The Lutheran Church in New Hanover, (Falckner swamp) Montgomery County, Penna. Part XXII. of a narrative and critical prepared at the request of the Pennsylvania-German society, Part 13

Author: Kline, John Jacob, 1856-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Lancaster, Pa. [Press of the New era printing company]
Number of Pages: 482

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > New Hanover > The Lutheran Church in New Hanover, (Falckner swamp) Montgomery County, Penna. Part XXII. of a narrative and critical prepared at the request of the Pennsylvania-German society > Part 13

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The second petition, written nearly eight years later, is somewhat better written, having some regard for punc- tuation, etc., but names of the signers are far less legible than those of the former. The petition reads as follows : To the Honorable Patrik Gordon Esqr. Governor of the Pro- vince of Pensilvania &c:

This Petition of the Frontier Inhabitants of ye County of Philadelphia humbly Sheweth

Whereas Your Petitioners are at Present So Alarmed by a Nois of ye Indian That Several Families have Lost their Planta- tions with what Effects they Could Possibly Carry away Women In Child bed being forced To Expose themselves To Coldness of ye Air and hereby Their Lives are In Danger

We Your Petitioners therefore humbly Pray That Your Hon. would Be Pleased To Take or Use Such Measures with ye Indians That Your Petitioners may be Freed From Those Alarms. for Yet we are Informed That That The Indians are Consulting Measures Against us. We hope Your Hon. will Com- ply With our Humble Request To prevent as well our Fears as Danger. And Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray &ca. Ap. ye 29-1728.

Jacob Peterson.

Adam Schlonecker

William Woodle

Daniel Schöner

Joseph Bewlls

Fridrich Reichardt

Jonathan Woodle

Michal Schenck

John Kendall Jonathan Brooke

Valentin Geiger

Christian Aigs

Elliot Evans

Conrad Shreiber

Anthony Henkel

John Mak

John Renberg

John Reichelsdörfer

Christoph Wittman John Böhner

Michael Schmidt

Martin Zentler

Johannes Schneider Wendel Fry

Georg Hollenbach

Matthias Otto Gerhardt Henckell

Miles Ringer

وجود الرسل

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This Petition of the Frontier Inhabitants of ye County of Philadelphia humbly Sheweth

Jacob Peterson.

Adam Schlonecker

William Woodle

Daniel Schöner

Joseph Bewlls

Fridrich Reichardt

Jonathan Woodle

Michal Schenck

John Kendall Jonathan Brooke

Valentin Geiger

Christian Aigs

Elliot Evans

Conrad Shreiber

Anthony Henkel

John Mak

John Renberg

John Reichelsdörfer

Christoph Wittman John Böhner

Michael Schmidt

Martin Zentler

Johannes Schneider Wendel Fry

Georg Hollenbach

Matthias Otto Gerhardt Henckell

Miles Ringer

To the Hlen elt Patrik Gordon Ify Govern of the Province of Confilvaria See. 6

Istion of The frontier Inhabitants of " County. philadelphia hum Gly Pheroffi

Whowas your Petitionors are of Tropant to alarm's by a noite of fincan That Prural Families havs Sof them Plantations with what Speelt it's Could Possibly Carry away Woman In Child End bring four, To Expago them Polvos To", Colone's of if aiz is howby Frais Sivos are Indanger

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Historical Events.

Peter Peterson

Jacob Colter

Adam Ox.

John Aister

Christian Manschmid

Richard Jacob

Martin Bitting

Isaac Dubois

Georg Geiger

thomas hauer

Bastean Reiffschneider

Nichlos hicks

Johannes Eschbach

Jnº Pawling

Fridrich Antés

Samuel Adams.

Henrich Antés.

John David

Hendrich Pielers

John Phillips

Cassimer Schreiber

Ed. Nicholas.

Henrich H. Bitting

It is probable however that they did not share in some of the self denials of those of a generation or two later, when not only the men walked miles and miles to reach the church, but the women and children did the same. When within sight of the church in summer time, the latter would take the shoes which they carried, put them on before entering the church and wear them during the service. After the service, when a short distance away from the church, they would take them off again and return barefooted to their homes. Ordinarily, during summer time the men wore no shoes at all. Shoes were too much of a luxury to be worn on such occasions as long as the weather was mild.

