Family history, Albright

Albright general history

[adapted from Albright Family History, 1727-1977, compiled by Elzora Stetzel Weston; anecdote written by DeWitt William Albright]

            Around 1727, three brothers by the name of Albrecht decided they would like to go to America. They were of a religious sect known as the Dunkards, living in a part of Germany called East Prussia. They left there expecting to get passports and passage to America. However, being of military age (21 or over) and males, they were subject to conscription into the army so were denied passorts in Holland. They were given a choice of changing their name or returning to their country. They changed their name from Albrecht to Albright. They procured passports and passage and, after traveling overseas to the United States, settled in York County, Heidelberg Township, Hanover, Pennsylvania.

            One of the three brothers was the father of Matthiew Matthias Albright, and another was the father of the Rev. Jacob Albright, founder of the Evangelical Association and Seminary (College). Jacob Albright was born near Pottstown, Penn., May 1, 1759, and died May 18, 1808, at Millback Klinefellerville, Lebanon County, Penn. Nothing is known about the third.