History of Hatfield Pennsylvania

1774 Assessment -      Abraham Allebach                 100 Acres, 2 Horses, 4 Cattle
1785 Assessment -      Abraham Allebach                 100 Acres, 2 Horses, 4 Cattle

The Revolution  -  In the following list will be found the names of those who were opposed to the bearing of arms, on account of their religious belief, or age, and physical deformities.

Abraham Allebach

Harvey Hittle Farm, pg 42 - Jacob Shellenberger sold twenty acres to Jacob Rosenberger in 1835.  After his death the widow became the owner who devised it to her son, Christian, by will in 1840, who sold it to Christain Allebach in 1841.  He sold it to George Gehman, father of David T. Gehman, long a resident in Hatfield Borough in 1850.

Chester Knipe Farm, pg 50 - This part of the John Rosenberger plantation was granted to his son-in-law, Abraham Allebach, in 1776 - 101 acres.  It extended from Main street, Hatfield borough, including all the properties between Chestnut street and Lincoln avenue, back to Jenkins farm.
          Allebach's life was cut short by yellow fever, when the plague was prevailing in Philadelphia in the early part of October, 1794.  He ventures to go to market there and took the dread disease and died.  His widow survived him, dying in May, 1835, at the age of eighty-six years.   They had children: John, Christiana, Abraham, Benjamin, Mary, wife of Jacob Cope; Susanna, wife of David Ruth; Lizzie, wife of Benjamin Rosenberger; Barbara, wife of John Wasser, and Catherine, wife of Joshua Detwiler.
          Abraham, Jr., was the father of Jesse Allebach, who was the father of Amos Allebach, a justice of the peace in Hatfield for many years, who was the father of Harry Brunner's wife, the editor of the Hatfield Times.
          Catherine Allebach, after the death of her husband, purchased the Stillwagon property (which is now the Rudolph Forst residence), where she lived the rest of her life.
          Abraham Allebach, Jr., was born 1770 and remembered the day after the Battle of Germantown, about 500 American soldiers swarmed about his father's premises.
          The administrators of Allebach sold the farm to Isaac Rosenberger in 1796; he sold it to Jacob Rosenberger in 1803.  His administrators sold the same to his son-in-law, Dillman Kulp, in 1841.  He sold it to his son, Jacob R.Kulp, in 1876; now containing seventy-six acres.  After his death it was sold to Chester Knipe, the present owner, in 1907.
          On this farm was operated a saw mill, which was discontinued after Allebach's death in 1794.

pg 60  -  In 1735 Williams sold 185 acres to Matthias Johnson.   He died in 1750.  He had two children - a daughter, Helena, and a son John Johnson, to whom he devised the farm.  He had eleven children, seven daughters and four sons.  They were Matthias, Henry, John and Abraham, Anna, wife of Jacob Grubb; Sophia, wife of Abraham Benner; Mary, wife of Benjamin Johnson, of Skippack;  Hannah, wife of Valentine Clemmer; Rebecca, wife of Abraham Allebach, and Veronica and Elizabeth.

Rudolph Forst Farm, pg 63 -  In 1788 Jacob Swartz sold to acres to Philip Stillwagon.  Later there was added twelve acres more of the Swartz Plantation.   Stillwagon then sold it to Elizabeth Rosenberger in 1794 who sold it to Catherine Allebach in 1795.  Abraham Allebach, administrator of same, sold to Samuel Shroyer in 1836 who immediately transferred it to Daniel Hagey.

Hoehn Brothers' Farm, pg 69 - Joseph Benner sold to Benjamin Hendricks thirty four acres in 1848 who had buildings erected and made a premises there.  He sold it to Caleb H. Price in 1852.  He sold it to Abraham Benner in 1859.  He sold it to Joseph Detwiler in 1867.  He sold it to Henry S. Hackman in 1869.  He later made assignement for the benefit of his creditors in 1890.
          Abraham C. Allebach then bought it.   It was then occupied and farmed by his son-in-law, Enos Godshall, for seven years, from 1899 to 1907, he then bought his father's farm in Lower Salford Township.   Allebach then sold it to Jesse Layton of Maryland, in 1909.

Late John R. Kindig Residence, pg 70 -  Amos Jones sold fifteen acres to Paul Delgart who was the owner of present Allman farm.  This was then a part of said farm until Isaac Hunsberger owned the same.  He sold of this tract two acres to Joseph Benner in 1852, who built the house and made a premises.  He sold it to Abraham Benner in 1856.  He sold it to Charles J. Hendricks in 1859.  His administrators sold to Moses Wagnor in 1865.  After his death his son Aaron became the owner in 1875.  He sold it to David M. Allebach in 1886.  His administrators sold it to son Jacob Allebach in 1887.  He sold it to Jacob K. Clemmer in 1899 who conveyed it to Allen C. Moyer in 1900.  He sold it to John R. Kendig the same year.   His daughter, Mary Derstine, is the present owner.

Raymond Allebach Farm, pg 70 -  This was part of the 246 acres which Hugh Jones bought from the Lewis tract containing 108 acres.  This comprised properties of Raymond Rosenberger, Conrad Watson, David Allebach and part of Irvin Schlosser.   After the death of Hugh Jones the executors were the widow, Catherine Jones and son, Amos Jones.  They sold this tract to Adam Shelp, of Germantown, in 1761, for 230 pounds.  After his death his executors George Sheip, of New Britain Township, County of Bucks, and Michael Sheip of Worcester Township, Montgomery County, sold to Henry Sheip of Hatfield, the said plantation in 1780 for 800 pounds.
          This Henry Sheip next sold it to his son Abraham Sheip, in 1806.  This Abraham Sheip had a son, Able Sheip as he was called, which was yet known by the older residents of Hatfield.
          The boundries then were beginning at a stone for a corner of land belonging to John Hendricks (now the Fair Grounds), thence southeast along Henry Clemmer's land 132 perches, thence southwest by Frederick Fisher and Jacob Hunsberger's land 132 perches, thence northwest 132 perches, thence northeast by Jacob Ruth's land and John Hendrick's land 132 perches (now Otto Hilgner's and fair ground).  This was sold at this date for 260 pounds.
          After the death of Abraham Sheip the plantation was divided - the homestead and fifty six acres were sold by the administrators who were Henry Sheip and Yellis Cassel, a son-in-law, to Henry Cassel, in 1839.  He immediately transferred it to Yellis Cassel.
          He made an assignment for the benefit of his creditors, Isaac Wisler and Christian Rosenberger were the assignees, they sold the same to Joseph Ruth in 1845.  He sold to David M. Allebach in 1852.  He sold to Jacob Kulp in 1872 - now containing fifty acres.
          It was then occupied by his son-in-law, Abraham C. Allebach, to whom he conveyed it in 1875.  He conveyed it to his son, Leidy Allebach, in 1912.  He conveyed it to his son, Raymond Allebach, in 1937, the present owner.  In 1939 he purchased twenty-three acres that were detached from the farm in 1839.
          The house on this farm is an old log house built by one of the Sheips.  It was remodeled by David M. Allebach.

David K. Allebach Residence, pg 70 -  This was detached from the Raymond Allebach farm in 1859.  David M. Allebach sold two acres, 103 perches, to Jacob Gehman, a drover.  Another tract, in 1862, Allebach sold to Lydia Crouthamel thirty square perches who built the house and made a premises there.  She sold the same to Henry S. Hackman, a drover, in 1864.  He built an addition to the house the same year.  Jacob Gehman then sold his tract to Hackman, his son-in-law, there they both conducted their drover business.
          Hackman sold the same to Joseph Detwiler in 1869 - now containing three acres, 103 perches.  Detwiler sold it to Tobias Scholl in 1870.  He sold it to David M. Allebach in 1871.  He sold it to Abraham C. Allebach in 1875.  He transferred it to his son David K. Allebach, in 1912, the present owner - now containing six acres.

Raymond Rosenberger Residence, pg 71 - After the division of the Shipe farm the forty seven acres came into possession of two different owners in 1839.  Isaac Wisler got the upper protion which was twenty-two acres, who sold to Enos Lukens in 1842.  Then the administrators of Lukens sold to Moses Wagnor in 1849 who bought additional land of Joseph Ruth, now the property of Otto Hilgner.
          After the death of Wagnor, his son Aaron became the owner in 1875.  He purchased sixteen acres additional of John C. Hackman.  This ground is now the race course at the Montgomery County Fair Grounds.   Aaron Wagnor sold the farm of forty seven acres to Jacob Allebach in 1886 who sold it to Jacob Clemmer in 1889.  The same sold to his brother, Cyrus, in 1900 who then sold to Henry Benner in 1906, who next sold to Sewal Musser in 1917, who next sold to Charles Menssner in 1921 (twenty-two acres), who sold to Henry Gehring in 1923.  He sold to Ella May Poeth in 1926.  The same sold to George S. Heckler in 1929, Stella Heckler to Raymond Rosenberger in 1936, the present owner.

Opposite Irvin Schlosser Farm Building, pg 72 -  Here were premises from which all appearance have vanished.  Jacob Hunsberger, the owner of the Allman farm, purchased from Henry Clemmer, tract ten acres which is now owned by Charles Weirman.   Hunsberger sold this tract eighty seven perches to Jacob Hendricks in 1833 who made a premises there.  In 1840 Sheriff Stewart seized the same and sold to Peter Benner for $500.  He sold it to Jonas Markley, a blacksmith, in 1841.  He sold it to Jonas Lowe in 1843.  Here Levi Snovel applied his trade, a blacksmith.  For sometime his wife was a Lowe.  He later bought the James Rosenberger property which is mentioned elsewhere.  He is remembered by the older people.  Jonas Lowe sold this property to Joseph Mattman, a German carpenter, in 1875.  He built an addition to the house.  In 1876 the house was destroyed by fire one night and not rebuilt.   He then built the house on Vine Street, now owned by Wilson Gerhart, and also the house on Maple avenue now owned by Joseph Benner which is mentioned elsewhere.   Sheriff John Linderman seized all the properties of Mattman and sold this lot to Jacob C. Allebach in 1877.  He sold it to Jacob M. Detwiler in 1878 who owned the Irvin Schlosser farm.  Afterwards the farm was sold to Abraham C. Allebach in 1907 of which it is now a part of Raymond Allebach farm.

 The Eagle Hotel, pg 82 - The present Sanford Taylor farm, Isaiah Thomas received this 130 acres farm by his mother's will in 1797.  He was granted a liquor license in 1802.  He was license holder up to 1819 and also owner of the plantation.   It appears that he made his own whiskey, for he was assessed with two stills in 1805, one of thirty-seven and one-half gallons and one of thirty gallons.  After that date he was assessed with one still up to 1813.  The next year (1814) he was again assessed with two stills.  None assessed after that date.
          It seems this was not a paying business, as Sheriff Justus Scheetz, seized the property and sold it to Evan Thomas Morgan, and Frederick Knipe as tenants in common in 1819.  During their ownership they sold forty six acres.  The remaining 106 acres Evan Jones and Frederick Knipe sold their share to Thomas Morgan in 1820.  He sold part of it to George Adam Bernhart in 1821, who was also  license holder during his ownership.  He sold it to Peter Conver in 1823.  After his death the executors sold to Abraham Keller in 1831 who on same date transferred it to Benjamin Conver.  The next year Conver sold it to William Snare now containing fifty-three acres (in 1832), Snare to George Garner in 1833.  He sold it to John Hackman in 1838, now twenty acres.  He sold it to Enos A. Jenkins in 1846.  Sheriff Boyer seized the property and sold it to David Acuff of Montgomery township in 1847, who sold to Enos Lukens, of Hatfield the same year.
          He soon died afterward, for the administrators, Sarah Lukens and William Lukens, sold it to Enos Ruth in 1849.  The landlord was Jacob Stover in 1848.  Ruth sold it the same year to William Lukens, of Towamencin township, and Charles White of Gwynedd township, as tenants in common. They sold it back to David Acuff in 1853.  The landlord was Francis Kile from 1849 to 1851.  He afterwards was elected Sheriff of Montgomery County in 1860.   He later purchased the Montgomeryville Hotel.   After the death of Acuff the executors sold it to William Michner in 1863.  Daniel Ridenaur was landlord from 1857 to 1859.
          The license was then transferred to John Preston in 1860 who transferred to Charles Preston in 1861, transferred to Joseph Newbold in 1862 to 1863.  The next year (1864) Michner sold it to Jesse Allebach.   It was then discontinued as a hotel.  He lived here the remainder of his life.   After his death it was bought by his son, Amos O. Allebach, in 1890 containing twenty acres.  After his death the executors sold the same to Matilda Conner, widow in 1931.  After her death the executor, Robert Conner, to Sanford Taylor in 1941, the present owner.  The present stone house was built by Jesse Allebach.  The former house was also of stone, one story high and is said was built by Isaiah Thomas in 1800.

Anna Rowland Residence, pg 84 - This house was built by Amos Allebach.   Here was a stone quarry that Jessie Allebach operated for awhile.  After his death Amos bought his father's place and sold his residence to Enos Yoder in 1890.   After his death the widow became the owner, Susie Yoder sold the same to Katherine Tyson in 1918.  She sold it to Amos O. Allebach and M. Florence Gillinder, trustees, in 1919.  The trustees then sold it to Anna Rowland in 1920, the present owner.

Former Daniel Shank's Farm, pg 87 - This was part of the Hunsberger farm.   It was detached in 1845 and conveyed to Joseph Crouthamel, who had married Jacob Hunsberger's daughter Lydia.  He was the grandfather of Jacob Crouthamel, Jr., yet living in Hatfield Borough.  He built the brick part of the house in 1858.  He died two years later.  In 1861 the widow, Lydia Crouthamel, sold to John Allebach, forty one acres, who the same year sold eight acres to Jonas Loh.  This is now owned by Charles Wireman.  In 1863 Allebach sold the farm to Samuel Wismer, thirty-three acres, who sold to Jesse Aikens in 1866.  The same to Abraham S. Rosenberger in 1872, who conveyed to Ross Guina in 1912, who sold to Daniel Shank in 1922, who then built many houses on the same now owned by different owners.  The barn was destroyed by fire during Shank's ownership.  The farmhouse and thirteen acres in 1927, Shank sold to William Lackner.  The sheriff next sold it to Ambler Building and Loan Association in 1933, who sold to George Voght in 1934.  He sold to Charles Heldeth in 1936 who sold to Walter Roach in 1938, the present owner, now containing eight acres.

