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This information was gathered by W. Charles Shaffer and his daughter Julia
Shaffer Bair. Her daughter, Sally Bair Belcher, kept the information
together and passed it on to her children. The purpose of the research
was in order to be accepted into the Daughter's of the American Revolution.
Shaffer Lineage
Peter Shafer, 1755-1840 married Catherine Trough, -1844
John Shaffer, 1779-1864 marries Eliza Ann Hood, 1781-
(her parents
were Wm. Hood and ----Bricker)
John Wirsing Shaffer, 1830-1876 married Sarah Ann Hauger, 1834-1900 (her parents: Isaac Hauger, Jr. 1810-1903, Elizabeth Shawley, 1811-1884 married Aug. 24, 1854)
W. Charles Shaffer, 1863-1945 married Hannah J. Metzler, 1865- May 8th 1947 (her parents: Henry Harrison Metzler, 1837-1922, Margaret Grove married December 5, 1880)
Picture to Left: Family portrait on Spring Street, Click on picture for larger version
John Henry Bair, 1878-1973, married Julia Ann Shaffer, 1885-1954 (married Aug. 24, 1905, on her grandparents' wedding date
1. Leonard Gordon Hyle, 1902-1987 married Kathryn Shaffer Bair, 1906- 1995 on October 19, 1929
A. Thomas Ovenshine, 1936- married Elinor Kay Hyle, April 3,1936- on June 7, 1959
(1) Gordon Eugene Ovenshine, 1962- married Kristi Anne, 1964 on October 28, 1988
a. Samuel Ovenshine, 1989-
b. Emily Ovenshine, 1991-
(2) John Thomas Ovenshine, 1962- married Alex, 1961- on April 23, 1988
a. Thomas Ovenshine, 1992-
b. Allisa Ovenshine, 1994-
(3) Sally Anne Ovenshine, 1967- married Scott Dockter, 1967 on June 3, 1989
a. Jack Dockter, 1991-
b. Kathryn Dockter, 1994-
2. Roby Elizabeth (Billie) Bair married Thomas C. Pratt on June 23, 1934
A. T. Gary Pratt (Feb. 23, 1939) married Donna, 1933 on October 18, 1969
(1) Gregg Pratt, 1972
B. Barbara K. Pratt (June 26, 1943) married Harl Evans, 1941- on August 1, 1964
(1) Julie Ann Evans, 1970- married Craig Morris on June 24, 1995
(2) Amy Evans, 1972-
3. Hallie Jane Bair (1921-) married Stewart H. Shute (1917-1977) on December 9, 1944, Hallie Jane Bair married John J. Ketty (1921-), November 2, 1991.
A. William Harry Shute (June 27, 1947-) married Judy Porter, 1948- on December 27, 1968
(1) William H. Shute Jr., 1969-
(2) Jennifer A. Shute, 1972- married Michael Bunt on September 20, 1992
a. Sara Ann Bunt, 1993
b. Michael William Bunt, 1994
B. John (Jack Shaffer Shute (April 9, 1951-1997) married Lindsay Jo Freed, 1952- on October 10, 1976
(1) Christina Shute, 1987-
4. Sally Ann Bair married Guy Newton Belcher, Jr. on December 20, 1947
(a) Thomas Newton Belcher (October 20, 1950)
(b) Gordon Shaffer Belcher (January 7, 1956) married Nancy Lynn Duvall (April 22, 1957) on December 22, 1979
(1) Russell Belcher (February 1, 1985)
(2) Julia Belcher (May 27, 1986)
Media Research Bureau
Lock Box 1547
Washington, D.C.
THE SHAF(F)ERS AND THEIR NAME
The name of S(c)ha(e)f(f)er is said to have been of ancient German origin
but the exact meaning of the name is not certain. It is found on the
ancient German and early American records in the various forms of Schaeffer,
Schaefer, Schaffner, Shaffner, Shaver, Schaffer, Schafer, Shaeffer, Shaefer,
Shaffer, Shafer, and others, most of which are still in more or less general
use, the forms of Shafer, Shaffer, and Schaffer being the most frequently
recurrent.
It is said that the emigration of German families to America in the eighteenth century was largely cused by the wars, revolutions, excessive taxes, and oppression under which Europe, and particularly Germany, labored at that time. Over fifty thousand Germans are claimed to have come over to Pennsylvania in the first quarter of the eighteenth century and innumerable others came at later dates.
