USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 144
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Larosch's Tavern was situated in Lower Mil- ford township, just across the line of Upper Mil- ford, on the "King's Highway," about a mile southeast from old Zionsville. Henry Lerosch secured a license in 1786 to keep a public place and he conducted it until his decease in 1800, when his son, Henry, became the owner, who carried it on several years. Martin Kemmerer was the landlord from 1815 to 1845, and his son, Solomon, to 1863, when it was discontinued.
When Upper Milford township came to be di- vided in 1853, the first election for township of- ficers was held at this tavern on March 13th.
POST-OFFICES. - The following post-offices were established in Lower Milford:
Stahler's, Dec. 10, 1825, discontinued Aug. 28, 1849.
Dillingersville was substituted Aug. 28, 1851, and this was discontinued Aug. 15, 1906.
Hosensack, Aug. 29, 1849.
Limeport, April 17, 1867. Corning, June 4, 1883.
Plover, March 6, 1890; discontinued Feb. 28, 1905.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE .- The following officials served this office in the township since 1853:
Samuel Stauffer, 1853-68. Michael H. Albright,
I873-83. 1860-73.
Charles Mangold, Aaron H. Wagner,
I868-73.
1873-90.
Henry E. E. Roeder, Emanuel J. Wieder,
1883-1919. 1890-1902.
Willoughby Gabel, Joseph A. Brunner, 1853-60. 1902-19.
ASSESSOR .- Edward Reinhard, of Dillingers- ville, was the township assessor for 30 years un- til his death in 1908. His record was kept in superior order and he was highly complimented for its accuracy and legibility.
CHURCHES .- The following churches and congregation have been organized and carried on in Lower Milford township :
Great Swamp. Hosensack Schwenk-
Upper Milford Lu- felder. theran. Grace United Evan-
Chestnut Hill.
gelical.
Great Swamp Church .- The congregation of this church is believed to have been organized previous to 1730, and that at that early date the first log church had been built. The congrega- tion, with old and new Goschenhoppen congre- gations, formed one charge, and the records of the three congregations prior to 1736 are found in one volume, the oldest congregational record of the Reformed Church. The entries began in the year 1731, and on April 24, 1736, the record
803
LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP.
book of the Great-Swamp congregation was open- ed by Rev. Goetschius, in which are entries of baptisms, marriages and deaths. Rev. John Philip Boehm mentions the congregation in 1734 in a letter to the Holland Synod. Rev. Geo. M. Weiss, who administered the first communion to the congregation at New Goschenhoppen as early as 1727, was the first pastor of the congregation. He arrived in America in the first ship whose passengers were recorded by the authorities at Philadelphia, on Nov. 18, 1727, with Frederick Hillegas and Alexander Diefenderfer, who set- tled in the vicinity. Rev. Peter Miller was the pastor from 1731 to 1734. Rev. John Henry Goetschius, the boy preacher, served as pastor from 1735 to 1740. Rev. Peter Henry Dorsius served as supply from 1741 to 1744 and from 1745 to 1748. Rev. Frederick Casimer Miller was pastor, succeeded by Rev. George Michael Weiss, who was pastor from 1748 to 1761. Rev. John Rudolph Kitweiler, called the "Swiss min- ister," was pastor from 1763 until his death, Oct. 2, 1764, aged 47 years and 9 months. His tomb- stone, almost obliterated, stands in the old Great- Swamp graveyard. In 1747 the delegates to the Reformed Synod from this congregation were John Huber and Nicholas Mombauer. Rev. Weiss made, in 1758, a list of the male members of the congregation, who were 45 in number. Their names were:
Franz Rus.
Ulrich Rieser.
Jacob Huber. Rudy Huber (der Wag- ner ).
Ludwig Bitting.
Alexander Diefendörfer.
Huber, the tailor, son-in- law of Hitz.
Peter Linn.
Jacob Schmidt.
Rudy Frick.
Christian Miller.
Abraham Ditloh.
Jacob Miller.
Ditloh, Jr.
Jacob Dubs.
J. Nicholas Mombauer. Paul Samsel.
Jacob Kehler.
