John Slabaugh (1806–1861)

25 Apr 1806 – 24 Aug 1861, died at Berlin (Holmes County)

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 38 · generation 6
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Died at Berlin, Ohio (1912 genealogy).

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n53124663["John Slabaugh (1806–1861)"]
  n69967347["John Slabaugh (elder, immigrant)"]
  n53124663 --> n69967347
  class n53124663,n69967347 internal-link;

Sources

The Diary (Old Order Amish monthly), 1977, Nissley family article no. 156

“Susanna Nissley … of Kalona, Iowa, married to John Slabaugh, born in 1806 in Germany, who was the only son of John Slabaugh who came from Germany to Somerset County, Pennsylvania, at twenty-three years of age with his mother, who was a Yoder, and a sister.” Children: Fannie (m. John Strahle, killed 1870 while working in a well), Catherine (m. Christian Brenneman), Barbara (m. Leonard Kuhns), Sarah (m. Samuel Fisher), John (m. Elizabeth Schrock), Susanna (m. Jerry Troyer).
The sentence is ambiguous: it may mean the elder John came at 23 with his widowed mother (a Yoder) and sister, bringing his young son, or that the younger John (b. 1806) came at 23 (about 1829). Either way the family was German, not Swiss, and the elder John’s mother was née Yoder.

Hessian Amish (Byler, Amish Immigrants of Waldeck and Hesse, 1993)

Byler includes this family as Amish immigrants from Waldeck/Hesse, Germany: “F1 John Slabaugh, b. Apr. 25, 1806, Ger.; d. Aug. 24, 1861, Berlin, O.”, under the family heading “Schlabach, John, and Catherine Yoder” (p. 134); the family “went to Som. Co., Pa.” The 1912 genealogy: “the only son of John, came from Germany when about 18 years of age, with his mother and sister… His mother’s maiden name was Yoder.” So John’s mother was Catherine Yoder, and she apparently emigrated as a widow with John and his sister (about 1824). The exact Hessian village is in Byler’s book, which is only available for borrowing; read pp. 62 and 134.

Background: Hessian Amish (Waldeck and Hesse). The Mennonite Encyclopedia says "another John Slabaugh who settled near Johnstown, Pa., has descendants in Howard County, Ind.", probably this family.

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Hochstetler (wife of Christian Stutzman)

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 1)

Daughter of the immigrant Jacob Hochstetler. Taxed in her own name on the Bern Tp., Berks Co. lists 1771–1782 as a widow, near Shartlesville, Pa.; her son Christian is on the list 1782–87, when the farm was sold to Hans Fike. Her family therefore lived through the 1757 attack on her father’s farm, which is in the same Northkill settlement.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Hochstetler 1912 fam. 1 re-read: lists Barbara (fam. 8921) among the children of Jacob and his wife ‘probably Miss Lorentz’ (d. Sept 1757), with John, Jacob, Joseph, Christian and a daughter; fam. 8921: Christian Stutzman on Bern Twp. assessments from 1753(?) to 1771, so Barbara b. c.1730–35. Mother linked to the 1757 victim (family compilation; book never states it in so many words)
  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885, Hochstetler 1912 and Stutzman 1938 searched: her mother is the unnamed wife of Jacob Hochstetler (killed 1757); no source names her

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

D. Paul Miller (1917–2018)

David Paul (D. Paul) Miller

30 Aug 1917 – 3 Nov 2018, born at Protection (Kansas), died at Normal (Illinois)

Christopher’s grandfather · ancestor no. 4 · generation 3
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Christopher’s paternal grandfather. Born Protection, Kansas; died Normal, Illinois, aged 101. His obituary names his parents David and Maggie and his marriage to Anna Wiebe (14 Aug 1948).

His ancestry is a knot of Northkill Amish lines: through his mother he descends from Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776) (via John) and twice from Christian Daniel Miller (c.1734–1777) and Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785); through his father from Jacob Mast (1738–1808). His parents were themselves distant cousins.

The English-ancestor recollection belongs to his ancestry — see English ancestor recollection (Miller side).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n5889792["Noah E. Miller (1860–1910)"]
  n77261024["Sophronia Elizabeth Hummel (1861–1935)"]
  n48280482["Martha Gonser (1839–1908)"]
  n38353437["Eli D. Miller (1835–1913)"]
  n87021948["Maggie Mae Kuhns (1890–1970)"]
  n84118850["Magdalena Slabaugh (1847–1925)"]
  n53124663["John Slabaugh (1806–1861)"]
  n73629838["Samuel Kuhns (1843–1918)"]
  n93005391["D. Paul Miller (1917–2018)"]
  n19978390["William C. Hummel (1837–1912)"]
  n22002186["Susanna Nisly (1816–1885)"]
  n60669112["Mary Mast (1837–1908)"]
  n7546469["David D. Miller (1889–1976)"]
  n93005391 --> n7546469
  n7546469 --> n5889792
  n5889792 --> n38353437
  n5889792 --> n60669112
  n7546469 --> n77261024
  n77261024 --> n19978390
  n77261024 --> n48280482
  n93005391 --> n87021948
  n87021948 --> n73629838
  n87021948 --> n84118850
  n84118850 --> n53124663
  n84118850 --> n22002186
  class n5889792,n77261024,n48280482,n38353437,n87021948,n84118850,n53124663,n73629838,n93005391,n19978390,n22002186,n60669112,n7546469 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Marriage 14 Aug 1948 (obituary) vs ‘Aug 1947’ (Anne’s Find a Grave text)

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Marriage 14 Aug 1948 (obituary) vs ‘Aug 1947’ (Anne’s Find a Grave text)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Fanny Stutzman (fl. 1790)

Fanny Stutzman Keim

First wife of Nicholas Keim (1768–1830); mother of Elizabeth Keim (fl. 1811) and six other children. One of the Somerset County Stutzman family (Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912), appendix 9190): her siblings were Anna (b. 12 Apr 1755; m. Bishop Jacob Miller, who led the Amish into Holmes County, Ohio, in 1808–09), Jacob (whose son Jonas Stutzman was the first white settler in Holmes County, 1809), John, Christian, Mrs. Peter Miller, and Magdalena (m. John Yoder).

Granddaughter of the 1757 massacre family?

The 1912 genealogy thinks there is “a strong probability” that this Stutzman family were the children of Christian Stutzman and Barbara Hochstetler, daughter of Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776) of the 1757 Northkill massacre. “Definite proof of this relationship has not been found.” The 1984 Troyer genealogy goes further and states that her sisters Mary (m. Peter Miller) and Anna (m. Bishop Jacob Miller), sons of “Wounded John” Miller, were “daughters of Christian and Barbara (Hochstetler) Stutzman”. If true, it adds yet another Hochstetler line (see Double ancestors).

Settled in the 1938 Stutzman book (Hostetler 1938, no. 12445)

The later book (by the same compiler) places Fanny as a child of Christian Stutzman and Barbara Hochstetler: family 1’s children are Magdalena, Anna, Mary, Christian, Jacob, Elizabeth, Fanny (12445), John. Entry: “Fanny Stutzman, Davidsville, Pa., at death, was the first wife of Nicholas Keim who was b. Feb. 2, 1768, in Berks Co., Pa., and d. Oct. 18, 1830, at Salisbury, Pa. She is buried on his farm 1 mile north of Davidsville” (his barn was still standing in the 1930s). Still a compiler’s conclusion, not a document, so kept as a family compilation.
Pedigree collapse confirmed in the tree: her sister Magdalena (m. John Yoder) is Christopher’s ancestor on the Ramseyer side.

Narratives and research

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Joseph Kurtz (fl. 1800)

fl. 1800 – ?

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 134 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Hertzler 1885, footnote to Fam. 579

“(4) Joseph Kurtz, born May 21st, 1765, married to Frances Miller, born Sep. 18th, 1769, were sons of Abraham Kurtz who was married to Barbara Bolinger.” A daughter, Leah, married Jacob Summer (Fam. 414 note).

Parents: Abraham Kurtz (arr. 1749) and Barbara Bolinger (arr. 1749) (family compilation). His elder brother Abraham Kurtz (1753–1831) was the father of Susanna Kurtz (fl. 1800), so the Mast line and this Kurtz line meet again one generation up.

Of Juniata County, Pa. Father of both of Rev. Abraham Mast’s wives (Mast book).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 579 footnote): born 21 May 1765, m. Frances (Fanny) Miller b. 18 Sep 1769; son of Abraham Kurtz and Barbara Bolinger (Phoenix 1749). Found via the 1912 Hochstetler fam. 3062 note citing ‘Hertzler Gen. Fams. 414 and 579’

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Dorothea Mueller (c.1700–1789)

c.1700 – 1789

Christopher’s 7th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 543, 635 · generation 10
Evidence: identity compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Veronica Mishler’s mother (WikiTree).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text (‘Anna Dorothea’ Mishler) and Lancaster/Hertzler texts: nothing on her family; rests on WikiTree only

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Dorothea Mueller (c.1700–1789)

c.1700 – 1789

Christopher’s 7th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 543, 635 · generation 10
Evidence: identity compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Veronica Mishler’s mother (WikiTree).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text (‘Anna Dorothea’ Mishler) and Lancaster/Hertzler texts: nothing on her family; rests on WikiTree only

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)

Jacob Hochstetler (Hofstetter), Täuferlehrer

c.1666 – c.1722, born at Winterkraut, died at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

Christopher’s 8th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 1272, 1760 · generation 11
Evidence: identity documented
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Guggisberg baptisms searched, 1665 – Mar 1673 (2026-10-31)

K Guggisberg 4, images 30–62, entries 1–632, read in full: no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler/Hoffstettler father. Either he was born before 1665 (Guggisberg 3, 1637–64, not yet read), after March 1673, or the “c.1666” estimate is off.
Hostettler households baptizing at Guggisberg in these years (any could be his family):

  • Michel Hoffstettler: son baptized 1 Nov 1665; again 1668 (no. 277); son Ulrich, 30 Apr 1671 (no. 477)
  • Hans Hostettler × Anna Mischler: children 1666 (no. 70) and Christen, 24 Nov 1667 (no. 207). A Hostettler–Mischler marriage a generation before the Mishlers sailed with the Hochstetlers on the Phoenix (1749)
  • Heini Hostettler: child 1668 (no. 224); son Peter, 30 Sep 1670 (no. 426)
  • Heinrich Hoffstettler: son Hans, 1 Jan 1670 (no. 371)
  • Hans Hostettler: daughter Barbara, 6 Oct 1672 (no. 587)
  • Hostettler women as mothers: Anna (× Christen Bühler, 1669), Christina (× Hans Rohrbach?, 1669), Margreth (× Christen Kohler, 1668, 1671), Barbara (× Jacob Zbinden, 1670, 1672, and a son Jacob, 9 Feb 1673, no. 618: mother’s surname, so not ours)
    Also searched: K Guggisberg 3, images 116–151 (Jul 1656 – Dec 1664), read in full: no Jacob to a Hostettler father. So mid-1656 to March 1673 is ruled out.
    More Hostettler households found in 1656–64: Michel Hoffstettler × Barbara Zand (son Hans, 15 Sept 1661; note that Jacob’s second wife was a Verena Zand); Heinrich Hoffstettler × Elsbeth Zbinden (son Heinrich, 8 Mar 1663); Hans Hostettler × Anni Marti (1659); Hans Hostettler × Elsbeth Fuchs? (1663); Hans Hostettler × Anni Mischler already baptizing in 1662 (no. 325) and 1663 (no. 428).
    Guggisberg 3 now read in full, Jun 1637 – Dec 1664 (2026-10-31): no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler father in that volume either. With Guggisberg 4, Jun 1637 – Mar 1673 is ruled out. (Some 1649–54 entries are too faded to read.)
    The earlier Hostettler generation at Guggisberg (1637–56), any of whom could be his grandparents:
  • Jacob Hoffstettler × Elsbeth Schwarzengruber: Anna (Nov 1637), Barbara (1640), Peter (Oct 1643), a child 1645 (no. 545), Peter (Jun 1649), Samuel (early 1652). The only Jacob Hostettler head of household in these registers
  • Michel Hoffstettler × Margreth Zwahlen/Schwalen: Heinrich (Feb 1638), Margreth (Nov 1644)
  • Cuni (Conrad) Hochstettler × Benedicta Portner: Elsbeth (1639), Christen (Feb 1642), Christina (Jan 1644), Margreth (Nov 1650)
  • Ulrich Hostettler × Dichtli (Benedicta) Portner: Dichtli (Jun 1637)
  • Peter, Christen, Elsbeth, Catharina and Anna Hostettler often stand as godparents; a Mischler (Anna, Barbara, Christina) appears as godmother or mother nearly every year, and Zand and Küntzi families are in the same circle.
    A guess, not a finding: Jacob (b. c.1666) may be named after Jacob × Elsbeth Schwarzengruber, perhaps a grandson through one of their sons (Peter 1643/1649 or Samuel 1652), who would be marrying in the 1670s.
    Most likely now: born after March 1673 (which also fits better with a son born about 1712). Next: Guggisberg 4, images 63–100 (1673–1680); then Wahlern.

Probable father of the 1738 immigrant (the father–son link is believed, not proven; the archival facts about his own life are documented, cited through Hochstättler).

DateRecord
1697Markirch list: “Jacob Hochstettler”, Anabaptist, no property — one of 17, the first Swiss Anabaptists on French soil who could be called Amish. Shoemaker; buys a meadow “Le Prince Prey” in Echery.
1699Buys a shelter for 360 livres. Ammann recorded nearby at La Petite Liepvre.
9 Mar 1701”Jacob Amman, together with Jacob Hochstetler and Hans Zimmermann”, representatives of the Anabaptist community, petition Count Palatine Christian.
1702With Ammann, protests against being made Heimburgs (officials with military duties).
1707Living at La Petite Liepvre “as a neighbour to Jacob Amman”.
1712Expulsion property list: 1 house, 8 cows, 4 young cows, 1 pig, 3 goats (Ammann: 2 cows, 3 goats). Louis XIV expels the Anabaptists; Ammann vanishes. Jacob is one of only six families who stay.
1719With Nigi Blanck petitions to reduce back protection tax; community back to 14 households.
6 Mar 1720Bern Täuferkammer: Täuferlehrer Jacob “Hofstetter”, “born at Winterkraut near Guggisberg”, living at “Maria-Kirch”, came back to help Anabaptist women emigrate; arrested, released on paying costs and promising “with handshake” not to return.
10 Feb 1721Last signature. Dead by Oct 1723.

