An American Family History

Aichau-Ansbach, Bayern, Middle Franconia, Germany
Thaleischweiler-Fröschen, Sudwestpfalz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

Andreas Sigismund Brandstetter and the widow, Appolonia Egle Dosenbau married on February 23, 1692 and settled in Aichau-Ansbach, Bayern.

Their children were born in Aichau-Ansbach. Johann Michael Brandstetter was born on May 16,1693. Twins, Johann Jacob Brandstetter and  Johann Adam Brandstetter were born on July 25, 1695. The first Johann Jacob died before 1708 when his brother of the same name was born.

Anna Barbara Brandstetter was born on October 24, 1700. Her Godmother was Barbara Roth, a farmer's wife from Unterschorn.

Johann Andreas Brandstetter was born on August 7, 1704. Johann Simon Brandstetter was born on October 14, 1706. The second, Johann Jacob Brandstetter was born in 1708. Johann Mathias Brandstetter was born on February 16, 1711/12. Johann Brandstetter was born on February 3, 1714/15. Johann died when he was eight days old on February 11, 1714/15.

Eva Barbara Brandstetter Meyer was born on December 7, 1715. Maria Barbara Brandstetter was born on December 25, 1717. Her Godmother was also Barbara Roth.

Barbara Roth was the Godmother to all three Brandstetter daughters. Michael and the first Jacob's Godfather was Michael Weidner. Simons' Godfather was Johann Michael Weidner. Adam and the second Jacob's was Adam Sebastian Roth. Mathias' Godfather was Melchior Belli.

Many family members moved west to Thaleischweiler-Froschen in the Palatinate in the early 1700's. The Brandstetters lived at the village of Fröschen near Piramasens and were members of the Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche der Pfarrei Thaleischweiler, which was five miles north of Pirmasen.

Andreas died on March 16, 1721/22 in Aichau of tuberculosis. Apppolonia died on March 19, 1742.

At least four of the children and some of the grandchildren left for Pennsylvania between 1738 and 1765. The older sons, Michael, Adam, Andreas, and Simon remained in Germany. The younger sons, Jacob (left 1738) and Mathias (left 1749) and daughter, Eva Meyer (left 1752) all went to America.

The grandchildren who left included Michael's son, grenadier Johann Friedrich and daughters, Anna Elizabeth Heinrich and Anna Barbara Kreiger. Anna Elizabeth was forced to marry Johann Heinrich in 1742 because she was pregnant. She left for America in 1765. Adam's daughter, Anna Magdalena was also forced to marry and leave for America soon after Anna Elizabeth.

Ansbach or Anspach is a town in Bavaria, Germany. It is the capital of Middle Franconia. Ansbach is 25 miles southwest of Nuremberg and 90 miles north of Munich, on the Fränkische Rezat, a tributary of the Main.

Ansbach

17th and 18th century Germans often gave children two names at baptism. The first was a saint's name. The second a secular name which is what the child was called. The saint's name was usually given to all the children of that family of the same gender. Johannes was rarely a saint's name, but Johann was.

Old Style Calendar Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.

Thaleischweiler-Fröschen is a currently a city in the Südwespfalz district, in Rhineland-Palatinte. It was formerly the two adjoining villages on the western edge of the Palatinate forest, approximately just north of Pirmasens. Thaleischweiler Church

The Brandstetter (Brandstaetter, Brandstatter) girls of Thaleischweiler were rather free with their affections, but they made matters right by marrying their lovers-and departing from Germany. from Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine.