USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Kutztown > The centennial history of Kutztown, Pennsylvania : celebrating the centennial of the incorporation of the borough, 1815-1915 > Part 4
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
and Tract of Land in the Return afsd. specified with the Appurtenances whereof his said Father dyed seised Intestate, valued as aforesaid, to him his Heirs and Assigns for Ever as fully and freely as the said Intestate had and held the same in his lifetime, He first paying or giving Security for the payment of the Shares and Dividends of the younger Children of the said Intestate according to Law, which Sureties were to be approved of by the Court And Afterwards, to wit, the twelfth Day of June in the tenth Year of Our Reign and in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy at an Or- phans Court then held at Reading in and for the County of Berks aforesaid Before the Jus- tices of the said Court The Petition of the said Jacob Kutz Eldest Son and Heir at Law of the aforesaid Jacob Kutz deceased setting forth "That the Messuage or Tenement Plantation or Tract of land late of the said Intestate situate in the Township of Maxatawny aforesaid, Contain- ing One hundred and thirty Acres or thereabouts. with Appurtenances, was, by Virtue of a Writ of Partition or Valuation issued out of the Orphans Court of the County aforesaid bearing Teste the Tenth Day of August last past valued and an- praised at the Sum of Twelve Hundred and Fifty Pounds lawful Money of Pennsylvania. That the personal Estate of the said Intestate falls nine hundred and thirteen pounds, six shillings and eight pence short of paying his Debts as appears by the Administration Accompt thereof this Day rendered into the Register General's Office, at Reading, which the petitioner is willing to undertake to settle and pay if the same mav be allowed to him out of the Valuation Money aforesaid." And therefore praying the Court "To confirm the said Messuage or Tenement Plantation and Tract of Land to him his Heirs and Assigns for Ever subject to the aforesaid nine hundred and thirteen pounds, six shillings and eight pence, Debts due from the said Estate, on his Giving Nicholas Kutz and John Adam Kutz, both of Maxatawny Township aforesaid Yeomen, Security for the payment of three hin- dred and thirty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence ( The residue of the Valuation Money aforesaid after the Debts aforesaid due from the said Estate being first deducted) to the other Children and Representatives of the said Inte- state according to Law," was read and granted And the Court do here approve of the said Nicho- las Kutz and John Adam Kutz as Securities to enter into Bonds with the said Tacob Kutz for the payment of the Shares and Dividends of the other Children and Representatives of the said Intestate of and in the said three hundred and thirty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence Residue of the Valuation Money afore- said (The Debts aforesaid being deducted) on the Fourth Dav of September next ensuing (re- serving to Elizabeth the Widow of the said In- testate her Dower therein) Upon Sealing and Delivery of which Bonds it is considered and adjudged by the Court that the said Jacob Kutz. the Son, shall hold and enjoy the Lands and Premises aforesaid with the Appurtenances, in Maxatawny Township aforesaid, as Heir at Law of his said Father Jacob Kutz, deceased, to him his Heirs and Assigns for Ever according to Law Subject to the payment of the aforesaid nine hundred and thirteen pounds six shillings and eight pence Debts due from the Estate of the said Intestate. And the Bonds aforesaid were entered into accordingly.
All and singular which Premises by the Tenor
I7
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
of these presents We have commanded to be ex- emplified In Testimony whereof We have caused the Seal of the said County of Berks to be af- fixed to these presents Witness Jonas Seely, Es- qire, at Reading, the said twelfth Dav of June, in the Tenth Year of Our Reign Annoque Dom- ini 1770.
DEED FREDERICK HITTLE AND WIFE
TO DEWALD KUTZ For 7 Aeres 112 Perehes In Maxetany Berks County
This Indenture, Made the first day of April In the Year of Our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety five Between Frederick Hit- tle of Maxetany Township in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania Yeoman and Maria his Wife of the one part and Dewald Kutz of Kutztown in the Township and County afore- said, Cordwainer of the other part Whitnesseth, that the said Frederiek Hittle and Maria his Wife for and in Consideration of the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds Lawfull mony in gold and Silver of the State aforesaid, to them in hand well and Truly paid by the said Dewald Kutz at and before the Sealing and Delivery hereof, the Receipt whereof they the said Fred- eriek Hittle and Maria his Wife doth hereby Acknowledge and thereby do Aequit and forever Discharge the said Dewald Kutz and his Heirs and Assigns By these Presents Have Granted Bargained Sold Released and Confirmed And by these Presents Do Grant Bargain Sell Release ard Confirm unto the said Dewald Kutz and to his Heirs and Assigns, a Certain Traet Pieee and Lot of Ground Situate Lying and being in the said Township of Maxetany, and Beginning at a Post, in a line of the of the late Propriataries, mannor, and now in the Possession of Jacob Teysher North Sixty degrees East nineteen Perch- es to a post fenee along a line of Jacob Kutz Land, North thirty five degrees West Seventy Perches ard three Tenth of a Pereh to a Post at the High Road leading to Reading thenee along said Road and South thirty five degrees West Twenty Perehes to a Post, thenee South thirty five degrees East Sixty Perches and one half of a Perch to the place of beginning, Containing Seven Aeres and One hundred and Twelf perehes, Neat measure. Being part of Five Hundred and fourteen acres of Land wich Jasper Seull Esquire late High Sheriff in and for the said County of Berks, In Pursuanee of a Writ of Fieri Facias to him directed, and by Virtue of a Certain other Writ of Venditioni Exponas Sold the above diseribed Tract of five hundred and fourteen acres of Land with the appurtenanees. unto Peter Rothermel in Fee. as by the said Sheriffs Deed poll Fearing date the Eleventh day of May, 1767, and by him Acknowledged in open Court of Common Pleas at Reading in and for the County of Berks aforesaid reeourse being thereunto hath more fully Appears, and whereas the said Peter Rothermel and Sybilla his Wife by their Inden- ture of Release from under their Hands and Seals duly Executed bearing date the Nineteenth
day of December 1772, for the Consideration therein mentioned Granted and Confirmed unto Jacob Sweyer and to his Heirs and Assigns for Ever, a Tenement and Piece of One Hundred and Twenty Aeres and Eighty five perches with the appurtenanees, and being part of the said five hundred and fourteen aeres (as in and by said in part recited Indenture Recorded in the Office for Recording of Deeds at Reading, in and for the County of Berks aforesaid in Book B, Vol. I, page 513, &e. Recourse thereunto had more fully and at Large Appears and whereas, the said Jacob Sweyer and Elizabeth his Wife by their Indenture of Release from under their hands and Seals duly Executed bearing date the fourth day of May, 1789, for the Consideration therein mentioned Granted and Confirmed, Thirty acres and Forty perehes of Land Striet measure (being part of the above mentioned Traet of One hund- red and Twenty acres of Land, and Premises) unto the above said Frederick Hittle (and Partie hereto) and to his Heirs and Assigns for Ever, Together allso with all and Singular the Build- ings and Improvements, Orchards field fences, ways woods waters water courses Rights Liber- ties Preveleges Hereditaments and appurtenanees whatsoever therunto belonging or in any Wise appertaining and the Reversions and remainders Rents Issues and Profits thereof and also all the Estate Right Title Interest use trust benefit Pos- session property Claim and Demand whatsoever both at Law and in Equity or otherwise how- soever of him the said Frederiek Hittle and Maria his Wife and their Heirs of into and out of the Premises hereby granted and Every part thereof To have and to hold the said above diseribed Piece and Lot of Ground Containing Seven acres and one hundred and Twelf perehes and being part of the above Thirty aeres and forty perches, ( Hereditaments and Premises here- by Granted and Every thereof, to mentioned to be granted with the appurtenanees unto the said Dewald Kutz his Heirs and Assigns To the only proper use benefit and behoof of him the Said Dewald Kutz his Heirs and Assigns for Ever Always Excepting and reserving for me my heirs and Assigns as also Excepting and reserving for Leonerd Rishel his Heirs and Assigns, the free and undistributed Priveledge and Use of the Draw well Standing on the South Side of the aforementioned Great or High Road, and on the said Seven Acres and One hundred and Twelf Perehes of land, and opposite of the Dwelling house of the said Frederiek Hittle) And the said Frederick Hittle for himself and his Heirs doth Covenant Promis and Grant to and with the said Dewald Kutz his Heirs and Assigns, by these presents, that he the said Frederiek and his Heirs the said diseribed Masuage and lot of Seven Acres and one hundred and Twelf perches of land Neat measure. Hereditaments and Premises hereby Granted meant mentioned or Intended so to be with the Appurtenanees (Except as before Excepted) unto the said Dewald Kutz his Heirs and Assigns, against him the said Frederick Hit- tle and his Heirs, and against all and Every other Person or Persons Whomsoever Lawfully Claim- ing or to Claim the same by from or urder him them or any of them Shall and will Warrant and for Ever defend by these Presents, In Wit- ness whereof of the said parties hath Inter- changeable Set their hand and Seals hereunto, the Day and Year first above Written.
Received the day of the above date of the above written Indenture of the above Named Dewald Kutz the Sum of Two hundred Pounds Lawfull mony of the State aforesaid, it being
18
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
the consideration mony for the above sold and bargained Premises in full Received from me.
FREDERICK HITTLE (Seal) her MARIA x HITTLE (Seal) Mark
Sealed and Delivered In the Presents of Us
Jacob Kutz Philip Gechr
Know all Man by these Presents that Dewald Kutz, of Kutz. in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania Cordwainer and Elizabeth his wife the Grandies in the within written In- denture mentioned for and in Consideration of the Sum of Two hundred & Ten Pounds Lawfull mony in Gold or Silver of the State aforesaid to them well and Truly in hand paid by George Kistler of Greenwich Township in the County and State aforesaid Millir, the Receip whereof they the said Dewald Kutz and Elizabeth, his wife doth hereby Acknowledge Have Granted Bargained Sold and Released and by these Pres- cnts do hereby Grant Bargain Sell Release & Con- firm unto the said George Kistler his Heirs and Assigns all that within mentioned Tract piece and parcel of Land Containing Seven Acres and one hundred and Twelf perches of land Neat measure as bounded and discribed in this within Indenture Together with all and Singular the Premises Hereditaments and Appurtenances there- unto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the Reversions and Remainders, Rents Issues and Profits thereof, and also all the Estate Right Title Interest Use Possession property Claim and Demand, whatsocver of them the said Dewald Kutz and Elizabeth his wife in Law or Equity or other wise Howsoever of, in, to or, out, of the same hereby Granted Tract of Land and Premises and Every part thereof To Have and To hold, the said within mentioned and Discribed Tract and Picce of Land Containing Seven Acres and one hundred and Twelf perches Strict meas- ure of Land Hereditaments and Premises hereby Granted Bargained and Sold, or mentioned or Intended so to be with the appurtenances unto the said George Kistler his Heirs and Assigns, To the only proper use and behoof of him the said George Kistler his Heirs and Assigns for Ever. In Witness whereof the said parties to these Presents have Interchangeable Set their Hands and Scals the first day of January in the Year of Our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Ninety Six.
Sealed and Delivered In the Presents of Us
Samuel Geehr Jacob Kutz
DEWALD KUTZ (Seal) her
ELIZABETH XX Mark
KUTZ (Seal)
Received the day of the date of the above written Indorsement of the above named George Kistler the sum of Two hundred & Ten Pounds Lawfull mony in gold and silver of Pennsyl- vania It being the consideration mony for the
above mentioned and bargained Premises in full received for me.
DEWALD KUTZ.
Witness present at signing. Samuel Geehr
Jacob Kuts
Berks County, ss :
On the 3Ist day of December 1795, Came be- fore me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Berks the within named Frederick Hittle and Maria his Wife as grantees, and Acknowledged the within Mention- ed Indenture to be their Act and Deed and desire the same to be recorded as such according to Law She the said Maria being of full age by me Separately and apart of her husband Examined the Contents of the within Indenture first fully made. Known unto her She Voluntary Consent- ed thereto. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the Day and Year first above written.
PHILIP GEEHR (Seal)
Berks County, ss :
On the 29th day of January Anno Domini 1796 before me the Subscriber one of the Jus- tices of the Peace in and for said County of Berks came the above named Dewald Kutz and Elizabeth his Wife and Acknowledged the above mentioned Assignment or Indorsement to be their Act and Deed and desire the same to be Recorded as Such According to Law She the said Elizabeth being of full Age by me appart her husband Examined the Contents thereof made known to her She Voluntary Consented thereto. Witness my hand & Seal the day and year above said.
PHILIP GEEHR (Seal)
DEED LEONARD RISHEL TO PHILIP MEYER FOR 34 ACRES 17 PERCHES IN MAXATANY, BERKS CO., JULY 29 1820.
This Indenture made the fifth day of June in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety four Between Leonard Rishel of the Township Maxetany in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania Yeoman, of the one part and Philip Meyer of Kutztown in Maxetany aforesaid Weaver of the other Part, Whereas James (alias) Jacobus Delaplank Late of the Township of Oley in the said County of Berks, Yeoman in his life time was Lawfully Seized in his Demesne as of Fee, of and in a Certain Tract of Land Lying on a Branch of Schulkill Called Saucony Situate and lying in the Township of Maxetany aforesaid, Adjoining Lands of Late Peter Wentz and other Contain- ing Five Hundred and Fourteen Acres, and be- ing so thereof Lawfully Seized Departed his life having first made his last Will and Testament in writing under his Hand and Seal bearing date the 29th Day of May Anno Domini 1758 wherein and whereby hc did give and devise the same in fee, unto his son Frederick Delablank in the
19
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
Words following to wit, I give unto my son Frederick Delaplank the 514 acres of Land situate in Maxetany Township which I bought of Peter Wentz To him and his Heirs for Ever as in and by said reeeited last will and Testament duly Proved and Remaining in the Register Office at Reading in and for the County of Berks afore- said Recourse being thereunto had more fully appears And whereas the said Frederiek Dela- plank being so thereof Lawfully Seized in his Demesne as of fee of and in said Tract of Land and Premises with the Appurtenanees, wieh was Seized and Taken in Execution by Jasper Scull Esquire High Sheriff of the said County of Berks in Pursuanee of a Writ of Fieri Faeias to him direeted and by Virtue of a Writ of Vantitiony Exponas sold the said above mentioned Traet of 514 aeres of Land with the Appurtenanees to Peter Rothermel his Heirs and Assigns in fee, as in and by said Sheriff Deed poll from under his hands and Seal Duly Executed and bearing date the Eleventh Day of May Anno Domini 1767 and by him acknowledged in open Court of Com- mon Pleas at Reading in and for the County of Berks Recourse being thereunto had more fully and at Large appears, And whereas the said Peter Rothermel and Sybilla his Wife by their Indenture from under their Hands and Seals duly Executed bearing date the Nineteenth Day of Deeember, Anno Domini 1772, for the Considera- tion wherein Mentioned Granted and Confirmed a Certain Mesuage or Tenement Plantation and Traet of Land situate and lying in the Township of Maxetany aforesaid bounded by lands of Jacob Teysher, Peter Beel, late Benedict Nudlinger and Jacob Kutz Containing One Hundred and Twenty Aeres (being part of the above Mentioned 514 Aeres of Land) unto Jaeob Sweyer his Heirs and Assigns in fee as in and by said receite 1 Indenture Recorded in the Office for Recording of Deeds in Reading, in