Family History: Hans Jacob Neifert Descendants: part 1: Berks/Schuylkill Cos, PA written by William Washington Neifert in 1906 for family usage This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. _________________________________________________________________ We are proud to enclose a poem, written by a local resident. The Red Cross emblem is clearly marked A Red Cross with background of white, Which is easily recognized When it comes within your sight. This was first adopted in 1864 And since has reached every door, It is known nationwide When disaster strikes, it is at your side. In time of war they are first in line Whatever occurs they are there on time The blood bank has blood of every type Always on hand to save a life. This cannot be carried by a few They need help from me and you So give generously as you always do To help carry this program through. Diaster spares no one, time or place, And could meet you face to face. Have this in mind when you give You are helping others, that they migth live. Now here is a legend that is not new, When you help others, they help you. They are looking for help in this drive And will function on what you provide. Yes funds are needed, this we know, So give generously to Rush, Ryan and Delano To give with a heart is the least we can do Remember, the next in need could be you. Francis W. Job "THE PROPER STUDY OF MANKIND IS MAN" When I came to interest myself in the history of Rush Township and the Neifert family, I was not only surprised but very much disappointed to find available materials so limited. I regret that my research did not commence 25 years ago, for the facts collected now I fear fall far short of what might have been gathered then with ordinary pains. During that time have occured the deaths of many aged whose memories treasured up numerous interesting facts, which their descendents have neglected to preserve. My father and his cousins, David and Reuben Neifert, for instance, knew intimately their grandparents, who were among the Rush pioneers and could have supplied numerous paraticulars of their experience in the section. Each of these men was endowed with a strong retentive memory and before their death few could be found in the neighborhood that were better stored with reminiscences of the past. It is much regretted that they did not endeavor to preserve their recollections in writing. The story of any of the pioneer families of the township would have furnished many valuable suggestions for subjects to write about, but they were not writing people, and consequently left few records of their personal or family affairs. Even the brief early records of Christ's Church, upon which I depended so much for statistics, have been carelessly carried away and lost. It is earnestly hoped that those in the township who are amply able will be prompted to compile the data of the families, especially the Lindners, Fausts and Messerschmidts and thus lay the founda- tion of a reliable history of the township. It is scarcely to be expected that a record of this kind, gathered from a variety of sources and generally by correspondence, should be entirely free from errors. As much attention as possible under the circumstances has been given to insure authenticity yet I deliver the result to my immediate relatives and a few friends with much difference and I will feel obliged should any important errors be detected if some person conversant witht the facts will furnish a correction to the undersigned. There are still many statistics lacking to complete this record. Some now living have neglected, others have refused to furnish the information asked for. The compiler requests that those interested kindly send the data to or communicate with him at the address below. Much Pennsylvania history has been consulted, especially Penna. Archives, for references to the township and the family and my efforts were not entirely without recompense, for the Archives are rich with historic lore, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has not been unmindful of its preser- vation. Very naturally I am under obligations to my many friends who have rendered me great assistance, as well as to others from whose writings I have not hesitated to borrow when necessary, as this compliation is for private circulation and not for pecuniary profit. I thank them all without attempting to enumerate their many names. The task was undertaken for the information and entertainment of my immediate relatives and myself with no thought of giving it a wider circulation. William W. Neifert, Local office, US Weather Bureau Hartford, Connecticut The story of German immigration to the Province of Pennsylvania forms an interesting chapter in the history of that great Commonwealth. For many years its importance and significance was not recognized by those who formed part and parcel of it, and it is only within a recent period of years that it has received the attention it deserves. The present day however is radiant with promise that the question of the German influence in the physical, political and intellectual upbuilding of the state, will be fully worked out because of the industry of the resistless Germans the colony florished. This immigration began in 1683 when thirteen families settled at Germantown. Others followed from time to time and sent such glowing reports of this land of promise to the home country that immigration increased rapidly. Religious persecution and political oppression drove thousands to Penns- ylvania, whither William Penn himself invited the persecuted of every creed and religious opinion. His lieberal views and the illiberal course of the government of New York toward the Germans, induced many to come here. Rupp has prepared a list showing more than thirty thousand names of immi- grants that came to Pennsylvania from 1683 to 1776. Among the list, the Germans predominate, and many of them came from the section known as the Palatinate. (Note - The Palatinate has disappeared from the may of Europe, its territory having been absorbed by its neighbors. At the time of its greatest political importance, it consisted of two large provinces, and several out- lying principalities. The Upper Palatinate--Ober