Hans Peter Stephens, I

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/164160847/peter-stephens

The name was usually spelled Steffen or Staffen (a with umlaut) in Switzerland but after moving down into the Rhineland the name eventually became Stephan, the form used by Peter and his generation.

Peter Stephens founded the City of Stephensburg Virginia now called Stephens City, Virginia. I am proud to say he is my 6th GGF. He founded the city in 1757. (Peter's son Lewis founded the town of Stephensburg several years after Peter's death).

Steve Barnhouse son of Alpha (Stephens) Barnhouse

The following is the Will of Peter Stephens, now on record at "Winchester, Va. PETER STEPHENS' WILL In the name of God, Amen: The twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven, I, Peter Stephens, Senr., of Frederick County, in Virginia, yeoman, being sick and weak in body, but of perfect sound mind and memory, thanks be given to God, therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing it appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this, my Last Will and Testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I commend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian and decent manner, at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and devise, dispose of the same in the following manner and form: Imprimis, my will is that if it pleaseth Almighty God to call me from this estate of life before my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, that she shall be truly and effectually invested with all and singular my Right Property and Interest of, in and to my Mansion House, with the use and occupation of all and singular my lands, being the quantity of twenty- five acres, together with all and singular my movable or personal estate during her natural life, to be by her possessed without interruption or molestation of any person or persons whatsoever; and further, my will is that at and after the decease of my said wife, Maria Christina, the said Mansion House and twenty-five acres of land shall devolve to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens, his heirs or assigns forever, as fully and amply, to all intents and purposes, as I myself in my lifetime held and enjoyed the same. Provided, and it is my will, that in consideration of the said devise my eldest son shall pay unto my eldest daughter, Maria Christina, the sum of ten pounds current money; ten pounds to my second daughter, Maria Magdalena, together with the sum of ten pounds like money to my youngest daughter, Margaret, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed. Item, for that I have heretofore given to my second son, Lawrence Stephens, by virtue of a certain deed of lease and re-lease the quantity of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever, &c. Item, also I have heretofore given unto my third son, Peter Stephens, by virtue of a deed of lease and release the quantity of two hundred acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever, &c. Item, I give and bequeath to my youngest son, Henry Stephens, a certain tract or parcel of land containing the quantity of three hundred acres, be the same more or less, whereon he now lives, to be possessed by him, his heirs or assigns, forever. Item, my will is that a certain tract of land, containing four hundred acres, be the same more or less, adjoining my former tract of land, which by virtue of a Patent had out of the office of Thomas Lord Fairfax will more at large appear, I give and bequeath to my eldest son, his heirs and assigns, forever, for the consideration of the sum of forty pounds current money, ten pounds of which I give to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens; ten pounds to my second son, Lawrence; ten pounds to my third son, Peter, and ten pounds to my youngest son, Henry, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed, &c. Item, my will is that my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, be an Executrix with my beloved son Lewis Stephens; ten pounds to my second son, Lawrence; ten pounds to my third son, Peter, and ten pounds to my youngest son, Henry, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed, &c. Item, my will is that my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, be an Executrix with my beloved so, Lewis Stephens and my beloved son Lawrence Stephens Executrix and Executors of this, my Last Will and Testament. Revoking, annulling and making void all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. Ratifying and confirming this and no other, my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the date and year above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Peter Stephens as his last Will and Testament. In the presence of us.

Memorandum, before signing and declaring the within above comprised Will, it is willed by the Testator that after the decease of the said Maria Christina Stephens, that if any movable estate remain, it shall be equally divided between all the children surviving or their heirs, &c. Martin Grider, Andrew ( ?) Ott, Joseph Carroll. At a Court, held for Frederick County, on Tuesday, the 6th day of December, 1757. This last Will and Testament of Peter Stephens, deceased, was presented into Court by Lewis Stephens and Lawrence Stephens, two of the Executors therein named. Maria Christina Stephens, the other Executrix, having refused to take on her the burden of the execution of the said Will, which is admitted to record. The said Will being proved by the oaths of Joseph Carroll and Martin Grider, witnesses thereto, is admitted to record. Teste: J. Wood, Clerk. State of Virginia, County of Frederick, To wit: I, T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of the County Court of Frederick County, do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original Will of Peter Stephens now on file and of record in my office. Witness my hand this first day of July, 1891. T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of County Court of Frederick County. Peter Stephens died in Stephensburg (now Stephens City), Virginia, in November, 1757.

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PETER STEPHENS was the 6th great grandfather of FAG contributor Milton A. Stephens.

