USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 174
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Baltzer Fritz. George Fritz.
Leonard Ruppert.
Paul Kramlich, Jr.
Peter Naff.
Melchoir Seip.
Ludwig Kachenbach.
Adam Old.
Abraham Steinbruch.
Gideon Grimm.
George Old.
George Shoemaker. John Sieger.
Paul Kramlich. Jacob Kramlich.
John Plyler. Michael Plyler.
Christian Sieberling. Daniel Stettler.
Abraham Greenewald. Christian Greenewald. Jacob Grimm.
John Gackenbach. Nicholas Gisinger.
Philip Stettler. Michael Shaller.
George Grimm.
Valentine Gramlich. Paul Gramlich.
Stofle Sterner.
John Shieferstein.
Jacob Stine.
Henry Halfrich.
Peter Trexler.
Daniel Helfrich.
Michael Reichard. Michael Rabenold.
Peter Trexler, Jr.
Henry Hobler.
Peter Weiss.
Danel Hase.
George Weiss.
John Hartman.
Sebastian Werle.
Peter Hartman.
Nicholas Werle. Andrew Wagner. Daniel Wirth.
Yost Wirth.
John Witt. Michael Werle. David Zander.
John Knerr.
Single F
Christian Knouse. Jonathan Knouse. George Greenewalt. Jacob Shoewalter.
Jacob Eddinger. David Boger. John Braucher.
Taxable Residents of 1812 were as follows:
Daniel Acker. Barnet Jeager.
Michael Acker. Adam Smith.
George Acker. Daniel Krauss.
George Acker, Jr.
Jonathan Krauss.
Peter Bear. .
Daniel Kuns.
Laurence Klein.
Henry Bear.
Jonathan Klein.
Jacob Bear.
Peter Klein. Conrad Keck.
Peter Bear. Jacob Beal.
Jacob Kraul.
Adam Bear, Jr.
Philip Kuntz.
John Beitner.
George Kupp.
Philip Brobst.
Jacob Knerr.
Paul Bachman.
John Knerr.
Nicholas Bachman.
Abraham Knerr.
Andreas Bachman.
D. Jacob Breifogel
Peter Bachman.
Nicholas Gramer.
Jacob Stahlnecker.
George Kunkle. Peter Krommer.
Frederick Bock.
Leonard Kopff.
Henry Reichard.
Christian Leibel.
George Bowerman.
Christian Braucher.
John Lichtenwalder.
Jacob Leibelsberger.
Godfrey Boger.
George Lessig.
Henry Derr. John Derr. Jacob Derr.
Adam Boger.
Killian Leiby.
John Maurer.
Nicholas Derr.
Mathias Leibelberger.
David Eberhard.
Jacob Lichtewalter.
Mathias Falk. Jacob Freth.
Nicholas Moyer. Widow Muthard.
Eberhard Ohl.
Jacob Gachenbach.
Michael Rishel.
George Lorance.
David Fry. John Foch. John Fitter. William Fry. Jacob Greenewald. Jacob Greenewald, Jr.
John Shafer.
Peter Gariner. John Gariner. Charles Gachenbach.
Peter Pauley. Jacob Plyler. Paul Plyler. Andrew Rupp. Philip Rauch. Henry Rauch. Henry Reinsmith. Henry Reichard.
Charles Gackenbach. Henry Herber. Lawrence Holby. Vendle Holby.
Jacob Holby, Jr. Dewalt Holby. Jacob Herber. Frederick Hirsh. George Helfrich. John Jompert. George Krim. Jacob Krim. Conrad Kopff.
Friederich Hope. Friederich Heyneman. Andreas Hartman. Philip Hartman. Peter Holwein. Jacob Holwein, Jr. Laurence Holwein. John Hartman. Christian Holwein. John Henry. Philip Hawer. George Heyneman
George Shubert. John Siegfried. Philip Statler. Jonathan Shoemaker. John Shoemaker. John Sauerwine. George Smith. Philip Smith. Jacob Sasseman. Frederick Sauberling. Anthony Stine. George Shoemaker. Michael Smith. Jacob Siegfried. John Seip.
Peter Kline. Jacob Kloss.
