Maria Susanna (Strauss) Kepner (1753 - abt. 1842)

Born 5 Oct 1753 in Bernville, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1842 at about age 88 in Milford Township, Mifflin Co., Pennsylvania [uncertain]

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Biography

Maria Susanna was born 5 Oct 1753 in Bernville, Berks County, Pennsylvania. She was christened 21 Oct 1753 in Northkill, Berks County, with minister: John Caspar Stoever, and sponsors: Andreas Schade, Maria Susanna Haag.^[1] She was the daughter of Albrecht Strauss and Maria Zerbe.^[2]

She married 24 May 1774 to Benjamin Henry Kepner, or Kebner.^[3] They had four children, only two of which were living when Benjamin made his will:

1. Son 1 Kepner, died without progeny
2. Son 2 Kepner, died without progeny
3. John Kepner
4. Benjamin Henry Kepner

In 1775 they lived in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,^[4] probably in the area that became Mifflin County in 1789. That part of Mifflin County became Juniata County in 1831.^[5] In 1784 Benjamin bought land in Milford Township, near present-day Walnut.^[6]

Her husband, Benjamin, died 22 Sep 1804 at Perrysville, Pennsylvania.^[7] Perrysville was later Port Royal when that Post Office moved across Tuscarora Creek in 1847.^[5]

Benjamin's estate was settled with an Article of Agreement, between his widow, Susannah S. Kepner, and their only two surviving sons, John and Benjamin. The Agreement follows.

An Article of Agreement made & concluded the 29th day of November A.D. 1804 by and between the widow, Susannah S. Kepner of Milford Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania of the one part and her sons, Benj. and John Kepner of same place of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Susannah Kepner doth hereby voluntarily agree, set over & forever quit claim, to all her right, title, claim interest, demand & dower of the real & personal estate of her late husband Benj. Kepner late of the Twp. & County aforesaid unto her only--two sons John & Benj. Kepner & their heirs & except only that she is to have herself, entire the old Bay Mare, saddle & bridle, her cloths, bed & bedding together with all household goods & furniture & property that was in her house or spring house loft at the time of said Benj. Kepner's deceast, and also 1 red cow with a white face & for & in consideration of the said Susannah S. Kepner hereby signing over her right of the said estate as above, the said John & Benj. Kepner doth hereby bind themselves, their heirs, Executors & Administrators unto the said Susannah Kepner;--First that the said Benj. is to keep the said Mare & Cow for the said Susannah & she also is to have the full use & liberty of the spring house loft to live in at any time she thinks proper and said John & Benj. Kepner is to cut & haul sufficient firewood for her during the time she may think proper to live therein--or the said Susannah is to be at full liberty to live in the house with either the said John & Benjamin, or their heirs at any time she thinks proper & that free of any charges or costs for her boarding. AND FURTHER, over & above the above said privileges that the said Susannah is to have, the said John Kepner hereby binds himself, his heirs, Executors & Administrators to pay unto the said Susannah Kepner 10 pounds lawful money yearly & every yr. during her natural life as also does the said Benj. Kepner hereby bind himself, his heirs, Executors & Administrators to pay unto the said Susannah Kepner 10 pounds yearly & every yr. during her natural life & further the said John & Benj. doth hereby bind themselves to do everything in their power toward the happiness, comfort & decent living of their mother the said Susannah Kepner as honest & dutiful sons ought to do--and for the true & faithful performance of each & every clause & sentence of this Article the parties do hereby bind themselves each to the other in the penal sum of 1,000 pounds, lawful money of Penn., as witnesses our hands & seals the day & date first above written. X Mark, Susannah Kepner, John Kepner, and Benjamin Kepner. The instrument was recorded on 16 January 1805 in Deed Book G page 443, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania^[8]

Susanna died in 1842 in Milford Township, Juniata Co., Pennsylvania.^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Strausstown Roots, https://www.bergergirls.com/getperson.php?personID=I006083&tree=Strausstown
2. ↑ Ancestral File (TM) Author: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Publication: June 1998 (c), data as of 5 JAN 1998 Reference: 12BF-9HM
3. ↑ Christ's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stouchsburg, Marion Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, Berger Girls website
4. ↑ Sidener, page 448.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Kerns, Margaret Ann (Kepner), 729 NW 1101 Road, Urich, Missouri 64788-8121, research, analysis and conclusions, 28 Nov 2020
6. ↑ Pennsylvania, Juniata County, Deed Records Book F page 701
7. ↑ Sidener, page 448.
8. ↑ Sidener, page 451.
9. ↑ Sidener, page 448

Sidener, Rev. Orrin Wade, The Story of a Dozen Generations, 765 East Kern Street, Tulare, California , n.p, mimeographed, 1961

• Dillon Kepner, firsthand knowledge. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Dillon and others.