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 23
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The great emigration in 1711 Berne thought, would rid Switzerland of the Mennonites (Müller 220); but it was found there were many of them still in Switzerland and that many more came back from Holland, refusing to be banished. This caused a split in the Mennonite religion. Jacob Am- mon headed the stricter party and Hans Reist the milder party. The Ammon people, that is the Amish, were willing to go; but the Reist wing were not, and were put under the ban by the Amish. Berne now de- termined to send the obstinate Reist people to the galleys, because they came back from Holland; and thus it happened that this year about fifty- two were sent.
We have several times given items upon the persecution of our ancient ancestors by means of the galleys, Berne now selected from those who Berne sending them to Venice and | were expelled in 1710 and 1711, (and
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161
ATTEMPTED DEPORTATION TO AMERICA.
had returned), six of the most promi- [ king agreed to transfer the men free nent, to be sent to the galleys-to be to Nice. An influential Swiss friend named Frey of Torren, succeeded in getting them liberated and he gave them money and clothing and con- ducted them back to Switzerland (Müller 231 and 232). They had the shackles taken off of their feet, and they started to walk to Turin but got very sore feet. From Turin they pro- ceeded through Savoy and Geneva to Neuenburg. They were met by the bishop of Pruntret, in whose neigh- borhood some Mennonite friends had settled and got together a small con- gregation. Here they were given earnest advice not to go back to Berne. All of them but Christian Liebi (Levy) remained there; but he went on alone to the Palatinate. sold to the king of Sicily, but only four were found fit to go, the other two were too old. They were Hans Luithi, Nicholas Bumgardner, Peter Weitrich, and Joseph Brobst. These were of Trub. Much influence was brought to try to have the govern- ment re-consider; but to no avail. They were strong men about fifty years old and had to go (Müller 220). They were to be fettered with irons. Some time in 1711, Jacob Schnebeli (Snavely) of Manheim wrote to Jacob Frey and others at Amsterdam and stated that he had news of these de- ported from Turin by letters-that they were to remain there over win- ter-that they were kept in a vault to- gether with ninety criminals, who 1710-Scattered Items on Attempted Deportation to America. had been sold to a man named Hack- brett for their crimes-that they were daily taken out to do some hard work. Schnebeli further wrote that by Spring they would go on the high seas to the galley. They presented a petition to the Duke of Savoy to re- lease them. The Duke said he was satisfied but it was all in the hands of the officers at Berne. When at Turin the prisoners received some aid from their Mennonite brethren in Holland. A little later Berne agreed to release the prisoners, provided they would not return to Switzerland.
The original letter from these gal- ley-slaves, dated at Balermo, Septem- ber 16, 1715, signed by Christian Liebe, Peter Whitrick and Joseph Brobst is found in the archives of the Mennonites or Baptists at Amster- dam (Müller 226).
In this letter they complain of great tribulation and distress and that one of them died that year, another one the year before, at Turin, so that only three were now left. These were Nicholas Bumgardner and Hans Luthi. A little later the king of Sicily ordered them released (Do. 230). The
Müller devotes Chapter 15, page 252, to an attempted deportation to America. Much of this we have al- ready discussed. The question be- fore Berne was, "What shall be done with these Mennonites?" All orders had been partly futile. Whenever the Mennonites were forced over the Swiss boundaries, they were sure to return. This was made worse about 1710 by a famine that had broken out in Alsace, where some had been sent So they went back to Switzerland. Many were in the jails and were a burden. The galleys were too dread- ful. Many were old and weak.
The idea of deportation to distant countries began about 1699; and on the 17th of May, that year, the East India Company at Amsterdam were requested to take ship-loads of them away. (Müller 253.) The city of Berne sent a long communication to the company, stating how obstinate these people were; that measures harsh and mild were of no avail, and that nothing would do but to send them to a far-off land. Thus Berne
162
FIRST SETTLEMENT IN LANCASTER COUNTY.
urged the East India Company to take a lot of them to the Islands of East India.
One of the foremost leaders was Isaac Kauffman; and it was arranged that he should be taken to the Com- pany at Amsterdam and be sent to India. The company paid no heed'to this.
The idea of deportation soon again was taken up as the number of pris- oners was increasing in Switzerland. This time the Court, erected to take charge of the Mennonite matters, known as the "Baptists Chamber" was informed of the affairs in April 17, 1709 and directed to start vigor- ously to clean them all out of the country. So vigorously did this Court take hold of its work that shortly, more than five hundred were driven out of the country and it was hoped that soon they would all be gone. It seems that two places where the Mennonites had been imprisoned were in the "Upper Jail" and on the "Island." Among those mentioned are Benjamin Brackbill of Troxel- wald, Christian Krayenbühl of Nor- ben, Hans Wager (Wenger) a weaver of Wattenweil, Peter Thouen of Reut- igen, Jacob Neueuschwanger (News- wanger) of Stocken, Hans Burki of Gibel, Christian Steiner of Grafen- bühl, Elsbeth Steiner, his sister Catri. Aebersold, Anna Shenk, Hans Ger- ber's wife; a baby, Catrina Leuen- berger of Wytigen, Peter Rubeli's wife of Aesehlen; Elsbeth Gerber, Peter Gerber's wife of Zimmerzey; Christian Danzler, an old bedfast man, Babi Forni, an old woman quite deaf. To the Baptists incarcerated on the Island were added Rudolph Stettler of Stettlen; Durse Rohrer of Ittigen and Hans Rupp of Gunten. (Müller 253.)
These and others were people not able to do galley-service, and there- fore, Berne asked the Baptist Cham- ber to see that they were sent to the
East or West Indies and Pennsyl- vania.
The other steps in this attempted deportation to Pennsylvania we have already had in former items and I have simply added this at this time because it was omitted heretofore. We recall that the principal step taken to deport to Ameirca was that in 1710, when fifty-seven were put in a boat and sent down the Rhine, of whom three gave their story and tes- timony to the Dutch Mennonite preacher, Hendrick Laurens, at Nimewegen. We have also heretofore given the names of them.
1711 - The Pequea Swiss Tract Sub- divided.
We have stated in a prior item that in 1711 the tract of 6,400 acres (part of the 10,000 acres taken up) was sub-divided among the different owners. This happened on the 27th of April; and the surveyor general at the request of the purchasers made the actual division I hope to append a map of this subdivision to these annals which will show the particular lines dividing the large tract. (Rupp 75.)
1711-First Swiss Birth in the Settle- ment.
According to Rupp 83, on the 22nd of January this year, Samuel Miller was born on the Pequea, son of Jacob Miller, a pioneer. He was the first child born to our Swiss ancestors in this county.
1711 -- Interesting Conference Between the Governor of Pennsylvania and the Pioneer Colony of Lan- caster County.
In the Colonial Records. Vol. 2. page 533, there is an interesting ac- count of a treaty at Conestoga on the 13th of June, 1711. The Governor of Pennsylvania, together with four of his most noted members of Council
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163
NEW BERNE SETTLEMENT-REIST AND AMMAN FACTIONS.
were present at this treaty. It took place at the fork of the Little Cone- stoga and Big Conestoga Creeks. As far as it relates to the German-Swiss settlement of this county, we simply note that under date of Tuesday the 18th, in the forenoon, the Governor in his speech to the Indians says that he intends to present five belts of Wampum to the Five Nations and with them the Conestoga Indians, he required their friendship to the "Palatines settled on Pequea." This is conclusive proof to show that the Pequea settlement of the Swiss was in existence at that time. To this the Indians made answer "As to the Palatines, they are in our opinion safely seated." This gives us some little side light upon the conditions in which our fore-fathers lived.
1711 -- Palatine Colony of New Berne Killed.
According to Rupp in his 30,000 names of Swiss and Germans coming to Eastern Pennsylvania he says. page 3, that in 1709 a considerable number went and found New Berne. N. C., about 150 families; and that Sept. 22, 1711. one hundred of them were killed by the Tuscaroras. The New Berne Colony do not appear to have been Mennonites. New Berne exists today.
1711-Condition and Size of the Pequea Colony.
settle." (Taylor Papers No. 2796.) We state this item simply to show the condition of the first colony, toward the end of its first year of residence in this county; and we can gather from Taylor's letters that it consisted only of a few families. But that many more families were inter- ested in coming there to settle. And that generally they were prosperous, is also evident.
1711-The Reist and Amman Factions of Mennonites on Emigration.
