Henry CLIMENHAGEN: Journey to Upper Canada

by James Climenhage Posted on April 30, 2013

prairie_schooner_by_PSFHenry Climenhagen and his family lived in Pennsylvania for a time before journeying to Upper Canada in 1797. The trek from Pennsylvania—likely Lancaster County—to what would become Ontario took approximately two months to complete. Accordingly, if Henry and his family arrived at the end of June, as stated in his land grant petition, they would have set out on their North-​​East journey sometime around April of 1797. Other Pennsylvania families, mainly Mennonites, such as Byer, Shoup, and Hershey applied for land grants in Willoughby Township about the same time as Henry, suggesting that these families may have made the long trek together. One such travelling companion may have been John Beyer (a possible cousin of Henry’s wife Barbary). In Henry’s land grant petition dated July 14th 1797 he states that he “came into this Province about three weeks ago.” Similarly, the land grant of John Beyers, dated July 12th 1797, states he “came into the Province about a month since from Pennsylvania.“[1]

The Conestoga Wagon

As stated in his land grant petition Henry arrived with cattle—likely oxen that could be used to pull a Conestoga wagon. These wagons were commonly used by early settlers to carry supplies and any keepsakes from the homes they left behind. Oxen are very strong animals. Once Henry and his family were settled these creatures would be essential in helping to clear the land and till the fields for planting. The Conestoga wagon, introduced by the Mennonite settlers in Lancaster Pennsylvania, was different than most covered wagons in that it was primarily built as a work vehicle for the tough hilly landscape of Pennsylvania.

A wagon jack possibly owned by Henry Climenhagen
A wagon jack possibly owned by Henry Climenhagen
Photo: Trevor Climenhage

A typical Conestoga wagon was 18 feet long, 11 feet high and 4 feet wide and weighed upwards of 1200 pounds. It could carry 1 ton and had a curved floor like a boat hull to keep the weight in the center which also aided in preventing the contents from shifting or tipping when travelling up and down hills. Stretched across the top of the wagon on spindles was a white durable canvas cover. As a work vehicle, the wagon was equipped with large sturdy wheels to keep the contents of the wagon dry during stream crossings. These large wheels also aided in passing over large rocks and stumps. Often the cracks in the wagon’s body were filled with tar to prevent leaking during stream crossings or from bad weather—this however did not make the wagon waterproof enough to float. The large wheels were usually painted red while the body was painted Prussian blue. Conestoga wagons were typically equipped with an axe to clear fallen trees and brush from the wagon trail, a tool box for making small repairs, and a wheel jack (Pennsylvania’s Conestoga Wagon, 2009). A wheel jack from a Conestoga wagon thought to have belonged to Henry (or possibly Abraham Beam; shown right)[2] has been passed down throughout the generations and is owned by Trevor Climenhage. The wheel jack is decorated and stamped with the year 1792.

The condition of the roads in early spring would have been terrible—especially treacherous since the thawing rivers could not be used and the roads were morasses of mud. Spring was one of the best times of the year to travel as it was late enough that the ice had broken up aiding in stream crossing, but early enough to avoid the flies and mosquitoes and heat of the summer months (Burghardt, 1969; Wallace, 1952).

The distance from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Upper Canada was approximately 370 miles (600 km). Typically a wagon could travel ten to twelve miles per day with a team of six to eight horses or oxen. To drive his team Henry walked along the left side of the wagon as they made their way along the wagon trail. Although there were no seats on these wagons the driver often stood atop a ‘lazy’ board—a pullout oak plank in front of the left rear wheel which was next to the brake lever. The brake lever was attached to a chain that would lock the back wheels to slow the wagon down when on a downward slope.

Musket Ball Kit
Kit for making musket balls believed to once belong to Henry Climenhagen. The kit consisted of a ladle for melting the lead and the mold for fashioning the musket balls
Photo: Trevor Climenhage

Each night they would make camp. A feed box that hung from the back of the wagon would be filled with grain for the oxen and water barrels would be set out for these animals. In traditional German manner the family would have eaten a lot of salt pork along the way. Even if they ran low on food and supplies there were many small villages and Indian cabins along the way. However, a minimal skill with a musket would guarantee other catches along the wilderness trails especially geese, wild pigeons, turkeys, bear, and even rattlesnake, which, when boiled had one observer to state “I can say with the greatest Candor I never ate better Meat” (Kirtland, 1903). A musket ball ‘kit’ once thought to belong to Henry is shown right.

After a fire had been raised and dinner completed Henry and family would be content to sleep on the ground beside a spring under a clear sky with boughs of hemlock and balsam making for a comfortable mattress. If the weather was bad there were a system of shelters used by the Pennsylvania Indians that could be found every ten or twelve miles along the major trails. Often these shelters, with names such as “Cock Eye’s Cabin,” and the “Warriors Spring,” were indicated on old maps, journals or surveys, while many others were nameless (Wallace, 1952).

Many of the Mennonites who left Pennsylvania for Upper Canada followed the Trail of the Conestoga which linked up with the Mohawk Trail, from Albany NY to Lake Erie. This was the most common route used by Loyalists into Upper Canada in Henry’s day (Suderman, 1998; Witaker, 2002).

Crossing the Niagara

In June of 1797 Henry and his family finally crossed the Niagara River at Chippewa to Upper Canada. The Niagara Peninsula, about 50 miles long and 40 miles wide, is bordered by Lake Ontario to the north, Lake Erie to the south, and by the Niagara River—the international boundary between the United States and Canada—on the east. The peninsula was devoid of settlement before 1780, and even absent of native villages due to the decimation of the Neutral tribe by the Iroquois in the mid 1600s.[3] Although the Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, officially ended the American War of Independence against Britain, the Niagara Region did not see many settlers until the paramilitary companies were disbanded from Fort Niagara in 1795, and the soldiers awarded tracts of land. Settlement of the region proceeded westward and south-​​westward from the north-​​eastern corner of the peninsula.

Although the most important entry point was in Queenston where the Niagara River emerged from the gorge, the second most important at this time was the mouth of the Welland River, or Chippewa Creek, entering the Niagara River just above the falls. The Niagara River was just over a mile wide and the crossing at Chippewa—at Navy Island—was the only crossing between Queenston and Fort Erie as, to the north, the falls rapids began, and south, the large Grand Island made any crossing of the river there impossible. At Chippewa long Indian trails extended along the Welland River into the interior—a semi-​​circular route led from the river to Point Abino all the way to the limestone quarry. Although Fort Erie would soon become a major entry point into Upper Canada, its importance in this fashion in 1797 was minimal (Burghardt, 1969).

It is often stated in other publications that these pioneers would be ferried across the Niagara river while their wagon would be floated across. As mentioned previously, these wagons weighed upwards of 1200 pounds empty. Although tar was used to help keep the contents of the wagon dry during rainy weather or stream crossings these wagons were not water proof. The wagon and its contents, along with horses and oxen would have been ferried across the Niagara River. According to Dollarhide (1997), “…boats could be used to ferry wagons and families [from New York] to Upper Canada.” As a common practice the household goods were poled up the river or close to the lake shore while the family members and livestock walked or rode on the accompanying trails.

Willoughby Township

King George III wax seal. Photo: Trevor Climenhage
Wax seal attached to the original deed granted by King George III to Henry in 1797.
Photo: Trevor Climenhage

Henry applied for a land grant from King George III three weeks after his arrival. Although he was awarded two-​​hundred acres in Willoughby Township, cross concession, lots 6 and 7,  he did not receive the receipt for this grant until February of 1805; the wax seal from this deed is shown left.

Shortly after their arrival, Henry made a paste board box, commonly used to hold letters, inscribed with his son Martin’s name. The clasp (shown below) is made of a King George III penny.

Although their long journey from Lancaster County to Willoughby was a long and arduous one, the hard work was only just beginning as the land needed to be cleared and crops planted.

letter_box_1797
Paste board box inscribed with son Martin’s name 1797 and a date that looks like June 29. This box may have signified the date of their arrival in Upper Canada. The clasp on the front is made from a King George III penny
Photo: Trevor Climenhage

Henry and his family settled on their land–wooded with deciduous trees. The streams flowed and turned power for many of the mills along their banks. During this time period there was a tendency toward drought in the summer months. Black Creek was likely low and Henry and his family may have encountered a hot summer.

Henry’s 200 acres in Willoughby can be found today on Baker road just west of Sodom road. At the time of his settlement his lands were bordered to the North by brothers Christian and Martin Shoup. Christian Shoup was married to Eve Beyer/​Byers. Christian’s neighbour to the East was his mother-​​in-​​law Anna (Beam) Beyer. Next to her was Anna’s brother Abraham Beam. As stated in previous posts Henry may have been related to the Beyer/​Byers family through marriage.

