THE FAMILY OF JOHN JACOB WETZEL
THE FAMILY OF JOHN JACOB WETZEL
This my descent from John Jacob Wetzel which consists of only 2 generations. I have a little more information on some of the people in this file.
Feel free to let me know of any corrections or additions to this family. I have
placed some of my sources at the end
of this page. E-mail to Ginny Deagan (NEW E-MAIL:[email protected])
John Jacob Wetzel was born in 1710 in Germany. His parents are unknown. His wife’s name was Anna Maria, her maiden name is unknown, although some have said that it was Bassler. There is a marriage of a Jacob Wetzel and Anna Maria Hag in the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church Records on 26 Oct 1759 - (a second marriage?).
Jacob arrived in Philadelphia on the “Charming Nancy” on 8 October 1737. His brother, Hans Martin Wetzel had emigrated earlier in 1731. Jacob settled in Hereford Township, then Philadelphia County, now Berks County near the junction of the present counties of Berks, Montgomery, Bucks and Lehigh. In 1743, he received a warrant for the survey of 100 acres in Bucks County, and in 1743, he received a warrant for the survey of 25 acres in Philadelphia County. He also received Land Warrants for 150 acres and also for another 51 acres of land in Hosensack Valley. The patents were received in 1747 and 1754. A third Patent was received in 1771 for 47 acres called “Mount Fair”.
It has been said that Jacob Wetzel and five of his sons all served in the Revolutionary War. He would have been about 67 years old if this is so. He was a farmer
He died in 1785 leaving a will in Will Book A, page 102, Berks County, PA. It was dated 8 May 1785 and proved 9 November 1785. He provided well for his wife, Maria. She received kitchen implements, the churn, two cows and one oxen. She was to live in the residence as long as she is a widow. She was to have two apple trees on the property which Jacob had sold to his son-in-law, Henry Heimbach and also the interest on the 100 Pounds encumbered on that property. His eldest son, Jacob received five Pounds and “the smooth gun rifle”. The youngest son, Conrad was to have the large Bible. Daughters Catherine and Marialiss (Maria Elizabeth) each received 4 pounds, 10 shillings and the remainder was to be shared between all nine children. He named his wife, Anna Maria and his son, Georg as executors . The will was witnessed by David Strauss and Georg Adam Bortz.
Children of Jacob and Anna Maria Wetzel:
2. Catherine Wetzel was born 4 November 1754. She married Henry Heimbach and was the mother of ten children. She died 18 April 1843 at age 88.
For children of Catherine and Henry Heimbach, see Heimbach Descendants