Schropp, Catherine (b. 1790, d. ?)

Change: Date: 13 APR 2002

Change: Date: 13 APR 2002

Change: Date: 13 APR 2002

Note: The son whose name was not recorded was baptized at the Salem
(Hetzels) church, sponsors were John Stein and wife, Margaret
(Schropp) Stein.

Change: Date: 13 APR 2002

Change: Date: 13 APR 2002

Change: Date: 13 APR 2002

Note: Andrew, Jr. and Henry were baptized at St. Jacobs Evangelical
Lutheran church at Pinegrove, Pennsylvania. From Andrew's will
I find the statement 'J. George Stein, my brother-in-law and
faithful, friend, husband of my sister'. Andrew, Jr. was not
named in Andrew Sr.'s will, so possibly he died prior to 14
December, 1830, the date the will was written. On the 1830
census record, Catherine was living with their son, John.
Note: all of Andrew's children spelled their name Schropp
except Christopher who spelled his name the same as his father.
No record has been found to account for what happened to
Andrew's first wife, Elizabeth, nor has a birth or baptismal
record been found for John born in 1784. This birth date has
been passed down in the family records of the Pennsylvania
Schropps as it was recorded on John's headstone which has since
been destroyed by vandals. In some of the family records this
John's birth date is given as 1781. Several years ago someone
took a photograph of the headstone and had used a crayon to
mark the engraving for clarity but only marked the vertical
portion of the last digit of the year causing it to appear as
1781. A close examination of the photo clearly shows the slant
portion of the 4 that had not been traced with crayon. The
headstone also says (in German) that he was the son of Andreas
and Catherine. It is this author's opinion that John (born in
1784) and possibly A. Gret. (born in 1786) were children of
Andrew's first wife Elizabeth, and that possibly Elizabeth died
then Andrew married Catherine when these children were too
young to remember Elizabeth, then Catherine raised them as her
own and the children were never told any different ANDREW'S
REVOLUTIONARY WAR SERVICE From the Wagonmaster-General's
Department, in book 1, page 1, we find the record of Andrew
Shrope entering the service during the Revolutionary War. He
is among those on the 'List of Teams in Continental Service' at
the post at Trenton, New Jersey on 01 March, 1780. The
conductor of the Brigade was Captain John Gardener. Andrew
enlisted for six or nine months service as Teamster, with a
wagon and a four horse team. He served under Captain Updike's
Company, Second Regiment, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Militia.
He went on a tour from Trenton to Philadelphia. They took wood
from what was then called Mannon, Pennsylvania and brought
flour back to Trenton. The winter was very cold and the river
was full of ice. It took one whole day to get the entire
Brigade across the Delaware River. They had orders to take
provisions to the Army at Morristown, New Jersey. Three
Brigades started by only three teams arrived due to the severe
weather. When they did arrive there was nothing to provide
feed for their horses. They were ordered back to Trenton.
Their next assignment took them from Trenton to Princeton, then
from Millsom to Morristown again. The return trip took them
through Dutch Valley and Pittstown. At Pittstown they loaded
provisions and took them to Hackettstown then back to
Morristown. While Andrew was in the service under Captain
Gardener his brother Christopher was in the same Brigade. After
the war Andrew returned to the farm in Hegins Township,
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania where he cultivated an abundant
apple crop. THE APPLE INDUSTRY IN HEGINS TOWNSHIP The apple is
a native of Europe and Asia-Minor, having been most indigenous
to the region south of the Caucaus Mountains. It is one of the
most valuable of fruits. It has been cultivated since
prehistoric times. Europe has had the apple for at least 4,000
years; and Asia for a longer period. Apples were abundantly
used by the Lake Dwellers of the Stone Age in Italy and
Switzerland. The scriptures speak of the apple as excellent
among the trees of the wood (Song of Songs 2:3-5), with
fragrant smell of the fruit (Song of Songs 7:8), and pleasant
shade (Song of Songs 8:5). North America, however, is at
present the leading apple growing region of the world. The
cultivation of the apple in North America dates back to the
earliest settlements. The Puritans introduced the apple into
Mas-sachusetts in 1629. New York has records of apple cider as
early as 1639. Every well kept household of the pioneer
Pennsylvania Germans had a supply of apple-butter, 'Snitz' and
cider. In the earliest settlements the varieties were brought
from Holland and latter from Germany and the British Isles.
They were not, however, the delicious fruit that we find in the
