Peter Stephens (pioneer): Difference between revisions
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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Peter Stephens |
Peter Stephens was born Peter Steffen in [[Steinsfurt]], [[Swabia]] (present day [[Germany]]) on March 3, 1687.<ref name="Birth"/> |
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Besides his birth in Swabia, little is known about Stephens before 1699 when he and his parents emigrated to America on |
Besides his birth in Swabia, little is known about Stephens before 1699 when he and his parents emigrated to America on William Tell's second shipload of families for the purpose of populating the then Colony of [[Pennsylvania]]. |
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Peter would then migrate to what is now [[Frederick County, Virginia]], and settle south of present-day [[Winchester, Virginia]] (which would not be founded for several more years past Stephens arrival). |
Peter would then migrate to what is now [[Frederick County, Virginia]], and settle south of present-day [[Winchester, Virginia]] (which would not be founded for several more years past Stephens arrival). |
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Revision as of 05:12, 19 August 2010
Peter Stephens | |
|---|---|
| Born | Peter Steffen[1] March 3, 1687[2] |
| Died | November 1, 1757 (aged 70)[3] |
| Nationality | German |
| Known for | Settling present day Stephens City, Virginia |
| Spouse | Maria Christina Fromman |
| Children | Lewis b: c. 1713 Lawrence b: c. 1718 Maria Christina b: c. 1720 Margaret b: c. 1724 Peter Jr. b: c. 1732 Henry b: c. 1734 Kesiah b: c. 1737 |
| Parent(s) | Mother: Barbara Bar Father: Gabriel Steffen |
Peter Stephens (March 3, 1687–November 1757) was the son of Gabriel Steffen and of Barbara (nee Bar). Stephens is known for founding present-day Stephens City, Virginia.
Biography
Peter Stephens was born Peter Steffen in Steinsfurt, Swabia (present day Germany) on March 3, 1687.[2]
Besides his birth in Swabia, little is known about Stephens before 1699 when he and his parents emigrated to America on William Tell's second shipload of families for the purpose of populating the then Colony of Pennsylvania.
Peter would then migrate to what is now Frederick County, Virginia, and settle south of present-day Winchester, Virginia (which would not be founded for several more years past Stephens arrival).
After buying 674 acres from Josh Hite, the act of which was challenged by land baron Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, though settled amicably between Lord Fairfax and Stephens, Peter settled and founded, then unofficially called "Stephens town", in the early 1730s.[4] It would be later chartered by the Virginia General Assembly at the request of his son Lewis and called "Stephensburgh".[4] Today, "Stephensburgh" is called Stephens City and celebrated its 250th anniversary, on September 1, 2008.[5]
His wife, Maria Christina, would have seven children, four sons and three daughters, six of whom would be born in Frederick County, Virginia. Only their first son, Lewis, was born possibly in New York.
Stephens died at the age of 70 in November 1757, just under a year before the town he founded would become chartered in September 1758.[3][4]
References
- ^ "Frederick Co VA Will Book 2, page 266". Frederick County, Virginia.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ a b c Wood, Deborah Shelton (1998). "They Came To Virginia". Unknown.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ a b c Clark, Edward Stephens (1892). "The Stephens Family, with Collateral Branches". J. Winterburn Company.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ a b c Smith, Byron C. "Town History". Newtown History Center in Stephens City, Virginia. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
- ^ "Stephens City Newsletter" (PDF). Town of Stephens City. 2008-09. Retrieved 2010-08-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)