This Biedler newsletter is from:
Son of Abraham Beidler/Beydler of Strasbury Toms Brook, Virginia, Grandson of Christian Beidler of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania who entered the United States in 1732 at Philadelphia on the ship SAMUEL.
| CORRECTED VERSION II | ||
| Vol. 1 No. 1 | PO Box 161, Vienna, VA 22183-0161 | 28 February 1994 |
Hello Cousins, far & near! My name is Elizabeth Karen Biedler Alexander and this first issue of The Biedlers of Virginia represents a dream come true. I was born a Biedler, and lately I've been feeling as though I was also born just to write this family history! I have found that genealogy is almost as compulsive as quilting, once I get started.
If you have never visited Page County, Rockingham County, Luray, Stanley, New Market, Strasburg, Timberville, etc., you have missed one of the natural beauties of this wondrous land of ours. I don't care what time of the year it is. Whether it's fall, when everything is a blaze of color, or earliest spring when the trees are barely in bud and the mists nestle in every nook and hollow, the Valley is enchanting.
Do I write about the history of the settling of the Valley?.... Do I start with our earliest Biedler ancestors? ... Or bring you up to date on the latest "still among the living" that I have come across? I will probably do a smattering of all of the above, all in this first issue.
How often will I write and mail an issue to you? That will depend a lot upon my readers. If I have an eager response to this letter, it will inspire me to write more regularly. So let me know what you think of this first issue.
I also welcome contributions from others who may wish to write for future issues. If you just want to give it to me in a raw form, and let me re-write it for the newsletter, that is fine, too. I will also quote from your letters from time to time, unless you specify that you do not want certain information quoted.
This newsletter is a labor of love. I will send it to all on my list for the time being. However, some have already asked if they can help with the costs. I'll not complain. Once know how many want to continue to receive the newsletter regularly, I will just charge for my costs. (For now, a book of stamps would greatly help, but no one has to contribute.)
In 1977, at the estate auction of the old Morgan Biedler Homeplace near Luray, Virginia, my father (John Samuel Biedler, Sr., grandson of Samuel Milton Biedler & great grandson of Morgan Biedler) ran into another great grandson from the Morgan Biedler division (bear with me as I explain all these many ancestors and their complicated relationships). His name was Claude Harman Smith [henceforth CHS]. Claude was from the Henry Wise/Annie Laura [Kite] Biedler Line. Sam's and Claude's grandfathers were half-brothers.
Unfortunately Claude passed away within a few months of meeting my father. However, Claude gave Dad a copy of a Biedler family history he had begun in the 1930's. Without this document I would have had a much harder time finding most of you with whom I am now corresponding. I owe a great debt to Claude for making my work so much easier. He was able to interview a generation that was no longer living by the time I began my research. Although Claude never published his research he apparently did pass it out whenever he would run into a Biedler, like his encounter with my father.
Unfortunately, the questions is a little more complicated than that. Do you mean our earliest ancestors in Page County? in Virginia? or in the United States?
I will answer all three questions eventually, but perhaps it would be simplest to begin with our earliest Biedlers in the United States. But first allow me a digression.
Lucille Harney's book (Beidler Families of Pennsylvania, $20 to 8735 Brook Road, McLean, VA 22102) is my source for the documentation for our earliest ancestor. How I came across this book is syncronicity, like so many of my discoveries. I have yet to make any major finds as a matter of simple library research. (But that kind of work is about to begin as I take a semester off from school to do more in-depth genealogy research work.) Most of my "finds" have come about as a result of networking, calling telephone information in a given city and asking if there are any Biedlers listed, etc.
I also became a member of the Page County Genealogy Society when it was founded in 1989. If you are at all interested in the history of Page County or family genealogy, spend the few dollars and get all their back issues. You can join by sending a check for $10 to GSPC, P.O. Box 734, Luray, VA 22835. Ask for their publications list at the same time. They publish some marvelous historical records.
Another great source of information about old homes is "WPA Historical Inventory of Page County" published by the GSPC in 1991. The information collected by the WPA during the depression preserved history and facts about these hold homes that might otherwise have never been retained.
If you are visiting Luray, you will find the GSPC at 100 Zirkle Street, but you must use the PO Box for their mailing address or, I have been told, the Post Office will return your mail.
Two excellent books available through Page Co Heritage Society, are: A Short History of Page County by Strickler $36.50; Old Homes of Page County by Kerkoff $25. Kerkoff's book features the Ulrich Biedler home plus several related families that married into the Biedler line, such as Keyser and Ruffner.
