WININGER FAMILY HISTORY

Several genealogists have speculated that Nicholas Weininger who immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1750 is the progenitor of the Wininger families that settled in Scott County, Virginia and Hawkins County, Tennessee.  The author has found some evidence that Nicholas Weininger of Pennsylvania migrated to Augusta County, Virginia.  Additionally, there are several documents that establish the presence of several Winegar families in Augusta County, Virginia as well as several documents that link the Augusta County, Virginia Winegar’s to the Scott County, Virginia and Hawkins County, Tennessee Winegar’s.

The book, “A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand . . . Immigrants” states that a Nicklaus Weininger arrived in Pennsylvania on September 12, 1750 on the ship Priscilla.  This book further states that Johan George Weniniger (a Palantine) arrived on September 3, 1742 on the ship Loyal Judith, that J. Gottlieb Weniger (sick) arrived on August 28, 1750 on the ship Two Brothers, that Jacob Weininger arrived on October 3, 1753 on the ship Eastern Branch and that Daniel Weniger arrived on August 8, 1764 on the ship Chance.  The book “Pennsylvania German Pioneers” shows a list of Palantine immigrants taking an oath of allegiance “at the Courthouse in Pennsylvania” on October 20, 1747.  This list includes:  Johannes Wenger, Christian Wenger and Nicholaus Wenger.  A 1768 Proprietary Return for Windsor Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania includes the names Nicholaus Weininger and Nicholaus Wenger, establishing the fact that there were two Nicholaus’ with similar Weininger/Wenger names.

According to Claire Spencer, “Nicholas, Christian and John Winegar immigrated in 1747 to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, then down to Virginia.  Christian married Christina Tabler, lived in Boutetourt County Virginia.  Nicholas had a blacksmith shop, moved to Boutetourt County Virginia, where he died 1798.  Christopher (sic) had a flour mill and furnished flour to the militia.”

The 1880 census of Scott County, Virginia states that Ann (Wininger) Shelton’s father, David Wininger, was born in Pennsylvania and that her mother was born in Virginia.  The 1880 census of Jackson County, Alabama states that Solomon Wininger’s father and mother, David and Martha Wininger, were born in Pennsylvania also.  Although these census records conflict with the Death Record of David Wininger which states that he was born in Augusta County, Virginia around 1768, it does imply that David Wininger may have Pennsylvania origins.  The 1880 census also shows that Catherine (Wininger) Haynes’s parents, David and Martha Wininger, were born in Virginia.  The best source documentation of the connection of the Weininger’s of Pennsylvania to those in Augusta County, Virginia is through Andrew and Catrin Winegar line.

According to Maxine Davis and Olive Steele, Nicklaus Weininger settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Their article states that according to the Saint John’s Registras, Augusta County, Virginia, Nicholas Weininger’s wife was “Catrin, b. March 7, 1721;  died January 22, 1794;  married to Nicholas Weininger fifty years.  She lived a widow five years, seven months.  She was 72 years, 10 months, 15 days old when she died.”  This implies that Nicholas Weininger married Catrin around 1749 and that Nicholas Weininger died around June of 1788.  They further state that Nicholas Weininger was the father of four sons:

  John Alexander Weininger, b. 1750’s
  Andrew Weininger, b. 1750’s
  Nicholas Weininger, Jr.
  William Weininger

This article continues and states John Alexander Winegar first married Irena and later married a second time to Catherine Hufman on June 13, 1785 in Augusta County, Virginia.  It further states that Andrew Winegar married Catrin and died between 1820 and 1825.  The article states that William and John Alexander Weininger served in the Revolutionary War.

Another article appears in the July, 1984 issue of “The Winegar Tree” which discusses Nicholas Wininger of Berks County, Pennsylvania and his possible connection to the Andrew Wininger who married Catharina Dungelberger.  However, this article does not mention any Andrew Wininger who was married to Polly or Mary and does not mention Augusta County, Virginia.  It attempts to provide evidence that Andrew and Catharina Wininger of Berks County, Pennsylvania might be the same couple that settled in Hawkins County, Tennessee.

