RECORD OF THE PEAKED MOUNTAIN CHURCH, ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA.; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 13 N.4 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** RECORD OF THE PEAKED MOUNTAIN CHURCH, ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA. EDITED BY PROF. WM. J. HINKE AND CHARLES E. KEMPER. This record is one of the oldest and most important German record-books to be found in the upper part of the Shenandoah Valley. It contains much historical and genealogical information about the early German Reformed and Lutheran settlers in Rockingham county, which cannot be found anywhere else. It gives us for the first time the name of the earliest Reformed minister who preached in that region, the Rev. I. C. van Gemuenden. He ministered to the congregation from Feburary, 1762, to December 1763. His name shows that he was either born in Holland or of Dutch descent. Unfortunately nothing else is known of him at present. The Reformed elders in 1762 were Jacob Perschinger (baptism No. 37), John Hetterich (No. 44), and George Zimmerman (No. 45). One of the Lutheran elders was Charled Risch (No. 44). The first church, mentioned in April, 1762, was located near the mill-race of Mr. Herrmann (Nos. 40 and 64). The congregation also had a school in 1762, because the Lutheran school- master, Gottfried Christian Leuthmanns Leonhardt, is mentioned (No. 43) in that year. The second church was dedicated on October 23, 1768, by the Lutheran pastor, the Rev. John Schwarbach. On October 31, 1769, an agreement was signed by forty-five persons, according to which the church was to be a union church of Reformed and Lutheran people. The second church was located near the Stony creek. The third church was dedicated, according to a later record, on May 27, 1804. This building was occupied jointly by the Reformed and Lutherans till recently, when the Reformed people separated and erected a new church, known as "Brown Memorial Reformed Church", in honor of one of their former pastors. It is located in McGaheysvile, Va. The record now published belongs to the Reformed congregation, although it contains many Lutheran entries. Is a folio volume of 156 pages, many of which have remained blank. It contains mostly baptismal entries, 316 in all, together with some communicant lists, ex- tending from 1792-1797, and a few marriage and burial records. The original copy of the agreement of 1769 is still in existence. It is prefaced to the record as a fitting introduction. Page 248. In translating the record the English form was substituted for the German in the case of the baptismal or Christian names, but the various spellings of the surnames or family names have been carefully retained. All the baptismal entries were copied at a later time into the second record-book. The spellings of this second record are occasionally added in square brackets, while the present form of the family names is added in round brackets by Mr. Chas. E. Kemper, of Washington, D.C. AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REFORMED AND LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS WORSHIPPING IN THE PEAKED MOUNTAIN CHURCH, ROCKINGHAM, CO., VA., OCTOBER 31, 1769. In the name of the Triune God and with the consent of the whole congregation, we have commenced to build a new house of God, and it is, by the help of God, so far finished that all the world may see it. We have established it as a union church, in the use of which the Lutherans and their descendants as well as the Reformed and their descendants shall have equal share. But since it is necessary to keep in repair the church and the schoolhouse and support the minister and schoolmaster, therefore we have drawn up this writing that each member sign his name to the same and thereby certify that he will support the minister and schoolmaster and help to keep in repair the church and the school as far as lies in his ability. Should, however, one or the other withdraw himself from such Christian work (which we would not suppose a Christian would do) we have unitedly concluded that such a one shall not be looked upon as a member of our congregation, but he shall pay for the baptism of a child 2 s. 6 d., which shall go into the treasury of the church; for the confirmation of a child 5 s., which shall be paid to the minister as his fee; and further should such a one come to the table of the Lord and partake of the Holy Communion, he shall pay 5 s., which shall go into the treasury of the church; and finally if such a one desires burial in our graveyard he shall pay 5 s., which shall also be paid into the treasury of the church. In confirmation of which we have drawn up this document, and signed it with our several signatures. Page 249. Done in Augusta county, at the Peaked Mountain and the Stony Creek, on October 31st, Anno Domini 1769. The present elders: George Mallo, Sr. Nicholas Mildeberger (Miltenberger), his Frederick Ermentraut (Armentrout). John X Heterich (Hedrich). mark. ________________ Philip Ermentraut. Jacob Kropf (Cropp). Henry Ermentraut. Jacob Niclas (Nicholas). Daniel Kropf. George Zimmermann. Peter Mueller, Sr. Christian Geiger. his Augustin Preisch, Jr. Adam O. Hetrich mark Conrad Preisch Augustin Preisch (Price). Jacob Kissling (Kisling). Jacob Traut (Trout). Matthew Kirsch. George schillinger. John Bens (Pence). Anthony Oehler (Eiler). Adam Herman (Harman). Michael Mallo. John Mann. his Christopher X Hau. Alwinus Boyer. mark. Charles Risch (Rush). Peter Euler (Eiler). Henry Kohler. William Michel (Michael). William Long. Jacob Risch. Jacob Bercke (Pirkey). John Ermentraut. his Conrad Loevenstein. Jacob I. E. Ergebrecht. mark. John Schaefer (Shaver). John Risch. Christopher Ermentraut (Armentrout). Jacob Ergebrecht (Argenbright). John Mildeberger. John Hausman (Houseman). George Mallo, Jr. Jacob Lingel Peter Niclas (Nicholas). Martin Schneider (Snyder). Jacob Pens (Pence). BAPTISMAL RECORDS. PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Henry Wilhelm (1) Michael William(1), born Michael Bauer (Bowers) and wife Anna Elisa- June 25, 1745; bapt. and wife Catharine. beth December 20. " " (2) George Henry William, John George Scherp born April 8, 1747; (Shepp?) and wife bapt. July 21. Marie. Augustin Preiss (Price) Susanna, born May 9, John Ernst Scherp and and wife Anna Elisa- 1750; bapt. Aug. 15, wife Anna Margaret. bethe nee Scherp (3), 1753. " " (4), Conrad, born December Conrad Wahl and Chris- 24, 1752; bapt. Aug. tina Herman. 15, 1753. Page 250. PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Augustin Preiss (Price) Augustin, born Decem- Matthew Kirsch (Kersh) and wife Anna Elisa- ber 24, 1754; bapt. and wife Anna Marga- beth nee Scherp (5) October 1, 1756 ret. " " (6) Elisabeth, born Sept. 8, Parents. 1757; bapt. Oct. 15. " " (7) John Frederick, born Frederick Ermentraut & Sept. 24, 1759; bapt. Anna Catharine. October 16. " " (8) Anna Catharine, born Daniel Preiss and wife May 4, 1763; bapt. Anna Catharine. June 19, 1763. " " (9) Maria Catharine, born Frederick Ermentraut & May 12, 1765; bapt. wife Catharine. June 18. Valentine Metzger (10), George Valentin, born Charles Risch (Rush) and wife Anna Elisa- Jan. 21, 1762; bapt. and wife Maria Elisa- beth. March 2. beth. Christopher Ermentraut Elisabeth, born Feb. 20. Elisabeth Ermentraut. (Armentrout) (11) 1761; bapt. March 4. and wife Susanna. " " (12) Anna Maria, born Feb. Anna Maria Gallet. 16, 1762; bapt. March 7. George Ermentraut (13) John Frederick, born John Frederick Ermen- and wife Barbara. December --, 1764; traut. bapt, February 10. " " (14) Catharine Barbara, born John Ermentraut and July 24, 1769; bapt. Barbara Miller Aug. 13. Henry Preiss (Price) Henry David, born Henry Ermentraut and & wife Magdalene (15) March 14, 1759; bapt. wife Magdalene. June 5. " " (16) Adam, born July 10. George Adam Mann and 1760; bapt. July 16. Elisabeth Herrmann. John Nicolaus (17) Jacob, born July 15, Jacob Betsch. and wife Margaret, 1724. nee Lorentz. Jacob Nicolaus (Nicholas) married Barbara Zeller, daughter of Henry Zeller (Sellers), on December 7, 1752. They had the following children: PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Jacob Nicolaus (18) A son, born July 20, (Nicholas), and wife 1753; died without Barbara. baptism for want of a minister, on July 29. " " (19) Anna Maria, born Sep- Henry Zeller and wife tember 8, 1754. Anna Maria. " " (20) John, born February 6, John Zeller, sone of Henry 1756. Zeller. " " (21) John Henry, born De- John Henry Zeller and cember 6, 1757. wife Anna Maria. " " (22), Anna Catharine, born Anna Catharine Preiss, February 29, 1760. wife of Daniel Preiss. Page 251. PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Jacob Nicolaus (23), Peter, born April 5, Peter Mueller (Miller) (Nicholas) and wife 1762. and wife Anna Maria. Barbara. " " (24) Susanna, born Jan. 25, Jacob Argebrecht (Ar- 1764. genbright) & his wife. " " (25) Anna Barbara, born Henry Zeller & his wife April 22, 1766. " " (26) Elisabeth, born Febru- John Zeller & his wife. ary 9, 1768. " " (27) Jacob, born December Peter Mueller & his wife. 1, 1769. " " (28) Margaret, born January Peter Mueller & his wife. 1, 1772. " " (29) Anna Elisabeth, born Anna Elisabeth R(isch). January 4, 1774. John Casper Vogt (30) Sarah, born Nov. 28, Peter Funck (Funk) and and wife Elisabeth. 1761; bapt. March 7. wife Catharine and daughter Margaret. Peter Hermann (Har- Elisabeth, born May 6, George Adam Mann and man) & wife Marga- 1763. wife Maria Elisabeth. ret nee Choulyn? (31) " " (32) Philippina, born -----. Theobald Hermann and wife Sarah. " " (33) George Charles, born George Bernhard Mann & Dec. 11, 1761; bapt. wife Anna Margaret. March 6, 1762. " " (34) Maria Elisabeth, born George Adam Mann and May 6, 1763; bapt. wife Elisabeth. June 17, 1763. Ao 1762. At the "Pinquit" (Peaked) Mountain and the South "Chanithor" (Shenandoah), in Virginia, the following children were baptized on Saturday, February 27th:(2) PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Christian Kropf (Cropp), Jacob, age 26 years. John Jacob Nicolaus & and wife Rosina, nee wife Anna Barbara. Kipp. (35) " " (36) Daniel, age 24 years. Jacob Arkebrecht (Ar- genbright) and wife Susanna. " " (37) Margaret, age 18 years. I. C. Van Gemuenden, the Reformed minister at this place, and wife M. A. Van Gemuenden, also Jacob Perschinger, Reformed elder, and wife Maria Catharine. Ludwig Friedel (Frid- John Jacob, bapt. April John Jacob Mann and (dle) (38) 24 (1762). wife Barbara. and wife Margaret. John Jacob Nicolaus and Peter, born April 5, Peter Mueller (Miller) wife Barbara (39) 1762; bapt. April 25, and wife Maria Mar- nee Zeller 1762. garet. Page 252. The following children were baptized in "Agoste" (Augusta) County at the "Pinquit Moundyn" (Peaked Mountain), towards the South "Chanithor" (Shenandoah), in this church at the Mill Creek, or in their homes: PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Henry Lang (Long) (40) Anna Catharine; bapt Anna Catharine Wentz, and wife anna Cath- April 25 (1762). widow of Valentine arine, nee Wentz. Wentz. Conrad Biedefisch (Pe- John Cristian, bapt. Parents. eterfish) (41) July 2. and wife Catharine nee Roth. Christian Eberhardt Catharine, bapt. July 2. Widow Catharine Wentz. and wife Maria (42) Sophia, nee Carl. Jacob Hammer (43) Anna Maria, bapt. July Gottfried Christian and wife Fredericka 2. Leuthmanns Leon Rosina, nee Leuth- hardt, the Lutheran manns Leonhard. schoolmaster and wife Anna Maria. John Hetterich (Hed- John William, bapt. Carl Risch (Rush), Lu- rick, Reformed (44) August 29. theran elder and wife elder and wife Su- Maria Elisabeth. sanna, nee Hornung. George Zimmermann, Barbara, bapt. August Parents. Reformed elder (45) 29. and wife Anna, nee, Schulteli. Jacob Mueller (46) Anna Maria, bapt. Aug. Charles Mann and wife and wife Maria Bar- 29. Anna Maria. bara, nee Chrombohr. Frederick Stoll (Stull), Esther, bapt. August Parents. and wife Charlotte, 29. nee Ritter. (47) William Manger (Mun- Henry William, bapt. Nicholas Mildenberger & ger) and wife (48) December 5. wife Barbara. Susanna, nee Brod- beck. Ao 1763, the following children were baptized in this church at the "Pinquit Moundyn", in Virginia, on Wednesday, August 3rd, after the sermon: PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Charles Risch (49) John Peter. Peter Mueller and wife and wife Maria Elisa- Maria Margaret. beth, nee Suess. Jacob Bentz (Pence) Anna Maria. Anna Maria Nicolaus, and wife Catherine, single. nee Perschinger. (50). Peter Mueller (Miller) Jacob, born April 17, Jacob Cropp and wife & wife Margaret. (51) 1765; bapt. June 18. Barbara. Page 253. PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Frederick Ermentraut Augustin, born January Augustin Preisch & wife & wife Catharine (52) 22, 1765; bapt. May Elisabeth. 