Stitzel and Stutsman family, Brethen and Mennonite families:Information about Michael Frantz
Sr. Michael Frantz (b. 01 Sep 1687, d. 25 Sep 1748)
Notes for Michael Frantz:FrantzFamily
mennosearch.com
Richard W. Davis
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Michael Frantz, b. c1690. d. 1748, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was a Mennonite living at Helmstadt, Baden, Germany in 1717. He also lived there in 1724. He arrived in Pennsylvania on 30 Sep 1727 on the ship "Molly" with five persons in his family and a large group of Mennonites. He was the first elder of the Conestoga Brethren Church in Lancaster County.
1. Child, b. c1719, Helmstadt.
2. Child, b. c1722, Helmstadt.
3. Michael Frantz, b. 1725, Helmstadt, Germany. He may be the Michael Frantz who died in 1808 at Botetourt County, Virginia. He supposedly married on 12 Jun 1748, Magdalena Zug.
The Brethren Encyclopedia
The Brethren Press, Elgin, IL (1983)
p. 352
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Frantz Family. Between 1721-80 over thirty Frantz familes came to America. Early immigrant records include arrivals of: *Michael Frantz, Sr., qualifying on Sept. 30, 1727; Balser Frantz on Oct. 2, 1727; and Christian Frantz, Sr., on Aug. 11, 1732. These three were born at St. Jacob near Basel, Switzerland, and genealogists feel certain they were brothers. Michael (1687-1747) brought with him his wife, daughter, and son, Michael, Jr., born in 1725. Christian and his wife, Anna, had eight children. Balser and his wife, Anna Barbara (Hannah), had six children. They all settled in Lancaster Co., PA.
Michael, Sr., was baptized on Sept. 29, 1734, at Conestoga and was commissioned to preach. He was ordained in 1735 at Conestoga and became the first elder of the congregation.
Christian I and Balser were both baptized in 1735 at Conestoga. Christian died in 1739, and Balser died in 1747. Christian II and John and Michael, sons of Christian Frantz, Sr., helped to organize the Little Swatara congregation of Tulpehocken Twp., Lancaster Co. Christian Frantz III, his wife, Anna, and nine of their ten children moved to Botetourt Co., VA, in 1794.
In 1748 Michael, Jr., was baptized and married to Magdalena Zug, daughter of Ulrich and Barbara Bachman Zug. He was ordained in 1780. They and their eight sons and one daughter moved to Botetourt Co., VA, in 1784. Four of their sons married four daughters of John Nicholas Garst and moved to Clark Co., OH, 1814-16. They were active in the formative years of the Donnels Creek congregation. Michael, Jr., died in 1807.
The Frantz posterity from the original three brothers is undoubtedly one of the largest in the Brethren faith. They have intermarried into almost all early Brethren families. To present generations, many have been faithful Christians. LHB
F. H. Frantz and others, The Genealogy of the Matthias Frantz Family (1972); J. M. Kimmel, Chronicles (1951); Colonial America (1967) index; L. H. Brubaker, The V Family of Brubakers (1979); Virginia (1973) index; M. 0. Brumbaugh, History GBB (1899) 300-303; F. E. Mallott, Studies (1954); R. F. Flory, Lest We Forget (1974) 2:177-96, 384-87; M. Miller, Roots by the River (1973) index; L. W. Shultz, Winger Family Record (1970); E. H. Weddle, Pleasant Hill (1956) 7, 34, 52, 69-70, 74, 96, 107, 118, 125-6, 129-31, 163, 169-70, 183, 188-90, 197, 207, 221; R.B. Strassburger and W.J. Hinke, eds., Pioneers (1934) 1:14, 15, 59, 63, BB (1964) no. 24.
Michael FRANTZ 1 2 3 4
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Birth: 1 SEP 1687 in St. Jacob, Canton Basel, Switzerland 1 5 2 3
Birth: 1 SEP 1687 in St Jacob, Baselland, Switzerland 4
Death: 25 DEC 1748 in Conestoga, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania 1 2 3
Death: 25 SEP 1748 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA 4
Change Date: 17 OCT 2003 2 3
Immigration: 30 SEP 1727 Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania 1 2 3
Note: [crillhughes.FTW]
Sometime prior to 1717, moved from Switzerland to Hassloch, Germany , i n the Palatinate. Moved from there to Krefeld, Germany in 1720.Michael Frantz, Sr., age 41, arrived in Philadelphia 30 Sep 1727 on the ship "Molly" with son Michael Frantz Jr., age 2. [Carole: Other citations say that his wife died on the voyage.]
Father: Matheus FRANTZ b: 25 MAR 1637 in Switzerland
Children
Michael FRANTZ b: 1725 in Krefeld, Germany
Sources:
1. Blocher, David A., Rootsweb GEDCOM. ([email protected] or [email protected])
2. aflora.ged, Date of Import: Mar 20, 2004
3. frantzl.ged, Date of Import: Mar 20, 2004
4. crillhughes.FTW, Date of Import: Aug 31, 2004
5. Reck, Michael O., Information from emails both direct and via Jesse Davis ([email protected])
MICHAEL FRANTZ-WRITER
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Michael Frantz was born near Basle, Switzerland, in 1687, came to America in 1727, settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and united with the Church of the Brethren in 1734. As he came in contact with the Brethren their doctrine and manner of life appealed to him. He found both their teaching and their life to be based on the New Testament teaching. Before uniting with the Brethren he saw and heard much of Conrad Beissel, who, in establishing his own group at Ephrata opposed the Brethren bitterly and proselytea wherever he could. This forced Frantz to study closely the teachings of both Beissel and the Brethren. When he made his decision he made it for life.
On the very day he was baptized by Peter Becker, the Conestoga congregation was organized with a membership of about twenty. Though a new addition to their number Frantz was set aside as the spiritual leader of the group and was authorized to preach for them. His faithful work inspired confidence so that the next year he was ordained and made the elder of the church. Such was his leadership that, when he died in 1748, the congregation had grown to about two hundrei Frantz was a good man, well informed, a strong preacher, a wise elder and a good writer-a rare combination.
He wrote both hymns and essays. More than a hundred years after his death some of his writings appeared in the Gospel Visitor. Christopher Sower was so impressed with his writings that in 1770 he published hymns and essays under the title, Simple Observations on Teaching and a concise Confession of Faith of the pious Teacher, Michael Frantz.
As I make the round of workers in the Brethren Publishing House I meet two of the descendants of Michael Frantz-Edward Frantz and D. D. Funderburg-both ministers and writers, active in the Church of the Brethren.
Sources: Stories from Brethren Life, J.E. Miller, Brethren Publishing House, 1942, p.30. which referenced the following sources:Brethren Almanac, 1873, p. 15. History of the Church of the Brethren, Eastern Pennsylvania, pp. 82, 83. History of the German Baptist Brethren, pp. 298-303. Literary Activity of the Brethren in the Eighteenth Century, pp. 206-213.
Switzerland to Germany to PA
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Sometime prior to 1717, moved from Switzerland to Hassloch, Germany, in the Palatinate. Moved from there to Krefeld, Germany in 1720.
Michael Frantz, Sr., age 41, arrived in Philadelphia 30 Sep 1727 on the ship "Molly" with son Michael Frantz Jr., age 2. http://tpettit.best.vwh.net/family/grisso/FG01/FG01_130.htm
Research Report D3
Richard W. Davis, MennoSearch.com
1727 Mennonite emigrants
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Letter from the Pfalz to the Mennonite leaders in Holland dated 20 May 1727 shos
the following Mennonites ready to leave Mannheim, Baden for Pennsylvania;
1. Michael Frantz, 5 persons, leader.[ship Molly on 30 Sep 1727]
2. Peter Gutt, 7 persons.[ship Molly on 30 Sep 1727]
3. Samuel Gutt, 2 persons. [ship Molly on 30 Sep 1727]
4. Rudolph Landis, 5 persons. [ship Molly on 30 Sep 1727]
5. Jacob Hochstetter, 8 persons. [he arrived dead on ship Molly on 30 Sep 1727]
6. Jacob Huber, 3 persons. [ship Molly on 30 Sep 1727]
7. Christian Solderman, 5 persons. [ship Molly on 30 Sep 1727, sick]
8. Rudolph Bom, 4 persons. [ship Molly on 30 Sep 1727]
9. Martin Kindig, 5 persons. [ship Molly on 30 Sep 1727]
10. Oberholtzer woman, 1 person [women not named on any ship]
Conestoga Congregation
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There was a Michael Frantz that is on the List of the members of the Conestoga Congregation - September 29, 1734 German Baptist Brethren
http://www.cob-net.org/text/genesd01.htm
Land in Cocalico Twp, Lancaster, PA
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The following is quoted in part from a letter addressed to Dore M. Frantz, Springfield, Ohio, dated 31 May 1944:
"I am in receipt of your letter asking for information as to the present location of the Michael Frans (Frantz) patent as recorded in Patent Book AA, Volume 3, Page 298. Will say that this tract is now situated in East Cocalico Township, about ONE MILE SOUTH AND WEST OF REAMSTOWN, Lancaster County...."
