An American Family History

"[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported.
We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.
But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us,
at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."

John Jacob Branstetter was born in 1748 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He was the third child of Jacob Brandstetter and Anna Magdalena Spitelmaier. He was christened on July 23, 1748 in New Jerusalem (Dunkel's) Reformed Church, Virginville, Greenwich Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The sponsors at his christening was Johann Mathias and Anna Barbara Alspach.

He married Maria Margaretha Bloß in 1773 when he was twenty five years old. He was a blacksmith. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on John and Margaretha Branstetter.

When the news of the April 19, 1775 Battle of Concord reached Northampton the residents were ordered to prepare to defend themsleves. Those who joined the milita were awarded a 3 pound bonus. The militia was called up in December, 1776 when the British marched though New Jersey toward Philadelphia.

Jacob served in the Northampton Militia from Heidelberg Township under Captain Conrad Roeder (Reader, Ritter, Rader, Reoder). He was a private in the 5th Company, 8th class. He appeared in the General Muster Rolls for June 18, 1777, 1778, and 1780. He served under Captain Adam Diehl (Deal) in Colonel Giger's batallion, from July 10 to September 11, 1781 and in 1783.

He died in Northampton (now Lehigh) County, Pennsylvania.

Children of John (Johan) Jacob Brandstetter and Maria Margaretha Bloß Maria Barbara Brandstetter Peter Henry Brandstetter Daniel Brandstetter Margaretha Brandstetter Schneider (Snyder) Solomon Brandstetter Jacob Brunstretter

Choosing a Godparent sponsor was not just a formality in 17th century Germany. Each child had one Godparent of the same gender. It established ties between families that were near kinship. The Godparent was expected to provide spiritual support and material support in times of need.