Author: James Edward Mitchell
Ludwig “Lewis” Gaar was born in 1744 at his parents farm home mapped at Gaar Mountain, Madison, Virginia, a 2nd son after his brother, Michael Gaar. Their parents were Johann Adam Gaar and Elizabeth Kaffer, a daughter of Wolff Michael (Kafer) aka Kaifer, a Germanna Colony émigré indentured by Royal Virginia Colony, Lieut. Gov. Alexander Spotswood; source, William and Mary Quarterly, Series 1, Vol 26, The German Colony of 1717, pg 186 – “Kaifer, Michael, 1717. Sued by Spotswood in 1724.” At age 20, in 1764, Lewis married at Hebron Church, [Madison Co, (formed 1792 from Culpeper), VA] Catherine (aka Catharina) Weaver, age 19, a daughter of Hans Dieterich “Peter” Weber (aka Peter Weaver) 1710-1763. At age 36 in 1780, Lewis mustered into a company of Levies raised for Orange Co, VA Militia Rgt., commanded by Col. Thomas Barbour; source, Patriots of the Upcountry: Orange Co, VA in the Revolution by William H. B. Thomas, 1976, publ. by the Orange Co, Bicentennial Commission, Appendix I, Roster of Military Personnel, pgs 87-9. On 27 Feb 1781, a Legislative Petition at Orange Co, VA was circulated to members of the Orange Co Militia asking the state assembly for repeal of an act concerning compulsory 18 month service in the continental line…, among 135 [Index 382] signatories were segregated based upon attendance at time of signing: John Rucker, Henry White, Joel White, Garland White, May Burton…, Jeremiah White, Wm. Sebree, May Burton, Jur., Benj. Head, Lewis Gaar, et al.; source, Selected Virginia Revolutionary War Records, Vol I, Bevin J. Creel, 2007, Legislative Petitions, Reel 148, Box 192, Folder 19, pgs 245-6. On 21 Aug 1784, Lewis’ daughter Margaret “Peggy” married Benjamin Head, Jr., (1763-1837) at Orange Co, VA. Witnesses were Benjamin’s brother, William Head (1770-1812) and May Burton, Jr., a brother-in-law who m. Sarah Head (1760-1842); sources, Find A Grave Memorial # 143953540, Burtonville, Greene Co, VA and VA Marriage Records, 1740-1850 /Benj. Head. In 1787, Lewis and w. Catherine Gaar and daughter, Margaret “Peggy” age 22, with Michael Gaar, his w. Elizabeth Wilhoit and their children joined a John and Joseph Rucker ox and wagon party that departed Ruckersville, Greene Co., VA on the Fall Line Road above the mouth of the Rappahannock River to re-settle on the Savannah River at Wilkes Co., Georgia (GA). These Virginia allied families settled at Elbert Co, formed 1790 from Wilkes Co., GA. Lewis and Michael Gaar re-settled upon laid out lots at (defunct) Alexandria, Wilkes Co, Broad River Colony, now, Lake Russell mapped in Elbert Co, east from Elberton along Ruckersville Road and the Van’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery where Michael’s headstone and remains were placed after his death was recorded on 20 Dec 1790. After 1800, his brother Michael Gaar had died at Elbert Co, as well as relatives James Head, Dec’d., 7 Jan 1796 and neighbor, William Cunningham, Dec’d., 12 Sep 1799. Lewis and his w. Catherine and family that included dau., Margaret “Peggy” Head and son-in-law, Benjamin Head, Jr. resettled on a sizable tract mapped along a popularly traveled stage coach route between Charleston and New Orleans described in the 5th district of Baldwin, formed later as Captain Campbell’s District (1820 U.S. Census) Morgan Co, GA. This district became the town of Madison, GA. Lewis Gaar’s will was proved at Morgan County, on 2 May 1824 at Inferior Court for Ordinary Purposes after its official recording 4 Dec 1820, Morgan Co, GA, Deed Book GG, 1820-23; pgs 52-53, Deed of Gift: Peggy Head, daughter & lawful child of Lewis. Peggy was gifted 202 ½ acres, Lot 182, 5th District of Baldwin, later (1820, U.S. Census) Captain Campbell’s District, Morgan County; witnesses: William Buford, John Hughey, J.P. Margaret “Peggy” Gaar Head was recorded in the 1830 U.S. Census taken in Morgan Co, GA. Sadly, Lewis’ family’s private burying ground was lost within the Captain Campbell’s District, Morgan Co, GA due to area development involving the Town of Madison.