Genealogy Data Page 127 (Notes Pages)

Note: George Adam Bright, the grandfather of our Bright family,was born in 1731. He died about 1804 in Augusta CO, Virginia. Hewas our earliest known BRIGHT ancestor (until my finding of the BRECHTancestry). He was left an orphan when his father Stephan died in 1747.He used the name BRIGHT. He married Maria Catherina Kaufelt, and wasliving in or near, Baltimore, Maryland when his son Wyndle, was bornin 1755? (York Co PA is where his children were baptized by JacobLischy.) Sometime around 1757 George and his family moved to theAugusta-- Rockbridge Counties in Virginia. Wyndle Brights pensionapplication states that the family moved when he was a year- to ayear- and a- half old. George purchased 170 acres in Beverly Manor atthe head branch of South River, David Hays' line, in November 1770,and his will reflects that he owned hundreds of acres of land at thetime of his death about 1804. His son, George Adam II born 1770, cameto Green county, now Taylor, KY in 1813. His son Buford Bright wasthe grandfather of my grandfather, John David Bright.

From the Library of Virginia Archive Collection, I have electonicallytransmitted, grants of land to George Adam Bright from theCommonwealth of Virginia,all in Augusta County, VA as follows:
4 August 1787 192 acres near the South Mountain on the watersof Pine Run. Grants 12, 1787, p345
Geo A. Bright 4 August 1787 488 acres Near the South Mt onDeep Pond Run and Horse Run. Grants 14, 1787-88, p.172
Geo A. Bright 4 August 1787 240 acres on Pine Run A branch ofSouth River. Grants 12, 1787, p.320
1 Feby 1781 400 acres on Mary Creek a branch of the North Branchof James River. Patents C, 1780-1781, p.230

(Total of 1,320 acres)

Will of George Adam I of April 14, 1804 was proved June 25, 1804Will Book 9 page 371 George's children are listed as follows: 10

John Bright m. Ann Faucett
*George Adam II b.1770 m. Catherine Campbell
Wyndle b. 1755 m. Barbara Kisner
Rebecca m.?
David b.1782/83 m. Judith Denzimore June 6 1799
Elizabeth m. George Lott Jr.
Sara m. August Kaulpt March10, 1794
Mary m. Isaac Liptrap July 29 1785
Barbara m. Phillip Pottoph
Female

George Adam I was born in 1731 in Berks County, Pennsylvania and he islikely buried in Augusta County, Virginia. Wyndel, George Adam II,and David all three came to Kentucky around 1813. Wyndle Bright'sRevolutionary War pension papers show that he owned land in bothWashington and Green, now Taylor and Marion, counties. It was WyndleBright's daughter Nancy J. who married Edward Nolley, patriarch of ourNOLLEY families.

The Will of George Adam Bright: Located in the Virginia StateLibrary on Reel 45-Augusta County, VA Will Book 9 pp.371 and 383

pp371-372 reads as follows:

"I, GEORGE ADAM BRIGHT of Augusta County State of Virginia, dohereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following,that is to say, after all my Just debts and funeral expenses are paid,I give and bequeath to my two sons John Bright & George[Adam] Bright &their heirs & assigns forever all the land I possess adjoining JamesSteele, John Tates heirs, Nathanial Steele, Japr Hutchison & GeorgeShultz to be devided[sic] by the line & marker on the HIll betweenwhere John Bright now lives and George Bright. Beginning on JamesSteeles line at the timbers I marded & running near the top of theSouth side of the Ridge to a white oak and the sd. Haups line, eachone are to have the part____with the appurtenances. I order my sonJohn Bright to pay out of the vallue[sic] of sd. land Forty fivepounds after my death exclusive of thirty six which he has alreadypaid & which forty five pounds is to be equally dievided between myfive daughters & thier heirs. I further order my son George Bright topay fifty pounds after my death out thta Land which is willed to himto be devided equally between my five daughters or their Heirs. Igive & bequeath to my son John Bright his heirs & assigns forever allthat Tract of Land I won lying on the head of Pinecone ? adjoining theLands of John Tate dec'd & a survey I have between the Saw mill placeLand including by Patent about two hundred & forty acres.

I give & bequeath the Saw mill & forty acres...[unreadable]
I give & bequeath to my son George Bright the one and a half acretract of Land adjoining the Saw mill place, Campbells land & the tractwich I have willed my son John which half is to be taken off the endthat joins said Campbells land in consideration of the sd. land. Idirect my son George to maintain in a decent manner my daughterBarbara[this name in the fold of the center of the book and itapreared that another name was listed, the second half of whichappeared on the next line] so long as she lives and is in a situationto maintain herself. I further conceive that my son Wyndle Bright hasreceived a full share of my Estate which was four hundred &eightyeight acres of land which he sold to Thoms & Wm. Steele and receivedpayment. (Wyndle Bright probably took this money, came to Kentuckyand purchased his land in Washington and Green county, now Marion andTaylor--note BHC]

I direct my Executors hereinafter mentioned to sell as soon after mydeath as can with conscience the ballance[sic] of that Tract of Landafter the one half which I have willed to my son George Bright to besold together with the saw mill Tract and the money arising from thesales of both tracts to be devided equally between my five daughtersand my son David Bright.

lastly, I appoint my two sons John Bright and George(Adam) Bright myExecutors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking allformer wills by me made in testimony whereof I have hereunto set myhand &seal this fourteenth day of April Eighteen Hundred & four. /s/George Adam[his "G.B." mark] Bright [Seal]

Sealed and acknowledged in presence of us Wm. Steele Robt. SteeleJames Fuller

On 25 June 1804, George Adam Bright's will was presented to the court& proved by the oaths of William Steele and James Fuller, two of thesubscribing witnesses. John Bright and George Bright, executors, madebond of $2,000, their securities being Henry Haup, John Haup and JamesMitchell. Signed by Chesley Kinney, C.C. [court clerk]

pg.383 Appraisement of the Estate of George Adam Bright, dec'd-dated11 Aug 1804:

Sundry carpenter tools $5.67
Large Steel Trap $ 3.00
1 old Saddle $1.50
5 plate stove $ 7.00
1 large Pot $ 2.00
1 Sorrel horse $45.00
1 Rifle Gun $ 6.00
Dress Cloth Goods & Leather Breaches & Gray Waistcoat $2.00
Blue Velvet Breaches & Stuff Waistcoat $3.50
Jacket Overalls___? Breaches & Waistcoat Bombazette $2.00
1 Great Coat 4/6 Stockings 1/6 $1.00
1 Wool Hat $0.50
1 old chest $0.50
2 cows $17.00
Total: $96.67

Ordered recorded 27 Nov 1804. End

NOTE: This will confirms that George was a widower, not only becausehe does not name his wife, but his estate appraisal does not mentionhousehold items-- evidence which would indicate the presence of awife. He likely gave all his household belongings to his daughtersafter his wife died, and probably was living with one of his childrenat the time of this will. Note that he was somewhat of aclotheshorse--"velvet breaches" yet!!

