Nancy Anna Shaffstall

     Nancy Anna was born on Thursday, 21 June 1810 in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Solomon IM Shaffstall and Catharina Haag. She was christened there on 16 September 1810 in St. John's Lutheran Church. The sponsor of her christening was Miss Sussana Haag.³ She was often referred to as Nancy. Nancy Anna married Peter Bowerman, son of Johannes Bauerman and Frovina Veronica Keiter, circa 1829. Nancy received First Holy Communion on 4 May 1834 at Hoffman's Reformed Church, Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.⁴ 26 September 1850, Nancy and her husband, Peter, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Bloom Township. Enumerated in this household were Peter Bowerman [46 Pennsylvania], his wife: Nancy [40 Pennsylvania]. children: Daniel [20 Pennsylvania], Michael [16 Ohio], Catharina [12 Ohio], John [10 Ohio], Henry [7 Ohio], Betsy [4 Ohio], Peter [3 Ohio], & William [6/12 Ohio].⁵ 28 June 1860, Nancy and her husband Peter were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Salem Township, Stueben County, Indiana. Enumerated in this household were Peter Bowerman [54 Pennsylvania farmer], his wife: Nancy [50 Pennsylvania], children: John [20 Ohio], Henry [16 Ohio], Elizabeth [14 Ohio], Peter [12 Ohio], & William [10 Ohio].⁶ 24 August 1870, Nancy and her husband, Peter, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Prairie Township, Kosciusko County, Indiana. Enumerated in this household were Peter Bowerman [76 Pennsylvania], Sarah Shively [35 Pennsylvania], his wife: Ann [60 Pennsylvania], & William [20 Ohio][farm laborer].⁷ Nancy departed this life on Sunday, 2 March 1879 in Berrien Township at age 68 years, 8 months and 9 days. The cause of death was heart disease. She was buried in Berrien Township, Berrien County, Michigan, in the Maple Grove Cemetery. Her tombstone reads: Nancy Ann wife of Peter Bowerman - died - Mar. 2, 1879 - aged - 68 yrs 8 m's & 7 d's.⁸