When trying to determine the subject for today’s post, I noticed it was scheduled to go live on Valentine’s Day. With that in mind, I decided to look for a family member who was born, married, or died on this special day. After sorting through dates, I found George Sebastian (Bastian) Eigelberger, my husband’s 5th great-grandfather, who was born in Germany on February 14, 1721.
Reviewing the information I have on this line, I discovered an interesting detail: Bastain’s son was named Valentine, and he also named his son Valentine. It felt like fate was calling my name. Though I have done very little research on the Eichelberger family, I felt I had found the perfect subject for this post, particularly focusing on Bastain’s son, Johann Valentine Eichelberger.
Researching this surname can be a creative challenge due to its various spellings, including Eichelberger, Eychelberger, Eichenberger, Eigelberger, Eickelberry, Eikelberger, Ekleberger, Eachelbery, Eaklebarger, Eakelberger, Eccleberger, Eclebery, or Eccleberry. We were always under the assumption it was spelled Eickelberry. You need to be creative when researching this surname!
Bastian immigrated to the United States in 1751 via Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Valentine was three years old. The Eichelberger family were of the Lutheran faith.
I have been unable to locate an actual document that records the birth of Valentine but did find his baptism record in an index list on Ancestry.com that includes a birth date. This tells me that Valentine was the son of George Sebastian (or rather Bastian) Eychelber, a German immigrant, and Anna Catharina (Hauserin). The record reflects that Valentine was born on March 8, 1748, and baptized two days later at Kleinkarlbach, a community near the village of Battenberg, Preußen (Prussia), which was part of the Kingdom of Prussia at that time and is in present-day Germany.
This record below, I believe written in German, shows the image mentioned above. Valentine’s entry is the bottom line.
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Battenberg, Battenberg (Pfalz), Bad Dürkheim, Rhineland-Palatinate,
Germany records, FamilySearch
(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSWT-DS31-T?view=index:
Jan 12, 2025), image 200 of 411 |
A WikiTree for this family shows that Valentine had six siblings: Maria Margaret Eigelberger, John Peter Eigelberger, Anna Catherine Eigelberger, John Heinrich (Henry) Eigelberger, Susanna Margaretha Eigelberger and Maria Barbara Eigelberger. The family tree in FamilySearch corresponds with the WikiTree.
At this stage in my research, I can only document three of the Eichelberger children: Valentine, Henry, and Susanna. The only record I find for Susanna is an index in Ancestry.com similar to that for Valentine.
A couple of interesting items from the will of Valentine’s father, Bastian. First, he refers to Valentine as his eldest son, indicating that Valentine was his firstborn male child. However, later in the will, Bastian mentions his “oldest child” without specifying a name. This could imply that Bastian had an older daughter, who would be the oldest child overall. Second, in Bastian’s will, he first mentions his wife, Anna Catherina, and outlines specific provisions for her. Later in the will, he refers to his “aforesaid second wife,” indicating that he is likely referring to Anna Catherina, as there is no other wife mentioned earlier in the will. Other than Valentine, Henry, and Susanna, I have not connected the children to a mother nor can I confirm their order of birth.
Valentine married his wife Elenora (Lenora) in Pennsylvania, British Colonial America in 1771, and they had 11 children together. According to the WikiTree, their children were: Henry Eckelberry, John Henry Eckelberry, Jacob E. Ekelberry Sr., William Eckelberry, David Eckelberry, Catherine (Eckelberry) Johnson, Valentine (Eckelberry) Eichelberger Jr., George Boston Eckelberry, Abraham Eikleberry Sr., Elizabeth (Eckelberry) Pittenger and Martin Eckelberry. I can document three of them. Two of these children, Caty (Catherine) and George, are named in Valentine’s will. Another son, Jacob, is mentioned in a document by Dick Ekelberry titled “More on the Ekelberry Family,” published in The Delaware Genealogist in 1995. We have been told that my husband descends from Valentine Eichelberger Jr. We have always believed his last name was spelled Eckelberry.
Valentine’s father, Bastian, signed his Last Will and Testament on October 29, 1772. At the time, he lived in New Hanover Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. After all his debts and funeral expenses were paid, Bastian left one English shilling to Valentine, whom he identified as his eldest son. He left his wife, Anna Catharina, whom he identified as his second wife, one bed, one cow, and one-third of his personal estate, as well as the use of his property until their son Henry turned 21.
Bastian bequeathed his land and property in New Hanover Township to his son Henry, who was to pay his siblings (except Valentine) their shares based on a valuation done when Henry turned 21. One hundred pounds of this valuation were to remain on interest for his wife’s use during her lifetime. After Anna Catharina’s death or remarriage, the principal amount would be divided among Bastian’s children from his second marriage, which were not specified.
If Valentine’s mother needed more support than the interest provided, she was allowed to use part of the principal. The rest of Bastian’s estate was to be divided equally among his children (except Valentine). He appointed his wife Anna Catharina and his friend Philip Hahn as executors. Bastian passed away, likely in early 1777 in New Hanover. His will was proved on April 24, 1777. Valentine was specifically excluded in his father’s will, as stated several times. This likely indicates that Valentine had already received his inheritance or a portion of it during his father’s lifetime.
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) website shows that Valentine served as a Private in the Pennsylvania militia during the American Revolutionary War. He was part of Captain William Campbell’s Company, under the command of Colonel James Purdy, in the 7th Battalion. The record also lists Valentine’s birth as around 1750 in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. While the date corresponds with the Ancestry.com record, the location does not. He appears on a roster dated May 9, 1781.
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Valentine in a roster of Captain Philip
Mathews’ Company, 1781 |
Valentine resided in Milford, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania in 1788. A Tax and Exoneration record showed he was charged eight shillings for one horse and cow. In Pennsylvania during 1788, a Tax and Exoneration document was used to record various taxes and to clear individuals from certain obligations. These records included details about supply taxes, poll taxes, property taxes, and other levies imposed to help pay off debts from the Revolutionary War. Exoneration lists were used to release individuals from these taxes upon proof of payment or other qualifying conditions. Even after the American Revolution ended in 1783, the United States continued to use a currency system based on pounds, shillings, and pence versus dollars for some time. The transition to the dollar system was gradual.
In 1798, Valentine was a resident of Greene County, Pennsylvania. According to the tax records, he owned a house valued at $14 and held 599 acres of land. The total valuation for his property, including the dwelling and additional structures valued under $100, amounted to $213.50. Another individual, John Ekelberger, was also listed in the same records. John was likely a son or brother of Valentine’s.
On November 21, 1809, Nancy Grove and John Steigers were given the authority to handle the estate of Jacob Grove, who had passed away. On the same day, a financial guarantee (bond) was secured with Valentine and Jacob Steigers as the guarantors. The detailed report of the estate’s management, known as the administration account, was reviewed, and approved on August 26, 1811.
In 1810, Valentine lived in Wayne Township of Greene County. The census appears to be an alphabetized list rather than by house, but the record shows that Valentine’s sons, David, George, and Valentine Jr. all lived in Wayne Township as well.
Valentine’s son, Valentine Jr., married Alice ‘Alley’ Cumberledge on April 10, 1810. The wedding took place at her father’s house in Wayne Township. On September 24, 1812, Valentine Jr. enlisted as a private in Captain John Brown’s Company, First Regiment (Ferree’s) of the Pennsylvania Militia during the War of 1812. He only served until December 2, 1812, however, due to illness.
The land warrants and deeds are an important key in determining that I have found Valentine Sr. versus Jr. in the records. Several are referenced below.
In April 1814, Valentine resided in Wayne Township, on land that bordered the properties of David Worley, Thomas Stokely, and Isaac Calvert.
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Applications for warrants: Pennsylvania, Warrants Sept.–Dec. 1814,
image 496, FamilySearch.org |
By December 1814, Valentine was mentioned as one of the landowners whose property adjoined the 350 acres that John Cochran applied for in Greene County. This indicates that Valentine owned land in Wayne Township and was still a neighbor to David Worley, Thomas Stokely, and Isaac Calvert.
