In 1717, a Nissley family of five, sailed from Bern, Switzerland for America. In route, the father of the family and his daughter died and were buried at sea. The mother and her two sons, John and Jacob arrived safely in their new homeland. Jacob settled near Lancaster and John, our ancestor, settled on 800 acres near Bainbridge, on the west side of the county. He divided his land among his six sons. But within their lifetimes, they all relocated to other areas. John's son Samuel settled on a farm on the other side of Auction Road in the later 18th century, and became a bishop- in the Mennonite Church. Bishop Samuel had a son Samuel who was a preacher at Erisman Mennonite church, two miles down the road, which is where many of the Nissleys worshipped through the years, and is still an active church today. We were married in that church, as was our daughter. John's parents and some of his relatives still attend there. In 1815 Preacher Samuel built the farm, with which we share the farm lane. Later in his life he built our farm ( the barn in 1858, and the house in 1859) for his son David. Preacher Samuel was our 3rd great-grandfather. The farm has been in the Nissley family since then. We treasure our rich heritage.