An Ancestor Lost: Clues Hidden in Administration Papers

An Ancestor Lost: Clues Hidden in Administration Papers Jane Adams Clarke WHERE IS A SHORT but information-filled document in the dusty basement of Philadelphia's City Hall Annex. It is yellowed with age and the pages crumbled as they were unfolded for perhaps the first time in over 237 years. These were the Administration papers of Hans Bernard Slotterl including a Petition of Ann Slotter of Philadelphia, Spinster, John George Hawke of Philadelphia, Cooper and Sebastian Linenger of Philadelphia, Weaver: an Inventory of an estate consisting of a little over 13E; and the following codicil: "John George Hawke & Sesbastian Linenger of Philadelphia make Oath That on or abt the fourth day of May Last past They the Deponents with Ann Slotter now of Philadelphia and Hans Bernard Slotter Deceased cousin of ye said Ann Set out on a Voyage from Germany Down the River Rhine to Rotterdam there to take Shipping in the Hampshire, Thomas Cheesman, Master, for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but shortly after their arrival at Rotterdam to wit on or about the 18th of June Last past he the said Hans Bernhard Blotters was Casually Drowned and the Deponents further say that the said Deceased often declared before them and divers other persons now absent That in case he should Depart this Life before he arrived in Pennsylvania that in that case he made her his said Cousin Ann Slotter his heiress and gave unto her all his Effects divising him the said John George Hawk and Sebastian Linenger to bear witness that such was his Mind and Will. Sworn in Philadelphia this 11th day of October 1748 before Wm. Plumstead. Signed: Hans Jorg Hag Sebastian Leininger" 2 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Ann Slotter signed the Petition with an "X". Hans Jorg Hag and Sebastian Leininger could write, so their signatures do appear as above. These few pieces of paper tell a story that might have been lost, and which probably never will be complete. Although the hero, Adam Bernard Slotter, never arrived on these shores, his name is preserved in our records. No descendants seek him, but someone reading this might find an ancestor! The three persons named in the Petition belonged to one of the earliest ethnic groups to come to Pennsylvania the Pennsylvania Germans. In 1727, the Pennsylvania Provincial Council passed a law requiring all those arriving in Pennsylvania to take oaths of allegiance to the British crown. Lists were kept by the ship's captains.2 These Pennsylvania German ancestors of ours, and indeed most of those arriving were German, were led to the Court House in Philadelphia to take the oath. Unfortunately, of the 324 ships arriving between 1727-1775, lists survive fax only 138 ships. The lists are recorded in Strassburger Hincke's Pennsylvania German Pioneers.3 Most of those leaving German speaking areas during the 18th century did so because of economic conditions. Permission to leave was obtained from the rulers of these lands by some, but for others who could not afford to pay the manumission taxes, it was necessary to leave quietly under the cover of darkness. The Rhine and its tributaries were their highways down to the sea. From there they sailed to Freedom in Pennsylvania. Historians and genealogists on both sides of the Atlantic are trying to trace these early settlers back to their places of origin in present-day Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Alsace. Of help in these searches are the records in German and Swiss archives; church records on both continents and courthouse records in this country. The probate record of Adam (Hans) Bernard Slotter connects several of these immigrants. As the codicil indicates, Ann Slotter, Sebastian Linenger and John George Hawke traveled on the Rhine to Rotterdam with Hans Bernard Slotter. Although not as clearly set forth, it is possible that a fifth person, John George Landenberger was with them. The inventory reads as follows: "A true and perfect inventory of all and singular the Estate of Hans Bernard Slotter, late of High Germany, and who was in June last past, casually drowned in An Ancestor Lost. Clues Hidden in Administration Papers 3 Rotterdam as he was going to take shipping in the Hampshire, Thomas Cheeseman, Master designd for Philadephia, taken this twenty second day of October in the year of our Lord, One Thousand and Seven H undred and forty eight To the Deceased Apparrell £ 1-00-00 To Cash which was the remainder of a Sum, which was in the hand of John George Landenberger, unto the sd Deceased in his Lifetime and laid out as Charges at his Burial in Rotterdam 12-16-11 Taken at Philadelphia Appraised 4E1346-11 sgd/ Conrad Kehmle Christ' Lehman Curiosity compels us to learn something of these immigrants, and a cursory search has uncovered some evidence leading to conjecture about them in Germany and this country. The ship lists tell us the although they might have come down the Rhine together, they did not sail the ocean together. In List 118 As, seventy-six men were imported in the Hampshire, which qualified 7 September 1748. On this list is )(crick Hack, age 41. However, when he took the oath [List 118 13] his name appears as Hans Jerg Hag. Ann Blotter's name does not appear, but then, very few women were recorded. List 122 A6 shows one hundred and twenty-two men on the ship Patience which qualified on 16 September 1748. Among them were Sebastian Lynenger, age 50 and Johan Conradt Lyninger, age 17. No Landenberger was on this ship, but there was a Jacob Laudenburger, age 19. Four other ships left Rotterdam and arrived in Philadelphia between the dates mentioned in the probate records. The Judith arrived 15 September 1748; the Two Brothers arrived 15 September 1748; the Edinburgh arrived 5 September 1748. Also arriving from London was the Maly Galley on 7 September 1748. Na Landenberger or Stoner appears on any of these ship lists. The Neptune came on 25 October 1746 and on board was a John Petter Landenberger.' So, we have documentation as to the arrival of Sebastian Leininger and Hans jorg Hag in the ship lists, two of the four mentioned in the probate papers. But, what was their destiny? The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Sebastian Leininger is known to us. He is a player in one of the great folk tales of the Pennsylvania Germans.8 Sebastian and his son were killed during an Indian raid near Penn's Creek, not far from what is now Selingsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania on 16 October 1755. His wife was not at home that day, so she survived, but his daughters, Regina and Barbara were taken captive. Barbara Leininger and a fellow captive, Marie Le Roy, managed to escape their Indian captors on 16 March 1759. They reached Fort Pitt fifteen days later. Regina Leininger remained with the Indians. When it was learned in 1764 that Colonel Henri Bouquet had found a number of white captives with some defeated Indians, Mrs. Leininger went to Carlisle to look for her daughter. However, since most of these young people had completely lost touch with their own ways and background, and spoke only the Indian language, the older woman searched in vain. She could not identify Regina, not did Regina recognize her. Colonel Bouquet suggested to the mother that perhaps a child's ditty or hymn might arouse her interest. The mother started sing "Allein and loch ni cht ganze allein bin kill in meiner Eisamkeit". [Alone and yet not quite alone am I, in this my solitude] Before she could continue one of the older girls came running to her and began to sing snatches of this old German hymn. In this way the two were reunited. Land records indicate that Sebastian Leininger on 3 February 1755 made application to the proprietors for a warrant to survey 100 acres at a place called Big Mahany in Cumberland County [now Snyder Count-A. On 24 March 1763 this acreage was surveyed to Regina Leininger, the probable widow of Sebastian.9 We now know the fate of Sebastian Leininger and his family, but what were his "roots"? It is said that he probably came from Reutlingen, a city in Wuerttemberg, Germany." Another source indicates that this family was from Rabenhausen [?] by Tuebingenru German church records have not been checked, however, the International Genealogical Index of the Church of Latter Day Saints was checked for some areas in Germany. No Leiningers appeared in Reutlingen. There were Leiningers in Tuebingen. What of the "spinster heiress"? Her name was probably Ann Schlotter or Schlatter, as the English clerks were notorious for fracturing the spelling of these Germanic names. The name appears in various records as Slatter, Slatter, Schlotter, Schiatter and Slaughter. There was an Ann Schlotterer who was a witness to the marriage of Philip Reber and Agnes Ruehere in 1750 at St. Michael's & Zion Lutheran Church in Philadelphia.12 An Ancestor Lost: Clues Hidden in Administration Papers It is interesting that two cousins were traveling together apparently without other family members. Possibly they were going to join relatives, perhaps pave the way for other relatives to come later. Let us explore this theory. In Philadelphia at the time of Ann's arrival, there was a Reformed minister, Michael Schlatter, who was born 14 July 1716 in St. Gall, Switzerland." A more likely relative is one with a Tuebingen connection: one Martin Schlotter from Tuebingen died at "age 88 less 13 days in April of 1814".14 A Martin Schlatter, with