CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS - HISTORY OF WIRTH'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (1770-1815), AFTER 1815
SALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PA.
PREPARED BY
JONATHAN M. WERT, JR.
WERT FAMILY HISTORY ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 240
Port Royal, PA 17082-0240
Tel: 717—527-4399
1995
1682 - PROVINCE OF PA INCLUDED THREE COUNTIES: PHILADELPHIA, BUCKS AND CHESTER
1726 - LUTHERAN PREACHER, REV. JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE BORN IN BAVARIA, GERMANY
1727 - JOHANN ADAM WIRTH BORN IN BEROD, WESTERWALD, GERMANY; BIRTH AND BAPTISM RECORD IN THE PARISH OF HOCHSTENBACH
1729 - MAY 10 - COUNTY OF LANCASTER WAS FORMED OUT OF CHESTER COUNTY
1729 - AUG 17 - UPPER PAXTON (PESHTANK/PAXTANG) TOWNSHIP WAS FORMED AS A PART OF LANCASTER COUNTY
1732 - GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS BORN
1734 - LANCASTER BECAME THE COUNTY SEAT FOR LANCASTER COUNTY
1751 - JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE GRADUATES FROM UNIVERSITY OF LEIPSIC AND IS ORDAINED
1753 - JOHANN ADAM WIRTH ARRIVES IN AMERICA, PORT AT PHILA., PA ON THE SHIP TWO BROTHERS; SETTLES FIRST IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY THEN MOVED TO LANCASTER COUNTY, LEBANON AREA
1754 - THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR BEGINS; ENDED 1763
1755 - AUG 3 - JOHANN ADAM WIRTH MARRIES EVA ELIZABETH SCHNUG IN LEBANON, PA (SEE EARLY LUTHERAN BAPTISMS AND MARRIAGES IN SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, The Records of Rev. John Casper Stoever from 1730 to 1779, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, 1988; p. 65
1755 — 1763 - INDIAN WARS IN CENTRAL PA.
1758 - JOHANNES WIRTH BORN, SON OF JOHANN ADAM WIRTH (1727-1805) AND EVA ELIZABETH SCHNUG WIRTH (1730—1800); BAPTIZED ON FEB. 24, 1758 BY REV. JOHN CASPER STOEVER IN LEBANON, PA
1760 - HOMESTEADING BEGINS IN LYKENS VALLEY
1760-1769 - JOHANN ADAM WIRTH CLEARS LAND IN LYKENS VALLEY; CLOVER HILL, NEAR KILLINGER AND MILLERSBURG, PA., ON WHAT IS CURRENTLY THE HARRISBURG NORTH GOLF COURSE; FAMILY MOVES FROM LEBANON TO UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP
1763 - ENGLAND HAD THIRTEEN COLONIES IN AMERICA; LAST OF THE INDIAN INCURSIONS IN LYKENS VALLEY
1765 - BRITAIN'S PARLIAMENT DECIDED TO RAISE MONEY IN THE COLONIES THROUGH STAMP ACT AND TAXES
1768 - JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE BECOMES SCHOOL MASTER AND SUPPLY MINISTER IN GERMANTOWN AREA
1769 - EARLIEST RECORD OF UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS
1770 - JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE MOVES FROM PHILADELPHIA, PA TO ELIZABETHTOWN, PA; PASTOR FOR MAYTOWN, SAND HILL AND HUMMELSTOWN CONGREGATION
1770 - 1ST FORMAL RECORDS BEGIN AT WIRTH'S CHURCH; UNFORTUNATELY NO PASTOR'S NAME IS INCLUDED IN THESE EARLY RECORDS; MAY 4, RECORD OF FIRST BAPTISMS
1770 - JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE BEGINS CIRCUIT RIDER MISSIONARY TRIPS INTO UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP AND NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
1770 - 1779 - REV. JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE IS PASTOR FOR BOTH EVANGELICAL AND REFORMED CONGREGATIONS OF WIRTH'S CHURCH; RECORDS COMBINED FOR BOTH CONGREGATIONS. SEE ORIGINAL RECORDS IN GERMAN IN POSSESSION OF SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, KILLINGER
1772 - OCT - 1ST COMMUNION LIST AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1773, 1782, 1789, 1790, 1801 — J. ADAM WIRTH IS AN ELDER AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1773 - 1ST CHURCH COUNCIL ESTABLISHED; ELDERS/DEACONS NAMED; FIRST ACCOUNTING OF FINANCES; J. MICHAEL ENTERLINE SERVED AS PASTOR 1773-93. THE SECOND CHURCH BUILDING OR CHURCH WAS CONSTRUCTED SOUTHWEST OF THE OLD WIRTH'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH CEMETERY.
1774 - APR 10 - 1ST CONFIRMATION CLASS LISTED AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1774 - DAVID'S CHURCH BEGINS KEEPING RECORDS FOR IT'S CONGREGATION THAT USED WIRTH'S CHURCH BUILDING FOR WORSHIP SERVICES ALONG WITH THE WIRTH'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATION…RECORDS OF THE ST. DAVID'S EVANGELICAL REFORMED CONGREGATION (ORIGINAL RECORDS AT DAVID'S CHURCH PARSONAGE, KILLINGER, PA) SOME RECORDS SAY THAT THE TWO CONGREGATIONS HELD THEIR SERVICES ON ALTERNATE SUNDAYS.
