Leydich Burying Ground (1921)

Leydich Burying Ground[1]
By John R. Tallis

Formerly, due to the fact that there were no church yards near, it was customary in rural sections among the leading families to bury their dead on their homesteads. For this purpose an elevation overlooking the farm, or near a stream, was usually chosen. The largest private burying ground in this district is known as the Leydich cemetery; it is located in the southwestern part of Frederick township, east of Swamp Creek, near the cross roads one mile south of Keelor’s Church. A unique spot was chosen; at the junction of four farms owned respectively by the Rev. John Phillip Leydich, Christian Stetler, George Michael Kuntz and George Moore; an equal square portion of land from each farm was set apart by each family. This plot was at first surrounded by a beautiful grove of White Oak and Hickory trees, which since has been cut down and all that now remains are a few trees that mark the fence lines. The plot is about 100 feet square in size and is kept in an excellent state of preservation. A stone wall was built in the fall of 1783, the corners of which point direct to the cardinal points of the compass; the corner of the Stetler plot points to the north, of the Moore plot to the east, of the Kuntz plot to the south and of the Leydich plot to the west. According to the will of Christian Stetler another ¼ of an acre is willed to the cemetery on the Stetler side; and George Moore willed a piece of land to run the length of the wall and reach out 40 feet from it on the entrance gate side so that there would be space for the teams at a funeral; these extra plots are not enclosed but are at present farmed by the present owners of the surrounding farms. Before Keelor’s Church was built the Reformed Congregation voted to locate the church at this burial ground but the location was voted down by the small margin or two or three votes.

There is still in existence an old record book of the burying ground. The entries are written in fine old German script and neatly kept. The first entry is of the expenses of building the stone wall in the fall of 1783 which reads as follows:

Verzeichnis Der Ausgabe an der Begraebnis Blatz

Der 27ten November im Jahr 1783

Erstens Vor Die Maurer bezahlt	£16— 0—0
Vor den Handlanger bezahlt	3— 2—6
Vor Kalg bezahlt	6— 3—9
Vor das Thor an den Begraebniss Blatz	1—15—0
Vor Zieglen an den Begraebniss Blatz	3— 6—3
Vor Kost bei Michael Kuntz	1— 7—2
Vor Kost bei Christian Staettler	1— 3—6
Vor Kost bei Phillip Leydich	1— 3—6
Vor Kost bei Jacob Staettler	0—17—6
Vor die Stein bey John Jahn	0—10—6
Vor Rum	0—15—0
	£36—4—8

 

Translated the foregoing would read:

 

Record of the first expenses on the burial place

The 27th of November in the year of 1783

 

Paid to the Masons	£16— 0—0
Paid to the helpers	3— 2—6
Paid for Lime	6— 3—9
Paid for Gate at Burial Place	1—15—0
Paid for Tiles for Burial Place	3— 6—3
Paid for board to Michael Kuntz	1— 7—2
Paid for board to Christian Staettler	1— 3—6
Paid for board to Phillip Leydich	1— 3—6
Paid for board to Jacob Staettler	0—17—6
Paid for Stones to John Jahn	0—10—6
Paid for Rum	0—15—0
	£36—4—8

The rum mentioned in the expenses was made at a public distillery which was located on the road leading from the plot to Fagleysville; the farmers brought in their rye grain and the rum was distilled on shares, the farmer taking half and the distillery half.

To meet these expenses a subscription was taken up amongst the surrounding neighbors and friends and the following is the record:

Verzeichnis der Ersten Einnahm vor den Begraebniss Blatz im Jahr 1783, Den 30ten November

Empfangen von Christian Staettler vor Kalg als ein Ueberrest vom Begraebniss Blatz	£0— 17—2
Empfangen von Friederich Weiss	1—5—0
Empfangen von Henrich Sasseman	1—3—4
Empfangen von Casper Achenbach	1—10—0
Empfangen von Jacob Christmann	0—7—6
Empfangen von Georg Michael	0—7—6
Empfangen von Michael Krebb	0—10—0
Empfangen von Catharine Staettler	0—7—6
Empfangen von Benjamin Schneider	0—7—6
Empfangen von Henrich Schmitt	2—0—0
Empfangen von Jacob Staettler	1—10—0
Empfangen von Henrich Grob	0—7—6
Empfangen von Daniel Krauss	0—5—0
Empfangen von Christian Staettler	1—10—0
Empfangen von Joseph Bitting alt	1—2—6
Empfangen von Ludwig Engelhart	3—0—0
Empfangen von Andreas Will	0—7—6
Empfangen von Johannes Herger	0—10—0
Empfangen von Phillip Leydich der alt	3—0—0
Empfangen von Friederich Kuntz	1—10—0
Empfangen von Johannes Staettler	1—10—0
Empfangen von Leonhart Leydich	0—15—0
Empfangen von Phillip Leydich der jung	0—7—0
Empfangen von David Bruch	0—4—3
Empfangen von Michael Kuntz	1—10—0
	£26—4—3

 

In the fall of 1797 the old tiles which were placed on top of the wall were removed and a wood cover was put on in their place which is recorded as follows:

Verzeichniss der Ausgabe an Den Begraebniss Blatz im Jahr unsers Herrn 1797.

October den 15, 1797

Erstens vor Bord bezahlt an Den Begraebniss Blatz	£9—16—8
Wieder vor Kalg bezahlt	1—19—9
Wieder vor Naegel bezahlt	2—6—7
Wieder vor Farb bezahlt	0—8—6
Wieder vor Mauren bezahlt	3—3—6
Wieder vor Schreinerei bezahlt	6—15—6
Wieder vor Saegen bezahlt	1—10—0
Wieder vor Lein ohl bezahlt	2—5—0
Wieder vor Ein Schreib buch bezahlt	0—2—4
Wieder vor Beintin bezahlt	6—7—6
	£34—15—6

 

Again subscriptions were asked for and the response was as follows.

Verzeichniss Der Einnahm an den Begraebniss Blatz im Jahr unseres Herrn 1797.

Erstens vermacht von Henrich Krauss	£5—0—0
Wieder Ziegelen Verkauft als das Dach vom alten Begraebniss Blatz	2—4—5
Empfangen von Catharine Staettler widow	1—2—6
Empfangen von Georg Adam Schneider	0—5—0
Empfangen von Joseph Bitting	1—2—6
Empfangen von Ludwig Reimer	0—15—0
Empfangen von Fridrich Kuntz	1—2—6
Empfangen von Michael Dotterer	0—3—9
Empfangen von Joseph Bitting jung	0—7—6
Empfangen von Frantz Leydich	1—10—0
Empfangen von Peter Aker	0—7—6
Empfangen von John Reimer	1—2—6
Empfangen von John Neiss, Gaerber	0—15—0
Empfangen von Georg Mohr	0—15—0
Empfangen von Philipp Leydich	0—15—0
Empfangen von Daniel Krauss	1—10—0
Empfangen von Henrich Grob	1—2—6
Empfangen von Saloma Herger	1—2—6
Empfangen von Casper Achenbach	1—2—6
Empfangen von Henrich Sasseman	0—15—0
Empfangen von Georg Michael jung	0—3—9
Empfangen von Gottfried Langbein	0—15—0
Empfangen von Georg Langbein	0—18—9

The next collection was made on October 18th, 1849, and amounted to $42.29. The expenses recorded on October 18th, 1849 were $33.85. This is the last record of money matters in the book. There is a record of burials from Jan. 1784 to Oct. 1838. The names marked by star have their graves marked with gravestones.

Verzeichniss der Verstorbenen welche auf diesem Begraebniss Blatz Begrabed sind seit dem Jahr 1783.

*1. Phillip Leydich, preacher, died Jan. 14, 1784.

2. Child of Samuel Staettler, died Mar. 3, 1784.
3. Child of Henrich Krobb, died Jan. 15, 1785.
4. Child of Georg Wuetling, died Feb. 27, 1785.
5. Child of Henrich Langbein, died Mar. 7, 1785.
6. Wife of Henrich Schmitt, died June 24, 1785.

* 7. Wife of Joseph Bitting, died Nov. 5, 1785.

8. Susanna Bender, died June 14, 1787.
9. Friedrich Weiss, died March 20, 1788.

* 10. Hanna Staettler, died July 20, 1789.

11. Andony Herb, died Feb. 13, 1790.
12. Joseph Mebry, died Oct. 19, 1790.
13. Johannes Aker, died Jan. 1, 1791.
14. Henrich Grobb, died Oct. 14, 1791.
15. Peter Aker’s daughter, died Nov. 8, 1792.
16. Henrich Schmitt, died Apr. 14, 1793.
17. Henrich Grauss, died Sep. 28, 1793.
18. Georg Krauss, died Oct. 6, 1793.
19. Carl Fuchs’s child, died Oct. 21, 1793.
20. Christina Krauss, died May 14, 1794.
21. Henrich Krauss, died Aug. 13, 1794.
22. John Krob, died 1795.
23. Child of Elizabeth Reiner, died 1795.

Sofia Leydig, died Oct. 12, 1795.

* 24. Johannes Herger, died Dec. 5, 1795.

25. Michael Krauss, the lame one, buried Jan. 3. 1797.
26. Herbin, died Mar. 13, 1797.

* 27. Magdalena Sassamann, died April 15, 1797.

28. Child of Georg Langbein, died Aug. 7, 1797.
29. Child of Georg Langbein, buried Aug. 18, 1797.
30. Child of Georg Adam Schloneker, buried Aug. 20, 1797.
31. Michael Krauss, Sr., died Dec. 11, 1797.
32. Johannes Staettler’s daughter, died Jan. 11, 1798.
33. Henrich Krob’s wife, Barbara, died Nov. 1, 1798.
34. Abraham Pool—born Oct. 1, 1795; died July 12, 1834.
35. Gottfried Langbein, buried Feb. 26, 1799.
36. Joseph Bitting’s daughter Anna, died Mar. 16, 1799.
37. Friedrich Weiss’s wife, died Feb. 10, 1800.
38. Michael Schwotz, died Aug. 3, 1800.
39. Conrad Grob’s wife, Anna, died Sept. 27, 1800.

* 40. Maria Solomae Herger, died Nov. 24, 1800.

* 41. Salomae Leydich, died Apr. 28, 1801.

42. Catharina Scheid, died July, 1801.

* 43. Maria Catharina Leydich, died Oct. 31, 1801.

* 44. Joseph Bitting, died Dec. 25, 1801.

45. Henrich Staettler’s child, died Apr. 3, 1802.
46. Catharina May, died Feb. 24, 1803.

* 47. Benjamin Schneider’s son Henrich, died Mar. 4, 1803.

48. Henrich Grobb’s daughter, died Nov. 8, 1803.

* 49. Benjamin Schneider, died Feb. 3, 1804.

50. John Krauss’s son Philipp, died Oct. 18, 1804.
51. George Langbein’s daughter, died Mar. 12, 1805.
52. George Scheid’s son Joseph, died July 21, 1803.
53. Henrich Grob’s daughter, died May 29, 1806.
54. Samuel Boyer, died May 3, 1807.

* 55. Georg Mohr’s wife, died May 27, 1807.

56. Casper Roth, died June 24, 1807.
57. Heinrich Stetler’s son, died Apr. 24, 1808.
58. Adam Schloneker’s child, died Aug. 25, 1808.

* 59. Casper Achenbach’s child, died Jan. 7, 1809.

60. Joseph Schmidt’s child, died July 3, 1810.
61. Isaac Stetler, died July 14, 1810.
62. Johannes Hofmann’s wife, died Feb. 10, 1811.
63. Isaac Stetler’s child, died Feb. 23, 1811.

* 64. Franciscus Leydig, died June 2, 1811.

65. Gottfried Langbein’s wife.

* 66. John Stedtler, died Dec. 30, 1812.

* 67. Johannes Reimer’s wife, died Sept. 27, 1813.

* 68. Christian Stedtler, died Dec. 5, 1813.

69. Jacob Schwenk’s wife, died Apr. 22, 1814.

* 70. Casper Roth’s son Daniel, died Dec. 5, 1814.

* 71. Adam Stedtler’s wife, died Dec. 14, 1814.

72. Johannes Christmann’s child, died July 30, 1815.

* 73. Philipp Kuntz’s son Israel, died Aug. 28, 1815.

* 74. Jacob Reifschneider’s son, died Sept. 4, 1815.

75. Jacob Krauss’s child, died Sept. 16, 1815.
76. Daniel Krauss’s child, died Sept. 20, 1815.
77. Daniel Schwenk’s child, died Oct. 18, 1815.
78. John Christmann’s child, died Apr. 26, 1817.
79. Adam Schloneker’s child, died May 26, 1817.
80. Joseph Schmidt’s child, died June 6, 1817.
81. Jacob Zieber, died Jan. 24, 1817.

* 82. Benjamin Schneider’s wife, died Nov. 19, 1817.

83. John Christmann’s child.

* 84. Samuel Leydig’s child, died Apr. 1, 1818.

* 85. Ludwig Reimer, died Sept. 10, 1818.

* 86. Ludwig Bitting’s wife, died Sept. 26, 1818.

87. Henrich Langbein, died Sept. 23, 1819.
88. Valentin Schneider, died Dec. 13, 1819.
89. Peter Aker, died 1820.
90. Johannes Krauss’s son Daniel, died Feb. 18, 1921.
91. Jacob Krauss’s little child, died Apr. 1, 1821.

* 92. John Emrich’s daughter, died July 19, 1821.

93. John Emrich’s little child, died Sept. 18, 1821.

* 94. Frantz Leydig’s wife, died Oct. 10, 1821.

95. Ludwig Reimer’s wife, Susanna, died Jan. 5, 1821.

* 96. Johannes Reimer, died Jan. 18, 1822.

* 97. Philip Leydig, died Mar. 14, 1822.

* 98. Daniel Krauss’s wife, died May 14, 1822.

99. Richard Greening’s child, died July 28, 1822.
100. John Stadler’s wife, died July 4, 1823.
101. Christian Stadtler’s son Christian, died July 26, 1823.

* 102. Friderich Kuntz, died Aug. 19, 1823.

103. Wilhelm Till, son of Valentine Schneider, died Oct. 2, 1823.

* 104. Daniel Krauss, died Oct. 3, 1823.

* 105. Henrich Langenbein’s wife, died Oct. 10, 1823.

* 106. Jacob Pannebeker, died Oct. 21, 1823.

* 107. John Christman’s wife, died Nov. 28, 1823.

* 108. John Christmann’s child, died Nov. 22, 1823.

109. Henrich Grob’s wife Maria, died Jan. 3, 1824.

* 110. Georg Mohr, died Jan. 7, 1824.

* 111. Michael Kuntz, died July 7, 1824.

* 112. Philip Kuntz’s child, died Aug. 10, 1824.

113. Michael Stadtler, died Aug. 17, 1824.

* 114. Philip Lutz’s second child, died Aug. 26, 1824.

115. Christian Lang’s child, died October 15, 1824.
116. John Matthaus’s child, died Feb. 16, 1825.

* 117. Fridrich Kuntz’s wife, died July 31, 1825.

118. Catharina Krauss, died Nov. 17, 1825.

* 119. Elisabeth Langbein, died Mar. 7, 1826.

120. Philipp Zieber, died Apr. 30, 1826.
121. Peter Bitting, died June 23, 1826.
122. Jacob Lietcap.

* 123. Georg Langbein, died Sept. 25, 1826.

124. Philipp Reiner, died Oct. 11, 1826.

* 125. Christian Stadtler’s wife, died Nov. 3, 1826.

