Margaret (Choulyn) Harmon (1734 - abt. 1787)

Born 1734 in Pennsylvania [uncertain]

Ancestors

Wife of Hans Peter Harmon — married 1758 in Virginia

Descendants

Died about 1787 at about age 53 in Greene, Tennessee

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Cathy Harmon [send private message], Kristen Gupton [send private message], Wiley Wells [send private message], Eric Wilson [send private message], and Cathy Brightwell [send private message]

Margaret (Choulyn) Harmon was part of a Southern Pioneer Family. Join: Southern Pioneers Project Discuss: southern_pioneers

Biography

Much controversy exists regarding the details of the life of Margaret Choulyn. There is no birth record, no death record, and a number of circumstantial sources. She is reputed to be, in part, Cherokee. However, there is limited substantiating evidence. While parents are associated with this profile, they are largely unproven.

Research Notes

Researcher Floyd Thomas Pratt F.H.C., M.A.G.I. offered his Cradle to Grave (C2G) Profile for Margaret Choulyn in 2013. He wrote, “In harmony with the first law of genealogy or family history research, i.e., documentation, I submit my famous Cradle to Grave (C2G) Profile on this subject including all known documentation presented for the serious researcher. This has been done to help the serious researcher continue in their thirst for family history knowledge without a duplication of effort. All I ask is that you acknowledge my contribution to your family history research. My gift to you…

A researcher, now unknown because of multiple profile merges, speculated Margaret Choulyn had German and Cherokee origins because descendants applied for tribal membership. No approved applications are known at this revision. Because Cherokee lands were in Eastern Tennessee where she and Peter lived, they concluded Choulyn and Harmon married after he moved to Tennessee.

There is much confusion around her sons George Charles Harmon who has been called “Grey Horse" and Charles Harmon. In William Wesley Elam’s application concerning Native American blood, he stated, "Charles lived among the Indians". Additional research is required to clarify the Elam genealogy and locate better sources.

Research into the Guion Miller Rolls to verify family tradition claims against the US Federal Government for (Cherokee) lands taken yields no record.

https://www.archives.gov/research/native-americans/rolls/guion-miller-rolls https://catalog.archives.gov/id/300330

According to family tradition, “denials were because descendants’ names weren’t on the list of Cherokees who signed the Treaty of New Echota in 1835”. This is highly unlikely as the roughly twenty signers are documented. The possibility that Margaret’s descendants signed the petition to ‘recall’ the treaty is more likely. This would translate to claims of being National Party members as opposed to being Treaty Party members. By refusing to sign any rolls as Indian, “it allowed Indian women to be counted as White and allowed them to inherit from their husbands.”

Confusion exists over the claim of William Wesley Elam as related to Margaret Choulyn. Conversely, Edward Elam is recognized by the DAR at DAR - Charles Harmon Service Record Additional research required. A connection to Mary Acre Harmon has yet to be established.

A Proposed Timeline

Since Hans Peter grew up in Pennsylvania and his father didn't move from Bucks County, Pennsylvania until he was 13-17 years of age to the Augusta County, Virginia Colony until 1746-1750 then most likely he knew Margaret when she was a teenager in the Augusta County, Virginia Colony or...from their association in Pennsylvania. Checking the actual Court Records of Philadelphia County and Bucks County and finally Augusta County Court records for Choulyn or name variations might reveal her family's identity and parentage.

• 1759-1760 Marriage of Hans Peter Harmon and Margaret Choulyn

Hans Peter Harmon and Margaret Choulyn were married 1759-1760 probably in the Peaked Mountain Lutheran Church in Augusta, Virginia Colony based on the birth and baptism records of their children following in 1761.

