An American Family History

Margaretha (Margaret) Brandstetter Schneider was born on February 19, 1783 in Heidelberg Township Northhampton County (now Lehigh County), Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of John Jacob Brandstetter and Maria Margaretha Bloß.

She was christened on March 23, 1783. It was recorded in the records of Heidelberg Union Church.

She married Jacob Schneider (Snyder) about 1799. Jacob was born on May 24, 1774. His parents were Balthazar Schneider and Sophia Cottle.

Margaretha and Jacob had at least ten children: Margaret Snyder (December 26, 1800), Henry Snyder (June 15, 1802), Salome Snyder (August 29, 1804), John Jacob Snyder (March 3, 1807), Simon Snyder (1809), Jonas Snyder (January 1, 1811), Lydia Snyder Rex (February 3, 1813, married Joseph Rex), Elias Snyder (April 29, 1816), Daniel Snyder (October 7, 1818), Owen Snyder (May 11, 1821), Hannah Snyder (October 26, 1823).

She died on December 17, 1836 in Heidelberg and is buried in the Old Cemetery of Heidelberg Church.

At the time of the 1850 census Jacob was 76 years old and living with his daughter Lydia Rex's family in Washington Township, Lehigh County.

Jacob died on June 4, 1850.

Balzer Schneider was born in Germany in 1732. He and his brother Michael came to America in 1750 and landed near Baltimore, Maryland. He worked nine years for a farmer to pay for his passage.

He married Sophia Cottle in LeHigh County, Pennsylvania about 1760.

Ballzer died on September 4, 1797.

Nine children reached maturity:
Ballzer Schneider Jr. (1764 - 1782 died fighting the Indians),
Michael Schneider,
Henry Schneider,
Otilla Schneider,
Conrad Schneider,
George Schneider,
Margaret Schneider,
Christian Schneider,
Jacob Schneider (May 24, 1774 - June 4, 1850).