Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Johannes Viet Reichelsdorffer

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Descendants of Johannes Viet Reichelsdorffer

Generation No. 2

2. FREDERICH JACOB² REICHELDERFER (JOHANNES VIET¹ REICHELSDORFFER) was born September 1714 in Ittlingen, Germany, and died 1759 in Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA. He married ANNA CHRISTINA HAGENBUCH Bef. 1741. She was born Abt. 1719 in Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA.

Notes for FREDERICH JACOB REICHELDERFER:
SOURCE NOTES:
Abstracts of Wills and Administrations, Berks County, PA 1752-1822.
Berks 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

Of particular interest in the life of Friederich Reicheldorfer and his family was their exposure to the Indian troubles that occurred in the Albany Township area during the 1750's. Frederich and Henry, his brother, were early settlers in Albany Township. The area had been opened for settlement after a treaty with the Indians. On Nov 11 1741, Frederich received a patent for land adjoining land owned by his brother and Tobias Stapleton. There were 37 families in the township at that time. By 1756 there were 83 taxpayers.
Albany Township was part of a community called "Allemangel," comprised of several townships in Berks and adjoining townships in Lehigh County. It would seem that the Indians confined their invasions into the county beyond the Blue Mountain before 1756, to the west of the Schuylkill. But in the beginning of 1756 they reached the district along the mountain to the east of the river, and committed similar outrages upon the unprotected settlers. Valentine Probst, a resident of Albany township, addressed the following letter to Jacob Levan, one of the justices of the county, who resided in Maxatawny township, on Feb 15 1756:

"Mr. Levan -- I cannot omit writing about the dreadful circumstances in our township, Albany. The Indians came yesterday morning about eight o'clock, to Frederich Reichelderfer's house, as he was feeding his horses, and two of the Indians ran upon him, and followed him into a field ten or twelve perches off; but he escaped and ran towards Jacob Gerhard's house, with a design to fetch some arms. When he came near Gerhard's he heard a lamentable cry, 'Lord Jesus! Lord Jesus!" which made him run back toward his own house, but before he got quite home he saw his house and stable in flames, and heard the cattle bellowing, and thereupon ran away again. Two of his children were shot; one of them was found dead in his field, the other was found alive and brought to Hakenbrook's house, but died three hours after. All his grain and cattle are burned up. At Jacob Gerhart's they have killed one man, two women and six children. Two children slipped under the bed; one of which was burned; the other escaped, and ran a mile to get to the people. We desire help, or we must leave our home."

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 of Frederich Reichelderfer, dated Sep 20 1759 [Ref: BerksCoPA Estates 1752-99 p1616H:

I, the Subscriber, Friderich Riechelsdorfer, 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.
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.
Nov 1 1760 Memorandum - Henry Niethut, 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: BerksCoPA Estates 1752-99 p1616
Letters of adm. granted Dec 1 1760 to Henry Neithuit & wife Christina who was the widow of testator.
Whereas the said Frederick Reicheldorffer 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.
Nov 13 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.
Feb 10 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 v? intestate left five children, four of whom to wit, Susanna, Hans Adam, Crate(?), 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 Swench),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 Swench, Valentine Petre, Adam Swench, 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 Reichelsdoffer, 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 Reichelsdorffer 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 Reichelsdorffer, 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."

More About FREDERICH JACOB REICHELDERFER:
Additional Info: 1740, Arrived in a small village called Albany or Allemangel
Christening: September 21, 1714, Ittlingen, Germany
Probate: Nov 13 1759 Berks Co., PA
Will: September 20, 1759, Written in German

Children of FREDERICH REICHELDERFER and ANNA HAGENBUCH are:

UNNAMED³ REICHELDERFER, d. February 15, 1756.

More About UNNAMED REICHELDERFER:
Cause of Death: scalped and mutilated....Indian massacre

4.	ii.	JOHANNES ADAM REICHELDERFER, b. December 26, 1741, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA; d. August 30, 1810, Saltcreek Twp., Pickaway Co., OH.
	iii.	MARIA CATHERINE REICHELDERFER, b. November 07, 1745, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA; m. GEORGE SCHWENK.
5.	iv.	SUSANNA REICHELDERFER, b. March 17, 1749, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA; d. 1803.
	v.	JOHAN HEINRICH REICHELDERFER, b. October 27, 1755, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA; d. February 15, 1756, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA.

More About JOHAN HEINRICH REICHELDERFER:
Christening: November 26, 1755, New Hanover Lutheran Ch., Montgomery Co., PA

vi.

CHRISTINA REICHELDERFER, b. July 02, 1757, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA; d. Aft. 1773.