Many also had great distances to travel to reach the church, although we are disposed to doubt some of the accounts of men who set out before midnight on Satur- day to attend preaching at Philadelphia, and returned-all afoot-before Monday morning. Why should people have deemed it necessary to pass a number of churches on the way simply that they might attend divine service in Philadelphia ?

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During the pastorate of Rev. J. N. Kurtz some of the worshipers at Tulpehocken came from Lykens Valley, not less than forty to fifty miles distant. In fact the boun- daries of that congregation were supposed to extend to the settlements along Penn's Creek and the Middle Creek, now parts of Snyder and Union Counties. When Rev. F. A. C. Mühlenberg visited them, he went to them as scattered members of the home flock at Tulpehocken and administered the Lord's Supper to them near Selins Grove. In some respects this congregation, perhaps, was annoyed more than others. They were just upon the outskirts of the social center, the city of Philadelphia. It is nat- ural that much of its moral débris should float hither. The congregation therefore furnished an excellent field for itinerant preachers. Of these it had its full share. Men coming from the Fatherland arriving at Philadelphia were usually sent to New Hanover as teachers and catechists, or assistant preachers in the united congrega- tions, until their characters were proved or fitness for the work established and then were sent to other places; while others proved unworthy and soon dropped out of the notice of the church.

We can also well imagine how a few pious Germans, scattered in a strange and howling wilderness, true and loyal to the confessions taught them in the Fatherland, without pastors and teachers, were earnestly longing for the ministrations of the Word and Sacraments. After these wants were partially supplied by the faithful Falck- ner brothers, their longings for the services of other faith- ful men were no doubt ardent, and when they had to be satisfied with men of other nationalities and lan- guages, or else with unprincipled men, or men unworthy to serve in the sacred office, as the case has frequently

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been, their trials and disappointments have been severe. It is no wonder therefore that, after more than a score of years had passed by since the Falckners left them, these Germans appealed to the Fatherland and earnestly pled for faithful pastors to serve them in spiritual things.

But their struggles were not at an end when their ap- peals were heeded and godly men were sent to these west- ern shores. Mühlenberg and others are almost extrava- gant in describing the destitution of these poor Germans. Not only was there a lack of sufficient means properly to provide for their temporal necessities, but ignorance also reigned, and their destitute circumstances prevented them from securing a sufficient number of churches and school- houses and to man them properly with worthy teachers and preachers. Almost anything and everybody had to be pressed into service to relieve the sad condition. At the Trappe men preached in a barn, at other places in school houses and private dwellings, and whoever was capable of reading, be it ever so poorly, was chosen to read sermons and prayers for the edification of the people.

Foreign elements also entered into the consideration. There were long distances to be traversed in order to meet assembled congregations, dangerous streams had to be forded, and almost impassable roads travelled, and at times attacks by the Indians had to be warded off; so that it was even at the risk of life that divine worship in public services was at all possible. Yet while these con- ditions and exigencies were sad in the extreme there arose in the progress of the congregation's life other circum- stances still more humiliating and heartrending. There were strifes among church members, discords between pastors and people, and in particular immorality and un- reasonableness among some of the ministers whom the

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congregation had received as trustworthy and faithful ministers of the Word. A few illustrations will suffice. At the time of Mühlenberg's arrival the congregation had engaged the services of a certain Mr. Schmidt, reputed to be a dentist and quack physician rather than a preacher, who only could be subdued after Mühlenberg's earnest protest, and the positive proof of his rightful call in answer to the call sent to Europe by the three united con- gregations for a preacher. During his (Mühlenberg's) long pastorate he was again and again confronted by sim- ilar conditions here and elsewhere. Nor were all the trials and afflictions of the congregation at an end when he dis- appeared from the scene. Scarce has he departed this life, which occured in 1787, when Berhard Gilbert, a member of the church council, brought charges against Rev. Wein- land. This occurred in 1793. Synod investigated the matter, and although exonerating the preacher, the next year the complaint was repeated; the charges were " not sufficiently substantiated," yet we do not find them removed and the pastor's name does not appear on the roll of min- isters in 1794, and in 1795 he removed from the congre- gation, and vacates its pulpit.

