The Eller Chronicles

A visit to Appomattox Court House N.M.P. has been a long looked forward to occasion. This became a reality following the Eller Family Conference in July 1989. The grounds are indeed a park, kept beautifully in it's still rural setting. As I walked down the lanes, over the hillsides, and through the buildings, my mind wandered back to almost 125 years ago when these same fields and hills were witness to history being unfolded, the final climax of a long and bitter struggle. Here was assembled a large Union Army, and a much smaller and leaner Confederate army.

In the talk on the Civil War presented at Salisbury a recapitulation of the Southern Army was given in respect to the number of North Carolina Troops. Briefly, North Carolina furnished 127,000 Troops, or more than 20% of the total Confederate Army. As I roamed those hallowed grounds of Appomattox, I wondered how many of those men were present here for the concluding scenes and events of the war at this place.

The first known list of Confederate parolees of the Army of Northern Virginia surrendering at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, 9 April 1865, was delivered to General Robert E. Lee, with a duplicate being delivered to Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. That list names 28,231 officers and men surrendered by General Lee. Of that number approximately 5,500 were North Carolinians, or 19.5%, very close to the original ratio. (see Clark, North Carolina Regiments, 1861/65, Vol. V, p. 574)

Other lists have been forthcoming since those days, the most recent and complete being published in 1989 as a volume in "The Virginia Civil War Battles and Leaders Series". Being interested in knowing if an Eller was present at the surrender, I found none listed in that book, and this fact prompted me to write the letter, a copy of which is included here, to the historian of the Appomattox Court House N.M.P. Believing that his answer would be of interest to the Eller family members, it also is enclosed.

Of the approximately 150 Ellers in the service of the Confederate States of America, only three are known by me to have been present at the Appomattox surrender:

(1). Jesse Franklin(5) Eller, Simeon(4), John(3), Peter(2), George Michael(l). It was a thrill for me to meet Jesse Franklin's great grandson, Burton Eller of Arlington, Virginia, at the-Salisbury Conference. This soldier's story would be most interesting, and hopefully will have it for future publication.

(2). James(5) Eller, Charles(4), John(3), John Melcher(2), Jacob(l). This soldier, I believe, is Peggy Agner Troutman's great grandfather, (see E.F.C. Vol. III, #3, p. 68) and I would hope to have more on James, and his two brothers, for another time.

(3). Charles Eller. Here I would hope to have help from the readers in identifying this Eller. He was from Virginia, probably the Fredricksburg area. Am wondering if Lowell Eller, a fellow Virginian, can come to my aid and furnish some clues on this man.

The response of the readers to the articles on the Civil War, and to the talk presented at the Salisbury conference has been most heartening. This makes the time spent in researching and writing well rewarded. Please keep up the correspondence with suggestions and any information you may have on our common ancestors.

_Byron H. Eller

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October 26, 1989

Chief Historian
Appomattox Court House N.M.P.
P.O. Box 218
Appomattox, VA 24522

Dear Sir,

On a recent visit to the Appomattox Court House N.M.P. headquarters I was shown the book "Parolees at Appomatox, April 9 to 15, 1865", the Virginia Civil War Battles and Leaders Series, by William G. Nine, and Ronald G. Wilson, lst edition, 1989, H.E. Howard Inc., Lynchburg, Virginia. On a quick glance through the book I find no parolees listed with the surname of "Eller". Therefore, I an submitting three names for your consideration and investigation, for possible addition in a new revised edition of that book which I understand is being considered.

Jesse Franklin Eller, Capt., Co. K, 53rd N.C. Regt. From his service record, U. S. National Archives, I notice that his "Name appears as a signature to a Parole of Prisoners of War...done at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, April 9, 1865", Roll #433. Clark, North Carolina Regiments, Vol. V, p. 494, has Captain Eller on the "Parole List at Appomattox, copied from duplicate roll delivered to Gen. Lee at the surrender".

James Eller, Pvt., Co. H, 23rd N.C. Regt. From his service record, U.S. National Archives, "Name appears on Roll of Prisoners of war... surrendered by Gen. Robert E. Lee ... paroled at Appomattox Court House Va., April 9, 1965", Micro copy No. M., 295. Also, in Clark (above mentioned book), p. 510, lists Janes Eller in same manner.

