Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Frederick's Diarist

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 7, 2023

1. Frederick's Diarist Marker

Inscription.

Frederick's Diarist. . , of all the citizens in Frederick's over 275 year history, one is very "notable." Jacob Engelbrecht began keeping a journal in 1819. He wrote about his Frederick neighbors, German heritage, the United States government, and day-to-day happenings within his hometown. Outspoken, cynical and a fervent Unionist during the Civil War, Jacob would continue chronicling local, state and national events until his death in 1878., The son of a Hessian mercenary soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War, Jacob worked primarily as a tailor, and readily took part in church and civic activities. In 1825, he married Elizabeth "Eliza" Ramsburg and had two children, Ann Rebecca and Philipp Melanchton. Later in life, Jacob served as a councilman and eventually mayor (1865-68) of the city his father had originally come to as a prisoner of war some 84 years earlier.,

"Praise me not after my death. , Don't make a show, as is the style, , Do not speak of my name, , Don't frame my picture, , For this is an indifferent matter to me…" , , Jacob Engelbrecht, (1797-1878)

, [Sidebar:] , Documenting Death , Among the most touching entries in Jacob Engelbrecht's diary are those dealing with the passing of his young daughter and beloved wife., Death of Daughter, Ann Rebecca ,

"Our poor little Ann Rebecca is at this time very sick, indeed alarmingly so. The doctor (William Tyler) thinks it's Scarlet Fever. She was taken on Tuesday evening 11 instant. Ever since she has laid in the very highest fever. For the last 34 hours she has been delirious. Sometimes less and other times more so. We hope for the best. , , September 14th, 1832

, Death of Wife, Eliza Engelbrecht ,

"Death , I have now to record the death of my wife, Eliza Engelbrecht, who died day before yesterday at 5 1/4 o'clock PM at the age of 69 years 6 months and 26 days being born June 4, 183. We were married 'May 29, 1825.' So, we lived as man and wife for nearly 48 years. But death came at last and I know not when I shall be called away. The Lords will be done. She was buried this afternoon at 3 o'clock at Mount Olivet Cemetery." , , January 1st, 1873

, Death of Jacob Engelbrecht ,

"My Father, Jacob Engelbrecht, died February 22nd, 1878 aged 80 years 2 months and eleven days. He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Reverend George Diehl DD delivering a very able and interesting eulogy at the house and Reverend Bielefeld officiating at the grave. The Independent Hose Company attending in a body. A large number of colored persons came to pay their last respect, a class among whom he had many friends."

, Philipp Engelbrecht , (1832 - 1878) , After entering the passage of his father's death (left), Philipp was to keep up his father's diary, but died just two months later. Various family members continued to make journal entries up through January, 1882 at which point the famous diary ends.

of all the citizens in Frederick's over 275 year history, one is very "notable." Jacob Engelbrecht began keeping a journal in 1819. He wrote about his Frederick neighbors, German heritage, the United States government, and day-to-day happenings within his hometown. Outspoken, cynical and a fervent Unionist during the Civil War, Jacob would continue chronicling local, state and national events until his death in 1878.

The son of a Hessian mercenary soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War, Jacob worked primarily as a tailor, and readily took part in church and civic activities. In 1825, he married Elizabeth "Eliza" Ramsburg and had two children, Ann Rebecca and Philipp Melanchton. Later in life, Jacob served as a councilman and eventually mayor (1865-68) of the city his father had originally come to as a prisoner of war some 84 years earlier.

"Praise me not after my death.
Don't make a show, as is the style,
Do not speak of my name,
Don't frame my picture,
For this is an indifferent matter to me…"
— Jacob Engelbrecht, (1797-1878)

[Sidebar:]
Documenting Death
Among the most touching entries in Jacob Engelbrecht's diary are those dealing with the passing of his young daughter and beloved wife.

Death
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of Daughter, Ann Rebecca

"Our poor little Ann Rebecca is at this time very sick, indeed alarmingly so. The doctor (William Tyler) thinks it's Scarlet Fever. She was taken on Tuesday evening 11 instant. Ever since she has laid in the very highest fever. For the last 34 hours she has been delirious. Sometimes less & other times more so. We hope for the best.
— September 14th, 1832

Death of Wife, Eliza Engelbrecht

"Death — I have now to record the death of my wife, Eliza Engelbrecht, who died day before yesterday at 5 1/4 o'clock PM at the age of 69 years 6 months & 26 days being born June 4, 183. We were married 'May 29, 1825.' So, we lived as man & wife for nearly 48 years. But death came at last and I know not when I shall be called away. The Lords will be done. She was buried this afternoon at 3 o'clock at Mount Olivet Cemetery."
— January 1st, 1873

Death of Jacob Engelbrecht

"My Father, Jacob Engelbrecht, died February 22nd, 1878 aged 80 years 2 months and eleven days. He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Reverend George Diehl DD delivering a very able and interesting eulogy at the house and Reverend Bielefeld officiating at the grave. The Independent Hose Company attending in a body. A large number of
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 7, 2023

2. Frederick's Diarist Marker
colored persons came to pay their last respect, a class among whom he had many friends."

Philipp Engelbrecht
(1832 - 1878)
After entering the passage of his father's death (left), Philipp was to keep up his father's diary, but died just two months later. Various family members continued to make journal entries up through January, 1882 at which point the famous diary ends.

Erected by Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, Maryland Heritage Area Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1873.

Location. 39° 24.314′ N, 77° 24.886′ W. Marker is in Frederick, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker can be reached from South Market Street (Route 355) south of Stadium Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Evergreen Ct, Frederick MD 21701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Votes for Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel Hughes (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth Hughes Potts (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Potts (within shouting distance of this marker);

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John Ross Key and Anne Charlton Key (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Row (about 300 feet away); John Balderson (about 300 feet away); Civil War Children's Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frederick.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.