Elizabeth Lehn

AMHERST BEE-Story-Aug., 16th., 1923

HISTORY OF LEHN FAMILY

Paper Prepared by Ida L. Zent and read at Old Home Day Reunion Saturday, August 4, 1923.

The Lehn family were among the early settlers in Williamsville.

John Frick was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1761, one hundred and sixty-two years ago.

In 1807, with his wife and seven children, he emigrated from Pennsylvania to Western New York, and after looking about for a suitable place in which to live he purchased a farm of Mr. St. John now known as the Lehn farm. The family lived there until the war of 1812. The barracks as we all know are about one-fourth of a mile from this farm, and while caring for the sick and wounded soldiers at the time Mr. Frick fell a victim to eyerwork and his body was laid to rest on his farm. Later the remains were interred on the Lehn lot at Harris Hill and now rest by the side of his daughter, Elizabeth Lehn.

The Frick family remained on this farm until the burning of Buffalo, in 1813, when with many other settlers they returned to Pennsylvania, making the entire distance with teams, the only mode of travel at that time.

One of his family, Elizabeth, married Henry Lehn of Manheim, Pennsylvania, in 1819. Seven years later with two children, Mary and John Lehn, they came to Williamsville and purchased the farm formerly owned by Mrs. Lehn's father, John Frick, and for one hundred and sixteen years the property has been in the Lehn family, well known as the Lehn farm on Garrison road. A log house used to mark the place where the family made their first home in New York State, but was destroyed by some of the tenants. Later Mr. Lehn bought the house on Main Street now owned by Rupert Huck, obtained by him of the Lehn heirs, and in this home the family resided for over sixty years. While living here two more children were born, Nancy and Elizabeth Lehn.

At one time Grandma Lehn rode on Horseback to her old home in Pennsylvania, holding little Mary Lehn in her arms all of the way, and used to tell many thrilling stories of her journey.

Mary Lehn married Adam Rinewalt. Four children were born of this union, Sarah who married George Baine, Charlotte, who married Charles Ingersoll, and Henry and Adam L. Rinewalt. All of the family have passed on with the exception of Mrs. Charlotte B. Ingersoll, who at the present time is spending three months in traveling abroad, and is in her eighty-second year. Mary Lehn Rinewalt died at the age of seventy-five years.

John Lehn married Amelia Coe, one son Henry was born and now resides in Buffalo. John Lehn died at the age of eighty-three years.

Nancy Lehn married Philip J. Zent. One daughter Ida L. Zent was the result of this union, and is with us today. Nancy Lehn Zent died at the age of eighty-eight years.

Elizabeth Lehn, unmarried died when over eighty years of age.

Henry Lehn, the father, died at the age of seventy-five years. and the mother Elizabeth Lehn, was over ninty-years old when she died. The family for generations were very long lived.

AMHERST BEE-Obituary-Nov. 4, 1886

GONE TO HER REWARD-Mrs. Elizabeth Lehn

The funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Lehn occurred last Sunday afternoon at the Medodist Episcopal Church, and was largely attended. Revs. Mr. Smith of Sugar Grove, Pa. (deceased former pastor), assisted by Revs. Tippet and Smith of this village, conducted the service. The internment was made at Harris Hill Cemetery, and there by the side of her husband, who died in 1878, she was laid to rest, in blessed hope of a final resurrection and reunion.

Mrs. Lehn, the subject of the above notice, was one of the pioneers of Western New York. She was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Nov. 24, 1796; died Oct 28, 1886, and therefore within a few days of being ninty years of age. In 1807 her parents, with a family of seven emigrated from Pennsylvania to this county and located on a tract of land, a part of which was then occupied by the St. John family, whom her father subsequently bought out; later years the farm was better known as the Lehn Farm. When he first arrived in this section, and before having located, he proponed to a considerable extent looking for an investment. Buffalo at one time was only a small village, and land could be brought for a mere triffle. He had about decided to purchase what was than called the Buffalo Flats, a swamp land extending from the liberty pole down to the dock, when his friends perseuded him not to do so, on account of the swampy condition of the land. He therefore purchased the St John Farm. where he lived until the War of 1812 broke out, when caring for the sick and wounded soldiers, he fell victim to overwork and died. The family remained on the farm until the burning of Buffalo in 1813, when they, with many other settlers of this section, returned to Pennsylvania-going with teams, making the long distance by this tedious method of locomotion.

The deceased was married to Henry Lehn of Lancaster, Pa., in 1819, and in1825, with her husband and two children again returned to this village. Here they purchased the residence in which she died, being an occupent of the same sixty years. She leaves one son, John Lehn, three daughters, Mrs. A. Rinewalt, Mrs. N. E. Zent and Miss Elizabeth Lehn, all of this village, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren to charish and revere her memory. One aged brother lives in California-the last remaining member of fathers family