Johann Theobald “Dewalt” Bieber

Family

According to the Berg und Thal, Diebold / Theobald's parents were Hans Dietrich Bieber and Anna Eva Catharina Lentz. Born in 1698, Diebold married Sarah Ludmann in late January 1717. Apparently their first child was born at about the same time. A second child was born at the end of that year.

Known and suspected children include:

• Ottilia Lieb, b. January 1717
• Laurentius Bieber, b.1717
• Johann Georg Bieber, b. 1719
• Johann Jacob Bieber, b. 1721
• Magdalena Miller, b. 1734

It is also possible that Catherina Bieber, wife of Lt. George Schaeffer, is a daughter of his.

Diebold, his wife, and at least two of his sons emigrated together to Pennsylvania in 1741. where they eventually wound up in Berks County.

Life

Theobald Bieber and Sara Ludmann were born in Alsace, in what is now France, late in the 17th Century. Theobald was born about 1690, based on a confirmation record of 1704, and Sara was born about 1694, based on a confirmation record of 1708 (GHH-83). They are ancestors of all the Biebers recorded in Chapter 6 of Rev Beaver's book. In other words, the "Johann" of Chapter 6 is really Johann Theobald. Rev Beaver gives a fairly detailed account of this family (IMB-919), based in part on information obtained by his European researcher, Werner von Arnswald, but he did not recognize the correspondence between this family and the Biebers of Chapter 6.

Marriage of Theobald Biber and Sara Ludmann as recorded in the Hirschland "Kirchenbuch." The pastor later added a notation that they had gone to America. Bound hearts appear to the right of Theobald's name, the pastor's way of denoting marriage records.

Theobald and Sara married in 1717 January. The marriage is recorded both in the Hirschland Kirchenbuch, where the date is given as January 14 (HKB-167), and in the Berg und Thal Kirchenbuch, where the date is given as January 24 (GHB-37). The Berg und Thal record also names Theobald's father as Hans Dietrich and Sara's father as Lorenz. Theobald is therefore a brother of Georg Bieber.

Immigration

An Alsatian notarial record of 1760 June 12 states that "Theobald, resident of Hirschland, wished to emigrate to the New World 18 years ago, but according to reliable reports, he suffered an accident on the way there." (GHE-84, my translation). The same record mentions that Theobald had five children, of whom three are named: Lorenz, Hans Georg, and Anna Magdalena.

Referring to the Philadelphia ship lists, it appears that Lorenz came to America first, arriving aboard the Robert and Alice on 1739 Sep 3. Hans Georg and Hans Jacob and "Dieble" arrived aboard the Lydia two years later, 1741 Sep 29. There is documentary proof that Sara Ludmann was in America by 1742/3 Jan 12 (see below), or about 15 months after Hans Georg arrived on the Lydia if I understand the Old Style/New Style dates correctly. It therefore seems logical that the rest of Theobald and Sara's family arrived on the Lydia in 1741, but there is no way to prove this. Except for Theobald and Hans Georg, the family members were all women and children, who typically were omitted from the ship lists.

But why is Theobald not listed? Could it be that the "accident" mentioned above occurred aboard the ship, and Theobald did not survive the long voyage to America? Or perhaps he simply used a nickname (e.g. "Dieble"?) For more discussion about Theobald's fate, see "The Mystery of Theobald's Death" below.

Dewalt and his two sons Jacob and George, and probably other children and wives, sailed on the ship "Lydia" from Rotterdam. They arrived in Philadelphia September 29, 1741, from Alsace, France, now Germany. They first settled in Chester county but soon thereafter came to Berks county. Johannes is buried at this cemetery with George. Dewalt is buried on a farm cemetery 1/2 mile from Peter's Mill near Friedensburg(Oley), Pa. Johannes Jr. served in the Revolutionary war under Gen. George Washington and died at Valley Forge at the age of 55. George's brother Dewalt settled in Maxatawny township. Many members of this family were organizers of the Christ Lutheran Church in 1747, now called Mertz Church, which was known earlier as Bieber's Church.

Administration Bond

The Administration Bond, dated 1742/3 Jan 12, begins with these words: "Know all men by these Presents that Sara bibber widow Bernhard Klein and Lepold Grebber near allemangle in the County of Philadelphia and in the province of pennsilvania House Keepers are held and firmly Bound onto Peter Evans Register General for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of administration ...." The Bond later obligates Sara Bibber to produce "a true perfect Inventory of all & singular the Goods Chattels rights & Credits" of her late husband Dewald Bibber.

The above provides further proof that Theobald Bieber [Dewald Bibber] died soon after his arrival in America. It also shows that the Theobald Bieber family lived near the Allemangel region of early Pennsylvania. Allemangel encompasses present Albany and Greenwich Townships in Berks County, together with nearby areas of Berks and Lehigh County. (The exact boundaries are fluid.) Also of interest is that Bernhard Klein co-signed the Bond. As described further below, Bernhard Klein is Sara Bieber's brother-in-law; he married Sara's sister Anna Elisabetha. The relationship of Lepold Grebber [Leopold Gruber?] is currently unknown; this relationship is worth further investigation.

The Bond was signed and witnessed by Jacob Müller, Daniel Huver [Huber?], Sara Bibber, Bernhard Klein, and Lepold Greber. Müller and Klein signed their own names, the rest signed with their mark.

Alsatian Records

The union of Theobald and Sara was not the only one produced by their respective families, for Sara's brother Peter Ludmann married Theobald's sister Anna Elisabetha. Peter and Anna Elisabetha had no living children when they died, and their estate was divided up among their siblings, including 4 who emigrated to America.

