Samuel Betzner^{[1, 2]}

1738 - 1813  (75 years)

• Name	Samuel Betzner
  Born	1738	Merspurg, Wurtenburg, Germany   [3, 4]
  Gender	Male
  Birth	Nottenburg, , Germany   [4]
  Died	1813	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4, 5]
  Land	Bef 1831	Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 11, Waterloo County, Ontario   [6]
  Land	Bef 1831	Waterloo Township - Beasley's Broken Front Lot 12, Waterloo County, Ontario   [6]
  Eby ID Number	00006-0910
  Buried	Doon Pioneer Tower Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  Person ID	I7997	Generations
  Last Modified	28 Jan 2025

  
  

  Family	Maria Detweiler,   b. 1744, Of, Franklin Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 1806, Near Blair, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 62 years)
  Children	1. Jacob Betzner,   b. 1769, Franklin Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. Bef 1800, Franklin Co., Pennsylvania  (Age < 30 years)   2. Samuel D. Betzner,   b. 1 Mar 1771, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 10 Aug 1856, Flamboro West Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario  (Age 85 years)   3. Elizabeth Betzner,   b. Abt 1773, Of, Pennsylvania ,   d. Yes, date unknown   4. Barbara Betzner,   b. 29 Jul 1778, , Franklin Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 19 Sep 1874, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 96 years)   5. Johannes "John" Betzner,   b. 7 May 1783, , Pennsylvania, USA ,   d. 3 Nov 1852, Opposite Doon, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 69 years)
  Last Modified	29 Jan 2025
  Family ID	F2387	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Samuel Betzner grave Pioneer Tower, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

  
  

• Notes

  Samuel Betzner, "the old progenitor of this highly respectable family, was born near the little village of Merspurg, situated on Lake Constance, about eight miles north-east of the city of Constance in the kingdom of Wurtenburg, Germany, in 1738. His parental residence was a humble cottage situated about a mile from Merspurg, and his parents were plain, honest wage-earners, and members of the German Reformed Church. When Samuel was about three years of age he had the misfortune of losing his father, and in less than a year hereafter his mother died, thus leaving him an orphan at the age of four years. * A kind and tender-hearted neighbour in whose service the lad's parents had been for many years, being animated to sympathy for the poor orphan, adopted him as his own son. Being naturally of a bright mind, young Samuel availed himself of the opportunity thus afforded him and he soon became a favourite among his friends and neighbours. He had so well gained the love and esteem of his foster-parents that they had him appointed sole heir to all their large estate worth thousands of dollars. All went well until Samuel was about sixteen years of age, when an heir was born unto his foster-parents. After this young heir had made his appearance in the family, it became evident to Samuel that sooner or later his lot would prove to be something like young Ismael's, however he did not wait until the pitcher of water was handed to him, he left for America when seventeen years of age. He arrived at Philadelphia in 1755 and settled in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. It is said that he made the journey from Philadelphia to Franklin County on foot and that he slept in barns or on straw in the fields whenever night overtook him. Mr. Betzner was subjected to many severe trials, partly arising from the military operations then harassing the country and partly from his former co-religionists in forsaking the German Reformed Church and joining that of the River Brethren (Dunkards), but all these trials were endured with patience. He was of a cheerful disposition and engaging manners. In social conversation he was pleasingly instructive. His only aim in this life seems to have been to prepare to meet his God in the world to come. This good old man was married to Maria Detweiler who was born in 1744, and died near Blair, Ontario in 1806. In 1800 he and his wife, in company with John Christian Reichart, moved to Canada. Old Mr. Betzner settled on the Grand River, opposite Doon, his farm adjoining that of old Joseph Schörg. Here he resided until his death which took place in 1813. They had quite a family. We know of five children" Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.]. * Handed to us as traditional by the older members of the family. The report is no doubt true as all members of the family have the same story

  
  

• Sources

  [S10] Book - Vol II A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other townships of the county : being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin..., 231. [S10] Book - Vol II A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other townships of the county : being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin..., 158. [S3] Book - Vol I A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other townships of the county : being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin..., 239. [S2378] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Doon Pioneer Tower. BETZNER/ Samuel BETZNER/ 1738-1813/ Born/ Nottenburg, Germany/ Emigrated to America 1755/ Moved to Canada 1800 on Grand River/ Opposite Doon/ Original forefather of/ Betzner family in America/ Devout Christian/ His wife/ Maria DETWEILER/ Died 1806 [S3] Book - Vol I A Biographical History of Waterloo Township and other townships of the county : being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin..., 240. [S1322] Land - Founding Families of Waterloo Township 1800-1830, 12.

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - - Nottenburg, , Germany Died - 1813 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Doon Pioneer Tower Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth