The German Colony of 1717; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 26, No. 2; Pages 79-95 Transcribed by Joy Fisher for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY Page 7979 THE GERMAN COLONY OF 1717 Prepared by ARTHUR LESLIE KEITH, Northfield, Minnesota This year, 1917, marks the second centennial of the arrival in Virginia of a small band of High Germans, whose descendants scattered now throughout the country, particularly the South and West, are numbered by the tens of thousands. For present purposes it is sufficient to recall only the leading facts of their history. Twenty German Lutheran families from Alsace, the Palatinate, Hesse and vicinity, seeking to escape from the persecutions of the French, secured passage on a boat bound for America. Their boat was detained in England for some considerable time for the reason that its captain (Captain Scott?) had been thrown into prison for debt. He was finally released but the provisions with which the emigrants had stocked themselves for the long voyage ran low so that many of them perished on the way over. They had intended to join their fellow- countrymen in Pennsylvania, but by adverse storms were driven to the shores of Virginia. Their captain’s heart had not been softened by his own recent experiences, but he sought to replenish himself at the expense of the friendless Germans. He claimed that they had not paid their passage money, which claim may have been true owing to the fact that the voyage had taken much more than the usual time, through no fault of their own. He refused to allow them to land until Gov. Spotswood gave him the amount demanded. Gov. Spotswood, however, before doing this secured the assent of the Germans to a contract which they apparently did not fully understand. He established them at or near Germanna, where the 1714 colony was already located. Here until 1724 they worked for Spotswood as indentured servants. This period is described as one of great hardships. In 1724 they seem to have attempted to escape from this bondage but Col. Spotswood sued them and compelled most of them to serve another year, so that they labored eight years to gain their freedom. In 1725 the entire colony, now released, moved to the Robinson River near the foot of the Blue Mountains, in present Madison County. Here in 80 WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY June, 1726, they received large patents of land. They had chosen for their home a place that stood on the very border of civilization. Surrounded thus by the dangers and difficulties of the frontier life they made their homes and reached a certain degree of prosperity. There is no evidence that any of them wearying of their lot sought an easier life in the already settled portions of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Other Germans were added to them from time to time. Later, members of this community, inspired by the wanderlust, went out for new homes, but still they turned toward the frontier, to the unsettled parts of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. During the early years they were without regular religious ministrations. In 1719, while still at Germanna, they joined with the members of the 1714 colony in a petition to the Bishop of London praying for support in the maintenance of a minister and to have the Liturgy of the Church of England translated into High Dutch. In 1724 or 1725 they sent two of their number, Michael Cook and Ziriakus Fleshman, to Germany “to bring a minister for us High Germans who are here.” This effort was unsuccessful. In 1733 after their removal to the Robinson River the Rev. John Caspar Stoever came among them and was their first regular pastor. In 1734 he, with Michael Holt and Michael Schmidt, went to Germany to solicit funds with which to build a church. In this effort they were successful. Stoever died on the return voyage, but his place was taken by a young man, Rev. George Samuel Klug, who came to Virginia for this very purpose, that is, to minister to the German flock in the wilderness. In 1740 Hebron Lutheran Church was built, which, with some few alterations and additions, still stands as a monument to the heroism and devotion of these early pioneers. Documents and discussions relating to this colony have already been published. Cf. Dr. Slaughter in his Culpeper County (revised by Green); Dr. Beale M. Schmucker in the Lutheran Visitor, i886; Rev. Wm. J. Hinke and Chas. E. Kemper (jointly) in the Va. Mag. of His. and Biog., Vol. XI; Chas. E. Kemper, ibid., Vol. XIII; Rev. Wm. J. Hinke, ibid., Vol. XIV; Rev. Wm. P. Huddle in the History of Hebron Church. WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY 81 So far as the general history is concerned I have no new evidence to present. I shall, however, attempt some new interpretations of evidence presented by others regarding certain features. 