Clymer Weir Cox Genealogy » ANNA CATHERINE WAMBOLD ERDMAN (1724-1798)

Personal data ANNA CATHERINE WAMBOLD ERDMAN 

• She was born on May 17, 1724 in Pfungstadt, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Hessen, Germany.
• Alternative: She was born on March 17, 1724.
• Resident:
• United States.
• United States.
• She died on April 22, 1798 in Pennsylvania, USA, she was 73 years old.
• Alternative: She died in the year 1798, she was 73 years old.
• A child of JOHANNES JOST HOFFMAN (PA 1737) ERDMAN and ANNA CATHERINE NASSENEHL (WAMBOLD) WAMPOLE
• This information was last updated on February 24, 2023.

Household of ANNA CATHERINE WAMBOLD ERDMAN

She is married to ABRAHAM GUESS (PA 1737) DANNEHOWER.

They got married in the year 1747 at Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA, she was 22 years old.

Child(ren):

1. Catherine Erdman Dannehower  1740-1826
2. Jacob Erdman Dannehower  > 1740-1791 
3. George Erdman Dannehower  1748-1793 
4. Anna Catharine Erdman Dannehower  1748-1826
5. John Erdman (Danehauer) Dannehower  1751-± 1798 
6. Elizabeth Erdman Dannehower  1752-1840 
7. Abraham Erdman Dannehower  1754-1816 
8. Andreas Erdman Dannehower  1756-1837
9. Sarah Erdman Dannehower  1758-1840 
10. Mary Sarah Erdman Daunebauer  1758-1840
11. Eva Dorothea Erdman Dannehower  1760-????
12. Eva Dorothea Erdman Dannehower  1760-????
13. Henry Erdman (Dannehaur) Dannehower  1763-1838 
14. Philip Erdman Erdman Dannehower  1763-1837

Notes about ANNA CATHERINE WAMBOLD ERDMAN

Church History
St. Peter‘s history goes all the way back to the Revolutionary War. People in Gwynedd gathered on horseback or on wagons to hear the gospel preached by Lutheran missionaries. In the winter months they moved indoors to a log schoolhouse. Under the shade of the trees St. Peter‘s began its history in 1772, not being chartered until 1776.
The first church edifice was the log schoolhouse on the hill near the cemetery. The hue of the stucco was yellow, thus causing the vernacular to name the edifice the —Old Yellow Church“. The Lutheran/Reformed structure could seat 500 worshipers. In 1866 the Lutheran and Reformed congregation split and both moved into town. The —new“ building on 2nd and Church Streets was dedicated in 1869. The church has preserved this structure very well over the years, giving the sanctuary a classical, historic look.
The Sunday Church School, first organized as an English School, was in full operation by 1834. The former parsonage was erected beside the church and educational building in 1892. On June 29, 1987 the house was moved, all 72 tons of it, to its present location on the corner of Church and Second Streets. It is one of the nicest Victorian houses in North Wales and is now under new ownership. The modern addition was begun in 1987 and completed in 1988, containing a new office complex, parlor and narthex.
Part of St. Peter‘s history and legacy is a strong commitment to social ministry, which is perpetuated through many initiatives and the charitable contributions of our Thrift Store. The church has embraced the emergence of new technology, communication and creative worship to follow the pioneer spirit of our founders.

Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery Co, PA

ST. PETER'S CHURCH. -On the upper side of the Sumneytown turnpike, and but
a short distance southeast of the incorporated limits of North Wales, may
be observed it cemetery, which was the site of a church wherein worship was
maintained jointly by the Lutherans and German Reformed for nearly a
century. Though the spot may be now only pointed out within the inclosure,
yet the result has been two flourishing and distinct congregations, each
possessing a lot and church situated within less than half a mile's
distance. Here was erected the second house of worship in the township, out
of which they respectively originated.
Before the building of this church the members of the German Reformed
denomination attended at Wentz's or Boehm's, and the Lutherans at St.
John's, the former being in Worcester and the latter two in Whitpain. Among
the prominent members of St. John's can be mentioned Michael Haenge, George
Gossinger, Adam Fleck, Peter Young and Abraham Danehower. These all
resided in Gwynedd, and, of course, from its convenience, would take an
active part in the erection of a house of worship in their vicinity. Philip
Heist, having purchased of Abraham Lukens, Sr., fifty-one acres in 1772, on
the upper side of the Old Goshenhoppen road, immediately below the present
borough of North Wales, proffered half an acre from it for the use of a
church, which was very probably erected thereon before 1775. Having died,
his executors made a deed to the trustees of the church dated June 10,
1780, which states that said lot of ground is hereby granted for a house of
worship, erected thereon for the use of the German Lutheran and Reformed
denominations.
Tradition states that this church was a small frame building, and
answered the purposes of these denominations until about 1817. It becoming
too small for their numbers, a committee was appointed in the fall of 1815,
consisting of George Neuvil, Jacob Kneedler, Conrad Shimmel, Joseph Knipe
and Philip Lewis, to procure subscriptions and make collections for the
erection of a larger and more commodious stone edifice. The corner-stone
was probably not laid till near the beginning of May, 1817, and the church
not finished until the following fall or winter. Among the other members
who did much to aid the enterprise can, be mentioned
Philip Hurst
John Hurst
Abraham Dannehower
Jacob Schwenk
John Martin
Adam Fleck
Christian Rex
Henry Hallman and
George, Joseph, Adam, Samuel and Daniel Kneedler.
In consequence of its walls having been plastered with an ochre color, it
received the name of the "Yellow Church." Its ceiling was lofty and
galleries were placed on three of its sides. The pulpit was elevated and
set directly against the wall, after the manner of that day.
For the want of records considerable obscurity is involved in the early
history of this church. It is very probable that the first Lutheran pastor
Rev. Jacob Van Buskirk, of Germantown, who had charge of the Upper
Dublin or Puff's Church, not five miles distant, from 1769 to 1785, and may
have thus preached here, as we know he subsequently did. The earliest
officiating pastor known was Anthony Hecht, the Lutheran portion of this
congregation with that at Tohickon, having applied to the Ministerium for his
ordination in 1785. He had been a schoolmaster in the neighborhood, and
thus became known. The request was refused for several successive years. He,
however, succeeded in being ordained by an independent preacher, and
through this the congregation gave him the charge about 1787 until the
close of 1792. This will account for his name not appearing on the regular
records. The Rev. Jacob Van Buskirk became pastor in 1793, and of St.
John's, in Whitpain, till 1795. The next was the Rev. Henry A.
Geissenhainer, who was licensed at the request of the Upper Dublin and
North Wales congregations, and continued in the charge until 1801. He soon
after removed, and was probably succeeded by Rev. Frederick David
Schaefler, assisted by his sons, David and Solomon, from Germantown, which
arrangement was maintained to about 1810 or a little later.
862
The Rev. John K. Weiant continued in the pastorate from 1812 to 1828,
and also at Whitpain. Rev. George Heilig, received the charge of the two
congregations near the close of 1826 until 1843. He was succeeded by Rev.
Jacob Medtart, who was unable to preach in German; thus the English
language became introduced, and has since been maintained. Rev. John W.
Hassler followed Mr. Medtart in 1856, and continued until 1862, when he
resigned for a chaplaincy in the army. Rev. R. M. Rightmeyer officiated from
1863 to 1867. The following year Rev. Ezra L. Reed succeeded, and was the
last minister here. For some of the preceding facts we are indebted to the
researches of Rev. B. M. Schmucker, of Pottstown.
Concerning the German Reformed congregation who worshiped here little is
known. Rev. George Wack was ordained to the ministry in October, 1801 and
on the 25th of April following, received the charge of Boehm's and Wentz's
Reformed Churches and St. Peter's from 1834 to 1845. This last congregation
he resumed after resigning his connection with Boehm's church. He later
preached occasionally to the North Wales members. He died in Whitpain
February 17, 1856, aged eighty years, and was buried in Boehm's churchyard.
The Rev. Samuel Helfenstein had charge of the Boehm and Wentz congregations
in 1797. The following year he went to Philadelphia, where he officiated in
the Race Street Church. In 1832 he removed near North Wales, where he
continued to reside until his death, October 17,1866, aged ninety-one
years, and where he was buried. He officiated occasionally in this church,
but we have not ascertained to what extent.
During Mr. Reed's incumbency the old church needed repairs, and in
consequence the German Reformed congregation decided to remove and erect a
house of worship for themselves in the adjacent village of North Wales.
This agitated the Lutheran congregation, who finally determined on the same
course. The latter, in the spring of 1867, commenced subscriptions with
such success that a lot was also secured within the limits of the present
borough, and the new church completed by the close of 1869. As has been
stated, for many years one pastor served St. Peter's and St. John's. In
1870 this arrangement was terminated, and since then each church has
maintained its own pastor. Rev. L. G. Miller received the charge in 1874,
Rev. Wm. H. Meyers in 1876, Rev. Theophilus Heilig in 1878, who was
succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. George D. Foust, in the summer of
1880. A Sunday-school was organized about 1831, to which, a few years
later, a library was added, and both have since continued to flourish.
The German Reformed Church was built about the same time, and thus old St.
Peter's, after a use of upwards of half a century, became abandoned, its
walls razed and the recollection thereof left to soon pass away, except
what may be preserved in history.

