Remember that Mathias, his siblings and cousins lived through the Revolution. The Hessian Soldiers (German mercenaries hired by the British) were used in America to suppress the colonists. As a result, anyone with a German sounding name was under suspicion. As a result, the Germans who were not a part of the Hessians (and even some who were, but preferred to stay in America), changed their German names to something that was a little more Americanized. Hauschildt, usually to Housel. Oberholtzer eventually to Overholt or other variations. Other ethnic minorities also changed their names to fit in better with the local population.

So with this in mind, I too would like to be walked through the proof that leads from Kasper Hauschildt, through Jacob, and on to Matthias Housel and his siblings.