by Genevieve E Peters. 1953. 169p

This book is a historical record detailing genealogical information and family histories, primarily focusing on several families including the Sharp, Efland, and related families. It provides an intricate map of familial ties and records significant events, such as births, marriages, and deaths, within these family lines.

Key highlights from the document include:

1. Genealogical Records: The document meticulously lists family members across generations, often linking individuals through marriage and noting their offspring. For instance, it records members of the Efland family like Mary Efland, who married Nicholas Gibbs, and their descendants.

2. Migration and Settlement: It outlines the migration of German immigrants, referred to as the Pennsylvania Dutch, who settled in North Carolina. They were primarily located in the Piedmont region, known for its fertile lands near the Great Alamance and Haw River. These settlers contributed significantly to the region's development despite language barriers, which often prevented them from holding public office.

3. Early Life and Challenges: The settlers faced numerous challenges, including isolation from coastal trade routes, which necessitated self-sufficiency. Many were skilled craftsmen, which helped them build homes and create furnishings. They also dealt with food scarcity, requiring them to hunt and fish.

4. Women’s Roles: The document discusses the difficult lives of women in these early settlements, highlighting their domestic burdens and the constant threat of Native American attacks. Women were responsible for making clothes from materials they produced themselves.

5. Education and Religion: There were few schools or churches in these early communities. Education was a privilege, often afforded only to those who could pay for it, with teachers sometimes living with student families as compensation.

6. Taxation and Governance: Under British rule, the settlers dealt with heavy taxation and corrupt practices. This led to avoidance of official ceremonies like marriage licenses due to exorbitant fees.

7. Case Studies and Wills: Specific case studies within families, such as the will of Reuben Wyatt, provide insights into the personal lives and legal matters of the time. Reuben’s will, for instance, outlines the distribution of his possessions to his wife Rachel and their children upon his death in 1838.