It is believed that the Casper SARVER of Botetourt Co., VA was the same person as the Casper SURBER who was born 5 March 1719, married to Barbara MERK on 14 March 1741, left to the American Colonies from Oberwenigen Switzerland on 18 April 1741. They possibly lived in PA before appearing in VA 1779.

Early settlers in Botetourt County, VA included Gasper, Henry and John SARVER who owned land on Craigs' Creek in the 1770's, 80's and 1790's.

Casper SARVER died in Botetourt Co., VA and left will probated in February 1782. He left personal property to wife Elizabeth and divided land between sons, Henry and Casper. To his son John he left "my still and still vessels and Bible." The will of his widow, Elizabeth SARVER, who was evidently a second wife, in 1787 left all of her property to Julia WEBB, Sr.

Henry Sarver, son of Casper, was born in 1742. He was in Botetourt Co., VA in the 1780's, in Orange Co., NC in 1805 and moved to Sumner Co., TN in 1806. His wife was Thamer HALLE whom his descendants say was from Alsace-Lorraine. She was born 1758, died 1817 and was buried in Old Fountain Head cemetery in Sumner Co., TN. Henry died 14 Dec. 1827 and was buried in same cemetery as were five of their seven children. One son moved to Green Co., Indiana and a daughter moved to Iowa. Many of their children and grandchildren were active members of the Fountain Head Methodist Church.

Casper SARVER, Jr. was born ca. 1743, was married 21 Feb. 1780 in Botetourt Co., VA to Susanna MILLER. When he died in Botetourt Co., VA in 1828, his heirs were living in Giles County and Botetourt County.

My fourth great grandfather, John SARVER, son of Casper SARVER, was born ca. 1744/45. He lived in Botetourt Co., VA before moving to Sumner County, TN where he bought land in March 1808. His wife's name is unknown but she was living in 1830 when census shows 1 male 80 - 90, 1 female 70 - 80, 8 slaves. In 1840 he is shown as 1 male "100 and upwards" with 17 slaves.

Public records show that John was still living in Feb. 1842 but is not found in 1850. His great grandson, "Mr. Alf" SARVER (1852 - 1948) told me that John was German and never learned to speak English well. He said John died at age 105 from drinking dye which he thought was whisky. Another source says he died at age 106.

John SARVER's seven children were:

1. Samuel SARVER, Sr. who was first married in 1791 to Mary ROWE and had six children. In 1813 still in Botetourt Co., VA he married Polly TRACY. In 1842 he lived in Giles Co., VA. His six children lived in Texas, VA, Missouri and two came to Sumner Co., TN. His youngest son, Jeremiah SARVER, Jr. was born 1805, married Julia TILLER in 1825 in Giles Co., VA. They moved to Sumner County, TN in 1842 where he died 12 April 1881. He owned a store at Brackintown and was called "Virginia Jerry". He was designated Jr. to distinguish him from his uncle, called Jeremiah, Sr. Jeremiah Jr. and Julia had 13 children, several of whom stayed in Sumner County and some moved to Ill.

2. John SARVER, Jr. born 21 Feb. 1772, married to Mary SMITH in Botetourt Co., VA 10 June 1797, died in Allen Co., KY 21 Jan. 1848. Mary born 25 Aug. 1779, died after 1860. They had 10 children.

3. My third great grandmother, Elizabeth SARVER, was born ca. 1775 married 14 June 1796 in Botetourt Co., VA to Jeremiah BELL. They had four daughters born in VA and a son Patton BELL born 9 October 1808 in Sumner County. Jeremiah BELL died between Nov. 1818 and the 1820 census. They moved here to Sumner Co., TN with her parents and siblings.

4. Quinton SARVER lived in Sumner County, TN, where in 1832 he was appointed a constable. He died 1833, brother Jeremiah was administrator.

5. Mary "Polly" SARVER born 1785, died 1869. She was unmarried but adopted a daughter Isabella, who married James B. MEADOR. In 1850 Mary lived with them.

6. Jeremiah SARVER, Sr. was born 3 Oct. 1788 in VA married 7 Nov. 1810 in Sumner Co., TN to Margaret Ann "Peggy" OSBURN. They had only one child who lived to maturity, Alfred Gillespie SARVER, Sr., born 20 April 1814 married in 1834 to Adeline F. McKENDREE. Adeline died in the 1840's and in 1850, Jeremiah was married to Henrietta when he was 63, Henrietta was only 24. 1860 census shows Jeremiah 73, Henrietta 35. He died 13 Sept. 1867 and was buried in cemetery on farm later owned by his grandson, Alfred G. SARVER, Jr. "Mr. Alf" was born in 1852 and still lived in the house which he was born when I visited him in 1946 or 47.

7. Catherine SARVER born 1780/90 married 4 Dec. 1810 to John MANDRELL in Sumner Co., TN. In 1840 she sold interest in land to her brother, Jeremiah. No further information.