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The front side of the Ansbach-Bayreuth Regimental Flag
captured at the conclusion of the Battle of Yorktown...
GEORG PETER ZOELLNER
(1760-1822)
George Zellner came to America as a Private in the Ansback Regiment as a Mercenary for the British in the American Revolutionary War. June 1783 - he is recorded on Muster Roll in Philadelphia, Newport, Springfield & Yorktown.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deed Book O p. 291 Bertie Co: WILLIAM ASHBURN of Bertie County, North Carolina to GEORGE PETER ZELLNER . 18 Nov. 1788 50 pounds (no acres) (messuage) joining SpringBranch, Ryan, Wm Ashley. Wit: JOHN NICHOLLS, REUBEN KNIGHT. Nov Ct 1788.
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From 1788-1800 George Zellner was a buyer at three vendues: the estates of the following: Hardy Hunter (1794), Wm Jordan(1790) and John Nicholls (1791)
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George Peter Zellner's Will,
Will Book C and D, p. 1489I, George Zellner Sr., of the State of Georgia, and County of Lincoln, being weak in Body but of sound mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to say soul, I recommend to God who gives it find my body to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors.1. I give and bequeath to my daughter Barbary Bentley fifty dollars to be paid out of my Estate after my decease given her before.2. I give and bequeath to my Beloved Wife Mary Zellner four hundred dollars, with one niger girl named Milly, one horse and saddle one cow and calf with such household and kitchen furniture as she thinks proper to use in during her natural life and after her demise to be Equally divided between my five youngest children that is to say Arnold Zellner, John Zellner, Sarah McCord, Andrew Zellner and George Zellner, share and share alike.3rd. All the ballance of my property which I have not given is to be sold at my demise and Equally divided between my five youngest children.4th. I give my devoted wife Mary Zellner one feather bed and furniture as she may choose to be ..., and it has been disposed.5th. And lastly I made and ordain Elisha McCord and John Zellner my Executors to ... this my last will and Testament, into Effect. Revoking all other Wills or Testaments made in Witness whereof I have .. my hand and seal this second day of November 1821. George Zellner. )Georgia ) Personally came in open court SilasGoldman and TravisLincoln County ) McKinney and after being duly swornaccording to law saith ) they saw George Zellner, deceased,sign, seal and heard him acknowledge the written testament of writingto be his last will and testament and at the time of his doing he wasof a sound disposing mind and memory to the best of their knowledge.Sworn to in open court this 6th day of January 1823.William Harper, CCOTravis McKinneySilas Goldman Recorded this 13th of January 1823 William Harper CCO (Clerk of the Court of Ordinary)
American Military: 1776, Revolutionary War; with British Occupation 1: in Long Island made saddles, bridles, and shoesOccupation 2: in North Carolina, making and running tar kilnsProperty: 1788, Owned land in Bertie County, North CarolinaResidence 1: 1873, Windsor, Bertie County, North CarolinaResidence 2: Forsyth, Monroe County, GeorgiaResidence 3: Bef. 1773, Yorktown, Virginia Residence 4: 1773, Windsor, Bertie County, North CarolinaResidence 5: Bet. 1790 - 1799, Bertie County, North CarolinaResidence 6: 1799, Lincoln County, GeorgiaResidence 7: 1800, moved from Bertie County, North Carolina to Lincoln County, GeorgiaResidence 8: 1820, Lincoln County, GeorgiaResidence 9: Bef. 1873, Yorktown, Virginia
Will: January 06, 1823, Will recorded in Lincoln County, Georgia on 6 January 1823
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ZOELLNER, GEORGE PETER, Sr
(1760-1822)
Biography of George Peter Zellner, Sr.by Shirley Gall
GEORGE PETER ZELLNER SR.; Born circa 1760 in Hanover, Germany.
Died circa 1822 in Lincoln County, Georgia. About 1786 George
Peter Sr. married 1st Elizabeth Nicholls (Nichols). Elizabeth
was born circa 1758 and died circa 1786. George Peter Sr.
married 2nd, Mar-17-1789 in Bertie County, North Carolina to
Mary Capehart. Mary was born Jun-27-1761 in Bertie County, North
Carolina and died Nov-01-1847 in Forsythe, Monroe County,
Georgia. Mary was the daughter of Michael Capehart (from
Germany) and Frances Nicholls.
