The Two Jake's: Were There Really Two Jacob Sell's?

[Majorjoel]

According to family genealogy research conducted by living Sell family members, there is no mention of a Jacob Sell the Elder separate of Jacob the Younger. I find it interesting that there are more than a few 18th century gunsmiths that named their sons after themselves and left us the sometimes painstaking task of separating their work. In study of the Sell family of gunsmiths I have found that according to living descendants, both Jacob and John Frederick were the sons of Isaac Sell. Jacob worked in and around York County and Littlestown up until around 1815 when he moved to Ohio. I have included web site attachments to the Findagrave pages for both Jacob and Frederick with some of this information that can be sorted and preliminary conclusions drawn. Not saying these are absolute facts but a definite reversal of what we have read from such works as Joe Kindigs "Thoughts" and Henry Kauffman's "Kentucky" rifle books.  After a bit of thought here I wonder "if" there is a possibility that Isaac Sell, the father of both men may have been named Isaac Jacob Sell. This is merely early speculation and a thought process at work here. Perhaps he used his middle name as did his son Frederick when he signed his rifles?? I have written Ken Sell (descendant)  who wrote a book on his family history and hope to have more information to add here.  Please chime in with any and all thoughts you may have concerning "the two Jake's"  Thank you........Joel     http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=37836091    http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=63405419

[Buck]

Joel,
Thanks for posting the info. I think his Fredrick Sell date for rifle production is off by 15-16 years.
Buck