THEOBALD BIEBER

Theobald and Sara

Theobald Bieber and Sara Ludmann were born in Alsace, in what is now France, late in the 17th Century. Theobald was born about 1690, based on a confirmation record of 1704, and Sara was born about 1694, based on a confirmation record of 1708 (GHH-83). They are ancestors of all the Biebers recorded in Chapter 6 of Rev Beaver's book. In other words, the "Johann" of Chapter 6 is really Johann Theobald. Rev Beaver gives a fairly detailed account of this family (IMB-919), based in part on information obtained by his European researcher, Werner von Arnswald, but he did not recognize the correspondence between this family and the Biebers of Chapter 6.

Marriage of Theobald Biber and Sara Ludmann as recorded in the Hirschland "Kirchenbuch." The pastor later added a notation that they had gone to America. Bound hearts appear to the right of Theobald's name, the pastor's way of denoting marriage records.

Theobald and Sara married in 1717 January. The marriage is recorded both in the Hirschland Kirchenbuch, where the date is given as January 14 (HKB-167), and in the Berg und Thal Kirchenbuch, where the date is given as January 24 (GHB-37). The Berg und Thal record also names Theobald's father as Hans Dietrich and Sara's father as Lorenz. Theobald is therefore a brother of Georg Bieber.

Theobald Bieber and Sara Ludmann are my gggggg grandparents.

The following table summarizes the family of Theobald and Sara Bieber. This family has been described in three compilations (IMB-919, GHH-83, AKB-67), but I have checked a microfilm of the original Hirschland Kirchenbuch (HKB) to confirm the data and resolve discrepancies.

To the New World

An Alsatian notarial record of 1760 June 12 states that "Theobald, resident of Hirschland, wished to emigrate to the New World 18 years ago, but according to reliable reports, he suffered an accident on the way there." (GHE-84, my translation). The same record mentions that Theobald had five children, of whom three are named: Lorenz, Hans Georg, and Anna Magdalena.

Referring to the Philadelphia ship lists, it appears that Lorenz came to America first, arriving aboard the Robert and Alice on 1739 Sep 3. Hans Georg arrived aboard the Lydia two years later, 1741 Sep 29. There is documentary proof that Sara Ludmann was in America by 1742/3 Jan 12 (see below), or about 15 months after Hans Georg arrived on the Lydia if I understand the Old Style/New Style dates correctly. It therefore seems logical that the rest of Theobald and Sara's family arrived on the Lydia in 1741, but there is no way to prove this. Except for Theobald and Hans Georg, the family members were all women and children, who typically were omitted from the ship lists.

But why is Theobald not listed? Could it be that the "accident" mentioned above occurred aboard the ship, and Theobald did not survive the long voyage to America? For more discussion about Theobald's fate, see "The Mystery of Theobald's Death" below.

Theobald Bieber's Estate File in Philadelphia

Sara Bibber filed Letters of Administration for the estate of Theobald Bibber on 1742/3 Jan 12. When I requested the corresponding estate file at the Philadelphia archives, the clerk was unable to locate one. (Note that Berks County was not formed till 1752. Before that time it was part of Philadelphia County.)

In an e-mail exchange with Bieber researcher Joe Helwig, I mentioned the Sara Bibber Letters of Administration, and that it might be worth another try at getting the estate file. Not long afterward, Joe had business in Philadelphia and stopped by at the Archives. He asked for the Theobald Bibber estate file, and this time the file turned up, containing two of the earliest documents pertaining to the Bieber family in America!

Owing to their significance, I have placed scans of these two documents -- an Administration Bond and Estate Inventory -- on this Website. Key information from them is abstracted and discussed below.

Administration Bond

The Administration Bond, dated 1742/3 Jan 12, begins with these words: "Know all men by these Presents that Sara bibber widow Bernhard Klein and Lepold Grebber near allemangle in the County of Philadelphia and in the province of pennsilvania House Keepers are held and firmly Bound onto Peter Evans Register General for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of administration ...." The Bond later obligates Sara Bibber to produce "a true perfect Inventory of all & singular the Goods Chattels rights & Credits" of her late husband Dewald Bibber.

The above provides further proof that Theobald Bieber [Dewald Bibber] died soon after his arrival in America. It also shows that the Theobald Bieber family lived near the Allemangel region of early Pennsylvania. Allemangel encompasses present Albany and Greenwich Townships in Berks County, together with nearby areas of Berks and Lehigh County. (The exact boundaries are fluid.) Also of interest is that Bernhard Klein co-signed the Bond. As described further below, Bernhard Klein is Sara Bieber's brother-in-law; he married Sara's sister Anna Elisabetha. The relationship of Lepold Grebber [Leopold Gruber?] is currently unknown; this relationship is worth further investigation.

The Bond was signed and witnessed by Jacob Müller, Daniel Huver [Huber?], Sara Bibber, Bernhard Klein, and Lepold Greber. Müller and Klein signed their own names, the rest signed with their mark.

Inventory

The Estate Inventory is dated 1742/3 Jan 19 and is signed by Bernhard Klein and a second person whose name I cannot decipher. The second person signed with his mark.

Aside from personal possessions, the inventory lists "Improvements on the Proprietors Land with some Winter Corn thereon." (I think winter corn means winter wheat; "Proprieters" refers to the Penn family who owned Pennsylvania in colonial times.) These Improvements are valued at 27 Pounds, by far the most valuable asset on the Inventory. This suggests that Theobald did in fact make it to America and lived long enough for him and his family to clear some land and plant crops on it. The Inventory also lists debts totaling 12 Pounds, 6 Shillings, 6 Pence owed to the Estate by Lorentz Bibber. As mentioned above, Lorentz is Theobald's son who came to America two years before Theobald in 1739.

The Inventory is an interesting document as it gives us a glimpse into the life and times of a Pennsylvania Dutch pioneer. The script writing is difficult, and the spelling eccentric, but at right is my interpretation (incorporating some suggestions from Joe Helwig). The columns with numbers give the appraised value in Pounds, Shillings, and Pence. A scan of Theobald's Inventory is also available.

An Inheritance from Alsace .. More Estate Records of Theobald and Sara

Alsatian Records

The union of Theobald and Sara was not the only one produced by their respective families, for Sara's brother Peter Ludmann married Theobald's sister Anna Elisabetha. Peter and Anna Elisabetha had no living children when they died, and their estate was divided up among their siblings, including 4 who emigrated to America.

Peter and Anna Elisabetha lived in Eyweiler, a village about 2 miles north of Hirschland. Their estate settlement is recorded in the Notariatsakten of this village dated 1760 June 12. The original records have not been filmed, but they are outlined in the Eyweiler book of Dr Gerhard Hein (GHE-109). These records provide further direct evidence of the emigration from Hirschland to America of Sara Ludmann, Theobald Bieber, and Hans Georg Bieber.

In brief, the records list 7 siblings of Peter Ludmann (GHE-109),

• Lorenz,
• Christian,
• Sara, moved to the New Land with her children about 1742,
• Anna Elisabetha, married Bernhard Klein, they moved to the new land with their children about 1741 or 1742,
• Anna Ottilia, married Georg Dintinger,
• Margaretha, married first Peter Bieber, second Carl Bläss
• Anna Magdalena, married Thiebold Karcher.

• Hans Georg, moved to the New Land,
• Michael,
• Anna Maria, married Michael Schneider,
• Catharina, married Johannes Kreutz,
• Thiebold, wished to move to the New Land but suffered an accident on the way there.

Also in Alsatian records are letters written from America to the Alsatian authorities by both Hans Georg Bieber and Sara Ludmann. Hans Georg's letter states that he is living in "Maxadamy, Pennsylvanien," and that his inheritance is to be picked up by David Hahn (GHE-85). Sara's letter likewise states that her inheritance is to be picked up by David Hahn (GHE-107). As detailed below, the name David Hahn provides yet another connection between the Bieber family in Alsace and in America.

Sara's Estate Record in Berks County

The estate file of Sara Bieber resides in the Register of Wills Office, Berks County Courthouse, Reading, Pennsylvania. The earliest document is dated 1764 September 22, which presumably gives an approximate time of Sara's death. It is a bond of 200 pounds filed by Laurence [Lorentz] Bieber, Sara's eldest son and Administrator of her estate.

Next is an inventory of Sara's estate dated 1764 October 23. This provides an interesting snapshot of the personal possessions of a Pennsylvania Dutch pioneer woman. (Compare with her husband Theobald's Inventory filed 21 years earlier.)

Finally, there is an administration account dated 1766 February 3, which lists receipts and distributions that Lorentz made in settling the estate. Most fascinating, we find listed with the receipts: "[For cash received] from David Hahn Attorney of the said Sarah Bieber [deceased] for Moneys [received] in Germany for her, 19 pounds, 9 shillings." This corresponds perfectly with the letter mentioned in the Alsace Notariatsakten in connection with the Peter Ludmann estate.

