See also Rupp & Heilman & Hibschman Family Trees
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last updated 09/07/03
Contents:
Grateful ackknowledgement is due the many who furnished information records, etc. from which this record is compiled. But it is to General McManus, without whose initiative, and long and patient explorations into the earliest records, a worthwhile genealogy would have been impossible, that present generations owe, and future generations will owe a great debt of gratitude.
The booklet will command greater respect perhaps, when considered in the knowledge that, only now, more than two centuries after the arrival in America of our earliest forebears, a genealogy has been undertaken and completed.
The printing was done on a Multigraph by, and in the home of the undersigned, assisted by his son Paul. Becausee the amatuer publisherprinter wasfurther handicapped by lack of both mental and mechanical equipment, the finished product is submitted as a rough-and-tumble job, but I trust, none the less, a fairly accurate, and informative one. The printer is solely responsible for the insertion of all poetry, quotations, etc. appearing herein.
Charles Rupp, West Chicago, Ill., July 1940.
This sketch might equally be entitled "My Mother's Ancestors." My mother's maiden name was SARAH RUPP and her parents were Rev. Henry Rupp, born May 26, 1805, died June 23, 1898 and Sarah (Hibschman) Rupp, born April 13, 1810, died March 18, 1888. They were married March 8, 1831. Both of her parents were born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, where they continued to live until 1832 when they moved to Ohio and later to Martinsville, Illinois. Both died at the latter place and are buried there.
I wish to confine this sketch to facts about family genealogy received from my mother; to facts that I have obtained by visits to old cemetaries in Pennsylvania; and to facts that I have obtained during the past two years in east, - chiefly from libraries. With the exception of one or two items picked up in the east I shall not attempt to give any history or genealogy of the Rev. Henry Rupp family after leaving Pennsylvania in 1832. Later history can be recited better by those in close contact in the west.
The facts received from my mother as to family genealogy have been corroborated and in a few cases supplemented by data coming to me through my cousin, Emma (Shaffner) Gillespie, from Malinda (Rupp) Shaffner and Susanna (Rupp) Thompson, sisters of my mother. These facts coming to me from my mother and from her sisters will be referred to hereafter as "family records".
These family records recite that Henry Rupp was born May 26, 1805 near Annville, Lebanon County, Penn; that his father's name was John; that he (John) had one younger brother, Jacob, and four sisters. One sister married Keller, one married Etter, one married Blecher, and one married Rerst (or Reist.) John's father (Henry Rupp's grandfather) and four brothers came from Middlepoltz, Germany. Contact was lost with the four brothers shortly after arrival in America and nothing has been known of them since. Henry Rupp had four brothers, - Jacob, John, Samuel and George. He had six sisters, - Elizabeth who married John Wirsh, Catharine who married Cushling, Sarah who married Martin Zimmerman, Christina who married JohnCrider, Barbara who married David Keller and Rebecca who married Besore.
Henry Rupp's mother's name was Catherine Heilman, daughter of Anisstatus Heilman.
The maiden name of my grandmother was Sarah Hibschman. Her father's name was Henry Hibschman. Her mother's maiden name was - - Kumler. Her mother was the only sister of Bishop Kumler of the United Brethren Church. Sarah Hibschman was born April 13, 1810 not far from where her future husband, Henry Rupp, was born. She had four brothers, -Henry, Daniel, John and Samuel. She had three sisters, -Elizabeth married William fasig, Catherine married John Strickler and Eve married George Winters.
The foregoing are the facts recited in the family records. They cover all important family antecedants quite thoroughly. I have yet to find any serious inconsistency or errors in them. I have found slight errors in the spelling of a few names, as for example, Anisstatus above which should be Anastasius. The sequence of births in one or two instances appears in error; for example, the Pennsylvania records indicate that Henry Rupp's sister Christina was older than his sister Sarah; then too I have searched extensively, but in vain, for a place in Germany called "Middlepoltz." I am convinced by various facts that the Rupp ancestors came from the Palantinate in Germany which borders on the upper Rhine. The German word for Palatinate is "Pfaltz;" and the German word for middle is "Mittel." I believe that the ancestors came from what is known in Germany as "Mittel Pfaltz" (middle Palatinate). The person who wrote "Middlepoltz" came close to the right sound but got the spelling mixed, -at least that is my explanation of how the word Middlepoltz came into existance. As stated before the family records appear very accurate in all essential respects and this gives me a feeling of much satisfaction. What I have been able to find in the east in various ways corroborates the family reocrds and supplements them in the way of specific dates of birth, dates of marriage, dates of death and places of burial. I have also been able to trace the ancestry of my grandparents (Henry Rupp and wife) back further than is done in the family records. I have found records that have enabled me to trace the ancestors of the Rupps, the Heilmans, the Hibschmans, and the Kumlers back to the founders of these families in America.
