We are researching John Michael Brenizer, son of John Jacob Brenneisen and Anna Wampler. Notes are gathered here for records plausibly related to that Michael Brenizer. A deed names both Michael Brenisor as spouse of Franny Meyer and Rudolph Meyer with wife Barbara as heirs of Rudolph Meyer, deceased. Rudolph Meyer Jr. was married to Barbara Shenk. Rudolph Meyer and Barbara were divorced in 1801. Michael Brenizer was married to Barbara sometime later. Deeds show that Michael Brenizer's wife Barbara had a brother named Shenk. Some researchers suggest that Michael Brenison had two wives: Franey Meyer and Barbara (Schenk?) Meyer. Documents cited below suggest that Michael married Veronica Meyer first, and then married Barbara Schenk Meyer, divorced sister-in-law of Veronica. We seek further documentation to clarify whether Michael, son of Jacob Brenneisen and Anna Wampler, and Michael, spouse of Veronica Meyer, and Michael, spouse of Barbara, were all the same person, as assumed in the notes below.
1747 John Michael, son of Jacob Brenneissen and wife Veronica, was born on October 6. He was baptized on November 8, 1747 with sponsor John Michael [Wampler] Warmpstler and wife Mary Barbara. [1] [2] [3] [4]
c 1769 Michael Brenisen got married, perhaps to Veronica Meyer, based on tax records and his marriage status reported in a deed dated 1787.
1769-71 Michael Brenizen was taxed as an inmate (married with no land) in Lebanon Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [5] [6] [7]
1772-83 Michael Brenizen was taxed with land in Lebanon Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He often did not pay taxes or take the oath of allegiance (perhaps due to religious reasons). In 1783 he was not consistently listed on all tax records. [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]
1781 Michael Brenizer was listed in the third class of Captain Michael Holderbaum's Company it being the Second Company of the 2d Battalion of Lancaster County Militia. [27] Note that men were listed even if they paid a fine rather than serving. Fines were levied as the normal way for a man to fulfill military requirements when their religious belief prevented them from fighting. Michael was listed for fines in Capt. Holderb's company. [28] [29] [30] [31] [32]
1782 Michael Zug sold land to Michael Breneisen, which Michael sold to Rudolph Meyer in 1797. These transactions were apparently not recorded but were cited in a deed dated 1809 from Rudolph Moyer to his son John. [33]
1783-85 Michael Brenizer was taxed as a resident of Brothers Valley Twp, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. [34] He was listed as Michael Branisa in 1785. [35]
1786-88 Michael Branecey was taxed as a resident of Elk Lick Twp, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. [36] [37]
1787 Michael Breniser and wife Veronica (Meyer) and Rudolph Meyer and wife Barbara (Schenk?) were named as heirs of Rudolph Meyer. Heirs of the estate of Rudolph Meyer settled by transferring land to Jacob Meyer on August 17. The heirs named were John Meyer and wife Ann, Rudolph Myer and wife Barbara, Martin Myer, Christian Myer, Michael Myer, Michael Brenisor and wife Francy, Ann Myer, Abraham Myer and wife Barbara, all of Lancaster County. The land was part of a 634 acre tract called blackmannan, in Hanover Twp, Lancaster County, which was patented to Rudolph Myer on June 6, 1774. The land was adjacent to Mathias Poor, Peter Filley?, William Young, Abraham Winger, and others. Rudolph died intestate leaving issue eldest son John, Rudolph, Henry, Martha, Christian, Michael, Francy (wife of Michael Breniser), Ann, Abraham Myer & Barbara Myer, and Jacob Myer. The deed was recorded on August 1, 1790 in Dauphin County. [38]
1790 Micael Brinisor lived in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in a household with 5 males under age 16, 1 males age 16 and over, and 3 females. [39]