1774 - JUN 6 JOHANN ADAM WIRTH APPLIES FOR LAND GRANT IN UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP FROM PROVINCE OF PA... 352 ACRES
1774 - JUN 18 JOHANN ADAM WIRTH APPLIES FOR LAND GRANT IN UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP FROM PROVINCE OF PA... 360 ACRES
1774 - APR 19 - 1ST PREPARATORY SERVICES MENTIONED AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1774 - 1789 - REV. JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE WAS PASTOR AT ST. MICHAEL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, PFOUTZ VALLEY, NOW PERRY COUNTY; FORMERLY CUMBERLAND COUNTY
1774 - THE STATE OF PA WAS BORN
1775 - MAR 7 - ADAM KING AND GEORGE NAGLEY TRUSTEES APPLIED TO THE PROVINCE OF PA FOR 160 ACRES OF LAND IN THE KILLINGER AREA "GOOD INTENT." THIS LAND GRANTED IN TRUST FOR THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN AND LUTHERAN CHURCHES IN KILLINGER ADJOINED BY JOHN SHEESLEY AND LUDWIG BRETZ. RETD MAY 23, 1805. THE DOCUMENT OF 1805 SAYS THE LAND WAS GRANTED TO HENRY MAYER, JOHN DIDI, JACOB SHOOP, AND GEORGE WIRTH. GEORGE WIRTH (1770-1845) WAS A SON OF JOHANN ADAM WIRTH (1727-1806).
ACCORDING TO RECORDS PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE GENERATIONS ON WERT HISTORY, JOHANN ADAM WIRTH (1727-1806) HAD CLAIMED THE LAND ABOVE AND HAD CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS ON IT PRIOR TO 1775. ONE OF THOSE BUILDINGS WAS USED FOR A SCHOOL AND PLACE OF WORSHIP BY BOTH THE REFORMED AND EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS FROM 1770-1773 WITH REV. JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE SERVING AS A PART-TIME PREACHER FROM 1770-1779. JOHANN ADAM WIRTH AGREED NOT TO FILE A CLAIM FOR THE LAND WITH THE TRUSTEES WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY APPLY FOR A WARRANT AND USE THE LAND FOR BOTH CONGREGATIONS TO CONSTRUCT THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES. THIS WAS WHY JOHANN ADAM WIRTH BECAME KNOWN AS THE BENEFACTOR OF THE CHURCHES IN KILLINGER AND PARTICULARLY WIRTH'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. THE NAME FOR THE LAND "GOOD INTENT" WAS SELECTED BECAUSE OF THE AGREEMENT TRUSTEES OF BOTH THE REFORMED AND EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS HAD WITH JOHANN ADAM WIRTH THAT THE LAND WOULD GO TO BOTH CONGREGATIONS AND COULD ONLY BE USED FOR CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES. IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1794 THAT THE REFORMED CONGREGATION (DAVID'S) DECIDED TO ERECT A HOUSE OF WORSHIP IN KILLINGER.
1775 - MAY 15 - CONTINENTAL CONGRESS ADOPTED RESOLUTIONS RECOMMENDING THE ADOPTION OF A STATE GOVERNMENT BY EACH COLONY
1775 - BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL, SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; GEORGE WASHINGTON TAKES COMMAND
1776 - FEB 18 - REV. JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE ENDS SERVICE IN MAYTOWN, SAND HILL AND HUMMELSTOWN
1776 - JUL 4 - REVOLUTIONARY WAR BEGAN WHEN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS SIGNED.
1777 - MARCH 17 - PA. GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED MILITARY LAW WHICH REQUIRED EVERY WHITE MALE BETWEEN EIGHTEEN AND FIFTY-THREE YEARS OF AGE CAPABLE OF BEARING ARMS TO BE IN THE MILITIA. J. ADAM WIRTH B. 1727 WAS 50 YEARS OLD.
1777 - GEORGE WASHINGTON LOST TWO CRUCIAL BATTLES AT BRANDYWINE AND GERMANTOWN
1777- 1778 - AMERICAN VICTORY AT SARATOGA; CONTINENTAL ARMY WINTERS AT VALLEY FORGE
1778 - 1779 - JOHN WERTZ (1758-1805) AND JOHN ADAM WERTZ TAKE THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE BEFORE JOSHUA ELDER, ESQR.; LANCASTER COUNTY COURT HOUSE AT LANCASTER, PA, DEED BOOK L, 1764—1769
1779 - 1789 - REFORMED CHURCH CONGREGATION (DAVID'S) HAS REV. SAMUEL DUBENDORF (1721-1800) AS ITS PASTOR
1779 - CAPITOL OF PA IN LANCASTER
1780 - JUN 5 - ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH CONGREGATION WAS ORGANIZED
1780 - 1793 - REV. JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE WAS PREACHER FOR ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH
1781 – 23APR - JOHN WIRTZ (JOHANNES WIRTH B. 1758), ADAM WIRTZ (JOHANN ADAM WIRTH JR. B. 1755, AND CHRISTIAN WIRTZ (JOHANN CHRISTIAN WIRTH B. 1759), SONS OF J. ADAM WIRTH B. 1727, RETURN FROM REVOLUTIONARY WAR, CAPT.MARTIN WEAVER'S COMPANY: SOURCE: WILLIAM HENRY EGLE, MD, MA, HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF DAUPHIN & LEBANON IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PA, PHILADELPHIA,: EVERTS & PECK, 1883; REPR. 1977. PAGES 106 & 107.
