Margretha Aylget

Margretha Aylget

Female 1652 - Yes, date unknown

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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Margretha AylgetMargretha Aylget was born in 1652 in Hesse, Germany; and died.

    Family/Spouse: Albrecht Biensach. Albrecht was born on 19 Mar 1651 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; died before Nov 1695. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 2. Barbara Biensach  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 1682 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; died on 22 Jan 1720 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany.


Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Barbara BiensachBarbara Biensach Descendancy chart to this point (1.Margretha1) was born in 1682 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; died on 22 Jan 1720 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany.

    Barbara married Eramus Zeller on 9 Feb 1702 in Steinau An der Straße, Hessen, Germany. Eramus (son of Heinrich Zeller and Ruffina Reisenbeck) was born on 2 Jun 1680 in Altengronau, Hesse, Germany; died in 1743 in Hesse, Germany. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 3. Daniel Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 17 Dec 1702 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; died on 3 May 1752 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany.
    2. 4. Hans Heinrich Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 17 Aug 1704 in Weinheim, Mannheim, Baden, Germany; died after 1773 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America.
    3. 5. Susanna Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 17 Apr 1707 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; and died.
    4. 6. Anna Gertrud Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 6 Jul 1710 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; and died.
    5. 7. Melchior Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 1 Oct 1713 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; and died.
    6. 8. Elizabeth Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 15 Nov 1716 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; and died.


Generation: 3

  1. 3.  Daniel ZellerDaniel Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born on 17 Dec 1702 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; died on 3 May 1752 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany.

  2. 4.  Hans Heinrich ZellerHans Heinrich Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born on 17 Aug 1704 in Weinheim, Mannheim, Baden, Germany; died after 1773 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Heinrich Seller
    • Name: Henry Sellers

    Notes:


    NOTE: Rockingham County was established in 1778 from Augusta County. The county is named for the Marquis of Rockingham, British statesman

    A Frankish tribe settled at the end of the Weschnitz Valley and its chieftain Wino gave Weinheim its name. The village Weinheim is first mentioned in the Chronicles in 755. It became a fief of the mighty Abbey of Lorsch and its Peterskirche was protected by the Castle Windeck. Power changed hands and in 1232 the Abbey's holdings were transferred to the Archbishop of Mainz. Count Palatine founded a new town one mile south of the old in the year 1250. The old and the new were joined in 1456 after many conflicts. Only 1/2 of the population survived the Thirty Years' War but it was spared when France devastated almost every town in the Palatinate between 1689-1693. When Napoleon rearranged Europe in the 18th century it became part of the Grand Duchy of Baden.

    The Thirty Years' War, lasting from 1618 to 1648, involved most of the countries of western Europe, and was fought mainly in Germany. At first the struggle was primarily based on the religious antagonism engendered among Germans by the events of the Protestant Reformation. Religious tensions were seriously aggravated in Germany during the reign (1576-1612) of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. Protestant churches in many parts of Germany were destroyed, restrictions were placed on the rights of Protestants to worship freely, and the emperor's officials made the Treaty of Augsburg the basis for a general resurgence of Roman Catholic power. The religious hatreds that flared into the Thirty Years' War had smoldered for more than half a century before 1618. The war, was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history. Uncertainty, fear, disruption, and brutality marked everyday life and remained a memory in German consciousness for centuries.

    Heinrich Zeller (aka Henry Sellers) was born in or very near Weinheim, Germany in the Duchy of Baden in the Holy Roman Empire and here he married Anna Maria (last name unknown). Around the year 1700 the number of barges moving down the Rhine river began to increase in number. They were loaded with families bound for Rotterdam where they hoped to find passage to a new world called America.

    Heinrich Zeller, at the age of thirty four, boarded a barge with his young wife and small children in the early summer of 1738. Friends and relatives had been leaving the area of Weinheim for some years. The preparation for leaving had gone on all winter. Most of it had consisted of what they could take with them, which was very little. They probably packed what clothing and food they could in an old trunk or wooden chest. They perhaps had a few utensils and some seeds and bulbs. Seeds and bulbs were two items the women tried to bring. A bulb was a tie back home.

    He was probably very excited when the day finally came to catch the barge. The barge was damp and well worn from previous trips up and down the Rhine. Word had been coming to the area about "Penn's Land" and if he was going to go he must go soon since he was now 34 and in the eighteenth century life was short.

    He was better prepared in some ways for his trip than some of his fellow immigrants in that he had some education. He firmly inscribed his name HEINRICH ZELLER on the ship's register when he landed in Philadelphia. He probably carried some coin. He was evidently Lutheran or Reform since we find his family with these faiths in America.

    All winter the river had been ice bound but now the warm winds of spring had washed the winter snow away and the Rhine River was running high. As the barge drifted down the river the passengers took one last look at their homeland as the old Windeck Castle on the hill faded from sight. Thought to be on the barge with him were his daughter Anna Barbara, age 5; Johannes, age 3; and his wife, Anna Maria who was probably some years younger than he. Anna Maria may have been expecting since it is thought a son, Peter, was born circa 1738 or 1739. At Rotterdam he secured passage on the ship Queen Elizabeth, Alexander Hope, Commander. They stopped at Deal, England to refuel and take on their last provisions for the trip. The air was filled with excitement. Little did they know what lay ahead for them on the high seas before they saw land again. The crowded conditions, sickness, and the stench on the small sailing vessels were yet to be realized along with the fearful waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Food and water was often scarce at sea and disease was often rampant. There were many burials of crew and passengers made in the stormy waters leaving broken families and orphaned children when the ship finally landed in America. They were fleeing into the unknown but it was less frightening than the conditions under which they were living. They were seeking freedom from interference with their religious and family life. They landed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania September 16, 1738. They were probably very glad to be on firm ground again, even though they knew nothing about their new country or what lay ahead.

    Sometime after arriving in Pennsylvania Heinrich learned of land in the Valley of Virginia through friends and promoters. Several friends and neighbors moved to Virginia, some also from Germany. It is not known the exact route he followed to Virginia and there has been much speculation. He had to cross Maryland and there were only three crossings of the Potomac that were widely used by those coming from the north in the early days. Coming as early as Heinrich did, it is likely they traveled by pack horses since the trails were not cleared well enough to get over them with wagons. In any case we find him in 1750 at the foot of the Peaked Mountain, west of Elkton. Augusta County, Virginia land books show he acquired his first land in 1750.

    The Heinrich Zeller family was active in the Peaked Mountain Church. The old church record refers to it as the "Pinquit Moundyn" in "Agosti" County, toward the South "Chanithor" River. The area was in Augusta County, Virginia on the Shenandoah River that became Rockingham County, Virginia in 1778. The name was from the southern peak of the Massanutten Mountain and around which the Zellers family settled. The first church was near a Mr. Hermann's mill. The second church was dedicated October 23, 1768. The building was used by both the Lutheran and Reform congregations. On October 31, 1769, forty five persons signed an agreement that it was to be a Union Church. It was near Stony Creek. A third church was dedicated on May 27, 1804 and the building was still shared jointly between the Lutheran and the Reform.

    The Zeller/Sellers name is German, or perhaps German-Swiss. The Zellers spelling continued well into the early part of the 19th century. The records of early America were kept in English. The English did not know German and the Germans did not know English and therein arose the dilemma concerning the spelling of names of the German immigrants. The English had to make the entries so they spelled phonetically as it sounded for official records. Names became Anglicized as time went on so that it is difficult today to sometimes identify the origin. Some of the old deeds and other business transactions that are written in English were signed in German. There has been found many spellings of the name Zeller/Sellers. Some of the spellings found were Sehler, Selers, Celers, Celer, Sellar, Cellars, Zöller, Zöllner, Seller, and Söller.

