Notes:

In The Mennonites of America by C. Henry Smith, pubished 1909:

"The settlers (in PA) from 1711 to 1717 came as individuals and in small groups. But in the later year there was another wave of immigration including many of those who had been exiled from Berne in 1710 and 1711. These refugees, as we saw, were scattered throughout the Palatinate and other parts of Germany. they were never in prospersous circumstances. The country was wasted by wars. The churches were poor. They hac to gain a livelihood as best they could, often by the help of their brethren in the Netherlands. At the same time came a special invitation from King George I to settle the lands west of the Alleghanies. Consequently, in February of 1717 a number of elders met at Mannheim and decided to emigrate to Pennsylvania. The Committee on Foreign Needs which had been organized some time before at Amsterdam for the purpose of helping their needy brethren in the Palatinate, and to whom these exiles now applied for assistance, discouraged the movement due to fear that they would be pressed for more

The Mennonite settlement occupied at this time the southern half of what was then Conestoga Township. the northern part of the township was composed largely of Scotch-Irish and English. Most of Lancaster County was, as a result, mostly a Mennonite community. In the first list of tax payers taken in 1718, there was included the names of Jacob Landes, Felix Landes, and Jacob Landes Jr.

These early ships bearing the settlers arrived usually in the fall during the months of August, September, and October."

Three brothers, Felix, Jacob and John Landis were driven by persecution from Mannheim on the Rhine in Baden Wurttemberg, from whence they emigrated in 1717 to district Old Chester (now Lancaster) Co, PA, received a patent for 400 acres there in Creek near Witmer's Bridge (now East Lampeter): of Lampeter twp 1737. Mennonites. John settled in Bucks Co, PA but Felix and Jacob remained in Lancaster Co, PA.

Records in the Register's Office in Lancaster evidence the fact the Foelix Landis purchased two 400 acre tracts from the London Company under dates of February 19 and 20, 1718. He paid 75 pounds for the land. Felix sold 200 acres of the land to his son in law, Johannes Binkley, and his daughter Barbara for 100 pounds.

1929 Naturalized (Ref: Best Swiss Origins p 22.)

1723-From the book "East Lampeter Township" on page 893 is the following:

"Felix Landis was an old patentee under the London Company, having acquired four hundred acres of land by patent in 1723. He granted part of this property to John Binckle, as then written who appears to have been a relative. John Binckely died intestate in 1757, leaving three sons, Felix, Henry and Christian Binckley. At the divisiion of the property Felix Binckley took the water right and land adjoining, and in 1767 built the mill. Felix died in this county, and as there are many graves of Binckleys at Mellinger's graveyard, it is fair to suppose that he was buried there also, although no stone bearing his name can be found. After the death of Felix Binckley his immediate family moved to Dauphin County and bought a farm at the junction of the Swartara and Spring Run, where their descendants still reside. This property remained in a collateral branch of the family for some time after the movement of the family of Felix, the builder of the mill. there is a stone dwelling house upon this mill property,

1731- From the book History of Lancaster County, PA by Ellis and Evans in 1883, pgs 899-900. "Graff's Mill. Felix Landis, in 1719, received a patent from the sons of Penn, Proprietors of the province, for four hundred acres of land situated on a branch of Conestoga River, county of Chester, (note that in 1719 the land around Lancaster, PA was in Chester Co., that land did not become Lancaster Co., until 1727.) This land was on Mill Creek, farther south than the tract of Boughwalter, and separated from it by the tract of Michael Danner. In 1731 he transferred part of this tract to John Binkley, also a Palatine, who died intestate in 1760, and his son, Felix Binkley, took one hundred and thirteen acres and ninety-six perches at the settlement of the estate and in 1767 built the mill at Millport, on Mill Creek. This mill remained, as far as can be learned, in the hands of the Binkley family, but not the immediate descendants of Felix, SR., until about the year 1820, when John Binkley sold it to Jacob Ch

There are some apparent errors in the above description as John Binkley died in 1749 with a will.

Will of Felix Landis, born 1672 and died April, 1739.

