52 Ancestors: #10 The SCHMITT Family of Kalberger Hof

Kalberger Hof

Kalberger Hof is a farm just 1 kilometer northwest of Erlenbach near Hetzerath in Germany. On the map below, it’s location is marked with a little house icon in a green circle. This is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Echternach where I live.

The farm was first mentioned in documents in 1409 when Heinrich Muil von der Neuerburg, declared he had signed over to his wife Metzen an annual pension of 50 florins on half of the villages of Zemmer, Gransdorf, and Rodenerden, the estate of Kallberg, and other estates belonging to the Abbey of Echternach. Lease agreements for the years 1533 and 1541 and 1547 document the farm’s ownership and administrators. After the death of Jakob von Rheineck in 1541 the farm went to his son-in-law Johann von Warsberg.

Until the middle of the 17th century, Kalberg consisted of one household. Towards the end of the 17th century, the farm was apparently divided and a second farm, Emmerichs Hof, was established. Three generations of the SCHMITT family leased Kalberger Hof over a period of nearly 100 years.

Kalberger Hof, photo courtesy of Thomas Eifel, used with permission.

Philipp SCHMITT, the father of Friedrich (featured later in this post), administered the Kalberger Hof from 1748 until his death. In 1769, Johann SCHMITT, his oldest son, was given the stock of the Kalberger Hof and the Emmerichs Hof to manage for nine years. Philipp died in 1783; his son Johann died six years later. The widow Appolonia MATHES (or MATTES) administered the farm from 1789 until 1796. Her son Friedrich SCHMITT, the then oldest living son, took over the farm in 1796 until his death in 1829. After his death, Kalberger Hof continued to be managed by his widow, Maria Elisabeth PLEIN, and their oldest son. In 1842 Nikolaus SCHMITT and his mother, the widow of Friederich SCHMITT, paid taxes to the parish. The charges were calculated in bushels and pecks, in old fruit dimensions for cereals and potatoes, and in hundredweight and pounds for straw. The level of these charges was calculated from the total tax revenues of individual persons. In 1855 the Kalberger Hof had one residential building and 15 inhabitants. In the years 1845-1848, the present house and the stable were built.

From 1844 to 1917 there is a gap in the list of names of the persons who were managing Kalberger Hof per the research of Thomas Eifel seen under Kalberger Hof on his website Heckenmünster. On 30 July 2011 I received permission from Mr. Eifel to include his article (in German) with source citation on the farm in my database. I would not have been able to write the history of Kalberger Hof during the time the SCHMITT family managed it without his research.

The SCHMITT-PLEIN Family

Philipp SCHMITT and his wife Appolonia MATTES were my children’s 6th great-grandparents. My children descend from the second son Friedrich featured here with his wife and children.

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Fridericus “Friederich” SCHMITT
Parents:  Philipp SCHMITT and Appolonia MATTES
Spouse: Maria Elisabeth PLEIN
Parents of spouse: Matthias PLEIN and Margaretha VALERIUS
Whereabouts: Kalberger Hof, Diesburgerhof, Osweiler, Echternach
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: husband’s 4th great-grandparents

2. Fridericus “Friederich” SCHMITT and Maria Elisabeth PLEIN
2. Nicolaus “Nicolas” SCHMITT
3. Catharina SCHMITT
4. Johannes “Johann” “Jean” SCHWARTZ
5. Catharina “Catherine” “Ketty” “Ged” SCHWARTZ
6. Marcel Mathias MEDER
7. husband of Cathy Meder-Dempsey

Friedrich “Fridericus” SCHMITT was born[1],[2],[3],[4],[5] about 19 June 1761 on Kalberger Hof, Burgermeisterei Heidweiler, Kreis Wittlich, Preußen (Germany). The son of Philipp SCHMITT and Appolonia MATTES was baptized[6] the same day in Heidweiler, the closest (parish) town to the farm his parents managed. He died[1],[2],[7],[8] on 5 March 1829 on Kalberger Hof.

Friedrich married[1],[2],[3],[9], [10], [11] Maria Elisabeth PLEIN, daughter of Matthias PLEIN and Margaretha VALERIUS, on 8 June 1790 in Heidweiler. Maria was born[1],[2],[3],[12] on 2 November 1766 in Niersbach (Bernkastel-Wittlich, Germany). She was baptized[13] the same day in Arrenrath. Her godparents were Maria Elis. WEBER and Nik. HEGENER from Niersbach. She died[1],[2],[3],[14] on 22 January 1845 on Kalberger Hof.

Friedrich and Maria had the following children:

1. Appolonia was born[15] about 8 July 1791 on Kalberger Hof. She was baptized[16] on 8 July 1791 in Heidweiler. She married[15] ,[17] Johann THIELEN on 4 February 1812 in Hetzerath (Wittlich, Germany).
2. Nicolaus was born about 28 April 1793 on Kalberger Hof. He was baptized[18] on 28 April 1793 in Heidweiler. It is possible this child died before 12 July 1795 when the next son was born and named Nicolaus at baptism.
3. Nicolaus “Nicolas” was born[2],[15],[19] on 11 July 1795 on Kalberger Hof. He was baptized[18] on 12 July 1795 in Heidweiler. He died[15],[21],[22],[23] on 17 October 1852 on Kalberger Hof. Nicolaus was seen on a tax list in 1842 on Kalberger Hof as seen in the narrative below. He married[15],[19],[24] Anna Maria “Marianna” WOLLSCHEID, daughter of Jacobus “Jacobi” WOLLSCHEID and Catharine BARTHELMES, on 17 January 1827 in Longuich (Trier-Saarburg). Anna was born[19] on 24 December 1800 in Kirsch (Longuich). She was baptized[25] on 25 December 1800 in Longuich. She died[22],[23],[26] on 3 November 1857 in Osweiler (Rosport, Luxembourg). Nicolas and Anna Maria were my children’s 4th great-grandparents.
4. Anna Margaretha was born[15] about 20 October 1798 on Kalberger Hof. She was baptized[27] on 20 October 1798 in Heidweiler. She married[15] Christophorus “Christof” LOOS (1803-1850), son of Jakob LOHR and Margaretha SCHUSTER, on 2 February 1826 in Salmrohr (Germany).
5. Catharina was born[15] about 17 May 1801 on Kalberger Hof. She was baptized[28] on 17 May 1801 in Heidweiler. She married[15] Jacob KREMER on 9 July 1830 in Heidweiler.
6. Anna was born[15] about 12 December 1803 on Kalberger Hof. She was baptized[29] on 12 December 1803 in Heidweiler.
7. Elisabetha was born[15] about 14 October 1807 on Kalberger Hof. She was baptized[30] on 14 October 1807 in Heidweiler. She married[15] Heinrich BRAND on 28 February 1832 in Dudeldorf.
8. Maria was born[15] on 25 November 1809 on Kalberger Hof. She died[15] two days later, on 27 November 1809, on Kalberger Hof.

Maria Elisabeth PLEIN died in 1845. Friedrich, who died in 1829, and Maria Elisabeth’s daughters Appolonia, Anna Margaretha, Catharina, and Elisabetha married and left the family farm. Nikolaus, the only known son to have lived to adulthood, remained on the farm until his death in 1852. His widow Anna Maria WOLLSCHEID moved to the Diesburger Hof (Ferschweiler) before January 1855 and then to Osweiler before December 1855 where she lived with her daughter Catharina and son-in-law Johann SCHWARTZ until her death in November 1857.

 

