Reinhardt/Ramsour Cemetery

Reinhardt-Ramsour Cemetery Lincoln County, NC

From Lincoln County Courthouse, take Hwy. 27 West, two-tenths of a mile. Right on Grove St., go 1/2 mile. Right on Startown Rd. (SR 1005) three-tenths of a mile. Left on Andrews Rd.(SR 1435) two-tenths of a mile. Site is in trees to left.

From Newton, take Startown Road toward Lincolnton. Take a right on Andrews Road, the last
road before Startown ends at Reepsville Road.

Elizabeth Ramsour d. June 22, 1807 In the 3rd yr. of her age

Jacolb Ramsour d. Jan.5,???? In the 54th yr. of his age (stone broken)

Martin Ramsour d. March 6,1808 In his 2nd year

Christian Reinhardt d. March 22,1808 In the 75th yr. of his age

Mary Reinhardt d. March 25,1829 age 34y.,3d.

The Wife and Son of Micheal Reinhardt late of North Carolina Nov. 1856

Will'm Scott Reinhardt d. Nov. 25,1824 age 6m.

[LINCOLN COUNTY, NC - CEMETERIES -Small Cemeteries and Family Plots, Part 2; This file was contributed (with the author's permission) for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Robin Barger <tahda@bellsouth.net> and with permission from Terry Waldrop <kudzuking@aol.com>.]

Several examples of Christian Reinhardt's life are recorded:

LIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA

The Indians did lots of hunting and trapping in this area of North Carolina. The Catawba were a friendly tribe that apparently shared with their white neighbors. During the Revolutionary War a regiment was formed of Catawba braves to fight for the patriots in the battles in North Carolina. Some of the families researching their roots around this area have discovered marriages between the male settlers and the Indian women. It is speculation that Rinck s grandson s wife was part Indian.

The German settlers likely belonged to the Reformed or the Lutheran church. The services were in German and records were written in German script until 1827. A church building usually served as the schoolhouse.[EX-6] Four miles northwest of Lincolnton, the pioneers established a place of worship and a schoolhouse called Daniel s. In 1767 a grant was issued to Matthew Floyd for the tract, which included the schoolhouse. In 1768 the tract was purchased by, Nicholas Warlick,, Frederick Wise, Urban Ashebranner, Peter Statler, Peter Summey and Deter Hafmer, who conveyed it to two congregations of Lutherans and Calvinists. On this tract each congregation had a brick church and a brick schoolhouse was situated near them. Eleven miles east, of Lincolnton, on the great highway , is the site of The Old Dutch Meeting House. The deed for the meeting house is from Adam Cloninger to the German Congregation of Settlement . The first church lot in Lincolnton was conveyed June 10, 1788 to Christian Reinhardt and Andrew Heddick, trustees, for the societies of Dutch Presbyterians and Dutch Lutherans of the town and vicinity for the intent and purpose of building thereon a meeting house for, public worship, schoolhouses, both Dutch and English, and a place for the burial of the dead . This was called the old White Church and occupied the site of the present Lutheran Church. The references in title deeds to Calvinists or Dutch Presbyterians, is to the German Reformed or as now known, the Reformed Church. The Reformed and the Lutherans would alternate using the church on weekends. An important part of the social and religious lives of the settlers was the camp meeting held by the Methodist, Reformed and Presbyterian churches.

[from: HESSEN-KASSEL PRIVATE JOHANN FRANTZ RINCKE, WICKENRODE, HESSEN, GERMANY TO LINCOLN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA, By: Mary Rink Harbinson, Edited by: Dr. Hazel Pflueger and Robert Webler.]

Minutes Court of Equity, Lincoln County, 1816 - 1858.

April Term 1817. Valentine Hefner vs. Christian Reinhardt and Jacob Ramsour. Action of debt. Jury . . . sworn and charged find the writing obligatory mentioned on the Plaintiff's declaration to be the act and deed of the defendents that they owe and declare $100 and assess the plaintiff damages by way of interest to $6.15 and costs. Judgment accordingly for $100 debt and $6.15 for damages also the further sum of $10.12 1/2 for costs and charges.

[Shytle Showcase, by Ray D. Shytle and Nan Shytle Gold, June, 2003, Publ. Jostens, Charlotte, North Carolina, pg. 55.]

