<
M.L
GENEAL0G1
929.2
Z512E
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
^
COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02165 665 4
GENEALOGY
929.2
Z512E
BLUE BOOK
O.
Si\\\Ayk\i{ Coun':
PENNSYLVANIA
ELLlOTf
1916
7\x'C(. C A.-'-/^
SCHUYLKILL CO. BLUE BOOK
Genealogical Records — Zerbeys
187
Origin Of The Zerbeys
NAME TRACED TO NINTH CENTURY
HE Zerbes were originally Norsemen
and natives of ancient Scandinavia, a
general name given in the early cen-
turies to the great tract of country north of
German}^, comprising Denmark, Norvv^ay
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 Hundred 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 were 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 between
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,
1417517
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, 1915.)
(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 Medicus 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 "Zcr-
bian" and "Serbia" instead of "Servian" and "Servia" which is gradu-
ally being accepted.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY igi
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 in the Hanoverian army.
George^ Zarva, Zcrbi, (Christian) had three sons,
George, Wilhelm 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 numerous 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, England. Valentine Sevier,
one of these eight sons, was the father of John Sevier, the
great commonwealth builder.
Another son, John Phillip, 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 187 1, 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 193
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 two 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 I.)
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
county. 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, the 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, Mifflin 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
Martin'^ Zerbe, Martin Zarva, (Sevier), Huguenot, was
of the more than 1000 German and French who came to
New York from Europe, June 13, 1710, 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.^
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 metv
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, 1 7 10, 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 surveyed in the land grants in
Tulpehocken, 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 Oflfice.
Martin Zerbe, as aforesaid, settled on the tract of Fell's Manor,
1723.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 199
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, 32 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 Marsfaretta.
(Note 1 — Colonial Records, Penna. Archives, Vol. 1, pp. 400-405.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 2oi
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. Anna 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. 2.^^.) 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.3
(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. lie 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.
Michael^ 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 MichaeP Zerbe, September
14, 1768, land in Bethel Township. When Bethel Township
was divided Frederick and Michael^ Zerbe were taxpayers
in the Dauphin County Division, 1786. Michael^ 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 Michael^.
(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, (Zei'bes in the Revolution.)
Michael3 Zerbe Account of Captain Weaver's company, from Bethel
Township)
(Note 1 — Christ church records.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 203
Of the Zerbeys
Michael^ Zerbe removed to Cumberland County.
(Abstract of Jacob Zerbe's will, (Genealogical Society,
Philadelphia), probated in Berks County, January 23, 1825,
says : "J'^^o^^ owned land partly 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, Johanres- Sponsors, John Oberle
and Catharine Heck.
B. 1750, December 25; bap. February 3, Ifeox, Christian. Sponsors,
Christian Gruber and wife.
B. 1751, October 3; bap. October 21, Anna Elizabeth.
B. 175G, 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. H, 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 Boycrs
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
Albreclit and John PhilH]) Strauss, of Wurtemberg, 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
i3> '^7^3> <J- before I\Iay 28, 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,) Avhose daugh-
ter, Anna Margaretha, he married in 1734. Children:
Maria Barbara, b. November Ifi, 17.3.5; m., .June 2, 175'i, 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 6, 1742; m. Christopher Schaber, November 9, 1762;
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 Kebner,
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 Stupp^. 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, Serfass), 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 Schuvlkill
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, 1818, 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, Tcnn. ; d.,
November i, 1S65, 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, ]\Irs. 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 stufifs. 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,
w^hich 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 Shamokin, 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, lySo-'Sz;
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 })rivate
burying ground or that their graves are among the many
unmarked in Christ church cemetery. Upon this land, 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 ofifice, 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, ]\Tay 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;
Becond 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 ShafYner, 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. H, 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
Peter^ 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 father-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, William 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
g-eneration and two of the fourth. Those of the fourth gen-
eration were the sons of the third generation of Michaels,
who were first cousins.
Michael^ 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.)
MichaeF 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, (Michael'), 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
(MichaeP), 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"*, Michael^, George^, Martini)
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 physician at Mt. Aetna
and his two sons, Thomas Taylor and B. Frank Zerbe, of
Schaefferstown, 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 i8, 1834; b. March 30,
i /1^ ^'■'^ 1^7
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 Middletown.)
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 Grieif, 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 Deppen 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.)
LATE JACOB KEMERUN6
so
^
N.7ZT, 136
\N.7ZT0
;;)
50 PER
I
5. Z? W. B4-3
OTHER LANDS OF SAIO DE'C.
\HBNRYDBa<ERT,D£'c
LAND OF GEORGE ZERBE, LOCATED, 1785, AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.
PA.. NEAR OLD COVERED BRIDGE. MANHEBI TOWNSHIP.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 217
Of the Zerbeys
bara, wife of Leonard^ Zerbe (John- the m.) ; Margaret
Elizabeth, wf. of Christian Witman, Christiana, wf. 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 efifected.
Heidelberg, before the division, comprised all the land south
of the Tulpehocken creek. Myerstown, Lebanon County,
where some of the Zerbes settled, and Schaefiferstown, 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 oft'ice, 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 Affairs, 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 was 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
220 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 Avf., 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, (Rehers-
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
Henry Zcrbe (Henry and Daniel twins), b. April 3, 1793, cl. February
14, 1816; m. Hannah Miller, whose second husband v.'as Andrew Schwalm.
Anna Maria, b. October 18, 1796; bap. December 11, sponsors, the par-
ents; m. John Adam Miller, 1816, confirmed 1810, d. August 20, 1856, (St.
John's Lutheran Church, Friedensburg.)
Book I, Orphans Court of Schuylkill County, Register's
office. Estate of George Zerhe, of Manheim Township.
(John) George Zerbe died intestate. November 3, 1815,
petition of John Adam, eldest son of George Zcrbe, 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 Friedensburg, number six. The petition for
a partition of estate was granted at the court house, Orwigs-
burg, and the estate appraised 97^ 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 Manheim
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 Wenrich 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 John4 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. Maj^berry 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
UanieP 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 tilled many offices of public trust in the township
ill which he lived. He died at the age of 49 years.
This branch of the family are all buried at Belleman's
cemetery.
Susanna Catherine Zerbe, wf. of VVm. Grieff. Their chil-
dren were :
Daniel Grief, b. JIarch 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 Hlllegas.
Catharine, wf. of Phillip Weiscr, grandson of Conrad Weiscr.
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 Griefif was born in the Rhenish Palatinate,
Zweibruck. He came to this country with the soldiers for
the British crown. He was in the battle of Trenton, where
he was taken prisoner and confined in the prison pen at
Reading for an entire winter, suftering 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 Grieffs are mainly buried in the "New
Jerusalem" cemetery, Spring Garden, Schuylkill Haven.)
224 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Daniel Grieff, son of Catharine Zei'be 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
Republican" newspaper office, 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, v/hen 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,
PViedensburg, (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 Zerbc. 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-
beth 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 life. 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, five sons and four daughters. — Pottsville
"Republican."
(Note— The above was related the author by Jonathan Herring, cl.)
DANIEL ZERBE, CRESSONA
Daniel Zerbe. Wf., Hannah Hummel; b., April 14, 1793;
d. March 10, 1878. They had one daughter. Hannah (Merkle
History), and owned a fine tract of land on the outskirts of
Cressona. Daniel Zerbe Avorked on the canal, was a sub
contractor on the Mine Hill Railway Avhen 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 arc
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 w^as used for the iirst 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 oi feeling followed. Henry
Strauch retired. Many of the church records were lost or
mislaid in the confusion. It is related that when the churcli
was to be built, 1826, it was proposed to hold a lottery and
tickets were fixed at $2.00. \Vm. Griefif'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, was 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, 1815, and died after four months
and 14 days' wedlock, leaving a posthumous son, Henry.
HENRY ZERBE, LEWISTOWN, MIFFLIN CO.
HenryS Zerbe (Henry'*.) On the death of Henry Zerbe.
Sr., his father-in-law, Andrew Miller, took out letters of ad-
ministration, ]\Iarch 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 Graefif w^as 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,
Mifflin 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 (HenryS John^ George, George- Peter,
Martin^), posthumous son of Henry^ Zerbe, was born at Or-
wigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pa., August 8, 1816, and died
at Lewistown, MiiTlin County, December 16, 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 offices
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, 18G0, single. Bi'oker at the Exchange,
Philadelphia.
The above deceased are buried at St. Mark's Episcopal cemetery,
Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pa.
(Note — William Rittenhouse, b. 1C64, 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, 16S8, and came to Germantown, Phila., 1690. He erected the first
paper mill in America. He was the founder of the family to which David
Rittenhouse, astronomer and statesman, belonged. The Rittenhouse fam-
ily of Lewistown trace their ancestry back to the early founders of the
family name 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, 181 5. He removed with his family to Centre
County, near Bellefonte, about 1819, where he took up a tract
of land and farmed it. He 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, with
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.
Mai-y 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.
Mary3 Miller (John^ Adam, Heinricli\), 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, ox 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 child, 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 Powfll;
da. Geraldine, Glen Iron, Pa.
Ammon Miller, m. 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.
John 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 Frankenberger, da., Rhoda Grace, b. P'ebruary 28, 1897, State
Collepe, 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, EflFenger and Minnie,
m., three children.
Alfred, b. June 27, 1847, m. Amanda Lutz, da. Tolitha, m., two children;
Alfred's second wife, Agnes Greeningcr, 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, Laura 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 Grieft. The aged suitor 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. "Aloney 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? AMiy, 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 Grieff,
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, 1814, 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 MichaeP (Peter^) 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. Graeff.
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.
234 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, 1866, 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 Tl, b. April 24, 1876,
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 16, 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 Northumberland 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 Mordecat
Brobst, Pottsville.
Mary A. Zerbe, b. 1849, single.
Anna L. Zerbe, b. 1851, d. October 30, 1901; teacher in the public
schools.
Lillie Zei-be, 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 was 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
William 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 was 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.
1801, 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 l^aton, 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 youth.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 337
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, 18-55, Warsaw 111.; m. December 2(5,
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.,
Gi-een 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 but 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 New Castle and subsequently of Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., were amonjj
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, Orvvigsburg, 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 JNIansion House, ran
stage lines and owaied 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, o"
the roster of the American Hose Fire Company, as havhig
been one of the charter members. He removed to Tamaqua
after his marriage, where he worked at his trade, and served
238 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. Januai-y 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, wf. of George Zerbe, West BrunswicV: 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 ELLSWORTH 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, 1911. 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 Zerbey, (George', Johu'^ George,
George- Peter, Martin^), was born in the Panther Valley
(Bender Thai), Schuylkill County, January 22, 1824; d. May
30, 1 891. The family removed to a farm, in West 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. He 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 w^as 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 Orwigsburg,
known as the "White Church," was erected 1831.)
(Note 2 — In 1872 when Barnum's circus visited Pottsville, Prof. Getler
accompanied it. He wore a purple gold braided velvet waistcoat with
wide white 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,
i868-'7i, 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 government 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 \\'ard, Pottsville. He was a liberal giver
to the church and to any cause he espoused.
AVilliam M. Zerbey m. Sarah L. Schwalm, da. of Andrew
and Hannah Miller Schwalm (Schwalm history), December
21, 1847, 3^t Orwigsburg. Sarah Schwalm, b. September 3,
1830, d. August II, 1914. Their children were: William, d. ;
John Franklin. Heber Swalm, Joseph Henry, Rol:)ert An-
derson, Frederic E., Ella 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
2T,, 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. A\'ar 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 I\I. and Margaret. John F. Zerbey, Jr.,
electrician, in business Fourth and Arch Streets, Pottsville.
(Note — Jacob Easterly, 22, qualified at Philadelphia, September 20,
1733. He was a taxpayer in Berks County, 1754, died 1758; wf. Eliza-
beth. Died intestate. Daniel2, 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 Daniel2, Sheriff of Berks County, 1841-'44. George
son of Daniels, was the father of Daniel Esterly, of Pottsville. Daniel2
Esterly, b. August 27, 1758, d. September 27, 1822.)
lieber Swalm Zerbey, \vf. Hannah, da. of Samuel 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, \^^ 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. Sigfried, 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. (1. June, 1853, near Rebersbtirg, Schuylkill County, and is
buried at the Bethel Church. He owned a farm and kept
a hotel across the Blue Mountains from Rebersburj^. He
married Barbara Fiegol, and their children, of whom thc}^
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, wf. of Robert Braun, owner of the Braun School of
INIusic, 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 I\lanu-
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 with
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
offices 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 ofifices
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; \vf., 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. He 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. He 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 Episcopal
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. Air.
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 ICS79, when he sold the busi-
ness to his brother-in-law, Joseph Henry Zerbey, who was
already engaged in the oflice 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. EL 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, 1G0.3; 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, 1C52, (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, 1693; d. April 8, 1751; m. April 20, 1715,
Elizabeth Balch, b. 1696; d. May 1, 1718; m. April 20, 1720, Hannah Wal-
dron, 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.
i-esidence, 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; v/as 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 i d. January
12, IcSqo. He was the eldest son of John C. Harper and wf.
Margaret, an individual coal operator and superintendent of
mines, of Ashland, Pa., and who later was identified with his
son, the above, with the Wm. 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
w^as 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. Hill, 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 L 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 Zcrbe 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
252 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
the children of Johan^ George Rieth (Leonard^), born in the
Schoharie Valley, New York, and reared in the Tiilpehocken.
Leonard^ Rieth, married Anna Maria Zerbe, (George^
Peter, Martini, 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 County, 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 afiiliated 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 27
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 who 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 Pincgrove Township, Berks County,
and they were among its first members.
The first communion, recorded 1799, gives Leonard
Rieth and wife, Johannes Rieth, Catharine Ricth 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
Zerbe, 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
(1% miles below 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.)
(Note — 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 Ricth 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 9,
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
15. I755» was 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 Tulpehockcn
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 V/AR RECORD
Among the list of officers from Berks County, in the
Revolutionary W^ar, 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, Leonard^ George-, Leon-
ard^), m. Maria Fischer. Their children Avere :
JohnS m. Margaret Guth, da. of Attorney Good, of Harrisburg; Wil-
liam, m. Susanna Eerkheiser; John, David, Daniel, Peter, d.; Maria, wf. —
Marlin; Rachel, v/f. of Henry Manbeck; Mrs. Kate Lesher, Mrs. Leah
Merkle. These families went to Illinois, settling there. Peter and John
remained.
John3 Reed, m. Margaret Guth; c., Wesley, m. Kllen V. Berger; c. :
Mary, Sophronia, Irvin D., John, Clinton, Carrie, Robert, 2 da., 1 son, dec.
William^ Reed, (JohnS, John2 George, Leonardl), wf. Susanna Eerk-
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), Adamsdale; two da.
Peter4 Reed (JohnS, John2 George. Leonardl); c, Henry, Elias, Eman-
uel, George, Peter, Rebecca, m, Wm. Krecker; Sarah, m. Franklin Eerk-
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
2s6 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.
Michael2 Reed, (Johni Phillip), b. 1728, d. 1806; wf. Ann
Maria, da. of Frederic Maurer.
John3 Phillip Reed, (Michael^, John^ Phillip), b. 1764,
d. 1836; wf. Elizabeth, da. of John and Susanna Horner.
Michael* Reed, (John^ Phillip, Michael^ Johni Phillip),
b. 1788, d. 1872; wf. Elizabeth B. Schell, b. 1794, d. 1854.
Maria^ Catharine Reed (see Minnichs.)
IMichael^ 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.
John3 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, h. i72)7^ <J- 1810.
The Hillegas family of Taniaqua arc descendants.
Rev. John Schell, of Allentown, an early pastor of the
Evangelical church, of Pottsville, was a descendant of Michael
Schell. (Peinia. 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.
John3 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 Sorbers, 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 Cowes, 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 Pacquet, 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.
358 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
SHIP LISTS— PENNA. ARCHIVES
Among the names of forei^ers 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
Johau Phillipus Serfass (Sevier, Sarva), Ship "Samuel,"
from Rotterdam, August 27, 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 Plead'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 KIopp 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., (SamueU), 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.
Zei'be — 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. McNellis, 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. McNellis, 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 corruptions 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, Fi'ance, during the Huguenot persecutions." Mr. Surber now
resides in Boise, Idaho.
Zerbc — 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., Davidj, 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.
Zei'be — 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-
tilated 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
Zei-ben, Peter.
Zerbe, Johannes, (the miller, Moravian), affirmed.
Zerbe, Hannes.
Zerbe, John George (son of George Peter.)
Zerbe, Michael (son of George 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.)
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.)
17SG — Pine Grove Township, Phillip, Daniel, and George Adam Zerbe.
1786 — Brunswick Township, (Manheim), John George Zerbe.
1786 — 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 Grove 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 17, 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,
t8i6, 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,
Henry^), 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^
John2 Adam, Henryl) ; 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 Manors in Berks County, on another
page, is from his pen, he having taken his own surveys. Wife,
Amelia Margaret Petree, whom he married 1877 ^^^ 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, Kutztown, 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, 175G, 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 Avho 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 Province
of Pennsylvania, by Indian Commissioner Logan, Novem-
ber 25, 1727-28, for a settlement of their lands with the In-
dians— finally effected September 7, 1732. His name on
the petition Avas 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, ofifice 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 RIGHT AGREEMENT OF JOHANNES ZERBE, 1747
.^ .:^ c;^-^^ ...-^ J:^:^
'u^ ij^ta*.*
^^
/^C^^ .i^'
\
(TRANSLATION.)
1747, December 10. An agreement between Jacob Fol-
mer and John (Johannes) Zerbe about a water right which
begins in following manner, to-wit : The dam begins above
John Zerbe's mill on the west side of the creek at a large
rock, whereat a small swamp begins, and thus gradually up-
wards along the creek, and Jacob Folmer has the right to
swell the water up to the first brook on the west side of the
creek, and no further, and what water flows over and through
John Zerbe's dam, Jacob Folmer may use to his best advan-
tage. The water race is to begin at the dam as at present
and will be 6 feet wide according to water level and leading
through the land of John Zerbe ; where the race runs above
along the roadway it must have two feet of breastwork, and if
the water should break through it, Jacob Folmer shall be
bound to repair the same immediately. Jacob Folmer shall
also be bound to keep the road in good condition for riding
or driving, so that every one may come and go without any
danger. John Zerbe also requires of him that this water shall
not serve to operate a grist mill, but as soon as a grist mill
is Duilt on this said water, the right to the water shall be for-
feited and return to John Zerbe and his family. Both parties
bind themselves to keep this agreement right and faithfully
in the sum of fifty pounds, and that it all shall be properly
put in writing.
JOHN ZERBE (Seal)
JACOB VOLLMER (Seal)
Witness our hand and seal
In presence
Conrad Weiser
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
3. 1747^-
The map on another page of the settlers' lands, 1742,
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 Fer-
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, Pottvsvillc, former editor and publisher of
the "Amerikanischer Republicaner," translated the document from the
German.)
370 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 was 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 —
1806 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 2t 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. August 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.
Soc. 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, 1745; bap. September 28,1745; d. August 20.1824;
m., Barbara, daughter of John Wenrich.
Christian, b. November 16, 1750; d. August 6, 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. Christiana 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 patent for land, 250 acres
and 14 perches, April 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
-4' 1755 i Samuel Filbert, September 24, 1755; Michael Stout,
April I, 1761, 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
To\vnship; surrounded by land of John Zerbe Sr., and oth-
H
J.S3MMJ/)OS j
i f
30O
y^/9
^ij °^
KRICI
cw'
oo
>
si
S
^
^
c^
^
til
u
Qi
s
§
•^
HOh/O^O (XL OVO^
O
<^
^
^
^
i^
CL
k
->J
::)
k
vj
§
5
50
!ii
SQ
t^
111^
3HJ.CU
^
'N
i 17IANl/3gi^V9
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 to Valentine 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 the Grace of God,"
was 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 Tulpehocken con-
fusion for the establishment of a school, 1744. The boarding
school at Nazareth, Moravian, was founded, May 28, 1745,
with 18 pupils, and discontinued 1785. Elizabeth Zerbe, da.
of John the m., and Ann Catharine, da. of Michael Rieth, of
Tulpehocken and Heidelberg Townships, were boarding pu-
pils. During their school days two little Lidian 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.)
Albrecht Klotz, from Tulpehocken, native of Hohenloe^
Lower Palatinate, m. Ann Margaret, da. of Michael Rieth, •).
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 Moravians 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
tamily 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; w{., Elizabeth.
(Little Tulpehocken Church record.) Children: Hermanus, b. March 24,
1765; m. Maria Rieth, May 12, 1799,
Benjamin* Zerbe, (Benjamin?, Johni the m., Lorentzl, )b. !\Iay 7, 1703;
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. (See 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 26, 1788, to
Benjamin Zerbe, Tulpehocken Township (B. 10, p. 332) ;
John Zerbe, Sr., Pinegrove Township, grantor, June 11, 1788.
(B. II, p. 20.)
TOMBSTONE OF MARIA MARGARETHA ZERBEY ILES, WIFE OF
MISSIONARY TO ANTIGUA, WEST INDIES.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 277
Of the Zerbeys
Michael Kiintz, grantor, to Benjamin Zerbe, Pinegrove
Township, (B. 12, p. 246.)
Part of this tract of 1000 acres in Pinegrove Township
was taken up by John George^ Zerbe (George^ Peter.)
Benjamin Zerbe was a taxpayer in Pinegrove Township,
1772. — (Revokitionar)^ War Record.)
SECOND GENERATION
There were two Pteters of the second generation.
Peter^ Zerbe (Lorentz^), b. 1724; wf. Anna Elizabeth
Emerich ; bap., da. Anna Elizabeth, March 16, 1748. Magar
and Elizabeth Emerich, sponsors. — (Stoever's records,)
and George^ Peter (Martin^.)
THIRD GENERATION
Peter^ Zerbe (John- the m., Lorentz^), b. 1730, m. Anna
Elizabeth, da. of Abraham Loucks, December 20, 1747.
Abraham Loucks, in will proven August 15, 1772, (Vol. 2, p.
115, Abstract of Wills, Berks County, Genealogical Society,
Philadelphia,) mentions his daughter Elizabeth, married to
Peter^ Zerbe, (John- the m., Lorentz^), and her daughter
Elizabeth, also his daughter Christina, married to George-
Peter Zerbe (Martin^). George Peter also had a son Peter.
DR. SAMUEL ISLES, MISSIONARY TO ANTIGUA,
DANISH WEST INDIES
The Moravian Church in America owes its existence to
Count Zinzendorf, nobleman of Saxony, who in 1722, began
to gather together the persecuted Huguenots and espoused
their cause. He established a colony on his estate and sent
out many missionaries and small colonies to distant parts
of the world.
Zinzendorf, the great head of "the Universal Church,"
was present at the coronation of Christian VI, of Denmark.
Some of his domestics became acquainted with a negro who
278 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
told them of the miseries endured by the negro slaves in
St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, and Zinzendorf determin-
ed to send teachers to them. Leonard and Tobias Leupold
left London, 1731, for St. Thomas.
Dr. Samuel Isles followed 1748, spending eight years of
active service at Nisky, on that island. In 1756 he went to
Antigua, D. W. I. On his arrival he waited on the Governor
and showed him the Act passed 1749, by the Danish govern-
ment, favoring the work of the Moravian Brethren. The
planters patronized him giving him their permission to preach
on their plantations. The following year he baptized a negro
woman and proposals were made him for building a place of
worship. In 1761 a piece of ground, in the town of St. Johns,
was bought for a mission and Samuel Isles with his two as-
sistants, John Bennet and Wm. Lister, continued to preach
and work among the negroes.
Contagious fevers prevailed in the Danish West Indies
that were peculiarly fatal to Europeans ; it was from one of
these fevers that Samuel Isles' first wife died, in 1760, leaving
a daughter four years old. Thirty-six negroes were baptized
in the small native church and 7,400 from 1756 to 1792 by suc-
cessive missionaries. Count Zinzendorf was amazed at the
work accomplished and the Government acknowledged the
benefit of it. (Sketches of Moravian Missions, 1731 — 1817, by
Rev. John Holmes.) Of the 194 persons employed in the last
one hundred years on this Island, forty-six have died of the
native fever. (Retrospect of Moravian Missions in Antigua,
London Publication, p. 6.)
John Brucker came to Pennsylvania, 1742. From 1743
to 1745 he was a missionary on St. Thomas, Danish West
Indies. In 1746 he became pastor of the Moravian churches
in the Tulpehocken. From 1754 to 1764 he was the first
resident missionary on St. Juan, D. \W . I. In 1761 he accom-
panied Samuel Isles, for a short respite from their work, to
Pennsylvania where Samuel Isles married Maria Margaret
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 279
Of the Zerbeys
Zerbe, daughter of Lorentz Zerbe and sister of John Zerbe,
the miller, Moravian, who helped build the North Heidelberg-,
Moravian, church, where John Brucker at times preached and
assisted Brother Neubert and his wife Elizabeth, in the par-
sonage. John Brucker returned and went to St. Crois,
where he died, November 8, 1765.
Samuel Isles was accompanied by his wife to Antigua,
leaving his daughter in charge of the Moravian sisterhood, to
be educated at the school, Bethlehem, Pa. She died at the
age of 57, unmarried.
Samuel Isles died in Antigua of fever, in 1765, and was
buried there. (Transactions of the Moravians, Vol. 4, p. 268;
Vol. 6, p. 184; Vol. 5, p. 189.)
From tombstones in old Moravian cemetery, Bethlehem :
Maria Elizabeth Isles, b. 1756; d. 1813. She was born in
the Island of Antigua, D. W. I. her father, Samuel Isles, be-
ing the pioneer missionary on that island, who died there.
Row IX, unmarried women. Section C.
Maria Margaret Zerbe (da. of Lorentz Zerbe), b. 1729,
d. 1807, from the Tulehocken, Pa., was thrice married. First
husband, Samuel Isles, missionary to Antigua, D. W. I. ; m.
November 29, 1761, who died there, 1765. Second husband,
Paul Schneider, m. 1767, died same year. Third husband, J.
Chr. Auerbach, m. 1769, d. 1792.
Row V for women, section A, Old Moravian cemetery,
Bethlehem, Pa.
LEONARD ZERBE
Leonard^ Zerbe, (John^ the m., Lorentz"^,) b. July 12;
bap. September 28, 1745; d. August 20, 1824; wf. Barbara
Wenrich, b. July, 1744; d. December 29, 1819; c, John, b.
August 12, 1772; bap. March 3, 1773; d. January 9, 1859.
(Christ Church records); Christina, b. January 7, 1781 ; bap.
December 24; d. September 9, 1854. (Little Tulpehocken
church records); Leonard'*, bap. June 4, 1783; d. September
28o BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
i6, 1854; John was baptized same date. John Jacob, b. Octo-
ber 25, 1786, (Christ church.) John"* (Leonard^) stood spon-
sor for Leonhard's'* son; John S., b. 1817; bap. April 9, d.
September 9, 1854. (Revolutionary War Record.)
Leonard4 Zerbe lived in Bernville, where he has numerous descend-
ants. Leonard4, (Leonard>), b. June 4, 1783; d. September 16, 1854; m.
Susanna Scharff, March 19, 1805, (Christ Church); b. July 8, 1788; d.
March G, 1858. Their children were: John S., b. 1817; Margaret, b.
March 30, 1805; wf. Benjamin Marks; Eliza, b. October 4, 1814; \vi', of
Henry Martin. His will was probated November 8, 1854. (B. 8, p. 37,
57, 157, Berks County C. H.)
In the office of the Department of Internal Affairs, Harrisburg, is a
draught of the original survey of 172 acres 76 perches of land in the
Township of Tulpehocken, Berks County, to Leonard^ Zerbe, date of
warrant August 1, 1793; returned January 20, 1819, by same. Jacob
Spangler, Surveyor General.
Israel^ Zerbe, b. October 24, 1840, still living, (John^
Scharf Zerbe, m. to Lydia Kantner; Leonard^ Zerbe, w. Su-
sanna Scharf, Leonard^, w. Barbara Wenrich ; John^ the mil-
ler, Lorentz"^), m. Priscilla Barr; c, Adam, wf. Sallie Stoup ;
Annie, m., one child. Israel Zerbe lives on a fine farm, his
son Adam resides on the same place. The business of mar-
ket gardening of the former being carried on by the son with
Reading as the market place. Situated near Cross Keys P. O.
VALENTINE ZERBE
There were three Valentines of the third generation and
one of the fourth.
Valentine^ (John" the m., Lorentz^) He went early to
Lancaster County, (B. R. 46, p. 52, that county, records),
Valentine Zerbe, Grantor to John Zerbe (his son), July 10,
1793, and July 27, 1793. Real and personal estate. Will
proved July 22, 1795. Their children were Jonathan, Mich-
ael, Peter, Mary Hillman and Elizabeth Meanser. Jonathan*
Zerbe died about May 6, 1790, in Leacock Township; wf.
Christina. "His estate to go to his brother Michael's wife
on their death. Adam Miller, executor." — (W. B. Lancaster
C H.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 281
Of the Zerbeys
(Note) — There are many Zerbes in Leacock and Cocalico
Townships, some of whose ancestors had settled early beyond
the line that (1752) divided Berks from Lancaster. They
had taken land there before Berks was erected and remained.
Pieter Zerbe, doubtless the Peter, son of Valentine, had 80
acres of land surveyed, July 2, 1790; he warranted it, March
14, 1817. — (Records, Lancaster County C. H.)
CHRISTIAN ZERBE
Christian^ Zerbe, (John- the m., Lorentz^), b. November
16, 1750; d. August 6, 1809; wf., Sophia Elizabeth, Eva Maria
Liecken; m. August 26, 1774; b. December 17, 1752; d. Au-
gust II, 1818. (Little Tulpehocken cemetery tombstone.)
Their children were : Christian, Jacob and John. The will of
Christian Zerbe was probated February 27, 1809, with his
sons, Jacob and Christian as executors. (Will Book, Vol. 5,
p. 244. Berks County C. H.) (See map of Pioneer Home-
steads for land.) Christian Zerbe lived in Tulpehocken Town-
ship during his lifetime.
Christian* Zerbe, Jr., (Christian^), b. 1776; m. Catharine Deado; their
children were: Elias, b. June 8, 1814; Levi, b. October 18, 1815; Eneas, b.
October 24, 1822.
EliasS Zerbe, (Christian*, Jr., Christians, John2 the m., Lorentzl);
m. Rebecca, (da. of John Zerbe and granddaughter of Christian, Sr.)
Their children were: Sarah C, b. August 11, 1839; Annie R., b. October
12, 1841; James E., b. April 11, 1844, Lebanon; John A., b. June 9, 1847,
single; d. August, 1913, buried at Rehersburg; Sue E., b. May 17, 1852;
Clara H., b. March 27, 1856. This family lived at Rehersburg, Berks
County, but removed to Ford County, Kansas, with their six children and
their families. Elias Zerbe and wife are buried in Kansas. Several of
the children returned to Lebanon, Pa.
Sarah C. Zerbe, m. Charles F. Sippel; da. Annie, b. January 17, 1866;
Samuel Topley, 2d h.; Annie Sippel m. Wm. J. Fitzgerald; children: Wm.
Russell, Charles Eustace.
Annie R. Zei'be, m. Wilson H. Strickler, no children.
James E. Zerbe m. Evaline Schriver; no children.
Sue E. Zerbe, m. Harry B. Karch; children: Zerbe E., b. April 1,
1884; Mary R., b. January, 1887; Irene, b. August, 1888. Clara H. Zerbe
m. Samuel R. Gingrich, d.; children: James W., b. July 3, 1866; John, b.
April, 1888. Annie R., b. December 15, 1889; Eva C, b. January 21, 1892.
282 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
James E. Zei-be, Lebanon, says: His grandfather, Christian-l is buried
at Shiremanstown, Cumberland County, where the family had removed.
His wife, Catharine-i, a born Zerbe, and son Levio, father of Bentonfi H.
Zerbe are buried at Harrisburg.
(Dr. D. W. C. Laverty, Middletown, Pa., and Anna Priscilla Erving,
Newburgh, N. Y., are indirect descendants of Christian* Zerbe.)
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORD
Christian Serfass, Vol. 4, p. 664; Vol 8, p. 203. Same from Northamp-
ton County, Vol. 8, 493.
Christian Zerbe., Capt. Phillip Filbert's Co., Berks County, Vol. 6,
p. 322.
Both Christians were in the Revolutionary War, Part 1, the latter is
the head of this line.
Eni5 Zerbe, (Christian*, Christian^> Jr., John the m., Lorentzl); b.
October 24, 1822; m. Lizzie, da. of Wm. H. Bradford. Their children were:
Mary E., b. January 14, 1845; Lydia A., b. April 11, 1846; William A., b.
August 11, 1851; James V., b. March 25, 1853; Mina A., b. April 9, 1855;
Ida R., b. October 27, 1857; Edward M., b. March 10, 1860; Robert H.,
b. May 13, 1862; Ellen W., b. May 13, 1864; Estelle M., b. January 23,
1866.
Mary m. George Free; c: George, b. November 5, 1866; Mary E., Robert.
Lydia m. George Drawbauch; c: Elmer, b. 1870; Cora, b. 1872; Myr-
tle, b. 1874; William W., b. 1876; George B., b. 1878; Ralph A., b. 1880;
Edna M., b. 1882; John B., b. 1884; Beuhla, b. 1887; Hazel, b. 1889.
William Zerbe m. Annie Gruber; c: William, Raymond, Sophia,
Edna, Harry.
James V. Zerbe m. Jennie Taylor; c: Ralph, b. February 14, 1879;
Wilson B., b. September 22, 1880; Leon R., b. January 7, 1895; Cecil L.,
b. April 1, 1899; Esther E., b. August 21, 1901; Dorothy, b. June 10, 1904;
Emily R., b. 1908; Lawrence, b. October 27, 1911.
Mina A. m. W. W. Winne; c; Mabel, b. 1876; Arthur, b. 1879.
Ida R. m. John Miller, son Donald; Edward, d. December 24, 1874.
Robert, m. Priscilla; son Robert.
Levi'> Zerbe, (Christian*, Christian'!, John-' the m., Lorentzl); b. Oc-
tober, 1816; m. Mary Reber, Lebanon. Their children were: Benton H.;
Annie P.; William K.; Lina; Marion. Annie m. John Irving; da. Dolly.
Wilkins not heard from since close of the Civil War. Lina m. Alfred
Morey, d. Marion m.— —
BENTON H. ZERBE
Benton'' H. Zerbe, (Levi''. Christian'. Christian', John^
the m.. Lorentz^). b. in Lebanon, 1840. where he received his
early cdncation in the public schools. His father destined
him for the legal profession but he disliked the close appli-
cation to studv and when but little more than fourteen years
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 283
Of the Zerbeys
of age he ran away from home and shipped from New York
on a sailing vessel as shipmaster's apprentice, for the East
Indies.
He was shipwrecked several times and was once, with
several companions, cast on a desert island in the South Seas,
where they were compelled to remain for several months
until they were, at length, picked up by a passing vessel.
Shipping again and re-shipping on different vessels, in the
trading lines, he sailed all over the world, meeting" with the
most thrilling experiences, with the aborigines, in distant
parts, and encountering the severest hardships in the Simoons
and tropical storms of the equatorial and South Sea regions
and being given up, many times, as dead by his friends.
After about seven years of this rigorous life, he settled
in New Orleans, to which port he had last sailed, to and fro,
in a fruit and cotton trading vessel, from Jamaica. Engag-
ing in a shipping branch of the above line, he was prospering,
when the Civil War broke out in 1861. He was conscripted
into the Confederate army and belonged to the famous
"Louisiana Tigers."
Benton Zerbe's sympathies, however, were with the
North and he permitted himself to be taken prisoner, by U. S.
troops, at Gettysburg. He was imprisoned at Fort Mifflin,
on the Delaware, where he took the oath of allegiance. He
at once entered actively, with others, in the raising of the 3rd
New Jersey Regiment of Cavalry, recruited for the U. S.
army and was made a Captain of one of the companies, with
which he served until the close of the war. The men of this
regiment were known as the "New Jersey Butterflies," owing
to their blue capes, lined with bright yellow. The service
they performed in the War of the Rebellion is a matter of
history.
284 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
With the close of the Civil War, 1865, Benton Zerbe be-
came foreign sales agent for the Armstrong and Whitney
Firearms and War Supplies Company, of New York, and
sailed at once for Europe.
Already an accomplished linguist, through foreign travel,
in coming in contact with the military heads of the different
European governments, in pursuance of the business with
which he was connected, it became second nature with him
to study up the nomenclature of the countries he visited and
thus pursue and trace up the records and history of his fam-
ily name.
Benton H. Zerbe married Miss Jeanettc Scott, of South
Shields, England, 1868. Two children were born them,
Harold and Ethel. The former is an electrical engineer in
the English Navy. When last heard from both were un-
married. Mr. Zerbe resided at New Castle, on the Tync,
England, where he died in 1899.
(The author is indebted to James E. Zerbe, of Lebanon, uncle of
Benton Zerbe, for the use of his brief and terse letters from abroad, from
which facts have been gleaned of the history of the Zerbe family, in
Europe, and carefully compiled.)
JOHN ZERBE'S LAW SUIT
John* Zerbe, the second miller, (Christian^, John- the m.,
Lorentz^), was a unique character. He lived at the old
mill of John Zerbe the m., but built the stone mill a half
mile down the creek now owned and operated by Jacob D.
Sunday (Sontag). There was a small mill at this point prior
to this date. A record in the Berks County D. B. says :
"Jacob Zerbe and wife Catharine, together deeded the mill
to John Zerbe, the miller, wf. Vilibina Gruber." The location
of Christian Zerbe's land is shown upon the map of the
Homesteads, (1723), upon another page. This land was di-
vided between his sons, Jacob, Christian and John.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 285
Of the Zerbeys
Jacob Zerbe, (Christian, John the m., Lorentz), lived on
a tract of land adjoining Albrecht Strauss', between John
Zerbe, the miller's, and that of his cousin, George Peter-
Zerbe's, at Hosts.
John* Zerbe, second miller, got into an altercation with a
neighbor as to who owned a certain field, the dividing line
between their plantations and a law suit followed which was
bitterl}'^ fought in the Berks County courts, and lasted fifty
years and even now no title is given to the land which has
been sold and resold for the taxes and in which litigation the
different owners of the mill were drawn. John Zerbe is said
to have lost thirteen thousand dollars through this suit and
died a comparatively poor man as the result. Jacob Wilhelm
and three sons sold the mill to J. D. Sunday, who enjoys a
prosperous business as the result of his energetic methods of
conducting it.
George Schaffner, son of Daniel Schaffner, who bought
the property at Hosts from the George Peter Zerbe heirs,
built the Cross Keys Hotel, 1844. His father the same year
built an oil mill near where "Sharva's Run" empties into the
Tulpehocken, between the old and new mills.
John'* Zerbe, (Christian), the second miller of North Hei-
delberg Township, b. June 24, 1783, d. December 21, 1857.
Wife, Susanna Philipina Gruber, da. of Albrecht and Su-
sanna Knobb Gruber, b. September 22, 1790, d. December 24,
1869. Both are buried in the Little Tulpehocken church cem-
etery, one and a half miles w^est of Bernville. They had six-
teen children, seven sons and six daughters, three died in in-
fancy. Their children were :
Andrew Zerbe, born July 23, 1807; d. April 18, 1805; wf., Susanna
Ulrich, b. November 4, 1787; da. of Valentine Ulrich and Rosina Bergcr,
of Pinegrove Township. A second record gives Andrew as married to
Salome Staudt, b. 1809; d. 1887. He may have had two wives, or there
may have been another Andrew. A sister, Salome Susanna Staudt, m.
John Schaeffer. (They were the maternal grandparents of M, A. Gruber.)
William James (Andrew), b. 1837.
286 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Zerbe, Rebecca — b. November 26, 1810; m. Eliaso Zerbe, son of
Christian4, Jr.
Zerbe, Henry— b. June 13, 1814; d. February 18, 1854; m. Maria Bittle.
Zerbe, Sarah— b. March 31, 1816; d. October 8, 1881; m. Daniel Keller.
Zerbe, John— b. July 24, 1819; d. October 8, 1881 ;m. Elizabeth Lengle.
Zerbe, Daniel — m. Catharine Spangler.
Zerbe, Mary — m. Augusta Yeager.
Zerbe, Rachael — m. Isaac Noecker.
Zerbe, Sophia — m. John Biddle, Friedensburg, Schuylkill County.
Children: Isaac, Lewis, Washington, Jacob, Sarah; most of whom are
settled in the Long Run Valley, Schuylkill County, Pa. Mrs. Sophia Bid-
die, who lived with her children at Friedensburg, d., 1912, aged 82 years.
Zerbe, Nathan — First wf., Mary Scholl; second wf., Polly Achenbach.
Children: Leando, John, Mary, Sarah, Elmer, Edward, Morris and Nathan,
(Christ Church). Some of these reside at Lebanon and Reading, others
live in the West.
Zerbe, Isaac— m. Caroline Livengood. Children: Agnes, Samuel,
Pamilla, Isaac, Alice. Isaac Zerbe was a shoemaker by trade. He lived
at Mt. Aetna, Berks County, where he acted as school teacher and organist
at the Rehersburg church. He removed with his family early to the West.
His children were: Henry Zerbe, d., a General in the Civil War, Herring,
Ohio, resided with his niece, Mrs. Sarah Silverling, 891 Belmont Ave.,
West Philadelphia; Abraham, Red Run, Pa.; Isaac and John, Stevens,
Pa.; William, Bowmansville, Lancaster Co.; Samuel, Swartsville, Pa.
Zerbe, Julia — m. John Anthony; children: Amelia, Rebecca.
Zerbe, Percival — First wife, Caroline Schriver; second, Anna Blatt.
Children: Nathaniel, Henry, John.
The children of Sarah and Daniel Keller were: William, Maria,
Levi, Daniel, Henry, John, Savilla, Amelia.
Nathaniel6 Zerbe, wf. Annie, a born Zerbe, (Henry5 wf. Elmira Lengle;
PercivaH, John the second miller. Christian, JohnS the m., Lorentzl.),
Rebecca Zerbe, daughter of John^, married Daniel Trout-
man, and still lives in the house built by her father, where
both he and his father, John* died, and where she cared for
them both during their last illness and from which house they
were buried.
Henry*^ Zerbe, assisted by his son Francis, is the organist
of the Berville Reformed and Lutheran church.
Thomas'^ J. Zerbe, (William''', Daniel'"', John* the second
miller, Christian"^, John- the m., Lorentz^). Justice of the
Peace and school teacher. His father, William E., was a sol-
dier in the Civil War.
The Berks County court records show Jacob Zerbe and
wife, grantors, to John Zerbe, May i, 1820, Heidelberg, (B.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 287
Of the Zerbeys
1-50, 553.) Christian Zcrbc, grantor, to Jacob, grantee, May
I, 1820, Power of Attorney. (Vol. i, 33, 307.) This refers to
the transfer of the land of John the miller, through Christian
and Jacob, his sons, to his grandson, John the second miller.
(Many of John* Zerbe's (b. June 24, 1783,) descendants
live in Reading and others went West.)
Danielj Zerbe, (Johnl); wf., Kate Spangler; children: Mary, Ephraim
and James. Mary m. , lives in Strausstown, Berks County. Ephraini
died at Mt. Pleasant. Son, Harry, lives at Scranton, piano tuner, has
adult children.
James Zerbe, b. April 19, 1837, d. January, 1915; wf., Ellen E. Miller,
d.. b. 1840; c: Reilly, Harry. James Zerbe lived for years in Stouchsburg,
Berks County, where he founded the cigar manufacturing business and
was successful in it, but subsequently retired and removed to Palmyra.
Reilly Zerbe, b. January ii, i860, (James'', Daniel^, John^,
Christian"\ John-. Lorentz^) ; wf., Mary A. Killmer ; m. Decem-
ber 25, 18S0. Daughter Ella G. m. Joseph A. Gernert, hotel-
keeper at Millcrsburg, Dau])hin County. No children.
Reilly Zerbe. originator of the large cigar manufactory,
Stouchsburg, Berks County, employing about seventy hands.
He conducted a prosperous business, but has retired to pri-
vate life. He owns a beautiful home, a pressed brick man-
sion with all the modern improvements, on the main street of
the town, of which he is one of the progressive citizens. He
is the secretary of Christ Lutheran Church.
Harry7 Zerbe (James6); b. November, 1875; m. Annie Bentz. 1895;
baker; lives in Scranton; c. : Elsie, Mary, Joyce, James.
NATHAN ZERBE, RAILROADER,
GORDON, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA.
Nathan'' Zerbe, (Nathan-^), b. February 18. 1848; m.
February 26, 1869, Wilhelmina Dunmoyer, of Lebanon
County, d. Second wf., Sarah Maurer, of Gordon. Children
of first wife: Sarah, wife of Samuel Yarnall, Gordon, two
children ; Katie, wf. of Lester Resell, no issue, Lynwood, N.
J. Children of second wife: Gertrude, m. John Saeger, Ash-
land, one son. Three sons: Harry. Albert and Clyde, mar-
288 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
ried and Luther at home, all of Gordon, Schuylkill County.
Nathan Zerbe has been in the employ of the Reading Rail-
way Company for forty-seven consecutive years as railroader,
is hale and hearty and bids fair to reach the age of seventy,
in the harness, when he will be retired as a pensioner. He
owns a comfortable home and is highly respected in the com-
munity.
JOHN ZERBE, OF CUMRU TOWNSHIP
John^ Zerbe, (John-' the m., Lorentz^), b. bet. 1735 and
'38; wf., Catharine. He died during 1805, his will being pro-
bated April 8, 1805. (There are no death records in the An-
gelica church before 1850.) John Zerbe and wf. Catharine
and brother Jonathan and sister Susanna, single, came to
Cumru Township about 1760 and took up land about eight
miles from Reading, on the Lancaster road, several miles
from the Lancaster County line, on Allegheny Creek, near
the line now dividing Cumru and Brecknock Townships.
(It wall be noted that there are three millers named, John
Zerbe, of the second, third and fourth generations.)
John and Jonathan Zerbe bought land in Cumru Town-
ship, March 4, 1764 (Deed Book 7, p. 4, Berks County).
April I, 1777, Jonathan Zerbe deeded 50 acres of land to John
Zerbe; March 18, 1777, John and Jonathan Zerbe sold the
land, 210 acres and allowances, to George Plankenbiller,
(Deed B. 7, p. 5).
George^ Kohl, m. Eva, da. of John Zerbe ; he kept the
Angelica hotel and here John Zerbe and wife died. John^
Zerbe, a miller, built the old mill, part of which is still stand-
ing near the addition built by George- Kohl.
The children of John and Catharine Zerbe were :
Eva, wf. of George Kohl; Jacob, John, David, Elizabeth, Anna Maria,
b. January 12, 1783; Susanna Christina, b. March 25, 1776.
The heirs are mentioned in his will. (Abstract of Berks
County Wills, Vol. 2, 1798-1825, Gen, Soc, Phila.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 289
Of the Zerbeys
Letters testamentary were granted Jacob, his eldest son,
and the wife Catharine, to whom he bequeathed "one hundred
pounds first money and seven pounds, 10 S. yearly. His
children shall account for what they have received and share
alike. If his son John is alive or not, his share shall go to his
children. His wife had an estate of her own.'* (B. 4, p. 277,
Berks County court house, Vol. 3, p. 170.)
(This John Zerbe witnessed the will of Anthony Schet-
mer, of Cumru, June 29, 1768. — Penna. Historical Society,
Abstract of Wills, Philadelphia.)
Elizabeth Zerbe (John"), m. Adam, son of George Gram-
ling, March 27, 1780. (Marriages of Rev. John Walderschmiai,
Penna. Archives, 6th series. Vol. 6. p. 255.) They had three
children :
Jacob, John and Sarah Gramling, and were over 14 years of age
when letters of administration were granted to their grandfather, John
Zerbe.
John'; Zerbe, Revolutionary War Record, Part 1. He was one of
the three John Zerbes from Berks County, whose record is found in the
office of the War Department, Washington, D. C, (Part 1.)
Zerbe, Jonathan, May 22, 1792, 311 acres, warranted, returned
October 12, 1812, Caspar Reeser, patentee. Township not mentioned,
probably Cumru.
Zerbe, Leonard, August 1, 1793, 150 acres, returned 172, February
12, 1795, Leonard Zerbe.
THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION
JONATHAN ZERBE
Jonathan Zerbe left for Pinegrove Township about 1777,
where he settled but retained his membership with the An-
gelica church, in the records of which he is noted as having
communed in 1799 and 1804, with John and Catharine and
October 16, 1803. In 1805 Catharine is on record as alone,
John, Sr., dying early in that year. When John Zerbe came,
about 1760, Allegheny church, near the dividing line of Cumru
and Brecknock Townships, was already built, a small log
290 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
house, erected in 1750. Among the archives is a solid pewter
communion service that was brought from Germany by the
first settlers, that is highly prized by the present communi-
cants, owing to its association with the old log church. An-
other church was erected in the '60s and Johannes Zerbe.
"miller," appears on the church list as being a leading con-
tributor. Jonathan Zerbe is also noted in 1775 as a contribu-
tor, and George Kohl and wife, Margaret, are on the list and
are also recorded as baptizing children, among them George
Kohl, who took out a deed to the land and mill, March 9, 1824.
(B.9, 212; B. 16, 13S).
John4 Zerbe, Jr., (John;!, John- the m., Lorentzl); b. 1765; wf. Barbara,
da. of Peter Schweitzer, b. October 20, 1765; d. February 1, 1830. Children:
1781, May 17. Jacob, d. November 16, 1862; 1790, November 30, Catharine;
1792, July 12, David; (Sponsors, John and Catharine, grandparents);
1793, October 11, Samuel, m. da. of Jacob Leiby; 1794, John; 1796, January
27, Joseph; (Rev. Illing's and Allegheny Church records.)
John^ Zerbe died about December 25, 1796; his will was
probated January 30, 1797, and states that the widow, Bar-
bara, da. of Peter Schweitzer, of Brecknock Township, re-
nounced and that her brother Peter and David Zerbe were
the administrators (D. B. 5, p. 114), and that he left five chil-
dren under 14 3'ears of age at the above date and five over.
Joseph Zerbe m. Reeser. Joseph Zerbe and wife
died before December 18, 1821, when letters of administration
were given Jacob Zerbe, his brothers, and John Reeser. Bar-
bara Schweitzer, widow of John* Zerbe, married Adam, son
of George Gramling, a widower, and former husband of
Elizabeth Zerbe, her sister-in-law.
Samuel and Joseph") Zerbe (Johnt Zerbe), are found on record in the
Penna. Archives, 6th series. Vol. 9, pp. 408-505-603, as soldiers from
Cumru Township, Berks County, in the War of 1812 — '14, and are on the
pension list.
Jacobl Zerbe, (John^I, JohnS the m., Lorentzl), b. 1775; wf., Elizabeth,
da. of Jacob Leiby. Children: 1799, September 8, Maria, sponsors, Eva
Zerbe, Jacob Heinberger; 1800, July 17, , sponsors, Anna Mai ia
Zerbe, Jacob Heinberger; 1801, November 13, Elizabeth. The above Jacob
was confirmed 1791 (Allegheny church record).
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 291
Of the Zerbeys
Among the returns and assessments of Woodbury
Township, Huntingdon County, Pa., for 1788 and 1789, oc-
curs the name of Jacob "Sarver," father and son, (Brumbach
Genealogy). Also in the same volume the marriage is noted
of Jesse C. Brumbaugh to Clara "Serby," b. April 17, 1865.
DAVID ZERBE
Davidl Zerbe, (JohnS, John2 the m., Lorentzl); b. 1767; wf., Barbara.
Children: 1790, October 20, Daniel, sponsors, John and Catharine; 1792,
March 14, Hannah; 1793, October 24, John; 1795, November 2, Anna Maria;
1799, July 16, Barbara; 1801, June 28, Samuel, sponsors, John and Catha-
rine, grandparents; 1802, December 30, Peter; 1809, August 10. Susan,
(Allegheny c. records).
David^ Zerbe, the above, stood sponsor, February 6.
1788, at Trinity Lutheran church, Reading. (Records).
David^ Zerbe lived and died in Cumru Township. He
was the treasurer of the Allegheny church, 1789, and held
other offices of trust in that congregation at various times up
to his death.
John^ Zerbe, (David^), b. October 24, 1793, had sons
William and Lazarus, v/ho settled at Williamstown, Pa. A
son of one of the above, John A. Zerbe, lives at Altoona, Pa.
David' Zerbe, (John^, John"', John^ the m., Lorentz^),
b. July 12, 1792; bap., August 19, at Allegheny church, Breck-
nock Township ; his grandparents, John and Catharine, stood
sponsors. Parents, John and Barbara. David, m. Elizabeth
Roller, of Tulpehocken Township, May 15, 1817, (Christ
church records). Children:
William, 1818, October 25; Maria, 1820, August 27; Magdalena, 1821,
November 14; Barbara, 1823, October 25; Lavina, 1825, December 18;
Solomon, 1827, July 11; Leah, 1828, October 22; Lazarus, 1830, June 10;
Elizabeth, 1831, August 9; Priscilla, 1832, October 23; Michael, 1834.
May 4; Eva, 1836, March 23; Sarah Eliza, 1837, August 20; (Hetzel's
Lutheran church, Washington Township, Schuylkill County, Pa.)
The addresses of the above are: Magdalena, Urbana, 111.; Mrs. E. C.
Miller, Gettysburg, Ohio; Mrs. Eva Steiger, Beansville, Ohio; Mrs. Louisa
Haines, Urbana, Ohio; Mrs. Lavina Covill, Texaseana, Texas; Michael J.,
Centre, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Butcher, Piqua, Ohio; Mrs. Elizabeth Farris.
Dunkirk, Indiana.
292 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
David"' Zerbe settled in Pinegrove Township, 1817, vv'^here
his children Avere born, remo\'ing, with others of his family,
to Ohio, 1839.
REV. JOHN W. ZERBE
William'^ Zerbe, (David'', John^ John*', John- the ni..
Lorentzi) ; b. 1818; m. Mary Butcher, October 15, 1841 ; b.
February 22, 1821, in Lancaster County. Wm. Zerbe was
born in Pinegrove Township, removing to Ohio, 1839, ^"^^
removing again to How^ard County, Indiana, 1865. Their
children Avere :
Charles C, b. November, 1848; d. March 16, 1893; m. Louisa Lindley,
b. August 3, 1853; children: John W., b. February 26, 1873; Laura, wf.
of Hensler, b. December 11, 1874; Clara Rogers, b. March 20, 1879;
d.; Nora Kin^, b. February 22, 1882; Maude Kendall, b. April, 1886; Ros-
coe, b. 1891.
Rev. John W. Zerbe is an ordained minister of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, of Indiana. He was stationed at Williamsburg, Ind., (1913);
wf., Amelia May Paulus, b. December 9, 1876; children: Paul, b. Febru-
ary 1st, 1899; Fannie, b. December 3, 1901; Donald, b. November 8, 1905;
John, b. January 28, 1908; Mary, b. April 21, 1910.
Jacobs Zerbe, (John', JohnS, John- the m., Lorentzl); b. May 17, 1789;
d. November 16, 1862; wf., Susanna; c: 1810, March 4, Catharine; 1812,
January 21, Sarah; 1814, January 28, John; 1816, July 20, Susanna; 1818,
September 14, Magdalena; 1821, March 26, Jacob; 1823, September 29,
Joseph; 1826, November 3, Isaac, who died at Bowmansville, Lancaster
County, six miles from the Allegheny church; 1830, February 20, Samuel;
1833, March 19, William.
Jacobfi Zerbe, (Jacobs, John4, JohnS, JohnS the m., Lorentzl); b. 1821,
March 26; wf., Cassie, or Catharine; c: 1845, April 20, Maria Anna;
1846, September 3, Susanna; 1849, September 2, Sarah; 1853, May 7,
Samuel and Mai-y, Eliza Ann (triplets); 1854. March 3, Emma Elizabeth;
1856, May 27, Amanda; 1858, May 28, John; 1860, October 9, Louisa, m.
Remp. (Allegheny church records.)
Jacob^ Zerbe, (Christian-^, John- the m., Lorentz^) ; b.
May 22, 1775; d. April 26, 1831 ; first wife, Catharine Zim-
merman; m. 1796; children; Phillip, b. 1797; Salome, b. Au-
gust 3, 1803; Catharine, b. February 15, 1805. Second wife,
Catharine Rudebach, b. August, 1781 ; d. August, i860; mar-
ried December, 1805. Jacob Zerbe lived upon a tract of land
on the hill five miles from Womelsdorf toward Hosts P. O.,
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 293
Of the Zerbeys
the tract or part of it belonging- to his father, Christian (see
map).
(Berks County Deed Book 4-9, p. 553), gives Jacob and
wife Catharine, as grantors, to John, grantee, Heidelberg
Township, of fifty acres of this land. This John was his
brother, son of Christian and Elizabeth Liecken Zerbe. The
children of Jacob Zerbe and Catharine Rudebach were :
1806, June 27, John Adam; 1807, Justine; 1811, January 5, Augustus,
d. February 9, 1858, m. Elizabeth ; 1813, Eliza, m. John Hagenbach,
1 son, 1 daughter; 1817, December 26, Mary, m. J. L. Smith, da. Elizabeth,
b. October 4, 1841; second husband, J. Dupner das. Emma, Lucy, m. Jacob
Mack; 1822, January 7, Franklin.
The sponsors for the above were Christian Zerbe and
wife Catharine Deado ; and Christian Zerbe and wf . Eva,
grandparents and uncle, respectively, of the children. (Christ
church records).
Annie Zerbe, daughter of Jared, son of Phillip, and wife
of Nathaniel Zerbe, says, her grandfather was Phillip and
great grandfather Jacob, son of Christian. (Little Tulpehock-
en church records, and Rehersburg church records, family
bibles and descendants.)
Augustus^ Zerbe, (Jacob^, Christian^. John- the m.. Lor-
entz^) ; wf. Elizabeth. Children :
1843, April 19, Henrietta Emraaline; 1846, April 11, Regina, (Christ
church records). They had other children: Mrs. Daniel Stambough, (Em-
maline), Myerstown, Pa.; Isaac, d.; Harrison, d., b. February 22, 1839;
Maria, b. August 15, 1837; Mrs. Rebecca Sheets, d.; Harriet Pfiefer, My-
erstown, Pa. The parents of Augustus were: Jacob Zerbe and Catharine
Rudebach.
Maria"^ Rieth, (Jacob^, John- Nicholas, Leonard^ Rieth) ;
wf. of Jacob Scheetz, son of Jacob Edward Scheetz ; wf.
Braun. Jacob Scheetz's son, John E. Scheetz, m. Rebecca,
da. of Augustus Zerbe. Mrs. Katharine S. Scheetz, Des
Moines, la., a daughter of John E. and Rebecca Scheetz.
Harry Zerbe, Bernville, a well-to-do horse dealer, was a son
of Augustus Zerbe.
(Note — The will of Jacob Zerbe was admitted to probate,
1832. B. 7, p. 31, Berks County court house.)
294 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
LAND OF GEORGE ADAM ZERBE
(B. II, p. I02, Record of Deeds, Berks County): Benja-
min Zerbe, Grantor, to George Adam Zerbe, November 19,
1788, tract of land in Pinegrove Township, returned June 3,
181 5. The 200 acres upon survey were surrounded by lands
of Wm. Witman, Barr Wheeler, Conrad Lengle, Peter Zim-
merman. The deed says : "There is upon the above tract a
good two-story log house, a log barn and 50 acres of upland
cleared, and four acres of meadow, a saw mill and an orchard
planted and some of the trees are grown to considerable size.
The family of George Adam Zerbe live at present in said
house.
Patent Book H, Vol. 12, p. 562, office of Internal Affairs,
Harrisburg, also gives this warrant granted as April 25, 181 5,
and that $16.80 was paid for the return. C. W., of Penna.,
John Cochran, Sec. There is a fine draft of the place in the
Patent Book.
A second warrant, September 5, 1794, surveyed October
8, to Jacob Zoll, 217 acres 95 perches, Brunswick Township,
George Adam Zerbe, grantor; returned April 24, 1815.
(George Adam Zerbe is on the tax list of Pinegrove Township,
1787.)
John Adam and Michael, sons of George Adam Zerbe
removed to Port Carbon about 1838; John lived and died in
Pinegrove, May 26, 1870. John Adam was a wood sawyer
and was boss sawyer in a mill at "Tarr's Well."
George Adam Zerbe took out a warrant December 2,
1784, for 300 acres of land, in Pinegrove Township, returned
December 6, 1784, Berks County court house.
John Adam, (George Adam) warranted 40 acres of land,
Pinegrove Township, March 3, 1825, returned March 4, 1830.
John, his brother, 100 acres, April 30, 1825, patented Octo-
ber II. 1825. (Schuylkill County court house.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 295
Of the Zerbeys
George"^ Adam Zerbe, (John^ the m., Lorentz^), b. De-
cember 13, 1753; d. August 5, 1828; wf. Elizabeth, da. of
Assumus Boyer ; m.. 1779. at the Red church below Orwigs-
burg. They had six sons and three daughters. Husband and
wife are buried in the first laid out cemetery in Pinegrove.
Their children were :
Jacob, b. April 10, 1780; Phillip, b. January 18, 1784; John, b. August
7, 1786; Michael, b. March 21, 1791; John Adam, b. March 1, 1794; George
A., b. January 24, 1797; Madeline, m. Clemons. Catharine, b. Feb-
ruary 17, 1782, m. Peter Zimmerman, son of Peter Zimmerman; Eliza-
beth, b. May 9, 1800, m. Bretz, and lived at Pinegrove; Michael,
m. Mary Bretz. A sister and two brothers married a brother and two
sisters. All were born in Pinegrove Township. (Family bible of George
Adam Zerbe, in possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. Henrietta Berda-
nier, d., aged eighty-six years, of Frackville, Schuylkill County.)
Peter Zimmerman and wife, Catharine Zerbe, m. 1800; bap.; chil-
dren: Johann George, July 25, 1801; Salome, bap. June 24, 1804; Catha-
rine, bap. March 27, 1807; (Jacob's church records).
Jacob Zerbe, m. Catharine, da. of Peter Zimmerman, 1802; a sister
and brother married a brother and sister.
Jacob Zerbe and wife Catharine, bap. Salomine, b. August 3, bap. August
28, 1803. Sponsors, Peter Zimmerman and wife Catharine; Catharina,
bap. April 14, 1804. (Jacob's church records.)
Michael Zerbe, wf., Mary Bretz; c. : Michael, Samuel and
Eli. Michael lived and died at Port Carbon, Schuylkill
County, where he followed the occupation of carpenter, con-
tractor and boating. He is buried in the Lutheran cemetery.
John^ Adam Zerbe, (George'' Adam) ; wf., Marie Chris-
tina Bretz. C. : one da., d. ; Henrietta, b. 1828, d. 1915, m. An-
thony Berdanier, master mechanic, Reading Company, Frack-
ville ; they had seven children, three sons and four daughters.
Elizabeth, da. of John Adam, m. Frank Berdanier. Two sis-
ters m. brothers. Frank Berdanier lived in Mt. Carmel,
where he died, and is buried in Port Carbon, as is also his
wife, Elizabeth, b. 1830, d., aged 81. One son went to Cen-
tral America and has not been heard from in twenty years.
(Note — John Adam and Michael Zerbe owned a canal
boat known as the "Two Brothers," when the canal ran from
Port Carbon, Schuylkill County, to Philadelphia, and were
296 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
engaged in the transportation of coal until the shipping point
was transferred farther south.)
Jonathan Jackson, son of John Adam, m. Elizabeth
Zimmerman. He settled at Schuylkill Haven and had six
children, one son, Charles, and several daughters.
Catharine, da. of John Adam, m. Wm. Krebs, d., and
lived at Port Carbon. She had three sons and four daugh-
ters, and died June 29, 1915, aged 81 years.
Charles A. Zerbe, son of John Adam, b. 1842, in Port
Carbon, where his father removed from Pinegrove, where
the above children were born. Charles was married three
times. First wife, Mary A. Purcell, by whom he had two
children, Elizabeth, of Allentown, and William J. Zerbe,
b. 1867, former president of the Lieberman Brewing Co., of
Allentown ; wf. Emma Banner, one da., Elizabeth. Second
wife, Emma Kinney ; third wnfe, Mary A. Holder. Charles
A. Zerbey was in the Civil War. He enlisted in the 96th
regiment, Penna. Vol., but was discharged for disability,
when he again enlisted in Co. L, 12th N. Y. Cav., and as
Sergeant served for the remainder of the war. He settled
in Wilmington, Del. He was railway engineer in Denver,
Col., and acted in the same capacity on the Lehigh Valley
Railway, Pa., before accepting a position as master mechanic
and stationary engineer for the McCullough Iron Company,
Wilmington. Del., where he remained twenty-six years, be-
ing at present with the Wilmington electric hose and rub-
ber company.
July 2, 1796, George'' and John"^ Adam Zerbe, were
communicants at St. John's Lutheran church, Friedens-
burg. The building of this church began 1796. A log house
was erected there first for the worship of the Lutheran and
Reformed people. It was dedicated 1797. The first pastors
were itinerants, Emanual Schultz, Hartzell, Shoemaker, and
George Minnich (Protocol).
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 297
Of the Zerbeys
Mary A. Schall, d., da. of Benjamin and Christina Pott
(Dreibelbis), said, "her mother told her that the early sett-
lers from the Long Run Valley and in the vicinity of Potts-
ville and Schuylkill Haven attended this church on horseback,
as there were no roads then."
Daniel*' Zerbe, (SamueP, Michael^, George^ Adam, John-
the m., Lorentz^), a conductor on the miners' train of the
Tamaqua branch of the Reading Railway, has held several
different positions with that company.
Jonathan Jackson Zerbe, son of John Adam, was a sol-
dier in the Civil War, Co. H, 173rd Regt. Pa. Vols.
The tombstone of John Adam Zerbe, in the Lutheran
cemetery. Port Carbon, beside that of his wafe, gives the
date of his birth, March i, 1794; d. May 30, 1873, and says
on it: "In war of 1812," Captain Hughes' company.
Michael5 Zerbe, of Port Carbon, Schuylkill County, wf. Mary Bretz.
Children: Michael, wf., Polly Bankus, Locust Valley, da. Polly. Samuel
L. Zerbe, wf., Lucy Sarva, East Bear Ridge, father, Peter Paul Sarva.
Eli Zerbe m. Elizabeth Chester, no children.
Samuel Zerbe; children: Emma, wf. of Henry Resch, Reading;
Rose, wf. of Milton Fillmore, Phila.; Peter, twice married; first wf.,
Mary Lord; second, Kate Featherman; second wf., no c. Children of
first wf. : Jacob, Howard, William, Peter, Lizzie, m. Wagner; Lena, m.
Robert Ketner, Phila.; son, Howard, in charge of the Reading City water
works, was government chemist in Panama.
Daniel Zerbe, railroader, of Port Carbon, Schuylkill County; wf.,
Annie M. Jones; eight children, all at home. DanieH Zerbe, (SarauelS).
Elmira, d., da. of Samuels, m. Albert Krebs; no children.
Daniel F. Resch, aged thirty-four years, P. & R. railway brakeman,
son of Henry Resch and Anna Zerbe, was killed at Reading, October 2,
1914, leaving beside his parents the following brothers and sisters:
Archibald, Allentown; Elmira, Henry and Laura, all of Reading, and Mrs.
Milton Filmore, of Phila. He lived at 522 N. Tenth St.
GEORGE ZERBE
George^ Zerbe, (John^ the m., Lorentz^), b. September
3, 1754; d. October ii, 1824; wf., Christina Wenrich ; b. Oc-
tober 27, 1757; d. November 18, 1821 ; is buried at Christ
Church (Stouchsburg). Married, June 5, 1781, his wife is
buried at Little Tulpehocken cemetery. Their children
were: Susanna Catharine, bap. December 10, 1781, Adam
298 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Leiss and Susanna Wenrich, sponsors. Phillip, wf. Su-
sanna; Daniel and George Jr. The latter lived near the
North Heidelberg church and was a shoemaker by trade.
His brother Daniel lived with him. (Others named below.)
George^ Zerbe was located four miles north of Womels-
dorf, Tulpehocken Township.
George Zerben, Revolutionary War record, Capt. Phillip
Filbert's Co., private. — Penna. Archives, 2nd Series, Vol. 6,
pp. 32I-'22.
Wenrich. — There were three original Wenrichs: Mathias, Balthaser
and Francis. The children of Mathias and Christina Wenrich were:
John Balthaser, b. May 18, 1720; John, b. July 8, 1727; Mathias, b.
May 1, 1729; Esther, b. July 25, 1731; John Thomas, b. September 8,
1734; Conrad, b. February 1, 1737; Mary Magdalena, b. March 8, 1740.
(Little Tulpehocken church records.)
The will of John Wenrich (.son of Mathias), June 27, 1793, says:
"George Zerbe shall have the small place where he lives." (Abstract
of Wills, Berks County, Penna. Historical Society Library.)
(From Miscellaneous Docket 2, p. 109, the release is recorded.)
George Zerbe, Jr., one of the sons of Christina Zerbe, daughter of
John Wenrich and wf. of George Zerbe, late of Tulpehocken Township,
Berks Co., deceased.
Christina, wf. of John Gibson.
Elizabeth Zerbe, intermarried with Johnl Zerbe, (John3 George,
GeorgeS Peter, Martini), of Manheim Township, Blue Mountains.
John Zerbe; Phillip Zerbe.
Sybilla Zerbe, wf. of Daniel Class; Daniel Zerbe.
They released to the executors of John Wenrich, Phillip Strauss
and Paul Groff.
TYRONE AND ALTOONA, PA.. ZERBES
Zerbe, John; son, Jonathan, millwright; on completion of
his trade, in Reading, Pa., married Catharine Sheafcr. Chil-
dren: William, Jonathan, Phillip, John, Jacob, Daniel, Mich-
ael and Elizabeth; b. in Westmoreland County, where he set-
tled. Three of his sons married sisters ; Eve, Catharine and
Barbara, daughters of Frederick Sheafcr, of Berks County,
who had two sons and eight daughters. Jonathan Zerbe was
the grandfather of Mrs. Samuel Holl, d., Grcensburg. Pa.,
whose husband lives at N. Industrv, O.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 299
Of the Zerbeys
Zerbe, John (Jonathan) was one of the pioneer mer-
chants, afterward one of the first office men of the Pennsyl-
vania railway, located at Tyrone, Pa. He died 1878.
(Note — Johns Jonathans, were sons of John4 Zerbe, Jr., of Cumru
Twp., Berks County, d. 1796.)
Zerbe, Prof. Farran, was of the faculty of the Philadel-
phia High School, and president of the Numismatic Associa-
tion of Pennsylvania. He lived at Tyrone, Altoona and
Philadelphia.
(Note — Prof. Farran Zerbe, of Phila., was in charge of the coin exhibit
at the Panama Exposition, San Francisco, Cal., 1915.)
Zerbe, John — A daughter, Mrs. Mary A. Storm, Tyrone.
This line are Catholics, Jonathan^ having been raised in the
McManus family (Catholics), of Reading, Pa.
(Note — Members of the abov; line were written to for
information regarding their descent, but failed to respond.)
READING, PENNA. ZERBES
The majority of the Zerbes who reside in the city of
Reading, are direct descendants of John the second miller,
who lived where Krick's Mills P. O., Berks County, is now
located. Many of this line lived around Rehersburg and are
buried in the cemetery near that place.
John and Barbara Zerbe are buried in the Lutheran
cemetery, between Rehersburg and Millersburg. They had
four children :
Percival, William, Reuben and Miranda.
Percival Zerbe (John), b. 1834; wf. Sarah Clemens, both buried at
Millersburg, Berks County; c: William, Miranda and Reuben, the two
former deceased and buried in the Charles Evans cemetery. William met
with an accident from the effects of which he died, aged 54 years. His
son is Claude G. Zerbe, 536 Weiser Street; wf. Linda, one son, John.
Claude Zerbe is in the ice business.
iMorris W. Scharft, b. June 15, 1857; wf. Amanda L., da.
of Phillip and Maria Zerbe Piefifer; m., 1878; live in Stouchs-
burg. He is an elder of Christ Church and a direct descend-
300 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
ant of Conrad and Antonius Scharf, who came to Host's
with the thirty-three families, 1723. The Scharf s were inter-
married with the early Zerbes.
Henry W. Zerbe, b. February 21, 1846, in Tulpehocken
Township; m. Sarah Ann, da. of John and Maria Wertman,
b. Forrer, b. April 30, 1847. ^is second wf., Amelia E. Zerbe.
Children of Henry, first wf., Mary Matilda, b. October 3,
1877; Francis Howard, b. May 5, 1890, bap. July 6; Bernville,
mail carrier, rural delivery, from Bernville to Cross Keys.
Calvin Zerbe, Robesonia, (grandfather, Benneville,
brother of Jared Zerbe and Mrs. Mary Feeg) ; wf., Kate Leiss.
Mary Leiss, a sister, is married to an Adam Zerbe, of Tulpe-
hocken.
Zerbe, Daniel, 631 Gordon Street, Reading. A son lives
in Pottsville, Pa., manager of the Peoples Investment Com-
pany.
John-'"' Zerbe, wf., Martha Keller, da. of John and Cathe-
rine Gruber Keller, was of the John^ the second miller line,
Heidelberg Township ; (John'^ Christian^, John" the m.,
Lorentz^), b. June 20, 1799; is buried in Little Tulpehocken
church cemetery. Wf. Martha, d., in Penn Township, 1871.
Their children were :
Elias, b. August 4, 1822, d. March 25, 1906; Rebecca, m. John Wag-
ner, both d.; Catharine, m. Jeremiah Oaks, both d.; Wm. K., b. Novem-
ber 12, 1837, lives in Reading, single; Sarah, m. Jonathan Frymoyer, d.,
she lives in Reading; Jonathan, m. Clara Moll, d.; a daughter, Henrietta,
d. November 27, 1829,
Elias (John) came to Reading, 1870, d. March 25, 1906; wf., Mary
Ann Moyer, daughter of George and Catharine Gerber Moyer, both d.,
buried in Charles Evans cemetery. Children: two daughters, deceased;
Levi M., b. December 3, 1853; James M., b. September 27, 1855; Harrison,
b. January 9, 1859; George McClellan, b. January 25, 1864. Levi M., son
of Elias Zerbe, m. Amelia A. Werner, May 15, 1875; three children; live
at Reading.
Urias Zerbe, son of John, b. February 16, 1834, d. January 6, 1907;
m. Lavina Snyder; c: William A., John, James, Irwin, Frank, Missouri,
Maria, Amanda. Urias and wife are buried in Charles Evans cemetery.
William A., son of Urias, m. Missouri DeLong, October 8, 1887; has seven
children.
William Zerbe, Sr., and William, Jr., are both members of the Schuyl-
kill Fire Company No. 12. The latter is in the milk business.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 301
Of the Zerbeys
Henry B. Rowe came to Reading, 1847. l^e married Eliz-
abeth Zerbe, b. 18^4, March 24. They had two sons, William
and Joseph. William, deceased, was Mayor of Reading.
Joseph Z. Rowe m. Sarah Leyenburger, of Newark, N. J.;
they had seven children.
(Note — It is believed that all of the Zerbe name in Read-
ing can find their ancestry in the records, in these pages, if
not individually specified.)
UNCLASSIFIED ZERBES
In searching the records of the Zerbes in the West and
South, but one has been found whose ancestry cannot be
traced to the early generations of Pennsylvania and Virginia,
although there are hundreds of the family name in Tennes-
see, Iowa, Ohio, Kansas and Missouri.
Zerbe, F. H., Secretary of the Erie County, Ohio, Agri-
cultural Society, Sandusky, O., son of Andrew Zerbe, b. 1836,
in the Duchy of Nassau.
Zerbe, John, b. 1847. President of the Penna. & Ohio Coal and Iron
Company. Brother, b. 1849, prominent family of Cleveland, 0.
Zerbe, John K., b. November 1, 1838, in Pinegrove Township, Schuyl-
kill County, Pa., of Sulphur Springs, 0. A sister m. John Minnich.
Zerbee. Frank, brother Jonathan, Bellefontaine, 0. The former, master
mechanic for the "Big Four" Railway companies.
Zerbe, Emanuel, Steelton, Pa., brother Cyrus and a daughter of Cyrus,
Mrs. E. M. Stoner, Middletown, Pa.
Zerby. A. B., of 7525 Ardmorc St., Swissvale, East Pittsburg, Pa., is
a grandson of Cyrus Zerbe, d., of Lykens. Pa. Mr. Zerby is connected
with the Westinghouse Department of Publicity representing the Westing-
house interests in the United States and Canada.
Zerbe, Jerome B., coal dealer and politician; Dayton, Ohio.
Zerbe, Harry, railroader, Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
Serwe, William and son, hotelkeeper, Fon du Lac, Wisconsin.
Serfas, Lewis, farmer. Sawyer, Kewaunee Co., Wis.
Zerbe, John, East Germantown, Ind.; das., Mrs. Eliza Winters, Rich-
mond, Ind., and Mrs. Mary Ensley, Muncie, Ind.
Zerbe, H. T., Toledo, Ohio.
Zerbe, John, lived at Christ Church, Stouchsburg. Berks County,
about 1870. He had a son John and a number of daughters and was a
school teacher. They went West.
Zerbe, Jonathan and William, brothers; live at Meyerstown and
Sheridan.
Zerbe, William C, Fredericksburg, Pa., cigar dealer.
302 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Zerbe, Isaac, m. Emma Stambaugh, Meyerstown, Berks County.
Zerbe, Harrison, Avon, Pa.
Zerby, Mrs. Agnes Stewart, widow of Prof. James G. Zerby, of
Clearfield County, Pa., keeps a private school for girls in Germantown,
Philadelphia. Husband, former school teacher and insurance agent.
Zerbe, R. F., grocer, Phillipsburg, (see Lycoming and Clearfield Zer-
bes.)
E. E. Zerby, of Steelton, Pa., a railroader on the Penn-
sylvania Railway, and secretary of the Odd Fellows' Lodge
at that place, is married and has several children. The fol-
lowing is his line: (EmanueF W., Henry'', Samuel-^, John*,
John^ John^ the m., Lorentz^)
Samuel'^ Zerbe, of Cumru Township, was in the War of
1812, and John^ Zerbe, of the same line, was in the War of the
Revolution.
John^ Zerbe, b. 1794, (John'*, John^, John^ the m., Lor-
entz^), located in Blair County, Pa., from Berks County.
He added an "e" to his name, spelling it "Zerbee." He died
1880.
Zerbee, Frank J., master mechanic, "Big Four" Railway,
Bellefontaine, O., is of this branch, and J. Zerbee, Chestnut
Springs, Cambria County, Pa. ; Augustus C, Roanoke, Va. ;
Mrs. Celestine McMullen, Altoona ; Mrs. Wm. Garstang, In-
dianapolis, Ind., whose husband is superintendent of motive
power and machinery of the "Big Four." Their son, Dr. Regi-
nald Garstang, prominent in medical circles in Indianapolis,
was killed from the effects of a blow received over the left eye
while turning the crank of his automobile. The force of the
impact resulted in hemorrhagic meningitis, from which he
died. He was a surgeon in the Spanish American War, and a
captain in the iS9th Indiana Regiment, mobilized at Jack-
sonville, Fla. He left a widow and two children.
Zerbee, F. J."^, (John^, John^, John*, John^, John- the m..
Lorentz^). John** married McGuire ; his direct ancestor,
John^ was in the War of the Revolution. John^ has no record
in the archives as having been in the War of 181 2 (at the
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 303
Of the Zerbeys
age of 18), but his brothers, Samuel and Joseph, are so re-
corded.
John'' Zerbe, his father dying when the children were
small, he was raised in the McManus (Seyfert and McManus.
iron masters) family, of Reading, who were Roman Catholics,
and he became a Catholic.
JACOB ZERBES, FIRST GENERATION
Jacob Serber, Sr., and Jacob Serber, Jr., as they are
known on the ship lists, sailed from Rotterdam, August 27.
1733. Ship Elizabeth. They are given on another list (Co-
lonial Archives) as Jacob "Soerver," aged 56; wf., Fronegh,
(Euphrosina). 54; Jacob, Jr., or John Jacob 26: Barbara, 23,
and Rudolph, 21 years of age. Jacob Server, Sr., b. 1677, ^^
supposed to have been one of the eight sons of John Sevier,
of Alsace, France. The mingling together of the families,
the rei)etition of the famih' names among their children and
their acting as sponsors for the children of each other at bap-
tisms leads to this conclusion.
(Note — Penna. Archives, 2d Series. Vol. 17, Ship Lists.)
LOCATION OF LAND OF EARLY SETTLERS
(See map elsewhere in this issue.)
John Servy warrant, April 22, 1736.
Albrecht Strouze warrant, October 7, 1736. 1737 he took up a tract
about IVz miles north of Bernville, in Penn Township, and here the old
Strouze homestead is located.
Martin Schell warrant, June 6, 1737.
Mathias Wagner warrant, April 22, 1736. He soon sold this tract to
Jacob Server, aforementioned.
Simon Schermann warrant, April 25, 1737.
John Knoll warrant, October 14, 1736.
Jacob Hubler warrant, August 10, 1737.
John Riegel warrant, February 27, 1735.
Wolfgang Miller warrant, October 31, 1735.
The survey, 1737, shows a creek known as "Serby's branch."
John Dorum lived on it at an early date, not warranted. Jacob Dun-
dore owner about 1745.
Albert Klotz warrant, April 1, 1737, adjoins Jacob Serban,
304 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Jacob Server began to occupy the Mathias Wagner warrant of April
22, 1736, during the Fall of 1736; has been much cut up and no original
homestead remains on it. John D. Sunday owns the northern end, about
two-thirds, of it.
HOST'S CHURCH
In 1754 John Riegel gave two acres and George Kantner
gave two acres. These four acres were given to Meyer and
Valentine Unruh as trustees and were the first landed prop-
erty of the congregation.
Krick's Mill P. 0., since removed.
Original homestead on the Mathias Wagner warrant of January 12,
1737.
Original homestead on the Martin Stuep warrant of April 20, 1737.
Here Christian Gruber later lived.
Marriages — April 29, 1735, John Mattheis Wagner and Elisabeth
Stuep, Tulpehocken; December 28, 1741, Martin Stuep and Anna Susanna
Wallbort, Tulpehocken; June 4, 1744, John Zerbe and Catharine Stuep;
January 26, 1742, Christian Gruber and Anna Kueningunde Stuep, Tul-
pehocken April 15, 1745, John Frederich Stuep and Anna Barbara Karcher,
Tulpehocken. These five were children of Martin Stuep, who arrived in
1723.
Survey dated January 18, 1738.
Surveyed on June 13, 1737, to Martin Stuep.
Patented on July 8, 1761, to Christian Gruber,
Original homesteads of George Goodman; John Conder, later his son,
Geo. Kantner; Hans George Tabler; John Heverling; Jacob Wilhelm;
Valentine Unruh; Andreas Aulenbach; Little Tulpehocken Church.
The author is indebted to John H. Sunday, of the office of the U. S.
Ti'easury Department, Washington, D. C, for the description of
the original warrants. He is a son of John D. Sunday, who lives on and
owns part of the original John Zerbe, the miller (Lorentzl) tract.
THE JACOB ZERBES
Jacob Soerver, Jr., m. Anna Elizabeth Spiese, da. of
Ulrich Spiese, Atolhoe, October 8, 1754, (Stoever's Records),
and went early to Westmoreland County. Their sons were
Josiah, Isaac, Hiram, Jacob, Samuel and John, and several
daughters.
John^ Zerbe, (Jacob^, Jacob^) ; wf., ; children: John,
Jonathan, Jacob, b. 1801 ; Mary, Elizabeth and Margaret.
John came to Stark County, Ohio, 1810, from Westmoreland
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 305
Of the Zerbeys
County, Pa. ; Margaret Zerbe, da. ot Jonathan, married Lewis
Kountze, parents of the Kountze Bros., bankers, who run a
chain of banks from New York to Omaha, Neb. They buih
a church in memory of their parents at Osnaburg, five miles
from Canton, Ohio. John Zerbe died in Winchester. Tenn.,
May I. 1887.
Jacobs Zerbe, (JohnS, Jacob"3, Jacobl), b. 1801, Westmoreland County,
Pa. Sons, Samuel, b. April 13, 1839, d. August 31, 1909; Hiram, d., widow,
Catharine C. Zerbe, 139 E. Lake Street, Canton, Ohio; Jacob, d., widow,
Mai*y E., 1307 W. 7th Street; John and Josiah; four daughters deceased,
and Matilda, Leonard and Ernmeline Ringle, all of Canton, Ohio.
Samuel Zerbe (Jacob-*); wf., Salina; sons, Howard A., Richard A.,
Harry L., Webster J., Canton, 0.; Irwin A., Alliance, O.; daughters, Mrs.
Henry I\Iock, Mrs. Edward Werner, Sarah Zerbe, Canton, Ohio.
Jacob- Soerver. who removed to Westmoreland County,
continued to spell his name as above, which anglicized became
"Sarvar." His sons, John and Jonathan, came to Canton,
Ohio. John-^ (John^, John^, Jacob-, Jacob^), was superintend-
ent of the Canton, O., High School. Jonathan'^, brother of
John"^, was the father-in-law of Lewis Kountz, of Osnaburg,
O., and the g. g. f. of Howard Zerbe, of Canton, O.
(Note — Sarvarsville, Westmoreland County, Pa., was named for Jacob
Sarvar, where there are many of that name.)
There was a John Jacob Zerbe, b. in Berks County, bap.
August 14, 1793. There is little known of this man. He is
supposed to be the Jacob Zerbe who settled in Montgomery
County, took up land and of whom and his descendants fre-
quent mention is made in the transfer of lands in the Mont-
gomery County court house records. This Jacob took the
oath of allegiance.
Jean Jacques Serieux, who came from Alsace, France,
at the age of twenty-nine years, on the ship Patience, from
Rotterdam, 1753, afterward known as John Jacob Zerbe,
settled in New Jersey, where he lived for several years when
he took up a tract of land about five miles from Womelsdorf.
Pie is supposed to have been the Jacob who lived above the
Schaft'ner tract, above w-here the school house now stands
3o6 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
and on the site of which or near it is a tavern, part of which
tract was originally owned by George Peter Zerbe and later
by the Schafi'ners.
(Note — Joel Zerbe, a descendant, of Ohio, says : "His
great grandfather Jacob came from 7\Isace, France, to New
Jersey and afterward settled near Womelsdorf, where he
died.")
Jacob^ Zerbe, (Jean Jacques Sevier), had several sons
(tradition says), one of whom was Jacob-, who lived on the
above described tract of land and who had a son Phillip".
(This Jacob immigrated with his son Daniel to Kansas.)
Phillip-' Zerbe, (Jacobs Jacob^) ; b. February 14, 1793;
d. July 17. 1872; wf., Rosina Lamb, b. y\pril 3, 1797, d. April
21, 1864. They baptized twelve children from 1816 to 1836.
(Christ church records, Stouchsburg, Berks Co.) :
December 4, 1816, Benneville; July 29, 1818, Wilhelm; January 15,
1820, Ephraim; 1821, Joel; July 13, 1822, Edward; January 23, 1825, Pris-
cilla; 1827, Anna Maria; December 26, 1828, Elizabeth; January 27, 1831,
Anna Margaretta; 1832, Benjamin; 1836, Jared.
They are variously accredited with having had otViers. One authority
says t^ixteen, another twenty-one; but no baptismal record of this addi-
tional number has been found. He may have had two twins. There was
a Phillip married Barbara Witman.
Zerbe, Daniel. Wf., Catharine Adee; settled in Kansas; c: Elvina,
v;{. of John Gettler, three children: William, m. Zoriah Kauffman, five
children; Reuben, m. Louisa Bohn, two children. Daniel is said to have
been a brother of Phillip and son of Jacob, but his birth is not on record.
Zerbe, Rebecca, wf. of Richard Anderson, two children; is probably
a sister of this man, or she may have been Rebecca Elizabeth, b. De-
cember 26, 1828.
Zerbe. Benneville; wf., Elizabeth Wenrich; children: Ellen, Matilda,
Henry.
Zerbe, Wilhelm; wf., Rebecca Witman.
Zerbe, Ephraim; went to Indiana, d., unmarried.
Joel Zerbe, b. in Womelsdorf; bap. Christ church; re-
moved to Pinegrovc, I'a., and from thence to Delaware, Ohio.
1856. He married Annie LeVan, of Phila., Avhose grandfather
was an officer in the War of the Revolution. She died, De-
cember 25, 1901, in Cleveland, O. Joel Zerbe died Tiffin, O.,
1899. They arc survived by five sons.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 307
Of the Zerbeys
Zerbe, Edward; wf., Caroline Lutz; c: Henry, \vf. Amelia; two
da's.; Monroe, wf., Elmira Gehret; four children, son Edward.
Zerbe, Priscilla; b. January 23, 1825, (perhaps one of twins.)
Zerbe, Anna Maria. Mary, wf. of Joseph Feeg. of Robesonia. They
had ten children, one of them, William Feeg, operator in an underwear
factory, has a family.
Zerbe, Elizabeth.
Zerbe, Anna Margaretha.
Zerbe, Benjamin. First wife, Anna Slough; second, Tacy Slough;
removed to Delaware, Ohio; c: Thomas C, Emma, Edward L., and Clifford.
Zerbe, Jared. First wf., Rebecca Rothermel; Mary Heydt, second wf.;
c: George and others; Annie, wf. of Nathaniel Zerbe; they have two
daughters; Lizzie, wf. of Jacob Krill, who has seven children, one da., sin-
gle.
Zerbe, Matilda. The name of this woman was probably Priscilla Ma-
tilda, the date of her birth being synonymous with that of the former;
b. January 23, 1825; d. August 11, 1884; wf. of David Himmelberger; c:
Sarah, wf. of Jacob Rothermel; Adam, wf., Mary Troutman, and nine other
children of Sarah and Jacob Rothermel.
Zerbe, Henry; wf., Sarah Wertman; c: Calvin, wf., Kate Leiss, lives
at Robesonia; Calvin, Mary, wife of George Zei'be, son of Jared; c: Miles,
Minnie, Sarah, Elvin, Lester, Laura.
Zerbe, Ellen; wf. of John Wertman; c: William, John, Mary, Matilda,
Annie. William, wf., Ada Sprecher; c: Ruth, Henry, John, wf., Alice Fout.
Zerbe, Matilda; wf. of Henry Weaver.
CHILDREN OF JOEL ZERBE
JoeH Zerbe, (Phillip,'^ Jacob-', Jacob^) ; b.. 1821 ; cL, 1899:
wf., Annie Le Van. Their children were :
Zerbe, Alvin S. ; married, no children ; lives at Cleveland,
O. Teacher of languages, Central Theological Seminary, Day-
ton, O. ; of the faculty of Heidelberg University, Tiffin, O., and
for some years of the facult}- of Ursinus College, near Phila.
Zerbe, John S. ; wf., Elizabeth Bailey ; their children were :
Margaret M., Arthur J.. Laura A., Edgar L.. Grace P.. Hor-
tense. Oakland, Cal.
John S. Zerbe, formerly of 115 Broadway, New York, of
the firm of J. S. Zerbe & Son, mechanical and electrical engi-
neers and patent experts, now of Oakland, Cal., where they
are engaged in a similar business. The above named son,
Arthur, married Stella M. Smith. He is experimenting with
his own aeroplane and has made several aerial flights, of which
3o8 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
and his methods the "Scientific American" has several times
made favorable mention.
Zerbe, Edgar L. ; wf., Emma Boland, represents the New
York Book Co., 147 Fourth Ave., New York City.
Zerbe, Frances E. ; wf. , Marion, O. ; son Alvin. m. ;
two children ; Fremont, Ohio.
Zerbe, Richard L. ; wf., Letitia Bailey ; four children ; Cin-
cinnati, O.
John S. Zerbe is the author of a series of books for boys,
known as the "How To Do It" books, embracing every prin-
ciple employed in the handling of tools and the laying out of
the work in carpentry, electricity and mechanics. Mr. Zerbe
has had a wide range of experience in these lines and treats his
subjects from a practical standpoint and with profuse illus-
trations.
PHILLIP ZERBE A SINGER
James Zerbe, of Palmyra, d., seventy-six years of age, a
grandson of John Zerbe, Avho married Susanna Gruber, re-
lates that when a boy of twelve years of age he went with the
other members of his grandfather's and father Daniel's family
to Host's church on an Easter Sunday. The church, now
Reformed, was then worshipped in by both the Lutheran and
Reformed congregations alternately. Phillip Zerbe was a
great singer and had for years occupied the position of pre-
centor and started the hymns and chorals for the Lutherans.
He was at this time long past sixty, but still loved to sing.
A choir had, however, been formed in the church and Phillij)
no longer led the singing On this occasion the church was
packed to the doors and the choir had several new tunes in
readiness for the "Fest Tag."
The organ started and the choir piped up and essayed
twice to sing the new tune, but broke down, the organ
squeaked and then all was silent.
Old Phillip Zerbe, who occupied a pew with the old men
in the front of the church, arose and after a little hesitation
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 309
Of the Zerbeys
took his old note book, with its square and oblong four notes
then in use instead of the present octave of round and stem-
med ones, and extracting his tuning fork from his black
satin vest pocket took the pitch and in his high quavering
nasal voice sang the new tune through to the end of the hymn
with such assistance as the frightened members of the choir
and congregation could give him. This feat for a man of
nearly seventy years was the talk of the countryside for
weeks.
DESCENDANTS OF PHILLIP ZERBE, OF HETZEL'S,
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, BERKS (NOW
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY)
Phillip^ Zerbe came to this side of the Blue Mountain,
Pinegrove Township, Berks County, about 1760. His early
history is largely conjectural, but he is supposed to have
been a son of Lorentz Zerbe and born in Heidelberg Town-
ship about 1717, or perhaps earlier. The first record wc have
of him is when he and his brother, John Zerbe the miller, peti-
tioned for a new county to be erected from Lancaster County,
1738. (Penna. Archives.)
Phillip "Serwin" surveyed (40) forty acres of land in
Heidelberg Township, October 2, 1751 ; returned September
18, 1772, (Berks County court house). This was the same
Phillip that petitioned for a new county. There is no record
of his first marriage which must have occurred about 1738.
Daniel Rupp's history of Berks County gives him as an early
member of Christ's Church (Stouchsburg). He is said to
have had twelve children with his first wife, but of these only
four have been located : Phillip^, of Hetzel's ; Jonathan, Ben-
jamin and John, b. 1750, who married Barbara Witman,
November 2, 1773. (Christ Church records). Phillips Zerbe
is also noted on the same records as having married Su-
sanna February 26, 1782, his second wife.
310 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
(Note — Phillip Zerbe on list of taxables, Berks County,
I754-)
Of these four sons, Phillip- and Jonathan^ settled in
Pinegrove Township. John^ is supposed to have remained
in Rehersburg, Berks County, and Benjamin^ is probably the
man of that name who went West.
(Note — Mrs. Lucetta Bretz, eighty-three years of age,
remembers that her grandfather, Phillips had a brother Ben-
jamin, who went West.)
There were four Zerbes north of the Blue Mountain,
from 1754 to 1760; John the miller had taken up a tract of a
thousand acres of land, which he sold to his sons, Benjamin,
Daniel and John Jr. ; and Phillip, his brother, and Jonathan,
his son, of Cumru, both came later than the former. John
the miller never lived here, nor is it positively known if John
Jr. ever did. Jonathan, of Cumru, was the progenitor of the
Centre County line.
(Note — The Phillip and Daniel Zerbe, first cousins, who
went overland from Berks County, about 1785, and settled
near Shamokin Dam, (Delmatia), Northumberland County,
were sons of Daniel and Benjamin Zerbe, of the Blue Moun-
tain Hollow, Pine Grove Township.)
March 9, 1749, Adam Klinger, deeded to Phillip Zerbe
by original warrant (Deed Book, 12-22) a tract of land. John
Klinger died 1768 and Adam asked for a partition. There
were two tracts, one of one hundred acres and the other of
forty acres, both in Heidelberg Township. George Forrer
bought sixty-five acres of this land at the appraisement. It
is not clear how many acres were in the Zerbe tract. It says
in the deed, "being part of a larger tract of 89^ acres and
allowances as granted to the said Phillip "Zerby."
Phillip Zerbe settled in the "Blue Mountain Hollow,"
about four miles east of Pinegrove, 1760, on a tract of land
now owned by Benjamin Loy. This land adjoins that after-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 311
Of the Zerbeys
ward purchased from the state to erect upon it Hetzel's
church. He died 1790. His son, Phillip^, bought the property,
December 16, 1790, for the sum of fifty-five pounds in gold.
(Translated from "Der Readinger Zeitung" of September 1, 1790:
NOTICE — Pursuant to an order of Sale from the Orphans' Court of
Berks County, there will be offered at public vendue on Saturday, the
18th of September, at the public house of Gottfried Roehrer, Tulpe-
hocken Township, Berks County, a certain plantation and tract of land
situated in Pine Grove Township, in said county, containing 80 acres,
together with the usual allowances; lately the property of Philip
Zerbe, deceased.
For more particular information inquire of
SUSANNA ZERBE, Administratri.x.
ADAM KALBACH, Administrator.
August 16, 1790.
DESCENDANTS OF PHILLIP-' ZERBE
Phillip" Zerbe. (Phillip^) who bought and lived on the
old homestead adjoining Hetzel's church, was born October
23, 1765, d. October 13, 1831. He married Christina Boyer,
da. of Assumas Boyer. Jr.. and wf. Nagle. Christina
was a granddaughter of Heinrich Boyer and Elizabeth
Marie Zerbe (Martin^) Boyer, of Tulpehocken. Phillip-
Zerbe and John Lingle were granted a warrant for a tract of
land from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, May 8, 1798.
called "Good Intent," for twelve shillings and six pence, to
be held in trust for the Lutheran congregation and upon
which tract was built Hetzel's church. Phillip lived upon the
place until his death, 183 1. Christina survived him about
ten years, living with her daughter Christina, wf. of John
Zerbe, who lived on the old Assumas Boyer homestead,
about four miles northeast of Pinegrove. The children of
Phillip^ and Christina Zerbe were :
Phillip" Zerbe; wf. Elizabeth . They owned a farm near the
old homestead of his father and grandfather.
John, b. April 17, 1795; d. April 15, 1863; wf., Magdalena . Both
buried at Denver, Indiana.
Philopena, b. May 5, 1796; d. April 8, 1870; buried at Hetzel's church.
She was unmarried and lived with her sister, Christina Zerbe.
312 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Catharine, married Adam Stahl, of Suedburg, who was the father
of John and George Stahl of the same place.
Daniel, b. December 1, 1799; d. February 17, 1874; first wf., Catharine
Swartz; second wf., Catharine Bretzious, widow. He lived on a farm
four miles northeast of Pinegrove at the upper end of the Union Canal
dam. He was a sawyer and at his saw mill prepared lumber for the build-
ing of boats for the Schuylkill Canal and furnished ties for the first
railroad built to Pine Grove.
Christina, b. July 10, 1801; d. January 25, 1885; married John Zerbe,
a native of Westmoreland County, and a son of Emanuel and Barbara
Zerbe, of Rehrersburg, Berks County. They lived four miles northeast
of Pine Grove, on the old Assumas Boyer's homestead, and had one daugh-
ter, Lucetta, who married George Bretz. Their children were: Mary, Ed-
ward and Lucetta.
Phillips Zerbe, wf. Elizabeth, owned and lived on a farm
near the old homestead of Phillip^ and Phillip". Children :
Jonathan, b. in Washington Township, Schuylkill Coun-
ty, December 31, 1819, and died at his home in Cedar County,
Iowa, February 25, 1903. He was married to Catharine Em-
erich, June 15, 1846, and on the day of their marriage they
set out for Ohio. A Mechanicsvillc, Cedar County, news-
paper man, says: "He came to Iowa in the Spring of 1865
and resided in that county since." He had thirteen children,
four boys, Henry, Jacob, Jonathan and Solomon, and nine
girls, all of whom are living. He had ninety-six grandchil-
dren and forty-one great grandchildren, making a total of
one hundred and fifty direct descendants. He was eighty-
three years of age.
John, (Phillip-); b. Jan. 11, 1821; d. Dec. 23, 1884; married Maria Hon-
necker; lived about three miles east of Pine Grove. He was a veteran
of the Civil War. He was noted as the best shot at the old shooting
matches. He had children: Caroline, 1845; Mary Ann, 1850; Emanuel,
1852; Rebecca, 1857; Elizabeth, 1859; John, 1861; George, 1863; Reuben
and William (twins), 1874.
Jacob, b. February 1, 1823; m. Catharine Klick. They had one son,
William, b. March 25, 1849. Sudden death, June 24, 1861.
Joseph, b. September 12, 1825; d. July 17, 1895; m. Katharine Loose;
they lived on a farm three miles east of Pine Grove; was a plasterer by
trade; had children, Lewis, Percival, 1854; Joseph Jr., 1855, and Frank.
Leah, b. October 31, 1828; d. February 13, 1912; m. Daniel Herring;
no children.
Benneville, b. September 19, 1830; d. March 7, 1877; m. Amanda
Royer; had one daughter, Emma.
Kate, m. Sherman.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 313
Of the Zerbeys
Reuben; b. July 27, 1837; m. Amanda Krick; he lives one mile east
of Pine Grove; is a plasterer by trade. His children are: Harry, an en-
gineer, of Allentown, and Mrs. Wash Zimmerman; Mrs. Harry Shollen-
berger, and Mrs. William Schwartz, all of Pine Grove.
Levi, b. November 11, 1842; unmarried.
CHILDREN OF PHILLIP-' (PHILLIPi)
John Zerbe (Phillips Phillipi), b. April 17, 1795; d. April
15, 1863; wf., Magdalena. Both died at Denver, Indiana,
and are buried there. They lived on a farm three miles east
of Pine Grove, but moved to Indiana before the Civil War.
Their children are :
Jonathan, b. February 17, 1817; moved to Indiana with his parents
and removed to Mechanicsville, Iowa. Had no children.
John, b. October 20, 1820; went West with his parents settling in
Cedar County, Iowa, where they had the following children: Andrew J.,
Bigelow, Kan.; Carolina, Mason, Lewis and Mrs. Emanuel Roberts, all of
South Omaha, Nebraska.
Rosina, b. December 12, 1823; m. Jacob Zerbe, son of Peter and
Elizabeth, a born Zerbe, of Newtown, Schuylkill County; moved to Ar-
gos, Indiana. Children: Mrs. Eliza Rogers, Jacob Zerbe, of Argos, and
George, Emanuel, Rosa Ann, Mrs. Susan Kerns and Peter Zerbe, all set-
tled in Indiana.
Katrina, b. May 17, 1825; m. Hertzog; moved West; children:
Mary, John, George, Michael, Jackson, Frank. Walter S. Hertzog, of Glen-
dale, Los Angeles County, Cal., is a descendant.
Samuel, b. April 30, 1827; wf. Wolf; moved to Mechanicsville,
Cedar County, Iowa; children: Samuel A., St. Cloud, Minn.; John G., Mrs.
Charles Esternacht, Mrs. Dr. Russell and Mrs. Sarah Macker, all of Me-
chanicsville, Iowa.
Michael, b. November 8, 1828; unmarried; lives at Mechanicsville, la.
Frank, son of a second marriage; lives in the West.
The children of George W. Zerbe (Jacob and Rosina), of Argos, Ind.,
were: Bessie, Ruby, Bernice. He is an oculist and jeweler.
The children of Mrs. Eliza, wf. of Eli Rogers, were: Rev. Frank T.
Rogers, Harry, Clayton, Artella, Harley and Tessie.
DESCENDANTS OF DANIEL^ ZERBE, (PHILLIP^
PHILLIPi)
Daniel"* Zerbe, Jr.; b. August i, 1824; d. January 9, 1882;
was a great grandson of Phillips Zerbe, of Hetzel's ; first wf.,
Maria Esther Gebert. They had four children: William L.,
b. 1845; Ellen, 1848, married Frank Lutz; Mary Ann, 1850,
married William Klopp; one d. in infancy. Second wf., Bar-
314 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
bara Krick, children : Henry, Alice, Daniel O., Lewis, Clara
and Ida. Daniel Zerbe, Jr., lived near his father's place at
the Union Canal dam, where he kept a hotel, three miles
northeast of Pine Grove, where he entertained many Potts-
ville fishing parties to the "Big Dam."
Levi, b. February 20, 1826; d. young.
Jared, b. April 20, 1828; wf., — Lehman; lived north of Pine Grove.
They had eighteen children.
Louisa, b. December 19, 1830; m. Benneville Hummel. They were the
parents of Hon. Edward Hummel, member of the Legislature, of Pine
Grove.
Edward, b. June 2, 1832; lived a bachelor for eighty years on the old
homestead of his father's.
Peter, b. March 7, 1847; an only son of second marriage; d. when
about 32 years old.
WILLIAM L. ZERBE, OF PINE GROVE
William^ Lafayette Zerbe, (Daniel' Jr., DanieP, Phillips,
Phillip"') ; b. December i8, 1845. ?Ie was raised by his grand-
father, Daniel Zerbe, Sr., at the "Big Dam." He married Me-
lissa Hehn, of near Friedensburg and settled in Pine Grove,
1874. He was a shoemaker by trade and entered the shoe
business, in which he was engaged twenty-five years and be-
came prosperous. ?Te died July 15. 1905. leaving one son, Wil-
liam E. Zerbe.
William^ E. Zerbe, (William L.) ; b. February 15, 1868;
wf., Lillian May Shelly. He learned the trade of cabinet
maker and carpenter, but for twenty-one years has been en-
gaged in the furniture and undertaking business. About nine
years ago he added a retail lumber business to his other ven-
tures and has been successful in all of the branches conducted
under his management. He is a member of St. John's Luth-
eran church, the Masonic, Odd Fellows and P. O. S. of A.
lodges, and owns considerable property in Pine Grove, his
home town. Mr. Zerbe, who is a self educated man and
versatile genius, for a time pursued the study of music in his
odd moments, he played upon all instruments and made a
study of the theory of music, transposing the scores for some
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 315
Of the Zerbeys
years for the Pine Grove band, of which he was a member.
He was an ardent collector of old coins and his knowledge
of the eras and values of these coins made of him a numis-
matist of no small reputation. He also studied up the Zerbe
ancestry of the branch to which he belongs, and rendered
valuable assistance to the author in the compilation of his
line and its connection with others of the same name.
The children of William and Lillian Zerbe are : Charles
W., b. January 31, 1889; wf., Emma Lehmy. They have one
son, Harry. Charles is engaged in the lumber business with
his father.
James M., b. September 7, 1891 ; wf. Ollie Hoy ; one son,
Walter; Annie M., b. March 16, 1902, at home; John S., b.
March 16, 1902; d. May 14, 1913. James is associated with
his father in the undertaking business.
JONATHAN ZERBE (PHILLIPi)
Jonathan^ Zerbe, (Phillip^) ; wf., Magdalena Deppen.
They lived on their own farm, about four miles northeast of
Pine Grove, now owned by the Jacob Ulmer estate, of Pbtts-
ville. Pa. He later removed to Tremont, when that town had
only several houses and kept a hotel. He also owned large
tracts of coal lands in the West End. He was b. November
16, 1769, and was buried at Hetzel's church, November 22,
1846. Rev. John Gring, of Lebanon, preached his funeral
sermon, (Gring's records). They had the following children:
Jonathans, b. March 12, 1795; d. May 21, 1849; wf., Rosina Gebert.
He lived near his father's place and is buried at Clouser's church, east of
Llewellyn. Children: Katrina, b. May 10, 1827; Solomon, b. April 20,
1835; lived in the Hegins Valley. One of his sons lives in Tremont.
John^ D., (Jonathans), b. March 17, 1798; d. March 9,
1890, aged 91 years, 11 months, 22 days; wf., Barbara
Schroppe. They lived at Water Tank, one mile west of
Silverton, between Tremont and Llewellyn. (This man made
many early visits on horseback to the Centre County Zerbes.)
3i6 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
He is buried at Clouser's Churcli. Their chilren were : John
Jr., lived at same place, b. 1822, railroader; his widow and
son Frank live on the homestead. Other children were :
Israel and William, d.; Mrs. Mary Gehres, d., of Port Carbon; Mrs.
Sarah Bernhardt, Mrs. Sarah Ruch, Mrs. Lena Walker, Phila., and Mrs.
Charles Gable, eighty-eight years of age, who lives with her son Henry,
in Hegins Township, on the main road, near Valley View. She was
married, 1847, and had nine children: Sarah, wf. of Noah Geist, Weis-
hample; Charles, Ashland; William, d., Phila.; Ellen, wf. of Frank
Yoder; Daniel and Henry, Hegins; Katharine, wf. of Elias BuflRngton,
Ashland; Emma, wf. of Marcus Herb, Mt. Carmel, and Mary, wf. of
Charles Miller, of Valley View, Hegins Township.
(Note — Mrs. Gable contributed an interesting reminiscence on another
page, and Mrs. Miller furnished information. Mrs. Gable has 39 grand-
children, 36 great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild living.)
Elizabeth^ (Jonathan^) ; b. 1794; d. October 27, 1849.
She married Peter Zerbe, of Rehersburg. They settled in
Newtown, Zerbe P. O., 1828.
Michaels, (Jonathan2); first wf., Magdalena Bucher; second, Polly
Tobias. Their children were: George, Michael and Frank, who settled
in Michigan. He had six children with his iirst wife and one with the
second. His da., Mary, married John Zerbe, of Newtown; b., December
10, 1825; d., July 14, 1851; Katrina, b. May 5, 1828; John, b. August 24,
1830.
George Zerbe, (.Michael); b. October 5, 1834; wf., Catharine Dewald,
Pinegrove. Miss Jennie Zerbe, a recent professional nurse, employed by
the King's Daughters of Pottsville, Pa., is a granddaughter of George
Zerbe.
Michael Zerbe lived on his father, Jonathan's'', place,
(Ulmer's farm), up to the time of his death, which occurred
on a winter night when on coming home from Tremont he
lost his bearings and stuck in a snow drift, one hundred yards
from his own home and was frozen to death.
Samuels, (Jonathan-, Phillipl); b. September 6, 1805; d. September
11, 1872; wf., Susanna Lengle. He was a blacksmith and lived two miles
east of Pinegrove. Children:
William, b. about 1830; m. Eliza Kinsell; lived near his father's place;
children: William, Kate, Susan, Harriet, Samuel, George, Elias.
Jacob, b. January 7, 1832; m. Rebecca Wenrich; lived near his fath-
er's place; children: Franklin, Mrs. Elias Kinsell, Mrs. Ed. Bretz, Mrs.
Wm. Kinsell, Isaac. Jacob, and Amos Zerbe, principal of the Tremont
schools.
John, b. May 11, 1836; he had two daughters and two sons.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 317
Of the Zerbeys
Isaac, b. about 1845; m. Louisa Umbenhower; lives at East Hanover,
Lebanon County, Pa. One of his sons is Harry Zerbe, of Cressona, Pa.,
hotelkeeper.
Anna, b. December 16, 1842; m. George Zuby.
Solomon Zerbe, (son of Jonathan); b. July 12, 1813; d. of smallpox,
January 11, 1847; m. Lucinda Boycr; they had one son, George, b. about
1845, who now lives in Lebanon County.
Salome, (Jonathans), wf. of George Daubert, who were the grand-
paernts of Charles Daubert, living two miles northeast of Pine Grove.
Amos^ Walter Zerbe, (Jacob*, SamueP, Jonathan^ Phil-
lip^) ; b. August II, 1878; wf., Lillian Spancake, b. May 5,
1879; m., December 31, 1905; son, Jacob Stuart, b. December
3, 1909. Mr. Zerbe is a school teacher by profession and first
taught at Blackwood, Schuylkill Co., from where he went to
East Greenville, Montgomery Co., where he was supervising
principal of schools. He occupied the same position in
Reilly Township, Schuylkill County, and is at present princi-
pal of the Tremont High School. He has been successful in
his vocation and is looked upon as one of the leading educa-
tors of the county.
J. E. Zerbe, of Allentown, formerly of Summit Hill.
Schuylkill County, removed to Bloomingdale, near the for-
mer place where he bought the White Bear Hotel and a hun-
dred acre farm adjoining it. was a great grandson of Jonathan
Zerbe.
(The Zerbes of Ohio, most of their ancestors came from
Pinegrove Township, Pa., hold their annual reunion at Piqua,
Ohio, August I.)
PETER ZERBE, OF NEWTOWN, ZERBE P. O.
Peter Zerbe, the head of the Newtown Zerbes, came to
that place in 1828, from Rehersburg, Berks County. He was
married to Elizabeth^ Zerbe, (Jonathan% Phillip^), about 1814,
at Hetzel's ; several children were born at Rehersburg and
were: Jacob, Joseph, John, Peter, Martin and Henry.
Jacob, b. May 26, 1817; wf., Rosina, da. of John Zerbe.
They moved to Walnut, Indiana. Children : Elizabeth, Jacob
Jr., Peter, George, Emanuel, Rosina and Susan. Peter, son
3i8 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
of Jacob and grandson of Peter, of Newtown, and wife visited
this section, 1914. He is sixty-one years of age, having left
Newtown with his parents when thirteen years of age. He
and his father's family are prospering in Indiana and other
Western States.
Joseph, b. July 11, 1819; d. June 2, 1872; unmarried; lived at Newtown.
John, b. October 9, 1822; wf., Maria, da. of Michael Zerbe; lived at
Newtown. One son, Roseberry Zerbe, b. 1850, d. 1873.
Peter, b. November 20, 1820; wf. Green; lived at Newtown; had
two sons and several daughters; sons Aaron and Joseph of that place.
Martin, b. October 21, 1824; he lived at Blackwood, but for many
years kept the leading hotel at Newtown. He has several children living
at that place, Martin, Frank and Elizabeth; one dead.
Henry, b. January 6, 1827; was killed at a lumber landing,
August 20, 1862. His wife was Margaret Kerschner. Henry
and Martin together built the hotel. An iron plate, inscribed
1810, which was brought from Rehersburg, was imbedded in
the wall. He had one son, Henry.
Henry Zerbe (Henry, Peter) ; wf., Sarah. They had
thirteen children born to them, several deceased ; Charles,
Newtown ; Henry Jr., Donaldson ; Monroe, Pinegrove ; Lloyd,
and Franklin, Newtown ; Dora, wf. of Wm. Long ; Sarah, wt.
of Wm. Gauntlett, both of Pottsville ; Annie, wf. of Ralph
Klinger, Wiconisco, and Mary, at home; Mrs. Sarah Zerbe,
wf. of Henry, d. March 20, 191 5.
Henry Zerbe, or "Harry," as he is better known, is a
prominent citizen of Newtown. He was postmaster for a
number of years, school director and occupied many posi-
tions of trust in his home town. He is now engaged in the
grocery business, owns some property and is altogether an
all around man of aflfairs. The town was first called Swatara,
its proper name, but a little gathering of houses farther down
the creek was known by the same name, then it was named
Newtown. One day a U. S. post office representative from
the general department called on Postmaster Zerbe and in-
quired as to the early history of the place. He said, "there
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 319
Of the Zerbeys
are several Newtowns in the state, there is always a confusion.
We will name the town Zerbe. after Peter Zerbe, the first
settler."
Harry Jr., one of Harry Zerbe's sons, is engaged
in the hotel business at Donaldson. A newspaper item says,
"Henry Zerbe is improving the water line to his hotel."
HenryS has a brother Oliver, who lives at Nicetown ; his
son is a Presbyterian clergyman at Rochester, N. Y.
Peter Zerbe, head of the Zerbe P. O. families (Newtown),
son of Peter Zerbe, of Rehersburg, b. May 12, 1781.
Peter^ Zerbe, (Peter*, Johannas- and Margaretta, George-
Peter, Martin^), b. 180 1.
It will be noted that the Norwegian Township Zerbes
are not of the John the miller (Lorentz') line, although they
intermarried several times, making their children, as in the
case of Peter who married Elizabeth, a born Zerbe, the issue
of the two branches.
ZERBE RECORDS, JACOB'S CHURCH
John Zerbe, b. September 27, 1781 ; d. July 17, 1853; is
on record at Jacob's church (1780) as having communed there
1799. A John Zerbe was confirmed there 1810. August 18,
1799, Daniel Zerbe and wf., Anna Maria, bap. a daughter,
Maria Catharine ; sponsors, Leonard Ried and wf., Anna
Maria Zerbe.
February 20, 1803, George Zerbe and wf., Catharine, bap.
a da., Anna Catharine ; August 28, 1803, Jacob and Catharine
Zerbe bap. a daughter, Salome ; and another daughter, Cath-
rine, April 14. 1805. John Zerbe and wf., Elizabeth, doubtless
the former, stood sponsors for Margaret Bressler at baptism.
REMINISCENCES OF OLD SETTLER
John Zerbe. b. October 9, 1822, at Rehrersburg, Berks
County, lived and died in Newtown, Zerbe P. O., Schuylkill
County, January 22, 1905, aged 82 years. He was married to
320 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Mary, daughter of Michael and Magdalena Zerbe, of Pine
Grove Township. The following is a brief abstract of a his-
tory of his life as written by himself in his later years and
duly signed and witnessed.
"My father, Peter Zerbe, of Newtown, after whom Zerbe
P. O. is named, took up a tract of land in Schuylkill County,
and in 1826-27, during the summer, with his two eldest
sons, Jacob and Peter Jr., came over to make improvements
on the place. On September 28th, 1828, we removed from
Rehersburg, Berks County, to our new home. I was then six
years old and remember well the two four-horse teams that
brought us and our belongings to Schuylkill County. The
teams belonged to my father's brother, Jacob, and to his
cousin, John Zerbe.
"We started at sunrise and reached Pine Grove at noon,
where they fed the horses and we had dinner. Three
miles further we reached Umbenhauer's tavern, the only
house in seven miles, when we came to my grandfather,
Michael Zerbe's house (my mother's father), where our par-
ents left me and my smaller brothers, Martin and Henry,
while they journeyed on. (This place is now Ellis Minnig's
Hotel, Tremont). The next morning my grandmother's
maid, Luda Lengel, brought us three little boys four miles
east into Norwegian Township, and during that trip we saw
only one small shanty, this was a half mile from our place.
My father had a house ready for us, but we put in a hard
winter. We had no near neighbors, we saw no people for
weeks and even months. We were without school, lodge or
church, and shoes and proper clothing were hard to obtain
and our house was insufficient to protect us from the severe
weather. My father worked hard, at making shingles, in
Painter's Swamp, to support his family and while working
here dislocated his shoulder and was laid up for weeks through
the accident.
"He could not work and as soon as he was able he went
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 321
Of the Zerbeys
to Berks County for assistance. His relatives came and
brought flour, potatoes and other necessaries ; meat we did
not need as my brothers could always get rabbits, venison
and other game, but my mother told our friends she was
afraid we would have to move back to Berks County in the
Spring.
"My father got better and when the weather opened, my
father's cousin, John Zcrbe. came again and brought him a
plow, two horses, harness and some feed for them, and sup-
plies for us. That summer we got on our feet and it went
better. We cleared fifteen acres and planted it all in oats,
corn, wheat and rye and potatoes we had in plenty. We
worked hard but prospered, as all honest men can do that
have the will.
"In a distance of thirteen miles, east, west, north and
south, of Llewellyn, to the gap of the Second Mountain and
ten miles north and south and two miles east of Pencal Ridge,
there were living among the earliest inhabitants, Peter Starr,
Michael Zerbe, the Clousers, Flibs, Zimmermans, Hafers.
Bretzs, Confairs, Longs, Geberts, J. Zerbe, Housemans, Ad-
ams, Werners and Stitsels. These were all settled on the
road that leads to Pine Grove, from Llewellyn. Our nearest
neighbor was Mrs. John Adams, great grandmother of John
Sterner, who now lives on the place, and Umbenhauer's tav-
ern was farther on. These were all the inhabitants when we
came here in 1828. — John Zerbe." (Seal)
TALE OF A CATAMOUNT
Mrs. Ellen Zerbe, wf. of Charles Gable, d., eighty-three
years old, and grandmother of Oscar Geist, of Gordon, relates
the following among many other interesting tales : "We lived
in the Blue Mountain Hollow, in Pinegrove Township. My
father was Jonathan Zerbe, who reached the age of 97 years
and had eight children (referred to elsewhere).
322 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
"Wild animals were plentiful in the country around where
we lived, and the children were not allowed to roam about in
the woods. One night, when my father was away from
home, after we had gone to bed we heard the most blood-
curdling screams outside, like a woman crying for help and
other frightful yells. The boys were for going out and seeing
what the noise was about, but were not allowed to, and the
smaller children covered their heads with the bed quilts and
coverlets.
"In the morning we found the remains of a large deer,
his horns in his effort to escape a catamount and perhaps a
pack of wolves, had caught in between the bars of our rail
fence, he could not get away and he was thus devoured, only
])arts of his frame and carcass remaining. The cries of a
catamount very much resemble those of a woman or child in
distress. My father saved the horns and nailed them up in
our barn."
(Mrs. Ellen Gable, the above, fell upon the icy porch at
the home of her son, Henry Gable, Hegins, February 7, 191 5,
and fractured her hip. She is 88 years old at this writing.)
INDIAN STORY OF JOHN ZERBE
John Zerbe, son of Phillip^ by his first wife, came to
Pinegrove Township early and took a tract of land and clear-
ed it. This land was afterward taken up by his stepbrother,
Jonathan Zerbe (Phillip^) and part of it now belongs to the
Jacob Ulmer estate, Pottsville, and is known as Ulmer's farm.
A thrilling experience is related of this man with the Indians.
After building his log house and planting his field in
corn, the Indians from the Swatara Valley, who visited him
frequently to beg, borrow and steal, came and made some
demands upon him, which he refused. This angered them
and they determined to have revenge.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 323
Of tlie Zerbeys
One night he heard a cow bell in the corn field which
signified that one of his cows was in the corn. Suspecting
that all was not right he took a pail ostensibly to go to the
spring for water, the path to which lay through the corn field.
He carried his old flintlock musket behind his back and when
nearing the sound of the cow bell, threw down the pail, took
aim and fired, killing instantly a full blooded Indian. He
went to the spring but there were no other Indians in sight.
He scooped out a grave in the cornfield and buried the red
man near where he fell. That grave can still be seen on the
Ulmer farm and also a mound of chips near the spring
where the Indians congregated and sat whittling their bows
and arrows.
One day John Zerbe and a man named Nagle, father-in-
law of Assumas Boyer, went out to hunt. On their return
John Zerbe found his wife and children murdered. The mas-
sacre was too horrible to relate. One of the girls was terri-
bly mutilated but still living and suffering dreadfully. The
half-crazed father seeing she could not live, himself put an
end to her misery by completing the Avork of the Indians and
dispatching her.
Overcome with grief, remorse and sorrow at the death
of his loved ones, he abandoned everything and returned to
Rehersburg, Berks County.
Jonathan Zerbe afterward settled upon the same tract
of land.
CENTRE COUNTY ZERBES
There are two different branches of Zerbes in Centre
County. One descended from Martin^ Zerbe and the other
from Lorentz^, brothers, (1710).
Phillip Zerbe, of the latter line, came to Centre County
about 1800. He was born in the Blue Mountain Hollow,
Pinegrove Township, Berks County, and married Barbara,
334 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
da. of John Lingle, of the same locality. He is supposed to
have been a son of Jonathan Zerbe, of Cumru Township,
brother of John, of Cumru, a miller, who settled on this side
of the mountain at an early date. Shortly after their mar-
riage they made a long and tedious journey by wagon to
Centre County and located upon a farm between Milheim and
Coburn, Penn Township, afterward removing to another
tract of land in Gregg Township. He was a linen weaver by
trade but supported his family by farming. He was a Demo-
crat in politics as were most of his line.
Phillip4 Zerbe, b. about 1778, (Jonathan:*, Johna the m., Lorentzl);
d. in Gregg Township. Phillip and Barbara Zerbe had the following
children:
John, b. September 27, 1804; was blind for some years prior to his
death, which occurred in Snow Shoe, Centre County.
(Note — For the Philip and Jonathan Zerbes, of Blue Mountain Hol-
low, see Phillipl Zerbe, of Hetzel's Church, Pinegrove Township.)
Johann Phillip, b. March 27, 1806; d. at Pinegrove, while receiving
treatment at Pottsville for threatened blindness.
David, b. November 10, 1807; was blind for thirty-tive years; d. in
Gregg Township.
(Note — Mrs. Bretz, of Pinegrove, who was a Zerbe, and is eighty
years of age, recollected well when David Zerbe, accompanied by a half
grown boy, came from Centre County to visit his cousins in Pinegrove,
and Mrs. Rebecca Troutman, seventy years of age, of Krick's Mills P. 0.,
Berks County, da. of John (John Christian), remembers, too, when the
Pinegrove cousins brought David, a blind man, to visit her father, John
Zerbe.)
Jacob, b. November 10, 1807; d. near the Loop, Potter Township, af-
ter having been blind for twenty-five years.
Adam, b. August 19, 1811. Weaver by trade, operated a saw mill for
many years in Gregg Township. Removed in 1847 to Penn Township,
Pine Creek, where he purchased eighty acres of land and lived until his
death at nearly seventy years. He is interred in Paradise cemetery.
Member of Evangelical church.
Michael, b. May 7, 1814; d. in Stephenson Co., 111.
Henry, b. October 23, 1815; d. in same county and state.
Catharine, b. October 27, 1817; d., 1896; m. Abram Hoover, d.
Andrew, b. March 1, 1821; living in Gregg Township.
Phillip Zerbe was twice married; his second wf. was Hannah, da. of
Adam and Hannah Elizabeth (Minnich) Sunday. He had nine children
with the first wife and eight with the second, viz:
Elizabeth, b. May 16, 1822; m. Charles Ripka; d. in Gregg Township.
Mary, b. April 26, 1824; m. Harry Garver; d. in Potter Township.
Susanna and Sarah, twins; b. August 26, 1826; Susanna m. George
Wirt; d. in Penn Township; Sarah m. Peter Auman; d. in Gregg Township.
Joseph, b. November 4, 1830; d. in Gregg Township.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 325
Of the Zerbeys
William is a resident of Gregg Township.
Hannah m. Peter Confer, of Millheim, Centre County.
Amelia, d. at the age of twenty-one years.
Adam Zerbe, (Phillip), was twice married; first wf., Susanna Swavely,
by whom he had the following children: Henry, of Haines Township;
Adam P.; Reuben, d., Penn Township; Julia A., m. Daniel Geary, d. in
Penn Township. Second wf., Mrs. Catharine Confer, (Heckman.)
Adam3 P. Zerbe, (Adam-\ Phillipl); b. April 21, 1845; worked at lum-
bering until twenty-seven years of age; m., February, 1872, in Haines
Township, to Elizabeth Daup, da. of Joseph and Catherine Decker Daup.
They had five children: Susan 0., Joseph A., d.; William D., Emory P.,
and Maria A. A. P. Zerbe's wife, Catharine, dying he makes his home
with his son, Atty. W. D. Zerbe, of Bellefonte.
DAVID L. ZERBE
David L. Zerbe, b. January 28, 185 1, son of Adam and
Susan Swaveley Zerbe, teller of the bank, Millheim, Pa. He
was educated in the Aaronsburg and Penn Hall Academies.
Taught school for thirteen years ; married November 5, 1874,
Anna Mary Deininger Keen. One child, Stella E. He is one
of the leading citizens of Millheim. Stella m. Thomas Buck,
lives at Berwick, Pa.
Susan D. Zei'be, d.
Emery P., m. Sarah Bower; one child, Coburn, Penn Township.
Mina A., m. Faust.
William D. Zerbe, m. Isabel, daughter of Hugh and Annie Starr Tay-
lor. They had two children: Elizabeth and William, attorney at law,
member of the firm of "Gettig, Bower and Zerby." Some of this branch
have changed the final "e" of the name to "y."
A John Zerbe, b. October 19, 1812, Centre County, Pa., m. Eliza Gipe,
1856, and located at East Germantown, Wayne Co., Indiana. He died
October 5, 1882.
ZERBES IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
PHILLIP ZERBE
The Zerbes of Northumberland County are descendants
from the men of the second and fourth generations, Phillip^
Zerbe and Daniel^ Zerbe.
Phillip^ Zerbe. There is nothing definite known of this
man's ancestry, but he is said to have come to the region of
Northumberland County before its erection, 1772, and settled
near Shamokin Dam, Lower Mahantongo and Mahanoy
326 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Townships, where many of the Zerbes of both branches live,
there being about five hundred with their descendants inter-
married, in the county and others removed to the Avestern
states.
Delmatia, formerly Georgetown, on the North Central
Railway, is eleven miles from Sunbury. The Stone Valley
church, where many Zerbes are buried, is three miles from
Delmatia.
Phillip- Zerbe was a raftsman on the Susquehanna River
from Sunbury, then known as Shamokin, to Harrisburg^
and owned rafts and boats of his own. He was a large and
powerfully built man, six feet and five inches tall, with long
arms, big feet and hands and great muscular strength. His
summary disposition of all disputes among the rough ele-
ment that worked with and under him, gave him the repu-
tation of a great athlete and fighter and few cared to arouse
his antagonism. He was known as the "Yankee" and a tra-
dition exists that he came from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania.
Phillips Zerbe, (Phillip^), b. December 17, 1776; d. No-
vember 19, 1857; wf., Elizabeth, b. December 12, 1779; d.
April 14, 1837; both buried at Zion Stone Valley church,
(Steinedahl). Delmatia. Their children were: Joseph, John,
Margaret, wf. of George Bingham ; Benjamin, Phillip^ Jr. ;
Miriam, wf. of Andrew Tschopp ; David, Peter, Elizabeth, m.
John Lauer, died before decedent, leaving four children :
Mary, Gabriel, Elizabeth and Peggy, minors. The estate
valued at $1,600. Letters of administration, December 14,
1857. Each heir, $359. T. 483, pp. 529, Northumberland
County Court House.
Peter* Zerbe, (Phillip^*, Phillip^), bought 100 acres of
land from Michael Rhine for 105 pounds, March 19, 1818. R.
C. 751-109, p. 529. Lower Mahanoy Township. Peter Zerbe
(Note 1 — The History of Northumberland County, 1891, says, in its
"Colonial Period:" "There was a colony of New Englanders who settled,
early, near Shamokin Dam, who were given the derisive name of "Yankee"
and were very much disliked by the aetUers.")
/
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 327
Of the Zerbeys
left Northumberland County and later Valley View, Schuyl-
kill County, for Clarion County ; his brother David settled in
Ohio.
Phillip* Zerbe, Jr., (Phillip^, Phillip^), lived at Delmatia ;
m. Catharine Rothermel. Their children were : Isaac, Reilly,
Levi, Joel, Susan, m. Lsaac Messner; Elizabeth, m. John
Seagrist. His four sons were in the Civil War and all re-
turned home safely. Isaac'' m. Elizabeth Reichenbach ; 2nd
wf,, Mrs. Mary A. Radle; c. vi^ere: William, Susan, m. Aaron
Heim ; Uriah, Phillip, Adam, Aaron, Jacob, Isaac of first wife,
Mary Emma, wf. of Charles E. Yousc, of 2nd wife.
ReillyS Zerbe, (Phillip^ Phillip'^, Phillip-), hotelkeeper at
Shamokin Dam, Lower Mahantongo Township, removed to
Sunbury, where he established the Zerbe Hotel; m. Fietta
Haupt, first wife; children: Milton H. ; Francis, d. ; Martha,
m. Edward Schreiber ; second wife, Rebecca Reed ; c. : Delia,
m. Charles Rumberger ; c. of Delia Rumberger : Edward,
Rebecca, Reilly Zerbe, soldier in the Civil War.
John* Zerbe, (Phillip', Phillip^), b. Northumberland
County, 1786; d. 1851. John* Zerbe had a son, Daniel^ b.
May ID, 1810; d. July 2, 1851. Daniel's^ son, John^ D. Zerbe,
of Hubley Township, Schuylkill County, b. February 14,
1845. This John' Zerbe lives at Sacramento, Pa. His chil-
dren are : Frank, Allen, Harry, Sacramento ; Dr. J. Irwin,
Franklin, Pa., formerly of Polk, Venango County, Pa. Dr.
Zerbe practised for several years in Minersville and is now
prominent in his profession at Oil City, Pa.
Phillip-; "the Yankee," was engaged in rafting on the
Susquehanna River about 1762 and it is confidently believed
that he was a son of John^ Phillip Zerbe, one of the three
immigrant brothers who landed in New York, 17 10, and who
served in Queen Anne's War, 171 1, subsequently removing
to Broad Bay, Maine, 1732, with a colony, where they re-
mained until the last of them scattered, 1769.
328 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Phillip* and Daniel*, who went north to Northumberland
County about 1785, were sons of Benjamin and Daniel Zerbe,
of the Blue Mountain Hollow, Pinegrove Township, Berks
County, (John^ the m.. Lorentz^) and were first cousins.
Phillip's descendants live mainly near Sunbury and at Del-
matia. A Phillip went to Centre County early.
The children of Phillips Zerbe, (Johni Phillip), were:
John, Joseph, George, Phillip, Peter.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS
John Servey — Northumberland County Militia, Private, Continental
Line. Vol. 4, pp. 369, 693, 379, Penna. Archives.
Joseph Servitz— Private, Capt. George Shriver's, 3d Co., 7th class.
Vol. 8, p. 358, Penna. Archives, (Northumberland County.)
George Servits— Capt. John Gragery's Co., Col. Nicholas Kerns, North-
umberland County, April 22, 1782. Vol. 8, p. 493; Vol. 4, p. 344, Penna.
Archives,
(Note — It will be seen that there are two Phillips of the third and
fourth generation. Phillip4 who came with Daniel from Berks, and
Phillip3, son of Phillip2.)
Milton^ H. Zerbe, (Reilly^, Phillip*, Phillip^, Phillip2),
proprietor of the Zerbe Hotel, Sunbury, established by his
father, Reilly Zerbe ; m. Martha Herrold ; c. : Thomas, Mary
F., wf. of William Flanders.
Levi5 Zerbe, (Phillip*, Phillip^ Phillip^), m. Polly Bitter-
man, d.
JoeP Zerbe, (Phillip*, Phillip^, Phillip^), m. Lizzie Glad-
felter.
There were many soldiers in the Civil War from the
Phillip line and their descendants are well educated and pro-
gressive. Charles W. Zerbe owns one of the finest farms
along the Mahantongo Creek, run upon modern scientific
principles and a "top-notcher." He is a school director, tax
collector and an all around man of affairs.
ZERBE TUFT HUNTERS
Some years ago the Phillip Zerbe branch, of Northum-
berland County, employed a lawyer to go to Europe, where
it was said a fortune of 60 million dollars awaited them. He
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 329
Of the Zerbeys
returned and made an assessment for more funds needed to
prosecute the claims, collected it, departed and nothing further
was heard of him or the money. They enjoyed the joke upon
themselves, but not as much as did the promoter of the
scheme, who lived abroad at their expense for a year or
more.
Joseph^ Zerbe, (Phillip^, Phillip^). His will, recorded
February 27, 1862, Register's office, Northumberland County,
(R. B. 751), gives his heirs: Anna Maria, widow; David,
Phillip, Amanda Heckert, Elizabeth Tschopp, Catharine
ScheaiTer, John, Mary, Eva, Alburtus. The Steinedahl
church records give Joseph Zerbe, m. to Catharine Meek as
having had thirteen children. Their names are identical with
those above (and if the same man, he must have had two
wives). David, b. 1824, d. 1908, Mandata, Pa.; Phillip, b.
1827, Malta; John, Iowa; and Peter, Illinois; all three killed
in the Civil War. Alburtus lived in Kansas, since removed
to Los Angeles, Cal. ; and Lydia.
David^ Zerbe, (Joseph*, Phillip^, Phillip^), b. December
17, 1824, m. Sarah Schaeffer. Their children were:
Wm. A., b. 1865, Pillow, Pa.; Frank, b. 1860, Tievorton, Pa.; Galen, b.
1854, Mandata, Pa.; David.
The Zerbes of Tower City, Lykens, Loyaltown, Malta, Sacramento,
Shamokin and Sunbury are of this branch and descendants of Phillip.2
William^ L. Zerbe, (Phillip^, Joseph*, Phillip^, Phillip2),
of Tower City, plasterer and cement contractor; b. 1851, at
Malta; m. Caroline Huntsinger, of Valley View. Mr. Zerbe
is a prominent and progressive citizen, having filled almost
every office within the gift of the people of that place, being
at present a member of Borough Council. He is a Republi-
can and strict churchman. Their children are :
Rufus, b. 1878; Minnie W., b. 1880; Sadie A., b. 1882; Mary, b. 1883;
Ulysses W., b. 1886; Bessie L., b. 1888; James L., b. 1890; William, b.
1892; Catharine, b. 1894; Riley E., b. 1897; Blanche M., b. 1899.
WilliamG Zerbe, (DavidS, Joseph4, PhillipS, Phillip2); c: Edward,
b. 1890; Clarence, 1895; Homer, 1902; Lola, b. 1899; Mazie, b. 1906.
Other Zerbes in Shamokin: Henry and Jonas, two brothers.
330 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Wm. Zerbe, formerly of Wm. Penn, son of John Zerbe and Barbara
Schropp; b. March 7, 1837, d. 1901; m. Sarah, da. of James and Elizabeth
Hafer Manning. They had nine children; six d., Oscar, Winfield and
Sallie living. Mrs. Zerbe is living at Catawissa, Pa.
Oliver Zerbe, of Wiconisco, is a prominent hotel keeper
and is known for his strict observance of the law.
DANIEL ZERBE
Daniel Zerbe came from Berks County to Northumber-
land about 1785. He came overland with a train of wagons
carrying his family, household eflfects, agricultural imple-
ments and driving his cattle.
He settled in Steinedahl, three miles from Delmatia, and
is buried in the Stone Valley cemetery at that place, where he
was a prosperous farmer and lived until his death. He left
many descendants, some of whom are settled in the western
states and others in Lower Mahanoy Township and Sha-
mokin. The children of Daniel Zerbe and Maria Wertz were :
Thomas, John, Daniel, d. single; George, d., m. Phoebe Spengle; two
c: John and Ellen; Rebecca, m. Adam Bowman and moved to Illinois;
Catharine, m. David Schwartz and removed to Michigan; Elizabeth, m.
Adam Alman.
Thomas2 Zerbe, (DanieU), lived for a time in Paxton, Dauphin County.
He married Elizabeth Gorman; c: Josiah, Thomas, Benjamin, Beaver-
town, Snyder County; Elias, Altoona; Elizabeth, m. Henry Miller, Sha-
mokin; Rebecca, m. George Heitzman; three daughters; Katie m. Elias
Paul. The four sons served in the Civil War.
Thomas3 Zerbe, (Thomas^, DanieU), served two terms as commis-
sioner of Northumberland County; wf., Catharine Messner. Their chil-
dren were: Russel, d.; 2 da., Kate and Ethel; John W.; James M., m.;
no children. Joseph Henry, Charles, Catharine.
John W. Zerbe, postmaster of Shamokin, (i9i2-'i3) ; wf.,
Clara Kerkham ; c. : May ; two deceased. Mr. Zerbe was raised
in Lower Mahanoy Township, the family removed to Sha-
mokin, where, being a staunch Republican, he became popu-
lar in political circles, and was appointed postmaster, serving
until succeeded by a Democrat under the Wilson adminis-
tration.
Joseph Henry Zerbe, is telegraph operator at Delmatia,
and dispatcher for the Northern Central Railway ; an active
J
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 331
Of the Zerbeys
Republican, churchman, school director and member of many
fraternal orders. One of Thomas Zerbe's sons served three
years in the foreign service, Spanish-American war, and sailed
around the world.
An epidemic of smallpox broke out at Delmatia and
many of the settlers died of that dread disease, among them
a number of the Zerbes. The tombstones in the Steinedahl
cemetery tell of these ravages by death from smallpox.
Phillip^ Zerbe, (Joseph^ Phillip^ Phillip2), b. 1827; wf.,
Mary; children: William Zerbe, b. 1851, Tower City, Pa.;
Ambrose, b. 1851; John, d.; Charles, b. 1857; Frank, b. 1862,
all born at Malta; Sarah, b. i860, Hubley Township; Phillip,
b. 1864, d. 1901.
JosiahS Zerbe, (Thomas2, DanieU), was a soldier in the Civil War.
He removed from Shamokin to Alma, Nebraska, 1911. His children were:
Margaret, Elizabeth m. Kaechelrig; Ida m. Feece. He was gored to death
by a blooded bull on his own ranch and is buried at Alma. He was twice
married, the second wife, Mrs. Reed, d. September, 1915, aged 81.
DANIEL ZERBE AN ATHLETE
A story told of Daniel Zerbe says that he was nearly
seven feet tall and a very large man. In the fall, after har-
vest was over, it was customary to hold shooting and athletic
matches at which the best men in the country districts were
pitted against each other. On one occasion a wrestling match
was set to come off at Shamokin Dam and Daniel, who was
famous in that art, was to have a set-off with two athletes
from Berks County. The parties arrived at night and were
assigned to a room at the hotel in which there were several
beds, in one of which Daniel Zerbe was already sleeping. In
the morning he arose first and the two other men peeping
from under their cover-lids and only half awake, saw this
Goliath in stature as he slowly unfolded his large lank form
and dressed for his breakfast and the coming affray. One
glance was sufficient, they dressed and cautiously stole from
the house and disappeared toward Berks County. There was
no fight that day.
332 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
ZERBE VALLEY RAILWAY AND ZERBE GAP
Zerbc Run empties into the Susquehanna River near
Trevorton. Zerbe Gap was united by this Run and a short
canal and railroad with the Susquehanna River to facilitate
the shipment of coal. Zerbe Township, Northumberland
County, was erected by Act of Legislature, March ii, 1853,
from lines between Coal, Cameron and Shamokin Townships.
Zerbe Run is a branch of the Little Mahanoy River. The
Zerbe Run and Shamokin Improvement Company was in-
corporated February 25, 1850. Trevorton is at the juncture
where Zerbe Run empties into the Susqnehanna River. The
Zerbe Valley Railway is fifteen miles long. It was incor-
porated September 7, 1867, to purchase the railroad franchises
of the Trevorton Coal and Railway Company. It was sold
by the Sheriff, August 3, 1867. The Zerbe Valley Railway
was merged into the Mahanoy and Shamokin Railway, July
7, 1870, and the latter road was merged into the Reading
Railway, March 25, 1871. (Northumberland County History,
p. yj']. Annals of Northumberland County, pp. 489-685.)
(Note — There is a Zerbe P. 0. in Centre County, Pennsylvania, and
also one in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.)
The principal stream of Zerbe Township is Zerbe Run.
The surface is mountainous with no farming land whatever,
for which its rich mineral resources amply compensate. The
existence of coal at Zerbe's Gap (Trevorton) was known as
early as 1827, when a company was formed for the construc-
tion of a canal, railway or slackwater from the Susquehanna
River to the coal mines at the Gap. The most extensive vein
of coal, fifty feet thick, was discovered on the Zerbe Run, a
branch of the Little Mahanoy Creek. Trevorton was laid
out in 1850, when an improvement company was formed,
whose operations extended from Trevorton (Zerbe Gap) to
Mount Carmel. Over one million dollars was expended and
an immense breaker with a capacity daily of one thousand
tons was erected — (Northumberland Countv History, 1891.)
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 333
Of the Zerbeys
CHURCH RECORDS
Early Marriages, German Reformed Church, Philadelphia.
( Penna. Archives, Second Soric.'^, Vol. S.)
1767, March 24, Zerben Wenden and Catharine Bacon.
1778, May 12, Serben Gosteph and Elizabeth Frehn. Reformed Church,
Falckner's Swamp.
1792, November 4, Zerben Wendel and Phillipina Zerben.
1792, September 8, Zerben Catharine and Arrant Braun.
The.se were by Pennsylvania licenses, as above.
Marriages of Rev. John Walderschmidt
(Archives 6, Vol. 6, p. 255.)
Servie Elizabeth, daughter of .Johannes Servie and Adam Gramling,
March 28, 1780.
Swede's Church, Philadelphia
1781, November 18, Zarben David and Anne Dingwall.
1777, March 2. Carby Josiah and Margaret Child.
The above were licensed by State. (2nd Series, Archives, Vol. 2.)
1745, November 18, Sarva Nicholas, m. Elizabeth Kloppen. (Moravian
records, Lititz.)
1754, November 11, Zerfass Frederick m. Margaret Fadin, New Han-
over, Pa., Rev. Frederick Schultz.
1761, March 12, Zieber Rebecca, da. of Johannes Zieber; bap. in church.
(Trappe church records.)
The register of marriages begins 1760 when the date of licenses to the
ministers begins. (2nd Series, Penna. Archives, 2nd Vol.) Those of Pro-
prietary Pennsylvania, from the time the colonial laws were made, are lost.
There are four volumes of these records in existence. The practice was
discontinued, 1790.
Rev. John Caspar Stoever's Records
Baptisms:
1743, February 20; parent, Christian Grxiber; child, John George;
sponsor, Heinrich Gruber.
1749, January 8; parents, Christian Gruber; child, Maria Caterina;
sponsors, John Zcrwe and wife Caterina.
1738, January 2; parents, Peter Muench and wife; child, John Michael.
B. 1752, December 22; bap.. 1753, January 14; parents, John Phillip
Strauss, wf. ; child, l\Iaria Caterina; sponsors, Johannes, Caterina
Zerwe.
B. 1753, February 19; bap., 1753, March 11; parents, Daniel Schneider,
wf. — — ; child, Maria Caterina; sponsors, Johannes, Caterina Zerwe.
B. February 14, 1753; bap., March 11, 1753; parents, Caspar Yost and
wf., Swatara; child, Maria Caterina; sponsors, Johannes, Caterina Zerbe.
334 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
B. September 15, 1758; bap., September 17, 1758; parents, Mathias
Wagner and wf., Northkill; child, Anna Caterina; sponsors, Johannes,
Caterina Zerwe.
Marriages:
1730, May 31, Heinrich Bayer (Boyer) to Elizabeth Maria Zerbe.
1738, April 4, George Meyer to Barbara Zerbe, Tulpehocken.
1746, December 22, Valentine Von Huss to Maria Barbara Zerwe, Tul-
pehocken.
1741, October 13, Englehart Flohry to Elizabeth Zerwe, Tulpehocken.
1746, December 22, John George Meyer to Catharine Zerwe, Tulpe-
hocken.
1748, October 31, Joseph Roth to Maria Margaretha Zerbe, Tulpe-
hocken.
1754, October 8, Jacob Zerbe, Jr., and Anna Elizabeth Spiese, Atolhoe.
1738, December 16, Samuel Swaller and Margaretha Kroh, Conestoga.
1743, June 4, John Zerwe and Caterina Stupp, Tulpehocken.
1767, August 4, Samuel Zerfass and Sabina Baltz, Cocalico Township.
Many of Stoever's records are found throughout the book that are
not included in the above.
Records of John Caspar Stoever from 1730 to 1779, translated by Rev.
J. F. Schantz. The originals are in the possession of W. C. Stoever,
Theological Seminary, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Prof. Luther Reed.
Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading
1768, December 20, Leonard Rieth, son of George Rieth, of the Tul-
pehocken, to Anna Maria Zerbe, of Tulpehocken, Rev. J. A. Krug.
1805, January 29, John Zerbe, of Manheim Township, to Elizabeth
Kronberger, widow, of Bern Township, Rev. H. A. Muhlenberg.
1804, June 4, Jacob Zerbe to Catharine Rudebach, both of Reading,
(Womelsdorf.)
Tombstones, Northkill Cemetery, near Bemville
Conrad Reber, b. 1778; d. 1817, ,
Valentine Reber, b. 1742; d. 1818.
Albrecht Strauss, b. 1760; d. 1832.
Christian Gruber, b. 1712.
Many members of the Filbert, Rieth, Reber and Miller families are
buried here.
Rehersburg Church Records
1776, March 25, John Zerbe and wf. Catharine, bap. da., Christina
Susanna; sponsor, Susanna Zerbe, single.
1783, January 12, John Zerbe and wf. Catharine, bap. da., Anna Maria.
1766, May 2, John Zerbe and wf. Catharine bap. son, Andreas.
1788, June 6, Peter and Elizabeth Schlaseman Zerbe bap. son, Peter.
1783 November 30, John Zerbe and wf. Mary Margaret bap. da.
Elizabeth.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 335
Of the Zerbeys
Zions, Lutheran and Reformed Church, Womelsdorf, Pa.
1803, June 20, Benjamin Zerbe and wf. Anna Marj^aret, bap. son,
Samuel.
1811, .July •'5, Emanuel Zerbc and wf. Mary, bap. da. Maria.
1811, November 18, .John Zerbe and wf. Maria bap. da. Anna Maria.
1867, July 20, Percival Zerbe, Jefferson, m. Catharine Elizabeth Blatt.
1869, December 18, Israel F. Zerbe, Jefferson Twp., m. Pri.scilla II.
Barr.
1871, March 24, Jared L. Zerbc, Jefferson Township, m. Mary Ann Heil.
1874, September 19, Samuel N. Zerbe, Winterville, m. Leah Battdorf.
1878, April 6, Daniel H. Zerbe, Bethel Township, m. Adaline Stupp.
1872, June 8, Cyrus F. Zerbe, Womelsdorf, m. Nettie Hilbert, Mill
Creek, Lebanon County.
1826, January 12, b. John Zerbe, of Strausstown; d. September 28, 1882.
1874, May 23, Ephraim L. Ilenne m. Kate Zerbe Strauss.
Baptismal Records
Parents, Henry and Eliza Zerbe, da. Eliza, b. October 27, 1828; sponsor,
Eliza Fidler.
Parents, Samuel and Catharine Zerbe; da. Catharine; b. January 20,
1826.
Tombstone Record
Salome Schock, wife of Andrew Zerbe, b. April 17, 1811; died August
5, 1890. Union cemetery.
Tulpehocken Church, Tombstone Records
(Above Stouchsburg)
Michael Zerbe, born July 9, 1777, died November 12, 1841. Wife,
Elizabeth, born February 21, 1780; died. May 4, 1840.
Christina Zerbe, born September 25, 1780; died September 9, 1854;
daughter of Leonard and Barbara Zerbe.
Inscriptions From Tombstones, Blue Mountain Church.
Strausstown
John Zerbe, born August 12, 1766; died January 31, 1830. Wife, Maria
Barbara Walmer, born July 16, 1772; died July 14, 1854.
Susanna Zerbe, born August 12, 1790; died April 12, 1819; married
Jonathan Ranch.
John Zerbe, born February 3, 1798; died February 8, 1868; wife,
Christina Manbeck, born April 5, 1795; died April 15, 1867.
Catharine Zerbe, born November 22, 1799; died November 10, 1864;
married John Strauss.
Some of the above were settlers in Pinegrove Township.
336 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Little Tulpehocken Church Records
1828, December 20, Johannes Zerbe m. Elizabeth Anhalt (Christ
church). He was a son of John and Magdalena Zerbe. They bap. seven
children until 1847.
1812, March 25, Elizabeth, wf. of John Zerbe, d. 1871, April 9.
1791, February 10, Daniel and Anna Maria Zerbe, bap. da. Salome.
1793, August 2, Daniel and Anna Maria Zerbe, bap. son Joseph.
1798, August 8, Emanuel and Barbara Zerbe, bap. son John.
Taxables in Tulpehocken Township, 1810
Michael Zerbe, Christian Zerbe, Christian Jr. Zerbe, Emanus Zerben,
John Zerben, John, son of Christian Zerbe; Jacob Zerben, Peter Zei'be,
Leonard Zerbe, Leonard Zerbe, Jr., Peter Zerbe.
The above are of the same name, some using the German spelling.
Records of Christ Lutheran Church, Stouchsburg, Marion
Township, Berks County
(Translated from the German)
The following is a list of the Zerbes in the above church
records, built 1744, and for the erection of which George Peter
Zerbe signed the call with three others of the family ; John
Jacob, Mrs. Martin Zerbe and John Zerbe were among its
earliest members.
Baptisms : —
Parents George Peter Zerbe and Christina Loucks; children, Johannes,
1745; Anna Maria, April 23, 1747; Maria, 1750.
Parents, Peter Zerben and Elizabeth Loucks. Child, Elizabeth, July
22, 1771. Sponsors, Johannes and Maria Margaret Zerbe.
Parents, Johannes and Maria Margaret Zerbe. Children, Johannes,
February 3, 1772; John George, May 4, 1773; Peter, May 12, 1781. Spon-
sors, George Peter and Christina Zerbe.
Parents, Michael and Anne Maria Donmier Zerben. Children, Mich-
ael, July 5, 1777; Salome, March 12, 1779; Anna Marie, February 6, 1781;
Elizabeth, August 28, 1782; Barbara, September 29, 1791; Eva, September
20, 1794; Johannes, February 24, 1796; Anna Margaret, February 7, 1800.
Sponsors, George and Elizabeth Wolf, Caspar and Salome Batteicher,
John George and Barbara Sponchuchen Zerbe, Benjamin and Elizabeth
Zerbe, parents for last three.
Parents, Leonard Zerbe and Barbara Lengle. Children, John Jacob,
October 25, 1786; Elizabeth, April 17, 1793; Margaret Susan, October 3,
1795; Daniel, August 15, 1800; Elizabeth, May 11, 1806; Benjamin, 1815;
Jacob, 1816. Sponsors, Susan Zerben, Daniel Rieth, Frederic and Cath-
arine Weis.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 337
Of the Zerbeys
Parents, Phillip Zerben and Christina. Child, Catharine, April 19,
1798. Sponsors, Peter and Catharine Hitzcl.
Parents, Andrew Zerbe and Maria Magdalena. Child, Mary Magdalena,
May 20, 1798.
Parents, Michael Zerbe and Elizabeth Schafcr. Children, Johannes,
December 8, ISOl; John Jacob, September 24, 1802; Jonathan, 1811; Mag-
delena, 1813; Lydia, 1814; Michael, December 30, 1817; E— — , January 31,
1819. Sponsors, Michael and Anna Maria Donmeier Zerbe, John Jacob
and Elizabeth Schafer.
(Note — In most instances the grandparents stood as sponsors for
the first child and their names frequently decide the relationship.)
Parents, Johannes Zerben and Margaret. Children, Anna Maria, De-
cember 20, 1802; Margaret, January 3, 1804; Johannes, 180.5. Sponsors,
Christian Zerbe, Peter Peiffer, Leonard Zerbe.
Parents, Hermanus Zerbe and Maria Rieth. Children, Heinrich, June
11, 1804; Samuel, December 1, 1802; Elizabeth, February 20, 1806. Spon-
sors, John Jacob and Eva Rieth.
Parents, Abraham and Catharine Zerbe. Child, Anna Maria, Novem-
ber, 1804. Sponsors, John and Sophia Miller.
Parents, John Jacob Zerben and Catharine. Children, John Adam,
June 27, 1806; Justina, 1807; Eliza, 1813; , December 26, 1817;
Franklin, January 7, 1822. Sponsors, Christian and Eva Zerben, Christian
and Catherine Zerben.
Parents, John Zerben and Susanna Miller. Children, Andreas, July
28, 1807; Sarah, May 31, 1816; , January 3, 1819. Sponsors, Christian
and Catherine Zerbe, Michael and Catherine Miller.
Parents, Christian and Catharine Zerbe. Child, Elias, 1814. Sponsors,
David and Elizabeth Zerbe.
Parents, Johannes Zerbe and Elizabeth. Children, Levi, October 10,
1816; Heinrich, July 13, 1814; Rebecca, January 20, 1830; Levantina, July
2, 1831; Carolina, March 24, 1834; John Jacob, 1838; Elizabeth, 1844;
Eva, 1847. Sponsors, Jacob and Catherine Zerbe, Johannes and Magda-
lena Zerbe, Magdalena Zerbe, Maria Zerbe.
Parents, Phillip Zerbe and Rosina Lamb. Children, Benneville, De-
cember 4, 1816; Wilhelm, July 29, 1818; Ephraim, January 15, 1820; Joel,
1821; Edward, July 13. 1822; Priscilla, January 25, 1825; Anna Maria,
1827; Elizabeth, December 26, 1828; Anna Margretta, January 27, 1831;
Benjamin, 1832; Jared, 1836. Sponsors, John and Elizabeth Witman,
Johannes and Magdelena Zerbe.
Parents, John and Magdelena Zerbe. Children, Elizabeth, August 4,
1822; Maria, 1824; Rebecca, 1827; Henrietta, December 4, 1828. Sponsors,
Daniel and Catharine Zerbe, Phillip and Rosina Zerbe.
Parents, Johannes Zerbe and Rosina. Child, Johanna, 1832.
Parents, Jacob Zerbe and Sarah. Child, Melinda, November 22, 1837.
Sponsors, Michael and Elizabeth Zerbe.
Parents, Andrew Zerbe and Salome. Child, William James, 1837.
Parents, Elias Zerbe and . Children, Diana, 1842; Jacob, April
11, 1844.
338 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Parents, Augustus and Elizabeth Zerbo. Childi'en, Henrietta, April
10, 1843; Regina, April 11, 1846.
Parents. Michael and Elizabeth Zerbe. Child, Emmeline, November
14, 1848.
Parents, Jacob Zerbe and Catharine. Child, William, August 8, 1850.
Marriage Records of Christ Lutheran Church, Stouchsburg,
Pennsylvania
April 2, 1771, .Johannes Zerbe and Maria Margret Angst; son of
George Peter Zerbe.
June 4, 1776, Michael Zerbe and Anna Maria Donmier; son of George
Peter Zerbe
June 23, 1778, John George Zerbe and Barbai-a Sponchuchen; son of
George Peter Zerbe.
June 5, 1781, George Zerbe and Christina Wenrich; son of John Zerbe.
November 2, 1773, Johannes Zerbe and Barbara Witman; son of Phil-
lip Zerbe.
June 3, 1773, Christian Zerbe and Maria Christina Strauss; son of
Johannes Zerbe.
September 18, 1781, Benjamin Zerbe and Anne Margaret Wertz; son
of Benjamin Zerbe.
May 1, 1795, Jonathan Zerbe and Margaret Weiser; son of Valentine
Zerbe.
February 26, 1782, Phillip Zerbe and Susanna, (Phillip of Hetzel's.)
July 30, 1782, Peter Zerbe and Elizabeth.
March 3, 1789, Gottfried Zerbe and Appolonia Michael.
September 1, 1790, Daniel Zerbe and Rohnin.
September 1, 1790, Jonathan Zerbe and Maria Catharine Scheafer.
May 12, 1799, Hermanus Zerbe and Maria Rieth.
December 1, 1799, John George Zerbe and Susanna Miller.
May 24, 1799, Michael Zerbe and Elizabeth Weil.
March 6, 1801, John Zerbe and Margaret Weigand.
March 19, 1805, Leonard Zerbe and Susy ScharflF.
March 17, 1816, William Zerbe and Rosina Lamb.
May 15, 1817, David Zerbe and Elizabeth Roller.
June 19, 1817, Heinrich Zerbe and Elizabeth .
April 22, 1821, Johannes Zei'bc and Christina Manbcck.
September 2, 1821, Johannes Zerbe and Martha Keller.
December 20, 1828, Johannes Zerbe and Elizabeth Anhalt.
February 18, 1834, Jacob Zerbe and Sarah Scholl.
Dec. 31, 1836, Andrew Zerbe and Salome Stout.
October "1, 1846, Franklin Zerbe and Elizabeth Heffelfinger.
May 18, 1847, William Zerbe and Regina Witman.
November 4, 1854, Reuben Zerbe and Tillie Pfeiffer, Bethel Township.
May 25, 1856, Nathan Zerbe and Mary Scholl, Tulpehocken Township.
February 17, 1857, Solomon G. C. Zerbe and Mary Casia Harner.
June 2, 1860, Levi Zerbe and Catharine Haag.
August 28, 1862, Isaac Zerbe and Emma Bechtold.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 339
Of the Zerbeys
Deaths and Burial Records, Christ Church
There were no death records kept in Christ Lutheran church, Stouchs-
burg, from 1773 to 1811. Neither were there but few names of the par-
ents given. There were many records of the deaths of children, but only
those who reached maturity are noted here.
July 22, 1750, Mrs. Elizabeth Zerbe, wf. of Martin Zerbe.
November 13, 1751, Maria, child of George Peter and Christina Zerbe,
aged 1 year, <5 months.
August 11, 1818, Sophia Elizabeth Zerbe, aged 66 years, 9 months, 3
days.
April 7, 1819, Benjamin Zerbe, aged 57 years, 1 month, 10 days.
December 29, 1819, Anna Barbara Zerbe, aged 74 years, 7 months,
18 days.
November 12, 1821, Christina Zerbe, aged 64 years, 1 month, 18 days.
August 20, 1824, Leonard Zerbe, aged 79 years, 1 month, 8 days.
October 11, 1824, George Zerbe, aged 70 years, 10 months, 1 day.
April 25, 1832, John Jacob Zerbe, aged 56 years, 2 months, 1 day.
May 4, 1840, Anna Elizabeth Zerbe, aged 60 years, 2 months, 14 days.
November 14, 1844, Michael Zerbe, aged 67 years, 4 months, 3 days.
April 21, 1845, Andrew Zerbe, aged 37 years, 8 months, 26 days.
September 12, 1849, Elizabeth Zerbe, aged 62 years, 6 months, 26 days.
December 21, 1857, John Zerbe; parents. Christian and Maria Sophia
Elizabeth Zerbe; aged 74 years, 5 months, 23 days.
February 9, 1858, Augustus Zerbe; parents, Jacob and Catharine Zerbe;
aged 47 years, 1 month, 26 days.
January 9, 1859, John Zerbe; parents, Leonard and Barbara Zerbe;
aged 86 years, 9 months, 27 days.
September 10, 1875, Jacob Zerbe; parents, Michael and Elizabeth Zerbe;
aged 75 years, 1 month, 21 days.
October 15, 1877, John W. Zerbe; parent, John Zerbe; aged 72 years,
9 months, 4 days.
Hetzel's Church, Lutheran, Washington Township, Schuylkill
County — Baptisms From 1817 to 1874
Parents, John and Magdalena Zerbe. Children, February 17, 1817,
Jonathan; October 20, 1820, John; December 12, 1823, Rosina; May 17,
1825, Katherine; April 30, 1827, Samuel; November 8, 1828, Michael.
Sponsors, Phillip and Christina Zerbe, Jacob and Catherine Sauser, Phil-
lip , Benjamin and Barbara Batdortf, Samuel and Elizabeth Werner,
Michael and Magdalena Zerbe.
Parents, John and Maria Zerbe. Children, August 4, 1817, Katherine
and Louisa — twins. Sponsors, Christopher and Katherine Schropp and
Magdelena Zerbe.
Parents, Phillip and Elizabeth Reichert Zerbe. Child, December 31,
1819, Jonathan. Sponsors, John and Maria Magdalena Eckler.
Parents, Phillip and Elizabeth Zerbe. Children, January 11, 1821,
John; February 1, 1823, Jacob; September 12, 1825, Joseph; October 31,
1828, Leah; September 19, 1830, Benneville; July 27, 1837, Reuben; No-
340 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
vember 11, 1842, Levi. Sponsors, Jacob and Catherine Sauser, Joseph and
Christina Bretzious, Johannes and Catherine Batdorff, Benjamin and Sa-
lome Heimbach.
Parents, David and Elizabeth Zerbe. Children, 1818, William (grand-
father of Rev. J. W. Zerbe, Ohio); August 27, 1820, Maria; November 14,
1821, Magdelena; October 25, 1823, Barbara; December 18, 1825, Lavina;
July 11, 1827, Solomon; October 22, 1828, Leah; June 10, 1830, Lazarus;
August 9, 1831, Elizabeth; October 23, 1832, Priscilla; May 4, 1834, Mich-
ael; March 23, 1836, Eva; August 20, 1837, Sarah Eliza. Sponsors, Joseph
Bretzious and Maria Lengle, Jacob and Magdelena Luckenbill, Michael
and Barbara Bretzious, Joseph and Barbara Fertig, Roaina Reichert,
Solomon and Elizabeth Christ, Daniel and Elizabeth Keller, Isaac and
Anna Maria Barnhart, Michael and Maria Wenrich, Paul and Eva Barr,
Johannes and Elizabeth Barr.
Parents, Daniel and Catherine Zerbe. Children, August 1, 1824,
Daniel; February 20, 1826, Levi; April 20, 1828, Jared; December 19, 1830,
Louisa; June 2, 1832, Edward; July 24, 1834, Solomon; January 4, 1836,
Maria Anne; June 29, 1837, Levi (2). Sponsors, George M. and Anna
Maria Berger, Benjamin and Barbara Batdorf, Adam and Katherine Stahl,
John and Philopena Zerbe, Conrad and Sarah Reichert, Solomon Schwartz,
Magdelena Zerbe, John and Elizabeth Bretzious.
Parents, Daniel and Christina Zerbe. Child, March 7, 1847, Peter.
Sponsors, John and Katerina Heffner.
Parents, John and Philopena Zerbe. Child, December 4, 1832, Lu-
cetta. Sponsors,, Adam and Katherine Stahl.
Parents, Jonathan and Rosina Zerbe. Children, August 9, 1824, Jon-
athan; May 10, 1827, Katherine; April 20, 1835, Solomon. Sponsors,
Jonathan and Salome Gebert, Jacob and Catharine Lengle.
Parents, Michael and Magdelena Zerbe. Children, December 10, 1825,
Maria Anna; May 5, 1828, Katrina; August 24, 1830, John; October 15,
1834, George; May 22, 1837, Rebecca; October 4, 1840, Michael. Sponsors,
John and Anna Maria Bucher, John and Magdelena Zerbe, Jacob Bucher,
Samuel and Susanna Zerbe, Conrad and Sarah Reichert, George Reed and
Katrina Bucher.
Parents, Samuo! and Susanna Zerbe. Children, January 7, 1832,
Jacob; May 11, 1836, John; December 16, 1842, Anna; no record, Isaac.
Sponsors, Joseph Lengle, Michael and Magdelena Zei'be, Joseph and
Katrina Lengle.
Parents, Christian and Anna i\Iaria Zerbe. Child, July 24. 1837,
Christian.
Parents, Peter and Sophia Zerbe. Child, January 13, 1835, Maria
Anna. Sponsors, Joseph and Christina Bretzious.
Parents, John and Maria Magdalena Zerbe. Children, January 27,
1845, Caroline; February 11. 1850, Mary Ann; July 29, 1852, Emanuel;
January 15. 1857, Rebecca; March 31, 1859, Eliza Lavina; March 20, 1861,
John; April 9, 1863, George W. and Reuben, twins. Sponsors, William
and Maria Gebert, Gottleib and Clara Shawell, John Hunker, Benneville
Zerbe, Rebecca Hummel, Christian and Charlotte Heiser, William and
Sara Schneck, John Hunker and Reuben Zerbe.
Parents, John and Mary Anne Zerbe. Child, September 14, 1854,
Emmeline. Sponsor, Rosette Zerbe.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 341
Of the Zerbeys
Parents, Daniel and Maria Ester Zerbe. Children, December 18, 1845,
William Lafayette; August 11, 1850. Mary Carolina; January 14, 1852,
Emma Esther; July 29, 1848, Ellen. Sponsors, William and Maria Gebert,
Earnest Grosmiller and Sarah Zerbe.
Parents, Daniel and Barbara Zerbe. Child, November 26, 1857, Henry
Franklin.
Parents, Jonathan and Katrina Zerbe. Children, October 21, 1847,
Maria; May 10, 1852, John; June 28, 1860, Katherine; July 26, 1863,
Lavina; June 28, 1859, Emmeline. Sponsors, Elizabeth Ditzler and par-
ents, Philopena Zerbe and parents, Lydia Emerich and Joseph, George
and Rosetta Bretzious, Michael Boyer and Susan Emerich.
Parents, Jacob and Katharine Zerbe. Child, March 25, 1849, William.
Sponsor, Joseph Emerich.
Parents, Joseph and Katherine Zerbe. Children, March 4, 1854, Per-
cival; September 2, 1855, Joseph. Sponsors, Peter and Margaret Klick,
Christian Hunker, Leah Zerbe, John and Magdelena Zerbe.
Parents, Jared and Sai-ah Zerbe. Children, April 25, 1855, Daniel;
October 17, 1856, Amelia; January 30, 1858, Kittie Anne; more children
not in these records. Sponsors, Mary Zerbe, Elizabeth Wagner, Catharine
Sheafer.
Parents, Jonathan Zerbe and Catharine. Children, September 15,
1857, Jonathan; October, 1855, Henry. Sponsor, John Zerbe.
Parents, Reuben and Amanda Zerbe. Children, September 1, 1865,
Kittie Louisa. Sponsor, Louisa Herbst.
Parents, George and Mary Zerbe. Child, February 3, 1866, Milton
W. Sponsors, Adam and Sarah Lengle.
Parents, Franklin H. and Sophia Zerbe. Children, October 26, 1867,
Emma R.; November 11, 1869, Albert W.; February 14, 1871, Clara Anne;
March 2, 1873, Maggie V. Sponsors, the parents.
Pax-ents, William L. and Melissa Zerbe. Child, February 15, 1868,
William Edmund. Sponsors, Ellen Zerbe and mother.
(Note — Hetzel's early church records do not contain marriages.)
Hetzel's Church Records of Deaths and Tombstone
Inscriptions
Phillip Zerbe, born October 23, 1765; died October 13, 1831; aged 65
years, 11 months, 21 days.
Katerina Zerbe, born November 3, 1798; died January 16, 1843; aged
44 years, 2 months, 13 days.
Amanda Royer, wife of Benneville Zerbe; born December 29, 1824.
Philopena, daughter of Phillip and Christina Zerbe; born May 5, 1796;
died April 8, 1870; aged 73 years, 5 months, 3 days.
Daniel Zerbe, born December 1, 1799; died February 17, 1874; aged 74
years, 2 months, 16 days.
Benneville Zerbe, born September 19, 1830; died March 7, 1877; aged
46 years, 5 months, 18 days.
John Zerbe, born August 18, 1797; died April 14, 1877; aged 79 years,
7 months, 26 days.
John Zerbe, born January 11, 1821; died April 23, 1884; aged 63 years,
S months, 12 days.
342 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Mary M., wife of John Zerbe; born November 18, 1831; died July 8,
1897; aged 65 years, 7 months, 20 days.
Mary Zerbe, born November 1, 1855; died December 28, 1881; aged 26
years, 1 month, 27 days.
Christina Zerbe, born July 10, 1801; died January 25, 1885; aged 83
years, 6 months, 15 days.
Joseph Zerbe, born September 12, 1825; died July 17, 1895; aged 69
years, 10 months, 5 days.
Catharine, wife of Joseph Zerbe, born November 13, 1820; died January
30, 1904; aged 83 years, 2 months, 17 days.
Mary Tobias, wife of Michael Zerbe, born May 28, 1811; died June 19,
1889; aged 78 years, 22 days.
(Note— No note was taken of the children's deaths.)
Lancaster County Court House Records
Grantor, Zerfass heirs; grantee, Samuel and W. K. Seltzer; July 4,
1872; book H, Vol. 10, p. 76.
Grantor, Zerbe (Zerfass), Samuel; grantee, Abraham Vondersal; June
19, 1873; book 2, p. 5.
Grantor, Zerfass — Zerbe, William R.; grantee, W. K. Seltzer; April 3,
1893; book 9, p. 10.
Grantor, Peter Klopp and wife; grantee, Nicholas Zerfass; November
10, 1752; book C, pp. 60, 446.
Grantor, George Dawson Coleman and wife; grantee, Jonathan Zerbe;
March 28, 1850.
(Tract known as Black Oak Ridge, Clayton, Lancaster, $2,062.)
Grantor, Zerba Valentine, Zerba; grantee, John Zerba; July 27, 1793;
personal estate.
Grantor, Zerba, Valentine; grantee, John Zerba; July 10, 1793; book
B. R. R. 46; p. 52.
Grantor, D. G. Coleman et ux; grantee, Jonathan Zerbe; May 27, 1857;
book R. 8; p. 223.
Grantor, Isaac Brubaker et al.; grantee, Jonathan Zerbe; May 1, 1865.
John Sheaffer, administrator; grantee, Jonathan Zerbe; March 20, 1867
Grantor, Abrm Frastel, Exec; grantee, Mary Zerbe; June 2, 1892: book
D, p. 2.
Grantor, J. Hershberger for 125 pounds; gx'antee, Peter Zerbe and
wife; January 29, 1791; book C, p. 446.
Warrantee, John Server, Servey; survey. 250 acres; April 22, 1736;
return, 158; March 14, 1817, January 24, 1873; patentee, John Zerbe et al.,
Barbara Fohrer.
Warrantee, Zerbe, Peter (George Peter); survey, 100 acres; Novem-
ber 12, 1737; return, 92, 120; May 29, 1789; patentee, George Ege.
Warrantee, Surber, Henry; survey, 250 acres; August 9, 1738; not
returned.
Warrantee, Service John; survey, 200 acres; October 6, 1738; not re-
turned.
Warrantee, Surface, Nicholas; survey, 150 acres; November 13, 1747;
return, April 27, 1778; patentee, Nicholas Surface.
Warrantee, Sarber, Caspar; survey, 50 acres; May 10, 1749; 257; July
3, 1809; patentee, Adam Teeter.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 343
Of the Zerbeys
Warrantee, Swallow, Samuel; survey, 50 acres; August 23, 1749; re-
turned; October, 1788; patentee, Jacob Mehnert.
Warrantee, Swalle, Christian; survey, 50 acres; May 10, 1749; pat-
entee, Christian Swall.
Warrantee, Serwin, Phillip; survey, 40 acres; October 2, 1751; May
14, 1817; patentee, Barbara Fohrer et al.
There are many records of transfers of lands in Lancas-
ter County by the Shippens and Carpenters, branches of
which families were among- the earlier settlers of Pottsville
from 1850 and later.
Lancaster County erected 1729, Berks in 1752. All of the
land taken up in Berks County prior to 1752 was recorded
in Lancaster County, of which the former was part. Many
of these early records were destroyed by a fire in the Lancas-
ter court house. There are many Zerbes in Lancaster Coun-
ty. No effort was made to locate more than the above, after
1800, and these were identified with those who were the
early settlers of what was first Chester, then Lancaster and
afterward Berks and Schuylkill Counties. It is believed that
all of the Zerbes in Lancaster County are descendants of
these men.
The Zerbes were prominent land owners in Berks and
Schuylkill Counties in the 18th century. Note the following
of the second and third generations, in this country, many of
whom were located in that part of Berks County now included
in Schuylkill.
Berks County Court House, Deed Book, Recorder's Office
Warrantee, George Adam Zerbe; December 2, 1784; 300 acres; return
42.81, December 6, 1784; patentee, George Adam Zerbe; book 8.
Wai-rantee, Phillip Zerbe; May 2, 1785; 250 acres; return 291;
January 15, 1787; patentee, Phillip Zerbe; book 8.
Warrantee, George Zerbe; September 21, 1785; 96 acres; return 148,
October 17, 1837; patentee, George Kerschner; book 8.
Warrantee, Benjamin Zerbe; September 29, 1785; 200 acres; return
219.80; patentee, Daniel Zerbe; book 8.
Warrantee, Christian Zerbe; September 29, 1785; 100 acres; return
114.18, December 1, 1876; patentee, John Heidleman; book 8.
Warrantee, Benjamin Zerbe; March 23, 1787; 150 acres; return
128.70, January 14, 1806; patentee, Christopher Uhler; book 8.
344 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Warrantee, John Zerbe; January 22, 1788; 20 acres; return 1034,
January 24, 1806; patentee, Jacob Zieber; book 8.
Warrantee, Benjamin Zerbe; September 29, 1785; 200 acres; book 8.
Warrantee, John Zerbe; January 22, 1788; 20 acres; book 8.
Warrantee, Benjamin Zerbe; February 5, 1788; 3 acres; return 3,
January 14, 1853; patentee, Phillip Zerbe; book 8.
Warrantee, George Zerbe; February 17, 1791; 170 acres; return 170,
September 18, 1824; patentee, Daniel Shappell; book 8.
Warrantee, George Adam Zerbe; September 20, 1785; 305 acres; re-
turn 305, December 2, 1785; patentee, George A. Zerbe; book 8.
Warrantee, Jonathan Zerbe; May 22, 1792; 311 acres; return 311.
October 12, ]812; patentee, Caspar Reeser; book 8,
Warrantee, Zerbe, Thomas; May 22, 1792; 150 acres; return 175.2,
July 10, 1795; patentee, Michael Genkinger; book 8.
Warrantee, Zerbe, Peter; September 18, 1792; 350 acres; return 260-
123, January 10, 1827; patentee, George Haas.
Warrantee, Zerbe, Christian; October 4, 1792; 80 acres; 2nd warrant,
October 21, 1807; patentee, Jesse Yarnatt; book 8.
Warrantee, Zerbe, Christian; February 4, 1793; 50 acres; return,
November 25, 1828; patentee, James Keim; book 8. ,
Warrantee, Zerbe, Leonard; August 1, 1793; 150 acres, return 172,76,
February 12, 1795; patentee, Leonard Zerbe; book 8.
Warrantee, Zerbe, John; March 12, 1796; 101.49 acres; return same.
May 5, 1796; patentee, Leonard Zerbe; book 8.
Berks County Court House, Recorder's Office
Grantoi-, Conrad Minnich et al.; grantee, Peter Zerbey Jr.; October
22, 1783; location, Tulpehocken; book 8, Vol. 1, p. 103.
Grantor, Leonard Rieth; grantee, Peter Zerbey Jr.; October 23, 1783;
location, Tulpehocken; book 8, p. 104.
Grantor, Valentine Bender; grantee, Peter Zerbe Jr.; December 2,
1797; location, Tulpehocken; book 16, p. 104.
Grantor, Benjamin Zerby; grantee, Phillip Zerby; March 9, 1819;
Bill of Sale; book 29, p. 513.
Grantor, Casper Wister, Penn's agent; grantee, Peter Serbe; October
22, 1783; Branch of Tulpehocken; book 8, p. 101.
Grantor, Stahl, Jacob; grantee, Zerbe, John et al.; April 23, 1777;
location, Cumru; b. 7, p. 3.
Grantor, Zerbe, Benjamin; grantee, Zerbe, John George; November
19, 1788; location, Pinegrove Township; book 11, p. 102.
Grantor, Kalbach, Adam; grantee, Zerby, John; May 23, 1791; loca-
tion, Cumru; book 12, p. 220.
Grantor, Mayer, Frederick; grantee, Zerbe, John; July 30, 1802; lo-
cation, Cumru Township; book 19, p. 250.
Grantor, Zerby, Christian; grantee, Zerbe, Jacob; May 1, 1820; Power
of Attorney; book 33-31, p. 307.
Grantor, Zerbe, Jacob and wife; grantee, Zerbe, John; May 1, 1820;
location, Heidelberg; book 50-49 p. 553.
Grantor, Zerbe, John the m.; grantee, Leonard Zerbe; December 6,
1785; Power of Attorney, book 12-9, p. 185.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 345
Of the Zerbeys
Grantor, Epler, John V.; grantee, Leonard Zerbe; April 29, 1820; lo-
cation, Bern; book 12-31, p. 319. ,
Grantor, Himmelberger, John and wife; gi-antee, Leonard Zerbe;
April 10, 1824; location. Upper Tulpehocken; book 54-57, p. 408.
Grantor, Zerbe, Jacob et al.; grantee, Zerbe, Michael; September 14,
1768; location, Bethel Township; book 3-5 p. 337.
Grantor, Mordecai Lincoln (grandfather of Abraham Lincoln);
grantee, Zerbe, Michael; April 30, 1789; location, Exeter Township;
book 14-6, p. 504.
Warrantee, Spengle, George Christopher (m. Zerbe); 199 acres;
warrant, November 17, 1752; patented, November 9, 1752.
Warrantee, Servier, Nicholas; 40 acres; warrant, November 6, 1754;
patented, July 19, 1852.
Warrantee, Serby, John; 400 acres; warrant, April 10, 1754; patented,
June 2, 1823.
Warrantee, Serby, John; 50 acres; warrant, December 8, 1753 — 2d W.;
patented, March 1, 1811.
Warrantee, Servy, alias John Zerby Jr.; 50 acres; warrant, May 24,
1821; patented, March 1, 1811.
Warrantee, Serby, John; 40 acres; warrant, July 2, 1776; patented.
May 13, 1833.
Warrantee, Zerbe, John Sr.; 200 acres; warrant, January 22, 1778;
patented, Jacob Zieber.
Warrantee, Zerbe, John; 200 acres; warrant, January 22, 1778.
Warrantee, Zerbe, John; warrant, March 8, 1796; patented. May 11,
1796.
Many other tracts of land referred to in this work are recorded in
Berks County but are not duplicated in these lists.
Schuylkill County Court House
In the Deed Book the following are among conveyances made:
Grantor, George Adam Zerbe; grantee, Michael Zerbe et al; July
21, 1820; book 3, pp. 328-325.
Grantor, Henry Schneider; grantee, Peter Zerbe; October 30, 1820
book 3, p. 373.
Grantor, Seb. Zimmerman; grantee, Peter Zerbe; March 29, 1824
book 4, p. 373.
Grantor, William Seltzer; grantee, Phillip Zerbe Jr.; April 1, 1833
book 13, p. 265.
From 1847 to 1855 occur the names of Zerbe, Peter, Phillip, Phillip,
Martin, Henry, Michael, Mary and Jonathan Zerbe as having bought
or sold land.
Warrantee, Swartz, W. Z.; 252.46^ acres; warrant, March 31, 1854
patented, Wendel Schwartz.
Warrantee, Zerba, Jonathan; 400 acres; warrant, May 24, 1813
patented, October 16, 1813.
Warrantee, Zerba, George Adam; 200 acres; warrant, June 3, 1814
patented, April 24, 1815.
Warrantee, Zerba, George Adam; 200 acres; warrant, June 3, 1814
patented, April 24, 1815.
346 BLUE BOOK OF
Genealogical Records
Warrantee, Zerba, Phillip Jr.; 100 acres; warrant, August 4, 1814;
patented, December 3, 1873.
Warrantee, Zerba, Phillip Jr.; 35 acres; warrant, August 4, 1814;
patented, Michael Fretz.
Warrantee, Zerba, Peter Jr.; 100 acres; warrant, March 25, 1815;
patented, Michael Fretz.
Warrantee, John Adam; 40 acres; warrant, March 3, 1825; patented,
March 4, 1830.
Warrantee, Zerbe, John Adam; 100 acres; warrant, April 30, 1825;
patented, March 4, 1830.
Warrantee, Zerbe, John; 50 acres; w^arrant, April 30, 1825; patented,
October 17, 1825.
Warrantee, Zerbe, John; 100 acres; warrant, December 8, 1825;
not patented.
Warrantee, Zerbe, August; 12 acres; warrant, March 25, 1830;
patented, Rebecca Zerbe.
Warrantee, Zerbe, John; 26 acres; warrant, October 11, 1830; pat-
ented, December 8, 1859.
Warrantee, Zerbe, John L.; 30 acres; warrant, April 23, 1855;
not patented.
Grantor, Christian and Michael Zerbe; grantee, Louisa Zerbe; Sep-
tember 27, 1861; book 67, p. 134.
Christian and Michael Zerbe; grantee, John D. Zerbe; 1878; book
150, p. 381.
Grantor, John, son of Adam Zerbe; grantee, John L. Zerbe (1860);
1864.
Others were: Zerbe, Jacob, 1870;" John, 1867; Jonathan, 1844-1865;
John and Joseph, 1864.
Grantor, George Klauser; grantee, George Zerbe, of Mahantongo
Township; May 19, 1838; for tract of land, 63 acres, 40% perches, in
Lower Mahantongo; being part of proprietary patent dated June 4,
1776, granted to George Boerchere.
Grantor, Peter Dinger; grantee, George Zerbe, same; April 13, 1840.
Grantor, Samuel Zerbe, trustee of George Zerbe, minor, son of
Solomon, d.; April 8, 1854.
Tract of land adjoining that of Michael Zerbe, d,, returned 1856.
Grantor, Zerbe, Franklin; grantee, Zimmerman, Adam G.; March,
1877; book 192, p. 297.
Grantor, Benninghof, Wm., Ex.; grantee, Zerbe, Benneville; March,
1855; book 178, p. 566.
Grantor, Zerbe, Jacob; grantee, Zerbe, Benneville; April 14, 1855;
book 48, p. 155.
Grantor, Boyer, John; grantee, Zerbe, Christian; August 30, 1860;
book 64, p. 16.
Grantor, Pott, Frank; grantee, Zerbe, Christina; February 2, 1864;
book 76, p. 38.
Grantor, Dreibelbeis, Rebecca; grantee, Zerbe, Daniel; February 15,
1825; book 5, p. 79.
Gi-antor Zerbe, Peter; grantee, Zerbe, Elizabeth; December 5, 1853;
book 40, p. 624,
Grantor, Zerbe, Oliver J.; grantee, Zerbe, Elizabeth et al; October
17, 1888; book 202, p. 287.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 347
Of the Zerbeys
Grantor, Freehafer et al, Wenrich exec; grantee, Zerbe, Elizabeth
et al; December 29, 1882; book 165 p. 455.
Grantor, Moyer, Isaac; grantee, Zerbe, Franklin; November 2, 1872;
book 126 p. 183.
Grantor, Emanuel M., George B. Stahl; grantee, George W. Zerbe;
February 3, 1891; book 219, p. 437.
Grantor Mary M. Zerbe; grantee, same; August 31, 1891; book 223,
p. 326.
Grantor, Fuhlweiler, Miller; grantee, Henry Zerbe; March 2, 1847;
book 27, p. 176.
Grantor Charles A. Heckscher; grantee, same et al; June 3, 1856;
book 48, p. 321.
Grantor, Simon Uhler; grantee, Isaac Zerbe; January 9, 1872; book
121, p. 314.
Grantor, George Adam Zerbe; grantee, heirs John Zerbe et al; July
21, 1820; book 3, p. 325.
Grantor, Adam Gebert; grantee, Jonathan Zerbe Jr.; June 1, 1827;
book 5, p. 477.
From the above date to 1852 Jonathan Zerbe Jr. has many trans-
fers recorded.
Grantor, Thomas Berger; grantee, John and Trustees; July 28,
1834; book 14, p. 294.
Grantor, George Adam Zerbe; grantee, Jonathan Zerbe; April 24,
1838; book 16, p. 521.
Grantor, John Zerbe Sr,; grantee, John Zerbe Jr.; December 7, 1846;
book 26, p. 748.
Zerbe, Solomon, Samuel, Jonathan and Rosina have many transfers
recorded from 1847 to 1861.
The above are mainly of John2 Zerbe the miller, (Lorentzl) line.
On the State Tax Lists for 1779, Pinegrove Township, occur the
followring names: John Sr., John, Jacob, George Adam, Christian, Peter
and Philip Zerbe.
1362
i
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11