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 25
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The King had a suspicion that the Hollanders wanted to keep the rich with them and to saddle the poor upon Prussia. Mr. Runckel endeav- ored to set the King's too great ex- pectations about the wealth of the Swiss Mennonites aright, by mention- ing the fact that according to his in- vestigation they mostly belonged to the lower order.
1711-Holland Doing Everything Pos- sible for the Mennonites.
1
There is a long list of documents in the Archives of Amsterdam show- ing what trouble and expense Holland expended to help our ancestors to flee from the wrath of Berne. Am. bassador Runckel led off in the task.
In Runckel's letter of Jan. 3, 1711, he speaks of the repeated return of
It set forth that, as all past efforts to rid the land of the Baptists had failed, and the sect increased-and as they will not take the oath of allegiance - nor bear arms-and as they did not take advantage of the right to depart because as they say no fixed place has been provided for them to go to, where they could en- joy what they call "liberty of con- science," that, the government of Berne has finally made arrangements with the government of Prussia by its consul Bundeli, and with the Gov- ernment of Holland, by their Secre- tary, M. Runckel, to take over these persons. They are therefore allowed now to go to Holland or Prussia if they do not return; except they must not go into Neuenburg or Valeudis. But those already condemned are not at liberty to thus depart. Those in prison will be at liberty to go too if they furnish bail. They are allowed to the end of June, 1711, to go, but not after-and no fee for departure will be exacted. The journey is to be at their own expense. Wives, chil- dren and husbands of these Menno- nites or Baptists, who belong to the Reformed Church may go too if they desire. But all will lose their citizen- ship. Whatever is not reported to the Baptist or Mennonite Chamber in time will be confiscated. In the mean- time all Mennonite meetings are pro- hibited under penalty. All who leave will be severely punished if they re- turn. Runckel reported that by Feb.
176
SWISS MENNONISTS INVITED TO HOLLAND.
14th at least 18 Mennonites secured ; release from prison by giving bail, and departed out of the Canton Berne under this amnesty. They went to Holland. Thirty others were promised freedom.
March 18, at Amsterdam, the condi- tions of this amnesty were discussed in a meeting held under government authority. Runckel was given a vote of thanks for his good work; and he was given general charge by Holland of the departure, etc.
At the meeting Dr. Herman Schijn read the draft of a letter, he favored sending out. It was approved and ordered translated into German, and to be sent to Runckel to be distributed throughout Switzerland. This letter urged Mennonites everywhere to take advantage of the permission to de- part, and end their misery. They were to come to Holland.
The King of Prussia, too, soon after, Feb. 1711, granted special priv- ileges to these people and welcomed them. Agents of the King, Steven Creamer and Alla Dirks, invited them to come; but the meeting decided it best to wait until the Swiss arrived- and then let them select whether they would take Holland or Germany to live in.
29, 1711, that all people of Berne in whom the Mennonites have confi- dence, whether Reformed or other- wise, who will assist the departure shall receive instructions and the thanks of the government. (Müller 296-7.)
1711-Exodus Into Holland (Con- tinued).
Now that the movement into Hol- land was to become a fact, a list was to be made of the property and possessions of these Mennonites. But toward the beginning of Summer in 1711, these people had not yet made a statement to the authorities; and the Berne government now began to feel that they would be accused of embezzling the estates of the op- pressed.
The authorities, therefore, decided that heavy penalties must be inflicted, and did so, by mandate of the 11th of May. requiring the statements. On the second of June the mandate was repeated.
June 22, 1711, there was a mandate issued by Berne that the wives, hus- bands and children of Mennonites or Baptists, who belonged to the Re- formed Church and who are going to Holland with the Mennonites, should lose their Swiss citizenship. And those who are not members of the Baptist or Mennonite families, should pay, in addition, ten per cent. of the "departure money." Mandate of June 24.
