Germanna Colony ancestors

Last year, I discovered that a huge number of my Polish/Czech/German/Swiss/Austrian/Bavarian ancestors in my paternal lineage (my Brubaker side) were part of the Germanna Colony, located in present-day Orange County, Virginia. 

Hundreds of Germans fleeing the devastation of the Franco Prussian wars and persecution of their Lutheran beliefs came to America in the early 1700s. The group to which most of my ancestors belonged left England in 1717. Their story is an amazing one. Either they were kidnapped by an English sea captain who had an agreement with the (then) lieutenant governor of Virginia, Alexander Spotswood, or they were driven off course by a raging storm at sea, and landed in Virginia instead of Pennsylvania. 

Alexander Spotswood

In either case, when they arrived in America in 1717, they were sold into indentured servitude and sent to work at Spotswood’s colony. They were the first white people in this part of Virginia. You can read a version of the tale on the website of the Second Germanna Colony. It states that Spotswood was motivated to settle people on the land in order to obtain ownership of the lands from the crown of England.

The following information is taken from the website for The Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colony website, which contains extensive information about the Germanna Colony:

In 1717, about 80 Germans from Wuerttemberg, Baden and the Platinate made an agreement with a Captain Tarbett in London to take them on the ship Scott to Pennsylvania. The plan was to go to Pennsylvania, where Governor William Penn had offered free passage to Pennsylvania, and religious freedom. Tarbett then hijacked the Germans and took them to Virginia instead, where Lieutenant Governor Spotswood made them indentured servants (since they could not pay for the cost of their voyage). At the Germanna Colony, they were forced to do hard labor, including mining for silver and iron, and quarrying. The community was primarily Lutheran.

According to the website for The Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colony website :

“The name Germanna, selected by Governor Alexander Spotswood, reflected both the German immigrants who sailed across the Atlantic to Virginia and the British Queen, Anne, who was in power at the time of the first settlement at Germanna. Though she was to die only months after the Germans arrived, her name continues to be a part of the area.

The Germanna Colonies consist primarily of the First Colony of 42 persons from the Siegerland area in Germany brought to Virginia to work for Spotswood in 1714, and the Second Colony of 20 families from the Palatinate and Baden-Wuerttemberg area of Germany brought in 1717,  but also include other German families who joined the first two colonies at later dates. Although many Germanna families later migrated southward and westward from Piedmont Virginia, genealogical evidence shows that many of the families intermarried for generations, producing a rich genealogical heritage.

“The 1717 Colony from the Kraichgau of Baden and Wurttemberg, as well as  some from the Rhineland Pfalz (Palatinate) settled first across the Rapidan River from Fort Germanna, then from 1725 and 1727 began to move to the Robinson River Valley in present day Madison County and patent land in their own names.” 

Alexander Hays Philson

My Great-great-great-grandmother, Eleanor Crigler (1801-1873) is a descendant of many Germanna residents, so I will start with her. Eleanor married Alexander Hays Philson, son of Whiskey Rebellion hero Robert Philson). She was born in Madison County, with her Germanna Colony ancestors, but died in Pennsylvania. The rest of my paternal lineage on this line lived in western Pennsylvania.

The birth and death places of these ancestors are somewhat confusing because county lines changed. For example:

Spotsylvania County was created from Essex County in 1721.
Orange County was created from Spotsylvania County in 1734.
Culpeper County was created from Orange County in 1748.
Madison County was created from Culpeper County in 1793.

In the information below, those who lived or were born at Germanna Colony are marked in red.

Headstone of Alexander Hays Philson.
Born 10 Feb. 1801 in Berlin, Somerset County, PA. Died 31 Mach in Berlin.
Buried IOOF Cemetery in Berlin.
SOURCE: www.findagrave.com

Headstone of Eleanor Crigler Philson
Buried IOOF Cemetery in Berlin, with Alexander.
SOURCE: www.findagrave.com

FIRST GENERATION (my third great-grandmother):
1. Eleanor CRIGLER. Born in Madison County, VA 30 July 1801. Died in Berlin, Somerset County, PA 23 July 1873. 

Headstone for Rev. Jacob Crigler
and his second wife, Nellie Tanner Crigler.
SOURCE: www.findagrave.com

SECOND GENERATION (my fourth great-grandparents):
2. Rev. Jacob CRIGLER. Born in Madison County, VA, Jan. 15, 1778. Married Lydia Utz in 1799. Married Nellie Tanner in 1808. Died in Florence, Boone County, KY, July 14, 1847
3.  Lydia UTZ. Born in Madison County, VA, Jan. 1781.  Died in Madison County, VA, 15 July 1805

THIRD GENERATION (my fifth great-grandparents):
4. Aaron CRIGLER. Born in Madison County, VA, 9 July 1756. Died in Madison County, VA, August 1832
5. Catherine CRISLER. Born in Madison County, VA, about 1758. Died in VA 1804.
6. George UTZ. Born in Madison County, VA, 1757. Died in Madison County, VA, 1839
7. Dinah CARPENTER. Born in Madison County, VA, 15 June 1764. Died in Madison County, VA, 1830

FOURTH GENERATION (my sixth great-grandparents):
8. Nicholas CRIGLER. Born in Germanna, Spotsylvania County, VA, in 1723. Married Margaret Kaifer in 1749. Died in Madison County, VA, 19 October 1789.
9. Margaret KAIFER. Born in Albemarle County, VA, in 1725. Died in Albemarle County in 1771. Sister of Mary (#13 below).
10. Johann Theobald Fawatt CRISLER. Born 18 August 1709 in Lambsheim, Ludwigshafen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, 18 August 1709. Married Rosina Garr about 1736. Died in Madison County, VA, about 1776.
11. Rosina GARR. Born in Illenschwang, Ansbach, Bayern, German, 11 August 1713. Died in Madison County, VA, in 1778.
12. George UTZ. Born 1718 in Spotsylvania, VA in 1718. Married Mary Kaifer in 1754. Died in Madison County, VA in 1808.
13. Mary KAIFER. Born in Virginia in 1728. Died in Culpeper, VA, in 1808. Sister of Margaret (#9 above).
14. Michael CARPENTER/ZIMMERMAN. (NOTE: Zimmerman means Carpenter in English, and the name was changed once the families Americanized.) Born in Culpeper VA in 1737. Married Maria Barbara Christler/Crisler in 1757. Died in Madison County, VA 1808.
15. Maria Barbara CHRISTLER/CRISLER. Born 1737 in Orange, Madison County, VA 1736. Died in Madison County, VA in 1808.

