USA > Pennsylvania > Historical notes relating to the Pennsylvania Reformed Church, V. I > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
74.8 161 .1 832271
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01202 7360
GENEALOGY 974.8 H61 v. 1
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013
http://archive.org/details/historicalnotesr00dott
8884
Historical Notes,
1
Relating to the
Pennsylvania
Reformed Church. V.1
EDITED BY
HENRY S. DOTTERER.
VOLUME ONE.
Philadelphia: PERKIOMEN PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1605 North Thirteenth Street. 1900
H. J. alottraa hile is.
1832271
HISTORICAL NOTES
RELATING TO THE
PENNSYLVANIA REFORMED CHURCH.
VOL. I. No. 12 April 10. 1900.
£1.00 PER ANNUM.
Edited by Henry S. Dotterer.
Perkiomen Publishing Co .. 1605 N. THIRTEENTH STREET, PHILADELPHILA.
Close of Volume One.
The present issue of Historical Notes completes Volume One. With this Non- ber goes a title page and an index. We shall have bonnd the surplus numbers left on our hands. Most of these will be distributed among the leading libraries of Pennsylvania and elsewhere A few bond copies will be retained and will be sold at Two Dollars each. With the issue of the present Number and the comple- tion of the Volume, the publication of Historical Notes will be discontinued.
A Sorry Showing.
The United States should be the mighi- iest stronghold of the Reformed Church. To New York came in the earliest years of its settlement, the Hollanders. To Pennsylvania came the Germans, the Hollanders and the Swiss, amongst them a large percentage of the Huguenots, the Walloons, and the Piedmontese. History tells us that of the hundreds of thousands of Huguenots who took reinge in Hol- land, Switzerland and Germany, great numbers changed their names and their language to conform to the speech of the countries in which they were befriended. A much larger infusion of linguenot blood courses through American veins than is popularly recognized. Many of the Waldenses or Vandois escaped to Switzerland and Germany, and, in sub- sequent generations, joined in the great exodus to our shores. The membership of the Reformed Church of Pennsylvania is a composition of the descendants of the perscented and tortured victims of the Spanish inquisition in Holland, the martyrs for the faith in France, the
slaughtered Protestants of the Italian valleys, and the impoverished Palatinate survivors of the horas of the Thirty Years' War.
Where in modern history can be found a nobler combination of Christian anos- try than ours in Bem-shania? Where can be found a pier leadership them has been ours the past contry and a half "
Prof. William J. Hinke.
In the History of the Reff Case, con- cluded in this number, is inemichel a specimen of the valuable work I'm. Hinke is doing in disentanging the Olen- nial history of our Church. Though and untiring in his researches, alen in detecting the hearings of discovered facts. conversant with numerous languages, and clear in statement, he is placing before the Church markedly important intreg- tion through its several publications. 1; will interest our readers to know some thing of our contributed's history.
William J. Hinke was born, in Isil, at Dierdorf, near Koblenz on the Rhine, He received most of his college training In Essi he came to America : attended Calvin college, Cleveland, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1890, after which he spent two years there as professor of Latin and fireck. He then took the years at Ursinus theological seminary. graduating in May, 1899. After taking ton seminary, he was appointed insimehir of Hebrew at Casinos in Ja, and pre- Literature in 1507. He was optional AApril 26, 1896, and had charge ẩn mẹ
178
HISTORICAL NOTES.
year of Trinity Reformed church in Allen- selves.' They would not entertain the town, Pa. He was naturalized April 5, suggestion ; they wished to cope with 1897. He speaks English and Germm ; ns ; and they are regular, uscinl mem- bers here? " and has a reading knowledge of Dutch and French among the modern, and Latin, This conversation occurred about two Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic years ago, in the city of Philadelphia, among the ancient languages.
The Late Nathan Berkenstock.
The First Church of Philadelphia re- cently lost, in the death of Nathan Berk- enstock, a useful, faithful, active member and officer. For a quarter of a century he was the president of the board of cor- poration of that congregation, whose or- ganization dates back to 1727 and whose charter was granted in the Colonial time. For many years Mr. Berkenstock sang basso in the choir, and almost up to the time of his decease he was the chairman of the committee on music. He was one of the trustees of the church-a position of great importance in this congregation, which is the owner of properties requir- ing close attention in order to make them productive of revenue.
Mr. Berkenstock was widely known among the merchants of interior Penn- sylvania. Frank in manner and upright in dealings, he enjoyed the respect and confidence of those with whom he had business intercourse.
