I’ve made several attempts over my short lifetime to document my family history. This site is an attempt to connect those together in one location.
Here in Franklin County Pennsylvania the Martin family name is by far the most prevalent, easily beating the proverbial Joneses. Our roots are primarily Mennonite (anabaptist) who would have originally fled Switzerland and come to America to avoid persecution. They were originally called Swiss Brethren who evolved from the teachings of Ulrich Zwingli, a Swiss theologian, musician, and leader of the reformation in Switzerland.
Christian Martin would have been our first ancestor on American soil.
Christian Martin arrived in Philadelphia on the ship Plaisance, 12 September 1732 age 63 years. He is the patriarch of the Mennonite Martin families. He immigrated with his wife (married in 1689 – Bern, Swizerland) Elspeth Brupbacher Martin, age 60, and two children. The ship also includes Fravin Martin, age 16, Fronik Martin, age less than 16, and Martin Marta, age less than 16.
Christian Martin was born 1669 in Bern, Switzerland. He died 12 July 1748 (aged 78–79) in Weaverland, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Christian Andrew was an Anabaptist minister, who in 1720 was imprisoned in Trachselwald Castle northeast of Bern because of his faith. (This castle, where many Anabaptists were imprisoned, can be toured.) When he went to prison, Christian urged Elsbeth and their children to leave Bern district for a safer place.
Christian and Elsbeth “Ells” arrived in Philadelphia on the Plaisance in September 1732.
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