Jacob Michael Brinker, born with the surname Brungger, was born on November 9, 1727, in Rumikon, Switzerland, the son of Andreas Brinker and Regula (Herter) Brinker.
The family left home on November 4, 1734, when Jacob was 6, to immigrate to America. He came with his parents from Switzerland to Philadelphia on the Brig Mary, arriving in June 1735. At this time, their surname was changed from Brungger to Brinker.
On March 5, 1739, Andreas purchased 50 acres. Jacob lived here until he was grown, helping to clear the land and build a home and farm. Jacob inherited some of his father's land in his 1764 will.
Jacob married Susanna Hinkle in May 1755 in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of 8 children, 4 not linked: Anna Margaretha, Henry, Anna Christina (b. March 16, 1759, Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania; d. 1798), George, Katherine, Susanna (b. May 23, 1769, Upper Saucon Township; d. 1835), Abraham T. (b. 1773, Scotia, Pennsylvania; became a Captain, d. 1850) and Jacob (b. January 1, 1774, Scotia, Pennsylvania; d. 1846).
They eventually moved to Hamilton Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, (now Monroe County). Jacob owned 350 acres and built the original log flour mill at the present Sciota, Pennsylvania. A subsequent owner added the stone front around 1800. "Brinker's Mill" operated as a mill until the 1950s, and is now a National Historic Site.
In 1763-1764, during Pontiac's War, Indian raids were severe, and Brinker's Mill became a fortress for the settlement. People sent a petition requesting troops for protection. A lieutenant, a sergeant, and 17 men were sent for protection.
In 1779, General George Washington sent Maj. Gen. John Sullivan with several thousand troops to the frontier. Brinker's Mill supplied the troops of Gen. Sullivan en route to New York to subdue the Iroquois allies of the British. The army drew provisions at Brinker's Mill. In New York, the troops defeated the British and Indians. 3 months later, returning, many army wagons broke down, and they had to send to Brinker's Mill for more wagons and supplies. The journal of an officer stated, "wonderful to go among homes and get elegant meals, such as buckwheat cakes with butter, milk, and honey!" Brinker was never paid. Tradition has it that the proof of Brinker furnishing the Army with supplies was destroyed in the War of 1812, when the English burned the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
A man stated in his journal that, at Brinker's Mill, there was a small fort for the Militia, who guarded the community, and for the inhabitants to flee to for protection. A typical fort at that time on the frontier was 80 feet square with posts buried in the ground.
Jacob enlisted and served as a Private 2nd Class, in the 5th Company, 6th Battalion, under Captain Henry Sewitz, in the Northampton County Militia in the Revolutionary War.
After the Revolution, Jacob and Susanna sold their property and moved to Westmoreland County, the current Penn Township, in 1790-1792. Most of the country was wilderness and chiefly inhabited by Indians. They purchased a valuable 800-acre tract of land, near the current village of Manor. Jacob was a founder of the Manor Reformed Church. Both farmers, Jacob Michael Brinker and Henry Brinker, Sr. supported the Whiskey Rebellion. At that time, Western Pennsylvania was the nation's largest whiskey producer.
Jacob Michael Brinker passed away on October 30, 1798, in Franklin, Pennsylvania. Jacob's will was probated on November 16, 1798, and recorded. "I give my soul to God who gave it." At his death, he willed 1600 acres to his heirs.
From the Westmoreland County Historical Society (date unknown): "The gravestone is almost gone; it is in 1st row of graves, almost directly from the corner of the church. Has a D.A.R. marker. Wife is buried in same cemetery, but unable to find grave." So, Jacob originally had a marker. Angela (6-great-granddaughter) and husband visited the cemetery in October 2016. They searched, with the caretaker, and were unable to find any trace of the tombstone. It's either gone or illegible.
Information from Members Bob McCabe, Ed Seela, and the Westmoreland County Historical Society. Submitted by Angela, Member #48520699.
Jacob Michael Brinker, born with the surname Brungger, was born on November 9, 1727, in Rumikon, Switzerland, the son of Andreas Brinker and Regula (Herter) Brinker.
The family left home on November 4, 1734, when Jacob was 6, to immigrate to America. He came with his parents from Switzerland to Philadelphia on the Brig Mary, arriving in June 1735. At this time, their surname was changed from Brungger to Brinker.
On March 5, 1739, Andreas purchased 50 acres. Jacob lived here until he was grown, helping to clear the land and build a home and farm. Jacob inherited some of his father's land in his 1764 will.
Jacob married Susanna Hinkle in May 1755 in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of 8 children, 4 not linked: Anna Margaretha, Henry, Anna Christina (b. March 16, 1759, Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania; d. 1798), George, Katherine, Susanna (b. May 23, 1769, Upper Saucon Township; d. 1835), Abraham T. (b. 1773, Scotia, Pennsylvania; became a Captain, d. 1850) and Jacob (b. January 1, 1774, Scotia, Pennsylvania; d. 1846).
They eventually moved to Hamilton Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, (now Monroe County). Jacob owned 350 acres and built the original log flour mill at the present Sciota, Pennsylvania. A subsequent owner added the stone front around 1800. "Brinker's Mill" operated as a mill until the 1950s, and is now a National Historic Site.
In 1763-1764, during Pontiac's War, Indian raids were severe, and Brinker's Mill became a fortress for the settlement. People sent a petition requesting troops for protection. A lieutenant, a sergeant, and 17 men were sent for protection.
In 1779, General George Washington sent Maj. Gen. John Sullivan with several thousand troops to the frontier. Brinker's Mill supplied the troops of Gen. Sullivan en route to New York to subdue the Iroquois allies of the British. The army drew provisions at Brinker's Mill. In New York, the troops defeated the British and Indians. 3 months later, returning, many army wagons broke down, and they had to send to Brinker's Mill for more wagons and supplies. The journal of an officer stated, "wonderful to go among homes and get elegant meals, such as buckwheat cakes with butter, milk, and honey!" Brinker was never paid. Tradition has it that the proof of Brinker furnishing the Army with supplies was destroyed in the War of 1812, when the English burned the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
A man stated in his journal that, at Brinker's Mill, there was a small fort for the Militia, who guarded the community, and for the inhabitants to flee to for protection. A typical fort at that time on the frontier was 80 feet square with posts buried in the ground.
Jacob enlisted and served as a Private 2nd Class, in the 5th Company, 6th Battalion, under Captain Henry Sewitz, in the Northampton County Militia in the Revolutionary War.
After the Revolution, Jacob and Susanna sold their property and moved to Westmoreland County, the current Penn Township, in 1790-1792. Most of the country was wilderness and chiefly inhabited by Indians. They purchased a valuable 800-acre tract of land, near the current village of Manor. Jacob was a founder of the Manor Reformed Church. Both farmers, Jacob Michael Brinker and Henry Brinker, Sr. supported the Whiskey Rebellion. At that time, Western Pennsylvania was the nation's largest whiskey producer.
Jacob Michael Brinker passed away on October 30, 1798, in Franklin, Pennsylvania. Jacob's will was probated on November 16, 1798, and recorded. "I give my soul to God who gave it." At his death, he willed 1600 acres to his heirs.
From the Westmoreland County Historical Society (date unknown): "The gravestone is almost gone; it is in 1st row of graves, almost directly from the corner of the church. Has a D.A.R. marker. Wife is buried in same cemetery, but unable to find grave." So, Jacob originally had a marker. Angela (6-great-granddaughter) and husband visited the cemetery in October 2016. They searched, with the caretaker, and were unable to find any trace of the tombstone. It's either gone or illegible.
Information from Members Bob McCabe, Ed Seela, and the Westmoreland County Historical Society. Submitted by Angela, Member #48520699.
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