Genealogy of John and Christian Fretz

A brief history of John and Christian Fretz and a complete genealogical family register, is the result of one man’s commitment to preserving the story of John and Christian Fretz, two Mennonite brothers who left Germany in the early 1700s in search of religious freedom and a new start in America. Compiled by Rev. Abraham J. Fretz, a descendant of John, the volume is part family tree, part historical record, and part tribute to a people who quietly helped shape early Pennsylvania.

John and Christian Fretz came from the Palatinate region of Germany, near Manheim, during a time when Mennonites and other religious minorities faced growing pressure to conform or leave. They chose to leave, crossing the Atlantic sometime between 1710 and 1720. One brother died during the voyage, but John and Christian survived and eventually settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. John, known as “Weaver John,” established himself in Bedminster Township, while Christian lived along Tinicum Creek. Both brothers raised large families and became active members of the Deep Run Mennonite community.

What began as Rev. Fretz’s personal interest in tracing his own lineage quickly grew into a much larger project. As he began gathering stories, records, and names, others in the extended Fretz family came forward with their own histories, and the idea of a full family genealogy took root. Over the years, Fretz visited distant relatives, scoured church records, pored over old letters and public documents, and sent out thousands of inquiries. The work stretched over decades and took more effort than he ever imagined.

In total, the book records more than 9,000 individuals—1,500 of them born with the Fretz name. It’s organized carefully, with each generation marked and each family line followed from the earliest known ancestor down through the 1800s. Where people married within the family, the records are cross-referenced. Helpful indexes make the book easier to use, and there are additional notes explaining the format and some of the choices Fretz made in compiling the material.

The story that emerges is one of quiet resolution. The early Fretz families were farmers, craftsmen, and devout church members. They didn’t seek out public life or military distinction, but instead focused on their faith, their families, and their communities. Later generations would branch out into a wide range of professions, making their mark in education, medicine, publishing, and business. But the roots remained strong as their descendants lived out simple, hardworking lives, grounded in Mennonite values.

A brief history of John and Christian Fretz and a complete genealogical family register, is a record of people who crossed an ocean for their beliefs, carved homes out of wilderness, and built churches where they could worship in peace. It’s brings to light the kind of history that’s often overlooked: the slow, steady work of building a life and heritage. In putting this record together, Rev. Fretz gave thousands of descendants a way to connect with their past, and a reason to be proud of it.

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Table of Contents

Preface, p. 5
Introduction, p. 8
List of Explanations and Abbreviations, p. 11
The Fretz Family History, p. 13
Descendants of John Fretz, Son of Weaver John, p. 21
Descendants of Jacob Fretz, Son of Weaver John, p. 89
Descendants of Christian Fretz, Son of Weaver John, p. 134
Descendants of Abraham Fretz, Son of Weaver John, p. 273
Descendants of Elizabeth (Fretz) Kulp, Daughter of Weaver John, p. 292
Descendants of Mark Fretz, Son of Weaver John, p. 326
Descendants of Henry Fretz, Son of Weaver John, p. 340
Barbara Fretz, Daughter of Weaver John, p. 364
Christian Fretz, Brother of Weaver John, p. 365
Descendants of Abraham Fretz, Son of Christian Fretz of Tinicum, p. 366
Descendants of Mark Fretz, Son of Christian Fretz of Tinicum, p. 403
Descendants of Christian Fretz, Son of Christian Fretz of Tinicum, p. 431
Descendants of Daniel Fretz, Son of Christian Fretz of Tinicum, p. 443
Descendants of John Fretz of Manheim, Pennsylvania and Bertie, Ontario, p. 472
Descendants of Barbara (Fretz) Longnecker, p. 510
Descendants of Jacob Fretz, Son of Christian Fretz of Tinicum, p. 529
Descendants of Henry Fretz of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, p. 537
The First Fretz’ Family Reunion, p. 545
Valediction, p. 558
Index of Branches, p. 561
Index of References, p. 562
General Index, p. 564
Errata, p. 606
Omissions, p. 607

List of Explanations

In the preparation of this work it will be observed that all descendants are recorded in the regular order of birth, from the oldest down to the youngest throughout the entire connection, each generation being marked consecutively from first to last. The Roman numerals placed before each name are used to designate the generation to which they belong, as:—

I. John Fretz (First Generation).
II. John Fretz, Jr. (Second Generation).
III. Manasseh Fretz (Third Generation).
IV. Margaret Fretz (Hestand.) (Fourth Generation).
V. Hannah Hestand (Urmy.) (Fifth Generation), etc.

Beginning with the first (I.) ancestor John Fretz, all his children are named in the order of their birth. Then follows his oldest son John Fretz (II. Generation), and his children, (III. Generation) next, Manasseh being the oldest, is followed down to the last of his descendants, then the second in order of birth of the III. Generation, and so on until the end of the entire branch of John Fretz, of the II. Generation is reached. Then the second child of John Fretz, of the I. Generation, viz: Jacob Fretz, is carried down in like manner to the last of his descendants, and so on throughout the entire connections.

Where marriages occur between members of the connection the husband carries the record. In all such cases, a numbered reference is placed after the name and marriage of the wife, as, for example — (See Index of Reference No. i.) In the Index of References, will be found No. i. Hannah Smith, 167. On page 167 in the body of the book, the family record is given.

In the General Index will be found the names of all males of eighteen years and over, and the maiden names of all females of eighteen years and over; also the pages on which their family record is given in the body of the book.

To find family records, see Index of Branches, where names of all that had issue of the first, second, and third Generations are given.

Abbreviations:

Dec’d signifies Deceased
S. signifies Single
Mrd. signifies Married
Ch. signifies Church
Montg. Co. signifies Montgomery Co.
Twp. signifies Township

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Source

Fretz, Abraham J., A brief history of John and Christian Fretz and a complete genealogical family register, Elkhart, Ind. : Mennonite Publishing Co., 1890.


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