ossert

Family Origin and Deepest Root

The oldest confirmed Bossert ancestor is Jacob Bossert, who lived in Greenwich Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.  According to one researcher, he might be the same person as the Hans Jageli Bossert born January 10, 1695, in Turbenthal, Zurich, Switzerland to Hans and Elisabeth (Schneider) Bossert.  (Jageli is a variant form of Jacob.)

Immigrant Ancestors

Jacob Bossert arrived at Philadelphia on the ship Mercury on May 29, 1735.  With him were at least three children: Elizabeth, Rudolph, and Anna.  Their mother, Jacob’s wife, had apparently died before they arrived, perhaps in Europe.  In all, there were eight Bosserts (spelled either Bossart or Possart) on board the  Mercury.

Jacob Bossart age 40

Balthasar Bossart age 30

Elizabeth Possart age 17

Rudolph Possart age 10

Caspar Possart age 10

Anna Possart age 6

Hendryk Possart age 3

Rudolph Possart age 2

Balthasar might have been a brother of Jacob, and one of the two Rudolphs was probably his son.  Caspar and Hendryk could have been sons of either.

Family History

Jacob Bossert raised a family in Greenwich Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.  Very little else is known about the Bossert family at this time.

Name Origin

The name has also been spelled Bossart, Possart, and Possart.  The meaning and origin of the Bossert name, with any spelling, is unknown.