Dwayne, I have for several years held to the belief that Peter Becker and Valentine Becker were at the least uncle and nephew. I have no proof but the early history leaves one to make assumptions. Wayne Webb Editor: Brethren Roots ----- Original Message ----- > Now, the question is: Who was the Maria Catherine who was married to John > Stumpf? > > Could she have been the daughter Catherine of Julian Stumpf and his second > wife Maria? Could Maria Catherine have been a half-sister of her husband > John Stump (son of Julian Stumpf and his first wife Elizabeth)? Could > this > have been the "too near a relation" marriage that Conrad Beissel was > outraged about, resulting in John Stump being banned by Beissel from the > Brethren? > > Could Julian Stumpf's second wife Maria have been born a Becker, > explaining > why Valentine Becker was called "UNCLE" in the 1754 guardianship papers of > the children of John and Maria Catherine Stump's children? Also, could > Valentin Becker have been related to Elder Peter Becker?