Kressley Lineage

Origination of the Kressley Name

 

My grandfather, Elmer Jacob Kressley, was told by his father, Oliver, that the Kressleys came from the Alsace area. Oliver’s father, Nathan, could speak fluent German and French as well as “Alsatian” even after three generations had lived and died before him in USA. The Alsace Lorraine area in France was ruled by both Germany and France throughout different periods of time. In Lembach and Ratzwiller there was a very large glassblowing and window pane manufacturing effort (1556-1788) with foundries located in the communities of Mattstall, Falkenthal, and Prince of Rohan, (all were part of the Lembach parish but only Mattstall still exists). At times, nearly a third of the populace was comprised of glass workers. Many of the craftsmen were Grassels for generations. They needed sandy soil for glass-making and forests for making charcoal to burn and heat the glass, so when an area was burned out in 10-30 years, they moved on. The Lembach glassblowers were German speaking and their region of mobility extended from Austria to Alsace. It is believed that these people traveled from Austria, to Switzerland, Bayern, Württemberg, Saarland and Rhineland to Bas-Rhin, Alsace-Lorraine and Moselle. Although glassmaking was the primary employment of this group, a community also needed farmers, shoemakers, blacksmiths, weavers, metal workers, etc. to keep the communities going, especially during times of economic troubles when buying glass was not a priority.

Many years were spent researching the Gressel lineages in the church records in Baden and Alsace. Over 180 parishes have been searched in Alsace and in the Kingdom of Württemberg in my quest to find our ancestors across the pond. Only one person has surfaced as a likely candidate, although there are no documents showing absolute proof, there are a lack of documents showing continued lineage in the area for Johann Jacob GRAESSLE the son of Johann Adam GRAESSLE and Anna Mary HEYD of Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. This name led backwards to Württemberg, right on the border where the name Graslin/Greslin is found in 1551. This is when Baden-Durlach in the North and Baden-Baden in the South were at odds concerning religion, the South being Catholic, the North, Protestant. This explains why the name GRAESSLE (and its many variations) appears more often in towns and villages throughout Baden Württemberg, yet we now have proof that this family left and settled in the Bas-Rhin, and Alsace France region. Johann “Jacob” Grassel b. 1726, (son of John Adam Gressel) disappeared from Oberbetschdorf in 1754 and in 1762 Johann “Jacob” Grassel/Kressley showed up on the tax list in Heidelberg – now as a free person after seven years indenture. Philip, who arrived with him, was actually Jacob’s cousin – but in German tradition, they often called any family member brother or sister. Their fathers were brothers. He was John Philip b. 1724 (son of John George Grassel) who was gone from Oberbetschdorf records for a few years, then returned and expanded his family. That’s why there is absolutely no trace of him in Pennsylvania and why Jacob could never find him. Whether he later got word that Philip was back in Oberbetschdorf, we will never know. The history of Baden Durlach (now Karlsruhe), shows a struggle between the Catholicism and Protestant religions during the period that our ancestor Blasius Graessel was born (1626), married (1650) and when his first son was born in 1651. They would have migrated (105 miles) West to Ober Betschdorf between 1652-1675. George Frederick was Margrave of Baden Durlach and he was Lutheran. The Thirty years War was 1618-1638. In 1648 the plague broke out in Durlach decimating the population.

Links to Baden Durlach History

Baden Durlach Map

Link to History of Betschdorf

 

 

Descendants of Simon Greslin/Graslin Abt. 1551

Generation 1

 

1. SIMON1 GRESLIN; was born 1551 in Egerteich, Tirschenreuth, Bayern, Germany, and died 01 Jun 1607 in Egerten, Lorrach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. (Tirschenreuth is also known for pottery making.) 

 

Child of SIMON GRESLIN is:

 

2. i. MARX2 GRESSLIN, b. 1576, Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg; d. 18 Aug 1606, Wollbach Kandern-Lorrach, Baden-Wurttemberg.