During the pastorates of Rev. Frederic Geissenhainer, Rev. Jacob Miller and Rev. Conrad Miller, a period of more than fifty years, peace reigned, and the congregation enjoyed a period of tranquillity and prosperity. History speaks of the eminent ability of these men and of the excellency of their service. The congregation increased in membership and influence, and progress was apparent everywhere. During the next brief pastorate of less than five years the peace and harmony of the congregation were again disturbed. The pastor, the Rev. Nathan Yeager, was an acceptable preacher and an eminent catechist.

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Those who enjoyed the catechetical lectures given by him give him unstinted praise for his excellency in this direc- tion, but his views along other lines were severely criticized.

At last the civil courts were appealed to to settle the difficulties. The papers of the Court proceedings are still at hand. Finally the matter was adjusted, the pastor resigned, but not until many were estranged from the con- gregation, and its membership considerably reduced.

II. ITS MISSIONS.

This congregation being the oldest German Lutheran congregation in America, may well be looked upon as the mother of all the rest of the congregations among the Ger- mans of this vicinity. Although not organized by this congregation, yet the surrounding congregations, as e. g., the Trappe, Old Goshenhoppen, New Goshenhoppen, Oley Hills and others, were undoubtedly influenced by it. At least these and many other congregations followed the example of this one by early organization, building churches and school houses, and some of them sought the services and ministrations of its pastors and school masters.

In a narrower sense the congregations at Pottstown, Peikstown and Boyertown are missions directly arising from this congregation, because they have been organized through the labors and advice of pastors serving this con- gregation at the time of their organization. The former, Pottstown, and Pikeland during the time of Mühlenberg and Voigt, while Boyertown may have been a preaching point during Rev. Geissenhainer's pastorate at New Han- over; for the call extended to Rev. Jacob Miller in 1809 includes " Boyer's " as a place where he is to preach, but we can find no documentary evidence that St. John's, Boyer- town, was actually organized before 1811, Rev. Jacob Miller being its first pastor.

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The history of Keelor's Lutheran congregation, of Sas- samansville, of Bechtelsville, of Grace, Pottstown, is even more closely allied with this congregation. Not only have its pastors been instrumental in effecting organiza- tions at these places, but also many of the members of these congregations were formerly identified with the con- gregation at Swamp, and in every case the pastors of the New Hanover congregation served these new congrega- tions for a longer or shorter period of time, and all of them have at some time or other been connected in parish relationships in various ways, but are now all connected with other parishes, except the youngest of them all (Grace, Pottstown), which, with the New Hanover con- gregation, forms a pastoral charge, and both are served by the same pastor.

III. NOTED MEN.

Among noted men of the congregation a few stand out quite prominently. Of these we might name John Henry Sprogell, Valentine Geiger, Matthias Richards ( Reichert) Judge John Richards, Judge Benjamin Markley, Fredr. Brendlinger, Dr. Jacob Knipe, Michael Stofflet and others. But there are many beside these, individuals and families of equal prominence in the congregation and its affairs.

Some of these will readily occur to those who have examined the congregation's records. It would be impos- sible to include all in this description. Therefore only a limited number of names is given. It would be imprac- ticable-aye even impossible-to give them all. This list therefore is not meant to exclude others, who, forsooth, are not mentioned, nor yet to raise to undue prominence those given. It is simply a record of those who do at once occur to the memory.

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Historical Events.

Among the families and individuals that may be named, we find the names Kurtz, Kebner, Erb, Fegeley, Bickel, Linsebigler, Ebli, Renninger, Yerger, Fuchs, Beiteman, Mecklein, Stettler, Schittler, Ickes, Wartman, Schwein- hard, Reifschneider, Harpel, besides a multitude of others who have all helped to make the congregation the power it is in this community.

