Johann George Stover (1747 - 1826)

Born 29 Sep 1747 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret (Beaver) Frantz — married before 6 May 1794 (to 12 Jul 1826) in , , Pennsylvania, USA

Descendants

Died 12 Jul 1826 at age 78 in Botetourt, Virginia, United States of America

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Biography

Sergeant George Stover served with Pennsylvania Militia during the American Revolution.

George Stover is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A110826.

George was born on 29 September 1747 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the oldest of twelve children and six sons of Johann Wilhelm (Stober) Stover and the oldest of three children and two sons of Anna Margaretha Süss Stover (the other nine children were borne by George's step-mother, Eva Elizabetha (Süss) Stover.

George married twice, first to Catherine Price Stover when he was in his early twenties and some years later, when he was in his latter forties, to Margaret Beaver. He had a total of twenty-one children, ten sons and eleven daughters.

When he was in his mid-forties he migrated south to Virginia and settled on the Catawba River in Botetourt County. He died on 12 July 1826 in Botetourt County, Virginia,

For a larger, clearer version of the chart below, click here.

Ancestral chart for Dr. Johann George Stover, 1747-1826

Extract from Richard Weber, Stover Brethren, pp74-77, 80.

P74 251. Dr. Johann Georgs Stober (son of Elder Johann Wilhelm of Antietam, son of Johann Valentine, son of Johann Valentine, son of Johann Jacob). Bom, 29 Sep 1747, in Lancaster Co, PA. Died, 12 Jul 1826, in Virginia". Baptism: 13 Dec 1747, in Emanuel Lutheran, Brickerville, by Rev. John Caspar Stoever. Occupation: Physician. Valentine Stober and his wife Eva Elisabetha, uncle and aunt of George, were sponsors at George's infant baptism. He was surely re-baptized as an adult by the German Baptists.

He married first, Catherine Price, daughter of John Price and Mary Ann Stoner. Bom, circa 1752. Died, 1792. Catharine's mother was the daughter of John Stoner.^[1]

The 1772 administrative account of Jacob Lenhere, late of Warwick Twp, Lancaster Co, reports "goods mentioned in the Inventory sent to George Stover at Connegocheague." The same Account lists George Stober (Dr. George's uncle), so the 1772 distinction between the two Georges is evident and the link between the Stovers of Lancaster Co and Conococheague (in present Franklin Co, PA) is again shown (Original Administrative Account at the Lancaster Co, PA Historical Society). Jacob Lehnhere's wife, Eva Maria Hager, was a first cousin of Elder William Stover of Antietam.

On 8 Oct 1773 George Stover obtained a warrant for 25 acres adjoining Daniel Baker in the mountain including the head of Antietam Creek in Antrim Twp (Cumberland Co, PA Warrant S-316); on 26 May 1794 he conveyed this warrant to Jacob Becker, in preparation to move to Virginia. On 30 Nov 1774 George Stover and his father both obtained warrants for land in Antrim Twp (Cumberland Co, PA Warrants S-340 and S-341).

George Stover first appears on the annual tax list of Antrim Twp., Cumberland Co in 1775; with him on the list are his father, brother William, and Catherine Sease, widow of Christopher Süss. Doct. Geo Stover, along with his brothers William, Jr., Jacob, Emanuel Stover and their father, William Stover, Sr., appear on the 1786 Antrim Twp list of taxables.

George is identified as a doctor in other years on the Antrim Twp tax lists, appearing on the tax lists through 1794.

P75

During the Revolution George Stover was assigned to the Cumberland Co militia^[2]These militia lists represent a draft, a census of able-bodied men, but provide no evidence of any service.

"The organization of the Pennsylvania Militia, as established under the act passed 17 Mar1777, has never been adequately explained or fully understood. Complete records pertaining to the militia have not survived. Those which have been published in the various series of the Pennsylvania Archives are, in many instances. incorrectly identified and arranged in a confused manner. Too often, as a result, the fact that a man's name appears in those records has been accepted as prima facie evidence that the man was a patriot who served his country faithfully and diligently." [from] (Hannah Benner Roach, in the introduction to her article "The Pennsylvania Militia in 1777," Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, v.23, no.3, 1964).

Indeed, there is evidence suggesting that George Stover and his brothers did not serve. The Military Abstract Card File (Record Group 13, Pennsylvania State Archives) includes cards for George Stover and his brothers, except Rev. William. Every card for these brothers contains the notations "Inactive Duty Militia" and "The basic record does not prove active duty." In Dec 1777 the Assembly set a fine of £40 for non-performance of active duty; in Apr 1779 the Assembly increased these fines to £100. On 14 Jun 1778 George Stover appears in the Fine Book of John Carothers, p.239; George was delinquent and was levied a fine of £40. An undated appeals list prepared by Capt. James Jack between 1777 and l780 records, without explanation, that a fine on George Stover, perhaps this one, was remitted. It should be no surprise if a married member of the pacifist Brethren church, especially one whose father led the local congregation, would refuse to serve in the military. None of these Stover brothers received a Revolutionary pension in his old age. Whether George or his brothers performed any Revolutionary service, or even appeared at muster, may be impossible to prove, but the available facts suggest that they did not. A review of the over 20 accepted DAR applications on our George Stover revealed no credible evidence of any participation. Indeed, many of these applications submitted by our cousins connect to the wrong George: some to a 1778 Sgt George Stauffer of the German Regiment and one to (the same) George Stauffer in 1775 Virginia. The remaining applications point to the correct George Stover on the inconclusive militia lists in the Pennsylvania Archives. The 1799 petition, on page 78, says the Brethren "have at all times and in all countries been forbid by their consciences to take up arms . . . ."

For further background on the subject of Revolutionary service and members of peace churches, see the book by MacMaster, Horst, and Ulle, Conscience in Crisis, 1979; D. Durnbaugh's chapter on the Revolution in his book The Brethren in Colonial America, 1967; E. Bittinger's article "The Maryland Brethren During the Revolutionary War: Interpretations and Clarifications" in Mennonite Family History, Jan 1997; and M. Schrag's article "Henry Lesher Jr. and the American Revolution," in Brethren in Christ History and Life, Dec 1995.

On 29 Mar 1787 Doctor George Stover traded his land in Berkeley Co, VA (now WV) for land of Samuel Moore in Antrim Twp, Franklin Co, PA (Franklin Co Deed Book 2:89). In 1790 George Stover lost the election for Franklin County Coroner by a margin of 1648 to 1640 votes (Carlisle Gazette, Carlisle, PA, 20 Oct 1790).

In his will, signed 2 Apr 1795, Catherine Price's father provided for "the children of my well Beloved Daughter Catherine Stover" (Franklin C0 Will Book C1150, proved 27 Jan 1803). This verifies that Catherine had died before the date of her father's will.

Rev. John Thomas Stover, grandson of Dr. George, and son of William B., kept a journal. In the late 1870s he entered "Mother's Account of my Kinsfolks"

P76

"My great grandfather (name not known) and two of his brothers immigrated to this country (USA) from Germany in the early part of the eighteenth century and settled in Penn.

"My Grandfather, George Stover was a doctor. He had two brothers (probably more) Rev. William Stover a Dunkard preacher, & Michael Stover, who both [sic] settled near Big Lick, Va.

"Grandfather moved from Penn. to Botetourt Co, Va, and settled on the waters of the Catawba River. This was after the death of his first wife who was a Price 8: by whom he had 10 children.

"1st Family, Boys George Stover John, Abraham. Jacob & Daniel, Girls Hannah, Polly, who married a Noffsinger; Elizabeth, who married Jacob Naff, Catherine, who married Robt Looney, 8: one who died in infancy.

"2nd Family, His second wife was a Beever. Boys, Wm Beever - my father, Joseph, Joel, Emanuel & one whose name is forgotten. Girls, Susan, died single, Sallie, married John Perfater, Anna, married Lawson Cooper, Nancy, married Ozias Bow, 8: Rebecca, married Jas. Mitchel."

Children:

+ 446 i. John Stover.

+ 447 ii. Elizabeth Stover.

448 iii. Jacob Stover3°. Born, 1775. Died, circa 1803. Tradition says that Jacob died at age 25 from an accident. The Botetourt Co personal property tax list of spring 1803 includes two Jacob Stovers, suggesting that one is this son of Dr. George.

449 iv. Susan Stover. Born, 1777. Died, 1795.

+ 450 v. Mary <Polly> Stover.

+ 451 vi. Daniel Stover.

+ 452 vii. George Stover.

+ 453 viii. Catharine Stover.

+ 454 ix. Hannah Stover.

+ 455 X. Col. Abraham Stover.

456 xi. Infant daughter Stover. Born, 1792. George's wife, Catharine, evidently died in childbirth or shortly thereafter.

He married, second, Margaret Beaver, daughter of Nicholas Beaver and Katharine Simmer, circa 1793. Born, circa 1774. Died, after 1832.

On 6 May 1794 Doctor George Stover and Margaret his wife of Pennsylvania sold 200 acres in Antrim Twp, Franklin Co, PA to John Nave (Deed Book 3:546). This establishes that George and Margaret were married by that date, and were still living in Pennsylvania.