 

Generation 2

 

 2. MARX2 GRESSLIN (SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born 1576 in Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg., and died 18 Aug 1606 in Wollbach Kandern-Lorrach,Baden-Wurttemberg. He married ANNA MARIE LACHER. She was born 1580, and died 23 Oct 1629 in Wollbach Kandern-Lorrach, Baden-Wurttemberg.

 

Children of MARX GRESSLIN and ANNA LACHER are:

 

i. WALPURG (GRESSLIN) GRAESSEL3, b. Abt. 1598, Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg.; d. 12 Aug 1629,Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg.

 

3. ii. SIMON GRAESSEL, b. 24 Jan 1601, Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg.; d. 06 May 1682, Oberbetschdorf, Bas Rhin, France.

 

iii. MARX GRAESSEL, b. Abt. 1602, Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg.; d. 19 Dec 1629, Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg.

 

iv. BLESY (GRESLIN) GRAESSEL, b. 03 Mar 1604, Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg.

 

v. CATHERINE (GRESLIN) GRAESSEL, b. 14 Jul 1606, Wollbach,Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg.

 

Note that three children died in 1629, during the Thirty Year’s War. This could have been from plague, starvation or Catholic vs. Protestant fighting. The Gresslin/Graessel surname is recorded in Evangelisch (Lutheran) records.

  • The Thirty Years’ War was a war fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648. One of the most destructive conflicts in human history, it resulted in eight million fatalities not only from military engagements but also from violence, famine, and plague. Casualties were overwhelmingly and disproportionately inhabitants of the Holy Roman Empire, most of the rest being battle deaths from various foreign armies. The deadly clashes ravaged Europe; 20 percent of the total population of Germany died during the conflict and there were losses up to 50 percent in a corridor between Pomerania and the Black Forest. (Ref:: Wiki)
Generation 3  

 

3. SIMON3 GRAESSEL (MARX2 GRESSLIN, SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born 24 Jan 1601 in Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg., and died 06 May 1682 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas Rhin, France. He married ANNA RESY 13 Jun 1625 in Obereggenen, Mullheim Baden, Bundesland Baden-Wurttemburg, daughter of LUDWIG RESY and MARIE BRENNER. She was born 1606 in Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg., and died 1678 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas Rhin, France.

 

Children of SIMON GRAESSEL and ANNA RESY are:

 

4. i. BLASIUS4 GRAESSEL, b. 1626, Baden-Durlach, Germany; d. 08 May 1682, Oberbetschdorf, Bas Rhin, France. Note: Named for Saint Blasius.

 

5. ii. MARX GRAESSEL, b. 1629, Baden-Durlach, Germany; d. 1694.

 

6. iii. BASCHI (SEBASTIAN) GRAESSEL, b. 17 May 1640, d. Egerten, Lorrach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

 

iv. WALPURG GRAESSEL, b. 1647, Egerten, Lorrach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; d. 03 Jan 1716, Egerten, Lorrach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; m. JEAN FRIDLE KAMMULLER; b. 1647; d. 1708.  Note: She was named after Saint Walpurga, a  popular Saint in German tradition.

 

Generation 4 

 

4. BLASIUS4 GRAESSEL (SIMON3, MARX2 GRESSLIN, SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born 1626 in Baden-Durlach, Germany, and died 08 May 1682 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas Rhin, France. He married (1) BARBARA BROMBACHER Abt. 1650 in Tiengen, Baden-Durlach, Germany. She was born Abt. 1628, and died 01 Apr 1668 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas Rhin, France. He married (2) ANNA MARIA KEYSER 22 Sep 1668 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France, daughter of DIEBOLD KEYSER. She was born 1636 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas Rhin, France, and died 23 Aug 1676 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas Rhin, France. He married (3) MRS. ANNA MARIA GRUNAGEL 09 Jul 1677 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. She was born Abt. 1635.Notes for BLASIUS GRAESSEL: Name is recorded as Blasse Grassel and Blass Grassel in the church books.Notes for ANNA MARIA KEYSER: FHL Microfilm 765651.Notes for MRS. ANNA MARIA GRUNAGEL: Mrs Grunagel was the widow of Hans Velten Grunagel. Last name at birth is unknown.Marriage Notes for BLASIUS GRAESSEL and ANNA GRUNAGEL: Marriage of Blasius Grassel and Anna Maria widow of Hans Velten Grunatel on 22 September 1668 in Oberbetschdorf; FHL microfilm 765651.

