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1850s John Neff School Teacher Handwritten Student Roster Shenandoah Virginia
$ 343.2
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Description
An interesting look into education in rural Virginia during the Civil War Era. This manuscript was kept by School teacherJohn Neff Jr
(1813-1866). He was a son of John (1766 -1828) and Barbara Kauffman (1774-1840) who married on November 10, 1793, in Shenandoah, Virginia. The 1860 US federal census list his occupation a
school teacher
. He is laid to rest at Neff-Kagey Cemetery, Old Bridge Road, New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia. His paternal grandparents were Jacob Neff (1742-1820) of Frederick, Maryland, and Barbara Graybill (1747–1804) who married in 1765.
John Neff
schoolmaster, records the students and his accounting at
Moses Bowman
's School House,
County Line School House
, and
Gordon School House
, from
1858 to 1866
(no entries recorded for 1863 presumably during the Civil War). Number of days his scholars attended, daily rate 5 cents! (No school during planting time as many if these school children’s parents farmed) most likely small one room schoolhouse where he presumably taught reading, writing and arithmetic.
John Neff
taught at little rural schools prior to the first statewide system of free public schools in Virginia which was established in 1870 after the ratification of a new constitution. Though teaching during the Civil War, he does not mention the war.
Sampling of his pupils names and research on several of his scholars:
Moses Bowman
’s
School House
Rockingham County
Virginia: November and December 1858.
Moses Bowman
(1812–1876) was born in
Timberville
, Virginia, son of George W Bowman (1780–1850) and Margaret Miller (1783–1824). Moses was married to Catherine Harpine (1813–1862). Moses is buried in Rader Lutheran Church Cemetery in Timberville. The children of Moses are listed attending school include George (1850–1940); Susan (1849–1895); Jonathan (1847–1888)
Gordon children of Samuel Gordon
(1814–1890) and
Mary Orebaugh
(1821–1887) who married in 1840.
John (1845–1934) married Magdalene Jones; Andrew (1846-1889) William (1842–1878). Most of this family laid to rest in County Line Cemetery, Moores Store Cemetery, aka Saint Lukes United Church of Christ Cemetery, Shenandoah County.
William Neff
William Nave
Betsy and Amanda Carr
Mary and Alfred Messick
. Alfred was born in Rockingham County, Virginia in 1845 to James Nathaniel Messick and Elizabeth Rife. Alfred married Elizabeth Frances Biller (1858–1929) and died in 1923 in Fauquier. Sister Mary Rebecca Messick (1847–1919)
Plauger (Alfred, Leana, Philip, Milton)
Susan and Amanda Hollar
believed to be children of Augustine Hollar (1807-1893) and Susannah Hulvey who died in 1891. Susan (1849-1926) and Amanda (1852-1879) they are laid to rest Rader Lutheran Church Cemetery in Timberville.
Thomas Fry
Benjamin Hinegardner
(1849-1922) son of Samuel Hinegardner (1819-1899) and Catherine Ralls (1826-1858), step mother was Hannah Pence (1844-1895).
Catie Pence
Nathan and Susannah Wene
James and Sara Lindamood
, James (1844-1866) was a Confederate Soldier killed at Gettysburg. Son of Elijah and Lydia Lindamood, sister Sarah was born 1841 and married John Minnick.
Malinda Bowers
James KP Richie
Helena Fry
County Line School House;
he
notes located between Rockingham and Shenandoah
Thomas, Dillman and Virginia Andes
children of George Andes (1816–1884) and Anna Orebough (1814-1886). Thomas was born 1850, Virginia (1854-1919) and Dillman (1846-1914)
Lydia and Jacob Fansler
Mary and Hannah and Thomas Jones
John and Elizabeth Will
Elizabeth, Bettie; Cate and Samuel Good
William and Susannah Miller
Solomon Moore
Frank Walters
Harvey and Sarah Campbell
Jonathan Bowman
Ellie and Amanda Orebaugh
Jacob and David Biller
Magdalene Jones
Erasmus Hulva
George Zehrens
Gordon’s School House: Rockingham County
Andrew, John and adds sister Catherine Gordon (1853–1933) children of Samuel and Mary Orebaugh. In 1873 Catherine Gordon married George Franklin Bowman (1850–1940) they are laid to rest Union Cemetery, Also known as Mississinewa German Baptist Church Cemetery, Eaton Indiana. George was a son of
Moses and Catherine Harpine Bowman!
Susan Bowman
(1849–1895) daughter of Moses
Hannah and William Stoner
Sarah and Samuel Pence
William Neff
Sarah Sylvious
Frank Toppin
Naason Will
(1846–1936) son of George Will III (1813–1878) and Anna Baer (1812–1884) Naason a Confederate soldier in the Civil War 12th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry. Later married Elizabeth Jane Kessinger (1848–1892). He is buried in Breckenridge, Missouri.
Sampson Orebaugh
(1844–1905) son of William Orebaugh (1816–1870) and Sarah Nave (1817–1889) Married Sarah Turner and died in Anderson Township, Indiana.
Brother Joseph (
1848-1898) and
brother
John
(1851-1928) later occupation cabinet maker.
Polly Miller
Caspar Bowman
(1843-1922), son of Moses Bowman and Sarah Harpine and is buried Millers United Brethren Church Cemetery Middletown Indiana.
Noah Wean
Polk Richie
Moses Bowman
school records November December 1858, January, February, March 1859
County Line
School House October 1859, November 1859, December 1859, January 1860 February 1860. December 1861, January 1862, February 1862, March 1862, January 1864, February 1864, March 1864, October 1865, November 1865, December 1865, January 1866
Gordon’s School House
November 1860, December 1860, January 1861, February 1861
John Neff notes Barbara Gochenour (1827-1902) and Michael Good (1833-1904) were married. According to ancestry he was a minister and they married in Shenandoah, Virginia and her mother was Elizabeth Neff (1797–1873). Perhaps a cousin to our John Neff.
He also notes in February 1864 that Wednesday was the coldest day ever blew very cold all week!
He mentions John Will buried age 78 years eight months 12 days in March 1864. He notes that Bettie Hollar was married November 22, 1865
Timberville
is located in Rockingham County Virginia. The earliest white settlers of Timberville were mostly Pennsylvania Dutch who migrated to the Shenandoah Valley. In 1814 the first name for the area was Williamsport. In 1833, William Thompson bought the main store of the town, and the name became Thompson's Store. In 1850 it was Riddle's Tavern, and in 1884 became Timberville.
Condition and notes;
Measures approximately 5” by 7”
Age toned paper
Heavy external wear, soiling, scratches, ink, curled corners, some loss of material
Rubbed
DAY BOOK handwritten on front
John Neff’ s Day or Time Book within “Monthly Time Book for Contractors, workingmen and others” Philadelphia published by Hayes & Zell
Binding is extremely weak
47 pages of School recordings, page of general accounts for butter, several blanks, page excised one half, 5 pages School recordings, these pages are loose; handwrittten notes as pictured inside the back cover in regards to a public sale/ auction?
Binding is extremely weak, front wrap threatening to detach.
Browning of paper
7 blank blue leaves
Soiling to edges
Hand soiling or some grubbiness to interior.
Not ex library, no modern ownership names
Shows signs of age and wear.
A historical primary source manuscript with genealogical interest
Additional photos on request
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