Somerset County PA Archives Biographies.....Shockey, Christian September 10, 1756 - April 18, 1829
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Donald Buncie http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008389 May 20, 2026, 11:43 am

Author: Elijah Fuller


Grave of Revolutionary Patriot 
Remains of Christian Shockey, Pioneer of Well Known Somerset County Family
Repose in Old Salisbury Cemetery. 
The decorating of the graves of Civil War veterans buried in local cemeteries,
recalled the fact that there is, buried in the old Salisbury cemetery, on the
hill at the east end of the borough, a gallant old Revolutionary soldier who was
one of the pioneers of the town and has many descendants living in Somerset
county. This grand old patriot was Christian Shockey, from whom the numerous
Shockeys of Greenville township and other parts of Somerset county are descended
and by reason of his service to his country are eligible to membership in the
patriotic societies of Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. Christian
Shockey, a pensioner of the Revolutionary War, erected the first store building
in the town of Salisbury, the same building now occupied by the Barchus and
Livengood store and the First National Bank of Salisbury, although it has been
several times remodeled since Mr. Shockey erected it as a residence, store and
tavern.
The late Levi Shockey, who was one of the two last survivors of the Mexican War
in Somerset county, and who was also a veteran of the Civil War, was a grandson
of Christian Shockey, the soldier of the Revolution. Postmaster Christian
Shockey of Stoyestown and Herman and George Shockey of Greenville township are
great grandsons of the Revolutionary patriot and sons of the late Mexican War
veteran, Levi Shockey, a heritage they may well be proud of. George Shockey, who
is noted for his feats of strength and as a lover and judge of horses, has
handed The Republican the following from the pen of the late Elijah Fuller who
was a grandson of Veteran Christian Shockey and devoted a chapter of a book he
had published to the Revolutionary pioneer:
CHRISTIAN SHOCKEY. From the local history of Elijah FuJler.
Christian Shockey, my grandfather, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania and
moved to Somerset County some time in or about the year 1800, for in 1806 his
name is found on the assessment roll of Elk Lick Township, as having one hundred
and fifty acres of land; where this was located we are not able to state. Later
he lived in Salisbury, and built what is known as the John Smith house. 
He served through the Revolutionary war, having first served in the 11th
Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line which was first commanded by Col.
Thomas Hartley and later by Col. Adam Hubley. He was a member of the 6th
company, first under command of Samuel Kersley who was succeeded by Captain
Abraham G. Claypool; his rank was that of corporal. His age at the time of his
enlistment was 20 years; he was five feet and seven inches high; occupation a
farmer, and enlisted April 7, 1777. This regiment was a part of the expedition
under Gen. Sullivan which was sent through the Wyoming Valley in 1779, into the
state of New York, for the purpose of chastising the Indians, who had with the
aid of the Tories devastated this beautiful valley during the preceding year.
This expedition was successful and the savages and their Tory allies were
severely punished.
The Eleventh Regiment took part in some pretty severe fighting and sustained
considerable loss both in killed and wounded and in all this Christian Shockey
acted well his part.
He was also in the battle of the Cowpens and was wounded by a British soldier,
who attempted to sever his head from his body with his sword, but was himself
killed by Shockey's bayonet. Shockey, however, received a severe wound in his
arm, it receiving the blow intended for his head.
In January, 1781 he was transferred to the Third Pennsylvania Regiment of the
line which was then commanded by Col. Thomas Breig. It is probable that the
entire company, that is what remained of it, was consolidated with this
regiment, for Capt. Claypool also served in this regiment from this date.
While with the Third Regiment Christian Shockey took part in the siege of
Yorktown, where he again was wounded.
His name is also found on the roll of the First Pennsylvania regiment of the
line but no dates can be given as to the concise time. This regiment formed a
part of General Wagner's division which was sent to South Carolina after the
surrender of Cornwallis. The time of his discharge from service is not known but
probably it was not until the year 1783. By the Act of the 24th of March 1808,
he became a pensioner of the state of Pennsylvania.
