SHEAFFER--GIBBONEY--FERREE Family Connections

My GrGr Grandfather was John SHEAFFER (Johan Schaefer) 1773-1858, of South Middleton Twp., Cumberland County, PA. He married Elizabeth Gibboney about 1800. For years I have attempted to confirm that this Elizabeth Gibboney was the Elizabeth, daughter of John Gibboney (1748-1831) and Elizabeth (Ferree) Gibboney. Much data is available on Gibboney and Ferree families, but no information appears on John Gibboney's daughter, Elizabeth. On a couple of internet genealogy sites I have found Elizabeth (wife of John Sheaffer) listed as the daughter of John and Elizabeth Gibboney, but never any verification or source--and any e-mail request for information is either not answered or very vague and meaningless.

In old Henry Sheaffer (my Gr Grandfather,1810-1880) Family Bible Record sheets, that I obtained upon my father's death, is listed birth and death information on Henry Sheaffer's family, dating to the early 1800's. Interspersed among these Sheaffer entries are 4 entries pertaining to the Ferree family: Death of Jacob Ferree (1781-1830) and his wife, Elizabeth (Matzabaugh) Ferree; mention of John (1812-1867, son of Jacob) and Anna, his wife; and birth and death of their children. This Jacob (1781) is the son of Jacob (1757), the nephew of Elizabeth Ferree Gibboney, and the cousin of Elizabeth (Gibboney) Sheaffer.

Why are the Ferree entries in the old Sheaffer Family Record book unless there is a family connection? No other non-Sheaffer Family names appear there. These Record sheets are the strongest (and only) evidence that I have seen that point to Elizabeth Gibboney Sheaffer as the daughter of John and Elizabeth Gibboney. Ken Sheaffer July, 2009