I have some information on Magdalena Brenneman. Her father was David Brenneman. He was born in 1754 and died in 1820. He was one of 13 children born to his parents, Melchor and Ann Good Brenneman. In 1776, he paid a fine rather than to serve in the army under Col. Michael Haversted or Conestoga. He served in the militia from Swatara and Conewago after the conclusion of the Revoloution for five years between 1783 and 1788 under Col. Jacob Cook. He was married twice. Magdalena was his first born, with 10 after her. His second marriage produced two children.


Notes From Brenneman History

By Vena Pletcher

The BRENNENAM family was established in Canton, Bern, Switzerland in the Middle Ages, particularly near Belp and in the Aare Valley. They later scattered to other areas. There are references recorded at Canton, Bern as far back as 1479. There were various spellings such as Bronnimann.

We'll focus our attention on Melchior BRENNEMAN, who seems to have been born at Ober-Biessbach on the north slope of the Buchhalterberg.

From the beginning of the Reformation, some Protestants did not believe in infant baptism, convinced that the ceremony was spiritual and signifying the washing away of sin. Many followed Meno Simon, the leader of the Anabaptists or Mennonites. They were severely persecuted. Melchior Brenneman was one of these and was imprisoned for his faith in the castle of Thun in the year 1659.

We next hear of him in 1671 when he left Switzerland, bound for Germany. He was 40 years old and his wife 35. There were 7 children between the ages of 18 months and 15 years. His worldly possessions consisted of one horse, one trundle bed and bedding, and 43 rix-dollars. He had been fortunate to escape with his life. He ended up at Grieshem, which was located 20 miles northwest of the city of Worms. He was doubtless living there in September, 1677 when William Penn visited and told of the state of Pennsylvania where people could worship without persecution.

Melchior and his wife made great sacrifices for the ideal of religious liberty. This should be an inspiration to the descendants. Because they feared God and chose to risk their lives rather than put aside the things they cherished, we, their descendants, enjoy freedom in a new world today. We should be proud that they helped in the founding of this nation.

One of the sons of Melchior also had that name. Family tradition states the year of his birth as 1655 at Bern, Switzerland. Like his father, he learned the weavers trade, and he also became a preacher in the Mennonite church. He was known as Melchior the pioneer. Both he and his brother, Christian, came to this country in 1715 or 1717, possibly in the migration led from Rotterdam by Benedict Brechbuhl.

They purchased land in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The village of New Danville is built on part of Melchior's holdings.

His wife's name was Elizabeth (maiden name is unknown). Six children were born to them, Melchior Jr. being the youngest.

Melchior died 1-20-1737 and was likely buried on his farm or at the New Danville Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Melchior Jr. was born on the homestead farm in August, 1718 and died at the same place on 4-19-1794. He married Ann Good who was born in 1722 and died in 1800. Both are buried at the New Danville Mennonite Church Cemetery. He became a prosperous land holder and left his family well established. There were 13 children.

We'll proceed with his son, David, who was born about 1754 and died in 1820. He is said to have been married four times, but none of the names are known except the last, whose name was Barbara.

David served in the militia from Swatara and Conewago after the Revolution for five years. He lived in York County and Dauphin County in Pennsylvania. In 1784, he is listed as living in Rockingham County, Virginia and later in Albemarle County, Virginia, then in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He also had 13 children.

David's son, Peter, was born before 1800. He died in Mahoning County, Ohio. He married Barbara BAER of Swiss descent, and they had two sons, Jacob and John.

John BRENNEMAN was born 4-18-1827 and died 2- 5-1895. He married Veronica MILLER, who was born 5-7-1832 and died 10-27-1868. There were 10 children. John's second wife was Sarah HUNSBURGER, and they had four children. He moved from Mahoning County, Ohio to Medina County, Ohio, then apparently to Indiana.

John's fifth child, Nancy, was born 5-23-1857 in St. Joe County, Indiana and died 5-13-1941. Nancy married David PLETCHER on 2-13-1881. Their oldest son was named Nathan.