It is signed by Warren J. Daniel, Director, Land Office, and is typed on stationary with letterhead that says "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Internal Affairs, Harrisburg."
From Lorraine Frantz Edwards, "Frantz Families -- Kith & Kin, Vol. I," 1996, p. 45.http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/BRETHREN/2001-12/1008866096
Michael Frantz Hymns and Writings
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Michael Frantz, colonial elder of the Conestoga congregation wrote, "As long as there is abundance and want, there is no pure genuine communion, for communion equalizes everything with the measure of love and the balance of love."
http://www.brethren.org/ac/ac_statements/96SimpleLife.htm
In a letter of 1747 Michael Frantz counseled specifically that laymen are free to administer baptism and the communion if no elders are present and if all things are done in order.His statement gives the impression (undoubtedly correct) that the clerical office exists not for the sake of any peculiar authority or power it imparts but as a means of assisting the Gemeinde to conduct its life and worship in a dignified and worthy manner; Dunker "priests" did not so much administer the sacraments as they superintended their observance.
http://www.hccentral.com/eller2/part6h.html
Hymn of Brotherly Love and Community
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As we examine the particular works of love that figured strongly in Brethrenism, the most dominant is the practice of charity.
"Mine" and "thine" do not signify community [Gemeinschaft];
But a heart full of pure love does.
"Mine" and "thine" create great disunity;
A heart full of love has everything in common.
Love and warmheartedness
Are prepared to give help readily.
Whoever would have fellowship [Gemeinschaft] with God
And eat of the bread of life
Must share his gifts
With the poor man when he comes in need....
To give alms out of a pure heart,
Which is a candle burning with love,
Is much better than treasures of gold
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Warfare
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The Brethren took such a stand from their beginning.We already have noted the price Sauer Junior paid for his convictions during the Revolutionary War. However, the most complete discussion from the first half of the century is to be found in Michael Frantz's poem-treatise, where he introduced the topic with these lines:
It has never yet been heard
That a sheep defends itself against a wolf;
A sheep that heeds the mind of Christ--
It follows, loves, believes Him.
With this, Frantz began a twenty-stanza section entitled "Of Worldly Belligerence"; what follows is a free summary and paraphrase of some of that material:
A Christian does not resist evil with weapons or sword. Christ did not use war in order to establish a worldly kingdom, and his love prohibits his disciples from fighting. Both Isaiah and Christ teach against hurting one's enemies.... God uses war as the rod of his anger with which to punish the nations that go to war. Thus warfare is not much of an adornment to so-called Christendom. One throws a rod into the fire after it has served its usefulness--and thus it is rather easy to judge whether 'Christendom' is of Christ or not.... When the government requires preparation for war, the Christian must obey God rather than man.
http://www.hccentral.com/eller2/part9b.html
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The Simple Life
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The idea was a favorite of Michael Frantz. In his long poem is a series of stanzas on the theme "An idol I have made for myself..." The idols he lists are eating, drinking, splendid clothes, pride in the fact that one wears simple garb (note well!), crops, trees, houses, delight in natural creatures (livestock?).
www.hccentral.com/eller2/part9a.html
List of Individuals Baptised by
Elder Michael Frantz -- 1739-1747
Conestoga Congregation
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See http://www.cob-net.org/text/genbrm16.htm
Conestoga Church History
posted by Dwayne Wrightsman
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The Conestoga Congregation of Lancaster County was first "organized" in 1724 with seven members.Peter Becker was the elder-in-charge, but he was an absentee overseer as he lived in Germantown.Conrad Beissel was one of the seven members, and did some of the preaching, but as everyone knows, he started his own congregation in Ephrata, in 1728-1729, taking some of the Conestoga members with him.
The Conestoga Congregation was reorganized in 1734-1735, following the baptism of Michael Frantz in 1734, and his election as elder-in-charge in 1735.Unlike Becker, Frantz was a resident overseer.He started with twenty members, but the membership grew considerably during his tenure.
J.G. Francis "borrowed" the 1734 date as the beginning of the Conestoga Congregation from the published work of Elder Henry Kurtz.Kurtz wroteAn article "The Very Ancient Church of the Brethren in Lancaster County, Pa," which he published in his GOSPEL VISITOR, 1855.In his article, Kurtz used the baptism of Michael Frantz to mark the beginning of the Conestoga Congregation.