He was deeply interested in the welfare of his church. He gave liberally of his money to support it. He devoted his talents, his time, and his energies to its advancement.
Not Properly Pastored.
"Of what denomination are yon a mem- ber ?" asked one of the most successful clergymen of America "Of the Re- formed Church," was the reply of the individual addressed. "That Church is not properly pastored in this city. Yon- der is a pow occupied by seven persons. members of your Church. When they came to me to apply for admission to my congregation, I said to them : 'Why do you not start a congregation of your own communion ? You would be a nucleus for a new organization ; and you could gather around you others who feel like your-
Successful Church Work.
In Philadelphia the Reformed Clinch has a natural constituency of large pro- portions upon which the congregation- may chaw to replenish their membership. enlarge their influence. By a "natural constituency" we mean that portion of the population belonging by birth to the Reformed Church. Of course, three lan outside the limits of our Church, and holding membership in no other, an abn eligible to membership in our congres- tion-if they can be reached. One might suppose, in view of these facts, that a languishing Reformed church in Phila- delphia must be a thing unknown. Yet we do hear of weak congregations.
These reflections followed the penal of a circular isned for Palm Sunday In the pastor of the Deutsche-Evangeli- in- Presbyterischen Zions Kirche. of Phila- delphia. The attennated title of this church conveys a correct implication of the congregation's origin. In another part of the circular we are told : "our delightfully developed evangelical l'ue -- byterian Zin congregation was establish. ed by Lutheran and Reformed German Christians. The name 'Presbyterian' use willingly taken, because it was the P'les- byterian synod which in the first soft- gave thousands of dollars towards the al- vancement and support of our em 2020. tion, which none of the old forman churches of the city could or would do."
A congregation favored by none of the old German Churches, it would sam could have small hope of gathering men bers. The energetic minister of this church shows the contrary. He give- the names of the Confirmanten this year! they number 21 Knaben,and So Masleben -a total of 51. This large number he gathered from among these demens when. the Lutherans and the Belonged cannot reach or hold.
179
HISTORICAL NOTES.
Goetschy's Colony. BY HENRY S. DOTTERER. [Concluded.]
Ludwig Weber was the name of the disheartened member of Gut-chy's colony, who returned to Zurich, and exposed the leader's shortcomings to the extent of his ability. The title of his pamphlet, a 12mo of 30 pages, was:
Der Hinekende Bott von Carolina. Oder Ludwig Webers von Wal- lissellen, Beschreibung seiner Reise von Zürich gen Rotterdam, mit der- jenigen gesellschaft, welche neulich aus dem Schweizerland in Carolinam zu zichen gedachte. Zürich, bey Joh. Jacob Lindinner.
The title in English would appropriately have been: The Disgruntled Messenger from Carolina; or a Description by Ludwig Weber, of Wallis- sellen, of his Journey from Zurich to Rotterdam, in the company which recently purposed moving from Switzerland to Carolina.
Weber was the father of a family of nine living children. One son he took with him, intending, if all went well, to have his wife and re- maining children join him. He was in the party of 96 persons who left Zurich on the morning of October 5, 1734. Weber, in his pamphlet. gives much information of what happened on the journey from Zurich to Rotterdam.
WEBER'S STORY.
The first day, October 5, we proceeded as far as Lauffenburg. There Hans Jacob Kulm, of Rieden, and his wife, became dissatisfied, secretly left the party, and returned home. At Rheinfelden the passengers had to show their passports. The same evening we arrived at Basel, and here we overtook those who had started the day before us, also those who had travelled on foot to Basel, of whom there were about 25 persons, from Buchss. At Basel all had to wait until a passport through France was obtained at Strassburg. This cost 44 guilders, but gentlemen at Basel paid it. We were delayed two days at Basel after this. Here the wife of Conrad Näff, of Webers dorf, escaped and started for home, but having no passport she was brought back to Basel. Several of the emigrant- re- fused to wait for the passports, and a tailor from Lichtensteg suggested that it were better to travel through France, and offered himself as guide if his expenses were paid. As he spoke French, 31 persons went with him. Nothing more was heard of this company. From 10 to 50 others. from Buches, Esch and Mettmenstetten, resolved to travel through Lorraine. via Namur, to Rotterdam. These fortunately obtained als at several places, and arrived at Rotterdam eight days after the main party. After leaving Basel frequent rains and severe cold made the journey uncomfort- able. Many were poorly clad.
Eighty Piedmontese refugees joined us at Basel, but sailed in a special vessel. On our two boats were 194 persons. Our first night encampment
180
HISTORICAL NOTES.
was under the clear heavens, upon an island covered with trees and shrubbery, in the middle of the Rhine. Some nights we could not go ashore, but remained in the boat, although we could not sit up, to say nothing of lying down. It was most pitiful with the children, who kept up heart-rending erics. On the boat no cooking could be done, yet we had to remain in it day and night. When we could go ashore, we warm- ed and dried ourselves and cooked, as best we could, in the open air. The poor women sobbed for their warm rooms at home. Most of the passengers thought they would not have to pay for meals from Based on; but they were disappointed. They were consoled with the promise that the commissary with the money would soon arrive, but he did not make his appearance. Many would gladly have returned to their homes. But as armies lay on both sides of the Rhine, they dared not venture. Lam- entations arose. The men blamed their wives; the women their hus- bands. Mrs. Goetschy thus complained, and one day snatched his cane from her husband's hand, and struck him on the back. On one side of the Rhine, quite near us, we saw the camp fires of the Imperial troops and on the other side those of the French. This caused great fear among the passengers. We feared an attack from one or both at any honr, and in consequence preserved perfect silence.
At Alt-Breysach the boats were halted, and all our chests were open- ed and examined. When Gatschi called on the commandant of the fort. the latter warned him to sail instantly, saying he could see through his field glass the French, on the opposite side of the Rhine, aiming three field pieces at the boat. The master of the boat made off with all possible speed. At Unter-Breysich a child of John Heid, tailor, from Greiffensee. died.
Gætschy stated that it was necessary and proper to establish a system of good order among the passengers. At one of the landings he directed the fathers of families to form a circle, and he selected from them four Ehegaumeren (a sort of stewards) :
1. Abraham Bünninger, of Bachenbülach.
2. Abraham Weidmann, smith, of Enflingen.
3. Rudolf Weidmann, tailor, of Rümlang.
4. Hans Gut, chief of the guard, of Esch.
Gotschy also selected eight judges, two of whom, chosen by lot, should serve under the Chegaumeren. These were:
1. Jacob Näff, from our dorf.
2. Jacob Schellenberg, of Flunteren aus dem Spiegelhoff.
3. Heinrich Gallman, of Mettmenstetten.
4. Hans Maag, of Hochfelden.
5. Jacob Dentzler, tailor, from Diebendorff.
6. Conrad Keller, our carpenter.
7. Was myself.
8. Hans Grob, of Zwillikon.
181
HISTORICAL NOTES.
Gotschy, poor man, though a minister, had most of the time in his mouth his tobacco pipe or the wine glass. But Heinrich Scheuchzer, of Zurich, read a prayer, morning and evening. Several days after the or- ganization, Goetschy preached a sermon on the boat, in which he made allusions to the Ehegaumer, which gave great offense.
At Cetch the hussars of the imperial army seized the boat, and man- ifested unfriendliness. In consequence, Mr. Wirtz, of Zurich, as our commissary-which title he assumed without our knowledge or desire- went to Heidelberg to obtain a passport, which cost thirty guilders. On the way the hussars took his tobacco pipe. We had to pay two ducats for both vessels. They rode after us nine miles below Mayence. We should not have gotten rid of the hussars so leniently, if the leader had not been of the Reformed religion. They took the meat from Gutschy's plate, and as they ate it swung their sabres about his head-whereby he quite lost his appetite. When the fare for passage on the boat was called for, 40 to 50 had not the money to pay; and they left the boat, and went afoot. At Mayence a detention of four days occurred, owing to a failun. to agree with the boat captains as to the price to be paid. Finally, it was agreed to pay to Rotterdam 3 guilders for adults and half-price for children. Things now went better.
It was stated at Zurich, before sailing, that a paper mill would be created in Carolina, and fine post paper only would be made; that the best material would be sent from Switzerland to make the paper.
At Neuwik (Neuwied ?) four coupks were married by a Reformed clergyman:
1. Commissari Hans Conrad Wirtz and Anna Gotschi.
2. Conrad Näff, from our dorf, and Anna N.
3. Jacob Rothgeb and Barbara Haller, both of our dorf.
4. Conrad Geweiller, a gardener.
The count here wished the entire company to remain in his district, and offered to furnish homes and needful supplies.
