Eller Chronicles FEB 95 SE Intorduction


LIST OF SOURCE MATERIAL AND REFERENCE BOOKS: "James Hook and Virginia Eller” - Authors, James Hook and Virginia Eller, Published in 1925 "George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America" - Author, James W. Hook, Published in 1957 "Pennsylvania German Pioneers", Volumes 1 & 2, - Author, Straussberger & Heinke, Published in 1934 by the Pennsylvania German Society at Morristown, Pennsylvania Copyrighted in 1966 by General Publishing Company at Baltimore, Maryland "A Collection of 30,000 Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French, Portuguese and Other Immigrants in Pennsylvania", Author, Daniel Rupp, Published in 1965 by General Publishing Company in Baltimore, Maryland "Compendium of American Genealogy Society in Chicago, Illinois, 1937 "Compendium of American Genealogy=First Families of America" Volumes IV & VII, Published by the Institute of America Genealogy Society in Chicago, Illinois, 1937 "Refugees of Revolution", Author, Wittke, "Pennsylvania Dutch", Author, F. Klees, Published in 1950 by McMillan Co., in New York. "History of Fayette County, Iowa", Published by Western Historical Co. in 1878 "First Census of Maryland-1790" and "First Census of Pennsylvania-1790", Published by Washington Printing Office "Mountains and Meadows", a Pioneer History of Montana 1895-1925, Compiled by Mrs, Clarence J. Rowe

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*INTRODUCTION* Creta's first introduction: both were included in her book. *Early Eller Ancestory* Actually little early information is available on the lineage of Joshua Nubo Eller. A book published presumably by James W. Hook, 80 Temple Street, New Haven, Connecticut seems to be the only authentic one taken from the Library of Congress Files. According to the book, thirteen families with the name of Eller took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province of Pennsylvania between 1740 and 1772, after leaving their native country of Germany. Of the families arriving, only the names of George Michael Eller and his brother Henry Eller were ever recorded in deed records of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Christian Eller apparently came over about the same time, but no mention is made of his relationship to George Michael of Henry. After checking out these and their ancestors, nothing seems to tie in with Joshua Eller, so I assume his descendants (ancestors) were some that have gone un-recorded. This I begin my story or "family tree" data with Joshua Nubo Eller and his wife, the former Susan Andress. CRETA ELLER ROBY Creta's second introduction: After several attempts at doing an introduction to this book, we have decided it truly needs none. We have gathered information for nearly twenty years, but have finally decided it was time to compile it in some form of order. At the last moment, a big "break-through" came, when Rita Eller Wolski went back further and discovered all of the early information, and has generously allowed me the use of such. It is through our combined efforts that we are putting together this book, in our sincere hopes that future generations may find it valuable. There may be a few discrepancies because of errors in early census reports which were taken at different seasons of the year, but we have tried to be as accurate as possible. We also want to thank all of the relatives who have so generously given recent information, supplied pictures for reproduction, and other memento's. RITA ELLER WOLSKI and CRETA ELLER ROBY

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The Eller Family in Germany - Prior to 1740 The Eller Family in Germany is a very old and honorable one, and was one of the most distinguished in the Rhineland. Their original homes were near Dusseldorf, and the farms are presently marked by the village of Eller, a few miles south and east of Dusseldorf. (see map 1) The Eller family once was of royal descent, and the last person to carry the baronetcy title was Christian Ludwig Von Eller. In 1819 Christian Eller willed the Eller estates to his universal heir and nephew, Carl Heinrich Christian Wilhelm von Eberstein. At this time, the Eller and Eberstein family emblems became one. There were many famous Ellers in Germany. The most famous one was probably Frederick Eller, who was the private physician to Frederick the Great. The Eller family in Germany were part of the German Baptist Brethern Church, more commonly called the Dunkers, or Dunkards: a name they acquired for their practice of baptism by triple immersion, or dunking. This group of religious persons was organized by Alexander Mack, his wife, and six others, in 1708 in the village of Schwarzenau. They were opposed to war and the participation of war: were against state-organized religion; believed in equality of all men and therefore were against slavery; were opposed to infant baptism; and lived their lives by examples set forth in the New Testament. Their worship consisted of the enactment of the Last Supper, preceded by a Love Feast and the washing of feet. Religious persecution given this group of worshippers by intolerant rulers and the established churches was the most important reason why our ancestors left Germany. The main church in Germany prior to this time was the Catholic Church. in 1521 Luther broke away from the Catholic Church and set up his own church, the Lutheran Church. Many other smaller denominations branched off after this first break in the church, and dozens of community organized congregations were established in Germany during the next 200 years. there was much pressure put upon the people of Germany to stay with their old established churches, and many abandoned their newly-established churches to return to the Catholic Religion. However, the more faithful followers moved their churches to America where they could worship in peace. There were many other reasons why the Eller Family decided to leave their homeland to come to America. Excessive taxes were being placed upon them by the German Princes in order that they might build magnificent palaces and gardens like those of the French Courts. The Thirty-Years War had left their land devastated, and the political and economic collapse of their Government followed close behind. Famines only added to their already endless burdens and left the land barren. The colonial land agents and ships companies thought it was a good time to encourage these beaten, bitter people to come to America, and propaganda was distributed throughout Germany. William Penn, who had been granted a large tract of land by King Charles II of England as a payment of a family debt, was the most influential person in getting the German people to leave their homeland. His promise of complete religious freedom for everyone without government intervention, along with free grants of land to settlers who would live and work on the land for a certain number of years brought the German immigrants to America by the thousands to settle in Pennsylvania. [these notes were split over three pages in the original publication, but combined here for easier reading [ADE] ] Note: Information in the first two paragraphs shows the influence of J.W. Hook's, 1925 book: James Hook and Virginia Eller, Recent research by EFA members shows nothing in these paragraphs apply to any known Eller immigrant to America. The Elner-Eller-Eberstein line of Dusseldorf were of the nobility, but German genealogists studying that line say categorically no member of this line came to America. Hook thought he was on safe ground to write in terms of a single /Eller /family of Germany which embraced all German Ellers: that was the typical (Cont'd) Note cont'd: family pattern for most American Germans, but we know now that pattern does not apply to Eller families in Germany. The name "Eller" in Germany is applies to many different families not known to be related one to another and, so far, not known to be related to a single Eller immigrant to America. 2) Hook's influence reappears with the statements that Jacob, Melchior, Christian, George Michael and Henry were brothers. Hook stated this as a possibility not a proven fact. However, only Jacob and Melchior (cont'd) Note cont'd: among the five are proven brothers. Alfred tells me he has no knowledge of where the authors found the name of Paul Eller, listed as the father of the "five brothers," Only the father of Jacob and Melchior (Casper Eller) has been documented. Without documented evidence, the name of Paul Eller as the parent of all five, obviously must be rejected, ......J. G. Eller, "Editor, The Eller Chronicles

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The Trip To America

It took from early May to middle October to make the complete journey from their villages to the shores of America. The trip was a long, hard journey which took a huge toll of the immigrants, mostly children.

The trip consisted of three parts: the journey from their village to the port of departure, usually in Rotterdam; the ocean voyage to another port in England; and the final ocean journey to America. It took approximately five to six weeks for the trip from their village to the port of Rotterdam, because they had about 26 custom houses to stop at on the way up to the coast. They had to stop for a few days at each custom house while the ships were being examined. Most of the emigrants money was spent just getting to Rotterdam, with the biggest share of the journey still ahead of them.

The second part of their journey was from Rotterdam to the final port of departure, usually in England. They were delayed here sometimes for weeks waiting for good winds and the countless inspections of their ships.

The third and final part of their voyage was the trip across the ocean lasting from 7-12 weeks. The people were packed into the ships as tightly as possible. Most slept on deck. There was a lack of proper food and water was contaminated. Diseases and fever, dysentery, typhoid, and smallpox were widespread, and the children were the first to die. The ships were infested with rats, who ate what little food there was and helped to spread the diseases further. There were frequent storms which lasted days and nights at a time, and many people were washed overboard. There was also a fear of being captured by pirates and hauled off to be sold as slaves in some other part of the world.

When at last the travelers reached the Delaware River with America in sight, they had still another wait, while the ships were once again examined. If disease was discovered among the people, the ship was put out at sea one mile till all signs of the infection were gone. After docking again, the immigrants were marched down to the City Hall where they gave their oaths of allegiance. This allegiance was forced upon them by the Governors of Pennsylvania whereby they had to denounce the German Princes and place their loyalties with the Governing Body of Pennsylvania. The Immigrants were once again returned to their ships where they were put up for sale. Those who were very rich paid their passage and were immediately set free. The other immigrants were bought and placed into slavery for a period of 4-7 years in order to pay their passage over. This was called the "Redeemtionary System". After this period of enslavement was served, the immigrants were freed and given "Freedom Dues" which were usually a few articles of clothing, and either a parcel of land, or some livestock. Marriage was only allowed when a payment of a goodly sum was made during these years of service, so most waited till their time was served before they married. Most of these "Immigrant Slaves" were treated fairly in exchange for good hard labor.

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The German Colonist Our ancestors were sturdy pioneers, and good farmers. They hated debt, slavery, and felt no need for schooling or social graces. They were good with the soil and produced plentiful crops. Their livestock was always the best fed. These farmers worked harder than most of the other colonists, and they seemed to have an obsession with obtaining more land and cattle with each year. Their homestead cabins were replaced quickly with large sturdy houses built of stone, some of which are still standing in Pennsylvania. Their barns were huge and brightly colored in either yellow, or red. They developed the Conestoga Wagon which was so useful and necessary to travel. They were deeply religious and built their own churches almost before their homes were built. Peter Becker, who was one of the founding members of the German Baptist Brethern Church in Germany, started the original Dunker migration to America in 1719, and by 1723, they had formed the first church in Germantown. By 1729, there was a church at Conestoga, some fifteen miles south of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where Henry Eller and his wife were baptized on April 14, 1754. (See Map 2) Later still the Pipe Creek Church was formed at Union Bridge in Carrol County, Maryland, 2 miles NE of the Eller farm; and the Beaver Dam Church organized in 1762 was still closer to the Eller Farms. The "Dutch Congregation of Pipe Creek" was organized on October 8, 1765, on a branch of Sam's Creek which was about 2« miles SE of Henry Eller's farm. (See Map 3) The German colonists were called "Pennsylvania Dutch," not because they were Dutch, but because they referred to themselves and "Deitsch." The American Revolution was a time of conflict for the peaceful churches. Dunkers, like Quakers, opposed war and refused to fight, even though their loyalties were with the colonists. They were subjected to fines and public abuse for not participating in the Revolution. Some colonists even had their land and property confiscated for refusing to fight. This action caused them to band together tightly for protection and security, and the other colonists hated them for their differences. Shortly after the Revolution, many of the peacemaking churches disbanded or set about to make changes in their beliefs. Congregation members joined other, not so strict, churches so in the future they could help to protect their country in case of war. The Eller family for the most part stayed with the Baptist Churches and several of the North Carolina families helped to establish Baptist Churches in their communities.

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THE ELLER BROTHERS

During the years between 1740 and 1747, five Eller brothers arrived in America, According to the genealogy of George Michael Eller, compiled and proved by his ancestor(Descendent), Virginia Eller Hook, the father of these five brothers was Paul Eller, who remained in Germany. These five brothers in order according to their age were:

Jacob Eller, Sr. who came over about 1747.
Christian Eller, who came over on the ship "Restauration" in 1747, and took his oath of allegiance on October 9, 1747. Christian brought with him a wife and two sons, John and George.

Melchoir Eller, who came over about the same time as his brother, Christian. George Michael Eller, who came over on either the ship "Phoenix" , or "St. Andrew", in 1743, and took his oath of allegiance on October 1743. Henry Eller, Sr., who came over on the ship "Neptune" from Rotterdam, and took his oath of allegiance on October 25, 1746. This is our family's immigrant ancestor. All five brothers were approximately 20-30 years of age. They all settled in Germantown, which was in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. (See Map 2) After a few years time, they spread down through the Virginia Valley and onward south and west to Maryland, North Carolina, and Kentucky.

JACOB ELLER, SR
Jacob was a very devout and educated man. in 1754, he moved to Rowan County, North Carolina; along with his brothers, Christian and Melchoir. On December 31, 1761, he bought land on the Yadkin, or Pedee Rivers in Rowan County, where he died in 1782.
He married Eve Gitchey, and they had five sons and one daughter. Their names were: Jacob, Joseph, Henry, Christian, John Melchoir, and Eve. Jacob later married again to Barbary Eary, and they had a son, Frederick born 1776, and a daughter Elizabeth born 1773.
Jacob's will, as recorded in Book B, Page 145, on Rowan County, N. C. court records on April 12, 1782, listed all his children, and his last wife, Barbary. Some of his children later moved into Tennessee, and several of his sons served in the Revolutionary War.

