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 28
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This shows again the interest that ported Mennonites at Turin that they Brackbill displayed for his people. In the Historical Society at Philadelphia, among a lot of letters called "Dutch : Copies" are several in German. writ- ten by Brackbill.
1714-Swiss Mandate against Menno- nites.
The attitude of the Swiss govern- ment toward the Anabaptists found to the galleys on the high seas." A expression in the Great Mandate of petition had been presented by cer- May 24, 1714. It provided that those tain persons to the Duke of Savoy, to who were then in captivity, some of which answer was given that the Duke them teachers, and those who had would be willing to grant their re- been expelled under pain of punish- lease, but that this matter was wholly ment, corporal and capital, and who a concern of the gentlemen of in spite of their oath, nevertheless Berne. (A. A. No. 1371. December 1, came back, who were fit for work 1714.) (Müller 225.) should all be sent to the galleys, for As we notice above, this letter is life, as they have well deserved it. still preserved in the Amsterdam Ar- Others were to be confined in Berne, chives, and is number 1371. It was in imprisonment forever. (Müller 221.) written by Jacob Snavely.
1714-Christian Leiby or Liebeck Tortured.
1714-Further Light on Brackbill's Letter.
Müller gives the following account: In a former item, Bennedict Brack- Christian Liebi (R. M. "Liebegg") who bill's letter of Nov. 26, 1714, is set came from the Palatinate under the out. Müller states (p. 225) that dominion of my liege lords, and ad- Brackbill relates one of the brethren mitted that he had intended to visit died on the way to a distant city in Mennonites in Berne here, to console Savoy-Nicholas Baumgartner. This and comfort teachers. and if chance letter is preserved in Amsterdam and presents itself, to baptize several of is No. 1371 of the Amsterdam Archives. then: who declared that the inhibi -; It is stated that Brackbill got the tions of the authorities were known prisoners and the deported confused,
197
MIGRATION TOWARD PENNSYLVANIA.
because these prisoners were never | emigrations every year, west into the taken to Turin in Savoy.
1714-Reformed Clergy Sympathize with Mennonites.
Müller relates (p. 223) that under date of July 19, 1714, the clergy of the State Church, criticized the govern- ment for the cruel treatment of the Mennonites. They uttered very com- mendable and honorable sentiments. But the government severely repri- manded them. The government of- ficia's said that the sentences imposed are no concern of the Church, and that these Anabaptists are so stubborn, that sentences must be severe.
1714-Persecution On the Deported of 1710 and '11 who Returned.
We have noticed above that an edict was issued by Berne to send to the galleys, such of the Mennonites, who were deported in 1710 and '11, as returned to Switzerland. Some of these who were deported in 1710 and '11, reached Lancaster County. The edict, condemning to galley punish- ment, required that until they should be sent to the galleys, they should be put in the jail of Titligen. It seems that on account of their age and weakness, only four were found fit for galley service. They were Hans Luthi, the teacher of Schaufelbuhl. 54 years old-Nicholas Bumgartner of Trub, forty years old-Peter With- rich of Trub, fifty years old and Joseph Brobst of Trub, fifty years old. These were to be given over to Col. Hackbrett, who was to force them on to Silicia.
1714-A New Flood of Swiss Emi- grants Moving Toward Pennsyl-
vania.
Palatinate and into Holland, intend- ing to reach America; but he says a new impulse was given by the man- date of 1714: and that the severity of that mandate sent an emigration that year from Goutnschwyl, near Lens- burg, to Holland; among others, Hans Goutchi, and wife, Barbara Hafeli, and daughter-Jacob Peters and wife, Maria Stattler - Samuel Peters and his wife. Barbara Fry- Rudy Peters and his wife, Anna Erisman-Samuel Peter Stultzen and his wife-Samuel Lentzwyler, single - Verena Aeschbach and Rudolph Würgler. It will be noticed that the maiden names of the wives are given here. That seems to have been the custom. We may notice also. that Samuel Peters and wife are ancestors of a very large family in Neihuizen, and also of Groningen.
1714-The Means of Baptist Persecu- tion.
Müller inquires, (page 352) "With what means had the campaign against the Baptists to be carried out?" He then answers, before 1714, "the state church was blamed," that is. the Reformed Church. An effort was then made to inculcate the Orthodox doc- trine into the minds of the young. through the land, so they would grow up in the State Church and not em- brace the faith of their Mennonite ancestors, who were tortured and suffered all manner of penalty; and the government and the State Church tried to secure teachers throughout the land to do this.
1714 - Another View of the Edict of this Year.
The efforts to deport in 1710 and '11 Müller tells us (page 322) that, be- and help to get these Mennonites out ginning in the year 1711, with the of Switzerland and to America, did exodus of four shiploads of Menno- not have the result Switzerland ex- nites down the Rhine. there followed pected. They hoped that these Men-
198
THE PERSECUTION OF 1714.
nonites in America would draw all | and the two sons were fined heavily. the others over to them, but there still remained many powerful mem- bers of that church in Switzerland, who refused to go. The amnesty offered by Switzerland in 1711, to all who would go, did not have the re- sult intended. Therefore, this severe edict of 1714, imposing life imprison- ment and galley service for life, was issued.
1714-A Battle Growing Out of the Edict of 1714.
Müller relates (page 344) how the officers trying to carry out the edict of 1714, were very roughly handled near Sumiswald, a town of now 6,000 people, about 15 miles northeast of Berne. He relates that several Baptists or Mennonites had been ar- rested there, but that a party of 60 or 70 neighbors rescued the prison- ers from the officers. In this strug- gle, these Mennonite hunters were handled roughly and beaten in a bloody way. The government pun- ished some of the perpetrators and a hunt was made for all the others who beat the constables. Several were arrested and they had to pay the expense of the officers sent to catch Mennonites, and fines to the ex- tent of $100, for each one. Andreas Sommer in the Nuenwatte, was the chief leader of this rescue. He was ordered to pay $100 or be banished. This banishment was annuled in 1715, by him furnishing bail. There was another Peter Sommer, a horse doc- tor, that harbored Mennonites. He was sent, for a year, to one of the French provinces. Benedict Widmer (Witmer), the school master, who was in the fight, was sent for a year and a half to Brassu in Romainmais- ter-Benedict Risser in the Lengen- walt, who sent his two sons with bludgeons to this fight, was banished
Peter Sommers, the son of the horse doctor, was banished a year to St. Cerge, and Jacob Christen. the hired man, who had a hand in this fight, was sentenced to eight days im- prisonment. His term was made short because he had a large family. Some of those condemned had be- haved themselves obstinately and were impudent before the Court and were to be kept under the eye of the Sheriff. Some were sent to the gal- leys. One of them, Christian Wachsel, was· pardoned.
1715-A Few More Warrants Given to the Mennonites.
In Vol. 19 of the Sec. Series of the Pa. Arch., p. 597, under this date, it is set forth at a meeting of the Land Commissioners at the end of the year that several warrants were signed at sundry times at ten Pounds a 100 acres and One Shilling, sterling quit rent, all in Chester County. The whole is 2800 acres but the only Mennonites among the number were Hans Graeff. 200 acres-Benedictus Venerick, 200 acres-and Joseph Hains, 100 acres. At the same time there were 250 acres laid out to John Funk at Strasburg, (Do) and 1000 acres to Herman Richman in Stras- burg.
1715-Ambassador Runckel's Letter.
Müller recites (p. 360) that under the date of March 7, 1715, Runckel wrote to Holland about the destitute condition of the prisoners and the rest of the Mennonites whose deter- mination to stay in the country, brought upon them. They are losing friends by it. He says he does not feel satisfied that Holland owes them much more sympathy and assistance. 1715-Disposition of Fines on Menno- nites.
Müller (p. 356) informs us that the until the next November to St. Croix. fines collected from the Mennonites,
199
GALLEY TORTURE RENEWED IN 1715.
and the moneys raised from their con-[ submitted to the king, in the name of fiscated property, was divided up; the authorities of Berne, asking for the release of all prisoners. There was also a letter from the Burgess and Council of Berne to the king, giv- ing their views upon this subject. and that one-third of it went to the Court or Mennonite Chamber, one- third to the Lords of the land and one- third to the Sheriff for his activity and vigilance in the matter.
1715-Efforts to Release Mennonites from the Galleys.
Müller (p. 288) recites the petition of the mother of Christian Liebe (or Liebeck) for the release of her son, who had been sentenced to the gal- leys. The petition was received by the authorities but nothing particu- larly was done on the subject. On the subject of galley torture, infor- mation was sent, 15th of October, 1715 (Müller 229) of the release of the Swiss Mennonites from the galleys, under a proviso that they would not go back to the Berne territory. At the same time, attempts were made to secure the release of 40 prisoners, who were being prepared to send on to Venetian galleys, provided they would promise to leave the country and never come back. It was further reported that if money was needed, there was an English Arch-Bishop, ready to place a large sum at their disposal.
1715-More Condemnations to the Galleys.