Pfalz --was situated in the eastern part of the present Kingdom of Barvaria. The Lower Palatinate--Unter Pfalz or Rhein Pflaz--was situated on both sides of the Rhein and was always regarded as one of the most fertile countries in the world. The principle cities were Heidelberg, Mannheim, and Franckenthal.) The means of these Palatines were scant, even at the outset of their journey and wholly inadequate to bear the strain of a long and tedious sea voyage, which it required in those days. Further it was not an unusual case where the voyage was prolonged so as to exhaust the emigrant's supplies, and thus force him to purchase his necessities from the Captain and ship owners at their exorbitant prices. If his little amount of money was gone his baggage was seized and if this was not sufficient to liquidate the trumped up demands against the poor immigrant, he himself was held and on arrival at Philadelplhia, was exposed at public auction and in this way his services for a period of years were contracted for under prescribed legal regulations in consideration of payment of these stiipulations or as in many cases the payment of the passage across the Atlantic by such of his fellow men as in need of his labor and who were willing to discharge the debts the immi- grant had been compelled to incur through his desire to reach this promised land. The following is a copy of an ACT for the better regulation of these servants. "And be it enacted------that every servant that shall serve four years or more shall at the expiration of their Servitude have a discharge and shall be duly Cloathed with two complete suits of Apparel, whereof one shall be new and shall also be furnished with one new Ax, one Grubbing-hoe and one Weeding-hoe: at the charge of their Master or Mistress" Many valuable individuals were thus imported into Pennsylvania, and were termed "Redemptioners." The story is told of a Redemptioner, whose request that the contract with his master should contain the provision that he was to have meat twice in each week, was cherfully granted. Upon arrival at the master's home the Redemptioner had meat at supper his first meal. When meat was given him also at breakfast on the following morning, his face was filled with sadness. The master asked why he looked so sad, the answer was that it was true that the contract stated that he should have meat twice in each week, but he did not expect to receive meats at two meals so close together. So great was his surprise when told that he had no reason to be sad, for he would have meat served him at three meals on each day, that he exclaimed: that he wished that his back were also his stomach, The Palatine Redemptioner were usually sold at Ten pounds, requiring from three to five years servitude. After the expiration of their services they were permitted to become land holders on easy terms. Many of the German settlers were of this class and from these have sprung some of the most influential and wealthy families of the state. The acquisition of land seems to have been a prominent characteristic with the Germans. The price of wild lands was so reasonable that they were tempted to enter upon and conquer new sections in the interior. Then too the incoming tide became so strong that there were no longer any lands near the old settlements to be taken up and they were necessarily compelled to move into the backwoods. Besides, the geater number of the imigrants were farmers, so it was but natural that upon ariving at Philadelphia they should at once betake themselves by the nearest route to the unsettled regions. They were not afraid to work and the remote localities had no terror for them. Again, in traditional policy of the Proprietary Government also pushed them to the frontiers-the places of danger. Some historians take pride in writ- ing that so mild and generous was the dealing of the Quaker with the Aborigines that "not a drop of Quaker blood was shed by an Indian". Which is easily ex- plained from the fact that the belt of a Quaker settlement was enclosed in a circumference described by a radius of 50 miles from Penn's City on the Del- aware. Beyond that line came the sturdy German, whose settlements effectually prevented the savages from spilling Quaker blood. Instead, the tomahawk and scalping knife found sheath in the bodies of the sturdy children of the Palatineate. The sacrificed lives of more than 300 men, women and children from the Rhine country, who fell along the Blue Mountains between 1750 and 1763, give true answer to this Quaker boast. However, fairly the Indians may have been treated by Penn and by the authorities after him, yet it cannot be denied that in numerous instances, besides being cheated by the traders they were greatly abused by the settlers who never hesitated to take advantage of them. The life of a savage was held cheaply and still more so his property. All this rankled in the Indian heart and in the memory of his friends and in accordance with their savage nature, they but waited the opportunity to bala- nce the scale in their own manner, with their white neighbors. By a strange turn in the wheel of fortune, when the opportunity came the vengance fell upon the heads of the Pennsylvania German settlers, on the border land, who of all never injured the Indians by deed or word, and who, alone, were truly their friends. From subsequent events we of the Neifert family are led to believe that our paternal ancester was one of these Palatine immigrants. By the immigrant lists it will be seen that a Palatine by name of HANS JACOB NEUFERST, landed at Philadelphia on the 27th of September, 1752 in the Ship "NANCY". Capt. Ewing, from Rotterdam via Cowes, England and on the same day, the records show he took the oath of allegiance to King George II and the Province of Pennsylvania, which was required of all foreign born male immigrants over 16 years of age. We infer that he then contracted to serve a period in pay- ment of his passage, etc., for no trace of him can be found until September 1, 1757 when by a master roll in the Pennsylvania Archives we find that he enlisted as a Private to serve for three years in the first battalion of the regiment of Pennsylvania militia, for duty east of the Susquehanna, in the company commanded by Captain John Nicholas Weatherholt (or Wetterholt), John Armstrong Colonel, Commandant. The company consisted of 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, l Ensign, l Surgeon, l Drummer, l Fifer, 2 Sergeants, 2 Corporals and 46 Privates. Unfortunately the obligation which these soldiers signed is not now obtainable. The following is a copy of an agreement entered into by the members of short term bodies, many of which were soon after reorganized and incorporated into the Provincial Regiment. January 12, 1756 "We the subscribers do hereby engage ourselves to serve as soldiers in his Majesty's service, under the command of Capt----- for the space of one month and whoever of us shall get drunk, desert or prove cowardly in Time of Action or disobedient to our officers, shall forfeit his pay. This agreement we make in consideration of being allowed at the rate of Six dollars per month wages. One dollar for the use of a gun and blanket, to each man who shall furnish himself with them and the Provisions and Rum mentioned in paper here with anex'd." The record shows that our ancestor enlisted under the name, Jacob Neifert, as a German and as being 21 years old. As such he served in what is known as the French and Indian War, but the only record of actural service, that can now be located in the Archives of the state, show that he was on duty with the command in Hedelberg, Township, Northampton County, during the months of March and April, 1758, to protect the people against the raids of the Indians. But he was no doubt more or less engaged with the company as their services were needed, until his term of enlistment expires, for notwithstanding the utmost vigilence of the bravest sentinel, or in spite of the most thorough ranging by capable officers, the savage crept noiselessly past and through the lines to wreak vengence and satiate his passions on the inoffensive German. After his military life he no doubt found the one who had filled his dreams, and comenced a double life. Unfortunately we have not been able to learn the name of the lady with whom he coupled his interests. However from the Rev. Schumacher's record of baptisms of the northern townships of Berks County we find that her name was Elizabeth _________ and here we found the following entries: A.D. 1762 Neuferth, Catherine Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Bapt. June 13 (no date of birth) Sponsors: daniel Straub and Cath. Schneider A.D. 1765 Joh. Jacob, son of Jacob and Elizabeth, Bapt July 28 ( no date of birth) Sponsors: Joh. Jacob Stump, and Christina Straussern Ledig A.D. 1768 John, son of Jacob and Elizabeth born Jan. 15, 1768 Bapt. March 17 A.D. 1775 Christina, dau. of Jacob and Elizabeth, morn May 1, 1775 bapt. May 21, 1775 There are no marriages mentioned in Schumacher's record and this was all that could befound along these lines, but it is without a doubt our ancestor's record and "may point a moral or avance a tale"! Here as in other instances which follow the spelling of the errors. ( this scheme prevails in the printed Penna. Archives. It is the duty of the Archivist to follow the originals in all cases). From the early tax lists of Albany township, Berks County, the following items have been copied, viz:- 1767. NEYFORD, Jacob, 1 cattle. 1768. NEIFERT, " , 1 horse. 1779. NEIFFART, " , 2 horses, 150 acres. 1780. NEUFERT, " , 2 horses, 3 cattle, 140 acres. 1781. NUFERT, " , 2 horses, 3 cattle, 140 acres. 1784. NEUFFERT, " , 2 cattle, 3 sheep, 140 acres. 1785. NEUFFER, " , Amount 19.0. From the County records at Reading we learn that the will of Jacob Neifert was probated in 1812. (Will book, A page 601). It was made in November,1810 and was written in German. After the usual directions as to the disposition of his body, etc. he proceeds, "In references to the wordly goods with which God has blessed me. I give and bequeath the following manner, First. I direct that after my death all that I leave behind shall be sold at Public Sale, and all my possessions (or property) shall be equally divided among the heirs I leave, viz-Jacob Neifert, John Neifert, Catherine and Margaretha Christina. (Apparently the latter is one name, but it is rather an unusal combination). Secondly: I designate John Neifert as the only executor of this my last will and testament" (then follows the signature and date) "JACOB NEIFERT, November, 1810." Signed in the presence of Jacob Kemmmerer and Wilhelm Kistler and was probated in 1812. It is evident that he had sold practically everything (real estate) before his death and it is altogether likely that he sold his land to his son John, although no record of any deed has been found. The inventory which was filed July 30, 1813, contains a statement entirely of person 1 property, notes and bonds which further suggests that at the time of his death he no longer owned any land. The personal effects consisted of beds, bedsteads, clocks, trousers, coats and other wearing apparel, 60 or 69 articles but no farming implements. The notes and bonds were, viz: John Neifert, bonds $773.33 Jacob Leiby receipts $96.67 John Neifert note 124.67 Nells Klingeman note 8.00 Jacob Neifert does not say 29.47 John Feather " 2.10 whether note or bond 40.00 Michael Miller " 11.80 Conrad Miller, note 119.41 Jacob Kistler " 25.00 Fredr. Gotschal " 10.67 Jacob George " 78.67 Jacob Daubenspeck note 189.33 John Dunkle 2 " 130.33 David Lichty, debtor 17.33 John Berk " 20.00 John Greenwalt note 17.33 Jacob Merckel " 15.00 Philiip Gazheimer bond 44.00 George Strasser " 25.00 Philip Snider note 20.00 Peter Hollenbach " 5.00 Peter Weyman bond 20.00 John Trautman " 16.00 Total notes and bonds $1839.11, the proceeds from clothing, furniture amounted to $392.35, taking a total of 2231.46. The fact that the oldest son, Jacob, moved to Rush Township, I believe accounts for the fact that John, the second son was made sole executor. His remains are buried in Jeruselam cemetery, near Wernersville, PA. We do not find the name Jacob Neifert on any of the Revolutionary War lists, however, some of the lists have as yet not been published, while in numerous instances the records showing the names of entire companies have been lost. In the Memorials against calling a convention in 1779, we find the name JOHN NEIFERT, among the remonstrants of Berks County. (We interpret this to be the same man, as the son John was too young at that time, being but ll years old). According to the muster roll previously referred to, he was 21 years of age when he enlisted in 1757 showing that he was born some time in 1736 and would make him 76 years old at the time of his death in 1812. His son John died of Cholera in July 1824-5, and the Berks County records show that letters of administration on his estate were granted August 24, 1825. (Adm. book 9 page 335). The records further show several entries of deeds from Isaac Neifert and Jacob Neifert in the middle 50's, these were no doubt sons of John. The Acts of the Commonwealth for the year 1833, show that on April 6 of that year a bill was approved by the Governor appointing a commission to determine the amount of damages on account of a state highway passing through the lands of Jacob and Isaac Neifert of Albany township, Berks Co. The voting lists of the upper Berks townships at this time do not contain the name, Neifert, they having either died or removed. John had a daughter who married Charles Fry, who later bought Isaac's farm which is about half a mile from Kempton on the Berks County R.R., a son Jacob Fry now occupying the home. Isaac had two sons, Isaac and Jacob who are now living in Kansas. A daughter, Mary living in Allentown, PA and another daughter Kate who is dead, George another son of John's removed early to Indianapolis, Ind. In our country everything in the evolution of civil and religious liberty is attributed to the hereditary influence of the Puritans, yet in all that pertains to the material prosperity of the Nation, the Pennsylvania Dutch have shown that they are qualified to stand on a level with men of any other blood. The Pennsylvania German is interesting and perhaps not very well understood. His idiosyncrasies have been magnified, while the deeper consistencies of his character have been overlooked. He is capable of intense bigotry, yet deeply religious, full of homely quiantness of thought and speech, though without vulgarity is firm in friendship, but not over ready to forgive possessing little wit, still not without a dry sense of humor and ruled for the most part by considerations of utility rather than by those of beauty, so practical as to be untouched by the ideals of poetry and romance, yet singularly sensitive to all the sacred impulses of affec- tion. At heart he is an idealist, believing in and seeking for the best things. He has always stood on his own feet, isolated in his strength and self sufficiency. It is hard to forget that all the opprobium and mis- representation that has been cast upon these people has long been borne without a protest. The chief offenders at the present time are men who have had no intimate acquaintence with the characteristics of the people whom they falsely deride and abuse. Their scurrilous falsehoods have so long gone unchallenged that some have accepted them as truths and reiterated them with all their original fervancy, but let us hope that the day for that has gone. The faults and short-comings of the German pioneers and their immediate descendants were many and obvious. I do not seek to extenuate them in the slightest degree, but the whole must not be judged by the acts of a few, so I do assert that with all their short-comings, they were the peers of any race that set its foot upon the Western Hemisphere and that in every qualification that goes to the making of the highest class of citizen- ship, they stand at the very forefront today. It has been truly said of them, that they brought with them none of the vindictive bigotry that burnt witches or swung Quakers from the scaffold, but instead they at once adopted the doctrines of the broad minded Penn, that religious and political toler- ance were among the natural and inalienable rights of men. So let it not be forgotten that these people whom a few have denounced and derided as boors, were nevertheless the first men on the American continent to de- nounce the wrong of human slavery and by petitioning for its abolition, they starated that tremendous uprising which culminated in our late rebel- lion and the ultimate freedom of the slave under the proclamation of President Lincoln. They printed the first Bible in America fifty years be- fore one was printed by the descendents of the "Mayflower" and the organizer of the first school in the world where children were gathered for religious instruction on the Lord's day and known today as Sabbath school, was a German. As early as 1740, Philip Hocker, at Ephrata, PA brought the child- renof the pious framers of Lancaster County together on the Sabbath and ins- tructed them out of the Bible, by having verses written and afterwards printed on cards from which they were committed to memory. Penn- sylvania led America and one might say the world, in new schemes for making the prison a place not of punishment only, but of reformation and Philadelphia has the distinction of opening the first hospital in America. On June 18, 1775 during the approaching crisis in the colonies the representatives of the then nearly 100,000 Germans in the Province assembled in convention at Philadelphia, then the chief civic city of this country and pledged their support to the Patriots and that pledge was fulfilled on many a field of battle. They surely have no cause to be ashamed of their record as representatives of a type of American citizenship, but which through their characteristic modesty and reserve has been suffered to pass unnoticed and unacted they being content with the mere result. Through these German settlers and their descendents it was but a matter of course that the language of their Fatherland predominated. The use of the English language in courts of Justice and in legal documents and even English teaching in the general system of education has not inter- fered wtih its preservation for they retain the use of their vernacular dialect up to the present time. It is a mixture of German dialects, some Swiss and some German proper, wtih a strong infusion of English and is called "Pennsylvania-German or Pennsylvania Dutch" but it can hardly be called a language. Although the greater part of the Pennsylvania- Dutch speak the English language, they also cling tenaciously to this peculiar dialect and many use it daily in preference to any other tongue Representatives of these people may now be found in every state and territory of the Union. Wherever located they retain to a great degree the dialect of the so-called golden chores of the Pecific or in our in- sular possessions, they can be readily detected by it. There is only one Pennsylvania in the world and its children have many reasons to be proud of the relation which it sustains to the great union of states. RUSH TOWNSHIP It is generally conceded that this township takes its name from Dr. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia, a voluminous author, an eminent physician of his day, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. His abilities were of the most unquestioned charcter and were universally recognized at home and abroad. (It has been suggested that it might be named for William Rush, the celebrated Doctor's relative, who was also connected with the affairs of the State about that time.) The area of the township when first settled was much larger than at present as from it have been taken, in whole or in part, Mahanoy 1849, Rahn-1860, East Union 1867; Ryan-1863; Klien-1873; and Delano-1881. Rush and West Penn townships were originally a portion of Northampton County, and they together with seven townships of Berks County were formed into Schuylkill County in 1811, by the following mentioned legislation: An ACT for erecting part of the counties of BERKS and NORTHAMPTON into a seperate County. PREAMBLE: "Whereas, the inhabitants of the northern parts of Berks and Northampton Counties, have, by their petitions, set forth to the General Assembly of this state, the great hardship they labour under, from being so remote from the present seat of justice, and the publice offices; Be it enacted, etc. that all that part of Berks County, lying and being within the limits of the following townships, to wit;-The townships of Brunswick, Schuylkill, Manheim, Norwegian, Upper Mahantongo, Lower Mahantongo and Pine Grove in Berks County and the townships of West Penn, and Rush in Northampton County shall be and the same are hereby according to their present lines declared to be erected into a county, henceforth to be called Schuylkill." Courts of Common Pleas and general Quarter Sessions were authorized to be held at the house then occupied by Abraham Peiffsnyder, in the township of Brunswick, until a court house should be erected in and for said county. SIGNED: John Weber, speaker of the House of Representatives P.C. Lane, Speaker of the Senate Simon Snyder, Governor March 1, 1811 In accordance with this provision the first court was held in the east room of this house, (then as since a tavern). On the third Monday of December, 1811: Hon. Robert Porter, Judge of the third Judicial District, presiding and George Rausch and Daniel Yost, Esquires, sitting as Associate Judges. The constables of the different townships were in attendance, although none appeared for Rush. William Green the High Sheriff returned the precept duly executed, and 21 voters were sworn as the first grand inquest. It is remem- bered that Frederick Hesser was the "Crier" of the court, which continued to be held in this house till the erection of a court house. He had been a drummer boy in the Revolutionary War, and he was accustomed to announce the assembling of the court by beating his drum under the window of the court room. By an ACT passed January 17, 1812, persons liable to imprisonment in Schuylkill Co., were to be confined in the prison of Berks County, the act to be continued in force for two years. By an ACT passed March 3, 1818 parts of Columbia and Luzerne Counties were annexed to Schuylkill County as Union township and thus constituted the county ahs an area of 745 square miles. Orwigsburg was selected as the sear of Justice, and the first county court house was erected i that borough in 1815. ON March 13, 1847 the act was approved for the removal of the seat of Justice of the county, from Orwigsburg to the borough of Pottsville. The county takes its name from the Schuylkill river which rises within its borders. The word is of Dutch origin and Day says that: "It was very probably named by Captain Hendrickson in 1616, from the fact of its mouth being concealed by several low islands, the river could not be found till actually entered. Schuil or Schullen in the Dutch, signifies concealed or hidden: Kil, signifies a channel, stream or river. Therefore the meaning of Schuil-Kil, or Schullen-Kil. (the way it spelled in the Dutch, and as it should be now written) is Hidden River or concealed stream." Haldeman says that "by some persons it is said to be of Indian origin but this is not correct. The name given to it by the Indians was 'Ganshowehanne' which means a roaring or falling stream". Rupp says, "the Indians called it 'Manajung', which means Mother". The counties of Northampton and Berks were erected in 1752, the former from Bucks county and the latter from Lancaster County. Lancaster was taken from Chester county in 1729. The three original counties of the Province were Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia and were established by William Penn in 1682. Penn regarded the Indians as the rightful owners of the territory by virtue of their possession and after his arrival he began negotiations with them for their lands and succeeded i making many purchases, giving in consider- ation for the land mostly articles which the Indian regarded as useful such as blankets, coats, guns, powder and lead, and occasionally rum was given, but comparatively little money was paid them. There is one deed in which we are particularly interested, as it included the whole of Schuylkill County and was for the tract of land north of the Blue Mountain and extending from the Delaware River on the east to the Susquehanna on the west. "For and in consideration of the sum of Five hundred pounds, lawfull money of Pennsylvania by the