See Peter Stephens (Pioneer) Wikipedia for more information. Also check "Descendants of Peter Stephens" for a genealogical background of some later lineages. Note: Possibly buried in the "German Reformed Church Cemetery" known as "Old Graveyard" in Stephens City, Frederick Co., Va.  The dust of the first settlers rests in the graveyard, being generally marked by common limestone rocks,

WARNING -The Find-A-Grave memorial has been compromised by the addition of fictitious and inaccurate material and should not be considered appropriate documentation for Peter Stephens or his family.

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• Residence: Skippack Township - 1730 - Montgomery, Colony of Pennsylvania, British Colonial America
• Residence: Land Patent for 674 acres on the North Branch of Crooked Run - 1732 - Orange, Colony of Virginia, British Colonial America
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Sep 10 2016, 1:45:06 UTC

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Peter Stephan, son of Gabriel Stäffen and Barbara Bär, was born on 3 Mar 1687 in Steinsfurt, Heidelberg County, Germany, was baptized on 9 Mar 1687 in Steinsfurt, Heidelberg County, Germany. Steinsfurt is a village in southwestern Germany, in the Rhine Neckar Area of the Bundesland Baden-Württemberg between Heidelberg and Heilbronn in the district Rhein-Neckar. He died in 1757 in Frederick County, Virginia at age 70. The anglicized name for Stephen/Staffen/Steffen is Stephens.

Peter Stephan first appears on a membership list of the Skippack Reform Church in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1730. This congregation was founded the year before and among the founding members were Ulrich Stephan, Peter's older brother, Christian Neuschwanger, his brother-in-law and Hans George Baumann, Jost Hite's son-in-law. (Daniel W. Bly, "From the Rhine to the Shenandoah", Volume III (Baltimore, MD 2002), Stephens Chapter, pp.171-183.

Peter Stephens was appointed a constable by the Orange County court in May 1736 but only a few months later stepped aside in favor of his son, Lewis [Orange County Order Book "1", pp. 74,93,108].

In the fall of 1743 Peter Stephens traveled to Williamsburg, then capital of Virginia, probably with others from the newly organized Frederick County. While there he took the oath of naturalization 31 October 1743. The record states that he was a "German Protestant from Heidelberg on the River Mayne.

Peter Stephens received an additional 572-acre patent adjoining his earlier tract in November 1752. Also between 1743 and shortly before his death he distributed land to his sons. Peter wrote a will in April 1757 naming all his children and identifying them by order of age, first the sons,(Lewis, Lawrence, Peter, Henry) then the daughters (Maria Christina, Maria Magdalena, Margaret). He appointed his wife, Maria Christina and sons Lewis and Lawrence as his executors

Frederick County will Book "2" P. 266]. The will was probated 6 December 1757. While he appears in most court records as Peter "Stephens" he signed his name on 1737 and 1743 road petitions and his Last Will in German script as Peter "Stephan".

Children of Peter Stephens, Sr. include:

Major Lewis Stephens Born in Germany c.1713 as evidenced by his naturalization papers in 1743. Lewis married Mary Rittenhouse, daughter of Peter Rittenhouse of Philadelphia. Both Mary and Lewis are named in Peter Rittenhouse's will of 1748. Lewis became Captain, then Major of Frederick Co Virgina Militia. Founder of the town of Stephensburg, now Stephens City, VA. Signed his Last Will 19 Feb 1797; it was proved in Frederick Co Va court Feb 1806. WB-8 p198

Maria Christina Stephens Linville Born in Germany c.1714; Married John Linville Mentioned as Eldest of three daughters in Peter's will.

97626837 Lawrence Stephens (1716-1776) Born in Germany per naturalization papers. Lawrence's first wife's name remains unknown. They had children, Mary, Sarah, John and Peter. Lawrence's second wife was Anna Maria Baumann (anglicized to Mary Bowman) daughter of George Bowman (Hans Georg Baumann in German) and his wife, Anna Maria Heydt (Hite). Lawrence received 225 acres from his father.

Maria Magdalena Stephens Born c.1720/22; Not sure how long she lived, but she did live long enough to be included in her father's will written in 1757. Also, not sure if she ever married, but are sure that she was NOT the 2nd wife of Jost Hite as some believe. Maria is mentioned as Second of three daughters in Peter's will.

Margaret Stephens Snapp (Schnepp) Born c.1724, Died 1801; Married Lawrence Snapp Mentioned as Youngest of three daughters in Peter's will.

[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=36785440 Peter Stephens] My ancestor, married Anna Maria Chrisman, the daughter of Jacob Chrisman and Maria Magdalena Heydt/Hite. Peter received 200 acres from his father.

Henry Stephens Born 8 Apr 1734 and baptized as "JOHANN HEINRICH STEPHAN" by Rev. Johann Casper Stoever, 16 May 1735. Henry received 300 acres from his father.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Last Will & Testament of Peter Stephens Frederick Co VA Will Book 2, page 266: (7 children provided for in this will)

In the name of God, Amen: The twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven, I, Peter Stephens, Senr., of Frederick County, in Virginia, yeoman, being sick and weak in body, but of perfect sound mind and memory, thanks be given to God, therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing it appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this, my Last Will and Testament, that is to say:

Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I commend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian and decent manner, at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and devise, dispose of the same in the following manner and form:

Imprimis, my will is that if it pleaseth Almighty God to call me from this estate of life before my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, that she shall be truly and effectually invested with all and singular my Right Property and Interest of, in and to my Mansion House, with the use and occupation of all and singular my lands, being the quantity of twenty-five acres, together with all and singular my movable or personal estate during her natural life, to be by her possessed without interruption or molestation of any person or persons whatsoever; and further, my will is that at and after the decease of my said wife, Maria Christina, the said Mansion House and twenty-five acres of land shall devolve to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens, his heirs or assigns forever, as fully and amply, to all intents and purposes, as I myself in my lifetime held and enjoyed the same.

Provided, and it is my will, that in consideration of the said devise my eldest son shall pay unto my eldest daughter, Maria Christina, the sum of ten pounds current money; ten pounds to my second daughter, Maria Magdalena, together with the sum of ten pounds like money to my youngest daughter, Margaret, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed.

Item, for that I have heretofore given to my second son, Lawrence Stephens, by virtue of a certain deed of lease and re-lease the quantity of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever.

Item, also I have heretofore given unto my third son, Peter Stephens, by virtue of a deed of lease and release the quantity of two hundred acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever.

Item, I give and bequeath to my youngest son, Henry Stephens, a certain tract or parcel of land containing the quantity of three hundred acres, be the same more or less, whereon he now lives, to be possessed by him, his heirs or assigns, forever.

Item, my will is that a certain tract of land, containing four hundred acres, be the same more or less, adjoining my former tract of land, which by virtue of a Patent had out of the office of Thomas Lord Fairfax will more at large appear, I give and bequeath to my eldest son, his heirs and assigns, forever, for the consideration of the sum of forty pounds current money, ten pounds of which I give to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens; ten pounds to my second son, Lawrence; ten pounds to my third son, Peter, and ten pounds to my youngest son, Henry, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed.

Item, my will is that my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, be an Executrix with my beloved son Lewis Stephens and my beloved son Lawrence Stephens Executrix and Executors of this, my Last Will and Testament. Revoking, annulling and making void all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. Ratifying and confirming this and no other, my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the date and year above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Peter Stephens as his last Will and Testament. In the presence of us.

Memorandum, before signing and declaring the within above comprised Will, it is willed by the Testator that after the decease of the said Maria Christina Stephens, that if any movable estate remain, it shall be equally divided between all the children surviving or their heirs. Martin Grider, Andrew ( ?) Ott, Joseph Carroll. At a Court, held for Frederick County, on Tuesday, the 6th day of December, 1757. This last Will and Testament of Peter Stephens, deceased, was presented into Court by Lewis Stephens and Lawrence Stephens, two of the Executors therein named. Maria Christina Stephens, the other Executrix, having refused to take on her the burden of the execution of the said Will, which is admitted to record. The said Will being proved by the oaths of Joseph Carroll and Martin Grider, witnesses thereto, is admitted to record. Teste: J. Wood, Clerk. State of Virginia, County of Frederick, To wit: I, T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of the County Court of Frederick County, do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original Will of Peter Stephens now on file and of record in my office. Witness my hand this first day of July, 1891. T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of County Court of Frederick County. Peter Stephens died in Stephensburg (now Stephens City), Virginia, in November, 1757. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTE from Contributor: I researched my Stephens family for twelve years. My list of sources includes dozens of records and publications, including books by Daniel Bly. One by one I read every list I could find from the various published records of Rev. John Casper Stoever who was "the" minister in the area who in the 1700's who did baptisms and marriages for all these families. Another helpful contact was the director of the Steinsfurt Museum, Sinsheim-Steinsfurt GER.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 10 2017, 20:38:10 UTC

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Peter Stephan, son of Gabriel Stäffen and Barbara Bär, was born on 3 Mar 1687 in Steinsfurt, Heidelberg County, Germany, was baptized on 9 Mar 1687 in Steinsfurt, Heidelberg County, Germany. Steinsfurt is a village in southwestern Germany, in the Rhine Neckar Area of the Bundesland Baden-Württemberg between Heidelberg and Heilbronn in the district Rhein-Neckar. He died in 1757 in Frederick County, Virginia at age 70. The anglicized name for Stephen/Staffen/Steffen is Stephens.

Peter Stephan first appears on a membership list of the Skippack Reform Church in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1730. This congregation was founded the year before and among the founding members were Ulrich Stephan, Peter's older brother, Christian Neuschwanger, his brother-in-law and Hans George Baumann, Jost Hite's son-in-law. (Daniel W. Bly, "From the Rhine to the Shenandoah", Volume III (Baltimore, MD 2002), Stephens Chapter, pp.171-183.

Peter Stephens was appointed a constable by the Orange County court in May 1736 but only a few months later stepped aside in favor of his son, Lewis [Orange County Order Book "1", pp. 74,93,108].

In the fall of 1743 Peter Stephens traveled to Williamsburg, then capital of Virginia, probably with others from the newly organized Frederick County. While there he took the oath of naturalization 31 October 1743. The record states that he was a "German Protestant from Heidelberg on the River Mayne.

Peter Stephens received an additional 572-acre patent adjoining his earlier tract in November 1752. Also between 1743 and shortly before his death he distributed land to his sons. Peter wrote a will in April 1757 naming all his children and identifying them by order of age, first the sons,(Lewis, Lawrence, Peter, Henry) then the daughters (Maria Christina, Maria Magdalena, Margaret). He appointed his wife, Maria Christina and sons Lewis and Lawrence as his executors

Frederick County will Book "2" P. 266]. The will was probated 6 December 1757. While he appears in most court records as Peter "Stephens" he signed his name on 1737 and 1743 road petitions and his Last Will in German script as Peter "Stephan".

Children of Peter Stephens, Sr. include:

Major Lewis Stephens Born in Germany c.1713 as evidenced by his naturalization papers in 1743. Lewis married Mary Rittenhouse, daughter of Peter Rittenhouse of Philadelphia. Both Mary and Lewis are named in Peter Rittenhouse's will of 1748. Lewis became Captain, then Major of Frederick Co Virgina Militia. Founder of the town of Stephensburg, now Stephens City, VA. Signed his Last Will 19 Feb 1797; it was proved in Frederick Co Va court Feb 1806. WB-8 p198

Maria Christina Stephens Linville Born in Germany c.1714; Married John Linville Mentioned as Eldest of three daughters in Peter's will.

97626837 Lawrence Stephens (1716-1776) Born in Germany per naturalization papers. Lawrence's first wife's name remains unknown. They had children, Mary, Sarah, John and Peter. Lawrence's second wife was Anna Maria Baumann (anglicized to Mary Bowman) daughter of George Bowman (Hans Georg Baumann in German) and his wife, Anna Maria Heydt (Hite). Lawrence received 225 acres from his father.

Maria Magdalena Stephens Born c.1720/22; Not sure how long she lived, but she did live long enough to be included in her father's will written in 1757. Also, not sure if she ever married, but are sure that she was NOT the 2nd wife of Jost Hite as some believe. Maria is mentioned as Second of three daughters in Peter's will.

Margaret Stephens Snapp (Schnepp) Born c.1724, Died 1801; Married Lawrence Snapp Mentioned as Youngest of three daughters in Peter's will.

[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=36785440 Peter Stephens] My ancestor, married Anna Maria Chrisman, the daughter of Jacob Chrisman and Maria Magdalena Heydt/Hite. Peter received 200 acres from his father.

Henry Stephens Born 8 Apr 1734 and baptized as "JOHANN HEINRICH STEPHAN" by Rev. Johann Casper Stoever, 16 May 1735. Henry received 300 acres from his father.

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Last Will & Testament of Peter Stephens Frederick Co VA Will Book 2, page 266: (7 children provided for in this will)

In the name of God, Amen: The twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven, I, Peter Stephens, Senr., of Frederick County, in Virginia, yeoman, being sick and weak in body, but of perfect sound mind and memory, thanks be given to God, therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing it appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this, my Last Will and Testament, that is to say:

Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I commend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian and decent manner, at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and devise, dispose of the same in the following manner and form:

Imprimis, my will is that if it pleaseth Almighty God to call me from this estate of life before my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, that she shall be truly and effectually invested with all and singular my Right Property and Interest of, in and to my Mansion House, with the use and occupation of all and singular my lands, being the quantity of twenty-five acres, together with all and singular my movable or personal estate during her natural life, to be by her possessed without interruption or molestation of any person or persons whatsoever; and further, my will is that at and after the decease of my said wife, Maria Christina, the said Mansion House and twenty-five acres of land shall devolve to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens, his heirs or assigns forever, as fully and amply, to all intents and purposes, as I myself in my lifetime held and enjoyed the same.

Provided, and it is my will, that in consideration of the said devise my eldest son shall pay unto my eldest daughter, Maria Christina, the sum of ten pounds current money; ten pounds to my second daughter, Maria Magdalena, together with the sum of ten pounds like money to my youngest daughter, Margaret, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed.

Item, for that I have heretofore given to my second son, Lawrence Stephens, by virtue of a certain deed of lease and re-lease the quantity of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever.

Item, also I have heretofore given unto my third son, Peter Stephens, by virtue of a deed of lease and release the quantity of two hundred acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever.

Item, I give and bequeath to my youngest son, Henry Stephens, a certain tract or parcel of land containing the quantity of three hundred acres, be the same more or less, whereon he now lives, to be possessed by him, his heirs or assigns, forever.

Item, my will is that a certain tract of land, containing four hundred acres, be the same more or less, adjoining my former tract of land, which by virtue of a Patent had out of the office of Thomas Lord Fairfax will more at large appear, I give and bequeath to my eldest son, his heirs and assigns, forever, for the consideration of the sum of forty pounds current money, ten pounds of which I give to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens; ten pounds to my second son, Lawrence; ten pounds to my third son, Peter, and ten pounds to my youngest son, Henry, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed.

Item, my will is that my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, be an Executrix with my beloved son Lewis Stephens and my beloved son Lawrence Stephens Executrix and Executors of this, my Last Will and Testament. Revoking, annulling and making void all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. Ratifying and confirming this and no other, my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the date and year above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Peter Stephens as his last Will and Testament. In the presence of us.

Memorandum, before signing and declaring the within above comprised Will, it is willed by the Testator that after the decease of the said Maria Christina Stephens, that if any movable estate remain, it shall be equally divided between all the children surviving or their heirs. Martin Grider, Andrew ( ?) Ott, Joseph Carroll. At a Court, held for Frederick County, on Tuesday, the 6th day of December, 1757. This last Will and Testament of Peter Stephens, deceased, was presented into Court by Lewis Stephens and Lawrence Stephens, two of the Executors therein named. Maria Christina Stephens, the other Executrix, having refused to take on her the burden of the execution of the said Will, which is admitted to record. The said Will being proved by the oaths of Joseph Carroll and Martin Grider, witnesses thereto, is admitted to record. Teste: J. Wood, Clerk. State of Virginia, County of Frederick, To wit: I, T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of the County Court of Frederick County, do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original Will of Peter Stephens now on file and of record in my office. Witness my hand this first day of July, 1891. T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of County Court of Frederick County. Peter Stephens died in Stephensburg (now Stephens City), Virginia, in November, 1757.

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NOTE from Contributor: I researched my Stephens family for twelve years. My list of sources includes dozens of records and publications, including books by Daniel Bly. One by one I read every list I could find from the various published records of Rev. John Casper Stoever who was "the" minister in the area who in the 1700's who did baptisms and marriages for all these families. Another helpful contact was the director of the Steinsfurt Museum, Sinsheim-Steinsfurt GER.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 26 2017, 13:51:51 UTC

Peter Stephan, son of Gabriel Stäffen and Barbara Bär, was born on 3 Mar 1687 in Steinsfurt, Heidelberg County, Germany, was baptized on 9 Mar 1687 in Steinsfurt, Heidelberg County, Germany. Steinsfurt is a village in southwestern Germany, in the Rhine Neckar Area of the Bundesland Baden-Württemberg between Heidelberg and Heilbronn in the district Rhein-Neckar. He died in 1757 in Frederick County, Virginia at age 70. The anglicized name for Stephen/Staffen/Steffen is Stephens.

Peter Stephan first appears on a membership list of the Skippack Reform Church in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1730. This congregation was founded the year before and among the founding members were Ulrich Stephan, Peter's older brother, Christian Neuschwanger, his brother-in-law and Hans George Baumann, Jost Hite's son-in-law. (Daniel W. Bly, "From the Rhine to the Shenandoah", Volume III (Baltimore, MD 2002), Stephens Chapter, pp.171-183.

Peter Stephens was appointed a constable by the Orange County court in May 1736 but only a few months later stepped aside in favor of his son, Lewis [Orange County Order Book "1", pp. 74,93,108].

In the fall of 1743 Peter Stephens traveled to Williamsburg, then capital of Virginia, probably with others from the newly organized Frederick County. While there he took the oath of naturalization 31 October 1743. The record states that he was a "German Protestant from Heidelberg on the River Mayne,in the Empire of Germany"..

Peter Stephens received an additional 572-acre patent adjoining his earlier tract in November 1752. Also between 1743 and shortly before his death he distributed land to his sons. Peter wrote a will in April 1757 naming all his children and identifying them by order of age, first the sons,(Lewis, Lawrence, Peter, Henry) then the daughters (Maria Christina, Maria Magdalena, Margaret). He appointed his wife, Maria Christina and sons Lewis and Lawrence as his executors

Frederick County will Book "2" P. 266]. The will was probated 6 December 1757. While he appears in most court records as Peter "Stephens" he signed his name on 1737 and 1743 road petitions and his Last Will in German script as Peter "Stephan".

Children of Peter Stephens, Sr. include:

Major Lewis Stephens Born in Germany c.1713 as evidenced by his naturalization papers in 1743. Lewis married Mary Rittenhouse, daughter of Peter Rittenhouse of Philadelphia. Both Mary and Lewis are named in Peter Rittenhouse's will of 1748. Lewis became Captain, then Major of Frederick Co Virgina Militia. Founder of the town of Stephensburg, now Stephens City, VA. Signed his Last Will 19 Feb 1797; it was proved in Frederick Co Va court Feb 1806. WB-8 p198

Maria Christina Stephens Linville Born in Germany c.1714; Married John Linville Mentioned as Eldest of three daughters in Peter's will.

Lawrence Stephens (1716-1776) Born in Germany per naturalization papers. Lawrence's first wife's name remains unknown. They had children, Mary, Sarah, John and Peter. Lawrence's second wife was Anna Maria Baumann (anglicized to Mary Bowman) daughter of George Bowman (Hans Georg Baumann in German) and his wife, Anna Maria Heydt (Hite). Lawrence received 225 acres from his father.

Maria Magdalena Stephens Born circa 1720/22 She is named in the Last Will of her father (written 1757). Maria is mentioned as Second of three daughters in Peter's will. She is NOT the Magdalena who was Jost Hite's 2nd wife. His wife was born circa 1695 and is known to have been a granddaughter of Bishop Hans Herr.

Margaret Stephens Snapp (Schnepp) Born c.1724, Died 1801; Married Lawrence Snapp Mentioned as Youngest of three daughters in Peter's will.

[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=36785440 Peter Stephens] My ancestor, married Anna Maria Chrisman, the daughter of Jacob Chrisman and Maria Magdalena Heydt/Hite. Peter received 200 acres from his father.

Henry Stephens Born 8 Apr 1734 and baptized as "JOHANN HEINRICH STEPHAN" by Rev. Johann Casper Stoever, 16 May 1735. Henry received 300 acres from his father.
Last Will & Testament of Peter Stephens Frederick Co VA Will Book 2, page 266: (7 children provided for in this will)

In the name of God, Amen: The twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven, I, Peter Stephens, Senr., of Frederick County, in Virginia, yeoman, being sick and weak in body, but of perfect sound mind and memory, thanks be given to God, therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing it appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this, my Last Will and Testament, that is to say:

Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I commend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian and decent manner, at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and devise, dispose of the same in the following manner and form:

Imprimis, my will is that if it pleaseth Almighty God to call me from this estate of life before my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, that she shall be truly and effectually invested with all and singular my Right Property and Interest of, in and to my Mansion House, with the use and occupation of all and singular my lands, being the quantity of twenty-five acres, together with all and singular my movable or personal estate during her natural life, to be by her possessed without interruption or molestation of any person or persons whatsoever; and further, my will is that at and after the decease of my said wife, Maria Christina, the said Mansion House and twenty-five acres of land shall devolve to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens, his heirs or assigns forever, as fully and amply, to all intents and purposes, as I myself in my lifetime held and enjoyed the same.

Provided, and it is my will, that in consideration of the said devise my eldest son shall pay unto my eldest daughter, Maria Christina, the sum of ten pounds current money; ten pounds to my second daughter, Maria Magdalena, together with the sum of ten pounds like money to my youngest daughter, Margaret, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed.

Item, for that I have heretofore given to my second son, Lawrence Stephens, by virtue of a certain deed of lease and re-lease the quantity of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever.

Item, also I have heretofore given unto my third son, Peter Stephens, by virtue of a deed of lease and release the quantity of two hundred acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever.

Item, I give and bequeath to my youngest son, Henry Stephens, a certain tract or parcel of land containing the quantity of three hundred acres, be the same more or less, whereon he now lives, to be possessed by him, his heirs or assigns, forever.

Item, my will is that a certain tract of land, containing four hundred acres, be the same more or less, adjoining my former tract of land, which by virtue of a Patent had out of the office of Thomas Lord Fairfax will more at large appear, I give and bequeath to my eldest son, his heirs and assigns, forever, for the consideration of the sum of forty pounds current money, ten pounds of which I give to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens; ten pounds to my second son, Lawrence; ten pounds to my third son, Peter, and ten pounds to my youngest son, Henry, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed.

Item, my will is that my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, be an Executrix with my beloved son Lewis Stephens and my beloved son Lawrence Stephens Executrix and Executors of this, my Last Will and Testament. Revoking, annulling and making void all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. Ratifying and confirming this and no other, my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the date and year above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Peter Stephens as his last Will and Testament. In the presence of us.

Memorandum, before signing and declaring the within above comprised Will, it is willed by the Testator that after the decease of the said Maria Christina Stephens, that if any movable estate remain, it shall be equally divided between all the children surviving or their heirs. Martin Grider, Andrew ( ?) Ott, Joseph Carroll. At a Court, held for Frederick County, on Tuesday, the 6th day of December, 1757. This last Will and Testament of Peter Stephens, deceased, was presented into Court by Lewis Stephens and Lawrence Stephens, two of the Executors therein named. Maria Christina Stephens, the other Executrix, having refused to take on her the burden of the execution of the said Will, which is admitted to record. The said Will being proved by the oaths of Joseph Carroll and Martin Grider, witnesses thereto, is admitted to record. Teste: J. Wood, Clerk. State of Virginia, County of Frederick, To wit: I, T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of the County Court of Frederick County, do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original Will of Peter Stephens now on file and of record in my office. Witness my hand this first day of July, 1891. T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of County Court of Frederick County. Peter Stephens died in Stephensburg (now Stephens City), Virginia, in November, 1757.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jun 19 2018, 4:30:16 UTC

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GEDCOM Source

26 NOV 2017 17:13:53 GMT -0500 WikiTree MyHeritage <a href='http://www.wikitree.com' target='wikitree'>www.wikitree.com</a> Collection 10109

GEDCOM Source

https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-10109-2808826/peter-step... 4 Peter StephensGender: MaleBirth: 1690 - Heidelberg, GermanyDeath: Dec 6 1757 - Frederick Co., VAWife: Maria Christina RittenhouseChild: Margaret Gaines Stephens Record 10109:2808826:

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GEDCOM Note

The name was usually spelled Steffen or Staffen (a with umlaut) in Switzerland but after moving down into the Rhineland the name eventually became Stephan, the form used by Peter and his generation. Peter Stephens founded the City of Stephensburg Virginia now called Stephens City, Virginia. I am proud to say he is my 6th GGF. He founded the city in 1757. (Peter's son Lewis founded the town of Stephensburg several years after Peter's death). Steve Barnhouse son of Alpha (Stephens) Barnhouse The following is the Will of Peter Stephens, now on record at "Winchester, Va. PETER STEPHENS' WILL In the name of God, Amen: The twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven, I, Peter Stephens, Senr., of Frederick County, in Virginia, yeoman, being sick and weak in body, but of perfect sound mind and memory, thanks be given to God, therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing it appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this, my Last Will and Testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I commend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian and decent manner, at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and devise, dispose of the same in the following manner and form: Imprimis, my will is that ifit pleaseth Almighty God to call me from this estate of life before my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, that she shall be truly and effectually invested with all and singular my Right Property and Interest of, in and to my Mansion House, with the use and occupation of all and singular my lands, being the quantity of twenty- five acres, together with all and singular my movable or personal estate during her natural life, to be by her possessed without interruption or molestation of any person or persons whatsoever; and further, my will is that at and after the decease of my said wife, Maria Christina, the said Mansion House and twenty-five acres of land shall devolve to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens, his heirs or assigns forever, as fully and amply, to all intents and purposes,as I myself in my lifetime held and enjoyed the same. Provided, and it is my will, that in consideration of the said devise my eldest son shall pay unto my eldest daughter, Maria Christina, the sum of ten pounds current money; ten pounds to my second daughter, Maria Magdalena, together with the sum of ten pounds like money to my youngest daughter, Margaret, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed. Item, for that I have heretofore given to my second son, Lawrence Stephens, by virtue of a certain deed of lease and re-lease the quantity of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever, &c. Item, also I have heretofore given unto my third son, Peter Stephens, by virtue of a deed of lease and release the quantity of two hundred acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever, &c. Item, I give and bequeath to my youngest son, Henry Stephens, a certain tract or parcel of land containing the quantity of three hundred acres, be the same more or less, whereon he now lives, to be possessed by him, his heirs or assigns, forever. Item, my will is that a certain tract of land, containing four hundred acres, be the same more or less, adjoining my former tract of land, which by virtue of a Patent had out of the office of Thomas Lord Fairfax will more at large appear, I give and bequeath to my eldest son, his heirs and assigns, forever, for the consideration of the sum of forty pounds current money, ten pounds of which I give to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens; ten pounds to my second son, Lawrence; ten pounds to my third son, Peter, and ten pounds to my youngest son, Henry, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed, &c. Item, my will is that my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, be an Executrix with my beloved son Lewis Stephens; ten pounds to my second son, Lawrence; ten pounds to my third son, Peter, and ten pounds to my youngest son, Henry, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed, &c. Item, my will is that my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, be an Executrix with my beloved so, Lewis Stephens and my beloved son Lawrence Stephens Executrix and Executors of this, my Last Will and Testament. Revoking, annulling and making void all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. Ratifying and confirming this and no other, my Last Will and Testament. Inwitness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the date and year above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Peter Stephens as his last Will and Testament. In the presence of us. Memorandum, before signing and declaring the within above comprised Will, it is willed by the Testator that after the decease of the said Maria Christina Stephens, that if any movable estate remain, it shall be equally divided between all the children surviving or their heirs, &c. Martin Grider, Andrew ( ?) Ott, Joseph Carroll. At a Court, held for Frederick County, on Tuesday, the 6th day of December, 1757. This last Will and Testament of Peter Stephens, deceased, was presented into Court by Lewis Stephens and Lawrence Stephens, two of the Executors therein named. Maria Christina Stephens, the other Executrix, having refused to take on her the burden of the execution of the said Will, which is admitted to record. The said Will being proved by the oaths of JosephCarroll and Martin Grider, witnesses thereto, is admitted to record. Teste: J. Wood, Clerk. State of Virginia, County of Frederick, To wit: I, T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of the County Court of Frederick County, do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original Will of Peter Stephens now on file and of record in my office. Witness my hand this first day of July, 1891. T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of County Court of Frederick County. Peter Stephens died in Stephensburg (now Stephens City), Virginia, in November, 1757.

