thefamilycelle

Records found by Paul and Mary Sell of North Canton, Ohio suggested that their ancestor John Sell had married to a Catherine Scheretz in York County, PA. Last week Dick Sell was in York County and visited the court house there to find the needed proof.

Ludwig Sheretz/Sherherz died 8 December 1791 in Manheim Twp., York Co., PA. His will, probated 7 January 1792, identifies his widow Margaret and four children: Elizabeth, Frederick, Catherine, and Anna Maria. Baptismal records of Sherman's (aka St. David's) Union Church, Manheim Twp., York Co., PA give us the birth and baptismal records for daughter Anna Maria, born 4 July 1787; and a son, John Ludwig, born and baptized AFTER his father died; born 11 May 1792.

Since these children were all minors when Ludwig died, Dick Sell checked the orphan's court records and found the following entries, dated 26 June 1793:

"Came into court Margaret Sherritz, widow of Ludwick Sherritz, deceased, and prayed that a guardian may be appointed for Elizabeth Sherritz aged eleven years and upward; and for Catherine Sherritz aged seven years and upwards. Whereupon the court appoints Baltzer Hilbert to be guardian of the persons and estates of said minors. Also Frederick Sherritz aged nine years last April the court appoints Henry Shilt guardian also Anna Maria Sherritz aged about six years and John Ludwick Sherritz aged one year and upward the court appoints Ludwick Overdier guardian"

A search for estate settlement records yielded a York County deed, dated 1 November 1824, which states:

"We John Sell and Catherine my wife of Stark County in the state of Ohio; the said Catherine being one of the daughters and legatees named and mentioned in the last will and testament of Ludwig Sheritz late of Manheim township in the county of York and State of Pennsylvania, deceased, send greeting"

This deed continues with the releasing for money her interest in land willed to the children of Ludwig Sheritz.

ALL of these records together seem to prove rather conclusively that the John Sell, 1777-1856, of Stark County, Ohio; son of Jacob and Christina Hesson Sell; was in fact the John Sell who married Catherine Sherertz, daughter of Ludwig Sherherz/Sheritz. Other York County, PA Sherertz records found previously by Dick Sell or Paul and Mary Sell, gave us the information that this Ludwig Sherertz, a.1757-1791, married Margaretta Kieffer; and was a son of emigrant Arnold/Arnholtz Sheritz and his wife Catharina, who arrived on the ship "Neptune" on 30 September 1754.

We still do not have a complete record of all of the children of this John and Catherine Sheretz Sell. The Census indicates maybe as many as 7 sons and 2 daughters born by 1820, plus another son born 1820 to 1825. No doubt some died young, but we still have lots to learn about this family.

It is very likely that Catherine Sheretz Sell died after the birth of this last child, as there is no female her age listed in John Sell's household in 1840. And in 1850, John Sell, age 73,has only an Eliza Sell, age 24, and a Jacob Sell, age 40 living with him.

Paul and Mary Sell believe that John Sell died 5 April 1856, but have not located his probate or obituary records as yet. Meantime, they have identified at least four, maybe five children:

(1)Mary Sell, 1807-1895, married John Gring.

(2)(maybe) the John Sell, 1810-1892, who married in 1841 to Mary

Bauman

(3)Jacob Sell, 1810-1858. His estate was administered by younger

brother David P. Sell.

(4)Andrew Sell, 1812-1896, married 1st in 1844 to Lydia Gloss; married

2nd in 1874 to Frances Clippert/Klippert.

(5)David P. Sell, 1824-1910, married in 1846 to Mary Ann Bowman.

(They were the great grandparents of Paul Sell.)

Paul and Mary Sell have located the gravestones of David and Mary Ann Bowman Sell; John and Mary Sell Gring; and Andrew Sell and his second wife, Frances Klippert Sell; all of whom are buried in a Sell plot at the Union Cemetery, at Louisville, Stark Co., Ohio. They also found that both Andrew Sell and Lydia Gloss in 1844; and David Sell and Mary Ann Bowman in 1846 were married by Rev. Peter Herbruck, at the German Reformed Church in Stark Co., Ohio. And Paul and Mary have been in touch with descendants of this Andrew Sell.

Corrections therefore need to be made to our Celle CD#2, Celle Family History, Part 21, Volume I, pages 163 and 174, where we identified several incorrect children for this John Sell family; and in Ken Sell's book, where he also copied some of our incorrect records on this family on pages 121-122; notably the name of John's wife, and which children were their's.

Paul and Mary Sell also believe that their David P. Sell, born 8 August 1824, was the youngest child of John Sell, 1777-1856, and Catherine Sheritz. And that the Eliza, age 24, listed in John Sell's household on the 1850 Census may have been a niece, or daughter-in-law, or some other relative.

Wanted: probate records, obituary, etc. for this John Sell, 1777-1856!!!

Choppin.Carolyn@usa.net