This page is dedicated to the family of PERMELIA EMILY GAAR, the wife of Francis Marbury Greer and the mother of Elizabeth Francis Greer. Some miscellaneous data found about members of the family are: Article in a newspaper appearing on November 19, 1822 Pursuant to an order of the Court of Ordinary of the County of Elbert, will be sold at the late residence of ADAM GAAR, in the county aforesaid, on the 1st Tuesday in January next, 11 negroes...Also...other property belonging to the estate of said deceased (signed) Allen Daniels, Adm'r, Nancy Gaar, Adm'x from an issue appearing February 3, 1824: Georgia, Mmorgan Coutny. Whereas Catharine Gaar applies to me for letters of administration on the estate of LEWIS GAAR, late of said county deceased.... given under my hand this 27th day of January, 1824. from an issue of September 28, 1824: Executors's Sales--will be sold at the late residence of JOEL GAAR, late of Morgan County, deceased, on thursday the 4th day of November next, all the perishable property of said deceased consisting of horses, hogs, cattle, corn, fodder. (signed) Alexander McCalpin, ex'or from an issue of December 7, 1824 Executor's sale--will be sold on the firs Tuesday in February, next, at the courthouse in the town of Madison, Morgan County, a lot of land lying in the town of Madison, a part of the real estate of JOEL GAAR, deceased (signed) Alexander McAlpin, ex'or from an issue of January 17, 1826 Agreeable to an order of the Inferior Court of Morgan County will be sold at the courthouse in Madison, in said county, on the first Tuesday in Arpil next, 5 acres of land, adjoining the town of Madison, on which is situated a Tan-yard...sold for the benefit of the heirs of JOEL GAAR, deceased. (signed) Alexander McAlpin, ex'or. In reviewing the book, "Georgia Intestate Records" by Jeannette Holland Austin, the following three records were reported: GAAR, Michael, decd, paid James Brown, Abraham Gaar Nicodemus Colbert 1795; Virginia travel expenses; settlement by Joeseph Rucker and Lewis Gaar; Benjamin Gaar, executor of Adam Gaar, Sr; Adam Gaar, guardian of minors--Sally, Joel, Wm, Nancy, Frances and George Gaar, Elbert Cty Ga GAAR, Joel, decd, Alexander McAlpin, guardian of orphans Permelia, Benajah L., Elizabeth W., 11/1/1824, Morgan Cty, Ga GAAR, Joel, decd, Alexander McAlpin appointed guardian of orphans: Michael A., Margaret and Russell W Gaar, 3/15/1826 John Barton posted security, Morgan Cty, Ga From p 230 of Early Records of Georgia-Wilkes County, GAAR, MICHAEL, dec'd. Lewis and Adam Gaar app. adm December 23, 1790 on page 117 of the same publication, there is an entry wherein Michael Gaar had served as a witness to an act for another party on Sept 10, 1790--indicating that he was alive at that time. From one publication, I found a listing from Wilkes county listing the returns of administrators and guardians from 1791-1795 listing: Gaar, Abraham Gaar, Adam Sr deceased Gaar, Benj Gaar, Lewis Gaar, Michael, deceased In a publication of the Widows of Revolutionary Soldiers, I found a Gaar, Catharine listed as a widow living in Morgan County. In a CD rom for Morgan County marriage 1808-1850, I found where there was a marriage of Joel Gaar to Catherine Kendrick on Sept 24, 1816. The family begins in Bavaria, Germany and progresses as follows: HANS GAAR ELIZABETH SCHAIELTEL --------------------- -------------------- b b m Jan 23, 1570, Bavaria d d --children-- Thomas Gaar THOMAS GAAR ANNA WAIDENHOFEL --------------------- --------------------- b 1575 Bavaria b Apr 8, 1559, Bavaria m July 26, 1625 Bavaria d d --children-- Johanns Adreas Gaar JOHANN ANDREA GAAR APPOLONIA GRIMM (daug of George Grimm) --------------------- --------------------- b 1628 Bavaria b Jun 4, 1630 Bavaria m Jan 12, 1657 d Oct 22, 1704, Bavaria d Dec 18, 1704, Bavaria --children-- Johann or John or Hans Gaar JOHN GAAR (weaver) BARBARA ELIZABETH SCHUEBET --------------------- --------------------- b Nov 17, 1657 Bavaria, Germany b June 8, 1663 Bavaria m Oct 24, 1682 Bavaria d May 22, 1738 Bavaria d Their children were: Catherine b Oct 23, 1683 d May 15, 1684 -----> Anreas b June 14, 1685 John b Apr 29, 1693 John Martin b Nov 22, 1697 d Dec 11, 1758 ANREAS GAR (weaver) EVE SEIDELMANN --------------------- --------------------- b June 14, 1685 Bavaria, Germany b Feb 23, 1685 Bavaria m Feb 23, 1711 Bavaria, Germany d abt 1750, Madison Cty, Va d 1713, Va Their children were: ------> John Adam Gaar b Nov 24, 1711 Rosina b Aug 11, 1713 Elizabeth Barbara b Mar 20, 1715 d May 12, 1721 Lorenz b Nov 29, 1716 Andreas b Sep 13, 1718 Eve Maria b Oct 20, 1719 d Nov 30, 1724 Anna Margharetta b Feb 24, 1721 d Nov 26, 1724 Hans George b Aug 15, 1722 d Nov 22, 1724 John b Apr 24, 1724 d July 20, 1727 John Leonard b May 6, 1726 d July 25, 1727 Maria Barbara b July 15, 1728 Elizabeth Barbara b Feb 11, 1730 I found a listing of an Andreas Gaar and Johann Adam Gaar arriving in Philadelphia from Germany in 1732 in Rupp: A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names, p 79-80 and in Strassburger: Penn German Pioneers, Vol 1, 3, page 89, 91. JOHN ADAM GAAR, SR (gggggg g-f) ELIZABETH KAFEL (gggggg g-m) ---------------------------- -------------------------- b Dec 24, 1711 /b m d about 1822-Elbert Cty, Ga Elizabeth Kafel was the daug of Han Blankenbahler and Appelonia Kafer. ---children--- -----> Michael Gaar Louis Gaar Benjamin Gaar Elizabeth Gaar Rosannah Gaar Mary Magdaline Gaar MICHAEL GAAR (my ggggg g-f) Elizabeth Wilhoit my ggggg g-m ------------------------------ -------------------------- b b m d unknown but probably 1795 or prior d Elizabeth Wilhoit was the daughter of Adam and Catherine Wilhoit of Germany. ---children--- John Adam Gaar George Gaar 1899 to April 18, 1836 ----->> Joel Gaar Wilhelm Gaar Abraham Gaar Simeon Gaar b June 7, 1774 d Mar 20, 1852 Maria Gaar b Nov 27, 1775 Michael Gaar served in the Revolutionary War. He furnished supplies to troops of the Continental Army and served as a lieutenant in the County Militia from Culpepper County under General Assembly Act of Oct 1780. Also a recognized patrioth in Culpepper. This is the same line as DAR #438076. JOEL GAAR (my gggg g-f) LUCY HEAD (my gggg g-m) ------------------------- ---------------------- b ? b ? m ? d unknown but probably 1824 or prior d 1856 ---children--- ----->> Permelia Emily b Oct 6, 1804 d Sep 23, 1893 Elizabeth Wilhoit b d Mar 1831 Margaret Catherine b Feb 27, 1810 d July 29, 1886 Benagar Lewis Gaar b 1810-1812 d Mar 1848 Greene Cty Michael Adam (Rev) b Jan 9, 1813 d Mar 2, 1864 Russell Winn (or Wiley) I have exchanged e-mail with CriseydeJo@aol.com who has ancestral ties to the above listed Benagar L Gaar. Based on her family records, this person confirmed that Joel Gaar who had married Lucy Head, d. 1856. Her records even showed that the more modern faction of the family listed the last name as GARR. It was projected that Benagar was born between late 1810 to early 1812 and that he died in Greene County in March, 1848. Benegar's wife was listed as being Louesa Williams, b Aug 11, 1811 in Greene Cty, Ga and died Apr 24, 1873 in VIENNA, LA. Louesa's mother was Cecilia Moore. Benegar and Lucy's daughter was Lucy George Gaar/Garr and her dates are Dec 27, 1836, Henry Cty, Ga and death as Nov 6, 1908 in Ruston, La. Lucy married William Henry Tanner and later Dr Quinn. Further data on this line should be obtained via the above e-mail address. See below for Permilea and Frances Greer's marriage on Dec 16, 1824 in Morgan Cty Ga. In addition, the marriage records for Morgan County also lists marriages of Elizabeth Gaar to Jesse Ammond on March 20, 1827. There was a Lucy Gaar married to either William Barton or Partin on July 10 or 11, 1824. She may have been another child who married prior to the death of her father so she would not have been listed above. The third notice above includes a Margaret. There was a marriage listing in Morgan Cty for either Martha or Mary Gaar to George W Young on either Aug 5, 1829 or Apr 4, 1829. This person could have been the same as listed for Margaret above. Some other marriages from ELBERT County that may be related and useful in the future were: William Gaar to Sarah Craft Dec 1, 1831 William Gaar to Keziah Davis Oct 25, 1827 William Gaar to Lucy Rucker May 20, 1810 There was a listing in the Christian Index of Obituaries 1822-1879 of a Leonidas A Gaar who died July 14, 1853 at the ages of 25 years and who was the sone of Rev Michael Gaar. In the same publication was a note of a Mrs Mary Gaar, 49 yrs, died on Jan 26, 1844 in Elbert County. In the same publication was a note of George Gaar, age 37, who died April 18, 1836 in Ruckersville, Elbert County. The following data is also reported in the Greer page: FRANCIS MARBURY GREER (my ggg g-f) PERMELIA EMILY GAAR GREER (my ggg g-m) ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------- b 2-12-1794 /b 10-6-1804 m 12-16-1824 Morgan County, Ga d 2-27-1885 Claiborne Par, La /d 9-23-1893 (both are buried Lisbon Methodist Cemetary, Lisbon, Claiborne Par, La) ----children---- Francis Elizabeth Greer Avery (1823-1907) J L Greer J W Greer W Lafayette 1838-1860 Russell Wynn 1843-1900To continue this line, go to the GREER page.
THE FOLLOWING IS FROM "GENEALOGY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF JOHN GAR" BY JOHN WESLEY GARR AND JOHN CALHOUN GARR: The "OLD GERMAN LETTERS" (Page 530) Brought from Bavaria in 1732 by Andreas Gar I. From the Lutheran Minister at Illenschwang Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Amen. Whereas, Andreas Gar, subject of Dunkhofbuhl and weaver-master of this town of Illenschwang, has determined to leave this country, with his wife, Eve and his five children (John Adam, Lorenz, Rosina, Maria Barbara and Elizabeth Barbara) and as I have wished to dissuade the same and his family from their purpose, having been all along very dear parish children of mine, by the grace of God; but their purpose could not be altered, and so, at their request, I furnish them the following testimony, viz: That the said married couple have been lovers of the Word of God, have constantly attended public wordhip, and frequently received the sacrament of the "Lord's Supper" after having with devotion attended to the usual Confession and Repentance for sin; and in all other things have lived a Christian life; also that they have raised their children to perform holy and Christian works, so that they may now, as baptized children in the Christian doctrine, with the blessing of God, upon the foundation laid, build the superstructure. I now wish with all my heart that God may continue to govern the whole of them by His grace, to preserve among them His Holy Word, to bless their outgoing and their incoming, to accompany them in all their ways, and to prosper their enterprise, tht their spiritual and etermal welfare may thereby be assured, and their temporal interests benefitted. The Lord God say to this, my pastoral wish - Amen! John Leonard Kisel, Pastor Illenschwang, April 25, 1732 II. From the Mayor and City Council of Dinkelsbuehl Inasmuch as we, Burgomaster and Council of the City of Dunkhofbuhl, in the Holy Roman Empire, have been informed by Andreas Gar, formerly a citizen of Illenschwang, that he is resolved to emigrate to Pennsylvania, and in consequence has respectfully requested us to furnish him a public certificate showing that he has been a well-behaved citizen among us, and as it respects any blood-relation, he leaves none behind him; and as his request is founded on reason and truth; Therefore, we have thought it right to comply with his petition; Therefore, we certify by these presents hat the said petitioner, so far as known unto us, has on all occasions conducted himself praiseworthily, and that he leaves without any blood relations behind him, and without any debts. In virtue of this, is this certificate given and sealed by the common chancery seal of the city of Dunkhofbuhl. Given in Dunkhofbuhl the 26th day of April, 1732. Note from John Calhoun Garr: It was an indignity heaped upon the Lutherans in Bavaria at that time by the Catholic administration at that time in power, that they (the Lutherans), before they could leave Bavaria, should certify that they left no children behind them - or, more particularly, no illegitimate children - to become a burden upon the state. The records show that Andreas Gar left father and brothers behind him. RECORDS FROM ILLENSCHWANG, BAVARIA (Page 531) Note from John Calhoun Garr: The following letter and records were delivered to me in Dinkelsbuehl, Bavaria by the Pastor of the Lutheran Church at Illenschwang, five miles from Dinkelsbuehl, and were translated into English by his brother, Lewis Wild, of 13 Canonbury Park, S. London, England on March 1, 1888. Honored Sir: In accordance with your wish, you will receive inclosed the family certificate, as well as an exact copy of a letter of Andreas Gar's. I can not trace your genealogy any further back in our register, as Andreas Gar came from Frankenhofen. It is impossible to prove the connection between Andreas Gar and Johann George Gar, nor is it possible to find the wedding date of Andreas Gar's wife's parents. Gearge and Barbara Seidelmann were married at some other place, and lived at some other place during the first few years of their wedlock, but this place is not named anywhere. Concerning my renumeration, I have no guidance, as I never before made such a comprehensive and complicated work, and therefore leave the estimation of my labors in your hands. You may rest assured that I made a most exhaustvie examination of our church registers, to give you a picture as complete as possible. According to our laws, I had to affix a stamp of 50 pfennigs on my certificate. Inclosed you will find my brothers' addresses, etc. Trusting you will succeed in clearing up all points concerning your family. I am, etc. R. Wild ILLENSCHWANG CHURCH FAMILY RECORDS (Page 532) Andreas Gar, newly situated weaver and countryman of D0inkelsbuhl, son of John Gar, Wuertembergisch Weiltingesch, weaver in Frankenhofen, was married to Eva, daughter of George Seidelmann, countryman of Dinkelsbuhl and weaver here, after being duly proclaimed three times from the puplit here, on the 23rd of February 1711. From this marriage came the following children: 1. John Adam.................Born Here Dec. 24, 1711 Baptized Dec. 25, 1711 2. Rosina....................Born Here Aug. 11, 1713 Baptized Aug. 12, 1713 3. Elizabeth Barbara.........Born Here Mar. 20, 1715 Baptized Mar. 21, 1715 4. Lorenz....................Born Here Nov. 29, 1716 Baptized Nov. 30, 1716 5. Andreas...................Born Here Sept. 30, 1718 Baptized Oct. 1, 1718 6. Eva Maria.................Born Here Oct. 20, 1719 Baptized Oct. 21, 1719 7. Anna Margharetha..........Born Here Feb. 24, 1721 Baptized Feb. 25, 1721 8. Hans George...............Born Here Aug. 15, 1722 Baptized Aug. 16, 1722 9. John......................Born Here Apr. 24, 1724 Baptized Apr. 25, 1724 10. John Leonard...............Born Here Mar. 6, 1726 Baptized Mar. 7, 1726 11. Maria Barbara..............Born Here July 15, 1728 Baptized July 16, 1728 12. Elizabeth Barbara..........Born Here Feb. 11, 1730 Baptized Feb. 12, 1730 To the children mentioned under Numbers 1, 9, and 10 was godfather John Adam Erbel, a countryman of Dinkelsbuhl here; to Numbers 11 and 12, his wife, Mary Martha Erbel; to Numbers 3, 6, and 7, Rosina Kunder, wife of Lorenz Kunder, countryman of Wurtemb-Weiltingesch; to Numbers 4, 5, and 8, Lorenz Kunder, countryman here. Of these twelve children, there died in Illenschwang: 3. Elizabeth Barbara..Died May 5, 1721- Age 6 years, 2 mos, 8 days 8. Hans George........Died Nov. 22, 1724 - Age 2 years, 3 mos, 6 days 7. Anna Margharetha...Died Nov. 26, 1724 - Age 3 years, 9 days 8. Eva Maria..........Died Nov. 30, 1724 - Age 5 years, 1 month, 9 days The three last named had the measles, and they got over it; then they got diphtheria, which gae themselves very little pain, but increased the sorrow of those left behind. 5. Andreas..............Died July 15, 1727 - Age 8 years, 9 months, 7 days 9. John.................Died July 22, 1727 - Age 3 years, 4 months, 3 days 10. John Leonard..........Died July 25, 1727 - Age 1 year, 4 months, 2weeks, 4 days All three died of flux. Page 533 Note from John Calhoun Garr: The following letter was copied onto a front fly-leaf in one of the church registers, by the Lutheran minister, where it might be consulted by all interested, thus answering the purpose of our modern newspaper. Of existing news in the church books of the Pastorate of Illenschwang, concerning the emigration and arrival in Pennsylvania of Andreas Gar, subject of Dinkelsbuhl and weaver here, who left from this place the 26th of April 1732 for Pennsylvania with his wife, Eva, and his five children - namely, John Adam, Lorenz, Rosina, Maria Barbara, and Elizabeth