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PETER STEPHENS was the 6th great grandfather of FAG contributor Milton A. Stephens. See Peter Stephens (Pioneer) Wikipedia for more information. Also check "Descendants of Peter Stephens" for a genealogical background of some later lineages. Note: Possibly buried in the "German Reformed Church Cemetery" known as "Old Graveyard" in Stephens City, Frederick Co., Va. The dust of the first settlers rests in the graveyard, being generallymarked by common limestone rocks, * Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 13 2016, 19:43:58 UTC WARNING -The Find-A-Grave memorial has been compromised by the addition of fictitious and inaccurate material and should not be considered appropriate documentationfor Peter Stephens or his family.

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* Residence: Skippack Township - 1730 - Montgomery, Colony of Pennsylvania, British Colonial America * Residence: Land Patent for 674 acres on the North Branch of Crooked Run - 1732 - Orange, Colony of Virginia, British Colonial America ** Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Sep 10 2016, 1:45:06 UTC

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• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Dec 8 2020, 11:14:52 UTC

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• Naturalization: Williamsburg, James City Co, Virginia Colony, G. B. - 31 October 1743
• Residence: Montgomery, Colony of Pennsylvania, British Colonial America - 1730
• Residence: Orange, Colony of Virginia, British Colonial America - 1732
  • Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Mar 12 2021, 13:18:03 UTC

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Peter Stephens was appointed a constable by the Orange County court in May 1736 but only a few months later stepped aside in favor of his son, Lewis [Orange County Order Book "1", pp. 74,93,108].

In the fall of 1743 Peter Stephens traveled to Williamburg, then capital of Virginia, probably with others from the newly organized Frederick County.

Peter Stephens received an additional 572-acre patent adjoining his earlier tract in November 1752. Also between 1743 and shortly before his death he distributed land to his sons. Peter wrote a will in April 1757 naming all his children and identifying them by order of age, first the sons, then the daughters. He appointed his wife, Maria Christina and sons Lewis and Lawrence as his executors

"Peter Stephens built the first home in Stephens City in 1732. In 1758, his son Lewis applied to the Virginia General Assembly to establish the town as Stephensburg. As the town grew, it became known as Newtown. The name was officially changed to Stephens City in April 1880. One of the main trades of the town was wagon making." source: Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society

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Peter Stephens and wife Maria Christina Rittenhouse had 10 children .
1. Lewis Stephens
2. Maria Christina Stephens
3. Joseph Lawrence Stephens
4. Maria Magdalena Stephens
5. Lawrence Stephens
6. Margaret Stephens
7. Peter Stephens
8. Henry Stephens
9. Elizabetha Stephens
10. Keziah Stephens

Peter wrote a will in April 1757 naming all his children and identifying them by order of age, first the sons, then the daughters. He appointed his wife, Maria Christina and sons Lewis and Lawrence as his executors Frederick County will Book 2, p.266]. The will was probated 6 December 1757. While he appears in most court records as Peter "Stephens" he signed his name on the 1737 and 1743 road petitions and in his will in German script as Peter "Stephan".