History of the Lau Family, 1732 to 1799

Date: 24 Jul 1932 [unknown]
Location: Wolfe's Church
Surname/tag: Lau, Low, Lowe, Law

For those who do not have access to the 1932 document that was read at Wolfe's Church (now St. Paul's) here is an electronic version. I have taken great care to represent the punctuation as it actually appears. I've also rechecked the spelling of the names and the dates provided. My only insertion is an editorial note on where the page break is in the original document. I hope this is of help to all of you, present and future, who are searching for our past. Stephen Christian Law [Lau]

HISTORY OF THE LAU FAMILY, 1732 TO 1799, AS READ AT WOLFE’S CHURCH JULY 24TH, 1932^[1]

In the tide of immigration that came to the shores of the New Land in the early part of the Eighteenth Century were many thousands of Palatines from the Valley of the Rhine, who came seeking freedom from civil and religious oppression. These services today are being held in memory of this large multitude who sought to establish a home in the New Land.

Christian Lau came over in the ship “Pink, John and William” of Sunderland, Constable Tymperton, master from Rotterdam, last from Dover, and landed at Philadelphia, on October 17, 1732. 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.

Christian Lau 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.

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

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Philip Lau, oldest son of Christian Lau, was also a holder of large tracts of land. He had secured seven warrants from the proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania for tracts located in Manchester, Codorus and Shrewsbury Townships. The total acreage of these tracts amounted to more than 500 acres, and after his death these tracts were divided among his three sons: Henry and Andrew being awarded the tracts in Manchester and Codorus Townships, and Michael Lau the tract in Shrewsbury Township.

Philip Lau and his wife Magdalena Genzler, were the parents of the following children: Gertrude, wife of Frederick Miller, Henry, Elizabeth, wife of Philip Rudisill; Andrew, Michael and Magdalena, wife of John Menges. Philip Lau’s will was probated on August 30, 1781.

Andrew Lau and Michael Lau, sons of Philip Lau, were tanners by trade, and in later years resided in Berwick Township, now a part of Adams County. John Menges, and his wife Magdalena Lau Menges, were the grandparents of Rev. Peter Livingston and great grandparents of former Congressman Franklin Menges, of York.

Peter Lau, second son of Christian Lau, was born in 1728, and died in 1806, at the age of 78 years. There was surveyed for him a tract of 281 acres in Codorus Township on account of a warrant dated May 11, 1752, for 150 acres, secured from the proprietaries of Pennsylvania. This tract adjoined his father, Christian Lau’s, land and parts of this tract have been held by Laus and their descendants since 1752.

[editor’s note: this is where the front page of the actual document ends; the text below is found on the back page]

Peter Lau devised this tract of 281 acres to his two sons, Andrew Lau and George Lau, and a tract of 44 ¼ acres in the same township to his son-in-law, Valentine Bergheimer. Peter Lau and his wife, Susanna Lau, left to survive them, two sons, namely, Andrew and George; and five daughters, namely, Magdalena, wife of George Philip Gentzler; Anna Maria, wife of Daniel Rynold,; Catharina, wife of Valentine Alt; Eve, wife of Rynold, and Susanna, wife of Valentine Bergheimer. The remains of Peter Lau and his wife Susanna Lau are buried in the graveyard at this place.

Michael Lau, youngest son of Christian Lau, was born May 2nd, 1736, and died June 2nd, 1795. Michael Lau, elder, and his wife Anna Mary Lau, residents of Manchester Township, were the parents of the following children: Peter, Catherine, wife of Christian Null; Magdalen, wife if Henry Wehler; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Winder; Michael, Anna Mary, wife of Philip Gentzler; Margaret, Christian and Susanna. After the decease of Michael Lau, elder, his two surviving sons acquired his real estate; Michael, 2nd, being awarded his father’s dwelling plantation of 287 ½ acres in Manchester Township, and Peter, the eldest son, being awarded a tract of about 300 acres in Codorus Township.

Michael Lau, the second, born February 23, 1771, died July 16, 1839; was a resident of West Manchester Township. He and his wife, Margaret Eyster, were the parents of the following children: John, Rebecca, wife of Samuel Bowman; Michael, 3rd; George, Jonas, Jacob, Susanna, wife of Solomon Weigel; Elizabeth, wife of John Sleder; Joshua and Anna Maria, wife of William Lau.

