- Born: May 1738, Forestville, Shenandoah, VA 490,491
- Died: 11 Feb 1819, , Guilford, NC at age 80 490,491
- Buried: Feb 1819, Burlington, Alamance, NC 490,491
 General Notes:
[2892925.ged]
[John Cotner Ancestors.ged]
Lived in PA and NC. Buried in Brick Church Cemetery near Burlington, NC.
He was a farmer. He belonged to the Reformed Lutheran Church.
Three sons of Jurg Goertner family migrated to Salisbury District, Guilford
County, North Carolina. These brothers were George, Peter and Daniel. This
move promised religious freedom and good land. A law read "Seven or more
people on a religion constitute a church." This seemed like a promised land.
Over a thousand wagons made the trip to North Carolina. They settled on Lord
Granville's claim. This was a disappointing move as the land could never be
sold to the settlers but was held by Lord Granville's heirs whose agent
extracted heavy quit rents, excessive illegal fines and fees through clerks and
sheriffs who served under Governor Tryon. The sufferings were so great that
the Regulation Movement was formulated to correct these abuses. This
culminated in the Battle of Alamance in 1771. The Regulators, poorly trained
and armed, suffered a bloody defeat at the hands of Governor Tryon's trops,
well equipped with arms and cannons. Many were killed and wounded (among them
Peter Goerter was wounded), while some were hanged and others rounded up and
forced to take an oath to the King. This halted open rebellion for a time, but
did not defeat their purpose.
From Colonial Records of North Carolina by Saunders VII and X volumes,
we find much information on the family:
Vol. VII - Page 734
Jacob Albright, Peter, George and Daniel Goertner raised money to build the
Brick Church in Salisbury District. These men were active in this Reformed
Lutheran Church, George being an elder. Peter is buried in an unmarked grave.
Page 735
Also buried there is George Cortner who was a civil leader of this
community. The stone is still standing just inside the gate. In 1841 Rev.
G.W. Walker took charge of the church. It is a large congregation composed
mostly of German immigrants from Pennsylvania. In the graveyard hard by the
church, Tobias Clapp and Peter Goertner, who fought in the Regulation Battle,
rest in unmarked graves.
Daniel and George spelled their names Curtner.
George "Courtner" purchased 494 acres of land 25 Jun 1763 - McCulloh Tract #11
upon Haw River and branches, North Carolina.
Vol. X - Pages 162 and 163
Jacob Cortner Signed Tyron Association. Proceedings of the Safety Committee in
Tyron County, "We, therefore the subscriber, freeholders and inhabitants of
Tyron County, do hereby faithfully unite ourselves under the most sacred ties
of Religion, Honor and Love to our Country, firmly to resist force by force in
defense of our national freedom and Constitutional Rights against all
invasion." George Cortner fought in the battle of the Alamance and also in the
Battle of the Regulators. George Cortner had his name Goertner legally changed
to Cortner. Note: He is supposed to have said, "I am an American and now I
have an American name."
Page 165
George Cortner was delegate to Provincial Congress of North Carolina held at
Hillsborough August 20, 1775. George Cortner answered roll call.
Page 168
George Cortner is a representative in General Congress August 20, 1775.
Page 172
Congress met again on the 23rd of August 1775. They signed resolutions to
settle this unhappy controversy with Great Britain.
In the will of George Cotner, all of his children were listed by the last name
of Cotner.
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