He also took part in the battle of Trenton where the Americans captured the nine
hundred Hessians.
When I was a boy we had in Salisbury but one log church, and the first minister
your writer remembers, was a man by the name of Hause; he preached and taught
school. I attended his school; he died, and they were quite along time getting
another to take his place.
At last it was announced there was a new minister coming. Grandfather and
grandmother were very attentive to their church service. The new minister was
late in making his appearance on the appointed day, as he had to come from
Berlin, fifteen miles distant, and they waited patiently. Finally he came in and
walked up and into the pulpit, removed his German cloak and gave out a hymn.
Grandfather, eyeing him very closely, shortly arose and walked out. Persons
coming from church after the services, noticed grandfather sitting on his porch
and inquired of him if he had become sick, seeing that he had not remained for
the completion of the services. He replied no, but they insisted knowing why his
unusual act. Becoming tired of their questioning he finally said that the
preacher was one of the nine hundred Hessians he helped to capture at the battle
of Trenton, and he could not sit quiet under his voice as his blood became very
hot; he hated the Hessians and, therefore, could not listen to his preaching. A
committee was appointed to wait on the minister and question him. He at first
denied it, and grandfather said: "Bring him before me and I will make him
acknowledge it," and he did acknowledge it rather than appear before him, and
grandfather never went to hear him, not having any more confidence in him as a
preacher than he did as a Hessian soldier. His name was Geisey; he died and is
buried in Berlin, Somerset county, Pa.
Christian Shockey also laid out and platted what may be called the third
addition to the town of Salisbury, commencing with the lot on which stands
Samuel J. Lichty's brick house, and extending north to the borough line.
In 1822 he announced himself as a candidate for Sheriff of Somerset county, as
follows: "Fellow citizens of Somerset county. Having spent the bloom of my youth
in six campaigns, suffering cold and hardships to assist in wresting liberty
from a tyrant and still being willing to serve you, and being solicited by
numerous friends, I offer myself as a candidate for the office of sheriff at the
ensuing general election. I trust a soldier of the Revolution will not appeal to
Americans in vain. And should I be honored with a majority of your votes I
pledge myself to discharge the duties of the office with generosity and
impartiality.
"CHRISTIAN SHOCKEY, Elk Lick Township, May 15, 1822.” in this canvass he was
defeated, being beaten by Isaac Ankeny. There was a book printed in German in
1790, at the pension office in the city of Washington. for many years, and
finally the Pension Bureau wrote to Somerset to ascertain if any of the heirs of
Christian Shockey were living. Huldah Knee, living there, who was the daughter
of Levi Shockey and grand-daughter of Christian Shockey, and a cousin of the
writer, wrote and received it, it being a German prayer book, printed in 1790.
The following was found within the lids of the prayer book: 
Somerset Co. Pennsylvania,
Personally came before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said
county, Levi Shockey, of the township of Elk Lick in the county aforesaid, a
creditable witness of full age and on his oath doth say that the annexed book
contains the original family record of Christian Shockey, late of said township
and county, a soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States,
dec'd., who died on the 18th day of April, 1829, leaving a widow Mary, who is
yet in full life; that the entries in said book of the time of the birth of the
ten children of said Christian Shockey and the said Mary, his wife, are all in
the proper hand writing of the said Christian Shockey, now deceased, and that
the said original record book has been kept by this department since the death
of said Christian Shockey.
											LEVI SHOCKEY.
			Sworn and subscribed this 21st, Nov. 1540, before me. JOHN NEFF.
Mary Shockey, widow of Christian Shockey of Somerset county, Penna., report to
Hon. Mr. Ogle, M. C., now present. Immediate attention. This book belongs to the
certif. Endorsed: Mary Shockey of Christian Shockey, Penn.
