johnhelm.html





JOHN HELM(S) REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER

m. ANNA OCKERMAN (c. 1764 - c. 1848)





 b.  1761  Botetourt Co. VA  Pension application #3811
 m.  May 1782/1783  Rowan Co. NC  Pension application #3811
 d.  31 May 1838  Lincoln Co. NC  Anna's pension deposition
   16 September 1848

 
 
Children
Name
Born
Married
Source/Date
JOHN HELM 1 Mar 1788 NC m. Catherine Barger  (DAR #113543)
JACOB HELM 1 Aug 1793 NC m. May Reymer (11 Nov 1809)
PETER HELM 29 May 1796 NC  m. Nancy Penatton (22 Aug 1815)
ANY(ANN) HELM  18 Feb 1800 NC m. Thomas Jeffres (14 July 1817)
ELIZA HELM 25 Aug 1803 NC m. John Ivester (14 July 1817)
BARBARY HELM 20 Oct 1810 NC m. ? Daniel Hull (20 July 1824)

 
What little we know of John Helms has been taken from his Revolutionary pension packet.  He was the son of Jacob Helm and took his place in the VA army in 1774/5.  Over the next six years, he served two more terms in both NC and VA.  John came back into Rowan County, NC and either by choice or happenstance settled close to the Dunkard community there.  He met and was married to Anna Ockerman sometime around 1782-3 by "Old Mr. Lutherman" a Dunkard Preacher.  Other Ockermans were in the vicinity but Anna's parentage has not been proved.

Peter Helm came to Rowan County c. 1790 and settled next to John on land they both purchased from Elijah Merrill on "Huary" Creek.  As of now, this land has not been sited.  It seems as though the two Helms men were related....cousins, half brothers or what is not known.  They named children for each other and soon after Peter left the area for Kentucky, John left for Lincoln County, NC.

Given this framework, Rowan and Lincoln Counties, NC primary records were researched.  It could be advantageous to check the tax records for Lincoln County, plus the later deeds (1850+).  Peter, John's son, was in Burke County in 1850 and Anna's last records were there also, so this is also a spot to start research.  Looking at the map, Lincoln, Burke, Cleveland and Catawba Counties abut one another and meet a point, therefore, it seems that we must exactly place the land parcels that John Helms had. (also those of Weisenhunt)

Marriage Bonds of Tryon and Lincon Counties North Carolina,show a marriage bond for Anne Helms and Thomas Jeffres, John "X" Helms consenting, 14 July 1817.  Also Elizabeth Helms and John Ivester requested a bond, John "X" Helms consenting, on the same day.  These two entries seem describe John's family.  Jacob Helms gave bond to May Reymer, 11 November 1809, John "X" consenting and finally Peter Helms gave bond to Nancy Penatton on 22 August 1815.  All of these families need to be followed on the census records.  Note that son Peter Helms wrote his name while John marked with an "X" in all cases.  Note also "Uncle" ? Peter Helms wrote his name at all times.

An earlier Lincoln County bond between Ann Helms and Philip Wisenhunt on the 10th of April 1788, would indicate that some Helms family was living in Lincoln before John arrived.  Would this have been a relative also?  Ann Helm apparently had been married before, since Philip Wisenhunt named "her daughter Barbara Helms" in his will, probated October 1791 in Lincoln County.  Barbara Helm's will can be found in Lincoln County.  (I haven't researched it yet).