The prominence of John Henry Sprogell is due not so much to his eminent piety or zeal for the church, as it is to the fact that he figures largely in securing a home and property for the congregation. As already seen, he do- nated the land on which the church was built. Whether it was an act of genuine liberality, or one of mere policy we shall not attempt to decide. But we may be allowed to quote what Dr. Sachse, who made a very thorough inves- tigation of the matter, says:

Sprogel, who was the son of a well-known theologian of the same name, appears in anything but an enviable light. From cer- tain correspondence between Benjamin Furly and others which has lately come to light, it appears that Sprogel was a schemer of the first order, and anything but a man of honor, character or principle.

It is needless to repeat the specifications. His name is found among those who came with Daniel Falckner when he returned from Germany.

He "was born February 12, 1679. His father, an eminent author and clergyman of the same name, was teacher of the seminary at Quedlinburg. His mother, Susanna Margaretta, was a daughter of the celebrated composer of music, Michael Wagner, and the church his- torian Godfried Arnold, who wrote the 'Kirchen and Ketzer Historiae,' married his sister. Sprogel was natur- alized in 1705, and for a time figured as a shipping mer-

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chant and became quite a land owner, in addition to the Frankfort Company lands he acquired several large tracts on the other side of the river. He died at his home at the mouth of Sprogel's Run at Manatawny, which was a part of the land to the present suit (when he took it from D. Falckner), wherein he had subsidized all the lawyers who were then in the province, viz .: David Lloyd, George Lowther, Thomas Clark and Thomas MacNamara." " The borough of Pottstown is now upon a part of this land."-He is buried, upon a part of his tract of land. No further comments are needed.

Another man, but of an entirely different type, Valen- tine Geiger, was even more prominent in this congrega- tion's affairs. The most satisfactory account we have of him is that given by H. M. Mühlenberg in his report from 1754-1765, sent to Halle. According to this statement he had lived in this country forty-five years and was seventy- seven years old at the time of his death, so that he must have been thirty-two years old when he came. The statement that he had been one of Mühlenberg's hearers for twenty years would indicate that his death occurred 1762-1763. He also adds that Valentine Geiger was an elder of the congregation, the first or oldest citizen of the township-Des arste anbauer des Amtes-as well as its most aged one. Any one acquainted with Dr. Mühlen- berg's manner of speech will know that he habitually uses the term amt to signify township, even introducing the terms, the Aemter N. Hanover and Providens and Graf- schaft, Philadelphia, to designate the three congregations.

Although only about thirty-two years of age when he came to this country, he was already married to the daugh- ter of Rev. Gerhard Henckel, whom he accompanied hither.

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After the death of his first wife he married the " daugh- ter of a minister prepared (lit. made or manufactured) here, who had some knowledge of chemistry, and who in the hope of finding the philosopher's stone, was willing to support church and school and to perpetuate evangelical religion."

Valentine Geiger had a large family-fourteen children, of whom ten survived him. The distance from Philadel- phia viz., thirty-six miles, would indicate that he resided somewhere near New Hanover, at the time of his death, although it is known that he, or a son, of the same name, resided not far from Oley Hill Church, somewhere in Colebrookdale, as did also Gerhard Henkel, jr., a brother- in-law. Whether it was a son, or a grandson, or a man of another family, we do not know, but a Valentine Geiger donated the land upon which St. John's Church, Gibraltar, was erected about the close of the eighteenth century.

Michael Stofflet has so thoroughly distinguished himself that he deserves special mention here. It was he who built for himself a monument at this place which has with- stood the storms of nearly a century and a half.

In an unpretentious way he allowed future generations to know who and what he was.

Almost in the topmost round of masonry he laid a stone upon which is hewn this inscription

M. M. Michael Stofflet A. D. 1767.

The two M's no doubt stand either for master mason, or else master mechanic. Whatever this desires to convey, time has proven that both are correct.

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Other names have been hewn upon various stones set in the walls, but the action of the weather during so many years has almost entirely obliterated them.

