of those whose names are contained in the following pages were held, and at the same time as a happy contrast to the before-recited decree of Charles VI., that edict is here presented in extenso:
“Edict to provide for the re-establishment of the so-called Schwenkfelders in Silesia and other provinces of his Royal Majesty; De dato Selowitz the 8th of March, 1742.
“We, Frederick, by the Grace of God, King of Prussia, Margrave of Brandenburg, Arch Chamberlain, and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, etc., etc.
“Be it known to all to whom these presents may come: Whereas we do hold nothing to be so contrary to Nature, Reason, and Principles of the Christian Religion as the forcing of the subjects’ consciences, and persecuting them about any erroneous doctrines which do not concern the fundamental principles of the Christian Religion. We have, thereÂfore, most graciously resolved that the so-called Schwenkfelders, who were exiled through an imprudent zeal for ReliÂgion, to the irreparable damage of commerce and of the country, be recalled into our Sovereign Duchy of Lower Silesia. We have, therefore, thought fit by these presents to assure all those who possess the said doctrine, upon our Royal word that they shall and may safely return not only into our Sovereign Duchy of Lower Silesia, but also into all our provinces, peaceably to live and trade there, since we not only do receive them into our special protection, but also will give them all necessary supplies for the promotion of their commerce. And all those who, several years ago, were deprived of their habitations and estates in our country of Silesia, shall be reinstated without any compensation in case those estates are not paid for by the new possessors. Such as will settle in our villages shall have farms assigned to them, and care shall be taken to provide them employment, and those who choose to live in towns shall, besides several ordinary Free years, have places assigned them gratis for the building of their houses, for which purposes they need only apply to our Military and Domainen Chambers.
“We do therefore command our Superior Colleges of Justice and Finance, as also all mediate Princes, Lords, Magistrates, etc., carefully to observe the same.
“In Witness whereof we have signed this present Edict with our own hand, and caused our Royal Seal to be affixed.
“Done at Selowitz, March 8th, 1742.
[L.S.]Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â “FREDERICK,
“VON COCCEJI.                                                                                               “Per Graf von Miinchau.”
Translation from “Dankbare Erinnerung an die Schwenkfelder in Nordamerika, Gorlitz, 1816. Gedruckt bei Gotthold Hainze,” wherein reference is made to “Konigl. Preuss Edicten-Sammlung Vom 1 December 1740 bis 1744 No. 14 Saite 41;” and also in “255ten K. der Schlesischen gesammelten Nachrichten 1742.” See also H. Hazard’s Register, p. 127; also Kadelbach Ausfuriiche Geschichte u. s. w. Hallesche Nachrichten.
[Footnotes of Hon. Christopher Heydrick, p. 25.]
Much as they loved the Fatherland in spite of the cruel wrongs which they and their ancestors for two centuries had suffered, none of the Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania availed themselves of the royal invitation to return to their former home,s. They had become attached to the government under which they had for eight years enjoyed absolute freedom and a measure of prosperity that promised better things in the future than restoration of their estates in Silesia. They had come here to stay, and had laid foundations which they were loath to abandon. They had acquired permanent homes; they had established and thus far maintained, public worship; remembering the words of Christ: For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will, ye may do them good; they had estabÂlished a Poor Fund, which, increasing with increased prosperity, has, for nearly a century and a half, satisfied every call upon it from within their communion and scattered its blessings outside; and they had established a School Fund which supplied every want intended to be supplied by the system of public instruction established by the State many years later. In short, they had taken root in the soil of Pennsylvania.
For many years they could not be said to have had an organization as a church. Indeed, the want of an organization was not felt while there were but few families, and they widely separated. But after the death of their second pastor, Rev. Balthasar Hoffman, in 1775, with increased membership, the necessity for an organization was recognized and soon received attention. Christopher Schultz, a man of great learning, ability, and zeal, and withal peculiarly fitted for the special work before him, was now, after fervent prayer for the divine guidance therein, called to the pastoral office. He addressed himself to the work of organization, and prepared a constitution or system of church government which was formally adopted on the 17th of August, 1782. For administrative purposes two districts were created, known as the “Upper District” and the “Lower District.” It was provided that each district should elect a president, three elders, two trustees, and a treasurer of the School Fund, and a treasurer of the Poor Fund. Two congregations or individual churches were then organized, one in each district.
The duties of the elders are to see that church order is strictly observed, and to examine all matters in dispute between members and, if possible, adjust the same. One elder is elected every year in each district for the term of three years, and no elder can be re-elected until at least one year after the expiraÂtion of his last term. After the adoption of the common school system of the State the name of the School Fund was changed to “Literary Fund,” and the fund itself devoted to literary purposes, and the duties of the officers of the Fund were correspondingly modified. The duties of the other officers are sufficiently indicated by their titles. The members on their part are enjoined to pay their debts without legal proceedings, and to “live quiet, virtuous, peaceable, Christian lives according to the will of Christ in all meekness and lowliness as the quiet in the land, and to be true and faithful in their spiritual as well as their temporal calling.”
Owing to the dispersion of the members and the consequent impracticability of assembling any considerable numbers at any one point, no church edifices were erected until the year 1789. In that year a church was erected in the upper district, and soon after one in the lower. At later periods two more churches were built in each district, making six in all. Until these accommodations were provided, divine service was held at private houses, as it had been in the Fatherland, and in the absence of the pastor was conducted by one of the members. The service was opened with singing and prayer. The Gospel lesson for the day was then read, and sometimes expounded, after which a sermon from Weich-enhan’s, Werner’s, or filer’s Postille was read, followed by singing and prayer. While there was but a single pastor, there were a number of members who acceptably led meetings for worship and perÂformed much of the pastoral work. At later periods the ministry was increased, until there are now [1879] three active ministers in each district.
The religious training and education of their children was from an early period regarded by the Schwenkfelders as a matter of prime importance. The exact date of the establishment of Kinder Lehr cannot now be ascertained, but the first appointment of George Weiss before he was called to the full work of the ministry proves that the institution was brought to this country from Germany, and when the immigrants devoted, as they did, every alternate Sabbath to the instruction of the youth by catechetical lectures, it was evidently no new thing. Rev. Christopher Schultz gave an impetus to this department of church-work by his untiring labors therein, and by an excellent Catechism which he prepared for the instruction of children. The solicitude of the church for the children is shown in a ceremony originated in this country. As soon as conveniently may be after the birth of a child it is brought into church and the minister prays for its happiness and prosperity, and admonishes its parents to “bring it up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord according to the will of God.” This service is sometimes performed at the home of the parents.
The literature of the Schwenkfelders is almost exclusively in the German language. Their printed works are mainly those hereinbefore incidentally mentioned, to which may be added the Erauterung, etc., published in 1771, and of which a second edition appeared in 1830; and a work by the venerated Schultz, entitled “A Compendium of Christian Faith.” But a large and valuable portion of their literature is yet in manuscript, being in part the writings of contemporaries of Schwenkfeld and of others of the next century. A single volume appeared in an English dress in 1858, containing Schwenkfeld’s “Heavenly Balm and Divine Physician,” and “Threefold Life of Man,” translated by the Rev. F. R. Anspach, D.D.
SUPPLEMENTARY HISTORY
BY SAMUEL K. BRECHT
In order to answer repeated inquiries as to the history and location as well as the present status of the Schwenkfelder Church, it is deemed necessary to give additional data in this section concerning the later history of the Schwenkfelders as a supplement to that written by Judge Heydrick on the preceding pages. When the attempt was made in Saxony to force the Schwenkfelders to return to Silesia, as narrated by Judge Heydrick, they did not all flee to America as will be described in connection with the families in later pages. In consequence of the migration to Pennsylvania, families were broken up; in some cases husbands were parted from wives; children from parents, brothers and sisters from each other.
It has been impossible to obtain actual statistics of the number of Schwenkfelders who remained in Europe, but it is known that a number of them returned to Saxony, and it is stated by some that at least five hundred souls were under the jurisdiction of Count Zinzendorf when he was notified that they would no longer be tolerated in Lusatia.
NUMBER OF SCHWENKFELDERS
In a reply to a questionnaire of the Saxon government at a request from the King of Poland reÂgarding the number of Schwenkfelders in Saxony at that time (1732), it was stated that 179 persons had fled to Saxony, that twenty-five families remained, and twenty individuals went over to the Evangelical religion between 1722 and 1732. They had been tolerated in Silesia for 200 years. [Dresden Staats Archly.]
From the letters written to the Mennonites by Adam Wiegner, the secretary of the Schwenkfelders during this pre-migratory period, we learn that there was much opposition within the body towards their migration to Pennsylvania. The Emperor of Germany invited them to settle in the province of Brandenburg, near Berlin, where he agreed to erect linen factories for them so that they might find emÂployment there. Count Zinzendorf, indeed, persuaded them to agree to go with him with a body of Moravians to found a colony in Georgia, which they agreed to do under certain conditions. When the time for departure was at hand the Count could not meet his conditions, so the Schwenkfelders felt they were no longer bound by their agreement, which was never put in writing, and they decided to come to Pennsylvania. Hence, it seems that the hand of Providence was the guiding star that kept them from locating in Brandenburg or being transported to Georgia to become slave owners.
The various migrations are described in the following chapters, but apparently a very large number remained in Germany and were assimilated with the other denominations. The passport of Frederick Bormann reproduced on another page is a proof that some of the families returned to Silesia. The letters in Christopher Kriebel’s letter book (vid. Christopher Kriebel [19-2]) give us a glimpse of the condition in Silesia during this period subsequent to the migration to Pennsylvania. The last surÂviving Schwenkfelder in Silesia as given by Kadelbach seems to have been Melchior Dorn, who died in Harpersdorf in 1726. His arm chair reposes in the Schwenkfelder Historical Library at Pennsburg, Pa. The descendants of Melchior Dorn living in Germany today state that Mr. Dorn always claimed to his dying day that he was a steadfast Schwenkfelder.
Only forty families decided to migrate to Pennsylvania. The rest remained in Gorlitz, went over to the Lutheran Church, bought homesteads and married. The forty glaubenstreue (faithful) families departed in January, 1734, from Gorlitz and the surroundings for England, whence through their HaarÂlem friends shipped for Pennsylvania on July 29,1734, and under God’s protection landed Sept. 22, 1734. On June 18, 1732, in response to a request for the number of Schwenkfelders in Gorlitz, Dr. ChrisÂtopher Biittner reported that in Gorlitz were the following:
- Adam Wiegner with wife and four children.
- David Lips ,and wife.
- Melchior Hubner and four children.
In Hennersdorf, Melchior Krause “ein Dorfschneider” (village tailor). They were quiet people and disturbed no one, so that no one could complain about them. All the remainder had gone to Ber-thelsdorf.
On May 13, 1734, Christopher Wiegner and Melchior Hubner thanked the magistrate for his proÂtection thus far, and asked for a passport to America.
In 1734, after most of the Schwenkfelders had migrated from Upper Lusatia, from 20 to 28 persons, men and women, came from out of Silesia to Gorlitz. They found quarters with M. Schofer “im Hinterhause,” and a few burgers. They were sent out of Berthelsdorf to Gorlitz. While they fled on account of force, many more became Catholics. They requested domiciles for only three months. In this group was Caspar Teichman with a family of seven, and Kaspar Bormann and Melchior Schubert with his family.
On Apr. 27, 1736, there came out of Harpersdorf Abraham Beyer with wife and five children, and two other families. They were bound for Gorlitz. It was proposed to them that they join the EvanÂgelical Church (Lutheran), but they remained only a short time. [Kadelbach, p 65.]
THE MIGRATION TO GORLITZ
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Gorlitz was of all the towns in Upper Lusatia the chief home of the Schwenkfelders. Sebastian Schiitze, owner of the villages of Leopoldshein (Leutpoldshayn) and Hennersdorf, a scientific and cultured man, is said to have been the first Schwenkfelder in Gorlitz. He was already married in 1512, and was such an ardent follower of Protestantism that he organized divine services in the home for his children and household. In 1544, he had a converted shoemaker from Gorlitz, named Franz Seidel, installed as pastor at Leopoldshein and had him ordained as pastor. [Kadelbach, p 581
The following is a list of Schwenkfelders who came to Gorlitz, according to Kadelbach:
Feb. 21, 1726: from Harpersdorf, Melchior Kriebel, “Hausler und Handelsmann,” with family; Adam Wiegner, “Gartner und Handelsmann,” with wife and four children.
Apr. 29: David Liebe, “Handelsmann,” with wife and one child.
From Armenruh, Feb. 21, 1726: George Wiegner with wife and four children.
From Hockenau, Apr. 29, 1726: Me                   Hubner, “Arzt,” with wife and three children. MelÂchior Neumann, “Zimmerman,” with wife and child.
From Harpersdorf to Hennersdorf, near Gorlitz, Apr. 29, 1726: George Scholtz, “Bauer,” with wife and three children. Melchior Krause with wife and four children.
From Harpersdorf to Berthelsdorf, under Count Zinzendorf, Feb. 16, 1726: Balthasar Jackel, “Bauer,” with wife and five children. Melchior Meschter, “Schumacher,” with wife and three children. George Hoffman, “Hausler,” with wife and four children. George Reinwald, “Hausler,” with wife and three children.
Apr. 30: Balthasar Schultze, “Bauer,” with wife and five children.
May 1: Christoph Kriebel, “Bauer,” with wife and three children; Melchior Scholz, “Bauer,” with wife and three children; Melchior Kriebel; Balthasar Heidrich u And.
From Armenruh, Feb. 28: Georg Anders, “Weber,” with wife.
From Harpersdorf to Herrnhut, May 5, 1726: George Weiss, “Weber” and wife.
Balthasar Hoffman (he spent five years as ambassador of the Schwenkfelders at the Imperial. Court), with wife and two children. Christopher Hoffman, with wife, also an ambassador
All together there were 170 persons who left the above named places and came to Gorlitz and settled in the surrounding community.
They found a good friend and counsellor in Gorlitz, Senator and merchant Hanisch, who wrote to friends in Holland in their behalf and secured aid for them. In a reply from Isaac Grajestein from Haarlem, dated May 10, 1726, amongst other things he says they have raised 6000 Holland gldr. for the benefit of the Schwenkfelders, and that Senator Hanisch might draw personally on him for 1000 gldr. and distribute it amongst the needy. [Kadelbach, pp 47-76.] ‘
The last Schwenkfelder who came to Gorlitz from Harpersdorf arrived December 14, 1740. She was the twenty-four-year-old widow Anna Rosina Wagner, née Hubner. She had a child one and three-fourths years old. She was asked whether she wished to become protestant (evangelical). She answered evasively—she would not forbid her child to become Lutheran but as for herself, she could not yet decide. From this time on the migration of the Schwenkfelders towards Upper. Lusatia ceased, as Frederick the Great had granted religious toleration in Silesia. [Kadelbach, p 66.]
The small group of Schwenkfelders remaining in Silesia in respect to their belief and attitude bore the persecution better than their freedom. For soon after they obtained freedom of belief they began to seek associations, their clothing became modernized, and they had less respect for the sanctity of the Sabbath. Thus it happened that year after year the number decreased and the freedom of the ranks lightened. Most of their children decided to declare for Protestantism and to participate in all (rights) practices of the denomination. [Kadelbach, p 50.]
The last Schwenkfelder in Lower Silesia who still declared himself to be so openly, was the (Bauer, guts-besitzer) farm owner, Melchior Dorn of Harpersdorf. He died June 24, 1826, aged 73 years, 9 months, and 8 days. Thus for 100 years after their dispersal there remained Schwenkfelders in Silesia. The Catholic Chapel in Harpersdorf still standing on the fine Meschter farm and built by the Catholics with the fines paid by the Schwenkfelders for not attending church, and the graves in the Viehweg are the last and only monuments in Silesia of the persecution of the Schwenkfelders.
THE VIEHWEG AT HARPERSDORF
The Viehweg is a public burying ground or “Potter’s Field” located in Harpersdorf, Silesia, in which Schwenkfelders who were denied Christian burial in the church cemeteries were interred. It was considered a very great disgrace to be interred there, as it was supposed to be the burial place of criminÂals who were interred there of times by public decree only. On May 17, 1704, Sybilla Adolph, who had taken the life of her infant babe by drowning it in a neighboring pond, was beheaded and buried there. Another official document states that a woman who had taken her own life by hanging, on the premises of Adam Meschter, in Upper Harpersdorf on May 24, 1715, was buried in the Viehweg by special decree; hence burial in the Viehweg was intended not only as a curse to the parents, but also to the children of those who were buried there.
Between the years 1720 and 1741, more than two hundred Schwenkfelders were buried in this plot. After the Jesuit Mission had come to Harpersdorf the last Schwenkfelder to be buried in the churchyard was Eva Schultz, on Nov. 3, 1722, and the first one to be buried in the churchyard after the struggle was over was George Groh who died Oct. 27, 1741, at the age of 86. All the Schwenkfelders dying between these dates were forbidden burial in the churchyards, thus this spot is sacred to the Schwenkfelders because of its history.
The early documents of the Schwenkfelders, written during the persecution and after the migration, mention the burials in this plot, and we find that Rev. Christopher Schultz in 1772, in a letter to C. E. Heintze, has a long discussion regarding the Viehweg, and expresses the hope that the Schwenkfelders might secure this property, convert it into a graveyard with a proper enclosure, and erect on it a monuÂment or a Denkmal. We also find that Rev. Oswald Kadelbach, a great friend of the Schwenkfelders, was desirous that desecration of this holy ground should be prevented, as he stated that this Viehweg was considered public property. It was used as a dump and anyone needing loads of soil or dirt to fill up holes in his premises would come to this graveyard and help himself. This was carried on to such an extent that in some places the bones of the dead were uncovered and exposed. Conditions remained the same until 1861, when Dr. Solomon S. Schultz, who was visiting the hospitals of Europe in preparÂation for becoming superintendent of the State Hospital at Danville, Pa., paid a visit to Silesia, met Pastor Kadelbach, and visited this graveyard. As a result of this visit Dr. Schultz communicated with his friends in America, a fund was raised, the ground was purchased by the Schwenkfelders, and a handÂsome monument has been erected upon it. This monument contains the following inscription:
| “Hier ruhen in Gott die glaubenstreuen Schwenkfelder welche in den Jahren 1720-40 auf diesem Viehwege beerdigt wurden.” |
“Die Liebe der Nachkomen
setzte den Voreltern zu Probst hayn, Harpersdorf, Langen neundorf u. Lauterseifen dieses Denkmal 1863.” |
[TRANSLATION]
“Here rest in God the faithful Schwenkfelders who were buried in this Viehweg between 1720 and 1740.” On the other side of the monument is this inscription: “The descendants in North America erected this monument in memory of their ancestors in Probsthayn, Harpersdorf, Langenneundorf, and Lauterseifen.”
The monument stands in the center of the plot, which is overgrown with white birch trees, so that the cemetery is practically a grove.
Dr. Schultz had also planned to enclose this burial ground by a stone wall, but the funds collected not being sufficient to erect both the wall and the monument, the monument was erected first and the erection of the stone wall has never taken place. The breaking out of the Civil War required the servÂices of Dr. Schultz as surgeon in the army, thus taking his time and attention from these matters, and the high rate of foreign exchange also militated against forwarding any more money to Germany for completing the plans proposed for the Viehweg. In the course of time Pastor Kadelbach died, and there being no one in Germany to look after the matter, the grounds have remained unenclosed to this day.
Prior to the late World War the Schwenkfelder Church for a number of years had sent funds to Harpersdorf to pay for the upkeep of the cemetery, but since the breaking out of the war nothing furÂther has been done towards providing for its maintenance. [Vid. Schwenkfeldian, Vol. III; p 42.]
BURNING OF THE CHURCH AT HARPERSDORF
The Jesuit Milahn lived in Harpersdorf in a narrow farm house in the upper part of the village, and was always pleased to have friends and patrons visit him during his spare hours.
On one of these occasions it seems that a large quantity of refreshments was crowded into the narrow house in order to entertain those present. In October, 1726, it happened that a large number of guests had assembled in the priest’s house and at this time his relations with the Schwenkfelders still remaining in Harpersdorf was not very cordial. Pains were taken to give the guests good entertainÂment, but the narrowness of the rooms was not taken into account, so that fire broke out and raged with such fury that in less than four hours four farm houses and twenty other country dwellings, besides the handsome protestant church with the tower and chimes were a prey to the flames. [It is stated that the only part of the church not destroyed was the “Tauf-Engel” which is preserved in the present Lutheran Church in Harpersdorf, said to be the only Tauf-Engel in the whole of Silesia.—Editor.]
No one dared to make open charges regarding the fire, but the murmurings of the members of the unfortunate congregation, as well as those outside could not be restrained. Father Milahn no longer feeling secure in his berth had himself recalled from Harpersdorf in order to escape punishment at the hands of the village folk. After recovering from the shock of the fire the protestant congregation imÂmediately set out to rebuild the church and tower that had been destroyed.
Pastor Neander, who had for a long time been hated by the Jesuits, as was his duty, took this opÂportunity and demanded among other things that, at the wish of the community, a third bell or chimes be purchased for the church. This demand aroused the Jesuits against him anew. They comÂplained to Vienna that Neander had violated the consistorial command that no radical changes should be made to any church edifice, whereas he ordered a third bell for the church. The result was that an imperial decree was issued suspending Neander from the service. [Kadelbach.]
SCHWENKFELDER GRATITUDE
The Schwenkfelders at different times sent letters and money to Europe.
In 1771 and 1772 they wrote to Harpersdorf and Probsthayn to ascertain whether any of their fellow believers were in need, and if so they would forward money for their support.
In 1816 they sent a considerable sum (167 Rix dollars) to the Council at GOrlitz as a thank-offering in remembrance of the favors and protection given their ancestors. The money was to be used for the relief of unfortunate Lusatians who were left destitute as a result of the war, or for the relief of any destitute Schwenkfelders who lived in Lusatia. The Council of Gorlitz thanked the Schwenkfelders in an official manner [vid. letter of Gorlitz plate], and Scabinus Zane wrote an historical account of the trials of the Schwenkfelders in Gorlitz which was printed and sent to the Schwenkfelders in America [vid. Dankbare Erinnerung an die Gemeinde der Schwenkfelder zu Philadelphia, Gorlitz 1816]. After the author’s death in 1819, his widow received a letter from America dated Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Sept. 7, 1818, written by Christoph Jackel, Chairman. In this letter thanks are given for the impartial accounts which the Schwenkfelders received concerning conditions about Gorlitz, and enclosed was a copy of the “Erlauterung fur Herrn Casper Schwenckfeld.”
In November, 1857, a letter signed by George Meschter, William Schultz and Jacob Meschter was addressed to the “Burgermeister Arnt in Probsthain.” This letter recites that the Schwenkfelder congregation was desirous of ascertaining whether any Schwenkfelders are still living in Probsthain and vicinity. The letter recites the fact that in 1771 and 1772 a correspondence between the Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania and those in Probsthain had been carried on. [Heintze Correspondence], and it was hoped that some still existed in Silesia. The writers of the letter offered to pay whatever cost would be entailed to give this information, and enclosed one dollar to pay the expenses of this letter and the reply. The reply to this letter was to be sent to
“Mr. Moritz Loeb
Editor of the Morgenstein, Doylestown, Bucks Co., Pa., U. S. A.”
It was this letter that fell into the hands of Pastor Kadelbach who answered it in December of the same year, and which led to a correspondence from which he obtained the data for the chapter in his book entitled “Geschiehte der Schwenkfelder in America von 1734-1860”. In May, 1860, Pastor Kadel-bach received a letter from the Schwenkfelders in America giving him a brief account of the Schwenk-felders in Pennsylvania and seven photographs of homes of the Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania.
These photographs, together with all other papers and books relating to the Schwenkfelders that were in Pastor Kadelbach’s Library, have been kindly donated to the Historical Collection of the Schwenkfelders by the Pastors’ children.
The book which the town of Gorlitz had printed in appreciation of the generosity of the Schwenk-felders is entitled:
“Dankbare Erinnerung an die Gemeinde der Schwenkfelder zu Philadelphia in Nordamerika. Gorlitz 1816.” (Thankful Remembrances of the Schwenkfelder congregation in Philadelphia, in North America.)
The town received a gift of 163 Rthlr. “Cono. Mfinze” from the Schwenkfelders in America, for the relief of the poor and distressed resulting from the Napoleonic Wars. This gift was sent by the Schwenkfelders in memory of the protection given their forefathers in Gorlitz after their flight from Harpersdorf and vicinity in 1726.
The town of Gorlitz published this book in memory of this gift and the author gives a brief account of Caspar Schwenkfeld and his teachings, and the persecution the Schwenkfelders endured and then enumerates the families of Schwenkfelders who came from Silesia to Gorlitz in 1726 as follows:
From Harpersdorf, Feb. 21:
Melchior Grfibel, “Hausler und Handelsmann,” with wife and two children.
Adam Wiegner, “Gartner und Handelsmann,” with wife and four children.
Apr. 29:
David Liebe, “Hausler und Handelsmann,” with wife and one child.
George Scholze, “Bauer,” with wife and three children.
Melchior Krause, “Bauer,” with wife and four children.
From Armenruh, Feb. 21:
George Wiegner, “Hausler,” with wife and four children.
From Hockenau, Apr. 29:
Melchior Hubner, “arzt,” with wife and two children.
Hanns Hiibner, a “Gartner,” with wife and three children.
Melchior Neumann, “Gartner und Zimmerman,” with wife and one child.
Dated at Gorlitz Feb. 20, 1816, by the Biirgermeister and Rathmanne.
“DIE SCHWENKFELDER”
by
FEDOR SOMMER
A teacher in one of the German gymnasiums and a contributor to some of the papers in Germany, having learned of the history of the persecution and migration of the Schwenkfelders to Pennsylvania, a few years before the World War wrote a novel in German in which are embodied the main facts conÂcerning the history and migration of the Schwenkfelders. This book attracted a great deal of attention in Germany, as it contained quite a vivid description of the Lutheran Church at Harpersdorf, toÂgether with an account of the fire which destroyed the Church from which the “Tauf-Engel” (wooden baptismal angel) was the only article of any value rescued. It is stated that many pastors in Germany recommended the reading of this book to their classes at the time of confirmation. The reading of the book and the description of the church and Tauf-Engel aroused so much interest that teachers would take their classes on a trip to see the church. A few of the copies of the book are available in this counÂtry, but it has never been translated into English.
CHURCH ORGANIZATION
From the time of the organization of the Church in 1782, up until 1911, the different districts were separately organized into conferences for the conducting of the business of the denomination as deÂscribed in the preceding chapters. The organization, “The Society of Schwenkfelders,” was started in 1782, but the Church was not incorporated, indeed there was no incorporation of any of the organiÂzations until troubles arising from the Edmund Flinn legacy caused this step to be taken. Mr. Flinn [vid. 154-5] having been benefited by the Charity Fund of the Schwenkfelders made a substantial bequest to the Society in his will. The will was contested by some of his distant relatives on the ground that no corporation of the Society of Schwenkfelders existed, therefore they were incompetent to reÂceive any bequest. The outgrowth of this contest was the incorporation of “The Managers of the Literary and Charity Funds of the Society of Schwenkfelders,” on May 18, 1842 [Misc. Bk. 5: p 370, NorrisÂtown, Pa.].
Owing to the expansion and growth of the various organizations of the Church, after the opening of Perkiomen Seminary it was deemed advisable to change the form of government. Whereas prior to 1851 the affairs of the Society were carried on without a printed form of Church rules, the increasing demand and the necessity for a change was met by Rev. Joshua Schultz who drafted what is called “Constitution der Schwenkfeldischen Gemeinschaft” and also the by-laws which were adopted October 19, 1850, and published in 1851, in German, under his editorship. The first English translation appeared in 1882. In 1894, a committee was appointed to revise and amend the constitution, as a result of which a revised formula of the Constitution was adopted in 1898, and again revised in 1901. In May, 1908, a further revision was deemed necessary and another committee was appointed to make whatever reviÂsions were necessary and also to correct conflicting statements in the articles relative to the adminisÂtration of the moneys in the Charity Fund. The fruits of the work of this Committee resulted in the adoption of the “Formula for the Government and Discipline of the Schwenkfelder Church,” as on Oct. 25, 1909, the organization was incorporated under the title, “The Schwenkfelder Church.” The new constitution was put into effect in 1911. Under this constitution the entire Church body is officially called the “Schwenkfelder Church” which is dominated by the General Conference of The Schwenkfelder Church, which is composed of all its members, and this is the governing body for the entire Church. Regular sessions of the General Conference are held twice a year, the third Saturday in May and the third Saturday in October, and its officers consist of the Moderator, Secretary, and Treasurer who, together with the trustees of each local district, constitute the “Board of Trustees of the Schwenkfelder Church.”
Each district of the Church has its own district conference and elects its own officials, who look after the temporal and spiritual needs of the local church organization. All other boards such as the Mission Board, Board of Publication, and the Board of Charities are under the control of the General Conference of the Schwenkfelder Church body.
CHURCH EDIFICES
Prior to the erection of church buildings formerly called “meeting houses,” divine services as well as church conferences were held in private homes, and, although a school house was erected in 1765, in Towamencin, buildings for strictly public worship were not erected for twenty-five years thereafter.
HOSENSACK MEETING HOUSE
The first place for public worship built by the Schwenkfelders in America was built of logs in the summer of 1790, where the present Hosensack meeting house now stands. The first services in this building were held August 8, 1790. At one end of this building a school-room was partitioned off, supplied with benches and tables, in which room the “Hosensack Academy” was conducted by the Schwenkfelders for a number of years, during which time the Schwenkfelder schools attained their highest distinction.
In 1838 the log building was replaced by a more modern plain stone structure which was remodeled in 1893, and is still standing although abandoned for Church purposes since the new Palm Church was completed.
WASHINGTON MEETING HOUSE
The second meeting house was erected in 1791, near the village of Clayton, Berks County, and was known as the Washington Meeting House, although burials in the adjoining cemetery antedate the erection of the building, as the wife of Melchior Schultz who died in 1742, is buried there. The first services were held in this building on Memorial Day, Sept. 24, 1791, at which time Rev. Christopher Kriebel delivered a magnificent dedicatory address. In 1810 the adjoining burial plot was surrounded by a stone wall, and in 1824 a more modern building was erected against the protest of some of the members who thought it sacrilegious to destroy the old buildings and others who favored the erection of a new building in a more central location in the region of Palm, Pa. This movement culminated eighty-seven years later in the erection of the present Palm Church.
In 1883 the Washington Meeting House was entirely remodeled, and after the completion of the Palm Church the building was torn down and a marker erected to indicate the spot where the pulpit had formerly stood; the stones from the walls of the building being used to enclose the entire plot with a handsome stone wall.
KRAUSSDALE MEETING HOUSE
The first Kraussdale meeting house was built in 1825 although it is claimed by some that the first building was erected in 1815, and here, as in Washington, burials of Schwenkfelders on the Krauss “farm” had taken place for many years prior to the erection of this building. The first building erected here was used for both school purposes and for divine worship. It was a rough stone building with the joints painted white.
In 1875 the old stone building was replaced by the present brick structure, which was remodeled in 1900, and was abandoned in 1911 when the new Palm Church was dedicated.
THE NEW PALM CHURCH
The demand for better Sunday School facilities was the climax which brought about the erection of the Palm Church. Ever since the three churches were erected it was customary to have alternate preaching services in the different churches from Sunday to Sunday. This meant services in each meeting house were held but once in three weeks, with a Sunday School session preceding the preaching services. Thus practically a different group of Sunday School children assembled at each building, as very few were able to attend the session on each Sabbath on account of the geographical location of the Church edifices.
When therefore in 1909, in order to modernize the Sunday School, at a district conference the pastor offered a resolution to the effect that additions be built to the old meeting houses in order to provide better facilities for conducting the Sunday Schools, various members opposed the spending of any more money on the old buildings, and the motion was voted down unanimously. Another motion was then made that a new house of worship, centrally located, with ample accommodations for Sunday School purposes, be erected. Thus a movement started eighty-five years before, and which was agiÂtated every time repairs to the old buildings were made, was brought to a climax, and the handsome new church at Palm was erected at a cost of approximately $65,000.00, with the entire amount pledged at the time of dedication, which took place September 24, 1911. [For further data re Upper District Churches, vid. Schwenkfeldian, Vol. VIII, p 189; Schwenkfelders in Pa.—Kriebel, pp 82-3.]
SALFORD MEETING HOUSE
The present Schwenkfelder meeting house at Lower Salford was erected in 1869. Although this is the first meeting house erected on this spot a school house previously stood to the north of the present structure in which a school was conducted for many years. Rev. George Meschter, Sr., who served this Church faithfully was the last active pastor. The older Schwenkfelders in the vicinity of the church dying, and many of their children marrying outside of the denomination, the attendance dwindled so that services were finally conducted but once in three weeks during the summer time and these were conducted in the German language.
In 1920, Isaac Kriebel, who owned the farm adjoining this property and who had cared for the church and cemetery for so many years, died. He was the last active Schwenkfelder in the congregation, and since his death regular services have been discontinued. Memorial services in memory of the pioneer Schwenkfelders who lie buried in the adjoining cemetery are now held in the meeting house on the afternoon of the first Sunday in August of each year.
In the adjoining cemetery lie buried five Schwenkfelder ministers—George Weiss, Balzer Hoffman, Christopher Hoffman, Christopher Kriebel, and George Meschter. Tradition states that a number of Indians are buried in the unmarked row of graves in the middle of the cemetery.
TOWAMENCIN MEETING HOUSE
The first meeting house in the so-called Lower District (now Middle or Central) was built in 1793, near where the present edifice stands. It is likely that this building replaced the school house erected there in 1765. This building was made of logs, pebble dashed, with gable ends, weather boarded and painted red. There was a portico in front with seats on each side. The first services were held there on July 21, 1793.
In 1854 this building was replaced by a stone structure which did service until 1893, when the present handsome brick edifice was erected a short distance from the older building on the opposite side of the road. The new building contains a commodious basement with room divisions for Sunday School purposes. The floor of the main room is built amphitheatre style so that a good view of the pulpit is commanded. The building was dedicated free of debt with a surplus left in the treasury of the building committee.
WORCESTER MEETING HOUSE
In 1836 the first Worcester Schwenkfelder Meeting House was erected on the spot where the present edifice stands. It was dedicated September 25, 1836. It is said that $25.00 was the largest individual subscription made to the building fund.
In 1882 the present modern church building was erected to replace the first structure. It is said to have cost $6,000.00 and was dedicated free of debt according to the prevailing Schwenkfelder cusÂtom. This building was the first Schwenkfelder Church structure to contain a basement for Sunday School purposes. This innovation met with vigorous opposition on the part of many members.
THE FIRST SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA
The present Schwenkfelder Church of Phila. was started as a Sunday School Mission on Uber St., between 19th and 20th, in the fall of 1895, with Elmer K. Schultz as Sunday School Superintendent. This Sunday School Mission, which was the first missionary effort of the Board of Home and Foreign Missions of the Schwenkfelder Church in the home field, continued under the jurisdiction of theMission Board until May, 1899, when the First Schwenkfelder Church of Philadelphia was regularly organized and received into membership of the General Conference as a “District” of the Church.
The Sunday School on Uber St. was closed in the spring of 1896, after one season of work, but was opened again on the first Sunday in December, 1896, in the Thomas Building at Ridge Ave. and 31st St., with Elmer E. S. Johnson, then a student at Princeton University, as Superintendent. The Thomas Building continued as the home of the “mission” until the summer of 1898, when the lot at 30th and Cumberland Sts. was purchased and all services were held in a tent erected on the lot until the last Sunday of October, 1898, when the present edifice was dedicated with three special services which marked a memorable epoch in the annals of the Schwenkfelder Church, as it must be regarded as the first permanent step in the direction of church expansion in the Schwenkfelder denomination.
On November 19, 1898, the church was organized with seventeen charter members, and the Moderator, Dr. James M. Anders, and Secretary, Samuel A. Seipt, have served continuously in that capacity to the present day.
For about a year previous to the dedication of the Church, preaching services were held semiÂmonthly, mostly by supplies from other districts, but the only organized work conducted up to that time was that of the Sunday School. Not having a sufficient supply of ministers amongst the Schwenk-felder denomination, the Board of Missions was obliged to look to other denominations to supply the pulpit, until it was able to select a pastor of the Sehwenkfelder faith.
The following is a list of pastors who served the Church:
May 1899—Oct. 1900; Rev. A. N. Stubblebine of the Reformed Church.
Mar. 1901—Aug. 1902; Rev. H. A. Bomberger of the Reformed Church (acting pastor).
Sept. 1902—June 1904; Rev. Elmer E. S. Johnson of Schwenkfelder Church.
July 1904—Oct. 1905; Harvey K. Heebner, Stated Supply.
Jan. 1906—May 1906; Rev. David W. Ebbert, D.D., of the Reformed Church (acting pastor).
During the intervening periods when the Church was without a pastor the pulpit was filled with supplies, sometimes by ministers of other denominations, and other times by laymen of the Schwenk-felder Church.
Since June, 1906, the pastor has been Rev. Harvey K. Heebner, who was formally installed as pastor on Sunday evening, Sept. 23, 1906. Rev. Heebner was graduated from the Union Theological Seminary in May, 1906.
For the year 1921 the Philadelphia Church reported the following membership to the General Conference:
| Church Members…………. | 390 | Members of Sunday School | 519 |
| Collection—Church……… | $3569.38 | Collection—Sunday School | $829 . 32 |
Valuation of Church Property $10,000.00
NORRISTOWN CHURCH
The first religious services of the Schwenkfelders held in Norristown were conducted in a private house on Feb. 7, 1904, and on Feb. 21, a Sunday School was organized in one of the public school buildÂings, which was followed by preaching services. Services in the schoolhouse continued until June, 1905, when the first services were held in the edifice at Marshall and George Streets which had been purchased by the Schwenkfelder Mission Board from the Grace Lutheran Church denomination. This is the only instance in the history of the Church that the Schwenkfelders purchased a building of another denominÂation. The building is modernly equipped with class rooms for Sunday School purposes and has an adequate pipe organ.
The Norristown mission was the second one established by the Mission Board of the Church. In 1917 the mission became an independent church.
Statistics of the Norristown Church for 1921:
Church Members…………………………………………………………………………… 148
Total Collections …………………………………………………………………………. $ 2,262.96
Valuation of Church Property………………………………………………………. $10,000.00 The Sunday School had an enrollment of 286, with collections amounting to $452 .89.
LANSDALE MISSION
A Sunday School was opened in Lansdale in Music Hall on Mar. 26, 1916, under the jurisdiction of the Mission Board. The mission grew very rapidly and with so much enthusiasm that the quarters soon became so crowded that it was necessary to find new accommodations. Land was purchased at the corner of Main St. and Towamencin Avenue. Ground for a new building was broken in June, 1917, and the building itself was completed by December of the same year, but on account of the war conditions the pews could not be obtained until April, 1918. The Church was dedicated May 5, 1918, free of debt as the entire cost was pledged on that day. The building is built of stone, of fine proportions, with a seating capacity of 330, and is well equipped for Church and Sunday School purÂposes, and contains a commodious basement.
It is still organized as a mission, and for 1921 reported a Church membership of 85; a Sunday School membership of 330; with Church property valued at $30,000.00.
The above constitute the entire Schwenkfelder Church congregations, as the Church as such exists only in Eastern Pennsylvania and consists of but four church organizations, and the Lansdale mission. There are no Schwenkfelder organizations in Europe.
Early in 1800 the group of Schwenkfelders living in Chestnut Hill and vicinity petitioned the General Conference of the Schwenkfelder Church to establish English preaching services in Chestnut Hill. After due deliberation the Conference decided to comply with this request providing the services be conducted in the German language, but the petitioners would not recede from their desire to have English services, and the project was abandoned, and thus the opportunity to establish a Schwenk-felder Church in Philadelphia was not grasped by the leaders of the denomination of that period. It was almost one hundred years afterwards that the newly organized Mission Board of the Schwenkfelder Church heeded a second call and established services conducted in English.
Services in the English language were first introduced in the Worcester Church in the early 80’s, and this church was the first to discontinue the use of German. At the present time services are conÂducted exclusively in the English language in all the churches, with the exception of Palm and To-wamencin, where services are still occasionally conducted in the German language.
BOARD OF MISSIONS
The American Board of Home and Foreign Missions of the Schwenkfelder Church of the United States of America held its first meeting, and was formally organized on June 14, 1895. Whereas the Church, preceding that time, had been interested in missions to the extent of making contributions to various missionary enterprises, there was no formal organization in the Church to look after this phase of the work. The organization of the Mission Board marks the beginning of the expansion of the Schwenkfelder Church. Since its organization it has established missions in Philadelphia, Norristown and Lansdale; and it has sent two of its own members as missionaries to the foreign field.
Miss Flora K. Heebner [199-5] left for China August 17, 1904, and was joined a number of years later by Daisy Gehman Fairfield [38-348]. Since 1918 the Board is also contributing to the support of Miss Gladys Williams of Oberlin College who has joined the mission force in Shansi, China, and has been adopted as a missionary of our denomination. Miss Williams was born in Tai Ku, China, where her father was killed by the Boxers in 1900. Since Miss Heebner went to China she has been home on two furloughs and has organized mission schools throughout the province of Shansi. The Schwenk-felders have two mission buildings in China; one the “William Yeakel Mesehter Memorial Home” for the women teachers which was built from a legacy of one thousand dollars left by Mr. Meschter to the Board of Missions, the first legacy the Board ever received. Since that time a school building has been built by Miss Heebner with a fund made up by special gifts of her friends here in America. This mission station is established in the region where the missionaries were killed by the Boxers during the Boxer uprising in 1900. In addition to mission work in China the Board also makes contributions for the support of missionaries in other foreign countries.
OTHER SCHWENKFELDER INSTITUTIONS
THE CHARITY FUND
The Charity Fund of the Schwenkfelder Church had its origin before their arrival in Pennsylvania. As told in the preceding chapter the von Buyssant family paid the passage way of the immigrants of 1734 to Philadelphia thus freeing them from the slavery of the redemptioner, and in. addition gave them a purse of 224 Rix dollars to aid the poor among them after their arrival in the new world. This was the beginning of the Charity Fund of the Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania. No records have been found to show how this fund was used during the first winter in their new home.
In 1763, after the death of Dr. Abraham Wagner, it was found that he bequeathed one-third of his estate to the poor and needy, not only to Schwenkfelders, but to other denominations also. The sum bequeathed amounted to 448 pounds, 12 shillings, and 31 z pence. In 1768 is found the first instance which led to the establishment of the Schwenkfelder Charity Fund as it is called today. From 1774 to 1778 we find the Charity Fund benefiting by the Wagner bequest. Since then the fund has been increased year by year by gifts, donations and bequests.
Ever since 1790 separate accounts of the Charity Fund were kept in every district. This method continued until the consolidation of the Church in 1911, when it was taken over by the General ConÂference and a board of five managers was appointed to manage this fund. For the year of 1921 there was reported a balance in the Charity Fund of $8,684.04.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
According to the custom established by the immigrant Schwenkfelders on September 24, 1734, when they assembled in Philadelphia and held a thanksgiving service in memory of their safe arrival in this country the practice has been continued ever since. Every year on September 24 (unless that day should fall on a Sunday, when the exercises are held on the preceding Saturday) an all-day service is held in one of the churches belonging to the denomination, at which time the early history of the perÂsecutions of the Schwenkfelders and an account of their migration and settlement in this country are rehearsed by the speakers.
Even during the dark days of the Revolution when the British were in possession of Philadelphia these services were held, although in the year 1777 services were held for a half day only on account of the proximity of British soldiers. It is stated that at the first services in Philadelphia, for the noon meal, bread, butter, apple butter, and cider were served. The same custom prevails up to this time excepting that water has been substituted for cider. The one hundred and eighty-seventh annual memorial day services were held in the Palm Church on September 24, 1921. The services were formerly called “Gedaechtnisz-Tag” services which has been modernized into “Memorial Day Services.”
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
The Schwenkfelders have always emphasized the idea of home instruction for their children. George Weiss was appointed teacher or leader while on the journey to Pennsylvania and he was sucÂceeded by other Schwenkfelder ministers in turn. While there were no Sunday School organizations at this time, still the children were given Biblical instruction by the “Lehrer” (teachers). After the church structures were erected regular catechetical instruction for the young was instituted. This was called “Kinder Lehr” and was frequently conducted by a layman. The class met on alternate Sunday afternoons. Towards the middle of the last century the custom of giving children instruction in reÂligion and the Scriptures in the home seemed to be dying out, and the leaders of the denomination deemed it necessary to devise some other means in which such knowledge could be imparted. The general conclusion was to organize a Sunday School. Since the literature of the Church at that time was all in the German language and German was no longer taught in the day schools, the fathers conÂceived the idea of organizing Sunday Schools in which the German language would be exclusively taught. With this idea in mind a meeting was held in the Towamencin Meeting House, March 16, 1861, for the purpose of considering the feasibility of organizing a Sunday School in the Lower District. The conservatives of the denomination opposed this scheme very strongly as they thought it would break up the catechetical classes, and they also thought the children would be in more danger of growing up in worldliness and fashion. As the progressives prevailed the first session of the Sunday School was held May 10, 1861, in the Towamencin Meeting House. A Sunday School was also organized in the Worcester Church in the same manner with Rev. Reuben Kriebel as superintendent, all services being conducted in the German language. It is stated that this Sunday School continued during the summer until 1863, when a large number of the younger element insisted on having the English language used in the Sunday School while the older members desired to continue the German. This division of sentiÂment closed the school for a time. It is stated that finally those desiring the English language used prevailed and the Sunday School was again opened in 1864, with David S. Heebner as superintendent.
The Towamencin Sunday School has had continuous summer sessions since 1861, and in 1911 celeÂbrated the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the school, at which time thirty of those present were original members of the first Sunday School session. In the Towamencin Sunday School the German language was used exclusively in conducting the exercises until 1888, when English was introduced, but some of the classes still continued the use of the German language. The use of the organ to accomÂpany the Sunday School singing was first begun in 1880.
In the Upper District the first Sunday School in that section was held in the Kraussdale Meeting House on April 8, 1877. Two years later a school was opened in the Hosensack Meeting House and in the following year a school was organized with the same officers in the Washington Meeting House. These schools continued their sessions until they were combined with the one Sunday School in the new Palm Church, where the first session was held October 11, 1911. Mr. Daniel Y. Meschter served as superintendent of this school from the spring of 1886 until May 28, 1917. It is an interesting fact that in all the missions established by the Schwenkfelders, the Sunday School preceded the establishment of the church, whereas the original meeting houses were established with preaching services before the Sunday Schools were organized.
LADIES’ AID AND C. E. SOCIETIES
The first Ladies’ Aid Society of the Schwenkfelder Church was organized Oct. 11, 1898, in the Upper District. Since that time Ladies’ Aid Societies have been organized in Philadelphia, Middle District, and Norristown, all of which are in a flourishing condition.
The first Christian Endeavor Society was organized in the Kraussdale Church, March 25, 1894, with Elmer E. S. Johnson as president. Since that time Christian Endeavor Societies have been orÂganized in all the other churches and missions. The Middle District also supports a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union which has had a period of more than twenty-five years of active work.
THE BOARD OF PUBLICATION OF THE SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH
At the annual Memorial Day services held in the Worcester Church, Sept. 24, 1884, a plea was made by one of the speakers that all the works of Caspar Schwenckfeld be collected and published.
Following out this plea soon after, a committee was appointed by General Conference to consider this proposition. This was the beginning of the Board of Publication of the Schwenkfelder Church which was later incorporated and it now has jurisdiction over all the publications of the Schwenkfelder Church.
CORPUS SCHWENCKFELDIANORUM
The greatest undertaking of the Board was the project to collect, edit, and publish the complete works of Caspar von Schwenckfeld, a task which has grown to be monumental. This work is now being published jointly by the Board of Publication of the Schwenkfelder Church and Hartford Theological Seminary, and is to consist of seventeen volumes of an encyclopedic size, of which six are already in print under the title of “Corpus Schwenckfeldianorum,” and which project has already cost the Board of Publication more than one hundred thousand dollars. This is to be followed by a one volume edition in English giving the biography of Caspar von Schwenckfeld. The work was started by Chester David Hartranft, D.D., [49-320], formerly president of Hartford Theological Seminary, who was selected as editor-in-chief of this publication and who had his headquarters in Wolfenbfittel, Germany, where he died in 1914 [vid. Schwenkfeldian, Vol. XII., pp 34–48]. Dr. Hartranft was succeeded as editor-in-chief by his associate editor, Dr. Elmer E. S. Johnson [68-58], who continued his editorial labors in Germany until April of 1919, when he brought all his Corpus material to America and stored it in the Schwenkfelder Historical Library Building at Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. The library is now the editorial home of the Corpus.
The Board of Publication also has charge of the publication of the “Schwenkfeldian,” the Church paper. The publication of this Genealogical Record is also under its jurisdiction as well as other church publications.
THE SCHWENKFELDIAN
“The Schwenkfeldian” is the official organ of the Schwenkfelder Church. It was first started by Rev. E. E. S. Johnson when he was pastor of the Philadelphia Schwenkfelder Church in the interest of the First Schwenkfelder Church in Philadelphia. The first issue appeared December, 1903, with the following editorial staff:
Rev. E. E. S. Johnson, Editor
Allen A. Seipt, Associate Editor
- M. Gilbert, Jr., Business Manager
Alex. S. Day, Circulation Manager
This publication was continued in this way until Rev. Johnson was appointed assistant editor of the Corpus Schwenckfeldianorum, and left for Germany in June, 1904, to assume his duties.
Samuel K. Brecht was then appointed acting editor during the absence of Mr. Johnson, and J• Leidy Anders was made assistant business manager. The paper was published under this Editorial Staff until June, 1905, when the General Conference of the Schwenkfelder Church by official action took over the paper and made it the official organ of the Church. The paper has been published as a monthly magazine in the interest of the various churches since that time.
On account of the arduous duties of the Editor in connection with the editing of the Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders, Rev. Harvey K. Heebner was made acting editor of the paper in 1920, and it is now issued from Thirtieth and Cumberland Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has the following staff:
Samuel K. Brecht, Editor
Rev. Harvey K. Heebner, Acting Editor
Rev. Levi S. Hoffman
I Associate Editors
Rev. Robert J. Gottschall
Rev. E. E. S. Johnson
Contributing Editors
Miss Flora K. Heebner
In addition to publishing the monthly news pertaining to the various Schwenkfelder Churches, the Schwenkfeldian, during its period of existence, has printed on its pages a large amount of historical data connected with the Schwenkfelders, and its circulation extends to many states of the union as well as to several foreign countries.
THE SCHWENKFELDER HISTORICAL LIBRARY
The Schwenkfelder Historical Library at Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, is also under the jurisdiction of the Board of Publication of the Schwenkfelder Church. The project to erect a fire-proof building to store the precious books and manuscripts found in the Schwenkfelder families was thought of many years ago. As a matter of fact the idea was suggested at different times more than fifty years before the project was completed.
The Schwenkfelders brought with them from Europe many books which they prized very highly and which were carefully preserved from generation to generation. The idea of having a permanent home for these valuable objects was in the minds of the leaders of the denomination for many years. After the taking over of Perkiomen Seminary by the Schwenkfelders a room in the gymnasium was provided for storing these papers temporarily. It was only after the magnificent donation of Andrew Carnegie of twenty thousand dollars for the erection of a fire-proof library building that the dream of having a permanent home for the Schwenkfelder archives began to be a reality. As a result of this donation together with an endowment of an equal amount which was provided by friends and members of the denomination, it was possible to erect the handsome two-story fire-proof building at Pennsburg, Pa., the second floor of which contains the rare collection of Schwenkfeldiana and other relics that are prized so highly. In addition to having the building fire-proof it also contains a vault which is doubly fire-proof extending from cellar to roof. It is in this vault that the rarest documents and relics are stored. The main floor of this building contains the reading room and reference and circulating library which belongs to Perkiomen School and the basement provides class rooms and laboratories for class work. Perkiomen School holds the unique distinction of being the only exception to Andrew Carnegie’s rule not to erect libraries for other than institutions of collegiate grade. It is the only secondary school in the country which benefited in this manner by Andrew Carnegie’s generosity.
THE SCHWENCKFELD BIBLE
The two most highly prized relics reposing in the Schwenkfelder Historical Library at Pennsburg are the original Ship List of the St. Andrew and the German Bible used by Caspar Schwenckfeld which contains his autograph and also marginal notes in his own handwriting.
This Bible was printed at Worms in 1529, and this edition is the first of the combination Bibles to appear in the German language after the beginning of the Reformation. It is known as the “Worms Bible,” and antedates the complete Luther Bible by three years.
In 1890 the late Dr. Chester D. Hartranft located this Bible in Europe and through the generosity of the late Anthony H. Seipt it was immediately purchased, at a cost of $525.00, the church afterwards reimbursing Mr. Seipt for his outlay.
[For a full account of the history and acquisition of this Bible see “The Schwenkfeldian,” Vol. VI, pp 3-5.]
EDUCATION AMONG THE SCHWENKFELDERS
That the immigrant Schwenkfelders were of a high type of intelligence is shown by the fact that very few of theni made “their mark” at the time of taking the Pledge of Allegiance. Soon after their arrival in America evidence has been found to show that they were very much concerned not only regarding the religious but also the secular education of their children. During the first few years it is probable that their religious leaders gave instruction to the children in secular matters as well as in spiritual. From the biography of Rev. Christopher Schultz written by his son, David, we know that even before coming to this country Christopher Schultz went regularly, two to three times a week, to George Weiss to receive instruction in the languages. This instruction likely continued after their arrival in Pennsylvania. After the death of George Weiss his successor, Rev. Balzer Hoffman, conÂtinued this instruction. Letters are extant showing that Balzer Hoffman gave Christopher Schultz lessons in Hebrew by correspondence (vid. Balzer Hoffman [106-2]). We are justified in concluding that this was not the only instance of Balzer Hoffman giving instruction to the young. In the year 1764 there seemed to be quite a demand for Schwenkfelders to establish a school system in order to instruct the young. The necessity for such schools was laid before the heads of families at a meeting held in March, 1764, when a paper was written asking for the pledge of funds for the support of the schools. In June another meeting was held when articles of agreement were adopted and the system was inÂaugurated. The following is a list of names of the subscribers and supporters of this proposed school system, together with the amounts of money subscribed by each:
The 840 pounds originally subscribed were reduced to less than 800 by the withdrawal of a few subscripÂtions when the schools were opened. Two schools were opened in the fall of 1764. One school was conducted for six months in the home of Christopher Schultz by John Davis at a salary of 20 pounds and board for the term; another school was established in the home of George Anders of Towamencin and taught by John Doerbaum for the sum of 10 pounds, board, light and fuel. These schools were continued with practically an unbroken record until 1823, when the opening of the public schools by the state removed the great necessity for having denominational schools. [For further account of the Schwenkfelder Schools rid. Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania—Kriebel, pp 120-138.]
From this time on, up to the purchase of Perkiomen Seminary by the Schwenkfelders, the denomiÂnation as such did not have schools of its own as the public schools of the state provided sufficient opÂportunity for the education of the children.
PERKIOMEN SEMINARY NOW PERKIOMEN SCHOOL
Perkiomen Seminary was founded in 1875 by Rev. Charles S. Wieand [11-130], and was continued under his management for a period of ten years. After Rev. Wieand left the school to assume the reguÂlar duties of the ministry the property frequently changed hands and it was finally found necessary to close its doors because of lack of sufficient patronage. During the year 1891 the project of having the Schwenkfelder denomination establish a private school, where their children and. the youth of the comÂmunity might secure additional facilities for education than those that were provided in the public schools was again agitated. At the fall General Conference of the Schwenkfelder Church held in the Worcester Church on October 9, 1891, a resolution was adopted authorizing the appointment of a comÂmittee to make an investigation as to the feasibility of establishing a school for secondary education under the jurisdiction of the Schwenkfelder Church. The committee made a canvass of the situation and at the next spring General Conference held on May 14, 1892 the committee made a very optimistic report to the effect that total subscriptions amounting to $9,317.50 had been secured; that the owner of the Perkiomen Seminary property had accepted an offer of $3,500.00 for the buildings. The committee presented a set of resolutions outlining the general principles under which the school should be conÂducted, and which was accepted by the General Conference, and a Board of Trustees was elected to conduct the school.
The following were constituted as the first Board of Trustees:
Henry K. Gerhard, Benneville S. Shultz, Samuel Dresher, John S. Heebner, ex officio as trustees of the Literary Fund.
Howard W. Kriebel, Edwin K. Schultz, Charles S. Anders, Jesse S. Krieble, by election of the General Conference.
Michael K. Gilbert, Isaac B. Yeakel, M.D., John G. Hersch, M.D., Rev. A. S. Schelly, by appointÂment.
These men, together with the principal, were to serve as a board of trustees for the management of the school. In the meantime the committee who had charge of the movement had elected as their principal, Rev. Oscar S. Kriebel. The school was opened for its first term on October 3, 1892, with the following faculty:
Rev. Oscar S. Kriebel, A.M., Principal, teacher of languages and rhetoric.
Rev. E. B. Clemmer, Vice-principal, teacher of history and natural sciences.
Howard W. Kriebel, M. E., teacher of mathematics.
Mrs. Oscar S. Kriebel, teacher of music.
The General Conference of the Schwenkf elder Church had stipulated that the school should be run for a period of five years, and if at the end of that time there was not sufficient demand for the continuaÂtion of the school it was to be abandoned, and after all the debts had been paid the balance was to be returned to the subscribers.
The first day showed an enrollment of nineteen pupils, all day students but three. During the first year there was a total enrollment of ninety-six pupils and one graduate. Whereas many doubted the wisdom of opening a school in this vicinity the result of the first year’s work indicated, as was inÂcorporated in a report of the principal, the need for such an institution:
“There is evidently room in the community for a school of advanced standing.”
“The number of students enrolled, the cheerful words frequently expressed and the attendance at the closing exercises were very encouraging. Few projects that have been brought forth in the neighÂborhood have received a more hearty endorsement and support by all parties.”
The attendance of the school grew so rapidly that by June, 1895, the trustees, principal, teachers, and pupils all felt so cramped in the very small quarters, that it was necessary to secure enlarged accommodations. The sum of $20,000.00 was subscribed for renovations and for additions to be made to the building. These improvements were accordingly made and provided for additional accommodaÂtion for more than a hundred students. From the very beginning the school has grown rapidly and has attracted students from all parts of Pennsylvania, from various other states of the union and from a number of foreign countries. In 1902, at the time of the celebration of the tenth anniversary the school had a total enrollment for the year of 302 with a graduating class of 34, and a teaching force of 30 reguÂlar teachers. At the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the school in June, 1922, it was reported that during the period of its existence the school had a total enrollment of 3,500 students, coming froin eighteen different states of the union and thirteen foreign countries. Of its more than 1,200 graduates 800 or more have entered college. Many students have attended higher institutions of learning among which are the best colleges and universities, technical and professional schools in the country. AccordÂing to statistics recently compiled they have made a record for scholarship and general ability out of all proportion to their numbers. Perkiomen School has honor men, prize winners, and influential leaders in college life in almost every college and university in the country. Practically fifty per cent of the student body enrolled from Perkiomen School is included in the list of honor men and college leaders. A study of the catalog shows that during the last twenty years Perkiomen School has had a higher perÂcentage of students at Princeton University who obtained highest standing in classes, achieved scholarÂships, and fraternal honors, than any other public high school or secondary school in the United States. The explanation of this record is given in the character of the student body which has an unusually large percentage of able, ambitious, mature, hard working, and enterprising students. This, together with the fact that they are taught in small groups and given personal attention, is given as the explanaÂtion of the unsurpassed record made by Perkiomen students in scholarship at the various universities. Ever since its opening Perkiomen School has had an unusually large number of self-supporting students who were obliged to perform manual labor in order to raise funds to secure their education, and who would never have had the opportunity to enter higher institutions of learning had they not been privÂileged to attend a school of this kind and ascertained that it was possible for young men to go through college and support themselves while doing so. It has always been the aim of the principal, Dr. Kriebel, that Perkiomen School should throw its doors open to any deserving boy or girl who had ambitions for higher education, and the unsurpassed success of students who have been given this privilege is suffiÂcient proof that such opportunities are appreciated.
Situated in the beautiful Perkiomen Valley about fifty miles from Philadelphia, the school is ideally located. It is too far away from a large city to have its students diverted from their books by outside attractions. Although Perkiomen Seminary was originally co-educational, a few years ago, following the changes found necessary in all preparatory schools, it was decided to make it a preparaÂtory school for boys and the name was changed to Perkiomen School in September, 1916, so that at the present time there are no boarding girls in the building, although a limited number of girls from the community attend classes as day students.
The success of Perkiomen School as an educational institution is entirely due to its enthusiastic and optimistic principal, backed by a loyal board of trustees. Through all the trials and tribulations and difficulties which have accompanied the history of Perkiomen School since its beginning, the optimism and. high ideals set for the institution by its principal have never wavered and, although hercuÂlean obstacles many times presented themselves, they have been successfully overcome. After the close of the World War it was proposed to raise a Victory and Thanksgiving Fund of $150,000.00 in order to cancel the existing deficit of the institution which accumulated during the troublesome war years, and also provide scholarships for the benefit of deserving young men who have no other means of obtaining an education. On Commencement Day, 1922, there was an announcement made that the aggregate amount raised by all interested parties was $109,000.00.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS, FOR THE YEAR 1921, REPORTED TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH, HELD IN THE PALM CHURCH, SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1922.
| Philadelphia |
DISTRICTS Norristown             Palm |
Middle | Lansdale (Mission) | Totals | ||
| Church Membership………. | 390 | 148 | 274 | 480 | 85 | 1377 |
| Church Running Expenses…. . • . | $3,569.38 | $1,667 . 76 | $2,380.59 | $2,251 . 05 | $764.88 | $10,633 . 66 |
| Mission Collections………… | 398.93 | 193.41 | 308.16 | 539.87 | 41 . 01 | 1,481 .38 |
| Charity Fund…….. | 155.52 | 88 . 05 | 37.17 | 38 . 00 | 15 . 84 | 334.58 |
| Other Objects… … | 952 . 08 | 313.74 | 856.12 | 449.34 | 11 . 80 | 2,583 . 08 |
| Total Church Collections………… | 5,075.91 | 2,262.96 | 3,582.04 | 3,278.26 | 833.53 | 15,032.70 |
| Legacies or Special Funds………………. | 2,368 . 42 . | 1,521 . 50 | 3,625 . 00 . | 7,514.92 | ||
|
• Valuation of Church Property… |
$10,000 . 00 | $10,000 . 00 | $65,000.00 | $22,000 . 00 | $30,000 . 00 | $137,000.00 |
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
| Schoo | Missionary | |||
| Schools | Membership | Collections | Collections | Totals |
| Philadelphia……………………….. | 519 | $829.82 | $140.00 | $969.82 |
| Norristown…………………………. | 286 | 452.89 | 4.42 | 457 . 31 |
| Lansdale…………………………….. | 330 | 460.75 | 95.32 | 556.07 |
| Towamencin. ……………………… | 386 | 218.39 | 31 . 00 | 249.39 |
| Worcester…………………………… | 214 | 194.71 | 40 . 12 | 234 . 83 |
| Palm…… | 347 | 762.41 | 274.00 | 1,036 .41 |
| Totals…………………………… | 2082 | $2,918.97 | $584.86 | $3,503.83 |
|
Y. P. S. C. E. Members Philadelphia (Senior) ……………………. 90 (Intermediate) …………… 52 t6 (Junior) ……………………. 12 Norristown (Senior) ……………………… 28 |
Collections $87.55 40 . 00 13 . 38 19.51 |
LADIES’ AID SOCIETY Members Philadelphia ……………………………….. 85 Norristown …………………………………. 40 Lansdale-Willing Helpers …………….. 49 Middle District………………………….. 100 Palm …………………………………………. 53 |
Collections $515.93 615 . 82 172 . 98 425 . 05 411.66 |
|
| Palm (Senior).. ………………………….. | 79 | 83 . 96 | ||
| ”    (Junior).. …………………………. | 35 | 22 . 28 | Totals……………………………………….. |  $2,141 . 44 |
| Middle District…………………………… | 113 | 74 . 63 | TOTAL COLLECTIONS | |
| Totals……………………………………. | 409 | $341.31 | Churches………………………………………… | $15,032 . 70 |
| Sunday Schools……………………………….. | 3,503 . 83 | |||
| Ladies’ Aid Societies…………………………. | 2,141 . 44 | |||
| Philadelphia-Brotherhood………….. | 20 | 73.71 | Y. P. S. C. E. Societies………………………. | 341.31 |
| Philadelphia-Cadet Corps……………. | 33 | 759.26 | Other organizations……… | 898 . 65 |
| Worcester-Ushers’ League………….. | 21 | 6.40 | Charity Fund account………………………. | 8,684 . 04 |
| Worcester-(W. C. T. U.)………………. | 62 | 49.17 | Literary Fund account……. | 533 . 57 |
| Towamencin-Ushers’ League…. .. | 43 | 10.11 | Totals……………………………….. | $31,135 . 54 |
 THE SOCIETY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF THE SCHWENKFELDIAN EXILES
In response to the many inquiries received by the Editor of this book, asking for information conÂcerning the Schwenkfelders, and also asking for information regarding Schwenkfelder history, a moveÂment to organize a society of some kind to record and spread the history of the Schwenkfelders since their arrival in this country, as well as that of their descendants, was started in 1920. As a result of this idea an organization named “The Society of the Descendants of the Schwenkfeldian Exiles” was organized in Philadelphia on February 8, 1921, with one hundred and twenty-five charter members. The objects of the society are enumerated in the following extracts from the constitution:
Section II. “The objects of this Society are the preservation of the history of the Schwenkfelder religious exiles, and of their descendants in America, and the promotion of social intercourse among its members now and hereafter.”
Section III. “Any loyal American citizen of good character, a descendant through one or both parents, of the Schwenkfelder immigrants who came to Pennsylvania between 1731 and 1737, shall be eligible to membership.”
So little is generally known of the reasons for the migration of the Schwenkfelders to this country, and the part played by them and their descendants in American development, that the following brief statement is made:
The Schwenkfelders were and still are a Protestant religious sect, founded by Caspar von Schwenckfeld, a Silesian nobleman, who was a contemporary of Martin Luther in the period from 1490 to 1561, and who founded the movement known as the “Reformation by the Middle Way.” In 1719, an imperial edict sent two Jesuit priests into Silesia to convert the Schwenkfelders to Catholicism. In 1726 a number of Schwenkfelder families fled to Saxony, taking with them only what possessions they could carry, where they were protected by Count Zinzendorf, the Moravian leader. In 1733 Count Zinzendorf was informed that he could no longer protect them, but that they would be given one year’s time in which to seek a new haven. Declining to accompany Zinzendorf to Georgia, where he planned to found a Moravian Colony, the Schwenkfelders, early in 1734, decided to come to Pennsylvania, where several members of the Schultz family had already located. The main body of the Schwenkfelders. consisting of 184 souls, arrived in PhiIa-delphia September 22, 1734, on the ship St. Andrew.
Realizing the loss to Silesia by the departure of the Schwenkfelders, in 1742, Frederick the Great, by proclamation, asked them to return, promising restoration of rights and possessions. The Schwenkfelders declined to return.
The motives which led them to emigrate were the desire for religious and personal liberty, and to escape the perÂsecutions which were upon them because of their devotion to these principles. They and their descendants particiÂpated in the American War of the Revolution and in all subsequent wars in which America has been involved. They have ever shown a devotion to the country of their adoption, unsurpassed by any other body of pioneers seeking the American shores.
Their history and deeds have not been properly recorded. The Society of “The Descendants of the Schwenk-feldian Exiles” has been formed to the end that the memory of the original immigrants shall be perpetuated; that their principles and virtues may be better understood, and that the participation by them and their descendants in the development of American ideals and purposes shall be better known, not only to the members of the Society, but also to all other true Americans.
The membership dues of the Society are three dollars per annum in advance. There is no initiation fee. ApplicaÂtion for membership should be sent to the
Secretary
- J. E. BURNETT BUCKENHAM
Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pa.
OFFICERS OF THE
” DESCENDANTS OF THE SCHWENKFELDIAN EXILES”
President, Dr. James M. Anders; First Vice-President, Hon. William Wagener Porter; Second Vice-President, Owen J. Roberts; Secretary, Dr. J. E. Burnett Buckenham; Treasurer, Dr. Ralph Getelman. Board of Governors—Charles Heebner, Mrs. A. Conrad Jones, H. Wilson Stahlnecker, Mrs. John Faber Miller, Elmer K. Schultz, Frank M. Underkuffler, Samuel K. Brecht, Henry S. Kriebel, Mrs. Linwood L. Righter. Counsellor, Hon. William Wagener Porter; Physician, Dr. DeForest Porter Willard; Genealogist, Samuel K. Brecht; Committee on Membership—Samuel K. Brecht, Chairman; Charles Heebner, Mrs. John Faber Miller. Committee on Finance—Elmer K. Schultz, Chairman; Dr. Ralph Getelman, Frank M. Underkuffler. Committee on EnterÂtainment—Dr. Ralph Getelman, Chairman; Henry S. Kriebel, Mrs. Linwood L. Righter. Committee on History—Dr. J. E. Burnett Buckenham, Chairman; Samuel K. Brecht, Mrs. A. Conrad Jones.
THE MIGRATIONS OF THE SCHWENKFELDERS.
Altogether six groups of Schwenkfelders migrated to Pa. from 1731 to 1737. The term “migraÂtions” is here used to ‘designate ancestry rather than religious affiliation, and although the largest group arrived in 1734, generally speaking this is the group thought of when speaking of the Schwenkfelder Migrations. In the following pages the emigrant groups are arranged in chronological order.
For convenience of reference the emigrants have been numbered consecutively, and beginning with those who started from Europe, the letter “E” is prefixed before each who started for Pa.; and the letter “F” following the number designates the Family Number where each emigrant’s name will be found.
In the Third Migration the numbers preceding the names correspond to the numbers in the “Stedman True List.” Numbers 59, 60, 61, and 62 are omitted as these were not Schwenkfelder names. Numbers E 4, E 5, and E 6 have also been left blank, as it has not been possible to determine the names of more than ten of the thirteen person mentioned by David Schultz. It is hoped that future research may bring to light the missing names.
The letter “A” preceding the names indicates that the immigrant signed the Oath of Allegiance.
FIRST MIGRATION.
Palatines imported in the Snow Lowther, Joseph Fisher, Master, from Rotterdam, qualified, Oct. 14, 1731, last from Dover.
Oath          Name                           Emigrant No.                  Family No.
A     George Scholtz                            E 1       F 7, 7-1
SECOND MIGRATION.
Palatines imported in the Ship, Pennsylvania Merchant, John Stedman, Master, from RotterÂdam, but last from Plymouth. Qualified, Sept. 18, 1733.
|
|
|
|
According to David Schultz’s “Reise Beschreibung,” thirteen persons left Berthelsdorf, Saxony, Sunday, April 19, 1733, to journey to Pennsylvania. Among these thirteen were George Schultz, his wife, Anna, and son, David; Melchior Krauss, his wife, Anna, his sons, Balthasar and Melchior, and his daughters, Maria, Anna and Susanna. Of these Melchior Krauss, Sr., died very suddenly on May 28, at Haarlem. The day following, May 29, the company was joined by John Klemm and five others. About the same time that George Schultz [E 7] started for Pennsylvania his son Christopher, twin brother of his son George [E 1], started for the East Indies.
Tradition has it that Johann and Gottlob Klemm were Schwenkf elders, but it has been impossible to confirm this tradition. Schneider, in his records in 1732, writes Klampt will kein Schwenkfelder sein. (Klampt says he is not a Schwenkfelder.) Is this Klampt a Klemm?
It has been stated that Johann K. Klemm built the first organ in Philadelphia in 1741, and we know that a John G. Klem, a native of Dresden, Germany, assisted in the building of organs in PhilaÂdelphia between 1740 and 1750, but it has been impossible to show that this was the Johann Klemm
who came over with the group of Schwenkfelders in 1733, although they are mentioned at various times in the diary of the voyage by David Schultz, which would seem to indicate that they belong to the Schwenkfelder group. However, it is possible that they were Moravians. It is hoped that further investigation may place these men definitely in their proper place.
THE JOURNEY OF THE SCHWENKFELDERS.
Extracts from a translation of a German manuscript in the Library of the Historical Society of Pa., “Reise Beschreibung,” and is supposed to have been written by David Scholtze.)
Account of the journeyings of a party of thirteen from Herrnhut to Amsterdam and Haarlem in Holland by way of Dresden, Magdeburg, Hamburg, and Altona,
Furthermore
A relation of the voyage of nineteen persons from Haarlem by Rotterdam and over the sea to Plymouth and on across the ocean to Pennsylvania, and finally to Philadelphia. Herein may be learned how we fared by land and water and on the great ocean. The dates are given in accordance with the improved calendar.
Deo Gratia
Anno 1733, 19th, April, Sunday, Miser Dom we all left Berthelsdorf at noon-day. The day before Melchior Krauss came to us from Hennersdorf so that our company numbered altogether thirteen persons. Balthasar Jackel (Yeakle) and Friedrich Wagner conducted us to Pirna. This day we journeyed from Berthelsdorf with much luggage, through Kunnersdorf, Kiistelsdorf, Friedricksdorf, and Spremberg to Neusalz, our first night’s resting-place, two German miles.
May 8. We arrived early at Hamburg. We did not go into the town, but remained in the harbor till ourselves and our baggage all being placed on the same boat we were taken by four of the boatmen to Altona. There we had soon a friendly welcome from Herr Heinrich Van Schmissen who -did everyÂthing in his power for us. That night we lodged in his ware-house.
May 9. In the forenoon some of us went into Hamburg, but we had not much time to look about us. On our return to Altona we were told to go to Herr Van Schmissen’s house; we stayed here till 12 o’clock, then we went with our belongings to the shore, took leave of Herr Van Schmissen and got our ship bound for Amsterdam. Herr Van Sehmissen had made all arrangements for us, and we reÂmained that afternoon on board. Herr Heinrich Van Schmissen had given us for ship stores 16 loaves, 12 casks Hollands, 2 pots butter, 4 casks beer, 2 roasts, a quantity of wheaten bread and buiscuit, 2 cases French Brandy, and had in everything cared for us most kindly.