CHRISTIAN ELLER
Christian also was a very educated man, and brought his family with him from Germany. He had a wife and two sons, John and George. His wife died shortly after arrival in America, and he married a second time. Children of this marriage were Henry, Frederick, Susanna, Mary, and Barbara. He married a third time to Mary Beefle, who gave him 2 sons, Adam, and Martin: and three daughters, Catherine, Valentine, and Margaret.
On January 28, 1762, he purchased land bordering on Crane Creek, east of Salisbury, in Rowan County, North Carolina. After serving in the Revolutionary War, he was granted 100 acres of land on Elk Creek, in Montgomery County, Virginia; and on October 20, 1787, the deed was recorded.
He died in Rowan County, and on April 30, 1804, his will was recorded naming all the above children and his last wife, Mary.
There has been done an extensive research of Christian Eller's Genealogy, and it has been published in a book entitled, "James Hook and Virginia Eller", 1925.

MELCHOIR ELLER
Melchoir also settled on Crane Creek, in Rowan County, North Carolina: and purchased a farm adjoining his brother's on April 10, 1764.
He married Elizabeth Gitchey, a sister to Eve Gitchey, who had married his brother, Jacob. They had six sons: Melchoir, Jacob, George, Leonard, Henry, and John, along with several daughters which were not listed.

GEORGE MICHAEL ELLER
George michael Eller was granted 25 acres of land in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on April 2, 1753. He later settled in Frederick County, Maryland, when he purchased a section of land called "Hammond's Strife", on April 14, 1773. This is recorded in Deed books, pp 96-98. This section of land contained 100 acres and bordered Little Pipe Creek which formed the border between Frederick and Carrol Counties. This property was located 10 miles NE of Frederick Town and just east of the town of Johnsville. (See Map 3)
He died a wealthy man in 1780, and his will recorded on August 25, 1778, in Will Book G.M.,No 1 P. 76; named a wife, Anna Maria, and the following children:

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Peter, who was an issue of his first marriage, was born about 1746; married 1766 to Elizabeth Dick; died 1799 in Ashe County, North Carolina. Elizabeth, from his second marriage, married Heinrich Reb on June 10, 1777, in Frederick County, Maryland. Leonard, from his second marriage, was born March 20, 1754, Married Elizabeth, and died in Hamiltion County, Indiana about 1839. Jacob, who married Magdalene, died in 1830 in Botetort County, Virginia. George, whose wife was Susannah, died in 1839 in Davidson County, N.C. John, who married Catherine Fight on August 10, 1785. Eve. Catherine, who married Peter Lehman on May 27, 1788. Maria. His sons, and their sons, moved into Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska. Some are still active members of the Church of the Brethern. Genealogy on George Michael Eller has been done and the facts compiled in a book entitled, "George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America", written by James W. Hook, and published in 1957. HENRY ELLER, SR. Henry Eller, Sr., married Elizabeth Bigler, daughter of Mark and Catherine Bigler, in Pennsylvania. According to a deed recorded in Deed Book K, Pg. 1284, of Frederick County, Maryland: Henry bought a parcel of 90 acres in "Hammonds Strife" near his brother George Michael, on June 6, 1767. He sold this property on June 14, 1771, as shown in Deed Book O, Pg. 3. (See Map 3). On June 23, 1772, Henry bought 110 acres on Beaver Dam, a draught of Little Pipe Creek, in Frederick County, Maryland, and sold this property on May 16, 1785. (See Map 3) This deed was recorded in Deed Book P, pg. 128, and Deed Book, WR6, Pg. 4. Henry Eller died in 1788 in Washington County, Maryland. According to a deed dated December 4, 1793, his children are as follows: Joseph, who was listed as being over 45 on the 1800 Census of Maryland; with a wife over 45, and 3 daughters between 16-26, and 3 sons under 10 years of age. Elizabeth, who married Christian Herter. Rebecca, who married Christian Gerber. Henry, Jr., whose wife Fronica gave him five children: Daniel, Abraham, Joseph, and probably two girls. He moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he died in 1832. Jacob Eller, who married Mary Willyard on October 14, 1789, and later married Margareth. Esther, who married George Bechtel on March 18, 1794. Daniel, who married Hannah. (This is the same Daniel who appears on the 1850 Census of Ripley County, Indiana, as Peter's father) Sarah. Magdalene, who married Jacob Gerber. Maria, who married Christian Schaw on August 31, 1803. Salame, who married Henry Schultz. Peter Eller, who signed an heirship release on April 5, 1800, indicating he had reached his majority. This is recorded in Deed book H, pp 657 and 860; Book J, pg. 396; and Book M, pg. 462. (THAT IS ALL OF PAUL ELLER'S SONS THAT CAME FROM GERMANY)

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DANIEL ELLER, (SON OF HENRY SR. GRANDSON OF PAUL) Daniel was born about 1770 in Frederick County, Maryland. He married Hannah, who was born about 1760 in New Jersey. No record can be located listing his children, or heirs. No will was left. However, on th 1850 Census of Indiana, he was shown as living with his son, Peter, and was around the age of 81. He probably died in Indiana sometime during the next 5 of 10 years. (See Sample 2)

PETER ELLER, SON OF DANIEL, GRANDSON OF HENRY SR. GREAT GRANDSON OF PAUL) Peter Eller was born about 1801 in Maryland. He was married to Margaret J. Little in Pennsylvania. She was born in 1810. They had the following children:

Mary Jane Eller, born in Pennsylvania; married James Samuel Crane in 1855; died on April 10, 1918. (See Sample 6). They had six daughters and four sons.
Joshua Nubo Eller, born January 17, 1837; Married Susan Maria Andress on December 4, 1861; died June 18, 1910. They had ten children, five girls and five boys. They were: Fannie, Abraham, Peter, Nancy, Ella, Effie, James, Susan, Alfred, and Ray.
Simon H. Eller, was born about 1842 in Indiana; married Emma J. Follensbee in 1873; died in 1918, they had five children, four sons and one daughter. they are Frank, Fred, Dexter, Margaret, and Edman.
Daniel Eller, was born about 1844 in Indiana.
Hannah Eller, was born about 1846 in Indiana.
Margaret Eller, was born about 1850 in Indiana.

Peter Eller is listed on the 1850 Census of Ripley County, Indiana as 50 years of age, with his five oldest children, and wife Margaret. His father and mother, Daniel and Hannah are also shown as living with him at the time this census was taken. (See Sample 2) He lived in Brown Township. (See Map 4)
In 1860 he was living in Fayette County, Iowa, near Fairfield Township; and in 1880, he was living in Illyria Township. (See Sample 4)(See Map 5)
On February 19, 1861, Peter bought a section of land described as the SE 1/4 SW 1/2 of 21-93-7, in Fayette County, Iowa (See Sample 7)
He died on February 20, 1885, in Fayette County, Iowa, and is buried in Lima Cemetery in Westfield Township. He was 84 years of age.

This history was plagiarized from Creta's 1975 book!)

This publication is a tribute to Creta Florine Eller Roby who died in 1980 after suffering a long bout with cancer. Whe would have been thrilled thei the ELLER FAMILY ASSOCIATION and the CHRONICLES.

So to Creta, Who seldom had an unkind word to say about anyone, "THANK YOU!"

I have tried to faithfully reproduce The JOSHUA NUBO ELLER FAMILY book that Creta and Rita first produced in 1975. I have probably made some errors in copying their work and I apologize in advance for any mistakes. There have been many additions and changes in the 20 years since Creta compiled her book, and I have included some that I know of. Creta formatted her book using family group sheets for every family but that takes up a lot more room so I have opted for the more condensed modified register format. I am not including the maps, samples or all the pictures either, some of the snapshots are quite small and I doubt they would reproduce very well.
I have no information on the PAUL ELLER that Creta thought was the father of the five ELLER “brothers” that immigrated to the United States about 1740 to 1750 and I don't know where she got the information. It seems to have been a mistake as Casper ELLER is now believed to be the father of Jacob and Melchoir.
If anyone has any additional information on any on any descendants of Daniel, Son of Henry ELLER, the immigrant I would appreciate hearing from them.. The more I study this family history, the more questions I have.
I am using the computer program, “FAMILY ORIGINS” from “PARSONS TECHNOLOGY” of Hiawatha, IA.. 52233-0100. which output the data in the modified register format then I modified it using MICROSOFT WORD FOR WINDOWS -6 (which I just started using and am not familiar with yet, so, can I use that as another excuse for mistakes?)
In my database, I have listed most of the women with unknown maiden names, using their married name with a question mark in parenthesis as a middle name (e.g. Margaret (?) ELLER). I find this method makes it easier for me to keep track of someone than it is by using “Unknown” for so many people. The generation numbers start with Henry ELLER, the immigrant as number one, making Joshua Nubo ELLER a member of the fourth generation of ELLERS in America.
I wish to acknowledge the contributions of those who have done research and/or submitted information for publication in THE ELLER CHRONICLES. I have found the work of Clarice V. Stanley, Thelma Hepper, Gail Homeyman, Edith D. Lyle, and others to numerous to mention, most helpfull. I also wish to thank those who have submitted their family data at my request.
I hope everyone enjoys this report as much as I did putting it together. Any additions, corrections or comments (even constructive criticism) would be appreciated.

Alfred D. Eller (no 242 in this paper)
RT 1 BOX 10
FEDORA SD 57337-9106

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