USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Kutztown > The centennial history of Kutztown, Pennsylvania : celebrating the centennial of the incorporation of the borough, 1815-1915 > Part 5
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"Joseph Siegfried of Maxatawny was born February 2, 1727. His parents were Johannes and Elizabeth Siegfried, and were of Mennonite persuasion. On July 3rd, 1745, he entered into Holy wedloek with Anna Maria Romig, which state God blessed with 13 children, (eight sons and five daughters, of whom six sons and two daughters survive), and with forty-eight grand- children, of whom seven are dead, and with three great-grand-children living.
"His sainted parents already loved the Saviour and the Brethren ( Moravians) who in former years lodged in their home. And he too was a good friend to the Brethren ; and loved our doc- trine of Salvation in Jesus Christ. He truly saw that, as a sinner, his greatest need was to be cleansed of his sins by the Blood of Christ in Holy Baptism. He often felt a summons in his heart, and desired to be a sharer in this Grace, but never brought it to a firm resolution. He postponed it from time to time. During his last illness, having had a stroke in the previous year, from which he never fully recovered, this hung more heavily upon his heart; and he was at his earnest request and desire, cleansed of his sins by the washing of the holy baptism, by his bosom friend, Brother John Ettwein, who visited him and by Brother George Jungman of Bethlehem, in the presence of about thirty people from the neighborhood. At which time he shcd many tears, and all who were present, were inwardly moved by the holy fceling of the presence of God.
"At the beginning of this month he was seized with convulsions and on the 3rd of September, 1795, shortly before 10 o'clock in the forenoon, he expired. He reached the age of 74 years, 6 months and a little over. On the 5th of Septem- ber 1795, at the noon hour, he was buried on the family burial ground in the presence of a large concourse of people. At which time George Miller preached the sermon on God's acre from the text, Psalm 25:10: "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His cove- nant and His testimonies."
Anna Maria Siegfried, nee Romig, the wife of Joseph Sicgfried was born in Ittlingen near Heibron in the Palatinate June 12, 1724, and came with her parents to Pennsylvania, September 30, 1732. Her parents were John Adam Romig and Agnes Marguerite Bernhardt. They were mar- ried in the ycar 1712 and resided at Ittlingen. John Adam Romig was the son of George Wendel Romich and his wife Marguerite Herner, and was born at Ruedenstein, in the Palatinate, Feb- ruary 3, 1680. To Joseph and Anna Maria Sieg- fried were born ten children, among whom were Catharine, Magdalena, Colonel John, Joseph, Hen- ry, Isaac, Abraham, Danicl. Joseph and Abraham removed to near Bath, Northampton county.
To John Siegfried, Jr., the brother of Joseph, Sr., and his good wife Catharine were born six children : John, Jacob, Peter, Elisabeth, Margaret and Susanna. Hc died in 1776 and was buried on the family burial ground.
Col. John Siegfried, the friend of Washington, was born in Siegfried's Dale, Maxatawny Town- ship, November 27, 1745. He was married to Mary Levan, a daughter of Daniel Levan, on a license dated August 25, 1769. In the spring of 1770 they removed to the east bank of the Lehigh River in Allen Township, Northampton County. Here he conducted a tavern and a ferry. On the tavern sign was inscribed this legend. "Enter-
22
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
tainment for Man and Beast." This favorable location brought him into contact with many people and paved the way for his later popular- ity and fame. On July 4, 1776, he attended the meeting of the delegates of the Associated Bat- talions of the Pennsylvania Militia, held at Lan- caster, as a major from the Third Battalion of Northampton County. He was later appointed Colonel of the Third Battalion. When Washing- ton in 1776 was fleeing across New Jersey, after the disasterous campaign in and around New York, he sent the following letter to Col. Sieg- fried :
"Headquarters, Bucks Co., Pa., Dec. 22, 1776. To Colonel John Siegfried :
Sir: The Council of Safety of this State, by their resolves of the 17th inst. empowered me to call out the militia of Northampton County to the assistance of the Continental army under my command, that, by our joint endeavors, we may put a stop to the progress of the enemy, who are making preparations to advance to Philadel- phia, as soon as they cross the Delaware, either by boats, or on the ice. As I am unacquainted with names of the colonels of vour militia, I have taken the liberty to inclose you six letters, in which you will please to insert the names of the proper officers, and send them immediately to them, by persons in whom you can confide for
their delivery. If there are not as many colonels as letters you may destroy the balance not want- ed. I most earnestly entreat those, who are so far lost to a love of their country; as to refuse to lend a hand to its support at this critical time. They may depend upon being treated as their baseness and want of public spirit will most justly deserve.
I am sir, your most obedient servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON."
Within two days after the issuing of the above call, a part of the Third Battalion was already in Philadelphia and were assigned to the com- mand of General Putnam. They took part in the Battle of Trenton which resulted in the capture of one thousand Hessians. In the Battle of Assunpink, often referred to as the second Battle of Trenton, January 2, 1777, Rev. John Rosbrough, the chaplain of Col. Siegfried's Bat- talion, was killed. It was after being repulsed that the British General Howe said: "I will bag the fox in the morning." The sequel is one of the best known incidents in American history. It was a part of Siegfried's Battalion under Capt. John Hays, that kept up the fires and threw up earthen works, while Washington and the rest of the army slipped away and defeated the British
THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF NORTHAMPTON TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY AND GLORIOUS SERVICES OF
COLONEL JOHN SIEGFRIED AND THE MEN WHO SERVED UNDER HIM IN THE NORTHAMPTON COUNTY MILITIA DURING THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION PARTICIPATING IN THE BATTLES OF ASSUNPINK GERMANTOWN
PRINCETON WHITE MARSH
BRANDYWINE MONMOUTH
RED BANK
AND AS FRONTIER RANGERS
AND TO COMMEMORATE
THE NOTABLE MEETING HELD AT COL. SIEGFRIEDS HOME JULY 29, 1779 TO PREVENT THE DEPRECIATION OF CONTINENTAL MONEY ALSO IN RECOGNITION OF THE PATRIOTISM OF THE PEOPLE OF OLD NORTHAMPTON WHO MADE AND FORWARDED FROM THIS PLACE MANY WOOLEN BLANKETS AND STOCKINGS FOR USE OF THE SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION
23
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
OLD SEIGFRIED HOMESTEAD - SIEGFRIED'S DALE
$ $ $
SIEGFRIED'S DALE-FAMILY BURIAL, GROUND
24
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
forces at Princeton. Col. Siegfried subsequenty played an important role in the struggle for inde-
3um
Orbacchfins von
cher geftorbrn den 27-fcn Hourmber 1793 Drinrs WIfer wor 48Jahr
undI Menafh
In Memory of JOHN SIEGFRIED who departed this Life November
the 27 th1793 Aged
4 8 Years and I Month
TOMBSTONE OF COLONEL SIEGFRIED
pendence. On May 30, 1914, the people of North- ampton erected a monument to his memory in
the Mennonite Cemetery, where his ashes re- pose, which monument bears a bronze tablet re- cording some of his services in the cause of freedom.
In the spring of 1781 General Washington sent an officer to Easton to confer with Col. Siegfried, then sheriff of the county of Northampton, in reference to sending a quota of men to take part in the campaign against Yorktown. This extrava- sant continental officer spent 667 dollars in Eas- ton on this trip, according to the following bill :
Easton, March 17th, 1781.
To a nip of Toddy Io dollars
To Cash 8 dollars
To Cash 12 dollars
To I Grog 8 dollars
To Washington 49 dollars
To I Bowle of Punch 30 dollars
To I Grog 8 dollars
To I Bowle of Punch 30 dollars
To 21 Ouarts of Oats 62 dollars
To Hay . 90 dollars
To 12 Meal Victuals 260 dollars
To Lodging 40 dollars
667 dollars
Received the contents of the above JACOB OFF Innkeeper.
Col. Siegfried shortly before his death, whichi occurred November 27, 1793, together with Mich- ael Beaver and Abraham Levan, gave ground for school purposes. He was survived by his wife Mary and seven children, Daniel, Mary, married to John James; Susan, married to Christian Hagenbuch: Catharine, Elisabeth, Jacob and Isaac.