George Braucher.
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Daniel Shoemaker.
Michael Werly, Jr.
Jacob Sittler.
Andreas Werly.
Christian Smith.
Nicholas Werly.
Jost Shnyder.
Christian Weiss.
John Fogel.
Valentine Werly.
Frederick Wilraub.
Daniel Wurth.
John Wannemacher. Samuel Weiandt.
Dewald Werly.
Andrew Wagener.
Daniel Wirth, Jr.
Nicholas Wilt.
Frederick Walbert.
Dewald Xander.
Jonathan Walbert.
Daniel Xander.
Jacob Walbert.
Henry Xander.
Michael Werly.
Peter Zimmerman.
Henry Weiss.
Single F eemen.
Daniel Krauss.
George Xander.
Solomon Rupp.
Peter Sauberling.
Philip Rauch.
John Grimm.
John Sauerwine.
William Geringer.
Michael Werly.
Reuben Selich.
Peter Xander.
George Seilich.
Ziegel Church .- On the south side of the Blue Mountains extends parallel with the mountain range, a strip of mountainous land known as the "Gravel," which begins at the Delaware River in New Jersey, and, intersected by the Lehigh and Schuylkill Rivers, reaches far into Lebanon county. Strictly speaking, this range is more hilly than mountainous, and its dales distribute the purest waters in all directions. In some places, as in Weissenberg, Lowhill, Lynn, and Heidelberg, where it includes these townships, it is from thir- teen to fourteen miles broad; at other places it narrows its borders to near the Blue Mountains. On its southern border it blunts into the beauti- ful valley known by the Indians as "Kittatinny," which reaches to another chain of mountains, known as the Lehigh Mountains. This large and fertile valley, which partly includes Northamp- ton, Lehigh, Berks, and Lebanon counties, is the richest and most beautiful in Pennsylvania. However, the "Gravel" surpasses it in springs, ex- cellent water and forests.
The first German Reformed and Lutheran emigrants came from Philadelphia to the "Grav- el," where were large forests, springs, and plenty of good water. Here in the dales where the rivu- lets riffled, where wood was in abundance, and especially lured by these hills and ravines which reminded them of the Fatherland, they founded their new homes. For this reason the "Gravel," with its stony soil, was settled earlier than the valley with its stoneless and rich soil, now known as Macungie and Maxatawny townships, which the emigrants passed to reach the "Grav- el." Later when other colonists came and set- tled in the valley, the rich soil was also appre- ciated.
An early immigration to Lehigh was in the western part in Weissenberg, Lynn, and Heidel- berg, and became the foundation of the Long
Swamp congregation in Berks county, the Ziegel, Weissenberg, Lowhill, Ebenezer, and Heidelberg in Lehigh county, and Allemangel in Berks county.
In the years 1734 and 1735,-some still earlier, -numerous families came from Oley and Gosh- enhoppen to the Kittatinny Valley, by way of the Indian path crossing the Lehigh Mountains, through the Rittenhouse Gap. Another Indian path led across the mountain more east, near Zionsville, in Upper Milford. Some of these families settled in Long Swamp, others moved north to the gravel region as far as the Schochary Ridge and surrounding country, where they be- came known as the "Allemangel settlement." From the Long Swamp Church across the valley lies the "Gravel." This highland forms itself through Weissenberg and Lynn townships to- wards the Schochary hills in another ridge, over which was also a well-trodden Indian path. This ridge divides and forms the water-sheds of the Lehigh and Schuylkill Rivers. From it the summit of Lehigh county opens many dales and ravines which gradually sink deeper, forming high banks covered with heavy timber and excel- lent creeks, which contribute on the right side to the Jordan, and on the left to the Antalaunee. The families followed this summit, and were at- tracted by the fine forests and clear water, which accounts for the early settlements of Weissenberg, Lynn, Kistler and Antalaunee Valleys. Each following year brought small and large trains of emigrants which strengthened the colonies. The territory of the Ziegel Church lay between the extremes of Long Swamp and Lynn, and espe- cially where this summit begins. The ridge here inclines obliquely into the valley, and forms, to- wards northeast, the little valley of Macungie, with a creek bearing the same name, which gave the name to both the Macungie townships. To- ward the west of the Ziegel Church extends an- other small valley from the north inclining to the large valley towards the southeast, forming the Ziegler and Haas Knobs. On the ridge dividing these two valleys stands the Ziegel Church. Many of the emigrants settled on the slopes and dales of the ridge on which the church stands, and built their log cabins near springs and creeks. Hence, early in the beginning of the 18th century the origin of the Ziegel congregation was caused, making it one of the oldest congregations in the county.