Also available are Page County of Plenty by Bicentennial Commission $5.00; and Landmarks of Page County by the Heritage Association (pamphlet) $2.00. All Heritage book orders MUST be sent to Mrs. Brenda Beahm, 45 Cave Street, Luray, VA 22835. Please add $2.50 per book for postage and handling. They asked me to please request that you not get the two society's mail mixed up. They are two different organizations.
The Heritage Society also has The German Element, and 25 Chapters of Shenandoah Valley by Wayland. In addition, they have The 7th Virginia Cavalry, The 10th Virginia Infantry, and The 33rd Virginia Infantry available, each for $19.95. They are in the process of reprinting Massanutten. You might write and ask for a complete listing of the books and materials they have available.
Lucille Harney's book, as 1, mentioned earlier, has been the source of most of my information on Christian Beidler, as well as my correspondence with Wilbur Hansom Kalb of Warminister, PA. Mr. Kalb found my name and address listed in the Genealogy Search book at the Luray Library, and began a correspondence with me about three years ago. His help has been invaluable.
1. Christian Beidler, (Bydler), d. between 5 Feb. and 11 March 1767, Rap Township, Lancaster Co., PA. Arrived 11, Aug. 1732 on the ship "Samuel" (see ref: 72, 84, 87, 93, 94, 95 from the Lucille Harney's Beidler Families of Pennsylvania on the last page of this newsletter). Raised his family of 10 in Pennsylvania. No documented proof as to which Beidler's in Pennsylvania might have been Christian's brothers and sisters or aunts, uncles and cousins, but there are plenty there in the early days to research.
Christian Beidler may have been the Mennonite miller from Otterburg in the Palatinate (an area now in West Germany). On page 24 of Palatine Mennonite Census Lists, 1664-1743, a Christian Beutler was listed on the Oberamt Lautern census of Mennonites, dated 13 July 1724. At that time, he was running a new grist and oil mill outside Otterberg but he had to pay 3 Malter grain to the Otterberg estate for rent. In the next Mennonite census, in 1738, Christian was gone, replaced by a Jacob Beutler/Beidler.
Meanwhile, a Christian Beudler/Beydler arrived in Philadelphia aboard the ship Samuel 11 Aug 1732. There is no "absolute" proof that the Christian Beutler of Otterberg and the Christian Beidler of Ralpho Township are one in the same, but the dates fit.
Wilbur Kalb writes me that "the Michael Koffman who witnessed Christian Beidler's 1767 will was the brother of my ancestor, "Hawksbill" Martin Kauffman of Page Co., a known Mennonite minister. He signed, along with Henrich Brumbaugh and Abraham Beydler, the 1785 petition for the relief from war taxes in consideration of the people's religious opposition to the war. This petition described the signers as "Members of the Meonist Church [sic]..and their religions Brethren."
Mr. Kalb further writes, "A history, of Otterberg does exist, and I've seen it. However, as far as I could see, Gerald Kaller, the author, wasn't interested in chronicling the Mennonites for posterity, so just about the only mention of Christian's mill is found in the introduction, where the mill is called "Beutlersmuhle." In any case, the history, Geshichte von KIoster und Stadt Otterburg (History of the Cloister and City of Otterberg) stopped at the end of the Thirty Years War, but there may be a sequel. However I haven't seen that one yet. By the way the squirrels you see on the coat of arms were chosen because of the town's name, which is medieval German for 'squirrel mountain'."
Married: 1st - Susanna --??
2nd - Catherine-- (possibly -- Kauffman)
| 1.1. | Abraham Beidler, b. ca 1737 |
| 1.2. | Susanna Beidler, b. ca 1740, m. Henry Musser (unconfirmed) |
| 1.3. | Mary Beidler, b. ca 1742 |
| 1.4. | Magdelena Beidler, b. ca 1746; m. Fredrick Berg who d. ca 1794 (the Berg marriage is unconfirmed. There is some question that she may be the Magdelena Beidler that married George Rothgeb whose daughter Elizabeth married a Brumbach.) |
| 1.5. | Barbara Beidler, b. ca 1748 |
| 1.6. | Salome Beidler, b. ca 1750 |
| 1.7. | Elizabeth Beidler, b. ca 1754 |
| 1.8. | Catherine Beidler, b. ca 1758 |
| 1.9. | Jacob Beidler, b. 6 Nov 1760; d. 24 Nov 1833 (see Harney 2nd Edition, p.50, 51, 53, 55-58 for descendants. [Lt. Col Betty Jo (Workman) Wilson, Ret., of San Antonio, TX with whom I have corresponded, is a descendant of this line.] |
| 1.10. | Maria Ester Beidler, b. 29 July 1763 (96); will proved 9 Oct 1804 (97); m. Andrew Berg; d. ca 19 July 1796 (unconfirmed). |
1.1. Abraham Beidler, b. ca 1737
Went to Shenandoah County, VA from Lancaster Co. PA ca 1782 (see Harney. ref. 156); [ KBA Note: I think he arrived well before 1782 but I as yet have no factual paper to prove it]. In the Toms Brook/Strasburg area of Virginia his name was usually spelled BEYDLER; will written April 1807; will proved 9 April 1810 (Harney ref. 98) (also Will Book #G 1806-1810, p.446448, Woodstock, Shenandoah County, VA).