 
RESEARCH & CONCLUSIONS
Year
Item
1761 Birth in Botetourt County, VA.  Father: Jacob Helm Mother: unknown. John's Rev. Pension Application
1774/5 Joined army in VA as a substitute for his father and served about six months
1780 Moved to Rowan County, NC and joined army again for about three months
1781 Returned to Botetourt County, VA, joined army again for about three months. He was in the hospital and discharged from there.
1782/3 Married Anna Ockerman, daughter of ------, in Rowan County, NC. The ceremony was performed by "Old Mr. Lutherman" Dunkard Preacher and founder of the society near Davidson. The records of this church have not been found.
1790 First census of United States. John Helms listed on page 177 in Salisbury District, Rowan County NC. One male over 16, 3 males under 16 and 1 female were enumerated. On the same page a George Helm and Andrew Shultz are listed. 
c.1790  Peter Helms (a relation?) came to Rowan County, NC from Franklin County, VA. (Next to Botetourt)
1792 Reference made to land of John Helms in a state grant (#2098) to Elijah Merrell in Rowan County, NC Thus he must have received some land prior to that purchased below. (DB 13, p. 754)
1794 John Helm purchased from Christian Sears (Leans?) 54 acres in Rowan County, NC adjacent to William Yokley for £30.  Witnesses: Moses Spivak & Peter Helm. (DB 13, p. 736-7)
1794 John Helms purchased from Elijah Merrell (Merrill), 65 acres in Rowan County, NC adjacent to Peter Helms, Christian Sears on Garran Creek of "Huary" (or Muary) for £20.  Witnesses: Peter Helms & Daniel (x) Brown. (DB 13, p. 790-1)
1794 Witnessed deed of John Bradburn from Elijah Merrill for 280 acres in Rowan County, NC.  Witnesses: Peter Helms & JohnX. Helms (DB 13, p. 803-4)
1794 Witnessed deed of Peter Helms from Elijah Merrill for 235 acres in Rowan County, NC adjacent to John Helms & Daniel Brown.  Witnesses: John "X" Helms & Daniel (X) Brown. (DB 13, p.804-5)
1795 Peter Helms sells two tracts of land and leaves the area and appears on the Montgomery County, KY 1797 tax rolls. (DB14, p. 86 & p. 644-5)
1797 John Helam buys two parcels of land in Lincoln County, NC from DANIEL OCKERMAN.  One of 100 acres, part of original grant to John Hiltebrand (7 Aug 1787) then conveyed to Ockerman and the other of 39 acres, a riginal grant to Ockerman on patent (2 Oct 1789).  Sold for £80. John Helam was of Lincoln County.  Witnesses: Dan'l Warlick &Adam Segel. (DB 19, p. 20)
1798 John Helms sells two parcels of land in Rowan County, NC containing 50 and 65 acres (the two named above).  He sold to Moses Sambith (?) for £100.  John Helms is listed as resident of Lincoln County, NC. Anne "X" Helms signed the deed also.  Witnesses: Christian Sears, Lewis Tyler and Amos Wright. (DB 17, p. 646-7)
1800 Census for 1800: John Helms had 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-16 and 1 male 26-45. Additionally, 2 females under 10 and 1 female 26-45 were listed. Lincoln County, NC page 889.
1809 Jacob Helms, son of John Helms, married May Raymer(Reymer) on 11 November 1809, with his father's consent. Jacob was 17 at the time of his marriage.
1810 Census for 1810: John Helmes had 1 male under 10, 1 male 16-26 and 1 male over 45 plus 2 females 10-16, 2 more 16-26 and 1 over 45.  Lincoln County, NC, page 404 (328). Jacob Helms was listed as 1 male 16-26 and 1 female 16-26 on page 402 (327).  Another Jacob Helms was listed on page 406 (329). This Jacob was 26-45 years old with 1 male under 10, 4 females under 10, 2 females 10-16 and 1 female 25-46, and one slave worth $150.  (This may have been Jacob Helms from Franklin Co. VA....what relation to John Helms is not clear at this time.) 
1820 Census for 1820: John Helmns (Jr?), 1 male 26-45, 1 female 10-16 and 1 female 26-45 on page 330 of the Lincoln County, NC data.  Also on that page Jacob Helm headed a household of 2 males under 10, 1 male 26-45 and 1 female 10-16.  On page 328 Peter Helmns was listed as a male over 45 with a female 16-26 and also one over 45.  (this needs to be checked out, possibly John? And Anna were living with son Peter and his wife....see deeds below). 
1820 John Helmes sells two parcels of land in Lincoln County, NC to Peter Helms, his son, for $100.  One parcel is 52 acres on Howards Creek which was part of John Heldebrand's grant (7 Aug 1787).  The second joins the first and contains 40 acres and was first granted to Daniel Ocreman (sic) (2 Oct 1787). John Helms, only, signed the deed. Witnesses: Sam'l Wilson & Boston Best. (DB 37, p. 374-5) 
1830 Census for 1830: John Helms enumerated as a male between 60 and 70, a female under 5 years and a female 60-70, on page 240 in Lincoln County, NC.  Jacob Helms, on page 250, had 2 males under 5, l male 5-10, and 1 male 20-30 (should be 30-40) plus 2 females under 5, 1 female 5-10 and 1 female 20-30. 
1833 John Helms or Helms, veteran of the Revolutionary War, applied for pension (No. 3811) which was granted to him. His North Carolina pension folder bears the number 23073 and listed Helms as a private under Col. Lewis of the Virginia Continental Line. The pension was listed as $40 per annum, commencing on 4 March 1834. An initial payment of $120 was given to him. 
1838 John Helm died 31 May in Lincoln County, NC, per Anna's deposition 16 September 1848.
1840  Census for 1840: Anna Ockerman Helms was not found.  Need to check her children, particularly the females.  Peter Hellem living in Lincoln Co. NC had 2 males 5-10, 2 males 10-15, 1 male 10=20, 1 male 40 50, 1 female 10-15 and 1 female 40-50. 
1844 Anna Ockerman Helm petitioned for a pension and her application was approved 1 May 1844, at which time she was eighty years old and living in Cleveland County, NC.  She was living in Burke County, NC in 1848 and died sometime after the 1850 census.  (see below) Certificate #3038 from North Carolina Agency
1850  Census for 1850: Peter Helms 55, farmer; wife, Nancy (Penatton) age 46 and children John 23, Malinda 22, Peter 14 (?) Jacob 15, Louisa 3/13? and Annie aged 88. (page 136 Burke Co. NC)