Theobald's Estate Record in Berks County

The heirs of Theobald and Sara Bieber were entitled to shares of the estate of Peter and Anna Elisabetha Ludmann in two ways: first through Theobald who is Anna Elisabetha's brother, and second through Sara who is Peter Ludmann's sister. The estate documents of Sara Bieber (above) provided for the distribution of her share, but not for Theobald's share. To procure this inheritance, documents for the estate of Theobald Bieber were filed in Berks County Courthouse in 1768, 25 years after the earlier estate filing in Philadelphia.

The first document relating to Theobald's estate in Berks County is a bond of 100 pounds filed 1768 August 31 by Lawrence Bieber (i.e., Lorenz Bieber) to administer the "goods chattles rights and credits" of "Theobald Bieber unadministered by Sarah widow of the said deceased."

Next is an inventory dated 1768 October 1. The sole item on the inventory is "The Part and Share of the said Deceased of and in the Estate of his Sister Elisabeth Bieber [deceased], 26 pounds, 6 shillings."

Last is an administration account dated 1768 October 1. Among the disbursements are a few administrative expenses, then: "Jacob Bieber's Dividend paid by David Hahn, 6 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence ... Henry Miller's Dividend in Right of Magdalena his Wife paid by the said David Hahn, 6 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence ... Jacob Leiby's Dividend in Right of Odelia his Wife, 6 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence ... This Accomptant's [i.e., Lorenz's] Dividend, 6 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence." At the time, there were 4 surviving children of Theobald Bieber, and each received an equal share of the estate of their Alsatian aunt Elisabeth. Note that the globe-trotting David Hahn again plays a role in settling this estate, specifically in the part of the estate relating to the inheritance from Alsace.

An interesting aspect of the inheritance from Alsace concerns the different amounts received by Sara and Theobald. Sara got 19 pounds 9 shillings, while Theobald got 26 pounds 6 shillings. If I understand 18th Century shillings and pounds correctly, this means Theobald got about 1.4 times as much as Sara. Why the difference ? Well, from the Alsatian documents, we see that Peter Ludmann has 7 siblings as heirs, while his wife Elisabeth (nee Bieber) has only 5. The ratio is 1.4. In other words, the Ludmann estate was split equally between the heirs of Peter and Elisabeth, but Elisabeth's heirs received more per person because there were fewer of them.

The Mystery of Theobald's Death

Documentary Evidence

It is clear that Theobald suffered some kind of misfortune on the way to America, or shortly after arriving in America. Summarizing some key facts presented above:

• An Alsatian notarial record of 1760 states that Theobald "... wished to emigrate to the New World 18 years ago, but according to reliable reports, he suffered an accident on the way there."
• Theobald does not appear on the Philadelphia ship lists, either with his son Lorenz on the Robert and Alice in 1739 or with his son Hans Georg on the Lydia in 1741.
• Theobald's estate file in Philadelphia shows that he died before 1743 Jan 12. But his Estate Inventory lists "Improvements on the Proprietors Land with some Winter Corn thereon."

Oral History, as Recorded by Rev Beaver

Chapter 6 of Rev Beaver's book is essentially about Jacob Bieber (born 1731 Dec 24) and his descendants. Rev Beaver says that Jacob's father was "Johann" or "John" Bieber. One might say that this is, so far, consistent with my research, which shows that the full name of Jacob's father is Johann Theobald Bieber, the subject of this section of my Website. (Since very many Alsatian and German males of this period had the first name Johann, I have chosen to designate Theobald by his more distinctive Rufname or middle name.)

Some parts of Rev Beaver's biography of "Johann" are clearly incorrect according to my research. For instance, Rev Beaver has "Johann" arriving in America in 1744, and helping son Jacob obtain property in Northampton County (now Lehigh County) in 1786. The documentary evidence described above, however, shows that Jacob's father Johann Theobald died before January 1743.

Rev Beaver's account of "Johann" Bieber [IMB-400] agrees with my account of Theobald in one significant respect, that Johann Theobald suffered an untimely death. According to Rev Beaver, in the Fall of one year Johann left for Philadelphia with a 4-horse load of wheat. He failed to return at the expected time, and one morning a few days later, the 4-horse team was found intact in the barnyard, with no sign of Johann. The family began a search, and at the Philadelphia grain market they were told that Johann had arrived with his load of wheat and was paid in cash. No trace of Johann Bieber was ever found again, and the presumption is that he was robbed and murdered on his way home from Philadelphia.

Rev Beaver says that the above story was "... handed down to us from the early generations ..." [IMB-400], but he does not specify the exact source. Perhaps Theobald was indeed the victim of foul play, but if so it occurred some 40-plus years earlier than in Rev Beaver's account. One may hope that there is additional documentary evidence awaiting discovery in Pennsylvania or Alsace, which will finally solve the mystery of Theobald's death.

Lorenz, son of Theobald and Sara

See Lorenz's own page.

Georg, son of Theobald and Sara

Future.

The Bieber House.
Near Jerusalem Church where Jacob is buried, there is an old stone farmhouse called the Bieber house. It is now the home of the Lenni Lenape Historical Society and Museum of Indian Culture, 2825 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown, Pennsylvania. According to the Lenni Lenape site, the house was built in 1849.

The book History of Western Salisbury Union Church 1741-1986 (the same as Jerusalem Church where Jacob is buried) has a fascinating discussion of early Bieber families and their properties in West Salisbury Township (WSC pages 186-197). According to this book the Bieber House now housing the Lenape Museum was built around 1877 by Solomon Arthur Bieber (WSC-190), gg grandson of Jacob Bieber. The book says the house "... was first used as quarters for maid service and later was used for house guests. About fifteen years after the house was built, John Reuben, son of Henry G. Bieber, cousin of Solomon A., moved into the house with his wife Laura (Bieber) Romich" (WSC-194). One aspect of this history does not seem quite right, however: Solomon Arthur Bieber was born 1861 Apr 14 (IMB-505; WSC foldout following page 186) and was only 16 years old in 1877. If the Bieber House was really built in 1877, was it perhaps built by Solomon Arthur's father Charles H.? Or was the house built earlier -- perhaps 1849 as the Lenape site says -- by Solomon Arthur's grandfather Solomon?

Daniel Bieber birth certificate, 1799. Enlarge.

Jacob's Grandson Daniel and His Baptismal Certificate.
Jacob's second child was a son also named Jacob, and this younger Jacob married Esther Lesher and moved to the Oley Valley. Their fifth child, Daniel, was born 1799 November 20 (IMB-412). Shown here is the fraktur birth certificate of Daniel, decorated with typical Pennsylvania Dutch motifs such as tulips, hearts, birds, and deer. The certificate was printed by Samuel Baumann in Ephrata, and was hand colored by an anonymous artist.

Jacob's Great Grandson Daniel and the Bieber Mill.
Another son of Jacob Bieber and Esther Lesher is Dewalt Bieber, my ggg grandfather. Dewalt's son Daniel, born 1832 November 24 (IMB-419), operated a mill near Oley. This mill today is exceptionally well preserved and is still known as the Bieber Mill. It remained in the Bieber family till 1998.

The Bieber Mill. Enlarge.

Jacob's Son Johannes the Cabinetmaker
Jacob's third child was a son named Johannes (or John), a carpenter who "did dove-tail carpenter work" (IMB-407). I am aware of several pieces of Pennsylvania Dutch antique furniture (below) that are attributed to a cabinetmaker named John Bieber of Berks County. It seems probable that this furniture builder is Johannes, son of Jacob.

Three pieces of furniture built by cabinetmaker John Bieber: a Schrank (circa 1800) that was auctioned by Sotheby's in 1993, a chest over drawers (circa 1792) in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and a Dutch cabinet in a private collection.

Jacob's Grandson Daniel and the "Ship of Gold."
The above mentioned Johannes had a son Daniel born 1801 May 7 and baptized at Dryville Church, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Daniel migrated to Ohio with his brother Gideon, and operated a tavern for a time. In 1849 Daniel joined the California gold rush. He returned to Ohio, then made a second trip to the California gold fields (IMB-448). This second trip ended tragically as Daniel lost his life along with more than 400 others aboard the ship Central America, when it sank in a hurricane off North Carolina in September 1857.

There is more to this story: In 1986 the wreck of the Central America was located on the ocean floor. A daring salvage operation was organized, and a fortune in California gold was recovered from the ocean. The story is recounted in Gary Kinder's best-selling book, Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea. Random House, the book's publisher, has provided an excellent Website that tells the story of the Central America, its rediscovery, and the salvage operation.

Following a lengthy legal battle over ownership, salvaged gold from the Central America has recently come on the market. Informative Websites have been published by coin dealers Blanchard and Austin. Remarkably, the Blanchard site includes two letters written by Daniel Beaver from the California gold fields !! (Thanks to Bieber/Beaver researcher Linda Kracke for drawing my attention to these letters.)

Anna Magdalena, daughter of Theobald and Sara

Future.

Ottilia, daughter of Theobald and Sara

Future.

To Contents.