    The origin of the name seems to be open to question by authorities. One version is that it was derived from "of the cellar". There was a position of some note within the feudal hierarchy known as the office of the Cellarer. The person holding this position served as a steward. The steward managed and supervised accounts, servants, and other domestic concerns. One holding the position of Cellarer certainly had considerable responsibility in relation to the well being of the lord and his vassals. There were certainly stewards of the vast cellars under the castles of medieval Europe where the food supplies were stored and the great wine cellars existed. It is possible, that the name came from "of the cellar".
    Source:
    [1] Mary Marie Koontz Arrington, "Cradled by the Masanutten: The Zellers-Sellers Family", Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1986
    [2] Frank M. Sellers, "Sellers - A Preliminary Study of the Descendants of Heinrich Sellers", Denver, Colorado: Lion Press, 1984
    [3] "Thirty Years’ War." Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation.

    The Sellers (Cellers, Zellers) family in Warren County was among the earliest pioneers, having taken up landed holdings in January 1799, by purchase. The first hundred years of the Zellers family, (as it was then spelled) has been lost in the maze of time. It is a matter of family traditions that three brothers came from Germany about two hundred and fifty years ago. One of them settled in Pennsylvania, one in Maryland and one in Virginia. [Source: Lee L. Dodds, "Pioneers of Warren County and Their Descendants, (reprinted with permission of the Middletown Journal, Middletown, OH (Originally printed in 1941) Warren County Genealogical Society, Lebanon, OH 1998) The Sellers Family, published 16 March 1941]

    Hans married Anna Maria Fechter on 23 Feb 1730 in Germany. Anna (daughter of Nicolaus Fechter and Judith Kehm) was born in 1701 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; died about 1776 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 9. Anna Barbara Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 27 Feb 1732 in Weinheim, Germany; died about 1800 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.
    2. 10. Johan Peter Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1733 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; died in Aug 1809 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.
    3. 11. Johannes Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1735 in Weinheim, Germany; died between Feb 1804 and Mar 1804 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.
    4. 12. Johan Adam Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 1742 in Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; died in Apr 1821 in Clear Creek Township, Warren County, Ohio, United States; was buried in 1821 in Clear Creek Township, Warren County, Ohio, United States.
    5. 13. Henry Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point and died.
    6. 14. Anna Elizabeth Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point and died.
    7. 15. Anna Catherine Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 1729; and died.
    8. 16. Anna Maria Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point and died.
    9. 17. Johan Michael Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born before 1750; died in 1812 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.
    10. 18. Anna Margaret Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1750 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.

  3. 5.  Susanna ZellerSusanna Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born on 17 Apr 1707 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; and died.

  4. 6.  Anna Gertrud ZellerAnna Gertrud Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born on 6 Jul 1710 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; and died.

  5. 7.  Melchior ZellerMelchior Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born on 1 Oct 1713 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; and died.

  6. 8.  Elizabeth ZellerElizabeth Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born on 15 Nov 1716 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; and died.


Generation: 4

  1. 9.  Anna Barbara ZellerAnna Barbara Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (4.Hans3, 2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born on 27 Feb 1732 in Weinheim, Germany; died about 1800 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.

    Anna married John Jacob Nicolaus on 7 Dec 1752 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America. John was born on 15 Jul 1724 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; died in 1781 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States; was buried in 1781 in McGaheysville, Rockingham County, Virginia, British Colonial America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 19. (unnamed) Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 20 Jul 1753 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 29 Jul 1753 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America.
    2. 20. Anna Maria Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 8 Sep 1754 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.
    3. 21. John Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 6 Feb 1756 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.
    4. 22. John Henry Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 6 Dec 1757 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.
    5. 23. Anna Catherine Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 29 Feb 1760 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.
    6. 24. Peter Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 5 Apr 1762 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 10 Jul 1832 in United States; was buried in Jul 1832 in McGaheysville, Rockingham County, Virginia, British Colonial America.
    7. 25. Susanna Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 25 Jan 1764 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 12 Feb 1799 in Northwest Territory, United States; was buried on 14 Feb 1799 in Brushcreek Township, Highland County, Ohio, United States.
    8. 26. Anna Barbara Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 22 Apr 1766 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.
    9. 27. Elizabeth Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 9 Feb 1768 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 28 Sep 1828 in Springboro, Warren County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Sep 1828 in Clear Creek Township, Warren County, Ohio, United States.
    10. 28. Jacob Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 1 Dec 1769 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died in 1835.
    11. 29. Margaret Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 1 Jan 1772 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.
    12. 30. Anna Elizabeth Nicholas  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 4 Jan 1774 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.

