LORENZ BIEBER

Lorenz Bieber was born in Hirschland, Alsace 1717 October 28 son of Theobald Bieber and Sara Ludmann. So far as I know, he was the first of his branch of the family to arrive in America. He arrived in Philadelphia on the ship Robert and Alice in 1739. Lorenz married Maria Catharina Adam sometime before 1745 -- whether in America or Alsace we don't know. Catharina's maiden name is known from her children's baptismal records --- God bless that pastor. (Some researchers have recorded her maiden name as "Adamin." But "in" is a German feminine ending commonly used in those days. Her correct birth surname is Adam.) Maria Catharina was mother to at least 6 of Lorenz's 8 known children. By 1787 however, when Lorenz's will is probated, he is married to Eva (surname unknown).

Rev Beaver's account of the Lorenz Bieber family is rather sketchy. He lists the known children and a few of their children, then concludes: "The compiler has not been able to find any further record of descendants of Lorentz Bieber" (IMB-919). I will try to give a more complete account of Lorenz's story. I believe it possible to identify which families most of his 6 daughters married into. And according to information recently received from other Bieber family researchers (see "North Carolina Connection" below), 2 of Lorenz's 3 sons helped pioneer the settlement of North Carloina. No wonder Rev Beaver lost track of them.

Lorenz's Estate File

The Will

I copied a microfiche version of Lorenz's estate file at the Register of Wills Office, Berks County Courthouse. His will was probated 1787 June 14. There is an English translation as well as the original written in script German. The county official who did the translation was doubtless better at reading German script than I am, so I will quote that:

"In the Name of God, Amen. This is my last Will that I Lawrence Beeber have made by my good understanding and healthy Days in the Year of our Lord 1787 the 19 February.

"I say and speak with Mouth and word where my goods and remaining estate shall come to after my decease and how it shall be distributed among my Children and Heirs. So I Bequeath to Nicholas Beeber my Son 15 Shillings beforehand concerning my Cloaths --- and thereafter Nicholas Beeber and Teobald Beeber, Philip Miller, Adam Retriner, Jacob Zettlemoyer, and Peter Beeber shall stand in equal shares --- and young Jacob Leivig shall be Executor over the goods --- and Christian Braucher and his Heirs are excluded and my Daughter Eva shall have one English Shilling and Adam Keel and his Heirs has nothing to demand of abovementioned Estate, because he has already five Pounds away and my daughter Margaret one English Shilling, and my Wife Eva one prayer Book, the Iron Kittle, her Chest and Cloaths and what she has brought to me and with her exception that I have given in Writing can do as She pleases and shall be looked as Right it may come where it will, and her exception She can fetch or cause to be fetched to where she dwells, and Christian Braucher must let her fetch the Cow to where she dwells and when he Cow gives no more Milch to bring it home again or cause to be brought, and after my Decease the said Jacob Leivig Executor shall let the Goods be appraised and make Vendue [make Vendue = sell at auction]. Witnesses John Kohler, Henry Kohler. Lawrence Beeber, His Mark."

Based upon other documents in the estate file, I think Jacob "Leivig," the Executor, is actually Jacob Leiby. And I doubt the name Adam "Retriner" is right, but I'm not sure at present what the correct name is.

Inventory

The next document in the file is an inventory of Lorenz's estate dated 1787 July 9. Total value of the estate was estimated at slightly more than 155 pounds.

The list of Lorenz's possessions at his death provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of a Pennsylvania Dutch pioneer. The principal information of genealogical value is in the bonds and notes .. debts owed by other people to Lorenz. Since Lorenz was a farmer and not a banker, it is likely that these debts were owed by people with a close connection to Lorenz, possibly a family connection.

The inventory lists single bonds of Frederick Kremer (19 pounds plus), George Kremer (12 pounds), Henry Kohler (6 pounds), Nicholas Mousses (?) (3 pounds), and Michael Bauer (8 pounds plus). There is also a debt of Phillip Miller (1 pound plus). Finally, the largest debtor was Christian Braucher. He owed 6 pounds each year from 1787 till 1799, with a final payment of 4 pounds in 1800. This, I think, was in essence a seller-financed mortgage.

Account

This document, dated 1790 June 5, tallies the expenses of settling the estate (among them, 6 shillings and 6 pence for "wisky and victuals at vendue" .. whiskey and food at the public auction of Lorenz's estate). It is signed by Jacob Leiby, Lorenz's executor. The bottom line is that 170 pounds plus remains to be distributed "as the Will directs."

Children of Lorenz and Catharina

David Cherry has extensively researched the Beaver family in North Carolina, and has generously provided his research on Nicholas Beaver to this Website. Follow the link for details.

How do we know that Nicholas Bieber of Berks County, Pennsylvania is the same person as Nicholas Beaver of Rowan County, North Carolina? Here are four reasons:

• There is a good match between the last child of Nicholas baptized in Pennsylvania (1776) and Nicholas's appearance in North Carolina (1779).
• There is a good match between the children of Nicholas baptized in Pennsylvania (see above) and the children listed in his will in North Carolina (see David Cherry's article).
• Nicholas's son Theobald (or Dawalt/David) survived long enough to appear in the 1850 North Carolina census. His birthplace is given as Pennsylvania, and his age is given as 80, a perfect match with the Berks County baptismal record.
• Family alliances apparent in Berks County records are repeated in North Carolina. The Nicholas Beaver / Eberhardt Schmidt alliance documented by David Cherry is a prime example.

North Carolina Connection

Future.