Fronica (Maurer) Schell (abt. 1727 - 1815)

Wife of John Schell — married before Apr 1754 in Philadelphia County, PA

Descendants

Died 8 Feb 1815 at about age 88 in Bedford, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Fronica(name on tombstone)'s parents were Jacob and Sophia Maurer who probably immigrated about the same time as John Schell's family. One source shows Jacob Maurer as the son of Johann Rudolph Maurer from Greinsheim/Lambsheim Weisenheim am Berg Germany. Jacob was one of the earliest recorded family heads at the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church. A Jacob 'Meyer' who come over from Germany in 1727 with pastor George Weiss(of NG) may have been the same man.

Not to be confused with her mother-in-law Veronica (unknown) Schell.

Fronica's year of birth of 1727 is estimated from the age inscription on her gravestone of '88 Jahren.' She may have come over as an infant, or was born en route or in the PA colony.

She probably married John Schell at least by Apr of 1754, which was about 9 months before the birth of their first child. John had been baptized as an adult, and became a member of the church before they married.

Fronica had three sons and five daughters that have proof of life. She had the youngest known child, an unnamed daughter, when she was about 46. The girl only lived to about 2 1/2.

After her husband died, she apparently lived with her eldest son John, Jr., and moved with him to Bedford County after 1800 but before 1810.

She apparently opposed the war against Britain, or at least the use of violence in the name of independence. In 1779 her name was included on a list of 'Non-Associators' in Upper Hanover Twp of Montgomery county which supposedly acquitted her of treason against the cause. She was the only female head of household on the list.

She is buried at the Old Schellsburg Church Cemetery in Bedford county, PA.

Sources

• Parentage from: 'All Roads Lead to Sunbury,' Book 1, by descendant C. Oakley Mertz, 2010.

• Johann Maurer info from: 'Palatine Origins of Some Pennsylvania Pioneers, by Annette K. Burgert, 2000.

• 'A History of the Goshenhoppen Reformed Charge,' by William Hinke, 1920. Marriage record but no date. Some children's baptism, confirmation, marriage, etc.

• Non-Associator's list from PA Archives