  2. 10.  Johan Peter ZellerJohan Peter Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (4.Hans3, 2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born about 1733 in Möttgers, Hessen, Germany; died in Aug 1809 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Peter Sellers

    Notes:


    Believed to be a son of Heinrich Zeller. We first find Peter documented by land transaction on the east side of the Massanutten in 1755. On June 13th of that year he patented 90 acres next to 28 acres Heinrich had bought from Lewis on February 28, 1750. The Zellers land was on the west bank of the Shenandoah River and had about a mile of frontage on it. Peter bought 123 acres from Heinrich on August 17, 1765. Twenty-three of this was from Heinrich's home site. He patented another 183 acres July 5, 1774, a total of 334 acres on the east side of the Massanutten.

    Next, we find a Peter Sellers buying land in what is now the Mountain Valley community on the west side of the Mountain in 1791. This is a 17 year time span. This land was not so far removed from his other land, at that time, as it appears today. There was a "path" or trail road thru that early settlers traveled to Peaked Mountain Church and the McGaheysville-Elkton area from the Mountain Valley area. This Peter had a wife, Margaret.

    Peter's land at Mountain Valley was a part of David Andersson's warrant for 2000 acres granted to him December 1, 1783. Peter's survey for 16 acres cites "S. W. -Stephen's corner". The old Stephen's place was on Smith's Creek between Lacey Spring and road 620 today. Road 806 is in this general area today.

    This land seems to have descended to Conrad Sellers, to John Sellers, to Daniel Sellers and was sold out of the Sellers family. Leon Cave owned most of this land in 1985. A section of it along the east line descended to Amanda Layman, daughter of Daniel Sellers. Wayne Phillips owned this in 1985 and it is thus now owned by a Sellers descendant.

    Many land records were burned on the wagons hauling them to safety during the Civil War. The effort to save the records resulted in their being partly destroyed. This loss of records makes it difficult to trace land transactions.

    Peter furnished supplies to the militia during the American Revolution. He was active in community affairs. He was named as one of four, any three to serve, to appraise George Schulenger estate March 22, 1799; March 22, 1784 for Frederick Haynes, and June 28, 1784 James Madley's estate.

    He and Adam Zellers were named executors of Christian Teeters' will August 23, 1784. He was a member of the Grand Jury in 1785. Augustine Price and Frederick Armentrout processioned Peter's land 1767-68.

    Like his brothers John and Adam, Peter furnished livestock and food to the American forces from 1780 to 1782. He received payment for all three years provisions in November 1783.
    Source:
    [1] Mary Marie Koontz Arrington, "Cradled by the Masanutten: The Zellers-Sellers Family", Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1986
    [2] Frank M. Sellers, "Sellers - A Preliminary Study of the Descendants of Heinrich Sellers", Denver, Colorado: Lion Press, 1984

    Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 31. Conrad Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point died about 1808 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.
    2. 32. Peter Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1758 in Rockingham County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died before 20 Jun 1836 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.
    3. 33. Elizabeth Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1761 in Rockingham County, Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.
    4. 34. John Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1765 in Rockingham County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 24 Nov 1839 in Warren County, Ohio, United States.
    5. 35. Anna Maria Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1767 in Rockingham County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died in 1827 in Lincoln County, Georgia, United States.
    6. 36. Jacob Zellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 6 Mar 1768 in Rockingham County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 5 Dec 1821 in Lincoln County, Georgia, United States.
    7. 37. Michael Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point died about 1812 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.

  3. 11.  Johannes ZellerJohannes Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (4.Hans3, 2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born about 1735 in Weinheim, Germany; died between Feb 1804 and Mar 1804 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.

    Other Events:

    • Name: John Sellers

    Notes:


    Johannes Zellers (aka. John Sellers) born in Weinheim, Germany, in the Duchy of Baden, in the Holy Roman Empire came to America with his father Heinrich and mother, Anna Maria, on the Ship Queen Elizabeth and landed in Philadelphia 16 September 1738. He died between January 1804 and March 1804 in Rockingham County, Virginia.