In my opinion, 1724 marks the first organization under Peter Becker, and 1734-1735 marks the reorganization under Michael Frantz.In between, Peter Becker was not around, Conrad Beissel created division, and Michael Frantz had not yet been baptized nor ordained.
Over the years, the Conestoga Congregation of Lancaster County divided, sub-divided, and re-organized repeatedly.Many of the Brethren congregations of Lancaster, Dauphin, Lebanon, Berks, and Schuylkill
Counties can trace their lineage all the way back to the days of Peter Becker and Michael Frantz.The older church buildings that were built in these counties were just that, buildings, and should net be construed as congregations.The early congregations met wherever they could in each other's homes, barns, and available meeting houses (some of them shared with other congregations).
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1724 members, same thread
posted by Dwayne Wrightsman
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The original seven members of the Conestoga Congregation, in 1724, were:
Conrad Beissel,
Joseph Shaffer,
John Moyer and wife,
Henry Höhn and wife,
Veronica Frederick.
Source:Page 325 of the History of the Brethren of Eastern Pennsylvania, 1915, but the same names with slightly different spellings (Shaefer instead of Shaffer, and Mayer instead of Moyer) can be garnered from Durnbaugh, pp. 66-67.
Contesta COB
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Posted by Janet Hall on 4 Feb 2006
[email protected]
In the Addendum is another source on the early church:Martin Grove Brumbaugh, History of the Brethren; A History of the German Baptist Brethren in Europe and America (Illinois), 1899, p.300
Michael Frantz is attributed as being an early preacher among the Brethren, and the "first settled minister" of the old Conestoga church.He settled in the vicinity of the Cocalica, in Lancaster County, Pa., He was baptized by Peter Becker Sept. 29, 1734, the same day that Conestoga was organized into a separate church. He was " ordained by the imposition of hands to be their elder, and the next year (1735 he took upon him the entire care of the church..."
FRANTZ FAMILIES OF COCALICO
Posted by Dwayne Wrightsman on 7 Nov 2001
Subject: [BRE] GARST/FRANTZ ROOTS
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Michael Frantz (1687) and Baltzer Frantz (c. 1690) immigrated from the Pfalz to Lancaster County in 1727. Both settled in Cocalico Township. Michael Frantz became the first elder of the Cocalico Congregation in 1735. He baptized his brother Baltzer soon thereafter. Five children of Baltzer Frantz were baptized between 1748 and 1763. Elder Michael Frantz' own son, also named Michael, was baptized in 1748, the year that his father died. In 1759, Michael Frantz (the son) obtained title to farmland in East Cocalico Township. In 1770, Michael Frantz and wife were listed among the 86 baptized members of the Cocalico Congregation. This list was compiled and published in 1770 by the Baptist pastor and writer, Morgan Edwards.
(The wife of Michael Frantz is not named, but the conventional wisdom is that she was Magdalena Zug, presumed mother of the five Frantz siblings who married the five Garst siblings. The new thinking, however, is that the wife of Michael Frantz of Cocalico was his first cousin, Margaret Frantz, daughter of Baltzer Frantz.)
Magdalena Zug was baptized in the Conestoga/Cocalico Congregation just two months after the baptism of
Michael Frantz of Cocalico. Myth has it that both Magdalena and Michael were baptized by Elder Michael Frantz, in anticipation of marriage, shortly before the death of the elder.
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/BRETHREN/2001-11/1005158348
List of the members who joined the German Baptist Brethren in Europe
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Frantz, Michael
http://www.cob-net.org/text/genbrm01.htm
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF
PENNSYLVANIA, by The District Committee, New Era Printing Company,
Lancaster, PA, printed in 1915. The Eastern District appointed a
committee of five individuals (S.R.Zug, John Herr, G.N.Falkenstein,
J.G.Francis, and D.C.Reber) in 1911 to write the history of the church
in the Eastern District.
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List of the members of the
Conestoga Congregation - September 29, 1734
German Baptist Brethren
Supplied by Don Harlacher
BROTHERS
Michael Frantz
http://www.cob-net.org/text/genesd01.htm
General Source
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'Frantz Families - Kith & Kin' by Lorraine Frantz Edwards, 1996. Page: Vol. I, Page 37
More About Michael Frantz:
Christening: 29 Sep 1734, Conestoga, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania.
More About Michael Frantz and <Unnamed>:
Marriage: Germany.
Children of Michael Frantz are:
- +Michael Frantz, b. 1725, Krefeld, Germany, d. 1807, Botetourt, VA.