All information which has been examined supports the concept
that George Peter Zellner Sr. came from Germany in the late
1700s and settled in North Carolina and finally Georgia.
Georg Peter Zoellner arrived in America in 1783.
The exact birth date and birthplace of George Peter are un-
known, but many researchers seem to indicate 1760 as his year of
birth and Hannover, Germany as his birthplace. He is listed in
the index of Mercenaries From Ansbach/Bayreuth, Germany, Who
Remained in America After the Revolution (Westland Publishers:
McNeal, AZ, 1979) and Passengers & Immigration Index, Vo1.#3
lists: Georg Peter Zoellner, no age, America, 1783. A Johann
Zoellner was also reported on the same muster rolls of the
Ansbach/Bayreuth regiment. No relationship between the two men
is known at this time and Johann may have returned to Germany
after the Revolution, as many of the German mercenaries did.
German mercenaries, in American history, were the troops hired
by Great Britain to fight the rebelling American colonies. In
this crisis, the British government turned to Catherine II of
Russia for a loan of 20,000 men, but, persuaded by Frederick the
Great, she refused to help. The next potential source of
recruits was Germany, and, as Elector of Hanover, George III was
first made himself a loan of five Hanoverian battalions, which
were sent to Gibraltar and Minorca to relieve the same number of
British battalions. On hearing the news of Bunker Hill, three of
the 300 or so petty German princes offered military aid to
Britain. (Source: Directory of American History, Vol.3, 1976.)
In the course of the Revolutionary War a total of 29,875 such
German officers and men were sent to America. The Ansbach/
Bayreuth regiment numbered 2,353. For the services of these
troops England paid 1,770,000 sterling in levy money and
subsidies to the princes alone, a small sum when one considers
that many of the officers had received excellent training in the
Seven Years' War, that the men were well-disciplined-for the
princes maintained relatively large standing armies, partly for
the purpose of hiring out troops - and that the Germans
constituted about one-third of all the land forces fighting for
the king in North America.
2nd Regiment Anspach-Beyreuth, 1777-1779: Regiment Seybothen,
1779-1782: 2nd Anspach Battalion, 1783. Regimental history and
strength same as 1st Regiment Anspach-Beyreuth. Uniform: Black
facings, white small clothes.
COMMANDERS: Col. F. A. V. Voit von Salsburg, to May 1778 Col.
F.J.H.W.C. von Seybothen, May 1778 to war's end.
The Germans brought with them neither a loyalty for England nor
a dislike of America. Neither officers nor men knew much about
the causes of the Revolutionary War, and to them the Americans
were rebels who refused to obey their lawful king. Having sworn
allegiance to this same king they were bound to fight these
rebels for him. Their innate discipline made them good soldiers
and as such they fought for a cause in which they had no
concern.
At first they were generally feared by the Americans, but soon
they were respected as soldiers and treated kindly as prisoners.
Congress issued several proclamations urging them to desert. Of
the 1,170 of the Ansbach-Bayreuth troops who did not return to
Germany, many had either deserted or received permission to
remain in America after the war. Others had been bought out of
prisons by farmers, tradesmen, and even by prospective wives.
After the Revolutionary War, about 1783, George Peter Zoellner
went south to Bertie County, North Carolina, where he first
married Elizabeth Nicholls and had at least one daughter,
Barbara, (Note: One source indicates that they were married in
King and Queen County, Virginia instead of Bertie County, North
Carolina and this may be a possibility since according to a
letter from Jane Z. Gladney: "The Nicholls and Garretts came
over to King & Queen Co., VA on the heels of Columbus - were
soldiers in Armies of Oliver Cromwell. After he was beheaded,
they fled England for the New Lands and have been in King &
Queen Co., VA ever since.")
Records show that George Peter was a land owner in Bertie County
as early as 1788. His occupation during this time was thought to
have been running tar kilns, blacksmithing, and making leather
goods and saddlery which, according to one re- searcher, he
would transport by wagon and mules to New Orleans to send and
then ride mules back to North Carolina.
