Message text written by INTERNET:PACHESTE-L@rootsweb.com >I'm looking for any mention of the WETZEL/WHETZEL family in Chester Co. My >gr-gr-grandmother, Catherine WETZEL was, according to family story, born in >Valley Forge 11 June 1791. Her obituary states that she was a cousin of the >renowned Indian fighter. Presumably, that was Lewis Wetzel, and his >birthdate in 1763 means that she was at least one generation removed. >She may have been the daughter of John Jacob Wetzel (b. 1768 PA) and Mary >Buzzard. >Thank you for any information on this line, >Michele in CA< Michele, My ancestor Christina Wetzel was a sister to Lewis Wetzel, famed Indian fighter. This Wetzel family spent the early years in Rockingham County and Shenandoah County, Virginia and then migrated to western Pennsylvania, near the Ohio border. What's interesting is that the obit said that Catherine was a "cousin" to Lewis. Lewis had no children. So, any relationship from his immediate family would have to be that of Uncle. Maybe I'm missing some logic here--I hope not. But, in order to be a cousin I wonder if Catherine was related to a brother of Lewis's and my ancestor Eva Christina Wetzel's father ---John Wetzel b. 1733, presumably Holland and married to Mary Bonnett. This John's father was Johannes Martin Wetzel born about 1700 from Baden, Germany. Johannes Martin Wetzel was the original immigrant. He is said to have died in Maryland. I have his wife as Maria Barbara ?---b 1698 from Hereford, Berks County, Pa. So, perhaps John had a brother who lived in Chester County, just next door to Berks--? Ray