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1852- John bought Lots #3 & 4, Block 132 in Trevorton, Zerbe Twp., Northumberland Co., PA on 7 Jan 1852 for $90 from William L.Helfenstein. [Northumberland Records Bk NN, p.458.] The first coal mine was opened in 1827, although the town of Trevorton was not laid out until 1850. Zerbe Township was formed from Coal Township in 1853. Trevorton is about six miles west of Shamokin and about 11 miles southeast of Sunbury as the crow flies. The earliest inhabitants were miners; the English and Welsh were Methodist and Baptist and the Irish and Germans were Roman Catholic. The first Catholic baptisms and marriages for Trevorton are recorded in church records by Father Sheridan of St. Joseph's Church in Danville dated 1 Oct 1854. Danville is about 15 miles north of Trevorton. It wasn't until 1860 that services were regularly conducted in Trevorton and a structure completed. In 1866, Trevorton was a mission church of St. Edward's in Shamokin served by Father Koch. (Trevorton by Mrs. M. L. Watson 1929; Northumberland Co., Historical Soc. Proceedings Vol. 3 & 4, p. 126, 1931-1932. Also see: History of Northumberland Co., PA. by Herbert C. Bell, 1891, p.630, and The Catholic Church in Northumberland Co. by John L. Shields, Northumberland Co., His. Soc. Proceeding, Vol, 7 & 8, p. 98.]
1853- Tremont had about 1600 residents. Father Barr began building St. Mary's Catholic Church. Renamed Immaculate Conception Church in 1854.
1858- Reuben Kline, administrator for the estate of a John Graeff of Trevorton, Northumberland Co., PA, filed a Statement of Debts on 2 Aug 1858. The petition says, "..that the said intestate left issue four children, to wit, Catherine, Elizabeth, John and Andrew and Barbara Graeff his widow." At his death, John Graeff owned two contiguous lots of ground (#3 & #4) situated in the town of Treverton on which a two story frame house was erected. These lots were sold at auction for $323 to pay the debts Graeff left at his death. [Northumberland Co. PA Court Records, [Petition Vol.12:217] & [Report Vol.12;249]
The debts and assets were as follows: Assets arising from the sale of the personal estate of decedent being all his personal estate $19. Debts due by said intestate as appears by the records:
Judgment to George Keiser_____________$161.
Judgment John Hoffman________________400.
Mechanics lien to John Dunkleberger______30.
To Zerbe township for keeping decedent__107.92
Judgment in favor of Benj. Knouoe________33.
Why weren't Christian and William named in this document? They were alive at this time. Apparently John and his wife, Barbara, were not living together. It appears he signed over the Tremont property to Barbara in 1849 and left for Northumberland County shortly after the 1850 census was taken in Oct 1850. He was called John Graff of the Town of Trevorton when he purchased his property there in Jan 1852. It also appears that John was cared for before he died by the town, that suggests he was living alone before he died.
According to the IGI, Barbara's maiden name was CHASSIN. Although for many years, I thought Barbara's maiden name was Reichwein which came from my mother's records. My grandmother, Mary Rebecca (Graeff) Finn, was still alive at the time (1950s), and I'm sure that's where the Reichwein surname came from. It appears that she confused the Barbaras in the family, since John and Barbara's son, William, did marry a Barbara Reichwein.
In Avis (Graeff) Crow's records show her surname as SCHASINE. This information came from an unnamed cousin's daughter. Schasine and Chassin sound almost identical.
In addition, it is interesting to note that Bill Graff's family records have a BARBARA SCHANSHEIN as the wife of Peter DeLong, the in-laws of John Graeff Jr. Unless Peter married earlier, Peter DeLong's first wife was AMANDA CARSON & second wife's surname was HAND. Bill Graff had no documentation to back up this name. So with two different branches of the GRAEFF descendants (that do not know each other) using BARBARA SCHANSHEIN (SCHASINE) as an ancestor, the name cannot be ignored and as it has turned out ... Chassin is most likely the correct name
1806- Barbara was born in Germany. She was 44 in 1850 US Census taken 8 Oct 1850, and 53 in census taken 6 Jun 1860. Which indicates her birth month was between 4 Jun & 8 Oct 1806. She gave her birthplace as Bavaria on censuses and ship passenger list. But for the 1870 census in Cameron Twp., Northumberland Co., her birthplace was given as LANDAU. I was told by a professional German genealogist it is most likely Barbara is from near the Alsace-Lorraine border.