May 14. Ascension Day. On the sea nearly every one became sick, but some more so than others, among the greatest sufferers were my father, the Herren Franzin, Krauss, and Frau Heydriger. At this writing Melchior Krauss is no more. Vero ad finem.
May 18. Herr Blaie sent a letter to Melchior Schultz, who had been at his house but had not found him home. * * * *
May 20. We still remained on the boat. A house-holder in town sent us there for dinner, two roasts, 1 pot butter, 1 cheese, 12 bottles wine, and in the afternoon Herr van Putten came to us. That night we lodged in a house that he had rented for us. We had the entire house and occupied it for three weeks and six days, from the 21st of May to the 16th of June-27 days.
May 28. In the evening at 7 o’clock our friend Melchior Krauss died, when going to thank Herr Van Putten. * * * * On the 2nd of June Melchior Krauss was committed to the earth. Many of our Dutch friends were with us at the grave. * * * * On the 23rd of May we received letters from Pennsylvania from my brother George and on the 24th. * * * *
May 29. John Klem with the remainder of our company, six in number, arrived at Haarlem. * * * Anno 1733. St. John’s Day, 24th June. We set sail from Rotterdam in our vessel, a brigantine culley [galley] the Pennsylvania Merchant, with Mr. John Stedman for our captain. * * * *
Sept. 28. In the afternoon we arrived safe and sound in Philadelphia. Thanks and praise to the Lord for this blessing. At 9 o’clock in the morning my brother, George Scholtze, came to us, having journied twelve miles in a boat to meet our company. He brought us apples, peaches, and wheaten bread, and staid with us on the ship till we reached Philadelphia.
Sept. 29. According to our calendar we were obliged to go to the Court House and take our oath of allegiance to the King. Accordingly we all left the ship. This day was in Germany, Michaelmas. Thus it befell us in our journey to Pennsylvania which we accomplished in twenty-three weeks and
From Berthelsdorf and Herrnhut, through Pirna, Dresden, Wittenberg, Magdeburg, Hamburg, Altona, Amsterdam, Haarlem, Rotterdam, Plymouth, to Philadelphia.
Finis cum Deo!
[For complete accounts, vid. Pa. Mag., Vol. X, p. 179—Reise Beschreibung.]
THIRD MIGRATION.
The third and main migration began Tnesday, April 20, 1734, when the first family left Berthelsdorf. The emigrants embarked on the Elbe for Altona, Denmark, on April 28, and on May 20 reached their destination. On June 21 they embarked on the ship St. Andrew, and on July 29, Plymouth was reached. Land of the new world was first seen by them on September 17, and on September 22 actual landing took place.
Palatines imported in the Ship, Saint Andrew, John Stedman, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Plymouth as per Clearance thence. Qualified, Sept. 12, 1734 [Old style].
In this list the numbering and spelling of the captain’s “True List” are followed.
1. Christopher Winer……………. E 16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 76
2. Melchior Hiebner……………… E 17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 17
3. Georg Hiebner. ……………….. E 18         F 17, 17-1a, 17—lb
- Christopher Krieble, sick…… E 19………………………………………… F 19
5. Georg Krieble…………………… E 20Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 19, 19-1
- David Hiebner, sick……………………….. E 21 F 21
- Balsher Jackle……………………………… E 22 F 22
- Georg Jackle………………………………… E 23 F 22, 22-1
- Christopher Shubart……………………… E 24 F 24
- Melchior Krieble, Sen…………………….. E 25 F 25
- Caspar Krieble……………………………… E 26 F 25, 25-1
- Jurge Anderas……………………………… E 27 F 27
- Balsher Hoveman…………………………. E 28 F 106, 106-2
- Melchior Krieble, Jun…………………….. E 29 F 25, 25-2
- Abraham Jackie……………………………. E 30 F 38, 38-2
- George Hoveman…………………………… E 31 F 106, 106-1
- Balthasar Hoveman………………………. E 32 F 106, 106-1
- Georg Reynald, sick………………………. E 33 F 33
19. Georg Reynald, Jun………….. E 34Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 33, 33-1
20. Hans Weigner…………………. E 35Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 35
21. Georg Weigner, Sen………….. E 36Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 36
22. Melchior Wiegner…………….. E 37Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 36, 36-1
- David Jackie, sick…………….. E 38…. F 38
24. Balthaser Jackle. …………….. E 39Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 38, 38-3
25. Caspar Jackle…………………. E 40Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 38, 38-6
26. Jeremias Jackle………………. E 41Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 38, 38-4
27. Christopher Jackle…………… E 42Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 38, 38-1
28. Gregorius Meyster……………. E 43Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 43
29. Christopher Reynald………… E 44Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 44
30. Hans Jackie……………………. E 45Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 38, 38-5
31. Georg Mentzel ………………… E 46Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 46 –
32. Melchior Mentzel……………… E 47Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 47
33. Melchior Neiman……………… E 48Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 48
34. Tobias Hatranf………………… E 49Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 49
35. Georg Weys ……………………. E 50Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 50
36. Caspar Heydrick……………… ‘E 51Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 51
37. Balthser Heydrick ……………. E 52Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 52a, 52b
38. Christopher Neiman…………. E 53        F 48, 48-1a, 48—lb
39. Matias Jackie………………….. E 54Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 54
40. Georg Sholtze………………….. E 55Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 149, 149-1
41. Christopher Weigner…………. E 56Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 154, 154-1
42. Christopher Jackie…………… E 57Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 160, 160-1
- Georg Anders………………………….. E 58 F 161
- David Seibt …………………………….. E 59 F 59
- Christopher Seibt…………………….. E 60 F 59, 59-1
- Georg Heydrick ………………………. E 61 F 61
- Gregorius Sholtze……………………. E 62 F 62
- David Meyster…………………………. E 63 F 169, 169-1
- Georg Dresher…………………………. E 64 F 64
- Christopher Dresher………………… E 65 F 64-1
- Melchior Meyster…………………….. E 66 F 66
- Balthser Anders………………………. E 67 F 161, 161-1
- George Sholtze………………………… E 68 F 68
- Melchior Sholtze……………………… E 69 F 69a, 69b
- Christopher Sholtze…………………. E 70 F 70
- Caspar John…………………………… E 71 F 71
- Fredrick Scheps . ……………………. E 72 (no further data)
- Andreas Warmer, sick………………. E 73 F 73
63. Johannes Hiebner……………. E 74Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 74
64. David Shubart…………………. E 75Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 75a, 75b
NAMES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
- Susannah Winer………………. E 76 F 76
- Rosina Winer…………………… E 77 F 76
- Maria Hiebner………………….. E 78 F 17
- Maria Krieble…………………… E 79 F 19
- Susannah Krieble…………….. E 80 F 19
- Anna Krieble……………………. E 81 F 19, 64-1
- Christopher Krieble………….. E 82 F 19, 19-2
- Maria Krieble…………………… E 83 F 19, 192-1
- Rosina Krieble…………………. E 84 F 19
- Maria Hiebner………………….. E 85 F 21
- Rosina Krieble …………………. E 86 F 17-la
- Christopher Hiebner ………… E 87 F 21, 21-1
- Regina Jackie…………………… E 88 F 22
- Anna Jackie…………………….. E 89 F 22
- Susanna Jackie……………….. E 90 F 22, 19-1
- Maria Jackie……………………. E 91 F 22
- Rosina Jackie…………………… E 92 F 22, 70
- Barbara Shubart………………. E 93 F 24
- David Shubart…………………. E 94 F 24
- Anna Maria Shubart…………. E 95 F 24
- Susannah Shubart…………… E 96 F 24, 49-4
- Maria Krieble…………………… E 97 F 25
- Susannah Krieble…………….. E 98 F 36, 25-1
- Georg Krieble…………………… E 99 F 25-1, 25-3
- Maria Anders…………………… E 100 F 33, 27
- Urcilla Hoveman………………. E 101 F 106, 106-2
- Anna Hoveman………………… E 102 F 106-2, 149-1
- Rosina Hoveman………………. E 103 F 106-2, 59-1, 38-1
- Christopher Hoveman……….. E 104 F 106-2, 106-3
- Anna Krieble……………………. E 105 F 25-2
- Urcilla Hoveman………………. E 106 F 106
- Maria Jackie……………………. E 107 F 38-2
- Susannah Jackie……………… E 108 F 38-2, 154-2
- Rosina Jackie E 109Â Â Â Â Â F 38-2, 59-2
- Barbara Hoveman…………….. E 110 F 106, 106-1
- Susannah Hoveman………….. E 111 F 106-1, 11-1
- Barbara Reynold ……………… E 112 F 33
- Susanna Reynald…………….. E 113 F 33-1
- Christopher Reynald………… E 114 F 33-1, 33-2
- Anna Weigner…………………. E 115 F 35
- Melchior Weigner…………….. E 116 F 35
- Maria Weigner………………… E 117 F 36
- Rosina Weigner……………….. E 118 F 169, 36-1
- Susanna Jackie………………. E 119 F 38, 154-3
- Maria Meyster…………………. E 120 F 43
- Christopher Meyster………… E 121 F 43, 43-1
- Anna Meyster…………………. E 122 single
- Maria Meyster…………………. E 123 single
- Susannah Reynald………….. E 124 F 44
- Barbara Reynald……………… E 125 single
- Susannah Jackie…………….. E 126 F 38-5
- Balthaser Jackie……………… E 127 F 38-5, 38-16
- Urcilla Mentzle………………… E 128 F 46
- Barbara Mentzle………………. E 129 (Should this be Warmer?)
- Anna Mentzel………………….. E 130 F 47
- Barbara Mentzel [Warmer?]. E 131 F 38-3
- Maria Neyman………………… E 132 F 48
- Anna Warmer…………………. E 133 single
- Barbara Hatranf……………… E 134 F 49
- Maria Hatranf ………………… E 135 F 49, 69b
- Georg Hatranf…………………. E 136 P 49, 49-2
- Abraham Hatranf…………….. E 137 F 49, 49-4
- Melchior Hatranf……………… E 138 F 49, 49-3
- Rosina Hatranf……………….. E 139 F 49
- Anna Weys……………………… E 140 F 50
- Eva Heydrick………………….. E 141 F 61
- Rosina Heydrick……………… E 142 F 52a
- Christopher Heydrick………. . E 143 F 52a
- Susanna Neiman…………….. E 144 F 48, 48-la
- David Neiman…………………. E 145 F 48-1a, 48-2
- Rosina Jackie…………………. E 146 F 54
- Maria Jackie…………………… E 147 F 54
- Regina Jackie…………………. E 148 F 54
- Susannah Sholtze……………. E 149 F 149
- Anna Sholtze………………….. E 150 F 149, 154-1
- Susannah Sholtze……………. E 151 F 149, 17-lb
- Maria Sholtze………………….. E 152 F 149, 160-1
- Barbara Sholtze………………. E 153 F 149, 199-1
- Susannah Weigner………….. E 154 F 154
- Susannah Weigner …………. E 155 F 154, 73
- Maria Weigner………………… E 156 F 154
- Abraham Weigner …………… E 157 F 154, 154-2
- Georg Weigner………………… E 158 F 154, 154-3
- Rosina Weigner……………….. E 159 F 154
- Regina Jackie…………………. E 160 F 160
- Anna Anders…………………… E 161 F 161
- Urcilla Anders…………………. E 162 F 169-1
- Judith Seibt……………………. E 163 F 59
- Caspar Seibt ………………….. E 164 F 59, 59-2
- Abraham Heydrick…………… E 165 F 165
- Rosina Sholtze ……………….. E 166 F 38, 62
- Susannah Sholtze……………. E 167 F 62, 202-1
- Rosina Sholtze………………… E 168 F 62
- Eva Meyster……………………. E 169 F 169
- Anna Meyster …………………. E 170 F 169, 69a
| 96. Maria Dresher | E 171 | F 64 |
| 97. Rosina Dresher……………. | E 172 | F 64, 106-3 |
| 98. Maria Dresher | E 173 | F 64, 19-2 |
| 99. Regina Meyster……………. | E 174 | F 66 |
| 100. Anna Anders. | E 175 | F 161-1 |
| 101. Georg Anders | E 176 | F 161-1, 161-2 |
| 102. Maria Hiebner | E 177 | F 74 |
| 103. Anna Hiebner | E 178 | F 74 |
| 104. Hans Hiebner | E 179 | F 74, 74-1 |
| 105. Melchior Hiebner…………….. | E 180 | F 74, 74-2 |
| 106. Susanna Shubart…………….. | E 181 | F 75a |
| 107. David Shubart…………….. | E 182 | F 75a |
FOURTH MIGRATION.
Palatines imported in the Brigantine Mary of Philadelphia, James Marshall, Master, from London. Qualified, June 28, 1735.
AÂ Â Â Â Â Melchior Scholtze…………………. E 183Â Â Â Â Â Â Â F 7, 7-2
FIFTH MIGRATION.
Palatines imported in the Brigantine Perth Amboy, George Fraiser, Master, from Rotterdam,
| but last from Dover.          Qualified October 19, | 1736. | ||
| A | Abraham Beer (Beyer) | E 184 | F 184 |
| Rosina Beyer………….. | E 185 | F 184 | |
| Anne Rosina Beyer….. | E 186 | F 184, 7-3a | |
| Anne Maria Beyer…… | E 187 | F 184, 208, 184-2 | |
| Abraham Beyer………. | E 188 | F 184, 184-1 | |
| Andrew Beyer…………. | E 189 | F 184, 184-3 | |
| George Beyer………….. | E 190 | F 184 | |
| Susanne Beyer……….. | E 191 | F 184, 184-4 | |
SIXTH MIGRATION.
|
Palatines imported in the Ship Saint Andrew Galley, John Stedman, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes as by clearance thence.                                                                          Qualified the 26th day of September, 1737. |
||
| Anna Wagner……….. | E 192 | F 192 |
| AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Abraham Wagner….. | E 193 | F 192, 192-1 |
| Melchior Wagner…… | E 194 | F 192, 192-2 |
| Susanna Wagner…… | E 195 | F 192, 22-1 |
| Anna Wagner……….. | E 196 | F 196 |
| Christopher Wagner. | E 197 | F 196, 196-1 |
| David Wagner………. | E 198 | F 196, 106-2 |
| AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Christopher Hubner | E 199 | F 199 |
| Maria Hubner………. | E 200 | F 199 |
| Hans Christopher Hubner………………… | E 201 | F 199, 199-1 |
| Maria Krauss……….. | E 202 | F 202 |
| Melchior Krauss……. | E 203 | F 202 |
| AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Christopher Krauss. | E 204 | F 202, 202-1 |
| Maria Hoffrichter….. | E 205 | F 52b |
SUPPLEMENTARY LIST I.
The following names are not found on immigrant lists but are accounted for in the lists of families.
Eve Heydrick…………………………. E 206…………………………………………… F 51
Maria Yeakel…………………………. E 207…………………………………………… F 68
Abraham Yeakel…………………….. E 208…………………………………………… F 208
George Yeakel……………………….. E 209…………………………………………… single
SUPPLEMENTARY LIST II.
This is a list of those of the emigrant Schwenkfelders who left Saxony but who failed to reach Pennsylvania, all of whom, excepting the first, Melchior Krauss E 210, died on the Ship, St. Andrew, as members of the Third Migration.
Melchior Krauss……………………… E 210, d May 28, 1733.
Child of Christopher Kriebel…….. E 211, d July 12, 1734.
Child of David Hitbner (Balthasar)-E 212, d Aug. 3, 1734.
Child of Gregorius Schultz………… E 213, d Aug. 9, 1734.
Elizabeth Yeakel……………………… E 214, d Aug. 10, 1734.
Child of Melchior Meschter……….. E 215, d Aug. 14, 1734.
Child of David Schubert…………… E 216, d Aug. 18, 1734.
Maria Schubert………………………. E 217, F 75a, d Aug. 22, 1734.
George Hoffman………………………. E 218, d Aug. 28, 1734.
………….. Â Reinwald (widow)……… E 219, d Sept. 20, 1734 (N. S.)
With regard to births and deaths on the voyage of the Third Migration, the Schwenkfelders were more fortunate than many other companies of immigrants.
Melchior Krauss [E 210], was the husband of Anna Krauss [E 11]. He died suddenly, May 28, 1733, and was buried near Haarlem, Holland, before the family shipped for Pennsylvania.
Child of Christopher Kriebel [E 211b was the youngest child of Christopher Kriebel [E 19]. It died on July 12, 1734, and was given a watery grave as were all the others that died during the voyage.
Child of David Htibner [E 212], was the youngest child of David Hiibner [E 21] and was aged 1 year, and 20 weeks. Died August 3, 1734.
Child of Gregorius Schultz [E 213], was the youngest child of Gregorius Schultz [E 62}, and was born on the first day of the voyage. The death occurred, August 9, 1734.
Elizabeth Yeakel [E 214], was the youngest child of Abraham Yeakel [E 30], born Nov. 6, 1732, died August 10, 1734.
Child of Melchior Meschter [E 215], was the offspring of Melchior Meschter [E 66], and was aged 1 year, 8 weeks. It died on August 14, 1734.
Son of David Schubert [E 216], was the youngest son of David Schubert [E 75]. His death occurred August 18, 1734, having been born on board the St. Andrew, seven weeks before.
Maria Teichman Schubert [E 217], was the wife of David Schubert [E 75], and died from injuries received four days after the day of her child’s death, Aug. 22, 1734.
George Hoffman [E 218], was the youngest son of George Hoffman [E 31]. He was born April 1, 1714, and died August 28, 1734.
………….. Â Reinwald [E 219]. “Die alte Reinwaldin von Armenruh,” (The old widow, Reinwald, from Armenruh), died Sept. 20, 1734, and was consigned to the waters of the Delaware almost within sight of Philadelphia. [Vid. Diary of the Voyage, p 49.]
FACTS CONCERNING THE THIRD MIGRATION.
Rupp in his Thirty Thousand Names has the name of Wilhelm Herterranft on the ship list of the Saint Andrew, Sept. 12, 1734, but this name does not appear on the captain’s list.
The name of Frederick Dresheris also given in the list in the old “Genealogical Record of the Schwenk-felders.” This name was doubtless mistaken for Frederick Treyst, which appears in the list of children under sixteen years of age, but no Frederick Dresher appears on the captain’s list.
A few notes explaining and supplementing the Immigrant Lists are in order:
The following resolution, adopted by the Provincial Council of Pa., on Sept. 14, 1727, was in force during the period of the migrations:
“Resolved, that the masters of vessels importing Germans and others from the continent of Europe, shall be exÂamined whether they have leave granted them by the Court of Great Britian for the importation of these foreigners and that a list be taken of all these people, their several occupations, and place from whence they came, and shall be further examined touching their intentions in coming hither; and that a writing be drawn up for them to sign, declaring their allegiance and subjection to the King of Great Britain and fidelity to the Proprietary of this Province and that they will demean themselves peacefully towards all His Majesty’s subjects, and observe and conform to the Laws of England and of the Government of Pennsylvania.”
“All males over sixteen years of age were obliged to take the oath and declaration as soon after their arrival as possible, being marched to the Court House, although in a number of instances they were qualified at the official residence of the magistrate.” [Pa. Arch.]
The “Oath of Allegiance” signed by the immigrants of 1734 is reproduced in connection with the Fac-simile of the signatures.
Of the male immigrants more than 16 years of age, who arrived in the third migration the following did not sign on account of sickness, probably being too ill to go to the Court House: Christopher Krieble [E 19], David Hubner [E 21], George Reinwald [E 33], David Jackie [E 38], Andreas Warmer
[E 73]. The following did not sign but made “their mark:” Hans Wiegner [E 35], George Wiegner
[E 36], Gregorius Meisther [E 43], George Mentzell [E 46], Melchior Mentzell [E 47], Melchior Neuman
[E 48], Christopher Wiegner [E 56], Melchior Meisther [E 66], Hans Hubner [E 74], David Schubert
[E 75].
Christopher Schultz in his diary says, “Wir Schlesien die wir Gewissenshalben nicht Schworen konnten, wurden auch ganz gerne damit verschonet, durften nur die Treue mit einem Handschlage versprechen.”
Translation-We Silesians who could not take the oath because of our conscience were quite readily excused and were allowed to pledge our allegiance with a clasp of the hand.
In submitting his “True List” of immigrants, Captain Stedman gave in parallel columns, first, the names of males 16 years of age or over and second, the names of females, and males under 16 years. The order of the first column is the same as in the “Oath List,” the names of the sick who had not signed the oath being inserted in their proper places.
The spelling in this “True List” is a marked departure from the original-Wiegner, Htibner, Kriebel, Jackel, Hoffman, Reinwalt, Weiss, Meschter, being changed to Winer, Hiebner, Krieble, Jackie, Hoveman, Reynald, Weys, Meyster. Apparently the clerk, who seemingly was unfamiliar with Germanic orthography, wrote the names phonetically as they were dictated by Captain Stedman. The names of Eva Heydrick [F 51], Maria Yeakel [F 68], Abraham Yeakel [F 208], George Yeakel,
[E 209], immigrants, do not appear in the Stedman list, and are therefore placed last in the list as possibly being open to question.
It can be taken for granted that a seaman of Captain Stedman’s experience was methodical and orderly in his business, and that in making up his “True List” of passengers of the St. Andrew he was systematic. That such was the case is shown by the fact that a combining of the two parallel lists gives family groups of the immigrants, as shown by the following table, the first column giving the family number, as used later in this book, the second the number of the male immigrants, the third the numbers of the females, and males under sixteen.
Family                                    Emigrant Number                                               Emigrant Number
Number                                     (Males over 16)                                                 (Females, and males under 16)
| 76 | Wiegner, Adam ….. 16 | 76, 77 | ||||||
| 17 | Hiibner, Melchior.. 17, | 18 | 78 | |||||
| 19 | Kriebel, Christopher………………………. 19, | 20 | 79, 80, 81, 82, | 83, | 84 | |||
| 21 | Hubner, David……. 21 | 85, 86, 87 | ||||||
| 22 | Jackel, Balthasar.. 22, | 23 | 88, 89, 90, 91, | 92 | ||||
| 24 | Schubert, Christoph ……………………….. 24 | 93, 94, 95, 96 | ||||||
| 25 | Kriebel, Melchior … 25 | 97 | ||||||
| 25-1 | Kriebel, Caspar…… 26 | 98, 99 | ||||||
| 27 | Anders, George ….. 27 | 100 | ||||||
| 106-2 | Hoffman, Balzer….. 28 | 101, 102, 103, | 104 | |||||
| 25-2 | Kriebel, Melchior…. 29 | 105, 106 | ||||||
| 38-2 | Jackel, Abraham … 30 | 107, 108, 109 | ||||||
| 106-1 | Hoffman, George… 31, | 32 | 110, 111 | |||||
| 33 | Reinwalt, George … 33 | 112 | ||||||
| 33-1 | Reinwalt, George … 34 | 113, 114 | ||||||
| 35 | Wiegner, Hans……. 35 | 115, 116 | ||||||
| 36 | Wiegner, George …. 36 | 117 | ||||||
| 36-1 | Wiegner, Melchior.. 37 | 118 | ||||||
| 38 | Jackel, David…….. 38, | 39, | 40, | 41, | 42 | 119 | ||
| 43 | Meschter, Gregorius……………………….. 43 | 120, 121, 122, | 123 | |||||
| 33-2 | Reinwalt, Christopher……………………….. 44 | 124, 125 | ||||||
| 38-5 | ackel, Hans Heinrich……………………….. 45 | 126, 127 | ||||||
| 46 | Mentzel, George….. 46 | 128, 129 (?) |
| 42 | GENEALOGICAL RECORD OF THE SCHWENKFELDER FAMILIES | |||
| 47 | Mentzel, Melchior………….. | 47 | 130, 131 (?) | |
| 48 | Neuman, Melchior ………… | 48 | 132, 133 | |
| 49 | Hartranft, Tobias…………… | 49 | 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139 | |
| 50 | Weiss, George……………….. | 50 | 140 | |
| 51 | Heydrick, Caspar……………. | 51 | 206 | |
| 52a | Heydrick, Balthasar…….. | 52 | 142, 143 | |
| 48-1 | Neuman, Christopher…….. | 53 | 144, 145 | |
| 54 | Jackel, Matthus ……………… | 54 | 146, 147, 148 | |
| 149 | Schultz, George……………… | 55 | 149, 150, 151, 152, 153 | |
| 154 | Wiegner, Christopher…….. | 56 | 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159 | |
| 160 | Jackie, Christopher…………. | 57 | 160 | |
| 161 | Anders, George……………… | 58 | 161, 162 | |
| 59 | Seibt, David…………………… | 59, 60 | 163, 164 | |
| 61 | Heydrick, George…………… | 61 | 141, (165) | |
| 62 | Sholtze, Gregorius…………. | 62 | 166, 167, 168 | |
| 169-1 | Meyster, David………………. | 63 | 169, 170 | |
| 64 | Dresher, George……………. | 64,65 | 171, 172, 173 | |
| 66 | Meyster, Melchior………….. | 66 | 174 | |
| 161-1 | Anders, Balthser…………….. | 67 | 175, 176 | |
| George, Melchior, Christopher | ||||
| Schultz………………………….. | 68, 69, | 70 | ||
| 71 | John, Caspar………………….. | 71 | wife remained in Europe | |
| 72 | Scheps, Frederick…………… | 72 | no trace of his family | |
| 73 | Warmer, Andreas…………… | 73 | ||
| 74 | Heebner, Hans………………. | 74 | 177, 178, 179, 180 | |
| 75a | Schubert, David…………….. | 75 | 181, 182 | |
Viewed from the standpoint of family relationships, the immigrants may be grouped as follows:
[F 161] [F 161-1] [F 27] [F 184] [F 64]
[F 199]
[F 21]
[F 74]
[F 17]
[F 52a]
[F 51]
[F 61]
[F 106-2]
[F 106]
[F 106-1]
[F 71]
[F 11]
[F 202]
[F 25-1]
[F 19]
. [F 25]
[F 25-2]
F46]
- [F 169] [F 43] [F 66] [F 48-1]
Anders, Anna-widow, two sons and one daughter.
