Bios: John Henry Aue (ca 1745-1821): Hopewell Twp, Cumberland Co Copyright © 1997 by Judy Thayer. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. JLYThayer@aol.com USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. _________________________________________________________________ updated 2004. John Henry Aue (ca 1745-1821) The following information, arranged in chronological order, is a summary of the life of John Henry Aue, available from records read by several researchers. The variations in the spelling of the Aue name are as they appear in the records. 1764 - Au, Johannes Henrich, came on the ship Jennifer, Capt. George Kerr, last from Cowes; arrived Philadelphia 29 Nov 1764. Strassberger, Vol. 1, p 700; Vol. 2, p. 797 of Pennsylvania German Pioneers: In Vol. 2, p. 797, the signatures (or "marks," if unable to write) of the passengers are reproduced. The signature: "Johannes Henrich Au" appears in a fine, educated hand. Prefacing the signatures is the following: "At the Court House Philadelphia, 5th November, 1764. Present: Isaac Jones, Esquire. The foreigners whose names are underwritten, imported in the Jenniffer, Captain George Kerr, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, did this day take and subscribe the usual Qualifications. 247 Whole Freights. 102 contained in the List. (Consigned to Mr. Robert Ruecastle.) 1764, Novr 29, pd. £7.13." These signatures (or "marks) signified an oath of allegiance to the English crown. (Often, although passengers actually paid for their passages, unscrupulous Captains or shipowners swindled the emmigrants and "sold" them into forced service to pay for their passage.) Tradition in the John William Aue family says that the Aue ancestor (named as "Scofield") served seven years in servitude/bondage after he came to this country. This could account for the number of years in which his name is absent from any records that we have read. Could he have possibly worked for Christoph Lutz, who owned large holdings of land? Certainly, he seemed to have lived and worked in the neighborhood. There are a few other names in the area which seem similar to Aue, but so far, no connections have been made, although several researchers have made concerted efforts. (In 1754, on the ship Recovery, Fredrick, Gerick and Christaufur Au arrived.) Except for a brief time in Cumberland Co., PA, there is no other Au associated with Johannes Heinrich Au/John Henry Aue. Another idea, for which an attempt to research failed, was that possibly a female relative of John Henry's had married someone in the neighborhood where John Henry settled. The paucity of records for that early period failed to reveal any other connections. Those records follow: 1777 - Au, Henry - 1777-1779, Pvt., Capt. John Lesher's 1st Co., 6th Bn., Berks Co., PA Militia; residence Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., PA (PA Historical and Museum Commission Certificate). Au, Henry, of Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., PA md 18 Apr 1777 Christina Lutz, dau of Christoph Lutz of Heidelberg Twp., Lancaster Co., PA (fr: Christ Lutheran Church Records, Tulpehocken). Awe, Henry - 8 Sep 1777, Oaths of Allegiance, Berks Co., PA (Fr: Index, Oaths of Allegiance, Berks Co., PA, PA State Library, Harrisburg, PA). Aue, John Henry w/wf Christina - 25 Nov 1777, son Christophel baptised; baptism sponsors Christophel Lutz and wife (fr: Altalaha Church Records, Rehrersberg, Lebanon Co., PA Hist. Soc.). 1778 - Auh, Henry, laborer; taxed, Berks Co., PA (PA Archives. 1779 - Au, Henry, laborer, Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., PA; 1 Cow, tax; 10 (lbid). 1780 - Au, Henry, laborer, Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., PA; 1 Cow, tax 1.5 (lbid). 1781 - Aau, Henry, blacksmith, Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., PA; 1 cow (lbid). Re: Pennsylvania Militia Act, 17 Mar 1777. Militia duty - membership was mandatory; "home guard" served only within the state boundaries, unless specifically activated "to the Continental Line." Members served for only 60 days at a time. All white males between ages 18-53 were enrolled (except clergymen, school teachers and certain elected officials) into local "training" battalions - 8 companies made up of Bn. Each company assembled for drill one day per month. Within each Co., each man was assigned by lot to one of 8 "classes." When the state needed troops, all men of a specified "class" in a specified Co. or Co.'s were called to