John Adam Millauer.
Jacob Wetzel, Jr.
Johannes Huber.
Felix Brunner.
Johannes Huber, Jr.
John Reiswick. Philip Boehm (der
Joseph Eberhard.
Schlosser ).
Valentine Kaiser.
Michael Eberhard, Jr.
Daniel Hucken.
Ulrich Spinner.
Huber, brother of the tailor.
John Bleyler.
Heinrich Bleyler.
A weaver living with Ditloh.
Daniel Hitz.
George Weiss.
J. Huber.
- Kunius.
Abraham Faust.
Heinrich Huber.
David Streib. Andres Greber.
Of these early members of the congregation, Joseph Eberhard and Alexander Diefenderfer arrived in this country in 1727. Eberhard died in 1760 and Diefenderfer in 1768. Frantz Rus, Ulrich Reaser and Jacob Dubs came in 1732. Reaser was born in 1709 and died in 1784. Jacob Dubs was born in Switzerland in 1710 and died
about 1772. Peter Linn arrived in 1737, and married a daughter of Felix Brunner, who came in 1732. Michael Eberhard, who came with Joseph, in 1727, lived over the line in Bucks county. He was born in 1698 and died in 1772. Ulrich Spinner, born in Switzerland in 1717, died in 1769. He was the father of David Spin- ner, the famous potter, specimens of whose sgraffito earthenware are highly prized. John Bleyler, who lived in Bucks county, died in 1759. Daniel Hitz, of Switzerland, was born in 1699 and died in 1785. Henry Grob married his daughter, Adelheit Hitz. She died in 1764 and Grob married the widow of Rev. Kitweiler. Henry Grob died in 1768. Henry Huber was born in 1715 and died in 1778. Rudolph Huber was born in 1722 and died in 1779. Abraham Ditlow was born in 1731 and died in 1808. Nicholas Mombauer was born in 1720 and died in 1815, aged 94 years.
In 1766 a man named Jacob Ries, a shoemaker, acted as pastor for a time, but was dismissed the same year. Rev. Philip Jacob Michael and Rev. John Philip Leydig supplied the congregation until November, when Rev. John Theobald Faber, a new arrival, became the pastor and in 1768 reported thirty families in the congregation. In 1771 the number of families was forty. Rev. Casper Wack officiated as pastor in 1780 and 1781, after Faber removed to Lancaster county, Rev. Frederick Daelliker became pastor in 1781 and served until 1784. In 1783 he reported 37 families in the congregation and 31 scholars in the school and that he had baptized 12 and con- firmed 26 persons. Rev. Frederick William van- der Sloot served as pastor in 1784 and 1785, until Rev. John Theobald Faber began his second pas- torate in the latter year and served until his death, Nov. 2, 1788, which occurred suddenly, he having been stricken with illness while in the pulpit. He was buried under the altar.
The property of the congregation, on the road leading from Dillingersville to Spinnerstown, a short distance from the county line between Le- high and Bucks counties, was surveyed for the congregation in 1738. The patent for the land, issued in 1762, reads as follows:
"Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, Esquires, true and absolute Proprietors and Governors in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware, To all unto whom these Presents shall come, Greeting : Whereas in pursuance of Warrants under the seal of our Land Office, dated the twenty-third day of May, one thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight, there was surveyed on the twenty-seventh day of September, following, unto Michacl and Joseph Eb- erhart, a certain Tract of Land situate in Upper Milford Township, formerly in the County of Bucks, now Northampton, Beginning at a marked white
Jacob Wetzel.
Michael Eberhard.
Philip Heger.
804
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
oak, a corner of the said Michael and Joseph Eber- hart's Lands thence by Land of Bartle Hornberier South-West one hundred and thirty perches to a post, Thence by Land of Lawrence Erb North- West one hundred and forty-eight perches to a post, thence by Land of Felix Brunner North-West one hundred and thirty perches to a stone in a line of the said Joseph Eberhard's Land, thence by the same South-East one hundred and forty-eight perches to the place of Beginning, containing one hundred and thirteen acres and seventy perches and the usual allowance of Six Acres per cent. for Roads and Highways, as in and by the said Warrant and Survey remaining in the Surveyor General's Office and from thence certified into our Secretary's Office more fully appears, And Whereas the said Warrant was granted and the said Tract surveyed thereon at the instance and request and by the di- rection and at the proper cost and charges of the Minister, Elders and Congregation of the reformed Calvinist Society settled in Upper Milford aforesaid and adjacent Township of Lower Milford, who have now humbly besought us to grant unto the said Michael Eberhard and Joseph Eberhard, the son of the said first Joseph Eberhard, who is since lately deceased, in Fee the said described Tract of Land. In Trust for the Minister, Elders and Congregation for the time being of the said reformed Calvinist Society and their Successors settled and to be set- tled from time to time in the said Two Several Townships of Upper and Lower Milford the said Congregation having now erected on the said Tract a Church and School House for the use of them and their Successors. And we favoring their request. Now know ye that for and in consideration of the sum of seventeen pounds eleven shillings and seven pence lawful money of Pennsylvania to our use paid being the money of the said Congregation by the said Michael Eberhard and Joseph Eberhard, their heirs and assigns, the Receipt whereof we hereby acknowledge and thereof do acquit and forever dis- charge the Michael Eberhard and Joseph Eberhard their heirs and assigns by these Presents, and of the yearly Quit Rent hereinafter mentioned and re- served. WE HAVE given, granted, released and confirmed, and by these Presents for us, our Heirs and Successors do give, grant, release and confirm unto the said Michael Eberhard and Joseph Eber- hard, their Heirs and Assigns the said one hundred and thirteen acres and seventeen perches of Land as the same are now set forth, bounded and limited as aforesaid. With all Mines Minerals Quarries Meadows Marshes Savannahs Swamps Cripples Woods Underwoods Timber and Trees Ways Waters Water Courses Liberties Profits Commodi- ties Advantages Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any wise ap- pertaining and lying within the bounds and limits aforesaid. Three full and clear fifth parts of all Royal Mines free from all deductions and Repris- als for digging and refining the same and also one- fifth part of the ore of all others mines delivered at the pittsmouth only expected and hereby reserved and also free leave right and liberty to and for the said Michael Eberhard and Joseph Eberhard, their Heirs and Assigns to Hawk Hunt Fish and Shoot in and upon the hereby granted Land and Premises or upon any part thereof. To have and to hold the said one hundred and thirteen Acres and Seventy Perches of Land and Premises hereby granted (Ex- cept as before excepted) with their appurtenances unto the said Michael Eberhard and Joseph Eber- hard their Heirs and Assigns forever. IN TRUST
nevertheless and for the use of the Minister Elders and Congregation for the time being of the said re- formed Calivinist Society and their Successors set- tled and to be settled from time to time in the said two several Townships of Upper and Lower Milford and to and for no other use or purpose whatso- ever To be Holden of us our Heirs and Succes- sors. Proprietaries of Pennsylvania as of our Manor of Tamor in the County of Northampton aforesaid in free and common Socage by Fealty only in lieu of all other services. YIELDING AND PAYING thereof yearly unto our HEIRS and SUCCESSORS at the Town of Easton in the County aforesaid at or upon the first day of March in every year from the first day of March last one-half Penny sterling for every Acre of the same or value thereof in coin current according as the exchange shall then be be- tween our said Province and the City of London to such person or Persons as shall from time to time be appointed to receive the same and in case of non-payment thereof within ninety days next after the same shall become due then it shall and may be lawful for us our Heirs and Successors our and their receiver or receivers unto and upon hereby granted Land and Premises to Re-enter and the same to hold Possess until the said quit rent and all arrears thereof together with the charges accruing by means of such non-payment of Re-entry be fully paid and discharged. Witness: James Hamilton, Es- quire, Lieutenant Governor of the said Province, who by virtue of certain powers and authorities to him for this purpose (inter Alia) granted by the said Propietaries hath hereunto set his Hand and caused the Great Seal of the said Province to be hereunto affixed at Philadelphia this sixteenth day of December, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-two, the third Year of the Reign of King George the Third over Great Britain."