Ghosts of the revolution emerge

Battle anniversary to draw crowd to historic park in progress

It finally feels like summer, the best time for the ghosts of the South to stir.

They'll be out this weekend in Lincolnton at the 225th anniversary celebration of the Revolutionary War Battle of Ramsour's Mill.

When it's hot and muggy and crickets sing softly, conditions are right for an imaginary meeting with the likes of British Gen. Charles Cornwallis, who burned supply wagons to lighten his troops' load when the redcoats moved too slowly to suit him.

Jacob Ramsour,who ran the backwoods grist mill, could show up, along with Christian Reinhardt, who lived on the farmland where the Patriots and Loyalists fought each other in June 1780.

Your imagination isn't likely to fully kick in unless you've read about the battle beforehand. But even if you're just out for exercise, there's always the chance that you'll find something to hook you on the old story. It's possible you could leave wanting to know more.

The seven-acre county-owned battlefield park, named after the late local historian, Gaither Shrum, was dedicated in April 1997.

Last summer, a state grant helped develop the property even more. Trails are still being developed and the park still needs bathrooms, explanatory signs and parking.

But at least it's been preserved. People with all levels of appreciation for history can enjoy it. And it's always there for the latecomers, the ones slow in finding that historical hook.

Brenda Reinhardt-Riley, 43, of Atlanta grew up in Sacramento, Calif. and knew nothing about her connection to the Ramsour's Mill battle until five years ago.

While doing an Internet search on her family's genealogy she found out she was a direct descendant of Christian Reinhardt.

Bill Ramsaur, 65, of St. Simons Island, Ga., learned he was a direct descendant of Jacob Ramsour from his brother's family research in the late 1980s.

This weekend, Riley and Ramsaur will be at the Ramsour's Mill celebration for the dedication of a granite monument that marks her connection to the Ramsour's Mill battle until five years ago,

While doing an Internet search on her family's genealogy she found out she was a direct descendant of Christian Reinhardt.

Bill Ramsaur, 65, of St. Simons Island, Ga., learned he was a direct descendant of Jacob Ramsour from his brother's family research in the late 1980s.

This weekend, Riley and Ramsaur will be atthe Ramsour's Mill celebration for the dedication of a granite monument that marks the small, mostly forgotten cemetery where their ancestors are buried.

The Reinhardt family bought the monument. The family is also contributing to the cost of a highway marker that they and Ramsaur will put up later along Startown Road near the battleground.

The Lincoln County Historic Commission recently got the cemetery property, slightly less than an acre, through a donation from Lincolnton resident Gladys Hull A RamsourReinhardt Cemetery Preservation Fund will be administered by the Lincoln historical association.

Jason Harpe, director of the county museum and historical association, calls the cemetery an important acquisition for the county. It's an extension of the battlefield, really, and enhances the public's experience when they go there.

The folks who clashed at Ramsour's Mill were neighbors who worked side by side, went to the same churches and in some cases were from the same families. Patriots, who were seeking independence, went up against the Loyalists, also known as Tories, who were loyal to England.

When the two-hour skirmish ended, the Patriots had won a victory historians have called the prelude to an even greater Patriot win at the decisive Battle of Kings Mountain near Blacksburg, S.C., in October 1780.

As a. child, I enjoyed going to the Kings Mountain Nationa Military Park even though the importance of what happenec there was a mystery to me. Much later, it would be solved. Any ghosts would walk with me on the battlefield.

Brenda Reinhardt Riley would understand. When I asked her what goes through her mind when she visits the old cemetery near Ramsour's Mill, she said: "I can hear my ancestors saying 'Thank you for watching over us.'"

I say thanks to the folks who helped save this small but important piece of Lincoln's past.

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER - www.charlotte.com - Friday, June 10, 2005, page 7B
Joe DePriest: (704) 868-7745; jdepriest@charlotteobserver.com

Bill Beam, Chairman of the
Lincoln County Historic
Properties Commission and Persident of the LCHA
welcomes families and
friends to the dedication ceremony.

He goes on to recognize the site as a Lincoln County Historical Ssite which will soon be marked with a highway historical marker.