CONCLUSIONS:

There appears to be some connection between John Helm and Peter Helms from Franklin County, VA, Rowan County, NC and Montgomery County, KY.  At this time, we can only speculate...perhaps step-brothers, if an unproved "family" story is true.  One brother went to war for his father, when he came home, his father was dead and his step mother had placed three younger children with relatives and had gone off.  Peter Helm had lived with the Prillaman family in Franklin County, VA. prior to 1792 when he was married in Rowan County, NC. 


 
Note: Peter Helms' eldest son was named "John" & John Helm' third son was named "Peter".

There is also a possibility that Jacob Helms from Franklin County, VA came and settled in Lincoln County, NC as indicated by the 1810 Census.  The Jacobs from the Tillman Helms (North Carolina) line are not near in age to the census enumeration. More work should be done here.

The wife of Peter Helms, Leah Shoults, probably have a Dunkard Background. Some of the Shoults family are to be found in the Dunkard Society in Montgomery County, KY.

More research is needed to make some definite conclusions. Particularly check out the tax rolls and deed books for both Rowan & Lincoln Counties.
 
 










ADDITIONAL PRIMARY SOURCES:

REVOLUTIONARY PENSION PACKET W.3811
National Archives

Pension Statement of JOHN HELMS:
North Carolina
Lincoln County

On this 16th day of July personally appeared in open Court before the County Court of Lincoln now sitting, JOHN HELM, a resident Lincoln County and State of North Carolina, aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth make the following declaration upon oath in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated: he first entered the American Army as a substitute for his father, JACOB HELMS in the year 1774 or 1775 in the County of Bottertat(sic) State of Virginia, where he then lived, but does not remember the month, he being illiterate and very old, but thinks it was in the month of October of that year.  That he was commanded by Captain William Breant & Colonel John Lewis.  That he marched from there to the ( ) of Greenbrier in Virginia and from (there) through the wilderness to Fort Pitt.  That he was in no engagement during this tour, that he was about 16 years of age when he entered the army at this time and he served six months in this tour.  Was discharged by Captain Breant according to his present recollection & has lost said discharge, if he ever had one in writing.  That he does not know that he has any documentary evidence to prove this term of his service & that he does not know of any person now in this state who can prove this term of his service.

That he moved from Bottertot(sic) County State of Virginia into Rowan County North Carolina in the year 1780 and that he volunteered in August or September of said year and joined the American army at the Six Mile Creek in Rowan County North Carolina under Captain Smith.  Marched from there to Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, N. Carolina from thence to Rocky Reair(?), from there he was marched to near the place now called Cheraw (?) Hills, South Carolina, from there he was marched towards the place where the Battle of the Cowpens (S. Carolina) was fought to join Genl. Morgan's army.  But the battle was over before he arrived or met General Morgan & that he meet the prisoners who were taken at that battle between Charlotte N. Carolina and the battle ground.  That he was then marched back to Salisbury, N. Carolina to build a stockade & to guard the prisoners, that he was there discharged.  That this term of service lasted three months.  Was discharged he thinks by Captain Smith but has lost his discharge.  That he knew Generals Morgan & Green.

