EIGHTH GENERATION

128. Rudolph REICHERT\RYHERD\RIHERD ⁽¹⁾ was born on 24 Jan 1686 in Selzen, Germany.⁽¹⁴⁾ He was christened on 25 Jan 1686 in Evangelisch, Enderbach, Neckarkreis County(State) Wurttemberg Germany. ⁽¹⁵⁾ He immigrated on 21 Sep 1732 to Rhine River section, Europe.⁽¹⁶⁾ The ship was the Pink Plaisance, it was commanded by John Paret (or Parrett), it sailed up the Delaware River having last departed the port of Cowes, England. Aboard were 188 Palatine immigrants. Included in the ship's list was a 45 year old man, Rudolph Reichert, also on board was his wife, Ester, age 43, a daughter, Maria Gottuen, age 17; and another child most probably George. The list of males under 16 contained the name of "Reinhart Reichert" who was most probably a close relative as the thought of a child attempting this hazardous voyage unattended would have been unconscionable.

The ship landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, most probably at Penn's landing located at the foot of Broad street where immigrants desiring to settle embarked for processing before a British Court located a few blocks away.

The ship's list of passengers, prepared and signed by the Captain, spelled the name "reichert" in one instance and "Richards" in another. Thus Captain John Parrett had the unique distinction of becoming the first amoung great numbers in North america to misspell the name. The signature of Rudolph Reichert was signed in ink with a quill pen. It shows a clear, neat and small signature, indicating he was a scribe and educated to some degree. Some passengers signed by a mark.

The Rudolph Reichert family had just completed the ordeal of a hazardous voyage carrying their scant possessions. First, the family came by wagon from their home to the Rhine River. At Basel, they had to wait a week to get pass through to Rotterdam. At Rotterdam, Holland, they boarded the English ship Pink Plaisance. From Rotterdam the ship sailed to Cowes, England. A quick voyage was usually made in 65 or 70 days with some lasting as long as 100 days. Since Rudolph purchased land in Bucks County within a few years after his arrival, it appears his financial condition was such that their passage fee was paid.

Generally, the Palatine section is located on both sides of the upper Rhine River south of the intersection with the Main River at the city of Mintz. Most of those who chose to immigrate were Protestants of numerous persuasion and denominations. Principally they were Lutherans, German Reformed, German Baptist, Dunkirk, Mennonites, and Amish.

An inquiry to the Institute for Palatine History at Halerslatern, Germany, stated that Rudolph Reichert migrated from the City of Reihen near Sinsheim. according to this information, Rudolph was born in Selzen in 1686 and his wife, Ester, was born in 1689 in Reihern. These locations are small villages in the Baden-Wuertenburg area of Southwest Germany in the Rhein and Neckar River area. Reihen-Sinsheim is located about three miles southeast of Limsheim near Heidelberg.

Rudolph soon acquired land and settled in lower Milford township, Perkiomen Region, in Bucks County, Pa., which later was made a part of Montgomery near the boundary of Lehigh county.

The oldest existing American records concerning the Rudolph Reichert Family are in the ST. Paul's Lutheran Church at Red Hill. this church was organized in 1739. He died in Jan 1770 in Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He signed a will on 24 Jan 1770 in Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. George Lohnes was a witness to the will. The Will recorded in the Will Office, Philadelphia City Hall, (Will Packet #339, Will Book "O", p. 457) contains such an abundance of facts that it is reproduced here in full:

Lower Milford township in Bucks County the 24 January anno 1770 In the Name of God Amen. This is my last Will and Testament, as I Rudolph Reichard in the days of sickness am of a good understanding, first is that my Will that my wife Ester shall keep uner her hands all my immovable and moveable Estate in the Whole all what I have as long as she lives. But if my debts could not be paid off than shall my wife Ester have a right to sell. Ten acres of my land and therewith to pay off the debt. And further it is my Will Eldest Son George Reicherd shall have before out Ten pounds lawful money of Penna, and may live in his house that be both at present on-it-as long as my Wife Ester livith and may use the land which he had in fence, and may cut and have his necessary firewood and further is that my Will that my second Son Adam Reicherd also shall have Ten pounds lawful money beforesaid and shall remain in the house where he dwells at present, and also may cut and have his necessary firewood from the place. He shall also have libert to clear Two acres of land and fence it in and use the same and also to have the use of the Garden as long as my wife Ester livith. Further is that my will that my Daugther Sabina shall have Eleven pounds lawful money before out, and she shall stay with her child by her mother as my said Wife Ester as long as my wife livith, and shall attend her and have care of her on the other hand nothing shall be paid for subsistance for my said Daughter Sabina's child she may also hold a cow and a heifer whereof the mother of my said Wife Ester may also have her use as long as she livith. Further is that my Will that the half part of the hereditary share of my Daughter Gottliebin shall be given to her daughter Albertina and the other half shall remain her hereditary share. Now is that my last Will and Testament that after the death of my wife Ester my plantation and all what shall remain shall be divided in equal parts. Further is that my Will as I rented out my plantation to Jacob Long to be tilled by him so shall his bargain shall be held out. But if my wife Ester should die before the time of the said bargain is at end so shall the said bargain also be at an end but he shall have to enjoy of what works he did till then. This all what is mentioned I will be held and performed and above that shall Daniel Miller and my Son Adam Reicherd be my Executors. This I have with my hand and Seal undersigned in the Witness Henry Huber and George Lohness. He had an estate probated on 8 Feb 1770 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was married to Ester Gottuen TAUBE on 24 Sep 1709 in Evangelisch, Enderbach, Neckarkreis County(State) Wurttemberg Germany.⁽¹⁷⁾ Both George and Adam were soldiers during the Revolution. They were enrolled in 1775 and 1776 in Captain Henrich Huhler's Company, Lower Milford, of Bucks County Associators.

129. Ester Gottuen TAUBE ⁽¹⁾ was born in 1689 in Reihen, Germany. She died in 1779 in Milford Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Children were:

i. Maria Gottwin REICHERT\RYHERD\RIHERD was born in Europe.
ii. George REICHERT\RYHERD\RIHERD⁽¹⁾ was born about 1730 in Europe. He served in the military between 1775 and 1777 in Captain Henrich Huhler's Company, Lower Milford, of Bucks County, of the Pennsylvania State Militia.⁽¹⁸⁾
iii. Albertina REICHERT\RYHERD\RIHERD⁽¹⁾ .
64 iv. Abraham (Adam) REICHERT.
v. Sabina REICHERT\RYHERD\RIHERD⁽¹⁾.