The organization of the congregation was ef- fected in the year 1745. Its property was bought a few years later, and the building of the church occurred still later. In the meantime services were held in the houses of the members, where
977
WEISSENBERG TOWNSHIP.
sermons were read by the schoolmaster, and occa- sionally by a minister from a distance. The old church record registers baptisms from 1730 to 1740. In 1747 Rev. Michael Schlatter visited the Ziegel Church on his missionary travels to the German Reformed congregations of Pennsyl- vania. The Ziegel (then called Macungie), the Allemängel (Ebenezer, in Kistler Valley), and Schmalzgasz (Salisbury) were classed by Schlat- ter as the twelfth pastoral charge. Having no church building and no minister for the first ten years, a pastor from a distance came to administer
Michael, Reformed minister, and Rev. Jacob Friederich Schertlein, Lutheran minister, as a Union Church for the Reformed and Lutherans.
Among the families that organized the congre- gations were Adam Braus, Ludwig Reichard, Bernhard Schmidt, Nicolaus Mayer, Peter Haas, Georg Schaefer, Karl Koon, Urban Friebel, Jo- hann Merkel, Daniel Knauss, Michael Shatz, Johannes Hergerether, Egidius Grimm, Zacha- rias Heller, Friedrich Windisch, Adam Weber, George Boyer, Johann Nicol Gift, Georg Wen- del Zimmermann, Michael Old, Heinrich Gag-
ZIEGEL CHURCH, STRUCK BY LIGHTNING IN 1887.
the communion. In this way the members had also requested Rev. Mr. Schlatter to visit them, and through his encouragement caused the erec- tion of a church building. Rev. Boehm, per- suaded by Schlatter, accepted their invitation.
In 1749 the congregation met and resolved to build their first church. It was built of rough logs in primitive style with no floor. The pulpit was on trestles. The church contained a rough home-made table; the seats were huge logs rest- ing on blocks; the roof was covered with tiles made by one of the members. July 29, 1750, the church was dedicated by Rev. Philipp Jacob
enbach, Melchior Ziegler, Philipp Kleinert, Peter Heimbach, Bartholomaus Miller, Georg Adam Liebensperger, Jacob Kuntz, Albrecht Stimmel, David Muszgenug, Michael Confert, Andreas Sassamanshausen, Georg Schumacher, Melchior Seib, Heinrich Miller, Johannes Vogel, Jacob Kimmel, Johannes Hermann, Conrath Neff, Jo- hannes Heider, Adam Schmidt, Philipp Wendel Klein, Johannes Bar, Yost Schaeffer, Philipp Fenstermacher, Friederich Hirsch, Jacob Acker, Georg Falk, Daniel Stettler, Jacob Weitknecht, Johannes Doll.
The following agreement of the Lutheran and
978
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Reformed congregations was made respecting worship in the Ziegel Church :
May the Christian Congregation listen to the terms of the agreement made in Weyssenburg.
Since it has pleased Almighty God and it has been His permissive will, that in our union church we have come so far by the grace of God as to be willing to hold the first divine service, with the in- vocation of His most holy name by both confes- sions, two weeks from next Sunday, on July 29th, the seventh Sunday after Trinity, we have come together beforehand, both Evangelical Lutheran as well as Evangelical Reformed members, to make fitting regulations for the manner in which preach- ing and teaching shall be conducted in it.
I. The church in Weyssenburg shall be a union church for the Evangelical Lutheran as well as for the Evangelical Reformed confessors. Each con- gregation may call a teacher or preacher as the members of the consistory and the whole congrega- tion shall approve.
