John Brubaker (1719-1804), was a son of Hans John Brubaker and Anna Emst Brubaker and a good friend of Martin Meixel, who was Andrew's brother in-law by sister, Maria Julianna.[17] It might also be recalled that John Brubaker, is related to the Bushong family as, Sally Strickler's great uncle. Sally is the wife of Jacob Bushong(1790-1873), who's farm, in Virginia, is where the New Market Battle occurred. Brubaker and Andrew Bushong were contemporaries, and likely friends, too. His story from the "Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania"(1903), illustrates one possible allure for Andrew Bushong to visit the Fatherland.[18]
Checking the facts of the story, Brubaker's father, Hans John Brubaker died in 1748, and Brubaker actually returned to Philadelphia, Sept 9, 1749 on the Ship "St. Andrews".[16] So the correct date John Brubaker and his new wife are married is shown to be eight days before Whitsunday, in 1749, which is Saturday, May 17, 1749.[19] Brubaker had obviously sailed to Europe, shortly after his father's death. It seems quite reasonable to think, Brubaker, and his new bride would have spoken with Andrew Bushong about their trip. They may have even given him the inspiration to go.
And that is exactly what Andrew did, he sailed back to Europe, likely visiting his home in Schmalenberg, Germany, maybe even traveling all the way to Switzerland. Following the envisioned loss of his family, Andrew wanted to visit his Homeland and was likely looking for a wife. Whether or not he found one, we can't say, the ship's manifest only lists the men over age 16 and doesn't list the women and children, let alone his wife. Maybe she died on the voyage or maybe he came back alone. But he returned on the "Recovery", to Wilmington Delaware, on October 23, 1754 and called himself Andreas Bushon.
http://www.belizebreeze.com/bushongunited/andrewart2.html