Tradition places a hidden room under the floor of the oldest house in Winterkraut, used to hide Anabaptists (JHFA) — not in Alsace. Wives: Christina Küntzi (probable mother of the immigrant), then Verena Zand (AMC genealogy). Other children (AMC): Peter (bapt. Wahlern 1697?), Elisabeth (m. Michel Blanck), Johannes (m. Anna Wagler), Verena (1716–1741).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Guggisberg baptisms searched, 1665 – Mar 1673 (2026-10-31): K Guggisberg 4, images 30–62, entries 1–632, read in full: no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler/Hoffstettler father. Either he was born before 1665 (Guggisberg 3, 1637–64, n

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)

Jacob Hochstetler (Hofstetter), Täuferlehrer

c.1666 – c.1722, born at Winterkraut, died at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

Christopher’s 8th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 1272, 1760 · generation 11
Evidence: identity documented
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Guggisberg baptisms searched, 1665 – Mar 1673 (2026-10-31)

K Guggisberg 4, images 30–62, entries 1–632, read in full: no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler/Hoffstettler father. Either he was born before 1665 (Guggisberg 3, 1637–64, not yet read), after March 1673, or the “c.1666” estimate is off.
Hostettler households baptizing at Guggisberg in these years (any could be his family):

  • Michel Hoffstettler: son baptized 1 Nov 1665; again 1668 (no. 277); son Ulrich, 30 Apr 1671 (no. 477)
  • Hans Hostettler × Anna Mischler: children 1666 (no. 70) and Christen, 24 Nov 1667 (no. 207). A Hostettler–Mischler marriage a generation before the Mishlers sailed with the Hochstetlers on the Phoenix (1749)
  • Heini Hostettler: child 1668 (no. 224); son Peter, 30 Sep 1670 (no. 426)
  • Heinrich Hoffstettler: son Hans, 1 Jan 1670 (no. 371)
  • Hans Hostettler: daughter Barbara, 6 Oct 1672 (no. 587)
  • Hostettler women as mothers: Anna (× Christen Bühler, 1669), Christina (× Hans Rohrbach?, 1669), Margreth (× Christen Kohler, 1668, 1671), Barbara (× Jacob Zbinden, 1670, 1672, and a son Jacob, 9 Feb 1673, no. 618: mother’s surname, so not ours)
    Also searched: K Guggisberg 3, images 116–151 (Jul 1656 – Dec 1664), read in full: no Jacob to a Hostettler father. So mid-1656 to March 1673 is ruled out.
    More Hostettler households found in 1656–64: Michel Hoffstettler × Barbara Zand (son Hans, 15 Sept 1661; note that Jacob’s second wife was a Verena Zand); Heinrich Hoffstettler × Elsbeth Zbinden (son Heinrich, 8 Mar 1663); Hans Hostettler × Anni Marti (1659); Hans Hostettler × Elsbeth Fuchs? (1663); Hans Hostettler × Anni Mischler already baptizing in 1662 (no. 325) and 1663 (no. 428).
    Guggisberg 3 now read in full, Jun 1637 – Dec 1664 (2026-10-31): no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler father in that volume either. With Guggisberg 4, Jun 1637 – Mar 1673 is ruled out. (Some 1649–54 entries are too faded to read.)
    The earlier Hostettler generation at Guggisberg (1637–56), any of whom could be his grandparents:
  • Jacob Hoffstettler × Elsbeth Schwarzengruber: Anna (Nov 1637), Barbara (1640), Peter (Oct 1643), a child 1645 (no. 545), Peter (Jun 1649), Samuel (early 1652). The only Jacob Hostettler head of household in these registers
  • Michel Hoffstettler × Margreth Zwahlen/Schwalen: Heinrich (Feb 1638), Margreth (Nov 1644)
  • Cuni (Conrad) Hochstettler × Benedicta Portner: Elsbeth (1639), Christen (Feb 1642), Christina (Jan 1644), Margreth (Nov 1650)
  • Ulrich Hostettler × Dichtli (Benedicta) Portner: Dichtli (Jun 1637)
  • Peter, Christen, Elsbeth, Catharina and Anna Hostettler often stand as godparents; a Mischler (Anna, Barbara, Christina) appears as godmother or mother nearly every year, and Zand and Küntzi families are in the same circle.
    A guess, not a finding: Jacob (b. c.1666) may be named after Jacob × Elsbeth Schwarzengruber, perhaps a grandson through one of their sons (Peter 1643/1649 or Samuel 1652), who would be marrying in the 1670s.
    Most likely now: born after March 1673 (which also fits better with a son born about 1712). Next: Guggisberg 4, images 63–100 (1673–1680); then Wahlern.

Probable father of the 1738 immigrant (the father–son link is believed, not proven; the archival facts about his own life are documented, cited through Hochstättler).

DateRecord
1697Markirch list: “Jacob Hochstettler”, Anabaptist, no property — one of 17, the first Swiss Anabaptists on French soil who could be called Amish. Shoemaker; buys a meadow “Le Prince Prey” in Echery.
1699Buys a shelter for 360 livres. Ammann recorded nearby at La Petite Liepvre.
9 Mar 1701”Jacob Amman, together with Jacob Hochstetler and Hans Zimmermann”, representatives of the Anabaptist community, petition Count Palatine Christian.
1702With Ammann, protests against being made Heimburgs (officials with military duties).
1707Living at La Petite Liepvre “as a neighbour to Jacob Amman”.
1712Expulsion property list: 1 house, 8 cows, 4 young cows, 1 pig, 3 goats (Ammann: 2 cows, 3 goats). Louis XIV expels the Anabaptists; Ammann vanishes. Jacob is one of only six families who stay.
1719With Nigi Blanck petitions to reduce back protection tax; community back to 14 households.
6 Mar 1720Bern Täuferkammer: Täuferlehrer Jacob “Hofstetter”, “born at Winterkraut near Guggisberg”, living at “Maria-Kirch”, came back to help Anabaptist women emigrate; arrested, released on paying costs and promising “with handshake” not to return.
10 Feb 1721Last signature. Dead by Oct 1723.

Tradition places a hidden room under the floor of the oldest house in Winterkraut, used to hide Anabaptists (JHFA) — not in Alsace. Wives: Christina Küntzi (probable mother of the immigrant), then Verena Zand (AMC genealogy). Other children (AMC): Peter (bapt. Wahlern 1697?), Elisabeth (m. Michel Blanck), Johannes (m. Anna Wagler), Verena (1716–1741).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Guggisberg baptisms searched, 1665 – Mar 1673 (2026-10-31): K Guggisberg 4, images 30–62, entries 1–632, read in full: no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler/Hoffstettler father. Either he was born before 1665 (Guggisberg 3, 1637–64, n

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Mast (1738–1808)

Bishop Jacob Mast

1738 – 8 Feb 1808

Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 264, 442 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Search of the Guggisberg baptisms (2026-10-31)

No baptism found for Jacob, 1737 – early 1740

Claude read every baptism in K Guggisberg 6 (scan images 100–123) from 1 Jan 1737 to mid-Feb 1740. No Jacob Mast was baptized at Guggisberg in that window.

Mast families having children there at the time ([bracketed] = uncertain reading; Mast and Marti can look alike):

  • Christ Mast and Eva Lädermann — children baptized away from home at Corsier and Lausanne (Judith 1728, Marthe Louise 1731, Jacqueline 1733, Maria Elisabeth 1735), entered at Guggisberg in 1737 — a Mast family living in the Vaud.
  • [Christen] Mast and Cathri [G’rosten?] — son Christen, 3 Nov 1737.
  • Hans Mast “an der Egerten” and Anna Hostettler — son Christen, 8 Dec 1737. A Mast–Hochstetler marriage in Guggisberg.
  • Hans Mast and Anni Glauss — son Christen, 25 Jul 1738.
  • Hans Mast and Anni [Dägerler?] — son Hans, 10 Aug 1738.

Why he may be missing: an Anabaptist family would not have had him baptized in the Reformed church; he may have been born in another parish (Wahlern, or among Bernese refugees elsewhere); or “1738” (from his age in 1750) may be off by a few years. Guggisberg has no surviving death registers before 1875, so the parents’ deaths (he arrived an orphan in 1750) can’t be checked there.

Mast marriages in the Guggisberg register, 1723–1737 (K Guggisberg 6, marriage section, images 175–186; read by Claude 2026-10-31). These couples were of the right age to be Jacob’s parents:

  • 12 Oct 1725: Christen Mast × Barb. Stoll (clear reading).
  • 5 May 1735: Hans Mast × Anni [Bigler/Dägerler?] (p. 367), probably the parents of the Hans baptized in Aug 1738.
  • 18 Feb 1735: Hans [Mast?] × [unreadable] (p. 366).
  • 1726 (p. 350): a “Barb. Mast” bride, groom [unreadable].
  • No marriage was found for Christ Mast × Eva Lädermann (Vaud), Hans Mast × Anna Hostettler, or Hans Mast × Anni Glauss. Those couples probably married elsewhere.

No Jacob Mast baptism was found in the Guggisberg baptisms for 1737 – Feb 1740, nor in the 1735–1736 marriage pages checked. Jacob’s parents are still unknown. The best candidates are the couples above, but nothing yet ties any of them to the 1750 orphans.

Baptisms 1725–1726 (K Guggisberg 6, images 16–23), read 2026-10-31:

  • Oct 1725: Joseph, son of Hans Mast and Anna [Zwahlen?]; godparents Peter Mast and Christina Mast (image 17, p. 31).
  • 8 Feb 1726: Joseph, son of Christen [surname unreadable] and Barb. Stoll (image 20, p. 36). This could be the first child of Christen Mast and Barbara Stoll, married 12 Oct 1725, but the father’s surname can’t be read at this resolution. Unconfirmed.

Baptisms Mar 1735 – Dec 1736 (K Guggisberg 6, images 85–98), read 2026-11-01: no Jacob. Mast families baptizing:

  • 27 Mar 1735: Barbara, daughter of Peter Zwahlen and Anni Mast (image 86).
  • 25 Dec 1735: Anna, daughter of Hans Mast and Anna Hostettler; godparents Hans Stöckli, Anna Beyeler, Elsi Glauss (image 91). The Mast–Hochstetler couple again (son Christen, Dec 1737).
  • 27 Feb 1736: Christen, son of Hans Mast and Anna Zwahlen (image 92); the couple who baptized a Joseph in Oct 1725. One godparent may read “Elsbeth Mi[ß]ler”.
  • 23 Nov 1736: Elsbeth, daughter of Peter Zwahlen and Anna Mast (image 97).
  • 21 Dec 1736: Christen, son of Hans Mast [im Flüstrund?] and Anna Beyeler; godparents Hans Nydegger, Christen Mast, Barbara Beyeler (image 98). A new Hans Mast couple.

So at least four Hans Mast households were baptizing at Guggisberg in 1735–38 (wives Hostettler, Zwahlen, Beyeler, Glauss), which is why the orphans’ father can’t be picked out by name alone. Still to read: 1733–34 and 1740–46.

Baptisms Apr 1740 – Apr 1741 (K Guggisberg 6, images 124–131), read 2026-11-01:

  • 27 Nov 1740: Joseph, son of Hans Mast and Anna Beyeler (second child found for this couple, after Christen, Dec 1736); godparents Peter Zwahlen, Heinrich Hostettler, Elsbeth Beyeler (image 128).
  • 27 Nov 1740: Christina, daughter of Hans Bonni and Barbara Mast (image 127).
  • 5 Feb 1741: Barbara, daughter of Hans Mast “ob dem Stalden” and Anna Zand; godparents Christen Zand, Anna Hostettler, Barbara Zand (image 130). A fifth Hans Mast couple.

That makes five Hans Mast households at Guggisberg in 1735–41 (wives Hostettler, Zwahlen, Beyeler, Glauss, Zand). Still to read: Apr 1741 – 1746 (images 132–174) and 1733–34.

The Guggisberg Hans Mast puzzle

Between 1725 and 1741 the Guggisberg baptism register names five couples whose father is “Hans Mast”:

WifeChildren baptizedFarm or locality
Anna HostettlerAnna (Dec 1735), Christen (Dec 1737)“an der Egerten”
Anna ZwahlenJoseph (Oct 1725), Christen (Feb 1736)—
Anna BeyelerChristen (Dec 1736), Joseph (Nov 1740)“im Flüstrund” (uncertain)
Anni GlaussChristen (Jul 1738)—
Anna ZandBarbara (Feb 1741)“ob dem Stalden”

A sixth, Hans Mast × Anni Bigler/Dägerler (married May 1735; son Hans, Aug 1738), may be the Beyeler couple misread.

They are probably not five different men: widowers remarried quickly, and surnames are hard to read. But overlapping dates (Hostettler, Zwahlen and Beyeler children within months of each other) mean there were at least three or four Hans Masts in the parish at once. That’s why the pastor added farm names like “an der Egerten” and “ob dem Stalden”. Mast was a common Guggisberg name, and Hans was the most common boy’s name.

What it means for Jacob: any of these couples could be the parents of the orphans who came over in 1750, and a first name can’t decide it. It will take a record tying one couple to the orphans: a guardianship (Vogtei) record, an emigration permit, or an estate inventory.

Method note: reading surnames page by page in this register is slow and error-prone (Mast, Marti and Maag look alike). A handwriting-recognition pass (Transkribus) over K Guggisberg 6, 1726–1746, or a hired Bern researcher, would be the reliable way to list every child of Christen Mast × Barbara Stoll and test them against Jacob’s siblings (John and four sisters).

  • Extend the search: Guggisberg 6 for 1733–34 and 1740–1746 (1735–36 and Apr 1740–Apr 1741 done 2026-11-01), and Guggisberg 7 (1747–50) for the orphans’ siblings task/ai
  • Search the Wahlern registers (catalog ID 220239) for Mast baptisms 1730–1745 task/ai
  • Run Transkribus (or hire a Bern researcher) on K Guggisberg 6, 1726–1746, to list all Mast baptisms task/human
  • Identify which Mast couple lost both parents before 1750 (marriages in Guggisberg 5–6; Täuferkammer lists) task/human

Life and evidence

A double ancestor — through his daughter Barbara Mast (1765–1849) (Ramseyer side) and his son Christian Mast (fl. 1800) (Miller side).

  • Born 1738 in Switzerland “of Swiss parents”; came as an orphan with his younger brother John and four sisters in the care of his uncle Johannes Mast on the Brotherhood, Philadelphia 3 Nov 1750 (from Rotterdam via Cowes; list shows “Johannes Mast” with Andreas and Michael Holly).
  • Settled in the Northkill congregation — the same community as the Hochstetlers. Married Magdalena, daughter of fellow passenger Michael Holly. After an Indian attack in 1760 moved to the Conestoga Valley on the Berks–Chester line.
  • One of the leading Amish bishops of his day; visited congregations in Berks, Lancaster, Chester, Somerset and Cambria counties yearly. His coat and wedding vest are at the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society.
  • Children (12): John, Magdalena (Zook), Barbara (John Hochstetler, then John Zug), Jacob, David, Mary (Coffman), Nancy (Kurtz), Fanny (Zug), Elizabeth (Holly), Christian (Susan Kurtz), Esther (Zug, Holly), Daniel.