and for the County of Berks in Book B, Volume Ist, page 513 & 6, Re- course being thereunto had more fully appears, and whereas the said Jaeob Sweyer and Elizabeth his Wife by their Indenture were Released from under their hands and Seals duly Executed bear- ing date the seventeenth Day of June Anno Dom- ini 1789 for the Consideration therein Mentioned did Grand and Confirm unto the said Leonard Rishel above mentioned ( Partie hereto) his Heirs and Assigns in fee a Certain Pieee or Tract of Land situate in the Township of Maxetany aforesaid bounded by lands of Jaeob Teysher and others containing about ninety aeres (being part of the said above Mentioned Traet of One hund-
red and twenty Aeres) as in and by said receited Indenture Remaining yet to be recorded Reeourse being thereunto more fully and at Large appears, And now this Indenture Witnesseth that the said Leonerd Rishel for and in the Consideration of the Sum of Four Hundred Pounds Lawfull mony of the State aforesaid to him in hand well and Truly paid by the said Philip Meyer, at and be- fore the Ensealing and Delivery hereof the Re- ceint whereof is hereby Aeknowledged and where- of have Aequited and for Ever discharge the said Philip Meyer his Executors, Administrators and Assigns by these Presents Have Granted Bar- gained Sold Released and Confirmed by these Presents do Grant Bargain Sell Release and Con- firm unto the said Philip Mever his Heirs and Assigns in fee, all that certain Message or Tene- ment Pieee or Traet of Land situate and lying in the Township of Maxetany aforesaid, Bound- ed and limetted as follows, to wit, Beginning at a post a corner in a line of Jacob Kutzes land thenee extending by a land of Jacob Teysher
south Seventy degrees west Eighty Six perehes and one half a perch, to a post south Twenty degrees east eleven perehes and a half a pereh to a post a corner of Peter Beels land, thenee by the same south Forty degrees east Forty two perehes to a post a corner of said Leonerd Rishels land thenee by the same North Seventy degrees east Thirty one perehes and a half a perch to a post a corner in a line of said Jacob Kutzes land thenee by the same North twenty Nine degrees West seventy Seven Perches to the place of the begining Containing thirty four Aeres and Seven- teen perehes (being part of the said last above mentioned Traet of about Ninety Aeres) Togeth- er will all and Singular the Buildings and Im- provements ways woods waters water courses Rights Lieberties Preveleges Hereditaments and Appurtenanees whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any Wise appertaining and the reversions and remainters Rents Issues Profits thereof and also all the Estate Rights Title Interest Use Trust Benefit Possession Property Claim and Demand whatsoever both at Law and Equity or otherwise howsoever of him the said Leonerd Rishel and his Heirs of in and out of the Premises hereby granted and every part thereof, to have and to hold, Said above deseribed Masuage and Tene- ment Piee or Tract of Land Hereditaments and Premises hereby Granted or mentioned to be Granted with the Appurtenanees unto the said Philip Meyer his Heirs and Assigns to the only Proper use benefit and behoof of him the said Philip Meyers his Heirs and Assigns for Ever, And the said Leonerd Rishel for himself his Heirs Executors and Administrators both Coven- ant Promise and Grant to and with the said Philip Meyers his Heirs and Assigns and every of them by these Presents that he the said Leon- erd Rishel and his Heirs the above described Masuage or Tenement or Pieee or Traet of thirty four Aeres and Seventeen perches of Land Here- ditaments and Premises hereby granted Meant Mentioned or Intended so to be with the Annur . tenanees unto the said Philip Meyer his Heirs and Assigns Against him said Leonerd Rishe! and his Heirs and Against all and every other Person or Persons whomsoever Lawfully Claim- ing or to Claim the same by from or under him them or any of them Shall and will Warrant and for ever Defend, In Witness whereof the said parties to these Presents have hereunto in- terehangeably set their Hands and Seals dated the Dav and Year first above written.
LEONERD RISHEL (Seal)
Sealed and Delivered In the Presents of Us
Jonathan Kuts
John Kuts, Jr.
