The Masts fled from Canton Bern, Switzerland, to the Alsace area of France and then to the Palatinate area of Germany because of religious persecution. Jacob with brothers Joseph and Christian landed in Philadelphia arriving on the ship “Charming Nancy” on October 8, 1737. Their last name was spelled "Masht" on the ship list. Jacob owned 80 acres of land near Bernville in Berks Co., PA.