We have before stated that Jacob Amman led off a branch of Menno- nites from the regular church on the doctrine that they were not strict enough. When the question of suffer- ing, persecution or emigrating to America came up, it seems that the Amman faction were more willing to emigrate than the Reist faction. At least we are told by Müller (page 220 and 221) that the Reist people re- sisted being sent to America and either remained at home or left the ships wherever they could to return home and join their brethren in faith in the Palatinate. Therefore, the wrath of the authorities was more fierce against the Reist people than against the Amish. The Berne Gov- ernment called them "the most con- trary people known." The govern- ment also declared that all those who were banished and came back would be sent to the galleys or imprisoned for life. Among those sent to the galleys was Hans Gerber.
Jacob Taylor, surveyor for Penn, in a letter to James Logan, the 20th of the 5th month (which was July) 1711-Holland Mennonites Take Up Berne Mennonite Cause Before Berne Ambassador in Holland. 1711, concerning the Pequea Colony of Swiss writes "Many people are de- sirous to go backwards to settle land. Six or seven families of Palatines are settled at Pequea; and more desire to About this time a deputation of eight leaders of the Holland Menno- nites, who had brought with them four Berne or Swiss Mennonites, one of them a preacher, came to try to go there next winter." In another part of the letter he says that there is "a great want of commissions to sell the proprietor's land and that many people desire to go back to| induce the Berne ambassador in Hol-
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164 BERNE'S AMBASSADOR AT AMSTERDAM CRITICIZES HOLLAND.
land to new efforts, to influence | Excellencies, the Swiss government. Berne. The Bernese Ambassador to With profuse thanks they had accept- ed this, glad that a punishment had been meted out so little commensur- ate with their disobedience. Holland tried to thwart this. The four Bernese Mennonites were taken be- fore him. The Holland Mennonites said that they regretted that Berne was again imprisoning their Brethren and that the wives and children of those banished, had been kept back. (Müller 281.) They represented that these Brethren do not hinder the state in any way and only ask the right to serve God, according to the dictate of their own consciences.
St. Saphorin relates as follows: I deemed it proper to answer the Hol- land Mennonites with asperity. I told them "I am astounded to hear you speak in such a manner after you had yourselves an opportunity to know the Bernese Baptists. These people had the permission to sell their possessions, but only upon the provision not to enter any more upon the territory of their Excellencies in Switzerland from which they had been banished. Not only did they re- turn to the land but they also tried to convert to their notions as many of the inhabitants as they were able which under the Constitution of our State would lead to nothing less than the annihilation of its defences. They could have been punished with the severity which the law prescribes against those who break their banish- ment; but instead arrangements had been made with the minister of Eng- land by which they were to be re- ceived in America under the mild dominion of her Majesty, the Queen, with the same privileges enjoyed by the other subjects of their Excellen- cies who emigrate thence on their own accord, or voluntarily-only with this for their advantages-that those who profess the religion of their sovereign must go there on their own expense, while the Anabaptists are sent there at the expense of their
While not all could emigrate' to America-although such was stipu- lated-yet it would have been quite proper for some who have neither wives or children to show by the journey, their compliance; but none would give in, to the admonitions of the gentlemen here who are so solicitous of their welfare. Instead, they have remained in Holland to complain of Switzerland, their Country and Sovereign. Although there is only one religion prevalent in all reformed Cantons in Switzer- land, it is nevertheless not the re- ligious dogmas which impels the in- tolerance of the Anabaptists or Men- nonites in the territory or the domin- ion of their Excellencies; but because their creed contains certain things which are diametrically opposed to the State Constitution. No power can reprove us if their Excellencies (who maintain no standing army, and who impose no other burdens on their subjects, than the duty of de- fending the Fatherland), cannot tol- erate a religion which tends to over- throw the only foundation of their security. As to the intercessions of so many different powers such as Holland, England, etc., their . Excel- lencies know full well that all these powers have too just an opinion, as to disapprove what Switzerland de- mands, when they expect of their subjects the defense of the Father- land. Besides, their Excellencies are not bound to render an account of their doings to any one; nor do they expect from any other an account of their actions. I declare that all movements by which you cause a disapproval of the attitude of their Excellencies will only have a tend- ency to embitter the public mind in
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165
SWITZERLAND DENIES HOLLAND'S REQUESTS.
