The Rübenkam Family of Hessen, Parent Stock of the Rubincam-Revercomb Family of Pennsylvania and Virginia

THE RUBENKAM FAMILY OF HESSEN, Parent Stock of the Rubincam-Revercomb Family of Pennsylvania and Virginia BY MILTON RUBINCAM, F.A.S.G., F.N.G.S. One of the difficulties in the field of Pennsylvania-German genealogy is the indentification of the pre-American home of the immigrant ancestor. Unless old family letters, diaries, Bible records, letters of manumission,' or other contemporary documents have survived to the present time, it is quite difficult to determine the locality in Germany where the search should commence.' The clue to the European home of the Rubincam (Rubicam, Rubin' kam, Rubencame) family of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio,. and elsewhere, and its southern branch, the Revercomb family of Virginia, West Virginia, Canada, and other places, was found in the record which John Wister, progenitor of one of Philadelphia's most distinguished families, entered in his Bible: Anna Katharina Riiben-Kimin was born in Hesse-Cassel in the town of Wanfried,. February 25, 1709' She was daughter of Johann Philipp Ruben-Kamm, Pastor of the 1 Letters of manumission were granted by the princes of the Holy Roman Empire to their subjects who wished to emigrate and who paid a stipulated fee. Such manumission documents identified the home in Germany and gave particulars about the emigrant, his family, and his property. As there were rigid rules against emigrating, however, many people desiring to settle in America did not apply for letters of m.umission but slipped quietly away. Persistent and intelligent research often rewards the investigator even when direct eisdence is lacking. The distinguished Austri. genealogist, Karl Friedrich von Frank, F.A.S.G., while searching for the home of Erasmus Rosenberger who lived in Hanover Twp., Lancaster (now Lebanon) Co., Pa., front 1743 until his removal to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in 1776, had only a general statement front a ship list on which to work. But by a careful and systematic smrch Dr. von Frank learned that this emigrant came from Schlachtern, near Henan (later a part of Hessen-Kassel), and traced his ancestry back to the last quarter of the 17th century. See Francis Coleman Rosenberger, "Erasmus Rosenberger of Shenandoah County and His German Origins," The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, LXIII (January, 195/ ), 5447. The country, Imovrn in early medieval times as Hessen centered around the Fulda, Werra, Eder and Labia Rivers, forming part of the Frankish kingdom under the Merovingian monarchs and the Carolingian sovereigns. At the time of the Rilbenkam emigration to America, no principalities, disiniguished front each other by additional and hyphenated names, comprised Hessen and were part of the Holy Rom. Empire: Hessen-Kassel, Hessen-PhilMpsthal, Hessen-Rheinfels-Rotenburg, Hessen-Rheinfels-Wanfried, HessenDssmstadt, and Hessen-Homburg. All of these were ruled by branches of the ancient House of Brabant; their ruling princes were called landgraves and their territories were known as landgraviates. The political division called Hessen-Rheinfels-Wanfried, the ancestral home of the Riibenkams, was a dependency of the more powerful landgraviate of Hessen-Kassel. As described in 1695, Hessen was bounded by Westphalia on the north, Thuringia on the east, the Abbey of Fulda and the Wetterao on the south, and by the Duchy of Westphalia, the counties of Hatafeld and Wittgenstein, the Principality of Dillenburg, and the Countship of Sohn, on the West. See Jean-Baptiste d'Audiffret, Histoire et GeograPhie, Aneienne et Modern,,, III, 32-322, for a fuller account of the area. Today Hessen lies directly west of the Eastern Zone of Germany. Wanfried, just inside the Western Zone, lies on the east bank of the Werra River. In 1693 it became the capital of the small landgraviate of Hessen-Rheinfels-Wanfried. 85 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 86 parish of '07anfried. After the death of the Father in 1726 [1725], at Berleburg in the countship of Wittgenstein, the Mother with her 6 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters, emigrated to Pennsylvania, and on the 10 November 1737, Anna Katharina intermarried with me, Johannes Wiister, and departed this life on 17 May 1770, between 5 and 6 o'clock in the afternoon, aged 61 years, 2 months, and 6 days. She bore 5 children, of whom 3 still survive. We lived and dwelt together 32 years, 5 months and 21 days, and I cherish the hope that she died in peace and bliss, so must it be. Amen!' With the foregoing statement as a starting point, the present writer caused researches to be made in Germany a quarter of a century ago. Thanks to the interest and initiative of Kurt Holzapfel, Dipl. Ing., at Eschwege, Hessen; the late Dr. Carl Knetsch, Director of State Archives at Marburg; Fraulein Felice Rilbencamp of Dresden, Saxony; Karl Friedrich von Frank, F.A.S.G., of Austria; Kirchenrat (Church Councillor) Eduard Grimmell of Kassel, Germany, and others, the pre-American genealogy of the Rubincam-Revercomb family has been reconstructed and is supported by documentary evidence.' FRIEDRICH RfIBENKAM has heretofore been regarded as the first proved ancestor of the family. But in the fall of 1959 Kirchenrat Eduard Grimmell of Kassel discovered a clue to his parentage in the confirmation books of the Freiheitsgemeinde, a parish in the city of Kassel. The same record was examined early in 1961 by the writer's friend, John I. Coddington of Bordentown, New Jersey. The list of confirmations at Pentecost, 1609, included: Frolich, Herman Riibenkams S[ohn], 11 [Jahre alt].' Mr. Coddington reviewed this record with Kirchenrat Grimmell as well as with Dr. Eckardt G. Franz, the new director of the State Archives at Marburg, depository of the Kassel parish registers prior to 1750. They all agreed that Frolick or Frohlich, meaning "joyous" or "happy," was an error on the part of the officiating clergyman who evidently meant to write "Friedrich." Dr. Franz stated that FrOlich had not been given as a forename to a child since the Middle Ages. As the baptismal records of the Freiheitsgemeinde do not begin until 1600, neither Friedrich's birth nor his baptismal record are shown therein. But from his age at time of confirmation, it is evident he was born in or about 1598. Kirchenrat Grimmell and Mr. Coddington both state there can be no doubt that the 1609 record relates to the ancestor of the American family.' • This Bible record was coped by the late Miss Frances A. Wister and forwarded on 19 Dec. 1932, to Maj. Louis Ewell Fagan II, U.S.M.C., and by him transmitted to the writer 21 Aug. 1934. 5 See Archives of the Rubincans -Reverromb Family: German Documents, (1919)• collected by the author, copies of which are on his in most large libraries in the United States, including the Collect ons of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, hereinafter cited as GOP. ■ oKonfirmationen In Paso Pentecoste, 1609, Freiheitsgerneind. registers, I, 274, column 1, line 19. Hermann Rubenkam apparently had another son Jacob who was confirmed at Christmas, 1614, as Jacobe, Herman Ribonkams S[ohn] 13 [Jahr, all]. !bd., 284, column 1, line l• The Riebenkam Family of Hessen 87 Friedrich Riibenkam was apparently therefore about nineteen when he was matriculated at the University of Marburg, 3 December 1617. This is the oldest Protestant university, having been founded in 1527 by Landgrave Philipp the Magnanimous, of Hessen. Here, where Luther and Zwingli had disputed in 1529, Friedrich majored in theology under such distinguished Reformed (Calvinist) savants as Johannes Crocius, Raphael Egli, and Gregorius Schonfeld the Elder. His professor of Greek was Theodor Victor, and he studied Hebrew under Professor Johannes Molther the Elder.' He was graduated from Marburg in 1619 with the degree of Magister, equivalent to the English Master of Arts. He then served successively as a tutor in the noble families of Spede and von Hanstein at Frielingen, as assistant pastor at Niederaula, near Hersfeld from 1623 to 1626, in the latter year succeeding to the pastorate at Frielingen upon the death of the incumbent, Ludovicus Waldenberger. Probably it was at Frielingen that he married ANNA GERTRUD UNDERBERG, daughter of Nicolaus Underberg and his wife Anna Rickgans. The date of their marriage has not been determined, but the proof of Anna Gertrud's surname was found by Mr. Holzapfel in the Frielingen parish registers, wherein Rubencam himself wrote in 1632: Socer mesas Nicolaus Underberg obiit St 10bris, "My father-in-law, Nicolaus Underberg, died 5th 10th month [December]." Evidence relating to the Rickgans family was also unearthed by Mr. Holzapfel. In the Wdhrschaftsbuch, or Gerichtsbuch—in which the transfers of real estate are recorded—of the Court of Justice at Abterode," he found several documents, the earliest of which reads in abstracted form: 1651 Rickgansische Erben haben desvor ihre Miihle au Abterode gelegen, die Thommiihle genannt same der dazu gehorigen Wiese vnd Flecken Landes H. Johann Philips Arnoldten, Vogt zu Frankershausen verkauf t vor vnd umb 150 Thlr zu 32 alb. Demnach sich abet von gedachten Erben 4 Stemme beschweret ob wehre die miihle zu wohl- s Marburg, on the Lahn River, is somewhat more than 65 air-miles southwest of Wanfried, and 60 miles north of Frankfurt. It was the principal town of what was sometimes called the Principality of Lahn in Upper Hessen. For the names of the professors under whom the Rnbenkams studied at Marburg in the 17t1, century, see Frans Gundlach, ''Catalogus Professorum Acaderniae Marburgenns,” Publications of tbe Historical Commission for Hessen and Waldeck, XV (1927). o A former Benedictine abbey, the Abbey of Hersfeld is beautifully s:tuated on the Fulda at its confluence with the Geis and Haune Rivers, about 30 miles southwest of Wanfried. Frielingen, a village in the present Kreis Hersfeld about six miles southwest of Hersfeld, today has its post office at Kircheim. Niederaula is about three miles south of Kircheim. 