Anders, Balthasar-wife Anna and son.
Anders, George-and wife Maria.
Beyer, Abraham-wife Rosina, three sons, three daughters.
Dresher, George-wife Maria, one son and two daughters.
Hartranft, Tobias-wife Barbara, three sons and two daughters.
Heebner, Christopher-wife Maria and son.
Heebner, David-wife Maria and son.
Heebner, Hans-wife Maria, two sons and daughter.
Heebner, Melchior-wife Maria, one son.
Heydrick, Balthasar-wife Rosina, one son.
Heydrick, Caspar-wife Eve.
Heydrick, George-wife Eve.
Hoffman, Balthasar-wife Ursula, one son, two daughters.
Hoffman, Ursula-widow, and two sons.
Hoffman, George-wife Barbara, one son, one daughter.
John, Caspar-wife remained in Europe.
Krauss, Anna-widow, two sons, three daughters.
Krauss, Maria-widow, two sons.
Kriebel, Caspar-wife Susanna, one son.
Kriebel, Christopher-wife Maria, two sons, four daughters.
Kriebel, Melchior, Sr.-wife Maria, two sons.
Kriebel, Melchior, Jr.-wife Anna.
Mentzel, George-wife Ursula.
Mentzel, Melchior-wife Anna.
Meschter, Eve-widow, one son, two daughters
Meschter, Gregorius-wife Maria, one son.
Meschter, Melchior-wife Regina.
Neuman, Christopher-wife Susanna, one son.
Neuman, Melchior-wife Maria.
Rosina Seipt [F 59-2] b July 7, 1730; d July 16, 1820.
Christopher Heebner [F 21-1] b Apr. 19, 1731; d June 27, 1817.
In the “Genealogical Record” of 1879 the following names seem to have been omitted from the immigrant list: Rosina Yeakel, Eve Heydrick, Hans Heebner, Rosina Meschter, Rosina Wiegner, Susanna Wiegner and Melchior Wiegner. The following names on the immigrant list are also unÂaccounted for in the Record: Baltzer ackel, George Reinwald, Melchior Kriebel, Balthasar Jackel, Maria Kriebel, Susanna Jackel, Barbara Mentzel, Maria Wiegner and Susanna Schubert.
A comparative study of the following lists of names, “Oath List,” “Stedman True List,” “Council List,” “Rupp’s List of 30,000 names,” “Pennsylvania Archives, 1890,” Manuscript list in use by the committee that published Record of 1879, seems to warrant the following conclusions:
From the list of signers of the Oath of Allegiance the clerk made his report to the Provincial Council, in which various changes in spelling were made, notably: Wiegner, Hubner, Kribel, Reinwald, Drescher, being changed to Wigner, Heibner, Krieble, Reinald, Dreysher. The Rupp List of 1876 changed the order of the names, followed the spelling more accurately, and omitted the name of Melchior Wigner, characteristics reproduced in the Genealogical Record List, and in the Pennsylvania Archives of 1890. The “Genealogical Record” list, seemingly, therefore, followed Rupp and not the original papers, as stated in the preface of the Genealogical Record.
In a list collated from a paper in the Herrnhut Archives, copied by Dr. Chester D. Hartranft, containing answers to questions put to the Schwenkfelders prior to their migration (ca. 1732) nearly all of whom migrated to Pa., we find the following occupations:
“Was ein jeder derselben von Handlung.” Spinners, 29; Shoemakers, 3; Linen weavers, 3; CarpenÂters, 5; Day laborers, 9; Dealers, 6; Cabinet makers, 1; Tailors, 1; Farmers, 3; Total, 60.
(Account of the Journey from Altona to Philadelphia, 1734) Written by Christopher Schultz [E 70]
The following is a free translation of the journey of the main body of Schwenkfelder immigrants who arrived Sept. 22, 1734. This account is taken from the diary of Rev. Christopher Schultz, who was then sixteen years of age. It appears in print in German in the Appendix of the “ErUuterung,” pp. 462-72.
In writing this diary Christopher Schultz used new style time. German Protestant countries adopted new style time about 1700, while the Catholic parts changed in 1583, so that the immigrant Schwenkfelders used this time while on their journey. When they arrived in Pennsylvania they were obliged to conform to the time of the British colonies which was old style, since England did not adopt new style time until 1752. This accounts for the apparent discrepanÂcies in the dates of death and other events, as narrated in the Schultz Diary of the Voyage. In the S.H.L. at Penns-burg are two David Schultz Almanacs for the year 1752. One was printed in Breslau and the other in Pa., and the latter has for the month of September eleven days less than the former.
Dear Reader:
In order that you might know how our dear Brethren, the so-called “Schwenkfelders” came to Pa., how marvelously the Almighty guided them after they were obliged out of dire necessity to leave their fatherland, take notice that in the year 1726 they first began to withdraw to Saxony, under the then Count Zinzendorf. Bertelsdorf and Gorlitz were the real assembling places where one family after another assembled, or in the immediate vicinity.
In these sorrowful migrations, as strangers and pilgrims, they very appropriately kept their religiÂous beliefs in the background, as long as they were given bodily protection; but when they could no longer look forward to such protection in the future they took reverent counsel with one another, where they might seek homes where they would be assured of freedom of thought and worship.
Here and there were Christian potentates and princes who would gladly have welcomed them, but the most promising outlook was Pennsylvania. And after they obtained permission of the Crown of England, preparations were made for this far journey in the name of God, A. D. 1734, in the month of April. But the good and gracious God had already cared for these persecuted and exiled people in that in Holland he inspired some very rich friends as benefactors, viz: the three brothers Messrs. von Byuschanse, Abraham, Isaac and Jann. In the town of Haarlem these gentlemen as memorable benefactors, assumed the expenses of the entire journey, as will be seen in what follows:
Early on the morning of May 17, we disembarked at Altona and all found shelter in a house set aside for our use by the MeSsrs. von Smissen, father and son. In addition to this they had also proÂvided for us all necessities as well as many luxuries during our entire stay here, which lasted eleven days. All the provisions were furnished us gratis, without any recompense whatever.
Now what concerns our belated voyage, the ship was pretty well crowded, but as a shift was good enough, for we had fire the entire day, could cook what we wished, and during the entire trip we had refreshing drinks free, and as a diversion, could go on land twice each day. We were on good terms with the officers of the ships, and the sailors, and they were satisfied with us.
Those who were ill were Balthasar Jackel, George Weiss and his wife, the wives of both Christopher and Caspar Kriebel, Balthasar Hoffman, Jr., David Meschter and David Jackel, but all improved, God be praised.
On May 28th, at noon, we shifted our entire belongings on three Holland vessels and toward evening we all embarked, excepting Balthasar Hoffman’s eldest daughter, as also his mother, who lay at the point of death, and at 11 o’clock we left, but did not go far.
On the 29th all three vessels departed, past Gliickstadt, and were driven with good wind, rode 13 miles and then cast anchor till 3 o’clock. Two of the vessels not being so heavily laden, sailed away from us, and we did not see them again until we arrived at Haarlem.
In the meantime a fierce storm arose, that the captain of the last ship had to raise the anchor, so that we were driven back four miles into a river named Starr, the storm continuing until evening.
On May 31st we came into a harbor where we were obliged to lie all day on account of contrary wind.
Early on June 1 we passed Suchhafen and Neuwerk and were 16 miles from Hamburg. On the 2d, in early morning, with a strong wind blowing, we passed Borcum, when during the night we were driven back 12 to 13 miles. Toward noon we arrived opposite Groningen, along Ameland, and with contrary winds as far as Friesland, a Holland province.
On the 3d we entered Friesland as far as Harlingen, and thence with better winds till Borcum, Hinderlooten and Stavoren, where we lay at anchor all night. On the 4th we passed Enkhuizen, Hoorn,
 Edam, and Moonickendam, and thanks to God, entered safely into the harbor of Amsterdam, opposite which many large ships lay at anchor, and we had to wait 30 hours for the sailing master, who went into the town 3 hours (3 leagues to the city).
On the evening of the 5th we rode as far as Spardam, 2 miles from Amsterdam, and remained till noon of the 6th, as it was quite calm and no wind was in the sails. In the morning, several from our boat went to Haarlem to announce to our companions our safe arrival. They were much worried about us, as they had not heard from us for 3 days. When our companions arrived in Haarlem and announced that we were obliged to lie still on account of lack of wind, and the friends of the Messrs von Byus-chanse, who had great concern for us, hearing this, sent two boats with friend Schultz (Melchior), to meet us and take us off. Upon our arrival we could not express sufficient astonishment at the gratiÂtude of our friends, because they had also met our other two vessels and had come one-fourth of the way to meet us, with their wives and many other friends unknown to us, who were anxious to ascertain how we fared on our journey. They had also engaged a special house in which we all had quarters, in addition to providing for our necessities. Yes, they also took the precaution to place a guard before our house in order to prevent any one from entering or annoying us, who did not have permission from the von Byuschanses. They also made the bargain with our ship’s captain, Mr. Stittmann (Stedman), who was to take us to America at their own expense. These were the terms: for all persons of more than 15, the full fare to be paid, 30 Rix-dollars; all under 15 years, half price; and under 4 years, free; the latter, however, were not provided with lodging and provisions; and through the above-named friends, both large and small were transported gratuitously.
Also from Altona to Haarlem we had nothing to pay. Fifteen days we lay at Haarlem, where both large and small were royally entertained by the Messrs von Byuschanses with meats, fish, all kinds of garnishes, beer, coffee, tea, and the children were presented with all kinds of “Pfefferkuchen” (gingercake), and similar sweets, more than once a day. We protested that none of us were in need of anything, and each one could take care of himself, but our objections amounted to nothing. They wished to have it so. However, they made one request of us, that since they paid our entire passage, those of us who could afford to pay our own passage should, so far as God helped them through, help their poorer brethren in America with what they would save on the voyage. In addition to this 224 Rix-dollars was contributed by them for the establishment of a charity fund (Armen-Kasse) in America. Because of such unexpected and generous help from God we felt quite ashamed and unworthy, and may the compassionate God out of grace eternally requite these great benefactors.
Now as to what happened on our journey from Altona to Holland, regarding seasickness, let it be known that nearly all of us were sick for a few days; still some fared better than others. Mrs. Gregorius Meschter was presented with a little son, the second day from Holland. She was lodged in special quarters and she was cared for as well as could be under the circumstances.
We had news that the two families from Gorlitz shipped at Altona on June 8.
After we lay at Haarlem for 15 days, on the evening of June 19, we left there for Rotterdam, and on the afternoon, at 4 P. M., on the 20th, arrived in the Meuse River.
On the 21st we went in the English sea-going vessel called “Andrew,” commanded by Captain Stittmann (Stedman), although an entire week elapsed before we got away. During this time God presented David Schubert with a young son, and we also obtained beverages, foodstuffs and other refreshments. On the 28th, toward evening, we departed in the midst of much cannonading, but after going a half mile we anchored again.
On the 29th the ship came upon a sandbank, whereupon all passengers were ordered to run from one side of the boat to the other, in order to free the boat, causing a lot of trouble; but the boat was freed in this manner, and we sailed till noon, when we were obliged to wait for the tide; and toward evening we sailed a little farther and then dropped the anchor.
On the 30th of June and on July 1, we were obliged to anchor again. near Dort (Dordrecht) on account of contrary winds, till on the 2nd of July we sailed past Dordrecht in the afternoon with a tack wind, and toward evening all the men went on shore in order to draw the ship through a narrow canal up to the custom house, where we remained till toward evening of the 8th, and then on the water where formerly 72 cities were flooded, and remained there altogether 5 days, because the captain had remained behind.
On July 8th Melchior Schultz came on board and besides a small shipload of wares was loaded on our boat. On the afternoon of the 9th we sailed away and toward evening cast anchor. On the 10th we sailed a short distance and again cast anchor, but toward noon the anchor was raised and we “tacked” till evening. When we came to (“Sagelooct Schlevis”) Scheveningen where the captain met us again. On the 11th Schultz returned to Haarlem and we sailed with a good wind out to sea. In the afternoon we had very strong contrary winds, the boat rocked very badly and nearly all became seasick.
Early on the morning of the 12th, Christopher Kriebel’s youngest child died, which after a few hours was placed in a bag with a little sand, and was buried at sea.
On the 13th of July we had still stronger contrary winds. On the morning of the 14th, we cast anchor in the channel between Dover in England and Calais in France, and found the water 22 fathoms deep; at noon the anchor was raised and towards evening we had favorable wind which lasted till noon on the 15th, after which we had side winds from the northwest and had to tack for the most part.
The following evening and on the 16th we had favorable winds and then we struck a calm. On this day 6 women from the Palatinate and two men fought with one another; the reason was a poor one and the woman who started it was deservedly punished. On the 17th we arrived safely in the harbor of Keymouth (Plymouth) where we lay still for 12 days, and could not buy much here as everything was dear. Here we could get fresh water on land, but we could not get any beer. On the 23rd, a young fellow from the Palatinate died. He was a ropemaker by trade and was going to Pa. on his “Wander Jahre” (wandering year). He was buried on the shore in a very poor coffin.
In Plymouth a wealthy woman presented the entire company on board with 125 shillings and when it was portioned, each person received four and a half English stivers.
On the 29th we set sail, but on account of bad winds we had to lie still, but on the 30th, praise be to God, we had favorable winds and we sailed out on the ocean and had favorable winds till the 4th of August. During this time the ship sailed 7 English miles per hour.
On the 3rd, David Hiibner’s youngest child died, aged 1 year, 20 weeks, and was buried at sea according to the ship’s custom, formerly mentioned, somewhere off the coast of Spain. The hymn “Ach wie elend ist unsre Zeit,” (Oh, how bitter is our journey!) was sung.
On the 4th of August the wind was poor but the sky was clear, but toward evening the wind became so strong that it almost turned into a storm and this lasted until the 5th and 6th. Although it was not exactly stormy, still the waves ofttimes washed over the ship.
In the afternoon it happened that many of the Palatinates were sitting on the bow of the ship, since they had their lodgings in the fore part of the ship, when the wind hurled a big wave over the ship, which swamped the bow and rushed in the forepart of the ship, so that it was flooded with water, and the people sitting there were drenched, whereupon a great cry arose, but not a single person was drowned.
During the night a Palatinate woman gave birth to a child, and during the night such a strong wind arose that the ship sailed 9 English miles in an hour, whereas the day before she made only 7 to 8 miles. On the 9th towards noon it became quite calm, and on this day the child of Gregorius Schultz died; it was born on the first day of our journey, thus being 16 weeks old. Again a mother and daughter of the Palatines quarreled. The calm continued during the 10th, so that washing could have been done during this fine weather, however the sailors had many duties to perform on board ship to keep it in order.
At noon while rations were being served they hauled up the sails, but the wind was still too weak, but toward evening a stronger northwest wind arose. A very large fish was also seen on the 10th, which spouted the water high in the air as if it came out of pipes. During this same night Abraham Jackel’s youngest child died, aged one and three-fourths years, and was buried at sea on the 11th. The illness of the children consisted of great heat and unnatural thirst and eruptions, and after death it was found that the inside of the mouth was all black and scorched. (Scarlet fever?)
We had a southerly wind on this day, but not too strong; however it happened that it broke off the middle and highest mast. The wind continued on the 12th till noon, with the sky clear, then it became stronger, the sky became overcast and the night quite boisterous when many waves were thrown over the ship again. This continued until noon on the 13th, when a soft north wind arose which drove the boat a little, but we could not make much progress against the stormy waves. On the 14th, Melchior Meschter’s child died, aged 1 year, 8 weeks.
Toward 6 o’clock we met a French ship coming from the Spanish colonies in the West Indies, and this day we had an east wind with some rain till bedtime when the wind changed to southerly, then became windstill. It rained hard, when it was noticed that the wind had ceased but the waves conÂtinued to rage. This is the most distressing time on board ship because on account of being hurled from one side of the ship to the other, one could neither sit nor lie down. This caused a great deal of disÂcomfort to the sick. On this day the mast was again rigged up and toward evening we again saw a ship go by.
Early on the morning of the 15th, at daybreak, it became hazy and foggy, and thundered toward the northwest, and by noon was quite calm, when an east wind arose. This morning we again saw a couple of ships and it rained almost the entire day and the following night. On the 16th we had favorable winds, but on the 17th it was again contrary accompanied by thunderstorms, but for the most part the storm passed by the side of us. In the distance the waves appeared like huge mountains, and we again saw a ship today.
On the 18th David Schubert’s child died. It was born aboard the ship, being 7 weeks old. Again on the 19th we had contrary wind, growing stronger on the 20th, so that many waves were thrown over the ship, but toward evening the wind changed very suddenly, and came somewhat milder from the northwest, so that the ship facing the opposing waves rose and fell 10 ells. This wind continued through the night; but on the 21st we had a calm; the rudder was then tied fast so that the ship could drift or remain still; but during the night we had somewhat more favorable wind, but another calm on the 22nd. At about 9 o’clock on this day, Maria Schubert died very suddenly while she was giving the children soup. Four days prior to this she had injured herself while ascending some part of the ship. In the afternoon she was lowered into the deep on a plank.
On account of the extreme heat on this day the captain gave us two tankards of water in addition to the allotted amount, at 5 different times. Each day we were allowed one tankard of beer and one tankard of water, until we had been on the ocean 14 days, then the beer gave out, and we received 2 tankards of water, but it was very foul and unpalatable, but since we had no other we had to drink it. In some tanks it was worse than others, but in the coffee it could be changed somewhat, but it could be tasted in the foods.
On Sundays the captain gave some of his victuals to the most infirm, and also contributed of his medicines.
Toward evening we saw a ship coming toward us in the distance, and we met in the, evening twilight, when the captains held a long conversation in English by means of speaking trumpets. It was an English ship coming from the Barbadoes in America, bound for Bristol, England, having been 20 days on the sea.
On the 23rd and 24th we had contrary wind, and in the morning it hurled a wave on the ship that knocked the people down and wet the sails on the masts, 9 ells high. It also hurled much water into several of the sleeping quarters, because the gangways had not been closed.
In the afternoon the wind died down a little, but we had rain during the night and also on the 26th, so that much rain water was caught for drinking and cooking. This water was very refreshing compared to the foul-smelling ship’s water. In the afternoon the wind was again still, but on the 27th and 28th we again had contrary wind. During the night George Hoffman’s youngest son, named George, died of malarial fever. He was 20 years of age, and was buried in the afternoon as the others were buried. During the evening we had a mild east wind which continued during the 29th and 30th.
Early in the morning of the latter date we saw a ship to one side, and toward evening another came toward us, from New England in America bound for Lisbon, Portugal, having been on the ocean 8 days, and during the last day of this month we had very favorable wind which turned to the southeast in the evening.
On September 1st the contrary wind lasted till afternoon, and on the 2nd we had northwest wind, and in the morning we saw a very large bird which hovered for a time over the boat. We sailed eight English miles per hour this day. The northwest wind continued on the 3rd, changing to the north on the fourth, but became calm during the night, continuing during the 5th, accompanied by terrific heat, because according to the captain’s statement the former wind drove us as far south as the 35th parallel, so that the heat could hardly be endured. The captain therefore ordered that some water be given to the people toward evening.
On the 6th we had southwest wind, which arose during the previous evening. Two ships came toward us, but not too near. During the day the wind increased, so that it became pretty strong, because when such a strong tack wind blows the ship veers so much to one side that one can hardly walk or stand up, and if one cannot hold fast to something he will fall down, and must get along as best he can if he has something to do.
On the morning of the 8th the wind became somewhat stronger, the sea being very wild, growing stronger in the afternoon, continuing till the evening of the 9th, when a cheerful splashing rain fell, following which the wind became very variable, sometimes quiet, then again stormy, accompanied by heavy thunder, which continued until the 10th when we encountered a real storm from the east, which was so severe that all the sails had to be furled and the rudder tied up, so that the vessel was given over to the fierce, wild sea, and it is scarcely possible to describe the distress. Every place in the vessel where there was a hole or a window was nailed up; and everybody was confined without any air and in the midst of great heat. In addition to this the boat rocked terribly and water poured in everyÂwhere.
God be praised that this storm did not last more than 8 hours for without air we could not have endured it any longer. In the afternoon the ship was opened again, but during the night we had a strong wind, and likewise on the eleventh, when we sailed from six to eight English miles. On the twelfth we had still more favorable wind, which grew weaker during the evening. On this same day the sailors dropped the sounding lead and struck at forty-five fathoms. On the same day an English vessel from Gibraltar came up to us. It was only loaded with sand, and was sailing to Maryland to load tobacco.
On the 13th of September the wind became very weak and four large fish sailed about the vessel. The sailors tried to catch one, but since it was so heavy the cord broke and the fish fell back into the water.
On the 14th we had contrary wind turning to northwest during the night. On the forenoon of the 15th almost windstill, and in the afternoon north-wind. We saw two ships again on this day. The lead was dropped but no bottom was found. On the morning of the 16th we saw a small vessel pass by. We had favorable wind and we again sounded in the afternoon and reached bottom at 55 fathoms. In the afternoon a large bird seated itself on the uppermost mast, which a Frenchman shot and it fell into the water. We also saw many flying fish, and toward evening the lead was again dropped but no bottom was found, but during the night bottom was struck at 50 fathoms, and early on the 17th, 20 fathoms, and at noon 18 fathoms. There was also a sailor on the mast who cried “Land! Land?” This was seen also by others who were on the masts. We had favorable wind but the night was windstill and rainy. The 18th, contrary wind, and we had to tack back and forth toward the land all the time. Toward evening the wind became so strong that if we still had been on the high sea we would have had to endure a storm, but during the night the anchor was cast toward the east in the Delaware. The followÂing day and also on the 19th the wind still continued so strong and so bitter cold, that one had doubts as to whether we had come to a warmer country. Toward 7 o’clock -a boatman came rowing who remained with us on board ship; at the same time a vessel came sailing down the Delaware from Philadelphia, bound for England. With this vessel our captain sent a letter to his wife in Rotterdam announcing our safe arrival in the Delaware.
At nine o’clock the anchor was raised but the ship could make no progress against the contrary winds, so that the anchor was again dropped at noon.
In the afternoon two more vessels came from Philadelphia, bound for England, and toward evening the wind died down somewhat, and early on the 20th it changed so that the anchor was raised, but it became windstill, and at about 3 o’clock a gentle south wind started to blow and the anchor was again raised.
About eight o’clock in the evening the old widow Reinwald, from Armenruh, died. She had been ailing for a long time, and was lowered into the water at 10 o’clock.
On the 21st of September it was again calm, and the anchor was dropped near New Castle, and we obtained our first fresh water out of the river today. The captain rowed over and brought back a bag of apples and shared them with the passengers. Many apples were also brought for sale, in addition to rolls. At noon the anchor was again raised but the wind was still too weak, and we drifted along with the current. In the afternoon the captain went ahead.
On the 22nd, thank God, we came safely into the harbor of Philadelphia; the anchor was cast and the cannons were fired, whereupon many people soon came on board ship, together with George Schultz, and Messrs. Klemm. George Schultz distributed many apples amongst the passengers and provided us with fresh beer.
On the 23rd of September, all males past 16 years of age, had to go to the Courthouse and take the Oath of Allegiance to the ruler of the country, namely the King of Great Britain, and his successors to the throne of England. We Silesians who could not take the oath on account of our conscience, were quite readily excused, and were permitted to pledge our allegiance with a clasp of the hand,
We had a very good captain, who kept strictly to his contract, and very able sailors, who had very much patience with us.