From Egle's history of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and various volumes of "Notes and Queries" edited by Egle** I have found that the parents of Henry Rupp were buried in "The Old Hill Church" cemetary, four miles northwest of the city of Lebanon in Lebanon County, Pa. The death record of the church as quoted in Notes and Queries is as follows, - "John Rupp, born October 1, 1762 in Cocalico; baptized and confirmed; married Catharine Heilman April 18, 1786; 14 children; consumption; aged 52 y. 2 m. 19 d." Later when I visited the cemetary I found his tombstone much weather worn but the inscription was readable for the most part. It is in German script and translation is, - "Here rests Johannes Rupp was born 1 October 1762 died the 14 December 1814 age 52 years 2 months 20 days." This gives an annoying discrepency of a few days in date of death but I have done the best I could in deciphering the figures and in translating the inscription.
**William H. Egle was a prolific writer of historical sketches and biographies pertaining to the interior of Pennsylvania. He was Penn. state librarian from 1887 to 1899.
Near by this tombstone is the tombstone of his wife, Catharine Rupp, which will be described later with others of the Heilman family.
In the same lot with the tombstone of Johannes Rupp (1762-1814) is a tombstone with an inscription which translated from the German reads as follows, -"Here rests Johannes Rupp was born 6 July 1728 died 11 December 1801 his age was 73 years 6 months 5 days." Close beside this tombstone is another the translation of the inscription of which reads, "Here rests Margreta Rupp was born 2 December 1732 and died the 20 February 1822 Her age was 90 years 2 months 18 days." here again are slight discrepancies as to ages but I beleive the translations are correct.
This latter couple are one generation older than Johannes Rupp (1762-1814) whose tombstone was previously described. this fact and the fact that they are all buried in the same lot strongly suggested to me that the couple were closely related to Johannes Rupp (1762-1814) and quite possibly were his parents. Another fact suggesting parentage was a marriage record of the "Muddy Creek Church" found in Notes and Queries which states that a Johannes Roop married Margretha Frey of Muddy Creek, May 20, 1750. Muddy Creek Church is in Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, where the record previously quoted states that Johannes Rupp (1762-1814) was born. It is about 25 miles southeast of the Hill Church. (I should add here that in numerous cases I have found the name Rupp spelled Roop, also Rup, and in a few cases Rub. I believe this variation in spelling due to ignorant translators and to Ebglish officials unfamiliar with the German. Other names having slight variations will be noticed throughout this sketch. I have aimed to copy the spelling found in the record quoted.)
Another item in the records of Muddy Creek Church is that Johannes Rupp had a daughter, Dorrothea, born January, baptized Febryary 4, 1753. On Oct. 4, 1772, this daughter married Johannes Keller, son of a Martin Keller, deceased. This checks with our family records which state that a sister of Johannes Rupp (1762-1814) married a Keller.
"The circumstantial evidence of parentage that I have mentioned was very gratifying but not thought conclusive so further search was made for evidence. With the help of Mrs. C.H. Coldren, Secretary of the Lancaster County Historical Society and professional genealogist, I obtained a photostatic copy of the will of Johannes Rupp of Lebanon Township, then in Dauphin County, that was filed April 12, 1796, in Harrisburg which was then the county seat of the area now comprising Lebanon and Annville Townships in Lebanon County. This will was probabted on January 19, 1802, which was 39 days after the date of death recorded on the tombstone of the senior Johannes Rupp in the Hill Church cemetary. In this will Johannes names "Margaret" as his wife which checks with the name of the wife of Johannes Rupp, senior, as recorded on the tombstone in the Hill Church cemetary. It also checks with the names of the couple married at Muddy Creek Church. He also names two sons in the will, --Johannes and Jacob. No other sons are named. This checks with our family reocrds which state that Henry Rupp's father's names was John and that he had one younger brother named Jacob."
"There is further evidence that the Johannes Rupp, senior, of Muddy Creek, Cocalico Township, moved to Lebanon Township, Lebanon County. The Muddy Crrek Church has the record of the birth of a Maria Catharine, daughter of Johannes, February 26, 1751; baptized March 24, 1751. A daughter by this name is mentioned by Johannes in the will just described. Furthermore the tax list for Cocalico Township for 1772 has the name of John Rupp but not thereafter. The name appears on the tax list of Lebanon Township, Lebanon County, a few years later."