The following amusing incident is related to show the manner in which the Reformed congre- gation came to be first in securing the above title :
"It has ever been declared that the congregation had existed as a union of Reformed and Lutheran members, down to 1762. Some Lutheran names oc- cur in the original enrollment. The anecdote, by which the whole tract came into the sole possession of the Reformed body, is still related as a fact. We record the transaction in brief. It is said that the two organizations appointed two men to attend to the patenting of the land, in trust for both, Elder Sheets of the Lutheran and Elder Eberhard of the Reformed. The former, instead of accompanying the latter, that both might transact their duty in common and to the mutual benefit of both congre- gations, hurried on ahead. Elder Eberhard, hearing of their over-much haste, proceeded 'by express' to Philadelphia, and entered the Land Office, in ad- vance of Elder Sheets, and succeeded in securing a title for the Reformed Congregation exclusively, whilst his colleague, who reached the city first, had leisurely indulged in a glass of wine at the hotel. After they met on the steps of the Land Office, El- der Sheets intending to transact the business, and Elder Eberhard having already attended to it, both were surprised, the one sadly, the other gladly. After a few moments of awkward silence, followed by a short parleying, they returned to the hotel to explain. It resulted in the following dialogue :
Eberhard-Neighbor Sheets, do you know the dif- ference between the Lutherans and Reformed?
805
LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP.
Sheets-Well, they vary in the Lord's Prayer, the former using "Vater Unser," usually, whilst the lat- ter "Unser Vater." Besides, they differ in their sev- eral views on the Lord's Supper.
Eberhard .- There is still another difference, is there not?
Sheets-I am not aware of any other difference; what may it be?
Eberhard-I will tell you: The Reformed first attend to duty, and then indulge in wine, whilst the Lutherans first sip their wine and then attend to duty.
No other explanation was needed. And as both elders indulged in a glass or two of good wine, they started on their home-road in good fellowship.
The fourth and present church was built in 1872-73, and the cost was $30,000. It is a superior stone edifice with a steeple 165 feet high and presents a most attractive appearance. The building. committee was Isaac Fluck, Aaron Dubs, Samuel Wieandt, Daniel Eberhardt and Reuben Mumbauer.
The congregation was incorporated in 1856, the application having been signed by the pastor, Rev. Daniel Weiser ; the elders, Samuel Wieandt and Isaac Fluck ; and the deacons, Charles Wie- andt, Aaron Kemmerer and William Derr.
GREAT SWAMP REFORMED CHURCH.
The Lutherans then withdrew apart and built a church on a spot which elder Sheets donated for that purpose."
The old log church was sold to George Stahl of Hosensack Valley in 1772, and a stone church was erected near the same site.
The third church was built in 1837, and this was reported to have cost only $1,800 in money, the stone and timber having been taken from the land owned by the congregation.
In 1902-03 the church was re-modeled and greatly improved at a cost of $4,000. The gal- leries were removed from the two sides; the or- gan was re-constructed and located on the south side of the pulpit; a metal ceiling was put in; the walls were frescoed and wood-work painted ; fine stained windows were introduced; a steam heating plant installed ; the stone-walls were re- pointed and the exterior wood-work re-painted. The dedication was held June 7, 1903.
806
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
The membership in 1913 was 450.
The following pastors have served the con- gregation :
George Michael Weiss, Frederick Wilhelm Van-
1730-3I.
der Slott, Sr., 1784-85. John Theobald Faber,
Peter Miller, 1731-34.
John Heinrich Goets-
Sr., 1785-88.
chius, 1735-40. Nicolaus Pomp, 1789-91.
Peter Henry Dorsius, John Theobald Faber,
1741-44. Jr., 1791-1807.
Frederick Casimir Mil- ler, I745-48. George Michael Weiss, 1748-61.
J. Albert C. Heffenstein, 1808-II. Frederick William Van Der Slott, Jr., 1812-18. John Theobald Pater,
John Rudolph Kitweil-
er, 1763-64.
Jr., 1818-33.
Philip Jacob Michael,
1766.
Clement Z. Weiser,
1863-93.
Thomas H. Leinbach,
1894-1904.
James O. Oswald,
1904-10.
Frederick Daelliker, 1781-84.
IgII- .
A Sunday school was organized by the pastor, Rev. Daniel Weiser in 1840. When the week- day schools came to be separated from the church, after the passage of the common-school law in 1834, he started a movement in this behalf, but this met with such bitter opposition that the worthy pastor was accused of "selling his religi- ous influences to the Pope at Rome and Metho- dism, and of joining Jesuitism and Stravelerei," and these schools were called "Kaelver Schule" (schools for calves) .
The pastor, under the circumstances, started with only a small number of pupils, not exceed- ing twenty-five, but this was no discouragement to him. He persevered and each succeeding Sun- day witnessed an increased attendance and a stronger public support, showing that the pre- judice was unfounded and the opposition was subsiding.
A semi-centennial celebration of the founding of the Sunday-school was held Aug. 4, 1890 in the grove near the church and it was attended by a large concourse of people. The membership of the school at that time was 350. The receipts during the 50 years, $3,500; which were expend- ed as follows: for school purposes, $2,700; for the Womelsdorf Orphans' Home, $725; and for missions in China, $75.
The membership in 1913 was 252, the reduc- tion having been caused by death and removal to surrounding factory towns, and Allentown and Philadelphia.
Upper Milford Lutheran Church .- This con- gregation was organized about 1734 and se- cured a tract of land containing nearly 30 acres in the township (now Lower Milford) near
Dillingersville on which they erected a log building, supposed to have been the first in Le- high county, for religious services. The first members were :
Theobald Mechlin. Andreas Eckhart.
Henry William Dil- Henry Ritter. linger. Heinrich Riesz.
Martin Weitknecht.
Christopher Andreas
Michael Moser.
Guthman.
Peter Wentz.
Leonhart Lutz.
From 1745 to 1748 the old Lutheran patri- arch, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, was in charge of the church. He was living in Provi- dence township, then in Philadelphia county. From 1748 to 1749 the congregation was served occasionally by the school teachers, John Jacob Loeser and John Friederich Vigera, from 1749 to 1753 by Ludolph Henry Schrencke, who came March, 1749, from Luneberg, in Germany, to Philadelphia, and was ordered by Muhlen- berg to this church, and had the Upper Milford and Saucon congregations in charge until the year 1753.
A church record was begun in 1749, which shows the following members :
Johann Jacob Kurr. Johann Adam Roth.
Peter Schilp. Johann Michael Bastian.
Michael Schmidt. Mathias Bastian.
Friederich Kammerer. Johannes Dorr. John George Dillinger. Johannes Wagenseil.
Jacob Dillinger.
Michael Rieb.
Hans Dillinger.
Johann Martin
Johann Jacob Mechlin.
Johann Peter Mechlin.
Michael Flores.
Nicolaus Stahler.
Paul Ritter.
Martin Ritter.
Martin Schaffer. Peter Huttel (Hittel).
Johann George Bassel.
Peter Trautman.
William Hendle.
Jost Olewein.
Johann George Miller.
Balthasar Gotz.
Johann Michael Guth- man.
Johann Michael Mat- tinger. Jacob Schantz.
Johann Peter Kohler.
George Walder.
Friederich Nungesser.
Ludwig Siefers.
Philip Stephen Boppen-Michael Reichenbach. meyer.
George Klein.
Peter Edelman. Adam Reinhard.
Thomas Kurr. Christian Metzger.
Isaac Leopold Dolp.
Peter Lange.
Johann Adam Trump.
Conrad Zeller.
Johann David Streib.
Gabriel Kohler.
Johannes Junt. Friederich Keiser.
In 1757 a difference arose in the congregation and many members left it, going to the congre- gation at Zionsville. Those remaining supported the church until 1791 when it was discontinued.
The following pastors served the congregation : John A. Friederichs,
Henry M. Muhlenberg, 1745-48.