17. " " (53) John Henry, born May Charles Hetterich, single. 8; bapt. June 19, 1763. Jacob Argebrecht (54) Jacob, born Aug. 26, Jacob Nicolaus and wife and wife Susanna. 1762; bapt. February Barbara. 14, 1763. " " (55) John George, born Jan. George Mallo and wife 13, 1765; bapt. Jan. 18. Barbara. William Manger (56) John Charles, born Nov. Charles Roesch and wife and wife Susanna. --, 1764; bapt. Feb. Elisabeth. 10, 1765. Henry Ermentraut (57) . . . . . . . . . . . Frederick Ermentraut & and wife Magdalene. wife Catharine. " " (58) . . . . . . . . . . . Elisabeth Ermentraut. born Sept. 1, 1769; bapt. Oct. 7, 1769. Valentine Metzger (59) Jacob, born April 16, Jacob Argebrecht & wife and wife Mary Elisa- 1764; bapt. May 20. Susanna. beth. ------ Witmann (60) Elisabeth. Caspar Vogt and wife Elizabeth. Charles Hederich (61) John Jacob, born April Jacob Conrad. and wife Barbara 11, 1765; bapt. June 18. George Adam Mann (62) Magdalene, born March Philip Willems and Ger- and wife Maria Elisa- 11, 1765; bapt. June trude Schell, both sin- beth. 18. gle. Jacob Cropp (63) John, born March 9, John Argebrecht and and wife Anna Bar- 1765; bapt. June 18. Catharine Vogt. Ao 1763, the following children were baptized in the province of Virginia, at the "Pinquit Moundyn", in the church near Mr. Hermann's mill: PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Matthew Deiss (Dice) Anna Elisabeth, bapt. Philip Herrber (Harper), and wife Eva Catha- August 28, 1763. senior elder of the Up- rine nee Herrber (64) per tract, & wife Anna Elisabeth. Martin Herloss (65), Anna Maria Christina, Christopher Kisseling and wife Catharine, bapt. Oct. 10. (Kisling) and wife nee Lingel. Christina. Peter Mueller (66) Anna Barbara, born Jacob Nicolaus and wife and wife, Maria Mar- Sept. 23; bapt. Dec. 5. Barbara. George Mann (67) George, born Oct. 9, Jacob Mann and wife and wife Elisabeth, bapt. Dec. 5. Barbara. nee Hermann. John Caspar Vogt (68) John Caspar, bapt. Dec. Jacob Arkebrecht, Peter and wife Elisabeth 5. Mueller, Catharine nee Wilkiss. Margaret Vogt. Page 254. PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS George Ermentraudt & Mary Margaret, bapt. Anna Elisabeth Ermen- wife Barbara, (69) December 5. traudt, her grand- nee Friedtel (Friddle) mother. Jacob Bentz (70) Anna Maria, born Feb. Jacob Nicolaus and wife and wife Catharine. 28, 1763; bapt. Aug. Barbara and daughter 29. Anna Maria. " " (71) George, born August 18, George Bentz and Sarah 1764; bapt. Oct. 15. Bentz. Jacob Mueller (72) Catharine Barbara, born John Votsch and wife and wife Elisabeth. Dec. 28, 1764; bapt. Catharine. Feb. 10, 1765. George Mallo (73) Anna Elisabeth, born Charles Roesch (Rush) & wife Anna Barbara. Jan. 12, 1765; bapt. and wife Elisabeth. Feb. 10. " " (74) Michael, born Jan. 29, Michael Mallow and Bar- 1757. bara Ebermann. " " (75) Catharine, born August George Foltz (Fultz) and 12, 1758. wife Catharine. " " (76) Anna Maria, born Feb. Daniel Krob and Anna 19, 1763. Mary Ergenbrecht. " " (77) John, born 1768; bapt. John Risch and Catha- on the 23rd of the rine Miller month. Jacob Herrmann (Har- John Adam Herrmann, George Mann and Anna (man) and wife Anna born March 4, 1755. Maria Herrmann. Christina. (78) " " (79) Anna Maria, born May George Adam Mann and 3, 1757. Anna Maria Herrmann. " " (80) Henry, born August 4, Theobald Hermann and 1759. wife Sarah. " " (81) Elisabeth, born Oct. 4, Augustin Breiss (Price) 1761. and wife Elisabeth. " " (82) Anna Catharine, born Anna Catharine Her- March, 1763. mann. " " (83) Jacob, born March 9, George Mallo and wife 1766. Barbara. On October 23, 1768, the Lutheran and Reformed Union church at the "Bicket Maundy", in Augusta County, wasd dedicated by the Rev. Mr. Schwarbach(3), Evangelical Lutheran pastor at the present time. PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Frederick Stoll (Stull) Daughter, bapt. Feb. 14, John Clemens and Chris- and wife (84) 1770. tina Pesor. George Adam Mann (85) John, bapt. July 20, John Mann and wife Su- and wife Elisabeth. 