3 0 Abterode, a village ill the present Kreis Eschwege, is about six miles northwest of Eschwege, the Kreirstadt, or chief town in the administrative subdivision called the Reds or circle. It approximates a county seat. Eschwege itself is about five miles west of R7anfried, down the Werra on the west bank, and about 26 miles southeast of K.'"d• The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 88 ONDEN KASSEL LL9NDORE EGE ANFR1ED USEN NSACHSEN ---. BOYNEBORG SONTRA 3 erh. ROTENBURG FELD FR KIRCHEIM VACS N1EDERAUL HOMELAND c OF THE ROBENKAM FAMILY OF HESSEN LDA AMU,' scpce MILES The Rfibenkam Family of Hessen 89 fell verkaufft, als in durch Unterhandlung der Obrigkeit die Sache is, Giite dahin' ver&hen worden, dos selbige 56 Thlr sum nachschuss von H. Vogten gegeben werden, worauf don die Erben die Wehrschaft geboten. Nicolas Gercke wegen Nicolas Unterbergs stamm Maria Sturnzin vor sich selbst Magnus Leunbach wegen Friedrich Lelmbachs stamen Hans Rudeloff wegen Johannis Curaei stamm Hanss Liinne wegen Simon Liken start= According to this document, it appears that the heirs of a family named Rickgans sold their mill-dam (wehre die miihle) at Abterode to Mr. Johann Philipp Arnolt, bailiff of Franckershausen, for 150 thalers. These heirs were divided into five branches , (1) Nicolaus Gercke, representing Nicolaus Underberg's branch; (2) Maria Stuntzin, representing her own branch; (3) Magnus Leimbach, representing Friedrich Leimbach's branch; (4) Hans Rudeloff, representing Johannes Cureaus' branch; and (5) Hanss Liinne, representing Simon Lober's branch. Another entry in the Wahrschaftsbuch, dated in 1669, to be noted later, shows that Nicolaus Gercke, wine-dealer, and wife Elisabeth were the heirs of Bernhard Rickgans, the possible father-in-law of Nicolaus Underberg. In addition, Mr. Holzapfel, searching the records of the Court of Justice at Bilstein, learned that among others subject to rent at Abterode, and living near to each other, were Nicolaus Underberg and Georg Rickgans, presumably a son of Mrnhard. Mr. Holzapfel also found in the burial records of the Abterode church that Elisabeth, widow of Nicolaus Gercke, wagoner, was buried 20 February 1677, aged 92 years: Elsa, Claus Gercke, Fuhrmanns relic/a, 92 Jahre alt." From these evidences, it appears that Bernhard Rickgans had six children: (1) Anna, wife of Nicolaus Underberg, who had at least two daughters, Elisabeth or Elsa, wife of Nicolaus Gercke, and Anna Gertrud, wife of Friedrich Riibenkam; (2) Maria, wife of a Stuntz; (3) a daughter, wife of Friedrich Leimbach, who had a son Magnus Leimbach; (4) a daughter, wife of Johannes Curaeus, who had a daughter, wife of Hans Rudeloff ; (5) a daughter, wife of Simon Lober, who had a daughter, wife of Hans Liinne; (6) a son Georg. However, this reconstruction of the family of Friedrich Riibenkam's wife is conjectural only, and must be supported by record evidence. Pastor Riibenkam and his family were caught in the whirlpool of the Thirty Years' War. By 1629 the Protestant cause, for which their hereditary ruler, Landgrave Wilhelm V, called The Constant, of Hessen-Kassel, 11 Mr. Holzapfel also found the following burial record in the Abterode church reg;sters: Heelwig, Elisabeth [lad bergs doebter, 10 Jahre all, "Hedwig, Elisabnh Undterlberes daughter, 10 years old." Theis connection with the family of Nicholas Underberg has not been determined. The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 90 and his heroic wife Amalia Elisabeth, were fighting, seemed lost. The Catholic forces, led by Emperor Ferndinand II, gained the ascendance. On 6 March 1629, the Emperor issued the famous Edict of Restitution, in which he ordered the restoration of all ecclesiastical properties secularized since the Peace of Passau (1552), and directed Protestants to surrender to Catholics all benefices which had been appropriated contrary to the provisions of that treaty. . . Hessen-Kassel was one of the Calvinist principalities at which the edict was aimed. Frielingen, under Riibenkam's pastoral care and situated within the territories of the historic Abbey of Hersfeld, consequently was seized by the enemy and placed under the rule of the Emperor's son, Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, who added the title of Abbot of Hersfeld to his many other ecclesiastical dignities. Riibenkam and his family took up their exile at Abterode, a few miles northwest of Eschwege. There the pastor spent two years in exile, and then a reversal of fortune carried him back to his parish chuch at Frielingen. Triumphantly he wrote in his church registers: 2do die 10bris Ann° 1631, postquam papistae tribus fere annis in Abbatia Hersfeldensi floruerunt, illustrissimus atque potentissitnus princeps WiLhelmus Hassiae Landgravius ibidem vi atque gladio jus suum obtinuit, nosque antea remotos pastores in pristinum quemlibet locum clementer restitui jussit, concionem primam habui dominica secunda adventus, facit deus ter opt. maximus ut omnia prospera ad nominis divini laudem atque ecclesiae salutem vergant. Fridericus Rubecam p. tempore pastor Frilingae. primo die ante nativit, Xi psalmos Davidis de Lobwasser canere incepimus initium facturn cum psalmo 130 de piofundis Ao. 1631. (On 2 December 1631, after the Papacy had ruled in the Abbey of Hersfeld for almost three years, the Most Illustrious and Powerful Prince Wilhelm, Landgrave of Hessen, took possession by force and with the sword, and commanded that we preachers who had been previously driven away should be graciously restored to our former places. I held the first divine service on the second Sunday in Advent. God, thrice great and thrice good, has brought it about that everything turned out happily for the praise of His divine name and for the glory of the Church. Friedrich Riibenkam, for the time being pastor at Filelingen. On the first Christmas Day 1631, we all began to sing Lobwasser's Psalms of David, and began with Psalm 130: Out of the depths.) 1. A year later in December 1632, his father-in-law Nicholas Underberg died at Frielingen, as noted above. The following 2 May 1633, Germans celebrated three days at Christmas, hence the "first Christmas Day" in 3635 was 24 December. Lobwasser was the author of a Hessian hymnal. The entry cited in the teat was translated from Latin into German by Kurt Holzapfel, and from German into English by Dr. Albert H. Gerbcrich of Bethesda, Mayland. The Riibenkam Family of Hessen 91 Underberg's widow was one of the two godmothers of a daughter of Pastor Rfibenkam, being referred to by him in the parish register as socra mea, "my mother-in-law." Later that year the Riibenkams removed from Frielingen to Herolz, in the bishopric of Fulda, where they remained until 163$ when a sudden invasion of Croatians drove them out with great loss." Once again they fled to Abterode. This year of 1635 was a tragic one for Pastor Rubenkam; in addition to the Croatian incursion, the plague swept the land and four members of his family succumbed to its ravages; Friedrich's little daughters Elisabeth and Anna Sibylla were both buried 5 October 1635; a certain Hans Caspar Riibecam, perhaps Friedrich's brother, was buried 30 October; and his mother-in-law, who had accompanied them on their flight, perished. The Abterode burial records show that on 14 October 1635 Anna, Claus Underbergs relicta was laid to rest. Friedrich remained at Abterode for about another year, and then accepted a call to the ruined town of Wichmannshausen, where he was installed on 22 October 1636 as pastor by Inspector Caspar Josephi of Allendorf. Wichmannshausen, on the Sontra River " with a present population of 731 inhabitants, in the seventeenth century was an estate of the von Boyneburg family, with which Pastor Rflbenkam's grandson, Johann Philipp, was to ally himself matrimonially. Just three years later on 9 September 1639, Friedrich became pastor of nearby Oetmannshausen," further up the river, where he passed the remainder of his life. The parish registers of the town do not commence until 1650, but the superintendent or bishop of his classis (ecclesiastical district), Johannes Hiitterodt, kept a separate record in which he recorded that "Herr Rubekamp" and one of his sons both died on 3 April 1647. It is not clear whether their deaths were due to enemy action or from the plague, but it is quite likely they succumbed to the latter. After Friedrich Riibenkam's death in 1647, his widow Anna Gertrud continued to live at Oetmannshausen. She was there in 1657 when her son Eaurentius entered the University of Marburg, but three years later in 1660 the family had evidently removed to Eschwege, for in the Marburg matriculation records of that year her son Andreas was described as Vi Herta, in the present Rreis Sehlilchtern, is less than two miles east of the town of Schhichtern on the Kinaig River, and about Sr miles south of Frielingen. In 1655 Croatia, today a part of Yugoslavia, was partially occupied by Turks. Western Croatia, however, belonged to the Emperor, and it was from this section of the Holy Roman Empire that Ferdinand II brought these fierce fighters. They were brutal and ruthless, ravaging and burning pitilessly wherever they went. 14 Th, Sontra is a tributary of the Werra River, joining it north of Eschvrege. Wichmannshemen j a about 10 miles upstream from the mouth of the Sonora. 15 oetmannshausen is barely three miles north of Wiclunannshausew 92 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine being from that place. Later the mother evidently returned to the town which had been her husband's last pastoral charge, for her burial record was found in the Oetmannshausen parish registers by the late Dr. Carl Knetsch: 1681 Gerdrut, Herrn Friderici Riibecams gewesen Pfarrers seeligen alhier relicta, den 11 Februarii, "1 6 8 1 Gertrud, widow of the deceased Mr. Friedrich Rilbecam, pastor at this very place, 11 February." Issue of Friedrich Rlibenkort and his wife Anna Gertrud Underberg: I. i. JOHANN GEORG ROBENKAM, b. ca. 1626; d. 6 December 1680, of whom further. ELISABETH RUBENKAM, b. ca. 1631; bur. at Abterode 5 October 1635, aged 4 years. ANNA SIBYLLA ROBENKAM, b. ca. 1632; bur. at Abterode 5 October 1635, aged 3 years. A daughter, whose name was not given in the baptismal record, was bapt. at Frielingen 2 May 1633; godparents: the wife of Junker Johann Rudolf Spede "and my mother-in-law," (atque socra Irma). This child might be identified with Anna Sibylla Riibenkam. iv. CHRISTOPH ROBENKAM. The only evidence pertaining to the existence of this member of the family is found in the baptismal record of his nephew Christoph, son of Otto Beck, the husband of Rubenkam's sister Anna Gertrud. v. A son, unnamed, who d. at Oetmannshausen 3 April 1647. 2. vi. LAURENTIUS ROBENKAM, d. 8 August 1681 at Eschwege, of whom further. 3. vii. ANDREAS ROBENKAM, b. ca. 1642; d. 3 March 1698, ancestor of the Pennsylvania family, of whom further. viii. ANNA GERTRUD ROBENKAM, b. at Oetmannshausen ca. 1644; conf. there at Easter, 1658, aged 14 years; bur. at Oetmannshausen 23 December 1732. She m. 1st, at the same place 15 October 1660, OTTO BECK, by whom she had issue, all bapt. at Oetmannshausen: 1. CHRISTOPH BECK, 19 February 1665; godfather: his uncle, Christoph Riibenkam. 2. JOHANN GEORG BECK, 24 February 1667; godfather: his uncle Johann Georg Riibenkam, Herr Rentmoister von Eschwege. Metric. at the University of Marburg 26 May 1696. 3..LAURENTIUS BECK, 11 July 1669; godfather: his uncle, Laurentms Riibenkam, pastor of Eschwege-Neustadt. Anna Gertrud (Rilbenkam) Beck m. 2nd, also at Oetmannshausen 1 March 1682, JOHANNES WIDITZ of Datterode, bur. at Oermannshausen 30 May 1696, by whom she had further issue: 4. CATHARINA JULIANA WIDITZ, bapt. at Oetmannshausen 19 February 1684; god* mother: her mother's sister-in-law, Catharines Juliana, Hems Andreas lidiliencansbs, Planer in der Neuenstadt so Eschwege, Hausfrau. 1. jOHANN GEORG ROBENKAM, eldest son of Friedrich and Anna Gertrud Riibenkam, was born about 1626, probably at Frielingtn. Nothing is known of his early life beyond the fact of his first marriage, at The Ritbenkam Family of Hessen 93 a date unknown, to JULIANA MARGARETHA STOCRRATH, baptized at Sontra 30 June 1633, the fifth child of Peter Stiickrath (1596-1672) and his wife Catharina Schleidt." In 1667, when he was recorded as the godfather of his nephew Johann Georg Beck, he held the position of Rentmeister, or tax collector, of Eschwege, and still occupied that position two years later when his son Johann Peter Rilbenkam entered the Hersfeld Gymnasium. At Rotenburg, 17 down the Fulda River from Hersfeld, on 26 March 1669 he borrowed 500 Reichsthalers in specie from Colonel Jost von Hundelshausen of Harmuthsachsen, for the use and on behalf of the Prince, presumably Landgrave Ernst of Hessen-Rheinfels. For the payment of this debt he pledged all of his property, wherever it might be or lie, with all of its benefits and privileges, as sureties naming not only himself but his mother, Gerdruth Rubekamin," and Elizabeth, wife of the late Claus Gercke. As securities he listed his house, farm, garden and barns, as well as his fields and meadows, specifically listing the following pieces of property owned by him: one acre of land behind the Freiheit; one acre of the old farms ticker alten Hoofe); one acre along the Kupferbach—literally Copper Brook, apparently the name of a brook at or near Abterode; one acre on the Kupfergasse, probably a lane leading to the Copper Brook; one acre uf der kalkrassen, and three-quarters of an acre on the Mittelberg, a hill near Abterode, together with all of his goods and chattels, movable and immovable. The document was drawn up before the Salzgraf Coriarius, Tax-Collector Hupfelt of Sooden, a court official named Surbicke, and two witnesses. The sum borrowed was to be repaid annually in installments of 25 Reichsthalers on St. Martin's Day (11 November), the notice thereof to be issued a quarter of a year in advance. The fact that Riibenkam named Elisabeth, widow of Claus Gercke, as one of his sureties is interesting, for it supports the theory advanced in the account of Pastor Riibenkam, that she was the sister of the pastor's wife, Anna Gertrud. After the death of his first wife, Johann Georg Rfibenkam married on 30 November 1675, ELIZABETH REXRODT, as his second wife. He died five years later on 6 December 1680, at which time he was Biirgermeister, or mayor, of Wanfried on the Werra. Protokolle der Rustler Regierung, CB-8, Band 54 (1672), 121, 738. According to Mr. Holzapfel the Protokolle ate abstracts of law suits and of judgements rendered on them. An entry under date of 15 May 1672, concerns a lawsuit over the estate of Peter Stuckrath, among whose hilts were die Kinder des Johann Georg Ribekarts *Id dessen verstorbenels Ehetrou. Rotenburg is down the Fulda, north of Hersfeld some 20 or more miles. 1.BIn German, feminine surnames are formed by adding the suffix "-in" to the masculine form of the family name. 94 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Issue of I. Johann Georg Rilbenkon and his 1st wife Juliana Margaret ha Stiickrath: i. FRIEDRICH RGBENKAM, conf. in 1674; d. at Eschwege 16 February 1676.3 JOHANN PETER ROBENRAM. In 1669 entered the third class of the Gymnasium at Hersfeld. 2° Issue of 1. Johann Georg Riibenkani by his 2nd wife Elisabeth Rexrodt: RUNEGTJNDA JULIANA ROBENRAM, b. at Wanfried 3 January 1677. iv. JOHANN PAUL ROBENKAM, b. 7 January 1679 at Wanfried, conf in 1694; d. at Eschwege 24 December 1738. Hem, let, at Eschwege 27 May 1711, ANNA GERTRUD BRILL, bapt. 31 August 1692; d. 13 April 1729, daughter of Martin Brill. Issue, all born at Eachwege: 1. JOHANN GEORG ROBENRAM, bapt. 16 July 1712; godfather: Mr. Carl Rilbenkam, steward at Vach. 2. MARTIN ROBENRAM, bapt. 7 February 1715; godfather: Mr. Martin Brill; d. 25 May 1715. 3. MARIA ELISABETH ROBENICAM, bapt. 15 April 1716; godmother: Mr. Martin Brill's daughter; m. 28 January 1742, JOHANNES REITZ, candidate in theology, son of Johann Adam Reitz, in the service of the school at Niddawitzhamen. 4 MARGARETHA ELISABETH ROBENRAM, bapt. 6 April 1718; godmother: Georg Gemeling's wife; m. 6 June 1741, as his 2nd wife, ERNST CONRAD FIEDLER, master of the Clothworkers' Guild at Eschwege, and ensign in the local military company.. 5. CATHARINA ELISABETH RGBENRAM, bapt. 7 September 1720; godmother: Lorentz Brill's wife; d. 8 December 1720. 6. CHRISTINA MARGARETHA ROBENRAM, bapt. 23 December 1721; godmother: the daughter of Hieronymus Dircks, pastor at EschwegeNeustadt; m. 13 June 1743, JOHANN WILHELM FRANCRE, judge at Biedenfeld. 7. ANNA ELISABETH ROBENRAM, bapt. 21 June 1724; godmother: the wife of Mr. Langhans of Kassel. The parish registers note that on 1 November 1729, a daughter, not named, of Johann Paul Riibenkam, died. 8. CATHARINA ELISA19 probably Johann Georg Rribenkamb son. His parentage is not stated in the recovered data from the Eschwege parish registers found by Mr Holzapfel, but this is the only place to which he can presently be assigned. 2O This, the only data at present for hint, is contained in a letter to the author front Frau Hildegard Schifer-Mafry, Eisenach, Thuringia, 21 March 1910. It is taken from the "Schillerverzeichnis des Hersfolder Gynumsium von 16334704," edited by Philipp Hefner in Die Stifternine, Zeitscbrift fiir Vorgarble:her, Geerbiebte, sad Hetwatrewhichk, No. If, 120. The entry for the year 1669 reads: SIC. Job. Peter Aillreocootre, quarto,* Estboage, fil. III, in trmslation stating that Johann Peter, son of the Relitmeister (Latin quontor) at Eschwege, entered the third class of the Gymnasium at Hominid. 51 13e. Erich Bartholomius, "Die Meister der Eschweger Tuchmmherzunft mit 1637," Henke& Footilienkondo Band 2, Heft 10 (December, 1953), colon. 365 The Ritbenkam Family of Hessen 9$ BETH ROBENKAM, bapt. 31 December 1726; godmother: Lorentz Brill's wife. 9. ANNA ELISABETH RCBENKAM, bapt. 29 December 1728; m. 13 November 1748, JOHANN PHILIPP SCHREIBER, merchant. 9. , CONRAD RCBENKAIVI, hope. 13 April 1729; godfather: Martin Brill's son; d. 17 September 1729. Johann Paul Rfibenkam m. 2nd, 26 April 1731, ANNA MARIA (BRILL) SCHUHMANN, daughter of Johann Georg Brill and widow of Johann Gottfried Schuhmann. Issue: 11. ANTON FRIEDRICH RUBENKAM, b. 31 March 1736; d. at HannoverischMiinden 29 November 1801; In. 20 June 1769; MARIE ELISABETH SELLING." v. KARL AUGUST ROBENKAM, bapt. at 'Wanfried 7 July 1681. A baker by occupation, he probably was steward of an estate at Kleinverb, near Allendorf, for in 1712 the godfather of his nephew Johann Georg Riibenkam (son of Johann Paul) was recorded as Herr Carl Riibenkam, steward at Vach. From 1742 to 1743 he was burgomaster of Wanfried, the same office held by his father?' The date of his death has not been found, nor has his wife's name been recovered. Issue credited to him in the Wanfried parish registers: I. JOHANN CHRISTIAN RCBENKAM, bapt. 26 April 1716; godfather: Christian Rohrbach of Sontra. 2. ANNA GERTRUD RCBENKAM, bapt. 1 June 1718; godmother: Johann Paul Rubenham's wife; d. 19 March 1720. 3. KUNEGUNDA JULIANA ROBENKAM, twin of the above, bapt. 1 June 1718; godmotht2r: her father's sister, Kunegunda Juliana Rilbenkam; m. 6 November 1742, JOHANN CHRISTOPH DANIEL 4. MARIA ELISABETH ROBENKAM, bapt. 17 February 1721; godmother: the wife of Johann Hermann Uckermann, wine dealer. 5. JOHANN HEINRICH RORENKAM, bapt. 3 November 1723; godfather: Johann Heinrich Hieronymus, Jr., baker. 6. MARIA CHRISTINA RO .BENKAM, m. 12 October 1752, THIMOTHEUS REXKODT. 2. LACRENTIUS ROBENICAM, third son of Friedrich Riibenkam and Anna Gertrud Underberg, was godfather at the baptism $ December 16$4 at Oetmannshausen of Laurentius, son of Philipp Preijs. As Laurent us Rubencam Othmanshusanus, he was matriculated 27 January 1657 at the University of Marburg. Here he studied under his father's old master, Johannes crocius, professor of theology, who died two years later; Sebastian Curnus (Kurtz), professor in ordinary of theology; Heinrich Duysing, professor in ordinary of Greek, and other Reformed scholars. 22 This couple are the ancestors of the late distinguished German chemist, Dr. Robert Gottfried Heinrich Rfibencamp (1858-1914), of Dresden, Saxony, and of his uncle Wilhelm Riibencamp who came to New York in the 1860's, married, and founded a family which still flourishes in the United States. Dr. Riibencamp's daughter, Friulein Felice Rilbencamp of Dresden, haa been most helpful and interested in the prosecution of our researches in German records. 20 Reinhold Strauss, in his Chronik der , Shull Wanfried (1908), 119, 12P erroneously calls him Ilabeson and Asibensant. 96 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine In 1665 Riibenkam became assistant pastor at Eschwege-Neustadt, i.e., the "new town" of Eschwege, as distinguished from the older section, Eschwege-Altstadt, and a year later was appointed pastor. In 1670 he became pastor at the latter place, and then in 1672 was elevated to the dignity of Metropolitan of Eschwege. This title is now known in German Protestant churches as "Superintendent "; it corresponds generally to "Bishop" in other denominations. The State Archives at Marburg possess a letter written by Laurentius Riibenkam, dated 4 May 1675, wherein he recommended Jacobus Methe as assistant to the latter's father-in-law, Johann Heysse, who was then pastor at Oetmannshausen." The Metropolitan's death took place at Eschwege 8 August 1681. Opposite this date appears the single entry in the parish register: H[erd M[agister] Laurentius Riibenkam,Metropolitanus. He married first, at Wanfried on 4 September 1666, ANNA GERTRUD MEISTERLINS (Meisterling) who died 9 January 1674. At Eschwege on 18 February 1675 he married second, CATHARINA MAGDALENA SCHREIBER, daughter of the princely Hessen-Rheinfels tax collector, Justus Heinrich Schreiber. She died 26 May 1694. Issue of 2. Laurentius Riibenkam and his 1st wife Anna Gertrud Meis- ter/ins: i. GUIDE ELISABETH ROBENRAM, bapt. 3 September 1667; godmother: the chief magistrate's wife; d. June, 1668. Issue of 2. Laurentius Riibenkam and his 2nd wife Catharina Magdalena Schreiber: CADTER MAGDALENA ROBENKAM, bapt. 2 December 1671; godmother: the wife of the princely Hessian tax collector, Justus Heinrich Schreiber; d. 5 August 1676. iii. JOHANN HEINRICH ROBENKAM, bapt. 10 December 1676; godfather: Mr. Johannes KrOschell, rector of Allendorf; conf. at Eschwege 1689. As Johannes Henricus Rubenkantbins Eschwegia-Hassus, was tnatr. at the High School at Herborn, Countship of NassauDillenburg, in 1692. 15 20 For full neon of the Metropolitan's letter on behalf of Methe see Artbives of tbe Rubintans-Revercomb Family, German Documents, op. cit., Note 5 above, 17. 25 Gottfried Zedler and Hans Sommer, Die Matriket der Hoben Sebute sind die Pardagogironss no Hem born (1908), 136. In 1693, with five other students at the High School, Johann Henricb Rabenkams von Esebwege aus Hessen co-authored a learned theological dissertation entitled Sebriftmissige tintersuebung der Send-Scbreiben on die sieben Gemeine in Asters, (Biblical Inquiry of the Epistles to the Seven Communities in Asia). The title-page of the work, a photostat of which is ha the author's collation, shows that the young authors stuhed under the famous Herborn professor, Dr. Heinrich Horche. The Nassauische Landabibliothek (Nassavian State Library) at Wiesbaden, Hessen. has an original copy of th hook. The lifibenkam Family of Hessen 97 iv. ANNA GERTRUD RUBENKAM, bapt. 1 May 1678; godmother: her paternal grandmother, the widow of the deceased pastor Friedrich Rilbenkam of Oetmannshausen; conf. at Eschwege in 1690. v. JUSTUS HEINRICH RUBENKAM, bapt. 27 August 1679; godfather: his maternal grandfather, Herr Rentmeister Justus Heinrich Shreiber; d. at Eschwege 11 January 1681. 4. ANDREAS RODEN/UM, fifth son of Friedrich Riibenkam and his wife Anna Gertrud Underberg, and ancestor of the Pennsylvania family, was born at Oetmannshausen about 1642. He was confirmed there at Easter, 1654, at the age of twelve years. Later the family removed to Eschwege, from which place on 5 May 1660 he was matriculated at the University of Marburg as a theological student under the name of Andreas Rubenkamm Esebwegensis. Nine years later on 7 June 1669, Andreas Rfibenkam married CATHARINA JULIANA Grzim who was born at Rotenburg about 1647, daughter of Pastor Balthasar Gleim and his wife Anna Margaretha Crollius. The Gleam ancestry of Andreas Rfibenkam's wife has been traced with certainty to one Jacob Glime who was born at Eschwege about 1530. He was a Lohgerbermeister or master tanner, and was recorded as a householder at Eschwege in 15 9 3. He had two sons, Curt Glime and Jacob Glime, the latter being an ancestor of the Hessian researcher, Kurt Holzapfel. Curt Gliem (Glime, Gleim), son of Jacob, was born about 1565. A master tanner also, he lived in a section of Eschwege called Bruhl, on a corner of the street called Flemmingsgasse. In 1606 his property was valued at 175 gulden. His son Hans Gleam, who followed in the family business of tanning, was born between 1590 and 1595. Before 1615 he married a girl named Anna Spilner; they were both dead before 1640. Of their seven children, Balthasar (Baltzer) Gleim was born at Eschwege about 24 September 1616. On 9 April 1635 he was matriculated as a theological student at the University of Kassel which had temporarily replaced the University of Marburg during the Thirty Years' War." He became rector of the Rotenburg School before 22 November 1646, when he was godfather to his nephew Balthasar, son of his brother Cyriacus Gleim. In July 1650, he was formally installed as pastor at Wanfried, on the Werra River, a position which he held at the time of his death a guarmEarly in the Thirty Years' War, Marburg was captured by the forces of the landgrave of HessenDarmstadt, Lutheran ally of the Emperor. Landgrave Wilhelm V of Hessen-Kassel promptly founded a university at Kassel which existed until 1653, when the University of Marburg was restored to the control of Hessen-L"'''' The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 98 ter of a century later. He was buried at Wanfried on 23 December 1675, aged 59 years, 12 weeks, 5 days." On 17 July 1644, Balthasar Gleim married at Eschwege Anna Margaretha Crollius, by whom he had three children: Catharina Juliana Gleim, who married Andreas Riibenkam; Philipp Gleim (1649 1694), graduate of the Universities of Marburg, Bremen, Hanau, Helmstadt and Erfurt, judge and councillor at the Rotenburg Chancery; and Johannes Gleim (1653 1697), a graduate of the University of Marburg, and pastor at Wanfried, as his father's successor, from 1676 until his own death.' The Crollius family first appears in the documents at Marburg in 1447 when Contz Krol (Konrad Krul) was recorded as a citizen in that famous town on the Lahn River. He died in 1455 or 1456. His son Henne (Heinrich) Kroll, citizen and woolenweaver at Marburg from 1455, was living as late as 1499. The latter's widow Cathrein (Krein, Crinchen) was still living in 1530. Their son Michel (Michael) Kroll, was living at Marburg in 1510 and 1514. His son Ebert (Eberhard) Kroll was a citizen and woolenweaver at Marburg from 1537. He was included in the Musterungsliste, or census of men of military age, in 1568. He died in 1585. Although Ebert's wife's name is unknown, the records of Marburg show that they had five children, of whom Matthaeus (Mebes, Mobus, Debes, Debus) Kroll was a citizen and woolenweaver at Marburg-Weidenhausen from 1586. In 1590 he paid Geschoss (account of municipal finances), was mentioned in a list of inhabitants in 1601, and in 1620 paid both Geschoss and Biirgerschilling (citizen-shilling, a tax). On 8 February 1620 Matthaeus Kroll sued the masters of the Weaver's Guild who sought to dispossess him of his market-stand. He was living as late as 1632. His wife's name was Elisabeth. Of their six children, Jacob Kroll, landlord of the inn zum Adler (At the Sign of the Eagle) at Marburg in 1618, married Maygarethe Ruppersberg, by whom he had seven children. Of these, Heinrich Kroll, pastor of Breitenbach, was ancestor of a line of Hessian clergymen, and Burkhard Kroll was mentioned in 1645 as a cavalryman and saddler in the army of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar. Johannes Kroll, another son of Matthaeus and Elisabeth, was born at - - Marburg in September 1599, and was confirmed there 16 April 1615. 27 Th, gennlogy of the Gleiro family was reconstnscted from oriAinal sources by Kurt Holrapfel, and published in 1957 by the author of thu article in a short mimeograP r.d paper, Tbe Famiry of Balthasar Glans of Eselmege. 28 Sketches of Philipp and Johannes Gleirn ere in Friedrich Wilhelm Strieder, Grundlage einer bessheben Gelehrten stud Schell tstellet Gesebiehte seit der Reformatiou ho auf gegenudetige Trite, Band IV (1784), 424-427' m66A3p6 _ , •• _ _ ESCHWEGE BEFORE THE GREAT FIRE OF 161 From E5rInvege: Wevtriser durrb Kreis und Vat 0959) The Riibenkam Family of Hessen 99 He was educated at Marburg and received his master's degree there in 1617. After holding school positions at Langenschwalbach and Nordenstadt, he became rector of the Eschwege School in 1629, and then assistant pastor at Eschwege-Neustadt in 1632. He was dean (bishop) and court preacher at Rotenburg from 1634 to 1653, and in the latter year became Metropolitan of Hersfeld. He was also rector of the Hersfeld Gymnasium (classical school). In 1656 Crollius, who had Latinized the name of Kroll in keeping with the custom of the times, was associated with Johannes Hiitterodt, Metropolitan of Eschwege, in drawing up the school regulations of Landgrave Wilhelm VI of Hessen-Kassel. Two years later he became ill and never fully recovered, and in the summer of 1660 resigned the rectorship of the Gymnasium. He died at Hersfeld 19 October 1669, and was buried in coemiterio inferiore (vulgo Frauenberg), or the cemetery commonly called Frauenberg, no doubt on the hill of that name located outside the town of Hersfeld. In 1619, after banns had been proclaimed on 13, 20 and 27 June, Johannes Cronies married Catharina Geiter, daughter of Benedictus Geiter of Breithard in the Taunus Mountains, Countship of Nassau-Weilburg. She was buried at Wanfried on 28 January 1681, aged 84 years. They had seven children: Philipp Thomas Cronies, a Rotenburg attorney; Anna Margaretha Cronies, wife of Pastor Balthasar Gleim and mother of Catharina Juliana (Gleim) Riibenkam; Wilhelm Jost Cronies, captain of Hessian militia, member of the town council, and five times mayor of Hersfeld (d. 1684) ; Johannes Cronies, 11 (1631-1696), Metropolitan of Sontra and ancestor of the late Dr. Carl Knetsch; Anna Catharina Crollies, wife of Mag. Johann Bernhard Wile (Willies), deacon at Hersfeld; a son born in 1636, died in 1637; and Johannes Laurentius Cronies (1641-1709), an eminent scholar, doctor of theology, rector of the University of Heidelberg (1692-1693), and rector of the University of Marburg in 1699.2° Andreas Riibenkam, affiliated through his marriage to Catharina Juliana Gleim, with this Cronies family, became assistant pastor at Eschwege-Neustadt, succeeding his brother Laurentius as pastor there in 1672 upon the latter's elevation to the Metropolitanate. Andreas' home on the market place (Marktplatz) is still standing; a snapshot of it is in the present writer's archives, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Holzapfel. He has also generously donated to the writer the signature portion of an original document dated at Eschwege 12 March 1680. The signatures are those of 28 Dr. Carl Roma, .Die Familia Cronin. Ein hessisches Theologengeschlecht," Nachrichten der Gesellschaft fir Familienkune ho Kstrbessen stnd Waldeck, 13. Jahrgang (August, 1938), 49-61; Milton Rubincam, Hmsian Pedigree: CroBlue of Marburg, Ancestral Line of Many American Families,. The Annie.,, Genealogist, XXVI (April, 1945), 225-234; additmnal ioformatmo Pro ,nled in rec.. Years by Carl Friedrich 9 °. Frank. 