Lorenz S. Wehr

Source for Revolutionary War: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=WEH&GSpartial...

Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots; Volume: 4; Serial: 10468-A; Volume: 23 Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.

Original data:  Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots. Vol. 1-4. Dallas, TX, USA: Pioneer Heritage Press, 1987. 

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Lorenz Wehr 1743 - 1795 •Born: 16 Mar 1743, Heidelberg Twp, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania 2 3 •Marriage: Juliana Burger •Died: 1 Jul 1795 at age 52 •Buried: Heidelberg Cemetery Old Sect Row 15 General Notes: Muster Roll of the Third Battalion of Northampton Co. 1778

7th class 5th Co. 3rd Bat. Northampton Co. militia, in 1780 and 1782 enrolled in same Co. but 6th Battalion. He was on active duty in Capt. Conrad Roeder's Co. in 1780 and Capt. Smith's Co. on May 12, 1781. (as Vol 2, 5th series, Penna. Archives) He is on the list of soldiers who received Depreciation Pay.

"LORENZ WEHR, b. March 16, 1743, d. July 1, 1795. Adm.1666 Easton, Pa. courthouse. He was confirmed 4-2-1758 by Rev. John Egidius Becker of Tohickon Church, (Vol. XXXX 1925). He was married to Julianna Burger, dau of Daniel Burger, b.2-3-1747 d.- 3-30-1815. Harold Marx in his Abstract of Northampton Co. Wills 1752-1840, notes that widow Juliana Burger sometime prior to 12-23-1767 married Simon Wehr. We believe he means Lorenz Wehr, the third son of Simon, which coincides with Lorenz Wehr's various dates. Juliana Yegar is the widow of John Yegar of Heidelburg who died about 1766. His will #425 is on file in Northampton Co. Courthouse, written Aug-7, 1766 and probated August 28, 1766, listing his wife Juliana and two sons, John and Adam Yegar. Adam died before Dec. 23, 1767. Because the youths apparently were quite young, John Yegar designated his wife and Michael Ohl as Guardians. Widow Juliana relinguised Guardianship to Michael Ohl. Witnesses to John Yegar?s Will were Philip

Ebert, Jacob Arnd and Simon Wehr. In 1764 Lorenz was listed as a sponsor of a baptism as a single person. After

1772 he appears on Tax Lists through 1788, as owning 150 acres. In the Rev. War he was enrolled in the 7th class, 5th Co. 3rd Bat. Northampton Co. Militia from the eastern portion of Heidelberg Twp. In 1780 and 1782 he was enrolled in the same Co. but 6th Bat. He was on active duty In Capt. Conrad Roeder's Co. in 1780 and in Capt. Smether's Co. on May 12, 1781. (as Vol. 2, 5th servies, Penna. Archives) He is on the list of soldiers who received Depreciation Pay. Lorenz remained with his father so was made Executor of his father's Will, but Lorenz's death intervened, so Simon made the other son, George Simon the Executor of the Father?s will. Both buried Heidelberg. There appear to have been six children. 1813 Tax Lists show Lorenz owning 160 acres and a still."

Noted events in his life were:

• Alternate Spell: Lawrence Wehr. 2 • Alternate Spell: Lorentz Wehr. 2 • Confirmation, 2 Apr 1758, Rev John Egidius Becker. 4 • Military, Between 1780 and 1782, Patriot From Pennsylvania.

Lorenz married Juliana Burger, daughter of Daniel Burger and Maria Margretha Faust. (Juliana Burger was born in 1738 in Germany,5 died on 30 Mar 1815 in Heidelberg Twp, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania 2 and was buried in Heidelberg Cemetery Old Sect Row 15.)

History of Heidelberg Church. (Written in German by Rev. William A. Helffrich, and translated by James L. Schaadt, Esq.) – The township of Heidelberg, Lehigh Co., Pa., has had up to this time but one church, and this has always been known as the Heidelberg church, and the congregation as the Heidelberg congregation. The church, like most of those in eastern Pennsylvania, were German immigrants of the Reformed and Lutheran faiths settled at the same time and the same place, was a Union Church; that is, the Reformed and the Lutherans held all the church property - such as the building, the church lands, the cemetery, etc. - in common, and had their divine services alternately in the same church building, either congregation entirely free, however, to engage in worship according to its own faith and teachings unmolested by the other, with admission to the members of the other faith as well as its own. The necessities of primitive times collected these divided members of one faith under one and the same roof.

