Individual Details

Jacob HOCHSTETLER

(1704 - 1 FEB 1776)



From Vernon Vinzant - 02/10/2014:
According to information discovered by Paul Hostetler in the 1970s, some of Jacob Hochstetler's information as presented in "Descendant of Jacob Hochstetler," by Harvey Hostetler was found to be incorrect.  However, other descendants and facts (such as the Indian massacre) apply.  There is a book written by John Showalter that corrects some of the mistakes that were written in the Harvey Hostetler book.
Harvey Hostetler's book contains two significant mistakes.  Jacob Hochstetler arrived in America on the "Charming Nancy" on November 9, 1738, whereas Harvey Hostetler's book gives arrival September 1, 1736 on the "Harle."  Harvey's book mistakenly used a reference in the Harle's ship list to a different Jacob Hochstetler who also settled at what is now Berks County, but who was a member of the Moravian Church in North Heidelberg Township, Berks County, PA. Some erroneously identify Jacob's wife that was killed in the Indian raid as Anna Lorentz.  In his book, Rev. Harvey Hostetler speculates that for Jacob “His wife was probably Miss Lorentz".  The basis for this speculation was the association of Johannes Lorentz with Jacob Hochstetler.  On page 23 of that book, "fellow passengers" on the ship Harle include Johannes Lorentz and subsequently Johannes is in the same area of Pennsylvania.  However, since the Jacob on the Harle has been determined to not be the correct Jacob or ship [Nov 9, 1738-Charming Nancy--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania], this association is unwarranted.  Further, at no point is the first name "Anna" associated with Lorenz.  Rev. Harvey Hostetler also indicates (pg 73) that Jacob's wife at death was "Anna, " but this would be another wife; not the one killed in the massacre and mother of Jacob's children. The name of his first wife is completely unknown.  Jacob and his wife had six known children -- Barbara, John, Jacob, Joseph, Christian and an unknown daughter.  The mother, Jacob, and the unknown daughter were killed in the 1757 Indian raid.
Jacob's change in birth year results in other age changes within the family.

Events

Birth1704
MarriageAnna LORENTZ
Death1 FEB 1776Bernville, Bern Twp., Berks Co., PA

Families