One of the first of the members of this family to join the German immigration to the New World was one Casper Schaeffer, who probably came from Palatinate in the English ship "Queen Elizabeth", in 1738 and settled at Philadelphia. He later removed to Stillwater, New Jersey. By his wife Catharine or Maria Catrina Bernhardt he is said to have had at least four children, Peter, Abraham, Isaac, and Margaret.
Peter, eldest son of the emigrant Casper, was married about 1769 to Elizabeth Simpson, by whom he was the father of Anna, Catharine, Mary, Abraham, Alexander, Elizabeth, Isaac, Margaret and Simeon.
Abraham, second son of the emigrant Casper, was married to Sarah Armstrong, Sarah, Casper, Nathan Armstrong, Peter Bernhardt, Ephemia Wright, William A., Margaretta Roy, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Robert Finley.
Issac, youngest son of the emigrant Casper, married Martha Linn in 1786 and their children were the Reverend Joseph Linn, Archibald Stinson, Margaret, and Peter B.
Another early emigrant of this family was Peter Shaffer, who made his home in Western Maryland, probably at Frederick, before 1748. No record has been found, however, of his immediate family.
In latter half of the eighteenth century one Andrew Shafer resided at Sparta, Penn., and in 1794 married Magdalena Gernhardt, by whom he had issue of Elizabeth and Henry. He also had an adopted daughter named Catharine, who was in reality the orphaned neice of his wife.
Henry, only son of the emigrant Andrew, first married Maria Magdalena Kline, by whom he had George, John, Barbara, Anna Magdalena, and Andrew. By his second wife Susanna Kline, a sister of his first wife, he had further issue of a daughter named Angeline and possibly of others as well.
The decendants of these and other branches of the family in America have spread to practically every State of the Union and have aided as much in the growth of the country as their ancestors aided in the founding of the nation. They have been noted for their energy, ambition, industry, thrift, piety, integrity, resourcefulness, perseverance, fortitude, and courage.
Among those of the name who fought as officers in the War of the Revolution were Major George, Lieutenant Peter, and Second Lieutenant George Schaffner, Schaeffer, or Shaffer (all three spellings found on the military records) of Pennsylvania. There were also numerous others in the Maryland forces, including John Shaffer, Adam Schaeffer, and one John Schafer.
Casper, Abraham, Peter, Isaac, John, William, Joseph, Henry, Andrew, George, and Nathan are some of the Christian names most highly favored by the family for its male members.
One of the many members of the family who have distinguished themselves in America in more recent times was Nathan C. Schaeffer of Pennsylvania, noted clergyman and educator, who was born in 1849 and died in 1919.
One of the several coats-of-arms of the ancient and honorable family of S(c)ha(e)f(f)er is described as follows:
Arms. ----"Azure, a bend or, between two mullets of six points argent."
Crest.----"Between two wings expanded argen, a mullet as in the arms."
(Arms taken from "Siebmacher Wappenbuch", Vol. 3, by Ludwig Korn, 1871)
Bibliography.
The above data have been compiled chiefly from the following sources:
Johnson----"Notes and Genealogical Record of the Schaeffer, Shaver, or Shafer Family", 1907.
Gernert----"The Gernhardt Family History", 1904.
Nead------"The Pennsylvania German in the Settlement of Maryland", 1914.
Heitman----"Officers of the Continental Army", 1914. "The Americana", 1932.
Korn-------"Siebmacher Wappenbuch", 1871.
(Copy)
Sept. 5 - 1932.
My dear Charles:--
Peter Shaver or Shaffer or Shafer.
1755-1840.
Peter Shafer, who served with Washington in the Revolutionary War until cessation of hostilities, was born in New Jersey in 1755. In 1807 he moved to Donegal Twp. Pa., where he patented 300 acres of land. He died the Feb. 13., 1840. He was married to Catherine Trough who died 1844.
Peter Shafer was an Ensign of the Penna. Musket Battalion, from March 20, 1776 to the date of leaving the Army which is not known. His battalion was raised in Lancaster Co., Pa. His name was Shaver and sometimes written Shaffer and later Shafer. He was at Valley Forge and served under Gen. Washington.
Reference:--Hist. Of Westmoreland Co., by John W. Jordon, L.L.D.
Vol. 2, Page 22 and D.A.R. papers, National nos. 105893 and 153984.
Heitman's Hist. Register, pages 358, 362. Cyclopedia of Westmoreland Co.,
published by John M. Gresham and Co., Phila., 1890. Hist. Of the County of
Westmoreland, Pa., by George Dallas Albert, 1882.
S.A.R. National no. 39922, Pa., State no. 1549.
"Grandmother died March 1844. Grandfather died 1840. Grandmother's name was Catherine Trough (Trof) before she was married."
Reference:--From a letter written to J.J. Wirsing, Greensburg, Pa., September 8, 1904, by J.S.Shaffer, Kregar, Pa. (Mary Shafer Wirsing and "Jerry" Shaffer's father were sister and brother)
If you have any other data Mrs. Millhoff will be pleased to have it Trust we may see you soon.
With best wishes to all
C.B. Millhoff
646 Franklin St.,
Johnston, Pa.
John Shaffer, son of Peter Shaffer was married to Ann Hood. From this union was John Wirsing Shaffer, later married to Sarah Ann Hauger. From this union was W. Charles Shaffer, later married to Hannah J. Metzler. From this union was Julia Ann Shaffer, now married to John H. Bair, the present petitioner.
Signed and confirmed by W. Charles Shaffer (Father) of Julia Ann Shaffer Bair this tenth day of February, 1934.
Latrobe, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1935. This is copied from the original record as handed down by my Great-Grand Father Peter Shaffer then by my Grand Father John (Dad) Shaffer; then by my father's family John Wirsing Shaffer, my father; the original in the family of Cousin Curtis Johnston's family Iowa. I hereby dedicate this record to the children of W. Charles and Hanah Jane Shaffer.
The former part of this record dates from the landing of Peter Shaffer and his wife from Germany around or near 1755; Peter Shaffer's birth date.
Peter Shaver or Shaffer was born in Germany, his wife's maiden name was Catherine Trough, also born in Germany, they came to Franklin county, Pennsylvania first, then came to Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1806 and bought about three hundred fifty (350) acres of land. They had two sons John and George, and three daughters, Margaret, Procious who with her husband settled Westmoreland County and Mary (Polly Wirsing who settled in same county also Geo. Shaffer went in a bout 1840 to Knox County, Ohio Fredericks P. O.
Walter Jones the youngest of the Jones family went to Denver, Col. Peter Shaver was called Shaver for some years after coming to Westmoreland County, but sometime after the name was changed to Shaffer.
Peter Shaver died in 1840 and his wife Catherine in 1844, and both are buried at Jones Mills in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
Their son John was born in 1786, died November 13, 1863 and married Eliza Hood, April 22, 1819 to them were born eight children, two daughters and six sons.
Peter was born Jan. 18, 1820
Wm. H. (Hood) March 6, 1822
Mary Ann Sept. 10, 1824
Geo. N. (Newton) May 19, 1827
John Wirsing March 6, 1829
Richard G. Dec. 11, 1832
Jeremiah Jan. 1 1837
Elizabeth July 3, 1842
Grand father John Shaffer who died November 13, 1863 is buried in Cemetary
at U.P. Church on Ligonier rod between Stahlstown and Ligonier, also his
wife Eliza.
The children of Peter and Catherine Shaver which were John, George, Margaret, Catherine and Mary were born in Franklin County, Pa.
Wm. Hood and Catherine Felger were married and had two daughters, Mary and Eliza, and five sons, Robert, John, Henry, William and Wm. And Catharine Hood were my great grand parents on my mother's side, he died August 4, 1824 in his 52 year and buried in cemetery at U.P. Church on Ligonier road between Stahlstown and Ligoier,{ then went west to Rock Run, near Freeport, Ill. To live with her daughter Mary Gettemy, and died is buried there. Mary Gettemy was the mother of my second mother, Catharine G. her sister Eliza was the mother of my first mother which made my two mothers cousins.} the las t line pertain to cousin Curtis Johnson, corrected and approved by W. Charles Shaffer
Peter Shaffer, Sr., or Shaver, was born in Germany and died there. He was a brother of one, George Shaffer, who was the father of Joseph Shaffer, who was born in Germany and died there. Positive dates cannot be obtained as to the birth and death of these men, on account of the destruction of all records in the Napoleonic Wars, which is also true in the matter of the name, etc., of the father of Peter Shaffer, Sr. and George Shaffer, who would be the common ancestor of Henrietta E. Garrett and W. Charles Shaffer, the claimant. He was born and died in Germany and there is no way of finding out his name or anything about him.