From the foregoing chain of evidence I have concluded that the Johannes Rupp (1728-1801) and his wife Margreta Rupp (1732-1822) buried in the Old Hill Church cemetary in the same lot with Johannes Rupp (1762-1814) are the parents of the latter and thus the grandparents of my grandfather Henry Rupp.
The family records state that Henry Rupp's grandfather came from Germany. It follows therefore from the foregoing conclusion that Johannes Rupp (1728-1801) must have come from Germany.
A list of immigrants into Pennsylvania from Germany in the middle and earlier part of the 18th century that stands high with historians and that is reputed to be quite complete is "Pennsylvania German Pioneers" by W.J. Hinke and R.B. Strassburger, in three volumes. This work lists a Johannes Rupp as arriving in America at Philadelphia on the ship PHEONIX, Sept. 15, 1749. No other Johannes Rupp is listed prior to the date of the marriage of Johannes Rupp and Margaretha Frey at Muddy Creek, May 20, 1750. Moreover the signature of Johannes Rupp on the will that I have described has considerable similarity to the signature of Johannes Rupp, the immigrant , notwithstanding that the will signature was made 47 years after the signature by the immigrant. In view of these facts I am of the opinion that Johannes Rupp (1728-1801), father of Johannes Rupp (1762-1814), was the immigrant that arrived in America on the ship PHOENIX, September 15, 1749. The record states that the PHOENIX brought "Foreigners from Zweybrech , Nassau, Wirtemberg, and the Palatinate.
The foregoing traces the Henry Rupp ancestry back to its origin in America . There were ten or more other Rupp's that immigrated into various parts of Pennsylvania from Germany. One of these of note was Joh. Jonas Rupp who arrived in America in 1751 and who had a grandson, I.Daniel Rupp, that wrote numerous historical works pertaining to colonial Pennsylvania, and who is much quoted. One of his works is "A Biographic Memorial of Joh. Jonas Rupp and Genealogical Register." I have owned a copy of this for 30 years. This book recites that Jonas Rupp settled in Lebanon County near the Hill Church where he married. Late in the year of 1772 he moved with his wife and seven children to Cumberland County west of Harrisburg. A careful study fails to reveal that any of the Jonas Rupp branch of the Rupp family remained in Lebanon or were buried there - certainly non prior to 1815. They moved out of the county just before the Johannes Rupp family moved in. I believe that there is no confusion in the reocrds of the two families. I would add however that the Jonas Rupp family and its ancestors in the Palatinate have an unusual number of given names that are common to the Johannes Rupp family. Among these are Johannes, Jacob, Henry, George, Maria, Catharine, Elizabeth and others. In view of the custom of old colonial Germans in adhering to old family names in naming their offspring I belive that the two families had common ancestors in the Palatinate.
Referring to the family records wherein it is stated that John Rupp, father of Henry Rupp had a sister that married a Keller, one that married an Etter, one that married a Blecher, and another that married a Rerst (or Reist), I have found the record of the marriage of a sister toa Keller as heretofore stated. I have not found any record of the marriage of a Rupp to an Etter. I found the record of the marriage of an Anna Mary Rupp to a Blecher but later I concluded that this Anna Mary belonged to another Rupp family, -- that she was not the sister of our John Rupp. In a book called "Peter Reist of Lancaster County and His Descendents" I found the record of this marriage of an Elizabeth Rupp, born February 18, 1760 to a John Reist, born April 28, 1761, both of Lebanon COunty. I think it very probable that this Elizabeth was a sister of John Rupp but no positive statement to that effect is warranted. Coming now to the next generation, that is to the brothers and sisters of grandfather Henry Rupp, I have obtained the dates of birth of all except two, George and Rebecca. Through the help of Mrs. Coldren, genealogist previously mentioned, I have obtained from the Archives Department, Educational Building, Harrisburg, Pa., the baptismal records of all except Samuel, George and Rebecca. I have the tombstone records of John and wife, also of Samuel and wife. Both couples are buried in the old Hill Church Cemetary.
