Thanks to all of you who responded on my dilemma, does anyone have any ideas on the other part of my puzzle regarding the Shenandoah Valley of Va. and children's guardianships? (see below) From: Christine [mailto:cwelch@neo.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 11:19 AM To: 'brethren-bounces@rootsweb.com' Subject: Hessian soldiers I have been stuck for a very long time in the Shenandoah Valley. My ancestors were German and may have been old German Baptist or possibly Brethren. Since there's seems to be a conversation going on about 2 things I've been stuck on, I thought I'd jump in here. My ancestor Stophel Auckerman may have been a Hessian soldier who was in SW Pa. during and after the The Revolution. His children were born in Va. and Pa., the last one in about 1790 reportedly in Pa.. Does anyone know if Hessian soldiers might have been connected to the Brethren? I have read that many or most were Protestants. In 1795, in Frederick Co., Va.(Shenandoah Valley) his wife, Elisabeth, passed away. Three (3) different men were listed as guardians for her three children ages 5, 9, and 13. There was nothing stated about the husband, Stophel. I have found a man by similar name in PA. in the 1810 census in Northumberland Co. and again in 1820 in Allegheny Co.. Any educated guesses what might have been the case. Should I assume Stophel has died? Divorced Elizabeth? Is it likely that any or all of these men might have been relatives? Does the Brethren Church in that area have any records? Their son John (1786-1874) reportedly born in PA., was living in Shenandoah Co. in the 1810 census before going to southern Ohio the following year. I have very little about this family and can't seem to find anything else either. The surnames of the guardians were Rhodes/Roads/Zink/Zinck and Bittman/Pittman. Thanks for any suggestions! Christine in NE Ohio