The name Hefner (Havner, Heavner, Heaffner, Heffner) is a German dialect word meaning potter, and is still standard Pennsylvania German. In Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Holland one can still read this name in shop windows and telephone directories.
Melchoir Hefner (Melcar Havner) arrived in the US on 1 Sept 1734 on the ship St. Andrew Galley with Captain John Stedman from Rotterdam, Holland. With many other German immigrants seeking a new life in America, Melchoir landed at a port in Maryland. At age 16, he found that new home in Frederick Co, MD.
From Maryland land records we find that Melchoir Hefner and his wife, Anna Catharina, owned tracts of land in Frederick County called "Peace" and "New Germany," which they sold, in 1772, after moving to what is now Catawba County.
Why they left Maryland for North Carolina we have no record, but they must have heard from relatives who had preceded them of the good life in this area. On December 13, 1770, Melchoir and Catharina purchased 350 acres of land in Linclon County which was named "The Plantation." A year or so later in December 1771 or 1772, they arrived in North Carolina to make their home.
All of this couple's children were born in Maryland. Fortitude and courage were shown in traveling through Indian territory to make a home for this group.
In an early history of the Teague Family of Alexander County, "Jacob Hefner's father was John Hefner, who was a drummer in the Revolutionary War. John's father was Melchoic Hefner who was a soldier in the same struggle for American independence." John J. Hefner is listed on the Revolutionary War roster of Lincoln County as being in Company C--10th Regiment.
1 comment:
I have been researching my family for quite sometime. Would you be willing to share the land records information you have about Melchoir and his wife along with any other info about these two and their travels? My name is Wanda Denise Heffner White a decendant. I hope very much to here from you.
Thank you,Denise
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