Related Family: Peter Boas of York Town Jacob Scheffer of York Town and later Dover Township, York County, PA I have seen this Jacob Sheffer errantly confused with George Jacob Sheffer of Codorus tp.; however, the records below should clearly indicate that this Jacob resided in York Town before removing to Dover in Dover tp. after marrying the widow of Melchior Benedict. His last will & testament names six children. Records below indicate that Jacob, John, and Anna Maria (wife of Peter Boas) resided in York Town until at least the early 1790's. I suspect that further research could prove the spouses of daughters Elisabeth & Margaret, as well as add further light on Jacob himself. I have not fully researched this family. He is not related to my own; however, the confusion caused by the commonality of names requires that his family be fleshed out so that I can exclude it from my own relations. Any assistance greatly appreciated. TAX SEARCH: York tp. (1779-1783): John Sheffer, 1779-1783, 100A (2 males, 2 females ’83) George Sheffer, 1781-1783 (no land; 2 males, 2 females ’83) Jacob Shaefer, 1781-1783, freeman York Town Jacob Sheffer, 1779-1783 (cordwainer ’79; house & lot ’79; 1 male, 1 female, 1 servant, 3 Negroes ’83) Jacob Sheffer, 1779, 1781-1783 (missing ’80; junior ’81-83; 1 male, 1 female, 1 servant, 2 Negroes ’83) PROBATE SEARCH: York County Estate File: Jacob Sheffer (1794), Dover tp. 1. Last will & testament dated 16 Jul 1794 a. Wife Maria Catharina has right to his lot in Dovertown for the rest of her natural life; therefore, it is to be sold and divided amongst his heirs. b. He names his five children: Jacob Sheffer, John Sheffer, Anna Maria intermarried with Peter Boss, Elisabeth Sheffer, and Margaret Sheffer. c. Executor: [Not compiled] d. Witnessed by John Sharp & Ulrich Derr York County Estate File: Catharine Sheffer (1796), widow, Dover tp. 1. Her last will & testament dated 18 Feb 1796 identifies the following children: a. Catharine intermarried with Anthony Slothours b. Savena (her youngest daughter) intermarried with Philip Hoffman c. Melchior Benedict (her youngest son) d. Philip Benedict (her eldest son) e. Elizabeth intermarried with Conrad Stouchenberger f. Barbara intermarried with Charles Crim g. Margaret intermarried with Frederick Bakers h. Christina intermarried with Joseph Seip i. George Benedict j. Michael Peter k. Nicholas Benedict CHURCH SEARCH: York Lutheran KB (quite a few under Shafer post-1780 not compiled): NOTE: Marriage records not currently available. There may be some early Sheffer marriages. KEY: The man below appears is a different Jacob Sheffer than the man residing in Codorus Township: Jacob Schafer & his wife had baptized: 1. Anna Maria, b. 13 Nov 1755 Jacob Shafer & his wife Elizabeth had baptized: 1. Mary Elizabeth, born 3 A.M., January , 10, 1760, baptized June 28, 1761 2. John Shäfer [ Shafer ] of Jacob and Elizabeth, born October 23, 1761, baptized 9 May 1762. (Died June 2, 1762 in convulsions at 4 P.M..) John Schaeffer, son of Jacob and Elizabeth, godson of John Welsch (son of Jacob) and Anna Margaret (daughter of George Doerr); was born October 23, 1761, died of convulsive fits June 2, 1762 and was buried June 3, 1762 in our churchyard. DEED SEARCH: The following deeds are likely connected to this family but have not yet been searched. I would greatly appreciate any assistance. Jacob Shaffer from Jacob Dautel, 2B-157, York, 1783 Jacob Shaffer & wife to Peter Boas, 2B-158, 1783, York Jacob Shaffer, Sr., to Jacob Shaffer, 2G-294, York, 1791 York County Deed F316: Jacob Scheffer, cordwainer, & his wife Elizabeth of York Town mort.to Jacob Dautel, tanner, of same --Lot 65 in the town of York, situate on the corner of George & Philadelphia streets: HISTORY: Same lot (late belonging to the estate of George Stevenson) that the county sheriff granted 8 June 1774 to Thomas Hartley. On 18 Aug last past, Thomas Hartley sold the same to Jacob Dautel. On equal date herewith, the said Jacob Dautel sold the same to Jacob Scheffer, the first party hereto. --2 Mar 1775: George Craft, Geo. Lewis Lesler [sic from available transcription: could this be Geo. Lewis Scheffer???] --Anna Maria Dautel, widow & administrator of Jacob Dautel, ack.sat. 8 May 1782. York County Deed H382: Jacob Schaeffer, the elder, of Dover tp. mort.to Jacob Schaeffer, Jr., & John Schaeffer, cordwainers, both of York Town --A house and lot situate in the Town of York, it being a corner lot on George & Philadelphia streets, adjoining Peter Boose, and now in the occupation of the said Jacob Schaeffer, the younger. --1 Jul 1790: John Drally, Ben Kurtz. --Jacob Schaeffer, Jr., & John Schaeffer ack.sat. 28 Jul 1790. York County Deed F2-513: Jacob Shaffer & his wife Catharine of Dover tp. (she being late Catharine Benedict, the widow of Melchior Benedict, yeoman, late of same) enf-rel.to Conrad Stauseberg & Jacob Schreiber, husbandman, both of York Town 122A Dover tp.: HISTORY: By his last will & testament dated 17 Aug 1785, Melchior Benedict devised the same tract unto his wife Catharine, the first party hereto. --23 Aug 1790: Jacob Hahn & Ludwig Craft CENSUS SEARCH: Not yet ascertainable in census records. He would be one of the Jacob Shaffer's enumerated in 1790.