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- According to the "A Brief History of Bishop Jacob Mast and Other Mast Pioneers" by C.Z. Mast published in 1911, "The following record of their emigration is in evidence, Harrisburg, Penna, March 13, 1911"To whom it may concern I hereby cerhat the above is a true tracing of the above names as written on the original Immigration List ship, Brotherhood, Captain, John Thomason. Date, Nov 3, 1750. Sailed from Rotterdam and last from Cowes, and arrived at Philadelphia. Now on file in Division of Public Records, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.(signed) Luther R KelkerCustodian of the Public Records of the Pennsylvania State Library. (The seal of the Department of the State Public Records is affixed to the document)
The party had sailed from Rotterdam in the ship Brotherhood, John Thompson, Captain, landing in Philadelphia, PA, on Nov 3, 1750." They selected their home near the site of the Blue Mountains, northwest of Philadelphia near present day Reading, Pennsylvania. Their farm was near the Schuylkill River between Irish Creek and Northkill. All other early Amish Mennonites formed their first settlement in America at this place, which was known for nearly a century as the "Northkill congregation." "The early members had located in Heidelberg, Lower Heidelbeg, North Heidleberg, PA, Bern, Upper Bern, Center, Upper Tulpehocken and Jefferson townships, Berks Co, Pennsylvania The majority lived near where the Masts originally established their farm." Because of the French and Indian Wars, "from 1754 to 1764 and even at a later period the settlement was exposed and almost exterminated by the torch, hatchet and scalping knife of the savages, and their midnight assault and slaughter. Hundreds fell victims to the relentlessly cruel savages, along the Blue Mountains south and north of it, and along the Susquehenna."
Because of the Indian danger, the Masts and other Amish Mennonite (Anabaptist) settlers removed to near present day Morgantown in Berks Co., PA, in the Conestoga Valley. According to an article in the "Independent" in the 1970's, he settled in what is now Elverston, Pennsylvania. (C-2537) "A warrant was granted to Bishop Jacob Mast and a certain John Holly (relative of his wife?), Nov 19, 1764, and the latter on Apr 13, 1769 lawfully discharged all the rights and half part of land to the former. The tract contained 170 acres and an allowance of six per cent for roads which was situated partly in the counties of Berks and Chester. It was purchased from Samuel Martin of Tredyfrin township, Chester Co, PA, for L325. On this tract of land Bishop Jacob Mast erected a comfortable log farm house, close to a lusty spring which flows directly from a stratum of limeless sandstone."
He provided public service to the Revolution in Pennsylvania. (C-458, p. 1918) He was the 2nd Amish Mennonite Bishop in America. In 1786, he was serving Berks, Chester and Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania (C-873, 2251e) "Masts, A Brief History" states that he lived in Lancaster County, PA after Berks Co. His death and burial are listed in various places: Pine Grove Cemetery, Caernarvon Township, Berks Co., Pennsylvania; Pine Grove Cemetery, Champaine Co., OH; or Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. He and 3 of his unnamed sisters are supposedly buried near each other.
The account in C.Z. Mast's 1911 book states: "In the year 1808 he gave up the wonderfully busy life when in the same year his neighbors carried his body out of his old home and buried it in a quiet spot on the broad acres he had tended and loved. His grave is marked with a carved sandstone bearing inscription near the Northwest corner of the wall of what is known as Pine Grove Cemetery. His wife, Magdalene Holly, died Oct 26, 1820, aged 80 years, and is buried by his side."
There is a Jacob Mast living in Cocalico Twp., Berks Co., PA in 1751 and 1753 according to deed records there. This is a township on the North Border of Berks Co., Pennsylvania. (C-2414)
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