The church stands about one mile east of Saegersville, nearly in the centre of the township. The first small springs of the Heidelberg Creek, which flows into the Jordan at Gideon Schmidt’s, at the iron bridge, take their rise upon the church lands. The church, school-house, graveyard, and the lands of the congregation lie all together in one small valley, hemmed in by the surrounding low hills.

The first settlement by the congregation was made in the year 1735. The number of the first immigrants was small, consisting of isolated families who had come from Switzerland and Westphalia. Their names have been preserved, and show that they were from one neighborhood, but the name of the place is, unfortunately, forgotten. The names of the first arrivals were Jacob Peter, Casper Peter, and Wilhelm Peter, three brothers, but whether their father accompanied them cannot be ascertained. Later came Johannes Hunsicker, Jacob Mayer, David Gisi, Conrad Wirtz (now written Wert), Friederich Nisele, Ulrich Neff, Heinrich Hoffman, Peter Miller, Heinrich Roeder, Georg Grum, and Jörg Schmalz. This first company of settlers formed the foundation of the succeeding congregation, and at once staked off the land they intended to use for church and school purposes. The called it the Hill of Zion, and laid upon their descendants the solemn injunction that they should not rest until they had obtained lawful possession of the same through a warrant. The first immigrants passed through Upper Milford to the Kittatinny Valley, and followed the course of the Lehigh to the Blue Mountains. They traversed all the land lying between the Lehigh Hills and the Blue Mountains, and not until…

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                                               …the latter loomed up before their sight, and they saw their height, and the hillsides and the valleys below, forming the present area of the townships of Heidelberg and Washington, together with the excellent water and the fine forests, did they discontinue their journey, saying, “Here there are hills, woods, water, and rocks; here it is possible to live.”

Between the years 1735 and 1740 there also came hither Palatines and Würtemburgers, and strengthened the colony. Among these there were, on the Reformed side, Heinrich Ohl, Jacob Riedy, Michael Fritzinger, and others; on the Lutheran side, Ulrich Sensinger, Jörch Recks, Peter Handwerk, Johann Krauss, and others. The Lutherans likewise provided themselves with a piece of land for the church and school purposes adjoining the Reformed lands on the south.

The organization of the congregation took place in the year 1740. Heinrich Ohl, who had taken up the land where Saegersville now stands, and who was the richest and most respected man in the settlement, agitated the matter of building a church, but four years passed before the church was constructed. Meetings were held, but as no minister could be engaged, the work of construction was discontinued. During this period the services of a reader from Lynn were obtained, and he was accustomed to hold services at the houses of the people. The place for assembling was at Jacob Daubensdpeck’s, about one mile south of the church lands. There divine service was held for a period of five years. Finally there came a talented Lutheran minister, by the name of Jacob Friederich Schertlein, who was undoubtedly sent through the interposition of Rev. Muhlenberg to this portion of the country.

And now steps were taken to build the first church, which was erected in the year 1744 as a log church, and was dedicated by Revs. Schertlein and Philip Jacob Michael. This first church building stood in the northeastern corner of the old graveyard, which has for a long time been filled with graves. At the same time a school-house was erected. From the very beginning the plan of the fathers contemplated the holding and enjoyment of these buildings in common. For this reason they built the church upon the Reformed land, and the school-house upon the Lutheran, and when the church was completed and dedicated, both branches of the congregation made a contract on the 28th of March, 1745, that it should be and remain a Union church. The following heads of families formed the congregation: Jacob Friederich Schertlein, the Lutheran minister; Philip J. Michael, the Reformed minister. Schertlein was a regularly ordained minister of great ability, who soon, however, left here and was called elsewhere, either to Maryland or Virginia. Michael, of whom we have already learned in the history of the Ziegel Church, was a reader, who was never ordained, and had elevated himself to the office of minister. The Reformed elders were George Grum and Jörg Schmalz; the Lutheran, George Recks and Michael Mosser. The members were Jacob Mayer, Heinrich Ohl, Ulrich Sensinger, George Schmalz (elder), Daniel Burger, Nickel Klein, George Grum (elder), David Gisi, Michael Fritzinger, George Recks (elder), Leonhard Mayer, Heinrich Oswald, Adam Winch, Heinrich Hofmann, Ulrich Neff, Andreas Shcüssler, Friederich Schneider, Jonas Matzinger, Michael Fritzinger, Jacob Peter, Caspar Peter, Rudolf Peter, Michael Mosser (elder), Jörg Newhard, Nickel burger, Michael Ruch, Peter Miller, Conrad Wirtz (Wert), Friederich Nisele, Jacob Schlung, Hans Ulrich Arndt, Johannes Niesele, Heinrich Roeder. The above-named members were the builders of the first church, and paid for its construction L18 5s., of which the Reformed side contributed L13 18s 8d., and the Lutheran L4 6s 4d. None of the Lutherans were married.

Early circumstances were here as elsewhere in the congregations of Eastern Pennsylvania. (See the history of the Ziegel Church.) The Swiss characteristics peculiarly predominated in this congregation, and have been maintained down to our time. Swiss honesty and faithfulness are proverbial in Heidelberg. Here it was the custom, when one borrowed money from the other, to mark the loan with chalk upon the rafters of the house; and when later promissory notes came into use, a dispute having arisen as to who should have possession of a note, it was gravely decided that the borrower should retain possession of the note, so that he could readily see when it was to fall due. Their character is straightforward, rugged, blunt, and stiff-necked, but at the same time honest, true, open, and cordial; They are ready to render assistance at any time, are neighborly, and attached to each other; and they hold the church in high esteem, reverencing everything sacred. Worldliness and avarice have not made among them the same inroads as elsewhere. Their lives are simple and economical; they are industrious, and, although the land is of poorer quality and less productive here than in townships lying towards the south and east of them, yet they always have money; so that it has, during these last twenty years, become a saying, that whoever desires to borrow money must go to Heidelberg.

The Indian massacres, which during the fifties of the last century devastated all the settlements across the Lehigh, at Gnadenhütten (now Lehighton) and in Lynn, both on the right and left of the Heidelberg settlement, passed by this congregation almost without leaving a trace. Scarcely a single murder took place. Nevertheless the members were prepared to render each other prompt assistance. Fathers Longenour, Kemmerer, and others went to Gnadenhütten and assisted in burying the murdered, and upon the occasion of the Lynn township massacre, when Zeislof and others were murdered, Father Bachman hastened to their assistance from Miller’s Valley, near the present Lynnville. Zeislof and some of his family were scalped, but were still alive when Bachman arrived, and he attended to them until death delivered them from their agony. Bachman said it was dreadful to see the bloody, disfigured heads, and to hear the sufferers calling for water to allay their thirst The reason for the freedom of the congregation from the Indian troubles lay, besides the providence of God, possibly in the fact that no Indian village stood within their limits. The nearest village was in Lynn, and another was on the other side of the Blue Mountains, in the vicinity of Lehighton, and still another lay south of the Blue Mountains, across the Lehigh. An Indian path, however, led in a straight direction from the Lehigh Gap through the present village of Saegersville over the Schochary Mountain (where a spring on land then owned by Christian Miller is still known as the Indian spring) to the principal Indian path, which ran from the Lehigh Mountains through the Indian village in the Ziegel congregation’s lands to the Blue Mountain.

The second church was built in the year 1756. The first little log church was destroyed by fire. The new church was also a log church, but very much larger and better arranged in every respect, being fitted out with galleries, aisles, pulpit, and altar. A new school-house was also erected at the same time with the church. This was placed upon the land of the Reformed congregation, which sold all its right in and to the old school-house to the Lutherans for L4 10s., and from this time on each portion of the congregation had its own school until later years, when the old school-house was torn down, and the schools again united in one. The new church was dedicated in 1757, and the old contract, that this building should be used in common, was renewed. From 1745 and 1757 the number of communicants was more than doubled. However, an increase from Europe partly accounts for this.

