William Shaffer (1798 - bef. 1870)

Born 29 Jun 1798 in Huntington Township, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, United States

Husband of Elizabeth (Sadler) Shaffer — married before 1835 in Beaver, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

William Shaffer was the son of Jacob Shaffer and his wife Catherine Kennedy. After their decease, William became owner of one tenth share of the land owned by his parents. Ownership was later transferred by him and each of his siblings to their brother Abraham Shaffer mentioned in the following history. The farm owned by Abraham Shaffer was originally settled by Jacob Shaffer about 1809-1810. The tract originally contained two hundred acres and is number 98 of the First Donation District. It is about 1 1/2 miles south of the village of Princeton. Mr. Shaffer settled the east half of the tract and Miller Kennedy the west 100. Kennedy came about 1808. Jacob Shaffer was a native of Adams County, Pennsylvania (York County until 1800) , his old home being across the line from Emmetsburg, Frederick County, Maryland. When he came to Lawrence County (Beaver County until 1850), he had a family of six children. Four were born after he settled, and of the 10, seven are now living. The son Abraham, on the old homestead, and another, Matthias, in Lackawanna Twp,, Mercer County, PA... ^[1]

Baptism and birth of William Shaffer: # 146 Wilhelm 29 June 1798 (birth) 24 March 1799 (baptism) Jacob Schaffer Catherina (Parents) Phillip Broch Susanna (sponsors) ^[2]

We do not have many records for William. He was the first to quit claim his share in the Estate of his father Jacob Shaffer, deceased. The first deed is a quit claim dated 10 February 1835 and recorded 22 February 1838. “Know all men by these presents that I William Sheffer (spelling variation) of the County of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania ...grant bargain sell and convey unto James Sheffer of said County and State aforesaid all my right title interest and claim to one tenth part of 100 acres...part of Lot 98 in the first district of Donation Land...Given under my hand and seal this 10th day of February in the year of our Lord 1835.” Signed William Sheffer Witness James Frew, ^[3]

This was later followed by an additional document referencing the same land: a quit claim William Shaffer to James Shaffer entered 2 December 1839. In this deed, we note William's wife is named. “I William Shaffer and Elizabeth his wife of the County of Beaver...have released and forever quit claimed...unto the said James Shaffer his heirs and assigns. A certain messuage now in the possession of James Shaffer situate in Slippery Rock township it being one tenth part of the lot No. 98 in first district of donation lands on the east end of said lot...” In testimony whereof we have set our hands and seals this 8 day of March A. D. 1839. Wm Shaffer (seal) Elizabeth x Shaffer (seal) ^[4]

Elizabeth Sadler is identified as the wife of William Shaffer in a Beaver County Deed dated 3 November 1846 and recorded 26 October 1847 which names heirs of Michael Sadler, deceased. “...Witnesseth that the said Catherine Sadler (widow of Michael Sadler), Jacob Sadler, Michael Sadler, William Shafer and Elizabeth his wife by their attorney Abraham Shafer, William Stickle and Mary his wife, William Barden and Catherine his wife, Henry Heckathorn and Susanna his wife, lawful heirs to the estate of Michael Sadler, deceased, for and in consideration of the sum of Twelve hundred and Twenty dollars...paid by the said Thomas Wilson...have granted...sold... and confirm unto the said Thomas Wilson a certain tract of land part of Lot 112 in the first district of Donation Land situated in the township of Slippery Rock, Beaver County, State of Pennsylvania containing 80 acres. See original document in sources, family search profile for Michael Sadler ID KLGK-YQB.^[5]

The Shaffer Family compiled by Robert Ashley Stevenson provided valuable information which may have not otherwise been known. (William) “...said to have died in Ohio; his wife came to the vicinity of Princeton, Pennsylvania and had a general store. May have lived in Economy...” Children named in this source are: George W. Shaffer, Abraham “Abram” Shaffer and William H. H. Shaffer.^[6]

The 1850 residents in the William Shaffer home are William Shafer Male 52, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth Shafer Female 47, Pennsylvania; Michael Shafer Male 15, Pennsylvania; George Shafer Male 13, Pennsylvania; John Shafer Male 11, Ohio; William Shafer Male 8, Ohio; Abraham Shafer Male 6, Ohio and Benjamin Shafer Male 2, Ohio. The 1860 census has not yet been found.

At this time, I have no additional information for children Michael, John and Benjamin. It is also said there were two daughters, Susan/Susannah and Magdalene.

The 1870 Census records Elizabeth (Sadler) Shaffer, age 76, (age recorded incorrectly, should be 66 in 1870) as a widow. Living with Elizabeth are her son Abraham Shaffer, age 26, with his wife Mary Jane, age 26, and their children Elizabeth, age 4 and Jane, age 2. ^[7]

In the 1880 census, we find Elizabeth Shaffer continuing to reside with her son Abraham. She is listed as mother, Lyie Shaffer, 76. Others in the home are Abram 37, Mary J. 35, Lizz 14, Jennie 12, Lafe 9, Rosa 7, Ginnie 5 and Lissie 2. ^[8]

The 1917 Pennsylvania Death Certificate for Abraham Shaffer, naming parents William Shaffer and Elizabeth Saddler, is proof this is the correct family.

Name

William Shaffer

Sources

1. ↑ ↑ History of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, 1877. Appendix XXIX, page 567
2. ↑ German Church Records of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania Volume II 1792-1804, Paul Miller Ruff, page 159
3. ↑ Beaver County, Pennsylvania Deeds, Book Q Page 161
4. ↑ Beaver County, Pennsylvania Deeds, Book S Page 255
5. ↑ Beaver County, Pennsylvania Deeds, Book Z Page 233
6. ↑ Additions and Corrections to the Magee Family Supplement 2
7. ↑ 1870 United States Federal Census, Slippery Rock, Lawrence, Pennsylvania, Dwelling 296.
8. ↑ 1880 United States Federal Census, Slippery Rock, Lawrence, Pennsylvania, Dwelling 196.

• WikiTree profile Shaffer-436 created through the import of wikiweeks1_2012-01-01.ged on Jan 1, 2012 by Robert Weeks. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Robert and others.