1771. sanna. On October 8, 1776, Rev. Jacob Frank(4) baptized: PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS David Magert (86) Anna Catharine, born Paul Lingel and Anna and wife Susanna. April 16. Catherine. John Hartman (87) John George, born Aug. Paul Lingel and Anna and Christina. 1. Catherine. Page 255. On October 9th (1776): PARENTS CHILDREN SPONSORS Daniel Grub (88) Mary Catharine, born Peter Miller and wife and Elisabeth. December 15, 1775. Anna Maria. George Schaeffer (89) John Philip, born Dec. Charles Risch and Maria (Shaver) and Maria 29, 1775. Elisabeth. Elisabeth. Henry Moll (90) Adam, born Dec. 22, Adam Herman and Cath- and Margaret. 1775. arine Malvina. Martin Finder (91) Barbara, born Feb. 24, Jacob Grub and Barbara. and Barbara. Daniel Preiss (92) Sarah, born August 20, Matthias Schuler (Shu- and Catharine. 1776. ler) and Elisabeth. Philip Lingel (93) John, born February 10, John Hartman and Chris- and Barbara 1776. tina. John Manger (Munger) John, born June 2, 1776. John Heller and Elisa- and Anna. (94) beth. George Conrad (95) Philip, born March 8, Peter Brummer & Cath- and Catharine. 1776. arine. John Heller (96) Anna Maria, born Sept. John Adam Heller and and Elisabeth. 7, 1776. Barbara. Peter Ermentraut (97) Jacob, born August 12, Jacob Argebrecht (Argen- and Catharine. 1776. bright) and Susanna. Philip Ermentraut (98) Catherine, born August Frederick Ermentraut & and Eva 23, 1776. Catharine. Adam Heller (99) Elisabeth, born March John Heller and Eliza- and Anna Barbara 15, 1776. beth. Theobald Schramm Catharine, born March Michael Traut (Trout) and Anna (100) 5, 1776. and Catherine Kohler. George Lehmann (101) Jonathan, born March 2, Leonard Miller and Cath- and Elisabeth. 1776. arine. Christian Geiger (102) Adam, born July 30, Adam Argebrecht and and Margaret. 1776. Elisabeth. Lewis [Ludwig] Rein- John Michael, born Charles Fey and Dorothy. hardt (103) Sept. 18, 1776. and Elisabeth. Michael Koehler (104) John, born Feb. 2, 1776. John Beyer and Eva. (Kaylor), and Elisa- beth. NOTES. (1)The record was not begun in 1745, as might appear at first sight, but in the spring of 1760. At that time all the earlier baptisms were made, Nos. 1-7 on page 1 of the record and Nos. 17-22 on page 3. All these entries were written by the same hand and with the same ink. The next baptism (No. 16) is written by the same hand, but with different ink. The first entries were, therefore, made before July, 1760. Moreover, from the fact that a whole page is devoted to the family of Jacob Nicalaus, and his own date of birth is added, which is done in no other case, it may be concluded with some degree of probability that Jacob Nicalaus opened the record. Who else would be interested enough in his date of birth to prefix it to those of his children? Baptisms Nos. 1-7, 17-23, 30-33 are made by his hand. Of later Page 256. baptisms he entered 51, 52, 54-57, 59=63, 70-76. He continued to enter baptisms, therefore, till June, 1765. (2)Baptisms Nos. 8, 34-50, 53, 64-69 were entered by the Rev. I. C. van Gemuenden, of whose life nothing is known at present, except that he entered these twenty-five baptisms from February, 1762, to December, 1763. (3)Rev. John Schwarbach was a Lutheran minister, pastor of the Hebron Church, in the present Madison county, from at least 1766-1772. Both dates are uncertain. See Hallesche Nachrichten, new ed., Vol. I., p. 581. (4)Rev. Jacob Frank was pastor of the Hebron Church from the fall of 1775 to November, 1778. See Hallesche Nachrichten, Vol. I., p. 581. (To be Continued).