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Note: f Christ Church in Lower Saucon Twp. They had no children. Around 1798 or early in 1799 Susanna became the second wife of widower Dr. Peter Martin Von Steuben, a noted physician of Easton, PA, who was almost 30 years older than she. They were already married by March of 1799 when, on 20 March, Dr. Von Steuben signed a receipt for money due his wife, Mrs. Susan Bingham. This receipt read "I promise to pay to Mrs. Susan Bingham or order Eight Hundred and Sixty-three dollars at sight for value received". 20 March 1795. Robert Blackwell, Dol. 863. Received, Philadelphia, March the 20th 1799, the above in full, Peter M. v:Steuben." On 24 March 1845 Susanna was listed as one of the subscribers who donated money to build Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church in Freemansburg, PA. In 1850 Susanna (Shimer) Von Steuben, age 73, was living in Bethlehem Boro, Northampton Co., PA in the household of her daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and George "Reigh" (Reich), and their family. Susanna owned real estate valued at $6,000. (1850 census, microfilm roll #802, pg. 239, house #37) In 1860 Susana (Shimer) Von Steuben (listed in the census as "Susan Steuben"), age 84, a widow, was living in Bethlehem, Northampton Co., PA, with her widowed daughter, Caroline Reich, age 59. Both were born in PA. (1860 census, microfilm roll M653_1147, Page 111, house #93, family #115) Susanna is buried next to her husband, Dr. Peter Martin Von Steuben, in Salem Union Church cemetery (now part of Nisky Hill Cemetery) in Bethlehem, PA. Susanna left a will, proved 25 Nov 1863, which reads as follows: "In the name of God, Amen. I. Susanna von Steuben, of the borough of Bethlehem and the state of Pennsylvania, Widow, being of sound mind, memory and understanding - praised be God for the same, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit: First it is my will and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expenses including tombstone shall be paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease which shall be paid by monies which I may have standing out at the time of my decease. Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Augustus Lewis von Steuben all my farming utensils of what kind and nature soever the same may be. Item. I give and desise unto my said son Augustus Lewis my Messuage, Plantation and tract of land, situate in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, aforesaid adjoining lands of Jacob Shimer, Philip Clauss, Abraham Shimer or late of them and the River Lehigh containing sixty four acres of land and thirty-four perches of land be the same more or less with the appurtenances. To hold the same to him my said son Augustus Lewis his heirs and assigned forever charged and chargeable nevertheless sum of One Thousand five hundred Dollars which shall be paid by my said son to my Daughter Maria Rosetta intermarried with John Yost within one year of my decease. Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Caroline Matilda Reigh my messuage or lot of ground situate on the west side of New Street between North - and Garison Street in the Borough of Bethlehem aforesaid with a brick dwelling house and other improvements therein erected. To have and to hold the same to her my said Daughter Caroline Matilda her heirs and assigns forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my said two daughters Caroline Matilda and Maria Rosetta all my weaving (wearing?) apparel to be equally divided amongst them share and share alike. Item. It is my will and I do hereby order that all my household goods and furniture, bed, bedsteads, carpets, curtains, linen, pianforte, plate china, queensware, etc. shall be equally divided between my said three children share and share alike. Item. I also direct that my books be divided in three equal shares as near as may be amongst my said children; my son Augustus Lewis is to have due first choice in the distribution of my estate as aforesaid die and that case I give the share hereby bequeathed to such deceased child to the children of the same. Item. I nominate, constitute and appoint my son August Lewis von Steuben to be the Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other Wills, Legacies and Requests by me heretofore made and declaring this to be my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the first day of April in the Year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and sixty two. Susanna v. Steuben (seal) Signed sealed and published and declared by the said Susanna v. Steuben as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at her request have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. John C. Cook James T. Borhek Codicil. I add this Codicil to my last Will and Testament. I hereby direct that from the estate devised to my son Augustus Lewis he shall in addition to what he pays or shall pay to my Daughter Maria Rosetta pay to my daughter Caroline Matilda the sum of One Hundred Dollars provided she stays with me and nurses me till my decease & further direct that the money found with me at my decease shall be applied towards my funeral expenses, witness my hand & seal this 20th April AD 1863. Susannah v. Steuben (seal) Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said Susannah v. Steuben as and for a Codicil to her last will and testament in presence of John C. Cooke, James T. Borhek, Northampton County SS. (Other Sources: 1. Will Book 7, pp. 593-594, Northampton County Government Center, Easton, PA, as transcribed by Timothy Herd 2. Findagrave.com - Memorial # 56226106. Inscription: Wife of Doctor Peter Martin von Steuben - Daughter of Edward & Rosenna Shimer - Aged 87 yrs 5 mo. & 25 days)
Note: Susanna Shimer was first married to James Bingham of Philadelphia by Rev. John Mann, pastor o
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