aka: Sharp/Sharf

Jacob Carper's wife was Susanna Scharf (various spellings), the dau. of John Scharf who was also Rev. War.

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Family Data Collection - Individual Records about Sussannah Susan Sharp Scharff
Name: Sussannah Susan Sharp Scharff
Spouse: Jacob Carper
Parents: John Sharp Scharff, Mary Bridges
Birth Place: PA
Birth Date: 1770
Marriage Place: Dauphine Co, PA
Marriage Date: 1794
Death Place: Garrardstown, Berkley Co, WV
Death Date: 1850

died 1833???

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http://mysite.verizon.net/cecjr_1943/carper/chap13.htm
Berkeley County was created in 1772 out of Frederick County, and Jefferson County was created out of Berkeley in 1801. These two counties became part of West Virginia when it was formed as a state in 1863. We suspect that the Carpers in all three of these Counties were related, perhaps distantly, but we have found no proof of those connections.

The earliest reference we have found to Carpers in Berkeley Co., is 13 October 1774 when Andrew Fouts sold sixty eight acres to Nicholas Carper. On 31 May 1779 Nicholas Carper and his wife Elizabeth sold this property to Adam Bishop.

Nicholas and Elizabeth (Shrider) Carper moved to Botetourt Co. (Fincastle), Virginia. Their descendants are scattered throughout the southwestern part of Virginia, portions of West Virginia and westward. For additional information on this family, see The Carpers of Roane County by Peggy A. Grubbs.

In 1813 Jacob Karber (Karper, Carper) of Dauphin Co., PA and John Scharff (Scharf, Sharp) of Jefferson County bought from Azel Fletcher 240 acres of land near the foot of North Mountain in Berkeley Co. <1>

Jacob Karper was born 17 October 1767, son of Frederick and Margaret Carper. He married, probably about 1790 and probably in Pennsylvania, Susannah Scharff, daughter of John (b. ca. 1743) and Susannah Michael Scharff (b. ca 1745) m. 12 Oct 1767.   (John later m. Mary Bridges). <14>

In John Scharff's will, proven 22 January 1816, he left to his "daughter Susan, who is intermarried with Jacob Karper, that tract of land which I purchased from Azel Fletcher...now in possession of said Karper, living in Berkeley County, Virginia." <2>

Jacob Carper died intestate about 1832 and problems began to plague the family. Jacob's estate was inventoried and appraised. His son John died by May 1839. Because of overdue debts and claims, the two estates were not completed until 9 June 1846. <3>

Meanwhile, Susannah Carper had put her claim to the Jacob Carper property in trust to John McKown to be sold if Susannah did not pay $1200 to her brother John Sharff before 25 December 1844. At various times after 1 July 1842, Jonas and Samuel Carper used their land as security for debts they owed. On 10 November 1848 they and their wives Christina and Margaret sold their interests (One seventh each) in the property to John McKown. <4>

The fact that Jonas' and Samuel's shares were one seventh each suggests that Jacob Carper may have had seven children and the "infant heirs" Mary, Lydia and Fannie mentioned in the settlement of his estate may have been children of his deceased child.

Susannah was born about 1770 in Pennsylvania and died after 1850, at which time she was living with her son Samuel. Susannah and Jacob Carper had the following children:

A.     Jonas, b about 1794, m 2 February 1819 in Berkeley Co., Christina Buroff. They had four children:

      1. John, b about 1824, d 24 March 1843.

      2. Mary Ann m John H. Stilwell 17 September 1839.

      3. Isabella m James R. Gregory 12 November 1842. This family is listed in the 1850 Census of Berkeley Co., WV as follows: James R. Gregory, 34; Isabella Gregory, 23; William Gregory, 6; Perron Gregory, 4; Ann Gregory, 2; Joseph Gregory, 1; also in the household were James Tally, 12 and Samuel Carper, 21. The gregorys moved to Clarke Co., MO before 1859. <5> Other children were: Susan V. Gregory, b about 1851; Joseph J. and Jonas P. Gregory (Twins), born about 1852; Samuel L. Gregory, b about 1854; John N. Gregory, b about 1856; Sarah e. Gregory, b about 1857; Thomas A. and Alice Gregory (Twins), b about 1858; Mary Gregory, b about 1863.

