Elizabeth (Knopp) Schell (abt. 1744 - aft. 1776)

Born about 1744 in Berks County, Pennsylvania Colony

Ancestors

Wife of Hermanus Schell — married about 1765 (to 1776) in Berks, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died after 1776 after about age 32 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA

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Biography

She is referenced her father's will (see below) ^[1]

About 1762, she married Hermanus Schell (who died in 1776). In his will, the following minor children are named (all under 15 in late 1776):

1. Catherine Elizabeth
2. Henry (1766-1825) m Anna Eva Lerch (1770-1845). Their marriage in Bern Township was recorded 18 Nov 1788, by Rev. William Boos.
3. John Adam. Possibly the Adam Schell who married Elizabeth Kirschner in Bern, 2 Dec 1794.
4. Eva

She is mentioned in her father's will:

Will of Peter Knopp (~1715-1777) Probated Will Jun 12 1777. Provided for Wife, Sophia Catherine. To my son Henry my land being about...To my uncle Henry Miller, my daughter Eve's son, to daughter Susanna, to sons, Henry, Peter, Hans Nickel, Johannes, John George, and Valentine. 15 Pound shall be deducted from daughter Elizabeth's portion then she shall be equal with the others. Johannes & Henry shall be Executors. Peter lived to be 74 Years old.

13 May 1778: Berks County Orphan's Court. Heidelberg Township. Petition of Elizabeth Schell/Shell [spelled both ways in document], widow of Manus Schell, deceased [presume that Manus is short for Hermanus]. Manus Schell lately died, leaving four children and considerable real and personal estate to his descendants. Four children, all under the age of 14, are listed: Catharine Elizabeth, Henry, John Adam, and Eva.

Burial?: ^[2]

Research Notes

It is possible that Elizabeth married Hermanus Schell after the 1771 death of Eva Catherina Knopp, her older sister. If so, then Eva Catherina is the mother of the children, not Elizabeth.

The will of Hermanus Schell, who died in 1776, states in multiple places that Hermanus was the spouse of Elizabeth Knopp. Following the death of Hermanus Schell in 1776, Elizabeth (age 34) almost certainly remarried (but she is still listed as a a widow in a 1778 Orpan's Court document). One secondary source says she remarried to Abraham Hupp (1775-1829)--but he is too young.

Most secondary trees claim she re-married to Michael Jeich/Yeich. However, the headstone for Elizabeth Unknown, wife of Michael Yeich says she was born in 1743. When her husband Hermanus Schell died in 1776, four minor children were named in his will. Thus, it is impossible that Elizabeth, widow of Hermanus Schell is the mother of the Yeich children born between 1761 and 1776 [unless they took the surname of their step-father if she did indeed remarry to him]. Because of this, along with the different locations in Berks County [Heidelberg versus Bern], it is concluded that Elizabeth Knopp (1742- ), widow of Hermanus Schell is NOT the same as Elizabeth Unknown (1743- ), wife of Michael Yeich. In lieu of any direct evidence, such as a marriage record, Elizabeth Knopp has been detached from Michael Yeich.

In her father's will, Elizabeth inherits the same portion as the other heirs, less £15.

Sources

1. ↑ Abstracts of Wills and Administrations of Berks Co. Pa. 1752-1802
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 26 October 2021), memorial page for Elisabeth Knabb Jeich (2 Jun 1742–24 Feb 1809), Find A Grave: Memorial #63878747, citing Bern Churchyard, Leesport, Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by 47117651 (contributor 47117651).

See Also:

• http://sites.rootsweb.com/~deschart/z0000276.html
• https://www.geni.com/people/Elizabeth-Hupp/6000000016105927580?through=6000000016105871971
• Strausstown Roots