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Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812)

c.1746 – 24 Aug 1812, born at Northkill (Berks County), died at Mifflin (Juniata County)

Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 440 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

The captive. Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather on the Ramseyer side. Born on the Northkill about 1746 — American-born.

On the night of the 1757 attack, about 11 years old, he opened the door and (per Wikipedia) was shot in the leg. With his brother Christian he loaded the hunting guns, but their father refused to let them be used. Captured, he escaped and was recaptured; separated from his father at Fort Presque Isle and adopted by a Native family. Handed over at Fort Augusta after Bouquet’s 1764 treaty; his Native family urged him to visit and think of them as “brothers”, and he reportedly returned often to the village. He always held that if his father had let them shoot, the attackers would have fled.

Married Anna Blank (Plank) (“Joseph’s wife, the mother of his children, was Anna Blank” — 1912 book); named with “Ann, his wife” in the 1776 heirs’ deed (Lancaster Deed Book R, p. 118). Settled in Mifflin County; buried on the Solomon Brubaker farm east of Mifflin with his son John.

Full story: The Hochstetler massacre of 1757. The family’s “Indian blood” saying (which Christopher has heard) almost certainly comes from his adoption — see that note.

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)"]
  n83640307["Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n83640307 --> n99487970
  n99487970 --> n66959082
  n83640307 --> n84009264
  class n84009264,n66959082,n83640307,n99487970 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Birth given as 1742, 1744 or 1746
  • Who was shot at the door: Joseph (Wikipedia) or Jacob Jr. (1912 preface)
  • Death 24 Aug 1812 vs c.1823 in some summaries

Sources

The Blank heirs' deed, 1798 (Lancaster County deed index)

31 October 1798, Deed Book D03, pp. 457 and 459, Salisbury Township: Christian & Barbara Umble, John & Catharine Hooley, and Joseph & Anne Hochstetter convey and release to John Blank, Christian Zug and Jacob Yoder. These are the six children of Hans and Magdalena Blank and their spouses, dividing the homestead two years after Magdalena died. It is the first original record tying Anna Blank, wife of Joseph Hochstetler, to the Blank family. (Index only; the deed image is not yet seen.) See Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds - online index (1729-).

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth given as 1742, 1744 or 1746
  • Who was shot at the door: Joseph (Wikipedia) or Jacob Jr. (1912 preface)
  • Death 24 Aug 1812 vs c.1823 in some summaries

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Lancaster deed index: Joseph and Anne Hochstetter, grantors with the other Blank heirs, 31 Oct 1798, D03 pp. 457/459 (Salisbury Twp.)

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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