Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Mary Eller

Female 1784 - 1873  (89 years)


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  • Name Mary Eller 
    Born 12 Oct 1784  , Rowan, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 18 Oct 1873  , Henry, Indiana, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Messick Cemetery, Messick, Henry, Indiana, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I2152  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Peter Eller,   b. Abt 1746, of, Rowan, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 29 Jul 1799, , Wilkes (now Ashe), North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 53 years) 
    Mother Maria Elizabeth Dick,   b. 14 Dec 1746, Altrip, Ludwigshafen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1841, of, Ashe, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age < 94 years) 
    Married Abt 1768  of, Frederick, Maryland, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F665  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family George Koons,   b. 12 Aug 1782, , Randolph, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Mar 1849, , Henry, Indiana, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years) 
    Married 27 Jun 1801  , Wilkes, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Elizabeth Martha "Massie" Koons,   b. 1806, , Randolph, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1839, , Adams, Illinois, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 33 years)
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F238  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Per website http://www.ls.net/~newriver/nc/ashe1815.htm: "Ashe County, North Carolina - 1815 Tax List. Ashe County, North Carolina was formed in 1799 from Wilkes County. From 1799 until 1859, Ashe County included the most of the land now included in Alleghany and Watauga Counties, and part of what is now Avery County, North Carolina. In 1815, Ashe County was bounded by Carter County, Tennessee on the west, Grayson County, Virginia on the north, by Surry and Wilkes Counties on the east and Burke County, North Carolina on the South. This list was abstracted and totals were combined for brevity for individuals with multiple tracts of land. I abstracted this document years ago and omitted portions that I wish I hadn't now. Don't take it as absolutely accurate. Five categories are given: Name, number of acres of land, valuation in dollars, polls, and local situation or name of neighbors. I added the number of tracts of land in the consolidation process." [He did not get the parts of Ashe County that are now part of Alleghany and Watauga Counties. Also no Stokers found.]:
      Henson, Nancy 100, 50, -, Long Branch, 1 [Nancy Mary Graybill?]
      Graybeal, Henry 200, 255, 1, Laurel Fork, 3
      Koons, Gasper 150, 150, 1, Charles Francis, 1
      Koons, George 205, 200, 1, North Fork, 1
      Koons, John 90, 130, 1, North Fork, 1
      Koons, Devault 150, 200, 1, North Fork, 1
      Graybeal, David 350, 212, 1, Old Field Creek, 2
      Eller, Jacob 300, 200, 1, Horse Creek, 2
      Eller, Henry 250, 200, 1, M. Carpenter, 1
      Eller, Peter 215, 320, 1, 1
      Pennington, William 103, 150, 1, 1
      Burket, Chris. 1260, 1800, 1, Buffalo [Father of the two Burkett girls who md. Graybills.]
      Judd, John 196, 250, -, Pine Swamp [Father of Margaret Judd?]
      Koonts, Mary 340, 600, 3, S.F. New River [Mary Eller?]
      Koonts, Geo. 250, 150, 1, Pond Mountain

      2. FHL Book 929.273EL54h "George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America," compiled by James W. Hook, 1957, also on FHL film 896571, item 2, pp. 17-31, clarifies early North Carolina counties and land grant practices:
      "Land grants in North Carolina originated with an entry application which was filed in the county where the land was situated and if not lost are now on file there. This was followed, sometimes soon and sometimes years later by an order from the land office for the tract to be surveyed. Sometimes soon and sometimes years later the survey was made and a surveyor's plat filed with the Secretary of State in Raleigh. Then came the grant which may have been issued reasonably near the date of the survey or sometimes several years later. These grants, orders to survey and the survey itself are on file now in the Secretary of State's office at Raleigh...
      Many counties were formed from what originally was Rowan County, namely Surry and Guilford in 1770, Burke and Wilkes in 1777, Randolph in 1779, Iridell in 1788, Stokes in 1789, Buncomb in 1791, Ashe in1799, Davidson in 1822, Yancey in 1833, Davie in 1836 and Yadkin in 1850. Some of these counties were grandchildren of Rowan County; for instance Wilkes was taken partly from Burke and partly from Surry, Randolph from Guilford, Buncomb and Yancy form Burke, Ashe from Wilkes and Stokes and Yadkin from Surry. These facts must be kept in mind when tracing early Rowan County families."

      3. FHL Book 929.273EL54h "George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America," compiled by James W. Hook, 1957, also on FHL film 896571, item 2, pp. 17-31, in speaking about Peter Eller Sr.'s [b. abt. 1746, d. 1799] estate settlement, the following quotes refer to family members involved with the settlement. Note that sons-in-law William Pennington (wife Barbara or Elizabeth Eller?) and George Koons (Mary's husband) do not show up at the estate sale of 1799 but do show up from 1809 to 1817 when the inherited land of Peter Eller is sold. Of the younger sons, Henry and Jacob appear in the later land heirship land deeds, but they would have been only minors at the estate sale of 1799. George, the youngest son, never shows up which may be indicative of an early death. The older sons- John and Peter - and the eldest daughter - Catherine Eller Stoker thru her husband Michael - show up in both 1799 and the later land deeds. Elizabeth Eller Jr., the unmarried dau. shows up only in the 1799 purchaser list buying household items as if she were preparing for an imminent marriage (see her notes for more detail on her purchases). The open-ended question of who married Elizabeth and who married Barbara is not resolved by these documents except the assurance that William Pennington was definitely a husband of one of them. There is no Bumgardner listed in the later heirship deeds but there are two listed early in the estate purchasers - Michael and Leonard - but if Elizabeth really married a Bumgardner and had a son Simeon in 1807, why is there no listing of a Bumgardner on the heirship deeds. The various quotes are as follows:
      "Peter Eller died before 29 July 1799 as evidenced by an entry in an old court record book found by this writer in the courthouse at Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., NC in October 1954. It reads as follows: 'Betsey Eller and John Eller having made application for Administration on the estate of Peter Eller gave Bowers and John Koons for security who were bound in the sum of 800 pounds and qualified as the law directs.'
      Betsey Eller doubtless was Peter's widow and John his eldest son. The time was 1799 when Ashe County was being set off from Wilkes and the year just preceding the one in which the first federal census of Ashe Co. was taken...
      Three deeds in the courthouse at Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC record settlement actions on the property of Peter Eller deceased. In brief they are:
      1. Deed Book M, p. 163, dated 7 July 1809 shows Peter Eller, Jacob Eller, George Koontz and William Pennington of the county of Ashe in the state of NC, heirs of Peter Eller, deceased, selling to Leonard Fantz 200 acres of land in Ashe Co. the same apparently being the tract Andrew Baker had deeded to Peter Eller 3 Aug 1789. The deed was signed by all the said heirs except William Pennington. Why Pennington did not sign is not clear.
      2. Deed Book F, p. 414, dated 17 Sep 1816, shows John Eller, Peter Eller, Jacob Eller, Henry Eller, Michael Stocker (Stoker), George Koontz and William Pennington all of the County of Ashe in the State of NC, heirs of Peter Eller deceased, selling Luke White Sr. 122 acres of land located on the south fork of New River at the mouth of Rones Creek etc. This deed was signed by all the said heirs named as party of the first part in the deed except George Koontz. Why George Koontz did not sign is not clear.
      3. Deed Book F, p. 83, dated 11 Feb 1817 shows John Eller, J.A. (Jacob) Eller, Henry Eller, Michael Stocker (Stoker), George Koontz and William Pennington all of the county of Ashe in the state of N.C., heirs of Peter Eller, deceased, selling to Frederick Black, 25 acres of land on the south fork of New River the land being that warranted to Peter Eller, 3 May 1793 and granted to him 27 Dec 1797. All of these heirs signed the deed.
      This writer believes that other heirship deeds exist probably of earlier dates and, if found, would show a Bumgardner heir. The above three deeds distributed only 347 acres of Peter Eller's estate when it appears that it consisted at his death of at least 470 acres. The Bumgardner connection is suggested in an ancient family Bible in which the birth dates of seven children of John Eller, eldest son of Peter and Elizabeth (Dick) Eller was recorded. Another birth entry in this old Bible is that of Simeon Bumgardner, born 8 Jan 1807. This child probably was a son of a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Dick) Eller who had marred a Bumgardner, probably James Bumgardner.
      The old Bible was printed in the German language at Halle, Germany in 1770 and is now in the possession of Mr. Wade E. Eller of Warrensville, Ashe Co., NC. It may be the Bible which George Michael Eller willed to his son Jacob because on page 17 is written 'Jacob Eller his Bible.' On page 15 of the vorrede or preface is also written 'The Holy Bible Peter Eller.' The only information of genealogical value in the Bible are the dates of birth of all but the youngest child, Mary, of John and Susannah (Kerns) Eller… and of Simeon Bumgarner above mentioned.
      The personal estate of Peter Eller was sold and an accounting reported to the Nov. 1799 court of Wilkes Co., NC by John Eller, Adr. The property, 111 individual sales, consisted of household utensils and furniture, farm yard tools and accessories, including one tomahawk, ten sheep, fifteen head of cattle, among which were a yoke of yearlings and one yearling bull, hogs, geese, bee hives, etc. The widow took a good deal of the furniture and household accessories including interestingly enough a trumpet which indicates that the early Ellers possessed musical interest. Other items taken by her were one lot of books, a chest, five head of hogs, four cows, one mare colt, two sheep, oven, hammer and anvil, and a pair of saddle bags. Other purchasers were John Eller, Peter Eller, Elizabeth Eller Jr., Michael Stucker (Stoker), Michael Bumgardner, Leonard Bumgardner, John Dick, Leonard Pfouts, Jacob Huntsinger, Daniel Dickson, James Dickson, James Cash, William Cash, Henry Michael Sr., Henry Michael Jr., Daniel Michael, Thomas Baker, Alexander Smith who purchased the tomahawk and some of the farm animals and other items, David Smith, Frederick Younce, Christian Shear, Abraham Shear, Coonrod Coldiron, David Ingram, Balsar Raime, Conrat Grub, William Colward, George Miller, John Calloway, Allen Nowlin, John Holman and John Tirey. The amount of the sale, including the items taken by the widow totaled 300 pounds, 18 shillings, 7 pence. (Will Book 1, pp. 540-41, Wilkes Co., NC.)"

