HERMANUS (HERMANIUS) EMANUEL BRUMBACH
1751 - 1803

Hermanus Emanuel Brumbach arrived in America about 1770, probably through the port of Baltimore. There is a tradition that he was a silver miner in Switzerland, but thus far the facts concerning his foreigh life and relationships have not been determined. However, his great-great-great grandson, Dr. Ernest Edward Francis has researched this and more information is now available.

The assessment for Amity Township, Berks Co., Pa., for 1779, shows that he was a "weaver" and owned 5 cattle. He was also a farmer, and was later assessed in Oley Twp.

Hermanus married Maria Catharine Pott, born 1749; died 1833, aged 83, and was buried at Amityville, Berks Co., Pa.

ASSESSMENTS BERKS CO., PA.

Register of Property, Berks, 1779--Amity Twp. Hermanus Brumbach, weaver, 5 cattle.; no acres, horses, or negroes.

Return & Assessment Co. of Berks, 1780--Amity twp. Manus Brumbach, weaver, 1 horse, 2 cattle--5-15-0.

Under the same name and in Amity Twp., in 1781, he was assessed 12 s. for 1 horse and 2 cattle and there is another assessment (Pa. Arch., 3d, XVIII, p. 439) at about the same time for 2 cattle, 5 sheep (no amount) and the further record "No. in family 6."

Assessment of Taxes, Berks--Richmond Twp., 1785. Herman Brumbach, amount of tax 3-9-0.

CENSUS OF 1790--RUSCOMB TWP., BERKS CO., PA.

Emanuel Brombach was enumerated ("Brombash") as having a family of one free white over 16 (himself evidently), seven under 16, and two females. the latter were his wife, Maria Catharine Pott, and a servant or possibly a young daughter. The sons were doubtless John, Matthias, Samuel, Jacob, John 2d, George P. and Abraham. As neighbors there were Elias Wagner and Jonh Huffnagel.

Hermanus had eight sons who married; the youngest, William died at 57, and all the others attained over 75 years; Daniel exceeded 92 yrs. Five sons: John, Jacob, George, Daniel, and David died in their native county of Berks; Matthias died in Norristown, Montgomery Co., Pa. (no sons); William died in Catawissa, Columbia Co., Pa.; and Abraham died in Henry Co., Ind.

Hermanus died in Feb., 1803, and was buried at Amityville, Berks Co., Pa. His will was written in German and signed in a "good firm hand," and is published below.

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 10, 1906.

To Whom it May Concern:
I hereby certify that the name of Manus Brumbach appears as that of a Private in Captain David Weidner's Co. of the 3d. Batalion, Berks Co. Militia, on the List of Names of those who marched from the several Classes of Militias of the Companies named, August 11, 1780.
See p. 292, Vol. 14, Pa. Archives, 2d Series, 1888 Edn.
Luther R. Kelker,
Custodian of the Public Records, Pa.

Manus Brombach also appears as Private in Capt. John Ludwig's Co. of 6th Battn., Berks Co. Militias, Commanded by Col. Joshph Hiester, in the service of the U. S. taken from Aug. 10 1780 to 9 Sept. 1780. (Pa. Archives.)

His name ("Manus Brombach" and Manus Bromback") also appears in Pa. Arch. 5th Ser., pp. 187, 197, 238.

WILL OF HERMANUS EMANUEL BRUMBACH
originally written in German

I Hermanus Brumbach of the Township of Oley, in the County of Berks, and State of Penna., being sick and weak of body, but of sound mind, memory and understanding, thanks be to God therEfore calling to mind the mortality of the body that is is appointed unto all men once to die and after this the Judgment--have thought proper to dispose of my temporal estate which God in mercy hath blessed me with, in manner and form following that is to say:

First I will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and discharged by my Executors hereinafter named, out of my estate.

Item, I give and devise to my belovedwife Catharine all the remainder of my real and personal estate when all my just debts and funeral expenses being fully paid and discharged for her and to enjoy during her natural life if she remains my widow, but in case she was to marry again, then my will is that all my real and personal estate shall be put on public sale and my executors either for ready money or on payments which they thing pays best, and my wife shall have the Interest of one-third of the real estate during her natural life, and no more and the remainder of the money arising from the said sale to be divided among all my children as followeth namely: Mathias Samuel Jacob John George Abraham Daniel David and William share and share alike at it becomes due. Item I give to my son Samuel the sum of twenty-five pounds in money and one two-year old colt to be given and paid to him by my executors one year after my demise out of personal estate.

Item My will is that my beloved wife is to find victuals and clothing washing and lodging and schooling for all my younger children who have had no schooling without any charge for the same it being for the aforesaid privileges is willed to her.

Item I also will that if either of my children was to die before the age of 21 years then said share shall be equally divided among all my living children share and share alike. Lastly I ordain constitute and apoint my two sons Samuel and Jacob to be joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament.

And finally I invoke and make void all other and former Wills by me heretofore made either by word of mouth or in writing ratifying and confirming this only to be my last. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal dated this eighteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and two. 1802.

[Seal] Hermanus Brumback.

Witnesses: Isaac Rhoads
George Yoder

On Feb. 25, 1803, above withnesses appeared before the Register, swore that Hermanus Brumbach was of sound mind, memory and understanding when his last will was made, ets., and that to the best of their knowledge he was now dead.

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