Drollinger / Trolinger / Trollinger when and where did it change. An interesting subject of my most current research.
Narrative:
For certain the signed records from Germany and Philadelphia ( "German Pioneers - arrivals at Port of Philadelphia from 1727-1808," Volume II, Author Strassburger-Genealogical Publishing Co., (Baltimore, MD, 1966) , "Arrivals at Port of Philadelphia 1727-1808, Vol I. " , and records copied by the LDS and others of EVANGELISCHE, KIRCHENBUCH in Ellmendingen, Pforzheim, Baden 1639-1840) prove that when Adam Drollinger arrived in the United States he was indeed using the surname Drollinger. What happened before that in Germany and after in North Carolina is of question.
First and best evidence is in the originally signed record. Unfortunately written records in Trolingers Ford, now Haw River, North Carolina, may not exist for the time of founding. In fact it was not until 1780, after the Revolution, that the grant of 250 acres was recorded for Adam. The surname was recorded as Trolenger. (Grant #226, Bk. 32, P. 374)
A funny thing happened on the way to the grave yard... Gates Locked, what to do, check out the church of course. Car running with old dude on O2 inside, I check to see if he is okay. He is, so I asked about getting inside the gate. "oh just climb on over if it's locked," great I think. Turns out that this is Mr. Pendergraph and he knows everyone and everything about Haw River, just about back to Adam (Trolinger).Next best evidence is in original gave markers. At Haw River there is a one acre plot of land called the Trollinger Family Cemetery as marked by a decaying wooden sign on the ground near the riverside entrance. Iron gates and crafted rock wall encompass the nicely maintained site and of note is the somewhat new Bronze inset plaque dedicating mother Artelia Roney Duke from her sons Benjamin N. and James B. Duke.
In late 1775 a diary of the Little Pilgrim Congregation has two entries that discuss an
encounter with 'Drollinger' at Haw River. Whether or not this is a pronunciation spelling
or fact is of question although in other passages accuracy is noted in all the place names.
Records of the Moravians in North Carolina, I, 140-146.
In the Day book of Adam's son Jacob Trolinger, dated Jany 1840, there is clear handwritten evidence of the Spelling Trolinger in as many places as it can be read this including the inside cover "Jacob Trolinger" signed and written and the many relations that 'oad' money to Jacob. "High Falls Mill Day Book for Trolinger Factory, 1839-1840"
In Pulaski (formerly Montgomery) County Virginia there are thirty-one headstones with the
surname Trolinger with burial dates from 1807 to 1883. None (zero) have two L's in the
spelling.
John D. Lowman Sr interview with lookup in his database of 245 cemeteries and near 31,000
markers in Pulaski County Virginia that he has collected over the past ten years, currently
unpublished, Jan 2001.
In the Trolinger Family Bible, from 1800 to present, all handwritten entries are Trolinger. Trolinger Family Bible.
In the transition from English Colonial Rule to that of the United States land that had been
granted by England was handed over to those that fought for or could prove that they were loyal
to the Revolution. Adam having signed his allegiance to the crown upon arrival in Philadelphia and
receiving his land from the same must have been concerned with this fact.
Hence the need and motivation for a name change. Summary of facts about the period by me.
This clearly puts the end of the use of Drollinger and beginning the use of Trolinger in North Carolina and on to Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas to modern times beginning with the end of colonial rule in 1776.
John David Trolinger, January 2001
Evidence and such detail:
High Falls Mill Day Book for Trolinger Factory, 1839-1840 (signed) Jacob Trolinger
Inside front cover "day book commencing Jany 18, 1840"
(first entry references 1839 though)
Throughout the book (ledger), which had newspaper clippings glued over 80% of the pages
all the entries to be seen have surnames spelt Trolinger. Example;
Bill Trolinger $60 oad (signed me)
John Trolinger $10 oad (signed me)
Source: High Falls Mill Day Book, Jacob Trolinger, 1840
donated by Betty Montgomery Waugh to the Haw River Historical Association
is unique and resides at Haw River Museum, under glass, under a picture of
the mysterious John Trolinger.