Our board on the vessel was: Sundays, beef ; Mondays, rice and syrup; Tuesdays, pork and peas. As a rule we had good meat, but it was salted too much. Wednesdays, meal; Thursday, beef and barley. We preferred the meal to meat. On the other days we had dried codfish, syrup, coffee and peas.
Altogether, there were 300 persons on the vessel, hence it can be readily seen how embarrassing it was, since the sailors had work to do in all parts of the vessel. However, God be praised that he stood by us so faithfully in all our dangers. Thus we completed our long and dangerous journey in the name of the Lord, on September 22, 1734, after having spent almost a half year on the journey.
On October 5th arrived the two families that had remained behind, after having spent ten weeks on the open sea.
Of course many more things happened on our journey, but we do not wish to burden the reader with details, hence have omitted them.
ENROLLMENT OF SCHWENKFELDERS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
At the time of the struggle for American Independence the population of the colonies was comparaÂtively small. In order to secure enough soldiers for the patriotic cause it was necessary to enroll all able-bodied men of the remote districts. The following are lists of Schwenkfelders who were enrolled in Capt. Daniel Springer’s Company of Militia which was part of the Fifth Battalion. It is not known just how many of them saw actual service in the army, but probably a very small proportion of them served, as their religious views led them to be opposed to bearing arms or engaging in military careers.
Capt. Daniel Springer’s Co. of Militia
Abraham Anders
Abraham Dresher
Abraham Kriebel
Christopher Meschter
Baltis Rhinewalt
Christopher Rhinewalt
Melchior Rhinewalt
David Sept
John Yeakle
Baltis Yeakle
The second list is “Non-Associators.” In this list are included the older men and probably those who for various causes could secure exemption from military duty. We notice that some names are on both lists; perhaps they were the ones who secured exemption.
“Non-Associators”
George Anders
Abraham Dresher
Abraham Kriebel
George Meschter
Baltis Rhinewalt
Baltis Yeakle
John Yeakle
[Hist. of Towamencin Twp.—Matthews—p 12.]
In view of authorities examined and of other material at hand, it seems safe to draw these inferences : No one connected with the religious movement of the Schwenkfelders took up arms during the Revolution.
No one refused to pay the fines imposed for the non-performance of military service.
Less hardship befell them than some other non-combatants.
No Schwenkfelders were suspected of treason or toryism, nor were they treated as suspects.
Melchior Wagner and Christopher Schultz attended the Provincial Convention for the Province of Pennsylvania in January, 1775, at which time a series of strong resolutions was adopted; one of them contained the words:
“Resolved unanimously that it is the most earnest wish and desire of this convention to see harmony restored between Great Britain and the Colonies * * * * but if the British Administration should attempt to force a submission to the late arbitrary acts of British Parliament in such a situation we hold it our indispensable duty to resist such force and at every hazard to defend the rights and liberties of America.” Messrs. Schultz and Wagner undoubtedly represented the mind of the Schwenk-felders on the issues at stake in voting for this and other resolutions.
Christopher Schultz penned a letter to friends in Germany, June 27, 1779, in which he used these words:
“To the glory of God we must say that his protecting hand has been over us in such a fatherly way that notwithstanding frequent fearful prospects, urgent want, severe threats, and even extortions by those in authority, it is customary for our people to say as they meet in conversation, no one has any reason for complaint, he ought rather to thank God who has always had ways and means of escape for us even if at times punishment befell us. The war party has thus far not succeeded in forcing any of our people to enter the military lines although all males between 18 and 53 were enrolled in the militia classes, but exorbitant sums must be paid to escape such service.” (Translation.)
The same thoughts were repeated in a letter written in 1783, signed by quite a number of leading church members.
In 1871 it was by resolution in Conference agreed that members of the Church were not permitted to take part in military bands (brass bands) or to go with or to follow the same.
SOME SCHWENKFELDER PRIVATE CEMETERIES
DRESHERTOWN CEMETERY
This cemetery is situated about a quarter of a mile to the northeast of the village of Dresher, Pa. (formerly Dreshertown), fronting on the Upper Dublin turnpike. Christopher Dresher owned land here prior to 1800, and the village was named after him.
Nineteen graves are distinguishable, the stone having the earliest interment bearing the initials L. D. 1801. One of the graves is that of George Dresher who died single, Jan. 6, 1851, aged 35 years. In his will he bequeathed one acre of land surrounding this graveyard to the Schwenkfelders for burial purposes.
The Schwenkfelder Church has title to this cemetery and rebuilt the wall around it in 1912. [Schwenkfeldian, Vol. III, pp 101-139.]
HANS HEEBNER CEMETERY
This cemetery, located a short distance east of the village of Cedars, Pa., on what was formerly the William G. Freed farm, now (1920) owned by Hiram K. Kriebel, is owned by the Schwenkfelder Church. Nineteen graves have been counted in this cemetery, mostly marked by common field stones; only one marble stone is visible and it contains the following inscription:
“In memory of John C. Heebner who departed this life Jan. 30, 1804 aged 82 years.”
THE CHRISTOPHER WAGNER BURYING GROUND
The Christopher Wagner Burying Ground is located on the farm owned in 1920 by John K. HeebÂner, Worcester, Pa.. a great-great grandson of Christopher Wagner. While it is known that several people are buried there with unmarked graves, two headstones contain the following epitaphs:
“CHRISTOPHER WAGNER died 28th Nov 1810 aged 82 years”
“SUSANNA WAGNER died July 2, 1817 aged 82 yr. 8 mo.”
It is said that Susanna Wagner in walking over the porch floor to watch an approaching storm struck her foot against a projecting nail in the floor and fractured the bone in her leg, and died soon afterward as a result.
It is said that Melchior Heydrick who was a teamster in the American Revolution lies buried there as are also the twin children of Abraham Heebner, Sr. [Schwenkfeldian Vol. I, p 2g.]
YEAKLE BURYING GROUND
The Yeakle Burying Ground is located about a quarter of a mile from the Phila. line immediately on the north side of Chestnut Hill. It was purchased in 1802 by Christopher Yeakle and his two sons, Abraham and Christopher, and his son-in-law, Abraham Heydrick, for $100. It contains about one-eighth of an acre and is enclosed by a stone wall. It originally belonged to the Mack family of GermanÂtown and was used as a place of interment some time before 1753. Here are buried members of the Mack, Yeakle, Heydrick, Schultz, Dowers, Ouberholzer, Kriebel, and Shuman families of the surroundÂing section.
Tradition states that several soldiers who had died from wounds received at Germantown and from the attack made on the Americans under Gen. Irvine, near by, were also consigned to burial here. [Bean—Hist. of Montg. Co., p 1073.]
The deed of conveyance contains the following clause in reference to the right of way into the said burying ground:
“Together with the uninterrupted use and privilege of a road or passage of 12 feet wide to extend from the North Wales Great Road about 75 perches to the before described lot or piece of land upon and over the Northwest side of the residue of the said 25 acres of land, and along the South east side of the aforesaid line of the late Frederick Knapp’s land, with free ingress, egress and regress, of along and upon the said 12 feet wide road or passage, with horses, wagons, carts, carriages, or otherwise, provided the said Christopher Yeakle, Sr., Abraham Yeakle, Christopher Yeakle, Jr., and Abraham Heydrick, their heirs and assigns make no other claim on the aforesaid 12 feet wide road or passage, other than the right of passing and repassing on and over the same in manner aforesaid.”
The North Wales Great Road, as referred to in said Deed, is what is now known as the Bethlehem Pike, as Stenton Avenue did not exist at the time.
The original tract has been enlarged by several additional purchases, so that the part enclosed by the stone wall is only a small part of the entire tract which the deeds describe.
On Jan. 18, 1838, William Kerper of Germantown Twp., carpenter, and Sarah, his Wife, sold to Isaac Yeakle, of Springfield Twp., Yeoman, Abraham Heydriek, of Springfield Twp., Yeoman, Samuel Yeakle of Whitemarsh Twp., Yeoman, a piece of land in Springfield Twp. for the use of a burying ground for $33.75 U. S. money.
It is part of the same premises which Daniel Snyder and Peter Fisher, Executors of Michael Fisher, deceased, on May 17, 1832, sold to William Kerper. The right of the twelve foot road is again repeated-75 perches to the North Wales Great Road—now Bethlehem Pike, over the North West side of the resiÂdence of the William Kerper’s other land, and along the southeast side of the aforesaid line of the said John Kerper’s land with the egress, ingress, and regress, etc.
On Jan. 26, 1838, Isaac Yeakle, Abraham Heydrick, and Samuel Yeakle granted to John Krieble, of Germantown Twp. and to Henry Schultz of Whitemarsh Twp. an “equal right, title, and interest” to these 54 square perches—consideration $15.00. [Norristown D.B. 56:311.]
On Mar. 29, 1847, Daniel Streeper, of Germantown Twp., Yeoman, and wife, Sarah, sold to Isaac Yeakle of Springfield Twp., Abraham Heydrick of Springfield Twp., Samuel Yeakle of Whitemarsh Twp., Jacob Yeakle of Springfield Twp., John Kriebel of Germantown Twp., John Schultz of GermanÂtown Twp., and Anna Schultz of Whitemarsh Twp., widow of Henry Schultz, 2512 perches of land for the consideration of $35.00 U. S. money. This being part of the same which Rachael, John, and William Nunamaker, Executors of William Nunamaker, deceased, by deed dated Apr. 1, 1834, conveyed to Daniel Streeper, and subject to the making and keeping of a line fence at grantee’s expense, between this, and land of Daniel Streeper.
Lot 1 purchased May 27, 1802 contains 17 sq. p. cost $100.00 Lot 2 purchased Jan. 18, 1838 contains 54 sq. p. cost 33.75 Lot 3 purchased Mar. 29, 1847 contains 25% sq. p. cost 35.00
Total                         96 sq. p. cost $168.75
Prior to the purchasing of this burial ground by the Schwenkfelders of the Lower District, this plot was used by the Mack family as a family burial ground. William A. Yeakle, deceased, is authority for the statement that a number of soldiers are buried there that were shot and killed in the Battle of Germantown, during the Revolutionary War. [Norristown D.B. 69:348.]
HANS HEINRICH YEAKEL BURIAL GROUND
The Hans Heinrich Yeakel private burying ground, fourteen feet square, lies about 1600 feet west of the Hosensack Schwenkfelder Cemetery on the dividing line between two adjoining farms, once the property of the immigrant, the said Hans Heinrich Yeakel. He acquired title to 500 acres, including the burying ground, December 23, 1761, and conveyed the same in parcels of equal area to his four sons, May 16, 1769. Title to this plot was conveyed by the owners of the farms at the time, Samuel F. Miller and Peter F. Baer, April 9, 1908, to the Trustees of the Sehwenkfelder Church, granting “free ingress and egress from the public road over their property to said graveyard with teams material and workÂmen.” On this ground, enclosed by a substantial wall, are five graves with three tombstones, containÂing the following inscriptions:
“David Schubert 1778”
“Johannes Yeakel 1784”
“Andreas Warmer 1786”
THE HOMES AND BURIAL PLACES OF THE IMMIGRANTS
Prepared by Howard Wiegner Kriebel [19-83]
It is the object of this chapter to collect and arrange for convenient reference data bearing upon the acquisition and location of the homes of the immigrant Schwenkfelders. So far as known their places of burial are also noted.
After the Schwenkfelders had attended to the necessary details incident to their voyage across the Atlantic and their arrival in Philadelphia, their first thought was to find temporary quarters until they could look around for permanent homes. David Seipt and his family seem to have remained in the city for a time; others rented houses in Germantown and farther north; and still others of the Schwenkfelders were hired to people of the various neighborhoods through which they passed on their way toward .the Goshenhoppen valley, near the present borough of East Greenville, Pennsylvania. George Bonish relates that early in November of the year 1734 he was asked by George Schultz to assist with the masonry on the latter’s house in Goshenhoppen. Bonish went there and worked about eight weeks, having the Rev. Balthasar Hoffman as his “Handlanger” or attendant. While Banish was staying with George Schultz, the former attended divine services on Sunday, conducted by none other than his learned attendant of the week-day. It would seem therefore that by November, 1734, quite a number of the Schwenkfelders were in Upper Hanover, Pennsylvania, where they probably lived as hired help or as renters of houses erected prior to their own arrival in that vicinity.
Having found shelter and means of support for the first winter, the Schwenkfelders toiled and looked for places where they might establish themselves permanently. They had planned and labored hard—Christopher Wiegner alone travelling hundreds of miles—to secure a large tract of contiguous land, in order that they might live close together, but nowhere could they find a suitable place. The Schwenkfelders tried to purchase the Caspar Wistar tract of more than one thousand acres in Lower Salford, Pennsylvania, but found it would not do, inasmuch as the tract was already occupied in part. An offer of one thousand pistoles was also made for two thousand acres of the Perkasie Manor, lying north of the present town of Chalfont in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This offer, Logan said, was the best he had known to be made for land in Pennsylvania. Thomas Penn proposed to sell them two thousand five hundred acres of the said manor land, but for some reason no sale was made. Christopher Wiegner relates that when he and others went to view the said land, the residents would not show the boundary lines and for a whole day conducted them over poor land. Upon inquiry Wiegner learned that this was done because the people did not wish the Schwenkfelders to settle there. They also tried to buy two thousand acres in “Falckner Schwam.” Large, unexplored, and unsettled tracts were
- indeed available, but the Schwenkfelders chose to make their homes in the inhabited sections, and thus, unwittingly, they avoided the extreme hardships of the frontier settlers and the barbaric cruelty of the revengeful Indian. Being prevented from establishing a distinct Schwenkfelder community, they concluded to buy homesteads wherever conditions seemed most favorable. This decision, accordÂing to Christopher Wiegner, was reached March 21,1735. Furthermore, we learn from a letter written by Melchior Kriebel that by November of the same year the Schwenkfelders had established themselves in Macungie, Kraussdale, Upper Hanover, Marlborough, Frederick, Lower Salford, Towamencin, Gwynedd, Worcester, and Germantown, all of them being places in the southeastern part of PennsylÂvania.
As quite a number of patents for land were obtained, it may be in place to give a brief explanation of the mode in which the proprietors of that day sold their land. “There was an office, composed of a secretary, surveyor-general, auditor-general, and receiver-general, who held their offices at the seat of government. Deputy surveyors were appointed by the proprietary or commissioners of property, and afterwards by the surveyor-general. * * * * The usual practice was for the buyer to make an application; a warrant was issued by the proprietary, or by his commissioners, to the receiver-general, who was to make a survey for the warrantee on the terms described therein. The warrant was then taken to the surveyor-general, who gave a copy with an order to the deputy-surveyor of the proper county. * * * * After the deputy-surveyor had completed his measurements, he reported to the office of the surveyor-general, who issued a patent to the purchaser for his land. He was expected to pay the surveyor-general for it, before the warrant was issued, but this was never done.” A modified system “gave the land to the buyers as soon as the survey was completed before requiring payment of any part of the purchase money.” (Boyle’s Pa. Province and State.) Sales were at times effected by the practice of lease and release, early deeds containing the following or similar words: “in their actual seizin now being by virtue of a bargain and sale to them made for one year by indenture bearing date the day next before the day of the date hereof and made between the same parties.” In some cases patents were issued to perfect title, a previous owner not having been naturalized—as for example, in the case of Balzer Yeakel [E 22]. Warrants were issued to one party, possession given on survey made, and patent issued to another party who had in the meantime acquired the property. Deeds were not recorded and of ttimes were lost or destroyed—as was the case with Hans Heinrich or John Yeakel [E 45, F 38]. In an act for confirming the estate of a certain George Roth, passed by the Legislature of Pennsylvania in 1782, it is stated that of the title deeds of the said premises there were missing a deed from Hugh Roberts to Daniel Labar; a deed from the said Daniel Labar to Philip Labar; a patent from the late proprietaries to the said Philip Labar; a deed from the said Philip Labar to John Yeakle; a deed from Adam Hillegass to the said John Yeakle; and two deeds from the said John Yeakle to the said George Roth. Examples might also be given where deeds were not recorded until a hundred years or more had passed.
The names of all the immigrants are arranged alphabetically; data being given under the names of the heads of families, with cross references inserted to facilitate the use of the material. In case the wife was also an immigrant, this fact is indicated in brackets by the word “wife” and the immigrant number—the husband’s immigrant number and the family number also being stated. Furthermore in connection with the description of each tract of land, there is a reference by plate and number to the drawing indicating the approximate location of the tract. These notes, so far as land conveyances are concerned, are neither exhaustive nor exact in detail, the object being to set forth merely those conveyances that probably mark periods in the person’s life. The reader must bear in mind that occupancy, ownership, the conveyance of title and the granting of patent are not one and the same thing. The date of a deed or patent does not determine the date of purchase or occupation. For examÂple, it is known that Balzer Krauss resided on the two hundred acre Krauss tract in November, 1735, but the patent was not granted until 1749. Data is not at hand to make possible a determination of the date of occupancy of the various farms, therefore this is not attempted.
Among the principal places of burial noted are the following:
Kraussdale…………. Schwenkfelder Cemetery, 112 miles northeast of East Greenville, Montg. Co., Pa., near boundary line between Bucks and Montg. Counties. Plate C.
Methacton …………. Cemetery adjoining Mennonite Meeting House, Worcester Twp., near Fairview Village, Montg. Co., Pa. Plate G XII.
Salford………………. Schwenkfelder Cemetery, connected with Schwenkfelder Meeting House, one mile northeast of Mainland, Lower Salford Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. Plate F XXIX.
Towamencin………. Schwenkfelder Cemetery, connected with Schwenkfelder Meeting House, two miles south of Kulpsville, Towamencin Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. Plate F.
This cemetery has a number of unmarked graves, probably the resting places of early residents in the vicinity, immigrants and others.
Washington………… Schwenkfelder Cemetery, connected with Schwenkfelder Meeting House, in Washington Twp. (formerly Hereford), Berks Co., Pa., near the village of Clayton, two and one-half miles southwest of Palm, Montg. Co., Pa. Plate C.
Where nothing is said respecting place of residence or burial data these were not determined.
ANDERS
Anna (née Reinwald) [E 161, F 161] was the mother of Balzer Anders [E 67], Ursula Anders [E 162],
who married David Meschter [E 63], and George Anders [E 58]. Anna Anders died Sept. 16, 1734,
at the age of 62, four days after landing in Phila. She was probably buried within the limits of
Phila. (perhaps in Pilgrim Cem.). Her son George died unmarried at the age of 83 years, Mar. 14,
- Place of burial, Towamencin Schw. Cem.
Anna [E 175] was the wife of Balthasar Anders [E 67]. Place of burial, Kraussdale.
Balthasar [E 67, F 161, F 161-1]—see Christopher Wiegner [E 16, F 76].
George [E 27, F 27—wife E 100] died in Germantown and is buried there.
George [E 58]—see Anna Anders [E 161].
George [E 176]—see Christopher Wiegner [E 16]; buried in Towamencin.
Maria [E 100] was the wife of George Anders [E 27]; buried in Towamencin or Germantown.
Ursula [E 162] became the wife of David Meschter [E 63]; buried in Washington.
BEYER
Abraham [E 184, F 184, wife E 185] bought of Jacob Metz, Mar., 1737, 96 acres, 150 perches in Worcester Twp., Moi____211g.,_Cam_Pa. [Plate G VII, owned in part Dec. 1918 by Ellwood Anders] and at the same time 3 acres, 10 perches of M. Gemelin ;-in Dee. 1738, of Mary Norris 111 acres and 23 perches, [Plate G IV and V, owned in part Dec.,1918,by John H. SchulTirth–e–three tracts being contiguous and lying in Worcester and Norriton Twps. In June, 1751, Abraham Beyer conveyed of these tracts, 50 acres and 116 perches [Plate G VJ to his son-in-law, Abraham Yeakel [E 208, F 208], who in 1763, Apr. 29, conveyed the same to his brother-in-law, Andrew Beyer [E 189, F 184, F 184-3], to whom his father bequeathed the remainder of his lands. The said Andrew himself bequeathed 161 acres to his son Abraham, and 50 acres to his son Jacob. Place of burial of Abraham and son Andrew, their wives, and Abraham Yeakel, Methacton.
Abraham Jr. [E 188, F 184, F 184-1] bought 180 acres of land from James and Mark Thompson, July 10, 1772 [Plate A VII, owned in part Dec. 1918 by the Samuel F. Jarrett Estate], located in Norriton Twp., near the present village of Jeffersonville, Montg. Co., Pa. The executors of his will, two of his sons, John and Jacob, April 10, 1797, conveyed the tract to Jesse Bean. Place of burial, Methacton.
Andrew jE 189]-see Abraham [E 184], buried in Methacton.
Anna Maria [E 187, F 184, F 208, F 184-2] was the wife of Abraham Yeakel [E 208] and became the wife of Peter Gerhard, not a Schwenkfelder, who held 178 acres in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. [Plate G II and III, owned in part Dec., 1918, by Harvey Krauss and George Reiff], which were conveyed by his administrators to his second wife and widow (née Elizabeth Krauss), Feb. 17, 1812.
Anna Rosina jE 186, F 184, F 7-3a] became the wife of surveyor David Schultz [E 9]; buried in New Goshenhoppen.
George [E 190, F 184] died young, buried in Methacton.
Rosina [E 185, F 184] was the wife of Abraham Beyer [E 184]; buried in Methacton.
Susanna [E 191, F 184, F 184-4] became the wife of Dirk Casselberry.
DRESHER
Christopher [E 65, F 64-11-see George Dresher [E 64].
George [E 64, F 64, wife E 171] and David Seipt [E 59] bought Aug. 6, 1735, of Jacob Hill and wife of Oley, Pa., 134 acres in Towamencin Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. [Plate F XV]. David Seipt and wife conveyed their interest in said tract to said George Dresher, May 28, 1745, who with his wife, Nov. 5, 1752, conveyed it to their son, Christopher [E 65], who also acquired a tract of 129 acres [Plate F XI] in Towamencin Twp., May 26, 1762, from John Roberts and wife. Of the first tract 111 acres were conveyed May 27, 1771, by Christopher’s widow, Anna [E 81, F 19, F 64-1], and her children to Christopher Meschter, laborer. On Nov. 3, 1775, the widow gave a release on the second tract to her sons, George Dresher “miller,” of Springfield Twp., and Abraham Dresher of Towamencin Twp. Place of burial of George Dresher, Christopher Dresher, David Seipt and their wives, Towamencin.
Maria [E 171] was the wife of George Dresher [E 64], buried in Towamencin.
Maria LE 173, F 64, F 19-2] became the wife of Christopher Kriebel, Jr. LE 82], buried in Salford. Rosina [E 172, F 64, F 106-3] became the wife of Christopher Hoffman [E 104], buried in Salford.
HARTRANFT
Abraham [E 137, F 49, F 49-4, wife E 96] probably owned no real estate-places of– residence and burial not known. (Vide his family record [49-4)
Barbara [E 134, F 49] was the wife of Tobias Hartranft [E 49].
George [E 136, F 49, F 49-2] probably owned no real estate. His sister, Maria [E 135], was married to
Melchior Schultz [E 69, F 69b] who was administrator of his estate. This and the fact that he is
buried in the Washington Cem. suggest that he was probably a renter and laborer in the vicinity. Maria [E 135, F 49, F 69b] became the second wife of Melchior Schultz [E 69], buried in Washington. Melchior [E 138, F 49, F 49-3]-see Tobias [E 49].
Rosina [E 139, F 49, F 49-1] according to the will of Melchior Schultz jE 69], Rosina was married to a man by the name of Frosch and had a daughter, Barbara Moyer.
Tobias [E 49, F 49, wife E 134] on a warrant dated Dec. 12, 1742, acquired two tracts of adjoining land of 129 acres [Plate D IV owned in Dec., 1918, by Charles Meyers]. These tracts adjoined the lands of Christopher Newman [E 53], in Salford Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. (later Marlborough). On Feb. 26, 1754, Tobias Hartranft and wife, Barbara, conveyed the property to their son, Melchior [E 138], to whom patent was granted Dec. 7, 1754, who with his wife Anna conveyed it Dec. 21, 1759, to Nicholas Wolfarth. Place of burial of Barbara Hartranft, Washington; Tobias is probably buried in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cem., Red Hill, Pa.
HEEBNER
Anna [E 178, F 74]-nothing is positively known of her life after the migration except the bare facts that her married name was Grob and that her cousin, George Heebner [F 17-1], remembered her in his will.
Christopher [E 87, F 21, F 21-1] “yeoman of Frederick Twp.” bought in Mar., 1762, of Frederick Cressman, 122 acres in Norriton Twp. [Plate G I owned in part Dec., 1918,by J. Wayne Heebner]; in Mar., 1775, he bought of Ludwig Mowrer 77 acres, and of Henry Conrad, Nov., 1775, 17 acres adjoining his other lands. The first tract was bequeathed to his son, Abraham.
