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
- History: Lancaster’s Swiss Mennonites, 1710s - backdrop and inroads
- Research: Archival trip plan - Lancaster County
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.