The Finter family arrived in Pennsylvania about 1737, where their son, Christian, was born about 1740.

Christian Finter or Fender migrated to Culpepper Co., VA, and then to Rowan County, NC, by 1768. The family initially settled on Dutchman's Creek in the area that became Davie County, NC. After several years they moved a few miles northwest into Surry County, where Christian Fender obtained land on Deep Creek (present-day Yadkin County). Descendants believe that the Fender homeplace was probably located on a branch of the South Fork of Deep Creek near Bald Knob, probably near the intersection of Road 1103 (Marler Road) and Road 1323 (Collins Road). Christian Fender's will dated Aug. 30, 1793, in Surry Co., NC, names his wife Mary, sons Gabriel, Nimrod, Michael, Henry and John Fender, and daughters Mary HOPPIS, Sarah Fender and Catherine Fender. His wife Mary and son Gabriel Fender were named the executors. The witnesses were John CASTEVENS and Henry HAMRICK. (Surry Co., NC, WB 3, p.34A.)

Christian Fender's oldest son, Nimrod, born about 1766, was named after the Biblical hunter Nimrod, who was considered a mythic hero in German folklore.

And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. (Genesis 10:8-9.)