Frederick Augustus ZIMMERMAN (private). Parents: Mark Fay ZIMMERMAN and Grace Isadora GILSTRAP.

Spouse: Gloria Evelyn CLICK. Children were: Martha Ann ZIMMERMAN, Twyla Jean ZIMMERMAN, Bob Lee ZIMMERMAN.

Spouse: Sarah CRAWFORD.


Fredrick Cecil ZIMMERMAN was born on 24 September 1894 in Cass County, Missouri.734 He died on 18 September 1974 in Naches, Yakima Co., WA.734 He had Social Security Number 544-28-6766.1246 Parents: James Dudley ZIMMERMAN and Emilia Victoria TIPPACH.

Spouse: Violet Drusilla KNIGHT. Violet Drusilla KNIGHT and Fredrick Cecil ZIMMERMAN were married on 28 December 1931 in The Dalles, Wasco Co., OR.734 Children were: Verla Mae ZIMMERMAN, David Dudley ZIMMERMAN, Alice Pearl ZIMMERMAN.


Fridrich ZIMMERMAN was born on 30 April 1815 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Parents: Jackob Andreas ZIMMERMAN and Katharina WEIGELIN.


Garvelia Jane ZIMMERMAN (private). Parents: William ZIMMERMAN and Dora Lou Ellen MCGEE.


Georg Bernhard ZIMMERMAN34 was born on 15 April 1772.34 Parents: Bernhard ZIMMERMAN and Christina SCHWEITZER.

Spouse: Elisabeth Catharina KACHELE. Elisabeth Catharina KACHELE and Georg Bernhard ZIMMERMAN267 were married on 10 January 1798 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.898 Children were: Katharina Barbara ZIMMERMAN.


Georg Engelhard ZIMMERMAN was born on 18 November 1712 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He died on 29 August 1714 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Parents: Christian ZIMMERMAN and Maria Barbara EDEL.


Georg Ernst ZIMMERMAN267 was born on 31 July 1812 in feld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Parents: Jackob Andreas ZIMMERMAN and Katharina WEIGELIN.


Georg Friedrich ZIMMERMAN was born on 4 March 1715 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.648 Parents: Christian ZIMMERMAN and Maria Barbara EDEL.

Spouse: Christina SCHWEITZER. Christina SCHWEITZER and Georg Friedrich ZIMMERMAN were married on 24 January 1758 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.648 Children were: Johann Christoph ZIMMERMAN.


Georg Friedrich ZIMMERMAN648 was born on 19 July 1733. Parents: Christoph Jacob ZIMMERMAN and Maria Regina LANG.


Georg Friedrick ZIMMERMAN267 was born on 26 May 1816 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.267 He died on 25 September 1816 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.267 Parents: Johann Christian ZIMMERMAN and Maria Catharina RETSCHMANN.


George ZIMMERMAN1291 was born on 9 May 1785. Parents: John ZIMMERMAN Jr. and Susanna .


George F. ZIMMERMAN28 was born on 25 January 1880. He died on 22 April 1880. Parents: Ambrose Dudley ZIMMERMAN and Mary Elizabeth MARTIN.


George Washington ZIMMERMAN (private). Parents: Reuben ZIMMERMAN and Mary Cates YATES.

Spouse: Margaret Brisco SMITH.


George Washington ZIMMERMAN was born on 22 February 1845 in Jessamine County KY. He died on 31 August 1846 in Jessamine County KY. Parents: James Madison ZIMMERMAN and Mahulda HAACKENSCHMIDT.


George Wilhelm ZIMMERMAN267 was born on 7 February 1809 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.267 He died on 28 June 1848 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.22 He was a Bricklayer. Parents: Bernhard ZIMMERMAN and Barbara Salome SCHAD.

Spouse: Helene Regina GOTTER. Helene Regina GOTTER and George Wilhelm ZIMMERMAN22 were married on 18 October 1835 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.22 Children were: Karl Friedrich ZIMMERMAN, Louise ZIMMERMAN, Wilhelm ZIMMERMAN, Gottlieb ZIMMERMAN, Christian ZIMMERMAN.


Geroge Jakob ZIMMERMAN was born on 26 July 1770. Parents: Bernhard ZIMMERMAN and Christina SCHWEITZER.


Glenda Jean Zimmerman ZIMMERMAN (private). Parents: Thurman ZIMMERMAN and Margaret Louise SMITH.

Spouse: Dudley Reese TIPTON. Children were: Tina Louise Tipton TIPTON, Beau Allen TIPTON.


Gottlieb ZIMMERMAN22 was born on 8 April 1842 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.22 Parents: George Wilhelm ZIMMERMAN and Helene Regina GOTTER.

Spouse: Jakobine Louise MULLER. Jakobine Louise MULLER and Gottlieb ZIMMERMAN22 were married on 25 January 1881 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.22


Dr. Guy ZIMMERMAN Jr. was born on 15 September 1921 in Mount Sterling, Montgomery Co., Kentucky. He had the following military record; Medical Corp on 7 June 1943 in Ft Oglethorpe, Georgia. Name: Zimmerman, Guy
Serial Number: 14106137
Residence: Montgomery, Kentucky
Enlistment Place: Ft Oglethorpe, Georgia
Enlistment Date: 7 June 1943
Grade Alpha: Private
Grade Code: Private
Branch Alpha: Medical Department - For Enlisted Men of the Medical Department (includes Enlisted Men of the Medical Department on Duty with the Dental Corps)
Branch Code: Medical Department - For Enlisted Men of the Medical Department (includes Enlisted Men of the Medical Department on Duty with the Dental Corps) or Army Nurse Corps
Enlistment Term:
Longevity: 000
Source: National Guard in Federal Service, within 3 months of Discharge
Nativity: 05
Birth Year: 1922
Race and Citizenship: White, citizen
Education: 1 year of high school
Civil Occupation: 899
Marital Status: Married
Army Component: 3
Card Number: 0158
Box Number: 2.15
Reel Number: 1062025

Name: Zimmerman, Guy Serial Number: 14106137 Residence: Montgomery, Kentucky Enlistment Place: Ft Oglethorpe, Georgia Enlistment Date: 7 June 1943 Grade Alpha: Pvt Grade Code: Private Branch Alpha: Md Branch Code: Medical Department - For Enlisted Men of The Medical Department (Includes Enlisted Men of The Medical Department On Duty with The Dental Corps) or Army Nurse Corps Enlistment Term: Deferment: 00 1903 Source: Civil Life Nativity: Kentucky Birth Year: 1921 Race and Citizenship: White, Citizen Education: 4 Years of College Civil Occupation: 992 Marital Status: Single, Without Dependents
Army Component: Reserves - Exclusive of Regular Army Reserve and Officers of The Officers Reserve Corps On Active Duty Under The Thomason Act (Officers and Enlisted Men -- O.R.C. and E.R.C., and Nurses-Reserve Status)
Box Number: 0158
Reel Number: 2.15


He died on 6 October 2004 in Pickett County, Tennessee. Was burried on 8 October 2004 in Pickett County, Tennessee. Kentucky Birth Collection, 1852-1999 <http://www.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8788&enc=1>
about Guy Zimmerman
Name:
Guy Zimmerman
Date of Birth: 15 Sep 1921
County: Montgomery
Mother's name: Ila See
Volume Number: 097
Certificate Number: 48414
Parents: Guy Thomas ZIMMERMAN Sr. and Ila SEE.

Spouse: Margaret Lou WELLS. Margaret Lou WELLS and Dr. Guy ZIMMERMAN Jr. were married on 25 September 1945 in Miami, FL. Children were: Ann MCGREGOR, Rex ZIMMERMAN, Guy ZIMMERMAN III.


Guy ZIMMERMAN III (private). Parents: Dr. Guy ZIMMERMAN Jr. and Margaret Lou WELLS.

 

Spouse: Paula Eugenia MANSELL. Children were: Robin Bryanna ZIMMERMAN, Guy Thomas ZIMMERMAN IV.


Guy Thomas ZIMMERMAN Sr. was born on 16 December 1896 in Bath Co., Owingsville, KY. He had the following military record; WWI draft registration in 1918 in Mount Sterling, KY. He died on 20 January 1959 in Mount Sterling, KY. Name: Zimmerman Sr, Guy T
Death Date: 20 January 1959
Place of Death: Montgomery, Kentucky
Age: 62
Residence: Montgomery, Kentucky
State Volume: 03
Office Volume: 59
Certificate: 01420
Was burried in 600 E Locust St. Mount Sterling, KY. Guy signed military draft records . GUY T ZIMMERMAN SR

date: 590120
age: 062
place: MNTGY
residence: MONTGOMERY
volume: 003
cert: 01420
deathvol: 59 Parents: Thomas Ryland ZIMMERMAN and Drusilla Mae "Drucie" MARKLAND.

Spouse: Ila SEE. Ila SEE and Guy Thomas ZIMMERMAN Sr. were married on 29 October 1920 in Montgomary Kentucky. Children were: Dr. Guy ZIMMERMAN Jr..

Spouse: Ila SEE. Ila SEE and Guy Thomas ZIMMERMAN Sr. were married on 29 October 1920 in Montogomery Co., KY.


Guy Thomas ZIMMERMAN IV (private). Parents: Guy ZIMMERMAN III and Paula Eugenia MANSELL.

Spouse: Sarah CAVALARIS. Children were: Huck Lawson ZIMMERMAN, Roan Oak Lawson ZIMMERMAN.


Hailey Ellen ZIMMERMAN (private). Parents: Brian Donald ZIMMERMAN and Jennifer Ellen BRADFORD.


Hans Christopher ZIMMERMAN79,1292,1293,1294 was born on 16 May 1692 in Bietigheim, Wurttemberg. He owned on 29 April 1729 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. April 7, 1729. Christopher Zimmerman, Cooper, of St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., to Frederick Cohler, planter, of the same par. and county. £40 curr., 200 a. of land in St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co. Witnesses: G. Home, — —. Rec. May 6, 1729.

Name: Christopher Zimmerman Date: Apr 7, 1729 Location: Spotsylvania Co., VA Property: 200 a. of land in St. Geo. Par. Spts. Co. Notes: This land record was originally published in "Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, Volume I" edited by William Armstrong Crozier. Remarks: Christopher Zimmerman, Cooper of St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., to Frederick Cohler, planter of the same par. and county. 40 curr., 200 a. of land in St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co. Rec. May 6, 1729. Description: Grantor Book date: A Occupation: Cooper He owned on 6 October 1730 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Octr. 6, 1730. Christopher Zimmerman of St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., to William Johnson of same county and parish. £20, 280 a. in St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co.—part of tract granted sd. Zimmerman by patent Septr. 28, 1728. W. Russell, Andrew Wilson, Tomas Whiland. Decr. 1, 1730. Elizabeth, wife of Christopher Zimmerman, acknowledged her dower, etc.

Christopher Zimmerman Date: Oct 6, 1730 Location: Spotsylvania Co., VA Property: 280 a. in St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co. Notes: This land record was originally published in "Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, Volume I" edited by William Armstrong Crozier. Remarks: Christopher Zimmerman of St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., to William Johnson of same county and parish. 20, 280 a. in St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co.-part of tract granted sd. Zimmerman by patent Septr. 28, 1728. Decr. 1, 1730. Elizabeth, wife of Christopher Zimmerma Description: Grantor Book date: B Hans signed a will in March 1749 in Culpeper County, Virginia.1295 Christopher emigrated to Virginia in the year 1717 from Alsace, Germany to
Virginia with his wife Elizabeth and sons, Andrew and John. They left because
of religious persecution and their intended destination was Pennsylvania,
however they landed in Virginia. These Germans founded the Hebron Lutheran
Church in Madision Co.,VA in 1724/1725.
At court held for Spotsylvania Co.,Va. on the Thursday, the fifth of April,
1728, Christopher took an Oath to Allegiance" to have the right to own land
in America. On some deeds, he is listed as a "cooper"[a person who makes
casks, barrels, butter churns and other wooden vessels].
Christopher had a will date 30 November 1748 in Orange County, Va.:
"In the name of God Amen, I, Christopher Zimmerman, of St. Mark's Parish in
the county of Orange, being of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be given the
Almighty God therefore, do make this, my last will & Testament in Manner and
form following, that is to say, first, I recommend my soul to the Almighty
God who gave, hoping Thro' the Merits of my Dear Redeemer, Jesus Christ, to
obtain forgiveness for all my sins & as to my Body to be decently buried at
the Discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned and touching the Temporal
Estate as it has been the please of God to bestow upon me. I dispose of it in
the following, viz: first, my desire is that my just debts and funeral
Expenses be paid. ITEM: I give unto my son, John Zimmerman, five pounds
current money of Virginia to be paid by Exec. out of my outlying Debts and
Personal Estate. Item: I give to my daughter, Barbara Ziegler, my second best horse that I have at my death .ITEM: I give and bequeath to my son, Frederick
Zimmerman, the plantation whereon he now liveth containing two hunderd acres
lying in the fork of the Stoney Run, to him and his heirs forever. ITEM:
I give and bequeath to my son Christopher Zimmerman, the plantation whereon I
now live, containing two hundred acres of land, part of a Patent of four
hundred acres of Land, after the decease or marriage of my wife Eliza.
Zimmerman, to him and his heirs forever. ITEM: I give and bequeath to my
daughter Elizabeth Zimmerman the remaining part of the tract of land whereon
I now live, being part of a Patent of four hundred acres and forty acres
acres also to her and heirs forever, also one bed commonly called "Betty's
bed" with the Furniture, also one oval table and six black walnut chairs.
ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter Katherine Zimmerman four hundred
acres of land lying in Augusta County on the west side of the Blue Ridge, to
her and her heirs forever. Also, one bed and furniture, commonly called
"Kathy's bed and furniture" also one oval table and six black walnut chairs,
also one Sorrel pace Horse branded on the near Buttocks and Shoulder thus
LyZ. ITEM: I give all my personal estate not yet given to be equally divided
between my loving wife Eliza. Zimmerman and my six loving children and, I do
constitute and appoint my two sons John and Frederick Zimmerman, executors &
administrators of this my last will and testament revoking all former wills
heretofore by me made, ratifying and confirming this to be my last will and
testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th
day of November, 1748. Signed Christopher Zimmerman. Witnesses were Fras.
Tyler, Francis Strother and Frederick(X)Cobler. Christopher's will was
probated 23 Mar 1749.1
============================================================

Sharon Rouse. He died before 23 March 1749 in Culpeper County, Virginia.1296 Will of Christopher Zimmerman of St. Mark's Parish in the County of Orange, dated Nov. 30, 1748.
Unto my son John Zimmerman L 5 current money of Virginia.
To my daughter Barbara Zeiglar my second best horse.
To my son Frederick Zimmerman all the plantation whereon he now liveth containing 200 acres lying in the fork of Stony Run.
To my son Christopher Zimmerman the plantation whereon I now live containing 200 acres, part of a patent of 440 acres, after the the decease or marriage of my wife Eliza. Zimmerman. To my daughter Elizabeth Zimmerman the remaining part of the tract whereon I now live, being part of a patent for 440 acres. Also one bed commonly called Betty's bed with furniture. Also one oval table ond six black walnut chairs.
To my daughter Katherine Zimmerman 400 acres in Augusta County on the west side of the Blue Ridge. Also on bed and furniture. Also one oval table and six black walnut chairs and also on sorrel pacing horse branded LZ.
All my personal estate to be equally divided between my loving wife Eliza. Zimmerman and my six children.
My loving wife Eliza. Zimmerman and my tow sons John and Frederick Zimmerman executors.

Christopher Zimmerman

Wit: Fras. Tyler, Francis Strother, Frederick (F K) Cobler, Christopher Zimmerman Junr.
23 March 1748 [1749]. Presented by Elizabeth the executrix. Proved by Francis Tyler, Francis Strother and Frederick Cobler. John Zimmerman and Frederick Zimmerman renounced the burthen of the execution. He was a cooper in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany and Culpeper County VA.853 The one hundred and forty-second note is a series on the Germanna Colonies I'll presume that you have received the message from Susan correcting what
I gave as the scientific name for WOAD (Oade), but if you did not, please correct your 141 copy to that it reads "Isatis tinctoria." Thanks go to Susan for following up on this and catching the mistake which probably comes from a failing mind and eyesight.] [As I was doing a spell check on this note, I realized what happened. "Spell Check" objected to the original word and gave me a list of alternatives with one of two buttons to push. I pushed the wrong button, the one which said to accept the alternative offered by the program, and I failed to realize what I had done.] Jeanne B. Cox, a Germanna descendant, asked if I could pinpoint the location of Culpeper Classes 25 and 27. In general, I can't give the locality of the names. I can find some. In class 27, there was a name that I recognized immediately and that was Reuben Zimmerman. I also happened to know that he lived in Stevensburg, a small village along Virginia State Highway 3, the Germanna Highway, a few miles east of the town of Culpeper and not far from Mt. Pony.

Out of the people in the two classes, there is only the one German name, Zimmerman. Why they happened to be there is not entirely known. In the late 1720's and early 1730's there were a few German families living in the area southeast of Mt. Pony. But most of them moved away until only two families were left, the Zimmermans and the Kablers. Records indicate that both Christopher Zimmerman and Frederick Kabler were coopers. Also both families were known to each other in Germany, in particular around Sulzfeld. Possibly, there were good stands of trees which would yield the material for building barrels. Christopher Zimmerman took out several land patents so that he ultimately owned several hundred acres of land. If it were for the purpose of having raw materials, he would have been a very busy cooper. Another reason for living apart from the main body of the Lutherans may have been a marketing decision. Being in the Robinson River community would have been at the extreme edge of the market as the Blue Ridge mountains to the west would not have had many customers for the barrels. Being located at Mt. Pony may have been closer to the center of things.

Other early residents of the Mt. Pony, such as Amberger (Amburgey) and Bloodworth moved closer to the Robinson River community.

One of the lessons of a very small ethnic community such as the Germanic Mt. Pony settlement is that the values of the larger community quickly become the values of the smaller community. The smaller the community is, the quicker the process. Large ethnic communities maintain their values (language and religion, for example) for longer periods of time. The Robinson River community was still holding church services in German nearly a hundred years after the founding of the church. The influx of new people who had not left Germany long before helped to maintain the old order.

The Zimmermans and the Kablers quickly adopted the English church and language and married the English. Before long they were not to be easily distinguished from their neighbors. Reuben Zimmerman was the grandson of the immigrant, Christopher Zimmerman. He kept an inn or ordinary in Stevensburg which was widely accepted as the place to meet. In fact the Church of England vestry used to hold their meetings at Zimmerman's ordinary.

So we can say that Culpeper Class 27 is to be identified with Stevensburg. Near numbers to 27 were probably not far away. I have good ideas about the location of the "Madison Co." and the Little Fork classes. If any of you have ideas about the location of classes, I would like to know your thoughts. to be continued
John Blankenbaker
Beyond Germanna
PO Box 120
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
http://www.wp.com/germanna/
http://www.concentric.net/~sgtgeorg/germhist.shtml

______________________________ Christopher Zimmerman came from Sulzfeld. His land patent was dated 1726 and he stated in his proof of importation that he came in 1717. Sulzfeld lies in the middle of an irregularly shaped space whose corners are Neuenbürg, Oberderdingen, Zaberfeld, and Gemmingen, all villages that have been mentioned.

All of the villages that we have mentioned so far lie in the modern German
state of Baden-Württemberg. In 1717, the political picture was more murky.
Many of the people lived in the Kraichgau which was a series of independent
feudal estates. And the people from Neuenbürg lived on the lands of the
Catholic Church.

Valuation of Christopher Zimmerman's improvements on 400 acres on James River, February 13, 1745.; 137 apple trees planted and carried there, 150 miles, £3; meat and bread carried the same distance and liquor, £1, etc. John Newport and Tim Haldway.

INDEX TO WILLS AND ADMINISTRATIONS : CATALOG CARD

NAME
Zimmerman, Christopher.
DATE
1748.
SOURCE
Will Book 2, 1744-1778 (Reel 23)
p. 138-139. Will pro. 23 Mar. 1748.
p. 141. Inv. & appr. rec. 22 June 1749.
NOTE
Part of index to Orange County Wills and Administrations (1735-1800)
PLACE
Orange County (Va.)
FORM
Wills. aat.
COLLECTION
Virginia wills and administrations.

Subject:
(657)Germanna Colonies, History of
Date:
Thu, 15 Jul 1999 07:43:41 -0400
From:
John Blankenbaker <johblank@pipeline.com>
To:
GERMANNA_COLONIES-L@rootsweb.com

3 June 1729 O.S., Page 316
On petition of Michael Clore to have the road Cleared from Mr: John Lightfoots Plantation into Germanna road, and to have more hands added to their Gang with another Overseer, is granted, And is Ordered that Christopher Zimmerman be Overseer thereof, and that Joseph Bloodworth, Joseph Fox, Frederick Cobler, David Jones, Joseph Cooper, and Conred Ambergue their tithables be added, to aid and assist the Said Clore and his gang to Clear the Same --


4 June 1734 O.S., Page 321
On Motion of Robert Slaughter Gent. for to have a road Cleared from the Glebe in the fork of Rappahannock River, to the South West Mountain Chappel is granted, in order that Christopher Zimmerman be overseer of that part of the Sd. road from the Sd. Glebe, to the Island ford, and all the Male tithables that live within four miles of the sd. Road are ordered to help him Clear & keep in repair the Same, and that Thomas Jones be Overseer of that Part of sd. road from the sd. Island ford, the old way P Wm. Conico. s P Majr. John Taliaferros Quarter Called Cattamount, And all the Male tithables yt. live below ye. sd. Quarter (the quarter it Self Excepted) are ordered to Serve Under the Sd. Jones to help him Clear & keep in repair the Same, And that Alexander Waugh be overseer from the sd. Cattamount Quarter to the South West Mountains Road, and all the Male tithables from the head of the Mountain Run Downwards, are ordered to Serve Under the sd. Waugh to help him Clear & keep in repair the Same

18 February 1734, O.S. p. 6
Christopher Zimmerman is hereby appointed Surveyor of the highways from the German Road to Potatoe Run & it is ordered that the said Zimmerman cause the highways to be cleared & the Bridges repaired in the said precinct according to Law

18 March 1734, O.S. p. 10
On the Petition of Christopher Zimmerman Order is granted him for a License to keep Ordinary at his house in this County for one Year, The said Christopher Zimmerman having paid the Governours dues & having together Mr: Abraham Field and Mr Samuel Ball his Security entered into bond according to Law and the said Zimmerman, Field & Ball have acknowledged their said Bond it is admitted to record.

20 May 1735, O.S. p. 14
On the Petition of Christopher Zimmerman to have Sufficient force appointed him to help to clear & keep in repair the Highways from the German Road to Potatoe Run it is ordered that all Male labouring tithables of Mr: Finlassons Francis Michaels John Bonds Thomas Burns and William Grays be added to the said Zimmermans gang

17 June 1735, O.S. p. 19
On the Petition of Thomas Wright Bellfield to turn the Road that goes thro. his plantation. Christopher Zimmerman Michael Claure and John Michael or any two of them are appointed to view the convenientest and best Way to turn the same and make report of their proceedings to the next Court.

16 September 1735, O.S. p. 33
Ordered that Christopher Zimmerman and John Kirke with the labouring tithables in their Precincts clear the road that is already marked out from the Glebe to the Church in the Great Fork.

25 August 1737, O.S. p. 199
Ordered that John Finlasson and William Russell Gent do lay of a road from the raccoon fford into the Mountain road in the ffork and that Christopher Zimmermans gang clear the same and it is further Ordered that the part of the Parsons road from the sd Mountain road in the ffork to the river be put down.

23 March 1737, O.S. p. 277
On the petition of Christopher Zimmerman Leave is granted him to keep an ordnary at his own house he having given Security in the Clks office for his performance thereof according to Law & paid the Governours ffees.

22 March 1738, O.S. p. 437
Liberty is granted to Xstopher Zimmerman on his petn to keep Ordnary at his house he having entered into bond according to Law and paid the Governours fees.

27 March 1740, O.S. p. 133
Licence is granted Christopher Zimmerman on his petition to keep ordnary at his Own house he having according to Law paid the Governours fees & entered into bond with Samuel Ball & James Porteus for his keeping the Same according to Law.

28 November 1740, O.S. p. 304
On the Petition of Robert Green Gent for a road to be cleared from Robert Easthams Road where the Same cometh into the Mountain road to the Courthouse Its ordered that Christopher Zimmerman John Roberts & Thos Wright view and lay of the sd road So petitioned for & make return of their proceedings to the next Court.

27 February 1740, O.S. p. 312
The order for Christopher Zimmerman and others to Lay of a road petitioned for by Robert Green Gent is continued untill the next Court to be returned.

26 March 1741, O.S. p. 323
On the petition of Christopher Zimmerman for Leave to renew his Ordinary Licence Liberty is granted him to take out a New Licence he having enterd into bond according to Law and paid the Governours fees.

27 March 1741, O.S. p. 345
The order for Zimmerman and others to Lay of the road petitioned for by Robert Green Gent is continued untill the next Court to be returned.

30 May 1741, O.S. p. 376
The order for Christopher Zimmerman and others to Lay of the road petitioned for by Capt Green Gent is continued to be returned untill the next Court.

26 June 1741, O.S. p. 407
The order for Christopher Zimmerman John Roberts and Thomas Wright to Lay of a road petitioned for by Robert Green Gent being returned into Court with the Viewers return in these words we have viewed and Mark the road from Robert Easthams Road to the Courthouse Its ordered that the petr have liberty to clear the sd road according to the return of the Viewers.

27 August 1741, O.S. p. 463
The order for viewing the roads petitioned for by Goodrich Lightfoot Gent & Christopher
Zimmerman is continued untill the next Court to be returned.

26 September 1741, O.S. p. 37
The order for Viewing the roads petitioned for by Goodch Lightfoot Gent & Christopher
Zimmerman is continued untill the next Court to be returned.

27 November 1741, O.S. p. 59
The order for Viewing the roads petitioned for by Lightfoot & Zimmerman wch is the best is continued untill the next Court to be returned.

28 November 1741, O.S. p. 78
Ordered on the Motion of Captn Robert Green that the people on ye Mountain Run clear ye road from Mr: Easthams to the Gleebe And that the Tithables of ffrancis Slaughter Gent of Wm Strother Christopher Zimmerman John Newport Charles Morgan Bryan Thornton James Conner Wm Lynch Minor Will Jacob Miller Frederick Cobler Wm Watts Thos Watts James Steward James Chissum Wm Pannell Daniel Underwood Jeremiah Strother Roger Topp Joseph Bottom Wm Smith & John Lowing clear Mr: ffinlassons Road under Thos Wright their Overseer who is
hereby orderd to clear ye same & keep the bridges of ye sd road in repair according to Law with the afd tithables.

26 February 1741, O.S. p. 104
The order for Jno Cattlett James Pendleton & Phillip Clayton Gent to view wch of ye roads be the best and Convenientest either that from Cedar run petitioned for by Goodrich Lightfoot Gent or the old road petitioned for by Zimmerman being returned into Court with the Viewers return thereon in these Words In obedience to an Order of Orange Court We the Subscribers have viewed the road therein mentioned and find the new road petitioned for by the said Lightfoot to be the Most Usefullest and best way Its therefore ordered that the said New road be cleared according to the viewers report & that the old road be put Down.

26 March 1742, O.S. p. 129
Liberty granted Christopher Zimmerman on his petition to renew his ordinary Licence he having enterd into bond according to Law & paid the Governours fees.

22 July 1742, O.S. p. 177
On the petition of William Russell Gent for a road from the German road where the Courthouse road divides itself to the next road called Bloodworths road near the Church its ordered that Christopher Zimmerman and Richard Wright view lay of and mark the said road & make report to the next court of their proceedings.

24 September 1742, O.S. p. 248
The order for Christopher Zimmerman & Richard Wright to view & lay of ye road petitioned for by Wm Russell Gent from the German road where the Courthouse road divids it to ye new road called Bloodworths road near ye Church not being returnd its ordered that ye same be continued into the old road and likewise to be viewd and layd off to Colo Slaughters Mill into Carters old road that leads to Normans ford & to be continued untill the next Court to be returned.

