Map of the Pequea settlement in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [19]
The land of Wendel Bowman is marked (in red) just west of Pequea Creek.
The family of Wendel Bowman came to America when William Penn opened Pennsylvania as a beacon of opportunity for those who suffered economic or religious persecution in Europe. The Bowman's had faced persecution in Switzerland and had found their way to Holland as Anabaptist refugees. With financial support, the Bowman family came to Pennsylvania. However, the potential for systemic discrimination of minorities and others who were different was not limited to Europe. During his life, Wendel worked with other people, through the Pennsylvania legislature, to maintain the American ideal of opportunity for all.
c 1681 Wendel Bauman was born about this time. A land patent of 1711 reports him as lately of Switzerland. By some reports, he was born in Alsace, France to parents Hans Rudolph Bowman and Anna Funck, who were originally from Hirzel and Horgen, Switzerland. [1] By other reports, he was born in Switzerland. [2]. Wendel Bowman was a coppersmith. [3] [4]
1698 Wendel Bowman and his parents moved to Holland under the protection of William, Prince of Orange, later King William III. [5] [6]
1707 Wynand Bowman, wife, and three children were given aid for their journey to Germantown, Pennsylvania, on April 11. By November 24, they had apparently arrived in Philadelphia. David Rutgers, of Amsterdam, for the Committee on Foreign Needs, wrote to the deacons of Amsterdam churches asking for a refund of money his father had advanced to "Wynand Bouman, his wife and three children on the voyage to Pennsylvania", as part of the settlement of the estate of his father. [7]
1707 Wynand Bowman and the Kolb brothers, Martin, John, and Jacob, had immigrated to America by September 10, and lived at Germantown, north of Philadelphia [8] [9] [10].
1708 Wynanat Bowman and Ann Bowman (perhaps Wendel's wife) were listed as members of the Mennonite church in Germantown, Pennsylvania. [11] [12] [13]
c 1710 Wendel Bowman was one of the first nine settlers in the Pequea settlement in Chester County, which became Lancaster County in 1729. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]
1710 A land warrant was issued on October (month 8) 10, by the Board of Property the Surveyor-General of the Province, for 10,000 acres on the "north-westerly side of a hill about 20 miles easterly from the Conestoga, near the head of Perquin [Pequae] Creek" for the following persons--John Rudolf Bundely, Martin Kendig, Michael Oberholts and Wendel Bowman, "Switzers lately arrived in the Province." For these 10,000 acres the purchasers were to pay 500 pounds Pennsylvania money, or about 16 cents per acre; and, in addition, one shilling quit rent annually for every 100 acres, the principal to be paid in six annual installments. [20] [21]
1710-11 Wendel Bowman received a land warrant for 250 acres in Chester County, on October 10, 1710, with reference to survey D80-286. [22] A tract of 530 acres, in Strasburg Twp, Chester County, now West Lampeter Twp, Lancaster County, was surveyed for Windel Bowman on April 27, 1711. [23] [24] Adjacent landowners were John Heer, Stophal Franciscus, and Jacob Miller. The reverse side of survey cites land patent A4-241. The survey map shows two parts to the tract, with one part labeled as survey D71-4, which was for John Funk. [25] Wendall Bowman, lately an inhabitant of Switzerland, received a land patent for 530 acres in Strasburg Twp, Chester County, on June 30, 1711. A land warrant had been issued on October 10, 1710 and the tract was surveyed on day 27 of the second month [April]. The tract was adjacent to lands of Jacob Miller, John Herr, John Rudolph Bundely, and Stophel Franciscus. [26]
1710 The tract for John Funk was later transferred as follows. John Hare received a warrant for land in Lampeter Twp, Pennsylvania on October 10. A survey of the land was made for Wendel Bowman on October 23. Part of the land, described as adjacent to land of Wendel Bowman, was sold to Martin Funk on May 30, 1715. In 1737, John Funk sold the land to Jacob Kastner. Jacob Kastner sold the land to Jacob Haine in 1739 and it was described as by land late of Wendel Bowman and John Herr. [27]
1711 A survey of the Pequea settlement shows the land of Wendel Bowman east of Hans Herr's land. [28] [29]
Two adjacent tracts were owned by Jacob Miller and John Herr.
1711 John Herr received a land patent for 500 acres in Strasburg Twp, Lancaster County, on June 30. In 1746, John Herr and wife Frances released two tracts, described as now or late of Wendel Bowman, to sons John Herr for love and affection and to Christian Herr for 250 pounds. [30] [31]
1711 Jacob Miller received a patent for land, on Pequae Creek, Chester County (now Lancaster County), on June 30, 1711. In 1719, Jacob Miller released 159 acres to his daughter-in-law Ann Miller, who was then remarried to Jacob Kastner, and to her heirs by her first husband, then deceased. The land was described as adjacent to land of Wendel Bowman at that 1719 transfer. [32] [33]
A map of surveys of land on Pequea Creek made by Jacob Hildebrand shows the following numbered tracts. [34] We seek help in reconciling this map with the map above and the land surveys for Bowman [35] and Funk [36].