Reeeived the day of the date of the above Written Indenture of the above named Philip Meyer the Just and full Sume of Four Hundred Pounds Lawfull mony in real Speeie of the State of Pennsylvania it being the full Consideration for the above mentioned Premises Received for me
LEONERD RISHEL
Witnesses present at signing
Jonathan Kuts John Kuts, Jr.
Berks County SS:
On the 14th day of June Anno Domini 1794 Personaly Came before me the Subcriber One of the Justiees of the Peaec in and for the said County of Berks the above Named Leonerd Rishel
20
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
and Acknowledged the above Written Indenture to be his Act and Deed and desired that the same might be recorded as Such According to Law. Witness my hand and Seal the day and year above said.
PHILIP GEEHR (Seal)
Recorded in the Office for Recording of Deeds &c. at Reading Berks County in Book A Vol. 31 page 354 &c. Witness my hand and Seal of said Office July 29th A. Dom. 1820.
(Seal) of Recording Office.
It may be added that another portion, 130 acres, of these original 1000 acres patented by Peter Wentz, was conveyed by him in 1755 -the year of the laying out of the Easton Road to George Kutz (Coots),
who in 1779 laid out the town, naming it after himself, Cootstown.
Were time available research among the records of this early time, preserved in the public offices in Philadelphia, (in which county Maxatawny then was) in the State Capitol, in the office of the Recorder at Reading, and among the deeds in the pos- session of other present holders of the lands, would reveal much of interest concerning the earliest settlers of this section, the dates of their arrival, and the location of their holdings. Some such information concern- ing a few of the more prominent of the first comers and their descendants is em- bodied in the following accounts of families still resident in this section.
PLEASANT VIEW STOCK FARM AND RESERVOIR OF THE KUTZTOWN WATER COMPANY (SITE OF HOME OF THE PIONEER, JACOB KUTZ)
2I
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
PROMINENT FAMILIES OF MAXATAWNY
THE SIEGFRIED FAMILY
Johannes Siegfried was one of the first, if not the first white settler in the vicinity of Kutztown. He and his good wife Elisabeth had taken up residence in Oley, where their daughter Cath- arine was born November 14, 1719. Some time prior to 1732 Johannes Siegfried and his family crossed the Oley Hills and settled on a large tract of land at what is now known as Siegfried's Dale. Here was born their daughter Mary Elisa- beth, who is said to have been the first white child born in the Maxatawny region. She was married to Johannes Rothermel and removed to Windsor Township. Prof. A. C. Rothermel, the principal of the Keystone State Normal Sehool, is a direct descendant of Johannes Rothermel and Mary Elisabeth Siegfried. Some time before his death, which occurred in the spring of 1776, Johannes Siegfried divided the plantation between his two sons Joseph and John. Besides these two sons he had six daughters: Catharine, wife of Frederick Romig: Susan, wife of Daniel Le- van; Mary Elisabeth, wife of John Rothermel ; Magdalena, wife of Anthony Fischer; Anna, wife of Jacob Fischer, and Margareth, wife of Jacob Moss. Their home was the stopping place for Moravian Missionaries, who itinerated through Pennsylvania and adjoining colonies during the middle decades of the Eighteenth Century. The family were of the Mennonite faith.
Catherine Siegfried, who was born in Oley in 1719 was married to her brother-in-law, Frederick Romig. They settled in Lynn Township and later removed to Macungie and there united with the Moravians. This union was blessed with twelve children. At the time of her death, Octo- ber 7, 1793, Mrs. Romig was survived by one hundred and five grand-children and ten great- grand-children. The wife of the writer is a lineal descendant of hers.
Joseph, son of Johannes Siegfried, was married to Anna Maria Romig, a daughter of John Adam Romig. He spent all his days on the homestead, which he received from his father. His home, like that of his father, was a stopping place for the Moravian missionaries and officials on their journeys through Maxatawny to Tulpehocken, Lebanon, Litiz, Lancaster, York, etc. Shortly before his death, which occurred September 3. 1795, he was received into the fellowship of the Moravian Brethren. The following obituary ap- pears on the Moravian Congregation record at Emaus :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.