1. Relation of the second colony, 1717, to the colony of 1714 and to the so-called third colony. The relation with the 1714 colony was purely accidental. The evidence clearly indicates that the 1717 colony aimed to go to Pennsylvania, but falling into Gov. Spotswood’s hands was placed by him along with the 1714 colony. The two colonies were of different religious faith, the earlier being of the Reformed or Calvanistic faith and the latter of the orthodox Lutheran. Both colonies left Germanna before the close of 1725 and their former division was kept fairly distinct in this change of homes, though a part of the Wayman, Fishback, and Hoffman families (of the 1714 colony) seem to have accompanied the 1717 colony to the Robinson River. There they appear in the records of Hebron Church, often being designated as belonging to the Reformed or Calvinistic faith. There is no evidence that any of the 1717 colony failed to go to the Robinson River. From this it appears that this colony preserved for some time its identity. Now as regards the so-called third colony I find no substantial evidence of its existence. Undoubtedly, later colonies continued to come to Virginia, but no colony of forty families (as it is always described) seems to have been associated with the 1717 colony. The constituency of the 1714 and 1717 colonies can be fairly well determined, but for the third colony of forty families, only a few names are doubtfully suggested. Certainly the pamphlet published in 1737 by Stoever relates to the 1717 colony of twenty families, without any reference to a subsequent colony. He says the colony had suffered great hardships for eight years (clearly their bondage under Gov. Spotswood and therefore applicable only to the 1717 colony) and had been at the time of his arrival, 1733, for sixteen years without a pastor. If a third colony of forty families had been associated with the second colony, Stoever’s failure to mention it is certainly remarkable. The petition of the German Lutheran Congregation of Orange County, dated February 11, 1734 (see Huddle’s Hebron Church, 82 WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY page 111) to his Majesty’s Council, states that the congregation consists of 62 families and 274 persons; that they came to Virginia in 1717 and settled on lands belonging to Col. Spotswood, but in 1725 moved to their present abode. Now it seems clear from this that this congregation is identified with the 1717 colony of twenty families referred to in the petition of 1719, see above. The 62 families of 1734 represent these twenty families with their natural increase plus the occasional arrivals of later years. If a colony of forty families had later joined the 1717 colony it is strange that the united colony should be described as it is in the preamble of the 1734 petition. There may, of course, have been a later colony of forty families, but it did not have any close association with the 1717 colony. 2. The constitutency of the 1717 colony. On April 23, 1724, the Virginia Council received a petition from Ziriakus Fleischman and George Utz, representing themselves and 14 other high- Germans being sued by Col. Spotswood on account of transportation charges to Va. At a court held for Spotsylvania County on July 7, 1724, the action for debt of Col. Spotswood vs 18 Germans (two have been added since April) is recorded and the names of the 18 defendants are given. I think there can be no doubt that these 18 are being sued for the supposed violation of the same contract. Three of these defendants in their importation papers (Henry Snyder, Michael Smith, and Michael Cook) state that they came to this country in 1717. I think then that these i8 persons can be safely ascribed to the 1717 colony. It is reasonable to believe that these names constitute the group of which it was later said that they had served for eight years in great hardship. As they were released from bondage in 1725 the eight years will carry us back to 1717. These 18 persons were as follows: Conrad Amberger (Auberge), Andrew Ballenger, Balthasar Blankenbucher, Matthias Blankenbucher, Nicholas Blankenbucher, John Bryol (Broil, Broyles), Michael Clore, Michael Cook, Gyrachus (Ziriakus) Fleshman, Michael Holt, Michael Kaifer (Cafer), George Mayer, Philip Paulitz, George Sheible, Michael Smith, Henry Snyder, George Utz, and Nicholas Yager. To the above names should be added Andrew Kerker, Christopher Parlur WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY 83 (Barlow, Berler?), and Christopher Zimmerman who in their importation papers dated Apr. 5, 1726 (on same day on which Henry Snyder, Michael Smith, and Michael Cook proved their importation) stated that they came to this country in 1717. John Bryoll (Broil), Jacob Bryoll (son of John and probably not old enough to be counted as head of a family in 1717), and Nicholas Yager prove their importations on May 2, 1727, stating that they had come to this country about nine years since with Capt. Scott. “About nine years” would conveniently carry us back to the latter part of 1717. The reference to Capt. Scott may have some significance. He seems to have enjoyed such a notoriety that their association with him may be used to date their emigration. I believe we have in this Capt. Scott the man who was imprisoned in London for debt and who later sold the Germans into bondage. The names given above make a total of 21, whereas the earlier records refer to 20 families. Possibly one of the Blankenbakers was not yet the head of a family in 1717. Balthasar Blankenbaker did not die until 1774, hence while old enough to be responsible for his passage fare he may not have been the head of a family in 1717. Several other names have been suggested as belonging to the 1717 colony, as John Harnsburger, John Motz, and George Lang. I have found no evidence that these men ever had families. A number of free lances may have attended the original 20 families. Certainly they do not seem to have been involved with these families in later records. 3. The constituency of the settlement in 1734-35. Stoever in 1737, while in Germany published a pamphlet on this colony, in which he states that it consisted of 300 souls. He is probably speaking of the time of his departure from Virginia, which was 1734. The number 300 seems to be only a general term. The petition of 1734 referred to above is probably more reliable in giving the number as 62 families and 274 persons. Many of these are the natural increase of the 1717 colony, but there had been undoubtedly a constant stream of new emigrants. In addition to the 20 families of this 1717 colony as given above, I find the following names from patents and court records, of those who were with the settlement in 1734: Carpenter, Crigler, Wayland, 84 WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY Weber, Wilhite, Cobler, Garr, Rouse, Turner, Stolts, Tommas (Thomas), Zeuche, Manspeil, and Crisler. The following may have been associated with the colony in 1734, though their names are not found until later: Vallick (Walk) 1735, Leatherer 1735, Finks 1736, Ziegler 1737, Sluchter 1737, Oehler (Aler) 1742, Fisher 1743, Miller, 1743, Bomgarner 1744. Then the Hoffman, Wayman and Holzclau families in spite of their different religious faith may have been counted in the number 62 since they lived in the same vicinity. Of some of these names there were several families, as of the Wilhite, Yager, Tommas, Carpenter and others. So it seems that we must have almost all the names of the 62 families of 1734. From a diligent comparison of contemporaneous and subsequent records I can find mention of about 160 men, women, and children who were undoubtedly members of the colony in 1734. 4. The German home of the 1717 colony. Stoever’s pamphlet referred to above states that these Germans came from Alsace, the Palatinate, and adjacent places. Aside from this general statement, we have only a few other indications. The naturalization paper of Nicholas Yager, dated July 13, 1722, gives him as a native of Weichersbach (Wickersbach?), Hesse, Germany. The naturalization paper of his son, Adam Yager, dated Sept. 19, 1730, represents him as born at Fulkenston, near Dusseldorf, in the Dukedom of Neuberg, Germany. Fulkenston has been crossed out and Frankenstein written above it, apparently by Godfrey Yager, son of Adam. A descendant of Nicholas Yager, from a line that has preserved traditions better than any other, states that in his branch the German home of Nicholas Yager was always given as Nidrobock (Niederbach?). Nothing more definite has yet been found. My own particular contribution to the history of this colony is genealogical. The records given below have practically all never been published before. I give all the records I have been able to find on the members of the 1717 colony, adding data on a few others who later became intimately associated with them. The reader should bear in mind that up to 1734 these