Since the writing of this post, it has been learned that the individuals detailed here are not, in fact, our relatives.

• Born: June 5, 1723 in Baumholder, Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany       
• Baptized: January 26, 1721 at Baerl, Rheinland, Germany (then Prussia)
• Immigrated: Sept. 5, 1743, Philadelphia PA on the ship “Charlotte”
• Died: Dec. 1, 1756 in Upper Milford, Lehigh Co. PA (other records say Dec 29)
• Parents:  Johannes & Maria Engelin Catherina
• Spouse: Susanna Weske (Daughter of Jean Philip Vesqueau)
  • Born: either in 1720 in New Hanover, PA, or 1725 in Alsace-Lorraine
  • Died: 1785 (in Kingston, Ulster Co. NY)                           
• Married: April 9, 1747 at New Hanover Lutheran Church, Montgomery Co. PA
• Children:   David, Henry, Peter, Maria Elizabeth

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The lives of Matthias and his brother, Peter, are well documented in the volume “History of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.”

Before leaving Germany, Matthias Heimbach lived in Ilgesheim (sometimes spelled Ilvesheim). On the birth record of Maria Margretha Heimbach, Matthias’s niece (his brother Peter’s first daughter), he is listed as a sponsor and as being “of Ilgeshem.”

Matthias arrived in Philadelphia on September 5, 1743, after sailing across the Atlantic on the ship “Charlotte.”  Arriving in September meant his journey likely began in the late winter or early spring. After traveling by river to Rotterdam or another port, he would have taken a ship to England as an intermediate stop before the six-month long journey to Pennsylvania.  Upon his immigration, twenty-year-old Matthias would have signed an oath of allegiance to King George of England.

Matthias settled in the town of New Goshenhoppen in what was then Philadelphia County called New Goshenhoppen.  Today, this area is on the border of Berks and Lehigh Counties. On May 8, 1750, he secured fifty acres of land, partly in what is now Hereford Township in Berks County, and partly in Upper Milford Township in what is now Lehigh County.

Matthias’s brother, Peter, followed him to Pennsylvania, arriving in 1749 on the ship “The Dragon.”  In 1751, both brothers are listed as members of the Lutheran Church near Dillingersville (possibly what is now Dillingersville Union Church).

Matthias married Susanna Weske on April 9, 1747 at New Hanover Lutheran Church.  

Matthias died at the age of 33, with records listing various dates in December of 1756.  After her husband’s death, Susanna – likely in need of money – sold his 74 acres of land on Jan. 4, 1757 to Martin Shaffer.  However, records say that the sale was not according to law. Years later, on April 22, 1771, the four children of Matthias and Susanna sold the land to Conrad Shoub.

Matthias’s Widow, Susanna

Susanna, Matthias’s young widow, also deserves some discussion.  Details of her life are not recorded in the “History of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.”  Some records say she was born in 1720 in New Hanover, Pennsylvania, while others say that she was born in 1725 in Alsace-Lorraine.  Accounts also say that she is the daughter of Jean Philip “Vesqueau” or “Vasqueau,” of which “Weske” is a Germanized spelling.

After Matthias’s death, Susanna remarried Philip Henry Yaple.  Like Susanna’s maiden name, Yaple has many spelling variations, including Yevel, Yeaple, Yappel, Japel, Yapel, and Geoble.  Philip Henry was born on November 5, 1725 in Dulweiller, Saarland (now Holland). He was first married to Maria Barbara Horn, with whom he had three children before her death in 1759.  Some accounts state that he and Susanna were married in the same year in New York, though this is called into question by other records who list their children as having been born in Upper Milford, PA.

Susanna and Philip Henry had several children:  Jacob Johann, born March 7, 1760; Mary (Polly), born in 1762; Nicholas Johann, born in 1764; John Johannes, born August 6, 1766; Christian Johann, born in 1768; and Philip Johann, born May 2, 1770.

Children of Matthias and Susanna

David is discussed here.                   

Henry (aka Heinrich) was born on August 23, 1749 in Lehigh County.  He married Catherine Wetzel around 1772. He was a private in the Revolutionary War from Nov 5, 1780 – Jan 4, 1781. Serving in the Northampton County Militia, 6th class, 6th battalion.  Records indicate that his children were Susanna, Heinrich, Catherine, Elisabeth, Henry, Eva, Maria Barbara, Johann Peter, Maria Elizabeth, Gertraut, David, Sarah, Maria Magdalena, Christina, Lydia, and Christianna. Henry died Feb. 12, 1837 in Hereford, Berks County, and is buried in the St. Peter’s Union Church Cemetery, Macungie, Lehigh Co.

Peter was born around the year 1750 in Pennsylvania and moved to Esopus (now known as Kingston) in Ulster County, New York, with his mother when she remarried.  He married Catherine Dumond in 1773 (Catherine was born Nov 17 in Esopus). According to one account, he served in the Ulster County Militia’s First Regiment in 1781 and was referred to as “the first settler of Ithaca.”  According to another, he was “a great Indian fighter,” was “associated with Tom Quick,” and served 181 in the Revolution. He died on May 25, 1816, in West Green Township in Erie County, PA.

Maria Elizabeth was born in 1752 or 1753 and died in 1837.  She married John Gregory at Zionsville Lutheran church in 1772.  John (born Sept 16, 1751, died Dec 24, 1835) was a Captain in the Revolution.  Their children were Catherine, Philip, David, Elizabeth, Peter, Samuel, Richard, Robert, Elizabeth, Judith,and  Lydia. They lived in Smithfield, Northampton Co.