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 16
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1666- Mennonites Furnish Holand Money to Defend Groningen.
In the northern part of Holland, on the Reit Diep River is Groningen a city of 56000 people. It was bom- barded in 1666, and the citizens lacked money. The government called on the Mennonites of Holland; and 12 small congregations raised in a few years 149,810 guilden toward a gov- ernment loan. A few years earlier the town was bomdarded also by 2,- 4000 French with 60 cannon or mor- tars. The whole cost was 8 tons of gold. The catholics were not allow- ed to take part in the defense. This is the first time in history that such mortars were known. Those that the Dutch captured were exhibited in the museum for money. (Brons 145).
1668-Differences Between Palatine, Swiss and Mennonites.
This year, in the official conference between Holland and Berne, a com-
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BURKHOLDER, GINGRICH, EABY AND HALDEMAN.
parison is made between the Anabap- titsts of the three countries. The Berne authorities say to Holland that the Holland Mennonites are different from the Swiss branch. There in Holland are well off and pay taxes willingly and contribute to the Re- formed Churches as well as their own and have farms, etc .; but the Swiss Mennonites are of the poor classes and exempt from taxes and do not help to defend the Fatherland or show anything of a public spirit at all. In recent disturbances they were not peaceable; but were carrying on all manner of secret intrigue. Be- sides no pressure can be brought on them so as to affect their conscience. (Müller 193).
1669-Burkholder and Gingrich Escape.
This year Christian Gingrich and Hans Burkholder escaped from the jail of Berne. Müller tells us (p. 146) that the Berne jails were all full of these people now, and that the watch had become careless and there were several escapes, among them the two mentioned above. He says that they even allowed some of them to go walk- ing and they were even known to go out and preach alone. They came back in the evenings.
Isaac Lefever, Lancaster County Pioneer Born.
Rupp quotes approvingly, Mr. Cony- ngham, that Isaac Lefever was born this year (Rupp 97). The Penn Land Commissioners confirmed to Isaac Le- fever 2000 acres of land in the Pe- quea in 1712, being a part of 10,000 acres first allowed to the original colony of Mennonites who settled in our county. Martin Kendig. who had first right to it, asked it to be laid out to Maria Warenbuer and she asked it laid out to her son-in-law Isaac Le- fever and to Daniel Ferree. The Le- fevers were French Huguenots. who fled into the Palatinate from persecu-
tion. They dwelt in the town of Stein- weiler, Germany. Mr. Conyngham, in an address delivered July 4, 1842, on the early settlers of Pequea valley, spoke eloquently of the good qualities of the Lafevers and Ferrees. (Do.)
1670-Doris Eby and Hans Haldeman Condemned.
This year it was ordered by the au- thorities of Berne, that no one was to visit the Mennonites in that Canton, particularly those of Zofingen and Canalsingen, under a penalty of 200 pounds. Two Mennonites who were ordered banished, were particularly to be shunned - Doris Eaby from Trachselwald and Hans Haldeman man from Hotchiken. It was ordered that if they are caught they are to be branded with hot irons and be sent away. This last punishment was or- dered by the mandate of November 5, 1670. There was also a mandate of November 28, the same year. It was ordered that the Mennonites who are going about in the Swiss country, preaching should be found out, and a list be made of them, so that they may all be arrested. They are to be pub- licly whipped and be expelled. If. they come back. they are to be burned with irons. Their teachers are to be de- livered to the dungeon. (Müller 144).
The authorities of Berne declared, the beginning of this year that the former orders were not obeyed and that this Mennonite faith was becom- ing a grat stumbling block and must be removed (Do. 139). Several other mandates were issued this same year (Do. 137).
Doers Aeby is an early form of our familiar name. Toris or Theodorus Eby, earliest settler of upper Mill Creek, Lancaster County where he had a large mill. Hans Haldeman is a representative of the numerous and prominent family of that name in Eastern Pennsylvania and elsewhere today.
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111
GREAT EXODUS INTO THE PALATINATE.
1671-Poverty Stricken Condition of | by Jacob Everling of Obersulzheim. Our Suffering Swiss Ancestors.
About this year the condition of the nonresistants became unbearable in Berne, which city now persecuted them more severely than Zurich. This was because Zurich had practically exterminated them. We are told (Brons 226) that both individuals and whole congregations of Berne Menno- nites had to be assisted about this time. This was so, especially, right after the Armies of Louis XIV (who reigned over France from 1643 to 1715) had devastated the Palatinate in his fierce wars. which raged about this time.
1671-The Great Swiss Exodus Into the Palatinate.
This year begins the last act of the bloody drama of centuries, which pre- pared our Swiss and Palatinate Ances- tors to come to Pennsylvania in 1710 and later.
This year (1671) the distress of the Mennonites of western Switzerland became so great that about 700 per- sons, young and old, men and women, were compelled to turn their backs to- wards the "Fatherland". Some au- thorities say there were "700 families" and not only 700 persons.
They migrated to the Palatinate -- that is the Rhine country-a region of wide extent. A few of their brethren had gone there as early as 1527, and kept up a couple small congregations there. This was at the beginning of the Reformation, when Luther had set the world afire and when Zwingli was fanning the flame and when Menno Simon felt the cords, of the faith which had hitherto bound him to the Catholic snap, and give way.
In 1672 Van Bracht. the chief Men- nonite historian and teacher of Dort- recht. visited the Berne Mennonites and found their condition very poor and miserable. He found the reports even worse than they were reported
Copies of Everling's letters we will give in a later item. (Müller 195).
1671-Swiss Reformed Church's View of Swiss Mennonites and of Galley Torture.
In the year 1671 the Reformed clergy again mediated and went be- fore the Council with a petition which shows their view of the Anabaptists or Mennonites, and which we reproduce here in abstract.
"The great privilege accorded the Baptists four years ago to leave the country-free with goods and chattels, has been an honor to the powers that be, and has also shown how far the spirit of the Reformed Church is re- moved from the spirit of the Anti- christ. It is to be deplored that these poor, erring people did not take this benefaction sufficiently to heart, but have returned to their native land contrary to the orders of the authori- ties, partly for the love of home, and partly for the honor of their doctrine. For this they have deserved punish- ment. But as David asked of the Lord that he might punish himself, and he not be given over into the bonds of his enemies, therefore we intercede in behalf of these deluded persons doomed to punishment that they may not be delivered over to strangers (or foreigners) and enemies of the justice of Jesus Christ, viz: to the galleys, and thereby be thrown not only in great danger to lose their soul, but also to suffer untold misery and pain (since it is known what cruel methods are employed on the galleys to make these victims turn apostate). The confessors of our faith (the Reformed) who have just been released from these implements of torture can re- late plenty thereof. By the awful vices and atrocities which are daily perpetrated, not only before them, but very often on them, practically in Italy, all possiiblity for a true and
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THE REFORMED CHURCH INTERCEDES FOR MENNONITES.
contrite Christian spirit is cut off. We are not only concerned, on account of these people, but also for your own sake and for the sake of your other subjects. You are by divine authority given power over these people; but God has limited this power. The door to a penitent, returned for the re- demption of his soul may not be closed against man, if the country is to enjoy the blessings of God. It has pleased an all-wise God to make these erring people, so to say, a thorn in the flesh of our high authorities and the clergy as a punishment ever since the Reformation, which thorn could so far not be removed, no matter what means were employed. Once before the galley punishment was used in spite of the intercession, at that time; but God did not want to sanction this method, and the evil became even greater, until lately when by the clemency shown, the greater part of these people were removed from the country. This method will have con- tinued success without using such extreme measures, of which Reformed institutions have such horror, that they not only have abolished such slavery among themselves, but have never handed over any one for such punishmnt.
It is known, however, that the enemies of truth use this as one of the most powerful methods to force the confessors of truth to a revoca- tion of their faith; what would we have to bear from them if we were to hand them over to such, who allege
a 'principium religionis' for their obstinacy for torture ?
What would be more pitiable than if these poor people (should they be sent thither, but which God in his grace may prevent), be induced to deny their faith, which, as we are told, some of the others have done? Should they, however, remain stead- fast and loyal, this would be a matter of triumph to the others, and would
cause great defection among the peasantry, who regard these Baptists as poor people, anyway. . Although we are otherwise not so bold as to interfere with your business, we could not let this opportunity pass to discharge our conscience in this mat- ter which is of such great importance to the salvation of souls, and the honor of our church.
