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PETITION FOR EARLY ROAD (SEPTEMBER, 1727)
(MARDIN ZARBEN) MARTIN ZERBE, ONE OF THE SIGNERS
COPY
(Taken from the original petition for early road shown on
opposite page.)
September, 1727.
To the Honorable Bench.
We whose names are hereunto subscribed, ye inhabitants
of ye North west parts of ye Township of Oley, Tolpehockan,
and parts adjacent. Having no Road as yet estab-
lished amongst us, by means whereof we suffer diver incon-
veniences and a great part of ye land at present not Settled,
through which ye hereby petitioned road is naturally designed
to go by means of whereof there will be no opposition made in
ye laying of it out.
Wherefore, we your Petitioners humbly request that you
will be pleased to order a High road to be laid out. Beginning
at the Lutherian Meeting House at Tolpehockan to end in the
high road, at ye Quakers Meeting House near George
Boone's Mill in Oley.
And your petitioners shall ever pray.
Frederick Schaeflfer, Petter Klub,
Adam Lish, Sebastian Fischer,
N. Nevs, Lenhart Riet,
Nicholas Rienr, Jasper Riet,
Mardey Stub, Mardin Battdorfif,
Anthonn Schadt, Lenhart Feg,
Jacob Korbell, Phillip Braun
Johan Henrich Schnchert, *MARDIN ZARBEN,
Nicholas Schaefifer, Michael Aenrich.
Michael Ernst Herner, Johan Entenfelt,
Johannes Christman, Benjamin Boone,
Stephan Wasseicheidt, Isaac Wiseman,
Adam Walbornn, John Collins,
Jacob Kobft, Joseph Baker,
George Lish, Jonathan Baker,
Abraham Link, Hugh Edward,
Nicholas Rull, William Roberts,
Cunrath Diffenbach, Peter Hilton.
*Zerbey History, Part 2.
IN THE COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS OF THE
PEACE, OF THE COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA.
In re opening of High Road, at Tulpehocken, &c.
September Sessions, 1727.
I certify the foregoing to be a true and correct copy of
the original petition in the case above stated, as full, entire
and complete as the same now remains of Record in this
office.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said Court this twenty-sixth day of
February, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and twelve,
(1912.)
JOHN E. WALSH,
(Seal) Pro. Clerk.
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19ie
COPYRIGHT 1916
BY
MRS. ELLA ZERBEY ELLIOTT
' '\i\A-
PRESS OF POTTSVILLE, PA., REPUBLICAN"
E. L. CLIFFORD J. H. ZERBEY, Jr.
BUSINESS MANAGER ASSOCIATE EDITOR
SCHUYLKILL CO. BLUE BOOK
Contents
CONTENTS
ILLUSTRATIONS
Follow
Frontispiece — Road Petition, Year 1727. Page
Martin Zerbe's Homestead 1
Pioneer Homestead Map, 1723 36
Early Church, built 1727 42
Conrad Weiser's Signature 48
Patent from John Penn to Seven Stars (Minnich) Property, 1750 72
Land of Early Settlers on Tulpehocken 120
Schuylkill County Erected 141
Site of Mill John4 Zerbe, Tulpehocken 186
Mardin Zarvas Run, 1723, Wm. Penn Grant 200
Rear of Homestead of Martin Zerbe's Land 208
Map George Zerbe Land, Schuylkill Haven 216
George Zerbe Homestead, near Orwigsburg, Pa 232
Water Right Agreement Johannes Zerbe, 1747 268
Site of John Zerbe's Old Mill 308
Conrad Minnich Map, Land Deed 366
Stout Homestead, Settled 1736 392
Ancient Schwalm Castle 414
Andrew Schwalm Homestead, Orwigsburg, Pa 420
PART I.
Translation of Road Petition. Page
Title Page 1
Foreword 9
Prologue 12
Huguenots and Palatines 15
Settlers in Interior Eastern Pennsylvania, 1750-1752 18
1730-1780 19
German Immigration 22
Huguenots and Palatines:
Come to London 25
Invitation to America 25
Sail for New York 2'3
Who Settlers Were 27
Settle in New York 29
Queen Anne's War , 30
ii BLUE BOOK OF
Contents
Huguenots and Palatines, Continued: Page
Soldiers in War, 1711 31
Company Lists 34
Their Lands Resold 34
Pennsylvania Pioneers of 1723:
The Thirty-Three Families 36
Settlers Petition Governor 38
First Church Built, 1727 42
Petition for Roads, 1727 43
Tulpehocken Confusion 44
Province of Pennsylvania 50
Organization of Pennsylvania Counties to 1811 51
Petition for New County 54
Remonstrate Against Revising Constitution 56
Failed 56
Constitution Amended 57
Indian Troubles in Pennsylvania:
Indian Troubles 58
Policy 59
Forts 59
First Fort Dupui , 60
Fort Augusta 60
Blue Mountain Forts 61
Forts Lebanon and Franklin 63
Chain of Forts 64
Friendly Indians 65
Indian Atrocities 67-69
The Finschers and Millers 70
John Penn Patent to Seven Stars (Minnich) Property, 1750.. 73
Neyman and Other Massacres 74
Indian Stories 75-80
War of the Revolution:
War of the Revolution 81
Oath of Allegiance 85
Recruits From Schuylkill (Berks) Co 85-97
Zerbes, Grubers, Rebers, Stouts, Swrartzs, Merkles, Rieths,
etc., in the Early Wars 97-104
Family Traditions 107-109
War of 1812-1814:
Soldiers From Schuylkill County 109-113
Mexican War:
Schuylkill County Represented 114-120
The Early Settlers:
Early Notable Settlers 122
Conrad Weiser's Diary 124-132
Governor Schulze Story 134
Baltzar Gehr, Jacob Morgan, Douglass Family, etc 135-141
Schuylkill County Erected From Berks 141
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY iii
Contents
Who Was Who: Page
First Settlers of Schuylkill County 149
Neuferts, Whetstones, Potts 149
Klocks, Christs, Bresslers 150
Potts, Helms, Hessers 151
The Morris' 154
Boyers, Guldins, Colemans 155
Bocks, DeTurks, Mortimers 159
John R. and Benjamin B. Bannan 160
Lindemuths. Matzs, Roseberrys 163-167
Braun-Brown Family 168
Filberts, Weidmans, Krebs, Tysons 170-171
Spohns, Bechtels, Palmers 173-174
Kaerchers, Kepners, Shippens 175
Hobarts, Bairds, Pattersons 177-179
Zellers, Rahns, Seitzingers 180-182
PART II.
Genealogical Records:
Origin of the Zerbeys 187-192
Zerbeys in America 192-194
First Generation 194
The Manors 198
Second Generation 200
(MARTIN ZERBE'S LINE)
John Jacob Zerbe 200
John Zerbe 203
Heinrich Boyer 204
Albrecht and John Philip Strauss 204
George Peter Zerbe 207
Third Generation 211
Peter, Jr., Elizabeth, Valentine 211
Michael 212
John George Zerbe 216
(John) George and Anna Barbara Zerbe's Children.. 220
Hon. Daniel Zerbe 222
Herring Family Tradition 225
Daniel Zerbe, Cressona 226
Henry Zerbe, Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pa 227
John Adam Miller 229
Fourth Generation 232
George Zerbe 232
Children 233-239
Rev. Frank Ellsworth Graeff, D. D 238
Wm. Merkle Zerbey 239
John F. Zerbey Family 241
Heber S. Zerbey Family 241
Joseph Henry Zerbey Family 242
"Pottsville Republican" 242
Robert A. Zerbey Family 245
iv BLUE BOOK OF
Contents
Genealogical Records, Fourth Genration, Continued Page
Frederic E. Zerbey Family 245
"Schuyllcill Weekly Republican" 246
Charles D. Elliott 246
Ella Zerbey Elliott 246
Adelia E. Zerbey Family 249
Sara Frances Zerbey Family 250
Rieths or Reeds 250
War Records 254
Ship Lists 257-258
Zerfass, Serf as, Surber, Sarvar, Sevir, Sarvas 258-260
Unclassified Zerbes 259
British Oath of Allegiance 260
Penna. Oath of Allegiance 261
Taxables in Berks County, 1752 262
Early Churches in Schuylkill County 262
The First Census 262
Grubers Intermarried 263
Sontag Family 266
(LORENTZ ZERBE LINE)
First Generation 266
Lorentz Zerbe Family 267
Second Generation 269
John Zerbe, the Miller, Family 271
Blue Mountain Lands 272
Tulpehocken Confusion 274
Second and Third Generations 276
Dr. Samuel and Maria Isles 277
Leonard Zerbe 279
Valentine Zerbe 280
Christian Zerbe 281
Benton H. Zerbe 282
John Zerbe's Law Suit 284
Nathan Zerbe 287
John Zerbe, Cumru Township 288
Third and Fourth Generations 289
Jonathan and David Zerbe 289-291
Rev. John W. Zerbe 292
George Adam Zerbe, Land and Family 294-297
George Zerbe, Tulpehocken, and Family 297-298
Tyrone and Altoona Zerbes 298
Reading, Pa., Zerbes 299
Unclassified Zerbes 301
Location of Land, Early Settlers 303
Host's Church 304
The Jacob Zerbes 304
Joel Zerbe Children 307
Philip Zerbe, of Washington Twp., Schuylkill Co 309
Descendants 309-323
Centre County Zerbes 323-325
Northumberland County Zerbes 325-332
Old Church, and Tombstone Records 333-347
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Contents
PART III.
Page
Allied Families 351
Merkles 351
Church Records 351-355
Taxables 355
In Wars 357
Wills and Records 357
Michael and Elizabeth, Children 359
Daniel Bartolet's Descendants 361
Isaac Strauch 362
Michael Merkle Family 363
Minnich, Muench History 364
Capt. Conrad Minnich 367
Hotel 371
Conrad Minnich, Second 373
Graves of 1776 Men Marked 376
Minnich, Minnig Genealog^y 378-387
Phila. Branch Muenchs 387-393
Staudts. Stoudts, Stouts 393
Miller, Filbert, Kershner, Lerch, Ebling, Snyder, Mau-
rer, Wagner and other Families 393-397
Marrianres, Land Warrants 397
Muellers (MUlers) 398
Henry Miller 399
Family History 399-402
Andrew and Elizabeth Miller, Descendants 403-409
History of the Reber Family 409
Conrad Reber Descendants 409
The Wildermuth Family 411
Origin of the Schwalms 413
First Schwalms in America 413
Caspar Phillips' Children 416
Baptismal Records 417
Andrew Schwalm, Sr., Family 418
Andrew and Hannah Schwalm Family 420
Frederic and Catharine Haeseler Family 421
Haeseler's Ancestry 423
William E. Boyer Family 427
Dr. Francis W. Boyer Family 427
James A. Medlar Family 428
Edmund S. Boyer 428
Boyer Ancestry 429
John Andrew Schwalm Family 430
Dr. Thomas W. Swalm 430
Allen H. Swalm 430
Henry A. Swalm 430
Joseph M. Schwalm Family 431
Sarah L. Schwalm 432
Thomas Clouse and Amanda Schwalm Family 432
Thomas K. Wagner and Susan J. Schwalm Family 432
Hegins Valley Schwalms 433
Hubley Township Schwalms 435
VI
SCHUYLKILL CO.
BLUE BOOK
Contents
Page
Pottsville Erected 437
Great Road or King's Highway 437
Turnpike Roads, Canal, Railways, Stages, etc 438-440
Discovery of Coal 440
Settlers of Norwegian Township 441
Pottsville Erected 443
Pottsville's First Houses and First Settlers 443-445
Old Time Stories 447-455
Hessian Ancestors 455
Wills Probated Before 1800 455-456
THE ILLUSTRATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE FROM ORIGINALS DESIGNED
SOLELY FOR THIS WORK.
FOREWORD
In preparing this work, which includes the labor of years,
the author has used only the best means available for the
purpose. The idea of presenting such an array of facts, that
makes of the book one neither entirely for private circulation,
nor yet one solely for public distribution, first occurred to the
writer about ten years ago, when after gathering much
genealogical matter, for the main branch of the family, it was
found that it was so involved with, and a part of, the pathetic,
beautiful and romantic history, of the Huguenots and Pala-
tines of the old world, thousands of whom were subsequently
the founders of interior southeastern Pennsylvania and parts
of other States, that it was next to impossible to divorce the
one from the other.
The early settlers of Pennsylvania were not a showy race,
they were plain and unassuming people, but they made his-
tory and it seemed incumbent upon the author to transmit and
preserve it. We are the descendants of French and German
ancestry. There are those who are inanely ashamed of their
descent and have a horror of being counted among the Penn-
sylvania Germans. We are not of these. We are proud of
our birthright. We have the homely treasure of a dialect
peculiarly our own and we glory in its quaint figures of speech,
so largely corrupted with the English, that as a sub-language
or idiom it must soon be relegated to the archives of the past.
The Pennsylvania Germans and Huguenots were mainly
husbandmen and tillers of the soil. To their untiring industry
and perseverance, that wielded the maul, the axe and the
mattock, felling the majestic monarchs of the forest and turn-
ing the almost impenetrable wilderness into arable fields,
rich with tasseled wheat and ripened corn ; and making the
barren wastes green with verdure and the bleak hillsides to
10 BLUE BOOK OF
Foreword
blossom like the rose, to them, is due much of the present
flourishing condition of this our native State.
Plain, but loyal and God-fearing citizens of this Com-
monwealth and the States of the Union in which their de-
scendants have found homes, they possessed indomitable will,
energy and perseverance and were of the stock, from which
subsequently, sprung men in every walk of life, from the
highest offices in the gift of the people ; the presidency, the
gubernatorial chair, the Senatorial, Congressional, and Leg-
islative chambers, the highest professions, the brave soldier
and sailor, on land and sea, down to the plain and unassum-
ing civillian who filled his mission by performing his simple
duty in life. All honor to the Pennsylvania Germans !
To the works from which the book has been partly com-
piled : the Pennsylvania Archives, The Pennsylvania German
Society Publications, Transactions of the Moravian Historical
Society, the Pennsylvania Associators, Rupp's and Montgom-
ery's Histories of Berks County, Cobb's Palatines, Koeppen's
Middle Ages, Menzel's Germany, Palatine Refugees in Eng-
land, Wheaton's Northmen, etc., etc., we are largely indebted.
The courtesy of Dr. J. W. Jordan, and his assistajit
Librarian, Ernest SpofTord, of the Pennsylvania Historical
Society Library, Philadelphia ; Dr. Schulze and Prof. Wm. A.
Schwarze, of the Moravian College and Archives, Bethlehem ;
the officials of the Pennsylvania State Library, Harrisburg,
and the custodians of historical society libraries in Reading,
Lebanon, Lancaster, and Harrisburg, in submitting original
manuscripts for our inspection, for material, cannot be over-
estimated nor too warmly commended.
The attachees of the Chester, Lancaster, Dauphin, Berks,
Northumberland, and Schuylkill County Courts and the Court
of Quarter Sessions, Philadelphia, and the custodians of the
records of some of the early churches, were uniformly oblig-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ii
Foreword
ing in their offers of assistance in the unearthing of records.
Many individuals, too, lent their best endeavors and through
these the work was made possible.
To the chronological and genealogical data of the Zerbe
line, many of the family name contributed and rendered in-
valuable assistance. Others, too, collaborateurs in genealog-
ical lines that were involved with the above, gave aid and the
results speak for themselves.
The many difficulties to be contended with in a work of
this nature, are but little understood by the average critic,
who rarely sees anything to commend but seeks rather to con-
demn or tear down that which he, perhaps, could not origin-
ate or erect, himself; we pass him by and without further
apology, present the work to those interested and to an in-
dulgent public.
ELLA ZERBEY ELLIOTT.
13 BLUE BOOK OF
Prologue
PROLOGUE
It seems singular to the student of the present time, that
only within the last thirty years has the history of the United
States been considered of enough importance to be included
in the curriculum of the large universities, in this country. A
young man could, three decades ago, graduate from a four
years' course in Harvard College, with all the honors and yet
not know, even, of the existence of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence or how the Constitution of the United States was
framed. Other colleges, too, ignored American History. A
boy was required to know of the history of Greece and Rome
and during the term he was permitted to acquaint himself
with the history of England, but that of the United States
was ignored. An inspection of the curriculum of our public
schools at the present time, too, reveals the fact that history
is studied in a formal way for one year only, the eighth. This
condition of things, happily, is passing away ; an effort now
being made to introduce into the schools, as text books, such
parts of Pennsylvania history that are relative to general
school work.
New England history, as written, was largely biased by
prejudice or else the truth was wilfully perverted. In the
minutes of the Proprietary Government of Pennsylvania, and
such reports as have been published in the Archives, there
are found facts that prove this assertion.
The official records of a State alone can preserve its true
history. The States of New York, Massachusetts, Virginia
and others began the publication of their Colonial and Revo-
lutionary history before Pennsylvania awakened to the fact
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 13
Prologue
that she was lagging behind and it was not until April, 1837,
that the immediate publication of the Colonial Records was
ordered by the Legislature.
In 1752 the Assembly directed the publication of the
Journals of the House, from 1684, which up to that date had
remained in manuscript. These annals are records of the
uninteresting details of the government of the colonies of
Great Britain and much that should have gone down in his-
tory was suppressed, as State secrets, for fear of the displeas-
uris of the British government.
With the opening of the French and Indian wars the
history of Pennsylvania became replete with interest. The
Indian massacres along the frontier, the letters of the British
officers and others higher up in the English government, make
a wonderful story and one that no one who professes to be
conversant with early history dare long remain unfamiliar
with.
No state in the Union has a history of greater import-
ance than Pennsylvania. In her metropolis was located the
seat of the colonial government when liberty was declared
and on her borders and within her domain the decisive strug-
gle for independence culminated. It was in this State that
American Independence had its birth and here, too, when the
cause under Washington was almost hopeless and the New
Englanders deserted it and went home, that Pennsylvania
arose in its supremacy and saved the day.
The commonwealth is slowly unveiling the rich treas-
ures in her possession but many, too, of the invaluable docu-
ments in her vaults were lost, through the ravages of time,
dampness and mildew and through the peculations of dis-
honest custodians, who were the prey of private collectors ;
and some through lack of binding or transmission to print,
and others to the careless methods with which they were
preserved.
14 BLUE BOOK OF
Prologue
It is a discredit to Pennsylvania that a more thorough
and systematic effort is not made by authorized bibliograph-
ers ; in addition to the transcribers employed on the archives,
to at once rehabilitate what remains of these rich and rare
treasures, as every year of delay means an added loss.
The Moravian, Lutheran and Reformed churches, in the
theological state libraries, at their colleges and seminaries,
too, contain many untabulated original manuscripts in the
German script that remain untranslated and are fast fading
away.
What is true of the State and church, is also true of the
individual. The history of the early pioneers is rich with
information interwoven with the struggles, fortitude, endur-
ance and sterling worth and work of the colonists, that re-
mains uncovered and unhonored, through the apathy and
carelessness of their descendants, and the custodians of docu-
ments that relate to their history.
The early pioneers passed through many stirring and
even thrilling vicissitudes, but they were formed of the fibre
that makes heroes and not only endured untold hardships but
lived and even thrived under them. Without the help of these
rugged and fearless people, the nation under its heroic lead-
ers, in the struggle for liberty, would have sunk into the
depths of thraldom, unknown decay and servitude to an older,
wealthier and more powerful country and liberty would never
have been proclaimed throughout our beloved land.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 15
Huguenots and Palatines
The Huguenots and Palatines
HAT Norsemen and not Christopher CoUnnbus discovered
America and also, that, to the Teutonic race belongs
that honor, is conceded by scholars and historians.
The Norse Sagas embody the real history of the Germanic
race. Greenland has many evidences of their settlement and
farther south there are relics and proofs that the North American
Indians absorbed these races and, as Father Charlevoix, Jesuit
Priest, states, "Taught the aborigines the story of the cross be-
fore the advent of the early missionaries," who have been
accredited with that pioneer work.
Writers of American history, thus far, have not accorded
the Germans their due, in regard to the discovery of this Con-
tinent. The injustice of biased statements or else the total ig-
noring by historians of what was done by (jcrmans in the
exploration, development and early settlement of America, has
led the Pennsylvania German Society, a body of men composed
of Pennsylvanians, born of German descent, to decree the com-
pilation of a new and critical history of this Commonwealth. A
large sum of money has been subscribed to enable Savants to
make a thorough research of the libraries and repositories of
learning in the old world ; and particular epochs and sections are
made the especial study of members of the Society appointed
for the purpose and the results forthcoming are of such a com-
prehensive and thorough nature as to revolutionize many hereto-
fore accepted historical facts and add many unknown truths to
the basis of those already proven^.
(New History of Penna. The Penna. German Society, Vol. VII., pp.
33-198.)
i6 BLUE BOOK OF
Huguenots and Palatines
The Swedes were the first settlers in Pennsylvania in 1638.
The first commissioners from Wm. Penn to treat with the Indi-
ans came over in 1681, and Wm. Penn, himself, arrived Oct. 27,
1682.^ In 1 701 a small colony of Swedes settled on the Schuyl-
kill River near the mouth of the Manatawny Creek, 10,500 acres
were surveyed and layed off for them. They built the first
church for religious Avorship, in interior Pennsylvania, 1716,
and owing to the amicable relations between themselves and the
Indians, called their settlement Amity (Chester County). This
name has been retained as the name of that township, in Berks
County, to the present day. A small colony of Germans came in
1712 and settled on Manatawny Creek. Then another colony
of thirty-three families came in 1723, journeying south from
New York, i- ^
They were Huguenots and Palatines, who had cast their lot
together, in a common cause, to escape religious persecution, fled
their native land and came to the new world to build up homes
away from the thraldom and dictation of Kings and Princes.
During the middle of the i6th century, the reformers under
Calvin became strong in France, not only as a religious sect but
as a political body. The name Huguenots \vas given them in
derision and they were bitterly opposed by the French Court
and disliked by the Roman hierarchy. Strong in their Pro-
testant belief they could not change it to conform with that of
the ruling prince.
Frederic II, the elector Palatinate, was a Lutheran, Frederic
III a Calvanist. Ludovic V restored the Lutheran Church, his
son who succeeded him became a Calvinist and he was succeeded
by a Catholic, who cruelly oppressed the Protestants.
In 1634 the city of Heidelberg was taken by Louis XIV of
France. In 1688 the French army invaded Germany and devas-
tated the beautiful Palatinate of the Rhine, causing suffering and
(Note 1 — D. Rupp, Thirty Thousand Immigrants, Appendix.) (Penna.
Archives, Vol. 7, p. 291.)
(Note 2— Penna. Archives, Vol. 7, pp. 118, 125, 262.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 17
Huguenots and Palatines
desolation worse than the German war, which brought ruin and
starvation to thousands. More than 40 cities and hundreds of
towns and villages were reduced to ashes. The inhabitants were
driven into the fields in mid-winter. The cities of Manheim,
Heidelberg, Worms, and Mayence were partly destroyed. The
city of Heidelberg was rebuilt and in 1693 was again taken by the
French and laid in ashes. 15,000 men, women and children were
made homeless, stripped of all their possessions, turned into the
fields by night, destitute and half naked, but with characteristic
pluck they again rebuilt the city and restored their homes under
the promise that they should have protection.
The inhabitants of Alsace and Lorraine were possessed of
distinct traits of character, which distinguished them from the
Palatines among whom some had already cast their lot, when
Francis I determined to crush the heretics. The King's sister,
^larguerite, afterward Queen of Navarre, with other distin-
guished nobles had espoused their cause and the King was at
first inclined to deal tolerantly with them, but he recanted.
Henry of Navarre, afterward King Henry IV, when heir
to the French crown, espoused their cause. The massacres on
St. Bartholomew's day were horrifying.^ The number of
victims is differently estimated. De Thou fixes it at 30,000,
DeGully at 70,000. In 1598 he rew^arded them by promulgat-
ing the "Edict of Nantes." They were not satisfied with its
provisions, which angered the King and he determined to
exterminate them. The Huguenots were growing too power-
ful politically as well as religiously. In 1590 they worship-
ped in 3,500 chateaux and 200 towns.
The Edict of Nantes was revoked October 15, 1685. During
the 87 years of its outward protection many subterfuges were
resorted to under the dominance of the King, to destroy the
growing power of these people. Louis XIV did not use the
same prudence with them that Richelieu and Mazarin dictated,
but began a series of persecution that in 1657 amounted to a war
(Note 1 — Wars Between France and Germany, McCabe.)
BLUE BOOK OF
Husuenots and Palatines
of extermination. Seven hundred of their churches were de-
stroyed. Thousands of them could not stand the oppression and
yielded, but others suffered death rather than sacrifice their prin-
ciples.
Many fled the sunny land, where their thrift and industry
had created an Elysian bower, and where the vine and fruitage
and broad acres smiled, with the results of their culture and
labor.
Fully one million French subjects renounced their beautiful
land and left their homes to escape this worse than death torture.
The revocation of the Edict of Nantes crushed and wiped out
more than half of the commercial and manufacturing interests of
the nation and despoiled thousands of acres of the best fruit-
age and cultivated land in the kingdom.
The young men crowded into the armies arrayed against
the French nation, that they might avenge their wrongs and
the men, women and children fled to Bavaria, Holland, Switzer-
land and the upper and lower German Palatinate, becoming
refugees and joining in a common cause with the Palatines, that
they might escape the oppression and begin life anew in the
new world.
Among those who came to interior eastern Pennsylvania
from 1710 to 1752, occur these names, and others, whose de-
scendants in Berks and Schuylkill Counties are among the best
known and most prominent citizens •}
Aurand,
Barnard,
Beyer,
Bayer-Boyer,
Baudeman,
Bertolette,
Baumgardner,
Baeshore,
Beauman,
De Benneville,
De Puis,
De Bow,
De Turck,
De Keim,
De Frehn,
De Wald,
Delchamp,
Forrer,
Ferney- Forney,
Huber,
Herbein,
Hess,
Tonnelier-Kieffer,
Le Van,
La Pierre-Stein,
Meyer-Moyer,
Reyer-Royer,
(Note 1 — Ship Lists, Penna. Arcliives, 2nd Series, Vol. XVII.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Husfuenots and Palatines
19
Sallade,
Zarva-Sarva-Sevier.
Marquette, Pershing,
Merclen-Merkle, LeChar-Leclier,
Molette, Sellaire-Zeller,
The majority of these names have been changed in the
spelhng but their origin remains the same. The above were,
with others, from Alsace and Lorraine, who left France on the
revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Others, whom the blind
bigotry of monarchs drove across the seas to settle in eastern
Pennsylvania, from 1730 to 1780, were :
Althouse,
Bergan,
Bland,
Bechtel,
Batdorf,
Bossard,
Boone,
Clemens,
Conrad,
Deibert,
Dreibelbeis,
Dengler,
Dieffenderfer,
Easterly-Esterly,
Filbert,
Focht,
Gruber,
Guldin,
Hoch-Hock-IToy,
Heffner,
Hoffman,
Henninger,
Koehler,
Kissinger,
Kramer,
Kauffman,
Koch,
Ludwig,
Lauderbrun,
Pott,
Miessie,
Muenchs,
Miller,
Neifert,
Oberholzer,
Parvin,
Rhoads,
Ritter,
Redcamp,
Rickert,
Reed,
Staudt,
Spohn,
Schall,
Schwall-Schwalm,
Schollenberger,
Spohn,
Strauss,
Schaeffer,
Shelly,
Sponchuchen,
Sigfried,
Saylor,
VanDusen,
W'itman,
Weiser,
Womelsdorf.
Reber,
(Dr. W. W. Egle, State Historian, includes the above in
his enumeration of the first families of Berks Co., Historical
Register, Jan. 1883.)
Most persons familiar with history know that the Palatinate,
used in a geographical sense, existed in two territorial divisions,
upper and lower, as early as the eleventh century. The Lower,
20 BLUE BOOK OF
Huguenots and Palatines
Pfalz am Rhein, or Palatinate on the Rhine, was situated on both
sides of that river and was bounded by Wurtemberg, Baden,
Alsace, Lorraine, Treves and Hesse.
The Upper, or Ober Pfalz, on the east, was surrounded by
Bohemia, Bavaria and Nuremberg. The Emperor Frederic IL
gave the Palatinate to Louis of Bavaria, who retained the right
until 1329. In 1356 the seven electors usurped these rights
and the territories became the inalienable feudal possessions of
the empire.
In 1559 Frederick III, who introduced Galvanism and gave
his protection to the Huguenots, maintained the Reformed
religion wath great severity.
His son Louis, a zealous Lutheran, tried to undo his work
and the Palatinates were compelled to change their religion fre-
quently to conform with the tenets of their rulers ; being
Catholic, Calvanistic, and Lutheran successively.*
Ludovic V. lost the electorate, 1623, and the Duke of Ba-
varia retained the upper Palatinate. In 1648 the Rheinish Pala-
tinate was conveyed to Frederic's son. In 1694, in the war of
the Spanish succession, the Upper Palatinate was again revived,
and Bavaria again resumed its ancient rights.
During these numerous changes the Palatinates were cruelly
desolated by the armies that made wars of conquest upon that
soil. In 1801 France seized all on the west bank of the Rhine.
In 181 5 the left bank was restored to Germany,
Germany for many years was the battlefield of Europe. The
armies of every P^uropean nation devastated her soil and de-
spoiled her people. The palatinate bordering on France and
Germany, was a peculiar prey of the invading hosts. The
ceaseless disturbances and religious persecutions, after the
revocation of the Edict of Nantes, sent 700,000 of France's
best citizens to Germany, Switzerland, Holland and Britain ;
(Note 1 — Koeppen's Middle Ages.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 21
Huguenots and Palatines
and the remarkably cold winter of 1708-9 was responsible
with their other ills, for the great exodus of the French and
Germans from the Palatinate.^
Faith and confidence in their rulers was destroyed and when
the Gracious Queen Anne, of England, through her ministers
abroad began to aid the French Protestants and sent assistance
to the Palatines, in Holland, the exodus of the latter and many
of the former followed.
William Penn, the silvery tongued Quaker, made two visits
to Germany, in 1671 and 1677. Colonists were attracted to
Pennsylvania through his agency, and other Colonial schemes
followed.^
It is not the purpose of the writer to deal with the question
of the German Immigration to the entire Western Hemisphere,
which began in 1526, nor yet to specialize all of the colonies
that followed after 1683.
The influx of the German population into Eastern Penn-
sylvania, a humantide that at one time threatened to depopulate
several provinces of Germany, and change all of this State into
a German Colony, is, however, of especial interest.
Queen Anne donated land along the Broad, Saluda, Con-
garee and Wateree rivers, in South Carolina, near the present
site of Columbia, which is still known as "Dutch Forks."
Rev. Joshua Kockerthal, who was known as the "Joshua
of the Palatines." 1706, at Frankfort, on the Main, wrote a
volume extoling the wonderful resources of this land, "flowing
with milk and honey." Kockerthal was something of a ro-
mancist, but the influence of his book and other colonial pam-
(Note 1 — Tindal's History of England says, "The winter was the most
severe since 1683-4, and cattle, sheep and birds froze to death in the
forest. Corn was scarce and fruit trees were killed. Frosts followed,
killing the corn and calamity and desolation prevailed.")
(Note 2 — Bancroft gives Wm. Penn the credit of this exodus of Ger-
mans to Pennsylvania.)
22 BLUE BOOK OF
Huguenots and Palatines
phlets, induced 14,000 Germans, French, Swabians, and others,
to forsake their native land and cast their lot with the Pala-
tines.^
GERMAN IMMIGRATION
These people came to London, after many harrowing vi-
cissitudes, and in 1709 left England for New York, which they
reached December 31. Kockerthal made extraordinary efforts
to direct the tide toward Carolina. The few who came to
Pennsylvania were filled with distrust. Many adverse reports
came from those who had gone south. Carolina was said
to be excellent for wine production, while Pennsylvania was
best for the staples of life, wheat, corn and barley. Kocker-
thal never saw Carolina, but 650 immigrants in two vessels,
under Christopher GrafTenrid, reached the junction of the
Neuse and Trent rivers, Carolina, early in 1710, and founded
New Berne, named after the city in Switzerland from which
their leaders came.
A fearful massacre by the Tuscarora Indians followed, in
which over 100 colonists were slain, and the remainder prom-
ised that they would take up no more land without an agree-
ment with the Indians.
Twelve families and 50 others went north in April, 1714,
where they settled on the Rappahannock river, in Virginia,
worked in Governor Spottswood's furnace and defended the
frontier. To this colony of Swiss and Huguenots came twenty
families of eighty persons, from Alsace and the Palatinate, who
were wrecked on the coast. Among them were the ancestors of
Gov. Kemper.2
With the Sevier (Sarva), Roller and Bonneauvent families,
who left Alsace, France, with thousands of others, on the
(Note 1 — Kockerthal's volume at Astor Library, New York, is inac-
cessible to the ordinary investigator. A synopsis, Vol. VIII, IX, Penn-
sylvania, German Society, Magazine.)
(Note 2 — History of South Carolina, Proprietary Government, Ed-
ward MacCready.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 23
Huguenots and Palatines
revocation of the Edict of Nantes, was Valentine Sevier, one of
eight sons of John Sevier (Sarva), who took refuge in Switzer-
land, subsequently fleeing to London, with his wife, when the
persecution became so severe that thousands starved to death,
or were executed at the block, stake or gibbet.
Coming to this country, 1727, they settled in Chester
County, Pennsylvania, afterward Lancaster and Berks Coun-
ties, from where they removed to Mrginia ; settling finally on
the Watauga river, on the western side of the Alleghenies.
In 1732 the Governor of Virginia ceded to Jacob Van Meeter
and John Jost Heydt, of Pennsylvania, twenty-five thousand
acres of land, in the Shenandoah Valley, on the condition that
they locate thereon, two hundred or more families. This was
acted upon and was the beginning of a great migration from
Pennsylvania to that valley, in Virginia, and which extended
South to North Carolina, where a settlement was formed on
the Yadkin river prior to 1750.
John^ Sevier, Valentine^, was born in Rockingham
County, Virginia, September 23. 1745. The family in 1769
settled on the Watauga river, on the west side of the Alleghe-
nies, where they, with other Virginians, built Fort Watauga
and founded a new state. In 1774 John Sevier served as Cap-
tain in Lord Dunsmore's w^ar. In 1776 the Watauga settle-
ments were annexed to North Carolina and Sevier represented
the district in the Provincial Congress, which met at Halifax,
Nov.-Dec. 1776, and adopted the first state constitution. In
1777 he was a member of the State House of Commons. He
took part in the campaign, 1780, when the Cherokees, at
Boyd's creek, Sevier County, were defeated. They named
the river, Holstein, in East Tennessee, after the Duke and
House of Holstein, whose retainers the "Servis" originally
were.i
(Note 1 — History of Denmark and Norway, Frederick Suhm.)
(Note — the small figures above the names throughout this volume
denote the generation.)
24 BLUE BOOK OF
Huguenots and Palatines
One of the most brilliant achievements in the history of the
American Revolution was that of General John Sevier, at the
battle of King's Mountain, Oct. 7, 1780. It was at the darkest
hour in the history of the war with Great Britain, when the
cause in the South seemed doomed. General John Sevier, with
indomitable courage, threw his little army against the almost
impregnable position of the British. In one hour the left wing
of the army of Cornwallis was shattered, he made his surrender
at Yorktown ; through this fierce assault his forces could not
rally and American Independence was assured.
John Sevier, Commonwealth Builder, founded the new
State of Frankland (afterward Tennessee), March, 1785, named
after Benjamin Franklin. He was arrested by North Carolina
authorities, for a leader of an independent government. He was
the only Governor, Frankland had. In 1789 he was a member
of the North Carolina Senate. In 1790 the North Carolina
government ceded its land to the United States. John Sevier
was the first Governor of Tennessee, 1796 — 1801, and again
181 1 — 1815. He died at Fort Decatur, Georgia, September
24, 18 1 5.1 -'3.
(The name Sevier is pronounced "Sahvar", the "e" being
sounded "ah".)
(Note 1 — "Baird's Huguenots.")
(Note 2 — "Huguenots in America," E. A. Stapleton.)
(Note 3 — Eleventh Edition Encyclopedia Britannica.")
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 25
Huguenots and Palatines
Palatines Come to London
MN may, 1709, seven thousand of the Palatines came to
f London, from Holland, taking advantage of the general
1^ naturalization law, for foreigners ; and the English nat-
urally, were anxious to turn this tide toward populating their
colonies in America.
Holland, which these people had enriched with their thrift
and industry, three months later, too, issued a proclamation,
offering to naturalize all refugees who sought a home in that
country and to receive them as subjects.^
The Elector Palatine published an order making it death
and confiscation of goods for any one of his subjects to leave
their native country.
Ships were provided by the English government to bring
them from Rotterdam and Queen Anne did all within her power
to aid these unhappy people, who eventually became the object
of the Colonial land speculators and English Commissioners.
INDIANS INVITE THEM TO AMERICA
Kapp says, that "about this time there were in London, five
Mohawk chiefs, who had come from America to ask assistance
of Queen Anne's government against the attack of the French
in Canada. They visited the Palatine encampment, at Black-
heath, and being told that it was the earnest desire of these
people to obtain lands upon which they could live and help them-
selves, they invited them to come to America and offered the
Queen a gift of rich lands upon which they might settle."
(Note 1— Luttrell Diary, 1709.)
a6 BLUE BOOK OF
Huguenots and Palatines
The army of Palatines in London, the middle of July, 1709,
was variously estimated. One extravagant authority placing the
number at 32,000. Kapp, more conservatively states, "that there
were 14,000;" in this he is corroborated by the British Trade
and Parliamentary Journals.^ Between two and three thousand
Catholics, among them, who could not take the Protestant oath
of allegiance, were returned to Germany ; and about eight hun-
dred of them abjured their faith rather than return.
Kockerthal, with fifty-three companions, reached New
York, Dec. 31, 1709, founded Newburgh, on the Hudson;
and 2,100 acres of land were allotted them, Kockerthal being
given five hundred acres.
THEY SAIL FOR NEW YORK
The British Board of Trade concluded that New York could
be used to furnish tar and pitch, and that the Palatines could be
utilized for the manufacture of naval supplies, and, as "a barrier
between Her Majesty's subjects and the French and their In-
dians." Col. Robert Hunter, Governor, presented a plan for the
establishment of three thousand Palatines, in New York.
The date of their sailing was the day before Christmas,
but they were detained at Portsmouth, and a month elapsed be-
fore their embarkation; they landed at New York June 13,
1710.2
One, Bendysh, contracted with the Board of Trade to carry
in ten ships, three thousand, three hundred of them. They took
the British oath of allegiance, and each person was required to
take communion in a Protestant church, in England, after being
naturalized.
(Note 1 — Pennsylvania Historical Society Records, Philadelphia.)
(Note 2 — Rupp's 30,000 Immigrants, Appendix.) (State Papers, Co-
lonial Series, N. Y.) (2d Series Penna. Archives, Vol. XVII.)
Note— The story of the Palatines, by Sanford H. Cobb, the former
pastor, of the High-Dutch churches, of Schoharie and the Saugerties, of
New York, describes in detail the exodus of the Palatines, from Europe,
and their attempted settlement, in New York, and gives an outline map of
their land in Pennsylvania.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 27
Huguenots and Palatines
The immigrants, who came in 1710, did not suffer as much
from the cupidity of the contractors, who commissaried the
ships, as those who came later.
WHO THE SETTLERS WERE
Nor were all of the immigrants in an impoverished condi-
tion. Many of them bore with them the evidences of their thrift,
in the Fatherland, in sums of money destined to provide for
themselves and families for at least a year. Pastor Kockerthal
sailed with them on his return voyage from Europe. A theolog-
ical student, John Frederic Hager, Reformed, who was ordained,
an Episcopal Missionary in England, for foreign parts, was
with the expedition, and John Conrad Weiser, Sr., a widower
with seven children, among whom was Conrad Weiser, Indian
interpreter, then a boy of twelve years of age, was of the party.
Weiser was the ancestor of Gov. J. A. Schultz, of Penna., and
of the first Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives,
Frederick A. Muhlenberg, and his brother. Gen. Peter Muhlen-
berg. With them, also, was the great-grandfather of William
C. Bouck, Governor of the State of New York, from 1843 to
1845 ; and the ancestor of Gabriel Bouck, U. S. Senator, from
Wisconsin, and that of General Herkheimer, of the war of the
Revolution. With John Conrad Weiser, Sr., came Johannes
and George Rieth, Johannes Schwall, Andreas Walborn and
Martin, Lorentz and John Phillip (Sevier, Sarva) Zerbe, and
others.^
Provoking calms and contrary winds prolonged their voyage
from Christmas to June. It was difficult to carry provisions for
such a length of time and the greatest economy in quantity of
food was practiced. Ship fevers ensued from privation and the
confinement during storms ; and Governor Hunter reported,
"four hundred and seventy as having died on shipboard and
after their removal to land. Some of the vessels brought every
(Note 1 — Kockerthal's Palatine Immigration to New York, Vol. 1, pp.
615-618.)
28
BLUE BOOK OF
Huguenots and Palatines
passenger safe into harbor." Diseases on shipboard were com-
mon in the early days. The vessel Wm. Penn arrived on, in
1682, was infected with smallpox. The mortality in such cases
was most severe among the children.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY zg
Huguenots and Palatines
Settle in Province of New York
^^^.j; „iay not all see sermons in stones, nor books in running
i^mfl brooks, but the story of these German, French and
'ji^yi Swiss immigrants is one of the most tragic in the early
history of America.
Political oppression and religious persecution drove them
from their native land, to the province of New York, where they
hoped, as individuals, through industry, to re-establish their
homes and enjoy prosperity and happiness with their families,
with liberty of conscience and in peace.
The Governor of the Province, Robert Hunter, and Robert
Livingstone, a wealthy land proprietor, connived to make a profit
out of these people, and a condition of things worse than their
European bondage ensued, amounting almost to serfdom.
An instrument, prepared and revised by Attorney General
Montague, was signed by the head of each family, in which the
promise was made, that all monies advanced by Queen Anne,
for their transportation, settlement and maintenance, in her
Majesty's Province, should be restored to the British Govern-
ment. To this end they were at once set to work, under military
intimidation, at felling trees, burning tar, and raising hemp for
the use of the British navy. The Covenant was an ironclad one,
and the people soon realized that they had made a grievous mis-
take in signing it. The covenant is among the documents per-
taining to the Colonial History of New York.^
In one year Governor Hunter calculated that the immigrants
would be self-sustaining and able to repay Her Majesty's debt,
but the conditions were against them.
(Note 1— Vol. IV, 121, S. Q. Q. Astor Library.)
30 BLUE BOOK OF
Huguenots and Palatines
In the Autumn of 1710 they were taken up the Hudson to
Livingstone Manor, where thirteen thousand, one hundred and
thirty-three acres, on both sides of the river, were utiHzed to
carry out Hunter's plans. Each family was provided with a
lot forty feet front and fifty feet deep ; and the large pine forests
were to provide the tar for all Europe.
EARLY PATRIOTS IN QUEEN ANNE'S WAR
The man who profited by this scheme was Robert Living-
stone, whom Governor Hunter made terms with, selling the labor
of the immigrants to him, at which the people demurred. They
objected to being treated as a community, but wished to be dealt
with as law-abiding individuals.
The wars which waged in France and England, during this
century, soon extended to their domains, in America. The
French, who were established in Canada, were desirous of dis-
lodging the English on the south and they began to incite the
Indians against them. The war of the Spanish succession began
in Europe, 1702, and soon extended to America, where it was
known as Queen Anne's War. In 1710 an expedition from
Boston drove the French out of Acadie and annexed it to the
British crown, under the name of Nova Scotia. In 171 1 efforts
were made to conquer Canada but were unsuccessful. The peace
of Utrecht closed the w^ar, April 11, 1713.
Having taken the oath of allegiance, the Palatines furnished
three hundred men, and four companies, in the expedition in 171 1
against Montreal, under General Nichols, and the appeal for the
defence of Albany, against the French. This was one year after
their arrival in their adopted country.
These companies, whose rosters are incomplete, were only
from the villages on the east side of the Hudson. The three vil-
lages, on the west side, also furnished their quota. Six hundred
was the number of troops from New York and the Palatines
furnished three hundred of these. They were distributed in the
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 31
Huguenots and Palatines
regiments of Colonels Schuyler and Ingoldsby and formed a large
part of the army, being used as a wall of defence between the
British and the French and their Indian allies.
On their return the Governor removed their arms from
them, under the pretence that they might use them against the
Province.^
SOLDIERS IN WAR OF 1711
State of New York. Report of the State Historian. 1896.
Colonial Series. \'olume i. (Title Page — Second Annual Report
of the State Historian of the State of New York. Transmitted
to the Legislature, February 22, 1897.) Page 442, Appendix
"H."
July 16 (171 1 ). List of Palatine Volunteers in Annsberg,
Haysburg and Queensbury Expedition against Canada.
ANNSBERG
Hartman Windecker, apt. Jacob Ess,
Jno. M. Dill, Ferd'o Mentegen,
Peter Spies, Conrad Kuhn,
Herman Bitzer, Valtin Kuhn,
Johan W'm. Kammer, Henrich Winter,
Johannes Bonroth, Jno. Geo. Riffenberg,
Johannes Bernhard, Jno. W'm. Linck,
Sebastian Fischer, Flenrich Fehlings,
Nicolaus Kayd, Jacob Dings,
Henrick Klein, Johannes Schue,
Hen. Bal't Stuber, Jno. \Vm. Schnieder,
Casper Ranch. Jacob Bast,
Hans Hen. Zeller, Johannes Blast,
Johannes Zeller, Jno. Mart. Netzbach.
Samuel Kuhn, Johannis Weis.
Gerhard Schaffer, Jno. Ad'n W'alborn.
Ulrich Bruckhart, Jno. Hen. Orendorff.
(Note 1— Penna. German Society, Vol. VII-IX. pp. 117-118.)
32 BLUE BOOK OF
Huguenots and Palatines
Dan'l Busch, Jno. Phill. ZERBE,
Jno. Hen. Conradt, Jno Phill. Theis.
Hen. Ballinger, Martin ZERBE,
Johan Schneider, Nicolaus Ruhl,
Marcus Bellinger, Adam C. Schmidt,
Phill. Schaffer, Con'd Maisinger,
Johan Kradt, Tho. Ruffinger.
Christ Sittenich, Joh. Jost Petry,
Jno. Hen. Schmidt, Ludw. Schmit,
250 men, women and children in village.
("True copy from original." Hen. Mayer.)
REPORT OF STATE HISTORIAN
State of New York, Report of the State Historian 1896 —
Colonial Series, Vol. I, 974.7 — No. 4, 811.
Article HI. "All of the muster rolls of the colony have
been compiled from 1664 to 1760. The work on the Colonial
records was suspended owing to lack of funds for the transla-^
tion."
These Dutch records are extremely valuable, historically,
but a detailed history of the times in which they were written,
can never be obtained until these documents are translated ;
when, perhaps, the history of the six villages, on both sides of
the Hudson, near Albany, will be revealed in its entirety.
HAYSBURG
John Christopher Fucks, Melch Folz,
John Wm. Dales, John Segendorf,
John Wm. Schaff, Phillip Laux,
Christian Bauch, Abraham Langen,
Peter Hayd, Jno. Jacob Schutz,
Hen'r Hammer, Jno. Wm. Hambuch,
Mich. Ittich, Niclaus Laux,
Johan. Keyser, Niclaus Gottel,
Jacob Cup, Paulus Reitchoff.
Paulus Dientzer, 243 women and children in village.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
HuEfuenots and Palatines
33
QUEENSBURY
Johan Con'd Wiser, Capt.,
Christian Haber,
Andreas Bergman,
Johannes Feeg,-
Mattheus Kuntz,
Mattheus Reinbolt,
Jno. Peter Dopff.
Jno. Jacob Reisch,
Carl Nehr,
Heinrich Jung,
Hen. Hoffman,
Werner Deichert,
Geo. Muller,
Fred. Bellinger,
Hen. Widerwachs,
George Mathias,
Christ'o. Hagedorn,
\Vm. Nelles,
Johannes Kistler,
George Dachstader,
Johannes Laysdorf,
Frantz Fink,
Andreas Schurtz,
Peter Hagedorn,
Niclaus Weber,
\Vm. George, Lieut.,
Fred. Schaft'er,
Antho. Schaid.
Jno. Pet. Sein,
Jno. Jack. Munsinger,
Johan Leyer,
Jacob Kuhn,
Hen'r. Matthews,
Niclaus Eckard,
Martin Dillenback,
Niclaus Teller,
Jacob W'eber,
Jacob Schnell,
Geo. Breigel,
John Schaeffer.
356 men, women and children in village.
("True copy from original," Hen. Mayer.)
HUNTERSTOWN
July 16, 1711,
Jno. Peter Kneskern, Capt.
David Huppert,
Condad Schawerman,
Henrich Sex,
Frederich Bell,
Jacob Kobell,
Jacob \Varne,
Johannes Schulteis,
Reinhard Schaffer
Johannes Roschman,
Carl Uhl,
Baltz Anspach,
Conrad Keller,
Jno. George Schmidt,
Con'd. Goldman,
Geo. Bender,
34 BLUE BOOK OF
Huguenots and Palatines
Jno. Hen. Uhl, Veil. Musig,
Theo. Schumaker, Geo. Kerchiner,
Peter Schmidt, Christ Hills,
Johan SCHWALB, Rudol. Stahl.
Geo. Lud. Koch,
336 men, women and children in village.
The majority of those who came to the Tulpehocken,
Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1723, with the thirty-three
original families, were from Annsberg, afterward from
Schoharie, N. Y., but several were from the last named vil-
lages.
The companies were formed of volunteers ; and shows
that the Palatines were imbued with a patriotic spirit, enlisting
to defend the Province of New York, only one year after they
entered the country.
Governor Hunter was impoverished and in debt; and in
the winter of 171 2 informed the people that they must sustain
themselves. The contract was broken and starvation was im-
minent if they remained. True to their first intention and
broken ideals, they recalled the five Indian chiefs, in London,
who had presented Queen Anne with a tract of land for their
use, and the elder Weiser went to Schoharie, with others, to
treat with the Indians. They paid the equivalent of three
hundred dollars, to the Indians for their lands, and in less than
two weeks fifty families moved to Schoharie, building fifteen
miles of roadway through the forests. The Governor threat-
ened them that unless they returned they would be treated as
rebels. March, 1713, they were joined by a number of their
kindred, who made their way through drifts of snow. The
Indians gave them potatoes and herbs, and provided them
with seed.
THEIR LANDS RESOLD
It was a beautiful country, and they had twenty thousand
acres under tillage and made a perfect Acadia of it. There
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 35
Huguenots and Palatines
were about seven hundred of them, and they settled in seven
villages, named after the delegates, who treated with the
Indians and led the colony: Kneskerndorf — Gerlachsdorf—
Fuchsendorf — Schmitsdorf— Weiserdorf— Hartsmansdorf—
and Ober-Weiserdorf.
The most hazardous labor, privation and hardship, was
endured ; but these settlements were made to blossom like the
rose, with well cultivated fields, vine-clad hills, meadows green
with verdure and gardens of beauty. They had no agricultural
implements of any kind, save such as were used by the Indians.
They were zealously watched by Government spies, and
conspirators soon dispossessed them of their lands, on the
plea that they had no title to them, Governor Hunter selling
them to seven rich merchants of Albany and New York.
John Conrad Weiser sent his son Conrad to live with the
Indians, that he might learn the Mohawk language, and the
most friendly relations were maintained between the exiles
and the red men. The most bitter hatred, however, existed
between the Holland Dutch and the new settlers.^
(Note 1 — Hallische Nachrichten.)
36 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
The Thirty-three Families
'HE Palatines were ignorant in tlie law, and claimed
they had bonght their lands from the Indians,
^i or they had been given them by the red men.
When the pnrchasers attempted to settle on them
they were resisted by the Palatines. John Conrad
Weiser, with two others, left secretly for England,
1718, to lay the matter before the Crown and the English
Board of Trade. They were captured by pirates in Delaware
Bay, robbed and cruelly beaten, and only reached England
after a long delay. Walrath, one of the three commissioners,
died and they were imprisoned for debt before they could
attempt to secure a redress. Governor Hunter was recalled
in 1720 and his defense was used in the Board of Trade against
the confirmation of the titles and other land was offered the
people. Some purchased their homes outright, and others re-
moved to various places.^
What is more pitiful than this third exodus of these
Germans, French and Swiss, from their homes and lands in
the Schoharie, from which they had again been defrauded?
Sir William Keith, Governor of the colony of Pennsylvania,
was in Albany at the time the immigrants were dispossessed of
their lands and invited them to settle in his state. It was
afterward insinuated of him, that "he desired to form a colony
in Pennsylvania and Ohio and head it," and that, "he wished
to populate Pennsylvania at the expense of New York."
Guided by friendly Indians, through the unbroken forests,
a little band of thirty-three families, in 1723, set out for a new
(Note 1 — Kapp's Geschichte der Deutschen im Staat N. Y.)
y,!>r^^,H
^
^<r &5
'""ife'"'
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 37
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
Eldorado, in the backwoods of Pennsylvania, their destination
being the "Tulpewihaki," the "land of the Turtle's song."
With heroic faith and pathetic determination, they performed
an act of endurance and fortitude that has no parallel in the
history of the New England States, and forms one of the most
romantic and tragic epochs in the colonial events in the early
history of the United States.
Guided by the Indians, they traveled from the Schoharie
to the headwaters of the Susquehanna, cutting a road through
the unimpenetrable forests. Rafts and boats were built for the
transportation of their wives, children and household goods,
while their cattle were driven overland, along the banks of
the rivers, by the men who were not required to propel the
boats. Down the Chenango river to where it unites with the
east branch of the Susquehanna, past the future sites of
Binghampton, Athens and Towanda, they journeyed.^
Bent upon reaching a place they could call home, even
their motto, "Ohne hast, Ohne rast" (without haste, without
rest") could only conjure up a picture of incessant toil and
hardships before the desired haven was attained. The yellow
waters of the west branch of the Susquehanna joined them
b^low Danville, friendly Indians assisted them, doubtless on
their way, at Wilkesbarre and at Sunbury, where Fort Sha-
mokin was afterward maintained against the same tribes. The
beauties of the Blue Juniata, with its weird Indian tragedies
and romances, did not tempt them to stop ; but their motto
like the banner of strange device, "Upidee" (Longfellow),
bore them on, till the site of Harrisburg was left in the dis-
tance ; and they reached a point, then in Chester County, near
Middletown^, Dauphin County, where the Swatara creek unites
with the Susquehanna, where they left that broad stream and
(Note 1 — Rupp gives it a.s the Spring of 1723.)
(Note 2 — The settlement of Womelsdorf was first called Middletown.
Some historians are of the opinion that the contingent of thirty-three
families came to that point before separating.)
38 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
settled all along the banks of the Tulpehocken River, between
the South and the Blue Mountain, in southeastern Pennsylva-
nia, and on its tributary creeks. Mill, Plum, Northkill and
Cacoosing.^
A tradition says that "twelve horses belonging to the im-
migrants, not liking the situation in Berks County, returned
to Schoharie, New York, the journey occupying almost a
year."2
Another story handed down, says that "when the immi-
grants reached the spot where Stouchsburg, Marion Township,
now stands, they halted, camped and removed their clothing,
bathing in the Tulpehocken river, which was covered with
blood from the injuries they received enroute. The tale con-
tinuing narrates that the hardiest of the newcomers selected
the heavy bottoms, along the streams, where the timber
growth was the thickest, and the laziest and infirm took to
the hillsides, which were but sparsely covered.^
The township of Tulpehocken was a recognized dis-
trict before 1723. It was then a part of Chester County and
extended from the Blue, or Kittatinny mountains, on the
north, to Reading on the south, where the Tulpehocken river
unites with the Schuylkill ; and from the latter river, on the
east, to an imaginary boundary line included in Lancaster
County, when it was erected, 1729.
SETTLERS PETITION GOVERNOR
The first mention of the name Tulpehocken was in 1707,
when a French Indian trader, one Nicole, was arrested by
order of the Governor, mounted upon a horse, his legs tied
(Note 1 — The Tulpehocken river and its branches cover an area of 75
miles, it being the longest river in Berks County.)
(Note 2 — Montgomery's History of Berks County.)
(Note 3— Mrs. Elizabeth Dcupple Dysinger, born 17C0, died 1857, aged
97 years, who lived in the family of John Zerbe, the second miller, nearly
all her lifetime, had a great fund of reminiscential folk-lore at her com-
mand. The above being one of her stories.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 39
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
under its belly, and in this fashion he was taken from a
settlement, on the Susquehanna, to Philadelphia, by way of
Tulpehocken and Manatawny, for trial at court.^
When Lancaster County was erected, 1729, the Indians
still claimed the territory of the Tulpehocken. They had
released their rights to the Penns, who purchased a district
that was bounded by the South Mountain, but the settlers
were aggressive and settled beyond the limits. In 1723 the
thirty-three families from the Schoharie made a settlement on
Tulpehocken creek, and in 1728 were followed by fifty families
more. The Indians knew they were trespassers, but treated
the first delegation with great kindness, and made no com-
plaint. W^ith the arrival of the second colony, June 5, 1728,
the Indians laid a complaint before the Provincial Council, at
Philadelphia. Sassoonan, with other Indians, conferred with
the Lieutenant Governor and the Executive Council regarding
the limits of the lands released, 1718, and it was admitted that
the Tulpehocken settlers were trespassers.
Indian Commissioner Logan said, that "this settlement
had been effected without the consent of the commissioners."
He then presented the following petition, from the Palatines,
which he read to a vast assemblage which filled the executive
chamber in Philadelphia :
"To His Excellency, Lieut. Governor, and his Executive
Council, of the Province of Pennsylvania :
"The petition of us, the subscribers, being thirty-three
families in number, at present inhabiting Tulpahaca creek —
humbly showeth —
"That, your petitioners, being natives of Germany, about
15 years ago, were by the great goodness of Queen Anne,
(Note 1— Colonial Records, Vol. 2, p. 405.)
40 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna, Pioneers of 1723
relieved from the hardships, which they then suffered in
Europe, and were transported into the colony of New York,
where they settled. But their families increasing, and being in
that government, confined to the scanty allowance of ten acres
of land to each family, whereon they could not well subsist,
your petitioners, being informed of the kind reception which
their countrymen usually met with, in the Province of Penn-
sylvania, and hoping they might, with what substance they
had, acquire larger settlements in that Province, did last year,
in the Spring of 1723, leave their settlements, in New York
government, and came with their families into this Province ;
where, upon their arrival, they applied themselves to His Ex-
cellency, the Governor, who of his great goodness, permitted
them to inhabit, upon Tulpahaca creek, being the farthest
inhabited part of the Province northwest from Philadelphia ;
on condition that they should make full satisfaction to the
proprietor, or his agents, for such lands as should be allotted
to them when they were ready to receive the same. And now
your petitioners, understanding that some gentlemen, agents
of the proprietors, have ample powers to dispose of lands in
this Province, and we, your petitioners, being willing and
ready to purchase, do humbly beseech your Excellency and
Council, to recommend us to the favorable usage of the pro-
prietor's agent, that upon paying the usual prices for lands
at such a distance from Philadelphia, we may have sufficient
rights and titles made to us for such lands as we shall have
occasion to buy, that our children may have some settlement
to depend on hereafter ; and that by your authority we may
be freed from the demands of the Indians, of that part of the
country, who pretend a right thereto. And we humbly beg
leave to inform your Excellency and Council, that there are
fifty families more, who, if they may be admitted upon the
same conditions, are desirous to come and settle with us.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 41
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
We hope for your favorable answer to this, our humble re-
quest ; and as in duty bound, shall ever pray, etc.
Johannes Vans, Hamelar Ritt,
Peter Ritt, Antonis Sharb,
Conrad Schitz, Johan Peter Pacht,
Paltus Unsf, Jocham Michael Chiricht
Sebastian Pisas, Josap Sab,
Andrew Falborn, Godfreyt Filler,
Jorge Ritt, Johannes Claes Shaver,
Toritine Serbo, (Lorenz Zerbe.)^^^
The names of the signers were in German script. The
above are spelled as in the original.
The Indians were requested to wait, and were promised
that the matter would be settled satisfactorily. Immigration
did not stop and the Germans continued to fill the valley.
Wm. Penn being dead, a division of his Province was
demanded by his heirs. The proprietaries were pushed for
money at this time, but their letters, November 25, 1727 and
1728, show that they still desired conciliation and peace with
the Indians rather than warfare; and to this end James
Logan, Indian agent, lent his best endeavors. John Penn
promised to come over in 1729, but it was not until 1732,
when Thomas Penn came, that the question was settled.