29 January 1742, O.S. p. 344
The order for viewing and laying of the road petitioned for by Wm Russell Gent from the German road where the Courthouse road divides to ye new road called Bloodworths road near the Church and thence to be continued into the old road & from thence to be viewed and 1ayd off to Col° Slaughters Mill into Carters old road that leads to Normans ford. Christopher Zimmerman and Richard Wright not having performed the viewing and laying off the said Road according to last Courts order Its ordered that Wm payton and ffrancis kirtley view and lay of ye same & make report of their proceedings to the next Court.

25 March 1743, O.S. p. 401
On ye petn of Christopher Zimmerman for Liberty to renew his ordinary Licence, Licence is granted him to keep ordinary at his own house he having with John Newport entred into Bond according to law & acknowledged the same & paid the Governours fees, the sd bond is admitted to Record.

25 August 1743, O.S. (probable date)
On the Petition of John Zimmerman & other German Inhabitants for a bridle Road to their Chappell Ordered that they clear such bridle Road at their PP expence not prejudicial to any Plantation.

22 March 1743, O.S. p. 58
On ye Petn. of Christopher Zimmerman for Ordinary Licence he having entered into Bond wth Leonard Zeglieur his security Accordg to Law & having pd the Governr fees the sameis granted him which is Ordered to be Certified.

23 May 1745, O.S. p. 325
Upon the Petition of Christopher Zimmerman he is allowed to keep ordinary at his house in this County for one year from this Time Giveing Security whereupon he with John Finlason Gent his Security Entered into and acknowledged their bond for his keeping the said ordinary according to Law and it is Ordered that the Clerk of this Court do prepair a Licence for him accordingly.

22 May 1746, O.S. p. 471
Upon the Petition of Christopher Zimmerman he is allowed to keep Ordinary at his House in this County for the Space of a Year from this Day Giving Security on which he together with Charles Morgan is Security entered into and Acknowledged their Bond for his keeping the sd Ordinary according to Law and it is Ordered that the Clerk of the Court do prepare a Licence for him Accordingly.

26 February 1746, O.S. p. 106
Ordered That a Road be cleared from Fleshmans bridge the way formerly Cleared to the bridge below The old German Mill near the german Church and that John Zimmerman be Surveyor thereof & The hands formerly on the same are to attend and obey the said Surveyor in clearing and keeping The same in repair and that the said Surveyor cause Posts of Direction to be set up Where necessary.

26 March 1747, O.S. p. 12l
Ordered that John Zimmerman & Wm: Hensley do some time between this & the next Court Go to vew & Mark the most Convenient way from a Poplar by a Corner of Robt: Kings Plantation where another road Endeth & Cometh into the road called Bloodworths road by a branch which is Called Cattail Branch & report the Court whither a road can be Conveniently made.

28 May 1747, O.S. p. 147
Upon the Petition of Christopher Zimmerman he is alowed to Keep an Ordinary at his house In this County for one whole year from this time giving security whereupon he with Francis Strother his security entered into and Acknowledged their Bond for his Keeping the said Ordinary according to Law & it is Ordered that the Clerk Of this Court do prepare a Licence for him Accordingly.

28 May 1747, O.S. p. 151
Ordered that John Zimmerman Michael Cook & Zacharias Plankenpecker or any two of them do some time between this and the next Court go to and vew the way from a poplar by the Corner of Robert Kings Plantation where another road endeth to bloodworths road by Cattail Branch and report to the Court if the same way be Convenient for a Road.

23 July 1747, O.S. p. 7
Michael Cook John Zimmerman & Zacharias Blankenbecker in Pursuance of an Order of This Court for Vewing a way This day made Return That According to an order of the Worshipfull Court of the County of Orange We the Subscribers have viewed the new Road Begining at a Poplar by the Corner of Robert King.s Plantation And runing along their old Rolling road to James Youills Plantation & Turns out of the said Road on the Top of a Hill & Runing a Straight Course to John Thomas.s rolling road & along the said Road upon Peter Fleshmans land & Turns out of the said Road by the side of a Branch and a run up a Bottom on Top of the hill into John Thomas.s Old Rolling road & along the said road into John Zimmermans Plantation & Turns out of The said road into John Zimmermans Path & along the said Path & turns out of the said Path in a Bottom And runs a Cross the Cattail Branch to Bloodworths road in a Bottom by a Ring Oak Whereupon It is Ordered That Robert King Joseph King John Thomas John Sheppard
Christopher Youill James Youill David Youill William Hensley Thomas Garrott Richard Mullice Anthony Head William Carrol John Sampson do clear the said Way & Keep it in Repair.

26 May 1748, O.S. p. 115
James Suggitt Foreman, Bryant Thornhill, Matthew Tool, John Wharton, Tully Choice, Francis Williams, John Willis, William Kelly, Robert Terril, William Christopher, Zachary Gibs, Thomas Dillard, Thomas Burke, Christopher Hoomes, William Duncan, John Robins & William Strother were sworn a Grand jury of Inquest for the Body of this County & having received their Charge withdrew & after some short Time returning into Court made the following Presentments. .We like do present Robert Hudison by the Information John Zimmerman for not keeping the Road in Repair from Rone.s Quarter to Fox Mountain.. And having Nothing farther to present were discharged.


26 May 1748, O.S. p. 117
Upon the Petition of Christopher Zimmerman Junr. he is allowed to keep Ordinary at his Father.s House for a whole Year from this Time giving Security whereupon he with Christopher Zimmerman his Security entered into & acknowledged his Bond for his keeping the said Ordinary according to Law and It is Ordered That the Clerk of the Court prepare a Licence for him accordingly.

23 March 1748, O.S. p. 176
Ordered that Henry Field Gent John Kines & John Zimmerman or any two of them do some time between this and the next Court go to & view the Way from Robert King.s Plantation to Tenant.s Church & report to the next Court the most convenient Way for a Road.

Christopher emigrated to Virginia in the year 1717 from Alsace, Germany to
Virginia with his wife Elizabeth and sons, Andrew and John. They left because of religious persecution and their intended destination was Pennsylvania, however they landed in Virginia. These Germans founded the Hebron Lutheran Church in Madision Co.,VA in 1724/1725. At court held for Spotsylvania Co.,Va. on the Thursday, the fifth of April, 1728, Christopher took an Oath to Allegiance" to have the right to own land in America. On some deeds, he is listed as a "cooper"[a person who makes casks, barrels, butter churns and other wooden vessels].Christopher had a will date 30 November 1748 in Orange County, Va.:"In the name of God Amen, I, Christopher Zimmerman, of St. Mark's Parish in the county of Orange, being of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be given the Almighty God therefore, do make this, my last will & Testament in Manner and form following, that is to say, first, I recommend my soul to the Almighty God who gave, hoping Thro' the Merits of my Dear Redeemer, Jesus Christ, to obtain forgiveness for all my sins & as to my Body to be decently buried at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned and touching the Temporal Estate as it has been the please of God to bestow upon me. I dispose of it in the following, viz: first, my desire is that my just debts and funeral Expenses be paid. ITEM: I give unto my son, John Zimmerman, five pounds current money of Virginia to be paid by Exec. out of my outlying Debts and Personal Estate. Item: I give to my daughter, Barbara Ziegler, my second best horse that I have at my death .ITEM: I give and bequeath to my son, Frederick Zimmerman, the plantation whereon he now liveth containing two hunderd acres lying in the fork of the Stoney Run, to him and his heirs forever. ITEM:
I give and bequeath to my son Christopher Zimmerman, the plantation whereon I now live, containing two hundred acres of land, part of a Patent of four hundred acres of Land, after the decease or marriage of my wife Eliza. Zimmerman, to him and his heirs forever. ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Zimmerman the remaining part of the tract of land whereon I now live, being part of a Patent of four hundred acres and forty acres acres also to her and heirs forever, also one bed commonly called "Betty's bed" with the Furniture, also one oval table and six black walnut chairs. ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter Katherine Zimmerman four hundred acres of land lying in Augusta County on the west side of the Blue Ridge, to her and her heirs forever. Also, one bed and furniture, commonly called "Kathy's bed and furniture" also one oval table and six black walnut chairs, also one Sorrel pace Horse branded on the near Buttocks and Shoulder thus LyZ. ITEM: I give all my personal estate not yet given to be equally divided between my loving wife Eliza. Zimmerman and my six loving children and, I do constitute and appoint my two sons John and Frederick Zimmerman, executors & administrators of this my last will and testament revoking all former wills heretofore by me made, ratifying and confirming this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of November, 1748. Signed Christopher Zimmerman. Witnesses were Fras. Tyler, Francis Strother and Frederick(X)Cobler. Christopher's will was probated 23 Mar 1749.1
===========================================================

Christopher Zimmerman came in 1717. He lived near Mt. Pony, not far from
Salubria. He was a cooper and he probably chose to live near Mt. Pony
because he was closer to the markets for barrels and casks. Being in
an English area, he rapidly adopted English customs and within a few
years he was a Lt. in the militia. He also kept an inn because he lived
near the Carolina road and he said travelers were always stopping
at his house and asking for accommodations. He had a son, John, by
his first wife who chose to live in the Robinson River Valley.

--
John.Blankenbaker@comcast.net <mailto:John.Blankenbaker@comcast.net>


Parents: Christian ZIMMERMAN and Eva DÜNSTLERIN.

Spouse: Dorothea ROTTLE (WITTLER). Dorothea ROTTLE (WITTLER) and Hans Christopher ZIMMERMAN were married on 27 July 1710 in Bietigheim, Wurttemberg.1158 Children were: John ZIMMERMAN, Still Born ZIMMERMAN.

Spouse: Elizabeth ALBRECHT. Elizabeth ALBRECHT and Hans Christopher ZIMMERMAN78,79 were married on 4 September 1714 in Bietigheim, Wurttemberg.12 They12 lived in Germanna in 1717. The following is compiled from The History of the Hebron Lutheran Church, Madison County, Va., From 1717-1907. By Rev. W.P. Huddle, Pastor. Printed by Henkle & Company, New market, Virginia, 1908

In the year 1717 a little band of German Lutherans set sail from Germany to settle in Pennsylvania. Their vessel stopped in London. The captain of the ship was imprisoned several weeks for debt. By this delay part of the ship's provisions were consumed. What remained was insufficient to meet the needs of the passengers and many died of hunger. After a stormy trip, they were driven south by a storm and 20 families consisting of 80 persons were landed on the Virginia coast instead of Pennsylvania. Their captain's (Scott?) 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 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. * They were settled by him (Spotswood) on the south side of the Rappidan River near Germanna, about twenty miles above Fredericksburg. This settlement is not to be confused with the German reform at Germanna.

The names of eight of these settlers; Christopher Zimmerman Mathew (Michael) Smith Michael Cook Andrew Kerger Henry Snyder Christopher Pavlur Hans Herrenberger John Motz The other twelve were: Conrad Amburger Balthaser Blankenberger Nicholas Blankenberger Matthias Blankenberger Michael Clore George Shible (Scheible?) George Mayer Michael Keifer Michael Holt George Utz Zerichias Fleshman Andrew Bellenger

The last twelve names together with six others were being sued in the courts of Spotsylvania county in 1724 for money, which Colonel Spotswood claimed was given them for their transportation. Three of them made oath that they came to this country in 1720. (Virginia magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XII pp. 350 and 351

The part of Germany from which they came can not be stated positively. The Moravian Diary states that most of the members of this church came from Wurtenburg. Rev. John Casper Stover, pastor from 1733 to 1739, states that they came from Alsace, the Palatinate and neighboring districts. The cause of their immigration was, "on account of the then well known persecutions." This was the time of the war of the Spanish succession and the wars of Louis XIV.

On April 23, 1724, Zerichias Fleshman and George Utz layed a petition before the Colonial Counsel at Williamsburg in behalf of themselves and 14 other High-Germans, then living near Germanna, in which they complained that Colonel Spotswood had unjustly sued them in the courts of Spotsylvania County for the non-performance of a certain agreement claimed to be made with him for money advanced them upon their transportation into the colony. The suits against three of them were dismissed but no record was found of how the others were finally settled.

In the year 1724, we found that Spotswood's suit against four of them, Michael Holt included, had been dismissed showing that they had served out the time for transportation and were free to move. 1724, July 7 - It was ordered by the Spotsylvania County Court that the action of debt brought by Col. Spotswood against Michael Holt be dismissed, "the plaintiff not appearing to prosecute". These people were very religious and brought their Bibles, hymn books and religious books with them. In 1725, they sent two of their members ,Michael Cook and Ziriakus Fleshman, to Germany to get a pastor and while they were gone, they built a chapel. The initial attempt to gain a pastor was unsuccessful.

1726, June 24 - George I of England granted 400 acres to Michael Holt of St. George Parish in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

1726, Nov. 1 - On petition of the Germans, Francis Kirkley and George James were ordered "to lay out and make the most convenient way for ye Germans' Mountain Road," which was done, and Michael Holt was appointed overseer.

1727, Aug.2 - Robert Spotswood asked the Court to remove Michael Holt as surveyor of the "Mountain Road," which was done, and Michael Clore was appointed in his place.

1728, September 28 - George II of England granted 245 acres to Michael Holt of Saint Georges Parish, Spotsilvania County, Virginia. Deed was witnessed by "our Trusty and Welbeloved William Gooch Esq. Our Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Colony and Dominion at Williamsburg under the Seal of our said Colony the twenty eight day of September One Thousnd Seven hundred and Twenty Eight In the Second Year of Our Reign.

As previously stated, The Rev. John Casper Stover was their first regular pastor of this church in 1733. In 1734, the congregation decided to send to their brethern in Europe for funds to help build a church. Accordingly, in the Fall of 1734, Rev. Stover, Michael Schmidt - and elder, and Michael Holt - a member of the congregation, were sent to Europe to solicit funds to aid in building a church, establishing a school and supporting an assistant pastor. Before they started across the ocean, they tried to get a recommendation from the governor of the province. As the governor did not know their poverty, they laid a petition before the court of Spotsylvania County. The court certified to the truth of what they affirmed as to their condition and circumstances. See Court Order Book 1730-1738, Spotsylvania County, page 337.

With this certificate, they applied to Governor Gooch who certified to the truth of what they had done and their need of help. The seal of the colony was affixed and signed by William Gooch, September 18, 1734.

This time their effort was successful. John Casper 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.

They went to England but we have no record of the gifts or subscription they received there. From England they went to Holland, through Germany and finally came to Danzig on June 11, 1736. Here Michael Holt left them and returned by way of London to Virginia. It appears that he brought a Mr. Klub with him as an assistant pastor. The commission gathered about 15,000.00, one third paid the commission's expenses and the remainder was used to finish the church and to buy land for the congregation and slaves to work.