In 1799 Henry purchased three-​​hundred additional acres of land in Bertie Township from Parshall Terry. [4] Bertie Township is where Henry raised his family, and where his descendants stayed for well over one-​​hundred years. This land is currently owned by the International Country Club of Niagara.

References

Burghardt, A. The origin and development of the road network of the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, 1770–1851. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 59, 1969.

Dollarhide, W. Map Guide to American Migration Routes, 1735–1815. Precision Indexing, 1997.

Kirtland, T. Diary of Turhand Kirtland from 1798–1800. While surveying and laying out the Western Reserve for the Connecticut Land Company. (M. L. Morse, Ed.) Poland, Ohio, 1903.

Lund, T. Parshall Terry Family History. Salt Lake City, Utah, 1963.

Pennsylvania’s Conestoga Wagon. American History, 43, 2009.

Suderman, D. Coming to Canada. Mennonite Historical Society of Canada, 1998. Found online at http://​www​.mhsc​.ca.

Wallace, P. Historic Indian Paths of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 76, 1952.

Whitaker, B. Early American Roads and Trails. Kansas City, Missouri, 2002. Found online at http://​freepages​.genealogy​.rootsweb​.ancestry​.com

Footnotes    ((↵) returns to text)
  1. Upper Canada Land Petitions LAC “B” Bundle “Miscellaneous.” Petition Number 17(↵)
  2. According to Trevor Climenhage, he is uncertain if the wagon jack belonged to Henry Climenhagen or Abraham Beam as he is a descendant of both men. The ‘1792’ stamp found on the jack is significant for Henry as this is the year his indenture ended [we assume this based on family folklore]. Abraham Beam, on the other hand, arrived in Upper Canada in 1789. It is unlikely he would have built such a heavy duty wagon for use in Willoughby. So, if our choice is limited to these two men it makes more sense that the wagon jack belonged to Henry.(↵)
  3. The Neutral band was wiped out by the Iroquois about 1665 and no new native settlements were settled along the Niagara(↵)
  4. Parshall Terry, born February 22nd 1756, was the son of Parshall Terry and Deborah Clark. He was a member of the First Westmoreland Independent Company in 1776, and served with Washington’s army, but deserted January 11th, 1777. Later he joined the British Army and became a Lieutenant in Butler’s Rangers, Royal Greens at Fort Niagara. At the close of the Revolutionary War Parshall Terry was given large holdings by the Crown in Bertie Township. He sold these lands and then settled at Kingston, Newark (Niagara-​​on-​​the-​​Lake), and then York (Toronto) where he was elected to the 1st Parliament of Upper Canada in the riding of Lincoln and Norfolk (Lund, 1963).(↵)
Posted in Henry Climenhagen | Leave a comment

Mystery Monday: Unknown Man

by James Climenhage Posted on April 29, 2013
Unknown Man
Do you recognize me?

Do you recognize me? This is the second installment of the ‘Unidentified Climenhag* Family Relatives’ series. This installment features a young man who may have lived in Welland County, Ontario in the Stevensville/​Ridgeway/​Fort Erie (Bertie Township) area, or the city of Welland. He may also have lived in or near to Buffalo, New York. He was related to Esther (Climenhaga) Philp, daughter of Benjamin Climenhaga, either directly or indirectly through the Philp, Carver, Ruegg, Winger, or Climenhegg families. This photo appears in a Climenhaga family album once thought to belong to Esther Climenhaga.

Posted in Carver, Climenhaga, Climenhegg, Family photos, Mystery Monday, Philp, Ruegg, Winger | Leave a comment

KLEIMENHAGEN’S of Ober-​​Waroldern

by James Climenhage Posted on March 14, 2013

As I have mentioned in other posts, Henry Climenhagen, born Johann Henrich Wilhelm Kleimenhagen, spent the first thirty years of his life in Ober-​​Waroldern, Waldeck, Germany. This Kleimenhagen family resided in Ober-​​Waroldern for a relatively short time–only three generations. While Henry and his older brother immigrated to America in the later part of the 1700s, the rest of Henry’s family appear to have stayed behind to live out their lives in their German homeland.

Kloster Merxhausen
Merxhausen Abbey
Photo: Armin Schönewolf, 2006

Hieronymus Kleimenhagen had travelled north-​​west from the old Monastery at Merxhausen[1], Bad Emstal, Germany where his father Ernst worked as a master brick-​​maker,[2] to Waldeck, an independent state in Hesse, Germany at that time. Founded in 1213, Merxhausen Abbey was transformed into an asylum for insane and infirm women in 1527. It currently serves as a psychiatric clinic.[3]

Hieronymus (English: Jerome) was born June 23rd 1695[4]–one of six known children of Ernst and Anna Elizabeth Kleimenhagen. Being a middle child there were few options available to him. He did not stand to inherit land or trade. So, in his early twenties, Hieronymus left Merxhausen to make his own way. He soon met and married Catharina Elisabeth Schwindt. They were married at Twiste in Waldeck on April 10th, 1719.[5]  He and his wife settled in the small village of Ober-​​Waroldern which lay to the south of Twiste. Although they had six known children, only two lived to adulthood, namely, Johann Christof Kleimenhagen, and Johann Bernhard Kleimenhagen. Hieronymus was a religous man. He was pointedly noted as “Reformed” in the church records (Protestant). His religous affiliation is unknown but it was common practice at this time for some Calvinists to prefer to be called Reformed.[6]

Ober-Waroldern
The village of Ober-​​Waroldern is little changed from the day Henrich Kleimenhagen Left for America in 1789. These timberframe buildings date from the early to mid 18th century
Photo: David Climenhage

Johann Christof, the eldest son, was born in 1725 (baptized April 20th)[7] at Ober-​​Waroldern, and in 1749 was wed to Anna Maria Göel (b 1721) in that village.[8] Together they had eight known children: Catharina Elisabeth (b abt 1750–51), Johann Christoph (b 1750–51), August Christoffel (b 1751–52), Franz Friedrich (b 1753), Johann Henrich (b 1755), Johann Henrich Wilhelm (b 1758), Jeremias Christian (b 1762), and Johannette Catharine (b 1765).

In 1753 Christof senior reportedly owned one of the “Köthnergüter” in Ober-​​Waroldern with an 18 acre “Rottland.“[9] Köthner was a type of farmer who owned a “Kote” (English: Cottage) and only a small area of land (less than 20 acres—18 in this case), normally with a meadow. In fact, ‘Rottland’means fields which have been reclaimed by clearing woods, meadows, or heath areas.[10] Generally, farmers could not make their living by cultivating these small parcels of land and typically had to deliver services to the other landlords. The property, which included the old School house and garden, was passed down from Christof’s grandfather, Johann Heinrich Schwindt, who was director of the school at Ober-​​Waroldern.[11]

The youngest son of Hieronymus, Johann Bernhard Kleimenhagen was born August 23rd, 1733.[12] In 1763 he married Catherine Elisabeth Weishaupt at Höringhausen–a small village about 4 km to the south of Ober-​​Waroldern [13] Catherine, the daughter of Johann Christof Weishaupt and Maria Catharina Falck/​Falke, was born August 21st, 1740 at Höringhausen.[14] Together they had four children: Johann Henrich, Marie Elisabeth, Catharine Luise, and Johanne Catharine. Their eldest child and heir, Johann Henrich, was born August 3rd, 1763 at Höringhausen, Waldeck,[15] though he lived in Ober-​​Waroldern from a young age.[16] This particular Henrich is listed in many family trees as the Climenhag* ancestor. However, this cannot be the case as Johann Henrich Kleimenhagen, son of Bernhard, married Maria Catharina Figge, daughter of Johann Wolrad Figge and Maria Catharina Witmar, and had eight children by this union.[17] He died January 9th, 1823 at Berndorf, Waldeck, Germany.[18] There is some evidence that he may have served with the 4th Waldeck regiment in the American War of Independence. The Hetrina names a Henrich Kleimenhagen of Ober-​​Waroldern who was recruited in 1782 and released from duty back in Korbach in 1783.[19] His father Bernhard died 7 Apr 1805 of old age at Freienhagen.[20]

Unexpectedly, Christof, son of Hieronymus, died in February of 1768 at the age of 43, and was buried on the 21st of that month[21]. Hieronymus himself had died in March the previous year.[22] It is presumed that Christof’s brother Bernhard moved his wife and children from Höringhausen to Ober-​​Waroldern to help manage his brother’s estate as Christof’s eldest son, Christoph junior, was just turning 18 years old at that time. In 1769, Catharina Elisabeth, believed to be the eldest child of Christof, wed Johann Gebhard Schneider from Freienhagen, who married into the property.[23] According to the records, Christoph junior was married and living in Korbach by 1785 suggesting he had given up the property in Ober-​​Waroldern prior to this date.[24] Anna Maria (Göel) Kleimenhagen, wife of Christof senior, died 21 June 1777. [25]

There is evidence that Christof senior’s middle son, Johann Henrich, travelled to America in 1776 as a Hessian Mercenary. According to the Hetrina, a kind of military census, Johann Henrich Kleimenhagen came to America as part of the 3rd Waldeck troop to fight for Britain in the American Revolution. [26][27]Although no age is listed in the Hetrina, Johann Henrich would have been 21 years old at the time of his enlistment in 1776 at Korbach [approx 9 km to the west of Ober-​​Waroldern]. He is listed as deserting the 3rd Waldeck Regiment on April 5th, 1777 near Elizabethtown, New Jersey although he may have actually deserted several weeks prior. With his father and mother gone, and no prospects to inherit land, he had no reason to return to Germany. The current working theory is that, after his desertion from the Hessians, he enlisted with the Continental Army under Col Shreive in Westfield, New Jersey (approx. 6 miles from Elizabethtown), March 20th, 1777 under the name Henry Clemens. This individual reportedly finished out the war with the Jersey troop and was released from duty in 1783. There is some evidence that he lived in Baltimore, Maryland for a time before relocating to Warriors Mark, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. In 1787 he appears under the name Henry Clymenhawk in the tax assessment for that year and subsequent tax and census records into the 1830s.

As stated in a previous post, Johann Henrich Wilhelm Kleimenhagen from Ober-​​Waroldern arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in April of 1789 looking for his brother John Henry.[28] Although we don’t know the fates of many of Henry Climenhagen’s other siblings it appears that the Kleimenhagen’s had completely removed themselves from the village of Ober-​​Waroldern by the early 1800s to other small villages and towns in and around Waldeck.

Footnotes    ((↵) returns to text)
  1. Stoecker, Hilmar G. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Twiste. Waldeckischer Geschichtsverein, 1986. “Getraut 10.4.1719 Heironymus Kleimenhagen’ vom Kloster Merxhausen und Kath Elisabeth Schwind aus Ober Waroldern”(↵)
  2. Günter Kleimenhagen; Church book of Merxhausen(↵)
  3. Weiner, Dora B. “The Madman in the Light of Reason. Enlightenment Psychiatry.” In History of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, edited by Edwin R. Wallance and John Gach, 281–303 . New York: Springer, 2008.(↵)
  4. Günter Kleimenhagen; Church book of Merxhausen(↵)
  5. Stoecker, Hilmar G. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Twiste. Waldeckischer Geschichtsverein, 1986. “Getraut 10.4.1719 Heironymus Kleimenhagen’ vom Kloster Merxhausen und Kath Elisabeth Schwind aus Ober Waroldern”(↵)
  6. Muller, Richard A. The Unaccommodated Calvin: Studies in the Foundation of a Theological Tradition. Oxford University Press, 2001.(↵)
  7. Lorenz, Günter. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Ober-​​Waroldern. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 2008. “Getraut (1749) Johann Christoph Kleimenhagen getauft 20.4.1725, begraben 21.2.1768 und nichts näheres bekannt.”(↵)
  8. Günter Kleimenhagen; Church book of Ober Waroldern(↵)
  9. Lorenz, Günter. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Ober-​​Waroldern. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 2008. “Kleimenhagen, Joh. Christoph — 18 Morgen Rottland.”(↵)
  10. Günter Kleimenhagen personal communication(↵)
  11. Lorenz, Günter. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Ober-​​Waroldern. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 2008. “Davor Hieronymus Kleimenhagen, davor Hermann Schwind, Jakob Keuling. 1769 heiratete ein Friedrich , Schneider aus Freienhagen in das Gut ein. Hat Garten an der Walme. Heute Heinrich Schneider (Jepparts) 18 Morgen Rottland, im Hausstätten, Heinemanns Kopf, Heinzenberg, Gilbecke, am hohlen Weg, am Birnbaum, 2 Pferde, 1 Kuh, I Rind. Zahlt keine Rottsteuer, weil sie vom Gut schon Abgaben und Dienste entrichten.(↵)
  12. Lorenz, Günter. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Ober-​​Waroldern. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 2008. “Getraut 8.6.1763 Johann Bernhard Kleimenhagen getauft 23.8.1733 und Catharine Elisabeth Weishaupt geboren 21.8.1740 Höringhausen. (Tochter des Johann Christoph Weishaupt und der Maria Catharina Falke, Höringhausen.”(↵)
  13. Sauer, Friedrich. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Höringhausen. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 1975.(↵)
  14. Sauer, Friedrich. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Höringhausen. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 1975.(↵)
  15. Sauer, Friedrich. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Höringhausen. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 1975.(↵)
  16. Günter Kleimenhagen; Church book of Kirchberg(↵)
  17. Graf, Heinrich. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Berndorf. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 1989.(↵)
  18. Graf, Heinrich. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Berndorf. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 1989.(↵)
  19. Waldecker Truppen Im Amerikanischen Unabheangigkeitskreig (Hetrina): Index nach Familiennamen. (Marburg: Archivschule) (Veroeffentlichungen der Archivschule Marburg, Institut fuer Archivwissenschaft, Nr. 10) Band V. Marburg, 1976.(↵)
  20. Baum, Herbert, et al. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Freienhagen. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 1993.(↵)
  21. Lorenz, Günter. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Ober-​​Waroldern. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 2008.(↵)
  22. Lorenz, Günter. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Ober-​​Waroldern. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 2008.(↵)
  23. Lorenz, Günter. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Ober-​​Waroldern. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 2008.(↵)
  24. Schröder-​​Kleimenhagen, Ilsa. Namensträgerinnen und –träger der Familie Kleimenhagen aus Korbach von der 2.Hälfte des 18.Jahrhunderts bis heute, nd(↵)
  25. Lorenz, Günter. Waldecksche Ortssippenbücher: Ober-​​Waroldern. Waldeck. Geschichtsverein, 2008.(↵)
  26. Burgoyne, Bruce E. The Third English-​​Waldeck Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Heritage Books, 2009.(↵)
  27. Waldecker Truppen Im Amerikanischen Unabheangigkeitskreig (Hetrina): Index nach Familiennamen. (Marburg: Archivschule) (Veroeffentlichungen der Archivschule Marburg, Institut fuer Archivwissenschaft, Nr. 10) Band V. Marburg, 1976.(↵)
  28. Climenhage, James. “Finding Henrich: The Story of the Climenhag* Ancestor,” Climenhaga, Climenhage, Climenhegg & Glimanhaga, The genealogy and family research site of James Climenhage, modified 13 Feb 2013 (http://​www​.jamesclimenhage​.com/​2​0​1​3​/​0​1​/​1​8​/​f​i​n​d​i​n​g​ -​h​e​n​r​i​c​h​-​​​t​h​e​-​​​s​t​o​r​y​-​​​o​f​-​​​t​h​e​-​​​c​l​i​m​e​n​h​a​g​-​​​ a​n​c​e​s​t​or).(↵)
Posted in Family Name, Kleimenhagen, Ober-Waroldern, Waldeck | Leave a comment

William CLIMENHAGE’S Mystery Children

by James Climenhage Posted on February 18, 2013

question_mark_150_x_150There appears to be a mistake as to the number of children of William and Annie (Acker) Climenhage.[1] Although many family trees list the following children (Elmore, Solomon, Ezra, Priscilla, and Eliza Jane) no evidence is provided for these associations. It is believed that through error the children of Samuel Winger were mistakenly attributed to William Climenhage.

First, some background information about William. WILLIAM CLIMENHAGE was born August 7th 1832 at Willoughby Township, Welland County, Ontario[2] and died June 10th 1894 at Humberstone Township from dropsy.[3] William was a son of Henry Climenhaga junor and Susanna Pickard. On November 10th 1862 at Haldimand County[4] he married ANNA MARGARET “ANNIE” ACKER. Annie was the daughter of Henry Acker/​Ecker and Charity Overholt. She was born October 15th 1846 at Wainfleet Township and died April 7th 1926 at Humberstone (Lot 9, Con 4).[5] William’s final resting place isn’t known at this time but he may be buried at Shisler’s Point cemetery.[6] Annie is laid to rest at the Mennonite Cemetery in Stevensville.[7] Records indicate that William and Annie had only one child named Henry (b 6 Jul 1866), and later an adopted daughter named Dora (b abt 1885).

William was living in South Cayuga at the time of his marriage in 1862. A decade later William Climanhager, age 35, appears in the 1871 Canadian census living in Wainfleet Township.[8] Like his father and grandfather before him, William was of the Tunker faith. He was a labourer all his life, and like many at that time neither he nor his wife Annie were able to read or write. In the 1871 census only one child is named—Henry—age 4. Boarding with William and his family at this time were William’s brother Abraham and wife Sarah A. (Sider), age 20 and 16, respectively.

In the 1881 Canadian census William Climinghague, age 48, was living in Humberstone Township, along with Anne M. (age 34) and Henry (age 14).[9] They again appear living in Humberstone in 1891–William Climenhague, age 58, and Anna M., age 44. William’s son Henry, now 23, was lodging with them along with Henry’s new bride Margaret (Vanderveer), age 15. Margaret is often named as a daughter of William but a careful reading of the census data clearly indicates that she is Henry’s wife. In 1891 William also had an adopted daughter named Dora, age 6. [10]It is believed that Dora is a daughter of Henry’s from his first marriage to Lydia Ann Storm. Lydia died young (abt 1889) as did a son of Henry’s named Joel (d 1888). Dora does not appear with her adopted mother in the 1901 census and is presumed to have died in childhood.

According to the records it is clear that William and Annie Climenhage had only one child. So how do we account for additional children for William and Annie found in other family trees? Of interest are the children of Samuel Winger listed in the 1871 Canadian Census in which the names, birth order and years of birth coincide exactly with William Climenhage’s mystery children. SAMUEL WINGER was born in Bertie Township April 4th 1842 and died in Bertie July 2nd 1912. He was the son of Peter Winger and Elizabeth Pickard (possible aunt or cousin to William) and was wed September 16th 1862 in Bertie to Miss ELIZABETH FRETZ (b 30 Jan 1842 d 15 Jun 1929).[11] Members of Samuel’s household named in the 1871 census for Bertie Township are as follows:[12]

  • Samuel, age 29
  • Elizabeth, age 29
  • Elmor, age 7
  • Solomon P., age 6
  • Ezra, age 4
  • Prazilly A. (Priscilla), age 2
  • Eliza Jane, age 7 months

From this finding, and the lack of evidence for any additional children of William, I can only conclude that Samuel Winger’s children were, in error, attributed to William Climenhage. Unfortunately, as most folks do not bother to check sources this error has been copied again and again.

Footnotes    ((↵) returns to text)
  1. In the few records known to exist that mention William, he is always listed as  Climenhage, Climenhague, Climenhagge, etc. rather than Climenhaga.(↵)
  2. Henry Climenhaga junior, William’s father, is named in an informal list of Willoughby residents in 1837 found amongst the papers of Michael Gonder. Therefore it is likely that William was born in Willoughby Township; Fretz, Joseph C. The Early History of the Mennonites in Welland County, Ontario. The Mennonite Quarterly review, January 1953. Digital images. http://www.mhso.org/publications/EarlyHistoryWellendCounty.htm(↵)
  3. Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Deaths, 1869–1938. MS 935, reel 73, p 564. Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.(↵)
  4. Ontario, Canada. County Marriage Registers, 1858–1869. MS 248, reel 7. Archives of Ontario, Toronto.(↵)
  5. Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Deaths, 1869–1938. MS 935, Reel 42, p. 146. Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.(↵)
  6. William likely died at Sherkston and is probably buried at Shislers Point cemetery where many other members of his familiy are buried. He may have been employed at Empire Limestone Company as a labourer in the limestone quarry located there.(↵)
  7. After William’s death Annie was twice remarried: 3 Aug 1894 to Christian Jacob Burger [1836–1909], and again 29 Oct 1911 to Adam Young [1846–1923].(↵)
  8. 1871 census of Canada, Bertie,  Welland,  Ontario, p. 22, family 85; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa; Roll C-​​9919.(↵)
  9. 1881 census of Canada,  Humberstone,  Welland,  Ontario; p. 46, family 218; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa; Roll C_​13253.(↵)
  10. 1891 census of Canada, Humberstone, Welland, Ontario, family 128; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa; Roll T-​​6376.(↵)
  11. Wenger, Daniel Lee. Hans and Hannah Wenger North American descendants. Found online at http://​wc​.rootsweb​.ancestry​.com/​c​g​i​-​b​i​n​/​i​g​m​.​c​g​i​?​o​p​=​G​E​T​&​a​m​p​;​d​b​=​d​l​w​-​w​c​&​a​m​p​;​i​d​=​I​3​8​515(↵)
  12. 1871 census of Canada, Bertie, Welland, Ontario, p. 22, family 85; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa; Roll C-​​9919.(↵)
Posted in Acker, Fretz, Overholt, Pickard, Sider, Storm, Vanderveer, Winger | Leave a comment

Mystery Monday: Unknown Bertie Girl

by James Climenhage Posted on January 28, 2013
Unknown_Climenhag*_relative_1
Do you recognize me?

Do you recognize me? This is the first installment of the ‘Unidentified Climenhag* Family Relatives’ series. This installment features a young woman who may have lived in Welland County, Ontario in the Stevensville/​Ridgeville/​Fort Erie (Bertie Township) area, or the city of Welland. She may also have lived in or near to Buffalo, New York. She was related to Esther Climenhaga, daughter of Benjamin Climenhaga, either directly or indirectly through the the Philp, Carver, Ruegg, Winger, or Climenhegg families. This photo appears in a Climenhaga family album once thought to belong to Esther Climenhaga. The photo appears near the back of the album which may indicate a grandaughter or grand-​​neice to Esther.

Posted in Family photos, Mystery Monday, Unidentified | Leave a comment

Feature Friday: Benjamin CLIMENHAGA

by James Climenhage Posted on January 25, 2013
Benjamin 'Ben' Climenhaga c1934
Benjamin ‘Ben’ Climenhaga with Jean and Harold Carver (great-​​grandchildren) circa 1934

BENJAMIN ‘BEN’ CLIMENHAGA was born 19 August 1851 and died 23 April 1938 from chronic nephritis (kidney disease).[1] He was born and raised in Stevensville, Bertie Township, Welland County, Ontario and Stevensville was his final resting place. He was the second eldest son of David Climenhaga and Abigail Barnhart. Ben was first married 2 August 1874 at Drummondville, Stamford Township, Welland County, Ontario[2] to JULIA ANN WINGER who was born 8 December 1855 at Black Creek, Bertie Township, Welland County, Ontario and died 25 April 1885 from complications during childbirth.[3] She was the fifth child and third daughter of Susannah Climenhegg and Joseph Winger.

Ben Climenhaga 1932
Ben Climenhaga and daughter Esther. Climenhaga family reunion 1932.

 

 

 

After Julia Ann’s death Ben was remarried 23 December 1886 at Markham Township, York County, Ontario[4] to CHRISTENA ‘(TENA)’ BRILLINGER. Tena was born 20 September 1860 at Markham Township, York County, Ontario and died 24 October 1930 at Gormley, Markham Township, York County, Ontario from cerebral hemorrhage (apoplexy). [5] She was the daughter of Jonathan Brillinger and Mary Ann Horner. Seven children from the first union: Bertha May Climenhaga b 1875; Emerson Climenhaga b 1876; Jesse Elliot Climenhaga b 1878; Esther Climenhaga b 1879; (stillborn son) Climenhaga b 1882[6]; Susannah Climenhaga b 1883, (stillborn daughter) Climenhaga b 1885[7].

“After his family was raised Benjamin moved to Markham Ontario and bought the Brillinger farm. He was a big, strong man, a good farmer and a faithful worker. He was chosen a deacon of Markham district in 1917. Later he sold his farm and retired in Gormley where his second wife died. He then moved to Bertie and spent his last days with his son Emerson.“[8]

Ben and Julia Ann (Winger) Climenhaga circa 1885
Believed to be a young Ben Climenhaga and possibly Julia Ann (Winger) Climenhaga circa 1885

Benjamin was a farmer and a Tunker all his life. Christena is laid to rest at Heise Hill Brethren in Christ Church Cemetery, Whitechurch Township, York County, Ontario. Benjamin and Julia Ann are laid to rest at Bertie Brethren in Christ Church Cemetery, Bertie Township, Welland County, Ontario. The inscription on Ben’s stone reads, “Kind friends beware as you pass by, as you are now so once was I, as I am now so you must be, prepare therefore to follow me.”

 

 

 

 

Footnotes    ((↵) returns to text)
  1. Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Deaths, 1869–1938. MS 935, Reel 613, p.236. Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.(↵)
  2. Ontario, Canada. Registrations of Marriages, 1869–1928. MS932, Reel 16, p.207. Archives of Ontario, Toronto.(↵)
  3. Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Deaths, 1869–1938. MS 935, Reel 42, p. 146. Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.(↵)
  4. Ontario, Canada. Registrations of Marriages, 1869–1928. MS932, Reel 55, p.95. Archives of Ontario, Toronto.(↵)
  5. Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Deaths, 1869–1938. MS 935, Reels 405, p. 155. Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.(↵)
  6. Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Births and Stillbirths – 1869–1913. MS 929, Reel 57. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Archives of Ontario, p.84.(↵)
  7. Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Births and Stillbirths – 1869–1913. MS 929, Reel 73. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Archives of Ontario, p. 636.(↵)
  8. Cober, G. (1950). A historical sketch of the Brethren in Christ Church known as Tunkers in Canada. Gromley, ON.(↵)
Posted in Barnhart, Brillinger, Climenhaga, Climenhegg, Family photos, Feature Friday, Winger | Leave a comment

Finding Henrich: The Story of the Climenhag* Ancestor

by James Climenhage Posted on January 18, 2013

The following narrative was written based on primary and secondary sources, as well as a good bit of circumstantial evidence. Based on what evidence we have I have attempted here to “connect the dots” in a clear and concise manner. However, as with all such speculative writing, the following should be read with a critical eye. –James Climenhage, 18 Jan 2013

Introduction

1797_petition_150_x_150We know with certainty that this ancestor’s name was Henrich Kleimenhagen[1], that he hailed from Germany as stated in his land grant petition.[2], and that Barbary was the name of his wife as stated in his will. We also know that Henry lived in Pennsylvania for a time before journeying to Upper Canada in 1797. Canadian federal census records for the years 1851, 1861 and 1871 in Bertie Township name the “United States” as the place of birth of Henry’s two oldest children, Anna and Martin. Anna (Climenhaga) Sider’s death record, dated April 27th, 1871, specifically names her place of birth as “Pennsylvania U.S. of America.”[3]

Other documents, wherein Henry is named, may point to the specific county and township in Pennsylvania where he resided. Henry Climenhagen is mentioned as an executor of the will of Abraham Beam[4] who was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, first residing in Conestoga Township, and later in Bart Township before relocating to Upper Canada. Henry was also made executor of the will of Martin Beÿer/​Byer who is believed to have hailed from Martic Township in Lancaster County—specifically from an area near the tip of the township called “Byerland” from which the family lived and worked for generations.

There is some evidence of a direct connection between this Beÿer/​Byer family of Bertie Township in Upper Canada and a Hoover/​Huber family of Martic Township, Pennsylvania. A David Hoover/​Huber of Martic who was serving as a soldier in Niagara gave Moses Byers of Bertie (son of aforementioned Martin) power of attorney to collect his inheritance of his father’s estate back in Martic.

“Know all men by these presents that I David Hoover soldier in his Majesty’s second Battalion of Royal Canadian volunteers, in the province of Upper Canada, have made, ordained, authorized, constitute and appoint Moses Byers of Bertie in the County of Lincoln and Province aforesaid yeoman, my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name, and to my use to ask, demand, sue for, recover and receive of John Hoover of Martick Township in the County of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania Executor of the Last Will and Testament of my Father the late John Hoover the elder deceased…this twenty first day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one.”

Such a position of trust given to Moses Byers of Bertie Township by this former resident of Martic Township to act in his name strongly suggests that this Beÿer/​Byer family must also hail from Martic. Therefore, as Henry was given a position of trust by acting as executor of the aforementioned wills it is believed that, by proxy, Henry also resided in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and perhaps more specifically, Martic Township. This point will be addressed in more detail later in the narrative.

Who was Henry Climenhagen?

From the Canadian records we know that Henry hailed from Germany, that his German surname was Kleimenhagen, and that he spent some time in Pennsylvania, most likely Lancaster County, before immigrating to Upper Canada. The remainder of the story, although based on documented evidence, requires a certain amount of speculation in the telling. Working backwards, a number of Mennonite families immigrated to Bertie and Willoughby Townships in Upper Canada in the late 1700s. Many of these families were neighbours in Martic Township or came from nearby townships in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Some of these family names were Boehm/​Beam, Beÿer/​Byers, Hershey, Hoover/​Huber, Schaub/​Shoup and Schenk/​Shank,  amongst others. The Beam family is especially of interest. Abraham Beam immigrated to Upper Canada in 1789 from Lancaster with his wife and son Martin and settled in Willoughby Township. His sister Anna (Boehm/​Beam) Byers also immigrated to Willoughby Township in 1796 (She married a Martin Byers,[5] a possible nephew of the aforementioned Martin Beÿer), as well as his nephew John Beam who settled in Bertie Township in 1802.

Back in Lancaster the Beam family were close with many of the families in that area. One family in particular—the Kägy/​Keagy family—was very close. In fact, Abraham Keagy of Martic Township married Barbara Boehm, daughter of Martin Boehm, one of the founders of the United Brethren Church (the younger brother of Abraham and Anna). There is a note found in the Ontario archives attached to the will of John Beam of Bertie Township written by Abraham Keagy of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania–recently removed from Martic–to his nephew Adam (son of John), the executor of his father’s estate, regarding an unpaid debt.

“Adam Beam,Upper Canada. Esteemed nephew, Clarefield, December 29 1816 by this opertunity I will let you know that we are all well, and hope this will find you and your mother and brothers & sisters enjoying the same blessing, as for ware I live and how wee com on your (?), John and Abraham K can giv you a full account. we are still trying to serve the Lord and to workout our Souls Salvation for without Saving faith in Crist wee cant bee happy, the same blessing I recoment to you and all of you for without it you cant be a Hapy hare nore hare after ———-Your Father was at my house in 1803 and was in need of mony I lend him forty Dollars for which he gave hid Note and to pay mee long before this time, I have Sent the Note by my Son A. S. K am hope you will Sent the mony with him as I am in need of mony at this time and will oblidge me very much. Mother Keagy and the Children Joine me in love to you and your Mother and Brothers and Sisters. I am yours with Esteem [Signed] Abram Keagy”

The importance of this note written to Adam Beam by Abraham Keagy, which establishes a direct connection between Abraham Keagy and former residents of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania living in Upper Canada, will soon be made apparent.

Johann Henrich Wilhelm Kleimenhagen

A notice appeared April 10th, 14th, and 21st of 1789 in the Maryland Journal, a newspaper published in Baltimore, stating that a William Kleimenhagen from Upper-​​Waroldern in Waldeck, Germany had arrived in Baltimore and was looking for his brother John Henry Kleimenhagen. It also stated that he would be staying with Abraham Kegy of Martic Township. [6]

I WILLIAM KLEIMENHAGEN, late from Germany, Country of Waldeck, Upper-Waroldern, having a Brother named JOHN HENRY KLEIMENHAGEN in America, and from the latest Accounts of him, am led to believe he is living near to Baltimore; and wishing to hear from him, have taken this Opportunity of informing him that I now live with Mr. ABRAHAM KEGY, of Lancaster County, Martick Township. For further Particulars, inquire of Mr. PETER HOFFMAN, Merchant, Baltimore. April 9, 1789.

Luckily, the church of Ober-​​Waroldern [Upper Waroldern in English] kept very good records, and the Kleimenhagen family had not resided in Ober-​​Waroldern for more than three generations, so it was easy to track down who William was.

According to church records his name was JOHANN HENRICH WILHELM KLEIMENHAGEN born December 14th, 1758. He was the son of JOHANN CHRISTOF KLEIMENHAGEN and ANNA MARIA GÖEL. Wilhelm had an older brother named JOHANN HENRICH KLEIMENHAGEN born August 18th, 1755 that travelled to America in 1776 as a Hessian Mercenary. He deserted the 3rd Waldeck Regiment in April of 1777.[7] There was another JOHANN HENRICH KLEIMENHAGEN born August 3rd, 1763—a first cousin—who’s family came to live with Wilhelm and Johann Henrich’s family after the unexpected death of Christof at the age of 42 (21 Feb 1767). Cousin Henrich lived and died in Germany.[8] It may have been the case that, to distinguish between the three Henrich’s in that household, the cousin went by Henrich, the oldest brother by Johann Henrich and the younger brother, Wilhelm. All that changed apparently when they separated as all three appear to have gone by Henrich later on. However, it made sense to use the name William rather than Henry in his newspaper notice as William was likely the name by which his older brother would better recognize him. For a more detailed description of this family see Kleimenhagen’s of Ober-​​Waroldern.

After the American War of Independence, Johann Henrich Wilhelm (who we are assuming to be Henry Climenhagen), received a letter from his older brother, Johann Henrich, sent sometime between 1784 and 1787 that told him his brother was alive and living near to Baltimore, Maryland. No doubt John Henry spoke of the opportunities in America. It is also probable that William may have heard the descriptions of the ‘New World’ from his cousin Henrich (see Footnote 8). This time period in America was characterized by a large number of German immigrants, and by an especially large and increasing number of servants. Typically, Germans having established themselves in the new colony would write to their friends, many of whom were poor, persuading them to leave their homes and sell themselves as servants for a term of years in return for passage where they would find more prosperous conditions.

“To the German peasant supporting a family on a few acres in southern Germany where every foot of soil had to be tilled with the greatest care to meet the actual necessities of life, [America] offered flattering returns for this labour” (Geiser, 1901, p. 11).

Journey to the New World

Although we don’t know the name of the ship Henry travelled on,[9] he would have departed either from the port at Amsterdam, or from the port at Rotterdam.[10] From Ober-​​Waroldern both of these ports were a distance of about 400 km—too far to travel by foot. As such, Henry may have travelled by boat down the Rhine River (to Rotterdam), or by wagon. If by wagon, Henry would have travelled with a number of other Germans travelling to the port who also had been enticed to give up their lives of mediocrity for the riches and excitement foretold of in the New World. Many an immigrant was tricked in this manner by so-​​called ‘Neulanders’ who typically received one half doubloons for every redemptioner sent to the colonies. It would have been a hard temptation to resist as these persons were often dressed in flowing robes and jewellery and their horses and wagons were decorated in ribbon—the men and women would sing joyous songs as the wagon would make its way to the port (Henninghausen, 1909).

Sailing from his port of departure in Holland, the ship would first arrive at a port on the English south coast, the most common being Cowes. The conditions under which Henry would have endured were uncomfortable to say the least.

“Both in Rotterdam and Amsterdam the people are densely packed, in the large vessels. One person receives scarcely two feet width and six feet length in the bedstead, while many a ship carries four to six hundred souls; not to mention the innumerable implements, tools, provisions, water barrels and other things which likewise occupy much space” (Geiser, 1901, p.46).

Once in England there may have been a delay of up to two weeks or longer for customs duties to be collected and the ship to be loaded with a full cargo for the ocean voyage; these long delays often used up whatever rations these immigrants had saved for the long passage to America (Geiser, 1901). When the voyage was once again under way, the time it took to reach America depended largely on the weather and could take anywhere from two months under favourable conditions up to six months in very poor conditions (Geiser, 1901; Grubb, 1986). At best Henry would have left his home in Ober-​​Waroldern at the beginning of January 1789; at worst, sometime during the fall of 1788.

The Redemptioner System

Henry (using his middle name William) arrived in Baltimore April 9th, 1789. At the time of Henry’s arrival, Baltimore was the fourth most populous city in America which saw a lot of building activity with the raising of brick houses “in every corner of the town” (Gilbert, 1984). As stated in his newspaper notice, he went to stay with Abraham Keagy in Martic Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This suggests that Henry was likely indentured with him.[11] These redemptioners, as they were called, would sell their labour for a number of years in order to work off their passage to America. The indenture system was very popular. In fact, the majority of immigrants that came to America in the 17th and 18th centuries used this system.

The cost of travel to America was out of the reach of most immigrants. A lot of trade was going on from the new colony to the old—ships often would return empty which greatly reduced profit. Immigrants became the best return cargo. Although most immigrants could not afford to finance their journey to America shippers took on this duty in exchange for the immigrants pledge to repay the loan in America. As a redemptioner Henry would have been given passage to America, and perhaps a small amount of money for provisions and port expenses, before leaving the Netherlands in exchange for repayment of the debt once they reached America.[12] The advantage of traveling under the redemptioner model was that Henry would have been able to negotiate his own contract terms, and most importantly, choose his own Master—a choice unavailable to those immigrants who signed contracts of indenture before coming to America (Grubb, 1986).

Under law an indenture was considered an apprenticeship; a service voluntarily entered into by a free person, wherein wages were advanced (by who becomes Master upon the signing of the contract) for their passage to America in exchange for a contract to bind himself for a definite period (Henninghausen, 1909). During the period specified in the indenture the servant promised to serve his Master “honestly and obediently in all things as a good and faithful servant ought to do.” The Master, on the other hand, was under obligations to provide for the servant during the time of indenture, food, clothing, and lodging, and, at the expiration of the term, “freedom dues,” which varied in different contracts but in nearly every case were two complete suits of clothes, though frequently other articles were added such as a monetary payment —a servant who violated his or her contract was subjected to corporal punishment or imprisonment. As the servants were redeeming themselves by performing a service they were called “Redemptioners” (Henninghausen, 1909).

The average cost of the journey in 1789 was about $50 (or roughly about 30 pounds; Geiser, 1901) and the amount of time in servitude varied in Pennsylvania more than in any other colony but was usually shorter than 4 years (Geiser, 1901). Unlike Black slaves, White indentured servants, particularly in Pennsylvania, were not seen as much different from ordinary freemen. There was no stigma attached to servitude. In fact in the later part of the 18th century indentured servitude was viewed as a natural method of employment. In Pennsylvania, German redemptioners were typically bought by Germans or their descendants of earlier immigration. At the end of the contract the redemptioner enjoyed all the right and privileges of citizenry (Geiser, 1901; Henninghausen, 1909). For Henry, his indenture would have been a great experience as he was guaranteed the necessities of life for three years, which, in an unfamiliar county, gave him time to become acquainted with the laws and customs. All in all it must have been very much a relief (Geiser, 1901).

Martic Township

Upon his arrival in Martic Township Henry would have first noticed the beauty of the flora growing along the north and north-​​west borders of the countryside, the land spread out in a level valley rich and abundant with rolling fields, and trees of magnificent growth, violets, lilies, milkweed and evening primrose dazzling the senses. Henry’s new Master, Abraham Keagy, lived in the region known as “Byerland”–a stone’s throw from “Frogtown” (present day Marticville). The richness of the northern region of Martick (old spelling), was due to the skirting of a limestone belt along the northern portion of the township which made the soil very fertile and farming very productive. Martic was organized as a township in 1729 when Lancaster County was born from Chester County that same year. Modern day Martic is bordered by Conestoga and Pequea Townships to the north, east by Providence and Drumore Townships, south by Drumore Township, and west by the Susquehanna River (Stevenson, 1883). In Henry’s day, Pequea was part of Conestoga Township and Providence Township was part of Martic.

Henry’s new Master, Abraham Keagy, was a son of Abraham Keagy and Anna Brenneman born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 4 July 1757. Abraham Keagy senior died in 1788, the year before Henry’s arrival. Abraham Keagy junior was an upright member of the Pequea Mennonite Colony, as it was known. He was a Mennonite leader who was married to Barbara Boehm/​Beam, daughter of Rev. Martin Boehm, and later was ordined a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church (Keagy, 1899). He was very much an enterprising man. He was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and practiced medicine in Lancaster county (and later Clearfield, PA). He owned many acres of farmland and a number of flour mills. By all accounts he was very successful. Abraham and Barbara had nine children as follows: Ann (4 August 1782), Catharine (10 November 1783), Martin Boehm (3 August 1786), Mary (15 June 1788), Abraham Stoner (11 July 1790), John Miller (31 August 1792), Eliza Lavina (20 August 1796), Adam Litzenborg (January 1799), and Henry Boehm (12 August 1809).

In the 1790 US Federal Census Abraham Keagy’s household is listed as containing two free white males of 16 years and over, including heads of families (Abraham and two unknowns—one is believed to be Henry Climenhagen), two free white males under 16 years (sons Martin and Abraham jr.), and five free white females (wife Barbara, daughters Ann, Catharine, Mary and an unknown).

Marriage and Children

Anna Climenhaga, Henry’s first born child, was born in June of 1793. As she would have been conceived about September of 1792, this coincides with the end of Henry’s three year indenture (see footnote 11). If he signed his indenture in April of 1789 he would have been released from service in April or May of 1792 giving him approximately five months to marry his beloved Barbary. Henry’s wife is believed to be Barbary Byers, daughter of Martin Beÿers/​Byers.[13] A Martin Byers owned land bordering the Keagy property.

The laws regarding indentured servitude at that time likely stopped Henry and Barbary from marrying sooner. A marriage between a servant and a free person required the consent of the Master – if consent was not garnered the servant was required to pay twelve pounds or one year’s labour. In religious societies, like the Mennonites, servants were allowed to marry while still under indenture without risk of penalty provided the Master was given notice at least one month before the marriage was solemnized. However, a fine of 50 pounds could be levied against any officer that solemnized a marriage of any persons without the proper credentials (Geiser, 1901). It is also possible the Henry didn’t court Barbary until his indenture had ended so as to have the time to dedicate to providing a place of their own. It was no disgrace to be or to have been a servant, and intermarriages between Masters and servants were not of rare occurrence (Henninghausen, 1909).

A son, Martin, was born to Henry and Barbary in 1794. Henry and family spent an additional three years in Pennsylvania before making the long trek to Upper Canada in 1797.

Epilogue

In sum, the evidence presented regarding who Henry Climenhagen was, and where he came from, suggests the following: that a Johann Henrich Wilhelm Kleimenhagen arrived in America in 1789. Using the Anglicanized version of his name—Henry Climenhagen—he indentured with Abraham Keagy of Martic Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania from 1789 to 1792 whereupon he married a daughter of his former Master’s neighbour named Barbary Beÿer/​Byers. He spent upwards of five additional years in Pennsylvania, in which he and his wife had two children, before immigrating to Upper Canada where he was granted 200 acres of land in Willoughby Township in Lincoln County (later day Welland County). In 1799, he purchased an additional 300 acres of land in Bertie Township where he later moved his family. He subsequently died in 1805.

 

REFERENCES

Eilers, H.K. (May, 1981). Herr. Hobbies, 86, 114–115.

Geiser, K.F. (1901). Redemptioners and indentured servants in the colony and commonwealth of Pennsylvania. New Haven, Conn: Tuttle, Moorehouse & Taylor.

Gilbert, G. (1984). Maritime enterprise in the New Republic: Investment in Baltimore shipping, 1789–1793. The Business History Review, 58, 14–29.

Grubb, F. (1986). Redemptioner immigration to Pennsylvania: Evidence on contract choice and profitability. The Journal of Economic History, 46, 407–418.

Henninghausen, L.P. (1909). History of the German Society of Maryland. Baltimore, Maryland: Sun Job Printing.

Keagy, F. (1899). History of the Kagy Relationship in America, 1715–1900. Harrisburg, PA: Harrisburg Publishing.

Mayer, B. (1871). Baltimore: Past and present, with biographical sketches of its representative men. Baltimore, MD: Richardson & Bennett, p. 271.

Stevenson, S.C. (1883). History of Martic Township. In F. Ellis & S. Evans (Eds.), History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of the Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: Everts & Peck.

Footnotes    ((↵) returns to text)
  1. James Climenhage, “What was the original family name?,” Climenhaga, Climenhage, Climenhegg & Glimanhaga, The genealogy and family research site of James Climenhage, modified 23 Dec 2012 (http://​www​.jamesclimenhage​.com/​2​0​1​2​/​1​2​/​2​3​/​o​r​i​g​i​n​a​l​-​f​a​m​i​l​y​-​n​ame).(↵)
  2. James Climenhage, “Henry Clymenhagen: Land Grant Petition 1797,” Climenhaga, Climenhage, Climenhegg & Glimanhaga, The genealogy and family research site of James Climenhage, modified 27 Dec 2012 (http://​www​.jamesclimenhage​.com/​2​0​1​2​/​1​2​/​2​3​/​h​e​n​r​y​-​c​l​y​m​e​n​h​a​g​e​n​-​l​a​n​d​-​g​r​a​n​t​-​p​e​t​i​t​i​o​n​-​1​797).(↵)
  3.  Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Deaths, 1869–1938. MS935, reel 3, p. 145.(↵)
  4. “Shortly after her husband’s death, Barbara (Herr) (Nissley) Beam returned to Pennsylvania. In a letter dated 8 April 1801 from Strasbury Township, Lancaster Co., she addressed the following letter to “Mr. Henry Klinemenback & Vinicker in oper Canata,” the executors of her husband’s will: Dear Friends: This is to let you know that I came save with my son in law Jacob Beam to his house, and am well at present God be thancks for the same, and all the rest of the family are well. I hope this will find you all in good health. All my goods l left behind me in your care, l am willing my son Martin Beam shall have it as his property my bed only Excepted, provided he sends me twenty dollars, but if he should refuse to do so, you please to sell as much of my linnen to the amount of twenty Dollars and send the same by the bearer for which he will bring an order. And for this year’s Dower coming to me out of my husband’s estate l make no Demand. I give you a Clear discharge for this and if l should live longer and made no Demand in June every year before my said dower comes due, then no demand shall be made afterwards the bed I excepted before you please to give in my Son’s care along with the rest. You please to give up the Bond which you have got from my Son in Law Jacob Beam to the bearer Martin Miller no more for this time. God be with you all… this much from Barbara Beam (her mark). On back of letter: Jenerary 13. 1802. Received of Christian Vinecker and Henry Climenhagen the Bond of Jacob Beam’s for Six hundred pounds New York currency. Witness: Martin Miller” (Eilers, 1981)(↵)
  5. Martin Byers was a son of Samuel Beyer of Martic Township, Lancaster, PA. He is mentioned in the will of Jacob Boehm, father of his wife Anna. A record is found in the Lancaster, PA Orphan’s Court, March 4, 1790 (p. 217) which states, “ANNA BEYER the wife of Martin Beyer appearing in Court and praying that the distributive share of her said husband of and in his deceased father Samuel Beyer’s estate may be paid unto her for the support of her and her children, she the said Anna on her Solemn affirmation did declare and say that her said husband hath for theses fifteen years past, and now is, a lunatic, and not capable of managing his estate, the Court therefore directs that the executors of the last Will and Testament of the said Samuel Beyer deceased pay into the said Anna Beyer the distributive share of her said husband of and in the estate of the said Samuel Beyer deceased for the purposes aforesaid.” It is unlikely he immigrated to Upper Canada with his wife and children as it appears he died sometime around 1803 in PA.(↵)
  6. Peter Hoffman & Sons (23–27 E. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD) ran a dry goods mercantile. Peter was a German immigrant who came from the Frankfurt area and would have spoken fluent German–the store was about 4 blocks from the docks (Mayer, 1871).(↵)
  7. He may have been Henry Clymenhawk of Warriors Mark, Huntingdon County, PA. According to Hessische Truppen im Amerikanischen Unabhangigkeitskrieg (Hetrina), a kind of military census, Johann Henrich Kleimenhagen deserted April 5th, 1777 near Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Six miles away in Westfield, New Jersey Henry Clemens/​Clymenhawk enlisted with Maxwell’s Jersey Brigade. In his pension application Henry Clemens states he enlisted at Westfield in May (actual US military records show he enlisted at March 20th 1777). According to his Revolutionary War Pension application Henry Clemens was 63 years and nine months old at the time of his application in 1818 which makes him born in August approximately 1754 (a one year discrepancy). He also states that he lost his discharge papers in Baltimore, Maryland. There is a disparity of 15 days between the date of desertion and the date of enlistment that has not yet been resolved.(↵)
  8. He may have travelled to America with the 4th Waldeck Regiment in 1782 and returned to Germany in 1783 at war’s end if the Hetrina, a type of military census, reflects two people named Henrich Kleimenhagen and not just one as is currently believed.(↵)
  9. Abstracts of the register of vessels for the port of Baltimore begin in October of 1789—six months after Henry’s arrival.(↵)
  10. The principal departure ports that ships sailed for America from in the late 18th century were Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Although some ships occasionally sailed from Hamburg and Bremen, these German ports did not become popular departure points until the 19th century (Geiser, 1901).(↵)
  11. Climenhag* family lore passed down from David Climenhaga, son of Martin, to his children and grandchildren states that Henry had to work for three years to pay for his passage to the New world.(↵)
  12. There is a distinction between redemptioners and indentured servants. Indentured servants signed a contract, called an indenture, before embarking, in which the ship’s Captain (their Master) sold them for their passage to whom he pleased (usually to the highest bidder). A redemptioner was transported without indenture. On landing in America he or she was given a short period of time in which to find relatives or friends to redeem him by paying his passage. If unable to find someone, he or she would be sold to the highest bidder (Geiser, 1901).(↵)
  13. In Henry’s will dated 14 December 1804 he names “Barbery my beloved wife” as an executor. In the will of Martin Beÿers/​Byers of Bertie Township he considers “my well beloved daughter Barbary” and states “I do hereby constitute and appoint…Henery Clymenhagen…of the aforesaid township of Bertie to be my Executor.” Henry’s inclusion as an executor suggests he may have been related by marriage to one of Martin’s daughter’s—specifically Barbary.(↵)
Posted in Byers, Henry Climenhagen, Kleimenhagen, Martic Township, Pennsylvania | 2 Comments

Last Will and Testament of Martin BYERS

by James Climenhage Posted on January 15, 2013

Will-of-Martin-ByersWhat follows is the will of Martin Beÿer/​Byers “as written.” In it he names Henry Climenhagen as an executor. The current working theory is that Barbary, Henry’s wife named in his own will, is the daughter of Martin Beÿer/​Byers. However, no direct connection has yet been found.

In Henry’s will dated 14 December 1804 he names “Barbery my beloved wife” as an executor. In the will of Martin Beÿer/​Byers of Bertie Township (below) he considers “my well beloved daughter Barbary” and states “I do hereby constitute and appoint… Henery Clymenhagen…of the aforesaid township of Bertie to be my Executor.” Henry’s inclusion as an executor suggests he may have been related by marriage to one of Martin’s daughter’s—specifically Barbary. Sadly, when the time came Henry did not serve as executor of Martin’s will as he had died six months previous.

