Mays Family Tree - Person Sheet
NameRev. Johann Heinrich ANTES 
445
445Birth PlaceFreinsheim, On Rhine, GERMANY
Bapt Date17 Jul 17011498 Age: <1
Bapt PlaceFreinsheim, On Rhine, GERMANY
Bapt MemoReformed Church
Death PlaceFredericktown, PA, USA
Burial Memoon his farm.
ReligionMoravian
FatherPhilip Frederic ANTOS (~1670-1746)
MotherAnna Katharine KINDER (~1675-~1740)
Misc. Notes
“John Henry” Americanized. “Pious Layman” & “Sweet singer of songs” John Henry received his father’s farm through his will.1500
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“Pious”1501
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The early settlers were, with few exceptions, Germans, who were in most cases driven hither by the scourging wars, and religious persecutions then raging in Europe. Being pious men and women, they soon formed themselves into religious societies.1502
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John Frederick [?] Antes was a man described as of large frame, and of considerable force and reputation.1503
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The following is a biography written by Richard Lee Gleason from a variety of sources listed at the end. (ricksgenealogy@gmail.com)
John Henry settled in Frederick, in the present Montgomery County, PA and became a partner with his father-in-law in a paper and flour mill, and acquired property. He is described as a man of powerful frame, strong, with the versatility of a pioneer: mechanic, farmer, hunter, guide, a trusted counsellor skilled in the drawing of legal documents.
His place in history depends upon his religious leadership, and especially on his association with the United Brethren or Moravians, and his strivings for union. At first he was a member of the Reformed Church at Falkner Swamp, and a friend of its minister Boehm. He was soon a leader and a lay preacher, unusually broad-minded, being "singularly free from prejudice and bigotry."
Antes and several others formed a group called the "Associated Brethren of Skippack," which met in conferences until 1740. His house was a rendezvous for German immigrants, and with the new-comer Spangenberg (later Moravian bishop)* he discussed religious unity. His projected union was wider than the "Brethren of Skippack." He welcomed as an ally the great Moravian leader Zinzendorf, who had recently landed, and on Dec. 15, 1741, he issued a call for a meeting of Christians to be held at Germantown, Jan. 1, 1742. At this meeting Antes presided, and in the subsequent conferences he took an active part.
Antes left the Reformed Church in 1740 and not long afterward joined the Moravians. In 1741 acting as their agent he bought for £400 a tract of 500 acres along the Lehigh River which became the nucleus of the town of Bethlehem, PA. He moved there in 1745, and his plantation, it’s buildings and mill in Frederick were used as a school for boys. Officially opened on June 3, 1745, the school had twenty-three pupils from Nazareth and Bethlehem. Eleven others were soon enrolled, among them an Indian and a Negro. In the years following a number of Indians and Negroes were taught in this school.
John Henry was made Justice of the Peace on 17 Dec 1745 for what was then Bucks County [PA], an office he held until his death nearly ten years later, being reappointed from time to time as the term expired, and though the county boundaries were meanwhile changed.
At that time the justices were appointed by the Governors, and were men who were deemed qualified, not necessarily versed in the law, as the legal profession was not respected in that day. The justices were held in much higher honor. They were very important people. They had supervision of most public affairs that embraced what is now given to several officials. They were to keep the peace within their jurisdictions, to chastise and punish all offenders. They held court, periodically, with the senior justice presiding. They were supposed to be competent to meet the problems which came up.
While in Bethlehem he served as business manager for the Moravians - to which office he was regularly appointed in 1748 - built a noted mill and other works, was appointed justice of the peace by the governor, and investigated the grievances of the Indians. When the Moravians were attacked he defended them, and acted as the trustee of their property in Philadelphia.
He later received a license to run a ferry on the Lehigh River. When the Moravians launched one of their immigration ships on May 29, 1748, the Irene† was registered in Henry Antes's name. His services were of "immense value," and his position was shown by his friendship with such religious leaders as Zinzendorf, Spangenberg, Muhlenberg, and Whitefield.
In 1750 Antes left Bethlehem and the Moravians, and returned to Frederick. He objected to certain innovations, especially to the rule that the minister should wear a white surplice at the Eucharist. It has been stated that he withdrew from membership in the Moravian Church (questioned by Levering, pp. 251-52).
He continued his activity in Moravian affairs at Bethlehem and elsewhere. In 1752-53 with others, he made a trying journey to North Carolina, exploring in the interests of the church; 100,000 acres were purchased near the Yadkin River, which became the Moravian colony of Wachovia. Antes played a significant role in the founding of Moravian settlements in the towns of Bethania and Bethabara, “near present day Winston-Salem, North Carolina.”
According to the Goschenhoppen Historians John Henry Antes was considered among “the greatest master builders of the early colonial period and was responsible for the construction of many of the early Moravian buildings and mills in Bethlehem, PA.” He was also esteemed as “one of the most important religious/political leaders in the middle colonies in the 18th century.”
Antes spoke and wrote English and thus was very useful in his travels with various bishops who visited the country. He gave the same valuable service to the Lutheran Bishop Muhlenberg as he had to others. He traveled with him a great deal and it was Muhlenberg who said of Antes that “he was a man of great reputation and influence, and was attentively heard.”
Antes was made justice of the peace in Philadelphia County in 1752. He defended the loyalty of the Pennsylvania Germans in a letter written to the provincial secretary, and died soon after at Frederick, leaving a legacy to the Moravians. Bishop Spangenberg gave his funeral address before 600 mourners gathered to share their grief, which was both deep and sincere.
Though he was not now officially a Moravian, three of his children were Moravian missionaries. Anna Catharine was superintendent of a Girls school in North Carolina, where she married, and died. Anna Margaretta was educated in England to the same profession and married there a Moravian minister the Rev. Benjamin Latrobe. They were the parents of the famed architect Benjamin Latrobe who designed the central part of the U.S. Capitol Building.
His son John was a Moravian missionary to the Copts in Egypt. He made and invented various musical devices and made his first violin at age 19 (possibly the first made in Colonial America). John wrote music and his compositions are still sung by the Moravian choirs of today. He was also an author of note on Egyptian affairs.
The Reverend Antes was buried on the old homestead farm beside his father. On his headstone there is this inscription written in German:
“Here lies HENRY ANTES
An Ornament of this land,
An upright, fearless, administrator of justice
And a faithful servant before the world and God’s people.
Fell asleep in Fredericktown July 20, 1775, age 54 years”1504,1199,1196,1505,1506
End of biography compiled by Richard Lee Gleason
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Henry Antes - One of the pioneer settlers of Pennsylvania, who wielded an influence -and wielded it for good- in the affairs of the colony during the thirty years between 1725 and 1755, the story of whose life is little known, was Henry Antes.
He was the son of Frederick and Anna Catherine Antes, and was born in Europe in 1701. The earliest record found concerning the Anteses in this country is a deed, dated the 20th of February, 1723, for one hundred and fifty-four acres of land in Philadelphia County, purchased by Frederick Anttos, of Germantown, from Henerick Van Bebber, described as part of the "tract of twenty-two thousand three hundred and seventy-seven acres in Mahanitina," in the present township of New Hanover [Philadelphia County, PA]. Frederick Antes died in the latter part of the year 1746, leaving a wife and two children the son, Henry, and a daughter named Ann Elizabeth, who was the wife of John Eschbach.
It is believed that Henry Antes was born in Freinsheim, a town of two thousand inhabitants, in Rhenish Bavaria. On the 2d of February 1726, after three regular notices given, Henry Antes and Christiana Elizabetha, daughter of William Dewees, were married at Whitemarsh by John Philip Boehm, pastor of the German Reformed Church in Pennsylvania.
The precise date at which Antes took up his residence in Frederick is not known. On the 2d of February, 1730, he is described as a resident of Hanover township, the name at that time sometimes applied to the territory afterwards erected into Frederick, as well as to the Frankfort Land Company's tract.
Previous to this he, with his father-in-law, had built a grist mill and paper mill at Crefeld, Germantown. In 1730 he was naturalized. On the 2d day of September, 1735, Henry Antes, of Frederick township, millwright, bought of John Hagerman, of Lancaster County, weaver, one hundred and seventy-five acres of land "near the branches of the Perkeawming," in Frederick township, paving therefor £two hundred, lawful money of the province bounded by lands of William Frey and Henry Stadler, land late of Andrew Frey and vacant lands. Upon this tract Mr. Antes resided during the remainder of his life, except when temporarily called away.
Upon this property, the same year, he built, in partnership with George Heebner, a grist mill.‡ This grist mill, located on Swamp Creek, was the first in this neighborhood. Prior to its erection the primitive settlers were obliged to send their grain to the Wissahickon to be ground. A tradition, handed down from one of the first settlers here, avers that it was customary to send the Indians of the locality to Nissahickon distant twenty-five miles, to mill. They would start on the journey in the evening and return the net day, bringing the flour in exchange for the grain. For this service a small quantity of tobacco or some other slight compensation was given. By virtue of a warrant dated March 25, 1741, a tract of ninety-six and three-quarters acres of and in that portion of Limerick township, now included in New Hanover, was surveyed to Henry Antes.
These transactions show the activity of Mr. Antes during the early years of his manhood. He was a man of tall stature and strong physique. "He was remarkable," says one of his descendants, "for being in appearance and dress an enormous Dutch farmer, and in language and manners a courtier of the ancient regime." He was a pioneer in the true sense of the word. He explored the wilderness, and acquainted himself with the streams and the character of the country. He knew the paths and Indian trails, of interior Pennsylvania. The Indians themselves were his neighbors, and he learned their habits and peculiarities. He was adept in woodcraft, understood the varieties of soil, knew the value of watercourses and how to utilize them, instructed the newcomers from Europe how to "clear" their lands, and pointed out to them the springs beside which to build their rude habitations, on a site sheltered by a knoll from the bitter blasts of winter. His services were called into requisition in the selection of lands, the negotiation of purchases, the drawing of wills and the settling of estates. His prudence and integrity in the performance of duties requiring acquaintance with legal formalities and knowledge of financial matters, were recognized throughout the length and breadth of the then limited bounds of the inhabited parts of the province.
In matters of religion he displayed the same activity and earnestness that marked his business habits. He was a man of decided convictions and sincere piety, and lie was in earnest supporter of the movements of his time for the advancement or the Christian region. He had received careful training in youth in Europe. Mr. Boehm, in 1742 wrote: "Under the clear light of the Gospel was he born, holy baptism did he receive, through which he entered the covenant which He has made for the faithful; this covenant, I doubt not, was explained according to the word of God (for I knew his zealous and faithful instructor well) at his first participation in the Holy Communion." In the Spring of 1736 he became acquainted with Spangenberg, founder of the Moravian Church in America, who was sojourning among the Schwenkfelders in Skippack. The friendship between him and the mild and godly Spangenberg endured to the end of their lives. Antes, John Bechtel, Adam Gruber, Stieffel and others were in the habit of going, once in four weeks, on a visit to Spangenberg, who made his home with Christopher Wiegner, and there they "enjoyed many blessed hours together."
"Although but a layman," says another writer concerning Antes, "he undertook to instruct his fellow countrymen in the province in the way of life, calling them together in their houses for singing, for prayer, for reading the Scriptures and for exhortation. Thus, we find him employed in the populous district of Oley as early as 1736." His home was made a centre for religious efforts. On the 24th of April, 1740, Whitefield preached here in England. [sic] Rev. Dr. Dubbs places Antes before us in this connection thus:
"He stood by the side of Whitfield,
And prayed in the German tongue
When the clarion voice of the preacher
O're the hills, of Frederick rung.
They knew not each other's language
Nor did they need it then;
For the one cried, Hallelujah!
And the other said, Amen!"
On the following day, April 25th, Bohler and Seyffert, of the Moravians, with Henry Antes as guide, started from Antes' house to view a tract of five thousand acres of land in the Forks of the Delaware, which Whitefield had purchased one time before, and which the Moravians afterwards bought and settled upon. On Saturday, April 26th, the three explorers found themselves at an extensive Indian village, upon the spot where Nazareth now stands, and spent the night there in the woods. From this time forward Antes was closely identified with the Moravians in their spiritual and temporal affairs. Up to 1740 he continued a member of the Falkner Swamp Reformed Church in the charge of Rev. Mr. Boehm. At this time a difference arose between pastor and parishioner which resulted in alienation. In 1741, Antes became acquainted with Count Zinzendorf, whose labors are referred to in another portion of this article. In 1742, Antes assisted the Moravians in building the first large house, called the " Gemein-Haus," in Bethlehem. It was built of logs. " Not only," says one of the brethren, "did he aid them with his own hands upon this house, but also with money and advice."
He also assisted in building the grist mills in and about Bethlehem, the grist-mill at Friedensthal and the grist and saw-mill at Gnadenhhuetten. The colony of Moravian immigrants who came in the "Catherine" arrived at the house of Henry Antes, in Frederick, towards evening on the 19th of July, 1742, and lodged there that night. This company numbered fifty-six souls. In November, 1744, Henry Antes presided at a Synod of the Moravian brethren, held in what is now North Heidelberg Township. On the 21st of March, 1745, he attended a large church council at Muddy Creek. The second week in March 1745, the Moravian Synod was in session at his house in Frederick. At this meeting the arrangements were made for establishing a boarding-school for boys (described elsewhere) on the plantation of Antes. He now moved to Bethlehem with his family, excepting two sons, who remained at the school.
December 15, 1745, he was appointed a justice of the peace for Bucks County, and under date of June 30, 1749, he was reappointed to the same office in the same county. He was sent, in 1746, as a deputy from Bethlehem, at the demand of the government, to be publicly examined in regard to an accusation made against the Brethren to the effect that they had three thousand stand of arms for the use of the Indians who should join the French in making in roads into Pennsylvania. The examination resulted in proving the entire innocence of the accused. On the 18th of February, 1748, the proprietaries granted to Henry Antes, Esq., for the use of the Brethren, license to construct a ferry, for a period of seven years, over the West Branch of the river Delaware, on the high road leading from Philadelphia to the Minisinks, and from thence to the northwest part of the province New York. On the 27th of October, 1748, he was appointed business manager of the Moravian brethren at Bethlehem, taking the legal care of the community's property and outward temporal affairs.
In April, 1750, the Moravians at Bethlehem introduced the wearing of the white surplice by the minister at the celebration of the Eucharist. Antes disapproved of this, and in consequence withdrew from their communion. "This unhappy circumstance, "say Henry Harbaugh, "grieved the Brethren, because they esteemed him highly for his practical Christianity and many offices of love in their behalf. And he himself was not slow to lament the estrangement, while both parties adhered to their respective views."
Prompted by this occurrence, Mr. Antes, in 1750 upon the removal of the school from his property, returned to Frederick Township. He permitted those of his children that preferred to do so to remain with the Brethren, while the others of his family returned to the Reformed Church. Whether Mr. Antes himself renewed his connection with the church of his youth is uncertain.
On the 25th of May 1752, Henry Antes was appointed I justice of the peace in Philadelphia County, of which Frederick Township was then a part.
Towards the close of the year 1752 the Moravians desired Antes to accompany Spangenberg and others to make a journey to North Carolina to elect and have surveyed a large tract which they had bought for the purpose of settling a colony there. A messenger was sent to Antes to extend an invitation to him to accompany the party. This incident, as described by John Antes, shows the resolute character of his father:
"When the messenger arrived at my father's house and learned he was sick and that doubts were entertained of his recovery, he did not think it proper to extend this invitation to him and accordingly returned. My father, however who had been appraised of the arrival of a stranger, inquired particularly about him, as soon as he learned his business he dispatched my eldest brother after him with a request to come back. No sooner had he learned of the invitation than he resolved, without hesitation to comply with it, and from that moment his health improved so rapidly that he was soon enabled to carry into effect his resolution."
In 1754 the German settlers of Pennsylvania were accused of disloyalty to the King of Great Britain and of sympathy with the French. On the 20th of November, 1754, the principal German Protestants of the province addressed a letter to the Hon. Robert Hunter Morris, Esq., Lieutenant Governor, affirming their fidelity to the British sovereign. The signers from Frederick township were Henry Antes, George Huebner, Philip Leydich
Antes, who knew the Germans of Pennsylvania better than any other living man, felt keenly the injustice of the accusation and the cowardice of the attack upon the honor of this faithful people, who, by reason of their alien language and social disadvantages, were almost defenseless. To vindicate more thoroughly his countrymen, he wrote a letter to Richard Peters, secretary of the province, making suggestions, viz.:
"Sir, -We have considered further concerning out address to his Hon. Robert Hunter Morris. That as there is a great number of Germans all over ye province of Pensilvania, which might perhaps not have heard nor intended any thing, neither of the late accusation against the said Nation in general, and may be less of our late address to his Honor ye Governor concerning ye same, and for ye more satisfaction to them all which is ignorant in it, we thought it proper to put it in public print, both in English and Dutch; if his Honor ye Governor has not already put the copy to the press, and therefore hope his Honor will not take it amiss; because it only to that Intent that out Protestant Country people might see all out reason and motive to out actions; Especially in ye Cutch Copy we Intent to make a short introduction to show them both our concern as also to remind them of their Loyal duty to the Crown of Great Britain, as likewise his Honor's answer to ye sd address, of which I send you by this ye copy to correct; pray do not take it amiss as: you have been present you are most able to add where I have omitted, and alter where I might not have used the same expressions his Honor make to the said Address. I should have nothing against it if his Honor ye Governour should see his own ans. as much as I could remember thereof, and so send i back to Mr. Keply, in Philadelphia, who is desired to forward ye same to print. And with this I remain with many salutations,
"Sir, your Humble Servant, "HENRY ANTES.
"Frederick Township, December ye 24th, 1754."
We come now to the close of this great-hearted man's busy life. The hardships endured in the overland journey to North Carolina and the explorations there, as also an injury received whilst superintending the building of the mill at Friedenthal, near Nazareth, contributed to his decline. He was in an enfeebled state of health until Sunday, the 20th day of July, 1755, when death happily relieved him of his sufferings. The death of a man so generally known and so highly esteemed throughout Pennsylvania produced a deep impression. The news of his death was conveyed the same day to Bethlehem, and after dinner Bishop Spangenberg and wife, Rev. Abraham Reinecke, Rev. John Bechtel, Rev. Matthew Shropp and eight others set out for Frederick township, with three children of the deceased, who were attending school there. On the following day, at the funeral services, Bishop Spangenberg delivered an address, Rev. Mr. Reinecke read the Moravian burial service, and ten pall-bearers from Bethlehem carried the remains of "the pious layman of Frederick township" to their resting-place in the family graveyard on the farm, close by those of his father. Over six hundred persons attended the solemn services. His grave is marked by a stone of blue marble, bearing these words:
"Heir Ruhet
HEINRICH ANTES:
Ein Kleinod dieses Landes
Ein redlich kuehner
Handhaber der Gerechtigkeit
und treuer Diener
Vor Welt-und Gottes Leut,
___________
Eutschlief
In Friedrichs-Town den 20 Julii,
1755
Seines Alters 54 Jahre.
In his will, written by his own hand on the 20th of July, 1754, precisely one year before his death, is this provision:
"I give fiffty Pounds, Pennsylvania money, unto Abraham Bemper, Timothy Horsefield, or their Succeeding Committees for the Furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to ye use of the Indian Brethren at Guadenhuetten or Elsewhere under The Cares of Unitas fratrum, now in Bethlehem in Pennsylvania."