In the name of God Amen: I, Felix Landis, of the Township of Lancaster, in the County of Lancaster, in the Province of Pennsylvania, yeoman, being of perfect memory and sound judgment, thanks be to God for it, but weak and frail, and being satisfied to settle my affairs before it shall please God to call me hence. I do hereby give my soul to God who gave it to me, and my body to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my executors hereinafter nominated and: Item, I do leave and bequeath to my beloved wife, Rosina, One full third of all my real and personal estate that I shall die possessed of, Item, I do leave and bequeath unto Abraham Miers, the sum of five shillings currance to be paid immediately after my decease by my executors hereinafter nominated in full of all demands he shall or may have against my estate, real or personal, for or on account of being married to my daughter, Fronicka, Item, I leave and bequeath all the residue and remainder of my estate to my only son, Felix, to be u

Felix's land was next to that of Jacob Landis, his brother.

Felix married WITNER Rosina in 1705 in Alsace, Germany. Rosina was born in ABT. 1675 in Germany or Switzerland; died in AFT. 1739 in Lancaster County, PA; was buried in Mellinger Cem, Lampeter Twp, Lancaster Co, PA. [Group Sheet]

1. LANDIS Fronica was born in ABT. 1706.
2. LANDIS Barbara was born in ABT. 1707 in Germany; died in ABT. 1749 in Lancaster County, PA.
3. LANDIS Felix was born in 1708 in Alsace, Germany; died on 25 Jan 1770 in Lancaster County, PA.
4. LANDIS Anna was born in ABT. 1710.

Hans married SONRETER Maria in ABT. 1665 in Switzerland. Maria was born in ABT. 1635 in Switzerland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Imprisoned at Othenbach, he was not given anything to eat for many days, so that even some criminals that were confined near him in another place, took pity on him and managed to get some food to him...But when the doorkeeper perceived this, he was put into another prison. Finally, however, they gave him some food: but he was so impaired in his body that he could not bear food any more. Yet in his greatest distress he was carried to church, during the sermon, where he, O dreadful inhumanity! was thrown under a bench; but he soon after gave up the ghost, which he had commended into the hands of God.

His wife Adelheid Egli, who was also imprisoned in Othenbach, was kept there almost four years...she afterwards, with a good conscience, escaped from her bonds. But in the meantime the authorities had broken up their family, put out the children among strangers, and then sold house and furniture.

Felix was an Anabaptist minister at Horgenberg, Switzerland.

Felix had been married 3 times, first to Margareth Streler, then to Magdalene Hess, then to Adelheid Egli. It is assumed that his first 2 wives predeceased him.

Felix married EGLI Adelheid in ABT. 1625 in Switzerland. Adelheid (daughter of EGLI Uli and BANWART Anna) was born in ABT. 1590 in Fischenthal, Switzerland; died in 1646 in Zurich, Switzerland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Adelheid was also imprisoned in Orthenbach, for nearly four years. During this period they treated her not only unmercifully, but disgracefully: they threw her into several offensive places, stripped her twice in irons, and for a time took her clothes from her every night. She afterwards escaped from prison with a good consicinece.Meantime, authorities dispersed her family, drove the children among strangers, and then confiscated her house and furniture, and sold them for 5000 florins. From Martyr's Mirror.

Notes:

In January 1613 a new mandate was issued against the Anabaptists, which was largely a repetition of that of 1585. On the basis of this mandate attempts were first made to win over the anabaptist peacefully through disputations or conversations. At the first disputation, which took place at Wadenswil on Jan. 26, the Zurich Burgermeister Rahn, aided by J.J. Breitinger, pastor at St. Peter's in Zurich, soon to be the leader of the the Zurich church, represented Qurich, while the elders HANS LANDIS and Rudolph Bachmann and a preacher Galatz represented the Anabaptsts. The meeting was fruitless. There was a second disputation but it was also fruitless. At last extreme measures were taken. Six Anabaptist leaders from Wadenswil and Horgen were arrested, among them HANS LANDIS, who finally was executed the following year as the last Anabaptist martyr in Zurich. The Ausbund (from 1655 on ) contains a hymn of 47 verses abut him.

Hans Landis, "a pious witness of the Divine truth", was a pietist, or mennonite, preacher, who resided on the Swiss Rhine and ministered to those who were seeking after righteousness. The Council of Zurich ordered his arrest hoping thus to stop his teachings. The good man "was taken prisoner by his enemies and sent in irons from Zurich to the Papists at Solothurn." He was liberated on this occasion, but was retaken and sent to Zurich, where he was rigorously examined as to his doctrines and condemned to death: and, in September, 1614, he was beheaded with a sword.

A letter written by a preacher of Zurich, dated July 19-29, 1659, describes the person and character of Hans Landis and the manner of his execution.

