The reason Germans weren't too popular at that time and in that area is because there was a group knows as the Hessions who fought against the US and at the end of the Rev War they deserted and fled into the Indian territory of what is now western NC and mixed with in the Indians, right into that area where Thomas Essman was, an act that brought great shame on them and their fellow countrymen. There was a particular Colonel who had recruited about half of his regiment from the Hession deserters. It is know that the old Benjamin Ishmael who died in KY in 1822 was in that man's unit. It is further suspected that both his brother's were also, Thomas Ishmael being one of them. There is some suspecion that the other brother's name was Joseph. I located a Benjamin and Joseph Ishmael in northeastern NC along the coast well before the Rev War. I sent off for the documents that pertained to them but wasn't able to gleen anything of value.