Runckel complains in his letters that it is very hard to find among these Swiss men who can be of much help to him in arranging for their advantage, and their departure. Dan. Reichen he says seems to be the only man who can help much. He com- plains that there is a good deal of Ten thousand florins of the moneys collected by the Dutch for the Swiss were now put at the disposal of their needs. distrust among the Mennonites. He says arrangements are made that lists of those who will take advantage and depart, and the names shall be sent July 15, a meeting was held by the government at Amsterdam and the Dutch Mennonites, as the Swiss were soon expected to arrive there, at which meeting full report was made of everything that had transpired dur- in at once or by Feb. 20, 1711. An- nouncement is to be made in all pul- pits. Berne promulgated a mandate April 17, 1711, that everything is to be done to assist these people to de- part. There was a mandate of April ing the last few weeks. Mr. Runckel
177
SWISS MENNONIST DEPARTURE FOR HOLLAND.
reported that with the consent of the committee he had persuaded Mr. G. Ritter from Berne, who managed the expedition of 1710, to take charge of the transportation of this expedition of 1711 that his first duty as arranged, was to provide five vessels for con- veyance of about five hundred per- sons (the number estimated who would migrate) that the vessels were built in Berne-that the cost of them with all necessary furnishings amounted to one thousand six hun- dred and fifty-six reichsthalers (or dollars of the realm).
Upon the advice of Runckel, the committee secured the intercession of the States General-that is the gov- erning officers of Holland - whereby the migrants are to be accorded at Vasal, Treves, Cologne, Hesse-Cassel and Prussia, unhindered passage on the Rhine and exemption from toll or duty. They also had instructions issued to Runckel to continue his stay at Berne. Runckel reported that the crews of the ships demanded higher wages than they did in 1710; and that the cost of the crews and the board and expenses would reach about three thousand two hundred and fifteen reichsthalers.
It was reported that there would be hardly five hundred members, be- cause the faction of the Mennonites led by Hans Reist decided that they would not go, because Switzerland was their home and no one had a right to drive them out. But the fac- tion led by Jacob Ammon (that is the Amish Mennonites) were likely all to go. Runckel reasoned with the Reist Mennonites a great deal but they had not yet made up their minds. (Müller 299). Runckel further re- ported that he felt quite indignant at this resolve, as he had done every- thing he could for these people. He was disgusted further because, he said old Hans Burki, disregarding all danger, had come back to the coun-
try, after having promised not to do so, and had brought a company of brethren back with him and they were all again thrown in jail and a dark future in sight for everybody.
The Mennonite committee in Hol- land extended their thanks to the Swiss Ambassador at the Hague (M. St. Saphorim) and also to the King of Prussia for the interest they took in these oppressed Swiss Brethren. The King was so interested that he - visited the Holland authorities and leading Mennonites at Amsterdam on the 16th of June, 1711, to learn more fully what he could do ror them.
1711-Mennonites Depart for Hol- land.
The departure of the emigrants was fixed to take place on the 13th of July. Runckel had given informa- tion that according to the latest esti- mates, the number who would go was 307, together with fifty-two, who had been imprisoned. But it was not known whether any members of their family would accompany them or not. It was recommended that, it be earn- estly insisted on departing, that they must obligate themselves as the Berne government wishes, never again to return to their country. It was arranged that they should not disembark until they reached Am- sterdam. The necessary instructions were to be handed by Abraham Fortgens, the pastor or teacher of the Mennonite congregation at Emmerich to Mr. Ritter, who had charge of these Christians. The place they were to settle when they landed was to be referred to a meeting to be held a few days prior to their expected arrival in Amsterdam. By that time minute information about colonizing in Prussia was expected to be avail- able. The committee had sent, early in July, three Swiss Mennonite ex- perts, Benedict Brackbühl, Hans Ramseier and Uly Bauer to the dif-
178
FINANCING SWISS MENNONISTS IN HOLLAND.
ferent places from which so many reports and good prospects had been held forth. to investigate and see the condition with their own eyes, and make report. It was also reported at the meeting by the delegate from Freisland, the northern province of Holland on the North Sea, that Mr. G. von Aylva, a notary or Court Officer at Bakkoveen (a town in Hol- land twenty miles southwest of the town of Groningen in the swamp country, about fifteen miles from the north coast of Holland), was willing to place part of his lands, on which peat or soft coal could be dug for two hundred years, at the disposal of these Swiss Mennonite members and to all others of them who should come, for the sum of two thousand florins. Others reported in favor of colonizing in the Groningen country, the north eastern province of Hol- land, on the North Sea. The inves- tigation of these proposed sites pro- gressed some time but the final de- cision was not to be rendered until the Swiss did actually arrive. (Mül- ler 299.)
1711 - Exodus Into Holland (Contin- ued).
We now glance again at the events transpiring in Switzerland. Berne agreed, though unwillingly, upon pressure being brought against her by Prussia and Holland, to grant amnesty to the persecuted Anabap- tists or Mennonites; but did so only upon payment of twenty-five reich- thalers, expense money for every one released from prison. Berne also in- sisted that these payments should not be taken out of the charity funds collected in Holland. (Müller 300.)
