Anna Schmitt

Very little was known about the Sister of Stephen Schmitt until research was conducted in 2006/2007. At one point, we thought her name may have been Elizabeth or Eliza, but that appears to have been an error in the way the 1860 census was prepared. She was located by tracing back from Father Michael Reder, who was a known descendent of hers. All other records point to the name Anna. Anna was born about 1832 in Hessen Darnstadt, according to the 1860 census, and apparently married before emigrating to the United State on the St. Denis (pictured below), departing for New York from Le Havre, France, traveling alone and arriving on November 21, 1853. The ship was to sail for just over two more years before foundering east of Sandy Hook, losing 34 passengers according to The Palmer List of Merchant Vessels

Presumably her husband, Frank Gross, travelled before she did, a common occurence at the time, though those records have not been located. She then sent for her brother, Stephen, who does not appear to have lived with her for any period of time.

Tracing through Census data, we learn that she and Frank had 6 children; Emelia, George, Francis, Annie, Frank, and Louis. Father Michael Reder was descended from her daughter Emelia. Francis appears to have died early, and another child, Frank, was apparently named for the father later.