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
- Spouse: Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)
- Family notes: Jacob Hochstetler + Anna Hochstetler (m. unknown)
- Children in this vault: John Hochstetler (c.1735–1805), Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812)
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
- 1693 — 1693 The Amish split
- 1711 — 1711 The Rhine exodus from Bern
- 1712 — 1712 Louis XIV expels the Anabaptists from Alsace
- 1738 — 1738 The Charming Nancy
- 1750 — 1750 The Brotherhood
- 1757 — 1757 The Hochstetler massacre
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
- Wikipedia - Hochstetler massacre
- Amish Mennonites of Canada - Hochstetler genealogy
- JHFA - Jacob Hochstetler Family Association
Narratives and research
- Stories: Double ancestors, The Hochstetler massacre of 1757
- History: 1693 The Amish split, 1712 Louis XIV expels the Anabaptists from Alsace, 1738 The Charming Nancy, 1750 The Brotherhood, 1757 The Hochstetler massacre
- Sources: Amish Mennonites of Canada - Hochstetler genealogy, JHFA - Jacob Hochstetler Family Association, Wikipedia - Hochstetler massacre
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.