The Schlegel Adventure
Richmond Twp., Berks Co., PA
The immigrant John Christian Schlegel, a farmer of Richmond Twp, Berks County, Pa., is believed to have been the "Johannes Schlegel" who came from Germany to Pennsylvania, arriving at Philadelphia on the "Townsend" on 5 October 1737. The "Townsend" departed for America from Amsterdam, then stopped en route at Cowes on the Isle of Wight to take on cargo and to await favorable winds before setting its sails for America. The ship arrived at Philadelphia with two hundred and thirty-one passengers aboard. These records made no mention of the birthplace of John which is unknown at this writing. On 15 August 1738, John Christian Schlegel bought his land from Thomas and Richard Penn, heirs of William Penn. The land was named "The Schlegel Adventure" and consisted of two hundred fifty-two acres. Cost of this land was thirty-nine pounds, two shillings, and eight pence. It is located adjacent to the present town of Fleetwood, Berks Co., Pa. This farm has been handed down many generations and is still in use today. A memorial plaque on this historic farm states that Christian Schlegel, an immigrant, bought this farmland. This productive farm, rich in history, is located about twelve miles northeast of Reading, Pa. The stone farmhouse was built by the son and name-sake of the immigrant when he was the second owner. The date 1797 can be seen on the chimney-stone of the farmhouse. A Swiss-style barn, completed in 1861 when Abraham Schlegel owned the farm, was destroyed by a lighting fire in 1947. A modern replacement is in use there today John Christian Schlegel probably lies buried in the Schlegel Farm Cemetery. This cemetery, once part of the original farm, now adjoins it. This little cemetery which contains at least twenty-two graves and is thought to contain twice that many, is said to be filled to capacity.
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