Charles Eller, Pvt., Capt. Pollock's Co., (Mayre's Co. of Fredericsburg Artillery). Also on "Roll of Prisoners of War ... Surrendered at Appanattox Court House", National Archives service record, Micro copy 324; Roll No. 330 & Roll No. 334.

After reviewing the above information I would appreciate your reply. Enclosed is a self address envelope for your convenience. Thank You.

Sincerely Yours,

COPY

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United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE
NATIONAL HIS'RORICAL PARK
Poit Offloc Box 218
Appomattox, VA 24522-0218
(804) 352-8987

IN REPLY REFER TO
November 3, 1989

Dr. Byron H. Eller
6507 Jack Hill Drive
Oroville, CA 95966

Dear Dr. Eller:

This is in response to your letter of October 26, 1989, regarding the omission of three parolees with the surname of "Eller".

First, I wish to thank you for supplying us with the information on these three parolees. Secondly, I have added their names to our listing of parolees and wish to assure you that they will be included in any future printings of the book.

Thank you for visiting the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and for taking the time to provide us with the information on three parolees omitted from our book.

Sincerely yours,

[signature: Ronald G. Wilson]

Historian

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Dear fellow Genealogist:

We cordially invite you to become a member of our Society. If any of your family roots are in Wilkes County, we believe membership in our Society will provide interesting resource material.

Benefits of membership include:

• Four Bulletins each year (generally 28 or more pages each)
• Free queries (no limit within reason) printed in the Bulletin
• Listing of your family surnames in the Bulletin upon receipt of your Ancestor Charts.
• Placing your Ancestor Charts in our files where other researchers can contact you about mutual interests.
• Placing any family history, pictures, newspaper articles, etc. that you provide in the surname file maintained in our research room. This assures the preservation of the material and may generate contacts with others who have the same ancestors.

The Genealogy Research Room in the Wilkes Public Library, C Street, North Wilkesboro, NC is open to the public during regular hours of the library, which at this time are Monday-Thursday 8 AM to 8:30 PM; Friday 8 AM to 5 PM; and Saturday 8 AM to 3 PM. Our Society meets in this room at 7:30 PM on the third Monday of each month. You are welcome to attend any of our meetings.

Membership dues for 1989 are $7.50, and will increase to $10 in 1990. In addition to the benefits listed above, you can take pride in the fact that your membership dues will help to preserve the past for posterity. Since all Society activities are performed by volunteers, we are not able to do individualized research for members. We do not permit books or other resources to be checked out or removed from the Genealogy Research Room. If your dues are received after some Bulletins for the rear have been mailed, those back issues will be included with the next mailing.

We hope you will join us in our efforts to preserve our past.

Membership Application
Year 1989

Name _____________________________________________

Stret/Box __________________________________________

City _______________________State_____Zip ___________

PUBLICATIONS OF WILKES GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.
P. 0. BOX 1629, NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. 28659

W.G.S. has reprinted materials previously sold out. Price includes postage and handling. N.C. residents add 5% N.C. Sales Tax. Stapled, soft cover.

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Wilkes Genealogical Society Inc.
P. 0. Box 1629,
North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659

July 24, 1989

Dear Wilkes County Researcher:

Good News! The Wilkes Genealogical Society has authorized the reprinting of The Heritage Book of Wilkes County.- Because of the many requests to purchase a copy, the Society has contracted with Delmar to reprint a limited number of this book that was originally published in,-, 1982. and was sold out shortly thereafter.

For those not familiar with this book, it is fully indexed and consists of 18 pages which include a history of Wilkes, County, 1116 family history stories written by family members and researchers, and a pictorial honor section. The family histories, which comprise 403 of the 518 pages, are rich in information for the researchers.

Even if you have already ordered before, this is a good opportunity to order for children and grandchildren a special gift that will be treasured for years to come. We expect to receive the copies in early fall, in time for a memorable Christmas gift.

Since our contract with Delmar requires prepublishing monies, we are offering early-bird specials. They are as follows:

O R D E R F 0 R M

[dated July, 1989; Translator: Louise Eller of Beavercreek, OH]

"The EFA ad in the Familienkundlichen Nachrichten Nr. 12/1988 has generated a considerable response and was read not only in Germany but also in Austria. I had many telephone calls up to the last few days, also written queries, and I received information concerning Eller-research, also many requests for trial copies of Eller Chronicles. I could not comply with the latter, because I have not received the requested Chronicles yet. I have a feeling and I get the impression that there is great interest in the EFA, not only in Germany but also in Austria. . . I am receiving letters, that include recorded Eller-data, from people that read the EFA ad. I cannot make use of it at the present time, however it may be of great value further on down the road. My file folder is bulging!