Origins: Guggisberg

Modern trees agree on Guggisberg, Canton Bern. WikiTree’s line (father “Christen or Ulrich”; grandfather Hans Mast b. 10 Mar 1661 × Anna Mischler; Peter Mast b. 1636 × Barbara Stöckli; Benedict Mast c.1597 × Barbara Marti) is a hypothesis until the orphans’ parents are found. If right, the Schwarzenburg district supplies three of Christopher’s lines (Hochstetler, Mast, Mishler).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • Father unknown: ‘Christen or Ulrich’ (WikiTree) vs Jacob Mast × Barbara Berkey (Geni)
  • Magdalena’s father: Michael Holly (1911 book) vs Johannes Hooley (Mast Family Stories)

Research tasks

  • Search the Guggisberg registers (downloaded) for Mast baptisms c.1736–1740 and the orphans’ parents task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Father unknown: ‘Christen or Ulrich’ (WikiTree) vs Jacob Mast × Barbara Berkey (Geni)
  • Magdalena’s father: Michael Holly (1911 book) vs Johannes Hooley (Mast Family Stories)

Research log

  • undated: No baptism found for Jacob, 1737 – early 1740: Claude read every baptism in K Guggisberg 6 (scan images 100–123) from 1 Jan 1737 to mid-Feb 1740. No Jacob Mast was baptized at Guggisberg in that window.
  • undated: No marriage was found for Christ Mast × Eva Lädermann (Vaud), Hans Mast × Anna Hostettler, or Hans Mast × Anni Glauss. Those couples probably married elsewhere.
  • undated: No Jacob Mast baptism was found in the Guggisberg baptisms for 1737 – Feb 1740, nor in the 1735–1736 marriage pages checked. Jacob’s parents are still unknown. The best candidates are the couples abov
  • 2026-11-01: K Guggisberg 6 baptisms, images 85–98 (Mar 1735 – Dec 1736) read page by page: no Jacob Mast. Mast entries: 27 Mar 1735 Barbara d/o Peter Zwahlen & Anni Mast; 25 Dec 1735 Anna d/o Hans Mast & Anna Hostettler; 27 Feb 1736 Christen s/o Hans Mast & Anna Zwahlen; 23 Nov 1736 Elsbeth d/o Peter Zwahlen & Anna Mast; 21 Dec 1736 Christen s/o Hans Mast [im Flüstrund?] & Anna Beyeler (godparents Hans Nydegger, Christen Mast, Barbara Beyeler)
  • 2026-11-01: K Guggisberg 6 baptisms, images 124–131 (Apr 1740 – mid-Apr 1741) read: Mast entries: 27 Nov 1740 Joseph s/o Hans Mast [im Flüstrund?] & Anna Beyeler (godparents Peter Zwahlen, Heinrich Hostettler, Elsbeth Beyeler); 27 Nov 1740 Christina d/o Hans Bonni & Barbara Mast; 5 Feb 1741 Barbara d/o Hans Mast ‘ob dem Stalden’ & Anna Zand (godparents Christen Zand, Anna Hostettler, Barbara Zand); Hans Mast and Barbara Mast also stand as godparents. No sibling of Jacob identifiable

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Nicholas Keim (1768–1830)

Nicholas Keim

Father of Elizabeth Keim (fl. 1811). Born 2 Feb 1768 in Berks County, died 18 Oct 1830 in Somerset County, Pa. (Elk Lick), son of Peter Keim (Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912), fam. 2245). Married three times: (1) Fanny Stutzman, (2) Fanny Hochstetler (of the Hochstetler family, d. at Elk Lick), (3) a Miss Eash. Children, from the family Bible of his son Solomon: Elizabeth (4 Dec 1790), John (1792–1887), Jacob (1798), Jonas (1803), Solomon (1804), Susanna (1809, m. Stephen Yoder), Moses (1810), Christiana (1812, m. Jacob Kaub), Nicholas (1812–1866), Jeremiah (1814), Samuel N. (1815–1838), Emanuel (1816–1889), Mary (1819), Frany. Several children moved to Holmes County, Ohio. Source also: Keim and Allied Families (1898-1899), p. 247.

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hochstetler 1912 (fam. 2245 note) read: b. 2 Feb 1768 in Berks Co., son of Peter Keim, son of Johan Peter Keim the immigrant (warrants 1719-30); married three times (Fannie Stutzman, Fanny Hochstetler, Miss Esch). His mother is not named

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Samuel Kuhns (1843–1918)

20 Jul 1843 – 12 Jan 1918

Christopher’s 2nd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 18 · generation 5
Evidence: identity documented

Family

Life and evidence

Lived in Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, and from 1892 Oklahoma. Married Magdalena Slabaugh; no other known wife.

Parents found (2026-10-31)

Born in Holmes County, Ohio (his obituary, Gospel Herald, Jan 1918). Son of Samuel Kuhns and Mary Shank (Byler - Amish Immigrants of Waldeck and Hesse (1993)); brothers Elias, Leonard, Joseph and others. His father came from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, where Michael Troyer Sr. (another of Christopher’s ancestors) also lived. Joined the Mennonite Church in 1871.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • Marriage 1863 (his obituary) vs 1864 (hers)
  • Children: ‘4 sons and 6 daughters’ (obituaries) vs 11 (1912 book)

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth year 1843 (obituary) vs c.1840 (Byler 1993; an online tree gives 20 Jul 1840) — his mother reportedly died Jan 1842
  • Marriage 1863 (his obituary) vs 1864 (hers)
  • Children: ‘4 sons and 6 daughters’ (obituaries) vs 11 (1912 book)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Catherine Yoder (wife of John Schlabach)

Life and evidence

Byler (1993), p. 134 family heading "Schlabach, John, and Catherine Yoder"; Hostetler (1912), no. 3125 note: John Slabaugh (b. 1806) "came from Germany when about 18 years of age, with his mother and sister... His mother's maiden name was Yoder."

An Amish woman of Waldeck/Hesse, wife of John Schlabach; apparently emigrated as a widow with her son John and a daughter to Somerset County, Pa., in the 1820s.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hochstetler 1912 and Stutzman 1938 searched for Schlabach/Slabaugh: many Schlabachs (e.g. Christian Schlabach 1793-1871 m. Barbara Gnaegi, of Somerset) but none named as Catherine Yoder’s kin; her parents not found

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Ritter (1749–1823)

Barbara Ritter Kurtz

Hertzler 1885, footnote to Fam. 579

Abraham Kurtz “married, Jan. 22d, 1775, to Barbara Ritter, who was born Dec. 22d, 1749, died Oct. 11th, 1823.”

Wife of Abraham Kurtz (1753–1831), mother of Susanna Kurtz (fl. 1800) and eight others. Her parents are not given. A Martin Ritter came on the Phoenix in 1749 with her future father-in-law (Rupp): a possible lead, nothing more.

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 579 footnote): born 22 Dec 1749, d. 11 Oct 1823, m. Abraham Kurtz 22 Jan 1775; parents not given. Rupp: a Martin Ritter on the Phoenix 1749 (name only)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Magdalena (wife of Michael Troyer) (d. 1827)

Magdalena Troyer

Widow of Michael Troyer Sr.; spent her last days on the farm of her son-in-law David Miller (1779–1853) in Walnut Creek Township, Ohio, and died there in 1827. Possibly Magdalena Mast (see Michael’s note). Source: Troyer Family History (Hilda Troyer, 1984).

Open questions

  • Maiden name: Mast, sister of Bishop Jacob Mast (Mast Family History 1911) — doubted by Troyer 1984

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Mast 1911 re-read: says Magdalena Mast, sister of Bishop Jacob Mast, married Michael Troyer (came on the Brotherhood 1750); if she is this Magdalena, her parents are Bishop Jacob Mast’s parents. Still unconfirmed against the Troyer book

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

John Hochstetler (c.1735–1805)

c.1735 – 1805

Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 318 · generation 9
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

1912 genealogy #2: born in Europe about 1735, came at about 3 on the Charming Nancy (1738). An older married son in 1757, he watched the attack from hiding. Moved to Elklick, Somerset County, about 1784; will 1805. Married (1) Catherine Hertzler. Named in the 1776 heirs’ deed (‘John Hochstetter and wife Catherine’). Brother of the captive Joseph — so Christopher descends from both brothers.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n84009264["Anna Hochstetler (killed 1757)"]
  n66959082["Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)"]
  n14980418["John Hochstetler (c.1735–1805)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n14980418 --> n99487970
  n99487970 --> n66959082
  n14980418 --> n84009264
  class n84009264,n66959082,n14980418,n99487970 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Mother: whether the Anna killed in 1757 was his mother or a stepmother is unknown

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Mother: whether the Anna killed in 1757 was his mother or a stepmother is unknown

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Sarah Miller (d. 1857)

Sarah Miller Nisly

? – 1 Jun 1857, died at Baltic

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 79 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

1912 genealogy #3063.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n74885215["Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785)"]
  n31156482["Anna Dorothea Mueller (c.1700–1789)"]
  n34797539["Sarah Miller (d. 1857)"]
  n5522300["Abraham Miller (1766–c.1821)"]
  n14980418["John Hochstetler (c.1735–1805)"]
  n47501256["Anna Hochstetler (Anelli)"]
  n84009264["Anna Hochstetler (killed 1757)"]
  n77081455["Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756)"]
  n49335685["Christian Daniel Miller (c.1734–1777)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n34797539 --> n5522300
  n5522300 --> n49335685
  n5522300 --> n74885215
  n74885215 --> n77081455
  n74885215 --> n31156482
  n34797539 --> n47501256
  n47501256 --> n14980418
  n14980418 --> n99487970
  n14980418 --> n84009264
  class n74885215,n31156482,n34797539,n5522300,n14980418,n47501256,n84009264,n77081455,n49335685,n99487970 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Fanny Miller (b. 1769)

Fanny (Veronica) Miller Kurtz

18 Sep 1769 – ?, born at Berks County (Pennsylvania)

Christopher’s 5th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 135 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Mast book #169: born 18 Sept 1769 in Berks County, daughter of #119 ‘Daniel’ Miller. Her brother Abraham is also Christopher’s ancestor (Kuhns line) — so her parents are a double ancestor.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n74885215["Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785)"]
  n31156482["Anna Dorothea Mueller (c.1700–1789)"]
  n70940324["Ulrich Mishler (b. 1688)"]
  n29878522["Fanny Miller (b. 1769)"]
  n77081455["Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756)"]
  n49335685["Christian Daniel Miller (c.1734–1777)"]
  n29878522 --> n49335685
  n29878522 --> n74885215
  n74885215 --> n77081455
  n77081455 --> n70940324
  n74885215 --> n31156482
  class n74885215,n31156482,n70940324,n29878522,n77081455,n49335685 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756)

c.1700 – 1756

Christopher’s 7th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 542, 634 · generation 10
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Veronica Mishler’s father (WikiTree).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n77081455["Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756)"]
  n70940324["Ulrich Mishler (b. 1688)"]
  n77081455 --> n70940324
  class n77081455,n70940324 internal-link;

Sources

Lancaster tax lists — added 2026-10-31 by Claude

“Jos. Mishler”, Cocalico Township, 1771–1773 (100 acres), and “Jacob Mishler”, Earl Township, 1773. Joseph Ulrich died in 1756, so the Cocalico Joseph is probably a son (Veronica’s brother). Ship: Joseph and Ulrich Mischler on the Phoenix, 15 Sep 1749 (Rupp). See Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames): Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756) (d. 1756) and daughter Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785) | ‘Jos. Mishler’, Cocalico Twp, 1771–1773 (100 acres); ‘Jacob Mishler’, Earl Twp, 1773 | Joseph died in 1756, so this is probably a son Jose
  • 2026-11-01: context only: Guggisberg 6 baptisms 1735–36 show Mischlers at Guggisberg: 26 Mar 1735 Elsbeth d/o Christen Bilgen & Barb. Mischler (godparents Christen Mischler, Elsbeth Mischler); possibly an Elsbeth Mi[ß]ler as godmother Feb 1736. Not tied to Joseph Ulrich

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756)

c.1700 – 1756

Christopher’s 7th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 542, 634 · generation 10
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Veronica Mishler’s father (WikiTree).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n77081455["Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756)"]
  n70940324["Ulrich Mishler (b. 1688)"]
  n77081455 --> n70940324
  class n77081455,n70940324 internal-link;

Sources

Lancaster tax lists — added 2026-10-31 by Claude

“Jos. Mishler”, Cocalico Township, 1771–1773 (100 acres), and “Jacob Mishler”, Earl Township, 1773. Joseph Ulrich died in 1756, so the Cocalico Joseph is probably a son (Veronica’s brother). Ship: Joseph and Ulrich Mischler on the Phoenix, 15 Sep 1749 (Rupp). See Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames): Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756) (d. 1756) and daughter Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785) | ‘Jos. Mishler’, Cocalico Twp, 1771–1773 (100 acres); ‘Jacob Mishler’, Earl Twp, 1773 | Joseph died in 1756, so this is probably a son Jose
  • 2026-11-01: context only: Guggisberg 6 baptisms 1735–36 show Mischlers at Guggisberg: 26 Mar 1735 Elsbeth d/o Christen Bilgen & Barb. Mischler (godparents Christen Mischler, Elsbeth Mischler); possibly an Elsbeth Mi[ß]ler as godmother Feb 1736. Not tied to Joseph Ulrich

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

John Miller (fl. 1780)

John Miller

Father of David Miller (1779–1853) and of Jacob Miller (Troyer book, entry 899). Married Frany (Fanny) Yoder; son of “wounded” John Miller (Troyer, entry 898); moved to Ohio in 1815. Otherwise little known: one of many Amish John Millers of Pennsylvania. Witness “John Miller” signed Michael Troyer Sr.’s 1803 will in Somerset County, Pa.; possibly the same man (unproven).

1912 Hochstetler genealogy, fam. 9154

“His name is generally written John, but it really was Annas, the same name that appears in John 18:13.” Born about 1754 (Troyer 1984), probably at the Northkill; he was one of the four children in the cabin during the 1757 raid. Moved to Ohio about 1815, first to German Township, Holmes County, then Berlin Township. Children: Yost (1776–1846, executor and guardian), Daniel (1773?), David (Christopher’s line), Catherine (1783–1843, m. Benjamin Hochstetler), Jacob (1784, m. Veronica Troyer), John/Annas (1787–1867), Elizabeth (1789; m. Moses Beachy, the first Amish couple married in Holmes County), Isaac, Emanuel, Solomon (1795; killed by a falling tree while clearing land, 1815–16) and Elias (1798). Wife Frany (Fanny) Yoder (Troyer 1984).