September 7, 1732, a deed was obtained from the Indians,
covering the entire "Ganshowehanna"^ region for fifty pounds
in money and various goods and trinkets. The Germans were
enabled to gain valid titles to their land through purchase and
the Indians retired over the Blue Mountains to the region
of Northumberland, Berks, now Schuylkill County, and North-
(Note 1— Zerbe History, Part 2.)
(Note 2~Colonial Records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII, pp. 310-323.)
(Note 3 — Penna. German Society, Vol. IX, page 366.)
(Note 4 — Ganshowehanna was the name given the Schuylkill river by
the Indians and means falling stream.)
42 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna, Pioneers of 1723
ampton counties, from which they again were dispossessed by
the whites, 1749.
There is no doubt that Governor Keith had transcended
his authority in inviting the immigrants to settle in Pennsyl-
vania. The land in Lancaster County, erected 1729, belong-
ed to the Indians as far as Oley, the first Indian purchase
being made in 1718. The land commissioners, of whom
James Logan was chief, September 7, 1732, bought other
land from the Indians and settlers took their grants from
Thomas Penn through his agents, the above, and Casper
Wister.^ The grant included all the land drained by the
Schuylkill and its tributaries, lying between the Blue Moun-
tains and the Blue Ridge, Pennsylvania.^
FIRST CHURCH BUILT
The segregation of the immigrants was complete. In
1725, a meeting was held by them in the block-house, on the
Millbach, to discuss the question of building a meeting house,
wherein, also, instruction might be imparted to their chil-
dren. John Page, the proprietor of Plumpton Manor, had
set aside for church, cemetery and school purposes, seven
acres of land, to which Adam, Christopher and John Leon-
ard Rieth donated an additional seven acres, and a log church
was built.
The work was done by the men, women and children,
the smallest of the latter being housed in the block-house,
which was fortified and where their ammunition and provis-
ions were stored during the erection.^ The church stood
on an eminence, above the Tulpehocken river and Mill Creek
and later was known as the Rieth's, or Zion's Church.
(Note 1 — The Penn's agent, Casper Wister, appended to his signature
in almost every instance, his trade, "Brass Button Maker.")
(Note 2— Penna. Archives, Vol. 1, pp. 344-347.)
(Note 3 — The block house stood on land now owned by Wm. Zeller,
near Newmanstown, Berks County.)
RIETH'S CHURCH, BUILT 1727, LOCATED ON THE TULPEHOCKET
NEAR PRESENT SITE OF STOUCHSBURG, PA.
U B L, I C
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 43
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
The Indians were hostile and wily, and a watch was
maintained at all times. The building was made of logs, with
rude mortar to fill the crevices. The men hewed the trees
and split logs, the women carried water and helped fill the
chinks.
The pulpit was a huge round block, the base of a tree,
the seats were of logs split, with the smooth or inner sides
uppermost. A vault was built underneath the earthen floor
to stock the ammunition ; and the pastor had his old flint lock
rifle in front of him as he preached. In winter a large wood
fire was kept outside, at which the people warmed themselves
before entering. The church was five months in building and
was completed about 1727.^ The log church stood in the
corner of the cemetery until about ten years ago, when it was
burned down. The present Zion's Church, on the outskirts
of Stouchsburg, was built of stone from the abutments of the
Union Canal Avhich ran to that point.
The Swedes, who came to this part of Chester County,
in 1701, erected a church, 1716, in Amity Township. Prior
to this time they worshipped at the Old Swedes' Church,
Swanson and Christian Streets, Philadelphia.
PETITION FOR ROADS
The Huguenots, who came to Oley, 1712, later attended
religious services at the Trappe.
The Friends Meeting House, situated in the Monocacy
Valley, on the Amity line, was not built until 1736. The
meeting house referred to in the accompanying petition was
a small building adjoining George Boone's mill, built 1725.
The sect also met for worship in each other's homes.
^Note 1 — Christopher Sauers' newspaper, October 16, 1747, says, "The
Reformed and Lutheran people worshipped here," and that it was the "first
church in Berks County," meaning, doubtless, first Lutheran and Reformed.)
44 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
The petition for the building of a road is published else-
where in this volume, (see index) and is a facsimile of the
original, with a certificate attesting its correctness and is self
explanatory.
Another petition for a road from Oley, recorded a little
later than the above, was also made.^ It asks for a road from
the Blue Mountains, where the Shamokin road intersects the
same to the great road, leading to Philadelphia; and the road
from the Tulpehocken. The Oley road was the road to
Philadelphia for many years until changed by a road from
the point, near Black Bear Inn, to Douglassville.-'
THE TULPEHOCKEN CONFUSION
The potentiality ot the early history of the German,
Swiss and Huguenot settlers, in Eastern Pennsylvania,
would not be complete without some reference to the
"Tulpehocken Confusion." When the vicarious conditions
that beset the immigrants in every direction from the land
of their birth, up to that time, are reflected upon, the bitter
aggression and recrimination that arose from their religious
difficulties must be considered with at least a moiety of for-
bearance. Their strife was largely the result of the lack of
sociological conditions, to which their poverty and hardships
contributed ; their religion was their all and they fought for
it with the same zest they bestowed on other pursuits, its
utilitarianism, as a factor in their lives, being its highest
standard.
Schmauck's history of the early Lutheran churches in
eastern Pennsylvania, gives an interesting and voluminous
(Note 1 — The original draft is to be found in Miscellaneous Papers,
1724-1742, p. 83, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Historical Society, Phila-
delphia.)
(Note 2 — Fort Augusta, Shamokin, now Sunbury, was erected in 1756,
and the road to it, Shamokin road, was afterward the Centre Turnpike,
running through Pottsville.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 45
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
account of the difficulties in Zion's, or Rieth's church, in
detail. An original German manuscript in the IMoravian
Archives, of the old Moravian church, Bethlehem, Pa., en-
titled "Church Book of the Evangelical Lutheran Gemeine,
in Tulpehocken, 1733-1747," gives a conservative history of
the events involved between these dates. It was written by
the early missionaries of that church and fell into posses-
sion of the Moravians during their occupancy. This book
is the early history, so frequently referred to, as "the lost
records of Rieth's church." There are, however, no records,
of the five years that Haenckle and Van Duren ministered
to these people, and much that occurred from the building
of the church, in 1727, to 1733, is lost, and will remain so,
unless some Bibliographer, still at work on the original man-
uscripts, discovers them.^
"In the year 1723, Tulpehocken w^as first settled by Luth-
erans from Schoharie, (Albany Co., N. Y.) Bernhard Van
Duren was their reader and acted as their pastor, in New
York. He promised to live among them, but never came.
He visited them about once a year, to give them communion
and baptize their children. Phillip Mueller, Reformed, came
also twice a year. There came one, Haenckle, from Falckner's
Schwamm (Swamp), who advised us to build a church,
which was done 1727."
John Bernard Van Duren was a German tailor, accord-
ing to the Lutheran historians, a colporteur before Ziegen-
hagen, in London, who claimed to be a minister and officiated
as such, in Schoharie, but created disturbance there, settling
afterward in Raritan, N. J.
(Note 1 — The author had access to this manuscript in the private
library of the archivist, at Bethlehem, and appends it in part.)
46 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
Gerhard Haenckle came to Falckner's Swamp, 1717. He
was an itinerant Lutheran and school teacher.^
"Caspar Stoever went about preaching and we had ser-
mons read by 'Vorlesen'. There were petitions sent by the
people to London to Court-preacher Ziegenhagen, for preach-
ers, but no pastor was sent."
"In 1733, a call with the seal and signature of each per-
son was sent to Germany for a pastor, which was accepted.
We built him a house, but almost a year afterward word came
that he had died at sea. Then we extended a call to Caspar
Leutbecker. He took the house built for the minister and
then our troubles began."
"In 1734 a man brought him a child to baptize and he
began to question him when he discovered the man was drunk,
and he turned him away. The man was not repentant and
took the child to Caspar Stoever, at Connestoga, who baptized
it, without informing Leutbecker, and a strife and division
in the church occurred. "-
It was said that "Stoever had been unlawfully or-
dained," and it now became the object of the rival faction
to gain and keep possession of the church. "A lock was
placed on the gate, but the other party cut another entrance
to the cemetery, in which the church stood. Caspar Leut-
becker had sole authority to preach and teach in the church,
and Stoever was enjoined to keep the peace."
"Magistrate Wm. Webb, of Kenneth Square, Chester
County, attempted to arbitrate the matter and promote
peace. He seated himself between Leutbecker and Stoever,
in the church ; Leutbecker stated his grievance in a few
words, when Stoever gave him the lie direct and a bitter
altercation ensued. Mr. Webb appointed Leonard and Mich-
(Note 1 — Schmauck's History. Grabner's Geschichte Lutherischen
Kirche, pp. 100-112.)
(Note 2 — John Caspar Stoever's baptismal records contain the names
of three children, baptized by him, 1727, in this church.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 47
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
ael Rieth custodians of the church and ordered a lock and
key, but the opposing faction gained entrance through a
woman crawling in through the foundation and opening a
window. A bitter warfare followed, sticks loaded with pow-
der were placed in the stove and stones were hurled through
the roof and windows of Leutbecker's home. His health
failed under these persecutions and he died 1738."
(Dr. IMann, in his life of Rev. Melchoir Muhlenberg, says,
"Leutbecker was a tailor, a pious man." He is buried at Span-
genberg.)
"The committee agreed that Stoever should preach one
Sunday in each month ; this was against the decision of 'Squire
W'ebb, that trouble would ensue and who had ordered him
away. Stoever did so, and then asked for another Sunday,
and finally the original possessors were crowded out."
"About this time Count Zinzendorf began a noble work
in christianizing the Indians. He had been assured by
Court-preacher Ziegenhagen, in London in 1737, that "no
Pastor would be sent to Pennsylvania, that the Germans were
too poor to pay for one," and he conceived the idea that he
had a mission to perform to draw together all Germans, in one
undenominational body, but really to propagate Moravianism.
For this purpose he laid aside his title and began to gather
together such Germans as were not satisfied with the minis-
trations of the Lutherans, and thus occurred what was termed
the "Tulpehocken Confusion," which began July 18, 1742.1
There were about one hundred thousand Germans in
Pennsylvania in 1 741. The Reformed denomination existed
under similar conditions to that of the Lutheran. No well
developed denominational organization could claim rights
based on pric^rity of occupancy. There were not a dozen reg-
(Note 1 — The Confusion at Tulpehocken, Transactions of the Mora-
vian Historical Society, Vol. 4, p. 238.)
48 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
ularly ordained ministers in the state laboring with these
people, and the conditions were appalling.
"After Leutbecker died, a poor shoemaker from Germany
acted as school teacher for several years for the people, then
came Gottlob Buttner, who preached for them, but the troubles
caused his resignation. He was recalled, the congregation
having purchased the ground and the church, twenty-two
signing the call making them a free church. May 30, 1742.
Johannesi Zerbe, Peter Teck.
Leonart, Michael, Johannes, Johannes Fincher,
and Caspar Rieth, Peter Nicklass,
Frederic Gerhart, Michael Schoeffer,
Jorg Lesch, Hermanns Walborn,
Hannes Lautermilch, and others.
The deed between John Page, of London, and his agents
gave them the land through the original patent of the tract,
for the rent of one red rose, to be paid June 23, every year,
forever.
This pretty custom, observed annually in Manheim, Lan-
caster County, has never been followed in Zion's or Rieth's
Church.
They were released for 4 lbs. 17 S. lawful money.^ 3
To this deed was affixed the sign and seal, August 16,
1742, of Conrad Weiser, J. P., as "an impartial spectator dur-
ing the time of the Tulpehocken confusion."
Caspar Stoever, Lutheran, was accused of trying to turn
Zion's Church over to the Moravians. Also, that when he
(Note 2— Deed appears in full, in Transactions of the Moravians, Vol.
4, p. 255.)
(Note S—Zerbe History, Part 2.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 49
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
went to England, it was said, that he collected money for the
church and bought a plantation in Virginia for himself, stock-
ing it with negroes for his own use. Stoever, in common with
other great men, was not without his traducers. He per-
formed a noble part in the early civilization of the State, but
had his weaknesses ; like John Conrad Weiser, Sr., of whom
it was said that, "when he went to England, to plead the cause
of the Palatines before Queen Anne's Court, he encouraged the
taking away of their lands that he might obtain a grant of
land and found a colony of his own, in Ohio." It was for this
reason, it was insinuated, he did not come to Pennsylvania
until he came to die in 1746. His plan did not succeed and the
Germans had lost confidence in his leadership.
"With Gottlob Buttner was John Phillip Meurer, a
teacher. He came as a Moravian evangelist to Pennsylvania
in 1740. He was invited by the Free Congregation, of the Tul-
pehocken to officiate for them, and Zion's or Rieth's church
became Moravian. The Stoever party retired and built the
"Christ Church," west of Stouchsburg, May, 1743. Dr.
Schantz's "Sesqui Centennial Discourse" gives the 165 signers,
copied from the church record.
(Among them occurs the names of George Peter, Jacob
and John Zerbe, sons of Mardin Zerbe (Zarva).^
Rev. Tobias Wagner also gave a list of the members, now
issued in pamphlet form.
Meurer was an itinerant and could not remain more
than a few months. Peter Bohler succeeded him. Public dis-
putations on the doctrine of sanctification with Pastor Tobias
Wagner, of Christ Lutheran Church, were held and personal
animosity and religious disputes governed the situation alter-
nately. The first regular Moravian Church in the rural dis-
tricts was formed April 9, 1745. The signers were John
Zerbe, the miller, and wife Elizabeth ; the Fischers, father and
(Note 1— Zerbe History Part 2.)
50 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
son, who were of the original thirty-three families ; the Con-
rads, and the Mtienchs and Michael Rieth and wife, all of
Heidelberg Township.
With the exception of the Conrads and Muenchs, the oth-
ers were of the Zion's or Rieth's church. This church was
known as the Heidelberg Moravian church and was disbanded
January, 1760. (Bishop Spangenberg, Moravian, who organ-
ized the church, frequently preached at Jonathan Herbein's
home and at Abraham Bertolettes', in Oley^.
Other technical difficulties followed with the arrival of
Pastor Muhlenberg, son-in-law of Justice Conrad Weiser, who
no longer assumed the role of an impartial arbitrator but inter-
fered ; and was guilty of making a forcible entry into a school
house and threatening to take the church from the Moravians
if it was not at once surrendered.
January 21-24, 1748, and again June 2, 1748, the Moravian
Synod was requested to send a suitable person to take charge
and replied, that "none could be found ;" and also declined to
defend its property, "since it is contrary to the principles of
the Moravian church to have recourse to the law." The mem-
bers that remained continued with the Heidelljerg church
and Moravian activity ended in the Tulpehocken and the
"Confusion" was over.-'
The Moravians retired from activity in Berks County 1760.
PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
The Province of Pennsylvania was chartered by Charles
the Second, King of England, in the thirty-third year of
his reign, March 4, 1682, to William Penn, son of Sir William
Penn, Admiral. To enable him to extend the English Empire,
and to reward the son for the services of his distinguished
(Note 1 — Ancestors of Dr. J. H. Herbein, of Pottsville, and the Ber-
tolet family, of Schuylkill Co.)
(Note 2 — Transactions of the Moravians, Vol. 4, Part 1.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 51
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
father, and also to wipe out the debt owing Penn, by the crown
for those services, the Province was granted him and his
heirs. ^
The consideration named in the patent was "two beaver
skins, to be delivered at Windsor Castle, January ist, every
year and a fifth of all gold and silver ore to be found within
its limits."^
The Province was governed by a Provincial Council of
seventy-two persons, a General Assembly and a Governor.
Three counties were established at the first settlement of
the Province, 1681 : Philadelphia, Chester and Bucks. With
this establishment eighty houses were built in Philadelphia.
A Swede settlement existed there before the advent of Wil-
liam Penn, who came in 1681 and returned to England
August 16, 1684. In 1699 he again visited the colony and
returned November i, 1709. William Penn died July 30,
1718, at Rushcomb, England."
Lancaster was erected 1729, and York and Cumberland
followed in 1749 and 1750. IMarch 11, 1752, Berks and North-
ampton were formed; but it was not until March i, 181 1,
that Schuylkill was included ; forty-four counties out of the
67, which form the State, having preceded it.
Organization of Counties of Pennsylvania Up To 181 1, When
Schuylkill County Was Erected.
Adams — January 22, 1800, formed of a part of York.
Allegheny — September 24, 1788, formed of a part of West-
moreland and \Vashington.
Armstrong — IMarch 12, 1800, formed of a part of Alle-
gheny, Westmoreland and Lycoming.
Beaver — March 12, 1800, formed of a part of xA-llegheny
and Washington.
(Note 1 — Original documents in Land Office, Harrisburg.)
(Note 2 — Duke of York's Book of Laws, p. 465.)
(Note 3 — Votes of the Assembly, Vol. 1.)
52 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
Bedford — March 9, 1771, formed of a part of Cumberland.
Berks — March 11, 1752, formed of a part of Philadelphia,
Chester and Lancaster.
Bradford — February 21, 1810, formed of a part of Luzerne
and Lycoming.
Bucks — One of the three original counties of the Province,
in 1682.
Butler — March 12, 1800, formed of a part of Allegheny.
Cambria — March 26, 1804, formed of a part of Hunting-
don, Somerset and Bedford.
Centre — February 13, 1800, formed of a part of Mifflin,
Northumberland, Lycoming and Huntingdon.
Chester — One of the three original counties, established
at the first settlement of the Province, in 1682.
Clearfield — March 26, 1804, formed of a part of Hunting-
don and Lycoming.
Crawford — March 12, 1800, formed of a part of Allegheny.
Cumberland — January 27, 1750, formed of a part of Lan-
caster.
Dauphin — March 4, 1785, formed of a part of Lancaster.
Delaware — September 26, 1789, formed of a part of Ches-
ter.
Erie — March 12, 1800, formed of a part of Allegheny.
Fayette — September 26, 1783, formed of a part of West-
moreland.
Franklin — September 9, 1784, formed of a part of Cum-
berland.
Greene — February 9, 1796, formed of a part of Wash-
ington.
Huntingdon — September 20, 1787, formed of a part of
Bedford.
Indiana — March 30, 1803, formed of a part of Westmore-
land and Lycoming.
Jefferson — March 26, 1804, formed of a part of Lycoming.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 53
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
Lancaster — May 10, 1729, formed of a part of Chester.
Luzerne — September 25, 1786, formed of a part of North-
umberland.
Lycoming — April 13, 1795, formed of a part of Northum-
berland.
McKean — March 26, 1804, formed of a part of Lycoming.
Mercer — March 12, 1800, formed of a part of Allegheny.
Mifflin — September 19, 1789, formed of a part of Cumber-
land and Northumberland.
Montgomery — September 10, 1784, formed of a part of
Philadelphia.
Northampton — March 11, 1752, formed of a part of Bucks.
Northumberland — March 21, 1772, formed of a part of
Lancaster, Cumberland, Berks, Bedford and Northampton.
Philadelphia -One of the three original counties estab-
lished at the first settlement of the Province, in 1682.
Potter — March 26, 1804, formed of a part of Lycoming.
Schuylkill — March i, 181 1, formed of a part of Berks and
Northampton.
Somerset — April 17, 1795, formed of a part of Bedford.
Susquehanna — Feb. 21, 1810, formed of a part of Luzerne.
Tioga — March 26, 1804, formed of a part of Lycoming.
Venango — March 12, 1800, formed of a part of Allegheny
and Lycoming.
Warren— March 12, 1800, formed of a part of Allegheny
and Lycoming.
Washington — March 28, 1781, formed of a part of West-
moreland.
Wayne— March 21, 1798, formed of a part of Northampton.
Westmoreland— February 26, 1773, formed of a part of
Bedford, and, in 1785, part of the purchase of 1784 was added
thereto.
York— August 19, 1749, formed of a part of Lancaster.
(SmuU's Hand Book.)
54 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
PETITION FOR NEW COUNTY
The first attempt to erect a new county, out of the parts
of Philadelphia and Lancaster counties, lying adjacent to the
Schuylkill River, was made in 1738. Two petitions were pre-
sented Council, January 13, 1738, by Lieutenant Governor
George Thomas, of the Province of Pennsylvania. One from
the inhabitants of Providence and Limerick, Philadelphia
County, and another from those of the northeast side of the
County of Lancaster, praying that a new county along lines
presented on a map before that body, might be created,
"That they were laboring under inconveniences, by reason
of their distance from the Courts, held at Philadelphia and
Lancaster," and many other reasons were given.
The substance is as follows :
1st. The Town of Lancaster, where the Courts are held,
is seated very advantageous for a Division. ***
2d. That our trade and commerce are equal with that
of our neighbors, and demand like privileges. ***
3d. If the seat of justice was fixed upon the Schuylkill
River, we could then cheerfully attend Courts and dispose
of our produce. ***
4th. That many of us are divided from Lancaster by
ridges of mountains, etc. ***
5th and 6th. The natural advantages of the situation
favor the erection. ***
Your petitioners huml:)ly pray, etc.
Among the signers of the original petition, who have
descendants in Schuylkill County, were :
Johannes Kirshner, Tobias Bickel, Henr}' and Jacob
Razer (Reeser), Peter Herbein, George Unruh, Andrew
(Note — The original copy of the petition from that part, now Berks
County, may be seen at the Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia.
It contains the names of 172 signers, of which 61 were of Welsh extraction
and the rest Swiss, French and Germans.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 55
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
Boyer, Leonard Reed, Cunradt Weiser, John George Ceh,
Peter Ritter, Henry Gruber, George Heil, Godfrey Fiddler,
John Schall, John Zerbe, Phillip Zerbe.
The petition was laid upon the table for further con-
sideration.
May 19, 1739, Lieut. Governor Thomas addressed a mes-
sage to the Assembly, in which he mentions the proposed di-
vision favorably. The Assembly, however, did nothing and
after waiting six years the petitioners renewed their request
for a new county, addressing another petition April 25, 1745.
This was also laid on the table. This was followed by a similar
petition praying that, "their former petition may now be con-
sidered." Several other attempts were made to prevail upon
the Assembly to consider the division ; and on the 28th of
February, 1745, a committee of the petitioners appeared before
the House to urge the matter. A resolution was passed that,
"The House will at their next sitting take the said petition into
consideration," but it was dropped for five years more.
More petitions were ofifered, that were read and re-read
and again deferred. February 4, 1752, the petitioners were on
hand with still another petition from the inhabitants of Read-
ing, that stated that, "That town had but one house, 1750, and
that it now contained 130 dwellings and 160 families, of 378
persons, many of whom had removed thither, from comfort-
able and good plantations, with the expectation of entering
trade with the erection of a new county," etc.
After fourteen years of determined persistence, the peti-
tioners were finally rewarded and the bill became a law, and
March 11, 1752, Berks County was erected.
(Note— 4 Col. Records, 317-318.)
(Note — The new dispensation of reckoning time had not been adopted,
at this date, in the colonics and January is referred to as "the eleventh
month," (March was tlie first) and ]\Iay, a.s the "third month." The
Pennsylvania Legislature. :\Iarch 11. IT.Vi, recognizing the Act of the English
parliament, 1751, adopting the Gregorian calendar, instead of the Julian,
beginning the year January first, instead of March 25.)
56 BLUE BOOK OF
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
The city of Reading was laid out in 1748 and named after
the principal town in Berkshire, England. In one of the pe-
titions for a new county the advantages to be secured from
its erection are enumerated. Town lots were sold in 1749, by
Francis Parvin, Conrad Weiser and Thomas Hartley, but the
village did not thrive until the establishment of the county, in
1752.1
REMONSTRATE AGAINST REVISING
CONSTITUTION
In 1779 an attempt was made to destroy the Constitution
of Pennsylvania. Memorials were presented the representa-
tives of the Commonwealth remonstrating against that body,
adopting measures that would result in an alteration of the
Constitution of the State, and the Freemen of the interior coun-
ties, petitioned against it.
A general form of remonstrance reads : "Whereas, certain
designing persons, under various specious pretences, but in
reality prompted by ambition, pride and avarice, are endeav-
oring to destroy the Constitution and form of government of
this State, and to deprive the citizens of the inestimable privi-
leges it secures to them, thereby introducing disorder and
anarchy on purpose to pave the way for that detestable aris-
tocracy which they have long meditated.
And Whereas, etc."
This general form of remonstrance was signed by indi-
viduals throughout the State, and it formed the nucleus upon
which the petitions from the various counties were foimded.
REMONSTRANCES FAILED
Remonstrances, numerously signed, were forwarded the
Legislature from Cumberland, York and Lancaster Counties,
the latter county addressing the assembly by townships ; and
(Note 1 — Francis Parvin was the great grandfather of Frank Parvin,
formerly of Pottsville, Pa.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 57
Penna. Pioneers of 1723
in more than one instance handling these, their "honorable
representatives of the Freemen, of Pennsylvania," without
gloves.
Berks County was particularly active in its remonstrance
against this "Tory" measure, and sent a lengthy petition
against this "extraordinary action of the executive branch."
Among the seven hundred and thirty-five signers, in Berks
County, occur many well known names, the ancestors of some
of the most substantial citizens of Berks, Schuylkill and ad-
joining counties, some of whom have been mentioned else-
where in these pages.
Adam Schultz, Christian Kaercher,
John Zerlie, James Filbert,
Daniel Rieth, Andreas Miller,
Henry Batdorf, Wm. Lerch,
John Rieth, George Matz,
Christian Zerbe, George Reber,
Lcnhart Stub, Jacob Strouss,
Casper Strauss, George Orwig,
Balser Gehr, Jacob Hofifman,
John Neifert, Benjamin Zerbe
Mathias Staudt, Christian Gruber,
John Staudt, Peter Filbert,
Abraham Staudt, Daniel Zerbe,
and many others of the same surnames and other well known
Schuylkill County names. ^
CONSTITUTION AMENDED
The remonstrance was signed by 18,000 petitioners in
the State, but it failed of its object. The constitution adopted
with the birth of the colonial government, September 6, 1776,
was altered at the State House, Philadelphia, November 24,
1789, ten years later, when the delegates from Berks County
voted for it.
(Note 1 — Penna. Archives, Second Series, Vol. Ill, pp. 299, 332.)
58 BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
Indian Troubles
fflTT IS not within the province of this work to dissect, analyt-
ll ically, the reasons that led the Red Men to commit their
^ terrible atrocities upon the inoffensive inhabitants of
Pennsylvania. It is true the Indians were in actual posses-
sion of this broad land of ours, until the white man came and
instigated a policy with the aborigines that was at once both
unfair and lacked even the basic principles of just dealing
and honest purchase of their possessions. From the first
treaty of William Penn and his English agents, to the close
of the Revolutionary struggle, through the last century and
up to the present time, the policy of the Colonial and United
States governments has been to keep the Indians under sub-
jection by paying them only a moiety of what their lands
were worth, and then permitting them to be defrauded of
their purchase money through dishonest Indian agents and
unscrupulous individuals, whose dealings with them were
based on the axiom, "There is no good Indian but a dead
Indian."
The Quakers hoped by the policy of presenting the Red
Men, annually, with a few gewgaws, to maintain friendly
relations with them ; and the Moravians endeavored to instil
their religious faith into them, but the inroads made upon their
hunting and fishing grounds, the constant encroachment upon
their lands by hordes of white settlers who squatted upon
their possessions without any pretense of paying for them, the
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 59
Indian Troubles in Penna.
repeated pushing back of the Indians beyond the newly created
frontiers, aroused the savage instincts within them, and the
hostilities that followed are not surprising but rather, perhaps,
vindicate their course.
INDIAN POLICY
After Braddock's defeat, in 1755, they took to the warpath,
carrying death, destruction and rapine before them, until
1 783- 1 800, when the final settlement was made with them and
the policy adopted to abandon the Province for a life upon the
government reservations.
The Blue Mountains, of Berks, (Schuylkill) ; and Lancas-
ter, (Lebanon and Dauphin) counties, were the range along
which the fiercest attacks and assaults were made. No regular
warfare was maintained, but bands of savages would creep
silently upon the defenseless settlers and commit the most
terrible atrocities upon them, scalping them or dashing out
their brains and setting fire to their humble dwellings, killing
or stealing their cattle and burning their crops.^
INDIAN FORTS
In 1756 the Provincial Government established a chain of
forts along the Blue Mountains, from the Susquehanna to the
Delaware, at distances from ten to fifteen miles, or more apart,
on both sides or at the gaps between the mountains. These
forts were reinforced by block houses, already erected by the
settlers, as places of refuge and frequently garrisoned by the
soldiers of the Province.
The report of the Commission to locate the Indian forts
devotes about two-thirds of Vol. i, "Frontier Forts, Pennsyl-
vania," to the forts along the Blue Mountains. Those of the
(Note 1 — Daniel Rupp says, "More than 300 men. women and childieu
were killed by the Indians, along the Blue Mountains, in the Indian troubles
between 1750 to 1757.)
6o BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
land within the East and West branches of the Susquehanna
River are next in importance. Actual settlement of the Wyo-
ming Valley was not made until after the purchase of 1762;
and the forts in the Wyoming were erected from that date to
1783. The forts of the Cumberland and Juniata Valleys began
w^ith the Harris block house, on the site of Harrisburg, at
Harris' Ferry, and included forty-five forts, covering sixteen
counties, being erected mainly by the settlers after the Indian
purchase, of 1736, and maintained by them to protect the great
highway of commerce to the west as well as the lives and
homes of the settlers.
THE FIRST FORT DUPUI
The first settlement in Pennsylvania was not at Philadel-
phia, as is generally supposed, but on the Delaware River, at
Shawnee, in Monroe County, near Stroudsburg, where a set-
tlement existed made by a Hollander, from the Netherlands,
and was known as the Minisink Flats. It antedated the
William Penn purchase, of 1682, many years. These men were
Holland miners, and dug ore from the river banks and culti-
vated the fertile river bottoms for their subsistence. Before
1725, Samuel Dupui, a Huguenot, settled there and built a log
house, afterward replaced by a stone house, which was used
in 1755 as a defense against the Indians and was known as
Fort Dupui, defending the entire country south of the Blue
Mountain.
PROMINENCE OF FORT AUGUSTA
Fort Augusta, Sunbury, Northumberland County, Penn-
sylvania, on the east bank of the main branch of the Susque-
hanna River, near the junction of the north and west branches,
w^as built 1756. The French and English were struggling for
supremacy in America at this date. The French owned Canada
and the Lakes, and were encroaching upon New York and
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 6i
Indian Troubles in Penna.
Pennsylvania. In 1756 a party of them, with their Indian
allies, came to the forks of the Susquehanna, bringing three
small cannons with them. The friendly Indians at Shamokin,
now Sunbury, had urged Governor Morris to erect a block
house for his and their defense. Seeing the numl)er of men
at Fort Augusta, then partially constructed, the French and
Indians withdrew, throwing their cannon into the river. The
importance of that point, as a vantage ground, was recognized
by the Provincial government and a regular fort was built ;
two thousand pounds having been voted for its construction
by the Provincial Assembly, and it was regularly defended
and manned by a regiment of four hundred men, who were
deployed to protect the friendly Indians and the settlers of the
surrounding country, leaving fifty men to garrison the fort.^
Fort Augusta was considered a place of great strategic
importance to the English, in 1756 and in 1777-1778, when the
Continental army was in dire straits and called loudly for
help, the military at Fort Augusta were kept active defending
the settlements, the Wyoming massacre having occurred in
that year."
FORTS ALONG THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
In August, 1749, the trespass of the new settlers on the
land of the Indians, north of the Blue Mountains, l^ecame a
subject of complaint to the Provincial Government. The
Senecas, Onondagos, Tutatoes and Nanticokes, sent delega-
tions to the Governor to urge him to prevent the newcomers
from settling north of the mountains. The Governor made
them presents and the next Indian purchase included the
(Note 1 — Poiina. Archives, 2fl series. Vol. IT.)
(Note 2 — The late S. P. Wolverton, member of Congress, 1895, owned
the land upon which the Bloody Spring, belonging to the garrison, was
located, and the Maclay mansion, built in 1773, is owned by his estate
and M'as occupied as the family home for years. Mr. Wolverton was the
father of Mrs. Benjamin Cummiiig, of Pottsville.)
62 BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
lands between the Blue and Sharp Mountains, in Brunswick
Township, on the north side ; Brunswick being so called before
1752, although not formally erected until 1768. This territory
was then included (1749) in Lancaster County, and in Berks
and Northampton Counties in 1752.
A description of Fort Lebanon, 1756, reads:
"Fort Lebanon, about twenty-four miles from Gnaden-
hutten, (Fort Allen, Weissport), in the line to Shamokin
(Sunbury). Fort one hundred foot square, stockades four-
teen foot high. House built within, 30x20, with a large store
room. A spring within. A magazine twelve foot square.
One hundred families protected by it. No township. Built
in three weeks, by the soldiers, something considerable given
by the neighbors toward it."^
Fort Lebanon stood on what is now the farm of Lewis
Marburger, on the north side of the road, about one and a half
miles from Auburn, and about the same distance from Pine-
dale, Schuylkill County. Thomas Ebling, fifty-six years old,
in 1896, was born in an old block house destroyed thirty years
ago; he was a son of Gideon Ebling, who died 1893, aged
eighty years, and a grandson of John Ebling, who died in
1856, aged eighty-five years. Paul Heim lived in the Block
House during the Indian troubles and the settlers frequently
took refuge in his house.-
Thomas Ebling says "his father and grandfather frequent-
ly showed him the place where the fort stood. "^
Of the old fort nothing remains except a hole in the field
twenty-four feet from the road marking the cellar. A spring
nearbv would indicate that this was the water used.^
(Note 1 — Penna. Archives, Vol. II, p. G65.)
(Note 2 — Bernard Reilly, father of Hon. James B. Reilly, settled near
this point about 1842. before coming to Pottsville and here former Con-
gressman Reilly was born.)
(Note 3— Indian Forts, Vol 1, p. 124.)
(Note 4 — May 30, 1913, Mahantongo Chapter, D. A, R. erected a boulder
on the site of the fort, with public ceremonies.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 63
Indian Troubles in Penna.
FORTS LEBANON AND FRANKLIN
Capt. Jacob Morgan was in command of Fort Lebanon,
December 5, 1755, sometimes called Fort William. There
were fifty-three men stationed here with stores and ammuni-
tion and Capt. Morgan was ordered to patrol the country to
Northkill and Allemaengle.
The Pennsylvania Gazette, September i, 1757, says, "Sev-
eral Indians have lately been seen prowling about Fort Leba-
non. Sunday, August 21, the house and barn of Peter
Semelcke, one and a half miles from the fort, were burned
and three of his children carried off; himself, wife and one child
being away from home at the time." The "Gazette" further
says, "the accounts from the frontiers are most dismal, that
some of the inhabitants are killed, or carried oft", houses burned
and cattle destroyed daily, and the people aft'licted with sick-
ness and unable to run away. The atrocities over the Blue
Mountains and in Albany and Windsor Townships are fright-
ful."
Fort Franklin was situated at the base of the Blue Moun-
tains nineteen miles from Fort Lebanon. It was erected by
order of Benjamin Franklin, November, 1755. It is sometimes
referred to as the fort above Allemaengle, (All Wants), being
just across the mountain from Albany Township. It was four-
teen miles from Fort Allen, and is supposed to have been built
to complete the chain and fill the distance between the Gaps
of the Schuylkill and Lehigh Rivers. It was on what is now
the Bolich farm, owned by J. W. Kistler, near West Penn
Station, on the Lehigh Railway, Lizard Creek branch,
three quarters of a mile from Snydertown, Schuylkill County.
Benjamin Franklin writes to Robert Hunter Morris, Esq.,
"Foulk is going to build another fort between this (Fort Allen)
and Schuylkill, (Fort Lebanon), on the land at Surfas'."^
(Note 1 — Zerbe History, Part 2.)
64 BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
Fort Franklin was not an important fort and was aban-
doned 1757.^
FORT LEBANON PROMINENT
Some of the forts, like Fort Everett, were garrisoned but
their forces were ranged aronnd the country to defend the
settlers. Rumors being spread that Fort Franklin, in Penn
Township, Northampton County (now Schuylkill), was to be
removed to the south of the Blue Mountain, a petition, signed
by George Gilbert, Adam Spittleman, Henry Hauptman,
Caspar Langeberger, the widows of Mark Grist and George
Krammes, "who lost their lives in defense of their country
last Fall" (they were killed by the Indians), William Ball,
Phillip Annes, Jacob Leisser, William Weigand, Anthony
Krum, Phillip Scholl, Jacob Keim, John Frist, Phillip Kirs-
baum, William Gabel, John Wissemer, Jacob Richards, Chris-
topher Speeher, John Scheefer and George Sprecher, all of
Berks County (now Schuylkill), state that, "they will have to
remove from their plantations, if the fort is removed, and pe-
tition that it be rebuilt. This petition was read before the
Provincial Council, Philadelphia, ]\Iay 7, 1757. The above
state that they lived wdthin four miles of the fort.-
James Burd, commissioner, 1758, directs Jacob Morgan to
continue patroling between Fort Lebanon and Allemaengle,
Albany Township, to Fort Everett, on the south side.
THE CHAIN OF FORTS
Fort Henry, at the south side of the mountain, with Fort
Northkill, west of the Schuylkill River, were too remote to
benefit the settlers on the north side. The former was three
miles north of Millersburg, Bethel Township. On the top of
the mountain stood Dietrich Schneider's block-house, which
(Note 1— Col. Rec, Vol. VII, p. 16; Penna. Archives, Vol. II, p. 669.)
(Note 2— Penna. Archives, Vol. Ill, p. 152.)
FORT LEBANON, BERKS CO. (SCHUYLKILL CO.,) PA., 1755
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 65
Indian Troubles in Penna.
commaiuled a view of the whole valley and was used as a
watch tower to apprise the garrisons below. Dietrich Schnei-
der's was on the direct road to Pottsville and the Shamokin
road. Fort S^vatara was southwest, the forts were twenty-five
miles apart. Seventy-five people w-ere killed and their houses
burned in this district.^
Dietrich Snyder died 1817 and is buried at Rehrersburg.
His wife, Dolly, continued to keep the hotel. She was a re-
markable woman and at ninety-five could dance as nimbly as
a young girl. She lived to the ripe old age of one hundred and
fifteen years, and died in the Schuylkill County Hospital,
having outlived her family.^
From Fort Dupui, ranging southwest, on the north side
of the Blue Mountains, were Forts Hamilton and Penn. Norris
and Allen and Fort Lehigh Gap, Fort Franklin being the next
in line. Peter Doll's block house was twenty miles from Du-
pui's and eight miles from Lehigh Gap, on the south side.
The ground upon which Fort Norris stood, now owned by
Charles Frable, son of Conrad Frable, belonged originally to
the Serfas tract, as did that of the site of Fort Franklin. The
John Serfas farm is distant about two hundred yards from the
state road.^
FRIENDLY INDIANS
The revolting atrocities committed by the wdiites, here-
abouts, upon the friendly Indians were appalling. Teedy
Uscung, the Delaware chief at Easton, was faithful to the
Governor and even entered into an alliance with the English
to furnish spies to watch the French.'
(Note 1— Conrad Weiser's letter, Penna. Archives. Vol. II.)
(Note 2— Montgomery's KLstory of Berks County, p. 1144.)
(Xote 3— John Serfas was the grandfather of Nathan and T. H. Serfas,
the latter Supt. of Public Schools in Monroe County, 1896.)
(Note 4— Col. Rec. VI, p. 756.)
66 BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
Teedy Uscung was born on the Pocono, on the land of the
Minisinks, near Stroudsburg. After the Indian hostilities
closed, 1758, he returned here to live and where he was treach-
erously murdered, 1763, by a delegation of warriors from the
Six Nations. A tradition states that one day, at Stroudsburg,
he met there a blacksmith named William McNab, a rather
worthless fellow, who accosted him with, "Well, cousin, how
do you do?" "Cousin, cousin," repeated the dignified red man,
who was something of a wit, "How do you make that out?"
"Oh, we are all cousins from Adam," was the reply. "Ah,"
replied Teedy Uscung, with a grunt, "then I am glad it is no
nearer."^
INDIAN ROMANCE
Fort Lehigh, at Lehigh Gap, was immediately on the north
side of the mountain, on the road to Fort Allen on the north,
and Fort Norris on the east. It was built by the settlers 1755
-'56, and was abandoned 1758.
Among the settlers living near it was a man named
Boyer. With the other farmers he gathered his family into
the block house for protection. One day with his son, Fred-
erick, then thirteen years old, and the other children he went
to attend the crops. The father was ploughing and Fred.
was hoeing, while the rest of the children were playing about
the house, when, without any warning, they were surrounded
by Indians. Mr. Boyer called to Fred, to run and finding he
could not reach the house, attempted to save himself by way
of the creek. He was shot through the head and scalped in
Fred's presence. The sisters and Fred, were taken captive
and separated, the former never afterward being heard from.
Frederick was a prisoner with the Indians in Canada, when he
was sent to Philadelphia. Of Mrs. Boyer, who remained in the
block house, nothing was afterward learned. Fred, returned
to Lehigh Gap and took possession of the farm. He married
(Note 1 — stone's History of the Wyoming.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 67
Indian Troubles in Penna.
a daughter of Conrad IMerkhem, with whom he had four sons
and four daughters. Frederick Bo3^er was the great grand-
father of JMahlon Boyer. kunber merchant of Pinegrove,
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.^
FORT ALLEN AT LEHIGH GAP
Fort Allen was a miserable stockade, with a mounted
cannon not of much actual use, only as a weapon to intimidate
the Indians. After the fearful massacre at Gnadenhutten,
Governor Morris writes : "Everything has been done in the
county of Northampton, but the people are not satisfied, nor,
from what I can learn from the commissioners, would they
be, unless ever}^ man's house was protected by a fort and a
company of soldiers, and themselves paid for staying at home
doing nothing.''^
That part of Berks and Northampton Counties, now in
Schuylkill County, was replete with the harrowing details of
rapine and murder, by the Indians, but the writer will confine
the narrative to those identified with its early history, or to
such tales that tradition has handed down through them.
KILLED BY THE INDIANS
The Pennsylvania Gazette, April i, 1756, says, "ten
wagons went up to Allemaengle, Albany Township, to bring
down a family and as they were returning with the refugees
they were fired upon by Indians. George Zeisloff and his
wife, two boys, of fourteen and twelve, and a girl of fourteen,
all were killed, the others were wounded but not mortally.
In the same township Adam Trump was killed. His wife,
although wounded, escaped. His son was taken captive.
The inhabitants of Brunswick Township, from 1755 to 1763,
when there was a lull in the hostilities, were greatly alarmed
(Note 1 — Indian Forts of the Blue Mountains, Vol. I, pp. 142, 158, 159.)
(Note 2— Col. Rec, Vol. VI, p. 771.)
68 BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
by the numerous murders committed. Henry Hartman, who
lived near the first mountain, in the vicinity of or between
Landingville and Schuylkill Haven, was found dead lying in
his house. The Deiberts, who owned what is now the Filbert
farm, below Schuylkill Haven, buried their farming imple-
ments and other things of value and were among the refugees.
On their return they were unalsle to locate the cache and the
buried articles did not turn up until long years afterward.
REGINA HARTMAN CAPTIVE
On Sculp's Hill, (Orwigsburg), on the site of the Luth-
eran Church, lived a family named Hartman. During the
absence of Mrs. Hartman and her son, who had gone to
Finscher's mill with grist, the father and another son were
murdered by the Lidians, their charred remains with that of
a dog being found among the ruins of the burned home. Two
girls were taken captive, Barbara and Regina. They mur-
dered the family of a man named Smith, who lived near what
is now Landingville, and took with them their little girl three
years old. The eldest of the Flartman girls grew lame and
became very sick when they tomahawked her. Hunters found
her body and buried it.
That John Hartman lived upon this spot is incontrovert-
ible. Hundreds of women and girls were taken captive by the
Indians during the years, 1755 to 1763, and that Susan Smith,
the Hartman girls and a sister of Martin Woerner, (Landing-
ville), were all taken captives is also indisputable.
The Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlen1)erg, son-in-law of Con-
rad ^^^eiser, who lived upon a tract of land given him l)y his
father-in-law, just across the Blue Mountains, in Allemaengle,
and who had charge of the Lutheran congregations from Al-
bany Township to the Trappe, wrote that beautiful story of
Regina Hartman, captive, so familiar to history (Hallische
Nachrichten, p. 1029.) He states that the widow of John
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 69
Indian Troubles in Penna.
Hartman called at his home h\"bniary. 1765, and related the
circumstance, stating that, "she had been a member of Rev.
William Kurtz's congregation and had fled to the Tulpe-
hocken after the massacre."^
OTHER INDIAN CAPTIVES
Lebanon County historians claim this incident to have
occurred on the frontiers of Lebanon County. Ex-Governor
Samuel Pennypacker gives it as "beyond Reading"^ ; and a
Schuylkill County Historical Society iconoclast, says, "the
Lebanon captive's name was Leininger and not Hartman"
and that, "the captives who responded to the singing of the
hymn, "Allein und doch nicht ganz allein bin ich," were from
Union County and not Lebanon.-"
To the unprejudiced mind it would seem that the Rev.
Melchoir Muhlenberg knew whereof he wrote. Rev. William
Kurtz had charge of the scattered people above the Blue
Mountains, preaching at the Red Church, burned by the In-
dians, 1757. The Allemaengle church and Muhlenberg's home
were about eight miles across the mountain. The solution
will, doubtless, be found in the fact that there were four
hundred of these captives brought together by Colonel Bo-
quet, at Carlisle, and all of the younger ones were reclaimed
through some familiar action on the part of their friends or
themselves ; and that there were many such "Reginas"among
them.
Of this number. Prof. Frederic Gerhard, (former leader
of the Third Brigade Band. Pottsville,) related that his ma-
ternal great great grandmother was one, Margaret Everhard.
The family lived in the Tulpehocken, Berks County, on the
(Note 1 — ^Ir.s. Hartman and licr danghtcr. Rogina. are buried in the
old cemetery of Christ Lutheran Church. Stouchsburg. HerivS County.)
(Note 2 — Penna. German Society Magazine, Vol. VII, p. 12.)
(Note 3— No. 8, Vol. Ill, Schuylkill County Historical Society Publi-
cation.)
70 BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
north side of the Blue Mountain, afterward Pinegrove Town-
ship. A party of Indians came to the house one night and
asked in Pennsylvania German to be admitted. The door was
opened, when the mother was shot down, the house fired and
the little girl taken captive. She was a young woman when
returned by her captors and married a man named Simon
Salada. Prof. Gerhard's mother's name was Bickle ; she was
a great granddaughter of the Everhards, whose family early
settled in Barry Township. Schuylkill County; an uncle. To-
bias Bickle, seventy years of age, is now living near Ash-
land.12 3
THE FINSCHER'S AND MILLER'S
The murder of the Jacob Finscher family, who were
Quakers and lived about six miles from Fort Lebanon, near
the junction of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway with
the Mine Hill branch, above Schuylkill Haven, where stood
their grist mill, led Jacob Morgan to petition for more men
for the garrison.
He writes to Governor Denny that, "they saw tracks and
followed them to Phillip Culmore's house, thinking to put the
people on their guard, but found Culmore's wife, daughter and
(Note 1 — Story of Evorhard's, Vol. I, Indian Forts, p. 93.)
(Note 2 — Rupp's History of Berks County.)
(Note 3— Mrs. Gerhard has in her possession a huge family bible brought
Avith them by the Everhard family when tliey came to this country from
Holland, about 1742, where they had been Huguenot refugees from Alsace,
France, from the time the Edict of Nantes was revoked, 1682, and where
they had lived for several generations.)
It is a remarkable specimen of the printers and publishers' art of the
XVI century, printed in Nuremberg and freely illustrated with artistic
cuts. The German text varies, from large caps, to brevier, minion and
nonpareil type, as now known and the embellishments would do credit to
any publisher, of the present day if. indeed, they do not belong to the
lost arts. It contains beside the regular Old and New Testaments, the
Apocalypse Minor Prophets, Augsburg confession of the Lutheran faith.
Life of Martin Luther, and extracts from sermons on the context, by
Prof. Johan jVIichael Hilhern, of Nuremberg, and other secular features.
The translation by Luther was arranged by Dr. Joh. Sauberte and D.
Salom Gassii.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 71
Indian Troubles in Penna.
son-in-law just killed and scalped. Others were missing. Up-
wards of sixty women and children fled to the fort. Frederick
Riechelsdorfer and Gerhard's places were attacked and burned,
and members of their families killed. Martin Fell, his mother-
in-law and her daughter were killed and two of their children
taken captive. Many fled across the Blue Mountains, to Alle-
maengle, among them Heinrich Adam Ketner and his wife
Katharine.^
At the house of Nicholas Long they killed two old men
and took another captive. There were nine children here who
doubtless all would have been killed but for the timely arrival
of Capt. Morgan's men. Nicholas Miller lived on a tract of
land in what is now Spring Garden, afterward deeded to
Conrad Minnich. The Finschers lived on the other side of the
Schuylkill and the refugees fled toward Fort Lebanon, in the
direct line of which stood the Heinrich Miller log cabin.
A young boy who lived with the Finschers escaped and
notified Ensign Scheller, who with six men of Captain Kern's
company was within three-quarters of a mile of Finscher's
when the massacre occurred.
About a mile from what is now Auburn, and more than
one mile from Fort Lebanon, stood Heinrich Miller's log
cabin, to which they fled, not being able to reach the fort."
Here the Indians murdered four children and took the
two Miller children captive. Ensign Schefifer and his men
were in hot pursuit and the other refugees were left unmo-
lested when they appeared. Miller and his wife were at work
in a field nearby and saved their lives by flight. Miller was
pursued for nearly a mile by an Indian who fired twice at him,
his wife having hid in a thicket, escaped. Ensign Scheffer
and his squad continued after the savages and fired upon
them, the Indians returning the fire, a sharp conflict ensuing
between them, when the enemy fled leaving behind the two
(Note 1 — Penna. Archives, Vol. Ill, p. 30.)
(Note 2 — See Miller History, Part 2.)
^2 BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
captive Miller children and a part of the plunder taken. The
consequence of this attack and the wholesale massacre was
the desertion of all the settlements beyond the Blue Moun-
tams
c 12
WHEN THE FLIGHT OCCURRED
The date of the desertion is variously given. The Penn-
sylvania Gazette, Octol^er 19, 1758, gives this Indian upris-
ing, "which extended from the Tulpehocken to the massacre
of the Moravian Indians, at Gnadenhutten, as October 4,
1758. Rupp's Berks County History, p. -JJ, says "the flight
took place September, 1763." The former date would seem
to be correct. The Red Church was burned 1757, and family
tradition places the flight of all the inhabitants north of the
Blue Mountains, in Brunswick Township, as soon after that
date. There is no doubt that many returned at intervals to
plant and gather their crops before returning permanently,
and that at least three flights were made by some of the least
venturesome before they returned to remain.
The atrocities committed at the base of the mountains
on the south side induced the inhabitants of Windsor and
Allxany Townships also to flee before the marauders.
Conrad Minnich, who lived with his father at the "Seven
Stars" in 1752- 1757, keeping a road house on the site of the
present hotel, on the State road from Reading to Sunbury,
were burned out by the Indians and he fled to the Tulpe-
hocken subsequently returning." *
(Note 1 — It has been frequently asked why the settlers did not take
refuge in Fort Lebanon? It was inadequate for the number of settlers.
With fifty-three men stationed there, the number of people settled within
ten miles could not be housed within its limits and they were obliged to
flee south of the Blue Mountain.)
(Note 2— Miller's History, Part 2.)
(Note 3 — The Pennsylvania Gazette, September 1, 1757.)
(Note 4 — Rupp's History of Berks County contains an extract which
says, "the Finscher massacre was the cause of the desertion of all the
settlements north of the Blue Mountain.")
PROPRlETt^RIES.
LancT
.1.
^ , -of the County of (^ca-Aj
^^ "*■
1^
'urn AfL/nrA // S^ ^-/^-^',./.^^„v/^''/; ^
- hath
Acres of
i/iioim^
'Xo John Liikns, Surveyor-Gencr
according to the Metho<f of Townfliips appo/nted, the faid Quantity oik.Ue~^.„^J/. '^^^.^^o'-^'aid,
ff;tertl'»?rw/r«;«^/jt'^WPR0PRrETARiEs, af PhUaddphia, /,}/f 7>^ r^ i^ > '/ '"^'"^ V
Anno Domini One Thoufand Seven Hundred and^>^^ V •
ORIGINAL DEED FROM JOHN PENN TO CONRAD MlNNICH FOR SEVEN STARS, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PROPERTY.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Indian Troubles in Penna.
73
Governor.
Wm. Peters,
BY THE PROPRIETARIES
(Copied from the original)
Pennsylvania, ss. Whereas Conrad
Minich of the county of Berks, hath
requested that we would allow him to
take up One Hundred acers of land,
ajoining Jno Schwartz, Jno. Dunder
Interest and quit Rent i T\/r i- n j 11 i, j
from 7 March 1760 By '^"^ Martin Bodorgers lands, beyond
Special Order of the the blue mountains, and to include an
Improvement setled by the said Conard
Sect. Minnich for years before the breaking
out of the last Indian War in 1755,
which obliged him to fly from his said
Improvement, and all his buildings of
considerable value were burnt by the
Indians.
In the said county of Berks — for
which he agrees to pay to our use
within the term of six months from
the date hereof at the rate of fifteen
pounds ten shilling current money of
this Province, for every hundred acers;
To Daniel Brodhead, . . .
Esq., Deputy Surveyor, '^"d ^Iso to pay the yearly quit rent of
Execute this Warrant one Half Penny Sterling for every Acer
and make return of ,, r tt •
Surety into the Secre- tiiercot, to US, our Heirs and Assigns,
tary office— for ever; these are therefor to author-
for John Lukens, Esq. • ,
Robert Dill '^^^ ^^^^^ require you to survey or cause
to be surveyed unto the said Conard
Alinich at the place aforesaid according
to the method of Townships appointed,
and said quantity of One Hundred
Acers.
If not already surveyed, or appropriated, and make Re-
turn thereof into the Secretary's office, in order for confirma-
tion, for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant. W^hich
74 BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
warrant and survey in case the said Conard Minich — fulfills
the above agreement within six months from the Date
hereof, shall be valid otherwise void. Given under my Hand
and the seal of the land office by virtue of certain Powers
from the said Proprietaries, at Philadelphia this thirteenth
day of January, Anno Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred
and fifty five.^
JOHN PENN.
To John Luken,
Surveyor-General.
THE NEYMAN MASSACRE
About the year 1780 a military post was established at
the Schuylkill Gap, near Cape Horn, below Mt. Carbon, for
the protection of the inhabitants and the woodmen who were
engaged in cutting timber from the gap, the present site of
Landingville. The huge trees were intended for masts for
the ships of the French navy, the ally of the Colonial govern-
ment, in the War of Independence. A saw mill, owned by
Balsar Gehr, stood at the mouth of the Norwegian Creek,
where it . empties into the Schuylkill River (Mt. Carbon),
which was in charge of John Neyman, sawyer. Neyman
lived on the brow of the hill, in a small log cabin, in the rear
of where the Pottsville Hospital now stands.
MILITARY COMES TO THE RESCUE
A letter, August 30, 1780, from Valentine Eckart to V.
P. Moore states, that "John Negman (y) who lived at the
saw mill about three miles above Conrad Minnich's, on Sun-
day was, with his wife and three young children, barbarously
murdered by the Indians. "^ Colonel Eckart applied to the Pro-
vincial Council for protection and ammunition. Captain
Dennis Leary, in command of the detachment protecting the
(Note 1 — See index for copy of original.)
(Note 2— Vol. 8, p. 529, Penna. Archives.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 75
Indian Troubles in Penna.
workmen culling masts, also wrote Commissioner Moore,
September i, 1780, informing- him that he, with a detail of
four men, buried the Neyman family and was joined in the
pursuit of the Indians by Captain Baldy with ten men and
the next day by Colonel Lindermuth with fifty men between
them. They scoured the woods to Reading but found no
traces but a house and barn, on the Little Schuylkill River,
were burned and a little boy, named Shurr, was missing.
Sixty men were left at different settlements to protect the
people. More protection was needed as the cunning savages
rendered the masts cut unfit for usage by nicking or notching
them.^
HOW "OLD DRESS" SCARED THE INDIANS
How "Old Dress" scared the Indians in the Indian mas-
sacre after the French and Indian War shows what a strate-
gist can do if he has courage and is endowed with enough
presence of mind. The Dress family lived in the Panther
Valley, (Bender Thai).
The Indians had been friendly at first, but since success
was beginning to crown the efforts of the hardy pioneers,
there were mutterings of discontent among them, and they
had upon one or two occasions shown their hostility, but no
real dei)redations had been perpetrated as yet.
Murders had been committed farther south, defenseless
women and children were scalped or taken into captivity,
their homes burned and their cattle driven away and the
settlers were tortured beyond measure, but "Bender Thai"
remained unmolested.
\\^ord came one day that there was an uprising among
the Indians and that they were headed for the V^alley. The
block stockade. Fort Lebanon, near what is now Auburn, had
served upon early occasions as a place of refuge for the
(Note 1 — Penna. Archives, Vol. 8, p. 542.)
76 BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
settlers when in danger of being attacked; but it was now
abandoned and the thoroughly frightened pioneers in
"Bender Thai" made their preparations to flee to the block
house, near the site of Schuylkill Haven.
The women and children were gathered together and
placed in charge of George Zerbe, who gathered the cattle to
drive them to a place of safety. The Dress family formed
part of the little caravan that turned toward the fort, but
"Old Dress" was obdurate. He would not go.^
He was the first settler to discover rich farming land in
that locality. He had spent several years in the "Thai" re-
turning again and again to it and finally brought to it his
wife and family. The Indians had given him the first kernels
of corn which he planted as seed and in turn he had shown
them how to fashion the rude farming implements he used,
the iron for which he brought from the Lesher, Pott furnace,
on Maxatawny creek.
Once he had opened an abscess for "Sagawatch," the
great chief of the mongrel tribe, and dressed it with home-
made salve. Not without some display of the necromancer's
art, it must be confessed, for he knew he was powerless among
them, and "Sagawatch" was cured. He had frequently treated
their "boils" with which they were afflicted, the result of dirt
and squalor and improper food, for they were a lazy set, and
looking upon him as something of a medicine man, the Indians
called him the "Little White Father;" and believed, some of
them, that he had supernatural powers.
It was only the week before that an apparently friendly
set had visited him. The mother had just completed the fam-
ily baking in the huge Dutch oven back of the log cabin and
on the plea of wanting a present from the "Little White
Father" everyone of the large brown well-baked loaves of
(Note 1 — Valentine Tress was a taxpayer in Pine Grove Township,
Berks (Schuylkill) County, 1772. His will shows George Zerbe, Sr., and
George Zerbe, Jr., as administrators of his estate.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 77
Indian Troubles in Penna.
bread had found their way into a sack with other things they
managed to lay liands on, and the good wife had another batch
of bread to make. In the meantime the family subsisted on
potato buffers," (a species of hoecakes made of grated potato
and flour and baked on the hearth) until the leaven had raised
and the new bread was again baked.
Just a glance at "Old Dress" would show that he was not
a man to be trifled with. Short, stout, broad of girth, and
with sinewy muscles that stood out like whip cords, he was
the picture of health and alert activity. His face was smooth
and red and as has often been said of men who wear that type
of whiskers, around the face from ear to ear underneath the
chin, it was easy to be seen he was a man of determination.
He wore his hair, which was scant, for he was partially bald,
all combed up after the fashion of those days into a single
tuft on the top of his head. This tuft from long practice
stood up straight. If anyone could circumvent the Indians,
the settlers knew he could. There was little time for par-
leying and the women and children with their leaders were
soon out of sight.
Dress made his way hurriedly to the hillside and
screened from view by some friendly bushes, watched the
approach of the redskins. They came, some seated on their
Indian ponies, the young braves running at the sides of the
old men. Smeared with their war paint and with their war
toggery on, beating their tom-toms and yelling like mad, they
struggled up the defile.
He could not count them, although he at first tried.
There was Sagawatch, too, the greasy villain and traitor.
What could he do single handed against so many, with his
one old flint lock musket and home-made cartridges and
Marie not here to help load.
He fingered the tuft of hair, his top-knot, which he knev/
would soon be hanging with the other smoking and gory
78 BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
scalps from the belts of the foremost of the band, and
his mind was made up. Taking an extra hitch at his
rusty brown linsey woolsey trousers and rolling up the
sleeves of his yellow grey woolen shirt, he ran as hard
as he could in the direction of the oncoming murderous
crew and in full view of them to the crest of the near-
by hill. Screaming and yelling at the top of his voice
and wildly gesticulating with his long bare arms and
pointing with his fingers: "Come on, Boys," he yelled. "Here
are the Indians." (Cum Buva, dah sin Sie, die Incha.) He
screamed until he was purple with rage and told one imagin-
ary party, with the wildest of signs and commands, to close
up the defile and prevent their escape, the others should file
up the left and right and surround them, and the rest should
follow him. "Sagawatch," the murderous "tuyfel," could un-
derstand German he knew, for he himself had taught him
many words in the current vernacular. And then, still
screaming as loud as he could and doubl}^ gesticulating, he ran
down the hill with all his might toward the red warriors,
who thought they were being attacked by at least a battalion
of soldiers under command of "Old Dress," whom Capt. Leary
had reinforced with his squad, and they showed the white
feather and turned tail and fled as fast as they could in the
direction in which they had come.
