Email From Gary Aden to Gary Aden
Email Dated 6/20/2001

      I. Old World

            A. The postulated Mechling Home in the old world is in
southwestern Germany in what was known in Theobald Mechling's time as
the Palatinate. It is thought based upon evidence supplied by his great
grandson that the actual location was in Rheinfals,
Bavaria(Baden-Wurtenburg). Theobald and his brother boarded the ship
"James Goodwill", David Crockett, Master in Rotterdam, Holland for Deal,
England where they continued their journey on the same ship June 15,
1728 for Philadelphia disembarking on September 15, 1728.

      II. New World

            A. With roots in the old world, Theobald is considered the
progenitor of our Mechling pedigree line in America. He was married to
Anna Elisabeth LAUER Mechling and both are buried in the Old Graveyard
near Dillingersville, Pennsylvania, but the gravestones have long since
vanished. He died in April of 1765.

            B. The original log home that Theobald built( c 1740) for
his family including later additions dating from 1800 continues to serve
as a family residence. The original fireplace and hearth survive intact.
There is a small barn and stable which were built around the time that
the original house was constructed. The home is part of a small farming
operation which is leased to tenant farmers by the owner of the
property, Pennsylvania Light and Power. The family association is trying
to acquire the property and/or obtain the cooperation of Pennsylvania
Light and Power to name the original log home a Pennsylvania State
Historical Site as an example of pre-Revolutionary housing. 

                  To reach this venue, go to the Allentown-Bethlehem
area of Pennsylvania and then go to a small settlement called Zionsville
in Lehigh County. There you will find a small Lutheran Church with a
graveyard where many Mechlings have been buried, but none from our
direct pedigree. The house is about a one and half mile walk through a
pastoral area from the Church. Of course, permission would be required
from the tenants to tour the house and property. 

              C. Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C.: Henry W.B.
Mechling, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient for his actions at the
Battle of the Little Bighorn, has donated his medals and memoribilia
from military service to the Smithsonian and they are on exhibit. 

              D. Custer Battlefield, Montana: There is a plaque honoring
Henry W.B. Mechling for his participation as a sharpshooter for the
water party in the Little Bighorn River fight wherein with three
comrades, he courageously held a position that secured water for his
command. He was a Blacksmith with Company H of the 70th U.S. Cavalry.