Spangenberg speaks of Antes as "a man well acquainted with all the circumstances of the country, being, widely and favorably known, and enjoying the confidence and love of many souls." Boehm, in the heat of controversy, said: "He knows full well how our hearts were formerly bound together in a cordial love for the divine truth of our Reformed teachings." John Antes, his son, after his return from Africa, wrote of his father: "He was beloved and esteemed in the whole neighborhood on account of his uprightness and impartiality, by which, both as a citizen and a justice of the peace, he was characterized." Christopher Saur, the editor of the widely-read Germantown newspaper, in the issue of the 16th of May, 1756, said of Antes: "He died in a state of impartiality (Unpartheyklichkeit) towards all men and parties. Were such magistrates more numerous, the poor would not have reason to complain and weep over grievous injustice, which they have to suffer because persons are favored."
In the wilds of North Carolina Antes suffered great deal from a wound in the hand, which he received in cutting tent-poles. The hardships and dangers encountered by the party in the undertaking are described in the "Life of Spangenberg." In the spring of 1753 Antes was enabled to return home, but from that time he was often attacked with disease.
In 1754, when the movement by the London Society to introduce English schools among the Germans was set on foot, the philanthopic heart of Antes was at once enlisted in its favor. Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, in a letter addressed to Rev. William Smith, giving an account of the meeting held at New Hanover respecting the proposed schools, says,
I delivered ... all your other papers into the hands of Henry Antes, Esq., being a man of great reputation and influence was attentively heard which he explained the same to the people. After conferring a little together, they (the Reformed) all melted at once into tears of joy, uttered many thankful expressions, and agreed in Christian harmony in the choice of our Lutheran school-house, and offered also their own school-house, which is only about sixty poles distant."
Rev. J. H. Dubbs, D.D., writes:
"He loved the Church of his fathers,
And over the stormy sea
He had borne as a precious treasure
Their faith to the land of the free;
But the flock was without a shepherd,
And many had gone asleep,
So he lifted his voice like a trumpet
To gather the scattered sheep."
He was a man peculiarly useful in his day and generation. He was a skillful mechanic, a capable builder and an intelligent projector of enterprises and improvements, such as were adapted to the wants of the times in which he lived. The trusts confided to his care were faithfully executed. As a magistrate he commanded universal respect. He was earnest and diligent in the things that engaged his attention; unassuming, yet boldly outspoken when occasion demanded; straightforward and sincere in every act. His opponents never questioned his integrity and purity of motive. His character comes down to us without a stain. He was a just man and "walked with God" all his days.
At the time of his death Mr. Antes owned the farm and mill property of one hundred and seventy-five acres upon which he lived, a tract of about ninety-six acres of woodland in Limerick (now in New Hanover) township, a plantation of one hundred and fifty-six acres in New Hanover Township inherited from his father, a tract in North Carolina and a large personal estate.
The Antes name we find, in the successive generations, ever in the van of
enterprise. They are a race of builders; mechanism is their birthright. As
we look upon the long line of honorable names; we find many of them to
excel as engineers, architects, inventors and manufacturers; and when they turn from these pursuits to bear arms, to engage in the legal profession, or to assume the sacred office, they still hold a foremost position. When we contemplate the great number of the descendants of "the pious layman of Frederick township," scattered broadcast over the globe, the mind turns instinctively to the promise made to the patriarch of old: "I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee."1507
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Henry Antes, became a religious leader among German-Americans in Pennsylvania. He emigrated with his parents, Philip Frederick and Anna Catherine Antes, from Freinsheim in the Rhenish Palatinate when he was about nineteen years old [abt 1720]. He was also a composer of religious works.1499
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His ancestor, Baron von Blume, from Mainz emigrated to Pennsylvania about 1720.1504
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Henry soon became a partner in business with William Dewees [b. abt 1677]. Together, they established the “second paper mill in the nation” and later married Dewees’ daughter. The Dewees clan was well connected, with ties in other budding enterprises with another mover and shaker in colonial Pennsylvania, William Rittenhouse. Christina’s father, William Dewees, was also the Sheriff of Philadelphia County. Another member of the clan, Col. William Dewees, Jr., (spelled sometimes as “DeWeese”), her brother, was the co-owner of Valley Forge at the time of the American Revolution.
John Henry’s home was placed on the National Historic Register on April 27, 1992.^ The residence was built by the same in 1736. It’s on the National Register, not only because of its age, and its style, but also because it was used as the first integrated school in America--and this happened in 1745, 30 years before the famous “shot heard round the world” was fired at Concord in 1775. The Goschenhoppen Historians§ spearheaded the restoration of the Antes Home and its use as “a living history museum.” Its work began in 1974 with the purchase of the house, “plus 1.2 acres of land” on which it is situated.
According to the Pottsgrove, PA Historical Society, the Antes’ residence, at Upper Frederick, not far from Pottstown, was also utilized as the headquarters for General George Washington between the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, from September 22-25, 1777. Three of John Henry Antes’ sons were patriots and fought in the Revolutionary War. One of his siblings, Colonel Frederick Antes, a member of the Pennsylvania County Associators, was living in the house at the time of that great conflict.1196
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A great grandson of Henry’s, the Rev. Edwin MacMinn, has written extensively about the family, in two different volumes. First, “A German Hero of Colonial Pennsylvania” published in 1886, and sdcond, “On the Frnntier With Colonel Antes”, published in 1900. It is from both these volumes, as well as the old Moravian records, and other sources, that we have been given a pretty good picture of the family, its aspirations, and its genealogy.
It is claimed that anyone descended from his ancestral line is kin to at least seven Revolutionary colonels.
Colonels Frederick and William Antes [sons of Johann Heinrich Antes and brothers to John Henry Antes, Jr.] were of the Philadelphia Co. militia. Colonel Frederick once had a price set on his head by the British and was prominent in his own right in many ways.
Colonel William Dewees, a brother-in-law of Henry Antes [Johann Heinrich Antes], was sheriff of Philadelphia and led in the procession of the day and commanded the bells to ring when the Declaration of Independence was officially announced in Philadelphia.
Colonel David Rittenhouse, treasurer of Pennsylvania during the war, and a celebrated astronomer.
Colonel Henry Shoemaker, sub-lieutenant of Berks County who hauled many loads of produce to feed the army at Valley Forge.
Colonel George Nagle, Captain of the first company of riflemen to answer Washington’s appeal to go to Boston.
Colonel Peter Nagle, a particular friend of George Washington.
Colonel Potts, a great friend of the general at Valley Forge.
There were others of lesser fame, like Charles Shoemaker and others.1199
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Henry Antes, "the pious and active German Reformed layman of Frederick township." Source cites Harbaugh, "Fathers of the Reformed Church," vol. i. page 326.445
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Henery [sic] Anthes, colonist ... the name Anthes is a Greek paraphrase of the German Blume, adopted as a disguise during the roman persecutions in 1620....[B]uilt a paper mill on Wissahicken near Philladelphia ... became a leader in civil & relgious affairs of the colony. He was the friend of Whitefield & Zinzendorf and after consultation with the later assumed the leadership of the religious organization founded in 1741; and known as "United Fratrum" or "Moravian." He was one of the founders of Bethlehem.... see a "German Hero" by Rev. Edwin McMinn.1508
[From a reply to the George Burr message above] I have the complete book, The complete title of which is "The Life and Times of Henry Antes, A German Hero of Colonial Pennsylvania." Unfortunately, my copy is missing the title page, so I cannot give a more complete citation, or a date of publication.
That book does have a section at the end that lists the children of Henry (also officially Johann Heinrich Antes), most with a short biographical sketch. The excerpt that you quote in some of your postings is from the sketch of Philip Frederick, on pages 286-287 of the book. From pages 287 to 289 there is a list of some of the descendants of Philip Frederick who were alive at the time McMinn wrote the book.1509
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I am another descendant of Henry Antes, and have been doing some research. I have copies of two books by MacMinn - "A German Hero of Colonial Pennsylvania" (a biography of Henry Antes 1701 - 1755) and "On the Frontier with Colonel Antes" (a biography of Henry's son, John Henry Antes, also called Henry). Another useful and interesting book is called "The Road to Salem" by Adelaide L. Fries, which is a fictionalized biography of Anna Catherina Antes, one of the elder Henry's daughters.
Based on these books and some other reading, I have a different take on Henry's relation with the Moravian Brethren (also called the Unitas Fratrum). Henry Antes was close to many of them, and indeed often acted as the business agent for the Pennsylvania Moravian community. However, he seems never to have been confirmed as a communicant of the Brethren. Although his daughters joined the Brethren, and married and were communicants within that church, Henry in his later life fell out with them and went from Bethlehem back to his home in Falkners Swamp, and back to his active participation in the German Reformed Church there.
Henry's connection with Whitefield and Zinsendorf stimulated him to try to bring the various German sects in Pennsylvania together, focusing on their common religious concerns and commitments, rather than their differences. To this end, the first of several "synods" attended by members of the Reformed, Moravian Brethren, Church of the Brethren, and others was held in his home. Although these meetings eventually proved unsuccessful, Henry continued his close association with several members of various sects for years.
Henry Antes was an energetic and practical man, a mill wright, a man who knew how to get business arranged, land bought, and supplies delivered. He not only helped the Moravians settle Bethlehem, but was one of the members of the team that explored and surveyed the North Carolina land grant that was to become the Wachovia settlement, and eventually the town of Salem.
Another aspect of his life was his friendship with local Indians, and his support for Indian missions and schools. This, plus his close connections to several colonial era "peace churches" is part of the reason I want to learn more about the lives of his children, all of whom had lives and careers closely connected with soldiering and weapons, and one of whom, John Henry, became famous as an Indian Fighter and the builder of Antes Fort on the West Branch of the Susquehanna.
