THE Story (of family past)

 OK , this is the story of one of my ancestors that I have promised for a long time.  It is long, so grab a cup of something!  I am trying to cut the story down a bit- but there are a lot of interesting tid-bits!!  It is history, not just for me and my family, but also the country.  I hope you enjoy reading.

This is about my 6th and 7th great grandpas on one branch of my daddies family tree.

This is in many historical books.

The Hochstetler's were originated from Switzerland.  In the 1600's some joined the anti-Baptist reform movement.  They suffered pretty severe persecution and in the early 1700's many immigrated to what was to become America for religious persecution.

Jacob (my 7th great), was 26 years old when his family arrived in Philadelphia in 1738.  He, his wife, a daughter and son.

In 1739 they settled along the Northkill Creek on the edge of what is now Burks Co. PA.  They built a log home and farm buildings near a spring.  It seemed they had a good life.  They also helped establish the first Amish Mennonite Church in America.

                                              A replica of what was thought to be his first cabin.

During this time the Delaware Indians inhabited a large portion of PA.  They lived in peace and often traded with the white settlers. 

In 1754 the peace was interrupted when France & England wanted to control the area and that just West of the Appalachian Mountains.  The French and the Indians worked together and defeated a British General in 1755.  Then they began to attack the settlers to gain control.

My ancestors lived in relative peace but tension during a short while.

By this time Jacob and his wife had a young daughter at home and 3 more sons.  The older daughter and son were now off on their own.

On September 19, 1757 a group of young people had gathered at the farm for an evening of cider making.  They left and they family went off to bed.  They arose to a lot of clamor outdoors.  The younger Jacob (Jr.) went to the door and opened to see what was going on - and he was shot in the leg.  He managed to close and bolt the door.  They could see many Indians around the property, but in accordance with their beliefs, they did not shoot! (They believed in peace).  The house was set afire.

They family made it to the cellar under the home.  As the fires started affecting them there, they managed to douse it with the much cider they had in keeping there.  Eventually it got to be too much, and they had to try to get out.  That is when the worst happened.

Young Jacob and the young daughter were killed and scalped.  Momma was stabbed in the heart - a huge sign of disrespect.  She had (according to lore) turned away some of the Indians at some point that were hungry.

Son, Christian, was about to be scalped, when the Indians saw his bright blue eyes and stopped.  He was spared.  They took him and the elder Jacob with them.  They came back the next day and found Joseph, who was hiding, and took him as well. 

The men were allowed to pick up all the peaches they could carry as they were making their way to the Indian camp.  They offered the peaches to the chief, and because of that act, they were all spared the cruel treatment most prisoners were given.  They were then traded to 3 different tribes.

Before they were traded, Jacob told his sons to remember the Lord's Prayer and not forget their German (Swiss) language.  Jacob minded his P's & Q's.  He was finally allowed to go hunting on his own.  He escaped.  He was found some time later, almost dead from starvation, by the British.  He relayed the story and gave them needed information.  After healing up, they returned him to his home area.

As the French & Indian war ended, peace treaties were signed, and the return of all white captures was supposed to happen.  It wasn't quick.  In 1762, Jacob asked the Govenor for help in getting his sons back.  Joseph was returned in 1764.  Christian wasn't returned until 1765.  Both were reluctant to go back to white society.  They had been adopted into the Indian culture and families.  Christian was the youngest when captured, so he had the hardest time.

Finally, both married, and were slowly re-integrated into white society and their Amish community.

Christian converted and jointed the church and went on to become a preacher.

CHRISTIAN is my 6th great grandpa!

Yeah, these were the good old days - NOT!  I cannot fathom what our ancestors had to endure just to survive daily life.  

I find this story so absolutely amazing.  The strength and fortitude.  The faith.  I do believe I have come from pretty amazing stock!!!!!!

I often think about this story and had ONE tiny thing changed - I would not be here today.  What if Christian had not had those blazing blue eyes, or had he rejected the Amish community, or had Jacob not gifted the chief peaches.......... WOW!

It wouldn't surprise me if some of our readers here, were related to me in some way.  Jacob has tens of thousands of descendants today. 

I condensed this down a bit - but it has been related in many history type books.  Just think this all happened BEFORE this land was even a country in its own right!

That is a little of my ancestors' history.  I am very proud of where I have come from and the people and their lives.  I think bits of that DNA is surely passed on and helps to make us what we are today.

Thanks for reading.  Hope it didn't bore you!