1799 - Orange County NC Deeds - Book 8, page 144 - April 9, 1799, North Carolina to William TROLANDER (no residence given), fifty shilling per hundred acres, 28 acres, on both sides of the Haw R. adjoins John TROLANDER , John TUCKILL , & Michael COCKLEDRESS, begin at a hicory, E. 16 p. to a black jack, N 10 p. to a post oak, E 18 p. to a stake, N 40 p. to a hicory, W 96 p. to a black jack, S 38 p. to a hicory, E 64 p. to a post oak, to beginning, entered 9 February 1797; signed: W. R. DAVIE; witness Will. WHITE
Map of 1942 Haw River, showing the significant home sites and places, has several references
to Trollinger's in the area including Trollingwood Granite.
Source: Map of 1942 Haw River, by Richard Jarrett, 1-1-95
Unique, resides at Haw River Museum, with key book.
Spelling:
In a conversation with Luke Trollinger in 1995, "we spell it with two L's but that is not
the way we used to spell it."
Records:
In 1742 the Sherrif to a survey and found 20 white men in as many counties.
Because of the volume of people coming into the area record keeping stopped for ten years
from 1763 to around 1773. Problaby the only land records to be had are in England
Adam Trolinger's Original Homesite:
At Main and Hanover Streets is a home that is thought to be the original homesite of Adam
but is in dispute with some. Also along the private road (un-named?) is a barn.
Rumor has that parts of the original log cabin are part of and inside of the home.
Source: Gail Knauff, co-author "Fabric of a Community: The Story of Haw River, NC"
interview Jan 18, 2001.
Trolinger Family Cemetery, Church and Lang Streets, adjacent to Haw River Methodist Church
Riverside Entrance
Wooden decayed sign on ground ;
Trollinger Family Cemetery C.A. 1745 29
Newer Plaque inset in gate column ;
Benjamin N. Duke and James B. Duke in memory of mother Artelia Roney Duke 1829-1858
The great majority of the markers, including the "Adam Trolinger" have the surname Trolinger.
Complete Listing
Trolingers:
Adam Trolinger d. AD 1776 a. 83
Marker "erected in memory of with other details..."
Henry Trolinger d. 29 Feb 1844 a. 83
S.A.R 1775 Marker on ground below headstone, appears recent
James Daniel Trolinger b. 21 Feb 18__ d. 25 Feb 185_
Mary Trolinger d. 1851 a. 82
John Montgomery Trolinger b. 20 Sep 1836. d. 2 Dec 1852
Son of Benjamin N and Nancy E
Jno B. Trolinger b. 1862 d. 28 Jul 186_
Benj N. Trolinger b. 27 Oct 1810 d. 20 Sep 1862
John Trolinger b. 18 Dec 1790 d. 8 Oct 1869
Elizabeth Trolinger b. 20 Apr 1789 d. 22 Mar 1871
Wife of John Trolinger
Maud L. Trolinger b. 7 Apr 1874 d. 11 Jan 1878
Dau of
Jacob T. Trolinger b. 26 Jul 1826 d. 21 May 1879 a. 53
Nancy Montgomery Trolinger b. 29 Apr 1815 d. circa 1898
Trollingers:
Myrtly Trollinger b. 1880 d. 1978
John W Trollinger b. 1883 d. 1970
Lilly Virginia Trollinger b. Dec 20 1883 d. Jan 23 1968
Birtie Trollinger b. 1877 d. 1958
Joseph Wheeler Trollinger b. July 3, 1867 d. 3,1890 a. 23
unk Trollinger b. 1895
unk Trollinger b. 1896
Wm G. Trollinger b. Jan 23, 1871 d. Aug 30 1871 a. 7m
Roney:
Source: Trollinger Family Cemetery, Jan 2001
Union Ridge United Church of Christ Cemetery in Alamance County, NC
Duke, C. P. Wm. D d. 1822
Roney, Alice L. b. Oct 17, 1854 d. Sept 14th, 1859
(Daughter of B. F. and C. M. Roney) (Triple stone)
Roney, Benjamin F. b. Oct 4, 1816 d. June 6, 1876
Roney, Benjamin T. b. July 15,1856 d. (Son of B. F. and C. M. Roney)
Artelia Roney who was married to Buck Duke, was the daughter of Benjamin F. Roney
and his first wife, Delilah Montgomery.
