1724 On 8 November, Hans Valentin Brenneisen, servant of Samuel Bar, Anabaptist, and Margaretha Hertzler (Catholic), daughter of Andreas Hertzler of Gimbert, were married at Adelshofen Lutheran Church in Eppingen, Germany, after premature concubitum (pregnancy before marriage). [1]
1726 Son John Frederich was born on 23 June to Hans Valentine [Brenneisen] Breneisen, day laborer at the Dammhoff and wife Anna Margaretha (Catholic), based on records at the Adelshofen Lutheran Church. [2] Some researchers report that this son died as an infant.
1728 Son John Rudolff was born on 21 September to Hans Valentine Brenneisen, day laborer at the Dammhoff and wife Anna Margaretha (Catholic), based on records at the Adelshofen Lutheran Church. [3]
1730 On September 5, 1730, "The Alexander & Ann," from Rotterdam, Netherland, but last from Deal, England, arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hans [Veltin] Valentine Brenneisen and wife Anna Margaret [Hertzler] and children Johann Freidrich (age 4) and Johann Rudloff (age 2) were included on List 12 A.B.C [4] [5] [6] [7]
1731-36 Valentine Brenneisen [Brenn Eisen] was named as the deceased father of Martin, Jacob, and Conrad, with birthdates as shown here, in records of the Muddy Creek Lutheran Church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [8] [9]
1736 On July 18, Hans Valentine Brenneisen and wife Margaretha were sponsors at the baptism of child of Philipp Schweikert. [10] [11]
1737 On 13 September, Margaretha Brenneis, surviving widow of Valentin, married Johannes Ulrich at Cocalico Twp, Lancaster County. 1748 On January 6, Rudolff Brenneisen and Anna Barbara Schafferin were sponsors at the baptism of Barbara Sauer, daughter of Joh. Sauer. [12] [13] [14]
1736 On May 26, Falladine Brandiron [Valentine Brenneisen] warranted 200 acres on a branch of the Conestoga creek in Lancaster county. No patent or survey was recorded. [15]
c 1737 Valentin Burnet [Brenizer?] obtained a warrant about 10 or 12 years ago (before 1748, perhaps) in Earl Twp, Lancaster County, executed by John Taylor. There was no return on the warrant. John Urigh warranted 50 acres adjacent to that warrant. John Urigh requested a resurvey by Thomas Cookson to divide the land according to the respective interests of John Urigh and Rudolph Burnet, son of Valentin Burnet. [16] [17] [18] [19]
1740 Inventory of of the Estate of Valentine Breneisen, 1740: A True Inventory of all the goods and Effects of Valentine Breneisen Last Deceased ... the 27 day of August 1737 and given in by John Woorick [20]:
The J___servmest, 60L.
to a horse sadele and Bridel, 7L,10s.
to a working horse, 6L.
to a horse geirse (?) and ___, 10s.
to a pan of olde plow yoreus, 10s.
to 3 cows and a hifer & 4 sheep, 9L.
to hoges & wheat, rye, Braly & oats, 6L.
to flax and H a ___ & big yoren (yarn?), 3 L.
to 2 small yaren ___ withe some other small Household goods in the kickin, 12s.
to a olde crose Kot saw at 15 see a chain 10, 1L,5s.
to Axes Hachet crobing other ___.
to Dung truck & fork augurs small things, 1L,15s.
to a tub an Breaikes 10 ___ ___ ___ ___.
to a ___ ___ for Beding and linen.
to a ___ of olde ___ brushes and a cot, 1L,18s.
to 7 head of horned cattell, 10L,5s.
to a mear and 2 Colts, 5L,4s,2d.
Total: 117L,14s,2d. Appressed ___ us, George __orb, Ennob L. Bowins.
1740 Valentine Brineson's estate was administered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [21]
1746 Hans Urigh warranted 50 acres in Earl Twp, Lancaster county on 30 April 1746, surveyed 13 December 1748, patented 154 acres on 22 January 1762 by Conrad Breneison. The land was next to land of Philip Henrig, Jacob Holsaser, John Lacy, Conrad Wentz, George Zont, Thomas Erwyn, Michael Oberlin, and Rudolph Burnet. [22] [23] [24] [Photocopy, 1735 Warrant survey map with Valentine Brenizer next to Andreas Holtzinger.] [Photocopy, 1748 Warrant survey map for Rudolph Brenizer and Urigh.] [Photocopy, 1762 Warrant survey map for Rudolph Brenizer.]
