Email From Gary Aden to Gary Aden
Email Dated 8/13/2001      

    Philadelphia was a popular port of entry for immigrants to the
United States. Early on, William Penn invited immigrants of all
backgrounds and persuasion to start over in Pennsylvania. No doubt, some
of the ancestors in my pedigree line whose port of entry cannot be
determined came through this port. While I in Philadelphia, I hope to be
able to visit the Port and determine the site and conditions existing
from roughly 1703 to 1738 when three of my progenitors- John Peter
LAUER(after 1703), Peter HUNTZIKER(1738), and Theobald MECHLING(1728)-
swore an oath of Allegiance to the King of England and entered America.
These progenitors also were active in the formation of present-day
churches: (1) John Peter Lauer as an early day member of the New
Goshenhoppen Reformed Church in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (2)
Peter Huntziker(HONSHOKKER) as Founder and son Abraham signed the
original constitution according to The Pennsylvania German Society in
"Records of Pastoral Acts at the Lutheran and Reformed Congregations of
the Muddy Creek Church", East Cocacllico Township, Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania, near Reamstown, Pennsylvania (3) Theobald Mechling was one
of the founders of the Upper Milford Lutheran Church, donating 30 acres
of land for the site of the church and for a burial ground. His donation
of fifteen shillings towards the pastor's salary in the years 1756,
1757, 1758, and 1759 made him one of the three largest contributors. But
by 1757, differences of opinion arose in the congregation and several
members, including Theobald, broke away and started a new congregation
some two miles away, in the vicinity of present day Zionsville. 

      If I have time on my hands or coincidentally drive by the area of
the former two sites, I may stop, but the third church and its area are
a prime example of my progenitor forefather's contriubtion which is of
general interest by virtue of the fact that the church is but 1 1/2
miles from the pre-revolutionary log home that Theobald built( circa
1740). There are later additions dating from 1800 and the structure
remains a family residence. The original fireplace and hearth survive
intact. There is a small barn and stable which was 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 Mechling 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 the small Lutheran Church with a
graveyard where many Mechlings have been buried, but none from our
direct pedigree. The house is about one and half mile wallk though a
pastoral area from the Church. Of course, permission would be required
from the tenants to tour the house and property.  

      Of my three progenitors who disembarked at Philadelphia, only the
gravesite of Theobald is known. He is buried with his wife, Anna
Elisabeth LAUER Mechling, in the Old Graveyard near Dillingersville,
Pennsylvania, having died in April of 1765. Because the gravestones long
ago vanished and the cemetery is otherwise unremarkable, I shall
substitute another in its place. 

      In my pedigree line, I have several ancestors who served with the
Patriots who could serve as the Foundation for successful application
for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, but none where
the documentation and background materials have been so extensively
accumulated and would make the process so convenient and painless as
those for Captain John Jacob "Jacob" Mechlin/ Mehclin/ Mechling(See
applicable pages to follow). Members in the Daughters of the American
Revolution utilizing the service record of this ancestor past and
present are: Elda Aden Betsinger(#640652), Evelyn Jane Aden
Brammall(#698466) and Marla Dianne Brammall(#726688). Because of this
legacy, I think it fitting to pay my respects by visiting his and his
wife's, Catherine HAMAN Mechling, gravesite located in Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania near Pittsburg. 

      Gary Carl Aden 8/10/2001