All night "Old Dress" watched at the single window of the
little log hut. His blunderbuss and old musket ready, he would
sell his life as dearly as possible, if they returned ; but they
never did.
\Mien the settlers returned, "Old Dress" was quietly sit-
ting in front of his cabin mending an old fish net. The cattle
had all been recovered by him from their impounding in the
clearings in the mountain fastnesses and returned to their
rightful owners. The cows had been milked, the cream wa?
ready for the good wives to churn and everything was going
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 79
Indian Troubles in Penna.
on as usual. The Indians never molested the settlers again,
and even to this day "Old Dress" is a hero to the descendants
of the families of the early settlers of "Bender Thal."^
The Indian path along Sharp Mountain to Indian Run
and the remains of the Indian village, at Swatara Creek, show
many traces of a peaceful occupation of the land by the sav-
ages at this point. The settlers were mainly of a migratory
character in the west end, at this date, and they prudently
avoided an encounter with the savages, or the latter who fre-
quently used these paths from Berks County to Fort Augusta
(Sunbury) were, doubtless, too much engrossed with larger
game when on the war path and left them unmolested.
INDIAN STORY
One of the Indian legends related by an aged resident of
the Panther Valley, was that of an Indian ghost, who wandered
around the crags and bluffs through wliich the Swatara Creek
runs, near Swatara. His father told him that the Indians who
lived there had been out on a marauding trip and returned with
a large amount of loot and some gold. One of the braves con-
cealed the gold under a rock near the creek. He was killed by
his companions for the treachery, and ever after his wraith was
seen wandering in and out among the rocks to find his ilb
gotten treasure. The narrator remembered frequently tracing
his steps in and out on the Indian causeway, to find that
treasure. His genii was the red man's ghost, whom he hoped
to encounter some time unexpectedly and wrest from him his
secret of wealth that would prove as fabulous as that of the
hidden recesses in IMonte Christo's Halls, but he never found
him nor the treasure.
Gold was said to have been found upon the "Gobbleberg,"
(near Schuylkill Haven) and the Indian superstition claimed
that when it thundered and lightened, the rocks were some-
times cleft in twain and the hidden recesses were discovered to
(Note 1— Old Schuylkill Tales.)
8o BLUE BOOK OF
Indian Troubles in Penna.
be gorged with nuggets of gold. Whoever could claim them
before they closed was in favor with the spirits of the air,
and the genii of the mountain. Many hunted for this gold, but
it was like hunting for the pot of that precious metal that hangs
at the horns of the prismatic rainbow.
Many of the flights, by the thoroughly frightened settlers,
to the block houses and Indian forts were superinduced by
false alarms. "The Indians are coming" ("Die Incha Kum-
mah"), was sufficient to startle the sparse communities into
almost immediate flight. On one occasion an old woman,
whose son could carry her no further, was left in the woods
(at her own request) to die. She could not live much longer
anyway, she said, while the rest of the family hastened on to
a place of safety. When the Indians came up to her place of
refuge they proved to be a squad of Captain O'Leary's Co-
lonial Guards, who were protecting the woodsmen out to
sight such timber as was needed to cut for the use of the
navy yard at Philadelphia, and they carried the old lady to a
place of safety between them.
Another legend is told of an Indian maiden, Wanomanie,
who sprang from the highest point of the rocky crags on the
pinnacle of Sharp Mountain, (south of Henry Clay's Monu-
ment,) into the declivity below and was killed. All because
her father, Sagawatch, would not allow her to marry the dusky
lover of her choice. It was said that on moonlight nights, in
harvest time, she could be seen on a misty evening, through
the clouds, taking the spring into the abyss below, her lover a
close second, taking the leap after her, and Sagawatch leaning
over the crest of the mountain to watch the lovers going to
their certain death. Whether these ghostly sights were only
apparent to those who had been imbibing too freely of spirits
of another brand, or whether they were the innocent victims
of hallucinations will be left to the vivid imagination of the
readers.!
(Note 1— "Old Schuylkill Tales.")
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 8i
War of the Revolution
War of the Revolution
i
H^-
fROM the passage of the infamous Stamp Act,
March, 1765, by the British Parliament, when
Benjamin Franklin declared, "The Sun of Ameri-
can liberty has set" ; and when Patrick Henry, in
the House of Burgesses, in the oldest American
commonwealth, \'irginia, denounced the Act in the
presence of two of the future presidents of the United
States, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who were
Provincial delegates ; to the attempted enactment of the Bos-
ton Port Bill, June 18, 1774; through the dark days following
the offering of the resolution in Congress, June 7, 1776, by
Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, declaring that, "the United
Colonies were and ought to be free" and the involving of Lee's
resolution into the subsequent Declaration of Independence,
which as a formal document was adopted July 4, 1776;
during the bitter struggle of the infant republic, to the sur-
render of Lord Cornwallis, October 19, i7(Si ; and the declara-
tion of peace and the ratification of the treaty and final de-
parture of the British troops, November 25, 1783; during the
sacrifices and struggles incident to an eight year's war with
a powerful nation, Pennsylvania, was ever loyal to the cause
and motives that actuated the colonists to withdraw from the
oppressive protection of England and establish the grandest
and most eft'cctual form of Republican government on the
face of the glo]:)e.
The Pennsylvania Associators and committee of obser-
vation represented the sentiments of the yeomanry of the
state. They stood in the same relation to the American
82 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
colonies and their leaders in the War of the Revolution,
as did the First Defenders, when Abraham Lincoln issued his
first call for troops in the Civil War.
At a meeting held in Reading, July 2, 1774, resolutions
were passed and a committee appointed to meet with other
committees in Philadelphia, from the different counties in the
Province. From the first formation of the Associators, the
Berks County contingent were active in their support of the
military defense of the rights of the colonists, contributing
the allotted quota of men and forage for the army ; and in
raising the necessary supplies and money for the sinews of
war.
The following composed part of the first committee
chosen to represent Berks County at the Provincial meeting,
Philadelphia :
Edward Biddle, James Lewis, Christopher Schultz, Mark
Bird and John Jones. None of the Associators lived north of
the Blue jNIountains, but Dr. Jonathan Potts, Secretary,
owned tracts of coal land around what is now St. Clair ; and
Baltzar Gehr owned and operated a saw mill on the site of
Pottsville, at the mouth of the Norwegian Creek where it
empties into the Schuylkill River. Others of the Associators
WTC : ^^"illiam Reeser, Christopher Witman, John Old,^
Sebastian Levan, George Nagel, Michael Bright, John
Patton and Jacob Shoemaker, Associators, are closely allied
with this region through their descendants of successive gen-
erations who populate Schuylkill County.^'
After the battle of Lexington was fought, x^pril 19, 1775,
eight companies of riflemen were raised in Pennsylvania to
join the Continental army, near Boston ; of these that of Cap-
(Note 1 — John Old was the ancestor of Daniel Old, a carpenter and
contractor, who lived in Pottsville, 1840-'60. He built and owned the
residence, 409 West Market Street, among other properties. He left no
descendants.)
(Note 2— Penna. Archives, 5th Series, 5th Vol., p. 138.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 83
War of the Revolution
tain George Nagel was the first from Berks County. They
joined Colonel Thompson's battalion of twelve companies of
riflemen and were the first troops from Pennsylvania to reach
Boston. 1
Efforts were made to recruit companies from each of the
townships and the quotas of the more thickly settled portions
of the county were augmented by recruits from the straggling
and remote borders. The \\'elsh of Caernarvon Township
raised a company of eighty-three Associators that were in the
campaign in Canada during that dreadful retreat in mid-
winter from Quebec. Other companies from Berks were in
the Massachusetts' campaign and in the army of the Southern
Department and i)articipated in the final capitulation of
Cornwallis.
The Captains of these companies, of the regular Continen-
tal line, were: Henry Christ, Miles Regiment; Jonathan
Jones, First Pennsylvania Battalion ; Benjamin Weiser,
Hausegger's Regiment ; Jacob Bauer, Oddendorf's Corps ;
John .Spohn. Magaw's Battalion ; John Lesher, Patton's Regi-
ment ; Jacob Moser, Harmar's Sixth Regiment.
At a Provincial Conference, held at Carpenter's Hall,
Philadelphia, June 18-25, 1776, provision was made to form a
"Flying Camp," of 10,000 men, in the middle colonies ; the
quota for Pennsylvania being 4,500 men ; this militia to march
to such ])lace as ordered by Congress. July 13, 1776, Berks
County reported as having raised more than their quota of
men to complete the 1)attalion.
I\ larch 17, 1777, a militia law was passed by the Penn-
sylvania Assembly. The President of the Supreme Executive
Council of the Commonwealth was to commission one free-
holder in each county to serve as a lieutenant of the militia
for the said counties. The constables of each township,
borough, ward or district in the said counties were to return
(Note 1— Penna. Archives, 2d Series, Vol, X, pp. 3-13-34.)
84 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
to the lieutenant an exact list of the names of every male
white person residing within the township, borough, ward or
district, between the ages of eighteen and fifty-three years,
capable of bearing arms. Each county was to be sub-divided
into districts, each district to contain not less than 440 and
more than 680 privates and each district was to be sub-divided
into eight parts. The militiamen of the district were required
to meet and elect three field officers ; one colonel, one lieu-
tenant colonel and one major, who were to be freeholders
and inhabitants of the district and the militia men of the sub-
divisions were to elect one captain, two lieutenants, one
ensign and two persons to be styled court martial men, who
shall respectively be such persons as are entitled to vote for
members to serve in the General Assembly. The whole of
the militia so enrolled were required by law to be exercised
in companies, under their special officers, on the last two
Mondays in the month of April and three first Mondays in
the month of May and in battalion on the fourth Monday in
May and in companies on the last two Mondays in the month
of August and the last two Mondays in the month of Sep-
tember and the third Monday in the month of October and
in battalion on the fourth Monday in October. On which
days officers and privates were expected to attend and drill
under penalties of fines.
Brunswick Township, under this law, was organized into
the third battalion or northern section of Berks County. The
battalion officers were: Colonel, Michael Lindemuth, Bern
Township ; Lieutenant Colonel, George May, Winsor Town-
ship, and Major, Martin Kercher, Winsor Township. The
officers of the second company of the battalion, which was
the Brunswick Company, were: Captain, Conrad Minnich ;
ist Lieutenant, John Graul ; 2nd Lieutenant, John Stout;
Ensign, Phillip Boning ; Court Martial men, Gideon Moyer,
John Crawford and George Stout.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 85
War of the Revolution
October 17, 1777, General Washington reported that,
"the term of service of many of the military had expired and
that one-half of the men capable of bearing arms, from the
ages of eighteen to fifty-eight, should be called into the field."
The quota from Berks County was three hundred men and
one hundred and fifty men in Berks were recruited January
I, 1778. The system of supplying men was simple and ef-
fective. It was carried on in such a manner as to render as-
sistance to the government without the people suffering losses.
The time of service was short and many returned and attended
to their crops, upon which the army depended for forage and
supplies and that their families might not starve, and went
out again. Others offended against discipline and went home
to attend to their affairs before their terms of service expired
and almost invarial)ly returned when a fight was impending.
Through this method several hundred militia men were kept
in the field continuously, from Berks County, to reinforce the
operations of the regular line under General Washington.
It will be noted by the above that the term "Court Mar-
tial" was not one of opprobrium, nor was it used in the mili-
tary sense now given it. A "Court Martial" man, in the
Revolutionary war, was a "reputable citizen" and ranked next
to ensign.
THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
The General Assembly, of Pennsylvania, June 12, 1777,
passed an Act requiring the men of the State to take an oath
of allegiance and fidelity to this State. This was necessary
owing to the loosely joined federation of states in rebellion
against the King and to having no constitution ; the test oath
showing who would openly stand for the new government.
This oath required great courage on the part of those
who took it, for if the revolutionary cause should fail, their
property would surely be confiscated and they, themselves,
be imprisoned.
86 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
In some of the counties of the State many declined to take
the oath, but in Berks County nearly every man took it; the
original lists (Berks County Historical Society Library) con-
taining about six thousand names. These men were formed
into eighty or ninety companies, of sixty-four men each, and
many of them in turn served some time in the field.
Of the men of Berks County, who served in the Revolu-
tionary war, as Associators, Militia men, or long term Conti-
nentals, scarcely two-thirds of their names are on record. A
few of these missing names may occasionally turn up but the
bulk of them will never be found.
In some of the Western States, where societies of the
D. A. R. and Sons of Veterans exist, this taking of the oath
of allegiance is considered sufficient evidence for admission
to the organizations.^
As has been heretofore stated, the Berks County militia
men, all of whom took the oath of allegiance, guarded pris-
oners, were in the campaign in New Jersey ; while Wash-
ington's army was at Valley Forge they reinforced it and
assisted the militia of other counties in patroling and guard-
ing the open country between the Schuylkill and Delaware
rivers, and also participated in the battles of Brandywine and
Germantown.
Of the six battalions of Berks County militia no complete
records have ever been found. They may never have been
recorded in the Pennsylvania Archives, or they may have
been lost or were most probably burned in 1808 or 1814. In
the former year many public documents were destroyed that
had been stored in a two-story frame building in \\'ashington,
D. C, and when the British forces of General Ross, September
24, 1814, marched unopposed into the city and burned all of
(Note 1 — A D. A. R. woman, in Nebraska, obtained an oath of alle-
giance record from Berks County of her great grandfather (George
Laucks) and received an added "Bar" for it (1913), and a short time ago
sent for proof of another ancestor of hers, (John Lorah.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 87
War of the Revolution
the public buildings, except the patent office, many valuable
papers, among them the military rosters, were consumed m
the holocaust.
August 17. 1777, Jacob Morgan reported that twelve com-
panies of militia had marched from Reading, the whole num-
ber of whose officers and men were six hundred and fifty-six.
The total number of militia men from the State, at that date,
was two thousand, nine hundred and seventy-three.
(Another authority fixes the number from Berks as seven
hundred and thirty.)
The battalions from Berks County were under Colonels
Undree (Uttery) and Hunter.
From the State returns, church records, newspapers and
family returns of private papers and deaths, the list in the
Pennsylvania Archives, of these men, is being slowly aug-
mented, but of the five German companies from the vicinity
of Womelsdorf, whose rosters were lost, little is known.
Captain Jacob Livingood's Riflemen, of Middletown, now
Womelsdorf, were formed September, 17S1. The company
served until January. 17S2. The roster of this company was
among the five never recovered. The members of these
companies were from Heidellnirg and Tulpehocken Townships.
As the old church records are being slowly translated and
old tombstones unearthed in the early cemeteries, and private
family records are being transmitted to the State, the Penn-
sylvania German Society and the State and County Historical
Societies, some of these rosters may be partially re-incarnated,
but there is yet much to unearth of the records of the seventy
thousand individual soldiers who formed the army of the war
of the Revolution.
"There were four thousand militia from six districts of
Berks County. The first company, third battalion, was from
Pinegrove Township."
(Note 1 — Penna. Associators, Vol. II, pp. 257-276.)
88 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
(Note) — In the United States a battalion consisted of
two, four, six, eight or ten companies, according to circum-
stances and ^vas commanded b}' the senior officer present.
The number of men in a battalion varied from one hundred to
one thousand. In the Revolutionary \\'ar the maximum
number was six hundred and eighty privates, three field offi-
cers, one colonel, one lieutenant colonel and one major. The
companies each had one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign,
four sergeants and two court martial men.
Of the twelve captains that composed these battalions of
militia, three were men from that part of Berks County now
included in Schuylkill County, Captains Michael Furrer
(Forrer), Jacob \\'etstein (Whetstone), and Conrad Minnich.
There were a number of men from the vicinity of what is
now McKeansburg and West Penn, then included in North-
ampton County, who enlisted under Captain Brucker, of that
county.
Michael Forrer recruited his company from "the western
section of Berks County (now Schuylkill), and the Tulpe-
hocken."^
Capt. Michael Furrer's^ 3 (Forrer) Co., stationed at South
Amboy, N. J., September 5, 1776. Bat. of Col. John Patton.
Captain, Michael Forrer; ist Lieutenant, Nicholas Sey-
bert ; 2nd Lieutenant, John Gernan ; Sergeants, Adam An-
spach (Alspach,) Henry Spang, Peter Leis, Philip Anspach,
(Alspach) ; Ensign, Jacob Read (Rieth) ; Drummer, William
Sherman; Fifer, Adam Read (Rieth).
Privates — George Wendlewolf, Peter Smith, John Reiser,
Christian Witman, George Kantner, George Swartz. Daniel
Sheffer, John Troutman, Michael Hoffman, Michael Bruker,
William Feygert, Henry Deerwechter, George Deerwechter,
Valentine Schiffller, Peter Deefenbach, Jacob Ruhl, Simon
(Note 1 — Penna. Archives, 5th Series, Vol. II, p. 249.)
(Note 2 — Andrew Miller History.)
(Note 3 — Michael Forrer lived in Pine Grove Township.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 89
War of the Revolution
Linck, Frederick Sheffer, Valentine Troutman, Daniel Read,
Peter Stein, Henry Koch, Adam Schnee, William Scheefer,
George Emerich, Conrad Hoster, George Winter, Peter Hous-
er, Nicholas Read, HEINRICH MILLERS, Jonas Read,
Nicholas Lechner, John Stup, Daniel Kuff, Andreas Aulen-
bach.
The above company was recruited from both sides ot the
Blue Mountain.
The Wetsteins were from near McKeansburg, and are on
record from Pinegrove Township, their company was recruited
largely from the north side of the Blue Mountain.
August 7, 1777, Jacob Wetstein's Company, mustered un-
der Colonel Daniel Hunter, of Oley, and was on duty around
Philadelphia, participating in the battle of Germantown under
General Washington. The return roster of the company is
given as containing forty-nine men and eight officers and in-
cludes the following: May 17, 1777.
First Company, Captain Jacob Wetstein.-
Ensign, Henry Wetstein ; Conrad ShefTer, Rudolph Buz-
zard, Ludwig Herring, George Brouch.
The battalion of Colonel Daniel Udree, of Oley, was mus-
tered in at the same date. To this command belonged the
company of Captain Conrad Minnich, of Brunswick Town-
ship (Manheim). No trace of this roster has been found.
The company was made up of men from both sides of the Blue
Mountain. The return report of third class, Berks County
Associators and Militia, Col. Daniel Udree, shows Captain
Conrad Minnich's Company to have had on the muster roll:'
one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, one
drum and fifer, four substitutes.
(Note 1 — Heinrich Miller lived in Brunswick afterward Manheim Town-
ship. He was the ancestor of all of the descendants of Andrew Miller, Sr. —
Miller History.)
(Note 2 — The descendants of Jacob and Henry Wetstein reside at Ta-
maqua, Schuylkill County, and spell their name "Whetstone.")
(Note 3— Penna. Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 5, pp. 128-201.)
go BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
Nine officers and forty-one privates, making a total of
fifty men, mustered as a company August ii, 1777, four days
after the battalion. Captain Conrad Minnich is referred to^
as "of the Revolution, from Brunswick Township, near the
Schuylkill, several miles south of Sharp ]\Iountain, then the
frontier,"-' and also notes Colonel Daniel Udree having six
companies with a battalion of three hundred and one men
around about Philadelphia, from August 11 to December i,
1777, and that eight thousand, nine hundred and seventy-
seven men, from 1775 to 1782, were in service from Berks
County. Captain Conrad Minnich's Company, mustered May
17, 1777, and August 11, 1777, Colonel Udree and Colonel
Lindemuth's battalions were mustered. Two records refer to
Captain Minnich's Company as "Associators and Regulators"
under Colonel Udree and two to Captain Conrad Minnich's
second company, third battalion, Colonel Michael Lindemuth.
The compan}^ serving twice under different commanders.
John Stout, ensign ; John Graul, Phillip Boning, George Stout,
Gideon Meyer, John Crawford, privates, are the only names
of the company of fifty men recorded.
Those who have made a study of the records in the
Penna. Archives will appreciate the difficulty encountered
in drawing a chronological order out of the records of the
military, a logical sequence, in many cases being the only
conclusion that can be arrived at. Of the fifty-three bat-
talions of the Pennsylvania Associators only fragmentary
records are given and these are frequent repetitions of each
other and occur with slight additions or omissions, perhaps,
in dififerent volumes. The Continental Line in the War De-
partment, Washington, D. C, is nearer completion but here
also there are many imperfect records. The Militia com-
panies went out several times, the time of service being lim-
(Note 1 — Penna. Archives, 3rd Series, Vol. IV, p. 265.)
(Note 2— 5th Series, Vol. V, pp. 128, 135, 190, 201 Penna. Archives.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 91
War of the Revolution
ited to two months. Occasionally persons of the same name,
in large families, enlisted during these various terms of ser-
vice and to identify these properly other documents than the
Archives must be called into requisition to endorse them.^
Of the officers and privates of the fifty-three battalions
of the Associators of the Colony of Pennsylvania, July 4,
T776, the following are of those closely associated with the
localities of Berks and Schuylkill Counties, north and south
of the Blue Mountains :
First Battalion — Privates John Hartman, Peter Filbert.
Second Battalion — Colonel, Mark Bird ; Private, Benj.
Tolbert.
Third Battalion — Private, Henry Spoon, Private Mathias
\^'enrich.
Fourth Battalion — Major Michael Lindemuth ; Private
Michael Moser.
Fifth Battalion — Col. John Patton.
Sixth Battalion — Major Conrad Leffler.-
Seventh Battalion — Colonel Sebastian Levan.
Major Martin Kergher (Kaercher) was of the third
battalion under Colonel Michael Lindemuth. He lived in
Windsor Township and was the ancestor of the Kaerchers,
of Schuylkill County.
Col. John Patton was the ancestor of the Pattons, of
Barry Township, Schuylkill County, who removed from Berks
County, south of the Blue Mountain, to what was then
Northumberland County.-' *
Col. Lindemuth's two sons served as substitute drummer
(Note 1 — Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Vol. V.)
(Note 2 — Conrad Leffler, ancestor of William Leffler, deceased, Land-
ingville; Aurelian Leffler, McKeesport; Uriah G. Leffler, Mechanicsville;
Mrs. Mary Paul, Port Carbon; and indirectly connected with C. W. Wil-
dermuth and others of Pottsville.)
(Note 3— Vol. V, 5th Series, p. 262.)
(Note 4— Penna. Archives, 5th Series, 5th Vol., pp. 160-180.)
92 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
boys in Captain Rodermel's and Lieutenant Umbenhauer's
Companies, for which they received forty-nine pounds.
Berks County Militia, First Battalion: — Colonel, Daniel
Hunter; Lieutenant Colonel, John Guldin ; Quartermaster,
Isaac Feather.
First Company — Captain, Mathias Wick; Court Martial
Men, John Pott, Jacob Heffner (ancestor of the late Samuel
Heft'ner, of Pottsville, and his descendants). May 17, 1777.
Third Company — Captain, Jacob Rothermel ; Lieutenant,
Daniel Stout; Ensign, Christian Merkle. May 10, 1780.
Fourth Company — Captain, George Focht; Ensign, John
Yoder. May 10, 1780.
Fifth Company — Captain, Jacob Hill; First Lieutenant,
George Schall.
Sixth Company — Captain, Peter Wanner (Werner) ;
First Lieutenant, Henry Strauch.
Seventh Company — Captain, George Beaver. May 10,
1780.
Detachment of First Battalion Berks County Militia,
Captain Charles Krause, guarding prisoners, August 16 to
October 16, 1781, thirty-five Privates: Caspar Merkle, Titan
McCarty, Jacob Sigfried (Jacob Sigfried, ancestor of the
Berks and Schuylkill County Sigfrieds.)
Reber, Conrad — Captain George Miller's Co., on duty South
Amboy, N. J., September 5, 1776.1 (Father of George
Reber and grandfather of George, Jonathan and Daniel
Reber, deceased, of Schuylkill County.)
Ney, Valentine — Ney, Jacob; Aulenbach, Daniel; Swartz,
John ; Loose, Jacob ; Mayer, Phillip, were other mem-
bers of this company from that part of Berks County
now included in Schuylkill.^ (Great grandfather of
Daniel Ney, Friedensburg ; Valentine Ney, buried in
Summer Berg cemetery.)
(Note 1— 5th Series, 5th Vol., p. 152.)
(Note 2— Vol. V, p. 194.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 93
War of the Revolution
Orwij^, Henry ; Fisher, George ; Fisher, Joseph — Colonel
Michael Lindemuth certifies that they served out their
time as substitutes, no company mentioned. They
were from Brunswick Township (now Schuylkill
County.)
Beard, Adam — Captain Third Company, Third Battalion ;
(grandfather of the late Michael Beard, and great
grandfather of Captain Samuel and Attorney Herman
Graefif, of Tamaqua, deceased.)
Graeff, Daniel — Captain Fifth Company, Third Battalion, Ex-
eter Twp. (ancestor of the Schuylkill County Graefifs.)
Bechtel, Jacob — John, Peter and Henry were of this Bat-
talion, and Judah and Moses Boone, Exeter Township
(ancestors of Judah Boone, deceased, of Pottsville, and
the Boones, of St. Clair.)
Easterly (Esterly), Daniel — Captain Robinson's Company,
Exeter Township, October, 1781. On list of Depreci-
ated Pay (grandfather of the late Daniel Esterly, of
Pottsville.)
Kercher, John; (Kaercher), Kercher, Christian; First Com-
pany, Third Battalion, Captain Krauss, return 1783.
Henry Miller, of Longschwamp, Berks County, also on
the roll.i
Miller, Sebastian — Captain Seventh Company, (A class) ;
Fourth Battalion; return May 31, 1781. John Reber,
John Van Read, John Reasher (Reeser) and Adam
Fulmer on the rolls.-
Wolf, Michael — Captain of company on duty at South Amboy,
N. J. August 26, 1776.^ Private Ludwig (Wendel)
Swartz, McKeansburg.
(Note 1 — Vol. 4, p. 257 Penna. Archives, 5th Series.)
(Note 2— 5th Series, 5th Vol., p. 262, Penna. Archives.)
(Note 3— 5th Vol, pp. 158-170.)
g4 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
Captain Diehl's Company, Berks County Militia, January 22,
1777. Dallet Rhein and Pant Enge, from Pinegrove
Township, Schuylkill County.
Nagle, Phillip— A drummer boy in the War of the Revolution,
was the grandfather of Colonel Daniel Nagle and the
late General James and Captain Phillip Nagle, of Potts-
ville. The Revolutionary soldier, Phillip and wife, are
buried in the old cemetery in the rear of Trinity Luth-
eran Church, Reading. (Simon and Phillip Nagle came
from Rotterdam, October 16, 1751, ship Duke.)
Nagle, George and Peter— Were Captains in the Continental
Line. They were of a branch of the same family as the
above, cousins, it is presumed.
Scheffer, Nicholas — Captain of Company on duty at New
Town, January 2, 1777. Includes on its muster roll:
Huy (Hoy), John, Lieutenant; Abraham Hoy, Ensign. (An-
cestors of Schuylkill County Hoys.)
Gernandt, Mathias— (Ancestor of the Gernandts formerly of
Orwigsburg and of Aaron Gernandt (Gernan), of
Pottsville.)
Kerschner, Conrad — Of Windsor Township, Berks County,
(great grandfather of Mrs. A. J. Pilgram, Pottsville.)
Rauhn, Jacob — Progenitor of the Charles Rahn family, of
Pottsville (Part 2.)
Matz, George, and Medler, George — Ancestors of old Schuyl-
kill County families, are also on the roll of this com-
pany.^
Zwally, Captain — (9th class.)
Schwaller, Christopher — From the return of the 7th class of
Militia. Battalion Lancaster County Militia, Colonel,
John Huber, under marching orders to Sunbury.
(Note 1— 5th Series, 5th Vol.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 95
War of the Revolution
Zwally, Christopher — Believed to be the same man. Captain
Duck's Company.^ -
Other officers in the Berks County IMilitia were :
Captain Daniel DeTurck — Mustered into service July,
1776, with a muster roll of three commissioned and eight
non commissioned officers, sixty-one men. He was the
great grandfather of Samuel DeTurck, of Friedens-
burg. deceased.^ Nicholas Scull, the surveyor of plats
in Schuylkill and adjoining counties, and Frederick
Fernsler, the great great grandfather of the Fernslers,
of Pottsville, were members of this company.
Captain Henry Strouch — August loth to September 9th,
1780, 6th Battalion; of Brunswick, afterward IManheim
Township ; ancestor of the Strauchs, of Schuylkill
County.
Captain Jacob Schartel — After whom Schartlesville, Berks
County, was named, was the great grandfather of Al-
bert, Harry and \\ illiam Schertle, deceased, of Potts-
ville.
Captain Phillip Filbert's Co., December 13, 1777; 48 men, 9
officers, Colonel Jacob \\'eaver, great grandfather of
Attorney J. H. Filbert, of Schuylkill Haven, and an-
cestor of the Filberts, of Pinegrove, and of P. K. Fil-
bert, of Pottsville.
Ensigns — Henry Orwig, 2nd Company, 4th Battalion,
Nicholas Leib and John Stout, all of whom have numerous
descendants in Schuylkill County, Captain Frank Leib, of
Harrisburg, and Ellwood Orwig, of Lansford, being among
the number directly or indirectly connected.
(Note 1— Vol. 7, pp. 890, 233, 891.)
(Note 2 — Some of the above named spelled the name "Schwalm" later,
but their connection with the Berk.s County family cannot be traced.)
(Note 3 — Isaac DeTurck, born 1G8G, came from Northern France to
Duchess County, New York, 1709, and to Olcy Township, Berks County,
Pennsylvania, 1721. He was the ancestor of Daniel DeTurck, who was
the great grandfather of Samuel DeTurck.)
g6 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
Lieutenants — Gernant, (Gannon), Phillip Spohn, Henry
Focht.
Seitzinger, Nicholas — Captain Charles Gobin's Company,
September 9, 1780.
Frederick Bensinger — Came to Brunswick Township, 1740,
and lived in that vicinity. He was in the Revolutionary
War, his name occurs on the pension list. His descend-
ants reside in this county and in the western part of
the State. A great granddaughter, Mrs. Jacob Olhau-
sen, deceased.
Peter Kutz, Anthony Roeder and Frederick Shaffer, from Pine-
grove Township, now Wayne and Washington Town-
ships, were Revolutionary soldiers.
John Dollinger is buried in St. Peter's Lutheran and Reformed
cemetery, Pinegrove.
Jacob Reinhart, from Upper IMahantongo, now Eldred Town-
ship, Revolutionary soldier, lived and died in that town-
ship.
Conrad Eisenhuth — Revolutionary soldier from Berks County,
lived to the remarkable age of in years. His son, Con-
rad, died at 95. The former was the grandfather of
A. C. Eisenhuth, of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County.
Peter Bock, Isaac Moser, Balthaser Borck, Andrew Burkes,
Bernard Kepner, Phillip Schwartz, Henry Lutz, Henry
Hoffman, Frederick Hettinger were in the Revolution-
ary War from Brunswick Township (from the vicinity
of McKeansburg.) There were five residents from the
same locality in the War of 181 2.
The above are buried at Frieden's church, near New
Ringgold and at McKeansburg. The first settlers came to
that vicinity in 1740. They were Daniel, Jacob and Frederick
Bensinger, Phillip Schwartz and John Kuehnle. They
brought their families with them and named their settlement
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 97
War of the Revolution
"Schmaltzdahl/' Their tirst churcii was held in a log school
house and was known as "Friedens, unwcit der kleinen Shool-
kill, ne]:)en den Blauen Bergen, Braunschweig, Berks County."
Ulrich Heiser and Abraham Seltzer came 1758; Bernard Kep-
ner, 1769; Jacob Whetstone (Capt. of Company from Pine-
grove Township), Andrew Bolich, Balzar Koch, Henry and
Frederick Sassaman, in 1769-70. A tract of land was given,
additional, 1768, when a new church was built. Part of this
locality was in Northampton County until Schuylkill County
was formed, 181 1.
Jacob Shoemaker — Was born in New Jersey, 1760, and died at
Bloomsburg, Pa., 1840. He served throughout the entire
Revolutionary War. His great grandson, William H.
Shoemaker, of Shenandoah, was born in Pottsville, 1832.
The list of these men is imperfect. There may be more,
but enough have been given to refute the assertion fre-
quently made, that "Schuylkill County was not represented,
to any extent, in the War of the Revolution."
It should be borne in mind that the locality known now
as Schuylkill County was not changed, only its name.
ZERBES IN THE COLONIAL, FRENCH AND INDIAN
AND REVOLUTIONARY WARS
The name Servi, Xavier, Servitz, Seriver, Serfas, Serfass,
Service, Servey, Servier, Sevier, Zerfas, Zerfass, is the same
as Sevier, Sarva or Zarva, in the original and many branches
of the family who spelled the name phonetically as above,
have adopted the "Zerbe," "Zerbee," "Zerby," "Zerbey,"
others retaining the original spelling. There are sixteen
different methods of spelling the name, as is stated else-
where.
98 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
The following occur in the Fifth Series Penna. Archives,
which contains fifteen volumes, the sixteenth being an index :
Serfas, Adam, 4th Vol., p. 344, Capt. Continental Line,
List of Depreciated Pay.
Serfas, Charles, Vol. 4, p. 344, Private, same.
Serfas, Christian, Vol. 4, p. 664-672-357; Vol. 8, p. 203.
Private, same.
Serfas, Frederick, Vol. 8, p. 242-297.
Serfas, Menry, Vol. 8, p. 113-448-562; Vol. 4, p. 357.
Serfas, Jacob, Vol. 8, p. 577.
Serfas, John, Vol. 4, p. 664; Vol. 8, p. 575.
Serfass, Capt., Vol. 8, p. 96.
Serfass, Adam, Vol. 8, p. 96, pp. 598-599-600, 48-109.
Serfass, Christian, Vol. 8, p. 264.
Serfass, Christian, Vol. 4, p. 344 ; Vol. 8, p. 306.
Serfass, Frederick, Vol. 8, p. 283, 297, 596.
Server, Daniel, Capt. John Slater's Co., Lancaster Co., ist
Battalion Lancaster Militia. (Daniel Zerbe, son of John
Zerbe, the miller and brother to Benjamin, who set-
tled in Pinegrove Twp. — Zerbe History.)
Server, Jacob, received depreciation pay. (Original rolls.)
Continental Line. Jacob was a son of John Zerbe,
wife Catharine Stup. He went early to Cumberland
County. Christian Zerbe, who married Christina
Strauss, was a brother.) (Vol. 6, pp. 556, 553, 577.)
Servier, Phillip — Cumberland Company, same county. Vol. 4.
p. 638.
The U. S. paid the army in depreciated money, (shin
plasters). This currency became lower and lower in value,
the Tory sympathizers buying it up in quantities to still fur-
ther reduce the credit of the government. The Legislature
of Pennsylvania passed an Act to pay from the resources of
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 99
War of the Revolution
the State treasury the bahince, and all Penna. soldiers were
paid off at par by the State. This was called the "Depre-
ciation Pay," hence the lists.
Servise, John, Capt. Nicholas Saltmier, May i, 1777. Vol. 3,
_ p. 89.
Service, John — Capt. James Dunn's Co., Chester Co. Asso-
ciators and Militia, 8th Battalion, Col. Patterson Bell.
Service, John — Capt. Gilbert Gibbs, Chester County, June 18,
1777. Militia of foot. Col. John Hannum.
Serfass, John — Vol. 8, p. 282, 493.
Serfass, William, V^ol. 8, p. 282, 306.
Servey, Peter — Vol. 2, p. 109, Capt. Huling's Co., Jan. 5,
1776; Nov. 25, 1776; Commissioned, Col. Arthur St.
Clair, furloughed from Oct. 1776, by Gen. Gates, Con-
tinental Line. (Son of George Peter Zerbe, Zerbe His-
tory.)
Service, John — Vol. 4, p. 963; Vol. 5, p. 809, 817.
Service, James — Vol. 4, p. 963.
Servis, Jacob — Vol. i, p. 302. Detachment Penna. Regt. in
Garrison at Fort Bedford under Col. Jos. Shippen,
Jan. 24, 1760. Capt. Hambright's Co.
Surver, Phillip — Vol. 6, p. 556-564.
Surver, Adam — Vol. 8, p. 575.
Servise, John — Vol. 3, p. 1025.
Server, Abraham (8th Vol., p. 222.) Capt. Jacob Heller, two
months tour of duty, from around Allentown, North-
ampton County. 8th Co., Capt. John Santee.
Server, Daniel — 7th Vol., p. 4, 245.
Server, Jacob— 4th Vol., p. ^33 ; 6th Vol., p. 332-563.
Server, Phillip— 4th Vol., p. 630; 6th Vol., p. 563-630.
Serves, Henry — 8th Vol., p. 306.
Serfass, Christian— Same company from Northampton Co.,
same.
100 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
Servey, John — Private Continental Line, Northumberland Co.
Vol. 4, p. 379, p. 693.
(From lists of soldiers who received depreciation pay, and
also from a manuscript record, no date, headed "Rangers on
the Frontiers.")
Note — In addition to the Depreciation pay the Pennsyl-
vania Legislature passed an Act entitling each soldier from
this State, in the regular service of the Revolutionary War,
to 200 acres of land. The officers were graded accordingly,
a Major General receiving three thousand acres. There were
no homestead laws attached to the bill and the greater part
of the land fell into the hands of unscrupulous land specula-
tors who bought up the bulk of the grant as low as fifty cents
per acre.
Servey, Benjamin — Private, Capt. Benjamin Weiser's Co. of
the German Regiment, of the General Battalion.
Zerbe, Benjamin (the same, enlisted twice) — Continental
troupes commanded by Colonel Nicholas Hausseg-
ger, in the service of the United Colonies, in
barracks, Phila., Oct. 3, 1776. Enlisted July 19, 1776;
Dec. 3, 1776. The Penna. German Regt. Berks County.
Court Martial Man, Vol. 3, p. 793. (Son of John Zerbe,
the miller), (Zerbe History). Court Martial Man
ranked next to Ensign.
Serven, William— Enlisted Dec. 10, 1776; killed Oct. 4, 1781.
Col. Hazen's Regt. Penna. Continental Line. Vol. 3,
p. 780. Vol. 4, pp. ZSy-^y-/^-
Service, Thomas — Private, Capt. Charles McHenry, 5th
Penna. Regt., Continental Line, Sept. 9, 1778.
Service, Thomas — Was in McHenry's Company to August,
1778, and afterward in Col. Richard Butler's Company.
Sarvas, John — Private 5th Penna. Regt., Continental Line,
January 17, 1781. Vol. 5, p. 89.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY loi
War of the Revolution
Service, Thomas — Private, Capt. John Barclay, 5th Penna.
Infantry in service U. S., Col. F. Johnstone, Comman-
der, April, 1780. Vol. 3, p. 62.
Service, Thomas — Private, Capt. John Lacy, 1778; enlisted
January i, 1777, Capt. Alex. Johnstone, in service U. S.
5th Penna. Regt. Col. F. Johnstone Regt. Continental
Line, April 30, 1776.
Servits, George — Capt. John Gragery, Col. Nicholas Kerns,
Northumberland Co., April 22, 1782. Vol. 8, p. 493.
From list of "Depreciated Pay," Vol. 4, p. 344.
Service, Thomas — Private, Capt. John Lacy's Co. January 5,
1776 to January 9, 1778. Fourth Penna. Battalion, Col.
Anthony Wayne. Vol. 2, p. 150.
Serfass, John — Capt. John Gregory, Col. Nicholas Kerns, for
the year 1782, April 22, from Northampton Co., Vol.
8. P- 493-
It should be borne in mind that the early magistrates
were phonetic spellers. Many of the early settlers, the French
and German, had little or no knowledge of English, and had
not decided upon perfect translations of their names into that
language. They spelled by sound. Of these were the Zerbes.
Others took the meaning of their names and changed them, as
Hunter, Stone, etc., which differed widely from the names in
the original pronunciations and spelling.
Servey, John— 4th Vol., p. 369-693-379, Northumberland Co.
Militia. Private in Continental Line.
Servas, John — Served as a private in Capt. Byles Co., 3rd
Penna. Regt., in Revolutionary War and that he was
paid to September i, 1776, 3 pounds, 15 shillings for
service.
Serva, John— Private, John Mull's Company, same battalion
commanded by Col. Peter Hosterman, on duty for 16
days, from April to July, 1779.
102 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
Servy, John — Private, Capt. John Black's Company, same bat-
talion from October 9 to October 28, 1779.
The above three are from the records of the War Dept.,
Adj. General's Office, ^^'ashington, D. C, January 4, 1912.
(There were in 1736 three John Zerbes in Berks County.
Owing to the custom of naming one son after the father, to
perpetuate the name, this number of Johns had doubled at
least until 1776. Those too, who migrated to Northumber-
land and Northampton County, also had Johns ; they were,
however, all related and first cousins, except the descendants
of one of that name, who were of the second degree. The
record from the W^ar Department states, that, "as the term
of all Militia men was not longer than two months, the same
men returned several times under other, or the same com-
mands and the records often refer to the same man," hence,
the duplication of names.)
Servitz, Joseph — Private Capt. George Shriver's 3d Co., 7th
class, Northumberland Co., Vol. 8, p. 357.
Sarby, George — George Peter Zerbe, son of Martin Zerbe.
Private, Independent Troop of Horse, Phila. County,
1756. Capt. Edward Jones, Vol. i, p. 50, French and
Indian W^ar. They were of the 3d Battalion and were
known as the Augusta Regiment.
Martin and John Phillip Zerbe (Zerbe History, brothers,
were in Queen Anne's W^ar, 171 1. (Part i and 2.)
Seriver, George — Capt. John Patton, 7th Co., 6th Battalion,
Col. Jas. Taylor, Lancaster Co. From the original mus-
ter rolls, public records, Harrisburg, April 15, 1783.
Vol. 7, p. 619. (Son of George Peter Zerbe, Zerbe
History.)
Zehrfass, Capt. — Vol. 8, p. 590; Vol. 6, p. 216.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 103
War of the Revolution
Zehrfass, Abraham — Vol. 7, p. 245-312.1
Zarban, John — Private in Capt. Weaver's Co., same battalion,
Berks County, from April 5, 1779, for a period of 22 days.
(Son of George Peter Zerbe — Zerbe's History.)
Zerben, George — 3d Series, Vol. 6, pp. 32i-'22. Accounts Capt.
Phillip Filbert's Co. (8th class.) 39 pounds. (Son of
John Zerbe, the miller — Zerbe History.)
Zerbe, Leonard — 5th Vol., p. 230. Ensign, Company 8, 5th
Battalion, May 17, 1777. 3rd Series, Vol. 6, pp. 32i-'22.
6th Battalion, 4th Co., Heidelberg, Capt. Phillip Fil-
bert. (Son of John Zerbe, the miller — Zerbe History.)
(Sworn in by Peter Spyker, Justice, with 778 others.
Total number enrolled, 1778.)
Zerben, Michael — 3rd Series, Vol. 6, pp. 22-38. 2nd Sergt.,
Capt. George Miller's Co., from Bethel and Tulpe-
hocken Townships. 29 men, 4 officers. Mustered De-
cember 13, 1777. On duty at South Amboy, N. J. (Son
of George Peter Zerbe — Zerbe History. Sept. 5, 1776.
5th Series, Vol. 5, p. 152.) Four thousand and fifty-
eight men.
Zerban, Michael — Account of Capt. Weaver's Co. 4th class.
8 pounds. Vol. 5, p. 151, 152. (Son of John Jacob
Zerbe, Bethel Township.)
Zerbe, Christian — Capt. Phillip Filbert's Co. Series 3, Vol. 6,
p. 322.
All of the above occur in the Fifth Series, Penna. Ar-
chives, unless otherwise credited. The Pennsylvania Militia
all served several tours of field duty, but only a few of the
company lists have been preserved. The new Fifth Series of
(Note 1— There are many references throughout the 5th Series to the
name spelled as above, but as the Christian name is the same as those
previously given, spelled with an "S" instead of "Z", for the surname, it is
believed that they are in most instances correlative.)
104 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
fifteen volumes, the sixteenth being the index, contains nearly
all of the Pennsylvania Revolutionary records that have been
found up to 1906.
BERKS AND SCHUYLKILL IN REVOLUTION
Those included in the following list are from Volume
Five, Fifth Series, Pennsylvania Archives.
Baker, David — Second Lieutenant, Capt. George Miller's Co.
On duty South Amboy, N. J., September 5, 1776.
(Wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Zerbe and Eliza-
beth Loucks.)
Gruber, Christian — Ensign, 6th Co., 2nd Battalion, Class A.
May 10, 1780. Vol. 5, p. 183.
Gruber, Christian — First Co., 6th Battalion Lancaster County
Militia, 1783. Vol. 7, p. 609.
Gruber, George — List of "Depreciated Pay," Vol. 4, p. 495.
Gruber, Valentine— Served in Capt. Riefif's Co., December 11,
1777 — February 6, 1778.
Gruber, Albrecht — Capt. Conrad Shirman's Co., 6 Bat., Aug.
10, 1780.
Reber, Conrad — Capt. George Miller's Co., September 5, 1776.
(Vol. 5, p. 152.) (Miller-Reber History, Part IH.)
Reber, Michael— Capt. Baldy's Co., Militia, September 9,
1780.
(Note) — The name Staudt occurs more than one hun-
dred times in the Sth Series Penna. Archives. It would seem
that any one of that name in the United States, who can
prove the chronological order of descent, may find among the
names of those mentioned an early ancestor.
The Stoudts (Staudts) were numerous in the Revolu-
tionary War. Among those from Berks and Schuylkill Coun-
ties are the following: The name Staudt is variously spelled.
Stout, George — Ensign, Capt. Jacob Kremer's Co., Co. 7, (A
class), 6 Bat., May 17, 1777.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i05
War of the Revolution
Stout, Daniel— Scrgt. Jacob Balciy's Co., August lO, 1780.
Stout, Daniel— Capt. Phillip Filbert's Co., 5 Vol., p. 183.
Stup, John— Capt. Conrad Sherman (brother of Catharine
Stup, wife of John Zerbe), Vol. 5, p. 41.
Stout, John— Sergt. Capt. Daniel Rieff's Co., Feb. 6, 1778.
Swartz, Christian— Capt. Jacob Ladig's Co., Oct. i, 1781,
(1)rother of Wendel Swartz, married to Eva, daughter
of George Zerbe.)
Stout, John— Capt. Conrad Minnich's Co., May 17, 1777; 3rd
Bat., Col. Michael Lindemuth.
Stout, John— Ensign, May 10, 1780, Capt. Anthony Schra-
der's 3d Co., 5th Battalion, (brother of Elizabeth
Stout, married to Andrew Miller.)
Stout, Daniel— Lieut., May 10, 17S0.
Stout, John — Sergt. Capt. Daniel Riefif's Co., Dec, 1777;
Jan., 1778; in camp thirty and a half miles below Read-
ing.
Stout, Joseph — Shipmaster, Lucia Packet, 1762-1776.
Stout, Capt.— Fifth Series, Vol. 3, pp. 534, 568, 574, 575, 582.
Swartz, Jacob — List of Depreciated Pay, Vol. 4, p. 495.
Stout, Abraham — Vol. 5, p. 442.
Stout, Daniel — Vol. 5, pp. 373, 378, 167, 234; Vol. 7, p. 766.
(Those above, credited as coming from Lancaster Coun-
ty, lived in Heidelberg Township, near the line dividing Berks
and Lancaster Counties. They were in Lancaster County
prior to 1752, when part of Heidelberg was legislated to
remain in that county. Families in Berks County, near the
line, were closely identified with their friends and neighbors
on the other side who had not changed their locality but the
name.)
The name Merkle under various spellings occurs about
eighty times in the Penna. Archives. The Merkles were very
numerous in the Revolutionary War. There are also one
hundred and sixty mentions of this name in the old Moselem
io6 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
Church records, Richmond Twp., Berks County. (Pennsyl-
vania Genealogical Society, Philadelphia), (Fifth Series
Penna. Archives, 5th Vol., p. 183.)
Merkle, Jacob — Capt. John Fulmer's Co., Wayne Township,
formerly Manheim (Berks), Schuylkill County.
Merkle, Caspar — Capt. Phillip Filbert's Co., Vol. 5, p. 183.
Markle (Merky), John — Capt. John Fulmer's Co. (Same).
Merkle, Abraham— 1781, 5th Vol., p. 185.
Merkle, Nicholas —
Mercklin — Vol. 6, pp. 240, 246.
A'lerckle — Vol. 8, pp. 195, 210.
Merckling — Vol. 6, pp. 240-246.
Merkle — Vol. 5, p. 211.
Merkly— Vol. 4, p. 252.
Merkle, Bernhard — Capt. Baldy's Co., Sept. 9, 1780.
Merkle, George — Capt. Peter Nagle's Co.
Merkle, Christian, Jr. — Capt. Jacob Ladig's Co.
Merkle, John — Capt. Jacob Ladig's Co., October 1,1781.
Merkle, Christian — Ensign, 5th Co., May 10, 1780, 3rd Co.,
and ist Bat. from Trappe.
Marckle, Abraham — Independent troop of horse, Phila., 1756.
Marckle, Michael— Vol. 3, p. 855, Capt. of the Light Dra-
goons, came from France with Lafayette and belonged
to the Independent corps, Cavalry and Foot, December
ber 28, 1778.
Merkle, Merkel, Merclin, Marckle. Part 2.
THE RIETHS AND THEIR RECORDS
Rieth. Michael — Capt. John Huling's Co., Commissioned
January 5, 1776; November 25, 1776. Furloughed from
October, 1776, by Gen. Gates, Continental Line. Vol.
2, p. 109.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 107
War of the Revolution
Rieth, \\'ilentine, Jacob, Phillip, Adam, Caspar, Peter, Chris-
tian, John, Samuel, George, Daniel, Michael, Frederick.
— The name Rieth is now spelled Reed, Ried and Read.
There were fourteen of that name in the Revolutionary-
War, all sons of the two who came from the Palatinate,
1710, and settled in the Schoharie, subsequently remov-
ing to the Tulpehocken, 1723. The two former were
ensigns. Jacob died 1821, Valentine, 1825, 75 and 76
years old ; both are buried in Rieth's cemetery, Stouchs-
burg, Berks County.
Rieth, Leonard — 2d Series, Vol. 3, p. 23, List of Officers,
Rev. War, Berks County, Wagon Master, Jan. 8. 1778.
Col. Henry Haller, Reading, held same position Feb.
25, 1778. Vol. 3, p. 23. (Leonard, son of George Rieth,
wife, Anna Maria, daughter of George Peter Zerbe —
Zerbe History\)
Rietli, John (Johannes) Was from Pinegrove Township.
He was a brother of Leonard Rieth.
(Note — In the latter part of July, 1777, in anticipation of
an invasion by the British, under Gen. Howe, the Executive
Council secured wagons to remove the public records, at
Philadelphia, to a place of safety and to assist the families
of the inhabitants to remove, with the aid of the militia men.
The President of the Executive Council ordered three hun-
dred and fifty wagons from the Lieutenant of Berks County.
Col. Jacob Morgan made the requisition according to the
number of taxables. The Continental Congressional Records
and Treasury were moved to Lancaster and Congress met
there on the 27th of July. After the enemy left, October 17,
1777, only twenty of the three hundred and fifty wagons were
retained.)
FAMILY TRADITIONS
Two incidents, in which members of the Rieth family
participated, may prove interesting to others than those who
have preserved the traditions.
io8 BLUE BOOK OF
War of the Revolution
In 1793 when General George Washington visited Wom-
elsdorf, he expressed a desire to see the tomb of Conrad
Weiser and asked to be accompanied thither by three of his
old body gnard who had come to do honor to their old com-
mander-in-chief. Christopher Lechner, Jacob and Valentine
Rieth responded and spent an hour in his company. General
Washington knelt at the lonely farmside grave for a brief
prayer for his former comrade in arms. (Conrad Weiser's
tomb is noted elsewhere.)
On another occasion General Washington had met some
of his ofificers, for a conference, at the old tavern at Valley
Forge. He came out of the hotel rather hastily, unattended.
Leonard Rieth, who was loitering outside, seeing his predica-
ment rushed to his assistance and acted as aid-de-camp, or
orderly, holding his horse and adjusting his cloak and stirrups,
Washington apparently not noticing the omission on the part
of his regular attendant.
GEORGE WASHINGTON SPOKE PENNSYLVANIA
GERMAN
Phillip Schwartz lived in the vicinity of what is now
McKeansburg, with the earliest settlers prior to 1776. After
the battle of Trenton, in which the Pennsylvania Germans
saved the day for their redoubtable leader, Washington re-
ported that the term of service of many having expired, that
one-half of the men capable of bearing arms should be called
into the field. The order was made October 17, 1777, and
January, 1778, one hundred and fifty men were recruited from
Berks County, Phillip Schwartz, of Brunswick Township, was
one of the number, but prior to this an interesting little epi-
sode occurred which has been handed down among the remi-
niscenses of the family.
When Schwartz heard that he was wanted he said: "I
will go, but I must see General Washington first." Schwartz
rode to Washington's headquarters on one of a handsome
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 109
War of the Revolution
pair of black colts, that he had spent much time and care
upon in raising and that were the pride of his heart. Upon
inquiring of the sentry for General Washington he was ad-
mitted to his presence only upon the plea of most urgent
business. ("Ich muss e' in sehnen.")
Schwartz then related to the great commander in the
reigning vernacular, that "He wanted to go to the field before,
he would go now but there was no one home but his wife
and the children. They could manage the farm but they
could not care for the colts, they needed his care, they would
die without him."
Washington went out and inspected the handsome horse
and then said,
"Cum yusht! Wier bezallen dich fier die guile was sie
ward sin."
Phillip Schwartz went home, brought the remaining colt
and received his pay for the pair and served his full time.
The horses were used for mounts for the officers and to the
end of his time, Schwartz died about 1840, he related this
story. He was very proud of his service in the struggle for
freedom and on Battalion Day, or any great political or other
celebration, in Orwigsburg, in which the military participated,
old Phillip Schwartz appeared in his Continental uniform, sat
upon the platform and was made one of the Vice Presidents
of the meeting or an honorary member of a committee. His
grandsons were, Joseph and Edward Schwartz, well known
citizens of Schuylkill County.
THE WAR OF i8i2-'i4
On the 3d of June, 1812, the United States declared war
against Great Britain. Hostilities began, with England, as
early as June, 1807, when the French and British govern-
ments ordered the seizure and confiscation of American ships,
on the high seas, in utter defiance of the rights of neutrals
no BLUE BOOK OF
War of 1812-14
and when hundreds of American sailors were impressed into
the royal navy on the pretence that they were deserters from
the English forces and her ships of war. The Indians of the
northwestern frontier, instigated by British emissaries, at-
tacked the frontier settlements and an invasion of Canada
was undertaken by the Americans, in 1812. The successes of
the American navy, including the Great Lake's fleet, far out-
balanced the defeats of the forces by land. The campaign of
1814 was more important. After a series of victorious ma-
neuvers in New York and on Lake Champlain, the American
forces repulsed the British, who lost their fleet and 2,500 men.
In the summer of 1814, a British fleet landed a force of sev-
eral thousand men on Chesapeake Bay, under General Ross,
who advanced upon Washington, burning the capitol, the
President's House and the several executive buildings of the
government. After the defeat of the British at New Orleans,
a treaty for peace was signed at Ghent, December 24, 18x4.
(Note — The city of Washington was founded, 1790, by
the first President of the United States, whose name it bears.
It became the seat of the Federal government in 1800. The
delegates from the original twelve colonies, fifty-five in num-
ber, met in Philadelphia, September 5, 1774. The second
Congress met May 10, 1775, and issued the Declaration of
Independence, July 4, 1776. The Congress removed to Bal-
timore toward the end of that year. The first Congress of the
United States met in New York in 1789, its sittings were
transferred to Philadelphia in 1790, and were removed to
Washington in 1800.)
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, county seat of a southeastern
county of the same name, adjoining the Maryland line, was the
seat of the State government from 1799 to 1812. Many valua-
ble records were burned here, too, by the destruction of the
court house, 1828, by fire.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY m
War of 1812-14
SOLDIERS IN WAR OF 1812-1814 FROM SCHUYLKILL
COUNTY
Captain John Rarr — Tavern-keeper, Pinegrove.
Michael Fritz — Substitute for Jonathan Seidel, Friedensburg.
(Father of E. J. Fritz and Mrs. J. K. Baker, of Potts-
ville.)
Samuel B. Riland — Friedensburg.
John Aulenbach — Friedensburg.
Jacob Mennig — Friedensburg (father of Edward Mennig, of
Pottsville.)
Adam Snyder — Friedensburg.
George Lerch — Friedensburg — First Defenders — 1812.
Daniel Kaercher — Friedensburg. (Grandfather of Samuel B.,
Edward and Daniel Kaercher, Pottsville.)
John R. Bannan — Pottsville.
Burd Patterson — Pottsville.
Benjamin Pott — Pottsville.
Daniel Christian — Pottsville, (drummer boy).
Charles Siegfried — Pottsville. (Grandfather of George Filer,
Mrs. K. C. Wilson, the Rehrs and others, of Pottsville.)
David Maurer — Pottsville.
Christopher Loeser — Pottsville. (Father of Mrs. Sarah Bris-
coe, Mrs. F. P. Dewees, and uncle of Charlemagne
Tower.)
Andrew Achey — Pottsville.
Henry Fidler — Pottsville.
Conrad Roeder — Pottsville. (The Roeders were among the
first butchers of Pottsville, and highly respected.)
Caspar Roeder, Pottsville.
Peter Dinger — Pottsville.
George Dinger — Pottsville.
George Deidrich — Pottsville.
John Schoup — Pottsville.
John Kessler — Pottsville.
112 BLUE BOOK OF
War of 1812-14
Peter Bressler — Lower Mahantongo Twp.
Jonathan Bressler — Now Hegins Twp.
John Sterner — Manheim and Pinegrove Twps., native of Long
Swamp, Berks Co. (Father of Charles B. Sterner, Potts-
ville.)
Phillip Staller — Wayne Twp.
Henry Heckaman — (Father of Sarah Heckaman, of Stoiichs-
burg, Berks Co., and grandfather of the wife of Capt.
W. F. Stitzer, of Schuylkill Haven.)
Peter Starr — Branch Twp.
George Hoerner — Lower Mahantongo Twp. (Father of Mrs.
Ernest Nichol, dec'd, of Pottsville.)
John Kawl — Now Hubley.
Ludwig Shott — Berks Co. (Grandfather of Dr. C. Lenker,
Sch. Haven.)
Phillip Snyder — From Mohrsville, Berks Co. (Grandfather of
Henry B. Snyder, of Mahanoy Plane. Schuylkill Co.)
John Hummel — Berks Co., 1776, (Grandfather of Hon. Ed-
ward Hummel, Pinegrove.)
Peter Aurand — Berks Co. (Father of Aquilla Aurand, of Ta-
maqua.)
Jacob Heisler — East Brunswick Twp.
Jacob Waltz, East Brunswick Twp.
George Moyer — East Brunswick Twp.
Capt. John Christian — East Brunswick Twp.
Rev. John Stein — East Pinegrove Twp.
(Rev. John Stein, son of John Stein and wife, Susanna Eckles, born
two miles north of Pinegrove, July 17, 1794. He preached in many
Lutheran churches in Schuylkill and Lebanon counties, among them
Jacob's church, Pinegrove Twp.)
(The Christians of Pottsville have good military records in all of
the wars since 1812. John, Michael and Daniel came to Cumru Township,
Berks County, from Switzerland, about 1780. The latter went to Mary-
land and settled. Michael was the ancestor of the Berks County branch.
John settled north of the Blue Mountains and was the head of all of that
name in Schuylkill County. Capt. John Christian was the father of Wm.
Christian, father of C. & L policeman Capt. Daniel Christian. Other sons
were Jacob and Benjamin, of Pottsville.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
War of 1812-14
113
RECORDS FROM TOMBSTONES
St. Peter's Lutheran and Reformed Cemetery — Jonathan
Bonavitz, Benjamin Bonavitz, John Bonavitz, John Boyer,
Dr. Jacob Christ, Henry Eckler, Jacob Lehman, Daniel Um-
benhen, Henry Zimmerman.
St. John's Lutheran, Pinegrove — Henry Conrad, John
Barr, Peter Filbert, Daniel Kitzmiller.
