Related families: John Sheffer & wife Rebecca of Dover tp. Jacob Sheffer & wives Catharine & Maria of Dover tp. Daniel Sheffer/Shaffer of Dover tp. George Spahr & his wife Elizabeth of Warrington tp. David Sheffer of Dover tp. & later Butler tp., Adams County, PA Andrew Strayer & wife Catharine of Dover tp. George Ludwig Sheffer is my ancestor. Later, I will post data on his father Johannes Sheffer/Scheffer, who first resided in Leacock tp., Lancaster County, before migrating to Dover tp., York County, circa 1758. George Ludwig's family record is known only through circumstantial evidence, and revisions are likely necessary. I will need to make a second post to cover his land holdings. George Ludwig Sheffer allegedly married Maria Catharina Spahr, daughter of Casper Spahr & his wife Anna Margaretha Mehl. Evidence of her parentage is probable but not proven conclusively. George Scheffer resided on Casper Spahr's real estate as surveys prove, and Casper's last will & testament probated in Chambersburg indicates that daughter Caty had already received her full inheritance. He also notes a bond due his estate from "George Sheavor" per an agreement in "Little York." Other evidence proves Casper's migration from Dover tp. to Chambersburg. Casper Spahr's son Jacob Spahr sponsored one of George Scheffer's children at his baptism. Seeking contact with anyone who can help flesh out the family record. I would also love it if someone could check these deed references, which involve a George Sheffer of York tp. who obtained land in Straban: York County Deed G400: George Sheffer, yeoman, of York tp. mort.to Valentine Krantz, yeoman, of York Town 166A Straban tp., adjoining Samuel Houldsworth, John Flemming, John Galbraith, and others: HISTORY: Same tract that George Sheffer lately purchased at a sheriff’s sale. --4 Sep 1783 George Sheffer to John Spangler, 2B-287, Straban, 1784 George Sheffer & ux to James Fleming, 2I-235, Straban, 1793 This is POSSIBLY the George of Dover, although I have my doubts. But the information contained within--especially the 1793 record--should be conclusive. George Ludwig Sheffer of Dover tp., York County, PA TAX SEARCH: I have had neither time nor opportunity to view complete runs of York County tax lists. From 1779-1783 I find only one George Schaeffer in York County proper (excluding modern-day Adams townships). He appears where expected—Dover tp.—but then seems to move to York tp. BUT, I find deed records for a George Schaeffer in York tp. proving that he acquired land in Straban tp. There are later deeds for this George that I have not checked—perhaps they will show him to be the man of Dover or maybe a different George Schaeffer. But, if it is not him in York tp., then why was he not enumerated in Dover tp. or an adjoining area? Dover tp. (1779-1783): George Shafer, 1780 (no land) York tp. (1779-1783): George Sheffer, 1781-1783 (no land; 2 males, 2 females ’83) Dover tp., York County, PA (checked only 1812-17): George Sheffer, 1812-1817, 220A (farmer ’15-17) Dover tp., York County, PA (checked only 1829-1831): George Sheffer, 1829-1831, 225A (heirs ’31) ESTATE SEARCH: Of great significance, please note the persons indebted to the estate. These are probably sons and sons-in-law. Records prove sons David and John as well as son-in-law Andrew Strayer, all of whom appear. Son Jacob does not appear—but was his full name George Jacob—and hence the George Sheffer below? A George Spahr married an Elisabeth Shaffer. This George’s wife lived 1779 to 1863. They appear in scattered records linked to George Sheffer’s known children. I believe him to be a son-in-law. A Daniel Shaffer died testate in Dover tp. in 1832. He is probably a son who left no heirs besides his wife Elizabeth. That leaves David Bender for whom I have found nothing. York County Estate File: George Sheffer of Dover tp. (1829) 1. Last will & testament, writ 16 Feb 1825, probated 3 Aug 1829. a. Wife Catharina. b. Real estate not to be sold until after his wife’s decease. c. “All my estate real and personal be equally divided amongst all my children excepting the shares coming to Elizabeth and that is to go to her children but all the money that I advanced to my children is to be reduced of before a divident is made and the property that I left to my wife is likewise to be equally divided among my children in the same manner after her deceased and the interest of the money is to come to my daughter Elizabeth’s children…..” d. Executors: Son John Sheffer and Son-in-law Andrew Strayer. e. Signed: Georg Schefer f. Witnessed by Wm. Caldwell & Jacob Sheffer. 