Source: Union Ridge Cemetery
PHILLIPS CHAPEL METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY, Alamance County, NC
Faucette, Lillian Trollinger b. 05-28-1886 d. 08-03-1951
dau of James Henry & Bell Trollinger
Marriages, NC, searched inger, trol, drol
searched all records, no Drollingers, no 1700's
Orange County, NC
witness
Ttollingar, John Polly McCullock 6 May 1806 Allen McDougall
Trolinger, Jno. Elizabeth Roney 23 Jan. 1810 Andrew Roney
Trolinger, Jacob Margaret Bloushard 7 Apr. 1815 James Thomas
Roney, John Mary Trolinger 12 Dec. 1815 Jacob Trolinger
Freshwater, David Catherine Trolinger 26 Nov. 1821 W. F. Jones [w] Jos. A. Woods
Trolinger, Henry Polly Blanchett 25 Apr. 1826 Jno. Trollinger
Bason, Henry Mary Trolinger 3 Apr. 1832 Benjamin Trolinger
Trolinger, Ben. Nancy Montgomery 17 Apr. 1832 Jeremiah Bacon
Holt, Jno. Catherine Trolinger 21 Aug. 1833 Michl. Holt
Tarley, Henry Margaret Trolonger 9 Nov. 1833 Abram Tartley
Eason, John Peggy Trolinger 23 Feb. 1835 John Griffis
Clapp, Emanuel Elizabeth Trolinger 4 Sept. 1837 Dan. Clapp
Trolinger, Fred. Absilla Trotman 28 Feb. 1841 Joseph Trolinger
Montgomery, James Cornely Troinger 19 Sept 1845 Daniel Montgomery
McAdams, Benjamin E. C. Trollinger 15 jan. 1849 Thos, Griffis
witness;
Gant, Jacob Dorsey Isley 26 Mar. 1838 Joseph Trolinger
Boswell, Wm. Nancy Qualls 14 Aug. 1847 James Trolinger
Gant, Jushua A. Mary McCulley 2 Dec. 1847 James Trolinger
Alamance County, NC
TROLINGER,William H. Elizabeth WALKER 11 Dec. 1878
Dixon, John S Trolinger,Martha Ann 24 Dec. 1866 John Wilkins WA Albright GJ Freeland,JP
witness;
Palmer, Ch(arle)s H Gant, Sarah L 25 Dec. 1866 John T Trollinger GJ Freeland,JP WA Albright
GUILDFORD COUNTY, NC INDEX OF BRICK CHURCH RECORDS
http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/nc/guilford/church/brick.txt
Wm. Trolinger, 112
TROLLINGER
Elizabeth, 115
Elizabeth Clapp, 115
John, 115
Early American Marriages: Marriages--North Carolina to 1825
Guilford County—
Ticcle, Catarinea married Trollinger, Henry on 02 Dec 1793 in Guilford County, North Carolina
Crisman, Henerey married Trollinger, Elisebeth on 26 Jul 1798 in Guilford County, North Carolina
Trollinger, Fredrick married Wenick, Barbra on 25 Aug 1801 in Guilford County, North Carolina
Iseley, Hannah married Trollinger, Adam on 03 Oct 1814 in Guilford County, North Carolina
Bailey, John married Trollinger, Sally on 11 May 1820 in Guilford County, North Carolina
Mccullock, Palley married Trollinger, John on 06 May 1806 in Orange County, North Carolina
Baley, William married Trolinger, Susanna on 26 Apr 1823 in Guilford County, North Carolina
Roney, Elizabeth married Trolinger, John on 23 Jan 1810 in Orange County, North Carolina
Bloushard, Margret married Trolinger, Jacob on 07 Apr 1815 in Orange County, North Carolina
Roney, John married Trolinger, Mary on 12 Dec 1815 in Orange County, North Carolina
