Sheriff Peter Mull of Catawba County

Johannes "Peter" Mull
(1736 - June 10, 1814)


Johannes Peter Mull was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1736, the son of Christopher Stoffel Moll and Anna Catherina, our 7th great grandparents. So according to my relationship calculator..drum roll please....that makes him my 6th Great Grand Uncle Peter.

He was three years older than his sister Mary Catharina, that married Heinrich Weidner.

The families' arrival to America was prompted by several reasons, with an influx of migration beginning in the early 1700's (when Christophel migrated).

In just twenty eight years, beginning in 1727, three hundred and twenty four ships arrived in Philadelphia alone. Reasons for migration were: the war between France and Germany in which many found their homes and farms lying in the path of the warring armies; search for religious freedom; and the availability of land in America.

Christopher Moll, along with 57 male Palatines, left Germany and arrived in Philadelphia on September 10, 1731 on a ship named the "Pennsilvania" Merchant.
The family settled on 640 acres on the South Fork of the Catawba River in Rowan County (what is now Catawba County). When Christopher died, Peter handled his estate.

In 1763, at the age of 27, Peter received a grant of 200 acres on property in Rowan, and therefore left Pennsylvania for North Carolina. The grants were located in Mecklenburg County, NC and his land joined his sister, Catherine and her husband, Henry Weidner's land.

Five years later Peter received an additional grant from the British Crown of 424 acres. Peter settled on this property near Henry River and married his wife, Barbara Hill around 1760.

They built a home on a knoll overlooking a creek that ran into the Henry River, described by Victor Coulter in his book entitled, The Coulter Family of Catawba County. "Somewhat less than half a mile above the junction of Henry Fork and Jacob Fork (both of these were named after sons of Henry Weidner) to form the South Fork River, there flows into Henry Fork a small creek from a northeasterly direction.

On Yoder's map of Catawba County, the creek was not named. Locally, it was called by the name of the owner of the mill on it, first Moll's Mill Creek, then Gross's and so on. The first road through this area as shown on the map made in the 1770's began at Ramsour's Mill on Clark's Creek, near the present town of Lincolnton, and followed a northerly course roughly parallel to the South Fork and Henry Fork Rivers, varying from a mile to two miles east of the Fork Rivers. The road was the main highway for the settlers who had been granted plantations which included the rich bottom land along the eastern side of these rivers. The road crossed the mill creek about one mile from Henry Fork River."

Along with the mill, records show that Peter was involved to some extent in the Revolutionary War. The Colonial Records of NC showed that he served on a "Committee of Safety" from Rowan County from 1774-1776. "A History of Catawba County," also lists Peter Moll as bearing arms during the Revolutionary War during the battle of Kings Mountain. The Patriots Index (DAR) states that a Peter Moll, born around 1735 served as Captain from North Carolina. A Peter Mull is also listed as a soldier that was detached from 1st Burke Regiment to form the 7th Regiment formed August 1814. A record of Peter Moll leading an expedition against the Cherokee Indians in 1776 is also on file, indicating that Peter was a Captain and was paid 378 pounds of supplies for his undertaking of this expedition.

In the late 1700's Peter began acquiring property in the present Catawba County and western Burke County. In the census of 1790 he was listed as a resident in Burke County, residing in the 13th militia district, and his family was the only Moll family living in Burke at the time. This census indicates that there were 3 white males over the age of 16, 1 white male under the age of 16, 3 females and one slave. At the time of the census, Peter would have been 54 years of age.

His and Barbara's children included:

1. John Mull - born in 1760 in Rowan Co., NC; married his first cousin, Catherine Weidner In Rowan Co. around 1781; died October 12, 1812 in Lincoln County.

2. Henry Mull, Sr. - born in 1771 in Rowan Co., NC; first wife unknown; second wife Susannah born in PA around 1810; died 1850 in Burke Co., NC.

3. Peter Mull, Jr. - born in 1773 in Rowan Co., married Susannah Smith on June 21, 1798 in Rowan Co., died 1857 in Buncombe Co., NC.

4. Barbara Mull - born January 16, 1779 in NC; married Mark Brittain, (the sheriff of Burke county from 1815-1824), around 1797; died August 4, 1862 and buried at Mt. Home Baptist Church.

5. Jacob Mull - born 1783 in Burke Co., married first wife Geminia Brittain around 1805 and second wife, Mary VanHorn around 1825; died August 19, 1843 in Burke Co., NC.

6. Susannah Mull - born 1784 and married Phillip Pitts.



Sheriff Peter Moll is the head of most of the Mull families who now reside or have lived in Burke County for the past two hundred years.

His son, John, married and resided in the Lincoln County-Catawba County section. The majority of his descendants remained in that area. His son, Peter Jr., moved farther west and his descendants settled in Buncombe, Haywood, Jackson, and Macon County, North Carolina.

