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Fantastic!
Not sure where Margaret comes from, but there is very good evidence the first wife of Jacob Shaffer, and mother of John, was Catherine Delaplanck, daughter of Jacobus Delaplanck of Maxatawny, Berks.
The marriage of Jacob Shaffer to Otilla Schmidt was recorded in the Trinity Lutheran Church (Reading, PA) in 1767. Jacob was named as a widower from Maxatawny. Jacob Shaffer was listed on the Maxatawny tax rolls for 1754, 1759 thru 1767 but he was gone by 1768 and there was only one Jacob Shaffer listed on the Maxatawny tax rolls in any given year. It should be claimed that when other records of the time speak of Jacob Shaffer of Maxatawny, they are speaking about the same Jacob who married Otilla.
Following are four records making the case for Jacob’s first wife as Catherine Delplanck. They are the wills of both Catherine Delaplanck’s parents (Jacobus and Mary Catharina Delaplanck), the indenture for the sale of Jacob Shaffer’s property in Maxatawny, and a release signed by Catherine Delaplanck and her husband Jacob Shaffer. The release resulted from the fulfillment of a legacy to Catherine from her father Jacobus Delaplanck. What these records say is Catherine Delaplanck was married to Jacob Shaffer of Maxatawny. She died sometime between 1761, when she signed the release, and 1771 when her mother left a legacy to Catherine’s minor children. Jacob Shaffer sold property in 1767, the last year he was recorded on the Maxatawny tax roll.
The two wills and the indenture records are abstracts. The release record (an acknowledgement of payment for 200 lbs) is word for word as recorded in the Berks records. Catherine signed that Release in 1761, but the instrument was not recorded until 13 Sep 1767. The Release also exists in abstract form, but the date on the abstract, naturally, is the date it was recorded (Sep 1767) which date was some five months after the marriage of Jacob Shaffer and Otilla. That is probably why Catherine has been previously excluded as Jacob’s first wife since, by reading the abstract only, one would conclude Catherine was still alive on 13 Sep 1767 and further conclude (incorrectly) she could not be the first wife of Jacob Shaffer of Shenandoah since Jacob was already married to Otilla by that time.
Will abstract: Delplanck, James, Oley. Signed 29 May 1758, recorded 10 May 1760. To son Frederick, the 514 acres of land in Maxatawny, bought of Peter Wentz, and to pay to my dau. Catherine Scheffer £200. To dau. Mary Keim £200. To dau. Susanna, the 100 acres of land where I live and 100 acres of woodland thereto joining. Wife to have the use of it until dau. is of age. To wife Mary Catherine, the money, Bonds, Notes, etc. Remainder equally divided when Susanna is of age. Exrs: wife Mary Catherine and son Frederick. Wit: Conrad Preiss, Christian Kuntzy.
Berks Deed Book 5, page 278. Dated Feb 1761, recorded 13 Sep 1767, Jacob Sheffer and Catherine his wife release to Frederick Delaplanck. “Know all men by these presents that Jacob Sheffer of Maxatawny in the County of Berks and Catherine his wife do hereby acknowledge to have this day had and received of Frederick Delaplanck of the City of Philadelphia, shopkeeper, the sum of 200 lbs in lawful money of Pennsylvania in full payment, satisfaction & discharge of the said sum of 200 lbs given to the said Catherine in and by the last will and testament of her father Jacobus Delaplanck late of Maxatawny aforesaid deceased bearing date on or about the twenty ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight—Of and from which said legacy or sum of 200 lbs—And all actions suits claims and demands for or on account thereof the said Jacob Sheffer and Catherine his wife for themselves their executors & administrators do hereby exonerate, acquit, release & discharge the said Frederick Delaplanck his heirs, executors & administrators and the lands in and by the said will to the said Frederick Delaplanck devised and charged with the payment of the said legacy. In witness whereof the said Jacob Sheffer & Catherine his wife have hereunto set their hands and seals the ___ (blank) day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty one.”
Sealed and delivered in the presence of us Conrad Henninger, Peter Smith (indorsed thus) Berks County on the thirteenth day of September Anno Domini 1767 before me Sebastian Zimmerman Esq. one of His Majesty’s justices.
Indenture: Signed 15 Aug 1767, recorded 2 Jun 1768. Jacob Shaffer of Maxatawny for 500 lbs 175 acres to Christian Lauer of Tulpehocken a tract of land in Richmond on Moselem Creek adjoining lands of William Basler, Henry Haffner, Henry Hartley, John Schenck & George Nuty.
Jacob’s wife Otilla did not sign this indenture. She would not have a claim on property that Jacob owned prior to their marriage and would thus not be required to sign the indenture.
Will abstract: Mary Cathrina Delaplanck, Maiden Creek. Dated 16 Sep 1771, recorded 26 Jan 1773. Vol 2- 121. To dau. Catharina Sheafers children £30 to be in the hands of Daniel Rothermal, until youngest is of age. To dau. Mary Keim £30. And £8 I leave to the Poor of my profession. And 5 shillings to my son Frederick Delaplanck and all the rest of my money I leave to Susanna Rothermel. Wit: Thomas Starr and John Spicklemire.
Then the first wife of Jacob Shaffer of Maxatawny would appear to be Catherine Delaplanck.
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