The RUPP family chart:
| 1st generation | 2nd generation | 3rd generation: children of Johannes Rupp and Catharine Heilman |
| ------------------ | ------------------ | ------------------ |
| JOHANNES RUPP-Born July 6, 1728; died Dec. 11, 1801. To America from
Palatinate, Sept. 15, 1749, on ship Phoenix. He made a will April 12, 1796;
it was probated Jan. 19, 1802. (39 days after death). He married MARGRETA FREY May 20, 1750; She was born Dec. 2, 1732; and died Feb. 20, 1822. |
maria Catharina, Born Feb. 26, 1751; baptized Mar. 24, 1751. -m. Christian Zimmerman. She is mentioned in her father's will as deceased. Dorothea (Dorrothea) Born Jan.,baptized Feb. 4, 1753; m. Johannes Keller Oct. 4, 1772. Margaret, m. George Achey; mentioned in her fathers will as "lately deceased." A daughter that married a Rerst (or Reist). Record exists of an Elizabeth Rupp, born Feb. 18, 1760 who m. a John Reist, b. Apl. 28, 1761. This Elizabeth may have been a daughter but no positive statement is possible. JOHANNES RUPP- Born Oct. 1, 1762; died Dec. 14, 1814. married Jacob, -executor of his father's will. Wife's given name thought to be Christina. A daughter that married an Etter. No further record faound. A daughter that married a Blecher. No further record found. | Elizabeth, Born, Dec. 23- 1788; baptized, Bald nach des geburth. sponsers, the parents. Married John Wirsch. Jacob Born, Oct. 24, 1790; bap-Nov-21 1790; sponsers, Anastasius Heilman and wife Barbara (maternal grandparents). John, born Sep-20-1792; baptized Dec-5, 1801; sponsers, Jacob Rupp and wife Christina; died Deb-21, 1856; married Anna Maria Barth, born Oct-4, 1801 in Annville Twp, - See following pages for further history of this John Rupp's family. George, born - - ? Catharine, born Dec. 26, 1796; baptized Dec-5-1801; sponsers Adam Heilman and wife Catharina; married - - Cushling. Christina, born April 17, 1799; baptized Dec-5-1801, sponsers, Elizabet H - - ?married John Crider. Sarah- born Feb-20-1801: bap-Dec-5-1801; sponsers Jacob Rupp and wife Christina; m. Martin Zimmerman Samuel- born May 14, 1803; died Jan-7, 1875: wife Amma Mary - - ? born April 22-1810 died Sept-17-1870. All this from Hill Church tombstone record) HENRY RUPP Maria Barbara, B. Nov. 6, 1807; baptized Feb. 28, 1808; sponsers, Christian Seltzer and wife Elizabeth; m David Keller. Rebecca, B. - - ? m. Felix Boeshar of Londonderry Twp., Jan. 12, 1829. Three children that died in infancy. dates of birth not known. |
2-13
THIS sketch is concerned primarily with the ancestors of grandfather Henry Rupp and those of his wife Sarah Hibschman. However I have learned with much interest of certain descendents of John Rupp, an older brother of Henry Rupp, and I shall recite what I have learned.
John was 21 years old when his father Johannes Rupp (1762-1814) died, and it was to him that the settling of estate matters fell as shown by intestate proceedings. Henry was less than 10 years old at that time.
An elderly gentleman near the Hill Church told me the past summer (1939) that some 30 or 40 years ago a Gideon Rupp had lived in that vicinity. Further inquiry brought a statemkent that he believed that this Gideon had a daughter, Mrs. Boltz, now living in Annville a few miles to the south. On seeing Mrs. Boltz she gave me her ancestry as being a daughter of Gideon Rupp who was the son of John Rupp. She referred me to her brother, a Reverend U.S. Grant Rupp, D.D., a retired Lutheran minister living in Baltimore, Maryland, who she said had more specific data on family ancestors. Correspondence with Rev. Rupp has given me much interesting data as to his grandfather John Rupp (brother of grandfather Henry Rupp) and as to the earlier generations of the Rupp family. Some of this data, taken largely from manuscripts loadned to me, is as follows;-
Baptismal certificates of John Rupp and wife translated literally from the German,-
"To these two as legally married as Johannes Rup and his wife Catharina born Hallmanin, was a son in the world born as Johannes. Was born into the world in the year of our Lord 1792, on the 20th day of September, at three o'clock in the morning. In the Province of Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County, Lebanon Township" (Note that he was born in Lebanon Township)
"Anna Maria Barth was of Christian and honored parents conceived and born on the 4th day of October, 1801 in the evening, in Lebanon County in Annville Township in Pennsylvania. The father was Adam Barth and the mother was Catharina, born Achenbach, and was to the Lutheran religion baptized by G. Lochman. The witnesses were Adam Heilman and Catharine his wife"
Reverend Rupp states that his father has told him that he (Gideon Rupp) was born one half mile west of the Hill Church in the family home on south side of Road.