markets of America today, which is so extensively exported to
the countries from which it was imported. America has
developed the apple in many varieties to its present position
as king of fruits. The apple as a money making crop in Hegins
Township is of recent development. (In 1932). In the 1880's
the apple was considered more or less of a luxury, especially
in winter. The farmers had a few local varieties around the
house or along the fences. Though diseases and insects were
not so destructive as at the present, yet the fruit was far
from perfect. The apple played a very important part in the
social life of the early settlers. Apple-butter cooking and
snitzing parties were among the leading festivities of the
young set. At social gatherings at the homes, apples and cider
were passed around while the events of the day were discussed.
'Snitz and gneb' was a delicious dish of our ancestors and
'snitz-pie' to make one 'wise' was the desert of a
well-balanced meal. The Summer Rambo orchard of Andrew Shrope
at the Mill in the 1860's was noted for its famous snitzing
apples for apple butter. The soil of the Hegins Valley is
particularly adapted to give that delicious flavor to the
apple. The sun shines bright here to give excellent color to
its cheeks. The industrious sons of the soil, loving the
apple, give constant warfare against the ravages of disease and
insects. These are some of the factors that make the apples of
Hegins Township as famous as its eggs, turkeys and
strawberries. The above was published in the 1932 'Hegins
Valley Homecoming Book' From Schuylkill County Pennsylvania
Wills THE WILL OF ANDREW SHROPE, SR. 14 December, 1830
Book 1, Page 140 In the name of God, amen, the fourteenth day
of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty, I, Andrew
Shrope of the County of Schuylkill (yeoman) am sick and weak of
body but of sound mind and memory, Praise be given to God for
the same, and considering the uncertainty of life do think it
fit to make this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all
other and former Wills by me heretofore made or declared. And
first of all I commend my Soul to God who gave it and my body
to the earth from whence it came to be buried in a Christian
like manner at the discretion of my executors herein after
named. And as touching my worldly estate wherewith it hath
pleased God to lend me, I devise and direct as follows. First,
I order and direct that all my goods, chattels and effects be
left to my beloved wife, Catherine to and for her use and
convenience, my funeral expenses being first paid, during her
natural life and that she shall have and receive or levy and
collect out of the rents assessments and profits of my farm on
which we now live a stipend sufficient to support her in a
decent and becoming manner or that she may contract with my
son, Christopher or his heirs and assignees to whom I give this
said farm for her living thereon and her boarding, washing, and
attendance as she may think proper in lieu of such stipend.
Secondly, I give and bequeath to my son, Henry Schrope a
certain part of my plantation including the house in which he
lives to be surveyed and divided off for him so as to include
the run as far up as the watering place and in other aspects as
he and my son, Christopher may agree, or if they cannot agree
they shall each of them appoint a man on whom they can both
agree as arbitrators who shall direct such divisions and their
certificate of such divisions and draft which is to contain
about twenty acres of land shall be considered a sufficient
deed of conveyance for the same to my said son, Henry Schrope
and his heirs and assignees forever. Thirdly, I give and
bequeath to my son, Christopher Schrope and his heirs and
assignees forever, all and singular the residue of my said
plantation on which we now live, with the appurtenances subject
however to the stipend above reserved for the requisitions of
my said wife, for her convenience, maintenance, support and
attendance during her natural life, and also subject to the
payment of six hundred dollars, good and legal money of the
United States to be paid as follows: Forty dollars to my son,
John Schrope On the first day of April, 1835. Forty dollars to
my daughter, Margaret, married to Michael Webber On the first
day of April, 1836. Forty dollars to my daughter, Catharine,
married to John Osman On the first day of April, 1837. Forty
dollars to my daughter, Susanna, married to John Luntz On the
first day of April, 1838 Forty dollars to my daughter, Eve,
married to William Kerchner On the first day of April, 1839
Then again, forty dollars to John Schrope, on the first day of
April, 1840, and so on, forty dollars yearly to the aforesaid
children, alternately, until six hundred dollars be paid,
