Solomon Diehl Sr. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7}

   FamilySearch ID: 2778-QHS

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Fogelsville Reformed Congregation ³

2. Tax List: Adam Diehl, Solomon Diehl, 1812, Lowhill Twp., Lehigh, PA. ¹⁰

3. Census in 1820 in Lowhill Twp., Lehigh, PA. ¹¹ In Solomon Diehl's household:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1811-1820) = 1 son
10-15 (1805-1810) = 2 sons
26-44 (1776-1794) = 1 father Solomon
Females (born)
26-44 (1776-1794) = 1 wife.

4. Census in 1840 in Lowhill Twp., Lehigh, PA. ¹² Name: Solomon Diehl
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 6.

5. He signed a will Solomon wrote his will in German Kurrentschrift common among the Pennsylvania Dutch, English translation follows on 17 Jan 1844 in Lowhill Twp., Lehigh, PA. ¹³ In Gottes Namen Amen, Ich Salomon Diehl von Lohill Township, Lehigh Caunty und Staat Pennsylvanien Bauersman, da ich zwar frisch und gesund, und bey gutem verstand und Gedächtniß bin, wovor ich Gott danke, inderen ich mich der hinfälligkeit meines jirdischen lebens und Gedenke jetzt meinen letzten Willen und Testament zu bestellen, auf folgende art, nemlich Erstens befehle ich meine Seele in die Hände des Allmächtigen Gottes der Sie mir gegeben, und meinen Leib der Erde, daß derselbe durch die Anordnung meiner hierin bestimten Executor auf eine Christliche und Anständige Weise möge Dahin Gebracht werden, Und Was mein jirdisches Vermögen Anbelangt womit mich Gott in diesem Leben Gesegnet hat, vermahne und verordne ich Wie Folgt, Ihm ist es mein Letzter Wille und Testament, daß nach meinem Absterben, Alle meine Schulden Leichenkosten und Sonstigen Ausgaben Auß meinem Vermögen Vollen Bezahlt werden, Ferner ist es mein Wille daß meine Ehefrau Anna nach meinem Absterben Recht haben Soll auf dem Platze zu Wohnen wo ich Jetzt Wohne Liegend in Vorbesagten Lohill Township Lehigh Caunty Drey und Zwanzig Acker land mit allen darauf befindlichen Gebäuden und Verbesserungen Was da sind in Sich hält, wie auch den Schopf unter der Scheune biß an den Lein, und die Hälfte von dem Baumgarten So Weit die Zäune machen Zu Vorbesagtem Land in Besitz Zu haben, und darauf zu thun Wie Sie will zu Ihrem Nutzen und Gebrauch So lange Sie lebt oder meine Wittwe ist, Ferner Soll Sie Recht haben, Von meinem Hausrath zu nehmen zu ihrem Gebrauch und Nutzen, So Viel Sie Nöthig findet zu behalten So lange Sie lebt oder meine Wittwe ist, Ferner ist es mein Wille daß nach meinem Absterben, All mein Übrig beweglich Vermögen auch auf Oeffentlicher Vendu Soll Verkauft Werden Wie Auch mein Übrig Liegend Vermögen, Als ich Hiermit meine hieun bestimten Executor bevollmächtige, es in Stücken oder im Ganzen zu Verkaufen wie Sie es für Gut und Schicklich erachten und Solche Deeds oder Rechten Zu Geben und Anzuerkennen Wie es Nöthig ist, Ferner Sollen meine Executor oder Ihre Bevollmächtigten Nach dem Absterben Von Meiner besagten Ehefrau oder Wann Sie Dich Wieder Verheyrathen Sollte Alles Liegende und Bewegliche Vermögen auf Oeffentlicher Vendu Verkaufen und Rechten Geben Wie Vorbesagt Ausgenommen wenn Sie Heirathen thut So Soll Sie Recht haben Von meinem Vermögen Zu Nehmen folgende Artikel
Nemlich, Ein Bett mit Bettstatt, ein Dress, und ein Spinn-Rad zu ihrem Eigenthum, Ferner ist es mein Wille daß Nachdem Alle meine Schulden bezahlt Sind, So Soll alles Geld Vom Beweglichen und Vom Liegenden Vermögen unter Alle meine Kinder in Gleiche Theile Getheilt Werden zu Ihrem Nutzen und Eigenthum (oder an Ihre Gesetzmäßige Repräsentanten) auf Immer, und meine Executor Sollen von Zeit zu Zeit wann Sie Geld in hand haben es unter meine Erben oder Ihre Vorgesetzten Überbezahlen, Und um dieses alles zu vollziehen und in Ordnung zu Bringen nenne ich meine Ehefrau Anna und meinen Sohn Jonatan Diehl als meine Executor zu diesem meinem letzten Willen und Testament, und Widerrufe alle Vorhin Gemachte Willen und Testament, Nur dieser Soll mein Letzter Wille und Testament Sein und Bleiben Zum Zeigniß hiervon habe ich meine Hand und Siegel Hierunter Gesetzt auf den Siebenzehnte Tag January im Jahr unsers Herrn Ein Tausend Acht Hundert und Vierzig und Vier.