THE HOTTENSTEIN FAMILY
Jacob Hottenstein, the scion of a Frankish family, came to Pennsylvania prior to 1727 and settled in Oley. On the 17th of November, 1729, he purchased from Casper Wistar, the brass but- ton maker of Philadelphia, one hundred and sixteen acres of land in "Maxhetawny" in the county of Philadelphia, for the sum of forty pounds and twelve shillings. This land, also the original deed, is still in possession of the fam- ily. The land then adjoined the lands of Nicholas Kutz and Peter Andrews. At the time Jacob Hottenstein and his good wife crossed the Oley Hills and settled in the beautiful Maxatawny Val- ley, they followed an Indian trail across the hills. Mr. Hottenstein added to the original tract until the whole plantation included 443 acres. (See "Release and Deed," p. 14.)
Jacob Hottenstein was married to Dorothea Reber. This union was blessed with seven chil- dren : Jacob, William, David, Henry, Dorothy, Maria and -. Tradition has it that the venerable missionary, the Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, frequently on his long journeys stopped with Jacob Hottenstein, and that he also on these visits instructed the children in the cate- chism.
Jacob Hottenstein, his wife, and many of his
descendants, were buried on the family burial ground, which may be seen from the road to the south from the barn on a slight elevation. His resting place is marked by a brown sandstone, which bears the following inscription, almost obliterated by the elements :
"Jacob Hottenstein wurde geboren auf den 18. Februar 1697. Gestorben den 23. Mertz 1753. Stammvater den ganzen Hottenstein Familie. Alt worden 56 Jahre, I Monate und Tage." in
David Hottenstein, son of Jacob, Sr., ob- tained the old homestead. He was the father of five children : Jacob, David, Daniel, Dorothea and Catharine. His son, David, Jr., who succeeded him on the old homestead, studied medicine with Dr. Joseph Hirsch and at the medical institute at Philadelphia. His practice extended far and wide and covered a period of more than half a century. He was married to Elizabeth Kline, a daughter of Richard Kline, of Montgomery coun- ty. He died in the year 1848, aged 82 years, 4 months and 25 days. His issue consisted of six sons and two daughters, viz: David, Jacob, Daniel, William, Isaac, Henry, Catharine and Sarah.
25
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
HIS GRANDCHILDREN
His son, David, died young; also Henry. Jacob, his second son, had six sons, viz : David, Jacob, Isaac, James, Levi and Henry.
Daniel's issue consisted of one son, Lewis K. William had eight children, viz: David H., Charles A., Robert, Henry, Edward, Caroline, Sallie A., and Matilda.
Isaac's issue consisted of four sons and two daughters, viz: Percival, Cyrus, Frederic, Isaac, Matilda and Margaret.
Sarah was married to Jonas Trexler, of Long- swamp, Berks county, and is the mother of eleven children, viz: Eden, Willoughby, Jonas, Abiel, Peter, David, Angeline, Sarah, Catharine, Eliza and Amelia.
Dorothea died young.
HIS GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN-GRANDCHILDREN OF JACOB
David's issue : Catharine, married to A. B. Man- derbach, of Kutztown. Now dead.
Jacob-No issue.
Isaac's issue-Mary, married to Dr. Yorgey, of Pottstown; Frank, James and Charles.
Robert and Henry died young.
Dr. Edward's grandchildren are: Mrs. Ray- mond Evans, Akron, Ohio; William Hottenstein, Akron, Ohio; Howard V. Hottenstein, Akron, Ohio; Myrl F. Hottenstein, Kutztown; Edward S., Philadelphia, Pa. ; David F., Philadelphia, Pa .; Anna Marguerite, Philadelphia, Pa .; Kathryn B., Philadelphia, Pa .; Mrs. Ira Fenstermacher, Leb- anon, Pa. ; Mrs. Milton Phillips, Chapman, Pa. ; Dr. Francis DeLong, Annondale, Butler County, Pa. ; Beulah DeLong, Bowers, Pa. ; Mrs. William Baver, Philadelphia, Pa. : Mrs. Ed. Fidler, Wom- elsdorf, Paul DeLong, Bowers; Raymond De- Long, Bowers.
Caroline, married to Daniel Reber, has the fol- lowing children : Edward and J. William.
Sallie A., married to John V. R. High, of In- diana. Issue : Isaac, Charles, John, Eddie, Caro- line, Sarah, Rosa (married to Z. T. Miller), Tillie and Bessie.
Matilda, unmarried.
It was at the Hottenstein dwelling that the neighboring settlers gathered at evening for safety and mutual protection during the period
HOTTINSTEİN HOME NHẬN KUTẾT BẢYN PAN BuHY 1783
FIRST HOTTENSTEIN HOMESTEAD Ereeted near Kutztown in 1783 and at present oeeupied by Dr. A. C. L. Hottenstein
James's issue :
Levi's issue: Jacob, Charles, William.