Germans lived in Spotsylvania County, first at Germanna and later on the WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY 85 Robinson River. The region in which they lived, in 1734 became Orange County; in 1748 Culpeper County; in 1792 Madison County. If this is borne in mind it will be unnecessary for me to state in each case where the court record is found. Likewise when births are given the source is generally the birth-register of Hebron Church, which begins with 1750. Space forbids my carrying more than a few lines beyond 1800. When my account runs into a line that has already been published, I discontinue it after indicating where it may be found. My own interest in this subject has been increased from the fact that I certainly descend from the Yager, Broyles, Clore, and Cobler families, and almost certainly from the Fleshman family, and probably also from the Wilhoit. Amberger. (Auburge). Conrad Auburge (Ausbergur). 1717. Sued in 1724 by Spotswood. Conrade Amburger in 1735 proved his importation. On Sept. 21, 1737, Conrad Amberger sold to Christopher Zimmerman 445 acres patented by said Amberger on May 1, 1728, in Great Fork of Rapidan. On Nov. 22, 1738, Conrad Amberger and wife Barbara sold 200 acres to Joseph Cotton. On July 24, 1742, Barbara Amburger is appointed adm’x of estate of Conrad Amburger, dec’d. Christopher Zimmerman is her surety. No further record. Ballenger. Andrew Ballenger. 1717. Sued by Spotswood in 1724. Edward Ballenger owned land in 1733 in present Madison County, near the German colony. No further record. Blankenbaker. Balthasar, Matthias, and Nicholas Blankenbucher. 1717. Sued by Spotswood in 1724. They were probably brothers, certainly not father and sons. On June 24, 1726, Balthasar patented 157 acres, Matthias 156, and Nicholas 475 in present limits of Madison County. Paultus (Balthasar) and Nicholas Blankenpaker (sic) on Mch. 7, 1732, witnessed the will of John Broyle. John Nicolaus Blankenbeckler (sic) made will Aug. 11, 1743, probated Sept. (?) 22, 1743. It was witnessed by Jacob Broil, Peter Fleshman, and Laurenz Gare. He mentions wife Appellonia; sons Zacharias, Jacob, and Michael; daughters Ursula (now md. to John Zimmerman), Dorothea (wife to 86 WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY Laurence Gare), and Elizabeth Blankenbeeker (sic). Dear friend Jacob Broil and eldest son Zacharias Blankenbeeker are named as executors. Of these children Michael md Elizabeth Barbara Gaar and Dorothea md Lorenz Gaar and their descendants numbering several thousands are given in the Garr Genealogy. Zacharias Blankenbaker, the eldest son of Nicholas, md Els (Elsa) ________ and had John, born Aug. 29, 1750; Zacharias, born Mch 25, 1752; Maria, born July 6, 1755; Jacob, born Jan. i8, 1758; Michael, born Sept. 11, 1761; Samuel, born Oct. 31, 1767. The will of Zacharias Blankenbaker dated 1792 mentions wife Alcy (sic) ; and sons Samuel, Jacob, John, Zachary; and daughters Mary (md Elijah? Fleshman) and Elizabeth (md Peter Broyles). This Elizabeth was wife of Peter Broyles before 1768, hence was probably born before 1750, the year in which the Hebron birth-register begins. Barbara Blankenbaker is mentioned as daughter in will of George Utz, see below, dated June 28, 1753. Jacob Blankenbaker and wife Barbara appear in the Hebron birth-register as early as 1754. There is only one Jacob of this time of age to marry and that is the son of Nicholas who died in 1743. So if Garr is right in making Jacob marry 1. Thomas, 2. Weaver (see Garr Gen., page 521) Jacob was md 3 times, one wife being Barbara Utz. Garr does not seem to have known of the will of Nicholas Blankenbaker and is apparently relying upon tradition. Jacob Blankenpeker and wife Mary Barbara in 1763 sold 156 acres patented by Nicholas Blankenbeker on June 24, 1726, and by him devised to his son Jacob (given in Nicholas’ will as 165 acres). Some of the unplaced Blankenbakers of the next generation probably belong to this Jacob. Ursula, daughter of Nicolaus Blankenbaker, md John Zimmerman and their names appear in the communicant rolls of Hebron Church down to 1785. Garr (apparently relying upon tradition) says that a daughter of Nicholas Blankenbaker md Fleshman. The only unmarried daughter mentioned in the will of 1743 is Elizabeth. She is probably identical with Elizabeth, the wife of John Fleshman, who joined with him in selling to Nicholas Wilhoite in 1762; witnesses are Frederick Zimmerman and John Zimmerman. WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY 87 Matthias Blankenbecker made will Jan. 23, 1746, probated Apr. 21, 1763. He names wife