His first wife died before 1789 and on 17 Mar of that year, he
married Mary Capehart ( a cousin to his first wife), daughter of
Michael and Frances (Nicholls) Capehart. Mary Capehart was born
27 Jun 1761 in Bertie County, North Carolina. By this wife
George Peter had another daughter, Sarah, and four sons: Arnold,
John William, Andrew and George Peter Jr.
Soon after her marriage, George Peter's second wife joined the
Baptist Church. Her husband's religious prejudices being very
strong, and his mind thoroughly imbued with the mode of worship
practiced in his own country (he was believed to be of the
Lutheran faith), that he would not see his wife baptized into
the faith and doctrine of the Baptist Church. But the
circumstances put him to reading and studying the Scriptures,
which he continued almost incessantly for four weeks, when at
their next meeting, he himself joined and was baptized into the
Baptist Church with his wife. From then until the day of their
deaths, they were remarkable for their piety and strict
obedience of Christian duties. (Source: Taken from minutes of
Sharon Primitive Baptist Church at Strouds, GA)
In 1799, George Peter and his family moved from Bertie Co., N.C.
to Lincoln Co., GA. Records show him on various tax and land
records as well as land lottery lists.
George Peter made his will on 2 Nov 1821 and it was recorded in
Lincoln Co. on 6 Jan 1823, placing his date of death between
these two years, possibly in late 1822. No gravesite has ever
been found. One researcher states "he was not a robust man, his
constitution having been impaired in consequence of medicine
having been carelessly administered in his youth, leading to his
death at a comparatively early age."
His widow, Mary, was listed on the 1832 Harris Co., GA land
lottery for Cherokee lands. She died in Monroe Co., GA on 1 Nov
1847 at the age of 86 and is buried in the Zellner Cemetery,
located one mile north of Smarr, Georgia in Monroe County.
George Peter Zellner's motto through life was: "Open and fair
dealing," never to deceive or take advantage of anyone's want of
information. All this was handed down to those who were well
acquainted with the parties and facts.
MONROE COUNTY, GA - BIOGRAPHY George Peter Zellner, Sr.
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
Archives by: Michele Mills mhmills@email.com
Table of Contents page:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/monroe.htm
Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
Children of George Peter Zellner and Mary Capehart Zellner-
1. Arnold Zellner
1790 – 1852
2. Sarah Zellner McCord
1792 - 1855
3. John William Zellner
1794 – 1862
4. Andrew Zellner
1798 – 1892
5. George Peter Zellner, Jr.
1800 – 1822
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ANDREW ZELLNER
Andrew Zellner, was born in North Carolina in 1798, and was only six months old when the family came to Georgia. He was reared in Lincoln county, and was married in 1818, just across the line in Wilkes county, to Rebecca Holmes, who bore him eight children: B. H., the subject of this sketch; Francis A., deceased; George; Andrew B.; John W., planter, Monroe county; James, Mary, widow of Ebenezer Pharr, Forsyth, Ga., and Sarah J., wife of William Walker, Thomaston, Ga. In 1824 he moved with his family to Monroe county and settled about eight miles southwest of Forsyth, where he lived until 1837, when he moved to the place, four miles southeast of Forsyth. His wife died in 1875, aged seventy-two years, but he survived until 1892, having attained to his ninety-fourth year. In some respects he was a remarkable man, his longevity being largely due to his methodical habits and abstemiousness, it being a fact worthy of note and imitation that he never used tobacco in any form, nor drank a drop of liquor except as a medicine. Before the war he was a whig in politics; a Primitive Baptist always. Source: "Memoirs of Georgia: containing historical accounts of the State's Civil, Military, Industrial and Professional Interests, and Personal Sketches of Many of its People, Vol. II; The Southern Historical Association, 1895 - transcribed by Karen Seeman
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Biography of Andrew J. Zellner
Contributed by Tommy Thompson III and Charles Thompson
Two dates of birth have been suggested for Andrew Zellner, son of George Peter Zellner and Mary Capehart. His tombstone reads 7 Sept 1800 but the date 24 Sept 1798 has been given on various records. It is noted that one of his sons, also named Andrew, was born on 24 Sept., so perhaps this is the reason for the confusion. Bertie County, NC., is believed to be the place of birth. Whether or not he was a twin to Sarah is also cause for debate.