Müller recites (p. 232) that at a meeting of the committee on the welfare of Mennonites at Amsterdam, it was stated that four prisoners had been condemned by the Government of Berne, to the galleys; and 40 more had been imprisoned. The aid of the Holland Government was invoked; and the Holland officers took up the matter with Switzerland, and secured full freedom for all of them. Former efforts to the same purpose were with- out avail.
1715-More Galley Torture and Trouble.
Müller sets forth, (p. 226) that even in Turin, these prisoners, ready for the galleys, were aided financially by the Dutch. Goosen Goyen, in Kre- feld, wrote to Van Woorst, that he had received moneys for these Mennonites and had forwarded the same. He also wrote that Freytorrens (a man re- ferred to in the preceeding article, p. 229) was a fanatic or Mennonite, and that he was interfering too much with affairs at Berne. He also says that he has false doctrines on religious matters, and was supposed to be the author of a shameful tract or treatise, on religious subjects. Finally he was placed under arrest. His politi- cal activities were to be looked into. He states that it is expected that he will be banished from the country as an undesirable foreigner, if some one pays the cost of his release. Müller continues and says that his noble efforts on the part of the oppressed Mennonites who were suffering galley
About the same time, Daniel Knopf, in Berne, sent word to Mennonite friends at Amsterdam, that a friend of the Mennonites named Freytor- rens, at Berne, offered his services and had a plan to raise moneys and send to the prisoners, now at the galleys. He stated that the Swiss au- thorities would be willing to do this, if pledges were made that when re- leased, these people would forever leave the country. There were sub- sequent letters on this same point. | torture, was looked upon with jealous One proposed that the petition be | eyes.
200
SETTLEMENT AT SUSQUEHANNA AND STRASBURG.
At another place Muller recites that there are original letters in Am- sterdam. written by Christian Liebe, Peter Wetrich, and Joseph Brobst, dated at Palermo, September 16, 1715, relating to the efforts made for their release, in which they promise that if they are released from the galleys, they will never go back to Swiss ter- ritory again.
The same page, Muller tells us again of the efforts of Gabriel of Wattenwyl, to get these people out of prison. He also states that if some one would be willing to go to Turin to intercede for the release of the prisoners sent there, Berne is ready to give a written pledge that they will take up mediation on the part of the friends of these people, provided they would never come back to the old home.
1715-Eby Family Come to Lancaster County.
The Eby family is numerous in this section. and the original home seems to be on Mill Creek, at a point known as Eby's Mill. Theodorus Eby was the ancestor. According to Bishop Benjamin Eby's records, found in the "Eby Family," pages 2 and 3, Theodorus Eby was a son of Jacob Eby, and came to America in 1715. Peter Eby, a nephew of Theodorus, came in 1720; also Nicholas Eby. These are all Swiss. But it is said that earlier generations of the family came into Switzerland from Northern Italy. Menno Eby, a young lad living near Terre Hill, is the 9th genera- tion descendant of Theodorus Eby.
1715-Land Taken Up on the Susque- hanna.
ard Hyde and 25 acres. new land. It was warranted on the Susquehanna. (See also p. 575.)
Page 594 of the same book, there is an account setting forth that the land commissioners of Pa. had an ap- plication for 1,000 acres of land in Strasburg from Harmon Richman, late of Hamburg, Germany, and that the commissioners have decided to give him a part of that land which was first laid out to John Bundeli in Strasburg. The account states also that he wants 100 acres more and the same was assured to him by a war- rant dated Oct. 22. 1715. This same year, the commissioners of property signed a patent to George Pierce for 600 acres in Sadsbury Twp., dated May 24, 1715, in right of John Hen- nery. In Harris's History will be found an interesting record of Stras- burg land purchased in 1691. If this is a fact, it seems to be the earliest land taken up in the present county. In the same volume of the Arch., page 600, there is a record of 650 acres of land on a branch of the Pequea Creek, applied for by Richard Cloud, for which he is to pay 78 pounds, and also 300 acres to Wm. Cloud. (See p. 597.) This year, 1715, there was also an account of several. other warrants, one to Robert Hodgen and James Hendricks, for 3,500 acres at Con- estoga, ten pounds per 100 acres (see p. 595) and a warrant to Henry Wor- ley for 600 acres on a branch of a creek, whose name is not given, for erecting a mill. (Do. 595.) And one to Francis Worley for 1,000 acres in Conestoga. (Do. 602.)
1714-Land Laid Out at Strasburg.
In the second series of the Pa. Arch., Vol. 19, page 587, it is recorded that a patent for 350 acres at Stras- burg, was signed to Isaac Lefever, at
In the 2d Ser. Pa. Arch., Vol. 19,, p. 602, there is an account of a war- rant being issued to John Salkeld for! 400 acres of land. This is made up of 10 pounds per 100 acres, dated Sept. 375 acres formerly granted to Rich- 25, 1714.
201
THE GERMAN-SWISS TAKE LANCASTER COUNTY LAND.
The same year a warrant for 1,000 acres to James Hendricks, near Strasburg, at the same price, dated December 28, 1714 (See page 591) was granted. Also the same year and same date, a warrant to Peter Bellas at Strasburg, for 200 acres at the same price, was granted; and also, the same year and date, 1,000 acres to Thomas Reichman, of Strasburg.
Rupp states that the land taken up by Peter Bellas was in the neighbor- hood of Smoketown, that is near Bird- in-Hand, and that Daniel Harmon, William Evans and James Smith were neighbors. (p. 116.)
1716-German-Swiss Take Up Some Land in Lancaster County.
In the second series of the Pa. Arch., Vol. 19, page 607, it is set forth that in 1716, a warrant was issued to Anthony Pretter for 300 acres of land in Conestoga, dated November 16th- and page 60S, a warrant dated Decem- ber 9, 1716, was set forth as being issued to John Gardner for 500 acres of land on the Conestoga River-and page 608 there is a patent, dated De- cember 10, 1716, to Thomas Dawson for 300 acres, near Conestoga. On the same page, tracts amounting to 12,871 acres, were granted to John Estauch, near Conestoga-and page 609, a tract to Columbus McNair, for 200 acres in Conestoga. In Pequea, in the year 1716 (See same book, page 609) there is a record of Daniel Fierre (now Ferry or Forry) applying for -600 acres of land near Pequea, for which he was to pay in three months. 10 pounds for 100 acres. A warrant was signed October 4th for the same.
Also note here that in 1713 (See same book, page 574) Samuel Guilden of Berne, the Mennonite Minister, asked for 800 acres in Strasburg, with the rest of his brethren. The warrant was granted January 1, 1714. We will notice this again under date of 1718,
when it was patented to Martin Ken- dig.
This same year, a warrant was exe- cuted to Isaac Lefever, dated October 10th for 300 acres, at Strasburg, and Rupp says, page 116, that this same year, Jacob Greider or Kreider, Jacob Hostetter, Hans Frantz, Shenks and others, settled on the banks of the Conestoga. He also says that Kreider and Hostetter arrived in America earlier than 1716, visited their breth- ren in faith at Pequea, and then settled on the north side of the Con- estoga, two miles south of the pres- ent site of Lancaster. and that here, they took up the 800 acres above re- ferred to. He recites that their first tent was covered with tow-cloth, which they brought along with them, and that during the winter, the In- dians came to secure shelter with them and sleep by their fire. Rupp does not quote his authority.
1717-A Few More Mennonite Addi- tions This Year.
This year a patent was signed to Hans Moyer at Strasburg for 700 acres (Rupp 624). A considerable tract was also surveyed near the head of Pequea Creek, inculding the old Shawanna Town by Mathias Vanbib- ber for some Germans to settle. This year also, says Rupp, Hans Zimmer- man came to Lancaste Crounty (Rupp 126) and Hans Graeff settled in Earl (Rupp 133).
1717-The First Ship-loads of Men- nonites.
Under this date, we are given knowl- edge of the first ship lists of Menno- nites, who were coming to Pennsyl- vania, and up into the Susquehanna Valley. In Vol. 3. Col. Rec., p. 29, it is stated that Captain Richard, Cap- tain Tower and Captain Eyers (Ayers) waited on the Council of Pennsylvania with a list of Palatines or Mennonites
202
CONESTOGA VALLEY FILLING UP.
they had brought over in their ships ! Hans Pupather, 1000 acres-Michael from London. The names are not given, but the record states that Richards had 164, Tower 91 and Evers 108; this makes a total of 363 persons. This throws some light upon how rapidly our Swiss ancestors were coming to this section. We be- lieve that nearly all of these settled in Lancaster County, because in the year 1717, all who came over were coming up to this region. In 1739, a list of 178 Lancaster County German- Swiss were naturalized and likely, many of these were among the list. (4 St. L. 326.)