1795 Somerset County was created from Bedford County on April 17.
1796 Michael Brenizer was taxed as a resident of Elk Lick Twp, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. [40]
1798 Michael Breneisey was listed on the direct tax in Brothers Valley and Elk Lick, Somerset County, Pennsylvania with a 20 by 30 foot log house and a 50 by 30 barn. Abraham Horner and Abraham Miller were adjacent. [41] [42]
1800 Michael Brenneisey lived in Brothers Valley, Somerset County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 2 (10 thru 15), 2 (16 thru 25), and 1 (45 and over); and females: 1 (16 thru 25) and 1 (45 and over). [43]
1801 Rudolph Meyer divorced his wife Barbara for aldultury. [44]
1787-1811 Michael Brenizer married Barbara, whose brother was named Schenk. Barbara may have been the divorced ex-wife of Rudolph Meyer.
1805 Michael Brenise received a warrant for 326 acres of land in Somerset County on November 1. [45] The land was surveyed in 1807. [46] John Brenise [son of Michael] received a patent for the land. [47]
1809 John Moyer of Brothers Valley Twp and Jacob Moyer of Elk Lick Twp, Somerset County, Pennsylvania sold land to each other. John was a son of Rudolph. The lands were near to or involved lands of Michael Brenison and Jacob Moyer. [48] A deed dated 1805 was cited. [49]
1810 Michael Breneizer lived in Brothers Valley Twp, Somerset County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 1 (16 thru 25), 1 (26 thru 44), and 1 (45 and over); and females: 1 (under 10), 1 (16 thru 25), and 1 (45 and over). [50]
1811 Michael Brenizer, yeoman, and wife Barbara, of Brothers Valley Twp, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, sold land to Frederick Weller, of same on April 1. The tract was 171 acres of land on the Cassleman River in that Twp, which Michael had purchased on 10/23/1796.
1815 On May 29, Michael Brenizer and wife, now of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, but late of Elk Lick Twp, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, farmer, deeded 326 acres of land with an improvement in Elk Lick Twp. to son, John of Elk Lick Twp. Michael got the land by warrant dated November 1, 1805. [51]
1815 Michael Brenison and Barbara his wife of Brothers Valley, Somerset County sold land to Frederick Weller. The tract was on bafslamans River. Dated April 1. [52]
1820 Michael Brieneger lived in East Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in a household with males: 1 (under 10), 1 (16 thru 25), 1 (26 thru 44), and 1 (45 and over); and females: 1 (under 10), 1 (10 thru 15), 1 (16 thru 25), and 1 (45 and over). [53]
1821 On August 31, Michael Brenizer and wife Barbara authorized an attorney to act in their behalf regarding the estate of John Shenck, Barbara's brother. John Shenk died with heirs widow Nancy and two sisters: Nancy married to John Moyer, of Lancaster County, and Barbara married to Michael Brenizer, of Westmoreland County. [54]
1822 On April 2, Michael Brenizer, and wife Barbara, of Westmoreland County, signed a release of their attorney Thomas Elder of Dauphin County. [55]
1822 On April 6, Michael Brenizer, and wife Barbara, of Westmoreland County, by their attorney Thomas Elder of Harrisburg, sold lands to Abraham Rea. The lands were from the estate of John Shenk, of Jonestown, brother of Barbara. One tract was in Heidelburg, with a mill, adjoining land of George Strickler, John Shenk, Jacob Weis, and others. Another tract was in Lebanon Twp adjoining lands of Daniel Brubaker, John Smith, and others. A tract in Swatara Twp adjoining lands of John Ranck, John Hiller, and others, with a house occupied by the said John Shenk in Jonestown. The heirs of John Shenk were a widow and sisters Anna intermarried with John Meyer who lately died and the said Barbara intermarried with the same Michael Brenizer. The tracts were appraised by the sheriff, by order of the Orphans Court of Lebanon County on November 5. [56] [57]
Research Notes:
A Brenizer genealogy reports [58]:
Nestled in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, on the northern edge of Westmoreland County, lies the small village of Brenizer. Although approximately 175 families live here at the present time, this was not always a village. In the 1800's, this area was owned by the Breniser family and used as a farmland, but hidden under this land was a rich treasure of coal. When the mining days began, the town was slowly built up to be one of the nicest mining towns in this area.
