Our Dettor Family's Connection
Hirschlanden, Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis, Baden Württemberg, Germany
Nicholas Dötter, along with his family, arrived in America on the ship "Jacob" as Listed at the State House at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Monday, 02 October 1749. Nicholas was listed as a tailor in various records.
Nicolaus' christening record was brought to the Reformed and Lutheran Congregation at Lower Bermudian, Latimore Township, Adams Co., PA. He was christened in Hirschlanden, Franconia (Now Germany); a copy of his christening was issued at Hirschlanden on 12 May 1749 by Johannes Andreas Bulaeus. Nicholas must have acquired this before his departure to America and the record was later registered in the church in Pennsylvania.
Click on images for enlarged graphics:
Christening record:
Translation:
The original of this affidavit of the birth of Nicolaus Dötter is in the York County Historical Society Library in York, PA.
Approximate Translation:
"IMMANUEL
Nicolaus is of Christian and honest parents, out of a pure and chaste nuptial be procreated, and born the 20 of November, in the year of the Lord 1712. The father is Matthias Dötter, local inhabitant, citizen, and together in this place with the mother, Margaretha. The place of sponsor was in the holy baptismal represented by the honourable Nicolaus Keller, inhabitant of this place. On request, from this book of baptism, true and sincere, was this copied out and with his name and seal, shall confirm.
Hirschlanden, 12 May 749
Johannes Andreas Bulaeus
Common Dominion
Herrschlanden, Löwenstein-Wertheim
Pastor"
I have often wondered what thoughts Nicolaus must have had when he embarked on the long journey across the Atlantic. He must have known that he would never see his homeland again and that his children would likely not as well. Further, he must have had apprehension about the strange, new land that he was taking his family to. What perils the crossing of the sea might bring, at least those perils were known. The new land was full of unknown factors. He must also have known that in all likelihood, his descendants would become Americans, perhaps forgetting their connection to the land and village of his birth...the land of his ancestors. We did not forget Nicolaus.
Some Descendants:
John Dettor's declaration of Revolutionary War service states that he was drafted in June or July of 1776 and marched under Capt. Michael Simzer (or Smizer) and Col. Michael Swoope; he was taken prisoner at Fort Washington on 16 Nov 1776. The Declaration was given in Augusta Co., VA on 13 Oct 1832. {Lyman Chalkely, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement, Vol. II, p. 494.}
Albemarle Co., VA Order BK 1831-1837 pg 107 (19 Oct 1832): JohnDettor aged 74 years states he was born about 12 Dec 1758 in County of York & state of Pennsylvania and was a Revolutionary War soldier. Affadavits of Jacob Rudisell, Lewis Craft, Samuel Leitch and Andrew McKee were given. The Court declares that Dettor was a Rev. war soldier as he states.
From the Dettor Family Bible: "John Dettor was born in York Co., Penna. on 12th December 1758 and died at his residence in Albemarle Co., Virginia on the 15th day of January 1833. The Rev. Joseph A. Brown of the Methodist Itinerant Connection preached his funeral sermon from Amos 4th Chapter and latter part of the 12th verse: "Prepare to meet thy God."
John's son, Matthias, was born 16 Aug 1799, Albemarle Co., VA and died before 25 Jan 1840, Albemarle Co., VA. Matthias was a Great Grandson of Nicholas Dötter.
Two sons of Matthias, Henry Kosciusko and Nicholas Marcellus Dettor, were soldiers in the service of the Confederacy during the American "Civil War". They joined other relatives in service to their country, some of which gave their lives in that effort. They were Great Great Grandsons of Nicholas Dötter.
Henry was born July, 1831, Albemarle Co., VA and died 29 May 1908, Panola Co., MS. He was my great great grandfather. He married Frances Jane Morris about 1859, probably in Virginia. They were the parents of my great grandmother Mary Elizabeth Dettor Bell and her sister, Jennie Dettor Ward.
Henry was a member of the 27th Virginia Cavalry, which was later renamed as the 25th. This unit was also known as the Partisan Rangers.
Henry K. Dettor enlisted in Company B, on 19 Aug 1862 in Lee Co., VA as a detailed wagoner. He was present through the entire war being paroled on 07 May 1865.
Henry's brother, Nicholas was born 09 Mar 1833, Albemarle Co., VA and died 18 Nov 1909, Washington Co., VA.
Capt. N. M. Dettor was born near Charlottesville, VA, in March 1833. He removed to Washington Co., VA, with his mother in 1858 and engaged in farming. In 1859 he was elected captain in the 105th Regiment, and was in the first battle of the war and in many subsequent engagements---Gettysburg, Seven Days fight around Richmond, the Wilderness. He was wounded in his right arm, of which he never regained good use afterwards. He was taken from the battlefield, and while in the hospital he received a message that his mother was not expected to live. He reached home just a few hours before she died. As soon as he had recovered sufficiently he returned to his command, and remained until the surrender. He then went back to Washington County, where he was elected constable, but later returned to farming. He was married in 1872 to Miss Bettie Minnich, with whom he lived near Wallace, VA, until her death, in January 1906, leaving five sons and three daughters. He was then in feeble health, and survived her not quite four years, his death occurring in November 1909.
"Nicholas M. Dettor, Captain-Co. F, 48th VA Infantry: 4th Corporal, Co. F. Elected Captain 105 Regiment, VA militia 1859. Enlisted Washington Co., VA on 16 Jun 1861 as a private. Present through 15 Oct 1861. Hospitalized with chronic diarrhea, Charlottesville, 09 Jun 1863 to 09 Aug 1863 when released to duty. Promoted 4th CPL by 25 Feb 1864. Wounded in action, Wilderness Campaign, right arm and elbow 05 May 1864. Remained absent in hospital, Bristol, and "at home near North Garden", Albemarle County through 31 Dec 1864. Wounded in action, lost right eye during enemy bombardment near Petersburg 1865. Reduced to private by 09 Apr 1865 when paroled at Appomattox Courthouse."
In 1996 I went online for the first time. One of the first things that I did was begin a search of the Internet for living members of the Dettor* family still in Germany. Success was mine from the very beginning and fate would have it that there were indeed, many family members still living in the very village that Nicolaus had left 247 years earlier. Hirschlanden still held the living roots of the old family lineage.
(* Dettor and Detter are some of the accepted spellings in America for the surname Dötter)
Photographs of the village of Hirschlanden:
Entering Hirschlanden
Rosenberg Rathaus (Five village shields on the railing, one of which is Hirschlanden's)
Evangelische Kirche-Formerly Lutheran-Hirschlanden, Germany
Interior Views of Evangelische Kirche
Detail of the Altar Detail of the Baptismal Font
I developed a long correspondence with Emma Lauer geb Dötter. Emma was a native of Hirschlanden and descended from the same lineage that Nicolaus descended from. The communicative relationship was warm and vital. I shall cherish it for as long as I live. Emma died in 2000. I will always miss her.
Emma Lauer geb Dötter
Because of my deep feelings for the village and people of Hirschlanden, I have developed this portion of my web site as a memorial to the place, the people and for Emma, who will live in my heart forever. God bless the ties that bind through time and space.
Photographs of Hirschlanden that are used throughout my pages were the gift of Ann Parsons Schwab [email protected], whose husband is also a Dötter descendant. Ann and her husband and others traveled to Hirschlanden in 2000. She has given me the kind and generous use of these photographs.
Recently, Ann also gave me another treasure. She sent me a web site address for Hirschlanden. To visit this web site, which is connected also to the Dötter family members in the village, please click the crest of Hirschlanden below.
I hope that you will enjoy your visit to a place and to a family that is very dear to me.
Sincerely,
Elaine Randall English
Original background graphics by Elaine Randall English
Copyright ă Elaine Randall English, 1999-2002
