Jacob Schumacher

  Noted events in his life were:

• Surname History. ^223,224 The Schumacher family came from Cresheim (now Kriegsheim), a little village in the Palatinate, situated in the fertile and beautiful Rhine Valley some two hours journey from the historic town of Worms. They were originally Menonites, but when the English Quaker, William Ames, came to Cresheim, and worked as a missionary there between the years 1655 and 1662, the Schumachers were among the first to accept the faith of George Fox.

At that time fines of five shillings were levied upon dissenters from the established church for assembling together for worship, and we find Peter and George Schumacher among the sufferers. On more than one occasion their cattle and household goods were seized and sold to pay these fines. In 1663, for joining in an assembly for worship, goods worth two guilders were taken from Peter Schumacher and from George Schumacher goods worth seven rix dollars. In 1664, for refusing to bear arms there were taken from him two sheep worth three guilders. In 1660, Peter Schumacher and George Schumacher had each a cow taken away for fines for attending religious meetings. It is not surprising in view of the loss and annoyance thus sustained that the three relatives, Peter, Jacob and George Schumacher, should decide to accept Penn's liberal terms and take up land in his colony across the sea.

Jacob Sr. came to America with Pastorius and his company in 1682. Peter emigrated three years later. The ship,“Francis and Dorothy” from London was commandeered by Richard Bridgeman, arriving at Philadelphia the August 16, 1685. Among the passengers, was Peter Schumacher along with his son Peter and his daughter Mary, his cousin Sarah and his daughters Francis and Gertrude. Peter's wife had evidently died in the old home, and he himself was a man well on in years when he crossed the sea, for he was born as early as 1622.

Jacob Schumacher, Sr. was not a householder, because he was one of the servants of Pastorius.

• Immigration, 1731. I immigrated with my parents to the Pennsylvania Colony on the ship, "Britannia".

• purchase, 1741. In 1741, I purchased 141 acres in Salford Township, Pennsylvania where we were active members of the Mennonite Church. In 1746, I served the congregation as their preacher.

• Occupation. I supported my family by working our farm near Skippack, Pennsylvania.

• Naturalization, 13 Apr 1742. I was naturalized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Tax List, 1776. In 1776, I was listed among the taxables in Lower Salford where I was listed as being crippled and owning 141 acres, 2 horses, and 1 cow.

• Revolutionary War. ²²⁵ During the Revolutionary War a few Indian squaws found protection at the Schumacher home. The squaws took care of the cattle and did chores for the family as compensation for their room and board. The family experienced a set-back when their barn was hit by lightning and burned.

Jacob married Susannah Ziegler, daughter of Rev. Michael Ziegler and Catherine Schrauger, on 7 May 1741. (Susannah Ziegler was born on 19 Feb 1719 in Salford, Pennsylvania and died on 20 Nov 1789 in Lower Salford, Pennsylvania.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• lived. We made our home near Schliebach, Pennsylvania.