      4. See notes of son-in-law John Smith for extensive biography on entire family including this individual.

      5. Article "Why Didn't You Go West, John Smith?," by Gregory Smith (MA, Kansas City, is a 6th generation Mormon, former RLDS appointee, studying regional history at UMKC, and currently employed in health care management), from "The John Whitmer Historical Association Journal, vol. 19, 1999, RLDS Library Archives, P.O. Box 1059, Independence, MO 6405 "Massie Koons was the second child of George Koons and Mary Eller, born in 1806 in Randolph County, North Carolina. George Koons, also born in Randolph County, in 1782, was a Quaker who was disowned by his family for marrying Mary Eller, a Dunkard. George and Mary Eller Koons left North Carolina in 1819, moving Wayne County, Indiana, and finally settling in Liberty Township, Henry County, Indiana, in 1821. There Massie Koons met and married John Smith. Their first six children were female - Mary born in 1823, followed by Patience, Hannah, Elizabeth, Lydia Rhoda, and Anna. The first son, Stephen, was born in 1836. John and Massie settled on 80 acres of land in Liberty Township, Henry County, Indiana."

      6. The book "The Howard Leytham Stoker Von Dollen Family Histories," FHL 929.273 H833a, by Doris Lewis, 2017 So. 80th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, 68124, p. 89:
      "Peter was the first son of George Michael Eller. Because there were a number of years between Peter's birth and the others, the question arises if he might not be a child of a first marriage. He grew up in North Carolina and married Elizabeth Dick in 1766. His land grant was close to other Ellers, beginning at the spruce pine on the Upper Ford on Rones Creek. In 1797 he bought the 70 acres which had been granted to his father-in-law, Conrad Dick. This land had been surveyed and chain carriers were listed as Michael Stoker and John Eller, neighbors. Peter had 470 acres at his death... There oldest daughter, Catherine, married Michael Stoker and their youngest daughter, Mary, married George Koons and their great granddaughter, Betty Oman married Orson Hyde Stoker. Children:
      a. John, b. 1767 or 1769; d. 1823; m. Susanna Kerns.
      b. Catherine, b. 6 Mar 1773 at Rowan Co., NC; d. 1850 at Council Bluffs, Iowa; m. Michael Stoker.
      c. Elizabeth, b. 1780; m. William Pennington.
      d. Barbara, b. 1782; m. Pertune.
      e. Mary, b. 1783, NC; d. 1872; m. George Koons (a Quaker who was disowned for marrying Mary, who was a Dunkard). She was 18 and he 19.
      f. Jacob, b. 1784; d. 1855; m. Catherine White.
      g. Henry, b. 1788; d. 1876; m. Elizabeth Johnson.
      h. George."

      7. The book "The Howard Leytham Stoker Von Dollen Family Histories," FHL 929.273 H833a, by Doris Lewis, 2017 So. 80th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, 68124, pp. 112-113: "George Koons, b. 1782 at Randolph Co., NC, d. 26 Mar 1849 at Henry Co., IN, m. Mary Eller, b. 1783 at Rowan Co., NC, m. 27 Jun 1801, d. 1872 at Henry Co., IN. "George Koons, Gasper's second son, stayed in North Carolina when his father's family moved to Ohio. In 1819, George and Mary moved first to Wayne County, IN, and later to Henry County, IN where they are listed in the Biographical History as early pioneers in that county. George was disowned by his father at the age of 19, for marrying Mary Eller, a Dunkard. A Dunkard was the common name for a member of the Church of the Brethren, which was organized in Germany in 1708, but after suffering persecutions there, it took root in Germantown, PA in 1719. Being disowned for religious reasons did not seem to hamper family affection, for the children were named after family members and they all settled in Henry County in Indiana. Children:
      i. Elizabeth Koons, named after her grandmother Elizabeth Dick Eller, b. 1803 at NC.
      ii. Massie Koons, named after her grandmother, Massie Presnell Koons, b. 1806, m. John Smith.
      iii. Henry Koons, named after Mary's younger brother, b. 1807.
      iv. Absalom Koons. Baptized by cousin Michael Stoker, Jr., a Latter Day Saint Elder.
      v. Alice Koons.
      vi. Devault Koons, named after great grandfather Devault.
      vii. Catherine Koons, named after Mary's older sister, who married Michael Stoker.
      viii. Gasper Koons, named after grandfather.
      ix. Martha Koons.
      x. George Koons, Jr.
      xi. Peter Koons, named after his grandfather, Peter Eller."

      8. Mentioned in her husband's will of 15 Mar 1847. See his notes for transcription of will.

      9. FHL book 929.273 P684pn: "Graybill/Stoker/Eller/Smith/Koons/Pitt Connections," by Norman E. 'Gene' Pitt, 1996, pp. 119-123:
      "Mary Eller, b. abt 1785/8, Rowan Co., NC; d. 1872, Henry Co., IN; md. bef 1804 to George Koons (also spelled Koontz, Koonce, and Coonce in some records). He was b. abt 1785/6, probably in Randolph Co., NC; d. 25 (or 26?) Mar 1849, Henry Co., IN. He probably was the s/o Gasper Koons and Abagail ___ and the gs/o Devault Koons and Margaret ___ (or Susan Dick). The Koons were Quakers and George was disowned by his family when he married outside of his church to Mary, a Dunkard. Mary and George emigrated from Ashe Co., NC to Wayne Co., IN in Sep 1819, then settled in Henry Co., IN. Their children were Elizabeth, Massie (md. to John Smith), Henry, Absolom, Alice, Davault, Catherine, Gasper, Martha, George and Peter."

      10. FHL Book 929.273EL54h "George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America," compiled by James W. Hook, 1957, also on FHL film 896571, item 2, pp. 141-171:
      "Mary Eller was born in Rowan Co., NC and, according to the 'History of Henry County, Indiana, 1884,' by the Interstate Publishing Co., 'died in Henry Co., Ind. in 1872, aged 84, making 1788 her birth year.' The 1860 Federal census of Henry County, Indiana, where the family lived after 1819, states her age as 76, making her birth year 1784 which probably is correct. She married before 1804, when her daughter Elizabeth was born, George Koons, b. 1785/86, in Randolph Co., NC probably, and died in Henry Co., Ind., 25 Mar 1849. The date of his death by family record was 26 Mar 1849. The 1810 census of Ashe Co., NC shows them both to be aged over 26 and living in that county with four children, two males and two females, all under 10. This would indicate that both George and Mary Eller Koons were born as early as 1784. The 1850 census of Henry Co., IN, however, gives Mary Eller Koons the age of 57 years which doubtless was an error and should have been 67.
      George Koons may have been a son of John Koons who was settled in Ashe County, NC as early as 1790 although most believe he was a son of Gasper Koons, John's brother of Randolph Co., NC. Others might think that he was a son of George Koons who probably was a brother of John and Gasper and living in Ashe County, NC as early as 1800 and a prominent citizen there. This George Koons, however, had no son. The 1800 census of Ashe Co. shows him at age over 45 with wife of same age and one daughter, aged between 16 and 26. John Koons on the other hand is known to have had a son George, (Book C, p. 478, Ashe Co. Deeds), but this son probably was the George Koonce (sic) whose will was proved in Ashe Co., 11 Nov 1855 naming children John, Jacob, George, Sally, Polly, Catherine, Milly and 'the heirs of Elizabeth Koonce.' (Will Book D, pp. 20, 21, Ashe Co.) John Koons lived near the farm of Mary Eller's father, both on Reedy Creek in Rowan Co., now Davidson Co., where his name was spelled John Coonce and on Rones Creek in Wilkes Co., now Ashe Co., where his name was spelled John Koons. John Koons and Peter Eller witnessed deeds for each other in Ashe County and John Koons was one of the sureties for Peter Eller's widow and his son John when they took administration of Peter Eller's estate in 1799.
      As for George Koons, who married Mary Eller, being a son of Gasper, the evidence is very strong. They named no son John, unless one was so named and died young, but they did name a son Gasper. The also named one of their daughters Massie which was the given name of the first wife of Gasper Koons who would have been George's mother if Gasper was his father. Moreover, George and Mary Eller Koons removed to Henry Co., IN where Gasper and his second wife and children settled in 1808/9. These facts, coupled with the Back Creek Friends Meeting Records in Randolph Co., NC which show that Gasper and Massie Koons had a son George, is pretty convincing. This son, George, of Gasper, on 27 Jun 1801 was disowned by the Back Creek Friends Meeting for 'marrying out of unity.' The date of this disownment showing that George Koons was already or about to be married on 27 Jun 1801means, if the ages of George and Mary Eller Koons shown above are correct that they married at extremely tender ages. As stated above, however, the 1810 census of Ashe County, NC shows both George and his wife at ages over 26 and with four children, two boys and two girls, all under 10. Later records show only three children, two girls and one boy, who were born before 1810 and one may surmise that the missing boy was born probably in 1802 indicating that his parents were married in 1801 at ages, if we accept the above census records, of about 17 years each. Their first Child, Elizabeth, was b. in 1803/4 according to the 1860 census of Henry Co., IN which gave her age as 56.
      George and Mary Eller Koons seem not to have been Quakers as Gasper was, but that fact only bears out the disownment of 27 Jun 1801 of George Koons, son of Gasper, for marrying out of unity, i.e. for marrying someone other than a Quaker. Mary Eller was a Dunker or Baptist.
      John, Gasper and George Koons were sons of Devault Koons, who, according to the Henry County Histories above mentioned, settled first in Pennsylvania. [The book continues with extensive history on Devault and Gasper Koons.]
      As for which of John or Gasper was the father of George Koons who married Mary Eller this writer is certain in his own mind that it was Gasper and that his grandparents were Devault and Massie Koons of Randolph County, NC and Henry County, IN.
      George and Mary Eller Koons, according to 'Hist. of Henry Co., IN,' by Interstate Pub. Co., p. 550, emigrated to Wayne Co., IN in Sep 1819. The Ashe Co., NC records show that he sold 90 acres of land to Henry Eller, 9 Dec 1819 (Deed Book C, p. 68). Two years later, in 1821, he and John Koons, his brother, doubtless, took up land in Liberty Township of Henry Co., IN and a year later both entered land in Blue River Township of the same county. Hazzard's History of Henry Co., IN says however, that George Koons lived on his land in Liberty Township for 16 years then sold it and removed to an 80 acres farm in Blue River Township where he built a log house that was his home until his death on 25 Mar 1849. (The correct date is 26 Mar 1849.) It also stated that he was a Republican in politics and that both he and his wife belonged to the Baptist Church.
      [The book continues with George's will which I have already quoted in his notes from a different source.]
      One of the settlement papers of the estate of George Koons of Henry Co. shows payments of $1.00 each to (1) Main Koons who was probably Massie; (2) Catherine Koons, wife doubtless of William Harvey; (3) George Koons; (4) Henry Koons; (5) J.R. Millikan husband, doubtless, of Martha Koons; (6) D. Koons; (7) Parnell Bales and wife, the wife doubtless being Elizabeth Koons, and (8) Jacob Harvey, husband, doubtless, of Alice (Allie) Koons. The sons Absolom, Peter, and Gasper were not mentioned, Absolom being deceased, Peter having been denied the 1.00 payment by his father's will and Gasper probably being omitted in the record in error. That there was a son Gasper is proved by the settlement papers in his own estate in 1865 when his brother Henry petitioned the court to be appointed executor and presented Peter and George L. Koons as security. The petition stated that Gasper Koons (son of George and Mary) died intestate on or about 7 March 1865. (Common Pleas Court Complete Record #13, p. 520, Henry Co., Ind.) Also see 'The History of Henry Co., Ind.,' pub. in 1884 by the Interstate Publishing Co. of Chicago, p. 550.
      The children of George and Mary (Eller) Koons were, order of birth not certain:
      Elizabeth Koons, b. 1803/4; m. 14 Jul 1822 in Wayne Co., IN, Parnell Bales (Wayne Co., Ind. Marriages). She probably was the Elizabeth Bales, age 56 who is shown in the 1860 census of Henry Co., IN, taken 28 Jul 1860, as having been born in NC and living with Joseph Bales. This would mean that she was born in North Carolina in 1803/4 and that her parents were married as early as 1802/3. The Federal Census of 1830 lists the family of Parnell Bales at age between 20 and 30 with wife and same age and with three male children all under 10. The 1840 census shows Parnell Bales and wife with ages advanced ten years with three male and four female children all under 15. Two of the females were aged between 10 and 15 and since they were not listed in the 1830 census very likely were children of other parents. [Biographies of their children and grandchildren follow in the book.]
      Massie Koons, birth and death dates not found but born, probably, about 1806 and d. about 1840. She married as his first wife, John Smith, born 13 Feb 1799 and died in 1870 at the age of 72 years. He lies buried in the cemetery of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grove Township of Pottawattamie Co., Iowa. He married as his second wife in Adams Co., IL, Miss Sarah Winegar who d. in 1882. [Biographies of their children and grandchildren follow in the book.]
      Henry Koons, b. 1807/08 in NC; d. after June 1866; m. 24 Dec 1829, Elizabeth Harvey, b. 1812/3. The Federal census of Henry Co., IN, Prairie Township, shows children as given below and living with the family, one Ellen McCollam, aged 67 who was born in NC. The 1860 census shows Nellie McCollam, aged 78, doubtless the same, living with James Harvey. She probably was the mother or Elizabeth Harvey having married a McCollam after her first husband's death. [Biographies of their children follow in the book.]
      Absalom Koons, d. bef. 24 Oct 1836 when admin. of his estate was given to John Smith and Henry Koons. (Probate Records, Henry Co., IN) He m., lic. issued 19 Mar 1828, Nancy Russell who married, 14 Jan 1838, as her second husband, James Duke. Richard Haynes, on 15 Feb 1837, was appointed guardian of Mary Ann Koons and James Koons, minor heirs of Absalom Koons, deceased, and on 15 May 1838 filed an estate settlement with James Duke and his wife Nancy called the widow of the said Absolom Koons. The settlement provided that the said James and Nancy should keep and maintain the said minor children until they reached the ages of 13 years, free of charge except that said guardian would pay school fees. (Order Book B of Book AB and Complete Probate Record B, Henry Co., Ind.) [Biographies of their children follow in the book.]
      Alice (Allie) Koons, b. in NC about 1813; date of death not found. She m. 4 Sep 1828, Jacob Harvey, b. 1810/11; date of death not found. The sketch of their son Mahlon D. Harvey in the History of Henry County by Hazzard states that Allie and Jacob Harvey had a family of 14 children. The census of Henry Co. for 1850 and 1860, the latter taken Sep 1860 lists eleven of these Children... [Biographies of their children follow in the book.]
      Devault Koons, b. 12 Oct 1814 in Randolph Co., NC; d. probably after 1883; m. 30 Oct 1845 Polly Canaday, b. 1822 and d. 26 Apr 1883. She was a dau. of William and Hannah (Milliken) Canady. According to the 'History of Henry Co., IN,' by Interstate Pub. Co., p. 550, Devault and Polly Koons lived on his father's farm for two years after their marriage, then on an adjoining farm until 1850, then on the farm of 151 acres of well improved land where he lived for 26 years. He served one term as township trustee, and belonged to the Baptist Church. He wife belonged to the Christian Church. He is recorded as having been a very athletic young man, once having negotiated a standing jump over a stick held by two men as high as his head. [Biographies of their children follow in the book.]