The ships of which we spoke before, were ready to sail, but now it ap- peared that the emigrants delayed making preparations for the journey, though they had given in their names and the names of their children and
wives to be placed on the list that were being made out under Runckel's orders, after great difficulty. They had no confidence in the promise of the government; they felt suspicious about whether their teachers and leaders would be included in the am- nesty - about whether their children could be taken along or whether the government would keep them back and train them up in the State re- ligion. The Hans Reist people, since they split from the Amish people were quite stubborn about going. A great deal of trouble arose about separating the goods and property of families, between the members who would go and those who would stay. A great deal of time was necessary to make the sales and transfers of property. The notice was really too short. And the fact that such an emigration could be accomplished at all is evidence of the sacrifices that the people were ready to make for their religion and how hard the intol- erance which they suffered, bore upon them. We may add that, without the great ingenuity and services of Runckel, the exodus to Holland in 1711 could not have been possible. Nor must we forget the great services which George Ritter and Daniel Richen rendered Runckel in this matter. Richen was in banishment in Neuenberg at the time, and only on the 23rd of May, 1711, by the earn- est efforts of Runckel, was he given permission to return to Switzerland, on the first of July.
Runckel received from the Ana- baptist or Mennonite Chamber all the moneys of the emigrants who were to go to Holland and transmit- ted the same by a draft to the Men- nonite Committee in Holland. The sum he remitted was twenty-eight thousand five hundred florins, which on the 17th of August was receipted for by Jacob Vorsterman and John Honnore at Amsterdam, to be repaid
----
179
SWISS EXODUS INTO HOLLAND (Continued).
by them later to the proper owners on presentation of obligation which these owners held and which had been issued to them as an evidence of what sums they were entitled to. The sum paid to each owner was the same that he had been required to pay in, upon entering the ship, so that it would be impossible for him to turn back with his money. These receipted obligations are still on file in their original completeness in the Archives of Amsterdam.
. In addition to this, the sums of money which the Swiss themselves carried with them in drafts and in cash, according to Runckel, amounted to six or seven thousand reichthalers.
Zehnder estimates the amount of capital taken out of Switzerland up to this time by departing Mennonites was about six hundred thousand pounds. The whole sum which Runckel received for the aid of the Swiss and for which he rendered an account on March 29. 1713, in Am- sterdam amounted to thirty-eight thousand one hundred and thirty- three (38,133) florins or fifteen thou- sand two hundred and thirty-three .(15,233) reichthalers.
-
By the beginning of June, the dif- ficulties and hindrances had become so great that it seemed to Runckel, as well as to the Committee, that the enterprise would be impossible. In the second week of July, the five ships (four of which had been con- structed at Berne) were all ready. As the five hundred emigrants could not be gathered together, other pas- sengers were accepted (Do. 301).
Finally embarkation took place July 13th in Neunberg, as well as in Berne.
16th, all arrived safely at Basel. Runckel had reached this place a day before by a land route. The open vessels were here furnished with awnings and the necessary supplies were put on board - additional pas- sengers were taken on board here. Shortly before - the departure from Basel, on the 17th of July, two Men- nonites, Hans Burki (or Burkholder) and Samuel Reber, were released from imprisonment and brought by the government of Berne to Basel and put upon the ships. These men had been condemned to severe pun- ishment because they sneaked or stole back into Switzerland. Through the efforts of Runckel they were al- lowed to board the ships at the last moment.
1711-Exodus Into Holland (Con- tinued).
The Baptist or Mennonite teacher. Daniel Grimm, had been arrested at Langnau with Hans Burki (or Burk- holder), and was to have been trans- ported to America the previous year. But, upon his liberation in Holland, he became one of the three trustees or men of confidence of the Mennonites in the Netherlands, though he had, as we have just stated, violated his pledge and returned to Switzerland. Burkholder's action caused great dif- ficulties; and the more so because all of his children, in company with Uli Gerber, his hired man, as well as the ten sons of three other Menno- nites, Peter and Daniel Grimm and Christian Neuenschwender, armed themselves with pitch forks, sticks and clubs and made a stubborn re- sistance to either being thrown out of Switzerland or being arrested. (R. M. July 9, 1711.) Upon this opposi- tion to the authorities, proceedings to punish them were instituted. Burki and Grimm particularly angered the government of Switzerland because
The ships joined one another at Wangen. Here one of the former prisoners, Henrich Schilt. of Schang- nan, absented himself, contrary to his vow. On the 14th the journey was continued to Lafenburg: and on thel they endeavored dissuade the
180
RUNCKEL'S GREAT SERVICE FOR SWISS SUFFERERS.
