 Balthasar SchaefferBorn before 1655 at Baden, Wurtemberg, Germany, died after 1708 at Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, at least 53 years Alias: There is a Balthasar Schaefer who was a Senator in Germany. His daughter, Anna Margaretha Schaefer, married Joannis Schnoes on 25 SEP 1690 in Knetzgau, Bavaria, Germany. Their son was Antonius Schnoes born 9 SEP 1697....possibly same Balthasar Schaeffer/Schaefer? Married/ Related to: N.N. Child: 1. Michael SchaefferBorn before 1670 at Baden-Wurtemberg, Germany, died after 1749 at Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, at least 79 years Alias: Was Michael the son of Balthazar? Some sources list Michael's immigration in 1749 while Balthazar's immigration is listed in 1708 or 1709 with the first Palatine ships to New York. Note: According to PHOENIX: SHIP PHOENIX 1749 Passenger List there is a Michael Shaffer listed. (Stassburger and Hinke in Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Vol I & II)." The Foreigners whose names are underwritten, imported in the Ship Phoenix, John Mason, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes in England, did this day take the usual Qualifications to the government. By the List 261, 550 whole Freights, from Zweybrech, Nassau, Wirtemberg, & Palatinate." Did he have brothers, Johan Niclaus Schaffer (born about 1670 in Relsberg, Pfalz, Germany) and Frederick Schaffer (born 1684)? This family includes a Michael Schaffer born after 1684 in Relsberg, Germany and are children of Johan Peter Schaffer born about 1640 in Germany and his wife Anna Margaretha born 1643 in Germany. I've included their family tree only to pursue more possibilities of a relationship. According to William Griebling (billjoseph@@home.com) at Ancestry.com website GRIEBLING: (referring to Johan Niclaus Schaffer): "Niclaus was called a Smith at Lohnsfeld, Germany in 1701 and referred to as a "Smith and Gemeinsmann" in Relsburg, Germany from 1703 to 1709. He was about fifty years old when he, his family and the Sebastian Fischer family left germany for America where they were promised land by the representatives of William Penn...He first appeared on the Hunter Lists in New York on July 4, 1710 and he was naturalized in Albany, New York on October 11, 1715. (The Palatine Families of New York, Henry F. Jones). Johann Nicolus and his brother, Frederick, settled in Schoharie Valley 60 miles from Livingston Manor, N.Y. in late fall of 1712. Over time several events evolved where they became dissatisfied with their treatment from the British and decided to leave the area. John Nicolaus Schaffer was among the original thirty three Palatinate families who arrived in the Tulpehocken area of Berks County, Pennsylvania on April 25, 1723 from New York..." This family also includes a son Michael for several generations so there is good reason to check out a possible connection. | |||