The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: VA
Qualifying Service: Lieutenant / Patriotic Service
View ; then, GA State Webpages; Graves Registry; Headstone # 79
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Photo: 1 of 1
Author: James Edward Mitchell
Michael Adam Gaar was born in 1740 at his parents, Johann Adam (aka Adam) Gaar & Elizebeth Kaffer (a daughter of Wolff Michael Kaifer) farm home presently mapped as Gaar Mountain, Madison County, Virginia. His father, Adam, age 21, initially arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in September 1732. After a brief stay with Reformed German Protestants, this family relocated to Robinson River valley and settled permanently on 3 October 1734 upon a 250 acre of Madison County 1st Patent of Land. This family immigrated from Illenschwang, Bayern, Kingdom of Bavaria aboard the Loyal Judith via Amsterdam with a Reformed Lutheran congregation led by Johann Christian Shultz, Minister, age 30.
Michael was baptized logically by the Dutch Lutheran Pastor John Casper Stoever, the elder visiting the Robinson River colony at a small chapel (1740) that would become Hebron Church Lutheran in Madison County, the oldest Lutheran church in the South, possibly within the country, built about 1740.
Michael married Elizabeth Wilhoit (aka Wilhite) a daughter of Adam Wilhoit who died at Culpeper County, Virginia in 1783.
When the American Revolutionary War began Michael’s father, Adam Gaar was a Hebron elder with Adam Wayland. Both are recorded reporting upon their pastor’s salary situation in September 1768 petitioning the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania: Our means prevent us from giving this upright man a commensurate pay because we have to contribute to the keep of the English parish preacher without benefit to us (the congregation). The preacher performs marriages but our Mr. Schwarbach is not allowed to…, Chapter 6, page 74, Revolutionary War, The Virginia Germans by Klaus Wust, Copyright 1969, The University Press of Virginia.
Michael, age 39, was commissioned as a Lieutenant in Captain Elijah Kirtley’s company at Culpeper County, Colonel Edward Stevens of the Virginia Militia, from October 1780/81 marching from Culpeper down Richmond on an alarm; and, from Richmond to Fredericksburg and [(village) Huntersford to guard prisoners.]
Michael’s name appears recorded at Culpeper County Court, Virginia ‘Publick’ Claims for furnishing a gun to the Continental Army in June 1781 including supplies of beef provided by a cousin, John Garr, and neighbors Thomas and Elijah Kirtley.
By 1797, Michael Gaar, his wife, Elizabeth, and children joined an ox and wagon party including brothers, Lewis Gaar, neighbors and collateral relatives, May Burton, Jr.; Benjamin Head, Jr.; John Rucker family, and a son, Joseph; to re-settle upon lots in the now razed town of Alexandria found on Van Creek at Richard B Russell State Park; Lat: 34.1617 Long: -82.7445
Michael’s US Military headstone was dedicated in November 2007 off Ruckersville Road at Van Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. After Michael was buried, it was customary to cover the grave with huge granite boulders in Elbert County mined from local quarries. His son, George Gaar is buried next to Michael with a slab grave covering adjacent to his son George’s wife, Mary "Polly" Rucker, a sister of Joseph; Lat: 34.1678 Long: -82.7883; and, USGS Rock Branch Georgia Quadrangle.
Sources:
Michael's rank attributed to Revolutionary War Pension file W1945 based upon application executed 17 Sepember 1832 by James Taylor, Private, while residing at Franklin County, Kentucky. His pension certification was issued on 8 Feb 1833 and, was begun on 4 Mar 1831. Taylor's death date and place of death were recorded as 27 or 28 December 1844 in Franklin County, Kentucky. He married Mary Taylor nee McBride on 4 Mar 1795 in Mercer County, Kentucky.
Author: K. Scott Collins
Michael Gaar c1740-1793 (ELBERT COUNTY, GEORGIA)
He served as a Lieutenant in the Virginia Troops.
See: (1) Georgia Revolutionary Soldiers, Sailors, Patriots & Descendants, v. 1, p. 79.
Source:
Arnold, Ross & Burnham, Hank (2001). Georgia Revolutionary Soldiers & Sailors, Patriots & Pioneers. Vol.1. Athens, GA: Georgia Society SAR. A Georgia County-by-County compilation of Revolutionary War Patriots who made Georgia their permanent home and died here, including information on service history, birth dates, death dates and places of burial with an index.
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