First Families of Orangeburgh District, South Carolina
Keller
Keller: Middle High German, kellaere, keller 'cellarer, administrator and manager of the revenues, manager of the cellar.
The Martin Keller Family
1.First GenerationMartin Keller arrived in South Carolina on the Cunliffe in 1752.1 On 8 Jun 1753 he filed a plat for 50 acres in Amelia Township.2 The plat is identified for "Martin Keller, Jr." and placed the property adjacent land granted to John Riddlesparger.
Surveyor Peter Fauré confused the Kellers and in some records referred to Michael Keller, Sr., as "old Martin Keller" and Martin Keller as "Martin Keller, Jr." In 1754 Martin was granted 50 acres on Maverick Creek.3
In 1758 a plat showed Martin "Keyler" property bounding NW on Christopher "Stoulvoyer" (Stoudemire).4 In 1772 William Mitchell showed his property bounding NW on land granted to Martin Keller, NE on the Santee River.5
Children of Martin Keller were:
+2.i.Jacob J. Keller
Second Generation
2.Jacob J. Keller was born 30 Apr 1771.6 On 30 Jul 1799 he married Christina Houser.7
Aron, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Keller, was baptized 17 Nov 1799 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church.8 Aaron's plat for 50 acres in 18499 appears to be the same location as the original 50-acre grant to Martin Keller, thus tying the three generations of this family together on Maverick [Warley] Creek. Another son was born to the Kellers, Martin Andrew Keller, son of Jacob and Christina Keller, baptized 11 Jun 1809, St. Matthews Lutheran Church.10
In 1840 Jacob J. Keller, age 60-69, was listed in the census with a white female 50-59 years old and an enslaved person. His household was adjacent Aaron Keller and John Cupsted.11
It was recorded that Jacob Keller, age 70 yrs 4 mo 10 days, was buried on 10 Sep 1841 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Creston.12
The Michael Keller Family
First Generation
1.Michael Keller arrived on the ship Cunliffe in Sep 1752 and settled in Amelia Township with his children.13 His petition listed children Hans Mich'l (22), Jacob (17), Barbarea (16), Frederick (14), and Maria (11), but indicated that he claimed land for six children. He petitioned for and was given Council approval for 350 acres on Thursday 7 Dec 1752.14 This is consistent with six children, so it is likely that one child simply was not named in the petition.
In 1753 a plat was filed for 350 acres for Michael Keller, with adjacent landowners identified as John Koneith [King] and John Riddlesperger. The surveyor was Peter Fauré.15 This parcel is shown on the Susan Smythe Bennett map of Amelia Township, touching on McCord's Ferry Road and transected by Maverick Creek (now Warley Creek); it is marked "Mc Kellar."16 The grant was made in 1754, mistakenly listing Martin Keller as recipient.17 It was refiled, identifying John Kooneigh and John Rhetelsperger as adjacent landowners.18
In 1772 William Mitchell, Jr., filed a plat for 150 acres in Amelia that was described as bounding NE on the Santee River, SE on land laid out to Wm. Mitchell, SW on land granted to Martin Keller, and NW on land belonging to Elias Buckingham.19 The adjacent property was actually the Michael Keller grant of 350 acres, as shown on the Susan Smythe Bennett map of Amelia Township.20
In 1773 Henry Coon filed a memorial for land originally granted to Ann Elizabeth Miller, noting her marriage to Michael Keller.21 It is possible that this was a remarriage of the older Michael Keller but it is more likely to be his son, Hans Michael Keller.