Mary; sons Christopher and John Blankenbecker; and John Blankenbecker, Jr., son of deceased son George Blankenbecker. He appoints friends Zacharias Blankenbecker and Jacob Brayell (Broil) as executors. At probating of will the court appoints John Blankenbecker as executor. Witnesses to the will are George Utz, Michael Smith, and John Thomas. Christopher Blankenbaker md Christina _______ and had Maria, born Sept. 29, 1754; Catharine, born Sept. 28, 1759; Ephraim, born June 29, 1762; Ludwig, born Jan. 21, 1765; Jonas, born June 18, 1767; Margaret, born Nov. 13, 1769, (md Samuel Carpenter 1793); Sara, born Nov. 7, 1772; Elisabetha, born June 9, 1775; Hanna, born Mary 25, 1778. Christopher Blankinbeeker’s will is dated Apr. 26, 1781, and mentions wife Christeenah; sons Ephraim, Lewis, and Jonas. Executors are Jacob Blankenbeeker and John Wayland, Jr. Witnesses are Henry Blankinbeeker, Michael Utz, and John Blankinbeeker. Lewis, the son of Christopher, is probably identical with Lewis Blankenbiker who about 1784 md Susanna and had the following children: Maria, born Sept. 24, 1785; Elizabeth, born Apr. 16, 1787; Margaret, born Dec. 11, 1788; Ephraim, born Jan. 17, 1791; Sarah, born Mch 19, 1793; Joel, born Feb. 4, 1795; Hanna, born Mch 29, 1798; Julianna, born June 20, 1800; William, born Feb. 1, 1802; Alpha, born Feb. 2, 1804; Lucia, born Apr. 2, 1806; and Harriet, born June 16, 1808. Jonas Blankenbaker, son of Christopher, md Elizabeth, daughter of William and Mary Wilhoit Carpenter, in 1790, and had Abel, born July 2, 1791; Robert, born Sept. 14, 1797; Jonas Finks, born Jan. 20, 1802; and also Mildred, Elliott, Nellie, Nancy, Mary, Sarah, and Nelson (dates not found). Balthasar Blankenbaker on Dec. 17, 1759, made deed of gift to Adam Wayland, “his wife Elizabeth being my daughter.” On Nov. 30, 1763, Paul Plancanpetler (with name thus strangely disguised) and wife Margaret sold to Adam Fisher 85 acres “part of patent to me dated Sept. 20, 1730.” Witnesses are Christopher Crigler, Adam Wayland et al. Balthasar Blankenbeeker made will Jan. 7, 1762, probated Apr. 1, 1774. He mentions wife Anne Margaret; daughters Anne Barbara, wife of Lewis Fisher, and 88 WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY Elizabeth, wife of Adam Wayland. George Utz and Christopher Blankenbeeker are named as executors. The witnesses are Samuel Klugg, Christopher Blankenbeeker and _______ Utz. Some of the unplaced Blankenbakers are as follows: John Blankenbaker and wife Barbara had Cornelius, born Aug. 15, 1779; Nicolaus, born Nov. 18, 1781; Susanna, born Jan. 5, 1786(?); Sarah, born Mch 31, 1788; Michael, born Apr. 15, 1790; Elias, born Nov. 11, 1795. Samuel Blankenbaker and wife Amy (daughter of John Yager) had Barbara born May 8, 1780; Rhoda, born Aug. 27, 1782; and Felix, born Apr. 25, 1785. Samuel Blankenbaker (called Junior therefore probably the son of Zacharias mentioned above) md Charlotte Leatherer in 1791 and had Elizabeth, born Mch 10, 1792; Eleonora, born Aug. 30, 1793; Joel, born May 23, 1795; Phoeben, born Mch 22, 1797; Jemima, born Feb. 5, 1799; Abraham, born Jan. 8, 1801; Isaac, born Dec. 10, 1802; Rhode, born Nov. 26, 1804; Julia, born Dec. 15, 1806; Jacob, born Nov. 18, 1808. Thomas Blankenbaker and wife Jemima had Joel, born June 22, 1791; Juliana, born Sept. 21, 1792; Josua, born June 14, 1794; Amalia, born Mch 18, 1798. Jacob Blankenbaker and wife Elizabeth had Maria, born Sept. 10, 1788, Daniel, born Apr. 27, 1790. Jacob Blankenbaker and wife Hanna had Jeremias, born June 13, 1794; Philemon, born Sept. 14, 1796; Maria Barbara, born May 27, 1798. Henry Blankenbaker md Phebe Yager, daughter of John Yager, prior to 1790 and had Jacob, David, Henry, Phoebe, Rosa, and Amy. Nicholas Blomkenbaker( sic), aged 75, was in 1835 a pensioner of the Revolution, residence Shelby Co. Ky. Berler, Parlur, Barlow. Christopher Parlur proved his importations on Apr. 5, 1726. Declared that he came to Va. in 1717 with wife Pauera(?). Jan. 18, 1753, Jacob Barler and wife Mary sold to Christopher Barler 100 acres part of a patent to Matthias Smith dated June 4, 1726. Witnesses are Christopher Blankenbeker, George Utz, Matthias Wilhite. Adam Barlow appears as sponsor for children of Christopher Blankenbaker from 1754 to 1769. His wife Maria appears in same records in 1759. Estate of Adam Barlow, dec’d, was inventoried in Jan. 1786. WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY 89 Broyles (Bryol, Bryoll, Breil, Breils, etc.). On May 2, 1727, John Bryoll proved his right to take up land, making oath that he came to this country about nine years since with Capt. Scott