Rev Ulrich Brackbill

Ulrich Brackbill was born Europe in 1703, son of Benedict and Maria Herr Brackbill; arrived Philadelphia, 24 August 1717; settles Strasburg, Pennsylvania, 1719-1739; Menn.; died Strasburg (Lancaster Co.), PA; 19 October 1739.

Benedikt Brechbill (Brechbühl, Brechbiehl, Brackbill), (1665-ca. 1720) was an outstanding Swiss leader and pioneer Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (Mennonite Church (MC)) leader, of Trachselwald in the canton of Bern.

He was received into the Mennonite church there at the age of 20 and was made their preacher about 1699. In 1701 he married Marie Herr, a sister of Hans Herr. Exiled twice for his faith, he returned each time. He tried to persuade his wife and children to leave with him and settle in Mannheim. But he was suddenly seized at his home early in the morning, bound, and taken to Bern, thrown into the tower, fastened to a chain, and left in the dungeon 18 weeks.

Then he was taken to the "hospital" with other prisoners, where for 35 weeks he had to work "at the wool" from four in the morning until eight at night. On 18 March 1710 he was put on a ship with 56 other Mennonites for forcible deportation to America. He was released in Nijmegen and at once made his way via Kleve and Krefeld back to Mannheim. Here he was chosen elder of the congregation.

Brechbill went at once to Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and claimed 150 acres of the John Funk tract and 100 more for his son Ulrich (later confirmed to his grandson John).

The Brechbills had three children.

1. Barbara married Jacob, son of Hans Groff, the ancestor of the Strasburg Groffs.

2. Maudlin (Magdalena) married Emanuel, son of Hans Herr who was the paternal ancestor of John Herr and through the maternal side of Bishop Abraham Herr.

3. Ulrich, the only son, also a preacher, was the ancestor of the Lancaster County Brackbills.

Ulrich died in 1739 by an accident on the road to Philadelphia. The exact date of Benedikt Brechbill's death is not known.

Married c 1725.

Children:

Benjamin

Maria Barbara/Barbara Maria

Sources:

1. "The Latest Posterity, (2004), Corinne & Russell Earnest, Pennsylvania German Society.

2. Paul Herbig email: prfssrpah@aol.com