Peter and Anna Elisabetha lived in Eyweiler, a village about 2 miles north of Hirschland. Their estate settlement is recorded in the Notariatsakten of this village dated 1760 June 12. The original records have not been filmed, but they are outlined in the Eyweiler book of Dr Gerhard Hein (GHE-109). These records provide further direct evidence of the emigration from Hirschland to America of Sara Ludmann, Theobald Bieber, and Hans Georg Bieber.

Theobald's Estate Record in Berks County

The heirs of Theobald and Sara Bieber were entitled to shares of the estate of Peter and Anna Elisabetha Ludmann in two ways: first through Theobald who is Anna Elisabetha's brother, and second through Sara who is Peter Ludmann's sister. The estate documents of Sara Bieber (above) provided for the distribution of her share, but not for Theobald's share. To procure this inheritance, documents for the estate of Theobald Bieber were filed in Berks County Courthouse in 1768, 25 years after the earlier estate filing in Philadelphia.

The first document relating to Theobald's estate in Berks County is a bond of 100 pounds filed 1768 August 31 by Lawrence Bieber (i.e., Lorenz Bieber) to administer the "goods chattles rights and credits" of "Theobald Bieber unadministered by Sarah widow of the said deceased."

Next is an inventory dated 1768 October 1. The sole item on the inventory is "The Part and Share of the said Deceased of and in the Estate of his Sister Elisabeth Bieber [deceased], 26 pounds, 6 shillings."

Last is an administration account dated 1768 October 1. Among the disbursements are a few administrative expenses, then: "Jacob Bieber's Dividend paid by David Hahn, 6 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence ... Henry Miller's Dividend in Right of Magdalena his Wife paid by the said David Hahn, 6 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence ... Jacob Leiby's Dividend in Right of Odelia his Wife, 6 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence ... This Accomptant's [i.e., Lorenz's] Dividend, 6 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence." At the time, there were 4 surviving children of Theobald Bieber, and each received an equal share of the estate of their Alsatian aunt Elisabeth. Note that the globe-trotting David Hahn again plays a role in settling this estate, specifically in the part of the estate relating to the inheritance from Alsace.

An interesting aspect of the inheritance from Alsace concerns the different amounts received by Sara and Theobald. Sara got 19 pounds 9 shillings, while Theobald got 26 pounds 6 shillings. If I understand 18th Century shillings and pounds correctly, this means Theobald got about 1.4 times as much as Sara. Why the difference ? Well, from the Alsatian documents, we see that Peter Ludmann has 7 siblings as heirs, while his wife Elisabeth (nee Bieber) has only 5. The ratio is 1.4. In other words, the Ludmann estate was split equally between the heirs of Peter and Elisabeth, but Elisabeth's heirs received more per person because there were fewer of them.

The Mystery of Theobald's Death

Documentary Evidence

It is clear that Theobald suffered some kind of misfortune on the way to America, or shortly after arriving in America. Summarizing some key facts presented above:

An Alsatian notarial record of 1760 states that Theobald "... wished to emigrate to the New World 18 years ago, but according to reliable reports, he suffered an accident on the way there."

Theobald does not appear on the Philadelphia ship lists, either with his son Lorenz on the Robert and Alice in 1739 or with his son Hans Georg on the Lydia in 1741. But there *is* a Dewalt aboard the Lydia in 1741.

Theobald's estate file in Philadelphia shows that he died before 1743 Jan 12. But his Estate Inventory lists "Improvements on the Proprietors Land with some Winter Corn thereon."

From this one can formulate scenarios, for instance that Theobald suffered some kind of accident aboard ship, which led to his premature death (at about age 50) a year or so later. But based on the documentary evidence available to date, we cannot know exactly what happened to Theobald.

Reference:

• Reading Times Jun 11 1934, "Beaver Family to Meet July 19"

Residence

The Bieber plantation was located midway between Pleasantville and Lobachsville, about 1.5 miles from each. At the time of death of William Bieber in 1878 there were 200 acres and William was very wealthy. The property was distributed to nephews and nieces as he was a bachelor.

Note about parents

Find A Grave contributor Garland has made a suggestion

Johannes Jr does not appear to be one of his sons. Actually, the Johannes Bieber that died in Revolutionary war at Valley Forge was son of Johnannes Conrad Bieber (1695-1748) and Anna Magdalena Hegel 1735-1769. At least that is what I show. Very possible that he (Johannes Jr) also came on the ship friendship. And that Conrad related to Theobold.

Garland Holt.

Origins

Anna Eva Hehs [Lenz] married Hans Dietrich Bieber [Thierry] abt 1683 in Germany. They were parents to these children:

1. Johan Michael Bieber born in 1684, Hirschland, Alsace, Germany. 8 children, including Peter, who emigrated to America. [Married Anna Margaretha Karcher]
2. [Johan Ulrich Bieber born in 1685, Hirschland, Alsace, Germany]
3. Theobald “Dewalt’ Bieber born Nov 1690, Hirschland, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, Germany. To America.
4. Elizabeth Bieber, married Peter Ludmann.
5. Anna Maria Bieber, married Michael Schneider?
6. [Johannes Bieber born 1695, Hirschland, Bas-Rhin, Germany.]
7. Johann George Bieber born 8 Mar 1697, Hirschland, Alsace, Germany. To America. Married Anna Magdalena Schafer.
8. Maria Catharina, married [Johannes Kreutz]. 3 children.
9. [Johann Paulus Bieber born 1701, Hirschland, Alsace, Germany.]

Catharina Lentz married Hans Dietrich Bieber on 18 Sep 1703 at Hirschland, Alsace Lorriane, France.

References

• https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJT-T9T7-N?cat=70...
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45859114

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• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Dec 10 2019, 4:53:55 UTC
• https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJT-T9T7-N?cat=70...