      Catherine Koons, b. in NC 22 Jan 1816; d. 3 Nov 1903; m. 1 May 1834, William Harvey, b. 1812/3; d. 7 Nov 1890 at new Castle, Ind., aged 79. The Federal census of 1850 and 1860 give their children as shown below and in 1850 show one Mary Koonts (sic) aged 57, born in NC living with them. Very likely Mary Koontz was the mother of Catherine (Koons) Harvey, her age being misstated as 57 when it should have been 67. Mary Koons born in NC, aged 76, was living with Martha (Koons) Milikan in the 1860 census. [Biographies of their children follow in the book.]
      Gasper Koons, b. about 1819/20; d. 7 mar 1865. He m. 1st 15 Jul 1838 Lucinda Hedrick; m. 2nd 12 Apr 1849 Marie Houck, dau. of George Houck of MD. Mariah (Marie) Koons, the second wife of Casper (sic) died, according to her death certificate, 17 Aug 1913, aged 95. Her age in the 1850 census was given at 21 probably meaning 31. His age in the same census was 29. Admin. of his estate was given to Henry Koons 22 Mar 1865. (Appearance Docket 166, Henry Co., Ind.) [Biographies of their children follow in the book.]
      Martha Koons, b. in Indiana, 19 Jan 1821; d. 25 Jun 1900, aged 79 years, 5 mo. and 6 days. She m. 5 Aug 1838 John Russel Millikan, b. 27 Apr 1814 in Jefferson Co., TN, d. 12 Sep 1895. He removed to Henry Co., IN in 1835 at age 21 where he became prominent, serving as Justice of the Peace 8 years, member of the State Legislature and as one of the organizers of the Citizens National Bank of New Castle, Indiana. Living with the family of John Russel Millikan in 1860 was Mary Koons, b. in NC, aged 76, the mother, doubtless, of his wife. [Biographies of their children follow in the book.]
      George Koons, Jr., b. 29 Aug 1822; d. 28 Jul 1906. He m. 21 Sep 1843, Hannah Millikan, b. 1818/19, a native of Tennessee. She predeceased her husband. His will mentioning all living children was written in Henry Co. 28 Feb 1905 and probated there 21 Aug. 1906. It mentioned no wife and stated that he was then living with his daughter Martha Hewit. Executors were George E. Koons and George Hewit. (Will Book H, p. 548, Henry co., IN.) [Biographies of their children follow in the book.]
      Peter Koons, b. 4 Jun 1826 in Liberty Twsp., Henry Co., IN; d. 5 Oct 1908, aged 82 years, 5 mos. and 9 days; m. 27 May 1847, Catherine Rinard, b. 10 Oct 1828; d. 14 Jan 1902, aged 73 yrs., 3 mo. and 4 days. She was a dau. of George Rinard, b. in NC and his wife Catherine Reedy, b. in Kentucky. [Biographies of their children follow in the book.]
      The Koons Family of Randolph and Ashe Counties, North Carolina probably descended from Dewald Kuntz who came to Pennsylvania on the ship 'Phoenix' and took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania 28 Aug 1750. (Penn. Archives, 2nd. series, Vol. 17.) According to an account of the family in the 'History of Henry County, Indiana,' p. 1163, by George Hazzard, 1906, Devault Koons, a native of Pennsylvania, married the widow Susan Dick, a native of Germany, whose husband died at sea while crossing to America. The account continues my naming three of their sons... The above account on the origin of the family is rendered doubtful, in one or two respects, by certain records found in the courthouse of Frederick, (Frederick Co.) Maryland. There we find a deed dated 21 Nov 1755 in which Devall Conce (sic) and his wife Margaret sold 70 acres of land on Grooses branch in Frederick Co. to Jacob Gallman. (Book E, p. 916) Another deed dated 2 Feb 1756 (Book E., p. 990) shows Devault Coons (sic) and Richard Kee leasing from Edward Matthias 100 acres of land on Abraham Creek at the foot of Kittocton Mountain called 'Davis Delight.' Still another deed dated 22 Aug 1770 (Book N, p. 305) shows Devalt Coons (sic) and Margaret his wife selling a lot in Sharpsburg to William Flick. The variation in the spelling of the name was due perhaps to the fact that the signatures were by marks making it necessary for the scriveners to write the name according to the way it sounded when spoken.
      It could be said, of course, that the Dewald (Devault, Devall, Devalt) Kuntz (Koons, Conce, Coonce, Coons, Koontz) of Frederick Co., Md. was not the same as Devault (Davault) Koons of Hazzard's 'History of Henry Co., IN,' but when one notes that the Eller, Dick and Stoker families also lived in Frederick Co., MD contemporaneously with the Koons family and that members of all of these families later removed to the same county in North Carolina and intermarried and considering the uncommon name of Devault that appeared in both places, we can hardly escape believing that they were the same. This writer believes that the History of Hazzard errs in saying that Devault Koons the first, was a native of Pennsylvania, implying that he was born there and suggests that the Susan Dick account by Hazzard probably should have included the statement that she was Devault Koon's second wife or that her full name was Margaret Susan Dick, not just Susan Dick.
      Devall Coonce (sic) was living in Frederick Co., MD as early 29 May 1751 when he, together with John Coon and Peter Apple, witnessed the will of Ballish Fought.
      [The book continues with a will of another Devalt Koontz dated 8 Jan 1786 in Frederick Co., probably a son of the original DeVault and who did not join his brothers in NC. It also gives extensive biographies on the two sons that went to NC, John and Gasper and their progeny.]"

      11. Land transaction and proximity mentioned in biography of Henry Eller, son of Peter Eller and Elizabeth Dick per FHL Book 929.273EL54h "George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America," compiled by James W. Hook, 1957, also on FHL film 896571, item 2, pp. 172-176: "Henry Eller, b. 1786/1788; family records said he died about 1876 at the age of more than 90 years. The 1850, 1860, and 1870 censuses of Ashe Co. give his age as 62, 72 and 80 respectively. These records indicate a birth year of 1786/88 and a death year of 1876. He married, about 1812/1813, Elizabeth Johnson, b. according to the 1850 census of Ashe Co., NC, in 1791/92, her age being given as 58 years. The 1860 and 1870 censuses give her age as 68 and 80 respectively. She was born in Iridel Co., NC. Henry Eller entered 250 acres of land on the North Fork of New River, 16 July 1812. This land was surveyed 8 Sep 1813 and granted to him 23 Dec 1813. (Grant 840, Secy. of State's Office, Raleigh, NC.) The land was on the north side of 'feneck' (Phoenix) Mountain and bordered the 150 acre farm surveyed to Michael Stucker (Stokard, Stoker). The survey, dated 8 Sep 1813, was attested by Peter and Jacob Eller. Henry Eller figured in several land transactions in Ashe County after 1812. In one, dated 9 Dec 1819, he purchased 90 acres of land from George Koons for $150.00. This land was in Ashe County on the south side of the North Fork of New River 'to my south line and down to the conditional line made between Abraham May and John Dick Jr. against the mouth of Piney Creek being part of the 150 acre tract where Thomas Brooks Mill formerly stood.' George Koons, doubtless, was Henry's brother-in-law, the husband of Mary Eller, shown in... herein [see notes in this database for George Koons and Mary Eller]. The sale was made about the time that George and Mary Koons left North Carolina for their new home in Henry County, Ind. Mary Koons' name does not appear in the deed but this is not strange because the dower rights of wives were often not mentioned in early deeds of Ashe and Wilkes Counties. Later deeds indicate that Henry Eller's farm in 1845 consisted of 240 acres.
      The records show that Henry Eller's brother-in-law, Michael Stoker (Stokard, Stucker) as well as his brother-in-law, George Koons, lived on farms adjoining his on the North Fork of New River. His brothers, Peter and Jacob, lived nearby while his brother John lived on the south fork of New River near where Peter Eller Sr., their father, late deceased, lived. About 1816 John and Peter moved to lower altitudes in Wilkes County, John to Lewis Fork Creek west of Wilkesboro on a farm of 451 acres and Peter to a farm on Ceroles Creek."

      12. The following LDS ordinances were done in Nauvoo by Michael Stoker acting as proxy for his family as follows per the book "Annotated Record of Baptism for the Dead, 1840-1845, Hancock County, Illinois - [7 volume set] ," by Black, Susan Easton & Black, Harvey Bishchoff, Provo, UT, BYU Press, 2002, pp. 1452-1453, with additional biography by editors:
      "Deceased: Absalom Koons. 1841. Absalom (Abraham) Koons, b. abt. 1810 of Ashe Co., NC, son of George Koons and Mary Eller. Michael Stoker was the Cousin of Absalom Koons. Source: Nauvoo Baptismal Records of the Dead, Book A94; Family Search, Ancestral File."
      "Deceased: Barbary Pertune. 1841. Maiden name Eller, b. 1782 in North Carolina to Peter B. Eller and Elizabeth Dick, md. to William Pennington Jr. in NC, d. 1810 in Ashe Co., NC. Michael Stoker was the Nephew of Barbary Pertune. Source: Nauvoo Baptismal Records of the Dead, Book A128; Family Search, Ancestral File."
      "Deceased: Michael Stoker. 1841. Michael Stoker was the Grandson of Michael Stoker. Source: Nauvoo Baptismal Records of the Dead, Book A156."

      13. FHL book 929.273 D55h "History of Peter and Christina Shutt Dick Family; Frederick Co. Maryland; Wilkes Co. North Carolina; Muhlenberg Co. Kentucky; Sangamon Co. Illinois; Cass Co. Illinois," compiled by Muriel M. Hoffman; Anchor, Illinois; 1970; Chapter II "Ancestry of Peter Dick":
      "Elizabeth Dick, daughter of Conrad and Catherine Dick married Peter Eller, son of George Michael Eller, who moved to what is now Ashe County, N. Car. from Frederick County, Md. Their land adjoined that of her father and presumed brother, John. They had at least 8 children:
      1. John Eller, b. abt 1767 d. 1823, m. 5 Nov. 1792 Susannah Kerns, who died 10 April 1853 age 87 years.
      2. Catherine Eller b. Rowan Co. 6 Mar. 1773 d. aft 1850 m. 1791/2 to Michael Stoker b. Frederick Co. Md. 24 Mar. 1762, d. aft. 1836.
      3. Peter Eller b. 1777/8 d. Wilkes Co. 1851; m. Mary Pennington, prob. dau of William whose estate he helped to administer on 2 July, 1812 with a William Jr.
      4. Elizabeth Eller probably m. William Pennington
      5. Jacob Eller b.1784/88 d. 3 Nov. 1855 (census b.1784) m. abt. 1805 to Katherine White b.1789 d. Jan. 3, 1854
      6. Mary Eller b. 1784/88 d. 1872 age 84; m. George Koons (Koontz) b. 1785/6 d. 26 Mar. 1848 age 63 years.
      7. Henry Eller b.1786/88 d. Ashe Co. abt 1876 m. 1814 Elizabeth Johnson.
      8. George Eller b. aft 1790 d. before 1841."

      BIRTH:
      1. The book "The Howard Leytham Stoker Von Dollen Family Histories," FHL 929.273 H833a, by Doris Lewis, 2017 So. 80th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, 68124, p. 101: "Mary Eller, b. 1783 at Rowan Co., NC, and d. 1872 at Henry Co., IN. Note that Doris is a descendant of this individual. The Pitts book quoted above uses variant date of abt 1785/8, Rowan Co., NC.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Refer to notes of Mary Eller's father's estate. George Koons is not listed among the purchasers of the 1799 estate, but he does sign deeds from 1809-1817 as an heir. This would make the marriage after Nov 1799. Elizabeth Koons, eldest dau. of this couple was born presumably no later than 1804 per her age of 56 in the 1860 census with her husband Joseph Bales.

      2. A partial quote from the book "Our Stoker Family Histories 1731-1881," Vol. II, comp. and ed. by Elayne Stoker, 2004, printed by Stevenson's Genealogy Center, Provo, UT, from an article entitled: "Peter Eller":
      "Peter was the first son of George Michael Eller. Because there was a number of years between Peter's birth and the others, the question arises if he might not be a child of a first marriage. He grew up in North Carolina and married Elizabeth Dick in 1766. His land grant was close to other Ellers, beginning at the spruce pine on the Upper Ford on Rones Creek. In 1797 he bought the 70 acres which had been granted to his father-in-law, Conrad Dick. This land had been surveyed and chain carriers were listed as Michael Stoker and John Eller, neighbors. Peter had 470 acres at his death.
      Peter and Elizabeth are my ancestors twice. Their oldest daughter, Catherine married Michael Stoker and their youngest daughter, Mary, married George Koons and their great granddaughter, Betty Oman married Orson Hyde Stoker.
      Children:
      1. John Eller, b. 1767 or 9; d. 1823; m. Susanna Kerns.
      2. Catherine Eller, b. March 6, 1773, Rowan Co. N.C.; d. 1850 [Kerry's note: This should be after 1856.] Council Bluffs, Iowa; m. Michael Stoker.
      3. Elizabeth Eller, b. 1780; m. William Pennington.
      4. Barbara Eller, b. 1782; m. Pertune.
      5. Mary Eller, b. 1783, North Carolina; d. 1872; m. George Koons (a Quaker who was disowned for marrying Mary, who was a Dunkard.) She was 18 and he 19.
      6. Jacob Eller, b. 1784; d. 1855; m. Catherine White.
      7. Henry Eller, b. 1788; d. 1876; m. Elizabeth Johnson.
      8. George Eller."

      BIRTH:
      1. Calculated from age on tombstone.

      DEATH:
      1. Per tombstone.