Name spelled Traxel or Drachsel

Peter Troxell. who was born in Switzerland about 1691, emigrated to America in the ship Samuel, and arrived at Philadelphia. Aug. 17, 1733, with his wife. Juliana Catharine, aged 30 and two sons. Peter, aged nine and Daniel, aged seven. He settled at Egypt, Whitehall Township, where his son, David was baptized on Sept. 23, 1734. In 1736, when his son John was baptized, he referred to a church censor of the congregation. In 1737, he was deacon and his name appears in the Egypt Reformed Church records until 1744.

On November 10, 1743, he purchased from Caspar Wistar two t4racts of one hundred acres each on the Jordan River, for which a bill of sale had been made in 1742. Here he built a stone house, 30 x 21 feet in the year 1744, which is still standing and is the oldest house in Lehigh County. When the large hearth was removed some years ago, the mantelpiece was found to contain the figures 1744. In this old building, now owned by Minnich family, travelers were entertained in the early days. The house stands near the Jordan Creek, east of Troxeil's Crossing, on the electric road from Allentown to Slatington.

Peter Troxell mortgaged these tracts on Jan 12, 1754, to Lynford Lamer for £294. The house is mentioned in the mortgage and the land is described as "situated on a branch of Lehi Creek, called Indian Creek." Peter Troxell was naturalized April 10. 1742, and secured additional land, in all over five hundred acres. After removing from Egypt he became a member of the Jordan Reformed congregation. He and his wife, Juliana Catharine, had a number of children, of whom we have the names of eight.