SNAPP, John

Notes:

John was a Tax collector for Lord Fairfax.
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He sold horses to George Washington.
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He purchased a 694 acre plantation on Mill Creek, Rockingham County, Virginia (named Meadow View) July 26, 1793.
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John Snapp was a Revolutionary War soldier (as were most of his brothers), in Captain John Tipton's Company of Dunmore, Shenandoah County, Virginia Militia, with the rank of Ensign (see Revolutionary War Records - Virginia by Brumbaugh).
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On Aug. 27, 1778 Gov. Patric Henry authorized him to serve and qualify as a Justice in Shenandoah Co., Virginia.
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In May 1782 he was named as a trustee of Woodstock.
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By 1789 John was listed as one of the largest land owners in Rockingham Co., Virginia, with 629 Acres.
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In 1790 he owned a tavern at Mill Creek, Rockingham Co., Virginia.
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In 1791 John Snapp & George Houston (uncle to Sam Houston) were among the trustees for the establishment of a new town called Keisell's Town.
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By October 20, 1814, he purchased 296 acres for $1,000 on both sides of Limestone Creek, Washington County, Tennessee, near Greene County.
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He purchased an additional 275 acres and in February 1815, and sold 352 acres for $18,500.
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John's will is recorded in Washington Co., Tennesse.

John married WENDELL, Anna Maria 1770, Strausburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia. Anna (daughter of WENDELL, Christophel and BRUMBACH, Catherine) was born Abt 1750, Virginia; died 15 Mar 1829, Washington County, Tennesse. [Group Sheet]

1. SNAPP, Joseph was born 17 Jun 1771, Strausburg, Virginia.; died 12 Dec 1847, Slanesville, Hampshire County, West Virginia; was buried , Salem Methodist, Slanesville, West Virginia.
2. SNAPP, Susannah was born 14 May 1772, Frederick County, Virginia; died 1836.
3. SNAPP, Margaret was born 8 Jun 1775, Frederick County, Virginia; died 1836, Rockingham County, Virginia.
4. SNAPP, Catharine was born 1776, Frederick County, Virginia; died 1803.
5. SNAPP, John was born 1788, Rockingham County, Virginia; died 7 Aug 1830, Green County, Tennesse.

Notes:

In 1733 at the age of 10, Lawrence Snapp came to Pennsylvania with his parents, aboard the Ship Samuel from Rotterdam.
He moved with the family to Opequon, Virginia.
Lawrence married Margaretha Steffen (Margaret Stephens) in about 1745. She was the daughter of Peter Steffen. The new couple lived at Stephensburg (Stephens City) in Frederick Co., Virginia for a number of years.
On May 3, 1760, Lawrence Snapp bought three lots from Lewis Stephens (Margaret's brother) for 10 Lb. three; lot number 16 containing 1/2 acre, and lot numbers 68 and 97 of 5 acres each, all in the town of Stephensburg. Lot 16 was at Fairfax and German Streets; lot 68 was on Squirrel Lane; lot 97 was on Rabbit Lane. All were part of a 424 acre tract obtained by Lewis Stephens from Peter Stephens deed dated May 2 or 3, 1755. Peter Stephens secured the land in a tract of 674 acres patented to him October 3, 1734.
In about 1764 the family moved to the old Funk home at the mouth of Tumbling Run, just south of Strasburg, in what is now Shenandoah County. Lawrence was active in the Strasburg Lutheran Church and served as an elder in the congregation.
He became a merchant of general supplies, and his business was moderately successful at the beginning of the Revolution.
From 1776 to 1778, he and three sons lived and worked in Philadelphia where, according to local history in Shenandoah County, it is believed they sold supplies to the Continental Army at Valley Forge, and New Jersey. They may have known Baron von Steuben.
He made large profits, and returned home, in 1780.
Lawrence was listed as a Vestryman, and was involved with the creation of the Shenandoah Co, Committee of Safety.
He was a Patriot in the Revolutionary War (Captain of the Shenandoah County Militia), and a patriot aid to George Washington's Army.
All his children were named in his will. (Research Notes of Daniel W. Bly, Strasburg, Virginia). Lawrence must have done exceptionally well financially, for in his will he bequeaths more than 2,600 acres of land to his wife (her name is not mentioned) and his ten children all of whom he names.

Will of Lawrence Snapp, Shenandoah County, Virginia will Book A, 1772-1784, p. 420

In the name of God, Amen. I, Lawrence Snapp of the County of Frederick, State of Virginia, being sound of memory although in a weak state of health, think it proper to make my last will and Testament, in the following manner.
First, I give to my beloved wife one third of the plantation I now live on, the use of one half the dwelling house, that part on the left hand coming in at the front door, next unto the mill, together with the Negro woman named Hannah, also the saddle she usually makes use of and the choice of beds and furniture thereto belonging.
Second, I order and direct my personal estate, including my Negroes and the one given my wife after her death (and her children if any), be sold for ready money, also my lot of land in Woodstock purchased of William Slaughter, be divided in eleven parts, one part thereof to my wife, and the other remaining ten parts to my ten children, share and share alike.
Item. I give to my son John Snapp and his heirs and assigns forever the tract of land whereon he now lives which I purchased of R. Campbell.
Item. I give and devise to my son Lawrence Snapp his heirs and assigns forever, the tract of land containing 419 acres, some laid off lately by Jacob Rinker and for which I have obtained a deed from the
proprietors office excepting 45 acres or thereabouts which is surveyed and returned to the proprietors office but may be obtained for the same occasion by the death of Lord Fairfax.
Item. I give and devise to son Peter Snapp his heirs and assigns forever, a tract of land containing 400 acres being the same whereon the mill stands, lately laid off by Jacob Rinker, Jr., but devise subject to the condition of grinding all the grain his mother shall occasion for herself and for during her natural life toll free.
Item. I give and devise to my son Phillip Snapp and his heirs and assigns forever, a tract of land containing 430 acres as the same as lately laid off by Jacob Rinker and is the same son Phillip now lives on.
Item. I give and devise to my son Joseph Snapp, his heirs and assigns forever one half of a moiety land I purchased of Samuel Vance which moiety contains 200 acres and where said Samuel Vance formerly lived.
Item. I give and devise to my son Abraham Snapp his heirs and assigns forever the other half of moiety of said tract containing 200 acres being that part John Vance formerly lived on.
Item. I give and devise to my son Jacob Snapp and his heirs and assigns forever a tract of land containing 548 acres being same more or less Tract of land of 1791 as lately surveyed by Jacob Rinker being part which dwelling house and subject to the devise before mentioned to my wife.
Item. I give and devise to my daughter Christian, wife of Michael Speagle and to her heirs and assigns 264 acres of land, being one half of moiety of tract I purchased of John Magill, attained in fact of John Gibson and others of the City of Philadelphia and same lately laid off by Jacob Rinker.
Item. I give and devise to my daughter Margaret, wife of Henry Kellar to her heirs and assigns forever the other half as moiety of the last half mentioned tract of land containing 264 acres.
Item. I give and devise to my daughter Susannah Snapp and to her heirs and assigns forever 413 acres of land purchased of William Wadlington 190 acres part thereof now in possession of John Buck and for the recovery of which I have now brought an ejectment in the Court of Shenandoah and in case same should not be determined in my favor then I give out of my personal estate before same is divided to my said daughter Susannah the sum of 100 pounds specie in lieu thereof and do direct that prosecution of suit be supported out of my personal estate.
Item. I do direct in case any of my children should die before they come of age and unmarried their part of my estate shall to and pass to the survivors of them and their heirs and assigns forever.
I appoint my son John Snapp and my son-in-law Michael Speagle executors, giving to each 25 pounds for their trouble and expense.

5 April 1782 Lorentz Schnepp
Witnesses: John Crookshanks [signed in German]
George Kellar
Matthew Zipering

Lawrence married STEPHENS, Margaret Abt 1745, Opequeon, Frederick County, Virginia.. Margaret (daughter of STEPHENS, Peter and CHRISTINA, Maria) was born Abt 1725; died 1801, Shenandoah County, Virginia.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Will of Margaret Snapp, wife of Lawrence Snapp who died in 1801. Will Book E, 1796-1802 of Shenandoah County, Virginia.

In the name of God, Amen. I Margaret Snapp, widow of Lawrence Snapp deceased of Shenandoah County and State of Virginia, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory thanks be to God, think proper to make this my last will and testament in the following manner, that is to say, My Will and desire is that all my Estate which I shall be possessed of at the day of my decease or may be entitled to in any manner or right or title of rights, I do give and bequeath the same in the following manner and herein mentioned, and just I do give all my wearing apparels or clothings unto my daughters, i.e. one half to Margaret, wife of Henry Keller, and the other half to Susanna, wife of John Harr, further I give all the rest and residue of my Estate unto all my children sons and daughters (the children of Christina and Michael Speigels to have one child's Share divided equally among them, and the children of Joseph Snapp to have one child's share divided equally among them, and the children of Peter Snapp to have one child's share divided equally among them, and every one of the rest to have an equal share, my clothes above mentioned excepted whatever I do other and direct convenient by the Executors here named and appointed after my funeral expenses and charges first being lawfully discharged and I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Phillip Snapp and son-in-law Henry Keller and John Harr to be my sole Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness thereof I have here into set my hand and seal this ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one.

Signed and published and declared by the testatrix as her last will and testament in the presence of us . .

Isaac Miller Margaret Snapp mark\
Jacob Funk

Page 447 Deed Book E

At a court continued and held for the county of Shenandoah on Tuesday the 14th day of July 1801 This last will and testament of Margaret Snapp deceased was exhibited to the court by Phillip Snapp on of the executors therein named and proved by the oaths of Isaac Miller and Jacob Funk. Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded And on motion of the said Phillip Snapp he having made oath and together with John Harr his security intered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of fifteen hundred dollars conditioned as the law directs a probate thereof in due form is granted him, John Harr one of the Executors mentioned in the said will refusing to qualify.

Test
_______ P. Williams Ct. H.

Notes:

