Genealogical Sketch for the Philip Jacob König (1738-1792) and Maria Barbara Wilhelm (1740-before 1779) Family of Rheinland-Pfalz and Pennsylvania

This is a genealogical sketch of the Philip Jacob König (1738-1792) and Maria Barbara Wilhelm (1740-1779) family from Rheinland-Pfalz (now Germany) and Pennsylvania. 

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Philip Jacob König’s Early Life

Philip Jacob König was born 15 February 1738 in Niederhorbach, Rheinland-Pfalz[1-3] and baptized on 18 February 1739 in Edenkoben, Rheinland-Pfalz, according to the German Birth and Baptism records on FamilySearch[2]. He was the son of Johann Nicolaus König (1707-1776) and his second wife, Maria Margaretha Stuber (1702-1771) who married in 1735 in Edenkoben, Rheinland-Pfalz.

From Nicolaus König’s first marriage to Maria Ursula Bohringer (1709-before 1735) in 1726 there were two sons:[3]

• Johann Gottfried König, born before 24 October 1728, Edenkoben, Rheinland-Pfalz; married Anna Christina Ziegler, about 1761, York, Pennsylvania Colony; died 19 October 1805, Manchester, York, Pennsylvania.
• Johann Peter König was born in December 1730 in Edenkoben, Rheinland-Pfalz; He died in 1793 at the age of 63 in Hatfield, Montgomery, Pennsylvania.

From his marriage to Maria Margaretha Stuber, there were four children:[3]

• Anna Elisabetha König, born before 6 Mar 1737, Edenkoben, Rheinland-Pfalz; married Johann Martin Cronemiller, 20 June 1756, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania Colony; died after 1776, Manchester, York, Pennsylvania.
• Philip Jacob König, born 15 February 1738, Niederhorbach, Rheinland-Pfalz; married (1) Maria Barbara Wilhelm, 1 April 1763, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania Colony; married (2) Maria Catherina Ziegler, about 1779, York, York, Pennsylvania; died before 25 February 1792, Manchester, York, Pennsylvania.
• Johan Wilhelm König was born about 1745 in Edenkoben, Rheinland-Pfalz. No further record.
• Maria Barbara König, born before 11 February 1750, Edenkoben, Rheinland-Pfalz; married Johann Adam Wilhelm, about 1770, York, Pennsylvania.

The Nicolaus König family migrated from Rheinland-Pfalz in the Palatine migration to Pennsylvania Colony in October 1752 aboard the ship Kitty, and settled in York, Pennsylvania Colony.[3]

Philip Jacob König became a naturalized British subject in 1762, in accordance with an edict of His Majesty's Parliament[3].

Maria Barbara Wilhelm’s Early Life

Maria Barbara Wilhelm was born 7 September 1740, Tulpehoeken, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Colony, the fifth child and second daughter of Johann Jacob Wilhelm (1698-1773) and Anna Catherina Unruh (1709-1771), who married in about 1727 in Bavaria. The children in the family included:

• Johann Jacob Wilhelm, born 9 February 1728, Walsheim, Rheinland-Pfalz; married Sophia Catharine Schupp, 1754, Lancaster, Pennsylvania Colony; died 16 November 1784, Donegal, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania.
• Johann Valentin Wilhelm was born before 2 December 1731 in Niederhochstadt, Rheinland-Pfalz; died on 17 March 1809 at the age of 77 in Harras, Thüringen, Germany.
• Maria Catharina Wilhelm, born about 1736, probably Berks, Pennsylvania Colony; married Henrich Zanck, before 1752, Lancaster, Pennsylvania Colony; died 4 February 1793, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
• Philip Jacob Wilhelm, born 10 January 1738, Tulpehoeken, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Colony; married Maria Elisabeth Haberstich, 25 May 1762, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania Colony; died 20 Oct 1795, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
• Maria Barbara Wilhelm, born 7 September 1740, Tulpehoeken, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Colony; married Philip Jacob König, 1 April 1763, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania Colony; died before 1779, York, York, Pennsylvania.
• Johann Adam Wilhelm, born before 24 November 1742, Tulpehoeken, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Colony; married Maria Barbara König, about 1770, York, Pennsylvania Colony; died 20 July 1824, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States.

The Johann Jacob Wilhelm family migrated from Rheinland-Pfalz to Pennsylvania on the ship Saint Andrew, arriving in Philadelphia on 12 September 1734. They settled in Tulpehoeken in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Colony before 1738.[4]

Their Married Life Together

On April 1, 1763, the Reverend John Waldschmidt, of the reformed faith, married Philip Jacob König and Maria Barbara Wilhelm, in the parlor of the bride's home, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The marriage record in Lancaster church records says[5]:

"König, Philip Jacob, s. of Nicolaus König, and Maria Barbara, d. of Jacob Wilhelm; Apr. 1, 1763; in Jacob Wilhelm's house."

Philip Jacob and Maria Barbara (Wilhelm) König had seven children between 1763 and 1777 in York County, Pennsylvania[1-3]. The first four were baptized in the First Reformed (Trinity) church in York, and the last three were baptized in Manchester Lutheran church.

• Philip Jacob König, born 24 February 1764, York, York, Pennsylvania Colony; married (!) Catherine Ruth, before 1789, York, York, Pennsylvania, 12 children; married (2) Christina Miller, 8 March 1814, York, York, Pennsylvania, three children; died 2 March 1829, Spring Garden Township, York, Pennsylvania.

• Elizabeth König, born 17 May 1767, York, York, Pennsylvania Colony; married Bernard Pentz, York, Pennsylvania, no known children.

• Henry König, born 8 January 1770, York, York, Pennsylvania Colony; married Elizabeth Diehl, about 1790, York, York, Pennsylvania, one child; died about 1805, York, Pennsylvania.

• George König, born 4 July 1774, York, York, Pennsylvania Colony; married Catherine Mary Stickle, 1794, Somerset, Pennsylvania, 11 children; died 4 October 1844, Perryopolis, Fayette, Pennsylvania.

• Peter König, born 18 Dec 1775, Manchester, York, Pennsylvania; married Susanna Miller, 3 March 1800, York, York, Pennsylvania, nine children; died May 1847, York, Pennsylvania.

• John König was born on 16 May 1776 in Manchester, York, Pennsylvania. No further record.

• Barbara König, born 30 November 1777, Manchester, York, Pennsylvania; married John Rouse, 1796, York, York, Pennsylvania, six children; died 13 February 1805, York, Pennsylvania, United States.

On 27 December 1763, Jacob purchased 200 acres of his parents farm, including their home. Jacob was a farmer until 1771, when he became a miller of grain. His brother-in-law, Martin Cronemiller, died in 1771, and his grist mill became the property of his widow Elizabeth, Jacob's sister. On June 10, 1771, he became the owner of the grist mill and 13 acres of adjoining land[3].

The will of Jacob Wilhelm of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Colony, father of Maria Barbara (Wilhelm) König, was written 17 August 1771, and proved in probate court on 16 October 1773. The will identifies Maria Barbara as the wife of Philip Jacob King, and bequeathed to her[6]:

• a one-fifth share of his real and personal estate after the death of his wife, except for that property bequeathed to his three sons.
• 25 pounds each year out of the estate to be paid to her by her brothers, Philip Jacob and Adam.

In 1775, Philip Jacob King emerged as a public figure, with his appointment as Supervisor of Highways for Manchester township. In November 1775, he was chosen by popular vote as a member of the York County Committee of Safety. This was after the American Revolution had begun, and the committee was the local authority in all matters pertaining to prosecution of the war. The committee selected officers for the Sixth Pennsylvania Battalion, formed the battalion and trained them for service. The committee members also served in the local militia[3].

On 7 July 1776, three days after the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, the five militia battalions of York County were on the march to the rendezvous point at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to prepare for battle with General Howe's Army threatening New York City. After New York was captured by the British, in the disastrous battle of Fort Washington on 16 November 1776, the York County troops were outflanked by the enemy and almost the entire command was captured. However, the York County troops were at the vanguard of the battles of Trenton and Princeton on the morning of 26 December 1776, following the crossing of the Delaware[3,7].

Upon his return to York, Jacob King resumed his activities for the Committee of Safety, and served in 1777 and 1778 as Assessor for Manchester Township, while remaining active in the militia. In 1779, he began a three year enlistment as commanding officer of the Fourth Company, Third Battalion, holding the rank of Captain. His company numbered 72 men. The company was disbanded after the end of the war in 1783[3,7].

Later Years and Deaths

No death or burial records for Maria Barbara (Wilhelm) König have been found. She probably died before 1779, probably in York, Pennsylvania.

In 1779, Jacob King purchased a large lot in York for 1,500 pounds from Henry and Catharine Wolf. A saw mill was erected and put into operation before 1781[3].

In the 1780 Tax and Exoneration List for York County, Pennsylvania, Philip Jacob King was listed in Manchester township[8]. He had:

• Warranted land: 256 acres
• 3 horses and mares
• 4 horned cattle
• 1 grist mill
• 1 sawmill
• Value: £132-7s-6d

He married, secondly, before 1781, his second wife, Maria Catherine Ziegler, daughter of John and Anna Ziegler, born 10 March 1749 and baptized in Christ Lutheran Church in York. They had three children between 1783 and 1791[3]:

Maria Catherina Ziegler was born on 10 March 1749 in York, York, Pennsylvania Colony.

Philip Jacob König and Maria Catherina Ziegler had the following children:[3]

• John Adam König was born on 20 January 1783 in York, York, Pennsylvania. He died on 7 May 1835 at the age of 52 in York, York, Pennsylvania.

• Catherine König was born in 1787 in York, York, Pennsylvania; no further record.

• Anna Maria König was born on 10 August 1791 in York, York, Pennsylvania; married Johan George Slouch 12 November 1809 in York, Pennsylvania, two children; died 16 July 1859, York, Pennsylvania.

In 1783, he was the owner of two houses, a grist mill, a saw mill and 250 acres in Manchester township. He had three horses, five cows and twelve sheep[3].

Philip Jacob King was enumerated on the 1786 Septennial Census in Manchester, York County, Pennsylvania[9].

On 10 April 1787, Philip Jacob King "... requested to take up 50 acres of land, including an improvement, adjoining George Wolf, Casper Knaub, Gust Herbasuch and other land of the said King in Manchester Township...." provided he pay 10 pounds per hundred acres to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The warrant was signed by Benjamin Franklin, President of the Supreme Executive Council[10].

In the 1790 United States Census, Jacob Phillip King was enumerated in Manchester, York County, Pennsylvania[11]. The household included:

• 3 free white males under age 16
• 1 free white male over age 16 (certainly Philip Jacob King)
• 4 free white females (certainly wife Catherine, and three of the daughters)
• 1 other free person (perhaps a mill or farm laborer)

Philip Jacob King drafted his will on 29 November 1791[12]; it was probated on 25 February 1792 in York County Probate Court, with his eldest son, Philip Jacob King, and his friend Peter Diehl, designated as executors of the estate. The will included:

Regarding his widow, the executors were empowered to purchase a widow's seat in York for a price not to exceed 100 pounds. She was also to receive 600 pounds annually from the estate, and be given "one cow, two beds, six pewter plates, two pewter platters, two large pewter basins, six pewter spoons, a copper kettle or an iron pot and a tea kettle, all of which she shall have her choice, the clothes press and as much linens as she shall choose, and have need for herself and small children."

Henry, the second son, inherited his father's grist mill and saw mill together with 50 acres of land on which they stood. The will directed that Henry should make an initial payment of 1,500 pounds to the estate, 400 pounds after the first year, and 100 pounds yearly thereafter, to be equitable to the other eight children. Adam, Peter and George were granted equal shares of land owned in Westmoreland County. 50 pounds was bequeathed to the First Reformed Church in York. Lastly, it was his wish that the remainder of his real and personal property be sold at public sale and the proceeds divided equally to his nine children, with the one exception that his eldest son, Philip Jacob, receive 120 pounds, part of which he had received prior to the date of the will.

The life estate in York for the widow was consummated on 17 March 1792 for 180 pounds. Catherine King lived there for 34 years until her death in 1826. The public sale occurred in the first week of May, and two plantations of approximately 200 acres were sold for almost 1,600 pounds each.

Maria Catherina (Ziegler) König died on 5 February 1826 at the age of 76 in York, York, Pennsylvania, United States.

Philip Jacob King and his two wives and several children are probably buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery in York, Pennsylvania, but there are no extant gravestones for them.

Sources:

1. Konig-King research material ( letters and family group sheets), 1973-1980; held by Historical Society of York County Pennsylvania, [address for private use], Johann Nicholas Konig family group sheet, Philip Jacob Konig baptism record, Philip Jacob Konig family group sheet.

2. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898," indexed database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Philipps Jacob Koenig entry, birth 15 February 1738, baptism 18 February 1739; accessed on FHL microfilm 193,822.

3. Richard Shue, The Kings of York County: Pioneers, Patriots and Papermakers (York, Penn. : the author, n.d.), Part II.

4. John H. Grimes, "The Wilhelm Family of Northwestern Berks," website, Tulpehoeken Settlement Historical Society (https://www.Tulpehoekenroots.org/genealogy-wilhelm-family/ : accessed 7 March 2021), "Genealogy -- Wilhelm Family", Johann Jacob Wilhelm family information.

5. "Pennsylvania Marriage Records, 1700-1821," imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), Lancaster > Rev. John Waldschmidt, 1752-1786, page 235, Philip Jacob Konig and Maria Barbara Wilhelm marriage entry, 1 April 1763.

6. "Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994," imaged, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Jacob Wilhelm will, written 17 August 1771, registered 16 October 1773; accessed in Lancaster County, “Wills, 1747-1830, Vol. I-K,” Book J, pages 350-353, images 424-425 of 786.

7. U.S. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970, online database and images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), SAR Membership 68972, Philip Jacob King service.

8. "Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801," imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com); citing Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762–1794. Series No. 4.61; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, York County > Manchester, image 3 of 88, Philip Jacob King entry.

9. "Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863," imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), York > 1786, Manchester township, page 31 (image 18 of 68), No. 91, Philip Jacob King entry.

10. "Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952," imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), Jacob Philip King entry.

11. 1790 United States Federal Census, York County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Manchester, page 351, Jacob Phillip King household, imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M637, Roll 9.

12. "Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994," imaged, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Philip Jacob King will, written 9 November 1791, registered 25 February 1792; accessed in York County, “Wills, 1789-1803, Vol. H-K,” Book H, pages 289-291, images 164 and 165 of 779.

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