100 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Dr. Hieronymus Wetzell, Superintendent; Georg Heiderich Heilman, Amtmann (magistrate) ; M[agister] Laurentius Riibenkam, Metropolitan send Pfarrer der Altstadt; Andreas Riibenkam, Pfarrer der Neustadt; M [agister] Michael Wiskemann, deacon of Eschwege-Altstadt; Justus Heinrich Schreibfir, Rentmeister, father-in-law of Laurentius Riibenkam; Johann Emerich Schreiber, Rentschreiber, or treasury clerk; Johannes Holzapfel, Bfirgermeister, an ancestor of Kurt Holzapfel; and Johannes Glime (Gleim), Burgermeister. The main portion of the document, which is in Mr. Holzapfel's private collection, deals with the settling of the church accounts in the classis of Eschwege. From these accounts it appears that the above-named gentlemen did not confine themselves entirely to business, for the records show that they consumed "quantities of wine." A convivial time must have been had by all! Pastor Andreas Riibenkam died eighteen years later on 3 March 1698, at Eschwege, and was buried 9 March 1698. His widow Catharina Juliana survived him nearly a quarter of a century, dying at Eschwege 22 November 1722. Issue of 3. Andreas Rfibenkam and his wife Catharina Juliana Gleim: 4. i. JOHANN PHILIP? ROBENKAM, b. 20 April 1670; bur. 25 February 1725, of whom further. ii. JOHANN FRIEDRICH ROBENKAM, b. at Woof tied 25 January 1672; d. at Eschwege 10 July 1739. Matr. at the University of Marburg 13 November 1688. Rector of the Eschwege School. iii. ANNA MARGARETHA ROBENRAM, b. at Eschwege 4 November 1673; conf, there in 1686; m. 1 June 1699, HIERONYMUS WIGARD (Weychardus, Weichard) DIRCKS (Dirksen), bapt. at Eschwege 7 March 1664, son of Friedrich Dirksen a° and his wife Catharina Elisabeth Behrmann (Barmann) ; bur. at Eschwege 14 October 1727. Matr. at the UniversIty of Marburg in 1683, became a teacher in the Eschwege School in 1691, and was chosen Konrector of the school in 1697. He was assistant pastor at Eschwege from 1692, and pastor from 1706 until his death. He was the editor of at least two theological works.. Issue, all born at Eschwegm 1. ERNST ANDREAS DIRCKS, b. 11 March 1700; godfather: Herr Cappellan Andreas Knobel. Matr. at the University of Marburg in 1716. Was a lawyer at Eschwege. 2. CATHARINA MARGARETHA DIRCKS, b. 2 February 1702; d. at Berlin, Prussia, 11 July 1770; m. as his 2nd wife on 28 August 1725, JOHANN PHILIP? His family was originally from Brabant, now a Belgian province. Friedrich, of the fourth generation, was born at Bremen, b., settled at Eschwege where he married in 1662. He held the office of burgomaster of Eschwege. See Strieder, op. tit., Note 25 above, III (1783)• for sketch of Hieronymus Wigard Dircks. The Riibenkam Family of Hessen 101 FIEINIUS (Hein), b. at Kassel 6 January 1688; d. a Berlin 8 August 1775, aged 87." 3. ERNST LUDWIG DIRCKS, b. 27 February 1704; godfather: Jacob Ernst Bodo. Served as a lieutenant in the army; later was a merchant at Bremen. 4. PHILIPP WILHELM DIRCKS, b. 31 August 1706; godfather: Pastor Johann Philipp Riebekam (Riibenkam), his uncle; mate, at the University of Marburg in 1724. 5. JOHANNA CATHARINA D1RCKS, b. 21 March 1709; godmother: her father's sister, Anna Catharina, wife of Burgomaster Johannes Goddefahrt of Witzenhausen. 6. JOHANN FRIEDRICH DIRCKS, b. 20 September 1712; godfather: Superintendent von Haxthausen of Allendorfl tn. 28 October 1743, CATHARINA ELISABETH KALCKHOF, daughter of the apothecary, Joh. Heinrich Kalckhof. Was a lawyer by profession. 7. CATHARINA ELISABETH D1RCKS, d. or bur. 9 September 1718. Her birth or baptismal dates are not stated, but her paternal grandmother, Catharina Elisabeth Birmarmin, was her godmother. iv. CATHARINA ELISABETH ROBENKAM, b. at Eschwege 10 March 1676; d. there 2 June 1676. v. JOHANN ANDREAS ROBENKAM, b. at Eschwege 10 May 1677; conf. 1691; mate. at Marburg 9 June 1696; tn. 23 April 1710, CATHARINA ELISABETH LoBER. No further record recovered. vi. MICHAEL WILHELM RUBENKAM, b. at Eschwege 19 August 1680; conf. 1694; d. there 18 December 1734. Matr. at the University of Marburg 19 September 1696. vii. MARIA JULIANA ROBENKAM, b. at Eschwege 25 June 1684; d. there 5 July 1684. Ira JOHANN KARL ROBENKAM, b. at Eschwege 11 July 1686; d. there 19 April 1738. ix. JOHANN GEORG PETER RUBENKAM, b. at Eschwege 29 July, Inapt. 7 December 1689; d. there 21 February 1766. 82 Johann Philipp Heinius studied at the Schmalkalden Gymnasium and the University of Bremen, and became, professor at the University of Halle in 1712. He was awarded the degree of donor of theology by the University of Frankfurt/Oder, and early M 1730 took up new duties as rector of the Joachimsthal Gymnasium at Berlin. He was elated a member of the Royal Amademy of Sciences (Afinigliche Akademie der Wissenschaften) at Berlin, 19 Apr. 1732. A member of the Historico-Philologico-Ecclesiastico-Oriental Class of the Academy, in 1744 he was appointed dirator of the newly-created Clan of Philosophy. When he celebrated his jubilee as professor in 1762 a Latin ode was composed in his honor by a colleague. The following year he was honored by a long audience with Frederick the Great, Ring of Prussia, which touched on a variety of tomes of mutual interest. His writings were not numerous. Hi, Latin dinertations before the Royal Academy of Sciences were translated into French and published in the Memoirs of the Academy. He retired as rector from the Joachminsthal Gymnasium at 81, and lived quietly until his death. His first wife, whom he married in 1719, was a Fraulein Heiden who did not long survive the marriage. At present it is not known if Dr. Heinius had issue by her, but he is known to have had children by his second wife, Catharine Margaretha Dirties; One of his sons by her, Johann PhiliPp Heinius, was professor at Wader Gymnasium, and a daughter, CarolMe Philippine Heinius (1738-1763) married in 1754 at the age of 16, as the 2nd of his four wivn, Johann Friedrich Chasm, Rirchen-und Dontrai (Church and Cathedral Councillor) of Berlin. Samuel Penney, .tloge de M. Heinius," Nouveaux Mlmoires de PAcaddmie Royale des Sciences el Belles-Leteres, Annie MOCCLXXVI 11776), 62-67; Adolf Maack, Geschichte der Roniglich-Prnissischen Akademie der 07issenschaf ten zu Berlin, Band III, 121; information from Karl Friedrich 000 Frank. The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 102 eldest SOH of 3. Andreas and Catharina Juliana (Gleim) Rfibenkam, was born at Wanfried 20 April 1670. He is of special interest, for he was the last German ancestor of the Rubincam-Revercomb family. At the time of his birth there were living three grandparents: Anna Gertrud (Underberg) Riibenkam, widow of Friedrich; Pastor Balthasar Gleim of Wanfried and his wife Anna Margaretha Crollius; and one great-grandmother, Catharina (Geiter) Crollius, widow of the Metropolitan of Hersfeld, Johannes Crollius. His godfathers were his two uncles, Johannes and Philipp Gleim. Under the name of Johannes Philip pus Rubencammius EschwegaHassus, he was matriculated at the University of Marburg on 25 April 1687. His professors included Dr. Samuel Andreae, second professor in ordinary of theology; " Dr. Heinrich Duysing, third professor in ordinary of theology from 1685, then second and finally first professor in ordinary of theology, 1687; Thomas Gautier, founder of the French community at Marburg and fourth professor in ordinary of theology; Johannes May (Majus), professor of Greek and poesy, and of Oriental languages (except Hebrew) ; Maximilian Percelli, professor of eloquence and history, including profane and church history; " and Dr. Philipp Johann Tileman genannt (called, surnamed) Schenk, who became third professor in ordinary of theology in 1687, the year Rilbenkam entered the university. An explanation of the titles of Riibenkam's masters is in order. The "first professor in ordinary" lectured on the New Testament, the second on the Old Testament, the third on Loci communes and the conf essio Augustana, and the fourth on the historical books of the Old Testament, Hebrew and Oriental languages." These "professors in ordinary" were the regular professors who were entitled to take an active part in the administration of the university, and from among whom the rectors of the institution were chosen. "Professors in extraordinary" were not full ranking professors, and could not help to administer the university. The courses in "Systematic Theology," as they were called, included such sub4. JOHANN PHILIPP RUBENICAM, " Dr. Samuel Andreae no1 the cousin of an ancestor of the late distinguished authority on the old families of New Netherland, William 3. Hoffman, F.A.S.G. FOBS., 84 Maximilian Yemeni, under whom Riibenkam studied church history, had an unusual career. He bad formerly been a Catholic monk at Pressburg, and at one time was Italian and LatM secretary to the Bishop of Veinal in Hungary. Converted to Calvinism at Zurich, he came to Marburg as a lecturer in philosophy in 1677 was appointed professor of practical philosophy (ethics and politics) in 1681, and from 1684 to 1694 held the Chair of Eloquence and History, including profane and church history. From 1694 until his death in 1703 he taught profane history only. 85 Gundlach, op. zit., Note S above, Si. The Riibenkam Family of Hessen 103 jects as dogma, Christian ethics, refutation of adversaries' errors, polemics, or the art of controversy, and theological disputes." The whereabouts of Johann Philipp Riibenkam after his graduation from Marburg, presumably about 1690, have thus far not been ascertained. But in 1692 his ruler, Landgrave Ernst of Hessen-Rheinfels, granted him the expectancy (succession) to the parish of Wanfried, then held by his uncle Johannes Gleim. In 1693 Landgrave Ernst died and was succeeded jointly by his two sons, Landgrave Wilhelm the Elder, at Rotenburg, and Landgrave Carl at Wanfried, who confirmed the expectancy. Pastor Glom died in 1697, and on 16 October of that year young Riibenkam at Wanfried addressed a petition to Landgrave Carl, whom he saluted as "Most Serene Prince, Most Gracious Prince and Lord." He reminded the landgrave of the expectancy granted to him and requested him to present his name to the Consistory at Kassel. "As Your Serene Highness may order as you choose in this matter," he