FIFTH GENERATION (my seventh great-grandparents):
16. Jacob CRIGLER/KRIEGLER: Born in Dittsmandorf, Germany in the late 1690s. Married Susanna Koch in 1719. Died in Virginia in 1734. (Jacob used the spelling Kriegler when he obtained his original land grant in Virginia on June 24, 1726.)
17. Susanna KOCH. Married Jacob in 1719. Married Nicholas YAGER sometime after Jacob’s death in 1734.
18. Wolf Michael KAIFER/KAEFFER. Born in Ansbach, Bayern, Germany in 1695. Married Anna Maria Blankenbaker. Died in Culpeper, VA, 17 November 1768.
19. Anna Maria BLANKENBAKER. Born in Neuenberg, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, 5 May 1687. Died in Broomfield Parrish, Culpeper County, VA, 28 December 1762.
20. Matthais CRISLER/KREISLER. Born in Breslau, Silesia, Austria in 1664. Died in Madison County, VA 1759. Info from www.werelate.org: Matthais and his two younger sons, David and Michael removed to the land grant located in the center of the present city of Madison, Madison County, Virginia, in the early German settlement of 1714-1726 on the Robinson River and White Oak Run which was then in the County of Spotsylvania, Colony of Virginia, where they joined other early German colonists of 1717 and received a land grant just NE of Madison. Matthais left Germantown for Virginia because of their dissatisfaction with Lutheranis, which was non-existent in the Colony of Pennsylvania. Matthais’s name is sometimes seen as Castler. He was granted a patent of 300 acres dated September 28, 1728. The “Old Crisler” house in Madison on Highway 29 sits on the same land patented to Matthais Crisler in 1728.
21. Barbara VON DER SCHELLENBERGER. Born in Breslau, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1678. Died in 1709.
22. Andreas/Andrew GARR. Born in Frankenhofen, Ansbach, Bayern, Germany, 14 June 1685. Married Eva Katherina Seidelmann on 23 February 1711 in Germany. Died in Madison County, VA, 1750.
23. Eva Katherina SEIDELMANN. Born in Illenschwang, Ansbach, Bayern, Germany on 23 February 1685. Died in Culpeper, VA in 1778.
24. Hans/Johann George UTZ. Born in Sayn, Mayen-Koblenz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, 12 April, 1693. Married Anna Barbara Majer. Died in Culpeper, VA 21 August 1766.
25. Anna Barbara MAJER. Born in Wolfartsweier, Stadt Karlsruhe, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany in 1695. Died in Culpeper, VA, 1741.
26.Wolf Michael KAIFER/KAEFFER. Born in Ansbach, Bayern, Germany in 1695. Married Anna Maria Blankenbaker. Died in Culpeper, VA, 17 November 1768.
27. Anna Maria BLANKENBAKER. Born in Neuenberg, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, 5 May 1687. Died in Broomfield Parrish, Culpeper County,VA, 28 December 1762.
28. John CARPENTER/ZIMMERMAN. Born in Salxburg, Hamein-Pyrmont, Niedersachsen, Germany, in 1695. Married to Anna Barbara Kerker. Died in Culpeper VA, 1782
29. Anna Barbara KERKER. Born in Zazenhausen, Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, 2 April 1709. Died in Culpeper, VA in 1787.
30. Theobold Fawatt CHRISTLER/CRISLER. Born 1701 in Land Saxony, Germany. Married Rosina Gaar. Died in Culpeper, VA, 20 Feb. 1776.
31. Rosina GARR. Born in Illenschwang, Ansbach, Bayern, German, 11 August 1713. Died in Madison County, VA, in 1778.

SIXTH GENERATION (my eighth great-grandparents):
32. Martin KRIEGLER. Born Dittmansdorf, in German Silesia.
33. Unknown.
34. Johann Michael KOCH/Cook. Born in Hollenbach.
35. Maria Barbara REINER. Born in Schwaigern.
36. Wolfgang KAIFER/KAEFFER. Born in Zaberfeld, Heilbronn, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, in 1660. Died there 8 August 1728.

37. Elizabeth ???. Born in Ansbach, Stadt Ansbach, Bayern, Germany in 1674. Died in Burchau, Lorrach, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, 25 June 1678.
38. Hans Thomas BLANKENBAKER. Born in Gresten, Schelbbs, Lower Austria. Married Anna Maria Blankenbaker. Died in Neuenberg, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, 1691.
39. Anna Barbara SCHONE. Born in Neuenberg, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, 29 September 1664. Died in Virginia, 1743.
40. Unknown CRISLER/KREISLER
41. Unknown.
42. Unknown VON DER SCHELLENBERGER
43. Unknown.
44. Johannes GARR. Born in Franconia, Bayern, Germany, 17 May 1657. Married Elizabeth Barbara Schuebel. Died in Frankenhofen, Ansbach, Bayern, Germany, 22 May 1738.