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Abraham Mast (1802–1877)

Rev. Abraham Mast

21 Sep 1802 – 18 Nov 1877

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 66 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Mast book #1557: lived at Berlin, Holmes County; ordained minister 1840. Married 8 Jan 1826 Veronica Kurtz; second wife (1846) her sister Elizabeth Kurtz — ‘both wives were daughters of Joseph and Frances (Miller) Kurtz, of Juniata Co., Pa.‘

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n37763041["Michael Holly (arr. 1750)"]
  n61422105["Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820)"]
  n1736980["Susanna Kurtz (fl. 1800)"]
  n21990190["Christian Mast (fl. 1800)"]
  n16311282["Jacob Mast (1738–1808)"]
  n50437516["Abraham Mast (1802–1877)"]
  n50437516 --> n21990190
  n21990190 --> n16311282
  n21990190 --> n61422105
  n61422105 --> n37763041
  n50437516 --> n1736980
  class n37763041,n61422105,n1736980,n21990190,n16311282,n50437516 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Susanna Nisly (1816–1885)

Susanna Nisly Slabaugh

2 Aug 1816 – 3 Mar 1885

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 39 · generation 6
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

1912 genealogy #3125.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n74885215["Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785)"]
  n14980418["John Hochstetler (c.1735–1805)"]
  n34797539["Sarah Miller (d. 1857)"]
  n5522300["Abraham Miller (1766–c.1821)"]
  n47501256["Anna Hochstetler (Anelli)"]
  n76452554["Christian Nisly (emigrated 1804)"]
  n22002186["Susanna Nisly (1816–1885)"]
  n49335685["Christian Daniel Miller (c.1734–1777)"]
  n22002186 --> n76452554
  n22002186 --> n34797539
  n34797539 --> n5522300
  n5522300 --> n49335685
  n5522300 --> n74885215
  n34797539 --> n47501256
  n47501256 --> n14980418
  class n74885215,n14980418,n34797539,n5522300,n47501256,n76452554,n22002186,n49335685 internal-link;

Sources

Her life (Hostetler 1912, no. 3125; Byler 1993, p. 62/134)

Born 2 Aug 1816 at Johnstown, Pa. (not an immigrant: her father had come in 1804). Married 30 Mar 1834 at Johnstown John Slabaugh (b. 25 Apr 1806 in Germany). Twelve children: Fannie (1835), Barbara (1837, m. Leonard Kuhns), Catherine, Sarah, John, Susanna, Magdalena (Christopher’s ancestor), Samuel, Elizabeth, Mary (1854–1862, diphtheria), Saloma, Abraham. With her parents’ generation the family moved from Somerset/Cambria Co., Pa. to Holmes Co., Ohio; John died at Berlin, Ohio, 24 Aug 1861. Widowed at 45, she later went west with her children and died at Kalona, Iowa, 3 Mar 1885.

The Nisly name ( Mennonite Encyclopedia III, "Nissley")

Nissley (Nisley, Nissli, Nüssli) is a family from the Swiss Emmental: the Lancaster Mennonite Nissleys descend from Jakob Nissley (d. 1752). “The Amish Nissleys may have a different progenitor”, i.e. Christian Nisly’s 1804 line. The name likely goes back to Nüssli/Nussli in the Emmental, the same valley as the Ramseyers.

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Magdalena Slabaugh (1847–1925)

Magdalena (Magdalene) Slabaugh Kuhns

16 Jun 1847 – 20 Dec 1925, born at Walnut Creek, died at Manchester (Oklahoma)

Christopher’s 2nd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 19 · generation 5
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

1912 Hochstetler genealogy #3162: ‘Magdalena Slabaugh … Manchester, Oklahoma, was b. June 16, 1847, at Walnutcreek, Ohio, and m. Samuel Kuhns. George, Aug. 17, 1864—; Sarah; Amanda; Susan; John; Abraham (1876–1904); Saloma; Samuel; Katie; Emma; Maggie, Apr. 6, 1890—.’

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n84118850["Magdalena Slabaugh (1847–1925)"]
  n34797539["Sarah Miller (d. 1857)"]
  n5522300["Abraham Miller (1766–c.1821)"]
  n47501256["Anna Hochstetler (Anelli)"]
  n53124663["John Slabaugh (1806–1861)"]
  n69967347["John Slabaugh (elder, immigrant)"]
  n76452554["Christian Nisly (emigrated 1804)"]
  n22002186["Susanna Nisly (1816–1885)"]
  n84118850 --> n53124663
  n53124663 --> n69967347
  n84118850 --> n22002186
  n22002186 --> n76452554
  n22002186 --> n34797539
  n34797539 --> n5522300
  n34797539 --> n47501256
  class n84118850,n34797539,n5522300,n47501256,n53124663,n69967347,n76452554,n22002186 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Martha Gonser (1839–1908)

Martha Gonser Hummel

16 Nov 1839 – 15 May 1908

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 35 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

‘Martha (Gondsor) Hummel’ in the Mast book.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n40446345["Anthony G. Gonser (1817–1887)"]
  n48280482["Martha Gonser (1839–1908)"]
  n27939748["Elizabeth Warnes (1821–1897)"]
  n48280482 --> n40446345
  n48280482 --> n27939748
  class n40446345,n48280482,n27939748 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

John Slabaugh (elder, immigrant)

? – ?

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 76 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Came ‘from Germany’ at about 18 with his mother (née Yoder) and sister; settled in Somerset County, Pa. (1912 genealogy).

Where they lived

Sources

The Diary (Old Order Amish monthly), 1977, Nissley family article no. 156

“Susanna Nissley … of Kalona, Iowa, married to John Slabaugh, born in 1806 in Germany, who was the only son of John Slabaugh who came from Germany to Somerset County, Pennsylvania, at twenty-three years of age with his mother, who was a Yoder, and a sister.” Children: Fannie (m. John Strahle, killed 1870 while working in a well), Catherine (m. Christian Brenneman), Barbara (m. Leonard Kuhns), Sarah (m. Samuel Fisher), John (m. Elizabeth Schrock), Susanna (m. Jerry Troyer).
The sentence is ambiguous: it may mean the elder John came at 23 with his widowed mother (a Yoder) and sister, bringing his young son, or that the younger John (b. 1806) came at 23 (about 1829). Either way the family was German, not Swiss, and the elder John’s mother was née Yoder.

Did he emigrate?

The 1912 and Byler accounts suggest his widow Catherine Yoder came to Pennsylvania with their son John (b. 1806) and a daughter, so the elder John probably died in Germany. The vault title “(elder, immigrant)” may be wrong.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hochstetler 1912 and Stutzman 1938 searched: only the 1912 no. 3125 note (son John came ‘from Germany’ with mother née Yoder); the elder John’s parents not found. Next: Byler 1993 (Waldeck/Hesse) for the European family

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

David D. Miller (1889–1976)

David D. (D. D.) Miller

2 May 1889 – 20 Jan 1976, born at Holmes County (Ohio)

Christopher’s great-grandfather · ancestor no. 8 · generation 4
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Born Holmes County, Ohio; obituary names parents Noah and ‘Saphronia (Hemmel)’. Married Maggie Kuhns 16 June 1914. Listed in the 1911 Mast book (#1593) as ‘David, b. May 2, 1889’.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n5889792["Noah E. Miller (1860–1910)"]
  n27451265["Veronica Kurtz (1800–1845)"]
  n77261024["Sophronia Elizabeth Hummel (1861–1935)"]
  n38353437["Eli D. Miller (1835–1913)"]
  n48280482["Martha Gonser (1839–1908)"]
  n72228026["Catherine Weaver (1811–1893)"]
  n40446345["Anthony G. Gonser (1817–1887)"]
  n50437516["Abraham Mast (1802–1877)"]
  n19978390["William C. Hummel (1837–1912)"]
  n60669112["Mary Mast (1837–1908)"]
  n94291431["Daniel D. Miller (1806–1865)"]
  n7546469["David D. Miller (1889–1976)"]
  n27939748["Elizabeth Warnes (1821–1897)"]
  n7546469 --> n5889792
  n5889792 --> n38353437
  n38353437 --> n94291431
  n38353437 --> n72228026
  n5889792 --> n60669112
  n60669112 --> n50437516
  n60669112 --> n27451265
  n7546469 --> n77261024
  n77261024 --> n19978390
  n77261024 --> n48280482
  n48280482 --> n40446345
  n48280482 --> n27939748
  class n5889792,n27451265,n77261024,n38353437,n48280482,n72228026,n40446345,n50437516,n19978390,n60669112,n94291431,n7546469,n27939748 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Wounded John Miller (fl. 1760)

John (Hannes) “Wounded John” Miller

Christopher’s earliest Miller-surname ancestor in America on this line, known in family history as “Indian John” or “Wounded John”.

The story (Troyer 1984, "The Miller Family I"; corroborated by the 1912 Hochstetler genealogy)

  • Came on the ship Phoenix, master John Mason, from Rotterdam, last from Cowes in England (Isle of Wight), and took the oath at the Philadelphia Court House on 15 Sep 1749 (Pennsylvania German Pioneers, list 133 C, where “Hannes Miller” signed). The ship carried 550 “freights” from Zweibrücken, Nassau, Württemberg and the Palatinate; the Mishler family and men named Hochstatter and Hostetter were aboard too. Settled at the Northkill, Berks County, Pa., where land was newly open to Amish immigrants. The family lived near the Hochstetler farm.
  • In September 1757, during the raid that killed part of the Jacob Hochstetler family, he was chopping wood for the morning fire when the attackers “aimed for his heart”. His hand intercepted the powder charge. The attackers left, and he went into his cabin and shut the door. Inside were his wife Magdalena and four children: Jacob, John, Christian and Peter, Peter then about a year old. He “saw the Indians leaving the scene of the massacre.”
  • The 1912 genealogy (fam. 9146): “John Miller, who was wounded by the Indians when they were taking the fam. of Jacob Hostetler into captivity, moved later to Somerset Co., where he d.”
  • Like the other Northkill families, he left the frontier for a safer area, ending in Somerset County, Pa.

Children (1912 genealogy, from an account by Moses B. Miller): Jacob (Bishop Jacob Miller, m. Anna Stutzman; led the Amish into Holmes County, Ohio, 1808–09), John “Annas” (Christopher’s line, see John Miller (fl. 1780)), Christian, Peter (b. 1756, Berks Co.; m. Mary Stutzman; Meyersdale, Pa.), Joseph, Mrs. Joseph Bees, Mrs. Christian Speicher, Mrs. Jacob Kauffman, Mrs. Christian Mishler, Mrs. John [?], and Barbara, wife of Jacob Hochstetler.

Why it matters: he is a second Northkill-massacre survivor among Christopher’s ancestors, alongside the Hochstetlers (see 1757 The Hochstetler massacre and The Hochstetler massacre of 1757). His sons Jacob and Peter married Stutzman sisters, daughters of Christian and Barbara (Hochstetler) Stutzman (Troyer 1984), which supports the theory that Fanny Stutzman (fl. 1790) was their sister too.

  • Phoenix passenger list checked: “Hannes Miller” is on list 133 C (2026-10-31). Several Millers signed (Jerg, Jacob, Christian, Peter, Davit), so identifying him rests on family tradition.
  • See Ships and journeys of the immigrant ancestors

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hochstetler 1912, Stutzman 1938, Hertzler 1885 searched: no parents for ‘wounded’ John Miller; Phoenix 1749 signature already checked (earlier)

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

William C. Hummel (1837–1912)

27 Mar 1837 – 25 May 1912, born at New Bedford

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 34 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented

Family

Life and evidence

Born New Bedford, Coshocton County; died Glenmont, Holmes County. Married Martha Gonser 1858; ten children incl. Sophronia. Buried Walnut Creek Cemetery, Holmes County (Find a Grave). Origins unknown: searched 2026-10-31 in the Internet Archive and on the web without result. New Bedford, Coshocton County, had a German Lutheran church and cemetery, which is the likely religious home of his parents.

In their lifetime

Research tasks

  • Find William C. Hummel’s parents and origin: 1840 and 1850 censuses of New Bedford (Crawford/Jefferson Twp., Coshocton Co.), New Bedford Lutheran church and cemetery records, 1858 Holmes County marriage record task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Born New Bedford, Coshocton County; died Glenmont, Holmes County. Married Martha Gonser 1858; ten children incl. Sophronia. Buried Walnut Creek Cemetery, Holmes County (Find a Grave). Origins unknown:

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Elizabeth Troyer (1781)

Elizabeth Troyer Miller

Mother of Daniel D. Miller (1806–1865). Born 21 Sep 1781, daughter of Michael Troyer Sr. (entry 899, child of entry 1); death date unknown. Lived in Walnut Creek Township, Holmes County. Source: Troyer Family History (Hilda Troyer, 1984).

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Mary Mast (1837–1908)

Mary Mast Miller

7 Jul 1837 – 31 Jan 1908

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 33 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Mast genealogy #1592.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n27451265["Veronica Kurtz (1800–1845)"]
  n74885215["Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785)"]
  n5975203["Joseph Kurtz (fl. 1800)"]
  n29878522["Fanny Miller (b. 1769)"]
  n61422105["Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820)"]
  n1736980["Susanna Kurtz (fl. 1800)"]
  n21990190["Christian Mast (fl. 1800)"]
  n16311282["Jacob Mast (1738–1808)"]
  n50437516["Abraham Mast (1802–1877)"]
  n60669112["Mary Mast (1837–1908)"]
  n49335685["Christian Daniel Miller (c.1734–1777)"]
  n60669112 --> n50437516
  n50437516 --> n21990190
  n21990190 --> n16311282
  n21990190 --> n61422105
  n50437516 --> n1736980
  n60669112 --> n27451265
  n27451265 --> n5975203
  n27451265 --> n29878522
  n29878522 --> n49335685
  n29878522 --> n74885215
  class n27451265,n74885215,n5975203,n29878522,n61422105,n1736980,n21990190,n16311282,n50437516,n60669112,n49335685 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Michael Troyer Sr. (d. 1807)

Michael Troyer (Treier) Sr.

Family from Trub, Canton Bern (spelled Dreier in Switzerland), though he was probably born outside Switzerland. Came to Philadelphia on the ship Brotherhood, 3 Nov 1750, with his brother Andreas, listed under their stepfather’s name as “Michael and Andreas Holly” (1750 The Brotherhood). Settled at Northkill, Berks County; married with four children at the time of the 1757 Hochstetler massacre nearby; fled south during the war years. In Bedford (later Somerset) County by 13 Oct 1771 (100 acres), west of Berlin, where he ran a small tub mill by 1780; 1784 household of 11; bought a farm 3½ miles north of Berlin in 1790. His brass-bound family Bible is dated 1749. Will dated 1803; died April 1807; estate appraised by Yost Miller and Jacob Stutzman. Source: Troyer Family History (Hilda Troyer, 1984).

Pedigree collapse?