A travel permit, or vise, issued by Dauphin County authorities in 1810 speaks of "John Rupp, senior, and John Rupp, junior, both of Annville Township." This is of interest as indicating that the family homestead at that time was in Annville Township which was a part of Lebanon Township up until 1799. Lebanon County was not formed out of Dauphin County until 1815. This record of location together with the record of the will in 1796 of Johannes Rupp (1728-1801) and a record of intestate proceedings in 1815 of Johannes Rupp (1762- 1814) indicates that the family homestead was on the southeast side of Swatara Creek and not far from the Hill Church; -- that it was not at Ono as has been suggested in one instance.
Another manuscript from Rev. Rupp is a letter from S.A. Fasig, Martinsville, Ill., dated October 11, 1895. In this he (Fasig) wrote, "Your letter of the 8th was brought to my office by Uncle Henry Rupp who by the way is my uncle by marriage. His wife was my mother's sister."
The manuscript of most value however is a letter dated June 11, 1885. In grandfather Henry Rupp's own handwriting addressed to a Mr. J.M. Bomgardner, brotherinlaw of Rev. Rupp. So far as I know this is the only manuscript in existence in grandfather's own handwriting. In view of its value I had a photostatic copy made. The penmanship is good for a man of 80 years. The English is not so good if measured by present day standards. However considering that grandfather preached only in German until he was nearly 50 years old and presumably knew little of any other language up to that time I think his English very good.
Reverend Rupp has expressed his intention of giving all these manuscripts to the Lebanon Historical Society. He has already given the Society other manuscripts about the Rupps. They should be accessable to any one in the future who may be interested in the family.
I have copied the following from the Alumni Record of Gettysburg College, published by the college in 1932;-
RUPP, ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT.
A.B.; A.M., 1893; D.D. 1911. Graduate Gettysburg Seminary 1893. Born Aug. 28, 1865, near Annville. Lutheran clergyman; Fort Washington 1893-96; Baltimore, Maryland, 1896-1910; Frederick, Maryland, 1910-1930; retired 1930. Pres. Maryland Synod 1920-1930; member of Deaconess Board 25 years; director Gettysburg Seminary 1911-25 & 1930-40.
Married Dec. 17, 1896, Mary O. Sheeleigh, Fort Washington. Child, Margaret Elizabeth Harvey, born Jan. 13, 1902.
Address, 1501 Bolton St., Baltimore, Maryland.
Putting all the data that I have obtained from the various sources about John Rupp in brief graphic form it appears as follows;-
/ JOHN
/ | died in youth
| LEVI, -------------< Buried in Hill Church
| born Mar. 20,1824, | cemetary.
| died Dec. 7, 1876. |
| Wife, | AMOS,-
| ELIZABETH BARTO, | now living in
|born Jan.24,1830, | Harrisburg, Pa.
|died Jan.23, 1899. \
| Both buried in
| Hill Church / ADAM
| cemetary. |
| | AMANDA, married to
| GIDEON,------------< J.M BOMGARDNER
| born Feb. 7, 1831, |
JOHN RUPP----------< died may 26,1908. | U.S. GRANT,
Born Sept. 20, | Wife, |born Aug.28,1865; now living
1792, | ELIZABETH, |in Baltimore,Md.,a retired
died Feb 21, | born Mar. 3, 1834, |Lutheran minister. He
1856 |died April 28, 1910. |married Mary O'Sheeleigh, born
(Brother of my | both buried in Mt. |Dec.14,1864,died Oct.29,1933;
grandfather | Annville cemetary, |buried in family plot, Mt.Annville
Henry Rupp.) | 1/2 mile north of |cemetary, 1/2 mile north of
Married | Annville. |Annville.
ANNA MARIA | |
BARTH, | HENRY, | ALICE (Mrs. Boltz), born Oct 25,1866
born Oct. 4, |born Aug.16,1833, | lived in Annville,Pa. for 51 yrs.
1801, died |died Feb 6, 1910. 1st | died Nov. 25,1939
Sept. 1, 1886, |wife FIETTA FASNACH, \
Both buried in |born Jan 23, 1832,
Hill Church |died Aug. 5, 1870. 2nd
cemetary. | wife AMANDA NYE, -----< LINCOLN
| born Mar. 16, 1848,
| died Sept. 2, 1890.
| Buried at Belgrove.
|
| SARAH married
| Benjamin S. Peters
|
| MARY married
| John Fasnacht
\
The following additional information has been obtained with reference
to the John Rupp (1792-1856) branch of the Rupp family and for those
interested it is suggested that the original sketch of the Rupp Ancestry
be made complete by the following additions:-
On page 2-17 Rev. U.S. Grant Rupp should be credited with service as
director of Gettysburg Seminary 1930-1940 in addition to that listed; also
for membership of Deaconess Board for 35 years. His preseidency of the
Maryland Synod should read 1920 to 1923.
On page 2-18 second column Elizabeth Fernsler is the full maiden name of
the wife of Gideon Rupp (1831-1908). Also in the same column Mary Rupp
sister of Gideon married John Fasnacht and Sarah Rupp married Benjamin S.
Peters. In the third column of same page the sequence of births of Gideon
Rupp's children is 1-Adam, 2-Amanda, 3-U.S.Grant, 4-Alice. The latter died
Oct. 25, 1939. She (Mrs. Boltz) had lived in Annville, Pa. for 51 years
and so far as known is the last of the Rupp family to live in the vicinity
of the "Old Hill Church" and Grandfather Henry Rupp's birthplace. Adam Rupp,
son of Gideon, and his wife Sallie Rains are dead and buried at Germantown,
Ohio. They have two sons and two daughters living in Dayton, Ohio.
George H. McManus. April 15,1940.
ONE word more might be said about grandfather Henry Rupp's birthplace. As stated previously the records show plainly that the family homestead in 1792, in 1796, in 1802, in 1810, and in 1815 was on th southeast side of Swatara Creek. The records pertaining to the first two dates name Lebanon Township as the domicile. The latter three name Annville Township. Both townships are on the southeast side of Swatara Creek. As Annville Township was formed out of Lebanon Township in 1799 it is to be presumed that the family homestead on the five dates mentioned was in what is now North Annville Township-- the same township as that in which the Hill Church is located.
In an obituary at the time of granfather Rupp's death it was stated that he was born at "Ono" which I have reasons to doubt. Ono is on the northwest side of Swatara Creek in East Hanover Township about 4 miles northwest of the Hille Church. Egle's History of Lebanon County states that Ono was formerly known as Mount Nebo; that the name was changed to Ono about 1850; that the first house waqs built there in 1846 -- which is 41 years after grandfather was born. In view of these facts I believe that the family records which state that that grandfather was born near Annville are to be accepted in preference to any other statement. Annville is 2 miles southwest of the Hill Church.
In this connection it is of interest to note that 2 miles west of the Hill Church is what is known as "The Waterworks," formerly the west end of a historic canal connecting Swatara creek and the Schuylkill River to the eastward about 40 miles. "The Waterworks" also formerly furnished the water supply for Lebanon city. These utility features have been abandoned for many years but the recreational features still remain popular. I saw a number of fishing and boating parties there the past summer (1939). There are a number of summer cabins. I am sure that it was there that grandfather Rupp in his boyhood days cultivated hus fondness for fishing.
I have found nothing of record of grandfather Rupp from the date of birth up to date of marriage. Family tradition has it that he learned the tailoring trade. I suspect that he was well versed in agriculture however. In those days agriculture was the main industry, especially in the spring and at harvest time. Work at trades was followed in winter and at other times when farm work was not so pressing. As he was not ordained in the ministry until after he moved to Ohio it is probable that he spent his boyhood and early manhood helping his widowed mother and in obtaining a livelihood.
3-1
the Heilman family is of interest because the mother of grandfather Henry Rupp was a CATHARINE HEILMAN. In the Hill Church records as published in Notes and Queries, Annual Volume for 1898, is found a baptismal record reading,-"Anna Catharine, daughter of Anastasius Heylmann and wife Rosina Barbara, born December 3, 1768; baptized December 3, 1768; sponsers, Peter Heilman, senior, and his wife Salome." Again later in the death records, - "Buried May 13, 1835; Mrs. Anna Catharine Rupp, nee Heilman; bornSeptember 3, 1768; baptized and confirmed; married to John Rupp; 14 children; diedMay 10, 1835[ aged 66 y. 6 m.7d." Her tombstone of white marble in the Hill Church cemetary is near that of her husband Johannes Rupp (1762-1814). It is much weatherworn but the inscription is still readable. As translated the inscription reads,-
The dates as here given on the tombstone are those to be accepted in preference tothose in the birth and death certificates which are no doubt copied wrong in Notes andQueries. I have a photograph of the inscription on the tombstone and I am sure that itis correctly quoted. The latter is consistent as to the age given whereas the dates given in birth and death certificate are not consistent with the age given. Theconfusion as to dates may have arisen from the fact that there was a cousin namedAnna Catharine Heylmann born September 2, 1768.
The records quoted indicate that Catharine (Heilman) Rupp and her husband Johannes had 14 children. The family records mention only 11. Presumably 3 died in childhood. The mother was evidently a woman of superior character who met many severe trials in life in a victorious way. Her mother died in 1799 after 17 years of illness. In 1814 her husband died after a lingering illness and was bankrupt when he died. Notwithstanding she raised her large family of children that have shown evidence of a fine inheritance;-namely, excellent character. Our grandfather, Henry Rupp, was a child scarcely ten when his father died.
