Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy --- Go to Genealogy Page for Ulrich Engel --- Go to Genealogy Page for Anna Brechtbühl

Notes for Ulrich Engel and Anna Brechtbühl

1711 Ulrich Engel, son of Jost Engel and Christina Rohrer, was baptized on March 15 in the Würzbrunnen Church, Röthenbach, Bern, with witnesses Ulli Blaser, Hans Rohrer, and Barbara Kapfer. [1] Ulrich Engel's two eldest siblings were born in Farnern, according to their baptism records. It is plausible that Ulrich was born in the same place.

Title
1711 Röthenbach parish baptism record.
Uli Engel, son of Jost Engel and Christina Rohrer
was baptized on March 15, 1711 at Röthenbach, Bern (bottom right). [2]


1711 baptism of Ulrich Engel, detail [3]

Title
2004 Würzbrunnen Church, Röthenbach, Bern
(Roland Zumbuehl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
More photos: [4]

Farnern was northeast of Röthenbach im Emmental, east of Fambach, and north of Fishbach. Farnern is not shown as a town on Google maps, but several roads named Farnern, Fischbach, and Fambach are in the area, perhaps named after the streams that they are near.

Map
1875 Map of Röthenbach and Würzbrunnen, Switzerland, where Ulrich Engel was baptized in 1711. [5] [6]
Two of Ulrich's siblings (Barbara and Anna) were born in Farnern.
The original map has been altered to show * Farnern, based on the current locations
of roads named Farnern, Fambach, and Fischbach near Röthenbach on Google Maps.

1736 Anna Brächbühl [Brechtbuhl Brechbill Breckbill Brackbill] and Ulrich Engel of Röthenbach were married on March 4. [7] They later lived in the Jura, Bern, Switzerland. Ulrich Engel was a Mennonite leader there. At Sombeval in Jura, Anna was a sponsor at the baptism of Barbara, daughter of Hans Engel the Anabaptist of Röthenbach.

1745 Ulrich Engle and others moved to the Jura mountains, via Zweibrücken, as Mennonite refugees from the Emmenthal. Both Johann and Ulrich Engel had left Röthenbach by 1745. [8] [9]

1754 Just before leaving for America, Ulrich Engel and wife Anna Brächbühl lived at Le Cernil in the mountains overlooking Corgémont, near the Anabaptist Bridge. [10]

Title
190? A map of Corgémont and environs showing the
Pont des Anabaptistes (Anabaptist Bridge) at the bottom
and two locations labeled "Le Cernil"
on the road from the bridge to Sombeva. [11] [12] [13]

Photo
1910 Anabaptist bridge and gorge. [14]

The bridge was first mentioned in 1755. At that time it was made of wood and had to be renewed every 15 to 20 years. It was later rebuilt as a stone bridge.

The stone bridge in the photo, built in the 1830s, was a single-arch road bridge made of natural stone. The bridge was about 14 meters above the gorge and was about 20 meters long.

In addition to its status as a traffic route, the bridge gained importance as one of the secret meeting places of the Anabaptists, who were persecuted by the Bernese government. The Bishop of Basel allowed them to settle in his sphere of influence in mountain areas above the valley. The area near the bridge has been of great importance as a meeting place for the Anabaptists to this day.

The Anabaptists gathered for secular occasions and church services under the bridge in the ravine, which drops steeply about 300 meters below the bridge. There are innumerable inscriptions engraved in the western rock face, the oldest of which dates from 1633. [15]

The Engel genealogy by Morris Engle records many oral traditions and stories. [16] A few excerpts and paraphrases are given here.