Hon. C. Ogle, M. C., present, Act 7—July 18—The following is written in this
book: Valentine Shockey, born May 5, 1785; William Shockey, born Nov. 11, 1886;
Christian Shockey, born Sept. 10, 1788; Mary Shockey, born Nov. 14, 1790;
Abraham Shockey, born Feb. 21, 1793; Barbara Shockey, born Feb. 9, 1795; Levi
Shockey, born May 16, 1797; Peggy Shockey, born Dec. 6, 1799; Nancy Shockey,
born May 19, 1802; Drusilla Shockey, born May 7, 1805; Mary Ann Welsh, born June
22, 1819; Mahala Welsh, born June 18, 1809. These are grand children.
Grandfather was an accomplished scholar of his day, taught school in his old
days, being a fine penman. He received a pension up to his death and grandmother
up to the time of her demise. Some instances related by grandfather are worth
recording. Among others were the following: I often heard him remark that in
marching they would secure all old bones found along the wayside and boil them
and make soup; never knew, and cared very little, what kind of bones; hunger was
great and must be satisfied. In marching he liked his company to follow in the
rear, for when they had no shoes and the ground was frosty and hard, their feet
would bleed and thus soften the earth for those who followed and did not hurt
their feet as much as otherwise.
In those early days the mountain streams abounded with speckled trout, and
grandfather was quite an angler. How often I remember accompanying him fishing.
My mother being the youngest child remained at home with them, for several
years, when my father bought the hotel in Salisbury, commonly called Shirertown
and when they moved to the hotel I remained with my grandfather until he died,
grandmother going to live with uncle Levi until she died. Grandfather died April
29th, 1829, aged 73 years. Grandmother died aged 86 years. The names of their
daughters husbands are as follows: Mary (called Polly) married to Samuel
Findley; Barbara, to Jonathan Kemp: Nancy to Adam Shultz; Drusilla, to Henry
Fuller. My grandmother's maiden name before marriage with Christian Shockey was
Mary Welsh. 



Myersdale, Pa. - The Republic Thu, Jun 11, 1914
Grave of Revolutionary Patriot 
Remains of Christian Shockey, Pioneer of Well Known Somerset County Family
Repose in Old Salisbury Cemetery. 
The decorating of the graves of Civil War veterans buried in local cemeteries,
recalled the fact that there is, buried in the old Salisbury cemetery, on the
hill at the east end of the borough, a gallant old Revolutionary soldier who was
one of the pioneers of the town and has many descendants living in Somerset
county. This grand old patriot was Christian Shockey, from whom the numerous
Shockeys of Greenville township and other parts of Somerset county are descended
and by reason of his service to his country are eligible to membership in the
patriotic societies of Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. Christian
Shockey, a pensioner of the Revolutionary War, erected the first store building
in the town of Salisbury, the same building now occupied by the Barchus and
Livengood store and the First National Bank of Salisbury, although it has been
several times remodeled since Mr. Shockey erected it as a residence, store and
tavern.
The late Levi Shockey, who was one cf the two last survivors of the Mexican War
in Somerset county, and who was also a veteran of the Civil War, was a grandson
of Christian Shockey, the soldier of the Revolution. Postmaster Christian
Shockey of Stoyestown and Herman and George Shockey of Greenville township are
great grandsons of the Revolutionary patriot and sons of the late Mexican War
veteran, Levi Shockey, a heritage they may well be proud of. George Shockey, who
is noted for his feats or strength and as a lover and judge of horses, has
handed The Republican the following from the pen of the late Elijah Fuller who
was a grandson of Veteran Christian Shockey and devoted a chapter of a book he
had published to the Revolutionary pioneer:
CHRISTIAN SHOCKEY. From the local history of Elijah FuJler.
Christian Shockey, my grandfather, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania and
moved to Somerset County some time in or about the year 1800, for in 1806 his
name is found on the assessment roll of Elk Lick Township, as having one hundred
and fifty acres of land; where this was located we are not able to state. Later
he lived in Salisbury, and built what is known as the John Smith house. He
served through the Revolutionary war, having first served in the 11th
Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line which was first commanded by Col.