Henry's issue: Hettie E., Sallie, Ida, Jacob, Fanny.
DANIEL'S GRANDCHILDREN
Lewis K.'s issue: Daniel Q., whose children are: Anna C., wife of Dr. Chas. A. Hottenstein, of Kutztown; Lewis V., of Chicago, Ill., and Elda L., wife of O. Raymond Grimley, of Kutz- town.
GRANDCHILDREN OF WILLIAM
David H.'s issue: William, Dr. Austin, Prof. John, Ezra, Mary (married to William Grim, of Bowers, now dead) and Ellen J.
Mary's issue: John Grim, Lvons; Mrs. Kate Reed, Lyons ; Dr. David S. Grim, Reading; Prof. George A. Grim, Nazareth ; Annie Grim, deceased. Charles A.'s issue: Robert, Edward (living in Indiana ).
Edward's issue : Elmer K., Edward L., William T., Charles A., David P., Ida (married to James DeLong, of Bowers), Alice H. and Deborah C., wife of Rev. J. Frank Hersh, of Westminster, Md.
of the Indian uprising. Tradition has it that the occupant of what has been for many years the Schaeffer homestead, tarried for awhile, caring for the horses and cattle after the rest of the family had made their way to the Hottenstein house for the night, and finding the night coming on and fearing to venture alone through the forest, he decided to remain in the log cabin for the night. From the cabin door he saw the flames of several burning barns. He loaded his trusty gun and watched and waited. Soon he saw several Indians approaching through the for- est, one of whom carried a torch. When they came near to the cabin he fired and saw one of the Indians drop, the others fleeing. He stayed all night in the cabin, fearing to venture out. The refugees at Hottenstein's had heard the shot and had surmised that he had been either killed or taken captive. Early the next morning he ventured out of the cabin to look for his vic- tim, but found only a pool of blood. Evidently the comrades of the unfortunate red skin stealthi- ly returned during the night and carried the body away.
26
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
THE LEVAN FAMILY
The founder of this large and honored Ameri- can family was Daniel Levan and his wife, Mary Beau, of Amsterdam, Holland. The ancestral home of this staunch Huguenot (French Re- formed ) family was Picardy in France, whence he fled to Amsterdam, where they were members of the Huguenot Church. In 1715 four of their sons, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, set out for the land of William Penn, of whom the last named died at sea. Abraham settled in Oley, Isaac in Exeter, and Jacob in Maxatawny town- ship, at what is now called Eaglepoint. The exact date of the latter's settling in Maxatawny is not definitely known, but it was before 1734, at which time he is recorded as having paid quit rent. Prior to 1740 he erected a grist mill and before it a saw mill. These two mills were the first of their kind in the Maxatawny valley.
The Levan home was the stopping place for the Moravian missionaries on their journeys to the various German settlements in Pennsylvania and adjoining colonies and to the Indians, the most noted of whom were Count Zinzendorf, Bishop Augustus Gottlieb Spangenburg, Bishop John Christopher Frederich Cammerhoff and Reverend Leonard Schnell.
In a letter dated November 17, 1747, by Cam- merhoff to Count Zinzendorf he says: "[Came in the] evening to Jacob Levan's in Maxatawny [Rev. Michael] Schlatter commanded by the Reformed Classis of Amsterdam has crept in here. He tried to preach then to raise £60 per annum for a Reformed clergyman solely."
Rev. Leonard Schnell, who in 1743 made a missionary journey on foot to Georgia, frequently lodged with Jacob Levan. In one of his diaries
LEVAN'S MILL, EAGLEPOINT-EXTERIOR VIEW
Prior to the erection of the grist mill the settlers took their grain to Looseley's mill. In the front part of the mill the family lived until the massive mansion, in the style common in northern France, the ancestral home of the family, was built. On the inside lintel of the door leading into the great hall was carved 1740, the date of its erection. The building was razed in 1844. The cellar, con- taining a spring of water, was arched, the ma- sonry of the arch being so firm that it was only with difficulty that it could be demolished. What a pity that this splendid example of colo- nial architecture was destroyed. The hospitality of its owners was famed far and wide, and under its roof were entertained many noted men of the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. It was from the balcony of the mill that Count Zinzendorf, of the Moravian Church in America, preached to the settlers in the fall of 1742 and also that Rev. Michael Schlatter, the organizer of the Reformed Church and the first Superinten- dent of Public Instruction, preached to a large multitude of people, June 28, 1747.
he incidentally mentions that Bishop Spangenberg was entertained by the Levan family.