"Havavier Salr, was present at the decapitation of Hans Landis, which circumstance is still fresh in my memory, having witnessed it at the Wolfs-statt, and the whole transaction seems as vivid to me now as though it had transpired but a few weeks ago." In the sequel he describes his person and the manner of his death as follows: "Hans Landis was tall of stature, had a long black beard, a little gray, and a masculine voice. Being led out cheerfully with a rope, to Wolfs-statt the place of decollation, the executioner, Mr. Paul Volmar, let the rope fall, raised both hands to heaven, and said: O! God of mercy, to thee be it complained, that you, Hans have fallen into my hands: for God's sake forgive me for what I must do to you. Hans consoled the executioner, saying: I have already forgiven you, may God forgive you also: I am well aware that you must execute the sentence of the magistracy, be undismayed and see that nothing hinders you in this matter. Whereupon he was beheaded. The people were of the op

The following, from credible witnesses may be added, namely; that when the oft-mentioned Hans Landis was awaiting his doom at the place of execution, his wife and child came to him with tears and lamentation, to bid him a last farewell. But when he saw them he entreated them to depart, so that his resolution to meet his impending fate might not be shaken, and his tranquiltiy of mind disturbed by tears and sorrowing. This done, and having commended his soul to God, a stroke of the sword put a speedy termination to his life."

Although Hans Landis was the last person in that vicinity to be beheaded for religious convictions, persecutions did not cease with his death.

About 1660 or thereabouts, the Landis family took refuge in Germany, some settling in Zwieburg and Alsace, others locating in the neighborhood of Strasburg, while still others found a home in Manheim where, like the Palentines, they became cultivators of the soil. the first mention of the family in the Palantinate occurred on 2 March 1661, when a group of 50 persons was surprised at an evening meeting at Steinsfurt near Sinsheim on the Elsenz, they were heavily fined. Among them were Hans Landes of Rohrbach, his son Rudolf Landes of Weiler, and his mother and sister. In the 18th century there were Mennonite members of the Landes family in the Palatinate at Steinsfurt, Zuzenhausen, Schatthausen, Richen, Bockschaft, Kirschgartschausen, Ibersheim, Heppenheim, and Herrnsheim.

After the execution of Hans Landis the Zurich council decided to confiscate Anabaptist property without respite. On 22 October 1614, it ordered the confiscation of the property of exiles. The property left by Hans Landis was indeed promised to his wife and children on 23 February 1615, but only on the condition that they join the state church within two weeks. Otherwise they could expect only exile and loss of property. Since the sorely tried widow could not make such a promise she was "laid in bonds" on 24 May. The Reformed preacher tried to win her to his church in prison. It is not known how long she was held. Her children were at first intimidated, but finally most of them decided to stay with the Swiss Brethren. The government then confiscated the property and put dependent members of the family among strangers. About 1640 the property of Rudolf, Hans and Felix Landis, all sons of the martyr, was sold.

The oldest Landis homestead is located in Hirzel, built aboud 1488, and still in the hands of Landis descendants.

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Excerpted from the Martyr's Mirror, Thieleman J. Van Braght, 1659
(The researcher is a multiple descendant of Hans Landis.)
HANS LANDIS, A. D. 1614


That the bloody constraint or dominion over the consciences of men still obtains, is a sad thing, and especially is it to be deplored, that those who boast of being, more than others, followers of the defenseless Lamb, have not more the nature of the lamb, but much rather that of wolves in them. It certainly cannot stand as an excuse, that such a course is conducive to the maintenance of purity of the church; but it appears to be a hot zeal to weed out the tares (or what they judge to be tares); whereas the servants of the lord, when their zeal urged them to root out the tares, did not venture to do it; but asked permission, and when they were forbidden to do it, they forbore. If these would also ask, or examine the law book of their Lord, they would find there, that the Shepherd does not teach His flock to devour, but sends them as sheep among wolves; that it is also not His will, that the erring should be destroyed, but that they should be guided into the true way; and that He also does not desire t


When the council at Zurich learned of this, they, instigated by the disposition of the envious scribes and Pharisees, could not tolerate this, but instantly caused it to be forbidden him, as though they had thought thereby to hinder the true progress of the word of the Gospel. But he, who knew with Peter, that we must obey God's commands more than the commandments of men, had such love to the truth, and to the young sucklings on Zion's breasts, that no human threats could induce him to forbear feeding them with the true food of the soul. Hence the enviers of the same apprehended him, and sent him ironed from Zurich to Solothurm, to the papists, expecting that he should forthwith be sent to sea or upon the galleys; but through the help of good- hearted people he was there released; but subsequently apprehended again and taken to Zurich, where he was rigorously examined concerning his doctrine, and when he would in no wise desist from his godly purpose or from his faith, they showed in him, that their d

