Schuylkill County, Pa, Vol I, published by J. H. Beers & Co.

1916 page 80

Dillman Family

Elias Dillman was born in 1686 in the town of Nussdorf, Wurtemberg, Germany. In the early part of the 18th century he moved to Illingen, Germany-two miles from Nussdorf. He died there in 1756. Elias Dihlmann or Diehlmann had a son Jacob Dihlmann, who in turn had three sons, namely Jacob Dillmann, Jr. Andrew Dillmann and Elias Dillmann, Jr. These sons changed the spelling of the name to Dillmann and after their emigration to America they dropped the final "n".

In 1735 Jacob Dillman Jr. and Andrew his brother, came to the English colonies in America, Jacob settling in Virginia and Andrew in Western Pa., in what is now Adams Co. Louis M. Dillman (who is president of the American Book Co.) and his son, Louis C. Dillman of Chicago (secretary of the Dillman family Association of the U. S.) are descended from Jacob Dillman, Jr.

On Sept. 24, 1737, the three sons of Elias Dillman Jr., Hans George Dillman and Heinrich Jacob Dillman landed in Philadelphia, having crossed the Atlantic in the ship "Virginia Grace". On a September day fourteen years later, (9-16-1751), Hans George Dillman, Jr., sailed on the Ship "Brothers", presumably with his widowed Mother and younger brother Anthony. They settled in Heidelberg Township. Berks Co.. Pa. Having heard of the successes of his relatives in the Colonies, George Frederick Dillman set sail in the ship "Neptune", Oct. 7, 1755 to try his fortunes in the New World. He settled in what is now known as Northumberland County, Pa. Hans George Dillman, Jr. eventually settled in what is now known as Perry County. Pa. His great-great-grandson is Prof. A. D. T, Dillman, of Antis Township, Blair Co.. Pa.

The Dillmans were represented in the Fatherland, by Dr. Theodore Dillmann of Berlin. Germany, and by Dr. Christian Frederick August (A German Orientalist) who was born at Illingen. Wurtenburg April 23. 1823. He became a Protestant Theologian and Orientalist, and an authority on the Ethiopian Language and Literature and Old Testament Criticism. He was professor at the Berlin University from 1809 until the time of his death, in 1894. [He is in Erick's file as August Frederick Christian Dillman]

The branch of the family known to Schuylkill countains [mountains?] are descended from Anthony Dillman, who came to this country with his widowed mother in 1751. He married Susanna Kalbach of Berks County, and had the following children:

Anthony, Jr. Susanna (married a Mr. Ball)

Sabilla (married a Mr. Koch of Schuylkill Haven)

Peter (Married Susanna Krause)

Barbara (married a Mr. Saltzer of Lykens)

Adam (married Katherine Drause)

Not much is known of Anthony Dillman. Sr., except that he was an ardent patriot, aiding the Continental soldiers when they passed his home on their march to relieve the distress of those who had suffered during the Wyorning massacre. He was a farmer and a trapper.

Peter Dillman was the fourth child of Anthony Dillman. He was born in Heidelberg Township, Berks Co. Pa. in 1731 and followed the occupations of farming, lumbering, fishing and trapping. He married Susanna Krause. Children were:

Margaret (married Jacob Kruger of Ringtown)

Daniel Krause (married Katherine Dunkelberger)

Mary (married John Schneider of Ashland)

George (died young)

James (married Agnes Brociaus of Shenandoah)

Lucyanna (married thrice, Jeremiah James, James Boyle ?-o Philip Powell)

Sarah (married James Connelly of Berry)

Charles (married Elizabeth Rice of Ashland)

Peter Jr. (married Lydia Neff of Tampqua)

Daniel D. eldest son of Daniel K. & Katherine (Dunkelberger) born Berks Co. Pa., December 26, 1836. Married Isabel C. Bowman--He was a lawyer. Children:

Daniel Walter- Altoona. Pa.

Robert John-died 1876

Anna Augusta- married T. L. Thomas [She is the one who did the research that everyone seems to quote]

Daniel D.- died Sept. 7, 1872 of smallpox, lived in Mahanony City, Pa.

This line goes on from pages 80 to 92, the book could not be photocopied as it was not in good condition, and I did not have time to copy all of It. The book was located in the Indiana State Library.

Marguerite Dillman

May. 1981

Notes in brackets [ ] added by me - JERiccio 2 Mar 2001

I think the issue just gets murkier as we dig deeper! Here's a blurb from ADT's work that refers to Anton's brother Peter William!

"ANTON or ANTHONY DILLMAN, the emigrant may have come from Bavaria or more near the French border. As many of the supposed Germans were really French in origin. The Dillman family had many of the characteristics of that nation. Their physical characteristic of dark hair and swarthy complexion was not typically German. He married Susanna Kalbach, daughter of Adam Kalbach and granddaughter of Christopher Kalbach and wife Maria, who hademigrated from Germany to the American colonies September 19, 1749. (See Kalbach History on page ___ of these biographies). Anton Dillman and wife lived in Heidelberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1790 and had three sons and five daughters. He was married in 1771 according to the tax list of Bern Township, he purchased as a yeoman, a lot for $1.00 at Orwigsburg, ??? Pa., in 1795. Peter William, a brother, paid $7.88 road tax

December 29, 1817."

Who the heck is Peter William and where did he come from?!

I don't understand your comment about "Christoff Dillman" -- where did you find that one?

ADT also mentions that Anton emigrated around 1744 -- that's quite a spread from the date when the 1705 Andrew probably arrived. The "swarthy complexion" is another issue. I'd like to see this Anton line connected but I'm not ready to sign off on this connection yet. I think you're right about the answers being buried deep in the PA Archives.

Another issue that I've seen discussed is the difference between being in the Continental Line (regular army?) vs. being in the militia. The

inference was that records were more likely to have been maintained for the regular army whereas the militia records would be much harder to locate if, in fact, they exist at all. Perhaps service in the militia was not enough to qualify one for a pension?

Perhaps someone will surface as a result of this reunion effort who will have more of these missing pieces just as the Ohio chart has surfaced. You didn't mention the name of the lady in Ohio -- to which branch of the family does she belong?

Talks about confusing! Too bad they all gave their children the same names, huh!

I noticed that blurb in ADT's work, and don't know what to say unless she is referring to the 'William Dillman' who was living in Montgomery Co., VA in 1790. His family was listed as follows: 1 m 16+; 3 m. -16; 2 f. As far as I can tell, he is the William Dillman who served in the RWar from PA in the 1st PA Regiment, and may also have served in the 6th PA Regiment. The Dillman's were great for using their MIDDLE names, probably because so many were named the same! However, as 'Peter William' was supposedly found on an 1817 tax list, then perhaps he could be found on an 1820 census there???? Maybe that would determine which name he went by.

At any rate, I 'tentatively' have the children of Andrew [1705-1813] and his wife Barbara as follows:

1] Conrad, b ca 1730

2] Christian, b ca 1732; m. Margarite Norton 16 Dec 1781 [May not belong here]

3] John, b ca 1734 [A John Dillman served in the RWar from PA]

4] Michael, b ca 1736; m. Christiana [This is the one everyone claims as part of this family]

5] Anthony, b ca 1738 [This is probably ADT's 'Anton' who m. Susannah Kalbach]

6] William, b ca 1740 [No further data than posted above]

7] Andrew, b 21 Oct 1751 [This one is 'ours']

8] Ann Margaret, b 13 Sept 1758 [No further data]

9] Christopher, b 1760; m. Anna Maria Schultz [I think Phil sent me this data. I really don't think he belongs here, as, if his mother was born ca 1712, she would have been a mite old at this point. Maybe he belongs in the next generation. He was living in Reading, Berks Co., PA through at least 1796 according to the birth info on his children - in Yorkm Hanover Co., PA ca 1798-1801, and in Wythe Co., VA from ca 1807 through at least Jan 1812. All dates based on children's birth data.

10]George Michael, b ca 1764; m. Christina Heiser [I don't think he belongs here either, based on the same reason as Christopher, but I leave him here until I can find a better place to 'attach' him. <g>

As to Anton's date of immigration, I have yet to find a record of it! I have Krupp's books on the German immigrants, and there is NO Anton or Anthony listed in them. I also have a book listing persons who swore allegiance in PA, and I do not find Anton there either. When I get a spare minute, I will go through those lists and pull out what information there is on the Dillman's and variant spellings - not too many! I also realize that Krupp was not the only authority on the subject.

As for the 'swarthy complexion' in the Dillman family, somewhere I have a pix of some of Susan Dillman's children [I think] and a couple of the girls looked as though they were of Indian origin! Dark hair and eyes - high cheekbones. I will dig it out and scan it for you when I get a minute. My grandmother had dark hair and eyes, but was very fair otherwise, so I don't know what to tell you. She would have been the 'next generation' and so the genes would have been diluted one more time.

I haven't studied any of the PA military history so can't comment on the Militia as opposed to 'regular' army. I will check the books I have on PA and see if I can come up with something!