Honourable Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, Esquires, Proprietaries of the Province of Penn. & Ovell and truly paid unto." then follow the names of 24 Sachems or Indian Chiefs representing the nine tribes. It was executed at Philadelphia, August 22, 1749 and was signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Lynford Lardner, Receiver Feneral of the Province: Will'm Logan, one of the Council; Richard Peters, Secretary of the Province; Conrad Heiser, Interpreter; and 12 others. The deed was recorded at Philadelphia, May 16, 1752 and the original is on file at Harrisburg. (It is fitting here to mention briefly Conrad Heiser and the writer can do no better than quote Capt. Richars when he says "Conrad Heiser, the German Palatine, a man who has done more for the welfare of the Province of Pennsylvania than any other one and has received less credit for it; who had he been of English blood, would long since have had grand monuments and lasting tablets roared to his memore, but hwo is just beginning to become known to the general public and whose monument is but an humble slab in an orchard of his old home. He landed at New York, early, but soon removed to Lebanon County. In 1732 he became the head of Pennsylvania's Indian Bureau and the officially recognized Interpreter, and so continued until his death July 13, 1760. Many important treaties were arranged and rat- ified by him and through his wise and philanthropic policy many bloody outbreaks were prevented. He was constantly and actively engaged in the discharge of his duties and his entire record was always above tain and suspicion. His grave was visited at various times by Indians, who always respected his memory and many piligrimages have been made to it by those who, in after years, reaped the fruit of his labors and learned to appre- ciate his work, but of all these, the most noteworthy was that of President George Washington, on the morning of November 14, 1793.) Having now disposed of these lands, the Indians gradually left the region with the intention of remaining away, but shortly afterward some having been deceived by misrepresentations of the French and others having become disgruntled because they did not share in the benefits of the sale, many of them returned with the evident intention of marauding the settlers. They seldom appeared in force, but in small parties stealing through the woods, attacking the Pennsylvania German settlers in their houses in the dead of night or whilst engaged in their occupations in the fields, burning houses and barns and slaughtering men, women, and children. They made a success of their malicious invasion, from their point of view, for they kept the country in an unsettled and uncertain condition for years and the strange anomaly of the whole record lies in the fact, which has already been stated, that of all people, these Germans alone, always treated the red man with unfailing justice. They did for more than that; where others went to him with a musket in one hand, and a bottle of rum in the other they took the Bible. The Indians however finally left, never to return again. It is said that last Indian of whom anything is known in the county was "Big Jack" who lived alone in a hut near Pottsville, about the beginning of the last century. Rush was probably never the permanent habitat of any tribe. The great rivers on the east and on the west afforded greater attraction for the savages. These rivers were plentiful with fish and the Indians could easily move their canoes from place to place up and down the rivers. Their valleys also facilitated their crude attempts at farming which the narrow valleys of the Schuylkill and its tributaries in which florished a thick un- dergrowth of the wild rhodendondron did not encourage. Because of the abundance of game with which these forests were filled, the section was occasionally visited by parties of hunters but no evidences were left of any permanent settlements. As early as 1750, for reasons previously stated a few Germans ventured up from the more thickly settled parts of Berks into the red shale valleys USBER DEN BLAUFN BERGN AN DER SCHULEKILL and made a small settlement at Orwigsburg. Sparse settlements followed in the vicinity of the present town of Pine Grove, and elsewhere in the immediate vincinity both east and west. (Note the Blue Mountain was so called on account of its bluish appear- ance when viewed from a distance. It was the limit of the earliest surveys which were made westerly from the Delaware River and was really a barrier to immigration in the earlist settlement of Berks County. It was formerly called "Kittatinny Mountain" a corruption from the Indian name "Kantatinchunk" meaning endless.) In Rush among the earliest settlers of whom we have any authentic information was JOHAN JAWCOB NEUFFERT, who to better his condition and to provide the wants of a growing family left his home and all its ties in Albany township Berks County and came to this section during the spring of 1799. On the 17 of May that year the Commonwealth granted to Michael Rush a tract of land located in the "Tamaquay district" consisting of 397 acres and 69 perches with 6 per cent allowance, which tract for the consideration of one hundred and forty two pounds was sold to the said Neuffert on August 19th of the same year. Our ancestor immediately began to erect a log house in the Hollow about where his old saw mill was later located. After getting the house partially ready for occupancy and preparing a hugh pile of fuel, for the gorgeous scarlet and golden tints suggeested the now rapidly approaching winter months, he returned to Albany for his family. While there a heavy snow occurred and winter having apparently set in in earnest, it was decided to defer the journey until the following spring when accompained by his family he directed his steps towards this region which of course was a lone- some and practically unexplored place, cut off from civilization. Now strangely they must have been effected when they first viewed this expanse of country. "The sound of the Church going bell, these valleys and rocks never heard: Never sighed at the sound of a knell or smiled when a Sabbath appeared." Not even a road