This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Straub, Schmidt, Kramer, Bridger, Black, Davis, Allen Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/GeB.2ACI/965 Message Board Post: I would very much like to correspond with anyone researching the Schmidt family from Dessau, Germany this man belongs to. FREDERICK SCHMIDT, b. 6 June 1817, Dessau, Germany, d. 10 July 1876 in Due West, Abbeville County, South Carolina. Frederick Schmidt was a Music (piano) teach at Due West Female College from about 1871 until his death. He makes no mention of a wife or children in his Will. In Frederick's Will dated 15 July 1875 he left bequest to his nephew, Richard F. Schwarz of Analomink, Monroe County, Pennsylvania. No other relatives are mentioned by name, but he did have property in Germany, which was to be distributed to his relatives there "according to the laws of that country". When he wrote his Will he mentioned he was a citizen of the United States. He asked that notation of his death be published in "The New York Tribune in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, N. Y., Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y., Syrocuse, N. Y., Penn Yan(?), Yates County, N. Y., and Ogdensburgh, St. Lawrence County, N. Y.". Which indicates he must have had relatives in those places. Frederick Schmidt named Rev. W. M. Grier as Executor of his Will. Witnesses: John M. Cochran, L. Agnew, and W. L. Pressly. Frederick Schmidt left his combination and writing desk to Mrs. E. P. Kennedy (widow). I found Frederick's nephew RICHARD F. SCHWARZ (age 29, b. 1851 in Prussia) listed in 1880 Monroe County, Pennsylvania census married to Rosina (age 24, b. 1856 Ireland). Rosina Schwarz is listed in 1910 East Stroudsburg Borough, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, as widow boarding in home of Charles Dearr. The census says she had had three children, none living in 1910. We (my cousin) found Frederick by accident while searching records in Abbeville, South Carolina for our ggrandfather, William Henry Schmidt. My ggdfather, WILLIAM HENRY SCHMIDT, (b. 1834 Hanover, Germany) married Dec. 1858 in Augusta, Georgia, MARGARET CLARA STRAUB (b. 1841 Augusta, Georgia, daughter of PETER and MARGARET SELENA STRAUB. Family lore says Henry came to America alone to escape conscription in German army, which means if he was 18, he arrived ca. 1852. He was a tailor by trade and is living in Augusta, Georgia by 1856-57. I do not know his parents names. I would appreciate any help finding info on him. Henry Schmidt and Clara moved to Savannah, Georgia where they were living when Henry left by train for Abbeville, South Carolina in 1889. Henry never returned to Savannah and was never heard from again. We found the information on Frederick Schmidt while trying to find something on Henry Schmidt! There is a span of about 13 years between the death of Frederick and the time Henry left Savannah for Abbeville County, S. C, but we sometimes find clues in the strangest places in this genealogy research! We could find no evidence that our Henry Schmidt ever lived in Abbeville County, S. C. Clara remained in Savannah until her death in 1930. Although her children moved away, she would not leave Savannah. Perhaps in case Henry returned she would be where he could find her. I will be glad to share copies of the Will and misc. records I have on Frederick Schmidt.