Peter Shaffer, Jr., the great-gandfather of the claimant, was born in Germany in 1755. He was a cosin of Joseph Shaffer, who was born in Germany in 1770 and died there. Joseph had eight children, one of whom was Christopher Shaffer (Schaefer) who was also known as Chri stian S haffer. He was born in Germany about 1808 and was th e father of Henrietta Shaffer Garrett, who came to this country about 1 830. Henrietta Shaffer Garrett, or Henrietta E. Garrett, died in her reside nce in Phi ladelphia November 16, 1930 . Her mother's maiden na me was Hen rietta G. Kratch mer.
Among the children born to Peter Shaffer, Jr., was one, John Shaffer, the claimant's grandfater, who was born in 1786 and died November 13, 1863. Among the children born to John Shaffer was John Wirsing Shaffer, the claimant's father, who was born March 6, 1830, and who died October 27, 1876. Another son of John Shaffer was Jeremiah Shaffer, claimant's uncle, who was born in 1837 and died in 1913. He visited the Christopher Shaffer family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1876 whild attending the Philadelphia Centennial which he retold to me as a small boy of 13 years of age and later on as a grown man, while living part time in his home. This uncle continuously referred to this Christopher Shaffer as his cousin Christian or Christopher, son of Joseph Shaffer. The claimant's uncle, Jeremiah Shaffer, had in his possession three letters he received from Germany some fifty years ago, which he showed to me. These letter contained references to Joseph Shaffer, the grandfather of Henrietta E. Garrett. If I only had these letters in my hand now, they would without further question connect Joseph Shaffer with my great-grandfather, Petter Shaffer.
Peter Shaffer, Jr., who was born in Germany in 1755, emigrated to America and served in the Revolutionary War. He was First Lieutenant of Pennsylvania Musket Battalion and was at Valley Forge, serving under General Washington. He was the father of grandfather John Shaffer, born 1786, and died November 13, 1863, and John Shaffer was the father of John Wirsing Shaffer, born March 6, 1830, and died October 27, 1876; and John Wirsing Shaffer was the father of the claimant, W. Charles Shaffer, the claimant having been born August 11, 1863.
When Peter Shaffer, Jr., claimant's grandfather, came to America, he settled in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. There he took up land. Later on in 1806 or 1807, he traded these lands to Benjamin Franklin for a large tract of land in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where he lived and died in 1840 and was buried in Jones Mills Cemetery in said County. The original Shaffer homestead is still intact and the original warrant written on parchment for this land granted to Petter Shaffer through Benjamin Franklin from the King of England is still in existence.
John Wirsing Shaffer, father of claimant, died 60 years ago. While my knowledge in part is authenticated as to dates, etc., my general information comes to me through my uncle, Jeremiah Shaffer, who died in 1913. Definite information came to me from time to time regarding my ancestors of original Shaffer family, all of whom are now dead in the third generation. The names of Peter and George have been used quite a bit by the descendants of both Peter and George Shaffer.
PETER SHAFFER DESCENDANTS
1. Peter Shaffer, Sr., brother of George Shaffer.
2. Peter Shaffer, Jr. son of Peter Shaffer, Sr.
Born: 1755 in New Jersey Died Feb. 13, 1840 Wife: Katherine Trough married
1844
3. John Shaffer, son of Peter Shaffer, Jr.
Born: 1786 Died: November 13, 1863 Wife: Eliza Hood married Apr. 22, 1819.
4. John Wirsing Shaffer, son of John Shaffer.
Born: March 6, 1830 Died: Oct. 27, 1876 Wife: Sarah Ann Hauger
Born: August 11, 1863
GEORGE SHAFFER DESCENDANTS
1. George Shaffer, brother of Peter Shaffer, Sr.
2. Joseph Shaffer, son of George Shaffer.
Born: 1770 in Germany
3. Christopher Shaffer, son of Joseph Shaffer.
Born: 1808 Wife: Henrietta G. Kratchmer
4. Henrietta Garrett, daughter of Christopher Shaffer.
Died: November 16, 1930.