Barbara - with others, all in good standing, altogether three hundred people, who chose for their paster Tit (?), the pastor of Scheinbach (three hours from Crailsheim). The above-named Andreas Gar has ordered that a clean wooden cross should be made by the carpenter of Neustaedtlein-by-Dinkelsbuhl from the three florins which he left; which the carpenter made, as the bill shows. This was done in remembrance and on supposition that said Andreas Gar would possibly not have a cross to be carried before his funeral, or the funeral of one of the party, according the news Andreas Gar shall not have reached Pennsylvania, or died immediately after landing. Against this supposition there arrived in the month of August 1733, a letter from the oldest son of said Gar, addressed to his godfather, John Adam Erbel, dated February 1, 1733, and written in Germantown, a place supposed to be tweve hours from Philadelphia. The letter says all eached Pennsylvania safe and living, but soon afterwards the other daughter, Maria Barbara, died. He describes the land as being tolerably good, but for religion's sake he wished to be back again in Europe, especially in Germany, etc. He who would not work would be as bad off as in Germany, etc. After this came a letter to my hand dated November 18, 1732, written by Andreas Gar himself. The contents of this letter are that they all arrived at their destination after a very long and dangerous voyage. At Rotterdam over four hundred of his faith partook of Holy Communion. There they had to wait six weeks on account of the great number of people. From there it took eighteen days to bring them to Cowes, in England, on account of contrary winds and heavy ships, and there all the trunks were closely inspected on account of the high tariff. After laying there sixteen days, the ships crossed finally to sea. His ship arrived in seven weeks and four days, but had to cross before the Gulf Stream eight days, as the wind came against them; but (these are his own words) "God changed the wind, so we arrived safely in Philadelphia, and descending from the ship we thanked our dear Lord that He brought us all sound and safe to this beloved land. "It is a hard, trying, and long voyage. Thirteen, probably over thirteen, hundred miles. There died six old persons and thiry-six children of small-pox. "The wine is the life of man. Nice flour, dried meat, and dried fruits are very good. The land is good. Plenty of apples, and better than in Germany. One man preserved twenty-five barrels of apples. There is plenty of fruit, but as dear as in Germany. Cattle are twice as dear as in Germany. There are plenty of forges, smelting-works, foundries, and mills. Everything is free. Anybody can hunt, wherever he wishes, bears, wolves, etc. "I belong to Germantown, six miles from Philadelphia. Am living with a weaver, and work this winter for half wages (could have got full wages in Illenschwang - Minister). A good hired man earns 100 florins; woman forty. Have not yet seen any pine wood, but cedar wood. The most is oak forests. There came two ships with people, some in six weeks, some in eight weeks, and some in ten weeks, but the last one came in eighteen weeks. They suffered great misery, and those that did not die on the sea are mostly sick. I advise no people who have small children to come, as the voyage is too trying, but I do not regret it." Until here are his own words. That this letter was from him, or from his son, is proven not only by his handwriting, which was known, but also by his sign, which was given his cousin and him in my presence. "Love of Christ is better than knowledge of everything". Copied into the church book in the month of January 1734. Attest: Kingly Protestant Pastorate Wild Illenschwang, February 17, 1888. Page 535 POSTSCRIPT In the church annals of Illenschwang it is impossible to follow further the genealogy of the Gar family, as Andreas Gar is descended from Frankenhofen. The church books there may give further information, also the birth date of Andreas Gar must be found there. In the death register of this parish is the following, registered from the year 1736: "July 6th of this year, John George Gar, princely Brandenburgisch-Onolzbachisch subject, belonging to the cloister of Aichhausen, near Oettinghen, on the Rhine, and being here, was buried here, aged 68 years 5 months, less one day." From two of his sons you find in the marriage register the following: 1. "June 8, 1728. John George Gar, single, second son of the above-mentioned John George Gar, was married at Sinnbronn to Anna Dorothea Walterin, from Welchenholz." 