Philip Wendel Klein

Immigrant from Germany 1744

NOT A DIRECT ANCESTOR Philip Wendel Klein is not a direct ancestor, and no relationship has been established. He immigrated with a Johannes Klein, whom we believe to be our ancestor, on the ship "Phoenix" in 1744, and both settled in Lehigh County, PA.

Philip Wendel Klein and his descendants are well documented in the history of Lehigh County. He is of particular interest to us because our Klein ancestors also came from Lehigh County, and we believe they descend from the Johannes Klein who arrived with Philip Wendel Klein on the ship "Phoenix" in 1744.
Our family records take our line back to John Klein, born 1801, who married Anna Fenstermacher. Various church records (baptisms, death records), wills, and gravestones of Lower Macungie Twp., extend the line back to Johannes Peter Klein (b. 1741) & wife Catharine. The records of the ancestry to this point seem sound, but beyond this point the connection is circumstantial.
For the next older generation, we consider the records of the ship "Phoenix" of 1744. Here are recorded four Klein men: Philip Wendel Klein, Theobald Klein, Johanes Klein, and John Adam Klein .
Furthermore, church records at Essenheim, Germany document a Johannes Klein and wife Margaretha Klein, with sons Johann Adam, b. 29 Sept 1736, and Johannes b. 8 Jan 1741, who "left for America May 1744". This is presumably the same Johanes Klein of the ship's records.
We expect the four Kleins on the "Phoenix" were brothers. There is no mention in the well-documented history of Philip Wendel Klein's family of his father's having come to America, and what we know of the children of Philip Wendel Klein and of Johannes Klein suggest their sons were too young to be included in the list of mature males on ship. It is interesting that one of the immigrant men was a John Adam Klein. Both Philip Wendle Klein and our Johannes Klein had eldest sons whom they named John Adam Klein, possibly after their brother who immigrated with them, but also possibly after their father in Germany.
Philip Wendel Klein settled in Weisenberg Twp., of what became Lehigh County. His family's graves are at the Ziegel Church. Theobald settled in Longswamp Twp., Berks County. Johannes settled in Lower Macungie Twp., now Lehigh County. His family's graves are at Zion's Lutheran Church.

	Date	Location	Notes	Sources
Birth		expect Germany
Marriage			To Maria Magdalena Unknown
Death		Weisenburg Twp., Lehigh Co. PA
Burial		marker not found; expect Ziegel Church Weisenburg Twp., Lehigh Co. PA	was member/organizer of Lutheran congregation, Ziegel Church.

Ancestry chart segment

 Generation 6           Generation 7          Generation 8      Generation 9
 
                                                            +-- Philip Wendel Klein
                                                            |      {????-????)
                                          +-- Peter Klein --+
                                          |   (????-????)   |
                 +-- John Jacob Klein ----+                 +-- Maria Magdalena Unknown
                 |   (1781-1857)          |                       (????-????)
 Charles Klein --+                        +-- Margaret Stelter
 (1811-1898)     |                            (????-????)
                 +-- Susanna Gross
                     (1785-1872)

Sources:

Children

Name	Gender	Date of Birth	Birthplace	Spouse	Notes	Sources
Johan Adam Klein	M			Anna Maria unknown	resided Lyon Valley (runs from Weisenberg T. to Lowhill T.)
Johan Jacob Klein 1736	M			Anna Eva unknown
Lorentz Klein	M	15 Feb 1735		Eva Stettler(1740 - ~1824)	res. Weisenberg Twp; 1767 moved to Salisbury Twp.; d. 6 July 1819 buried W. Salisbury Church
Peter Klein	M	27 Apr. 1741		Margaret Stettler (1741-1815) dau. of Christopher Stettler & wife Margaret	d. 22 Dec.1819; married 52 yr; Rev. War Vet

Places of Residence

Location	Dates	Notes	Sources
b. Germany	?-1744
arr. Philadelpia	12 Oct.1744
settled on farm 1 mile NE of Seipstown, Weisenberg Twp., Lehigh Co.	by 1746

Photo Gallery

Ziegel Churhc, Weisenberg Twp., Lehigh Co. PA

Memorial to Peter Klein & wife Margaret nee Stelter, Ziegel Church Cemetery

Sources

Ref. Num.	Description	Image of original
1	History of Lehigh County, PA by C. R. Roberts, 1914. At Bethlehem Public Library . Kline Familybiographies pp. 679-685 p. 679. Philip Wendel Klein, the ancestor of this family, was a native of Germany, and emigrated to America on the ship Phoenix, arriving at Philadelphia on October 12, 1744. He settled in Weisenberg Township, on a farm about a mile northeast of Seipstown. As early as 1746 his name appears in this section, and on Dec. 5, 1753, he secured a warrant for land, which he sold to his son, John Jacob, on Nov. 10, 1761. Philip Wendel Klein was one of the organizers of the Lutheran congregation at Ziegel Church, where his name appears in 1750. His sons were: John Adam, John Jacob, Lorentz, and Peter. pg. 679. John Adam Kline bought in 1761, from Peter Krimt, a property about a mile above Lyon Valley, which he sold in 1773 to Adam Baer, and removed from the township. pg. 679. John Jacob Kline sold the homestead on April 1, 1769, to Marks Pontius and removed to Salisbury township. pg. 679. Lorentz Kline, the third son of Philip Wendel, was born Feb. 15, 1735. He married Eva Stettler, daughter of Christopher and Margaret Stettler, and about 1767 removed from Weisenberg township to Salisbury township, where he became the owner of 300 acres of land along the Little Lehigh. He died July 6, 1819. His wife was born Dec. 25, 1740, and died May 21, 1821. They had these children: Anna Margaret, born 1763; Christopher, born 1765; Elizabeth, born 1767; Peter, born 1769; Catherine, born 1772; Henry, born 1775; and Magdalena, born 1779. pg. 681. Peter Kline, youngest son of Philip Wendel, was born April 27, 1741, and died December 22, 1819. He married, in 1763, Margaret, daughter of Christopher and Margaret Stettler. She was born Dec. 13, 1741, and died Feb. 26, 1815. Peter Kline bought 260 acres of land from Philip Kleinert, in the southern part of Weisenberg township. A miller by trade, he erected a mill on the property about 1780, which he sold, with part of his farm, in 1803, to his son Lorentz. Peter Kline had these children: Margaret, born 1768; Lorentz; Jacob; Jonathan; Henry; Maria, wife of Michael Acker; and Mrs. George Smith. Lorentz Kline was born Nov. 12, 1773, and married Magdalena Knauss. They had no children. He was the owner of Kline's Mill for many years and died June 15, 1868.	(See additional text)
2	History of the Counties of Lehigh and Carbon by Alfred Mathews & Austin Hungerford, 1884. pg. 455: Philip Wendel Klein came from Germany prior to 1750. He settled in Weissenberg township, on a farm about a mile northeast from the present village of Seipstown, for which he obtained a warrant in 1753, and sold it to his son, John Jacob, on Nov. 10, 1761. Philip Wendel Klein had a number of children, among whom were John Jacob, John Adam, and Peter. John Jacob Kline had his father's homestead which he sold April 1, 1769, to Marks Pontius, and moved to Salisbury township. pg. 455: John Adam Kline, in 1761, bought from Peter Krunt the property originally settled by him, and now known as the Bear farm, situated on Lyon Creek, about a mile above Lyon Valley. John Adam Kline had this property till 1773, when he sold it to Adam Bear, and moved to Salisbury township. pg. 455: Peter Kline was born in 1741. In 1763 he married Margaret Stettler. He had four sons, viz., Lorentz, Henry, Jacob, and Jonathan. Peter Kline bought from Philip Kleinert a farm situated in the southern part of the township, and containing two hundred and sixty acres. Peter Kline, being a miller by trade, soon erected a mill on his property. In 1803 he sold a part of his farm, including the mill, to his son Lorentz, and the remainder to Jones. pg. 290: Peter Klein, a native of Germany, settled in Weisenberg, adjoining the family of Grim. About 1800 he purchased a tract of land of Michael Mosser, which was warranted by John Deter Bouman. His son, Lorentz, moved upon this land, stayed a few years, and returned home. John Jacob Klein, a younger brother, married Susanna, a daughter of Peter Gross, of Whitehall township, and settled upon this farm about the year 1806. He lived upon it all his days, and died there.	(See additional text)
3	Records of Ziegel Church, Weisenberg Twp., Lehigh Co. PA. Burials. Peter Klein (Son of Philip Wendel Klein) April 27, 1741, December 22, 1819, Married 52 yrs. Revolutionary War. Margaret Stedtler, Ehefrau von Peter Klein, Married 52 yrs., 2 mos. Dec.13, 1741, Feb. 26, 1815 (Daughter of Christopher Stettler).
4	Records of Ziegel Church, Weisenberg Twp., Lehigh Co. PA. Baptisms by Rev. Daniel Schumacher. Maria Magdalena Klein born 23 May 1767, bapt. 31 May 1767. Parents: Johann Jacob Kelin & Anna Eva Klein. Sponsors: Philip Wendell Klein & Maria Magdalena. Maria Klein born (Oct. 1768), bapt. 20 Nov. 1768--5 weeks old last Wednesday. Parents: Hans Adam Klein & Anna Maria Klein. Sponsors: Jurg Knodler & Maria Elisabeth.	(See additional records)
