Melchior (Brombach) Brumbach (1664 - bef. 1746)

Born May 1664 in Müsen, Nassau-Siegen, Germany

Ancestors

Descendants

Died before 1746 before age 81 in Germantown, Prince William County, Virginia

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This profile is part of the Germanna, Virginia One Place Study.

Special Note: by Silas Coons

Before the 1964 publication of B.C. Holtzclaw's Ancestry and Descendants of the Nassau-Siegen Immigrants to Virginia, 1714-1750, it was thought that Melchior Brombach, the 1714 immigrant to Germanna, Virginia, was born at Muesen, Nassau-Siegen in 1695, the eldest son of Johann Georg Brumbach, a church elder with a complete list of baptized children. The wife of Johann Georg Brombach, Anna Barbara Wurmbach, was also the mother (by her first husband) of Johannn Jost Merten (Joseph Martin), another 1714 Germanna immigrant. Joseph Martin's wikitree profile: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Merten-15

However, B.C. Holtzclaw's book cited a 1713 records showing that the emigrant Melchior Brombach had brothers Caspar and Johannes (who were fined for Melchior's departure), and the existence of these brothers disproved Melchior as the son of Johann Georg Brombach, who didn't have a son Caspar (and whose son Melchior died as a small child). Holtzclaw concluded that Melchior could have only been the son of Johann Georg Brombach's brother Johannes, whose list of baptized children had suitable gaps in which to fit presumed sons Melchior and Caspar, and whose wife Anna Margaretha Kemper was the aunt of Johannes Kemper, yet another 1714 Germanna immigrant. Johannes Kemper's profile: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Kemper-97

Civil records in Muesen show that in December 1713, Caspar Brombach asked civil authorities to relieve him of a tax burden he was asked to pay on behalf of his brother, Melchior, who had "wandered off to the island of Carolina." In July 1714 Margaretha, "widow of Johannes Brombach of Muesen" (who had died April 13, 1714), also petitioned to be relieved of responsibility for the taxes of Melchior, "who had gone to foreign parts." ^[1] Benjamin Holtzclaw, in his history of the Germanna settlement, concluded that Melchior Brombach, the Germanna pioneer, was a son of Johannes Brombach and Anna Margaretha Kemper. His conclusion was based on the civil records referred to above. He concluded that Margaretha was Melchior's mother, and therefore, Johannes and Margaretha had sons, Melchior and Caspar, who were born within a six-year gap in the baptismal records of this family, although there is a burial record for a son Johannes (without a corresponding baptism record). Much more recently Daniel Bly, whose 2002 book From the Rhine to the Shenandoah (Volume III) includes a chapter on the Brombach family, has argued that Melchior Brombach (the 1714 immigrant) was actually a younger brother of Johannes (b. 1653) and Caspar (b. 1655). After additional research in the churchbook and civil records more complete documents and translations concerning Melchior Brumbach's departure were acquired and confirm that Melchior Brumbach, born at Müsen in 1664, was Melchior Brumbach, the 1714 pioneer with the Germanna Colony in colonial Virginia. Also more thorough research in the church records of Müsen uncovered no evidence that Johannes and Anna Margaretha Brombach, previously thought to be parents of the Germanna pioneer, ever had a son, Melchior, born c. 1685 or had sons Caspar and Johannes, as previously assumed. This new information is a major revision of the biographical data regarding the Brumbach family in the genealogical data base of the Germanna Foundation and in their literature regarding the families of the 1714 Colony. However, this more recent research in records not available to Professor Holtzclaw, whose 1964 work on the Nassau-Siegen immigrants has been the accepted narrative, not only supports, but requires a revision of Melchior's biography. (See documentation in additional notes below).

Biography

Melchior Brumbach, son of Jost Brombach and Catherina Klein, was born at Muesen and baptized 15 May 1664. ^[2] Melchior was thirteen years old when he was confirmed at Müsen, Christmas, 1677 and first sponsored a baptism at Müsen in September, 1695, when he sponsored a nephew, Johann Melchior, son of Johann Georg and Anna Barbara Brumbach. In that record he was identified as "Melchior Brombach aus Müsen noch Jungergesell " (still a bachelor). In the following years he may have left Müsen to work elsewhere, but was back in 1704 to sponsor another nephew, Johann Melchior, son of Johannes and Margaretha Brombach and a second son of Johann Georg and Anna Barbara in 1705. In those records he was referred to as " gewesen Melchior Brumbach as Müsen " (formerly from Müsen). He was called "gewesen Melchior Brombach aus Müsen, noch ledige Gesell" (still single fellow formerly from Müsen), when he sponsored yet another nephew, son of Friedrich Höfer at Müsen in March of 1707. ^[3] He was listed as "Melchior Brombach von Müessen," when he appeared at nearby Ernsdorf and sponsored Johann Melchior Kaltschmidt, son of his sister, Anna Catherina, and her husband, Friedrich Kaltschmidt, July 24, 1713. ^[4] The baptism of his nephew at Ernsdorf is the last reference to Melchior in the church records.

At some point in 1713 recruiters putting together a group to establish a mining and iron working settlement in the British colony of Virginia convinced Melchior to join them. There are clues to suggest that he had some mining or iron working experience from the years he may have been absent from Müsen. Knowledge and skills in mining and iron work would certainly be valuable in the proposed undertaking. It also appears that Melchior, at the age of 49, finally decided to end his long years of bachelorhood and took as a bride, Maria Elisabetha Fischbach, daughter of Philipp Fischbach from nearby Trupbach. Fischbach was from a long line of iron workers, and he, his wife, three sons, other daughters and sons-in-law, were all members of the group destined for Virginia. Melchior and Elisabeth may have married shortly before they embarked on their journey or perhaps during their winter stay in England, but no record of the marriage has been found.

The records regarding Melchior's departure also indicate that he left without permission. Because certain taxes and fees were involved, the court levied fines on some of his remaining relatives and even two men with whom he apparently worked. His brother, Caspar, was ordered to come up with 68 Reichsthaler or have property confiscated. Caspar petitioned to have the fine dismissed and the petition was granted. His brother, Johannes, was assessed 15 and half Reichsthalers and seven Albus. He too petitioned for dismissal, but the court would only dismiss half on condition that he pay the other 7 and half Reichsthalers and three and half Albus immediately. ^[5] Apparently Johannes was not able to pay the remainder before he died the following April and his widow, Margaretha, was ordered to pay it. She also petitioned to have the charge dismissed in July 1714. ^[6] Friedrich Jung of Müsen, was fined 18 Reichsthaler, "because Melchior Brumbach from Müsen moved out of the country. " Jung pleaded that he had "worked off 7 and a half Thaler in the mine and prays humbly to reduce the sum he is indebted for and dismiss the remaining 9 Reichsthalers." Friedrich Hoffmann also asked at the same time that a debt of 24 Reichsthalers "for the above-mentioned Brumbach be dismissed because he was too poor and unable to pay anything". ^[7]

The group of "Siegenlanders" left for England in late summer 1713, spent the winter there and departed for Virginia about the first of March 1714. They arrived in Virginia in April 1714 and settled in the wilderness of what is present-day Orange County, Virginia. Governor Spotswood, who had encouraged and subsidized the settlement as a buffer between the Indians to the west and more settled area along the coast, named the settlement "Germanna" after the immigrants' homeland and the British Queen, Anne. He also wanted them to establish iron mining, smelting and production as quickly as possible.

Melchior and Elizabeth first lived in the common compound at Germanna, but after efforts to mine and produce iron were disappointing, along with many others from the settlement, including new arrivals, they relocated several miles northeast of Germanna in 1721. There on Licking Run, in what was then old Stafford County, later Prince William and since 1759, Fauquier County, the settlers took up individual tracts and named their new community "Germantown." Melchior and Elizabeth took up 100 acres (lot #7).

The first mention of Melchior in the Virginia records is his petition for land in June 1724: "Melcherd Brumbach in order to prove his right to take up land according to the Royal Charter, made oath that he came into this country to dwell in the month of April 1714, and that he brought with him Elizabeth his wife, and that this is the first time of proving their said importation, whereupon certificate is ordered to be granted them of right to take up one hundred acres of land." ^[8] Melchior and Elizabeth were already living on this land, but actual certificates were not issued until May 1729. How long they lived in their new home is not known, but Melchior and Elizabeth were both deceased by 1746. On 28 July 1746, Stephen Hatzenbiller and wife, Jacob Neuschwanger and wife, Christopher Wingle (sic) and wife, deeded all interest in the 100 acres at Germantown, which belonged to their father, Melchior Brumback, deceased, to their sister and brother-in-law, Agnes and Henry Utterback ^[9].

Melchior was born about 1695. He passed away about 1749.

Sources

1. ↑ Cited in Benjamin C. Holtzclaw, Ancestry and Descendants of the Nassau-Siegen Immigrants to Virginia, 1714-1750, Harrisonburg, VA (1964), p. 49.
2. ↑ Kirchenbuch (Parish Register), Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche Müsen, Taufen (Baptisms) 1649-1764, p. 11a. Westfalen: Landeskirchliches Archiv. Accessed at archion.de
3. ↑ Kirchenbuch (Parish Register), Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche Müsen, Konfirmations, 1660-1672, p. 153. Taufen (Baptisms) 1649-1764, pp. 39,50, 51, and 52a. Westfalen: Landeskirchliches Archiv. Accessed at archion.de. Friedrich Höfer was married to Melchior's sister, Anna Magdalena Brombach
4. ↑ Kirchenbücher (Parish Registers), Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche Ferndorf, Taufen, 1677-1716, p. 333. Westfalen Landeskirchliches Archiv. Accessed at archion.de
5. ↑ Civil Records from the Siegener Landesarchiv, Series 11, no. 28a, Vol. 2, pp. 149-50. copied 2010-11, by Drs. Katherine and Madison Brown and Barbara Price. Translated by Elke Hall, now in possession of Barbara Price, Germanna Foundation Trustee.
6. ↑ Landesarchiv Siegen, Series 11, No. 28a, Vol. 2, p. 200. Cited in Holtzclaw, p. 49.
7. ↑ Civil Records from the Siegener Landesarchiv, Series 11, no. 28a, Vol. 2, pp. 149-50. copied 2010-11, by Drs. Katherine and Madison Brown and Barbara Price. Translated by Elke Hall, now in possession of Barbara Price, Germanna Foundation Trustee.
8. ↑ Spotsylvania County, Virginia Will Book "A,", pp. 3-4.
9. ↑ Prince William County, Virginia Deed Book "I," p. 156

• Kirchenbuch (Parish Register) Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche Müsen, Volulme I, 1649-1772. Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages and Burials. Westfalen Landeskirchliches Archiv. Accessed at archion.de.
• Vann, Elizabeth Chapman Denny and Dixon, Margaret Collins Denny Title: Brumback-Hotsinpiller Genealogy Publication: Name: Self-published; Location: Englewood, New Jersey; Date: 1961
• Bly, Daniel W. From the Rhine to the Shenandoah Volume III, Publication: Name: Gateway Press; Location: Baltimore, Maryland (2002)
• Holtzclaw, Benjamin C., Ancestry and Descendants of the Nassau-Siegen Immigrants to Virginia, 1714-1750 (Harrisonburg, Virginia,1964).
• Civil Records from the Siegener Landesarchiv, Series 11, no. 28a, Vol. 2, pp. 149-50. copied 2010-11, by Drs. Katherine and Madison Brown and Barbara Price. Translated by Elke Hall. Now in possession of Barbara Price, Gemanna Foundation Trustee. Email to Daniel Bly, October 4, 2021.
• Court Records of Spottsylvania and Prince William Counties, Virginia.