concluded, "I have the utmost confidence that my petition will not be in vain and that just as you have favored me in the past you will now assist me to take the place of my deceased cousin [sic! uncle] which great favor I will, during all my lifetime, repay by my great respect and sense of duty toward you and your Princely House." On 6 November 1697 Landgrave Carl, then in Vienna, formally approved the young minister's application. Landgrave Wilhelm, as coruler, also signified his willingness that Riibenkam should have the Wanfried parish. After the Hessen-Rheinfels Chancery, on 10 November, interposed no objection, the candidate's name was forwarded to the Consistory, and on 16 January 1698 Johann Philipp Riibenkam was officially installed as pastor of Wanfried. The following year on 19 July 1699 at Reichensachsen, about four miles southwest of Eschwege, Johann Philipp Riibenkam married a 15 year old girl, MARGARETHA CATHARINA SARTORIUS. She was baptized at Reichensachsen 26 February 1684, and was the younger, and eventually only surviving daughter of Matthias Sartorius, pastor at Wichmannshausen—where Johann Philipp's grandfather Friedrich Riibenkam had officiated between 1636 and 1639 and Sartorius's nobly born wife, Anna Juliana von Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein. Dr. von. Frank, who has done much work on the von Boyneburg family, informed the author that in those days, when a man attained the ministry, he was elevated to a social position "nearly equal to nobility," and therefore was eligible for se Ibid., 11. - - — The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 104 the hand of a nobleman's daughter." Otherwise the caste system was rigidly enforced. Little is known about Pastor Sartorius. His name is the Latinized version of the German Schneider, meaning "tailor." When he was matriculated at the University of Marburg 24 March 1664, he was described as being "from Sontra" in Hessen-Kassel. He was already pastor at Wichmannshausen on 14 October 1680 when he married at Reichensachsen Anna Juliana von Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein. Two years later he was an unsuccessful candidate for the pastorate at Datterode. Some time during this period he added to his duties those of pastor of Hoheneiche, a nearby village. He died some time between Easter, 1694, when he was too ill to officiate at the confirmations held at that time, and 8 July 1694, when his successor was installed. His daughter was confirmed the following Easter, 1695, the record reading: Margaret ha Catharina Sartorin, Ehren M. Mat hsae Sartorii [gewesener] P farrers zu Wichmanshausen,Tochter. If nothing is known about Sartorius's background, the same is not true for the antecedents of his wife. The House of Boyneburg " was one of the most powerful feudal families of Hessen; its annals extend back to the beginning of the twelfth century." It threw out many branches, some of which are now extinct in the male lines, including the Boyneburg genarmt Hohenstein branch to which Anna Juliana belonged which had been seated at Reichensachsen since the close of the fourteenth century." Anna Juliana's grandfather, Jost von Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein (1554 1619)," was a lieutenant-colonel in the army of Hessen-Kassel. - 8, The writer has collected a number of other cases in which 16th and 176 century clergymen of humble stock took their wiva from noble families, II. The history of this family will be pmsemed in detail by the author in a mimeographed monograph, Tbe Howe of Boyneburg, upon completion of Mr. Coddington's researches in Gennanr 89 Baron Bo dolf von Buttlar-Elberberg, in his Stansmburb der eltbessitebers Rittenebaft (1888), states in his von Boymburg tabla, photostats of which are in the writer's collations, that according to Albraht Freiherr von Boineburg an Lengsfeld, the family was descmded in the male line from Otto, Count of Nordheim end Duke of Bavaria in the I Ith century, but this claim has not ban proved satisfactorily. It is known, however, that the Nordheim counts did build and own Boyneburg castle, so that the claim is persuasive, at least. 4, During the minority of Landgrave Philipp the Magnanimous, in the 16th century, Ludwig von Boyneburg was one of the ten regents of Hessen. In the following century, Baron Johann Christian von Boyneburg was one of the leading German statesmen and a friend of the philosopher, Leibnitz. For eight centuries the castle of Boyneburg, near Wichmannshausen, has been in the possession of this family the present head of which, Kurt von Boyneburgk, has most graciously provided the author with pictures and Information about the ancient fortress, once a favorite residence of Emperor Fredenck I, called Barbarossa. The last male representative of the Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein branch was Johann Carl Dietrich von Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein (1729-1792), chief marshal at the court of Landgrave Friedrich II of Hessen-Kassel, the prince whose troops fought for England during the Revolutionary War. w His father Jost von Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein, who died in 1589, was co-owner of Elberberg Castle in Kreis Frialar, Hessen. Married three tima, he had sons by his first two wives: Catharine von Bottler, mother of Jost, the younger, and a woman surnamed von Falken-liiihrde. The Riibenkam Family of Hessen 105 Married three times, by his second wife Anna von Hanstein-Bornhagen, he had a son Curt Leopold von Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein " who was born in 1609 and died at Reichensachsen 18 December 1673, aged 64 years, 4 months. About 1629 or 1630 he married his first cousin once removed, Sabine Sibylle von Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein," born in 1611, who died, also at Reichensachsen, 28 March 1674, aged 63 years 3 weeks. They had at least three sons and four daughters, the youngest of whom was Anna Juliana, born at Reichensachsen in 1646, who married the above-noted Pastor Matthias Sartorius in 1680. After Sartorius's death and the marriage in 1699 of their daughter Margaretha Catharina Sartorius to Pastor Johann Philipp Rilb;mkam, the Widow Sartorius went to live with the Riibenkams at W'anfried, east of the Werra River. There she died and was buried 1 February 1703. The entry in the Wanfried parish register, written by her son-in-law, conclusively identifies her as a member of the great von Boyneburg family: Den 1 Februarii ist weiland H. Magistri Matthiae Sartorii gewesener Pfarrer zu Wichmannshausen und Hoheneiche nachgelassene Wittib Frau Anna Juliana geborene von BOneburg genant von Hohnstein zu Relchensachsen allheir begraben und alt wor.. den 57 Jahre weniger 3 Monate. (1 February [1703] The widow of the late Herr Magister Matthias Sartorius, formerly pastor at Wichmannslaausen and Hoheneiche, Mrs. Anna Juliana, born von Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein, of Relchensachsen, is buried m this very place, aged 17 years less 3 months.) Little more is known of Johann Philipp Riibenkam's pastoral activities. On 31 August 1706, he was godfather to his nephew Philipp 'Wilhelm Dirksen, son of Pastor Hieronymus Wigard Dirksen and his wife Anna Margaretha Riibenkam. When in 1708 the town government of Wanfried issued a decree forbidding the use of snuff, in church," Johann Philipp Riibenkam may have had something to do with the issuance of .2 Curt Leopold had an elder brother Adam who was the ancestor, in the female line, of the von Baumbach family which settled in Milwaukee about the middle of the 19th century; of a branch of the von Eschwege family which came to New York, and of Heintz von Eschwege, the present owner of the Rekhensachsen estate, who has contributed much information on the vast Boyneburgs of Reichensachsen. 4, She was the dmghter of Jost Christoph von Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein and his wife Sabin*, daughter of Colonel Otto Georg von Scholley (1525/26-15113), commandant of she Kassel fortress. The latter was a son of Colonel Hennmg von Scholley, chamberlain to Landgrave Philipp the Magnanimous. A Brandenburger by birth, Col. v. Scholley had migrated to Hessen early in the 16th century and was present at the famous Diet of Worms in 1521, when Martin Luther defended himself against Emperor Charles V and the greatest princes and prelates of Germany. Jost Christoph von Boyneburg genanm Hohenstein was a son of Philipp von Boyneburg genannt Hohenstein (b. 5556) and his wife Christine von Kochberg, and a grandson of the elder Jost von Boyneburs genannt Hohenstein by his second wife, surnamed von Falken-Rohrda. 64 Strauss, of cit.. Note 23 above, 103, "Verordnung welch, des Tabakschnupfen in der Linke 'Verboten wurde." 106 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine the edict; consider how disconcerting it must have been to a preacher to have his congregation continually sneezing! Be that as it may, Pastor Riibenkam administered to the spiritual needs of the Wanfrieders for nearly nineteen years. Toward the close of this period his health is said to have been undermined by overwork and his strict attention to duty. That at least is the statement made in a letter to the Hessen-Rheinfels Chancery at Rotenburg, dated 2 April 1716, by Landgrave Wilhelm the Younger, who had succeeded his father, Landgrave Carl, in 1711, and was now ruling jointly with his uncle, Land grave Wilhelm the Elder. As Riibenkam's "recovery and convalescence are despaired of by all persons," the younger Wilhelm recommended as his successor one Georg Crause, then pastor at Dippach, in Kreis Bacharach in the Palatinate, who was a brother of his Highness's Chancellor Crause. It appears, however, that an awkward situation had developed and that Rfibenkam's illness may have been a "diplomatic" ailment, proposed as a smooth way to ease him out of his office. Under the terms of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, the state religion of Hessen-Rheinfels had become the Reformed or Calvinist faith. All other religions were outlawed in the principality. The ruling family had turned Roman Catholic, but even so, they were required to defend Calvinism as the state church. But Johann Philipp Riibenkam, it seems, had come to the conclusion that the progressive faith known as Pietism, founded in 1670 by Philipp Jakob Spener, was superior to the strait-laced, dogmatic principles expounded by the Reformed Church. This we gather from Land grave Wilhelm the Elder's stern letter to the Chancery on 7 December 1716: We have been reliably informed that the present Pastor Riibekam at Wanfried, after many remonstrances and exhortations, still refuses to conform to the Reformed religion as introduced into Hessen; that the Kassel Consistory has proceeded to remove the said pastor from his office, and at the same time, since his parochial office should not be vacant long, and it is Our duty to make the nomination, and our noble and friendly Cousin [sic! nephew] Landgrave Wilhelm the Younger desires that We nominate Georg Crause, brother of his Chancellor Crause, who is now pastor at Dippach in Keels Bacharach in the Electoral Palatinate, We, therefore, give Our consent thereto. .. . Much excitement was evidently caused by the situation at Wanfried, for there was at least one other candidate, besides Crause, for the job. Deacon Johann Christoph Lautermann, of Rotenburg, informed the Chancery in an undated letter that he had "received a reliable message from Kassel stating that the pastor of Wanfried, Riibenkam, has been removed from office because of his heterodoxy and great corruption, and that yesterday, being Sunday, he preached his last sermon." Lautermann The Riibenkam Family of Hessen 107 then produced a rescript from Landgrave Wilhelm the Elder promising Lautermann the expectancy of the Wanfried parish; one can imagine the good deacon rolling his eyes heavenward as he piously and virtuously informed the Chancery that "... I have .. . so lived and conducted myself that I hope no complaint can be made against me." A month later there was still uncertainty about Riibenkam's case. The Rotenburg Chancery wrote to the Kassel Consistory on 16 January 1717, "It has been announced that Pastor Ruebencamm of Wanfried has left the service and would be degraded. However, we have not yet received any notification and have no certainty of this occurrence." Riibenkam's departure from Wanfried, however, could not have taken place later than January. He and his family moved westward, taking up their exile at Berleburg, on the Eder River, in the little neighboring state of Sayn-Wittgenstem-Berleburg, whose ruler, Count Casimir, was friendly to Pietists. There he died and was buried 25 February 1725. The church registers of the Evangelical Reformed community at Berleburg contain the record: Anno 1725 d. 25ten Februarii ist alhier in der Stille begraben worden H. [err] Ruben/tam, gewesener Prediger zu Wannfried in Hessen. Margaretha Catharina (Sartorius) Rilbenkam remained in Berleburg with her children for well over a year after, her husband's death. Then in the fall of 1726 with the children she joined a group of Wittgenstein emigrants going to Rotterdam, whence they sailed for England and finally for America. They landed in Philadelphia 2 December 1726." The Riibenkams settled in Bristol Township, Philadelphia County, where Margaretha Catharina died before 13 May 1727, when letters of administration on the estate of Margaret Catherine Riebakamen were granted to her eldest son "Frederick Wm Riebakam." " The inventory of her estate was made 12 June 1727 by three appraisers, two of whose signatures are indistinct: L— Holzapple Y— C—, and John George. Fifty-two items were listed, including cash, wearing apparel, "a old Red Cow," "a Brindle Cow & Calf," "a Red Cow with brownish head," a saddle and bridle, iron hopples, a harrow with wooden tines, an iron stove, a black walnut table, seven "chears," a pewter dish, two pewter dishes and a basin, "a dozen & a half of plates," "a dozen & a half of spoons," "a little still" (nothing like home-made whiskey!) , copper 45 Information froro Donald IL Durnbaugh, Instructor in History, Juniata College, Huntington, Pennsylvania, 1 Much 1959. See also article, "Johann Adam Gruber, Pennsylvania-Curman Prophet and Poet: . The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, LXXXIII (1959), 382, hereinafter cited as PMHB. f Estate of Margaretha Catharina RI:Menke= Philadelphia Adminutration Book C, 80, #680727. Wills, achninistr'tions and deeds cited hereinafter '`` Philadelphia records, unless otherwiu noted. 108 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine kettles and teapots, two looking glasses, "a feather bed & billow case," a gun, four earthen mugs, eight drinking glasses, and "3 Window Curtains & other linen." Issue of 4. Johann Philipp Riibenkain and his wife Margaretha Catharina Sartorius: as FRIEDRICH WILHELM ROBENKAM, b. ca. 1700-1702; d. in Bristol Township, apparently unmarried and without issue, before 7 August 1736 when letters of administratitm on his estate were granted to his brother Justus Itiibenkam... CATHARINA JULIANA ROBENKAM, hops. 4 October 1703; godmother: Catharina Agneta Crollius, daughter of the deceased Metropolitan of Sontra, Johannes Crollius II; bur. Upper Germantown burying ground 16 February 1774; m. 1st, at First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, 24 9m (November) 1727, JACOB COLLIDAY (Gallade, Galathe, Gollery, Colladay), b. ca. 1706; d. int. before 25 October 1750, when letters of administration on his estate were granted to his widow "Julianne Gallade." 49 Issue: 1. MARGRET CATHAR1NA COLLIDAY, b. 23 September 1728; d. young. 2. ANNA MARIA MAGDALENA COLLIDAY, b. 23 April 1731; d. 6 August 1764, aged 33; m. 7 November 1748, JOHN MELCHIOR MENG, b. 10 April 1726; d. 13 October 1812, bur. Germantown German Reformed churchyard.° 3. JACOB COLLIDAY. b. 15 April 1733; m. 8 April 1756, FRONICA WALTER. A wheelwright by trade, he was of Baltimore, Maryland in 1763." 4. CATHARINE COLLIDAY, b. 30 May 1735; m. by license dated 5 October 1763, BALTES RESER (Racer) who was bur. 23 12m (December) 1773, in Germantown Friends' 48 See Rubincam Family Papers, III, V, in (ISP for extended genealogies of their descendants, and transcripts of documents (1446-1947) relating to them. The author is indebted to Hannah Benner Roach for additional supplemental data included below. 48 55 of Frederick William Rilbenkamt Administration Book C, 328, #351736. 48 Estate of Jacob Gonda: Administration Book F, 334, #27:1750. Jacob Colliday "was a Burger's Son of Manheim in Hal. (a place to called) and came to this Country with his hfother very young ... his Father died crossing the Ocean," according to Blasius Daniel Mackinet. See Note 55, below. "Maria Galete, aid., 38; Sarah Margaret, 7; Jacob, 4," ace noted in the "List of Palatines Remaining at New York, 1710," in E. B. O'Callaghan, The Docurneystary History of the State of New York (Albany, 1860), Ill, 565. "Melchior Meng, son of John Christopher Meng and wife Anna c.o.d.. Bauman of Germantown, m. Ind, at Germantown German Reformed Church 22 Nov. 1765, Elizabeth Axe, and 3rd, at First (German) Reformed Church, Philadelphia 5 Apr. 1788, Elisabeth Lehman. 61 Although Jacob Colliday, Jr.' wife's name is variously reported as Free or lose, the original marriage license record entered in Richard Peters' Cull Book distinctly reads Proxies,. It was as Frances (Franey, Fronica, Veronica) that she joined with Jacob Colliday in conveying to Blasius Dmiel Mackinet property in Chestnut Hill J Aug. 1713. See Deed Book H-19, 211, and Peonsylvank Genealogical bin,. sine, XXI, 315. As Veronica, she is hsted as the mother of Susanna, wife of John Swam, b. 6 Mar. 1762; baps. 28 Mar. 1735 at St. Michael's and Zion Lutheran Church, Philadelphia. The Riibenkam Family of Hessen 109 ground." S. SARAH COLLIDAY, b. 12 May 1737; m. at German Reformed Church, Philadelphia 10 January 1760, as his 2nd wife, ULRICH MENG, b. 11 June 1731; d. ca. 1790." 6. WILLIAM COLL1DAY, b. 16 September 1738; d. 28 November 1823, aged 83, bur. Upper busying ground, Germantown; m. German Reformed Church, Germantown, 18 October 1768, HANNAH PASTORIUS, b. 17 November 1743; d. Ii July 1794, bur. Upper burying ground." 7. SUSANNA COLLIDAY, b. 17 April 1741, perhaps the Susannah Colliday who was bur. 1 May 1816, in Upper burying ground, Germantown. Catharine Juliana (Rilbenkam) Colliday, widow of Jacob, m. 2nd, 29 his 2nd or 3rd wife, BLASIUS DANIEL MACIUNET (Macknet) who was bur. in Germantown Friends' ground 6th month (June) 1775." No issue. JUSTUS WILHELM ROBENKAM, bapt. 6 August 1705; godfather: Justus Walther Krause, bailiff at Kronberg; d. int. in Bristol Township, Philaalphia County before 20 December 1768, when letters of administration on his estate were granted to his widow and son-in-law John Gorges; m. 1st, at First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, 5th 4m (June) 1735, KATHERINE CONREDS. No known issue. He m. 2nd, at same church, 2 2m (April) 1742, SUSANNA RITTENHOUSE, daughter of Peter Rittenhouse (ca. 1696-1748).5' Issue: 1. ANN ROBENKAM, b. 18 August 1745; bur. 4 April 1815 in St. Thomas' Episcopal churchyard, Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County; m, as his 2nd wife, CHRISTIAN DONAT (Dunnat) " b. Baltes Reser's will, recorded in Will Book N, 140, #1911774, names his wife Catherine and William Colliday executors. Rose's death notice in Der Wlichentliche Penmylvanische Stainsbote, issue of 4 Jan. 1774, reports his age es 10 years. His widow operated a tavern at the northwest corner of Second and Race Streets in the house formerly occupied by Benjamin Franklin. See PMHB, XL (1916), 219 for their marriage license. " Ulrich Meng, brother of the above-noted Melchior, and son of John Christopher Meng, was of Frederick County, Maryland in 1782. See PMHB, XXXII (1908), 112. 