    In 1758, John was a private in the Augusta County, militia and helped defend the frontier during the French and Indian War (1754-63) In 1761 he purchased 130 acres from his father, married the daughter of the neighboring farmer and started his own farm. Less than a year later, he inherited 135 acres from the estate of his father-in-law and on July 7, 1763 patented another 195 acres, bringing his total to 460 acres. On 16 Oct. 1765 Johannes (John) Sellers was naturalized in Augusta County, Va. and qualified as a Justice. He was an active participant in all phases of community affairs. On March 16, 1772 he sold the land he got from his father to his son Henry. In 1773 he purchased 64 acres from Calem Price to replace it. During the Revolutionary War (1775-83) he furnished tools and provisions to the American forces. Like most others who furnished supplies to the fledgling government, he found that the pay was slow in coming, with the final payment more than five years after the delivery of goods.

    In anticipation of his death, John, Sr. engaged in several land transactions with his son, John, Jr. On October 7, 1803, he sold his son the 330 acres from his original patent for £765. On November 15, 1803, he purchased the land back for £860 and on December 12, 1803 he sold his 130 acres for £260. The net effect of this was to reduce the size of the farm and accumulate some cash.

    He continued to sign his name in German in business transactions after many of his German neighbors had started using English. He was named by the Court to appraise estates and report to the court. He is listed as a Rockingham County, landowner in 1789 with 394 acres in Militia District 12.

    John Sellers' will, written shortly before his death in 1804, contained several interesting provisions. He had a family of at least 4 sons and 5 daughters who are named in his will. He left the remainder of the farm to John, Jr. and Daniel with the provision that they pay each of the girls a yearly fee, cut Jacob off with the note that he had received his part of the estate when he left for Ohio, then called New Pennsylvania, in 1797. He evidently became involved in a disagreement with his son Henry that he never resolved and felt it was necessary for him to ask Henry to leave Rockingham before receiving his inheritance. He left Henry £40 to be delivered "as soon as he leaves the country." At the same time he says Henry's share was equal to his brothers and sisters. The dispute with Henry arose over Henry's immediate sale of the land he got from John in 1772.

    It was noted that members of Johannes family spoke and wrote German. Many of them spelled their name Sellars before converting to Sellers.

    WILL.....
    Book A pg. 12 (Note: typed as written in will book, blank lines are unreadable)

    In the name of god Amen. I John Sellers of Rockingham County, being week in body, but in perfect mind and memory and calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all ____ recommend my soul unto the _____ to be buried in a decent Christian manner a _____ my executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrecti__ receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as to- such worldly estate where with it has pleased God to bless me in life, I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth my horse her saddle and bridle, two cows, two beds with furniture a big iron kettle a duch oven an iron pot, her spinning wheel and big wheel the reel all the peuter in the house all the flax thread and cloth which shall be found a--- decease; also the choice of two sheep all thares and t__ Further is it my will that my said wife shall keep her possession of my dwelling house and both gardens during ___ natural life. Further it is my will that my wife shall receive her maintainance by my two sons JOHN and DANIEL ___ as is pointed out in an obligation signed by said JOHN ___ DANIEL letters and bearing date the 16th of January 18__ unto my son HENRY I give and bequeath the sum of Forty dollars ds to be paid unto him by my son JOHN as soon as my sd ___ HENRY shall leave this part of the country he having already received by my hand such a sum as well with the above ___ other Forty pounds make him equal with his other brothers and sisters in his share of my land I shall die in possessing of My son JACOB he having received at the time of his moving to New Pensylvania a like sum to be equal to his share of land and for which he has given his receipt, he shall be entitled to his share of my movable estate __ ___ JOHN and DANIEL and their heirs I _____ is to have the lower containing one hundred and thirty and my son Daniel the upper part containing one hundred and thirty four acres: the division in the said land is run by Mr. Thomas Mauzy. Further I give and bequeath unto my daughters Catherine, Elizabeth, Molly, Margaret and Christena and their heirs, to each of them the sum of One Hundred pounds lawful money of Virginia to be paid unto them or heirs by my sons John and Daniel. As the sum my sons John and Daniel have to pay equally divided will amount to Two hundred and fifty pounds each it is my will that each of them shall pay yearly the sum of twenty five pounds, which two payments one of their sisters or heirs shall receive, but the time of paying such a sum shall not commence, not till a full year after my decease, and continue till all their sisters have received their legacies. It is also my will that my daughters shall receive the first payment of fifty pounds in such an order as will be decided by lots; and after; and after each of them shall have received their first payments then the last payment shall begin in the same order as before. Item my sons John and Daniel though they shall enjoy the possession of my lands, it is my will that none of them shall have power to sell off their sharenot till after my wifes decease and in case of sale the other brother of these two shall have the first offer, at such a price as another person might buy it. All the remaining-movables after my wifes decease shall be sold by my executors and to be divided equally ___ all my children the wearing of my wif__ Lastly I do hereby constitute and apoin_ my _____ executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoke all other or former wills by me heretofore made.

