Switzer Surname – Access Genealogy

The Switzers in Virginia

“The Switzer family is of German and Swiss origin and was founded in America by three brothers, John, Valentine and Nicholas, sons of John Switzer, who never came to America. About 1770 the three brothers settled in Hardy, then Hampshire ‘County.” FROM “THE HISTORY OF BARBOUR COUNTY” Cornelia Switzer-Burkholder, a daughter of Daniel Morgan Switzer, a son of Valentine’ Switzer, a son of Nicholas Switzer, immigrant, who obtained in her life time much information concerning the genealogy of the Switzer family, and at her death left with Frank C. Switzer, of Harrisonburg, Va., certain records and correspondence, made the following … Read more

Probated Will of Valentine Switzer

In the name of God, Amen. I, Valentine Switzer, of the County of Hampshire, and State of Virginia, being weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be God for the same, I make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner and form, following. That is to say first: I will and desire that after my decease, that all my just debts be paid, and secondly: I will and desire that my whole estate, both real and personal shall be sold and equally divided amongst all my children, both sons and daughters, except … Read more

Genealogy of the Switzers

This manuscript is an eclectic collection of various Switzer lines that all connect back to Valentine Switzer, the original immigrant to America in 1749. The surnames that follow are those surnames which can be found within the manuscript: Allen, Backus, Becker, Beckey, Berry, Bing, Bird, Blake, Brewer; Bumgardner, Burkholder, Canaday, Chapelle, Cherrington, Coffman, Copeland, Davis, Day, Dillon, Donaldson, Eppel, Fisher, Fulton, Gilfillen, Griffy, Guthrie, Hamlin, Haner, Hawk, Henderson, Herriman, Hesse, Hicks, Hinkle, Hodge, Hollingshead, Hoober, Hotzenbella, Hutsinpillar, Huver, Ingels, Jones, Kerns, Leonard, Livesay, Lott, Maddy, Mahood, Mauck, Morton, Parrill, Poher, Preston, Reeves, Reynolds, Rhey, Rhyne, Rodgers, Rood, Rothgeb, Schweitzer, Scott, … Read more

Remarks on Valentine Switzer

The foregoing will was admitted to probate in Hampshire County, Virginia (now West Virginia) on 14 May 19, 1817. The testator, Valentine Switzer, is the same Valentine Switzer mentioned in the Stephen Hotzenbella will as son-in-law. The wife of the said Valentine Switzer, being Mary Hotzenbella (Hotzenpillar), a daughter of said Stephen Hotzenbella. There can be no question but the above Valentine Switzer is the father of John Switzer, who owned lands in Little Levels, Bath County, Virginia (now Pocahontas County, West Virginia) from 1800 to 1807, at which time he sold same and moved to Gallia County, Ohio, where … Read more

History of Sheldon Illinois, 1859-1959

The “History of Sheldon Illinois, 1859-1959,” compiled by the Sheldon Centennial History Committee, offers an immersive journey into the development of Sheldon, Illinois, over its first century. It seeks to celebrate and memorialize the efforts of those early settlers whose dreams and toil laid the foundation for the Sheldon we know today.

Probated Will of Stephen Hotzenbella

In the name of God, Amen. I, Stephen Hotzenbella, of the County of Frederick, in the Colony of Virginia, being sick and weak of body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for it. Therefore calling to mind the mortality of the body, and knowing that is is appointed for all men once to die; do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in manner and form, to-wit: Imprimis: I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife, Barbara Hotzenbella, the young bay horse, unbranded, one cow, and one featherbed and furniture. Item: I give … Read more

Berry in Cottonwood Township

Philip Switzer, Nancy Bridger, Son of immigrant, Valentine Switzer an his wife, Mary (Hutsinpillar) Hotzenbella, was born in Hampshire County, Va., March 15, 1757, and died in Addison Township, Gallia County Ohio, July 3, 1835. Wife of Phillip Switzer was born Dec. 20 1767, and died August 11, 1829, in AddisonTownship, Gallia County, Ohio. She was the daughter of John Bridger. Children: William Switzer, Valentine Switzer, married Lydia Lasley John Switzer, Mary Switzer, married David Lasley Nancy Switzer, married Samuel Blake Rebecca Switzer, married Theophilus Blake Sarah Switzer, married William Guthrie Elizabeth Switzer, married John Hinkle Items: Phillip Switzer was … Read more

How Various Tribes Were Blended Together to Form the Swiss Nation*

“East Switzerland was never so thoroughly recognized and subdued as the western part. Hence, when the Teutonic or German tribes succeeded at last in settling in the country, the power of Rome died out, the Allemanni in the northeast entirely absorbed the Celts who lived there, and who had but little power of resistance, and planted a true German people with their own laws, language, manners ‘and customs. With the Burdundians, also a German tribe, who settled in the southwest, it was different. While they brought fresh vigor into the country, they were influenced in turn by the Romanized Celts, … Read more

Switzer Genealogy

Valentine Switzer. (Immigrant) arrived from Germany, Oct. 13, 1749. He was a brother of John and Nicholas Switzer, who arrived in 1753 and 1761, from Germany, and all settled in Hampshire County, Virginia. Mary Hotzenbella, Wife of Valentine Switzer, was a daughter of Stephen and Barbara Hotzenbella of Frederick County, Virginia. CHILDREN: Phillip Switzer, John Switzer, Abraham Switzer, Peter Switzer, Henry Switzer, Valentine Switzer, Nicholas Switzer, Catherine Switzer, Born’ March 15, 1757, died July 3, 1835. Born 1759, died in Ohio, 1844. Born April 4, 1767, died in Indiana, January 12, 1838. Born May 9, 1769, died in Indiana, Nov. … Read more

Switzers of Indiana

Abraham Switzer, son of immigrant Valentine Switzer, and his wife, Mary Hotzenpillar Switzer, was born in Hampshire County, Va., on April 4, 1767, and died near Crawfordsville, Ind., Jan. 12, 1838. He was married to Elizabeth Grant. Elizabeth Grant Switzer, was married to Abraham Switzer. She was born September 30, 1777. Died Aug. 10, 1845. Children: Polly Switzer, born Sept. 12, 1798 Peter Switzer, born May 27, 1801. Sally Switzer, born April 11, 1803. James Switzer, born March 18, 1805. John Switzer, born Oct. 6, 1807. Elizabeth Switzer, born June 3, 1810. Louisa Switzer, born Feb. 16, 1813. Gaily Switzer, … Read more