Who Took Care of Baby Henry?

My third great-grandparents Mathias Stephani and Eva Schuh married in 1826 in Confeld, Merzig, Trier, Rheinland, Preussen (Prussia), when Mathias was 24 and Eva was about 19. 

Children followed quickly - John was born in 1827, Peter in 1829, and Nicholas in 1831. Their last child Henry was born on December 24, 1833. Henry was my great-great grandfather.

According to a family story, Eva died a week after Henry was born. Parish records for Confeld confirmed this story - Eva died nine days after giving birth, on January 2, 1834 when she was 27 years old. 

Death Record of Eva Schuh

When Henry was born, John was six, Peter was four, and Nicholas was two. Who took care of Henry and his brothers when Mathias was farming? Confeld was a small community of a few hundred people and family members were nearby, so the likely candidates are grandmothers and aunts. Mathias married again, but not until December, so the brood was motherless for almost the entire year. 

Mathias Stephani of Confeld, Prussia

In January, I once again visited the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. I was eager to take a look at the Confeld (aka Konfeld) Parish Registers from Prussia (now Germany). 

A few years ago, I found an immigration record showing that a family of eight, headed by Mathias Stephany, a 40-year old farmer, immigrated in 1843 from Konfeld, which is about 20 miles from Trier, Prussia. I thought this might be my great-great-great-grandfather, who emigrated in 1843 and went by "Mathias Stephens" in the U.S.

Confeld, Merzig, Trier, Rheinland, Preussen

The Confeld Catholic Parish Registers showed that the Mathias Stephany who lived in Confeld is the same as the one who emmigrated to America and settled in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Here is what I found in the registers:

On February 2, 1826, Mathias Stephani, son of Joannis Stephani and Catharina Ruhl, and Eva Schuh, daughter of Nicolas Schuh and Eva Huorst, were married in Confeld. 

Joannes, son of Mathias Stephani and Eva Schuh was born and baptized January 25, 1827. Godparents were Joanne Schuh and Susanna Stephani.

Petrus, son of Mathias Stephani and Eva Schuh was born and baptized February 25, 1829. Godparents were Peter Schutz and Maria Katz(?).

Nicolaus, son of Math. Stephani and Eva Schuh was born and baptized November 26, 1831. Godparents were Nicol. Shuh and Magd. Stephani of Confeld.

Joan. Petrus Stephani, parents Mathias Stephani and Eva Schuh, was born and baptized December 24, 1933. Godparents Joan. Petrus Schuh and Eva Sritz(?). I believe this child is my great-great-grandfather, Henry Stephens, based on the birthdate, and the death of his mother about one week later, which matches the family story passed down about the sad circumstances of Henry's birth.

Eva Schu, wife of Matthias Stephani of Confeld, age 27, died January 2, 1834 and was buried January 4, 1834. 

On December 16, 1834, Mathias Stephani, widower of Eva Schu of Confeld, married Barbara Hubschen, widow of Joannis Schmitt of Thailen.

Barbara Stephany, daughter of Math. Stephany and Barbara Hubschen was born and baptized August 24, 1835. Godparents Joan. Kohr of Thailen and Barbara Lernhoffe of Confeld.

Mathias Stephany, son of Mathias Stephany and Barbara Hubschen was born February 10, 1837, baptized February 11, 1837. Godparents Mathias Besker? of Confeld and Margaretha Haas of Thailen. 

Joannes Stephany, son of Mathias Stephany and Barbara Hubschen was born September 22, 1838, baptized September 23, 1838. Godparents Joannes Lauer of Thailen and Susanna Stephani of Confeld. 

Matthias Stephany, son of Mathias Stephany and Barbara Hubschen was born March 3, 1840, and baptized March 4, 1840. Godparents Mathias Spanier and Theresa Becker of Confeld.


SOURCES

Kirchenbuch, Katholische Kirche Confeld (Kr. Merzig): Heiraten [Marriages] 1801-1903 items 11-12.: Tote [Deaths] 1810-1876. FHL Microfilm # 466486 (International Film Collection), Family History Library, Salt Lake City.

Kirchenbuch, Katholische Kirche Confeld (Kr. Merzig): Taufen [Baptisms] 1798-1895. FHL Microfilm # 466485 (International Film Collection), Family History Library, Salt Lake City.

Note: If you are related to any of these people, I'd be happy to share images of the parish register pages with you.