2. "November 6, 1731. John Stephen Gar, oldest son of the above-named John George Gar, was married to Johanna Margaretha Zieher, from Schlierberg." From the wife of Andreas Gar, Eva, a native Seidelmann, it is impossible to find the birth date, also the marriage date of her parents; but it is quite certain that in the year 1700, under the Katechumenen, and from these until 1710, in the confitent register, (is) mentioned Eva Seidelmann, later wife of Andreas Gar, the daughter of the linen weaver, George Seidelmann and his wife, Barbara. As in the confitent register, the married couple, George and Barbara Seidelmann, are not mentioned until the year 1692, so it is to be supposed that this married couple came in the year 1691, with their baby daughter, Eva, to Illenschwang. In the above-named year is in this parish birth register th first record of the family made. Wherefrom they came is not mentioned. Here was born to George and Barbara Seidelmann the following children: 1. George Albrecht............Born May 10, 1691 2. Otillia....................Born April 7, 1694 - not baptized 3. Mary.......................Born April 28, 1696 - died February 19, 1705 4. Hans George................Born April 14, 1698 - died June 11, 1772 5. Hans Casper................Born November 20, 1700 6. Hans Christoph.............Born June 17, 1705 Besides these mentioned (of) George Siedelmann you find in the confitent register from the year 1689: "John Leonard Seidelmann, a farmer's son, from Dubren, parish of Wittleshofen, marries Eva, daughter of the farmer, Leonard Krebs, from Oberschwaningen." The marriage is in Illenschwang, and the bridal couple make their home in Illenschwang. It is possible to trace the Seidelmann family further in the parish register at Wittleshofen, where Duhren belongs to. Kingly Protestant Parish Wild Illenschwang, February 17, 1888. RECORD OF ANDREAS GAR'S LANDING IN AMERICA (Page 536) (From Rupp's Collection of Thirty Thousand Names of Emigrants in Pennsylvania) September 12, 1732 - Palatines imported in the ship "Loyal Judith", of London; Robert Turpin, master; from Rotterdam, last from Cowes: Andreas Gaar - first name Johann Adam Gaar - tenth name BILL OF SALE (Page 540) (Now on record in Orange County Court House, Virginia) Know all men by these presents that I, James Maxwell, of Orange County and St. Mark's Parish, for divers good causes and valuable considerations, me therein to moving, do bargain, sell, warrent, and defend one negro man named Ben; one white horse, one dark bay horse -the white branded "W. D.", all sound, the bay branded "E. 17", known by the name of "Jumper"; seventeen head of cattle, marked in the right and left ear and under keel; the crop of tobacco and corn now growing on my plantation, where I now lately abide - for and in consideration of the sum of twenty-seven pounds, three shillings, and one penny, current money of Virginia, for with the said negro, horse and cattle and crops of tobacco and corn, I am fully satisfied, contented, and paid. I will hereby bind myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, to warrant and defend the aforesaid negro man named Ben, the aforesaid horses, cattle, and crop to Andreas Gar, him, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns forever; provided always that if the said Andreas Gar do satisfy, content, or pay the aforesaid sum of twenty-seven pounds, three shillings, and one penny by the fourth Thursday in September, at Orange Court now next ensuing the date here mentioned, that then this present bill, bargain, and sale to be void and of no effect; or else to stand and remain in full force, power, and virtue. Given under my hand and seal this fourteenth day of August, Anno Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty-Seven. Signed, sealed, and delivered. {SEAL} James Maxwell In the presence of: Tully Choice Ludwig Fisher Isaac Smith =========== At a court for Orange County, on Thursday, the 27th of August, 1747, this instrument of writing was proved by the oaths of Tully Choice and Isaac Smith, witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. Test: John Nicholas, Clerk A copy - Test: P. H. Fry, Clerk =========== Biographies (Page 565) Andreas Gar Andreas Gar, the head of the American branch of this family, was born in Frankenhofen, Bavaria, June 14th, 1685. His father, Hans Gar, a weaver, was "a humble and devout man". His mother's name was Elizabeth. So attests the Parish Book of Frankenhofen. He was married to Eva, daughter of George Seidelmann, at Dinkelsbuehl, February 23, 1711, in due accordance with the ceremonies of the Lutheran Church. Twelve children were the offspring of this union, seven of whom died at their home in Illenschwang, near Dinkelsbuehl. Andreas Gar followed the occupation of his father, a weaver, and became a weaver master, which indicates that he possessed skill of no ordinary degree. This humble scion of a once powerful family was destined to become the progenitor of a great multitude of descendants, who now form a desirable portion of the citizenship of the United States. The few meager details of his life on available record reveal to us a character that possessed traits which have been largely transmitted to his posterity. On the walls of the old Lutheran church at Illenschwang hang paintings of the Twelve Apostles. On the back of one of these is written the name of Andreas Gar as donor. In the church book a record is made that Andreas Gar had left three florins to have a " clean wooden cross" made in memory of him, should he not be heard from and deemed as lost on the voyage to America. The cross was made and paid for, but another record describes the voyage and safe arrival in Andreas Gar's own words. After partaking of the Holy Communion at Rotterdam, they committed themselves to God's merc. They were storm-tossed for weary weeks on the sea, but "God changed the wind so we arrived safely in Philadelphia, and, descending from the ship, we thanked our dear Lord that he brought us all safe and sound to this beloved land". Before leaving his old home he secured a letter from his paster, which reveals not only his religious standing but his desire to be placed in proper relation to his brethren in the New World. Citizenship is not forgotten, and so he applies to the burgomaster and city council for a letter of character, and the seal of the ancient city of Dinkelsbuehl attests that Andreas Gar has been a good citizen, and that he is worthy of all confidence and esteem. These letters, worn and yellow with age, are now in possession of the writer. They indicate a type of character that should be a pattern for every descendant who would honor his ancestors. What called this man, more than a century and a half ago, to leave his native land, forsake his home, the graves of his household and his loved church, to undertake a tedious inland journey and a perilous voyage by sea to a rude and savage land? Why did he leave the fertile and sunny plain of Dinkelsbuehl ot settle at last on the sterile soil and forbidding hills of Virginia? Neither riches nor honor invited him; poverty and privation awaited him; no lordly grant or royal appointment tempted him, and he knew that even his occupation would not avail him in this crude land. It was enough that he had heard that in the New World there was religious freedom. With a martyr's devotion he could give up all for this. And so, like Abraham of old, he was called out by the voice of God from the land of his fathers to found, in a new nation, a race of men and women who worship God and love their fellow men. No record of his death can be found; no stone marks his last resting-place. What matters it! We record here his virtues, and we rear to his memory a monument more enduring than marble. The descendants of Andreas Gar should ever be proud of their ancestor, strive to imitate his character, and benefit by that glorious liberty for which he sacrificed so much and which we so fully enjoy. James Oliver Garr Sixth Generation
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