2. Our church shall be opened two weeks hence, with a sermon and an invocation of the triune God; together with songs of praise to the Lord our God, and the dedication shall take place at eight o'clock in the morning by both congregations.
3. If it be possible for the Evangelical Lutheran as well as for the Evangelical Reformed minister to preach, one of the two ministers shall preach the dedicatory sermon and the other a short sermon appropriate for the consecration of the church, for the reason that both ministers serve several congre- gations on Sunday.
4. But if it cannot be so arranged that the one as well as the other minister can be present on the above mentioned Sunday, the 7th Sunday after Trinity of July 29th, it is agreed by all the under- signed members in Weyssenburg to choose and call a minister by both of the congregations, who will be able to perform the act of dedication unhindered.
5. If the Evangelical Lutheran minister should thus be chosen, the Evangelical Reformed people shall make no objection and if the Evangelical Re- formed minister should be the one chosen, the Evan- gelical Lutheran members shall make no objection at the dedication; that everything may be done hon- estly and orderly, as befits Christians.
6. When divine services, with invocation of God's most holy name, are to be held in the above named union church, the one congregation shall not oppose the other, but divine worship shall take place alter- nately, the Evangelical Lutheran preacher on the fore or afternoon and also the Evangelical Reform- ed preacher either on the forenoon or afternoon, every Sunday or every two, three or four weeks, one after the other according to the engagement made with the minister, so that a regular order may be maintained therein.
7. It is agreed and appointed, that each congre- gation, the Evangelical Lutheran as well as the Evangelical Reformed, shall render an account of the alms in Weyssenburg every quarter or half year, all of which shall be laid aside for the building of the Church.
8. It is agreed and appointed, that in this union church in Weyssenburg every year the salary or wages of both the above mentioned Evangelical Lu- theran as well as the Evangelical Reformed min- isters shall be paid in common by the two congre- gations, and each minister shall be paid according to
the terms of the call given to him by the congrega- tion.
9. Finally the ministers, called by the Evangelical Lutherans as well as by the Evangelical Reformed, shall accept no fee for the instruction and confirma- tion of the children preparatory to the Lord's Sup- per nor shall they take anything for baptizing chil- dren.
Macunshy, the 6th of July, 1750.
This is to certify that the Evangelical Lutheran Confessors concur with the points of the above agreement :
Jacob Friedrich Schert- Philip Jacob Michael,
lin, Luth. Min. Ref. Min.
Peter Trexler. Giedon Grimm.
Joh. Gackenbach, Elder.
Nicolaus Maior.
Adam Brauss.
Peter Haas.
Jacob Schumaker. George (A.) his mark
Philip Wendel Klein. Adam Leibesperger.
Ludwig Reichard.
Melchior Kloss.
Johannes Merckel.
Johannes Baehr.
Bernhard Schmidt.
Daniel Knauss.
Michael Bauermann.
Three years after the church was built, Adam Brauss, in the interest of the congregations, took out a warrant for a tract, consisting of 42 acres of land. In 1771 this land was, through Adam Brauss (Reformed) and Jacob Grimm (Lu- theran), patented to the congregations. While the church was in course of construction, a school house was also built. Prior to the school house, children were taught in a house near the church and also in Siegfriedsdale, three miles distant from the church. This was burned, and a more substantial one took its place.
Originally the Ziegel Church was called "Ma- cungie," being in the immediate neighborhood of the Macungie Creek and Valley. Macungie, the abbreviation of the Indian word "Mauckkunt- shy," signifies "eating place of bears." Leaving the barren, snow-covered gravel, the bears sought their pasture in this valley, and hence its name. Rev. Schlatter records the Ziegel Church under the name "Macungie," and by the first surveys it was located in that township, but in later surveys that part containing the church was added to Weissenberg. The name Ziegel was then sub- stituted on account of its tile-covered roof. Dr. Harbach erroneously mentions in his book, "Schlatter's Life and Travels," page 160, foot note 3, the Trexlertown as the Macungie congre- gation. The travels of Schlatter into the in- terior of Pennsylvania occurred in 1747; at that time there existed no other congregation in Ma- cungie except Ziegel and Trexlertown was not organized till 1784. The old Macungie congre- gation was the Ziegel.
