The weaver's tale

A view from an aeroplane of Langenselbold, early 1900s: http://heimatmuseum-langenselbold.de/selbold_e.htm The Merchant of Langenselbold The records on the Lerch family start with Johannes Lerch, who probably was born between 1620 and 1640. In the marriage record of daughter Barbara and Henrich Leimbach, at the Langenselbold Reformed Church, Lerch is listed as a shopkeeper and Gemeinsmann, which is usually defined as a full citizen with rights to own land, to elect the community's representatives, to hold office himself and to conduct business or a trade within the community. Besides Barbara,, Johannes Lerch and his wife, Eva, had at least three other children. They were: Johannes Jr., born in 1663. He married Catharina Fuchs on Feb. 9, 1688, They had six children. Their first was Anna Barbara, born in December 1688. Anna Barbara's baptism, on Dec. 16, was sponsored by her uncle, Henrich Leimbach, "schoolmaster at Höchstatt." Anna, born in 1669. She married Weigel Fischer, a widower, in 1691. They had six children, starting with Johan Henrich, born in 1692. His baptism also was sponsored by Henrich Leimbach, "schoolmaster at Alten Hasel." Anna and Weigel's fourth child was also named Johan Henrich (the first son had apparently died), born in 1701. His baptism was sponsored by his cousin, Johannes Leimbach "from Alten Haselau, the Organist." The couple's fifth child, Johann Wilhelm, emigrated in 1733 aboard the "Samuel." Caspar, listed as single at the time of a nephew's baptism in 1694. Johannes Lerch Sr. died In 1693; his wife, Eva, in 1710. Both are buried in Langenselbold.[6]

Perhaps taking up the count's offer, Henrich moved to Langenselbold. He was a linen weaver who probably worked out of his home (see The Original Cottage Industry for more about weaving). In 1672, when he was 23, he married Barbara Lerch, the daughter of a local merchant, at the Reformed church, listing "Gerthen-Roth aus dem Ried-Eselischen" as his hometown. Henrich and Barbara's first six children were born in Langenselbold:

• Johannes in 1674
• Anna Margreth in 1677 (who died before she was 9 years old)
• an unnamed son (who probably died young) in 1680
• Anna Elisabeth in 1681
• Eva in 1684
• a second Anna Margreth in 1686.

A new line of work

In Höchstadt, the schoolmaster not only taught the children, but also played the organ and performed other duties. In exchange he was allowed to live in the schoolhouse and grow his own food. He also received food from the parents of pupils.[3]

It was an exciting age of discovery. Isaac Newton published his theories on light and motion in 1687. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek had recently discovered bacteria using his microscope. The steam engine was invented in 1705. Explorers were "discovering" new lands, and the colonization of America was in full swing.

As devout Pietists, the Leimbachs may not have embraced these new discoveries. Their lives no doubt revolved around the church. (In her memoirs, Anna Elisabeth wrote that they were "often inspired and visited by other pious people."[4]) Pietists sought a deeper, more emotional experience than they felt they were getting from the "Big Three" state churches -- Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed. Pietists rejected the dogma and pageantry of the established orders and turned inward for spiritual renewal. They stressed reading the Bible, personal prayer, and living a holy life. They "shunned all common worldly amusements, such as dancing, the theatre, and public games."[5] Pietism was an influence on the founders of Methodism, the Church of the Brethren and, most important to this history, the Moravian Church.

As an organist, Henrich would have played works by the leading composers of the day, including Michael Praetorius, Samuel Scheidt and Heinrich Schuetz. Members of the Bach family were especially prolific. Johannes Sebastian launched his career in the early 1700s, and before that, his father, uncles and cousins all composed organ music.

Henrich and Barbara stayed in Höchstadt at least 12 years. In 1701, Andreas died (he was 12) and was buried there. Henrich got a new teaching position in Altenhaßlau, about 5 miles east of Langenselbold. He sponsored several baptisms. In those records, he is listed as "Henrich Leimbach, schoolmaster at Alten Hasel."

Chapter 3