It was the law of the land, that all who immigrated would forfeit to the government what land and coin they may have had. Household goods and other personal property could be retained and taken with them. Ulrich was a man of some means, and it is said he retained some coin, and sewed it in the clothing of his children, and was not detected, and later before sailing must have had opportunity to place the treasure in some chests among other things. [17] The Ulrich Engel family left Canton of Basel, Switzerland, and sailed from Rotterdam by way of the Cowes, a seaport on the island of Wight, on the ship Phoenix. The ship was commanded by Captain John Spurrier and landed at Philadelphia about October 1, 1754. [18] There were two ships that sailed. One was a freight ship and the other carried the immigrants. When about three days out at sea, a violent storm arose, which grew worse, until the freight ship was in danger of going down. The crew of the vessel began to throw the cargo overboard, and sailing close by, the passengers saw what was being done. A number jumped into the sea and swam to the freight ship and were in the act of crawling over the edge of the ship, whereupon members of the crew chopped off the hands of those making this attempt and they perished. This all came about because it was seen that their cargoes were being cast overboard. They hazarded their lives in the attempt to save their goods. They were maimed by the crew to intimidate those on the passenger ship, which was saved. The freight ship sank. [19] All the infant children died of dysentery at sea except Yokeli Engel. It is said that when the ship arrived at Philadelphia, the families assembled before the final parting, and there was a great lamentation among the others of the children who died at sea. These mothers gathered about Anna Engel, weeping for their lost ones, and said that God had a mission for Anna's child to perform or he would have died. [20] One story says that Ulrich came to friends near Strasburg, PA, by the name of Brechtbill now Brackbill, and remained there for some time. He then came to Wild Cat, which he found swampy and a wilderness. He built a small house near a fine spring, and died in this place from kidney trouble. [21]


1675 Francis Place, Cowes Castle on the Isle of Wight (Used with permission from the Victoria and Albert Museum) [22]


c 1700 Cornelis Boumeester, View of Rotterdam.
A tile painting, composed of 33 Delft tiles (trimmed).
Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston [23]

1753-54 Ulrich Engle and Anna Brechtbill [Brechtbühl] sailed with their family from Rotterdam, by way of Cowes, on the ship "Phoenix" under the command of John Spurrier. They arrived in Pennsylvania on October 1, 1754 with "25 Menonists. Swissers. 300 souls, 554 Freights, [from] Franconia, Palatinate, Zweybreck" [24]. Ulrich Engle had a leadership role in this emigration. On board the ship, Ulrich Engle signed his name next to other Mennonites including Benedict Brechtbühl. Ulrich Engel immigrated to Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. [25] [26] [27] [28] They took the oath of allegiance the same day at the courthouse. [29] [30]


1768 The city of Philadelphia, from the Jersey shore [31]


1752 Philadelphia State House (built in 1732) [32]

1754 After landing at Philadelphia, Ulrich and Anna Engle located west of Marietta, Lancaster County near the location of "Wild Cat", a station on the Pennsylvania Railroad. [33] [34]


1756 Southern Pennsylvania. Lancaster and Philadelphia are in lower-right. Marietta is on the Lancaster shore of the Susquehanna River. [35]

1755 Ulrich Engel sent a letter from Donegal Twp, Lancaster County to relatives in Jura, Switzerland on December 7. [36] [37] [Transcription] Story and notes for Ulrich Engle.

1756-75 Ulrich Engel was taxed in Donegal Twp, Lancaster County in 1756-57. There were no further tax listings until 1775, when three of his sons were taxed.

1756 Ulrich Engel was taxed in Donegal Twp, Lancaster County with 50 acres, 4 acres of grain, 2 horses and 2 cows. [38]

1757 Ulrich Engle was taxed in Donegal Twp, Lancaster County. [39] [40] [41] [42]

1758-74 Not listed. [43] [44] [45]

1775 There were several Engle listings for sons of this family: Ullery (100 acres, 50 clear), Jno (160 acres, 80 clear), and Jacob (100 acres, 70 clear). [46]

1757-61 Ulrich Engel died. A cemetery near Marietta, Lancaster County has an inscription "Within this enclosure lie the remains of Ulrich Engle and wife who emigrated from Switzerland to this country with their family of eight children in the year 1753 and settled on this homestead. Ulrich died about the year 1755 and his wife about the year 1759. Some of their descendants are also buried herein. This burial ground has been set apart as a resting place for them and as a memorial of respect and honor by their descendants A.D. 1878." [47] [48]

1757 Ulrich Engel died on June 14 and was buried at Wildcat Farm Cemetery, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Ulrich Engel was born on March 15, 1711. [49] [50]

1761 The heirs of James Logan transferred land to Anna Engel, Ulrich's widow, and the children, in a deed dated March 26. Ulrich Engel had purchased the tract from James Logan prior to the death of Ulrich Engel. The tract was adjacent to land of Jacob Downer. James Letort was the original warrantee of the tract. [51]
[Photocopy, 1761 deed to Engel heirs (first page).] [52]. [Photocopy] 1719 survey map of James Letort tract. [53]


Map with East Donegal land warrant of James Letort, part of which became Ulrich Engle's tract. [54]