• 1761 William Van Allen Choulyn's Augusta County, Virginia Will

Augusta County, Virginia Court Records Book 3, page 337, 18 September 1761, probated 15 May 1764 & "Records of Augusta Co., VA" by Chalkey, Vol 1,2,3, Page 85, , Jacob Harmon, Sr's will- To wife Catrina, tract adjoining where son Peter lives; to son Jacob 134 acres, with a mill adjoining Peter Miller; to son Teawalt, 50 acres joining Shawp's line, against the Peaked Mountain; to son John's son, Peter Harmon; to son Peter; to 4 daughters; to daughter Elizabeth; to 2 grandchildren, Philip, William and Madlina Price; to the church near Meeting House now built, 2 acres. Executors, wife Catrina and son Peter. Jacob Harmon. Teste: Archd. Huston, Jacob Parsinger, Peter Miller (German). Proved 15th May 1764, by the witnesses. Executors qualify, with George Mann. Peter ( ) his mark. Cath. ( ) her mark.

• 1761 Peaked Mountain Lutheran Church Records

"The Pennsylvania Germans of the Shenandoah Valley", Record of the Peaked Mountain Lutheran Church, Augusta (now Rockingham), Virginia, edited by prof. William J. Hinge and Charles E. Kemper, page 469 Parents: Peter Hermann (Harman) & Wife Margaret nee Choulyn? Record #31 Child: Elisabeth Harmon born 6 May 1763 Sponsors: George Adam Mann and wife Maria Elisabeth Record #32 Child: Philippina born [no date] Sponsors: Theobald Hermann and wife Sarah Record #33 Child: George Charles born 11 December 1761; baptized 6 march 1762 Sponsors: George Bernhard Mann & wife Ann Margaret Record #34 Child: Maria Elisabeth born 6 May 1763; baptized 17 June 1763 Sponsors: George Adam Mann and wife Maria Elisabeth

• 1761 Childbirth of son; George Charles Harmon

"The Pennsylvania Germans of the Shenandoah Valley", Record of the Peaked Mountain Church, Augusta (now Rockingham), Virginia, edited by prof. William J. Hinge and Charles E. Kemper, page 469 George Charles Harmon was born 11 December 1761 and baptized 6 March 1762 at Augusta County, Virginia and recorded at the Peaked Mountain Church, Rockingham, Virginia. George Bernard & Anna Margaret Mann, sponsors. [At the "Pinquit" (Peaked) Mountain and the South "Chanithor" (Shenandoah), in Virginia. Located at McGaheysville was a Lutheran denomination.]

• 1762 Childbirth of daughter; Philippina Harmon

"The Pennsylvania Germans of the Shenandoah Valley", Record of the Peaked Mountain Church, Augusta (now Rockingham), Virginia, edited by prof. William J. Hinge and Charles E. Kemper, page 469 Record #32 Child: Philippina born [no date] Sponsors: Theobald Hermann and wife Sarah Philippina (HARMON) was born about 1762 in Augusta, Virginia, United States.

• 1763 Augusta County, Virginia Court Records

Augusta County, Virginia Court Records "Records of Augusta Co., VA" by Chalkey, Vol 1,2,3, Page 394: Page 158--3rd February 1763. David ( ) Harmon to Peter Harmon and Geo. Man, 15.10 pounds, horses, cows, pigs, beds, &. Teste: Robt. Shanklin, Jacob Nicolas. "Received of Peter Harmon and George Man, 15.10 pounds, in full satisfaction of all legacies that shall be left me by my father at his death, dated 3d February, 1763. N.B.--If the said David Harmon shall pay said Harmon or Man the above sum, then this receipt shall be void."

• 1763 Childbirth of daughter; Maria Elisabeth Harmon

"The Pennsylvania Germans of the Shenandoah Valley", Record of the Peaked Mountain Church, Augusta (now Rockingham), Virginia, edited by prof. William J. Hinge and Charles E. Kemper, page 469 Maria Elisabeth Herman was born 6 May 1763 and baptized 17 June 1763 at Augusta County, Virginia and recorded at the Peaked Mountain Church, Rockingham, Virginia. George Adam & Marie Elisabeth Mann, sponsors. [Her name is recorded twice.]

• 1764 Death of father; Jacob Harmon Sr.