JOHN HELMS (sic) further states that he returned to the State of Virginia in the month of July or August in the year 1781 to Bottertot (sic) County.  That he again volunteered in said county as an American Soldier in the U.S. Army in the month, he thinks, of August or July 1781, under Captain John Swift & Col. Samuel Lewis.  That he knew General Washington during this time & was under his command.  That he was first marched to Richmond, State of Virginia & from thence to Williamsburg & from thence to Lott---- (York ?).  Was in several light engagements at that place or in its vicinity.  That he served in this campaign three months, took sick, was put in the hospital & bi( ).  He was discharged by the Surgeon who attended him, whose name he does not now recollect & he lost his discharge & has no documentary evidence to prove this or any other part of his services in the Revolution & knows of no person in this state who can prove this term of his service.

JOHN HELM states further that he was born, he thinks, about the year 1761 -- in the County of Bottertot (sic) State of Virginia, as he has been informed, but has no record of his age.  Lived in Bottertot (sic) County Virginia where he first entered the Army of the U. States.  Has lived in the County of Lincoln, North Carolina ever since the close of the Revolution and still lives in said County.

He states that he is known to John Wacostio and George Wacostio(?) who reside in his immediate neighborhood & who have known him for many (?) years & know that he is generally respected in his neighborhood to have been a soldier in the Revolution & that the Reverend Hugh Quin-- has known him for several years & knows that it is generally reputed in his neighborhood that he was a soldier in the Revolution & these men can also testify to his character & veracity & that they believe he was a soldier in the American army during the Revolution & served (?) as herein stated.  He the said HELMS does hereby relinquish all & every claim whatsoever to a pension for annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state.

              his
     JOHN X HELMS
            mark

Lincoln Open Court
? ? V. McBell C.C. )?) 26. 455
John Helm
Admit as a private
12 months $40
D. Reinhardt
Lincoln (ton)
A. Caud (?)










ADDITIONAL PAPERS:

North Carolina
Lincoln County

I Patty Whistenhunt aged about 64 years & a resident of said county do certify that I am well acquainted with JOHN HELMS the present applicant & who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that she knew him in the State of Virginia & knew him when he entered the army under Capt. Lewis as above stated & saw him start.  She believes that he is 72 years old, that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that she concurs in that opinion.

 Polly (sic) x Whistenhunt

We, Hugh Quinn a clergyman residing in the County of Lincoln North Carolina & George Wacaster who resides in the same state & county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with JOHN HELMS who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration.  That we believe him to be 72 years of age, that he is reputed & believed in his neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.

 George Wacaster
 Hugh Quin
 
 

DECLARATION:

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 2nd February 1848, Entitled an act making further provision for the surviving widows and soldiers of the Revolution:
State of North Carolina
Burke County

On this 16th day of September 1848, personally appeared before me, Francis P. Glass, one of the acting Magistrates in and for the said County, ANNA HELM, a resident of the County & State aforesaid, aged 84 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.  That she is the widow of JOHN HELM late pensioner deceased of Lincoln County North Carolina & who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution and as such he served the United States against the Common Enemy.

She further declares that she was married to the said JOHN HELM in May 1783, that her husband the aforesaid JOHN HELM died on the 31st of May 1838, and that she has remained a widdow ever since his death.

She also declares that she has applyed for and received pensions under the Act of the 7 July 1838, 3rd March 1843 and the 17 June 1844 at the rate of Forty Dollars per annum as will more fully appear by reference to the papers filed in the Pension Office on which her said pension was granted.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before F.P.GLASS J.P.

                  her
         ANNA X HELM
                 mark
 


 

ADDITIONAL PAPERS:
 

State of North Carolina
Catawba County

On this 3rd day of May 1845 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, JACOB HELM, a resident of the County & State aforesaid and made oath, in due form of law, that he is a son of the late JOHN HELM, a pensioner deceased of the County of Lincoln & State of North Carolina, whose widow ANNA HELM (his mother) is now a resident citizen of the County of Cleveland & State aforesaid and is applying for a pension due to her on the account of the Revolutionary Services of her husband the aforesaid JOHN HELM deceased.  That this deponent has now in his possession an old paper containing the ages of the surviving children of his parents, the parties aforesaid, which has been lately found amongst their old papers and that he believes it contains a true account of the ages of their children and from which the following has been copied:
"John Helums was born March the 1st day 1788
Jacob Helums was born August 1 day 1793
Peter Helums was born May 29 day 1798
Any Helums was born February 15 day 1800
Eliza Helums was born August 25 day 1803
Barbary Helums was born October 26 day 1810" and that the original is herewith appended

