BackGround: Manhattan Temple, Manhatten, New York.
Up Dated 6 February 2008
History of George SHEFFER
George SHEFFER was born 18 August 1800 in Sharon, Schoharie County, New York. The third child of Johannes SCHAEFFER and Dorothy STAMM. The children of Johannes and Dorothy were Markreta, Maria, Gorg, Johan, and Anna. Dorothy died before 26 March 1806 as Johannes married Maria Beisser on this date, and had one child Christian.
From History of Allegan County Michigan
George spent his childhood on a farm in Sharon Township, and when he was about 17 or 18 he met with a serious accident by cutting his knee with an adz. This caused several years of lameness. He was able to overcome this lameness through the application of "bears grease". George knew how to Doctor with herbs found in the woods. This he learned from an Indian Medicine Man that he went with to gather herbs in his childhood. His knowledge of this came in very handy many times through out his life. As a result of the accident he learned the showmakers trade and was a self made man in the truest sense of the word, for while his schooling days were very limited, he was an intelegent and well read man.
Mr. SHEFFER remained at home until his marriage which occurred when he was about 19years of age, miss Hester VAUGHN becomming his wife. Their union resulted in the birth of 2 children William, and Maria or Marion both of whom were deceased by 1892. When their mother died young the children were taken into the home of thier mother's parents, who were people of good financial standing and were educated well, and given good educations.
After the death of his first wife George went to Schanando, Oneida Co., and lived with his brother John. It was here he met Polly CHAMBERLAIN and married her in about 1822. Mrs Polly SHEFFER was the daughter of Nicholas and Sarah (JOHNSON) CHAMBERLAIN. She was born in 1799 in Oneida Co., New York, on the present (1909) site of Clinton College. Her first playmates were the indian children, whose language she could speak as well as her own.
The above is edited from the family sketches of two of his sons, Clark and Samuel G in the Allegan County history.
The following is from the Reminiscenses of S. G. SHEFFER.
His great grandfather served in the Revolutionary war. Samuel remembered stories his grandfather told of the Revolutionary War. "These reminiscences were related to me by grandmother and my mother. My grandmother's maiden name was JOHNSON. Mother said she (her grandmother) was a first cousin of James MONROE, President of the United States. Her (his mother's mother) first husband was a man named GATES who, when the war between colonies and Great Britain broak out, espoused the cause of the King. They called him a Tory. He was a captain for he led a squad of British and Indians to capture the place where they lived and grandmother and some of the other women were hidden in a cart loaded with pea straw and driven to a secluded place until the fighting was over. Then mother and her little boy went to another part of the colony. There she lost her little boy. Mr GATES followed the British Army and in all probability lost his live for he was never heard from again.
(NOTE: The JOHNSON Genealogy calls him Ezra GATES and her name was Sarah JOHNSON, the daughter of Elihu and Sarah JOHNSON, she married second Nicholas CHAMBERLIN.)
Nicholas CHAMBERLAIN and Sarah were my grandparents. After several years they moved (from Vermont) to what is now New York state with a family of three girls and one son and settled in what is now Oneida county. I think about four miles from Utica.
At that time there were very few white families in the country. About this time my mother, Polly CHAMBERLAIN, was born. Grandmother was often visited by the Indians to see the white "papoose." The Indians were very friendly. One day the old chief came to Grandmother's cabin and said his squaw was very lame and could not walk much and asked to take the baby to his wigwam to show her to the Indian woman. The wigwam was about half a mile away. They let him take the baby and while he was gone a terrible thunder storm came up and Grandmother was much excited but as soon as the storm was over, the old chief came back with the baby. He said "Him nice Papoose." The next day he brought a nice hind quarter of venison saying "Him good for papoose."
