ramsei

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

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  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.

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