BEISSEL, JQHANN CQNRAD , b. Eberbach, Baden, Germany, Apr. 1690; arriv. Boston, Mass., 1720; Germantown, Pa., Fall of 1720; Qrd. Conestoga (Lancaster) Pa., Dec. 1724; sett. East Lampeter (Lane.) Pa., Mill Creek Chh., at Bird-in-Hand, 1721-1733; Cocalico (Lane.) Pa., Conestoga Chh., 1724-1729; Ephrata (Lane.) Pa., Germ. Bapt. Chloister, 1728-1768; on becoming a Dunkard he called himself "Friedsam Gottrecht"; founder of the Society at Ephrata; hymn-writer; Tunker or 7th Day Bapt.; d. Ephrata, Pa., 6 July 1768, a. 77