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Note: Visit the Sheets DNA Project at:
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~sheetsdna
Birth and baptismal dates are extracted from the records found in the Warwick congregation (now Emanuel Lutheran Church), near Brickerville, Elizabeth Twp., Lancaster county, PA, (1743-1799). These pastoral records were translated by Pastor Weiser from the originals (by Rev. Cas per Stoever), and stored there in the lutheran church at Brickerville. Sponsors at George's baptism were Johannes Benter and wife Veronica. Again, a record of marriage dated June 30, 1767 is listed for a John George "Schuetz", of Paxtang, and an Anna Margaret Wolfkiel, of Earl Town, both of Lancaster county, PA, in the Rev. Casper Stoever Records, pg. 72. There are also indications that George was a soldier of the American Revolution, having been recruited and listed numerous times on military rosters over a (1) year period towards the end of the war. His name first appears in the Eighth Company of the Tenth Battalion of the Lancaster Co., PA Militia with Johnathan McClure as Captain, commanded by Colonel Robert Elder. His name is listed on a rolle call for actual services on June, 1781. He is listed as private, Seventh Class, Fifth Company. In a second recruitment he is listed in the Fourth Company, of the Tenth Batallion of the Lancaster County Militia, with Hugh Robinson as Captain, dated 1782. Here he is listed under private, Third Class. During this same period of time his name also appeared in the Fifth Company, of the Tenth Battalion of Lancaster County, with Andrew Stewart a s Captain, dated May 1782. Here he is listed under private, Seventh Class. According to a final list dated September, 1782, George decided to furnish a substitute in his place to serve on another "tour of duty". In his place George's substitute was named Richard Hughes. On a list of names assessed for grain and forage for the army in 1778, George Sheetz provided (2) bushels of wheat. All of the above information is found in the following publication: HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, 1907, by Luther Reily Kelker, VOL. II, Lewis Publishing Co., pgs. 994, 995, 986, 1000, 1001, 1015, and 1016. According to an updated index to the 1770 tax records of Lancaster county, compiled by Gary T. Hawbaker and Clyde L. Groff, copyrighted in 1989, pg. 162, it notes that George Sheets, of Paxtang Twp., was assessed in the years 1770 and 1777, (there the spelling of his last name changed from SHETZ to SCHITZ). In the Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, PA, 1896, by RUNK AND COMPANY, pg. 14 , a George Sheets is assessed a Continnental Tax for the year 1779, also living in the area of PAXTANG, then Lancaster (now Dauphin) county, PA. There is strong evidence to conclude that George was an early parrishoner of the "first church in Harrisburg", which stood on the north corner of Third and Walnut Streets, (original lot #187), in Harrisburg, PA. According to evidence found in the book: HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA by Luther Reily Kelker, VOL I, 1907, by the Lewis Publishing Co., pg. 266, a George "Schuetz" appears on the GERMAN list of subscribers promising to pay towards the erection of a church and schoolhouse "in some convenient part of Harrisburg". The list is dated March 12, 1787. According to the list, George contributed 7 (shillings) and 6 (d.?). The religious preference of George Schuetz, like many of his neighbors, was that of the German Reformed faith. The first pastor of this newly for med church was Rev. Anthony Hauntz. The church later became known as the German Reformed Salem Church of Harrisburg.
To date, George Sheetz's "exact" final resting place has not been located, although it is thought to be Milford Twp., Juniata county, PA. In 2002 descendant Molly Ulsh sent a copy of George's will to this compiler. The will is on file in Juniata county (formerly a part of Mifflin county). It was sealed on Feb. 1, 1817, and witnessed by James and John Lytle and Hugh McDonald. His estate was appraised on September 22, 1818. George named his son Johnathan Peter (from second wife Elizabeth), and John Keptner as co-executors of his will. And Peter along w/brother David got to share their father's "plantation" farm. George named his children from his first marriage to Anna Margaret (Wolfkiel): Jacob, George, Magdelena, and referenced the children of his deceased son Mathias (Barney and John) in his will as well. To his second marriage to Elizabeth (Beder) he named his children: Betsey, Peter, Catharine, Susannah, David, Rebecca, and Barbara, all of whom divided their father's estate which came to approx. $106.00.
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