Christopher [E 199, F 199, wife of E 200] “husbandman of Salford Twp.,” bought Nov. 15, 1740, of Henry Slinglof, weaver, and his wife of Cheltenham Twp., 73 acres in Salford Twp. (now Lower Salford) [Plate F VII, owned in part Dec., 1918, by Joseph Cassel, Wm. Moyer, and Isaac Ruth]; and of Joseph Lukens 50 acres in Towamencin Twp. [Plate F IX] on Dec. 10, 1745. These properties were conveyed Apr. 1, 1758, to Hans Getz. Place of burial, the farm of their son, Hans Christopher [E 201], in Worcester Twp., owned in part (1920) by Hiram K. Kriebel.
David [E 21, F 21, wife E 85] acquired by patent May, 1736, 100 acres in Frederick Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. [Plate E IV, owned in part, in 1920, by Raymond D. Sautter], conveyed to Michael Schwenk in 1747. Another tract was surveyed for him in 1745, which was acquired later by John Hiltebeitel. On March 5, 1745, he also purchased of John Johnson, 200 acres in three tracts in the same twp., near Zieglersville, which tracts were conveyed Oct. 28, 1765, to George Schwenk. Later David Heebner resided in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., having acquired 105 acres [Plate G VI, known in recent years as the “Jeremiah K. Anders” farm], which he and his wife conveyed to their son George, Mar. 18, 1782. Place of burial of David and wife, Salford.
George [E 18, F 17-la and F 17-1b, wives E 86 and E 151] acquired land in Frederick and New Hanover twps., Montg. Co., as follows: On Dec. 16, 1735, 22 acres from Christopher Sheagle [Plate E X]. On Nov. 5, 1736, 75 acres from John Henry Sprogell [Plate E IX]; also in 1736 in partnership with Henry Antes, he bought 26 acres from Francis Russ, the Henry Antes moiety being acquired in 1747 [Plate E XI]; and on June 2, 1751, he bought 49 acres from Parsons, Ross and Greenway (tract not identified). These tracts were conveyed on Sept. 13, 1769, to Rev. John Philip Leidich. Part of this tract was owned by the Updegrove Estate in recent years. The same year George Heebner bought 28 acres in Chestnut Hill, Phila. Co. [Plate H IV] which he conveyed to Melchior Schubert Apr. 22, 1772.
According to tradition quite a number of bodies are buried in the grounds that adjoin the Henry Antes burial lot, near the George Heebner homestead in Frederick twp.; some under the roadbed itself and some in the cultivated field beyond the road. Since these burials were probably made before the land was conveyed to the above mentioned Rev. J. P.Leidich it seems probable that the plot was used as a burial place by the Heebners. Dr. Melchior Heebner [E 17] and his wife [E 78], George Heebner’s first wife, Rosina Kriebel [E 86] and her child, Melchior, Balthasar Heydrick [E 52] and his two wives Rosina Heebner [E 142] and Maria Hoffrichter [E 205], Hans Heebner [E 74] and his wife Maria [E 177] are probably buried there. This is a plausible hypothesis, but not an established fact. George Heebner himself and his second wife, Susanna Schultz [E 151], died in Chestnut Hill, and are probably buried in the Yeakel Private Burying Ground of that place, although no stones mark their graves.
Hans [E 179, F 74, F 74-1] bought of Philip Diel in 1771, 152 acres in Frederick Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate E V, owned in part in 1920 by Jesse Hiltebeitel, C. H. Overton Estate, Hans Frederickston, James E. Bardman] which he conveyed to his son John on Aug. 10, 1779. At his death Hans Heebner held 200 acres [Plate E VI and VII] in the same twp. for part of which patent was granted May, 1741, and for the remainder Jan.,1753, to him  “said John Heebner, alias Hans George Heebner.” These two hundred acres were conveyed by the executors to John Richards, Hans Heebner’s son-in-law, who immediately reconveyed the same to John Heebner, son and executor.
“There is a private burying ground on the old Heebner property, but only common field stones without lettering mark the graves.” (Dotterer Fam., p 94.)
Hans Christopher [E 201, F 199, F 199-1, wife E 153], “yeoman of Frederick Twp.,” bought in June, 1756, of John Johnson in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., 185 acres in two tracts, and a strip a rod wide and 136 rods long leading from these tracts to the Skippack road [Plate F XIII and XIV, owned in part, 1920, by Hiram K. Kriebel]. Prior to this purchase, Hans Christopher Heebner had been renting the farm of his deceased uncle, Balthasar Heydrick [E 52], in Frederick Twp. Upon the death of Hans Christopher Heebner the title to his land became vested in his two children, Abraham and Susanna. Place of burial, private burial ground on farm.
Hans or John [E 74, F 74, wife E 177] on July 30, 1735, bought of James Steel 60 acres in Frederick Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate E VIII, owned in 1920 by Henry Grub, Reuben Erb, Morgan Hendricks], which in 1751 he conveyed to his son, Melchior [E 180], who the same year bought 20 acres addiÂtional and conveyed the two tracts in 1760 to Henry Stetler. Melchior, as “Melchior Heebner of Rockhill,” in 1775 bought 256 acres in Bedminster, Bucks Co., [Plate AVI, owned in part Dec., 1918, by John High], which tract he and his wife conveyed on May 24 to their son, Abraham Heebner. In 1803 he, Melchior, conveyed a messuage (gristmill, sawmill and 184 acres, bought several years previously) to Jacob Stoner. For the place of burial of Hans Heebner and wife see note under George Heebner [E 18]. Melchior is buried at the Deep Run Mennonite Burying Ground [Plate A near VI], near Dublin, Bucks Co., Pa.
Maria [E 78, F 17] was the wife of Melchior Heebner [E 17], buried in Frederick Twp.
Maria [E 85, F 21] was the wife of David Heebner [E 21], buried in Salford.
Maria [E 177, F 74] was the wife of Hans or John Heebner [E 74].
Maria [E 200, F 199] was the wife of Christopher Heebner [E 199], buried on Kriebel farm.
Melchior [E 17, F 17, wife E 78]-see George Heebner [E 18], private cem.
Melchior [E 180, F 74, F 74-2]-see Hans or John Heebner [E 74], buried in Deep Run Mennonite
HEYDRICK
Abraham [E 165, F 165]-see Caspar Heydrick [E 51]; place of burial, Towamencin.
Balthasar [E 52, F 52a, F 52b, wives E 142 and E 205] on June 26, 1735, bought of John Jacob Fout, two tracts of 50 acres each in Frederick Twp., Montg. Co., and in 1749 acquired by warrant and survey, 60 acres additional in the same twp. [Plate E I, E II, E III, owned in 1920 by Ellsworth Wood]. By Orphans’ Court proceedings these three tracts were adjudged Dec. 21, 1761, to the oldest surviving son, George, to whom patent was issued May 6, 1762. Place of burial, probably Henry Antes Burial Plot. See George Heebner [E 18].
Caspar [E 51, F 51, wife E 206] and his brother George [E 61, wife E 141], on Mar. 26, 1735, bought of Caspar Wistar 106 acres in Lower Salford Twp. [Plate F I]. Upon the death of Caspar, title vested in his brother George who devised the tract to his nephew Abraham [E 165], who also held 50 acres in Towamencin, bought Nov. 12, 1748 [Plate F XII].
Abraham Heydrick died Oct. 10, 1767, without issue. His widow, Catharine (née Weber), later the wife of Jacob Lukens, bought the two properties, having obtained releases from the next of kin of Abraham in Germany. Place of burial of Caspar and wife and George Heydrick, Salford; Abraham Heydrick, Towamencin; Eve, the wife of George Heydrick, Washington.
Christopher [E 143, F 52a] was a son of Balthasar Heydrick [E 52]. According to the David Schultz diary, Christopher died of smallpox in Towamencin. Place of burial, probably either Salford or Towamencin.
Eve [E 141, F 61] was the wife of George Heydrick [E 61], buried in Washington.
Eve [E 206, F 51] was the wife of Caspar Heydrick [E 51], buried in Salford.
George [E 61, F 61]-see Caspar Heydrick [E 51], buried in Salford.
Rosina [E 142, F 52a] was the first wife of Balthasar Heydrick [E 52].
HOFFMAN
Anna [E 102, F 106-2, F 149-1] became the wife of George Schultz [E 55], buried in Washington.
Balthasar [E 28, F 106-2, wife E 101] and his brother George [E 31] bought on Mar. 26, 1735, 76 acres of Caspar Wistar in Lower Salford Twp. [Plate F VI, owned, 1920, by Jacob Moyer]. Joint tenancy was severed Dec. 17 of the same year. Balthasar and wife conveyed their interest in the tract to George in 1743, who secured a patent for the tract, Feb. 2, 1745. This tract with 25 acres acquired of Caspar Wistar Dec. 24, 1743 [Plate F H], was conveyed May 22, 1762, to George Heydrick [F 52a-1] by George Hoffman. Place of burial of Balthasar Hoffman and wife, George Hoffman and wife and son Balthasar, Jr. [E 32], Salford.
Balthasar, Jr. [E 32, F 106-1] was a son of George Hoffman [E 31]-see Balthasar Hoffman [E 28]. Barbara [E 110, F 106-1] was the wife of George Hoffman [E 31], buried in Salford.
Christopher [E 104, F 106-2, F 106-3]–see Abraham Wiegner [E 157], buried in Salford.
George [E 31, F 106, F 106-1]–see Balthasar Hoffman [E 28], buried in Salford.
Rosina [E 103, F 106-2, F 59-1, F 38-1] became first, the wife of Christopher Seipt [E 60], and later the wife of Christopher Yeakel [E 42], buried in Kraussdale.
Susanna [E 111, F 106-1, F 11-1] became the wife of Balthasar Krauss [E 10] buried in Kraussdale. Ursula [E 101, F 106-2] was the wife of Balthasar Hoffman [E 28], buried in Salford.
Ursula [E 106, F 106], widow, was the mother of George [E 31] and Balthasar [E 28]. On leaving Altona, May 28, 1734, she was very ill but she endured the voyage across the Atlantic and five days after landing in Phila., Sept. 17 (old style), passed away, like her fellow-passenger, the widow, Anna Anders, who had died the previous day. She was probably buried in Phila. (possibly the Pilgrim cem.).
HOFFRICHTER
Maria [E 205, F 52b] became the second wife of Balthasar Heydrick [E 52].
JOHN
Caspar [E 71] died July 16, 1747; his wife remained in Europe. His sister, Regina [E 88], wife of Balthasar Yeakel, and mother-in-law of Christopher Schultz [E 70], with whom she as a widow and Caspar probably lived, died Aug. 9, 1747. Place of burial of Caspar and sister Regina, Washington.
KRAUSS
Anna [E 11, F 11] widow, mother of Balthasar [E 10], and Melchior [E 14]. Place of burial, Kraussdale. Anna [E 15, F 11, F 75b] became the wife of David Schubert [E 75], buried in Yeakle Private Cem., Hosensack, Pa.
Balthasar [E 10, F 11, F 11-1, wife E 111] acquired 200 acres lying partly in Lehigh (then Bucks) and partly in Montg. (then Philadelphia) counties, for which he obtained a patent Dec. 16, 1749, and which he sold to his son Balthasar in 1772 [Plate C XXII, owned in part, 1920, by Levi Krauss, a lineal descendant]. Place of burial, Kraussdale.
Christopher [E 204, F 202, F 202-1, wife E 167] in 1751 bought of Jacob Gery 71 acres in Upper Hanover Twp. [Plate C XI, the Meschter farm at Palm]. He also acquired a tract of 226 acres “Steer Pasture,” adjoining the first tract [Plate C XIII] for which he secured the patent in 1774. He also held 189 acres in Upper Milford Twp., Lehigh County [Plate C I, owned in part 1920, by the Hancock Ice Company], on which patent was obtained 1762. The heirs, in 1791, conveyed these properties to Jeremiah and David, only sons of Christopher Krauss. Place of burial of ChristoÂpher and wife, Washington.
Maria [E 12, F 11, F 11-2], daughter of the widow, Anna Krauss [E 11] was married to Leonard Knopf. According to the records of the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, near East Greenville, Pa., her name appears in the list of communicants, Oct., 1736. She was living as a widow as late as 1787.
Maria [E 202, F 202], mother of Christopher [E 204], and Melchior Krauss [E 203]. Place of burial, Washington.
Melchior [E 14, F 11]. Place of burial, Kraussdale.
Melchior [F 203, F 202]. Grave not located.
Susanna [E 13, F 11, F 11-3] married Cornelius Nice, who in 1744 bought 56 acres [Plate H VII] in Germantown Twp., Phila. Co., now Chestnut Hill, part of the estate of his father, John Nice, which at his death was conveyed to his eldest son, John, in the year 1759, who reconveyed 18 acres thereof, bordering on the county line, to his mother, which she sold Mar. 31, 1767. The same month she purchased .a lot on Germantown Ave., near Walnut Lane, Phila., which was conveyed by her execuÂtors in 1794 to W. DeLancey. She also held a lot for a short time on Germantown Ave., near the Washington Hotel, the inn owned by her son-in-law, Winnard Nice and family, from 1774 to 1823. Cornelius Nice is buried in the Mennonite Cem., Germantown. The grave of Susanna Nice has not been located.
KRIEBEL
Anna [E 81, F 19, F 64-1] became the wife of Christopher Dresher [E 65], place of burial, Tow-amencin.
Anna [E 105, F 25-2] was the wife of Melchior Kriebel, Jr. [E 29].
Caspar [E 26, F 25, F 25-1, wife E 98] and his brother Melchior Kriebel, Jr. [E 29], bought, on May 13, 1735, of Nicholas Lesher, 189 acres in Towamencin Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. [Plate F XXI, owned in 1920 by Charles K. Kriebel, Jr., and Hiram K. Kriebel, descendants of Caspar]. Melchior and his wife conveyed their interest in the tract, Nov. 1, 1744, to the brother Caspar, who on Dec. 6, 1764, conveyed the tract to his son Abraham. Place of burial of Caspar, Kraussdale; wife of Caspar, Melchior and wife, Towamencin.
Christopher, Sr. [E 19, F 19, wife E 79], on Mar. 27, 1735, bought 150 acres of Caspar Wistar in Lower Salford Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate F IV, V and XXX, owned in part, Dec., 1918, by David Cassel]. Upon his death his heirs conveyed the tract to his son, Christopher, Jr. [E 82], who on April 17, 1753, conveyed 24M acres [Plate F XXX] to his brother George [E 20], and the balance to his son Jeremiah, on May 6, 1784. Place of burial of Christopher Kriebel, Sr., his sons, George and ChrisÂtopher, Jr., and their wives, Salford.
Christopher, Jr. [E 82, F 19, F 19-2, wife E 173]-see Christopher Kriebel, Sr. [E 19] and George Kriebel [E 20], both buried in Salford.
George [E 20, F 19, F 19-1, wife E 90] and his brother Christopher, Jr. [E 82], acquired from the estate of George Yeakel [E 23], in 1743, 64 acres [Plate F XXXI, owned in part, 1918, by Ulysses Moyer], for which patent was granted, Feb. 29, 1745. On Jan. 3, 1743, these two brothers also acquired 36% acres from Caspar Wistar [Plate F III, owned in part, 1918, by David Cassel]. Christopher, Jr., conveyed his interest in these tracts to his brother George, who conveyed the same to his son George, on June 20, 1776. Place of burial of both, Salford.
George “of Hatfield” [E 99, F 25-1, F 25-3], bought May 18, 1765, of Samuel Mechling, 302 acres in five adjacent tracts, situated in Lower Milford Twp., Lehigh, then Northampton Co., Pa. [Plate C IV, owned in part, 1918, by Howard D. Albitz], which he conveyed to his son Jacob, on Mar. 20, 1796. He also bought on April 5, 1783, the Henry Funk mill property of 128 acres in the same twp. [Plate C II, owned in part, 1920, by Hancock Ice Company], which he conveyed to his son, Abraham, on Feb. 18, 1796. Place of burial, Kraussdale.
Maria [E 79, F 19] was the wife of Christopher Kriebel, Sr. [E 19], buried in Salford.
Maria [E 83, F 19, F 192-1] became the wife of Abraham Wagner [E 193], buried in Methacton. Maria [E 97, F 25], wife of Melchior Kriebel, Sr. [E 25], probably buried in Towamencin.
Melchior, Sr. [E 25, F 25, wife E 97], parents of Caspar and Melchior Kriebel, probably held no real estate. Place of burial not determined, probably Towamencin.
Melchior, Jr. [E 29, F 25, F 25-2, wife E 105], bought of Roberts, Hartlein and Wintermuth, on Dec. 20, 1735, 11912 acres in Gwynedd Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate F XXII, owned in part in 1920 by AbraÂham Kriebel] adjoining the 189-acre tract held by his brother Caspar and himself in common. He also on May 2, 1744, bought of Peter Wentz 50 acres in Worcester Twp., adjoining the first tract [Plate F XXIII, owned in part, 1920, by Morris H. Krauss]. The heirs of Melchior Kriebel, Jr., conveyed these tracts to his son, Melchior, on Apr. 4, 1791. Place of burial, Towamencin.
Rosina [E 84, F 19] was the daughter of Christopher Kriebel, Sr. [E 19]. Place of burial, Salford. Rosina [E 86, F 17-1a] became the first wife of George Heebner [E 18].
Susanna [E 80] was the daughter of Christopher Kriebel, Sr. [E 19]. Place of burial, Salford.
Susanna [E 98, F 36, F 25-1] was the wife of Caspar Kriebel [E 26], buried in Towamencin.
MENTZEL
Anna [E 130, F 47] was the wife of Melchior Mentzel [E 47].
Barbara [E 129]. Is it possible this should be Barbara Warmer? No trace of Barbara Mentzel could be
found.
Barbara (Warmer) [E 131, F 38-3] became the wife of Balthasar Yeakel [E 39], buried in Hosensack.
George [E 46, F 46, wife E 128]; no trace of George Mentzel and wife could be found.
Melchior [E 47, F 47, wife E 130]; no trace of Melchior Mentzel and wife could be found.
Ursula [E 128, F 46], wife of George [E 46].
MESCHTER
Anna [E 122], unmarried; no further data.
Anna [E 170, F 169, F 69a] became the first wife of Melchior Schultz [E 69]; buried in Washington. Christopher [E 121, F 43, F 43-1]-see Gregorius Meschter [E 43], buried in Washington.
David [E 63, F 169, F 169-1, wife E 162], in addition to the land held in common with his brother-in-law, Melchior Wiegner [E 37, Plate C VI], acquired by patent in 1741, 100 acres in Hereford Twp., Berks Co., Pa., “near New Cowissihoppen,” and by patent, in Apr., 1747, two tracts of 29 and 37 acres each [Plate C VII, long known as the Samuel D. Heil home]. In Apr., 1759, he bought of Melchior Wiegner, his brother-in-law, 3012 acres, part of a 75-acre tract [Plate C VIII, owned, 1920, by James Greiss], and sold to him 35 acres of his 100-acre tract. On Mar. 28, 1785, three days before his death, David Meschter and his wife Eve, conveyed to Conrad Heil, 132% acres. Place of burial of David and wife, Washington.
Eva [E 169, F 169], widow, mother of David [E 63], Anna Maria [E 170] and Rosina (Wiegner) [E 118], lived with her daughter, Rosina, and is buried at Washington.
Gregorius [E 43, F 43, wife E 120] acquired 150 acres in Hereford Twp., Berks Co., Pa. [Plate C IX, owned in part, 1915, by Allen Gehman], surveyed under warrant of Aug. 11, 1744, and patented Apr. 1, 1747, which he conveyed to his son, Christopher [E 121], who acquired by patent 47 acres additional adjoining the first tract and disposed of the whole by will. Place of burial of Gregorius and wife, and son, Christopher, Washington.
Maria [E 123], sister of Gregorius Meschter [E 43], and Melchior Meschter [E 66], died unmarried, at the age of 80 years, May 4, 1769.
Maria [E 120, F 43], wife of Gregorius [E 43], buried in Washington.
Melchior [E 66, F 66, wife E 174]-see Christopher Wiegner [E 56].
Regina [E 174, F 66] was the wife of Melchior Meschter [E 66].
NEUMAN
Christopher [E 53, F48, F 48-1a, F 48-1b, wife E 144], acquired 360 acres in four contiguous tracts, situated in the present twp. of Marlborough, Montg. Co., Pa. [Plate D III, owned in 1920 by Charles Meyers]. The earliest warrant for the land was dated Oct. 30, 1734, and patent was granted Dec. 30, 1749. On account of incomplete available records, the date of disposition of the tracts could not be deterÂmined, but it is known that John (Hans Heinrich) Yeakel [E 45] and Henry Van Puhl were early subsequent owners of parts of the tract. On the Scull map of 1759 mention is made of “Neiman’s,” referring undoubtedly to this tract. In 1751, Christopher Neuman bought of Edwards and Williams, 225 acres in Gwynedd Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. [Plate F XXIV, for a long time known as the James Burnside farm] partly in West Point, Pa., which was conveyed, less than two months after his death, by his son, David [E 145] to Philip Hoot.
David [E 145, F 48-1a, F 48-2] was son of Christopher [E 53].
Maria [E 132, F 48] was the wife of Melchior Neuman [E 48].
Melchior [E 48, F 48, wife E 132] worked as a carpenter for the three Schultz brothers, George, Melchior and Christopher.
Susanna [E 144, F 48-1a] was the wife of Christopher Neuman [E 53].
REINWALD
Barbara [E 112, F 33] was the wife of George Reinwald, Sr. [E 33], place of burial, Lower Cem., GermanÂtown.
Barbara [E 125] sister of Christopher Reinwald [E 44] with whom she probably lived, died unmarried at the age of 85, on Aug. 24, 1775, and is buried in Towamencin.
Christopher [E 44, F 44, wife E 124], on Aug. 16, 1735, bought of Christian Weber 59 acres in Towa-mencin Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. [Plate F XIX, owned in part, 1920, by Rev. Edwin S. Anders], which was conveyed by his heirs to his eldest son, Balthasar, on May 27, 1771. He also bought in the same twp. in 1760, 58 acres from the administrators of the estate of William Keller [Plate F X, known as the “Springer” place, near Kulpsville, Pa.], and from Cornelius Tyson a narrow strip in Worcester Twp., bordering on the boundary line between Worcester and Gwynedd Twps. [Plate F XXVIII.] Place of burial of both Christopher and wife, Towamencin..
Christopher [E 114, F 33-1, F 33-2]-see George Reinwald, Jr. [E 34].
George, Sr. [E 33, F 33], lived in Germantown, Phila. Co. It is known that his wife, Barbara [E 112], is buried in the Lower Cem., Germantown; hence it is probable that he is also buried there.
George, Jr. [E 34, F 33, F 33-1, wife E 113], purchased of Peter Wentz, between the years 1743 and 1745, 135 acres in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate F XXV, owned in 1920 by Sylvanus Kriebel], the title to which became vested in his son, Christopher [E 114]. When the latter’s estate was being settled, his administrators presented a petition to the court, from which it is seen that the farm of 135 acres was subject to an encumbrance of 10 pounds, payable to Susanna Reinwald, the widow of George, Jr. [E 34], and to the cost of building a house for her, estimated to be about £15, or $40.00.
Susanna [E 113, F 33-1] was the wife of George Reinwald, Jr. [E 34].
Susanna [E 124, F 44] was the wife of Christopher Reinwald [E 44], buried in Towamencin.
SCHOEPPS
Frederick [E 72] died unmarried on Mar. 28, 1762. From his will it is seen that he held no real estate; all his personal property was bequeathed to the poor. Place of burial, Towamencin.
SCHUBERT
Anna Maria [E 95, F 24] was the daughter of Christopher Schubert [E 24].
Barbara [E 93, F 24] was the wife of Christopher Schubert [E 24].
Christopher [E 24, F 24, wife E 93] lived in Germantown with his wife and his son, David [E 94]. Place of burial is not known; the Lower Cem. of Germantown is a possibility, however.
David [E 75, F 75a, F 75b, wives, E 217, and E 15], bought on Apr. 6, 1745, of Peter Wambold 31/4 acres in Germantown Twp., Phila. Co. (now Chestnut Hill) [Plate H II], which he held to his death. Four acres adjoining this tract [Plate H III] were bought in 1763 of Samuel Ashmead and others and sold two years later. Maria Schubert, first wife of David, was buried at sea, Aug. 22, 1734; Anna Krauss Schubert, his second wife, is buried in the Yeakle Private Cem., Hosensack, Pa.
David [E 94, F 24]-see Christopher Schubert [E 24].
David [E 182, F 75a], son of David [E 75], died Sept. 25, 1734 (Old Style), buried in Phila.
Susanna [E 96, F 24, F 49-4] became the wife of Abraham Hartranft [E 137].
Susanna [E 181, F 75a] was the daughter of David Schubert [E 75], died Aug. 5, 1756; her father at the time residing on Chestnut Hill.
SCHULTZ
Anna [E 8, F 7] was the wife of George Schultz [E 7].
Anna [E 150, F 149, F 154-1] became the wife of Christopher Wiegner [E 56].
