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Note: Visit the Sheets DNA Project at:
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~sheetsdna
It is believed that George Sheetz could possibly be the s/o Johan "George" Schuetz, of Paxtang Twp.. Molly Ulsh, of Harrisburg, also a descendant of Johan "George" Schuetz is steering me in this direction (2001). George was named as a s/of George Sheets in his father's will, dated Feb. 1, 1817, which can be found in the Mifflin Co. Courthouse. A George Sheets appears in the 1810 US PA census records for Swatara Twp., as "head" of household, and lists his age as between 26-45. Along w/his wife, also aged 26-45, he has (2) sons, one 10-16, and one son 16-26. Also (3) girls, two under ten, and one 16-26.
There was a Private John Sheitz in the Return of officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates composing the Light Infantry of Dauphin Co. Militia attached to the 1st Batallion in the First Regiment under the command of Lieutenent Colonel Thomas Foster for the year 1794, during the WHISKY INSURRECTION. Location of this company is thought to be in the vacinity of Harrisburg. This information is found in the HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, by Luther Reily Kelker, VOL. II, by the Lewis Publishing Company, pg. 1020. More research is needed to determine if this soldier was indeed our "George"!
George is briefly noted as being a native of Dauphin county, but named only as "John" regarding the parentage of William J. Sheetz, his son, a land owner and farmer of Jefferson Twp., Dauphin county, PA. This short bio on William referencing his father simply as "John" can be found in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin Co., PA, 1896, by RUNK & COMPANY, pg. 754 .
George's obituary or announcement of death appeared in the ORACLE OF DAUPHIN. It read: George Sheets - d. September 21, 1822, Sat. in Susquehanna Township. Age: 48. (This would calculate back to a birth year of about 1773). This announcement can be found on film #1298604, in the LDS Genealogical Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Just one month before his death, on August 12, 1822 George Sheetz wrote out his "Last Will and Testament". Written in English, it was legable for that period of time. It was filed at the Dauphin Co. Courthouse in Harrisburg, PA, in WILL BOOK D, page 279, and was probated on October 18, 1822. It read:
In the Name of God, Amen. I George Sheetz of Susquehanna Township, Dauphin Co., and State of Pennsylvania, yoeman, Being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and memory and understanding, Blessed be God for the same, but considering the uncertainty of this life do make and "b"ulish this my last will and testament for manner and form following wit. Principally and first of all I commend my immortal Soul unto the hands of God who gave it and my body to the Earth to be buried in a decent and Christian Like manner at the discretion of my Executors. Thereinafter names and as to such worldly Estate wherewith it hath Blessed God to besto in this life I give and dissolve of the same as follows to wit. It is my will that my Executors shall sell again next Spring all my personal property estate: Two horses, two cows, four sheep, four hogs, one plough, one harrow, the _____ wagon, two pair of horse geer (?), three beds and bedstands, and as much household and kitchen furniture as my beloved wife Bolly thinks she may stand in need of for house keeping which all I bequeath to my aforesaid wife to keep and to hold during her life or as long as she remains my widow. Further it is my will that my wife shall hold and occupy my Plantation that I have purchased in HALIFAX TOWNSHIP, Dauphin county, during my term and time aforesaid so that she may be able to raise and bring up my younger children. Also it is my will that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my Estate, and as I believe there will not be sufficiency left of my personal Estate to discharge of all my debts. Whatsoever further it is my will that after my wife's decease or in case she would marry again, whichever would happen first, then all my Estate shall be sold to the best advantage of all my children which I bequeath to them share and share alike: Namely Catharine, John, Sarrah, Bally, William, Ann, Jacob, George, Samuel, Andrew, and Elizabeth. And I do hereby name and appoint Henry Fox and Peter Fox both of the Township of Susquehanna and county of Dauphin, to be my executors of this my last will and testament thereby revoking all other wills and bequeath by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my LAST will. In witness I have thee unto set my hand and Seal the Twelth Day of August in the year of our Lord, one Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Two 1822. Witness Jacob Bensler (?). Christian Walborn, and Michael Connal (?). All were sworn in on October 18, 1822.
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