The Bollinger Migration to the Louisiana Territory
Henry Bollinger and Elizabeth Wohlraber had twelve children total. Henry and Elizabeth, with their nine older children migrated from the Long Swamp Area, Mertztown, Berks County, PA in 7168 and acquired extensive land and also a mill in Tryon County, North Carolina. That mill become known as Bollinger’s Grist Mill on Bristol Creek, later changed to Bollinger’s Mill Creek. Once their son George Frederick Bollinger was born, he helped with the usual chores of farming and learned the miller trade by helping at the mill.
George F., the eleventh descendant of Heinrich Bollinger and Elizabeth Wohlraber, born 1770 in Tryon County, North Carolina, came to what is now the State of Missouri in 1797 with a neighbor, John Mussgenug (“Moose”), a young hunting companion.
They owned good riding horses and being adventuresome young men, traveled with their belongings strapped to their saddles. With the aid of their trusty rifles, they lived on the abundant game as they made their way to the small Spanish outpost of Cape Girardeau, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Upper Louisiana Territory.
George F. soon became a friend of Louis Lorimier, the Commandant of the post. The big jovial North Carolinian whom he considered to be intelligent, religious, peace loving and obviously bearing the earmarks of a born leader, impressed Lorimier. Lorimier was anxious to bring more settlers to the area and after much discussion, he made an offer of land concessions to new settlers and a large tract of land to George F. Bollinger provided he could persuade other colonists from North Carolina to settle in the Cape Girardeau area. Lorimier explained that according to Spanish rules, settlers could locate on as much as 640 acres upon the payment of $41, which was the cost of having the land surveyed. Improvements were required and settlers were expected to become permanent residents. Lorimier’s enthusiasm aroused George’s interest and after some thought he agreed to accept the offer.
George F. returned to North Carolina and soon married Elizabeth Hunsucker on her 18th birthday. He called his relatives and friends together and used eloquent persuasion to convince four brothers (John, Daniel, Phillip, Mathias) and two nephews (Mann Henry Bollinger and William Bollinger) to return to Missouri with him. Other friends and neighbors were Peter and Conrad Statler, Joseph Nyswonger, George and Peter Grount (Grounds), Peter Crytes, John and Jacob Cotner, John and Isaac Miller, Frederick Limbaugh, Leonard Welker and Frederick Slinkard and their families, who also decided to join with him as their leader to the new land rich in fertile soil, virgin timber and abounding with wild fruits, nuts, and game to be had almost for the asking.
They harvested their abundant crops in North Carolina in the fall of 1799, stocked their ox-carts and covered wagons with their belongings and all the provisions and food for their livestock, and started on their perilous journey westward. They faced the almost unknown territory with strong hearts and great courage hoping to cross their largest obstacle, the Mississippi River, on the ice frozen solid in mid-winter.
George Frederick’s wife, Elizabeth, was in poor health after giving birth to their only child, Sarah, in 1799. Elizabeth and Sarah were left behind with relatives that stayed in North Carolina. Unfortunately, Elizabeth died and was buried in North Carolina, never to see the land so glowingly described by her husband.
Many hardships were endured by the hardy little band of pioneers as they made their journey westward, moving forward a few miles each day, making and breaking camp each night, fording the small streams and floating across the larger ones on rafts which they made from the nearby trees, following roads that were barely trails through forests and valleys. With the superb leadership of George F., they arrived on the east bank of the Mississippi River opposite St. Genevieve in late December and pitched camp to explore the river crossing possibility. Their expectations were better than they had hoped for as winter had come early to this area and the river was already covered with ice. Now to determine if the ice was thick enough to support their wagons.
The bitter cold continued while they had determined that the ice was not yet thick enough for a crossing. Some of the men hunted for wild game to supplement their food supply while others kept busy cutting huge piles of logs to keep a roaring fire burning day and night to provide heat and warmth and for cooking. The older boys took care of their livestock, doling out the feed that they had brought with them. Daily, the thickness of the ice was examined and on December 31, 1799, a chopped hole in the ice indicated thickness well over two feet. A few trips across were made on foot and horseback inspecting the condition of the ice, and with the advise of the experienced men of St. Genevieve, a decision was made that the ice would support a loaded wagon. A wagon was chosen to be driven across with no one riding and the driver would walk ahead watching the ice and leading his team. The trip across and back to camp was made without the ice cracking and preparations were made for an early crossing New Years Day, January 1, 1800.