The 1911 Mast Family History says his wife was Magdalena Mast, sister of Bishop Jacob Mast (1738–1808), and that the “Holly” stepfather was Johannes Holly, whose daughter Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820) married Bishop Jacob Mast. All three are already Christopher’s ancestors on the Mast line. The Troyer book doubts the Mast marriage (a 28-year spread of children’s births, 1753–1781). Unproven either way.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Mast 1911 re-read: Magdalena Mast m. ‘Michael Troyer, who with his brother Andreas crossed on the same vessel’ (Brotherhood, 3 Nov 1750); Michael’s own parents (the Dreier/Troyer father; mother m. Johannes Holly) not named in Mast, Hochstetler 1912 or Stutzman 1938

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785)

Veronica “Freny” Mishler Miller

c.1736 – 1785, died at Shillington

Christopher’s 6th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 271, 317 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Came to Philadelphia as a girl on the Phoenix in 1749 with her family (WikiTree, citing AAMG). Double ancestor with her husband.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n74885215["Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785)"]
  n77081455["Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756)"]
  n31156482["Anna Dorothea Mueller (c.1700–1789)"]
  n70940324["Ulrich Mishler (b. 1688)"]
  n74885215 --> n77081455
  n77081455 --> n70940324
  n74885215 --> n31156482
  class n74885215,n77081455,n31156482,n70940324 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785)

Veronica “Freny” Mishler Miller

c.1736 – 1785, died at Shillington

Christopher’s 6th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 271, 317 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Came to Philadelphia as a girl on the Phoenix in 1749 with her family (WikiTree, citing AAMG). Double ancestor with her husband.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n74885215["Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785)"]
  n77081455["Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756)"]
  n31156482["Anna Dorothea Mueller (c.1700–1789)"]
  n70940324["Ulrich Mishler (b. 1688)"]
  n74885215 --> n77081455
  n77081455 --> n70940324
  n74885215 --> n31156482
  class n74885215,n77081455,n31156482,n70940324 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Johann Jacob Stutzman (arr. 1727)

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 1)

Arrived at Philadelphia 2 Oct 1727 on the ship Adventurer, Capt. John Davies, from Rotterdam, last from Plymouth (Pennsylvania Colonial Records III, 288; Rupp, 30,000 Immigrants, p. 53). One of the earliest Amish immigrants; a later source says he became a Dunkard (Brethren). His son Jacob’s son Christian married Barbara Hochstetler.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text (‘Jacob Stutzman’ Adventurer 1727): many repeats of the 2 Oct 1727 arrival (Hertzler 1885, Joseph J. Stutzman descendants, Miller story); none gives his parents or home village

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)

1712 – c.1776, born at Echery

Christopher’s 7th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 636, 880 · generation 10
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents hypothesis
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

The immigrant of 1738, and a double ancestor. Christopher descends from him twice: through Joseph (Ramseyer side) and John (Miller side). 7th great-grandfather on both sides.

  • Born 1712 at Echery near Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Alsace, a second-generation Swiss refugee, in the founding Amish community. His father (probably) was the Täuferlehrer Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722).
  • Arrived Philadelphia 9 Nov 1738 on the Charming Nancy: “Jacob Hochstetler, age 26,” with wife and two children (John and Barbara).
  • Northkill: land warrant 27 Feb 1739 with Valentine Neu for 100 acres (“Ipswich”); more in 1747 and 1755. Helped found the Northkill congregation (1740), one of the first Amish congregations in America.
  • Attacked September 1757. Refused, on Anabaptist nonresistance, to let his sons shoot (“He would not disobey God, who had said, ‘Thou shalt not kill’”). His wife, son Jacob and a daughter were killed; he and sons Joseph and Christian were taken.
  • Escape (April 1758): after 17 days’ march to Fort Machault and Presque Isle, held at the Seneca village of Buckaloons; trusted to hunt, he walked east 6 days, built a bark raft, floated down the Susquehanna eating only grass, and was spotted drifting past Fort Augusta. Sworn statement 5 May 1758 before Col. Bouquet.
  • Petitioned Governor Hamilton 13 Aug 1762 for his sons. Bought a new farm away from the Indian paths; died about 1775–76. The 1776 deed names his widow Anna (probably a second wife) and heirs John, Joseph, Barbara Stutsman and Christian.

See The Hochstetler massacre of 1757.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n66959082["Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n99487970 --> n66959082
  class n66959082,n99487970 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Immigration: 1736 on the Harle (1912 book) — a different Jacob (b. 1704, wife Eva); ancestor came on the Charming Nancy 9 Nov 1738, aged 26
  • Attack date: 19 Sept 1757 (Fort Allen report) vs 29 Sept, 30 Sept–1 Oct, 12 Oct, 20 Nov in other sources

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Immigration: 1736 on the Harle (1912 book) — a different Jacob (b. 1704, wife Eva); ancestor came on the Charming Nancy 9 Nov 1738, aged 26
  • Attack date: 19 Sept 1757 (Fort Allen report) vs 29 Sept, 30 Sept–1 Oct, 12 Oct, 20 Nov in other sources

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from Ships and journeys of the immigrant ancestors): 1737/1738 | Charming Nancy (of London) | Charles Stedman | Rotterdam → Plymouth (1737) / Cowes (1738) → Philadelphia | Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776), wife and children including John Hochstetler (c.1735–1805) (qualified 9 Nov 1738

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)

1712 – c.1776, born at Echery

Christopher’s 7th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 636, 880 · generation 10
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents hypothesis
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

The immigrant of 1738, and a double ancestor. Christopher descends from him twice: through Joseph (Ramseyer side) and John (Miller side). 7th great-grandfather on both sides.

  • Born 1712 at Echery near Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Alsace, a second-generation Swiss refugee, in the founding Amish community. His father (probably) was the Täuferlehrer Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722).
  • Arrived Philadelphia 9 Nov 1738 on the Charming Nancy: “Jacob Hochstetler, age 26,” with wife and two children (John and Barbara).
  • Northkill: land warrant 27 Feb 1739 with Valentine Neu for 100 acres (“Ipswich”); more in 1747 and 1755. Helped found the Northkill congregation (1740), one of the first Amish congregations in America.
  • Attacked September 1757. Refused, on Anabaptist nonresistance, to let his sons shoot (“He would not disobey God, who had said, ‘Thou shalt not kill’”). His wife, son Jacob and a daughter were killed; he and sons Joseph and Christian were taken.
  • Escape (April 1758): after 17 days’ march to Fort Machault and Presque Isle, held at the Seneca village of Buckaloons; trusted to hunt, he walked east 6 days, built a bark raft, floated down the Susquehanna eating only grass, and was spotted drifting past Fort Augusta. Sworn statement 5 May 1758 before Col. Bouquet.
  • Petitioned Governor Hamilton 13 Aug 1762 for his sons. Bought a new farm away from the Indian paths; died about 1775–76. The 1776 deed names his widow Anna (probably a second wife) and heirs John, Joseph, Barbara Stutsman and Christian.

See The Hochstetler massacre of 1757.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n66959082["Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n99487970 --> n66959082
  class n66959082,n99487970 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Immigration: 1736 on the Harle (1912 book) — a different Jacob (b. 1704, wife Eva); ancestor came on the Charming Nancy 9 Nov 1738, aged 26
  • Attack date: 19 Sept 1757 (Fort Allen report) vs 29 Sept, 30 Sept–1 Oct, 12 Oct, 20 Nov in other sources

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Immigration: 1736 on the Harle (1912 book) — a different Jacob (b. 1704, wife Eva); ancestor came on the Charming Nancy 9 Nov 1738, aged 26
  • Attack date: 19 Sept 1757 (Fort Allen report) vs 29 Sept, 30 Sept–1 Oct, 12 Oct, 20 Nov in other sources

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from Ships and journeys of the immigrant ancestors): 1737/1738 | Charming Nancy (of London) | Charles Stedman | Rotterdam → Plymouth (1737) / Cowes (1738) → Philadelphia | Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776), wife and children including John Hochstetler (c.1735–1805) (qualified 9 Nov 1738

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Eli D. Miller (1835–1913)

8 Nov 1835 – 22 Mar 1913, born at Berlin (Holmes County)

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 32 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Married Mary Mast 23 Dec 1858 — ‘Eli D. Miller, born Nov. 8, 1835, son of Daniel and Kate (Weaver) Miller, of Holmes Co.’ (Mast book #1592). Amish Mennonite. Still living in Holmes County in 1910.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n94291431["Daniel D. Miller (1806–1865)"]
  n38353437["Eli D. Miller (1835–1913)"]
  n72228026["Catherine Weaver (1811–1893)"]
  n38353437 --> n94291431
  n38353437 --> n72228026
  class n94291431,n38353437,n72228026 internal-link;

Research tasks

  • Find Daniel D. Miller’s parents (Eli’s grandparents) task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Magdalena Overholser

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 12446)

Named as parents of Samuel Weaver (fl. 1811) (b. 22 Mar 1788): “son of Jacob Weaver and Magdalena Overholser”. The same book’s map of Walnut Creek Twp., Holmes Co. shows “Pioneer, Jacob Weaver”, later Samuel Weaver’s farm: possibly the same man.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hostetler 1938 (no. 12446 note): m. Jacob Weaver 1779/80 in Berks Co.; her parents not named. Lancaster tax lists 1771-82 have many Overholsers (see Lancaster scan); none tied to her

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anthony G. Gonser (1817–1887)

1817 – 1887

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 70 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Married Elizabeth Warnes 25 Oct 1838 (Find a Grave). Holmes County Gonsers appear in the records of the Salem Reformed Church (German Reformed) — a lead only.

  • Search Salem Reformed Church (Holmes County) records for Gonser and Hummel task/ai

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912) full text and Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler and Christian Stutzman (1938) full text searched for Gonser: only later, unrelated Gonsers (Indiana, Somerset); parents not found

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Hochstetler (killed 1757)

Anna (Lorentz?) Hochstetler

? – Sep 1757, died at Northkill (Berks County)

Christopher’s 7th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 637, 881 · generation 10
Evidence: identity unresolved
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Wife of the immigrant Jacob, killed in the 1757 attack: stuck in the cellar window while escaping the burning house, she was seen by a warrior eating peaches in the orchard (Tom Lions), and stabbed and scalped. Her maiden name is an open question.

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • Maiden name: Lorentz (1912 book, Wikipedia, 1986 booklet) vs Burki, daughter of Christian Burki (AMC genealogy) vs unknown (JHFA)
  • Whether she was the mother of John (b. c.1730) or a later wife

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Maiden name: Lorentz (1912 book, Wikipedia, 1986 booklet) vs Burki, daughter of Christian Burki (AMC genealogy) vs unknown (JHFA)
  • Whether she was the mother of John (b. c.1730) or a later wife

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 291 note) read: tells the 1757 captivity (dated 17 Aug 1757, Heidelberg Twp.) but does not name Jacob Hochstetler’s wife or her family

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Hochstetler (killed 1757)

Anna (Lorentz?) Hochstetler

? – Sep 1757, died at Northkill (Berks County)

Christopher’s 7th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 637, 881 · generation 10
Evidence: identity unresolved
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Wife of the immigrant Jacob, killed in the 1757 attack: stuck in the cellar window while escaping the burning house, she was seen by a warrior eating peaches in the orchard (Tom Lions), and stabbed and scalped. Her maiden name is an open question.

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • Maiden name: Lorentz (1912 book, Wikipedia, 1986 booklet) vs Burki, daughter of Christian Burki (AMC genealogy) vs unknown (JHFA)
  • Whether she was the mother of John (b. c.1730) or a later wife

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Maiden name: Lorentz (1912 book, Wikipedia, 1986 booklet) vs Burki, daughter of Christian Burki (AMC genealogy) vs unknown (JHFA)
  • Whether she was the mother of John (b. c.1730) or a later wife

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 291 note) read: tells the 1757 captivity (dated 17 Aug 1757, Heidelberg Twp.) but does not name Jacob Hochstetler’s wife or her family

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Ulrich Mishler (b. 1688)

14 Jan 1688 – ?, born at Wahlern

Christopher’s 8th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 1084, 1268 · generation 11
Evidence: identity compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Negative search (2026-10-31)

The Wahlern baptism register for January 1688 has no Ulrich Mischler on 14 January or nearby dates. The WikiTree birth date and place are unsupported so far.

Born at Wahlern, Schwarzenburg district, Canton Bern (WikiTree) — the same district as the Hochstetlers’ Winterkraut and the Masts’ Guggisberg.

In their lifetime

Research tasks

  • Checked Wahlern baptisms for January 1688 (2026-10-31): no Ulrich Mischler baptized on 14 Jan 1688
  • Search Wahlern 1686–1690 and neighbouring Guggisberg for any Mischler baptism; the WikiTree date may be a guess task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Negative search (2026-10-31): The Wahlern baptism register for January 1688 has no Ulrich Mischler on 14 January or nearby dates. The WikiTree birth date and place are unsupported so far.

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Ulrich Mishler (b. 1688)

14 Jan 1688 – ?, born at Wahlern

Christopher’s 8th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 1084, 1268 · generation 11
Evidence: identity compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Negative search (2026-10-31)

The Wahlern baptism register for January 1688 has no Ulrich Mischler on 14 January or nearby dates. The WikiTree birth date and place are unsupported so far.

Born at Wahlern, Schwarzenburg district, Canton Bern (WikiTree) — the same district as the Hochstetlers’ Winterkraut and the Masts’ Guggisberg.

In their lifetime

Research tasks

  • Checked Wahlern baptisms for January 1688 (2026-10-31): no Ulrich Mischler baptized on 14 Jan 1688
  • Search Wahlern 1686–1690 and neighbouring Guggisberg for any Mischler baptism; the WikiTree date may be a guess task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Negative search (2026-10-31): The Wahlern baptism register for January 1688 has no Ulrich Mischler on 14 January or nearby dates. The WikiTree birth date and place are unsupported so far.

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Maggie Mae Kuhns (1890–1970)

Maggie Mae (Margaret) Kuhns Miller

6 Apr 1890 – 19 Jun 1970, born at McPherson County (Kansas)

Christopher’s great-grandmother · ancestor no. 9 · generation 4
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

‘Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kuhns,’ born McPherson County, Kansas. **Mother documented by the 1912 Hochstetler genealogy 3162, which lists ‘Maggie, Apr. 6, 1890’ among Magdalena Slabaugh’s children. Sisters named in 1970: Emma Taton (1887–1983) and Lula Klinglesmith (unexplained).

