For over 120 years, the honor of maintaining the house at 295 Windsor has been carried by women. Our surnames have changed, but the dedication to the family legacy has remained strong. We trace this legacy seven generations back to our matriarch, the mother of the six Lindheimer children: Wilhelmina.

Wilhelmina Fredericka* Lindheimer (née Knobbichen) was born in the kingdom of Württemberg, a territory which at the time of her birth in 1826 was a part of the German Confederation. She and her older brother Carl immigrated to the United States in 1848, a time of great upheaval in what would become the nation-state of Germany, as well as great excitement in America as gold was discovered in California. 

When Carl continued on to look for riches in the West, Wilhelmina remained in Philadelphia. There, she married Frederick Lindheimer, a cabinet-maker, and gave birth to three girls: Amelia “Emma” (1854), Louisa (1857), and Josephine (1859). In 1860, the family moved to Cape May, where three boys were born: Fred (1862), Walter (1865), and Frank (1868).

We know from letters that Wilhelmina was typical mother: cautioning her children against “go[ing] out so much at night” (Louisa, Oct. 18, 1885) and disliking it when they “[did]n’t write to her oftener” (Walter, Oct. 30, 1885).

We also know that Wilhelmina was well-loved by the boarders who stayed with the Lindheimers. Many boarders ask that Louisa remember them to her kind mother. One letter in particular refers to a trip taken by a boarding family to the Breakwater. The letter-writer refers to her own seasickness and bathing (swimming):

“When we told mother about the bathing, she said she was so glad she did not see us. When we told her how your mother enjoyed it, she said she did not know what made her such a coward but she could not help it… [Y]ou can tell Mrs. Lindheimer I hope she will soon be in the city so she can tell my mother how we disobeyed her by going out into the water.” – letter from “Bie” in Philadelphia, Sept. 6, 1885

Imagine swimming in the heavy bathing dresses required for women at that time, and at nearly 60 years old! Clearly, the bravery and spirit Wilhelmina showed by immigrating at age 21 stayed with her all her life.

Wilhelmina passed away in 1911, having buried her husband and two of her children. Over 100 years later, her legacy lives on in the house at 295 Windsor.

*Many official documents, including her entry documents and some censuses, show Wilhelmina using the first name Fredericka instead. We’re not sure exactly why she did this. Among the family, she is always Wilhelmina.