Jacob Holben

1717-1794

Jacob Holben emigrated to America on the ship Frances and Elizabeth, landing at Philadelphia on 21 Sep 1742 at the age of 25 years. He located shortly after in what is now Weisenberg Township was one of the first settlers in Weisenberg, settled in the vicinity of the Weisenberg Church. He was one of the first elders of the Weisenberg congregation, being mentioned as such as early as 1740. Jacob secured a warrant on 28 Sep 1750 for 50 acres of land. In 1762 he was assessed 10 Shillings. He secured additional land and in 1768 he was taxed on 50 acres of cleared land, 300 acres of woodland, 3 horses and 3 cows. Jacob lived for some time in a log building on which there was no door. For a stairway the family used a ladder, on which they crawled up to the garret. Around the house the wolves would howl at night, and often enter the lower apartment while the family slept in the garret. Sometimes the wolves would attempt to get up on the ladder or to crawl up on the logs. Jacob was married to Catharine Weiss, and had six children, as follow: Anna Margreta, Theobold, John Jacob, Lorenz, John Wendel, and Anna Catharine.

Theobald Holben was born in what is now Weissenberg, then Allemangel, Aug. 16, 1745. He was a farmer by occupation and married Sarah Gerber. They had no children. Jacob Holben was born Feb. 23, 1748. He was married, and had seven children. Lorenz Holben was born Jan. 29, 1750. He was a farmer by occupation and inherited his father’s homestead. He was a member of the Reform congregation at Weisenberg. Lorenz married Catharine Kramlich, on Jan. 25, 1774. He died June 23, 1842,    leaving seven children,- Solomon, Peter, Jacob, Lorenz, Christian, John, Friederich. Of Lorenz Holben’s children, Christian went to Ohio, John died in the war of 1812, Friederich went west, and Solomon, Peter, and Jacob divided the homestead, each one taking a portion. Solomon was married, and at his death, left two sons, Solomon and Pheon. Peter left four sons and several daughters, his sons being Gedion, Peter, Reuben, and Joseph.

The farm originally taken up by Jacob Holben is still in the hands of his descendents, being owned by his great-grandchild, Reuben, C. Joseph, Solomon, Phaon, and Jacob. (that was in the year 1884)

Windel Holben lived in Weisenberg township, was married, and after his death, left children, some of whom were Magdalene, Catharine, Catharine Elizabeth, and Regina Barbara. Jacob Holben was a participant in the American Revolutionary War. He died in 1794 and is buried with his wife, in the original section of the Weisenberg Church Cemetery, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. A simple field stone originally marked his grave.

History of the Counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," By Alfred Mathews & Audtin N. Hungeford Publishing Philadelphia: Everts & Richards 1884

History of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley Publishing Co. Allentown PA. 1914

 Weisenberg Church Cemetery, Lehigh County, Weisenberg Township, Pennsylvania.

The original marker was simply a stone.