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n84118850["Magdalena Slabaugh (1847–1925)"]
  n34797539["Sarah Miller (d. 1857)"]
  n87021948["Maggie Mae Kuhns (1890–1970)"]
  n53124663["John Slabaugh (1806–1861)"]
  n73629838["Samuel Kuhns (1843–1918)"]
  n69967347["John Slabaugh (elder, immigrant)"]
  n22002186["Susanna Nisly (1816–1885)"]
  n76452554["Christian Nisly (emigrated 1804)"]
  n87021948 --> n73629838
  n87021948 --> n84118850
  n84118850 --> n53124663
  n53124663 --> n69967347
  n84118850 --> n22002186
  n22002186 --> n76452554
  n22002186 --> n34797539
  class n84118850,n34797539,n87021948,n53124663,n73629838,n69967347,n22002186,n76452554 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Birth 6 Apr 1890 (obituary, 1912 book) vs 2 May 1890 (Find a Grave — confused with D. D.’s birthday)
  • Surviving sister ‘Lula Klinglesmith’ (1970 obituary) matches none of Magdalena’s children

Research tasks

  • Identify Lula Klinglesmith (1895 Kansas / 1900 Oklahoma census, obituary) task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth 6 Apr 1890 (obituary, 1912 book) vs 2 May 1890 (Find a Grave — confused with D. D.’s birthday)
  • Surviving sister ‘Lula Klinglesmith’ (1970 obituary) matches none of Magdalena’s children

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Abraham Kurtz (1753–1831)

Abraham Kurtz

Hertzler 1885, footnote to Fam. 579; Mast 1911 (Fam. 1513 note)

“(1) Abraham Kurtz, who was born July 5th, 1753; occupation, farmer; residing when he died in the vicinity of Reading, Berks Co., Pa.; died Sep 21st, 1831; married, Jan. 22d, 1775, to Barbara Ritter, who was born Dec. 22d, 1749, died Oct. 11th, 1823.”

Children (Hertzler 1885): Mary (9 Nov 1775, m. David Mast); Christian (1778, died young); Abraham (4 Dec 1779); Sarah (m. Jacob Kurtz); Jacob (c.1782); John (14 Jul 1784, m. Nancy Kurtz); Elizabeth (13 Feb 1788, m. Jacob Yoder); Susan (m. Christian Mast); Catharine (30 Apr 1793, m. Nicholas Yoder). The 1911 Mast book adds that Susanna “was a sister to Mary Kurtz who was married to David Mast”.

The eldest son of Abraham Kurtz (arr. 1749) and Barbara Bolinger (arr. 1749), so a brother of Joseph Kurtz (fl. 1800).

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 579 footnote): born 5 Jul 1753, d. 21 Sep 1831 near Reading; m. 22 Jan 1775 Barbara Ritter; son of Abraham Kurtz and Barbara Bolinger

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Elizabeth Warnes (1821–1897)

Elizabeth Warnes (Varnes) Gonser

1821 – 1897

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 71 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Warnes is an English surname (typically Norfolk) — a surname-only lead for the Miller-side English-ancestor story. Nothing more known.

D. Paul Miller's memoir (2011)

D. Paul wrote that the Varnes and Gonser families were from England, and that Elizabeth’s mother, “Grandma Varnes”, was a full-blooded Cherokee born around 1800 who married a white man; a photograph of her is in the book. Both are family traditions. They point to the same place as Christopher’s English-ancestor memory: this Gonser–Varnes branch, the one part of D. Paul’s ancestry that was not Amish or Mennonite. See English ancestor recollection (Miller side).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: D. Paul Miller’s memoir (2011; archive.org lending copy, search excerpts only): ‘Varnes and Gonser were from England’; her mother ‘Grandma Varnes’ said to be a full-blooded Cherokee, born around 1800, married to a white man (family tradition). Archive.org full-text search for Warnes/Varnes with Gonser, Holmes, Coshocton: no record of her parents
  • 2026-10-31: Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912) full text and Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler and Christian Stutzman (1938) full text searched for Warnes: no match; parents not found

Record compiled 1 November 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Abraham Kurtz (arr. 1749)

Abraham Kurtz

Hertzler 1885, footnote to Fam. 414 and Fam. 579

“Abraham Kurtz, residing when he died in Lancaster Co., Pa.; a native of Germany, arrived in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 3d, 1740, in the ship Robard and Alice … He had two sons with his first wife … Abraham Kurtz revisited Germany and there married his second wife, Barbara Bolinger. With her he returned to Pa.; arrived in Philadelphia, Sep. 15th, 1749, in the ship Phoenix.”

Confirmed on the ship list: an “Abraham Kurtz” is on the Phoenix, 15 Sep 1749, in Rupp and in C. Henry Smith (1929), in the same group as Joseph Mischler, Christian Kurtz, the Nafzgers, Kauffmans and Hochstetlers. So the Kurtz and Mishler families, both ancestors of Christopher, crossed on the same ship. (A “Martin Ritter” is on the same list: possibly kin of Barbara Ritter (1749–1823), unproven.)

A double ancestor. Christopher descends from him through two sons: Joseph Kurtz (fl. 1800) (b. 1765; father of Veronica Kurtz (1800–1845)) and Abraham Kurtz (1753–1831) (father of Susanna Kurtz (fl. 1800)). Susanna’s son Abraham Mast (1802–1877) married Joseph’s daughter Veronica, so the couple were first cousins once removed.

Children named (Hertzler 1885): by his first wife, Christian and “Eochley”; by Barbara Bolinger, Abraham (1753, m. Barbara Ritter), John (m. Barbara Garver), Peter, Barbara (b. 25 Apr 1755, m. Henry Zug 1775) and Joseph (b. 21 May 1765, m. Frances Miller).

Both crossings confirmed in the original ship lists (2026-11-01)

Pennsylvania German Pioneers: “Abraham Curts”, ship Robert & Alice, Walter Goodman, qualified 3 December 1740 (list 79 A), exactly the date Hertzler gives; and “Abraham Kurtz”, ship Phoenix, John Mason, 15 September 1749 (list 133 C). So the family story of two crossings, before and after his return to Germany for a second wife, is borne out by the records.

Aside: a Christopher Bolinger came on the Robert & Alice on 3 Sep 1739 (list 71 A). Possibly kin of Barbara Bolinger (arr. 1749); unproven.

Research tasks

  • Phoenix 1749 and Robert & Alice 1740 confirmed in Pennsylvania German Pioneers (2026-11-01)
  • Lancaster/Berks probate for Abraham Kurtz (d. Lancaster Co., before c.1790) naming his children task/human

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 414 footnote) read: from Germany, Robert and Alice 1740; m. (2) Barbara Bolinger in Germany; Phoenix 15 Sep 1749; his parents and home village not given
  • 2026-10-31: Rupp 30,000 Names and Smith 1929: Abraham Kurtz on the Phoenix, 15 Sep 1749, with Joseph Mischler and Christian Kurtz (confirms the arrival)
  • 2026-11-01: Pennsylvania German Pioneers vol. 1: ‘Abraham Curts’ on list 79 A, ship Robert & Alice, Walter Goodman, qualified 3 Dec 1740 (exactly Hertzler’s date for his first arrival); ‘Abraham Kurtz’ signed list 133 C, ship Phoenix, John Mason, 15 Sep 1749. Both of Hertzler’s arrivals confirmed. Also: a ‘Christopher Bolinger’ on the Robert & Alice, 3 Sep 1739 (list 71 A): possibly kin of Barbara Bolinger, though Hertzler says she married Abraham in Germany

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Abraham Kurtz (arr. 1749)

Abraham Kurtz

Hertzler 1885, footnote to Fam. 414 and Fam. 579

“Abraham Kurtz, residing when he died in Lancaster Co., Pa.; a native of Germany, arrived in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 3d, 1740, in the ship Robard and Alice … He had two sons with his first wife … Abraham Kurtz revisited Germany and there married his second wife, Barbara Bolinger. With her he returned to Pa.; arrived in Philadelphia, Sep. 15th, 1749, in the ship Phoenix.”

Confirmed on the ship list: an “Abraham Kurtz” is on the Phoenix, 15 Sep 1749, in Rupp and in C. Henry Smith (1929), in the same group as Joseph Mischler, Christian Kurtz, the Nafzgers, Kauffmans and Hochstetlers. So the Kurtz and Mishler families, both ancestors of Christopher, crossed on the same ship. (A “Martin Ritter” is on the same list: possibly kin of Barbara Ritter (1749–1823), unproven.)

A double ancestor. Christopher descends from him through two sons: Joseph Kurtz (fl. 1800) (b. 1765; father of Veronica Kurtz (1800–1845)) and Abraham Kurtz (1753–1831) (father of Susanna Kurtz (fl. 1800)). Susanna’s son Abraham Mast (1802–1877) married Joseph’s daughter Veronica, so the couple were first cousins once removed.

Children named (Hertzler 1885): by his first wife, Christian and “Eochley”; by Barbara Bolinger, Abraham (1753, m. Barbara Ritter), John (m. Barbara Garver), Peter, Barbara (b. 25 Apr 1755, m. Henry Zug 1775) and Joseph (b. 21 May 1765, m. Frances Miller).

Both crossings confirmed in the original ship lists (2026-11-01)

Pennsylvania German Pioneers: “Abraham Curts”, ship Robert & Alice, Walter Goodman, qualified 3 December 1740 (list 79 A), exactly the date Hertzler gives; and “Abraham Kurtz”, ship Phoenix, John Mason, 15 September 1749 (list 133 C). So the family story of two crossings, before and after his return to Germany for a second wife, is borne out by the records.

Aside: a Christopher Bolinger came on the Robert & Alice on 3 Sep 1739 (list 71 A). Possibly kin of Barbara Bolinger (arr. 1749); unproven.

Research tasks

  • Phoenix 1749 and Robert & Alice 1740 confirmed in Pennsylvania German Pioneers (2026-11-01)
  • Lancaster/Berks probate for Abraham Kurtz (d. Lancaster Co., before c.1790) naming his children task/human

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 414 footnote) read: from Germany, Robert and Alice 1740; m. (2) Barbara Bolinger in Germany; Phoenix 15 Sep 1749; his parents and home village not given
  • 2026-10-31: Rupp 30,000 Names and Smith 1929: Abraham Kurtz on the Phoenix, 15 Sep 1749, with Joseph Mischler and Christian Kurtz (confirms the arrival)
  • 2026-11-01: Pennsylvania German Pioneers vol. 1: ‘Abraham Curts’ on list 79 A, ship Robert & Alice, Walter Goodman, qualified 3 Dec 1740 (exactly Hertzler’s date for his first arrival); ‘Abraham Kurtz’ signed list 133 C, ship Phoenix, John Mason, 15 Sep 1749. Both of Hertzler’s arrivals confirmed. Also: a ‘Christopher Bolinger’ on the Robert & Alice, 3 Sep 1739 (list 71 A): possibly kin of Barbara Bolinger, though Hertzler says she married Abraham in Germany

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Susanna Kurtz (fl. 1800)

Susanna Kurtz Mast

fl. 1800 – ?

Christopher’s 5th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 133 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Hertzler 1885, footnote to Fam. 579; Mast 1911, Fam. 1513

A daughter of Abraham Kurtz (1753–1831) and Barbara Ritter (1749–1823): “Susan, born Feb. 17th, 1792, married to Christian Mast.” The Mast book: “On Jan. 5, 1800 he united in marriage to Susanna Kurtz, who was born in 1792 … Susanna Kurtz was a sister to Mary Kurtz who was married to David Mast.”

Birth year

Both books give 1792, which cannot be right for a bride of January 1800 whose son was born in 1802. The Mast book copies Hertzler, so this is one error, not two witnesses. The day (17 Feb) may be right; the year is probably c.1780–82.

Married Christian Mast 5 Jan 1800 (Mast book).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth: Hertzler 1885 and Mast 1911 both say born 17 Feb 1792, but she married Christian Mast 5 Jan 1800 and her son Abraham was born 1802; the year is probably a misprint (c.1780–82 would fit)

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 579 footnote) and Mast 1911 (Fam. 1513): daughter of Abraham Kurtz (1753–1831) and Barbara Ritter, sister of Mary Kurtz (m. David Mast); birth given as 17 Feb 1792, which conflicts with her 1800 marriage

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Michael Holly (arr. 1750)

Michael Holly (Hooley)

fl. 1750 – ?

Christopher’s 7th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 530, 886 · generation 10
Evidence: identity compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Passenger on the Brotherhood, 1750; Magdalena’s father per the 1911 Mast book.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 searched: Hans Blank’s daughter Catharine m. ‘John Holley’ (Salisbury Twp.; Fam. 262), a Holly of the next generation; no parents for Michael. Mast 1911 re-read: Michael Holly crossed on the Brotherhood with the Masts

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christian Nisly (emigrated 1804)

Rev. Christian Nisly

fl. 1804 – ?

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 78 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

His date book: left ‘the old country’ 7 May 1804 and reached ‘the home of Christel Zug’ 12 Oct 1804 (1912 genealogy). Married Sarah Miller 1807.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

The crossing of 1804 ( Christian Monitor, 1935, "Early Amish ministers of Somerset County"; Hostetler 1912, fam. 3063 note; Stutzman, Tobias of the Amish)

“Christian Nisly (Niesley) started from Europe May 7, 1804, leaving a brother behind. He embarked for America June 6 and reached his destination, the home of Christel Zug, in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, Oct. 12, 1804.”
He landed at Philadelphia without enough money for his fare, and worked for Christel Zug (Christian Zook), who paid his passage debt: he came as a redemptioner (family account in Tobias of the Amish). About four months at sea, a typical voyage for that year.
Then Somerset County: married Sarah Miller 19 Jun 1807 (daughter of the blind Amish minister Abraham Miller of Berlin); farmed near Davidsville; an Amish minister who signed church papers with the Somerset ministers. In 1840 he sold the farm and moved to Ohio (near Baltic) with all the family except daughter Frany (m. Christian Shetler). Four sons and six daughters grew up. Sarah died 1 Jun 1857, blind in her last years; Christian’s death date is not recorded.
Where in Europe: not stated in any source found. “Nisly” (Nüssli, Nissle) is a Swiss Anabaptist name; Amish emigrants of 1804 came mostly from Alsace, Lorraine, the Palatinate and Hesse. Next step: the brother he left behind and Philadelphia ship arrivals of Oct 1804.

"Christel Zug" was of the Zug/Zook family from Signau (Hans Zoug, preacher, jailed 1660–71); the Zug brothers came in 1742 and their Amish congregation near Malvern, Chester Co., built the first Amish meetinghouse in America. See Mennonite Encyclopedia - family and place entries (read 2026-10-31).

