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Hist.
Mss. 1-193
Jacob Hochstetter, 1774-1865
Papers, 1820-1863
2 Boxes (Long Green)
Introduction
These
papers were deposited into the Archives by Fannie H. Lapp, Manheim,
Pennsylvania, in 1957.
This collection consists primarily of letters written to Jacob
Hochstetter between the years of 1820-1863. The letters are all
handwritten in Gothic script, and are in the German language. In 1960,
John S. Umble provided English translations to the letters. In 1998,
Edsel Burdge Jr. provided German transcriptions and English
translations for some of the letters.
Jacob Hochstetter was a preacher for the congregation around Manheim,
Pennsylvania since 1807, and was advanced to the office of assistant
bishop in 1831, soon after the death of Christian Nissley (1777-1831).
Hochstetter served as assistant bishop until the death of his senior
bishop Samuel Nissley (1761-1838). From 1838 until his death on April
6, 1865 he held the important place as bishop of this large growing
district. Hochstetter was moderator of the Lancaster Conference after
the death of Bishop Peter Eby in 1843.
He died
at age 90 and was laid to rest in the family graveyard on his own farm,
one-half mile north of Manheim. At his funeral over a thousand people
attended and Bishop John Burkholder and Bishop Benjamin Herr preached
from Hebrews 13:7, 8. (Information courtesy of Edsel Burdge, Jr.,
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 1997.)
Inventory
Box
1 (Long Green)
1/1 Background Information
1/2 Document, no date. ôProverbs 4:9ö
Included with 1820s material.
1/3 1820, January 7, Johannes Hunsicker, Perkiomen, Montgomery County,
to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.
The writer is Bishop John Hunsicker (1773-1847) of Skippack, Franconia
Conference. (Information courtesy of Edsel Burdge, Jr., Shippensburg,
Pennsylvania, 1997.)
1/4 1820, February 25, Jacob Stauffer, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to
Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.
The writer is Jacob Stauffer (1773-1843) who served in the Chambersburg
congregation. Later he joined the Reformed Mennonites (Lehman, pp. 77,
78). Brother Abraham may be either Preacher Abraham Brubaker (1784-
1850), ordained 1810 for Hammer Creek (Weaver, p. 459); Preacher
Abraham Burkholder (1769-1840) of Groffdale (Weaver, p. 460); or
Bishop Abraham Roth (1773-1854), first resident bishop of Adams and
York counties (Weaver, p. 477). Ben Herschi may be Preacher Benjamin
Hershey (1766-1842) of Manheim. (Information courtesy of Edsel
Burdge, Jr., Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 1997.)
1/5 1821, May 26, John Burkholder, Toscarawas (Tuscarawas) County,
Dover Township, to Joseph Burkholder, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
1/6 1825, April 4, Promissory Note, Jacob Hochstetter. Witnesses were
David May and Abraham Hochstetter.
1/7 1827, July 4, Johannes Stein, Jonestown, Pennsylvania to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.The letter is inviting Jacob
Hochstetter to attend and preach at a cornerstone laying celebration
for the new church in Stumpstown.
1/8 1828, April 23, Johannes Lehman and Hanna Lehman to Jacob
Hochstetter, Warwick Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Johannes and Hanna Lehman are writing Jacob on their difficulties to
live
Christian lives.
1/9 1828, June 2, Martin Mollinger to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim,
Pennsylvania. This letter is about martyr books and baptism.
1/10 1830, September 11, Christian Hornly, Ohio, to Jacob Hochstetter,
Manheim, Pennsylvania.Christian Hornly writes this letter to Jacob
Hochstetter to ask him to help Hornly's financial status by having
Hochstetter ask people to eliminate his debts.
1/11 1833, April 27, John Lapp, Clarence Township, Erie County,
Pennsylvania to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.John Lapp
writes this letter to thank Jacob for his support and to report that
things are going well for him.
1/12 1834, May, John Lapp, Clarence Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania
to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. Another report on how
Lapp's family, community, and church is going.
1/13 1834, November 11, Michael Gingrich to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim,
Pennsylvania. Gingrich writes Hochstetter on Gingrich's role in
accepting new members into the church and excommunicating members from
the church.
1/14 1835, April 4, Greg Thron, Adams County to Jacob Hochstetter,
Manheim, Pennsylvania. This letter sheds light on the controversy
surrounding Bishop Abraham Roth of Adams County. Thron was a minister
for the Mummasburg Mennonite congregation in Adams County. He died in
1847 at the age of 69. (Information courtesy of Edsel Burdge, Jr.,
Shippensburg,
Pennsylvania, 1997.)
1/15 1835, May 31, John Lapp, Clarence Township, Erie County,
Pennsylvania to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. John Lapp
writes Jacob Hochstetter on the subjects of pride, God's calling to
men, and the Christian life.
1/16 1836, May 25, Abraham Roth, Adams County to Jacob Hochstetter,
Manheim, Pennsylvania.
Abraham Roth was a Bishop and church leader in the Franklin-Washington
counties in the 1830's and 1840's. Brother Brubager is probably
Preacher
John Brubager (1795-1870), ordained in 1830's for Manheim, but could
possibly be Bishop John Burkholder of Rohrerstown, ordained 1831.
Frans' is probably Reformed Mennonite Bishop Christian Frantz (1786-
1862) of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. (Information courtesy of Edsel
Burdge, Jr., Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 1997.)
1/17 1836, June 1, John Brubaker to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim,
Pennsylvania. John Brubaker writes Hochstetter about Brother Thorn
(possibly Greg Thron) and getting him reinstated as a minister.
1/18 1837, July 8, Michael Gingrich to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim,
Pennsylvania. Gingrich writes Hochstetter on meeting times and
schedules in an attempt to make sure that he can attend a meeting
Hochstetter is planning.
1/19 1839, June 30, Samuel Martin, Abraham Martin, Johannes Scherer,
and Peter Lehmy to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. The letter
is divided into two sections; the first is written by Samuel Martin and
Abraham Martin and the second shorter note is by Johannes Scherer and
Peter Lehmy. The sections relate to a crisis over what was decided at a
conference in Lancaster County in 1837. Hochstetter is asked to clarify
the stance of the church on different issues.
1/20 1840, February, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to sheriff of
Lancaster County. This is a copy of an order to the sheriff of
Lancaster County to summon some men to court so they can prove that
they have the right
to operate a banking corporation. Among those called are Benjamin B.
Herr, Jacob Krieder, Philip Reitgel, Jacob Shenk, Doctor John Witmer,
another John Witmer, farmer John Landis, and merchant John Landis.
1/21 1840, April 6, Peter and Maria Eshliman, Washington Co., Maryland,
to Daniel Burkholder, Lititz, Pennsylvania.
Peter Eshliman (1798-1876) moved with his father and extended family
from Lancaster c. 1831. He served as a minister at Millers and was
ordained bishop in 1838 by Abraham Roth. His wife was Maria Reiff
Eshleman (1797-1885). (Lehman, pp. 220, 221) Evidently Daniel
Burkholder passed this letter on to Bishop Hostetter. Rohland was
Preacher John Rowland (1781-1863) of Marsh Head area south of
Hagerstown. He preached for the Smiths and perhaps Beaver Creek
Mennonite communities. Old Bochtel was Preacher Martin Bechtel (1765-
1841) of Millers-Stouffers-Bechtels (Lehman, pp. 18,89). John Krop was
probably a John Groff or Grove of Smiths in the Clear Spring area.
There
is no reference to him as a minister. The controversy referred to here
is
further described in a June 17, 1840, letter from Preacher Christian
Newcomer (1779-1850) of Stouffers to his son Peter Newcomer in Medina
County, Ohio. (Information courtesy of Edsel Burdge, Jr., Shippensburg,
Pennsylvania, 1997.)
1/22 1840, April 29, Jacob and Anna Zimmerman to Jacob Hochstetter,
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.Hochstetter is asked to preach at a new
meeting and if he would change his travel plans to make this possible.
1/23 1840, May 16, David Allebach.This is a list of ministers and
meeting-houses of the Franconia Conference.
1/24 1840, May 30, Christian Herr to Jacob Hochstetter.This letter was
apparently neither sealed or mailed, but possibly could have been
enclosed with another letter. It has no postage or address on it.
1/25 1840, December 23, Peter Lehman and Jacob Krehbiel to Johannes
Lehman, Manheim, Pennsylvania.The first page of the letter is written
by Peter Lehman. Lehman gives an update on how he is and his hope that
Johannes Lehman is doing well. Jacob Krehbiel writes Lehman on a
dispute in church between Krehbiel and John Lapp.
1/26 1841, March 15, Abraham Eshliman, Cannon Township, Stark County,
Ohio to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.This letter is about a
dispute in Ohio involving a Preacher Martin and some kind of council
lead by a man named Rorer. Hochstetter is somehow involved and is asked
to reevaluate the situation.
1/27 1842, November 17, Jahonnas Mumma (possibly Meaner), Dauphin
County to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.The letter is short
and is a brief explanation of some scripture.
1/28 1842, December 11, Jacob Zimmerman, Blue Ball, Pennsylvania to
Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. Zimmerman thanks Hochstetter
for a note he wrote him and tells him of his injured side.
1/29 1843, November 9, Jacob Lehman, Wrightsville, Pennsylvania to
Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. Lehman requests Hochstetter to come
help with a boy and two sisters who wish to be baptized and take
communion.
1/30 1845, March 6, Johannes Reif, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. This letter is on the controversy
surrounding Bishop Abraham Roth ministry. It was originally written in
English. Johannes Reif was an early deacon for the Mummaburg
congregation in Adams County (Weaver p. 272). (Information courtesy of
Edsel Burdge, Jr., Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 1997.)
1/31 1845, September 15, Daniel Brubaker, Jessa Thrall, David
Brubacker, Joseph Bean, Joseph Gochnauer, Jacob Gochnauer, Christian
Meyers, Washington Township, York County, Pennsylvania to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.This letter provides information on
the controversy surrounding Bishop Abraham Roth.
1/32 1845, October 15, Abraham Roth, Menellin Township, Adams County to
Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.Roth counters the accusations
made against him by pointing out the faults of his accusers. This
letter is sent to Hochstetter but intended to be read by a group of
church leaders.
1/33 1845, October 16, Christian Herr to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim,
Pennsylvania.Herr writes Hochstetter on his descision against Jacob
Stauffer and asks Hochstetter to support his findings.
1/34 1845, December 11, Jacob Brubacker to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim,
Pennsylvania. Brubacker writes on how the church has turned against
those who live by the word and has made wrong decisions.
1/35 1845 Letter, Written by Abraham Brubacher
Original letter cannot be found, a translation is all that is
available. It
is likely that the letter was sent to Jacob Hochstetter but cannot be
completely confirmed. The letter is a report of wrong doing by
Zimmerman with witnesses Pastor Jacob Brubacher, Michael Brubacher,
Jacob Brubacher, Joseph Brubacher, and Daniel Brucbacher affirming
Abraham Brubacher's story of Zimmerman's wrong doing.
Box 2 (Long Green)
2/1 1846, March 30, Abraham Roth, Menellin Township, Adams County to
Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.Roth writes Hochstetter on the
continuing problems in Adams County. Roth wants Hochstetter to say
whether the charges against him are true or not. Roth also counters his
accusers and asks Hochstetter to show passing Mennonite leaders this
letter.
2/2 1846, April 25, Abraham Roth, Farmers, Pennsylvania to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.A short letter in which Roth asks
Hoshstetter to come out to see him.
2/3 1846, September 2, David Metzler, Mahoning County, Ohio to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. This letter is most likely written
by David Metzler (1789-1862) who moved to Ohio from Lancaster County.
The letter also mentions Groffdale Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania
further pointing to the David Metzler mentioned above. The letter is 12
pages long and has many points on church structure and doctrine.
2/4 1846, November 30, Christian Herr, Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.Herr requests Hochstetter to attend
a meeting at the Frantz meeting-house to resolve some church problems
involving Johannes Schenck.
2/5 1847, January 13, Jacob Hershberger, Lebanon, Pennsylvania to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. Hershberger informs Hochstetter
that he has sold his farm and bought a new one in Grawford County,
Ohio.
2/6 1847, February 17, Christian Herr, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. Herr writes Hochstetter to
express his desire to have David Herr reinstated as a minister.
2/7 1847, March 1, Abraham and Elizabeth Eschliman, Stark County, Ohio
to
Johannes Mumma and wife, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The Eschlimans
write the Mummas on their condition and how life is going in general.
The they give a report of what is happening in their church in regards
to deacons and ministers.
2/8 1848, January 10, Benjamin Eby, Berlin, Canada, to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.Eby reports to Hochstetter the split
of his church over opposing views of a minister named Krehbiel who was
being accused of wrong doing by John Lapp.
2/9 1848, March 11, Joseph Bamberger, Michael Lesher, Johannes Lescher,
Daniel Lescher, Joseph Lescher, Johannes L. Detwiler, Samuel Lehman,
Christian Lehman, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to Jacob Hochstetter,
Manheim, Pennsylvania.This letter reports the process of the writers'
congregation having communion and the long process of organizing it in
the proper way.
2/10 1848, June 12, Christian Herr, Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. Herr writes Hochstetter on finding
future leaders of the church because the Bishops are growing old and
weak. There is also a section on Christian Brubacher being reinstated
into the church.
2/11 1849, April 30, Peter and Maria Eschliman, Hagerstown, Maryland to
Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. Hochstetter is asked to give
his opinion of Abraham Roth and investigate exactly what is going on
with Roth and Jacob Hochstetter.
2/12 1849, May 5, Abraham Eshliman, David Martin, John Stauffer, David
Horst, Benjamin Sollenberger, and 22 others, Wayne County, Ohio to
Jacob
Zimmerman, Blue Ball, Pennsylvania.This is an account of the problems
concerning Abraham Roherer, local ministers, and church members. They
asked Zimmerman to help resolve the differences.
2/13 1849, July 6, Christian Herr, Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.Herr invites Hochstetter and new
Bishop? Brubacher to Strasburg meeting-house for a drawing of lots.
2/14 1849, September 14, Jacob Kohr, Manheim Township, Pennsylvania to
Jacob Hoschstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.Kohr responds to
Hochstetter's accusations and asks him to do something about Christian
Brubacher.
2/15 1850, January 9, and January 17, Benjamin Herr to Christian Herr
then Christian Herr to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. The
first letter was sent to Christian Herr by Benjamin Herr. Christian
Herr wrote a letter on the bottom of that letter and sent it to
Hochstetter. The letters make reference to an enclosed letter from
Jacob Zimmerman. The Zimmerman letter cannot be found or was not saved.
2/16 1850, March 28, Christian Herr, Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Jacob
Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. Herr writes Hochstetter on his
dwindling health and of the health problems of other Bishops.
2/17 1853, January 28, Johannes Borgholder to Jacob Hochstetter,
Manheim,
Pennsylvania. Borgholder is criticizing Hochstetter for not doing what
is right by the word of God. He asks Hochstetter to change towards the
truth.
2/18 1853, February 8, Martin Burkholder, Harrisonburg, Virginia to
Jacob
Simmerman, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Burkholder writes Simmerman
about a general conference of Mennonite leaders and a trip through
Canada and the Midwest. Burkholder wants to know if anyone from
Burkholder's area will be coming.
2/19 1853, November 2, Henrich Schenck to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim,
Pennsylvania. The letter deals with the ongoing problems of J.
Burkholder and Schenck's involvement in the situation.
2/20 1854, November 29, Henrich Weber, Waterloo County, Upper Canada to
Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.Weber gives an account of his
journey from Harrisburg to Canada from where he writes the letter.
2/21 1854, December 15, Henrich Schenck to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim,
Pennsylvania. Schenck writes on the problems between Risser and Joseph
Burkholder.
2/22 1857, August 27, Jacob Lehman to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim,
Pennsylvania. Lehman writes of continuing health problems and illness.
2/23 1858, October 11, Jacob Hochstetter, Penn Township, Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania to Christian Mardie, in the vicinity of Farmsville.
Hochstetter asks Mardie to find a person who wrote him charging
Hochstetter of various wrong doings. Mardie is to find this person and
respond to the charges.
2/24 1859, February 12, Johannes Lapp, Harris Hill, Erie County, New
York to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania.Lapp writes
Hochstetter on his condition and recent travels.
2/25 1863, January 6, Benjamin Musser Jr., East Hempfield Township to
Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim, Pennsylvania. Musser is writing this letter
to Hochstetter to give his views on the problems and divisions in his
church.
2/26 April 6 Letter, Postmarked Gettysburg to Jacob Hochstetter,
Manheim,
Pennsylvania. Original letter from unknown year with no transcription
or translation
2/27 July 11 Letter, Christian Herr Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Jacob
Hochstetter, Penn Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Herr writes Hochstetter on new ministers and bishops as health affect
him
and other leaders.
2/28
Undated and unsigned document believed to be from 1840s.
This letter is a listing done by a someone that counted the exact
number of
verses, words, and letters in the Bible. The number of times the words
"Jehovah" and "and" occur in the Bible are also listed.
2/29 Undated Letter, Martin Moellinger to Jacob Hochstetter, Manheim,
Pennsylvania.Moellinger informs Hochstetter that he cannot make a trip
to
Chamberstown with him because of his failing health. This letter is in
response to a letter Moellinger received from Hochstetter on September
11.
2/30 Martyrs Mirror Listing
The page is a listing of particular stories in the Martyrs Mirror with
page
number and a brief description of what happened.
Name
and Subject Tracing
Allebach,
David
Bamberger, Joseph
Bean, Joseph
Brubacher, Abraham
Brubaker, Daniel
Brubaker, John
Burkholder, Daniel
Burkholder, John, Tuscarora County, Pa.
Burkholder, Joseph, Lancaster County, Pa.
Burkholder, Martin, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Detwiler, Johannes
Eby, Benjamin, Berlin, Canada
Eshliman, Abraham, Stark County, Ohio
Eshliman, Peter, 1798-1876
Franconia Mennonite Conference
Gingerich, Michael
Groffdale Mennonite Church
Herr, Benjamin
Herr, Christian, Lancaster, Pennslyvania
Hershberger, Jacob, Lebanon, Pennslyvania
Hornly, Christian, Ohio
Horst, David
Hunsicker, Johannes, 1773-1847
Kohr, Jacob, Manheim Township, Pennslyvania
Krehbiel, Jacob
Lancaster Mennonite Conference
Lapp, John, Erie County, Pennslyvania
Lehman, Christian
Lehman, Jacob, Wrightsville, Pennslyvania
Lehman, Johannes and Hanna
Lehman, Peter
Lehman, Samuel
Lehmy, Peter
Lescher, Daniel
Lescher, Johannes
Lescher, Joseph
Lescher, Michael
Maritn, David
Martin, Abraham
Martin, Samuel
Martyrs Mirror
Mennonites- Maryland - Washington County
Mennonites- Ohio - Stark County
Mennonites- Ohio - Wayne County
Mennonites- Pennslyvania - Erie County
Mennonites- Pennslyvania - Lancaster County
Mennonites- Pennslyvania - Manheim
Mennonites- Pennsylvania - Adams County
Metzler, David
Meyers, Christian
Mollinger, Martin
Mumma, Johannas, Dauphin County
Musser, Benjamin, Jr., East Hempfield Township
Reif, Johannes, Gettysburg, Pennslyvania
Roth, Abraham, 1773-1854
Schenck, Henrich
Scherer, Johannes
Sollenberger, Benjamin
Stauffer, Jacob, 1773-1843
Stein, Johannes, Jonestown, Pennslyvania
Stumptown Mennonite Church
Thrall, Jessa
Thron, Greg, 1778-1847
Weber, Henrich, Waterloo County, Canada
Zimmerman, Jacob, Blue Ball, Pennslyvania
March 22, 2004 / Reformatted by Kathryn Yoder
August 2, 2001 / Update by Monica Zimmerman
Previously posted on web
June 16, 1999 / Original inventory listing by Kent Holsopple
File "Hm1-193.doc"
Mennonite
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