George Adam BRIGHT I

George Adam Bright, the grandfather of our Brightfamily, was born in 1731 in Berks County, Pennsylvania to Stephan andVeronica Brecht. He died on 14 June 1804 in Augusta County, Virginia.He was our earliest known BRIGHT ancestor until my late finding of theBRECHT ancestry. He married Maria Catherina Kaufelt in probably BethlTwp., Berks County, Pennsylvania. The marriage was officiated byReverend Casper Stoever. Maria was born in 1734. George inherited thehomestead and a portion of the land, when his father Stephan Brechtdied in 1747. He sold it in 1754, first moving to Maryland and then toAugusta County,Virginia.
George and Maria were living in or near, Baltimore,Maryland when their son Wyndle, was born in 1755. Sometime around1757, George and his family moved to the Augusta-- Rockbridge Countiesof Virginia. [Wyndle Brights pension application states that thefamily moved when he was a year-to a year-and a-half old.] Georgepurchased 170 acres in Beverly Manor at the head branch of SouthRiver, David Hays' line, in November 1770, and his will reflects thathe owned well over a thousand acres of land at the time of his deathin 1804.
His son, George Adam II born 1770, came to Green , nowTaylor County, KY about 1813. His son Buford Bright, was thegrandfather of my grandfather, John David Bright.

From the Library of Virginia Archive Collection, I haveelectonically transmitted, copies of grants of land to George AdamBright from the Commonwealth of Virginia, all in Augusta County, VA asfollows:
Geo A. Bright 1 Feby 1781 400 acres on Mary Creek a branch ofthe North Branch of James River. Patents C, 1780-1781, p.230
Geo Adam Bright August 1787 192 acres near the South Mountain onthe waters of Pine Run. Grants 12, 1787, p345
Geo A. Bright 4 August 1787 488 acres Near the South Mt onDeep Pond Run and Horse Run. Grants 14, 1787-88, p.172
Geo A. Bright 4 August 1787 240 acres on Pine Run A branch ofSouth River. Grants 12, 1787, p.320
(Total of 1,320 acres)

George's children are listed as follows: (10) JohnBright b.1756 m. Ann Faucett; *George Adam II b.1770 m. CatherineCampbell; Wyndle b. 1755 m. Barbara Kisner; Rebecca b.ca.1760 m.William Steele; David b.1782/83 m. Judith Denzimore June 6 1799;Elizabeth b.1767 m. George Lott Jr.; Sara b.1774 m. August KaufeltMarch 10, 1794; Mary b,ca.1752 m. Isaac Liptrap July 29 1785; Barbarab.1765 m. Phillip Pottoph.

The Will of George Adam Bright: Located in the Virginia StateLibrary on Reel 45-Augusta County, VA Will Book 9 pp.371 and 383

pp371-372 reads as follows:

"I, GEORGE ADAM BRIGHT of Augusta County State of Virginia,do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and formfollowing, that is to say, after all my Just debts and funeralexpenses are paid, I give and bequeath to my two sons John Bright &George[Adam] Bright & their heirs & assigns forever all the land Ipossess adjoining James Steele, John Tates heirs, Nathanial Steele,Japr Hutchison & George Shultz to be devided[sic] by the line & markeron the HIll between where John Bright now lives and George Bright.Beginning on James Steeles line at the timbers I marked & running nearthe top of the South side of the Ridge to a white oak and the sd.Haups line, each one are to have the part____with the appurtenances. Iorder my son John Bright to pay out of the vallue[sic] of sd. landForty five pounds after my death exclusive of thirty six which he hasalready paid & which forty five pounds is to be equally dividedbetween my five daughters & their heirs. I further order my sonGeorge Bright to pay fifty pounds after my death out that Landwhich is willed to him to be devided equally between my fivedaughters or their Heirs. I give & bequeath to my son John Bright hisheirs & assigns forever all that Tract of Land I own lying on the headof Pinecone ? adjoining the Lands of John Tate dec'd & a survey Ihave between the Saw mill place Land including by Patent about twohundred & forty acres.

I give & bequeath the Saw mill & forty acres...[unreadable]
I give & bequeath to my son George Bright the one and a half acretract of Land adjoining the Saw mill place, Campbells land & the tractwich I have willed my son John which half is to be taken off the endthat joins said Campbells land in consideration of the sd. land. Idirect my son George to maintain in a decent manner my daughterBarbara[this name in the fold of the center of the book and itapreared that another name was listed, the second half of whichappeared on the next line] so long as she lives and is in a situationto maintain herself. I further conceive that my son Wyndle Brighthas received a full share of my Estate which was four hundred &eighty eight acres of land which he sold to Thoms & Wm. Steele andreceived payment. (Wyndle Bright probably took this money, came toKentucky and purchased his land in Washington and Green county, nowMarion and Taylor--note BHC]

I direct my Executors hereinafter mentioned to sell as soon after mydeath as can with conscience the ballance[sic] of that Tract of Landafter the one half which I have willed to my son George Bright to besold together with the saw mill Tract and the money arising from thesales of both tracts to be devided equally between my five daughtersand my son David Bright.

lastly, I appoint my two sons John Bright and George(Adam) Bright myExecutors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking allformer wills by me made in testimony whereof I have hereunto set myhand &seal this fourteenth day of April Eighteen Hundred & four. /s/George Adam[his "G.B." mark] Bright [Seal]

Sealed and acknowledged in presence of us Wm. Steele Robt. SteeleJames Fuller

On 25 June 1804, George Adam Bright's will was presented to the court& proved by the oaths of William Steele and James Fuller, two of thesubscribing witnesses. John Bright and George Bright, executors, madebond of $2,000, their securities being Henry Haup, John Haup andJames Mitchell. Signed by Chesley Kinney, C.C. [court clerk]

pg.383 Appraisement of the Estate of George Adam Bright, dec'd-dated11 Aug 1804:

Sundry carpenter tools $5.67
Large Steel Trap $ 3.00
1 old Saddle $1.50
5 plate stove $ 7.00
1 large Pot $ 2.00
1 Sorrel horse $45.00
1 Rifle Gun $ 6.00
Dress Cloth Goods & Leather Breaches & Gray Waistcoat $2.00
Blue Velvet Breaches & Stuff Waistcoat $3.50
Jacket Overalls___? Breaches & Waistcoat Bombazette $2.00
1 Great Coat 4/6 Stockings 1/6 $1.00
1 Wool Hat $0.50
1 old chest $0.50
2 cows $17.00
Total: $96.67

Ordered recorded 27 Nov 1804. End

This will confirms that George was a widower, not only because he doesnot name his wife, but his estate appraisal does not mention householditems-- evidence which would indicate the presence of a wife. Helikely gave all his household belongings to his daughters after hiswife died, and probably was living with one of his children at thetime of this will. Note that he was somewhat of aclotheshorse--"velvet breaches" yet!!