In the early half of the eighteenth century, southern Germany had been scourged by war, pestilence and famine to such an extent that life there had become unbearable for many of the inhabitants. The Palatinate and the Upper Rhine State was one area from which the inhabitants emigrated in great numbers. Although this migration was unquestionably joined by many thousands of Germans from other areas, there were so many from the Palatinate, that all German immigrants became known as "Palatines." This was true both in England, where many of them first took refuge, and in America where the majority of them finally reached.
Philadelphia was the port of entry for the majority of German refugees. Although the Colonies welcomed immigration in general, the Palatines poured into Pennsylvania in such great numbers that the officials of the Colony became alarmed; laws were passed requiring each male immigrant, whether single or the head of a family, be properly registered by name and that registration should also show the name of the vessel by which he came, the name of it's captain, the name of the port from which the immigrant embarked, and the date of his landing in America. He was, furthermore required to sign an oath of adjuration of the government from which he came, and one of allegiance to the government of Pennsylvania.
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John migrated to Rotterdam from his home near Weisenberg, Alsace, Germany. The family sailed to the colonies on the ship Samuel. On board the ship Samuel of London, Hugh Percy, Master, from Rotterdam were; Johannes Snapp 37, wife Barbara 34, children Johannes 12, Lawrence 10, and Barbara 3. Also disembarking was Lawrence Snapp age 21, no doubt a younger brother of Johannes Snapp.
John Snapp, Sr. John Snapp, Jr. and Lawrence Snapp were naturalized in Frederick County, Virginia on May 21, 1753.
The Snapp families in Virginia are the descendants of Johannes Schnepp and his wife Barbara who arrived in Philadelphia aboard the Samuel, 17 August 1733 and from Georg Schnepp and wife who arrived on the Phoenix 28 August 1750. Their specific relationship is not known but they were both born in northern Alsace where they and their ancestors had followed the life of herdsmen and shepherds for many generations. People lived in compact villages and each village had common land on which to graze their livestock. They therefore needed full time herdsmen, dairymen, and shepherds to tend the animals. Due to the nature of this occupation families were seldom in one area long and moved about looking for work. This has made it difficult to find records of the family. For instance, Lorentz Schnepp, father of Johannes the Virginia pioneer, had children baptized in eight different villages. His father Hans Schnepp had at least twelve children born in almost as many villages in northern Alsace.
Johannes Schnepp (John Snapp), the 1733 immigrant, was born at Duntzenheim in northern Alsace December 1, 1695, son of Lorentz Schnepp and Anna Catherina (born Haber). Johannes was baptized at Duntzenheim 5 December 1695 and record of his confirmation 30 March 1709 at age 13 is found at nearby Geisweiler (now Geiswiller). Johannes (Hans) married Barbara Dutt, daughter of Philip Dutt, at Schwindratzhiem 7 February 1719 and shortly afterward moved to Muhlhausen where he followed the family business of shepherd. When he signed documents regarding his mother's estate in 1728, he signed with a distinctive mark-a large H with an S and a shepherd's crook in the crossbar of the H. This is the same signature he used when signing the oath of allegiance to the British Crown when he arrived in Philadelphia in the summer of 1733. Johannes (in Virginia records he is John Snapp Sr.) settled in western Frederick County, Virginia, about eight miles southwest of Winchester by 1735 and took up a large tract of land on a tributary of Cedar Creek. John died 19 March 1762. Barbara was born about 1698 and died 20 November 1758.
The Snapp family lived in that part of Frederick County, Virginia that became Shenandoah County in 1772. In the early days of voting in this country, each person voting was required to sign a list of names following the candidate. The names of John Snap, John Snap, Jr. , and Law Snap are found in the 1758 vote for the House of Burgesses, as having voted for then Col. George Washington. John, his wife Barbara and brother Lawrence appear on the Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania Census in 1733. John was a Sheperd in Alsace Germany and became a farmer in Frederick Co. , Virginia. His religion was German Lutheran. John and his family settled in Winchester, Virginia in 1750. John's brother Lawrence seems to have moved on to Rowan Co., North Carolina, receiving a land grant there in 1750. John's property was still in the Snapp family as late as the 1970's and there is a very old Snapp home on the site.
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Will of John Snapp, 30 November 1761, Frederick County, Virginia. Will Book 3, p. 35.
In the Name of God Amen. Whereas I John Snapp of Frederick County & Colony of Virginia being taken sick of body but of perfect mind & memory thanks be to God for it and knowing the uncertainty of this human life and calling to mind the certainty of death do think proper to set my worldly affairs in order.
First and principally I commit my soul to God who gave it to me nothing doubting to receive it again at the General Resurrection by the Mighty Power of God and Body I order to be buried in a Christian like manner in the burying place by my wife Barbara deceased. As to my worldly affairs I order and appoint in manner and form as followeth.
Item I order and bequeath all my worldly estate that God hath pleased to bless me with money and goods to be equally divided to each of my children John Snap, Lawrence Snap, Barbara Baker, Catherine Pitman, Christian Beard, Margaret Messersmith, Salomy Wisecarver. Excepting my Bible I order to my John over his equal share. Impermis I order and ordain my son Lawrence Snapp to be my whole and sole Executor, to act for me and on my behalf as if I were personally present.
I do hereby acknowledge this to be my last will and Testament revoking and disannulling all other former wills or Testaments heretofore made by me and do acknowledge this to be my last will and Testament. Published and declared before us this thirtieth day of November in the year of Our Lord 1761
Joseph Fawcett John HS Snap (Ls)
John Fawcett
Richard Fawcett
At a court held for Frederick County on the 6th day of April 1762, this will was exhibited by Lawrence Snap the executor therein named who made oath thereto according to Law and the same being proved by the witnesses thereto is ordered to be recorded.