Hetzel's Church — Phillip Zerbe, 1812; Joseph Zerbe,
1861 ; John Zerbe, 1861 ; John Hummel, 1812.
St. Jacob's, Swatara Valley — John Ream, Adam Reed, Ja-
cob Spancake, 1812, 1861.
St. Paul's Evangelical, Pinegrove — Henry Reinoehl.
(Pension list, soldiers in the War of 1812, Penna. Archives, 6th Series,
Vo. 9, pp. 408, 505, 603.)
114 BLUE BOOK OF
Mexican War
Mexican War
Schuylkill County Represented
f'HERE had been a constant friction between Mexico and
^K the United States prior to the admission of Texas into
^'■' the Union.
The Mexicans imprisoned Americans, seized their ships
and confiscated their goods. In 1831 this country concluded a
treaty of commerce with Mexico, which was frequently vio-
lated and the Americans retaliated by assisting Texas to be-
come an independent State. Ten years later, March i, 1845,
Texas was added to the United States, and a declaration of
war followed. November i, 1846, Governor Shunk issued a
call for volunteers which was immediately responded to by
two regiments of infantry from Pennsylvania. Schuylkill
County responded with the Washington Artillery, now Co. F,
of Pottsville, Fourth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsyl-
vania. November 30, 1846, the company reported at Phila-
delphia, joining six companies from that city, two from Pitts-
burg and one from Wilkes-Barre. Peace was concluded after
a strenuous warfare of not quite two years and the Pennsylva-
nia infantry disbanded in Philadelphia, July 24, 1848.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Mexican War
115
Muster Roll of Co. B, ist Regt., Pa. Vols., War With Mexico.
December 5, 1846
(From copy in possession of Col. Daniel Nagle, Pottsville, Pa.)
OFFICERS
Captain, James Nagle, age 25 years,
1st Lieut., Simon S. Nagle, " 25
2nd Lieut., Franklin B. Kaercher
3rd Lieut., Jacob Fellnagle,
ist Sergt., Edward Rehr,
2nd Sergt., William S. Nagle,
3rd Sergt., Edward Kaercher,
4th Sergt., J. L. McMicken,
1st Corporal, Enos Zentmyer,
2nd Corporal, David Llewellyn, " 22
(On way to New Orleans)
3rd Corporal, J. Egbert Farnum, " 23
4th Corporal, Edward W. Masson, " 25
ist Musician, Daniel Nagle, Drummer, " 18
2nd Musician, Reuben Stamm, Fifer, " 23
Pottsville
-'5
20
32
20
21
24
25
PRIVATES
William C. Boland,
Charles Scrimshaw,
Daniel Shappell,,
Elias Shelly,
Emanuel Shelly,
A. H. Berger,
Nelson Berger,
Henry Smink,
George Seitzinger,
William Seitzinger,
John Stegner,
23
36
26
26
27
2y
40
29
Pottsville
ii6
BLUE BOOK OF
Mexican War
John Shuster, age 22 years, Pottsville
(Discharged at Perote Castle,
January 7th, 1847.)
Jacob W. Shoub, " 22
Michael Sands, " 22
(Left at New Orleans, January
15th, 1847.)
James Sands,
Robert H. Savage,
(Left at New Orleans, January
1 2th, 1847.
Samuel Shadman,
Henry Fisher,
George W. Garrett,
John C. Gilman,
Thomas W. Guthrie,
(Discharged at Vera Cruz.)
Elias F. Hiney,
John Hays,
Peter Hass,
William H. Hatcheley,
John Jennings,
(Left at New Orleans, January
I2th, 1847-)
Elias Kelly,
(Discharged at Vera Cruz,
March 17, 1847.)
John Kepply,
Singleton Kimmel,
Michael Lust,
William Tyson,
Abel B. Macy,
Alexander McDonald,
Ferdinand Mammerank,
25
28
22
21
24
34
21
26
22
26
25
24
26
28'
22
37
24
28
22
20
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY n?
Mexican War
John Mooney, age 21 years, Pottsville
(Left sick at Pittsburg-, De-
cember 21 St, 1S46.)
John Myers, " 21
Samuel McLaughlin, " 35
(Discharged at Vera Cruz,
April 2nd, 1847.)
Thomas Simpson, " 18
(Left in Mexico.)
Robert F. AA^iltcr, " 26
Gottloeb Wishue, " 22
Robert W^elsh, " 22
William \Vomnger, " 22
William Witecomb, " 25 " "
Owen D. Thomas " 29
Andrew Stamm, " 20
John Douty,
(Killed at San Angel, by Mex-
ican Greaser in ambush.)
Joel Metz,
James H. Ruckel, " 23
David Jones, " 22
(Discharged at Vera Cruz,
April, 1847.)
Benjamin Shell, " 20
Benjamin Smith, " 20 " "
(Died at Perote Castle,
June 29th, 1847.)
Augustus H. Boyer, " 21 " "
Bernard Barr, " 32
Valentine K. Mills, " 30
(Died at Perote Castle, Au-
gust 8th, 1847.)
ii8 BLUE BOOK OF
Mexican War
William Merkle, age 25 years, Pottsville
(Killed by Mexican Greaser in
ambush at San Angel, about
August 1.)
Benjamin Nagle, " 26
(Died at San Angel, Mexico.)
John M. Nolan, " 24
Francis M. Wynkoop, " 28
(Elected Colonel from the ranks
at Pittsburg.)
Francis C. McGeen, " 23
Henry Richards, " 22
John Hand, " 19 " Philadelphia
Thomas W. Guthrie, " 22
Henry Graeff, " 26 "
(Died at Jalapa, Mexico.)
Patrick H. McElroy, " 23 " Pittsburg
(Left January 5, 1847, ^^ New
Orleans.)
Joshua Jenkins, " 24
Thomas Quiddington, " 42
John McCormick, " 19
William Hines, " 20
Thomas J. Gilpin,
Mahlon A. Eraser, age 25 years, New Orleans. (Left at
Vera Cruz, April 8th, 1847.)
William Knockhouse, age 22 years, Schuylkill Haven.
William H. Stackpole, age 21 years, Waynesburg.
Samuel Montgomery, age 22 years, Waynesburg. (Died at
Perote Castle, August 26th, 1847.)
James H. Ross, age 20 years,Waynesburg.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY iiQ
Mexican War
Levi Bright, age 30 years, Reading. (Lost on march from
Pueblo to Perote.)
Charles Seagraves, age 22 years, Reading.
George W. I lesser, aged 27 years, McVeytown.
Seth Price, age 26 years, Orwigsburg.
Edward Robins, age 21 years, Port Carbon.
Levi Essler.
Commissioned officers 4
Musicians 2
Non-commissioned officers 8
Private soldiers 83
Total 97
Number of men enlisted in Pottsville 74
Number enlisted outside of Pottsville, but in county 10
Number enlisted outside of county along route to New
Orleans 13
Total 97
The following is a copy of a letter written by William
Merkle, July 16, 1847, to his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Merkle,
of Spring Garden, Schuylkill Haven, several days before his
death. Col. Daniel Nagle says : "William Merkle and John
Douty went out for a walk, one morning, beyond the picket
line, when they were shot by Mexican Greasers lying in am-
bush. Their bodies were recovered and buried within the
redoubts." (History of Merkles.) The original is in the pos-
session of his great nephew. Prof. Bartolet, Instructor of
Mathematics, Collegiate Institute, York, Pa. The stamp bears
the date of November 5, 1847, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Wm.
Merkle was an uncle of W. M. Zerbey, deceased, of Potts-
ville.
120 BLUE BOOK OF
Mexican War
Castle of Revote, Mexico, Juh' i6, 1847.
j\Iy Dear Mother:—
I am now in this castle, 36 miles from Jalapa, about no
from Vera Cruz, and more than 2,000 from you and my own
dear home. I am in good health, good spirits, and pleased with
my companions. Here we \We on the best productions of
Mexico, without work, and permitted to enjoy ourselves as
we most desire; and so long as we enjoy health, no one could
wish for more happiness. The building is very large, the city
of Revote a short mile distant, and the whole country around
is a level plain of cultivated land, bounded by mountains of
immense heighth, for their tops are ahvays covered with
snow. Beef, pork, potatoes, onions, beans, peas, tomatoes,
etc., are very plenty, but very dear here.
We have had some hard fighting, but, thank God, I am
yet among the living, although in the midst of all the trials.
On the evening of the 21st of June, ov:r company, with some
others, left here to relieve a train of wagons from Vera
Cruz, and the next morning at three o'clock we routed our
savage enemies at Lavidia, about 16 miles from here. The
Mexicans numbered about 500 — our force about 300 ; but we
routed and defeated them, killing about 100 of them, with-
out loss of a single man, although we lost four horses.
We are now awaiting fresh orders, and expect to have
another engagement with more than 5,000 Mexicans who
have fortified the National Bridge, between here and Vera
Cruz. ^Vhen or whither we go is uncertain.
The sick and wounded are dying very fast in our hos-
pital. The funerals average from 10 to 13 every day. We
have only lost five out of our company by death, but many
by desertion and discharge.
We are uncertain when peace Avill be agreed upon, or
when we will return home.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Mexican War
121
I have never received an answer to any of my letters
home, and you need not expect another until you write to
Your affectionate son,
William Merkle.
Mrs. Elizabeth Merkle.
The Civil War of the Rebellion has not been adverted
to in these pages. It is of too recent occurrence and its his-
tory too well known to class it with the early events to which
the volume is devoted. Its stirring history is left to the pen
of the historian of the future if it has not been already covered
by the ready writer.
122 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
The Early Settlers
IT IS difficult to divorce a given locality from the name it
bears at the present time. From this arises the general
^ impression that Schuylkill County, because it was not or-
ganized at that date, has no ante-Revolutionary history, and
that its area had no settlers before Berks County was erected
in 1752, or even before its broad acres were included under
its present title, Schuylkill County, in 181 1. It should be
borne in mind that the land included in Schuylkill County
was once known as Chester, later as Lancaster and then
as Berks County.
The history of the early settlers along the Schuylkill
River and the interior townships of Schuylkill County is
synonymous with that of Berks County and one of the keen-
est pleasures of the historian is to trace the relationship of
the heads of the many prominent families in Berks County,
(Schuylkill), whose descendants by the hundreds occupy
prominent places in the makeup of other cities, states and
towns all over the LTnited States and not the least of them,
those that have contributed so largely to the population of
Schuylkill County. A brief mention of some of these, it
v^'ould be impossible to note all, is involved in the story.
EARLY NOTABLE SETTLERS
The Minsi Indian village, Tulpewehaki, after which the
section called Tulpehocken was named, existed in 1723, when
the thirty-three families came to where Middletown, Dauphin
County, now is, on the Swatara Creek, where they distributed
themselves, their descendants populating the Tulpehocken,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 123
The Early Settlers
from which was formed Tulpehocken, Upper Tulpehocken,
Bethel, Heidelberg, North Heidelberg, Lower Heidelberg,
Bern, Penn, Centre, Upper Bern, Marion and Jefferson
Townships, all that locality at that date being then included
in Chester County.
One of the most notable men among the early settlers
was Conrad \Veiser Jr^., who came to the Tulpehocken from
New York, 1729, with his wife and four children and settled
one mile east of Middletown (Womelsdorf.)
His father, John Conrad ^Veiser, Sr., was a magis-
trate and man of influence in Gross Astlach, County Back-
nang. Duchy of Wuertemberg, Germany. With the ruin of
his home he cast his lot with the Palatines and immigrated
to America in 1710. The mistake of his life was that he,
a widower with seven children — one daughter, married, re-
mained in Germany — in 171 1, married a woman much
younger than himself. His first wife was Anna Magdalena
Ueblen, who died May i, 1709, and was buried in Astlach.
The second wife, with whom he had three children, was
unkind to him and to his children. Two of his sons, George
and Christoph Frederick, were bound out by the Governor
of Long Island ; his family scattered, and his son, Conrad,
lived with the Mohawks.
THE WEISERS, FATHER AND SON
Though treating his children with harshness he seemed
himself to have been very unhappy and came in great hu-
mility and penitence, at the age of 86, to die with his son,
Conrad, in Penna., his death occurring July 13, 1760, and
that of his wife June 10, 1781.
Conrad Weiser, Jr., was born at Aestaet, Herrenberg,
Wuertemberg, Germany, November 2, 1696. He came with
(Note 1 — A diary of his, owned by Howell Souders, of Tamaqua, Pa.,
and translated from the German by Rev. George Gebert, gives many in-
teresting facts of his life.)
124 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
his father to New York, i/io, at the age of 14. He lived
with the ]\'Iohawk Indians eight years, in the family of
Quaynant, Mohawk Chief, where he acquired the Magnaisch
language. Returning to his father's home in the Schoharie
he frequently acted as interpreter between the Germans and
the Indians. He was employed in this capacity by the Pro-
vincial Government, after his removal to the Tulpehocken,
1729, a position he filled with great discretion and tact. He
was promnient in the French and Indian war and served as
Colonel in that war in command of the Second Battalion,
Pennsylvania Recruits. He was a magistrate for the Pro-
vincial Government and his letters to the agents of that
Government during the Indian War reflect great credit on
his sagacity and prudence in his dealings with the red men.^
CONRAD WEISER'S DIARY2 3
In the year 1696 on the 2nd of November was I, Conrad
Weiser, born in Europe, in the country of Wuertemberg, in
the Magistracy at Herrenberg. The village is called Ae-
staet, and at Kuppingen nearby I was baptized. * * * *
My father's name was Johann Conrad A\^eiser. My
mother, Anna Magdalena, nee Ueblen. My grandfather, also
Jacob Weiser, magistrate in the village of great Astlach, in
the District of Backnang, situated in the county of Wuert-
emberg, in above village. My ancestors, from very olden
times were born and lie buried there, as well on the father's
as on the mother's side. * * * *
In the year 1709 my mother departed on the ist day in
May in the 43rd year of her age, when she was with her loth
child. She left the children : Catrina, Margreda, Magdalena,
(Note 1 — Col. Records, Vol. 2, Penna. Archives.)
(Note 2 — From "Penn Germania," September-October, 1912, Vol. 1,
Old Series.)
(Note 3 — The diary is interwoven with many pious ejaculations and
quotations from the Scriptures. The historical part only is published.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 125
The Early Settlers
Sabina, Conrad, George, Frederick, Barbara, Johann Frederick,
and was there buried by the side of her ancestors. * * * *
In the above named year, 1709, my father moved away
from Great Astlach, on the 24th of June. He took seven chil-
dren with him. My oldest sister Catrina remained there with
her husband, Conrad Boss, with whom she had already two
children. l\Iy father left them his house, fields and meadows,
vineyards and gardens. They could raise no more than 75
guilders. The rest, amounting to 600 guilders, my father was
to get later, but was never done and is now presented to them.
'p 'I* 'K 't*
After about two months we landed in London, England,
with some thousand (a few thousand) Germans whom Queen
Anna of most honorable memory received and supplied with
food. About Christmas we were loaded, ten ships full, about
4000 souls, for America. On the 13th of June we came to
anchor in New York, North America, and in the Fall of the
same year were placed on Lewenstein's Manor at the expense
of the Queen. * * * *
Here in Livingstone or Lewenstein Manor, we were to
burn tar and cultivate hemp to remunerate the Queen for the
passage. From Holland to England and from England to
New York under direction of Compeers as: Johann Cast,
Heinrich Meyer, Reichard Seukott, who were placed over us
by Robert Hunter, Governor of New York. Nothing would
succeed however, and the people were declared free and re-
leased in the year 171 3. Then the people separated into the
province of New York. Many remained there. * * * *
Nearly 150 families resolved to move to Jochary, a place
about 40 English miles to the west of Albany. They sent
Deputies to the IMagnaisch Land to confer about it with the
Indians, who allowed them to settle at Jochary because of
their Indian deputy, who was in England, while the German
people lay in tents on the black heath, had presented this
126 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
Jochary to Queen Anna to settle this people on it. The In-
dian Deputies were sent to direct the Germans to Jochary.
My father was the first among the German Deputies. * * * *
In November, 1713, after the above mentioned deputies
returned from the Magnaisch Land to the Manor Lewenstein,
the people moved the same Fall to Albany and Schenectady,
so as to move to Jochary the next Spring. Bread was extra-
ordinarily high. The people worked hard to earn their daily
bread, but the inhabitants were very liberal and did these
newly-arrived Germans much good although the evilminded
were not wanting also. My father arrived the same Fall in
Schenectady and stayed during the winter with a man by the
name of Johann Meynderton. A chief of the Magnaisch Na-
tion by the name of Quaynant visited my father, and they
decided that I should go with Quaynant into his country to
learn the Magnaisch language. I went with him and arrived
toward the end of November, in Magnaisch Land, and had
to lodge with the Indians. I had to suffer .much from the
severe cold for I was but poorly clothed. Toward Spring I
suffered much from hunger because the Indians had nothing
to eat. One bushel of corn cost from 5 to 6 shillings. The
Indians were at that time also very cruel in their drunken-
ness, so that I had often to hide myself from fear of the
drunken Indians. * * * *
In the Spring of 1714 my father moved from Schenectady
to Schohary, with about 150 families in great poverty. One
borrowed a horse here and another borrowed a cow there, a
harness for a plow, with it they hitched together and broke
up so much land so that the next year they had almost corn
enough to eat. During the year we suffered much hunger
however, and the people made many a meal with wild pataten
(potatoes) and strawberries (Erdbonnen) which grow here
in large quantities. Potatoes are called by the Indians,
ochnanada and strawberries, otachvagara. * * * *
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 127
The Early Settlers
If we wanted flour we had to go about 35 or 40 miles
for it and to get it we had to beg it on credit ; then one got
a bushel or two here and the other there of wheat and had
to be often 3 or 4 days from home before we arrived with
our own people, who waited meanwhile with pain and tears
for bread. The people had settled in villages, of which there
were seven. The first and nearest to Schenectady was called i,
Knes Kernville ; 2, Gerlachsville ; 3, Foxville ; 4, Hans George
Schmitzville ; 5, Weisers or Bremenville ; 6, Hartmansville ;
7, Upper \\^eiserville. * * * *
After the deputies who had been sent to Lewensteine's
Manor returned toward the end of July, I came again from
the Indians to my father. I had made a good beginning, or
had learned the greater part of the IMagnaisch language. One
English mile from my father's house lived some Magnaisch
families. Then there were often of the Magnaisch on their
hunting trips in trouble and there was much to interpret but
without pay. There was no one else to be found among our
people who understood the language. I therefore mastered
the language completely, as much as my years and other
circumstances permitted. * * * *
Here the people lived for a few years without a preacher
and without government, generally in peace. Each one did
what he thought was right. About this time I became very
sick and thought I had to die and would gladly have died,
for my stepmother was a stepmother indeed. On her repre-
sentation I was treated very severely by father, had besides
no other friend, and had to sulTer hunger and cold. I had
often decided to run away but by this sickness the bridle and
bit were in my mouth, I was bound as it were with a rope to
render obedience and to stay with ni}^ father. * * * *
I have said above that my father migrated as widower
from Germany and landed with 7 children in New York in
1710. There my two brothers George Frederick and Chris-
128 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
toph Frederick were bound out by the Governor of Long
Island, with permission of my father who was sick at the
time. The following winter, namely in December, my young-
est brother Johann Frederick, died about the sixth year of
his age and was buried in Lewenstein's Busch. He was the
first dead that was buried in the church flats of the Reformed
church, in Weiserville. * * * *
In 171 1 my father married my stepmother, of whom I
have just written. It was an unfortunate marriage and
caused that my brothers and sisters were all scattered. And
at last I was alone with him, besides the three children he
had with my stepmother as Johann Frederick and Jacob Wei-
ser and Rebecca. Everything else, too, went backward and
one misfortune after another came over our family, of which
I took at all times my share. Often I knew not where to
go and I learned to sigh to God and the Bible became to me
a very acceptable book. * * * *
To come back to Schohary, the people had taken pos-
session of it without greeting the Governor of New York,
who after he showed them his disapproval, sold the land of
Schohary to seven rich merchants, of whom four lived in
Albany and the other three in New York. The names of
those in Albany were : Meyndert Schiller, John Schiller,
Robert Livingstone, Peter von Brughen. Those in New York
were : George Clark, at the time Secretary ; Doctor Hads, Rip
von Dam; whereupon arose a great cry in Schohary and Al-
bany because in Albany many people desired that the people
should keep the land. * * * *
The people in Schohary divided into two parties, the
strongest party would not submit but maintained the land,
and sent therefore deputies to England to obtain from King
George, the First, not only Schohary but more land for the
other High Germans. It did not go according to their wish,
for first the three deputies had to depart secretly. They
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 129
The Early Settlers
took ship therefore in Philadelphia in 1718 and ran as soon
as they got on the open sea ijito the hands of pirates, who
took their money as well as that of the people of the ship,
and then let them go. * * * *
My father, who was one of the deputies, was bound and
scourged three times but would confess to no money. At last
William Schaft, the other deputy, said to the pirates : you
men, I and this man had one purse and I have given it to you,
he can give you nothing, thereupon they let him in peace.
They had to run into Boston to buy provisions in the place
of those which the pirates had taken from them. When they
arrived in England they found the times changed, nor did
a Queen Anna rule any more, they found but a very few of
the old benefactors. * * * *
Among them were two gentlemen, Boehm and Robert,
Preachers of the German Castle Chapel. These did all they
could. The matter of the deputies came at last before the
Lord Commissioners of Trade and Plantation. The governor
of New York, Robert Plunter, was cited home, in the mean-
time the deputies got into debt. Walrath, the third deputy,
got homesick, boarded a ship for New York and died on the
ocean. The other two were thrown into prison. They wrote in
good time for money 1)ut the imprudence and dishonesty of
those who should forward the money which the people had
brought together, caused the money to come very slowly to
England. Meanwhile Robert Hunter had arrived in England,
settled his difficulties, had accounted for what he had done to
Schohary before the Lords of Trade. His opponents were
in prison, had neither friends nor money. When at last a
draft of 70 pounds sterling arrived they were released from
prison again and renewed their appeal. At last they effected
an order on the newly arrived Governor of New York, by the
name of A\^illiam Burnet to give to the High German people,
which had been sent to New York by Queen Anna the land
which had not yet been given away. * * * *
130 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
Toward the end of the year, 1720, William Burnet arrived
in New York. At the beginning of 1721 I was sent to this
above named Governor to give him a petition. He showed
himself friendly and told me of the order of the Lords of
Trade he had brought with him, which he had resolved to
live up to. Our deputies were yet in England and were not
satisfied with the decision, but effected nothing more.
Toward the end of this year, 1721, Schaft had become dis-
satisfied with my father and came home — they had both hard
heads. At last in November, 1723, my father also came home.
Schaft had died some weeks after his arrival. * * * *
Governor Burnet gave those few who Avanted to settle on
land of the Magnaisch land patents, namely for land on Stony
Arabia and above the fall but none on the river, as the people
had hoped, therefore they separated, most of them moved to
the Magnaisch land or stayed in Schohary and bought land
from the above named 7 gentlemen. The people received
news from the land at the Swatara and Tulpehocken in Penn-
sylvania. Many of them came together, cut a way from Scho-
hary to the Susc^uehanna and brought their goods hither and
made canoes and journeyed down to the mouth of the Swa-
tara Creek and drove their cattle overland in the Spring of
1723. Thence they came to Tulpehocken and this is the be-
ginning of the Tulpehocken Settlement. Later others fol-
lowed and settled there, at first without permission of the
owners of the land or his company, or toward the Indians from
whom the people had not yet bought the land. There was no
one among the people who could manage them, each one did
as he wished and their stubbornness stood in their way up
to this time. I will now leave them and describe my own cir-
cumstances :
In 1720 when my father went to England I married
my Anna Eva, the Rev. Johann Frederick Heger, Reformed
preacher, united us on the 22nd November in my father's
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 131
The Early Settlers
house in Schohary. On the 7th of September, 1722, my son
Philip was born and by Johann Bernard von Dueliren, Luth-
eran preacher, baptized. His sponsors were Philip Braun
and his wife. On the 14th of January, 1725, my daughter
Anna IMadlina was born and was baptized by Johann Jacob
Oehl, Reformed preacher. The sponsors were Christian
Bausch, Junior, an.d my sister Barbara. * * * *
On the 24th June, 1727, my daughter Maria was born and
was baptized by William Christoph Birkenmeyer, Lutheran
minister. Sponsors were Nicklas Feg and his wife. On the
24th of December, 1728, my son Frederick was born. He was
baptized by Johann Bernard von Deuren, Lutheran preacher.
Sponsors were Nicklas Feg and his wife. These four were
born to me at Schohary. After this, namely in the year 1729,
I moved to Pennsylvania and settled at Tulpehocken where
the following children were born to me : On the 27th of Feb-
ruary, 1730, my son Peter was born and on the 15th of Feb-
ruary, 1 73 1, two sons were born to me, who were named
Christoph and Jacob ; the hrst lived fifteen weeks and the
second thirteen weeks, when they were released from the evil
of this time and departed into blessed eternity. On the 19th
of June, 1732, my daughter Elizabeth was born to me. On
the 28th of January, 1734, my daughter Margreda was born.
On the 23rd of Aj^ril, 1735, my son Samuel was born. On
the i8th of July, 1736, another son was born to me. I named
him Benjamin. When he was three months old the kind
Providence of the Almighty God took him away. In the
same year my daughter Elizabeth followed. On the nth of
August, 1740, again a son was born to me. We named him
Jabez. The mercy of God released him from the evil of this
time when he had lived 17 days. On the 27th of February,
1742, again a daughter was born to me. I named her Hannah.
On the following nth of August she departed into the blessed
eternity. On the i6th of March of this same year my beloved
132 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
daughter Madlina departed from time to eternity with a
gentle death after a long continued sickness. On the 12th
of August, 1744, my son Benjamin was born to me. (Ending
of my book writing.)
(The diarist died July 13, 1760; his wife, Anna Eve,
December 27, 1778, and his stepmother, 1781.)
THE WEISER FAMILY
Conrad Weiser did not seem to ally himself with either
party in the early religious difficulties, but as mentioned
heretofore, signed himself as an "impartial witness" and J. P.
to an arbitration settlement in the "Tulpehocken confusion."
He however was baptized at Ephrata by Conrad Beissel, of
the German Seventh Day Baptists, but antagonisms arose and
he forsook that society several days after his baptism.
The remains of Conrad Weiser and his wife Anna Eva —
to whom he was married in the Schoharie, November 22,
1720, and by whom he had fourteen children — are interred
on the Sheetz farm, in a private burial ground, less than a
mile from Womelsdorf.
The Weiser farm contained two hundred and forty-eight
acres and the remains of several old stone buildings, erected
a century and a half or more ago, may still be seen on it.
A handsome granite monument has been erected to the mem-
ory of Conrad Weiser by the citizens of Womelsdorf. It
stands in front of the public school house and is an ornament
to the town.
Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg was born at Reimbeck,
Hanover, Germany, September 6, 171 1. He could preach in
German, French, Swedish, Hollandische and English and was
a fine Latin scholar. He came to America November, 1742,
and was stationed at the Trappe from whence he visited the
Lutherans as far north as the Blue Mountains. He was mar-
(Note 1— Life of Conrad Weiser, J. S. Walton.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i33
The Early Settlers
ried to Anna Maria, daughter of Conrad Weiser. He lived
for a time in Albany Township, but died at the Trappe,
October 7, 1787. His son, Rev. Henry E. Muhlenberg, was
an able minister of the Lutheran church at Lancaster, and
his grandson. Rev. Henry A. Muhlenberg, was for 27 years
the efficient pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading.
On his retirement he was elected to Congress, where he
served as a member nine years and was subsequently United
States minister to Austria.
John Peter Muhlenberg, whose statue is in Statuary Hall,
national capitol, Washington, D. C, was a son of Henry
Melchoir Muhlenberg, D. D., and was born at La Trappe,
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He was a Lutheran
minister but was obliged to be ordained a priest in the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church in order to take a charge in Vir-
ginia. He preached his farewell sermon at Woodstock, that
state, December, 1775, concluding it with these words,
"There is a time to preach, there is a time to pray, but this
is the time to fight." He then threw off his black silk robes
and stepped forward in the full uniform of an officer of the
Continental Army. A drum was beat outside of the church
and a fife played and on his repairing thither, a company of
recruits of the male members of the congregation was formed
with the fighting pastor as captain.
GOVERNOR JOHN ANDREW SCHULZE
Rev. Christian Emanuel Schulze was a son-in-law of Rev.
Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg and Anna Maria Weiser. He
was pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Stouchsburg, from
December, 1770, to March 9, 1809. Governor John Andrew
Schulze was born in the parsonage, July 19, 1775, and was edu-
cated and ordained for the Lutheran ministry, 1796. He assist-
ed his father in Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon counties but
retired from the ministry and removed to Myerstown, Dau-
134 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
phin County, where he engaged in the mercantile business.
He was elected to the Legislature, 1806, and twice re-elected.
He was Prothonotary of Lebanon County for eight years,
from 1S13 and in 1821 was again elected to the Legislature.
In 1822 he was a Senator from Dauphin County and was
elected Governor of Pennsylvania and served from Decem-
ber 15, 1823, to December 15, 1S29. Governor Schulze signed
the charter erecting Pottsville, Schuylkill County, into a bor-
ough, March 11, 1828.
NOT ALL GOVERNORS
When word came that John Andrew Schulze had been
elected Governor of Pennsylvania — so the story goes — several
friends of his called at the family home to offer their con-
gratulations. The household were at the supper table and the
mother was busy waiting upon her clamorous young brood
that they might satisfy their vociferous and healthy appetites
without interruption. Hearing the conversation, one of the
boys said, in the reigning vernacular:
"Mom, if Pop is Governor, will we all be Governors, too?"
When the good dame replied : "Nay ! Yuscht ich und der
Daddy sin Governors." ("No, only father and I are Gover-
nors.")
Berks County furnished three governors for the Common-
wealth : Joseph Hiester, from December 19, 1820, to Decem-
ber 16, 1823; Governor Schulze and Francis R. Shunk, who
served from January 21, 1845, to July 9, 1848, when he re-
signed. Joseph Hiester was a son of John Hiester, who emi-
grated 1732 from Elsof, Westphalia, Germany. He was a
Captain in the Revolutionary war and was governor when the
capital was removed from Lancaster to Harrisburg. The cap-
ital was removed from Philadelphia, 1799, and remained at
Lancaster until 1821. Governor Hiester left an estate of
$468,000.^
(Note 1 — Smull's Hand Book.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i35
The Early Settlers
BALTZAR GEHR
Those of the early justices who served from 1752 to
1776, on the Berks County Judiciary and were identified with
the early development of Schuylkill County were: Conrad
Weiser, Francis Parvin, James Boone, Jacob Levan, Jacob
Morgan, George Douglass, Jonathan Potts and Baltzar Gehr.
Baltzar Gehr was l^orn of German extraction at Ger-
mantown, January 22, 1740. He removed to Amity Town-
ship, Berks County, and married Catharine Hunter, in Oley,
1767, where he was employed as gunsmith. In 1771 he
bought a large plantation in Bern, near the Blue Mountain
and represented that part of Berks County and what is now
Schuylkill County, in the Pennsylvania Associators. Pie was
active in the militia, 1775-1776, and a Lieutenant Colonel in
the Revolutionary War in the campaign about New York.
He was judge in the county courts, 1775-1784, and a member
in the General Assembly, i/S2-'ii6-'g2-'gg. Pie died June 19,
1801, and is buried on a farm in Maxatawny Township, near
Kutztown, to which he removed from Bern. His two sons
and two daughters died soon after and having left no will,
his large estate was involved in a costly litigation covering
a period of fifteen years.
Baltzar Gehr owned a saw mill at the mouth of the
Norwegian Creek where it empties into the Schuylkill River,
Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It was operated by a man named
John Neyman, who with his family lived on the hill slightly
in the rear of the site of the Pottsville Hospital. Col. Val.
Eckert reported to the Council, August 30, 1780, that
"Job'i Neyman, who lived at a .saw mill on the road from
Readmg to Shamokin, three miles above Conrad Minnich's,
thirty-three miles from Reading, was, with his wife and
three young children, barbarously murdered by the Indians. "^
(Note 1 — Penna. Archives, Vol. 8, pp. 529-571.)
136 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
It is related of Baltzar Gehr that he attended a levee given
by President Washington, in Independence Hall, Philadelphia,
in company with others from Reading. In that day cards were
not commonly used but the names of the guests were announc-
ed upon their arrival. Entering the hall door he gave his
name, upon request, to the usher, who called it out to another
usher at the first landing of the stairway, who in turn called
it out again to another at the door of the Assembly room.
Not having been acquainted with the custom this public use
of his name excited Mr. Gehr, so, that, he exclaimed in a loud
tone of voice, "Yes, yes, I'm coming, give me time," to the
great amusement of the other guests.^
JACOB MORGAN
Jacob Morgan was born in Wales, 1716, and emigrated
with his father, Thomas Morgan, to Caernarvon Township,
Berks County, 1730. He was prominent in the French and
Indian War and commanded a company of men who were
stationed at Fort Lebanon, Schuylkill County. He was a
judge and a justice of Berks County and represented it at the
Provincial Council of 1776, and in the convention for framing
the Constitution, the same year. He was Colonel of a bat-
talion of Associators and held the command of all the troops
raised in the county. In 1777 and 1778 he was a member of
the executive council of the state and of the council of safety,
in 1777. He held the appointment of assistant forage master.
He died November 11, 1792, aged 76 years and is buried at
Morgantown, which was named for him and which he laid
out in 1770. (Colonel Jacob Morgan was the great grand-
father of the Misses Douglass, of Orwigsburg, and the
great great grandfather of George, Frank and Clement Rose-
berry, of Pottsville. Miss Holt, teacher in the public schools,
Pottsville, and others are also descendants.)
(Note 1— Daniel Rupp's History of Berks County, p. 229.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 137
The Early Settlers
THE DOUGLASS FAMILY
Belonging- to Lotz's battalion for the "Flying Camp" was
a company commanded by George Douglass. Amity Town-
ship, Berks County, 1776. George Douglass was married to
Mary Piersol Morgan, by whom he had six children, Richard,
Andrew, George, Elizabeth, married to John Jenkins ; Rebecca,
to Mordecai Piersol ; Bridget, to James May ; Andrew, the
second son, to Rachael Morgan, daughter of Colonel Jacob
Morgan. Andrew^ Douglass was the father of George^
Douglass, of Douglassville, Montgomery County, and
later of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County. He was educated
for a physician, but having ample private means, never en-
tered the active practice of his profession. George^' Doug-
lass was married to a sister of Attorney John R. Bannan,
of Pottsville, by whom he had eight children, three sons, de-
ceased, and five daughters, one of whom, deceased, married
Attorney John W. Roseberry, of the Schuylkill County Bar,
and three others at this writing, 1915, are still living in the
old homestead, and one in Pottsville.
One of the earliest settlers in that part of Berks County,
now Schuylkill, was Jacob Frederick Kuemmerlin (Kemmer-
ling), who took up a tract of two hundred acres of land in
Panther Valley, about 1750, (now the Fessler tract). Rev.
John Caspar Stoever's records note a son of the above, John
Michael Kuemmerlin, baptized by him, July i, 1753, "across
the Blue Mountains." A son of Jacob Frederick Kemmerling
settled in West Brunswick Township, near the Kimmel meet-
ing house, about 181 1, where the stone house he built is still
one of the substantial homes in that vicinity. The descend-
ants of Jacob Frederick still live in the southern part of the
county, some having moved to the West.
(Note— The figures 1, 2, 3 refer to the number of the generation.)
138 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
GENERAL HUGH MERCER'S SWORD PRESENTED
TO ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY
The writer is indebted to Miss Rachael Douglass for the
following correspondence from the "Pennsylvanian," of Feb-
ruary 13, 1841, John W. Forney's newspaper, published at
Harrisburg.
The letter from Philadelphia to the "Pennsylvanian,"
dated February 6, 1841, states in gist, that, "Mrs. George W.
Morgan, of Philadelphia, presented to the St. Andrew's So-
ciety, of that city, January 28th, a sword of General Hugh
Mercer. The latter was a Scotch soldier who brought to the
aid of General Washington and the Colonial forces a sterling
devotion and rare strategic ability, in the War of the Revo-
lution.
After the battle of Trenton, General Washington formed
his troops into three divisions to cross the Delaware, at dif-
ferent points, hoping to surprise the British after the Christ-
mas festivities. If this masterly stroke had succeeded the
result would have been to sweep away the British from all
their posts and thus establish a firm footing in the Jerseys.
The surrender of eight hundred and eighty-six of the Hes-
sians to the Colonial army inspired new hope in the American
forces. The battle of Trenton was re-fought January 2, 1777.
Lord Cornwallis, who was on the eve of sailing for
England on this display of fresh courage on the part of the
Continentals, returned and resumed his command of the
British forces. Generals Mifflin, Cadwalader and Hugh Mer-
cer were Washington's supports, the latter was severely
wounded in this engagement and died in the arms of his de-
voted friend, Brigadier General Jacob Morgan, to whom be-
fore expiring he handed his sword. This sword was pre-
sented to and accepted by the St. Andrew's Society, Philadel-
phia.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i39
The Early Settlers
A copy of the resolutions passed on the presentation,
thanking Mrs. Morgan, was sent her and is still in possession
of the family. They were signed by: Quintin Campbell,
Pres. ; R. Glendinning, Sec. ; John Struthers, John K. Mitchell,
James Ronaldson.
John K. Mitchell was the father of Dr. S. \\^ier Mitchell,
deceased, the latter of whom referred to the presentation of
this sword at a banquet, given in the Clover room, Bellevue-
Stratford, at the one hundred and thirty-seventh anniversary
of the Society, December 5, 1906.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, DANIEL BOONE
"Arnold's Life of Abraham Lincoln" says, Mordecai Lin-
coln, great grandfather of President Lincoln, lived at the
Quaker settlement, in Oley, before 1735. He came there from
Massachusetts, having lived a short time in New Jersey. He
died May, 1736, and is buried there. He devised a tract of
land to his three sons, Mordecai, Thomas and Abraham.
The family went to Kentucky. President Lincoln was a
descendant of Thomas Lincoln, son of Abraham. Mordecai
Lincoln sold his part of the tract of land to Michael Zerbe.^
Ellis liughes, who had a saw mill near Pottsville, lived
in Amity, in 1736, and was a trustee of the Friends' Meeting
House, on the Oley line.
Daniel Boone, the famous hunter, was born in Exeter,
on Monocacy Creek, October 22, 1733. He was a son of
George Boone, who took up a tract there, 1718, and subse-
quently removed to North Carolina, then to Kentucky. Some
of the earliest residents of this township were the Esterlys,
Daniel, Jacob and Bernhard, from whom the Esterlys of
Reading and of Pottsville are direct descendants. They took
up land in 1740.
(.Note 1 — Mordecai Lincoln, Grantor, to Michael Zerbe, Grantee, April
30, 1789, tract of land in Exeter Township, B. 146, p. 504, Berks County
Courts.)
I40 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
Isaac Levan lived in this township before 1770. He was
the progenitor of the Schuylkill Haven and Minersville Le-
vans. The name originally was spelled Le Van.
September 5, 1720, a petition was presented to court at
Philadelphia for the erection of a new township, but it was
not till twenty years later that Oley was formed. Isaac
DeTurck and Jonathan Herbein were among the signers, both
of whom settled there in 1717. Isaac DeTurck came from
northern France to Dutchess County, New York, 1709, and
to Oley in 1717. (Samuel DeTurck, d., of Friedensburg. and J.
H. Herbein, of Pottsville, are descendants of the above.)
Samuel Saul, Peter Bertolette, George Boone, Yost Yoder
and Isaac Levan were among the signers — their descendants
are well represented in Schuylkill County.
Jean Bertolette, a native of Picardie, France, near the
English Channel, was a Huguenot and came to this country
with the Palatines, 1726, the Berks County branch retained
the original spelling, but the Bartolets, of Cressona, vSchuyl-
kill County, anglicized it although the}- claim descent from
the same head.
John Keim came to Oley Township in 1718, where his son,
Nicholas Keim, was born April 2, 1719. Plis first wife was
Magdalena Hoch, twin sister of Maria Hoch, who married
John Pott. He removed to Reading, 1755, and 1769 bought
the old "White Store," Penn Street, wdiere he carried on a
general hardware business, and which was in possession of
the family one hundred and thirty years. He was the first
judge of the Berks County courts, from 1752 to 1760. He was
married twace, his second wife was Susanna, daughter of Dr.
George De Benneville, for whom George De B. Keim, de-
ceased, who located in Pottsville, was named. Mr. Keim
\vas appointed general solicitor for the Reading Railway Com-
pany, 1875, and in 1883 '^^''^^ elected vice president. He died
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 141
The Early Settlers
December 18, 1893, at Reading. He was married to Elizabeth
Cocke Trezevant, the only child of Judge of the Supreme
Court, Trezevant, of South Carolina.
Mr. Keim left one child, Julia. IMrs. George De B. Keim
endowed the Pottsville Hospital with a perpetual annuity in
memoriam of her husband, and that institution is otherwise
receiving benefits through her generosity, at the present time.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ERECTED FROM BERKS
Schuylkill County was created in 181 1 and contains an
area of eight hundred and forty square miles ; its population,
1910, was 207,894. It contains thirty-one townships and
twenty-nine boroughs, with Pottsville, the county seat, a third
class city.^
In 1775 there were only eleven counties in Pennsylva-
nia. In 1776 the resident taxables north of the Blue Moun-
tains, who were also subject to military duty, numbered one
hundred and fifty, and the whole population in what is now
Schuylkill County was six hundred.
The entire area, except one-sixth, since added, of Schuyl-
kill County was known as Berks County and prior to 1752,
as Lancaster, and before 1729, as Chester County.
In 1776 the total population of Berks County was about
twenty thousand, the taxables were about four thousand and
this number between the ages of eighteen and fifty-three
were subject to military duty. The population of Pennsyl-
vania was three hundred thousand white and two thousand
colored. The number of inhabitants in that part of Berks
which was included in Schuylkill County, in 181 1, was six
thousand.
The Township of Bethel occupied the northwestern cor-
ner of Berks County, from the top of the Blue Mountain to
(Note 1 — Commissioners' office, court house, and Smull's Hand Book.)
142 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
Swatara Creek. To the east and south lay the Tulpehocken
Manor, which was in Chester County, until 1729, when it be-
came part of Lancaster. In ly^S-'g, Bethel, Tulpehocken,
Heidelberg and Bern were the townships in the northwest
and centre. The taxables in 1775 were: In Tulpehocken
three hundred and four; Pine Grove, ninety; Heidelberg, two
hundred and eighteen ; Brunswick, one hundred and twenty-
seven ; Bern, two hundred and sixty-nine.
Bern was erected in 1738 and extended over the Blue
Mountain into what is noAV Schuylkill County, including the
territory between the Blue and Sharp Mountains. This part
of Bern was included in Pinegrove Township, 1771.
(Bern, Upper Bern, Penn and Centre Townships, Berks
County, were all erected out of Bern, 1841-1849.)
An interesting localit}', historically, is the manor of two
thousand acres set apart for the use of Thomas Penn, 1732.
It was known as "Allemaengle (All Wants), prior to 1752.
From it was formed Albany, Windsor and Greenwich Town-
ships, the two former being the boundary line between Berks
and Schuylkill Counties, in the northeast corner of the former
and forming a triangle, sometimes known as "Die Ecke."
There were many refugees from Schuylkill in Allemaengle
during the Indian troubles, i755-'8o.
(The borough of Port Clinton is in Schuylkill County, but
its railway centre and railway depot are located in Windsor
Township, Berks County.)
Conrad Weiser gave his son-in-law. Rev. Melchoir Muh-
lenberg, a tract of fifty acres of land upon which was erected,
1776, the Allemaengle Church. This church v^as a contem-
porary of the Red or Zion's Church, of Schuylkill County,
built 1752, and like the Red Church had a log building for
worship before the above was built, the Red Church ante-
dating it in date. (The first churches were all built of logs.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 143
The Early Settlers
Immediately after the purchases from the Indians, 1741
and 1749, settlers took these lands on both sides of the
Schuylkill River, and Brunswick Township, on the north side
of the mountain (now in Schuylkill County) was known as
such long- before it was legally created.
Berks County tax lists show the names of taxables in
"Brunswick" as early as 1754 (the first tax list). The town-
ship was erected 1768, the year following it had forty-six
resident taxpayers, thirty-six married and ten single men.
Among these were: Heinrich, Nicholas and Johannes Miller,
Peter Conrad, Michael Deibert, Joseph Fisher, Paul Heim,
Godfried Orwig, Valentine Tress, Henry Ketner, Jacob Kant-
ner and Adam Reiser. The road, known as the "King's
Highway," from Reading to Fort Augusta ran through this
township.
Pine Grove Township was erected in 1771, its area in-
cluded the land west of the Schuylkill River, between the
Blue and Sharp Mountains; the line extending from the top
of the mountain and including that part of Bern Township
that lay north of that division and on the north side of the
mountain. In the first assessment of taxes, 1771, there were
fifty-five taxpayers, among whom were: Michael Forrer,
Hans and Frederick Weiser, Michael Bretz, George Bressler,
Michael Folmer, Henry Gebhart, Leonard and Philip Rieth,
Mathias and Jacob Miller, Conrad Minnich, Benjamin, Dan-
iel and Phillip Zerbe. (Conrad Minnich was the first tax col-
lector of Pinegrove Township.)
Manheim Township was erected in 1790, from territory
taken from Brunswick. The commissioners appointed to make
the division were : George Reber, Philip Shatz, Jacob Shartle,
John Shomo, Thomas Wright and Henry Vanderslice. There
were one hundred and fifteen taxpayers in the assessment of
144 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
1 791, among whom were : Conrad Kerschner^, Frederick Boyer
Michael and Jacob Alspach, Andrew Miller, Wm. Koch, Ja-
cob Kepner, Michael and Henry Hummel, Martin Dreibel-
beis, Michael and William Deibert, IMichael, Peter and Phillip
Confer, Jeremiah Reed, Daniel and John Stout, Conrad Min-
nich and George Zerbe.
Some of these names occur as taxpayers in Pine Grove
and Brunswick Townships and also in those that came later.
It should be borne in mind that the names of the townships
and not the localities, in which the early pioneers settled,
changed and that these townships were then part of Berks
County and before 1752 in Lancaster County and prior to 1729
the locality was included in Chester County.
The area of these three original townships embraced the
land extending from the Blue Mountains on the south to the
Sharp Mountains on the north, and from Windsor Township
on the east to Albany Township on the west.
(On the Schuylkill River, near where the west branch
empties into the regular channel, almost in the exact centre
of these townships and in what was first known as Pinegrove
Township, George Zerbe located, 1785, two tracts of land,
one on each side of the road, on the west side of the long
covered bridge (now in Schuylkill Haven), where he ran a
fuling mill and cultivated a farm. Martin Dreibelbeis, 1775,
built a stone grist mill on the east bank, opposite.)
The line between Berks and Northumberland Counties
was run 1795. On November 4, 1799, three new townships
were laid out of the upper half, Schuylkill, Norwegian and
Mahantongo, a part of the area of Berks not yet having been
(Note 1 — Of the above, Conrad Kerschner, taxpayer in Brunswick and
Manheim Townships, it is related of him, by Montgomery, that he walked
to Philadelphia to secure a grant of land from the Penns, upon which to
build a church and in 1771 secured forty acres, the ground upon which
old St. Paul's Church, of Hamburg, stands. He is buried at the Red
Church cemetery. West Brunswick Township.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 145
The Early Settlers
included in the townships. IVlahantongo joined Pinegrove
Township until 1807, when lower and upper Mahantongo
were erected. Of these three townships, Berks County col-
lected taxes from 1802 till 181 1, when, with the addition of
Rush and AVest Pcnn Townships, from Northampton County,
they were, with the three original townships, Brunswick,
Pine Grove and Manheim, formed into Schuylkill County,
including, as heretofore stated, all but one sixth of its present
area. Of this sixth, contiguous parts were added from Lu-
zerne, Columbia and Carbon Counties, until it attained its
present i)roportions, attempts having been made several times
to slice ofif portions to aid in forming new counties, but with-
out success.
The few Catholics in Brunswick and Pine Grove Town-
shi])s were Germans and French, they attended church south
of the Blue Mountain. The earliest Roman Catholic Church
in Berks County was erected in Hereford Township, 1743.
The Rev. Theodore Schneider, from Bavaria, was granted two
patents for land which were taken up 1747 and 1748 by Fathers
Neale and Greaton, for one hundred and twenty-one and
three hundred and seventy-three acres respectively. Here
the early Catholic settlers attended church. The priests were
zealous and acted as itinerant missionaries to their scant
flocks, visiting them on horse-back to administer the rites of
the church to such as were unable to walk any distance.
There are a number of early Catholics buried in the old
cemetery of the Red Church (one and a half miles below
Orwigsburg), among these: Johann Eichman, born June 16,
1727, Alsace, France, died November 15, 1817; James Lyons,
born November 2, 1768, in the town of York, Ireland, died
February 26, 1819; Michael "McQuire," native of Ireland,
died September 24, buried October 6th, aged 55 years. (Red
Church records.)
146
BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
TOWNSHIPS AND FIRST SETTLERS
Townships Organized
First Settlers
Barry, 1821 — From Lower
Mahantongo.
1808 — The Yarnalls who came from
New Jersey, John Bailey, John
Garivey, John Heter, the Shupperts.
Three thousand acres of land was
owned by Joseph Reed at that time.
Blythe. 1846.
1780— Identified with those of Schuyl-
kill Township.
Branch. 1836— From Cass
and Frailey.
1750— The Adams', Phillip and George
Clouser, Peter Starr, Fausts,
Thomas Reed, John and Peter
Zcrbe, Andrew Stcitzel, Fox.
Butler. 1848— From Barry.
1800— 1795— Nicholas Seitzinger, the
Brobsts, Prestons and Kunkels.
Cass. 1848— From Branch
1810 — Phillip Alspach, on Primrose
Hill; Krause, Abraham Hoch, Kant-
ner, Peter Yokam.
East Brunswick, 1834 — from Bruns-
wick.
1770— John Kinoar, Phillip Schwartz.
Later — Ulrich Hciser, Daniel, Jacob
and Frederick Bensinger, Bernard
Kcpner, Christian Koch, John Bo-
lich, Abram Seltzer.
East Norwegian. 1847 — From Nor-
wegian.
1780 — Peter Neuschwander, George,
Jacob and Peter Reed, John and
Conrad Heim, the Bechtels, Thomas
and William Gottschall, John Mau-
rer and Henry Gilbert.
East Union. 1867 — From Union.
1802.
Eldred. 1848— From Up-
per Mahantongo.
1805 — ^Caspar Hepler, Jacob Rcinert,
Peter Klock, Samuel Drecksler.
Frailey. 1847 — From Barry,
Branch and Mah-
antongo.
1818— Black Charlie, Negro Hermit;
Samuel Gaskins, David Lomison,
Adam Etien, Jacob Crone.
Foster. 1855— From Cass,
Butler and Barry.
1831 — Widow Levan kept log tav-
ern near Mt. Pleasant.
Flegins. 1853-1858— From
Lower Mahanton-
go.
1801-1780— George Klinger, James
Osman, Peter Kuhns, Jacob Heber-
ling, John Dietrich.
A half breed Indian, Hager, here
in 1775.
Hubley. 1853 — From Lower
Mahantongo.
1804— Phillip and Michael Artz,
George Dietrich, John Haldeman,
John Schmitz, John and Henry
Stable.
Kline. 1873.
1815 — John Stackhouse, prior to this
included in Rush.
Mahanoy. 1849 — From Rush.
1791 — One Reisch, others, John
Eisenhuth, Samuel May, Daniel
Brobst, Erastes Williams, Henry
Stauffer.
New Castle. 1848 — From Norwe-
wegian.
3 families in 1800-1790- Nicho Allen,
who was the reputed first discov-
erer of coal in Schuylkill County,
Jacob Yoh and John Boyer.
NorthManheim. 1845 — From Man-
heim, from Bruns-
wick.
1752 — Conrad Minnich came in 1752.
Others, Henry Strauch, Michael
and Wm. Deibert, Henry Dreibel-
beis, George Zerbe. Ellis Hughes
had a saw mill near the "Five
Locks."
North Union. 1867 — From Union.
1806— Conrad Faust, Alburtis Miller,
Fred. Lebenberg.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
The Early Settlers
147
Norwegian. 1811 — From orig-
inal three town-
ships.
1780-1790— Bright, Jacob Yohe, John
Boyer, William Yohe.
Pine Grove. 1771-1811-1750—
Original.
The Schnokes, Rebers, Hetricks,
Haberlings, Schwalms, Zerbes, Boy-
ers, Schaeffers, Brassier, Feltys,
Minnichs, Eberts, Steins, and oth-
ers.
Porter. 1840-1847— From
Lower Mahanton-
go.
1774 — Daniel and Ennier Williams,
Cox, Lengle, Kline and Scull.
James Wilson, one of the signers
of the Declaration of Independence,
owned large tracts of land here.
In 1803 Daniel Green built a log
cabin on top of Broad Mountain.
Hahn. 1860— From West
Penn.
1752— Identified with West Penn.
Burkhardt Moser came 1799 and
John Kershner.
Reilly. 1857— From
Branch.
1790— Jacob Fox and family, two of
their daughters married Peter
Starr and George Hacffer. The
original patent of land, dated 1803,
was granted Michael Kunkle.
Rush. 1811-1752— From
Northampton.
1780-lSOO— Jacob Neifert, the Gott-
schalls, Thomas Linder, John
Faust.
Ryan. 1868— From Rush
and Mahanoy.
1784 — David Dresh, Heasing, Kregler,
George Focht, John Faust.
Schuylkill. 1799-1811.
1780-1802— Solomon, Joseph and
Phillip Mcrkle, Yosts, Gilberts.
South Manheim. 1845 — From Man-
heim.
Matthew Heim.
Tremont. 1848— From Pine-
grove.
1818— The Hippies, Pinkertons,
Clarks, Zimmermans. Others includ-
ed in Pine Grove Township. Tre-
mont means three mountains.
Union. 1867-1818.
Embraced in North and East Union,
taken from Columbia and Lu-
zerne. Frederick Lavenburg built
log house, 1801.
Upper Mahantongo. 1799-1811— From
Mahantongo.
1780 — Identified with Mahantongo
and Eldred. Peter Klock and Al-
exander Klinger, the former in
1775.
Washington. 1856 — From Pine-
grove and Wayne.
1760— Phillip Zerbe, Peter Weaver,
Peter Hetzel, George Kremer,
Michael Bressler and others iden-
tified with Pine Grove Twp.
Wayne. 1827— From Man-
heim and Pine-
grove.
1775 — Egidione Moycr, Millers, Kaer-
chers, John Apple, Schwartz, Jacob
Merklo. Embraced in Manheim and
Pine Grove.
Walker. 1878— From Schuylkill
1802— Identified with Rush and
Schuylkill.
West Brunswick. 1769-1811-,34-1742
From Brunswick.
Paul Heim, Gottfried Orwig and
Heinrich Miller and others. (See
Brunswick Twp.
West Mahanoy. 1863. From Maha-
noy.
Identified with Mahanoy Twp.
West Penn. 1811— From North-
ampton.
1752 — Is the largest township in
Schuylkill County. The early set-
tlers have been previously men-
tioned. Tobias Wehr opened a store
here, 1780.
Scene of Indian massacres of first
settlers after purchase of Indian
lands in 1768.
148 BLUE BOOK OF
The Early Settlers
POPULATION IN 1810
Brunswick Township, 1770; Pine Grove Township, 1290;
Manheim Township, 1354 ; Lower Mahantongo Township, 637 ;
Upper Mahantongo Township, 4S9; Schuylkill Township,
353 » Norwegian Township, .
The first census of Pennsylvania was taken September 7,
1 791, and nine hundred and ninety-three, in these townships,
were reported as "unorganized," or as a floating population,
many brought here, no doubt, by the discovery of coal, 1770.
Martin Dreibelbeis settled at a point on the Schuylkill
River, 1775, (the site of Schuylkill Haven) where he erected
a stone grist mill, ran a farm, store and distillery. The store
was a strongly built log building with double plank doors. It
was called the block house and was a refuge for the settlers
in the Indian troubles. The family lived in the block house.
His daughter, Christina Dreibelbeis, married Benjamin Pott,
son of John Pott.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i49
Who Was Who
First Settlers of Schuylkill County
NEUFERTS, WHETSTONES, POTTS
f'HERE were other settlers on the site of Pottsville before
John Pott's advent. He was an iron master and estab-
hshed the forge and furnaces, in 1806, before removing
here, in what was known as the orchard, near the Schuylkill
River. He was a prominent citizen and did much toward the
early establishment of the borough.
John Lesher, father of Maria Lesher, operated a furnace
on Pine Creek and also a forge in Oley Township. John
Lesher was a Deputy Wagon Master in the French and
Indian War and a representative from Berks County to the
Constitutional Convention, 1776, and a member of the Gen-
eral Assembly from 1776 to 1782. The Pott and Whitney
families, of Pottsville, are descendants of Maria, daughter of
John Lesher, and wife of John Pott.
Wilhelm Pott came to America, from Germany, 1734.
He first settled in Germantown, Philadelphia, but removed
early to Oley Township, Berks County. He died in 1767,
leaving two children, John Wilhelm and John Pott. John-
Pott married i\Iaria Hoch. 1755. John^ Pott was born
January 16, 1759. He married Maria Lesher, July 9, 1765,
and came to Pottsville from Oley, 1810. He laid out the
borough, 1816, in the original plot, which included only the
lots on each side of Centre Street, between Union and Race
Streets, and the lots on both sides of Mahantongo as far as
Sixth Street. He presented the lot to the borough, upon
which the Grammar School building, North Centre Street,
now stands, and the park in the rear, which was used as a
150 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
cemetery and upon which a log school house was built, and
also the lot, to the church authoritieSj upon which St.
Patrick's church is built.
William Thompson, great grandfather of Lewis C.
and William and Heber S. Thompson, deceased, of Pottsville,
was in the war of the Revolution. He was a farmer and lived
near Thompsontown, Dauphin County, now Juniata, which
was named for him. Two brothers, James and John, came
from County Antrim, Ireland, and settled, in 1730,
near what is now Lebanon, then Lancaster County,
and before that Chester County, removing from there to
Dauphin County. At Thompsontown, Juniata County, there
stands an old mill, established in 1780. In the rear of it on
a knoll is a stone house of the Revolutionary period. Here
Samuel Thompson, of Pottsville, father of Lewis C, Heber
and AVilliam Thompson, was born. A great nephew and a
great grandson of the originator of this branch of the family
live in the old homestead and bear the family name.
KLOCKS, CHRISTS, BRESSLERS
John Peter Klock came to America, in 1750, with his
parents, being then seven years old. They settled in Berks
County, Pennsylvania, John coming to Eldred Township, in
1793. Six generations are represented in Schuylkill County.
Dr. H. A. Klock, of Mahanoy City, and William J., of the
Pitman farm, are descendants. 'Squire Klock, who was one
of the early school teachers, of Pottsville, belonged to this
family.
One of the early pioneers of Eldred Township, when it
was included in Pinegrove, was John Kehler, who came
here before 1800. Peter and Felix, of successive generations,
lived on the same farm cleared by their grandfather John.
They have been a prominent and well to do family for five
generations in Schuylkill County.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 151
Who Was Who
George Werner, of Reilly Township, who died 1840, was
a Revolutionary veteran. He was the father of Christopher
Werner.
Edwin Schlicher was born in Upper Hanover Township,
Montgomery County. He was of the fifth generation of
Stoefel Schlicher, who came from the Palatinate, Germany,
about 1740. His great grandfather, Henry Schlicher, served
in the Revolutionary army. His grandfather, John, and his
father, George, were farmers. Dr. J. H. Swaving's children
are lineal descendants of Stoefel Schlicher.
George Simon Bressler, born in Manheim, Germany,
February 22, 1722, came to Pennsylvania and the Tulpehock-
en, 1749. Pie died, 1802, and was buried at Hetzel's church,
near Pinegrove. He was one of the first settlers in Pinegrove
Township.
Emanuel Christ came to Berks County about 1750. He
was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, Continental Line.
He had a son Emanuel, whose son Isaac came to Mahantongo
Valley, about 1780, when it was included in Pinegrove Town-
ship. He died 1837. The Christs were prominent in the
Civil War. George M. Christ, of Ashland, and Colonel Ben-
jamin Christ, of Minersville, were descendants of Emanuel
Christ.
POTTS, HELMS, HESSERS
Peter^ Helm came from the Rhine Palatinate, sailing,
from London, 1709, with the one hundred and fifty families
for New York, who settled in Livingstone Manor. He was
among the seventeen hundred who died shortly after landing.
He left a son, Simon, who was the head of the Helm family
in New York and Pennsylvania. Peter^ D. Helms, of Potts-
ville, is a lineal descendant of Peter^ Helm (Peter*^, Peter^,
Samuel-*, Peter^, Simony Peter^.) Samuel* Helm removed
from Sullivan County, New York, where the Helm home-
(Note — The figures 1, 2, 3 denote the number of the generation.
152 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
stead, erected 171 5, is still in possession of one of the family,
to Berks County, Pa., and from there migrated to Pike Comity,
Pa., where Peter^ was born. The latter settled near Mc-
Keansburg, removing subsequently to Womelsdorf and thence
to Myerstown, Pa., where Peter^ was born. Peter Helms,
with his son, Peter D. Helms, of Pottsville, removed to
Schuylkill Haven, 1852. Peter D. Helms married Elizabeth,
daughter of Rev. Richard Edwards, a pioneer Welsh preach-
er, by whom he had seven children. Samuel^ Helm was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War.^
The descendants of Simon and other children of Peter^
Helm are settled in Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsyl-
vania, New York and other states. The Helms of the fourth
generation were numerous in the War of the Revolution.
The Heplers, of Schuylkill County, are represented by
five generations, in Eldred Township. They were of the
earliest pioneers and came from Berks County, about 1780.
A. A. Hesser, deceased, station agent at Schuylkill Haven,
was a son of Henry Hesser, and a direct descendant of Fred-
erick Hesser, a drummer boy in the Revolutionary War, buried
in St. John's cemetery, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.
The Potts family came to Philadelphia, about 1682, emi-
grating from England with AA'illiam Penn. John Potts was
born there. His son Thomas married Elizabeth Luken, 1750.
He was a member of the Continental Congress, 1775. His
son, Hugh H. Potts, was born in New Jersey, 1773. He was
the father of George H. Potts and an officer in the first
United States Army. In 1800 he married Elizabeth, daughter
of Captain John Hughes, who was in the Revolutionary War
during the entire struggle. George H. Potts was born in
Delaware, 181 1, and removed to Pottsville, 1829, where he
engaged in mining operations. He married a daughter of
George M. Gumming, a sister of Attorney Benjamin Cum-
(Note 1 — Pension Certificate and army record, Bureau of Pensions.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 153
Who Was Who
ming, Sr., and of Mrs. G. W. Snyder. He removed to New
York, 1853, where he died. Joseph Harris, deceased. Presi-
dent of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company, a
former resident, was married to two of his daughters. George
Potts, of Pottsville, now of New York, was a son of George
H. Potts.
William Audenried, son of Lewis Audenried, who emi-
grated from Switzerland, 1789, to Kutztown, Berks County,
about 1810, was elected to the State Senate, 1824, having
served as a Justice of the Peace for Brunswick Township for
five years and as a member of the Legislature for two terms.
To him is accredited having said, in that body, that "Schuyl-
kil County had no coal, only a lot of black stone in its soil."
John IMacomb Wetherill removed to Pottsville, from
Philadelphia, 1846, at the age of eighteen years, engaging in
the management of coal lands for the Wetherill family, who
were large owners. His great grandfather, Samuel Wetherill,
was a Quaker but discarded his religious tenets at the break-
ing out of the Revolutionary War and was at the head of the
sect known as the Free or Fighting Quakers. He was never
married and died in Pottsville, 1884.
Francis Wade Hughes, Attorney at Law, was born in
Montgomery County, 181 7. His father, John Hughes, was
one of the family of that name who came over with the Penns.
His mother was the daughter of Benjamin Bartholomew, who
was a Captain of Cavalry during the Revolutionary War.
John Hoffman came from the vicinity of Heidelberg,
Germany, about 1740 and settled in Lancaster County, after-
ward Dauphin, 1785. His wife was of Huguenot stock
and six generations inter-married with the descendants of
those who had left Alsace and Lorraine after the edict of
Nantes was revoked. Peter, of the second generation, was a
Revolutionary soldier. The paternal names of John and Pe-
ter have alternated all along the line to the present bearer
154 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
of the name, John R. Hoffman, formerly Assistant Manager
of the Philadelphia and Reading- Coal and Iron Company,
whose maternal ancestor was named Boyer, (Beyer). Other
Hoffmans of the same family were in the War of the Revo-
lution.
Henry Kuhl Nichols, d., late chief engineer of the Read-
ing Railway, was born in Pottsville, August 24, 1830 ; wife,
Sarah C. Donaldson. They had one daughter, Clara, d., wife
of R. E. Tucker. Henry Nichols' great grandfather was
Michael Hillegas, Colonial Secretary and first Treasurer of
the United States. Both of his grandfathers were officers in
the Revolutionary War. Gen. Francis Nichols, his grand-
father, was presented with a sword by General Washington,
the sword is now in possession of a nephew. His father,
Lieut. F. B. Nichols of the U. S. Navy, was active in the war
of 181 2, and died from the effects of wounds received on board
the Chesapeake, commanded by Captain Lawrence at the
time he was killed. Mr. Nichols' brother. Gen. W. A. Nichols,
served with distinction in the Mexican and Civil Wars, and
a nephew. Major Nichols, was in the Spanish War and sta-
tioned at Manila. Mr. Nichols resided in Pottsville until 1883
when he removed to Philadelphia, where he died.
THE MORRIS ANCESTRY
The Morris' are descended from Richard Morris, who
came from England and settled in Westchester County,
New York. He obtained a land grant of three thousand acres
from Governor Fletcher, with manorial rights. He died 1673,
leaving a son, Lewis, who became Chief Justice of New
York, and subsequently Governor of New Jersey. From
him is descended a representative of the Colonial Congress
and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Henry
Morris, of Philadelphia, prominent in Schuylkill County's
early coal business, and after whom Morris Addition, Potts-
ville, was named ; and Richard, John and Samuel Morris,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 155
Who Was Who
deceased, of Pottsville, claimed descent from Richard Mor-
ris. Robert Morris, Mrs. G. W. Kennedy, Mrs. George
Hoffman and others, of Pottsville, are descendants.
Mrs. John Morris, Mrs. Samuel Thompson and Mrs. Morri-
son, mother of N. C. Morrison, were sisters, their family name
being Cunningham. They were from Juniata County.
Henry Aurand, of Huguenot ancestry, left Alsace,
France when Louis XIV issued the revocation of the edict
of Nantes and went to Holland, 1685, from where he removed
to Heidelberg, Germany. At Dillenberg, a son, John, was
born, September 2, 1725. In 1753 John came to Pennsylvania,
settling at Maiden Creek, Berks County, October 2. He was
married three times and was the father of seven children,
Henry, Daniel and Jacob were born in Germany ; Peter,
George, Dietrich and Elizabeth, in America. Peter was the
great grandfather of Aquilla Aurand, of Tamaqua. Mrs. Mary
Heilner and Mrs. Caroline Carter, of Tamaqua, were among
the daughters. Henry K. Aurand was born in Sunbury, 1833.
Daniel Aurand, cabinet maker, deceased, of Pottsville, belong-
ed to the family.
Prof. Livingstone Seltzer, County Superintendent of
Public Schools in Schuylkill County is a lineal descendant of
Balthasar Bock, of Brunswick Township, in the Revolution-
ary War. On the paternal side he is descended from a sol-
dier for the British Crown in that war.
MARLON BOYER, GULDIN, COLEMAN
The Heebners, of Port Carbon, are descendants of
George Heebner, of Montgomery County, a Revolutionary
War soldier. He came to this county in 1816 and lived on
a farm near the site of the County Home, where he conducted
a mill. His son, Abraham Heebner, came to Port Carbon, in
1829, and was regarded as the founder of that place, being
prominently identified with all its early affairs.
156 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
Peter Brown was a native of Alsace, France. He came
to America and settled in V'irginia before the Revolutionary
War, in which he was engaged from the beginning to the end
as a teamster, hauling supplies from Philadelphia to Vir-
ginia. He settled in Berks County, where his son, grandfather
of P. J. Brown, of Reiner City, Schuylkill County, was born.
Cal. Brower, of Tremont, was a native of Berks County.
The old Brower homestead, near Douglassville, was in pos-
session of the Browers, in 1750.
Mahlon Boyer, of Pinegrove, Vv^as born near Reading.
His great great grandfather removed there from near Phila-
delphia about 1750. His grandfather, when seven years old,
was captured by the Indians and then taken up the Susque-
hanna River. He was retained in captivity until sixteen
years of age when he escaped. His son William was born in
Reading, in iSoo. (Indian Forts, Vol. I.)
Dr. B. C. Guldin, of Minersville, was the great great
grandson of Daniel Guldin, of Oley Township, Berks County,
who came to that region about 1760, from Switzerland. His
grandfather was Benjamin C, who lived near Womelsdorf,
where his father, Benjamin H., was born.
The great grandfather of Samuel and William Mortimer,
the former a Borough Treasurer of Pottsville, settled in
Robeson Township, Berks County, prior to 1770, where he
and his wife died. The family removed to the vicinity of
Port Clinton, from where they went to different points.
The children were: William, George, unmarried; John,
d. St. Louis ; Andrew and three daughters, Lydia, m.
Scull and settled at Johnstown ; one da., m., Pullman ;
Asbury Mortimer, of Pottsville. was a descendant of the above
family. Andrew Mortimer Avas Chief Burgess of Pottsville
and a member of Council. His children were : Nelson, Samuel,
Borough Treasurer; Asher, Mrs. Hannah Stevens, Port Car-
bon; Mrs. Mary Kantner, and Andrew, Jr., who settled in Salt
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 157
Who Was Who
Lake City and became a Mormon. William Mortimer, Sr.,
was a member of the Legislature, 1838, and County Commis-
sioner, 1833.
William Mortimer — Sons: William, Michael, Washing-
ton, Morgan. William kept the White Horse Hotel. His
sons later conducted the old Mortimer House, corner of
Centre and West Norwegian Streets, W^illiam and Washing-
ton both engaging in the mercantile business for many years
after their retirement from the hotel. The children of Wil-
liam Mortimer were : Charles, George Wesley, both deceased,
Horace, jeweler; Frank, dry goods merchant, and Gilmour.
The daughters were : Mrs. Tillie Engle, Mrs. Fannie Robin-
son, deceased, Mrs. Emma Muir, deceased, and Mrs. Susan
Palmer.
Mrs. Heber S. Zerbey, a daughter of Samuel Mortimer,
has in her possession the Mortimer family coat of arms, an
original armorial (bearing) of the date of looi A. D., which
was brought to America by the first Mortimer, who came
from England, 1685, and settled in Boston, Massachusetts,
where he died and is buried. He is said to have been the
grandfather of the only Mortimer who settled in Berks
County.
Cornelius Coleman, of Llewellyn, is the great great great
grandson of Carl Coleman, who settled in Louisiana, in 1704,
then a French Province. His grandfather was born in Berks
County, where the family removed and later to Dauphin
County. His great grandfather, John, was a Revolutionary
soldier under Lafayette. He died in Lykens, 1S39.
Daniel DeFrehn was born near where Tuscarora stands,
1791. His parents were Huguenots and came to America
and settled in Berks County, from where they removed to
near what is now New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, in
1790. He removed to Orwigsburg where he settled and raised
a large family, working at his trade of carpenter and con-
158 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
tractor. Of his five sons, Joseph and Daniel, father of George
DeFrehn, cashier of the Miners' National Bank, of Pottsville,
both were prominent and well known citizens.
William Koch was born in Philadelphia, 1747, but settled
in Oley Township and in Womelsdorf, Berks County. He
removed to Brunswick Township, where he operated what
is since known as Kunkle's saw mill. His son, Henry, was
the father of Mrs. Charles T. Bowen, deceased. He was
married to a daughter of Balthaser Bock. His son, Daniel,
father of Richard, was a member of the State Legislature,
i860.
Balthaser Bock was born, in 1746, in Aide Hassan Graf-
schaft, Hanan, Germany. He came to this country, 1754,
with his father, the latter engaging in the French and Indian
War, 1755. The family settled in Windsor Township, Berks
County. Balthasar was sold to a farmer near Pinegrove to
pay his passage. Serving his time he rejoined the family on
the other side of the Blue Mountains. Although a lame man,
he served in the Revolutionary War. He settled in McKeans-
burg, where he died, 1827, and is buried there. He was a man
of remarkable energy and has many descendants in Schuyl-
kill County. Baltzer Bock bought a tract of land, 1791,
from Peter Orwig for eight hundred and fifty pounds. It
was part of the original John Webb tract, patented 1750,
situated near what is now McKeansburg.
Franklin P. Weiser, of Ashland, and James Weiser, of
Minersville, also the Weiser's formerly of Orwigsburg, now
of Ohio, are lineal descendants of Conrad Weiser.
William Donaldson, grandfather of William Donaldson,
of Pottsville, served in the Revolutionary War from North-
umberland County. He is buried in the Baber cemetery,
Pottsville, his remains having been removed here from Dan-
ville.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 159
Who Was Who
Isaac DeTurck settled on the Quassick Creek, Duchess
County, New York, emigrating from the Rhine with the
twelve hundred Palatines, 1709-1710, as a husbandman at the
age of twenty-three and unmarried. He left New York, 171 1,
and settled with the little band of Huguenots in Oley Town-
ship, Berks County, 1712. The Hocks and Yoders took up
land here, in the Penn Grants, about the same time. De-
scendants of the Hoy family, in Berks and Schuylkill,
are from this branch of the Hochs, the name in the original
having frequently been spelled "Hoy" and this spelling has
been retained by some of the family. Samuel DeTurck, d.,
of Friedensburg, was a direct descendant of Isaac DeTurck.
Ulrich Heiser lived at Focht's Forge, near IMcKeansburg,
about 1780. He was the son of Ulrich Heiser, of Oley Town-
ship. He removed to Manheim Township, near the site of
Schuylkill Haven, where George, the father of Veterinary
Surgeon Edward Heiser, deceased, 87 years of age, was born,
as was also his father.
Christian Luther settled in Lancaster County, 1751.
Diller Luther, with two brothers, all doctors, came from
there to Orwigsburg but returned to Reading, where the
former practised from 1832 to 1838. Diller Luther entered
the coal business, in which he was engaged for a quarter of
a century. His brothers, John and Martin Luther, practised
medicine and were prominent in their profession. John
died at Harrisburg, 181 1. Martin Luther, of Reading, was a
very successful surgeon. Roland Luther, deceased, of Potts-
ville, General Manager of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal
and Iron Company, who married Theresa Yuengling, was of
this family, a son of Peter Luther.
Hans Jacob Neuferdt came to America from Wurtem-
burg on the ship Nancy, September 27, 1752, and took the
oath of allegiance at Philadelphia. His son, Johan Jacob,
born 1765, came to Rush Township, Schuylkill County, 1797,
i6o BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
then Northampton County. He had a son, John Jacob, whose
sons were : Peter, George and John. They were of the earH-
est settlers in Rush Township.
The Whetstones were other early settlers of Schuylkill
County. Isaac Whetstone (Wlietstine) was a Captain in the
Revolutionary army. He was the progenitor of the Whet-
stones, of Tamaqua, and came to America from Wurtemburg,
Germany. (Revolutionary War, second part.) He was one
of the earliest settlers and original owners of land near Mc-
Keansburg.
John George Huntsinger came from Rotterdam, 1743, to
Berks County, immigrating to Hegins Township, then Pine-
grove Township, about 1780. He was the grandfather of
Prof. Emanuel Huntsinger, of Plartford, Conn., and has a
numerous line of descendants in Hegins, all prosperous and
well known.
D. B. Green was born in Reading. His parents were
John and Catharine Bright Green. He was admitted to the
Bar and began practice in Schuylkill County, wdiere he was
appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 1871, and
elected Additional Law Judge, 1881. He died in 1892. Wil-
liam Green, grandfather of Judge D. B. Green, 1810, owned
a tract of land near McKeansburg, where he lived for a time
subsequently removing to Orwigsburg, where he kept the
Rising Sun Hotel in the big square, and removed from there
to Reading.
JOHN R. AND BENJAMIN B. BANNAN
Benjamin^ Bannan, born near Belfast, Ireland, March 17,
1770, died near Molatton, Pa., October. 1816. He was a far-
mer in summer and taught school in winter. The old Swede
church was used as a school house and here Francis Rawn
Shunk, Governor, i845-'48, of Pennsylvania, also taught
school. His wife was Sarah , born April 12, 1762; died
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i6i
Who Was Who
November 20, 1825. Both are buried in the Episcopal ceme-
tery, Douglassville. Their children were : Abraham, a school
teacher in Union Township, Berks County, who studied law
and removed to Orwigsburg, where he practised for a time.
Benjamin^ Bannan (Benjamin^), also taught school before
he learned the trade of printer with former Congressman Getz,
at Reading, on the Reading "Gazette." Benjamin^ Bannan
purchased the Pottsville "Miner's Journal," 1829. He was
thrice married and left two daughters. A daughter of Ben-
jamin^ was married to Dr. George Douglass, of Orwigsburg.
John^ R. Bannan (Benjamin^), born September 19, 1796,
located at Orwigsburg and was admitted to the Schuylkill
County Bar, 1818. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He
made a study of the land laws, acquiring title to valuable coal
lands. He removed with his family to Pottsville about 1850,
from the large red brick mansion, in the big square, Orwigs-
burg, now owned by Solomon Moyer, to his newly
erected old colonial mansion. Cloud Home, on Sharp Moun-
tain, still occupied by members of the family, where he died
May 3, 1868. He made the plans for the Orwigsburg Acad-
emy, completed 1813, and supervised its erection and pre-
sented the ground to the Borough on which was erected
the Henry Clay Monument. He married Sarah Ann Ridg-
way, born December 31, 1806, who died November, 1879.
Their children were : Thomas R. and Douglass R., both
graduates of Yale College, the former a prominent lawyer,
wf., Alice Johnson ; the latter entered the U. S. navy ; Zelia
R., Francis B.. Mary J. and Martha R., all deceased with the
exception of the latter and Francis B. Bannan, who married
Mary T., daughter of George Reppelier, an individual coal
operator, of Pottsville. They had six children, four of whom
are living.
Daniel Yoder was born in Oley, Berks County, 1789.
His father, Peter Yoder, was an early settler. The former
removed to Pottsville before it was erected as a borough and
i62 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
lived on the brow of the hill, now the corner of East Nor-
wegian and Wolf Streets. He was an inventive genius and
took out a patent upon a pump which had a large sale before
hydrants came into general use. William L. Yoder, of Maha-
noy City, deceased, who removed to Virginia, was a grandson
of Peter Yoder and son of Daniel. George Yoder settled
in Eldred Township prior to 1809. He had a son William
and his sons were Abraham and Nathan. George Yoder came
from Oley, Berks County.
Dr. George K. Binkley, of Orwigsburg, was born in Berks
County, where his father, Benneville, was born, 1818. His
grandfather, Henry, was an early Sheriff of Berks County.
EARLY SETTLERS, WHO THEY WERE
Peter Dreher came to this county with the earliest
settlers. He was the great grandfather of Dr. C. B. Dreher,
of Tamaqua. Drehersville was named for him and the de-
scendants of that family. He was a native of Austria and on
coming to this country served in the Revolutionary War and
was wounded at the battle of Brandywine. Mrs. Arthur Shay,
wife of a late Judge of the Schuylkill Courts, is a descendant.
John R. Diehm, deceased, was of Revolutionary stock.
His great great grandfather settled in the Shenandoah Val-
ley, Virginia, with the early Palatines. His son, William,
was born there, 1764. The family removed to Reading, 1780,
where William was appointed Sheriff.
John Springer was the maternal great grandfather of the
late Jesse Turner, of Port Carbon. He served three years
in the Revolutionary War and was at the surrender of Lord
Cornwallis, at Yorktown. The family lived in Delaware.
Alexander S. Faust, deceased, was the son of Samuel
Faust, of Bern Township. His great grandfather came to
this country, 1776. He was a soldier for the British crown.
He became a prosperous farmer and had a numerous progeny.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 163
Who Was Who
Henry Bast came to Manheim Township from Berks
County, where he was born, 1818. Jeremiah F. is a son and
the third generation arc now living in Schuylkill County and
are prosperous citizens.
Michael Hoppes was born, 1752, in West Penn Township,
when it was a part of Northampton County. He was a Revo-
lutionary soldier and lived, died and is buried there. A large
number of descendants from his son. Christian, are settled
in that county.
John W. Roseberry, Sr., was admitted to the Berks
County Bar in 181 1. He removed to Orwigsburg, where his
son, John, Jr., was born and where after his death his widow
conducted a private school for girls. The latter, John W.
Roseberry, was admitted to the Schuylkill County Bar and
was a prominent citizen of Pottsville.
The Matz's were of the earliest settlers in Brunswick
Township. William Matz, a Sheriff of Schuylkill Coun-
ty, in 1855, was born 1801. William J. Matz was born in
1838, the latter was elected Sheriff in 1877. There were five
generations of this family in this locality, near McKeansburg.
Mrs. Thomas Walker, Mrs. Sarah Bartholomew, Mrs. Kate
Bender, d., Mrs. Jesse Drumheller and others, of Pottsville, are
of the family from Brunswick. George Matz, an ancestor,
was in the Revolutionary War.
LINDEMUTH
Michael Lindemuth and brother, Wolfe, came from the
German Palatinate to Berks County, September 22, 1752, lo-
cating in Windsor Township. Colonel Lindemuth is known
on his tombstone and in the Pennsylvania Archives as, John
Michael, and as Michael, in the Revolutionary War records.
Michael Lindemuth married Marie Eva Noecker, June
17, 1760.
i64 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
(Stoever's records : — Martin Noecker's will^, says :
"To the children of my deceased daughter, Eve, wife of
Michael Lindemuth, I give and bequeath," etc. (These
children were the two sons of Colonel Michael Lindemuth
referred to as drummer boys in the Revolutionary War.^)
Michael Lindemuth was married three times. His
second wife was Catharine Gerschwein (Geschwein.) The
will of Margaret, widow of Eberhardt "Geschweid," of Bern
Township, as recorded says : "I give and bequeath my daugh-
ter, Catharine, wife of Michael Lindemuth."
There are no children mentioned in Michael Linde-
muth's will, probated October 25, 1785, by his only brother,
Wolfe Lindemuth, of Bern Township, the widow Anna
Maria, renouncing.
The will of Wolfe Lindemuth shows he had no issue.
Colonel Michael Lindemuth^ died suddenly while
enroute to the seat of government to collect a claim
he held against it for a large sum of money ad-
vanced to the commissary department for supplies for
the men in his command. His mysterious death is a
matter of history. Jacob Lindemuth, deceased, landlord of
the Exchange and other Pottsville hotels, frequently related
"how his great grandfather was found dead beside his faithful
horse, who stood watch over him and that his saddle bags
had been rifled of these claims by unknown persons."
Michael Lindemuth died October, 1785.
(Note 1 — Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia, Book 365,
p. 521.)
(Note 2 — Revolutionary War Records, Part 1.)
(Note 3 — Revolutionary War Record, Part 1.)
(Note — The figures above the surname denote the number of the
generation.. The abbreviations commonly used in genealogical tables are:
da., daughter; bap., baptized; g. f. grandfather; m., married; rec, rec-
ords; g. g. f., great grandfather; wf., wife; spon., sponsor; g. g. g, f.,
great, great grandfather.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 165
Who Was Who
The two sons of Michael Lindemuth, above referred to
as drummer boys, Hved in Bern Township ; their records,
however, have not been discovered in the old Bernville
church but are doubtless in one of the Windsor Township
churches where Michael first settled. John Jacob removed
to Hamburg-, the other son remained in Bern Township.
John- Jacob Lindemuth (Michael,^ wife Maria Eva
Noecker), born 1766, died 1839; wife Catharine Boyer, born
1768, died 1851. He was one of the drummer boys referred
to in the Revolutionary War records. He settled at Ham-
burg, where he followed farming, and raised a family of
sixteen children : George, Henry, Daniel, Joseph, Thomas,
William, other sons and a number of daughters, Mrs. Jane
Davis, Lewistown, Mifflin County (no issue), Mrs. Catharine
Crosland, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Hannah Kepner, Mrs. Sarah
Jenning-s, Mrs. Susan Gager, of Pottsville, deceased, were
descendants of a son of this man who lived near Tamaqua.
William^ Lindemuth, (John^ Jacob, Michael^ wHq
Elizabeth Cake), issue: Susan, married Spangler ;
Romanus ; Matilda, married L Wolfe ; Caroline, married J.
Valentine; and William. He lived at Hamburg- and followed
the occupation of shoemaker and locktender.
William^ Lindemuth, settled at Stouchsburg, Berks
County; born March 22, 1820; died October 10, 1887; wife
Mary Brendle, born April 10, 1824 ; died July 4, 1857 ; children :
Ciara, Charles L, Elizabeth, William Johan, Edward and
Samuel. Charles 1. Lindemuth and brothers are cigar mak-
ers and work at the factory established by Reilly Zerbe, retired.
Charles is an a'ntic[uarian and has a large collection of antiques
at his home in that place. He and Samuel are unmarried.
Charles Lindemuth is the maker of the map of the early
settlers of 1723, in this volume. One of the sons married a
Rieth (Reed) and has several children. She belongs to
i66 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
the historical family, whose heads came over 1710, and settled
at Stouchsburg.
2 Lindemuth (second son of Michael Lindemuth
and wife Eve Noecker ; drummer boy in Revolutionary war) ;
children: William, Samuel, Jacob and Maria.
William^ Lindemuth, ( ^^ Michael^), born at
Bernville, 1799; wife Rachael of Scotch descent; children:
Susan, William J. (formerly of Minersville, a merchant), Hen-
rietta, James, Zacharia, Samuel, Mary and Jerome. Mary
died in Philadelphia, aged 85 years, as did also Henrietta.
They lived at 1427 North 57th Street.
Rev. Jerome-* Lindemuth, (William^, ^ Linde-
muth, MichaeP) a Methodist minister; born June 7, 1831, at
Stouchsburg, Berks County ; wife Caroline Holmes Stuart,
daughter of George Stuart, of Ireland ; children : Carrie S.
Mitchell, Glenolden, Pa. ; Mary F. Hewes, Chester, Pa. ; Wil-
liam Holmes.
Rev. William^ H. Lindemuth, D. D., pastor of the
Methodist Episcopal church, Pottsville, Pa. ; born at Reading
and reared at Lebanon, (Jerome*. William^, ^ Linde-
muth, Michael^); wife Emma Thomas Karcher; children:
Emma K., Caroline S., deceased ; Edmund K., George H.
Jacob* Lindemuth, a former landlord of the Exchange
and other hotels of Pottsville, deceased, was born near Wom-
elsdorf, Berks County. ( , John^ Jacob, Michael*.)
His father settled in Northumberland County, from where the
family removed to near New Castle where they kept hotel.
The children of Jacob and Eleanor Lindemuth were : Elea-
nor, widow of Samuel Keiter; Anna G. and Clara A., a son
and daughter, deceased. Mary, wife of George Moll, of Potts-
ville, daughter of Ella and Samuel Keiter, has one son.
Joseph* Lindenmuth, (Daniel", John Jacob^, Mich-
ael*) ; born June 4, 1816; died April 16, 1901 ; wife Re-
becca Heisler, of Lewistown (Tuyful's Loch) ; born November
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 167
Who Was Who
4, 1818; died January 22, 1878. She was the daughter of Jacob
and Susanna Heisler. Joseph Lindenmuth was a teamster
and owned his own teams doing hauling for contractors and
working about the mines. He removed to Pottsville about
1845, where they raised a large family; children: Sarah and
Ella, deceased; William, Charles, Sybilla and Annie.
Wm. Lindenmuth, wife Rebecca Speacht; children:
Theodore, Howard, a daughter deceased, and William, Jr.,
who married Rachael Jenkins; children: Edward, Louise,
Anna, Eleanora, single.
Charles Lindenmuth, wife Levina Jenkins ; children :
Mamie, single; Warren, deceased, and Gertrude, wife of
James Mullen, one child, Dorothy.
Sybilla Lindenmuth, wife of Valentine Glassmire ; first
husband, George Rogers; children of the latter: George, sin-
gle; Lillian, wife of Lyde Garnet. The children of Valentine
Glassmire: Verna.
Annie Lindenmuth, wife of Lehman Walters; children:
Harry, married to Mary Evans; children: Harry, James,
Kenneth, Ellsworth and Anna, single; Lulu, married to Roy
Yeager, no children.
Howard (William Sr.), wife Katie Collins; children:
Conrad and George.
Theodore (William Sr.), wife Mary Weiss; children:
Florence, May, Frances, Dora.
Florence (Theodore), wife of Charles Pettit ; children:
Newton.
The ship records also show that three other Lindemuths
came to Berks County, Pa., 1749. Hans, William and, per-
haps, a Jacob or Michael, but no trace of these men has been
found.
i68 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
THE BRAUN— BROVv^N FAMILY
John Brown (Braun), wife Catharine, came from the
Palatinate, Germany, to this country, October 20, 1752, on
the ship Duke, Daniel Montpelier, Captain, (Ship Lists). He
settled in Berks County, north of the Blue Mountain, in one
of the fertile valleys between what is now the Summit and
Auburn, Schuylkill County.
He was a veterinary surgeon. He had three sons: John,
John Adam and John George. His signature to a deed to
this land, 1804, is recorded in the Berks County court house.
The Black Horse Hotel, Wayne Township, which has been in
possession of the Brown family for several generations,
stands upon part of the original tract. There is no record
of the date of his death. His name appears on the original
list of subscribers to the St. Paul's Lutheran and Reformed
Church, South Manheim Township, (Summer Berg), as hav-
ing given ten shillings to the erection of this church, 1782,
and he and his wife are buried here among the many unmarked
and unknown graves.
The Braims were Huguenots and left Alsace and Lor-
raine after the revocation of the edict of Nantes. They were
of the Reformed faith.
The father, John^ and two sons, John^ and John^
Adam were in the Revolutionary War. On his return John
Adam brought with him a twelve poimd cannon ball which
is a relic in the Brown family today.
Jacob's church records, near Pinegrove, show Johann
Braun to have stood sponsor with his wife Catharine, June
24, 1804. Other records are:
(Note — A Phillip Braun came to New York 1709-1710.
He and his wife were sponsors, in Schoharie, for Conrad
Weiser's first child and son, September 7, 1722. He settled
in Berks County, 1723. Phillip Braun (Pioneer Homesteads,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 169
Who Was Who
map), one of the signers for the road, 1727, came to Tulpe-
hocken Township, 1723. When Conrad Weiser came (1729)
he took up a tract of land adjoining Braun's.)
Braiin — Margaretha, baptized April 14, 1805. Parents
Johann and Elizabeth. They buried a son, born January 14,
1819, aged I month, 25 days. Another child of the same par-
ents was baptized December 25, 1808.
Johann^ Braun is supposed to have died 1804.
Johann^ Braun, born November 12, 1756, died De-
cember 13, 1838. He is buried in the Dreisbach cemetery,
Union County, Pennsylvania.
Prof. Robert Braun, of Pottsville, of the Braun School of
Music, of Pottsville and Reading, is a descendant of Johann^
Braun ; Robert^ Braun ; (Charles^ Theodore, Charles^, Johann^,
Johann^.)
John^ Adam Brown, born February 2, 1759; died Au-
gust 3, 1837, ^nd is buried in St. Paul's Summer Hill ceme-
tery. His son, Valentine, born February 8, 1783; died August
26, 1857. He was the owner of the Black Horse Hotel and
to him is attributed the founding of a public school in Wayne
and South Manheim Townships.
In 1829 a young teacher. Christian Meyer, from Stras-
burg, Germany, came to the hotel and stated his vocation to
the proprietor, Valentine Brown. There was then no school
in that section of the county and Mr. Brown said : "I will
give you board and lodging free in my house if you stay here
and open a school." The young man accepted the offer, Mr.
Brown went to see his neighbors and the result was a little
log school house on Summer Hill, four miles south of
Brown's, and an equal distance west from the Summit,
where a small private school was opened. George Brown,
brother of Valentine, donated the ground, on the crest of
Summer Hill, and also donated material for the building.
Christian Meyers taught school in these townships, public
lyo BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
and private, for forty-one years. He was the organist of the
Summer Hill Church and also followed the occupation of
farmer.
W.* W. Brown, a prominent citizen of that part of
Schuylkill County, and an elder of St. Paul's Church, married
a daughter of Christian Meyers, who died October 25, 1910,
leaving no issue. W.^ W. Brown. (Valentine^ John-' Adam,
Johni.)
FILBERT FAMILY
John Samuel Philbert, born January 8, 1710; died Sep-
tember 25, 1786. His name occurs on the ship lists, ship
Samuel, from Rotterdam, August 30, 1737, from Wittenberg,
Saxonyi; wife Susanna, born March 10, 1704, died Jan-
uary 4, 1771. He had five sons and three daughters: John
Thomas, born February i, 1737; died November 8, 1784;
married Catharine Potteiker ; Maria Caterina, married to John
Heinrich Ache; Anne Elizabeth, married to John Heinrich
Weber; (tombstone inscription at Host's, John Heinrich
Weber, b. November 28, 1735, in Hochstadt, Germany; d.
April 10, 1815; Elizabeth Weber, geborn Filbert, December
6, 1741, d. February 7, 1813. Captain in Revolutionary War.)
John Phillip Filbert, born December 7, 1743, (Captain in
the War of the Revolution), married to Anna Maria Meyer;
died August 30, 1817. John Peter, born August 22, 1746;
married Polly Ludwig; Maria Christina, married Jost Ruth.
Captain John^ Phillip Filbert, (John^ Samuel), who
kept an old time tavern near Bernville, had three
children: Samuel, born 1770, died 1795; John Filbert and a
daughter, Catharine, married to William Machimer. John
Filbert was the progenitor of the Womelsdorf branch and his
son, Samuel, was the father of P. K. Filbert, D. D. S., of
Pottsville.
(Note 1 — Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. 17, pp. 131, 133.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 171
Who Was Who
Samuel^ Filbert, ancestor of the Pinegrove branch, had
two children: Joseph, and Peter Filbert, born 1794, wife
Elizabeth Staudt, daughter of Phillip Staudt. Peter's children
were : Samuel P., Edward T., Peter A., William H., of Pine-
grove ; John A., of Schuylkill Haven ; daughters, Leah, wife
of Dr. John Kitzmiller; Sarah, wife of Richard Musser, and
Rebecca, wife of F. W. Conrad, editor for many years of the
"Lutheran Observer." J. H. Filbert, attorney-at-law, of
Pottsville, is a son of John A., and a great great grandson of
Captain Phillip Filbert.
WEIDMANS, KREBS, TYSONS
Major John Weidman was born in Lancaster County,
1756. He served in the Continental line in the Revolutionary
War. Dr. Murray Weidman, of Reading ; Judge Mason Weid-
man and Barge Weidman, of Pottsville, all deceased, were de-
scendants.
Jacob Krebs was born in Long Swamp, Berks County, and
came to Manheim Township before 1800. He owned part of
the farm upon which the Schuylkill County Almshouse now
stands. The family attended church at Zion's (Red Church)
and it is related that it being the nearest and about five miles
distant, the family repaired thither on the Sabbath in a cart
drawn by oxen. This was no uncommon occurrence. Many
of the roads were nothing more than bridle paths through the
forests and horse back riding was not possible to the infirm
or aged. As late as i860 lumber hauling in some parts of
Schuylkill County was done by oxen teams. The Krebs, of
Schuylkill County are descendants of this family.
The Medlars are of Huguenot stock and settled in Berks
County about 1760. Daniel Medlar came to Hamburg before
1800. He is supposed to have been a son of George Medlar
(Revolutionary War Record.) Dr. S. Medlar, of Orwigsburg,
was an early settler. The Medlars, of McKeansburg, Drehers-
172 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
ville, Pottsville and Mahanoy City are all of this branch.
James A. Medlar, Vice President of the Schuylkill Trust Com-
pany, Pottsville, is a descendant.
Henry Auman came to this country as a British soldier,
for the British crown. He was taken prisoner by General
Washington at Trenton, New Jersey, and after the Revolu-
tionary War settled in Amity Township, Berks County. He
was the great grandfather of the late Samuel and Lieutenant
William Auman, of Pottsville, the latter of the United States
army, retired and living in New York.
Daniel Dreibelbeis came from Hammesthal, Germany,
1740, settling in Richmond Township. His sons were Daniel,
Abraham, Jacob and Martin. The latter came from Moselem,
Berks County, to what is now Schuylkill Haven and was its
first permanent settler. One of the sons was married to
Catharine "Markel," daughter of George Merkle, a leading
pioneer in Richmond Township, who settled there about the
above date and took out a patent for one thousand acres of
land.
Cornelius Tyson came from England, about 1683, and
was one of the first settlers of Germantown. He belonged
to the Society of Friends. His tombstone, the oldest in Ger-
mantown, gives his age as sixty-three years and the date of
his death as 1716.
Another branch of the family name came from the Rhine
Palatinate, they were German Menonites and neither line en-
gaged in the early wars, their religious principles forbidding it.
Cornelius and Hannah Smith Tyson's marriage is re-
corded, March 30, 1751. They lived in Montgomery County,
then Chester, where Joseph Tyson was born, February 16,
1751. Dr. Henry Tyson, of Reading, was born 1815. He
was a Professor in the University of Pennsylvania, Phila-
delphia. Henry Tyson had a brother Cornelius, who died at
the age of twenty-five years. Captain Tyson was an Arctic
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i73
Who Was Who
explorer. The large Berks County family of this name, and
Cornelius Tyson, deceased, of Pottsville, are descended from
Cornelius and Hannah Tyson. The Tyson homestead, near
the Oley, Exeter and Amity Township lines, is still maintained
by a member of the family name.
EIi5 L. Heisler, (George'' Jacob, Josephs George^, George^
Jacob Heisler.) The latter came from the Austrian border to
Berks County about 1770, removing to Montgomery County.
A branch of the family lived at Lewistovvn, Schuylkill Coun-
ty. George Jacob Heisler was a paymaster in the Revolu-
tionary AVar and carried a rifle in the battle of Stony Point.
Marshall Heisler, who did good service in the Reading Com-
pany Coal and Iron Police, Minersville, during the Mollie
Maguire troubles, was a lineal descendant. George Jacob,
father of Eli Heisler, of Pottsville, while papering and paint-
ing a house in Montgomery County, after the Civil War,
found behind a washboard, a record of the oath of allegi-
ance taken by Melchoir Fritz, 1763, to the British crown, in
London, where he took the communion in the Church of
England before coming to this country. He settled in Robe-
son Township, Berks County. This paper Mr. Heisler pre-
sented to Ezekiah J. Fritz, of Pottsville, a lineal descendant.
THE SPOHN FAMILY
Henry2 Spohn, (Joseph^), born in Cumru Township,
Berks County, March 10, 1720; died January 21, 1813^ His
wife, Catharine , born March 12, 1736, died January 25,
1810. They had sons : Adam, b. January 25, d. January 18,
1831 ; Phillip, a Revolutionary soldier; John, Captain in
the Revolutionary War; and several daughters. Trinity
Church records, Reading, show Henry Spohn and wife,
Catharine, to have stood sponsors eight times at baptisms
from 1768 to '93, which show the date and also the family
names of friends and relatives.
174 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
John Spohn and wife, Mary , stood sponsors at the
baptism of John Spohn, son of Adam (Henryi), ]) November
7, 1790. This John Spohn was probably the man who settled
on Broad Mountain, (Schuylkill County), and died at the age
of forty-seven, in Pottsville, 1847. His wife was Margaret
Horuff, and the surviving children are: Mrs. Eliza Denne-
baum and Mrs. Val. Stichter; deceased Moncure, Frank, and
several others.
Captain John Spohn, wf. Catharine, daughter of Conrad
Bower, deceased. He was born in Cumru Township. Jan-
uary 10, 1754, and married Maria Biddle. He died April 19,
1822, at Reading. His company and that of Captain Peter
Decker were captured at the taking of Fort Washington,
November, 1776.
Phillip Spohn and wf., Mary, baptized four daughters
and one son, John William, between August 17, 1771, and
February 28, 1790. The sponsors for the latter were the
grandparents, Henry and Catharine Spohn.^
BECHTELS, PALMERS
John Bechtel, father of Hon. O. P. Bechtel lived in Berks
County, where he kept the "Half Way House," between
Reading and Kutztown. He removed from there to North-
umberland County, where his tract of land was known as
"Warrior Run farm." In 1847 ^^e removed to Middleport,
Schuylkill County. John Bechtel was born in Bucks County,
1798. He was postmaster of Middleport during the Pierce
administration.
Nathan Palmer was a lineal descendant of Miles
Standish. He was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, but remov-
ed early to Pennsylvania. The sympathies of the Palmer
family were with the British and they were not represented
in the War of the Revolution. His son was Judge Strange
(Note 1 — Hain's Church Records.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 175
Who Was Who
N. Pahner, who came to Pottsville, 1829. His son, Robert
Palmer, State Senator, was appointed minister to the Argen-
tine Republic, 1861. His health failed and he died, 1862, on
his return trip home and was buried at sea. Of his children,
Strange, Charles T., (a prominent physician), Robert, Laura,
Bertha, wife of Harry Stinear, and Frank N., the latter alone
survives.
THE KAERCHERS, KEPNERS, SHIPPENS
Conrad Roth, or Roads, came from Germany and settled
in Chester County. He resided in Reading, 1760, where he
died. His son, John, settled in Hamburg where Franklin
Roads, of Minersville, and Jacob O. Roads, the father of
George and Oliver Roads, of Pottsville, were born. Other
Roths or Roads, in Berks and Schuylkill Counties, were the
descendants of one of three brothers who settled in Amity
Towniship, about 1725, Jacob having a numerous progeny.
Colonel Jones, of the Continental line. Revolutionary War,
was a maternal ancestor of George and Oliver Roads. It was
said of Colonel Jones that "one half of the prominent people
of Reading, in the early days, w^ere descended from him :
among them the Hon's Glancy and Richmond L. Jones, and
in Pottsville the Morris, Roseberry, Roads, N. C. Morrison,
Thompson, Mrs. George Ryon and Nathan Evans' families,
and others claim descent from this man ; Jonathan Jones m.
Margaret Davis. They had eleven children, five sons and six
daughters.
Hamburg was first called Kaerchertown. Martin Kaer-
cher lived here in 1785. William, George and Daniel, sons
of Martin, were taxpayers in 1793. Daniel removed to Frie-
densburg, Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, where
Franklin B. Kaercher, the father of Frank D., Edward E.,
William H., Samuel H. (deceased), D. W., and Mrs. Ida
Day, was born. Martin Kergher, John and Christian Kercher
176 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
(Kaercher) (Revolutionary War Record.) The Derrs, Shomos,
Yeagers, Seidels and other Pottsvillians, claim Hamburg as
the seat of their nativity.
The Kepners, W. C, deceased, and Sol. Kepner, of Or-
wigsburg, are descended from a family that lived in the south-
ern part of Schuylkill County long before it was known by
that name. They belonged for several generations to that
thrifty element that represents the typical Pennsylvania Ger-
man citizen. Kepners, a village on the branch of the Lehigh
Valley Railway, was named after the family. Bernhard Kep-
ner kept a tavern on the Catawissa road, one mile north of
McKeansburg, then Northampton County. He was in the
Revolutionary War and is buried at McKeansburg.
Attorney L. D. Haughawout, of Pottsville, claims two
members of his family as having been in the Revolutionary
War and others in the later wars in which the United States
was involved.
Henry Spannuth was in the War of the Revolution. On
Christmas night, 1776, he was among those of the British
emissaries captured by General Washington after crossing
the Delaware. Released, he took up arms at once for the
Continental cause. He settled in Lebanon County.
Jacob-5 Spanuth, (Henry^, EmanueP, George", Henry^),
Jacob, antiquarian, of Pottsville, is descended from Henry^,
who came over, 1776, with the British forces and became an
exemplary citizen in his adopted country.
Daniel Focht, clerk for John Pott, lived in one of the first
houses erected at the Forge, 1806, old Orchard, Greenwood
basin, near the site of Pottsville. Focht's forge, near New
Ringgold, was owned by this family of which the James
Focht and Daniel Focht families are a branch.
Edward B. Hubley, born 1792, at Reading, son of Attor-
ney Joseph Hubley, admitted to the Bar 1820, was twice
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i77
Who Was Who
elected to Congress from Berks and Schuylkill Counties, 1835
to 1839. He lived at Orwigsburg, removing to Reading, then
to Philadelphia, where he died.
John* P. Hobart, (Nathaniel P., Robert^ Enochi), came
to Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, 1838. He was born in
Pottstown, Montgomery County. 1814, and married Anne
Smith. He was a lawyer and practised in the Schuylkill
County courts, coming to Pottsville when the county seat was
removed from Orwigsburg, where he lived until his death.
They had two sons and two daughters.
Nathaniel^ Potts Hobart, a lawyer, was Auditor General
of Pennsylvania, 1836, under Governor Joseph Ritner. He
was in the War of i8i2-'i4. He built the mansion for a
homestead on the hill at Pottstown, afterward used as a
school for boys by Col. Meiggs. Here the family resided.
He married Johanna Holland. Nathaniel Hobart was a
grandson of Enoch Hobart, a sea captain from Philadelphia
to Liverpool.
There was a Peter Hobart, who came to Hingham.
Mass., 1635. He had sixteen children who settled in different
states. Enoch Hobart may have been one of the sons, but
the connection has not been proven.
Shippen, John, and wife Margaret McCall, came to
Pottsville, 1830. He was a descendant of Edward Shippen,
the first Colonial Mayor, of Philadelphia. A daughter of this
historic family, a great belle and beauty, married General
Benedict Arnold, who was a traitor to his country. The
Shippens were loyalists. The children of John Shippen were :
Edward, Samuel and Elizabeth, the latter being the last of
her family and died May 20, 1914, in Philadelphia, where she
resided the last years of her life ; the family home on the site
of the Philadelphia and Reading Company building, Mahan-
tongo Street, Pottsville, being owned and occupied by them
for fifty years. John Shippen was President of the Miners'
178 BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
National Bank, of Pottsville, from March 4, 183 1, succeeding
Francis B. Nichols, resigned, February 25, 1831. The Miners
Bank was incorporated, 1828, and he was its second president
serving almost a half century.
Miss Elizabeth Swift Shippen, through inheritance
amassed considerable wealth, her estate being valued at more
than $2,000,000. The Pottsville Hospital received $272,000
from her estate with other bequests ; the hospital having been
practically founded by her in memory of her parents. Be-
quests were given other local and some Philadelphia institu-
tions.
Thomas James Baird married the daughter of Matthew
Carey, of Philadelphia. His wife, Eliza C. Baird, was a sister
of Henry C. Carey, the noted political economist and writer.
They came to Pottsville, 1835, where Mr. Baird acted as
agent for the Carey's, who owned the controlling interest in
the York Farm, Eyre and St. Clair coal tracts. Mr. Baird
was a graduate of the United States Military Academy, 1814,
and served in the war of 1812-14, as a Lieutenant of Artil-
lery. He remained in the service until 1828 when he resigned
as Captain of the 3rd Regiment United States Artillery. In
1838 he was elected Captain of the National Light Infantry,
of Pottsville. Their children were Augusta, wife of Dr. A.
H. Halberstadt, and Edward Carey Baird, married to Emily
Thompson, daughter of Samuel C. Thompson. E. C. Baird
was a Major on General Meade's staff during the War of
the Rebellion serving with distinction throughout the entire
period.
Ashael Powers, grandfather of Rev. J. F. Powers, pastor
of Trinity Episcopal church, was a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary War from Springfield, Vermont.
Christian Burkert was born in Berks County, 1751,
where he died, 1840. He was in the Revolutionary War.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i79
Who Was Who
He was the grandfather of Elias P. Burkert, of Ashland,
Schuylkill County.
Dr. Jonathan Potts was born at Pottstown, Montgomery
County, 1747. He was a surgeon general in the Revolution-
ary army. His son William was the grandfather of Hon. W.
Ramsey Potts, of Pottsville. William and William B. Potts
are both buried at Pottstown, which was named after Jona-
than Potts.
James Patterson settled in Chester County, (Conestoga,
Lancaster County,) 1717. His son, James Patterson, re-
moved to Juniata County, and settled on the banks of the
river Juniata, where he built a stone house that was used as
a fort against the Indians with whom he traded. He was a
Captain in the French and Indian War. His son, George
Patterson, married Jane Burd, daughter of the Colonel of
his father's regiment, and Sarah Shippen, a descendant of
the first mayor of Philadelphia. His son, Burd Patterson,
came to Pottsville, 1824, and was one of its foremost resi-
dents. The family in Pottsville was a large and prominent
one, but is now almost wholly extinct here. Burd S. Patter-
son, of Pittsburg, is a grandson of Burd Patterson, his father
was Joseph Patterson. George Patterson, brother of Burd,
was married twice. His sons were : Stuart, Edward, Fred-
erick and William, of the first wife, and John and Theodore,
of the second. His daughters were Matilda, Mary and Dollie.
Samuel Lewis, son of Griffith and Lydia Lewis, was born
October 13, 1791. He was married to Rebecca Phillips, Octo-
ber 18, 1820. They had five children, one of whom died in
early manhood. Charles M., father of Charles M. Lewis,
manager Philadelphia and Reading Telegraph Company lines,
Reading; and Edgar P. Lewis, of Pottsville, was born October
13, 1823, and died 1880. Samuel Lewis was twice married,
his first wife having died November 9, 1857 (was born July
12, 1788). The second union, to Miss Miller, a public school
i8o BLUE BOOK OF
Who Was Who
teacher, took place May 26, 1859. From this marriage one
son, William Allison, was born, January 8, 1867. Samuel
Lewis died August 22, 1878. His wife, Rose M. Lewis, died
at Rutherford, N. J., January 6, 191 5, and is buried in
Pottsville. Samuel Lewis, borough surveyor, and the
compiler of several original borough and county maps,
traced his lineage back in a clear line of descent to Evean
Lewis, who was born in or near Nathlage Parish, Pembroke
Shire, Wales, British Isles. He and his wife Magdelene, emi-
grated to America in 171 3 and settled in the great valley in
Whitelaw Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, where
they purchased a tract of land from Richard Thomas. They
had four children, one son Griffith and three daughters. The
line extended down through the above Griffith to Samuel, his
son, and to Samuel's son Griffith, who in turn had a son,
Samuel, the subject of this sketch, and the fifth generation up
to the time of his death and the seventh in a direct line of
descent of the Lewis family up to the present time.
ZELLERS, RAHNS, SEITZINGERS
John Henry Sellaire (Zeller), Huguenot, came to New
York, 1710, with the one thousand immigrants. His name and
that of his son John is on the list of settlers at Livingstone
manor. He was in Queen Anne's war, 171 1^. He died 1756.
John Henry Zeller came from the Schoharie, N. Y., to
Chester County, Penna., (Berks), 1727. He built the block
house, as a refuge from the Indians (part of which is still
standing) on the mill creek, between Womelsdorf and Stouchs-
burg.
Zeller, John Henry, wf. Anna Maria ; c, John George,
John Henry, John David, Hartman (Martin,) John, Anna
Maria Saltzberger, Barbara, Catharine Pontus, Anna Eliza-
beth Battdorf. His son John George lived on the homestead
in, Marion Twp., between Wintersville and Stouchsburg.
(Note 1 — Roster of companies, Part 1.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i8i
Who Was Who
George M. Zeller, a direct descendant of John Henry, is
the landlord of the hotel, Stouchsburg. He m. Lizzie J.
Bright ; they have one son.
Jacobi Rahn, b. Aug. 8, 1728, wf. Margaretta, b. Aug. 4,
1 714; c. Jacob and Adam. Jacob^ Rahn (Jacob^) b. July 16,
1757, d. 1823, m. Elizabeth Schneider. They had four sons
and four daughters. Jacob^ was a soldier in the War of the
Revolution (Part i.) Jacob^ was the father of George Rahn,
who came early to Orwigsburg from Kutztown, Berks
County. He was one of the first associate judges of Schuyl-
kill County and Sherifif, 1820-183 1. His children were Rich-
ard, Charles A. (Clerk of the Schuylkill courts,) Mrs. Matilda
Filbert, Oscar, one da.
Jacob Siegfried. Jacob's name is found upon the Revo-
lutionary war roster (Part i.) Michael, Andreas, John,
Henry, Joseph and Jacob all took the oath of allegiance, 1777.^
Nicholas Seitzinger, wf. Barbara Setley, of Perry Coun-
ty, Pa., had seven sons and a number of daughters. He was
a taxable, 1759, in Bethel Township, Berks County, and in
179s owned land in Butler Township (Mahantongo.) He
was in the Revolutionary war. Children : George, m. to
Catharine Kantner ; Daniel m. Mary Ream ; John m.
Roland ; Jacob m. Elizabeth Moyer, West Brunswick Town-
ship ; Samuel m. Dreibelbeis ; Nicholas m. Rowe, of
Reading; Henry d. single; Catharine m. James Scott, father
of Samuel Scott, wf. Mary Beyerle.
Harvey^ Scott, (Samuel^, James^), retired merchant of
Pott.sville, m. Ella Lindenmuth ; c, Effie, wf. of Charles
Seltzer, one da., son d. ; Laura, m., deceased; da. Laura.
The daughters of Jacob- Seitzinger (Nicholas^) were :
Mrs. Robert Palmer, Mrs. Fred. Fernsler, Mrs. Annetta
Schuyler, and Mrs. Adelia Hippie.
(Note 1 — List of names, Berks Historical Society.)
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Who Was Who
Jeremiah"^ Seitzinger, County Commissioner and Court
Crier, (Jacob^, Nicholas^), b. 1802 at Bull's Head, m. Amanda,
da. of Joseph Morgan, of Orwigsburg; their children were:
Marcus, Aurora and Annie, wf. of G. Wesley Mortimer, d.
Nicholas^ Seitzinger (Nicholas^) was an Associate Judge
of Schuylkill County and lived at Tamaqua, Pa. Jacob lived
on a farm at Bull's Head. He built the first brick house in
Pottsville, on the site of the Merchants' Bank, opposite the
Episcopal Church. His brick yard was located where the old
Pennsylvania freight depot stands. He owned the lots where
the Exchange Hotel is and constructed it from bricks made
at his yard. The family lived in what is now the Eber build-
ing.
Of other notable citizens among the early settlers of
Pottsville, the majority were Pennsylvanians and claimed the
seat of their nativity in one of the three original counties of
1682, Chester, Bucks and Philadelphia, from which devolved
Lancaster, York, Montgomery, Dauphin, Lebanon, North-
ampton, Northumberland, Berks and other counties and are
nearly all on record as citizens of Eastern Pennsylvania.
The esoteric rights of the foregoing to Revolu-
tionary and Colonial ancestry have been accepted by the writer,
through personal assertion, hearsay evidence and tradition ; no
attempt having been made to establish their claims, except
those noted and those that are correlative with established
records found elsewhere in these pages. (In the Pennsylvania
Archives, War Department Records, Pension Bureau, etc.)
The great amount of labor required in such a research being
left to such as are personally interested in verifying them.
Nor has an effort been made by the author to individual-
ize all of the early families that belonged to the maternal
family of Berks County and settled in the eastern and north-
eastern part, now known as Schuylkill County, or of those
mentioned whose descendants settled later in her environ-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 183
Who Was Who
ments. The foregoing, perhaps, are but a tithe of those who
sprang from the nucleus of early settlers, when the division
of counties in Eastern Pennsylvania was unknown or con-
fined to the original three, Philadelphia, Chester and Bucks
Counties, but sufficient have been given to prove the resi-
liency of their claims and their hereditary right to an ances-
try, that through succeeding generations, has aided in propa-
gating civilization in almost every State in the Union.
Patrician or proletariat by heritage, the mission of the early
settler in Pennsylvania was the same and the results speak
for themselves.
RETROSPECTIVE
History is necessarily a work of compilation and re-
search and is never fully complete. From its adolescent
period up to the present time, to establish facts and their
recurrence, a personal visitation and investigation, of the
ground gone over, is imperative.
During the years occupied in this research, the author
traveled many miles, spending weeks in the principal histor-
ical libraries, of the State and inspected the church and
court house records in the different counties involved in the
historical and genealogical annals ; many homesteads, too,
were visited and individuals, personally, were interviewed
upon the subjects treated upon in these pages.
Of the hundreds of letters written to persons, many of
which were not deemed of sufficient importance by the re-
ceivers to send a response ; and from those received from
others who kindly furnished what they knew, many facts
relevant to the subject were gleaned.
While the writer is painfully conscious of the ofttimes
imperfect result of these researches, yet much original light
1 84
SCHUYLKILL CO. BLUE BOOK
Who Was Who
has been thrown upon quoted subjects ; and new and orig-
inal matter has been gained that is of the greatest import-
ance in confirming and substantiating the data given ; and in
rejecting other claims that were irrelevant or not authentic.
With the hope that the work may be taken up and carried to
a conclusion by other more facile and trenchant pens, the
historical pages are laid aside to make way for the genea-
losfical records.
SCHUYLKILL CO. BLUE BOOK
Genealogical Records — Zerbeys
187
Origin Of The Zerbeys
NAME TRACED TO NINTH CENTURY
*HE Zerbes were originally Norsemen
^ipxr and natives of ancient Scandinavia, a
^fi general name given in the early cen-
turies to the great tract of country north of
Germany, comprising Denmark, Norway
and Sweden and including Iceland and the
Danish Archipelago.
Their tribal name, like the Gauls, Goths,
Normans, Teutons and others of the early
races was "Servi" and their coat of arms
a knight with the heraldic device, "To
Serve," emblazoned on it.
They were the retainers of the Duke of
Holstein, ruler of the Princely German
House of that name, which includes the royal line of Den-
mark and other collateral royal branches.
Holstein, on the North Sea, a duchy of North Germany,
belonged to Denmark, but is now an adjunct of Prussia and
known through its alliance with Schleswig as the province
of Schleswig-Holstein, its limits being circumscribed through
the frequent changes of the boundaries of Northern Europe,
brought about by the Roman conquerors.
From the reign of Charlemagne, in Eight Elundred A. D.,
who was then the most powerful monarch in all Europe and
whose empire extended from the' Atlantic to the Save, the
i88 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Theiss, the Oder and the lower Vistula rivers, from the Baltic
Sea to the Ebro and from the North Sea and the Eider to
central Italy ; the power of the independent dukes, of the
small duchies was almost equal to that of the reigning
sovereign.
In some instances these nobles were wealthier than their
rulers. Their castles were magnificent in their fortress-like
proportions, they maintained a sovereignty over large armies
of vassals and retainers and if their ruler could not compel
their obedience, they made war and peace upon their own
terms and rendered only a nominal service to their reigning
sovereign. Of such, was the Duke of Holstein.
In the ninth century a race of pirates began to inflict
great suffering upon the European coasts. They sailed up
the navigable rivers of the German Ocean and ravaged the
countries along their shores and the North German free-hold-
ers w^ere despoiled of their homes and their possessions by
the marauders. The Norsemen became, more or less, a
nomadic race. The frequency with which they made war
upon the southern countries and weaker principalities led them
into frequent migratory expeditions and when Paris was
besieged, in A. D. 885, Charles, "the Fat," bribed them to
withdraw their forces instead of opening a conflict with them.
In 894 A. D., when Arnulf made war upon the Norsemen
and afterward entered Italy, to settle the quarrel betw^een
the rival claimants to the crown, some of the defeated Norse-
men accompanied his army ; among them were some of the
Servi (pronounced Sarve, two syllables), who remained in
that country and settled, and the name became "Zerbi."
Others settled in the duchy of Hanover, where it was known
as "Zarva," but the greater number, after participating in the
wars that led up to the crowning of the German Kings as
"Roman Emperors," in 962, some of these northern feudal
Servi migrated to middle Europe, uniting with the Galicians,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 189
Of the Zerbeys
where they became powerful and noted for their vigor of
frame, valor in war and love of freedom.
About the tenth century they received a grant of land
from the Emperor Leo VI, situated on the Danube River,
which they proceeded to cultivate, establishing their feudal
rights as freeholders, only pausing in their career as agri-
culturists, to take up the sword and lay aside the plough-
share, to defend their little independent kingdom in the nth
century, when the Greeks invaded it and again when the
Turks reduced it and in the frequent insurrections that fol-
lowed until it became a free and independent State under the
protection of the great Powers. The Austrian-Servian crisis,
when Montenegro and Servia disagreed and when King Peter,
of Servia, desired to be considered the head of all the Servians
and Prince Nicholas, of Montenegro, proposed to constitute
himself "Czar" of the two little States, Austria was obliged
to interfere to preserve their neutrality. Recent historical
events, 1914-15, show the Servians still resenting all efforts on
the part of other powers to absorb their principality into a
more powerful dynasty (June i, 191 5.)
(Note — There is a town in Austria-Hungary named
"Szarvas" (Szahrvas) on the Koros, 22 miles northeast of
Csongrad, population 18,917.)
Before the birth of Christ the Thracian or Illyrian races
inhabited all the country south of Austria-Hungary and when
the nomadic tribes of Servians came from Galicia, a province
of Spain at the extremity of the Iberian peninsula, and gave
it their name, they were converted to Christianity. In 636
A. D. others came and the land was known as Galicia, part
of it now (1914) being a province of Austria and known as
Galicia-Lodomeria. After the bloody wars, 1459, between
Hungary and Turkey, the Servians were freed. The land
given them by Emperor Leo VI in the tenth century was
erected into an independent kingdom by Pope Honorius III
igo BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
in 1217. It was not until 1815 that the country secured its
independence under the protection of Austria and Russia.
The religion of the Servians is that of the Greek Catholic
church. The population of Servia is four million.
ZERBIS IN ITALY
After the crowning of the King of Lombardy, A. D.
962, several of the feudal Servi from Holstein settled in
Italy, where the name was Zerbi. A medical work in scholarly
Latin and in the professional language of Italy, entitled
"The Anatomy of the Human Body" was published by Gabriel
Zerbi. He held the title of INIedicus Theoricus and was an
authority on the olfactory nerves.
The following letter is self explanatory :
University of Penna., Phila. Library, August 25, 1913.
Mrs. Ella Zerbey Elliott,
Dear Madam: — There is a copy of the work by Gabriel Zerbi, pub-
lished in Verona, in the latter part of the fifteenth century, in the British
Museum, London. It bears the following title: — "Liber Anathomie Cor-
poris Humani Singulori, Membro lUuis, etc., per B. Localette Venetiis,
1502 folio." There is no reprint of the work. — Morris Jastrow, Jr., Li-
brarian. K. S. L., Assistant Librarian.
(The following is extracted from notes and letters of
Benton H. Zerbe) :
"August Zerbi went from Graz and Vienna, Austria, to
Italy with the Austrian army, where he married the daughter
of Chevalier Ughetti, of Verona. Taking the name of his
wife he became a prominent merchant trading with vessels on
the Mediterranean and high seas. His descendants are still
living and use the name "Zerbi" among their surnames. The
last male descendant bore the name of his grandfather, Au-
gustine Zerbi Ughetti. A public square in Verona is named
for the latter.
(Note^January 13, 1915, the Servian legation in London addressed a
letter to the press and public, urging the adoption of the spelling "Zer-
bian" and "Serbia" instead of "Servian" and "Servia" which is gradu-
ally being accepted.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 191
Of the Zerbeys
Christian Zarva settled in Mecklenburg, a territory of
North Germany, between the Baltic, Prussian Dominions,
West Hanover and Luebeck, before it was divided into the
Grand Duchies of Schwerin and Strelitz. He had two sons,
George and John, the latter an officer iii the Hanoverian army.
George"-^ Zarva, Zcrbi, (Christian) had three sons,
George, Wilhehn and John Phillip. Wilhelm, is said, "to have
settled in Spain, where he married the daughter of Count
De Luna, of Toledo, 'the city of swords', and where he took
the family name. Marquis de Aspiroz, was a colonel of ar-
tillery in the Spanish army, 1875. His wife was the daughter
of Count de Valle, Director General of Artillery. Marquis
de Aspiroz claimed direct descent from Wilhelm Zerbi, of
Mecklenburg." (Benton H. Zerbe, Genealogical Record,
Part 2.)
(Benton Zerbe, a foreign powder agent from this coun-
try, who met many prominent heads of the military while in
the pursuance of his business, met Marquis de Aspiroz with
the above result, as related.)
John Phillip Sevier, Zerbi, Zarva was the head of the
American branches. He settled in France and came from Paris
where some of his children were born, to Alsace, near Stras-
burg, where it is supposed that his brother George and his
father George lived, the Seviers and Serviers, as the name was
spelled in France being nimierous in Alsace and Lorraine.
John Phillip Sevier (Servier) after the revocation of the
edict of Nantes fled with his wife and eight sons to Switzer-
land and from there to London. Fngland. Valentine Sevier,
one of these eight sons, was the father of John Sevier, the
great commonwealth builder.
Another son, John IMiillip, was the father of the three
immigrants, John Phillip, Mardin, and Lorenz, 1710, who
came to America in the same vessel with Conrad Weiser.
192 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
settling in New York and subsequently in Pennsylvania.
The name on the ship lists was spelled according to the Swiss
method, "Zarva, Savar, or Sarvar."
(Note : — Alsace, a province bordering on the Rhine,
belonged to Germany until 1648, when part was ceded to
France. Louis XIV took Strasburg, 1681, and the city,
with the remainder of the Province, was secured for France,
1697, where it remained until 1871, when it was ceded to
Prussia, the surrender being made September 27, 1870.)
(Strasburg, capital of Alsace-Lorraine, two miles west
of the Rhine on the river 111. Before the present war it had
a population of 150,000.)
HISTORY OF ZERBES IN AMERICA
The name Zerbe affords an interesting etymological study
and is spelled in sixteen or more different ways, according to
the nomenclature of the country in Europe from which the
claimant hailed, or, as Dr. Egle, State Historian, says of the
30,000 immigrants, that, "their names appeared on the ship
rolls according to the intelligence of the ship masters."
These Swedish ship masters did not speak English and were
phonetic spellers, hence the many changes from the original
Sevier, Servier, of France, and the Serfas, Serfass, Sarva, Zar-
var, of Switzerland and Sweden, to Serwe, Surfass, Serwes,
Serwies, Zarva, Zerwe, Serb, Serbe, Serwitz, Zerb, Surface,
Zerver, (the "e" having the sound of "ah"). All these varia-
tions in spelling are not important, they are all from the same
origin, "Servi" (Sar-ve) and are all of the same name.
(Note : — When one of the Sevier, Zarva, families died they
sent a mortuary notice to the representative families of that
name throughout the United States, a Huguenot custom
brought with them from the old world.)
The Sevier (e, as in ah) and Zarvar, Zarva, being the
nearest phonetically and best translations of the original name.
The Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee branch adhered
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i93
Of the Zerbeys
to the French name Sevier, while those of Pennsylvania and
their descendants in other states adopted the Swiss spelling.
The Zerbes of Berks County and the southern part of Schuyl-
kill County were, until a decade or tw^o ago, known as
"Zarvas," the present generation adopting the anglicized
"Zerbe," or changing the spelling of the latter according to
taste.
The history of the Zerbes in the United States begins
with that of the three immigrants, John Phillip, Mardin and
Lorenz, who sailed from Rotterdam the day before Christ-
mas, 1709, for the Province of New York, in the English
colonies, of North America. They came on the same vessel
with John Conrad Weiser.
(The history of the Zerbe colonists is involved in the
preceding chapters, Part L)
John Phillip Zarva (Zerbe) joined one of the four
companies of 300 men who were part of the expedition in
171 1 against Montreal under General Nichols and the de-
fense of Albany against the French, only one year after his
arrival in his adopted country. John Phillip Zerbe was of
the village of Annesburg, on the east side of the Hudson
river, New York. (State of New York, Report of the State
Historian. Colonial Series, Vol. i, p 442.) (Part i.)
There is no record to be found of his having come to
Pennsylvania, and it is believed that he remained in New
York for a time, subsequently removing with the German
colonists under Samuel Waldo, 1732, to Broad Bay, Maine,
and founding that branch of the Zerbes, now numerous in
that state and the Canadas.
(Henry Cady, Secretary, H. F. Kingsley, President, of
the Genealogical and Biographical Society, of Schoharie, N.
Y., writes the author thus :)
"The church records of Albany County go back only to
1737. There was a Zeibert and a Ziebel but no Zerbe, in this
countv. I have the records of all of the old families."
194 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Moravian Historical Society, Vol. IV, sketch of the
Moravian Settlement at Broad Bay, Maine, by John W.
Jordan, President of the Pennsylvania Historical Society,
Philadelphia, gives a succinct and interesting account of the
perils and hardships endured by these colonists from the
above date to 1769, when they scattered to North Carolina,
other states and the Canadas.
In 1863 when Andrew G. Curtin, tlie great war governor,
was a candidate for a second term in the gubernatorial chair
of the State of Pennsylvania, Hannibal Hamlin, Vice Presi-
dent of the United States during the first term of the Abra-
ham Lincoln administration, was one of the speakers at a
political gathering at Harrisburg. After the meeting was
over a reception was held at the capitol in honor of the
distinguished guest. Charles A. Zerbe, deceased, a promi-
nent citizen, of Lewistown, Mififlin County, was among those
presented to the speaker, who said, as he took Mr. Zerbe by
the hand: — "Zerbe, that is a familiar name to me, we have
many Zerbes in the State of Maine."
FIRST. GENERATION
Martini Zerbe, Martin Zarva, (Sevier), Huguenot, was
of the more than 1000 German and French who came to
New York from Europe, June 13, i/io, leaving Rotterdam
before Christmas, 1709, and settling in Livingstone Manor
and the Schoharie Valley, that State. (The history of the
immigrants is found upon a previous page. Part I.) Martin
Zerbe joined the expedition against Canada, July 16, 171 1,
in Queen Anne's war. Both he and his brother, John
Phillip, were enlisted as volunteers from the village of
Annesburg, New York, in Captain Hartman Windecker's
company." (State of New York. Report of the State His-
torian, Colonial Series, Vol. i, p. 442, Part i.) He came
to the region of the Tulpehocken, Chester County, Penn-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 195
Of the Zerbeys
sylvania, with the thirty-three families who settled in the
Schoharie Valley, 1713, coming overland to this state, 1723,
from New York. (Part I.)
The University of the State of New York, Albany, 22 May, 1915.
Mrs. Ella Zerbey Elliott.
Dear Madam: — Your letter of the 19th to the Custodian of Public
Records has been referred to the State Library which has the records
referred to. The roll of the Palatine volunteers from Annsburg in the
expedition against Canada, in 1711, has been printed. The records in
our keeping give no additional information in regard to John Phillip
and Martin Zerbe, and there is no necessity therefore of any certificate.
The facts as they appear on the printed roll are sufficient.
Yours very truly,
PETER NELSON, Assistant Archivist.
(The names of Martin, John Phillip and Lorenz Zerbe
are found in the state papers, Astor Library, New York, Co-
lonial Series, and in D. Rupp's 30,000 Immigrants.^)
Martin Zerbe, (Zarva, Sevier) was born in Alsace, near
Strasburg, France, about 1685. There is no record of where
in Switzerland and subsequently the Palatinates, his father
fled to with his family from Alsace. Martin was already
married and had one or more children, upon landing in New
York, 1710. His death occurred between 1739 and 1750.
"Baptized Anna Elizabeth, daughter of Albrecht Strauss and
wife Maria Margaretha Zerbe; Sponsors, Martin Zerbe and
wife Anna Elizabeth, March 25, 1739.^"
Death records of Christ Lutheran church, Stouchsburg,
Pa.: "July 22, 1750. Mrs. Anna Elizabeth Zerbe, wife of Mar-
tin Zerbe."
No trace or record of Martin Zerbe's tomb has been found.
He may be buried in a private burying ground on or near
the old homestead, at Host's, Jefferson Township, Berks
County, Pennsylvania, or his grave is doubtless among the
many unidentified mounds in Christ church cemetery with
that of his wife.
(Note 1— Rupp's 30,000 Immigrants says, "that of the names given
on the ship lists, the men on landing were each over 21 years of age.)
(Note 2— Records of Rev. John Caspar Stoever from 1730 to 1779.)
196 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Martin Zerbe settled, 1723, on Fell's Manor, Chester
County, now Host's Postoffice, Berks County, Pennsylvania,
and known as "Schaffner's". Owing to the Indian difficul-
ties the authorities were not authorized to survey lands to the
early settlers and it was not until the Indian settlement for
lands with the Penn heirs was ratified, i730-'32, that deeds
could be obtained for them. Martin Zerbe lived upon this
tract during his life time, being already an old man when
the deed was vested in the name of his eldest son, George
Peter Zerbe.
No warrants could be obtained for this land until after
the Indian purchase of 1728 and final release, October 12,
1730, when Fell's Manor was transferred from Chester to
Lancaster County, erected 1729. George Peter Zerbe, eldest
son of Martin Zerbe, received a Warrant Proprietary for 153
acres, January 2, 1735. Book D, Vol. 2, p. 148. Deed Book,
Recorder's office, Chester County, Pennsylvania Archives,
Vol. I, pp. 400-405. Colonial Records. Original deed in the
office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania.
In addition to this tract, 100 acres were surveyed and
purchased from Caspar Wistar, agent for the Penns, and the
Commonwealth, by George Peter Zerbe, warranted, November
12, 1737, returned, 92 acres 120 perches by George Ege, May
29, 1789. (Deed Book, Recorder's office, Lancaster court
house.) This tract is also found as having been surveyed,
January 2, 1777, to Andrew Aulenbach, but never patented.
In a copy of a deed for the settlement of lands on Fell's
Manor, Martin "Sharvas" (Zarva's) Creek is mentioned in
the survey .1
Martin Sharva's (Zarva's) Run, (as shown on the
map on another page), sometimes called the Muhlbach,
(Mill Creek), survey of Fell's Manor, 1727, is the
(Note 1 — Penna. Archives, Series 3.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 197
Of the Zerbeys
branch of the Tulpehocken emptying into that stream near
what is now known as Krick's Mill Post Office, or the Cross
Keys Hotel, midway between Sunday's mill and the site of
John Zerbe, the miller's, early mill. Other surveys and maps
designate this branch as the Mill Creek and as "Serby's Run."
It is a remarkably fine stream of rapid running water, and
runs through the land on which Martin Zerbe located, 1723,
In addition to the two tracts of Zerbe lands recorded as
above in 1735 and 1737, there was another and third tract
north of Fell's Manor and west of the first tract, which was
warranted December 3, 1737, and surveyed, December 16, 1765,
to Peter Zerbe, Jr., son of George Peter Zerbe, in right of
Frederick Arnold.
The map of Pioneer Homesteads, 1723, by C. I. Linde-
muth, of Stouchsburg, Berks County, in this volume, contains
the greater part of Fell's Manor. (George) Peter Zerbe's land
is found in the northeast corner and Peter Zerbe, Jr.'s as de-
scribed.
(Note: — In the early surveys there were allowed for
roads, etc., six acres to every hundred acres, the area meiv
tioned in surveys being proportionately less owing to these
measurements.)
"Mardin Zarben" was among the signers to a petition to
the court of Quarter Sessions, Philadelphia, September, 1727,
for a road from the Lutheran Church, in the Tulpehocken,
now Zion's church, Stouchsburg, Berks County, to the Quaker
Meeting House, in Oley Township (a certified copy of original
petition and cut on another page. Part i.)
The children of Martin and Anna Elizabeth Zerbe were :
George Peter Zerbe, born 1710; died between i78o-'82;
married Christina Loucks, 1732.
Elizabeth Maria, born 1712; married Heinrich Boyer
(Bayer), May 31, 1730. (Stoever's Records.)
igS BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
John Jacob, born 1714; married Susanna 1735. John
Jacob and wife stood sponsors for his brother, John Zerbe
and wife Catharine Stupps' daughter Maria Caterina, April
14, 1745. (Stoever's Records.)
Maria Margaretta, born 1716; married Albrecht Strauss,
1734. (Stoever's records.)
John, born 1722; married Caterina Stupp, 1749.
Barbara, born 1720; married George Meyer, April 4, 1738.
Stood sponsor with George Graf, Jr., November 16, 1735, for
child of Albrecht and Margaretta Strauss. (Stoever's records.)
Elizabeth, born June 10, 1729; wife of Rieth ; buried
in Rieth's cemetery, Stouchsburg, Pa.
There were three men of the first generation of immi-
grants, 1710, Martin, John Phillip and Lorenz Zerbe. Of the
male children of Martin and Lorenz, who settled in Berks
County, as far as known, there were nine men of the second
generation.
THE MANORS, WHERE SITUATED
There were four Manors surve3'ed in the land grants in
Pulpehocken, warranted and patented from 1731 to 1735-
The Manor of Plumpton, known as John Page's land,
contained 5165 acres; surveyed April 27, 1733, to John Page
by a warrant, October 19, 1731, and patented September 17,
1735. Part of it, about 1000 acres, was originally devised to
Letitia, daughter of William Penn, and wife of William Au-
brey.
Fell's Manor, also known as Gulielma Maria Fell's land,
adjoined the Plumpton Manor on the west, two miles beyond
Myerstown, Lebanon County, beginning at the Tulpehocken
Creek, at Rieth's church, Stouchsburg, and extending in a
straight line, three miles in length, to Host's Post Office.
Martin Zerbe, as aforesaid, settled on the tract of Fell's Manor,
1723.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY i99
Of the Zerbeys
The survey of Fell's Manor was made November 2, 1727.
The tract contained 10,000 acres. Gulielma Maria, daughter
of William Penn, Jr., and granddaughter of William Penn,
was the wife of Charles Fell. In the indentures, lease and
release made in London, England, October 11, 12, 1730, it
was stipulated, that, whereas, "Gulielma Maria Fell, her hus-
band and her children are all settled and do reside altogether
in Great Britain and have no intention to go or to settle in
the Province of Pennsylvania and whereas: Some good and
advantageous offers made by sundry persons of the said
province to buy the said lands ; the said Gulielma Maria Fell,
granddaughter of Wm. Penn, and the said Charles Fell, her
husband, have judged it to be for her and her children's in-
terest to sell parts of said land when opportunity offers. The
Fells, with Wm. Penn, of London, send greeting to John,
Thomas and Richard Penn and empower Thomas Penn, as
their attorney, to sell the land 'away' until the same 10,000
acres shall be all sold." Then follows how the monies should
be invested for the benefit of the heirs.
A draft of a tract of land situate on the branches of
Tulpehocken Creek, in Chester County, surveyed for Gulielma
Maria Fell (wife of Charles Fell, of London) the second day
of November, Anno Domini 1727.
"Beginning at a corner, marked black oak, standing on
the Top of a Hill, on the south side of the Main Branch of the
said Tulpehocken Creek, on the East side of a Run called
Hans Moore's Run, thence north 30 degrees easterly crossing
the said branch, 872 perches to a white oak, thence west by
North 130 perches to a black oak, thence North, 2,2 degrees
west, crossing a Run called MARTIN SHARVAS RUN, 200
perches to a post by a marked white oak, then south 80 degrees
westerly 2140 perches to a Hickory, thence south west 286
perches to a small black oak, thence south crossing the afore-
said main branch, 370 perches to a white oak, thence east by
200 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
south, 256 perches to a Hickory, thence east 470 perches to a
white oak, thence north 65 degrees easterly, 320 perches to a
Hickory, thence east by north 214 perches to a white oak,
thence north 70 degrees easterly, 240 perches to a small white
oak, thence east by south, 480 perches to a white oak, thence
south 55 degrees easterly, 235 perches to the place of begin-
ning; containing TEN THOUSAND ACRES."
Richard Penn's Manor, on the Swatara, Bethel and Tul-
pehocken Townships, 5,000 acres, surveyed in five warrants
of 1,000 acres each, extending north to the Blue Mountains,
September 27, 1733. The village of Rehersburg is slightly
east of the centre of this Manor.
Thomas Freame's land or Freame's Manor, adjoining
Richard Penn's Manor, 1,000 acres, September 27, 1733. It
was surveyed in 10 warrants, each for 1,000 acres, dated Lon-
don, May 12, 1732.
William Allen's land, adjoining the Manor of Plumpton,
October 20, 1730. This tract contained 2794 acres. It ad-
joined the Manor of Plumpton, on the east, and was in what
is now Heidelberg, North Heidelberg and lower Heidelberg
Townships.!
SECOND GENERATION— JOHN JACOB ZERBE
Prominent among the Zerbes of the second generation
was John^ Jacob (Martin^), b. 1714; m. Susanna , 1735.
Their children were :
1735, John, wf. Catharine;
1736, December 25, bap. Jan. 2, '37, Anna Christina. Sponsors, George
Peter Zerbe and wf. (Little Tulpehocken church records.)
1738, April 20, bap. April 30, Michael.
1741, June 24, bap. July 6, Valentine.
1743, Peter.
George Peter Zerbe is mentioned as having stood sponsor
1737, May 5, with his wife, for John Jacob, son of Albrecht
Strauss and wf. Maria Margaretta.
(Note 1 — Colonial Records, Penna. Archives, Vol. 1, pp. 400-405.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 201
Of the Zerbeys
Jacob Zerbe bought a tract of land in Bethel Township
from John Heberling, January 2, 1753. Jacob and Susanna
sold it, March 13, 1764, to Michael and Valentine, their sons.
Michael Zerbe and wf. y\nna Mary, and Valentine and wf.
Barbara, November 14, 1768, sold it to John Zerbe, their
eldest brother, and wf. Catharine. The will of Jacob Zerbe,
probated March 19, 1782, was written August 15, 1776, and
mentions John Zerbe as his eldest son, to whom he bequeathed
one shilling as his birthright. John^ Zerbe (John Jacob^,
Martin^) became a prosperous man and kept this shilling until
his death. Jacob Zerbe et al. also sold tract of land to
Michael Zerbe, September 14. 1768.^
John^ Zerbe was the first son and child of John- Jacob
(Martin^). He died before November 8, 1776, in Upper Tul-
pehocken Township, leaving widow, Catharine, and four chil-
dren under age, Margaret over 14, Barbara, John and Daniel
under 14 years. March 15, 1785, these children of John, who
bought the land from Michael and Valentine, deeded this
land to Christian Zerbe. They were :
John Zerbe, single; Daniel, single; Barbara, spinster; Jacob and
Elizabeth Souder, of West Penn's, Borough Township, Cumberland
County, and George and Margaret Reber, of Tulpehocken Twp. (Berks
Co. C. H.)
John^ Jacob Zerbe and wf. Susanna stood sponsors for
their granddaughter, child of John^ Zerbe and wf. Catharine,
April 8, 1745; bap. April 14. He was a taxable in Bethel
Township, 1754".
Jacob Zerbe was executor to John and Catharine, 1782,
(Will Book, Vol. 4, p. 277.) Jacob Zerbe died about March
I, his will being probated March 19, 1782. Leonard Zerbe
(John^ the m., Lorenz"^) was a witness, Nicholas Gaucker,
sole executor.^
(Note 1— B. 3, Vol. 1, p. 337.)
(Note 2 — John Zerbe et al., Bethel Township, Grantor, September 28,
1791, to Christian "Zerby," tract of land. ( D. B. 12, pp. 275, 277. Chris-
tian Zerby, Grantee, April 18, 1807, Jacob Wagoner. Bill of Sale.)
(Note 3— Will Book, A. pp. 40-3, p. 23.)
202 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Valentine^ Zerbe, (John^ Jacob, Martin^), b. June 24,
bap. July 6, 1741, he with his brother, Michael, bought a
tract of land in Bethel Township, Berks County, from their
parents, March 13, 1764. Irle went to Bedford County with
his brother, John, 1780, where he settled. The children of
John Jacob Zerbe were: John Michael, b. 1738; John Val-
entine, 1741 ; John Peter, b. 1743, wf. Elizabeth ; and Jacob, Jr.,
who married Annie Spiess, of Rehersburg. Among the cate-
chumens confirmed May, 1761, at the Little Tulpehocken
church were Michael and Valentine Zerbe; the above Jona-
than, son of Valentine, b. about 1763, m. Margaret Weiser,
May I, 1795^
Peter^ Zerbe, (John- Jacob, Martin^), b. 1743. d. Feb. 19,
1796, wf. Elizabeth.
MichaeP Zerbe, (John- Jacob, Martin^), b. April 20; bap.
April 30, 1738; m. Elizabeth Weil. (Rehersburg c. rec.)
Children :
B. 1765, December 5, John;
B. 1767, July, Michael;
B. 1768, January 9, Anna Maria;
B. 1772, December 25, Margarena.
Jacob Zerbe et al., grantor to Michael^ Zerbe, September
14, 1768, land in Bethel Township. When Bethel Township
was divided Frederick and MichaeP Zerbe were taxpayers
in the Dauphin County Division, 1786. MichaeP and his
brother, Valentine^, were those of that name and date im-
plicated in land transactions in Lancaster County, (see rec-
ords.)
Michael"* deeded to John, eldest son of MichaeP.
(Berks County Deed Book, 3-5, p. 337.)
(John2 Jacob, Martini) Bethel Township, January 25, 1840, tract of
land. Deed Book 16, p. 100.)
(MichaeH Zerbe, see elsewhere.)
Revolutionary War Record Part 1, (Zerbes in the Revolution.)
Michaels Zerbe Account of Captain Weaver's company, from Bethel
Township)
(Note 1 — Christ church records.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 203
Of the Zerbeys
MichaeP Zerbe removed to Cumberland County.
(Abstract of Jacob Zerbe's will, (Genealogical Society,
Philadelphia), probated in Berks County, January 23, 1825,
says : "J'^cob owned land })artly in Bethel Township and part-
ly in Tulpehocken.")
SECOND GENERATION— JOHN ZERBE
John^ Zerbe (Martin^), b. 1722. He was the son of Mar-
tin and Elizabeth Zerbe. He m. Caterina Stupp, June 4, 1743
(Stoever's), and lived in Tulpehocken Township. He was a
signer for Christ Church, 1743, and was a taxable in Berks
County, 1754, the first tax list taken in that county, and
signed the oath of allegiance. They had the following chil-
dren:
(Rev. John Caspar Stoever Rec.)
B. 1745, April 8; bap. April 14, Maria Caterina. Sponsors, Jacob
Zerbe and wife.
B. 1748, March 23; bap. April 3, Johannes. Sponsors, John Oberle
and Catharine Heck.
B. 1750, December 25;bap. February 3, 18ox, Christian. Sponsors,
Christian Gruber and wife.
B. 1751, October 3; bap. October 21, Anna Elizabeth.
B. 1756, February 10; bap. March 7, Anna Christina. Sponsors, Mar-
tin Stupp, wf. Christina.
B. 1759, February 4; bap. February 10, Caterina Elizabeth. Sponsors,
John George Rieth and wife.
B. 1761, May 6; bap. May 24, Maria Margaretha. Sponsors, Albrecht
Strauss and wife,
Martin Stupp was of the thirty-three families who came to the Tul-
pehocken, Chester County, 1723. The map in this edition shows his land
as located on both sides of a branch of the Northkill. His wf. was Su-
sanna Catharine Schultz. Children, Frederic and Abraham and eight
daughters. Of the latter only two are mentioned by name in his will,
probated March 19, 1755. (Abstract of Wills, Penna. Historical Society,
Philadelphia.) Catharine Zerbe and Anna Kunigunda Gruber. The chil-
dren to have equal shares. Conrad Weiser was a witness. A daughter,
Margaretta, married Dietrich Snyder, of Bethel Township.
(Note — Dietrich Snyder was the g. g. f. of Senator Charles A. Snyder,
of Pottsville. He belonged to the militia from Bethel Township in the
Revolutionary War, but this company was not called out for active ser-
vice. He was a court martialman.)
304 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
HEINRICH BOYER
Heinrich Boyer (Bayer) was with the fifty families that
came from Schoharie, N. Y., 1727. They followed to Penn-
sylvania to cast their lots with the original thirty-three fami-
lies who settled in the Tulpehocken, Chester County, 1723.
He took up a tract of land adjoining Martin Zerbe's and
Albrecht Strauss' lands, in North Heidelberg Township,
Berks County, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1730. Heinrich Boyer
married Elizabeth Maria, daughter of Martin Zerbe.^
Heinrich Boyer, b. 1689, d. 1757. His second wife was
Salome Sneifes. He came from the Tulpehocken to the vicinity
of New Ringgold, then Northampton County, in 1749, where
he built a block house that was a refuge for the settlers dur-
ing the Indian troubles, in their flights to the Forts, Franklin
and Lebanon, and in their final stampede to the other side
of the Blue Mountain, and here Elizabeth Maria Zerbe died.
The remains of a tunnel or ground cellar, in which they se-
creted themselves, could be seen until within the last few
years, when it was filled up by the owner, Nathan Gerber.
Heinrich Boyer's children were : Anna Maria, George, Assmus,
Andreas and Henry.
A copy of the bill of sale of Henry Boyer's personal
property, held "in the Tulpehocken" (now New Ringgold),
April 13-14, 1757, (Vol. II, No. 2, Pub. Schuylkill Co. His.
Soc, pp. 159-167) shows his Zerbe kinsmen and George,
Leonard and Michael Rieth and others from the Tulpehocken
to have been present and among the purchasers. The Boyers
in Southern Schuylkill County are descendants of Heinrich
Boyer.
ALBRECHT AND JOHN PHILLIP STRAUSS
Maria Margaretha (Martin Zerbe), second daughter of
Martin and Elizabeth Zerbe, b. in the Tulpehocken, 1716; m.
Albrecht Strauss, 1734. They had eleven children.
(Note 1 — John Caspar Stoever's Records.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 205
Of the Zerbeys
Albrecht and John Phillip Strauss, of W'urtemberg, Ger-
many, landed at Philadelphia, September 26, 1732. They took
the oath of allegiance to the British Government. Albrecht,
b. 1712; d. before May 7, 1787. John Phillip, b. September
13, 1713, d. before May 2^, 1792. They came to Berks County
and settled in Tulpehocken Township. Albrecht Strauss took
out a warrant for land from Thomas Penn, October 7, 1736,
"where he had already been settled two years." There were
150 acres in the tract, through which ran Zerbe's (Sharva's)
cretk, emptying into the Tulpehocken river at Krick's Mill's
post office. His land adjoined that of Mardin Zarva (settled
there in 1723, land warranted January 2, 1735,) whose daugh-
ter, Anna Margaretha, he married in 1734. Children :
Maria Barbai-a, b. Novcmbpr IG, 173-5; m., June 2, 17.54, to John Kloss;
Jacob, b. May 5, 1737; m. Elizabeth Brecht, August 21, 1759; Maria
Elizabeth, b. May 5, 1737; m. John Daniel Madern, May 4, 1760; Anna
Elizabeth, b. March 25, 1739; John Caspar, b. August 5, 1741; Maria Eva
Rosina, b. November <!, 1742; m. Christopher Schaber, November 9, 17C2;
Maria Catharine, b. March 6, 1745; m. John Long, November 9, 1762;
John Phillip, b. January 4, 1748; m. Savilla, da. of Benedict and Salome
Kepner. Twins, Maria Christina, b. July 26, 1751, m. Benjamin Kebncr,
May 24, 1774; Maria Susanna, b. July 26, 1751; John Samuel, b. May 13,
1756, m. Catharine Umbenhauer.
(Note — John Samuel and Phillip, sons of Albrecht Strauss and Maria
Margaretha Zerbe, and Phillip and Caspar Strauss, their cousins, were
actively engaged in the War of the Revolution.)
John Phillip Strauss, m. Anna Margaret Reimer. They
had nine children. Their third child, Maria Christina, m.
Christian Zerbe, son of John- Zerbe (Martin^) m. to Catha-
rine Stuppi. Their seventh child, John Jacob, b. May 5, 1757,
m. Barbara Zerbe, da. of John^ Zerbe, (Martin^) June 14,
1785. He died October 22, 1822. His wife died before he
(Note 1 — There are four records of Christian Zerbe in the Revolution-
ary War, (Christian Serfas, Zerbe, Scrfass), Penna. Archives, Vol. 4, pp.
664, 357, Vol. 8, pp. 203, 264.)
(Note — A monument was erected at Strausstown, Berks County, sev-
eral years ago, to Maria Margaretha Zerbe, wife of Albrecht Strauss, one
of the founders of the Strauss family, at one of the Strauss reunions
which occur once in two years, and when it was dedicated with appro-
priate ceremonies. The Strausses are numerous in that vicinity and of
this branch number over a thousand in the U. S.)
2o6 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
did. Their children were: Catharine, Barbara, m. Adam
Radebach ; Daniel, Magdelena m. Peter Smith; Sarah,
Adam, and Susanna.
The Krammes family of Schuylkill County are descend-
ants of Albrecht and Maria Margaretha Zerbe Strauss, also
B. Morris Strauss, of Reading, and Strauss' of Schuylkill
Haven.
(Note — John George Zerbe attended the sale of Albrecht
Strauss, after his death, held June 9, 1787. The record says,
"the personal property was all bought in by relatives," the
name of the above appears on the list of purchasers.)
There were two Christian Zerbes of the third generation,
Christian^, b. December 25, 1750; (John^ Zerbe, m. to Catha-
rine Stupp, Martin^), m. June 3, 1773, at Christ Church, to
Christina Strauss, b. February 20, 1749. (Stoever's Records.)
Their children were: (Rehersburg Church Records.)
1774, March 20, John George.
1776, February 15, John.
1777, January 16, Mary Catharine.
1780, January 31, Susanna.
1782, February 7, Jacob; m. Ferris, July 13, 1809.
1783, December 31, Maria Christina.
1787, October 29, Mary Salome.
1789, May 25, Elizabeth.
1789, May 25, Henry, m. Susanna Meckel, May 17, 1808.
1791, Samuel.
1792, April 2, Anna Maria.
They removed to White Deer Township, Northumberland
County, (now Union.)
Christian^ Zerbe died in Union County, i8i8, where his
will is on record in which he mentions the above sons and
daughters.
Christian Zerbe, non-resident, paid tax in Heidelberg
Township, 1787.
George Zerbe, b. Union County, March 18, 1808; d.,
January 6, 1893, was of this line and doubtless a son of John
George* (Christian^ John-', Martin^), b. March 20, 1774.
George Zerbe is buried in Grant City, Iowa. His children
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 207
Of the Zerbeys
were : William, who has three sons : Daniel, Wichita, Kan. ;
John W., York, Pa.; Dr. George T., Nashville, Tenn.; d.,
November i, 1865, aged 25 years; John, d., twice married, two
children d. Da., Mrs. Charles Roehl, Nashville, Tenn., has
three sons and two daughters and nine grandchildren. Da.
of George, Mrs. Susan Greenawalt, four children, one son,
three daughters.
The brothers and sisters of this George Zerbe, b. in Union
County, were : Joseph, who had one son and two daughters.
Rebecca, Mrs. Thomas Riem ; Hettie, Mrs. Wm. Hyles ; Eliz-
abeth, Mrs. Robert Wrick ; Mrs. Susan Moore, Atlanta, 111. ;
Nancy, Mrs. Wm. Noll, Union Co., Pa.
GEORGE PETER ZERBE— EARLY SETTLER
The early settlers were engaged in raising hemp, flax
and tobacco, in addition to food stufi's. They ran saw, grist,
cotton-batting and fulling mills for carding ; distilleries, tan-
neries, paper, oil and powder mills. They raised fruit trees
and cultivated vineyards, ran cider and wine presses and the
Tulpehocken and its tributary streams furnished the motive
power for small mills and forges where gun metal, spikes and
the primitive tools for agricultural pursuits were made. The
Zerbes were mainly fruit culturists, vine dressers and millers,
their farms today being among the garden spots of Berks
County.
George Peter Zerbe, (Martin^), eldest son of Martin and
Elizabeth Zerbe, was one of the one hundred and sixty-five
signers for the building of Christ Church, Stouchsburg, Ma-
rion Twp., Berks Co., Pa. The record of Pastor Tobias Wag-
ner, the first minister, gives a list of the male members only,
from 1743 to 1746. Including the women, averaging four per-
sons to a family, it would indicate that the church had a mem-
bership of at least five hundred. On the building of the pres-
ent handsome edifice, the foundation stones of the old log
2o8 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
building were permitted to remain in the broad avenue, their
outline giving the dimensions of the old historical church,
which is of great interest to visitors.
George Zerbe was on the tax lists of Berks County, 1754,
(their first publication). During the depredations of the In-
dians, 1754 — 1756, cattle stealing by the red men was common
in the Tulpehocken and bands of the settlers patroled the
sparse settlements to prevent this thievery. George Peter
Zerbe or George "Sarby," as he is known on the company
rolls, Jacob Bender, Michael Rieth, Peter Walborn, Herman
Sundock (Sontag), Christopher Stutzman, John Goodman and
Adam Markle, all from the Tulpehocken, joined the Philadel-
phia company, Capt. Edward Jones, private Independent troop
of horse, 1756, which passed through Lancaster County on
its way to Harrisburg with the hope that they might intercept
the red men and regain their cattle. They went to John Har-
ris' Fort, where Harrisburg now stands and rode along the
Susquehanna to Fort Shaniokin, where the company joined
the Augusta regiment and became part of the Third Battalion
that guarded the fort and intervening country during its build-
ing.i
George^ Peter Zerbe, (Martin^), first son and child
of Martin and Elizabeth Zerbe; born, 1710; died, i78o-'82;
married Christina, daughter of Abraham Loucks, 1736. No
record having been discovered of George Peter Zerbe and his
wife's burial place, it is believed they are interred in a private
burying ground or that their graves are among the many
unmarked in Christ church cemetery. Upon this lantl, lo-
cated at Host's Post Office, four miles north of Womelsdorf.
Berks County, George Peter Zerbe lived from 1723 till his
death, about 1782.
(Note 1 — (Part 1.) (Penna. Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 1, p. 50.)
(Indian Forts, Vol. 1.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 209
Of the Zerbeys
GEORGE PETER ZERBE— HOMESTEAD OF
Here, at the present time, in the midst of a beautiful
grove of mighty oaks, stands an old colonial mansion, built
1802, by Christopher Leiss, who purchased the land from
George Ege, who bought it from the heirs of George Peter
Zerbe, October 22, 1783, to wit: Elizabeth, married to Conrad
Minnich ; Anna Maria, married to Leonard Rieth, (Reed),
both of Brunswick Township ; Valentine, John, Peter, George
and Michael. The four former conveyed their interest in the
land to the three latter and Peter, Jr., sold the land to George
Ege. Recorder's office, Berks County court house. Deed Book
8, Vol. I, pp. 103-4. The original deed refers to Caspar Wistar
of the one part and George Peter Zerbe of the other, of Tul-
pehocken Township, Lancaster County, May 5, 1742, and
says — "this was settled with Thomas Penn." Zerbe's Creek
is mentioned and the number of acres as being 153 and 228
"in his actual possession." The heirs spell their name "Zerbe"
in the signatures. Deeds for settlement of lands in Tulpe-
hocken, January 2, 1735, Chester County, recorded. Book D 2,
Vol. 2, p. 148, at Philadelphia, Recorder of Deeds. (Penna.
Archives, Vol. i. pp. 400-405. Map of Fell's Manor, Series 3,
Vol. 24, p. 521.)
The children of George Peter Zerbe and Christina Loucks
were :
Peter Zerbe, Jr. b. 1738; m. Elizabeth .
Elizabeth Zerbe, b. 1740, d. 1796; m. Conrad Minnich.
Valentine Zerbe, b. 1743, m. Salome Ney.
Michael Zerbe, b. 1744, d. 1806, m. Anna Maria Donmier, June 4, 1776.
Johannes Zerbe, bap. 1745, m. Maria Margaret Aungst, April 2, 1771;
second wf., widow, Elizabeth Kronberger, January 29, 1805.
Anna Maria Zerbe, b. April 23, 1747, d. May 24, 1827, m. Leonard
Rieth, December 20, 1768.
Maria Zerbe, b. 1749, bap. 1750, d. November 13, 1751.
George Zerbe, b. April 24, 1750, d. Jan. 19, 1814, m. Barbara Spon-
chuchen, June 23, 1778. (Christ Church records.)
(Note — If one child died, its name was frequently given to another.
This duplication adds to the difficulty of adjusting the baptismal records.)
210 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
The account of the vendue of Heinrich Boyer, on another
page, April 13, 1757, (near McKeansburg), shows George
Peter Zerbe to have bought some trivial articles at this sale
of his brother-in-law's. This visit was probably not his first
to what is now Schuylkill County. His first cousin, John
Zerbe the miller, had taken up a thousand acres of land on
this side of the Blue Mountain, 1754, and Peter Minnich and
son, Conrad, (George Peter's future son-in-law), had settled
in Brunswick Township, 1752, on the site of the Seven Stars
Hotel. George Kohl, of Cumru Township, son-in-law of
John Zerbe, of Cumru, also attended the sale. It was consid-
ered a mark of respect on the part of the kinsmen to attend
and purchase something.
Between Zarva's Creek and the house is a remarkably
fine large spring, over which was built a large spring house,
Gothic architecture, with mansard roof (cut on another page).
Over and aside of this spring stood the log house erected by
Martin Zerbe, 1723, in which George Peter Zerbe lived until
he built another home upon the site on which Christopher
Leiss afterward built the stone house, still standing.
To make way for the stone spring house one half of the
old log house was removed, the other half, built in 1723, still
remains. The owner of the place, at present, is Miss Hattie
Shafifner, daughter of Mrs. Jacob Shaffner, Womelsdorf ; and
Mrs. Hammeker, a sister of Mrs. ShaflFner, owns the tract
above, that also belonged to the Zerbe estate. Christopher
Leiss, died July 26, 1826. He left one son, John, and
five daughters^. (Will Book 5, p. 508, Berks County court
house.)
Abraham Louck, Heidelberg, January 28, 1771 — August
15, 1772, (Vol. n, p. 115), who sold his real estate to his sons,
George and Abraham, devises all his personal estate to four
(Note 1— Abstract of Wills of Berks County, Vol. 1 1752-1798, p. 167.
Collection of Genealogical Societies of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania His-
torical Society, Philadelphia.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 211
Of the Zerbeys
daughters, in four equal shares; one quarter to Christina,
married to George Peter Zerbe (Martin) and one quarter to
be divided in two equal shares, to Elizabeth, married to Peter
Zerbe, the remaining two quarters to the granddaughters and
his daughter Elizabeth ; and the land to the two sons.
THIRD GENERATION
PeterS Zerbe, Jr., (George^ Peter, Martin^), b. 1738; wife.
Elizabeth. At the death of his father, George Peter, he bought
the rights of the other heirs in his father's plantation, in Tul-
pehocken Township, Recorder's office, October 22, 1783,
(B. 8, Vol. I, p. 103.) He also bought land from Valentine
Bender, Grantor, Peter Zerbe, Grantee, December 2, 1797,
(B. 16, p. 104.) Casper Wister, Penn's agent, appears in this
transaction as Grantor to Peter Zerbe, October 22, 1783, sel-
ling to the said Peter the water rights of "branch of the Tul-
pehocken," (Sarva's Run), B. 8, p. loi. Peter Zerbe, Jr., had
one daughter, Elizabeth, bap. July 22, 1771, (Christ Church.)
Sponsors, his brother, Johannes and wife, Maria Margaret
Aungst. Peter Zerbe Jr., lived in Tulpehocken Township until
his death. (Map of Pioneer Homesteads.) He was in the
Revolutionary War, Continental Line (Record, Part i.) Eliz-
abeth Zerbe, daughter of Peter, married Captain David
Baker, who was in the War of the Revolution. Peter Zerbe,
in his will, probated October 2, 1797, bequeathed 100 pounds
to his wife, and fifty pounds to each of his daughter Eliza-
beth's children when twenty-one years old.^
Elizabeth^ Zerbe, (George- Peter, Martin^), b. 1740, con-
firmed at the age of 19 years 6 months, (Christ Church), m.
Conrad Minnich about 1768; d. 1796. (For additional record
see history of Conrad Minnich, in the Muenchs, this volume.)
Valentine^ Zerbe (George^ Peter, Martin^), b. 1748, lived
and died in Tulpehocken Township ; wf ., Salome, daughter of
Valentine Ney. Valentine Zerbe is mentioned as executor of
(Note 1— Abstract of Wills, Berks County C. H.)
212 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
his fatlier-in-law's will, July 19, 1790. (Abstract of Wills,
Gen. Society, Phila.) He is on the tax list as land owner, 1798.
Their children were :
1768, March 27, Mary Magdalena. Michael (Valentine's brother) and
wf. Anna Maria Zerbe, sponsors.
1770, March 14, Jonathan.
1775, March 6, Hannah Elizabeth. Sponsors, Maria Elizabeth Zerbe
and George "Neu" (Ney.)
1776, May 2, Andreas. (Rehersburg Church records.)
To Andreas Zerbe and wf. was born a son, Williana James, 1837.
(Christ Church records.)
Jonathan, son of Valentine Zerbe, m. Margaret Weiser, May 1, 1795.
(Christ Church records.^
SERGEANT MICHAEL ZERBE
Michael Zerbe. There were two Michaels of the third
generation and two of the fourth. Those of the fourth gen-
eration were the sons of the third generation of Michaels,
who were first cousins.
MichaeF Zerbe, (George^ Peter, Martin^), b. 1744, d. 1806,
m. Anna Maria Donmier, June 4, 1776. Children bap. :
1777, July 5, Michael. Sponsors, John George and Barbara Zerbe,
(Michael's brother.)
1779, March 12, Salome.
1781, February 6, Anna Marie.
1782, August 28, Elizabeth. Sponsors, Benjamin and Elizabeth Zerbe,
(his cousin.)
1791, September 29, Barbara.
1794, September 20, Eva.
1796, February 24, Johannes. Sponsors, Michael and Anna Maria
Zerbe, parents, stood for the last three children.
1800, February 7, Anna Margarette.
(Christ Church records, Stouchsburg.)
MichaeP Zerbe, d. i8o6. His will was admitted to probate
June 2, i8o6. Tulpehocken Township, Jacob Shafer, admin-
istrator. (Abstract of Wills, Genealogical Society, Phila.,
Vol. 2, 1798— 1825.)
MichaeP Zerbe, Second Sergeant, Capt. George Miller's
company, from Bethel and Tulpehocken Townships, Decem-
ber 13, 1777 On duty at South Amboy, N. J. (Zerbes in the
Revolution, Part i.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 213
Of the Zerbeys
Michael^ Zerbe, (MichaeP), b. July 5, 1777, d. November
14, 1844; wf., Elizabeth Shaffer, b. February 21, 1780, d. May
4, 1840; m. May 24, 1799. (Jacob Zerbe's Family Bible.)
(Jacob, son of Michael"* Zerbe.) Children:
1801, December 3, Johannes.
1802, September 24, John Jacob.
1811, Jonathan.
(Christ Church Records, Stouchsburg.)
1813, Magdelena.
1814, Lydia.
(Jacob Zerbe's Family Bible, Womelsdorf.)
1817, December 30, Michael.
1819, August 31, E. .
Michael'* Zerbe buried in Christ Church cemetery ; also
wf. Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Zerbe, da. of Michael^ and Elizabeth Zerbe ; b.
January 14, 1806; d. October 22, 1864; wf. of Mathias Deck.
Israel Zerbe, son of Mathias Deck and Elizabeth Zerbe,
b. February 12, 1834; d. July 5, 1855. (Tombstones Christ
Church cemetery.)
Dr. Thomas T. Zerbe, of Schaefferstown, Lebanon
County, says : "Many of the Zerbes on this side of the Blue
Mountain are afflicted with asthma. It is hereditary and there
is a family tradition that we inherit it from an ancestor
(Michael^), who contracted it from exposure while in the
Revolutionary army."
Michael^ Zerbe settled one mile north of what is now Mt.
Aetna, Berks County, where Jonathan Zerbe was born. Mich-
ael is on the Tax Lists, 1810, Tulpehocken Township.
Jonathan^ Zerbe, (Michael^ MichaeP, George^, Martin^.)
b. 1811, d. 1876; m. Martha A. Meyer, d. 1896. Their chil-
dren were :
Charles M., b. 1841.
Agnes, b. 1843.
Thomas Taylor, b. 1846.
Jane, b. 1850.
B. Frank, b. 1853.
214 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Jonathan^ Zerbe was a practicing ph3'sician at Mt. Aetna
and his two sons, Thomas Taylor and B. Frank Zerbe, of
Schaefiferstown, Lebanon County, have succeeded him and
are prominent in the medical profession. Charles M. Zerbe
is a well known attorney of Lebanon, Pa.
Charles M. Zerbe, eldest son of Dr. Jonathan Zerbe,
m. Rebecca Yearsley, of Philadelphia, 1888. They have no
issue.
Dr. Thomas*' Zerbe, (Jonathan^), b. 1846, m. Emma E.
Taylor, a descendant of the Boones of Exeter Township,
Berks County, b. 1854. Their children are:
Florence T., b. 1882; Mabel R., b. 1884; Wm. Taylor, b. 1889; Marie
M., b. 1890; Mabel R., m. Geo. E. Reiter, d. Children: George Zerbe, b.
1905; Muriel Marie, b. 1907; W. Emily, b. 1911.
Dr. B. Frank'' Zerbe (Jonathan''^), b. 1853, m. Ida Susan
Lanser, b. 1856. Son, Charles Lanser, b. 1885.
Jane^ M. Zerbe, b. 1850, d. 1911, (Jonathan^); m. Jacob
Hickernell, d. Children: Fred. Zerbe, b. 1874; Charles T.,
Attorney, Lebanon, Pa., b. 1878; Frank J., b. 1880; Cyrus
D., b. 1882; Jennie A., b. 1886; Annie M., b. 1888; Norma
A., b. 1893.
Children of Fred. Zerbe Hickernell: Hattie, Frank, Wil-
liam, Martha, Harold, Elsie, George, John.
Children of Frank J. Hickernell: Russel, Esther, Hilda.
Children of Cyrus D. Hickernell: Minerva, Eugene,
Grace, Ethel, Norma.
Agnes*' Zerbe, b 1843, d. 1869, m. Dr. George Mays, d. ;
left no issue.
Michael^ Zerbe, (Michael^), b. December 30, 1817; m.
Elizabeth Lillian Stambaugh. Children: Jonathan, Reading,
Pa.; William, Myerstown ; Prosper, Newmanstown ; Alex-
ander, d. ; Mrs. Hartman, d., Richland ; Mrs. Leininger, Mey-
erstown ; Da., Emmeline, bap. November 14, 1848.
John^ Jacob Zerbe, (Michael'*), b. September 24, 1802;
d. 1836, m. Sarah Scholl, February 18, 1834; b. March 30,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 215
Of the Zerbeys
1802; d. March 14, 1882; c, Melinda, b. November 22, 1835,
(grandparents, Michael and Elizabeth Zerbe, sponsors) ; d.
September 12, 1851. Franklin, b. 1822, d. 1870, m. Elizabeth
Heffelfinger, October 31, 1846, b. July 29, 1828, living at the
age of 85 years (1913) at her home in Womelsdorf. Their
children were: Silas, Reading, b. September 9, 1847; Sarah
C, b. April 29. 185 1, m. Simon Moyer, d., October 11, 1857;
left daughter, Sarah. Franklin Zerbe was the town clerk of
Womelsdorf, 1866. He was a school teacher, justice of the
peace, and a remarkable penman. He is buried in Union
cemetery, Womelsdorf, Pa. (Jacob and Franklin Zerbe Fam-
ily Bibles, and Christ Church records.")
(Note — An interesting historical building in Womels-
dorf is the stone tavern, built 1762, by Jacob Seltzer and
still known as the Seltzer House. Here Washington stopped
over night, November 13, 1793. Womelsdorf was then
called Middietown.)
Johannes^ (George- Pteter, Martini),son of George Peter
and Christina Loucks Zerbe; bap. 1745; m. Maria Margaret
Aungst, April 2, 1771. Their children were: Johannes, bap.
February 3, 1772; George Peter and Anna Christina Zerbe,
sponsors; John George, bap. May 4, 1773; m. Susanna Mil-
ler, December i, 1799; Peter, bap. May 12, 1781. John Zerbe
came over the Blue Mountains about 1780 and settled in
Pinegrove Township, the locality afterward included in
Manheim. The census of 1790 gives him as having seven
children. He is supposed to have returned to Berks County
and his children migrated West from here after his death,
as none of his branch are located in Schuylkill County. His
wife died about 1803 and he re-married (Trinity Lutheran
Church records, Reading). John Zerbe, of Manheim, Berks
County, January 29, 1805, m. Elizabeth Kronberger, widow,
of Bern Township.
Anna^ Maria Zerbe (George^ Peter, Martin^), b. April 25,
1748, (Christ Church records), d. May 24, 1827, (Jacobs
2i6 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Church records) ; m. at Reading, December 20, 1768, (Trinity
Lutheran Church records) . For additional history see Rieths
or Reeds, on another page. Of the children of George Peter
Zerbe, his sons, Peter, Jr., John, Michael and John George,
were in the Revolutionary War ; Valentine being the only one
of whom no record is found in the archives. Two sons-in-law,
Capt. Conrad Minnich and Wagonmaster, Leonard Rieth,
were also engaged in the struggle.^
John Zerbe's record, one of the three John Zerbes, re-
corded in the Adjutant General's office. War Dept., Washing-
ton, D. C, Capt. Weaver's company, Berks County, from
April 5, 1779.
JOHN GEORGE ZERBE
John George^ Zerbe. (George- Peter, Martin^), b. April
24, 1750, d. January 19, 1814, aged 63 years, 8 months and 25
days. Buried in St. John's Lutheran and Reformed cemetery,
Friedensburg, Schuylkill County, Pa. ; married Barbara, da.
of John Bernhard Sponchuchen, June 23, 1778, (Christ Church
Records, Stouchsburg, Pa.) The text upon his tombstone
reads : "Gott kann mir das leben wieder geben," 2d Timothy,
4th Chap. Barbara Sponchuchen, b. March 9, 1758, d. Jan-
uary 25, 1817, buried in the Reformed cemetery, Orwigs-
burg, beside her son, Henry Zerbe (first husband of Han-
nah Miller Schwalm.) Barbara Sponchuchen, wife of (John)
George Zerbe, after his death lived with her daughter, Mrs.
Catharine Grieff, between Orwigsburg and Schuylkill Haven,
until her death, three years later, aged 59 years, i month, 12
days.
(Note — Deed book, 12-22, Berks Co. C. H. Deed granted
John Klinger and wf. Mary, May 11, 1771, for 100 acres of
land adjoining Deppcn and Stephen Lengel, Heidelberg
Township. The heirs of John Klinger (see Phillip Zerbe, of
Pinegrove Township), mentioned as: John, Peter, Adam, Bar-
(Note 1— Part 1, Rev. Records.)
LA TE JACOB K5MERUNG
Q^
N.7ZT. 136
■ \N.7ZL
^N.7ZT0^
50 PER
S. 72 W. 24-3
OTHER LANDS OF SAID DE'C.
HENRY OECKERTm'c
LAND OF GEORGE ZERBE, LOCATED, 1785, AT SCHUYLKILL HA
PA.. NEAR OLD COVERED BRIDGE, MANHEIM TOWNSHIP
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 217
Of the Zerbeys
bara, wife of Leonard^ Zerbe (John^ the m.) ; Margaret
Elizabeth, wf. of Christian Witman, Christiana, \vf. of Jacob
Eigler; Elizabeth, wf. of Frederick Rieth, and Catharine Eva,
wf. of John Bernhard Sponchuchen, parents of Eva Barbara
Sponchuchen. who married George Zerbe.)
John Bernhard Sponchuchen wrote his own will,
date January 27, 1780. Proved, February 21, 1780,
on record Berks County court house. There were three
children : Barbara, Catharine and Bastian. The latter is under
age and John Hubley is named as testamentary guardian.
Bastian shall have the "plantation" for 40 i. Catharine shall
have the same as her sister Barbara. One cow, one sheep, a
hive of bees and her "house stire." The widow had her dower.
Sebastian Sponchuchen lived in Fredericksburg, Lebanon
County, about 1800. The "plantation" was between George
Peter Zerbes and his cousin, John the miller, in Tulpehocken
and Heidelberg Townships.
(Note — Barbara, wf. of (John) George Zerbe, September
21, 1804, sold land to Garson M. Huyett and wf., D. B. 8-321-
83.)
(John) George Zerbe lived in Tulpehocken and Heidel-
berg Townships nearly eight years after his marriage, 1778.
His father-in-law d. 1780, and his father, George Peter, d. bet.
i78o-'82. He probably lived between the two plantations.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORD
"George Seriver," from Heidelberg Township, Capt. John
Patton's Co., Lancaster County, 7th Co., 6 Bat., Col. Jas.
Taylor (c). From the original muster rolls, April 15, 1783,
public records, Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth
Series, Vol. 7, p. 619, (Part i.)
He took the oath of allegiance March 31, 1777; was on
the first census list taken in Pennsylvania, 1790, from Berks
County and appears on the first tax list published in Schuyl-
kill County, 1810, and on the Brunswick Township list as
2i8 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
taxpayer, 1787. Two of his children were baptized at Host's
church. Johann Adam and Johannes.
(Note — The first church at Host's was then both Luth-
eran and Reformed, now Reformed ; a log house was built,
I759-)
(Note — Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, was
divided by the Berks County line, ran 1752. Part
of the township remained in Lancaster County. Bethel Town-
ship was also so divided, part being included in Dauphin.
The Zerbes in Lancaster County did not migrate there from
Berks, they were in Lancaster when the division was effected.
Heidelberg, before the division, comprised all the land south
of the Tulpehocken creek. Myerstown, Lebanon County,
where some of the Zerbes settled, and Schaeft'erstown, where
they are numerous, was all in Heidelberg Township, which
was so named before 1729, when that region was included in
Chester County, although it was not formally erected until
1752. Heidelberg Township has been divided into north,
lower and Heidelberg Townships, since, part as stated, having
remained in Lancaster County. George "Seriver", of North
Heidelberg Township, with some of his neighbors, enlisted
over the line in Lancaster County, where his cousin Valentine
Zerbe lived.)
John George Zerbe came to Pinegrove Township, after-
ward Manheim, to prospect, January 27, 1785, returning to
the Tulpehocken, February 14th. He came again to settle,
September 21, 1785.
November 19, 1788, Benjamin^ Zerbe (John- the m.,
Lorentz^), grantor to George Zerbe, grantee, (John^ George)
was conveyed in said township, 96 acres of land, returned
October 17, 1837, by George Kerschner, Deed Book 11, p. 102,
Berks County court house. George Zerbe, warrantee, Man-
heim Township. February 17, 1791, 170 acres returned Sep-
tember 18, 1824, by Daniel Shappell.^
(Note 1 — Deed Book, Recorder's office, Berks County.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 219
Of the Zerbeys
The surveys, acreage and dates of the above and the fol-
lowing do not altogether correspond, but they refer to the
same land, as the names of the patentees and the boundaries
of the land in partition, in the Orphans' Court, Schuylkill
County, will attest.
Department of Internal Afifairs, Harrisburg, Penna. :
"George Zerbe, September 21, 1785, surveyed 96 acres of land
in Brunswick Township, Berks County; 49 acres, 148 perches
were patented October 17, 1837, by George Kerschner. An-
other warrant, February 17, 1791, for a survey of 75 acres,
6 perches, was returned as land in Manheim Township, Berks
County. This tract w^as patented to Daniel Shappell, Sep-
tember 18, 1824. Benjamin Zerbe (son of John the m.), sold
land to his brother, George Adam, and his cousin, John
George. Part of the large tract of 658 acres, patented 1754,
this side of the Blue Mountain by John, the miller. Benjamin
Zerbe mortgaged this land and this doubtless accounts for the
discrepancies in the acreage and dates, he selling the above to
clear the mortgages.
1788, Recorder's office, Berks County : "John Zerbe,Sr., the
miller, gives to Benjamin (his son), of Pinegrove Township,
for 200 pounds in silver and gold, paid in installments now
satisfied, land north to John Zerbe, Sr., then to John Zerbe,
Jr., tract of 658 acres." The land sold to John^ George Zerbe,
(George^ Peter) and George" Adam (John, the miller), by
Benjamin' (John, the miller).
(Note — The court house records, Dauphin County, show a Benjamin
"Zerger" who took up four acres additional land, May 17, 1819, and pat-
ented it May 24, 1820. Benjamin Zerbe lived in that part of Bethel Town-
ship, Berks County, that was divided, a part of which was included in
Dauphin County and this land probably belonged to his tract in Bethel,
the addition being made necessary by the re-division of the townships
and counties.)
The tracts were situated on the Schuylkill river (near
Schuylkill Haven), where the covered bridge crosses the west
branch, on the Long Run valley road and toward the top of
320 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
the hill overlooking Cressona. Here George Zerbe conducted
a fulling mill on the stream, and like all the early Zerbes,
being inclined to rural life, ran the two farms.
The situation was ideal. The river then, at the foot of
the hill, was a clear and limpid stream, north, northeast and
northwest were the Sharp Mountains and the first and second
or Tumbling Run spurs of the same range. Far beyond, and
in the dim distance of where Pottsville was erected almost
forty years later, was the Broad Mountain range, and south
to Windsor and stretching to Albany Township was the Blue
Mountain range, on the other side of which lay the fertile
valley of the South Mountains, with the rich farming land of
Pinegrove and Bern Townships, between the latter on both
sides of the Blue Mountains, making a picture of wild and
picturesque beauty and cultivated land hard to describe in
these days of commercial enterprises and money-making
schemes : "For God made the country, but man made the
town." Here George Zerbe lived from 1785 to 1814, when
he died.
(JOHN) GEORGE AND ANNA BARBARA ZERBE'S
CHILDREN
The children of (John) George and Anna Barbara Zerbe
were :
Johann Adam Zerbe, b. April 24, bap. May C, 1779; sponsors, Bern-
hardt Sponchuchen and vvf., grandparents. (Host's Church records.)