And although no one suffers more from these people, separated from us by error, and arrogant peculiar holi- ness, than the servants of the Re- formed church, we, nevertheless, will not cease to minister to their salva- tion in a spirit of impartial Christian love, and to avert in the measure of our power all that may be harmful to them, wherefore, we plead for a change and modification of this galley punishment inflicted upon them, for the sake of the honor of God, and for the salvation of their souls, as well as for the good name of Jesus Christ in whom we glory and after whom we are named. Amen (D. E.)"
For this honorable and candid ex- pression the clergy received no lauda- tion and thanks from their strict superiors; but a high official repri- mand was given them.
It thus seems that while the Re- formed church was now the state church of Switzerland, and while the rulers were Reformed churchmen, yet the clergy of that church were horror stricken that the government should inflict galley torture upon the Mennonites (Müller 221).
1671-Twelve Swiss Mennonites Con- demned to Venetian Galleys.
Müller states (p. 216) that, at a conference of several Evangelical cities and St. Gall, held at Aarau April 5th to 7th, 1671, the honorary ambassadors from Berne stated, for what reasons they were compelled to condemn 12 of your obstinate Baptists to the galleys. Two of them had
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MENNONITE SUFFERING IN BERNE.
promised obedience, four had de- written by Jacob Everling from April clared their readiness to quit the 1671 to January 1672, describing the condition and suffering of the Ana- baptists or Mennonite brethren about that time in and about Berne, Switz- erland. country. These six were not shipped, but the other six, who had remained stubborn and obstinate were fettered and sent to Venice in charge of a lieutenant and two muskateers, with the concession, however, that they could change their mind en-route. They were condemned to two years and were to be kept together on the galleys. (Fv. A.)
This method of punishment came into use in the year 1671, when the extermination of the sect was to be carried out with full force, at the time when the great expulsion into Alsace took place; in the year when the Council in Berne was occupied in almost every meeting with the affairs of the Baptists.
1671-Swiss Emigrants Into the Pala- tinate Support Those Following.
The numerous Swiss who had settl- ed about the year 1671 in the Palati- nate, and in Alsace were, in the fol- lowing years the support of all those who, either voluntarily or by force had left Switzerland. The Count of Wied or New-weid also showed this constant willingness to receive exiled Baptistst or Mennonites. The Palati- nate and Alsace, too, were not far distant from the old home. Thus there were always communications between the new abode and Switzer- land in person and by letter. A cer- tain Bingelli of Schwarzenburg, took Mennonite children from there. as well as from Pohleren and Blumen- stein to the Palatinate for instruction and afterwards called for them again to take them home. (Müller 206).
1671-Jacob Everling of Obensuftzen Describes Mennonite Suffering in Berne.
Müller (pp. 196 et seq). Rupp (p. 72 etc.) and the Mirror (p. 1066) all give extracts from several letters
In the first letter of April 7th among other things he says: "As to the re- quest of the friends, concerning the situation of our Swiss brethren in the Berne dominion, the facts are, that they are in a very sad condition, as we have learned from the lips of the fugitives that have arrived here, some of whom are still in my house. They say, that they are daily hunted by constables, and, as many as they can get, taken prisoners to the city of Berne, so that about four weeks ago about forty, men and women, were in confinement there. They have also scourged some, and banished them from the country, one of whom has arrived here. They also scourged a minister in the word, and then con- ducted him out of the country, into Burgundy, where, when they arrived there, they first branded him, and let him go among the Walloons. How- ever, as he could talk with no one, he had to go about three days with his burnt body, before his wounds were dressed and he obtained some refreshments; being in such a con- diton, that when they undresed him for the purpose of binding his wounds, the matter ran down his back, as a brother who helped dress his wounds told me himself. This friend arrived in Alsace together with two women and a man, who had also been scourged and banished. Hence they proceed very severely, and, as it seems, will not desist from their pur- pose until they shall have utterly banished from their country and ex- terminated this harmless people.