Mennonites in the mother country from going to Holland. (R. M. June 10, 1711.)
At Basel it was plain that the travelers could be transported in four ships. Therefore, the fifth ves- sel was left behind here to be usel, perhaps, later for similar purposes. After it had lain there for a year, the people of Basel had it dismembered and removed, though it was the prop- erty of the friends of the Mennonites and was worth at least one hundred florins.
The command over the flotilla was confided to George Ritter and his two superintendents, Gruner and Haller. He was also to be advised in import- ant matters by two prominent Men- nonite Brethren, Daniel Richen and Christian Gauman, the elder, who had been appointed for this purpose. Be- sides this there were on the ships a few brethren entrusted with the su- pervision and care of the emigrants- Hans Burki, Jacob Richen, Emanuel Lartscher, Michael Lusser, Hans Meier and Peter Zehnder. (Müller 302.) Each vessel had its experienced helmsman or pilot, and the necessary crew from the brethren, of whom twenty reported as experienced oars- men. Experienced pilots were taken along from one place to another ac- cording as they were familiar with the river at different points.
The embarkation took place in good order. Runckel tells us in a letter, however, of July 18, 1711, which he wrote from Basel to the Committee, of the trouble he had with Hans Burki and Samuel Reber, who said they positively would not go along to Ho !- land. He said they had the rudeness, in company with a number of others whom he names, all of whom had been imprisoned and whom he hal gotten out of prison with great dif- ficulty-that they had the rudeness to inquire of him in a public place in the
presence of Mr. Ritter and other prominent men, whether he(Runckel) intended to take them away as pris- oners or free men. He answered them that they were certainly to go as free men but the order was, they must go on to Holland, where full liberty would be granted them. Burkhol'er reported that the Burgess of Berne, when he delivered him up to the ship merely told him that he must keep away from the Berne territory in the future and did not say that he must go to Holland. He now insisted that here at Basel, he was outside of Berne territory and was at liberty to go wherever he pleased; and further that he did not intend to go into the ship again; but savs Runckel, Burk- ho'der finally submitted, after being informed that he (Runckel) would get the a'd of the Basel government to order him locked in irons and to be taken to Holland in that manner, if he would not go willingly, accord- ing to his vow and pledge. Runckel says further, that he lectured Burk- holder very severely for his onposi- tion to all that was being done for his and others' best interest. Py energetic action, Runckel says he nipped great difficulties in the bud which later could not have been pre vented or overcome. Some of the emigrants subsequently made thei! escape from the ships in order to go back to Switzerland and were arain arrested and locked up. And after having now broken their promise sev- eral times nothing could liberate them.
Runckel inspected every ship and made a careful and correct list of those who undertook the journey: issued the necessary orders; en- trusted the care of the who'e expedi- tion to Mr. Ritter; and after the de. parture of the ships. returned to. Schaffhausen. (Müller 303.)
18
EXPENSES OF DEPORTATION OF 1711.
1711-Exodus Into " Holland (Contin- ued).
The following items of expense, taken from Runckel's account which he rendered on November 30, 1711, from Schaffhausen to the Committee at Amsterdam, throws considerable light on the expedition:
1710
Oct. 6-To Maid Jenner, prison- keeper at Berne, for necessaries and habiliments for the Baptists who had been imprisoned on the Island, on account; twenty ducats or 25 Reichsthaler. Oct. 6-To Mister Bembard Wagner for the same pur- pose for the prisoners contained in the upper hospital, thirty-five ducats or 26 Reichsthaler and 18 batzen or cents, of which he had used only twenty-six. Oct. 20-Journey to Am- soldingen to Mister Boduer, to con- sult with him in reference to placing the poor Baptists on the bogs of Aau- burg, Yoerdon and Orbe, spent in three days with an hired man and two horses, 7 Reichsthaler and 25 batzen (cents). Feb. 4, 1711-To the poor Baptists on the Island for their necessities, 10 Reichsthaier. Do .- Gave separately to Samuel Reber who had recently been re-arrested 3 Reichsthaler.
