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Notes: Also seen as John Simon. Died from cancer. Some records show John as John Smalle, son of Simeon Smalle (which would explain the Simeon). Perhaps indicating that Peter was his stepfather, not his biological father. Ferebee WAS married to Simeo n Smalle, prior to marrying Peter. However, the Simeon could also be out of respect for her first husband. In any case, he became a Handspiker, and his offspring and descendants are Handspikers. Those tracing their roots back to this ancestor, ho wever, must consider the possiblity that he was an adopted son of Peter, and also, that he may have BEEN Peter's biological son. Since Simeon Smalle lived on (Ferebee was not a widower), there is also a chance that the reasons for their marriag e breaking up, may have had something to do with John Simeon and/or Peter Handspiker (or, Hanselspiker, depending on source). It is curious that in John Simeon's baptismal record, Peter is listed as his father. This indicates a couple of things . First, Peter and Ferebee were married by 31-Mar-1816. Secondly, that it is then LESS likely that Simeon Smalle was his father. The ONLY reason, at this point, I believe people often think so is his middle name. Why would Peter want a son wit h the first name of his wife's "ex" as the middle name of his first son??? Does seem peculiar. I can surely understand why this connection has vexed so many researchers, through the years.

Interestingly enough, John has been claimed by one source to be of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, and that his ancester "James" came to Nova Scotia in the late 1700's, with the Johnsons and Daleys. This seems rather odd, since Peter was the one wh o was said to have "come from Germany."


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  • Married: 7-JUL-1839
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  • Name: Rachel VanTassel
  • Birth: 1820
  • Death:
  • Father:
  • Mother:

Notes:
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Other Spouses

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Children

SURNAMES
1/12/2007