Maria Jahn was one of the first children to be baptized after the immigrants arrived in Perry County.  She was born on this day, May 18, 1840.  It is possible that this baptism may have taken place in the upper room of the Loeber parsonage which was where the Altenburg congregation held their services for the first six years.  It is also likely that the baptismal tray that was brought to America on the ships that is still used at Trinity was used for this baptism.  There is a previous blog dealing with this tray which you can find HERE.

Maria married Johann Gottfried Schuessler on May 19, 1859, one day after her 19th birthday.  This marriage took place in the 1845 church building.  It appears that after this wedding, Maria became a member of Concordia, Frohna.  After all, Schuessler is a “Frohna name”.

Now we must discuss a little problem with some records.  According to the Concordia, Frohna church records, Maria died on December 20, 1919.  Her tombstone also indicates this date as the one for her death.

However, if you look at the 1920 census, which indicates being taken on February 3, 1920, you will find Maria Schuessler, age 79, living with her son Gottfried in Perry County.  It makes us scratch our heads and say, “How can this be?”

We don’t have the answer.  Do you?