Antes Fort is across the river from Jersey Shore, PA, which was the place of birth of my great-great grandfather, James Marion Antes, 1842 - 1924. Although I have most of James's Civil War papers, I have been unable so far to document who his father was. I believe there is a typo in the genealogical note on James in MacMinn's "German Hero," (he is correctly identified as living in Elmira, NY). My leading candidates are Henry Snyder Antes and William B. Antes.1510
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In the year 1740, Whitefield, the revival preacher, came to the house of Henry Antes, in Frederick township, and preached to the people, the number assembled on this occasion being two thousand. Seward's journal describes this event as follows:
"April 24, 1740... came to Christopher Wigner's plantation, in Skippack, where many Dutch People are settled, and where the famous Mr. Spangenberg resided lately. It was surprizing to see such a Multitude of People gathered together in such a wilderness Country, Thirty Miles distant from Philadelphia. Our dear friend, Peter Bohler, preached in Dutch to those who could not understand our Brother (Whitefield) in English. Came to Henry Anti's Plantation, in Frederick Township, Ten Miles farther in the Country, where was also a Multitude equally surprizing was that we had in the Morning.... There was much melting under both Sermons.... At Night I was drawn to sing and pray with our Brethren in the Fields. Brother Whitefield was very weak in Body, but the Lord Jehovah was his strength....for I never heard him speak more, clear and powerful. They were Germans where we dined and supp'd, and they pray'd; and sung in Dutch, as we did in English, before and after Eating."
A religious movement of importance, in which a number of the inhabitants of Frederick Township were interested, took rise in 1742 in Pennsylvania. Count Zinzendorf came to America in 1741 upon a religious mission. Henry Antes, of Frederick, soon made his acquaintance. They conferred with reference to uniting "such souls out of the different religious denominations who sought their salvation through Jesus Christ, through the bonds of love," -a subject in which they both felt a deep interest. On the 15th of December, 1741, a call was issued, over the signature of Henry Antes, for a meeting of Christians at Germantown on New Year's day. Another meeting was held at the house of George Heebner, in Frederick township, on the 14th and 15th of January, at which John George Stieffel, William Frey, Andrew Frey, Henry Antes, Adam Schaus, all of Frederick Township, were in attendance.
On the 7th of December 1742, Count Zinzendorf preached at Falkner Swamp (doubtless at the house of Henry Antes), from Psalm cxxx, 3: "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" The unity movement meeting with opposition from many of the Lutheran, Reformed, Mennonites, Dunker, and Schwenkfelders now became a Moravian interest. The second week in March, 1745, the Moravian Synod met at the house of Henry Antes, in Frederick Township. it Moravian congregation was formed in Frederick township which,in 1747, numbered twenty-three persons. Of those who were permanently settled in Frederick Township, the following were connected with this Moravian congregation: William Frey and family, Andrew Frey, Henry Antes and family.
[Several individuals are listed in these pages indicating they learned the trade of wheelwright with Henry Antes. Wheelwrights were those who made and repaired wooden wheels.]1511
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The Antes family ... were clearly German speakers. However, when Frederick and Henry left around 1720, Germany as such did not and had never yet existed. They were from Freinsheim in the Palatine/Rheinpfalz, which had been occasionally ruled by the French, Bavarians, etc.1512
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It appears that 3 of Henry Antes' sons, Philip Frederick, John Henry, and William were all active in the Revolution, all held public offices, all were good craftsmen and builders, and all titled Colonel at some time.1513
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Henry Antes was a well known figure in Pennsylvania from 1740 until his death in 1755. He was known as Pious Henry Antes, and was an active church layman. He was one of the leaders of the Pennsylvania Synods around 1742, and later became the business manager of the Moravian community. The house he built in Montgomery county (still standing, and being restored) was the site of the first school for Indians run by the Moravians. This was while Henry and his family were living in Bethlehem, where he was the master builder for many of the first buildings. Henry also participated in the Moravian mission to North Carolina to secure the Wachovia Tract for a settlement. Illness and injury from that trip brought on an early death for a man who had been very robust before. His eldest daughter became one of the early Moravian settlers in NC, and her house is part of the restoration of Old Salem.1473
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Re: Henry Antes, John's father, and his relationship with the Moravian Church, you may want to read "Count Zinzendorf" by John R. Weinlick pub 1984 by Moravian Church in America. It obviously focuses upon Count Zinzendorf but does mention Henry in the book and his relationship with the Moravian Church.1514
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Henry Antes, an influential settler, came to the township early in 1730. Henry is one of the early purchasers of property at Frederick Township, Montgomery, PA when he purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres in 1735.
George Heebner ... a member of the Schwenkfelder colony of 1734, settled immediately in Frederick. On January 28, 1736, jointly with Henry Antes, he purchased twenty-eight acres of land in New Hanover Township for the better accommodation of a grist mill which had been erected upon the adjoining land in Frederick Township, of Henry Antes.1515
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Before January 28, 1736, Henry Antes and George Heebner had erected a grist mill on Swamp Creek. The site of this mill is still traced by remnants of masonry and evidences of the excavation of the race, visible at the point where the road from Bertolet's meeting-house crosses Swamp Creek. The partnership, between Antes and Heebner terminated September 14, 1747. It was a "grist mill with two pair of stones under one roof."1516
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The Moravians who began to build Bethlehem in the spring of 1741, had the harvests of that year and of the next following, ground.
The want of a mill at their settlement being a grievous one, they sought to supply it as soon as practicable, and when on the 25th of January, 1743, Henry Antes of Falckner's Swamp, who was a true friend and disinterested counsellor of the early Moravians and for several years most intimately attached to them-selected an advantageous site for a mill, a few rods north of the "Big Spring" and near the creek, called by the Indians, "Menagasse," i.e., "winding dream,"-the first step was taken in that direction.
In April, we read, the work of building was already fully under way, Mr. Antes occasionally coming up from his farm to advise or assist.... On the 24th of June, Antes came for the last time, in the interests of the important enterprise and for the purpose of putting the mill-works in order, which having been done successfully, the first grist was ground on the 28th day of June. The wheaten loaf eaten next day by the brotherhood, was of grain of their own raising and of flour of their own grinding. 1517
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The Antes burial-place, in the western corner of the township [Frederick, Montgomery, PA] is invested with historical interest, owing to the fact that Henry Antes, a man known and respected all over Pennsylvania in the colonial times, once owned this property, and is buried here. It is inclosed with a post and rail fence, and it is overgrown with voting trees and wild flowers. Frederick Antes, the father of Henry Antes, was buried here in 1740, and Henry Antes himself in July 1755. Other members of the family also rest here. The only stones remaining are those of Henry Antes and of a member of the Schoelkop family.1506
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The Moravian brethren, in 1745, established a school of some importance. At the meeting of their Synod the second week in March, at his home in Frederick township, Henry Antes offered the use of his plantation, the buildings and the mill, for use as a hoarding-school for boys, and on the 3d of June the same year it school was opened with the following organization and twenty-three pupils, whose names, as recorded in the Moravian archives, are:
Superintendents - Christopher and Christiana Francke of Bethlehem.
Tutor, John C. Heynes
Manager of the Farm. - Christopher and Ann M. Demuth
Manger of the Mill. - John H. and Rosina Moeller
Pupils. -
Elias Albrecht, son of Anthony and Catherine Albrecht, born in Philadelphia
County
Jonathan Beck, son of H. F. and Barbara Beck, born in Georgia
Stephen Blum, Jacob Blum and Francis Blum, sons of Francis and Catharine Blum,
born in Saucon, Buck Co
Daniel, a Mohegan, of Shecomeco
Christopher Demuth and Christian Demuth, sons of Gotthard and Regina Demuth, born in Germantown
Tobias Demuth, son of Gottlieb and Eve Demuth, born in 1741 in Saucon
Emmanuel, a negro, from St. Thomas
Benjamin Garrison, born on Staten Island
Lawrence Hartman and Thomas Hartman, sons of Frederick and Margaret
Hartman, born in Frankford, Philadelphia Co
Frederick Klemm, son of Frederick and Susan C. Klemm, born in Philadelphia
Andrew Klotz and John Nicholas Klotz, sons of Albrecht and Anna M. Klotz,
born in Tulpehocken
Mary M. Miller, born in Milford Township, Bucks Co
Daniel Neubert, son of Daniel and Regina Neubert, born in Holstein
Conrad Schaus, son of J. Adam and Barbara Schaus, born in January, 1738, in
Henry Antes' mill
Daniel Vetter, John Vetter and Peter Vetter, sons of Jacob and Magdalena
Vetter, born in Oley
During the year the following also entered the school as pupils
Henry Antes and John Antes, sons of Henry and Christina Antes
Mathias Frey, son of William and Verona Frey, born in Falkner Swamp
Jesse Jones and Levi Jones, sons of John Jones, of New Providence Township, Philadelphia Co
Henry Knauss, from Macungie
Abraham Montanye, son of James and Mary Montanye, of New York
Christian Newman, son of John W. and Elizabeth Newman
Isaac Noble and Thomas Noble, sons of Thomas and Mary Noble, of New York
Peter Schuttelheim, from Philadelphia
In 1750 this boarding-school was discontinued.1506
*August Gottlieb Spangenberg (1704-1792) was Count Zinzendorf’s successor, and bishop of the Moravian Brethren.
†There is more history on the “Irene,” it’s sister ships and their mission as well as some of the people Henry associated with at the following source.1518
‡A gristmill or grist mill is a building in which grain is ground into flour. In many countries these are referred to as corn mills or flour mills.3
§The Goschenhoppen Historians Inc., was founded in 1964 in order to preserve the folk culture of the area's earliest immigrant settlers, known as the Pennsylvania Germans. They identify and restore significant sites and buildings. By sponsoring educational seminares, restoration projects and by collecting and displaying artifacts, they interpret the heritage and folk culture of the Pennsylvania "Dutch."3
^John Henry and his grandson, the famous architect, Benjamin Latrobe are the only grandfather/grandson, in the history of the United States to have buildings they designed registered as National Historic Landmarks.3
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“Pious”1501
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The early settlers were, with few exceptions, Germans, who were in most cases driven hither by the scourging wars, and religious persecutions then raging in Europe. Being pious men and women, they soon formed themselves into religious societies.1502
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John Frederick [?] Antes was a man described as of large frame, and of considerable force and reputation.1503
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The following is a biography written by Richard Lee Gleason from a variety of sources listed at the end. (ricksgenealogy@gmail.com)
John Henry settled in Frederick, in the present Montgomery County, PA and became a partner with his father-in-law in a paper and flour mill, and acquired property. He is described as a man of powerful frame, strong, with the versatility of a pioneer: mechanic, farmer, hunter, guide, a trusted counsellor skilled in the drawing of legal documents.