Source: (Individual)
Abbreviation: Imported GEDCOM file
Title: Imported GEDCOM file

Probate: Date: 25 JUN 1804

Death: 14 JUN 1804 Augusta Co., VA

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KREMER, Anna Praxedia (Veronica) {I2553} (b. 1705, d. 1745)

Given Name: Anna Praxedia (Veronica)

Death: 1745 Berks Co., PA

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BRECHT, Anna Catherina {I2554} (b. 22 MAR 1702/3, d. 24 JUL 1790)

Given Name: Anna Catherina

Note: Her family record is in the Burial Book of the Moravian Church inLancaster,Pa 1744-1821.

Death: 24 JUL 1790 Lancaster, PA

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BRECHT, Johann Stephan {I2555} (b. 17 FEB 1691/92, d. 24 SEP 1747)

Given Name: Johann Stephan

Note: In 1439, the Brecht family lived in Rohrbach, a village nearHeidelberg, Germany. In 1500, they lived in Dierheim and Odenwald,German.

*Johann Stephan Brecht was my 6th great-grandfather. He was born inShreissheim, Baden, Germany a small market town in the Palitinatearea. He arrived in New York, New York, accompanied by his mother anda brother, in October of 1726.

Name of Ship: unknown. Port of: New York, New York. Country ofOrigin: Germany--Shreissheim, about 5 miles north of Heidelburg. Portof Emigration: Rotterdam, Netherlands. In 1731,Stephan's brotherJohn, and sister Susanna, brought Stephan's two sons David and Wyndel,to America on the ship Brittannia.

Source: Montgomery's History of Berks County, PA

*Johann Stephan arrived in America with his widowed motherAnna Katherine Hoffman Brecht, and a brother named Johann Michael.They settled first in Schoharie, NY but were treated badly. Theytraveled on to North Heidelburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvaniaand settled there. Stephan, as he was called, had three wives andchildren by all three. One named Anna, one named AnnaPraxedia(Veronica) Kremer, and the last was named Elizabeth-- who diedin 1751 per cemetery records for God's Acre, Union Chruch of NorthHeidelburg, 6 miles north of Robesonia, PA. This is where both areburied, they are the oldest graves there. Stephan's is still in finecondition.
According to an article originating in Germany and written inGerman, by Hans Braun, called 1200 Years of Schriesheim, Hans Davidwas born ca 1719 and Hans Wyndal was born ca 1721. These two sons ofStephan did not come to America with their father in 1726, but with abrother in 1731.
One of Stephans wives, widow Fisher, and Stephan joined the firstMoravian Church formed in their area. These records are in German andresearching them is expensive. Stephan purchased 209 acres of finefarmland from the Penn brothers, in 1735 and built a log home thatstood until 1975. At that time, the land was taken by the state, tomake way for a new dam...but the house was purchased and reconstructedin Trenton, New Jersey. Beneath its facade, was the original houseStephan had built.
Johann Stephan Brecht/Bright was naturalized in Lancaster County,PA on 11 April 1741--and died in 1747. He was only 55. (Yes, manypeople lived to be older at that time, though many died young.) Hiscause of death is unknown.
His name is on the Wall of Honor at Ellis Island in New York, next tothe Statue of Liberty. Many millions of emigrants came through EllisIsland during the years when America was settled.
The Brecht/Brights were very prominent people in the Reading, PAin the 1700 and 1800's, owning many acres of land and many places ofbusiness. They also held offices of the county. They were among thefirst settlers there. Stephan left his daughters a lot of money; hissons a lot of land. Their wealth was plenty for that day and time. SonGeorge Adam I was left the homestead. In 1854, he sold it and removedto Augusta County, Virginia where he too, owned a lot of land. Hedied in 1747, leaving his sons George Adam I, Wyndle, and David,land--which they sold and eventually, they came to Kentucky. Theyeach, purchased land in what is now Marion and Taylor County,Kentucky.

THE WILL OF STEPHAN BRECHT 1747
(Original in German; English translation copied byRichard F. Albright)

In the name of god Amen, Whereas I, Stephan brecht (breght)of tulpehocken in lancster County, am visited with weakness of Bodybut am of perfect mind, understanding and Memory, thanks be given toGod. Therefore, I will hereby make my last will and testament asfollows: first of all I recommend my immortal Spirit into the hands ofallmighty God that gave it, in hope that the allmighty and Graciousgod will receive him to an verlasting rest for Jesus Christ my lordssake, amen, and for my Body I desire It May be buried in a Christianlike manner, and touching all my Worldly Estate I give and disposethereof in the following Manner: I will in General that all mymoveables shall be Equally divided between My childen to wit, davidBrecht (breght), Hans Wendel Brecht (breght), George Adam Brecht(breght), Eva margreta Brecht (breght), Catrina Brecht(breght),Elisabeth brecht (breght), Anna Maria Brecht (breght), madalina Brecht(breght).
As touching my immovable/or Real Estate, I give and bequeathunto my Son George Adam Brecht (breght) and to his heirs and assignsMy plantation where I live on with the one hundred and fifty acres ofland thereunto belonging. He shall pay therefore to my herein namedExecutors for me as the above named heirs the Sum of two hundredpounds, pensylvany Currency, to be added to my Moveables.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my two sons davidBrecht(breght) and Hans Wendel Brecht (breght) their heirs, assighnsforever, all the rest of my land for which land they Shall pay at therate of fifty pounds pencilia Currency per hundred to my Executors anShall be added to my moveable Estate and be divided according to therule above given, So that my two last Mentioned sons receive Each ofthem twewnty pounds less than the rest of my children in Considerationof what they had received of me before, and thereas my Youngestdaughter Magdalena in expectation to receive her Mother's third part.I will that she shall recieve Twenty pounds less that the rest of myChildren. I order also that My Loving wife Elisabeth Shall bemaintained by my Son George Adam Brecht (breght) [this being ourancestor, father of George Adam II and grandfather of BufordBright]out of the Plantation So long as She lives or Continues aWidow, But if she should Marry or incline to go among her otherfriends or differs with my said Son, Then my said Son shall pay herTwenty five pounds Pennsylia. Currency or what my Exects. shall thinkfitt and reasonable.
Item, I give to both my Wife's sons, Each a mare and a Colt,to wit, Jacob Fisher, two yearlings and to Christian Fisher oneYearling. Item, I ordain my Loving Brother Michael Brecht (breght) andmy Loving brother in law John de Hoff to be my Executors to Executethis my last Will. Now Lastly, I made Void all my former wills by memade in writing or by word of Mouth and do ordain this present to bemy Last will and Testament. In Witness where of I have hereunto Setmy hand and Seal done this 6th day of January one thousand Sevenhundred forty six and Seven. (At that time the Gregarian calendar wasfollowed making a year in two). Steffan brecht (Stephen Breight) Seal

Signed Sealed and Declared as his Last Will and Testament in ourpresence: Frederick Bekel Conrad Weiser (all spellings conform tooriginal will, copied by Richard F. Albright) (Recopied using Germanwill name spelling and placing the English spelled names inparenthesies. Doris I. Hisel)BHC
Johann Stephan BRECHT: Our Immigrant to America

JOHANN STEPHAN BRECHT was born on 17 February 1692. Helanded in America in 1726. He was accompanied to America by his wife,Veronica, his mother Anna Katherina then 63 years old, and hisbrother, Johannes Michael. His father had died in 1719 in theirhomeland of Shreissheim, a market town in the Palatinate. His childrenwere brought over by his brother and sister in 1731, aboard the ship,Brittania, to the port of Philadelphia. These German immigrants andothers, first settled near Schoharie, New York, but because of theunbearable treatment they received, they sought refuge elsewhere.Hearing of the justice accorded the settlers in Penn's Province, andthe fertility of the soil, excellent water and other advantages, manyof them came to this district and stayed.
Stephan BRECHT desired a a tract of good land for himselfand his sons, and he succeeded in obtaining it. His land (see photobelow) in North Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, (now Berks),Reading, Pennsylvania, was granted him by John, Thomas,and RichardPenn, lawful heirs of William Penn, on 27 November 1735. [Recorded inPatent Book A, Vol. 12, page 340] On this tract of 209 acres of finefarmland, adjacent to Tulpehocken Creek, Stephan made his home, raisedhis family, and served his community. He died there on 24 September1747 at 55 years of age.
His remains were interred at the North Heidelberg cemetery,God's Acre, among the Moravians. His gravestone lies flat upon theground, and is the second-oldest stone that can be found there. Theinscription is in good condition. His wife Elizabeth is buried at hishead, though her stone is difficult to read.
His will was made 6 January 1747, by which his land wasdivided among his three sons: David, Hans Wendel, and George Adam I.To George Adam, was given the homestead, and the division of landbetween Hans Wendel and David, was made soon after this date. Thiswas recorded at Reading, PA 17 April 1754.
The photo above, is of the land Stephan purchased in 1735.After his death, in 1747, the homestead was sold to Dr. Jacob Conradin 1754, by George Adam who moved to Augusta County, Virginia. Then toSheriff George W. Fahrenback in 1891. The Fahrenback's owned it till1933, selling it to the Calvin Sheidy family (this family beingdescendants of Stephan Brecht. Naomi E. Bright married CalvinSheidy). The Sheidy family was forced to move from the farm in 1972,when the Army Corps of Engineers condemned the farm to make way forthe Blue Marsh Dam. This was devasting to the family, whoseforefather Stephan Brecht, had purchased the land some 240 yearsbefore.
The house itself, in the left foreground, was purchased byRobert Daughterty as they were in the market for a log home. A localhistorian, pointed out that there were certain features of the houseparticular to Moravian architecture, including an inside log wall.Such walls are included in Moravian-built homes in the Bethlehem area.The process of dismantling the house helped to determine its age moreprecisely. Under the floorboards of one bedroom, was inscribed thenames of three carpenters. Also inscribed was the date "January 22,1833", probably when an addition was built. Under a wooden adjustablesquare, inadvertently left in an eave and later plastered in, wasfound a clay pipe dating to the 1820's, old shoes, and old, unique,handmade clothespins.
The house was an addition to the house built by Stephan. It wasallegedly moved and reconstructed in New Jersey. Other Bright Farmswere located surrounding the main house in the photo. Note: Accordingto one source, this homestead is part of Old Dry Road Farm, Inc. aliving-learning history center dedicated to the conservation of therural folk culture of Berks County. the land is leased from the stateand run under its auspices.

STEPHAN BRECHT:
Our BRIGHT lineage in America, began with a man named Johann StephanBRECHT.
In 1439, the Brecht family was living in Rohrback, avillage near Heidelberg, Germany. In 1500, they lived in Dierheim andOdenwald, Germany.
Johann Stephan BRECHT was born 17 February 1692 atShreissheim, Germany, a market town, about five miles outsideHeidelberg. He was the son of Johannes Michael Brecht, who was born12 October 1562 and died in 1719, and Anna Katherine Hoffman. Hispaternal grandparents were Balthasar Brecht, who was born in 1636 anddied in 1703, and Anna Margaretha Christman born 1637.
Balthasar is the son of Christoph "Stoffel" Brecht and Anna.He was born in 1698 and died 23 December 1763. Christoph is the sonof Kuntz Brecht b.1562 d.1612, and Catherine, of Neudorf, Germany.
The name BRECHT was anglicized to BRIGHT) in Berks County,Pennsylvania in the late 1700's. The prefix Johann, or Hans, refers toa German naming custom.
Johann Stephan arrived in America with his new wife,Veronica, his mother Anna Katherine, and his brother Johann MichaelII, at the port of Philadelphia in October 1726. (One source statesthe port as New York but research shows that Philadelphia is morelikely correct.) The name of the ship is unknown. They settled inNorth Heidelberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The other sonsof Anna, and Stephan's two sons, came to America in1731, brought by abrother names Johannes (John) Brecht. They came from the Palatinate, apart of Germany, thus the name given them of "Palatines." From a bookon German Pioneers to America is the following: "David BRECHT, age13, arrived in Philadelphia with other Palatines on board the shipBrittannia; Michael Franklyn (sic) master (of ship) from Rotterdam viaCowes, England, 21 Sept 1731. There were 106 adult male passengers; atotal of 269 souls when women and children were added to the count".This Brecht family was among the very first settlers in the area ofBerks County, Pennsylvania.
Stephan married three times. His first wife and mother ofsons David and Wendel, was Anna Margaretha Ulrich (1695-1722). Thesecond wife was named Veronica. One baptism record lists her as AnnaPraxedia Kremer; she is the mother of George Adam Bright I. Thethird wife of Stephan was named Elisabeth Fisher, a widow, andapparently she and Stephan had one child, Magdelina. Elisabeth died in1751 per cemetery records for God's Acre Cemetery, Union Church ofNorth Heidelberg, 6 miles north of Robesonia, PA. This is where bothStephan and Elisabeth are buried. Elisabeth is named in Stephan's lastWill and Testament, as are his eight children consisting of three sonsand five daughters.