1781 - REV. JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE WAS A SIGNER OF FIRST CONSTITUTION OF "THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN MINISTERICUM OF NORTH AMERICA"
1781 - GEORGE WASHINGTON AND THE CONTINENTAL ARMY DEFEAT THE BRITISH
1783 - THE LAST BRITISH TROOPS LEFT THE UNITED STATES
1785 - MAR 4 - DAUPHIN COUNTY WAS CREATED FROM PART OF LANCASTER COUNTY
1786 - FEB 5 - JOHANNES WIRTH BORN, SON OF JOHANNES ( 1758-1805) AND ANNA MARIA MILLER (1759-1836) WIRTH AND GRANDSON OF JOHANN ADAM WIRTH (1727—1806) AND EVA ELIZABETH SCHNUG/SNOKE WIRTH (1730—1800); BAPTIZED FEB 19, 1786 AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1788 - 1789 - 1790 - 1791 - ACCOUNTING OF MONEY FOR WIRTH'S CHURCH; BALANCE IN THE HANDS OF ELDER ADAM WIRTH
1789- GEORGE WASHINGTON IS ELECTED FIRST PRESIDENT
1790- ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH FORMALLY ESTABLISHED
1790- STATE CONSTITUTION OF PENNSYLVANIA WAS ADOPTED
1791 - APR 13 - HARRISBURG BECOMES THE COUNTY SEAT FOR DAUPHIN COUNTY
1792 - MAR 30 THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION (DAVID'S/REFORM ED) AND EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS FORMALIZE AN AGREEMENT ON DIVIDING THE 160 ACRES (GOOD INTENT) FOR THEIR CHURCHES. HENRY MEYERS/MOYER AND JOHN DITTY REPRESENT THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION AS TRUSTEES; JACOB SHOOP AND GEORGE WIRTZ REPRESENT THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATION. GEORGE WIRTH IS THE SON OF JOHANN ADAM WIRTH (1727-1806). THIS DIVISION OF LAND OCCURRED IN 1808.
1794 - REFORMED (DAVID'S) CHURCH BUILDING ERECTED IN KILLINGER. YEAR UPON WHICH DAVID'S REFORMED CONGREGATION STOPPED WORSHIPPING IN WIRTH'S CHURCH WHICH HAD HOUSED BOTH CONGREGATIONS, AND THE LATTER USED ITS OWN, NEW BUILDING. END OF THE UNION OF CHURCHES IN KILLINGER.
1795 - 1797 - H. E. HINZE SERVED AS PASTOR AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1797 - 1802 - HENRICH MOELLER SERVED AS PASTOR AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1798 - ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, BERRYSBURG, PA., CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED
1799 - GEORGE WASHINGTON DIED
1800 - REV. JOHN MICHAEL ENTERLINE DIES; BURIED ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, BERRYSBURG, PA. REV ENTERLINE REQUESTED, AND SUPPOSEDLY WAS GRANTED BURIAL UNDER THE PULPIT AT ST. JOHN'S
1801 - FEB 10 JOHANN ADAM WIRTH RECEIVES LAND WARRANT FOR 352 ACRES (CLOVER HILL) IN UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP THAT HE APPLIED FOR ON JUN 6, 1774
1802- OCT 24 - DEDICATION OF ST. JOHN'S NEW CHURCH BUILDING
1802- 1805 - JOHN HERBST SERVED AS PASTOR AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1804 -NOV 27 - JOHANN ADAM WIRTH DEEDS LAND TO HIS SON JOSEPH WIRTH (1775-1855); 190 ACRES
- JOHANN ADAM WIRTH DEEDS LAND TO SON GEORGE WIRTH (1770-1845); 100+ ACRES
- JOHANN ADAM WIRTH DEEDS LAND TO SON JOHN WIRTH (1758-1805); 128 ACRES
- JOHANN ADAM WIRTH DEEDS LAND TO SON CHRISTIAN WIRTH (1759-1819);
- JOHANN ADAM WIRTH DEEDS LAND TO SON JACOB WIRTH (1764-1833); 146 ACRES
1805 - FEB 8 - JOHANNES WIRTH (1758-1805) DIES YOUNG AT 47 YEARS OF AGE FROM EXPOSURE IN REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND IS BURIED AT WIRTH'S CHURCH CEMETERY; SON OF J. ADAM WIRTH (1727—1806)
1805 -1806 - J.P.F. KRAMER SERVED AS PASTOR AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1805 - JUN 3 - LAND PATENT WAS GOTTEN AT THE SEAT LOCATED IN LANCASTER FOR THE LAND WHICH HAD BEEN ORIGINALLY GIVEN TO THE LUTHERAN CONGREGATION BY J. ADAM WERT. THIS RECORD IN DOCUMENT AT SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH.
1806 - JUL 8 - 1ST FUNERAL LISTED; SEVEN THAT YEAR
1806 - AUG 25 - JOHANN ADAM WIRTH BORN 1727 DIES
1806 - AUG 27 - JOHANN ADAM WIRTH'S FUNERAL; BURIAL AT WIRTH'S CHURCH CEMETERY; TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTION TRACED AND TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN TO ENGLISH STATES: "THE PURCHASER OF THE LAND AND DONOR OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH TOGETHER WITH THE BURIAL PLACES UPON WHICH HIS REMAINS SLUMBER UNTIL THE MORNING OF THE RESURRECTION."