"January 15 [1747] journeyed [from West Oley] across Weydenthal to Maxatawny, where I made an appointment to preach at Jacob Miller's. He said that he had wished for this for quite some time. I stayed over night with Jacob Le- van, who told me much good concerning [ Bishop Augustus Gottlieb] Spangenberg, who had lodged with him. I could not talk much to, but I could weep and pray for the six single persons in the house.“
"January 19 [ 1747] I preached with blessing in Jost Hinckle's house [in Allemangel] on the blessings of the Gospel. Then I, together with several others, went to Carl Volk's and at his request baptized a child. I still set out for Max- atawny and stayed over night with Jacob Levan. We had a talk concerning religion and faith."
When in 1756, the period of the French and Indian War, the Indians began to make incur- sions in the county and massacred many of the
27
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
settlers in Heidelberg and Albany townships in Berks county, and Lynn and Heidelberg town- ships in Lehigh county, Jacob Levan was instru- mental in organizing a volunteer company to protect the settlers in Albany and Lynn town- ships, so the settlers "could plant their crops and repair their fences." It was called the Max- etani and Allenmaengle Freien Wacht Companie -the Maxatawny and Allenmaengle Independent Guard. It consisted of 24 men, who served 39 days, from April 3 to May II. The names, of these soldiers were:
Johannes Hergereder, Captain
Casper Schmiek, Serg't George Jorgon Jacob Tholand David Missenug
Georg Bruner
Solomon Bacher
Fridrich Zirn Martin Unangst
Johannes Klein Carl Weinmueller
Peter Muench Peter Kiem
Adam Schnebely Georg Knir
Conrad Bauer Michael Kraul
Micolaus Dehof Nicolaus Arnhold
Henrich Schweitzer George Sauselin
Conrad Frey Johannis N.
Henrich Fullweiler Stephen Gross
The captain was paid five shillings per day ; the sergeant two shillings six pence; and the privates sixteen pence. Six pence per day was allowed for rations, and a gill of rum, costing eight pence per quart, was served daily to each man. The total outlay was £104 TI 4.
The following is an itemized account : Dem Captain vor 39 tags, zu 5 Sehill- ing £
Vor 20 mann 39 Tage jedem 52
9 15 0 Sehilling Lohorung 52 0 0
Dem Sergeant jedem Tag 2 S. 6 .. . .
1 17 6
Vor 2 mann nur 36 Tag zu 16 Pens des tages . . 4
16 0 8
6 Vor I mann nur 20 Tag I Vor Kost geld jedem 6 Pens des Tages 23
I5 0
Vor jedem ein Tschill Rum des Tages 8 p. die quart 3
19 2
20 Pfund Pulver zu 2 Schilling das Pfund 2
0 O
84 Pfund Bley zu 6 Pens das Pfund 2 2 0
Summa der unkasten £104 II I4
To meet this expense collections were made in the spring of 1756 amounting to £69 19 10, as officially published.
Ausdem Township :
Maxetawny
£40.II 0
Towamensing
IO
IO 1
Solford
IO
0
0
Francony
0
7
6
Hetfield
4
II
O
Worcester 8
3
4
Upper Solford
7
13
3
Albany in Berks Co.
0
O
Nord Wales
6
8 IO
Upper Hanover
O
14 O
Die Summa der Einnahm £06 I9 10
Jacob Levan, wlio engaged the men, advanced the deficiency of £7 11 6. He, with David Schultze, was one of the trustees to receive and disburse the moneys. They rendered the above account, made a statement of the character of the work performed by the Guard, and asked for further contributions, on the 17th of Novem-
ber, 1756, all of which was published in Sauer's Germantown paper of December 25, 1756. They said :
"Also fehlen noch £7 II 6, welche summa Jacob Levan, weil er die Companie gedingen, bissher von seinem eigenem Geld hat zu setzen muessen, und auch verlieren muss, so nicht noch einige Freunde etwas beytragen.
"Diese Wacht Companie ist die obgemelte Zeit sorgfaeltig in den Grentzen postirrt gewesen, um die Gegend von Albany Taunschip, in Bercks County, und haben biss weilen gestreifft biss in Linn Taunsehip, Northampton County; sonst aber sind sie sonderlich nachtzeit in Theil verteilt gewesen, so dass nur 3 Mann in einem Hauss postiret waren, damit sie einen desto grosern Bezirck bewachen, und so viel mehr Leuten dienen konten, weil dazumal die Einwohner mit einern solchen vorlich nahmen, und es damit wagten, dass sie auf ihren Plaetzen aushilten und also die Sommer-Frucht aussaehen konten ; also auch ihre Fensen repariren, woran die Companie auch selbst behilflich gewesen.
JACOB LEVAN. DAVID SCHULTZE, Als Trusties.
Maxetany, den 17 November, Anna 1756"
The following extraet from the diary of David Sehultz, farmer, surveyor and conveyor, of New Goshenhoppen, Montgomery county, show that Jacob Levan and Sebastian Zimmerman present- ed a petition to the authorities at Philadelphia, and that apparently he was authorized by the colonial government to organize the company and to solicit funds for its maintenance :
"Feb. 24, 1756.
"This evening came here Jacob Levan and Bastian Zimmerman and framed a petition. Went to Philadelphia.
"Mareh 2-Jacob Levan was at Christopher Shultz and I. Then eircular letters sent about. "March 28-Jacob Levan was at Mels S.
"April 5-Again a guard of 15 men marched up to the seene of the Indian uprisings.
"April 10-Went to Jacob Levan, Esq.
"November 16-Went to Jacob Levan in Maxe- tawny."
In 1758 Jacob Levan was commissionary for the following frontier posts: Peter Doll's Block- House, Fort Lehigh, Fort Allen, A Block House, and Fort Evert.
Jacob Levan was appointed one of the justices of Berks County and continued to serve until the time of his death in 1763.
In the fall of 1742 Count Zinzendorf preached at Jaeob Levan's from the baleony of the old mill. Bishop Cammerhoff in a letter to Spengenberg dated Bethlehem, Sept. 27, 1747, states :
"From Allemaengel [Lynn township, Lehigh County, ] we went down to Maxatawny and lodged with Jacob Levan, in whose house the Count [Zinzendorf] once preached."
ADDITIONAL, EXTRACTS FROM SCHNELL'S DIARY :
Friday, January 23 | 1747] .- To-day I together with Brother Gottshalk very reluctantly set out from Bethlehem. We stayed over night with Jacob Wens in Maxtawny. They showed them- selves very friendly toward us.
Saturday, January 24 |1747] .- To-day Jacob Wensh beseeched us to visit him frequently in the future. I like these two people. Things
28
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
were more agreeable here than when I was at Miller's place the last time.
December 23rd [1749] .- We [Schnell and Brandmiller] journeyed [on our return from Virginia] with difficulty on account of the ice, but we safely crossed the Schuylkill [river] the Ontelaunee and came to Jacob Miller in Maxatawny, who sold his plantation.
DANIEL LEVAN
In 1729 Daniel Levan followed his brethren to the new world and settled in Maxatawny not far from his brother Jacob and married Susan Seigfried, a daughter of Johannes Sieg- fried. He was an elder in the Maxatawny Re- formed Congregation in 1740 and gave land for a church and school house. He died in 1777, leaving a wife, Susan, nee Siegfried, and chil- dren : Peter, Barbara ( Reeser), Catharine. Mary
SEBASTIAN LEVAN
Sebastian Levan (1734-1794), the oldest son of Jacob Levan, succeeded his father both on the old homestead and in public affairs. He was married to Susanna Schneider, of Oley, and they together were widely known for their hospitality and kindness. On December 5, 1774, at a meet- ing held at Reading he was elected a member of the committee of observation and on January 2, of the year following was elected to the Pro- vincial Committee for the colony which met at Philadelphia January 23, 1775. He was colonel of the militia of the northeast section of the county and a member of the Committee of Safety, which, together with Baltzer Geehr, he represented at the convention of the associated militia, which met at Lancaster July 4, 1776. It was to him as a friend and an assemblyman that Rev. Christopher Schultz, a Schwenkfeldian minister, appealed in behalf of the members of his sect in a letter dated Coshehoppe (Goshen- hoppen ), August 12, 1777, extract of which ap-
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