active duty. The classes were called up in rotation, ex., 4th class, 6th Co., 6th Bn., would not be called up until the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd classes had been called up. The 4th class would not be called up again until the 5th through 8th classes had served, as well as the 1st thru 3rd classes served 2nd tours. When a class was called to active duty, it represented only 1/8 of the respective "training" companies. For the tour of duty, the class was formed into a "marching company," which, in turn, were combined into provisional Bns. Thus, the numberical designation of the activy duty Bn., to which a man was assigned, would usually be different from that of the "training" Bn. to which he was normally assigned. The 1777 militia law expired in 1780, but it was immediately re-enacted. The numerical sequence of the Bns. in ea Co. changed to correspond with the relative seniority of their commanding officers. If a number designation of a Bn. changed, it was probably because the CO was either senior or junior to the other Bn. CO's in the Bn. Often, the Co. Militia units were activated specifically to guard prisoners at war at Lancaster. According to John Henry Aue's military record (PA State Archives, Harrisburg, PA), he was enrolled in the Berks Co., Militia. At one time, he failed to report when his class and company was called to duty and paid a fine. Apparently, this was very common among the enrollees in the State Militia. Many reasons can be cited: crops to plant or harvest, illness, etc. (Based on the record of John Henry Aue's enrollment in the PA Militia, his Revolutionary Service was accepted by The Daughters of the American Revolution. My DAR National number is 0634404, 2 Feb 1979. Once the connection to him is established, any descendent of John Henry Aue's is eligible for membership in DAR, SAR or CAR.) 1781 - Aue, John Henry, 3 Jan 1781, son Michael baptised; sponsors Michael Wolfarth and wife Elizabeth (sister of Christina [Lutz] Aue). (fr: Altalaha Church Records, Rehrersberg, Lebanon Co., PA Historical Society.) This child probably died young, as there is no further mention of him in any records. Aue, John Henry w/wf Christina Barbara, 11 Apr 1781, bpt sp's for Christina Barbara Kreitzer, whose parents were Susanna Maria Lutz (Christina's sister) and Michael Kreitzer (lbid). 1782 - Au, Henry, laborer, taxed Berks Co., PA (PA Archives). 1783 - Aue, John Henry w/wf Christina, 9 Jan 1783, dau Eva Elizabeth baptised; sp Eva Mary Lutz, single (Christina's sister). (fr: Altalaha Church Records, Rehrersberg, Lebanon Co., PA Historical Society.) 1794 - Au, Henry, dau Maria Margaret, b 22 Sep 1784, bpt 17 Oct 1784; sp Esaias Gushova and wf Margaret (sister of Christina [Lutz] Aue). (fr: Christ Lutheran Church Records, Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., PA) 1785 - Aw, Henry, Heidelberg Twp., Dauphin Co., PA Assessments. (fr: Dauphin Co., PA History. In 1785, Dauphin Co. was erected from Lancaster Co., PA.) 1786/7 - Au, Henry, son John Henry Jr., b 2 Dec 1786, bpt 27 Feb 1787; bpt sp Jacob Lutz (bro of Christina [Lutz] Aue). (fr: Christ Lutheran Church Records, Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., PA.) 1788 - Howe, Henry, Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA tax list; 170 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows. (fr: Tax lists, originals and transcriptions, Hamilton Library, Carlisle, PA.) 1789 - Howe, Henry, Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; 170 Acres, 2 H, 4 C (lbid.) 1790 - Auw, Henry, Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; Census, p 78. 1793 - Howe, Henry, Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; 170 Acres, 2 H, 4 C (Tax List). 1794 - Administration of Estate of Elizabeth Lutz (widow of Christoph), Lancaster Co., PA. Heirs included dau Christine, wife of Henry Au. (See: Lutz FamFile). 1795 - Howe, Henry, Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; 170 Acres, 2 C (Tax List), Aue, Henry, 12 Jan 1795, son Jacob born (fr: birth record in Bible of Jacob's dau, Elizabeth [Aue] Frager). 