 

Child of BLASIUS GRAESSEL and BARBARA BROMBACHER is:

 

7. i. JOHANN ADAM5 GRASSEL, b. 15 Dec 1651, Tiengen, Baden-Durlach, Germany; d. 24 Nov 1737, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. 5. MARX4 GRAESSEL (SIMON3, MARX2 GRESSLIN, SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born 1629 in Baden-Durlach, Germany, and died 1694. He married MARGARITA ARBOGAST. She was born 1638, and died 1698.

 

 

Child of MARX GRAESSEL and MARGARITA ARBOGAST is:

 

i. CATHARINA5 GRAESSEL, b. 1673, Oberbetchdorf, Bas Rhin, France; d. 1723; m. MICHAEL MITTLEHAUSER, 03 Feb 1693, Oberbetchdorf, Bas Rhin, France. 6. BASCHI4 GRAESSEL (SIMON3, MARX2 GRESSLIN, SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born 17 May 1640 in Egerten, Lorrach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Baschi married BARBARA GILLER.

 

Child of BASCHI GRAESSEL and BARBARA GILLER is:

 

i. SIMON5 GRAESSEL, b. 24 Jun 1666, Wollbach, Kandern-Lorrach, Baden Wurttemburg.

 

Baden Durlach Crest
Generation 5

 

7. JOHANN ADAM5 GRASSEL (BLASIUS4 GRAESSEL, SIMON3, MARX2 GRESSLIN, SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born 15 Dec 1651 in Tiengen, Baden-Durlach, Germany, and died 24 Nov 1737 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. He married (1) MAGDALINA WEBER 29 Nov 1675 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France1, daughter of HANS JACOB WEBER. She was born 1649 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France, and died 29 Jul 1679 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. He married (2) CATHARINA WERNER 24 Jan 1681 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin2, daughter of JACOB WERNER and UNKNOWN. She was born 18 Jan 1666 in Rittershoffen, Bas-Rhin, France, and died 04 Oct 1698 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. Notes for JOHANN ADAM GRASSEL: Die Stammlung Suss [Ref. 1665-1700 Evangelische Kirche Oberbetschdorf, Band 6, FHL Film 1070125 – Familien nach den Kirchenbuchern bon Oberbetschdorf] states that he was born in Tieringen, Markgrafschaft Durlach (Baden-Durlach).

 

Child of JOHANN GRASSEL and MAGDALINA WEBER is:

 

i. JOHN JACOB GRASSEL6 GRAESSEL, b. 03 Oct 1676, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France.

 

Children of JOHANN GRASSEL and CATHARINA WERNER are:

 

ii. MARIA BARBARA6 GRASSEL, b. 05 Feb 1682, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; m. UNKNOWN, 27 May 1678. Notes for MARIA BARBARA GRASSEL: Evangelische Kirche Taufen, Oberbetschdorf, FHL microfilm 765651.

 

8. iii. JOHN JORG GRASSEL, b. 30 Sep 1683, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France.

 

9. iv. SUSANNA (ANNA) MARIA GRASSEL, b. 02 Aug 1686, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; d. 28 Feb 1739, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France.

 

10. v. JOHANN ADAM GRASSEL, b. Nov 1688, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; d. 09 Dec 1738, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. vi. ANNA MAGDALENA GRASSEL, b. 14 Sep 1691, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. Notes for ANNA MAGDALENA GRASSEL: Baptized 16 Sep 1691 St. Jean -Baptiste Church, Oberbetschdorf.

 

vii. CATHARINA GRASSEL, b. 27 Feb 1695, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; m. SEBASTIAN HAUSHALTER, 12 May 1716, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France.