2. Inventory dated 1 Aug 1829, signed by Wm. Caldwell & Jacob Shaffer: Book accounts are listed for the following persons (amount owed is given): g. George Spahr, $348.36 h. David Sheffer, $133.33 i. Daniel Sheffer, $887.00 j. George Sheffer, $454.27 k. David Bender, $350.00 l. Andrew Strayer, $500.00 m. John Sheffer, $266.67 3. An inventory dated 23 Jan 1846 is provided for the estate in the possession of the deceased’s wife Catharine Sheffer. (Ed. Note: This record suggests the widow was now deceased, with the executors carrying out the provisions made in the above testament.) 4. Two accounts, including the widow’s items, were not copied. The inventory and testament have been copied and are located in the Shaffer Family File. CEMETERY SEARCH: I have not viewed the actual tombstones. I would love to see a picture that confirms “George L. Schefer” and wife “Catharine Scheffer, wife of Lewis George.” The name George Lewis (or Ludwig) is what links the George of Dover tp. to the George of early Lancaster. Strayer’s Cemetery, Dover tp., York County, PA: SCHEFER GEORGE L. 7/9/1755 6/27/1829 73-11-18 SCHEFFER CATHARINE 8/9/1760 12/19/1845 85-4-10 W/O LEWIS GEORGE CHURCH SEARCH: Note that the Sheffer and Stauch families are linked on more than a few occasions. I surmise that one or more of the Stauch women is surnamed Sheffer. Lancaster Reformed KB, Lancaster County, PA: John Scheffer & Anna Maria had baptized: 1. George Jacob, b. 28 Sep 1753, sp. John Jacob Hollinger & wife 2. George Ludwig, b. 16 Jul 1755, sp. Ludwig Schmit Strayer’s Reformed KB, Dover tp., York County, PA: George Schaffer sp ch/o Joh. Dewis & Maria Elisabeth on 13 Mar 1778. George Schafer & his wife Catharine sp ch/o George Stauch & his wife Julianna circa 1804. Strayer’s Lutheran KB, Dover tp., York County, PA: George Schafer & his wife Catharina had baptized: 1. Jacob, b. 23 Dec -----, bp. 15 Feb ----- sp. Jacob Spahr 2. David, b. 2 Aug -----, bp. 15 Aug ----- sp. Andrew & Elisabeth Stauch 3. Cattrine, b. 16 Feb 1799, bp. 31 Mar 1799, sp. ----- Breneman --Note: Son Jacob was probably born about 1791 and son David about 1793. The original church book needs to be viewed in order to understand the layout. George Schafer sp ch/o Andreas & Elisabeth Stauch on 21 May 1786 George & Catharine Shaefer sp ch/o John & Catharine Spier on 21 Aug ---- (circa 1791) George Schafer & his wife Cattrina sp ch/o Jacob & Cattrina Staug on 1 Jan 1798 Johannes Schafer & his wife Rebecca had baptized: 1. Henrich, b. 29 Mar 1808, sp. George & Catharine Schafer 2. Salome, b. 6 Oct 1812, sp. Peter & Elizabeth Julius 3. Elizabeth, b. 6 Dec 1813, sp. George Schafer & his wife Catharine 4. Catharine, b. 29 Jan 1818, sp. Andreas Steer & Catharine 5. Maria, b. 14 Mar 1823, sp. ----------- CENSUS SEARCH: 1790 Federal Census: Dover, York, Pennsylvania; Roll: M637_9; Image: 0209. George Sheffer, 2-3-5 --Projected family: 1. George Sheffer, male over age 16 2. Wife Catharina, female 3. Son John, male under 16 4. Daughter Catharina, female 5. Daughter Elizabeth, female (presumed) 6. Son Jacob, male under 16 7. ????? Four other residents uncertain. It is possible that George’s parents resided in this household. 1800 Federal Census: Dover, York, Pennsylvania; .Roll: 44; Page: 1334; Image: 174. George Sheffer, 12010/01110 (enumerated next to George Spahr, Sr.) --Projected family: 1. George Sheffer, age 26-45 2. Wife Catharina, age 26-45 3. Daughter Catharina, age 16-26 4. Son John, age 10-16 5. Daughter Unknown, age 10-16 6. Son Jacob, age 10-16 7. Son David, under 10 1810 Federal Census: Dover, York, Pennsylvania; Roll: 57; Page: 168; Image: 175.00. George Sheffer, 10201/00001 John Sheffer, 20010/00100 --Enumerated next to each other. --Project family: 1. George Sheffer, over age 45 2. Wife Catharina, over age 45 3. Son Jacob, age 16-26 4. Son David, age 16-26 5. Son Daniel, under 10 1820 Federal Census: Dover, York, Pennsylvania; Roll: M33_114; Page: 65; Image: 89. David Sheffer, joiner, 000110/00010/0002 -----------(separated by three houses)------------ Geo. Sheffer, 000101/00001/-------- Jacob Sheffer, far., 100100/20100/0100 Jno. Sheffer, far., 120010/40110/0200 -----------(last three enumerated next to each other) 1830 Federal Census: Not found yet. Of note, an Andrew Wyer (Strayer?) resides between John & Jacob Shaffer—where the widow, if alive, should be. A woman aged 80-90 resides there. 1840 Federal Census: Dover, York, Pennsylvania; Roll: 501; Page: 105. John Shaffer, 00100001-----/00010001----- ------(separated by the household of John Bush)) Widow Shaffer, ------------/0000000001----- (female aged 70-80) Jacob Shaffer, 1010101------/0010101-----