45. Elizabeth Barbara SCHUEBEL. Born in Dinkelsbuel, Mittelfranken, Bayern, Germany, 8 June 1663. Died in Frankenhofen, Ansbach, Bayern, Germany, 15 May 1748.
46. Unknown SEIDELMANN
47. Unknown.
48. Unknown UTZ
49. Unknown.
50. Unknown MAJER.
51. Unknown.
52. Wolfgang KAIFER/KAEFFER. Born in Zaberfeld, Heilbronn, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, in 1660. Died there 8 August 1728.
53. Elizabeth ???. Born in Ansbach, Stadt Ansbach, Bayern, Germany in 1674. Died in Burchau, Lorrach, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, 25 June 1678.
54. Hans Thomas BLANKENBAKER. Born in Gresten, Schelbbs, Lower Austria. Married Anna Maria Blankenbaker. Died in Neuenberg, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, 1691.
55. Anna Barbara SCHONE. Born in Neuenberg, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, 29 September 1664. Died in Virginia, 1743.
56. Unknown CARPENTER/ZIMMERMAN
57. Unknown.
58. Andreas/Andrew KERKER/KERCHER. Born in Zazenhausen, Stuttgart, Baden-Wuettemberg, Germany, in 1689. Married Margaret Unk. Died in Madison, VA, in 1738.

59. Anna Margaretha/Margaret UNK. Born in Germany, 1675. Died in Virginia.
60. Unknown CHRISTLER/CRISLER
61. Unknown.
62. Unknown GARR.
63. Unknown

Andrew (1806-1886) and Mary (1805-1885) Carter

North & Southampton Reformed Church
Photo by Susan Brubaker Knapp taken Sept. 11, 2013

Headstone of Andrew and Mary Carter at North & Southampton Reformed Church.
Photo by Susan Brubaker Knapp taken Sept. 11, 2013

Andrew and Mary Carter are my maternal great-great-great grandparents.

Andrew Carter
Born 1806 (probably in Northern Ireland)
Died August 1, 1886
 
Mary Fitzpatrick
Born 1805 in Ireland (probably Northern Ireland)
Died June 19, 1885.

Children:

Margaret
William (about 1842-1926)
Richard D. probably born about 1830. Murdered 1869.
Andrew (1834-1902)
Thomas Fitzpatrick (1842-1913)
Robert 1849

According to family sources, they came to America in the 1830s, and lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia.

Andrew and Mary are buried in the North and Southampton Churchyard in Churchville (also known as the Dutch Reformed Cemetery), Bucks County, PA, at 1380 Bristol Road, Churchville, PA. The Dutch Reformed Church was a Christian denomination in the Netherlands that grew out of the Roman Catholic Church in the 1570s. 

My great-great-grandfather Thomas was Presbyterian, so I was curious as to whether or why Andrew and Mary would have attended this church. When I visited in September 2013, one of the pastors told me that in the early 1800s in this part of Bucks County, there would have only been four options for them: Lutheran, Catholic, Quaker, and Dutch Reformed. The Dutch Reformed was closest in theology to Presbyterianism, and many Presbyterians coming from Scotland or Northern Ireland were members.

Andrew is noted in Find A Grave Memorial# 53722688 and Mary in Find A Grave Memorial# 53722689 (www.findagrave.com). 

Headstone of Andrew Carter, Sr. at North & Southampton Reformed Church.
Photo by Susan Brubaker Knapp taken Sept. 11, 2013

His headstone reads:
Andrew Carter Sr. 
Died August 1st 1886
In his 80th year

Mary is buried next to him:

Headstones of Andrew and Mary Carter (lower right)
at North & Southampton Reformed Church.
Photo by Susan Brubaker Knapp taken Sept. 11, 2013

Headstone of Mary Carter at North & Southampton Reformed Church.
Photo by Susan Brubaker Knapp taken Sept. 11, 2013

Her headstone reads: Mary
Wife of Andrew Carter Sr
in her 80th year
died June 19, 1885
in her 80th year

North & Southampton Reformed Church
Photo by Susan Brubaker Knapp taken Sept. 11, 2013

North & Southampton Reformed Church.
Photo by Susan Brubaker Knapp taken Sept. 11, 2013

Helen Marquis McDanel Brubaker (1898-1958)

Helen Marquis McDanel Brubaker, about 1916.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen Marquis McDanel

Born: April 10, 1898
Father: Frederick McDanel (1868-1926)
Mother: Effie Frances Braden (1860-1939) 

Sibling: Marion Etta McDanel (1894-?)
Children: JoAnne (1931-1931), Joseph “Joe” DeVenny Brubaker, Jr. (b. 1933) and John Robert “Bob” Brubaker (b. 1935)
Spouse: Joseph DeVenny Brubaker (1897-1978)
Occupation: teacher (before she had children)
Died: Dec. 24, 1958

Helen, about 1899.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen was my paternal grandmother. I never met her, as she died about five years before I was born. She was born in New Brighton, Beaver County, Pa., to Fred and Effie McDanel, and lived there all her life. Fred owned a lumberyard and was a contractor. 

Helen about 1916.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen about 1916.Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen in her high school basketball uniform, about 1916.Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen, about 1916. This may have been a high school graduation photo.Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen graduated from New Brighton High School in 1916, and from Indiana Normal School (now Indiana University of Pennsylvania) in 1918. At this time, Indiana was a state teachers’ college. After she graduated, Helen was a school teacher.

Helen (right) with a friend.Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen, about 1918.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen is at far right, and her future husband is second from left. Her sister Marion and her future husband, Shad, are in between them. This is Helen's handwriting; the photo is from her photo album.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen (probably coach) with the New Brighton High School girls’ basketball team, in 1921.Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp. 

 

Helen (seated fourth from left, just to the left of the crook),
at a May Day celebration at Allegheny College, Meadville, PA, 1918.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

In 1921, at age 23, Helen married Joesph DeVenny Brubaker, her high school sweetheart. They had three children together. Joanne died at birth in 1931 (due to complications from either an Rh factor issue or pre-eclampsia; I’ve heard conflicting information). Two sons followed. 

Helen with Joe, probably at Lake Chataqua, NY, their favorite vacation spot.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen Marquis McDanel Brubaker, probably 1936, with Bob.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp. 

Helen is at far right, with Bob. The other women may be her mother and aunts.
Probably taken in 1936.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp. 

Helen and Joe with Joe, Jr. and Bob, about 1947.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen with sons Bob and Joe, about 1947.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen, about 1945.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Bob took this photo of Helen in 1947.Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen at Lake Chataqua, NY.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen, about 1958.
Photo in possession of Susan Brubaker Knapp.

Helen died at age 61, on Christmas Eve, 1958, of a heart attack. She was buried at Beaver Cemetery and Mausoleum, Section V, Lot Number 104, tier Number 2. She was interred in the same grave as her baby daughter, JoAnne. 

Photo from www.findagrave.comFind A Grave Memorial# 83292951

I only have a few things that my grandmother owned. The sewing basket belonging to Helen was given to me by my cousin Carole:

And the opal ring and opal chip pendant were given to me by Joseph D. Brubaker, Sr.’s second wife, Gertrude “Gaby” Wagoner Brubaker in the 1970s:

Sadly, most of Helen’s belongings – jewelry, silver, and other family heirlooms — became her property, and were lost to our family. 

Thomas Fitzpatrick Carter (1842-1913)

Thomas Fitzpatrick Carter, probably around 1910.

Thomas Fitzpatrick Carter*
Born: Jan. 28, 1842 in Bucks County, PA
Father: Andrew Carter (1806-1886)
Mother: Mary Fitzpatrick (1805-1885) 

Siblings: Richard D. (1830-1869), Andrew (1834-1902), Robert (1849-?) Margaret, and William
Children: Richard Henry (1868-1870), Thomas Lynn Carter (1870-1913), Mary Jennie (1872-1947) William Russell (1874-1933), Ella (1876-1878), Lillian Ross (1878-1958), Effie Mae (1880-1948), Edward Vernon (1882-1882), Walter McClure (1883-1955), Elizabeth “Lizzie" Brady (1885-?) and Robert Lyman (1888-1944)
Spouse: Elizabeth Brady McKee (1848-1889) Married 1867 (according to corrected obituary). Second wife: Nannie D. Vaughan, married 1890 or 1891.
Occupation: farmer (in Virginia)
Died: Sept. 30, 1913 in Amelia Courthouse

Thomas Fitzpatrick Carter was my great-great-grandfather. His parents (Andrew and Mary) had immigrated from Northern Ireland about 1830, and he was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The 1860 Federal Census lists him at age 18 as living in Northampton, Bucks County, with the Leedom family (Thomas, 64; Sarah, 54; John, 40; Ann, 33; Anderson, 31). The Leedom name shows up again in one of Thomas’ grandchildren, Miriam Leedom Carter, but I am unsure of the connection. They may have been related to each other, or just family friends. 