and that he brought with him his wife Ursley and two children, Conrad and Elizabeth. Jacob Bryol on same date made oath that he came into this country about nine years since with Capt. Scott and is granted certificate for 50 acres of land. As will appear later, Jacob was a son of John, old enough to hold land in his own right. On June 2, 1724, a second John Broil proved his importation, stating that he came to this country in November, 1719. No mention is made of wife or children and he received grant for 50 acres. It is possible that he is another and perhaps oldest son of the John who proved his importation in 1727, but if the date 1719 is correct he did not come with the other Broils. John Broil of 1717 patented 400 acres on June 24, 1726. He made will Mch. 7, 1732( ?), probated Feb. 5, 1734. It is witnessed by Michael Holt, N. B. (Balthasar or Paultus) Blankenpaker and Nichles Blankenpaker. He mentions wife and all his children, male and female (not by name) among whom his property is to be divided equally after his wife’s decease. Ursely Broyle, widow of the dec’d, presents the will for probate. The importation paper of John Bryoll makes it clear that two of his children were named Conrad and Elizabeth. Jacob was another son as will appear from the following record. On July 26, 1744, Jacob and Conrad Broil convey to Adam Wilhite 200 acres patented June 24, 1726, by John Broil (part of a larger patent for 400 acres), which 200 acres were bequeathed unto the said Jacob and Conrad Broil by John Broil’s will. As John Broil’s will directed that his estate be equally divided among all his children and as Jacob’s and Conrad’s shares seem to have been 100 acres each, we must look for two other children of John Broil who were living when his estate was divided. His daughter Elizabeth may still be living at that time. The fourth child may have been the John Broil who proved his importation in 1724. Reference to this John is very scant in later records and I believe he left no heirs. For another possible child of John Broil (died 1734) see under Wilhite. 90 WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY On July 28, 1737, Ziriakus Fleishman sold to Jacob and Mary Catherine Broyles 156 acres, patented to said Fleishman June 24, 1726. This association of the grantee’s wife with the grantee in a deed is very rare and must have some significance. My own judgment is that it indicates that Mary Catherine Broyles was the daughter of Ziriakus Fleishman. The language of the deed seems to imply that it is a deed of gift. I note that in about the same language Christopher Zimmerman on Aug. 24, 1737, deeds land to Barbara Zieglar and it turns out in his will of 1748 that Barbara Zeiglar (sic) is his daughter. Jacob Broil patented 400 acres of land on Sept. 28, 1728. He made will Nov. 3, 1761, probated May 19, 1763. It was witnessed by Samuel Klug, Robert Fleshman, and Peter Fleshman. Sons Adam Broil and Nicholas Broil are appointed executors. He leaves to his wife Catherine a plantation of 156 acres (probably the land purchased of Ziriakus Fleishman). This land is to go at wife’s decease to son Matthias Broil, apparently the youngest. Sons Peter Broil, Michael Broil, John Broil, and Zacharias Broil receive each “one hundred acres of land, a Beast, a Cow and Calf, a Bed and a pot and pan.” At the close of the will the testator gives the names of his nine sons and three daughters, apparently in the order of their age, excepting that the sons’ names all come first. They are Adam, Nicholas, Cyrus, Jacob, Peter, Michael, John, Zacharias, and Matthias Broil; and Catharine Wayland, Elizabeth Wilhite, and Mary Broil. On Nov. 18, 1771, Mary Catherine Broile, Adam Broile, Matthias and Eve Broile, his wife, sell to John Glassell 166 acres. This Mary Catherine Broile is probably the widow of Jacob. Jacob Broil, Sr., was married probably about the time he proved his importation, 1727. His son Michael was born in 1740 according to his statement in his application for pension for services in the Revolution. Michael is named sixth in his father’s will and it is certain that Catharine Broil who md John Wayland was born before 1740, 50 that Michael could not be earlier than seventh child. An unconfirmed tradition in one branch of the family makes wife of Jacob Broil, Sr., a Wayland. I find Thomas Wayland in 1729 proving his importation, having brought into the colony among others, his daughter Catherine. WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY 91 This seems to imply that at that time, 1729, his daughter Catherine was not married. If she married immediately after, there is still hardly time for seven children before 1740. Though I was responsible for this tradition appearing in print, I now believe it is incorrect. I next follow briefly the children of Jacob Broil, Sr. Adam Broil md Mary _____. She was probably the daughter of Tobias Wilhoit who in his will dated Sept. 1, 1761, probated May 20, 1762, mentions daughter Mary Broile. Adam Broyl and wife Mary sell land June 17, 1756. However, Cyrus Broil also md Mary _____ who might have been the daughter of Tobias Wilhoit referred to above but I find no wife Mary appearing with Cyrus until 1769. Adam Broyle and wife Mary sold 200 acres to Thomas Porter, June 5, 1780. About this time he moved to Tennessee, settling on Nollychucky Creek in present Washington County. His will dated Apr. 19, 1782, was probated May, 1782, in Washington County, Tenn. He mentions no wife, mentions sons Moses, Aaron, and Joshua; daughters Anne, Milla (Mildred?), Jemima, and Mary. Moses Broyles either did not accompany his father to Tennessee or later returned to Va. He md Barbara Carpenter and had Anna, born May 23, 1787; Nancy, born Dec. 10, 1791. The other children married and left a large progeny scattered throughout the southern states. Jemima Broyles, daughter of Adam, was born 1765 and died Jan. 16, 1860. She md Joseph Brown and had among others Mackey Brown, born Feb. II, 1797, who was father of Joseph Emerson Brown, Governor of Georgia 1857-65 and U. S. Senator 1880-91. Joseph M. Brown, son of Joseph Emerson Brown, was also Governor of Georgia more recently. Nicholas Broil, second son of Jacob who died 1763, md Dorothea and had Daniel, born Aug. 18, 1757; Elizabeth born May 15, 1760 (first wife of Solomon Yager, see below); Abraham, born Sept. 24, 1762; Sarah, born July 21, 1764; Maria, born July 17, 1766; Reuben (date of birth not found; md his first cousin Rosina Broyles, daughter of Cyrus) ; Rosina, born Oct. 23, 1770; Phebe, born July 30, 1773; and Lea, born May 20, 1775. Nicholas Broil moved to Tennessee about 1780. He also 92 WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY had a large progeny who are now scattered over the southern states. Cyrus Broil, third son of Jacob Broil, died 1763, also moved to Tennessee. He md Mary ____ and had apparently but one child, a daughter Rosina, born Nov. 19, 1769, died Oct. 25, 1837. She md 1. Reuben Broyles, son of Nicholas (see above) and had Mary, born Jan. 16, 1788; Elizabeth, born Oct. 27, 1790; Lean, born Apr. 14, 1793; and Rosannah, born Aug. 28, 1795. She md 2. Adam Broyles, born Oct. 7, 1781 (12 years her junior). He was son of Adam Broyles, the blacksmith, a descendant of Conrad Broyles, who came to Va. in 1717. Adam Broyles and wife Rosina had seven children, namely, Malinda, born Mch 11, 1799; James Franklin, born Dec. 24, 1801; Lucinda, born Sept. 14, 1804; Isaac, born Oct. 6, 1806; Amanda, born Jan. 10, 1809; Selina, born Jan. 19, 1811; and Adam, born May 11, 1813. Jacob Broyles, fourth son of Jacob, died 1763, md Elizabeth Yowell and had Lewis (md Mary McCain in 1783); James; Jeremiah; John, born Oct. 27, 1773; Ezekiel, born Oct. 8, 1776; and daughters who md Thomas Prather and Thomas Williamson. Peter Broyles, fifth son of Jacob, died 1763, md Elizabeth, daughter of Zacharias Blankenbaker, see above, and had Zacharias, born Oct. 19, 1768; Margaret, born Nov. 25, 1769; Jacob, born Feb. 17, 1771 Solomon, born July 7, 1772; John, born Nov. 27, 1773; Aaron, born Oct. 26, 1775; Mary, born , 1778; Daniel, born Nov. 27, 1790. Peter Broyles and family moved about 1800 to present Monroe Co., West Va., where many of his descendants live to this day. See Morton’s History of Monroe County, West Va. Michael Broyles, sixth son of Jacob, died 1763, md Elizabeth Klug, daughter of Parson Samuel Klug. They had at least one son, Michael, born Jan. 19, 1777. War department records show that on Nov. 8, 1833, while a resident of Washington Co., Tenn., he applied for a pension. In his application he states that he was born in 1740 in Culpeper Co., Va., and that he enlisted May 1, 1776, and served as private in Capt. Russell’s company of militia and was discharged Jan. 1, 1777; that he was called out the same WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY 93 month to guard the prisoners taken at the battle of Princeton in which duty he served until March, 1777; that in the fall of 1778 he moved to Western North Carolina (now Tennessee) where his house on the Nolachucky was the fort that guarded the frontier to the end of the war; and that he also served under Col. Sevier in the North Carolina militia for three months. So far as I