At Collenburg we remained four days, on account of strong winds Gatschy preached here for us. The people here collected money for the emigrants, amounting to about one Dutch guilder for each person. Gotschy and his family were also cared for, and they were invited ashore daily. We were frequently called upon to sing psalms for the citizens, for which we were liberally rewarded, in money, meats, kabis, potatoes and beer. Our quarters were in a bam, for which we had cach to par one steuber every morning. We cooked mostly on the bank of the Rhine. A child of plattmacher Heinrich Schreiber, from Riespach, die here.
From here Chutschy sent three passengers to Rotterdam-Abraham Bünninger, carpenter, from Bachenbülach, tailor Jacob Issler, and Aber- ham Weidman, smith, from Luffingen, under pretense that two Eng- lish ships were there, anxiously waiting for us, and that in England pa-
182
HISTORICAL NOTES.
vision had been made to care for us during the Winter. This was not . He and his son-in-law sold, here, both boats which we had brought from Zurich, for 45 Holland guilders, of which we received nothing. We had to pay 3} steuben per adult and half that for children, to Rotterdam, in spite of the bargain that the Mayence ship's people should take us there for what all had paid them. All were now transferred to one ship, much too small for convenience. The next morning before daylight we reached Rotterdam.
When we landed the three men sent ahead informed us there was no . English ship awaiting us. Getschy could give us no relief; on the con- trary, he said he could do no more for us, and that each one must look out for himself. The ship master discharged our baggage in a heap, and hurried away.
WHAT HAPPENED AT ROTTERDAM.
Gotschy received a letter from The Hague, from a certain Mr. Schobinger, of St. Gall, desiring him to come to the latter at The Hague. Getschy and his son-in-law at once complied with this request.
In a few days Wirtz returned from The Hague, and said several oxen would be sent us from there, that the States-General would take care of us, and that a large sum of money had been collected for us in England. Gætschy also returned, and informed us that a position as a minister, of great importance, had been promised him by the States-General; that he and his family had been helped, and that we should see that we too re- ceive assistance. Meantime poverty and misery among us became steadily greater. No one dared beg, because in Holland beggars are put in the
· house of correction. Many became sick from want and hunger. The wife of Hans Meyer, of OberSteinmur, died, and also her two-year old child. A tailor from Buches, Sebastian Neracher by name, who is mar- ried in Rotterdam, visited us, and took us, especially those from Buches. kindly in hand. He brought with him a Mr. Joh. Schapenhandt, who lived with him. These friends were instrumental in procuring as much assistance.
At this stage some of our party went over to England.
After this we received much kindness from the people, who sent us food and drink, and furnished us night lodgings. Mr. Schapenbandt pre- sented our case to Rev. Mr. Wilhelm, who advised three of us to go to The Hague to apply to Mr. von Feles, at the English embassy. Three went. but applied first to Getschy, who disapproved of their calling upon von Felss, whereupon they returned to Rotterdam without accomplishing their errand.
Several days afterwards Getschy came and informed us that certain gentlemen recommended that we go to Pennsylvania. Most of our party were willing, and allowed themselves to be booked, and those who could write wrote their own names. These went to a shipping agent (schiff-
183
HISTORICAL NOTES.
patron) and engaged to pay 6 doubloons passage money for a grown per- son, and 3 doubloons for a child; and for those who died on the voyage the living should pay the same sum. I have heard since I am home in Switzerland that they started from Rotterdam for that country on the 21th of February (1735). The agreement for passage does not mean that they will pay the money; but when they arrive in Pennsylvania they are to be sold to earn the required sum.
The 22 persons from Klotten also came to Rotterdam, and on Christ- mas another vessel landed several passengers from various places.
Others besides myself would have come back from Rotterdam, if the had had the means. Cespar Notzli, of Hoisland, and his son, would gladly have come with me, but he had no money; besides he had pre- viously pawned his clothing for 5 guilders to purchase necessaries while sick for several weeks in Rotterdam.
This ends the story of the journey down the Rhine as tokl by Lud- wig Weber.
GOSTECHY'S DOINGS.
Mr. Gatschy wrote an account of the journey down the Rhine, dated at The Hague, November 26, 1734, addressed to Sockelmeister (Tres- urer) Friess, of Zurich. After narrating the principal events of the trip the states that he has been offered by von Fells, the Antistes of the Neth- . erlands, the general superintendente of the Beformed Churches in Penn- sylvania, provided he could furnish the requisite credentials and would submit to an examination by the judicatory of the General Synod. The number of souls in the churches of Pennsylvania was estimated at 60, 000, of whom 20,000 had not received baptism. The superintendent was to have the oversight in the whole of Pennsylvania, of eight towns and more than six hundred smaller places, and his income was to be 2000 thaters which was to be provided by the Dutch Government until the plane were se worked out that the people themselves could provide the support. In conclusion be asked most humbly the aid of the Sockelmeister in ob- taining the required attestations from the Zurich authorities. This im- portant letter was addressed;
Hochgeachter, Wohl, Vornehmer. Fronaner, Hoch u. Wohl Weisser. mein Insonders Hochgeerter, Grassgunstiger Hr. Gevatter Sokol Mr .: v. hoher Patron.