On 29 Dec 1794 George Stover acquired 261 acres in Botetourt Co, VA from John Snider (Botetourt Co Deed Book 5:202). On 22 Jan 1796 the village of Amsterdam, also called Stovertown, was laid out on this land, including Roanoke Street and Stover's Street. On 7 Apr 1796 George Stover bought four and one half acres, part of Stoverstown, Botetourt Co (Deed Book 5:425, and Robert D. Stoner, Seed-Bed of the Republic, 1962).

On 2 Dec 1796 George Stover and Margaret his wife sold Lot No.76 on Roanoke Street in Stover Town, Botetourt Co, VA, to William Gray (husband of Margaret's sister Mary Beaver Gray) (Deed Book 6:286). On 9 Dec 1796 George and Margaret sold Lott No.91 on Roanoke Street to Andrew Etsler (Deed Book 6:285). On 10 Mar 1797 George Stover and Margaret his Wife of Botetourt Co, VA sold 261 acres in Botetourt Co to John Miller (Deed Book 6:210).

P77

On 5 Jun 1799 George Stover mortgaged many cows, some horses, a "win mill," a Hall clock, desk, a book case, and other property, for a total of £177.17.6 to David Shanks and John Snyder (Botetourt Co, VA Deed Book 6:702). This mortgage suggests financial troubles.

On 13 Dec 1799 George Stover, William Stover and Adam Britz were among the German Baptists of Botetourt Co who signed a petition to the Virginia Legislature asking relief from fines for not attending military muster (see next page). Franklin Co, VA Tunkers did likewise.

On 19 Apr 1810 George Stover of Bedford Co, VA bought land in Bedford County from Joseph Hickman and Christian Eby (Bedford Co Deed Book 13:566). George Stover, his wife and the younger children, appear in the 1810 and 1820 census of Bedford Co, VA. George Stover of Bedford Co, VA and Margaret his wife (late Margaret Beaber), daughter of Nicholas Beaber, appointed George's brother Daniel Stover their attorney for their interest in the estate of Nicholas Beaber, deceased (Franklin Co, PA Deed Book 12:79, signed 30 May 1818).

On 23 May 1822 George Stover bought twenty four acres in Bedford Co, VA (later surveyed to be forty five acres) from Joseph Hickman (Bedford Co Deed Book 17:211). On 25 Dec 1823 George Stover and Margaret his wife of Bedford Co sold 30 acres to John Pate; George and Margaret confirmed this deed at the court house on 5 Apr 1824 (Bedford Co, VA Deed Book 182286). On 9 Oct 1826 Margaret Stover marked a consent for her daughter Sally to marry John Perfater. Since fathers usually signed these petitions, George Stover is shown to be living on 5 Apr 1824 and deceased on 9 Oct 1826. This lends credence to the traditional date of 12 Jul 1826 for George Stover's death.

In Jan 1831 and Mar 1831 Margaret Stover, widow of George Stover, Sr, deceased of Bedford Co, VA participated in three deeds pertaining to land of George Stover and his son John Stover, both deceased (Bedford Co Deed Book 22:334, :335, and :340) -

On 22 May 1833 Margaret Stover of Bedford Co, VA sold 37 acres and personal possessions "to my son Joseph Stover" for one dollar (Bedford Co, VA Deed Book 232369). On 29 Aug 1833 Joseph Stover sold this land to Isaac James; the sale was signed by Wm. B. Stover, John Perfater who married Sally Stover, James Mitchell who married Rebecca Stover, & Emanuel Stover all of Botetourt Co. It was also signed by Joseph Stover, Susan Stover, and Nancy Stover all of Bedford Co (Bedford Co, VA Deed Book 23:49l). This property is the present location of Stewartsville High School, about 10 miles east of Roanoke.

On 27 May 1833, five days after selling land to son Joseph, Margaret Beaver Stover married, second, Rev. Peter Frantz, son of Michael Frantz and Magdalena Zug, 27 May 1833, in Botetourt Co, VA, by Rev. Joel Crumpacker. It was also his second marriage. Peter married again on 13 Jun 1839 in Botetourt Co, indicating that Margaret had died. Children of George and Margaret:

+ 457 xii. Susanna Stover.

+ 458 xiii. Anna Stover.

+ 459 xiv. Rebecca Stover.

+ 460 xv. William Beever Stover.

+ 461 xvi. Joseph Stover. Bom, circa 1800, in Botetourt Co, VA. Died, 6 Mar 1872, in Roanoke Co, VA. He married Sarah Goodwin, daughter of Enos Goodwin and Elizabeth Early, 29 Jun 1864, in Roanoke Co, VA. On 29 Aug 1833 Joseph lived in Bedford Co, VA. In 1850 Joseph Stover. schoolteacher, resided in Roanoke Co, VA with the family of Rev. William Hatcher.

Pages 78-79 is Petition from the German Baptists, Botetourt Co., VA, 13 Dec 1799

P80

In the 1870 census Joseph Stover and Sarah were living with the family of David Goodwin, age 53, Sarah's brother. In his will Joseph left his estate "to Henry B. M. Goodwin and Lucy J. Goodwin, children of David Goodwin (Roanoke Co, VA Will Book 1:240, proved Feb 1874). No children.

+ 462 xvii. Sarah <Sa1ly>Stover.

+ 463 xviii. Infant son Stover".

+ 464 xix. Emanuel Stover.

+ 465 xx. Capt. Joel Stover.

+ 466 xxi. Nancy Stover.^[3]

Several Stover on this page: "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLC-SJF : accessed 5 November 2017), George Stover, Botetourt, Virginia, United States; citing p. 72, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 130; FHL microfilm 193,689.

From Findagrave.com

George Stover

Birth:1748, Switzerland; Death: Jul. 12, 1826, Botetourt County, Virginia, USA.

Doctor George Stover was the husband of Catherine Hannah Brice Stover. He was the son of Judith Schaeffer Stover and Bishop William Stover.

Source: U.S. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970

Family links: Spouse: Catherine Hannah Price Stover (1750 - 1792); Children: George Stover (1785 - 1863).

Notes

• Both his DAR record & Findagrave.com indicate that Dr. Johann "George" Stover was born in Switzerland not Pennsylvania.

Daughter was born in 1787

Johann was born in 1747. He was the son of William Stover and Ann Suss. He passed away in 1826.

Sources

1. ↑ Weber, Stoner Brethren, 1993.
2. ↑ (Pennsylvania Archives 5:6:83, 1108, 2114, 1129, 1541 and 6:3:425).
3. ↑ Richard R. Weber. Stover Brethren: The Family of Elder William Stover of Antietam (Columbia, MD: Richard R. Weber, 2001), pp74-77, 80.

• Burial: Unknown, Specifically: Virginia. D Mathis, "George Stover," Findagrave.com. Record added: Sep 08, 2015, URL:https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=152050897. Accessed 2017 by Patricia Prickett Hickin.

• https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A110826

• D Mathis, "George Stover," Findagrave.com. Record added: Sep 08, 2015, URL:https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=152050897. Accessed 2017 by Patricia Prickett Hickin.

• Weber, Richard R. Stoner Brethren: A History of John Stoner (circa 1705-1769) and His Descendants, [Columbia, Md.]: Richard R. Weber, ©1993.

• Weber, Richard R, Stover Brethren: The Family of Elder William Stover of Antietam (Columbia, MD: Richard R. Weber, 2001), pp. 74-77, 80.

• DNA Matches on WikiTree, GedMatch & 23andme & Others Listed below.

All DNA Confirmed Profiles with two or more DNA Relatives for this person or family. For Privacy Reasons, others may not want such information listed or shared with public. Therefore I will not list Others DNA here for security purposes. Positive matches by 23andme & GedMatch.

• Hughey, Bertha E. Stover genealogy, biography and history; a genealogical record of the descendants of William Stover (Portland, Or., Bertha E. Hughey, 1936), pg 37 https://archive.org/details/stovergenealogyb00hugh/page/n79

Acknowledgments

• Cari (De Vries) Bailey created George Stover on 23 Jan 2012.

Source. Year 1810 Census Place: Cocalico, Lancaster, Penn; Roll: 50; Page 293,; Image. 00020. Family History Library Film, 019363.

Source. 1820 U.S. Census: Census Place: Cocalico, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Page. 14; NARA Roll; M33_106; Image 20.

Source. Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records Reel: 51.1. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania and New Jersey US, Church and Town Ecords, 1669-2013 [data base on- line] Leli, UT, USA;Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2011.

Source. Penn Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General", RG-4; Tax & Exoneration, 1762-1794. Microfilm Roll: 328. 1768-1801 [database on- line]. Provo, UT, USA Ancestry.com Operation, Inc. 2011.

Source. Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S. , Select Marriages 1785-1940 [database on-line]. Inc, 2014.

Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M246, 138 rolls) ; War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, Record Group 93; National Archives, Washington.

Sons of the American Revolution Membership Application, 1889-1970. Louisville, Kentucky: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Microfilm, 508 rolls.

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