On 7 Jun 1819, (in Wilkes Co., GA), Andrew was married to Rebecca Holmes, sister to Margaret Holmes who married Andrew's brother Arnold. Rebecca was the daughter of Benjamin Holmes (1758-1816) and Mary Hughes (1765-1819). Rebecca was born on 27 Aug 1803, in Wilkes Co., GA
According to an article in "The Gospel Messenger" (1892) written by their oldest son, B.H. Zellner, "Andrew and Rebecca both joined the Baptist Church at Greenwood, Columbia Co., GA, soon after their marriage and were baptized by their pastor, Elder Armstrong."
"In 1824, they moved with their three children from Lincoln Co., to Monroe Co., GA, where they lived to raise five sons and 2 daughters. Their further descendants now number about 53 grandchildren, 127 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, most of whom now live in said county of Monroe..."
"Andrew Zellner was a prominent and consistent member of 70 years, and over 60 years as a deacon. He was in the organization of Sharon Church, Monroe Co., GA, about the year 1827 and about 10 years later, having moved to the vicinity of Forsyth, was in the organization of Smyrna Church, of which he remained a member until his death.
He was a successful farmer and provided well, even bountifully, for a large family and other dependents. Modest and unassuming, his influence and teachings were mainly from example. In relation to ways and means and duties pertaining to time and this life only, he was ever ready to reason, consult and be instructed. But his religious convictions having been the result of long and close reading and studying of scriptures, and as he believed revelation by the Holy Ghost he would listen to no manipulation or compromise of the cardinal doctrines of the New Testament as taught by Christ, the Apostles and evangelists.
Of human depravity and helplessness, his experience ruled out all doubt. Of salvation by grace, through fraith, and that of the Lord, he had not a doubt. Even in the last hours of his greatly prolonged life his cry was "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, my all in all !! Lord, thou hast promised and I believe ! My unworthiness cannot hinder ! Great is Jehovah; blessed be the name of the Lord !" Although his last illness was severe and greatly prolonged and his mind, at times much confused, he never, for a moment, wavered in his entire reliance on Jesus, and Him alone for salvation. Finally, without the slightest movement, or twitching of muscle, he ceased breathing and was no more."
In all, ten children were born to Andrew and Rebecca. The three oldest sons, Benjamin Holmes, Francis Arnold and Thomas were born in Lincoln Co., GA., the remaining children in Monroe Co., GA. Two children died young; Thomas at age 13 and Matilda at age 5 months. All surviving children married and raised families in Monroe County.
Andrew died in Monroe Co., on 18 July 1892 at age 94 and his wife preceeded him on 27 Apr 1875 at age 72.
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Monroe County, Georgia, Will Book D, p. 331-2
I, Andrew Zellner of said State and county, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, for divers good and sufficient reason, do make, ordain, and declare and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others.
Item 1
Trusting my soul with God whom I through life have endeavored to serve and worship, I desire my body to be buried in accordance with my circumstances, the custom of the country, and wishes of my children and friends.
Item 2
I give and bequeath my grand daughter, Sarah James Zellner, child of my deceased son, James, as her full and entire share and interest in and to my estate, the sum of $400.00, and appoint my beloved and trusty grand son, Thomas J. Zellner, trustee of the said bequest, and direct he pay the same to-gether with its increase, if any, to my said grand daughter upon her marriage or becoming of 18 years of age.
Item 3
I give, bequeath, and devise to my son Benjamine H. Zellner $900.00 dollars; to my son George, $900.00 dollars, to my son, John W. Zellner, $900.00 dollars, to my daughter Mary R. Pharr, $900.00 dollars, to my daughter Sarah J. Walker, $900.00 dollars, and to my son Francis A. $600.00 dollars. I have already theretofore given and advanced to my son Francis A. $300.00 dollars, and to my son Andrew Burton, $900.00 dollars in excess of advancements made to my other children to wit: Benj. H.; George; John W.; Mary R. and Sarah J.
