Johann Christian Lau (1696 - 1772)

Born 21 Aug 1696 in Sulzthal, Northern, Alsace, France

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Cleophe (Frey) Lau — married 1719 in Wingen, Bas-Rhin, France,

Descendants

Died 21 Apr 1772 at age 75 in Manchester, York County, Province of Pennsylvania

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Biography

One of the locations earlier Pioneers came from when they arrived in Pennsylvania and went by the Lau name.

This profile is part of the Lowe Name Study.

Johann Christian Lau was born in 1696 per his original headstone.^[1] He was born in Sulzthal, Northern, Alsace, France, son of Theobald Lau and Margaretta Unknown.^[2]

He married Anna Cleophe Frey^[2] and they had the following known children:

1. Johann Philip Lau^[2]
2. Catharina Juliana Lau
3. Hans Jacob Lau
4. Johan Peter Lau^[2]
5. Anna Margaret Lau^[2]
6. Johann Michael Lau, Sr^[2]
7. Anna Mariam (Lau) Eyster^[2]
8. Maria Magdalena (Lau) Gentzler^[2]

He arrived with his brother Conrad Lau at Philadelphia 17 October 1732 (from Rotterdam, the Netherlands via Dover, England to Philadelphia) on the ship John and William.^[3] There were 61 men above 16 years and, 109 women and children, all classed as “Palatines” on the same ship. Among the names of the men may be found that of “Christian Lau” and Conrad Low, and among the names of the women and children may be found the following: Anna Gluf Lowan, Christian Lowan, Margaret Lowan, Philip Lowan, and Barbara Lowan. There is no doubt but what Christian Lau’s wife and that of several of his children are in the last group mentioned.^[2]

Christian and Conrad Lau are shown as members of Christ Lutheran Church in York during the pastorate of Rev. John Casper Stover, who was pastor of this church from 1733 to 1743. Re. Stover baptized four of the children of Christian Lau, the first of these four being baptized on February 23, 1735. This is evidence that Christian Lau was living in York County then part of Lancaster County at least as early as the beginning of the year 1735.^[2]

Christian Lowe was appointed Constable of Manchester Township in 1749 at the first session of Court to be held in York County.^[2]

On April 10, 1750, Christian Lau secured a WARRANT from the Proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania for 150 Acres of land in Manchester Township^[4]. The greater part of this Tract was located in what was then known as “SPRINGETSBURY MANOR.” It is quite evident, however, that Christian Lau was residing along “Codorus” creek near Bairs Station as early as 1745, since reference is made to him in a warrant dated July 26, 1745, granted to his son Philip Lau. This tract known as the “MILL PLACE” was sold to his son-in-law, Casper Kerver, by the heirs of Christian Lau.^[2]

On November 3, 1763, Christian Lau bought a tract of land in Codorus Township, granted to Felix Miller in pursuance of a warrant for 100 acres, dated October 28, 1746. This tract when surveyed in later years was found to contain about 220 acres and was divided into five parts and apportioned to his five surviving children.^[2]

On the same date that Christian Lau bought the Felix Miller tract, he also bought a tract of land in the Manchester Township from Mark Hains for 15 pounds. This tract containing 287 ½ acres adjoined his other land. He sold the same to his son Michael Lau on January 11, 1770, and he in turn devised it to his son Michael 2nd. This tract was patented by three sons of Michael Lau, 2nd; namely: George Lau; Michael Lau, 3rd, and Jonas Lau. This tract was in the Lau name for more that 100 years.^[2]

Christian Lau had also acquired a tract of about 148 acres in what is now Jackson Township, from Nicholas Shuster. On August 23, 1769, he sold this tract to his son-in-law, Casper Kerber. Mr. Lau at one time owner about 750 acres of land in what is now West Manchester Township, Jackson Township, and North Codorus Township.^[2]

Christian Lau’s will was dated January 11, 1770, and probated on May 13, 1772. The first clause of his will reads as follows: “In the name of God, amen. I, Christian Lau, of Manchester Township, in the County of York, in the Province of Pennsylvania, miller, being far advanced in years and very infirm; but yet of perfect mind and memory (thanks be to God for the same) and also calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life and that all flesh must die, do make, ordain, publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following (that is to say) first and principally being penitent and heartily sorry for my sins, I commit my soul in the hands of Almighty God, in whom and by whose mercy I trust and assuredly believe to be saved, and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried. And for the disposing of such temporal estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with, I do give, devise and dispose of the same manner following.”^[2]

The inscription of Christian Lau’s Tombstone in the Cemetery adjoining this Church edifice shows that he was born on August 21, 1696, and died April 21, 1772, at the age of 75 years and 8 months. He left to survive him, his widow, Anna Cleva; and three sons and two daughters; namely, Philip, Peter, Michael, Anna Mariam wife of Elias Eister, and Maria Magdalena, wife of Casper Kerber. His widow Anna Cleva died soon after his decease.^[2]

He was buried in Saint Paul's Wolf's Evangelical Covenant Cemetery in West Manchester Township, York County, Pennsylvania, USA.^[5]

The burial place of Christian Lau/lowe and his old headstone was replaced in 1932. The original had been in an antique store since and was discovered in the 1970s. After 40 years it is now seen again. Efforts are being made to get the old stone into a historical museum. The photo with the water is where Christian had his mill on Codorus Creek. He went on to have about 500 acres of land.

INSCRIPTION Johann Christian Lau (Johann Christmann Lau) emigrated to the Colony of Pennsylvania in 1732. He arrived in Philadelphia on a Pinke (a type of ship) called the "John and William" on October 17, 1732, and was "qualified" as a German Palatine from the area of Lembach in what is now Alsace, France. Christian Lau and his family settled in York, and by 1745 owned a mill on the Codorus Creek just west of what is now the town of Bair. He purchased many other tracts of land in both Codorus, Manchester, and Jackson townships. Christian was survived by his wife Anna Cleophe Frye, and their three sons and two daughters (Philip, Peter, Michael, Anna Mariam, and Maria Magdalena. Christian was one of the original trustees of the church where he is buried. His gravestone was replaced in a ceremony on July 27, 1932.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Photo of new headstone along with original
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16} History of the Lau Family, 1732 to 1799, as read at Wolfe's Church, July 24th, 1932 Originally acquired from https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/86266442/person/202157632199/media/3ae4e563-8bd0-43d4-bed0-c8221631f755?_phsrc=slh2945&usePUBJs=true
3. ↑ DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA - PORT OF PHILADELPHIA [List 28A] "A List of Palatine Passengers on Board the Ship John and William, Constable Tymberton, Commander, from Rotterdam." Qualified October 17, 1732; Immigrants Ships, John and William, 31 Christian Lau; 32 Conrad Low.
4. ↑ Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, U.S., Land Warrants, 1733-1987 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Index of Early Pennsylvania Land Warrants, 1733–1987, from the Pennsylvania State Archives. Stevens, Pennsylvania: Ken McCrea, 2010.
   • View Ancestry Record 2409 #77621 (requires subscription).
   • View free Ancestry Sharing Link on ancestry.com,

   Name: Christian Low
   Acreage: 150
   Warrant Date: 10 Apr 1750
   Warrant Location: York

5. ↑ Find a Grave memorial for Christian Lau
6. ↑ Find A Grave, memorial page for Johann Christian Lau (21 Aug 1696–21 Apr 1772), Memorial ID 7865969, citing Saint Paul's Wolf's Evangelical Covenant Cemetery, West Manchester Township, York County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Lynetta (Byrd) Howard (contributor 47965059).

See Also:

• Lau, Michael W. The Descendants of Christian Lau, Mennonite Family History (1991), page 1.

• Ancestry Family Trees. Christian Lau Tree 1. Christian Lau Tree 2.

• Children of Christian Lau. https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/86266442/person/202157632199/media/527bb2aa-d457-4e82-92da-7734035b539d?_phsrc=slh2946&usePUBJs=true

Acknowledgments

• Sarah Reno created Lau-111 on 17 Aug 13.