Frederich Jacob Reichelsdorfer (bef. 1714 - abt. 1759)

Born before Sep 1714 in Ittlingen, Heiliges Römisches Reich

Descendants

Died about 1759 after about age 44 in Albany Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania

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Biography

Baptism: 21 SEP 1714. Ittlingen Church Book, Northern Kraichgau, Kurpfalz (now Baden-Württemberg), Germany. ^[1][2]

Buried farm near Eckville, Albany Tp, Berks Co, PA.

Religion: Lutheran.

REICHELDERFER etc.: Name spelling: Baptism records in the mid 1740s at New Hanover Lutheran Ch in Montgomery Co, PA, generally show the name with -s- in the middle and usually with umlauted -o- or -e-. also Friederic & Friederick, Henrich & Heinrich, Christian & Anna Christina, Catharine & Maria Catharina. In the 1750s and later in Albany Twp, Berks Co, PA, the name usually has -s- in the middle and varies among -erfer vs. o, ö, oe.

Friedrich and wife Anna Christina were baptismal sponsors 21 Sept 1714 at Ittlingen in the Northern Kraichgau: Georg Heinrich MULLER from Adelshofen and Anna Catharina HOTTENSTEIN, single. 1745 Frederick was at New Hanover in Philadelphia Co. But a worksheet in the PA Archives shows plots of land indicates he got 133 acres & allowance by a warrant 7 Jun 1745, surveyed 17 Nov 1749 [Book D46-1], and it looks to be in the area called The Eck near Hawk Mt., on Pine Creek, in Albany Tp. On 10 Oct 1751 Fredrick bought 100 acres on ‘Raven Creek’ in what was then Philadelphia Co (now Albany Twp, Berks Co) PA, warrant #117, Philadelphia. His land was on present Pine Creek below Hawk Mt., S of Eckville PA. at the western end of the long ridge that runs along the north bank of the creek. His younger brother Henrich was located downstream to the east, on the north bank just across the creek from the BROBST Iron Works. 14 Feb 1756 Indians attacked his house at Eckville, killed 3 of his older children whom he had taken up there with him to bring in the harvest (the rest of the family he had taken south for safety), burned house & barn, all grain & cattle destroyed. Also attacked his neighbor GERHART, just north of him. Jacob HAGENBUCH, the next north, didn’t get hurt. From the writings of the Patriarch MUHLENBERG : "In New Hanover I had confirmed two grown daughters of Frederick REICHELDERFER. This man subsequently bought a tract of forest land near the Blue Mountains, which he cultivated successfully, with much toil and great sacrifice, to enable him to support his family. But fearing the Indians, who scouted the region, sacking, burning, and murdering, he removed his family back to New Hanover, whilst he journeyed to and fro, to attend to his place. In the month of March, after he and his daughters had threshed out his wheat, on a Friday morning, they suddenly felt an uncomfortable presentiment of fear. Entering upon their evening devotions, they joined in singing the old hymn, "Wer weis wie nahe mir mein Ende." [Translation: Who knows how near my end… ] Committing themselves to God they retired. On the following morning, as the father had gone upon the open field to bring in his hourses, and on the eve of starting for home, he was surrounded by Indians. From sudden fright, in view of his great peril, he could neither utter a cry, nor move a limb. As the savages were within twenty paces, he turned his thoughts to God, and was enabled to cry: "Jesus! I live by Thee! Jesus! I die in Thee!" In the moment of this exclamation he felt himself at once endowed with a superhuman energy, in virtue of which he turned, became swift-footed as a deer, and winged like the ostrich. He escaped from their sight, and reached his home, but, alas his hut lay in ashes, the cattle were bellowing in a sheet of flame, his eldest daughter lay a crisp, and the younger, partly alive, scalped and horribly mutilated, had barely the strength to relate the harrowing circumstances, and to impress a dying kiss upon the distracted brow of her father bending over her.”