According to the family group sheet by Edgar E. Ellis, Andrew Wininger was born around 1746 in Berks County, Pennsylvania and is the son of Nicholas Wininger, Sr.  It further states that Andrew and his wife, Mary Ann “Polly” Wininger, were married in Augusta County, Virginia.  There is no conclusive evidence of the ancestry of Andrew Wininger who was the father of David Wininger (who died in 1865).  This sketch was included in this book only as input for future research which will hopefully uncover more source documentation that supports information contained in this sketch.

References:  1)  Augusta County, Virginia Tithable Lists, 1777 - 1799;  2)  Will, Clemens Dungelberger, Berks County, Pennsyvania, February 12, 1776;  3)  Death Record of David Wininger, Scott County, Virginia, 1865;  4)  “The Winegar Tree,” April, 1980, Pages 22 and 23, (Notes submitted by Claire Spencer: immigration of Nicholas Winegar in 1747 to Lancaster, Pennsylvania;  A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and Other Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776, by Israel Daniel Rupp;  Augusta County, Virginia Marriage Record of John Winegar to Catherine Huffman);  5)  Family Group Sheet by Edgar E. Ellis, February 10, 1982;  6)  “The Winegar Tree,” July, 1983, Pages 54 and 55, (Sullivan County legal documents);  7)  “The Winegar Tree,” January 1984, Pages 12, 13 and 14, (Nicholas Weininger sketch by Maxine Davis and Olive Steele; St. John’s Registras entry, Augusta County, Virginia);  8)  “The Winegar Tree,” July, 1984, Pages 47 and 49, (Andrew and Catrin Wininger sketch;  Mrs. Christine Conrad’s entries on Berks County, Pennsylvania Proprietory Return for 1768 and book reference, “Pennsylvania German Pioneers,” Page 370)

ANDREW WININGER (31) is the author’s oldest proven Wininger ancestor of the authors.  This information is based on death record of David Wininger which states that David Wininger was the son of Andrew and Polly Wininger.  The death record of David Wininger states that David was born in Augusta County, Virginia, therefore, it is known that Andrew and Polly Wininger were living in Augusta County, Virginia sometime in the 1770’s (the time when David was born).  According to the death record of David Wininger, Andrew and Polly Wininger were the parents of at least one son:

  David Wininger (32), b. 1770’s, Augusta County, Virginia

The tithable lists of Augusta County, Virginia include the following Winegar men (spellings of Winegar varied year to year):  Nicholas Winegar (1777 only), Andrew Winegar (1777 only), William Winegar (1777, 1783, 1784, 1785 and 1786) and John Winegar (1777, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1796 and 1799).  These tithable lists also included many Hanigar/Haniger men also.  No Wininger’s were found in any Augusta County, Virginia Deed Books.

The earliest reference to an Andrew Wininger in the Scott County, Virginia area is a 1780 “warrant to survey” in Sullivan County, North Carolina (later Tennessee) for 250 acres of land “for Andrew Winninger in Cartors valley joining lines with John Long.”  In a 1787 land grant in Sullivan County, North Carolina, Andrew Winnegar was granted 203 acres “on the north side of Holston River in Cartor valley” adjoining John Long’s land.

It is difficult to distinguish the Andrew Wininger whose will was signed in 1810 from that of David Wininger’s father, Andrew Wininger.  It is most likely that all references to Andrew Wininger in the Washington County, Virginia area are that of Andrew Wininger who signed the 1810 will in Hawkins County, Tennessee.  Andrew Wininger appears in the personal property tax lists of Washington County, Virginia between 1804 and 1810.  Andrew Winger was also listed in the 1810 census of Washington County, Virginia.  Males (26-45) - 1, Males (0-10) - 3, Females (26/45) - 1 and Females (0-10) -2.  After 1810, other Wininger’s continue to appear on the Washington County tax lists but Andrew Wininger appeared to move to Hawkins County, Tennessee that year and wrote his will in 1810 in Hawkins County.  Andrew “Wienegar” appears in an 1817 jury list of Hawkins County, Tennessee.

