#159 Christian Shockey◊ ( Johann Christoph Schäcke◊ )

Christian was born 10 Sep 1756 in Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. He died 18 Apr 1829 in Salisbury, Somerset Co., Pennsylvania. He was buried in Old Salisbury Cemetery, Salisbury, Somerset Co., Pennsylvania.

His death date is sometimes listed as 29 Apr.

Christian's grandson, Elijah Fuller, wrote some biographical information about Christian based upon his personal contact. I've found several copies of this with slight variations in wording that are probably the result of transcription errors. The following is my transcription based upon the typeset version attached to William Whitford Powell's application for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.

Christian Shockey, my grandfather, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, moved to Somerset County, Pennsylvania, some time in or about the year 1800. For in 1806 his name is found on the assessment in Elk Lick Township., Pa., as having one hundred and fifty acres of land; where this was located we are not able to state. Later he lived in Salisbury, and built what is known as the John Smith house. He served through the Revolutionary War, having first served in the new 11th Pennsylvania Regiment of the continued line (sic - Continental Line) which was first commanded by Colonel Thomas Hartley and later by Colonel Adam Hubley. He was also a member of the 6th Company. First under command of Samuel Kearsly who was succeeded by Captain Abraham Claypool; his rank was that of a corporal. His age at the time of enlistment, was 20 years; he was five feet and seven inches high; occupation a farmer, and enlisted April 7, 1777. This regiment was a part of the expedition, under General Sullivan which was sent through the Wyoming Valley, in 1779, into the state of New York for the purpose of chastising the Indians, who had with the aid of the Tories, devastated this beautiful valley during the preceding year. This expedition was successful and the savages and their Tory allies were severely punished.

The Eleventh Regiment took part in some pretty severe fighting and sustained considerable loss, both in killed and wounded and in all this Christian Shockey acted well his part.

He was also in the battle of Cowpens and was wounded by a British Soldier who attempted to sever his head from his body with his sword, but was himself killed by Shockey's bayonet. Shockey, however, received a severe wound in his arm, it receiving the blow intended for his head.

In January, 1781, he was transferred to the Third Pennsylvania Regiment of the line which was then commanded by Colonel Thomas Brelig. It is probable that the entire company, that is what remained of it, was consolidated with their regiment, for Capt. Claypool also served in this regiment from this date.

While with the Third Regiment, Christian Shockey took part in the siege of Yorktown where he again was wounded.

His name is also found on the roll of the First Pennsylvania Regiment of the line, but no dates can be given as to the precise time. This regiment formed a part of General Wagner's division which was sent to South Carolina after the surrender of Cornwallis. The time of his discharge from service is not known, but probably it was not until the year 1782; by the Act of the 24th of March 1800 (sic - 25 Apr 1808), he became a pensioner of the State of Pennsylvania.

He also took part in the battle of Trenton where they captured the nine hundred Hessions for I often heard it said, we had in Salisbury but one log church, and the first minister your writer remembers was a man by the name of Hause; he preached and taught school. I attended his school; he died and they were quite a long time getting another.

It was announced there was a new minister coming, and grandfather and grandmother were very attentive to their church service. So the minister was late making his appearance that day, as he had to ocme from Berlin, fifteen miles distant and they waited patiently, and finally he made his appearance, came in and walked up and into the pulpit, removed his German cloak and gave out a hymn. Grandfather eying him very closely, shortly arose and walked out. Persons coming from church after the services, noticed grandfather sitting on his porch, inquired of him if he had become sick seeing that he had not remained for the completion of the services; when he replied no, but they insisted knowing why of his unusual act, and becoming tired of their questioning him, finally said that the preacher was one of the nine hundred Hessions they captured at the battle of Trenton, and he could not sit quiet under his voice as his blood became very hot: he hated them and, therefore could not listen to him preaching. A committee was appointed to wait on him, and questioning him at first denied it, and grandfather said bring him before me and I will make him acknowledge it. He did acknowledge it, rather than appear before him, and grandfather never went to hear him, not having any more confidence in him as a preacher than he did as a Hession soldier. His name was Geisey; he died and is buried in Berlin, Somerset Co., Pa.

In 1822 he announced himself as a candidate for sheriff of Somerset Co., Pennylvania.

"Fellow citizens of Somerset Co. Having spent the bloom of my youth in six campaigns, suffering cold and hardships to assist in wrestling liberty from a tyrant and still being willing to serve you, and being solicited by numerous friends, I offer myself as a candidate for the office of sherrif at the ensuing general election. I trust a soldier of the Revolution will not appeal to Americans in vain.

"And should I be honored with a majority of your votes, I pledge myself to discharge the duties of the office with generosity and impartiality."

CHRISTIAN SHOCKEY, Elk Lick Township, May 15, 1822.

In this canvas he was defeated, being beaten by Isaac Ankeny.

There was a book printed in German in 1790, at the pension office in the City of Washington, for many years, and finally the pension bureau wrote to Somerset to a ascertain if any of the heirs of Christian Shockey were living. Huldah Knee living there who is the daughter of Levi Shockey and granddaughter of said Christian Shockey, and a cousin of the writer, wrote and received it, it being a German prayer book, printed in 1790. The following was found within the lids of the prayer book:

Pennsylvania, Somerset County vs

Personally said before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, Levi Shockey, of the Township of Elk Lick in the county aforesaid, a creditable witness of full age and on his oath doth say that the annexed book contains the original family record of Christian Shockey, late of said township and county, a soldier of the Revolutionary and a pensioner of the United States. Deceased, who died on the 18th day of April 1829, leaving a widow, Mary, who is yet in full life, that the entries in said book of the time of the birth of the ten children of the said Christian Shockey and the said Mary, his wife, are all in the proper handwriting of the said Christian Shockey now deceased, and that the said original record book had been kept by his department since the death of said Christian Shockey.

LEVI SHOCKEY

Sworn and subscribed this 21st Nov. 1820, before me John Neff.

There follows a testament by Wm. H. Postlethwaite, Prothonary, that John Neff is an acting Justice of the Peace, then some further certification by the Hon. Mr. Ogle.

Elijah Fuller goes on to note the following. I've transcribed them as found in that source. However, other copies provide alternate dates that appear to make more sense and I've copied them farther below.

The following is written in this book:

Valentine Shockey born May 5, 1785

William Shockey born Sept. 10, 1786

Christian Shockey born Sep. 10, 1756

Mary Shockey born Nov. 14, 1758

Abraham Shockey born Feb. 21, 1793

Levi Shockey, born May 16, 1797

Barbara Shockey born Feb. 9, 1795

Peggy Shockey born Dec. 6, 1799

Nancy Shockey born May 19, 1802

Drusilla Shockey born May 7, 1805

Mary Ann Welsh, born June 22, 1819

Mahala Walsh, born June 18, 1809

These are grandchildren.

Grandfather was an accomplished scholar of his day, taught school in his old days, being a fine penman. He received a pension up to his death, and grandmother up to the time of her demise.

Some instances related by grandfather are worth recording. Among others were the following, I often heard him remark that in marching they would secure old bones found along the wayside and boil them and make soup, never knew and cared very little what kind of bones, hunger was great and must be satisfied. In marching, he liked his company to follow in the rear, for when they had no shoes and the ground was frosty and hard and their feet would bleed and thus soften the earth for those who followed and did not hurt their feet as would otherwise.

In those early days the mountain streams abounded with the speckled trout and grandfather was quite an angler, How often I remember of accompanying him fishing. My mother being the youngest child remained at home with them, for several years, when my father bought the hotel in Salisbury, commonly called Shirertown and when they moved to the hotel I remained with my grandfather until he died, grandmother going to live with Uncle Levi until she died.

Grandfather died April 29th, 1829, aged 73 years. Grandmother died aged 86 years.

The names of their daughter's (sic) husbands are as follows:

Mary (called Polly) married to Samuel Findley. Barbara to Jonathan Kemp; Nance, to Adam Shultz; Drusilla, to Henry Fuller.

My grandmother's maiden name before marriage with Christian Shockey was Mary Welsh.

Other copies of Elijah's work list the dates as:

Valentine Born May 5, 1785

William Born November 11, 1786

Christian Born September 10, 1788

Mary Born November 14, 1790

Abraham Born February 21, 1793

Barbara Born February 9, 1795

Levi Born May 16, 1797

Peggy Born December 6, 1799

Nancy Born May 19, 1802

Drusilla Born May 7, 1805

In 1800 he received a land grant of 100 acres from the government for his war service.

Christian Shockey's will was signed on 14 April 1826.

In the name of God, Amen. I Christian Shockey of the town of Salisbury, in the County of Somerset and state of Pennsylvania, being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind, memory and understanding (praised be God for it) and considering certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and to the end that I may be better prepared to leave this world whenever it shall please God to call me hence, do there fore make and declare this my last will and testament in manner following. That is to say, Firstly I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife, Mary, the following articles viz. the stove now in the room with the pipe thereof, one falling-leaf table, three chairs, one feather bed, with such bed clothes as she may make choice of, one cow, one half dozen of plates, two dishes, three tin cups, one coffee pot and boiler, one set of tea cups and saucers, one tea pot one do. canister, one set of knives and forks, four spoons, two tin buckets, two iron pots, one skillet, one dripping pan, one chest, one small chest, one looking glass, one spinning wheel, one reel, two shoats, one woman's saddle, one hoe, all the provisions now provided, two washing tubs, one umbrella, one axe, all the linen we now have, one smoothing iron, two small stands, one large pair of shears, all the crocks there are and whereas I have sold my horse and gear to my son Abraham on the following conditions, viz. he is to have my said horse for sixty dollars to be paid in three equal yearly payments, the first payment on the fifth of November, next, and the others, the second in one year and the third and last in two years, thereafter to be paid in wheat, buckwheat and corn to be delivered in the town of Salisbury at market price, for the payment thereof or like to take the horse, he shall be bound by no means. The notes are to be made payable to my said wife, and further it is my will that all the goods and chattel now in my possession shall be sold by my executor (that is those not willed to my said wife) to pay my just debts and if the amount thereof shall not be sufficient, they are empowered to sell the lots and lands next and if that will not be sufficient the lot and house will have to be sold of course. And if there should be any over plus after my sale my said wife is to have the use thereof during her natural life. And if it be found by my executors that there is sufficient property out of which money enough may or can be raised to pay all my debts then my said wife is to have the use of my dwelling house and lot and stable during her life. And further I do hereby constitute and appoint Samuel Finley and Henry Fuller to be my Executors to transact all matters herein mentioned or not mentioned according to law. In witness whereof (that the foregoing is my last will and testament) I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 14th day of April, A. D., one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine. "Signed in the presence of Caleb Fuller and William Pence.

Christian Shockey

∞ Christian married #66565 Mary Welsh◊.

Marriage notes

They married Sep 1784 in Hagerstown, Washington Co., Maryland. They were married by the Rev. Young.

Mary was born 19 Aug 1757 in Hagerstown, Washington Co., Maryland. She died 2 Jan 1844 in Salisbury, Somerset Co., Pennsylvania. She was buried in Old Salisbury Cemetery, Salisbury, Somerset Co., Pennsylvania.

Her name is often given as Welch. Her birth is sometimes given as 14 Nov 1758; the date here is from her grave marker.

An affidavit for a widow's war pension was written by her brother-in-law, Abraham Shockey, in 1841 reads as follows:

State of Ohio, County of Washington.

Before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Abraham Shockey who, being duly sworn according to law, doth say and depose that he was well acquainted with Christian Shockey, a soldier of the Revolution, whose name was inscribed on the pension rolls of the United States and late of Somerset County in the State of Pennsylvania, deceased, and that deponent was present and saw the said Christian Shockey married to Mary Welsh by the Reverand Mr. Young in the month of September in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty four at Hagerstown in Maryland and deponent doth further say that Mary, the widow of said Christian Shockey, deceased, is still living and residing in the said County of Somerset in the State of Pennsylvania according to information lately received from that place by the deponent.

Sworn and Subscribed this first day of April before me - Stillman Harvey, Justice of the Peace.

Abraham Shockey

Her estate was left to her children with the exception that Christian's share went to his daughter, Mahala. I wonder if this means Christian was ill at the time Mary made her will as he died shortly after she did.

Children of this relationship:

#66574	M	i	Valentine Shockey	(5 May 1785–16 Jul 1865)
#66575	M	ii	William Shockey	(11 Nov 1786–)
#66576	M	iii	Christian Shockey	(10 Sep 1788–21 Sep 1844)
#66577	F	iv	Mary "Polly" Shockey	(14 Nov 1790–)
#66578	M	v	Abraham Shockey	(21 Feb 1793–)
#66579	F	vi	Barbara Shockey	(9 Feb 1795–)
#66522	M	vii	Levi Shockey◊	(16 May 1797–14 Jun 1868)
#66580	F	viii	Peggy Shockey	(6 Dec 1799–)
#66581	F	ix	Nancy Shockey	(19 May 1802–)
#66582	F	x	Drusilla Shockey	(7 May 1805–)

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1830 U.S. Census, Elk Lick, Somerset Co., Pennsylvania, Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, Utah, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.. Roll: 161; Page: 36; Family History Library Film: 0020635

1840 U.S. Census, Elk Lick, Somerset Co., Pennsylvania, Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, Utah, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.. Roll: 494; Page: 42; Image: 89; Family History Library Film: 0020558

Christian Shockey, cemetery notes, www.findagrave.com, #41191131.

Lineage application of William Whitford Powell, Volume: 225; SAR Membership Number: 44857 (25 Mar 1927), Ancestry.com. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Lineage application of Willis Raymond Lansford, SAR Membership Number: 75599 (21 Mar 1953), Ancestry.com. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Mary Welsh Shockey, cemetery notes, www.findagrave.com, #41191384.

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Line Generation: 2

Relationship: Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather