Notes for Christian Stauffer (d. 1735)
by Richard Warren Davis
(Contributed By RichardWDavis at FamilySearch)
Christian Stauffer wrote his will on 6 Feb 1735 and it was proved on 12 Jul 1735. The executors of his will were his neighbor Christian Allebach and Christian Meyer Junior. He mentioned in his will his eldest daughter Annalee and eldest son Mathias and then lists his seven youngest children who are all still living at home with his youngest daughter Elizabeth being only 4 ½ years old. He probably emigrated from Dirmstein. He emigrated between 1717 and 1722. He was probably married twice. His first wife may have been a daughter of Mathias Schilt, who was the only other Mennonite living at Dirmstein in 1698 with Christian's father Ulrich Stauffer. He was taxed on 120 acres at Salford Township in 1730. On 27 Apr 1734 he warranted 150 acres at Goshenhoppen (now Bally, Berks County). He never patented the land as he died the next year in 1735. He may not have been able to write, as he signed his will with just his initials "C.S.". He was a witness to the will of Claus Obliger of Philadelphia County in 1730.