Last Will and Testament of Martin Byers

“In the name of God amen I Martin Byers of the township of Birtie in the county of Lincoln and province of Upper Canada being of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life and that all men that is born must onst die have ordered my affairs in manner and form following that is to say first I give and bequeath my soul to Almighty God that gave it and my body to the Earth to buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named in sune and sartain hopes that God will raise it again at the general resurrection of Mankind – and as for the temporal estate which it has pleased Almighty God to bless me with in this life I give and bequeath in manner and form following that is to say I give and bequeath to my eldest son Jacob one hundred acres of land lying in the township of Burford which he shall not sell nor dispose of before it is improved during the term of seven years and then not during his natural life without the consent of his wife and children and to my well beloved son Martin I give and bequeath the sum of five pounds and my well beloved daughter Marey having received her part of my estate I give and bequeath the same to her and to my well beloved son Moses and my well beloved daughters Barbary and Anne I give and bequeath all the remaining part of my estate Rail and personal to be equally divided amongst them and further I do hereby constitute and appoint my well beloved son Moses Byers and Henery Clymenhagen and Daved Deamud all of the aforesaid township of Bertie to be my Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and disannulling all other former wills and bequests what forever hereby acknowledging this only to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereby set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two.

Signed sealed acknowledged and delivered in presence of“
[signed] Benjamin Beker
[signed] Martin Beam

[signed] Martin Beÿer

——————————————————————————————————————————————–

“District of Niagara
In the Surrogate Court

Be it remembered that on the 25th day of December in the year of our Lord 1805 personally came and appeared before me Robert Kerr. Surrogate for the District of Niagara Benjamin Beker of Bertie Tanner & Currier and Martin Beam of Willoughby Farmer who affirmeth and declares (being Menonists) that they were present and saw the testator Martin Boyer sign & seal the above as his last will & testament and that the affirmants also signed as witnesses in the presence of the testator & of each other.

Affirmed before me at Niagara” [signed] Robert Kerr Surrogate—District of Niagara
[signed] Benjamin Beker
[signed] Martin Beam

Posted in Byers, Wills | Leave a comment

Feature Friday: Ivora Eben CLIMENHAGE

by James Climenhage Posted on January 11, 2013
Ivora Eben Climenhage c1900
IVORA EBEN ‘(IVY)’ CLIMENHAGE circa 1900

IVORA EBEN ‘(IVY)’ CLIMENHAGE was born 9 July 1875 at Stevensville, Bertie Township, Welland County, Ontario[1] and died 15 May 1906 at Stevensville from tuberculosis.[2] He was the son of Christian Climenhage and Margaret Beam. Ivy worked as a lithographer (printer).[3] In 1896/​1897 he resided at 2144 Niagara street in Buffalo, New York.[4][5] On his death certificate his occupation is listed as merchant. Never married. Laid to rest at St. John’s Anglican Church Cemetery, Bertie Township, Welland County, Ontario. United Brethren.

Ivy Climenhage at work
Ivy Climenhage at work

 

 

 

 

Footnotes    ((↵) returns to text)
  1. Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Births and Stillbirths – 1869–1913. MS 929, Reels 21. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Archives of Ontario, p.257.(↵)
  2. Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Deaths, 1869–1938. MS 935, Reel 128. Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, p.581.(↵)
  3. 1901 Census of Canada, Bertie Welland Ontario, Page 4, Family No. 37.(↵)
  4. U.S. City Directories, 1821–1989. Buffalo, New York, City Directory, 1896, p. 439: Climenhige, Ivy, printer, h. 2144 Niagara.(↵)
  5.  U.S. City Directories, 1821–1989. Buffalo, New York, City Directory, 1897, p. 321: Clemenhage, Ivora, printer, h. 2144 Niagara.(↵)
Posted in Climenhage, Family photos, Feature Friday | Leave a comment

Last Will and Testament of Martin CLIMENHAGA

by James Climenhage Posted on December 26, 2012

Martin Climenhaga[1] was the eldest son of Henry Climenhagen. He was married to Elizabeth Damude, daughter of Henry Damude, and had four children by this union. Born in Pennsylvania in 1794 he immigrated to Upper Canada with his sister Anna and his parents in 1797. The following is the Last Will and Testament of Rev. Martin Climenhaga ‘as written:’

Letters Testamentary
In Her Majesty’s Surrogate Court
of the
County of Welland

Be it known that on the tenth day of November AD 1876 the Last Will and Testament of Martin Climenhage late of the Township of Bertie in the County of Welland, yeoman deceased who died on or about the sixth day of October AD 1876 at the Township of Bertie and who at the time of his death had his fixed peace of abode at the Township of Bertie in the said County of Welland was proved and Registered in the said Surrogate Court; a true copy of which said Last Will and Testament is hereunto annexed, and that the administration of all and singular the personal estate and effects rights and credits of the said deceased and anyway concerning his will was granted by the aforesaid Court Peter Winger the younger of the Township of Bertie aforesaid yeoman and one of the Executors named in the said will Samuel Sayler of the Township of Willoughby in said County yeoman the only other Executor, having duly renounced – he the said Peter Winger having herein first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same by paying the just debts of the deceased and the Legacies contained in his will so far as he is thereunto bound by Law and to Exhibit a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the said estate and effects rights and credits and to render a just and true account of his executorship whenever required by law so to do.
Given under my hand and under the seal of the said Court at Welland in the County of Welland this tenth day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and Seventy six and in the fortieth year of her Majesty’s Reign.

[Signed] D D’Everardo
Registrar of the said Court

Probate

of the Last Will and Testament of Martin Climenhage Senior, late of the Township of Bertie in the County of Welland yeoman deceased referred to in the foregoing Letters Testamentary.

In the name of God Amen I, Martin Climenhage the elder of the Township of Bertie, County of Welland and Province of Canada, yeoman being of sound mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same do make publish and declair [sic] this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following.
First I give thanks to God that taking pity on me whom he created and placed in this world, he hath delivered me out of the deep darkness of sin into which I was plunged and has brought me into the light of his Gospel and made me a partaker of the doctrine of Salvation whereof I was most unworthy and he has not only gently and graciously borne with my faults and sins for which I deserve to be rejected of him and cast out but hath created one with such meekness and mildness that he hath vouchsafed to use my labours in preaching and publishing his Gospel.
Second I give and bequeath to my son Moses Climenhage the east part of lot number thirteen in the tenth concession of the Township of Bertie aforesaid to have and to hold the same during his natural lifetime and the natural lifetime of his wife Fanny Climenhage to hold the same and after both their deaths there the same shall be equally divided among all their children to have and to hold for themselves their heirs and assigns forever subject and charged with the following legacy to my daughter Anna Sayler of the sum of Sixty Seven dollars to be paid to my daughter Anna Sayler to have and to hold for herself her heirs and assigns forever the above legacy to my daughter Anna Sayler to be paid wherein two years after my death it being the balance of a legacy which she received from my estate
Third I give and bequeath to my son David Climenhage the west part of Lot number thirteen in the tenth concession of the said Township of Bertie having bequeathed the east part of the same lot to my son Moses Climenhage therefore the channel of Black Creek shall be the boundary line between the lands bequeathed to my son Moses Climenhage and my son David Climenhage my son David Climenhage to have and to hold for himself his heirs and assigns forever to whom I also give and bequeath all my personal property of every kind and nature whatsoever. My son David Climenhage already having paid to my son Martin Climenhage the Sum of three hundred dollars as legacy it being his share of my estate and therefore is intittled [sic] to no more.
Lastly I nominate and appoint my trusty friends Peter Winger the younger of the Township of Bertie County of Welland farmer and Samuel Sayler my son in Law of the Township of Willoughby the County of Welland farmer Executors of this my Last Will and testament to whom I hereby give full power to give deeds of conveyance and transact any business required in administering my estate hereby revoking all former wills by one made in witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and affixed my Seal this fourth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four

[Signed] Martin X Climenhage (His mark)

 Signed sealed and declared by the said Martin Climenhage the elder in the presence of us who at his request have Subscribed our names as witnesses hereto in the presence of each other

 [Signed] Solomon Barnhart
[Signed] Peter X Barnhart (His mark)
[Signed] Elizabeth Barnhart

——————————————————————————————————————————————

 Ontario
In the Surrogate Court of the County of Welland

In the goods of Martin Climenhage deceased I hereby certify that the foregoing commencing with the word “In” immediately after the printed word “Testamentary” on the second page hereof and ending with the word “Barnhart” on this page is a true copy of the original Last Will and Testament of Martin Climenhage late of the Township of Bertie in the County of Welland yeoman deceased as produced for probate and proved in the Surrogate Court of the County of Welland on the tenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy six aforesaid which said Last Will and Testament now remains of record in the said Court

[Signed] D D’Everardo
Registrar of the said Court [2]

 

Footnotes    ((↵) returns to text)
  1. Martin is listed here as ‘CLIMENHAGA’ because this is the spelling that is found on his memorial stone in Black Creek Pioneer Cemetery.(↵)
  2. Township of Bertie Lot No. 13, Con. 10: Abstract No. 4; Vol. 16; Inst No. 2542(↵)
Posted in Barnhart, Climenhaga, Martin Climenhaga, Wills, Winger | Leave a comment