http://www.gwyneddfriends.org/jenkinschapter23.htm

The records of both congregations at St. Peter's are very limited. No early minute books are now discoverable, and it is even impracticable to give the names of the pastors of the Reformed congregation. For a list of the Lutheran pastors, notes concerning them, and other data, I am indebted to Rev. George Diehl Foust, who is now, 1884, in charge. The first pastor of whom we have knowledge (there must have been others earlier) was Rev. Anthony Hecht. He officiated from 1787 until 1792. In a record of holy communion, administered July 13, 1788, that day is called "the day of consecration," which suggests that for some reason the church must have been used some time before it was consecrated. In a marriage record, made October 15, 1788, the church is spoken of as the "North Wales Congregation."
The next pastor was Rev. Jacob Van Buskirk, who began about 1793. He was born at Hackensack, N.J., February 11, 1739. It is said that he came to his death suddenly, August 5, 1800. He was about to start for church, and was in the act of mounting his horse, when the Master whom he served called him. He lies buried near where stood the altar of the church in which he officiated. [Mr. Van Buskirk owned the farm at Gwynedd Station, recently the estate of Rudolphus Kent now [1896] the property in part of Charles Roth. At his death, he left a wife and ten children. His widow subsequently married Philip Hahn.]
Next was Rev. Henry Geisenhainer. The length of his pastorate cannot be determined; but there is a record showing that while here he was married to Ann Maria Sherer by Rev. F. W. Geisenhainer, pastor of New Goshenhoppen Church.
Next in the list is Rev. S. P. F. Kramer, and following him is Rev. "Whalebone," which must be Rev. C.F. Wildbahn, D.D., who is buried at Centre Square. After him was Rev. J.H. Rebenach, from 1805 to 1811. (During his pastorate occurred the murder of Henry Weaver, at whose burial he officiated, and of which he made a brief record. )[This was a famous event in the local annals. As he passed along the road, Henry Weaver was shot by some person concealed behind a corn shock in a field beside it. The time was the dusk of evening, October 5, 1805, the place on the State road, just at the turn near the Gwynedd-Montgomery line. The victim was the son of George Weaver, the Montgomery Square hotel-keeper. A man who was believed to have done the deed lived near by and soon after killed himself. Both Henry Weaver and he were buried in the old St. Peter's churchyard.]
Next appear the names of Revs. David and Solomon Schaeffer. They lived at Germantown, and must have held service here, though it could have been only temporarily.
The next pastor was Rev. John K. Weiand, from 1812 to 1826. He was the last pastor to officiate in the old frame structure. During his time the need of a new church was felt, for the winds and storms of nearly forty years had seriously affected the frail temple of worship. Rev. Mr. Foust has [1884] the original subscription book for the building of the second church. It is a large volume of sixty pages, and is kept very systematically. The first page, after expressing the object of the subscription states that the managers will build the new church "as soon as $3,000 are subscribed." It is dated November 8, 1815. The collectors were George Neavil, who collected $1, 967; Jacob Kneedler, who collected $745.50; Conrad Shimmel, who collected $298.50; Joseph Knipe, and Philip Lewis. Among the subscribers were Jacob Schwenk, Philip Hurst, Joseph Knipe, John Martin, Adam Fleck, Abraham Danehower, Jacob, George, Joseph, Adam, Samuel and Daniel Kneedler, Christian Rex, Henry Hallman, and many others. When they began to build is not recorded, but on the last page of the subscription book is the following receipt: "Rec'd, May 27th, 1817, of the church wardens the sum of seventy-three dollars, being collected on the day the corner stone was laid. John Hurst." Nor is it known when the work was finished. The church was built of stone, much larger than the first one. It was plastered over, and it is said, was painted yellow; hence it was soon called the "Yellow Church," and in later day, "the Old Yellow Church." The interior was high, and had a high "goblet: pulpit, of old-fashioned style, in which the preacher perched himself far above the heads of his hearers. It also had galleries on three sides of the building.
The next pastor was Rev. George Heilig. He began October 22, 1826, and continued until 1843, the longest pastorate in the history of the church. During his time an organ was introduced into church service; Samuel Kneedler was organist, and Abraham Danehower was leader of the choir. Hitherto the service had been all in the German language, but the necessity of English service was now recognized, and the pastor introduced it. For a time he officiated alternately in each language. During this pastorate the Sunday-school was organized, of which some notes are given below. Mr. Heilig went from here to Hamilton, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, and died at Catasauqua, in September, 1869.
The next pastor was Rev. Jacob Medtart, from 1843 to 1855. He was unable to preach in German, and during his time the sermon in that language was discontinued. The service has been entirely in the English language since that time. Following Mr. Medtart was Rev. John W. Hassler, who had charge from 1856 to 1862, when he resigned to become chaplain in the army. (He was, in 1884, pastor at New Holland, Pa.) From 1863 to 1867, during the trying times of the war, when political feeling ran high, Rev. P.M. Rightmyer officiated. (He now, 1884, lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.) In 1868, Rev. Ezra L. Reed, now [1884] at Lancaster, Pa., succeeded. Mr. Reed was the last preacher in the second church. Half a century had passed since it had been built, and it needed repairs. The Reformed congregation had decided to leave it, and to build a church of their own in the town of North Wales near by. The Lutheran congregation, after due discussion, resolved upon the same course. March 1, 1867, subscription books were opened, and a site having been obtained in the borough, the corner stone of the present church was laid June 6, 1868. The work of erection was completed the following year, and on January 1, 1870, the service of dedication was performed, Rev. J.W. Hassler preaching from Psalms cxxvi, 4.

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Timeline ANNA CATHERINE WAMBOLD ERDMAN

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