      4. Samuel, b 30 April 1829, m Maria A. Crowl 11 May 1867. Lived in Sangamon Co., IL. Children: Joseph W., John B. and Mordecai. <6> This probably is the Samuel who was living in the James and Isabelle Gregory household in the 1850 Census.

B.     Samuel, b about 1811, d 25 January 1878, m 25 February 1834 Margaret Hite.

The earliest record of Samuel Carper comes from the year 1834 when in February, in Berkeley Co. he and Margaret Hite were issued a marriage bond with William Hite as suretor. The Martinsburg Gazette noted on March 6, 1834, that "...by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Samuel Carper to Miss Margaret Hite, daughter of Mr. William HIte, all of this county" were married. It is probable that their church was the Protestant Episcopal, Norborne Parish, as a Rev. Wm. P. C. Johnson served this parish of Berkeley Co. from 1832 to 1836.

The next record of the family comes from the 1850 Federal Census, recorded September 17, 1850. Samuel Carper was then 39 years old and a farmer. He was (perhaps this is an error) born in Virginia. His birthdate then was 1810-1811. "Peggy" was 36, and Virginia is given as her birthplace. The rest of the household included: Henry (10), Martin (8), Thomas (6), Nathan (4), Lydia (1/12), Susan Carper (80), William Brown (24), Margaret Brown (16), and Joseph Brown (1/12). <7>

Although on this census Samuel and Margaret give their birthplaces as Virginia, later records indicate it was, rather, Pennsylvania. For example, in a biography of Martin L. Carper, their son, in the 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon Counties of Iowa, his parents are called "natives of Pennsylvania, of German ancestry and early settlers of that part of Virginia." This same source says there were nine children in the family, although one did not live to adulthood.

By the 1860 Federal Census, the family was in Henry Co., IO. They had migrated there in 1855 or 1856. Taken July 6, 1860, this census lists the following members of the household: Samuel, Margaret, Henry, Martin, Thomas Page, Robert, Mary E., Anne, and Samuel.

The 1870 Federal Census shows Samuel and Margaret still in Trenton Township, with the following children yet at home: Page T., Eliza A., and Samuel. His real estate was then valued at $1200 and his personal estate at $660. "Margaret Hite Carper died in the fall of 1879; Samuel followed her in the winter." according to Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon Counties 1889, p 571. The dates on their tombstones at Green Mound Cemetery give the year as 1878, he dying in January, she in October. Children:

      1. Martha J., b about 1834, m 23 October 1849 William Brown. Child: Joseph Brown, b 1850, went to MT.

      2. Henry, b June 1840, enlisted in Company B, 25th Infantry on 13 August 1862 for Civil War service.

      3. Martin Luther, b 26 September 1842, m October 1868 Jane Pratt, daughter of Lewis and Ellen Pratt. Martin Luther moved to Audubon Co., IO where he farmed and raised stock in Melville Township until 1877 when the family moved west. Their children were: Flora, Anna, Ralph, Charles, John, Samuel, and Alice Mary. <8>

      4. Page Thomas, b 1844, went to Canada.

      5. Robert Nathan, b 26 August 1847, d 24 January 1914 in Anderson Co., IO, m (1st) 8 December 1868 Laura Turney, m (2nd) 5 April 1893 Delia Parrott, daughter of W. J. and Angeline Turner Parrott. In 1877 they moved to Audubon Co. His specialty was "buying horses and fitting them for market" and breeding Clydesdales. Nine children: Fannie; Maggie; Frank; James A.; Burel; Alvin B.; Robert Ingersol; Emma; Willard Warren, b 29 March 1899, m 20 May 1933 Lilah Jaunita Moomey, daughter of Clarence and Lelah Arnold Moomey. They have a daughter Carolyn, b 24 August 1934, m 4 July 1953 Richard R. Farr. <9>

      6. Lydia (Since she is not named in the Census taken after the family moved to Iowa, perhaps she is the one who died as a child).

