Krumbhaar-Turnbull Bible Record, Philadelphia

KRUMBHAAR-TURNBULL BIBLE RECORD PHILADELPHIA contributed by Kay Haviland Freilich, CG, CGL * B ible records are a staple of genealogical research, sources to which a high level of accuracy is assigned. The typical Bible record consists of a listing of the family’s vital events–births, deaths, and marriages–in chronological order on pages marked for those records. Individual entries most often include name and date, with the occasional notation of time of day or location. Identity of the author is rarely noted, though it may be attributed to the owner of the Bible when known. The Krumbhaar Bible is unusual in more than one respect. First, although most Bible records are completely lacking in locality information, almost every entry in the Krumbhaar Bible includes the place of the event, which can lead to other source material. Events included in this Bible took place over a wide geographic range. Most happened in Philadelphia, but there are also records of events at Leipzig, London, Hamburg, New Orleans, Washington, Harrisburg, and Cazenovia, New York. The London and Hamburg births can be used to document the family’s travel to Europe, departing between December 1812 (death of a child in Philadelphia) and November 1813 (birth of a child in London). Second, the amount of detail in each entry is rare. Most notations about baptisms and weddings include both the name of the church and the officiating clergyman. Birth entries are annotated with street addresses. Facts such as street addresses, names of clergymen and churches, and personal comments can lead to other sources. Third, the number of entries, and the number of generations covered far exceeds the normal Bible record. Using only the entries from these Bible pages, a genealogist can compile a complete story of this family for almost two centuries. Fourth, it includes events for a nonfamily member, specifically a household servant who had been born a slave. * Kay Haviland Freilich, CG, CGL, 395 Kerrwood Drive, Wayne, PA 19087, is president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, secretary of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, and author of the NGS publication Research in Pennsylvania. The Bible record is from the GSP Collection, Krumbhaar folder, 12 photocopied sheets of 10 pages. These copies, from the Bible of Christian Ludewig Krumbhaar, were presented to the Society by Glenys Waldman in 1983. Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 43 (2003) Final copy 31 December 2003 103 104 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 Entries in the Bible are made in several different handwritings, with annotations made at later times. Careful study of the handwriting and internal clues identify several of the scribes. The Bible’s first entry–the birth of Christian Ludewig Krumbhaar on 26 September 1777–through the 26 September 1833 birth of Mary Turnbull Krumbhaar, daughter of Lewis Krumbhaar Junior and Sophia his wife, were made by Christian Ludewig, who identifies himself with “N.B. The above, my first grandchild, was born on my birthday.” He died soon after. Given his German birth, Christian Ludewig would be expected to write in Gothic script, yet his hand resembles far more that of an individual with British background. Christian, though, was educated in Birmingham, England, according to a memoir prepared by his son Lewis. The memoir was later combined with another account prepared by Edward Bell Krumbhaar, a grandson of Lewis, and published as a Krumbhaar family history. 1 The scribe from 1835 through 1839 may have been his wife, Mary (Turnbull) Krumbhaar, but might have been an unidentified child other than Lewis, Jr. Lewis Krumbhaar, Jr., who was born in 1805 is identified as the scribe from 1840 through 1854 by the handwriting on an annotation to the 1839 entry that says that the birth of William Turnbull Krumbhaar took place “in the same room in which I. (L. K.) was born 34 years before.” The writer through 1882 is named in an annotation as Lewis Krumbhaar, whose death is the next entry, but the handwriting beginning in 1858 does not match his, so could have been any of the adult children, grandchildren, or their spouses (except Lewis, Jr.). Thereafter the handwriting changes more often. The attributions such as “handwriting of Lewis Ramsey Krumbhaar” and “handwriting of Carl Hermann Krumbhaar” are more contemporary and hence more likely to be correct. Someone added generation numbers in the left margin, beginning with Christian Ludewig Krumbhaar as generation 4. How much credence can be placed in the information in this or any other Bible depends on factors such as knowing the date of publication of the Bible, comparing that date with the dates of the events recorded, identifying the author, and corroborating at least some of the facts from other sources. Since the photocopied record in the GSP collection includes no title page or other publication date, there is no way to apply the first test to the Krumbhaar Bible. The completeness of the entries, though, make it relatively easy to verify enough facts to establish the veracity of the Bible. The sources used make it clear that Christian Ludewig Krumbhaar was known as Lewis in Philadelphia. As Lewis he appears in Philadelphia city directories beginning in 1825 and continuing through 1836. In each case he is identified as a merchant, whose address is given first as 144 South Third 1 Krumbhaar Family. One of the Series of Sketches to be Embraced in the “Old Philadelphia Families.” Based Largely on Lewis Krumbhaar’s Memoir of his Father and the Manuscript of Edward Bell Krumbhaar, M. D. (Philadelphia: The Historical Publication Society, 1932). This covers the German ancestry of Christian Ludewig Krumbhaar and includes a great deal of biographical information on various family members that is not part of the Bible record. Final copy 31 December 2003 2003] Krumbhaar-Turnbull Bible Record 105 Street and then as 217 High Street [now Market].2 As “C. Lewis” his death of erysipelas at the age of 59 and burial on 4 February 1836 appears in Philadelphia burial records.3 As Lewis, his death was reported in Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser of 4 February 1836: Died, on the 1st inst., Mr. Lewis Krumbhaar, one of the Representatives of the City of Philadelphia in the state Legislature, 59 years. 4 Other entries in the Krumbhaar Bible are supported by independent sources. As a sampling: Lewis Krumbhaar resided in Oxford Township5 when the 1840 census was taken. The large household of fifteen included three males under five and one female between five and ten years old. These children are the correct ages to have been William, George, Lewis, and Mary of the Bible record. Five free colored persons were part of the enumeration. 6 By 1845 Lewis Krumbhaar was living at 601 Wood. Later city directories give his occupation as secretary. Alexander, Lewis, and Charles are listed at the Wood Street address in subsequent years. 7 In 1850 when he was 45 years old, Lewis Krumbhaar was enumerated in Philadelphia’s Spring Garden Ward. He was identified as the secretary of an insurance company; his wife Sophia was born in Virginia. In addition to their children, there were three black females in the household, including Adeline Purnell, then age 33.8 Adeline Purnell is described in the Bible as the family’s children’s nurse who had been born a slave. The early death of Alexander Krumbhaar in Hartford, Connecticut, before his twenty-fourth birthday, was also reported in 1842 in the Public Ledger, Philadelphia’s largest newspaper of the era. Cause of death was an internal abscess.9 Perhaps this accounted for the death while away from home. Adeline Purnell’s death on 18 March 1895 appeared in the Public Ledger.10 2 Lewis Krumbhaar entries, McElroy’s Philadelphia city directories, original volumes at GSP, 1825–page 81, 1830–page 106, 1833–page 117, 1836–page 107. 3 C. Lewis Krumhaar entry, WPA Index to Philadelphia Burials. Microfilm XR 499:8 at Historical Society of Pennsylvania. No cemetery is named in the index. Erysipelas is an acute, contagious, streptococcal infection, characterized by fever and bright red inflammations of skin and mucous membranes. 4 Notices of Marriages and Deaths in Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser 1834— 1837. GSP Collections, manuscript, pages 404—5. 5 Oxford is one of many townships in Philadelphia County eliminated as a political entity in 1854 when all districts, townships, and boroughs were merged into one unit and the boundaries of the city and county of Philadelphia were made identical. For a map, see Philadelphia Maps, 1682—1982: Townships–Districts–Wards, special publication no. 6 (Philadelphia: Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 1996), page 54. The so-called “lost townships” such as Oxford exist today as neighborhood names. 6 Lewis Krumbhaar household, 1840 US Census, Philadelphia County, Oxford Township, page 155, line 13. 7 Krumbhaar entries, McElroy’s Philadelphia city directories, original volumes at GSP, 1845–page 198, 1850–page 229, 1855–page 302, 1860–page 541. 8 Lewis Krumbhaar household, 1850 US Census, Philadelphia County, Spring Garden District, first ward, page 285 stamped, page 571 written, #12/12. 9 Public Ledger, Philadelphia, 18 June 1842, page 2, column 4. 10 Public Ledger, Philadelphia, 19 March 1895, page 8, column 6. Final copy 31 December 2003 106 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 [first page] KRUMBHAAR: 1803. begins P678 with record of William Frege Ks wedding and continued in several handwritings11 [second page] This Bible Is the Property of [no name inserted] [third page] 677 FAMILY RECORD Marriages12 (4)Christian Ludewig Krumbhaar born at Leipzig ^{in Saxony (U Germany}^ the 26 September 1777. landed the first time at Philadelphia the 14 July 1796. Mary Turnbull born at Philadelphia the 3d of March 1781. Were married by the Revd Dr. Green the 17th of March 1803 (3)William Frege Krumbhaar born ^{on the west side of Front Street 1 door S of Blackham[?] alley in the City of Philadelphia}^ the 7 April 1804. (3)Lewis Buck Krumbhaar born 19 September 1805 (3)Mary Turnbull Krumbhaar born ^{at Woodlawn Oxford township Philadelphia County}^ 31 August 1807. Died 12 May 1808 (3)Alexander Vincent Krumbhaar born ^{S. W. cor. 3d & Spruce Sts in the City of Philadia Saturday}^ 10 June 1809. Mary Elizabeth Krumbhaar born ^{S. W. cor 3d & Spruce Sts in the City of Philadelphia}^ 10 November 1811. Died 5th December 1812. {in the house she was born in.} (3)Caroline Becker Krumbhaar born 8th November 1813 in London and was baptized in the Parish Church of St. Clements as per certificate. [added later in same hand:] Had the Hooping Cough in the Months of Novr & Decemb 1819 & the measles at the same time. (3)Emma Turnbull Krumbhaar born 14 September 1815 at Hamburg & was privately christened by the German Lutheran clergyman of the Parish. [added later in same hand:] Emma had also a violent cough in Nov. & Dec. 1819 but did not hoop[?] Emma had the measles in January 1820. [fourth page] 678 [headings crossed out] (3)William Frege Krumbhaar was married at New Orleans the 17th April 1832 to Jane Butler McCutcheon, oldest daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Butler McCutcheon of New Orleans born July 17th 1809. 11 This page appears to be a cover sheet from a later date, but was prepared by someone who did not have copies of all of the pages or who had them out of order. 12 Each of the numbered pages is divided into two columns, with column headings, but entries are written across the entire page and headings, such as “Marriages” are ignored or crossed out. Interlined text is indicated between carat marks (^). Changes in handwriting are indicated by {} brackets. Final copy 31 December 2003 2003] Krumbhaar-Turnbull Bible Record 107 (3)Lewis Krumbhaar Junior having declined the name of Buck[?] was married at the City of Washington the 6th December 1832 to Sophia Ramsey youngest daughter of Andrew and Catherine Graham Ramsey of the City of Washington born April 27th 1808. (3)Mary Turnbull Krumbhaar daughter of Lewis Krumbhaar Junior and Sophia his wife was born ^{at No. 805 Arch St Philadelphia}^ September 26th 1833 and baptized at Washington City by the Rev d Mr. Matthews of the Catholic Church the 20th December 1833. N. B. The above my first grandchild was born on my birthday. {CLK’s handwriting to this point.}13 [handwriting change] William Butler Krumbhaar son of William F. and Jane Butler Krumbhaar was born at ^{No. 805 Arch Street}^ Philadelphia June 7th 1835 and baptized at Philadelphia by the Rev. Dr. P. F. Mayer of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Johns. (2)Lewis Ramsey Krumbhaar son of Lewis and Sophia Krumbhaar was born at ^{No. 805 Arch Street}^ Philadelphia August 6th 1835 baptised by the Rev. Mr. Mathews at Washington City Catholic church there. (3)Caroline Becker Krumbhaar was married at Philadelphia by the Rev. Dr. P. F. Mayer the 27th October 1835 to John Church Martin eldest son of John Martin M.D. & Rebecca his wife of Snow Hill, Maryland. (2)Lewis Krumbhaar Martin son of John C. & Caroline Martin was born at Philadelphia the 28th of December 1836 and baptised by the Revd Mr. Baines of the Presbyterian church of Philad. [fifth page] 679 [headings crossed out] (4)Christian Ludewig Krumbhaar died at Harrisburg of the erypselas on the 1st of February 1836 while attending the Legislature of the state of Pennsylvania as a member returned by the City of Philadelphia. (2)George Graham ^Douglas^ Krumbhaar son of Lewis & Sophia K was born at Frankford the 31st of May 1837. It was the intention at first to christen George Graham subsequently determined to call him Douglas after his uncle George Douglas Ramsey, he was accordingly so baptized by the Revd George Sheets[?] of the Episcopal Church at Oxford, Pennsylvania. Samuel Theodore Krumbhaar son of William F. and Jane B. Krumbhaar was born at Philadelphia the [blank] 1837 and was baptized at Philadia by the Rev. Dr. Ducachet. Lewis Krumbhaar Martin son of John Church & Caroline Becker Martin died in Philadelphia the [blank] of November 1838 aged one year & 22 months and was interred at the Laurel Hill Cemetery. 13 Incorrect–the main handwriting is consistent for over three pages, surely that of Mary (Turnbull) Krumbhaar. Final copy 31 December 2003 108 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 (2)William Turnbull Krumbhaar son of Lewis & Sophia Krumbhaar was born at Woodlawn Oxford township Philadia County at 12 o’clock midnight 16th 17th November 1839 {in the same room in which I (L. K.) Was born 34 years before.} [handwriting change] (3)Alexander Krumbhaar was married at Casenovia Madison County New York on the 15th September 1840 to Helen L. Ledyard. (3)Alexander Krumbhaar died on the 13th June 1842 aged 33 years 3 days and was interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery. (2)Alexander Krumbhaar Son of Lewis and Sophia Krumbhaar was born at ^{the N. W. Corn. of 6th & Wood Streets}^ Philadelphia on the 27th day of July 1842. (2)Catherine Ramsey Krumbhaar daughter of Lewis and Soph. Krumbhaar was born at ^{at the corner 6th & Wood Streets}^ Philadelphia on the 12th day of December 1845. [sixth page] 680 [headings crossed out] (2)Charles Hermann Krumbhaar Son of Lewis and Sophia Krumbhaar was born at ^{N. W. Corner of 6th & Wood Streets}^ Philadelphia on the 13th day of May 1848. (2)Catherine Ramsey Krumbhaar died at ^{N. W. Corner of 6th & Wood Sts}^ Philadelphia January 16th 1854 in the 9th year of her age. [handwriting change] (2)George Douglas Krumbhaar was married at Philadelphia by the Rev. Charles D. Cooper on the 7th October 1858 to Susan Margaret daughter of William & ?Sedan? Cooper of Albany N. Y. [added later] who was born 2nd May 1835. (1)William Cooper Krumbhaar son of George D. & Susan Margaret was born at the Philadelphia 23 January 1860 [added later] and died on the 17th July of the same year. (1)Louis Krumbhaar Son of George D. & S. M. Krumbhaar was born at the City of Paris France on the 5th October 1861. {Died Cazenovia} (4)Mary Krumbhaar relict of Christian Lewis Krumbhaar died at ^{N. W. Corner 6th & Wood}^ Philadelphia December 6th 1865. [added later] in the 85th year of her age. Cornelia Cooper Krumbhaar daughter of Geo D and S. M Krumbhaar was born at ^{Walnut St}^ Philadelphia 14th day of October 1869. {Died Cazenovia 16 day of Feby 1945} (3)William Frege Krumbhaar died at New Orleans Louisiana on the 26 day of March 1871. [added later] in the 66th year of his age. (3)Helen Ledyard Krumbhaar relict of Alexander Krumbhaar (the elder) died at Caznovia Madison County N.Y. on the 8th Oct 1872. (2)Mary Turnbull Turnbull14 daughter of Lewis and Sophia Krumbhaar died at ^{No. 115 South 21st St.}^ Philadelphia January 14 th 1873. 14 Likely this surname should be Krumbhaar. Final copy 31 December 2003 2003] Krumbhaar-Turnbull Bible Record 109 (3)Sophia Krumbhaar wife of Lewis Krumbhaar, died at ^{No. 115 South 21st St.}^ Philadelphia February 28th 1874. Caroline Becker Martin wife of John C. Martin, died at Philadelphia May 9, 1874. John C. Martin died at Philadelphia May 5th 1875. (2)Charles Herman Krumbhaar was married at ^{Grace Church}^ New York on the 2nd June 1879 to Mary Alis ^{eldest}^ daughter of Edward R. and [originally blank] ^Caroline F.[?]^ Bell of that City. (3)Emma Turnbull Krumbhaar died at ^{No. 115 South 21 st}^ Philadelphia May 26 1880. Charles Herman Krumbhaar son of Charles H. & Mary ? Krumbhaar June 3, 1880 {at No. 224 South 20 th Street Philadelphia}. [The preprinted family pages end here, but the entries continue on four unprinted pages. The first three entries on these pages are in the same handwriting as the Bible. The remainder are in a different hand, including events as recent as 1969. Because of privacy considerations, this transcription includes only events earlier than 1900.] [seventh page] Jane Butler Krumbhaar widow of William Frege Krumbhaar died at New Orleans on the 10th day of December 1882[?] In the 73rd year of her age. (1)Edward Bell Krumbhaar, son of Charles Herman & Mary Ellis Krumbhaar was born on Tuesday August 1st 1882 ^{12:05 AM}^ at No 226 South 20th Street Philadelphia. ^{(Handwriting of Lewis Krumbhaar)}^ [handwriting change] (3)Lewis Krumbhaar died at 117 So 21 Street on April 29 th 1885. {Handwriting of Lewis Ramsey Krumbhaar} (2)Mary Ellis Krumbhaar wife of Charles Hermann Krumbhaar died at Philadelphia January 20th 1899. ^{Born Sept 21, 1852}^ (2)William Turnbull Krumbhaar died at Philadelphia April 25th 1902. {(Handwriting of Charles Hermann Krumbhaar)} (1)Louis Krumbhaar was married at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia, ^{(Handwriting of Edward Bell Krumbhaar)}^ on the 10th of November 1892 to Anna[?] Couyngham, daughter of the late Right Rev. Wm. Bacon Stevens[?], bishop of Pennsylvania, a resident of Philadelphia. Adeline Purnell, a most faithful colored woman, who came to the Krumbhaar family when she was about 13, was born a slave, & liberated by Miss Purnell of Maryland & faithfully served the family as child’s nurse for over 60 years. Died at Philadelphia, March 18th 1895. [several interlinings too faint to read] Final copy 31 December 2003