Descended from the old German Baronial Von Stapff family. John Valentine Stopp, pioneer settler and Revolutionary soldier, came to America soon after the middle of the eighteenth century, and in 1772, by patent together with his friend, John Silvius, he took title to certain lands along the Jordan. He was not permitted to enjoy many years of peaceful activity when he responded to call of the state to which he had sworn allegiance and entered the patriot army, sworn allegiance, and entered the patriot army, being enrolled in Company No 7, recruited from Northampton county and commanded by Captain Thomas Craig. With his company he was captured at Fort Washington in November 1776, and his rifle was taken from him in the action. Later, he was reported among the sick at the same place and without doubt he spent the eventful winter of 1777-1778 with Washington and the crippled forces at Valley Forge. As he never returned to his family from the war, he probably died in the service of his country, and may lie today among the thousands of unknown dead buried in the quiet hills of Valley Forge. During his absence his family suffered at the hands of the Indians, who destroyed his property, but spared their lives. His widow was subsequently married to a man named Kleclmer. The sons of John Stow were John, Jacob, Samuel, and Abraham. Samuel settled in Easton and married Salome Fox. Many of his descendants are still living in Northampton County and New Jersey.