His place in history depends upon his religious leadership, and especially on his association with the United Brethren or Moravians, and his strivings for union. At first he was a member of the Reformed Church at Falkner Swamp, and a friend of its minister Boehm. He was soon a leader and a lay preacher, unusually broad-minded, being "singularly free from prejudice and bigotry."
Antes and several others formed a group called the "Associated Brethren of Skippack," which met in conferences until 1740. His house was a rendezvous for German immigrants, and with the new-comer Spangenberg (later Moravian bishop)* he discussed religious unity. His projected union was wider than the "Brethren of Skippack." He welcomed as an ally the great Moravian leader Zinzendorf, who had recently landed, and on Dec. 15, 1741, he issued a call for a meeting of Christians to be held at Germantown, Jan. 1, 1742. At this meeting Antes presided, and in the subsequent conferences he took an active part.
Antes left the Reformed Church in 1740 and not long afterward joined the Moravians. In 1741 acting as their agent he bought for £400 a tract of 500 acres along the Lehigh River which became the nucleus of the town of Bethlehem, PA. He moved there in 1745, and his plantation, it’s buildings and mill in Frederick were used as a school for boys. Officially opened on June 3, 1745, the school had twenty-three pupils from Nazareth and Bethlehem. Eleven others were soon enrolled, among them an Indian and a Negro. In the years following a number of Indians and Negroes were taught in this school.
John Henry was made Justice of the Peace on 17 Dec 1745 for what was then Bucks County [PA], an office he held until his death nearly ten years later, being reappointed from time to time as the term expired, and though the county boundaries were meanwhile changed.
At that time the justices were appointed by the Governors, and were men who were deemed qualified, not necessarily versed in the law, as the legal profession was not respected in that day. The justices were held in much higher honor. They were very important people. They had supervision of most public affairs that embraced what is now given to several officials. They were to keep the peace within their jurisdictions, to chastise and punish all offenders. They held court, periodically, with the senior justice presiding. They were supposed to be competent to meet the problems which came up.
While in Bethlehem he served as business manager for the Moravians - to which office he was regularly appointed in 1748 - built a noted mill and other works, was appointed justice of the peace by the governor, and investigated the grievances of the Indians. When the Moravians were attacked he defended them, and acted as the trustee of their property in Philadelphia.
He later received a license to run a ferry on the Lehigh River. When the Moravians launched one of their immigration ships on May 29, 1748, the Irene† was registered in Henry Antes's name. His services were of "immense value," and his position was shown by his friendship with such religious leaders as Zinzendorf, Spangenberg, Muhlenberg, and Whitefield.
In 1750 Antes left Bethlehem and the Moravians, and returned to Frederick. He objected to certain innovations, especially to the rule that the minister should wear a white surplice at the Eucharist. It has been stated that he withdrew from membership in the Moravian Church (questioned by Levering, pp. 251-52).
He continued his activity in Moravian affairs at Bethlehem and elsewhere. In 1752-53 with others, he made a trying journey to North Carolina, exploring in the interests of the church; 100,000 acres were purchased near the Yadkin River, which became the Moravian colony of Wachovia. Antes played a significant role in the founding of Moravian settlements in the towns of Bethania and Bethabara, “near present day Winston-Salem, North Carolina.”
According to the Goschenhoppen Historians John Henry Antes was considered among “the greatest master builders of the early colonial period and was responsible for the construction of many of the early Moravian buildings and mills in Bethlehem, PA.” He was also esteemed as “one of the most important religious/political leaders in the middle colonies in the 18th century.”
Antes spoke and wrote English and thus was very useful in his travels with various bishops who visited the country. He gave the same valuable service to the Lutheran Bishop Muhlenberg as he had to others. He traveled with him a great deal and it was Muhlenberg who said of Antes that “he was a man of great reputation and influence, and was attentively heard.”
Antes was made justice of the peace in Philadelphia County in 1752. He defended the loyalty of the Pennsylvania Germans in a letter written to the provincial secretary, and died soon after at Frederick, leaving a legacy to the Moravians. Bishop Spangenberg gave his funeral address before 600 mourners gathered to share their grief, which was both deep and sincere.
Though he was not now officially a Moravian, three of his children were Moravian missionaries. Anna Catharine was superintendent of a Girls school in North Carolina, where she married, and died. Anna Margaretta was educated in England to the same profession and married there a Moravian minister the Rev. Benjamin Latrobe. They were the parents of the famed architect Benjamin Latrobe who designed the central part of the U.S. Capitol Building.
His son John was a Moravian missionary to the Copts in Egypt. He made and invented various musical devices and made his first violin at age 19 (possibly the first made in Colonial America). John wrote music and his compositions are still sung by the Moravian choirs of today. He was also an author of note on Egyptian affairs.
The Reverend Antes was buried on the old homestead farm beside his father. On his headstone there is this inscription written in German:
“Here lies HENRY ANTES
An Ornament of this land,
An upright, fearless, administrator of justice
And a faithful servant before the world and God’s people.
Fell asleep in Fredericktown July 20, 1775, age 54 years”1504,1199,1196,1505,1506
End of biography compiled by Richard Lee Gleason
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Henry Antes - One of the pioneer settlers of Pennsylvania, who wielded an influence -and wielded it for good- in the affairs of the colony during the thirty years between 1725 and 1755, the story of whose life is little known, was Henry Antes.
He was the son of Frederick and Anna Catherine Antes, and was born in Europe in 1701. The earliest record found concerning the Anteses in this country is a deed, dated the 20th of February, 1723, for one hundred and fifty-four acres of land in Philadelphia County, purchased by Frederick Anttos, of Germantown, from Henerick Van Bebber, described as part of the "tract of twenty-two thousand three hundred and seventy-seven acres in Mahanitina," in the present township of New Hanover [Philadelphia County, PA]. Frederick Antes died in the latter part of the year 1746, leaving a wife and two children the son, Henry, and a daughter named Ann Elizabeth, who was the wife of John Eschbach.
It is believed that Henry Antes was born in Freinsheim, a town of two thousand inhabitants, in Rhenish Bavaria. On the 2d of February 1726, after three regular notices given, Henry Antes and Christiana Elizabetha, daughter of William Dewees, were married at Whitemarsh by John Philip Boehm, pastor of the German Reformed Church in Pennsylvania.
The precise date at which Antes took up his residence in Frederick is not known. On the 2d of February, 1730, he is described as a resident of Hanover township, the name at that time sometimes applied to the territory afterwards erected into Frederick, as well as to the Frankfort Land Company's tract.
Previous to this he, with his father-in-law, had built a grist mill and paper mill at Crefeld, Germantown. In 1730 he was naturalized. On the 2d day of September, 1735, Henry Antes, of Frederick township, millwright, bought of John Hagerman, of Lancaster County, weaver, one hundred and seventy-five acres of land "near the branches of the Perkeawming," in Frederick township, paving therefor £two hundred, lawful money of the province bounded by lands of William Frey and Henry Stadler, land late of Andrew Frey and vacant lands. Upon this tract Mr. Antes resided during the remainder of his life, except when temporarily called away.
Upon this property, the same year, he built, in partnership with George Heebner, a grist mill.‡ This grist mill, located on Swamp Creek, was the first in this neighborhood. Prior to its erection the primitive settlers were obliged to send their grain to the Wissahickon to be ground. A tradition, handed down from one of the first settlers here, avers that it was customary to send the Indians of the locality to Nissahickon distant twenty-five miles, to mill. They would start on the journey in the evening and return the net day, bringing the flour in exchange for the grain. For this service a small quantity of tobacco or some other slight compensation was given. By virtue of a warrant dated March 25, 1741, a tract of ninety-six and three-quarters acres of and in that portion of Limerick township, now included in New Hanover, was surveyed to Henry Antes.
These transactions show the activity of Mr. Antes during the early years of his manhood. He was a man of tall stature and strong physique. "He was remarkable," says one of his descendants, "for being in appearance and dress an enormous Dutch farmer, and in language and manners a courtier of the ancient regime." He was a pioneer in the true sense of the word. He explored the wilderness, and acquainted himself with the streams and the character of the country. He knew the paths and Indian trails, of interior Pennsylvania. The Indians themselves were his neighbors, and he learned their habits and peculiarities. He was adept in woodcraft, understood the varieties of soil, knew the value of watercourses and how to utilize them, instructed the newcomers from Europe how to "clear" their lands, and pointed out to them the springs beside which to build their rude habitations, on a site sheltered by a knoll from the bitter blasts of winter. His services were called into requisition in the selection of lands, the negotiation of purchases, the drawing of wills and the settling of estates. His prudence and integrity in the performance of duties requiring acquaintance with legal formalities and knowledge of financial matters, were recognized throughout the length and breadth of the then limited bounds of the inhabited parts of the province.
In matters of religion he displayed the same activity and earnestness that marked his business habits. He was a man of decided convictions and sincere piety, and lie was in earnest supporter of the movements of his time for the advancement or the Christian region. He had received careful training in youth in Europe. Mr. Boehm, in 1742 wrote: "Under the clear light of the Gospel was he born, holy baptism did he receive, through which he entered the covenant which He has made for the faithful; this covenant, I doubt not, was explained according to the word of God (for I knew his zealous and faithful instructor well) at his first participation in the Holy Communion." In the Spring of 1736 he became acquainted with Spangenberg, founder of the Moravian Church in America, who was sojourning among the Schwenkfelders in Skippack. The friendship between him and the mild and godly Spangenberg endured to the end of their lives. Antes, John Bechtel, Adam Gruber, Stieffel and others were in the habit of going, once in four weeks, on a visit to Spangenberg, who made his home with Christopher Wiegner, and there they "enjoyed many blessed hours together."
"Although but a layman," says another writer concerning Antes, "he undertook to instruct his fellow countrymen in the province in the way of life, calling them together in their houses for singing, for prayer, for reading the Scriptures and for exhortation. Thus, we find him employed in the populous district of Oley as early as 1736." His home was made a centre for religious efforts. On the 24th of April, 1740, Whitefield preached here in England. [sic] Rev. Dr. Dubbs places Antes before us in this connection thus:
"He stood by the side of Whitfield,
And prayed in the German tongue
When the clarion voice of the preacher
O're the hills, of Frederick rung.
They knew not each other's language
Nor did they need it then;
For the one cried, Hallelujah!
And the other said, Amen!"
On the following day, April 25th, Bohler and Seyffert, of the Moravians, with Henry Antes as guide, started from Antes' house to view a tract of five thousand acres of land in the Forks of the Delaware, which Whitefield had purchased one time before, and which the Moravians afterwards bought and settled upon. On Saturday, April 26th, the three explorers found themselves at an extensive Indian village, upon the spot where Nazareth now stands, and spent the night there in the woods. From this time forward Antes was closely identified with the Moravians in their spiritual and temporal affairs. Up to 1740 he continued a member of the Falkner Swamp Reformed Church in the charge of Rev. Mr. Boehm. At this time a difference arose between pastor and parishioner which resulted in alienation. In 1741, Antes became acquainted with Count Zinzendorf, whose labors are referred to in another portion of this article. In 1742, Antes assisted the Moravians in building the first large house, called the " Gemein-Haus," in Bethlehem. It was built of logs. " Not only," says one of the brethren, "did he aid them with his own hands upon this house, but also with money and advice."
He also assisted in building the grist mills in and about Bethlehem, the grist-mill at Friedensthal and the grist and saw-mill at Gnadenhhuetten. The colony of Moravian immigrants who came in the "Catherine" arrived at the house of Henry Antes, in Frederick, towards evening on the 19th of July, 1742, and lodged there that night. This company numbered fifty-six souls. In November, 1744, Henry Antes presided at a Synod of the Moravian brethren, held in what is now North Heidelberg Township. On the 21st of March, 1745, he attended a large church council at Muddy Creek. The second week in March 1745, the Moravian Synod was in session at his house in Frederick. At this meeting the arrangements were made for establishing a boarding-school for boys (described elsewhere) on the plantation of Antes. He now moved to Bethlehem with his family, excepting two sons, who remained at the school.
December 15, 1745, he was appointed a justice of the peace for Bucks County, and under date of June 30, 1749, he was reappointed to the same office in the same county. He was sent, in 1746, as a deputy from Bethlehem, at the demand of the government, to be publicly examined in regard to an accusation made against the Brethren to the effect that they had three thousand stand of arms for the use of the Indians who should join the French in making in roads into Pennsylvania. The examination resulted in proving the entire innocence of the accused. On the 18th of February, 1748, the proprietaries granted to Henry Antes, Esq., for the use of the Brethren, license to construct a ferry, for a period of seven years, over the West Branch of the river Delaware, on the high road leading from Philadelphia to the Minisinks, and from thence to the northwest part of the province New York. On the 27th of October, 1748, he was appointed business manager of the Moravian brethren at Bethlehem, taking the legal care of the community's property and outward temporal affairs.
In April, 1750, the Moravians at Bethlehem introduced the wearing of the white surplice by the minister at the celebration of the Eucharist. Antes disapproved of this, and in consequence withdrew from their communion. "This unhappy circumstance, "say Henry Harbaugh, "grieved the Brethren, because they esteemed him highly for his practical Christianity and many offices of love in their behalf. And he himself was not slow to lament the estrangement, while both parties adhered to their respective views."
Prompted by this occurrence, Mr. Antes, in 1750 upon the removal of the school from his property, returned to Frederick Township. He permitted those of his children that preferred to do so to remain with the Brethren, while the others of his family returned to the Reformed Church. Whether Mr. Antes himself renewed his connection with the church of his youth is uncertain.
On the 25th of May 1752, Henry Antes was appointed I justice of the peace in Philadelphia County, of which Frederick Township was then a part.
Towards the close of the year 1752 the Moravians desired Antes to accompany Spangenberg and others to make a journey to North Carolina to elect and have surveyed a large tract which they had bought for the purpose of settling a colony there. A messenger was sent to Antes to extend an invitation to him to accompany the party. This incident, as described by John Antes, shows the resolute character of his father:
"When the messenger arrived at my father's house and learned he was sick and that doubts were entertained of his recovery, he did not think it proper to extend this invitation to him and accordingly returned. My father, however who had been appraised of the arrival of a stranger, inquired particularly about him, as soon as he learned his business he dispatched my eldest brother after him with a request to come back. No sooner had he learned of the invitation than he resolved, without hesitation to comply with it, and from that moment his health improved so rapidly that he was soon enabled to carry into effect his resolution."
In 1754 the German settlers of Pennsylvania were accused of disloyalty to the King of Great Britain and of sympathy with the French. On the 20th of November, 1754, the principal German Protestants of the province addressed a letter to the Hon. Robert Hunter Morris, Esq., Lieutenant Governor, affirming their fidelity to the British sovereign. The signers from Frederick township were Henry Antes, George Huebner, Philip Leydich
Antes, who knew the Germans of Pennsylvania better than any other living man, felt keenly the injustice of the accusation and the cowardice of the attack upon the honor of this faithful people, who, by reason of their alien language and social disadvantages, were almost defenseless. To vindicate more thoroughly his countrymen, he wrote a letter to Richard Peters, secretary of the province, making suggestions, viz.:
"Sir, -We have considered further concerning out address to his Hon. Robert Hunter Morris. That as there is a great number of Germans all over ye province of Pensilvania, which might perhaps not have heard nor intended any thing, neither of the late accusation against the said Nation in general, and may be less of our late address to his Honor ye Governor concerning ye same, and for ye more satisfaction to them all which is ignorant in it, we thought it proper to put it in public print, both in English and Dutch; if his Honor ye Governor has not already put the copy to the press, and therefore hope his Honor will not take it amiss; because it only to that Intent that out Protestant Country people might see all out reason and motive to out actions; Especially in ye Cutch Copy we Intent to make a short introduction to show them both our concern as also to remind them of their Loyal duty to the Crown of Great Britain, as likewise his Honor's answer to ye sd address, of which I send you by this ye copy to correct; pray do not take it amiss as: you have been present you are most able to add where I have omitted, and alter where I might not have used the same expressions his Honor make to the said Address. I should have nothing against it if his Honor ye Governour should see his own ans. as much as I could remember thereof, and so send i back to Mr. Keply, in Philadelphia, who is desired to forward ye same to print. And with this I remain with many salutations,
"Sir, your Humble Servant, "HENRY ANTES.
"Frederick Township, December ye 24th, 1754."
We come now to the close of this great-hearted man's busy life. The hardships endured in the overland journey to North Carolina and the explorations there, as also an injury received whilst superintending the building of the mill at Friedenthal, near Nazareth, contributed to his decline. He was in an enfeebled state of health until Sunday, the 20th day of July, 1755, when death happily relieved him of his sufferings. The death of a man so generally known and so highly esteemed throughout Pennsylvania produced a deep impression. The news of his death was conveyed the same day to Bethlehem, and after dinner Bishop Spangenberg and wife, Rev. Abraham Reinecke, Rev. John Bechtel, Rev. Matthew Shropp and eight others set out for Frederick township, with three children of the deceased, who were attending school there. On the following day, at the funeral services, Bishop Spangenberg delivered an address, Rev. Mr. Reinecke read the Moravian burial service, and ten pall-bearers from Bethlehem carried the remains of "the pious layman of Frederick township" to their resting-place in the family graveyard on the farm, close by those of his father. Over six hundred persons attended the solemn services. His grave is marked by a stone of blue marble, bearing these words:
"Heir Ruhet
HEINRICH ANTES:
Ein Kleinod dieses Landes
Ein redlich kuehner
Handhaber der Gerechtigkeit
und treuer Diener
Vor Welt-und Gottes Leut,
___________
Eutschlief
In Friedrichs-Town den 20 Julii,
1755
Seines Alters 54 Jahre.
In his will, written by his own hand on the 20th of July, 1754, precisely one year before his death, is this provision:
"I give fiffty Pounds, Pennsylvania money, unto Abraham Bemper, Timothy Horsefield, or their Succeeding Committees for the Furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to ye use of the Indian Brethren at Guadenhuetten or Elsewhere under The Cares of Unitas fratrum, now in Bethlehem in Pennsylvania."
Spangenberg speaks of Antes as "a man well acquainted with all the circumstances of the country, being, widely and favorably known, and enjoying the confidence and love of many souls." Boehm, in the heat of controversy, said: "He knows full well how our hearts were formerly bound together in a cordial love for the divine truth of our Reformed teachings." John Antes, his son, after his return from Africa, wrote of his father: "He was beloved and esteemed in the whole neighborhood on account of his uprightness and impartiality, by which, both as a citizen and a justice of the peace, he was characterized." Christopher Saur, the editor of the widely-read Germantown newspaper, in the issue of the 16th of May, 1756, said of Antes: "He died in a state of impartiality (Unpartheyklichkeit) towards all men and parties. Were such magistrates more numerous, the poor would not have reason to complain and weep over grievous injustice, which they have to suffer because persons are favored."
In the wilds of North Carolina Antes suffered great deal from a wound in the hand, which he received in cutting tent-poles. The hardships and dangers encountered by the party in the undertaking are described in the "Life of Spangenberg." In the spring of 1753 Antes was enabled to return home, but from that time he was often attacked with disease.
In 1754, when the movement by the London Society to introduce English schools among the Germans was set on foot, the philanthopic heart of Antes was at once enlisted in its favor. Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, in a letter addressed to Rev. William Smith, giving an account of the meeting held at New Hanover respecting the proposed schools, says,
I delivered ... all your other papers into the hands of Henry Antes, Esq., being a man of great reputation and influence was attentively heard which he explained the same to the people. After conferring a little together, they (the Reformed) all melted at once into tears of joy, uttered many thankful expressions, and agreed in Christian harmony in the choice of our Lutheran school-house, and offered also their own school-house, which is only about sixty poles distant."
Rev. J. H. Dubbs, D.D., writes:
"He loved the Church of his fathers,
And over the stormy sea
He had borne as a precious treasure
Their faith to the land of the free;
But the flock was without a shepherd,
And many had gone asleep,
So he lifted his voice like a trumpet
To gather the scattered sheep."
He was a man peculiarly useful in his day and generation. He was a skillful mechanic, a capable builder and an intelligent projector of enterprises and improvements, such as were adapted to the wants of the times in which he lived. The trusts confided to his care were faithfully executed. As a magistrate he commanded universal respect. He was earnest and diligent in the things that engaged his attention; unassuming, yet boldly outspoken when occasion demanded; straightforward and sincere in every act. His opponents never questioned his integrity and purity of motive. His character comes down to us without a stain. He was a just man and "walked with God" all his days.
At the time of his death Mr. Antes owned the farm and mill property of one hundred and seventy-five acres upon which he lived, a tract of about ninety-six acres of woodland in Limerick (now in New Hanover) township, a plantation of one hundred and fifty-six acres in New Hanover Township inherited from his father, a tract in North Carolina and a large personal estate.
The Antes name we find, in the successive generations, ever in the van of
enterprise. They are a race of builders; mechanism is their birthright. As
we look upon the long line of honorable names; we find many of them to
excel as engineers, architects, inventors and manufacturers; and when they turn from these pursuits to bear arms, to engage in the legal profession, or to assume the sacred office, they still hold a foremost position. When we contemplate the great number of the descendants of "the pious layman of Frederick township," scattered broadcast over the globe, the mind turns instinctively to the promise made to the patriarch of old: "I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee."1507
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Henry Antes, became a religious leader among German-Americans in Pennsylvania. He emigrated with his parents, Philip Frederick and Anna Catherine Antes, from Freinsheim in the Rhenish Palatinate when he was about nineteen years old [abt 1720]. He was also a composer of religious works.1499
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His ancestor, Baron von Blume, from Mainz emigrated to Pennsylvania about 1720.1504
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Henry soon became a partner in business with William Dewees [b. abt 1677]. Together, they established the “second paper mill in the nation” and later married Dewees’ daughter. The Dewees clan was well connected, with ties in other budding enterprises with another mover and shaker in colonial Pennsylvania, William Rittenhouse. Christina’s father, William Dewees, was also the Sheriff of Philadelphia County. Another member of the clan, Col. William Dewees, Jr., (spelled sometimes as “DeWeese”), her brother, was the co-owner of Valley Forge at the time of the American Revolution.
John Henry’s home was placed on the National Historic Register on April 27, 1992.^ The residence was built by the same in 1736. It’s on the National Register, not only because of its age, and its style, but also because it was used as the first integrated school in America--and this happened in 1745, 30 years before the famous “shot heard round the world” was fired at Concord in 1775. The Goschenhoppen Historians§ spearheaded the restoration of the Antes Home and its use as “a living history museum.” Its work began in 1974 with the purchase of the house, “plus 1.2 acres of land” on which it is situated.
According to the Pottsgrove, PA Historical Society, the Antes’ residence, at Upper Frederick, not far from Pottstown, was also utilized as the headquarters for General George Washington between the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, from September 22-25, 1777. Three of John Henry Antes’ sons were patriots and fought in the Revolutionary War. One of his siblings, Colonel Frederick Antes, a member of the Pennsylvania County Associators, was living in the house at the time of that great conflict.1196
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A great grandson of Henry’s, the Rev. Edwin MacMinn, has written extensively about the family, in two different volumes. First, “A German Hero of Colonial Pennsylvania” published in 1886, and sdcond, “On the Frnntier With Colonel Antes”, published in 1900. It is from both these volumes, as well as the old Moravian records, and other sources, that we have been given a pretty good picture of the family, its aspirations, and its genealogy.
It is claimed that anyone descended from his ancestral line is kin to at least seven Revolutionary colonels.
Colonels Frederick and William Antes [sons of Johann Heinrich Antes and brothers to John Henry Antes, Jr.] were of the Philadelphia Co. militia. Colonel Frederick once had a price set on his head by the British and was prominent in his own right in many ways.
Colonel William Dewees, a brother-in-law of Henry Antes [Johann Heinrich Antes], was sheriff of Philadelphia and led in the procession of the day and commanded the bells to ring when the Declaration of Independence was officially announced in Philadelphia.
Colonel David Rittenhouse, treasurer of Pennsylvania during the war, and a celebrated astronomer.
Colonel Henry Shoemaker, sub-lieutenant of Berks County who hauled many loads of produce to feed the army at Valley Forge.
Colonel George Nagle, Captain of the first company of riflemen to answer Washington’s appeal to go to Boston.
Colonel Peter Nagle, a particular friend of George Washington.
Colonel Potts, a great friend of the general at Valley Forge.
There were others of lesser fame, like Charles Shoemaker and others.1199
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Henry Antes, "the pious and active German Reformed layman of Frederick township." Source cites Harbaugh, "Fathers of the Reformed Church," vol. i. page 326.445
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Henery [sic] Anthes, colonist ... the name Anthes is a Greek paraphrase of the German Blume, adopted as a disguise during the roman persecutions in 1620....[B]uilt a paper mill on Wissahicken near Philladelphia ... became a leader in civil & relgious affairs of the colony. He was the friend of Whitefield & Zinzendorf and after consultation with the later assumed the leadership of the religious organization founded in 1741; and known as "United Fratrum" or "Moravian." He was one of the founders of Bethlehem.... see a "German Hero" by Rev. Edwin McMinn.1508
[From a reply to the George Burr message above] I have the complete book, The complete title of which is "The Life and Times of Henry Antes, A German Hero of Colonial Pennsylvania." Unfortunately, my copy is missing the title page, so I cannot give a more complete citation, or a date of publication.
That book does have a section at the end that lists the children of Henry (also officially Johann Heinrich Antes), most with a short biographical sketch. The excerpt that you quote in some of your postings is from the sketch of Philip Frederick, on pages 286-287 of the book. From pages 287 to 289 there is a list of some of the descendants of Philip Frederick who were alive at the time McMinn wrote the book.1509
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I am another descendant of Henry Antes, and have been doing some research. I have copies of two books by MacMinn - "A German Hero of Colonial Pennsylvania" (a biography of Henry Antes 1701 - 1755) and "On the Frontier with Colonel Antes" (a biography of Henry's son, John Henry Antes, also called Henry). Another useful and interesting book is called "The Road to Salem" by Adelaide L. Fries, which is a fictionalized biography of Anna Catherina Antes, one of the elder Henry's daughters.
Based on these books and some other reading, I have a different take on Henry's relation with the Moravian Brethren (also called the Unitas Fratrum). Henry Antes was close to many of them, and indeed often acted as the business agent for the Pennsylvania Moravian community. However, he seems never to have been confirmed as a communicant of the Brethren. Although his daughters joined the Brethren, and married and were communicants within that church, Henry in his later life fell out with them and went from Bethlehem back to his home in Falkners Swamp, and back to his active participation in the German Reformed Church there.
Henry's connection with Whitefield and Zinsendorf stimulated him to try to bring the various German sects in Pennsylvania together, focusing on their common religious concerns and commitments, rather than their differences. To this end, the first of several "synods" attended by members of the Reformed, Moravian Brethren, Church of the Brethren, and others was held in his home. Although these meetings eventually proved unsuccessful, Henry continued his close association with several members of various sects for years.
Henry Antes was an energetic and practical man, a mill wright, a man who knew how to get business arranged, land bought, and supplies delivered. He not only helped the Moravians settle Bethlehem, but was one of the members of the team that explored and surveyed the North Carolina land grant that was to become the Wachovia settlement, and eventually the town of Salem.
Another aspect of his life was his friendship with local Indians, and his support for Indian missions and schools. This, plus his close connections to several colonial era "peace churches" is part of the reason I want to learn more about the lives of his children, all of whom had lives and careers closely connected with soldiering and weapons, and one of whom, John Henry, became famous as an Indian Fighter and the builder of Antes Fort on the West Branch of the Susquehanna.
Antes Fort is across the river from Jersey Shore, PA, which was the place of birth of my great-great grandfather, James Marion Antes, 1842 - 1924. Although I have most of James's Civil War papers, I have been unable so far to document who his father was. I believe there is a typo in the genealogical note on James in MacMinn's "German Hero," (he is correctly identified as living in Elmira, NY). My leading candidates are Henry Snyder Antes and William B. Antes.1510
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In the year 1740, Whitefield, the revival preacher, came to the house of Henry Antes, in Frederick township, and preached to the people, the number assembled on this occasion being two thousand. Seward's journal describes this event as follows:
"April 24, 1740... came to Christopher Wigner's plantation, in Skippack, where many Dutch People are settled, and where the famous Mr. Spangenberg resided lately. It was surprizing to see such a Multitude of People gathered together in such a wilderness Country, Thirty Miles distant from Philadelphia. Our dear friend, Peter Bohler, preached in Dutch to those who could not understand our Brother (Whitefield) in English. Came to Henry Anti's Plantation, in Frederick Township, Ten Miles farther in the Country, where was also a Multitude equally surprizing was that we had in the Morning.... There was much melting under both Sermons.... At Night I was drawn to sing and pray with our Brethren in the Fields. Brother Whitefield was very weak in Body, but the Lord Jehovah was his strength....for I never heard him speak more, clear and powerful. They were Germans where we dined and supp'd, and they pray'd; and sung in Dutch, as we did in English, before and after Eating."
