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The Emigrant Family of Anna Maria Balliet The Allaman Heritage, Durward B. Allaman / Richard J. Henry Stefan Balliet and wife, Mary Catherine (Schweitzer) Balliet of Schalbach, appears with his nine children in the Reformed church records of Diedendorf pertaining to Schalbach after 1723. It seems that several of Stefan's children emigrated to Pennsylvania. His age 1680-1742. Issue The eldest daughter, Anna Maria Balliet, married Jacob Allimong of Schalbach. They had children baptized from 1730, the eldest being a son, Johann Jacob, baptized on 26-Apr-1730. Editor’s note: Their oldest child, Susanna, was born in 1725, married to her mother Anna Maria Balliet’s first cousin. It is also possible that Heinrich Frantz of Schalbach was the emigrant aboard ship 120 on 15, Sept-1748, but the family ties being arbitrarily complicated and indeed also in this case there is a second Heinrich Frantz of Diedendorf that would fit as well. A. Giradin, in his book on Hellering, mentions that "about half of the population of Schalbach emigrated to Hungary in the late 1700's." We may infer from this statement that Schalbach offered nothing that could make people stay there and I would bet that if that many went to Hungary in the second half of the 18th century, we can be pretty sure that others went to America in the first half of the 18th century when Pennsylvania was the aim of the emigrant stream. Keeping all this in mind, one would argue that the two men whose signatures appear on lists 55 B and 55 C (ship, Robert and Alice, arrival Philadelphia from Rotterdam 11-Sept, 1738) and whose signatures stand in sequence, i.e. 1-Lorentz Biersung (Piersong is a Schalbach, Huguenot family) hailed from Schalbach. In this case I would assume that Paulus Balliet, born on 16 Aug 1716 in Schalbach, is the candidate. The only other Paulus Balliet in Diedendorf Reformed church records, the one born on 20 Aug 1719 in Rauweiler, is well accounted for, he became a smith and the mayor of Kirberg. A. Giradin, himself a descendent of that first mayor in Kirberg, describes in full detail his professional activities and descendants and even mentions that his house is still standing in Kirrberg. Obviously, he can't be the emigrant. Paul Balliet of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania appears in the records of Egypts Reformed Church, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. This is a quote from The Palatine Immigrant, Vol-2-No-2, page 11 as follows: name: Balliet, Paul Fraktur baptismal letter of Nicholas Balliet 1745 A Giradin, in his book on Hellering in the former lordship of Lixheim, mentions the eldest "Gottelbrief " or baptismal letter is preserved for Hellering. It was made by the godfather Nikolaus Balliet of Schalbach for his god-daughter, Margarete Fichter. For it is interesting, I let the description follow here (according to Giradin, Hellering, pages-119-120) : The eldest Hellering baptismal letter dates from 1745. It is a sheet of 32 by 20 centimeters with symbolic figures (flowers and pigeons) in green, brown and black water color. The writing is in brown and green. The spelling is: Gluck, Heil und reichen Segen A color photo of an obviously quite similar Fraktur Taufschein is given on the inside cover of Annette K. Burgert's book on Emigrants from the Western Palatine "My computer phone directory has, on 28 Jan 1992, only two Balliet in department 57 Noselle and 15 Balliet resident in department 67 Bas-Rhin "The surname index of the Lorraine genealogical society has one former or deceased member, Mr. Schwall who has Balliet blood. His Balliet are of Schalbach. "In 1986-87 when we did the book on "Hugenotten im Zweibrucker Land" edited by Historisoher Verein Zweibrucken, I met a schoolteacher Balliet, a descendent of the Schalbach Balliet family with interests in local history and genealogy. At that time he taught at the French school in Saarbrucken. I was told recently when I asked for his whereabouts that he went as schoolteacher to the French High School, London." Stirling-Wendel 28 Jan-1992 Bernard Goelzer Author’s note: He then gives sources of documentation which I will not include in this genealogy. D.B. Allaman 444 North Broad Apt-13 Galesburg, Ill. 61401. September 1996 First Settlers of Sugar Loaf Valley, Pennsylvania Johannes (John) Balliet, son of Johan and Susanna (Allemong) Balliet, married in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania to Maria Barbara Schneider, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Schneider. She was born in 1755, from records of the Egypt Reformed church of Lehigh county. They remained there, where seven of his children were born, until spring of 1784. Johannes (John) Balliet was a remarkable man. The story is told of how he took his wife and small children, one of whom was Stephen Balliet, through the wilderness and built a new home. At the time the two youngest were Maria and Daniel. In 1784, he alone became the first white settler in Sugar Loaf Valley. Over a period of 16 years, he and his family with their bare hands hued a castle from the virgin land. He built the