An American Family History

Daniel Baker was born in the 1760s in Luray, Frederick County, Virginia which is now Page County. His parents were Philip Baker and Anna Catherine Gramm.

When Daniel was 30 he married Magdalena (Molly) Printz. They married on June 19, 1790. The Reverend Paul Henkle officiated. Molly was born in 1770 and was the daughter of Captain George Printz and Elizabeth Crum. 

Daniel and Molly's children were David Baker (1792) and Christina Baker (1795). Molly probably died due to complications of childbirth in 1795.

Daniel married Molly's sister, Mary Ann Printz, on October 11, 1796 in Shenandoah County, Virginia. Their children were Ann Baker (1800), Magdalen Baker (1802), Barbara Ann Baker Griffith (1802, married Joseph Griffith), Samuel Baker (1805) and John Baker (1814).

Daniel died when he was 76 in 1846 in Page County, Virginia. His will was written on June 27, 1836 and recorded on August 24, 1846. His wife received a third of his estate for her natural life. His sons, Samuel and John received a set of blacksmith tools and his land was divided between them and David. His daughter, Anna, received a weaving loom. His daughters, Christina, Magdalan, Anna and Barbara divided nine hundred dollars. The witnesses were John Prince, senior and junior.

Mary Ann died 20 years later in 1866.

Captain George Printz (Johan Georg Brentz) was born December 8, 1742 in Duehren, Baden, Germany and came to America with his family in 1751.

He married his first wife, Elizabeth Crum, about 1764. The land that George Printz' owned had belonged to Henry Crum. Their children were John Printz (1765), Magdalena Printz (1770), Mary Ann Printz (1775), David Printz (1782), and Goerge Printz (1785).

He married his second wife, Mary Magdalene Shaffer, on August 5, 1787. The Reverend Paul Henkle officiated. Magdalene was born April 4, 1760 and died October 20, 1823 in Shenandoah County. Their children were Daniel Wesley Printz (1790), Isaac R. Printz (1802) and Joseph Printz (1804).

The earliest record of George Printz in Virginia was a deed recorded at Frederick County Court in Winchester on July 26, 1771. It conveyed to him 92 acres of land, "lying on the drains of the Great Hawksbill," which was part of a 387 acre tract granted to Henry Crumb by the Proprietors.

On April 30, 1778 George's name appeared on a list of lieutenants sworn in as officers of the county militia. He was promoted to captain on October 11, 1780. Captain George Printz marched from Shenandoah County to Newcastle. At Newcastle he was releaved from duty due to illness. Later, in August, 1781, he marched from Shenandoah and served at the battle of York and was probably present at the surrender of General Cornwallis. "Aide to General Washington" was inscribed on his tombstone. His name is enscribed on a plaque at Valley Forge dedicated to Revolutionary War veterans.

In 1792, George's name appeared on a petition to establish a new county separated from Shenandoah and Rockingham County which was denied by the General Assembly at that time.

In October, 1797, George represented the Hawksbill Church at the Lutheran Special Conference in Woodstock, Virginia. In 1806, he attended the Lutheran Conference at Roeders Church. In 1809, he was listed as a church officer of the Hawksbill Church. In 1789, 1798, and 1819, George obtained a total of 260 acres in the Hawksbill. He received a land grant of 80 acres in Stark County, Ohio on July 18, 1812 for his services in the Revolutionary War.

George's will was written in March, 1823 and probated on September 22, 1834. He added two codicils in 1827 and 1829. He gave the Ohio lands to his sons George and Reuben. The codicil added that Joseph was to give George, $700 and that Joseph would receive the quarter section originally given George.He mentioned three grandchildren; David, Christianna and Magdalena Baker.

Will of DANIEL BAKER
Extract from Will Book C-112 W
written - 27 Jun 1836 - Page Co.
Recorded - 24 Aug 1846
Sons, Samuel & John - whole set of black smith tools.
Wife, third part of all my Estate both real & personal during her natural life.
Daughter, Anna - weaving loom.
Sons, David, Samuel & John - all my land equally divided.
Daughters, Christina, Magdalan, Anna & Barbara - Nine hundred dollars in mony - equally divided.
Witnesses - John Prince Senr.; John Prince Jnr.