    In witness whereof I have set hereunto my hand and seal the 17th day of January A.D. One thousand eight hundred and four.
    John Sellers (S__)

    Signed, sealed, published and delivered as and for the last will and testament of the above named John Sellers in the presents of us
    Philip Long
    Michael Rhinehard
    Jacob Yancey

    Rockingham March Court 1804
    The last will and testament of John Sellers Senr. was settled in Court and Proved by the oaths of Philip Long Michael Rhinehard and John Yancey three witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the of John Sellers the executor therein ___med who made oath therein and with security entered into ___ acknowledged bond Conditioned as the law directs a Certificate is granted him for obtaining a Probate in due form.

    Teste: S.W. Williams

    Source:
    [1] Mary Marie Koontz Arrington, "Cradled by the Masanutten: The Zellers-Sellers Family", Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1986
    [2] Frank M. Sellers, "Sellers a Preliminary Study of the Descendants of Heinrich Sellers", Denver, Colorado: Lion Press, 1984

    Johannes married Elizabeth Perkey in 1761 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America. Elizabeth (daughter of Henry Perkey and Margaret Runkle) and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 38. John Perkey Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1763; died before 1833 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.
    2. 39. Catherine Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 11 Sep 1763 in Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 8 Nov 1818 in Symmes Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Nov 1818 in Camp Dennison, Hamilton County, Ohio.
    3. 40. Henry Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1765 in Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 9 May 1829.
    4. 41. Jacob Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 3 Jul 1766 in Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 10 Feb 1853 in Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Feb 1853 in Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, United States.
    5. 42. Elizabeth Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1774; died in 1796 in Northwest Territory, United States.
    6. 43. Daniel Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 12 May 1774 in Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 28 Aug 1859 in Augusta County, Virginia, United States; was buried in Aug 1859 in Weyers Cave, Augusta County, Virginia, United States.
    7. 44. Anna Maria Zeller  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 7 Sep 1776 in Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.
    8. 45. Margaret Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 1780 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States; died in 1820 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.
    9. 46. Christena Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 14 Jul 1785 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States; died on 22 Jun 1849 in Preble County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Preble County, Ohio, United States.
    10. 47. Molly Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point died on 3 Nov 1857.

  4. 12.  Johan Adam ZellerJohan Adam Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (4.Hans3, 2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born in 1742 in Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; died in Apr 1821 in Clear Creek Township, Warren County, Ohio, United States; was buried in 1821 in Clear Creek Township, Warren County, Ohio, United States.

    Other Events:

    • Name: Adam Sellers
    • Residence: 1789, Rockingham County, Virginia, United States
    • Residence: 1817; migrated to Warren County, Ohio

    Notes:


    Johan Adam Zellers was probably the 4th child of Heinrich and Anna Maria Zellers. John was probably born about 1742 in Pennsylvania and died in Ohio in 1821. Tradition is that when he was 75 he moved to Ohio. Based upon dates of his land sales he moved to Ohio in 1817. His two sons Henry and Adam Jr. were dead and the rest had moved to Ohio and this probably influenced his moving.