John Wirsing Shaffer and Miss Sarah Ann Hauger were married August 24,
A>D> 1854 by W. Hunter, Esq. John Wirsing Shaffer born 1830; Sarah
Ann Hauger born April 27, 1834. To this union, born, Emma E. Shaffer May
30, 1855; Kathryn M. Saffer, born January 18, 1857; Samuel J. Shaffer born
August 28, 1859; W. Charles Shaffer born August 11, 1863; Elva Netta born
September 20, 1866; Henry D. Foster Shaffer and Jacob A. Shaffer, twins,
born October 31, 1871.
Samual J. died April 1, 1861; Kathryn died May 10, 1875; John Wirsing died October 27, 1876 - father Shaffer. Henry D. Foster died May 6, 1877; Elva Netta died September 1, 1882; Emma E. died May 28, 1888; 5 a.m. M. Mother Shaffer - Sarah Ann died January 23, 1900.
John Wirsing Shaffer - born: 1830 died: October 27, 1876
Sarah Ann Hauger - born: April 27, 1834 died: January 23, 1900
Above were married August 24, 1854.
CHILDEN BORN TO ABOVE MARRIAGE:
Emma E. Shaffer born: May 30, 1855 died: May 28, 1888
Kathryn M. Shaffer born: January 18, 1857 died: May 10, 1875
Samuel J. Shaffer born: August 28, 1859 died: April 1, 1861
W. Charles Shaffer born: August 11, 1863 died: January 9, 1945
Elva Netta Shaffer born: September 20, 1866 died: September 1, 1882
Henry D. Foster Shaffer born: October 31, 1871 died : May 6 1877
Jacob A. Shaffer born: October 31, 1871 died: ----------
Peter Shaver . . . . Shaffer . . . .Shafer
1755-1840
Peter Shafer, who served with Washington in the Revolutionary War, until cessation of hostilities, was born in New Jersey in 1755. In 1807 he moved to Donegal Township, Pennsylvania, where he patented 300 acres of land. He died there February 13, 1840. He was married to Catherine Trough (Prononced Troff), who died in 1844.
Peter Shafer was an ensign of the Pennsylvania Musket Battalion, from March 20, 1776, to the date of leaving the army which is not known. His Battalion was raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His name was Shaver and sometimes written Shaffer and later Shafer. He was at Valley Forge and served under General George Washington.
REFERENCE: - History of Westmoreland County, by John Jordon, L.L.D., Volume 2, page 22, and D.A.R. papers, National, #106893 and #153984.
Heitman's Historical Register, Pgs. 358, 362, Encyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Published by John M. Gresham & Co., Philadelphia, 1890. History of the County of Westmoreland, Penna., by George Dallas Albert, 1882. S.A.R. National Number, 39922, and Pennsylvania Number 1549.
FURTHER REFERENCE:- From a letter written to J.J. Wirsing, Greensburg, Penna., Sept. 8, 1904, by J.S. Shaffer, Kregar, Penna.--"Grandfather died March 1840. Grandmother died March 1844. Grandmother's name was Catherine Trough before she was married." (Mary Shaffer Wirsing, and Jerry Shaffer's father were sister and brother). C.B. Millhoff, 646 Franklin St., Johnstown, Penna.
Peter and Catherine Trough Shaffer were thought to live for a while in Franklin county, Penna, then moving to Franklin County, Pa. They had two sons; John and George, and three daughters . . . . . .
-Margaret Procious, who with her husband remained or settled in Franklin County, Penna.
-Catherine Jones, and her husband settled in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. (Walter Jones, youngest son moved to Denver, Col.,
-Mary (Polly) Wirsing and her Husband settled in Westmoreland County.
George Shaffer went to Knox County, Ohio, Fredicks P.O. in about 1840.
John Shaffer was born in 1786, and died November 13, 1863. He married Eliza Hood*, on April 22, 1819. At their death, they were buried at the United Presbyterian Church Cemetary on Ligonier Road, between Stahlstown and Ligonier, Penna.
To them was born six sons, and daughters:-
Peter Jan. 18, 1820 Died at age 92
William Hood March 6, 1822
Mary Ann Sept. 10, 1824 Died at age 22
George Newton May 19, 1827
John Wirsing** March 6, 1829 Died at age 47
Richard G. Dec. 11, 1832 Died at age 75
Jeremiah Jan. 1, 1837 Died at age 75
Elizabeth July 3, 1842 Died at age 68
*Eliza Hood's Parents were William Hood and ----- Bricker. See attached Naturalzation papers.
**Your great grandfather
