| 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
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Davis Uriah I | Born 1707
1723 - 1782 (59 years)