1797 - Aue, Christoph adopted into the Evangelical Reformed Church, Queen Street, Shippensburg, PA (Fr: Records of the Evangelical Reformed Church, Shippensburg, the originals (on microfilm) are typed transcriptions of which are held at the Hamilton Library, Carlisle, PA. Note the spelling of the Aue name, clearly evident in the handwritten original record and missed in the transcription of those records. As I became aware of the problems inherent in the transcriptions of the originals, I challenged the accuracy of the transcriptions. Fortunately, the very knowledgeable Professor Flowers, of Carlisle's Dickinson College, and an expert in archaic and old German writing confirmed my assertion that mistakes had been made in the transcriptions of the originals. The disparity in the spelling of the Au/Aue name in various records reflected the English-speakers' problems with recording German pronunciations. [See: discussion of pronunciation, following.]) 1798 - Aue, Frau w/Christoph and Elizabeth, members, Evangelical Reformed Church, Shippensburg, PA (lbid. Again, note spelling of the name.) 1799 - A, Henry, Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; 170 Acres, 1 H, 7 C. (Tax Lists. Note again, the spelling of the name. This and the constancy of the property and its location, as well as the other records suggested that the tax assessor "couldn't spell the old German's name!" per the librarian.) 1799 - Aue, Henry - 25 Feb 1799, with others in Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, agreed to build a church for the use of the German Lutheran and Calvinistic Congregations and to call the new church, "Church of Hope." Another trustee was Hermanus Au/Ow; research proves no relationship. (fr: German Reformed [Zion] Church, Newburg, PA. Beth Seebach summary.) 1802 - Au, Henry, Blacksmith of Hopewell Twp., w/Stophel (nickname for Christophel or Christopher), cooper of Southampton Twp., Cumberland Co. bought land in Hopewell Twp., 8 Apr 1802. (Cumberland Co., Land Records, V.1,Bk. Q: 4/14) 1805 - Au, Henry of Hopewell Twp., granted land (above) to Stophel, 4 Jan 1805 (lbid., p. 15) Auw, Henry, Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; 170 Acres, 2 H, 5 C. (Tax Lists). 1808 - Auw, Henry, Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; 170 Acres, 1 H, 6 C (lbid). 1810 - Owe, Henry, Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, US Census, w/household: Males: 1:10-16; 1:26-45; F: 1:16-26 (probably John Henry Jr.'s family). 1811 - Auw, Henry, Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; 170 Acres warranted, 2 H, 4 C. (Tax lists). 1814 - Auw, Henry, Mifflin Twp., Cumberland Co. PA; 170 Acres, 2 H, 1 C (probably reflects erection of new townships with increase of population.) (lbid). 1817 - Aue, Christopher, Mifflin Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; 170 Acres (lbid.) (This land was probably transferred to Christopher from John Henry Sr., per the 1818 agreement, below). 1818 - Au - agreement between Heinrich Au Sr. (per signature) and his sons, Christopher and Henry Jr. in which Henry Sr. transferred his land to his sons. Christopher and Henry Jr. agreed to "keep" their father the rest of his life, and after his death to make payments to each of the children of Henry Sr.; the payments to start 1 Apr the year after the death of Henry Sr. (No metion is made of his wife; she is presumed to be deceased by this date.) Henry's children, in order of payments to be made, as named in the agreement: 1. Jacob; 2. Christopher; 3. Henry; 4. Eve; 5. Margaret; 6. Caty; 7. Elizabeth. Agreement dated 17 Sep 1818. (Fr: Misc. Records, Vol. DD, pp 227/8, Cumberland Co., PA.) 1820 - Aue, Henry, Mifflin Twp., Cumberland Co., PA., w/44 Acres. (Tax Lists.) Probably Henry Jr. Au, Christopher, West Pennsboro Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, US Census (p. 34): Males: 2:-10; 1:10-16; 2:18-26; 3:26-45; 1:45+ (Henry Sr.?) Females: 2:-10; 1:10-16; 1:16-26; 1:26-45. 3 Foreigners, not naturalized; 3 in agriculture; 2 in manufacture. At one time, Christopher Aue operated the largest distillery (not a brewery) west of the Susquehanna River . 1821 - Au, Henry - Letters of Administration on the Estate of Henry Au of Newton Twp., were opened 17 Mar 1821. (Cumberland Co., PA Probate Records.) Abstract - seven children: 1. Christopher; 2. Eva (md Michael DeGraff); 3. Margaret (md Samuel Boughman/Bauman); 4. Henry (John Henry Jr.); 5. Catherine (md Robert Clark); 6. Elizabeth (md Joseph Hoffman; 7. Jacob. Comments\: Zion Hill Cemetery is the oldest in Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., PA. It was founded by the Reformed and Lutheran congregations which began to hold worship services there in 1799. It is believed that burials were made in the cemetery before 1800. (Cumberland Valley Chronicles, Wm. H. Burkhart, 1971, p. 399). In the Zion Hill Cemetery, there is an Au