Switzerland, and to make the condi-| at Nimewegen, Holland, should re- tion of your brethren in the faith all the harder."
This action of St. Saphorin defines the Bernese standpoint. The military view takes precedence of all others. The military duty is the most promi- nent affair of honor of the citizen; and in the storms which sometimes swept through Europe, it was not an easy matter to guard the neutrality of the country which, in addition to other duties, had to defend the Re- formed Faith against the Catholic, making it a country with weapon in hand; and one whose best forces were hired to foreign countries as mercenary soldiers. The speech did not fail to have effect.
1711-Holland Mennonites Arranging to Help Swiss Brethren Out of the Country to America and Elsewhere.
After St. Saphorin had delivered "his lecture to the delegation of Dutch Mennonites and their Swiss brethren present, just set out, the delegation made the following requests:
1. For the free departure of the wives and children of those who were banished and are being banished to America, so they may join them.
2. For milder treatment of, and liberation of, those recently impris- oned so that they can emigrate out of Switzerland too.
3. To stop the horrible practise of . Mennonite-hunting and rewards for their capture, so they can come out of hiding, collect their possessions and leave too.
St. Saphorin replied that the first request would be granted, on condi- tion these families would not settle down near the boundary line of Switzerland; and that Holland should see to it that none of the ship-load sent down the Rhine in 1710, of fifty- seven persons of whom thirty were put off at Manheim and twenty-seven
turn to Switzerland as they threat- ened to return; and that a bond be given to guarantee this. If this be done, the detained wives and chil- dren may go to them. The delegates also state that as to the property of these divided families, they be allow- ed to turn it all into money and take the money with them; but the Ambas- sador said all he could do was to see that the wives' dowry rights were re- spected, as the husbands' share had already been forfeited.
As to the milder treatment of and liberation of the Mennonites, then in Berne jail, all St. Saphorin would say was that, the act of the first ship-load, violating their agreement to go on to America, and instead of that getting on the ship at Nimewegen as soon as they were in the free soil of Holland was responsible for the rough treat- ment of those then in jail and for refusal to liberate them and send them away free of charge; and that future severity of Switzerland would depend on whether the first ship-load sent out, would stay out or come back. The delegation then gave bond guaranteeing that this would be ob- served-that they would never more set foot on their native land. St. Saphorin also said he heard from what passed between prominent Dutch and Swiss Mennonite repre- sentatives and Lord Townsend. Eng- lands Ambassador in Holland, that the Mennonites are full of hope that their religion, having been born in the Reformation, the same as the State Church of Switzerland (the Re- formed Church), it will not be exter- minated by Switzerland. He told the delegation they must give up all hope as to this, as the country was determined to crush it out entirely; and that if they had any love for their Swiss brethren, they should in- duce them all to get out of Switzer- land as soon as possible.
166
HOLLAND'S HELP. ST. SAPHORIN'S EFFORTS.
They aroused surprise and admira- tion in Ambassador Saphorin's breast by saying that since the charge against them was that they were not patriots and would not help to defend Switzerland, they would try to get their Holland friends and the govern- ment too, to guarantee that they would raise money instead of troops, and thus do their duty to their native land. But he said, Switzerland does not keep up her defenses by bounty and substitutes, but by her own sol- diers alone.
This ended the conference on the three subjects. (Müller 281-3.)
1711-Holland's Help to Persecuted Swiss Mennonites.
The final determination to deport the Mennonites to America brought affairs to a crisis. (Müller 279.) These Mennonites could not see extradition as in any sense, a favor to them. The Netherlands being in close sympathy with the oppressed Mennonites kept themselves advised on all these mat- ters, and all that the Holland Menno- nites did for the Berne Mennonites, the Holland government approved. The Holland Mennonites did every- thing that diplomacy could bring about. The great help that Holland gave the cause has never been ac- knowledged publicly, or at all by Switzerland.
As soon as the Bernese Mennonites who were sent down the Rhine in 1710 were liberated at Nimewegen, the crisis came. St. Saphorin, the Swiss ambassador at the Hague im- mediately took up the matter, with the English throne and the Menno- nites also tried to get Lord Townsend to intercede with Britain to help them. Saphorin represented to Eng- land that Holland's help to the Men- nonites instead of speeding them on to America made them more stubborn to return, and caused many of them to return to the Palatinate. He said
they are determined to maintain their sect in Switzerland. Saphorin, while anxious to help the Mennonites to America, was against them in all other respects. He deprecated (to the British Government) any further efforts by Holland to help them, and especially that the Mennonites were trying to have Holland interfere with Berne. These complaints he made to what is called the "Pensioner," who seems to have been an officer with funds to help the Mennonites; whether English or Dutch is uncer- tain.