1838- Barbara Graeff age 32 and Caetrine age 3 arrived in New York from Havre aboard the Solon on 18 Sep 1838. She gave Bavaria as their country and both born in Germany. There were only 15 passengers on board. George Engelmeyer age 24 and Anne Maria Rapp age 27 were also from Bavaria. Two others were Swiss and nine were French. All aboard said Ohio was their destination. Since it's hard to imagine a woman traveling alone with a child on such a journey, Engelmeyer and Rapp are possibly relatives of Barbara's. In his book written in 1897 "The Story of the Palatines" Sanford H. Cobb wrote, "In those days (1710s) travel, by land or sea, was difficult and with many hardships ... the voyage across the Atlantic took from three to five months.
1850- Barbara age 44; the census gives Germany as John's place of birth with a ditto for Barbara, and nothing for their 6 children.
1854- Daughter, Catharine, married Conrad Bordel in Tremont, PA on 7 Jan 1854 according to a record submitted to the IGI by Charles Taylor of Florida in 1988. Mr. Taylor's interest in the Bordels was indirect; he was working on a survey to identify all the children of deceased Civil War veterans who were educated by the state of Pennsylvania.
1855- Barbara bought lot #57 in Tremont, Schuylkill Co. from Charles Maurey on 13 Jan 1855 for $80.
1856- Barbara bought lot #55 in Tremont, Schuylkill Co. from Gerhard Gangelhoff on 29 Sep 1856 for $100. Barbara then owned three contiguous lots measuring 140 feet in front, 140 feet deep and 110 across the rear. Interesting to note that Barbara's husband John had apparently left her and was living in Trevorton, Northumberland by this time; what was the source of her income for her to be able to purchase property?
1859- Barbara had both deeds for #55 & #57 in Tremont, Schuylkill Co. recorded on 7 March 1859.
1860- Census for Tremont, Schuylkill Co., Barbara, age 53, with Andrew 19, Christian 15, and Elizabeth 13 on 6 Jun 1860. [NA Film 1181, 8 p. 8/1098.]
1860- Census: William Graeff, age 17, was living in Tremont with John E. Lehman, his wife and 6 children. William was an apprentice to John Lehman, a shoemaker. On an 1863 ownership map of Tremont, a John E. Lehman, was living on Main St. between Pine and Minor Sts. two blocks east of Barbara Graeff's property. William's older brother, John, said his occupation was shoemaker on the 1870 census.
1860- Barbara and her son William are the only GRAEFFs in the census forTremont.
1861- Son, John, age 23, enlisted in the PA Militia, at Schuylkill Haven, PA as a musician. Bill Graff's records say he was a fifer. Schuylkill Haven is about 12 miles from Tremont.
1862- Son, John, was wounded at the Battle of Antietam, 17 Sep 1862.
1863- Son, John, married Mary Caroline Delong d/o Peter DeLong and Amanda Carson in Harrisburg, 16 Jul 1863 at the Evangelical Church by Rev. R. Drisher.
1863- Ownership Map of Tremont shows five lots in the block between West St. and Oak St. On the 1863 ownership map a house that straddles the property line between lots #53 & #55, but the owner is not identified. In 1991, there are four houses in this block of five lots. The house that straddles the line for #53 & #55 is small but well cared for and covered with modern siding over an older material that makes it impossible to determine its age.
1865- October 3. Barbara Graeff sold her property (Lots 53,55,57) in Tremont to Anthony Hinghar of Cameron Twp., Northumberland Co. for $1600. The three lots had cost $230 when purchased in 1846 & 1856. According to the 1865 deed, there was a house on these lots, "...to have and to hold the said house and lots..." Mr. Hinghar assigned these lots to Thomas Pritchard on 3 March 1866.
1865- Less than a month later on 28 Oct 1865, Barbara Graeff of Schuylkill Co. purchased from Andony Hinghar of Cameron Twp, Northumberland Co., PA 162 acres and 68 perches for $1400 in Cameron Twp. Northumberland Co. This property shows on a Northumberland Land Ownership Map for 1858 as belonging to Mrs. Derk between Geo. Hornberger and M. Weary on what is today SR 3004.(1993) By 1874 on a similar map, the property shows I or J. Grafe between Geo. Hornberger and M. Weary. It's only two or so miles southwest of Shamokin as the crow flies but probably 3x that far by road over the mountains.