Johannes Zerbe, b. September 27, 1780; bap. October 14, 1780 (Host's
Church records); m. Elizabeth, a born Zerbe, December 25, 1812, b.
February 27, 1786, d. March 31, 1838.
Susanna Catharine b. December 10, 1781; bap. December 20, (Rchers-
burg Church records); m. Wm. Grieff.
Eva Margaret, bap. October 9, 1783. Sponsors, Michael Zerbe and wife,
Anna Maria Donmier, uncle and aunt, (Rehersburg Church records); m.
Wendel Schwartz.
George4 Zerbe, b. November 21, 1789; d. June 18, 1865; m. Magdelena,
da. of Michael and Elizabeth Merkle, b. September 28, 1796, d. July 22, 1871.
Daniel Zerbe, b. April 3, 1793, d. Feb. 4, 1846, m. Hannah Hummel, b.
April 14, 1793, d. March 10, 1878.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 221
Of the Zerbeys
Heni-y Zerbe (Henry and Daniel twins), b. April 3, 1793, d. February
14, 1816; m. Hannah Miller, whose second husband was Andrev/ Schwalm.
Anna Maria, b. October 18, 1790; bap. December 11, sponsors, the par-
ents; m. John Adam Miller, 1815, confirmed 1810, d. August 20, 1856, (St.
John's Lutheran Church, Friedcnsburg.)
Book I, Orphans Court of Schuylkill County, Register's
office. Estate of George Zerbe, of Manheim Township.
(John) George Zerbe died intestate. November 3, 181 5,
])Otition of John Adam, eldest son of George Zerbe, who died
January 19, 1814, leaving widow Barbara and eight (8) chil-
dren, to wit: Your petitioner, John Adam, John, George,
Henry. Daniel, Eve, wife of Wendel Schwartz ; Catharine,
wife of Wm. Grieff; Maria, still a minor but married to John
Adam Miller. The land in Manheim Township, bounded by
land of George Berkheiser and the Schuylkill river, about 97
acres, and another plantation bounded by the Schuylkill and
land of Jacob Dreibelbeis, of 130 acres, also a lot of ground
in the town of Friedcnsburg, number six. The petition for
a partition of estate was granted at the court house, Orwigs-
burg, and the estate appraised gj^i acres, 130 acres, in all
228 acres, at 11 pounds and 18 shillings per acre. The lot in
Friedensburg brought 40 dollars.
(Note — The currency of Pennsylvania was by Act of Parliament made
in the sixth year of the reign of Queen Anne for the Plantations of
America. One shilling and four pence was of equal value to one shilling
sterling, and twenty shillings equalled one pound.
(Manuscript 1, Chester County, 1684 to 1847, Vol. 2, p. 95.)
Johann Adam Zerbe was six years old when his parents
removed from the Tulpehocken to "Brunswick" (Manheim)
Township, and thirty-six when he petitioned the court for a
division of his father's estate. Tradition says he lived in
Bern Township. He was married, 1804 (Summer Hill Church
records). John George, son of Anna Maria and John Adam
Zerbe, b. November 17, 1805, bap. February 23, 1806, sponsors,
(John) George and Anna Barbara Zerbe, grandparents. He
is supposed to have migrated north to Northumberland
County and thence to Lycoming or Clearfield County.
222 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Johannes Zerbe, was born in the Tulpehocken and re-
moved at the age of five years with the family to IManheim
Township. He returned early to Bern Township, where he
lived until his death ; both he and his wife being buried at
Belleman's church, Centre Township, Berks County. He
married Elizabeth* Zerbe, (George^ John^ the m., Lorentz^.)
She was the third child of George^ Zerbe, (Revolutionary War
soldier) ; m. to Christina \\^enrich and was raised near Wom-
elsdorf. Sybilla, wf. of Daniel Class, was a sister of Elizabeth.
(Note — George Zerbe on another page.)
The children of John^ Zerbe and Elizabeth, a born Zerbe, were:
Maria Zerbe, b. March 29, 1814; d. June 28, 1866; m. Jonathan Bag-
enstose.
The children of Jonathan Bagenstose and Maria Zerbe were: Elias,
John, Catharine and Daniel, d.
Israel Bagenstose, Center Twp., Berks Co.; b. November 25, 1833.
William Bagenstose, Center Twp., Berks Co.; b. September 20, 1835.
Henry Bagenstose, Center Twp., Berks Co., b. September 23, 1849.
Isaac Bagenstose, Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pa.; b. November
26, 1847.
Levi Bagenstose, Downingtown, Chester Co., b. September 9, 1851.
Sarah, b. March 13, 1843; m. Mayberry Leimbach, Centre Township,
Berks Co.
Darius, d., buried, St. Michael's cemetery, Upper Bern Twp.
Daniel Zerbe, b. January 13, 1823; d. February 13, 1872; wf. Susanna
Althouse, d. Children: Howard M. Zerbey, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co.; m.;
two daughters d., in infancy. Operator in shoe manufactory.
John A. Zerbey, Centreport, Berks County; m., one daughter, wf. of
Willis Rentschler, same place.
HON. DANIEL ZERBE
Daniel-' Zerbe, son of John*, lived at Belleman's church,
near Bernville. He disliked farming and was largely self
educated, fitting himself for the profession of school teacher.
He was the organist at Belleman's church, Justice of the
peace and a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, 1849-50
and 1853. Daniel Zerbe was one of fifty-four signers who, in
November 1820, petitioned the county Court of Quarter Ses-
sions for a division of Tulpehocken Township, and was a
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 223
Of the Zerbeys
viewer. He filled many offices of public trust in the township
in which he lived. He died at the age of 49 years.
This brancii of the family are all buried at Belleman's
cemetery.
Susanna Catherine Zerbe, \vf. of Wm. Grieff. Their chil-
dren were :
Daniel Grief, b. March 26, 1812; bap. May 10; sponsors, George and
Barbara Zerbe, grandparents. (Summer Hill church records.)
William Grief, m. Sarah Moll.
Anna Maria Grief, d., single; b. June 9, 1812; bap. August 9; spon-
sor, Anna Maria Zerbe.
Phoebe Grief, d., single.
Elizabeth, wf. of Daniel Hillegas.
Catharine, wf. of Phillip Weiscr, grandson of Conrad Wciscr.
Susan, wf. of Henry Krebs.
Rebecca, wf. of John Ege.
Sarah, first wife of Jeremiah Yeager.
Louisa, second wife of Jeremiah Yeager.
Jeremiah Yeager died in California. His daughter, Louisa, single,
lives in Orwigsburg.
William GriefT was born in the Rhenish Palatinate,
Zweibruck. He came to this country with the soldiers for
the British crown. He was in the baitle of Trenton, where
he was taken prisoner and confined in the prison pen at
Reading for an entire winter, suffering untold hardships.
Like many of these unfortunates, he was not a free agent in
the matter, but was pressed into the service of the King.
He came to Schuylkill County before its erection and made
a most exemplary citizen. He served as steward of the
almshouse for nine years, and filled other offices of trust. He
lived for a time on the turnpike where the trolley road from
Schuylkill Haven makes the bend, opposite Thomas Kerns'
farm, where stood the old stone grist mill which he ran and
where his mother-in-law, Mrs. George Zerbe (Barbara
Sponchuchen), died. He afterward removed to Orwigsburg,
where he lived until his death.
(Note — The Griefifs are mainly buried in the "New
Jerusalem" cemetery. Spring Garden, Schuylkill Haven.)
224 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Daniel Grieff, son of Catharine Zerbe and Wm. Grieff, wf. Maria
Krebs, da. of Col. Jacob Krebs, who was a member of Congress from
Berks and Schuylkill Counties for four years, and in the Legislature for
eight consecutive years. The Krebs family lived near where the Schuyl-
kill County almshouse now stands. Mrs. Jacob Huntzinger was a daugh-
ter of Jacob Krebs. (Miss Alice Krebs (Daniel Krebs), assistant to post-
master, Pottsville, is a descendant of Jacob Krebs.) Daniel and Maria
Grieff had two sons and nine daughters, among whom were: Mrs. Lewis
Kimmel, Orwigsburg; Mrs. Morgan Reed, d.; and Charles Grieff, d., single,
both of Pottsville.
(Note — Charles Grieff was for many years bookkeeper at the "Daily
Eepublican" newspaper ofSce, Pottsville, Pa.)
The descendants of Wm. Grieff live at Port Clinton and Cressona.
Eva Margaret Zerbe, m. George Wendel Schwartz, son
of Peter and Catharine Schwartz; b. November 9, 1781.
Was a taxable in Berks County before Schuylkill was erect-
ed, 181 1, when he appears on the tax list in Pinegrove Town-
ship. The duplicate shows him in 1820 as being the second
highest in valuation in that township. In 1829, when the
township was divided, his farm was included in Wayne
Township. He married Eva^ Zerbe. George Wendel
Schwartz and wife Eva are buried in St. John's cemetery,
Friedensburg, (Rehersburg, Berks County, church records.)
Their children were :
George Schwartz, who moved north along the Susquehanna river,
and died there.
Daniel Schwartz, who lived east of Pinegrove; c, John, Daniel (con-
tractor), both of Pinegrove; William, d., farmer, of Washington Twp.;
Joseph, Cressona, d. 1912; son, Charles, Pine Grove. Other children:
John Adam Schwartz, b. February 7, 1787; Michael, bap. April 17, 1789,
taxable in Pine Grove Township, 1820; Elizabeth, m. John Herring.
Catharine, m. Daniel Zerbe, Sr., lived east of Pinegrove.
Their children were:
August 1, 1824, Daniel Zerbe, Jr.
February 20, 1826, Levi Zerbe.
April 20, 1828, Jared Zerbe.
December 19, 1830, Louisa, d. 1853.
June 2, 1832, Edward Zerbe.
July 24, 1834, Solomon Zerbe.
January 4, 1836, Mary Ann Zerbe.
June 29, 1837, Levi Zerbe.
1840, Kate Zerbe.
(Hetzel's church records, Washington Twp., Schuylkill Co.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 225
Of the Zerbeys
Benneville Hummel, father of Hon. Ed. Hummel, was married to the
above Louisa Zerbe. Mrs. Jacob Luckenbill, of Schuylkill Haven, was
a daughter.
HERRING FAMILY TRADITION
Jonathan Herring — Shortly after the formation of
Schuylkill County a man and woman came over the moun-
tain from Berks County to Pinegrove Township. They
drove a fine span of horses with a light wagon of city make.
It being near the noon hour, they alighted at a farm house,
where the horses were fed and the couple took dinner.
With them was a lusty infant boy, of about a year old,
which the woman nursed and to which both seemed much
attached. It being a very warm day, the infant slept on the
bed of the farmer's wife, and the supposed mother plead
with their hostess that the baby be permitted to sleep on
until they returned. The man having related a plausible
story of their coming to locate on a tract of land several
miles up the valley, they would return by sundown, and with
the farmer's permission, remain over night and then depart
over the mountain for their goods and chattels and remove
to the tract.
The sun went down and the day closed, as well as sev-
eral more, but the pair did not return. The farmer made
inquiries in several directions, but no trace of the team or
the man and woman was ever found or heard of.
From the fact that the infant was well supplied with a
good stock of fine clothing, which was left at the farm house,
it was surmised that the couple came there with the inten-
tion of abandoning the child in a good home, if they found it.
The boy was a healthy and handsome child. The farmer
and his wife became very much attached to him and raised
him as their own. He did not disappoint his foster-parents
and made good, owning one of the best farms in Washington
Township at the time of his death.
226 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
John Herring, as he was known, was married to Eliza-
l:)eth Schwartz, daughter of Wendel and Eva Schwartz. Of
this union was born six sons and two daughters.
Jonathan Herring was born January 3, 1840. He lived
in Washington Township all his lUe. He was engaged in the
civil war under Col. Daniel Nagle and was a member of
Wolfe Post, G. A. R. He was married to Mary Ann
Schwartz, daughter of John and Eva Schwartz, by whom he
had nine children, live sons and four daughters. — Pottsville
"Republican."
(Note — The above was related the authoi- by Jonathan Herring, d.)
DANIEL ZERBE. CRESSONA
Daniel Zerbe. Wf., Hannah Hummel; b., April 14, 1793;
d. March 10, 1878. They had one daughter. Hannah (Merklc
History), and owned a fine tract of land on the outskirts of
Cressona. Daniel Zerbe worked on the canal, was a sub
contractor on the Mine Hill Railway when it was being
built and was in the truck and milk business, in which he
was prosperous. The family home, a large, white, well built
farm house, is still standing. He was a deacon in the "New
Jerusalem," or "White Church," January i, 1827, and in the
church council, having signed the constitution December
26, 1825, and a deacon, 1834. He was a Lutheran and a
deacon before the church was built and appears on the list
of contributors at the dedication. Daniel Zerbe and wife are
both buried in the cemetery of this church, the date of their
births and deaths were obtained from their tombstones.
Martin Dreibelbis donated land upon which the old
school house was built and which was used for the first church
services by both congregations. The first service was held
December, 1820, and February 11, 1821, George Mennig began
to serve as pastor. The school house was still used October
7, 1827. The corner stone was laid at that time and the
"White Church" was dedicated June i, 1828. William Men-
nig was elected pastor May 24, 1834. A division in the church
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 227
Of the Zerbeys
occurred and great bitterness of feeling followed. Henry
Strauch retired. Many of the church records were lost or
mislaid in the confusion. It is related that when the church
was to be built, 1826, it was proposed to hold a lottery and
tickets were fixed at $2.00. Wm. Grieff's name was on the
hand bills and tickets, among others. Jacob Krebs, a member
of the church and a member of the Legislature, prevailed
upon them to withdraw the project.
Henry Zerbe, whose wife was Hannah Miller, who after-
ward married Andrew Schwalm, Avas born in Manheim Town-
ship, in the Long Run valley. He learned the trade of car-
pentering and while engaged at work had a sunstroke, from
which an attack of typhoid fever resulted and from the effects
of which he died, aged 22 years, 10 months and 11 days.
(Tombstone, St. John's Reformed cemetery, Orwigsburg.)
He was married October 8, 181 5, and died after four months
and 14 days' wedlock, leaving a posthumous son, Henry.
HENRY ZERBE, LEWISTOWN, MIFFLIN CO.
Henry'^ Zerbe (Henry^.) On the death of Henry Zerbe,
St., his father-in-law, Andrew Miller, took out letters of ad-
ministration, March 28, 1816, on his real and personal estate,
the heirs of his father, George Zerbe, having petitioned the
court for a settlement of their father's estate, November 3,
181 5. (Andrew Miller signed in the German script, Regis-
ter's office, Schuylkill County court house.)
Hannah Miller, wf. of Henry^ Zerbe, d., petitioned the
Orphans' Court, of the County of Schuylkill, for a guardian
for Henry Zerbe, a minor, of Orwigsburg, issue of Henry
Zerbe, deceased. Michael GraeiT was appointed by the court,
1816.
Henry"* Zerbe, when fourteen years of age, (1830), asks
the court to allow him to choose a guardian for himself, and
Andrew Schwalm, his stepfather, was appointed. (Orphans'
Court book, Schuylkill County C. H.)
228 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Henry Zerbe was early inured to hard work and after a
series of interchangeable fortunes, working in Schuylkill and
other counties, he drifted, after the age of 21, to Lewistown,
MilTlin County, Pa., where he engaged in the mercantile
business, amassing considerable property and became a
wealthy man for those days. Lewistown was then the ter-
minus for the Union Canal and a large amount of trading was
done at that point with the farmers of the Juniata Valley.
The completion of the building of the Pennsylvania Railroad
over the Alleghenies and the abandonment of the canal cur-
tailed the business opportunities which had enriched many.
Henry Zerbe was a prominent citizen of Lewistown and oc-
cupied many positions of public trust and was held in the
highest esteem by his fellow citizens ; he took but little inter-
est in politics but did much for the business advancement of
his home town. He was a Presbyterian in his church af-
filiations.
Henry^ Zerbe (Henry', John- George, George'- Peter,
Martin^), posthumous son of Henry^ Zerbe, was born at Or-
wigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pa., August 8, i8i6, and died
at Lewistown, Mifflin County, December i6, 1876. He was
twice married. First wf., Matilda Spiece, b. at Lewistown,
September 21, 1819; m. May i, 1842; d., November 23, 1848.
Children: Mary Jane, b. April 25, 1844, d. September 2, 1848;
Hannah Catharine, b. April 6, 1846; d. August 8, 1858.
Henry Zerbe, second wf. Hannah Maria Rittenhouse ; b.
in Lewistown, December 24, 1825; d. January 20, 1905; m.
January i, 1850. The children of Henry Zerbe and wf., Han-
nah Maria Rittenhouse, da. of Joseph Rittenhouse and Su-
sanna McFadden, were :
Charles Andrew, b. November 9, 1850; d. June 20, 1914; m. Cartie
Burns Allison, March 18, 1880; c: Fred. Allison, b. March 19, 1881; single;
in the insurance business, also in the cement business in Philadelphia;
Charles Andrew, b. June 9, 1886, d.
Mrs. Zerbe is a granddaughter of Gen. Burns, d., a prominent citizen of
early Lewistown and a leading factor in Pennsylvania politics during
and preceding the Civil War. Charles Zerbe was destined for the Law,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 229
Of the Zerbeys
his sight being impaired, he abandoned the study and was engaged in the
insurance business at the time of his death, having filled various ofRces
of trust in his native town in the interim.
Henry Rittenhouse Zerbe, b. May 9, 1853; m. Ella Lida Firoved, b.
March 20, 1857. No children. Stovedealer and tinsmith. Lives retired in
handsome home.
Edward Miller Zerbe, b. June 1, 1857; died, single, December 11, 1898.
Frank J. Zerbe, b. August 18, 1860, single. Broker at the Exchange,
Philadelphia.
The above deceased are buried at St. Mark's Episcopal cemetery,
Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pa.
(Note — William Rittenhouse, b. 16G4, in the principality of Broich.
near the city of Mulheim on the Ruhr. He lived in Amsterdam, where
he took the oath of citizenship, June 23, 1678. He emigrated to New
York, 1688, and came to Germantown, Phila., 1690. He erected the first
paper mill in America. He was the founder of the family to v;hich David
Rittenhouse, astronomer and statesman, belonged. The Rittenhouse fam-
ily of Lewistown trace their ancestry back to the early founders of the
family nam.e in Germantown, Phila.)
JOHN ADAM MILLER
John Adam Miller, son of Heinrich Miller and Christina
Sheppen, b. August 27, 1793, Bern Township, Berks County,
married Anna^ Maria Zerbe, (John^ George, George- Peter,
Martin^), of Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, about
January i, 1815. He removed with his family to Centre
County, near Bellefonte, about 1819, where he took up a tract
of land and farmed it. lie became prosperous, his family
owning several of the richest farms in that vicinity, some of
them having retired and renting their homesteads, live in the
city, where they also own property. John Adam and Anna
Maria Zerbe Miller had six children. His second wife, wath
whom he had no issue, was Mrs. Catharine Spangler, who died
May 5, 1877. Adam Miller d. March 17, 1871. Children:
Henry Miller, b. October 30, 1816, in Bern Township, Berks County,
came to Centre County, when about three years of age, with his parents,
where he became a prominent and prosperous farmer. He m. Catharine
Miess, b. December 9, 1815, d. April 11, 1888. Henry Miller, d. May 24,
1881. Their children were:
William Henry Miller, b. April 11, 1844; d. January 23, 1907; m. Mary
Ann Hoy, May 2, 1865, b. June 11, 1844; c, Sarah Emma, b. 1865, m., 1890,
Charles Garis, b. 1868, d. 1898, at Spanish American War Hospital, Chicka-
mauga. Children: William Henry, m. Lettie Reese, one child, Bessie
230 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Louise; Catharine Ann, b. 1867, m. 1895, Charles E. Wetzel, b. 1866, c.
Mary Elizabeth and Susan, d., twins, b. 1896; Miles Thomas, b. 1899
Emma Caroline, b. 1903; Margaret Miller, b. October 4, 1845, d. 1893
Henry A., b. 1874, d. 1890,
Mary Margaretha Miller, b. October 4, 1845; d. September 15, 1851.
Sarah Jane, b. September 2, 1847, m. October 5, 1880, to John J. Musser,
b. March 29, 1829, d. January 7, 1901. One daughter, Katharine S., b.
March 11, 1883.
(Note — Mrs. Musser and daughter live in their own apartments in a
business block, Bellefonte, Mrs. Musser owning the building.)
John Adam, b. July 9, 1849.
Anna Eliza, b. June 18, 1854; m. 1893, to John A. Slack.
Mary"^ Miller (John- Adam, Heinrich\), b. September 27,
1821, d. April 2, 1878; m. Samuel Greeninger. Children:
Thomas Greeninger, m. Caroline Spangler; no c, Tylersville, Penna.
Daniel, m. western woman. Seven children live in the West, Jane, m.
Luther Schreckengast; d., twelve c; Blanche m. Mark Shade, of Brush
Valley, Centre Co.; two c, Edward and one da.; Cyrus, m., two c. live
near Laureltown, Pa.; Frances, m. Wm. Preston, of State College, twelve
children, nine of whom are living. Bertha m. Charles Taylor, Huntington,
Pa., two sons, Erie, d.; m. John Huss, Spring Mills; two children,
Jennie and George; Hamilton E. m. Mattie Weaver, Farmer's Mills, Centre
County, five c, Earl, Ruth, Pearl and Mary; Bessie m, John Guthrie,
Philadelphia; da., Ruth. Mary m. Dr. Hibner, Bethlehem, c, Harold and
Hildred; Lillie m. John Hanna, Boalsburg, Pa., seven children; Samuel,
m., one cliild, Altoona; Harry m. Lottie Armbruster, Farmer's Mills, Pa.;
son, Martin. Edna m. Hickernel, Colorado; Rebecca m. Scott Kers-
tetter; six children, Glen Iron, Pa.; Daisy m. Wm. M. Luse, two c. Centre
Hall, Pa. Margaret and Helen; Samuel, Cleveland and Sumner, of White-
lish, Montana, all single; Thomas, single; Jennie m. Royston Powell;
da. Geraldine, Glen Iron, Pa.
Ammon Miller, rn. Rebecca Wolf, Philadelphia; c, Kinley, twice mar-
ried, da. Helen; Bessie, Lottie Mary, single; Minnie, m., two children;
Thomas, d.; Edward, m., two c.
Orpha Miller, m. Herman Bressler, Corning, N. Y.; c, Eva and Maude;
Elizabeth m. James Cooney, da. Minnie m. — Heisher; c, Thomas and
James.
Harriet Miller, m. Leonard Schreckengast; c, Mary, m. Samuel Strayer;
da. Mary, m., live in the West; Alfred, m., one c, Tylersville, Pa.; Han-
nah m. J. H. Lutz; six c, Flemington, Pa.
Elizabeth Miller, b. June 2, 1819; d. May 1, 1887; m. Joseph Kleck-
ner, d.
Jchn Adam Miller, b. June 2, 1837; d. May 14, 1900; m. January 3,
1858, Mary Ann, da. of Frederick and Catharine Esterline, b. April 23,
1837; five children, two died in infancy; Edwin M., b. June 21, 1867, m.
Regie Swartz, d.; son, Randall. Second wf., Sarah Aigler, two sons,
Stanley and Ward Curtis; Edwin Miller, a physician, Beavertown, Pa.
Melissa Grace Miller, b. February 7, 1864, m. George S. Frank, a physician,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 231
Of the Zerbeys
no children, Millheim, Pa.; Adelia, Catharine b. December 21, 1878, m.
Chauncy Frankenberg:er, da., Rhoda Grace, b. February 28, 1897, State
College, Pa.
Rebecca Miller (Adam and Anna Maria Zerbe Miller), b. October 2,
1830; d. April 17, 1838.
Children of Harriet and Leonard Schreckengast: Mary, m. Samuel
Strayer, Shickley, Nebraska; three children, Alfred, Effenger and Minnie,
m., three children.
Alfred, b. June 27, 1847, m. Amanda Lutz, da. Tolitha, m., two children;
Alfred's second wife, Agnes Greeninger, one son, Charles, m., two chil-
dren; Hannah, b. September 17, 1853, m. J. H. Lutz, seven children, live
at Flemington, Pa.; Kathryn, m. Samuel Miller, two children, Miriam and
Ralph; Mary, m. John Lair, four children, Florence, Eleanor, Laui-a and
Dorothy; Harry, m. Pearl Englert, da. Marguerite; Meda, m. Raymond
Stabley, three children. Hazel, Julia and Clarence; Irvin, John and Flor-
ence are single.
(Note — Johnl Adam Miller removed from Bern Township, Berks
County, Pa., to Miles Township, Centre County, Pa., about 1818.)
The author is indebted to Mrs. Melissa Grace Miller, wife of Dr.
George S. Frank, of Millheim, Pa., and to Miss Katharine Musser, of
Bellefonte, for assistance in the compilation of the above.
MONEY TALKS
John Adam Miller's wife, Anna Maria Zerbe, died and
he wanted to marry again. He came to Orwigsburg to get a
wife and paid his addresses to the widow of his nephew, Dan-
iel Grieff. The aged snitor was a prosperous man and while
he made his proposal drew from his inner pocket a purple vel-
vet bag, lined with yellow silk, untied the strings and poured
the contents, several handsful of golden eagles and large
golden coins, on the table. "Money talks," he said. "Yes,
but not loud enough to me," said she, and he scooped up his
gold and went elsewhere.
AN EARLY CHRISTMAS
One of the children asked the grandmother, Barbara
Zerbe, if they kept Christmas and what they did to observe
it? Why, yes; certainly, she said, the children of those days
did not have much to celebrate Christmas with, but what they
had they enjoyed as much, or more than, those of today. We
lived in the country and brought from the forest branches of
232 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
the green fir trees which were placed over the doors, on top
of the clock and glasses and china cupboard. The red thorn
berries in bunches were tied up around. On the "Dresser"
(sideboard) we placed two long rows of apples, red and green,
that had been selected and highly polished. Between these
rows were piled up in heaps chestnuts, walnuts and hickory
nuts. We had small cakes cut with tin patterns. A few
of these were ornamented with pink and white sugar. The
only candy we knew of were small pink and white buttons
of sugar, dropped in rows on white paper and long sticks
of hoarhound and dark sugar candy, home-made and not
very often or plenty at that. We popped corn and roasted
chestnuts and then, why. Yes ! of course, we had a roasted
goose for our Christmas dinner, and our presents were useful
articles of clothing: a pair of new shoes, a linsey wolsey
dress or a knitted scarf or cap (hauben).
(Grandmother Barbara was born in 1758. Susan Griefif,
wife of Henry Krebs, was the grandchild above referred to.)
FOURTH GENERATION— GEORGE ZERBE
George Zerbe, was born in the Long Run valley, the
first farm from the Schuylkill Haven covered bridge. The
farmhouse stood on the crest of the hill and was later occu-
pied by Daniel Bartlett, who purchased part of the land ;
it was razed several years ago to make room for a more
modern building. He rented a farm in the Panther Valley
(Bender Thai), the land adjacent to Dr. F. W. Boyer's farm,
and was the tract afterward owned by Mrs. George Frey,
of Cressona. His marriage took place shortly after his
father's death, 181 4, and the family lived on this tract, where
all but the three youngest children were born, until 1836.
(Note — George Zerbe was confirmed October 20, 1805, at 16 years
of age. (St. John's Lutheran church records, Friedensburg.)
February 13, 1836, George Zerbe took out a deed, Sam-
uel Kimmel, Grantee, for a tract of land in West Brunswick
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 233
Of the Zerbeys
Township, a mile and a quarter below Orwigsburg. This
tract was surrounded by lands of Daniel Hummel, Phillip
Wernert, Daniel Schoener and Peter Hummel. May i, 1838,
he bought an addition to this tract from Peter Hummel.
(Deed book, Schuylkill Co. C. H.) He cleared the land and
built a log house for his family which was succeeded by a
large white painted farm house in later years. The land was
not very productive and the family and hired help worked
hard and incessantly until it became so. They planted their
own flax and spun and wove their own linen, carpets, cloths
and woolen coverlets, in a small log building erected on the
farm, which was installed with looms, spinning wheels,
carders, etc. (Some of the linen is still in possession of
members of the family.) Everything possible was raised
upon the farm as the acreage was limited and the family
large.
George"* Zerbe, (John^ George, George^ Peter, Martin^),
b. November 21, 1789; d. June 18, 1865; wf., Magdelena Mer-
kle, da. of Alichael^ (Peteri) and Elizabeth (Ebert) Merkle,
b. September 28, 1796; d. July 22, 1871. Both buried in the
Lutheran cemetery, Orwigsburg. Their children were :
Eliza, b. June 11, 1815; wf. of Daniel Jones; d. February 14, 1895.
Daniel Luther, b. December 14, 1817; wf., Catharine Gass; d. March
30, 1892.
Catharine, b. April, 1823; wf. of Jacob Bock; d. December 19, 1869.
William Merkle, b. January 22; bap. May 1st, 1824, at Red church.
Sponsors, Wm. Grieff and wf. Catharine; wf. Sarah L. Schwalm.
Sarah, b. February 15, 1826; d. May 18, 1901; m. Perry Eaton.
Matilda Merkle, b. May 1, 1830; d. September 3, 1886; wf. of Samuel
B. GraefT.
Magdelena, b. September 11, 1833; d., single, November 19, 1906.
George M., b. July 2, 1836; d. January 1, 1839.
Henry, b. 1838; d. in Philadelphia, 1896; wf., Caroline Hammer, d.
Children: George, Howell, Henry, d.; his son Harry is a letter carrier
in Spring City, Philadelphia; Melissa.
Susanna, b. 1840, d. in Philadelphia. Husband, Jacob Buehler, d.
Children: four sons. Jacob Buehler was a soldier in the Civil War, a
member of the 96th regiment, Schuylkill County Volunteers.
J34 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Eliza Zerbe, wf. of Daniel Jones, m. 1838. His father,
Charles Jones, came over the Blue Mountain from Berks
County and settled in Brunswick Township (Berks Co.)
prior to 1800. He was a farmer and shoemaker. Daniel and
Reuben Jones were bap. at the Red Church ; Daniel, b. March
3, 1816, d. August 13, 1886. (Reuben was the father of Reu-
ben Jones, clerk in the Miners' National Bank, Pottsville,
since 1878.) Daniel Jones was a shoemaker by trade and
after his marriage lived in the vicinity of Landingville. He
removed to Bucyrus, Ohio, in the late 'forties and thence to
Washington, Tazewell County, 111., 1855, where he purchas-
ed a farm, living on it eight years, and then removed into
the town and engaged in the shoe business, in which he be-
came prosperous. The children of Eliza Zerbe and Daniel
Jones were :
George Jones, b. November 11, 1839; d. December 23, 185G.
Katharine, b. January 4, 1840; m. Ezra Lee, Florida fruit grower,
since 1876. A daughter, wf. of Dr. Nelson W. Francis, managing physi-
cian of St. Catharine's Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla.
Charles, b. March 4, 1841; d. June 10, 18C3.
Sarah, b. September 30, 1842; m. December 6, 186G, George Zinser,
cashier Peoria, 111., bank; c, Hattie Wookey, b. September 28, 1867, m.
October 28, 1891; Maude, b. November 30, 1870; d. August 16, 1872.
Emma, b. June 16, 1844; m. Wm. LeConte; c, Danforth and Gilman,
Iroquois County, 111., farmer.
William, carpenter and contractor, Washington, 111.; b. December 10,
1849; m. Emma Snyder, December 18, 1873; c. Charles E., b. April 24, 187C,
m. December 5, 1898; Harry Lee, b. May 10, 1880, m. February 12, 1912;
Herbert E., b. January 1, 1886, m. October 21, 1909; Mabel L., b. August
9, 1888.
Mary E., b. April 4, 1851, single, lives with her sister in Florida.
Matilda, b. June 10, 1853, m. Kyer, December 27, 1876; d. January
1, 1882; c: Jesse, b. September 19, 1878, m. May 10, 1902; Robert, b. Feb-
ruary 29, 1880.
Daniel Luther Zerbe — His wife, Catharine Gass (Gars),
was born in Northuml^erland County, where the Gars emi-
grated from Berks. Mother, Mary, da. of Mathias Kersh-
ner, b. June, 1785; d. September 29, 1873 (buried in Odd
Fellows' cemetery, Pottsville, Pa.) ; Henry Gars, son-in-law
of Jacob Phillips, is buried in Alsace church cemetery, near
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 235
Of the Zerbeys
Reading". He had four children, one of whom was Henry.
John living at Adamsdale, Schuylkill County; wf.,
Strauss, from Schuylkill Haven. Daniel Zerbe lived in
Pottsville from 1842 until his death ; he was a carpenter and
builder. The children of Daniel and Catharine Zerbe were :
Martha J. Zerbe, b. May, 1847; d. May 24, 1899; m. Aaron W. Keefer,
d., of Pottsville, Jan. 21, 1870, who was twice married; their children
were: Clara E., wf. of Wm. B. Bergman, of Ashland; 1 c, d.; Ellen J., d.
wife of Thomas Hadesty, m. August 8, 1900; 1 c; d. 1914; Millie, teacher
in the public schools; Florence A., and Arabella L., wf. of Mordecai
Brobst, Pottsville.
Mary A. Zerbe, b. 1849, single.
Anna L. Zerbe, b. 1851, d. October 30, 1901; teacher in the public
schools.
Lillie Zerbe, b. 1853, taught in public school. Port Clinton.
Emma E. Zerbe, b. 1854, d. September 26, 1901; teacher in public
schools.
Wm. Luther Zerbe, b. 1856, d. 1913; single; mechanician, in charge
of the telephone switchboard at the Reading Co. shops at the time of
his death.
Catharine Zerbe, m. Jacob Bock, son of William Bock,
born at Hamburg, 1790, and grandson of Balthaser Bock, b.
in the Province of Hessen, Germany, 1747. He came to
America,, 1755, settling in Berks County (History in Part i.)
Jacob Bock, b. August 13, 1822, d. July 11, 1885. He Vv^as a
member of the Evangelical church, a soldier in the Civil War
and lived near New Ringgold. The children of Jacob and
Catharine Bock were :
Mary, d., wf. of William Nester one c.
Charles, b. 1846; m., lives in Portland, Ore., family Catholic. Has
several children, da. Susan. Builder and contractor and prosperous.
Franklin, d. March 4, 1870, aged three years.
Susan, wf. of Rev. George A. Knerr, Lutheran minister. Ambler, Pa.
Sallie, single, lives in Philadelphia.
The Bock family home at New Ringgold was one of the
historical buildings of Schuylkill County. It was a roomy
log house built by Bernard Kepner, 1769, and was a road
house on the King's Highway from Philadelphia to Sunbury.
He also donated the ground upon which Frieden's church
now stands, the log church being built several years later.
236 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Kepner was 89 years old when he died. His son-in-law,
John Adam Will, lived in the old house for many years.
They were succeeded by William Knittle and afterward by
W^illiam Leibich. Jacob Bock bought the place but fol-
lowed other occupations, mainly sub-contracting- for the
Little Schuylkill Railway. Tenants occupied the house until
in the '90's, when it was razed and the rocky and stony
ground dynamited and Tilghman Rex, the purchaser, erected
a handsome, modern residence on the site.
(Note— B. Morgan Will, of New Ringgold, eighty-six
years old, 1914, and six years of age when his grandfather,
Bernard Kepner, died, contributed the above information.)
(Note — The old log school house, known as Frieden's
church, was built 1771. In 1796 it was decided not to en-
large the school house, but build a second church aside of it.
This church was dedicated March 19, 1798. It Avas enlarged
or rebuilt 1828 and dedicated October of the same year.
Cornerstone of the third church, one of the most picturesque
in the county, was laid May 30, 1875. The first baptismal
record: 1779. Third child of Andrew Young and wf. Mag-
delena. Bap. record in old catechism in church archives.
1 801, April 6, bap. Johannes, son of Solomon Whetstone,
Jan. 3, 1808, Jacob Whetstone a sponsor, Henry Merkle a
sponsor, 1804. July 14, 1804, Phillip Schwartz, Rev. soldier,
bap. a son, Jacob. (Revolutionary Record.)
Sarah Zerbe, m. Oliver Perry Eaton, 1848, who was b.
in Carroll Co., New Hampshire, October 16, 1826; d. in
Washington, Illinois, February 27, 1866. His parents re-
moved from New Hampshire to Boston, Massachusetts, and
later settled in Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pa.
After his marriage Perry removed to Lowell. Massachusetts,
subsequently returning to Shamokin, 1850. Perry Eaton was
a jeweler. He was a soldier in the three years' service of the
Civil War. The couple were married in Pottsville, Pa. Four
children died in vouth.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 237
Of the Zerbeys
The children of Perry and Sarah Eaton were:
Clara, b. in Lowell, Mass., February 22, 1849; m. Isaac Graves, 1878,
whereabouts unknown.
Albion Fillmore Eaton, b. September 7, 1850, in Shamokin, Pa.;
wf.. Jennie Jackson, b. December 26. 1855, Warsaw 111.; m. December 20,
1877; lives at Decatur. 111. Children, Delia, b. May 25. 1881, m. C. A.
Imboden, of Decatur, 111., July 20, 1910; Bertha E., b. May 7, 1888, m..
Green Bay, Wis., one son, d.
George Ebenezer, b. January, 1853, New York; wf., Alice, whereabouts
unknown. One da., m., lives in Peoria.
William Sumner Eaton, b. July, 1857, Ashland, Pa.; wf., Margaret
Fitzpatrick; m. 1897; lived in Hamilton, 111.; removed to Decatur, 111.;
wf. Margaret d. June 15, 1913. He was a railway engineer hut is now
retired. Children: Delia, b. May 26, 1898, Peoria, 111.; m.; Bertha, Ethel
and Helen.
(Note — Perry Eaton and Ellen and Ephraim Phillips, the latter later
of Nev/ Castle and subsequently of Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., were among
the pupils of the first public school organized, 1835, in Northumberland
County. — Old History of Northumberland County.)
Matilda Merkle Zerbe, m. Samuel B. Graeff, March 6,
1852 (White Church records, Orwigsburg, Pa.) Samuel
Beard Graeff, son of Daniel Graeff and Arasmy Beard, b.
July 15, 1828, in Maiden Creek Township, Berks County,
Pa.; died in Tamaqua, March 25, 1887. The family removed,
1841, to Schuylkill Haven, where the father kept a leading
hotel, subsequently removing to Tamaqua, where his wife's
brother, Michael Beard, conducted the Mansion House, ran
stage lines and owned considerable property.
(Note — Harman B. Graeff, d., of Tamaqua, attorney at lav/, was a
brother of Samuel.)
(Note— The Beards lived near Temple. Berks County, some of the
family reside in Reading. They were prominent people and of Revolu-
tionary stock.)
Samuel Graeff learned the trade of machinist and work-
ed in Pottsville at the old George W. Snyder machine shops,
now the Reading Company's. His name occurs, 1847, on
the roster of the American Hose Fire Company, as havmg
been one of the charter members. He removed to Tamaqua
after his marriage, where he worked at his trade, and served
338 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
in the Civil War as Captain of Co. D, 173d Regt. Penna. Vol.
The children of Samuel and Matilda Graeff were:
Ann Beard Graeff, b. December 13, 1853; d. June 20, 1880; m. February
27, 1872, Edmund Lloyd; c. of Edmund and Ann Lloyd: Matilda Zerbey
and Edmund C.
Matilda Zerbey Graeff, b. January 15, 1855; m. Lewis Beck, May 23,
1878, who d. June 18, 1880. leaving one son. Berthold Graeff Beck. He
graduated from Lehigh University, 1900, and married Georgie J. Emery,
May 20, 1904. Issue, one son, John Emery Beck, b. January 23, 1906. She
married John M. Herbig, April 10, 1889. Both he and her son are employed
with good positions in the mechanical department and office of the Beth-
lehem Iron Works, Bethlehem, Pa.
Emmeline Graeff, b. August 31, 1856; d. January 19, 1860; raised by
her grandmother, v/f. of George Zerbe, West Brunswick Township, near
Orwigsburg, where she died of scarlet fever and is buried in the Lutheran
cemetery, Orwigsburg.
George Zerbey Graeff, b. February 10, 1858; m. Melinda Moss, Decem-
ber 20, 1885; railroader, lives at Hazleton, Pa.; children: Samuel B., Sallie,
Harriet, Laurine.
REV. FRANK ELLSV/ORTH GRAEFF, D. D.
Frank Ellsworth Graeff, b. December 19, i860, m. Mary
Lourene Mauger, da. of Rev. Henry Benner and Harriet
Isabel Mauger, March i, 1894. He was admitted into the
Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church,
1890, and received honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity,
from Claflin University, 191 1. He served the following ap-
pointments : Bangor circuit, Somerton, Wesley, Bethany, Em-
manuel, Summerfield, all of Philadelphia, and is now at Roy-
ersford after serving two years at Haws Avenue, Norristown,
Pa. Dr. F. E. Graeff' is a prolific writer of Gospel hymns, of
which more than two hundred have been published. One,
"Does Jesus Care?" has been translated into a number of lan-
guages and is sung all over the world. He has also written
many short stories for children and is a contributor to leading
magazines. His book, "The Minister's Twins," is very popu-
lar.
Sallie Beard Graeff, b. June 16, 1863, d. March 4, 1882.
Arasmus Beard Graeff, b. August 29, 1867; d. February 14, 1901; m.
Abram T. Oliver, of Tamaqua, December 12, 1888. Their c. were: Frank
Graeff and Robert A. Oliver.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 239
Of the Zerbeys
WILLIAM MERKLE ZERBEY
William'* Merkle Zerbc}-. (George*. Johiv' (Jreurge.
George- P-eter, Martin^), was Ijorn in the Panther Valley
(Bender Thai), Schuylkill County, January 22, 1824; d. May
30, 1891. The family removed to a farm, in A\'est Brunswick
Township, one and a quarter miles below Orwigsburg, when
he was about ten years of age. His father was a Lutheran
and his mother Reformed, and according to the strict di-
vision of the two sects, in the early times, the boys of the
family were confirmed in the Lutheran and the girls in the
Reformed church, the old White church of Orwigsburg,^
then having alternate worship of both congregations. He
attended a private school for three months in the winter,
learning the English vocabulary and to write German script,
at night, from one Prof. Getler-, an armless cripple, who kept
a writing school and used the ferule freely with his feet upon
the fingers of the unfortunate pupils while they attempted
to form the letters. He learned to read English in the early
Episcopal Sunday school, held for a few years in Orwigs-
burg; his limited school experience being mostly confined to
arithmetic and the "Rule of Three," the farmers being very
exacting that their children should learn to count in order
to transact business. Ele was, however, a well informed,
self educated man, practical and thorough in all his business
transactions and a close reader of the leading events of the
day. At an early age he was employed by Benjamin Pott,
brother of John and Abraham Pott, who kept the old Half-
Way House (Lessig's), between Schuylkill Haven and Or-
wigsburg, where Mr. Pott housed and boarded a large force
(Note 1 — St. John's Lutheran and Reformed Church, of Orwigsburjr,
known as the "White Church," was erected 1831.)
TNote 2 — In 1872 when Barnum's circus visited Pottsville, Prof. Getlcr
accompanied it. He wore a purple gold braided velvet waistcoat with
wide v/hite lawn ruffles at the neck and ankle, and sat upon a table
where he gave exhibitions of his skill in writing with his feet. Some
of his old Pottsville pupils called upon him but he gave them scant
recognition.)
240 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
of men who were engaged in felling timber for the Reading
Railway, then being constructed, and others who worked on
the Schuylkill Canal.
A kick from a fractious young colt that he was attempt-
ing to train and which left him lying unconscious for several
hours and left a wide swath of white hair in his boyish black
locks, made him conclude that farm life was not to his taste
and he engaged in boating on the Schuylkill canal, subse-
quently learning the carpenter trade, in Orwigsburg, com-
ing to Pottsville in 1842. Here he engaged in the building
and contracting business and could relate many interesting
reminiscences of early days of coal mining when he, with the
Lords, DeFrehns and other early builders erected the com-
pany houses for the early coal operators, at Tuscarora,
Kaska William, Wadesville and Flowery Fields, and who
also were engaged on some of the leading buildings in Potts-
ville.
Mr. Zerbey engaged in the manufacture of Venetian
blinds, then a paying business, 1852, opening a house-fur-
nishing, window blind, carpet and stationery store on Mar-
ket, between Second and Centre streets, removing to 203 N.
Centre street, which property he purchased and remodeled,
1 868-'/ 1, the family residing there continuously for forty-six
years and the business being carried on for sixty-two years.
W. M. Zerbey died May 30, 1891. He was confirmed in the
Lutheran church, but after his marriage united with the
Evangelical church in which he was prominent as a trustee,
assisting largely with his means to build the handsome church
on West Arch Street. After the split in that body, he united
with his family with the First Methodist Episcopal church, of
Pottsville, where he also served in an official capacity and
was actively interested in the spiritual and financial welfare
of the church. He was first a Democrat in politics, but in 1856
voted for Stephen A. Douglas, and in the stirring days of
i860 was an ardent supporter of Abraham Lincoln and there-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 241
Of the Zerbeys
after voted the Republican ticket. He did not desire office
of any kind, but was frequently approached to allow the
use of his name in the local governinent of the town. During
the Civil War he was the main support of a large family
whose head was in the three years' service and who was
killed, as Mr. Zerbey frequently said, "while fighting for me
at the front." He was one of a committee appointed to create
a Patriotic Fund and distribute it to families whose support-
ers were at the front, he having in charge the care of the fami-
lies in the Middle Ward, Potts ville. He was a liberal giver
to the church and to any cause he espoused.
William M. Zerbey m. Sarah L. Schwalm, da. of Andrew
and Hannah Miller Schwalm (Schwalm history), December
21, 1847, ^^ Orwigsburg. Sarah Schwalm, b. September 3,
1830, d. August II, 1914. Their children were: William, d. ;
John Franklin. Heber Swalm, Joseph Henry, Robert An-
derson. Frederic F., Flla A., wf. of C. D. Elliott, d. ; Adelia
E., twice married ; Sara Frances, wf. of Walter B. Hill.
John F. Zerbey, clerk and subsequently cashier of the
Government National Bank, of Pottsville ; clerk to the
Schuylkill County Commissioners, and for nine years U. S.
National Bank Examiner, now retired and living in York-
ville, a section of Pottsville, married Laura E. Esterly, July
23, 1883, da. of Daniel Esterly, deceased, of Pottsville, and a
direct descendant of Jacob Esterly, who qualified at Phila-
delphia September 20, 1738, from the ship Nancy, and of
Daniel Esterly, his son (Rev. ^Var record). They have one
son, John F. Zerbey, Jr., b. June 3, 1884, m. Florence, da.
of Benjamin J. Smith, County Commissioner of Schuylkill;
children. Florence M. and Margaret. John F. Zerbey. Jr.,
electrician, in business Fourth and Arch Streets, Pottsville.
(Note— Jacob Easterly, 22, qualified at Philadelphia, September 20,
1738. He was a taxpayer in Berks County, 1754, died 1758; wf. Eliza-
beth. Died intestate. Daniel-, the youngest of three children under 21.
Married Susanna Heckler. Both buried one mile west of Oley Town-
ship line, in private burying ground. Revolutionary War Record, Part 1.
242 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Daniel:!, eldest son of Daniel^, Sheriff of Berks County, 1841-'44. George
son of Daniel-, was the father of Daniel Esterly, of Pottsville. Daniel2
Esterly, b. August 27, 1758, d. September 27, 1822.)
Heber Svvalm Zerbcy, wf. Hannah, da. of Samnel and
Elizabeth Mortimer, the former for many years borough
treasurer of Pottsville, (see Mortimer), married April 28,
1887. They had one daughter, Elizabeth, b. August 19, 1888,
d. February 26, 1895. Heber Zerbey was by profession a
school teacher, in which occupation he was successfully en-
gaged in Pottsville, when he retired to carry on the business
of his father, W. M. Zerbey, at 203 N. Centre St., Pottsville,
and to which he succeeded on the death of his parents.
FOUNDER OF THE POTTSVILLE DAILY
REPUBLICAN
Joseph Henry Zerbey, editor and proprietor of the
"Pottsville Daily Republican," established October 28, 1884,
(and owner of the Weekly "Schuylkill Republican" from 1879).
has in the "Pottsville Republican" plant, one of the most
progressive, successful bindery, newspaper and job printing
houses in Eastern Pennsylvania, and is one of the foremost
and most enterprising citizens of his section of the State. He
learned the art preservative in all its branches very thoroughly,
and this early rudimentary insight into the fundamental rules
of printing enabled him to take advantage of every improve-
ment in the business as it advanced in newer inventions, all
of which he has installed in his plant, and to which early
knowledge he ascribes the keynote of his ultimate success.
J. H. Zerbey married Cora E. Sigfricd, June 16, 1880,
daughter of General Joshua K. Sigfried, Colonel of the 48th
Regt., Penna. Vols., and Brigadier General at the fall of Pe-
tersburg, in the Civil War, and Major General in the National
Guard of Pennsylvania for many years. Jonas Sigfried, father
of Joshua K., was a son of Jonathan^ Sigfried, (Jacob^, Joseph'^)
born October 28, 1790, in Maxatawny Township, Berks Coun-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 243
Of the Zerbeys
ty, d. June, 1853, near Rebersburp:, Schuylkill County, and is
buried at the Bethel Church. He owned a farm and kept
a hotel across the Blue Mountains from Rebersburg. He
married Barbara Fiegol, and their children, of whom they
had fifteen, and their descendants are settled in Harrisburg,
Annville and throughout lower Schuylkill County.
(Note— Jacob Sigfried.— Revolutionary War Record, Part 1.)
The children of J. H. Zerbey and wf. Cora E. are: Ida
Frances, Avf. of Robert Braun, owner of the P>raun School of
Music, and a Piano Virtuoso; Edith, b. June 28, 1884, d. Au-
gust 8,1886; Joseph Henry, Jr. ; Mildred and Cora Elizabeth,
the latter being Pottsville High School pupils.
J. H. Zerbey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church and a Republican in politics. The family home is lo-
cated corner of Howard Avenue and Fifteenth Street, Potts-
ville. He is for years president of the Pottsville Board of
Trade, also president of the Schuylkill County Centennial
Ass'n., president of the Pottsville Mutual Fire Insurance Co.,
and member of the Penna. Society of New York, the Manu-
facturers' and Pen and Pencil Clubs, of Phila., the Pottsville
Motor, the Outdoor, and the Pottsville Clubs; president of
the State Editorial Association, and the acting presi-
dent of the Penna. Associated Dailies, and member of the
Penna. German Society. He was one of the leading con-
tributors and building committee of the magnificent Potts-
ville Methodist Church edifice at Market and Fourth Streets.
He is president of the Penn Land Co., a very extensive opera-
tion to secure homes for the people ; also director in the
Greater Pottsville B. & L. Association. He has been promi-
nently identified with the movements that have done so much
to improve Pottsville and enlarge the business of the com-
munity. He especially labored zealously for the city form
of government. He has a very wide acquaintanceship wdth
244 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
prominent men of the nation, and has traveled extensively to
learn how others live and do, so as to apply new ideas to his
home locality.
The "Republican" building on Mahantongo St., erected
in 1895, was the first modern iron, brick, stone, cement, fire-
proof business structure in Pottsville. The equipment of
the "Republican's" plant is very unusually extensive and
uptodate for an inland city, and is equal to some prominent
ofifices in large cities. The plant has dual motor power,
steam and electric ; the newspapers are printed on a three
deck stereotyping press, and this was one of the first offices
in the world to use linotypes.
Mr. Zerbey was the originator of the present extensive
electric railway system in and around Pottsville. It was the
sixth electric line to be started in the U. S., and Mrs. Frances
Zerbey Braun, in 1890. pulled the switch that put the current
into the operation of the first electric street car in Pottsville.
Mrs. Braun was the first woman to be admitted to the
Schuylkill County Bar and to practise before the Supreme
Court. She is also a talented violinist, and concertmeister
of the Gerhard Symphony Orchestra.
Joseph Henry Zerbey, Jr., assistant to his father in the
"Daily Republican" office, and associate editor of that news-
paper, wf. Catharine, daughter of John and Catharine Ban-
nan. He is a graduate of Lafayette College, and is con-
nected with the leading public and social movements. Also
during the threatening European war days of 191 5, he be-
came associated with the First Officers Training Regiment
of the United States Army, inaugurated by the War Depart-
ment at Plattsburgh, N. Y., as the foundation of the U. S. A.
Citizen Soldier Reserves. He is also a member of the execu-
tive committee of the National Editorial Association, a Ro-
tarian and "Big Brother" to hundreds of boys and girls
whose condition in life he is trying to improve.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 245
Of the Zerbeys
Robert Anderson Zerbey, b. September 20, i860, d. De-
cember 9, 1893, married April 29, 1886; wf., Annie L.
Kaercher, da. of Henry Kaercher; children: William Henry
and Margaret Adelia, Schenectady, N. Y. Robert A. Zerbey
learned the printing trade in all its branches in the "Repub-
lican" office. He was employed in the freight department of
the Reading Railway Company, at Philadelphia, for several
years, and also in a large wholesale carpet establishment.
Returning to Pottsville he assumed the duties of business
manager of the "Daily Republican," which position he held
at the time of his death, which occurred in the prime of
manhood under particularly distressing circumstances, the
disease being typhoid, cerebro spinal meningitis.
William Henry Zerbey (Robert) employed in Schenec-
tady, N. Y., in the General Electric Company power plant in
that city as Cost Accountant in the main office ; Margaret
resides in Schenectady with her mother.
Frederic Edgar Zerbey began his career early on the
surveying corps of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company at Lost
Creek, under Col. D. P. Brown. Pie was promoted to the
district superintendency of the company's collieries at
Hazleton and subsequently to the district superintendency
of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company's collieries at Wilkes-
Barre. He is at present the efficient manager and superin-
tendent of the Kingston Coal Company, with offices at
Wilkes-Barre. Pie married Bertha, da. of Conrad Seltzer,
of Pottsville, July 30, 1883. Their children are: Dorothy,
Frederic Edgar, d., and Arthur, a student at Yale College.
Their home is at the corner of Union and River Streets,
Wilkes-Barre. Fred. E. Zerbey is a member of the I^^piscopal
Church, a mason and a Republican in politics.
Conrad Seltzer was b. September 17, 1818, in Marburg, Kurhessen,
Germany. He came to America and located at Pottsville, Penna., 1835.
He married Dorothea E. Roehrig, December 10, 1839. They had ten chil-
dren living. They first settled in Fishbach, then removed to Minersville
246 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
and thence to Bull's Head, and finally built the handsome home on North
Centre Street, Pottsville, fronting the Seltzer Packing House, founded by
Conrad Seltzer and now carried on by his sons, Albert and William
Seltzer.
FOUNDER OF THE WEEKLY SCHUYLKILL
REPUBLICAN
Ella A. Zerbey. m. Charles Doty Elliott, of Fond du Lac,
Wisconsin, January 20, 1870; born November 25, 1842, d.
July 19, 1899, and the son of Hon. George W. and Julianna
Crofoot Elliott. G. W. Elliott, born in Lewis County, New
York, February 13, 1804, d. June 30, 1898. He was one of
the pioneer settlers of Wisconsin, locating at Detroit, Mich-
igan, 1834, and at Green Bay, Wisconsin, when they were
but trading posts and military stations. He was a surveyor
and located thousands of acres of land in those territories
for eastern settlers and capitalists, and was private secretary
to territorial Governor of Wisconsin, James D. Doty. The
family lived in Taycheedah, near Fond du Lac, in the first
frame house in Wisconsin, brought in parts, by packet boat,
over the Great Lakes, from New York, for Governor Doty.
The children of the two families, who resided in this house
together, for several years were educated, in part, by a pri-
vate tutor brought from New York for the purpose. Mr.
Elliott located, with Governor Doty, the lands for the capitol
at Madison, the grounds for the penitentiary at Waupun ;
he filled many offices of trust in that state and was a member
of the Legislature, 1861-4.
Losing his mother at an early age, C. D. Elliott became
a member of the family of Hon. Sam. W. Ryan, Appleton,
Wis., (Editor of the "Appleton Crescent" and subsequently
U. S. Minister to New Brunswick), and here learned the art of
printing. When sixteen, with two other apprentices of the
"Crescent" office, he went to Calumet County, where they
published a small weekly newspaper, the official printing of
that county being guaranteed them. When the war broke
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 247
Of the Zerbeys
out they closed their office and were among the first to arrive
in Madison and enlist in the Civil War. C. D. Elliott was a
member of Co. E, 6th Wisconsin Regiment, and participated
in 67 engagements with the enemy, and in the vigorous war-
fare engaged in by the famous Iron Brigade, under General
Edward Bragg, the first captain of Co. E, (afterward Minis-
ter to Mexico and who placed Grover Cleveland in nomina-
tion for the Presidency, the first time, at Chicago, when
Bragg was U. S. Senator, in the words since made famous,
"I love Cleveland for the enemies he has made.") He was
wounded twice and was sent to Washington with a severe
attack of typhoid fever brought on by lying in the trenches
(in mud and water) when wounded. He was made Color
Sergeant of Co. E, but was remanded to Co. A, 14th Regt.
V. R. C, in which he served the remainder of his time, in
the redoubts at Washington, D. C, and in enforcing the draft
in Pennsylvania. He served three years and three months
and of his family was one of four sons, two of whom lost
their lives in the service ; and three brothers-in-law, all of
the family, except the aged father, being engaged in the war
for the Union.
At the close of the war, C. D. Elliott settled in Reading,
Pa., where he with three other practical printers, established
the Reading "Daily Record" under the firm name of Mast,
Schultz, Buckwalter and Elliott. The "Record" was short-
lived and was succeeded by the "Evening Dispatch," pub-
lished by Buckwalter, Elliott and Schultz. James D. Laciar.
subsequently of the Wilkes-Barre "Record" and later post-
master of that city, was for a time included in the firm. The
"Dispatch" ran for about two and a half years when it was
merged with the "Times" and he retired. Mr. Elliott came to
Pottsville, Pa., 1870, where he acted as city editor of the Daily
"Miners' Journal," Bannan and Ramsey, proprietors. Decem-
ber 14, 1872, he founded the "Schuylkill Weekly Republican,"
at Minersville, taking in as a working partner, John O. Beck,
248 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
the latter retiring after two years. Mr. Elliott assumed the
work of the growing plant until 1879, when he sold the busi-
ness to his brother-in-law, Joseph Henry Zerbey, who was
already engaged in the office and identified with the "Repub-
lican." Mr. Elliott purchased a half interest in the "Fond
du Lac Commonwealth," established 1832, and removed to
that city, Wisconsin, where he remained three years, return-
ing to Pottsville, 1882. Later, with Burd Patterson and oth-
ers he started "The Independent Republican," a weekly that
had a brief career. October 28, 1884, J. H. Zerbey originated
and started the "Pottsville Daily Republican," and about a
year thereafter C. D. Elliott was engaged as associate editor
with editor J. H. Zerbey in the latter's new enterprise. After
his death, 1899, his wife, Ella Zerbey Elliott, the author of
this work, occupied the position of assistant to the editor and
proprietor of the "Republican" for six years, when she retired.
Mrs. Elliott has done acceptable work as correspondent to a
leading metropolitan newspaper in which her articles on the
mining of coal and the industries connected with it, received
favorable notice and comment from the leading authorities
on the subject. Her short stories and other articles, too,
find a ready acceptance with the syndicates and other me-
diums of light and practical literature. Her book, "Old
Schuylkill Tales," had a larger sale than any other local book
published in Schuylkill County and she is frequently being
urged to revise the same and bring out another edition.
THE ELLIOTT LINE OF DESCENT
1540—1899
Henry Elliott, b. ; d. ; m. Alice ; b. ; d. ; buried
December 15, 1590; c, Henry, William; residence, East Coker, Somerset-
shire, England.
William Elliott, b. ; bap. June 23, 1527; d. March 29, 1642; m. ;
b. ; d. -; c, Margaret, John, William, Henry; residence. East Coker,
England.
William Elliott, b. ; bap. February, 1G03; d. ; m. Emma ;
b. ; d.— — ; c, Edith, Judith, Marie, Andrew, John, Grace (1), Grace (2^,
Residence, East Coker, England.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 249
Of the Zerbeys
Andrew Elliott, b. ; bap. April 24, 1627; d. (will) 1704; m. Grace
Woodier, (2) Mary ; b. ; (2) b. ; d. February 9, 1652, (2) d.
(will) 1720; c, (1) Andrew, Emma, (2) Mary, William; residence. East
Coker, England; Salem, Beverly, Massachusetts. (Was one of the twelve
jurymen who heard the witchcraft trials at Salem, 1692.)
