John Casper Shana Wolfe, born Johan Kaspar Schoenewolff, was born January 23, 1755 (baptised Jan. 26, 1755). His birthplace was town of Retterode, in the Germanic Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel, a state in the Holy Roman Empire.
J. Kaspar Schoenewolff’s parents were Conrad Schoenewolff (1699-1758) and Anna Elisabetha Külmer (1717-1763). His father passed away when he was three years of age, and his mother passed away by age eight, leaving him orphaned at a very young age. He came to live with his godfather, Johann Caspar Catrey, and his wife Maria Catharina Catrey in Meissner. It appears that his godfather passed away when he was 10 and his godmother when he was 13. He then lived with his godfather’s son in Hausen. It was in Hausen, where his confirmation was held in 1769.
In 1776, war was breaking out in America, and Great Britain was short on soldiers (much of its military was stationed in its other territories). More soldiers were needed to serve the British military in America. Landgrave Frederick II, of Hesse-Kassel, along with other German leaders, hired out some of their regular army units to Great Britain. These men were known as “Hessian” soldiers or mercenaries.
Mr. Schoenewolff was a private known as a Jäger in the Hesse-Kassel Feldjägerkorps (Field Hunter Corps), Company 1. The Jägers, recruited from woodsmen, hunters, and foresters, were highly trained individuals that were familiar with movement through forests and the use of rifles. They wore green coats, faced with red and carried a short rifle and a straight-bladed hunding dagger. Their ability to lay down exceptionally accurate rifle fire, at an age when smoothbore muskets were more commonly used, made them excellent snipers able to inflict large numbers of casualties among enemy officers. Their elite group was able to provide good cover for more vulnerable troops.
Private Schoenewolff’s company was inducted in April 1777. This group was sent overseas and did not arrive at New York until early June 1777. At some point he was captured. The date, location, and circumstances are unknown. His capture was not documented until June 1781. Speculation suggests that he may have been held at Rutland Prison Camp in Massachusetts. According to family tradition, he quickly deserted the British and joined the American side. Tradition goes on to say that he was allowed to work as farm help, and when the officers called for him to join his companions and be transported to Virginia, he hid in the cellar of his employer’s house.
As was the tradition of “Americanizing” ones name, Mr. Schoenewolff’s changed his name to John Casper Shana Wolfe.
On January 14, 1781, Mr. Wolfe married Rachel Battles (b. 1752), daughter of Joseph Battles in Leominster, Massachusetts. They had three children. Their first child, John, was born in Leominster (Sep. 1, 1781). Shortly after, they moved to Rockingham, Vermont, where their two other children were born; Mabel (Sept. 14, 1783) and James Young (Aug. 31, 1787). Rachel Wolfe died Nov. 14, 1787 of consumption (tuberculosis), only a few months after her last child’s birth.
In 1787, Wolfe bought land about two miles north of Saxtons River. Here he cleared land and built the home in which he would live the rest of his life.
Wolfe married Lucy Baker March 26, 1788 in Rockingham. Together, they bore 11 children; Sylvanus (Sep. 21, 1788), Rachel (Jan. 26, 1790), Jehiel (b. Jan. 15, 1792; d. Nov. 28, 1799), Orin (1) (b. Nov. 9, 1794; d. Aug. 21, 1796), Jonas (b. Nov. 9, 1796; d. Feb. 1, 1797), Orin (2) (Feb. 9, 1798), Patience (July 14, 1799), Lucy (b. Nov. 27, 1801; d. Mar. 1, 1802), Abel Stowell (April 22, 1804), Barzalael (b. Aug. 15, 1805; d. Sept. 8, 1807), and Orinda Y. (Nov. 2, 1807).
It is said that Wolfe planted the first apple trees in Rockingham. When the very first harvest was ready, it was made a time of a great party. He invited his neighbors to come over and taste the rare treat, many of which had never seen such fruit. In 1813, he was elected tything-man by the town.
J. C. S. Wolfe died on Nov. 25, 1827 (tombstone reads Oct. 13 1828) in Rockingham and is buried there. At his death, he left a more than ordinary estate. His wife, Lucy, died July 17, 1837. Years later, his descendants placed a plate on the pew, in which he sat and worshipped, at the old Rockingham church.1324,1325,1313,1326,1327,1322,1323

John Casper Shana Wolfe is buried in the graveyard of the Old Rockingham Meeting House in Windham County, Vermont. His slate gravestone, together with those of his two wives and several descendants are there and in quite good condition. There is also a family "pew" (actually more of a box) inside the meeting house that carries his name.