first log cabin which, with all it contained, was destroyed by fire in 1766. Not discouraged he erected the first frame house in Butler county which was still standing 100 years later. He set out the first orchard and constructed the first saw mill. He was the pioneer inn-keeper of Butler Twp. and set up the first blacksmith shop. 1800 Census Nescopeck Twp. John Balliet over 45; females, three under ten, three 10 to 16, one 16 to 26, one 26 to 45. The U.S. Census of 1800 and 1810 listed the oldest of the group as only 45, so it is impossible to arrive at Johannes exact year of birth. He was born before 1755. The three females were probably daughters, the one 16 to 26 was undoubtedly his daughter Susanna, and was under 18 according to his will 1800. It is believed that Johannes married three times. The female 26 to 45 being the first wife, Maria Barbara Schneider. The second wife, Catherine Barbara Steib was born Apr-1751 and died Nov-26-1820, as found in the records of St. Johns Church of Hughesville, Pennsylvania. Some of the girls listed may have been step-daughters. He is listed as John on the census but the spelling Johannes is used to keep the record consistent. The will of Daniel Schneider, probated Sept-26-1778 Whitehall Twp. Northampton County, Pennsylvania, states his daughter, Maria Barbara married Johannes Balliet. The baptismal records of two of the children of Johannes and Maria Barbara Balliet gives the sponsors as: Mary Magdalena baptized May-12-1772 sponsors, Daniel Schneider and Mary Magdalena Balliet. Daniel baptized Feb-29-1784 sponsors, Daniel Schneider and his wife, Catherine. This Daniel and Catherine Schneider were undoubtedly the grandparents. The sponsor, Mary Magdalena Balliet was in all likelihood the wife of Paulus Balliet, which again confirms the close relation ship between the Balliet and Schneider families. Johannes Balliet, in the spring of 1784 settled in the Sugar Loaf Valley in what is now Lucerne county, Pennsylvania. His will was signed "Johannes Balliet." In most of the other references he is called "John Balliet." Before the year 1784, little direct evidence was found as to his origin, parentage, or record in general. "The Belief of Stewart Pearce, Moses Compeer and others of Northampton County's Revolutionary authorities, is that Johannes Balliet, son of Johannes Balliet, Jr. and Susanna Allemong, was the solitary and lone first comer to make his home in this beautiful Sugar Loaf Valley. He located on what is known as the Beisel farm about one mile west of Drums. So far as the records inform, the first whites that passed through the Sugar Loaf Valley was Capt. Kladus’ company on the way to their fatal ambush massacre in 1780. Then came and returned the burial party, and then came Johannes Balliet, wife and two children. " History tells how Johannes Balliet of Whitehall Twp., prevented by illness in the family, from participating in the expedition made by the detail under command of Col. Stephen Balliet, to Sugar Loaf Valley to bury the dead massacred by the Indians 1780, heard from the returning soldiers of the beauty and fertility of that unoccupied region. Having had his imagination fired, Balliet and wife and two children removed to Sugar Loaf, settling at a spring, headwaters of the Little Nescopeck in the upper end of the valley. Travel to that place could only be made by horseback. Johannes Balliet, instead of proceeding directly there, the scene of the Sugar Loaf Massacre, entered the valley and located further up, in what is now Butler Twp. As stated, Sugar Loaf was formed in 1809, then covering what is now Back Creek, Hazleton and Butler Twps. The oldest document giving us information of who were in the Twp. at the time is a list of road work for the year 1810. Michael Bisline was road supervisor. He was evidently a good old-fashioned Pennsylvania German, and some of his spelling is difficult to translate to English: "Work done on the Roth-gretet received" (work done on the road-credit received). The list contains about thirty names. Only those of interest are given: George Drum, Jacob Spath, Philip and Nicholas Wottering, Joseph Parke, Michael Knouse, Jacob Rittenhouse, Abraham and Stephen Balliet. The Abraham and Stephen were sons of Johannes Balliet (and Maria Barbara Schneider Balliet), the others are members of families related by marriages. The tax list prepared by Joel Rogers and Samuel Yost, county tax commissioners in 1822 for Sugar Loaf Twp., the following members of Johannes line are included: Samuel Balliet, Nicholas Balliet, Stephen Balliet, Abraham Balliet, Johannes (John) Balliet Jr., Daniel Balliet, Jacob Balliet. In the roster of the Sugar Loaf Rifle Co., dated May 6, 1822, following: John Balliet Jr., 1st Lt. Samuel Balliet, Abraham Balliet, Stephen Balliet, privates. In History of Hollenbach Twp., Lucerne Co. is found this, "Johannes Balliet located where Mr. Cripple lived in the southeast part of Twp., came from Switzerland, hence the name "Switze Hill" for that portion of the Twp." Johannes was the pioneer inn-keeper of Butler Twp. The first weaver of the Twp. was Elias Balliet, who lived a little southwest of