His son, Henry, went to Pennsylvania but returned to Burke Co., NC following Sheriff Peter Moll's death.

Peter's youngest son, Jacob, remained in Burke County and his descendants (along with Henry Mull) make up the largest contingent of Burke County Mulls.

Peter Mull was involved in numerous land transactions, showing that he was not engaged as farming as a means of livelihood, as were most of his neighbors. During his lifetime he owned a Grist Mill, most likely made and sold whiskey, was a soldier, a Captain in the Revolutionary War, bought and sold real estate, served Burke County as Justice of the Peace, and was High Sheriff of the county from 1790-1792. His success must have come at the price of hard work, as he was at a distinct disadvantage being that he his family had immigrated from Germany and likely did not speak, write or read the English language.

At the time of Sheriff Mull's death on June 10th, 1814 he had in his possession 1,560acres of property in Burke County alone, and was also one of the largest slaveholder's in the county (Phifer 462).

In addition to his wife Barbara, he left his estate to six heirs:

Peter Mull, Jr., a son;
Henry Mull, a son;
Jacob Mull, a son; Mark Brittain,
his daughter Barbara's husband and a Burke County Sheriff from 1815-1824; Phillip Pitts,
his daughter Susannah's husband; and heirs at law of John Moll (deceased).

*Early German's used the name "Johannes" or "Johan" (John) to indicate that person was a descendant of someone named John. Many of the Molls/Mull's, such as Sheriff Peter have this name attached.

**The Mull family name was originally spelled as "Moll," and was the prominent spelling during the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The German pronunciation of Moll sounded very similar to Mull, therefore many early English speakers who recorded most of the official written documents would write the name as Mull, which became the prominent spelling by the mid nineteenth century. It is also interesting to note that many of the Moll/Mull ancestors used the same given name for their children, as seen by the countless number of John, Henry, Peter, Jacob and Joseph's.

Some for de bug, Some for de fly~ German Folks

The German Settlers in Lincoln County and Western North Carolina

BY JOSEPH R. NIXON

Published in 1912



I stumbled upon some interesting reading concerning our German immigrant ancestors.
I thought I would share some of it with you.

The following are excerpts from this book:

“Lincoln County is situated in the hill country of the North Carolina Piedmont Belt. Furnishing a challenge to various activities, this section is abundantly favored by nature. Two rivers form a network of cooperative streams, the Catawba along the eastern boundary, and the South Fork with tributaries across the entire central portion. Nearby mountains, in splendid view, afford material aid. To the north and west are Baker's, Carpenter's, and other peaks of the South Mountains; more distant, in solemn grandeur, lies the upturned face of the Grandfather; still more distant and higher into the vault of the heavens are the purple peaks of the great Blue Ridge. To the south rising from fertile soil among other peaks is King's Mountain, on whose historic height was fought the memorable battle of the American Revolution that broke forever the power of the English Crown in America.”

“Most, of the pioneer Germans came to this section from the State of Pennsylvania. Many of them and the ancestors of the others had come to America from Germany. The migration was a result of various causes. Among the dominating motives that prompted departure from the home country were the quest of adventure, desire of freedom from political oppression, and wish to escape religious persecution.

Those seeking adventure, in number very few, became hunters and trappers. Here they chased the fox, hunted the bear, shot the wolf, and trapped the beaver.

(Must be talking about Heinrich Weidner here, don't you think?) :0)

Political oppression in Germany had resulted in desolating wars, and had cost many Germans their homes and personal rights. In America homes could be easily obtained and a man was able to have his own political code. Hence a large number of Germans had for their prime intent the desire of good homes and liberty of government. Possibly the greatest number came to America because of religious persecution. The Germans by nature are pious people and constitutionally endowed with love of freedom of conscience.

To America they came.

"The bosom of no sea swells like that of man set free; a wilderness is full of liberty."

The greater number of Germans landed in Pennsylvania; many of them, however, did not settle there. Most of the land had already been occupied and consequently was expensive to purchasers. At that early date few people dared to cross the Alleghany mountains, for purposes of settlement; so the seekers for new homes came southward. The German pioneers reached western North Carolina and began their settlement west of the great Catawba about the year 1750. As the news of cheap lands, a fertile soil, and a healthy climate was carried back, others followed.

The Germans selected fine land and settled beside a stream near a spring. The bottom land was more productive and much easier worked. The stream added to the productivity of the soil; and, in addition, furnished water for the farmer's horses, cows, sheep, hogs, and poultry.

In many German homes the German language was not entirely discarded even though English had been acquired and was used. The Germans loved their language and it was with sorrowful reluctance that they let it go. In most cases the children were taught only English. One man through whose veins flows pure German blood says his parents spoke both languages but that he never knew a word of German, and furthermore he does not like the language. Reminiscently, this German gives a conclusive reason for this aversion. He says that in childhood, when he heard his parents by the evening fireside conversing in German, his mind immediately reverted to some misconduct for he knew that they were discussing one of his youthful mistakes, and a good English whipping for him was usually the result of the German discourse.