154 Willio,o Colliday's will, written in 1818, is recorded in Montgomery County Will Book 6, 196; he had moved to Moreland Township about 1798 from Philadelphia. Will of Blasius Daniel Mackinen is recorded in Will Book Q, 180, #144 - 1775. Odors his death Mackinet, at the.request of his step-daughter Sarah Meng "living in Germantown," wrote an account of "her line of Nativity" which has survived to the present, and is in the possession of Sarah's descendant, Mrs. G. Rogers Harvey of Falls Church, Va. It confirms very closely the data found through German researches, and supplies the birth dates of the children of Catharine Juliana Rfibenkam and her first husband Jacob Colliday. Mackinet's testimony regarding the character of the widow Margaretha Catharine (Sartorius) R0benkam, with whom, 01 he said, he "was well acquainted," was "that she WO a pious good Woman, led a Vertuous life & was an Ornament to her sex. The follies & pleasures of this World she despised & took upon her she,,. Crow of Christ...." " Estate of Justus Bensons. Administration Book H, 58, #701768. See Milton Rubincam, "Peter Rittenhouse of Cresheim," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, XXXI (1943), 42, for account of Peter Rittenhouse whose widow Ann subsequently married John Peter Heisler of Germantown. "Christian Donn was a son of George Dona who was naturalized in 1714, roof Chester Co. Pennsylvania Arrhives, 2nd Series (1890), VII, 124. George Dona subsequently took up land in Springfield Twp., now Montgomery Co., where he died in 1761. Will Book M, 222, #124:1761' Barbara, first wife of Christian Donnit, was bur. in Germantown German Reformed churchyard 9 Sept. 1759, aged 16-10-0. The burial records of Christian and Ann (Rlibenkam) Donat, as given in the transcript of the register of St. Thomas' Church, in GSP, differ from the transcript of their tombstones, published in this Magazine, XII, 254. The discrepancies are probably accounted for by the poor condition of the 110 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 16 July 1740; bur. 6 April 1815 in St. Thomas' churchyard. 2. CATHERINE ROBENKAM, d. or burs 10 April 1815, aged 67-1-19; m. German Reformed Church, Germantown, 29 March 1764, HEN' RICH SCHUTZ (Scheet.),. d. 7 October 1793, aged 51-5-7. Both bur. St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Germantown. 3. MARGARET RUBENKAM, b. 2 May 1750; d. 24 September 1789; m. JOHN GORGAS, b. 1740; d. 30 October 1823. Both bur. Germantown Mennonite cemetery. 4. JULIANA KOBENKAM, b. 27 March 1757; d. 9 January 1833; m. 30 March 1775, BENJAMIN 00RGAS," b. 19 February 1747; d. 23 October 1821. Both bur. Germantown Church of the Brethren cemetery. T. SARAH RUBENKAM, b. 7 July 1759; d. 4 March 1820; m. 11 March 1784, NATHAN LEVERING, b. 19 May 1745; d. 14 June 1812. Both bur. Roxbotough Baptist cemetery. 6. SUSANNAH RUBENKAM, m. ca. 1771, ANTHONY JOHNSON, sadler of Germantown, who d. 8 8m (August) 1823 in 78th year.. 7. DANIEL RUBENKAM, d. 17 February 1832 in 67th year; m. ELIZABETH DULL who d. 19 December 1853, in 76th year. Both bur. Germantown Church of the Brethren. iv. KARL (Charles) WILHELM ROBENKAM, inapt. 5 May 1707; godfather: his uncle, theological candidate Michael Wilhelm Rilbenkam; d. int. in Springfield Township, now Montgomery County, before 27 August 1748 when letters of administration on his estate were granted to his widow and brother Justus Rilbenkam; m. BARBARA RITTENHOUSE, daughter of Peter Rittenhouse. She was deed by 12 September 1761, having m. James Stern as her 2nd husband.. Issue: 1. JUSTUS ROBENICAM, m. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 30 September 1761, SARAH GIBBS. Lived in Moreland Township in 1769; in Warwick Township, Bucks County 1779 1787, and was in Warrington Township, same county in 1800. 2. JACOB RUBENKAM, m. 20 October 1774, JEMIMA KEMP in Shenandoah County, Virginia.. 3. ANN ROBENKAM, bur. 14 55 Henry Schatz was the son of Gerhard Henrich Schatz (d. 1783, aged 81) who arrived in Philadelphia 27 Aug. 1719, on the snow &isle. 5, John and Benjamin Gorges were sons of Johannes Gorgaz and his wife Zytian Rittenhouse, daughter of Claus Rittenhouse, and first cousin of the above-noted Peter Rittenhouse. B. Anthony Johnson was 9 son of John Johnson, sadler of Germantown, who died in 1794. For the latter's will see Will Book X, 45, #33:1794. Anthony Johnson was reported to Abington Friends' Meeting 21 Ilm 1771 for marrying out to one not a member and without his parents' consem. See transcript of Abington Friends' Meeting Minutes, 113, GSP. He seems to have had only two children: flatus Johnson, and Agnes Johnson who in. 10 lOrn 1793, Daniel Thomas, Jr. For Anthony Johnson's will, see Will Book 8, 19, #122:1823. His death was reported in POSal American Daily Advertiser, issue of 19 Aug. 1823. el Estate of Charles Rilbenkarn of Springfield Two., Administration Book F, 190, #107:1748. By James Stern, Barbara (Rittenhouse) RObenkam Stern had four children, surnamed Stern. Joseph, Elizabeth, Mary and Margaret. 02 They were the ancestors of the Revercomb family of Virginia, West Virginia, Missouri, Canada, etc. See "The Noble Ancestry of the Revercomb Family," The Virginia Magnin. of History and Biography, 68 (October, 19605, 454. The Riibenkam Family of Hessen 111 April 1798; m. Trinity Episcopal Church, Oxford Township, Philadelphia County, 16 March 1761, ANDREW REDHEFFER, d. 1817 in Springfield Township, Montgomery County. Both bur. St. Thomas' Episcopal churchyard. 4. CHARLES ROBENKAM, d. Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware in 1811; " m. SUSANNA, surname unknown. 5. WILLIAM ROBENKAM, dec'd before September 1781; m. ANNA, surname unknown, who m. 2nd, one Simon." 6. PETER ROBENKAM, living in Newlin Township, Chester County en 1819; m. HANNAH POTTS, living in the same township in 1830, aged between 70 and 80." v. ANNA CATHARINA ROBENKAM, b. 25 February, bapt. 27 February 1709; godmother: Anna Catharina, wife of Johannes Goddefahrt, burgomaster of Witzenhausen; d. in Philadelphia 2 May 1770; " m. Philadelphia 10 November 1737, as his 2nd wife, JOHANNES WOSTER (John Wiener), bur. 1 2m 1789, aged 80. Issue: 1. JOHN WISTER, d. 24 lm 1739. 2. DANIEL WISTER, b. 4 February 1738/9; bur. 27 10m 1805, aged 66; m. 5 May 1760, LOWRY JONES," b. ca. 1742; bur. 16 2m 1804. Both interred Friends' cemetery, Philadelphia. 3. WILLIAM WISTER, d. 7 6m 1742. 4. CATHERINE WISTER, b. 2 January 1742/3; d. 24 October 1797; m. 16 February 1761, SAMUEL MILES, b. 1 March 1739; d. in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County 29 December 1805, aged 66." 5. WILLIAM AMSTER, b. 29 March 1746; d. in 1800, unmarried. vi. JOHANNA CATHARINA ROBENKAM, b. 31 May 1711; godmother: Johanna, wife of Jacob Wilhelm Uckerman. No further record. vii. MARGARETHA CATHARINA RtYBENKAM, b. 5 July 1713; godmother: her paternal aunt, Anna Margaretha, wife of Hieronymus 88 Charles Rilbenkam moved to Delaware from Montgomery Co. about 1802. His will, recorded in New Castle Co. Will Book Q-1, 470, was dated 15 May 1810 and proved 13 December 1811. 08 William and Ann Rilbenkam had issue only two sons: Johann Carols, (Char)es) Ribekani, b. 17 July, bapt. 18 Aug. 1768, at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Germantown; godparems: Christofel Green and wife Anna Maria; and Peter Riibenkane, b. 1 Sept. 1770, baps. 29 July 1774, at Germantown German Reformed Church, who d. int. 2 July 1799. Administration Book K, 9, #2401799. See also Deed Book D-4, 149: 30 Sept. 1781, Andrew Redheffer of al. to Benjamin Gorgas. 00 Descendants of Peter Rilbenkam and wife Hannah Potts, daughter of Ezekial and Barbara Potts, settled in Ohio, Missouri, MaryImd, Arizona, etc. "In the Bible record quoted at the beginning of the text, Anna Catharine Rilbenkanis husband, John Wister, gave 17 May 1770 as the date of her death. However, the Pennsylvania Chronicle and Universal Advertiser of Philadelphia, issue of Monday, 7 May 1770, reported that "On Wednesday last departed this life Mrs. Catherine Wider, the virtuous Consort of Mr. John Wister, of this City, Merchant; and on Thursday Evening her Remains, attended by a great Concourse of respectable Inhabitants, were deposited in Friends Burying Ground." Figuring back from Monday, 7 May, to the preceding Wednesday, gives 2 May 1770 as the date of her death. 87 She was a daughter of Owen Jones and wife Susanna Evans. is Samuel Miles, son of James Miles, was born in Whitemarsh, now in Montgomery Co. S. PMHB, XLVI (1922), 72 and Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd Series (1880), X. 199 for biographical notices of 111s Meer. 112 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Weichard Dirksen, pastor of Eschwege-Neustadt. Both John Wister and Blasius Daniel Mackinet stated that the Widow Rithenkam brought three daughters to America, but Mackinet, in an account written for one of her granddaughters, stated that the widow left the eldest Daughter.... in Germany in Berlinburgh [sici where her Father died[.] She is marryed to a Merchant of that Place named Holtzklaus who—with Wife are, at this time dead. They have left Issue, one Daughter, who is marryed & lives in the ... [undecipherable] ... Mother died. Her Husband's name, is I believe, Reuschell." Unless there was an older daughter whose birth record has not been found as yet, it would appear that Mackinet must have meant that one of two "youngest" daughters, rather than the "eldest" daughter, had remained in Berleburg. THE ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY BLASIUS DANIEL MACKNET Whereas our Daughter Sarah Meng living in Germantown is desirous of knowing her line of Nativity, I therefore, through this make known unto her the same, so far as I have Knowledge of it. Her Father was a Burger's Son of Manheim in Pfaltz (a Place so called) and came to this Country with his Mother very young; his Name was Jacob Colladay: his Father died crossing the Ocean. Hs. Mothers Name is Catharina Juliana, Father's Name Ribenkam, was born 1703 in Wasmfried in Hessia where her Father named Jn° Philip Ribenkam, was Preacher, & preached the Gospel 19 years and his Father was Preacher at Eschwig (a Place so calld) Her Mothers Name was Magretta [sic] Catharine, a Ministers Daughter of Saxone in Hessia, her Fathers Name Sattorin, Her Mothers Name Anna Juliana of Lunmburgh in Holstein. This may serve as a Memorendom, if perhaps sooner or later some of the Relations should come to this part of the World. Your Grand Mother, a Widow, came ova...with 6 grown Children in 1726, Viz. 3 Sons & 3 Daughters the eldest Daughter she left m Germany in Berlinburgh, where her Father died she is marryed to a Merchant of that Place, named Holtzklaus .who—with his Wife are, at this time dead. They have left Issue, one Daughter, who is marryed & lives in the [undecipherable] Mother died. Her Husband's name, is I believe, Reuschell. Here follows a List of your Mothers Children born in this Country Viz1st Margaret Catharina, born 1728 Sept 23 dead 1731 April 23 2 Anna Marta 1735 d° 15 3 Jacob Colladay 1735 May 30 4 Catharine 1737 d° 12 5 Sarah 6 William 1738 Sept 16 7 Susanna 1741 April 17 And Whereas I was well acquainted with your Grand Mother, I can give her the Testimony that she was a pious good Woman, led a Virtuous life, & was an Ornament to her Sex. The follies & pleasures of this World, she despisd, & took upon her the [undecipherable] Cross of Christ [rest of line undecipherable] Blasius Daniel Macknet