5	Records of Western Salisbury Church, Salisbury Twp., Lehigh Co. PA, Burials. Lorenz Klein, Son of Philip Wedle, the pioneer, born Feb. 5, 1735, died July 6, 1819 aged 84 yrs., 4 mos and 27 days. Eva, wife of Lorenz, nee Stettler, born Dec. 25, 1740, died Nov. 21, 1872(sic) aged 84 yrs, 4 mos. & 27 days. Transcribed 1990 by Fran Bean
6	Gravestone transciptions, Ziegel Church, Weisenberg Twp., 1991 by E W Williams. Charles Klein family plot (4 stones), upper cemetery: * Charles Klein Geb den 14 Oct 1810 gestorben den 20 Mai 1898 87 Jahre 7 Monat und 6 Tage * (Levina) geborne Unger ___von C_arl__Klein geb. den 23 Dez 1820 ges. den 2 Sept. 1859 Alte 38 Jahre 8 mo 9Tn. * (Selena?) Klein ___von Charles Klein Marz 29 1822 Marz 28 1895 72y 11 mon 29 Tage * ___ Klein 1814 1884 Tochter von Christian & Selina (Helena?) Note: Charles Klein is a son of Jacob Klein, and a great-grandson of Philip Wendel Klein. Memorial, lower cemetery: 1776 The Continental Army Struggled 1928 That Liberty Might Live Pvt Peter Klein (married Dec 26 1762) Apr. 27 1741-Dec 22 1814 Margaret Klein (Daughter of Christopher Stettler) Dec 13 1741 - Feb 26, 1815 Memorial erected by the Klein Family & Liberty Bell Chapter, DAR Sept. 16, 1928. Note: Peter Klein was a son of Philip Wendel Klein. Unse Vater Jonathan (Klein) Er werde geboren den 18 Juni 1783 ___ 29 Aug 1868 alt 85 Jahre 2 Mon und 11 Tage Unser Mutter Anna Maria Klein geborne Beiler ehefrau von Jonathan Klein. Sie wurde geboren den 2 Oct 1790 Storb den 23 Feb 1869 alt 78 Yahre 1 Monat und 21 Tage. Note: Jonathan Klein was a son of Peter Klein, and grandson of Philip Wendel Klein. Tall obelisk, engraved on 3 sides: West side: Family Klein South side: Lorentz Klein Geboren 12 Nov 1773 Storb 15 Juni 1868 alt 94 Jahre 7 Mon u. 3 Tage East side: Magdalene Klein geborne Knaus gebornen 31 Marz 178(1) gestorb 12 Jan 18(55) alt 78 Jahre (2 Mo 11 Tage). Note: Lorentz Klein was a son of Peter Klein and a grandson of Philip Wendel Klein
7	A Collection of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and other Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776 by Israel Daniel Rupp,Genealogical Publ. Co., Baltimore 1965, p. 169-170 " Oct. 20, 1744. Foreigners imported in the ship "Phoenix", William Wilson, Captain, from Rotterdam, last from Cowes": Theobald Klein, Philip Wendel Klein, Johanes Klein, John Adam Klein. Submitted by Kerry Kline.
8	Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808 , p. 355 "Phoenix", 1744 from Rotterdam, last from Cowes Among those listed were the following Kleins: Thiebalt Klein, Philips Wendel Klein, Johannes Klein. Passengers included 110 men and 55 women; however no women's names were on the list. It was not indicated whether or not there were children on board or what the ages were of the males who were listed. Submitted by Kerry Kline.
9	Personal correspondence from Elizabeth Wilson Williams.
10	John Whitehouse correspondence Aug 2008 - ongoing. See Contributors page. In an interview by phonein Aug 2008, John Whitehouse confirmed that the David Kline of Clarion County PA is a descendant of Philip Wendel Klein, and these are his direct line ancestors. His mother, grandfather and great-aunt contributed family papers and knowledge to his research. David Kline, son of David Klein b. 1808, was the great-grandfather of John Whitehouse.
11	Records of Weisenburg Lutheran & Reformed Church, Weisenberg Twp., Lehigh Co. PA, extracted June 1990 by Fran Bean. BAPTISMS Maria Eva Klein b. (June 1762), bap. 20 June 1762 - 3 weeks less 2 days; parents Johann Adam Klein & Anna Maria; sponsors: Jacob Klein & Maria Eva. Anna Maria Klein b. 23 Mar 1764, bap. 15 Apr 1764, parents Johann Adam Klein & Anna Maria; sponsors: Philip Burger & Solome. Susanna Klein b. 25 July 1771, bap. 7 Aug 1771, parents Johann Adam Klein & Anna Maria; sponsors: Johannes Dou & Margaretha.
12	Records of Western Salisbury Church, Salisbury Twp., Lehigh Co. PA. Extracted June 1990 by Fran Bean, who notes "many more (Kleins) recorded 1834-1895". BURIALS Lorenz Klein, son of Philip Wedle (sic), the pioneer; b. 5 Feb 1735, d. 6 July 1819, aged 84 yrs, 4 mos & 27 days. Eva, wife of Lorenz, nee Stettler; b. 25 Dec 1740, d. 21 Nov 1872, aged 84 yrs, 4 mos & 27 days (Note: this age same as for Lorenz Klein; possible miss-transcription). Adam Kline b. 24 Oct 1766, d. 15 Feb 1847, aged 80 yrs, 3 mos & 21 days. Peter Kline, Sr., son of Lorentz, Sr.; b. 11 June 1769, d. 22 Apr, 1858, age 88 yrs, 10 mos & 11 days.
13	Records of Longswamp Reformed Church, Longswamp twp., Berks Co. PA, extracted Jun3 1990 by Fran Bean Louisa Klein bap. 11 June 1769, parents Johannes Klein & wife; sponsors Jacob Schankweiler & wife. Anna Margaretha Klein bap. 21 May 1769, parents Theobalt Klein & wife; sponsors Johanes Erter & wife.
14	Unionville Church Cemetery , Neffs, N. Whitehall Twp., Lehigh Co. PA; burial record transcribed at Lehigh Co. Historical Library, Allentown PA, Mar. 1990 by Fran Bean Jacob Klein b. 5 Feb 1781; m. 54 y to Susanna Gross, 14 children; d. 11 Feb. 1857.

