Adolph Hellmers
A summary of Adolph Hellmers' work as a seaman for the years 1850-1859 can be found in an html document here or in a Word document here. It appears from the seamen’s records (Bremen, Germany Sailors Registry, 1837-1873) that Adolph worked under several names: first under his own and secondly as Arend—his father’s name. (The second registry record began with the name Arend, but had the name Adolph added above.) A third registry record appears under the name Johann Hellmers; this is likely also Adolph. It shows a birth year of 1832, but this seaman worked as a cook, as did Adolph in the years 1854-1857. (Also, there was apparently no Johann Hellmers born in Rekum in 1832, adding to the evidence that this was Adolph.) Each of the three registers indicates that Adolph “deserted.” The first time was in New York, New York, on 15 September 1851. The second time he again deserted in New York, on 19 April 1857. (See a record of this desertion here.) He returned to Rekum and signed up again, this time using the name of “Johann” Hellmers, presumably to hide his identity. When the ship Edmund arrived in New Orleans on 8 December 1859, Adolph deserted for the third and last time. This arrival date for Adolph Hellmers in New Orleans is consistent with the few available records about his life there. He first appears in the 1860 federal census (taken on 8 August 1860) living with his married older brother Hinrich and his young family. Adolph was also listed as working as a “T. B. Man” [Tow Boat Man], consistent with his profession of seaman. There are few records to document the brief life of Adolph Hellmers. The 1860 census indicates that he and Hinrich were natives of “Byon,” a poor spelling of Bayern or Bavaria, certainly not his place of birth. A record that accurately gives his place of birth is the record of his service in the European Brigade, a civilian militia organized in 1862 to defend New Orleans during the Civil War. The muster roll shows that he was a native of “Hanover” [Hannover]. Adolph was married about 1861-1862 to Johanna Burmeister. (A record of their marriage, civil or church, has not been found.) He had two children. Sadly, he died at the early age of 30 in 1864.
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