Johann Stephan BRECHT had the following children: (These birthsare in an article originating in Germany and published in a Germanhistory book by Hans Braun called 1200 Years of Shreissheim.)

1. Johannes David b.ca.1719
2. Hans Wyndal b.ca. 1721
3. George Adam Brecht/Bright b. 1730/31 in LancasterCO, PA d.1804 in Augusta CO, VA m.Maria Catherina abt. 1750
4. Eva Margareta
5. Catherina
6. Anna Maria
7. Elisabeth
8. Magdelina

Johann Stephan died 24 September 1747 in North HeidelbergTwp., Berks County, PA. He is buried at God's Acre Cemetery in NorthHeidelberg. His gravestone is the second-oldest one there, and it isin good condtion. It lies flat to the ground. [See photo] His Will waswritten in German, and has been translated in English. A copy of itis printed herein.
The above-listed George Adam Brecht/Bright b. 1730 is thepatriarch of our Bright families. His son George Adam Bright II, b.1770 m. Mary Catherine Campbell in 1794 d. 1835, moved to Greencounty, now Taylor county, Kentucky, about 1813. He was the fatherof my 2nd great-grandfather Buford Bright b.ca.1811 in either Virginiaor Green (now Taylor) County, Kentucky d.1882 in Marion County,Kentucky. Buford was the father of Mahala A. Bright. Buford wasprobably born in Kentucky, though the family was known to havetraveled back and forth to Virginia. The year of 1813 is the last yearthat his father was on the Augusta County, VA Tax List. Other recordssay Buford was born in Green County in 1811.

The German surname BRECHT, pronounced Breck, was anglicizedin America to BRIGHT several years after the family's settlement inBerks County, in the early 1730's. Even so, their children'sbaptismal records continued to state their name as "Brecht",continuing on with their German heritage. However, by around 1794,the name Brecht had all but disappeared and the Bright spelling wasused instead.
Today, there is a wealth of information on this family'srich legacy, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Michael Brecht was the ownerof the first hotel in Reading. Built as their homestead on thenorthwest corner of Fifth and Washington Streets in 1760, in 1817 itwas converted to a public house and called Farmer's Hotel. This oldhotel was razed in the 1920's to make way for the present Abe LincolnHotel. The historical society in Reading has the ornate datestone ofFarmers, upon which is the name and date "Michael Brecht 1760". Thisdatestone was preserved when the hotel was razed.
David Bright b.1771, descendant of Michael, was said to be"a good representative" of the Bright family. "Small in stature, aswere all his children, of economical habits, great industry, andsterling integrity, he enjoyed the confidence and respect of thecommunity in a marked degree. He was elected one of the countycommissioners in 1820 and at the expiration of his term of office(1823), was appointed treasurer of the county, which office he filleduntil 1835." In addition to farming the several tracts of land heowned, David Bright, successfully conducted a general store next tothe hotel (the Farmers Hotel, originally owned by Michael Brecht), andwhen his son Aaron became of age, in 1829, he associated him as apartner in the business.
As you will see, the Brechts and the Brights, one and thesame, were a stock of hard-working, business-minded, successfulpeople. They owned many acres of land, in Pennsylvania, Virginia, andKentucky. Tradition says "the Brights once owned the land wherePittsburgh now stands". Whether this folktale is true, is not yetproved. The early Brights in America were farmers and yeomen, and someBrights were merchants or tradesmen. I have sprinkled several Brightstories throughout this book. There are many interesting stories, allof success; too many in fact, to include them in their entirety.
There is no question in that they provide us with an ancestryto be proud of!
Note: The ancestry and information on this Brecht/Bright family hascome from several submitters and researchers. All of it has not beenpersonally verified by this writer. However, based on other materialI have come across in my endeavor to find this ancestry, I believe itto be structurally accurate.

Death: 24 SEP 1747 Lancaster, Tulpehocken, (now Berks Co) PA Buried God's Acre Cem

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BRECHT, Johannes Michael {I2556} (b. 12 OCT 1662, d. 1719)

Given Name: Johannes Michael

Note: PS...here are some of my notes on the Brechts: Per Frank LogueMontrose, PA
per Al Myers, Johannes Michael born in Manheim, Germany!
Immigrant's surname: BRECHT
Immigrant's given name(s): Johann Stephan
Ship name: unknown U.S. arrival date: 1726 Port: New
York, NY
Place of origin: Schriesheim, Germany (5 miles north ofHeidelberg)
Some correspondents give him the title of "Almoner"! ( Almoner - one
who was appointed to collect "Alms for the Poor", usually by the local
Prince)
Notes:
Born 17-Feb-1692 at Schriesheim, he died 24-Sep-1747 in then North
Heidelberg
Twp., Berks Co., PA. He arrived with his mother, Anna Katharine
Hoffman, and
his brother, Johann Michael Brecht, and they settled first atSchoharie,
NY. He
had three wives. His father is Johannes Michael Brecht (b.12-Oct-1562,
d. 1719).
His paternal grandparents are Balthasar Brecht (1636-1703) and Anna
Marrgaretha Christmann (b. 1637). Balthasar is son of Christoph(er)
Brecht and Anna ____(b. 1598, d. 23-Dec-1683). Christoph(er) is sonof
Kuntz Brecht (d. 1612) and Catherine of Neudorf. {NOTE: Ancestry of
the emigrant is supplied by several Internet correspondents but NOT
personally verified.]
Submitted by: Albert E. Myers Email address:aem@@ezonline.com
Address: 900 S. Arlington Ave. - Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA
17109-5089

Note by F.Logue: (The following applies to the Wenrich, Fisher, Hain,
Brecht Families - see notes under Balthasar Wenrich)
The Germans from the Palitinate Region of Germany, whose lands were
overrun by the French in the 30 Year War, then suffered 5 years of
bitter winters and drought during the summers, were invited by, first
William Penn, then Queen Ann of England in 1709, to immigrate to theNew
World. After many years of suffering, many of these PalitinateGermans
finally left in the 1720's. They took their meager possessions by
whatever means they could, and floated down the Rhine River to thesea.
They then were brought to London, where they were set-up in temporary
camps amidst squallid conditions.Most of the rest of the refugees were
shipped to the port of New York, with the promise of jobs "building
Naval stores"! The Brecht's arrived in New York in 1726, along withmany
others.
After 3 years of felling trees, etc. they became dissatisfiedwith the
English ( and the English complained the Germans only wanted tofarm!),
many of the Germans took up Wm. Penns' invitation to come to his new
colony.
Some Germans trekked hundreds of miles across New York to the
Susquehanna River, where they built rafts and floated down to a region
bearing the Indian name Tulpehocken (Land of the Turtle) in what isnow
Berks County. Many others took the indian trails from New York to
Philadelphia to Berks County. Many of the first settlers bought 300acre
tracts in the wilderness, which they proceded to clear of trees,
building log cabins and places of worship!

Death: 1719 Schriesheim, Germany

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HOFFMAN, Anna Katherina {I2557} (b. 1664)

Given Name: Anna Katherina

Note: Anna Hoffman was the natural mother of George Adam II, not stepmotheras is listed in this family group sheet. From Harold Bright 8/98:

JOHANNES BRECHT:
Johannes, third child of Balthaser and Anna Margareta Brecht, married
Anna Catharine Hoffman, daughter of Hans Yost Hoffman, village
councilman. They had nine children. After the death of JohannesBrecht
in 1719 in Schreisheim, his widow, Anna Catharine, sold her home, her
vineyards, and her wine house and a few years hence in 1726 traveledin
the company of her two sons, Johann Stephan and Johann Michael, to the
New World to settle into the uncertainties of living in a log house in
Pennsylvania. One of her daughters, so it was told, had previously
married a river boat captain, so she may have caught the wanderlustfor
travel from them. Even by today�s standards, Anna Catharine wouldhave
been considered a wealthy widow, not only because of the fruits of her
late husband�s thrift, but also because of the inheritance of her
father�s property in Schreisheim.
Most of the family of Johannes and Anna Catherine remained in
Schreisheim and lived out their lives in Baden. Their son Johannes,
brother to the above emigrants Johann Stephan and Johann Michael, came
to the New World via the ship Brittannia into the port of Philadelphia
on 21 September 1731, accompanied by his brother-in-law Gabrel Roscher
(age 29), and Johann Stephan�s two sons, David Brecht (age 12) andHans
Wendel (age 10). Johannes is presumed to have stayed in Pennsylvania.
Anna Katharina, born 1704, sister to the three emigrant brothersBrecht,
also came to America in 1725, and was married to John DeHuff, saddler,
on 25 December 1727. Her family record is in the Burial Book of the
Moravian Church, Lancaster, 1744-1821.
Ibid, Germanic Genealogist, Issue Numbers 23/24, 1982, p. 252.
Research of EHBright

Death: Heidelberg, PA

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BRECHT, Johann Michael II {I2558} (b. 30 MAY 1706, d. 13 SEP 1794)

Given Name: Johann Michael II

Note: Johann Michael Brecht is the brother of our Johann Stephan Brecht.

According to information provided by Blanche Bright of Oregon, thisMichael Bright "came to America in 1726 and settled in 'Germantown'PA. He married Margareta Simone, a new immigrant from France in 1728.She died 21 March 1778. In 1882, Michael moved to Reading, PA wherehis two sons Michael and Peter were living with their families. Theolder Michael died 13 September 1794 at the age of 88. Change fromBrecht to Bright was in use by son of the Michael immigrant in 1768.John, son of Michael, signed his last will in 1793 using the spellingBright. Michael Brecht the emmigrant, went to supreme court inPhiladelphia, PA 24/25 of September 1744 and took an oath to become aU.S. citizen".

*******From the book BRIGHT, MICHAEL DESCENDANTS "LOOKING ON THEBRIGHT SIDE" by Ora Bright Cox Bedford, IN 1972:

The first emigrant to America was Michael Brecht. He was fromSchriessheim, a market town in the Palatine. Born in 1706, he lefthis native town for America when he was twenty years of age and cameto Germantown, PA in October 1726. His stay at this place was verybrief...went to Lebanon Valley on Tulpehocken Creek at the presenttown of Sheridan and settled there. This was known as HeidelbergTownship, originally in Chester county. Here Michael Brecht metMargareta Simone, daughter of Jacob Simone, a newly arrived emigrantfrom France. After a short courtship, they married in April 1728....
[This rather short book is an account of Michael Brecht's lifeand that of his ancestors. The writer located it on the Internet atgenealogylibrary.com, a subscription area by Family Tree Maker,Broderbund, Inc.]

*******David Bright 1771-1846 -- son of Michael Bright, brother ofJohn Bright, was a good representative of the Bright Family. Small instature, as were all his children, of economical habits, greatindustry, and sterling integrity, he enjoyed the confidence andrespect of the community in a marked degree. He was elected one ofthe county commissioners in 1820 and at the expiration of his term ofOffice (1823) was appointed treasureer of the county, which office hefilled continuously till 1835, when he was succeeded by Peter Nagle.Under the will of his father he had accepted the old homestead at thecorner of Fifth and Washington Streets, built in 1760. In 1817, itwas converted into a public house and called Farmer's Hotel. JacobKline was the first landlord. He was succeeded two years later byJacob Boyer, who was followed in 1821 by Daniel Kerper, formerly asheriff of the county.

In addition to farming the several tracts of land he owned, DavidBright, he successfully conducted a general store next to the hoteland when his son Aaron came of age, in 1829, he associated him as apartner in the business.

His table, though frugal, was always generously supplied, and familyvisitors and friends were always welcome. Though brought up in theReformed faith, he did not believe in the received dogmas of theorthodox churches, but was inclined to the more liberal doctrineswhich recognized the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of therace. [From Descendants of Michael Brecht by Ora Bright Cox]

JOHANN MICHAEL BRECHT, brother to Johann Stephan Brecht

In October of 1726, Johann Michael Brecht left hisnative town for America. He was 20 years old. He came to America withhis brother, Johann Stephan, and his widowed mother named AnnaKatherina Hoffman Brecht. His father Michael Brecht, had died in 1719in their homeland of Shreissheim, Germany, a market town in thePalatine, located about five miles from Heidelberg.
They landed at the port of Philadelphia, but their stayat this place was brief. They went to Lebanon Valley on TulpehockenCreek at the present town of Sheridan, and settled there. This wasknown as North Heidelberg Township, originally in Chester County.Here, Michael met Margareta Simone, daughter of Jacob Simone, a newlyarrived emigrant from France. After a short courtship, they marriedin April 1728. [Source: 1200 Years of Shreissheim by Hans Braun]
Michael and Margareta had a large family of 10children: Johann Jacob was born 13 April 1729; George 09 February1730; Johann Michael III 24 March 1731;
Katharine 06 April 1834; John 20 February 1735; Johann Peter 13 May1738; David 09 August 1740; Marie 01 August 1742; Sarah 19 January1744; and Christina 12 August 1747.
From the Historical Sketch of the Bright Family,Historical Society of Berks County:

After their marriage, Michael turned his attention tothe business of future support. Following the example of hisneighbors, he had already marked out a tract of land. It contained bya subsequent survey, 78 acres, and was located in the rich limestoneregion of Lebanon Valley, and covered with a primeval forest of whiteoak and hickory.
After building a log dwelling for the use of hisfamily, he began work on clearing the land. Year after year, portionsof the tract were brought under cultivation, buildings for his horsesand cattle were erected, and an increasing family was provided for.It was the ambition of every settler to get a title tot he land heoccupied, but it was only after 12 years of severe toil and rigidsaving, that Michael Brecht accumulated sufficient money to pay forhis holding. On the 30th of
July, 1741, he obtained a patent from John, Thomas, and William Penn,for the 78 acres he had occupied as a settler. (This is recorded inPatent Book vol.8, page 353 in Berks County, PA) .
In 1759, Michael Brecht acquired another two tracts ofland in the same neighborhood, making the extent of his land about 250acres. At the time of his last purchase, his children were still athome assisting in the work of the farm. Jacob, the oldest son, beingthen 20, and David, the youngest, was nine years of age.
As a rule when the children of a farmer become of legalage, they desire to set up for themselves, and the family of MichaelBrecht was no exception. Jacob was the first to leave the oldhomestead. He went to Philadelphia, and was married in the ReformedChurch to Susan Rittenhouse in 1751. In 1754, we find his third sonMichael, a resident of Reading, to which place his fifth son followshim in 1760. In the same year, his fourth son, John, marries adaughter of Alexander Schaffer, the founder of Shafferstown, and hisremaining son David, a few years after, engaged in the millingbusiness on Swathara Creek in Pinegrove township. His daughters haveall married, Katherine to Peter Sheetz; Maria to Ludwig Wittenmeyer;Sarah to a Mr. Jones. Christina, his youngest daughter, finds ahusband in Philadelphia when she was 18 years of age. Her marriage toChristopher Pechin on April 4, 1765, is recorded in the records of theFirst Baptist Church of that city.
The statements in Michael's will, read that he hadalready given his several children "as much as he wanted or could givethem"; it can be inferred that they were each advanced a portion asthey came of age. Mr. Brecht concludes to give up his farm and on the11 of May 1762, he sells his estate of 276 acres to Yost Hoffman, forL1,200. He continued to live at Schafferstown until after the deathof Margareta in 1778. She was buried in the graveyard of theHeidelberg Reformed Church, located at the village of Heidelberg,afterwards called Schafferstown.
In 1782, with no family any longer in the neighborhood,Michael moved to Reading, where his sons Michael and Peter, wereliving with their families. In 1789, he makes his will, callinghimself in the preface "Michael Brecht, Sen., of the town of Reading".And on September 13, 1794, at the ripe age of 88 years, he is calledto his fathers, his remains being deposited in the German Reformedburying ground, then located at the corner of Washington and SixthStreets. He was later removed to the Charles Evans Cemetery.
[Michael Brecht, of Lancaster county (now Berks),appeared before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia,held September 24-25, 1744, and took and subscribed the several oathsprescribed and became a naturalized citizen of America.]

SECOND GENERATION in America:
Jacob Bright, 1729-1802, was brought up on thefarm and married Susanna Rittenhouse.
Jacob must have had a considerable force ofcharacter,as we find him about the year of 1770,in partnership with Christopher Pechin, a native of France, engaged inthe coasting trade, shipping goods to and from Savannah and otherSouthern ports. (Christopher was also abrother-in-law, married to Christina, sister of Jacob.)
After the War of the Revolution had opened, he (Jacob),engaged in the service of the Continental Congressthen sitting at Philadelphia, and under a commission as Captain, heraised a company of 90 men, including non-commissioned officers, whoseroster is given in Vol. 13 Penna Archives (2nd series) page 574. Inthis patriotic duty, he was warmly assisted by his partner,who contributed largely to the expenses necessarily incurred. As tohis subsequent history, we have little information. He had sevenchildren viz., Michael, George, William, Mary, Jacob, Susan andMichael II.

George Bright,1731-1769, also grew up where therest of his brothers and sisters
were born and reared. He was of the roving andadventurous disposition, which did not allowhim to do service at home after his attaining the majority.(coming of age). There is a general tradition that says he joined Daniel Boone,the Kentucky Pioneer, in incursions into thatstate, and that he was there killed by the Indians. Bright and Boonewere born the same year, in the same county, and their families had business dealings, with Michael Bright purchasing atannery from James Boone, uncle of Daniel. Also, Daniel's uncle Georgewas a land surveyor and was known to have surveyed land purchases madeby the Brights. The two lads likely became acquainted with eachother at an early age. [Daniel made trips back to Pennsylvania tovisit relatives as late as 1788, he and wife Sara traveling onhorseback, the journey taking three weeks to reach from their home inKentucky.]
Michael Bright III, 1732-1814, son of Michael theemigrant, learned the field of saddlery. Thecounty of Berks had been organized in 1752, out of parts of
Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Chester counties, andthe town of Reading had become the countyseat. It was admirable located at the fords of the Schuylkill, wherethe great Tulpehocken road crossed the river. It had been regularlylaid out by the Penns in 1748, and bid fair to becomea thriving and important town. Phillip Erpf, a neighbor ofMichael Brecht, in Heidelberg, had applied to the land office ofthe proprietors in 1751 for a lot on the west side of Callowhillstreet in the town of Reading, and had obtained a patent for itdated July 16, 1752,the consideration being the payment of an annualground rent of seven shillings from March 1,1752, and the building of a substantial dwelling house on the same, atleast 20 feet square, with a brick or stone chimney, within twoyears. The lot, 60 feet in front by 230 feet deep,was numbered in the general plan of the town 391, and was situate onthe northwest corner of Callowhill and Thomas Streets (Fifth andWashington Streets), where the Farmers Hotel now stands. (written in1909).
From THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE: November16,1769
Reading, Berks County STRAYED orstolen,last Night, out of the Subscriber Pasture, near
Reading, a round well-shaped roan Horse,in good Order, abaout 14 Hands high,4 years old, has a
remarkable small Tail, aces slow, trotsand gallops well, had a Shoe on before, and has been used
to Gears. Whoever secures said Horseand Thief, if stolen, shall have Three Pounds, and for the
Horse forty shillings reward, andreasonable charges. About the same time a Person, with a Great coaton, the Colour not known, stole a Man's Saddle, without a Cloth,almost new, from John
Boone, living near said Pasture; forwhich if secured, a Reward of Five Shillings will also be
paid, by MICHAEL BRIGHT.

THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE July 28, 1773
RUN away from the subscriber, living inReading town, Berks County, on the 4th day of July
1773, a certain indented Irish servantwoman,named Elizabeth White, about 25 years of age, fair
complexion, sandy hair, cut before,about 5 feet high. Is very talkative, fond of snuff and
spiritous liquors; had on, when she wentaway, two striped lincey petticoats on one piece, h
handspun shift, and a silk hankercheif;she may change her apparel, as it is supposed she has
money with her; she was seen goingtowards Philadepphia, and has a brother in or the city of
New York, named Lee, to which place itis likely she may go. Whoever takes up said servant
and secures her in any goal, so thather master may have her again, shall recieve FIFTEEN
SHILLINGS reward, and reasonablecharges, paid by MICHAEL BRIGHT.

From another source:
"Michael Bright, III, born 1732, moved to Reading and incompliance with the conditions of the patent, built a new building toaccommodate his business as a saddler as well as the present demandsof a wife and family. So prosperous was his business that in 1761, heis enabled to obtain the title from his father of the Erpf lotoriginally intended for him, and on October 2, 1761, Michael Brechtand his wife Margaret, execute a lease of said lot to their sonMichael "to enable him to accept a grant of the reversion" and n theday following they further executed a release to him for theconsideration of L100. It is probable that much of this had alreadybeen paid, as in 1760, Michael the son erected a house on the lot atFifth and Washington Streets, with a front of 32 feet and a depth of34 feet. Here, he carried on his business as a saddler for number ofyears." Michael Bright purchased several tracts of land, from ConradWeiser, the noted Indian Agent, who kept a tavern called the "OldWhite Store". Besides the inn he conducted, the oldest in town, hepurchased a tannery business from James Boone in 1775. His realestate amounted to L3,500 at this time.
Just about the time of the Revolutionary War, Michael waselected as commissioner of Berks county, which office he kept forthree years. Before the close of the war, Michael had acquiredconsiderable real estate consisting largely of out-lots and smalltracts of land near the town. These he farmed up to the time of hisdeath, housing his stock, horses and cattle in the extensive stablingon the rear of his Callowhill Street residence. (later WashingtonStreet) In 1810, he sold to his son David, the vacant part of a lotlying immediately north of his house. It contained 28 feet in from onFifth Street by 230 feet in depth. Upon the lot, David then erected athree-story brick dwelling for his family. It is still standing andwas occupied by him until his death in 1846.
Michael Brecht, born 1706, died August 1, 1794, his widowsurviving him but a few months. They were both buried in the ReformedChurch graveyard on the NE corner of Sixth and Washington Streets, andtheir remains were later removed to the Bright lot in the CharlesEvans Cemetery, where the original tombstones to their memory stillstand.

Christina BRECHT, born 1747, was the youngest daughter ofMichael Brecht, and was married to Christopher Pechin in 1765, whenshe was scarcely eighteen years of age. Her marriage is somewhatromantic--in the bloom of her girlhood, she left Heidelberg to visitthe family of her older brother Jacob in Philadelphia. Here she metChristopher, who had recently emigrated from France. He had been forsome time, the partner of Jacob Bright in the shipping business,trading with the Southern ports and the west Indies. She is describedas a lovely girl, not five feet tall, of simple manners, pleasingaddress, fresh complexion and quite attractive. At all events, Mr.Pechin fell in love with her, and after a short courtship, they weremarried. She appears to have lived happily with her new husband in aspacious mansion, on Front Street in Philadelphia, until his death in1779 at the age of 42 years. They had six children...
Mr. Pechin was an invalid for several years before hisdeath, but took an active part and patriotic interest in the war withGreat Britain, and is said to have equipped, at his own expense, thecompany which his brother-in-law Jacob Bright raised in the fall of1776. During the occupation of Philadelphia by General Howe after theBattle of Brandywine in 1777, they were forced to give up their home,which was used to quarter British troops while they held the city.After the retreat, of the British army through Jersey in June 1778,they found their house greatly abused by the reckless conduct of thesoldiers.
In this house, however, Christina brought up her family ofsix in respectability and comfort, and after they had left the oldhomestead, she continued to occupy it till her death at the advancedage of 88 years. Having been entrusted with her husbands wealthyestate, she is said to have managed it with skill and judgement. Shewas an independent little woman with self-reliance, but she appears tohave had little confidence in the banking institutions of the city. Itis reported that after her death, large sums of money were foundsecretly placed in different parts of the house. During the lateryears of her life, she lived alone with a single trusted servant asher companion, and although visited frequently by her children andgrandchildren, she declined all assistance proffered by them.

*The above exerpts were taken from the Historical Sketch ofthe Bright Family, prepared at the request of the Historical Societyof Berks County (PA) and read before that body on Tuesday, November13,1900. [Copies can be obtained from this society in Reading, PA]
There are numerous stories, too many to print here, on thisBright family, descendants of Johann Stephan and Johann MichaelBrecht, to America in 1726. It appears that they acquired wealth andthe prestige that comes with it, throughout the 18th and 19thcenturies, both in and near, Reading, Pennsylvania. On the followingpages, you will find a melange of identified photographs of thevarious Bright families. They are descendants of our immigrant,Johann Stephan Brecht.

Death: 13 SEP 1794 Berks Co., PA

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BRECHT, Hans Balthasar {I2559} (b. 1636, d. 9 SEP 1703)

Given Name: Hans Balthasar

Death: 9 SEP 1703 Germany

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