We have traced some of the ancestors of the original Breniser family to Germany, where some descendants still live. The name Breniser comes from the name Brennelsen, which means: Bren (Burn) Eisen (Iron). Through the years, the Breniser name has been spelled many different ways.
Hans Veltin (John Valentine) and Gorge Michel (George Michael) Brenneisen arrived in Philadelphia in September of 1730 on the ship named Alexander and Ann. Their records, including taking the Oath of Allegiance to King George III, are documented in the Pennsylvania Archives and also in Daniel Rupp's list of German passengers, which is considered to be a classic in the documentation of German immigrants. The two immigrants came from the Palatinate; that region of the Neckar Valley, southeast of Heidelberg, is now in the state of Baden-Wurrtenberg. This particular branch of the family, according to Wilhelm Brenneisen, the present day family historian in Germany, came from Lohrbach. Before immigrating, they worked on a large farm as day laborers. The name of the farm and village, still existing today, is called the Damnhof.
John Valentine Brenneisen had several children when he arrived in the United States in 1730, and he had more children after he settled here. George Michael seems to have disappeared from sight soon after he arrived, since nothing more has been discovered about him. John Valentine's children grew up in Lancaster County. At the same time, however, the names Jacob and Christian were appearing on tax records in Bedford and Somerset Counties, and family members think they are George Michael's descendants.
At Hill Church (Berg Kirche, Church on the Quitapohila) a record exists that shows the marriage of Jacob Brenneisen and Anna Veronica Wampfler in 1747. Later that year, a son, Michael, was born, followed by a son Jacob and a daughter Anna Barbara. We believe that Michael, born in 1747, is the father of Peter Breniser, who came to Westmoreland County. There is no documentation to prove this, but the family believes this. Jacob, the father of Michael, and his family left the Lutheran Church, according to the church record, and became Tunkers. Michael's wife, Barbara Myers Moyers, was a Mennonite. Apparently, they did not keep records as the Lutherans did, therefore we cannot obtain any information on their church life.
Michael is listed in the Pennsylvania Archives on the Revolutionary War lists, but he is also listed as a conscientious objector who did not want to fight because of his religious beliefs. In the State Archives in Harrisburg, Michael was continually being fined for not showing up to church, and so forth.
Michael is listed as a head of household in the 1790 census. The family probably moved around quite a bit, and Michael is found in Elk Lick and Brothers Valley Townships in Lebanon and Somerset Counties prior to 1800. He is located in the south of Westmoreland County by 1802. A copy of a land transaction between Michael Breniser and John McCabe, dated October 1, 1802, was found. Both parties are said to be of Unity Township, Westmoreland County. It was the sale of twenty acres, "a piece of ground whereon he now lives situated on the waters of the Nine Mile Run."
On April 4, 1805, Michael Breniser bought 225 acres. In 1812, Michael bought from Jacob Inistman 152 aeres in East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County. On July 2, 1816, Michael and Barbara Breniser of East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, sold 152 acres to Peter Lucks for $4.258. In 1820, Michael is found in West Huntingdon Township on the Federal Census records, but has never been found on any record afterward.
Although there are many descendants of George Michael Brenneisen and John Valentine Brenneisen, the descendants who are of great importance to this history were born in the 1800's. Down through the years, some of the same names were used repeatedly and, as a result, it can become very confusing to the reader. Whenever possible, we have used middle initials to distinguish between various family members. Although the original descendants settled in various places in Pennsylvania, moving often and buying other pieces of property, they eventually settled in Derry Township.
The Mennonite card file reports the family of Rudolph Meyer Sr with children John spouse of Anna Shenk, Rudolph with spouose Barbara Shenk, Henry with spouse Veronica Light, Martin, Christian with spouse Barbara Beighley, Michael with spouse Maria Beighley, Franey with spouse Michael Brenizer (son of Jacob), Ann, Abraham with spouse Elizabeth Light, Barbara, Jacob, and Elizabeth. [59]
Wikitree entry for Johann Michael Brenneisen by Ric Tobin. [60]
[1] F. Edward Wright, Early church records of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (2003), 183.
[2] William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries Historical Biographical and Genealogical Relating Chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania, Annual Volume 1898 (1899), 233, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].
[3] Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[4] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants From German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau (1983), 75.
[5] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1769, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[6] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1770, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[7] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1771, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[8] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1772, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[9] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1772, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[10] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1779, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[11] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1779, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[12] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1779, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[13] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1780, Fines, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[14] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1780, Not returned, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[15] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1781, Fines, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[16] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1781, Fines, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[17] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1781, Fines crossed out, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[18] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1781, not returned. No Oath of Allegiance, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[19] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1781, Fines, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[20] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1782, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[21] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 17 (Lancaster Taxables) (1897), 792, 1782, 116 acres, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[22] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1783, Not listed, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[23] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1783, no oath, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[24] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1783, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[25] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1783, not listed, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[26] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1783, not listed, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[27] Thomas Lynch Montgomery, Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Volume 7 (Militia Lancaster) (1906), 148, [GoogleBooks].
[28] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 6 (Revolution 1777-1789, Lieutenants) (1896), 421, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[29] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 6 (Revolution 1777-1789, Lieutenants) (1896), 466, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[30] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 6 (Revolution 1777-1789, Lieutenants) (1896), 470, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[31] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 6 (Revolution 1777-1789, Lieutenants) (1896), 472, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[32] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 6 (Revolution 1777-1789, Lieutenants) (1896), 605, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[33] Somerset County (Pennsylvania). Recorder of Deeds, Record of deeds, 1795-1902; index to deeds, 1795-1949, Deed 4-388, two deeds, [FamilySearchImage].
[34] History of Bedford and Somerset counties, Pennsylvania with Genealogical and Personal History (New York: Lewis, 1906), 142, not seen.
[35] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, Bedford, Brothers Valley (1785), [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[36] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, Bedford, Elk Lick (1786), [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[37] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, Bedford, Turkeyfoot (1788), [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[38] Lebanon County, Pennsylvania deed C, 56-60, [56], [57], [58], [59], [60].
[39] United States Federal Census, 1790, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[40] 1796 Somerset County, Pennsylvania tax, [URL].
[41] Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798, [AncestryRecord].
[42] Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798, [AncestryRecord].
[43] United States Federal Census, 1800, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[44] Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Divorce papers, 1786-1815, [FamilySearchImage].
[45] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Somerset County, B-17, [PHMC Warrant].
[46] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, C035-72, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].
[47] Bureau of Land Records, Pennsylvania Land Patent Books, H11-655, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[48] Somerset County (Pennsylvania). Recorder of Deeds, Record of deeds, 1795-1902; index to deeds, 1795-1949, Deed 4-388, two deeds, [FamilySearchImage].
[49] Somerset County (Pennsylvania). Recorder of Deeds, Record of deeds, 1795-1902; index to deeds, 1795-1949, 3-631, Rudolph Meyer to son John, [FamilySearchImage].
[50] United States Federal Census, 1810, [AncestryRecord].
[51] Somerset County (Pennsylvania). Recorder of Deeds, Record of deeds, 1795-1902; index to deeds, 1795-1949, 7-376, [FamilySearchImage].
[52] Somerset County (Pennsylvania). Recorder of Deeds, Record of deeds, 1795-1902; index to deeds, 1795-1949, 6-599, [FamilySearchImage].
[53] United States Federal Census, 1820, [AncestryRecord].
[54] Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Deed B-531, Appointment of attorney, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[55] Lebanon County, Pennsylvania deed C, 392-394, [392], [393], [394].
[56] Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Deed B-533, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[57] Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Deed B-536, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[58] Brenizer Historical Society, Brenizer, Then and Now 1730-1988 (Brenizer, PA: 1988), 3.
[59] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), [AncestryRecord].
[60] Wikitree by Ric Tobin, [URL].