    A list of large landowners compiled from the original manuscripts in the Rockingham County, Virginia Clerk's Office for the year 1789, lists Adam Sellers in District 12 with 1142 acres of land. District 12 was a part of the East District which included the land around the foot of the east and southeast side of the Massanutten and west of the Shenandoah River.

    In Strickler's Tenth Legion Tithables, 1791 John Adam Sellers is listed as having 6 horses, his son Peter, 21, and on negro over 16.

    Boones Run flows east out of Runkles Gap and enters the Shenandoah River just above the old St. Peter's Church where probably the oldest settlement in Rockingham County, was made. Jacob Stover who pioneered settlement in this area married an aunt of Daniel Boone and thus we have Boones Run.

    Runkles Gap is named for the pioneering Runkles family from Germany. There is an old Runkle Castle at Runkle, Germany, just on the outskirts of Limberg. Johan Adam Zellers' son Peter married Elizabeth Runkle, daughter of Peter Runkle, Sr., who was of this Runkle family.

    The Zellers family became caught up with hundreds more from the valley with wanderlust. They moved west across the Alleghenies to take advantage of cheap lands and the military bounty land after the American Revolution. Two other historical events contributed to another wave of people moving on, not only from east of the mountains but from Ohio westward. One was the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the Missouri Compromise in 1820, which settled the matter of slave and free territory.
    Reference:
    (1) Mary Marie Koontz Arrington, "Cradled by the Masanutten: The Zellers-Sellers Family", Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1986.
    (2) Frank M. Sellers, "Sellers - A Preliminary Study of the Descendants of Heinrich Sellers", Denver, Colorado: Lion Press, 1984

    From The Western Star, April 30, 1821
    PUBLIC VENUE
    Will be sold at public vendue on Friday the 1st day of June next at the late residence of Adam Sellers, on Clearcreek, one Clock and Case, one ten plate stove, a number of Hogs, and Cattle, Beds and Bedding, Corn, wheat, household and kitchen furniture, and a number of other articles too tedious to mention. A credit of nine months will be given, by the purchaser giving his note with good approved security.
    Admrs.
    William Sellers
    Christian Sellers
    Charles Null
    April 25th 1821 230c4W

    ADMINISTRATORS NOTICE
    All persons indebted to the estate of Adam Sellers, late of Warren county, Ohio, dec'd. are requested to make immediate payment, and those having claims against said estate are requested to present them legally authenticated, for adjustment within one year from this date.
    Admrs.
    William Sellers
    Christian Sellers
    Charles Null
    April 25th 1821 230c5W

    Name:

    The original German spelling of the name was "Johan Adam Zeller". Anglicanized by both the English courts as well as English society in general, the English version of the name became "Adam Sellers". The last name is also found in various court records either as "Seller" or as "Sellars". As evidenced by the estate records at his death in Warren County, Ohio, he was known as "Adam Sellers".

    Johan married Barbara Teeter on 30 Jul 1801 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States. Barbara and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 48. Henry Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1769 in Augusta County, Virginia, United States; died on 3 Sep 1841 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.
    2. 49. Christian Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1768 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 13 Oct 1841 in Parke County, Indiana, United States; was buried in Oct 1841 in Hollandsburg, Parke County, Indiana, United States.
    3. 50. Peter Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born between 1770 and 1771 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 15 Aug 1807 in Warren County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Aug 1807 in Warren County, Ohio, United States.
    4. 51. Mary Christina Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born about 1773 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 12 Jan 1824; was buried in Jan 1824 in Warren County, Ohio, United States.
    5. 52. Elizabeth Sellers  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 15 Mar 1776 in Augusta County, Colony of Virginia; died on 27 Apr 1862 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States; was buried in Apr 1862 in McGaheysville, Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.
    6. 53. Adam Sellers, Jr.  Descendancy chart to this point was born in 1778 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States; died about 1800 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.

  5. 13.  Henry ZellerHenry Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (4.Hans3, 2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) and died.

  6. 14.  Anna Elizabeth ZellerAnna Elizabeth Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (4.Hans3, 2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) and died.

    Anna married Jacob Risch before 4 Jan 1774. Jacob and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  7. 15.  Anna Catherine ZellerAnna Catherine Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (4.Hans3, 2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born in 1729; and died.