WILL AND ESTATE OF FREDERICK REICHELDERFER At his death, Frederick owned 200 acres, surrounded on 3 sides by the Blue Mountain, which occluded rain in the summer but protected it in the winter; the ground was shale, inferior for farming. Hawk Mt. Sanctuary begins just before the farm and a part of the Appalachian Trail nearly skirts the edge of the farm. Will of Frederich REICHELDERFER, dated Sep 20 1759, probate 13 Nov 1759 [Ref: BerksCoPA Estates 1752-99 p1616H] from http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/a/r/Carolyn-s-Markham-CT/GENE2-0002.html

“I, the Subscriber, Friderich REICHELSDORFER, make in my long pain and near the end of my life, my Last Will & Testament as follows; My Brother, Henrich REICHELSDORFER and Andreas HAGENBUCH living in Albany Township, after my Death shall take a Christian care of my wife, Christina and my children. And my wife shall remain on the place as long as she is a Widow, and have all right and authority, over the land, the children, and over the cattle and all. And my only son, Johan Adam, shall before the other Children have my arms, and with them to wit the four other Children, make an equal Division of all. That this is my last Will and purpose is such with my own hand without deceit in great weakness confirmed in the presence of witnesses.” [Signed with his FR mark.] Witnesses Daniel SCHMACHER and Henrich SCHWENCK. Oct 28 1760 Tobias STABELTON and Simon FREY presented an inventory of the estate. A substantial farm of 150 acres, livestock, blacksmith tools, etc. valued estate at 143 pounds, four shillings, nine pence. 1 Nov 1760 Memorandum - Henry NIETHUT [NEIHUT / NEINHUT / NERHUTH], cordwainer, of Albany Township, lately married Christina, the widow of the above named Fred. REICHELSDORFER who left besides his widow the following children: Son, John Adam, aged about 19 years, Maria Catharine, 14 years, Susannah 11 years, Mary Margaret 7 years, and Christina 4 years. [Ref: Berks Co PA Estates 1752-99 p1616] Letters of administration were granted 1 Dec 1760 to Henry NEIHÜT & wife Christina who was the widow of testator: Whereas the said Frederick REICHELSDORFER did in his life time make a certain instrument of writing purporting to be his last will and testament, but did not appoint any Executor or Executrix thereof; Administration is granted unto the said Henry NIETHUT and Christine his wife. On 13 Nov 1762 Orphans Court Records (vol 12, page 144, Reading, PA) show: "Petition of Henry NIETHUT, Administrator of Frederick REICHELDERFER, deceased -- deceased intestate, left 5 children -- four of who to wit, Susannah, Hans Adam, ___, and Christina are minors under 14 years -- asks for guardians. The Court appoints William STOMP and Jacob GERHARD." It should be noted that the birth dates listed do not reflect the "minor" classification listed in the Courts records. 10 Feb 1763: Petition of Henry NIETHUT for Guardians. To the worshipful the Justices of the Orphan's Court of the County of Berks at a Court held at Reading I the said County. The Petition of Henry NIERTHUT, Administrator of all the goods of Frederich REICHELDERFER, late of the said County dec'd, humbly shows that the [said] intestate left five children, four of whom to wit, Susanna, Hans Adam, Crate [Gretha], and Christina, who are all minors under the age of fourteen years. Your petitioner therefore prays your worship to appoint guardians for the v? Children. [Ref: BerksCoPA Estates 1752-99 p1637] Feb 12 1773: Berks County Orphans Court Record Book II, page 145: "Upon the petition of John Adam REICHELSDORFFER, eldest son and heir at Law of Frederick REICHELSDORFFER, late of the township of Albany in the said county, Yoeman deceased setting forth that he petitioner's said Father died intestate about thirteen years since, leaving widow, to wit. Christine (since intermarried with Henry NIERHUTH) and issue, five children to wit: the petitioner (John Adam), Maria Catherina (now the wife of George SWENCK),Susanna (now the wife of Michael REICHELSDORFER), Margaret and Christina, the last named of whom is under the age of twenty-one years. And the said Intestate was seized at the time of his death of and in a certain message or tenement plantation and tract of warrent land (Philadelphia Co,Pa., Warrent #117) situate in the Township of Albany, aforesaid, adjoining to and bounded by lands of Jacob GERHARDT, George SWENCK, Valentine PETRE, Adam SWENCK, containing two hundred seventeen acres or thereabouts to be same more or less with the appurtenances and therefore praying the court to award an inquest to make partition of the said real estate to and among the children of the said Intestate if the same can be done without prejudice to and spoiling the whole of the same. Further praying the Court to order and direct the said Inquest to value and Appraise the said real estate in order that the petitioner may hold and enjoy the same to him, his heirs and assigns, forever, upon paying or securing to be paid to the other children and representatives of the said Intestate their several respective shares and dividend of and in the monies at which the same real estate may be valued according to the acts of General Assembly of this province of Pennsylvania in such case made and provided. The Court here to award an Inquest to make Partitions of the said Real Estate in the said Partition mentioned whereof the said Frederick, the Intestate, therein named died seized to and among the children and representatives of the said intestate in such manner and in such proportions as by laws of this province is directed if such partition can be made without prejudice to and spoiling the whole thereof. But in case such partition cannot be thereof made without prejudice to and spoiling the whole of the said real estate, then the Court do order and direct the said Inquest to value and appraise the same and make report of their proceedings therein to this Court agreeable to the Acts of Assembly of this Province of Pennsylvania." Petition to Orphan's Court, Reading, Berks Co, dated May 11 1773 appears to be that which led to above ruling. [Ref: BerksCoPA Estates 1752-99 p1641] Aug 14 1773: Berks County Orphans Court Bonds Book II page 151: "Know all Men, by these Presents, that We, John Adam REICHELSDORFFER, eldest son and heir at Law of Frederick REICHELSDORFFER, late of the Township of Albany, County of Berks, in the province of Pennsylvania, Yeoman deceased who died intestate, William STUMP and Henry NERHUTH, both of the same Township of Albany, Yoeman, are held and firmly bound unto Michael REICHELSDORFER of Albany Township, aforesaid Yoeman who is intermarried with Susanna, one of the daughters of the said Decedent, in the Sum of Seventy Five Pounds, lawful Money of Pennsylvania, to be paid to the said Michael REICHELSDORFER, his certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators and Assigns. To which Payment well and truly to be made, we do bind ourselves, our heirs, Executors, Administrators, and every of them, jointly and severally, for and in the whole, firmly by these present, sealed with our seals. Whereas such Proceedings were had the eleventh Day of May last past and this day in the Orphans Court of the said County of Berks, relating to the Real Estate of the said Deceased Frederick REICHELSDORFFER, situated in the said County of Berks. That an Inquest awarded by the Court valued the said Real Estate at the sum of two hundred and twenty five pounds, lawful money of Pennsylvania. And further, that the said William STUMP and Henry NEITHUT were approved as Sureties to enter into Bonds with the said John Adam REICHELDORFER, the eldest son for the payment of the shares and dividends of the younger children of the said deceased, upon sealing and delivery of which bonds the said John Adam Reichelsdorffer should hold and enjoy the said real estate of his said, deceased father, valued as aforesaid, to him, his Heirs and Assigns, for ever, according to Law, as by the records of the said Court appears, &c. Now the condition of this obligation is such, that if the afore-bounden John Adam REICHELSDORFER, certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators and Assigns, or any of them, the just and full sum of thirty seven pounds, ten shillings, lawful money of Pennsylvania in manner following: to wit. twenty five pounds at and upon the fourteenth day of August next, ensuring the date hereof and the remaining twelve pounds, ten shillings, immediately after the deaths of Christina (now of the said Henry NARHUTH) late widow of the said deceased Frederick REICHELSDORFFER, being the part or share of the said Susannah, the wife of the said Michael REICHELSDORFFER of and in the real estate of her said deceased father, without fraud or further delay, then this obligation to be void and of none effect, otherwise to be and remain in full force and virtue."