Will of John Casper Shana Wolfe
FHL #0021952. Note: In the following, there were several words I could not read. Each unknown word is designated by one # symbol: John C. Wolf Estate, Same Court. An Instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of John C. Wolf late of Rockingham in sd. district deceased having been previously filed in this court now comes under consideration is [?] presented for probate and is read in word & figures following to wit--In the name of God Amen--I John C. Wolf of Rockingham in the county of Windham & State of Vermont being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind & memory do make & publish this my last will & testament in manner & form following that is to say:
Imprimis I give bequeath & devise unto my beloved wife Lucy Wolfe one half of all my farm on which I now live the whole of my dwelling house in which we live one half of the barn standing on the premises one half of the wood shed all the farming utensils of every description all the household furniture of every description one rideable horse one yoke of oxen two cows eight sheep # #  one horse waggon #  pleasure sleigh or cutter and all the moveables of every description to have & to hold the ? to her use and benefit during her natural life. Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandson William Wolfe the only living child of my eldest son John Wolfe deceased the sum of fifty dollars to be paid to him within one year after the decease of my beloved wife Lucy. Item I give & bequeath unto my son James Y Wolfe the sum of twinty [sic] three dollars to be paid to him in one year after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto my son Sylvanus Wolfe the sum of twenty three dollars Item I give & bequeath unto my son Orin Wolfe the sum of forty two dollars to be paid to him in one year after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto my son Abel S. Wolfe the sum of two hundred & twenty dollars to be paid to him in one year after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mabel Eastman the sum of eighty eight dollars to be paid to her in one year after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rachel Sabin the sum of fifty seven dollars to be paid to her in one year after my decease Item I give & bequeath unto daughter [sic] Patience Fairbanks [looks like an s at the end of Fairbank] the sum of thirty six dollars and fifty cents to be paid to her in one year after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Orinda Wolfe the sum of two hundred & thirty four dollars to be paid to her in one year after my decease Item after the decease of [crossed out] my beloved [crossed out] wife Lucy I give and bequeath unto my four daughters Mabel Eastman Rachel Sabin Patience Fairbank [no s at the end of Fairbank here] and Orinda Wolfe all her household furniture and wearing apparel of every description to be divided equally among them.
 
Lastly after the payment of funeral charges and all my just debts and after the decease of my beloved wife Lucy, it is my will & pleasure that all my real estate [crossed out] and personal estate be divided into twelve [?] parts, and I do hereby give & bequeath the same as follows to wit, two parts unto my grandsons James Wolfe & Casper Wolfe sons of my son James Young Wolfe. Forty dollars more to Casper than to James. Two parts to my son Sylvanus Wolfe two parts to my son Orin Wolfe two parts to my son Abel Wolfe one share or twelfth parts to my daughter Mabel Eastman one part to my daughter Rachel Sabin one part of my daughter Patience Fairbanks {s here] and one part to my daughter Orinda Wolfe. The reason of my not giving more to my son Orin Wolfe by this will is that I heretofore gave to the said Orin one year's # for his use and benefit prior to his becoming of age--. I hereby constitute and appoint my worthy friend Daniel Morow [Moran?] Esquire Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made--In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three--
Jon C. Wolf (Seal)
 
Signed sealed published & delivered by the said John C. Wolfe to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto set our hands in witness in the presence of the testator and of each other--Daniel Kellogg, Roswell Burt, Ebenezer Wheeler1328