Served as a Private from Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War; in DAR Patriot Index.

Obituary of Grand-Father Shaffer:

Died, in this village on Thursday, 13th. inst., after a short illness, Mr. Phillip shaffer at the advanced age of nearly 89 years.


Mr. Shaffer was born in Northampton Co., Pa., Sept. 29, 1758, where he resided for many years. During the Revolution, he served his country in the two-fold capacity of wagon master and soldier. For about two years he was a teamster in the army -- acting as a substitute for a regular wagon master -- but during the greater part of our struggle for freedom, was engaged either in active service as a soldier, enrolled among the celebrated “Minute Men” of Pennsylvania, stood ready, at a moment’s warning, to ruse to the aid of his countrymen.

The writer of this hasty sketch has no data upon which to predicate a narrative which would do justice to the deceased, in reference to the several capacities in which he is known to have acted during the Revolution. Mr. Shaffer had the misfortune, many years ago, to have his house consumed by fire; at which time all his private papers were destroyed, and with them the evidence of his title to a pension. An effort was made some years since to procure a pension for him; his own statement of the facts in the premises, with abundant concurrent testimony to establish his claim was forwarded to the appropriate department at Washington; but, owing to some irregularity, the whole was rejected, and no application has since been made.

After the Revolution, Mr. Shaffer changed his residence from Northampton to Westmoreland County, where he resided for a long time; but several years ago, he emigrated to Harrison County, in this State, from whence, after a residence of about ten years, he removed to Ashland.

Mr. Shaffer was, in many respects, a remarkable man. Moving in an humble sphere, he had acquired a reputation which even kings might envy. One of our pioneers, he has stood an example of integrity, moral worth and industry, for more than a quarter of a century. Of him it may be truly said, he had no enemies. He was universally esteemed, and thousands, who know him well, live to bear witness to his excellent qualities -- a fact which was amply attensted by the spectacle at his funeral. We have seldom witnessed a larger procession on a similar occasion. It seemed as though the whole neighborhood had assembled to offer their last tribute to the memory of the departed.

For several years previous, and up to the time of his death, Mr. Shaffer was a member of the German Reformed Church; and when Death’s courier summoned him, and he was about to bid a final farewell to his relatives and friends, he gave them the pleasing assurance that he had put on the “wedding garment,” and would be an accepted guest in the kingdom of his Heavenly Father.

-R. V. Kennedy
Ashland (Ohio) Standard, May 27, 1847