Research Notes

By Daniel Bly The following records were used to build the case for parentage of Melchior Brumbach:

Records of Melchior Brombach / Brumbach at Müsen, Nassau-Siegen. Birth: Anno 1664, den 15 Tag May ist Melchior, Jost Brombach und Catherina Eheleuth eheliche Sohn getauft, Pate: Melchior Eckhardt. Kirchenbuch Evangelisch-Reformierte Müsen, Volume I, Taufen, 1649-1764, p 11a,

Confirmation: Nativitat 1677. Melchior Brombach, Jost Brombach Sohn von Müssen. (One of seven comfirmed at that time). Kirchenbuch Evangelisch-Reformierte Müsen, Volume I, Konfirmation, 1660-1672, p. 153.

Sponsor of Baptisms: 1695-Dom 16 post Trinit. Johann Georg Brumbach, Anna Barbara, ehel, einen junge Sohn Tauffen lassen. Gev. Melchior Brumbach, noch jungergesell aus Müsen Das Kind gennant Melchior, natus, 2 Sept. Kirchenbuch Evangelisch-Reformierte Müsen, Volume I, Taufen, 1649-1764, p. 39.

1704 20 Aprill Haben Johannes Brumbach, Anna Margaretha eheleuth einen junge Sohn taufft lassen. Gevtt, is gewesen Melchior Brumbach aus Müssen. Dess Kind is gennant worden Johann Melchior. Kirchenbuch Evangelisch-Reformierte Müsen, Volume I, Taufen, 1649-1764, p. 50.

1705 Auff Pfingstmontag haben Georg Brombach, Anna Barbara eheleuth einen Sohn tauff lassen. Gevtt is gewesen Melchior Brombach dess Kind is gennant worden Johann Melchior. Kirchenbuch Evangelisch-Reformierte Müsen, Volume I, Taufen, 1649-1764, p. 51.

1707 13 Martii hat Friedrich Höfer, Anna Magdalena eheleute einen Junge Sohn tauffen lassen, Gevatter is gewesen Melchior Brumbach aus Muessen noch lediger gesell. Das Kind is gennant worden Johann Melchior. Kirchenbuch Evangelisch-Reformierte Müsen, Volume I, Taufen, 1649-1764, p. 52a.

1713 Ernsdorf, July 18th Friedrich Kaldschmidt Kirchen Elster hiesig Gemeinde, Anna Catherina Eheleuthe einen Sohn. Gevatter war Melchior Brombach von Muessen. Dess Kind Johann Melchior, getaufft 24th ej. Kirchenbuch Evangelisch-Reformierte Ferndorf, Taufen, Volume 3, 1677-1716, p. 333.

Following are civil records cite in Benjamin C. Holtzclaw, Ancestry and Descendants of the Nassau-Siegen Immigrants to Virginia, 1714-1750, Harrisonburg, VA (1964), pp. 49, 52. Each is followed by a translation of the complete document:

Holtzclaw: “On Dec. 4, 1713, Caspar Brumbach of Muesen asked relief from a fine of 68 Reichsthaler that had been levied on his brother, Melchior Brumbach, who had “wandered off (presumably without permission) to the island of Carolina,” the fine to be paid from Melchior’s inheritance. Siegener Landesarchiv, 11, nos 28a, vol. 2, p. 149.

Here is a translation of the full document: “Monday 4th of Dec. 1713, Caspar Brumbach of Müsen very humbly submitted a pleading petition for the relief of 68 Reichsthaler for which he is indebted because his brother, Melchior Brumbach left for island of Carolina and his assets are now to be confiscated. With extraordinary graces we will dispense of payment of the 68 Reichsthalers because of the stated reasons.

Holtzclaw: “Johannes Brombach, b. probably ca. 1693, who also petitioned Dec 11, 1713 for relief from his brother Melchior’s fine” (inserted in the list of the children of Johannes and Margaretha). p. 52.