A land sale by Moses Kirkland on 10 and 11 May 1774 transferred ownership of 94½ acres in Berkley County to Elias Buckingham. It was adjacent Mr. Timothy, Michael Keller, John King, and the Estate of Henry Koon.22 The original 1764 plat shows the parcel bounding on the E and SE on land of Mr. Timothy and Michael Keller and land granted to John King, on the NW on Michael Keller, the estate of Henry Coon and Michael Keller, and on the NE on the Santee River.23 In the memorial for the property Kirkland identified Henry Coon, Michael Keller, and John King as adjacent landowners.24
In 1774 a plat filed by Peter Keiger listed Michael Keller bounding NW, Jacob Johnston and Mathias Kemerland [Kemmerlin] bounding SE and Adam Kebler bounding NE.25 The Susan Smythe Bennett map shows Mary Kebler, Andrew Howser, Matt. Kemerlyn adjacent one another on True Love or Joiner's Creek, immediately north of Maverick [Warley] Creek. The same neighbors appear on the 1790 census enumeration for Barbarah Kellar.26
Children of Michael Keller are:
+2.i.Hans Mich'l
+3.ii.Jacob
+4.iii.Barbarea [Barbara]
+5.iv.Frederick
+6.v.Maria
+7.vi.Unknown (6 children specified in petition)
Second Generation
2.Hans Michael Keller was born in about 1730.27 Michael Keller's marriage is reported in a Henry Coon memorial in 1773 that refers to 50 acres in Amelia Township on Maverick Creek granted to Ann Elizabeth Miller on 13 Aug 1756. Coon stated in his memorial that she married Michael Keller, who conveyed the land to Henry Coon.28 Miller had petitioned the Council for land on 21 Jun 1755, saying that she had arrived in the Brigantine John & Mary from Rotterdam and was indentured by John McCall to John Marley. She stated that she had completed her indenture and requested her land allotment.29 Her plat was filed on 3 Apr 1756 for land bounding NW on land laid out to Henry Caeven(?).30 It was granted 13 Aug 1756.31
The last archival reference definitely associated with either Michael Keller I or II in this portion of early Orangeburg District was a memorial filed by Peter Keiger in 1775 for his parcel on True Love or Joiner's Creek.32 It is unclear what happened to Hans Michael and Ann Elizabeth thereafter. [See Research Notes.]
3.Jacob Keller, born in about 1735,33 filed a plat in 1773 under the name Jacob Keyler [Keller] for 200 acres bounding NW on Mathew Sifret, SW on Jasper Browns, SE on John Fouquet, and NE on vacant land.34 This property is shown on the Susan Smythe Bennett map of Amelia Township.35 It was east of Lyons Creek and just SW a 500-acre 1771 grant to Conrad Holman. The property was granted to Keller in 1775.36 A memorial was filed in 1774 that identified neighbors John Foquet, Jasper Brown (land previously owned by Foquet), and Mathias Syfret.37 A memorial for his adjacent land by Mathias Sciprit [Syfret] in 1771 mentions Elizabeth Keller,38 suggesting that the immigrant Jacob Keller's wife was named Elizabeth. It is likely that this property is the 200-acre parcel in the ownership of Jacob's grandson, William Keller, in the tax list of 1818.39
Jacob Keller was listed in the 1790 federal census with a household consisting of four white males under 16, 1 white male over 16, 7 white females, and one enslaved person.40 While Jacob's sons Jacob and John can be identified, the identity of most of these individuals remains undetermined.
An 1801 plat for Thomas Sabb on Halfway Swamp listed Jacob Keller and John Rush property adjacent.41
The 1810 census documents a household headed by Jb. Keller that includes two males over the age of 45, 1 male under 10, 1 male 16-25, 1 female 16-25, and 1 enslaved person.42 This household documents the succession of Jacob Keller II and the male 16-25 is almost certainly his son, William Keller, who was born in 1793.43
4.Barbara Keller was born in about 1736.44 She may be the individual listed in the 1790 census in the location of a Michael Keller property above Maverick Creek.45
5.Frederick Keller was born in about 1738.46 In 1768 he is mentioned as an adjoining landowner in a plat for Henry Eaton at an unknown location in Amelia Township.47 Frederick Keller was mentioned in an Account Audited for providing a horse in 1781 and beef in 1782 for "state militia troops."48 In 1790 the Frederick Keller household is listed in the census adjacent Daniel Kemmerlin and Henry Switzer (placing him east of modern Cameron along what is now Hwy. 33 and near the location of the later household of a younger Frederick Keller and his wife Catherine). He was in a household with 3 males under 16, 4 males over 16, and 2 females.49 On 26 Jan 1809 the death of Frederick Keller, age 67, was listed in the records of St. Matthews Lutheran Church.50 The age is five years different from that of the Cunliffe immigrant of this name, but no other candidate for this individual is known.
6.Maria Keller was born in about 1741.51 No further information has been found.
7.Unknown
Research Notes
Cunliffe passenger Martin Keller filed for land separately from Michael Keller. Martin Keller may have been an older son or a brother of Michael, but there is no direct evidence of either relationship. The name is common in German-speaking populations and coincidence is possible.
The families of Michael Keller and of Martin Keller are sometimes confused with that of Daniel Keller. Daniel Keller arrived later and filed his first plat in South Carolina in 1767, for land in St. Matthews Parish just below modern Cameron.52 His known sons were Philip and John. There is no known connection with the Michael or Martin Keller families.