He showed himself not merely a " master " at his trade but a shrewd business man. He placed this stone directly under the cornice so that no action of the weather can ever efface these letters. Beside this he did his work so well, that whatever else he may have accomplished in life, his name deserves to be revered, and this epitaph to be placed securely within the walls of the church edifice that future generations may honor his name, and learn that no em- ployment is too menial to be a master, nor too humble to be proficient. He was a communicant member of the con- gregation and lies buried on its graveyard.

John Frederick Reichert, the head of the Pennsylvania- German Richards family, containing many members of distinction, was born in the town of Augsburg, Germany, in 1679, the son of a German army officer. The church records of this congregation state that he was buried Sep- tember 22, 1748. The exact date of his emigration to America is unknown, but it must have been in 1700 or 1703, as family data in existence show that where he set- tled in New Hanover Township it was then an unbroken forest without roads save the paths made by the aborigines, and that he was surrounded by many Indians. Family records also state that he was one of the originators of this congregation. His name appears as one of the sign- ers of the certificate for a title to the congregation's church property, February 10, 1746. He was a man of means and education, and of great prominence in his lo- cality.

Matthias Richards the son of John Frederick, was born January 9, 1719, died March 28, 1775, and was buried

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near the church. He was a farmer and scrivener, a most useful and well-educated man of his day, ranking superior to the generality of those by whom he was surrounded. He became wealthy and enlarged his patrimony, purchas- ing land near Heringtown, on the Swamp road, whence he removed and kept a public house which was then an hon- orable occupation.

He was an active official of the congregation and in 1767 was a member of the building committee to erect the present church building.

About 1748 he was married to Ann Margaret, daughter of John Frederick Hillegas, and a niece of Michael Hille- gas, the first treasurer of the United States.

John Richards, eldest son of Matthias Richards, born April 18, 1753, died November 13, 1822, married Sophia Heebner, and later Mrs. Catharine Krebs, daughter of Philip Koons. He was a farmer, scrivener and iron-mas- ter; justice of the peace from June 6, 1777, practically all his life. Associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Montgomery County at the time of its organization, appointed November 1, 1784 by J. Dickinson, president of the executive council, Frederick A. Mühlenberg being president judge. He was a member of the Fourth Con- gress, 1796-97; Pennsylvania State Senator, 1801-07; member of the Pennsylvania Convention on the Federal Constitution of 1787; during the Revolutionary War one of the magistrates authorized to administer the oath of allegiance to the American cause. He was a man of in- fluence and wealth, a faithful official and an enterprising citizen.

Benjamin Markley, born in New Hanover Township, July 13, 1751, was a son of Abraham Markley, born August 12, 1723, and his wife Barbara, whose maiden

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name was Ickes. His grandfather, Jacob Markley, came from Germany early in the eighteen century. He was a lifelong member of this congregation, died July 10, 1819, and lies buried in the graveyard near the church. In his youth he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed for some time, but later became a justice of the peace, which office he filled many years. He was also a surveyor, and a competent and careful scrivener. He was frequently called upon to settle estates, draw up deeds and agreements, and write wills. He wrote a legible hand, both English and German, and his services were frequently in demand. He was identified with the military both dur- ing and after the Revolutionary War.

In 1789-90 he was a member of the lower branch of the State Legislature. In the latter year, by alteration of the constitution, the appointing power of the judiciary hav- ing been vested in the governor, he, together with Samuel Potts, Benjamin Rittenhouse and Robert Loller, was ap- pointed associate judge of the judicial district as then constituted by Gov. Thomas Mifflin, August 17, 1791. This position of honor and trust he held for nearly twenty years. As a judge he was dignified, affable and courteous, and made many friends among all classes of society.

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The Lutheran Church in New Hanover, (Falckner swamp) Montgomery County, Penna. Part XXII. of a narrative and critical prepared at the request of the Pennsylvania-German society, Part 13

Author: Kline, John Jacob, 1856- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Lancaster, Pa. [Press of the New era printing company] Number of Pages: 482

Author: Kline, John Jacob, 1856-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Lancaster, Pa. [Press of the New era printing company]
Number of Pages: 482