Johann Gottlieb Sigmund was born March 6, 1811, in Sindelfingen, Wuerttemberg, Germany, the son of Christian and Maria Dorothea Schwarz Sigmund. At the age of 6, he left Germany with his family and immigrated to the United States, first settling in Adams County, Pennsylvania. On March 7, 1841, in Thurmont, Frederick County, Maryland, he was married to Mary Elizabeth Firor, daughter of Daniel and Margaretha Martin Firor. They were the parents of nine children, most of whom lived to adulthood: Frederick Firor, Maria Dorothea (died young), William Gottlieb, Lewis, Malinda, Emma Alice, Amanda Elizabeth, Mathias Christian and Comfort Sigmund. Johann Gottlieb Sigmund was my great-great-grandfather.


From the Taufschein or Fraktur of Johann Gottlieb Sigmund:

"To these two wedded persons, Christian Sigmund and his wedded housewife Maria Dorothea, born Schwarz, is born a son into the world the 6th day of March in the year of our Lord 1811. This son was born in Sindelfingen in Wuertemberg, Europe...baptized with the name Johann Gottlieb the 9th day of March 1811 by the Rev. Suskind. The baptism sponsors were Matheus Kemmerle and Maria Dorothea Muschelen."
***Note---this taufschein was printed in Reading, Pennsylvania by Johann Ritter and Co. The date which the birth and baptism information was written is unknown. The taufschein is in the possession of Gregg D. Freese, Takoma Park, Maryland. It had been passed down to Emma Alice Sigmund Martin, who gave it to her grandson, Maynard Kenneth Freese (my uncle). It came into my possession after his only child, Timothy Freese, died in Baltimore 1985.


From the Gottlieb Sigmund and Mary Elizabeth Firor Sigmund family Bible:

"Godliep J. and Mary Elizabeth Firor Sigmund, Thurmont, Frederick Co., Maryland, 1844. Given to M. Kenneth Freese, May 20, 1934 by his grandmother, Emma Alice Sigmund Martin, daughter of Godliep and Mary Sigmund. Given to Gregg D. Freese, nephew of M. Kenneth Freese, November, 1986, after the death of Timothy Kenneth Freese, only son of M. Kenneth Freese, which occurred November 1st, 1986 at Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland."

BIRTHS:
Godliep Sigmund was born Mch 6th, 1811
Elisabeth Firor was born Mch 6th, 1816
Fredk. Firor Sigmund, son of Godlp. & Elisbth. Sigmund, was born Decr 28th, 1841
Maria D. Sigmund dtr of Godlp. & Elisbth Sigmund, was born March 11th, 1844
Wm. G. Sigmund, son of Godlp. & Elisbth. Sigmund, was born March 10th, 1845
Lewis Sigmund, son of Godliep & Elisabeth Sigmund, was born August 31st, 1847
Malinda Sigmund, daughter of Godliep & Elisabeth Sigmund, October 19th, 1849; died Oct 30, 1930
Emma Allis (sic) Sigmund, daughter of Godliep & Elisabeth Sigmund, May 30th, 1852; died Dec. 4, 1940, 88yrs, 6mos, 5days
Manda (sic) Elisabeth Sigmund, daughter of Godliep & Elisabeth Sigmund, Feb 19th, 1855
Mathias C. Sigmund, son of Godliep & Elisabeth Sigmund, was born January 17th, 1858
Cumferd (sic) Sigmund, son of Godliep & Elisabeth Sigmund, was born Feb 25th, 1860

MARRIAGES:
Godleip Sigmund and Elisb. Firor were married Mch 7th, 1841
William G. Sigmund and Alverda E. Weddle were married Nov 14th, 1877 by Rev. S. S. Miller
A. Elizabeth Sigmund and Milton E. Staub were married Jan 2nd, 1878 by Rev. W. C. Wire
Emma A. Sigmund and William L. Martin were married Jan 10th, 1878 by Rev. J. D. Freed
Matthias C. Sigmund and Addie Sigmund were married March 29, 1887
Comfort Sigmund and Annie Bower were married Octo. 6th, 1892 by Rev. Billhimer
Malinda Sigmund and Henry Gall were married January 29th, 1896, at 7p.m. by Rev. J. H. Barb

DEATHS:
Maria D. Sigmund departed this life April 16th, 1844
Frederick F. Sigmund departed this life May 13th, 1861
Lewis Sigmund departed this life July 19th, 1883, aged 35yrs, 10mos, 18days
Mary Elizabeth Sigmund departed this life January 14th, 1892, aged 75yrs, 10mos and 18days
Gotleib J. Sigmund departed this life July 27th, 1897, aged 86years, 4months and 21days
Henry Gall departed this life December 17th, 1900 in Thurmont, Md. aged 76 and 20days
William G. Sigmund departed this life April 27, 1911, age 66years, 1month, 16days
Milton E. Staub departed this life Nov 10, 1913
William Landers Martin departed this life Jan. 27, 1917 in Richmond, Virginia, aged 72yrs, 3days
Alverda E. Sigmund departed this life Sep. 13, 1924, aged 71yrs, 7mos
Comfort Sigmund departed this life Nov 20, 1926, aged 64yrs, 8mo, 26days
Lizzie Staub died April 7, 1930, aged 75yrs, 1mo, 18days
Malinda Sigmund Gall departed this life Oct. 30, 1930, aged 81yrs, 11days
Mathias Christian Sigmund departed this life Jan. 19, 1934, aged 76yrs, 2days


Obituary from The Catoctin Clarion of July 29, 1897:

"On Tuesday morning last, Gotlleib J. Sigmund, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens died at his home on W. Main St., this place (Mechanicstown, now Thurmont). About three years ago, Mr. Sigmund was attacked by paralysis, affecting him for a time generally and he was seriously ill; later he partially recovered, but never regained the full use of his limbs. The deceased was born March 6th, 1811, in Stuttgart, Germany. With his parents, Christian and Dorothy Sigmund he came to this country in 1817, locating near Emmitsburg, where they lived until 1828 when they came to this place, being among the first settlers of Mechanicstown. In 1841 he and Mary Elizabeth Firor, sister of the late David Firor, were married, to whom nine children were borne, six of whom are living, Mrs. Milton Staub, Mrs. Henry Gall, Mrs. W. L. Martin, William, Mathias and Comfort. He was a tailor by trade and was engaged in that until his eyesight failed when he engaged in farming. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, was one of its founders and helped build St. John's Church this place. He as also a member of the I. O. O. F., being connected with Good Samaritan Lodge since its founding. Funeral services will be held this (Thurs.) afternoon at 2 o'Clock at the U. B. Church, interrment in that Cemetery. Rev. Bradenback officiating.