Individual Details

Birth

"The first Rosenbergers in Montgomery County, PA came from the Palatinate, once a province in western Germany, bordering on the Rhine. It is of tradition that this family came from a place called 'Zweibrucken' (meaning two bridges). This town lies only 15 miles east of Saarbrucken where documented families of Rosenbergers lived from 1586 onward. Saarbrucken lies along the Saar River about 90 miles southwest of Frankfort and is the major city of the region." (From A Genealogical Record of the descendants of Joseph Detweiler Rosenberger compiled by Paulyne M. Kramer, printed by Harold B. Rosenberger, Perkasie, PA 1953 and History of Souderton, Franconia Township, Montgomery [County PA].
(The Palatinate area of Germany was the home of many religious dissenters.)

Birth dates given for Heinrich Rosenberger in various sources vary from 19 Nov 1678 to 1685. The date of 1680 is most common.

Marriage

Estimated date of marriage is based upon the birth date of their oldest child.

Immigration

"The first Rosenbergers in America probably came from the Palatinate, once a province of western Germany, bordering on the Rhine....The first settler of the name of Rosenberger in Montgomery county [PA] was Henry Rosenberger, who came to the Indian Creek valley in Franconia township in 1729..."

"There is no doubt that Henry Rosenberger, Sr., of Franconia, was the pioneer emigrant and that he in common with other Mennonites fled from Germany on account of religious persecution..." (Rosenberger & Swartley Family History by A.J. Fretz, pg. 17 [footnote].)

Heinrich Rosenberger's name is not listed in the listing of "Pennsylvania Foreign Oaths of Allegiance, 1727 to 1775." The reason for this omission is unclear.

Property

"Here down in the valley of the Indian Creek and on its southeast side is a stonefarm house of unusual size.... To the north is a modern barn and close to hand an older one. The latter is the oldest building about the premises. On the wooden beam over the door is inscribed the name of Henry Rosenberger and Barbara, his wife, with the date of 1755." (pg. 18)

"In the list of taxables of Franconia in 1734 is found the name of Henry Rosenberger." (pg. 19)

The Appendix XVI of German, Dutch and French inhabitants of Philadelphia County (1727-1776) states "Heinrich Rosenberger [owned] 100 [acres]"

Death

"A great-great-grandson of Benjamin Rosenberger, previous to his death, is said to have related that one of his ancestors reached the great age of 96 years....It is quite likely that Henry Rosenberger, Sr., the pioneer, lived to be 96 years old,...." (Rosenberger-Swartley Family History, pg. 14)

"It is not known when Henry Rosenberger died..." (Ibid, pg. 20)

"Heinrich [Rosenberger] died between 1746 and 1749" pg. 122, appendix of In Their Generations.

Family trees including Heinrich Rosenberger give dates for his death between 1746 to 1775

Burial

Heinrich Rosenberger "put aside a small portion of land on the east corner of [his] tract as a burial ground (later to be known as the Franconia Mennonite Cemetery), where Heinrich Rosenberger, the immigrant, was buried." From A Genealogical Record of Joseph Detweiler Rosenberger compiled by Paulyne M. Kramer, printed by Harold B. Rosenberger, Perkasie, PA, 1953 and History of Souderton, Franconia Township, Montgomery [County, PA].

Religion

"It was ... on Heinrich Rosenberger's property that in 1730 the first Franconia Mennonite meetings were held in a log building which was rebuilt several times and in 1917 an addition was made. It is located west of Telford, Montgomery Co, PA, about two and one-half miles west of Souderton, on Route 113.... [He] put aside a small portion of land on the east corner of [his] tract as a burial ground (later to be known as the Franconia Mennonite Cemetery), where Heinrich Rosenberger, the immigrant, was buried." from A Genealogical Record of the descendants of Joseph Detweiler Rosenberger compiled by Paulyne M. Kramer, printed by Harold B. Rosenberger, Perkasie, PA, 1953 and History of Souderton, Franconia Township, Montgomery [County PA].

"The Franconia Mennonite meetinghouse is one of the typical places of worship found in many localities of eastern Pennsylvania. A church was organized and a house of worship built here as early as 1730. The recent structure was succeeded by another in 1892. Like all others of this people it is plain to austerity. Many horse sheds encompass it about. It is built upon an elevation from which a splendid view of hill and valley to the north and west may be obtained. This overlooks a densely populated farming country, extending to the distant hills of Berks and the highlands beyond the Schuylkill. In the near view are the pleasant vales of the Indian Creek and the North Branch of the Perkiomen. On the northwest side of the meetinghouse lies the extensive burying ground, thickly dotted with marble tombstones, where repose the dead of many generations. This congregation is one of the strongest in number, having over 700 members. A communion service in the Spring brings out a very large attendance, and the services have a quaint interest for the stranger. The service, beginning at 8 o'clock in the morning, lasts over three hours. The women are seated within the two aisles, while the men occupy the side pews, their hats being hung on long rows of pegs over the aisles. In the rear vestibule, entered by a side door, is the women's room, where are hung their bonnets and extra clothing. The Scriptures are read in German and several preachers in turn exhort the congregation. The elements of the communion are handed to each member by the bishop, whohas an assistant, meanwhile constantly exhorting. Intime of prayer is seen a kneeling throng. The preacher from a hymn book reads one verse at a time in a sing-song tone. This is sung to an old-fashioned tune, sounding sweetly to the ear as it comes from the white-capped throng. Thus is conducted the worship of the followers of Menno Simons." (Rosenberger/Swartley Family History by Rev. A.J. Fretz, copyright 1906; pg. 20-21)