VANCIL
. This name--Vanzael, anglicised--is quite common in Germany, especially among the soldiers of the fatherland. The circumstances which led to its being transferred from Prussia to America were somewhat peculiar. A young man bearing the name, put to death a valuable dog belonging to an old German husbandman. This was deemed a grave offense, and he was called up by his father for trial. The boy plead guilty, but justified his actions. The venerable parent decreed that he should be severely chastised or leave the country. The proud spirited stripling chose the latter, immediately embarked for America, and settled in Virginia. Nothing is known of his marriage, but his son, John Vancil married Mary Penrod. They had a large family, consisting in part of six sons, five of whom were over six feet high, and weighed upwards of two hundred pounds each. While these were yet children, John Vancil joined a company of rangers--the first military organizations at the beginning of our troubles with the mother country--and sent his family into Maryland. One of his sons--VANCIL, SAMUEL, born about 1768
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