making one hundred and twenty dollars to each of them. My other
land in Lower Mohantongo Township, containing about twenty
acres, more or less, I give and bequeath to my sons, John,
Christopher and Henry and to my daughters, Margaret, Catherine,
Susanna and Eve, and their heirs and assignees to have and to
hold the same as tenants in common. Fourthly, I order and
direct that after the death of my said wife, if she leaves any
of the said goods, chattels and effects unapplied, the same
shall be sold or otherwise divided among my children, before
named, in equal shares. My daughter Barbara is to have no share
in any of my estate, her husband, Jacob Echler, having had more
than the amount of her share from me heretofore. And lastly, I
nominate constitute and appoint, my brother-in-law and faithful
friend, J. George Stein to be my executor of this my testament
and last will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal this fourteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty. Andrew Shrope
(signed) Signed Sealed Published and Declared to be his last
Will and Testament of the Testator who hath requested us to
subscribe the same as witnesses. Jacob Friebel
Abraham Fertig This will is on file at the Pottsville Court
House, County of Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA This third day of February, 1831, before me, Peter
Frailey, Registrar for the Probate of Wills and granting
letters of Administration in and for the County of Schuylkill,
personally came Jocob Friebel and Abraham Fertig, Esq. the
subscribers witnesses to the within Will, the said Jacob
Friebel being sworn and the said Abraham Fertig being dully
affirmed according to law, did disclose, declare and say that
they were present and saw and heard Andrew Shrope, Sr., the
Testator, sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the
foregoing instrument of writing is for his Testament and Last
Will and that at the time of so doing he was of perfect and
sound mind, memory and understanding to the best of their
knowledge, observation and belief. (signed) Jacob Friebel
Abraham Fertig Was also signed by Peter Fraily of the Probate
Court According to the terms of Andrew's will the entire
payment of all the money willed to his children would not have
been fulfilled until 1849. However, for some reason that is
not clear, in 1839 some action was taken in regards to the
payments as stipulated in the will. The manner in which the
matter was handled is even more baffling. It was the evidence
of that action that proved for certain, the relationship of the
New Jersey Shropes to the Pennsylvania Schropps. From more than
one reference to someone named John in the family records, it
is most evident that there was often confusion over exactly
which John was being referred to, since there were several. In
addition, the parents of one and possibly two was not certain.
Consequently there were different opinions regarding the
parents of the Johns in question. It is this author's opinion
that the confusion over the identity of these Johns was at
least part of the reason for the action taken against Andrew's
will in 1839. Those involved are as follows: Andrew's son,
John, born 15 November, 1784 Married Elizabeth Hand. Andrew's
brother, John born in 1772 married Maria Barbara and lived in
Pinegrove, Pennsylvania who also had a son, John born 04
November, 1801 who married Esther Fedter. Sometime prior to
1839 Andrew's daughter, Catherine went with her husband, John
Osman, to Seneca Falls in Seneca County, New York as did John
Shrope, (born in 1801) with his wife, Esther (Fedter) Shrope.
When action was taken against Andrew's will the Orphans Court
of Schuylkill County requested affidavits for proof of identity
of the children of Andrew and John (born in 1772). It appears
that Andrew's children requested payment in full in 1839 when
Eva received her first payment, eight years after Andrew's
death, rather than waiting until 1849 for one at a time to be
paid each year. Since Catherine had moved out of Schuylkill
County the Court required proof that she was the person named
in the will. John, born in 1772, had died intestate on 01 May,
1816, and the Orphans Court at Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania ordered
his property to be divided among his children on 04 April,
1817. Since his children were all minors at that time, I am
sure the Court also directed how the share for each was to be
made. This case surely had been settled prior to 1839 but it
seems the Court required an affidavit from John, born in 1801,
son of John, born in 1772. The originals of these affidavits
were found by this author 137 years later in a trunk in the
basement of Jerdon Cline Srope late of Stockton, New Jersey.
Jerdon was a grandson of Charles Robert Srope who was a brother
of Isaac R. Srope who was the attorney who handled the 1839