In this they evinced their old nature of Pharisees; who, when they condemned to death the innocent Lamb, the Saviour of us all, did not say that it was for His virtuous doctrine by which He converted man to God, but that He had to die for His blasphemy. And this is the nature of all tyrants, to heap upon the innocent, besides sufferings and death, also false accusations. But when the last day of judgment shall come, when they must also expect and shall receive a sentence for their inconsiderate sentences, and shall lament in amazement: "Behold these whom we once had in derision, and a proverb of reproach, how are they now exalted"; then they shall too late repent of their wicked course, and lament it forever with gnashing of teeth.

But on the other hand, this pious martyr and witness of God, and all the righteous that are still under the altar and wait for the fulfillment of the number of their brethren who shall also make their robes white in the blood of the Lamb, shall receive a glorious reward, and shall then together, in shining raiment, with great boldness, as valiant heroes and confessors of Christ, with the wise virgins, be admitted by the Bridegroom to His marriage, where they shall enjoy eternal happiness, and possess the kingdom of the Father, prepared for them from the beginning. Amen.


FURTHER OBSERVATIONS TOUCHING THE PERSON AND DEATH OF HANS LANDIS


Having through our good friends B. Louwr and H. Vlaming come into possession of a certain extract from a letter dated, A. D. 1659, July 19-29, from one of the preachers at Zurich, who witnessed the death of the afore-mentioned martyr, we have deemed it well to add it here, that is, as much of it as is necessary to be given here for fuller information.

"Further you remember," he writes, "that Hattavier Salr. witnessed the beheading of Hans Landis, which I also still remember well, having seen it myself in the Wolfsstadt, the whole transaction being as fresh in my recollection, as though it had happened but a few weeks ago.

Continuing, he speaks of his personal appearance and the manner of his death, saying.

"Hans Landis was a tall, stately person, with a long black and gray beard, and a manful voice.

"When he, cheerful and of good courage, was led out, by a rope, to the Wolfsstadt (being the place made ready for his execution), the executioner, Mr. Paull Volmar dropped the rope, and lifting up both of his hands to heaven, spoke these words: 'O that God, to whom I make my complaint, might have compassion; that you, Hans, have come into my hands in this manner; forgive me, for God's sake, that which I must do to you."

"Hans Landis comforted the executioner, saying that he had already forgiven him: God would forgive him, too; he well knew that he had to execute the order of the authorities; he should not be afraid, and see that there was no hindrance in his way.

"Thereupon he was beheaded. After his head 4 been struck off, the executioner asked: 'Lord bailiff of the Empire, have I executed this man rightly according to imperial law and sentence?' Otherwise it was customary to say: 'This poor fellow,' etc. As though he believed that he died saved and rich.

"The people were of the opinion, that the executioner by dropping the rope meant to indicate to Hans that he should run away, it was also generally said: that if he had run away, no one would have lowed him, to stop him." So far the aforementioned extract.

Further Statement.-It is also appropriate to give here what has been stated to us through credible testimony, namely, that when the aforementioned Hans Landis was standing in the place of execution, to be put to death, his dear wife and children came to him with mournful crying and lamentation, to take a last and final adieu and leave from him. But when he saw them, he requested them to go away from him, in order that his good resolution and tranquillity of heart for the death awaiting him might not be disturbed or taken away their weeping and grief; which having been done, and he having commended his soul into the hands of God, the quickly descending stroke of the sword put an end to his life.

Hattavier mentioned in the Martrys' Mirror on page 1104 as a witness of the execution of Hans Landis is Izak Hattavier, a Protestant merchant of Amsterdaym, who had some sympathy for the Anabaptists.

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In Mennonites in Europe, Vol 1, Mennonite Publishing House, 1942, pg 67:

As an effort "to win the Anabaptists from their erroneous ways," the Council of Zurich arranged for a debate with them. The debate was held in Wadenswyl, on January 26, 1613, and was attended by fifteen Brethren (Anabaptists) including Hans Landis of Horgerberg. In the course of the discussions they were asked to render obedience to the Council. They in turn begged the Council to grant them liberty of conscience; in all things that are not contrary to their conscience, they said, they would be willingly obedient. Hans Landis made the statement that often persons came to him weeping and asking to be baptized. Shortly after this debate six Brethren were sentenced to the galleys. Three of them vacillated and yielded, the remaining three, among them Hans Landis, were delivered to the French ambassador in Solothurn. These three men escaped from prison at night, by the assistance of Bernese Brethren. They were let down from the city walls by ropes.

