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

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Inventory Listing by Kent Holsopple, June 16, 1999
Archives of the Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana