Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of Lawrence Snapp

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Descendants of Lawrence Snapp

Generation No. 1

1. LAWRENCE⁶ SNAPP (JOHANNES⁵ SCHNEPP, LORENTZ⁴, JOHANNES "HANS"³, HANS², HANS¹) was born 1723 in Wurttenberg, Alsace, Germany, and died 1782 in Shenandoah County, Virginia. He married MARGARET STEVENS 1750 in Opequeon, Frederick Co., VA, daughter of PETER STEPHENS and CHRISTINA /?/. She was born 1725, and died May 1801 in Shenandoah County, Virginia.

Notes for LAWRENCE SNAPP:
A patriot of the Revolutionary Ward (Captain of the Shenandoah County Militia).

"The German Element of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Wayland, John Walter, BA, Ph.D., Original Research for PH D, published by the author in 1907, Lib Cong. 78/81/233/149.

May 3, 1760 Lawrence Snapp buys of Lewis Stephens for 10 lb. three Lots: Lot No. 16, containing 1/2 A;, Lots No. 68, and No 97, of 5 A each; all in the town of Stephensburg. Lot 16 was on Fairfax and German Sts,; lot 68 was on Squirrell Lane; lot 97 was on Rabbit Lane. All were a part of a 424 A tract obtained by Lewis Stephens from Peter Stephens, May 2, 3, 1755; the later secured the land in a tract of 674 A, patented to him Oct 3, 1734.

April 5, 1782, Lawrence Snapp made his will and signed it in German. See Will Book A, Shenandoah County, Virginia.

In 1783 Census of Shenandoah County, Virginia there was a Lawrence Snapp family with 9 white members and 4 black members. In the 1785 Census of Shenandoah County of Virginia, the family was at 10 white members with 1 dwelling and 2 other buildings. This must have been the son, uncle, or nephew of this Lawrence, as this Lawrence had recently deceased. It is important to note that the following articles may or may not pertain to this Lawrence, as there were a few Lawrence Snapps at this time in this area (all related).

Wayland, A History of Shenandoah County, Virginia, PP 406-408.
In the pastor's study, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Strasburg hangs an old parchment signed by Lord Fairfax, whereby 200 acres of land on the west side of the "North River of Shenandoah" were granted on December 23, 1771, to Hieronomus Baker, Martin Roller, Laurence Snapp, and Henry Felkner, elders of the Lutheran Church and congregation. The records of this church indicate that a building was erected in 1769. this was probably the first church house built by the Lutherans at this place. It is probable that a church building which stood in the vicinity in 1747 and thereabout was the joint property of the Lutherans and the Reformed."

Pension Application to the government of the United States: Burkhart, Henry S.8129
19 Oct 1832, Smyth Co., VA Henry Burkhart, aged 71, declares he was drafted in Shenandoah Co., VA, in June 1781 and placed under Capt. Laurence Snappe. He was marched to headquarters by Lt. John Neil, the captain not attending the place of rendezvous. They joined the encampment of Headquarters at Drinking Spring above Williamsburg and were placed under Capt. Thomas Marshall.... 19 Oct. 1832, Smyth Co., VA John Mosser, aged 74, declares Henry Burkhart has been his neighbor for forty years. They were Drafted at the same time and served in the same regiment.
Henry Burkhart of Smyth Co., VA., private in the company of Capt. Snappe in the regiment of Col Campbell in the Virginia line for eight months, was placed on the Virginia pension roll at $26.66 per annum under the Act of 1832. Certificate 16168 was issued 13 July 1833.
Arrears of pension to 11 Dec. 1838, the day of his death was paid to the children of Henry Burkhart.

Lawrence Snapp came to Pennsylvania in 1733 on the ship Samuel out of Rotterdam. Moved with the family to Opequon, In 1748 he married Margaret Gaines (there is no proof that Margaret was a Gaines or a Stephens, but family tradition of one branch of the Snapp family clearly indicates she was a Gaines) and purchased or rented a small farm near his father. About 1754 he moved to Strasburg in Shenandoah Co. VA where he became a merchant of general supplies. His business was already moderately successful at the beginning of the revolution. From 1776 to 1778 he with 3 sons lived and worked in Philadelphia where, according to local history in Shenandoah Co, it is believed they sold supplies to the Continental Army at Valley Forge and New Jersey and may have known Baron Von Steuben. Anyhow, he made large profits. Returning home, he purchased in 1780 Tumbling Run and in 1791 land in Shenandoah Co. and let his sons run his store in Strasburg. He died May 1782 at Tumbling Run.

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

Notes for MARGARET STEVENS:
There is no exact proof whether Margaret Snapp was a Gaines or a Stevens. See the notes and look for further documentation to tell the story.

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.

Children of LAWRENCE SNAPP and MARGARET STEVENS are:

2.	i.	LAWRENCE⁷ SNAPP, b. 1748, Frederick County, Virginia; d. December 1824, Sullivan Co, Tn.
3.	ii.	JOHN SNAPP, b. 1749, Shenandoah County, Virginia; d. 1818, Washington County, Tennessee.
4.	iii.	PETER SNAPP, b. 1754, Frederick County, Virginia; d. 1789, Shenandoah Co, Va.
5.	iv.	PHILIP SNAPP, b. 1755, Shenandoah Co, Va; d. June 18, 1812, Shenandoah County, Virginia.
6.	v.	JOSEPH SNAPP, b. 1757, Frederick County, VA; d. June 1791, Frederick County, VA.
7.	vi.	ABRAHAM SNAPP, b. 1761, Virginia; d. July 08, 1833, Washington Co, Tennessee.
	vii.	CHRISTINA SNAPP, b. 1762, Shenandoah County, Virginia; d. 1785, Shenandoah County, Virginia; m. MICHAEL SPEAGLE, April 05, 1782.
8.	viii.	MARGARET SNAPP, b. 1763, Frederick County, Virginia; d. 1818, Shenandoah County, Virginia.
	ix.	SUSANNAH SNAPP, b. 1764, Shenandoah Co, Va; d. 1827, Sullivan Co, Tn; m. JOHN HENRY HARR, May 13, 1782.
	x.	JACOB SNAPP, b. 1766, Shenandoah Co, Va; d. 1847, Washington Co., TN; m. BARBARA KELLER, November 29, 1790.

Generation No. 2

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]