Do .- To the so-called "Schnecke- muttzer" (snail mother) who had at- tended to the wants of these Baptists, and who had usually opened the pri- son doors to us, as a tip, two dol- lars. Do .- To the poor Baptists in the upper hospital for their necessi- ties, 62 dollars. Do .- To the so-called "Spinnmutter" (spinning mother) who had attended to the wants of these Baptists and who had usually opened the prison doors to us, as a tip, 2 dollars. Feb. 5-To the mes- senger of the Chancery who had de- livered to me the decision for the liberation of the above mentioned Baptists, tip, 15 batzen or cents.
March 5-Paid to the Baptist Cham- ber at Berne for prison expenses one hundred Reichsthaler. Of these were refunded by :
Niklaus Haberli 16 Reichsthaler
Elsbeth Aebersold 15
Barbara Rohrer 15
Katharine Balli - 15
-
61
Leaving a balance on account of thirty-nine Reichdollars.
March 11th, paid further to the Bap- tist Chamber for prison expenses for Heinrich Schilt of Schangnau, 25 dol- lars; Hans Kuenbuhler of Diessbach, 25 dollars. March 12-To Mrs. Langhaus, attendant at the Baptist Chamber, for various services on ac -. count of the imprisoned Baptists; particularly at the time of their re- lease, by request of the Baptists, 1 Louisdor, 3 dollars and 24 cents. (Müller 304) -- March 30, To Peter Blaser of Lauperswyl, who was sent into the judicial districts of Trach- selwald and Sumiswald, in order to induce the Baptists residing there to emigrate, as travelling expenses, 1 dollar and 15 cents .- May 13, To Peter Shenk of Trub, a member of the Reformed Church but who was kindly disposed towards the Baptists, and who distributed the printed cir- culars in the Emmenthal, a gratuity for his trouble, 1 dollar .- May 18, Mr. Bernhard Wagner, who was sent into the Emmenthal to persuade the Bap- tists residing there for Heaven's sake to get themselves in readiness for departure and for this purpose to have their names written down, since he refused absolutely to charge any- thing for his trouble and expense, a gratuity of four Louisdor paid him, 15 dollars and 6 cents .- June 15, To Samuel Reber, preparation for the Journey, 25 dollars .- June 13, To the four provosts, who had brought Sam- uel Reber and Hans Burki from the
183
SWISS EXODUS INTO HOLLAND (Continued). .
and thirty others too, decamped. | citizens of Amsterdam came in such Mayence, Coblenz, Cologne, Düssel- dorf and Wessel were passed. At Emmerich, Abram Fortgens brought all greetings of welcome, and in formed them on behalf of the Com- mittee that, Amsterdam was to be. the end of the journey. Now the boun- dary line of Holland had been reach- ed. Utrecht was passed, and at Nüi- den, the ships were docked. From Utrecht on, two envoys from Amster- dam accompanied the transports. In Amsterdam Jan Frederiksen on Au- gust 2nd, gave notice of the arrival at Utrecht. In Nuiden they were bid a cordial welcome by a number of gentlemen of Amsterdam.
On the same day, (the third of Au- gust, 1711) Mr. Honnore gave a glow- ing report of the arrival of the Swiss at Nuiden, to his friend Bennings at Rotterdam, saying they would be in Amsterdam by evening, and adding the information that, their number was three hundred and forty, among whom were one hundred and fifty children, eighty to ninety men and ninety to one hundred women.
1711-Exodus Into Holland (Con- tinued).
The Swiss, who actually did arrive on the evening of the third of August at Amsterdam, were given quarters for the night in the large rooms of the warehouses on the "Zaudlock," which was part of the malting plant, and which had been placed at their disposal by one of the gentlemen. This building had been transformed within the last few days into huge barracks and had been supplied with the necessary bedding, blankets, uten- sils, victuals and beverages. Every- thing that was needed was brought in large quantities, and the sick and in- firm received special attention. It was a hospitable reception in every sense. Great was the love and cordi- ality mutually exhibited. And the
great throngs that it became neces- sary to put the entrances to the quar- ters under police protection. The boxes placed at the doors contained charitable offerings to the amount of one thousand and forty-five florins. For two weeks, the Swiss were here the guests of their brethren in the faith. It was indeed .an arduous time for the Committees at Amsterdam. The best we can do in the way of be- lated thanks, is to present the name of the Holland leaders for future per- petuation. The members of the relief committee were William van Maurik, Hermanus Schyn, Jan Willink, Abra- ham Jacob Fries, Job Sieuwerts, Jacob Vorsterman, Jan Honnore and Cornelis Beets.
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