James Shaffer (1786 - 1872)

Born 27 Dec 1786 in New Jersey, United States [uncertain]

Died 25 Aug 1872 at age 85 in Grove City, Cameron, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

James Shaffer Sr (22 DEC 1787 New Jersey - 25 AUG 1872 Sinnemahoning Cameron County, Pennsylvania) the son of Henry Shaffer.

In 1809 he married Margaret Brooks daughter of Benjamin Brooks (10 Apr 1753 Tinicum Township, Buck, PA - 24 Dec 1838 Gibson, Cameron, Pennsylvania) and Elizabeth Harkins (1764–1813).

James and Margaret Shaffer were the parents of fifteen children:

1. William Shaffer (19 Nov 1810 - 2 Jun 1833 ) married Jane Berfield daughter of Stephen Barfield and Jane Sterling. Jane remarried to Joseph Mason, Jr.
2. Henry Shafer 1812–1864 married Jane Mason
3. Rebecca Shaffer (18 FEB 1813 Ohio – 13 Apr 1893 Wharton, Potter County, Pennsylvania) married John Berfield Jr (18 Jun 1800 Pennsylvania - 9 JAN 1872 Wharton, Potter, Pennsylvania)
4. Benjamin B. (5 Oct 1814 - 28 Jul 1891 Yates City, Knox Co., Illinois, ) married (1) Elizabeth Caldwell, (2) Phebe Ann Hess (1818-1873)
5. James Shaffer Jr 1816–1909 married Mary Miller
6. Joseph (23 Sep 1817 - 29 Nov 1897 • Grove, Cameron, Pennsylvania) married Elizabeth Jane Sterling
7. John (20 Nov 1818 - 1849 ) married Elizabeth Richie
8. Mary (11 Apr 1820 - 4 Nov 1869) married Jesse Hall
9. David (10 June 1821 - 3 DEC 1901 Vining, Clay, Kansas ) married Sara Jane Wykoff
10. Wesley Shaffer 1823–1875 married to Savila Sterling
11. Washington (1825 - ) married Amanda Logan
12. Jacob L Shaffer 1826–1904 married N. E. Johnson
13. Elizabeth French 1828–1912 married Coleman Girugan
14. Margaret Grugan 1830–1851
15. Sarah Jane Foultz 1831–1904 married J.L.D. Foulz

Burial: 25 Aug 1872. Jericho Cemetery. Sinnemahoning, Cameron County, Pennsylvania, USA^[1]

Notes:

• Clinton Democrat, September 12, 1872: At his residence in Grove township, Cameron County, Pa., August 25, Mr. James Shafer, aged 84 years, 8 months and 3 days.     Mr. Shafer, who was one of our oldest and most respected citizens was born in the State of New Jersey. In 1802 he moved to Lycoming County, Pa., and in 1809 was married to Miss Margaret Brooks, who still survives him. Shortly afterwards he moved to Ohio, where he remained until 1816. While there he served six months as a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1816 he moved on to the First Fork, Cameron Co., where he continued to reside up to the time of his death. He experienced religion and joined the M.E. Church in 1814, and ever after continued an active and respected member of the church, died triumphant in the faith.     Of a family of fifteen children, all of whom lived to be men and women grown, he leaves surviving him ten children, ninety-seven grandchildren, and one hundred and sixteen great-grandchildren.                     (Editor of Clinton Democrat, John UpdeGraff Shaffer)[Listed under "Shafer" at the Lock Haven Library.

• 1820 census: Chapman, Lycoming, Pennsylvania

• 1830 census: Chapman, Lycoming, Pennsylvania

• 1840 census: Grove, Clinton, Pennsylvania

• 1850^[2]: Grove, Clinton, Pennsylvania. James Shaffer age 64, Birth Year (Estimated): 1786, Birthplace: New Jersey, living with son James Shaffer Jr. 34, Mary Shaffer 31, Jacob Shaffer24, Elizabeth Shaffer 21, James Saffer 64, Margaret Saffer 62, Joseph R Saffer 8

• 1860^[3]: Grove, Clinton, Pennsylvania. James Shafer 72, Birth Year (Estimated): 1788, Birthplace: Pennsylvania, with wife Margaret Shafer 70, Elizabeth Shafer 31, James Lorain Shafer 6

• 1870^[4]: Grove Township, Cameron, Pennsylvania, United States. James Shaffer age 82, Margaret age 80

• In matter of the Last Will & Testament of James Shaffer deceased of Grove Township, Pa. Executors:  James Shaffer Jr, Jacob Shaffer In the Register Court of Cameron County Pa. Will filed Sept 7 1872. Witness, sworn & examined  same day. Executors Sworn & Letters issued to them same day. 