[KBA Note: Abraham's will states that Susanna is a minor of 14 at his death. Assuming Abraham was born ca 1737 and assuming he moved to Tom Brook area ca 1782, he would have been 45 at the time of the move. Since his will was written 1807 and proved 18 JO, we can also assume he was about 70 when he died. ]
Married: Barbara Hackman, b. Lancaster Co., PA; dau of Ulrich Hackrnan/Hockman who d. Lancaster Co. ca 1794 (Harney ref. 99); Ulrich Hackman/Hockman's will proved 18 April 1797. [KBA Note: I question that this was Abraham's only wife because of the vast age difference between first and last child.
Since we do not have the birth dates of all of Abraham's children, we are using the order of their mention in Abraham's will as our official "order" of his children for the time being. In the Strasburg area the name is spelled both Beidler and Beydler. Abraham's children listed in order of their mention in his will:
| 1.1.1 | Jacob Beidler, probably b. in PA; m. Margaret Bonser 13 Dec 1800 (100) (KBA Note: Roger Lee Beydler of Strasburg, VA helped me locate Abraham's will at the County Court House. Roger Beydler has researched at least two of Jacob Beydler's lines quite well . If you would like a copy you could probably get it for the cost of xeroxing and mailing. Write to him at 202 Crawford St., Strasburg, VA 22657. |
| 1.1.2 | Abraham Beidler, probably b. in PA; m. 1st - Ann Funkhouser on 15 April 1799; m. 2nd - Dorothy Funkhouser (widow) 16 May 1829 (Harney ref. 100) |
| 1.1.3 | Ulrich Biedler, b. 25 Nov 1779 (KBANote: CHS used the Huddle book to verify this birthdate. I have yet to verify it in any other source.); d. 7 Jan 1847; m. 27 Mar 1801 Barbara (Huddle/ Hottel) Varner (Werner) b. 29 Jan 1777 Luray, Page Co., VA; d. 2 Sept 1860 (Huddle, p.66). This is our family line. You can learn more about Barbara [Hottel] Varner's line in the extensive Huddle book, Descendants of John Huddle. [To obtain a copy or join their genealogical society, contact Rev. Dr. B. Paul Huddle, 5901 Mount Eagle Drive, #314, Alexandria, VA 22303] |
| 1.1.4 | Elizabeth Beidler, m. David Craybill |
| 1.1.5 | Barbara Beidler, m. George Fisher |
| 1.1.6 | Catherine Beidler, b. ca 1766 (?); m. Henry Hockman on 24 Oct 1786 at 1st Reformed Church, Lancaster, PA (101) 1.1.6.1 Henry Hockman Jr. 1.1.6.2 Abraham Hockman 1.1.6.3 Benjamin Hockman |
| 1.1.7 | Mary Beidler, b. ca 1763 probably in PA; m. Daniel Hottle (Harney p.52; Huddle p.236 etc.). Daniel Huddle/Hottel was the uncle of Barbara Varner who married Ulrich Biedler. He was born near Toms Brook, VA ca 1763; d. about 1823; m. 2 Apr 1786. His father by will devised to Daniel a tract of land containing 201 acres lying on the north side of Saumsville, VA which he sold to two parties, 13 June and 19 Sept 1814, and that same year moved to Fairfield Co., OH, settling near Bremen on a farm in Rush Creek Twp. |
| 1.1.8 | Susanna Beidler b. ca 1790. Abraham left her a large chest in his will. Will also states she is due her portion of the inheritance from the estate of her Grandfather Ulrich Hockman of Pennsylvania. |
[KBA Note: Age range is 31 years between Abraham's first and last child, Mary and Susanna. Again one can't help but speculate, but I have come across nothing in writing yet to verify this speculation.]
I shall concentrate on Ulrich Biedler of Page County at this time.
Because we do not have the birth dates of all of Abraham's children, I am not certain of the exact birth order within Abraham's family, so I am assigning Ulrich position #3 because he is the third son listed in Abraham's will.
[Notice the order on the cover sheet you received listing your exact lineage back to Ulrich, Abraham, and Christian. That cover sheet should help you more easily understand the Family Code system.]
In deference to the one who started me on this genealogical journey, I will quote from Claude Harman Smith's own introduction to his version of the family history, and I quote:
Claude Harman Smith's Introduction
This is an outline of the descendants of Ulrich Biedler [KBA Note: one of eight now known children of Abraham Beydler/Buydler of Toms Brook, Shenandoah County, VA. Claude never knew the names of Ulrich's siblings]. It also brings information on the ancestry of families related by marriage to the Biedlers. While there have been many family histories published on the German settlers of Virginia, there have been none, so far as this writer could discover, on the Biedler family. During many years of intermittent research, many references to individual members of the family have been found in local and families histories. The most extensive entry appears in the history of the Hottel family written by Rev. & Mrs. (Lula May) W. D. Huddle of WestervilIe, Ohio, History of the Descendants of John Hottel. [To obtain a copy or join their genealogical society, contact Rev. Dr. B. Paul Huddle, 5901 Mount Eagle Drive, #314, Alexandria, VA 22303]
Huddle's book includes those Biedlers who descended from Ulrich Biedler, because Ulrich's wife (Barbara [Varner] Biedler) was a Hottel descendant through her mother, Barbara [Hottel] Varner, wife of Philip Varner. However, Huddle's work does not contain the history of Abraham Beydler and his father, Christian Beidler. But Huddle's work was a great starting place for CHS's history.
The Huddle family is about to republish this book. The updated work will be in four volumes. I just recently learned of this from Roger Lee Beydler of Strasburg, VA.
The deadline for updating our family line is December 31, 1993. They request that we use their special forms to help standardize the information, thus making it easier for the word processing person to enter. If you would like to make sure your family's information is included, you may fill out the enclosed Huddle form and mail it by Dec. 31, 1993. Maybe they'll give us some leniency since we just learned about it.
In any research of the German settlers it is essential to be alert to variations in spelling of the name. Both in Rupp's list and in the Captains' lists ["Pennsylvania German Pioneers" by the Pennsylvania German Society, Norristown, PA. 1934], in three volumes. The names were frequently if not usually spelled phonetically since the Germans spoke no English and clerks and captains no German. Thus in the Captain's list appears "Jan Badler" while in the Oath of Allegiance this emigrant signed his name "Johannes Beydler." Similarly in the court records in Virginia there are found many spelling variations of the same name. Thus far the writer has identified the following spellings, all relating to our Biedler ancestors:
| Beydeler | Beitler | Piedler |
| Biedler | Beydler | Peidler |
| Beidler | Buydler | Pidelyr |
| Bidler | Pidler |
In the case of a single ancestor, Ulrich Biedler, in the Page County Deed and Will Books we find (DB=Deed Book):
[Note: His will is signed "Ulrick Biedler" (WB-C-141). Ulrich and Barbara [Varner Biedler; as well as their daughter, Lydia Biedler (and her husband, Mark Ruffner) are all buried on the Milton Biedler Homeplace. Mr. Bernard Spitler's family has owned the old Milton Biedler farm since 1884.]
In pronouncing and spelling the name Biedler we find the initial letters "B" and "P" used interchangeably. In researching the German families of the Shenandoah Valley, it must be remembered that at the time of settlement and for many years afterwards the Germans adhered to their German language. The court officials used English and the records were kept in English. William Staige Marye wrote that he removed from Culpeper to the Shenandoah in 1794 and that "nothing was spoken in this part of the country but the German language."
In Stricker's book, Page Valley, pg. 95, we find: "P and B were used interchangeably, also D and T. When this writer was a boy he often heard Biedler pronounced Piedler."
Before going on with the CHS history, let me explain the system of numbering he uses. Please refer to your own Family Lineal Cover Sheet which I have enclosed with this newsletter. I think it will help you better understand this next part. The system can seem quite confusing upon first glance, but I am hoping the cover sheet will help. I have continued with CHS's system for the time being here.
The first known ancestor is "1," and each of his children is numbered by adding a single digit, in the order of birth when known. (Look back at Christian's list to see how it is demonstrated in this newsletter.)
This is repeated for each generation. Thus every child carries the full number of his/her parent plus one more digit to indicate the child's order of birth. The number of digits clearly show the generation.
Numbering begins with Christian 1. and Abraham 1.1. and Ulrich 1.1.3. (Spouse of same will be so indicated by adding a after the number). I may eventually drop reference to the first three patriarchs' individual numbers for the sake of space, for the numbering becomes quite long and cumbersome, but for the time being, you will see a 1.1.3. before each of the ancestors on your cover sheet.
To illustrate the system I will use my Family Code: Elizabeth Karen [Biedler] Alexander, FC # 1.1.3.6.1.4.3.2.
