Christian Gans Shear was born in 1792 to Lodewick Shear and Margaret Gans, somewhere in the Saratoga[1] or Montgomery County[2] area of New York, his birth on 10 Feb and his christening at First Presbyterian Church at Ballston Center in Saratoga 9 days later.
By 1800, the family was in Rensselaer County,[3] and by 1806 they were present when the town of Putnam was founded.[4][5]
Around 1815, he married L. Elizabeth "Betsey" Blair in Putnam.[6] They had several children:[7][8]
In the winter of 1841/1842, the family's house burned down and they were temporarily displaced, as is recounted by John B. in a letter to his brother James. At that time, their plans were to rebuild on the same foundation.[12]
Christian died in 1852 and is buried in Meadow Knoll Cemetery in Putnam.[13]
Notes
His son Abram's death record seems to say 'John C.J. Shear',[9] while his son John's says 'Chester',[14] and his sons Christian L. and David O. Shear's say his name was Christ J./John Shear. Best guess to his full name: John Christian Gans Shear.
Who are Mary Gans and Manassah Shear in Montgomery County, New York, and why are they impersonating Margaret Gans and Lodewick Shear who lived in the same county at about the same time? Also these people
Sources
↑ "New York, Births and Christenings, 1640-1962," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDYQ-CNP : accessed 19 April 2015), Christian Gans Shear, 10 Feb 1792; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 533,502.
↑ "United States Census, 1790," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHKG-GRR : accessed 19 April 2015), Ludowick Sheer, Mohawk, Montgomery, New York; citing p. 52, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 6; FHL microfilm 568,146.
↑ "United States Census, 1800," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5B-49Q : accessed 20 April 2015), Lodewick Shere, Scaghticoke, Rensselaer, New York; citing p. 35, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 26; FHL microfilm 193,714.
↑ McArthur, Thomas. History of Putnam. The Town of Putnam Historical Society. 2015-04-19. Accessed: 2015-04-19. Page 14. (Archived by WebCite®)
↑ "United States Census, 1810," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH25-61L : accessed 20 April 2015), Codewwick Shear, Putnam, Washington, New York; citing p. 390, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 30; FHL microfilm 181,384.
↑ 6.06.1 "Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1952," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KF3F-JM3 : accessed 20 April 2015), Elizabeth Blair in entry for David O Shear, 14 Mar 1922; citing Lowell, Kent, Michigan, United States, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing; FHL microfilm 1,972,809.
↑ "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCRB-N58 : accessed 20 April 2015), Christian Shear, Putnam, Washington, New York, United States; citing family 61, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
↑ 9.09.1 "Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3V5-792 : 12 December 2014), John C. J. Shear in entry for Abram G. Shear, 20 May 1892; citing p 109 rn 993, Paris, Kent, Michigan, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,363,830.
↑ "Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3FQ-JHH : 12 December 2014), Christ J. Shear in entry for Christian L. Shear, 23 Nov 1888; citing p 86 rn 2622, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,363,634.
↑ "Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3NX-MBL : 12 December 2014), John B Shear, 22 May 1878; citing p 72 rn 2246, Memphis, Tennessee, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,363,666.
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Yes, Jans and Hans and John (anglicized) are all short for Johannes. But Gans is his mom's maiden name. I'm not sure if it was a middle name of his or whether someone confused Gans with Jans. I'm guessing it was the latter. Abram is usually shirt for Abraham but I don't know if we have a formal document for Abram showing that Abraham was the actual spelling.
You know Daphne, I've been thinking. I've seen a lot of abbreviations; Wm. for William, Chas. for Charles, and so on. I'll bet you that for one: Abram is probably shorthand for Abraham, and two, that Jans is shorthand for Johannes. I just read that Jno is short for John, Jas is short for James. And so on. Apparently Ink was very precious.
add Jeremiah Mead and there are four couples?