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Author: biatchonccj
Surnames:
Classification: queries
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http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.call/529.2/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
ve a William Call birth 1731. I checked and found no daughter s name Katherine. The W.
Call I have had a daughter Christina. Below is some info I gathered in the Calls I have.
If it helps, let me know . This W. Call's father was Richard, married Catherine.
William and Catherine Call were of German decent. They were many of the Germans
that came in mass migration of German settlers to Rowan County, NC. The Heidelberg
settlement on Dutchman Creek was located between the forks of the Yadkin Rivers and was
settled around 1760.This part of Rowan County later became part of Davie County. The
settlers were German Protestants who fled war torn Germany for religious, economic and
political freedom. They first settled in Pennsylvania before coming to North Carolina.
They were God-fearing, hard working farmers, thrifty and industrious. They prospered,
becoming large land owners, and later, businessmen. They long held to their native
language and customs.
Their Church was the Heidelberg Evangelical Lutheran Church, known as, the Dutch
Meeting House. It stood on the current Cornatzer Road and Homer Potts Road corner. One
would turn left off NC Highway 64, south of Mocksville, N.C., going about one mile on the
left. Directions from Mapquest are below. It has been said that the name, Heidelberg
signified that they came from Heidelberg, Germany. However, the settlement may have been
named for the Heidelberg Schoolhouse in Pennsylvania, yet, this stills tells us they were
from Heidelberg.
There are only two known evidences of the settlement today. One being the Cemetery
which is surrounded by a rock wall and overgrown with huge trees and dense over growth.
One giant gate post is yet standing. A few ancient stones are still readable, although
partially sunken into the ground. Many others have fallen and been covered by some two
centuries accumulation of leaves and decaying undergrowth. This was witnessed by two
observers on November 13, 1985.
The other remaining Heidelberg artifact is the ancient weathervane which is said to
have been sent from Germany to be placed on top of the Church steeple. It is in the
traditional form of a cock. The old saying is that it is to be a reminder of Peter's
denial of Christ, and thus a warning to others not to follow his example.
The old weathervane, after being lost for decades, was later found by Mr. A. M.
Booe, a descendent of the Heidelberg settlers and placed on his tobacco factory near
Mocksville, N.C. The weathervane is now in the Rowan County Museum in Salisbury, N.C.
William Call, as we know him today, spelled his name in the German fashion, William
Kaul. The spelling gradually began to change in the late 1700's. William made his
will January 15, 1778. It was probated in 1784. The person that wrote William's will
wrote it in English, William signed it in German as did his witnesses. There is a copy of
his will in the Call Family records.
His wife, Catherine and one of his sons, Henry were the executors. William's name has
been found spelled several different ways. The deed he received for the land grant was
dated October 10, 1783 and his last name was spelled, Cawl. In researching the Call's,
it was found, that the settlers were on the land for many years before the grants were
given. William was granted 548 acres on both sides of Cedar Creek and Cub Creek. He was
the first Call to receive a land grant. Henry, one of his sons was granted 400 acres next
to William's line. This land, that once was Wilkes County, later fell into Davie
County.
It is not known if William is buried in the Heidelberg Cemetery, however, Adam, his
oldest son is. His head stone reads "Born December 19, 1758, Departed this life June
23, 1788." Adam died a young man.
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