John Engelbrecht Memorial
Location: Area E/Lot 33
Date of Placement: after 1855
Decedents: John Engelbrecht, Margaret Engelbrecht, Theodore F. Engelbrecht, Charles P. McMullin
Monument inducted into the Hall in August 2022 (Class #2)
Location: Area E/Lot 33
Date of Placement: after 1855
Decedents: John Engelbrecht, Margaret Engelbrecht, Theodore F. Engelbrecht, Charles P. McMullin
Monument inducted into the Hall in August 2022 (Class #2)
One of the largest monuments in the cemetery's original, historic section can be found along the central drive on the northern ascent up Cemetery Hill. The depicted figure atop this monument is a winged angel who seems to be holding a book or ledger of importance, likely representing the bible or the book of life. As the agents of God, angels are known as guardians of the dead and signify spirituality. They guide the soul, pray for the soul in purgatory and direct the living visitor to think heavenward.
You may notice that this angel's right arm is broken off. I don't know when or how this occurred, but I bet if we excavated the area we would find the missing appendage. Regardless, the severed limb gives a Roman or Greek antiquities feel to not only the monument, but also the cemetery as you see it in context.
This is the final resting place of John Engelbrecht (1790-1847). The name should ring a bell, or better yet, conjure up a note, as he was the older brother of Frederick diarist Jacob Engelbrecht. John was the son of a German Hessian soldier captured during the Revolutionary War and held as a prisoner at the Frederick Barracks just a block north of the cemetery. His father chose to stay here after his release and became part of the Frederick fabric, working as a tailor and attending Evangelical Lutheran Church
You may notice that this angel's right arm is broken off. I don't know when or how this occurred, but I bet if we excavated the area we would find the missing appendage. Regardless, the severed limb gives a Roman or Greek antiquities feel to not only the monument, but also the cemetery as you see it in context.
This is the final resting place of John Engelbrecht (1790-1847). The name should ring a bell, or better yet, conjure up a note, as he was the older brother of Frederick diarist Jacob Engelbrecht. John was the son of a German Hessian soldier captured during the Revolutionary War and held as a prisoner at the Frederick Barracks just a block north of the cemetery. His father chose to stay here after his release and became part of the Frederick fabric, working as a tailor and attending Evangelical Lutheran Church
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Frederick Town Herald (Nov 20, 1830)
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John Engelbrecht also enjoyed gardening and song, as he was a musician who participated in two local bands of note: the Harmony Band and the Jubalean Band. He married Margaret McMullin (1798-1880) and had at least two known children (Theodore Frederick (1821-1867) and John Conrad (1819-1906).
Jacob Engelbrecht wrote the following in his diary upon John's death:
"Died this day at 5 Minutes before 2 o' clock PM my Brother John Engelbrecht he was born in this town "June 1st 1790." Consequently his age was 56 years 7 month and 12 days. Complaint dropsy. His son John C. is here now, but his son Theodore F. is in New York City."
-Thursday January 12, 1847 3 o'clock PM
Unlike the simplicity exhibited in the humble grave markings of his "well-known" brother (Jacob), parents and other siblings, John Engelbrecht's grave is quite expressive in size and scope. He was originally buried in Frederick's Lutheran graveyard between East Church and East Second streets, and behind the church edifice. Mount Olivet opened in 1854, seven years after his death. Our records show that his body was removed here a year later in 1855. I assume the monument came at that time, as the Lutheran graveyard could not accommodate a monument of this size, not to mention an iconic Victorian style and design that was more suited for the new cemeteries of the period, rather than a church graveyard.
Jacob Engelbrecht wrote the following in his diary upon John's death:
"Died this day at 5 Minutes before 2 o' clock PM my Brother John Engelbrecht he was born in this town "June 1st 1790." Consequently his age was 56 years 7 month and 12 days. Complaint dropsy. His son John C. is here now, but his son Theodore F. is in New York City."
-Thursday January 12, 1847 3 o'clock PM
Unlike the simplicity exhibited in the humble grave markings of his "well-known" brother (Jacob), parents and other siblings, John Engelbrecht's grave is quite expressive in size and scope. He was originally buried in Frederick's Lutheran graveyard between East Church and East Second streets, and behind the church edifice. Mount Olivet opened in 1854, seven years after his death. Our records show that his body was removed here a year later in 1855. I assume the monument came at that time, as the Lutheran graveyard could not accommodate a monument of this size, not to mention an iconic Victorian style and design that was more suited for the new cemeteries of the period, rather than a church graveyard.
