An American Family History

Bishop Hans Jacob Bachtell was born about 1660 in Europe. He was a member of the Mennonite clergy. His father may have been Hans George Bachtell.

He came to America about 1717 with a group of Mennonites who left Switzerland because of religious persecution.

Their children, mentioned in his will, were:
Magdalena Veronica Bachtell Meyer was born about 1705.
Samuel Bachtell was born about 1706.
Bishop George Bachtell was born about 1708.
Martin Bachtell was born on January 26, 1709/10.

On October 8, 1720 Jacob purchased 366 acres near Pottstown, Pennsylvania from Ludwig and Catherine Christain for of 87 £ and 10d. The deed was recorded in Philadelphia on October 11, 1741 in Deed Book 5 G, page 311. It was part of a tract of 25,000 acres that William Penn sold to the Frankfort Company. It was called Ringing Rocks Farm.

He appeared on the list of those Naturalized in 1730 in Pennsylvania.

Jacob's wife probably died before he did since she was not mentioned in his will written on February 14, 1738. It was probated on August 22, 1739. He was buried in Sprogell Mennonite Cemetery.

Montgomery County, in southeast Pennsylvania was created on September 10, 1784, out of land that was originally part of Philadelphia County.