stone, a tall square shaft, located next to that of Jacob Au (d 18 Jan 1877 @75-1-26, son of Christopher and Magdalena Au). "This square shaft is unreadable, except for the family name, Au, on the base." (lbid. We have seen and photographed this stone, as well as the other Au/Aue stones.); it is located in Sect. 1 Row 21, Zion Hill Cem. Also in Sect. 1, Row 16 (next to Christopher Au's stone) is a "small fieldstone with no discernible inscription." (lbid) We have visited this cemetery and corraborate the local history. There are only a few "glimpses" of John Henry Au/Aue's wife, Christine Lutz, daughter of Christoph/Christophel/Christopher and Elizabeth Lutz. The marriage of John Henry Aue and Christina Lutz is recorded, as are the baptisms of some of their children. John Henry and Christina are recorded as baptismal sponsors (in one Christine is named "Christine Barbara") for numbers of their relatives, as well. The only other record seen in that in 1798, when a list of "Communicants of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Shippensburg" (PA), included Christoph, Elizabeth and Frau Au, although this reference may be to either John Henry's wife, or to Christoph's wife, Magdalena. By 1818 (agreement between John Henry Sr. and sons, Christopher and John Henry Jr.), Heinrich Au neither mentions nor makes provision for his wife, therefore it is presumed that she predeceased him and, possibly, is also buried in the Zion Hill Cemetery. Again and again, the researchers have found mention in the records concerning the family the name "Stophel" or "Stoffel." As will be seen in several citations, the actual record was made to or from "Stophel," in this case John Henry Aue's eldest son. It seems to suggest that Christoph/Christophel, Christopher was named for his maternal grandfather, Christophel Lutz, who with his wife, Elizabeth, were his Godparents. While it cannot be stated for certain, it seems likely that the tradition of "Scofield" in the family memory is acutally "Stophel." Inasmuch as Jacob Aue, the youngest son of John Henry and Christina Barbara (Lutz) Aue, was a young man when his father died and Christopher became the head of the family, in later generations, reference to "Stophel" was possibly misunderstood and heard as "Scofield." In no records is there a Scofield, however Stophel does appear several times. Until someone can find a reference to a "Scofield," as well as a definite connection, we shall have to consider that "Scofield" did indeed refer to Stophel, both eldest son and father-in-law of John Henry Aue, and grandfather and eldest brother of Jacob Aue. A note on the pronunciation of the Au/Aue name would probably be helpful. In the few instances where the signature of German spelling is recorded, the indication is the name was pronounced "Awe" or "Ah-wuh." (Modern German pronunciation of Aue is "Ah-wuh.") The descendents of Jacob's son Harvey's family pronounce the name "Ow;" although one or two say "Ow-we." Jacob's son William's descendents pronounce the name "Awe" (as in awe-struck); son Peter's tombstone has "Awe." There is a possibility that John Henry Aue was married twice, although no records have been found to substantiate a story (according to Beth Seebach) that "...Aue went to Philadelphia a couple of times a year on business, stayed in a boarding house on Marlet Street, run by Catherine Fisher; one time upped and married her. From Catherine Aue Hefflebower, a daughter of Christopher\: 'Grandmother was Catherine Fisher from Edinborough.' - not so, she was Christopher's step-mother." (Beth Seebach, letter to Judith Young-Thayer, dated 21 Jul 1977.) Beth first stated that Christopher had married Catherine Fisher, then backed up and said that he was too young, so it must have been his father, John Henry Aue. There is confusion in this story; it is included merely to allow a researcher to investigate the possibility. Beth never cited any records or references, other than a family story, which may never be substantiated. Other descendents of Christopher's feel that Beth is mistaken. Christophel Aue's dau, Catherine's baptismal sponsors were Philip and Catherine Tisch, so she may have been named for that Catherine, who possibly was a sister of her mother, Magdalena, and they might have been Fishers. In Lancaster, York and Cumberland counties, PA, at about the same time that "our" Johannes Heinrich Au lived there, were several other (apparently unrelated) Aus. According to a descendent, George Au came to