The frequent reports that Prudence Moore Keller who died in Louisiana was the mother of William Keller of Orangeburg County confuse the several Jacob Kellers. There is no evidence of this connection and it is likely that an immigrant to Louisiana was associated with the family of Philip Keller, son of Daniel Keller, rather than anyone in the Michael Keller family.
There are numerous references in South Carolina records to Michael Kellers that have not been identified with either of the Michael Kellers who arrived on the Cunliffe. A Michael Keller filed a memorial for land near David Rumph and near the Four Hole Creek-Edisto River confluence in what is now Dorchester County in 1773.53 The will of a John Michael Keller was recorded in Will Book A, 1783-86, P. 451; his family was wife Elizabeth and children Henry, Clemens, and Mary.54 In 1779 "Micheal" Keller purchased real property from Fenwicke Bull.55 This was filed in 1781-82 by Christiana Hoff, Atty of Fenwicke Bull.56 The location is unknown but Fenwick Bull's properties seem to have been concentrated in the Charleston and lower Colleton areas.
Michael Keller of the Saxe-Gotha Township of Lexington County appears in the 179057 and 180058 census. However, the 1800 census lists him as 26-45 years old. He was therefore younger than either of the Michael Kellers of the Cunliffe.
Other references to this surname found in the OGSGS Newsletters: Vol. 1, pp. 4, 30, 43, 47, 55, 96, 115; Vol. 2, pp. 54, 147; Vol.3. pp. 14, 18, 21, 23, 32, 42, 44; Vol. 4, p. 58; Vol. 5, p. 113; Vol. 6, pp. 92, 97, 107, 116; Vol. 7, pp. 57, 152; Vol. 8, pp. 19, 23; Vol. 10, p. 75; Vol. 11, p. 5; Vol. 12, pp. 85, 91; Vol. 14, pp. 54; Vol. 15, p. 38; Vol.. 16, p. 87; Vol. 18, p. 70.
Information provided by Lynn S. Teague 12/30/2020.
1 Holcomb, Brent, 1997. Petitions for Land from the South Carolina Council Journals Vol. III:1752-1753. Columbia: SCMAR. P. 141.
2 Keller, Martin, Jr., Plat for 50 Acres in Amelia Township. Date: 6/8/1753, Colonial Plat Books (Copy Series) S213184, Vol. 5, P. 503, Item 2, 8 Jun 1753. SCDAH.
3 Keller, Martin, Land Grant for 350 Acres in Amelia Township, Colonial Land Grants (Copy Series) S213019, Vol. 5, P. 352, 2 Jan 1754, SCDAH.
4 Stoulvoyer, Christopher, Plat for 100 Acres in Amelia Township, Colonial Plat Books (Copy Series) S213184, Vol. 6, P. 396, Item 3, 2 Jan 1758, SCDAH.
5 Mitchell, William, Plat for 100 Acres in Amelia Township, Colonial Plat Books (Copy Series) S213184 , Vol. 18, p. 468, Item 2. 6 Jan 1772, SCDAH.
6 Anne Martin Haigler, The Church Records of Saint Matthews Lutheran Church. Southern Historical Press, 1985, p. 45.
7 Anne Martin Haigler, The Church Records of Saint Matthews Lutheran Church. Southern Historical Press, 1985. p. 39.
8 Anne Martin Haigler, The Church Records of Saint Matthews Lutheran Church. Southern Historical Press, 1985 , p. 4.
9 Keller, Aron, Plat for 50 Acres on Stowts Creek [Maverick or Warley Creek], Orangeburgh District, Surveyed by John D. W. Crook, State Plat Books (Columbia Series) S213192, Vol. 55, P. 198, Item 2, 29 Nov 1849, South Carolina Deparment of Archives and History.
10 Anne Martin Haigler, The Church Records of Saint Matthews Lutheran Church. Southern Historical Press, 1985, p. 11.
11 Jacob J. Keller. U. S. Census. Year: 1840; Census Place: St Matthew Parish, Orangeburg, South Carolina; Roll: 514; Page: 322; Family History Library Film: 0022510
12 Anne Martin Haigler, The Church Records of Saint Matthews Lutheran Church. Southern Historical Press, 1985, p. 45.
13 Frederick A. Smith and William R. Delk, The Cunliffe: The 1752 Voyage of the Ship, Cunliffe, by Frederick A. Smith. A Partial Reconstructed Passenger list for the Ship, Cunliffe, by William Delk. Orangeburg: Orangeburgh German-Swiss Genealogical Society, 2003, P. 7.
14 Brent Holcomb. Petitions for Land from the South Carolina Council Journals Vol. III:1752-1753, Columbia: SCMAR, 1997, P. 141.
15 Keller, Michael, Plat for 350 Acres in Berkley County. Colonial Plat Books (Copy Series) (S213184). Series: S213184 Volume: 0005 Page: 00506 Item: 02. 9 May 1753. South Carolina Department of Archives and History (SCDAH).
16 Susan Smythe Bennett. A map of Amelia Township, Calhoun County, South Carolina 1704-1785. Digitized 2015, South Caroliniana Library Map Collection.
17 Keller, Martin, Land Grant for 350 Acres in Amelia Township. Colonial Land Grants (Copy Series) (S213019). Series: S213019 Volume: 0005 Page: 00352 Item: 000. 2 Jan 1754. SCDAH.
18 Keller, Martin, land Grant for 350 Acres in Amelia Township, Township Grants (Documents Omitted from Copy Series) S213016, Vol. 2F, P. 96, 2 Jan 1754. SCDAH.
19 Mitchell, William, Jr., Plat for 150 Acres in Amelia Township, Colonial Plat Books (Coyp Series) S213184, Vol. 18, P. 471, Item 1, 6 Jan 1772, SCDAH.
20 Susan Smythe Bennett. A map of Amelia Township, Calhoun County, South Carolina 1704-1785. Digitized 2015, South Caroliniana Library Map Collection.
21 Henry Coon Memorial for Two Tracts in Amelia Township, Berkley County, One for 50 Acres Summarizing A Chain of Title to a Grant to John George Roll of Jan 2, 1754, and One for 50 Acres Summarizing A Chain of Title to a Grant to Ann Elizabeth Miller of Aug 13, 1756. Memorial books (Copy Series) Series: S111001 Volume: 0012 Page: 00098 Item: 003. 9 Feb 1773. SCDAH.
22 Brent H. Holcomb. South Carolina Deed Abstracts 1773-1778, Books F-4 through X-4, Columbia: SCMAR, P. 70.
23 Kirkland, Moses, Plat for 94.5 Acres in Berkley County, Colonial Plat Books (Copy Series) s213184, Vol. 9, P. 79, Item 2, 13 Dec 1764, SCDAH.
24 Kirkland, Moses, Memorial for 94.5 Acres in Berkley County, Memorial books (Copy Series) S111001, Vol. 9, P. 252, Item 2, 2 Jul 1767, SCDAH.
25 Keiger, Peter, Plat for 100 Acres in St. Matthews Parish. Colonial Plat Books (Copy Series) (S213184). S213184 Volume: 0017 Page: 00392 Item: 02. 12/20/1774. SCDAH.
26 Barbarah Keller. Year: 1790; Census Place: Orangeburg, South Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 11; Page: 414; Image: 249; Family History Library Film: 0568151
27 Brent Holcomb. Petitions for Land from the South Carolina Council Journals Vol. III:1752-1753, Columbia: SCMAR, 1997, P. 141.
28 Henry Coon Memorial for Two Tracts in Amelia Township, Berkley County, One for 50 Acres Summarizing A Chain of Title to a Grant to John George Roll of Jan 2, 1754, and One for 50 Acres Summarizing A Chain of Title to a Grant to Ann Elizabeth Miller of Aug 13, 1756. Memorial books (Copy Series) Series: S111001 Volume: 0012 Page: 00098 Item: 003. 9 Feb 1773. SCDAH.
29 Brent H. Holcomb, Petitions for Land from the South Carolina Council Journals, Vol. IV: 1754-1756, Columbia: SCMAR, 1998, p. 150.
30 Miller, Ann Elizabeth, Plat for 50 Acres in Berkley County, Colonial Plat Books (Copy Series), S213184, Vol. 6, P. 63, Item 2, 3 Apr 1756, SCDAH.
31 Miller, Anna Elizabeth, Land Grant for 50 Acres in Amelia Township, township Grants [Docuemnts Omitted from Copy Series], S213016, Vol. 2F, P. 177, 13 Aug 1756, SCDAH.
32 Keiger, Peter, Memorial for 100 Acres in St. Matthews Parish, Berkley County, Mmeorial books (Copy Series) S111001, Vol. 2, P. 391, Item 2, 5 Oct 1775, SCDAH.
33 Brent Holcomb. Petitions for Land from the South Carolina Council Journals Vol. III:1752-1753, Columbia: SCMAR, 1997, P. 141.
34 Keyler, Jacob, Plat for 200 Acres in St. Mathews Parish. Colonial Plat Books (Copy Series), S213184, Volume: 0017, Page: 00454, Item: 01, 6/10/1773, South Carolina Department of Archvies and History.
35 Susan Smythe Bennett. A map of Amelia Township, Calhoun County, South Carolina 1704-1785. Digitized 2015, South Caroliniana Library Map Collection.
36 Keyler, Jacob, Land Grant for 200 Acres in Berkley County. Colonial Plats (Copy Series), S213019 Volume: 0035 Page: 00124,10 Feb 1775, SCDAH.
37 Keyler, Jacob, Memorial for 200 Acres in St. Mathews Parish, Berkley County. Memorial Books (Copy Series) S111001, Vol. 14, P. 5, Item 5, 11 Jul 1775, SCDAH.
38 Sciprit, Mathias, Memorial for 100 Acres in Amelia Township, Berkley County, Memorial Books (Copy Series) S111001, Vol. 11, P. 82, Item 3, 22 Oct 1771, SCDAH.
39 William Keller. "St. Matthews 1818 Tax List. "South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Summer 1974. Volume I, Number 3. p.148.
40 Jacob Keller. U. S. Federal Census. Year: 1790; Census Place: Orangeburg, South Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 11; Page: 414; Image: 249; Family History Library Film: 056815
41 Sabb, Thomas, Plat for 267 Acres on Halfway Swamp, Orangeburgh District, Surveyed by John Tatum. State Plat Books (Columbia Series) S213192 Vol. 38 P. 206 Item 2. 1/5/18015 Feb 1801. SCDAH.
42 Jb. Keller. U. S. Federal Census. Year: 1810; Census Place: Orangeburg, South Carolina; Roll: 61; Page: 161; Image: 00231; Family History Library Film: 0181420
43 William Keller Obituary. Southern Christian Advocate. 15 Dec 1875. Alexander Salley, Jr., Archives, Orangeburg County Historical Society, Orangeburg. File A 333.
44 Brent Holcomb. Petitions for Land from the South Carolina Council Journals Vol. III:1752-1753, Columbia: SCMAR, 1997, P. 141.
45 Barbarah Keller. Year: 1790; Census Place: Orangeburg, South Carolina; M637; Roll: 11; Page: 414; Image: 249; Family History Library Film: 0568151
46 Brent Holcomb. Petitions for Land from the South Carolina Council Journals Vol. III:1752-1753, Columbia: SCMAR, 1997, P. 141.
47 Eaton, Henry, Plat for 150 acresin Berkley County, Colonial Plat Books (Copy Series) S213184, Vol. 14, P. 527, Item 3. 15 Sep 1768, SCDAH.
48 Frederick Keller, Accounts Audited. S108092 Reel 81, Frame 474, 1776 or Later. SCDAH.
49 Frederick Kellar. Year: 1790; Census Place: Orangeburg, South Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 11; Page: 412; Image: 248; Family History Library Film: 0568151
50 Anne Martin Haigler, The Church Records of Saint Matthews Lutheran Church. Southern Historical Press, 1985, p.44.
51 Brent Holcomb. Petitions for Land from the South Carolina Council Journals Vol. III:1752-1753, Columbia: SCMAR, 1997, P. 141.
52 Keller, Daniel, Plat for 250 Acres in St. Mathew Parish, Colonial Plat Books (Copy Series) S213184, Vol. 17, p. 400, SCDAH.
53 Keller, Michael, Memorial for 200 Acres on Walnut Swamp, Berkley County, Memorial books (Copy Series) S111001, Vol. 12, P. 169, Item 6, 29 Apr 1773. SCDAH.
54 John Michael Keller. Ancestry.com. South Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: South Carolina County, District and Probate Courts. Wills, Vol 21, 1783-1786; Wills, Vol 22-23, 1786-1793.
55 Bull, Fenwicke, By Atty. To Michael Keller, Lease and Release. Conveyance Books (Register of Mesne Conveyance) Series: S363001 Volume: 0580 Page: 00521. 1779. SCDAH.
56 Hoff, Christiana, Atty. of Fenwicke Bull to Michael Keller, Lease and Release. Conveyance Books (Register of Mesne Conveyance) S363001, Vol. 5#0, P. 235, 1781-1782, SCDAH.
57 Michael Kellar. U. S. Census. Year: 1790; Census Place: Orangeburg, South Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 11; Page: 400; Image: 242; Family History Library Film: 0568151
58 Michael Keller. U. S. Census. Year: 1800; Census Place: Lexington, Orangeburg District, South Carolina; Series: M32; Roll: 49; Page: 564; Image: 152; Family History Library Film: 181424.