Sources:
1          Richard Schaffner, Familienbuch der Pfarrei St. Alexius Arenrath und Niersbach etwa 1658-1905, 2006-2008, page 207, family 1056. Schmitt-Plein family.
2          Armin Giebel, Ortsfamilienbuch des StA Longuich bis Okt. 1931 (June 2013), page 1799, family 8740. Schmitt-Plein family.
3          Albert Schwickert, Familienbuch Heidweiler 1709-1805 Orte: Dodenburg Greverath Münster (heute: Heckenmünster) Heidweiler, 1994, pages 523-524. Book viewed and pages photographed in Archiv Peter Daus (Wittlich) on 4 May 2013. Mathias Plein and Magaretha Valerius family.
4          Ibid., page 586. Friedrich Schmitz and Maria Elisabeth Plein family; KB 2/2.
5          Ibid., page [unknown]. Philipp Schmitz and Apollonia Mattes entry; church register 2, page 2.
6          Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898 / Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898, (index), FamilySearch, FHL microfilm 846,155. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NX5H-D9Z : accessed 1 August 2015), Fridericus Schmitz, baptized 19 Jun 1761, father Philippi Schmitz, mother Appollonia; citing Catholic records of Heidweiler, Rheinland, Prussia.
7          Familienbuch Heidweiler, page 586. Friedrich Schmitz and Maria Elisabeth Plein family; Civil register 1829, record 20.
8          Ibid., page [unknown]. Philipp Schmitz and Apollonia Mattes entry; civil register 1829, record 20.
9          Germany Marriages, 1558-1929, FHL microfilm 849,155. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JHVR-KPF : accessed 26 December 2014), Fridericus Schmitz and Elisabetha Plein, 08 Jun 1790; citing Katholisch, Heidweiler, Rheinland, Prussia.
10         Familienbuch Heidweiler, page [unknown]. Philipp Schmitz and Apollonia Mattes entry; church register 2, page 133.
11         Ibid., page 586. Friedrich Schmitz and Maria Elisabeth Plein family; Church Register 2/133.
12         Ibid., page 586. Friedrich Schmitz and Maria Elisabeth Plein family; Arenrath Church Book 3, page 109.
13         Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898, FHL microfilm 849,147. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VH9L-XWV : accessed 1 August 2015), Maria Elisabetha Plein, baptized 02 Nov 1766, father Mathias Plein, mother Margarita; citing Roman Catholic records of Arrenrath, Rheinland, Prussia.
14         Familienbuch Heidweiler, page 586. Friedrich Schmitz and Maria Elisabeth Plein family; Civil Register Heidweiler 3/1845.
15         Ibid., page 586. Friedrich Schmitz and Maria Elisabeth Plein family.
16         Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898, FHL microfilm 585,850. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKDV-DL6 : accessed 1 August 2015), Apolloniae Schmitz, baptized 8 Jul 1791, father Friderici Schmitz, mother Elisabethae; citing Catholic records of Heidweiler, Rheinland.
17         Germany Marriages 1558-1929, FHL microfilm 584,862. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JHH7-47F : accessed 1 August 2015), Joannem Thielen and Apollonia Schmit, married 04 Feb 1812; citing Katholisch, Hetzerath Wittlich, Rheinland, Prussia.
18         Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898, FHL microfilm 585,850. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N6SN-GP1 : accessed 1 August 2015), Nicolaus Schmit, baptized 28 Apr 1793, father Friderici Schmit, mother Elisabethae; citing Catholic records of Heidweiler, Rheinland.
19         Familienbuch Longuich, page 1812, family 8792. Nikolaus Schmitt and Marianna Wollscheid.
20         Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898, FHL microfilm 846,155. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NTXK-T6X : accessed 1 August 2015), Nicolaus Schmid, baptized 12 Jul 1795, father Friderici Schmid, mother Elisabetha Plein; citing Catholic records of Heidweiler, Rheinland.
21         Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Rosport > Naissances 1889-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1853 > image 643 of 1410. 1855 Marriage Record No. 2. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11613-10947-44?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-L6L:n1038283664 : accessed 02 Apr 2013).
22         Luxembourg Civil Records, Echternach > Mariages 1809 > image 1067 of 1462. 1860 Marriage Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11670-167828-84?cc=1709358&wc=9RYS-C68:129623201,129776101 : accessed 28 July 2011).
23         Luxembourg Civil Records, Echternach > Mariages 1809 > image 1154 of 1462. 1866 Marriage Record No. 2. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11670-166074-78?cc=1709358&wc=9RYS-C68:129623201,129776101 : accessed 28 July 2011).
24         Germany Marriages 1558-1929, FHL microfilm 469,141. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J4FC-TYK : accessed 1 August 2015), Nicolaus Schmidt and Maria Anna Wolschett, married 17 Jan 1827, parents of groom Friderici Schmidt and Elisabethae Plein, parents of bride Jacobi Wolschett and Catharinae Barthelmaes; citing Longuich, Rheinland, Preußen, Germany.
25         Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898, FHL microfilm 469,141. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NC1V-N84 : accessed 28 July 2015), Maria Anna Wolschett, baptized 25 Dec 1800, father Jacobi Wolschett, mother Catharinae Barthelmaes; citing Longuich, Rheinland, Preußen, Germany.
26         Luxembourg Civil Records, Rosport > Décès 1853-1891 > image 52 of 510. 1857 Death Record No. 24. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11627-97505-85?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-L62:1818144340 : accessed 05 Apr 2013).
27         Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898, FHL microfilm 584,863. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N6SR-66X : accessed 1 August 2015), Anna Margaretha Schmitz, baptized 20 Oct 1798, father Friderici Schmitz, mother Elisabethae Plein; citing Catholic records of Heidweiler, Rheinland.
28         Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N6SR-63X : accessed 1 August 2015), Catharina Schmiz, baptized 17 May 1801, father Friderici Schmiz, mother Elisabethae Plein; citing Catholic records of Heidweiler, Rheinland.
29         Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NPN7-Q2L : accessed 1 August 2015), Anna Schmiz, baptized 12 Dec 1803, father Friderici Schmiz, mother Elisabethae Plein; citing Catholic records of Heidweiler, Rheinland.
30         Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKDG-G3X : accessed 1 August 2015), Elisabetha Schmit, baptized 14 Oct 1807, father Friderici Schmit, mother Elisabethae Plein; citing Catholic records of Heidweiler, Rheinland.

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