Second Generation

3. George [Harmon] HERMAN , Sr. was born on 20 December 1763 in Hesse Cassel, Germany.^8,28 He signed a will on 7 November 1841 in Lincoln County, North Carolina. THE WILL OF GEORGE HERMAN IS GIVEN INTACT
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF
GEORGE HERMAN
(Will made 1841; died in 1850)
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, I, George Herman, Sr., being of sound mind and perfect memory, blessed be god, do this 7th day of November in the year 181, make and publish this, my last will and testament, in manner and form folllowing: that is to say first, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife all her clothes, and after her death they are to be divided between her three daughters; namely Elizabeth Kaylor, Sallie Van Dyke and Linney Fry; and it is also my will that my wife, Elisabeth, shall live with her son William during her life, and shall have a reasonable support from said William during her life. I also give and bequeath unto my son William all that he has received of me heretofore.
I also give and bequeath unto my son George all that he has received of me heretore.
I also give and bequeath unto my son Daniel's heirs all that their father has received from me heretofore.
I also give and bequeath unto my son Andrew all that he has received of me heretore.
I also give and bequeath unto my son Henry all that he has received heretore.
I also give and bequeath unto my daughters, Elisabeth Kaylor, Sallie Van Dyke and Linney Frye, all that they have received of me heretore.
And I hereby make and ordain my son, William Herman, Executtor of this last will and testament. In witness whereof, I, the said George Herman, Sr., to this my last will and testament, do set my hand and seal, the day and year above mentioned. Signed, sealed and declared by the said GeorgeHerman, the last will and testament oin the pressence of us.
GEORGE HERMAN (SEAL)
Henry Cline
George Herman
Henry Herman
(Note: “Clothes” includes bedding, household linens, etc.)
CODICIL OF WILL
I, George Herman, County and sTate aforesaid, do make this Codicil to be taken as part of Last will and Testament, as follows:
I give and bequeath unto my son William Herman one tract of land of 195 acres, on Long Shoal Creek, and joining Daniel Fry and others; also one set of blacksmith tools and all estate that is not already willed to belong to my son William Herman after mine and my wife's daths.
IN Witness, Ihave to this Codicil annexed my said will and set my hand and seal, this the 7th day of November, 1841.
GEORGE HERMAN (SEAL)
Witnesses: Henry Cline
George Herman
Henry Herman

Probated July Sess 1850. He died on 16 October 1850 at the age of 86 in Catawba County, North Carolina.⁸ While in the process of being charged with Bastardy, by ELIZABETH PHILIPS, George married ELIZABETH ESLINGER. The date of the Bastardy Bond is 23 November 1791 and the date of the Marriage Bond is 31 December 1791. A copy of the Bastardy Bond is included. It's rather- humorous for us to read it now but I'm sure it wasn't to those involved back in 1791. A copy of GEORGE HERMAN'S Marriage Bond is also included. Both these original bonds are located in the N. C. Archives in Raleigh.

The Bastardy Bond reads as follows:

The Examination of ELIZABETH PHILIPS Single woman taken before us JOHN WlLFONG and JOSEPH STEEL two of the Justices of the peace for the County of Lincoln - Who on Oath Saith that GEORGE HERMON on the night following the Sunday before Estr last - after repeated promises of Marriage &c - induced to yield to grant him the last favors and that from that time until Sometime in or about harvest last he frequently cohabited with her. and at one of Said times he begat with a child of which She is now pregnant and that the Said GEORGE HERMAN and no other person
is the father of Said Bastard &c - 23d Novr, 1791 Sworn before
Joseph Steel
John Willfong

State of North Carolina, Lincoln County
To Any lawfull Officer for Said County to Execute

Whereas ELIZABETH PHILIPS the day of the date hereof hath made Oath before us the under Signing Justices of the peace for Said County - that She is now pregnant of a Bastard child and that Said child is likely to be born a Bastard and that GEORGE HERMON of Said county and no other person is the father of Said Bastard &c-

This therefore in the name of the State to command you that you take the Said GEORGE HERMON and him have before any Justice of the peace for Said County - that he may be dealt with as the law directs &c -
This given for your suffict. Auty. for so doing Witness our hands and Seals this
23d day of Novr. 1791
Joseph Steel
John Willfonq

State of North Carolina Agt.
GEORGE HERMON principal 50
JOHN SETSER Security 50
Each for the Appearance of Said GEORGE HERMON before the Justice of the County Court of Lincoln on the first Monday of Jany. next to ans. to the charge of the Court in a case of Bastardy - and not depart without leave &c - Acknowledged before Joseph Steele - 28th Decr. 1791

The Lincoln County Court Minutes also reveal another glimpse into the everyday life of GEORGE HERMAN SENR. Jr. It was the custom during George's life for orphans to be "bound out" to learn a trade. In April of 1805 a lad of eight years, named JOHN ELLENBARGER, was bound to GEROGE HERMAN "until he arrive to the age of 21 years to learn the art & mystery of a Blacksmith." However, GEORGE encountered difficulties with the boy and after keeping him for nine years, brought him back into Court. The October 1814 Court Minutes had this to say:

"GEORGE HARMON brought into Court JOHN ELLENBERGER about Seventeen years & two Months old that was previously bound to him to learn the trade of a black smith & It appearing to the Satisfaction of the Court that the Said boy was of a Slender & weakly Constitution It was ordered by Court that the Said JOHN ELLENBARGER be bound unto LEONARD CLINE to learn the Tailors Trade who agreed to have the boy Taught to Read & write & all other things Required by Law & to give him a decent Suit of Clothes at the Expiration of the apprenticeship."

GEORGE HERMAN SENR. lived and died in present Catawba County. At the time of his death Catawba County had been formed and his will was probated in the July 1850 Session of Court. The exact date of his death is unknown and his place of burial is unknown.

George [Harmon] HERMAN , Sr. and Elizabeth ESLINGER were married on 31 December 1791 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina.^3,29,30 GEORGE HERMAN'S MARRIAGE BOND

Know all Men by these Presents that wee - GEORGE HARMON, and ADAM BOLICK Both of the - County of Lincoln and state of North Carolina are Held and firmly Bound unto the Govenor for the Time being and his successers in office in the sum of Five Hundred pounds, Wee Bind our selves our Heirs Exrs. Admrs. Jointly and severally by these Presents Sealed With our seals and Dated this 31st day of December 1791 --
The Condition of the above obligation is such that the above Bounded GEORGE HARMON Hath Prayed for a License to get maried to ELISABETH ESLINGER single Woman of said County; now if said HARMON should have Contracted Marriage Prior to this Date, With any other single Woman or in Case their should be any Frauds in this Case to any Person or Persons then the above obligation to be in force and virtue in Law, other wise to be Void and of None Effect &c -

George Herman - signed in German
Johan Adam Bolch - signed in German

Signed Sealed and Delivered
in the presence of
John Willfong Elizabeth ESLINGER, daughter of Christian Hans George ESLINGER and Fanny (unknown surname) ESLINGER, was born on 12 July 1768 in Lincoln (Catawba) County, North Carolina or Frederick County, MD.^{3,8,28,29,31,32} She died between 1850 and 1860 at the age of 82 in Catawba County, North Carolina.^8,10

George [Harmon] HERMAN , Sr. and Elizabeth ESLINGER had the following children: