Alexander was born to Johannes and Anna Maria Lampmann Schlottmann, the only son (to live to adulthood, perhaps) of thirteen children. His father was a master organ builder in Hessen, Germany. Alexander was his apprentice, no doubt, and definitely worked with his father to learn the trade.
When Alexander was a young man, he was conscripted to fight against the Americans. His father tried to send two men in his place, but his request was denied. When his regiment landed at Newport Harbor, Rhode Island, in 1779, Alexander and two medical officers jumped ship and deserted.
Alexander found his way to Berks County, Pennsylvania where he worked digging iron ore. When he heard of an organ in disrepair, he headed to Reiff Farm in nearby Oley, the home of Captain Daniel Reiff. He repaired the organ and found a friend in Captain Reiff, who invited him to stay on at the farm.
After the death of Captain Reiff in 1782, Alexander made his way to Newburgh, New York, where General Washington was headquartered. Alexander took the oath of allegiance to America in April 1783.
By 1785, Alexander was back in Berks County where he sought the hand of Captain Reiff's eldest daughter, Philippina. Widow Reiff, however, would not consent, and so the couple made plans to elope. The plans were found out and Philippina was locked away from Alexander's reach and when Alexander arrived, the second daughter, Hannah, told him so. It was several hours before it was discovered that Alexander and Hannah had taken off together. When the couple was found, Hannah refused to go home and so the two were married.
Alexander and Hannah lived in nearby Ruscombmanor Township, where they became the parents of nine (known) children: Johannes, Catharina, Daniel, Hannah, Anna Maria, Jacob, Elisabetha, George, and Sarah. He practiced the organ building trade, working with area organ builders and building at least four on his own. None of his instruments are believed to exist today, but some of his father's work is still in use back home in Hessen.
When Alexander was a young man, he was conscripted to fight against the Americans. His father tried to send two men in his place, but his request was denied. When his regiment landed at Newport Harbor, Rhode Island, in 1779, Alexander and two medical officers jumped ship and deserted.
Alexander found his way to Berks County, Pennsylvania where he worked digging iron ore. When he heard of an organ in disrepair, he headed to Reiff Farm in nearby Oley, the home of Captain Daniel Reiff. He repaired the organ and found a friend in Captain Reiff, who invited him to stay on at the farm.
After the death of Captain Reiff in 1782, Alexander made his way to Newburgh, New York, where General Washington was headquartered. Alexander took the oath of allegiance to America in April 1783.
By 1785, Alexander was back in Berks County where he sought the hand of Captain Reiff's eldest daughter, Philippina. Widow Reiff, however, would not consent, and so the couple made plans to elope. The plans were found out and Philippina was locked away from Alexander's reach and when Alexander arrived, the second daughter, Hannah, told him so. It was several hours before it was discovered that Alexander and Hannah had taken off together. When the couple was found, Hannah refused to go home and so the two were married.
Alexander and Hannah lived in nearby Ruscombmanor Township, where they became the parents of nine (known) children: Johannes, Catharina, Daniel, Hannah, Anna Maria, Jacob, Elisabetha, George, and Sarah. He practiced the organ building trade, working with area organ builders and building at least four on his own. None of his instruments are believed to exist today, but some of his father's work is still in use back home in Hessen.
Alexander was born to Johannes and Anna Maria Lampmann Schlottmann, the only son (to live to adulthood, perhaps) of thirteen children. His father was a master organ builder in Hessen, Germany. Alexander was his apprentice, no doubt, and definitely worked with his father to learn the trade.
When Alexander was a young man, he was conscripted to fight against the Americans. His father tried to send two men in his place, but his request was denied. When his regiment landed at Newport Harbor, Rhode Island, in 1779, Alexander and two medical officers jumped ship and deserted.
Alexander found his way to Berks County, Pennsylvania where he worked digging iron ore. When he heard of an organ in disrepair, he headed to Reiff Farm in nearby Oley, the home of Captain Daniel Reiff. He repaired the organ and found a friend in Captain Reiff, who invited him to stay on at the farm.
After the death of Captain Reiff in 1782, Alexander made his way to Newburgh, New York, where General Washington was headquartered. Alexander took the oath of allegiance to America in April 1783.
By 1785, Alexander was back in Berks County where he sought the hand of Captain Reiff's eldest daughter, Philippina. Widow Reiff, however, would not consent, and so the couple made plans to elope. The plans were found out and Philippina was locked away from Alexander's reach and when Alexander arrived, the second daughter, Hannah, told him so. It was several hours before it was discovered that Alexander and Hannah had taken off together. When the couple was found, Hannah refused to go home and so the two were married.
Alexander and Hannah lived in nearby Ruscombmanor Township, where they became the parents of nine (known) children: Johannes, Catharina, Daniel, Hannah, Anna Maria, Jacob, Elisabetha, George, and Sarah. He practiced the organ building trade, working with area organ builders and building at least four on his own. None of his instruments are believed to exist today, but some of his father's work is still in use back home in Hessen.
When Alexander was a young man, he was conscripted to fight against the Americans. His father tried to send two men in his place, but his request was denied. When his regiment landed at Newport Harbor, Rhode Island, in 1779, Alexander and two medical officers jumped ship and deserted.
Alexander found his way to Berks County, Pennsylvania where he worked digging iron ore. When he heard of an organ in disrepair, he headed to Reiff Farm in nearby Oley, the home of Captain Daniel Reiff. He repaired the organ and found a friend in Captain Reiff, who invited him to stay on at the farm.
After the death of Captain Reiff in 1782, Alexander made his way to Newburgh, New York, where General Washington was headquartered. Alexander took the oath of allegiance to America in April 1783.
By 1785, Alexander was back in Berks County where he sought the hand of Captain Reiff's eldest daughter, Philippina. Widow Reiff, however, would not consent, and so the couple made plans to elope. The plans were found out and Philippina was locked away from Alexander's reach and when Alexander arrived, the second daughter, Hannah, told him so. It was several hours before it was discovered that Alexander and Hannah had taken off together. When the couple was found, Hannah refused to go home and so the two were married.
Alexander and Hannah lived in nearby Ruscombmanor Township, where they became the parents of nine (known) children: Johannes, Catharina, Daniel, Hannah, Anna Maria, Jacob, Elisabetha, George, and Sarah. He practiced the organ building trade, working with area organ builders and building at least four on his own. None of his instruments are believed to exist today, but some of his father's work is still in use back home in Hessen.
Inscription
Alhier
liegen beerdiget die (Gelieder?)*
des weiland Achtbaren Herrn
Alexander Schlottman
Er war geboren von Christlichen
Aeltern in Deutschland den 3ten
May im Jahr unseres Herrn
1759 und verheirathet mit
Hanna einer geborne Reifin
in Oley Er verstarb den 11ten Juny
1815 seines Alters 56 Jahre
1 Monat und 8 Tage
Here
lies buried the (remains?)*
of the deceased honorable mister
Alexander Schlottman
He was born of Christian
parents in Germany the 3rd
May in the year of our Lord
1759 and was intermarried with
Hanna born Reif(in)
in Oley He died the 11th June
1815 his age 56 years
1 month and 8 days
*From translator, Laurel (47526495): I don't understand this word. The letters are fairly clear – definitely Gel__der. It should be die gebeine (the bones, remains) or der leichnam (the corpse), the usual ways of saying remains.
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