"After the war he settled down to quiet farm life in Northampton county." (Beers Biographical Record of Washington County, PA - Biography of Simon Schnider Strouse - published 1894)David Strauss moved to Northampton County about 1782. In the Journals of David Shultze, a contemporary surveyor, we find two entries in March 1782.
"March 7 - Wrote 5 bonds for David Strouse."
"March 28 - Wrote agreement - Henry Hystant to David Strouse -- 125 acres for 500 pounds -- and signed bonds."
This is probably the 125 acres that David paid tax on in Macungie Township, Northampton (now Lehigh) County in 1786 and 1788.
PA Archives, 3rd Series, Volume 19
p. 232 1786 - David Strauss, distiller: 125 acres, 2 horses and 3 cows
p. 333 1788 - David Strouse, distiller: 125 acres, 2 horses and 4 cows
David Strauss lived in Macungie Township until sometime after 14 August 1795. David was involved with the Overpeck family in 1795 and 1796. Philip Jacob Overpeck of Springfield, Bucks County, left minor children at his death and, as was the custom at the time, members of the community served as guardians to protect their legal interests.Northampton County Orphan's Court Records
14 August 1795 - David Strauss of Macungie Township was appointed as guardian for Mary Overpeck, minor child. The previous guardian, George Schaffer, refused to serve.
14 January 1796 - David Strauss of Hamilton Township declined to serve as guardian for Mary Overpeck, minor child. The new guardian was Peter Keyser of Hamilton Township - David's son-in-law.
Bucks County Orphan's Court Records
10 August 1796 - Response to citation issued 15 April 1796 to guardians of minor children of Philip Jacob Overpeck of Springfield, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Citation was issued at instance of Andrew Overpeck, son of the deceased. Sureties were provided.
Guardians were Jacob Keiser and Peter Keiser
Children were John and Mary Overpeck
Sureties: David Strauss and Adam Correll
David Strauss did not leave a will or an estate which required probate at his death, but he was a witness or the executor of many wills for friends and neighbors. Signatures on several of these wills match his signature on the ship list of Betsey - our verification that the David Strauss who arrived in Philadelphia in 1765 was the same man who died in Monroe County, Pennsylvania in 1826.Berks County Wills
Jacob Wetzel - Hereford Township - Will proven November 1785. David Strauss and George Adam Bortz as witnesses. David Strauss and Johannes Klein appraised the estate on 12 November, 1785. The appraisal may have been written by David Strauss. The will was witnessed using German script, but the appraisal was signed using English script.
Andreas Weiler - Longswamp Township - Will proven 14 September, 1793. David Strauss and George Jacob Heisler as witnesses. Andreas Weiler owed David Strauss two pounds which was paid by the executors in settling the estate. David witnessed this will with a signature using German script.Balthazar Fetterman - Longswamp Township - Will proven April 1798. Balthazar Fetterman named his wife, Catharina Margareth, and his "good friend" David Strauss as executors. The report of the executors was signed on 25 May 1799. David signed the administration report using English script.
Northampton County Wills
Casper Hauser - Hamilton Township - Will proven 12 September 1800. Henrich Hauser and David Strauss, "my worthy friend", executors.
Lawrence Kunkel - Hamilton Township - Will proven 20 October 1800. David Strauss and Johannes Williams, "my good friends", executors. Conrad Wetzel and John Strouss, David's son-in-law and David's son, witnesses.
John Shafer -Hamilton Township - Will and codicil proven 19 March 1801. David Strauss and his son, John, were witnesses to the will. David Strauss and his son-in-law, Leonard Diehl, were witnesses to the codicil.
Abel Partridge - Hamilton Township - Will proven 20 October 1803. Abel Partridge and David Strouse, executors.
Catharine Nagle - Hamilton Township - Will proven 11 May 1810. Jonas Metzgar and David Strouss as witnesses.
EpilogueNo contemporary account of their deaths has been located for Philipina and David Strauss. There has been no reason discovered for their burials in the Storm Cemetery instead of the church yard at Hamilton Union where they attended church for so many years.
Their children and grandchildren started the westward journey before 1810. Jacob Strauss stayed in Monroe County until the death of David in 1826 at which time he began his move to Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Magdalena and John Yetter lived in Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania. According to church records, Magdalena was buried at Hamilton Union Church. Christina Stroh moved with her children and grandchildren to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Margaretha and Peter Keiser settled in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Gertrude and Leonard Diehl moved to Allegheny County, Pennsylvania by 1810 - their whereabouts after that time is unknown. Anna Maria and Conrad Wetzel moved to Allegheny County, along with her brothers, John and Henry Strauss. Frederick Strauss probably moved to what is now Wayne County, Ohio.
Their story did not end with their deaths, but has continued through seven generations of descendants.
David and Philipina have not been forgotten.
