Age 77.
Valentin Himmelberger was born December 9, 1709 in Schriesheim, Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. There is evidence he probably lived in Switzerland before emigrating.
He immigrated from Amsterdam via Cowes England on the ship "Bilander Townshead", Thomas Thompson, Captain, arriving in The Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 1737.
Two days before arriving in port, Valentin married Maria Elisabeth on October 3, 1737 aboard the ship "Bilander Townshead." We don't know if they met on board ship or if they were traveling together.
Unlike many German immigrants of the era, he was not bonded to someone in this land for a period of time to work off the cost of his passage. Instead, he immediately bought a farm in Berne township, Berks Co., Pennsylvania and raised a family there.
Valentin and Elisabeth, as she will be known, had nine children: Philip, Mary Elisabeth, Clara, Catharina, George, Jacob, Ulrich [who will change his name to Oliver Heavenhill as an adult], Susanna, and Eva. All survived childhood. All but Eva are listed below.
Note: Valentin signed the passenger list with an "x". He signed his will the same way. Velentine Hemalbarger of Tulpohockon Twp. was naturalized by the Supreme Court of Philadelphia on 10 or 11 April 1761.
On children: There are nine children mentioned in the will. Philip, Elisabeth, Catharina [died before the will was written, her children Harry Fisher, Michael and John were provided for in the will with her share of the inheritance], Clara, George, Jacob, Ulrich, Susanna and Eva. Stone says "8 Kinder" who survived him. [FredGen] With Catharina gone, eight is correct. [Judy]
March 16, 2013
UPDATE:
A German-speaking cousin sent me this:
"Not 100% sure, but this is what I think I see:
'Hier ruhen unserer
geliebte Eltern, Valentin
Himelberger und Elisabeth.
Er ist Geb D 9 Dec 1709
und starb am 9 Mar 1787 in
Alter von 78 Jahre 3 Monate.
Sie ist Geb D 6 Nov 1713
und starb 1 Jun 1788 mit
49 glückliche Ehejahren
umgeben von 8 Kinder
in Alter von 75 Jahre
7 Monate.'"
When I asked him how it compares to the translation on the memorial, he sent me this:
"Don't see any essential differences:
'Here rest our
beloved parents, Valentin
Himmelberger and Elisabeth.
He was born Germany 9 Dec 1709
and died on 9 Mar 1787 in
age of 78 years 3 months.
She was born Germany November 6, 1713
and died 1 June 1788 with
49 years of happy marriage
surrounded by 8 children,
in age of 75 years
7 months.'"
Note: The math on the headstone is off by a year for both Valentin and Elisabeth. He would be 77 yrs 3 mos., she would be 74 yrs 7 mos. Yet the 49 years of marriage together is correct.
[Thank you FredGen for the rescue and photos of this headstone and to Ber Hommelberg for the transcription into German and translation into English.]
=======================================
Hi all, Just a comment on the date issue. In 1752 all of Britain and its colonies underwent a date change (look up Calendar (New Style) Act 1750) to correct problems between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. 11 days were removed from the calendar so that Sept 2, 1752 was immediately followed by Sept 14, 1752. It led to lots of confusion and might be the reason for the age discrepancies.
Contributor: Lara Thomas (50389694) •
Valentin Himmelberger was born December 9, 1709 in Schriesheim, Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. There is evidence he probably lived in Switzerland before emigrating.
He immigrated from Amsterdam via Cowes England on the ship "Bilander Townshead", Thomas Thompson, Captain, arriving in The Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 1737.
Two days before arriving in port, Valentin married Maria Elisabeth on October 3, 1737 aboard the ship "Bilander Townshead." We don't know if they met on board ship or if they were traveling together.
Unlike many German immigrants of the era, he was not bonded to someone in this land for a period of time to work off the cost of his passage. Instead, he immediately bought a farm in Berne township, Berks Co., Pennsylvania and raised a family there.
Valentin and Elisabeth, as she will be known, had nine children: Philip, Mary Elisabeth, Clara, Catharina, George, Jacob, Ulrich [who will change his name to Oliver Heavenhill as an adult], Susanna, and Eva. All survived childhood. All but Eva are listed below.
Note: Valentin signed the passenger list with an "x". He signed his will the same way. Velentine Hemalbarger of Tulpohockon Twp. was naturalized by the Supreme Court of Philadelphia on 10 or 11 April 1761.
On children: There are nine children mentioned in the will. Philip, Elisabeth, Catharina [died before the will was written, her children Harry Fisher, Michael and John were provided for in the will with her share of the inheritance], Clara, George, Jacob, Ulrich, Susanna and Eva. Stone says "8 Kinder" who survived him. [FredGen] With Catharina gone, eight is correct. [Judy]
March 16, 2013
UPDATE:
A German-speaking cousin sent me this:
"Not 100% sure, but this is what I think I see:
'Hier ruhen unserer
geliebte Eltern, Valentin
Himelberger und Elisabeth.
Er ist Geb D 9 Dec 1709
und starb am 9 Mar 1787 in
Alter von 78 Jahre 3 Monate.
Sie ist Geb D 6 Nov 1713
und starb 1 Jun 1788 mit
49 glückliche Ehejahren
umgeben von 8 Kinder
in Alter von 75 Jahre
7 Monate.'"
When I asked him how it compares to the translation on the memorial, he sent me this:
"Don't see any essential differences:
'Here rest our
beloved parents, Valentin
Himmelberger and Elisabeth.
He was born Germany 9 Dec 1709
and died on 9 Mar 1787 in
age of 78 years 3 months.
She was born Germany November 6, 1713
and died 1 June 1788 with
49 years of happy marriage
surrounded by 8 children,
in age of 75 years
7 months.'"
Note: The math on the headstone is off by a year for both Valentin and Elisabeth. He would be 77 yrs 3 mos., she would be 74 yrs 7 mos. Yet the 49 years of marriage together is correct.
[Thank you FredGen for the rescue and photos of this headstone and to Ber Hommelberg for the transcription into German and translation into English.]
=======================================
Hi all, Just a comment on the date issue. In 1752 all of Britain and its colonies underwent a date change (look up Calendar (New Style) Act 1750) to correct problems between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. 11 days were removed from the calendar so that Sept 2, 1752 was immediately followed by Sept 14, 1752. It led to lots of confusion and might be the reason for the age discrepancies.
Contributor: Lara Thomas (50389694) •
Age 77.
Valentin Himmelberger was born December 9, 1709 in Schriesheim, Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. There is evidence he probably lived in Switzerland before emigrating.
He immigrated from Amsterdam via Cowes England on the ship "Bilander Townshead", Thomas Thompson, Captain, arriving in The Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 1737.
Two days before arriving in port, Valentin married Maria Elisabeth on October 3, 1737 aboard the ship "Bilander Townshead." We don't know if they met on board ship or if they were traveling together.
Unlike many German immigrants of the era, he was not bonded to someone in this land for a period of time to work off the cost of his passage. Instead, he immediately bought a farm in Berne township, Berks Co., Pennsylvania and raised a family there.
Valentin and Elisabeth, as she will be known, had nine children: Philip, Mary Elisabeth, Clara, Catharina, George, Jacob, Ulrich [who will change his name to Oliver Heavenhill as an adult], Susanna, and Eva. All survived childhood. All but Eva are listed below.
Note: Valentin signed the passenger list with an "x". He signed his will the same way. Velentine Hemalbarger of Tulpohockon Twp. was naturalized by the Supreme Court of Philadelphia on 10 or 11 April 1761.
On children: There are nine children mentioned in the will. Philip, Elisabeth, Catharina [died before the will was written, her children Harry Fisher, Michael and John were provided for in the will with her share of the inheritance], Clara, George, Jacob, Ulrich, Susanna and Eva. Stone says "8 Kinder" who survived him. [FredGen] With Catharina gone, eight is correct. [Judy]
March 16, 2013
UPDATE:
A German-speaking cousin sent me this:
"Not 100% sure, but this is what I think I see:
'Hier ruhen unserer
geliebte Eltern, Valentin
Himelberger und Elisabeth.
Er ist Geb D 9 Dec 1709
und starb am 9 Mar 1787 in
Alter von 78 Jahre 3 Monate.
Sie ist Geb D 6 Nov 1713
und starb 1 Jun 1788 mit
49 glückliche Ehejahren
umgeben von 8 Kinder
in Alter von 75 Jahre
7 Monate.'"
When I asked him how it compares to the translation on the memorial, he sent me this:
"Don't see any essential differences:
'Here rest our
beloved parents, Valentin
Himmelberger and Elisabeth.
He was born Germany 9 Dec 1709
and died on 9 Mar 1787 in
age of 78 years 3 months.
She was born Germany November 6, 1713
and died 1 June 1788 with
49 years of happy marriage
surrounded by 8 children,
in age of 75 years
7 months.'"
Note: The math on the headstone is off by a year for both Valentin and Elisabeth. He would be 77 yrs 3 mos., she would be 74 yrs 7 mos. Yet the 49 years of marriage together is correct.
[Thank you FredGen for the rescue and photos of this headstone and to Ber Hommelberg for the transcription into German and translation into English.]
=======================================
Hi all, Just a comment on the date issue. In 1752 all of Britain and its colonies underwent a date change (look up Calendar (New Style) Act 1750) to correct problems between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. 11 days were removed from the calendar so that Sept 2, 1752 was immediately followed by Sept 14, 1752. It led to lots of confusion and might be the reason for the age discrepancies.
Contributor: Lara Thomas (50389694) •
Valentin Himmelberger was born December 9, 1709 in Schriesheim, Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. There is evidence he probably lived in Switzerland before emigrating.
He immigrated from Amsterdam via Cowes England on the ship "Bilander Townshead", Thomas Thompson, Captain, arriving in The Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 1737.
Two days before arriving in port, Valentin married Maria Elisabeth on October 3, 1737 aboard the ship "Bilander Townshead." We don't know if they met on board ship or if they were traveling together.
Unlike many German immigrants of the era, he was not bonded to someone in this land for a period of time to work off the cost of his passage. Instead, he immediately bought a farm in Berne township, Berks Co., Pennsylvania and raised a family there.
Valentin and Elisabeth, as she will be known, had nine children: Philip, Mary Elisabeth, Clara, Catharina, George, Jacob, Ulrich [who will change his name to Oliver Heavenhill as an adult], Susanna, and Eva. All survived childhood. All but Eva are listed below.
Note: Valentin signed the passenger list with an "x". He signed his will the same way. Velentine Hemalbarger of Tulpohockon Twp. was naturalized by the Supreme Court of Philadelphia on 10 or 11 April 1761.
On children: There are nine children mentioned in the will. Philip, Elisabeth, Catharina [died before the will was written, her children Harry Fisher, Michael and John were provided for in the will with her share of the inheritance], Clara, George, Jacob, Ulrich, Susanna and Eva. Stone says "8 Kinder" who survived him. [FredGen] With Catharina gone, eight is correct. [Judy]
March 16, 2013
UPDATE:
A German-speaking cousin sent me this:
"Not 100% sure, but this is what I think I see:
'Hier ruhen unserer
geliebte Eltern, Valentin
Himelberger und Elisabeth.
Er ist Geb D 9 Dec 1709
und starb am 9 Mar 1787 in
Alter von 78 Jahre 3 Monate.
Sie ist Geb D 6 Nov 1713
und starb 1 Jun 1788 mit
49 glückliche Ehejahren
umgeben von 8 Kinder
in Alter von 75 Jahre
7 Monate.'"
When I asked him how it compares to the translation on the memorial, he sent me this:
"Don't see any essential differences:
'Here rest our
beloved parents, Valentin
Himmelberger and Elisabeth.
He was born Germany 9 Dec 1709
and died on 9 Mar 1787 in
age of 78 years 3 months.
She was born Germany November 6, 1713
and died 1 June 1788 with
49 years of happy marriage
surrounded by 8 children,
in age of 75 years
7 months.'"
Note: The math on the headstone is off by a year for both Valentin and Elisabeth. He would be 77 yrs 3 mos., she would be 74 yrs 7 mos. Yet the 49 years of marriage together is correct.
[Thank you FredGen for the rescue and photos of this headstone and to Ber Hommelberg for the transcription into German and translation into English.]
=======================================
Hi all, Just a comment on the date issue. In 1752 all of Britain and its colonies underwent a date change (look up Calendar (New Style) Act 1750) to correct problems between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. 11 days were removed from the calendar so that Sept 2, 1752 was immediately followed by Sept 14, 1752. It led to lots of confusion and might be the reason for the age discrepancies.
Contributor: Lara Thomas (50389694) •
Inscription
Rough translation of this stone after being elevated and enhanced with a quick spray of distilled water (see posted photo):
Here Rests ______________
_________________Valentin
Himelberger and Elisabeth
He was born 9 Dec 1709
and died 9 Mar 1787
in his 78th yr 3 mos
She was born 6 Nov 1713
and died 1 Jun 1788
married 49 years and
had 8 children
in her 75th yer 7 mo ____
Others better at reading the German
inscription may make out more. I am not an expert. The number of children matches those mentioned in his will. Other researchers appear to have 10 or 11. I think the stone and the will, which names all 8, confirm this. [provided by FredGen]
Gravesite Details
Marker finally found, unburied, and re-erected by FredGen, Sept 2012!! (see pics)
Family Members
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Records on Ancestry
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Geneanet Community Trees Index
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Pennsylvania, Church Records - Adams, Berks, and Lancaster Counties, 1729-1881
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Pennsylvania, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1772-1890
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Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993
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Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801
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