The history of the Knillenberg family of Reichenbach and Knillenberg

Appendix.

History.

The Knillenberg Family 2/2

(Conclusion.)

IV. Niklaus v. Knillenberg zu Reichenbach, Philipp's youngest son, after completing his studies in Innsbruck, Dillingen, and Ingolstadt, traveled to Italy and stayed in Rome for a year. Upon his return, he married Barbara, from the old noble family of Zötl v. Griefenstein of Merano, on February 9, 1616.

On April 25 of the same year, he sold Castle Knillenberg to Hans Ekhard v. Rosenberg zu Winkel for himself and his siblings, also with the agreement of Adam v. Kleinhans zu Labers und Mihlrain as guardian of his minor nephew Hans Philipp. In 1641, Johann the Younger Freiherr v. Flugi zu Aspermont, Bishop of Chur, acquired it for his family, who, unwilling to renounce the holy Catholic religion, fled from Graubünden to Tyrol and settled at Knillenberg. *)

Niklaus was distinguished by a particular piety. For 45 years he is said to have recited the breviary daily. He was the first to join a Marian sodality established in Merano on August 15, 1623, to promote morality and edification.

Aged 76 years, he passed away on March 13, 1664. His marriage was blessed with three sons and several daughters.

Christoph, the firstborn, was incorporated into Stams Abbey as a cleric in 1641 and died there in 1673. Johann Baptist died in Prague as an imperial officer in the prime of his life.

V. Thomas remained at Castle Reichenbach as the support of his aging father, devoting himself to land cultivation, tree breeding, and all branches of agriculture. He rendered great service to the entire surrounding area by driving the restoration of the so-called Trag- or Neuwahl irrigation canal. **)

With his wife Maria v. Söll zu Aichberg, he fathered four sons and several daughters. He died on June 7, 1706. – His sons Joseph and Philipp had already died in childhood.

Andre, born July 19, 1699, married Romana Rosina Lutz at the small Erlacher estate on August 3, 1706, and died on March 8, 1737. Upon his death on May 3, 1760, his son Rochus left behind an only eleven-year-old son, Sebastian Johann, born to his noble wife Elise v. Wailand, who however survived him only until November 26 of the same year.

VI. Christoph Ulrich, born July 4, 1683, owner of Castle Reichenbach, married Helena Emerenziana Wunderer on November 21, 1730, but died as early as December 15, 1741. His surviving son (Leopold had already predeceased his father.)

VII. Sebastian Venerand was only 7 years old at the time. Although the financial situation of the house had declined greatly, the righteous mother made every effort to provide him with an education befitting his status. With the greatest frugality on both sides, she had him study in Merano and Innsbruck, but as her age-related infirmity increased, she was forced to leave the management of the estates to him even before he had fully completed his studies. Shortly thereafter, on April 18, 1758, she departed this life.

Married on January 12, 1762, to Anna Waldburg Hanifle, a wealthy, virtuous, and thrifty citizen's daughter from Merano, he restored former prosperity to his house through prudent management without sordid stinginess. Following the death on July 30, 1776, of Baron Simon Adam Flugi v. Aspermont und Knillenberg — the last of this family that had fallen from the highest degree of wealth and prestige into the deepest poverty and obscurity — he also repurchased his ancestral Castle Knillenberg, moved in, and resided there until death ended his meritorious, gentle life at a blessed old age on November 26, 1808. His beloved only son

VIII. Sebastian Anton v. Knillenberg zu Knillenberg und Reichenbach, born October 21, 1764, married to Antonia v. Vintler zu Platsch und Runggelstein on January 25, 1791, was overtaken by death before he had even moved into his father's seat. He died on the Erlacher estate, which had been transferred to him upon his marriage, on July 15, 1812. Five sons had predeceased him; he left behind three daughters and two sisters.

With him, the male line of this family, which under all vicissitudes of fortune always distinguished itself by fear of God, love of justice, and quiet charity, became extinct. – But for a long time to come, those passing by their coffin shall scatter flowers of warm gratitude upon it. Eternally may their unveiled souls rejoice in the reward that the Father of Mercy has promised to the God-fearing, the righteous, and the merciful!

*) At the same time and for the same reason, the Graubünden nobles Planta v. Wildenberg also came to these parts, settling at Castle Greifen, whose ruins still bear their name, and later also at Castle Rametz.

**) By virtue of a document from 1668 still in existence, this water conduit, which draws excellent irrigation water from the Passer near Saltaus and leads it through Obermais, was established with the approval of the sovereign Prince, Archduke Sigismund, prior to the year 1462. Destroyed by several landslides and debris flows, it remained unused for nearly 40 years. Convinced of its indispensability, its restoration was decided in 1657, beginning the following year but only fully completed in 1667. On May 18 of the same year, a precise regulation regarding the maintenance of the canal, distribution of water, etc., was compiled at Castle Reichenbach and confirmed on October 13 of that year by the Further Austrian government and court chamber. In this document, the several castle owners of the time are listed by name, such as: Pompejus v. Planta — of Ansitz Greifen; Karl Max v. Rosenberg — v. Rosenstein; Count Zenobio — v. Wintl; Engelbert Zötl — v. St. Valentin; Georg Dietrich v. Wanga — v. Rubein; Thomas v. Knillenberg — v. Reichenbach; Count Franz v. Trautmannsdorf — v. Neuberg; Johann Venerand v. Witenbach, Vice President of the Further Austrian Court Chamber — v. Rottenstein; Baron Johann Andre Flugi — v. Knillenberg; Rochus v. Mamming — v. Pflanzenstein; Benedikt v. Mamming — v. Rundeck; Franz Noderer, following in the footsteps of Hans Christoph v. Neuhaus — of the Erlacher estate; Peter Paul Söll v. Aichberg — of the Tschengelserhof, etc. — The maintenance of this water conduit still costs annually from 126 to 600 fl., in addition to at least 168 days' labor.