Peter Lau, son of Michael Lau, elder, was a resident of Codorus Township. His wife’s name was Barbara nee Renoll Lau. They were parents of the following children: Michael, Samuel, Daniel, David, Peter, Anna Mary, wife of Jacob Kerchner; Susanna, wife of Christian Rohrbach; Elizabeth, wife of Michael Emig, and Polly Lau.

Andrew, son of Peter and Susan Lau, was born October 7, 1751, and died 1822. He was a resident of Codorus Township. In his will dated March 21, 1816, and probated February 22, 1822, he names his ten children from his first wife (Elizabeth) as follows: Michael, George (deceased); Susanna, wife of Velta Ald; Elizabeth, wife of Philip Ald; Frederick, Joseph, Christian, Perie, wife of Jacob Raver; Bolly, wife of John Helsel, and Catharina, wife of David Brillhart. His second wife’s name was Magdalena, and their children were: William Lau; Eliza, wife of Daniel Klinedinst; George Lau and Juliana, wife of Abraham Hossler.

Christian Lau, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Lau, was born August 19, 1782, and died September 30, 1862. He and his wife Rosanna nee Zeigler Lau were the parents of the following children: Elias, father of Rev. J. B. Lau; Peter Lafayette, Julian, wife of George Reber; Catherine, wife of John Gunnet; Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Gunnet; Anna, wife of Jesse Behler; Kassie, wife of John Ruth; Lydia, wife of Daniel Hamm, and Christinna, wife of John Kessler.

Dr. Henry Eyster Jacobs, who died about two weeks ago, former president of the Mt. Airy Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, was a descendant of Elias Eyster and his wife Anna Maria nee Lau Eyster.

Family traditions inform us that when the Laus first came to the vicinity of Bairs Station, they lived in a wigwam-like shelter, and that the Laus compensated the Indians for their land, even though they had paid a yearly rent to the Proprietaries. Like William Penn, they felt that the land rightfully belonged to the Indians.

The names of several of Christian Lau’s grandsons are found in the records of those who served in the Revolutionary War. Among the descendants of Christian Lau, may be found the names of Governors of States, members of State Legislatures, members of Congress, doctors, lawyers, ministers and members of other professions.

The Christina names: Andrew, George, Michael, Peter, Anna Mary, Elizabeth, Magdalena and Rebecca, are found quite frequently among the Laus.

There are about forty baptisms of Laus recorded in the early records of this church, and there are many burials of Laus and their descendants at this place.

According to the records in the Recorder of Deeds office, in York, Penna., Christian Lau and Peter Lau were the trustees and representatives for the Lutheran Church of Manchester Township, and Peter Wolf and Frederick Remer were the trustees and representatives for the Reformed Protestants, in Manchester Township, on October 15th, 1763, when the first tract of two and one-half acres were bought from Jacob Zeigier for this church property and burial ground.

The following is additional data concerning Lau families:

John George Lau, [(born 1754, died 1808) son of Peter and Susan Lau,] and his wife Magdalena Lau left issue to survive them: George Lau, Peter Lau, Jacob Lau, Daniel Lau, Eve, wife of George Lau; Margaret, wife of George Baker; Polly, wife of David Kleindinst, and Catharine Lau.

Peter Lau, [(born April 2, 1802, died 18890 son of Peter and Barbara nee Renoll Lau,] and his wife Nancy nee Hoff Lau to survive them: Jesse Lau, Elizabeth, wife of Peter Senft; Lydia, wife of a Mr. Winand; May, wife of Jonas Royer; Catharine Lau; Peter H. Lau; Sarah, married to a Mr. Pressel, a Mr. Bair and Mr. Michael Klinedinst; Nancy, wife of Mr. George Welsh, and Cornelius H. Lau.

Michael Lau, 3rd, [(born April 21, 1799, died December 9, 1858), son of Michael Lau, 2nd., and his wife Margaret nee Eyster;] and his wife Catharine nee Wolf Lau were the parents of the following children: Lydia nee Lau Renoll, Hezikiah Lau, Isaac W. Lau, Catharine nee Lau Spangler, Sarah nee Lau Burgard, Rebecca Lau, Michael W. Lau, Elizabeth Jane nee Lau Reynold, and Israel Lau.

Sources

1. ↑ 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