The German farmer was a close observer.

He consulted his almanac, believed in signs, and relied on the twelve signs of the zodiac. Whether these beliefs were beneficial or not, he held tenaciously to them, and attributed part of his success to these observances. The people give less attention now to these signs than they formerly did, and most of the superstitious ideas are being forgotten.

Some of the signs and omens follow:






~ All vegetables that grow downward under the earth's surface, such as turnips, potatoes, and radishes, must be planted in the dark of the moon, in the interim of the new and full moon.

~ Vegetables that grow above the ground, such as beans, peas, and cabbage, should be planted in the light of the moon. Plant onions when the points of the moon are turned downwards; then the onion will grow large and the plant will not run into all seed and top.

~ If corn is planted when the little moon is turned down the stalks will be long and the ears large.



~ If you grind wheat in the dark of the October moon, bugs and worms will get into the flour.

~ Hang up all the horseshoes you find in the road; pick up all the pins; look at the moon in the clear; these things bring good luck.

~ Do not begin work on Friday unless you can finish it; do not look at the moon through trees; do not turn back after beginning a journey; these things bring bad luck.




A famous turnip grower living in Lincoln County seldom fails to secure a good crop. With the moon right and the soil prepared while scattering the seed he uses an incantation of virtue. When he made this known it became evident that he sowed a fourfold quantity of seed. Each time he scatters a handful of seed he repeats a line of the following:

"Some for de bug
Some for de fly
Some for de devil
And in comes I."

The early German experienced many hardships and much rigid toil; yet he found time for fun and sports. Whole-hearted in his labor, he was equally so in his amusements.

His social entertainments possessed very little, if any, of the caste system. Every one was free and at ease. Formality could not survive among these lovers of liberty. Special occasions that brought them together were quilting parties, spinning matches, corn shuckings, log rollings, and house raisings.



Such events not only afforded opportunity for free interchange of social discourse, but also furnished to participants the advantage of development in useful skill and of material gain. They strove to be the first to complete their quilts, or to shuck their allotment of the pile of corn. It wag a matter of pride and prestige to be able to hew the timbers most evenly and to raise the log houses most quickly. Amidst these contending activities, they ever indulged in pleasant discourse. The enjoyable hospitality of the homes and the feeling of freedom of every one made such events happy and delightful. These meetings were also enjoyed by the old, always hale and hearty, for they said:

“A little nonsense now and then, Is relished by the best of men."





In the good days of the old time, the distillery was an important and necessary adjunct of the farm. Liquor was plentiful and only twenty-five cents per gallon, and was regarded as almost as necessary as people of this time regard coffee and tea. The fiery fluid which they drank for health and happiness was a requisite of the domestic board, and a "tram" was a symbol of hospitality.

When the old patriarch, Derrick Ramsour, dispensed with his still, he stipulated that his sons should furnish him each year with twelve gallons of whiskey.

William Hager, who died in 1775, having made distribution of his lands and other estate and come to the allotment of his distillery, in tender and affectionate regard, briefly yet specifically said: "I leave the still for the benefit of the family whilst my wife keeps house with the children ".

The old pioneer, Henry Weidner, who discovered Henry River, now bearing his name, and who was known as " King of the Forks," devised a large estate in 1790 among his children. He enhanced the dowry of his only single daughter by this bequest: "I likewise give unto my daughter Mollie my two stills and all the still vessels."

Old Great Grandpa Weidner would be proud to hear that the NC folks are still carrying on the old "everyone needs a still" tradition...




North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement agents from Elizabeth City seized 480 quart jars of liquor it said was made by this moonshine still located next to a barn in Whitakers, N.C. Two brothers were arrested. November 2009.

Bovey Family Crest ~

French Version





English Version

The Anglo-Saxon name Bovey comes from the family having resided in the region of Bouville, in Seine Maritime, which later changed to Bovilla, in 1212. First found in England in Devonshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before 1066. Spelling variations include Bovey, Bovie, Bovy and others.

The French name Bovey was first found in Marne adjacent to Lorraine, where the family has been a prominent family for centuries, and were seated with lands and manor at Reims. Spelling variations of this family name include Bovey, Bovy, Bauve, Le Bauve, Lebauve, Bove, Le Bove, Bovo, Bavourx, Baveux, Bauvau, La Bauve and many more.

The Bovey family line connected to the Setzer line when Mary Magdalene Bovey married Jacob Setzer Sr.

My generation's 6th Great Grandparents! Jacob and Mary Magdalene's son, John Setzer married Catherine Bushart Barringer. (Buried at Old St. Paul's Reformed Lutheran Church Cemetery.)