Eight digits indicate that I am of the 8th generation since Christian and that my gr. gr. grandfather, Morgan Biedler, was the 6th child of Ulrich Biedler
In other words, my Cover Sheet Lineage would look as follows:
1. Christian Biedler
1.1 Abraham Biedler
1.1.3 Ulrich Biedler
1.1.3.6. Morgan Biedler
1.1.3.6.1. Samuel Milton Biedler
1.1.3.6.1.4 Daniel Lampton Biedler
1.1.3.6.1.4.3. John Samuel Biedler
1.1.3.6.1.4.3.2 Elizabeth Karen Biedler Alexander
Everyone thoroughly confused? There arc many different systems for keeping track of genealogy. For the time being I have stuck with CHS's system so that I can more easily reference his original work. [Notice on the genealogy forms I have enclosed with this issue of the newsletter that your personal CHS Code in this whole system is written down.]
Whew! And that's just for starters. But on to Ulrich's family and back to the CHS unpublished family history, and I quote:
Ulrich & Barbara [Varner] Biedler's children
| 3.1 | Polly Biedler, b. 29 Nov 1802 m. Paschal Graves, 1818. She had four children and died in 1829. (He remarried and had more children.) |
| 3.2 | Elizabeth Biedler, b. 3 July 1805 m. Daniel Flinn 1824 |
| 3.3 | Ann Biedler, b. 13 Aug 1807 m. Jacob Huffman 1824 |
| 3.4 | Rebecca Biedler, b. 1 June 1810 m. 1st-Abraham Graves 1825 m. 2nd-Thomas J. Allan |
| 3.5 | Lydia Biedler, b. 10 Nov 1812 m. Mark Ruffner 1830? (NOTE: CHS had him listed incorrectly as Martin Ruffner) |
| 3.6 | Morgan Biedler, b. 22 Jan 1815 m 1st Elizabeth Stover 1837 2nd-Mary Ann Yowell 1847 |
| 3.7 | Ambrose Milton Biedler, b. 10 Mar 1817 m. Sarah A. Keyser, dau of Noah and Anna (Roads) Keyser, 1825. |
| 3.8 | Martin Biedler, b. 11 Feb 1821 m. Mary Elizabeth Brumback 1847 |
A short review...
1.1.3. Ulrich Biedler (b. 25 Nov 1779; d. 7
Jan 1847) is said to be one of three sons of
Abraham and Barbara Hackman (Hockman)
Biedler was (Huddle p. 66)may have been horn
in Lancaster Co. PA or Shenandoah Co., VA.
No proof yet of birthplace.
His mother hasn't been proven for certain either. As I mentioned at least once before, there is a tremendous discrepancy in age between Ulrich's oldest sister and youngest sister. One can hardly believe they all had the same mother. I believe there were two wives but I have yet to uncover the name of the supposed first wife. Consequently, we can't assume that Barbara Hackman/Hockman is Ulrich's mother.
It has been generally assumed that Abraham Biedler didn't move from PA to VA until ca 1782. This date has yet to be substantiated with concrete proof also. If someone knows for certain where Ulrich was born, please contact me.
On 27 March 1801 Ulrich married Barbara, second child of Phillip and Barbara [Hottel] Varner, who was born 29 Jan 1777, near Luray, VA and d. 2 Sept 1860.
My father, John Samuel Biedler {Morgan Division 6.l.4.2.}, has the paper listing the articles of her estate and to whom they were sold upon her death in 1860.
According to Huddle: "This union was graced with eight children, all born on their farm near Luray. They were devout members of the Primitive Baptist Church, and many of their descendants adhere to the same faith. Tradition relates that the original name was 'Pidler,' until 1820, when, by family agreement, the name was changed to Biedler."
Barbara [Varner] Biedler's father, Phillip Varner "was of German stock, a substantial, industrious, pioneer family owning very large grants north and east of Luray, and lived where John S. Miller now resides (ca. 1934). They were the parents of seven children who reached maturity. Their descendants bear the name 'Varner'" (Huddle p.48).
Barbara [Hottel] Varner (mother of Barbara [Varner] Biedler) was the 3rd child of Charles Hottel, son of the immigrant John Hottel, whose descendants are legion. The Huddle work is very comprehensive. As mentioned earlier, Barbara [Hottel] Varner's brother, Daniel Hottel, married Ulrich Biedler's older sister, Mary Biedler, and moved to Fairfield Co., Ohio. That whole line is also extensively traced in the Huddle book.
Ulrich grew up in present day Shenandoah County, VA. Thus far the earliest we are able to place Ulrich in Page County is Strickler's statement in his book, Page Valley, that Emanuel Ruffner sold to Ulrich Biedler in 1805 the farm about seven miles south of Luray. Strickler continues:
"This is a beautiful old home and has been in possession of the Biedler family since Ulrich located here. The dwelling is surrounded by ancient locust trees and is appropriately called Locust Grove* ..the home is of log construction. (Strickler, Page, p.133).