1717-Slow Progress of the Mennonite Colonies,
The Mennonite colonies in Lancas- ter County seem to have made very little progress. There is a record of only a few additional land grants. The principal one seems to be the one given to Martin Kendig and Hans Herr of 5,000 acres, to be taken up in several parcels about Conestoga and Pequea Creeks at 10 Pounds per 100 acres. The Penna. Pound was worth $3.24 and, therefore, this would have been $32.40 for 100 acres or 32 cents an acre. In addition to this, there was the usual quit rent to pay. The record of this grant of land is found in Vol. 19 of the Sec. Series of the Pa. Arch., p. 622, and it states that these two men took up the 5,000 acres for settlements for several of their coun- trymen, lately arrived. The warrant was dated the 22nd of November, 1717. In addition to this tract, the same date, warrants were signed for 15 other persons about Conestoga for land, making a total of 6,675 acres, but this land may have been practi- cally the same that Kendig and Herr had applied for. The warrants are set forth as follows: To Hans Moyer, | 500 acres-Hans Kaiggey, 100 acres- Christian Hearsey (Hershey), and
Shenk and Henry Pare (Barr), 400 acres-another to Hans Pupather for 700 acres-another to Peter Leaman for 300 acres-another to Molker Preneman (Brenneman) for 500 acres -another to Henry and John Funk, 550 acres-another to Christopher Fanciscus for 150 acres-another to Michael Shenk for 200 acres-another to Jacob Landis and Ulrick Harvey, 150 acres-one to Emanuel Heer (Herr) for 500 acres-one to Abram Herr for 600 acres-one to Hans Tuber, Isaac Kauffman and Melker- man, 675 acres and one to Michael Miller for 500 acres.
We will see later that these were settled practically in a colony, neigh- bors to one another. It will be also noticed that the authorities were not slow in laying the assessment upon these newcomers, and under the year of 1718 we find the first assessment list of Conestoga sets forth these names and we have noticed that they have just arrived about this time. Christopher Franciscus was more than an ordinary man and we will notice later his activity and his encounters with panthers and wild animals about his home.
1717-The Governor Advised the Pro- vince to Protect Itself Against the Mennonites
In Vol. 2 of the Votes of Assembly, p. 217, Governor Keith in his address to the Assembly under the date of 1717, warns the province to protect itself against the great number of for- eign German Palatines now arriving. Keith says to the Assembly on the 13th of October, "I must recommend to you in particular not to lose any time in securing yourselves and all the people of this colony from the in- conveniences which may possibly arise by the unlimited number of for- eigners that without any license from
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THE GOVERNMENT ALARMED OVER GERMAN-SWISS INFLUX. 203
the King, or leave of this Government, have been transported hither of late, and to provide some discrete regula- tions to allay the apprehensions we are under, of greater numbers, which I am informed are to be daily expect- ed from Europe." We can plainly un- derstand that he meant the Menno- nites, because Englishmen, Irishmen, Scotchmen and Welchmen were not foreigners and the only other persons coming were these German Menno- nites. It will be a pleasure to notice that Governor Keith a few years later changed his opinion very much about these good people.
1717-Great Increase of the Menno- nite Colony Alarms the Gov- ernment at Philadelphia.
On the 17th of September of this year, Governor Keith brought before his Council the fact that a greater number of Germans have lately come into the province and that many of them are Mennonites, and therefore will not take the oath of allegiance, and that there may be some danger in allowing them to come. He gives the matter to the attention of Coun- cil in the following words:
"The Governor observed to the Board that great numbers of foreign- ers from Germany, strangers to our Language and Constitutions, having lately been imported into this pro- vince daily dispersed themselves im- mediately after landing, without pro- ducing any certificates, from whence they came and what they are; and as they seem to have first landed in Bri- tain and afterwards to have left it without any License, from the Gov- ernment, or so much as their knowl- edge, so in the same manner they be- haved here, without making the least application to himself or to any of the Magistrates; that as this practice might be of very dangerous conse- quence, since by the same method any number of foreigners from any na- tion whatever, as well enemies as friends, might throw themselves upon
us; The Governor, therefore, thought it requisite that this matter should be considered by the Board, and accord- ingly it was considered, and it was ordered thereupon, that all the mas- ters of vessels who have lately im- ported any of these foreigners be summoned to appear at this Board, to render an account of the numbers and characters - of their passengers respectively, from Britain; that all those who are already landed be re- quired by a proclamation, to be issued for that purpose; to repair within the space of one month to some Magis- trate, particularly to the Recorder of this City, to take such oaths appoint- ed by law as are necessary to give assurances of their being well affect- ed to his Majesty and his Govern- ment; But because some of these for- eigners are said to be Mennonites. who can not for conscience sake, take an oath, that those persons be admit- ted upon their giving any equivalent assurances in their own way and manner and that the Naval Officer of this Port be required not to admit any inward bound vessel to an entry, until the master shall first give an exact list."
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