Barbara (Keener) Souder (abt. 1755 - 1821)

Rudolph and Barbara reportedly had a daughter Mary Magdalene Souder born 1780 whose married name was Sadler, and who died after 1850. Barbara’s children with Henry Masters were born between 1790 and 1816. If she were born in 1742 she would have been too old. Her headstone gives her age as 65 in 1821. I found this family history, which gives a birthdate of 1755:

“25 vii. Barbary Keener, born 1755 in near Narrow Passage, Frederick (now Shenandoah), VA; died August 21, 1820 in Greene County, PA; married (1) Rudolph Souder c. 1766 in Frederick (now Shenandoah) County, VA?; married (2) Henry Masters Aft. April 9, 1784 in Greene County, PA?.”

Both birth dates are somewhat problematic, making either her or her mother too old to have children.

As I stated below, 1777 is a more reasonable marriage date for Rudolph and Barbara. Ulrich Keener’s will dated 9 April 1784 lists her as Barbary Souter, so her marriage to Henry Masters was AFTER not ON that date.

Mary Magdalena Souder was the daughter of Rudolph Souder and his first wife, Veronica Schwartz, according to the Mennonite records here. here for some reason, the first wife is at the bottom of the card and her children are on the back.

Mary Magdalena was born in 1746 and married Jacob Sadler in 1769 according to FamilySearch, so I do not see how she can possibly be the daughter of Barbara Keener b in 1742 or in 1756.

These Mennonite Index cards create doubt that the Barbara Keener who married Rudolph Souter and the Barbara who married Henry Masters are the same person. Specifically, the notation of a will in 1804 for Barbara Souter cannot be reconciled with the death of Barbara, wife of Henry Masters in 1820.

I think the card indicates that Veronica Swartz was a daughter of Rudolph Souder by his first wife, whose name is unknown, Magdalena is also listed as a daughter of the first wife, and they also had a daughter named Barbara. Could this daughter possibly be the Barbara who married Henry Masters? This might explain the confusion and conflicting ages. I appreciate your questioning the assumptions about Barbara’s identity.

Yes, Rhonda, you are correct, Veronica was a daughter of Rudolph's first wife LNAB Unknown, along with Magdalena and, yes, another child, Barbara, the youngest, who might have been born in 1756, but who would not have been Barbara Keener. Those dates would make sense. I suspect Barbara Souter, who left an 1802 will was the widow of Rudolph or possibly his daughter if she never married. Perhaps her will would have helpful details.

I hated to be a pest, but, once I was in the Keener rabbit warren, I couldn't stop the tour. Plus, my great great grandmother's family was from Whitely Township, Green County and Monongalia Co. W Virginia.;-)

Family Search Family tree gives a more believable date of about 1777, and indicates she was his second wife. I have an unsourced notation for a 1766 marriage, and that they had a daughter named Mary Magdalene Souder Sadler. Evidently Rudolph died before Barbara was married on 9 Apr 1784 to Henry Masters, source for that date this message: http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.masters/674.1.1/mb.ashx