1867- On 15 Apr 1867, Barbara gave her age as 60 in a deposition stating "she was well acquainted with Conrad and Catherine Bordel" in order for their children to receive their father's pension after their mother died. Photocopy of document found in Pension file for Conrad at the National Archives.
1867- On 1 May 1867, Granddaughter, Barbara, was born to John Grafe and Caroline Long; and was baptized on 8 Sep 1867, with Christian and Barbara Grafe (probably grandmother) as godparents. [St. Patrick's Church records, Trevorton, PA]
1870- Cameron Twp., Trevorton P.O., Northumberland Co., PA: Barbara GRAVE age 63, born in LANDAU with real property worth $2000 and personal property of $100 is listed with Christian age 24, an Engineer. While the surname is misspelled, this is our Barbara Graeff; the neighbors (Hornberger and Wary) on both sides are the same as appear on the 1874 ownership map of Cameron Twp. and on the 1865 deed.
1871- Barbara Graeff of Cameron Twp. Northumberland Co. sold the 162 acres in Cameron Twp. to William and Christian Graeff for $1600. [Northumberland Bk.61, p. 547]
1872- On 18 Jul 1872, Barbara Graeff of Trevorton purchased for $1000 Lot #10, Block 88 in Trevorton, also the vacant lot #9 Block 88 from Samuel Reitz. This property is on Market St. facing the Switch Back Railroad across a wide clearing. There is a small building that may be a train station near the railroad. [1874 Northumberland Ownership Map at the LOC.]
1873- According to her marriage certificate, granddaughter, Mary Rebecca Graeff, the fourth child of son John's was born in Trevorton. [Northumberland Marriage Records Vol. 7, p. 215] Mary Rebecca was baptized at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Trevorton on 6 Apr 1873.
1874- Barbara's son, John A. Graeff, is listed on the 1874 Northumberland Ownership Directory for Trevorton as a Shoemaker. John's middle initial is usually "H" on his records. John's second child, Barbara, was born in 1868 in Trevorton as was their fourth child, Mary Rebecca (1873) according to their marriage records. His other children apparently were all born in Shamokin.
1876- A John and a Barbara Graffe were sponsors for Barbara Margaret b. 22 Jul 1876, child of Christian Graffe and Mary Margaret Brown at St. Edward Church in Shamokin, Northumberland Co., PA. If this is Barbara Graeff's son, Christian, then John was possibly Barbara's son, since her husband, John, died in 1858.
1879- Christian Reichwine witnessed a deed for William Graeff and his wife Barbara in Shamokin on 18 Jul 1879.
1880- Zerby Twp., Northumberland Co., 5 Jun 1880 census [ED 172, p.7], Barbara Graeff age 76 was "keeping house" with John Reichwine age 32, his son Willie age 4 and daughter Mary age 2. Mary Hinghaar age 22, was listed as servant. They lived at 59 Market St.
It should be noted here that Barbara sold her property in Tremont to Anthony Hinghar and purchased property in Cameron Twp., Northumberland from the same man. What is the connection between Anthony Hinghar and the above Mary Hinghar servant? Barbara still owned her property on Market Street, and it's likely that John Reichwine was living with her, even though he is listed as head of household.
Also it should be noted here that for the 1870 census in Cameron Twp. there was a Mary Hingar age 12 living with Aaron and Catherine Kersteller next door to Simon H. and Elizabeth Kersteller who had Anthony Hingar age 59 and Sarah Hingar age 6 living with them. Anthony Hingar first purchased property in Tremont, Schuylkill Co., from Barbara Graeff and then sold her the property in Cameron Twp. The S. Kersteller property was two farms away. In a property settlement of Michael Derck written on 17 Jul 1897 and recorded on 7 Mar 1899 a Mary Reichwine (nee Hingar) wife of John Reichwine is named [Northumberland Deed Book 125, p. 363]
The above mentioned John Reichwine married Amelia Fritz who died 25 Nov 1878 possibly at her daughter Mary M.'s birth. In the GRANTOR INDEX TO DEEDS for Northumberland Co. there are 14 property transactions in Trevorton naming Mary M., & John W. Reichwine as Amelia's heirs and Amelia's minors. Amelia was the d/o William Fritz, MD who died in 1891. A William Fritz was their guardian. What happened to their father?
1884 - Avis (Graff) Crow found that (grandsons) Jacob and George Bordell filed a Judgment against Barbara in 1884 for $1000 plus $150 interest which was on a list of debts at her death.
1886- Barbara Graeff died in Zerbe Twp on 30 Jun 1886. Petitions Vol. 22:197 & 22:198 were filed in the Orphan Court in Northumberland Co. [FHL SLC Film #096035] The administrator was John Graeff; File 317, Book 9:9, 6 Jul 1886.
1886- Barbara Graeff died in Zerbe Twp on 30 Jun 1886. Petitions Vol. 22:197 & 22:198 were filed in the Orphan Court in Northumberland Co. [FHL SLC Film #096035] The administrator was John Graeff; File 317, Book 9:9, 6 Jul 1 The inventory for Barbara's estate is as follows: 1 cook stove & pipe $5; 1 Breakfast table & oil cover $1; 1 Table spread.75, 1 Sink cupbaord 4; 1 Eight day clock $.50; 1 Large Coal oil lamp & fixtures $.50; 1 The inventory for Barbara's estate is as follows: 1 cook stove & pipe $5; 1 Breakfast table & oil cover $1; 1 Table spread.75, 1 Sink cupbaord 4; 1 Eight day clock $.50; 1 Large Coal oil lamp & fixtures $.50; 1 tin dishpan, tin bucket, wash basins and lot tinware etc $1.50; 1 Wash boiler $.75; 1 Tea Kettle, stew kettle, frying pans and pots $.75; 1 Cabbage cutter & bake board $.20; 2 Stone jugs, 2 earthen jugs, pots, 2 smooth irons etc. $1; 1 sive & lot wine bottles $.25; 1 Lard can & lard $1.50; 1 Coal oit can & oil, comb case .15; 1 lot tin pie plate & sprung cake dishes .25; 1 Lot queensware & glass dishes 5.00; 2 White table spreads & two small spreads .30; 1 lot knives, forks & spoons .50; 10 chairs & one rocking chair & titie 3.25; 1 Corner cupboard 4.50; 1 Bureau & with toplookin glass 6.00; 1 Stand & cover .75; 1 Book, Life of Christ & other books .50; lot of pictures, frames & ornaments 3.50; 1 brass candle stick, coal oil lamp & sissars .40; lot towels .25; 1 Table cloth (or spread) .25; 1 Lot pillo slips & bed sheats 1.00; 2 Bedspreads 1.25, 12 yds Rag carpets 2.40; 1 Lot rag carpets 2.75; 1 Umbrela, Landern, Basket, Bag & Hopp .30; 3 Bottles & wine .75; 1 Chest .80;1 Bedsted & Beding 8. 00; 1 Bedsted & Beding, including 2 feather tick 9.00; 1 Bed quilt, clothes basket & lounge 2.00; 1 lot of sewed carpet rags .60; 1 Stand & Stone jar .45; 1 Stand .25; 1 Shad windo blind & curtain also lot paper blinds .50; 1 Ax, Hoe, rake & broom .25; 1 Coal bucket, springlin can, crocks etc. .50; 2 Wash tubs, 1 Wash machine & bucket 1.00; 2 10 gallon kegs & pickle strud .30; 1 lot of coal & contents in the coal house .20; 1 lot potatoes in the ground & garden tongs 4.00; 1 Promissory vs. E. F. Raker dated Oct 16'-85, 1 year after date the sum of interest on above note; 1 Note vs. E. F. Raker dated Apl, 26: 1884 for the sum of 25.00 Int. on above, .31 (cents); 1 Note vs E. F. Raker dated March 24-85 $25.00, Interest on above .38 (cents); Moneys on hand in cash 14.45.
Total value of personal estate $563.18.
For the 1870 census for Zerbe Twp. the above mentioned E.F. Raker is listed as a female, age 27, a milliner, living next door to Henry Z. Raker a harnesmaker age 38. For the 1880 census, she is listed as age 38, milliner, living in the same dwelling as John Kiehl and family. Could she possibly be daughter, Elizabeth Graeff?
The above mentioned notes owed Barbara are all from E. F. Raker. A Kate Z. Raker is the Grantee on a Deed tranaction with John and Mary Reichwine on 6 Oct 1885 in Trevorton. Any connection?
1886- As administrator of her estate, son John sold his mother's property in Trevorton to grandson Jacob Bordel on 13 Oct 1886 for $615.
In the 1910 census for Zerbe Twp., Northumberland Co., PA there is an Elizabeth F. Raker age 67; occupation millinery and dry goods; sister in law to John B. Kiehl who's wife is Sarah.
SOURCE NOTES for Barbara:
BIRTHPLACE:
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Last Updated: 23 September 1998