Joseph Slater and Michael Slauter, arrived on the ship Anderson on 25 August 1751. The ship Chesteeld arrived 2 September 1749, among the passengers characterized at "Wirturnbergers" were two Jacob Scholotterers; Martin Schlotterer; Mattias Schlotterer and Johann Conradt Schlotterer.15 The historian Adolph Gerber states that this family was from Bodelshausen.16 Nothing more has been found about Ann Satter. Perhaps she remained a spinster, on the other hand, she may appear in an area unknown to this writer's search and could have left many descendants. We may never know. The Adolf Gerber lists show that a Hans Jerg Hoch from Weil in Schoenbuch, Wuerttemberg, a weaver and farmer in Breitenstein, traveled to Pennsylvania with his wife Christina, nee Loeffler, and children: Johann Martin; Maria Magdelena, Johannes and Chtistina.17 The date of departure is not given, however the youngest child was born, probably in Wuerttemberg in 1754. Several men with similar names appear on other ship lists and in Pennsylvania. George Hoe and George Hoak appear in Cocalico Township, Lancaster County in 1773.18 The estate of George Haag was administered by his second son, Nicholas in Tulpehocken, Berks County, 4 August 1786.19 A Joh. George Hauck was a witness to the marriage of Daniel Greunes and Catarina Dorsch in 1761 at St. Michael's & Zion Church in Philadelphia." A George Hack was in Warwick Township, Lancaster County in 1751.21 The 4 October 1774 issue of Pennsylvanischer Stattsbole has a list of persons from the Heilbrun region, including one Johann George Hag of Frankenbach. No probate papers have been found for Hans Jorg Hag in Philadelphia. Either he moved on, or may be one of those listed above. As for John George Landenberger, the Adolf Gerber list shows a Johann Jacob Landenberger, a baker from Ebingen, Wuerttemberg. His wife was Anna Maria Groz. Landenberger made frequent trips between. Germany and America. Gerber indicates he was probably a "Newlander". In 1749 he took a letter back to Germany from two settlers which precipitated a large emigration from Laufen an der Eyach in 1750. 23 On 28 October 1788, one Matthias Landenberger 6 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine was buried at St. Michael's & Zion Lutheran Church in Philadelphia. He was born 23 December 1733 in Ebingen, Wuerttemberg, the son of Jacob and Anna Maria Landenberger. His wife was Maria Herman; they had seven children. 24 The family of Joh. Jacob Landenberber, born 3 August 1693 in Egingen is documented in Familienbuch der Nachkommen des Jacob Landenberger von Ebingen.25 The book gives the birth of Matthias on the date indicated above, as well as twelve other children of Jacob Landenberber. He is listed as an innkeeper of the Trauben. This would be consistent with the occupation of baker, as innkeepers in Wuerttemberg would usually have a second occupation, such as, baker or butcher. According to this book the place of his death is unknown. Also unaccounted for are the death dates of his wife and the following children: Ursula; Matthias; Johann Jacob; Johannes; Andreas and Eva Barbara Landenberber. His youngest child was born in Ebingen 22 October 1742. This family does appear in Philadelphia records, but we won't go into that. It is possible that John George Landenberger was related to this family, however, there is no proof of this. Jacob Landenberber's father was Matthais Landenberber, 1657-1710. His children, unaccounted for in Ebingen were: Johan Caspar; Johan Jacob; Johannes; Christian and Hans Jacob Landenberber, all of whom were born between the years 1691-1705. There are several Johan George Landenbergers that are unaccounted for in this book. They are: Hans Jeri, born 5 May 1681, who married Anna Catharina Rodenstein and had children in Ebingen 1704 to 1724, including a son, Johan George, born 9 February 1710; Johan George, born 1693, who moved to Heilbron; and Johan George, born 18 May 1713 in Waldenback. There was a John George Landenberger at St. Michael and Zion Church in Philadelphia. In 1747, John George and Christina Landenberger were witnesses to the marriage of Johan Adam Haindel and Anna Maria Beyerin. On 28 May 1747, John George Landenberger was a witness to the marriage of Jacob Koster and Christina Landenberger. 26 "Newlanders" were the "con men" of the 18th century. They were commission agents, propaganists and often the bankers for the ocean crossings. Many of them took advantage of the emigrants—charging excess fees, taking away valuable possessions, as well as arranging for the emigrants indenture upon their arrival in Pennsylvania. On the other hand, without the "Newlanders" some of us would not be here today! Although no relationship has been found between Jacob Landenberger and John George Landenberger, John George certainly ap- An Ancestor Lost: Clues Hidden in Administration Papers geared to be in possession of Hans Bernard Slotter's wordly goods, at least for a while. It is always possible that the scribe who wrote the document confused the other John George and that it should have been Jacob Landenberger who held the money. In an effort to find the home-place of the emigrants, one area stands out, an area that had emigrants who fit the profiles of our subjects. Tuebingen, Germany, is one on the Neckar River and Reutlingen is about 12 kilometers away, as is Weil im Schoenbuch. Ebingen is probably less than 50 kilometers from Tuebingen. The Neckar runs into the Rhine. Circumstantial evidence leads us to believe that this is probably the route taken by those appearing in this Philadelphia administration, along with "divers other persons now absent . .". Those who have researched these early Pennsylvania Germans know that there were many inter-relationships between these "Deutsch" men and women, who traveled back and forth across the sea and between settlements here more than we can believe or imagine. Perhaps more intensive research in land records, original church records in Germany would uncover additional information about these Pennsylvania German pioneers. Their stories should be told, their descendants should seek them. 1. Register of Wills, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Administration No, 114, 1748, [The early original Wilts and Administrations are stored in the basement of City Hall Annex. The Wills have been microfilmed but the Administrations have not been.] The index refers to Adam Bernard Stoner, but the document refers to him as Hans Bernard SLotter. 2. Pennsylvania Archives-Colonial Records, Vol. III, pp. 282-3. William John Hincke, Penn.iylvania German Pioneers, (Penn3. Ralph Beaver Strassburger sylvania German Society, 1934). (Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., Baltimore, 1966, 1975) hereafter cited as P. G. Pioneers. [For further background information this and numerous other reference works on the subject of early German immigration should be consulted,j 4 Register of Wills, toc. 5. Strassburger & Hincke, P. G. Pioneers, Vol. 1, p. 372. . Mid, p. 38:3. 7, Ibid, List III C, p. 362. Frederick S. Weiser, Regina: A Pennsylvania German Stag, (1973) Arthur D. Graefl; "Regina, The Indian Captive", Historical Review of Berks Co Uri ty, (Spring, 1960.) The Journals of Henty Melchior Aluhlenberg, translated by Theodore C. Tappert & John W. Doberstein, (The Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania and Adjacent States and The Muhlenberg Press, Philadelphia, 1958) Vol. II. p. 202. 9. Collections of The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Heber Gearhart Collection, FC/Leininger Family. Northumberland County Deed Book E, p. 55. Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, Vol. XXIV, p. 705. 10. [See note 8.} 11, Albert I. Gerberich, "That Hartman Hoax", Penn.sylvarlia Dutchman, 15 April 1952. 8 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 12. Collections of The Genealogical Sociey of Pennsylvania, Records of St. Michaels & Zion Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, Ph/21.:4, p. 35. hereafter cited a i.Michaels & Zion. 13. Charles H. Glatfelder, Pastors and People: German Lutheran and Reformed Churches in the Pennsylvania Field, /717-1793, (The Pennsylvania German Society, 1980), Vol. 1, p 177. 14. Annette K. Burgert, translation Burial Records of St. Michaels & Zion Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, (unpublished). hereafter Burgert, Burial Records. Hincke, P. G. Pioneers, Lists 126 C 15. Strassburger 161 C. Vol. 1, pp. 393, 451. 16. Donald Herbert Yoder, editor, "Emigrants from Wuertternberg, The Adolf Gerber Lists", The Pennsylvania Folklore Society, Vol. X (1945) p. 212. hereafter Yoder, Gerber List. 17. Ibid., p. 617. 18. Ibid. 19. Collections of The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. Berks County Will Abstracts. BMA: I. 20. Si. Michaels & Zion, p. 211. 21. Gary T. Hawbaker & Clyde L. Groff, A New Index: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Before The Federal Census (1982) Vol. III, p. 41. 22. Edward W. Hocker, Genealogical Data Relating to the German Sellers of Pennsylvania and Adjacent Terri &n From Advertisements in German Newspapers Published in Philadelphia & Germantown, 17434809, (Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., Baltimore, 1980) p, 136. 23. Yoder, Gerber List, p. 182. 24. Burgert, Burial Records. 25. Kurt Landenberger & Dr, Karl Hoehn, Famitienbuch der Nachkommen des Jacob Landenberger Von Ebingen, (Stuttgart & Ulrn-Donny, 1939). 26- Si. Michaels & Zion, F. 16.