have found out he was the first of the family to emigrate to Tenn. Nothing further is known of his family. Many of the untraced Broyles of the south probably descend from him. John Broyles, seventh son of Jacob, died 1763, md Margaret _____ and had Margaret, born Dec. 20, 1776, and probably others. John Broile and Margaret, his wife, and Zacharias Broile and Delilah, his wife, on Mch II, 1778 sell to Anthony Berry 200 acres, part of patent to Jacob Broile for 400 acres, dated Sept. 28, 1728. It was probably the same John Broyle (deceased) whose estate was appraised June 28, 1785. He was probably the John Broyle of Culpeper County whose estate was finally administered upon in Oct., 1799. The difference in dates suggests that there had been some young children and the final settlement was delayed until they came of age. The admx is Frances Myrtle, late Frances Broyles. On Jan. 16, 1787, marriage license was granted to Benjamin Myrtle and Frances Broyles. She seems to be the widow of the John Broyle whose estate was appraised in 1785; and she also seems to have been a second wife in view of the fact that John had wife Margaret in 1778. Or else there were two John Broyles of this time. Rosannah Broyles who md Laurence Garr, born 1767 (see Garr Gen., page 68); Nancy Broyles who md 1. Barnett Wilhite, 2. Lewis Deer; Lucy Broyles who was second wife of Thomas Broyles, son of Zacharias; and Michael Broyles may have been the children of this John Broyles as they are not otherwise accounted for. Zacharias Broyles, eighth son of Jacob, died 1763, md before 1768 to Delilah Clore, daughter of Peter Clore (see below) and had Benjamin, born Apr. 7, 1768; Nimrod, born Dec. 19, 1771; Zacharias, born Mch 1, 1774; Elizabeth, born Apr. 6, 1776; Solomon, born June 1, 1778; Susanna, born May 30, 1783; Anna, md Joseph Wilhite; Rhoda, md 1. Lewis Wayman, 2. John Pringle 94 WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY (their daughter Mildred Pringle was the writer’s maternal grandmother); Judith, md _______ Tanner; Barbara, md Humphrey Leathers; and Thomas, md 1. ________ and had two children, Hester Ann who md John Deering, and Mary who md Christopher Broyles; md 2. Lucy Broyles (see above) and had eight children. Zacharias Broyles, Sr., made will May 26, 1802, probated Jan. 27, 1803. He mentions wife Delila; children Susannah, Anna, Rodia, Thomas, Barbara Catherine, and Judith; no other children mentioned, but Benjamin Broyles, who was one of the executors, was certainly a son. Zacharias, Jr., had gone to Ky. about 1799 where he reared a large family. Some of the others may not have been mentioned because they also had gone to remote places. Matthias Broyles, ninth and youngest son of Jacob, died 1763, md Eva Klug, daughter of Parson Samuel Klug. They had at least one son, Matthias, born Apr. 21, 1776. Matthias Broyles witnessed the will of Adam Broyles in Washington Co., Tenn., in 1782. He may be the ancestor of many of the untraced Broyles of Tennessee. Catherine Broyles, daughter of Jacob, died 1763, md John Wayland. See under Wayland. Elizabeth Broyles, daughter of Jacob, died 1763, md Conrad Wilhite, son of Tobias. See under Wilhite. Nothing is known of Mary Broyles, daughter of Jacob, died 1763. We return now to Conrad Broyles, brother of Jacob, and son of the John who died in 1734. In the deed of Jacob and Conrad Broil, 1744, referred to above, Margaret, wife of Conrad, relinquishes her dower. George Moyer, Jr., and wife sue Conrad Broyle and wife in 1744 for trespass. Courtly (sic, but undoubtedly meant for Conrad) Broyl was appointed in 1747 to assist George Clore as overseer of a highway. On June 20, 1754 Courtly (sic) Broyl and Margaret, his wife, sell to Michael Yager. This date may mark his departure from Va., for I do not find him again on the Va. records. His will was probated 1782 in Randolph Co., North Carolina. He is given as Conrad Briles. Mentions sons Frederick, Adam, and George Briles; and WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY 95 granddaughters Mary and Margaret Briles. The Adam Broyles who in about 1790 settled on Little Limestone, Washington Co., Tenn., was almost certainly the son of Conrad and not his grandson, as claimed by some of his descendants. This Adam Broyles, the blacksmith, had sons George; Jacob and Isaac (twins), born June 24, 1779; Adam, born Oct. 7, 1781, died Sept. 15, 1863, md Rosina Broyles, see above; Mary, md John Stout; and Rebecca, md Daniel Moore. The descendants of the various lines of the Broyles families run up into the thousands and are scattered mostly over the south and west. (To be continued)