1758 After the death of Hans Valentine his widow Margaretha married Jo Urick whose will read: Earltown [Earl Township] the February 7, 1758. Even this puts me in mind of going hence and of my Mortality because God Hath Wisietet me with an hard Sickness and it is Seemingly Nigh Deth by Virtue of these Letters Given before God the Allmighty and the under written witnesses my Last will. I John Urick Give and Give over to my two StepSons namely Conrad and Valentine Op, Rudolph Breneisen, Henry Kemper and Jacob Holtzinger, with wagon harness and Geers and Horned Cattle in Sumaall what is on the Place, thethern and ther Heirs for there own. Excepting my wife, their mother, shall have the out standing money the Grain on the Loft and the Grain now Standing in the field and for her Maintainance During her Life the one half of wht Stands in the Agreement which Christian Harman Hath in Kiping an and I Bequeath to my Brother Valentin Urick in Tolpehoken for his Heirship, Five pound to my Sister Ottilia in Dutchland one Shilling Starling for her Share. To my Step-son Rudolph Breneise one Shilling Sterling for his Share and to Martin Breneisen one Shilling Sterling for his Share and Jacob Breneison one Shilling Sterling for his Share and further the Lutheran Church Four pounds Ten Shillings and I Choose for Executors Henry Sower and Valentin Opp for that the articels for my last will shall all be kept before God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and witnesses present beside my own hand and Seal. John Gehr and George Yundt. Johnnes Urick seal. (The above will is translated from the original, which is written in German)[25] [26]
1758 Conrad, Rudolf, and Valentin Brenisen were taxed in Earltown, Lancaster County. [27] Jacob Brenisen was listed in the previous page.
1762 "[Hans] Urigh died, leaving land [perhaps 1746 patent] to two step-sons, Conrad and Valentine Breneisen. Valentine released his right to Conrad on 15 March 1758. Patented 13 Feb 1762, recorded 19 Feb 1762." [28]
1780 A potential link to the sons of Valentine Brenneisen is given by Sergeant Martin Branisen, private Valentine Brenisen, and private John Brenisen fit for duty in the bounds Seventh company of the First Battalion under Captain Ephraim Pennington. Jacob Holtzinger, named in the will of John Urick, was also listed. [29]
A narrative summary from another researcher reports [30]:
History of Brenizer, Pennsylvania. 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 Brenneisen, 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 Movers, 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. Courtesy of Wilhelm Brenneisen.
[1] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants From German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau (1983), 74, citing Adelshofen Lutheran KB (church book).
[2] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants From German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau (1983), 75.
[3] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants From German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau (1983), 74.
[4] I. Daniel Rupp, A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and other Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776, 2nd ed. (1875), 64, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].
[5] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants From German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau (1983), 74.
[6] Ralph B. Strassburger, William J. Hinke, ed., Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Vol. 1 (1934, Pennsylvania German Society), 36, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[7] Ralph B. Strassburger, William J. Hinke, ed., Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Vol. 2 (1934, Pennsylvania German Society), 27, signature near bottom, [HathiTrust].
[8] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants From German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau (1983), 74.
[9] William John Hinke and Frederick S. Weiser, Records of Pastoral Acts at the Lutheran and Reformed Congregations of the Muddy Creek Church, East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1730-1790 (Breinigsville, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania German Society, 1981), 17.
[10] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants From German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau (1983), 74, citing Muddy Creek Lutheran Church records.
[11] William John Hinke and Frederick S. Weiser, Records of Pastoral Acts at the Lutheran and Reformed Congregations of the Muddy Creek Church, East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1730-1790 (Breinigsville, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania German Society, 1981), 29.
[12] William John Hinke and Frederick S. Weiser, Records of Pastoral Acts at the Lutheran and Reformed Congregations of the Muddy Creek Church, East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1730-1790 (Breinigsville, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania German Society, 1981), 111.
[13] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants From German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau (1983), 74, citing Muddy Creek Lutheran Church records.
[14] John Casper Stoever, Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, trans., Records of Rev. John Casper Stoever. Baptismal and Marriage 1730-1799, 55, right column, [InternetArchive], [RootsWeb], [Stoever_Biosketch].
[15] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, B12, [PALandWarrantLinks].
[16] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, A78-163, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[17] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, B470, [PALandWarrantLinks].
[18] Pennsylvania Land Patent, A20-104, [PAPatentBookLinks].
[19] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, A88-99, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[20] W. R. Branthoover, The Brandhofer, Brauneler, Brenneiser Family from Eastern to Western Pennsylvania (1978), 63, [GoogleBooks].
[21] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Letters of Administration index, [FamilySearchImage].
[22] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, U17, [PALandWarrantLinks].
[23] Pennsylvania Land Patent, AA2-518, [PAPatentBookLinks].
[24] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, A78-163, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[25] W. R. Branthoover, The Brandhofer, Brauneler, Brenneiser Family from Eastern to Western Pennsylvania (1978), 64, [GoogleBooks].
[26] Pennsylvania, Will and Probate Records, Lancaster Abstract 1048, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[27] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[28] Annette Kunselman Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants From German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 1: The Northern Kraichgau (1983), 74, of 74-75.
[29] Thomas Lynch Montgomery, Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume 2 (Muster Rolls Washington) (1906), 434-35, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[30] Brenizer Historical Society, Brenizer, Then and Now 1730-1988 (Brenizer, PA: 1988).