John Shafer, of German descent, married Elizabeth Merkle, by whom he had:

• Samuel b 3-30-1790, d 4-26-1856

• John b 12-2-1793

• Henry b 5-22-1796 d 3-9-1872

• George b 7-13-1788

• Juliann b 9-14-1801

• Catharine b 2-24-1805

Samuel Shafer, the eldest son, was born in Pottstown.  He married, 10-1812, Martha McClintock, widow of James and dau of Col Thomas and Ann Hunter Bull. She was born 2-20-1779, and died 3-12-1850;  By her first marriage, 8-4-1799, she had 3 children:

• Thomas Bull b 6-6-1804 d. 7-6-1804

• Sarah May b. 9-16-1805 d. 12-1-1807

• Ann Hunger b 6-4-1808 d 7-17-1834

The last named was married 8-2-1831 to Joseph Neide, Esq, being his first wife.   The children of Samuel and Rebecca Shafer were:

• Rebecca b May, 1813

• Elizabeth b Oct 1816 d April 1878

• Sarah b Oct 1819 d June 1820

• Martha b Jan 1821 d Feb 1821

• Levi b May 1822 d Feb 1824

Rebecca Shafer married 2-9-1837 Joseph Neide being his 2nd wife. Elizabeth married Addison  May, Esq, and died in West Chester.   Samuel Shafer was commissioned as associate judge of this county 3-8-1849 and in 1851 was elected to the the same office and commisioned Nov 10th, for the term of 5 years.