action against Andrew's will. It is still a mystery as to why
an attorney in New Jersey was selected to handle an action
against the will of a Pennsylvania resident involving residents
in New York state. The attorney, Isaac R. Srope was a nephew
of John born in 1772, and a cousin of John, born in 1801. * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
State of New York Seneca County Catherine Osman of the town of
Seneca Falls and County and State aforesaid being duly sworn
deponith and saith that she is the wife of John Osman of the
town of Seneca Falls aforesaid and daughter of Andrew Shrope
(late of Pinegrove township, Schuylkill County and State of
Pennsylvania) declares that the said Andrew Shrope left eight
children his heirs at-law including this deponent to wit, John,
Margaret, Catherine, Susan, Christopher, Barbara, Eva and Henry
and no more and further this deponent saith note. Catherine
Osman Her (X) mark Subscribed and Sworn before me this 3rd day
of April, 1839 S. S. Viele, Commissioner of Deeds State of New
York Seneca County John Osman of the town of Seneca Falls,
County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deponith saith that
he is the husband of Catherine Osman the above deponent that
the said Catherine is the daughter of Andrew Shrope described
in the forgoing affidavit and that all the facts set forth in
the above affidavit are true according to the best of my
information, knowledge and belief. John Osman His (X) mark
Subscribed and Sworn before me this 3rd day of April, 1839 S.
S. Viele, Commissioner of Deeds * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * State of New York
Seneca County John Shrope (born 1801) of the town of Fayette,
County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deponith and saith
that he is the son of John Shrope (born 1772) late of Pinegrove
township, Schuylkill County and State of Pennsylvania declares
that the same John Shrope left eight children his heirs at-law
including this deponent to wit: Maria, George, Catherine, John,
Barbara, Simon, Michael and Henry and no more that the
aforesaid children so far as the knowledge of this deponent
extends are all alive except George, who has deceased leaving
heirs and further this deponent saith note. John Shrope
(signed) Subscribed and Sworn before me this 3rd day of April,
1839 S. S. Viele Commissioner of Deeds OATH State of New York
Seneca County I, Cyrus D. Hanks, deputy clerk of said County,
do hereby certify that Stephen S. Viele, Esquire, whose
signatures appear to the jurats of these several depositions
and affidavits on this sheet written, was at the time of the
date said jurats to wit the 3rd day of April, 1839, a
commissioner of deeds in and for said County commissioned and
sworn and authorized by the laws of said State to take
affidavits to be read in several Courts of law and equity of
said State and that his signatures to said several jurats of
said affidavits are genuine and in his proper handwriting.
(signed) Cyrus D. Hanks Deputy Clerk Witness my hand and seal
Seneca County of said County and of the County Courts of said
County at my office in Ovid this 3rd day of April, AD, 1839 *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* PERSONAL LETTER Seneca Falls, New York April 3, 1839 Mr.
Isaac R. Srope: Herewith are the affidavits noting the number
of heirs of John and Andrew Shrope which we hope will be
satisfactory to the Orphans Court. We want you to collect the
money for us as soon as you can and when making deposit to the
bank, send us a certificate of deposit by mail. Put it all
together and send it to John Osman, Seneca Falls. All is well -
- would like to have you come and make us a visit, very much.
John Shrope No further record has been found for the following
people: A. Gret. Schropp, Margaret (Schropp) and her husband,
Michael Webber, Susanna (Schropp) and her husband, John Luntz,
Catherine (Schropp) and her husband John Osman, Barbara
(Schropp) and her husband, Jacob Echler, and Andrew Schropp,
Jr. No Birth or baptismal record has been found for Margaret
(Schropp) Webber, however Gret. or Gretchen is German for
Margaret and it is this author's opinion that A. Gret. and
Margaret (Schropp) Webber (BC00060) are one and the same
person.

Change: Date: 13 APR 2002

Note: Sponsor for the baptism of Henry, born 03 January, 1803 was
Heinrich Schropp, his uncle, brother of Andrew. Andrew, Jr. and
Henry were baptized at St. Jacobs Evangelical Lutheran church
at Pinegrove, Pennsylvania.

Change: Date: 13 APR 2002

Note: Mary Elizabeth Hand was baptized at Christ Evangelical
Lutheran Church, At Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania. Buried in
Lutheran and Reformed Churchyard at Sacramento, Pennsylvania

Death: 17 OCT 1858

Change: Date: 13 APR 2002

Death: 27 JUN 1846

Change: Date: 13 APR 2002