John Martin Shell Sr. (abt. 1730 - abt. 1774)

Born about 1730 in Tulpehocken Township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Catherine (Dieffenbach) Parthemore — married 9 Dec 1759 (to 1774) in Host Reformed Ch, Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died about 1774 at about age 44 in Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Michael Schell [send private message]

Biography

John Martin Shell of this biography was born in or near Tulpehocken Town--which today is Myerstown, Pennsylvania. In the year of his birth, that was located in Tulpehocken Township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.

When Berks County was created in 1752, that same location became part of Tulpehocken Township, Berks County.

His will ^[1] is listed in the 1770 records for Lancaster County. No Berks County sources found that refer to this Martin Shell.

This Martin Shell is likely to be the oldest surviving son of Peter Schell (~1712-aft. 1758).

In 1759, he married Anna Catharine Diffenbach, at the Host Reformed Church in Tulpehocken. Anna Catharine Dieffenbach was the oldest daughter of Johan Adam Dieffenbach, who arrived with the early Palatine families in New York around 1710.

About 1765, Martin Schell and his family relocated from Tulpehocken in Lancaster County to Lower Paxtang township, Lancaster (now Dauphin) county, Pennsylvania. He purchased a farm east of Harrisburg, located near Shoop's Church, where he is buried.

He may have retained his rights to his prior land holdings, as evidenced by a 30 Dec 1772 Ground Rent Deed between Martin Shell and wife Catharine (presumably the person represented by this profile) to Peter Schell (presumably a son or nephew?).^[2]

Martin Shell, Sr is the patriarch of a family of famous gunsmiths. Martin Shell Sr manufactured Lancaster long rifles in Heidelberg, Lancaster 1770-1774 for the Committee of Safety, just prior to the Revolutionary War. He is the patriarch for 3 generations of gun-makers, who operated in Paxtang township, Lancaster County Pennsylvania (later, Dauphin County).

13th Sep 1776. Excerpt from CHAMBERS' log (appraiser’s certificate). Appraised a smooth-bore gun, the property of Martin Shell, Jr., and paid by George Page, to be delivered to Michael Greens, Jr., at three pounds five shillings, and powder-horn at three pence ; the said Greens of Captain John Reed's company. Certified by James Burd, Jacob Awl, James Thom, and Hugh Stephen.

About 1774, after Martin Shell died, his widow Catherine married John Parthemore in Paxtang township, Pennsylvania. Note that John Parthemore was the widower of Anna Swoop/Shoop, from the family name of the old Swoop church and cemetery.

Children of Martin Schell, Sr and Anna Catherine Dieffenbach:

1. Peter (b. 6 Sep 1760, christened 5 Oct 1760 at Tulpehocken Trinity UCC, Millardsville, Jackson Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. Sponsor: Christian Cassenitz, single
2. Martin Jr. (b. . ~1763-1817)
3. Anna Catharine (b. 8 May 1767, christened 14 Jun 1767 at Tulpehocken Trinity UCC, Millardsville, Jackson Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. Sponsors: Nicolsas Hussecker & Catharine Elisabeth. She married John Parthemore.

Research Notes

Is it possible that this person is also known as Martin Mattheis Schell, born 4 May 1737 in Germany? Also married Anna Catharina Dieffenbach.

NOTE: The 1885 source for the Parthemore Family ^[3] incorrectly claims that this Martin Shell owned land in Heidelberg Township, Berks Co., PA in 1737 (today Jefferson Township, Berks). Obviously, he did not own land 7 years after he was born. The actual owner of that plot of land was Martin Schell (~1710-1755)., his probable Uncle. A number of secondary genealogies have propagated the error.

Interesting source found on the Find-a-Grave memorial for Anna Catherine Schupp, which mentions that she is the widow of Martin Shell, Sr.:

Summons. (Lancaster Co. PA) To the Constable of Lebanon: Summon John Parthemore and Catharine his wife, late wife of Martin Shell, deceased to appear before me, L1 17s. 2d., to answer Adam Crist, of a plea of debt of the said Martin Shell, deceased. Given under my hand and seal the 11th day of October, 1784. Jno. Gloninger.

Sources

1. ↑ Will of Martin Shell recorded in 1774 will index, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, PA. Book 2, page 272
2. ↑ Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County; the deed is kept at the Lebanon Co Historical Society, in a collection of oversized Land Rent Deeds.
3. ↑ Parthemore Family (1744-1885) by E.W.S. Parthemore. Harrisburg: Lane & Hart (1885) Link to Archive

• Strausstown Roots for Martin Schell born about 1730