NOTE: For another version of this story see Oskanondonha's Pipe and click on Descriptions and Myths of OSKANONDONHA then go to section on Myths.This link now working again RF 14 Dec 2003
After a time Grandfather moved to a place called Sconondoa named after an Indian chief whose village was near Sconondoa creek. Near there was a butternut orchard--whether these trees were planted or came up by themselves I do not know but in the center of the orchard was quite an elevation on which the Indian meeting house stood, where two Indians who spoke English spoke to the white people in the forenoon and to the Indians in the afternoon. Old chief Shanondo lived here. He had been chief of the six nations, but now each tribe had its own chief. There were the Mohawks, Onondagos, Oneidas, Cayugas, and the Senecos. When my mother was seven years old Grandfather and Grandmother took her along when they stopped to see Chief Shanondo. He took my mother on his lap and smoothed her hair and said "My hair is white by the winds of one hundred and ten years they have whistled through it. I am like the aged hemlock you see yonder -- the bark is falling off and soon the last hair will fall from my head and I shall go to the happy hunting ground" and still patting mothers head said "she must be a good girl so she could sometime go there too.
There was fine water power on Sconondoa Creek and a cotton factory was build there. My mother and aunt Phoebe (CHAMBERLIN) were employed there when quite young. It was here that father (George SHEFFER) became acquainted with my mother. Not liking factory work mother soon became engaged to father. When they were married they moved to Cicaro, where father's brother (John) lived.
(NOTE: New and Complete Gazetteer of the U.S. (1854), p.238 -- CICERO, a post-township of Onondaga county, New York, on the south-western shore of Oneida lake, 10 miles N. E. from Syracuse. Population, 2980.)
There they bought some land and built a large log house. Mother and father lived in one end and father's brother lived in the other. After a while father sold his part to his brother (John) because he had cut his knee with an adz and one leg became shorter than the other. By the application of dog's grease and rubbing he got so he could walk without a cane. Then he took up shoemaking and did very well with it. It was on the farm that I was born with a twin brother who died when about nine months old. Then my father moved back to Sconondoa and worked at his trade for a number of years. Then he moved to Turkey St. Vernon Village,
NOTE: New and Complete Gazetteer of the U.S. (1854), p.1209 -- VERNON a post-township in the S. W. part of Oneida co., New York, drained by Oneida creek. Population, 3098. -- VERNON, a post-village in the above township, 16 miles W. from Utica. It contains 3 or 4 churches, an academy, a newspaper office, a bank, and several stores. Population, estimated at 900.
where he became acquainted with a man named ROOT who told him the chances for his business were better in the western part of the state. So we moved to Barre, Orleans Co.
NOTE: New and Complete Gazetteer of the U.S. (1854), p.78 -- BARRE, a township of Orleans county, New York, 44 miles N. E. from Buffalo. The Erie canal and the Rochester and Lockport railroad pass through it. Population, 4186. -- BARRE, a small village in the above township, 2 or 3 miles S. from the Rochester and Lockport railroad.
where he had a shoe shop and he did very well. (He also did business in Bridgeport, Madison Co. between 1820 and 1830). But Father was a migratory individual and after three years he moved back to Cayuga Co.
NOTE: Back to Reminiscenses in S. G. SHEFFER History.
and was gate keeper of the N. Cayuga Ferry. Then he moved to Freedom , Washtenaw, Michigan, in 1840 where he was among the earliest pioneers. His last days were spent at the home of his daughter Mary MARLATT in Cambridge, Lenawee, Co. Michigan. His death occuring 23 December 1864. He is buried in the Onstead "Maple Shade" Cemetery, it goes by both names, in Cambridge Township. His wife then moved to Casco Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, and spent her remaining days with her oldest son Samuel George SHEFFER. Her death occuring in 1880. Also living in the Casco Twp. area are at least 4 or 5 of her other children.
Again from the history of Allegan Co. He had united with the free and accepted masons while a young man residing in Schoharie Co. New York. In which order he became a Master Mason. He was a Baptist in his early years but in his later life he was a member of the Methodist-Episcopal Church, his having united with that denomination because there was no Baptist Church in his vicinity. His wife was a Presbyterian. In politics he was first a Jacksonian Democrate, but later joined the Whig party.
A letter from George SHEFFER to his sons Clark and Samuel and Daughters Sarah McLOUTH, and Martha, LEE dated 18 June 1855:
Dear Children:
With joy I write to you although with a trembling hand. We are all well. You all wish to see some of father's writing and hear concerning the things of this life. Our wheat is very poor but our rye is good and our corn is good. I have a wild colt. John works for Daniel (his son-in-law Daniel MARLATT) and mother and I live alone. We expect to come out there about the middle of August.
O Children, you don't know how I long to see you and your young ones and hear their noise and prattle. O! dear children, you do not know the desire of a parent for his absent children and where his happiness concentrates.
Now concerning spiritual matters. I rejoice in the spirit and go forth to problems. The glad tidings of great joy to all people I preach once in four weeks in Wetland and once in four weeks at Wolf Creek and once in four weeks at home. I learn that you have left off speaking of the Spirit. O my sons go forth fearless and declare the truth and let your minds waft forth to brighter values on high. While passing through the various scenes of life let contentment possess your souls that your minds waft forth in pleasant harmony and love that you may meet your father in the bright world above. Finally my children farewell. Write when you receive this and let me know if you can read this and I will write again. Tell Sarah and Martha that I will write them.
From your affectionate father,
George SHEFFER.
Two versions of why George changed his name from SCHAEFFER to SHEFFER:
From Grace Jones's SHEFFER HISTORY
There is a story that a man forged George SCHAEFFER's name and it cost him his life's savings. So he went to court and had his, his wife's and childrens names changed to SHEFFER.
The other version is that he changed his name because there were to many SCHAEFFERS in the vicinity and when they took their grain to be ground it would sometimes get mixed up. So he used the name SHEFFER to avoid this situation. I can neither prove nor disprove either version.
1820 Census Sharon, Schoharie, New York.
George SHAFER
Under 10; 10 to 16; 16 to 18; 16 to 26; 26 to 45; 45 & Up
Males: 2 -------- -------- -------- 1 -------
Females: 1 -------- XXXXXXXX -------- 1 -------
1820 Census Sharon, Schoharie, New York.
John H SHAFER
Under 10; 10 to 16; 16 to 18; 16 to 26; 26 to 45; 45 & Up
Males: -------- -------- -------- -------- 1 -------
Females: 2 -------- XXXXXXXX 1 -------- -------
1830 Census Vernon, Oneida, New York.
George Shaver
Under 5; 5 to 10; 10 to 15; 15 to 20; 30 to 40;
Males: 1 1 1 -------- 1
Females: 1 ------- -------- -------- 1
1840 Census Aurelius, Cayuga, New York.
G. SHEFFER
Under 5; 5 to 10; 10 to 15; 15 to 20; 30 to 40; 40 to 50
Males: 2 ------- 1 1 1 --------
Females: 1 2 1 -------- -------- 1
1850 Census Cambridge, Lenawee, Michigan Page 64
R Estate Where
Name Age Sex Race Occupation Value Born
George SHEFFER 49 M ---- Farmer $ 0,400 New York
Polly " 51 F ---- ---------- -------- New York
Lowell " 15 M ---- ---------- -------- New York
Clarisa " 11 F ---- ---------- -------- New York
John " 10 M ---- ---------- -------- New York
Silas " 7 M ---- ---------- -------- New York
1860 Census Cambridge, Lenawee, Michigan, Page 44
R Estate Personal Where
Name Age Sex Race Occupation Value Value Born
George SHEFFER 59 M ---- Farmer $ 1,000 $ 0,200 New York
Polly " 61 F ---- ------------ -------- -------- New York
John SHEFFER 20 M ---- Farm Laborer -------- -------- New York
Lydia " 21 F ---- ------------ -------- -------- New York
Harriet SHEFFER 20 F ---- ------------ -------- -------- Michigan
Lowell " 25 M ---- Farm Laborer -------- -------- Michigan
1870 Census Casco Twp., Allegan, Michigan, Page 26
R Estate Personal Where
Name Age Sex Race Occupation Value Value Born
SHEFFER Samuel 46 M W Farmer $ 10,000 $ 1,000 New York
" Lovina 46 F W Keeping House -------- -------- New York
" Charles 21 M W Farm Laborer -------- -------- Michigan
" Agnes 19 F W ------------- -------- -------- Michigan
" Sarah 17 F W ------------- -------- -------- Michigan
" Byron 15 M W ------------- -------- -------- Michigan
MALONEY Fred 6 M W ------------- -------- -------- Michigan
SHEFFER Polly 73 F W ------------- -------- -------- New York
George Schaffer (male) Birth 1799 Unknown [1800] Death 1864 Unknown Polly Chamberlain (female) Birth Unknown New York State [1798] Family of George Schaffer & Polly Chamberlain Girl Unknown Sarah Sheffer Boy Unknown Samuel Sheffer Boy Unknown Clark Sheffer Girl Unknown Martha Sheffer Boy Unknown John Sheffer Boy Unknown Lowell Sheffer Girl Unknown Clara Sheffer Girl 10 Oct 1830 Mary Sheffer
CHILDREN of George SHEFFER and Hester VAUGHN:
+ 1. WILLIAM b: Abt 1818; Sharon, Schoharie, New York.
