William DORRIS and Maria Elizabeth "Betsy" SHELNUT

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Husband William DORRIS-[697]

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         Born: 
   Christened: 
         Died: 
       Buried: 

     Marriage: Abt 1780 - South Carolina [MRIN:211]

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Wife Maria Elizabeth "Betsy" SHELNUT-[312]

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          AKA: Schildknecht
         Born: Oct 16, 1751 - Rottenecker, Wurttemberg, Germany
   Christened: Oct 25, 1751 - Bestand Parish, Rottenacker
         Died: 1858 Age 107 - Jackson Co, GA
       Buried: 

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       Father: John George SHELNUT-[181] (1727-1781)
       Mother: Catherine  "Caty" SHELNUT-[693] (1736-After 1809)

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 Other Spouse: Johann Heinrick "Henry" MERCK-[1387] (1760-      ) - South Carolina [MRIN:433]

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General Notes (Wife)

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"Palatinate Roots" list Maria Elizabeth, immigrating with Jacob Philip, but the 'Land Grants' list her with George Shelnut family. No records listed Schildknecht's that died in immigration, but Maria Elizabeth included in sale of grant [to family] in 1802, married to Henry Merck. Elizabeth was daughter of Michael, but, God-Child to George, who automatically adopted her in case of parents death. (She most likely sailed with Jacob Schildknecht to help assist with the two small children and a sick daughter).

Listed William Dorris Land Sale Edgefield Co. Barbara Schildknecht a witness--Conveyance Book 1798-1799, pg. 46-51 William Dorris and wife to Benjamin Blackey 21 Sep 1787 / 22 Sep 1787, 100 acres in Colleton County, now Edgefield County on Hard labor Creek, granted to William Dorris 25 May 1774- Wit. Barbara (x)Schildknecht Signed by William Dorris and Maria (x) Doris (Believed to be Maria Elizabeth Shelnut)- Proved by Barbara Shelnut Bell, [Barbara Schildknecht] 29 Jan 1798.. Rec 5 Feb 1798.
Elizabeth Schildknecht (Anglicized into Shelnut) was found in the Cherokee County, GA History with the Dorris / Merck families, married to Henry Merck. Some of them went to Alpharetta, Milton County (Old Cherokee) and many buried at Rucker Cemetery at Crabapple (North Fulton Co. GA.)
(Jimmy KERR, 6190 Cargo, Odessa, TX 79762 has death Jackson Co, GA age 107)
[Researching for marriage date of Elizabetha - listed as Dorris in 'Sale' of 1798
above, Listed as Merck 1802 sale of 'Grant'. and Dorris again in "Will" of Henry, 1849. Then listed in Cherokee County as Merck. ??, ]