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Note: , 1756 in Hersfeld, Hesse-Kassel. The town of Hersfeld is now known as Bad Hersfeld, and is located about 20 km
southwest of the city of Kassel, between the towns of Fritzlar and Melsungen. About 30km to the northwest is the small town of Altenburg. (Note: there are several towns in Germany called Altenburg.)
Wilhelm came to America in 1776 as a private with the Prinz Carl regiment of Hessian troops (German soldiers hired by the British). He served in Company 4, under the command of Obrist (Colonel) Johann Wilhelm Schreiber.
Another Altenburg from Hersfeld, Bernhard, also came to America. Hewas assigned to the Johann Lengerke Grenadier Battalion. Records show that he died of a non-battle related cause (probably disease)
during the war. It is possible that this person was a brother of Wilhelm's. (Source HETRINA)
In approximately 1781 he married Elizabeth Mosher - presumed to be the daughter of Nicholas (b. ca. 1740) who was a loyalist to the British crown. This likely took place in Dutchess Co. New York. Elizabeth
was born July 12, 1765 in Dutchess Co. and died on either June or July 3, 1845 in Attica, Wyoming Co.
According to Hessian records Wilhelm deserted his regiment in August, 1782
In 1790, Census data shows that he and Elizabeth lived in Ballston, NY, but were in Palatine, NY by the Census of 1800. Wilhelm was living in Montgomery county during the 1810 Census as well.
In about 1820 Wihelm paid four dollars towards the salary of Rev. David Devoe of the Dutch Reformed St. John's Church, St. Johnsville, Montgomery County, NY. He was, most likely, still living in Montgomery county, but he
does not appear in the 1820 Census.
Wilhelm died on January 19, 1821 and is buried in the Snells Bush Church Graveyard in what is now Manheim Township, Herkimer Co., NY. (Prior to 1797 the town of Manheim was part of the town of
Palatine, Montgomery County, NY.) The 1821 Assessment Roll for the town of Oppenheim,
Montgomery County, NY listed Wilhelm's widow Elizabeth as the owner of 200
acres of land in that town. (The town of Palatine is now part of the town of Oppenheim.)
Abstract of the Will: ALTINBURG, [sic] WILLIAM, of
Oppenheim, will dated
1-8-1821, probated 1-24-1821.
Mentions, -- wife Elizabeth; Sons George, David,
William, Henry and John;
Daughters Elizabeth, Margret, Mary, Eave and
Catharine; Daniel, of Wm. Altenburg, Jr.,
William and John Nestel, of Isiah Nistel.
Executors: wife, son-in-law Isah [sic] Nestel,
William Powell. Witnesses: John Vedder, Jonathan Powell.
Note: The first Altenburg to come to America was Wilhelm Aden Altenburg. He was born on September 9
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