It was imperative that they cross as soon as possible to replenish their supplies which were becoming low; supplies were available at the village across the river. January 1, 1800, everyone was awakened early and breakfast was prepared and hurriedly eaten before daybreak. The final preparations were made to break camp and all supplies were loaded. The weather was bitter cold with dark skies overhead and light snow was falling, but the decision had been made to cross and there was no turning back. The group was devout German Reformed Protestants and they gathered together in the early cold gray dawn to seek guidance from their God for a safe crossing of this obstacle to their destination.
The cracking of whips like pistol shots rang out over the heads of the oxen to coax them out upon the ice; the crossing had begun. All that were able walked to lighten the loaded wagons, keeping a safe distance from the wagons that were also spaced far apart to lessen the danger of breaking the ice. The crossing was made successfully with no mishaps, except extremely cold hands and feet.
The hardy townsfolk of St. Genevieve had built large a fire to warm and welcome the new pioneers. Safely across the Mississippi, they were relieved of their crossing fears and enjoyed the local hospitality. News from the East was exchanged for information of what they might expect ahead. Needed supplies were purchased and even the weather abated as the sun broke through the overhead clouds. Bidding their newfound friends adieu, they happily set forth on the last part of their journey to find their new land.
They all settled along the Big Whitewater River, as the rich soil was to their liking. They located in family groups spaced along the river according to their anticipated needs. They lived in their wagons with cramped quarters, but little complaining was done as they went about building corrals, crudely covered to confine and protect their animals. Straight oak trees were felled to build each a cabin. The logs were expertly notched at the ends and fitted together making the logs lie as close together as possible. Cracks were chinked with mud and weeds or dried glass.
Later, floors were made of split logs called puncheons, hewn as smooth as possible. Hides and blankets were hung over openings for doors and windows. Fireplaces were constructed by using native stone and mud. Clearing the land of trees along the river was started and some land was covered only with tall weeds and grass. Spring came early this year; garden seed was planted and the small cleared fields were planted with grain. The fertile soil yielded bountiful crops and improvements were made on their homes. Barns were built and filled at harvest time. The industrious band of pioneers continued to thrive and grow.
Spain had ordered that only Catholics be permitted to settle in the Louisiana Territory. George F. signed a statement that he was a Catholic and the families that he had brought were Catholic.
George Frederick Bollinger became the most conspicuous settler on the banks of Big Whitewater River. He was a man of great energy and enterprise, and soon secured a grant of 640 arpens, and assisted his relatives and friends in surveying land of their desires. Soon after locating on his Concession of land, he built a log mill on Big Whitewater River, later replaced by a stone building. The community was known as Bollingerville. Later the name was changed to Burfordsville in honor of a poplar local school teacher named Burford.
Settlers for miles around depended upon this mill for their flour and corn meal. George, also, built a fortress nearby with large yellow poplar logs placed in an upright position. This provided protection from possible Indian raids on his household and protected neighbors who lived near enough to seek shelter.
The new settlers soon were in need of spiritual guidance and George F. made a trip back to North Carolina to see his daughter Sarah, and met a minister named Samuel Weyberg, a German Reformed minister originally from Pennsylvania. Weyberg had moved to North Carolina in 1792 and ministered to Burke, Lincoln, Rowan, and Cabarrus Counties. George pleaded earnestly for Rev. Weyberg to return with him to the Cape Girardeau District, which he consented to do. Rev. Samuel Weiberg was the first German Reformed or Protestant minister in this area.
Lorimier early recognized the leadership of George F. and appointed him to train a group of men and bestowed the rank of Major upon him. He soon had the best trained group known as the 1st Battalion, Fourth Regiment, Stephen Byrd, Lt. Col., Commander.
The Census of November 1, 1803 showed that George F. had one daughter, Sarah, two slaves over 21 years, 400 bushels of corn, 700 pounds of cotton, 60 pounds of maple sugar, seven horned cattle and 3 horses.
The first division of the Cape Girardeau District in 1806 was for the purpose of taxation. George F. Bollinger and John Abernathy were appointed assessors for the Southern District.
The Territory of Missouri was organized June 4, 1812, the First Council consisting of nine members and the House consisting of thirteen members. Two members selected from Cape Girardeau were George Frederick Bollinger and Stephen Byrd. The First Territorial Assembly met in October 1812. George Frederick was re-elected to the Assembly and served several terms in the State Senate. In 1836 he was a presidential elector on the Jackson ticket.
In 1819 when Madison County was organized, Col. Nathaniel Cook owned the land on Saline Creek opposite St. Michaels and a new town was laid out and named Fredericktown in honor of Col. George Frederick Bollinger, a very good friend of Col. Cook. Bollinger County, MO was organized March 1, 1851 and named in honor of George F., one of the first settlers and a prominent member of the Territorial Legislature.