The Hill Church records have the following with reference to Catharine Heilman's parents, "Anastasius Heylman, son of Peter Heylmann, of Lebanon, born March 3, 1742; sponsers, Anastasius Uhler and wife." The marriage record reads,-"Anastasius Heylmann married Rosina Barbara Maurer, of Lebanon and Heidelberg, April 8, 1766." Later the death records read, -"Rosina Barbara Heylmann, wife of Anastasius Heylmann, died April 11, 1799; born Jan.29, 1746; parents Michael Maurer and wife; baptized and confirmed; Lutheran; married Anastasius Heylmann April 8, 1766; lived together 33 years and had 8 children of whom 7 survive; consumption for 17 years; aged 52y. 2m. 9d." And of the husband, -"Anastasius Heilman died in 1815; born March 30, 1742; baptized and confirmed; married Rosina Barbara Maurer April 18, 1766; 8 children; a wound in little finger; aged 73y. 12d."
The father of Anastasius was Peter Heilman, generally known in history as John Peter Heilman. He was a native of the Palatinate and settled in Lebanon Township in 1732. On January 29, 1739 he married Salome Frey of Heildelberg Township which is about half the distance from the Hill Church to Muddy Creek where later, in 1750, the senior Johannes Rupp married a Margeretha Frey. Relationship of these two brides, if any, is unknown to me but they were closely associated in later life. Note that Peter Heilman and wife Salome were sponsers at the baptism of Catharine Heilman, grand daughter of the Peter Heilmans and future daughter-in-law of the senior Rupps.
In recent years a descendent of Peter Heilman has erected a modern monument over his grave and that of his wife in the Hill Church cemetary. The inscription on the face reads,-
On the other side of the monument the inscription reads,-
This monument is in the plot in which are also buried Anastasius Heilmanand wife, Johannes Rupp (1728-1801) and wife, and Johannes Rupp (1762-1814) and wife.
(Note.- Page 139 of Egle's History of Lebanon County has a correct record of the marriage of Peter Heylman and Salome Frey in Salem Lutheran Church in Lebanon-one of the earliest in the church. On the contrary the reference on page 242 of the same book to Barbara as the wife of Peter Heilman is evidently in error. It conflicts with the record on page 139 just quoted, also with the tombstone record quoted and with records of the Hill Church.)"
Putting the salient points of the Heilman family history in graphic form they appear as follows, -page 3...7.
/
| Frederic,
/ Anna Maria, | b. Dec. 5, 1766.
| b.Nov.14, 1739 |
| | ANNA CATHARINE
| John Adam, | b. S3pt.3, 1768;
| b.Nov. 4, 1740 | d. Mar. 10, 1835. On
| | April 18, 1786,
| ANASTASIUS-----------< married
| b.Mar.3,1742 | JOHANNES RUPP
JOHN PETER HEILMAN | d. in 1815; |b.Oct.1,1762. d.Dec.14,1814
b.1714, d.1782. | married | Both are buried in the old
To America in 1732; |ROSINA BARBARA | Hill Church cemetary.
settled in Heilman | MAURER, |(This couple are the parents
Dale near where the |b.Jan. 29,1746, | of grandfather Henry Rupp)
Hill Church was |d. April 11, 1799. |
built in 1733. | Both buried in | John Adam, b. Sept. 29,1771
married | Hill Church |
SALOME FREY | Cemetary. | Mary Christina,b.Sept. 14, 1773
Jan.29,1739. | |
Both buried in the | John Peter, | Rosina Barbara,b.April 4,1776
Hill Church |b. May 16, 1743. |
cememtary. | | John,b.Oct.17,1778.
| Johannes, |
|b. Dec. 11,1744. | John George,b.June 16,1780
| |
| Maria Magdalena, \
|b. May 1, 1746.
|
| Perhaps others.
|Above from bap-
|tismal records
| of the
| Hill Church.
|
\
(Note. - There was a John Jacob Heilman who came to America in 1732 and settled near the Hill Church. His son, John Adam Heilman came a few years later and settled near by at Heilman Dale. Their offspring is numerous and many have been prominent citizens. Their relationship to John Peter Heilman is not fully established. However circumstatial evidence indicates that they were related.)
the Hibschman family is of interest because grandmother Sarah Rupp wife of Henry Rupp was a Sarah Hibschman.
/ 1. Jacob. In 1820 became
| member of Congress-active
/ | in anti-slavery matters. An
| | influential citizen. Held many
| | offices.
| |
| | 2. Henry. Became a General
| | in the state militia. Was
| Wendel Hibschman, -< a commisioned officer in the
| married | War of 1812. Held many state
| Hannah Heffley. | offices.
| Settled At | 3. John.
JOHN GEBHARD HIBSCHMAN < | | 4. Hanna.
from Switzerland in 1732 | | 5. Mary.
at age 19. Went back | \
and brought his wife | /
over in 1737 |HENRY HIBSCHMAN -< HENRY
Settled 4 miles north of | Born AUg. 5, 1748; | who married
Ephrata, in Lancaster | died June 2, | ELIZABTEH KUMLER
County, Pa. | 1818. Settled in |This couple were the parents
| Lebanon County. | of
| Married | SARAH HIBSCHMAN
|CATHARINE LEISEY | and hence my
| Born in 1750; | great grand parents.
| died Oct. 20, | Their children are listed
| 1819. | on next page.
| Both buried |
| in Reformed | Wendell
| Church cemetary | had a son Frank who married
| at Schaeffers- | Sarah Reiter;a son John who
| town, 5 miles S. |married Sarah Bomberger; and a
| E. of the city of | daughter who married
| Lebanon.** | John Philip.
| | Jacob (1790-1838),
| Catharine, | married Elizabeth Lesher.
|married Albrecht. | Maria,
| Settled in Sal- | married Adam Bassler
| insgrove, Pa. | Elizabeth,
| Elizabeth, | married John Lehman.
| married Mentzer. | Christiana,
\ | married Frederick Kreech.
| Eva,
| married Daniel Weist.
**Text of funeral sermon in each | Hannah,
case as recorded on tombstones II | married Jacob Gockley.
Corinthians, Chapter V First verse. | Catharine,
\ married John Eckart.
John Gebhard Hibschman was the founder of the family in America. I have learned of no other family from Europe by that name. The name on the immigration list is spelled Hubschman.
Wendel became owner of the farm upon the death of his father. He was a Major of the Third Battalion of Pennsylvania troops in the Revolutionary War. He and others of the family, except Henry who went to Lebanon County, are buried on the home farm, as was quite customary in those days.
Wendel's son Henry married 1st Catharine Miller and had children named Wendel and Almira, and by second wife, Hannah Sweitzer, he had children Lewis H. and Mary.
jacob the oldest son of Wendel and Hannah Hibschman, is of note in that he ran for Congress against James Buchanan and won out. The latter became President of the United States subsequently. When General Lafayette was guest of the nation in 1824, Jacob was the chairman of the committee in Lancaster County that entertained him. He inherited the home farm near Ephrata.
It should be noted that there are three different Henry's in the above.
The foregoing is taken from page 184 Vol. III, of the history of Lancaster County by H.M.J. Klein, from Biographic Annals of Lebanon Co., J.H. Beers & Co., Chicago, and from pages 215 to 221, Vol. XV, Proceedings of the Lancaster County Historical Society, 1911.
the children of HENRY HIBSCHMAN and wife ELIZABETH KUNLER are, -
These dates of birth are taken from the record of baptisms of the Reformed Church in Schaefferstown as quoted by Abraham S. Brendle in his history of Schaefferstown. The record states that Christina Hibschman (an aunt) was sponsor at the baptism of grandmother SARAH HIBSCHMAN. This reocrd has Henry Hibschman and wife Elizabeth as sponsors at a baptism on Dec. 15, 1821. This is the last date of which I have any record of this couple who are our great grandparents and parents of the children above listed.
The date of death and place of burial of Henry Hibschman and wife Elizabeth are not known. This is the most serious deficiency in our ancestral records. I am continuing efforts to remedy this deficiency.
the Kumler family
the Kumler family is of interest because the mother of our grandmother was a Kumler; namely ELIZABETH KUMLER- the only full sister of Bishop Henry Kumler, senioir, of the United Brethren Church in Christ.
From the book entitled "Swiss Emigrants to America in the Eighteenth Century" by A.B. Faust and G.M. Brumbaugh, Washington, D.C. I have copied from the list of immigrants arriving in America in 1749, -
Hans Komler (Kumler), 40 years of age.
His wife, Anna Marie Grieder.
His son, Johannes, baptized April 26, 1739.
His son, Hans Jacob, baptized July 1, 1742.
His daughter, Anna, baptized Jan. 10, 1745.
The record is said to be copied from the Parish Register of Maisprach, Basel, Switzerland.
continues in Part 2