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year first above written before me: --

   Stanny JACOB HELM seal

Hand written document on the births of the children of JOHN HELMS
JOHN HELUMS was born March the 1 day 1788
JACOB HELUMS was born August 1st day the year of 1793
PETER HELUMS was born May 29th day 1798
ANY HELUMS was born February 15th day 1800
ELIZA HELUMS was born August the 25 day 1803
BARBARY HELUMS was born October the 20 day 1810
 
 

State of North Carolina
Davidson County

On this 21st day of June 1844 personally appeared before me John Hampton one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County, George Weaver, a resident of said County & state aged 79 years and made oath in due form of Law to the following statements, to wit: that he was well acquainted with JOHN HELM late pensioner deceased of Lincoln County N. Carolina, also with his wife ANNA whose maiden name was OCKERMAN and who is now applying for a pension on the account of her said husbands Revolutionary Service, that this affiant lived a near neighbor to the said parties at the time they were married, to wit: JOHN HELM & ANNA OCKERMAN, which marriage took place in Rowan County N. Carolina about the close of the Revolution in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty two or eighty three.  This affiant further stated on his oath that he was not present an eye witness at the time the aforesaid parties were married, but that there were a number of persons that did witness the marriage seremonies (sic) who said that they was married and that be at the time above stated, furthermore this affiant saith not.
                                          his
John Hampton JP GEORGE X WEAVER
                                          mark

State of North Carolina
Davidson County I do hereby certify that George Weaver who has this day sworn to and subscribed the forgoing affidavit before me is a credible person and to be believed on oath,
Given under my hand this 21st day of June 1844.

John Hampton JP
 
 

State of North Carolina
Burke County

On this 14th day of January 1845 presently appeared before me, R.C. Pearson, one of the acting Magistrates in and for the aforesaid County, Sylvester Bellis and made oath in due form of law, that he is still acquainted with ANNA HELM, a resident citizen of Cleveland County North Carolina, the widow of JOHN HELM deceased, an applicant for a pension and that this deponent has been into the county and neighborhood where it is alleged that the parties aforesaid (to wit: JOHN HELM & wife ANNA were married (In old Rowan County near Davidson) for the purpose of obtaining ( ) evidence of the date of said marriage.  And on enquiry was informed that the ( ) in which the intended marriage of the aforesaid parties was published had long since ceased to be and that there is not now in existence neither Church nor Church records known to the present people of that neighborhood.  That Old Mr. Lutherman, a Dunkard Preacher of the Gospel was the founder of that little Society and he died about fifty six, 56, years ago and after his death the Society went down,

And this deponent further stated that he has made diligent enquiry amongst the different branches of the aforesaid family for some record of the ages of the children but was unable to find any record ( )

Given and subscribed on the day and year first above written by me

R.C. Pearson J.P. Sylvester Bellis Seal


 

OTHER DEPOSITIONS ? SELECTED QUOTES:

Cleveland County
11 January 1845

Polly Whisnant aged 75...."she has been intimately acquainted with the aforesaid parties, to wit, JOHN HELM & wife ANNA for the last sixty odd years and was living in their immediate neighborhood at the time they were married, which marriage took place in Rowan County, North Carolina in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty Two or Eighty Three, that she recollects that it was first at the close of the Revolutionary War and that the said JOHN HELM had not been long out of the war at the time of his marriage to the aforesaid ANNA,.....that her mother went to the wedding and that the parties were at their house the day after their marriage as man and wife and lived together as such till the death of the aforesaid JOHN HELM"
 

Cleveland County
11 January 1845

Adam Whisnant aged 76...."that his first personal acquaintance with the aforesaid persons was in the fall of the year Seventeen hundred and ninety (1790)...said JOHN HELM & wife lived in Rowan County....and some five years afterwards (c. 1795)...JOHN HELM moved to Lincoln County where he lived till his death"
 
 
 

  If you find any errors in this page or can contribute any new or corrected information please contact:
  Ann Mack at [email protected]


 

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