Conrad Brinker (Hans Konrad Brungger), was born 05 Mar 1724 in Elsau Parish, Canton, Zurich, Switzerland and immigrated to Philadelphia as a 10 Y/O with his parents, Andreas Brungger and Regula Herter, arriving on the Brigantine "Mary" on 28 Jun 1835. The name "Brungger" was quickly anglicized to "Brinker".

The Brinker family lived in Philadelphia for a short period of time prior to moving to Bucks Co., PA where on 05 Mar 1739 Conrad’s father, Andreas, received a land warrant for fifty acres. It was here, at the age of fifteen, that Conrad lived and began helping his father clear land and build a home and farm until he was twenty years old. The exact date and location are unknown but, some time between June 1744 and 1758, Conrad Brinker married Barbara (__?__), who was born in 1725. In 1761, Conrad and Barbara's second child, Henry Brinker, was born in Frederick Co., VA.

Henry Brinker married Susannah Taylor on 30 Nov 1789 in Shenandoah Co., VA (She was the d/o Charles Taylor of Shenandoah Co., VA). Henry Brinker and his family moved to Lincoln Co., TN before 1810.

The 1830 US Census of Ranges 1 and 2, Madison Co., AL enumerated the household of Susan (Susannah) Brinker (age range 60-69 Y/O). This was most probably the widow of Henry Brinker and the mother of Margaret "Peggy" (Brinker) McLaughlin.

Margaret "Peggy" Brinker, daughter of Henry Brinker, was born on 04 Mar 1796 in VA, She married John McLaughlin on 07 Apr 1815 in Madison Co. AL., [Marriage Book 1, p. 353], (At the time, this was Mississippi Territory and would become part of Alabama on 14 Dec 1819 at statehood).

John McLaughlin was born on 09 Jun 1792 at Washington Co., TN to parents, Alexander Andrew McLaughlin (1769-1840) and Asiah Sarah (Skillman) McLaughlin (1766-1830). John married Margaret Brinker, who was born on 04 Mar 1796 in VA. As a young man, John had traveled throughout the Leeds, AL area trading with the Indians. He soldiered through Cahaba Valley in the Indian Wars (1812-1814) with General John Coffee and was still listed in Captain Gremsley's Company in 1819 just prior to moving to Alabama. He purchased bounty land in the western section of what is now Leeds in 1821. His brother, Alexander, bought the adjoining land the same year. John fought as a member of McAdory's 4th Mounted Alabama Infantry in the Second Creek War (1834-1836) which culminated in the expulsion of the Indians from Alabama. Like other early settlers, John started his farm, built a cabin and returned to Tennessee for Margaret. When they came back to the farm, the deer had devoured the entire corn crop. John and Margaret, after settling in Alabama, raised a large family. NOTE: Of interest, Alexander M. Godwin, the husband of John's 1st cousin, Margaret M. (McLaughlin) Godwin, also fought under General John Coffee in the War of 1812 under similar circumstances. Margaret M. (McLaughlin) Godwin was the daughter of Daniel O. McLaughlin, Sr.

The 1840 US Census of Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of John McLaughlin (age range 40-49 Y/O), actual age 48 Y/O.

The 1850 US Census of Cahaba Valley, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 63 [sic] Y/O John McLaughlin, a farmer born in TN, and his 54 Y/O wife, Margaret (Brinker) McLaughlin, born in VA. Also living in the household were their children, all of whom were born in AL: 27 Y/O Alexander McLaughlin; 21 Y/O Jackson McLaughlin; 17 Y/O Joseph McLaughlin; 15 Y/O daughter, Axy McLaughlin; 14 Y/O James McLaughlin; 12 Y/O Hezekiah McLaughlin; and 11 Y/O Robert McLaughlin.

The 1860 US Census of Cahaba Valley, Jefferson Co., AL enumerated the household of 78 [sic] Y/O John McLaughlin, a farmer born in TN, and his 60 [sic] Y/O wife, Margaret (Brinker) McLaughlin, born in VA. Also living in the household were their children: 24 Y/O James McLaughlin, a teacher; 21 Y/O Hezekiah McLaughlin, a clerk; and 12 Y/O Nancy S. Harrison (relationship unknown).
NOTE: Living next door was the household of 42 Y/O William McLaughlin, a farmer born in AL, and his 30 Y/O wife, Jane, born in AL. There were 7 children living in the household. William McLaughlin was the son of John and Margaret (Brinker) McLaughlin.
NOTE: Living next door to William McLaughlin was the household of 37 Y/O Alexander McLaughlin, a farmer born in AL, and his 28 Y/O wife, Mahala, born in AL. There were 2 children living their household. Alexander McLaughlin was also a son of John McLaughlin.

John McLaughlin died on 25 Jul 1868 at Leeds, Jefferson Co., AL.
Margaret "Peggy" (Brinker) McLaughlin died between 1860-68 at Leeds, Jefferson Co., AL.

Source:
"Leeds...Her Story", Published by History Committee Leeds Bicentennial Commission, Leeds, Alabama, 1979, p56.

Bio by Gresham Farrar.