In September 1816, Valentine gained a new neighbor when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted William Brock 83 acres of land in Wayne Township. This newly granted land bordered Valentine’s property.
In February 1819, David and Margaret Worley sold a piece of their land that bordered Valentine’s to Isaac and William Calvert. Since the Worleys sold part of their land to the Calverts, who already owned property bordering Valentine’s, it is possible they moved and were no longer neighbors. William Tanner was also a recent neighbor. The land was populated with poplar, hickory, and various oak trees.
The 1820 U.S. census shows Valentine living in Wayne Township. His sons William and George are listed directly below Valentine. Listed directly above Valentine is Isaac Colbert, and two more houses above is William Colvert. I believe this is Isaac and William Calvert referenced in the land deeds. On the left side of the census sheet is David Worley, so he too was in close proximity.
On November 15, 1822, Valentine, who still lived in Wayne Township, entered into an agreement with his son-in-law, Nicholas Johnson, and his grandson, William Johnson. Nicholas was married to Valentine’s daughter, Caty (Catherine). For a payment of $30 and other considerations, Valentine granted and sold his farm, which included 459 acres, to Nicholas and William. According to the agreement, William was to receive the lower part of the farm, approximately 100 acres, up to a hollow near the meadow. It was specifically stated that Valentine reserved a life estate for himself and his wife on the farm. Nicholas and William agreed to farm the land from April 1 onward for the lifetime of Valentine and his wife. They would provide one-third of the farm’s produce to Valentine and his wife. Nicholas also committed to finishing a house on the property and allowing Valentine to keep one horse, two cows, and two sheep. Nicholas would feed these animals in winter and provide Valentine and his wife with firewood, housing, and milling services. The taxes on the farm would be paid by Nicholas. This agreement was formalized with signatures and witnessed on June 9, 1824, and later recorded in 1827.
On the same day, Valentine wrote his will, stating that he was weak in body but still of sound mind. He expressed his wish to be buried decently in his orchard field. He wanted all his debts to be paid. He granted his wife, Lenora, the right to choose any house on his plantation, along with various household items, livestock, and all his food and grains. He bequeathed his farm, which contained approximately 450 acres, to his son-in-law Nicholas, daughter Caty Johnson, and grandson William Johnson. They were to share the farm’s produce with Lenora during her lifetime. Valentine instructed that another tract of land, where his son George lived, be sold after his death and the proceeds divided among his 11 children. He also wanted the remainder of his personal estate to be sold, debts paid, and the residue divided equally among his children. Finally, he appointed Nicholas and his friend Henry Shriver as the executors of his will.
Sometime in the spring of 1827, Valentine passed away in Wayne Township. Following his death, two people testified in Greene County on June 9, 1827, to validate his will. John Fordyce confirmed that he saw Valentine sign and declare the document as his last will and testament and that Valentine was of sound mind at the time. Another person, Andrew Buchanan, testified that he recognized the handwriting of Apollo Stephens, a witness to the will, and confirmed that the signature was indeed Apollo’s.
On March 19, 1830, a land grant was issued by Joshua Dickerson from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Peter Myers. In exchange for the payment of $30.36, Myers was granted a specific tract of land in Wayne Township. The boundaries of the land were described, starting at a chestnut oak, and including landmarks such as a small hickory, a white oak, and a heap of stones. The land bordered properties owned by Thomas Stokely, Daniel Worley, and Valentine, measuring 91 acres with allowances. The document affirmed that Myers and his heirs had perpetual rights to the land, except for the reserved fifth part of all gold and silver ore, which had to be delivered to the state. Considering that Valentine passed away in 1827, the mention of his name in this land grant refers to the property he owned prior to his death. The land grant document notes that the newly granted land to Myers borders property that was once owned by Valentine. This indicates that the land still carried Valentine’s name in official records, even though he had already passed away.
On March 16, 1831, Henry Shriver and Nicholas Johnson, the executors of Valentine’s estate, appeared in court to present their administration account, which detailed the financial transactions and management of Valentine’s estate. After the court reviewed and approved the account, it was found that there was a balance of $15.79 and a half cents remaining in the hands of the executors after settling all debts and expenses associated with managing the estate.
