USA > Pennsylvania > Historic background and annals of the Swiss and German pioneer settlers of southeastern Pennsylvania, and of their remote ancestors, from the middle of the Dark Ages, down to the time of the Revolutionary War > Part 14
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95
GROWTH IN BERNE-GOCHNAUERS APPEAR
Stauffer, Uli Neuhus (or probably now Neuhauser) and Uli Zuagg (like- ly now Zug or Zook) should be cap- tured at all hazards. Their names we recognized as that of a numerous progeny now throughout eastern Pennsylvania and Lancaster County. It was ordered that these were "se- ducers" of the people should be sent to Zurich. But their homes seem to have been in the neighborhood of Thun, Trachelswald and Soffingen, places in the Berne district. (Müller 132 and 133. It was declared Oct. 26, 1644 that theretofore there had been much "winking" at the man- dates; but now they were to be en- forced rigidly.
1614-Mennonite Growth in the Berne District.
The Mennonites of Aarau and Lenz- burg near Berne were becoming par- ticularly prosperous. Also near Zofingen or Soffingen. about half way between Zurich and Berne on a branch of the Rhine, there were many of them. Of their principal ones there were Hans Stentz, a teacher in Ober-Culm, Rudolph Kunzli (now Kunzler or Kinsley), also Hanz Yeagli of Adra, Hanz Dester and Solomon Yeagley (Müller 105 and Ottius).
Three of the Aarau Mennonites, when they heard of the new edict, de- clared they were ready to go and de- fend their religion. It was arranged that they should be heard by the clergy of the Reformed Church; and were assured they would have safe conduct granted them, to come to the hearing and to go back again. But no Zurich brethren would be allowed to come and be present at the debate and proceedings to hear whether they made an able exposition or not. All Zurich Mennonites must get out of the country. But to allow the Berne Mennonites to see their wrong, the mandate would be suspended till May 27. 1644 and they could decide after
this examination was ended, what they would do.
It appears that Yeagley and all the other Mennonite leaders first above mentioned were at this examination. Their chief inquisitor was, Rev. Mark Ruttimyer. The principal Mennonites examined were Hanz Tester and Hans Glur. They declared for themselves and their followers that:
(1) They will persist in separation because of the ungodly life of the state church.
(2) Such separation is demanded by Holy Writ and the state church does not compel it.
Because of this stand taken by these Mennonites their free and safe con- duct was violated; and Tester, Peyer and Yeagley were all imprisoned. (Müller 105).
1644-Respite from Persecution in Zurich
Says the Mirror (p. 1063) that from 1644 to 1654 persecution abated. And in that time there is no record of any having died in prison of bad treat- ment or bad food.
1644-Gochnauers, Hubers and Baum- gartners Suffer in Zurich
About this time. according to the Mirror (p. 1064) Mennonites or Ana- baptists of Zurich of the names above specified suffered for their religion at the hands of the Government, which was now in the charge of the Re- formed Church.
Jacob Gochnauer from Groeningen Bailiwick about 10 miles southeast of Zurich near the famous field of Greif- ensee was first driven out of the coun- try, his family separated, and all his possessions sold. On his attempt to return and find his children he was caught and thrust into the horrible prison of Ottenbach about 6 miles southwest of Zurich on the Reuss River, deprived of his clothes and dressed in a gray coat and fastened with chains. Hans Huber from
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96
DAVID SHAAR'S EXCOMMUNICATION AND PARABLE
Horgerburg was also imprisoned in the poor ignorant sheep went out af- the Ottenbach dungeon with eleven other Mennonites and was fasteued with chains and his wife and sister driven into exile.
Jacob Baumgartner an old man of 70 years had been imprisoned for his faith 5 times and each time escaped, but was now again apprehended and thrown into Ottenbach prison. He was fastened to chains. deprived of his clothes and clad in a gray coat, fed on bread and water, put in irons and hand-cuffed and his property sold for 500 gilders and the money taken by the government.
These are all familiar names in Eastern Pennsylvania and also in other parts of the United States, whence they have migrated viz .: to Indiana, Illinois and Kansas; and al- so in Canada. I insert this article in this series to show the ancient home of the ancestors of our people having the same name and now promi- nent in many sections and in many walks of life.
1644-Interesting Letter From David Shaar to Uli Zaugg or Zugg.
In the district of Diesbach, about 10 miles northeast of Berne lived Shaar and Zaugg or Zugg, above named. According to Müller (p. 117) Shaar, for some reason not revealed, was ex- communicated from the Mennonite Church of Switzerland, and (it seems) Zaugg was instrumental in having this done. Shaar thereupon wrote him the following letter:
"Dear Friendly Uli Zaugg:
For your treatment of me, I will pass no invidious judgment for the high arch-angel Michael did not dare to judge any, only over Satan; but I will tell you a parable and submit it to your judgment. There was a mas- ter who had bought a sheep, as he did many times. It was not as fine as the others, but he gave as much for it as any of the others. He gave this one to the charge of the hired man. And
ter its nourishment on the pasture many years. After long time it was hurt by a thorn and it bled a little. This was noticed by the shepherd and he cried out it shall hurry and come to him. He set the time, the hours and the day and said "if it did not come, its injury might not be healed at all." Now this poor sheep is old and weak and the road is long and un- even and it thought to itself "How will it be if this shepherd does not have the right salve to heal if you do go to him; for many times before when you were hurt and wounded your Lord and master who had bought you healed you himself". Consequent- ly he went to the Lord and found some relief. Then the hired man cried more and more that it should come to him and his colaborers if it wants to be healed. Now it did not want to despise the undershepherd and gave an account verbal and written of what had happened to it; and how it got hurt, but all was of no avail. The undershepherd could not cure it. The undershepherd then complained that it stayed out too long; and he made the injury seem so great and incur- able. He then resolved with them it was not worth any more than that it should be killed and its misery ended. Therefore, the shepherd said, he does not want anything more to do with the sheep. But the poor sheep was not content with this and could not understand why it should be adjudged that his life be forfeited.
When the master of this sheep shall come and give these shepherds their wages and when he asks of this shep- herd what he deserves, what do you think, Uli, you would give him as pay for what you did in this case? Now I pray thee, you will be judge in an impartial manner when appealed to by the Lord over all, whose judgment you will have to bear.
Herein I place you under the benign protection of our Lord. And I, too,
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97
ZUG AND SHAAR APPEAR-THE RACK USED.
will stay with my Lord who has bought nie with his blood, and not with gold or silver. Therefore I will stay right with the universal church whose head is Christ. At times I will gladly go where the Holy Gospel is read, taught and preached. But with respect to unjust courts and judg- ments and power, which the people sometimes, adjudge to themselves or usurp, to that my heart and con- science and my mind will never be bound. Should the Almighty God- the benevolent God, in Heaven will it, he will give them all the wisdom to do these things, that they may govern with righteousness and justice, be- cause they do not only hold Court by the people and account to them; but they must account to God also, who will finally be the judge of all of us. May he be merciful to us all, through Christ. Amen.
This, I, David Shaar wish to all who are ingrafted in Jesus Christ not only by baptism of water; but by a true and living, simple and pure faith. Herewith I will close, this date-next Sat. before day of St. Margaret, this year 1644. God give us his grace and his blessing for tempor- al and eternal life. Amen.
David Shaar.
I quote the letter in full, first, be- cause in it, Shaar tries to make Zaugg feel that his church is as bad as the churches of "the world" because it exercised a cruel judgment upon poor David; and secondly, because the names Shaar and Zaugg or Zug are both common in Eastern Pensylvania.
1644-The Rack Used on Berne Men- nonites.
very numerous now throughout the Berne district, and especially in the three counties of Aarau, Lenzburg and Soffingen, (Müller 105).
1614-The Berne Mandates Begin
In December of this year a mandate was promulgated. It was ordered to' be published particularly in Thun,. Burgdorf, Langenthal, Brugg and other places. The authorities in these places were compelled to make a list of the children not baptized; and of the marriages entered into and not completed in the state church. It was. decreed that all children of such mar- riages were illegitmate. To the un- der-sheriffs orders were issued to make an inventory of the possessions of all these Mennonite people; and to arrest all obstreperous ones and bring them to Berne to the jail and their children to the Orphan Asylum (Mül- ler 167). It was also decreed that all their teachers, preachers and leaders were to be branded with a hot iron (Do. 182).
Müller records (p. 128) that the day the mandate was read in Berne and throughout the land, and at the very hour, a thunder storm raged all over the country; and that in the church at Berne a great stone fell on the chair of the Burgomaster and mashed it. So God was on the Mennonite side they said. This created such panic and fear that for a few years persecution ceased. But later when another fierce decree was read a bountiful rain be- gan to fall and it rained a great deal and saved the crops of the oppressors which were drying up. So God seemed to favor the oppressors this time. This was in 1692. (Müller 182).
Müller tells us that there always 1645-Mart. Mylin and Jere Mangold Chronicle Mennonite Troubles. was a more or less strict censorship of the Mennonite publications. But now their enemies began to use the We simply call attention here to the fact that the Mennonites had some able writers among them. According rack. About Aarau the activity against them became active now. This, says Müller, was because Mennonites were to Rupp (72 and Müller 165), Bracht
98
HAGEN, MEILY, STENTZ AND BURGER.
the writer of the Mirror got consider- able of his matter from Mangold and Mylin, especially the record of the sufferings in
Othenbach prison. Bracht shows this also by citations. 1645-Swiss Mennonites Call on Hol- land Brethren to Pray For Their Deliverance.
The following statement is made by the Mirror (p. 1062) of the despair of our Swiss Ancestors in 1645.
"Now when some brethren and sis- ters in the Swiss dominations had died in prison, of misery, want, hunger and grief, but five still lived in con- finement, the remaining ones who were yet out of bonds, when they were threatened, espec illy by th.se of Berne, that they should expel them all from the country, and seize their goods, and sell them, had recourse, next to God, with an humble and friendly letter, to their fellow be- lievers in Holland and elsewhere in the Netherlands, requesting that they should everywhere fervently call up- on God the Lord in their behalf, for comfort and grace, to the end that they might patiently endure that which might come upon them accord- ing to the flesh, for his holy name's sake.
The letter was written the 22nd of July, old style, in the year of our Lord 1645, and was signed by
Hans Duster, at Baltzen,
an elder in the word of the Lord.
Ruth Künstel, at Müchem, a minister in the word of the Lord.
From the Berne
Jurisdiction
Ruth Hagen, an elder,
From the Zurich
Hans Meily, a minister.
Hans Stuss, a minister.
Jurisdiction
What followed therefrom, and how it subsequently went with those who were imprisoned, can be seen in a subsequent account, in a marginal note, in connection with Ully Wag- man."
Here again we meet familiar names in Eastern Pennsylvania today; par- ticularly, Hagen, Mülley (or Meiley) and Wagman or Wagaman. Thus we find they also came to the eastern countries of Pennsylvania from that numerous hive of-Switzerland.
1615-8- Hans Stentz and Martin Burger Labor and Suffer For the Non-resistant Faith.
These two fathers of the faith came into prominence, according to the records by being thrown out of Berne about the end of 1644. On account of their faith (Müller, 182). One was a teacher and the other an exhorter. It seems that for their proselyting power they were expelled by the Gov- ernment under the Reformed Church. They were compelled to take a solemn oath that they would not return. If they did, they would be executed as perjurers. But about 1646 or 1647 they did return and had a discussion with the State Church authorities; and set forth tenets they would not re- tract. An old sheriff named Fresh- ling (Do. 107) and a sheriff named Marlott were deputed to watch them. Two members of the State Church named Venner and Hummel met them and tried to win them back. The sheriff and the last named Venner and Hummel asked Stentz and Burger to have a prayer with them, that God would give them as light. Then they began to interrogate them and the two held to their faith.
In substance, Stentz said he was born in Stezwyl and had a house at Qulm-that he was married and had five children-that he was a farmer- a member of the Mennonite Church which he had joined a couple years earlier-that he was called a teacher by his people, a position which he fills without pay, being called by lot to it according to the will of God, though he accepted it against his own will be cause he felt unfitted for it.
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MENNONITES ACCUSED OF SOCINIANISM-SWISS INDEPENDENCE. 99
But he said if he took pay or refused | severe. And so they were banished to teach after the call he would be and nothing more was ever heard of them. thrown out of the sect entirely.
Martin Burger said he was born in Burg Castle-that he married at Rynack and has six children-three years before he joined the Mennonites and a year before stopped going to the State Church entirely and that he was a farmer.
These men were given, in 1648, sev- eral questions to answer as an ulti- matum. If they answered these favorably they would . be released; otherwise not. (Müller 108). As to why they separated from the State Church they said, the immorality in the established religion was the cause -cheating, fraud, adultery, etc., were common-that there was no spiritual life or devotion in the church. On doctrine, they said they do not live by the Old Testament, as much as by the New and have not read it as much. As to infant baptism, they said it has no power; but they say it does no harm to do it. As to government they said it is ordained of God, though they take no part in it. Yet a Chris- tian may take part so far as it is not inconsistent with God's will. All are bound to pay taxes, but as to war, it is wrong. As to oaths. they say an end shall not be made of things by an oath: and nothing is justified but "Yea, yea" and "nay. nay."
Jan. 15, 1648 (Müller 115) it was decided finally that Stentz and Burger were unsafe and they were ordered to 1648-Switzerland Declares Her In- dependence of the German Empire. be expelled. and to be sent to Venice as galley slaves. But for a time they were to be held in the Zurich jail to This year an important historical event, vitally affecting Switzerland occurred-her Declaration of Inde- pendence from the German Empire. It vitally affected the Mennonites and their worship, in that Switzerland was now holly unrestrained in her cruelty. We shall see that she began a new series of persecutions hence- forth and continued them until these try to convert their souls back. They broke jail and were caught and ex- pelled from the country. Stentz said be would gladly leave his country rather than yield his faith. But says Müller (p. 216) after these men were in jail it was decided they should be banished to some island rather than be sent to the galleys, as that was too defenseless Christians migrated, into
I write thus in extenso in this case because "Burger" is a name of prom- inence in our county and city and in eastern Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Stentz is also a name more or less familiar here.
I may add that about 1671 the ty- rants of Berne and other parts of Switzerland overcame their horrow of sending Christians to the galleys, and did it freely as we shall see later.
1648-Mennonites Accused of Socin- ianism.
This year a new danger befell the Mennonite faith. The doctrine of Socinianism arose and many influen- tial men took to it. Socinianism was the name of this doctrine after the founder Socinian. It started in Po- land; and in connection with the Arian doctrine. It denied the Trinity, and did much damage. Council of Nicae at Constantinople was held, in 300 A. D. and the Arians seceded from the Catholic Church and led this movement off. These Arians attracted the Socinians to them. Some of the Mennonites were suspected. It was held that the Government should confiscate Mennonite property the same as the Socinian; but the King would not al- low it. This was largely in Poland under King Kasimir.
100
HOLLAND HELPS MENNONITES-PEASANT WAR.
the Palatinate and finally fled across the Atlantic (Lippincott's Gazeteer).
1650 - Schaffhausen Edict Against Anabaptists or Mennonites.
About this time the persecutions that had been confined about Zurich as a center, suddenly burst forth like exploded powder from one place to another. Principally in Schaffhausen, a Canton on the extreme northern boundry of Switzerland, about one- sixth as large as Lancaster County, containing about 40,000 people today, whose chief city is also Schaffhausen, located about 20 miles north of the city of Zurich,-principally in this canton -- the persecutions now broke out afresh. The non-resistants here, were banished. (Mirror 1063). This is the section where many of the Millers. and the Herrs, Goods and Hubers lived. A very large percen- tage of our Lancaster County ances- try came from there, moving first into the Emmenthal, the Palatinate and other sections (Rupp 72).
1650-Netherlands Puts Forth A New Defense of the Swiss Mennonites.
At the time when all authorities vied with each other in their persecu- tion of she Baptists or Mennonites and Emperor and Empire led the way with mandates and persecutions, it transpired about the middle of the seventeenth century, for the first time that state and city auhorities of- ficially undertook the protection of the persecuted; and strongly mediated in their defense. The sorely tried peo- ple of the United Netherlands had learned the value of freedom of creed (or belief) at the tinie of the reign of terror under the Duke of Alba. She had. by the blood of her noblest citi- zens gained this freedom of belief, and the joint sacrifice of the martyrs blood, had reconciled the adherents of Menno Simon and the followers of Zwingli and Calvin, etc. It appears
¡that the congregation of Amsterdam protested against the persecution of the Bapists or Mennonites in Berne and other places in Switzerland; but without success. Thereupon, the
States General, of
Netherlands and the Magistrates of Amsterdam took the matter in hand and remonstrated with the Swiss authorities, asking of them to allow the Baptist or Menno- nites unmolested to leave the country with their families and belongings. etc. (Müller 164).
1653 -- Mennonites Blamed for Inciting the German Peasant War.
About this time it was thought that the Mennonites had something to do with the peasant war. This peasant war broke out all over Germany- and lasted a long while. Two generals were ordered June 10, 1653, to take up all Mennonites, and see whether they had helped to bring on the war, as they were against the authoriies. It turned out that they had nothing to do with it. They always denied it; because it was directly against their doctrine of non-resistance.
The peasant war was a rebellion of the poor people of Germany which broke out about this time against the plutocratic land owners, who were becoming rich at the expense of their tenants. The Mennonites were sus- pected also, because they never show- ed any strong liking for those in pow- er, but on the other hand an aversion against them. Müller 135).
1653- Hollanders Help the Perse- cuted Mennonites Who Fled to the Palatinate.
Müller tells us that the first help for the Mennonites who fled into the Upper Palatinate in and about Stras- burg came about this year from the Netherland Authorities and Breth- ren, which country a century earlier went through the same terrors. Mul- ler 206).
THE EMMENTHAL SETTLEMENT-MYLINS. AND BURKHOLDERS. 101
1653-The Neuberg Mandate Against All Anabaptists.
This year those non-resistant chris- tians who were forced to flee from Switzerland and established them- selves in the Principality of Neuberg, Germany found that the Jesuit authorities of that place succeeded in turning their former friend Prince William Wolfgang, against them and in causing him to promulgate a se- vere decree against them .(Mirror 1063).
1653-The Neuberg Victims Go to Holland.
According to Müller (195) these Mennonites whom we have just men- tioned of Guliche and Berge, about Neuberg, when Wolfgang turned against them, went to Cleve and other places in the Netherlands to live. They came as we have seen, from Switzerland to Germany. Now they go to Holland. Shortly after this they formed their first Swiss Congre- gation in Holland. They were called Pfaltzers in Holland because of their temporary residence in the Palatinate or Pfaltz. They kept up their Swiss customs in Holland.
1654-Eggwyl, First Mennonite Cen- ter in the Emmenthal.
Eggwyl is situated about 15 miles southeast of Berne in the Emmenthal about five miles south of Langnau, the home of Pastor Müller. This is right in the heart of the Mennonite center of western Switzerland, the first place of refuge to which they fled when driven out of Zurich by fire and sword 50 years earlier. Zurich is about 60 miles northeast of Berne. The Emmenthal or Emmen Valley is about 50 miles southwest of Zurich and about 10 miles northeast of Berne, the Emmen creek flowing from southeast to northwest.
Here then, about 1650 or earlier congregated the Swiss forefathers of Lancaster County and of eastern Pennsylvania. At the early date of 1654 a group of 40 heads of families of these lived there in the little town of Eggwyl (Müller 338).
[65S- Martin Mylin Publishes His Mennonite History.
Müller tells us (p. 165), that Martin Mylin published this year his writ- ings. His chronicles extend over at least 30 years. Many of them are written from actual experience and observation. Bracht, the writer of the Mirror quotes freely from them. He was the grandfather of the Martin My- lin who in 1710 came to Pequea in Lancaster County (Mirror 1052).
In 1654 Venner Sturler reported to the court of Berne that. there were in 165S-Hans Burkholder Escapes Arrest. Eggwyl. Mennonites, who as long as there was preaching there, never have been to a sermon in the Catholic or We now note the appearance of a name of great extension in eastern Pennsylvania-Burkholder. The Burk- holders form one of the most numer- ous families in this section. Müller relates (191) that in 1658 Hans Burk- holder was arrested; but that he took to his heels and escaped November 26. He lived in Schneisingen about 10 miles northwest of Zurich. This is. known to us. In 1718 there were sev- eral Burkholders in Conestoga. Reformed Church. Among them are Zaug -- Lichten- Hinden - Wolfgang and other Signau people. Berne asked the predicant whether it is so that none of them go to church. The per- dicant investigated and sent a detailed report in which he mentioned not less than 40 Mennonites who wiu not at- tend Catholic or Reformed services, and this report was handed to the the earliest mention of this name council of Eggwyl and was a hard point to controvert.
102
SLABACH, BAUMGARTNER, PETERS AND OTHERS.
1659 -- Zurich Mennonite Sufferings | 1659-Berne Now Organizes a Spec-
In Their New Home About Berne and Emmenthal.
The Mirror tells us (p. 1065) the little flock of Christ having fled from Zurich to Berne, now found they must undergo similar sufferings there. Berne now imitated Zurich and made especial efforts to capture the leaders (Mirror 1065).
This year "seven of the teachers and principal elders of the church were apprehended. for whom special prisons were prepared, namely: Uly, Bogart, Anthony Hinnelberg, Jegley Schlebach, Hans Zuag, Uly Baumgart- ner, Christian Christians, and Rhode Petres.
These were for a while kept very hard at work, and very poorly fed with heavy food, spelt and rye. to make good the expenses they caused; besides much reproach, contumely and vituperation was heaped upon them.
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