I am the 5th great grandaughter of Jacob Shaffer

Also known as Schaeffer, Shafer, Sheffer,Shaffer, Schaffer, Shaver, Scheffer

Jacob Schaeffer, Jr. was born in Germany to Jacob Schaeffer and Rosina Keller. Both Jacob and Rosina died in Germany before 1748 by the time Jacob Shaffer, Jr. born 1728 arrived in America. Jacob, Jr. was raised by his mother's brother Andreas or Jacob Keller. (source: Jacob obituary)

Original Obituary In German

This is to show that I was requested this day to preach the funeral sermon of my old friend Jacob Shaffer who for 41 years was a regular and honorable member of this congregation. He was born the 30th day of December in the year 1728 Darmstetterland. He was given to the Lord in Holy Baptism. His father was Jacob Shaffer and his mother Rosina. His parents died while he was quite young. He was raised by his sponsor Andreas or Jacob Keller. He left his Fatherland in his 19th year and came to America. He raised a large family in a Christian manner. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He saw to it that all of his children were confirmed in the same. He departed this life on the 8th day of May 1815, and was buried on the 11th day of May, a large number of people attended the funeral. The funeral sermon was preached on Luke 2 verses 29-30-31 and 32. " Lord now lettest thoy thy servany depart in peace." May 11 1815, Pastor Paulus Henkle

Jacob was married twice, his first wife was Catherine Delaplank, daughter of James Jacobus Delaplank & Mary Catherine, she died before 1767 in Maxatawny, Berks, PA, as her mothers will showed her deceased, (facts from Delaplank wills and land records Berks Co, PA) their children in birth order Jacob, Sarah, John, Frederick, Daniel,Mary, Michael, David,& Samuel.

Jacob's second wife was Otillia Schmidt married on May 31, 1767 Maxatawny Berks, PA, their marriage license says he was a widower, their children were Hannah, George, Barbara,Henrich, Elizabeth, Philip, Abraham, Jonas, & Solomon.

The children's birth order can be found at the Virginia State Library Chancery records Shaffer vs. Philip Shaffer #1867-006. The book "200 Years in the Shenandoah Valley" by Arthur Pierson Kelley shows records of the Rev.Paul Henkel and baptism's for some of Jacob's children and his family -Old Pine Church-Mt Jackson, VA

Some researchers have Jacob buried in Solomon's Cemetery, but searching all the church records I cannot find him or any of his family listed there. He was a member of the Old Pine Church for many years as stated with records in the book "200 Years in the Shenandoah Valley" and may have been buried on that church property as many of his children with Otillia and grandchildren attended,were baptized and took communion with records up to 1867.

Jacob arrived in America on the ship Patience, 16 Sept 1748, at the age of 19 with his guardian Andreas Keller age 30. He had several brothers and sisters, names unknown, and was the youngest son born in 1728, and the oldest born in 1711. His parents died in Germany when he was quite young and was raised by his mother's brother Andreas Keller or Jacob Keller.

Much thanks to Joe Nielson for his much thorough research on the DeLaplanks and Shaffer's (Berks Co wills, census, land records)