Salomon Diehl [Siegel]

Unterschrieben und Gesiegelt und Anerkannt als der Letzte Wille und Testament von Salomon Diehl In Gegenwart von:
Benj'n Weida
John Weida
==================
English Transcription
==================
In the Name of God, Amen. I, Salomon Diehl, of Lohill [Lowhill] Township, Lehigh County, and State of Pennsylvania, farmer; as I am indeed fresh and healthy, and of good mind and memory, for which I thank God, being mindful of the frailty of my earthly life, do now intend to settle my Last Will and Testament in the following manner, namely:

First, I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it to me, and my body to the earth, so that the same may be brought there in a Christian and decent manner by the arrangement of my executors appointed herein. And as concerns my earthly estate with which God has blessed me in this life, I admonish and ordain as follows:

It is my Last Will and Testament that after my death, all my debts, funeral expenses, and other costs shall be paid in full out of my estate.

Further, it is my will that after my death, my wife Anna shall have the right to live on the place where I now live, situated in the aforementioned Lowhill Township, Lehigh County, containing twenty-three acres of land with all buildings and improvements thereon, as well as the porch [or shed] under the barn up to the lane, and half of the orchard as far as the fences go; she is to have possession of said land and do with it as she wishes for her benefit and use so long as she lives or remains my widow.

Further, she shall have the right to take from my household goods for her use and benefit as much as she finds necessary to keep so long as she lives or remains my widow.

Further, it is my will that after my death, all my remaining movable property shall be sold at public auction [Vendue], as well as my remaining real estate [landed property]; I hereby authorize my executors appointed herein to sell it in pieces or as a whole, as they deem good and proper, and to give and acknowledge such deeds or rights as necessary.

Further, my executors or their authorized agents shall, after the death of my said wife or should she marry again, sell all real and movable property at public auction and give rights as aforementioned\emdash except if she marries, she shall have the right to take from my estate the following articles,

Namely: one bed with bedstead, one dresser [chest], and one spinning wheel as her own property.

Further, it is my will that after all my debts are paid, all money from the movable and real estate shall be divided into equal shares among all my children for their benefit and property (or to their legal representatives) forever. And my executors shall, from time to time when they have money in hand, pay it over to my heirs or their superiors.

And to carry out all this and bring it into order, I name my wife Anna and my son Jonatan [Jonathan] Diehl as my executors for this my Last Will and Testament, and I revoke all previously made wills and testaments. Only this shall be and remain my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on the seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty and Four [1844].

Salomon Diehl [Seal]

Signed and sealed and acknowledged as the Last Will and Testament of Salomon Diehl in the presence of:
Benjamin Weida
John Weida

==============
Historical Notes:
The Date: Although Salomon died in 1865, he wrote this will 21 years earlier in 1844. This explains why he describes himself as "fresh and healthy" in the text.

"Lohill": This is a phonetic spelling of Lowhill Township, common in documents written by Pennsylvania Germans whose primary language was Pennsylvania Dutch.

Public Vendue: A "Vendu" or "Vendue" was a common term for a public estate auction.

The Widow's Rights: The provisions for the wife (living on the 23 acres, specific portions of the orchard/barn) were standard "dower rights" to ensure she was cared for until her death or remarriage.

6. Census in 1850 in Lowhill Twp., Lehigh, PA. ¹⁴ The 1850 census recorded several Diehl families as neighbors, everyone born in Pennsylvania...

Solomon Diehle, farmer, 68, was living with Ann, 44; Jesse, farmer, 30; Eli, mason, 25; Solomon, mason, 23; Uriah, laborer, 18; Syllasty, 13; and Matilda, 6.

Next door is Jonathan Diehl, farmer, 40; Prisylla, 30; Mazetta, 9; Griff E P, 7; Elmira, 3.

Next door is Jonas Diehl, shoemaker, 28; Deborah, 28; son Bennville, 7; Benjamin, 6; Carolina, 4; Thomas, 2; John Diehl, laborer, 63; Catharina, 56.

7. Morgenland Church: Solomon Diehl was a trustee on 13 Apr 1857 in Leather Corner Post, Lehigh, PA. ¹⁵ The Morgenland Church. - This church stands upon an elevation in the southeastern corner of Lowhill township, Lehigh Co., a spot known long ago as the "Leather-Corner Post," surrounded on all sides by small valleys, through which the Jordan flows at a distance of a mile from the church.

The church has from its beginning been a Union Church. Reformed and Lutherans, divided and independent in faith and teachings, have yet equal and common right to all the church lands, church buildings, and the churchyard, and make free, undisturbed use of them together.

The organization of the church is of recent date. Members of the Lowhill, Union, Jordan, Ziegel, and Fogelsville congregations united, selecting this spot upon which to erect a house of worship, which should be nearer their homes and more convenient for them and their families.