." . . Heiko was here for a visit recently, and I am very happy that I could interest him in becoming a member of the EFA. I showed him my various Eller-research-data; and this was the first time he indicated great interest. He was also very interested in the Eller Chronicles, and without any coaching from me he expressed a desire to become a member. I hope he will be a worthy successor, when I for medical reasons, will not be able to assist you any longer. He thinks his English will improve by reading the Chronicles, and they could be a twofold benefit to him.

[Eds. We look forward eagerly for more about Dr. Rose Eller and hope she will soon join the EFA and share Austrian Eller information with us.

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3-GENERATIONS OF GERMAN ELLERS: GEORG ELLER, HIS SON, AND GRANDSON, HEIKO
[photo caption]

-----(My copy of this picture isn't worth posting here [ADE] ) ----

From: Fam. Otto Brewi, Hubelstr. -3, D-6791 Queidersbach, W. Germany [Translator: Louise Eller of Beavercreek, OH].

In response to your ad in the Family Research Journal Pfalz, I would like to pass on the following information:

Queidersbach is situated 15 Km west of Kaiserslautern. All villages mentioned are located on the "Sickinger Hohe", between Kaiserslautern and Zweibrucken.

I regret to say that the Eller family name is extinct in our area. Theobald Eller emigrated to the USA in 1947. Because we are also doing family research we are familiar with the name "Eller". We hope the following information will help you make some progress:

1. 1. HEINRICH ELLER, weaver, swineherd, in Queidersbach died in Queidersbach 21.3.1846, at age 46. Born in Oberhausen/Wallhalben, son of Heinrich Eller, swineherd, died in Gerhardsbrunn, and Anna Maria Hemmer, died in Oberhausen. Married Anna Elisabeth Bandner, died in Queidersbach 8.2.1838, 57 years old, dau. of Johann Bandner and Maria Anna Huther of Massweiler.
2. 2. THEOBALD ELLER, born 1815 in Massweiler, mason in Queidersbach, married 9.5.1840 to Margarete Mangold, born in Weselberg, 1814, dau. of Johann Mangold and Margarete Daur, Wesselberg. Children in Queidersbach: Anna Maria,

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born 1.4.1841. Family emigrated to the USA in 1847.

3. 3. JOHANN ELLER, (brother of Heinrich Eller) Died in Queidersbach on 4.9.1837, at age 50, was born in Oberhausen. Married Maria Anna Doerr, died in Mannheim.
   • Children:
   • Johann (see 4 below)
   • Barbara, died 29.3.1832 at age 5
   • Johann, died 4.4.1832 at age 4
   • Jakob (see 5 below)
   • Katharina, born around 1810 in Winterbach, married to Georg Jakob Frey of Obernheim-Kirchenarnbach
4. 4. JOHANN ELLER, day laborer in Bann, born in Neumuhle/Kirchenarbach, married in Bann on,26.5.1830 to Susanne Bockshorn, died 21.4.1856, age 46, daughter of Nikolaus Bockshorn and Ann Maria Kern, Bann.
5. 5. JAKOB ELLER, day laborer in Queidersbach, died 21.6.1863; married 15.10.1843 to Anna Maria Ritterbock, died 27.4.1878 at age 61, was daughter of Adam Ritterboch and Anna Maria Bague, of Queidersbach.
   • Children:
   • Jakob, died 1844/47;
   • Christian, died 21.6.1863;
   • Katherina, died 1849/52;
   • Elisabeth, died 1851;
   • Elisabeth, died 1852/1856;
   • Peter, died 1846;
   • Daniel, died 1857/74;
   • Johann, died 1859/69
6. 6.JOHANN HEINRICH ELLER, Schmitshausen, died in Massweiler, son of Vendelin Eller and Magdalena Wolfensberger. Married 17.2.1776 in Schmitshausen after proclamation in Massweiler and Wiesbach to Anna Maria Hemmer, daughter of Johannes Hemmer and Eva Marg. Schwartz of.Schmitshausen.

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