Henderson, Sarah married Trolinger, Samuel on 30 Jul 1793 in Rockingham County, North Carolina
Trolliner, Hannah married Woodyard, Braxtin on 09 Feb 1825 in Guilford County, North Carolina
Rutherford County—
Dyer, John married Trollender, Mary on 01 Nov 1819 in Rutherford County, North Carolina
Orange County—
Mccullock, Palley married Trollinger, John on 06 May 1806 in Orange County, North Carolina
Rockingham County—
Henderson, Sarah married Trolinger, Samuel on 30 Jul 1793 in Rockingham County, North Carolina
Bonds, Lewis married Trolliner, Margoret on 02 Oct 1805 in Rockingham County, North Carolina
THearle560@aol.com—E-mail—Rockingham CO, NC—Lewis Bonds married Margaret Trolliner;
2 October, 1805; Bondsman, Adam Trolliner; Witness, Robert Scales. Lewis & Margaret
moved to Wilson Co, TN before 1820. They had chn John, Michael (my line), William,
Sarah, Elizabeth (who md Wm Drollinger 9 June 1831 Wilson Co, TN.) Elizabeth & William
Drollinger moved to Weakly Co TN • Wilson Co, Tennessee Deeds • George Alexander to
John Drollinger 2OO acres in Wilson County. 26 April 1820. (Bk H pg 224) • Hugh Telford
to John Drolinger a tract of land on Sugg's Creek. 28 October 1820. (Bk H pg 341) •
William S. Drolinger and John C. Drolinger to George Williamson 77 1/4 acres on Stoner's
Creek. Bounded: the heirs of John Drolinger deceased. 29 February 1836. (Bk Q p356-357) •
We Mary Drollinger, Sarah Drollinger, Jabez Nooner and his wife Orpha Jane,
Milton N. McGehee and his wife Mary to G. T. Gleaves 32 acres. 25 September 1839.
(BK S pg 402) • Mary Drollinger & others to Joseph Moore 85 acres in the 25th district.
25 September 1839 (BK S pg 402)
Missouri to 1850—Missouri, Henry County—
Arbuckle, M. married Trollinger, Mary E. on 16 Sep 1847 in Henry County, Missouri
Hornsby, Brinkley married Trolinger, Alldia W. on 02 Nov 1849 in Henry County, Missouri
Virginia to 1800—Montgomery County—
Burris, Elizabeth married Trollinger, John on 30 Dec 1792
Mccoy, William Jr. married Trollinger, Barabra on 23 Nov 1796
Source Judy K
Source: Orange County, NC Marriage Bonds.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Betty Mayes
ulalee@visionet.org
http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/burnaby/1077/rippyelmoremarr.htm
Source: Alamance County Marriages 1868-1889 WALKER Nuptials
MS LOUISE T OVERTON Source: ALAMANCE COUNTY, NC - VITALS - Marriage Bonds: 1854-1867
Bill Teer billteer@netpath.net
Source: http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/nc/orange/vitals/bonds1819.txt Source: 1790 NC Orange Cty, Hillsborough dist. pg 92a by Alice Tatum
NAMES TAKEN FROM CTY TAX LISTS
Source: http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/nc/alamance/census/1850/alaman50.txt
Probably Adam, but maybe Jacob Henry, jdt
Source: Diary of the Little Pilgrim Congregation that on Oct. 2, 1755, left Bethlehem
for the Wachau in North Carolina.
Records of the Moravians in North Carolina, I, 140-146.
