JAKOB, GEORGE, ELIZABETH, AND CATHERINE- OUR 2nd AMERICAN GENERATION

      Let me begin by reminding readers that the spelling of "Shedenhelm" varied widely from the beginning. In our time, we're prone to think that someone is not related to us if he or she spells their surname in a different way than we do. For instance, there was a time when I would not have thought that I was related to the "Shetenhelms" in Michigan, or the "Sheetenhelms" in Maryland, or the "Schiedenhelms" in Illinois...but I am! Of greater concern to researchers is the fact that spellings differed considerably for the same person, depending on the census taker's interpretation of the name. In preparing for this blog, I had trouble verifying the marriage of Frederick Shittenhelm's daughter, Catharine, to Anthony Eckhart... until I discovered that her last name was entered as "Sheetinghelm." Likewise, I had trouble finding Jabob (Jakob) Shittenhelm in the 1830 Federal census until I discovered that he was listed as "Seatenhelm." Be careful not to draw a circle that excludes relatives you may have... or even varying spellings of the ones you know you have.
      Having noted that, I will turn my attention to our 2nd generation in America. First, the record shows that they were all farmers and that three of them- George and his two sisters- relocated to Ohio when Ohio's land deals became too good to refuse. Indeed, this is exactly what many of their ancestors did when they left Ohio for Iowa and Michigan. Farmers, especially those who were not in line to inherit the family farm, moved west to claim the American dream for themselves. Thus, the record shows that George Shedenhelm purchased land in Seneca County, Ohio in 1832 and that Catherine Sheatenhelm was settled with her husband, Anthony Eckart, in Falls, Ohio by 1830.  We also know, although the details are sketchy, that Elizabeth and her husband, Anthony Brashear(s) Jr., we're settled in Ohio at an early date, but Frederick's first-born son stayed in Maryland.
      According to the 1800 Federal Census, Jacob Shettenhelm was living in Liberty, MD. at that time, and according to the 1830 census, Jacob Sheatenhelm/Seatenhelm, was living in District #9 of Frederick, MD. with his wife and three "children," one of whom was a teenage boy and two of whom were young women over 20. We know that 1) Jacob lived from June 28, 1777 to New Year's Day of 1836, and 2) he married a woman named Mary Walter. 3) with whom he had 5 children. 4) We also know that on May 11, 1807 Jacob purchased 130 acres of "Middle Plantation" from Thomas Walter for 700 English pounds ($1000 at the time), and that Jacob Sheetenhelm was our family's first miltary veteran, serving in the Maryland Militia during the War of 1812 under Captain Samuel Duvall (a 3rd cousin of mine from the Simmons' side) from August 3-Oct. 3, 1814.
      Jacob's younger brother, George Shedenhelm (my 3x great-grandfather) lived from January 10, 1782, when he was born in Frederick County, MD. to October 26, 1852, when he died in Seneca County, Ohio. We know that, 1) in May of 1832, George purchased 160 acres of land "near Wolf Creek, 3 miles north of Tiffin, Ohio," and that 2) he married Catherine Lease (1785-1875) on March 11, 1805. (Please note that some researchers believe that George married Catherine Slaymaker instead of Catherine Lease and a few others suggest that he married Ms. Slaymaker first and then Ms. Lease. These are minority opinions, however, and they are without documented proof that I have found.) George Shedenhelm was an early settler in Seneca County, Ohio and he seems to have enjoyed a successful life there. George's last Will carried his final words, and with these words, George made these things clear: 1) all funeral expenses and just debts must be paid first, 2) all of his real estate and personal property would go to his "beloved wife, Catherine;" 3) his son-in-law, Aaron Ruse, was not to receive any more of his property; 4) the grandchild who was living with him (1852) would receive $150; 4) all other assets and money should be divided equally among his heirs, except for the aforementioned Aaron Ruse; 5) after his wife, Catherine, died, all property should be equally divided among his living heirs (except Ruse), and 6) that his sons, Levi Adam, and Grafton McClellen would be co-executors of his Will. George and Catherine Shedenhelm are buried in Fravell Shaull Cemetery.

                                                                                   

Catherine, wife of George Shedenhelm

     Elizabeth Schidenhelm was born in Frederick County, MD.  on June 30, 1779. She was baptized in the German Reformed Church on August 22, and she married Nathan Brashear, Jr. in 1796. We know that they were living in Frederick when the 1800 Federal Census was taken, but it is difficult to trace their steps after that, probably because the name Brashear is listed in many different ways. However, we do know that they had 10 children and that most of them lived and farmed in Fairfield County, Ohio. There is one record suggesting that Nathan and Elizabeth relocated to Ohio as early as 1817, That seemed a bit too early to me initially, but there is no doubt that they left Maryland early on.
      Catharina/Catherine Sheatenhelm was Frederick and Maria Barbara's youngest child. She was born on September 27, 1788 in Frederick, MD, and she married (listed as Sheetinghelm) Anthony Eckhart on September 13, 1806... six miles from Frederick Town, MD. Interestingly, the record shows that Anthony also served in the War of 1812 and that he served as a Corporal under Captain Samuel Duvall (who was the same officer whom Jakob Sheetenhelm served under). Like George Shedenhelm and Nathan Brashears, Anthony Eckhart was enticed by the land deals in Ohio,... and by 1830, we know that he was living with Catherine and his children in Falls, Ohio.

      Jacob and Mary had 5 children; George and Catherine had 6 children; Elizabeth and Nathan had 10 children; and Catherine and Anthony had 10 more. Their kids are my first cousins, several times removed.  There are 31 of them... and they constitute the 3rd generation of our family in America, many of whom had moved west to Ohio.