Caspar Stoehr is one of my husband’s 5X great grandfathers. Although some unsourced family trees place his birth in 1731 in Pennsylvania, I’ve found no proof of that. Some also claim his wife is a Henkel/Hinkle, I have not found any documents proving that relationship either.

Germans tended to marry a bit later than Anglo Southerners, so I am estimating a birth year c1738 for Caspar Stoehr, who married Catherine (MNU), c1763.

Caspar, aka Jasper and Gasper, Stoehr aka Starr, wrote his will on 19 December 1808, but it wasn’t probated until February Term 1814 in Rowan County Court, North Carolina.

Caspar and Catherine were the parents of ten children, birth order unsure, but placed by date of marriage, assuming males were about 25 years old and females 21 years old.

Children:

1. Elizabeth, born c1764; died before February 1814; married (1) Adam Call, 17 December 1785, Surry County, North Carolina (2) Lewis Little, 27 February 1790, Surry County, North Carolina
2. Catherine, born c1765; died before 26 August 1805, North Carolina; married Abraham Douthit, c1786
3. Margaret, born c1767; died before 19 December 1808; married Abraham Little, 11 December 1788, Surry County, North Carolina
4. Mary, born c1768; died after February 1814; married John Brindle, 16 April 1789, Surry County, North Carolina
5. John, born c1770; died after February 1814; married Rachel Jobe, 24 March 1798, Rowan County, North Carolina
6. Caspar, born c1771; died after February 1814; married Alse Watkins, 18 October 1796, Surry County, North Carolina
7. Anna, born c1776, died before 1814; married Charles Poston, 13 February 1797, Surry County, North Carolina
8. Adam, born c 1777; died after February 1814; married Keziah Watkins, 11 March 1802, Surry County, North Carolina
9. Sarah, born c1781; died after February 1814; married Thomas McAtee, 11 March 1802, Surry County, North Carolina
10. Rachel, born c1782; died after February 1814; married Frederick Long, 16 June 1802, Surry County, North Carolina

Although, once again, online family trees list North Carolina as the birth place for all these children, no primary records have been found to support this theory.

In fact, the first land deed found of Caspar Starr purchasing land in Rowan County is on 1 April 1786 when he bought 346 acres of land from Abraham and Jane Wilson (DB 10:435-36.)

Therefore, I am sure it is entirely possible that all of Casper’s children were born not in North Carolina, but elsewhere.

Thanks to FamilySearch’s full-text search, look at the rabbit hole that turned up:

The Balitmore, Maryland Administrators’ Accounts, C:261 had an entry for the account of Phillip Emmice and Elizabeth, his wife, “executrix” of the estate of Martin Trush (aka Threish), who appears in Maryland land records by 1757.

Also in those land records are:

John Star of Baltimore County, who owned “Angle Morning Meadow”, 12 acres, on 29 September 1765

William Starr of Frederick County, who owned “Blazing Star”, 10 acres on 20 April 1756

Caspar Star of Frederick County, who owned Star’s Choice, 60 acres, which was located in Baltimore County, on 19 May 1760

While the Starr (Stoehr) surname isn’t terribly rare, in the years preceding the American Revolution, the name Caspar Star aka Starr aka Stoehr is not at all common.

Given an estimated birth date for Caspar circa 1738, this man in Frederick County might well be “our” Caspar Stoehr of Rowan County, North Carolina.

If so, he isn’t the only family member in my husband’s ancestral tree who headed from Maryland to other parts.

While I head down this rabbit hole (Maryland’s records on FamilySearch are locked, which means I need to get to the FamilySearch Center, I will share data on the children of Casper and Catherine Stoehr, named in his 1808 will.

I’ll also share the puzzle pieces that I uncover and decide whether they actually fit or need to be discarded.

Casper Stoehr is my husband’s 5X great grandfather. His daughter, Catherine, predeceased her father, but lived to adulthood and married Abraham Douthit, who is named in her father’s will.

Will of Casper Stoehr
Rowan County, North Carolina
Dated 1808, Probated 1814, G:311

The last Will and Testament of Casper Stoehr of Rowan County and State of North Carolina. In the Name of God Amen.

First it is my will and desire that my dearly beloved wife Catherine Shall enjoy all the Interest accruing from money . .during her natural life, and also to enjoy the rent of the Two plantations mentioned and stipulated in the agreement made between myself and Charles Porter during her natural life.

I also give and Bequeath to my dearly Beloved wife all my real and personal estate Consisting of my Two Negros David and ___ and her increase, my stock, household furniture and anything else belonging to my estate during her natural life and after her decease all the above property to be Sold by my Executors at public Vandue, and the monies arrising therefrom are to be equally distributed in manner and form following (Viz)

1st I give and Bequeath Twenty Two dollars unto each of my Deceased daughter Catherine’s Children who was Married to Abraham Douthit

2nd I give and Bequeath unto my son in law Charles Posten (Porter?) Five Shillings in full of his legacy

3rd I give and Bequeath unto my son in law Abraham Douthit Five shillings in full of his legacy

And it is my will and desire that the remaining part of Said Monies Shall be divided share and share alike among my Seven Children named as follows (Viz) John Stoehr, Casper Stoehr, Adam Stoehr, Peggy Little (widow of Abraham Little), Sarah Maggoty (widow of Thomas Maggoty), Mary Brindle (wife of John Brindel), and Rachel Long (wife of Frederick Long).

And I hereby Constitute and appoint my dearly beloved son Casper Stoehr and my dearly beloved friend John Hoehnes son of Philip Hoehnes Executors of my last written Testament.

In Witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Nineteenth day of December in the year of our Lord 1808.

Casper Stoehr (Seal)

Witness present
Michael Hanes

This is another of my husband’s dead end lines, as I have never seen any documentation, or even any clues as to Casper’s parents, siblings or German origins.

As always, if you are related, please leave a comment.