Eberstein, William Henry von, 1821-1890

William Henry von Eberstein (1821- ca. 1890) was a mariner, soldier, and farmer. Descended from German and English aristocracy, he was born in St. Servan, France, and also lived on the Isle of Guernsey before becoming a mariner at age 13. In 1851, Eberstein moved to Chocowinity, Beaufort County, N.C. where established himself in business. Eberstein later captained various ships out of Washington, N.C., and served in the Confederate army. William Henry von Eberstein was born December 21, 1821, in St. Servan, France. At the age of thirteen, Eberstein began his life as a mariner as a midshipman aboard the merchantman CHIEF of the British East India Company. Around 1850, he visited his mother in Dresden, Germany, and while in Germany, he joined the forces of the King of Saxony to help quell a socialist revolution waged by the Red Republicans. In July 1851, Eberstein moved to Chocowinity, N.C. where he established himself as a merchant. Later, he became a school teacher in Pitt County and at Pineville Academy in Chocowinity. Eberstein captained the Washington, N.C.-based ship of Joseph Farrow, QUEEN OF THE SOUTH and other ships out of Washington. At start of the Civil War, he enlisted in Captain Thomas Sparrow's "Washington Grays," Co. A, 7th N.C. Infantry Regiment. Eberstein was discharged on October 4, 1864 and moved to Pitt County, N.C. His postwar occupations include harness maker and farmer.