Countess Sophia Albertine of Erbach-Erbach

Sophia Albertine, Countess of Erbach-Erbach (30 July 1683, in Erbach – 4 September 1742, in Eisfeld), was Countess of Erbach-Erbach by birth and by marriage Duchess of Saxe-Hildburghausen. From 1724 to 1728, she was Regent of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Birth and early life Sophia Albertine was born on 30 July 1683 in Erbach, Odenwald, Germany as the youngest daughter of General Count George Louis I of Erbach-Erbach (1643–1693) and his wife Countess Amalia Katharina of Waldeck-Eisenberg (1640–1697). Her father, along with his surviving younger brothers George IV and George Albert II inherited the Erbach lands after the death of their elder half-brother George Ernest, Count of Erbach-Wildenstein in 1669, and ruled until 1672, when was made the formal division of their possessions: Sophia's father received the districts of Erbach, Freienstein and Wildenstein. At the death of Sophia's uncle George IV in 1678, having no surviving issue forced another division in the Erbach patrimony; this time George Louis received the districts of Michelstadt and Breuberg until his own death in 1693. Sophia had 15 siblings, three of whom reached adulthood. They were: Henriette (27 September 1665 – 28 September 1665). Henriette Juliane (15 October 1666 – 27 February 1684). Philipp Louis, Count of Erbach-Erbach (10 June 1669 – 17 June 1720). Charles Albert of Erbach-Erbach (16 June 1670 – k.a. Dapfing a.d.Donau, 18 August 1704). George Albert (born and died 1 July 1671). Amalie Katharina (13 May 1672 – 18 June 1676). Frederick Charles (19 April 1673 – 20 April 1673). An unnamed son (born and died 16 September 1674). Wilhelmine Sophie (16 February 1675 – 20 August 1675). Magdalena Charlotte (6 February 1676 – 3 December 1676). Wilhelm Louis (21 March 1677 – 19 February 1678). Amalie Katharina (born and died 18 February 1678). Fredericka Charlotte (19 April 1679 – 21 April 1679). Frederick Charles, Count of Erbach-Limpurg (21 May 1680 – 20 February 1731). Ernest (23 September 1681 – 2 March 1684).