On August 29, 1740 we find the congregation accepting the Unaltered Augsburg Confession. This is signed by George Samuel Klub, Pastor, Michael Cook, Michael Smith, Michael Holt, Michael Klore and Michael Utz. 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.

Submitted by Cornelia Holmes Descendant of Michael Holt Note_27
More information about the names of the Germans who came is provided by the Proofs of Importations, commonly called Head Rights. These originated early in the 1600's when it was desired to encourage immigration (to Virginia). For every person, man, woman and child, who came into the colony of Virginia, one could claim 50 acres of the Crown's land. These rights were transferrable and it quickly became the practice that the person who paid the transportation would get the headright. To actually get the headright certificate, one went to court and swore to his arrival. A certificate was issued to whomever was designated.
A number of these are recorded in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia. Twelve heads of family from the First Colony went on either the 7th Apr or the 3rd June, both in 1724 and told who came and when they came; however, not all forty-two people are identified; there are gaps.
Among the Second Colony families, the following made their proofs of importations
John Motz, wife Maria Pelona (Appollonia)
Hans Herren Burgud (Harnsberger), wife Anna Purve, son Stephen
Christopher Zimerman, wife Elizabeth, sons John and Andrew
Henry Snyder, wife Dorothy
Matthew Smith, wife Katherina
Michell Cook, wife Mary
Andrew Kerker, wife Margeritta, dau. Barbara
Christopher Parlur (Barlow), wife Pauera
All of the above stated they came in the year "one thousand seven hundred and seventeen". Next there are a group of people who stated they arrived "nine years since in Capt. Scott". These statements were made 2 May 1727. Exactly nine years earlier would have been May of 1718; however, just two months prior to that would have been, by the calendar then in use, 1717. Thus it would appear that the following people also arrived in 1717 with the others
Jacob Bryoll, (alone, but a member of the following family)
John Bryoll, wife Ursley, children Conrad and Elizabeth
Nicholas Yager, wife Mary, children Adam and Mary
Phillip Paulitz, wife Rose, children Margarett and Katherin.
Also, one man testified in 1729 (October, actually) that he came "about twelve years since in the ship called the Mulberry". Exactly 12 years earlier would have been October 1717 and it is very unlikely that the 1717ers had even left London yet. For a couple of reasons, including the above, it is doubtful that the following are 1717ers but for completeness here are names
Georg Lang, his wife Rebecca.
At this point the evidence is an embarrassment of riches and there is evidence of still others.