Here is the full document: Monday Dec 11, 1713 - Johannes Brumbach of Muesen very humbly submitted a pleading petition regarding the verdict of the 6th of Dec. 1713 for relief of the 15 Reichsthalers and 7 Albus for which he is indebted because his brother Melchior Brumbach left for foreign lands and now to be paid to his majesty according to his verdict. With extraordinary grace we will dismiss the reported 15 Reichsthalers, 7 Albus, if he will pay the other half of 7 Reichsthalerss and 26 Albus immediately.

Holtzclaw: “On July 2, 1714, Margareta , widow of Johannes Brumbach of Muesen, petitioned for relief from a fine of 7 and half Reichsthaler, 3 and half Albus, levied on Melchior Brumbach of Muesen who had “gone to foreign parts.” Siegener Landesarchiv, 11, nos. 28a, vol. 2, p. 200. (Margaretha’s husband died in April, 1714). Full translation not available.

The following civil record were found in the records of the court December 11, 1713 (the same day as the records for Casper and Johannes).

On December 4, 1713, Friedrich Jung from Müßen very humbly submitted a pleading petition for the relief of 18 Reichsthalers for which he is now indebted because Melchior Brumbach from Müßen moved out of the country and he had worked off 7 and half Thaler in the mine and prays humbly to reduce the sum he is indebted for and dismiss the remaining 9 Reichsthalers. The supplicant must bring a statement from the princely mine secretary, Schmitt that this had happened and in the mean time this remains as is.

Same date: Friedrich Hofmann from Müßen submitted a pleading petition to his majesty to relieve him from the debt of 24 Reichsthalers for the above-mentioned Brumbach. He stated that he is too poor and not able to pay anything. He is ordered to bring a statement by the pastor and in the meantime the fine remains as is.

Germanna historian, Benjamin Holtzclaw, concluded that the partial civil records provided to him, referred to a younger Melchior and Casper Brombach, both born between 1685 and 1687 and Johannes Brombach, born about 1693 to Johannes and Anna Margaretha, but no baptismal, confirmation, marriage or death records can be found for any such persons. Now the more complete translations leave no doubt that Margaretha was the widow of the brother of Melchior, therefore she was not Melchior's mother.

Records of Melchior Brombach / Brumbach at Germanna, Spotsylvania County, Virginia:

"Melcherd Brumback in order to take up land according to Royal Charter made oath that he came into the Colony to dwell in the month of April, 1714 and brought with him his wife, Elizabeth and that this is the first time of proving said importation, whereupon certificate is ordered to be granted them the right to take up land" (deposition made 2 June 1724, Spotsylvania County, Virginia Will Book “A” pp. 3-4.). They did not receive the patents to the land until 1729.

Deed dated 28 July 1746: Stephen Hatzenbiller and wife, Jacob Neuschwanger and wife, Christopher Wingle and wife, deed all interest in the 100 acres at Germantown, which belonged to their father, Melchior Brumback, deceased, to their sister and brother-in-law, Agnes and Henry Utterback. Prince William County, Virginia Deed Book I, p. 156.

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Brumbach-28 created through the import of WORCESTER_2012-07-31.ged on Jul 31, 2012 by Bob Worcester. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Bob and others.

FAMOUS DESCENDANTS:

Patsy Cline (Virginia Patterson Hensley) Hensley-907 (September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) - American Country Music Singer, Part of the Nashville Sound during the late 1950s & early 1960s. Successfully "crossed over" to pop music and was one of the most influential, successful, and acclaimed vocalists of the 20th century. >Melchior is the 7th great grandfather of Patsy Cline.

• Section: Family record of Herman Utterback and his descendants, (1622-1937)

Source Information Ancestry.com. The history and genealogy of the Utterback family in America, 1622-1937 [database on-line]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Original data:Utterback, William Irvin,. The history and genealogy of the Utterback family in America, 1622-1937. Huntington, W. Va.: Gentry Bros. Printing Co., 1937. page 37 in the book or page 52 in viewer