UBB.threads Forums General Militaria Historic and Period Firearms Forum American Long Rifles, J. Wetzel, Snyder Co. PA.

Offline Loudy
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Re: ALR Museum Gunsmith: J. Wetzel ( John or Jonathan), Snyder Co, PA
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2011, 02:25:20 AM »
Below you'll find biographical information regarding farmer/gunsmith Jonathan Wetzel, the maker of this rifle, and his older brother John Henry Wetzel, a maker of gun barrels, sickles, and such. Their father, Philip Wetzel, fought in the Revolutionary War, and was a blacksmith by trade. Thank you for adding this interesting rifle to the Library collection.

Mark Loudenslager


Jonathan Wetzel
Born: March 21, 1801 probably Hereford Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Died: April 22, 1881 Jackson Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania
Buried: New Berlin Cemetery – Old Section, New Berlin, Union County, Pennsylvania

Jonathan Wetzel worked as a gunsmith near New Berlin in Centre Township, Union County (later Snyder County), Pennsylvania ca. 1826-1845. He is listed in the Centre Township tax records as a gunsmith in 1826, 1829, 1832, 1835, 1838, 1841, 1844, and 1845. He later worked primarily as a farmer in Hartley, Centre, and Jackson Townships in Union and Snyder Counties. He was the son of Philip Wetzel Sr. (1751-1826) and Anna Maria Berger (1765-1825). Jonathan Wetzel was married to Esther “Hetty” Hoffman. She died on February 1, 1865 at the age of 66 years, 2 months, and 14 days. Jonathan Wetzel is listed in the 1826 tax list as a gunsmith and tenant on land owned by his father, Philip Wetzel. In 1829 he is listed as a resident along Middle Creek in Centre Township, near Middleburg, and owning ten acres of land and two cows. By 1855 he was a resident of Jackson Township in the newly created Snyder County. In 1855 he listed his occupation as Farmer.

Jonathan Wetzel lived close to New Berlin on the Snyder County side of Penns Creek. The road where he lived is now Broadway Road. He was the brother of Henry Wetzel and according to tradition; he made rifles from barrels produced be his brother. His guns are hard to locate, but one rifle that was originally flintlock, shows nice incised carving but no patch box. He signed the rifle “J. Wetzel” in script.
Ref. “Snyder County Rifles” by Rich Nornhold

John Jacob Wetzel came to America in 1737 and settled in Berks County. He served as a private in the Revolutionary War. In 1794, three of his sons migrated to what is now known as Snyder County. All three of these sons saw service in the American Revolution. Philip (1751-1826) settled west of Middleburg, following the trade of blacksmith and is buried in the Old Hassinger Church Cemetery. Peter (1756-1826) took up residence in what is now known as Union Township in Old Union County. Henry (1762-1850) lived in what are known as Middle Creek and Jackson Townships. He is buried in New Berlin.
Ref. “Story of Snyder County” by Dunkelburger, 1948, p. 166.


C. Wetzel-20609 Notes: Johathan Wetzel-5739 (1801-1881) is my 1st cousin, 5x removed. His father, Sgt. Philip Wetzel Sr.-2961 (1751-1826) PA. Sgt., Artillery, Continental Line, 13th Regiment, my 4th great granduncle. Pvt. Johann "Jacob' Wetzel (I)-3515 (1718-1785) private in the Revolutionary War, last of Hereford Twp. Berks Co. PA. arrived from Germany at Phil'd. Oct. 8, 1737, my 5th great grandfather.
My thanks to "Loudy" @ https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=14688.0