Hughesville. He was a grandson of Johannes. Johannes not only settled the first farm in Butler Twp., he also set out the first orchard, the little trees being brought from his own former residence on horse back. He and his family were prominent members and supporters of the Reformed church, as were their forebears in France. In his will of 1800, he directed his son, Stephen to give 12 acres of land, where it is drained to the Community Shepherd Church in Nescopeck Valley, and to apportion for the needy and sick, 12 pound of money. The St. Johns church of Hughesville was organized Dec 26, 1799. On Jan 12, 1800 at a meeting of the Lutheran and Reformed congregations it was resolved an edifice for both church and school purposes be built. Services were held in the homes until the gift of land by Stephen Balliet was received. A log church was built on the back of Nescopeck. Apparently the Shepherd and St. Johns church were the same. The church was built by voluntary subscriptions. On Apr 18, 1809, Rev. Frederick W. Van de Sloat, a Reformed preacher, drafted a constitution and by-laws for both congregations. Among subscribers to this document were, John Balliet, George Drum, Philip Woodring, Jacob Balliet, Jacob Septh, John Balliet Sr. The first Battalion Northampton County Militia, under the command of Lt. Col. Henry Giger, Nov 15, 1781, is listed John Balliet, Clark (clerk -with the rank of Captain). Time of entry, Nov 15. Time of service 1 month 18 days. This is from Nov 15, 1781 to Jan 1, 1782. Evidently Johannes Balliet was serving as Capt. in one company and Pvt. 6th class in another company during the same period. After the death in 1810 of Maria Barbara, first wife of Johannes and mother of his nine children, he married again, Catherine Barbara Stiebe. She had several children by a previous marriage. She was born Apr-24-1751 died Nov-26-1820. He was third married, but the wife’s name is unknown. John Balliet, Jr., died Dec 25, 1831 in Newport Twp. Lucerne Co., Pennsylvania. His will written Jan 24, 1800 was registered Apr 23, 1800 and is on file, Will Book-A, page-34, Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania. It was probated Feb 28 1832. A statement was filed with the will, "Johannes Balliet died Christmas Day last," aged 84. Last Will & Testament John Balliet, son of Johannes Balliet and Susanna Allemong "In the name of God I, Johannes Balliet, master Smith in Wapwallopen Valley of Lucerne county, find myself very weak, but in good judgment, for which I thank God since I do not know what the future holds and perchance I leave this world, so by this my last will and testament. I commit my immortal soul into the hands of God my body to a place in the peaceful earth in a Christian burial Place. "I desire a timely concern for my earthly belongings. I desire that my son Johnnes to be my executor. My earthy belongings I give to my son Jacob give to me and my wife following: every year 6 bushels of fruit from my gardens, every year 18 bushels of corn, every year bring flour to my house, every year chop firewood and bring it to my house attend to my two cows as he tends to his own two cows every year 200 lbs. of soup meat, every year 25 lbs of beef, every year one bushel of salt, every year, one bushel of flax. "Son, Jacob shall also work for me and my wife as our needs require. Son, Jacob shall also provide us with shoes and the wool for stockings. "Son, Jacob shall plant a piece of land in garden and one of two acres which I will show him, he shall plant with cranberries and sell or send 1/3 of all to my house Son Jacob should also give 4 lbs. in money. "Son, Jacob shall have the place where he now lives with my daughter, and she have her portion, the half of the west side, there being 270 acres more or less this warrant which is in the name of Choaet Bisch ever which my son shall pay 20 shilling. My sons shall have 300 acres in the Blok Creek on the east side, 200 of which shall be in the name of Jacob Balliet and 100 acres of which shall belong to Johannes Balliet and for every acres he pay 17 shillings and six pence. "Son, Jacob shall have all the blacksmith implements and all farm implements. Everything else which we might possess, I give one-half to my daughter, Susanna, when Susanna is older and reaches 18 years of age; my son Jacob shall pay all debts. Son, Nicholas, shall have the piece called Sugar Place formerly, in name of Johannes Ballinger warrant, and he shall pay to my wife and I sugar every year, as long as one of us is still living and he shall own one the tract of land on the South side in Back Mountain on the East side running to the West side in a straight line. "Son, Stephannes shall have the tract of land with the saw mill, upon which the mill is built, said tract in the name of John Balliet warrant being acres of land more or less, for every acre he shall pay 20 shilling and he give 12 acres of it when it is drained to the Community Shepherd church in Nescopeck Valley, and for the needy and sick, apportion 12 lbs of money. "Every child who builds a home, that child shall have 5,000 board feet timber and that child shall have the use of and help of Johannes Balliet to use the saw mill belongs. My son, Johannes, shall have the white oak tree tract in the name of John Balliet being a piece of land 430 acres more or less covered by white oak wood and my son Daniel, shall have half of this piece of woodland. If my sons, Daniel and Johannes build two houses, then they shall divide the land equally and for every acres they Shall pay 20 shilling. "My sons Johannes and Daniel, shall also have 200 acres on the Big Black creek on the west of Jacob's and Susanna's lands, formerly in the name of Stephannes Balliet being and they pay 17 shillings and 6 pence. "My son, Abraham, shall have the place which I rented out to Samuel Erls the warrant is in the name of Nicholas Balliet and one in the name of John Balliet and a part from this tract is in the name of John Ballinger. "To my daughter, Maria Barbara, who has lands on the west side, I give her 50 acres on the east side of the Big Black Creek, and this portion shall be from Johannes and Danielle’s portion for which they shall receive 17 shillings and 6 pence for every acre and they shall pay 18 shillings for every acre of the 630 acres and they shall divide this land as good as can be done. "To my two grandchildren, Jacob and Elizabeth, whom I raised, belongs 50 acres on the Big Black Creek. When one of my grandchildren dies without heirs, then the other child shall inherit his or her portion: if both die without heirs then my son Nicholas Shall inherit their share. The two grandchildren are to receive a free deed from my executors. If the falls to my son by death then he shall pay 17 shillings, 6 pence for every acre of land and all my children shall be bound to pay. "When two children hold land jointly and one dies in poor circumstances, then the one who is able shall pay for the land by the acre as I have priced it. "The money from all the lands shall belong to all my children, share and share alike, and no one can sell his land until he has reached thirty years of age, then he can do as he pleases, and the land shall be their property as long as the woods grow and the water runs. Everyone has 19 years to pay the money. "Should I Johannes Balliet died before my wife, then shall my executor hold 50 lbs money and give their mother every year 3 lbs. as long as she lives. "This is my last will and testament which I have made while living, purely and in vigor and in my own hand and seal. This will covers what my house should endow in every direction, and is made with the direction, and is made with the purpose preserve and pay what should be right and lawful on this the 24th day of January 1800. "Sealed in the presence of my Mother and Executor in Lucerne County. So long as my mother carries the name, she should be given to her 3 lbs. every year. Johannes Balliet (Seal) Issue Johannes Balliet and wife Maria Barbara Schneider Also two grandchildren "At the time 1800, the will was written, Johannes possessed over 2300 acres of land, 270 acres of land where I now live. There were eight tracts of land warranted to Johannes Balliet. In these lands rich deposits of coal later were found and are still being mined. Some fifteen or twenty years ago claims were filed by some of Johannes descendants, but the attorney for the claimants reported they had no standing in the courts." Some things about The Balliet Family "The Edict of Nantes was declared void by Louis XIV, and his subjects were almost forced back to the Catholic Church. If his family did not consider this, they were killed. An entire village in Languedoc of Huguenots was wiped out. Along with a few others, Jacob fled leaving behind all their property and traveling over 800 miles and reached the village of Schalbach in Salm. Here Jacob Balliet built a house which is still standing (1833) and occupied by one of Peter Balliet’s relatives. After awhile this Jacob Balliet became one of the wealthiest men of the village and to this date there are several hundred of his descendants living in and around Schalbach. "Later Salm was turned over to France in exchange with the stipulation that Louis XV was to allow religious freedom, but in short time persecution set in again and lasted until 1789, the year of the French Revolution. Due to this persecution some of the grandchildren of Jacob Balliet immigrated to this country. One, a Joseph Balliet, settled in Easton, Pennsylvania. He was an ancestor of the murdered Benjamin Balliet, son of Stephen, son of Leonard, son of Joseph. Another one was Paulus Balliet who with several sisters settled in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. Johannes Balliet, a great grandson of Jacob Balliet, died in Lucerne County, Pennsylvania last year (1831). All Balliets in this country are descendants of these early settlers of the Balliet family. "The Balliets fled from religious persecution and were blessed in this country. May this history keep the descendants of Jacob Balliet from joining the growing indifference to religion and may they like their ancestors remain faithful to the true belief. Thus wishes your friend and relative." A descendent of Jacob Balliet |
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