What Records Do We Have of Barbara Hochstetler Stutzman?

Over a 12-year period in preparing the book, Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler and Christian Stutzman, Mr. Hostetler “failed to find one member of the Hochstetler or Stutzman family that knew they are in any way related. But I have found quite a number that insisted there is no relationship between them.”

However, in addition to being named in her husband’s will, Barbara appears in records related to her father’s farm.

In a deed signed Feb. 17, 1776, and recorded Aug. 14, 1776, in Book R., page 118, at Lancaster, Pa., she is named as Barbara Stutzman, widow, a daughter of Jacob Hochstetler, of Berks Co. Pa., Mar. 2, 1775, and joined with her brothers John, Joseph and Christian in the sale of her father’s farm for four hundred English pounds or $2,000.00 to John Metzger, or Naffziger, of Lancaster County, Pa. . . .Barbara died about 1782, after which her name disappeared from the Bern Township tax lists, Berks Co., Pa., and her husband had died in 1770 . . .

The following is an extract of that deed, the deed of Jacob Hochstetler’s last farm:

"This indenture between John Hochstetter, of Berks County, and Catherine, his wife; Joseph Hochstetter, of the same county, and Ann his wife; Barbara Stutzman, of said county, widow; and Christian Hochstetter, of Lancaster County and Barbara, his wife, and John Metzger, or Naffziger of Lancaster County, The Hon. Proprietors did grant by patent the 29th of April, 1767, to Peter Benedict, a tract of land in Lebanon Township, called “Stony Ridge,” and whereas the said Peter Benedict and Maria Elizabeth, his wife, did convey, the 7th, 1772, to the said Christian Hochstetter, all the above described tract of 150 acres of land. And whereas, the said Christian Hochstetter, and Barbara his wife, by their certain deed, dated 2 March, 1775, did grant and convey to Jacob Hochstetter of Berks County, And whereas the said John Hochstetter [Ed. Note: this must be an error – I believe it refers to Jacob Hochstetler, not his son, John] lately died intestate, leaving his widow Anna and issue to wit: John Hochstetter, Joseph Hochstetter, Barbara Stutzman, and Christian Hochstetter, the above described tract of land, among other things, descended and came to the children and heirs of the said Jacob Hochstetter, deceased.
Now this indenture witnesseth that the said John Hochstetter and Catherine, his wife, Joseph Hochstetter, and Anna his wife Barbara Stutzman, and Christian Hochstetter, and Barbara his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of 400 pounds, money of Pennsylvania, well and truly paid by the said John Metzger, or Naffziger do grant and convey.”
This deed shows that Jacob Hochstetler was of Berks County, March, 1775, but does not indicate whether he lived on the Lebanon Township farm which is now in Lebanon County. Barbara Stutsman, signed this deed with an X, as did also the wives of his brothers.

Taken from, Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler and Christian Stutzman, by Harvey Hostetler,Scottdale, Pa.: Mennonite Pub. House, 1938, 1391 pgs.


Jacob Hochstetler must have remarried after his wife was killed by the Indians, as the deed refers to his wife, Anna.