The names of the heads of families who built the new church are as follows: Michael Ohl Johannes Hunsicker Simon Wehr Bernhard Neff Johannes Grum George Bloss Caspar Peter Rudolf Peter Heinrich Ohl George Haf Conrad Bloss Andreas Roder Friederich Schneider Johannes Schneider Jacob Riedy Johannes Farr Jacob Peter Friederich Kern Johannes Reinschmidt George Remely Simon Kreitz Michael Remely Conrad Lintz Jacob Peter, Jr. Christian Schmidt Johannes Reber Heinrich Neff Philip Hammel Christian Grum Johannes Frey Nicolaus Wehr Christof Hoffman Heinrich Reinhard Peter Seidel Peter Mayer Johannes Rockel Ulrich Neff Johannes Peter Lorenz Wehr Samuel Schneider Johananes Reber Heinrich Hoffman Philipp Wehr Conrad Riedy Johannes Filler Johannes Neff Heinrich Ferber Daniel Borger Jacob Daubenspeck Jacob Freiman Wilhelm Fenstermacher Simon Rerig Philip Mertz Franz Grum Jacob Ferber Heinrich Geiger Jacob Hunsicker Wilhelm Kern Conrad Miller Johannes Kern

Not until 1758, the year following the building of the second church, did the congregation make efforts to obtain a fee-simple deed and lawful possession of their church- and school-lands. To accomplish this Michael Ohl, son of Heinrich Ohl, and Simon Wehr were appointed a committee on the Reformed side to obtain the requisite papers in Philadelphia. At the same time the Lutherans acted in the matter. The following members of the Reformed Church obligated themselves to furnish the money for the purchase of the lands, viz.: Jacob Peter, Johannes Hunsicker, Johannes Grum, Rudolph Peter, George Hack, Bernhard Neff, Jacob Riedy, Heinrich Neff, and Heinrich Ohl. Nancy Ohl, and unmarried daughter of the last named, had the church weatherboarded at her own expense in later years. In the war of independence, this congregation furnished a number of soldiers, the names of only two of whom, unfortunately, have been preserved for historians, namely, those of Christian Schmidt and ------- Krumbach.

The first church records were, according to the statement of Father Johannes Hunsicker, who died when upward of ninety years of age, and who is the authority for most of the foregoing information, destroyed by fire with the first church building. The minutes of the Reformed Church records begin in 1764, and are still in existence; of the Lutheran, in 1768. On the title-page of the latter appear the names of Wilhelm Rex, Casper Schnerr, Tobias Ebert, and Samuel Miehl as the Lutheran consistory. A new cemetery was opened in the year 1832. The old graveyard was filled to its entire capacity. The congregation decided to use the ground to the east of the church, and this has been increased in size a number of times since. In the year 1849 the congregation held an election to decide the question whether the schools should be joined in one, to abrogate the difference in the creeds. All the votes but three were cast in favor of uniting the schools. At this time Ferdinand Berkemeyer taught on the Reformed side, and Joseph Folban on the Lutheran. The latter resigned, and Berkemeyer was chosen as the common teacher.

A centennial festival was held for two days in the year 1845, upon the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the founding of this congregation. The third church was built in the year 1849. On the 17th of May in that year the consistory and members of the church assembled for the purpose of adopting a constitution, according to which the church should be built, and by which the congregations should in the future be ruled according to the establishment of their fathers.

The new church was placed on the other side of the little brook, hardly one hundred paces from the spot where the other stood.

General Notes:

Muster Roll of the Third Battalion of Northampton Co. 1778

lists Lorenz Wehr

7th class 5th Co. 3rd Bat. Northampton Co. militia, in 1780 and 1782 enrolled in same Co. but 6th Battalion. He was on active duty in Capt. Conrad Roeder's Co. in 1780 and Capt. Smith's Co. on May 12, 1781. (as Vol 2, 5th series, Penna. Archives) He is on the list of soldiers who received Depreciation Pay.

"LORENZ WEHR, b. March 16, 1743, d. July 1, 1795. Adm.1666 Easton, Pa. courthouse. He was confirmed 4-2-1758 by Rev. John Egidius Becker of Tohickon Church, (Vol. XXXX 1925). He was married to Julianna Burger, dau of Daniel Burger, b.2-3-1747 d.- 3-30-1815. Harold Marx in his Abstract of Northampton Co. Wills 1752-1840, notes that widow Juliana Burger sometime prior to 12-23-1767 married Simon Wehr. We believe he means Lorenz Wehr, the third son of Simon, which coincides with Lorenz Wehr's various dates. Juliana Yegar is the widow of John Yegar of Heidelburg who died about 1766. His will #425 is on file in Northampton Co. Courthouse, written Aug-7, 1766 and probated August 28, 1766, listing his wife Juliana and two sons, John and Adam Yegar. Adam died before Dec. 23, 1767. Because the youths apparently were quite young, John Yegar designated his wife and Michael Ohl as Guardians. Widow Juliana relinguised Guardianship to Michael Ohl. Witnesses to John Yegar?s Will were Philip

Ebert, Jacob Arnd and Simon Wehr. In 1764 Lorenz was listed as a sponsor of a baptism as a single person. After

1772 he appears on Tax Lists through 1788, as owning 150 acres. In the Rev. War he was enrolled in the 7th class, 5th Co. 3rd Bat. Northampton Co. Militia from the eastern portion of Heidelberg Twp. In 1780 and 1782 he was enrolled in the same Co. but 6th Bat. He was on active duty In Capt. Conrad Roeder's Co. in 1780 and in Capt. Smether's Co. on May 12, 1781. (as Vol. 2, 5th servies, Penna. Archives) He is on the list of soldiers who received Depreciation Pay. Lorenz remained with his father so was made Executor of his father's Will, but Lorenz's death intervened, so Simon made the other son, George Simon the Executor of the Father?s will. Both buried Heidelberg. There appear to have been six children. 1813 Tax Lists show Lorenz owning 160 acres and a still."

Noted events in his life were:

• Alternate Spell: Lawrence Wehr. 2

• Alternate Spell: Lorentz Wehr. 2

• Confirmation, 2 Apr 1758, Rev John Egidius Becker. 4

• Military, Between 1780 and 1782, Patriot From Pennsylvania.

Lorenz married Juliana Burger, daughter of Daniel Burger and Maria Margretha Faust. (Juliana Burger was born in 1738 in Germany,5 died on 30 Mar 1815 in Heidelberg Twp, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania 2 and was buried in Heidelberg Cemetery Old Sect Row 15.)

• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Sep 6 2018, 15:36:52 UTC

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From "THE WEHR FAMILY" written by Myron P. Wehr comes... LORENZ WEHR: b March 16 1743, d July 1 1795. Adm. 1666 at Easton, Pa. courthouse. He was confirmed 4-2-1758 by Rev. John Egidius Becker of Tohickon Church. (Vo XXXX 1925). He was married to Julianna Burger, dau. of Daniel Burger (1747-1815). Harold Marx in his abstract of Northamptoun County Wills 1752-1840 notes that Widow Julianna Yegar sometime prior to 12-23-1767 married Simon Wehr. We believe he means Lorenz Wehr, the thrid son of SImon which coincides with Lorenz Wehr's various dates. Juliana Yegar is the widow of John Yager of Heidelberg who died about 1766. His will #425 is on file in Northampton County Courthouse, written Aug 7 1766 and probated Aug 28 1766, listing his wife Juilana and two sones, John and Adam Yegar. Adam died before Dec 23 1767. Because the youths apparently were quite young, John Yegar designated his wife and Michael Ohl as guardians. Widow Juliana relinguished guardianship to Michael Ohl. Witnesses to John Yegar will were Philip Ebert, Jacob Arnd and Simon Wehr. In 1764 Lorenz was listed as a sponsor of a baptism as a single person. After 1772 he appears on tax lists through 1788 as owning 150 acres. In the Rev. War he was enrolled in the 7th class, 5th Co. 3rd Bat. Nothampton County Militia from the eastern portion of Heidleberg Township. In 1780 and 1782 he was enrolled in the same county but 6th Bat. He was on active duty in Captain Conrad Roeder's Company in 1780 and in Captain Smith's Company on May 12 1781. (at Vol 2 5th series, Penna Archives). He is on the list of soldiers who received depriciation pay. Lorenz remained with his father so was made executor of his father's will, but Lorenz's death intervened, so Simon made his other son George Simon the executor of his will. Both were buried in Heidelberg. There appear to be six children listed for Lorenz. In 1813 tax lists show Lorenz owning 160 acres and a still Created by: David Helfrich Record added: Sep 28, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 42467242