Possibly, this is Thomas about 1862

Here’s where it gets a bit murky. 

While he was living with the Leedoms, the Civil War broke out. The draft registration book for Northampton, Bucks County lists several Leedoms as well as a Thomas Carter as being enlisted on July 1, 1863. It lists this Thomas as an unmarried laborer born in Ireland. But according to records for a Confederate regiment, a Thomas Carter enlisted in Amelia County as a Private on 15 February 1864 in Company G, 1st Cavalry Regiment Virginia. This regiment fought in 1864 and 1865 in (among many other places) Charlottesville, Stanardsville, Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Front Royal, Winchester, Amelia Court House and Appomattox Court House. Several Civil War records list a Thomas Carter with the same birth and death dates as my Thomas in Company G, 1st Cavalry Regiment Virginia.

Is it possible that Thomas left eastern Pennsylvania and enlisted with a Confederate regiment? It will take more work to figure this out. It fits with Thomas’ move to Amelia after the Civil War, but not with his upbringing in Pennsylvania. Also, his wife’s brother served in a Pennsylvania regiment.

The photo above has no name on the back, but I suspect it might be Thomas. I found it among family photos in Amelia Courthouse, in photos passed down to my second cousin Jack Vaughan. The original photo is reversed (because it is a tintype or daguerreotype; see explanation here). The version here has been corrected/reversed back. The cap has the letters AR on the rim, and possibly an eagle above it.

Elizabeth McKee Carter, about 1870.

Thomas married Elizabeth McKee (from Pennsylvania) in the 1860s. The date is not certain, but it was probably 1867, as noted on the corrected obituary that follows below. 

Together with Thomas’ younger brother Robert, Thomas and Elizabeth settled in Amelia Courthouse Virginia about 1870. They may have come to get away from city life in Philadelphia after his brother’s murder (see Richard D. Carter).

Robert Carter, Thomas’ brother, about 1910.

Thomas built a house, started farming (most likely tobacco, as it was the primary cash crop at that time), and raising his large family with Elizabeth. 

Thomas Fitzpatrick Carter, probably around 1870-1880

 

Elizabeth died at age 40 (about four months after giving  birth to her 11th child, Robert Lyman Carter,) on 22 May 1889.

In 1891, Thomas married Miss Nannie Vaughan (born Nov. 6, 1846) of Amelia. Thomas’ brother Robert had married Isabella Vaughan in 1877, and I think Nannie was Isabella’s older sister.  She was apparently much beloved, and helped raise Thomas and Elizabeth’s younger children. In the 1900 census, she is listed, at age 50, as living with her husband Thomas, and Mary, Lillie, Effie, Walter, Lizzie and Robert. 

Nannie D. Vaughan of Amelia County, VA

Nannie and Thomas, about 1910 (detail of shot below)

One of Thomas and Elizabeth’s daughters, Lillian, married John Winston Vaughan (1851-1924). I think John was Nannie’s brother. If so, the Vaughan and Carter families were very interwoven at this time!

Here are photos of some of Thomas and Elizabeth’s children:

Thomas Lynn Carter (1870-1913)
my Great Grandfather

Lillian Ross Carter (married John Winston Vaughan)

Unknown, perhaps Mary Jennie, one of Thomas and Elizabeth’s daughters

Children of Thomas and Elizabeth. I think this is Lillian (top),
and (from left, below:)Walter, Elizabeth and Effie

Thomas and Elizabeth’s son Robert Lyman Carter (b. 1888)

Thomas and Elizabeth’s son Walter McClure Carter, b. 1883

Thomas and Elizabeth’s son William Russell Carter, b. 1874

Thomas sold many of his farm goods in November-December 1912, soon after Nannie’s death. My mother had a copy of this poster advertising the sale: 

Poster in possession of Mark Robert Brubaker.