References:  1)  Augusta County, Virginia Tithable Lists, 1777 - 1799;  2)  Washington County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1804 - 1810;  3)  Will of Andrew Winegar, Hawkins County, Tennessee, Book 1, Pages 481 and 482, August 21, 1810;  4)  Hawkins County, Tennessee Circuit Court Minutes, April, 1817;  5)  Death Record of David Wininger, 1865, Virginia;  6)  “The Winegar Tree,” April, 1980, Pages 22 and 23, (1810 Census Scott County);  7)  Family Group Sheet by Edgar E. Ellis, February 10, 1982;  8)  “The Winegar Tree,” July, 1983, Pages 54 and 55, (Sullivan County legal documents)

DAVID WININGER (32) is the son of Andrew Wininger (31) and Polly Wininger.  This fact is documented in the death record of David Wininger.  It further states that David died at the age of 97 in 1865 which means that David was born in 1768.  This record also indicates that David was born in Augusta County, Virginia.  According to six census records and the birthdates of his children, David Wininger, Sr. was more likely born between 1770 and 1780.  The 1850 and 1860 censuses confirm that he was born in Virginia.  “Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia” contain a delinquint tax list for the Augusta County Levy for 1779.  In this list, David “Winegar” is listed as “gone to army.”  It is doubtful that this refers to David Wininger (32) because David was much too young at the time.

Most researchers believe that David Wininger (32) was the son of Andrew Wininger who was a different person than the one who wrote the 1810 will in Hawkins County, Tennessee.  This is strongly supported by the fact that Andrew’s will did not list David Wininger as a son and also list Catrin as a wife where David’s mother was stated to be Polly in David’s death record.  However, there is some evidence that David Wininger might be the son of Andrew Wininger that wrote the 1810 will.  The 1922 obituary of Samuel Shelton, son of Martin Shelton and Ann (Wininger) Shelton, states that Samuel’s “grandfather David Wininger” had two brothers, “Philip and Peter.”  Philip and Peter were listed in Andrew’s 1810 will.  Also, a 1946 letter from William A. Wininger to Mrs. Willam M. Wininger states that David, Peter and Jacob “were the sons of Andrew and Polly Wininger of Augusta County, Virginia.”

It is known that one Andrew Wininger lived in what became Scott County, Virginia from 1804 to 1810 (actually Washington County, Virginia at that time) and then no longer appeared in Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists.  It is presumed that this is the same Andrew Wininger who wrote his will in the neighboring county of Hawkins County, Tennessee.  It is highly likely that David Wininger is related to the other Wininger’s living in the area shortly after 1800.  However, there is not sufficient documentation to substantiate any connection to other known Wininger lines in the surrounding area.

The family group sheet by Edgar E. Ellis shows that David Wininger married Martha “Polly” Wood around 1796.  It further states that Martha was born on February 19, 1779 in Augusta County, Virginia and is the daughter of Jonathan Wood and Nancy Davidson (Osborne) Wood.  According to Annie (Evans) Hartline, Solomon Wininger’s mother was Martha “Potter.”  Additionally, a query in the July, 1982 issue of the “Winegar Tree” states that David Wininger married Martha Potter.  The source of this query is unknown and would be appreciated by the author of this manuscript.  Because Solomon Potter and David Wininger are listed together in several deeds, there appears to be some connection.  If Martha was a Potter, she would almost certainly be a daughter of Solomon Potter as Solomon was about the only Potter living in the area at the time who could be Martha’s father.  It was customary to name children after their grandparents.  The fact that David and Martha Wininger named one son, Solomon, somewhat supports the connection of Martha to Solomon Potter.  The 1844 deed (page 326) confirms that David Wininger married a woman whose first name was Martha.  David and Martha Wininger were the parents of at least ten children:

  Elizabeth Wininger (33), b. 1798, Tennessee
  Catherine Wininger (32.1), b. May 7, 1800, Tennessee
  Elijah Jasper Wininger (32.2), b. 1801, Hawkins County, Tennessee
  Solomon W. Wininger (32.3), b. 1802, Hawkins County, Tennessee
  Mary Wininger (32.5), b. 1804, Virginia
  Malinda Wininger (32.6), b. 1810, Washington County, Virginia
  Ann Wininger (32.7), b. 1812, Washington County, Virginia
  Lucinda Wininger (32.8), b. 1815, Scott County, Virginia
  David Wininger, Jr. (32.9), b. 1815, Scott County, Virginia
  Samuel M. Wininger (32.10), b. September 23, 1817, Scott County, Virginia

From 1807 to 1814, David Wininger appears in the Washington County, Virginia personal property tax lists.  In 1810, David Wininger was listed in the census of Washington County, Virginia.  From 1815 to 1828, David Wininger appears in the Scott County, Virginia personal property tax lists.  From 1820 to 1840, David Wininger was listed in the census of Scott County, Virginia.  Scott County was formed in 1814 from Washington, Lee and Russell Counties so David Wininger probably did not even move, but the county boundaries probably changed around him.

In 1844, David Wininger gave away much if not all of his property to his children.  He gave nine tracts of land totalling 545 acres to his sons, David and Samuel, for only $150 which was to be given to his son, Solomon.  He gave his son, Elijah, “one dollar as I have heretofore given him in property and money as much or more than I shall be able to give to the rest of my children.”  He gave to his six daughters the following property:  “my negro woman Milla and her three children,” 12 head of cattle, 20 head of sheep, 75 head of hogs, three horses, “all my household and kitchen furniture,” “all my farming utensils and waggon” and “other poultry of every description.”

Martha Wininger was mentioned in the 1844 deed but does not appear in the 1850 census with her husband, David Wininger, therefore, it is highly probable that Martha Wininger died between 1844 and 1850.  Martha Wininger was buried in the Wininger Cemetery in Scott County, Virginia.  From 1850 to 1860, David Wininger was living with his son, Samuel Wininger, in Scott County, Virginia.  The death record shows that David Wininger died of “old age” on May 24, 1865 in Scott County, Virginia.  According to the family group sheet by Edgar E. Ellis, David Wininger was buried in the Wininger Cemetery in Scott County, Virginia.

Elizabeth Wininger married William Pace, Jr., both direct ancestors of the authors.  For additional information on the descendants of William and Elizabeth Pace, see the sketch of William Pace, Jr. (15).  Ann Wininger married Martin Shelton.  For additional information on the descendants of Martin and Ann Shelton, see the sketch of Martin Shelton (1.2).

Tombstone of Martha Wininger
Photo Taken 1986
Harold Casey Collection

References:  1)  Washington County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1807 - 1814;  2)  1810 Census, Washington County, Virginia;  3)  Scott County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1815 - 1828;  4)  1820, 1830, 1840, 1850 and 1860 Censuses, Scott County, Virginia;  5)  Deed Book 7, Pages 302 and 303, Scott County, Virginia, 1844;  6)  Deed Book 7, Page 326, Scott County, Virginia, 1844;  7)  Death Record of David Wininger, 1865, Virginia;  8)  Newspaper Obituary, Samuel Shelton, 1922;  9)  “Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, Volume 2, Lyman Chalkey;  10)  ”Wininger History," by Annie (Evans) Hartline, 1980;  11)  Family Group Sheet by Edgar E. Ellis, December 14, 1980;  12)  “The Winegar Tree,” July, 1982, Page 53, (Query for David Wininger and Martha Potter);  13)  “The Winegar Tree,” April, 1980, Page 35, (Sketch of David Wininger and Martha Wood);  14)  “The Winegar Tree,” July, 1983, Pages 43 through 50, (updated version of David Wininger descendants);  15)  Wininger Cemetery, Scott County, Virginia (photograph taken in 1986 by Harold Casey)

George Hale’s Boat Yard Journal

In April of 1814, George Hale accepted a partnership with Lillburne Henderson and William Beaty at the Boatyard, now Kingsport, Tennessee.  George kept a detailed journal of business transactions from April, 1814 to November, 1817 and for a brief period in day book from December, 1817 and January, 1818.  David Winegar not only purchased many items from this business but also sold goods to this company.  The first journal contained 784 pages and was logged in English currency (pounds, shillings and pence) and the later day book was logged in American dollars and cents.  There are twelve pence in one shilling and twenty shillings in one pound.  The following entries were abstracted by Mrs. Hal T. Spoden in 1987 for Mrs. Mildred Street.