Thomas Hartley and later by Col. Adam Hubley. He was a member of the 6th
company, first under command of Samuel Kersley who was succeeded by Captain
Abraham G. Claypool; his rank was that of corporal. His age at the time of his
enlistment was 20 years; he was five feet and seven inches high; occupation a
farmer, and enlisted April 7, 1777. This regiment was a part of the expedition
under Gen. Sullivan which was sent through the Wyoming Valley in 1779, into the
state of New York, for the purpose of chastising the Indians, who had with the
aid of the Tories devastated this beautiful valley during the preceding year.
This expedition was successful and the savages and their Tory allies were
severely punished.
The Eleventh Regiment took part in some pretty severe fighting and sustained
considerable loss both in killed and wounded and in all this Christian Shockey
acted well his part.
He was also in the battle of the Cowpens and was wounded by a British soldier,
who attempted to sever his head from his body with his sword, but was himself
killed by Shockey's bayonet. Shockey, however, received a severe wound in his
arm, it receiving the blow intended for his head.
In January, 1781 he was transferred to the Third Pennsylvania Regiment of the
line which was then commanded by Col. Thomas Breig. It is probable that the
entire company, that is what remained of it, was consolidated with this
regiment, for Capt. Claypool also served in this regiment from this date.
While with the Third Regiment Christian Shockey took part in the siege of
Yorktown, where he again was wounded.
His name is also found on the roll of the First Pennsylvania regiment of the
line but no dates can be given as to the concise time. This regiment formed a
part of General Wagner's division which was sent to South Carolina after the
surrender of Cornwallis. The time of his discharge from service is not known but
probably it was not until the year 1783. By the Act of the 24th of March 1808,
he became a pensioner of the state of Pennsylvania.
He also took part in the battle of Trenton where the Americans captured the nine
hundred Hessians.
When I was a boy we had in Salisbury but one log church, and the first minister
your writer remembers, was a man by the name of Hause; he preached and taught
school. I attended his school; he died, and they were quite along time getting
another to take his place.
At last it was announced there was a new minister coming. Grandfather and
grandmother were very attentive to their church service. The new minister was
late in making his appearance on the appointed day, as he had to come from
Berlin, fifteen miles distant, and they waited patiently. Finally he came in and
walked up and into the pulpit, removed his German cloak and gave out a hymn.
Grandfather, eyeing him very closely, shortly arose and walked out. Persons
coming from church after the services, noticed grandfather sitting on his porch
and inquired of him if he had become sick, seeing that he had not remained for
the completion of the services. He replied no, but they insisted knowing why his
unusual act. Becoming tired of their questioning he finally said that the
preacher was one of the nine hundred Hessians he helped to capture at the battle
of Trenton, and he could not sit quiet under his voice as his blood became very
hot; he hated the Hessians and, therefore, could not listen to his preaching. A
committee was appointed to wait on the minister and question him. He at first
denied it, and grandfather said: "Bring him before me and I will make him
acknowledge it," and he did acknowledge it rather than appear before him, and
grandfather never went to hear him, not having any more confidence in him as a
preacher than he did as a Hessian soldier. His name was Geisey; he died and
is7buried in Berlin, Somerset county, Pa.
Christian Shockey also laid out and platted what may be called the third
addition to the town of Salisbury, commencing with the lot on which stands
Samuel J. Lichty's brick house, and extending north to the borough line.
In 1822 he announced himself as a candidate for Sheriff of Somerset county, as
follows: "Fellow citizens of Somerset county. Having spent the bloom of my youth
in six campaigns, suffering cold and hardships to assist in wresting liberty
from a tyrant and still being willing to serve you, and being solicited by
numerous friends, I offer myself as a candidate for the office of sheriff at the
ensuing general election. I trust a soldier of the Revolution will not appeal to
Americans in vain. And should I be honored with a majority of your votes I
pledge myself to discharge the duties of the office with generosity and
impartiality.