1764 Minor orphans of Ulrick Engle, above the age of 14, chose guardians at the Lancaster Orphans Court: John Engle chose Henry Grove, Barbara Engle chose Christian Forrer, and Christina Engle chose Peter Witmore. [55]

1764 Jacob Couffman made the administrator's account of Ulrich Engel, late of Donegal Twp, Lancaster County, on October 28. "The accountant charges nothing for commission, ... it being advanced by Anna Engel, the widow, who was the other administrator for the benefit of the children, and is now deceased." [56]

1765 Ulrick Engel, administrator for Anna Engel, deceased, produced an account of the estate on October 28. The estate was divided among the heirs: Ulrick (eldest son), Catharine Engle, Anna Engle, John, Engle, Barbara Engle, Christena Engle, and Jacob Engle. [57]

1766 Ulrick Engel, eldest son of Ulrick Engle deceased, late of Donegal Twp, petitioned the Orphans Court, on December 2, upon reaching the age of 21, to consider partition of the land. [58]

1766 The Orphans Court decided that the 150 acre estate should not be divided. Ulrick Engle got the land and paid the other heirs, each receiving £28.14.1: Peter Witmore and wife Catherine, Henry Grove and wife Anna, John Engle, Barbara Engle, Christena Engle, and Jacob Engle. [59]

Research Notes:

A biosketch [60] reports:

For one hundred fifty years the name of Engle has been familiar in the agricultural annals of Lancaster county, and representatives in each generation have held high positions in the religious and official life of the community. The first of the family to come to America was Ulrich Engle, who with his wife and eight children left their native Canton, of Basel, in Switzerland, and sailed from Rotterdam, by way of Cowes in the Isle of Wight, on the good ship "Phoenix," landing in Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 1, 1754. They made their home at what is now known as "Wild Cat," a station on the Pennsylvania Railroad, west of Marietta. and their remains now lie buried in a small burying ground on a part of their original purchase. Of their children, Ulrich, Jr., wedded Martha Bixler; John married Elizabeth Shock; Jacob married Fanny Shock; Annie married Henry Grove; Christina wedded Jacob Musser; another daughter married Benjamin Musser; and the two remaining children married into the Witmer family.

A biosketch [61] reports:

In 1753 there came from the Canton of Basel, Switzerland, one Ulrich Engle, and his wife, Anna Brechtbill. They sailed with their family from Rotterdam by way of Cowes, a seaport town on the Isle of Wight, in a ship called the "Phoenix", under the command of Capt. John Spurrier. They landed at Philadelphia, Pa., on Oct. 1, 1754 and located at what is now called "Wild Cat," a station on the Pennsylvania Railroad, west of Marietta. Here they passed the remaider of their lives, and their remains are interred in a small burying ground on that old homestead. The record of their children is as follows: Ulrich, Jr., who married Martha Bixler; John, who married Elizabeth Schock; Jacob, who married Fanny Schock; Annie, who married Henry Grove; Christianna, who married Jacob Musser; Catherine, who married Benjamin Musser, Barbara, who married one of the Witmer family and another who also married into the Witmer family.

See also [62] [63] [64]

Notes about Wildcat station and the tract of Ulrich Engle near Marietta, Pennsylvania:

Wildcat Falls is on the York County side of the Susquehanna River, across the river from Marietta, Lancaster County. Wildcat station on the Pennsylvania Railroad was west of Marietta opposite Wildcat falls in 1895. The precise location of the tract of Ulrich Engel is shown in an article by John E. Engle and Eugene K. Engle. [65]

1792 A map dated 1792 shows this region of the Susquehanna River. Marietta is labeled as "Andersons" (ferry). [66]

1851 A map of Lancaster County shows the Jno Longenecker residence west of Marietta at or near the location of the property of Ulrick Engel. Several Engle families are shown nearby. J. Engle is shown across the river at the location of Wildcat Falls. [67]

1875 A description of Marietta, at milepost 84 on the Pennsylvania Railroad, includes hand-drawn ketches of Wild Cat glen. [68]

Near Marietta, on the opposite side of the river is "Wild Cat Glen", a romantic spot, which has been purchased by the Masonic fraternity as a summer resort for the brotherhood.