1806 - 1ST WEDDING RECORD; LARGE CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 54 MEMBERS; LARGEST COMMUNION ATTENDANCE OF 103
1807 - 1809 - J.C. WALTHER SERVED AS PASTOR AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1808 - MAR 4 - JACOB WIRTH, SON OF JOHANN ADAM WIRTH, SR. SETTLES HIS FATHERS ESTATE WITH HIS BROTHER JOHANN ADAM WIRTH, JR. OF ANNVILLE TOWNSHIP, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PA.
1808 - MAR 19 JOHANN ADAM WIRTH RECEIVES LAND WARRANT FOR 360 ACRES IN UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP (EDEN) THAT HE APPLIED FOR ON JUN 18, 1774. JOHANN ADAM WIRTH DIED IN 1806!!
1808 - AUG 17 - 3 JUN 1809 - 20 MAR 1812 APPROVED BY THE PA LEGISLATURE "AN ACT AUTHORIZING AND EMPOWERING GEORGE FEIDT, TO EXECUTE A TITLE TO MICHAEL SHADEL FOR A CERTAIN REAL ESTATE THEREIN MENTIONED. WHEREAS it appears to the legislature, that a certain tract of one hundred and sixty—one acres of land and allowance, situated in Upper Paxton township in the county of Dauphin, was granted by the commonwealth to Henry Moyer and John Deedy, trustees of the reformed congregation, and George Wirth and Jacob Shoop, trustees of the Lutheran congregation in said Upper Paxton Township; and whereas the said trustees, on the seventeenth day of August, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, released one equal half part of the said tract of land each unto the other. And the said Lutheran congregation have lately erected a public house of worship on their part of said tract of land, and in order to defray the expenses thereof, they did on the third day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine, covenant and agree to sell twenty acres and sixty four perches of said land to Michael Shadel; and whereas it is doubtful whether a title which might be executed by said congregation, to the said Michael Shadel, would be valid the said congregation, to the said Michael Shadel, would be valid in law, Therefore, SECT. I. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in general assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That George Feidt, the present trustee of the Lutheran congregation, in Upper Paxton Township, in the county of Dauphin, or his successor, be and he is hereby authorized and empowered, to make and execute a good and sufficient deed, in fee, for twenty acres and sixty—four perches of land, situate in said township, adjoining lands of Andrew Ossman, John Noll and others, to Michael Shadel, in as full and ample a manner as if the same was the private property of the said trustee he applying the proceeds of the money arising out of such sale, in such manner as shall be directed by the said congregation. John Tod, Speaker of the House of Representatives, P. C. Lane, Speaker of the Senate, Approved the twentieth day of March one thousand eight hundred and twelve. Simon Snyder."
NOTE: FROM PA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION: AS TO THE 1812 ACT OF ASSEMBLY PERMITTING THE LUTHERAN CONGREGATION TO SELL TWENTY ACRES OF LAND, WE INTERPRET THE LEGISLATION TO MEAN THAT THE CORPORATE INTERESTS OF EACH CONGREGATION TO MEAN THAT THE CORPORATE INTERESTS OF EACH CONGREGATION WOULD BE PROTECTED, RATHER THAN CLEARING AN INVALID TITLE. WHILE WE ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ALL OF THE LEGALITIES IN THIS CASE, THE ACT SEEMS TO BE SECURING EACH CORPORATE BODY AGAINST POSSIBLE FRAUD BY AN INDIVIDUAL CLAIMING TO ACT ON BEHALF OF EITHER GROUP. THE AGREEMENT "HENRY MEYERS AND JOHN DIDY, TRUSTEES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION TO JACOB SHOOP AND GEORGE WERTZ (THE LATTER WOULD HAVE BEEN J. GEORGE WIRTH (B. 1770; D. 1845) SON OF J. ADAM WIRTH (1727—1806) TRUSTEES OF THE LUTHERAN CONGREGATION" STATES IN PART "A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP AFORESAID CONTAINING ONE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE ACRES AND ALLOWANCES TO HOLD TO US AND OUR SUCCESSORS FOREVER IN TRUST FOR THE USES OF BOTH THE SAID CONGREGATIONS BUT FOR NO OTHER USE WHATEVER."
1809 - 1811 - D. ULRICH SERVED AS PASTOR AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1812 - 1845 - JOHN NICHOLAS HEMPING SERVED AS PASTOR AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1812 - CAPITOL OF PA MOVED TO HARRISBURG
1812 - 1814 - WAR OF 1812 DECLARED ON JUN 18; SECOND TIME AMERICANS FOUGHT AGAINST GREAT BRITAIN; JOHN (JOHANNES) WERT B. FEB 5, 1786 D. FEB 11, 1860); GRANDSON OF JOHANN ADAM WIRTH (1727-1806) AND SON OF JOHANNES WIRTH (1758-1805) SERVES IN THIS WAR
1813 - LEBANON COUNTY WAS FORMED FROM PART OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
1814 -THE BRITISH BURNED THE CAPITOL, THE WHITE HOUSE, AND OTHER BUILDINGS WHEN THEY CAPTURED WASHINGTON, DC
1814 - SEP 23 - JONATHAN WERT BORN, SON OF JOHANNES WIRTH (1786-1860) AND ELIZABETH MILLER WIRTH; BAPTIZED ON NOV 13, 1814 AT WIRTH'S CHURCH
1815 - JUL 15 - 1ST CONSTITUTION AT WIRTH'S CHURCH; NAME FORMALLY CHANGED FROM WIRTH'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH TO SALEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. THOSE SIGNING THE CONSTITUTION INCLUDED: NICHOLAS HEMPING, JACOB SHOOP (SCHUP), JOHN FRALICK, DETERICK KEMMERER, AND GEORGE WISE.
1818 - APR 1 - LAND LEASE BETWEEN SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH AND HENRY DITTY. HE SHALL HAVE USE OF THE FOLLOWING OWNED BY THE CHURCH: HOUSE, SCHOOL, STABLE, GARDEN, AND CERTAIN FIELDS THROUGH APR 1, 1822. THIS WAS DONE SO HENRY DITTY WOULD TEACH SCHOOL DURING THE WEEK.
1820 - MAR 22 - ACT OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA CREATED PERRY COUNTY FROM CUMBERLAND COUNTY
1823 - MAR 31 - PENNSYLVANIA STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED AN ACT INCORPORATING A COMPANY TO CONSTRUCT A RAILROAD FROM PHILADELPHIA TO COLUMBIA, A TOWN ON THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER IN LANCASTER COUNTY. IT WAS OPERATED BY HORSES UNTIL 1836 AND AFTER THAT BY LOCOMOTIVES.
1827 - ARRIVAL OF THE PA CANAL
1828 - PENNSYLVANIA CANAL BUILT BETWEEN MEXICO, PA., AND LEWISTOWN, PA.
1835 - PITTSBURGH BECAME "THE GATEWAY TO THE WEST"
1836 - ARRIVAL OF THE RAILROAD IN PA
1844 - SPLIT OCCURRED AND TWO REFORMED CONGREGATIONS EXISTED AT KILLINGER: 1) REFORMED (DAVID'S), AND 2) JACOB'S EVANGELICAL UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH
1846 - COAL SHIPPED OVER THE PENNSYLVANIA CANAL FROM LYKENS VALLEY COAL COMPANY
1852 - OPERATION OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TO FREE SLAVES BY HELPING THEM MOVE TO CANADA
1854 - JUL 6 - NEW TRAIN RAN FROM PHILADELPHIA TO PITTSBURGH IN THIRTEEN HOURS
1860 - FEB 11 - JOHN WERT BORN FEB 5, 1786, SON OF JOHANNES (1758-1805) ; GRANDSON OF J. ADAM WIRTH (1727—1806) DIES AND IS BURIED IN THE SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH CEMETERY
1861 - GEORGE P. WEAVER BECOMES PASTOR AT SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
1861 - 1865 - CIVIL WAR; JOSEPH HENRY WERT (1841-1922) AND BROTHER GEORGE WASHINGTON WERT (1843-1925), SONS OF JONATHAN WERT (1814-1909) SERVE IN THIS WAR; THEIR RESIDENCE WAS GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP, PERRY COUNTY
1862 - MAY 1 - SALEM CONGREGATION WAS INCORPORATED FOR $10.00 AT HARRISBURG, PA BY LEVI LEBO.
1863 - REV. C. A. FETZER BECOMES PASTOR AT SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
1863 - EPIDEMIC OF SCARLET FEVER IN KILLINGER AREA
1865 - ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
1866 – REV. MOSES FERNSLER BECOMES PASTOR AT SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
1873 - MAY 12 - MEETING AT SALEM TO AGREE ON SIZE OF NEWLY PROPOSED CHURCH
1874 - MAY 17 - CORNER STONE LAYING AND DEDICATION AT NEW SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH. THE OLD CHURCH WAS LOCATED SOUTHWEST OF WIRTH'S CHURCH CEMETERY
1876 – APR 13 – BENNEVILLE W. HOLTZMAN (1845-1912) PAID $600.00 FOR A PLOT OF GROUND DIRECTLY EAST OF THE PRESENT DAY SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH. HE USED CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL FROM THE OLD CHURCH TO BUILD THAT HOME. BENNEVILLE WAS THE FIRST ORGANIST FOR SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH. HE WAS A WELL NOTED MUSICIAN TAUGHT MUSIC IN THE UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PA AREA.
1876 - DECISION MADE TO REPLACE THE OLD LOG CHURCH AT ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH WITH COLONIAL STYLE BRICK
1877 - NOV 11 - DEDICATION OF ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH
1896 - HENRY FORD STARTED TO BUILD AUTOMOBILES
1899 - PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE VOTED TO ABANDON THE PA CANAL
1901 - THE FIRST MASS PRODUCED CAR: OLDSMOBILE
1908 - BIRTH OF THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY IN AMERICA
1909 – JAN 16 – JONATHAN WERT B. 1814 PASSED AWAY IN NEWPORT, PA
1950 - APR 16-23 - ONE HUNDRED EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF DAVID'S EVANGELICAL AND REFORMED CHURCH, KILLINGER, RD# 1, MILLERSBURG, PA (1770—1950).
1970 - 200TH ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET OF SALEM'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, KILLINGER, PA. 1770-1790; SEVERAL REFERENCES THAT J. ADAM WIRTH DONATED LAND FOR THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN AND REFORMED/PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATIONS, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES WHICH WERE EVENTUALLY OBTAINED THROUGH 1775 AND 1808 TRANSACTIONS.
JONATHAN WERT
Questions
Are there any other land transactions relating to the Lutheran Congregation at Killinger? Wirth/Wert Church?
Where was the first church building located prior to 1808 or 1812 when the second new church building was constructed?
Was Johann Adam Wirth farming the tract "Good Intent" up through 1775 and agree to give it to the Reformed and Evangelical Congregations so they could apply for the land (160 + acres) in 1775 rather than Johann Adam making application? The congregations both shared the use of a log house for worship dating prior to 1770.
J.George Wirth (1770-1845), son of Johann Adam Wirth was one of the trustees on the land patent for "Good Intent".. .1805. If Johann Adam Wirth didn't donate the land for the churches in Killinger, why would George Wirth and trustees of the church have had such an inscription on Johann Adam Wirth's tombstone?
Who inscribed the statement on Johann Adam Wirth's tombstone and where did the information come from?
Does the church hold legal agreements made with Johann Adam Wirth, or is his benevolence only cited in later deeds and historical documents?
Where was the track of land given to Michael Shadel by the act approved in 1812?
Where were the tracts of land (Clover Hill/Eden) which were warranted to Johann Adam Wirth located in relation to Killinger? Harrisburg North Golf Course?
Where was the land located in relation to present day property owners which was warranted to Jacob Wert, son of J. Adam Wirth, 61 acres war. appl. 7, 1994, surv. June 18, 1794?
On the early land map of Upper Paxton Township there is one track of land with a question mark in it, no owner of the land. This land bordered that of J. Adam Wirth. Where was it located in relation to present day property owners?
Did anyone pay taxes on the track "Good Intent" prior to 1805?
Since Johann Adam Wirth died in 1806, who received the land which was warranted to him in 1808?
Grandson John Wert? Check for transactions or deeds as to who resided on Johann Adam Wirth's land (Clover Hill & Eden) after 1806.
How could Johann Adam Wirth have purchased the land later called "Good Intent?"
MISCELLANEOUS (COLLECTION OF ALL REFERENCES AND DOCUMENTS RELATED TO WERT'S/WIRTH'S CHURCH)
History of Dauphin County
Pages 625—626
"WIRT FAMILY. John Adam Wirth (as the name was then spelled, the pioneer ancestor of Mrs. Jacob H. Rowe, was born in Germany, 1727, and was the progenitor of the family in Dauphin County, having come to this county in 1768 from Lancaster county, settling near Killinger, among the Indians, and his farm was the site of an Indian village. He became very friendly with the Indians, and they showed him every courtesy. In the early settlement a wounded Indian was brought to his home, whom he and his family nursed back to health, and the gratitude of the Indians was shown in their
every act thereafter. Mr. Wirth was one of the five original settlers of Lykens Valley. He prospered in all he undertook and accordingly became the owner of twelve hundred acres,
which he divided among his sons, and he also gave one farm to the Reformed congregation and a farm to the Lutheran church, of which he was a member.
His wife, Eve Elizabeth Wirth, born in Germany, 1730, bore him the following children: George; Christian, Jacob, Adam and Joseph, and one daughter who married Daniel Stever, who was a soldier in the revolutionary war. John Adam Wirth died in 1806, and his wife in 1808, and their remains were interred in the cemetery in Killinger.
George Wirt, son of John Adam and Eve Elizabeth Wirth, was born on the old homestead, April 19, 1770. He was reared on a farm and are sided with his father until he attained manhood, when he succeeded to a portion of the original tract. He was a prosperous farmer, and was highly respected throughout the community. He married Catherine Nutter, born June 25, 1775, and their children were: Elizabeth married Jacob Ulsh; Catherine born 1800 married Jonas Hacker; Lydia, born 1805, married Samuel Feidt; died April 8, 1864; John George (see forward).
John George Wirt, son of George and Catherine (Mutter) Wirt, was born March 7, 1808, died May 20, 1891. He was educated in the common schools, became, like his ancestors, a prosperous farmer and succeeded to the old homestead, which his daughter, Mrs. Jacob H. Rowe, still owns, the farm being where the original log cabin was built. He was a very generous man, a liberal contributor to the church and by his straightforward life won the confidence of all with whom he was associated. He married Catharine Dreiblebis, daughter of Isaac Dreiblebis, and the widow of Jacob Deibler. She was born in 1808, died June 16, 1880. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Wirt that grew to maturity are: Leila, born November 16, 1839, wife of Jacob H. Rowe. Mary, born September 22, 1842, became the wife of Benneville W. Holtzman (1845-1912). Linda, born August, 1846, became the wife of John E. Weist."
David's Reformed Congregation Records
August 26, 1826 - Reference on In der Wirthen Germeinde
September 11, 1826 - Reference on In der Wirthen Germeinde
October 17, 1826 - Reference on In der Wirths Congregation
October 31, 1826 — Reference on In der Wirthen Germeinde
March 23, 1827 — Reference on In Der Wirthen Germeinde
January 22, 1828 — Reference to In Der Wirthen Germeinde
April 29, 1828 - Reference to Wirth's Congregation
August 18, 1829 - Reference on Wirthen Church
August 31, 1829 - Reference on Wirth's Congregation
January 3, 1833 — Reference on Wirthen Congregation
Bi-Centennial History Lykens-Williams Valley, History and Pictorial Review, 1776-1976, page 300, "Did you know that Lutheranism began in The Lykens-Williams Valley about the year 1795. It began with Father Wirt who preached at Wirt's or Killinger Church."
THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN JOHANN ADAM WIRTH (1727-1806). Whenever there were insufficient numbers of individuals to have a full—time church congregation and preacher, it appears that an individual in the congregation, elder/school teacher, et. als. conducted the services. This would explain the reference to FATHER WIRT at Killinger prior to the arrival of Rev. John Michael Enterline or the latter being able to preach on a regular basis in Killinger prior to 1774.
From: 200th Anniversary Booklet of Salem's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Killinger, PA 1770-1970
Page 1. "Immediately upon his arrival (Rev. John Michael Enterline), he began conducting services and performing ministerial acts in a small, rough log building--probably used for school purposes——which was located in the southwest corner of the original Lutheran cemetery."
Page 2. "After the first three years of service here, Pastor Enterline led his ever growing congregation from the small log building into a newly build church. This building was completed and occupied sometime during the year 1773, probably in midsummer. That building became knows as Wert's Church because of the donation of land upon which it had been built by a John Wert (sometimes spelled Wirth) who also donated land for a Reformed Church and cemetery at the same time."
Page 5. "Also, it has been learned that on June 3, 1805, a land patent was gotten at the county seat, located in Lancaster, for the land which had been given to the Lutheran congregation and the Reformed congregation by John Adam Wert. It was definitely stated that this land was to be used for burial purposes and worship services, and has continued as such until the present."
Genealogy of Rev. Johann Michael Enterline 1726-1800 and Descendants
Page VI: Fetteroff's Church was eventually named St. Peters, Dreisbach's Church was eventually named St. Peter's Red Cross, and Werth's Church was eventually named Salem
Pennsylvania State Archives — Source
June 6, 1774. John Adam Wirt 300 acres adjacent Georg Shub (George Shoop/Schupp) and Joseph Stever in Upper Paxton Township, Lancaster County, including improvements.
This John Adam Wirt an oath declared that about eleven years ago when he settled on the above land and thereon dwelled six weeks when he on account of Indian Wars quitted it, that after the peace was restored, he again lived on the said land till the unhappy affairs with ______ ?______ and the Indians happened, he quitted the land with great loss, and in 6 weeks after that he again settled on the same land and ever since was in possession and hath in the whole cleared about 20 acres.
Sworn the 6th of Jun 1774 as witnessed by my hand before me Peter Miller
NOTES AND QUERIES, William Henry Egle, M.D., M.A. Fourth
Series, Vol. #1, 1893, page 163.
WIRT FAMILY OF LYKENS VALLEY
"John Adam Wirt was born in the year of 1727 in Germany, emigrated to America on the ship Mascliffe Galley, George Durell, commander, from Rotterdam, last from the port in Dorsetshire, England. On the ship were Philip Ludwig and John Jacob Wertz (Wert), possibly his brothers. John Adam Wirt first settled in Montgomery County, PA., thence removed to the Tulpehocken settlement, and finally to Lykens Valley, having had warranted to him by the Province of Penna., 300 acres of land June 6, 1774. This land, as well as other purchases which he made from time to time, amounted to sufficient acreage to give each of his children, twelve in number, a large sized farm. All of it lay in the vicinity of St. David's Reformed Church, Dauphin County, Pa., and to which church he gave the ground for the erection of a building and graveyard. When he came into the Valley there were but few settlers. At Millersburg was a family whose head was the distinguished "French Jacob," or Francis Jacques, and a few miles up the Wiconisco was the Woodside family. Following the Wirts came the Jury (Shora) whose descendants still reside in the Valley. John Adam Wirt and family had, as shelter for themselves, the broad branches of the stately white oak which was Monarch of the Forest in that Valley, and whose leaves protected them from the scorching rays of the noonday sun and from the pelting rains, and there they made their first home until they erected their log cabin. The place where the cabin was built was by a hillside close to a fine spring, which today sends forth its cool sparkling water as it did when the red man came to slake his thirst. They were not to remain long in their home made by nature, among the wild animals of Upper Dauphin, for before they had finished their cabin in the forest, they, with the other settlers, were driven away by the savages, and Mr. Wirt with his family returned to his first adopted American home, until the Indian Wars subsided somewhat in the Susquehanna Valley, when he again returned to Lykens Valley, when he again occupied his land. He married Eva Elizabeth Schnug (Snoke), who was born in 1730 in Germany and died in 1800."
Wert Family History Records: These indicate that Johann Adam Wirth donated the land and building used by both the Reformed (Presbyterian) and Evangelical Lutheran Congregations before the formal purchase was made from the State Government by the church's trustees. In Pennsylvania, settlement of the land usually preceded the actual purchase from the Penns or the Commonwealth Government. In some cases, one finds deeds for property even before the settler applied for a warrant. The formal church records for Wirth's Church began in 1770. Johann Adam Wirth applied for land warrants in 1774, and he had agreed with the trustees that they should apply for the land tract referred to as "Good Intent." The church trustees (Reformed/Presbyterian and Wirth's Evangelical Lutheran Congregations) applied for the land warrant in 1775. New church buildings and cemeteries were constructed or established on the land in question prior to the final approval of land warrants or patents.
1950 - APRIL 16-23 - ONE HUNDRED EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF DAVID'S EVANGELICAL AND REFORMED CHURCH, KILLINGER, 1770 —1950.
THE BEGINNING
"WHILE REV. F. J. MOHR SERVED AS PASTOR OF DAVID'S CHURCH BEGINNING IN 1865, HE WROTE A VERY INTERESTING BIT OF HISTORY IN THE OPENING PAGES OF THE CHURCH RECORD BOOK OF ZION'S CON GREGATION, RIFE. IT IS DATED MAY 5, 1868, AND BEGINS THUS: In the early period of the settlement of this Lykens Valley persons of the Reformed and Lutheran confessions who had sought and found homes throughout this section of country, manifested deep anxiety to be supplied with the preaching of the Word of God by ministers of their own faith. Amongst the early churches in this country we find the names of the David's (or as sometimes call the River) Church and the Hoffman's Church of the Reformed faith, and the St. John's and the Werth Church of the Lutheran persuasion...."
1980 - Charles H. Glatfelter, PASTORS AND PEOPLE; GERMAN LUTHERAN AND REFORMED CHURCHES IN THE PENNSYLVANIA FIELD, 1717—1793, Volume I, Breinigsville, PA., The Pennsylvania German Society.
LYKENS VALLEY
"These congregations in Upper Paxton township date from the early 1770's. On March 7, 1775 the proprietors granted to Adam King and George Nagley, a warrant for 160 acres in the Wiconisco valley along a run falling into Little Wiconisco creek, in Trust for the first Presbiterian and Lutheran Churches where their Houses are already built. (Lancaster Warrant K-317, BLR)
This evidence that there were two organized congregations and two churches in 1775 is confirmed from other sources. Lutheran records include baptisms from 1770, communion lists from 1772, financial accounts from 1773, and lists of confirmands from 1774. Reformed records include a register for the "Evangelisch — Reformirten Gemeinde in Lykens Valey" begun on June 8, 1774.
There is some evidence that these two congregations in Lykens Valley were once united in a union church, but the warrant of 1775 clearly states that there were two "houses... already built" at that time.
On June 3, 1805 the Commonwealth granted a patent deed for a 161 acre tract called Good Intent to Henry Mayer, John Didi, Jacob Shoop and George North," in trust nevertheless for the benefit of said churches."
(Patent P-57, BLR) The trustees while the last two were Lutheran, that they had divided the tract between the two congregations on August 17, 1808, and that the Lutheran were now being granted permission to sell part of their half to help pay for a newly erected church. The Reformed built a new church about 1794.
Michael Enterlein was the probable first pastor in the Lutheran church, serving from about 1770 until about 1793. In 1794 Lykens Valley asked the ministerium to license John Grobp as its pastor. Reformed pastors included William Hendel (1774-1779) and Samuel Dubendorff, whose entries appear in the register from 1779 to 1782. There are no entries between 1782 and 1796, although Dubendorff may well have served until he went to Carlisle in 1790. Anthony Hautz became pastor in 1796.
The Lutheran congregation is Salem, while the Reformed is David's. Both churches are located about two miles northeast of Millersburg, PA on Route 25, across the road from each other.
Sources: DH: MC; RCR 11, ERHS, Lancaster; 200th anniversary pamphlet of the Lutheran Congregation (1790); 180th anniversary pamphlet of the Reformed congregation (1950).
AUTHOR'S RELATIONSHIP TO JOHANN ADAM WIRTH 1727-1806
The relationship of the author to Johann Adam Wirth b. 1727 is as follows:
Johann Adam Wirth b. 28Jul1727 in Berod, Westerwald, Germany came to America in 1753, and married on 3Aug1755 in Lebanon, PA to Eva Elizabeth Schnug/Snoke b. 1730 in Germany, d. 1800. Johann Adam died on 25Aug1806. He and Elizabeth Snoke Wirth are buried in Wirth's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Killinger, PA
Johannes Wirth b. 25Jan1758 in Lebanon, PA; d. 8Feb1805. He married Anna Maria Miller b. 1759, d. 1836. They are buried at Wirth's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Killinger, PA.
John Wert b. 5Feb1786 in Upper Paxton Township; d. 11Feb1860. He married Elizabeth Miller b. 1788; d.1871. They are buried at the new Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Killinger, PA.
Jonathan Wert b. 23Sep1814 in Upper Paxton Township; d. 16Jan1909 at Newport, PA. He married on 29Oct1840 to Catharine Ann Derrick b. 1820, d. 1863. They are buried at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Perry County, PA.
Joseph Henry Wert b. 13Sep1841 in Greenwood Township, Perry County, PA; d. 13Jan1922 in Millerstown, Perry County, PA. He married on 11Feb1869 to Mary Ellen Hetrick (1851-1927). They are buried at Wrights Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Greenwood Township, Perry County, PA.
George Lawrence Wert b. 20May1877 in Greenwood Township, Perry Co., PA; d. 31Aug1946 in Port Royal, Juniata County, PA. He married on 19Apr1895 to Laura Agnes Swartz (1874-1942). They are buried at the New Church Hill Cemetery, Port Royal, PA.
Jonathan M. Wert, Sr. b. 27Jun1909 in Port Royal, PA; d. 2Sep1989 in the Lewistown Hospital; buried in the Old Church Hill Cemetery, Port Royal. He married on 11Nov1935 to Helen Leona Leonard b. 9Aug1917 in Mifflin, Juniata County, PA.
Jonathan M. Wert, Jr. b. 8Nov1939 in Port Royal, PA.
E-mail Jonathan Wert
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