Capt. Christian Ohrendorf, Sr.

Christian Ohrendorff

• BIRTH 15 Aug 1693 Kesselberg, Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
• DEATH 16 Apr 1772 (aged 78) Lickdale, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA
• BURIAL: Bethel Moravian Cemetery, Lickdale, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA

Biography

http://ourwebsite.org/marilyn/gendata-o/p10192.htm

Christian Ohrndorf (Immigrant 1741) was born on 15 August 1693 at Eichen, near Freudenberg, Nassau-Siegen, Germany.1 He was baptized on 20 August 1693 at Freudenberg, Nassau-Siegen, Germany; The uncle Christian was (unmarried) godfather at nephew Christian's baptism per church record.1

He married Agnesa Weschebach, daughter of Johann Roerich Waschenbach and Anna Maria Achenbach, on 29 January 1715 at Freudenberg, Nassau-Siegen, Germany.1

Immigration

Christian Ohrndorf (Immigrant 1741) immigrated in 1741. Immigrated on St Mark from Rotterdam to Philadelphia from the Bavarian Palatinate. He was German Reformed Church of Phila 1735-1755 membership list. He lived at Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania: They were there 4 years, then to Lebonon Valley Lancaster Co PA, specifically Tulpehocken Creek. Lebonon Valley is parts of Dauphin & Berks, and all of Lebonon. This is where Herman was already settled. He was Received into Moravian membership - (Christian is a widower.)

Christian Ohrendorf (born at Eichen near Freudendorf) and Ag(a)nesa Waschenbach (born on October 19, 1697 at Eichen) (see the Waschenbach Family) had their marriage banns proclaimed on January 6, 1715 and married on January 29, 1715 at Freudenberg. They may have lived at Eichen for awhile but they did live at Kieselberg near Freudenberg. Records say they did live at "Kiselberg near Freudenberg." I was told that Christian and his family went to America in 1740. However, it was not until the fall of 1741 that they actually arrived in Philadelphia. They must have left Ki(e)selberg in 1737 or before as in that year, Christian's daughter, Louisa, married Philip Musse in Wittgenstein near the town of Bad Berleberg, northeast of the Kiselberg/Freudenberg area.

It is believed that the village or farming area of Kieselberg is no longer in existence. It was near Freudenberg and also near Wildenburg. The area probably grew into a wilderness after the Ohrendorfs left. It seems Kieselberg was in the principality of Hatzfeld-Wildenburg Administration. I found no reason for the move to the northeast but the marriage record for Philip and Louisa says she was from Christeneck which was not far from where Philip lived just east of Bad Berleberg.

Christian and his family along with his son-in-law and daughter, Philip and Louisa Musse, and their family must have left their homes in the spring or early summer. They arrived in the New World in Philadelphia on the ship, "St. Mark," with Capt. Wilson on September 26, 1741. The men were listed as "Christan Orrentorff" and Philip Meess" on pages 296-297, Vol. I of Strassburger and Hinke's Pennsylvania German Pioneers.

The date of death of Christian's wife, Agnes, is unknown. However, it must have been between 1741 when they arrived and 1749 when Christian and his family joined the Moravian Church in the Swatara Valley of Lancaster ? County, Pennsylvania. They formerly belonged to the German Reformed Church. In the December 15, 1950 edition of the publication, "Pennsylvania Dutchmen" is an interesting and helpful article. It lists Moravaian pioneers who were in that aread in 1752 including the Ohrendorf family and the families of Philip and George Musse/Mees, etc.

He married Elizabeth Von Mueller after 1749 Marr to Elizabeth is only based on Drake's books. Descendants say she was the mother. However, evidence indicates she's stepmother, and marr would have been after last child's birth. Since Christian is a widower in 1749, the marriage must have been after that.

Christian's children were not baptized at Freudenberg. It has been suggested that they may have been baptized at Friesenhagen near Freudenberg and Wildenburg. The church records are now at the Landeshauptarchiv on Karmeliter St. 1/3 in 5400 Koblenz, Germany.

Christian was an executor of his son-in-law's estate, Philip Miess/Meese, (will written on September 28, 1760).

Christian died on April 16, 1772 aged 80 years and was probably buried at the Bethel Moravian Cemetery, Lebonon County, Pennsylvania.

Family

Christian Ohrndorf (Immigrant 1741) was a son of Johanes Henrick (Herman) Ohrendorf and Agnes Gieseler, on

He married Agnesa Weschebach, daughter of Johann Roerich Waschenbach and Anna Maria Achenbach, on 29 January 1715 at Freudenberg, Nassau-Siegen, Germany

He married Elizabeth Von Mueller after 1749 Marr to Elizabeth is only based on Drake's books. Descendants say she was the mother. However, evidence indicates she's stepmother, and marr would have been after last child's birth. Since Christian is a widower in 1752, the marriage must have been after that.

Children:

1. Eleonora Louisa Orndorff b. 1721
2. Anna Margaretha Orndorff b. 1724
3. Johann Christian Orndorff Sr (Major)+ b. 15 Nov 1727, d. 10 Dec 1795
4. Anna Barbara Orndorff+ b. Jul 1728, d. 20 Nov 1763
5. Magdalena Orndorff b. 1730/31
6. Johann Heinrich Orndorff+ b. 1733, d. b 10 May 1803

References

• http://ourwebsite.org/marilyn/gendata-o/p10192.htm cites
• [S117] Evangelische Kirche in Freudenberg (Siegerland) Germany (copies of church register during personal visit) Evd #117.
• [S2] The Christian Ohrndorf Family in Germany, Julia A Drake Evd #2.
• [S344] Some Ancestors of George Miess-Juliana Baldt and Philip Miess-Louisa Ohrendorf, Clifford Canfield Evd #344, implied.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13088318
• https://www.ancestry.com/boards/surnames.orendorff/71.1/mb.ashx “ Anna Barbara b Jul 1728 married George Casper Kohr, son of Michael Kohr and Anna Maria Margaretha Fitler, and her sister, Louisa b 1721, married Philip Mies 15 Aug 1737. I'm descended from their brother, Johann Heinrich Ohrendorf b. 1733 Janis”