HANS JACOB EBERLE
My Epperly family can be traced back to Hans Jacob Eberle, born about 1735 in Germany. It is believed that he arrived on the ship the St. Andrews in Philadelphia in 1752. Hans is the short form of Johannes, which is German for John. Jacob married Elizabeth, whose surname is unknown, about 1755. It is thought that they married in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Together they had seven children that we know of.
Christena Eberle, b: abt. 1756
George Eberle, b: March 2, 1760
Jacob Eberle, b: Abt. 1762
Christian Eberle, b: July 30, 1763
Anna Elisabeth Eberle, b: abt. 1764
John Eberle, b: December 5, 1765
Eva Catharina Eberle, b: January 22, 1771
Hans Jacob and Elizabeth moved to Frederick County, Maryland, possibly in 1775. They were members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Woodsboro, Frederick Co., MD. The seven children of Hans Jacob and Elizabeth had their first Communion recorded at this church. The first one was for Christina on July 30, 1775 at 18 years of age. The last child taking their first Communion was Catharina on November 27, 1785 at 15 year of age. Records were also kept of communion taken at St. Peter's. The first one recorded for our Eberle family is on November 20, 1784, listing Jacob (Hans), wife Elizabeth, son George, son Jacob, daughter Christina, son Johannes and son Christian.
Three of Hans Jacob's sons and one daughter left Maryland, possibly between 1792 and 1795. The sons were George, Jacob and Christian and the daughter was Anna Elisabeth Sowers. They settled in Montgomery or Floyd County, Virginia. However, George and his entire family moved on to Indiana around 1828.
The last communion entry for Hans Jacob's wife Elizabeth is May 20, 1802, making her date of death sometime between May 20, 1802 and November 20, 1810, the date of Hans' handwritten will. The last known record for Hans Jacob is June 3, 1810. He is listed with probably his daughter as taking communion on that day. The name Eberle is spelled many ways in the church records. It is shown as Eberle, Epperle, Eperle, Eberli, Eberly and Epperly. Following is a portion of Hans Jacob's will.
"In the name of God Amen -I Jacob Epperly of Frederick County in the State of Maryland being sick and weak in body, but of sound disposing mind, memory and understanding considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call hence do therefore make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say First and Principally I commit my soul to the hands of Almighty God and my body to the Earth to be decently buried at direction of my Executor hereinafter named and after my debts and funeral charges are paid."
In his will, he names his son John Epperly as his executor. He gives to John and his heirs the whole of his real and one half of his personal estate on the condition that John is to pay immediately to Hans Jacob's daughter, Christena twenty five pounds current money, one year after Hans Jacob's death to George, the sum of fifteen pounds current money, two years after his decease Jacob the sum of fifteen pounds current money, three years after his decease to Christian fifteen pounds current money, four years after his decease to Elizabeth Sours fifteen pounds current money and five years after his decease Catherine Funderburgh fifteen pounds current money. He also gave his daughter Christena his bed and the residue of his personal estate. The will was probated on May 7, 1811 in Frederick County, MD. Hans Jacob lived to at least 75 years of age.
JACOB EPPERLY
Jacob Epperly Jr. was born about 1762 in Lancaster County, PA. He married Catharine Sowers on April 5, 1785 in Frederick Co., MD. Together they had twelve children.
Elizabeth "Betsy Epperly, b: March 28, 1786 in Frederick Co., MD
Catharina Epperly, b: May 22, 1788 in Frederick Co., MD
George Epperly, b: Abt. 1789 in Frederick Co., MD
John M. Epperly, b: January 11, 1791 in Frederick Co., MD
Jacob Epperly, b: April 10, 1792 in Frederick Co., MD
Juliana Epperly, b: April 16, 1795 in Frederick Co., MD
Solomon Epperly, b: May 14, 1797
Anna Maria (Mary Polly) Epperly, b: February 12, 1799
Philip Epperly, b: January 24, 1801
Margaretha (Peggy) Epperly, b: December 9, 1803
Sarah Epperly, b: July 27, 1806
Daniel Epperly, b: November 4, 1808
Jacob is listed in the 1790 Maryland census Jacob Jr. His last recorded Communion at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Woodsboro, Frederick Co., MD was on October 26, 1794. He is listed in the 1831 Floyd County, VA Tax List and is shown with 2 horses.
Sometime after 1794, Jacob and family moved to Floyd County, VA. Zion Lutheran Church in Floyd County, Virginia has recorded "Jacob Ebberle, 13 in family" as Charter Members on May 10, 1813. Records of his children's baptisms are also recorded at Zion Lutheran Church.
Jacob Jr. died on April 9, 1849 in Floyd County, VA. He ws about 87 years old. He is buried at the Zion Lutheran Church cemetery, both church and cemetery still in existence. His will was probated June 18, 1849.
DANIEL EPPERLY
Daniel Epperly was the youngest son of Jacob Jr. and Catharina Epperly. He was born November 4, 1808 in Floyd County, VA. His baptism is recorded in the Zion Lutheran Church in Floyd, VA. He married Elizabeth Lawrence on October 6, 1828 in Montgomery County, VA. They had nine children listed below.
Nancy Epperly, b: August 2, 1829 in Floyd Co., VA
William Epperly, b: January 13, 1831 in Floyd Co., VA
Daniel Floyd Epperly, b: January 6, 1833 in Floyd Co., VA
Sarah Epperly, b: Abt. 1839 in Floyd Co., VA
Isabell Epperly, b: May 1840, in Floyd Co., VA
Mary "Polly" Epperly, b: Abt. 1848 in Floyd Co., VA
Elizabeth Epperly, b: Abt. 1847 in Floyd Co., VA
Unknown Epperly, b: November 1856 in Floyd Co., VA
Thoma Epperly, b: Abt. 1858 in Floyd Co., VA
A transcript of the marriage bond for Daniel and Elizabeth follows:
Know all men by these presents that we Daniel Epperly and John Lawrence Jr. are held and firmly bound unto William B. Giles, Esq. Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the time being and his successors for the use of the commonwealth the sum of one hundred & fifty dollars which payment will and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs ? and ? jointly and ? firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated this 6th day of October 1828. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas a marriage is shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above ? Daniel Epperly and Elizabeth Lawrence daughter of the said John Lawrence, Jr. of this county. Now if there is no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage then the above obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue.
Daniel Epperly
John Lawrence
Daniel and Elizabeth Epperly are recorded in the 1850 and 1860 census records for Floyd Co., VA. His occupation is farmer. On November 30, 1863, Daniel married Susan E. Akers. Apparently, Daniel and Elizabeth divorced because Elizabeth did not die until September 5, 1874. Three children are listed with Daniel and Susan in the 1870 census. It is possible that they are Susan's children only.
James K. Polk Epperly, b: Abt. 1857 in Floyd Co., VA
Mary Epperly, b: Abt. 1861 in Floyd Co., VA
Julia A. Epperly, b: Abt. 1864
Daniel died sometime after 1880 because he is listed in the 1880 census at the age of 70. It is through Daniel that my great-grandmother, Minnie Epperly Hale Buttrick descends.
GEORGE EPPERLY
My ancestry to Hans Jacob Eberle can also be traced through Daniel's brother George. George Epperly's granddaughter, Nancy Jane Clower married John P. Hale. Their grandson was George Edgar Hale, my grandmother Nina Hale's father. George Edgar Hale married Minnie Dexter Epperly, whose ancestry to Hans Jacob goes through Daniel Epperly.
George Epperly was born about 1789. He married Sarah "Sally" Sowers on December 4, 1815 in Montgomery County, VA. They had seven children.