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912) full text re-read (fam. 3063 note): his date book: left the old country ‘leaving his brother’ 7 May 1804, reached Christel Zug’s 12 Oct 1804; married Sarah Miller 19 Jun 1807; parents and home village not given

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Noah E. Miller (1860–1910)

Noah Eli Miller

29 Jul 1860 – 21 May 1910, born at Holmes County (Ohio), died at Protection (Kansas)

Christopher’s 2nd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 16 · generation 5
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Born Holmes County; married Sophronia E. Hummel of Millersburg 12 Jan 1882; 10 sons and 4 daughters, all living. Lived in Ohio, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas before Comanche County, Kansas (about 1907–08). Joined the Mennonite Church about 1886; Sunday school superintendent at Protection. Survived by ‘an aged father’ who came from Holmes County for the funeral. Mast book #1593.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n5889792["Noah E. Miller (1860–1910)"]
  n27451265["Veronica Kurtz (1800–1845)"]
  n38353437["Eli D. Miller (1835–1913)"]
  n5975203["Joseph Kurtz (fl. 1800)"]
  n72228026["Catherine Weaver (1811–1893)"]
  n29878522["Fanny Miller (b. 1769)"]
  n1736980["Susanna Kurtz (fl. 1800)"]
  n21990190["Christian Mast (fl. 1800)"]
  n50437516["Abraham Mast (1802–1877)"]
  n60669112["Mary Mast (1837–1908)"]
  n94291431["Daniel D. Miller (1806–1865)"]
  n5889792 --> n38353437
  n38353437 --> n94291431
  n38353437 --> n72228026
  n5889792 --> n60669112
  n60669112 --> n50437516
  n50437516 --> n21990190
  n50437516 --> n1736980
  n60669112 --> n27451265
  n27451265 --> n5975203
  n27451265 --> n29878522
  class n5889792,n27451265,n38353437,n5975203,n72228026,n29878522,n1736980,n21990190,n50437516,n60669112,n94291431 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christian Mast (fl. 1800)

fl. 1800 – ?

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 132 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Mast book #1513: the 10th child of Bishop Jacob Mast; married Susanna Kurtz 5 Jan 1800; later at Millersburg, Holmes County. ‘A tall man with curly hair, blue eyes and a pleasant smile.‘

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n37763041["Michael Holly (arr. 1750)"]
  n16311282["Jacob Mast (1738–1808)"]
  n21990190["Christian Mast (fl. 1800)"]
  n61422105["Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820)"]
  n21990190 --> n16311282
  n21990190 --> n61422105
  n61422105 --> n37763041
  class n37763041,n16311282,n21990190,n61422105 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Weaver (fl. 1788)

Life and evidence

Hostetler 1938, note to no. 12446 (from Emanuel B. Weaver, Dundee, Ohio)

“Jacob Weaver was b. in 1748, in Zurich, Switzerland, came to Philadelphia, Pa., in 1764, with his cousin, Christian Weaver, sold for their passage, lived in Berks Co., Pa., served in the Revolutionary war; married in 1779 or 1780, Magdalena Overholser, and d. in Somerset Co., Pa., in 1820.” Children: Christian (10 Apr 1780), Abraham (4 Aug 1782), Peter, Samuel (22 Mar 1788), Catherine, Jacob, Elizabeth, David. About 1815 Peter, Samuel and Jacob settled in Holmes Co., Ohio.

A Zurich-born indentured servant who served in the Revolution is unusual for an Amish ancestor: he probably joined the Amish (through his wife’s family) rather than being born into them. Unverified.

  • 1764 ship lists checked (2026-11-01): no Jacob or Christian Weber
  • Berks County Revolutionary militia rolls (Pennsylvania Archives, 5th series) for Jacob Weaver task/ai

(Hostetler 1938, no. 12446)

Named as parents of Samuel Weaver (fl. 1811) (b. 22 Mar 1788): “son of Jacob Weaver and Magdalena Overholser”. The same book’s map of Walnut Creek Twp., Holmes Co. shows “Pioneer, Jacob Weaver”, later Samuel Weaver’s farm: possibly the same man.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hostetler 1938, note to no. 12446 read: born 1748 in Zurich, came to Philadelphia 1764 with his cousin Christian Weaver, both sold (indentured) for their passage; lived in Berks Co.; Revolutionary War service; m. 1779/80 Magdalena Overholser; d. Somerset Co. 1820. Parents not named
  • 2026-11-01: Pennsylvania German Pioneers vol. 1, all 1764 lists: no Jacob or Christian Weber/Weaver. At about 16 and indentured, he may not have been required to sign (men 16 and over signed)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820)

Magdalena Holly (Hooley) Mast

c.1740 – 26 Oct 1820

Christopher’s 6th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 265, 443 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Died 26 Oct 1820 aged 80; buried beside Bishop Jacob at Pine Grove. Daughter of Michael Holly (1911 book) or Johannes Hooley (other trees), fellow passengers on the Brotherhood.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n37763041["Michael Holly (arr. 1750)"]
  n61422105["Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820)"]
  n61422105 --> n37763041
  class n37763041,n61422105 internal-link;

Sources

Lancaster tax lists — added 2026-10-31 by Claude

“John Holly” held 200–212 acres in Salisbury Township in 1772 and 1782, next to the Amish Planks and Kurtzes. A Johannes Holly was on the Brotherhood in 1750. This supports the “Johannes Hooley” version of her father as a real Lancaster landholder; it does not decide between Michael and Johannes. See Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames): Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820): father Michael Holly (1911 book) or Johannes Hooley (other trees) | ‘John Holly’, Salisbury Twp, 1772 (200 acres) and 1782 (212 acres); a Johannes Holly was on the Brotherhood (1750) with Michael and

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Frany Yoder (fl. 1784)

Frany Yoder Miller

Wife of John Miller (fl. 1780): the Troyer genealogy (entry 898) calls Jacob Miller (b. 14 Dec 1784) “son of John and Frany (Yoder) Miller”, and entry 899 calls his brother David Miller (1779–1853) “son of John Miller”. So she was very probably David’s mother as well (compiled lead). The family moved to Ohio in 1815 (German Twp., then Berlin Twp., Holmes County).

Candidate parents (name and place match only)

Hertzler 1885, footnote to Fam. 383: Christian Yoder, farmer near Hamburg, Berks Co. (Upper Berne Twp., warrant of 1743, next to Jacob Hertzler), died 1772; wife Barbara died 1781. Eleven children, including Anna (m. Jacob Stutzman), John (m. Anna Mast), “(5) Fanny Yoder, married to John Miller”, and Catharine (m. John Miller). “The above named six residing in 1787 in Bedford Co., now Somerset Co.” Christian was a son of the widow Barbara Yoder (widow, immigrant).

Why it fits: the Northkill, where Wounded John Miller (fl. 1760) lived, is a few miles from Hamburg; John and Frany’s family were in Somerset County before going to Ohio in 1815. Why it is not proof: there were many Amish John Millers, and two Yoder sisters here married John Millers. If confirmed, Frany’s grandmother is the widow Barbara Yoder, already in the tree through John Yoder and Magdalena Mast.

  • Berks County Orphans’ Court / estate of Christian Yoder (d. 1772) or Barbara Yoder (d. 1781), Upper Berne Twp., naming Fanny and her husband task/human

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: archive.org full text for Frany/Fanny Yoder with John Miller, Christian Yoder 1772 Berks estate, and Somerset: nothing beyond Hertzler 1885. Schrock, The Miller Story (1960; lending copy, excerpts only) is about a different John Miller Sr. (m. Catherine Hochstedler). If the Hertzler candidate is right, Frany is a granddaughter of the widow Barbara Yoder (no. 889), which would add a Miller–Ramseyer crossing; still unproven
  • 2026-10-31: candidate: Hertzler 1885 (Brief Biographic Memorial of Jacob Hertzler), footnote to Fam. 383: Christian Yoder (d. 1772, near Hamburg, Berks Co.) and his wife Barbara (d. 1781) had eleven children incl. ‘(5) Fanny Yoder, married to John Miller’, who with five siblings was living in 1787 in Bedford Co., now Somerset Co.; Christian was a son of the widow Barbara Yoder (already an ancestor). Fits place and time; name match only

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Elizabeth Keim (fl. 1811)

Elizabeth Keim Weaver

Mother of Catherine Weaver (1811–1893) (Troyer book, entry 1444).

Born 4 Dec 1790, the eldest child of Nicholas Keim and Fanny Stutzman; died 20 Oct 1868 (Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912), fam. 6233). Married Samuel Weaver in Somerset County, Pa.; they moved to Holmes County, Ohio, and had ten children, six boys and four girls (Keim and Allied Families (1898-1899), p. 247), among them Catherine (1811), Veronica (1818, m. John D. Hochstetler), Susanna (1824), Isaac (1827), Daniel (m. Rachel Troyer) and Martha.

(Hostetler 1938, no. 12446)

Born 4 Dec 1790 near Davidsville, Pa.; died 20 Oct 1860 at Walnut Creek, Ohio (the vault had 1868); first child of Nicholas Keim and Fanny Stutzman.

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Death 20 Oct 1868 (DJH 1912, fam. 6233) vs 20 Oct 1860 (DJH 1912, Keim Bible list)

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Samuel A. Kuhns (c.1805–1870)

Samuel A. Kuhns

Father of Samuel Kuhns (1843–1918). Named as his father by Byler - Amish Immigrants of Waldeck and Hesse (1993). Online trees (Geni, WikiTree; summarized by search, the pages themselves blocked) give him as born about 1805 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, died 1870, living in Holmes County, Ohio, with children Tobias, Daniel, Elias (b. 8 Dec 1834), Leonard (b. Jan 1835[?]; d. 30 Nov 1924, Harper Co., Kansas), Joseph (1837–1914), Benjamin, Samuel Jr., Mary A. (Funk), Magdalena “Mattie” (Hershberger), Rosina and Rosetta (Gerber). WikiTree cites Gingerich & Kreider’s Amish and Amish Mennonite Genealogies.

To check: Ohio Genealogical Society, MSS 373 (OHC Family History Collection): compiled file on the family of Samuel Kuhns and Mary/Catherine Shank; Gingerich & Kreider; the 1850 census of Holmes County.

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full-text search ‘Samuel Kuhns’ Shank Holmes / Kuhns Shank Somerset Amish: only Byler (already used), the 1906 Bedford and Somerset history and the Hochstetler genealogies; parents not found. Next: Gingerich & Kreider (AAMG), 1850 Holmes County census (FamilySearch sign-in) — blocked

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Peter Keim (fl. 1768)

Peter Keim

Father of Nicholas Keim (1768–1830) and of Jacob, George, John, Samuel, Mary, Elizabeth and Peter (letter of Judge Albert Russell Keim, 1896, in Keim and Allied Families (1898-1899)). Lived in Berks County; the family later moved to Somerset County. “Concerning Peter very little seems to be known.” His own parentage is disputed (see conflicts).

Open questions

  • Ancestry: son of Johan Peter Keim, immigrant with land warrants of 1719/1730 (DJH 1912) vs grandson of Johannes Keim of Oley, the Founder (Keim and Allied Families 1898) vs one of three brothers Peter, Conrad and George from Baden (family claim, same book)

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hochstetler 1912 (fam. 2245 note) re-read: ‘son of Johan Peter Keim, the immigrant who received land warrants dated Nov. 27, 1719-30’; the Keim book (1898) disagrees (see conflicts). Not linked; his wife not named

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christian Stutzman (d. 1770)

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 1)

On the Bern Tp., Berks Co., Pa. tax lists 1753–1771; will dated 5 Sep 1770, probated 17 Nov 1770. Son of Jacob Stutzman, son of John Jacob Stutzman, who arrived at Philadelphia 2 Oct 1727 on the Adventurer (Rotterdam via Plymouth). Married Barbara Hochstetler (wife of Christian Stutzman). Children: Magdalena, Anna, Mary, Christian, Jacob, Elizabeth, Fanny, John.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Stutzman note), Stutzman 1938 no. 1 and archive.org full text: his mother (wife of Jacob Stutzman) is never named

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Catherine Weaver (1811–1893)

Catherine “Kate” Weaver Miller

1811 – 1893

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 65 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

‘Kate (Weaver)’ in the Mast book.

Troyer Family History (1984), entry 1444

Born 18 Oct 1811, died 22 Jul 1893; daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Keim) Weaver. Source: Troyer Family History (Hilda Troyer, 1984).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Stutzman (son of the 1727 immigrant)

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 1)

Son of the 1727 immigrant Johann Jacob Stutzman; father of Christian Stutzman (d. 1770).

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 and Stutzman 1938 searched: his wife/mother not named; Hertzler’s Christian Yoder family has a daughter Anna m. ‘Jacob Stutzman’ (a later Jacob, probably not him)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Sophronia Elizabeth Hummel (1861–1935)

Sophronia Elizabeth Hummel Miller

2 Oct 1861 – 16 Dec 1935

Christopher’s 2nd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 17 · generation 5
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Her obituary names her parents William Hummel and Martha Gonser, her marriage to Noah, Noah’s parents Eli D. Miller and Mary Mast, and son David D. of Protection. ‘Since her marriage she has been a faithful member of the Mennonite Church’ — a family that joined the Mennonites; Hummel and Gonser are not Amish names. One of the likelier places for non-Anabaptist (possibly English) ancestry.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n77261024["Sophronia Elizabeth Hummel (1861–1935)"]
  n48280482["Martha Gonser (1839–1908)"]
  n40446345["Anthony G. Gonser (1817–1887)"]
  n19978390["William C. Hummel (1837–1912)"]
  n27939748["Elizabeth Warnes (1821–1897)"]
  n77261024 --> n19978390
  n77261024 --> n48280482
  n48280482 --> n40446345
  n48280482 --> n27939748
  class n77261024,n48280482,n40446345,n19978390,n27939748 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Bolinger (arr. 1749)

Barbara Bolinger Kurtz

Hertzler 1885, footnote to Fam. 414

Abraham Kurtz “revisited Germany and there married his second wife, Barbara Bolinger. With her he returned to Pa.; arrived in Philadelphia, Sep. 15th, 1749, in the ship Phoenix.”

Second wife of Abraham Kurtz (arr. 1749), married in Germany about 1748–49. Mother of Abraham Kurtz (1753–1831), Barbara (1755, m. Henry Zug), John, Peter and Joseph Kurtz (fl. 1800) (1765). A double ancestor, through Joseph and Abraham.

Women did not sign the ship oath, so she is not on the Phoenix list. Her parents and birthplace are not given.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 414, 579, 633 notes) read: married Abraham Kurtz in Germany, came on the Phoenix 1749; her parents and home not given
  • 2026-11-01: context: a Christopher Bolinger came to Philadelphia on the Robert & Alice, 3 Sep 1739 (PGP list 71 A), the same ship Abraham Kurtz took in 1740. Possible kin; Hertzler says she married Abraham in Germany

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Bolinger (arr. 1749)

Barbara Bolinger Kurtz

Hertzler 1885, footnote to Fam. 414

Abraham Kurtz “revisited Germany and there married his second wife, Barbara Bolinger. With her he returned to Pa.; arrived in Philadelphia, Sep. 15th, 1749, in the ship Phoenix.”

Second wife of Abraham Kurtz (arr. 1749), married in Germany about 1748–49. Mother of Abraham Kurtz (1753–1831), Barbara (1755, m. Henry Zug), John, Peter and Joseph Kurtz (fl. 1800) (1765). A double ancestor, through Joseph and Abraham.

Women did not sign the ship oath, so she is not on the Phoenix list. Her parents and birthplace are not given.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 414, 579, 633 notes) read: married Abraham Kurtz in Germany, came on the Phoenix 1749; her parents and home not given
  • 2026-11-01: context: a Christopher Bolinger came to Philadelphia on the Robert & Alice, 3 Sep 1739 (PGP list 71 A), the same ship Abraham Kurtz took in 1740. Possible kin; Hertzler says she married Abraham in Germany

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Abraham Miller (1766–c.1821)

Rev. Abraham Miller

13 May 1766 – c.1821, born at Berks County (Pennsylvania)

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 158 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Amish minister; son of immigrant ‘Daniel’ Miller (1912 genealogy). His sister Fanny is also Christopher’s ancestor.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n74885215["Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785)"]
  n31156482["Anna Dorothea Mueller (c.1700–1789)"]
  n5522300["Abraham Miller (1766–c.1821)"]
  n70940324["Ulrich Mishler (b. 1688)"]
  n77081455["Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756)"]
  n49335685["Christian Daniel Miller (c.1734–1777)"]
  n5522300 --> n49335685
  n5522300 --> n74885215
  n74885215 --> n77081455
  n77081455 --> n70940324
  n74885215 --> n31156482
  class n74885215,n31156482,n5522300,n70940324,n77081455,n49335685 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Magdalena (wife of Wounded John Miller) (fl. 1757)

Magdalena Miller

Wife of “Wounded John” Miller. She was inside the cabin with their four small children (Jacob, John, Christian and Peter) when John was shot in the hand during the September 1757 raid at the Northkill (Troyer 1984). Maiden name unknown.

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hochstetler 1912, Stutzman 1938, Hertzler 1885 searched: her maiden name not given anywhere

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Veronica Kurtz (1800–1845)

Veronica Kurtz Mast

7 May 1800 – 8 Jun 1845

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 67 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Died of pneumonia. Possibly related to the other Veronica ‘Fanny’ Kurtz (1811–1889) on the Ramseyer side (unverified).

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n27451265["Veronica Kurtz (1800–1845)"]
  n74885215["Veronica Mishler (c.1736–1785)"]
  n5975203["Joseph Kurtz (fl. 1800)"]
  n31156482["Anna Dorothea Mueller (c.1700–1789)"]
  n29878522["Fanny Miller (b. 1769)"]
  n77081455["Joseph Ulrich Mishler (c.1700–1756)"]
  n49335685["Christian Daniel Miller (c.1734–1777)"]
  n27451265 --> n5975203
  n27451265 --> n29878522
  n29878522 --> n49335685
  n29878522 --> n74885215
  n74885215 --> n77081455
  n74885215 --> n31156482
  class n27451265,n74885215,n5975203,n31156482,n29878522,n77081455,n49335685 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Hochstetler (Anelli)

Anna “Anelli” Hochstetler Miller

? – ?

Christopher’s 5th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 159 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

1912 genealogy #3062.

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n14980418["John Hochstetler (c.1735–1805)"]
  n47501256["Anna Hochstetler (Anelli)"]
  n66959082["Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)"]
  n84009264["Anna Hochstetler (killed 1757)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n47501256 --> n14980418
  n14980418 --> n99487970
  n99487970 --> n66959082
  n14980418 --> n84009264
  class n14980418,n47501256,n66959082,n84009264,n99487970 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 searched: no Hochstetler family entry giving John Hochstetler’s wives or which was Anna’s mother; mother still open between his wives

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

David Miller (1779–1853)

David Miller

Father of Daniel D. Miller (1806–1865). Born 2 Oct 1779, died 30 Mar 1853; “son of John Miller, and bro. to Jacob Miller”. Amish; farmed in Walnut Creek Township, Holmes County, Ohio, beside his brother Jacob (“the county line runs between the farms of these two brothers”). His mother-in-law, Magdalena Troyer, spent her last days on his farm (d. 1827) as Michael Troyer’s will instructed. Married Elizabeth Troyer (1781); children Jonas (1805), Daniel (1806), Stephen, Michael, Noah, David, Yost, Jacob and Simon (twins, 1816), Elizabeth, Benjamin, Moses, Joseph, Andrew. Source: Troyer Family History (Hilda Troyer, 1984), entry 899.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Daniel D. Miller (1806–1865)

1806 – 1865

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 64 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

‘Daniel and Kate (Weaver) Miller, of Holmes Co.’ (Mast book). His parents are the next Miller-surname question. As far as known this Miller line is separate from the immigrant Daniel/Christian Miller of the Patience.

  • Find Daniel D. Miller’s parents: David Miller and Elizabeth Troyer (Troyer 1984)

Troyer Family History (1984), entry 1444

Born 23 Sep 1806, died 15 Aug 1865 of typhoid fever, Berlin, Ohio; minister in the Old Order Amish church. Son of David Miller and Elizabeth Troyer; grandson of Michael Troyer Sr., who came on the Brotherhood in 1750. Married Catherine Weaver; children Mariam, Elizabeth, Fanny, Eli (Christopher’s line), Noah, Sarah, Susannah, Levi, Daniel, Catherine, Lydia, Magdalena, Samuel. Source: Troyer Family History (Hilda Troyer, 1984).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christian Daniel Miller (c.1734–1777)

Christian (“Daniel”) Miller Jr.

c.1734 – 1777

Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 270, 316 · generation 9
Evidence: identity unresolved
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

A double ancestor on the Miller side — through his son Abraham Miller (1766–c.1821) (Kuhns line) and his daughter Fanny Miller (b. 1769) (Mast line). So D. Paul’s parents were distant cousins.

Two versions of who he was

Version A (1911 Mast #119; 1912 Hochstetler): “Daniel Miller”, “presumably came from Germany” with a first wife (a Kenagy) on the Patience (1750 or 1760); after her death went back to Europe, married Veronica Mishler, returned and farmed near Shillington, Berks County.

Version B (WikiTree, citing AAMG pp. 269–270): Christian Miller Jr. (c.1734–1777), a widower, married Veronica in Pennsylvania c.1758–60; son of Christian Miller Sr. (c.1706–1785, from Bern; Francis and Elizabeth 21 Sept 1742; land in the Northkill settlement 1747). WikiTree notes the 1750 Patience list has a ‘Daniel’ but no Christian, removed ‘Daniel’ for lack of evidence, and warns of conflated Christian Millers. Y-DNA haplogroup R-M512.

Working identification: Version B, but the Christian Sr. → Jr. link is unproven, so Christian Sr. is not linked as a parent here.

Children (both versions): Christian (1760–1832, Amish minister, m. Catharine Kurtz), Elizabeth (Kenagy), Jacob, Abraham (1766, m. Anna Hostetler), Susanna (Stutzman), Fanny/Veronica (1769, m. Joseph Kurtz), Barbara (Solomon Yoder), Magdalena (Hershberger). Montgomery’s History of Berks County, p. 802, has an account of the family.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • Name: ‘Daniel Miller’ (1911/1912 books) vs Christian Miller Jr. (AAMG via WikiTree)
  • Arrival: Patience 11 Aug 1750 (1911) vs 1760 (1912); WikiTree: Christian Jr. son of Christian Sr., Francis and Elizabeth 1742
  • Marriage to Veronica Mishler: in Europe (1911) vs in Pennsylvania c.1758–60 (WikiTree)

Sources

The Patience list, 11 August 1750 (checked 2026-11-01)

Pennsylvania German Pioneers, list 146 C: “Daniell Miller” took the oath on 11 August 1750, ship Patience. So the Mast book’s date (11 Aug 1750) is right and the 1912 book’s “1760” is wrong. It does not settle which version of his identity is correct, but it shows a Daniel Miller really was on that ship, as Version A claims.

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Name: ‘Daniel Miller’ (1911/1912 books) vs Christian Miller Jr. (AAMG via WikiTree)
  • Arrival: Patience 11 Aug 1750 (1911) vs 1760 (1912); WikiTree: Christian Jr. son of Christian Sr., Francis and Elizabeth 1742
  • Marriage to Veronica Mishler: in Europe (1911) vs in Pennsylvania c.1758–60 (WikiTree)

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: (earlier sessions) Mast 1911, Hochstetler 1912 and WikiTree/AAMG compared: two versions of his identity; Christian Sr. link unproven. 2026-10-31: Hochstetler 1912 fam. 3062 re-read: calls Fanny’s father ‘Abraham Miller, the son of Daniel Miller’ who came on the Patience 11 Aug 1750 (a third name variant); no new evidence for his parents
  • 2026-11-01: Pennsylvania German Pioneers vol. 1, list 146 C: ‘Daniell Miller’ signed the oath at Philadelphia, 11 Aug 1750, ship Patience. This supports the Mast 1911 date (11 Aug 1750, Patience) against the 1912 ‘1760’; the list has a Daniel Miller (WikiTree’s point that there is no Christian stands)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christian Daniel Miller (c.1734–1777)

Christian (“Daniel”) Miller Jr.

c.1734 – 1777

Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 270, 316 · generation 9
Evidence: identity unresolved
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

A double ancestor on the Miller side — through his son Abraham Miller (1766–c.1821) (Kuhns line) and his daughter Fanny Miller (b. 1769) (Mast line). So D. Paul’s parents were distant cousins.

Two versions of who he was

Version A (1911 Mast #119; 1912 Hochstetler): “Daniel Miller”, “presumably came from Germany” with a first wife (a Kenagy) on the Patience (1750 or 1760); after her death went back to Europe, married Veronica Mishler, returned and farmed near Shillington, Berks County.

Version B (WikiTree, citing AAMG pp. 269–270): Christian Miller Jr. (c.1734–1777), a widower, married Veronica in Pennsylvania c.1758–60; son of Christian Miller Sr. (c.1706–1785, from Bern; Francis and Elizabeth 21 Sept 1742; land in the Northkill settlement 1747). WikiTree notes the 1750 Patience list has a ‘Daniel’ but no Christian, removed ‘Daniel’ for lack of evidence, and warns of conflated Christian Millers. Y-DNA haplogroup R-M512.

Working identification: Version B, but the Christian Sr. → Jr. link is unproven, so Christian Sr. is not linked as a parent here.

Children (both versions): Christian (1760–1832, Amish minister, m. Catharine Kurtz), Elizabeth (Kenagy), Jacob, Abraham (1766, m. Anna Hostetler), Susanna (Stutzman), Fanny/Veronica (1769, m. Joseph Kurtz), Barbara (Solomon Yoder), Magdalena (Hershberger). Montgomery’s History of Berks County, p. 802, has an account of the family.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • Name: ‘Daniel Miller’ (1911/1912 books) vs Christian Miller Jr. (AAMG via WikiTree)
  • Arrival: Patience 11 Aug 1750 (1911) vs 1760 (1912); WikiTree: Christian Jr. son of Christian Sr., Francis and Elizabeth 1742
  • Marriage to Veronica Mishler: in Europe (1911) vs in Pennsylvania c.1758–60 (WikiTree)

Sources

The Patience list, 11 August 1750 (checked 2026-11-01)

Pennsylvania German Pioneers, list 146 C: “Daniell Miller” took the oath on 11 August 1750, ship Patience. So the Mast book’s date (11 Aug 1750) is right and the 1912 book’s “1760” is wrong. It does not settle which version of his identity is correct, but it shows a Daniel Miller really was on that ship, as Version A claims.

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Name: ‘Daniel Miller’ (1911/1912 books) vs Christian Miller Jr. (AAMG via WikiTree)
  • Arrival: Patience 11 Aug 1750 (1911) vs 1760 (1912); WikiTree: Christian Jr. son of Christian Sr., Francis and Elizabeth 1742
  • Marriage to Veronica Mishler: in Europe (1911) vs in Pennsylvania c.1758–60 (WikiTree)

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: (earlier sessions) Mast 1911, Hochstetler 1912 and WikiTree/AAMG compared: two versions of his identity; Christian Sr. link unproven. 2026-10-31: Hochstetler 1912 fam. 3062 re-read: calls Fanny’s father ‘Abraham Miller, the son of Daniel Miller’ who came on the Patience 11 Aug 1750 (a third name variant); no new evidence for his parents
  • 2026-11-01: Pennsylvania German Pioneers vol. 1, list 146 C: ‘Daniell Miller’ signed the oath at Philadelphia, 11 Aug 1750, ship Patience. This supports the Mast 1911 date (11 Aug 1750, Patience) against the 1912 ‘1760’; the list has a Daniel Miller (WikiTree’s point that there is no Christian stands)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Mary Catherine Shank (c.1805–1842)

Mary Catherine Shank Kuhns

Mother of Samuel Kuhns (1843–1918) (“Samuel Kuhns and Mary Shank”, Byler - Amish Immigrants of Waldeck and Hesse (1993)). Online trees give her as born about 1805, daughter of John Shank and Mary Elizabeth (unverified), dying in Holmes County in 1842.

Date problem

If she died in January 1842 she cannot be the mother of a son born in July 1843. Either Samuel Jr. was born 20 July 1840 (Byler: “ca 1840”; another online tree: 1840), or his 1843 birth year is right and the death date is wrong, or Samuel Sr. had a second wife. Samuel Jr.’s own obituary says 1843.

Open questions

  • Death 8 Jan 1842 (Geni) vs after the birth of her son Benjamin, 17 Sep 1842 (WikiTree, citing Gingerich & Kreider) vs mother of Samuel Jr. born 1843 (his obituary)

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full-text search ‘Samuel Kuhns’ Shank Holmes / Kuhns Shank Somerset Amish: only Byler (already used), the 1906 Bedford and Somerset history and the Hochstetler genealogies; parents not found. Next: Gingerich & Kreider (AAMG), 1850 Holmes County census (FamilySearch sign-in) — blocked

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Samuel Weaver (fl. 1811)

Samuel Weaver

Father of Catherine Weaver (1811–1893) (Troyer book, entry 1444) and of Daniel Weaver of Kokomo, Indiana (entry 658). Married Elizabeth Keim.

Married Elizabeth Keim (fl. 1811) in Somerset County, Pa.; moved to Holmes County, Ohio; “Samuel Weaver, Walnutcreek, Ohio, at death” (Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912)). Ten children. His own parents are not yet found.

  • Find Samuel Weaver’s parents (Somerset County Weavers; Gingerich & Kreider) task/ai

Dates and parents (Hostetler 1938, no. 12446)

Born 22 Mar 1788, died 11 Sep 1869, “son of Jacob Weaver and Magdalena Overholser”. Married Elizabeth Keim. Thirteen children: Peter (1810), Catherine, Martha, Nicholas, Fanny, Samuel, Jacob (1821, d. young), Elizabeth (1822), Susanna, Isaac, Barbara, Solomon, Daniel. Pioneer on section 20, Walnut Creek Twp., Holmes Co. (township map in the same book).

Narratives and research

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Miller side

Ancestors of the grandparent at left, parents to the right.

Colors: green = documented · cyan = strong inference · yellow = family compilation · orange = compiled lead · red = unresolved · grey = not set