Christian Espich, 1754-63.
Ludolph H. Schrenke, 1749-53. 1789-91.
Schwenck.
George Schweighardt.
Jacob Busch.
Balthasar Vetterman.
Peter Greulig.
Johann Mathias Muller.
John Philip Leydich.
1766.
John Theobald Faber,
1766-80.
Caspar Wack, 1780-81.
Thomas H. Bachman,
Daniel Weiser, 1833-63.
Henry Post.
Mathias Ox.
807
LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP.
The building was occupied as a school by children of Lutheran members until 1799; then it was torn down, and a new stone school house, with dwelling compartments was erected in its place. An organization was then formed by members of different denominations, Lutheran, Reformed, Mennonite and Schwenkfelder, and rules for its occupancy were adopted by them.
The old graveyard of the church is 80 feet square, situated along the public road adjoining the dwelling-house on the premises. The stone wall along the road is still standing; the fences along the other three sides are in poor repair; and the ground has a much negelected appear- ance. The graveyard is supposed to have been wholly taken up with graves. Only three head- stones with legible inscriptions are standing. Two of them relate to Dillinger and his wife, which are as follows (the third relating to his wife and child) :
Died Dec. 5, 1803.
Jacob Dillinger, Anna Maria Dillinger, second wife of Aged 71 years. John Jacob Dillinger, Died May 27, 1815. Aged 61 yrs, 9 mos.
The agreement and rules were signed Feb. 21, 1799, by the following persons who represented that community in this most interesting local proceeding relating to the public welfare through education :
Michael Flores. John Stahl.
John Dillinger, Jr. Philip Walter.
Abraham Schantz. Henry Meyer.
Christian Schantz. Heinrich Larosz.
John Dillinger. Heinrich Stahler.
George Schuler. Abraham Histand.
Jacob Schantz. John Mechling.
Bernhard Lautenschlag-Conrad Zellner.
er.
Hanner Weigel.
Hannes Rentel. Christian Zellner.
This instrument was acknowledged before Daniel Stahler, justice of the peace; and the fol- lowing persons were elected to carry out its pro- visions :
Trustees and Building Committee .- Michael Flores, John Dillinger.
Collectors .- Abraham Schantz, Philip Walter. Treasurer .- John George Schuler.
In 1809 a log barn was built near the stone house, but this removed in 1844 and a stone Sweitzer barn was erected in its place.
In 1845 (Jan. 18) another agreement, with regulations, was adopted and signed, also ac- knowledged, and afterward (Jan. 22, 1845) re- corded in the Recorder's office.
In 1848 a new stone school-house was erected on the road towards Dillingersville, about 100 yards north of the building erected in 1799. This was rented by the school-board and occupied
un'til 1885, when a new brick building was erected in its place by the association farther north at the angle in the road; and this is still occupied by the township directors for which they pay rent to the association.
In January, 1867, the association was incor- porated by the Court under the name of the "Union School and Church Association."
In 1870 an Act of Assembly was passed au- thorizing the association to sell 27 a. 97 ps. of the 30 acres at public sale and appropriate the proceeds as provided by the agreement with an appropriation of at least $100 annually out of the income to maintain a free "Summer-School," and the property was sold to John R. Bitting for $4,050.
[For full proceedings see "Sketches of Lehigh Valley," pp. 194-203.]
The following early teachers taught in the old union school building. The years indicate the total terms taught by them :
John N. Bitting, 38 years ( 1865-1903).
Calvin Davidson, 30 years.
Michael Weidner, 30 years.
Benneville X. Schell, 30 years.
W. S. Erney, 30 years.
Joseph A. Brunner, Esq., 15 years. Emanuel Bitting.
Chestnut-Hill Church is situated on Chestnut Hill in Lower Milford. The first church at this place was erected by a Reformed congregation. The year in which the original congregation was organized is not known. By an old deed, dated March 3, 1757, it appears that the ground, about one acre, was sold by Andreas Engelman to the congregation for the consideration of ten shill- ings. The following members are mentioned in the deed :
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