Item 4
The residue of my property of any and ever description, personal and real what-ever and where-ever the same may be, I give, bequeath and devise to my sons: Benj. H.; Francis A.; Andrew Burton; and John W. and to my daughters, Mary R. Pharr and Sarah J. Walker in equal shares, each of the same, in this residue, to share and share alike.
Item 5
I desire that upon my death my executor hereinafter named, shall after giving lawful notice or publication of sale, without further order of authority, proceed to sell the goods and chattels, effects and property of my estate, both real and personal at the HOMESTEAD upon the premises of my estate, or at the county site as he may elect and determine, both real and personal, and after paying all just debts, dues and legal expenses, distribute the remaining proceeds as theretofore arranged, willed and directed, or all partied interested in distribution of said proceeds, being of age, he may distribute any other way that may be agreed upon by said interested parties.
Item 6
I hereby constitute and appoint my son Benjamine H. Zellner, executor of this my last will and testament. This 10th day of January 1876
Witness to will:
J. M. Ponder, W. M. Johnson, and C. M. Ham
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Georgia Marriage -Andrew Zellner
Spouse: Rebecca Holmes
Marriage Date: 7 Jun 1819
Marriage County: Wilkinson
Marriage State: Georgia
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1820 US Federal Census-Andrew Zeolner [Andrew Zellner]
County: Lincoln
State: Georgia
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Males - Under 10: 1
Free White Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 2
Slaves - Females - Under 14: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 1
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total Slaves: 1
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, 4
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1840 US Federal Census-Andrew Zelner (Andrew Zellner)
Township: District 554
County: Monroe
State: Georgia
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 2
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 2
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 4
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Free Colored, Slaves): 19
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 7
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 9
Total Slaves: 10
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1850 US Federal Census-Andrew Zellener (Zellner)
Age: 52
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1798
Birth Place: North Carolina
Home in 1850: Division 60, Monroe, Georgia Family Number: 457
Household Members:
Name Age
Andrew Zellener 52
Rebecca Zellener 37
John W Zellener 19
Elisha J Zellener 17
Mary B Zellener 14
Sarah J Zellener 9
Lucy Warwick 69
1850 US Federal Census- Slave Schedules-Andrew owned 9 female slaves from ages 36 to 6 yrs. of age.
Andrew owned 8 male slaves from ages 28 yrs. to 1 mth. old.
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1860 US Federal Census-Andrew Zelmerr (Andrew Zellner)
Age in 1860: 62
Birth Year: abt 1798
Birthplace: Georgia
Home in 1860: Brantleys, Monroe, Georgia
Post Office: Forsyth
Value of real estate: 5,500.
Personal Estate: 1,800.
Household Members:
Name Age
Andrew Zelmer 62
Rebecca Zelmer 54
James Zelmer 27
Sallie Zelmer 19
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1870 US Federal Census-Andrew Zellner
Birth Year: abt 1800
Age in 1870: 70
Birthplace: Georgia
Home in 1870: Monroe, Georgia
Household Members:
Name Age
Andrew Zellner 70
Rebecca Zellner
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1880 US Federal Census-Andrew Zellner
Home in 1880: District 554, Monroe, Georgia
Age: 81
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1799
Birthplace: North Carolina
Father's birthplace: Germany
Mother's birthplace: North Carolina
Occupation: Retired Farmer
Marital Status: Widower
Household Members:
Name Age Andrew Zellner 81
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Children of Andrew and Rebecca Holmes Zellner-
1.Judge Benjamin Holmes Zellner
1820 – 1901
2. Frances Arnold Zellner
1822 – 1891
3. Thomas Zellner
1823 – 1836
4. George William Zellner
1825 – 1900
5. Matilda Zellner
1826 – 1827
6. Andrew Burton Zellner
1828 – 1895
7. John William Zellner
1830 – 1898
8. Elisha James Zellner
1833 – 1862
9. Mary Rebecca Zellner Pharr
1836 – 1907
10. Sarah Jane Zellner Walker
1841 – 1927
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