1 London Co.
2 Martin Kendig
3 John R. Bundle
4 John Funk
5 Christopher Franciscus
6 Jacob Miller
7 Amos Strettle
8 Ch Herr
9 John Herr
c 1712 Wendel Bowman built a large substantial two story log house, known as the "Mansion House". It stood until 1874. [37]
1712-1715 Wendel Bowman received a warrant for 250 acres of land in Chester County, Pennsylvania on October 10, 1712. The tract was adjacent to land of John Herr, John Hunt, and Jacob Millard. He received a patent for the land on March 12, 1715/16. [39] "Signed a Patent to Wendall Bowman for 250 acres at Strasburg, being Part of the Tract granted to the Palatines in the y'r 1710, at 7 p. C't, dated 12th 1 mo., 1715-6." [40] A deed dated 1782 involving heirs of Benjamin Bowman, son of Wendel Bowman, cites this land patent. [41]
1717 Wendel Bowman was granted a warrant for 300 acres plus 6 per cent. for road allowance, along Big Beaver Creek, about 3 miles southeast of his mansion farm on November 22. This tract was divided into 2 farms which Wendel sold in his lifetime to John and Casper Bauman. [42] [We seek documentation for this transaction]
1718-1726 Wendall Bowman was taxed in Conestoga Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania:
1718 Wendall Bowman was taxed in the Conestogoe, Pennsylvania. There are several reports:
Wendall Bowman 15 [pounds] £0.3.9 appeared on the tax list for Conestogoe Rate, Dutch Inhabitants, Chester County, Pennsylvania. [43]
Wendall Bowman was taxed 3 shillings, six pence, Conestogoe Rate. [44] [45]
Wendel Bowman was named as a Dutch [German] inhabitant in Conestoga Twp, Lancaster (now Dauphin) County tax list, value 40 pounds. [46]
1719 Wendall Bowman value 36 pounds was taxed £0.12.0 in Conestogoe Twp. [47] [48]
1720 Wendel Bowman was listed on the Conestoga Twp tax list, value 30 pounds. [49]
1721 Wendel Bowman was on the Conestoga Twp tax list, value 20 pounds. [50]
1722 Wendel Bowman was listed on the East Conestoga Twp tax list, value 24 pounds. [51]
1724 Wendel Bowman was listed on the Conestoga Twp tax list. [52]
1726 Wendal Bowman was listed on the Conestoga Twp tax list. [53]
1727-1735 Wendel Bowman worked with the Pennsylvania Legislature to counter systemic discrimination and social division based on religion or ethnicity, until his death in 1735.
1727/28 In the session starting January 27, the Pennsylvania Assembly began to consider two issues related to Wendel Bowman and other Mennonites. One was related to the impact of the large number of (future) immigrants to Pennsylvania from the Palatine (Germany) and the second had to do with the rights of the (existing) immigrants who had not taken an oath of allegiance to the King of England. Wendel Bowman made a petition related to the second issue, which may have affected the Assembly's actions on the first. [54]:
Upon a Motion made, that great Numbers of Palatines, for several Years by past, have been imported into this Province, where they have, without any Authority or Pretence of Right, settled themselves upon the Proprietary's Lands, as well as those of private Persons, to the great Prejudice and Disquiet of the Inhabitants of this Province, and especially of the first Adventures; and that many of the said Palatines have refused to yield Obedience to the lawful Authority of this Government; and further, that it is reported, upon good Grounds, that some Thousands of Palatines are expected to be imported into this Province the next Summer; it was therefore moved, that the House should take the same into their Consideration, and make some Provision for preventing the ill Consequences that may attend such great Importation of Foreigners, who are Strangers both to our Laws and Language, and who seem not inclinable to submit themselves to the same Terms of Government with his Majesty's Subjects inhabiting within this Province.
Whereupon it was ordered by the House, that William Webb, Samuel Hollingsworth, and John Carter, make diligent Enquiry into the Premises, and inform the House thereof at their next Meeting, in order that they may take such Measures as the Weight of the Affair may require.
… The Petition of Wendal Bowman, Martin Meiling, and Bendiek Hearsay, in Behalf of themselves, and others, called Menists, of the Protestant Reformed Religion, born under the Allegiance of the Emperor of Germany, setting forth, that they having transported themselves and Effects into this Province, &c. pray Leave to bring in a Bill to enable them to hold Lands, and trade in the said Province; was presented to the House, read, and ordered to lie on the Table.
They tried again and got a reaction. [55]:
The Petition of divers Germans, praying an Act may be made for their Naturalization, was presented to the House, read, and ordered to lie on the Table.
Upon a Motion made, and Question put, the Petition of Wendal Bowman, Martin Meilin, and Bendick Hearsey, presented to the last Year's Assembly, in Behalf of themselves and others, to be enabled to hold Lands, and to trade in this Province, was read, and ordered to lie on the Table : and then the House adjourned till Nine a Clock To-morrow Morning.
The Petition of divers Germans, praying an Act may be made for their Naturalization, was read a second Time.
… The Petition of Wendal Bowman, Martin Meilin, and Bendick Hearsey, praying in the Behalf of themselves, and other Menonists, was read a second Time.
Ordered, That the Qualifications of the Menonists be read; which was done accordingly.
Resolved, That Leave be given to the Petitioners to bring in a Bill for securing the Lands, purchased by the said Petitioners, to their posterity, against the Danger of Escheats - and that it be an Instruction to the said Petitioners to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The oath of allegiance to which immigrants were required to swear had religious aspects for Mennonites, who did not believe in taking oaths. [56]
1728 Wendel Bowman and Martin Mylen arranged, on April 1, for 200 fellow Mennonites to make allegiance to King George, without taking an oath, at Mylen's house in Conestoga Twp so that they could be naturalized. [57] Wendel Bauman was one of those who took the oath. [58] [59]
1728 Wendel Bowman, Martin Meiling and Benedick Hearsy, sent a petition to the Assembly of Pennsylvania, on April 16, in behalf of themselves and others called "Menists", asking permission to bring in a bill "to enable them to hold lands and trade in the said Province". [60]
The Petition of Wendal Bowman, Martin Meiling, and Bendiek Hearsay, in Behalf of themselves, and others, called Menists, of the Protestant Reformed Religion, born under the Allegiance of the Emperor of Germany, setting forth, that they having transported themselves and Effects into this Province, &c. pray Leave to bring in a Bill to enable them to hold Lands, and trade in the said Province; was presented to the House, read, and ordered to lie on the Table.
Sometime later [61]:
The Committee appointed to make Enquiry about the Behaviour of the Palatines, &c. delivered in their Report in Writing, which was read, and is as followeth, viz.
Pursuant to an Order of the House of the Twenty-seventh of January last, we have made diligent Enquiry into the Behaviour of the Palatines, that have for several Years past been imported into this Province, and are informed, by Persons of very good Repute, that considerable Numbers of those Palatinet have purchased, and honestly paid for the Lands they are settled upon, as well the Proprietary's Lands as what they have purchased from other Persons; and that they behave themselves very respectfully to the Government, and pay their Taxes and Assessments very readily; and they are, for the most Part, a very sober and honest People, both in their religious and civil Duties. Nothwlthstanding which, there are sundry Palatines (as we are credibly informed) that, for some Years past, have come over from York Government, and elswhere, such who have made Settlements on the Lands of the Proprietary, and others, without any Manner of Right, to the great Damage of the lawful Owners of such Lands; and that they have refused to yield Obedience to the Authority of this Government.
We have also made Enquiry concerning the Number of Palatines expected to come over hither, and can learn nothing of Certainty; but have some Reason to believe, from the Report we have had, that there are great Numbers of them shortly expected.
William Webb,
Samuel Hollingsworth,
John Carter
.
Whereupon a Motion was made, that the great Importation of Foreigners into this Province of late, who are the Subjects of a foreign Prince, and who keep up amongst themselves a dlfferent Language, may, in Time, prove of dangerous Consequence to the Peace of the Province; and thereupon the Question was put, that the great Importation of Foreigners into this Province, may be of dangerous Consequence to the Peace and Quiet thereof? Carried in the Affirmative.Ordered, That Andrew Hamilton, Thomas Rutter, Thomas Tress, and William Webb, be a Committee to draw up an Address to the Governor relating to the same; and then the House adjourned till Nine a Clock To-morrow Morning.
Soon after [62]:
Then a Motion was made, and Question put, that the same be transcribed, and sent to the Governor? Carried in the Affirmative; and the same being transcribed, and signed by the Speaker, is as follows, viz.
To the Honourable Patrick Gordon, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, &c.
May it please the Governor,
Upon Consideration had by the House of Assembly of the present State of the Province, with respect to the great Number of Foreigners, who have of late been imported into this Place; and that altho' some of them appear to be an orderly People, and have purchased Lands, and settled upon them, yet many others of them are known to have taken Possession, and have seated themselves upon Lands belonging to the Proprietary, as well as private Persons, without the Licence or Authority of any of the Owners; and forasmuch as the Inhabitants of this Province, in general, are a People whose religious Principle is against bearing of Arms, or making of War, it was resolved by the House, that the further Importation of Foreigners into Pennsylvania, might be of dangerous Consequence to the Peace and Safety of this Province.
Of which Resolution this House thought fit to acquaint the Governor, and to beg his Advice and Assistance in doing what may be thought just and necessary for the Security of his Majesty's Subjects in Pennsylvania, by preventing, or at least discouraging, the further Importation of Foreigners into this Province.
Signed by Order of the House, by
April 18, 1728. David Lloyd, Speaker.Ordered, That Andrew Hamilton, Thomas Rutter, and William Webb, wait upon the Governor, and present the same.
1728/29 On 7 February, the Pennsylvania Assembly again considered the Menist petition to enable them to hold land and gave leave for the petitioners to bring in a bill for securing their lands [63]:
The Petition of divers Germans, praying an Act may be made for their Naturalization, was read a second Time.
The Petition of Wendal Bowman, Martin Meilin, and Bendick Hearsey, praying in the Behalf of themselves, and other Menonists, was read a second Time.
Ordered, That the Qualifications of the Menonists be read; which was done accordingly.
Resolved, That Leave be given to the Petitioners to bring in a Bill for securing the Lands, purchased by the said Petitioners, to their posterity, against the Danger of Escheats - and that it be an Instruction to the said Petitioners to bring in a Bill accordingly.
1729 A bill was passed by the Pennsylvania Assembly in response to the 1727 petition. "Ordered, That the Clerk deliver a Copy of the Bill to enable the Menonists to hold Lands, and trade in this Province, to the said Petitioners" [64] The act passed by the Pennsylvania Assembly named Michael and John Bowman, but not Christian Bowman. [65]
1730/31 On 9 January, Patrick Gordon, governor of Pennsylvania, encouraged the Assembly to pass the bill for naturalization. Wendel Bowman was not named on the list of persons who made allegiance to the king, while son Christian Bowman was named. [66]:
The House being informed, that the Governors' Secretary was attending without in the Lobby, he was called in, and delivered at the Table a written Message from the Governor; which, by Order of the House, was read, and follows in these Words, viz.
A Message from the Governor to the House.
Gentlemen,
'A Petition having been presented to me in Behalf of several Germans, now inhabiting this Province, a List of whose Names is hereunto annexed, praying that they may enjoy the Rights and Privileges of English Subjects: I have made Enquiry into their Characters, and find they have behaved themselves so well during their Residence amongst us, that I have no Objection to their receiving this Mark of Favour from the Legislature of Pennsylvania. It likewise appears by proper Certificates, produced to me. that they have taken and subscribed the Qualifications by Law directed; and therefore I hope your House will concur with me in passing a Bill for their Naturalization.'
January 9, 1730-31. Patrick Gordon.
A List of the Names of those Persons who have applied to Governor to be naturalized, viz. Of the County of Philadelphia; Peter Wentz, Martin Holb, Dielman Holb, Jacob Holb, Michael Zeigler, Paul Fried, Johannes Fried, Hans Danweiller, Vanentine Hunsucker, Jacob Scheimer, Johannes Koocken, Jacob Herman, Gerhard Clements, Christopher Zimmerman, Jacob Metz, Bastian Smit, Mathias Gmelin, Elrick Mayer, Christian Bowman, Abraham Schwaark, Hermanns Kuster, John Joder, John Joder, junior, Joest Joder, Philip Keilwein, Hans Hoch, Peter Endreas, John Dietrick Kreiner, Peter Balio … (many more names)
1733 Wyndle Bowman warranted 435 acres in Conestoga, Lancaster County on January 22. [67]
1734/35 The Pennsylvania Assembly again considered the issue of naturalization of Germans on January 16. [68]:
A Petition from diver Palatines, Inhabitants of this Province, praying Leave to bring in a Bill for their Naturalization; was delivered in at the Table, and read by Order of the House.
The Governor's Secretary brought down a written Message to the House, which he delivered in at the Table, and then withdrew.
The Message was read, by Order of the House, and follows in these Words, viz.
Gentlemen,
'Several Natives of Germany, now Inhabitants of this Province, a List of whose Names will be herewith delivered to you, having by their Petition to me pray'd my Concurrence in an Act for their Naturalization; I have made Enquiry into the Character and Circumstances of the Petitioners, and find that almost all of them have bona Fide, purchased Lands in this Province that they have hitherto: behaved themselves well in it; and that Certificates have been produced to me, of their having qualified themselves, by taking the several Oaths, and Declarations, or solemn Affirmations, directed by Law to be taken by his Majesty's Liege Subjects, I have therefore no Objection to their being admitted to enjoy equal Rights with his Majesty's Natural-born Subjects in this Province, and shall concur with your House in passing a Law for this Purpose.'
January 16, 1734-5. Patrick Gordon.
The House took the Message into Consideration, and
Ordered, The Petitioners have Leave to bring in a Bill, according to the Prayer of their Petition.
A Petition from divers Germans, Inhabitants of the County of Bucks, praying Leave to bring in a Bill for their Naturalization; was read, and, after some Debate,
Ordered, That the Names of the Petitioners last mentioned may be inserted in the Bill to be brought into this House by the former.
1735 Wendel Baumann died in April, 1735. Letters of Administration for his estate were granted by the Registrar of Wills to [son] Benjamin Baumann, dated September 6, 1735; bond given in 300(pounds); bail was made by Jacob Baumann and Martin Bear. viz: A Inventory made the 7th day of April, 1735, for the Plantation of Wendel Bauman, deceased, and of all other goods as followeth [69] [70]:
First the plantation with the land belonging to it
@ ......................... L200/0/0
To an olt Wagon .............ct L 6/0/0
To 3 Horses ................ ct L14/16/0
To a Mear (Mare) ............ct L 4/5/0
To 3 Cows................... ct L 8/5/0
To 2 Steers................. ct L 5/7/0
To a Still...................ct L 6/13/0
To a Wasch Kettel........... ct L 3/0/0
To a Stellyard (Steelyard) . ct L 1/6/0
To a Sag Bock and a Sag (Saw-horse and Saw)........ ct L 0/18/0
To all sorts of Piwder (Pewter).ct L 1/10/0
To Tiners (Tinners') Tools .....ct L 2/16/0
To severall sort of Woottes, Coppersmith Tools
(Wood's Coppersmith tools) .... ct L 1/7/6
To 4 Hobs and 2 Shovels, 2 Grobinohss and 2 Axes,
together .............. ct L 1/5/6
To a Ploue and Horse Cears (Harness) ..ct L 1/6/8
To Iroin Neif and a Hand Sake and an Olt Broad Ax
(Iron knife and a Handsaw and an Old Broad-ax).. ct L 0/9/4
To 3 Olt (?) Slges (?Sickles).... ct L 0/4/0
To Earthen Wear ................. ct L 0/9/8
To Beding ....................... ct L 7/8/0
To Linnen ....................... ct L 2/3/6
To Clothing ..................... ct L 3/17/4
To a Bibell...................... ct L 2/3/6
To severall sorts of Small Books .. ct L 2/3/6/
Whole Amount........................ L 268/0/6
Theese man that vallueth these aboffe menshened goods (valued the above mentioned goods) was Uotrich Brackbiel and John Bouman.
Filed in the Registrar's Office, September 6, 1735.
1738 Benjamin Bowman was the administrator of his father's estate and received 200 acres in Lampeter Twp, Lancaster County. The estate was distributed among the heirs. [71]
Wendel Bowman was buried a little south of his old home in the Hans Tschantz graveyard, which is located south of Lampeter and about 8 miles southwest of the City of Lancaster, Pa. His grave has no grave marker. The cemetery was restored in 1930. [72]
Historical interest and research in the early years of the county have been greatly stimulated by the wonderful pageant of the past summer which so vividly portrayed the scenes of the settlement of the Garden Spot County. While engaged in searching for records of his own and related families, Dr. H. H. M. Bowman, of Toledo, Ohio, during September revisited possibly the oldest grave yard in Lancaster county and due to the fact that this almost forgotten cemetery had recently been cleared of bushes, weeds and small trees and then burned over, many of the long concealed tombstones were brought to light.
As is well known to those who have studied the history of Lancaster county, the first settlement was made by nine families of Swiss Mennonites on the Pequea Creek embracing the territory now containing the villages of Willow Street, Lampeter and the western half of the borough of Strasburg. As recorded on the memorial tablet at the Willow Street or "Brick" Mennonite church, these nine settlers were Martin Kundig (Kendig), Martin Meili (Meylin), Christian Herr, Wendell Bowman, Jacob Muller (Miller), John Funk, John Rudolph Bundely and Christopher Franciscus. These pioneers came from the Canton Bern in Switzerland, sailed down the Rhine to Rotterdam, Holland, thence across the Channel to London and finally embarked on June 29, 1710 in the ship "Mary Hope" to cross the broad Atlantic. They arrived at Philadelphia in September and by October 10 had purchased 10,000 acres of virgin timber land, seventy miles west of Philadelphia on the banks of the Pequea, from the proprietor, William Penn. The Mennonites or Protestant followers of a former Roman Catholic priest, Simon Menno, were a fairly numerous sect in Germany, Holland and Switzerland, but after the religious wars and the battles of the Thirty Years War with comparative freedom of worship for Lutheran and Reformed groups, the Mennonites, Anabaptists or "Wiedertaufer" as they were called in Germany and Switzerland, (meaning "re-baptizers") were persecuted by both the Protestants and the Catholics. Many ancestors of our Lancaster county families suffered bitterly, some, as the ancestor of the Eby family who had his home sacked and burned by different armies seven times within a few years. Others, as the ancestor of the Kauffman family of Lancaster, were burned at the stake and became martrys for their faith. The Quaker, William Penn, in London had heard of these atrocities and in 1707 had gone through parts of southern Germany and Switzerland and offered these defenseless and non-militant Mennonites who professed the same pacifist and nonresistant doctrine as his own Society of Friends, a refuge in Pennsylvania. In many of the Swiss towns he made addresses and distributed hand-bills offering inducements to the persecuted people to emigrate to his colony.
Most bought 530 Acres
Of the nine settlers. Martin Kendig and Jacob Miller had purchased the largest portions as may be seen from the map prepared in 1910 by a committee of the Lancaster County Historical Society for the Bicentennial celebration in that year. Most of the other seven heads of families purchased 530 acres. On the map of the new tracts only three early places of interment are indicated in the Pequea colony: The Herr family graveyard on the 530-acre tract of Christian Herr and which is now part of the churchyard of the "Brick" Mennonite church near Willow Street, another is the Bishop Hans Tschantz graveyard located on the west aide of the 1,008-acre tract of Jacob Miller, and the third is the churchyard of the Strasburg Mennonite church. The Bishop Hans Tschantz graveyard was the original Miller family burial plot but in 1712 Bishop Tschantz arrived from Switzerland and soon took over the spiritual direction of the little flock of Rev. Hans Herr on the Pequea as well as the other Mennonite settlements in the county. It is not probable that he himself is buried here as he was an active organizer and missionary bishop and traveled considerably about the country but it was perhaps due to his efforts or suggestion that the Miller plot became a burial place for the neighborhood and doubtless he himself conducted many of the early funerals held in this old graveyard. He, as late as 1740, had occasion to discipline one of the Pequea colony's sons and member of this flock - the case being that of Martin Meylin who had built a two story stone house In West Lampcter township which the Bishop and his Mennonite brethren regarded as too showy and pretentious for one of their simple faith.
At any rate the Jacob Miller graveyard In the first fifty years of the history of the Pequea colony was known as the Bishop Hans Tschantz graveyard and became the place of burial of several of the original nine families except the Herrs, who buried their dead in the graveyard on Christian Herr's tract. In the Bishop Tschanz graveyard lie some of the early Mylins, Kendigs and Bowmans and others beside the Millers who originally owned it.
In Deplorable Condition
This cemetery is now in a deplorable condition. The last interments were made in the 70's and 80's of the past century and during the last 60 years the farm on which it is located has changed hands numerous times. With the passing of Rev. Abraham Kendig, of Brooklyn, a few years ago no care whatever has been taken of this historic spot. Trees, shrubs, vines and weeds have sprung up, completely concealing the tombstones and the old stone wall enclosing the sacred soil has become quite delapidated.
This interesting shrine of Lancaster county's early history Is located on the farm of Walter Herr along a road parallel with the Pequea Creek and just a few rods below the Rotary Station of the Conestoga Traction Company at the point where the Strasburg car line turns north from the Willow Street road towards Lampeter. It was on this corner, near the present rotary station, that one of the pioneers, Wendell Bowman, built his home. This house, known as Wendell Bowman's "Mansion House," was built about 1712 in the south-central portion of the 530 acres which he had purchased of William Penn in 1710. His tract extended north quite a distance as a long narrow strip and included all of the western half of the present village of Lampeter, and all the farms facing the west side of the road between Lampeter and the rotary station to the south. Wendell Bowman's house was a very modest two-story dwelling, built of logs, the chinks plastered and the whole coated with white-wash, the gable-ends being closed with broad unsurfaced boards. Under the eastern end of the house was a stone-walled arched cellar similar in design to that in the house of Christian Herr built in 1719 and still standing as the oldest house in Lancaster county.
A sketch of this house, which stood about 40 feet back front the Willow Street road near the present rotary station, was furnished Dr. Bowman by Mr. Henry Herr who lives nearby. The old Wendell Bowman house was on land owned by Mr. Herr's father, John B. Herr and he, as a young man in 1874, assisted in demolishing the landmark, fifty-five years ago.
The Bishop Tschantz graveyard is only a stones throw to the southeast of the site of Wendell Bowman's home and so naturally when be died in April, 1735, he was buried in the nearby graveyard, a peaceful spot hallowed by the final rest of his Mennonite neighbors and brethren. He had been born in 1681 near the town of Thun in the Canton Bern and had come to Lancaster county with Hans Herr in 1710, establishing here his home and family of seven sons, Christian, Peter, John, Jacob, Michael, Benjamin and Joseph and a daughter, Anna, who married Jacob Weaver, a son of John (Hans) Weaver, founder of the Weaver land family of Weaver's.
Graves Unmarked
According to the written records of the late Benjamin Bowman a great-great-grandson of Wendell Bowman and who was Recorder in the Lancaster County Court House for many years, "the ten graves inside the wall to the right of the gate are the unmarked graves of the old Bowmans." These graves are not only those of Wendell Bowman and his children but are those of Wendell and his wife who died prior to 1727, his son, Benjamin, who died about 1788 and his wife, Anne, who died in March, 1803, their son, Wendell II and his wife, Anne. It was this couple, Wendell II a grandson of Wendell Bowman I, who with his wife, Anne, built the Wendell Bowman mill on the Pequea and inscribed their names and the date 1797 on a lintel of stone in the mill, which later was known as Neff's mill and which is still standing a few rods across the stream from the Bishop Tschantz graveyard. Here too lie old Wendell's son, Joseph, a prosperous farmer of Lampeter who lived on part of his father's tract and died in July, 1811, and his wife, Veronica, who was buried in April, 1826, and probably John, a son of Wendell I who was born in 1720 and died in 1797 and his wife. None of the graves of these "Old Bowmans" is marked with a tombstone. The piety of these Mennonites of the first generation in America seemed to eschew such worldly things as grave markers except perhaps a piece of field stone to designate the spot of interment. In the old Bishop Tschantz graveyard there are about 8 graves thus simply Indicated. The second generation, however, either had less conscientious scruples about erecting "proud marble stones" or else were better endowed with wealth, since Joseph Bowman 11, a son of Joseph Bowman I, and a grandson of Wendell, has an excellent marble stone that sets forth the fact that he was born July 12, 1777, and died December 17, 1831, and his wife Ann Bowman who was born May 28, 1781, and died January 12, 1865.
Stones Still Standing
These stones are still erect and quite legible. A son-in-law of Joseph Bowman. Sr., and his wife, Veronica, the husband of their daughter, Esther, namely John Witmer is also burled here. His grave is marked with a durable black slate stone bearing the Inscription that he was born on March 22, 1757 and died September 22, 1828. These stones are almost in the center of the graveyard. In the northern end toward the central section are the graves of three generations of Kendigs, i. e.. Francis and Anne Kendig, their married sons and their wives and children. This Kendlg plot was originally surrounded by a wooden enclosure and within the past 15 years by a few strands of barbed wire, but since the death of one of their descendant, Rev. Abraham Kendig, of New York, within the present decade the plot too has fallen into a neglected state. He had arranged during his life-time for the care of the graves by a resident of Lampeter. Near the central part of the graveyard, near the gate, marked by large handsome marble stones, are the graves of Daniel and Veronica Keeports, bearing the dates 1759-1843 and 1770-1851 respectively. The southeast corner of the cemetery is occupied by the graves of the family of David Minnich, his two wives. Mary Ann and Anna, and their children. The southwest corner contains the oldest gravestones. These are about 5 inches thick and made of heavy brown sandstones which evidently was brought from the Cocalico sandstone near Ephrata.
The inscriptions are in German and state that the interments were made as early as 1739, but since it is known that Wendell Bowman was buried here in April, 1735, his interment and probably others antedate the date 1739 as recorded on the oldest stone. The most interesting of these old standalone memorials is that of Jacob Miller the founder and original owner of the Bishop Tschantz graveyard.
Another Is that of his son. Samuel Miller; who died as a young man, aged 28 years. Both of them died 1n 1739 but their tombstones were not erected until 1742 and then this latter date was used as a sort of ornamentation at the tops and bottoms of the stones the 17 being on one side and the 42 on the other. These stones, in rather poor German, read as follows: "1742 Hir licht begraben den alta Jacob Miller, geburtig in Teueschland gewesen, er ist gestorben den 26 Abrill. 1739, sein ganzes alter war 76 Jahr, 1 monat und 3 wochen." This in English being, "1742, Here lies buried old Jacob Miller, born in Germany. He died on the 26th of April, 1739. His entire age was 76 years, one month and three weeks."
This would fix his birth date on March 5, 1663. The other stone reads as follows: "1742. Hir licht begraben Samuel Miller, des alte Jacob Millers sohn, gestorben den 4 ten November, 1739, sein ganzes altes war 28 jahr, 9 monat und 4 tage 1742." This being "1742, Here lies buried Samuel Miller, the son of old Jacob Miller died November 4, 1739, his entire age was 28 years, 9 months snd 4 days, 1742."
Quite near these Miller graves are those of two Meylins marked with similar heavy sandstones. One of these is of particular Interest. It is that of Barbara Meilin, the wife of Martin Mellin, one of the original nine pioneers of Lancaster county. The significance of this is that the fact of her burial here practically substantiates the theory that he is also buried here beside her. Her stone which is almost illegible, is inscribed as follows, "Barbara Meilin, das alte Martin Meilin sein weih, ihr alter war 70 Jahr, gestorben, April, 1747." She according to this, was the wife of "Old Martin Meilin." her age was 70 years and she died April, 1747, Thus she was born in 1677 in Switzerland. This "Old Martin Meylin" was perhaps the father of the one who built the "showy" sand stone house in West Lampeter in 1740 for which he was summoned before a court composed of Bishop Hans Tschantz and his elders and by whom he was disciplined for worldly pride and conduct unbecoming a Mennonite. According to Rupp's History of Lancaster County (p. 2861 this incident took place in 1742 and the wife of Martin the builder of the sandstone mansion is given as Ann Meylin. The same source mentions Martin Meylin, the builder, as being the grandfather of Martin, Jacob, John and Abraham Meylin, all of whom were living in West Lampeter in 1844. This latter date still further corroborates the theory that these four residents of Lampeter in 1844 was great-grand sons of "the old" Martin Meilin and his wife, Barbara. Assuming then, as Dr. Bowman does, that the "old" Martin Meylin is lying here in Bishop Tschantz's graveyard beside his wife, Barbara, this ancient burial ground contains the bones of three of the country's pioneer settlers. Jacob Miller, Wendell Bowman and Martin Meilin and as such should be marked as a shrine by the Historical Society.
This holy ground of the earliest Mennonites, our fore fathers' resting place, hes been neglected for years, a wilderness of bushes and weeds and until recently cleared and burned over by Walter Herr, the memorials of our ancestors could not even be seen. A plan is being started to repair the appearance of the graveyard and collect an endowment fund for its up-keep by the descendants of Wendell Bowman.
Near the grave of Barbara Meilin lies the body of her grandson, aged four years. This stone reads thus: "Hir licht begraben, des junge Martin Meilin sein sohn, mit namem Martin Meilin, sein alter war 4 jahr, 4 wocken. Er starb den jahr 1739." This child was a son of Martin the builder of the house, and who, according to this gravestone, was known as "the young Martin Meilin" in 1739.
Along the rear wall of the cemetery and to the north of the Miller family plot, are three graves with large marble stones inside a strongly built iron enclosure. These are the graves of Samuel and Catherine Howery and their son. Daniel, who died in 1868, aged thirteen years Samuel's dates are 1796 to 1875 and his wife. Catherine, was born in 1797 and died in 1883 at the age of 86. This ,interment in 1883 is the last one, at least marked with a stone, 'which took place in this graveyard. There are in all 36 graves marked with tombstones, and in addition to these there are 10 of the older Bowman generations known to be burled here without grave markers and finally there are about 8 graves marked with simple field stones, thus making a total of 54 known burials here.
But on account of the scattered spacing of the oldest sandstone memorials it is likely that many more of the old generations of Millers, Meylins and Kendigs are buried here In unmarked- craws. Dr. Bowman. who is a member of the Lancaster County Historical Society, Is preparing a list of all the memorial data In the ancient cemetery which he will deposit in the archives of the Society so that these records may be preserved for persons interested in the genealogy of the first families of Lancaster county. It is expected that the Society or some other body interested in the county's history will take steps to suitably mark the last resting place of Jacob Miller, Wendell Bowman and Martin Meilan, pioneers and members of the Pequea Colony of Swiss Mennonites who, with six others of their countrymen and religious brethren, laid the first foundations of this County and became the progenitors of thousands of her own living sons as well as present citizens of many other cities and states of the Union and of Canada.
Research Notes:
We are researching Wendel Bowman who died 1735 in Lampeter Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We report the ancestry suggested by Jane Best through Hans Rudolph (1636), Rudolph (1611), Langhans ( 1539) [75]. Richard Warren Davis reports the ancestry of Wendell Bowman to be Hans Jacob Bowman (born c 1632), Daniel, Leonhart, Langhans, and Grosshans [76]. Lawrence Gerald Bowman and Linda Jeanne Bowman Campbell suggest a lineage through Hans (taxed 1637), Oswald, Junghans, Cleynhans, and Grosshans (born 1527) [77]. Others show him as son of Rudolph Bauman and Anna Santimann or as son of Hans Bauman and Anna Meili Funk. We do not know which, if any, of these lineages is correct.
The early records in Pennsylvania suggest that Wynant Bowman arrived in 1707 while the name Wendel Bowman was used after 1710. Some researchers suggest that Wendell Bowman arrived in Philadelphia on September 23, 1710, on the ship Maria Hope. [78] Several researchers suggest that Wendel Bowman and Wynand Bowman were the same person. "Wendell Bowman was born in the city of Thun, Canton of Berne, Switzerland in 1781. He was a coppersmith by trade and from what has already been said was undoubtedly a poor man. He is represented by several writers as the first of the Palatines to be helped while at Germantown, Pa." [this is based on records about Wynand Bowman, who received aid for his journey to America][79]. Jane Best suggests they might be the same person, as we have assumed. [80] We seek evidence clarifying this. [81]
None of the 3 Baumans connected with the settlement of the estate can be identified as sons of Wendel with certainty. At a Mennonite conference of the entire Pennsylvania church, held in 1725, two of the five preachers present from Conestoga, as the Pequea settlement was then called, Martin Baer and Johannes Bauman, are names that correspond respectively, with one of the bondsmen and one of the valuators of the estate. Ulrich Breckbiel, also is known to have been a preacher at that time. The children have been identified from various sources. [82] [83] [84]
1732 Wendell Bowman obtained a warrant to be constable and then was listed as an innkeeper. [85]
Some family traditions have been recorded. [86] [87]
Wendell Bowman, immigrant of 1710 from Hirzel was haplogroup I1, based on DNA samples from likely male-line descendants.[88]
A biosketch reports [89]:
Wendel Bowman, a patentee of the first Pequea colony. was born in Thun, Canton Berne, Switzerland in 1681. … A coppersmith by trade, he came in 1707 to Germantown (Pennsylvania), where he and his wife Annie became members of the Mennonite fellowship in 1708. He moved to Lampeter with the 1710 group and obtained a 530 acre warrant along the Pequea on October 10, 1710. This land, then in Strasburg Township, Chester County and now West Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, took in much of Lampeter. It was patented on July 7, 1711. … He built a substantial, two-story log mansion by 1712. it was chinked with plaster and whitewashed and had an arch cellar under the eastern end. (It served until 1874, when it was dismantled.) In 1717 he obtained 310 acres southeast of Lampeter on Big Beaver Creek, land which in his lifetime he sold to John and Caspar Bauman, nephews. He also sold 250 acres of his mansion farm, leaving 280 acres at his death.
Interested in the growing Mennonite settlement, he along with Martin Meilung (Mylin) and Benedick Hearsay (Hershey) "on behalf of themselves and others called Menists" signed the petition which eventually enabled them to hold lands and trade. They made provision in the bill for their acceptance by affirmation. Though it was signed by Mennonites on Nevember 27, 1727, the naturalization papers were not granted until 1729.
Wendel died in April 1735. his will was probated September 6, 1735 by Benjamin Bowman, his son. The inventory appraisal follows: … Whole Amt. L268.S.00.p.6 (268 pounds, 0 shillings, 6 pence)
A number from this pioneer family and its descendants are buried in unmarked graves in the old Tschantz Cemetery near Lampeter. (article lists a lot of people and goes on to discuss other Bauman family members.)
Some researchers also list Magdalena (w. Jacob Groh) and Barbara (Dec. 29, 1726- May 14, 1810) and Elizabeth (July 19, 1728) as children, but this cannot be verified. Mennonite Research Journal. January 1971 p. 10-11.
See also Wendel Santmann Bauman website at Geni.com. [90]
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[70] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Letters of Administration index, Administration index entry for Wendell Bowman, [FamilySearchImage].
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[72] Edward Bowman Espenshade, My American Ancestors and Their Descendants (Jay Letter Service, 1949), 23 and 237, [GoogleBooks].
[73] Lancaster New Era, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1930, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[74] Tschantz Graveyard, findagrave.com, [URL].
[75] Jane Evans Best, "Bauman and Sauter Families of Hirzel, Switzerland," Mennonite Family History 10 (1991), 53-58, at 57, person BU4162.5.
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[77] Lawrence Gerald Bowman, Linda Jeanne Bowman Campbell, A Bowman Genealogy (1979), 8, [GoogleBooks].
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[83] Emmert F. Bittinger, "The Children of Wendell and Ann Bowman Reconsidered," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 18 (October 1995), 18-27, at 26, B1.
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