Johannes married DUTT, Barbara 17/17 Feb 1718/1719, Schwindratzheim, Alsace, Germany (Now France). Barbara (daughter of DUTT, Philipp and CHRISTINA) was born 1698, Schwindratzheim, Alsace, Germany (Now France); died 20 Nov 1758, Frederick County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

New information has recently come forward in regard to this Peter Stephens. His birth name was Hans Peter Steffen/Stephan/Steffan born March 8, 1687 in Steinsfurt, Wurtemberg, Germany. This is a small town near Heidelberg. Peter Stephan from Frederick County, Virginia was supposed to be from Heidelburg on the River Mayne in the Empire of Germany according to his naturalization paper. Heidelburg is on the Neckar River and the Main River is where Frankfurt is located. However the naturalization clerks did not know the geography of Germany so maybe that is what accounts for the error. The last name of his wife is unknown at this time, so it is probably not Rittenhouse. The Rittenhouse Assoc. has no record of any such person as Maria Christina Rittenhouse. This name Rittenhouse was suggested in a book by Dan Stephens and was carried forward as a fact and not a suggestion by others. Peter was married in Germany as his sons were naturalized in Virginia. The latest research shows that this Steffen/Stephan family was originally from Switzerland and I know others have the same information but it is incorrect.
Peter's wife Maria Christina ? was also born in Germany.
6 DEC 1757 in Frederick Co., Virginia, (This is when Peter's will was probated not date of death).
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Ancestors of Daniel W. Bly
Mar. 21, 2000

Peter Stephens, one of the earliest settlers in the Shenandoah Valley, is ancestor of an extensive family that has spread throughout the United States. The name Stephens is the anglicized form of his German name, "Steffen", the name that Peter signed on known documents.

HANS PETER STEFFEN was born at Steinsfurt in the Kraichgau region of the German Rhineland (a few miles south of Heidelberg), 3 March 1687. (There is no need to convert this date to so-called "New Style" because this part of Germany already used the Gregorian calendar). He was the youngest of eleven children of GABRIEL STEFFEN and his wife, BARBARA BÄR, who settled at Steinsfurt as a young couple about 1670. They were of Swiss ancestry.

A great deal of speculation and conjecture has been made about the whereabouts of Peter Stephens before he came to Virginia but very few facts are known. About all that is known and can be documented is that he was living in the Skippack area of present-day Montgomery County, Pennsylvania by the Spring of 1730. His older sister, Magdalena and her husband, Christian Neuschwanger as well as their brother, Ulrich Steffen, were there by 1728. There is absolutely no evidence that Peter ever lived in New York or New Jersey or that he married Maria Christina Rittenhouse as a second wife, in Germantown, PA. His wife was named Maria Christina but they probably married in Germany and her family name is unknown.

Another member of the Skippack community was Jost Hite, who acquired the right to settle land in the Shenandoah Valley and by 1732 recruited sixteen families to settle there. Among them were Peter Steffen with his family and his brother-in-law and sister, Christian and Magdalena Neuschwanger and their family.

Peter Steffen (Stephens) acquired land where the town of Stephens City now stands in Frederick County, VA. He died there in the fall of 1757 and his will was probated in Frederick County Court in December 1757. His wife, Maria Christina was still living at the time and he named all his children in his will, designating "oldest", "second" "youngest", sons then daughters.

Peter — CHRISTINA, Maria. Maria was born , Germantown, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Lorentz like his father and grandfather was a shepherd in various villages in central Alsace.

Information on the Lorentz Schnepp family is from Daniel Bly's book: "From the Rhine to the Shenandoah" printed 1993, reprinted 1996.

The house and lot of Lorentz Schnepp (father of Johannes, the immigrant) at Geisweller in Alsace was valued at 153 florins in 1729.
His personal property, including furniture, clothing, tools and livestock was worth 54 florins. One sheep was worth six florins.

(From "Gottileb Mittelberger’s Journey to Pennsylvania in the Year 1750…" translated and published in Philadelphia in 1898)

Lorentz married HABER, Anna Catharina 13 Sep 1689, Alteckendorff. Anna (daughter of HABER, Hans and HANS, Anna Barbara) was born 3/03 Mar 1668/1669, Alteckendorff; died 29 Oct 1725, Geissweiler (The Alsace Area). [Group Sheet]

Philipp — CHRISTINA. [Group Sheet]

Gabriel — BAR, Barbara. [Group Sheet]