Exchange of information between two genealogists follows . . . reader beware . . . not for everyone!

John Frederick Diehl, Montgomery Co., Pa. Robert, Much of my information comes from the book DIEHL FAMILIES OF AMERICA, Vol. 1, by Harry A. Diehl. Mr. Diehl is a genealogist who specializes in the different Diehl families from Southeastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. He is currently involved in a second book on the Diehl surname in America. I have a copy of the last will and testament of Johann Frederick Diehl, which was obtained through Broderbund WFT Vol. 5, Ed. 1, Tree #1232, Date of Import: July 7, 1999. This will mentions the names of his eight children and his wife, as well as several different plots of land. Additionally, I have learned that: Johann Frederick Diehl was born in the Rhineland, Germany. He emigrated at the age of eighteen years, from Rotterdam, on the ship SNOW SQUIRREL with John Benn as master. They landed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 21, 1761. Soon after his arrival in this country he joined the Brethren Colony at Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He married Magdalena (Mary) Harley, and all descendants from this couple's three children (Mary, Jacob and Abraham) descend from the first German Baptist minister in America, the Rev. Mr. Peter Becker. Johann Frederick Diehl was a very successful and resourceful person, acquiring land in Heidelberg Twp., York Co., Berwick, Manallen and Tyrone Twps. He located in Adams County, Franklin Township; and built a large two-story brick house on a sizeable farm near McSherrytown, in 1789. John Frederick is buried in the Diehl Family Cemetery, private, located on the premises of a farm in Butler Township along the Conewago Creek, Pennsylvania. At this time I still do not have the names of his parents or siblings. Several different sources have indicated that he was from the Rhineland (Palatinate); but I have no hard proof of my own. Nevertheless, on March 22, 1796, Johann Frederick Diehl appeared before John Morris, notary for York Co., Pa., to have two letters certified. They were sent to Shorensheim (probably Schornsheim), Germany; and concerned his share of an estate there. In my opinion, John Frederick Diehl and Johann Friederich Diehl are probably the same man. Earlier accounts refer to the German spelling of his name. Rudolph Harley, the father of his first wife, willed his Bible to "Friederich Diel" when he made his last will and testament. I hope this helps. I plan to continue gathering data, records, and official documents for John Frederick Diehl and others of my Diehl ancestors for many years to come. I welcome any help that others may have to offer. Thanks. (Clarification: PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN PIONEERS, authors Ralph B. Strassburger and William J. Hinke, published in 1934 by the Pennsylvania German Society, Norristown, Pa., lists a ship SQUIRREL. It arrived in Philadelphia on October 21, 1761. A "snow" was a small vessel somewhat like a brig: a two-masted ship with square-rigged sails.)