Barbara [E 153, F 149, F 199-1] became the wife of Hans Christopher Heebner [E 201].
Christopher [E 70, F 70, wife E 92]-see George Schultz [E 68], buried in Washington.
David [E 9,F 7,F 7-3a, F 7-3b, wife E 186] on May 16, 1749, bought of Parsons, Ross and Greenway, 180 acres in Upper Hanover Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate C XXVI, part of which is included in the borough of East Greenville, Pa.], of which he sold 102 acres to Philip Siesholtz, on May 25, 1765, and his executors sold the remainder to his son-in-law, Henry Keck. Place of burial of David and wives, New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church Cem., East Greenville, Pa. On the Scull map of 1759, mention is made of “B. Schultz,” probably a misprint for David Schultz.
George [E 1, F 7, F 7-1] of Phila., merchant, and his brother David Schultz [E 9] of “New Hanover” Twp., Montg. Co., on Aug. 14, 1736, acquired 260 acres in the present Upper Hanover Twp., from Henry Pannebecker of Bebber’s Twp.,for £70, which they conveyed to their brother Melchior [E 183], on Mar. 1, 1757, for £250. In the deed conveying the property the Schultz brothers are described as “George Scholtze late of city of Philadelphia, merchant, now of Salisbury hundred, Frederick Co., Maryland, and David Schultz of Upper Hanover, formerly though erroneously called New Hanover.” Elizabeth, the wife of George Schultz of Conecochigue, Maryland, released her right to the property on June 11, 1770, upon the payment of five pounds to her, by Catharine, the widow of Melchior Schultz. For 108 pounds, Melchior Schultz [E 183], on Nov. 12, 1751, bought of Parsons, Ross and Greenway, 332 acres in Upper Hanover Twp. [Plate D I], the title to which became vested in 1789 in his son David Schultz, and his son-in-law, Adam Hillegass. These two tracts seemingly overlapped. There evidently was some misunderstanding about the 260-acre tract, for David in his Almanac Diary notes that his brother George came from “Coneogoschiek” on the 10th of Feb., 1757, that he settled his cause with Melchior, on Feb. 22, that the deed was signed Mar. 1, and that he started for home Mar. 4th. The parents, George and Anna Schultz [E 7 and E 8] in all probability lived on this tract, and with their son Melchior, they are buried in unmarked graves on an unenclosed plot some distance from the farm buildings. Christopher Wiegner relates that on Oct. 1, 1734 he and others went to the “Schultz farm”-probably the 260-acre tract already mentioned. George Schultz [E 1] a resident of Maryland prior to Dec., 1755, acquired in 1763, 100 acres located a few miles west of Hagerstown, to which he added 33 acres in 1773, which he occupied the rest of his life, and which he disposed of by will. The widow in conveying the property as executrix of his will was of Augusta Co., Va., where descendants reside today.
George [E 7, F 7, wife E 8]-see George Schultz [E 1].
George [E 55, F 149, F 149-1, wife E 102], purchased and occupied a “stony piece of land” which he sold again (“am Fusz des langen, hohen Berges,” Isaac Schultz, historical notes). He purchased on Oct. 26, 1749, of Christopher Schultz [E 70], 139 acres [Plate C XVII] and on Oct. 22, 1751, of Michael Hillegass, Jr., 100 acres [Plate C XIX, owned from 1744 to 1748 by said Christopher Schultz], of which he conveyed 60 acres to said Christopher Schultz, on Apr. 29, 1752, and the remainder to his son, Gregory, on Mar. 16, 1779 [in part recently the Keinert farm, owned in 1920 by Oswin Baus]. George Schultz bought also on July 2, 1766, of John Yeakel, 148 acres [Plate C XV, owned in 1920 by a descendant, William K. Schultz], which he conveyed to his son, Balthasar, on June 22, 1769. Place of burial of George Schultz and wife, Washington. (Vide family record of George Schultz [149-1].)
George [E 68, F 68, wife E 207], Melchior [E 69] and Christopher [E 70], the three orphaned Schultz brothers, acquired in the present Upper Hanover Twp.,Montg. Co. and Washington Twp., Berks Co., the following three tracts: a tract of 150 acres from George Schultz [E 1], to whom patent had been issued Apr. 20, 1736 [Plate C XVIII, owned in part in 1920 by the Levi Schultz estate]; a tract of 145 acres on which patent was granted Mar. 16, 1738 [Plate C XX, owned in part in 1920 by the
Levi Schultz estate], and a tract of 107 acres bought of________________________________ Hopkinson in Mar., 1743 [Plate
C XVI, long known as the “Henry Schultz” farm, facing the Washington Schwenkfelder Meeting house]. This joint ownership was dissolved in Jan., 1746 (George acquiring tract C XVIII and the half of tract C XX; Christopher, the remainder of tract C XX and all of tract C XVI). See also Melchior Schultz [E 69]. Place of burial of the three brothers and their wives, Washington.
Gregorius [E 62, F 62, wife E 166] acquired by surveys in the years 1741 and 1746 two adjoining tracts of land of 126 acres [Plate B II, owned in part, 1920, by Israel Stettler] in present Upper Macungie Twp., Lehigh Co., Pa., which he conveyed to Adam Heberly, prior to 1762. See also Abraham Yeakel [E 30], place of burial of Gregorius Schultz and wife, Washington.
Maria [E 152, F 149, F 160-1] became the wife of Christopher Yeakel [E 57].
Melchior [E 69, F 69a, F 69b, wives E 170 and E 135], in addition to land held in common with his brothers (See George Schultz E 68), acquired 200 acres by Patent, Sept. 24, 1746, of Martin Grater in present Hereford Twp., Berks Co. [Plate C V, owned in 1920 by Homer Schultz and Chester Kriebel]; he also bought 67 acres of woodland in the same twp., both of which he sold in 1783, to his nephew Andrew Schultz. Place of burial of Melchior and wives, Washington.
Melchior [E 183, F 7, F 7-2]-see George Schultz [E 1].
Rosina [E 166, F 38, F 62] was the wife of Gregorius Schultz [E 62], buried in Washington.
Rosina [E 168, F 62] was the daughter of Gregorius Schultz [E 62], died unmarried, Sept. 22, 1751. Place of burial not known; parents were living at the time in Upper Macungie, Pa.
Susanna [E 149, F 149], widow, lived with her son George [E 55].
Susanna [E 151, F 149, F 17-1b] became the second wife of George Heebner [E 18], buried in Salford. Susanna [E 167, F 62, F 202-1] became the wife of Christopher Krauss [E 204], buried in Washington.
SEIPT
Caspar [E 164, F 59, F 59-2]-see David Seipt [E 59], buried in Towamencin.
Christopher [E 60, F 59, F 59-1, wife E 103], buried in Towamencin.
David [E 59, F 59, wife E 163], in addition to land held in common with George Dresher [E 64], bought on June 29, 1744, of Stephen Benezet, 143 acres in Towamencin Twp., Montg.Co. [Plate F XV, owned in 1920 by Charles Trumbauer and Jonas Kriebel], nearly all of which he conveyed to his son Caspar [E 164], on July 31, 1750, whose executors in turn conveyed the property to his eldest son, David, on Dec. 23, 1789. Place of burial of David Seipt and son Caspar and their wives, Towamencin.
Judith [E 163, F 59] was the wife of David Seipt [E 59], buried in Towamencin.
WAGNER
Abraham [E 193, F 192, F 192-1, wife E 83], of Norriton Twp., Montg. Co., bought of John George Scharff, on May 7, 1748, 38 acres in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., [Plate G X, owned in part, 1919, by Richard Osborn], which were conveyed by his executors, on July 9, 1763, to Abraham Anders. Place of burial of Abraham and wife, Methacton.
Anna [E 192, F 192], widow, was the mother of Susanna [E 195], Abraham [E 193], and Melchior WagÂner [E 194], buried in Methacton.
Anna [E 196, F 196], widow, was the mother of Christopher [E 197] and David [E 198]. Place of burial, farm of her son, Christopher, owned in 1920, by John K. Heebner, Worcester, Pa.
Christopher [E 197, F 196, F 196-1], bought of James Cunrads on Oct. 9, 1754, 129 acres, 26 perches, located in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate G XI, owned, 1920, by John K. Heebner], which he and his wife conveyed to their son-in-law, Abraham Heebner, on Apr. 2, 1810. Christopher Wagner, his wife and his mother are buried on this farm.
David [E 198, F 196, F 196-2], acquired by patent, July 14, 1774, 8 acres 76 perches, “Waggoner’s Mill Seat” on the Bushkill, about one mile from Easton, which by additional purchases grew to 134 acres, all lying within the borough limits of Easton, Pa. [Plate A I, II, III, IV, V], which he disÂposed of by will. David Wagener with his wife and many of his descendants are buried in the Easton Cem.,part of which was once his property.
Melchior [E 194, F 192, F 192-2], bought on May 7, 1748, 50 acres of John George Scharff [Plate G VIII], and on Feb. 20, 1754, he bought of Henry Overholtz, 74 acres adjoining the first tract [Plate G IX, owned in part, 1919, by Louis Cudlecoff], both in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co., of which he sold 27 acres to Jacob Styger in 1754, and 25 acres to Arnold Bean in 1762. He also bought in the same twp., 100 acres on Nov. 27, 1761, of Anthony Hallman [Plate F XXVII], and 79 acres adjoining this tract, May 28, 1762, of Adam Painter [Plate F XXVI], which two tracts he bequeathed to his son, David. Place of burial, Methacton.
Susanna [E 195, F 192, F 22-1] became the wife of George Yeakel [E 23], buried in Salford.
WARMER
Andrew [E 73, F 73, wife E 155] bought, June 29, 1744, of John Stephen Benezet, 30 acres in Towa-mencin Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate F XVII, owned in 1920 by Irwin Kriebel], which he sold to Abraham Wiegner [E 157] in 1761. Place of burial of Andrew Yeakel, Private Burying Ground, Hosensack; his wife, Towamencin.
Anna [E 133], sister of Andrew and Barbara, died unmarried Dec. 30, 1750. According to David Schultz, “In Macunshy ist die alte Anna gestorben bey Baltz. Jackel d 31 December and den 2ten Janner begraben worden.” (Old Anna died in Macungie at Balthasar Yeakel’s on Dee. 31, and was buried on Jan. 2). If, as is probable, these words refer to Anna Warmer, she was probably buried in Macungie. Grave not located.
Barbara, wife of Balthasar Yeakel [E 39, F 38-3]. The name Barbara Warmer does not occur in the list of immigrants. There are plausible reasons for assuming that the name Barbara Mentzel [E 131] ought to read Barbara Warmer. Probably buried in Hosensack.
WEISS
Anna [E 140, F 50], wife of George Weiss [E 50], died Sept. 22, 1734 (old style), and was buried the following day in the Pilgrim Cem., Phila.
George [E 50, F 50, wife E 140], lived in Lower Salford, probably held no real estate and is buried at Salford.
WIEGNER
Abraham [E 157, F 154, F 154-2, wife E 108],”yeoman of Salford Twp.,” bought of “Caspar Wistar, buttonmaker,” 83 acres in present Lower Salford Twp., Montg. Co., on Sept. 26, 1749 [Plate F VIII, owned, 1918, by Abraham L. Derstine], which he, then a “weaver of Upper Hanover Twp,” and his wife, Susanna, conveyed, Nov. 15, 1752, to “Christoph Hoffman, bookbinder” [E 104], who with his wife conveyed it on May 27, 1791, to Abraham Kriebel. Said Abraham Wiegner, “weaver of Towamencin,” purchased of Andrew Warmer his 30 acres in 1761, which he sold to Balthasar Reinwald, on June 26, 1769 [Plate F XVII]. Place of burial of Abraham Wiegner and wife, Towamencin; Christopher Hoffman and wife, Salford.
Anna [E 115, F 35] was the wife of Hans Wiegner [E 35].
Christopher [E 16, F 76] was unmarried, son of widow, Susanna Wiegner [E 76], bought of Cadwallader Evans on May 31, 1735, 150 acres in Towamencin Twp., Montg. Co., Pa. [Plate F XX, owned in part, 1920, by Jeremiah Kriebel], which at his death became vested in his mother and sister [E 76, E 77]. After their death the administrators in 1764 conveyed the tract to Anna Anders [E 175], widow of Balthasar Anders [E 67], and niece of said Christopher and Rosina Wiegner; releases having been given by the collateral heirs in Germany. On June 16, 1780, the widow, Anna Anders, at the time residing with her daughter, the wife of Rev. George Kriebel [E 99], conveyed the tract to her son George [E 176]. Place of burial of Susanna Wiegner, Christopher Wiegner, Rosina Wiegner, Balthasar Anders and son George, Towamencin; Anna, wife of Balthasar Anders, Kraussdale.
Christopher [E 56, F 154, F 154-1, wife E 150] bought of John Stephen Benezet, 30 acres in Towamencin Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate F XVI, owned in 1920 by Enoch Heebner], which he and his wife Anna conveyed on Jan. 19, 1745, to Melchior Meschter [E 66], who bought 4 I2 acres adjoining this tract from David Seipt and conveyed the two tracts to his son, George, in May, 1774. See also Balthasar Yeakel [E 22]. Place of burial of Christopher Wiegner and wife, Salford.
George, Sr. [E 36, F 36, wife E 117]. No definite knowledge of residence or burial place could be found. George [E 158, F 154, F 154-3, wife E 119]. See Christopher Yeakel [E 42]. Place of burial of George and wife, Kraussdale.
Hans (John) [E 35, F 35, wife E 115] was living in Germantown in 1762, when in his will he gave power to his executors to sell land which has not been located.
Maria [E 117, F 36] was the wife of George Wiegner, Sr. [E 36].
Maria [E 156, F 154] was the daughter of Susanna Wiegner [E 154].
Melchior [E 37, F 36, F 36-1, wife E 118] and David Meschter [E 631 acquired by patent in Sept., 1735,96 acres in present Hereford Twp., Berks Co. [Plate C VI], owned in 1918, by Solomon Schmoyer. This they held in common for a few years when David Meschter released his interest. Melchior Wiegner also acquired in Oct., 1740, 75 acres by patent [Plate C VIII] which had been surveyed to David Meschter in 1737, but survey had become void. Of this tract 3(% acres were sold to David Meschter in 1759. A week before his death on July 21, 1766, Melchior Wiegner and his wife conÂveyed these tracts to their son George. Place of burial of Melchior Wiegner and wife, Washington.
Melchior [E 116, F 35] was the unmarried son of Hans Wiegner [E 35].
Rosina [E 77, F 76], was a sister of Christopher [E 16]; died unmarried and is buried in Towamencin. Rosina [E 118, F 169, F 36-1] was the wife of Melchior Wiegner [E 37], buried in Washington. Rosina [E 159, F 154] was the unmarried daughter of Susanna Wiegner [E 154]. Place of burial,
Salford.
Susanna [E 76, F 76], widow, was the mother of Christopher Wiegner [E 16] and Rosina Wiegner [E 77]. See Christopher [E 16], buried in Towamencin.
Susanna [E 154, F 154], widow, was the mother of Susanna [E 155], Maria [E 156], Abraham [E 157], George [E 158] and Rosina [E 159]. Place of burial, Salford.
Susanna [E 155, F 154, F 73], the daughter of Susanna [E 154] became the wife of Andreas Warmer [E 73], buried in Towamencin.
YEAKEL
Abraham [E 30, F 38, F 38-2, wife E 107] acquired by survey in Sept., 1736, 150 acres in present Upper Macungie, Lehigh Co., Pa. [Plate B III, owned in 1920 by the Lehigh Portland Cement Company], which he conveyed in May, 1737, to Hans Jacob Moyer. Abraham Yeakel bought for 88 pounds 16 shillings in June, 1743, of Charles Brockden, 148 acres in present Upper Hanover Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate C XV, owned in 1920 by William K. Schultz], which he conveyed to his youngest son, John, on Aug. 14, 1761, for 540 pounds, who conveyed it to George Schultz [E 55, which see]. On June 22, 1769, George Schultz conveyed it to his son Balthasar for 800 pounds. Abraham Yeakel purchased in 1753, of Paul Anthony, for 150 pounds, 125 acres adjoining the 148-acre tract [Plate C XIV], which he conveyed in 1761, to his brother-in-law, Gregorius Schultz [E 62] of Macungie for £390. Place of burial of Abraham Yeakel and wife, Washington.
Abraham [E 208, F 208]-see Abraham Beyer [E 184]. Place of burial, Methacton.
Anna [E 89, F 22] was the daughter of Balthasar Yeakel [E 22]. Place of burial, Salford.
Balthasar [E 22, F 22, wife E 88], in Mar., 1735, bought of Caspar Wistar 173 acres in present Lower Salford Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate F XXIX and F XXXI, part of which constituted the farm of the late Isaac Kriebel], which after his death was conveyed to his son, George [E 23], on Feb. 2, 1739, for £111 whose executors on Dec. 3, 1743, conveyed 64 acres to George and Christopher Kriebel
(See George Kriebel [E 20]) and the remaining 109 acres to Christopher Wiegner [E 56], who secured patent on his tract on Feb. 26, 1745, and conveyed it to his son, Christopher, Apr. 29, 1769. Place of burial of Balthasar, Salford; his wife, Washington.
Balthasar [E 39, F 38, F 38-3, wife E 131] acquired by survey Apr. 30, 1740, 143 acres in Upper MacunÂgie, Lehigh Co. [Plate B V, owned, 1920, by the Lehigh Portland Cement Company], which he conveyed to Conrad Keck who secured patent for it on Feb. 2, 1812. He also acquired under warrant of Feb. 9, 1743, 103 acres in the same twp. [Plate B I, owned in 1919, by Milkowitz], which he sold to Adam Heberly and George Rapp, but “died suddenly by being killed by accident or misfortune before he had signed or given deeds,” purchase money having been paid. Four tracts, aggregating 89 acres were surveyed to him during the years 1749-1753 [Plate B VI], two of the tracts which he conveyed to Leonard Moyer, Dec. 27, 1760. On Jan. 27, 1757, Michael Schell, “cordwainer” of Upper Hanover Twp., and his wife Fronica, sold 120 acres in two tracts to “Baltzer Yeackle, Makunsy (Macungie Twp.), Northampton Co., Yeoman,” [Plate C X, C XII, owned in 1920, by Henry Gerhart]. These tracts lying partly in Berks and partly in Montg. Counties were later conveyed to Caspar, son of Balthasar. Place of burial of Balthasar, Washington; his wife, Hosensack.
Balthasar [E 127, F 38-16] was the son of Hans Heinrich Yeakel [E 45, which see]. Place of burial, Hosensack.
Caspar [E 40, F 38, F 38-6] purchased a ten-acre lot in Germantown Twp. (probably in the neighborÂhood of Washington Lane and Germantown Ave., Phila.) to ply his trade as blacksmith. Letters of administration were issued in 1742 to his widow, “Ann Jakkell.” Place of residence and burial not located.
Christopher [E 42, F 38, F 38-1, wife E 103]. In 1743 he bought 125 acres in present Upper Hanover Twp., Montg. Co.,for £75 [Plate C XIV], which he sold three years later to Paul Anthony for £150, who later resold the tract to Christopher’s brother, Abraham [E 30]. He also acquired a tract of 206 acres in the same twp. [Plate C XXI, C XXIII, C XXIV, owned in part in 1920 by Henry R. Seibert], patent being granted in 1753; and on Aug. 1, 1751, he purchased of Parsons, Ross and Greenway, 116 acres adjoining said tract of 206 acres [Plate C XXV]. Of these tracts he conveyed to Nicholas Oehl, in 1753, 73 acres [Plate C XXI, owned in 1920 by Charles Yeakel], and 23 acres to George Wiegner [E 158, Plate C XXIII], known many years as the “Althouse lot,” and the remainder was conveyed to his son, Jacob Yeakel. Place of burial of Christopher Yeakel and George Wiegner and their wives, Kraussdale.
Christopher [E 57, F 160, F 160-1, wife E 152], bought of Anthony Tunes the following adjacent tracts: 9 acres in Feb., 1741; 5 acres in July of the same year, and 7 acres in Mar., 1743 [Plate H V], on which he built a nice residence, still standing, adjoining the Pennsylvania Railroad Station, Chestnut Hill. In 1746 he bought 9% acres [Plate H VI]. In 1785 the above tracts were conveyed to Christopher Yeakel, Jr., by the father. In 1764 he bought 82 acres in present Springfield Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate H I], near the historic “Wheelpump” hotel, which he sold to his son, Abraham, in 1783. Records show that he bought and sold other lands. It may be in place to note that the ground on which the historic “Yeakel Log Cabin” stood-at the intersection of Mermaid Lane and Germantown Ave.-was owned during the period of said Christopher Yeakle’s active life (1714 to 1759), by John Nice, Cornelius Nice, John Nice and Derrick Keyser, successively; the deeds themÂselves show no evidence whatsoever of Christopher Yeakle’s interest therein. According to the Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders of 1879, “he built the log-house in 1743 at Cresheim, Germantown Twp., Phila., which was his dwelling until nearly the Revolution, when he purchased the property on the summit of Chestnut Hill.” But why Christopher Yeakle should have built his log-cabin near a meadow at the foot of the hill and on another man’s land, when at the same time he owned 21 acres at the summit of the hill, is hard to understand.
Christopher Yeakle is buried in the Yeakle Private Burying Ground at Chestnut Hill, Phila., Pa. David [E 38, F 38], a widower of 75 years at the time of the migration, probably lived with his children in Macungie and was buried there.
George [E 23, F 22, F 22-1, wife E 195] was a son of Balthasar [E 22, which see]; both George Yeakle and wife buried in Salford.
George [E 209]; according to the Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelders of 1879, a George Yeakle came in 1734 to Pa., lived with Abraham Wagner, a relative [E 193], and died unmarried, Sept. 11, 1764, at the age of 68 years. His relationship and place of burial are not known.
Hans Heinrich (John) [E 45, F 38, F 38-5, wife E 126] acquired by warrant and survey of the year 1740, 100 acres in present Upper Macungie Twp., Lehigh Co. [Plate B IV], which he conveyed to John Fogel in 1769, to whom patent was issued in 1782. In 1743 he purchased of Philip Labar, 200 acres in present Marlborough Twp., Montg. Co. [Plate D II, owned in part in 1920 by Milton Hillegass], to which he later added 34 acres, of which he sold part to Philip Reed in 1759, and the remainder to George Roth in 1770. He for a time held part of the Christopher Newman tract [Plate D III]. He bought in 1755,89M acres in Upper Hanover Twp., near his 200-acre tract, which he sold in 1761 to Leonard Thomas. On Dec. 23, 1761, he as “John Yeakle of Marlborough,” bought the Hamilton tract of 500 acres, partly in Upper Hanover Twp., Montg. Co., and partly in Upper Milford, Lehigh Co. [Plate C III], which he conveyed in four parts of equal area to his four sons, Balthasar [E 127], Jeremiah, George and Melchior. A survey of Dec., 1773, shows that he also bought 198 acres of Dietrich Welker in Lower Milford Twp., Bucks Co. Place of burial of Hans Heinrich, Yeakel Private Burying Ground, Hosensack; his wife, Hosensack.
Jeremiah [E 41, F 38, F 38-4]. Place of residence and burial not known.
Maria [E 91, F 22], daughter of Balthasar [E 23], died unmarried in her 65th year, in 1784. Place of burial, Washington.
Maria [E 107, F 38-2] was the wife of Abraham Yeakel [E 30]; buried in Washington.
Maria [E 147, F 54], the daughter of Matthias Yeakel [E 54], lived and died at Chestnut Hill. Place of burial not known.
Maria [g 207, F 68] became the wife of George Schultz [E 68]; buried in Washington.
Matthias [E 54, F 54, wife E 146], lived and died at Chestnut Hill.
Regina [E 88, F 22] was the wife of Balthasar Yeakel [E 22]; buried in Washington.
Regina [E 160, F 160], widow, and mother of Christopher Yeakel [E 57], is buried in the Yeakel Private Burying Ground, Chestnut Hill.
Regina [E 148, F 54] was the daughter of Matthias Yeakel [E 54]; she was married by a Lutheran Minister. Place of residence and burial not known.
Rosina [E 109, F 38-2, F 59-2] became the wife of Caspar Seipt [E 164]; buried in Towamencin. Rosina [E 146, F 54] was the wife of Matthias Yeakel [E 54]; lived at Chestnut Hill.
Rosina [E 92, F 22, F 70] became the wife of Christopher Schultz [E 70]; buried in Washington. Susanna [E 90, F 22, F 19-1] became the wife of George Kriebel [E 20]; buried in Salford.
Susanna [E 108, F 38-2, F 154-2] became the wife of Abraham Wiegner [E 157]; buried in Towamencin. Susanna [E 119, F 38, F 154-3] became the wife of George Wiegner [E 158]; buried in Kraussdale. Susanna [E 126, F 38-5] was the wife of Hans Heinrich Yeakel [E 45]; buried in Hosensack.