| Note: This information has been updated. For a more current version go to: http//:www.ellercounseling.com/ellerfamily/index.htm Matthes Eller is the earliest known ancestor to early Eller immigrants to the New World. He is the great, great grandfather of these immigrants. In the 1700's many German immigrants came to America via the wooden ships of Rotterdam. Five young Eller men left the homeland to seek new fortunes and to escape religious persecution in the 1740's. Many believe that these Eller men were brothers and cousins, the sons of Casper, Paul and Georg Eller from the Palatinate region of Germany. One must note here that Matthes is believed to be our earliest progenitor, but it has not been confirmed as yet. Before taking you to America and introducing you to my family I would like to take you back to Europe, northern Europe, during a truly barbaric time period. A time when brute strength ruled the land and the next day was never a guarantee. Around 115 BC the Teutons from Utelund would storm against the Roman Empire. Their early metalurgical skills gave them the ability to equip themselves with products of iron ore and thus huge tempered swords and armor. It is believed that these people were able to hold off the Roman Empire for 400 years. Later this group of people then known as the Vikings would venture in ships across the North Atlantic Ocean and become the first Eastern Hemisphere explorers to discover the New World. 9th Century Danes were called Teutons and today 70% of Denmarks population claim such heritage. But war after war in Europe would cause these people to be nomadic, migrating from one part of the continent to the next. They would find themselves in the first millennium AD also at the foot of the Hirshberg near the "west Allgau" a smaller range of the Alps near the Germany - Austria border. This migration would change continents in the 1700's for some of these people. George Michael Eller, Henry Eller, Sr, John Jacob Eller, John Melchoir Eller and Christian Eller ventured to the new world. Upon arriving in America through the Port of Philadelphia, their German family and friends welcome them into their settlements in and around Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This allowed them to get the start they needed until land could be purchased or a grant could be acquired from the King of England and his colonial governors or after the Revolution, from the state governments. All five of these early Eller immigrants have descendants in almost every state of the United States today. That's why being vigilant and learning where and why we have traveled where we have traveled is part of who we are as a family. The proud and well respected Eller name from Germany has indeed continued this heritage in America. I have been doing geneology for nearly 20 years and with much effort for the last 4 years. I am a member of the Eller Family Association that holds an bi-annual conference open for all to attend. The Eller Family Association (EFA) provides a quarterly periodical called The Eller Chronicles which is filled with Eller family research and updates. You may click on the link below to find the EFA site. A committee has been formed to start a centralized website for all Eller research that is scheduled for being online sometime in 2002. Many smaller family groups hold reunions also. I am the President/Chairman of the Henry Cleveland Eller Reunion that is held annually on the 2nd Sunday of June at Boiling Springs Baptist Church, Purlear, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA. Henry Cleveland Eller is the great, great grandson of George Michael Eller. Over 150 attend this reunion annually. Help me keep the info current. Comment on my Gedcom or Family Tree Maker records. You may add to my files also... contact me at benjamin.eller@home.com . Thank you and happy researching! |
The Descendants of Matthes Eller
Updated November 13, 2007 |
Benjamin (Ben) Lawrence Eller, Jr. |
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