General Notes

From 1725 to 1775, there came to Pennsylvania alone from Germany 30,000 to
find new homes.

Five brothers and one sister came to America from Germany to found the Koger
family. The sister was the first to come, as she was the wife of adam Miller.

Records were secured of the Evangelical Prodestant Church as Schresheim,
Baden, Germany from Pastor G. Schaab.

Jacob and his younger brother, Michael, came on the ship, Morton House, where
it sailed last from Deal, England on June 15, 1728 and landed at the Port of
Philadelphia on August 24, 1728, taking two months and nine days to cross the
Atlantic.

Nicholas Koger came later and arrived at the Port of Philadelphia on August
17, 1832. Joseph Koger came to America with the Reverend Peter Pury's colony
and arrived at Charleston, South Carolina, about 1734. Peter Koger came also
by the way of Philadelphia and arrived there on October 18, 1783

Due to the fact that these were colonies of Great Britain and that these
people were not natives of Great Britain, but were of Germany, it was
necessary that they take an Oath of Allegiance at the time of entry:

"We subscribers, natives and late inhabitants of the palatinate, upon the
Rhine and places adjacent, having transported ourselves and families into the
province of Pennsylvania, a colony subject of Great Britain, in hopes and
expectation of finding a retreat and peaceful settlement therein, do solemnly
promise and engage that we will be faithful to and bear true allegiance to His
Magesty, King George, the second and his successors, Kings of Great Britain,
and will be faithful to the proprietor of this province; that we will demean
ourselves, peaceably to all His Majesty's subjects, and strickly observe and
conform to the laws of England and this province, to the utmost of our power
and the best of our understand."

Jacob Koger singed this oath at the time he landed at Philadelphia on August
24, 1728. Hans Jacob Koger was born in that section of the palatinate of
Germany, known as Baden, on July 24, 1710. He was just a young man of 18
years when he arrived in America. He brought with him his younger brother,
still a child, Michael.

Jacob, and his younger brothers passage was paid to this country by a Mr.
Harmon, with the understanding that Jacob would work for this Mr. Harmon for
atleast two years, without pay, so that Mr. Harmon would be repaid for the
funds that he had advanced for the passage. Jacob Koger lived up to his
agreement.

Family tradition tells us that, while still a young boy, Michael Koger was
playing in a pear tree when a dead limb caught in his clothing and suspended
him until his life was extinct.

Jacob and his brother Nicholas, stayed in Pennsylvania for a while but later
moved on southwest intto the valley of Virginia where their sister, Mrs. Adam
Miller lived. But this was not until after they were both married and had
children of their own.

While still in Pennsylvania, about 1737, Jacob married Lucinda Crum and their
children were as follows: Michael Koger, who was named for the little brother
Jacob brought with him. He was born in 1740 in Pennsylvania but lived and
married in August County, Virginia. Henry Koger who was born in Pennsylvania
on October 15, 1743, and who later lived in Henry County, Virginia. John
Koger, who was born in January of 1745 and died in Patrick County Virginia, on
February 18, 1835. Jacob Koger Jr. who was a Revolutionary War Soldier and
who died in Franklin County, Virginia on May 21, 1797. Peter Koger, also a
soldier of the Revolution, born in 1753 and later a resident of Rockingham
County, Virginia. Nicholas Koger, the youngest son, who moved westward to
what is now Wayne County, Kentucky and died on November 26, 1824 in Campbell
County, Tennessee. Mary Koger, the one daughter that married a Dr. Stone of
Henry County, Virginia, and of whom we have no further record. Family
tradition ways, there was still another son and his name was possibly Joseph,
that was killed by drowning in the spring of the Koger home in Henry County,
Virginia.

As to exactly when Jacob Koger, His wife and Family left Pennsylvania and
moved to Augusta County, Virginia, it is still not exactly known, but it was
definitely after 1743 as Henry Koger was born in Pennsylvania; whether John
Koger the third son was born there or in Virginia is not definitely
established. But old histories of Virginia, (Sparks) page 418, Jacob Koger is
definitely establised in Augusta County by the year of 1746. In the spring
court of Virginia on May 19, 1748, Jacob Koger was made overseer of the road
in Augusta County, Virginia, to succeed Adam Miller, His brother-in-law. On
May 20, 1752, Jacob was made constable of Augusta County, Virginia.

On April 24, 1753, Jacob Koger was granted by the Governor of Virginia 930
acres of land at the Hawksbill of the Shenandoah River. This land granted is
on file att the land office in Richmond, Virginia. It reads as follows:
"Grant to Jacob Koger. George the second, by the Grace of God, of Great
Britain, France and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, do to all of these
whom presents shall come, Greetings, know ye, that for divers good causes and
consideration and especially for and in consideration of the sum of forty
schillings of good and lawful money, for our use paid and to our receiver
general of our revenues in this colony and dominion of Virginia. We have
given, granted and confirmed and by these presents by us, our heirs and
successors, do give grant and confirmed and by these presents certain tract or
parcel of land, containing nine hundred and thirty acres, lying and being in
the County of Augusta on the south side of the Shenandoah River, 530 acres,
being part of the tract of 2,000 acres formerly granted unto Richard Maudlin,
Jr., by our letters of 1743 and 400 acres, the residue, never before granted.
With all woods, underwoods, swamps, marshes, lowground, meadows, feldings and
his due share of all veins, mines and quarries as well discovered and not
discovered, within the boundaries aforesaid and being part of the quantity of
nine hundred and thirty acres. Of the land and the river waters and water
courses, therein contained, together with the privileges of hunting, hawking,
fishing, fowling and any other proper commodities and herdsmen, whatsoever, to
the same or any part thereof, belonging on in all will appertaining, to have
hold, possess and every part thereof, with their and every appurtenances unto
the said Jacob Koger, his heirs and assigns. Former to have been held by us,
our heirs, successors of our Manor of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent.
In free and common society and not in Captive or by Knight's service.
Yielding and praying upon us, our heirs and successors forever, every 50 acres
of land and so proportionally, for lesser or greater quantity than 50 acres,
the rent fee of one schilling yearly to be paid, upon the feast of Saint
Michael, the Arch Angel, also cultivating and improving these acres, part of
every fifty of the tract above mentioned, within the year after the date of
these presents, excepting for so much of the said land as hath already been
cultivated and improved, according to the conditions and the said former
patent. Provided always that three years of the said rent fee shall be
anytime in arrears and unpaid, or if the said Jacob Koger, his heirs or
assigns, do not within the space of three years, next coming after the date of
these presents, except as in before excepted, then the estate hereby granted,
shall cease deformed the same land and provisions with the appurtances with,
to such other persons or Robert Dinwiddie, Esq. our silent Gover and Commander
in Chief of our said colony, the 24th day of April 1753, and in the 27th year
of our reign.
Robert Dinwiddie."

In the year 1743, Nicholas Koger, the brother of Jacob Koger, died in Orange
County, Virginia. Jacob was appointed as administrator of his brothers estate.
It took Jacob ten years to settle this estate. Jacob and his brother-in-law
Adam Miller were appointed as guardians of Michael Koger, son of Nicholas
Koger. On May 24th, 1753, Jacob Koger made a report to the Court of Orange
County setting out payments and that he had traveled twice to Pennsylvania to
settle the estate of his brother. He also states that he has paid to the
widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Koger, her part of her husbands estate, being her dower.
On the same day, he entered into an agreement with Thomas Macredie to pay
59.12.3 by June 1, 1754, to the orphans of Nicholas Koger as thier part of
their fathers estate.

On June 6, 1762, Michael Koger, the oldest son of Jacob Koger, and his wife,
Lucinda Crum, married and Jacob Koger gave unto his son, Michael 455 acres of
his land that he had received by the above patent. He tetained the balance of
545 acres and appointed his son, Michael as overseer of his lands.

In this same year, Jacob Koger and the rest of his family moved southward in
Virginia, into what was then Halifax County, but today is on the Patrick and
Henry County lines, and about 20 miles from the present city of Martinsville,
and close to the community of Sanville. Here in this section of Virginia
Jacob Koger lived for the rest of his life. Here he built a home and acquired
many acres of land. This home was built above a spring so that he and his
family would be able to get water without being exposed to the Indians. One
of his children, while just a child, as drowned in this spring.

It is said that Jacob Koger, one night dreamed, three times in succession,
that the Indians had come and killed his children. He got his wife and
children up and took them over the creek to a neighboring hill and spent the
remainder of the night. The next morning he discovered that his home had been
plundered by the indians and that a fine horse as gone. He had paid one
thousand acres of land for this animal. Fortunately, this horse escaped from
the Indians, in what is now Floyd County, Virginia and was returned to him.

A fort was built three miles south of his home and he would often take his
family there to seek refuge during the Indian raids. Wild animals were
plentiful in this section of the country, at this time. He often killed 4,000
pounds of bear meat and with other small game he was able to supply his family
with meat during the winters. It was then impossible for him to raise hogs
due to the depredation of the wild beasts of the forest.

Jacob Koger was too old a man to have been in the Revolutionary War but three
of his sons did serve: Michael, Jacob Jr., and Peter.

Jacob Koger could read and write and served in this section of Virginia in
several official capacities -- as Justice of the Peace, Constable, and Deputy
Sheriff. It is interesting to read some of the returns that he executed and
that are on the records of Virginia. "Not executed by reason of a gun." "Not
executed by the reason that the defendant outrode me." "Not executed by the
reason of the heathen Indians ranging, so I could not get there."

There is on record in Henry County, Virginia, a contract that will give and
show the relative value of currency and corn during these Revolutionary War
days. "Know all men ty these presents, that I, Suzzannah Reynolds, of the
County of Henry, for the full sum of one thousand pounds, Virginia Currency, I
bind myself my heirs, executors and administators, jointly and severally by
these presents, sealed with my seal and dated this date, Anno Domini 1779.
The consideration of the above obligationis such that if the above Suzzannah
Reynolds does well and truly pay or causes to be paid, unto the above named
Jacob Koger, his heirs or assignees, thirty barrels of good and merchantable
corn, delivered, delivered a the said Koger's dwelling house, on or before the
25 of December next, ensuing the date hereof, then the above obligation is
void. Otherwise to remain in full force and power.

In 1781, fifty three years after coming to America, he gave his son, 2-B Henry
Koger, the tract of land where he lived, being a certain parcel of land lying
on both sides of Stone Creek. This deed was not filed until 1782. It was
witnessed by Peter Koger and Mary Koger. It would appear that his wife,
Lucinda Crum Koger, was then deceased, as her name does not appear on this
document.

Jacob Koger had a brother, Joseph Koger, that lived in South Carolina. While
there is no evidence that he journeyed to South Carolina to visit him, there
is plenty of evidence, both in Virginia and in South Carolina, that two of his
sons did go to South Carolina on several occasions to visit with the Koger
family there. These two sons being 2-B Henry Koger and 2-C John Koger. On
one occasion 2-B Henry Koger took with him a small boy by the name of William
Koger, who is thought to be the son of 2-D Jacob Koger, Jr. As proof of the
connection between the family of Jacob Koger of Virginia and Joseph Koger of
South Carolina, there is now on record at Columbia, South Carolina, a letter
that was written during these times. It will quote it verbatim.

A letter of 1783. The following letter, written by Joseph Koger, a former
officer in the militia of South Carolina, during the Revolution, a resident of
that part of former Charleston District, now embraced in Colleton County, to
two cousins in Virginia.

Koger Family Crest

The shield of the Koger Family "Coat of Arms" or "Code of Identification" is
at an angle and it is a reddish yellow or golden in color.

The charges are in silver and are three in number. They are blades or that
portion of the plow that turns the earth and they point downward. They are
staggered in the shield. They are colled "Kogs". It is from this that the
family name was originated. They also indicate that the Koger's of
generations ago, were mainly farmers or tillers of the soil by occupation.

The helmet is steel gray and is lined with a blue green border and it is
topped with crimson. It rests on the extreme upper right-hand corner of the
shield.

The wreath is four in number and is an alternation of gold and blue.

The crest itself is two "kogs" or blades as in the arms, one on top of the
other, one facing downard and the other inverted and pointing upward.

The Mantling is a variation of purple and dark blue.

The ribbon bears no motto and changes with its folds from a dark to light blue.

The name KOGER appears below the ribbon and shows no change or variation in
the spelling of the name from its origin to the present generation.

The "Coat of Arms" is German in its conception. It has been documented and
recorded in several books on German Heraldry. It has now been handed down in
the family for generations.

It had more usage in previous times in Germany, than it does here in America.
It was diplayed by the family on their farm gates and over the doors of their
homes to identify the fact that "Kogers" lived there. Thus the term "Code of
Identification"

"South Carolina Scull
Swamp"
October 4, 1783 To
Mr. John or Henry Koger
Living in Henry County, Virginia
On Smith's River

"Dear Cousins:

I have once more taken this opportunity of riting to you. It has bin some
time since I attempted to rite to any of you for want of a good chance, I do
therefore inform you all, that I and family are in good health at present,
hoping one and all enjoy the same. I have three children, two sons and a
daughter. Mr. Bridge's family is well, there has bin very great up and downs
since you left this plase. I mean Henry, as I derect to boath of you. Mrs.
Batty that was is dead and Doctor Hoof also and your cosern is not yet
settled, nor the note from Mrs. Murphey has not bin, your things left with me
and Mrs. Koger is all safe tho' much damaged by hiding out and often moving, I
lost old Peter, went to the British, Tirah is dead and four others, since you
came from here, three children and a young wench, Hatchett is kild by Charles
Sanders a axident, John and Joshua Williams is dead, did with the small pox,
very great Toreys, Mr. Ackermains family is well, Sally is married to John
Gruber and has one child, Sister Moly is married to James Cavanau and lives in
town. Your case with St. John and Benlingail went in your favor, the latter
has gone with the British and many others. We have had a sene of bloodsheed
in our State and many of our dear friends is among the slain.

I have heard of your marrage by Major John Hampton and the unhappyness which
attend you in it, I am very sorry it has bin so with you, but hope that you
have got over it. By this Polley Bridge is married and lives very well,
Gordin has been a very great Torey and so has James Thompson, tho they boath
remane with ous Charles Sheppard is kild at the seige of Savana and number of
others. I should think it a happyness if I could once more see you all to
have a full account of our past life since I last was either of you. Mrs.
Cook has not give me the least except the young wench wich I mentioned died.
I do conclude with my best wishes to one and all, my uncle and all other
relations and friends and am your aficionate,"

Cousen and Friend
Joseph Koger

"Mrs. Koger gives her kind love to all".

This letter was written by Joseph Koger, Jr., of South Carolina after the
death of Jacob Koger of Henry County, Virginia, as he refers to his uncle, so
word had not been received by them of the death of Jacob Koger.

Jacob Koger died in Henry County, Virginia, on June 13, 1783. Jacob Koger had
given away his land to his son, Henry Koger, so left no real estate, but the
records of Helry County, Virginia, does list his personal estate and it is as
follows.

Estate of Jacob Koger, deceased June 13, 1783, viz.

1 Copper still and worm, 2 head horses, 2 head cattle, 1 pair spoon molds, 1
loom and guide, Wheel and two stays, 2 pewter bowls, 2 pewter dishes, 1 shear
and cutter, 1 trowel hoe, 1 winding hoe.

The above list of tools indicates very accurately Jacob Koger's vocation and
his mode of living. The first item of the list shows that Jacob Koger kept a
still.

Jacob Koger spent almost 55 years here in America.

Jacob Koger was 72 years, 10 months, and 15 days old when he died in Henry
County, Virginia.

Nothing is known about the death of his wife, Lucinda Crum Koger, as her name
is not mentioned in 1781 when he made the deed to his lands to his son, Henry
Koger, nor is he mentioned as an heir to his estate, which would cause one to
presume that she must have preceded him in death.

Nothing is known exactly as to where Jacob Koger and his wife are buried, but
it is thought by many that they rest in the Koger Family Cemetery on the old
Henry Koger farm, which was Jacob's land previously. There are many unmarked
Koger graves here. It was here in Virginia that Jacob Koger spent so many
years of a very active live as a farmer, mechanic, and machinist.

History has taught us that on an average from one man in ten generations comes
2,000 people. We the descendants of Jacob Koger in some cases are now
reaching this 10th generation. It is with pride, but not affected price, that
we record these few happenings in the life of our common ancestor; he has left
it to each of us, to cntrol our own destiny and in our own generation to wear
well our KOGER name.

I wish at this time to gratefully acknowledge the help of many in the Koger
family that makes these notes possible and, especially, the work of Mr. Marvin
V. Koger, deceased. As without his great work and background we would not
have the facts and history that we now possess. If any of the Koger family
has additional information and will forward it to me, I will greatly welcome
same.

7-C
James Brooks Koger
1660 Onaway Drive
Miami, Florida 33133

July 10, 1972

BIRTH: Jacob's name had to be translated from German to English. From the
records of the Evangelical Protestant Church at Schresheim, Baden, Germany.
These records were secured from pastor G. Schaab.

BIRTH: George Nikholas Koger 1st geboren 21 - 2 - 1704 George Nicholas Koger
was born February 2, 1704.

BIRTH: Hans Jakob Koger 1st geboren 24 - 7 - 1710 John Jacob Koger was born
July 24, 1710