Former Rosenberger Plantation, pg 90 - Daniel Rosenberer, an immigrant, bought 200 acres from Ebenezer Kinnersley, being part of the Morris patent.  This purchase was made in 1740.  Later he bought another tract of 159 acres in 1769.  These 359 acres comprised all the present farms of John Bolton, Max Os and Isaiah Landis, Unionville Hotel, F.B. Williams, and numerous smaller properties.  The last tract which Daniel Rosenberger bought was first purchased by Henry Funk, a Mennonite Bishop, of Franconia township, in 1788 of Kinnersley.
          After the death of Funk which occurred in 1760, the executors John and Christian Funk, sold this tract in 1761 to Jacob Bear, a son-in-law of Henry Funk, who sold in 1763 to John Yellis, of Towamencin township.  Funk was never naturalized and Bear also refused to be naturalized.   He therefore procured a patent and then sold it the same year to George Kriebel, of Upper Milford who sold it to Daniel Rosenberger in 1769.
          After Rosenberger's death, which occurred in 1771, the plantation was divided between his two sons.  David received the upper portion which is now the residence of John Bolton, who built a new house in 1780.  The date stone of this house has been preserved and is in the cellarway of the present house.  It bears the intials D.R.B. standing for David Rosen Berger.  According to the Rosenberger History he had married a daughter of Christian Funk, a Mennonite Bishop.  His children were Christian, David, Philip, Abraham, and Daniel, Elizabeth and Mary Ann.  By a second marriage Susanna, John, Henry, Froney and Valentine.  He devised the farm to two of his sons, the homestead to his son Henry, 109 acres.  He had sons George, David, Aaron, Josiah, Simon and Enos.   Henry died in 1865.  The heirs of Henry sold the farm to Aaron in 1866 for $9,860.  In 1880 he sold the farm to Jacob M. Allebach who bought it for his son-in-law, Henry Rosenberger, who then conducted it,  He was a son of Aaron.    Henry was a doctor.

Dr. Henry D. Rosenberger of Hatfield, PA, pg 91 - Dr. Henry D. Rosenberger was born February 8, 1852, on the old homestead in Hatfield Township.  He attended the township school in the Winter - only about one-half of the sessions, as in the fall he had to work on his father's farm.  In the spring of 1872, he attended Washington Collegiate Institute, at Trappe, PA., taking a ten-weeks course.  Prof. A. Rambo was principal at the time.  In the Winter of 1872-73 he taught Hickory Grove School, in Hatfield Township.
          In the spring of 1873 he commenced reading medicine in the office of his uncle, Dr. Isaac Detwiler.  The following November he entered Hahnemann Medical College, of Philadelphia, graduating in March 1875.   The following summer he practiced medicine with his preceptor, Dr. Detwiler, at Lawndale, now Silverdale, Bucks County.  On January 1, 1876, he started to practice in the village of New Britain, Pa. and in three years had gained a good practice.  In the spring of 1879, finding that mental labor would no longer agree with him, he abandoned the medical profession and went to farming, moving on his father's farm.
          The subject of this sketch was married December 16, 1875, to Miss Mary A., oldest daughter of Jacob M. Allebaugh, of Skippack.  They have one daughter, Emma Estella, born April 16, 1877.
          In 1804 the sheriff seized the real estate of John M. Allebach and sold it to John Pennepacker, of Schwenksville.  Henry Rosenberger, M.D., then went to Dr. S.C. Moyer, of Lansdale, and assisted him in his practice.  Later he went to Manheim, Lancaster County, and had a practice of his own where he died.  After Pennepacker had purchased it, it was occupied and farmed by Allen Kraft.  In 1909 Pennepacker had sold to Frank G. Moyer.  It was then occupied and farmed by John Bolton, and in 1913 Moyer conveyed it to John Bolton the present owner, seventy-five acres.

Russell Matz Farm, pg 108 - Jacob Cline retained forty-two acres from his ninety-five acres tract.  After his death his widow, Barbara , became the owner.   In 1808 her son-in-law, John Rosenberger, sold this tract to John Allebach.   He sold it to John Benner in 1816.  It was next conveyed to Henry Cassel in 1834.  The sheriff seized the same and sold it to Jonas Clymer in 1844.

Back