      7. Mary Elizabeth, b about 1851.

      8. Eliza Anna, b about 1851, went to MT.

      9. Samuel Washington, b 15 May 1855, d 23 September 1924, buried at Green Mound Cemetery, Henry Co., IO, m 28 March 1878 Catharine Roth (1856-1928), daughter of John and Catharine Graber Roth, who were Mennonites. Samuel Washington Carper was an infant when the family moved to Henry Co. The 1879 History of Henry County, Iowa lists him as a farmer in Section 10, Trenton Township (p. 604). Six children:

            a. Wade R., b 6 June 1879, d 17 July 1940, m 4 October 1905 Dell Shook. One child: Thelma.

            b. Arthur Elmer, b 28 April 1881, d 16 August 1963, m 31 December 1902 Leona Morrison. Three children: Lucille, Ethel, Gertrude.

            c. Stacy Samuel, b 15 April 1883, d 16 August 1960, m 8 November 1903 Etta Bates. Three children: Lorene, Donald, Philip.

            d. Harry Lloyd, b 26 October 1885, d 13 December 1967, m 16 February 1910 Edith Bates. Three children: Ruth; Helen; Beulah Mae, b 18 May 1914, d 31 March 1968, m 11 December 1937 John Merrill Kerr (Their daughter: Waunita May Kerr, b 1 October 1942, m 30 August 1969 William E. Gibbons).

            e. Vera Mabel, b 15 November 1893, d 17 November 1981, m 9 March 1925 John Wesley Williams. One child: Robert Williams.

            f. Walter Irving, b 18 February 1899, d 21 January 1971, m 8 October 1946 Bernice Green. <10>

C.     John m 23 April 1829 Elizabeth Marikle (b about 1805). John died in 1839 and his estate settlement was accomplished with that of his father Jacob. John and Elizabeth had three children:

      1. Sarah m 6 October 1847 George W. Gregory.

      2. Catherine Frances, b about 1834.

      3. John William, b 18 August 1838, d 13 May 1906, m 9 October 1859 Susan Ophelia Lamar (5 October 1842-25 March 1916). Twelve children:

            a. Emily Elizabeth, b 15 September 1860, d 13 Jaunary 1939.

            b. Ann Virginia, b 16 September 1862, d 18 December 1863.

            c. Charles Early, b 19 August 1864, d 10 December 1865.

            d. Mary Ophelia, b 18 April 1867, d 9 April 1884.

            e. Carol Susan, b 13 August 1869, d 12 May 1918.

            f. Rosalie, b 21 November 1871, d 22 November 1871.

            g. Lillia Florence, b 29 December 1872, d 2 November 1962.

            h. William Anthony, b 1875, d 4 May 1922.

            i. John Lamar, b 20 April 1878, d 27 May 1925.

            j. Archie, b 3 February 1881, d 23 July 1882.

            k. Julian Howard, b 24 March 1884 in Anson Co., NC, d 28 May 1940, buried City Cemetery, Rowland, NC, m 28 November 1906 Annie Carrrie Rogers (1887-1966). Three children:

                  (1) John Howard, b 5 February 1906, m 7 September 1934 in Cullowhee, NC, Jessie Lucille Wike. Three children: Anna Ruth, b 25 August 1936, m ______ Conway; John Howard, Jr., b 25 January 1938; Julian Dallas, b 9 September 1939.

                  (2) Annie Elizabeth, b 3 December 1907 in Wadesboro, NC.

                  (3) Mary Evelyn, b 17 November 1914 in Rowland, NC.

            l. Carroll Brown, b 12 March 1887, d 13 July 1949. <11>

D.     Elizabeth m John Crowl. They resided in Jefferson Co., WV.

E.     Adam (no further information presently available).

F.     Mary married John Bringer. (It is not certain this Mary was the daughter of Jacob and Susannah Carper.)

* * * * *

During the same period in Berkeley Co., there was a Philip, b about 1794, m 19 April 1822 Eve Walters (b about 1802). They had two children: Harriet Catherine, b about 1829, m 9 October 1851 in Washington Co., MD, Nathan Van Metre; George W., b 9 June 1840, m (1st) 3 December 1872 Catherine A. Rentch, m (2nd) 20 October 1885 Alice M. Rentch. This is probably the George who was in Company B, First Regiment, Virginia Calvary, CSA, and in prison at the close of the Civil War. He is buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Martinsburg, WV.

