Bio: Johannes Romig, 1728-1804, A Strong, Proud, Honest, Hardworking Man 
by Carol Romig Dietrich
c4romig@supernet.com

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Johannes Romig, 1728-1804, A Strong, Proud, Honest, Hardworking Man 
by Carol Romig Dietrich


    Johannes, son of Hans George and Anna Dorothea Romig, of Unterkessach,
Germany, arrived in America, November 08, 1752, on the ship, "Snow Lousia",
entering through the port of Philadelphia. Johannes settled a short distance
to the west of Boyertown, in an area known as Worman, now Earl Township,
bordering on Douglass Township, Berks County. 

    Johannes was the last of the four sons of Hans George and Anna Dorothea
to emigrate to this country. All four brothers settled in Pennsylvania. Three
years prior to the arrival of Johannes, his youngest brother, Christian came
to America choosing to settle in Lancaster County. In 1750, two other
brothers, Hans George, and George Michael had arrived, and both settled in
York county. After settling in the Worman area, Johannes married Anna Maria
Keihle (Keeley), daughter of Valentine and Susanna Keihle. 

    During the year 1767, Johannes took deed to ten acres of land, where he
built a stone house and a Swiss barn, both still standing to this day, strong
and proud. In 1780 there were three Romig farms in the Earl Township area, one
is still owned by descendents of Johannes and Anna Maria. Early tax records
show Johannes owning and paying taxes on one hundred and forty eight-acres.
As time went on, Johannes added more land and the plantation grew to one
hundred and eighty acres. 

    It was here, where Johannes and Anna Maria raised their children. Records
of local churches show they had six children baptized. If there were more
children, we do not know of them, at this time. The children were:  the first
born son, John, (b.1763 d.1822), married Magdalena Schwartzenback  (b.1768
d.1843) and raised six children;  George, (b.1765 d.1850), married Sophia
Fritz (b.1773 d.1828) who had eleven Children;  Christian, (b.1766 d.1844),
married Catherine Speidel (b.1767 d.1844) and  raised five Children;  Jacob,
(b.1772 d.1834) who married Susanna Weidner (b.1785 d.1864);  who had four
children, one of whom was blind her entire life;  Catherine (b.1774 d.1787);
and  Henry (b.1776 d.1843) married to Catherine Spira (b.1781 d.1860).
 
    All these children of Johannes and Anna Maria settled in Berks county,
except for the youngest son, Henry. Henry and Catherine, and their only
child, Henry Jr. moved to the Lincoln area of Lancaster County during the
year 1807.

    According to his 1804 will, filed in Berks County, Johannes left to his
wife, Anna Maria, the use of their house, stable, garden, interest from a sum
of money, for the rest of her life. The balance of his estate, including the
farm located partly in Earl and partly in Douglas Township, was left to his
oldest son, John. Johannes also provided for his remaining four sons and an
Elizabeth Heppen- heimer. The reason for the bequest to Elizabeth
Heppenheimer is not yet known. Was she a daughter, a sister, a friend or did
he owe her money? Johannes, named his oldest son, John and a his friend Jacob
Keeley, executors of his estate.

    Anna Maria, wife of Johannes, died during the year of 1807. The burial
sites for Johannes and Anna Maria, are not known, although, records indicate
they might be buried at Falkner Swamp Church. It is also possible that they
were buried in the Fritz Cemetery, in Douglass Township, Berks County where
their son, Christian, Christian's wife Catherina and many of their friends
are buried. The burial site of Johannes and Ann Maria's daughter Catherine,
has also not be found. 

    These are some of mysteries of the Romig family, that I will keep working
to solve. I am proud of my ancestor, Johannes Romig, and believe he was a
strong, proud, honest, hard-working man.

Sources:
Parrish register of Widdern Protestant Parish, Widdern, Germany 
Baptism records, of New Hanover Lutheran Church, Montgomery County, PA  
Falkner Swamp Reformed Church Records, New Hanover Twp., Montgomery County, PA  
St. Paul's Lutheran Records, Amityville, Berks County, PA  
Copy of Will, probated Berks County, PA  
Courthouse Earl Twp., Lancaster County, Tax Record of 1807 
Fellow Romig researcher, Rod Romig Fritz  
Cemetery researcher, Betty Burdan