An American Family History

Anna Magdalena Reber Bloss

“Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists."
― Franklin D. Roosevelt

Bloss is also spelled Blose, Bloß and Bose, Bloz, Blos, Blotz, Blows, Bloce, Blois, Blass, Blaas, Plose.

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) was between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the 13 colonies which became the newly formed United States.

Anna Magdalena Reber Bloss was born in Nassau, Deggendorf, Bayern, Germany on June 3, 1720. Her parents were Johan Bernard Reber and Anna Maria Ahl.

She married Johann Conrad Bloss. Their children and life together are described in detil in the section on Conrad and Magdalena Bloss.

Children of
Johann Conrad Bloss and
Anna Magdalena Reber Bloss

John George Bloss

Eva Elizabeth Bloss Seidel

Maria Margaretha Bloss Brandstetter

Sonia Bloss

She became a widow before 1781 when the Heidelberg Reformed Church listed her as a widow. She probably lost her husband in the Revolution.

In 1781 she was sponsor for her granddaughter and namesake.

The 1790 census listed "Lanah Plose" as a widow in Heidelberg township.

Magdalena Bloss lived with her son-in-law Peter Seidel, five years before she died.

Magdalena died in 1803 when she was about 60 years old.

Peter Seidel was appointed administrator of her estate, Aug. 8, 1803.

Women played an essential role in American society as mothers and homemakers.

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from History of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2 by Lehigh County Historical Society, "Bloss Family," by Clinton J. Bloss.

The Heidelberg Reformed Church records in 1781 record his wife Anna Magdalena, as a widow, who acted sponsor for her granddaughter, of the same name, a child of her son John George Bloss. The Federal Census of 1790 record "Lanah Plose" as a widow in Heidelberg township. In the history of the Heidelberg Church by Rev. William Helfrich, he mentions Conrad Bloss and George Bloss as heads of families who helped to build the second church. Magdalena Bloss lived with her son-in-law Peter Seidel, five years prior to her death, which occurred in 1803, having attained the age of about 77 years. Doubtless she is buried on the old cemetery adjoining Heidelberg church, although no trace is found of her. Peter Seidel was appointed administrator of her estate, Aug. 8, 1803.

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.

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania was first settled about 1730 and officially constituted in 1812 with the division of Northampton County.

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©Roberta Tuller 2023
tuller.roberta@gmail.com
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