Sarah Schiessley

     Sarah was born on Friday, 22 June 1787 in Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Christopher and Anna Catharina Sheesley. Sarah married Johannes Bauerman, son of Johannes Bauerman and Anna Elizabeth (?), after 24 April 1803 in Pennsylvania. Sarah's husband, Johannes, died in April 1816 in Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, leaving her a widow. In 1824 the Bowerman family donated the land to build Bowerman's St. Paul's Lutheran & Reformed Church. In 1842, son Michael donaates land for the cemetery. The 1830 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the family of Sarah Bowerman [000011:0010001].¹ The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Jackson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the family of Sarah Bowerman.² 4 October 1850, the U.S. Federal Census listed Sarah living in the home of her son at Jefferson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Enumerated in this household were John Bowerman [41 Pennsylvania farmer], his wife: Elizabeth [38 Pennsylvania], children: George [17 Pennsylvania], Samuel [16 Pennsylvania], John [16 Pennsylvania], Michael [9 Pennsylvania], Emanuel [5 Pennsylvania], William [2 Pennsylvania], and Sarah Bowerman [62 Pennsylvania].³ 3 July 1860, the U.S. Federal Census listed Sarah living in the home of her son at Jefferson Township. Enumerated in this household were John Bowerman [51 Pennsylvania], Elizabeth [47 Pennsylvania], Samuel [26 Pennsylvania], John [26 Pennsylvania], Michael [18 Pennsylvania], Emanuel [15 Pennsylvania], William [12 Pennsylvania] & Sarah [76 Pennsylvania]. John is a farmer and his farm is valued at $2000 while his personal property is valued at $600. Samuel is a stone mason; Michael and Emanuel are working on the farm. John junior is a laborer.⁴ Sarah departed this life on Tuesday, 23 December 1862 in Jefferson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Her tombstone reads: Sarah Bowerman, wife of John. 22 June 1787-23 Dec 1862. She was buried at Enterline, Powells Valley, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in Bowerman's St. Paul's Lutheran & Reformed Church Cemetery. Her tombstone reads: Sarah Bowerman, wife of John 22 June 1787-23 Dec 1862. She was age 75.6.1 years. Sarah is in row I grave 10. Grave 11 is listed as unknown, it is possibly her husban John.