Hans Landis was again seized about a year later, and condemned to death. He was beheaded on September 29, 1614, in Zurich. While he was being led to the place of execution he was composed and calm. The executioner, who was personally acquainteded with him, was in great distress. He lifted up his hands to heaven and exclaimed, "God have mercy! I make lamentation to Him that you, Hands, have come into my hands in such a way. Forgive me for God's sake that which I must do to you." Forgiveness was granted, and Hands Landis died "a hero of the faith"--the last martyr of the Brethren in Switzerland.

The Historic Background and Annals of the Swiss and German Pioneer Settlers of South-eastern Pennsylvania: Hans Landis, who in 1614, against the prohibition of the government preached before large meetings in forest and field, baptized and solemnized marriages. He was, for that reason, taken prisoner and as he would not promise to cease such activities in the future, condemned to six years punishment on the galleys of Venice, but escaped. He returned to Switzerland and was soon recaptured and behaded on Sept 29, 1614.

Mennonite Encyclopedia, Volume 111, 1957:

Landis, Hans. A Swiss Brethren martyr, a preacher from Wadenswil in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland, was imprisoned in the Wellenberg in 1608; after a few months his fellow prisoners managed to release him from the chains, and all escaped. The others were soon captured, but Hans reached his native village. Another attempt was made to indoctrinate the Anabaptists to win them to the state church. On Jan. 21, 1613, the first disputation of the government with them took place at Wadenswil. It was fruitless, as was also the second one, held Feb. 23. Thereupon, Hans Landis was again put in prison with five other Brethren. In early August negotiations were begun. Landis remained "stiff-necked." He refused to emigrate, saying that the earth was the Lord's; no one had authority to send them away out of the country; they were going to stay in the country.

On Aug. 25, 1613, all six brethren were condemned to galley service and were to be delivered to the French minister at Soluthrun on the next day. Once more they were given permission to emigrate, with a week's time to decide. Three wavered and consented; the others encouraged Landis to be faithful. These three (Hans Landis, Galli Fuchs, and Stephan Zehnder) were taken to Soluthrun and lodged in prison to await transport. In three days they escaped.

In December 1613 Hands Landis, having returned to minister to his flock, was again seized. In prison he wrote to his church and his friend. He asked his wife for the Doms-buchli (the Confessio of the martyr Thomas von Imbroich, q.v.). He was questioned on the rack. On sept. 29, 1614, he was sentenced to death and was beheaded the next day. This was the last Anabaptist execution in Zurich.

In a statistical anylysis of the execution of Anabaptists by Claus-Peter Clasen, only one Anabaptist (Hans Landis) was executed in Switzerland in the years 1610-1618, and only one in the years 1590-1599.







Data Migrated to GYNZER

Hans married HOCHSTRASSER Barbara Margaretha in ABT. 1578 in Switzerland. Barbara was born in ABT. 1555; died in ABT. 1642 in Switzerland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

There were either two sisters named Barbara and Margaretha Hochstrasser that Hans married in succession, or the same woman had both names. It is not clear if he had two spouses or one.

Archives in Zurich contain the following document: "In the matter of the widow of the beheaded Hans Landis and their children of Horgenberg. Confiscation of the household of Hans Landis...When the head governors of Horgan met with Margaretha Hochstrasser, the widow of the late Hannsen Landis of the Horgenberg, after long imprisonment (they) admonished her to leave her beliefs and return to the church. Although these men spoke kindly and gently with her, she would not reconsider...It is to be considered what to do. She cannot be talked to or interviewed. She will not be converted and it would not be good to let her stay single. That is why she shall be taken to the Spital (hospital) in the death room and bound and only the most necessary provisions given. No one will be allowed to speak to her or enter the room, in hopes that she may in this wise be listening and converted." Sources for this information: date: Abt 1554 (Ref: Bittinger LANDIS p 29)

Uli married BANWART Anna on 2 May 1591 in Fischenthal, Zurich, Switzerland. Anna was born in ABT. 1569 in Switzerland. [Group Sheet]