Jost Dreisbach

Life

1. 1721Born · Oberndorf, Wittgenstein, Westfalia, Germany
2. 1794Died · Allen Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, USA

Their story

Jost (Yost) Dreisbach, born in Oberndorf, Wittgenstein on 18 September 1721, lived to be 73, dying on 17 October 1794. His first child, Appolonia, was born as early as January 1750. He was a miller in northern Northampton County, and tradition has it that he was also an Indian-fighter. Between 1776 and 1782 Jost was an officer in various revolutionary units. In August 1776 he was captured by the British, but was released later in the year. Jost is said to have been a temporary quartermaster at Valley Forge, assigned to procure blankets for the troops. He is believed to have had some twelve children, not including those born to the female Mohawk "slaves" mentioned in his will. Many of his children remained in the area. Son John, husband of Elizabeth Ginter, moved to the northwest, to Columbia County, while son Philip seems to have migrated to Schoharie County, NY. He had two wives, neither of whom has been identified. His second wife was incorrectly identified by past researchers as Elizabeth Rauschenberger, but this has been proven to be an error. His will does mention a wife Lisbet.

Family