[Details & photos of this house in the next issue. *Family members tell me the name is simply "The Locusts".]
Huddle states that all of Ulrich and Barbara Biedler's children were born on their farm near Luray. (Huddle p.66) However, if the oldest child was born in 1802, and they didn't acquire The Locusts until 1805, it would seem that the eldest two may or may not have been born in this house.
CHS states that the town of Luray was laid out in 1812 and consisted of 18 lots, which were sold between 21 Aug and 4 Sept 1812. Ulrich Biedler bought Lot No.13 for $80. (Strickler, Page, p. l00-l02). The first store in Luray was built by Ulrich Biedler on Lot 13 (Shoudelson's Store in 1947) (Strickler, Page, p.365). Ulrich Biedler was evidently a very successful farmer and businessman as attested by numerous acquisitions of property. These transactions and Ulrich's will are so extensive that they are set forth in CHS's appendix.
On U.S. Highway 340 almost exactly 5 miles south of the intersection of U.S. Hwy 211 and 340 in Luray, State Road 631 intersects 340 on the left. "The Locusts" lies to the east of 340 and south of 631. It is one of three places left by Ulrich Biedler to his three sons, Morgan, Ambrose Milton, and Martin. [I will share a newspaper article from the 1930's about these three brothers in a later issue of the newsletter. ]
From the book Old Homes of Page Co. Virginia by Jennie Kerkoff:
"Following the death of Ulrich, the farm was operated by his son, Martin Biedler. His wife was the former Mary Elizabeth Brumback. Martin Biedler operated the farm until his health failed, when he rented the farm to the late Benton Huffman. Martin Biedler then moved to Marksville, where he built a hotel and operated this until it was destroyed by fire. Martin them moved back to the farm and remained there until his death 6 June 1890. His 3rd son, Lester Lee Biedler (never married) took over the farm at that time" (pg. 92). [Jack Lee Cullers has inherited some of the ledger books belonging to Martin Biedler.]
My next source of information about this house comes from Kathleen Dorraugh, the current owner as of 1994.
"After the death of Lester Lee Biedler in 1946, a Mr. M. A. Zenobia of New Jersey purchased the farm. The farm was rented by Harry Atwood and his wife, the former Kathleen Huffman. Mr. Atwood operated the farm, which was one of the most productive farms in the Valley. After the death of Mr. Zenobia the farm was purchased by J. M. Grove. The Groves operated the farm while the Atwoods continued renting the house until they purchased it in 1970. The farm land is still owned by the Groves.
After Mr. Atwood's death in 1974 Kathleen remained at the house, where she had established a Rest Home for old folks in 1966. Kathleen remarried in 1976 to Charles Dorraugh. They did extensive remodeling to restore the beauty of this home. Mrs. Dorraugh closed her Rest Home in 1984, after her retirement. Her home was then opened for traveling guests to enjoy her Bed & Breakfast hospitality."
Mrs. Dorrough called her B&B the Hawksbill Retreat. When my father called his first family reunion ever to be held in the Valley in 1989, we all took turns staying there for one night just to be able to say we had slept in our gr gr gr grandfather's home. I'm an old sentimentalist some say, but I lay there in bed that night and talked to the walls of that house, trying to see back into the past at the family that once laughed and loved and lived there.
In writing this story for the newsletter I called Kathleen Dorrough only to learn that she closed her B&B in 1992 - a great disappointment for those who might wish to have stayed there as I did in 1989.
It is with great sorrow that I learned at the same time that Mrs. Dorrough lost her 17 year old granddaughter in a head-on car collision just a month ago at Thanksgiving. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to her on behalf of all the Biedlers.
It has been my great pleasure to have now visited and toured five of the old Biedler Homeplaces in the Shenandoah Valley. They arc the:
- Ulrich Biedler & Barbara Varner then Martin Biedler & Mary Elizabeth Brumback Farm: The Locusts
- Milton Biedler & Sarah Anna Keyser Farm: Page View
- Morgan Biedler & (1st) Elizabeth Stover (2nd) Mary Ann Yowell Farm
- Daniel Ulrich Biedler & Mary Ellen Rosenberger Farm: Springdale Manor
- Samuel Milton Biedler & Margaret Amanda Varner Homeplace. Samuel & Margaret were Varner 2nd cousins.
*The "Three M's," as they were sometimes called, were well known in Page Valley, Morgan, Milton, and Martin Biedler. [Daniel and Samuel above are both sons of Morgan and Elizabeth Stover.]
In addition to finally producing this newsletter, another one of my dreams is to plan a reunion to be held in Page or Rockingham County of all families related to Ulrich Biedler (as well as other descendants of Abraham Biedler that I have located in Strasburg).
I have been a meeting planner by profession for 10 years, so I will draw upon that experience. How many of you would be interested in such a gathering?
My two daughters, Sarah Charmaine Alexander and Lori Jo Alexander, will be graduating from the University of Virginia in June of '95. Since I was already going to plan an "immediate family" gathering for that once-in-a-life-time event (a double graduation!), I thought I might as well explore the possibility of holding a larger gathering as well, but a few days later. Are you interested?
I know of two other Ulrich Biedler descendants who have done genealogical research on the Biedlers, Lee Alexander Cain of Tucson, AZ (my 1st cousin whose interest in genealogy I "jump started", and who is now a real genealogy nut also), and John and Shelley Rice of San Antonio, TX from the Martin Biedler/Claude Virgil Smith Line, Shelly being the Biedler descendant in this case. (I hope to get them to write the stories of their adventure in the adoption of their twin daughters from Romania.)
Are there others of you who have done research on any part of the Biedlers or those who have married into the family? Please let us know!
I'll let you know some of the topics I am interested in. You let me know what you are interested in when you send in the forms.
The following questions reflect topics I'm particularly fond of:
(1) Does anyone have any old stories or first hand memories of quilting being done among their family members? Do some of you quilt today? Do you own old family quilts? Do you know who made them?
(2) What personal artifacts still exist from some of those old folks that have been handed down generation after generation that would lend color to our knowledge of the old folks?
One interesting bit of information I picked up visiting the old Milton Biedler Homeplace is the fact that the Spitler family who bought the place also acquired the piano Sarah Anna [Keyser] Biedler and her family use to play, as well as the beautifully carved coat rack and mirror-backed seat (all one piece of furniture).
I have also recently learned that Lester Lee Biedler's watch is still in the family. Edward Lee Biedler of Huntsville, TX, inherited the watches of both Lester Lee and that of his older brother, John Edward because he was named for both of them. They were his great uncles. Edward Lee's grandmother, Elizabeth Barbara Biedler, was the sister of Lester Lee. (I'll give you the sons and daughters of Martin Biedler in a future issue.)
Do you have Biedler family artifacts of your own with associated stories attached that we can document? Does anyone have old tools passed down through the generations? Were any of your ancestors cabinet maker?
(3) Did any of our ancestors keep diaries or journals? Does anyone have letters of correspondence? Civil War letters? Business records? Several of our ancestors did own businesses in Luray and elsewhere. I know that Jack Lee Cullers, another Martin Biedler descendant, has old ledger books from Martin Biedler's store. He also has a letter from a Biedler who owned a mine out West. Does anyone else have such ledgers or business papers that will help us fill in the story of our ancestors?
You might also be interested to learn that Jack Cullers has restored a small rental property near his home outside Luray, VA and furnished it with lovely antiques. It will sleep six. He begins renting it in spring of 1994. If you are planning to visit the Valley, you might consider his lovely place instead of a motel. You can contact Jack at 703-743-3834.
I have already come across several Beidlers that are not related to us through Ulrich, but they could be related to us through Abraham or Christian. To make a long story short, I will write about any Biedlers I come across (no matter what the spelling of their name!) so that others working on other Beidler or related families may possibly use my discoveries, even if I can't myself at this time. Watch for the story about Paul Henry Beidler, a retired archeologist from the University of Pennsylvania in a future issue.
I will feature an obituary from time to time that will give those related to the individual some clues to go on for their own documentation. My two Great-Aunts, Mrs. Willard/Lena [Biedler] Huffman and Miss Annie Biedler, lived in the Samuel Milton Biedler Homeplace all their lives, and left us boxes of every shape and size full of newspaper clippings, and other fascinating bits of history that I hope to share with you in the pages of this newsletter. If you have copies of wedding announcements or obituaries of any of your relatives, would you be kind enough to send me a xerox copy for the Biedler archives?
If you would like to continue to receive the newsletter please send the enclosed short form, back as soon as possible.
All letters are welcome and will be answered. Or just call me (703-648-0325) with your stories and I'll tape them as we talk. I'll transcribe them at a later time, and add them to the newsletter and book with your permission.
And don't forget those old photos! Please at least let me know what you have, even if vou aren't willing to loan them or have them copied. Just to have all this information documented at one central location would be an enormous help.
I was born in Charleston, WVA, 28 Feb 1944, but moved to Stow, Ohio in August 1945. My father taught at Kent State U. '47-'79. I lived w/ my parents & 3 siblings in both the Iloilo, Panay, the PhiIippines (Jan '58- June '60) & Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania (father was there Oct '62-Jan '66. We children were there only one year, June '63-'Jule '64); married 26 yrs ago to Garv L. Alexander writer, editor and musician) of Seattle, WA; three children, Sarah (25), Daniel (23) & Lori (21), all born in Pasadena, Ca..
Lived in Richmond, Va. from '79-'83 during which time I became very active in Riclunond Quilters' Guild; founded a children's needlework guild, & worked at the Richmond Children's Museum. Moved to New Orleans in '83 went to work as a Meeting Plamier in that wild crazy city.
I am cnrrently finishing my undergraduate degree, and am studying voice again for the first time in 27 years. My interests are quilting, stamp collecting, family history, folk art, cultural anthropology and the study of comparative religions & mythologies.
A number of you have received a call from out of the blue from me in recent months, and each one has generously and graciously spent time with me on the phone. These phone calls have provided me great personal enjoyment and invaluable help in furthering my research on the Biedlers of Virginia, and I thank you. I hope to meet many of you one day soon! God Bless.
From page 2, right-hand column, 4th paragraph:
| Ref. 72: |
Rupp, I. Daniel, Prof., Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania, 1727-1776, National Genealogical Society, Arlington, VA
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. 84: | Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd Series, Vol 2, National Genealogical Society, Arlington, VA, page 306 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. 87: | Colonial and Revolutionary Families in Pennsylvania, Vol. IV, DAR Library', Washington, DC, page 553. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. 93: | Collections of the Genealogy Society of PA, 1896, Lancaster County. PA. Abstracts of Wills, 1721-1820, Vol. 24, DAR Library, Washington, DC, page 49. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. 94: | Eagle, William H., Names of Foreigners Who Took the Oaths of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania. 1727-1775, DAR Library, Wash, DC, page 37. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. 95: | Descendant, Mrs. Betty Jo Wilson, San Antonio, TX | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. 96: | Pennsylvania German Church Records, Pennsylvania German Society Proceedings and Addresses. Trinity Lutheran Church - Lancaster, PA, Vol I, 1983, DAR Library, Washington, DC, page 59. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. 97: | Collections of the Genealogy Society' of PA, 1896, Lancaster County. PA. Abstracts of Wills 1721-1820, Vol. 24, DAR Library, Washington, DC, page, 106. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. 98: | Gilreath, Amelia C., Shenandoah Co.. VA. Abstracts of Wills, 1772-1850, DAR Library, Washington, DC, page 15-16. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. 126: | Giuseppi, M. S., Naturalizations in the American Colonies, 1979, DAR Library, Washington, DC. Early naturalizations: John Beidler, Providence Twp., Phil. Co., PA 10 Sept 1761 John Beidler, Richland Twp., Bucks Co., PA 14 Sept 1765 Peter Beidler, Philadelphia Co., PA 4 April 1743 Ulrick Beidler, Philadelphia Co., PA 4 April 1743 Christian Beidler, Philadelphia Co., PA 4 April 1743 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. 156: | Strickler, Harry M., A Short History of Page Co. , VA, page 112. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. | Lucille Harney, Beidler Families of Pennsylvania, page 111 a land sale of Christian and Susanna Beidler dated 11 Aug 1744 taken from Phil. Co. Deed Book 11, pg. 207. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref: | Harney, Lucille, Beidler Families of Pennsylvania, page 77 a land sale of Christian Beidler dated 1751 taken from NCCH Deed Book A-1: 111-112. No wife mentioned here in this land sale deed as was in the 1744 deed above. It may well be that Susanna died after the birth of Salome in 1750, and that Christian had not yet remarried when he sold the property mentioned here in 1751. The next child was not born until 1754. Perhaps Christian's last four children were horn by his second wife, Catherine. [In Harney's b()0k Catherine is spelled with an 1a' instead of an 'e' on the end in the translation of Christian's will.] | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref: | Harney, Lucille, Beidler Families of Pennsylvania, page 7~75. Christian Beidler's will (dated 5 Feb 1767) transcribed in full. Mentions all of his children and his wife Catherina. His eldest child and son, Abraham (patriarch of the Biedler Families of Virginia) would have been about 30 at the time Christian died, and Christian's youngest son, Jacob, about 7. "1 appoint my loveing wife, Catherina, & my beloved friend, Michael Koffman to my executors to this my last will and testament..." The will was signed in the presence of William Corran, Ludwig Lindemuth, and Pfilirff Lunuunr (strange looking name). Will proved 11 March 1767 in Ralpho Twp. Lancaster Co, PA. |
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posted 5/25/98 Last correction: 6/12/1998