Christian Andrew Martin[1, 2]
Abt 1669 - 1748 (79 years)-
Name Christian Andrew Martin [2] Birth Abt 1669 Bern, Switzerland 
[2] Gender Male Life sketch 12 Sep 1732 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, Elspeth 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 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, Elspeth 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.
Immigration 21 Sep 1732 Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America Death 12 Jul 1748 Weaverland, Earl Township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America [2] Person ID I136 Martin Genealogy Last Modified 3 Jul 2026
Father Isaac Christian Martin, b. 3 Dec 1640, Bern, Switzerland d. 7 Jun 1729, Bockschaft, Heilbronn, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany (Age 88 years) Mother Anna Maria Dold, c. 24 Apr 1648, Breitenholz, Ammerbuch, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany Marriage 1667 Family ID F420 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family Elizabeth Brupbacher, b. 1674, Herrliberg, Zürich, Switzerland d. 31 Dec 1732, Weaverland, Earl Township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America (Age 58 years) Marriage 1689 Bern, Switzerland [1, 2] Children 1. Christian Martin, b. 1694, Schallenberg Rueschegg, Bern, Switzerland d. 30 Sep 1758, Rapho Township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States (Age 64 years)2. Jacob Martin, b. Abt 1696 d. 1762–1768, Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., PA (Age 72 years)3. David Martin, b. 26 Jul 1691, Schallenberg Rueschegg, Bern, Switzerland d. 10 Nov 1784, Blue Ball, Earl Township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States (Age 93 years)4. Hans Henrich Martin, b. Oct 1701, Schallenberg, Rueschegg, Bern, Switzerland d. 4 Nov 1784, East Earl Township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States (Age 83 years)5. Veronica Martin, b. Abt 1707 d. Yes, date unknown 6. Magdalena Martin, b. 1699, Schallenberg Rueschegg, Bern, Switzerland d. 26 Oct 1772, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America (Age 73 years)Family ID F48 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 6 Jul 2026
- 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, Elspeth 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.
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Notes
Andreas Martin was a member of the persecuted religious sect
sometimes referred to as Swiss Brethren, later known in America as
Mennonites. Due to severe persecution in Switzerland, he moved with his
family to the Palatinate, which is now a part of Germany. Here Andreas
was imprisoned many years for his faith. He advised his wife and sons to
go to America and settle in Pennsylvania, and told them he would join
them there if he were ever released from prison.
Andreas was finally released from prison and came to the American
colonies October 7, 1749. He was cared for by his sons until his death in
1759. There is no further record of his wife. ("The John Jacob Martin
Family", 1978, Daniel R. Lehman)
2006 - found name to be Christian instead of Andreas (story above may not be accurate)
Online note found in 2006: Immigrated to Philadelphia, Sept. 21, 1732, aboard Plaisance, with Fravin Martin, 16, Fronik Martin (child), and Martin Marta (child); Lived at Weaverland with his son David until his death.
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Sources