edited by Adelaide L. Fries and others
http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hp/colonial/bookshelf/moravian/pilgrim.htm
Source:
http://hometown.aol.com/bond5787/Bond/019.htm
Source:
http://www.thetimesnews.com/1999/99-10/99-10-15/accent-13.html
Source: The Times News
http://www.thetimesnews.com/answer/topics/communities/haw_river/history.html
http://alamancecounty.com/haw_river.htm
Source:
http://ourworld-top.cs.com/tb3mb2/memselaz.htm
Another Beck, this is a real bear to be tamed, jdt
Source: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhnnonononono
Source: Gordon Drollinger, The Drollinger Mailing List Jan 2001
BACK to the Trolinger Home Page
created: January 2001,revised: January, 2001
http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/nc/orange/census/1790casdt.txt
http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/nc/alamance/vitals/mr1854_67.txt
http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/nc/alamance/vitals/alammar1.txt
http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/nc/orange/vitals/grooms1.txt
Orange County NC 1790 Tax Survey; searched inger, trol, drol
Trolinger, Henry Orange District
GUILFORD COUNTY, NC - CENSUS - 1850 Census Index; searched inger, trol, drol
TROLINGER film page 443A
STROLIN film page 415A
ALAMANCE COUNTY, NC - CENSUS - 1850 Census Index; searched inger, trol, drol
TROLINGER film page 53B-57A-69B-86A-88A-88B-94B-95A
Orange Co., North Carolina was created in 1752 from the larger Bladen,
Granville and Johnston counties. Later in 1777 Caswell Co. was created
from the "Northern Division" of Orange Co. Later in 1791, Pearson Co.
was created from the "Eastern" half of Caswell Co. and in 1840 Alamance Co.
was created from the "Western" half of Orange Co. Also part of Durham Co.
was created in 1881 from the "Eastern" portion of Orange Co. So any of the
following Surname's could have been recorded in the above Counties and never
even moved!
HEADINGS/SNDX = Soundex Code (Sound alike);
NARS = National Archives & Record Service;
StR = State Reel;
Pg# = Page number to find H/H with family;
FGrp = Family Group;
* = Possible spelling errors
Date SNDX L Name F Name NARS StR Pg# Family Grp.
1790 T645 TROLINGER Henry M-637 094 No CENSUS - Tax
1800 T646 TROLER Robert M-32 034 602 11101-01201-01
1800 T645 TROLINGER Henry M-32 034 601 21010-20011-01
1810 T645 TROLINGER Henry M-252 041 120 NdRcd
1810 T645 TROLINGER Henry M-252 041 124 NdRcd
1810 T645 TROLINGER John M-252 041 120 NdRcd
1820 T645 TROLINGER Henry M-33 082 366 NdRcd
1820 T645 TROLINGER Jacob M-33 082 358 NdRcd
1820 T645 TROLINGER John M-33 082 302 NdRcd
1830 T645 TROLINGER Henry JR. M-19 123 336 NORTH DISTRICT
1830 T645 TROLINGER Henry SR. M-19 123 309 NORTH DISTRICT
1830 T645 TROLINGER John ESQ. M-19 123 310 NORTH DISTRICT
1840 T645 TROLLINGER Benjamin F.* M-704 367 175 NORTHERN DIVISI
1840 T645 TROLLINGER Henry M-704 367 175 NORTHERN DIVISI
1840 T645 TROLLINGER Henry M-704 367 199 NORTHERN DIVISI
1840 T645 TROLLINGER Henry Jr. M-704 367 175 NORTHERN DIVISI
1840 T645 TROLLINGER John M-704 367 177 NORTHERN DIVISI
Orange County, NC Tax Records
Date SNDX L Name F Name NARS StR Pg# Family Grp
1755 T645 TROLINGER Adam N/A N/A N/A Tax Roll
1779 D645 DROLLINGER Henry N/A N/A N/A Tax Roll
1779 T645 TROLINGER Adam N/A N/A N/A Tax Roll
Source: Judy K
TAX RECORDS
ORANGE COUNTY, NC - EARLY TAX RECORDS
1755 T645 TROLINGER Adam
1779 T645 TROLINGER Adam
1779 D645 DROLLINGER Henry
1779 R500 RONEY Benjamin
1755 R500 RONEY James
1779 R500 RONEY James
1779 D200 DUKE John
1779 M532 MONTGOMERY Benjamin
1779 M532 MONTGOMERY William
These "Tax Records" were copied from the North Carolina Division
of Archives & History, 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh, NC.
http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/nc/orange/tax/oran_tax.txt
http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/nc/orange/census/earlytax.txt
Strassburger & Hinke Lists 58A, 58B, 58C:
the ship "Friendship" [also given as "The Friendship"],
whose passengers qualified in Philadelphia 20 Sept 1738.
The Captain's List, 58A calls him Adam Drollinger age 30.
List 58C signature is [signature of Adam Drollinger].
Strassbureger & Hinke Lists 100A, 100C: the ship "Rosanna"
[also given as "Rosannah"], whose passengers qualified in Philadelphia
26 Sept 1743. The Captains's List, 100A [his signature is missing from List 100C]
includes: Hance Michel Droliner
Source: Judy K. La Follette's Drollinger research
UhOh
Immigrant's surname: TROLLINGER
Immigrant's given name(s): Adam
Ship name: Nancy
U.S. arrival date: 20 Sep 1738
Port: Philadelphia
Place of origin: near Karlshrue Germany
Source: Oath of Allegience, Philadelphia
Source: http://www.genealogy.org/~palam/iadat088.htm#774
Description:
This database lists the names of immigrants who took the oath of allegiance to the
province and state of Pennsylvania from 1727-1775. All males over sixteen years of
age were obliged to take this oath and declaration, as soon after their arrival as
possible.
Each entry includes the individual's name, age, place of nationality, and occupation.
Taking an oath of allegiance was a process undergone during early colonial emigration.
In this oath, immigrants declared they would be faithful to King George II. •
Bibliography: Egle, William Henry. Names Of Foreigners Who Took The Oath Of Allegiance
To The Province And State Of Pennsylvania, 1727-1775, With The Foreign Arrivals, 1786-1808.
Harrisburg, PA : E. K. Meyers, 1892. • Pennsylvania Foreign Oaths of Allegiance— Names of
Foreigners Who Took the Oath of Allegiance to the Province and State of Pennsylvania Men's
Names. • Name.: Eberhard Drollinger, Age: 32; Name.: Adam Drollinger, Age: 20
Reference:
3 May 1778, Adam Trolenger entered claim for a grant of 250
acres of land on the west side of Haw River in Orange County, North Carolina.
This grant was issued 13 March 1780 (Grant #226, Bk. 32, P. 374).
Oct. 31. The road was miserable, but we made 26 miles, crossed the Haw River,
and camped near Drollinger’s. He was not at home when we arrived but returned
late, somewhat intoxicated. He made a great stir when he saw that a fire had been
built on his land, but when he learned who we were he excused himself, — “he was
ashamed that he had drunk so much,—we should not think ill of him,—we were
heartily welcome,—he was a poor fellow who could not help himself,—but he was at
our service.” He soon went to his house, and we were well content. We nearly had a
serious misfortune today, for fire was discovered in the beds in the Sisters’ tent.
Fortunately it was found in time and extinguished. As the Brethren slept by the fire at
night a burning log rolled toward them, but they were waked in time.
Nov. 1. Drollinger attended our morning prayers, and gave our drivers some hay,
and went with us to a road leading to a mill. He was much ashamed of last night, and
wished that we could spend the day with him so that he might kill a cow, and share it
with us as a peace offering. We felt sorry for the poor man, for he seems to love the
Brethren, and the Saviour will not let his willingness to serve us go unrewarded. After
dinner Br. Sauter rode ahead to the Wachau; Br. Christian Henrich gave him a letter
to the Brethren there announcing our approach. We had a fairly good night, but
toward day the wolves waked us with their not particularly agreeable howling. Our
Graff joined in the concert, but when the wolves heard the new voice they suddenly
stopped.
The family name was originally spelled Drollinger, and the ancestor of the Virginia branches,
Adam Drollinger used that spelling.
Adam's son, Henry Jacob, changed the spelling of the family name to Trollinger, but its
pronunciation remained "Drolinger" during his life-time.
A son of Henry Jacob, John, kept the spellilng Trolinger, but his son John dropped one "L"
resulting in the present-day spelling of Trolinger.
Source: Durst and Darst Families of America, with discussions of Forty Related Families
Sandford Charles Gladden, 1969. p 734, 751.
1779, Aug 11, - Deed recorded, Wast PA.
"I, Adam Trollinger, to me 95 pounds money of Penna. paid by Nicholas Gower,
Salisburg, Northampton Co., land situated on Tetamy Creek - adjoining the
lands of John Lefevrr. 100 acres (more or less). Signed in presence of
Jacob Weif (Weiss), and Joseph Wollnot, Northampton Co., 18th day of July 1779.
