FRIELINGHAUS
FAMILY GENEALOGY
Peter Daniel Frielinghaus
Daniel Frielinghaus was born in
Lennep, Rheinland on March 10, 1823. He was the second child of eleven born to
Peter Daniel Frielinghaus and Anna Carolina Beckmann. The
year that he emigrated is unknown but was probably around late 1853 or early 1854. That
would mean that he spent the first 30 years of his life in Rheinland. Everything about his
time in there is unknown. He could have attended school, been in the army, married, etc.
The first official document that has been found showing his existence is his Marriage
Listing. On July 5, 1854, he married Elizabeth
Decker. The ceremony was performed by
Reverend F. A. Lehlbach of the First German Reformed Dutch Church at 48 Mulberry Street,
Newark, New Jersey. Elizabeth Decker was born about 1830 in Alsace-Lorraine. On October 9,
1854 in Newark, New Jersey, Daniel signed his Declaration of Intent to become a United
States citizen. This document states Prussia as his homeland. The Index to Declarations of Intention also lists
his brother, Robert Frielinghaus, as declaring on the same day. Robert Frielinghaus came to the United
States from Prussia via Antwerp on August 17, 1854 aboard the Susan Hinks. The ships
manifest lists Robert as a 20 year old brewer. This is the only reference to Robert that
has been found.
The City Directory of Newark
lists Daniel Frielinghaus as residing at 56 Richmond Street from 1855 though 1858.
According to the 1858/59 City Directories of Newark he resided at 152 Broom Street. He was
listed as a laborer for all the years but 1859 when he was listed as a
“japanner”. Japanning is a ancient Chinese process of lacquering that was picked
up by the Japanese and then the Germans. The process became an ornamental black lacquer on
objects with gold leaf designs on it. The Germans often signed it Japan.
Daniel Frielinghaus was
Naturalized on November 5, 1859. The federal census of 1860 shows Daniel, Elizabeth and
Mary Frielinghaus living in the Fourth Ward of Newark. Mary Frielinghaus was revealed in
Daniel’s will to be adopted. The New Jersey 1860 Business Directory lists Daniel as
co-owning the Rumpf & Frielinghaus Brewery which was located at 28/30 S. Canal Street,
Newark, New Jersey. He was rumored to have as his friends some of the Ballantine family as
well as other brewery families. On December 21, 1863 his only child was born, August
Daniel Frielinghaus. The 1865/66 City Directory of Newark no longer shows the brewery. The
1867 through 1869 City Directories of Newark show Daniel in partnership with F. A. Traudt
in another brewery (Traudt & Frielinghaus
Brewing Company) on the corner of Springfield Ave. and Magnolia Street. On February 23,
1869 in Orange, New Jersey, Elizabeth died of Dropsy. Her place of burial is unknown.
On November 18, 1869 Daniel
married Anna Marie Theurer. The marriage listing for this wedding lists the participants
as Peter D. Frielinghaus and Anna M. Theurer. This was the first time the name Peter has
ever appeared. Why these names were used is unknown. The federal census of 1870 lists the
family as Daniel, wife Mary and son August (age verification). Why Mary (daughter) was not
mentioned is unknown. The Orange Township City Directories for 1872 and 1873 show Daniel
living at and running a brewery at the Corner of White & Jefferson Streets in
Orange. On August 23, 1873 in Newark, New Jersey, Daniel died leaving August, just
10 years old with his step-mother Mary. Funeral arraignments were handled by Hangs Funeral
Home in Orange, New Jersey. Daniel is buried in Fairmount
Cemetery in the plot purchased by his second
wife Anna Marie. Daniel’s will lists brewery items as well as insurance
policies. It also mentions his adopted daughter Mary, verifying that she was alive at the
time. As tragedies go August’s step-mother, Mary died in 1875. This left August and
Mary alone at the ages of 12 and 19 respectively. According to Daniel Frielinghaus’
will, Daniel Lauck of Newark was appointed Daniel’s guardian. What happened next is
unclear. Nothing on Mary’s life has been found. August, on the other hand, was sent
to Fuerst Institute in College Point, Queens County, Long Island and then to college in
Alsace-Lorraine. Family legend says that when he returned all his inherited money was gone
and he was given a suitcase full of receipts. Who spent the money and who gave him the
suitcase is unknown.
