Sophia Maria, who apparently went by Mary, as she is referenced in her husband's will, probably met and married Valentine Whitehead (Weisskopf) in the 1770's in Westmoreland County. Her maiden name is gleaned from the birth record of her daughter Susanna, which identified Mary's parents as Friedrich Ruff and Magthalina Wilgard (or Willyard). [1]
Mary and Valentine had 11 children, including Valentine, Jr., Mary, Barbara, Susanna, Elizabetha (called Elizabeth in her father's will), Magdalena, Catherine, Sarah, Christianna (called Christina in her father's will), Christopher ("Stoffel," after his grandfather) and Peter. A more detailed listing, including birth and death dates and spouses, is available in Kem Luther's work.
Although little is known about my 5x great-grandmother Mary, without her pioneering spirit and obvious physical, emotional and spiritual fortitude, I wouldn't be around to write about her. She is buried next to her husband.
[1] "Four Generations of the Immigrant Christian Rodabaugh (1707?-1779) and His Family," by Kem Luther, 1992, 2003, self-published, http://www-acad.sheridanc.on.ca/~kem/Htmlgen/ctnrod.pdf.
Family Members
Spouse
Valentine Whitehead
1743–1829 (m. 1767)
Children
Elizabeth Whitehead Milliron
1768–1840
Valentine Whitehead
1779–1865
Magdalena Whitehead Smith
1782–1859
Catherine Whitehead Potts
1790–1861
Peter Whitehead
1796–1867