Sealed by Abraham Berlin.
HAW RIVER — Don’t look for a “For Sale” sign in front of the big Granite Plant
premises anytime soon. Cone Mills Corp., the Greensboro-based textile manufacturing
company that operated the plant from 1928 until 1997, has no known plans to sell the
property, said Carolyn Hines, a spokeswoman for the firm.
“The company is using the plant for a warehouse,” Hines said.
She said a skeleton crew of about 15 employees is based at the sprawling, 560,000-square-foot
mill. It is alongside the town of Haw River’s West Main Street, on the east bank of the
Haw River.
It remains valuable property, according to records at Alamance County Tax Department,
which show the tax value of the plant and its 28 acre site at about $4.2 million.
The mill, one of the oldest textile plants in Alamance County, was mostly phased out of
manufacturing operations during 1997, eliminating its 166 employees’ jobs. The company’s
payroll at the plant amounted to $4.75 million in 1996, Hines said.
The first portion of the plant pre-dates the formation of Alamance County, which is
observing its 150th birthday this year.
History accounts show the original section of the mill was
built in 1844 by Benjamin Trollinger, son of Adam Trollinger,
the original settler in the community that became Haw River.
In its heyday, the plant was a major producer of corduroy, a fabric for clothing and other products for a
generation beginning around the middle of the century; more than 500 people were employed there until 1992,
when Cone Mills staged a major downsizing that slashed more than half the jobs at the mill.
By DON BOLDEN
Times-News
In 1995, the Town of Haw River celebrated its birthday - its 250th
birthday! No other community in Alamance County has had such
a celebration.
It was in 1745 that Adam Trollinger, a German, brought his
family to settle the area we now know as Haw River. The spot
where he settled was good in that it was one of the best
crossing spots, and there was ample water to provide power.
His son, Jacob, built a grist mill there, and for many years, the
little settlement was known as Trollinger's Ford.
During the Revolutionary War, British Gen. Cornwallis camped
there and used the ford to cross the river. His troops took grain
from Jacob Trollinger's mill, and Cornwallis had Trollinger
seized, tied to a tree and bridled so he could not speak. He was
later freed by a neighbor.
Jacob's son Henry built the first bridge over the river, a toll facility
near the present railroad bridge.
In 1844, Benjamin Trollinger built a textile mill there, the Granite
Mill. He later sold that mill to E.M. Holt, and in 1860, Holt sold it
to his son, Thomas, and the mill began producing Alamance
Plaids in the Granite Cotton Factory.
The North Carolina Railroad brought its tracks through the
community, and that brought new life to the area as well. Haw
River then became a shipping point for other mills in the area.
Some goods were brought to Haw River from Swepsonville on
river barges.
In the 1880s, Holt built the Cora Cotton Mills across the street
from Granite, and he operated the mills until his death in 1898.
The mills remained in the Holt family until the 1920s, and in 1928
Proximity Manufacturing Co. in Greensboro purchased the plant.
Proximity divided the mills, and Tabardrey Manufacturing was
located south of the highway, Granite to the north, and
manufacturing turned to corduroy products.
In 1945-46, the mills became part of the Cone Mills Co., and one
of the plants continued operations until recent months, when
Cone announced it would end operations in Haw River. The
future of those plants now is uncertain.
Haw River also has a rich political , having given North Carolina
three governors: Thomas M. Holt in 1892; W. Kerr Scott in 1948;
and Robert W. Scott, Kerr's son, in 1968. Kerr Scott also served
in the U.S. Senate.
Haw River was incorporated in 1975.
SUBJECT: Haw River, N.C. - Trollinger Memorial Church
CALL NO.: CR917 N87
REEL NO.: 21
VOL. NO.: 84
PAGE(S): 817
http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/s75/h.html
Grapes of wrath , or how I DO research with a fine wine;
"where much of the production, then as now, consisted of light red wines, the Trollinger grape
predominated. The Ahr valley may have been planted with red grapes, but they cannot have included
the Pinot Noir, which was not introduced there until the 18th century.
