Name: John Christian Schell
Cemetery: Dutch Ref Ch Cem
Location: Herkimer, Herkimer Co NY 57
Reference: Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots, Vol.4, p. Serial: 12172; Volume: 4

From DAR:
A soldier of the Revolution.
DAR# A100657
Service: NY
Rank: Patriotic Service
Birth: 1728 Baden, Germany
Death: 7/1782 Kingsland dist Tryon co NY
Pension:
Service Source: Dewitt, Am Patriots, Battle of Oriskany, P 38
Service Description: Defended Blockhouse
Spouse: Maria Elizabeth Petrie∼Baptized in February 1731
in the Bad Marienburg Reformed Church.

Emigrated from the Port of Amsterdam, Netherlands; arrived in the Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 27 September 1749.

John and Maria married about 1755
at German Flats, Herkimer, New York.
They were the parents of twelve children;
Denis, Johann Christian, Maria Elizabetha, Augustinus Dennis, Frederich Christian,
Anna Maria, Eva, Johann Henrich [Henry],
Marcus Christian, Maria Catherina, Peter,
Anna Eve.

John Christian Schell took up his residence four miles north of the village of Herkimer, at a place still called "Schell's Bush" where he became the owner of a large farm which he cultivated with the usual success of the industrious German. He prospered in his American home; he had received in his boyhood a liberal education; he was the leading man of the district.
In the summer of 1781, the massacres and incendiaries, instigated by the loyalists and executed by the freebooters and Indians, were so numerous, that most of the inhabitants of "Schell's Bush" had taken refuge in Fort Dayton, four miles distant; but John, not of a disposition to fear, trusted in his own fort and remained with his family around the premises, attending to his usual work.
The Tories had planned the destruction of Schell's fort, and knowing that it was substantially built and well calculated for a defense, they fitted out a numerous and desperate band of assailants. They lay in ambush in the vicinity of Schell's farm, waiting for a favorable opportunity to make the attack. Then, the Tories and Indians ran towards the corn-crib on John's farm. The twins, Henry and Mark Schell, accompanied by the family dog, had gone to the corn-crib in the fields, to bring a corn fan home. The Indians headed them off upon their return. One of the boys was captured at the crib; the other one, holding the enemy somewhat at bay through the dog, ran for home and succeeded in reaching the barn-yard fence, but the large dog who had kept between the boy and the Indian during the pursuit, jumped the fence first and the Indian captured the boy whilst he was getting over the high fence; then holding the boy before him, he backed away out of reach of gunshot. The twin boys who were eleven years old, were now prisoners in the hands of the enemy. Night coming on, the enemy fled to the woods, taking with them the twins, Henry and Mark, as prisoners. This was the opening of the famous battle at Schell's Bush.
The family lamented very much at the loss of the twins, the pets of the family. In the beginning they had hoped that the boys might find a chance to escape and return home, but as time went on, they became more sure that Henry and Mark were forever lost to them. The abduction of his favorite twins irritated John in such a manner that he promised a warm reception to any Tory or Indian who would venture near his place.
In July 1782, the enemy had found a good opportunity to make a sudden attack upon John and his sons. The Tories and Indians concealed themselves in the standing wheat, whilst Schell and his sons were at work at no great distance from their house. The enemy took good aim and fired one volley; Schell and his son Denis were fatally wounded, and his son Frederick received a shot in the thigh. The father called upon his sons not to allow the savages to scalp him. The brave boys kept the enemy at bay and would not retreat. At a distance of one mile and a half, there was a fortified blockhouse, where his neighbors had taken refuge. They heard the firing and immediately hastened to the rescue. The Tories and Indians were put to flight. John Christian Schell was removed to his fort, where the brave pioneer expired three days later, surrounded by his grief stricken family and many of his neighbors. Denis died the ninth day. Sad was the funeral when the remains of father and son were laid to rest, and desolate was the family. Frederick Schell who had his thighbone splintered, not broken, recovered from his wounds, but he showed lameness during the remainder of his life. The armed forces of the Schells were so reduced in number, that they were not able to hold the fort against the repeated attacks of the enemy. The revengeful Tories and Indians sometime afterwards set fire to Schell's fort.
The Schell family had the father and one son killed, one son crippled for life, one daughter scalped, two sons captured and abducted, their homestead lain in ashes, all this happened, because they stood faithful to the American cause. John Christian Schell was the leader of his family to fight the enemy of his country. He died like a hero faithful and loyal to the American cause, being killed by the enemy of his country, the Tories and Indians.

Son of Johann Christian SCHELL
{born about 1698
at Nassau, Dilenburg, Bad Marienburg, Germany}.
and
Anna Elizabeth ZEHRUNG
{born - about 1698
at Ritzhausen, Hess, Prussia}.
Married on 29 October 172
AT Ritzhausen, Hess, Prussia.