A religious movement of importance, in which a number of the inhabitants of Frederick Township were interested, took rise in 1742 in Pennsylvania. Count Zinzendorf came to America in 1741 upon a religious mission. Henry Antes, of Frederick, soon made his acquaintance. They conferred with reference to uniting "such souls out of the different religious denominations who sought their salvation through Jesus Christ, through the bonds of love," -a subject in which they both felt a deep interest. On the 15th of December, 1741, a call was issued, over the signature of Henry Antes, for a meeting of Christians at Germantown on New Year's day. Another meeting was held at the house of George Heebner, in Frederick township, on the 14th and 15th of January, at which John George Stieffel, William Frey, Andrew Frey, Henry Antes, Adam Schaus, all of Frederick Township, were in attendance.
On the 7th of December 1742, Count Zinzendorf preached at Falkner Swamp (doubtless at the house of Henry Antes), from Psalm cxxx, 3: "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" The unity movement meeting with opposition from many of the Lutheran, Reformed, Mennonites, Dunker, and Schwenkfelders now became a Moravian interest. The second week in March, 1745, the Moravian Synod met at the house of Henry Antes, in Frederick Township. it Moravian congregation was formed in Frederick township which,in 1747, numbered twenty-three persons. Of those who were permanently settled in Frederick Township, the following were connected with this Moravian congregation: William Frey and family, Andrew Frey, Henry Antes and family.
[Several individuals are listed in these pages indicating they learned the trade of wheelwright with Henry Antes. Wheelwrights were those who made and repaired wooden wheels.]1511
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The Antes family ... were clearly German speakers. However, when Frederick and Henry left around 1720, Germany as such did not and had never yet existed. They were from Freinsheim in the Palatine/Rheinpfalz, which had been occasionally ruled by the French, Bavarians, etc.1512
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It appears that 3 of Henry Antes' sons, Philip Frederick, John Henry, and William were all active in the Revolution, all held public offices, all were good craftsmen and builders, and all titled Colonel at some time.1513
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Henry Antes was a well known figure in Pennsylvania from 1740 until his death in 1755. He was known as Pious Henry Antes, and was an active church layman. He was one of the leaders of the Pennsylvania Synods around 1742, and later became the business manager of the Moravian community. The house he built in Montgomery county (still standing, and being restored) was the site of the first school for Indians run by the Moravians. This was while Henry and his family were living in Bethlehem, where he was the master builder for many of the first buildings. Henry also participated in the Moravian mission to North Carolina to secure the Wachovia Tract for a settlement. Illness and injury from that trip brought on an early death for a man who had been very robust before. His eldest daughter became one of the early Moravian settlers in NC, and her house is part of the restoration of Old Salem.1473
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Re: Henry Antes, John's father, and his relationship with the Moravian Church, you may want to read "Count Zinzendorf" by John R. Weinlick pub 1984 by Moravian Church in America. It obviously focuses upon Count Zinzendorf but does mention Henry in the book and his relationship with the Moravian Church.1514
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Henry Antes, an influential settler, came to the township early in 1730. Henry is one of the early purchasers of property at Frederick Township, Montgomery, PA when he purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres in 1735.
George Heebner ... a member of the Schwenkfelder colony of 1734, settled immediately in Frederick. On January 28, 1736, jointly with Henry Antes, he purchased twenty-eight acres of land in New Hanover Township for the better accommodation of a grist mill which had been erected upon the adjoining land in Frederick Township, of Henry Antes.1515
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Before January 28, 1736, Henry Antes and George Heebner had erected a grist mill on Swamp Creek. The site of this mill is still traced by remnants of masonry and evidences of the excavation of the race, visible at the point where the road from Bertolet's meeting-house crosses Swamp Creek. The partnership, between Antes and Heebner terminated September 14, 1747. It was a "grist mill with two pair of stones under one roof."1516
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The Moravians who began to build Bethlehem in the spring of 1741, had the harvests of that year and of the next following, ground.
The want of a mill at their settlement being a grievous one, they sought to supply it as soon as practicable, and when on the 25th of January, 1743, Henry Antes of Falckner's Swamp, who was a true friend and disinterested counsellor of the early Moravians and for several years most intimately attached to them-selected an advantageous site for a mill, a few rods north of the "Big Spring" and near the creek, called by the Indians, "Menagasse," i.e., "winding dream,"-the first step was taken in that direction.
In April, we read, the work of building was already fully under way, Mr. Antes occasionally coming up from his farm to advise or assist.... On the 24th of June, Antes came for the last time, in the interests of the important enterprise and for the purpose of putting the mill-works in order, which having been done successfully, the first grist was ground on the 28th day of June. The wheaten loaf eaten next day by the brotherhood, was of grain of their own raising and of flour of their own grinding. 1517
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The Antes burial-place, in the western corner of the township [Frederick, Montgomery, PA] is invested with historical interest, owing to the fact that Henry Antes, a man known and respected all over Pennsylvania in the colonial times, once owned this property, and is buried here. It is inclosed with a post and rail fence, and it is overgrown with voting trees and wild flowers. Frederick Antes, the father of Henry Antes, was buried here in 1740, and Henry Antes himself in July 1755. Other members of the family also rest here. The only stones remaining are those of Henry Antes and of a member of the Schoelkop family.1506
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The Moravian brethren, in 1745, established a school of some importance. At the meeting of their Synod the second week in March, at his home in Frederick township, Henry Antes offered the use of his plantation, the buildings and the mill, for use as a hoarding-school for boys, and on the 3d of June the same year it school was opened with the following organization and twenty-three pupils, whose names, as recorded in the Moravian archives, are:
Superintendents - Christopher and Christiana Francke of Bethlehem.
Tutor, John C. Heynes
Manager of the Farm. - Christopher and Ann M. Demuth
Manger of the Mill. - John H. and Rosina Moeller
Pupils. -
Elias Albrecht, son of Anthony and Catherine Albrecht, born in Philadelphia
County
Jonathan Beck, son of H. F. and Barbara Beck, born in Georgia
Stephen Blum, Jacob Blum and Francis Blum, sons of Francis and Catharine Blum,
born in Saucon, Buck Co
Daniel, a Mohegan, of Shecomeco
Christopher Demuth and Christian Demuth, sons of Gotthard and Regina Demuth, born in Germantown
Tobias Demuth, son of Gottlieb and Eve Demuth, born in 1741 in Saucon
Emmanuel, a negro, from St. Thomas
Benjamin Garrison, born on Staten Island
Lawrence Hartman and Thomas Hartman, sons of Frederick and Margaret
Hartman, born in Frankford, Philadelphia Co
Frederick Klemm, son of Frederick and Susan C. Klemm, born in Philadelphia
Andrew Klotz and John Nicholas Klotz, sons of Albrecht and Anna M. Klotz,
born in Tulpehocken
Mary M. Miller, born in Milford Township, Bucks Co
Daniel Neubert, son of Daniel and Regina Neubert, born in Holstein
Conrad Schaus, son of J. Adam and Barbara Schaus, born in January, 1738, in
Henry Antes' mill
Daniel Vetter, John Vetter and Peter Vetter, sons of Jacob and Magdalena
Vetter, born in Oley
During the year the following also entered the school as pupils
Henry Antes and John Antes, sons of Henry and Christina Antes
Mathias Frey, son of William and Verona Frey, born in Falkner Swamp
Jesse Jones and Levi Jones, sons of John Jones, of New Providence Township, Philadelphia Co
Henry Knauss, from Macungie
Abraham Montanye, son of James and Mary Montanye, of New York
Christian Newman, son of John W. and Elizabeth Newman
Isaac Noble and Thomas Noble, sons of Thomas and Mary Noble, of New York
Peter Schuttelheim, from Philadelphia
In 1750 this boarding-school was discontinued.1506
*August Gottlieb Spangenberg (1704-1792) was Count Zinzendorf’s successor, and bishop of the Moravian Brethren.
†There is more history on the “Irene,” it’s sister ships and their mission as well as some of the people Henry associated with at the following source.1518
‡A gristmill or grist mill is a building in which grain is ground into flour. In many countries these are referred to as corn mills or flour mills.3
§The Goschenhoppen Historians Inc., was founded in 1964 in order to preserve the folk culture of the area's earliest immigrant settlers, known as the Pennsylvania Germans. They identify and restore significant sites and buildings. By sponsoring educational seminares, restoration projects and by collecting and displaying artifacts, they interpret the heritage and folk culture of the Pennsylvania "Dutch."3
^John Henry and his grandson, the famous architect, Benjamin Latrobe are the only grandfather/grandson, in the history of the United States to have buildings they designed registered as National Historic Landmarks.3
Spouses
Birth Date1702948
Birth PlaceGermantown, Philadelphia Co., PA, USA
Death Date5 Oct 1782948
Death PlaceNorthumberland County, PA, USA
FatherWillem|William DeWEES (1678-1745)
MotherAnna Christina MEHLS (~1690-1749)
Misc. Notes
Christina Dewees was the daughter of William Dewees and Anna Christina Meels, who were Dutch. William Dewees was a millwright, and it appears that Henry Antes learned these skills from him and taught them in turn to John Henry (and other sons). (I believe there were Antes descendants involved in mills in Pennsylvania up until the 1950s, when the proprietor of a lumber mill in Clearfield County died.)1473
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This source indicates Christina was born and died in Montgomery County, PA.1198
Christina born before her parent’s marriage? 3
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This source indicates Christina was born and died in Montgomery County, PA.1198
Christina born before her parent’s marriage? 3
Misc. Notes
On the 2d of February 1726, after three regular notices given, Henry Antes and Christiana Elizabetha, daughter of William Dewees, were married at Whitemarsh by John Philip Boehm, pastor of the German Reformed Church in Pennsylvania. 1519
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This source indicates Johann and Christina were married in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA. 1198
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This source indicates Johann and Christina were married in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA. 1198
ChildrenAnna Catharine (1726-~1809)
Anna Margaretta (1728-1794)
Philip Frederick (1730-1801)
William (1731-1810)
Elizabeth (1734-1812)
John Henry (1736-1820)
Jacob (Died as Infant) (1738-1739)
John (1740-1811)
Mary Magdalene (1742-1811)
Joseph (Died as Child) (1745-1746)
Benigna (Died as Child) (1748-1760)