Or Blauer Trollinger, is the most common German name for the distinctly
ordinary black grape variety known as Schiava in Italy, Vernatsch in the
Tyrol, and Black Hamburg by many who grow and buy table grapes. It
almost certainly originated in what is now the Italian Tyrol (see Alto Adige)
and its German name is a corruption of Tirolinger. In Germany it is grown
almost exclusively in Wurttemberg, where its cultivation even as early as the
14th century is documented (see German history).
TROLLINGER: German name for the Schiava red wine grape originating
in the Tyrol region of Italy.
Trollinger Adam 'Troll' 11-08-1979 03-26-1997 ATK New Braunfels, TX
BECK, Valentine-2093 (M)
Birth: abt 1685 in Ellmendingen, Pforzheim, Baden
Spouse: Catharina-5090
Marriage:
Child: Susanna BECK-5378 (Jan 12 1696-Oct 14 1743)
Child: Anna Maria BECK-5346 (Jan 23 1698-)
Child: Margaretha BEKER-5347 (Oct 1700-)
Child: Friedrich BECK-4452 (Jul 3 1706-Mar 22 1759)
Child: Margaretha BECK-2092 (abt 1710-)
Child: Anna Catharina BECK-5091 (Mar 6 1711-)
As to the George Dollinger or other Dollingers being actually Drollingers or Trollingers, I
would point out that there is a village in Austria called Dollingen. One from that village is
known as a Dollinger.
---
I would like to add the following tidbits to the Adam being in Haw River in
1745. In the published archives of Pennsylvania there are 3 references to
Adam being in Pennsylvania as late as 1750. There are 2 land warrants in 1747
and a further oath of Alliegence in Bucks County in 1750. The 1750 oath is
often referred to as a Quaker baptism. Since it is mentioned (I can never get
the spelling right) in Giuseppi's Quaker Records one can hazard a guess as to
why it would be mistaken for a baptism. There are no further mentions of Adam
in Quaker records. When you examine Giuseppi it is indeed an oath of
alliegence. The signature in Brigette Burketts fine book is possibly from the
Strassburger and Hincke work 30,000 German Immigrants where I found it in the
1970s. The Frederick Drullinger of Salem NJ who died in LaPorte County IN
also signed his name on his pension papers. As an old man and very shaky it
is on two lines, Frederick Dro and the second line llinger.
Henry Jacob signed everything Trolinger in his Day Book for the Mill in 1840 And everyone he listed as
Trolingers were with one L. The headstones all have one L contrary to the LDS and GEDcom files. There are
A few exceptions in the latter 1800's-1900's. I am still mapping the headstones but would estimate 95% say
Trolinger.
I am sure that it went from Drollinger to Trolinger then to Trollinger but to settle this I would like a third live source
of the change.
A funny thing happened on the way to the grave yard
Gates Locked, what to do, check out the church of course.
Around the front there is a car running with old dude on O2
complete with breathing tube inside, I check to see if he is okay.
He is, and even rolled down the passenger side window in
response to my wave, so I asked about getting inside the gate.
"oh just climb on over if it's locked,"
Great I think.
Introduced myself , "Hi, I'm John Trolinger."
"John Trolinger huh?"
Turns out that this is Mr. Pendergraph he knows everyone
back to Adam (Trolinger) and the Indians in Haw River has
the stories to prove it. Used to mow the graveyard until the Dukes
pissed him off...watched Luke Trolinger play with fish in the river...
Had to stand at the passenger side window the whole time but
have lots of notes on new places to look.
---
That led me to the town historian which led me to the museum which
led me to the Trolinger archive which led me to that single L in the Day Book
of Jacob Henry, 1840, one of a kind never been seen outside Haw River,
ledger of the Mill complete with names dates and newspaper clippings.
Lots of Trolinger's 'oad' Jacob money ;)
Things mosly move the way they will in North Carolina but Gail is from
Baltimore MD so things sped up a bit on this driving (rain) tour of the
Haw River...
Now I am working on getting into Adam' house (so it is thought) to see
if there are really parts of the original log home in it. Am hoping to find
the initials A.T. carved in a tree trunk and really upset things.
©1545-2001 Copyright John D. Trolinger