2 MARY2 HOTZENBELLA (Stephen1) was born about 1736. By 1755 she was already married to Valentine Switzer, who reached America in the ship Lydia in October 1749.
He was a Palatinate as was his wife’s father. In 1790, he took up 222 acres on Capon, “confiscated from Tory Fairfax,” and lived there the rest of his life. He was a “gentleman justice” of the town of Watson. Ten whites and one negro are recorded in his family. He wrote his will in 1809 and signed it in German script.
His wife was already dead. Though then ill, he did not die until 1817, being tenderly cared for by his daughter “Cathrene.” “Felte” Switzer was one of the two executors of the will of Stephen Hotzenbella, who died in 1776. The settlement was delayed until the death of Stephen’s second wife, Barbara. The personal estate was sold in 1787, in which Mary did not share. When the plantation was sold in 1797, she signed her receipt with the rest. The executors were given a five percent commission. Valentine Switzer’s will was probated in Hampshire Co., Va., May 19, 1817. His estate was to be sold and divided among his children, except Peter, who was cut off with one dollar. The children mostly moved across the mountains to Ohio and Indiana.
Children, born in Hampshire Co., Va.:
i Philip Switzer; b. Mar. 15, 1757; a soldier in the Revolution; m. Nancy Bridger; d. in Gallia Co., O., July 3, 1835, bur. Bethel Ch. Cem.; eight ch.
ii John Switzer; b. 1759; m. Rebecca Fry, daughter of Joseph Fry and Ann, who may be his second wife, for Elizabeth Hotsenpelar, (No. 4, ii) daughter of John Sr. married a Joseph Fry, and both these Josephs are reputed to be the sons of the pioneer Benjamin Fry; d. Gallia Co, O, Aug. 20, 1844, bur. Bethel Ch. Cem.; 12 ch, of whom: i, Mary, m. Geo. W. Livesay (see No. 180), and ix, Valentine, executor of the will of his cousin Abraham (No. 16), whose son Robt. M. Switzer wrote a pamphlet, Genealogy of the Switzers.
iii Abraham Switzer; b. Apr. 4, 1767; m. Elizabeth Grant; d. near Crawfordsville, Ind, Jan. 12, 1838; nine ch.
iv Peter Switzer; b. May 9, 1769; served in War of 1812; m. his 1st cousin, Mary Ann Hoover, Oct. 24, 1794 (No. 1, vii), b. May 4, 1774, d. Nov. 26, 1848; d. Nov. 14, 1844, in Ind.; 10 ch.
v Henry Switzer; d. bef. 1809; survived by widow and children, who received his legacy.
vi Valentine Switzer.
vii Nicholas Switzer, b. 1772; “incompetent” and cared for by his brother Philip and nephew Valentine until death, Aug. 10, 1839.
viii “Cathrene” Switzer; bequeathed a clock “for her trouble” in caring for father.
(For further information about the Switzers consult Genealogy of the Switzers, by R. M. Switzer.)