Jacob Harmon Sr. died in 1764 in Augusta County, Virginia and Will probated 15 May 1764. (Relationship and Profile disagrees)

• 1765 Augusta County, Virginia Property Transaction

Augusta County, Virginia Court Records "Records of Augusta Co., VA", by Chalkey, Vol 1,2,3, page 420 & page 804--9th March 1765. Peter ( ) Harmon and Margaret ( ) to George Mallow, for 60 pounds...104 acres, between Peeked Mountain and Shanandore River, devised to Peter by his father Jacob by will dated 18th September, 1761; corner Peter Harmon Jr.; corner Tewalt Harmon; corner Augustine Price; corner Jacob Harmon's line. Delivered: George Mallow, May 1776.

• 1765 Family Move

Hans Peter Harmon Sr. family moved from Augusta, Virginia, United States to Bedford, Virginia, United States. Peter sold the old family homestead he had inherited to George Mallow on 9 March 1765. Probably after his mother had passed away, he and his family moved to Bedford County, Virginia, where in September 1765 he shows up paying taxes.

• 1765 Childbirth of daughter; Sarah Harmon

Sarah (HARMON) was born either in Augusta County, Virginia or during the transition move to Bedford County, Virginia in 1765. 1765 Bedford County, Virginia Court Records Bedford County, Virginia Court Records County Court of September 1765: Peter Harmon, tithable added to the list. (This means he was at least 21 years old.)

• 1766 Bedford County, Virginia Property Transaction

Bedford County, Virginia Deed Record Book 2, page 727 & 728, 17 June 1766: Peter Harmon buys 200 acres "lying on both sides of the North Fork and of Otter River" from Henry Dooley.

• 1767 Childbirth of daughter; Barbara Harmon

Barbara (HARMON) was born near the North Fork and of Otter River in Bedford, Virginia, United States in 1767.

• 1769 Augusta County, Virginia Estate Settlement

"Records of Augusta Co., VA", by Chalkey, Vol 1,2,3, page 197, 22 March 1769, Settlement record of Jacob Harmon's estate, by Peter Harman-paid Margaret Perkey, Phillip Williams, paid to Henry Bingaman, part of his legacy; paid to Philllip Williams in cash.

• 1770 Childbirth of son; Isaac Harmon

Isaac Harmon was born near the North Fork and of Otter River in Bedford, Virginia, United States in 1770.

• 1775 Childbirth of daughter; Susanna Harmon

Susanna (HARMON) was born near the North Fork and of Otter River in Bedford, Virginia, United States in 1775.

• 1777 Childbirth of son; Stephen Nicholas "Nick" Harmon Sr.

Stephen Nicholas "Nick" Harmon Sr. was born near the North Fork and of Otter River in Bedford, Virginia, United States in 1777. 1778 Rockingham County, Virginia created Rockingham County, Virginia was formed from Augusta County, Virginia.

• 1779 Childbirth of son; Henry Harmon

Henry Harmon was born near the North Fork and of Otter River in Bedford, Virginia, United States in 1779.

• 1783 Childbirth of son; Moses Harmon born

• 1783 Greene County, Tennessee created

Greene County, Tennessee was formed from Washington County, Tennessee. 1783 End of British-American Revolutionary War official establishment of the United States of America

• 1785 Childbirth of son; Peter Harmon Jr.

Peter Harmon Jr. was born near the North Fork and of Otter River in Bedford, Virginia, United States in 1785. Margaret (CHOULYN) Harmon died near the North Fork and of Otter River in Bedford, Virginia, United States after their birth of son Peter Harmon Jr. or after they moved to Greene County, North Carolina in 1787-1791.

Sources

• Chalkey, L. “Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745-1800”. Virginia Land, Marriage, and Probate Records
• Levi Carter Sr And Descendants, Volume 7 Of The Pratt Progenitor Papers Master Ws by Floyd Thomas Pratt F.H.C., M.A.G.I. Publication date 2013.
• Source: S-860890564 Repository: #R-1248240356 Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Ancestry Family Tree. http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=65691830&pid=477. Repository: R-1248240356 Ancestry.com.
• https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/harmon/6416/
• William Wesley Elam Land Application