[7-3a] DAVID SCHOLTZ[E 9], d Sept. 13, 1717; d Apr. 25, 1797; s George and Anna (Hiibner) Scholtz [7]; m Oct. 29, 1745, by a Justice of the Peace to ANNA ROSINA BEER (BEYER) [E 186], b Aug. 13, 1720; d June 14, 1750; dau Abraham and Rosina (Yeakel) Beer [184]. No issue.
David Scholtz came to Pa. in 1733 on the ‘‘Merchant,” of London, arriving Sept. 18, 1733, with his father, George, and nine other Schwenkfelder immigrants (vid. Immigrant List), including Johann and Gottlob Klemm and the members of the Krauss family [11]. Nothing further is known concerning the Klemms.
Having been born in 1717, David Scholtz was 16 years of age at the time of his journey. He kept a diary of this journey which is known as the Reise Beschreibung [vid. Pa. Mag. of Hist. and Biog., Vol. X, p 167]; and it is from this diary as well as from the diaries kept by David Schultz in his Almanacs, a number of which are now in the Schw. Hist. Lib. at Pennsburg, Pa., in the Pennypacker Collection, that most of the data concerning the Schultz family was obtained.
Although David Scholtz wrote his name as above when he signed the Oath of Allegiance, he wrote it in various other ways during his life time and signed his will “‘David Schultze, Senior.’’ (q.v.)
According to David’s diary, thirteen persons left Berthelsdorf, Saxony, Sunday, Apr. 19, 1733, to journey to Pa. Included in this number were George Schultz (father), his wife, Anna, and son David; Melchior Krauss, his wife, Anna, and Susanna. Melchior Krauss, Sr.,died suddenly on May 28 at Haarlem, and on the next day, May 29, the company was joined by John Klemm and five others.
David Schultz was naturalized Mar. 29, 1755.
How David Schultz obtained his education is not known but he and Rev. Christopher Schultz [E 70], his cousin, seem to have been two of the busiest and perhaps the most influential of the entire group of Schwenkfelder immigrants; both were 16 years of age at the time of their arrival, and both kept diaries of their journeys.
The entries in his diaries are made in English, German, and Latin.
That he and his brother George [E 1] must have had some means is shown that in 1736 David (then but 19 years of age) and his brother George, ‘‘Merchant’’ of Phila., bought 260 acres of land for 70 pounds [vid. Homes and Burial Places of Immigrants}.
The next few years must have been spent in study during his spare hours, for we find MSS. in his own handwriting being copies of writings of a religious and devotional nature, and as early as 1743 we find him engaged in surveying and conveyancing, and for about fifty years thereafter we find the name . of David Schultz attached to hundreds of drafts and surveys, conveyances, wills, and other legal papers. He must have retained copies of all his wills, agreements, surveys, and official writings, as hundreds of them have been located and are deposited in the 8. H. L. at Pennsburg. He laid out boundary lines extending over what is now embraced by the counties of Northampton, Lehigh, Berks, and Chester.
“Hardly a road laid out during a period of fifty years in which our David Schultz had not been connected either as actual surveyor or scrivener. We question whether a single farm could be named of which he had not been asked to frame a draft. Nor does there appear a bond, agreement, or any instrument was necessary to pass which the ubiquitous Squire had not been present to witness, and which (his) hand had not drawn.” [C. Z. Weiser.]
Tradition states that he wore tin boots while surveying.
That he prospered in his business is shown by the fact that in May, 1749, he bought 180 acres, 60 perches of land for 72 pounds, three shillings, lying in Upper Hanover Twp., Pa., on which the town of East Greenville now stands at about $1.06 an acre. [PlateC XXVI.] The next year a great sorrow befell David Schultz in the murder of his wife, Anna Rosina (vid. below), while David was away surveying. Mrs. Schultz is buried in the Cem. at New Goshenhoppen, near Hast Greenville, Pa. Her grave is close to the church and her tombstone has the following inscription: “ANNA ROSINA SCHULTZIN Murdered June 14, A.D., 1750. Aged 29 years. Funeral text: Jeremiah 9:21.”
David Schultz did not adhere to the Schwenkfelder faith after arrival in Pa., as he did not seem to be in full harmony with the views of their religious questions and doctrines. Doubtless he was influenced by the views of Dr. Melchior Hiibner of Frederick Twp. who was known as a Restorationist,
an admirer of the English visionary Jane Leade, and an outspoken enemy of false spirituality. That he soon connected himself with the New Goshenhoppen Church is shown by the records and for many years his advice was sought and given during the early history of that institution. He is buried in the Cemetery adjoining the church, and his tombstone contains the simple inscription: “DAVID SCHULTZ died 1797 aged 79 years, 7 months.”
[For fuller accounts of David Schultz, vid “The Pa. German,” Vol. IX, p 409-505.| [ Hist. Goshenhoppen Reformed Charge- Hinke, 1920.]
Parents’ family: [7] George Scholtz and Anna Hubner