"CHRISTIAN SHOCKEY, Elk Lick Township, May 15, 1822.” in this canvass he was
defeated, being beaten by Isaac Ankeny. There was a book printed in German in
1790, at the pension office in the city of Washington. for many years, and
finally the Pension Bureau wrote to Somerset to ascertain if any of the heirs of
Christian Shockey were living. Huldah Knee, living there, who was the daughter
of Levi Shockey and grand-daughter of Christian Shockey, and a cousin of the
writer, wrote and received it, it being a German prayer book, printed in 1790.
The following was found within the lids of the prayer book: 
Somerset Co. Pennsylvania,
Personally came before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said
county, Levi Shockey, of the township of Elk Lick in the county aforesaid, a
creditable witness of full age and on his oath doth say that the annexed book
contains the original family record of Christian Shockey, late of said township
and county, a soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States,
dec'd., who died on the 18th day of April, 1829, leaving a widow Mary, who is
yet in full life; that the entries in said book of the time of the birth of the
ten children of said Christian Shockey and the said Mary, his wife, are all in
the proper hand writing of the said Christian Shockey, now deceased, and that
the said original record book has been kept by this department since the death
of said Christian Shockey.
											LEVI SHOCKEY.
			Sworn and subscribed this 21st, Nov. 1540, before me. JOHN NEFF.
Mary Shockey, widow of Christian Shockey of Somerset county, Penna., report to
Hon. Mr. Ogle, M. C., now present. Immediate attention. This book belongs to the
certif. Endorsed: Mary Shockey of Christian Shockey, Penn.
Hon. C. Ogle, M. C., present, Act 7—July 18—The following is written in this
book: Valentine Shockey, born May 5, 1785; William Shockey, born Nov. 11, 1886;
Christian Shockey, born Sept. 10, 1788; Mary Shockey, born Nov. 14, 1790;
Abraham Shockey, born Feb. 21, 1793; Barbara Shockey, born Feb. 9, 1795; Levi
Shockey, born May 16, 1797; Peggy Shockey, born Dec. 6, 1799; Nancy Shockey,
born May 19, 1802; Drusilla Shockey, born May 7, 1805; Mary Ann Welsh, born June
22, 1819; Mahala Welsh, born June 18, 1809. These are grand children.
Grandfather was an accomplished scholar of his day, taught school in his old
days, being a fine penman. He received a pension up to his death and grandmother
up to the time of her demise. Some instances related by grandfather are worth
recording. Among others were the following: I often heard him remark that in
marching they would secure all old bones found along the wayside and boil them
and make soup; never knew, and cared very little, what kind of bones; hunger was
great and must be satisfied. In marching he liked his company to follow in the
rear, for when they had no shoes and the ground was frosty and hard, their feet
would bleed and thus soften the earth for those who followed and did not hurt
their feet as much as otherwise.
In those early days the mountain streams abounded with speckled trout, and
grandfather was quite an angler. How often I remember accompanying him fishing.
My mother being the youngest child remained at home with them, for several
years, when my father bought the hotel in Salisbury, commonly called Shirertown
and when they moved to the hotel I remained with my grandfather until he died,
grandmother going to live with uncle Levi until she died. Grandfather died April
29th, 1829, aged 73 years. Grandmother died aged 86 years. The names of their
daughters husbands are as follows: Mary (called Polly) married to Samuel
Findley; Barbara, to Jonathan Kemp: Nancy to Adam Shultz; Drusilla, to Henry
Fuller. My grandmother's maiden name before marriage with Christian Shockey was
Mary Welsh. 





 
















Additional Comments:
Myersdale, Pa. - The Republic Thu, Jun 11, 1914

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