Note_30
Before the Second Colony had moved from New Germantown to their new and permanent homes, more immigrants were moving in. Some of these individuals came in a remarkably short time. Remember that the Second Colony members had planned to go to Pennsylvania so if more Germans arrived in Virginia within a couple of years, they were either accidentals (as the bird watchers say) or they knew they wanted to go to Virginia.
Apparently, the Second Colony members wrote home immediately after their arrival so their friends and relatives knew where they were. That they were friends or relatives (or even both) seems obvious by the case of Christopher Zimmerman and Nicholas Kabler. Both of these families were from Sulzfeld. Christopher said he came in 1717 while Nicholas said he came in 1719. Both settled in the Mt. Pony area and both were described as being coopers. It would appear that Christopher Zimmerman wrote home as soon as he arrived and told the folks in Sulzfeld where he was. Considering the pace of mail then which had a hit or miss aurora to it, it seems that Nicholas Kabler must have made his decision to go almost immediately upon receiving the news. It is certainly hard to escape the conclusion that he wasn't influenced by a knowledge of Christopher Zimmerman.
Some writers have referred to a Third Colony and even implied that it was larger than the either of the first two colonies. It does not appear that there was an organized group that came in the time period of 1718 to a few years later. It is a mistake to refer to a Third Colony. But the Germans did continue to come. By 1724 Spotswood could say there were about a hundred Germans, implying they were at New Germantown. Since the original contingent was seventy-odd, the increase would probably consist of two elements, natural net growth of the original group plus new comers.
The new comers are best described as a series of individuals who either were coming at the invitation of friends and relatives or of accidentals who, for one reason or another, found themselves in Virginia. At the same time, it appears that some individuals were already leaving Virginia, perhaps under the cover of a dark night. On a net balance the German communities grew steadily until the time of the Revolution when both immigration from Europe stopped and migration within the Colonies probably slowed.
Many, perhaps most, of these new individuals never lived anywhere near the fort at Germanna which, strictly speaking, is the one spot that can be called Germanna. So the question is raised and debated, "What is a Germanna Colonist?"
Readers Comments
Elke Hall points out that among the reasons our ancestors came was "forced deportation". Sometimes a city council would become so fed up with the behavior or the cost of maintaining a family that they sponsored a trip to the New World as a cheaper alternative. (Christoph von Graffenried got started in colonizing plans because he had a contract with the city fathers of Bern to take a number of Anabaptists out of Bern.) Elke also points out that when a person left Germany, he surrendered his citizenship and could not go back to his old home. This was the case of the First Colony members in London when Graffenried defaulted on his promises and suggested they go home. At that time, they had no home.
Note_45
On September 8, 1721, the Lord Commissioners for Trade and Plantations sent a representation to the King [George I] upon the State of His Majesties Colonies & Plantations on the Continent of North America.
The State of Virginia in 1721.
"The Government of this Colony was at first under the direction of a Company; but they being dissolved upon the mal-administration, in the year 1626, His Majesty King Charles the first took the Government into his own hands and settled such laws and constitutions in that province, as were agreeable to those in this Kingdom. Accordingly the nomination & appointment of the Governors, as well as the Council which consists of 12 persons is in your Majesty, & the General Assembly consisting of fifty-two Burgesses has been always chosen by the freeholders.
"The strength and security of this Colony, in a great measure, depend upon their Militia; their plantations being usually at too great a distance from one another to be covered by forts and towns. James Town and Williamsburg are the only Towns [they could be considered as twin cities] in the whole Country; & there is no Fort of any consequence for the security of their great navigation & trade, but at James Town.
"However for their protection against the Indians, who inhabit amongst them, & that live to the Westward they have erected Christianna, & some other Forts; & the Council & Assembly have lately proposed to your Majesty a scheme for securing the passes over the great ridge of Mountains which lie on the back of this Province . . ."
The militia in 1690 was 6,570; in 1703, 10,556; and in 1715, about 14,000 in all. The report used the ratio that the militia (all white males 16 to 50) were one-sixth of the whole population; the total number of white inhabitants was computed as 84,000. The entire province is divided into 25 counties but 5 of these counties belong to the late Lord Colepepper. In the King's 20 counties, 2,619,773 acres of land have been taken up. The holders pay an annual quit rent of two shillings [about a day's wages] or 24 pounds weight of tobacco for every hundred acres. The proceeds to the King vary widely because the price of tobacco can vary almost two to one from year to year.
Levies are made upon every person over 16 years of age except white women. In 1714 the number of tithables was 31,540. [From this, one concludes a large fraction of the population was under 16 years of age.]
"The principal product of Virginia is tobacco . . .the Virginia planters [have] exported to this Kingdom at least 30,000 hogsheads per Annum . . . The other branches of trade between this kingdom & Virginia consist in pitch & tar, pipe & hogsheads staves, skins & furrs, & a few drugs. . . their dependence is almost wholly on the produce of tobacco."
This material was taken from J.R. Brodhead, "Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York", edited by E.B. O'Callaghan, vol. V, p.591f, Albany, 1855.
Note that every member of the militia produced about two hogsheads of tobacco. A good trade to be in would be cooperage. Christopher Zimmerman and Frederick Kabler of the Germanna Mt. Pony settlement were coopers. No iron is mentioned in the trade items. Probably the furnaces had not come on line yet. The Second Colony members were involved in the Naval Stores. There is no mention of Fort Germanna which probably had been destroyed by then so Spotswood could build his home. The trip to and over the Blue Ridge Mountains had been five years earlier and no progress had been made on security. Most likely the Virginians were more motivated by land speculation than by security.
Note_66
We continue to be indebted to Margaret James Squires for research into the German church records. Today's subject is Christopher Zimmerman, member of the Second Germanna Colony.
The Zimmermann family came from Steffisburg, canton of Bern, Switzerland, before 1665 to Ravensburg, Baden, Germany. Ravensburg is very near Sulzfeld where John, the son of Christopher, stated he was from. The Sulzfeld Evangelische Church Parish (Lutheran) shows the birth of Johann Christoph Zimmermann on 16 Mar 1692 and his baptism as the 17th. He was the third son of Christian (Christian, Michael) Zimmermann and Eva Dünstler of Langenbruck, the daughter of Michael Dünster (as written).
When Christopher was six years old, his mother died. His father remarried nine months later. The new wife was Maria Barbara Edel, the daughter of Englehard Edel and his wife Anna Maria of Sulzfeld. A large second family followed.
Johann Christopher, at the age of eighteen years (on 27 Jul 1710), marrried a woman five or six years older than he was. This was Dorothea Rottle, the daughter of Martin Rottle of "Horndorff". Their first child, Johannes, was born 11 April 1711 and was baptized the next day. There were no other surviving children before Dorothea died on 16 January 1714 at twenty-seven years of age. Christopher was a widower at twenty-two years of age with a son Johannes of less than three years of age.
A year and a half later, Christopher appears in the same parish with a wife, Anna Elizabeth, when their first child, Johann Martin, was born 15 June 1715. Where the marriage took place and Anna Elizabeth's maiden name are unknown. At the age of 25, Christopher decided to leave his father and several half-siblings and to go to America. He landed in Virginia with Elizabeth and John and Andrew. It is presumed that during the trip Johann Martin died and Andrew was born. Still there is no doubt that this is the same family in Virginia as in Sulzfeld.
Later in Madison Co., VA, John Zimmerman and Elizabeth Weaver swore that Frederick Zimmerman was the only brother of "the whole blood" and heir at law of Christopher Zimmerman (II), deceased. This shows that the John Zimmerman who came to Virginia was not the son of Elizabeth (see Madison Co., VA Order Book #1-3, 1793-1798).
Other families came also from Sulzfeld in the typical pattern that the emigration of one family often led, if not simultaneously, to the eventual emigration of other families. One family that may have been from Sulzfeld (or from the nearby villages) is the Fisher family.
When the son, Johannes, of Christoph and Dorothea Zimmermann was baptized in Sulzfeld on 12 April 1711, one of the godparents was Anna Barbara Fischer. On 16 June 1715, the parents, Christoph and Anna Elisabeth Zimmermann had their child, Johann Martin, baptized with one of the witnesses being Ludwig Fischer. Though one of the later families in Virginia was Lewis and Anna Barbara Fisher, this later family could not have been the Sulzfeld family. They could be related though. As noted it was often the tendency to travel together. Also it might be noted that Johannes, b. 1711, married Ursula Blankenbaker and that Lewis Fisher (in Virginia) married Anna Barbara Blankenbaker.
Note_67
Johann Christopher Zimmerman was a 1717 colony member from Sulzfeld in Baden. His father was Christian Zimmermann (a Junior) who was christened 30 December 1669 and who died 22 May 1735 after the son above had moved to Virginia. He had married on 28 January 1688 Eva Dünstlerin who was the daughter of Michael Dünster and by whom he had four children
Johann Georg, b. 23 April 1688, d. 8 May 1688
Johann Conrad, b. 22 January 1690, d. 18 April 1700
Johann Christopher, b. 16 March 1692, will dated 30 November 1748 in Orange Co.
Maria Eva, b. 15 May 1697, fate unknown.
Christian Zimmerman (Junior) was the son of Christian Zimmerman (Senior) and Maria Schucter.
Depending upon the church records, a history or ancestry can sometimes be carried back several generations, but information in the 1500's is hard to come by. In the following notes, one family will be carried back several generations in more than one branch.
In the names above, Eva Dünstlerin has the "in" added to her father's name. This is a feminine ending showing that she was a female. Her name and her father's name are also spelled differently, apart from the feminine ending. This is not unusual.
Another family from Sulzfeld was the Kabler family as it sometimes spelled in Virginia. In Virginia, Christopher and Frederick Kabler lived close together in the Mt. Pony settlement. Thus an association which began in Sulzfeld is continued in Virginia. This is not an unusual pattern. Also, in Virginia, Christopher Zimmerman and Frederick Kabler are both given as coopers. Christopher was also a large land owner.
Note_81
The members, including one conjectured family, of the First Germanna Colony has been given. A list of names which are the candidates for the Second Germanna Colony has also been given. A few other families have also been mentioned in an incidental way. It is the intention now to add to these names those families who came in the time up to about 1733. I do not believe there were any additional Germans who were added to the First Colony in this period. There were, though, several marriages to the people in the English community.
The frequency of mixed nationality marriages is very much a function of the size of the communities. The Second Colony which has the largest number of Germans had the fewest marriages to the English in the early years. The First Colony which had fewer Germans had more marriages sooner with the English. There is another group of Germans, very few in number, who lived in the Mt. Pony area. This group moved the most rapidly to become assimilated into the English speaking world. They learned to speak English very quickly and adopted the Church of England as their church. By the 1730's, Christopher Zimmerman, from the Mt. Pony group, was a Lt. in the militia. At the other extreme, in the Robinson River community which had the most Germans, the elders forbid the pastor, William Carpenter, from speaking English in the community. This was after the Revolutionary War, a full fifty years after the community was formed.
Several Germans probably came in 1719. One who testified at his headright application that he did come then was Fredrick Cobler (Kabler) who came with his wife Barbara. The Germanna Record (6) suggests that Nicholas and Christopher Kabler came also but the headright application does not support the idea.
Another, probably from that same year, was Johann Michael Willheit (Wilhite, Willhoit, etc.) with his wife Mary (Hengsteler) and children Tobias, John, and Adam who was born about the time of arrival. No date exists to pin down his arrival except his land patent was 1728 while the people with the best claim to First Colony membership had their patents in 1726.
Other Germans who came early include William Carpenter and his brother John. It appears that these Zimmermans found there was already a Zimmerman family here so William and John anglicized their name almost at once to Carpenter. By 1726, William Carpenter used the Carpenter name in applying for his headright, saying he came in 1721. William testified he came with his wife Elizabeth. John Carpenter was not yet married.
Robert Turner or Tanner (Gerber) testified he came in 1720 with his wife Mary and children Christopher, Christiana, Katherine, Mary and Parva (Barbara). Just recently we were looking at one of his land patents.
A John Broyles, supposed son of John and Ursula Broyles, who were Second Colony members, never existed, as is reported in the Germanna Records. There was no such individual; the court records for a John Bell were misread as John Broyles (Briles).
Another individual who was granted land in 1728 was John Rouse (Rausch?).
Thomas Wayland testified in his headright application that he came with his wife Mary and children, Jacob and Catherine, but he did not give a date. Like Michael Willheit and John Rouse, he too received his land patent in 1728 so he also may have arrived about 1719.
Christopher Yowell also got his land in 1728 so he is another candidate for arrival in 1719.
Perhaps because it does appear that several families came in 1719, there has arisen the idea there was a Third Germanna Colony of as many as forty families. Probably it would be best to note that individuals did arrive that year but they do not seem to be an organized or even a connected group of people. At this time, it seem best to drop the phrase, "Third Colony", and not to use it.
Germanna Record Six gives some individuals in the context that they were slightly later arrivals after the First and Second Colony members. John Justus Albrecht (Albright) came with the First Colony as the "Head Miner". The Folg family was represented only by children, and they came with the Second Colony. They were stepdaughters of George Utz.
Note_100
The extant Hebron Lutheran church building was built in 1740 using a portion of the funds raised by the solicitors in Europe. By coincidence, the 1739 tithe list for the part of Orange County which includes the Robinson River community has been preserved. This gives us an excellent reading on who was living in the community and who might very well have been present at the dedication of the building.
In James Pickett's Precinct, which was south of the Robinson River, there were Michael Holt, Lau Crees, Cortney Browel (Conrad Broyles), George Lung (Long, Lang), John Hoffman, Jon Carpenter, Mathias Castler, Michael Cook, Henry Snider, Robert Tanner, George Tanner, Lodowick (Lewis) Fisher, George Teeter, Adam Carr (Garr), William Carpenter, Nicholas Yager, Daywall (Theobald) Cristler, Adam Yager, Matthew Smith, Henry Crowder (?Krauter?), Christley Browel (Broyles), John Hansborgow (Harnsberger), Michael Smith, Daywat (Theobald) Cristler, Michael Keiffer, George Moyers, John Rowse, Thomas Weyland, and Mark Finks. There were groups of English names mixed in with this sequence of names.
In John Mickell's Precinct, which was north of the Robinson River, there were Tobias Wilhite, John Stolts, Frederick Bumgarner, Christopher Moyers, Peter Weaver, Mitchell (Michael) Wilhite, George Woods (Utz), Pals Plunkabeaner (Balthasar Blankenbaker), Ludwick Pfisher (Lewis Fisher), Mathias Plankabeaner (Matthias Blankenbaker), Nicholas Pluncabeaner (Blankenbaker), George Shively (Sheible), Conrat Pater (?), Jacob Broil (Broyles), Zacharias Flefhman (Cyraicus Fleshman), Richard Birdine (Burdyne), John Wilhide (Willheit), Michael Claur (Clore), David Ouell (Yowell), John Thomas, Henry Sluter (Slucter), John Zimmerman, John Full (John Paul Vogt), Christian Clemon, and Jacob Manfpoil (Manspiel). Again several English names occurred among these names.
Over in the Mt. Pony area, the 1737 tithe list shows Frederick Cobbler and Christopher Zimmerman.
There are some problems in these names. Note that Lewis Fisher occurs twice. Theobald Crisler also occurs twice. By the usual genealogy, we would have expected Conrad and Jacob Broyles. We have these but also Christley. The name Crowder is an unknown to us as is the name Conrad Pater. The identity of George Tanner is unknown; he appears to be in the family of Robert Tanner.
Two families are missing, probably because the head of the family is dead. The two families are the Criglers and the Barlows. Perhaps John Jacob Aylor should also be in this category. Other families which present a mystery include Matthias Kerchler (his importation was proven in 1736 in Orange Co.), Paul Lededer (came in 1733 and was in Orange Co. by 1735), Jacob Miller (grant in 1733 adjoining Adam Yager), Leonard Ziegler (came in 1732, died in 1757) and Martin Walke (came in 1728).
On the whole though, the count of families in 1739 is approximately equal to the number 62 that had been given in a 1735 petition.
Note_110
Conrad Delph (Delp, Telph, Telp) was probably born about 1720-25 in an unknown location. His mother was perhaps a Mary Delp ( who was ordered to be paid as a witness in Orange Co., in 1745, in a suit of George Moyer, Jr., and Sarah his wife, against Conrad Broyle). Conrad married, about 1744-45, Anna Magdalena Castler, daughter of Mathias Castler, Germanna pioneer. The Hebron Church records show there were eleven children of Conrad and Anna Magdalena.
Daniel Diehl (Deal, Deals), with his wife Elizabeth brought their daughter Mary for baptism on 28 Jul 1776. Besides Daniel, there was also a John Deal in 1787 in Culpeper Co. John and Daniel were probably brothers as they seem to be of about the same age. The origins of the Diehl family are unknown.
The Dikons (Dickens) family was probably English but intermarried with the Germanna people. Benjamin Dikons and Rosina his wife had a daughter, Rhode, baptized 22 Jun 1777, at the Hebron Church, with Adam Fisher, Elisabeth Fisher, and Eva Yager as sponsors. Often the sponsors were relatives but no relationship is known at the present. An Elizabeth Dickens married John Burdyne, son of Richard and Catherine (Tanner) Burdyne. Elizabeth was the daughter of Christopher Dickens, Sr. and Sarah Pallium of Culpeper Co. Christopher was a witness to the will of Anne Mary Gabbard (1762) and an appraiser of her estate (same year). Elizabeth has a brother William and sister Winifred.
Dosser, Doser, Dozer are the names of Daniel and his wife, who were sponsors of the child Anna Barbara Urbach (Arbaugh) on 22 Sep 1776. A Friedrich Dosser was confirmed in 1777, and Henrick Dosser was confirmed in 1782 at age 14. Leonard Dozier received cash of the estate of Philemon Kavanaugh (1752), as did Christopher Zimmerman. The family appears to have moved to Greenbrier Co., now WV, and some information is available in Larry Shuck's "Shuck, Fleshman, Sydenstricker & Other Families".
Elizabeth Eberhart was a communicant at Hebron Church in 1775.
Caspar Faehr and his wife Catherina had Adam baptized on 2 Nov 1777, with Adam Wayland and his wife Mary (Finks) as sponsors.
Michael Finder died intestate in Culpeper Co. in 1760. The appraisers of the estate were James Barbour, Jr., Adam Garr and Adam Wayland.
This note has mentioned several families or individuals about whom little is known. Several of the citations have a date of 1777 plus or minus a year. There is a known reason for this which will be the subject of future notes. The fact remains that we know very little about these people and many others; however, in some cases the individual or family has been identified. These names are put forth with a similar hope. They are probably the ancestors of somebody.
Note_142
Jeanne B. Cox, a Germanna descendant, asked if I could pinpoint the location of Culpeper Classes 25 and 27. In general, I can't give the locality of the names. I can find some. In class 27, there was a name that I recognized immediately and that was Reuben Zimmerman. I also happened to know that he lived in Stevensburg, a small village along Virginia State Highway 3, the Germanna Highway, a few miles east of the town of Culpeper and not far from Mt. Pony.
Out of the people in the two classes, there is only the one German name, Zimmerman. Why they happened to be there is not entirely known. In the late 1720's and early 1730's there were a few German families living in the area southeast of Mt. Pony. But most of them moved away until only two families were left, the Zimmermans and the Kablers. Records indicate that both Christopher Zimmerman and Frederick Kabler were coopers. Also both families were known to each other in Germany, in particular around Sulzfeld.
Possibly, there were good stands of trees which would yield the material for building barrels. Christopher Zimmerman took out several land patents so that he ultimately owned several hundred acres of land. If it were for the purpose of having raw materials, he would have been a very busy cooper. Another reason for living apart from the main body of the Lutherans may have been a marketing decision. Being in the Robinson River community would have been at the extreme edge of the market as the Blue Ridge mountains to the west would not have had many customers for the barrels. Being located at Mt. Pony may have been closer to the center of things.
Other early residents of the Mt. Pony, such as Amberger (Amburgey) and Bloodworth moved closer to the Robinson River community.
One of the lessons of a very small ethnic community such as the Germanic Mt. Pony settlement is that the values of the larger community quickly become the values of the smaller community. The smaller the community is, the quicker the process. Large ethnic communities maintain their values (language and religion, for example) for longer periods of time. The Robinson River community was still holding church services in German nearly a hundred years after the founding of the church. The influx of new people who had not left Germany long before helped to maintain the old order.
The Zimmermans and the Kablers quickly adopted the English church and language and married the English. Before long they were not to be easily distinguished from their neighbors. Reuben Zimmerman was the grandson of the immigrant, Christopher Zimmerman. He kept an inn, or ordinary, in Stevensburg which was widely accepted as the place to meet. In fact the Church of England Vestry used to hold their meetings at Zimmerman's ordinary.
So we can say that Culpeper Class 27 is to be identified with Stevensburg. Near numbers to 27 were probably not far away. I have good ideas about the location of the "Madison Co." and the Little Fork classes. If any of you have ideas about the location of classes, I would like to know your thoughts.
Note_143
Christopher Zimmerman, see the last note, was married twice. From the first wife, Dorothy Rottle, there was one surviving son, John. Christopher married again in Sulzfeld, Baden, and came with his second wife, Anna Elizabeth Albrecht, and the son, John. Later in Virginia, Andrew, Frederick, Barbara, Christopher (Jr.), Elizabeth and Katherine were born. The last of these births was probably around 1730.
The eldest son, John, may not have gotten on well with his stepmother for he moved out of the Mt. Pony area to the Robinson River community where he married Ursula Blankenbaker. But maybe the sequence was just the opposite, to find a wife, he had to go to the Robinson River community. Then he stayed there taking out a land patent in 1734 when he was 23.
John and Ursula (Blankenbaker) had seven children, John, Dorothy, Elizabeth, Christopher, Mary (did not marry), Margaret (marriage unknown) and Rosanna. Generally the children married Germans such as Tanner, Holtzclaw, etc.
In the second family There is no record for Andrew after 1717; Frederick married Sarah ___, and they had three children; Reuben may have married Mary Yates Carter, Frederick who married Judith Bourne and moved to Kentucky in 1792; and Christopher (no further information).
Also in the second family, Barbara married Leonard Ziegler, but details past this point are scarce. Still in the second family, Christopher, Jr. did not marry, but he had close relationships to the Brown and Kabler family to judge by his will. The families for Elizabeth and Katherine are not clear, even starting with their husbands.
The great-grandchildren of the immigrant Christopher through the son, John, who lived in a Germanic community, married these surnames Huffman, Penager, Ziegler, Ziegler, Scott, Ziegler, Fewell, Chilton, and Sutton. Also, House, Tanner, Rouse, Crigler, Crigler, Rouse, Beeman, Crisler and Taylor. This does not trace out the descendants of Dorothy (John, Christopher) who married Jacob Tanner or Elizabeth (John, Christopher) who married Joseph Holtzclaw.
The great-grandchildren through the second family include ones who married Carter, Felder, Somergall, Twisdell, Twisdell, Bourne, Jennings, Dinwiddle, Coiner, Combs, and Lessly. Thus, when the great-grandchildren of the immigrant married, the choice of the spouse was reflected strongly by the nature of the community where they lived. Some of these choices were reflected in the first generation after the immigrant where there was a split in the nationalities. In the second generation, the differences are more pronounced and by the third generation after the immigrant, the choice is not based on origin but on the current community.
But this process is strongly influenced by the character of the community. In my own personal case, my grandfather, who died in 1918, was descended only from the Germanna people. Up to his birth, the community contained a large percentage of Germans. But when he was married, he was living in a community which was decidedly English so he married a woman of English descent (a Mayfield).
There was a real effort to hold the immigrants' culture for as long as possible. It amazes us how long this process can go on. Klaus Wust recounts the internal cultural battles in his excellent book, "The Virginia Germans". One German man in his will offered fifty pounds to a son if he married a German woman.
Note_207
The last notes have discussed the confusion concerning the Lewis Fisher family. There is more than has been given. But to recap some, the Garrs gave the wrong set of children. The claim that Lewis was the son of Sebastian Fisher of Tulpehocken, Pennsylvania is not born out by the facts. And the estate worth millions of dollars did not pan out. Or as the gold miners might say, "It showed only sand."
There is more potential confusion. First, in the 1739 tithe list for Orange County, there are two Lewis Fishers, one living north of the Robinson River and one living south of the Robinson River. Two different men wrote down his name as a tithe. What is one to make of this situation?
One theory is that there was only one Lewis Fisher who had homes on both sides of the river. Each roll taker thought he was responsible for the man and entered his name on the tithe list. Presumably under this scenario, Lewis Fisher was absent when one of the tithe takers came around and this census reporter used information from neighbors. Had Lewis been present, he surely would have made the point that he had been counted already. After all, it did cost money to be counted or enrolled on the tithe list.
I know of no other evidence that there were two Lewis Fishers. Except ---
Mrs. Margaret James Squires, in researching her Christoph Zimmermann in Germany, reports that at the baptism of one of the Zimmermann children the sponsors were Ludwig and Anna Barbara Fischer. But since Christopher Zimmerman came with the Second Colony, this would make the sponsoring couple too old to be the Lewis and Anna Barbara Fisher that we have been talking about. Now suppose that the parents in Germany, at Sulzfeld, to be more exact, had a son Ludwig who came with them to Virginia. The son married Anna Barbara Blankenbaker and they were the parents of the family that we have been talking about.
Under this condition, there might be two Lewis Fisher families, each with a wife named Anna Barbara. Except for the poll list where the duplicated names stand out, it would be easy to merge the two families into one and to think there was only one family. Especially if the elder family was not too active in generating records.
I have put forth this suggestion before, but I must say it has not generated a lot of enthusiasm. One reason is that people hate to see a family changed or upset. The evidence in the Lewis family shows that people, even when presented with good, solid evidence are reluctant to accept new information if it upsets their previous conceptions; however, if I were a Fisher family descendant trying to find its German origins, I would start around Sulzfeld. Presumably Cerni and Zimmerman of the "Before Germanna" monographs did look in the area. They did not mention anything; however, not all church records have been filmed. Also, a name as common as Fischer might have discouraged them.
Note_245
Whom Did Adam Yager Marry?
Adam Yager was the son of Nicholas Yager. Except for the possibility that Adam's sister Mary did live and have heirs, all of the descendants of Nicholas Jäger are through Adam. Adam is said to have married Susannah Kabler, the sister of Frederick Kabler. The last point is quoted very widely by descendants and by historians. However, evidence for this is unknown (to me). Let's examine pro and con points for this purported marriage.
AGAINST Fred Zimmerman, in his research into the German church records, found the birth record for Frederick (Hans Friedrich) Kappler. but evidence on other family members is extremely poor. It is not clear why this is so. Frederick Kappler called on Christoph Zimmermann to be a sponsor (godfather) for Kappler's son, Christoph. This tie between the Kabler and Zimmerman families continued in Virginia as these were two of the very few families who lived in the Mt. Pony area. Also, both men were coopers. No where in the church records in Germany does Susannah appear. Because the Kabler and Zimmerman families were associated in Germany and later in Virginia, it seems that the right families have been found.
Before looking at one piece of positive evidence, a short digression on Mt. Pony is warranted. When some of the Germans moved to the Robinson River area, a few of them moved to a distinctly different area, the Mt. Pony region. Most historians had failed to recognize there was a geographical difference which was significant. In my own research, I noted the difference and plotted some of the land.
FOR Adam Yager lived in the Mt. Pony area for more than ten years. He had one hundred acres on the southern slope of Mt. Pony not far from the tract that Frederick Kabler owned. Adam's father, Nicholas, had moved to the Robinson River area. It seems likely that Adam lived in the Mt. Pony area, because his wife would be near to her family. This, in itself, does not make her a Kabler. The people, though, who had been calling Adam's wife a Kabler had not realized that Adam was living apart from his father. They failed to recognize that geography did support them (though it was not proof). Perhaps Susannah was named as a Kabler in handed-down family lore and the source of the information has been lost. In short, the idea that Adam Yager married Susannah Kabler is supported by geography but this is very weak evidence.
It pains me to say that Susannah Kabler was Adam Yager's wife because the evidence is practically nonexistent.
Mt. Pony has been the news recently. During the cold war, the Federal Reserve Board dug out an underground bunker in Mt. Pony as a haven for federal officials in case there was an atomic attack. With the thaw, it has been decided to discontinue the use of it.
Note_297
How does one know if a name is German? The question is a good one which can be illustrated by an example. In the next paragraph, I believe we are talking about one person.
In 1726, Joseph Cooper patented 400 acres of land in the Fork of the Rappahannock (in the area of Mt. Pony). In 1728, as Joseph Kooper, he patented 404 acres on Potato Run in the same general area. A Barbara Cooper died in Orange County, Virginia in 1735. Jacob Prosie gave bond as her administrator in 1735 with Jacob Miller and John Vaught as securities. Her estate was appraised by Christopher Zimmerman, Frederick Cobler, and Charles Morgan.
John Vaught (he lived several miles away), Christopher Zimmerman, and Frederick Cobler were certainly Germans. Jacob Prosie and Jacob Miller are less certain. Charles Morgan was probably English. The question though is whether Joseph Cooper was German. The surest way of telling would be his signature but we have no examples of that.
The spelling Kooper suggests a German origin. And the fact that so many Germans were in the administration of his wife's estate suggests that she, at least, was German. Probably Joseph Kooper (sp?) was a German but we do not know for certain. At this point, we could only hope to find the name in some of the German church records, especially records where Zimmerman, Cobler, or Vaught were to be found.
Here is another name, Charles Frady. Is he English or German? On the surface, the name looks English. But down at the Hebron church they were writing one name there as Karl Vrede. Now if Vrede were pronounced by a German, it would sound very much like Frady. Or vice-versa, if a German heard the name Frady, he would write it down as Vrede. Another name at the church was Preiss which an Englishman would probably write as Price. So was he German or English?
One of the rules I use in estimating nationality are the names used by the person as neighbors. For example, When John Kains or Kines patented land on a branch of Deep Run, the neighbors were given as Christian Clayman (Clements), John Huffman, and Edward Ballenger. My theory is that a man most often lives with his own nationality. And when he gives neighbors, he is most apt to name people of his own nationality. The grounds for this latter claim are that a man becomes acquainted sooner and better with people who speak his own language. However, I am not sure about Kains. The spelling with the K also suggests a German as the name would more likely be Caines in English (I would think).
In the last paragraph, there was a Ballenger. This is a good English name (I think). But was Edward Ballenger English? An Andrew Ballenger was sued by Spotswood when he sued many members of the Second Colony. In a similar category is Joseph Bloodworth. I assume he was German.
I have thrown out examples or questions. I would appreciate responses as to the rules you use to estimate whether a man is German or English. Reply privately or to the list.
Note_373
22 October 1776
To the Honorable, the President and Delegates of the Convention of the Common Wealth of Virginia
The Petition of the German Congregation of the County of Culpepper Showeth
Our Fathers lived under an arbitrary Prince in Germany and were invited by the Honorable William Penn to settle in his Province. By the faith they had in the Charter and by the word of the Germans that lived there, we could enjoy freedom in the exercise of Religion, supporting only our own Church and the Poor. Our Fathers ventured their lives and fortunes to come into a Land of Liberty to enjoy the Sweets of Freedom which God created for all Men. They journeyed from Germany to London and there agreed with a Captain to land them in Pennsylvania. The Captain proved false and landed them against their will and agreement in Virginia where he sold them for Servants.
Soon they gathered to the Place where we now live and they concluded to erect a Church and a School House. They were granted a License to collect money, build a church, call a minister, worship God in a congregation, and practice their religion as they were taught by their parents in Europe.
In our poverty we are obliged to pay Parochial Charges as well as support our own Church which leaves many of us distressed. Now, with our fellow citizens, we are obliged to bleed for Freedom and contribute to the expense of the War. We are not breaking from the established Church as do the common Dissenters.
We humbly pray that we may be exempted from further payment of the Parochial Charges except to support our own Church and Poor
Adam Gaar, Adam Wayland, John Yager, Andrew Carpenter, John Weaver, Nicholas Crigler, Christopher Blankenbaker, Conrad Delph, George Cook, Valentine Bunger, Mathias House, Michael Fleshman, Michael Utz, John Gaar, Zacharias Blankenbaker, Bernard Fisher, Rudolph Urbach, Michael Smith, Mathias Rouse, Adam Cook, Nicholas Broyles, Adam Moyer, Samuel Rouse, Michael Yager, Zachariah Broyles, Michael Lederer, Nicholas Smith, Phillip Snyder, Eberhard Reiner, Frederick Tanner, John Winegard, Mark Fink, Jacob Broyle, John Wayland, Jr., Jacob Broyles, Adam Barlow, William Carpenter, Michael Utz, Jr., Adam Bender, John Fink. Martin Rouse, Henry Crisler, Paul Lederer, John Smith, John Zimmerman, Nicholas Yager, Christian Reiner, George Utz, Jr., Jacob Hendrickson, Mathias Weaver, Henry Aylor, George Crisler, Daniel Dosser, Stephan Fisher, Jacob Blankenbaker. Nicholas Wilheit, John Carpenter, John Fleshman, Frederick Lipp, John Broyles, Robert Fleshman, Philip Chelf, George Utz, Christopher Crigler, Adam Broyles, Christopher Zimmerman, Zacharias Smith, Christopher Moyer, Jr., John Yager, Jr., John Zimmerman, Adam Yager, Sr., John Carpenter, Sr., Joseph Rouse, Benjamin Gaar, Jurt Tanner, Joseph Holtzclaw, John Wilhoit, John Backer, John Dear, Sr., Henry Miller. Conrad Kenszle, Michael Gaar, Andrew Gaar, Peter Clore, Michael Utz, Daniel Delph, Christopher Tanner, Michael Swindle, Ziriakus Broyles, George Rieser, Peter Weaver, Adam Crigler, Henry Aylor, Adam Utz, Michael Clore, Michael Snider, John Clore, Jr., Adam Clore, Peter Broyles, Rudolph Crecelius, John Frey, Martin Deer, Michael Zimmerman, George Lehman, John Clore, Christopher Barlow, John Smith, Michael Carpenter, Daniel Beemon, John Swindle, Christopher Moyer, George Wilheit, Nicholas Lederer, Nicholas Smith, Jr., Michael Cook, Lewis Nunnamaker, Michael Blankenbaker, and Benjamin Gaar.
[In preparing this, some editing was done to conform more closely to modern usage. The text of the petition was simplified. Names were spelled with a common usage.]