Henry Epperly, b: February 8, 1817
Elizabeth Epperly, b: February 12, 1819
Phillip S. Epperly, b: April 8, 1821
Maria Anna "Mary Ann" Epperly, b: January 13, 1825
Margaret Elouise Epperly, b: January 8, 1828
Sarah "Sally" Epperly, b: October 5, 1830
John Epperly, April 22, 1833
The 1831 Virginia Tax List shows George Epperly with three horses. He is listed with his family in the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census records for Floyd Co., VA.
George's daughter, Margaret Elouise married Lewis B. Clowers. Their daughter Nancy Jane married John P. Hale, grandfather of George Edgar Hale.
George Epperly died June 29, 1873 in Floyd Co., VA. He was about 84 years of age.
DANIEL FLOYD EPPERLY
Daniel Floyd Epperly was the son of Daniel Epperly. He was born January 6, 1833 in Floyd County, VA. He married Malinda Poff on September 11, 1851 in Floyd County, VA. She was the daughter of John Poff and Ruth Wilson. Daniel Floyd and Malinda's children are listed below.
Melvina C. Epperly, b: June 15, 1852
William Daniel Epperly, b: September 10, 1853
Unknown Epperly, b: January 4, 1855
Sarah Jane Epperly, b: Abt. 1856
Daniel Floyd served in the 54th Virginia Infantry, Company B of the Confederate States Army during the civil war. In 1860, the Floyd County census shows Dan F. Epperly living with his wife, children and his wife's mother. She is listed as an invalid. Daniel Floyd's occupation is listed as miller. In 1870 Floyd, Malinda and children are in the Little River district of Floyd County. The 1880 and 1900 census shows Daniel Floyd living in Montgomery County. In 1890 and 1910 he is shown living in Floyd County.
Floyd died August 30, 1910 at the age of 77 and was buried in the Huffville Cemetery in Floyd County, VA. Malinda died November 14, 1911 and was also buried in the Huffville Cemetery.
WILLIAM DANIEL EPPERLY
William Daniel Epperly was born September 10, 1853 in Floyd County, VA. He married Jane "Rosie" Jennings on April 29, 1875 in Floyd County. She was the daughter of John Jennings and Hannah Wimmer and was born May 1854. William Daniel and Jane had seven children.
William Asa Epperly, b: October 5, 1877 in Floyd County, VA
Nellie "Millie" C. Epperly b: September 26, 1879 in Floyd County, VA
Callie L. Epperly, b: March 16, 1884 in Floyd County, VA
John Brainard Epperly, b: December 1887 in Floyd County, VA
Millard George Epperly, b: January 1890 in Floyd County, VA
Hiley Lee Epperly, b: July 17, 1892 in Floyd County, VA
Bertha Blanche Epperly, b: June 28, 1894 in Floyd County, VA
William Daniel and Jane are listed in the Floyd County census records of 1880, 1890, 1900 and 1910, living in the Locust Grove district. In 1880, William Daniel is listed as a farm laborer, in 1900 as a farmer. In 1910, his occupation if listed as engineer-lumber mill. His son Brainard is shown to be a day laborer-lumber mill and son Millard is a farm laborer-home farm.
Jane Jennings Epperly died in 1934 at around 80 years of age. She is buried in the Huffville Union Church Cemetery, Terry Forks, Floyd Co., VA. William Daniel Epperly died in 1936 at the age of 83 and is buried in the same cemetery.
WILLIAM ASA EPPERLY
William Asa Epperly was born October 5, 1877 in Floyd County, VA. He married Mary Elizabeth Poff, who was his second cousin, on May 12, 1894 in Floyd County, VA Mary's parents were William Poff and Ellen Jackson. She was born on April 17, 1879 in Floyd County, VA. Mary Elizabeth also descends from Hans Jacob Eberle. Her grandmother, Nancy Ann Epperly, was the daughter of Daniel Epperly. William Asa and Mary Elizabeth had nine children.
Minnie Dexter Epperly, b: March 10, 1895 in Floyd County, VA
Clarence M. Epperly, b: October 25, 1896 in Floyd County, VA
Elbert B. Epperly, b: January 19, 1899 in Floyd County, VA
Flora Epperly, b: Abt. 1901 in Floyd County, VA
Hallie Epperly, b: March 10, 1903 in Floyd County, VA
Millie Alice Epperly, b: Abt. 1905 in Floyd County, VA
Ervin Edgar Epperly, b: Abt. 1910 in Floyd County, VA
Myrtle Epperly, b: March 26, 1912 in Gatewood, Fayette County, WV
Hollis Epperly, b: June 19, 1914 in Gatewood, Fayette County, WV
A deed record in Floyd County courthouse shows that William Daniel and William Asa Epperly bought 52 and � acres on waters of the south fork of the Roanoke River for $315.00 and three notes for $78.75. It was dated January 11, 1899. William Asa and Mary Elizabeth are listed in the 1900 Floyd County census. They have three children, live in the Locust Grove district and his occupation is "farmer". In 1910 they have seven children and live in the same district. William Asa's occupation is listed as "engineer-lumber mill".
Sometime between 1910 and 1912, William Asa and family moved to Fayette County, WV. There were Epperlys already living there at that time. A deed record in Fayette County shows W. A. Epperly buying over 58 acres from Ed Haywood and his wife in February 1912 for $1,650.00. The property was located near Gatewood, WV. The 1920 census in Fayette County shows Asa, Elizabeth and children, Millie, Irvin, Myrtle and Hollis. His occupation is given as "farmer". According to one of Asa's granddaughters, he had a general store on Gatewood Road.
William Asa and Elizabeth died in Fayette County, WV. William was 63 and Elizabeth was 103 years of age. They are buried in Huse Cemetery, Fayetteville, WV.
MINNIE DEXTER EPPERLY
Minnie Epperly was the oldest child of William Asa and Mary Elizabeth Epperly. She was born on March 10, 1895 in Floyd County, VA. She married George Edgar Hale, son of John P. Hale Jr. and Nancy Jane Clower Hale. They were married on May 1, 1910 in Floyd County by Rev. P. R. Vest a minister of the M.E. Church. Their marriage license gives their ages as George, 21 and Minnie, 16. George Edgar and Minnie were 3rd cousins once removed, since they both descend from Hans Jacob Eberle from Germany.
Apparently, Edgar and Minnie moved to Fayette County, WV shortly after their marriage. Together, they had four children.
Leslie William Hale, b: August 1, 1911 in Fayette Co., WV
Esther Ruth Hale, b: November 23, 1913 in Gatewood, Fayette Co., WV
Elmber Hale, b: November 28, 1915 in Minden, Fayette Co., WV
Nina Mae Hale, b: November 3, 1917 in Coal City, Raleigh Co., WV
When Nina (my grandmother) was still an infant, they traveled back to Floyd County, VA for an Epperly reunion. Minnie's parents also went to the reunion. Asa Epperly's parents were there as were most of his brothers and sisters. A group picture was taken of the William Daniel Epperly family in attendance that day. The reunion was probably in the spring or summer of 1918.
In January of 1919, Edgar Hale passed away. Minnie married Frank Buttrick on June 14, 1919. They had a total of seven children, six daughters and one son.
Arbutus Buttrick, b: April 18, 1920 in Gatewood, WV
Thelma Ellen Buttrick, b: February 8, 1923 in Minden, WV
Arvella Florence Buttrick, b: March 30, 1925 in Gatewood, WV
June Buttrick
PeteButtrick, b: December 27, 1927
Zelphia Buttrick, b: February 28, 1932
Shirleen Buttrick, b: November 7, 1937
Minnie and Frank Buttrick are listed in the 1920 Fayette Co. census records. They are shown with Minnie's four children from her first marriage. Frank's occupation is listed as "miner" and industry is shown as "coal mine".
Frank and Minnie moved to Brunswick, GA and then down to Jacksonville, FL. Frank died in 1960 and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Jacksonville, FL. Minnie died June 15, 1967 in Jacksonville at the age of 72 and was buried beside her husband Frank.
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Created on ... June 05, 2002