2. MARIA or MARION b: Abt 1820; Sharon, Schoharie, New York.
CHILDREN of George SHEFFER and Polly CHAMBERLAIN:
+ 1. SAMUEL GEORGE b: 17 Aug 1823; Cicero, Onondaga, New York.
md: 14 May 1848; , Lenawee, Michigan
Lavina (Lovina) SNYDER.
at Albion, Oswego, New York.
d: 3 Mar 1915; Casco Twp, Allegan, Michigan.
2. SON b: 17 Aug 1823; Cicero, Onondaga New York.
(twin bro of Samuel)
d: Apr 1824; Cicero, Onondaga New York.
æ 9 months
+ 3. SARAH A. b: Sep 1825; Vernon, Oneida, New York.
md 1st: ; , Lenawee, Michigan.
Mr BROWNOLD
md 2nd: Abt 1853; , Lenawee, Michigan.
Eleazer Ketchum McLOUTH
d: 10 Nov 1910; , Allegan, Michigan.
+ 4. CLARK MARVIN b: 9 Aug 1828; Vernon, Oneida, New York.
md: 18 Nov 1857; Casco Twp. , Allegan, Michigan.
Roxina Abigail KNAPP.
in South Haven, Van Buren,
Michigan.
d: 20 May 1906; Casco Twp, Allegan, Michigan.
+ 5. MARY J. b: 28 Oct 1830; Vernon, Oneida, New York.
md: 15 Jan 1850; Cambridge Twp., Lenawee,
Michigan.
Daniel MARLATT
d: 11 Dec 1918; Cambridge Twp., Lenawee,
Michigan.
+ 6. MARTHA b: Jun 1833; Barre, Orleans, New York.
md: 1849/50; , , Michigan.
Charles M. LEE
+ 7. LOWELL HARVEY b: 28 Jun 1835; Barre, Orleans, New York.
md: 25 Jun 1858; , Lenawee, Michigan.
Harriet Fannie Van VALKENBURGH
d: 1916; Olalla, Kitsap, Washington.
+ 8. CLARISA ABRINA b: 1839; Aruelius, Cayuga, New York.
md: 1854; , Lenawee, Michighan.
Albert E. SMITH
d: 18 Jun 1884; Wayland, Allegan, Michigan.
+ 9. JOHN VAUGHN b: 1841; Aruelius, Cayuga, New York
md 1st: 24 Oct 1859; Casco Twp. Allegan, Michigan.
Lydia KNAPP (divorced)
md 2nd: ; Casco Twp., Allegan, Michigan.
Marsha POST
10. SILAS b: Abt 1843; , , Michigan æ 7 years in
1850 Census.
d: Aft 1850; , , Michigan.
probably died young in
Washtenaw, county as I cannot
find him except in the 1850
census.
Back to Johannes SCHAEFFER's Family Page.Back to Our Genealogy Home Page.
Back to George SHEFFER's Home Page.
Back to Pedigree Chart Index Page.
I. Bible records:
A. Johannes SCHAEFFER (Jr)
II. Cemetery records:
A. Onstead "Maple Shade" Cemetery, Cambridge Twp.,
Lenawee, Michigan.
III. Census records: See above
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