Jacob Friedrich Schertlein (Lutheran) ) and Philipp J. Michael (Reformed), the ministers who dedicated the first church, were the first pas- tors of the congregations. Schertlein was an able Lutheran minister and of high standing. Mi-
979
WEISSENBERG TOWNSHIP.
chael was no minister by profession, not even a school-master, but a weaver by trade; however, he was not immoral, and judging from his hand- writing, especially as he kept the records of the churches, his education must have been limited. Nor was he without talent, for the members lauded his preaching. But he was without ordi- nation,-a squatter in the church. He organized other congregations in Lehigh and Berks counties. The Michael Church in Berks was named in honor of him. He influenced his members against the Coetus established by Schlatter, and withstood in all respects the synodical organiza- tion of the Reformed Church.
Michael's successor was Peter Miller, an equivalent in propensities, also unordained, yet exceeded him in intelligence, being a schoolmas- ter from Europe. He had settled in Allemängel, near Ebenezer (now Tripoli), taught school, read sermons for the congregations in Lynn and Heidelberg, and finally declared himself minister of the gospel. After serving Ziegel congregation he preached in Ebenezer, and died there, and is buried in the graveyard of that congregation.
Who the Lutheran ministers were that served the congregation from the time of Schertlein's resignation to 1781 is not known. Very likely there were none for some years. A certain Fritz served a short time. He must have been a spiritus frumenti subject, for in the De Long Church he fell from the pulpit, being too drunk to keep his balance.
South from the church, in a dale entering the Kline Valley, was an Indian village, quite near the farm of Jesse Grimm. The Indians had a burial place here. Years ago many Indian relics, such as tomahawks and arrowheads were found. Farther down the valley, near Breinigsville, lived old Peter Trexler, with whom the Indians were on the most friendly terms. Mrs. Trexler often baked bread for them and gave them small pre- ents, in exchange for which they bought game and smoked their pipes of peace. Later, when the forest gave way to civilization, the Indians left their village, and occasionally returned to visit their burial ground. Between 1754 and 1763, when the Indians became unruly, they also disturbed the Zeigel congregations.
Rev. John Henry Helffrich, the first ordained Reformed minister of the Ziegel congregation, kept a diary while on his voyage to America, and the following is from it :-
"On Sept. 6, 1771, in company with his step- brother, Rev. Albert C. Helffenstein, and Rev. I. G. Gebhard, three missionaries for the Reformed Church in Pennsylvania, appointed by the Hol- land Synod, Rev. Helffrich sailed from Amster- dam. The same day, at noon, the ship strand- ed, and necessitated the assistance of another
large vessel to relieve them. On the third day they were overtaken by a storm, and as the Texel was reached the storm increased so much that three an- chors were cast. The storm lasted seven days, and the vessel was so disabled that they were obliged to sail to Newcastle for repairs. From Newcastle they started again, only to be overtaken by a second storm. On the 21st of October the ship entered the Channel. They encountered the sever- est storm, which drifted them to the coast of France. The ship was obliged to sail to Caen for repairs again, and after six days' delay again set sail. On the 4th of November, the Atlantic was reached. Two days less than two months was re- quired from Amsterdam by way of the English Channel to reach the ocean. On the ocean they were favored for several days with good winds, and their voyage was prosperous. On November 9th, they encountered their enemy in a new form, viz., thunder-storms and water-spouts to their right and left. They were drifted near the islands of Azore. For eight days the wind was in direct op- position to them. Another storm overtook them, the rudder, masts, and rigging were destroyed, and all hopes of safety abandoned, and the vessel given its own course. The next week following the voy- age was tedious, and the provisions and water be- gan to get low. On the 27th of November, a hog was slaughtered, for the beef was eaten, and ham, bacon and peas, and all the flour was ruined by the rats. From the 27th of November to the IIth of December, after the ship carpenter's repairs, the voyage progressed finely. A dolphin and several large fish were caught, which added to their limited store of provisions. On the IIth of December an- other storm destroyed the mainmast, and many of the sails were lost and torn. December 12th, a second mast and the ship-beak were broken. The prospects were gloomy. The provisions were satur- ated with ocean water and unpalatable. On Decem- ber 25th, the drinking water was distributed in small quantity ; each passenger received for his share two and a half glasses, which included their tea or coffee and soup. Their thirst, owing to the saturated and fast-decomposing meat, became intense. A few peas were left, which were served twice a week with bacon and four hams were on board. They suffered hunger and thirst, and ten days with favorable weather was required to reach New York. The Ist of January they hailed a whaler. On January 7th storm; the waves washed the deck, and took over- board the last hog and sty, which was kept for an emergency. Helffenstein and Gebhard and two other passengers were also washed overboard, but rescued. The storm drifted the vessel toward shore; but six days later, while sounding, the weight sank 12,000 feet and still no bottom. The next day they sailed 104 miles, and sounded bottom at 210 feet. January 13th, again 100 miles, and saw the coast of New Jersey ; at 8 P. M. the lights of, and at mid- night anchored at, New York. On Jan. 14, 1772, they stepped on American soil. The voyage was ac- complished in four months and eight days, encount- ering seven storms, two water-spouts, thirst and hunger. Now the same voyage is made in nine days."