126. John Kopler’s child, Nov. 6, 1826.

* 127. Heinrich Grob’s wife, died Feb. 11, 1827.

128. Jacob Zieber’s wife Elisabeth, died Feb. 8, 1828.
129. Peter Bitting’s wife Catharina, died July 28, 1828.
130. Daniel Krauss’s wife, died Aug. 10, 1828.

* 131. Jacob Reifschneider’s wife Catharina, died Sept. 23, 1828.

* 132. Ludwig Bitting, died April 3, 1829.

* 133. John Kuntz, died July 15, 1830.

* 134. Heinrich Stadtler’s wife Catharina, died Sept. 16, 1830.

135. John Aerney.
136. John Matthis.

* 137. Jacob Reifschneider, died Feb. 26, 1832.

* 138. Michael Kuntz’s wife Salome, died Dec. 4, 1832.

* 139. George Mohr’s son Josua, died Oct. 3, 1833.

140. Peter Schweisfort, died Jan. 22, 1834.
141. Jacob Seyler’s wife Maria, nee Leidig, died Apr. 6, 1836.
142. Peter Schweissford’s wife Maria, nee Bickhart, died May 10, 1839.

* 143. Philipp Kuntz’s wife Elisabeth, died Oct. 11, 1838.

 

Besides the list of burials in the old record book, there is a list of Headstones made by the late George Nyce and placed among the records of the Penn. Hist. Society. Of the late burials the only records we have are from the gravestones and from the list made by Mr. Nyce. From the two lists we get a pretty complete record of the burials from 1783 to the latter part of the last century. Who all were buried on the Stettler plot before the joint cemetery was formed we have no means of ascertaining.

 

1. Joseph Bitting—Born Dec. 8, 1790; died Oct. 1, 1869.
2. Elizabeth Bitting, daughter of Peter Schaeffer—Born Apr. 10, 1796; died Feb. 10, 1872.
3. J.
4. C. M.
5. Johannes Emmerich, son of Johannes & Maria Emmerich—Born Mar. 24, 1778; died May 12, 1870.
6. Margaret Emmerich, daughter of Dan & Margaret—Born Oct. 9, 1872; died Aug. 27, 1851.
7. William Emrich.
8. Jesse Emrich, son of Johannes & Margaret Emrich—Born Sept. 19, 1814; died May 16, 1829.
9. G. T. B.
10. A. N. A.
11. T. N. A.
12. B. T. N.

1781.

11. C. A. D. A.
12. R.

1788.

12. Heinrich Grob—Born Nov. 21, 1755; died Oct. 18, 1841.
13. (In list above)
14. (In list above)
15. Johannes Grob.
16. Ester, wife of the Rev. R. T. Herman. Pos. of the Rev. Leidich, child of Jac. And Maria—Born Jan. 30, 1807; died July 2, 1848.
17. Lita—

Anna—Daughters of Samuel Koons.

18. Philip Kuntz, son of Michal Kuntz—Born Jan. 28, 171; died Feb. 22, 1842.
19. Israel Kuntz, son of P. & E. Kuntz—Born Apr. 14, 1821; Sept. 17, 1839.
20. R. Mertz.
21. Johannes Krause—Born Dec. 27, 1754; did Aug. 19, 1870.
22. Jacob Leidich—Born May 28, 1779; died Feb. 3, 1847.
23. Maria Leidich—Born April 25, 1749; died Aug. 7
24. Francis Leidig—Born Feb. 23, 1814; did Aug. 31, 1858.
25. Henry Endre Leidig, son of Fran & Catherina Leidig.
26. Rosina Leidig, daughter of Geo. D. and Maglena Buchert—Born Feb. 22, 1760; died Nov. 2, 1849.
27. Samuel Leidig, son of P. & R. Leidig—Born Apr. 3, 1790; died Sept. 25, 1873.
28. Hannah (Schwenkar) Leidig—Born Aug. 17, 1793; did Apr. 3, 1857.
29. Sarah Ann Leidig, daughter of S. & H. Leidig, und eine Ehegattin von Fer’nd Reifschneider—Born Feb. 11, 1821; died Dec. 10, 1854.
30. Eva Langenbein, eine geborne Fischer—Born Oct. 10, 1763; died May 8, 1851.
31. Gottfried Langbein—Born Nov. 27, 1771; died Nov. 12, 1842.
32. Catherine Puhl—Born July 12, 1798; died Nov. 12, 1842.
33. M. B. M.
34. Abraham Pool—Born Oct. 1, 1795; died July 12, 1894.
35. Maria Catherin Mohr, dau. of G. & M. Mohr—Born Sept. 18, 1785; died Apr. 27, 1824.
36. Elizabeth Sassemann—Born Jan. 10, 1778; died Nov. 9, 1808.
37. Johannes Albert Schwenk, einen Soenchen von Dan and Maria Schwenk.
38. Peter Schmidt, ein Soenchen von Jos. & Eva M. Schmidt—Born Mar. 9, 1807; died June 30, 1809.
39. Maria Schweisfort (Bickhart)—Born Oct. 19, 1772; died May 10, 1839.
40. Mary Stetler, wife of John Stetler—Age 40; 1777.
41. Mary Stetler—Born Nov. 12, 1734; died Sept. 1775.
42. Heinrich Stattler—Born 1706; died 1763.
43. Heinrich Stattler—Born 1732; died May 8, 1780.
44. Catherine Mattes, nee Schwenken, wife of Johannes Mattes
45. A. S.—

A.S.—Twins, daughters of Adam and Elizabeth Stettler.

46. Reichert Stettler, son of Adam and Esther Stettler (2nd wife).
47. The last burial in this cemetery was of Thomas Roads, who died of smallpox. His friends of the P. O. S. of A. buried him at midnight in the Leydich cemetery and placed a stone whose inscription reads:

Thomas Rhoads
Born March 11, 1872
Died Dec. 8, 1901
Age 29 years, 9 mo., 17 days
Erected by W. G. No. 474, P. O. S. of A.
Sassamansville, Pa.

 

In Dotterer’s “The Perkiomen Region, Past and Present,” Vol. I, the full inscriptions on the following tombs are presented by George Nyce: Caspar Achenbach, Elizabeth Bitting, Maria Magdalena Achenbach, Angelina Bitting, Ana Gertraut Bitting, Ludwig Bitting, Magdalena Christman, Jost Bitting, Joseph Bitting, Samuel Bayer, Johannes Emmerich, Margaretha Margaret Emmerich, Anna Grob, Henrich Grob, Maria Salome Kuntz, John Koons, Frederick Koons, Mary Koons, Henry Krouse, Danie Krauss, Margaretha Krauss, Georg Langbein, Eva Langbein, Henrich Langbein, Margreth Langbein, Johann Philip Leydich, Catharina Leidig, Frantz Leidich, Christina Leidig, Philip Leydig, Rosina Leidig, Jacob Reifschneider, Catharina Reifschneider, George Mohr, Maria Barbara Mohr, Johannes Reimer, Maria Catharina Reimer, Ludwig Reimer, Susanna Reimer, Peter Schweisfort, Maria Schweisfort, John Stetler, Mary Stetler, Henrich Stattler, Henrich Stattlers, Catharina Stettler, Christian Stettler, Catharina Elisabetha Stettler, Benjamin Schneider, Elisabetha Schneider, Catharina Mattes.

From the above it is seen that a burial ground was here as early as 1763.

There is not a spot in the enclosed yard that does not contain a grave; every space is taken up. There is at eventide a peculiar restfulness at this quiet spot over which the sky forever keeps its vigil and the beautiful hills stand in glory as silent sentinels. As the sun sinks slowly to rest, the shadows deepening in the valley below stretch out and take the whole earth in their sheltering embrace, casting a wonderful blanket of peace over the resting place of these sturdy people, whom we love to honor as the forefathers of a mighty nation.

[1], The Perkiomen Region (1921) pp. 145-151

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