On the 4th of April, 1857, a meeting was held for the purpose of selecting a site for a church and cemetery, which resulted in the selection of a piece of ground owned by Daniel Sechler for the location of the church building, and of an adjoining tract, owned by Jacob Georg and Reuben Krauss, for a graveyard. The title to these tracts was afterwards secured through proper deeds.

Another meeting was held on the 13th of April following, at which it was resolved to begin the erection of a building without delay, and to organize the congregation by electing a consistory. This election resulted as follows: On the Reformed side: for elders, Jonas Mertz, Solomon Hamm; for deacons, Franklin Fritzinger, Gideon Haaf, Daniel Sechler, Levi Haas; for trustee, Solomon Diehl. On the Lutheran side: for elders, John Weida, Daniel Claus; for deacons, Benjamin Weida, George Klotz, Reuben Deibert, Peter Ertel; for trustee, David Heilman; for treasurer, Reuben Krauss.

At the same time the following were chosen as a building committee: By the Reformed, Simon P. Mimnich, Jonathan Diehl; by the Lutherans, Jesse Klotz, Michael Deibert. The work of construction was immediately begun, and proceeded so rapidly that by the 23rd of August of that year (1857) everything was prepared for the laying of the corner-stone. This was done on that day, with services held by Revs. J. S. Dubs and William A. Helffrich, who were invited for that purpose.

On the 31st of August, 1858, the dedicatory services were held, Revs. Joseph S. Dubs, Jeremiah Schindel, and William Rath leading. The church is of brick, and is constructed in modern style, and provided with every necessary convenience.

The congregation also provided itself with an organ, which was dedicated in 1870, the pastors, Revs. Fogel and Leopold, preaching.

By 1871, the old graveyard was well filled up, and a piece of ground on the opposite side of the street was laid out in regular lots for a cemetery. It was dedicated in 1871 by Rebs. Fogel and Leopold.

The Reformed ministers of the congregation thus far have been: (1) Joseph S. Dubs, who was chosen the first pastor in 1857; (2) Joseph H. Dubs, who served from _______ to 1867; (3) E. J. Fogel, chosen in 1867.

The Lutheran ministers have been: (1) Jeremiah Schindel, from 1857 to ___; (2) William Rath; (3) Owen Leopold.

8. Census in 1860 in Lowhill Twp., Lehigh, PA. ¹⁶ Solomon (age 68) is the head of the household consisting of Anna E (53), Ann (16), Uriah S. (27), and Alfred Seipel (14). All are listed as being born in Pennsylvania.

9. Occupation: farmer in 1860. ³

10. Map: 1865 Map of Lehigh County by G. A. Aschbach showing landowners, in 1865, in Weidasville, Lehigh, PA. ¹⁷ The Library of Congress has this map online showing where the many Knerr and Diehl families in Lowhill Township were located.
View it at:
https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3823l.la000767/?r=0.404,0.345,0.074,0.042,0.

11. Obituary: Der Lecha Caunty Patriot: obituary of Solomon Diehl on 28 Feb 1865 in Allentown, Lehigh, PA. Gestroben:
Um 19, Diesses, in Lowhill, an Ulterschwu

Salomen Diehl, im 83sten jahre. Der B? stobene war mehrere Jahre Beitungetrager (or Zeitungetrager) den norblichen theil von Lecha Caunty. Sa? ruhe feine hufle.

12. Book: History Of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Volume II, 1914. ¹⁸
There were two Diehl families that settled at an early date in Lehigh county. Daniel Diehl who came from Upper Caucon and settled on the Lehigh mountain, and the family of Adam Diehl, who lived in Lowhill township.

Solomon Diehl, a son of Adam, was born in Lowhill Township. He was a weaver and at the same time farmed a small tact of land. His homestead was later owned by Benjamin Kressly.

He was a member of the Fogelsville Reformed Congregation. He was buried at Morgenland Church, and his first wife, nee Zimmerman, is buried at Ziegel's Church. Issue: Jessie, Jonas, and Benjamin.

Mr. Diehl was married the second time to Anna Siegfried, and they had three children; Elias, Solomon, Uriah, Celsta (Mrs. Irwin Stahler) and Matilda.

Solomon married Susanna Zimmerman. (Susanna Zimmerman was born about 1785 in , , Pennsylvania, USA and was buried in Weisenberg Twp.: Ziegel's Church, Lehigh, PA.)

Solomon next married Anna Elisabeth Siegfried, daughter of Peter Siegfried and Susanna. (Anna Elisabeth Siegfried was born on 27 Mar 1807 in Whitehall Twp., Lehigh, PA ^{19 20 21}, christened on 6 Apr 1807 in North Whitehall Twp.: Egypt Reformed Church, Lehigh, PA,²⁰ died in 1857 in Whitehall Twp., Lehigh, PA ^{3 21} and was buried in Leather Corner Post: Morgenland Church Cemetery, Lehigh, PA ^{3 21}.)