    Anna married Daniel Preiss on 7 Dec 1752 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America. Daniel and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. 54. Sarah Preiss  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 20 Feb 1776; and died.
    2. 55. Gerdrant Preiss  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 2 May 1785; and died.
    3. 56. Elizabeth Price  Descendancy chart to this point and died.
    4. 57. Rebecca Price  Descendancy chart to this point was born on 25 Nov 1786; and died.

  8. 16.  Anna Maria ZellerAnna Maria Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (4.Hans3, 2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) and died.

    Anna married Peter Müller before 25 Jan 1764. Peter died before 1804. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  9. 17.  Johan Michael ZellerJohan Michael Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (4.Hans3, 2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born before 1750; died in 1812 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States.

    Notes:


    .....The executor's bond for his estate was filed in Rockingham County, Virginia August 18, 1812. Andrew Sellers was named executor of his estate with bond of $3500 signed by Zebulon Harrison, Peter Zetty, and Peter Henton, his neighbors. Michael (Sillers) Sellers was listed tithables for 1775. Adam, Peter, Henry, and John Siller were also listed.
    .....John Michael Zellers was the pioneer of the Melrose, Virginia Sellers. He patented 106 acres in 1781 on the west side of Smith's Creek (Patent book 1, pg. 63) and 60 acres in 1785 on east side of Dry Fork on Smith Creek (Patent book 1, pg. 319). He paid fifteen shillings sterling to the Commonwealth of Virginia April 13, 1780 for the 106 acres. It is likely that he laid claim to this land prior to 1780 and had probably lived on it for sometime before it was surveyed and the deed recorded. It is believed that his log house was located on the west side of the hill below where Fellowship Church stands in 1984. An old house stood on this site and was used by Jacob Benjamin Franklin Sellers, in the early years of his marriage, before he built a new house nearby.
    The Sellers cemetery is on the side of the hill just south of the location of this log house. According to tradition Michael started the cemetery. He and his wife are probably buried in it in unmarked graves.
    .....Family tradition says he had the Methodist circuit riders hold services at this home before he helped build a church on his land. There was also a school on his land. There is a possibility that school was held in the church building since this was customary in the days of settlement.
    He sold Andrew Sellers 93 acres in 1812 "of the upper plantation". He probably died early summer of 1812. His estate was not settled for some years since Andrew Sellers paid $1.00 for taxes on 162 acres for the Michael Seller's estate in 1818. The delay in the estate settlement could have been because Michael's wife was still living but it was not unusual for years to pass before settlements were made. There is a question as to why there is no mention of other heirs. His will if any, could have been burned and he left all to Andrew; the rest of the family having left the area or being deceased. Christina was deceased but she left a large family of children.
    .....There were one or more structures on the old church site before a deed for the land was made to Fellowship Church in 1854 some 42 years after his death.
    He is listed as a landowner in Rockingham County, Virginia in 1789. The militia vouchers for Rockingham 1788 lists Michael Sellers in Captain Richard Regans Co. 13 with 1 Tithable and a male, Jacob, over 16. Usually these males were sons unless otherwise designated. Since horses were essential in case of defense they were also inventoried. Michael owned four.
    .....Michael's wifes name is not known, and a record of his marriage has not been found. There is also considerable uncertainty about the names of his children and how many. The girls listed, however, are verified by marriage bonds and Jacob and James by tithables vouchers. Land transactions and the fact Andrew was the executor of his estate indicate he was a son.
    Source:
    [1] Mary Marie Koontz Arrington, "Cradled by the Masanutten: The Zellers-Sellers Family", Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1986
    [2] Frank M. Sellers, "Sellers - A Preliminary Study of the Descendants of Heinrich Sellers", Denver, Colorado: Lion Press, 1984


  10. 18.  Anna Margaret ZellerAnna Margaret Zeller Descendancy chart to this point (4.Hans3, 2.Barbara2, 1.Margretha1) was born about 1750 in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America; and died.

    Family/Spouse: Henry Monger. Henry was born in 1754 in Virginia, British Colonial America; died about 1828. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]