My 6th great-grandparents Anton NOLL and Maria Magdalena BRUNNLE (also seen as BRENTEL and PRENL) belonged to the Zion Church, or German Church, in Manchester, Baltimore County, Maryland. Established on 12 February 1760, the Zion Church was the oldest Lutheran congregation in what is now Carroll County. Today the church is known as the Immanuel Lutheran Church.
On Sunday, 13 March 1768, Anton and his wife Maria Magdalena brought their daughter Catharina Barbara, two and a half weeks old, born on Wednesday, 24 February 1768, to a log structure owned and used jointly by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations.[1] The building was located east of the present complex on ground now used for burial purposes.
The church service was conducted exclusively in German. The record book of the congregation was kept at the church, in a cupboard or on a shelf at the altar. John Casper KIRCHNER, the clergyman, recorded the baptism in German in the book with a pen he dipped in the inkwell which sat waiting to be used.[1]
The year Catharina Barbara was born her father was one of the signers of a petition for the removal of the county seat from the once thriving port of Joppa to Baltimore Town. Her future father-in-law Jacob RUPE and his oldest sons Jacob and Michael also signed the petition. I’ve got this history fact down pat and know without looking it up that it took place in 1768.
In 1783 Catharina, the 15 years old daughter of Anthony NOLL, was confirmed along with thirteen young women aged 15 and 16 and twelve young men aged between 15 and 18 at the Zion Church of Manchester.[1] Catharina’s mother died between 1778-1783 and wasn’t present for this important event.
Three years later Catharina NOLL married Henry RUPE, the youngest son of Jacob RUPE and Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER. Henry, seen as Henrich in the church records when his children were baptized, belonged to the Reformed congregation. He was born about 1765. Although entries were made in the shared church book by John Caspar KIRCHNER for the Lutheran congregation and by Jacob LISCHY for the Reformed congregation for the time period Henry was born, there is no entry for his birth or baptism. Pastor LISCHY recorded only three baptisms in August 1765 and July 1766.
Marriages were often performed at the pastor’s home or at an inn and rarely in the church were the record book was kept. The church record, used by both the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, has records of baptism, communion, confirmations, and much later funerals or burials – no records of marriages. We therefore do not know a date for the marriage of Catharina and Henrich, or Catherine and Henry as they were known outside the German community.
Henry and Catherine’s marriage likely took place in the fall of 1785 before her 18th birthday. They probably lived with Henry’s parents Jacob and Barbara on Rhineharts Folly, land Jacob bought in 1770.
On Sunday, 30 July 1786 Catharina née NOLLIN and Henrich RUP presented their first born son Jacob for baptism. He was a month and a half old having been born on Thursday, 15 June 1786. His parents were his sponsors.[1] Nollin is the feminine form of the mother Catharina’s maiden name NOLL, née was included in the transcription/translation of the German records to English.
Catharina and Henrich had a daughter Elisabetha on Tuesday, 4 September 1787. She was baptized nearly two months later on Wednesday, 31 October 1787. Her sponsor was Elisabetha SELLERIN (feminine form of SELLER, ZELLER).[1]
On Wednesday, 2 April 1788, Jacob RUPE sold the remaining 100 acres of Rineharts Folly to his son Henry RUPE. Originally 115 acres, he’d sold 15 acres to his son-in-law John Shower in 1787. Jacob and Henry’s surname was spelled RUB on the deed and Rhineharts lost an h and was written Rineharts.[3]
Jacob Rub to Henry Rub
This Indenture made this Twenty second Day of April Anno Domini Seventeen Hundred and Eighty eight Between Jacob Rub of Baltimore County and State of Maryland of the one part and Henry Rub of the same County and State aforesaid of the Other part witnesseth that the said Jacob Rub for and in Consideration of the sum of Fifty pounds Current money to him in hand paid at or before the Enscaling and delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof he doth hereby Acknowledge and therewith to be fully Contented and paid hath and by then presents doth give grant sell alien enfeoft and Confirm to him the said Henry Rub his Heirs and assigns forever all that part of a Tract of Land Called Rineharts folly resurveyed lying and being in Baltimore County and beginning for these part at the original Beginning and Running thence North twenty two degrees East Forty perches north Seventy eight degrees East sixty perches North East forty two perches South forty nine degrees and thirty minutes East sixty seven perches to the end of Forty one perches and a half perch on the seventh line of the said land then with it south twelve degreees East fifty eight perches and a half perch South Eighty degrees west one Hundred and Seventy three perches to the third line of the Original then with it to the Begining of said line South Eighty two degrees west fifty two perches North thirty five degrees East Seventy five perches and then by a Straight line to the Begining Containing One Hundred Acres of Land more or Less together with all the Buildings Improvements medows waters priviledges and appurtenances thereto belonging and all the Right Title Interest use property claim and demand of in or to the said Land and premises Reversion and Reversions Remainders Rents Issues and profits thereof and of every part or parcel thereof to have and To Hold the said parcel of Land and premises with the Appurtenances unto him the said Henry Rub his Heirs and assigns forever and to his and their only proper use and behoof and the said Jacob Rub for himself and his Heirs doth hereby Convenant and agree to and with the said Henry Rub his Heirs and assigns that he the said Jacob Rub and his Heirs the aforesaid parcel of Land and premises with the Appurtenances to him the said Henry Rub his Heirs and Assigns forever shall and will warrant defend by these presents against all person and persons Claiming or which may hereafter claim by from or under him the said Jacob Rub or his Heirs or by their means or procurement In Witness whereof the said Jacob Rub hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written…..
Signed Sealed & delivered
In the presence of Jacob Rub (Seal)
Geo. Goulds Presbury; Lyde Goodwin Received the day and year first within written of Henry Rub the sum of Fifty pounds Current Money it being the Consideration within mentioned as witness my hand – Witness frst? Geo Goulds Presbury Jacob Rub
On the 22d day of April 1788 Came Jacob Rub before us two of the Justices of the peace for Baltimore County and acknowledged the within Deed to be his Act and the parcel of Land hereby bargained and sold to be the Right title and Estate of the within mentioned Henry Rub his Heirs and assigns forever according to the true Intent and meaning of the said Deed.
Geo Goulds Presbury, Lyde Goodwin
Received to be Recorded the 7th day of June 1788 same day Recorded & Examined Wm. Gibson clk
[Transcription by Cathy Meder-Dempsey, 12 March 2016]
Henry bought the land from his father with all the buildings, improvements, meadows, waters, privileges, and appurtenances. There is no mention of Jacob’s wife Barbara relinquishing her dower rights.
Henry was now the owner of the family home and likely was expected to care for his parents. Jacob and Barbara were 65 years old in 1788.
With Catharina’s next pregnancy the number of children would double from two to four. On Friday, 27 February 1789, Catharina gave births to twins, Johannes and Henrich. The boys were baptized on Sunday, 26 April 1789, in the Lutheran church their mother attended. The sponsors were: Johannes KIEFFER and Eva KIEFERIN for Johannes and Peter and Christina ZIEGLER for Henrich.[1] Johannes and Henrich would would later be known as John and Henry.
On Monday, 29 October 1792, Catharina gave birth to her fifth child, a daughter Barbara. He baptism is recorded in the church record with only the name of her father Henrich, her date of birth, and the name of her sponsor, Barbara RUPPIN (feminine form of RUPP).[1] Her sponsor in all likelihood was her paternal grandmother who was a member of the church and whose husband was Reformed. Why did the clergyman omit the name of the mother and the date of the baptism? Other children baptized in 1792 and 1793 also had the name of their mother missing in the church record.
The page young Barbara’s baptism was recorded on, at first glance, appears to have entries made out of order. In the introduction to the compilation of the church records we learn that people may have come from great distances to have their children baptized. A closer look at the names reveals four Kaltreuter children born between 1787-1792 being baptized, likely on the same day as Barbara. The youngest was born 4 November 1792 which could mean the baptisms took place after this date. Even the most conscientious clergyman can make mistakes. Was Pastor Daniel SCHROEDER overwhelmed by the number of baptisms performed and recorded on one day that he forgot to enter the date?
Whatever the reason for the missing date for the baptism, it is the last record for the three generation family in the church records.
On Tuesday, 23 April 1793, Catherine relinquished her dower rights when her husband Henry RUB sold Rineharts Folly to Jacob BOBLITS. The indenture was recorded on Tuesday, 14 May 1793.[3]
Henry Rub to Jacob Boblits
This Indenture made this [blank] day of April Anno Domini Seventeen hundred and ninety-three Between Henry Rub of Baltimore County and State of Maryland of the one part and Jacob Boblitz of the same County and State aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that the said Henry Rub for and in Consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifteen pounds Current money to him in hand paide at or before the Ensealing and delivering of these presents the Receipt whereof doth hereof acknowledge and therewith to be fully contented and paide Hath and by these presents doth give grant sell alien enfeof and confirm to him the saide Jacob Boblits heirs and assigns forever all that part of a Tract of Land Called Rineharts folly Resurveyed Lying and being in Baltimore County and begining for these part at the Original Begining and runing thence North twenty two Degrees East forty perches North Seventy Eight Degrees East Sixty perches North East forty two perches South fory nine degrees and thirty minutes East Sixty seven perches to the end of Forty one perches and a half perch on the Seventh line of the saide Land then with it South twelve degrees East fifty Eight perches and a half perch South Eighty degrees west one hundred and seventy three perches to the third line of the Original then with it to the begining of Saide Line South Eighty two degrees west fifty two perches North thirty five degrees East Seventy four perches and then by a Straight line to the Begining Containing one hundred acres of Land more or less together with all the Buildings Improvements meadows waters priveliges and appurtenances thereto Belonging and all the right title Intrust use properly claims and Demand of in on to the said Land and Premises Revision and Reversions Remainders rents Houses and profits thereof and of every part of parcel thereof to Have and To Hold the saide parcel of Land and Premises with the appurtenances unto him the said Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns forever and to his or theirs only use and behoof and the said Henry Rub for himself and his heirs doth hereby Covenant and Agree to and with the saide Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns that he the saide Henry Rub and his heirs the aforesaid parcel of Land and Promises with the appurtenances to him the saide Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns forever sall and will warant and defend by these against al person or persons claiming or which may hereafter claim by from or under him the saide Henry Rub or his heirs or by these means or procurement In Witness whereof the said Henry Rub Hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written. Henry his x mark Rub
Signed Sealed and delivered in the presents of us R. Winchester
Baltimore County (to witt)
On the day of the date hereof came Henry Rub Party to the within Deed Before us the subscribers two of the Justices of the peace for said County and acknowledged the within Instrument of writing to be his act and Deed and the Land and Premises therein mentioned to be the Right and Estate of the within named Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns forever according to the true Intent and meaning thereof at the same time Catherine the wife of the said Henry Rub and being by Privately Examined from apart and out of the hearing of her said husband did relinquish her right of Dower in and to the within described Land & premises and acknowledged it to be the right of the within named Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns forever and that she did of her own free will and voluntary will without threats or fear of ill usage from her said husband April 23rd 1793 acknowledged before
R. Winchester Joshua Lemmon
Received to be recorded the 14th day of May 1793 same day recorded a& examined.
W Gibson clk
[Transcription by Cathy Meder-Dempsey, 12 March 2016]
This would be the last record of Catherine and Henry RUPE in Baltimore County before they left Maryland to migrate to Virginia. This was not, however, the last record they produced in Baltimore County as will be seen in the next part of their story.
Sources:
[1] C. T. Zahn and Frederick S. Weiser, translators and editors, Maryland German Church Records Volume 10, subtitle: Zion Church “The German Church”, Manchester, Carroll County — today Trinity United Church of Christ Records, 1760-1836 and Immanuel Lutheran Church Records, 1760-1853 (published by the Historical Society of Carroll County, Westminster, Maryland).
[2] Wentz, Abdel Ross, History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Maryland of the United Lutheran church in America, 1820-1920, published 1920, pg. 361. (https://ia801400.us.archive.org/0/items/historyofevangel00wentiala/historyofevangel00wentiala.pdf : accessed 12 March 2016)
[3] MDLandRec, A Digital Image Retrieval System for Land Records & Indices for Baltimore County, (https://mdlandrec.net : accessed March 2016)
© 2016, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.
Share this:
Opening Doors in Brick Walls 
I like your writing style, the incorporation of historical facts that accompany your research, as well as personalizing the life events. It brings your family history to life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kendra. I try to make it interesting while sticking to the facts in hopes that family members will be captivated and become more involved. Wishful thinking. 🙂
LikeLike
Those Baltimore records are so so clear! The image is great and the handwriting is lovely. Lucky girl!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The clear images made it so much easier to transcribe the records. I am lucky to have had ancestors in Maryland, if only for a short time. The Maryland State Archives site is amazing. Thank you Amberly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What incredible records! It’s amazing what you’ve been able to find. But why would they not name the mother on the baptism record? Just a sign of the times? Was that common church practice everywhere?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think it was common practice. The original records are not online. They were in German and have been transcribed and translated to English. This collection is online on ancestry.com. They were done before the computer age and are typewritten copies. I have the book published by the Historical Society of Carroll County and have been comparing it with the typewritten copy. There is a note in the book that some entries may have been made by the schoolmasters. Perhaps he did not include as much information as the clergy. Thank you Amy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your discussion of feminine ending of surnames, e.g. née Nollin, enlightened me. I have learned a lot through your blog. I did find the following Wikipedia entry:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsche_Familiennamen#Weibliche_Endung
LikeLike
I’m glad you were able to learn something from my blog. Thank you for the link, James.
LikeLike