Conjecture

• Joh. Adam Klein arrived on ship "Phoenix", Oct. 1744. The Joh. Adam Klein on the ship would have to have been born no later than 1728 to be age 16 and listed as an adult male in 1744. There is a Joh. Adam Klein/Hans Adam Klein and wife Anna Maria with children born in 1762, 1764, 1771 baptized at Weissenberg church, and one baptized in 1768 at Ziegel church. These birth dates would argue that this Joh. Adam Klein was a generation younger than Philip Wendel and Johannes Klein, and arguably a son rather than a brother. Histories of the region list Johan Adam as a son of Philip Wendel Klein
  For the 1762 baptism of Joh. Adam Klein's child, sponsors were Jacob Klein & Eva Maria. Joh. Adam Klein had a brother named Joh. Jacob Klein; histories list this Jacob's wife as Anna Eva. This possibly represents a miss-recording in either the history or the church record, combining the mother's name Anna Maria, the sponsor's name Anna Eva,into Eva Maria; this calls into question the true name of both women.
• Hans George Klein arrived on the "Phoenix" in 1744. Two George Kleins appear on the tax list for Upper & Lower Milford Twp, 1781 & 1812. Another George Kline is listed in 1754 in Alsace Twp., Berks Co. In 1756, Northampton Co, George Klein signed a letter to the Governor of Pennsylvania regarding problems with Indians.

• Thiebalt Klein arrived on the "Phoenix", 1744. Longswamp Tax lists, 1752-54, Dewalt Klein & Peter Kline; 1756 & 1759: Deobald Klein. Longswamp Reformed Church, Berks Co. lists a child born in 1769 to Theobalt Klein & Anna Margaretha. Zions Lutheran Church/Lehigh Church lists children born in 1771 & 1773 to Dewalt Klein & Margaretha.

Dewald Klein & Margaretha were sponsors at the baptism of Johan Dewald Klein, b. 1771 to parents Johannes Klein & Maria.

• Charles KleinThe "Genealogies of Pennsylvania Families /Klein Register" document says that Charles Klein married twice, first to Levina Unger and second to her sister Helena Unger (Koch). The series of gravestones at Ziegel Church suggest that Charles married yet a third time. The order of the graves is illogical: Charles, 1st wife, unidentified person (Selena?), then the 2nd wife. The death dates for the 3 women (1859, 1895, 1884) require that the unknown person buried between sisters Levina and Helena should be a 3rd wife, if in fact she were a wife of Charles. The birth date of 1814 precludes this person being a son or daughter. The three names, Levina, Helena, and what appears to be Selena, have the sound of possibly all being sisters.