Shuster of Washington County, Pa., Pre-1800

Location: Somerset Twp, Washington Co., Pennsylvania
Surname/tag: Shuster

The Shusters of Washington County, Pennsylvania, prior to 1800 appear to represent at least two, possibly three or more different and distinct families that merged through marriage after immigrating to Washington County.

The goal of this page is to sort out these two or more families, and by doing so, find a connection between Margaret (Schuster) Study (bef.1754-1829) and the other Shusters in her "neighborhood" (Somerset Twp., Washington Co., PA).

List of Shusters who lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania, from about 1760 through 1800 and other possible relations

• Margaret (Schuster) Study (bef.1754-1829)
• Michael Shuster (d, 1787)
• Samuel Shuster
• Morgaret Shuster
• "old man Michael" Shuster, possibly Heinrich Michael Shuster (abt.1723-1787)
• Daniel Shuster (1752-1818) and wife Margaret Shuster (1758-1834)
• Valentin Shuster (bef.1774-)
• Mary (Schuster) Yant (1762-1843), wife of John Yant
• Martin Shuster, possibly Jacob Martin Shuster.
• Susanna and Medillan Shuster (siblings? married?)
• George Shuster
• Possibly Dorothy Shuster in York

Contents 1 Current Working Hypothesis 1.1 Michael Shuster 1.1.1 Michael Shuster #1 1.1.2 Michael Shuster #2 1.2 Valentin (Phelly or Felty) Shuster (bef.1774-) 1.3 Samuel Shuster 1.4 Daniel Shuster (1752-1818) 1.5 Martin Shuster 1.6 Morgaret Shuster 1.7 George Shuster 2 Other Schusters & Other Places

Current Working Hypothesis

Michael Shuster (d. 1787, Wash. Co., Pa.) was father of Samuel Shuster, Mary (Shuster) Yant (w. of John Yant), and Margaret (Shuster) Shuster (w. of Daniel Shuster). His father may have been the "old man Michael" that Michael named in his will. Morgaret Shuster (1790 Census) appears to be Michael's wife (but could also be his mother).

From Michael's will, it's difficult to determine what his relationship was to Valentine Shuster, although it may be the same as that of Daniel Shuster, son-in-law (i.e. Valentin Shuster married an unknown daughter of Michael's). Since Michael's will specifically names Valentin's children, it's reasonable to assume the daughter died before Michael's will was written.

Based on research to date, it's possible that either Michael or Daniel could have been Margaret (Shuster) Study's brother(s). If Valentin Shuster was Michael's son-in-law, then we can add him to that list.

Are there two Samuels?

Unsourced notes on the wikitree profile of John Yant say his mother was Catherine Shuster.

Michael Shuster

Is this the same as Henry Michael Shuster who appears in earlier records in other counties? Note that some records indicate there were two Michael Shusters in Somerset, Washington County in 1781. Both appear on the same tax pages. Could they be one person who owns two pieces of land?

• Search for property deeds.'

• 1781 Tax: Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, Washington > Somerset > image 4 of 120,
  Ancestry Image (accessed 13 January 2024)
  Micheal Shuster.

• 1781 Tax Record: Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 339
  Ancestry Record 2497 #1589883 (accessed 13 January 2024)
  Name: Micheal Shufter [Micheal Shuster]; Year: 1781; Town or Ward: Somerset; County: Washington; Archive Rollname: 339.

• 1787 Will of Michael Shuster, image 41 of of 266, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G991-MVBQ?view=fullText&keywords=Shuster%2CPennsylvania%2CWashington&groupId=M98R-M9Q
  • HARD TO FOLLOW. Sounds like Michael is giving his plantation to his son, Samuel, before he dies in exchange for the care of himself and his wife, who is unnamed, until their deaths. Or possibly there is a senior and a junior Michael Shuster, with the will being that of Junior.
  • Michael Shuster, dated March 8, 1786, proved March 17, 1787; wife (unnamed--believed to be Morgaret listed below); son Samuel; "the whole plantation for care of the old people;" "old man Michael," John Yant, children of Felty Shuster, viz: Jacob Martian, Susanah and Medillan Shuster; Daniel Shuster; JohnYart(?); Samuel Shuster, executor; witnesses, Daniel Shuster and John Yant. 1, p. 67-68.
  • Are there any other probate records?

Michael Shuster #1

• 1781 Tax: Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, Washington > Somerset > image 8 of 120
  Ancestry Image (accessed 13 January 2024)
  Micheal Shuster. Top of page is mislabeled, “Smith Township.” It should say "Somerset Township."

• 1781 Tax Record: "Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801"
  Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 339
  Ancestry Record 2497 #1598960 (accessed 13 January 2024)
  Name: Micheal Shuster; Year: 1781; Town or Ward: Somerset; County: Washington; Archive Rollname: 339. Top of page is mislabeled, “Smith Township.” It should say "Somerset Township."

Michael Shuster #2

• 1781 Tax: Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, Washington > Somerset > image 8 of 120,
  Ancestry Image (accessed 13 January 2024)
  Micheal Shuster. Top of page is mislabeled, “Smith Township.” It should say "Somerset Township."

• 1781 Tax Record: Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 339
  Ancestry Record 2497 #1598963 (accessed 13 January 2024)
  Name: Micheal Shuster; Year: 1781; Town or Ward: Somerset; County: Washington; Archive Rollname: 339. Top of page is mislabeled, “Smith Township.” It should say "Somerset Township."

Valentin (Phelly or Felty) Shuster (bef.1774-)

• 1781 Tax: Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, Washington > Somerset > image 4 of 120,
  Ancestry Image (accessed 13 January 2024)
  Phelly Shuster.

• 1781 Tax Record: Pennsylvania, U.S., Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 339
  Ancestry Record 2497 #1589885 (accessed 13 January 2024)
  Name: Chally Shufter [Phelly Shuster]; Year: 1781; Town or Ward: Somerset; County: Washington; Archive Rollname: 339.

• 1789 Tax: Peters, Washington, Pa., https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1689237:2497?tid=&pid=&queryid=63e322cb-8436-40e8-9736-a06050aa8b2f&_phsrc=csZ3050&_phstart=successSource

• 1786 Septennial Census: Septennial Census Returns, 1779–1863, Box 1026, microfilm, 14 rolls. Records of the House of Representatives. Records of the General Assembly, Record Group 7. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, PA, Line 127 Ancestry.com - Pennsylvania, U.S., Septennial Census, 1779-1863.

• 1790 Census in Washington, Pa, M637; Roll 9; p156; Family History Library Film: 0568149
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5058 #348615 (accessed 24 September 2024)
  Phelty Shuster in Washington, Pennsylvania; 1 male age 16 and over, 2 males under age 16, 2 females.

• Probate Records and Will:
  • Administrator for the estate of Maryin Hytes (Hyte?) 1784; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9SQ-Z8S8?view=fullText&keywords=Shuster%2CWashington&groupId=TH-1942-28929-39929-68, images 1515-1532.

• Imigration Records:?

Samuel Shuster

• 1786 Septennial Census: ’Septennial Census Returns, 1779–1863.’ Box 1026, microfilm, 14 rolls. Records of the House of Representatives. Records of the General Assembly, Record Group 7. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, PA, Line 126, Ancestry.com - Pennsylvania, U.S., Septennial Census, 1779-1863.
  https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2702/images/33017_263392-00356?treeid=&personid=&rc=&queryId=842690bd-1cd2-4a70-bbeb-99e8e7e50c12&usePUB=true&_phsrc=csZ764&_phstart=successSource&pId=421479

• 1790 Deed of Sale from Jejue(?) Stephons to Samuel Shuster and John Ingle, for land on the waters of Mingo Creek, adjoining the land of David Miller the said Stephens Leonard Aria and others, being part of the the present mention plantation of the said Jehue Stephens, containing by estimated 70-acres. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSXB-PQX2-Q?view=fullText&keywords=Shuster%2CPennsylvania%2CWashington&groupId=TH-909-67463-120136-92

• 1790 Census https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/348616:5058?tid=&pid=&queryid=afb803e9e82a84e84e58d3c32fd88aeb&_phsrc=csZ3048&_phstart=successSource

Daniel Shuster (1752-1818)

• Receipt for Saddle and Whiskey from the estate of ____ image 941 of of 3,014, FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9SQ-CRYQ (accessed 24 September 2024)

• 1790 Census

• Deed, Daniel acting as guardian to the Heirs of Jacob Dufeman. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSX1-6QKF-Y?view=fullText&keywords=Shuster%2CPennsylvania%2CWashington&groupId=TH-909-67483-124497-64

• 1803 purchase of land? https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNL-496L-J?view=fullText&keywords=Shuster%2CPennsylvania%2CWashington&groupId=TH-909-69037-39338-87

• 1804 purchase of land? https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNL-496B-2?view=fullText&keywords=Shuster%2CPennsylvania%20Washington%2CPennsylvania%2CWashington&groupId=TH-909-69037-39338-87

• Sale of John Study's land Daniel was administrator of John Study's estate along with John's widow, Margaret. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS46-1H2J-6?view=fullText&keywords=Shuster%2CPennsylvania%2CWashington&groupId=TH-909-60719-233260-14

Martin Shuster

• Is this Jacob Martin Shuster, son of Valentin Shuster, as named in Michael's will?
• 1790 Census

Morgaret Shuster

• Could this be Michael Shuster's widow? Do dates and ages work?

• 1790 Census https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/348614:5058?tid=&pid=&queryid=df5bb3d6-612f-48ba-9855-90a6193c2819&_phsrc=csZ3047&_phstart=successSource

• Is she listed in the 1800 Census?

George Shuster

• 1789 Tax roll for West Bethlehem, Washington, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1684802:2497?tid=&pid=&queryid=63e322cb-8436-40e8-9736-a06050aa8b2f&_phsrc=csZ3050&_phstart=successSource

• See Other Schusters & Other Places below.

Other Schusters & Other Places

• Births in Pennsylvania Humphrey, John T.; (book) Pennsylvania births, York County, 1730-1800, (Washington, D.C. : Larjon & Company, Inc; 1998) p 389, 399.
  Internet Archive (accessed 24 September 2024)
  • George, 31 Mar 1753, Michael and Margaret Schuster, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, York, Pa.
  • Joh. Jacob, circa 1755, Michel Schuster, mother's name not given, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Hanover, Pa.
  • John Adam, 23 Nov 1800, John and Eva Schuster, St. Paul's Lutheran and Reformed Church, North Codorus, Pa.
  • Dorothy, 9 Nov 1750, John Michael and Margaret Shuster, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, York, Pa.

• 1791 Peter Shuster of Dauphin County. Land purchase? https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSXB-23N7-D?view=fullText&keywords=Shuster%2CPennsylvania&groupId=TH-909-67460-94665-96