The six hundred and fifty-seventh note in a series on the Germanna
Colonies

In the Robinson River Valley of present day Madison County, Virginia, there were two families of the early eighteenth century who are often confused.
The German name of both families was Zimmermann. The first to arrive in Virginia, in 1717, was Christoph Zimmermann and he and his descendants kept the name Zimmerman. A few years later, Wilhelm and Johann Zimmermann came.
Whether to distinguish themselves from the earlier family or whether they wished to adopt English customs and name is not clear, but they almost immediately took up the name of Carpenter in lieu of Zimmermann. In the civil records, I believe they are were always referred to as Carpenter. The confusion arises because down at the German church the records were often kept with the German version of the name, not the anglicized version of the name. Thus, the Carpenter family at the church is sometimes called Zimmermann but not always. Sometimes they are Carpenters and this has been the source of confusion. One has to study the records for a while to learn the first names that distinguish them. Even experts such as B. C. Holtzclaw have confused the two and called some of the Carpenters "Zimmermans."
I will discuss the Zimmerman family for a few notes. They did drop the second "n" but otherwise they kept the German name. Strangely enough, one part of this family, with the German version of the name, was among the first to adopt the English language, customs, and religion. This came about because the immigrant patriarch, Christopher, did not live in the Robinson River Valley but lived southeast of Mt. Pony with only a few other Germans in the neighborhood. When surrounded by English neighbors, German families usually adopted English customs very quickly. As an example, within ten years of settling in the Mt. Pony area, one of the Germans was a Lt. in the militia.
One part of this family moved from the Mt. Pony area to the Robinson River Valley. Members of this branch appear in the Evangelical German Church records, i.e., the "Dutch" church now known as Hebron Lutheran Church. This branch is headed by John Zimmerman, the son of Christopher. Why should this physical separation have come about? It perhaps originated with the fact that John, the eldest child, was a son of the first wife while his siblings had a different mother. There is no evidence, other than the physical separation, that there may have been some strong feelings. Maybe John did not wish to adopt the English ways and wanted an environment that was more German.
The source of the Zimmerman family in Germany is known. When one looks in the records there, it is found that they had immigrated to Germany from Switzerland. (Several of our Germanna families have a connection to Switzerland when they moved from there after the end of the Thirty Years' War in 1648.)


The six hundred and fifty-eighth note in a series on the GermannaColonies

In studying the Rector family, we saw that the history had to be revised when more evidence was discovered. There is a similar situation with the Zimmerman family about whom B. C. Holtzclaw wrote in "Germanna Record Six" (about four pages). [He left later notes and admitted that identifying John Zimmerman and wife Susanna with the Zimmerman family was a mistake; he was a member of the Carpenter family.] In these later notes, he wrote that Christopher Zimmermann was born in Germany about 1685-90 and came to America in 1717 with his wife Elizabeth and two sons, John and Andrew. Without information from Germany, these suppositions or guesses were very good. But when the German information became available, some modifications were necessary. Like John Rector, Christopher Zimmerman was married twice and Elizabeth (actually Anna Elisabetha) was his second wife. John was the son of the first wife and Andrew was the son of the second wife. [Again, this is a lesson for us about the probability that our information is correct.]
The son John, when he was naturalized, said that he was born in a place in Germany which has since been identified as Sulzfeld. German locality spellings, especially as written by an English clerk in the eighteenth century, are sometimes a problem to match with the current names. The problem is compounded by many similar names in a German atlas. Margaret James Squires was able to identify the village and she examined the church records. She found that Hans Christoph Zimmermann had been born there on 16 Mar 1692. His parents were Christian Zimmermann and Eva Dünster (or Dünstler) of "Langenbruck," the daughter of Michael Dünster.
Christian Zimmerman was born (more exactly, christened) 30 Dec 1669 in Sulzfeld. Eva Dünster was born about 1662. They were married 28 Jan 1688 at Sulzfeld. They were the parents of four children. Johann Georg was born 23 Apr 1688 and he died two weeks later on 8 May. Johann Conrad was born 22 Jan 1690 and he lived until 18 Apr 1700, not long past his tenth birthday. Then came (16 Mar 1692) Johann (Hans) Christoph, the Virginia immigrant. A girl, Maria Eva, was born and christened on 15 May 1697. No further records appear for her and the christening on the day of birth may indicate that she was not expected to live. The mother, Eva Dünstler Zimmermann, died six months later on 15 Feb 1698. Christian Zimmermann was a widower at 28 years of age with two young sons. He married, later in the year on 22 Nov 1698, Maria Barbara Edel. Christian died 22 May 1735 at 75 years of age. (This does not compute correctly.) [I have no information about Maria Barbara Edel or any family that she and Christian may have had.]
The ancestry of Christian can be carried back for two generations and I will do that before following the life of Christopher, the Virginia immigrant. The six hundred and sixty-first note in a series on the Germanna Colonies

The name of the village from whence the Virginia immigrant Christopher Zimmerman came has been given here as Sulzfeld which is the spelling that I see on modern maps. Through history, it has had other spellings such as Sultzfeld and Sülzfeld.
Christoph was born 16 May 1692 in Sulzfeld and before he was grown he had experienced death many times in the Zimmermann family. When he was barely past his eighteenth birthday, he married Dorothea Rottle who was a few years older than he. Their first child was Johannes born 11 Apr 1711. He was an immigrant to Virginia. A second child in 1713 was stillborn and Dorothea died 16 Jan 1714.
Christoph married in that year, Anna Elisabetha unknown. Nothing more than her given names are known. They were the parents of seven children, the first born in Sulzfeld, the second appears to have been born enroute to Virginia, and the other five were born in Virginia. The first of the seven, Johann Martin, died very young. It was this child who had a Ludwig Fischer as a sponsor. The other children were Andrew (born in enroute apparently), Barbara, Frederick, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Katherine. As the family arrived in Virginia, there was Christopher, Anna Elizabeth, John who was now six, and Andrew who less than a year.
Christopher was not sued by Alexander Spotswood but we do know he came in 1717 because he gave this date in his naturalization. He did have a land patent for 400 acres at an early date and he added other land patents within a few years. Christopher was one of a few Germans who chose to live in the Mt. Pony area, actually a few miles to the southeast of it on Potato Run. This was at a considerable distance from the Robinson River Valley where the majority of the Second Colony moved.
A neighbor of Christopher was Frederick Kabler who was also from Sulzfeld. Each of the men appears in the records as a cooper. The choice of Mt. Pony as a home may have been influenced by the trees used in barrel making. But perhaps more likely, they were closer to their markets for the casks. Virginia needed tens of thousands of barrels or casks each year to ship their tobacco back to England. Living and working in the Mt. Pony area put them at least twenty-five miles closer to the market for their products (than the Robinson River Valley would have).
Christopher was a Lieutenant in the militia in 1735 and 1742 showing that he adapted to his English neighbors very quickly. His will, dated 30 Nov 1748, and probated the next spring mentions his wife Elizabeth and his six children, Christopher, Jr., John, Barbara Ziegler, Frederick, Elizabeth, and Catherine. The last two girls were unmarried. Andrew or descendants of Andrew are not mentioned.

The six hundred and sixty-fifth note in a series on the Germanna Colonies

A family which became closely associated with the Zimmermans was Ziegler who often became Ziglars in some of the later generations. It is believed that the Germanna family entered the colonies at Philadelphia in 1732 in the person of Johann Leonhart Ziegler. He moved to Virginia and became the husband of Barbara Zimmerman, the daughter of the immigrant Christopher Zimmerman. He lived in the Mt. Pony area where he had land on Stoney Run adjacent to Frederick Zimmerman, son of Christopher Zimmerman.
Johann Leonhart Ziegler died as a younger man, age 46, in Culpeper Co. where his will is recorded in Will Book A for 1757. Children who are mentioned are Christopher, Leonard (Jr.), Elizabeth, Ann, and Susanna. One of the appraisers of his estate was Nicholas Kabbler, another Mt. Pony neighbor.
Leonard, Jr. also died as a young man in 1772 and his will, not mentioning children, leaves all of his estate to his wife Ann. A Revolutionary War application (W 4107) exists on behalf of Leonard Ziglar (or his widow) who was born 2 Jul 1762. Presumably this was Leonard III. Leonard III married 1783/4 Nancy Zimmerman, born 3 Jan 1766, the daughter of John. This John was the son of John who was the son of the immigrant Christopher.
John Zimmerman, the father of Nancy, lived in the Robinson River area whereas the Ziglars lived in the Mt. Pony area. I had suggested that the physical separation between the branches of the Zimmermans might have been due to son-step mother dissension. However, the marriage of Nancy from the Robinson River community with Leonard Ziglar in the Mt. Pony area suggests that the Zimmermans did maintain contact.
In 1787, Leonard (III) and Nancy moved to Surry Co., NC. The area later became Stokes Co. in 1789 and Forsyth Co. in 1849. Leonard and Nancy had fourteen children, Elizabeth, John, Anna, Christopher, William, Leonard (IV), Susanna, Mary, Reuben, Michael, James, Daniel, and Benjamin. This is only thirteen children and my notes say that the fourteenth child was named Zimmerman, an unusual first name.
A Johann Leonhardt Ziegler of Sinsheim in Germany was denied permission to emigrate in 1750. The relationship of these two individuals of the same name is not clear but it would appear that the origins of the family have been found. It was from the same area that the Pinnegar (Benninger) family originated. They were associated with the Zieglers in Virginia. Thus, research on the Ziglar and Pinnegar families should be directed to the records in the Sinsheim area which is a good day's walk from Sulzfeld, the home of the Zimmermans.

The six hundred and sixty-sixth note in a series on the Germanna Colonies

The general framework recently of the discussion has been the Zimmerman family. We introduced the Ziglar family (as the name developed) which in turn led to the Pinnegar family. We continue on this detour before returning to the main line on the Zimmermans. On 12 Aug 1778, Peter Pinnegar purchased 275 acres in the Gourd Vine Fork of the Rappahannock from John Deer and his wife Catherine of Culpeper County, Virginia. The land had been a part of a grant to Francis Brown in 1749.
Peter Pinegar (Jr.) married Anna Magdalena. One of their sons was William, Sr. who married Elizabeth Zimmerman, the daughter of John and Ursula (Blankenbaker) Zimmerman. Another son of Peter was Matthias, Sr. There was a daughter Mary who married Robert Flincham. The Pinegars moved to Stokes Co., North Carolina in the company of Finchams, Zimmermans, and Ziglars where they lived together and intermarried.
The German origins of Peter Benninger (Sr.) of Epfenbach (Kreis Sinsheim) are given in Don Yoder's "Rhineland Emigrants." Peter was permitted to emigrate in the year 1751 with wife and four children. In the previous year, the blacksmith Leonhardt Ziegler of Sinsheim was denied permission to emigrate to Pennsylvania. The coupling of the family names in the same locality in Germany and in Virginia, increases the probability that the families have been identified. Epfenbach is about fifteen miles north of Gemmingen and Schwaigern, the homes of many Germanna families. Sinsheim, the town, is only five miles from Gemmingen.
Peter (Jr.) Pinegar's father and mother were Peter Beninger and Anna Christina Ziegler. This gives us a connection between the Beninger and Ziegler families. Names in the ancestry of Anna Christina include Schütz and Stein. Peter, Jr. was born in 1735 at Epfenbach and arrived at Philadelphia on the ship St. Andrew. He was in Page Co., VA by 1755.He died in Stokes Co., NC in 1794. Peter's (Jr.) maternal grandfather was the mayor of Epfenbach but this was only a part-time activity as he was a farmer. Peter's great-great-great-grandfather, Michael Stein, was mayor of Spechbach.
The confusion of the letters "P" and "B" shows quite clearly in the Pinegar history.

The six hundred and sixty-eighth note in a series on the Germanna Colonies

In reviewing the Ziglars (Zieglers) in the last note, we were reviewing the Zimmerman family also for Leonard Ziegler married Barbara Zimmerman. Her father, Christopher, the immigrant, gave Barbara Ziegler 200 acres of land on 25 Aug 1737. She was less than twenty years old then for she was born after the family arrived in Virginia. Leonard died in 1757, so Barbara was less than forty years old and she probably did remarry. She gave 200 acres to her unmarried daughter, Elizabeth, on 16 Nov 1758. Less than a year later, "Tebald" Fite and Barbara his wife deeded 100 acres of land to John Zimmerman, Jr. on 20 Sep 1759. This was her nephew, son of John of the Robinson River community. (It might be profitable to study this land transaction in more detail.)
Tebald Fite has not been identified satisfactorily. The name "Tebald" suggests a German. "Fite" might be Vite, Wite, or White. The family, if any, of Tebald and Barbara is unknown.
Another son of the immigrant Christopher was Frederick who was born perhaps about 1721, probably after Barbara. The eldest son of Frederick, Reuben Zimmerman, was perhaps born about 1745 to 1750. Frederick appears in the personal taxes of Culpeper Co. until 1798. He was freed from levies by 1794. Deeds show that his wife was Sarah, otherwise unknown. B.C. Holtzclaw made the comment once Frederick did not appear in the records of the German Lutheran Church (Hebron) as did his brother John. He did not realize that the two (half) brothers lived apart from each other. Frederick was about twenty miles from the church living in a neighborhood of very few Germans. He and his full brothers and sisters adopted the culture of the neighborhood which was English. Very likely, Frederick's wife Sarah was English.
Frederick did not leave a will so his family has to be reconstructed from other evidence. He seems to have had three sons, Reuben who was probably the eldest, Frederick, and Christopher.
Christopher Zimmerman, the immigrant, had a son Christopher who was born about 1725 and died in 1781 as a single man. The younger Christopher's will left his property to Pollard and Robert Brown and appointed his friends Thomas and Robert Brown executors. It was witnessed by Nicholas Kabler, John Brown, and William Kabler. Christopher had owned land (some at least from his father's original patents) and he deeded some of this away in 1757 and 1776 (on the last date to William Kabler).
Elizabeth, a daughter of Christopher Zimmerman, married James Conner. On 21 July 1757 James Conner and Elizabeth deeded 102 acres that she had inherited from her father. The family is unknown at this time. Elizabeth had a sister Catherine who may have married William Slaughter but again no family is known.

The six hundred and sixty-ninth note in a series on the Germanna Colonies

The previous note referenced a land transaction in which Theobald Fite and his wife sold land. I had suggested in a tentative way that the wife was Barbara Zimmerman who had earlier married Leonard Ziglar. Craig Kilby sent me information which suggests that Theobald's wife may not have been Barbara.
Barbara had a brother Frederick and they were children of the immigrant Christopher Zimmerman. Frederick had a son Frederick. The grandson Frederick, or more exactly his widow, applied for a pension (W8374) for services during the Revolutionary War. Frederick served from Culpeper County, Virginia, from January 19, 1779, to June 1, 1780 in the western campaigns under George Rogers Clark. Several people from the Germanna community had gone to Kentucky around then.
On 14 Jun 1784, Frederick obtained a Culpeper Co. license to marry Judith Bourn, daughter of Andrew and Jane (Morton) Bourn(e). They were married by John Leland, a Baptist minister. During some of the time after marriage, Frederick kept a school. He moved his young family from Culpeper Co. to Jessamine Co., KY about 1792. Several other Culpeper families, including the Finneys, Lowens, and Bourns, may have moved about the same time. In Kentucky, Frederick is known to have had surveying assignments.
On 10 Dec 1804, Frederick was riding his horse to Lexington when he was thrown and killed. He was buried the next day in Jessamine Co. Frederick and Judith had nine children:
1. Sarah Zimmerman, b. ca 1785, m. Andrew Bourne,
2. William Zimmerman, b. ca 1787, m. Frances Reed,
3. Morton Zimmerman, b. ca 1797, m. Mildred Barnett,
4. Polly Zimmerman, m. John Lessley,
5. Jane P. Zimmerman, m. Thomas C. Jennings,
6. Fanny Zimmerman, m. Robert Dinwiddle,
7. Agustis Zimmerman, m. Betsy Barnett,
8. Nancy Zimmerman, m. John Coiner, and
9. Judith Zimmerman, m. Francis H. Combs.

Judith remained unmarried for a few years, then married George Bourn by whom she had one child who died in infancy. Judith died 29 Jun 1844 in Jessamine Co. and George died 12 May 1836.
On 25 June 1839, Morton Zimmerman, William Zimmerman, and John Coiner were in Green Co., IL. In 1855, Sally, William, and Morton were the only living children of Frederick and Judith. (I have some names for the children of deceased children.) The information here comes principally from Gene Dear using the pension application. Other descendants contributed information to Gene.
We have the larger Zimmerman family that, within two generations, lived in many different states in the south and west. Their motives in choosing a state were probably very mixed and other individuals might have chosen different states. We have diversity in the United States and it does no good to cast aspersions on someone else's choices. Rather we should enjoy our differences.

The twelve hundred and eighty-fifth note in a series on the Germanna Colonies

Johny Cerny and Gary Zimmerman found the birth record of Hans Christoph Zimmermann (no relation) at Sulzfeld, Baden. He was born 16 Mar 1692 (this might have been either an old style date or a new style date and they did not specify which) to Christian Zimmermann and Maria Eva Unknown. His paternal grandmother was Maria Schuchter, a surname very similar if not the same as the second husband of Anna Barbara Schön who married first a Blankenbühler and thirdly a Fleischmann. (Cerny and Zimmerman have much more information in Before Germanna, volume 9. For pictures of Sulzfeld, see the web pages below.)

Christoph Zimmermann married Dorothea Rottle, daughter of Martin Rottle, baker, on 27 July 1710. Christoph was 18 years old and Dorothea was about 23. They had one child, Johannes (John in Virginia) who was born in 1711. Dorothea died in 1714 and Christoph married Anna Elisabetha Albrecht that same year. Several children were born to this marriage, mostly in Virginia.

In 1725 Christopher moved to the first of his land patents in the Mt. Pony area of (today) Culpeper County. A near neighbor of his was Friedrich Kabler who also came from Sulzfeld. These families had known each other in Sulzfeld. John Zimmerman, the eldest son of Christopher, moved to Robinson River Valley where he married Ursula Blankenbaker, the daughter of Johann Nicholas Blankenbaker. The other children of Christopher lived near their father. One wonders if John Zimmerman did not like his stepmother and if this was the motivation for moving to the Robinson River Valley. It may be nothing more than John having a liking for the German language which was not used very much in the Mt. Pony area.

The Zimmerman family is to be distinguished from the Carpenter families of William Carpenter and John Carpenter who lived in the Robinson River Valley. Generally, the Carpenter family used the name Carpenter but some of the writers at the German Lutheran Church would write the name as Zimmerman which has confused investigators. One must learn to distinguish the Zimmermans who are Carpenters from the Zimmermans who are Zimmermans.

The recent report about the Zimmerman family was in error on the location of Christopher’s birthplace. It was Baden, not Alsace which are on the opposite sides of the Rhine River. They did not leave because of religious persecution but because they wanted to make a better life for themselves. Except for John Zimmerman, who lived in the Robinson River Valley, the other Zimmermans had nothing to do with the German Lutheran Church which eventually became known as Hebron. They were not opposed to the church; they simply lived too far away.

Christopher Zimmerman and his family who lived with him rapidly became Englishlike in their ways. When Christopher wrote his will, he had no problem with having two English persons as witnesses.

The twelve hundred and eighty-sixth note in a series on the Germanna Colonies

Christopher Zimmerman filed for a proof of importation in 1727 at the Spotsylvania Courthouse in which he said he came with his wife Elizabeth and sons John and Andrew. The birth of John at Sulzfeld is recorded in the church books but Andrew's birth is not recorded at Sulzfeld. This is the only record for Andrew in Virginia. We presume that he died at an early age in Virginia but he might have lived up to the time of his father's will in 1748. This though is very improbable as he would have been about thirty years of age and probably a parent himself. Christopher would surely have recognized any heirs of Andrew. Since he did not, there probably were not any heirs of Andrew (nor was there any Andrew).
The Andrew Carpenter who married Barbara Weaver was the son of John Carpenter who lived in the Robinson River Valley. Christopher Zimmerman lived twenty-five miles away (plus or minus) from the Robinson River Valley. Incidentally, William Carpenter, brother of John Carpenter, said that he came in 1721 when he filed a proof of importation. Christopher Zimmerman said that he came in 1717. Christopher Zimmerman never had a land patent in the Robinson River area.
The statement that Andrew Zimmerman married Barbara Carpenter, the daughter of the Rev. William Carpenter is wrong. Rev. Carpenter was only a teenager during the Revolution and he did not become a Reverend until about 1791. The correct statement is that Andrew Carpenter, son of John Carpenter, married Barbara Weaver. (John Carpenter was the uncle of the Rev. William Carpenter.) Any references to Andrew Zimmerman at the church or otherwise should be read as Andrew Carpenter. No one knows now where the "Carpenter" family came from in Germany.
None of the members of the Christopher Zimmerman family ever adopted the name Carpenter. William and John Carpenter were apparently Zimmermans in the beginning but, almost from the very beginning in America, they adopted the name Carpenter. In their minds, there was never any doubt about what name they were using in America. At the church, where they liked to use the German form of names, they were sometimes, but not always, called Zimmerman.
John, the son of Christopher Zimmerman, was born in 1711 by Christopher's first wife. He did move from the Mt. Pony area where his father was living and moved to the Robinson River Valley. There he married Ursula Blankenbaker, the daughter of John Nicholas Blankenbaker. When the Revolution erupted, John Zimmerman was 66 years of age. It is doubtful that he served any military duties. He might have sold some supplies to the Americans. (He might also have sold some supplies to the British.) When Christopher gave land to his children, it was in Culpeper County.

The twelve hundred and eighty-seventh note in a series on the Germanna Colonies

The eldest son of Christopher Zimmerman, the immigrant, was John who was born in 1711. In Virginia he married Ursula Blankenbaker, the sister of Zacharias Blankenbaker who was also born in Germany. Both John and Zacharias lived until Madison County was formed so they lived in Germany, Essex County, Spotsylvania County, Orange County, Culpeper County, and Madison County yet they moved only twice (John may have moved three times).
John died in 1796, the father of seven children. In giving the children here, I am following Margaret James Squires who was a reputable researcher and who spent some time on this family. The eldest child of John was John, Jr. who was born about 1737. The second child was Dorothy, b. ca 1742, who married Jacob Tanner. The third child, Elizabeth, has a similar estimate for her birth year and she married Joseph Holtzclaw after his first wife, a Thomas, died. About 1746, Christopher was born and he married Mary Tanner. The next child was Mary, born ca 1752 and she never married. Another girl, Margaret, has an uncertain marriage. She was born about 1755. Rosanna, born ca 1757, married Moses Samuel.
Dorothy Zimmerman had a hard life in that she lost her husband, Jacob, when she was about forty years old with six youngsters in the home. I believe she was also physically handicapped. Jacob had been drafted in 1781 and died while he was in the army, just after the victory at Yorktown. In 1794, Dorothy filed a petition with the House of Delegates of Virginia asking for a pension which was granted.
Two of the Zimmerman children, a brother and a sister, married two Tanner children, a sister and a brother, respectively. The Tanner and the Zimmerman families lived not far from each other, a couple of miles north of the German Lutheran Church.
Perhaps John Zimmerman outlived Ursula, his wife, by about ten years for the last year she appears at the church is 1787.
Rosina (Zimmerman) Samuel appears at church with the Samuel surname name starting in 1789 and extending through 1796. She appeared as Rosina Zimmerman in 1775. A Rosina Zimmerman appeared as late as 1787 which is probably her. In the civil records, women who had the name Rosina at church usually were called Rosanna.

The twelve hundred and eighty-eighth note in a series on the Germanna Colonies

I will close out my comments on the Christopher Zimmerman family with this note. We discussed the family of John, the eldest son of Christopher, in the last note. John was the son of Christopher's first wife. There appears to be five surviving children of Christopher's second wife who were Frederick, Barbara, Christopher, Jr., Elizabeth, and Katherine. Their brother Andrew seems to have died before his father did and left no heirs.

Except for Christopher, Jr., all of the children appear to have married. Frederick's wife is thought to be a Sarah and three children, Reuben, Frederick, Jr., and Christopher are usually assigned to Frederick even though little is known about Christopher. In fact, his existence is in question.

Barbara married Leonard Zeigler or Ziglar and the descendants of this family generally moved to North Carolina (I believe)..

Christopher, son of Christopher the immigrant, probably did not marry to judge by his will. In this will he mentions no wife or heirs and leaves property to Kablers and Browns.

Elizabeth has mistakenly been assigned to Matthias Weaver as a husband. It is more generally considered that Matthias married Elizabeth Finks to judge by the will of Mark Finks. One reason for doubting that Elizabeth married Matthias Weaver is that they lived about 25 miles from each other. Elizabeth was southeast of Mt. Pony almost next to Salubria. Matthias was in the Robinson River Valley. And there is some evidence that Elizabeth married a Conner.

Katherine married William Slaughter but nothing is known about their family. Nothing is known about the family of Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Conner either.

The best documented families are those of Frederick, Barbara, and John.

The reason that Christopher Zimmerman may have lived southeast to east of Mt. Pony is that he has been described as a cooper. He may have chosen land where he thought the trees would give him the best wood. But perhaps even more influential in his decision making was where the markets for barrels would be. Most of the "barrels" were casks for packing tobacco for storage and shipment. The Robinson River Valley would have been at the extreme edge of the market for barrels. The yearly demand for barrels was very high as more than 10,000 casks of tobacco were shipped to England each year. Just building the casks kept many men occupied. Frederick Kabler, Christopher's friend from Sulzfeld, was also given once as a cooper.

John Blankenbaker
http://www.germanna.com/
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~george/johnsgermnotes/germhis1.html
http://members.home.net/genelea/gerhist/index.html

John Blankenbaker
P.O. Box 120, Chadds Ford, PA 19317-0120
Note:
This information was published on the Germanna - L list at Roots Web
http://www.rootsweb.com/
The notes on the above and all other Germanna Notes by John Blankenbaker can be found @
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~george/johnsgermnotes/germhis1.html

Children were: Johannes Martin ZIMMERMAN, Andrew ZIMMERMAN, Christopher ZIMMERMAN Jr., Barbara ZIMMERMAN, Frederick ZIMMERMAN, Elizabeth ZIMMERMAN, Katherine ZIMMERMAN.


Hattie Pearl ZIMMERMAN355 was born on 29 May 1888 in Edwardsville, Wyandotte, Kansas.355 She died on 9 July 1946.355 Parents: William Henry ZIMMERMAN and Martha Ellen WILLIAMS.

Spouse: Matthew Theadore STEINMETZ. Hattie Pearl ZIMMERMAN and Matthew Theadore STEINMETZ were married on 6 April 1910.355


Helen Louise ZIMMERMAN was born on 22 November 1923 in Olathe, Kansas.1246 She died on 5 October 1992 in Lane County, Oregon.1246 Parents: William ZIMMERMAN and Dora Lou Ellen MCGEE.


Henery M. ZIMMERMAN was born in 1847 in Fleming Co. KY. Parents: John Barnett ZIMMERMAN and Catharine MARSHALL.


Henry ZIMMERMAN was born on 22 October 1852 in Hillsboro, Triplett , Fleming Co., Kentucky.1297 He died in 1913.28 Parents: Ryland Thomas Dillard ZIMMERMAN and Lucinda P. ATCHISON.


Henry Leroy ZIMMERMAN Sr.355 was born on 31 January 1895 in Tonganoxie, Leavenworth, Kansas.355 He died on 3 May 1979.355 He was buried on 5 May 1979.355 Parents: William Henry ZIMMERMAN and Martha Ellen WILLIAMS.

Spouse: Ivol Gertrude HAWKINS. Ivol Gertrude HAWKINS and Henry Leroy ZIMMERMAN Sr. were married on 27 December 1914 in Hamilton, Caldwell, Missouri.355 Children were: Nina Mae ZIMMERMAN, Henry Leroy ZIMMERMAN Jr., Arley Hugh ZIMMERMAN, Basil Edward ZIMMERMAN, Darlene Ann ZIMMERMAN, Eula Fay ZIMMERMAN.


Henry Leroy ZIMMERMAN Jr.355 was born on 20 February 1918 in Tonganoxie, Leavenworth, Kansas.355 He died on 22 August 1997 in Madera, Madera, California.355 He was buried on 25 August 1997 in Madera, Madera, California.355 Parents: Henry Leroy ZIMMERMAN Sr. and Ivol Gertrude HAWKINS.

Spouse: Dena Mary OTIS. Children were: Rex Leroy ZIMMERMAN, Ronald Allen ZIMMERMAN, Donald Lee ZIMMERMAN.


Henry Silas ZIMMERMAN255 was born on 1 July 1846 in Boone Co., Ky.255 He died Wft Est 1891-1938.255 Parents: Joshua ZIMMERMAN and Eliza Ann ROUSE.

Spouse: Mary Frances TANNER. Mary Frances TANNER and Henry Silas ZIMMERMAN were married on 14 September 1879 in Boone Co., Ky.255 Children were: Noah Anderson ZIMMERMAN, Anna Belle ZIMMERMAN.


Holly Noel ZIMMERMAN (private). Parents: Donald Lee ZIMMERMAN and Susan GRIFFITH.


Howard ZIMMERMAN (private). Parents: Edgar Dellose ZIMMERMAN and Edith Mae ELDRIDGE.


Huck Lawson ZIMMERMAN (private). Parents: Guy Thomas ZIMMERMAN IV and Sarah CAVALARIS.


Ida Belle "Rose" ZIMMERMAN was born on 27 February 1881 in Hinch, Shannon Co., Missouri. She died on 7 June 1967 in Drummond, Garfield, Oklahoma. Parents: Beniah (Benjamin) Porter ZIMMERMAN and Tennessee Paralee DAVIS.

Spouse: Benjamin Franklin WRIGHT. Ida Belle "Rose" ZIMMERMAN and Benjamin Franklin WRIGHT were married in April 1901 in Houston, Texas Co., MO. Children were: Francis WRIGHT, Anna Fay WRIGHT.

Spouse: Ed STULL. Ida Belle "Rose" ZIMMERMAN and Ed STULL were married on 8 September 1949.


Jace ZIMMERMAN (private). Parents: Donald Lee ZIMMERMAN and Susan GRIFFITH.


Jackob Andreas ZIMMERMAN34 was born on 14 December 1766 in feld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.34 He was a carpenter in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Parents: Christian Jakob ZIMMERMAN and Rosina SCHOCK.

Spouse: Magdalena Sophia KURR. Magdalena Sophia KURR and Jackob Andreas ZIMMERMAN34 were married befor 1798 in Ochsenburg.34 Children were: Magdalena Barbara ZIMMERMAN, Bernhard Gottieb ZIMMERMAN, Johann Jakob ZIMMERMAN, Michael Bernhard ZIMMERMAN, Christian Jakob ZIMMERMAN.

Spouse: Katharina WEIGELIN. Children were: Georg Ernst ZIMMERMAN, Louise Sophia ZIMMERMAN, Fridrich ZIMMERMAN, Johann Jakob ZIMMERMAN, Elisabeth ZIMMERMAN, Jakobine ZIMMERMAN, Elisabeth ZIMMERMAN, Franz Adam ZIMMERMAN.


Jacob ZIMMERMAN (private). Parents: Frederick ZIMMERMAN and Rosanna CRIGLER.


Jacob ZIMMERMAN was born on 20 November 1682 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He died on 27 November 1682 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Parents: Christian ZIMMERMAN and Maria SCHUCHTER.


Jagtorn ZIMMERMAN was born on 14 February 1685/6 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He/she died still born on 14 February 1686 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.1298 Parents: Christian ZIMMERMAN and Maria SCHUCHTER.


Jakob Adam ZIMMERMAN34 was born on 31 July 1791.34 He died on 25 February 1860 in Neu-Sulzfeld.34 Parents: Christoph ZIMMERMAN and Elisabeth Catharina FISCHER.


Jakob Christopher ZIMMERMAN34 was born on 17 May 1801.34 Parents: Christoph ZIMMERMAN and Elisabeth Catharina FISCHER.


Jakobine ZIMMERMAN267 was born on 4 July 1820 in Sulzfeld, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Parents: Jackob Andreas ZIMMERMAN and Katharina WEIGELIN.


James ZIMMERMAN160 was born on 12 May 1793. He died on 3 January 1843. Parents: Reuben ZIMMERMAN and Elizabeth ZIEGLER.


James ZIMMERMAN1299 was born in 1867 in Kentucky. Parents: Ryland Thomas Dillard ZIMMERMAN and Lucinda P. ATCHISON.


James ZIMMERMAN was born on 28 February 1880. He died on 12 July 1883. Parents: John Erastis ZIMMERMAN and Essie CARMICHAEL.


James A. ZIMMERMAN1300 was born about 1843 in Illinois, USA. The 1860 census has William W. Zimmerman listed under James Zimmerman. Under William W. there is a James A 17 years old. James Zimmerman has a child listed under him as James E. one month old.This could be William's son or it could be James Notley son or some other relationship. Parents: William H. ZIMMERMAN and Unknown (2) ZIMMERMAN.


James Abraham ZIMMERMAN was born on 27 February 1883. He died on 27 February 1883. Parents: Beniah (Benjamin) Porter ZIMMERMAN and Tennessee Paralee DAVIS.


James Banuis ZIMMERMAN was born on 6 May 1890. He died on 16 September 1947. Parents: John Erastis ZIMMERMAN and Essie CARMICHAEL.

Spouse: Lula FELTS. Children were: Edward ZIMMERMAN.


James Calvin ZIMMERMAN160 was born on 8 September 1832 in Stokes Co. NC. He died in 1900. Parents: John ZIMMERMAN and Nancy .

Spouse: Martha Adaline SPEASE. Martha Adaline SPEASE and James Calvin ZIMMERMAN were married on 15 October 1856. Children were: John Erastis ZIMMERMAN, Arelius Tobias ZIMMERMAN, Eugene Raymond ZIMMERMAN, James Lee ZIMMERMAN.