 George Shedenhelm, son of Frederick Shittenhelm and Barbara ?.Born Dec 28, 1778 at Frederick Co., MD, died Oct 26, 1852 at Seneca County, OH, 73 years, buried 1852 at Fravel Cemetery, Seneca County, OH REFN: 625 George Shedenhelm lived 3 miles North of Tiffin in Hopewell Twp., Seneca Co., Ohio. He lived just North of the Nicolas Schal/Shaull farm. It is said they spoke mostly German in their home. George and Catherine are both buried in Fravell cemetery which is located on the land once homesteaded by Nicholas Shaull III and his wife, Elizabeth Benner Shaull. We find the last name spelled with many variations: Schickenhelm, Schidenhelm, Shittenhelm, Shetenhelm. George is listed in the census of 1850 as residing in Hopewell Twp., Seneca County, Ohio. The census was taken August 16, 1850 by R. Cum Ass't Marshal, and on page 306, line 16, George Shedenhelm's birthplace is listed as MD, and his age as 71. This would substantiate the birthdate of Dec. 28, 1778. George Schickenhelm married Cath. Leas on March 19, 1805, according the the marriage records of the Reformed German Lutheran Church of Frederick, MD, page 1171. Following is a copy of the Will of George Shedenhelm: "June the 11th 1850 My boddy is weak but sound in mind and memory resigning my boddy to the grave and my Spirit to the god who gave it I George Shedenhelm of the county of Seneca in the state of Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say First it is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid. Second I give and devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Catharine all my Real Estate and personal property on which I now reside during her life time. Thirdly it is my will that my son in law, Aaron Ruse Shall not Recve any more of my property more than he has had of me But that his wife Elizabeth and her heirs recve an eaqial perportion with the rest of my heirs. Fourthly I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Marium that now lives with me one hundred and fifty dollars in money exclusive of hur bead and beauro and household furniture and two cows which is to be paid at the death of my wife. Fifthly it's my will that all my money standing out at interest be collected at my death and devided amongst my heirs so that they may be set on equal rites as the book accounts may agree with exception of the said Aaron Ruse. Sixthly It is my will that at the death of my wife that my property be be equaly divided amongst all my legal heirs with the exception of the said Aaron Ruse. And lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my son Levi Shedenhelm and my son Grafton Shedenhelm to be the executors for this my last will and testament revoking and annuling all former wills by me made and notifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in testimony whereof I have leave unto set my hand and seal this 11th day of June 1850) George Shedenhelm (Seal)" Married Mar 19, 1805 at Frederick Co., MD (47 years married) to:  Catharine Lease, daughter of Jacob Lease and Dorothy Davis.Born Oct 7, 1785 at Frederick Co., MD, died Jan 18, 1875 at Pleasant Twp., Seneca County, OH, 89 years, buried 1875 at Fravel Cemetery, Seneca County, OH Cause of Death: REFN: 626 According to the History of Seneca County, Ohio, by Warner, Beers & Co., published in 1886, at page 557, "Catharine Shedenhelm, wife of George Shedenhelm, who migrated to Seneca County, Ohio, in or about the year 1832 and settled three miles north of Tiffin, in Hopewell Township" Catharine lived to nearly ninety years of age, and is mentioned in a letter from her son, Henry Shedenhelm, to his brother, Levi Shedenhelm, who had migrated to Iowa Co., IA, in September 1853, with the wagon train of his father-in-law, John Anthony Rosenberger, Levi having married John A's eldest child, Margaret Elizabeth Rosenberger. From the tone of this letter, it appears that Catharine had a stroke or was ill enough to require a lot of care and lifting. This letter was in the possession of Robert Alva Shedenhelm in 1964 (a great grandson of Levi & Margaret Elizabeth Rosenberger Shedenhelm). George & Catharine spoke almost entirely German in the home. George & Catharine Lease Shedenhelm are both buried in what is called the Fravel cemetery Northwest of Tiffin, Ohio, presumably in the near vicinity of the farm where they settled in 1832. REFN7073 Children: 2. Henry E. ShedenhelmBorn Jan 15, 1810 at Frederick Co., MD, died Mar 22, 1882 at Seneca Co., OH, 72 years REFN: 641 3. Levi Adam ShedenhelmBorn Feb 1, 1806 at Frederick Co., MD, died Jan 13, 1875, 68 years. Occupation: at Teacher, Army Officer, Blacksmith, Storekeeper, Farmer & Stagecoach station; REFN: 639 LaCrosse Area Genealogical Quarterly, Volume 1, Issue 1, May 1979, had an article "Levi Shedenhelm, Wagon Master, Ohio to Iowa". 4. Grafton M. ShedenhelmBorn Mar 8, 1813 at Apple Ridge, MD, died Mar 29, 1882 at Green Springs, OH, 69 years, buried at Seneca County, OH REFN: 270 Grafton came to Seneca Co., OH when a young man & bought about 700 acres of land which was all woods. About 1861-2 he built a brick house & most of his second family were raised in it. When he died the land was divided up between his children. Lucinda & Frank got the land with the brick house on it & they sold it in about 2 years to Thomas Earl, about 1885. Grafton moved to Iowa & bought 400 acres there & four of his children by his first wife settled in Iowa with him. Grafton married half sisters, Mary Elizabeth Shaull (by whom he had 8 children and who died at the age of 32) and Catharine Shaull, both daughters of David Shaull by different wives. Census of 1850, State of Ohio, Seneca County, Pleasant Township, page 316, shows Dwelling No. 128, Family No. 128: Grafton SHETENHELM, age 37, M, Farmer, Birthplace: Md George SHETENHELM, age 14, M, Birthplace: OH Cathern SHETENHELM, age 26, F, Birthplace: VA Henry SHETENHELM, age 12, M, Birthplace: OH Reuben SHETENHELM, age 10, M, Birthplace: OH James SHETENHELM, age 9, M, Birthplace: OH Elizabeth SHETENHELM, age 7, F, Birthplace: OH Thomas SHETENHELM, age 3, M, Birthplace: OH Jacob SHETENHELM, age 1, M, Birthplace: OH 5. Mary S. ShedenhelmBorn Jan 3, 1817 at Frederick Co., MD, died Aug 21, 1877 at Seneca Co., OH, 60 years, buried at Fravel Cemetery, Tiffin, Seneca Co., OH Alias: REFN: 642 6. Barbara E. ShedenhelmBorn May 1821 at Frederick Co., MD, died Aug 11, 1867 at Seneca County, OH, 46 years REFN: 643 | |||