Now that I have exhausted my search for details of Valentine’s life, I have gained a deeper understanding of the Eichelberger family. This research has led me to discover many fascinating details, including finding a record from Germany for the first time. Additionally, uncovering the War of 1812 service record for Valentine Jr. was particularly exciting and provides fodder for a new blog post. There is still so much more to uncover and explore.
References
- American Revolution; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution.
- Article of Agreement between Valentine Eichelberger and Nicholas Johnson, Greene County, Pennsylvania, Deeds 1822–1830, image 384, FamilySearch.org.
- Bavaria And Prussia: A Historical Relationship; https://shunculture.com/article/is-bavaria-in-prussia.
- Captain Johann Valentine Eichelberger; https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/about/L78N-R25.
- David Worley, Esq., Greene County, Pennsylvania, Warrants 1957, image 148, FamilySearch.org.
- Deed, David Worley Esq. to Isaac and Frances Calvert, Greene County, Pennsylvania, Deeds 1822–1830, image 173, FamilySearch.org.
- Ekelberry, Dick, More on the Ekelberry Family, The Delaware Genealogist, vol. 11, no. 1, Spring 1995.
- Estate of Jacob Grove, deceased, Greene County, Pennsylvania, Wills 1796–1862, image 76, FamilySearch.org.
- Georg Bastian Eigelberger, U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s–1900s.
- Georg Sebastian Eichelberger (1721 - 1777); https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Eichelberger-107.
- Hedbor, Lars D. H., From Pounds to Dollars, Economics, Journal of the American Revolution, March 8, 2013; https://allthingsliberty.com/2013/03/from-pounds-to-dollars-money-during-the-revolution/.
- Henry Shriver and Nicholas Johnson, Greene County, Pennsylvania, Orphan Records 1799–1832, image 203, FamilySerch.org.
- Joh. Heinrich Eichelberger, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669–2013.
- Johann Valenthin Eychelber baptism, Battenberg, Battenberg (Pfalz), Bad Dürkheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany records, images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSWT-DS31-T?view=index : Jan 12, 2025), image 200 of 411.
- Johann Valenthin Eychelber, Rhineland, Bavaria, Palatinate and Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1556–1973.
- Municipality of Kleinkarlbach; https://www.kreis-bad-duerkheim.de/landkreis/standort/staedte-und-gemeinden/verbandsgemeinde-leiningerland/ortsgemeinde-kleinkarlbach/.
- The History of U.S. Currency, U.S. Currency Education Program; https://www.uscurrency.gov/history.
- U.S. Federal Census, Wayne Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania, 1810, 1820.
- Valentine Eccleberger, Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768–1801.
- Valentine Eckelberry, Applications for warrants: Pennsylvania. Warrants Sept.–Dec. 1814, image 496, FamilySearch.org.
- Valentine Eichelberger, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Genealogy Research; https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A037055.
- Valentine Eichelberger, Military, United States, Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775–1966, Pennsylvania. Thomas Lynch Montgomery. Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Volume VI: Harrisburg Publishing Company, State Printer, 1906.
- Valentine Eichelberger, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560–1900.
- Valentine Ekelberger, Pennsylvania, Tax Records 1798, image 180; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS1K-J9CW-V?view=fullText&keywords=Valentine%2CGreene&groupId=TH-909-80687-34707-94.
- Warrant, Peter Myers, Pennsylvania, Patent Records 1787–1793, image 747, FamilySearch.org.
- Will, Bastian Eigelberger, Philadelphia, Wills 1778–1784, images 26–27, FamilySearch.org, provided by City of Philadelphia Register of Wills Office, City of Philadelphia Register of Wills Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Will, Valentine Eichelberger, Greene County, Pennsylvania, Wills 1796–1862, images 194–195, FamilySearch.org; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G991-ZQYV?view=explore&groupId=TH-1961-28780-1019-60.
- William Brock, Pennsylvania, Patent Records 1809–1819, image 577, FamilySearch.org.
