Jacob Engelbrecht was born on December, 1797, in Fredericktown, Maryland. His parents were Jacob Conrad Englebrecht and Margaret Haux. He married Elizabeth Ramsburg, daughter of John Ramsburg and Rebecca, in 1825. They had two children, Ann Rebecca and Phillip. Jacob died in 1878. His grandchildren continued to add to his diary until 1882. The diary includes his observations on the history and people of Fredericktown as well as the effects of the Civil War on the town's inhabitants. Engelbrecht's diary also provides a unique picture of the Jewish population in Frederick through his friendship with his neighbor, a Jewish rabbi. Volume 1 covers the years from 1818-1839; volume 2 covers the years from 1840-1882.