William Elliott, b. ; bap. 1655; d. (will) January, 1721-2; m. Mary
Parker, widow, nee Browne; b. April 15, 1657; d. ; c, Andrew (1),
Andrew (2), William, John, Judith, Mary, Emma, Elizabeth; residence,
Beverly, Massachusetts.
John Elliott, b. September 10, 1C93; d. April 8, 1751; m. April 20, 1715,
Elizabeth Balch, b. 1696; d. May 1, 1718; m. April 20, 1720, Hannah Wal-
jji-on, b. ; d. ; c. (1) Skipper, John; (2) Nathaniel, William, Fran-
cis, Elizabeth, Abigail, Hannah: residence, Beverly, Mass.
Nathaniel Elliot, b. March 26, 1721; d. ; m. Abigail Edwards, b. ;
d. ; (2) Elizabeth ; b. ; d. ; c, Nathaniel, John, Francis.
residence, Beverly, Mass.; Woodstock, Conn.; Northampton, Chester, Mass.
(Served in French-Indian Colonial Wars.)
John Elliott, b. ; d. between 1832 and 1841; m. Rebecca Parker;
b. ; d. after 1841; c, Chester, David, George Washington, Zylphia and
perhaps others; residence, Chester, Easthampton, Mass., Bowman's Creek,
N. Y., Cayuga County, Ohio, and perhaps other places. (John Elliott
served in the Revolutionary War from Massachusetts; was a pensioner as
was his wife after his death.)
Chester Elliott, b. about 1776; d. after 1832; m. July 6, 1797, Betsey
Benjamin, da. of Jesse Benjamin, who served in the Revolutionary War;
b. March 31, 1784; d. November, 1848; c, Susan, Joseph, George Washing-
ton, Pamelia, Electa, Jesse, Elizabeth, Marietta, Jane, Thomas; residence,
Easthampton. Mass., Martinsburg, N. Y. (Served in Capt. Adam Conkey's
Company, 101st N. Y., War of 1812-15.)
George Washington Elliott, b. February 13, 1804; d. July 1, 1897;
m. October 11, 1832, Juliana Crofoot, b. April 8, 1810, d. June 26, 1850;
(2) Lottie M. Torrey; (1) Mary Elizabeth, David, Frances E., Charles Doty,
Parke Benjamin, Irving Washington, Ella Louise, (2) Caroline.
Adelia E. Zerbey, first husband, Frank A. Harper, b. at
Bear Gap, Dauphin County, September I2, 1849; d. January
12, 1890. He was the eldest son of John C. Harper and w£.
Margaret, an individual coal operator and superintendent of
mines, of Ashland, Pa., and who later was identified with his
son, the above, with the \Vm. Milnes coal operations, as clerk
and timekeeper. Frank Harper was timekeeper at the Read-
ing Co. Coal and Iron shops at the time of his death, to which
position he was succeeded by Edward L. Keane, of Garfield
Square. The children of Frank and Adelia Harper, who
250 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
were married May 8, 1884, were : an infant, deceased, and Sara
Adelia Harper, who resides with her mother at Reading.
Adelia E. Harper m. Horace Silliman Kirk, July 30, 1896.
He was the son of Wister A. and Lydia A. Kirk. His father
was a coach builder with a shop where the Penna. R. R. depot,
Pottsville, now stands. They live in Reading, Pa.
Sara Frances Zerbey, married Walter B. Plill, of New
York, December 11, 1903. Their children are: George Samp-
son, Emma Louise and Walter B., Jr. Mr. Hill, piano expert,
is engaged in the musical instrument business at 205 N. Centre
Street, (Zerbey building), where the family reside. Mr. Hill
enjoyed the advantages of a good musical education under the
best instructors in New York City, and having exceptional
talent was intended for the musical profession. He preferred
the musical business, however, which line he is successfully
following. He served several years in the manufacture of
instruments to perfect himself in their construction which
knowledge is invaluable to him in his business.
RIETHS OR REEDS
Leonard^ Rieth. of the Tulpehocken, was one of three
brothers, original settlers from the Schoharie, N. Y. He was
the man about whom the "Tulpehocken Confusion," at Zi-
on's or Rieth's church (Stouchsburg, Berks County), cen-
tered. (Map of Pioneer Homesteads, Part I. Transactions
of the Moravians.)
Leonard Rieth, b. 1691, d. 1747, wf. Anna Eliza Caterina ;
c, Johan Nicholas, b. 1716, d 1788; Johan George, b. 1717,
d. 1791 ; Johannes Friderich, b. 1718, d. 1794; Leonard, b.
1723, d. 1803; Peter, , Maria Margaretha. Peter Rieth
had a son, Leonard, b. 1772, who was confirmed at Zion's
Lutheran church, 1788. Hermanns Zerbe married Maria
Rieth, 1799. Anna Maria, da. of Samuel and Christina Rieth,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 251
Of the Zerbeys
bap. October 9, 1782. Sponsors, Michael Rieth and Anna
Maria Schwarzen. Samuel, son of Caspar Rieth. Solomon,
son of Jacob Rieth. (Zion's church records.)
Leonard^ Rieth died from injuries received in his mill,
on the Tulpehocken creek, next to the site of the old church,
where he was caught in the cog wheel. His death was
attributed, by his enemies, to a direct visitation of Provi-
dence. He, however, had forsaken the Moravians before his
death and was buried from Zion's Lutheran church (Stouchs-
burg) and interred in that cemetery. It is related of his
wife, that, when the church was locked, she crept in from an
opening in the rear and opened a window admitting the
opposing faction and that when the matter was to be arbi-
trated, she stood up in the church and bitterly denounced its
opponents (the Orthodox Lutherans), when the so-called
"Tulpehocken Confusion" ensued. (Part I, Tulpehocken Con-
fusion.)
Johan" George Rieth, (Leonard^), b. 1717, d. 1791 ; son,
Leonard^, b. in the Tulpehocken, April 10, 1739; d. in Pine-
grove Township, Berks County, August 26, 1805. Rev.
John Caspar Stoever's Records give the baptisms of three
children, of George Riedt, of "Summer Mountain," Berks
County. It is probable that George Rieth came from the
Tulpehocken about 1748 and that he already had several chil-
dren before he came to Pinegrove Township. He is not
mentioned on the tax lists and may have only been a so-
journer and the title to the Rieth tract may have been vested
in his sons, Leonard and Johannes. The baptisms were :
August 20, 1749, Eva Margaretha, da. of George Riedt; No-
vember 20, 1 75 1, Christina Barbara and on September 22,
1754, John Jacob, (Stoever's records). Johannes, b. Octo-
ber 15, 1755, d. December 26, 1827, (Jacob's church records).
There was also a church called the "Summer Mountain,"
south of the Blue Mountains, Berks County. These were
253 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
the children of Johan^ George Rieth (Leonard^), born in the
Schoharie Valley, New York, and reared in the Tulpehocken.
Leonard-*^ Rieth, married Anna Maria Zerbe, (George^
Peter, Martin^), b. April 25. 1748; d. May 24, 1827. They
were married at Reading, December 20, 1768, (Trinity Luth-
eran church records.)
After Leonard Rieth's marriage to Anna Maria Zerbe,
1768, he took up a tract of land in Pinegrove Township,
Berks Count}^ where his brother, Johannes also settled.
This land is located around and on the present site of Reeds-
ville, Wayne Township, Schuylkill County, and on these two
tracts, since divided and subdivided, live numerous Reeds,
all descendants of John and Leonard Rieth, who have been
in possession of these same fertile tracts for almost two hun-
dred years and many of their scions have removed to the
West. The village has a German Baptist (Dunkard's), and
a flourishing Evangelical church, the latter being the de-
nomination most of the Reeds are affiliated with. The early
Rieths were Lutherans and their nearest church, St. Jacob's,
two miles west of Pinegrove, near Exmoor and almost ten
miles from their settlement. There were at that time but
two churches north of the Blue Mountain : Zion's or Red
church, and St. Jacob's. The latter and Frieden's church,
on the "Little Schuylkill," between McKeansburg and New
Ringgold, organized 1798, both, according to tradition, had
small log buildings on the sites where the log churches were
afterward built and the congregations organized.
St. Jacob's church was built of logs on a tract of -i-^
acres of land obtained from the State. Unfortunately, as
with all of the churches with which Rev. Wm. Kurtz was
connected who organized the church 1780, and the early pas-
tors v.'ho followed, the records for the first nineteen years
are missing. Andrew Schulze, of the Tulpehocken, was its
pastor for two years. He was afterward Governor of Penna.
This church is known as the White Church.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 253
Of the Zerbeys
John and Leonard Rieth are among the iirst sixty-two
taxables returned, from Pinegrove Township, Berks County,
and they were among its first members.
The first communion, recorded 1799, gives Leonard
Rieth and wife, Johannes Rieth, Catharine Rieth and Eliza-
beth Rieth as communicants.
The children of Leonard Rieth and wf. Anna Maria
Zerbe, were :
Eva, b. August 7, 1771. Conrad Muench (Minnich) and wife. Elizabeth
Zcrbe, sponsors. John Heinrich, b. July 12. 1773, 7 weeks old, the parents
sponsors; Maria Eva, b. September 30, 1775 (the first child of this name
probably died and another was given the same name.) Red Church records
(114 miles belov/ Orwigsburg); John or Jonas, b. 1777. wf. Elizabeth;
Leonard, b. March, 1783, d. December 26, 1851, wf. Margaretha Brennern;
Anna Maria, b. 1779, wf. of Daniel Zerbe; Catherina, b. 1781, wf. of Jacob
Brennern. (Jacob's Church records.)
(-vjote— The grandparents usually stood sponsors for the first child in
baptism. The custom being invariable the relationship of the parties is
thus determined if there are no other means at hand. December 25, 1808,
Anna Maria Rieth stood sponsor for Sophia, da. of Jonas and Elizabeth
Ried, of which child she was the grandmother.— Jacob's Church records.)
Confirmed: —
October 9, 1803, Adam Ried, 17.
March, 1810, John George Ried.
March, 1810, Maria Rieden, born Henen, 18.
April 26, 1812, Saloma Ried, 16.
April 26, 1812, Catherina Ried, 14.
June 2, 1816, Maria Rieth.
Communicants:— June 2, 1816, John Rieth and wf. Elizabeth Rieth.
Baptisms: —
1799_August 18, Maria Catherina, da.; parents, Daniel and Anna Maria
Zerbe; sponsors, Lenhard Ried and wf. Anna Maria.
1800— October 4, Solomon; parents, Jacob Brenner and wf. Catherina;
sponsors, Leonhard Ried and wf. Anna Maria.
1802— Henrich, b. July 23; parents, Johannes Ried and wf. Catherine;
sponsors, Henrich Stein and Christina Ried.
1803— Elizabeth, b. January 15, 1802; bap. May 19; parents, Peter Ried
and wf. Susanna.
1803— September 4, Eva Margaretha; parents, Phillip Ried and wf.
Catherina.
1804— January 22, Catherine; parents, Johannes Ried and wf. Cathe-
rina; sponsors, Johannes Ried and wf. Margaretha.
1805— September 27, Catherina; parents, Johan Rieth and wf. Catha-
rine; sponsor, Anna Maria Riethen. (Leonhard Rieth, her hus-
band, died August 26, 1805.)
1806— January 1, Johannes; parents, Johannes Ried and wf. Catherina,
254 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
1807 — January 25, Johann; parents, Johann Jacob Brenner and wf.
Catherina; sponsors, Leonard Ried and Margaretha Brenner.
March 27, Heinrich; parents, Jonas Ried and wf. Elizabeth.
March 27, Catherina; parents, Jonas Ried and wf. Elizabeth;
(twins).
1808 — ^April 17, Johan Peter; parents, Johan Ried and wf. Catherine.
September 4, Peter; parents, Johan Ried and wf. Elizabeth.
December 25, Sophia; parents, Jonas Ried and wf. Elizabeth;
sponsor, Anna Maria Riethen.
1809 — March 5, Johann; parents, Adam Ried and wf. Catharina;
sponsors, Johan Ried and wf. Margaretha.
March 5, Salome; parents, Leonard Reed and wf. Margaretha;
sponsors, Johann Brenner and wf.
(Burial Records not already given): —
Johannes Rieth, b. October 15, 1755; d. December 26. 1827.
Peter Rieth, b. October 10, 1788; d. January 2, 1848.
John Ried (Jonas) and Anna Maria, widow, were made
the administrators of Leonard Rieth, September i — October g,
1805. The inventory was 213 lbs., 16 s., 9 d. (Register of Wills,
Orphans' Court B., Berks County.)
Johannes^ Rieth (Johan- George, Leonard^), b. October
I5» 1/55' ■^^'^s a brother of Leonard-^ Rieth. The spelling of
the name Reed has no bearing on the issue. The German spel-
ling Rieth has been changed by the different branches to
Reed, Ried and Read, but they are all from the same vocabu-
lary. The Reeds of Pinegrove Township, which now includes
Wayne and Washington, are descended from Leonhard and
Johannes Rieth, brothers, who came from the Tulpehocken
and the part now included in Marion Township, where the
original Rieths settled, 1723, coming from the Schoharie Val-
ley, New York, to Berks County, then Chester, where they
have an important and voluminous history among the early
settlers.
LEONARD RIETH'S WAR RECORD
Among the list of officers from Berks County, in the
Revolutionary War, occurs the name of Leonard Rieth (m. to
Anna Maria Zerbe), Wagon Master January 8, 1778. — Penna.
Archives, 2d Series, Vol. 3, p. 23. Part i, Rieth's Record, in
Revolutionary war.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 255
Of the Zerbeys
John^ Reed, (Jonas' or Johan, LeonarcF', George^, Leon-
ard^). m. IMaria Fischer. Their children were:
John:; m. Margaret Guth, da. of Attorney Good, of Harri.sburg; Wil-
liam, m. Susanna Berkheiser; John, David, Daniel, Peter, d.; Maria, wf.—
Marlin; Rachel, wf. of Henry Manbeck; Mrs. Kate Lesher, Mrs. Leah
Merkle. These families went to Illinois, settling there. Peter and John
remained.
Johns Reed, m. Margaret Guth; c., Wesley, m. Ellen V. Berger; c.:
Mary, Sophronia, Irvin D., John, Clinton, Carrie, Robert, 2 da., 1 son, dec.
William^ Reed, (John-, John2 George, Leonard!), wf. Susanna Berk-
heiser; c, Ludwig, Solomon, Jonathan, Daniel, William, John.
Levi6 Reed (LudwigS, m. Susanna Staehle), m. Jane Reber; c., Charles
D.; Alice, m. Daniel Reber.
Irwin D. Reed, school teacher, Reedsville; m. Abbie Fidler; c, John,
Clinton, Pottsville; Robert; Sallie Laubenstein, Panther Valley; Ida We-
ber, Reedsville.
Sophronia, wf. Monroe L. Miller (Wesley), Adamsdalo; two da.
Peter4 Reed (John3, John2 George. Leonardl); c, Henry, Elias, Eman-
uel, George, Peter, Rebecca, m. Wm. Krecker; Sarah, m. Franklin Berk-
heiser; Mrs. Reuben Berger, d., Frackville.
Solomon Reed sons, Jerome and Alexander.
Peter Rieth, b. October lo, 1788, d. January. 1848 (Ja-
cob's Church records) ; buried in Jacob's cemetery. He had
a son, Christian. Mrs. J. W. Hoover, of Bedford, Ind., is a
granddaughter of Christian Reed. Peter Rieth lived in that
vicinity, he married a daughter of Johannes Braun, who lived
in Blue Mountain Hollow, and baptized many children in that
church. Peter Rieth was no doubt a son of Peter Rieth and
wf. Susanna, who baptized a da., Elizabeth, b. January 15,
1803. The first Peter was born about 1767. George Reed
lives at Cressona.
Leonard Rieth and wf. Anna Maria Zerbe, and Johannes
Reed and wf. Catharine, are buried in St. Jacob's cemetery.
Their graves have not yet been identified, being doubtless
some of the many unmarked, of sandstone or common field
stone headstones. (Jacob's Church records.)
Squire Irwin D. Reed, school teacher, relates that deer
and other game were very plentiful in that valley. He remem-
bers well his father telling this story : When butchering time
256 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
came, John Reber, son of Daniel, came from the Summit to
their farm to do the butchering ; when he had the hogs killed
Reber said to John Reed, his father, "now, John, it is time to
go up on the hill and shoot a deer for the sausage," and John
went and shot one and brought it down by the time the hog
was scraped, and sausage making then began.
John Phillip Reed, b. 1698, d. 1783; wf. Veronica ,
b. 1702, d. 1792.
John! Phillip Rieth was a brother of Leonard Rieth, b.
1691, d. 1747.
Michael Reed, (Johni Phillip), b. 1728, d. 1806; wf. Ann
Maria, da. of Frederic Maurer.
Johns Phillip Reed, (MichaeP, John^- Phillip), b. 1764,
d. 1836; wf. Elizabeth, da. of John and Susanna Horner.
Michael^ Reed, (John^ Phillip, jMichaeP, John^ Phillip),
b. 1788, d. 1872; wf. Elizabeth B. Schell, b. 1794, d. 1854.
Maria^ Catharine Reed (see Minnichs.)
Michael Schell, b. 1675, d. 1770; wf. Veronica, b. 1766.
John2 Schell. b. 1729, d. 1782; wf. Veronica Maurer, da.
of Jacob and Sophia Maurer, b. 1761.
John- Schell, b. 1754, d. 1825; wf. Elizabeth B. Hillegas,
b. 1763, d. 1842; da. of .John Frederick and Elizabeth Hil-
legas, b. 1685, d. 1765.
George^ Peter Hillegas, b. 1735. d. 1810; wf. Anna Bar-
bara Hornecker, b. 1737, d. 1810.
The Hillegas family of Tamaqua are descendants.
Rev. John Schell, of Allentown, an early pastor of the
Evangelical church, of Pottsville, was a descendant of Michael
Schell. (Penna. German, May, July, 1901.)
Michael Hillegas was the first Treasurer of the U. S. His
portrait is on the ten dollar gold certificates of the U. S.
Treasury.
John- Phillip Rieth, "of the Tulpehocken," was a taxable
in Pinegrove Township, 1771.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 257
Of the Zerbeys
FIRST AND SECOND GENERATION SHIP LISTS
Immigrants Into Pennsylvania
Ship William and Sarah Hill, from Rotterdam, Philadelphia, Septem-
ber 18, 1727: —John Tob Serveas, Ulrich Sieere.
Ship Elizabeth, from Rotterdam, August 27, 1733:— Jacob Serber, Jr.,
Jacob Serber, Sr. Another list, same ship: Jacob Sorver, age 56; Barbara
Sorver, 23; Fronegh Sorver, 54; Rodelph Sorver, 21; Jacob Sorver, 26.
Ship Glasgow, from Rotterdam, September 9, 1738:— Gottfried Zerfass.
Another list, same ship: Godfriet Serwaes.
Ship Samuel, from Rotterdam, August 27, 1739:— Johan Phillip Serfass.
Another list: Phillipus Serfas.
Ship Robert and Alice, from Rotterdam, December 3, 1740;— Johan
Nicholas Zerfass.
Others who came and must be reckoned in the second generation,
all of whom were over 21 years of age on their arrival, were: Hans Surber,
October 2, 1741; Henry "Cerber, 1742; Caspar Surber, 1737; John Jacob
Zervin, 1742; (2)Hans Surber, 1749; Hans Martin Surfas, 1750; Jacob
Surber, 1752; Johannes Surber, 1752; Wentzel Serb, 1769.
While some of these adopted the "Zerbe" in the spelling of their
names, no connection can be traced to them. The Surbers, doubtless,
were Swedes and are the heads of the families known as Sorber.s, who
are numerous in Pennsylvania and in the United States.
Henry Surber (Zerbe in census of 1790), took out a warrant for land
in Lancaster County, August 9, 1738. (Deed Book, Recorder's office, for
250 acres, not returned.)
Phillip Sowber, October 20, 1738, supposed to be the head of the Sour-
bier or Sorbier branch of Sorbers.
Gottfried Zerben is named as a taxable in Heidelberg Township, 1787.
Gottfried Zerfass, ship lists, ship Glasgow from Rotterdam; another
list, same ship, as Godfried Serwaes, September 9, 1738. He is named as
Godfrey Zerbe in the census of 1790, Berks County, and no other Godfrey
being on record, is doubtless the same man, or his son. March 3, 1789,
Gotfried Zerbe m. Appelona Michael (Christ Church.)
Ship Edinburg, from Rotterdam, September 15, 1749:— Freiderich
Zerfass.
Ship Patience, from Rotterdam, Captain Hugh Steel, September 17,
1753, last at Covv-es, qualified at Philadelphia:— Jean Jacques Servier, af-
terward known as Jacob Zerbe, aged 29 years.
Ulrich Zurger, ship St. Andrew, from Rotterdam, September 23, 1752.
Ship Peggy, from Rotterdam, September 24, 1753:— Jacob Zerbinger,
age 16.
Ship London Racquet, from Lisbon, September 29, 1769:— Wentzel
Serb.
Brig Dolphin, from London, August 29, 1770:— Jean Serieux.
Ship Snow Rose, from Lisbon, September 10, 1770: — Gille Sarier.
Ship Crawford, from Rotterdam, October 16, 1772:— Henrich Zercher.
Some of the above, notably the Serfass', retained the shipmaster's
spelling, but the majority spelled their names afterward Zerbe.
258 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
SHIP LISTS— PENNA. ARCHIVES
Among the names of foreigners who took the oath of allegiance to
the Province and State of Pennsylvania, 1727 — 1775, occur the following:
1733, August 27 — Jacob Server, Sr., and Jacob, Jr., and Rudolph, Ship
Elizabeth, from Rotterdam.
1749, September 15 — Frederick Zerfass, Portsmouth, England, from
Rotterdam.
1738, September 9 — Daniel Staudt, Peter Staudt, Ship Glasgow.
1738, September 9 — Godfried Serwaes, Ship Glasgow, from Rotterdam.
1740, December 3— Johan Nicholas Zerfass, Captain Hugh Percy.
1769, September 29— Joh. Tob Serveas and Wentzel Serb, Ship Eliza-
beth, London Packet from Lisbon.
1775, October 3— Theils Zerfass, Ship King of Prussia, from Rotterdam.
Some of the above were Swedes, whose descendants have since vari-
ously modernized the spelling of their names.
ZERFASS, SECOND GENERATION
Johan Phillipus Serfass (Sevier, Sarva), Ship "Samuel,"
from Rotterdam, August 2^, 1739, landed at Philadelphia,
where he settled. His name appears on the list of members
of the Moravian Church, 1727-1754, (Reichel, Vol. 31, p. 97.
Transactions of the Moravians), he having been a prominent
communicant and helping to build the church, 1742. He re-
moved from Philadelphia to Head's Creek, Upper Northamp-
ton, 1754, where he died on his farm in Chestnut Hill Town-
ship. There are many descendants of this man in that
county.
William, son of Phillip and Mary C. Servas, was a pupil
in the "Kinder Gemeine" of the Moravian boarding school for
boys, 1747, in Frederick Township. This school was dissolved
September 3, 1750, and the pupils transferred to the Moravian
schools in Oley Township and at Bethlehem, (pp. 123-127.)
The ground upon which Fort Norris, Northampton Coun-
ty, stood and that of Fort Franklin, then in the same county,
now in Schuylkill, was owned by John Serfas ; he was the
grandfather of Nathan and T. H. Serfas. — (Indian Forts,
Vol. I.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 259
Of the Zerbeys
John Nicholas Zerfass, Ship Robert and Alice, from Rot-
terdam, December 3, 1740. Settled in Lancaster County. He
took up a tract of land, November 13, 1747, returned, April 25,
1788, and another from Peter Klopp and wf., November 10,
1752. (Deed Book, Recorder's office, Lancaster County court
house, C, Vol. 10, pp. 60, 446.)
In the Abstract of wills of Lancaster County, 1721-1820.
Pennsylvania Historical Society. Philadelphia, Nicholas Zer-
fass died October i, 1784; his heirs were: Wife Elizabeth, c,
Abraham, Daniel, Samuel and Catharine. Among the Wills
of this name, Lancaster County court house, occurs that of
Samuel Zerfass, February 28, 1773, and many others of this
name of a later date. Some of these records show that some
of this line, later, spelled their name "Zerbe."
UNCLASSIFIED ZERBES
Zerbe— Jacob, (Samuel), Middleville, Michigan.
Zerbe — Samuel, brother of above Jacob, d.
Zerbe — Abraham D., (Samuell), Bradford, Ohio.
Zerbe — John, Washington, Illinois, removed to Three Rivers, Michigan.
Sons of John; Lewis, Elias and Jacob, d., whose widow lives in Mifflin
County, Penna.
Zerbe — L. L., Concord, Morgan County, Illinois.
Zerbe — Daniel, b. in North Heidelberg Township, wf. Catharine Eagle;
c, Reuben, William E., Elvina, wf. of John Settler; lives in Kansas.
Zerbe — William E., wf. Sarah Kauffman, had nine children, one of
whom, Henry E., m. Hetty D. Groff, florist, Manchester, York County,
Penna. Five children deceased.
Zerbe — Henry T., Harrison, Nebraska; Miss Lena Zerbe, same, came
west from Landisville, Penna.
Zerbee — Joseph, Ashville, Cambria County, Penna. His daughter mar-
ried F. D. McNeills, Gallitzin, Penna. Joseph Zerbee is of the original
Zerbe stock and came from Lebanon County. He married — — Maguire,
of a Revolutionary War ancestor. The daughter, Mrs. McNeills, belongs
to the D. A. R.
1873, May 23— Zerbe, Kate, da. of John Zerbe; wife — Hiester, of
Upper Tulpehocken; m. Ephraim Henne. They had nine children, three
deceased.
There is a tradition that eight brothers came to America
from Belgium, locating near Jamestown, Virginia. They
spelled the name Surber and Sarvar. It is believed that they
were not brothers, but descendants of the eight brothers,
26o BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Sevier-Sarva, from Alsace, some of whom took refuge in Bel-
gium during the Huguenot persecutions. They colonized
near the border between Virginia and North Carolina, founded
a county and named it Wittenberg County, Virginia.
Surber, Surbey, Sarvar, Canton, Ohio. These names are coin-uptions of
the original Sevier, Sarvas.
Surber, A. C, Muncie Indiana, gives the following data:
Surber, Henry, moved from Roanoke, Virginia, to Hillsboro, Highland
County, Ohio; son, Henry Surber; son, John P., same address.
Surber, John— Sons, Lewis A., Hillsboro; Dr. A. C. Surber, Muncie,
Indiana.
Surber, Rev. Lee, President of the Southern "Christian" College, Nash-
ville, Tennessee, and Minister Plenipotentiary, to Australia during the
Cleveland administration, says: "The Surbers were Huguenots and lived
in Alsace, France, during the Huguenot persecutions." Mr. Surber now
resides in Boise, Idaho.
Zerbe — David, b. in Berks County, 1795. Brothers, Peter, who removed
to Portage County, Ohio; Daniel and sister, Susan, of Reading, John and
Benneville, d., sons.
Zerbe— Daniel W. (David), b. September 3, 1832, wf. Ellen R. Three
daughters, Rebecca Homan, Harriet Darby and Mary Hinkle, d., Wil-
liamsport. Pa.
Zerbe — R. H., (Daniel W., David), manager of Lauderbach, Barber
Company, wholesale grocers, Phillipsburg, Pa. This branch spells the
name "Zerby."
Zerbe — David K., Harry, McClellan and Caroline, of Williamsport.
Two being employed on "The Sun" newspaper.
Zerbe — Mrs. Hannah, Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, Pa.
Zerbe— J. G., Professor in High School, Clearfield, Pa.
Zerbe — J. Edward, Lock Haven, Pa.
(Note — The above were written to regarding their line, but no reply
was received.)
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO BRITISH CROWN
The early immigrants were required to take the oath of
allegiance to the crown of Great Britain and the Province of
Pennsylvania, from the year 1727 to 1775. The originals in
the possession of the Commonwealth having been badly mu-
tihited by those in search of fortunes, the State reprinted them
and they may be found, Vol. XVII, Penna. Archives. All
males over sixteen years of age were required to take this
oath as soon after their arrival as possible.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 261
Of the Zerbeys
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO STATE
By an Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, June 13,
1777, all men above the age of 18 years, were directed to take
an oath of allegiance and fidelity to the State of Pennsylvania.
The United States was not at that time a regularly constituted
government. This was known as the "Test Oath" and showed
that the signer would uphold the new form of government.
In several counties there was much opposition to the
oath, through fear, largely, that the Revolutionary movement
might fail and some were, of course, still loyal to the King of
England. The plain sects, Quakers, etc., refused to make oath
though some affirmed. Berks County was loyal to the State
and nearly all of its male citizens took the oath. The original
manuscript is in the possession of the Berks County Histori-
cal Society, Reading, and contains the signatures of 5,500 men.
ZERBES WHO TOOK THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
Zeiben, Peter.
Zerbe, Johannes, (the miller, Moravian), affirmed.
Zerbe, Hannes.
Zerbe, John George (son of George Peter.)
Zerbe, Michael (son of Geoi'ge Peter.)
Zerben, Daniel, (son of John, the miller.)
Zerben, George Adam, (son of John, the miller.)
Zerben, Christian, (son of John, the miller.)
Zerben, Peter, Sr. (George Peter.)
Zerbe, Christian (son of John Jacob, Martin.)
Zerbe, Peter.
Zerbe, Johannes.
Zerbe, Phillip.
Zerbe, Leonard.
Zerbe, Peter, Jr.
Zerbe, Benjamin.
Zerben, Jacob.
A few only of the connections have been given, others are found on
another page.
The above, with one or two exceptions, all served in the Revolutionary
War. Their records are substantiated on another page. No names on
the list are duplicated. The signatures, each, refer to a different man of
the same name.
262 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
TAXABLES IN BERKS COUNTY, ORGANIZED 1752
1753 — Tulpehocken Township, John Zerbe, (m. C. Stupp.j
1754 — Heidelberg- Township, John Zerbe, the miller.
1754 — Tulpehocken Township, George Peter Zerbe and Peter, Jr.
1754 — Bethel Township, Jacob Zerbe.
1754 — Heidelberg Township, Phillip Zerbe, (afterward of Hetzel's.)
1758 — Heidelberg Township, (same) Phillip Zerbe.
1772 — Pine Grove Township, Daniel Zerbe. (Heidelberg Township in
Revolutionary War.)
1786 — Pine Grove Township, Phillip, Daniel, and George Adam Zerbe.
1786 — Brunswick Township, (Manheim), John George Zerbe.
178G — Same, Peter Zerbe, single, a sojourner. (Supposed to be the
Peter who went to Mahantongo Township and afterward settled in Clarion
County.)
1798 — Tulpehocken Township, John, Emanuel, Christian, Valentine,
Leonard, John and Michael Zerbe.
1798 —Heidelberg Township, Christian Zerbe.
1798 — Pine Grove Township, Daniel, Daniel, Jonathan, Jonathan,
George, and Phillip Zerbe.
1810 — Mahantongo Township, Peter Zerbe.
1810 — Mahantongo Township, George Zerbe, sojourner.
1810 — Heidelberg Township, John (the second miller), and Christian
Zerbe.
1810^ — Pine Gx'ove Township, Phillip, Jonathan, Christian, George Adam,
Thomas and Adam Zerbe.
DATE OF EARLY CHURCHES ERECTED IN SCHUYL-
KILL COUNTY WHEN PART OF BERKS
1755 — Zion's, or Red Church, West Brunswick Township.
1795 — Christ's Reformed, opposite Red Church.
1780 — St. Jacob's Church, one and a half miles from Pinegrove.
1784— St. Paul's, South Manheim.
1791 — St. John's, Friedensburg.
1790 — Summer Hill, near Auburn.
1798 — Frieden's Kirche, New Ringgold.
Some of the above churches existed before they were formally
organized.
Services were held in the school house adjoining the cemetery, in
Beaver Valley, two miles from Cressona, at an early date. This was the
first cemetery in that vicinity until the New Jerusalem, near the alms-
house, was laid out.
THE FIRST CENSUS
The first census in Pennsylvania was taken 1790. The following are
the names of Zerbes in Berks County at that date and the heads of
families:
Adam Zerbe, Andrew Zerbe, Benjamin Zerbe, Benjamin, Jr., Zerbe,
Catharine Zerbe, widow; Christian Zerbe, Christian Zerbe, Elias Zerbe,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 263
Of the Zerbeys
Elizabeth Zerbe, George Zerbe, Godfrey Zerbe, John George Zerbe, John
Zerbe, John Zerbe, John Zerbe, Leonard Zerbe, Peter Zerbe, Phillip Zerbe,
Wendel Zerbe, Benjamin Serva, Benjamin Serva, Frederick Serva, Michael
Serva, Jacob Serva, Christian Server, David Server, Henry Server, Jacob
Server, Jacob Server, Jacob, Jr., Server, John Server, John Server, John
Server, Phillip Server.
(Note — Where a similarity of names occurs, each refers to a dif-
ferent person.)
GRUBER FAMILY, INTERMARRIED WITH ZERBES
Henry Gruber, born, 1710. Died, 1777. Will probated,
June I J, 1777, Berks County, court house. Came to this
country in the .ship "Dragon," qualifying at Philadelphia,
September 30, 1732, and naturalized April 10, 1761. Wife,
Maria Euphrosina. He was a member of the Little Tulpe-
hocken Church, one and a half miles southwest of Bernville.
When St. Daniel's Corner Church (near Robesonia) was
founded, he was one of the original members and he and his
wife are buried in that churchyard, and fifty or more of his
descendants are interred there. He took up three hundred
acres of land in North Heidelberg Township and surveyed
it June 17, 1737. In 1761 this land was patented by Penn's
agents and in 1769 he divided it into two almost equal por-
tions between his sons, John Adam and Henry. His chil-
dren were: John Adam, b., October 19, 1735; d., March 6,
1807, who had two wives, Elizabeth and Sarah. John Adam
had twelve children.
John^ Gruber, (John- Adam, Henry^) owned the old
Gruber homestead, from 1807 till his death, 1829. He had six
children.
Albrecht Gruber, b.. May 9, 1754; d., March 11, 1825;
wf., Susanna Vilibina, da. of Henry Knobb and wf., Maria
Catharine Fidler, b., July 30, 1767; d., June 16, 1847. Both,
with a number of their descendants, are buried at the Union
Church, Smithfield, Jefferson County, West Virginia, to where
they removed from Jefferson Township, Berks County, Penn-
sylvania, about 1806 and where he bought a farm of three
264 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
hundred acres. They had five sons and four daughters. The
third child, Susanna Phillipina Gruber, married John* Zerbe,
(Christian-^, John^, the m., Lorentz^,) the second miller. Al-
brecht Gruber was a son of Christian Gruber, brother of
Henry, the immigrant, who was b. October i8, 1712; d., No-
vember 14, 1781. His wife was Anna Christiana Kunin-
gunda Stupp, b. December 21, 1721 ; d., May 30, 1799.
Elmira Gerhart, da. of Gabriel Gerhart, b. February 24,
1816, d., December 31, 1891, and wf. Catharine Gruber, b.
February i, 1825, d., May 24, 1865., m. Monroe Zerbe.
(The Gruber and Sontag tracts of land in Tulpehocken Township,
now Jefferson and North Heidelberg, were adjacent to the Zerbe lands.)
John- Adam, b., 1705, d., 1807, (Henry^). A daughter,
Catharine, m. John Keller, 1798. They had two children,
Martha and John Keller. Martha married a John Zerbe.
Their children were: Eli, Darius, Rebecca, Catharine, Sarah,
William and John. (Little Tulpehocken church.)
Richard^ Michael Gruber (Michael^, John'^, John^ Adam,
Henryi), b., July 20, 1834, d., March 14, 1909; wf., Mary Ann
Schaeffer, b. September 14, 1833, d., December 26, 1904; both
buried in St. Daniel's cemetery. He was a farmer and school
teacher and a resident of North Heidelberg for forty-eight
years, where he taught school for thirteen consecutive terms.
He and his four sons have a remarkable record as school
teachers, each of them attending his school. The eldest
taught fourteen terms and was succeeded in turn by his
brothers, one of whom is still teaching. Sons :
John Emanuel, b. March 13, 1857; single, lives at Robesonia; clerk in
the Recorder of Deed's office, Reading;
Calvin Luther, b., April 8, 1864; of the faculty of the Kutztown State
Normal School; wf., Sallie G. Belleman; one daughter, Florence May.
Horace Wayne, b., January 16, 1871; wf., Sarah Susanna Gruber;
descended from the line of Christianl; brother of Henryl Gruber. They
have two sons. He is employed at present in the Reading shops of the
Reading Railway Company.
Michael^ Alvin Gruber, (Richard^' Michael, Michael,"* John",
John^ Adam, Henry"^) ; b., April 24, 1855, in North Heidelberg
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 265
Of the Zerbeys
Township. Graduated from Muhlenberg College, with the
degree of Master of Arts, and chose teaching as his profes-
sion. During the school term of 1890-91, forty of his pupils
were teaching in Berks County. In March, 1891, he passed
the civil service examination and was appointed to a clerk-
ship in the U. S. A. War Department, Washington, D. C.
The map of the early JManors in Berks County, on another
page, is from his pen, he having taken his own surveys. Wife,
Amelia Margaret Petree, whom he married 1877 and by whom
he had nine children, four of whom are living.
Ralph Arthur, b., November 12, 1879; d., March 16, 1911; buried at
Tulpehocken (Royer's) Meeting House, Lebanon County, Pa.; graduate,
1899, of the Keystone State Normal School; taught school two years;
married, in 1902, Louisa Elizabeth Eckert, daughter of William J. and
Fianna (Mohler) Eckert; one child, a daughter, Anna Louisa, b., Decem-
ber 8, 1902.
Grace Evangeline, b., October 19, 1882; Womelsdorf, Pa.
Ella Florence, b., July 10, 1884; m., Harry E. Betz; four children:
Earl James Michael, Anna Mary Amelia, Harry Gruber, and Eva Mar-
garet; Womelsdorf, Pa.
Annie May, b., December 10, 1885; graduate, 1905, of the Keystone
State Normal School, Kutztow^n, Pa.; teaching school, 1905-9, at Wom-
elsdorf, Pa., and 1910-12 at Weissport, Pa.
Mary Amelia, b., October 1, 1888; graduate, 1908, of the Inter-State
Commercial College, Reading, Pa.; married Webster Schnabel; a daugh-
ter, Naomi Margaret, West Reading, Pa.
Nicholas Gruber, immigrant, settled in Bucks County,
1750- John H. Gruber, son of Peter Gruber, b., December 14,
1800, d., February 5, 1873. John was b., April 10, 1825, d.,
October 2-], 1888; wf., Angeline Wise. Both are buried in
Mumma's cemetery, Harrisburg. Their daughter, Annie E.
Gruver, married Wm. H. Zerbe, Insurance and Real Estate
Agency, Harrisburg, Pa. John H. Gruver and father, Peter
Gruber, born at Green Tree, near Philadelphia, conducted a
shoe store in Harrisburg. They were descended from Nicho-
las Gruber. The change in the spelling of the name has no
significance.
266 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
SONTAG FAMILY, ZERBE LAND AND ADJACENT
TRACT
Sontag (Sunday) Zerbe. Hans Adam Sontag landed at Philadelphia,
October 26, 1741. There was surveyed for him, on the Little Swatara,
north of Rehersburg, 248 acres of land. He assigned this land to Martin
Triester, who received a patent therefor, July 31, 1750. He lived in the
Tulpehocken after this date, but there is no record of his taking up land.
Adam Sontag, April 18, 1757, had a mortgage recorded on a tract of land
in Tulpehocken Township. Fifty acres of land was warranted, March 7,
1746, for the use, in trust, of the Blue Mountain (Zion) church, east of
Strausstown. Adam Sontag appears as one of the trustees. The children
of Adam Sontag and wife were: Maria Catharine, bap. August 11, 1745;
Jacob, bap. June 2, 1748; Herman, bap. March 30, 1751; Anna Catharine,
bap. November 17, 1753; b. October 30, 1753.
In Deed Book A, Vol. 5, p. 352, Reading: — John Adam Sontag, of
Tulpehocken Twp. (one of the sons of John Adam Sontag, late of Selchen-
bach in the upper Bailiwick of Lichtenberg, in the Dutchy of Zweybrueck,
deceased), and Anna Elisabetha, his wife (late Anna Elisabetha Paff, one
of the daughters of Valentine Paff, late of Schwartzenehren in the Baili-
wick of Lichtenberg, aforesaid, deceased), send greeting: That the said
John Adam Sontag and Anna Elizabetha, his wife, for and in consider-
ation of the natural love which they bear to Nicholas Sontag, of Selchen-
bach, aforesaid, one of the brothers of John Adam Sontag, do grant unto
the said Nicholas Sontag all the Inheritances within the Dutchy of Zwey-
brueck. To have and to hold, etc., etc. Acknowledged before James Read,
Esq., one of the justices of the peace of Berks County, on June 27, 1768.
Adam Sontag, b., June 5, 1764. He married Elizabeth Muench, in
Berks County, December 1, 1789. The census of 1790 gives them as living
in Brunswick Township, with one girl, one boy. 1793 Adam Sontag ap-
pears as a landholder in Northumberland County with four hundred
acres. In 1800 Adam Sunday removed from Northumberland to Centre
County, where he died, April 24, 1855, at George's Valley, his widow
surviving. There is no record of any Sundays intermarrying with the
Zerbes. Henry Sunday, the ancestor of Jacob D. Sunday, present owner
of "Zerbe's Mill," is supposed to be a descendant of Hans Adam Sontag,
but there is no direct proof. This man, with George Peter Zerbe, was
in the Indian war, 1756, when the red men raided that township for cat-
tle. (Indian Forts, Part 1.) (Penna. Archives, Series 5, Vol. 1, p. 50.)
A Johan Michael, son of Jacob Sontag and wf., Catharine, b.. August
31, 1752, baptized November 12. (St. Michael and Zion's church. Phila.)
FIRST GENERATION
Lorentz Zerbe, (Zarva, Sevier), Huguenot, was one of
the three brothers who came from Alsace, France, and sub-
sequently Switzerland and the Palatinates, to New York,
1710, settling on Livingstone Manor and in the Schoharie
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 267
Of the Zerbeys
Valley, coming to the region of the Tulpehocken, Chester
County, 1723, with the thirty-three families from Schoharie,
New York. His history up to this time is synonymous with
that of his brothers, Mardin and John Phillip, except that
there is no record of his having taken part in Queen Anne's
war, 171 1.
He was one of the signers of the petition presented
Governor Keith, and his executive council, of the Ptrovince
of Pennsylvania, by Indian Commissioner Logan, Novem-
ber 25, 1727-28, for a settlement of their lands with the In-
dians — finally efifected September 7, 1732. His name on
the petition was written in German script as "Loritine
Serbo." (Lorentz Zerbe, Part i.)
LORENTZ ZERBE
Lorentz Zerbe, b., 1687; wf., no record. Their children
were :
John Zerbe, the miller, b. 1709, d. 1796; Benjamin, b. 1711; Phillip,
b 1714; Peter, b. 1724; Margaret, b. 1729, d. 1807; was married three times
(His. Samuel Isles). There were doubtless other daughters and, perhaps,
sons born in the interim from 1714 to 1729, of whom there is no record.
Lorentz Zerbe took possession of a tract of land on the
Tulpehocken Creek, 1731, and the homestead, a log cabin,
stood on the knoll above the old mill on the site of the house
now occupied by Nathaniel Zerbe.
On the original warrant, taken out by his son, John
Zerbe, the m., April 22, 1736, at Harrisburg, it says, "who
had already been on this land for five years." The warrant
"granted" was for 250 acres and 14 perches of land. (Deed
Book, office of Internal Affairs, Harrisburg.)^
Twenty-five acres and 14 perches of this tract were pat-
ented to Barbara Fohrer and John Nicholas, March 17, 1817,
(Note 1 — Reckoning each generation at about thirty years, and the
three emigrants as twenty-one years and over (1710) the second gen-
eration began 1728-1737. Those that brought children with them or
that were born in New York, began earlier.)
268 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
and 158 acres and 50 perches of the same tract to John Zerbe,
Jr., et al., January 24, 1873, the land being described as be-
ing in Heidelberg and Tulpehocken Townships. Lorentz
Zerbe was doubtless upon this land, 1723, but like others of
the early settlers was unable to gain a title until the settle-
ment was made with the Indians.
This land was re-surveyed, November 25, 1786, to John
Klinger, Benjamin Servy, George Forrer, Christian Servy,
and the aforesaid John Servy ; the foregoing two being sons
of John Zerbe, the miller, and one of the others his son-in-
law. Upon this land was erected before 1742, the grist mill
known as "Zerbe's Mill," and mentioned hereafter.
John "Service" surveyed 200 acres of land (October 6,
1738, Lancaster County C. H., Recorder's office.)
The township of Heidelberg was laid off from Tulpe-
hocken, 1734, at Lancaster, when the town of Lancaster was
erected. When Berks County was erected in 1752, part of
Heidelberg remained in Lancaster County. Heidelberg was
divided, 1842, into North Heidelberg, Heidelberg and Lower
Heidelberg.
(Note — John Klinger is mentioned in land transactions of Phillip
Zerbe and in connection with the Spanchuchen.)
A grist mill existed, 1732, near the junction of the
"Muhlbach" and Tulpehocken Creek. The sagacity of the
early settlers in settling along the streams was remarkable.
The water power was used to operate small mills for articles
their necessities demanded. It is not known when the Zerbe
mill was erected, but it was in operation and the mill build-
ing on the ground when John "Zerba" bought the right of
additional water power from Jacob Follmer, whose mill was
farther up the stream ; and was probably operated on a
small scale by his father, Lorentz, before 1735. The original
agreement, of which the insert is a fac simile, is to be found
in the Pennsylvania Historical Society Library, Phila., in
the "Original Manuscripts of Berks and Schuylkill Coun-
WATER RKUIT AGKKEMEXT OF JOHANNES ZEKBE, 1747
^■'-^-^p /M^,, ./Ci% /MrVy^. ?<:.>_?. ^. / /:
^^ r^^iJi£A^^_j
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 269
Of the Zerbeys
ties, from 1693 to 1869." Conrad Weiser, Indian Interpreter,
witness. The 50 pounds referred to were about $150 Penn-
sylvania currency. The date of the agreement was October
The map on another page of the settlers' lands, 17^2,
original copy, is also among the manuscripts.
John Zerbe, the m., Heidelberg Township, gave a mort-
gage to Albrecht Strauss, January 2, 1768, for 40 pounds, on
his grist and saw mill and 140 acres of land. Strauss ac-
knowledged payment, June 4, 1784. It is believed that
Lorentz Zerbe lived and died upon this tract and that his
tomb, like that of his son John's, is to be found in the North
Heidelberg cemetery, less than a half mile above the orig-
inal homestead plot. John Zerbe was one of the builders of
this church, 1744.
SECOND GENERATION
EARLY ZERBE MILL
The early Zerbe mill was situated three and a half miles
up the Tulpehocken river from Bernville. It was one of the
earliest saw and grist mills in Berks County and was oper-
ated before 1735, by Lorentz, John, the Miller, and after
by John, the second miller, son of Christian. An old road
draft (Berks County C. H.) shows the exact locality of the
first mill and homestead of John Zerbe, the miller, so marked.
Others who operated these two mills were John George For-
rer, son-in-law of John Zerbe, the miller, Jacob Seybert, Jacob
Wilhelm and Abraham Krick, after whom it was called
Krick's Mills, the present name of the post office. The old
mill was destroyed by fire. John Zerbe (Christian), the
second miller, built the stone mill, a half mile down the Tul-
pehocken, now owned and operated by Jacob D. Sunday.
(Note 1— August Knecht, Pottsville, former editor and publisher of
the "Amerikanischer Republicaner," translated the document from the
German.)
270 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
The foundation walls of the old Zerbe mill are intact
and solid except where part of the walls were removed to
use the stone elsewhere. The miller's house in the rear of
mill is still standing, the fire not reaching it. Under the gar-
den, with the entrance in the cellar of the mill, is a large
vault walled in and as substantial as it was a century and a
half ago. The underground cellar was built as a refuge from
the Indians in 1750 — 56.
John Zerbe, the miller, lived in the log house, the Lor-
entz Zerbe homestead, until he dispossessed himself of his
property or at least until 1788. In 1806, when the Little Tul-
pehocken church Avas rebuilt, the early Zerbe homestead was
razed and the present structure built. In its construction the
two oak entrance doors to the church were used and the two
columns used to support the church are still standing as the
underpinning of the front part of the dwelling. In the large
hall are the balustrades of the staircase of the church sur-
mounting the steps. On the large doors the figures 1742 —
t8o6 are carved. Forty pounds was paid for the material from
the Little Tulpehocken church by Jacob Seybert, (1806,) who
was then the owner of the John" the miller property. The
present owner of the house and farm is Nathaniel Zerbe, a
g. g. g. son of the fifth generation of John the Miller and
Annie his wife, a born Zerbe, with his mother, wife of Henry
Zerbe, d. ; his business is that of a market gardener.
(Note) — C. Z. Weiser, in his life of Conrad Weiser, men-
tions John Philip Zerbe, Martin Zerbe and Lorentz Zerbe as
among those who lived in Livingstone Manor, N. Y., in 1710-
'11, and as being over 21 years of age.)
John^ Zerbe (the miller), (Lorentz^) b. 1709, d. 1796.
He was twice married. First wf., Eva; 2d wf., Elizabeth, m.
1742. He is accredited with having had 21 sons and daugh-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 271
Of the Zerbeys
ters. but some of these belonged to the eldest sons of those
of the second generation, hereinafter referred to. His chil-
dren were with, perhaps, some others:
John Jacob, bap. Aupuat 14, 1743; sponsors, John Jacob Schaeffcr and
John George Gardeau.
(Note— The author paid |1.00 for this one name, obtained at the
Moravian Historical Archives, Bethlehem, Pa., Prof. Wm. A. Schwarze,
Librarian.)
Benjamin, b. 1739; bap., 1740; wf., Elizabeth. (Vol. 5, No. 1, Gen.
Soe. Pub., Philadelphia.)
John Jr., b., 1738; d., 1805; wf., Catharine.
Susanna, d., Jan. 17, 1807.
Peter, b. about 1730; wf., Elizabeth.
Daniel, wf., Anna Maria.
Jonathan.
Valentine, settled in Lancaster County.
Margaret.
Leonard, b. July 12, 174.5; bap. September 28,1745; d. August 20.1824;
m., Barbara, daughter of John Wenrich.
Christian, b. November 16, 1750; d. August C, 1809; m. Sophia Eliza-
beth Liechen.
George Adam, b .December 13, 1753; d. August 5, 1828; m. Catharine.
George, b. September 3, 1754; d. October 11, 1824; m. Chri.stiana Wen-
rich; d. November 12, 1821.
Barbara, m. John George Fohrer.
Elizabeth, m. John Nicholas.
Elizabeth, wf. of John Zerbe, the miller, died December,
1749; m., 1742, (Moravian records). This would indicate that
he had a third wife, of whom there is no record as George
Zerbe, Revolutionary soldier, was born 1754 and other sons
were born after the above date and are duly accredited to
John the miller.
John Zerbe, the m., took out a jjatent for land. 250 acres
and 14 perches, .A.pril 22, 1736, and another for 200 acres.
October 6, 1738, as noted in statement of Lorentz Zerbe on
a previous page.
John Zerbe, the m.. with his brother, Phillip, were peti-
tioners for a new county to be separated from Lancaster
County, 1738.
272 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
In pursuance of an Act of Parliament made in the 13th
year of the reign of King George 2d, an Act for naturalizing
foreign protestants was passed in his Majesty's colonies, en-
titling such to naturalization after producing to court, certifi-
cates of having taken the Sacrament within three months and
taking the prescribed oath, they thereby, "became natural
born subjects of Great Britain." Of these at the April term
of the Supreme Court in Philadelphia, April 10, 1754, was:
John "Sarvar" the miller.
(Note — Others on the same list were: John Caspar
Stoever, September 20, 1741 ; Albrecht Strauss, September
24, 1755; Samuel Filbert, September 24, 1755; Michael Stout,
April I, 1 761, Berks County.)
John Zerbe the m., was a taxpayer, 1754, and tax collector
in Heidelberg Township, Berks County, 1758.
BLUE MOUNTAIN LANDS
No record can be found of when John^ Zerbe, the m., took
out the first warrant for the tract of land "over the blue
hills," now Schuylkill County, but mention is made of his
land and the several lands of his son, "John Jr.", in the land
surveyed by order of Secy. Richard Peters, April 10, 1754*
to Benjamin Zerbe, of Bethel Township, Dauphin County,
who was the grantor, to George Adam Zerbe (son of John
the miller), August 9, 1788; this tract, hereinafter men-
tioned, adjoining that of John the m., Sr. and John Jr. The
land contained 658 acres and with that of father and son
and others of his sons, approximated over one thousand
acres in Pinegrove Township, on the waters of Swatara
Creek and in the "Blue Mountain Hollow," now Schuylkill
County.
John "Zerben" Sr., Heidelberg Township, Berks Coun-
ty, miller, makes application, September 11, 1765, No. 770,
Berks Co. Deed Book, "for 300 acres of land in Pinegrove
Township; surrounded by land of John Zerbe Sr., and oth-
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SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 273
Of the Zerbeys
ers, for 60 pounds, paid by (his son), Daniel Zerben, of said
Township, who gets one-half of the above mentioned tract
of 300 acres.
Benjamin Zerbe, Pinegrove Township, March 15, 1785,
John Zerbe, Sr., miller, of Heidelberg Township, gives to the
above for 200 pounds in gold and silver, 658 acres paid in
installments now satisfied, land north to John Zerbe, Sr.,
then south to John, Jr., tract of 658 acres. Berks County, Deed
Book II, p. 20., Recorder's office. The warrant was issued
for its survey by Secretary Peters to John Zerbe, Sr.
The draft and survey of the George Adam Zerbe tract
appears in the Surveyor General's office, Philadelphia, (says
the deed), but it may be seen in the office of Internal Affairs,
Harrisburg. It says, "upon the payment of 25 pounds addi-
tional in gold and silver, the claim was satisfied and he be-
came the owner, August 9, 1788.
(Note — There were three John Zerbes, taxables, 1754.
They were of the second and third generation. There were
also three John Zerbes in the Revolutionary War, 1776 — '83,
but the latter were of the third generation. The taxables
were: John the m., John (m. Stupp), and the third John may
have been John, son of Benjamin, son of Lorentz, or John,
son of John Jacob.
John Zerbe, Jr., Tulpehocken, gave toValentine Gebhardt,
May 4, 1779, a mortgage for eight hundred pounds on two
tracts of land "across the Blue Mountains," containing 150
and 40 acres of land each. This was marked "satisfied."
Daniel Zerbe, Pinegrove Township, gave a mortgage for
470 pounds, August 5, 1786, on 444 acres of land, two saw
mills and one grist mill to Christian Uhler, of Lebanon,
marked "satisfied."
There was altogether 1000 acres of land in these tracts
this side of the Blue Mountain, and John Zerbe, the m., of
Heidelberg Township, sold it to Daniel, Benjamin, John, Jr.,
274 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Jonathan, George Adam, Leonard, Christian, Christopher and
John George Zerbe, the latter purchasing part of Benjamin's
tract, 1788.
(Note — The name John, meaning "by tlie Grace of God,"
Avas affixed to, as well as used as a direct name. There were
in some families as many as five sons having the name John
as a prefix and also a straight John. John Jacob or "Han
Yawcob," etc. The name Maria (Mary) was used in the
same sense with the girls but usually as a middle name.)
TULPEHOCKEN CONFUSION
John Zerbe, the m., signed rules in the Tulpehockcn con-
fusion for the establishment of a school, 1744. The boarding
school at Nazareth, IMoravian, was founded, j\Iay 28, 1745,
with 18 pupils, and discontinued 1785. Elizabeth Zerbe, da.
of John the m., and Ann Catharine, da. of iSIichael Ricth, of
Tulpehocken and Heidelberg Townships, were boarding pu-
pils. During their school days two little Indian girls, Beata
and Sarah, were baptized at Nazareth, July 27, 1746; they
died of smallpox. The girls were taught spinning in this
school in addition to their studies. (Vol. I, Transactions of
Moravians, Reichel, p. 65.)
x\lbrecht Klotz, from Tulpehocken, native of Hohenloe,
Lower Palatinate, m. Ann Margaret, da. of ■Michael Rieth, b.
in the Schoharie. He kept the Inn, known as the "Rose." at
Nazareth. It was a refuge during the Indian massacre when
sixty terrified men, women and children came to it and the
Moravian "Euphrata" Inn for shelter, November 25, 1755,
and 200 were killed in the vicinity and 100 in the adjacent
neighborhood. — (Indian Forts, Vol. i, p. 272.)
The North Heidelberg church, Moravian, was built in
the Summer of 1744 and was dedicated November 4 with
twenty-two members, among them John Zerbe, the miller,
and wife Elizabeth. It was a Moravian church from that date
to 1760 when the Moravians retired.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 275
Of the Zerbeys
The Moravian Seminary and College for girls and women
at Bethlehem was founded 1742. (Montgomery.)
The jMoravians during their settlement in Oley Township
erected two dwellings on land donated to them by John
De Turck, (g. g. f. of Samuel De Turck. Friedensburg) ,
one of which was for several years a flourishing boarding
school. There were April, 1753, eight of the Brethren and
seven Moravian Sisters here, but John Brucker, who was
their pastor, reported the church poorly attended and advised
those that desired to be brought up in the church to transfer
their membership to the North Heidelberg church.
John Zerbe, the m., gave power of attorney, October 11,
1785, to Leonard, his son, and having dispossessed himself
of most of his property in favor of his heirs, retired to Bethel
Township, Dauphin, now Lebanon County, to live with his
eldest son, Benjamin. The above recorded, Deed Book 9, p.
185, says, "Will at Large." (Berks Co. C. H.) He signed him-
self as John Zerbe "Der Alt." Bethel Township, Dauphin
County.
January 5, 1791, he sold 50 acres of land in Heidelberg
Township (presumably the homestead), to John George and
Barbara Fohrer, his daughter. There is no record of when
or where he died, but tradition says he is buried in North
Heidelberg cemetery and that he died at the house at the old
mill. Other records place the date as about 1796. The Foh-
rers sold the place and removed to Pinegrove Township.
Captain Michael Fohrer, captain of one of the three com-
panies in the Revolutionary War, from Berks (Schuylkill)
County, was a brother of George Fohrer, married to Barbara
Zerbe.
The estate of John Zerbe, "der Alt," was not fully set-
tled until 1806, when April 8, his grandchildren, Jacob, Cath-
arine, David, Samuel and Joseph, children of John Zerbe, Jr.,
petitioned that they might have a share in his estate George
Kohl was appointed guardian.
276 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
(Note — George Kohl was married to a daughter of John
Zerbe, Jr., and lived in Cumru Township, operating the mill
of John, of Cumru, after his retirement and death.
SECOND AND THIRD GENERATIONS
There were three Benjamins of successive generations:
Benjamin^ (Lorentz^,) b. about 171 1.
(Note — Among the folklore of the country a tradition in the Zerbe
family credits this old Benjamin as having been seven feet tall with
corresponding muscular strength.)
John^ Zerbe (Benjamin-, Lorentz^,) b. 1732, m. Anna
Barbara Weickard, 1753; d. November 28, 1758, Tulpehocken.
This John was witness for the will of Jacob Weickard, May
I3» 1753- Letters of administration were granted the widow,
Anna Barbara.
Benjamin^ Zerbe (John3 the m., Lorentzl,) b. 1739; wf., Elizabeth.
(Little Tulpehocken Church record.) Children: Hermanus, b. March 24,
1765; m. Maria Rieth, May 12, 1799.
Benjamin4 Zerbe, (Benjamin^, John2 the m., Lorentzl, )b. May 7, 17C3;
d. April 17, 1819; m. Anna Margaret Wirtz, b. September 17, 1781 Their
children were: 1793, April 17, Elizabeth; 1795, October 3, Susan' Marga-
reth; 1800, August 15, Daniel; 1806, May 11, Elizabeth; 1815, Benjamin;
1816, Jacob. (Baptisms, Christ Church.)
The children of Hermanus Zerbe and his wf. Maria Reith were:
1804, June 11, Heinrich; 1802, December 1, Samuel; 1806, February 20,
Elizabeth. John Jacob and Eva Reith were sponsors. (Baptisms, Christ
Church.)
Benjamin'^ Zerbe settled in that part of Bethel Township,
Berks County, that was afterward included in Dauphin Coun-
ty on its erection, now Lebanon County. He is on record,
1754, as having land surveyed to him in Pinegrove Town-
ship by order of Secretary Richard Peters. (Sec John the
m.) The majority of Zerbes in Dauphin and Lebanon Coun-
ties are the descendants of this man.
John Zerbe, (the miller), grantor, March 2 
