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Wihelm Heinrich Brandenburg
b.24 Aug 1722 Berlin, Brandenburg, Germany
d.24 Mar 1796 Frederick, Maryland USA
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m. Abt 1742
Facts and Events
A History of The Brandenburg Family: (Abstracts from the Earliest Records of Jennie Brandenburg Dye - taken from a speech given before an assemblage of Brandenburgs.) At the time of the Reformation a noted history, some of the princes of the Royal House of Brandenburg became adherents of the new religion. They renounced the Catholic faith and identified themselves strongly with the Protestant, while others of the family remained Catholic. Intense hatred existed at this time between Catholics and Protestants which did not die out for centuries. This hatred still lingered in the year 1700 at which time or even earlier history touches hands with the tradition of the Brandenburg family. This family tradition which was handed down with more or less distinctness in the family lines of the American Brandenburgs points out the reason why the first of our Ancestors came to America. It was told by my grandfather to his children in the following manner. A Catholic procession was passing through the streets of Berlin headed by a distinguished Loyalist who stood in high favor with the reigning Prince of Brandenburg, a Catholic. It was expected and commanded that every man whom this procession passed should take off his hat in honor to the great personage who in glittering regalia, rode at the head of the procession. Two brothers (Brandenburg) one of whom bore the name of Solomon stood watching the procession. These brothers were near relatives of the reigning Prince Catholic Elector of Brandenburg. They were Protestants and not only refused to take off their hats to a Catholic dignitary, but even spoke contemptuously of him. This act was reported to the Elector of Brandenburg, who was angered by their action, issued an edict confiscating their estate. This edict was followed by persecution until the two offending brothers fled to Holland, where they lived their remaining days. In Holland the sons of Solomon Brandenburg married and reared their families. They never regained their possessions in the Province of Brandenburg. In 1758 Wilhelm Heinrich Brandenburg and his brother Mathias, two sons of Solomon, brought their families to America and settled near Winchester, Virginia. Later three other brothers, Henry, Jacob, and John Martin Brandenburg settled in the same locality. Wilhelm H Brandenburg interests us the most, for he is our common ancestor. He married in Holland and brought his wife and three children to America. His fourth, a son was born on the voyage to America. Eventually the family consisted of five sons and three daughters. The sons names were Aaron, Henry, John, William and Mathias and the daughters names were Elizabeth, Marier and Eve Catherine. Jennie Brandenburg Dye states that she had in her possession considerable history of each of William H Brandenburg's five sons, but only a small amount concerning the daughters. It is mentioned that many of those in the audience are descendants of Jacob Brandenburg, who was born in Maryland 20 June 1784 married Salome Krammer 5 June 1815 and came to Ohio in the fall of 1817. He settled in Montgomery County and lived in Dayton, Ohio six years. ___________________________________________________________________ To the Heirs of William H. Brandenburg: About the year 1700, the estate of Solomon Brandenburg of Prussia, valued at present ?? Millions of dollars, was confiscated on account of the religious opinions held by its owner. The confiscated property remained for many years in the possession of the Prussian Crown, but was finally restored and is now awaiting distribution, providing the heirs thereto can be found. Three of Solomon Brandenburg's sons, or more came to America at an early date, and their descendants are now residing in various sections of the United States. The three sons who came to America were William H., Jacob and Mathias Brandenburg and their descendants are the lawful heirs to this estate in Prussia. The heirs of Mathias Brandenburg have already organized and it is thought best that we, the heirs of William H., join with them, so that our efforts may be a united one. The reclamation of the estate will necessarily entail some expense. To meet this, it is hoped that each heir will contribute ten dollars, as there are attorneys' fees to be paid and blanks to be filled out. These blanks were prepared by our attorney at Berlin, Prussia, according to the requirements of the German law, and when properly filled will prove our heirship. As few of the heirs could fill these blanks properly, it is thought best some competent person, well versed in the history of the family, be appointed to assist them in filling them. Contributions can be safely sent to the Secretary by registered mail, and receipts will be given for all money received by him. Owing to the necessity of having funds, and that each heir is entitled to a share both in the estate and the expense, we make the foregoing appeal to you and all the heirs. Very Respectfully, C.A. Strasburg, Secretary Sulphur Grove, Ohio. ___________________________________________________________________ A few of the heirs of William H. Brandenburg met January 28, 1889, at the residence of Mr. John Kuncle in Dayton, Ohio. The object of this meeting was to adopt measures that might aid in reclaiming their estate in Germany. Of this meeting Mr. Kuncle was chosen Chairman, and Mr. I.A. Brandenburg, the Secretary was authorized to have 300 blanks printed and to assist the heirs in filling them. On motion of I.A. Brandenburg the meeting adjourned to meet February 12, 1889, at the residence of Mrs. Fauver, No. 10 Cass Street, Dayton; and in the meantime the Secretary was to notify all the heirs he knew of and request them to be present. In answer to this request, some seventy-five persons met at Mrs. Fauver's at 1 o'clock P.M., February 12th, and the following business was transacted: An Executive Committee of five was chosen. The duty of this committee shall be to work to the best interest of all the heirs, in whatever business is to be transacted in connection with the estate, and to see that all money be properly expended, so as to further the interest of all the heirs; and on no account can any money be paid out ?? order be signed by the Chairman of the Committee and by the Secretary. The members of the Executive Committee are Mr. I.A. Brandenburg, of Spanker, Ohio; Mr. John Kuncle, of Dayton, Ohio (No. 111 Herman Ave); Mrs. Fauver, No. 10 Cass Street, Dayton, Ohio; Mr. W.W. Hayward, of Oxford, Ohio; and Naomi Shepard of Sulphur Grove, Ohio. Letters of inquiry addressed to Naomi Shepard, or to the Secretary will be answered promptly. On motion of Mr. Hayward, Mr. G. Russell Wells, of Dayton, Ohio was chosen Treasurer. On motion of Mr. Byers, the Secretary was asked to receive subscriptions from those present and the sum of $128.00 was subscribed, $58.00 in cash and $70.00 to be paid soon. On motion of Mr. Charles D. Bell, a meeting of the Executive Committee was called, and finally concluded that it would be best that the heirs of William H Brandenburg and those of Mathias should act jointly in sending some competent and trustworthy person to Berlin, who, by acting in concert with an authorized attorney there, shall investigate the whole matter fully, and take steps to recover the estate. It is imperative that each heir should look up all his family dates, that his heirship - blanks may be properly filled. It is also deemed advisable that we also take steps to investigate and recover the estate in Baltimore. The 75 persons present at the meeting in Dayton, Ohio, February 12, 1889 are individually listed on page 79 & 78 in the Brandenburg-Maxwell book. On the bottom of this sheet: Quote "Sept. 13, 1950. W D J Everett told me to write that no one received a cent of this estate" Signed: Roma Everett Falkner. (Spelling and punctuation is how it appears on the original hand written document) (Research):See attached sources. References
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