Page 60, August, 1814, David Winegar per self & wife, Bal. on Sundries .17.9, 1 pr. slippers, 1 small waiter .10.6, 1/4 lb. madder .1.6, total 1.9.9

Page 110, Nov., 1814, David Winegar 2 Badana Hdks 1.2.6, pins & thread .3.3, total 1.5.9

Page 114, Nov., 1814, (Paid) David Winegar for 16 yds flax linen .48.0, 1 pr. shoes returned, .7.6, total 2.15.6

Page 152, Apr., 1815, David Winegar per self & wife, 3 wool hats, 1 pr. Morocco slippers 1.19.-, 7 yds. callico, 1 pasteboard, 1 yd. cambric 2.8.9, 1 vial Baitmans Drops, bottle & Whiskey & 1 cloths brush .7.6, total 4.15.3

Page 154, To David Winegar for 6 mink skins & 5/, .10.3

Page 179, June, 1815, David Winegar fishooks, jew’s Harp & credit bal of steel, .1.10 1/2

Page 210, Aug., 1815, David Winegar, 1/4 ginger, allspice, 1 lb. coffee, 1 yd. muslin, .9.-

Page 213, Aug., 1815, To David Winegar for 31 yds. flax linen, 4.13.-

Page 237, Oct., 1815, David Winegar 1 pr. scissors, 1 pocket knife .4.6

Page 241, Oct., 1815, To David Winegar 4 Ginsang .8.-

Page 253, Oct., 1815, To David Winegar 4 1/2 lb. Ginsang .9.-

Page 264, Nov., 1815, David Winegar per self, 1 pr. dog irons 40 lbs., 1/2 lbs. powder 1.1.10

Page 266, Nov., 1815, To David Winegar, 5 7/8 yds. flax linen, 1.6.7 1/2

Page 308, Feb., 1816, David Winegar, 1 almanac, 1 file .2.7 1/2, 1 skein silk, 1 comb, 1 wool hat .12.-, 1 twilled shawl, 1/2 lb. pepper, 1/2 spice .10.-, 1 steel, 2 pewter basons, 1 coffee pot 1.3.-., total 2.7.7 1/2

Page 309, Feb., 1816, To David Winegar, rec’d in full, .14.1 1/2

Page 310, Feb., 1816, To David Winegar for 11 lb. sugar, cash 6/, .17.7 1/2

Page 311, Feb., 1816, To David Winegar for 18 1/2 lbs. butter 13.10

Page 340, March, 1816, David Winegar, 1/2 bush. salt, 8 tin cups, 1 Hndkf. .15.9, 24 yds. callico, 3 pasteboard, 1 1/2 yds ribbon .9.0 1/2, total 1.4.9 1/2

Page 402, June, 1816, David Winegar, 1 lb. raisins, 3 sickles .17.3, 1 Dutch scythe, 3 yds cambric 1.13.9, 1/2 doz. shirt buttons, 1 paper pound pins .4.10 1/2, 1 coffee pot, 1 sett knives & forks 1.7.9, 1/2 lb. copperas, 1 pr. suspenders, 1 satin bonnet 1.16.9, total 6.0.4 1/2

Page 440, Aug., 1816, David Winegar per Dickard, 1/4 lbs. Brimstone .4 1/2

Page 446, Aug., 1816, to David Winegar, 5 1/2 lbs Bees wax .8.3

Page 476, Sept., 1816, David Winegar, 3 boys hats 1.2.6

Page 507, Oct., 1816, David Winegar per self & lady, 1 lb. coffee, 1 truck .11.6, 1 doz. needles, 4 1/2 yds calico .13.1 1/2, 2 skeins thread, 25 lb. iron .12.10 1/2, 1 yd. cambric, 1 handkf. .6.-, total 2.3.6