The signature was:
Meines insonders High. Hr. n. Patronen Ergebenster Knecht. Mauritius Gotchius
Haag, d. 261. 9m: 1734 In höchster Eyl. 1. D. M.
Accompanying this letter was one written by Henry Gretschy, student. saying that in case the testimonial from Zurich should result favorably to his father, Mr. von Felsen had promised that he (Henry) should finish
-
184
HISTORICAL NOTES.
his studies at the University of Leyden at the public expense, and that he should be sent as future successor to his father.
The replies, if any, made by the Sockelmeister have not come to my notice.
Two other letters of great import to Gutschy's welfare were written about this time. They are both in Latin. The first was by Rev. Mr. Wilhelmius, of Rotterdam, to Rev. J. B. Ott, in Zurich. The second was by Rev. Joh. Bapt. Ott, dated Zurich, February 5, 1735, to Rev. Mr. Wilhelmius.
Mr. Wilhelmins says: Unexpectedly Getschius arrived here with (X) Swiss, in the middle of Winter, bare of means. Gutschi proceeded to The Hague to obtain from the English plenipentiary permission to emi- grate to Carolina. The remainder of his party he left in Rotterdam. where two citizens and myself cared for them to the extent that they were not obliged to beg for bread. Wilhelmius then proceeds to explain at length that since the year 1682, at the instance of the Heidelberg Con-is- tory, the two Synods of Holland had been endeavoring to find ways and means to supply to the emigrants in Pennsylvania with religious needs. It was determined to send a faithful, industrious, pious man thither, to take charge of the circumstances and of the distribution of the building of churches and the engagement of ministers and teachers. In Gutschi they think they have found the right man for this work. Wilhelmins applied to Ott for information in this connection respecting lidt chi and reports which had come to Holland concerning him.
Ott replied at considerable length. Among other statements he made these: Gretschi was trained in the Zurich gymnasium, and was a zealous student, and reached the dignity of a V. D. M. (minister of the Word of God. ) He then became Diacon at Bernegg and afterwards at Saktz. and performed satisfactorily his official duties, and showed such comesthe that he gathered around him zealous adhérents, but also opponents as well. Ott touches leniently and considerately the subject of fintechy's tarnished reputation. Getschy had acquired, by persevering ofort, a range of crudition far beyond the needs of a minister of the country folk. He manifested, for example, great zeal and diligence in the study of the Oriental languages, in which he made progress so successfully (it is re- porte:l at least) that he used the original text as the foundation for the the daily services in his family, sons and daughters.
One result of the efforts of van Fels in behalf of fietschy was the donation of 2000 guilders by the Government of the Netherlands, (the Edel Groot Mogenden, ) given to him for the particular object of getting a trustworthy report of the condition of the churches in Pennsylvania.
The arrival of Gretschy's colony in Holland was brought to the atten- tion of the States-General on the 11th of December, 1784. The minutes state: From time to time large numbers of persons from the Palatinate
HISTORICAL NOTES.
and elsewhere in Germany come to these Provinces with the purpose of sailing by way of England to the colonies of that kingdom in America. At this time divers persons from the canton of Zurich, having the same object, have come here. Of the little they had, they have been robbed by wicked persons in Germany, and in consequence they have asked assistance in Rotterdam and elsewhere. The towns along the Mais asked that the ingress of persons of this character be prohibited.
DISPOSITION OF THE EMIGRANTS.
Of the ardent emigrants brought to Rotterdam through the instru- mentality of the elder Goeschy eighty-eight were led to England, about one hundred and fifty took passage for Pennsylvania; a few found their way back to Switzerland; the remainder are unaccounted for.
Ludwig Weber in his pampblet gives the list of those conducted to England, as follows:
Prom.
Name of head of family.
Number.
Hochfelden
Hans Maag, self and family
Johannes Maag
.
Heinrich Gassmann
4
Mettivonstetten Bachenbuelach Zwillikon
Abraham Buenninger Hans Grob
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.