• WILL: In the name of God Amen, I, James Shaffer of Grove Township, Cameron Co, Penna being in good health of body and of sound and disposing mind and memory, praised be God for the same, and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs while I have strength and capacity so to do do, make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. And as to such worldly estate as it has pleased God to entrust me with, I dispose of the same as follows:        First I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first moneys that shall come into the hands of my executors from any portion of my estate real or personal. 2d I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Margaret the Garden House and Lot that we now occupy with all the furniture thereof. I also bequeath to her (if she survives me) all my life interest and estate that may be derived from lands sold to Jacob Shaffer and to Geo. B. Barclay and James K.P. Shaffer. I will and bequeath to the heirs of my son William one hundred dollars. I will and bequeath to the heirs of my son Henry one Dollar in consideration with what Henry had already received. I will and bequeath to the heirs of my daughter Mary two hundred dollars to be divided equally between them. I will and bequeath to my son Wesley Five hundred dollars. I will and bequeath to my son Benjamin B. twenty five dollars in consideration with what he has already recd. I will and bequeath to my daughter Rebecca Two hundred dollars. I will & bequeath to my son Washington one dollar with what he has already recd. I will and bequeath to the heirs of my son John one dollar each with what John had already received. I will and bequeath to my son David one dollar in connection with what he has already received. I will and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Three hundred dollars. I will and bequeath to the heirs of my daughter Margaret ***** one hundred dollars each. I will and bequeath to my daughter Sarah and her heirs and assigns that certain home and piece of ground of one acre more or less situate on the east bank of the First Fork between the Public Road at Joseph Shafers and the Bridge at said Fork. I will and bequeath to my son James five dollars in connection with what he has already received. I will and bequeath to my son Jacob one dollar in connection with what he had already received. I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my sons James and Jacob Shaffer of Cameron County, Penna Executors of this my will hereby revoking and making void all former and other **** by me at any time heretofore (made and declare this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said testator, James Shaffer, have to this my last will and testament, set my hand and seal the 8 day of July A. D. 1872.James SHAFFER  [seal] Signed and sealed, published and declared by the said testator James Shaffer as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who in his presence and at his request on the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.Witnesses:  Isaac RAMAGE, John BROOKS, M. J. B. BROOKS Filed & Recorded Sept 7 A.D. 1872 Cameron County SSRegister Office September 7, A. D. 1872 then personally appeared Isaac RAMAGE and John BROOKS subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of James SHAFFER deceased on their solemn oath did say that they were present and did see and hear James SHAFFER of Grove Township, County of Cameron, Pa deceased, the testator herein named, sign, seal, publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament & that at the day thereof he was of sound, disposing mind & memory & understanding to the best of their knowledge & belief.Isaac RAMAGEJohn BROOKS Sworn & subscribed before me the Reigster of wills this September 7 A.D. 1872J. M. JUDD  Register Cameron County SSRegisters Office  Sept 7 A.D. 1872We, James SHAFFER, Jr. & Jacob SHAFFER do swear that as the executors of the last will & testament of James SHAFFER of Grove Township Cameron County, Penna, deceased, will well and truly administer the goods and chattels, profits and credits of said deceased agreeably to law and that we will well comply with the provisions of the law relating to collateral inheritance.James SHAFFER, Jr.Jacob SHAFFER Sworn & subscribed before me, the Register of Wills, this September 7 A.D. 1872J. M. JUDD 

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74160827/james-shaffer
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4HQ-4MM : 12 April 2016), James Shaffer in household of James Shaffer, Grove, Clinton, Pennsylvania, United States; citing family 34, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXPG-41J : 13 December 2017), James Shafer, 1860.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZGS-1Q6 : 15 June 2019), James Shaffer, 1870.

See also:

• History of the Counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, p. 968, Biographical Sketches of Grove Township, printed in 1890 in Chicago by J.H. Beers & Co., Publishers.