Page 547, Dec., 1816, To David Winegar for 9 lbs. butter .6.9

Page 589, Feb., 1817, David Winegar 1 sugar kettle, 66 lbs. 1.13.-

Page 590, Feb., 1817, David Winegar rec’d on acct. $4.75, total 1.8.6

Page 591, Feb., 1817, To David Winegar for 16 1/2 lbs butter 10 cents .9.10 1/2

Page 609, March, 1817, David Winegar per self & wife 1 lb. glue, 2 lb. cotton, 1 handkf. .13.0, paid Pace 1 of 2 vials B. drops .13.-, 2 lbs coffee, 1/2 lb. allspice, pepper & genger .10.7 1/2, 1/2 bush. salt, 1 sett cup & saucers .5.-, 3 yds ribbon, 1 fine comb .3.-, 3/4 bush. flax seed, 4 1/2 yds caulk .10.10 1/2, total 3.1.6 (sic)

Page 611, March, 1817, David Winegar for Cash & 77 lbs sugar 4.13.10 1/2, 23 yds tow linen 2.6.0, total 6.19.10 1/2

Page 617, Apr., 1817, David Winegar per self, 1 bed cord, 1 pr. H hinges, .8.1 1/2, 1 cupboard locks, 2 doz screws .4.3, bal. of sister, 1 br brother .1.1, total .13.5 1/2

Page 624, Apr., 1817, To David Winegar for 2 1/4 lb. butter 0.1.8 1/4

Page 642, May, 1817, David Winegar, 1 lb. powder, 3 ska. thread 0.7.-

Page 656, David Winegar to Henderson & Beatty for amt. for fulling yr. cloth as pr. bill .7.25

Page 663, June, 1817, David Winegar coffee .50

Page 666, June, 1817, David Winegar rec’d for fulling cloth .7.25

Page 671, June, 1817, David Winegar pr. Isaac Duvall, 1/2 lb. madder, 3 oz. indigo, 1 oz L red .1.34

Page 703, July, 1817, David Winegar bal. of 30 lbs salt .07

Page 724, Aug., 1817, David Winegar per Mr. Deckhart, 1 lb. powder, 2 lb. lead .96

Page 738, Sept., 1817, David Winegar, 1 bottle worm seed oil .75

Page 739, Sept., 1817, Jacob Crew to David Winegar for amt. your order his favor .7.67

Page 761, Oct., 1817, David Winegar, 1/2 lb. coffee, 1 lb raisins .52

Page 767, Nov., 1817, David Winegar 1 cotton umbrella .2.50

Page 770, Nov., 1817, Sundries to Jacob Crew, Bonds & notes for his part David Winegar’s note $10.00

George Hale’s Day Book

Page 48, Dec., 1817, Mdse. to David Winegar for 2 lb. ginsang 67 cents

Page 49, Dec., 1817, David Winegar 1 quire paper 61 cents

Page 49, David Winegar per self 1 wool hat $1.75, 1 Jess Arithmatic 62 1/2 cents, 1 oz. powder 13 cents, 1 oven lid 8 lb. 67 cents

Page 78, Jan., 1818, To David Winegar for 1165 lbs. pork $5 $58.25, & 7 3/4 lb. butter 12 1/2 cents .97, total $59.22

It is interesting to note the diversity of items purchased at the store by David Winegar and his wife.  Many finer items such as one satin bonnet, one fine comb, one pair of Morocco slippers, one wool hat and one cotton umbrella were purchased as well as large amount of cloth, dye, needles, ribbon, etc.  David Winegar also sold to this business mink that was probably trapped, bees wax, ginsang and pork.  David’s wife appears to have actively contributed to the family income as David Winegar regularly sold butter, sugar, woven flax and tow linen.  We are fortunate that such a record has been preserved and we can get a little better idea of the day to day activities of David Winegar and his family.

Deed, Scott County, Virginia, David Wininger to Children,
Deed Book 7, Page 302 , Recorded February 15, 1844
First of Two Pages

Deed, Scott County, Virginia, David Wininger to Children,
Deed Book 7, Page 303, Recorded February 15, 1844
Second of Two Pages

Register of Deaths, State of Virginia, District Number 1, Year 1865, Page 30
Name: David Wininger, Entry Number: 21, Date of Death: May 24, 1865
Left Side of Two Page Entry

Register of Deaths, State of Virginia, District Number 1, Year 1865, Page 30
Name: David Wininger, Entry Number: 21, Date of Death: May 24, 1865
Right Side of Two Page Entry