User:Rdeyerle/sandbox

George Peter Deyerle

George Peter Deyerle was an 18th-century American frontiersman and American Revolutionary War soldier. He was also an early settler of the area near current day Salem, Virginia. He was a prominent member of the local community and father to some of the best builders in the the area at that time.

Early life in Sulzfeld
Peter Deyerle was born in Sulzfeld which is located in the Duchy of Baden in the Holy Roman Empire. Sulzfeld is now located in Baden-Württemberg in Germany. His father Adam Deuerle was a cooper at the local winery located at Castle Ravensburg_(Sulzfeld). He was one of the younger children of a second marriage and therefore had little chance to inherit anything. He left Sulzfeld and emigrated to the colonies as an indentured servant. He was not listed on the ships manifest since he was a minor at the time.

Growing up in Virginia
He was indentured for 7 years to Hans Jerg (George) Baumann (Bowman). He lived with the family at Harmony Hall ( Fort Bowman ) near Strasburg, Virginia and worked in Bowman's mills. Upon completing his indenture, he married George's daughter Regina Bowman.

Resettled to Salem
He moved his new family to Montgomery County, Virginia (now Roanoke County, Virginia ) near present day Salem, Virginia. He built a fortified homestead sometimes called Fort Deyerle.

Soldier and frontiersman
He was a member of the Virginia Militia, and fought with his Bowman brother-in-laws during the Revolutionary war. He fought under Daniel Boone in the Battle of Blue Licks and his name is recorded on the obelisk monument at the Blue Licks Battlefield State Park in Kentucky.