In January 1913, this ad appeared in the real estate section of the publication "The Southern Planter” (Volume 74, page 74):

It reads:

“FARM FOR SALE IN AMELIA County, Virginia, four miles from the beautiful town of Amelia; 300 acres of choice land, fronting on first-class, permanent road, noted for the production of Austrian tobacco, clover, wheat, corn and all other crops than can be raised anywhere in Southside Virginia; 10-room modern frame residence; first-class barns sufficient to cure 25,000 or 30,000 pounds of tobacco, stables, granary and all other types of buildings necessary on a well-kept farm. Net price $12,000 without the timber or $15,000 with timber. The timber land (about 100 acres is 3-1/2 miles from Amelia station) and valued at $4,000 on the stump. This is said to be one of the best farms in Amelia County (having water in every field, will make a splendid stock farm) and has been successfully operated by present owner forty-two years, who now desires to retire from active farm life. A minute description of the place will be given upon application. Address Thomas Carter, Amelia Virginia.”

Thomas died Sept. 30, 1913, only a few months after his son Thomas (my great-grandfather) died in an accident, and only a year after Nannie. I was told by a distant cousin that he died of a heart attack after getting very angry after witnessing a servant abusing a horse. Here is his death certificate (note that it lists his parents as having been born in Bucks County, PA, which I believe to be incorrect. Census documents for them list their birthplaces as Ireland.) It is signed by Thomas and Elizabeth’s youngest son, Robert Lyman Carter.

Here is his obituary:

Transcription of obituary above:

THOMAS CARTER
During the afternoon of September 30, 1913, Ruling Elder Thos. Carter, of Amelia, Va., departed to be with Christ. Mr. Carter was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1842. He united with the church when quite young. In 1870 he moved with his family to Amelia county, Virginia, bringing his church letter with him and united with the Presbyterian church at Amelia Courthouse, and immediately becaume thoroughly identified with her whole life and service. It was not long before he was a beloved teacher in the Sunday school and continued so to the end. And on the death of Mr. John Allen in 1908 he was elected superintendent of the school. 

In 1881 Mr. Carter was elected to the eldership, and in 1883 he was elected treasurer of hte church; in 1908 as clerk of session; both offices he discharged with fidelity and painstaking care to the day of his death. He was also a member of the building committee of the new house of worship the congregation was errecting at the time of his death. In 1876 (crossed out and 1867 is written in) Mr. Carter was married to Miss Elizabeth McKee, of Pennsylvania, and to that union were born eleven children, four of whom, with the mother, preceded him to the grave. In 1891 he married he married Miss Nannie Vaughan, of Amelia county, Virginia, who was called to her reward one year ago. He is survived by three sons, four daughters, twelve grandchildren and a host of friends. 

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that thye may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.” – D. P. Rogers, Pastor. Amelia, Va. 

These are photos of the Carter plot in the graveyard of Amelia Courthouse Presbyterian church taken by me in the late 1980s, and by my brother Mark in 2011:

 

Photo taken about 1910, of Thomas (seated by door) with some of his children,
in front of the house he built about 1870 in Amelia Court House, VA.

 

Thomas (second from left) with a hunting party.

Thomas (right) with his brother Robert, about 1910.

* NOTE: On the back of one of the photos of Thomas, he is identified as Thomas FRITZ Carter in what I think is either my great-aunt Miriam Carter’s or Agnes Loretta Warren Carter’s handwriting. These photos were given by Aunt Miriam to my mother Eleanor Carter Brubaker, and are listed in the notes regarding the dispersal of family heirlooms. I believe this to be incorrect, but do not yet have definitive proof. – SBK