The Bloss family, whose descendants &e especially numerous in Lehigh and in Carbon counties, trace their ancestry to the progenitor, Conrad Bloss,who emigrated from southern Germany. He sailed from Rotterdam on the ship Francis and Elizabeth, commanded by Capt. Geor. Worth, and landed at Philadelphia Sept 21, 1742. Besides Conrad Bloss, we have record of the following coming to America and landing at Philadelphia.

Geo. Conrad Bloss, ship Lydia, John Randolph Capt. From Rotterdam, qualified Oct 13, 1749.

Jacob Bloss, ship Two Brothers, Thomas Arnt Capt., from Rotterdam, qualified Aug 28, 1750.

Michael Blaass, ship Neptune, Geo. Smith, Capt. from Rotterdam, last from Gosport, qualified Oct 7, 1755.

Peter Blaas, ship Chance, Charles Smith, Capt.,from Rotterdam, last from Cowes, qualified Sept 23, 1766.

It is not known what relationship existed, if any, between Conrad Bloss and each of the four persons just mentioned; doubtless some kinship did exist. Nor do we know up to the present time of living descendants from any one of them except from Conrad Bloss. Conrad Bloss, a weaver by trade, settled in Washington township, this county, then Heidelberg township, Northampton County. The exact time is not known, but as early as Oct 4, 1749, he took out a warrant for twenty-five acres of land in Bucks County. On May 20, 1750, he took out a warrant for a tract of fifty-six acres and thirteen perches called "Issenberg"; on May 9, 1765, he purchased from John Engel Thomas a tract called "Manheim" which was taken out by a warrant dated Oct 19, 1757, for 139 acres; on April 9, 1767, he purchased from the Heirs of Jacob Shellhammer, a tract called "Berlin" of fifty-eight acres. The last three tracts we embraced in a patent that was granted April 10, 1767, to Conrad Bloss, by Thomas Penn and Richard Penn. On Aug. 25, 1765, he made application for twenty-five acres and in pursuance of warrant No 623 dated Aug. 14, 1766, a tract of twenty-five acres and fifty perches called Schwabenstadt.

Another warrant was taken out for twenty-eight acres and thirty-two perches on Aug. 14, 1766. The total land he owned amounted to 331 acres and ninety-five perches. In the Propritary Tax list of 1772, Conrad Bloss, farmer, is assessed one pound and four shillings. The first official act in recognition of Heidelberg as a township was made at the October term of court 1752, when Conrad Bloss was appointed constable for it. On August 6, 1776, Conrad Bloss was a member of Capt. Nicholas Kern's company, in camp at Perth Amboy, N. J. which composed part of the flying Camp of Ten Thousand men commanded by Col. Hart in the Battle of Long Island. This was the Third company in the First Battalion were either killed or wounded in the engagement with the British on Long Island, Aug 27, 1776. Doubtless Conrad Bloss lost his life in this battle as we find no trace of him after this date.

The Heidelberg Reformed Church records in 1781, record his wife, Anna Magdalena, as a widow, who acted sponsor for her granddaughter, of the same name, a child of her son John George Bloss. The Federal Census of 1790 record "Lanah Plose" as a widow in Heidelberg Township. In the history of Heidelberg Church by Rev. William Helfrich, he mentions Conrad Bloss and George Bloss as heads of families who helped to build the second church. Magdalena Bloss lived with her son-in-law Peter Seidel, five years prior to her death, which occurred in 1803, having attained the age of about 77 years. Doubtless she is buried on the old cemetery adjoining Heidelberg church, although no trace is found of her. Peter Seidel was appointed administrator of her estate, Aug 8, 1803. Conrad and Magdalena Bloss had at least eight children, viz: John George, Susanna, Eva Elizabeth, Daniel, Peter, Henry, Sonia (?) and Conrad.