1892 Wildcat station was mentioned in a chapter about the Marietta Line at Lancaster History. [69]

As early as May, 1892, a company known as the Columbia and Marietta Electric Railway was chartered to build a trolley line to connect the two towns named in the title. The proposed route was to run out North Third Street to the end of town and then parallel the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks up along the river passing the base of Chickies Rock. At Watt's Station, the line would diverge from the steam railroad right of way and enter Marietta on Market Street. It was also planned to operate beyond Marietta to a point known as Wild Cat Station, where a connection would be made with the boats operating over the river to Wild Cat. However, this company never got beyond the planning stage. Difficulties arose in securing a right of way and obtaining concessions from the Pennsylvania Railroad and the plan was given up. The C. & M. passed into history without even laying a foot of track.

1895 A railroad map shows Wildcat Falls station to the west of Marietta. [70]

2017 Jim McClure published a story about Wildcat Falls in the York Daily Record on November 25, 2017 with a picture of a ferry boat between Wildcat Falls in York Ccounty and Wildcat Station in Lancaster county. [71] Some images of Wildcat Falls can be found in a book by Frederic H. Abendschein (unseen). [72]


Footnotes:

[1] John E. Engle and Eugene K Engle, "A Letter from Immigrant Ulrich Engle to Switzerland," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 16 (July, 1993), 11-18, at 16, person 156.

[2] Kirchenbüch 5, Bern, Röthenbach im Emmental, Evangelisch-Reformierte: Taufrodel (1684-1728), Eherodel (1683-1743), Chorgerichtsmanual (1685-1744), [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog], [FHLCatalog].

[3] Kirchenbüch 5, Bern, Röthenbach im Emmental, Evangelisch-Reformierte: Taufrodel (1684-1728), Eherodel (1683-1743), Chorgerichtsmanual (1685-1744), K5-168, person 14, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog], [FHLCatalog].

[4] Photos, [URL].

[5] OldMapsOnline link to Map by Anstalt v. Wurster, Oberes Emmental - Thun (1875), [URL].

[6] Zurich library link to Map by Anstalt v. Wurster, Oberes Emmental - Thun (1875), [URL].

[7] John E. Engle and Eugene K Engle, "A Letter from Immigrant Ulrich Engle to Switzerland," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 16 (July, 1993), 11-18, at 16.

[8] Henry Frank Eshleman, Historic Background and Annals of the Swiss and German pioneer Settlers of Southeastern Pennsylvania (Lancaster, PA: 1917), 293, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].

[9] Ira D. Landis, "The Origin of the Brethren in Christ Church and its Later Divisions," The Mennonite Quarterly Review 34 (1960), 298.

[10] Joanne Hess Siegrist, "Switzerland: Early Anabaptist Family Sites," Mennonite Family History 26 (2007), 6.

[11] Original map of Corgémont, [URL].

[12] oldmapsonline, [URL].

[13] 1806 oldmapsonline map of Corgémont region, [URL].

[14] wikimedia commons, [URL].

[15] SecondWiki, content subject to change, [URL].

[16] Morris M. Engle, The Engle History and Family Records of Dauphin and Lancaster Counties (Mt Joy, Pennsylvania: Bulletin Press, 1927), 15-17, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].

[17] Morris M. Engle, The Engle History and Family Records of Dauphin and Lancaster Counties (Mt Joy, Pennsylvania: Bulletin Press, 1927), 17, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].

[18] Morris M. Engle, The Engle History and Family Records of Dauphin and Lancaster Counties (Mt Joy, Pennsylvania: Bulletin Press, 1927), 15, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].

[19] Morris M. Engle, The Engle History and Family Records of Dauphin and Lancaster Counties (Mt Joy, Pennsylvania: Bulletin Press, 1927), 17, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].

[20] Morris M. Engle, The Engle History and Family Records of Dauphin and Lancaster Counties (Mt Joy, Pennsylvania: Bulletin Press, 1927), 17, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].

[21] Morris M. Engle, The Engle History and Family Records of Dauphin and Lancaster Counties (Mt Joy, Pennsylvania: Bulletin Press, 1927), 17, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].

[22] 1675 Francis Place, Cowes Castle on the Isle of Wight (Used with permission from the Victoria and Albert Museum), [Victoria and Albert Museum].

[23] Cornelis Boumeester, View of Rotterdam, A tile painting, composed of 33 Delft tiles. (about 1700–20, Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston), [MFA], [MFA terms of use].

[24] Ira D. Landis, "The Origin of the Brethren in Christ Church and its Later Divisions," The Mennonite Quarterly Review 34 (1960), 297.

[25] 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), 336, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].

[26] Ira D. Landis, "The Origin of the Brethren in Christ Church and its Later Divisions," The Mennonite Quarterly Review 34 (1960), 297.

[27] Ralph B. Strassburger, William J. Hinke, ed., Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Vol. 1 (1934, Pennsylvania German Society), 633, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].

[28] E. Melvin Williams and H. M. J. Klein, ed., Lancaster County Pennsylvania, a History, Vol. 3 (Lewis Publishing, New York, 1924), 76.

[29] John B. Linn and William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Volume 17. (Oath of Allegiance 1727-1775) (1890), 439, right, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].

[30] Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808, Vol. I, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[31] Thomas Jefferys, George Heap, An east prospect of the city of Philadelphia; taken by George Heap from the Jersey shore (London: 1768), [LibraryOfCongress], [LibraryOfCongress Catalog].

[32] Nicholas Scull, George Heap, A Map of Philadelphia and Parts Adjacent with a Perspective of the State House (Philadelphia: 1752), [LibraryOfCongress], [LibraryOfCongress Catalog].

[33] John F. Meginness et al, Biographical Annals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania (Beers: 1903), 296, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].

[34] E. Melvin Williams and H. M. J. Klein, ed., Lancaster County Pennsylvania, a History, Vol. 3 (Lewis Publishing, New York, 1924), 76.

[35] Thomas Kitchin, A map of the province of Pensilvania (London: 1756), [LibraryOfCongress Map].

[36] John E. Engle and Eugene K Engle, "A Letter from Immigrant Ulrich Engle to Switzerland," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 16 (July, 1993), 11-18, at 16, translation.

[37] Ira D. Landis, "The Origin of the Brethren in Christ Church and its Later Divisions," The Mennonite Quarterly Review 34 (1960), 298.

[38] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, middle, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[39] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, left, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[40] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, top left, December, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[41] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[42] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[43] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1758, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[44] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1759, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[45] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1759, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[46] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1775, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[47] A. W. Climenhaga, History of the Brethren in Christ Church (Nappannee, Indiana: 1942), 47.

[48] John E. Engle and Eugene K Engle, "A Letter from Immigrant Ulrich Engle to Switzerland," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 16 (July, 1993), 11-18, at 16.

[49] Find A Grave Memorial 161706077, [FindAGrave].

[50] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].

[51] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed L-231 to 233, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[52] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed L-231 to 233, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[53] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, D85-253, [PA Survey Map], [PASurveyBooksIndex].

[54] Pennsylvania Archives, Township Warrant Map (large download), Lancaster, East Donegal 1, [PATownshipWarrantMaps].

[55] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Miscellaneous Book 1764-84, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[56] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Miscellaneous Book 1763-1767, 84, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[57] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Miscellaneous Book 1765-201, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[58] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Miscellaneous Book 1766-249, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[59] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Miscellaneous Book 1766-258, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].

[60] John F. Meginness et al, Biographical Annals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania (Beers: 1903), 295, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].

[61] John F. Meginness et al, Biographical Annals of Lancaster County Pennsylvania (Beers: 1903), 257, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].

[62] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Engel A4156, [Website].

[63] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Brächbühl C.35, [Website].

[64] Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Genealogical Card File (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), [AncestryRecord].

[65] John E. Engle and Eugene K Engle, "A Letter from Immigrant Ulrich Engle to Switzerland," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 16 (July, 1993), 11-18, at 17.

[66] Reading Howell, A map of the State of Pennsylvania (1792), [LibraryOfCongress Map], [LibraryOfCongress].

[67] Joshua Scott, Map of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (1851), [LibraryOfCongress Map], [LibraryOfCongress Catalog].

[68] William B. Sipes, The Pennsylvania Railroad: Its Origin, Construction, Condition … (1875), [URL].

[69] John D. Denney, Jr., Trolley lines of Columbia (1946), [URL].

[70] J. Sutton Wall, Rail road map of Pennsylvania published by the Department of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania. (1895), [LibraryOfCongress], [LibraryOfCongress Catalog].

[71] Jim McClure, York Daily Record, November 25, 2017, [URL].

[72] Frederic H. Abendschein, Columbia, Marietta, and Wrightsville (2009), [URL].