This is also one of the lines of Helen Duer, by 2 sons of Frederick’s son Adam:

Johannes Viet [Veit] 1685 >Frederich Jacob 1714 >Johannes Adam 1741 > John Christian 1782 >Levi 1828 >Merritt Dunan 1872.

and

Johannes Viet [Veit] 1685 > Frederich Jacob 1714 >Johannes Adam 1741 >Jacob 1791 >Venus 1823 >George Sylvester 1850 >John Jacob1874.

Baptismal sponsors: Georg Heinrich MULLER from Adelshofen and Anna Catharina HOTTENSTEIN, single.

1745 Frederick was at New Hanover in Philadelphia Co. But a worksheet in the PA Archives shows plots of land indicates he got 133 acres & allowance by a warrant 7 Jun 1745, surveyed 17 Nov 1749 [Book D46-1], and it looks to be in the area called The Eck near Hawk Mt., on Pine Creek, in Albany Tp.

On 10 Oct 1751 Fredrick bought 100 acres on ‘Raven Creek’ in what was then Philadelphia Co (now Albany Tp, Berks Co) PA, warrant #117, Philadelphia. His land was on present Pine Creek below Hawk Mt., S of Eckville PA. at the western end of the long ridge that runs along the north bank of the creek. His younger brother Henrich was located downstream to the east, on the north bank just across the creek from the BROBST Iron Works.

14 Feb 1756 Indians attacked his house at Eckville, killed 3 of his older children whom he had taken up there with him to bring in the harvest (the rest of the family he had taken south for safety), burned house & barn, all grain & cattle destroyed. Also attacked his neighbor GERHART, just north of him. Jacob HAGENBUCH, the next north, didn’t get hurt.

From the writings of the Patriarch MUHLENBERG :

In New Hanover I had confirmed two grown daughters of Frederick REICHELDERFER. This man subsequently bought a tract of forest land near the Blue Mountains, which he cultivated successfully, with much toil and great sacrifice, to enable him to support his family. But fearing the Indians, who scouted the region, sacking, burning, and murdering, he removed his family back to New Hanover, whilst he journeyed to and fro, to attend to his place. In the month of March, after he and his daughters had threshed out his wheat, on a Friday morning, they suddenly felt an uncomfortable presentiment of fear. Entering upon their evening devotions, they joined in singing the old hymn, "Wer weis wie nahe mir mein Ende." [Translation: Who knows how near my end… ] Committing themselves to God they retired. On the following morning, as the father had gone upon the open field to bring in his hourses, and on the eve of starting for home, he was surrounded by Indians. From sudden fright, in view of his great peril, he could neither utter a cry, nor move a limb. As the savages were within twenty paces, he turned his thoughts to God, and was enabled to cry: "Jesus! I live by Thee! Jesus! I die in Thee!" In the moment of this exclamation he felt himself at once endowed with a superhuman energy, in virtue of which he turned, became swift-footed as a deer, and winged like the ostrich. He escaped from their sight, and reached his home, but, alas his hut lay in ashes, the cattle were bellowing in a sheet of flame, his eldest daughter lay a crisp, and the younger, partly alive, scalped and horribly mutilated, had barely the strength to relate the harrowing circumstances, and to impress a dying kiss upon the distracted brow of her father bending over her.”. ^[3]

Friederich Jacob Heinrich Reichelsdoerfer/Reicheltdörfer was born in 1714 in Ittlingen, Heidelberg, Baden. Birth. ^[4] Baptism. ^[5] Note: mother listed as Anna on both records. Father's middle name is different.

He married Christina.

Daughter Christina Barb Reichelsdorffer baptism on 16 October 1757. ^[6]

He passed away about 1756. ^{[citation needed]}

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S155
2. ↑ Source: #S87 p. 284
3. ↑ Source: #S173 p. 473 map, 475
4. ↑ "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4L3-GTR : 26 October 2021), Friederich Jacob Heinrich Reichelsdoerfer, 1714.
5. ↑ "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPDT-R4SL : 19 May 2023), Friederich Jacob Heinrich Reicheltdörfer, 21 Sep 1714; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Ittlingen, Eppingen, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
6. ↑ "Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Births and Baptisms, 1520-1999", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6CTY-8P2Y : Tue Oct 03 07:49:16 UTC 2023), Entry for Christina Barb Reichelsdorffer and Friedr Reichelsdorffer, 16 October 1757.

• Abstracts of Wills and Administrations, Berks County, PA 1752-1822.
• mBerks Co Estate Files, 1752-1799. LDS Film#1653892
• Brunner, David B, Indians of Berks Co, PA. Reading, PA: Eagle Books, 1897.
• Burgert, Annette Kunselman, Eighteenth Century Emigrants from German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol I: The Northern Kraichgau. Breinigsville, PA: Pennsylvania German Society, 1983.
• Monnette, Orra Eugene, Monnet Family Gen., Los Angeles, CA: C. E. Bireley Co, 1911. UMI #G1563.
• Rupp, I Daniel, History of Berks and Lebanon Counties, Lancaster, PA
• Source: S155 Vital Record Ittlingen Lutheran Churchbook Ittlingen [Kraichgau], Baden, Germany
• Source: S76 Book Martin, Jacob [1] & John P. Smith Periodical: Abstracts of Berks County Wills 1752-1785 Editor: F. Edward Wright, compiler Publication: Westminster MD: Willow Bend Books 1999
• Source: S87 Book Burgert, Annette Periodical: [Kraichgau] 18th C. Emigrants Volume: Vol. I: The Northern Kraichgau Publication: Breinigsville PA: Pennsylvania German Society 1983
• Source: S92 Mysliwski, Gert, 16754 Marion Way, Grass Valley, CA 95949 — [2003]

See also:

• FamilySearch Person: KPQX-857