More About CHRISTINA REICHELDERFER:
Christening: October 16, 1757, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA

3. HEINRICH² REICHELDERFER (JOHANNES VIET¹ REICHELSDORFFER) was born October 26, 1716 in Phillipsburg, NY, and died June 10, 1800 in Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA. He married MARIA CADARINA LIEBENGUTH. She was born June 24, 1727 in Langensouthzbach, Alsace, France, and died August 23, 1793 in Berks Co., PA.

Notes for HEINRICH REICHELDERFER:
1753: listed in Albany Twp Tax Records, head of family
1761: when the new Bethel Corner Church of Albany Township was being constructed, Henrich Reichelderfer and Johannes Hain were elected as the architects by both congregations (Reformed and Lutheran)

Text of will, as given in [Ref: BerksCoPA Probate 1800-50 #1485]:

In the name of God the father, and of the son, and of the holy Ghost, Amen. I Henry Reichelderfer the elder, in Albany Township, Berks County, in the state ,of Pennsylvania,farmer,on account of age, weak as to my body, but yet of sound mind and memory, God be praised, who brings to my recollection the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and order this my last Will and Testament, that is to say, Principally and first of all, I give and commend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God who has given the same, and my body I commend to the earth, to be buried, in a decent christian burial place according as my executors think proper, not doubting, but in the general resurrection I shall receive the Jesus again through the mighty Power of God, and to making just ___ of property, whose wish it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give and bequeath of the farm in the following manner and form.
1. The executor, that he shall here in this his last Will elect, shall get a Tombstone made for Henry Reicheldorffer, and put the same on his grave, and the payment for the same, they shall take out of the estate.
2. My five daughters shall have one hundred pounds first of all, which shall be twenty Pounds to each, or to their heirs, but in the remaining property the five daughters shall inherit as well as the other sons.
3. I Henry Reichelderfer say, that I have land on the little Schulkill in the Township, if hedoes not sell this piece of land in his lifetime, then the executor shall sell that piece of land after his decease, or at public
vendice.
4. Another piece of land adjoining the Blue mountain and George Boones Line, lying in Albany Township Berks County, this piece of Land is about two hundred and twenty acres, now when the Children survey it, they shall from George Boone's Line out through to the Blue, in order that every child or heir may get his if he wants the land, but if they don't want the land the Executor shall sell it at public vendice.
5. Another piece of land, to wit, the Company Land, which he hath sold to his son Harry, the money which he is to pay to his father, to this his Son Henry shall be an heir as the others.
6. The Wind mill shall be moved or stand, where it is, and also the stove in the house; and Michael shall have his father's guns; and my son Henry shall have the father's part of the saw mill; and the father's clothes these three sons shall divide among them, as well as they can, and if there should remain any linen, the daughters shall divide the same among them, as well as they can.
7. And what I give as father to one or the other of my children, there shall be no objection or dispute about from the others, but shall be satisfied.
8. But should any or one of all my Children attempt to reject this my Last Will, or make the same null, he or they shall each for this offence, have for his inheritance out of all my estate only one shilling sterling and no more.
And I order as executor Simonn Wertman and my son Michael Reicheldorffer of this my last Will and testament and I do hereby recall and declare as null and void all and every by me heretofore made bequest, Wills, and Testament, certify this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness
thereof I have hereto set my hand and seal, the seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five.
Signed, sealed, declared and pronounced by the said Henry Reicheldorffer to be his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us.
Christian Bowsher
and Francis Frey
True translation by Frederick Smith
(at bottom of original (German) Will) Registrar Office Reading, in Berks
County,
August 6 1800, there appeared Christian Brauscher and Franz Fry, witnesses to the aforewritten Will who being duly sworn and deposed and say, that they were present together and did see and hear Henry Reicheldorfer the Testator sign (by making his mark), publish pronounce and declare that same writing to be his Last Will and Testament, and that at the time of the doing thereof he the said Testator was of sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and as they verily believe and further that the names of Christian Brauscher and Franz Fry (by making his mark)___ ___ ___ ___ as witnesses in the presence of each other and the presence of and at the request of the said Testator.
Signed, Bradley Augusta.

NOTE: recorded in Harrisburg Original Patents, volume 1538. As yet unable to locate an official recording of this document:

This indenture made the ___ day of ___ in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Two between John Reicheldarpher of Albany Township in the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, Michael Reicheldarpher of the same place, Peter Fees of the same place and Barbara his wife late Barbara Reicheldarpher, Jacob Shoemaker of the same place and Magdalina his wife late Magdalina Reicheldarpher, John Schnider of Brunswick Township in the County and state aforesaid and Margret his wife late Margaret Reichelderpher, Anthony Poucher of Beaver Creek Township in the county of Northumberland and state aforesaid and Christiana his wife late Christiana Richeldarpher, John Frees of the above said last township and county and Anna Mariah his wife late Anna Mariah Richeldarpher of the one part and Henry Reicheldarpher of Albany Township in the County of Berks aforesaid of the other part, witnesseth that the said John Richeldarpher Michael Richeldarpher Peter Fees and Barbara his wife Jacob Shoemaker and Magdalena his wife John Snider and Margret his wife Anthony Poucher and Christiana his wife have granted remised released and forever quit claimed and confirmed and by these presents do for themselves and their heirs and assigns fully and clearly and absolutely grant, remise, release and confirm to the said Henry Reichelderfer and to his heirs and asigns forever, the following described piece of land with the appurtenances there unto beloging situate in Albany Township in the county of Berks aforesaid bounded and described as follows. Beginning at a stone thence by land of Anthony Poucher south two degrees east two hundred and twenty eight perches to a stone thence by land supposed vacant north eighty eight degrees east nineteen perches to a stone thence by land of Michael Richelsdarpher north two degrees west two hundred and twenty nine perches to a stone in a line of Michael Brobst and the said Henry Richeldarpher's other land by same south eighty eight degrees west thirteen perches to a white pine by same south seventy one degrees west six perches to the place of beginning containing twenty five acres and one hundred perches and allowance of sixpercent for roads (it being part of a larger tract of land of two hundred and five acres and one hundred and twenty three perches and alowance foresaid which the commonwealth of Pennsylvania) under the hands of His Excellency Thomas Mifflin Esquire and the great seal of the Commonwealth by their patent bearing date the fifth day of September A.D. 1796, inrolled in the rolls office for the State of Pennsylvania in Patent Book no. 29 page 300 granted and confirmed the same unto a certain Henry Richeldarpher and his heirs and assigns for ever (who is since deceased) leaving issue viz. (John, Michael, Henry, Barbara, Magdalena, Margret, Christiana, Anna Mariah and by reason of which they became entitled to their respective shares of portions according to law) Together with all and singular the appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging to have and to hold the said above described piece of land containing twenty five acres and one hundred perches and allowance aforesaid unto the said Henry Richeldarpher and to his heirs and assigns forever to the only proper use and behooff of the said Henry Richeldarpher and to his heirs and assigns for ever so that neither the said John Richeldarpher, Michael Richeldarpher Peter Fees and Barbara his wife Jacob Showmaker and Magdelena his wife John Schnider and Margaret his wife Anthony Poucher and Christiana his wife John Frees and Ann Mariah his wife nor any of them nor any or either of them nor their heirs nor any other person or persons whatsoever for them or any or either of them or in their or any or either of their names right title or stead hereafter have claim challenge or demand whatsoever in to or out of the same shall and will be utterly excluded and forever debared by these presents subject to the quitrents if any. In witness where of the said parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals dated the day and year first written.

More About HEINRICH REICHELDERFER:
Burial: New Bethel Cem., Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA
Christening: New York City, NY
Naturalization: September 24, 1762
Probate: April 06, 1800
Will: September 17, 1795

More About MARIA CADARINA LIEBENGUTH:
Burial: New Bethel Cem., Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA

Children of HEINRICH REICHELDERFER and MARIA LIEBENGUTH are:

	i.	ANNA MARIAH³ REICHELDERFER, b. Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA.
	ii.	MARIA MARGARETHA REICHELDERFER, b. June 23, 1745, New Hanover, Montgomery Co., PA.
6.	iii.	JOHN HEINRICH REICHELDERFER, b. 1747, New Hanover, Montgomery Co., PA; d. October 21, 1823, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA.
7.	iv.	MICHAEL REICHELDERFER, b. February 15, 1749, New HanoverTwp., Montgomery Co., PA; d. February 28, 1822.
	v.	MARIA MAGDALENA REICHELDERFER, b. Abt. 1751.
8.	vi.	JOHN ADAMS REICHELDERFER, b. 1753, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA; d. September 06, 1828, Jackson Twp., Starke Co., OH.
9.	vii.	CHRISTINE REICHELDERFER, b. July 1755, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA; d. Abt. 1820, Pickaway Co., OH.
	viii.	BARBARA REICHELDERFER, b. January 01, 1759, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA.
	ix.	SIMON PETER REICHELDERFER, b. November 1761, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA.
	x.	ELIZABETH MAGDALENA REICHELDERFER, b. Abt. 1762, Albany Twp., Berks Co., PA.

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