existed, where were merely obscure Indian trails and they were necessarily compelled to perform the journey over mountain and torrent, through mosses and forest, braving the inclemency of the weather and the dangers of a howling wilderness through which the bear roamed at will and in which the stillness of the night was only broken by the unearathly yells of the starving wolf or frightened fowl. After finally reaching the end of their journey they were dismayed to find that the elements during the winter had blown down an old tree, which fell upon and destroyed the rude log structure. His good wife protested against rebuilding in that exact location. Clinging tenac- iously to her inherited German superstitions, she contended that they would be surrounded by ill luck in that location, and insisted on going upon a hill, shere the sun could shine on them. They then sele- cted a sunny location for the future home near a cool, unfailing spring, which was readily detected among the green and rank-growing ferns in the little ravine and under a large spruce tree secured shelter in their large strong wagon covered with linen cloth-- the ship of the inland commerce--from the storms and wild animals. Suff- icient ground was cleared to plant such things as gave the most sup- port, generally corn and potatoes or a few things to fill the little patch which they called a "garden" for the means at their disposal were scant and the efforts were more for living than accumulating. Their strong arms next rooted up the grubs, removed saplings and felled the majestic oak, the towering pine, the chestnut and other trees that densely covered the land. The timber suitable for the log house which had to be built was carefully laid aside, shingles for the roof were split and shaved, rails for fence cloaved from such logs as suited the purpose, the newcomers toiling and preservering until the forest was changed into arable field. The first harvest however could only be expected after weeks or arduous labor in removing stones, weeds and briras, besides picking, digging, raking and burning. Whilst waiting for the growth of the seed sown and the ripening of the harvest, the pioneer was busy in extending the borders of land to be cultivated, for he was a true expansionist and had a stupendous work to perform. The original log house was erected on pract- ically the spot which the homestead occupies at this date, but at a time when all of mother earth was in a primitive condition. Timber used in the construction of the first log cabin was later used in making a larger house. This second building is still standing at this time and is used as a kitchen and dining room during hot weather. As a boy "In die gute alte Zeit" the writer frequently visited the homestead and each time enjoyed a hearty meal in this old building or drank a glass of cool sweet mild at the "srping house" over the original spring where our paternal forefathers settled. This entertainment strengthened the bonds of friendship, for hospitality that was genuine was ever shown. At the table was always found the best evidence of preporation by the good mother and her daughters and after Grace was said, there was the special word to the visitors to "help yourselves and eat heartily." The present large old style farm house was erected after succeeding generations came into possession of the property and growing families demanded more room. It is now occupied by great grandchildren of the original settler and the tract of land in part has continued in the family since that time. It originally consisted of nearly 400 acres and extended from practically the Church to the Little Schuylkill River and from Hauch's to Hintzer's. Today the farm comprises only abaout 90 acres but it is in all one of the most desirable places in the section. It was sold by the original owner to his son, John Neifert, November 10,1836 and his in turn sold it to his son, David Neifert on July 23, 1858. The administrators of the latter's estate sold the property to Hosle Neifert on April 12, 1905. On the homestead were born 4 children, 4 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and ???? great great grandchildren of Johan Jawcob Neuffert. The old spruce tree has long ago succumbed to the elements, but near the original homestead still stands like a faithful sentinel a tall solitary chestnut tree, six feet thick and years since it had a companion. As the writer remembers this remnant of the ancient forest it was quite thrifty and showed no signs of decay. It stood here no doubt sometime before our ancestors settled in the vicinity and is probably the largest tree in the township or perhaps the county. If this tree could only speak what a his- tory it might unfold. OTHER EARLY SETTLERS During the latter part of March, 1800, Thomas Lindner came with his family from Rockland, Berks County and settled in the valley, near what is now known as the "Stone Tavern" on the road from Panther Creek Valley to the upper Lehigh or Wyoming Valleys and which road later became the first state highway in the township. Thomas Lindner was born in Montgomery County, Sep- tember 27, 1763 and died at his homestead on March 18, 1812. He was the son of Benjamin Bindner an Englishman. His mother was a German but her name is unknown. He married Mary Magdalona Sensenderfer of whose parentage nothing has yet been learned. She was born August 30, 1765 and died September 5, 1831. They lie buried side by side in the cemetery at the White Church. They had 9 children, viz:- Catherine, ( 1835), married (1) Jacob Smith (?????) (2) John Hoffert (???) Jacob (1780-1853) married Catherine Muller (1807-1885) Samuel (1790-1854) married Catherine De Frehn (1793-1850) Anna (1792-1872) married John Neifert, (1790-1859) Anthony (1795-1847) married Barbara Neifert (1796-1842) Aolomon (1800-1845) married (1) Anna Herbster (???) (2) Eva Hurst (1813-1892) Daniel (1804-1863) marrried Rebecca Neifert (1815-1860) David (1807-1885) married Mary Klingaman (1807-1895) Lydia Ann (1811-1888) married William Kaup (1811-1887) In 1806 John Faust came from Montgomery County and settled in Locust Valley on the farm owned and occupied by Thomas Meakle. John Faust was born November 26, 1775 and died Spetmeber 18, 1851, his wife was Rosanna Hunsinger, born Deptember 16, 1774 and died August 17, 1847. Nothing has been learned of their ancestry. They are buried in the cemetery at St. Peter's church in Locust Valley. They had nine children-- Mary (1796-1874) married Peter Neifert (1787-1874) John (1797-1887) married Elizabeth Bachert (1801-1864) Elizabeth (1799-1881) married Jacob Neifert (1798-1864) George (???) married Rebecca Klingeman (???) Jacob (1802-1885) married Kate Klingeman (1809-1885) William (1806-1860) married Rebecca Lindemuth (1809-1896) Henry (1808-1885) married Salome Klingeman (1814-1902) Rosine (1810-1883) married John Messersmith (1804-1862) Jonathan (1817-1875) married (1) Elizabeth Rehrig (1815-1862) (2) Leah Klingeman (???) There were 93 grandchildren. The tendency of these three pioneer families--Neifert, Lindner and Faust--was to be neighborly and helpful to each other, recognizing these common joys and sorrows of humanity of which all agos and conditions partook, so it is not to be wondered that the natural affections were developed and that now these families are cheerfulness and farmers work as plowing, reaping, and wood cutting may well supply a substitute for the gymnasium and the families were large, so that they did not get lonesome. The Gottschalls' settled i the Catawissa Valley portion of Rush Township, about 1800. They found traces of Indian occupancy, in the form of an abandoned encampment. These settlements grew as all German settlements do, slowly but surely, until the establishment of the County a dozen years later started a more vigorous growth in the district; and the Bachert, Bankes, Boughner, Brause, Blew, Gearhart, Messerschmidt, Lindemuth families came during the following decade or two. The first settlers however were no doubt the Dresh's and Herrings' who are reputed to have settled in the Locust Valley about 1784. During that year David Dresh erected the first log house on the Klingeman farm on the road from Reading to Catawisssa and planted the first orchard in the township. The Archives show that on January 4, 1812, 100 acres of land was granted by the Commonwealth to Thomas Lindner and in 1827 a grant of 500 acres was made to his sons, David, Samuel and Anthony. April 27, 1827 12 acres to John Faust; August 5, 1828 200 acres to Daniel Lindner; December 28, 1829 100 acres to David Lindner; also 50 acres on April 19, 1830; September 12, 1849 50 acres to John Neifert; October 23, 1649 75 acres to Ely Neifert to whom also was granted on September 18, 1860, 40 acres more, and as late as April 27, 1870 he was granted another parcel of 40 acres; Joseph Neifert received 150 acres on August 26, 1867; and perhaps others of these families, which were overlooked in the limited time at the disposal of the writer when examining the records. It is supposed however that under the homestead laws the lands of Rush were generally taken up by capitalists, who then attempted to develope the region and induced settlers to come home by paying a portion of their expenses, and after they began to thrive selling them small farms. HABITS OF THE PEOPLE, MILLS, ETC. This isolated district soon experienced the necessity for a grist mill and the abundance of timber demanded the erection of saw mills. Both were erected about 1812 by Gross and Nissimer on the Little Schuylkill near the present Hintzer's station. This location was no doubt chosen on account of the excellent water facilities. The course of the stream being through a deep ravine, dams were built at a comparitively small cost and from these the water was lead through a to the large overshot wheels that furnished the power. The wooden cog wheels and the other necessary machin- ery were improved on the spot. Mills were later erected in other sections of the township, among which the writer distinctly recalls the saw mills at Barnesville on the Pine Creek; Messersmith' on Locust Creek; another on the brook near the original Neifert settlement and the property of the Neifert family' Hauck's grist mill in the same locality; and Heiser's grist mill on the Pine Creek at the base of the Delano Mountain. Those mountains and val- leys have long since been denuded of their valuable timber and all of the saw mills have gone to decay. The saw mill at Barnesville,-- How I loved that old mill when I was a boy, for near it I spent the happy hours of childhood and youth and among the vivid pictures of those memories are scenes that the people of the twentieth century will never witness. Oh that old creek and dam, where in summer we had our daily plunge indefinately prolonged. The product of the grist mills was a course flour resembling the meal which in the present day is fed to livestock. It made a very dark colored bread-wholesome nutritious. A cereal coffee was made from parched grain for ordinary use and genuine coffee was reserved for visitors. For common use, these pioneers made a mild but delicious tea from the dried leaves of a shoot resembling the Golden Rod, which grows in profusion among the shrub- bery of the hillsides and also from the glossy appearing and spicy flavored leaves of the "Mountain Mint" which is very thrifty at higher elevations, imported tea being used only for special occasions. Sugar was made from the sap of the maple and birch trees or in many cases wild hone gathered from the hollow tree trunks served as its equivalent. The wild grape, cherry, crab apple (holz-apel) and the smaller fruits-- elder, black and huckleberries, were dried, stewed, preserved or made into jams, while cordials and wines were frequently made from their juices. With many preparations of a cereal, soups or meat broth, animal food smoked, roasted, broiled, fried or boiled, eggs,vegetables, milk, butter, domestic cheese of various kinds, pies of plain dough or raised dough, and various contents, puddings and cakes of various names and makes. Good housewives soused and slated besides many kinds of fish and game for there was no good means of keeping meat fresh in mild weather long after it had been killed. Hams cured in the smoke house hung in the cellar for winter's use, pork pickled in brine and corned beef, helped out a family provender for the winter season.