Since I was a child, I’ve always been fascinated by genealogy and family history. I’ve used the site Ancestry for years to build my family tree and learn more about my familial history. I believe each generation in a family has a person that takes on the role of family historian; I took over for my late grandmother. I have many stories and findings I plan to share, and here is my most recent.

I was stunned to discover via online records, that one of my distant ancestors lived and is buried very close to where I currently live!

Captain Johann Daniel Little (my maternal 9th-great-grandfather) was one of the earliest settlers in Rowan county, NC. He was a German immigrant who migrated to Maryland, and eventually made his way down to Salisbury, NC. Unlike many German settlers, he was fluent in both German and English, which allowed him to enter the role of Constable for Rowan county in 1756. He also served in the militia during the French and Indian war. And he was the first person buried in the Old English Cemetery, as mentioned on the additional stone.

I just find this absolutely fascinating, so I wanted to share. Who knew I’d end up living in the same town that my own ancestor did nearly 300 years later?

I’m glad I was able to visit and leave flowers. I take my job as the family historian very seriously, as it is up to us to keep the history and memory of those who came before us alive.

I look forward to sharing more family history as I continue on writing.

– A.B.