Having landed in America, the position of the early settlers was anything but agreeable and com- fortable. Still they were in the land of their hope, but were now obliged to locate and find suitable lands for homesteads. There was no want of loca- tions and good lands. The soil was fertile, and
980
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
awaited the plow and farmer, but to reach the sec- tions was difficult. They were directed toward the Blue Mountains. To the Lehigh Mountains it was not so difficult, for roads were already broken, but over the Lehigh Mountains, the Kittanning Valley, and across to the Blue Mountains was an impene- trable forest land. An Indian path leading through Rittenhouse Gap was used, which was enlarged by axe and elbow-grease for the accommodation of
steads, and found encouragement from their already established neighbors. The writer of this article was told by veterans, buried long ago, that after the settlers had decided on a homestead they drove their wagon under some trees near a spring or creek; a kettle hung to a cross-piece, supported by two wood- en forks, was their kitchen, the wagon with its cov- ered roof the bed-room, and the forest with its blue sky their house. Huts, equal to the modern char-
ZIEGEL CHURCH, STRUCK BY LIGHTNING IN 1907.
wagons, and took weeks till the settlers arrived at their destination.
The first settlers of this congregation were a small party that started together from the Palatinate. They mostly brought money. Such families as the Brauszs, Reichards, Haas, Gagenbach, Grimms, and Lichtenwallners were even wealthy. They bought their horses, wagons, stock, and agricultural imple- ments in Philadelphia. The emigrants who had to pay for their sea voyage came later, selected home-
coal-burner's, were their next attempt, which they lived in till, by rotation, they could help each other to build log cabins which only had one room, with. out floor, and covered with rush and sod. Cellars were out of the question. Agriculture was the most important thing. As soon as the temporary cabin was finished they cleared portions of forest, and year after year they kept on until they were sup- plied with sufficient tillable land. While thus en- gaged their wives cultivated the gardens-raised let-
981
WEISSENBERG TOWNSHIP.
tuce, turnips, cabbage, etc .- and the kitchen soon had the odor of greens and vegetables. Early with the building of their cabins they planted apple seeds, and in years afterward they had a good supply of apples, which they distilled into apple-jack, and ex- changed in Philadelphia for necessaries or money. From experience during the winter they learned that their cabins were not cold and snow-proof, so they improved and enlarged them. One of the first saw- mills was near the church, where the little rivulets combined enter the Macungie Valley, later called Schuyler's saw-mill. As soon as boards were to be had the carpenters modernized the cabins, added floors, rooms, and shingle-roofs. The log stable gave place to log barns with threshing-floors, and on the right and left sides stalls for cattle and horses, and the usual lofts for grain and hay. The logs used in cabins and barns were "chinked" with straw and clay, making warm houses; later they added cellars to store the potatoes, which hereto- fore were covered with earth. The furniture was mostly brought from Europe, some was bought in Philadelphia, and some the settlers made themselves. A table, chairs, bench, chests, stove, and bedsteads constituted a good outfit. Linens they brought from Germany.
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