Notes for Johann Friedrich SCHLEMP, IMMIGRANT ANCESTOR
Ironworker. His sons built the first forge west of the blue ridge mountains (for which special land grants were awarded). This was very primitive work, digging iron from the ground and smelting it, casting it into "pigs" which were transported to larger towns to be "wrought" into useable goods. Cutting the huge volumes of wood to make charcoal to melt the iron out of the ore was horrendously grinding work. And of course, when the Bessemer process, (much more efficient) was introduced in 1855, most of these small ironworks were put out of business.
Sailed from Amsterdam in 1751 to Norfolk, VA or to Philadelphia, PA. Nine months later, settled in Rye Valley, Sugar Grove, Smythe Co., VA. Was then Wythe County and Wytheville was the county seat, prior to 1807.
Will was dated 17 Feb 1807 and proven Jun 1807 at Wytheville.
1815 Fred Slemp estate on S Fork Holston River Valley, 25 mi SW of courthouse (Wytheville, Wythe County at that time)
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Revised: 27 Dec 2004 by Bonnie L Schermer