| Notes |
- {{Palatine Migration}}
== Biography ==
=== Switzerland ===
Christian Hirschi was likely born in Switzerland. Various theories have been proposed for his birth, which may have taken place sometime around 1665.
* Richard Warren Davis has proposed that Christian Hirshi was born about 1664, and that he was the son of Christian Hirshi (b. 8 January 1641, Schangnau, Bern, Switzerland), and the grandson of Isaac Hirschi and Elisabeth Schmidt. [Richard Warren Davis (1995). [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8D-C91K-M?i=847&cat=761809 ''Emigrants, Refugees and Prisoners'', Volume 1, Page 209: Family "B", Person 1.] FamilySearch film #007956425, image 848 of 1808. Note: It appears that there is more information (possibly corrections?) in volume 2, page 367, but it's unavailable online.] Davis doesn't provide a source for this information, and it's unclear where it came from since the first Schangnau birth register in the Canton Bern Archives begins in 1682. [State Archives of Canton Bern. [https://www.query.sta.be.ch/detail.aspx?id=423410 Schangnau, Canton Bern, Switzerland, Birth Register: K Schangnau 1 Taufrodel, 1682-1739].]
* A certain Christen Hercshi and his brother Peter, sons of Christen Herschi and Anna Züricher, were baptized in Trub, Bern, on Friday, 18 December 1663. [State Archives of Canton Bern. [https://www.query.sta.be.ch/detail.aspx?ID=233264 Trub, Canton Bern, Switzerland, Birth Register: K Trub 3 Taufrodel, 1640-1674], page 237.] Christian Hirschi, the father, was from Schangnau. [David Habegger, "Uncovering My European Hirschy Roots," [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1649967?availability=Family%20History%20Library Mennonite Family History, Volume 1, Number 2 (April 1982)], pages 4-5.]
* Bruce Fosnocht has suggested [ca. 2011] that a Christen Hirschi from Oberauerbach (5km northeast of Zweibrücken, Germany), who appears in the church book of Lambsborn (18km north of Zweibrücken), may have been the son of Hans Hirschi and Anna Ulrich of Guggisberg in western Canton Bern.
* A branch of the Hirschy family lived high in the hills southeast of Eggiwil, Canton Bern, in a house called Höhlenfluh, built under an overhanging cliff north of the Bärbach. [David L. Habegger, "Tracing an Oral Tradition In Switzerland," [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1649974?availability=Family%20History%20Library Mennonite Family History, Volume 7, Number 2 (April 1988)], pages 44-45.]
* Scott F. Hershey created a genealogy of the Hersheys who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1709 (i.e, the Christian Hershey of this profile), as well as the family that arrived in 1719. "Tho beyond doubt the 1709 branch and the 1719 Hersheys descend from the same Swiss branch, as we know both branches came from Appenzell, in the half Canton of Innesholden." No source was cited for this information. [Scott Funk Hershey, [https://archive.org/details/historyrecordsof00hers_0/page/70/mode/2up ''History and Records of the Hershey Family from the Year 1600''], page 70. The Petite Book Co, New Castle, PA (no date).]
=== Germany ===
Christian Hershey fled with his family from Switzerland to Friedelsheim in the Pfalz (Palatinate), in about 1671. [Ira D. Landis (1956). [https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Hershey,_Benjamin_(1697-1789) ''Hershey, Benjamin (1697-1789)''] Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO).] Friedelsheim is a small town located 18 km west of Mannheim, Germany. In 1682, Christian Herschi, Ulrich Weydmann, Jose Erbsal, and Hans Burgholder, leased 1,000 acres of land in Friedelsheim, a farm now called "Mennonitenhof."[Johannes Foth (1956). [https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Friedelsheim_(Rheinland-Pfalz,_Germany) ''Friedelsheim (Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany)''] Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO).]
Christian Hirschi was shown as a renter in Freidelsheim in lists from 1672, 1682, 1699, 1708, and 1715. In a 1739 list, Christian Herschi was replaced by Christian Lichti. [Ellen Risser Farrell, ''Risser Families in the Palatinate and in America'', Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage, Volume 10, Number 2 (April 1987), pages 21-31, citing page 22.]Since the Christian Herschi of this profile purchased land in Pennsylvania in 1717, the last entry (and possibly others) must refer to another Christian Herschi.
