Andreas (Andrew) Giering

011_001

As of April 7, 2004 (Go To Index of Names)

SOURCE

Date of Action What or Who is reported upon. What is the source(s) - From Where does the Information come. July, 1996 Basic Information on Andreas & Spouse, Maria with Child List. Pages 16, 78/79,` Emmaus Moravian Church records as found in the Moravian Church Archives, July 1996 Information on Daughter CHRISTINA: Unmarried, Birth and death Page 72, Emmaus Moravian Church records as found in the Moravian Church Archives, July, 1996 Andreas and Maria admitted into church (See also other item) Page 44, Emmaus Moravian Church records as found in the Moravian Church Archives, July, 1996 Information on Unnamed son, born & Died same day Page 71, Emmaus Moravian Church records as found in the Moravian Church Archives,

Date of Action What or Who is reported upon. What is the source(s) - From Where does the Information come. March 29, 1997 Copied Obituary Appendix D, Book: THEY CAME TO EMMAUS April 2, 1998 Posted Military Service THEY CAME TO EMMAUS Data: Oct 1, 2001; Posted: January 26, 2003 Notes on the Village of Boll (below), Baptism and Birth Record (incl photo) for Andreas plus photos of Boll Church. Visit to the Church in the Village of Boll, Suburb of Oberndorf am Neckar, Württemberg plus other areas of the Black Forest, by the Author and wife during September 29, 2001 through October 3, 2001. January 26, 2003 Information about Birthplace and baptism of Principal, Andreas plus photos of Church in Boll. Results of Visit by Author and wife to Black Forest Region, Germany from September 29 through October 3, 2002 April 7, 2004 Correected the inscription over the Gate to God's Acre Photo and added the translation. E-Mail from eighth generation Grandchild of Andreas, Carolynn Luby, dated Mar 31, 2004

OCCUPATION:Farmer and Shoemaker

ADDRESS:Built and lived in first house in Emmaus

MILITARY SERVICE:
The following quoted from THEY CAME TO EMMAUS  A History, Compiled by PRESTON A. BARBA, PhD, Litt.D.; Holben Printing, Allentown, Pa. Library of Congress Catalog Card nbr: 60-6693; Page 130.

Giering, Andreas --6th Class, 7th Company, 1st battalion
Comapny Commanded by Capt. Francis Rhodes
Northampton County, Militia, Jun 8, 1777

COMMENTARY:

-- Andreas and two others were the principal founders of the town of Emmaus, Pa. It was known variably, through its history as Emaus, Pa. The other two individuals donated land to the church (the town was a church community) while Andreas donated money (see Obituary for Grandson John Jacob for additional information. He also built and resided in the first home in the village plot.

Some church records show that Andreas was admitted into the congregation on Jul 9, 1758 and his wife on Sep 10, 1758.

-- Other records show both joining the congregation on Feb 16, 1755.
These contradicts his self-written obituary (see below).

-- Notes on Spouse, Maria Catherine; taken from KNAUSS FAMILY by Wilbur Lewis King, 1930. ... Was baptised by Reformed Minister Rev Philip Boehm. In her seventh year she moved to her brother, Johann Henrich Knauss, who then lived near Emmaus, Pa.

-- Son Ludwig, II (per page 71 of Church records) learned the hatter's trade at Nazareth from Jacob Christ. Additionally, the German Language Diary (from which the record was taken) also notes that Ludwig came home from Nazerath wher he had a "higher Education in Theology".

-- Daughter Christina was Admitted into church congregation: Apr 13, 1789

-- See also the obituary for Grandson John Jacob at 013_004 for additional information.

-- A Translation of the insription over the gate to God's Acre where Andreas is buried (See the Photo below) is: " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; they rest from their labor, as their works live on after them.

-- (AUTHOR'S NOTE:In his self written Obituary displayed below, Andreas indicates his place of birth is Boll, Württemberg, maps (of today) and other information indicates there are five villages named BOLL in Württemburg: The larger (and the one visited by the niece of this page's Author is Boll, Kreis Göppingen (Kreis is the district or County whose major city or county seat is ...) where grave stones with the name Giering were found. The others are Boll, Kreis Sigmaringen, Boll, Kreis Waldshut, Boll, Kreis Hechingen and Boll by Oberndorf. Until recently the correct birthplace for Andreas was unknown.

    From September 29 through October 3, 2002, the Author and wife visited The Black Forest region of Württemberg. With the most significant help of Frau Lydia and Herr Ernst Giering believed to be related, but the actual family relationship, as of January, 2003, still eludes, plus the help of Herr Gerhard Schumann, A Genealogist, the actual location of the birth and baptism village for Andreas was located.

    The City of Oberndorf on the river Neckar has a number of small suburbs, one of which is BOLL. In that small village, we found in the baptism register of the Protestant (Evangelische) church, the birth and baptism information for Andreas.

    Photos of the small church plus a copy of the Baptism register and the external bulletin board for the church are found below.

PHOTOGRAPHS

To view one of the photos, click on it and, when finished, click BACK
This is a photo of Andreas' Grave Site - complete with the additional marker indicating his Revolutionary War Service; taken during Summer, 1996.	A Copy of the Birth/Baptism Register record of Andreas's birth as found at the Church in Boll - See note on the Village of Boll above.	This is the Gate to the "God's Acre" Cemetery in which Andreas is buried. A new (better) picture is forthcoming, but in the meantime, the caption over the Gate reads "Selig sind die Todten die in dem Herrn sterben, sie ruhen von ihrer Arbeit denn ihre Werke folgen ihnen nach" (For a translation, see the comments above. and the caption on the gate: FIRST BURIAL GROUNDS of the MORAVIAN BRETHERN in EMMAUS 1742 - 1836
The Church in Boll, Full view.	The outdoor Bulletin Board for the Church in Boll.	The Church in Boll, Tower Only

OBITUARY:The following excerpt from the book (identified under SOURCE above) gives more information. The quote is from Appendix D, Pages 366 through 369:

[366]
ANDREAS GIERING

After Jacob Ehrenhardt and Sebastian Knauss no one figures so frequently in the early annals of Emmaus as Andreas Giering, the son-in-law of Sebastian Knauss. He was the first to build and occupy a house in the newly laid-out little village. He did not wait for someone else to write his obituary, but in his latter years himself began to narrate the events of his life. Fortunately the narrative was continued after his death by the then minister, Brother Johannes Molther. The following English translation was done by Charles J. Bornman from the original German manuscript in the Moravian Archives in Emmaus. Brother Giering relates:

I was born on August 19, 1729, in Boll, Wuerttemberg, of Lutheran parents, and learned the shoemaker's trade. By nature I was very attentive. I had a peculiar fondness for the beautiful Christmas and Passion hymns. In my fourteenth year I was confirmed and partook of the Lord's Supper, at which time I experienced a strange feeling. I promised the dear Lord, that I wished to remain everlastingly faithful to Him, but ere long I lost this feeling in my heart. I continued restless, and the depravity of my youthful nature aroused me very much. I intended to postpone my conversion until I became older; but my restlessness increased, and I was fully convinced that if I should not become converted, I should of necessity be lost forever; and thus I continued to my seventeenth year. It was in 1747 that the first sermon awakened me; for as the preacher described the condition of the natural man, I was surprised that he knew fully the condition of my heart, and I was persuaded, that as I then felt, I should be lost forever. But he described the love of Jesus so appealingly, that I immediately found consolation in and love for the Saviour, and I bore testimony to others of what I had experienced in my heart. Through the grace and the peace I felt in my heart I took comfort in all things, since there was now no condemnation in me, for I believed that the Saviour had forgiven my sins. But since I again felt my wretchedness, I again became confounded and thought that what I had believed was mere imagination. I resolved to leave the place and postpone the matter until I should become older. I found employment with my brother and concealed the truth that I recognized. In the meanwhile I read the Bible zealously. The words of the Saviour, "My sheep hear my voice," convinced me, that since I did not follow him, I had no peace in my heart. In the meanwhile the so-called Soldier-Brethren (Soldaten Brueder) found quarters in our place. I soon became acquainted with them and learned to love them. I revealed the condition of my heart to them, and they directed me to the Saviour, telling me that no one was too wicked to come to Him. This gave me new courage, yet I did not wish to appear as I actually was. At the same time, in company with the Soldier-Brethren I attended the meetings of Dr. Reis at Sulz faithfully. My acquaintance with them continued up to the time of [367] their departure in the year 1748, when twelve of them went to the congregation at Herrnhaag. Their first letter from that place occasioned extraordinary reflection on my part, and I had a desire to be with them also. I experienced a great blessing in my heart when I visited them in the year 1749 and I was convinced that this was a people of God. I took home with me, therefore, a good impression of the congregation and determined to return in two years.

When at length I desired to carry out my intention, I heard to my sorrow that the congregation at Herrnhaag had dispersed and my dear Soldier-Brethren had crossed the sea to Pennsylvania. Therefore I considered day and night also to go thither. Together with several other friends, who were of the same mind, I set out on my journey thither in the year 1751, and had the good fortune to cross the sea in the ship ''Irene'' and profited much by the agreeable fellowship of those whose destination was Bethlehem. I went along to Bethlehem and remained three weeks, but since I owed my passage, I was advised to go to the late Brother Jacob Ehrenhardt, where I worked for sixteen months in order to discharge my obligation. When my term of service was over, I considered, whither I might now go, and reflected upon the career of my life thus far. Since I believed that I belonged to the congregation, I told the Brethren, and continued to go to Bethlehem. I soon received permission to live there, moved into the Brethren's house and remained there five months. Because of the baseness of my heart and because I shrank from declaring my true condition I was placed in a separate class of instruction. In spite of the fine testimonies at the chapel which delighted me very much and at times encouraged me, I could not believe that I should prosper here. If I should be received and be admitted to the Lord's Supper and again go away, then I should wish never to have been born. Thus I found myself in great distress and at length revealed my condition in tears to the choir-leader;for I thought if I should leave in my present condition, I should be forsaken by God and by man. The choir-leader and other brethren assured me that they would show am interest in me and persuaded me to return to Maguntshe, which I did with embarrassment. Now I equipped myself once more and worked industriously at my trade. My heart became much lighter and I often visited Bethlehem, and implored the Saviour not to leave me, for I was a poor creature, and could not live without Him. I also asked Him to forgive my sin, namely, that because of my baseness I had left Bethlehem. He permitted me to feel that He would receive me anew and did not wish to leave me. Since I could not longer manage my affairs very well and remain single, I intended, with the advise of the brethren, to get married. Accordingly I was united in marriage with Maria Catharina Knauss by Justice Timothy Horsfield in Bethlehem on March 4, 1754, and the dear Saviour added his blessings. The Brethren and Sisters in Bethlehem and Maguntsche receieved[sic] us cordially and we were admitted into the Society. In the year 1754, when the Synodus was here, I together with my wife, [368] was received as a member of the congregation, which seemed to me to be a~ new seal and assurance of my election by grace, so that now I belonged to the people of God. I prayed the Saviour~ to keep me with Him and his congregation, until I should have the grace to come to Him. We were soon admitted to the Lord's Supper. This was something extraordinary for me, for something like this I had never experienced; it was a supremely blessed enjoyment for my heart. My course in the congregation was a blessed one, and I experienced much joy. We were soon appointed as sacristans, and at that time I regarded everything I was asked to do as a privilege. When ~in the year 1759 Emmaus was organized as a community, I had the pleasure of moving into the first house, and at the time I am writing this in January, 1793, it is thirty-three years that I have lived in this pleasant congregationa~l village, in which I have found abundant subsistence and was blessed with thirteen children. Two of them have gone home, and the others all had the good fortune of belonging to the congregation.
Here ends the manuscript in Andreas Giering's own hand. After his death another hand adds the following:

Since that time (the time of writing the above autobiography.-Tr.) up to that of his blessed departure, which includes a period of more than ten years, six more of his children, all of whom were grown up and some married, namely one son and five daughters, preceded him into eternity. Together with his wife, who survives, during the forty-nine years of their married life, he lived to see forty-two grandchildren, of whom twenty-five survive; likewise ten great grandchildren, of whom nine continue to live here below.

For many years our departed brother served the local congregation as steward in accordance with his knowledge and insight; although it is not to be denied, that during his tenure of office, on various occasions, because ~of a noticeable departure from the duties of unfeigned love, he hurt the feelings ~of one, then of another, nevertheless the service which he rendered should be held in grateful remembrance by the congregation.

In view of the infirmities of old age and a state of ill-health he felt constrained to resign as steward in the year 1794. In the meanwhile he continued as a member of the Committee, a meeting of which he attended for the last time on the 15th of January of this year (1803). From this time on his increasing ill-health compelled him to hold back, however unwillingly he missed the meetings. His sickness consisted in a wasting away with which he had been affected for many years; and he now declared very decidedly, that he would never get up again, as in former years he had done ~repeatedly. As he partook of the Lord's Supper for the last time, which was administered to him in his room, he testified very feelingly, that through the forgiveness of his dear Saviour he found consolation in all things, and as far as he was concerned he retained no ill will toward anyone.

Up to the 19th of February his feebleness increased only gradually. On this day, however, he was attacked by so violent a fever and by con[369]vulsions, that his early dissolution could be expected. He recovered, ~ however, to a considerable extent, and turned his attention now to setting his house in order in every respect. With humble acknowledgement of his great unworthiness, he bore witness to his sincere gratitude for the many blessings which the hand of God had poured out upon him, and with respect to the attitude of his heart one could not help but believe with the greatest consolation, that he had peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. During the last week of his life he could leave his bed only occasionally, but seemed to suffer no more unusual pain than that of an ever increasing asthmatic condition, which was very pronounced during the last days. On the 17th instant (March) he bade a touching farewell to his wife and the children present, expressing the wish of a father for their welfare, whereby also the absent children were included. At his request, after a ~fervent prayer of absolution for forgiveness of all errors that he had committed, the blessing of the Lord and of the congregation was imparted for a happy consumation. With full consciousness he often took part in the singing of the verses, which were sung at his bedside; and it was plainly to be seen, that he took cognizance of the fact, when this was done a few minutes before his departure, which took place on the 20th instant (March, 1803) in the morning at 8 o'clock, after he had reached the age of 73 years and 7 months.-
Andreas Giering was the great~-great~-grandfather of the late President Judge Richard Iobst of the Lehigh County Courts. No. 134 in the old Moravian churchyard is the legibly inscribed grave of Andreas Giering.