this country in the 1780s, settling in Lancaster Co. One of his sons, Hermanus Au, "mastered the English language and apprenticed as a tailor. He went into business (as a tailor) for himself." He commissioned an English-American to paint a sign with gilt letters. When the sign was completed and put up, Hermanus discovered that his name was spelled Ow instead of Au. Hermanus "remonstrated" about the spelling, but was told Ow was the English way to spell the name. Being a thrifty man, Hermanus adopted the Ow spelling of his name, and from that time his branch of the family used that spelling. As documented, the children of John Henry and Christine (Lutz) Aue were: 1. Christoph/Christoph b 25 Nov 1777 Berks Co., PA (see following); 2. Michael, bpt 3 Jan 1781 Berks Co., PA; prob d inf (nfi); 3. Eva Elisabeth, bpt 9 Jan 1783 Berks Co., PA; md Michael DeGroff; 4. Maria Margaret b 22 Sep 1784 (bpt 17 Oct 1784); md Samuel Baughman/Bowan; 5. John Henry III b 8 Dec 1786 Heidelberg Twp., Berks Co., PA (see following); 6. Catharaine "Caty" b ca 1790 prob Cumberland Co., PA; md Robert Clark; 7. Elizabeth b ca 1792 prob Cumberland Co., PA; md Joseph Hoffman; 8. Jacob b 12 Jan 1795 Cumberland Co., PA (see Jacob Aue FamHist). Christophel Aue, b Nov 1777 Heidelberg Twp., Berks Co., PA (bpt 25 Nov 1777) d 30 Sep 1855 Newburg, Cumberland Co., PA, bu Zion Hill Ref Luth Ch Cem, Newburg, PA. Farmer; owned and operated largest distillery west of the Susquehanna (see 1820 census info in preceding Fam Hist summary.) md ca 1800 prob Cumberland Co., PA. Magdalena (?) b 23 Dec 1776, d 17 Jun 1850 Newburg, PA; bu w/hus Zion Hill; ch: 1. Catherine bpt 19 M ay 1800 Cumberland Co., PA d 2 Apr 1877; bu w/hus., Newville Cem., N. Newton Twp. md ca 1919 Cumberland Co., PA, George Hefflebower (1794-1858); 10 ch; 2. Jacob b 23 Nov 1877 Cumberland Co., PA d 18 Jan 1877 Cumberland Co., PA md 16 Apr 1840 Cumberland Co., PA, Elizabeth Lehmann; 5 ch, res Newville, PA; 3. Elizabeth b 15 Jul 1803 Cumberland Co., PA; unmd d 30 Jun 1837; bu Zion Hill Ref Ch Cem w/pa's; 4. Sarah b ca 1810 Cumberland Co., PA md 18 Jan 1842 Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, John K Hoch (nfi); 5. Rosianna, b ca 1815; md David Creps res Wood Co., OH (nfi); 6. John b 17 Jan 1817; d 23 Dec 1837, bu Zion Hill Ref Cem w/pa's. John Henry Aue Jr., b 8 Dec 1786 Heidelberg Twp., Berks Co., PA (bpt 8 Jan 1781) d 19 Apr 1861/4 md 11 Oct 1816 Southampton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA. Anna Barbara Stough (1799-1876) ch: 1. John Henry III b/16 Aug 1817 Cumberland Co., PA md ca 1840 Elizabeth Bloor/Blower; farmer, res. Richland Co., OH (see Richland Co., OH History). 2. Jacob A. b 8 Jan 1819 Cumberland Co., PA; d 1899 md 1847 Margaret Ann Hoch 1855 farmer, Richland Co., OH. 3. Samuel b 29 Nov 1820 Cumberland Co., PA; d 7 Mar 1904/6 md 10 Oct 1842 Richland Co., OH Elizabeth Brickman. 4. Catherine Ann b 21 Dec 1811; md ca 1830 John Philip Lutz' d 26 Nov 1911. 5. Christopher b 2 Dec 1824 Cumberland Co., PA d 18 Jan 1907 Richland Co., OH md 1848 Laura Greenfield. Capt., Civil War (Fam Hist Files for record); res Ontario, Springfield Twp., Richland Co., OH. Merchant; 11 years postmaster (see also, Richland Co., OH History (copy in Fam Hist Files.)). 6. John b 1828 prob Cumberland Co., PA; d 1895 1/md Kate (?); 2/md Eunice Berryman. 7. Jane E. b 13 Dec 1831 prob Cumberland Co., PA; d 19 Jan 1925. 8. Margaret Amanda, b 1832/42; d 19 Feb 1864. 9. Mary M. b 1833; d 1895; unmd. If anyone has any info on any of the persons mentioned, no matter how meager, Judy will be glad to hear from you. ____________ Added 8/2004 There has been an effort to connect this John Henry Au to a Johann Hinrich Aue/Au in the Duvensee area of Germany. The following is offerred from a German researcher, Peter Juers, who has researched the Duvensee Germany family. [NOTE: the John Henry Au of this sketch was born about 1745 and died about 1821 in Pennsylvania. Emigrated in 1764 to the Province of Pennsylvania.] Johann Hinrich Aue birth 1739 and baptised April 19 at Nusse, father Hinrich Aue, 1702-1759. Johann Aue b. 1739 married in 1759 Anna Magdalena Groht(en). In the tax record, Amt Steinhorst 1769, Johann Hinrich Au appears as Halbhufner [farmer] at Duvensee. His name also appears on the map of Duvensee 1777. This Johann Hinrich Au had no children and died 1780 at Duvensee. He was buried Feb. 21 1780 at Nusse. Data abstracted from an email dated Mon., April 10, 2000 by peterjuers@firemail.de Peter Juers