 

 

Generation 6

 

8. JOHN JORG6 GRASSEL (JOHANN ADAM5, BLASIUS4 GRAESSEL, SIMON3, MARX2 GRESSLIN, SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born 30 Sep 1683 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. He married MARIA MARGARETHA BASTIAN Feb 1708 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. She died in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France.

 

Children of JOHN GRASSEL and MARIA BASTIAN are:

 

i. ANNE CATHERINE7 GRASSEL, b. 1708; d. 1782; m. LORENTZ HERRMANN, 1731.

 

ii. JOHN ADAM GRASSEL, b. 1710; d. 1782.

 

iii. JOHN GEORGE GRASSEL, b. 1712; d. 1713.

 

iv. JOHN MARTIN GRASSEL, b. 1714; d. 1714.

 

v. MARIE BARBE GRASSEL, b. 1715.

 

vi. MARIE MAGDALINE GRASSEL, b. 1718; d. 1719.

 

vii. MARIE EVE GRASSEL, b. 1720; d. 1733.

 

viii. MARIE ELIZABETH GRASSEL, b. 1722; d. 1743; m. JOHANN WOLFGANG HOHNADEL.

 

ix. JOHN PHILLIP GRASSEL, b. 1724; d. 1793.

 

 

9. SUSANNA (ANNA) MARIA6 GRASSEL (JOHANN ADAM5, BLASIUS4 GRAESSEL, SIMON3, MARX2 GRESSLIN, SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born 02 Aug 1686 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France, and died 28 Feb 1739 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. She married JOHN VALENTIN GERWIG 20 Nov 1707 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France, son of JOHANN GERWIG and MARIA JACOB. He was born 08 Feb 1684 in Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France, and died Nov 1760 in Oberbetchdorf, Bas Rhin, France.  Notes for SUSANNA (ANNA) MARIA GRASSEL: Baptized 4 August 1686 in Oberbetschdorf.

 

Children of SUSANNA GRASSEL and JOHN GERWIG are:

 

i. JOHANN JACOB7 GERWIG, b. Bet. Sep 114 – 1727, Oberbetchdorf, Bas Rhin, France.

 

ii. MARIA CATHERINA GERWIG, b. Aug 1710, Oberbetchdorf, Bas Rhin, France; d. 1733, Reimerswiller, Bas-Rhin, France.

 

 

10. JOHANN ADAM6 GRASSEL (JOHANN ADAM5, BLASIUS4 GRAESSEL, SIMON3, MARX2 GRESSLIN, SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born Nov 1688 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France, and died 09 Dec 1738 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. He married ANNA MARIA HEYD 06 Sep 1718 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, daughter of JOHANN HEYD and ANNA MARIA. She was born Feb 1699 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France, and died 29 Dec 1779 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France.  Notes for JOHANN ADAM GRASSEL: Christening: 7 Nov 1688, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France, Death: 9 Dec 1738, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France, Burial: 10 Dec 1738, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France  Notes for ANNA MARIA HEYD: Baptized 8 Feb. 1699 in Oberbetschdorf.

 

Children of JOHANN GRASSEL and ANNA HEYD are:

 

i. JOHANN MICHAEL7 GRASSEL, b. 25 Jun 1719, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; d. 07 Aug 1768, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France.

 

ii. MARIA CATHARINA GRASSEL, b. 06 Oct 1720, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; d. Bef. 1731, Oberbetchdorf, Bas Rhin, France.

 

iii. JOHN ADAM GRASSEL, b. 24 Dec 1721, Oberbetchdorf, Bas Rhin, France; d. 02 Mar 1744; m. ROSINE FOELL, 23 Nov 1739; b. 1720.

 

iv. ANNA MARIA GRASSEL, b. 23 Nov 1723, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; d. 01 Jan 1780, Rittershoffen, Bas-Rhin, France; m. JOHANNES KOCHERSPERGER, 01 Feb 1752, Rittershoffen, Kreis Weissenburg, Bas-Rhin, France; b. 30 May 1727, Rittershoffen, Bas-Rhin, France; d. 08 Sep 1807, Rittershoffen, Kreis Weissenburg, Bas-Rhin, France. Notes for ANNA MARIA GRASSEL: Baptized 24 Nov 1723 at St. Jean-Baptiste Church.

 

12. v. (JOHANN) JACOB GRASSEL, b. 11 Feb 1726, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; d. Abt. 1769, Heidelberg Township, Lehigh, PA, USA.

 

vi. MARIA BARBARA GRASSEL, b. 18 Aug 1728, Oberbetschdorf, Bas Rhin, France; m. HEINRICH STURM, 07 May 1743, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin.

 

vii. MARIA CATHARINA GRASSEL, b. 03 Aug 1731, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; m. PHILIPP PETER THOMAS, 06 Nov 1753, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France.

 

viii. JOHANN ADAM GRASSEL, b. 13 Dec 1733, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; d. Rittershoffen, Bas-Rhin, France. Notes for JOHANN ADAM GRASSEL: Moved to Rittershoffen. Baptized 1-1-1722 St. Jean-Baptiste Church. ix. GEORG JACOB GRASSEL, b. 24 Sep 1736, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. Notes for GEORG JACOB GRASSEL: Christened Sept. 26 1736 in Oberbetschdorf.

 

 
Generation 7

 

11. JOHN PHILLIP7GRASSEL (JOHN JORG6, JOHANN ADAM5, BLASIUS4 GRAESSEL, SIMON3, MARX2 GRESSLIN, SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born 1724, and died 1793. He married ROSINA RHEIN. She was born 1721, and died 1791.Notes for JOHN PHILLIP GRASSEL: Traveled via Ship Halifax arriving in Philadelphia in October 1754 with his cousin John “Jacob” Gressel. It is assumed that both were indentured servants. His cousin Jacob put an article in the German Newspaper “Sowers” of Pennsylvania dated 18 Dec 1761 searching for Phillip: “Jacob Graesel, Allemangel, Lynn Township, (Lehigh County), seeks his brother Philip, who has been in America seven years”. (Often close relatives were called brother/sister in German). Notes for ROSINA RHEIN in Oberbetschdorf records: there is a break between the births of their children which would have allowed for the possibility of Phillip traveling with Jacob to America. Perhaps the reason Jacob could not find him several years later, even after putting an advertisement in the German newspaper searching for “his brother Phillip” was because Phillip went back home. We have never found records of Phillip here in America. 

 

Children of JOHN PHILLIP GRASSEL and ROSINA RHEIN are:

 

i. ANNE CATHERINE8 GRASSEL, b. 1747.

 

ii. GEORGE HENRY GRASSEL, b. 1749.

 

iii. ANNE EVE GRASSEL, b. 1751.

 

iv. JOHN GEORGE GRASSEL, b. 1753, d. before 1759.  [**4 year gap in children here where in 1754 Phillip could have sailed to Philadelphia and stayed a few years, then returned, perhaps after the death of this son.] 

 

v. PHILLIP FREDERICK GRASSEL, b. 1757; d. 1833.

 

vi. JACOB GRASSEL, b. 1763; d. 1821.

 

vii. JOHN MARTIN GRASSEL, b. 1766.

 

 

Leaving Alsace Behind

 

12. (JOHANN) JACOB7 GRASSEL (JOHANN ADAM6, JOHANN ADAM5, BLASIUS4 GRAESSEL, SIMON3, MARX2 GRESSLIN, SIMON1 GRESLIN) was born 11 Feb 1726 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France, and died Abt. 1769 in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh, PA. He married (1) ANNA BARBARA MAURER 31 Jan 1748 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. She was born Abt. 1736 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France, and died 1753 in Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. He married (2) ANNA MARIA HANDWERK Abt. 1760 in Pennsylvania, USA. She was born Abt. 1730 in Palatinate Germany, and died in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh, PA.Notes for (JOHANN) JACOB GRASSEL: Immigrated to Philadelphia, PA in 1754 on Ship Halifax with his cousin Philip, son of his father’s brother Johann Jorg Gressel. It is assumed that Jacob served Indentureship, then settled in Lynn Township and first appeared on the Pennsylvania tax list of 1762. See http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5712 Gottlieb Mittleberger’s article: A German Migrant in Philadelphia, 1750 His will was first probated on March 23, 1769, No. 637 in the files at Easton, PA, another on September 9, 1771, and a will was probated March 10, 1774. This will was made by John Eyerman and states: “Jacob Gressel, Heidelberg township, – Our help is in the Lord, who made the Heavens and Earth, Amen. Executor, wife Anna Mary; children, John Jacob the eldest, Bernhart the youngest, et al, brother-in-law Bernhart Neff of Heidelberg co-executor”.   See Notes on Anna Mary Handwerk vs. Anna Mary Neff.

 

Jacob established the Homestead called “der Kressley Stadt” in the Water Pond area (near Flint Hill) of Lynn Twp. The machine shop employed quite a few workers and did a popular farm implements business on the Kressley land, now located on Kressley Road.  The house built in 1872 still stands as pictured. In 1995, on a visit to the area, I found George Schmidt’s Berry Farm which now stands on land that once belonged to Kressleys. Just across from the berry farm is the building that was once the Water Pond School House. 

 

Child of (JOHANN) GRASSEL and ANNA MAURER is:

 

i. EVA MARGARETHA8 GRASSEL, b. 17 Jun 1753, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France; d. 18 Jun 1753, Oberbetschdorf, Bas-Rhin, France. Notes for EVA MARGARETHA GRASSEL: Evangelische Kirche Oberbetschdorf, Taufen, Heiraten & Tote, 1701-1736, Taufen, 1701-1735, unpaged FHL microfilm 765652.

 

 

Children of JACOB GRASSEL and ANNA HANDWERK are:

 

13. ii. JACOB KRESSLY8 (BORN JOHN JACOB), b. 31 Jul 1761, Heidelberg, Lehigh Co., PA; d. 14 Jan 1830, Heidelberg, Lehigh, PA.

 

 

iii. MARIA MAGDALENA KRESSLY, b. 10 Mar 1763, Lynn Twp., Lehigh Co., PA; d. Abt. 1790, Heidelberg Twp. Lehigh Co. PA

 

 

14. iv. JOHANNES (JOHN) KRESSLEY, b. 31 Jul 1765, Heidelberg Township, Lehigh, PA; d. 31 Oct 1841, Heidelberg Township, Lehigh, PA.

 

 

15. v. ADAM KRESSLY (BORN JOHN ADAM), b. 21 Nov 1767, Lehigh, PA; d. Abt. 1838, Heidelberg Twp., Lehigh Co., PA. Buried at old graveyard in New Tripoli.

 

 

16. vi. BERNARD KRESSLY, b. 1768, Weisenberg Township, Lehigh Co., PA; d. Bef. 1850, Heidelberg Township, Lehigh, PA.

 

 

vii. CATHERINE KRESSLY, b. 1769, Weisenberg, Lehigh Co., PA; d. 10 Jan 1868.

 

 

Immigration to America 

 

 
To the Lineages in America – Sons of the Pioneer Jacob Gressel/Kressley

 

  Lineage of Johan Jacob Kressley

 

  Lineage of John Kressley 

 

  Lineage of  John Adam Kressley 

 

  Lineage of Bernard Kressley

 

See Ship List – Palatine Ship Halifax October 1754: http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/ships/palship36.shtml
About  Weisenberg Township:  http://www.weisenbergtownship.org/
About Heidelberg Township: http://www.heidelberglehigh.org/about/history/
Landmark: Betschdorf Pottery – The main industry, Betschdorf clay is a unique gray clay dating back to the tertiary period (65 million to 2.588 million years ago) and because of its abundance, there have always been “pottery houses” in the area (known historically as “Rhenish”) dating back to the 12th century. In 1710 a new technique was developed using sandstone, baking at 1200-1300 degrees centigrade and varnishing with salt. This resulted in a very hard pottery. The “heyday” of pottery making in Betschdorf was in 1865 when there were 60 pottery houses employing 400 people. After the annexation of Alsace by Germany in 1870, some potters left the village while others abandoned the trade for lack of markets, and no more than 15 or so remained. As of 2009, there are about nine, owned and operated by six families: Remmy, Schmitter, Burger, Ruhlmann, Greiner and Stecher.  
 This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Butten_Scene.jpg  This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Butten_sign.jpg  This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ButtenChurch2009.jpg
Butten from a distance   Entering Butten Butten Church
 This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Church_Betchdorf2009.jpg  This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Betchdorf_enter2009.jpg  This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is BetchdorfScenery2009.jpg
Church in Betschdorf (was shared between
Lutherans and Catholics.) In the 21st century, it
is only Catholic.		 Entering Betschdorf Scenery on the outskirts of Betschdorf
 This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is betschdorf_1923.jpg  This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Betchdorf2009.jpg  This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Betchdorf2009-2.jpg
Rue de la Gare 1923 Betschdorf Same street 2009 – Things haven’t changed much
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Betschdorf_pottery1.jpg This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is betschdorfpottery2.jpg This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is betschdorfpottery3.jpg
Betschdorf Pottery Betschdorf Pottery Betschdorf Pottery

 

STILL SEARCHING!!!! To all the people who have shared their information: THANK YOU – you are the lighthouse in the fog!

 

  • Information for some of the Johan Jacob Kressley, first son of Jacob Kressley the pioneer (Johan Jacob>Jacob>Nathan>Franklin J.J.Kressley to the present date) was compiled by the Kressley Family Reunion Committee (PA): Donald P.Breininger, Richard Christman, Verna Fritzinger, Harold Handwerk, Lucille Heintzelman and Kermit Kressley. Information on Elenius Gressley was contributed by Glenn Gressley (April 2000) and Jerri (Gressley) Conklin March 2002.
  • Information for some of the Johannes Kressley, second son of Jacob Kressley the pioneer (Johannes>Peter>John [changed name to Gracely]>Franklin O.> Warren A. Gracely to the present date) was provided by Marie Gracely-Radtke (October 1998)
  • Information on the Lewis O. Kressly lineage was contributed, with references, by Diane Shearer.
  • Information that helped fill in the John Adam Kressley lineage, third son of Jacob Kressley the pioneer (John Adam>Jacob>Moses Kressley and Lydia Oldt to the present date) was contributed by Carolyn Kressley Rhoten (June 1998).
  • Information for some of the Bernard Kressley lineage, fourth son of Jacob Kressley the pioneer (Bernard>Henrich>Owen>Benjamin>Edward LeRoy Kressley and descendants to the present date) was provided by Phyllis Kressley-Smith, Edwin L. and Jeanne Kressley (October 1998). More Bernard Kressley information was shared by Nancy Hansen in 2007 to present.
  • Information on Alice Eva Kressley’s descendants (Bernard Kressley >Peter >Israel> Alice) were shared by John Richardson, 2007.
  • Information on Lafayette J. Kressly, a son of Johannes Kressly and Judith Rau/Race (Bernard Kressley lineage), was compiled and contributed by Jane Follweiler (May 1999).
  • Pictures of Butten and Betschdorf were contributed by  Paul and Marlene Johnson after their trip in 2009.
  • 2015 – Joined Geneanet and found others linked to Blasius: B. Issler and R. Lehmann took the lineages back to 1551.

The Kressley, Kiesele and Brader genealogies are dedicated to my Dad, Leonard Kressley whose stories of his father growing up in Pennsylvania and the family originating in Alsace intrigued me. It all started with his question when he was about 75 years old, “I wonder what ever happened to my Pennsylvania relatives?” He joined my sister and me on our trip to Pennsylvania, patiently helping us find old documents and information at the Historical Society in Allentown (and getting lost on all the little hilly roads). We miss him dearly!