: '''Marriage'''
In his will, Christian mentioned his wife, "Ati Scholi." She may have been the daughter of Benedict Schölli who lived at Friedelsheim at about the same time as the Hershey family.
[Richard Warren Davis has suggested that Christian's wife was Adelhied, the daughter of Daniel Stauffer of Gerolsheim, who was living with her father at Ibersheim, Germany, in 1672. ]
=== Lancaster, Pennsylvania ===
Christian Hershey was the first Mennonite bishop in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
On 27 September 1717, a warrant was issued to Hans Pupather (i.e., Brubaker) and Christian Hersey for 1,000 acres of land in Chester County (now Lancaster County), Pennsylvania. Two months later, on 30 November 1717, they received a patent for the land, which lay on both sides of Little Conestoga Creek. The patent stated that Hans Brubaker and Christian Hersey were originally from "the Palatinate of the Rhine in Germany" but were living in Strasburg Township in what is now Lancaster County. [[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-V3DD-Y87Y?i=83&cat=44185 Pennsylvania Land Patent Book A5, page 271.] FamilySearch film #008715258, image 84 of 834. [https://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-522WarranteeTwpMaps/r017-Map2828-Lancaster-ConestogaManorWeb.pdf Lancaster Township Warrantee Map].][Minutes of the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania, Volume 1, Minute Book "H" [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=pst.000025859898&seq=634 Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, volume 19 (published 1893), page 628].][C. Henry Smith, [https://archive.org/details/pennsylvaniagerm01penn/page/170/mode/2up "The Mennonite Immigration to Pennsylvania in the Eighteenth Century", page 170.] Pennsylvania-German Society (1929).]In 1718, Hans Brubaker and Christian Hersey agreed to divide the land equally between them, with Christian receiving the northeastern 500 acres, and Hans the southwester 500 acres, but Christian died intestate before the division was finalized so his heirs confirmed the agreement in two deeds dated 1729 [1729 Deed: Benjamin Hershey et al to John Brubacker: [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS7S-S9K9?i=262&cat=224489 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book Q2, page 510.] FamilySearch film #007856832, image 263 of 681.]and 1733. When Christian's widow, Ode Hirshy, and his three children—Benjamin, Andrew and Ann—divided his estate, the 500-acre parcel was allotted to Benjamin.[1733 Deed: Hans Brubacher et al to Benjm Hirshy: [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSF1-S95P-V?i=464&cat=224489 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book R, page 187.] FamilySearch film #008067073, image 465 of 741.]
: '''Will'''
Christian Hershe wrote his will in German. He was from Conestoga in Chester County (Lancaster County wasn't split off from Chester County until 1729). The will was undated and unsigned so it wasn't recorded in the Chester County will books, but it was admitted to probate on the 8th day of the 6th month (August) in 1722. Later documents state that he died intestate. [The inventory of his estate was filed on 10 July 1723. An "explanation" of his will, written in English, mentions his "three children Bennadick Herse Andrew Herse Anna Herse." It also mentions 500 acres of land that was to be divided equally between his widow and his three children. Although the explanation doesn't include the name of his wife, it appears in the will as "Ati Scholi" (left end of the third line). The witnesses were John Brubaker, Jacob Brubaker and Jacob Snevele. The executors were Benedick Herse and John Herr.][[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89SM-ZS1Z?i=183&cc=1999196&cat=159829 Chester County, Pennsylvania, Estate Papers, folder 146 (filed under the name Christian Heiser).] FamilySearch film #005547089, images 184-190.]: Note: Christian’s will did not mention a son Christian, who is supposed to have remained in Europe and emigrated in 1739.
LAND HOLDINGS* Christian HEARSEY had lands on NW side of Conestogoe River in what became Lancaster Co, and paid taxes from 1717, recorded as "Christian & son." Early tax records: Christian HERSEY 1717 ‘lands on the NW side of Conestogoe River’; Christia HEARSE & Son 1718 ‘Conestogoe rate, Dutch inhabitants’; Christian HIERSIE / HOURSE & Son 1719 ‘Conestogoe rate’ [entered twice]; Christian HARSEY 1724 ‘Connestogoe rate (Freemen)’, 1726 ‘Conistogoe rate’.* A letter dated 7 July 1717 at Philadelphia, from James STEEL to the surveyor Isaac TAYLOR says: “John FUNK & Christian HEER applyed yesterday on behalf of their Countrymen that are lately arrived for several parcels of land near their settlements...for Abraham HEER 3 or 400 acres...Christian HEARSEY 400 acres...Henry PARE 500 ac....”  (shows portion of handwritten list).
=== Unsourced Family Information ===
Christian Hershey, born 1664 in Canton Bern, Switzerland; died 1720. He was the son of Christian (Hershey) Hirschi. He married Adelheid "Oade" Stauffer.
Adelheid "Oade" Stauffer was christened 12 February 1659/60 in Eggiwil, Bern, Switzerland. She was the daughter of Daniel Stauffer and Barbara Galli.
Children of Christian Hershey and Adelheid Stauffer:
# Christian Hershey, born 1690; died 1745; married Esther Egli 1713.# Anna Hershey, born 1693; married Herman Long; born 1700; died 1773. # Benjamin Hershey, born 1696; died July 29, 1789 in Hempfield Twp., Lancaster Co., PA; married (1) Mary ( ? ) Hershey; married (2) Mary ( ? ) Hershey Aft. 1734.# Andrew Hershey, born February 11, 1697/98; died December 24, 1754 in Hempfield Twp., Lancaster Co., PA; married Maria Schnebele 1730.
=== Research Notes ===
An earlier version of this profile stated that Christian Hershey died on 6 August 1729, but no source was given.
An earlier version of this profile stated that Christian had another son, also called Christian, who immigrated to America in 1739.
The following is an excerpt from a translation by Noah G. Good of a family record written in German script. The document was donated to Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society (now Mennonite Life). Its origin is unknown. [''Genealogical Sharing'', Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage, volume 4, number 3, page 30.]
: Grandfather [[Hersche-6|Andrew Hershey]] [son of this Christian Hershey] was born in Switzerland in the year 1702. From there, his father [i.e. Christian Hirschi] ... moved to Friedensheimer Hoff in the Palatinate. In 1719 [Andrew] moved to America with his father and brother Benjamin where he settled near Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His brother Christian had to remain at the Hoff till 1739 when he also came to America. These three brothers - Andrew, Benjamin, and Christian - were ordained ministers in the Mennonite Church. Andrew died in the year 1792 at the age of 90."
== Sources ==
: See also:* Scott Funk Hershey, [https://archive.org/details/historyrecordsof00hers_0/page/58/mode/2up ''History and Records of the Hershey Family from the Year 1600''], pages 58-59. The Petite Book Co, New Castle, PA (no date).* David R. Johnson, ''The Early East Petersburg Area Hershey Family'', Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage, Volume 1, Number 1 (January 1978), pages 6-16. (Available online with membership in Mennonite Life.) This article confuses Christian's son "Salung" [[Hersche-6|Andrew Hershey]] (1702?-1792) with "East Petersburg" [[Herschi-14|Andrew Hershey]] (1698-1754). A note correcting the error was printed on page 24 of the April 1978 issue.* Franklin Ellis and Samuel Evans (1883), [https://archive.org/details/historyoflancast02elli/page/n745/mode/2up ''History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men'', page 868.]* The children of Christian Hershey are recorded in the Wenger Book, pp. 1067-1068. See also Beers p. 62, 63 and 141.
==Acknowledgements==* WikiTree profile Hershey-150 created through the import of BaxterFamilyTree.ged on Jan 27, 2012 by [[Baxter-692 | Jason Baxter]]. * WikiTree profile Hershey-173 created through the import of Becker _ Dietrich Family Tree .ged on Jan 14, 2013 by [[Hackett-252 | C. D. Hackett]]. * Thank you to [[Minder-4 | Sandy Minder]] for creating WikiTree profile Hershey-199 through the import of Delong gedcom.ged on Apr 27, 2013.
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Abt 1664 - Bef 1722 (< 58 years)
