Description:
The collection consists of papers of the Preetorius family of Bulloch and Screven Counties, Georgia, beginning with the 1851 naturalization papers of Charles Preetorius (1828-1914), born in Mainz, Germany, who began the family’s economic success in landowning, banking and agriculture. Charles’ son, William Stevens Preetorius (1865-1939) continued these business interests, as did his son, Edward L. Preetorius, Sr. His wife, Florence James Preetorius, owned an antique shop, The Wagon Wheel, and was a member of genealogical organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists, and the Magna Charta Dames. Their sons, Edward Jr. ["Sunny"](1922-1979) and Bill served in World War II, while their daughter Patricia (1929-2005) was a teacher, administrative assistant, and amateur pilot. The collection also contains some information about the career of Patricia’s husband, Lt. Col. Herbert H. Schaaf, B-17 pilot during World War II and a career Air Force officer. Some files of papers and photographs document the association of Preetorius relative Mamie Hall Porritt with the Flying Tigers in China. Collection also contains earlier legal documents, back to 1789, of different branches of these families.