It also appears that nothing further can be done in favor of these perse- cuted brethren; for besides that the friends of Amsterdam and elsewhere
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JACOB EVERLING AND MENNONITE SUFFERING.
labored for several years in the mat- ter, so that several favorable letters of recommendation from the Lords States of Holland, as also in particu- lar from the city of Amsterdam, and also of other persons of quality. were sent thither to the magistrates; also, in the year 1660, an Express named Adolf de Vreede, was sent to them; however, he did not effect much for the benefit of our friends there. Hence. I cannot see that the friends at present will be able to effect any- thing that would tend to the relief of our persecuted brethren there. We will have to await with patience the deliverance which the Lord our Gol may be pleased to grant them." (Mirror 1066).
1671-Letters of Jacob Everling of Obersultzen, (continued)
In his letter of May 23d, he says: "The persecution of our friends con- tinues as rigorous as before, so that we are surprised, that they do not make more speed in leaving the country. Now and then one or two come straggling down; but the most of them stay above Strasburg, in Al- sace. Some go into the woods and chop wood; others go to the moun- tains and work in the vineyards, in the hope, as it appears to me, that by and by tranquility will be restored and that they might be able with the greater convenience to return to their forsaken abodes; but I fear, that it will not pass over so soon, and that they will find themselves greatly de- ceived in their hope.
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The magistrates at Berne caused six of the prisoners, among whom was a man with nine children, to be fastened to a chain, and to be sold for the sea, to be used as galley slaves between Milan and Malta; but as to what they propose to do with the other prisoners, cannot really be learned. One of the prisoners, an old man of about eighty years, died in
prison. May the Lord comfort them in their sorrow, and strengthened them in their weakness, so that they may patiently bear the cross, and strive faithfully unto the end, for the truth of the gospel, and thus be en- abled ultimately to obtain the prom's- ed salvation and crown of life. Amen.
In his letter of October 13, to Henry Backer or Baker he says, "Hendrick de Backer, most esteemed friend and beloved brother in Christ, I wish you and yours much grace and peace from God our Heavenly Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, as a friendly greeting. Amen.
This is in reply to your request touching the condition of our perse- cuted Swiss brethren. The facts are, that on the 11th ult., it was resolved in the full council at Berne, to send the male prisoners that are young and strong also upon the galleys, even as they have before this done to six of them; but the old and feeble they would either send elsewhere or keep them in pereptual confinement. Learning of this resolution, and being moved to compassion, a certain gen- tleman in Berne went to the magis- trates, and requested that they would be pleased to postpone sending away the prisoners until he could go to their fellow-believers, residing in Al- sace, and see whether they would be responsible for the prisoners, by promising that the latter. after leav- ing the country, should return no more wthout consent? This he ob- tained, and coming into Alsace to our friends, he presented the inatter to them, who, as soon as they had heard it, forthwith accepted the con- ditions, and promised. in case the au- thorities at Berne should be pleased to send the prisoners to them, that they would be responsible for them, and aid them in obtaining other abodes. This our friend, as [ under- stand, promised this gentleman (his
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EVERLING'S REPORTS, CONTINUED.
name was Beatus), not only orally, but also gave it to him in writing. Thereupon he promised them again to do his best with the authorities of Berne, and hoped to obtain so much from them, that they should bring the prisoners as far as Basle, from where the friends might take them away with them. Hence, we long to meet them, daily expecting to hear that they have arrived in Alsace, or that they shall come over here to us.
At this moment there have arrived at iny house, four Swiss brethren with their wives and children, who say, that also many others are on the way, since the persecution and search are daily increasing. Concluding herewith, I commend you, after a Christian and brotherly greeting. to the Most High, for your eternal sal- vation. Your affectionate friend and brother in Christ. Jacob Everling."
In his letter of November 2, he says "Concerning our Swiss friends, they are now coming this way in large parties, so that there already arrived over two hundred persons, and among them are many old, gray-headed peo- ple, both men and women, that have reached seventy, eightv, yea, ninety years; also a number that are crip- pled and lame; carrying their bundles on their backs, with children on their arms, some of good cheer: some also with tearful eyes, particularly the old and feeble persons, who now in their great age are compelled to wander about in misery, and go to strange countries, and many of them have nothing on which to sleep by night, so that I and others with me, have now for about two weeks had to make it our regular work, to provide shelter and other necessaries for them.
We are also in daily expectation of still more, so that we hope, that when the people have mostly left the country, the prisoners also will be re- leased. Farewell. (Mirror 1066).
Referring to their "coming this way" means coming from Switzerland around about Berne, toward Obersult- zen, which is a small town, where Everling lived, about 10 miles north- west of Manheim on the Lower Rhine in the very heart of the Palatinate, in- to which the Swiss Mennonites were now swarming.
1671-Letters of Jacob Everlinig of Obersultzen .- (Continued)
In his letter of Jan. 5th, 1672, he says: "There has arrived in the re- gion above Heidelberg, a man being a minister in the North, having twelve, mostly very young chilidren, but hav- ing, as I understand, brought with him only four rix-dollars in money, and a very poor horse. Some others have brought with them some money, but many have nothing at all, so that after close examination there was found among two hundred and eighty-two persons one thousand and forty-six rix-dollars. And in the Alzey Bailii- wick, there were found one hundred and forty-four persons; but as to what their means are I have not learned; but from appearances I judge them to be most indigent. In short, we find that their number consists of about eighty full families, then further, widows, single persons, and husbands and wives that had to forsake their companions, because the latter, being attached to the Reformed religion, could not make up their minds to leave; in all, six hundred and forty- one persons, whose funds amounts to no more than the little sum already stated; so that you can easily calcu- late, that considerable assistance will be necessary. Besides these, we understand, there are about one hun- dred persons more sojourning in Alsace, whom we also expect by the fore part of the year. Farewell."
Subsequently the brotherhoods re- siding in the provinces of the Unitied Netherlands, in March of the same
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EVERLING ON THE EXODUS.
year, 1672, sent some from their midst | to the Palatinate, who traveling everywhere to the persecuted breth- ren and hearing and seeing them, not only found the above related, to be true, but also, that already some of the last mentioned had come over from Alsace, who, bringing also, like the others, no funds with them, were, together with these, aided and com- forted by the common assistance of the wealthy churches or brotherhoods of the United Provinces.
Moreover, they learned from some of the forty prisoners themselves that they had all been released, and, ac- cording to the request of the above mentioned gentlemen, been brought to Basle, and there turned over to their brethren, with whom they then together removed. But when the chiefest of them were asked why they had not left sooner and sought such places, where they might have lived with more freedom according to their conscience, seeing the author ties had not prevented their leaving, they gave different reasons for it, of which the following ones were not the least.
1. They said that they say that the churches greatly waxed and increased, so that, though under the cross, they nevertheless flourished as
a rose among thorns, and that further in- crease could daily be expected because many persons manifested themselves, who saw the light shine out of dark- ness, and began to love the same and seek after it; that the ministers con- sidering this in their heart, found themselves loth to leave the country, fearinig that thereby this promising harvest might be lost, and thus many fall back from their good purpose: and hence, they chose rather to suf- fer a little than to leave in order that they might yet rescue some souls from perdition and bring them to Christ.
2. A second reason was, that they could not so easily take their de- parture to other countries, because
there are among them many divided families, of whom the husband or the wife is in the church, while the com- panion still attended the public church, in which case, if the latter would not follow their persecuted companions, also to forsake every- thing and leave the country, it caused great inconvenience and sor- row; that there were even divers ministers not exempt from this dif- ficulty, and there were also two ministers there in the Palatinate, who had wives that were not in the church, and whom they (having secretly been warned by a good friend), also had had to leave by night, and take to flight, without knowing as yet whether their wives would follow them, or whether they, loving their property more than their husbands, should remain there in the land, and forsake their husbands. That such cases created the more sorrow and difficulty, because the authorities granted liberty to such remaining persons, whether women or men, to marry again and seek other companions. These and other reasons had prevented them from departing uncompelled out of their earthly fatherland; but induced them rather (as they had now done), to wait until they should see that they could no longer remain there and preserve a good conscience." (Mirror. 1067). ,
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