The Hazelbakers of Vermillion County Illinois had their most recent of a long string of family reunions earlier this month. It was a special event to celebrate the 250th birth year of their family patriarch, Peter Hasselbacher/ Hazelbaker. If you have looked at these pages, you will know the story of the 18 year-old Hasselbacher boy from Münchsteinach who was conscripted by his Margrave to fight for the British in the American Revolutionary War. Family legend and secondary sources tell of his remaining behind and moving from Virginia (where he was captured and held) to Pennsylvania where he sired the largest discrete Hasselbacher family line of which I am aware.
Mark Hazelbaker (who has contributed to these pages) and his cousins John and Tammy Hazelbaker organized a wonderful reunion picnic for well over 100 persons. On the evening before, a family history night was held at which Craig Hazelbaker (also a contributer) and I gave presentations related to the family history. In honor of Peter the Elder, I focussed on events in his family life in Germany and before he moved to Pennsylvania. Craig and I were both made to feel very welcome. (more…)