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Submitted: 1/18/11 • Approved: 1/18/11 • Last Updated: 3/30/18 • R34764-G0-S3
The progenitor of the Weidenhammer family in the United States was Johannes. Who was born in the Province of Baden, Germany on November 14, 1726 and immigrated to the United States in 1748 at the age of 22. Johannes sailed from Rotterdam to Portsmouth and then to the Port of Philadelphia. The ship was the "Edinburgh," James Russell being Master of the ship. Johannes took the oath of allegiance the same day he landed September 5, 1748. William Atwood, Mayor, and William Allen, Recorder; of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johannes settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He was later assessed and taxed as John Weidenhammer.
What is called the Weidenhammer Homestead is three-forth mile north of Moselem Springs in Richmond Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. On the main road between Reading and Easton (Rt. 222) where the Berkleigh Country Club is today. Johannes bought this land when he was 65 years old.. It is not known if Johannes ever lived on this land. George, second generation, did live and own this land.
The Weidenhammer's who held this land were Johannes (0001), son, George (0005), George's son, Johannes (0019), Johannes son, Reuben G. (0049), Reuben's son, James (0133), and possibly James' son, Reuben F. Weidenhammer (0325).
The first land Johannes, first generation, bought was in Ruscombmanor Township (1752). The tax records show in 1767 he was assessed with 100 acres of land, horses, cattle, and sheep in Bern Township. In 1779 he owned 320 acres of land in Maidencreek Township and Richmond Township.
According to the family history by Charles D. Weidenhamer, Johannes was a "thrifty and prosperous farmer". With that statement, it has always been assumed that Johannes's principle occupation was farming. In 2002 however, George J. Weidenhammer, in transcribing a 1798 land deed in which Johannes transferred some land in Maidencreek Township to four of his granddaughters, found a reference to Johannes as a "Weaver". ( Deed location -Johannes Scrapbook ) Although weaving was a major occupation in Germany about this time, this was the first reference to Johannes being a Weaver. Johannes obviously was an educated man since he signed his name on documents. Perhaps he had been a weaver in Germany but changed to farming in America. Or, perhaps he pursued both farming and weaving in America.
Contributed on 1/18/11 by sdwmmr
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Record #: 34764