The 1830 Berkeley Co. census shows Philip Carper with one male 5-10 years old, one male 10-15, two females 20-30 (one was probably Eve), and one female 0-5, probably Harriet. The 1840 census shows Philip Carper with one male 15-20, one female 15-20, plus one female 30-40, probably Eve, and one female 10-15, probably Harriet. Both these census records suggest Philip Carper may have been married prior to his marriage to Eve Walters.

Philip died 5 October 1842, apparently without a will. Appraisement of his property was made that month. Eve Walters Carper died 21 December 1852 and Eve's will was proven January 1853. She mentioned her children George W. and Harriet C. Van Metre. Her brother John P. Walters was executor. Philip and Eve Carper are buried in Greenhill Cemetery in Martinsburg. <12>

We do not know the parents of this Philip Carper; however, the marriage records show he was associated with the Sharff family as he was suretor for Peter Sharff, youngest son of John and Mary Sharff, when he married in 1830.

In 1834 a Mary Carper bound her son Peter Dick to John w. Stewart until he came of age. This statement is a little vague. Was Peter Dick a son by another marriage or was he illegitimate? Which Mary Carper referred to is not certain. <13>

There remain several questions:

Who was the Jacob Carper who married in Berkeley Co. on 14 August 1849 Maria Roney? According to the 1860 Census Jacob was 30 years old, Maria was 37, and they were the parents of James V., age 7, John D., age 5, and Jacob A., age 2.

Who was Fred Carper who married in Berkeley Co. 27 May 1844 Mary Ann Brittain>

Was Philip Carper who married Eve Walters a child of Jacob and Susannah Sharf Carper?



Footnotes:
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  <1> Berkeley Co., WV Deed Book 3, pp 250-251 and Unrecorded Deeds 1, pp 81, 90, 94, 273; Deed book 26, pp 73-77, 30 September 1813.
  <2> Jefferson Co., WV Will Book No. 2, pp 318-322. John Sharp Will dated 14 December 1815.
  <3> Estate Account Jacob Carper, 1832 Book 12, p 385 and 1839, Book 13, p 492 and 1845, Book 15, p 103, Appraisement, Sale, and Estate Account John Carper, 1838, Book 13, pp 158-160, and 1839, Book 13, p 494 and 1845, Book 15, p 190.
  <4> Berkeley Co., WV Deed Book 46, pp 352-354, 8 June 1842; Deed Book 47, pp 103-104, 7 July 1842; Deed Book 51, p 79, 8 November 1847 and Deed Book 52, pp 91-92, 10 November 1848.
  <5> Deed Book 61, pp 7-8, 18 October 1859, sale of Gregory property near Darkesville.
  <6> History of the Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Illinois, p 236, by John Carrol Power, E. A. Wilson & Co., Springfield, IL 1876.
  <7> Margaret Brown shold be Martha Jane (Carper), who married 23 October 1849 William Brown, Berkeley County, WV Marriage Register 80, Bond 7b 167, Suretor Samuel Carper, Minister W. Love.
  <8> Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon Counties, Iowa; Downer, Chicago, IL 1889, p 571.
  <9> Data on Robert Nathan Carper was provided by Carolyn Carper Farr (Mrs. Richard Farr) of Winterset, IO, and Mrs. Wuanita Gibbons, Missouri City, TX.
<10> Mrs. Wuanita Gibbons, Missouri City, TX provided the writing and information on Samuel Washington Carper and his family.
<11> Information regarding the descendants of John and Elizabeth Marikle Carper is from the records and research of John Howard Carper, Sr., Lake Junaluska, NC.
<12> Will book 14, pp 371-372, Book 15, p 42; Will Book 17, pp 208, 251-252.
<13> Unrecorded Deeds No. 2 Surveyors Book No. 2, p 602, 6 December 1834.
<14> Clarence R. Shirey, July 2003.