First, I am not a part of the Sheaffer family. However, among my deceased father’s book collection was a ledger book that belonged to Peter Sheaffer, born March 24, 1807 . On the same fronting page in the ledger he lists several other family members’ information: to wit –
Jamimah Sheaffer May 17, 1842
Columbus Sheaffer December 27, 1843
George W Sheaffer July 31, 1847, with an otherwise unassociated date of 1847 immediately below the birth date. I assume that this refers to a child who died within a short time after birth. The two year entries of “1847 appear to be written in pencil, while the rest of these entries are in ink. (Actually, the first 1847 is half ink (“18”) and half pencil (“47”) and the second entry is totally in pencil. Also, the penciled “47” is in a different hand – the penciled figures are differently formed than the ink entries.
Amildamanda Sheaffer November 16, 1849
Adolphus (Adulphus?) Sheaffer October 15, 1853
Catharine Elizabeth Anna Sheaffer March 4, 1856
Sarah Allas Sheaffer August 6, 1858
Mr. Peter Sheaffer Born March 24, 1807
Mrs. Elizabeth Sheaffer was born 1817 and died Nov 4th 1885 Aged 68 years 11 months and 4 days.
The last two entries in the above list are written in blue pencil.
The rest of the ledger is primarily account records with individuals from November 20, 18 44 (Daniel Foose) to May 14, 18 69 (Elias Trostle). One later page is headed “1872 David Sweager”, but contains no other entry of any sort.
Also, page 17 contains a record of four payments to Elizabeth Sheaffer in 1876 and 1877, totaling $441.39.
In the back of the ledger is another list of births:
Daisy S. Sheaffer born November 21, 1866
Harry H. Sheaffer born September 7, 1868
Maisy E. Sheaffer born July 15, 1870
William O. Sheaffer born January 17, 1872
Charles E Sheaffer born October 16, 1873
Aniy (?) Sheaffer born September 18, 1875 This first name is not clear. With a blue pencil it was later “edited” directly over the first name with what appears to be “rùe”, with a left leaning accent over the “u”.
Clarence J Sheaffer born October 30, 1878
David Sheaffer born October 30, 1878
The above two are twins. Perhaps David died before the age of 7, based on the entry below.
David G Sheaffer born August 14, 1885
My father probably came by this book at an estate sale in the Elizabethton, PA area. I am looking to restore it to its family, since it will mean much more to the family than to me. If you can help me connect with whoever might rightly lay claim to this book as a family record, please forward this message and ask them to contact me at
preachershields1945@yahoo.com.
Thanks.
Rev. Joseph W. Shields
preachershields1945@yahoo.com