Budingen, Germany to Philadelphia, PA
- The American history of the
Johann Reinhart Laubach family began on
16 September 1738, with the
arrival in Philadelphia, PA of Johann Reinhart Laubach and his son, Johann
Christian, and family on the ship Queen Elizabeth from
Budingen, Hessen, Germany. The family
settled in what is now Lower Saucon Township in Northampton Co., PA. Johann
Reinhart Laubach is believed to have died shortly after their arrival. His
son, Johann Christian Laubach and
his wife, Susanna Catharina
Zimler, had five children born in Germany and two in America. Five of these
children married and raised families of their own, continuing the Laubach
name in the new world.
The children of Christian and Suzanna were:
1. Johann Georg Laubach, Born 1726 in Budingen, died 1802, married
Margaretha Jansen. Issue 12 children.
2. Johann Reinhart Laubach, born and died 1730 in Budingen.
3. Johanna Elizabeth Laubach, born 1731 in Budingen, died 1814, married Adam
Kuchert. No issue.
4. Johann Reinhart Laubach, born 1733 in Budingen, died 1785, married Anna
Margaretha Bayer (Boyer). Issue six children.
5. Johann Peter Laubach, born 1736 in Budingen, died after 1810, married
Christina Birkenstock. Issue six children.
6. Christian Conrad Laubach, born 1737\1738, died 1813, married Catharine
Hauck. Issue 10 children.
7. Johann Friederich Laubach, born 1744, died 1797, married Catharine
Bitting. Issue seven children.
Military Service
On 29 August 1755
Johann Christian Laubach was appointed
captain of a militia unit known as the "Saucon Rangers". This unit played an
active role in protecting settlers during the French and Indian War until it was
disbanded in 1761-1762. All five sons
of Johann Christian and Susanna Catharina Laubach, and a number of their
grandchildren, later served at various times in the Northampton County Militia
during the Revolutionary War. A number of Laubach descendants currently hold
membership in the DAR, SAR, Society of Colonial Wars, etc. based on this
service.
Family Reunions
Over the years many Laubach family
reunions were held to celebrate the 1738
arrival of the immigrant ancestors and renew bonds of kinship among descendants.
From newspaper accounts in the 1900s, annual gatherings of descendants of local
Laubach families began as early as 1913 when the descendants of Thomas and
Amanda (Bliem) Laubach met at Howertown, PA. The first reunion of all
descendants of Johann Reinhart Laubach occurred in August of 1916. By 1927,
reunions were being held on an annual basis and officers had been elected to
continue the family tradition. Recent reunions have taken place in
1988, celebrating the
250th year anniversary of the
family's arrival in America. The most recent reunion was in 1993, celebrating
the 255th anniversary, with the next one
planned for the year 2000. In
addition, regional reunions of smaller family groups are still held at several
locations.
Published History of the Family
In 1993 a genealogical
"History of the Johann Reinhart Family,
the First Five Generations in America" was formally published. There is
also a current "Supplement"
to the History showing the names of descendants in generations 4 to 12. Appendix
B of the History is entitled "Unidentified Laubachs" and lists several Laubach
families whose names cannot be immediately related to, or identified with, the
lineage of Johann Reinhart Laubach. Genealogical research is continuing to
provide the linkage of these and other present-day Laubachs..
The Book is $35 and the
supplement is $15 See Below
Information
Laubach Family Association
The Laubach Family Association (LFA) is
governed by an Executive Board consisting of elected officers and directors. The
following people are the current
The executive board meets formally
twice a year, in the fall and spring, to conduct the business of the LFA. It is
actively planning for the year 2011 reunion as well as continually updating the
family genealogy with additional descendants. A summer family
picnic is held to renew acquaintances and have fun,
as well as to nominate and elect officers and directors for the ensuing year.
Membership in the LFA is open to any Laubach
descendants. Yearly dues are $10.00
which includes the LFA quarterly newsletter.
Dues payable to the LFA, sent to Donald Hallman, 609 Hartranft
Ave. Ft. Washington, PA. 19034. Be sure to include your name, address,
telephone number and email address (if applicable).
The Laubach Genealogy Book is available For
The 1st Five Generations of Reinhart Laubach
Mail $35 to
Libby A. Laubach 2496 Number Ten Rd, New
Columbia, Pa. 17856
(570) 538-5792
The
Supplement is
available for $15 (on a CD only)
For Further Information or Questions:
If you already know that you are a Laubach descendant, or even
suspect that you might be, the LFA
would be very interested to hear from you.