A conference was arranged with St. Saphorin and other powers of the Berne government; and the "Pen- sioner" demanded that the banished be allowed to take their goods with them, saying they could get rid of them quicker by so doing.
1711-St. Saphorin Announces Berne's Final Decision.
The deputies mentioned in an earlier item, it seems, were also the representatives of Holland. They tried again this year to intercede with Berne. But St. Saphorin thwart- ed it. Again and again these Menno- nites tried to get favorable action from St. Saphorin and hoped that Secretary Runckel, who was going to Berne could secure favor at the home office. These Dutch friends tried to persuade Berne that they were trying to find settlements for the Swiss brethren. St. Saphorin praised them highly for the love and sacrifice they showed and said he was glad only five hundred were left in Switzerland, since they must suffer so severely there. He said finally he would recommend the Swiss govern- ment to give them sufficient time to go. He represented to this govern- ment that the Swiss Mennonite ques- tion is stirring the whole Protestant world.
167
HOLLAND DECLARES VIRTUES OF MENNONISTS.
Ile told the deputies that Berne is, this city, which would prove clearly about to resort to severe torture that the above accusations originated upon those who refuse to go and he was compelled to exact a bond from the Dutch Mennonites that the Swiss would go and not return. (Müller 284.)
1711-Holland Declares the Good Character of the Mennonites.
The Dutch brethren became active, and to get all the information they could, three of the Nimewegen re- fugees came before them as we have seen before, April 25, 1710, at a meet- ing at Amsterdam. They learned the condition in Switzerland, by submit- ting to them twenty-four questions. It seems from Amsterdam, the Hol- land authorities took Brackbill, Burki and Zellers to the Hague and con- fronted St. Saphorin with them and from the answers made by the Swiss Mennonites, for their brethren and all else learned about them, the Hol- land officials and deputies entered in their "Great Memorial" on record, Vol. IX, page 106, and published in French, this defense of the Swiss Mennonite cause, in answer to all the reproaches against them.
"We, the Burgess and Council of the city of Amsterdam, make known to everyone whom it may concern and declare according to the truth that, there appeared before us Hans Burki, Benedikt Brechtbühl and Mel- chior Zahler. teacher and elders of the Mennonite Congregation in the honorable canton of Berne, Switzer- land, who declare that they came into our city and were cognizant of the fact that they were accused upon three points of their Christian Doc- trine, namely: that they denied the authorities were ordained by God, that they refuse to take an oath, and they refuse to defend the Fatherland with weapons. They, therefore, de- sire to make a solemn declaration of their faith, before the magistracy of
from erroneous notions, inasmuch as their creed and that of their brethren in the faith was not properly under- stood, as to the three points in ques- tion. Whereupon the aforenamed Benedikt Brechtbühl, Hans Burki and Melchior Zahler, each one for him- self, have before us, burgess and council of this city, publicly attested and declared that the creed after which they had lived in the Canton of Berne, in regard to the above named three points consisted of:
1st. That they believe and proclaim that the authorities were ordained by God the Almighty, to punish the wicked and protect the righteous, and that therefore every Christian is in duty bound to acknowledge it as a servant of God; and dare not resist it, so that one may be enabled under its government. to lead a quiet peace- ful life, and that, therefore, one must render that which he owes-toll to whom toll is due, fear to whom fear is due and honor to whom honor is due.
2nd. They believe that, according to the teachings of Christ (Matthew 5), it is not incumbent upon them to swear an oath, but yea whatever is yea and nay whatever is nay; and that by this they feel themselves as strictly bound as all others who take an oath, and that they, when they break their word are just as amen- able to the punishment of the author- ities as a perjurer.
3rd. That they are ready to pay to the authorities taxes on imports for their protection and safe-guard, as much as may be levied against them, according to their means, and which they may be able to render, and that in times of distress they would be willing in lieu of military service to participate in the works of defense, as much as lay in their power.
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