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 31
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But the northwest section of West Conestoga included what is now Don- egal, Conoy, Mount Joy, Rapho, etc. In 1723, this section was cut off from
Gardner and others.
1723-John Meylin Joins Ephrata Community.
Rupp (74) makes a simple note of the fact of Jolin Meylin joining the Sieben Taeger (Seventh Day) fratern- ity at Ephrata and assuming the name "Amos" or "Bruder Amos." There does not seem, at the present day, to be any branch of the Meylin family so connected.
1723-German Palatines of New York Come to Pennsylvania.
In the great German Exodus of 1709, ernor Hunter brought 3,000 of those Palatines (who were landed ard stranded in England in the Exodus,
to that country to find out how pres- of which we have spoken before, Gov-
The good old German-Swiss region to New York. They camped or lived of Lancaster County, known as Con- in New York till the fall of 1710, ard
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219
POVERTY OF THE PALATINE IMMIGRANTS.
then the Queen of England provided field because of the great quantities cf for their transportation to a wilder- hemp raised. ness near Schoharie, New York, where 1723-Weavers Take Up Weber-Thal. it seems one of the chiefs of the Five Nations gave a tract of land, because this chief and several of his tribe (who were in England to get England to send a force to reduce the French in Canada), saw the destitute condition of these Germans, while they lay in England in their poverty and misery.
The laws of New York did not suit the Germans -- and therefore, in 1723, they asked permission to come to Pennsylvania. They were allowed to do so, and settled on Tulpehocken and Swatara Creeks-becoming the foun- dation of some of the best German stock of Upper Lancaster, Dauphin and Montgomery Counties. Conrad Weiser descended from them. (Rupp 183 and 4.) The petition of these people for permission to come to Pennsylvania is also found in the Colonial Records.
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1723-Mary Ditcher and Palatines.
According to Hazard (See Register Vol. 9, p. 113) the first proprietor of the western end of the Hempfields, was a peculiar old German woman named Mary Ditcher. Rupp also quotes Hazard (p. 189) and says that "the land back from the River was settled principally by Germans-For- rys, Stricklers, Sherricks, Garbers, etc." Their first purchase was from an old woman, who used to go through the country making what was then called "improvements"-a few sticks piled together-a fire kindled and a pot hung over it. This constituted a first right. Those who could pay for the land had first choice; but these "improvements" were generally bought for a trifle. Mary Ditcher is described as wandering through the woods, leading an old horse, her only property, with her knitting in her hand; and clad in a garment chiefly of sheep skin. This was called Hemp-
Rupp says (p. 191) that while the Welsh were making improvements. some Swiss and Germans settled in Weber-Thal, south of Conestoga Creek, so called from the Webers or Weavers who took up between two and three thousand acres of land in 1723 or 4. George Weber and Hans Guth, brothers-in-law, and Jacob Weber and Henry Weber, all Swiss, were the first settlers, contiguous to the Welsh. The name "Guth" became "Good." The Webers and Goods had settled in Lancaster County twelve or fifteen years earlier and lived near the present city of Lancaster. A good account of their early move- ments and connections is contained in a record owned in 1842 by Samuel Weaver.
1723-Our Poor Palatine Ancestors Cannot Pay Passage.
There is a notice in the American Weekly Mercury of January 15, 1723, calling on the Mennonists of Con- estoga to pay the passage money of their brethren who were then coming to the Susquehanna Valley and advis- ing them that if the passage money was not paid, the delinquents would be sold into servitude. Therefore, before any of us became overbearing or haughty, we had better look into these ancient names and annals.
The notice is as follows:
"These are to give notice that the Palatines who were advertised to be at the head of Elk River in Maryland. are now come up to Philadelphia and will be disposed of for five years each, to any one paying their passage money at 10€ per head. If any of their friends, the Dutch at Conestoga, have a mind to clear any of them, they may see them at this Port."
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GERMAN-SWISS BEGIN REAMSTOWN AND SALUNGA.
1723-A Hitherto Unknown Ship load 200 acres of land on a branch of that of Palatines.
In the Mercury of June 6th, this year, we find a brief article stating that the Brigantine that came out with the Beaver bound to Philadelphia was not Captain Lee's, but Captain Lee's Brigantine sailed out of the River a tide before Captain Fitch, etc., and this lay entirely across the being bound to Holland, to take in Palatines for Pennsylvania.
I note this item only for the purpose of recording the name of the vessel and of its captain interested in bring- ing our Mennonite ancestors here, as the records from official sources are not yet complete. Frequently, our people today, try to trace their family history back to the ship in which they arrived.
1724-Everhard Ream Begins Reams- town.
Rupp (p. 190) relates that this year, Ream, whose descendants still reside in the village called after him, began the settlement of the northeastern part of present Lancaster County. He states that Ream journeyed to the spot with his wagon, into the woods thereabout and unloaded his "fixtures and furniture" under an oak tree and lived there until he built a small hut on what is now known as (or was in 1843) the Lesher farm. He gives as Ream's earliest neighbors, the Buch- ers, Hubers, Walters, Kellers, Lead- ers, Schwarwalders, Schneiders, Kil- lians, Docks, Forneys, Rupps, Bal- mers, Mays, Mayers, Hahns, Resslers, Boyers, Leets, Schlotts, Groffs, Wolfs, Feiersteins, Weidmans and others. He does not tell us the source of his in- formation.
In the Second Series of the Penna. Archives, Vol. 19, p. 725, there is re- corded a minute that "Eberhard Ream of Conestoga requests a grant of about
creek including a small Indian settle- ment called Cocalico. He had the Indians "consent to settle and can pay the purchase money down."
This is very definite. It shows that Conestoga was recognized as extend- ing up to the region of Adamstown, present county, following up the Con- estoga Creek, almost to its source. It also definitely locates a small Indian village; and shows his fair dealing and that he had means.
1724-Our Swiss Mennonite Ancestors Begin the Settlement of Salunga and Chickies.
In the book last mentioned (p. 724) we find that this year, Michael Shank requested and was allowed 250 acres of land near Checosolungas. Jacob Graeff requested the same amount near that place. Henry Work and John Garrett were also given tracts of land (the size not specified) at this time "near Conestoga or Shecossolun- gus." "Shecossolungus" is our Chick- ies Creek.
1724-Additional German-Swiss Set- tlements at Conestoga.
In the Second Series of the Pennsyl- vania Archives (p. 721) it is recorded that Mart Mayley desires a grant of 100 acres in the "Point" in a fork of Conestoga Creek, near the land called "William Willis's," to make tiles and bricks. At p. 724, there is a request by Christian Herr for 50 acres of ordi- nary land in Conestoga, joining his other land. And p. 726, it is recorded that James Als Couradt, rector, re- quests the grant of a piece of land near Conestoga, adjoining to Freder- ickful. Just what and where "Fred- erickful" is, we cannot tell.
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221
GERMAN-SWISS AGITATE THEIR NATURALIZATION
1724 -- Earliest Known Tile and Brick Yard in Lancaster County.
Referring to the last named item, we may call attention to the fact that Mart Mayley (or Mylin), very likely, made the first tiles and brick in this county. We know there were tiled houses here very early. Mart Mylin was evidently a genius. Rupp tells us (p. 74) that in 1719, he erected a Bor- ing Mill on Mylin's Run, in West Lam- peter Township, and that he was also the first gunsmith in our county.
1724-Our Swiss Mennonist Brethren Apply for Naturalization.
Rupp (p. 194) notices the efforts that our Swiss ancestors were com- pelled to make in order to be natural- ized, to hold land and pass it on to their children, at their death; for without naturalization, they could not do so. He states that as early as 1721, they began to petition for naturaliza- tion, but it was not until 1724 that they were given permission to bring a bill before the Assembly, to naturalize them. It could only be done then, provided each German or Swiss would obtain from a Justice of the Peace, a certificate of the value of his prop- erty, the nature of his religious faith, etc.
The proceedings in 1724, for natural- ization canie up in April, and in Vol. 2, Votes of Assembly, (p. 388) it is related that a petition of a great num- ber of persons who were born under the allegiance of the Emperor of Ger- many, setting forth that they have moved themselves into this province and their families, and have purchased lands which they are not capable to hold for them and their heirs, and therefore, they pray that they may be enabled by a law, to buy and hold lands and enjoy the same benefits as the rest of the inhabitants-was filed. The Assembly ordered it to lay on the
table. The next day it was read again and debated, and it was resolved that as many of these petitioners as shall bring certificates from the Justices of the Courts, signifying the lands they hold and of what conversation they are reputed; and also have taken the oath or affirmation and declaration of fidelity and allegiance, and set forth the profession of their religious be- lief as the law directs, shall have leave to bring in a bill; but the As- sembly orders that the Justices shall examine this matter very closely.
It seems that there was still more difficulty for our ancestors because the Register General now began to stir up strife against them, and to make it appear that they were sus- picious characters, (2 Votes 391). However, they were finally naturalized in 1727. Two, however, Casper Wis- ter and John Cartho, under the al- legiance of the Emperor of Germany, were naturalized this year (Vol. 3, Statutes at Large, p. 424) ; and a great many others later.
1725-The Swiss Take Up Land in the Susquehanna Valley.
In Vol. 2 of the Penna. Arch., p. 734, we find that in 1725, Mathias Stauffer recommended by Christian Herr, re- quests the grant of a piece of land on the Checosolangas; and the same year, according to the same book (p. 729) Jacob Funk requested the grant of 50 acres adjoining his other tract in Conestoga. The same year several tracts were granted on the Octorara -one of 300 acres to John Devour near John Musgrave's (p. 726)-one to Robert Burd, 100 acres near the place called Horse Hook, formerly of Cornelius Empson (127) - one to George Carr at the head of the Octo- rara, where he wished to carry on tanning (p. 723) one to Hugh Morri- son, Thomas Paxton, Hugh Robinson and Lawrence Small, near the same
222
GERMAN-SWISS NATURALIZATION CONDITIONS.
place (p. 734)-one to James Harlan (p. 734) between the Octorara Creek best but the most justifiable method (and that we have many precedents and the Susquehanna River and one in England); but he says that to de- requested by Mrs. Musgrave for John Cohalan. As these are not German Swiss people, but rather English, we; will say no more about them and only metion tliem for the sake of regular- ity. mand a strict inquiry into private conversion and the religious faith of these people, other than what the law directs, and especially to pry into the circumstances of their private estate, would be contrary to natural and equal justice and a dangerous preced- ent, and would injure our reputation
The same year lands were taken up in Pequea; but we must remember
that Pequea was the region about the as a free country. The Governor, head of the Pequea Creek, north of the therefore, hoped that they would have Gap, and we find in the same book (p. 729) that Robert Eyes, a cooper, was given a tract of land and (p. 734) that William and James Johnson his son, requested a tract on a branch of the, Pequea Creek called Cat Tail.
1725 -- Governor Keith, a Friend of Our Mennonite Ancestors.
About the year 1725, the Governor of Pennsylvania began to realize that our English laws discriminated too severely against the Germans and Swiss. In that year Governor Keith, in the message to the Assembly, found in Vol. 2, Votes of Assembly, (p. 442), among other things, states that as to the "Palatine Bill," as he called it, he is of the same opinion he was the year before -- that the producing of certificates is not a proper method of securing the allegiance of these peo- ple to the king and this government, but that it is not agreeable to English liberty or to the proprietor's declara- tion for encouraging settlement of the colony and much less to the freedom of conscience, so - much professed here, to demand other qualifications to settle any man to the right of an Eng- lish subject, than what we have pre- scribed by law, namely, affirmation of allegiance. The provision made in this intended law to prevent these persons from enjoying privileges of this gov- ernment, unless they go and take al legal qualification, is not only the
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a particular regard against being drawn into propositions and new emthods inconsistent with liberty. He goes on to say that he thinks it is a very hard case to deny a stranger who has purchased land in this province, the right to transmit those lands to his children; therefore, he approves of the bill, only so far as it requires a qualification to be made, but he does not approve inquiring into the re- ligious beliefs and private estate of these people. A few days later he goes on to say that he congratulates them on passing a liberal law for the ease of conscience, and that he ex- pects them to use their best endeavors among the people to convince them of the peace and quiet we enjoy. He then says that he wants to impress upon them the bill which lies still be- fore them, not acted upon, in behalf of some "protestants from the Palati- nate and other parts of Germany," who have a great desire for the bless- ing of the English Government. He also says that they have seen him personally and in the humblest man- ner have besought him that he should have extended to them the same terms of naturalization, granted in England to foreign protestants.
1725-Our German Swiss Ancestors Very Grateful to the Governor; and They Stand by Him.
It seems that a very stern struggle
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223
NATURALIZATION PROGRESSING.
was before our Mennonite forefathers here to secure their right to make wills and deed land over or to have it pass to their children, on their death, unless they made certain affirmations. On the 25th of November this year, there was a petition of 237 of these people setting forth the tender care and kindness of the present Governor and the many advantages of the re- ligious and civil rights of the people that have been granted by him and especially by the creation of paper money, which is very much appreciat- ed by them. They go on in this peti- tion and state that they are his friends and that they know that he is grossly misrepresented in the province of Pennsylvania to the proprietor for his enterprising stand taken and that there may probably be a change in the government by a new governor being sent. They pray the house in this petition and the governor. that as they are faithful people, that their needs be recognized and that the true state of affairs concerning the bless- ing paper money has been to the peo- ple here shall be sent to the proprie- tor at home, so that their friend, the governor, may be saved from removal by his enemies and by the misrepre- sentatious made concerning him. This petition they filed in the House of Representatives and begged the rep- resentatives to stand up for the gov- ernor and not let him be scandalized. Paper money was opposed by Eng- land.
1725-A Large Number of Our Ger- man-Swiss Brethren Desire to be Naturalized.
The records of the Assembly Nov. 24, 1725, show that the petition of high and low Germans on taking and sub- scribing the qualification required by law, that they may have a bill passed, to enable them to hold and enjoy lands and to engage in trade and mer -;
chandise was laid before the house. This simply means that they applied for naturalization.
1725-The Early Mennonist Ministers, Because Aliens, Were Not Allowed to Perform a Marriage
Ceremony.
There was a law in the early days of Pennsylvania that only the minis- ters of the State Church could perform marriage ceremonies. Rev. Anthony Hinkle was arrested for marrying a pair. This was because he was an alien minister, there being a law against an alien minister joining par- ties in matrimony. (Vol. 2, Votes of Assembly, p. 465.) We can readily see, therefore, that so long as minis- ters of our Mennonite ancestors were not naturalized, they were aliens, and could not perform the marriage cere- mony. These are some of the hard- ships in early Pennsylvania, that peo- ple hardly dream of as existing.
1726-Mennonist Neighbors at Donegal.
This year James Anderson, a Pres- byterian Minister, who formerly lived at New Castle, desired to settle among the people at Donegal and asked a grant of 300 acres there, he being a person of good repute at New Castel. The Land Commissioners thought he would be of great service in this neighborhood and Secretary Logan also desired that the land be granted him. (Sec. Ser. Pa. Arch., Vol. 19, p. 745.)
1726-Mennonist Neighbors along the Susquehanna and Octorara.
This year there was granted to Mor- decai Maydock 375 acres of land on the Susquehanna, which his father, Henry Maydock, had the right to, by a writing from William Penn, dated May 6, 1691. Peter Risk was also
224
CONESTOGA AND PEQUEA GERMAN-SWISS ADDITIONS.
given 400 acres at the same time; and this year, Elisah Gatchell and others were given three tracts of land, "on the running water of Conowingo," where there was a vacancy ; and Emanuel Grubb was given 100 ocres on the same place, on the northeast side of his former tract. James Dan- iel and Robert Mackell were given land by request of the Minister Craig- head. James King and Charles Allen and Josiah were given land on the Octorara-also John Kirkpatrick and Moses Ross and William Evans and Thomas Jackson and James Buchan- nan and Alexander Allison and Alex- ander Montgomery. Jackson and Buchannan were given 200 acres each -Evans 60 acres and the size of the others are not mentioned. (See the book last mentioned pp. 729-740-742- 744 two grants-745 two grants and 743 three different grants.)
1726 -- More Swiss Brethren Buy Land on Conestoga.
According to Vol. 19, Sec. Ser. Pa. Arch., this year Ulrich Burkhold, Hans Krow, and Hans Leaman requested land through Christian Herr, among the Swiss Colonists near Conestoga (Vide p. 742).
The same year Henry Zimmerman or Carpenter set forth that Henry Vinger (Wenger), who had some years ago settled on a piece of land of Henry Richmann formerly, and that Wenger died, leaving a widow and three sons. But that John Musgrove's son has set- tled on the land. He desires the same (200 acres) to be turned over to Wi- dow Wenger (or Vinger), see p. 743.
The same year Henry Zimmerman requested a grant of 600 acres of land on a branch of the Conestoga (Do).
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The same year John Eby requested a grant of a vacant piece of land on a branch of Conestoga Creek to build a grist mill upon as a convenience to the neighborhood (Vide 745).
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This is no doubt the origin of Eby's Mill on Mill Creek, a branch of the Conestoga, because in 1728, when the old Peter's Road was recornized and first laid out by law as appears in the Road Records of Chester County, (which I have personally"examined), one of the courses surveyed extends to Torus or Dorus Eby's Mill, this being a contraction of Theodorus Eby. Likely Theodorus was a son of John, the original applicant for land.
The same year Hans Hess of Con- estoga requested 75 acres of land for his son Jacob, between a branch of Conestoga and land of Hans Ulrich, adjoining his own tract (Do. 746).
And Thos. Honenger and Phil Shong requested the grant of land for two settlements on a branch of Conestoga, the same year (Do. 746)-Also Hans Miller for 100 acres on Little Cone- stoga-recommended by Christopher Franciscus (Do) - also Sebastian. Beyer and Geo. Goodman requested the grant of a parcel of land; each near Conestoga (Do).
1726-Pequea Additions.
In the book last noted (p. 743) we find that this date, 200 acres of land were granted to Wm. Richardson and a like amount granted to Samuel Rob- inson, both located on Pequea.
1726 - German-Swiss Beginning to Take Part in Public Affairs.
In Vol. 3, Votes of Assembly, p. 4, there is mention that Ludwig Sprogle was a member of Assembly. He was active on a committee to induce Eng- land to allow salt to be imported.
1726-Our German Ancestors Again Petition for Right to Pass Land to Their Sons.
It is stated Vol. 2, Votes of As- sembly, p. 461, that a large number of high and low Germans have pre- sented a petition asking that upon their qualifying, according to law,
225
ROBBERIES, UPON THE GERMAN-SWISS AT CONESTOGA.
they may be empowered to hold and transmit land and enjoy trade, etc. (See also 3 Col. Rec. 241). The As- sembly replied by proposing to tax them three pounds each and then they are to be allowed same privilege in holding land as others, (2 Votes of Assembly, p. 467).
1726-Another German Minister Pun- ished for Performing a Marriage.
Anthony Hinkle, a German minister of the Gospel, who was fined for per- forming a marriage for two people, refused to pay the fine and costs and was committed to prison, (2 Votes of Assembly 470).
1726 -- Our German-Swiss Ancestors a Mark for Vagrancy.
In Vol. 2, Votes of Assembly, p. 466, we find a complaint made this year about vagrants and horse thieves on · the Susquehanna, preying upon the thrifty Germans and Swiss. The As- sembly took note that a great number of convicts and some Irish servants of low character had arrived and a great many more were expected; and it was decided that there should be a fine of five pounds a head put upon all of them. This condition is noticed in the petition to create Lancaster Coun- ty, which sets forth that along the Susquehanna, the people not having local government, are very great vic- ------- tims of robbers and horse thieves and vagabonds. On the 19th of June, 1726, a petition was signed by the citizens of Conestoga setting forth that many vagabonds resorted to that neighbor- --- hood, praying that the law be provid- ed to suppress them. (Vol. 2, Votes of Assembly 468). In a little while the newspapers began to notice this un- lawful condition and in the Pa. Gaz. of April 12, 1729, the following item occurs: "We hear that there are as- 1726-The Law to Naturalize Ger- mans. sociated together a company of Irish robbers, the chief of whom are said In Vol. 4, Statutes at Large, p. 457, to be one Bennet, whom they call; we find set forth a law to naturalize
their captain, and one Lynch, whom they call their lieutenant, with Dobbs, Wiggins and many others, who sulk about this and neighboring provinces; their villianies being to steal the best horses and load them with the best goods, and carry them off before the people's faces, which they have done lately in and about Conestoga. It seems their usual practice has been to steal horses from this province and carry them to sell into Maryland, Vir- ginia and North Carolina. It is said that they begin to grow more numer- ous and have a place of rendezvous where they meet to consult how to. perpetrate their rogueries and en- tertain all like themselves." This last note is three years later than 1726, but it is intimately connected with this subject, and I, therefore, in- sert it at this place.
1726-Trouble to Collect Taxes Among Our Ancestors on Conestoga.
In Vol. 2, Votes of Assembly, p. 491. we find it set forth that the people on Conestoga began to neglect and re- fused to pay their excises and other taxes to the province in their sense of immunity from being so far away from the officers of the law-the county seat being at Old Chester, 100 miles distant. It is hard to say at this time whether this complaint was made against our German-Swiss brethren or the people generally, but we can readily understand that in the face of the hardships, the German-Swiss were undergoing, because they were not al- lowed to hold and transmit land, they being foreigners, that they might very readily feel like retaliating, by with- holding the tax upon lands which they were not certain whether they had a good title to or not.
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226
GERMAN-SWISS TAKING UP LAND.
several Germans who had moved to| ceived the land which they asked for this province. They do not seem to very shortly after their request. be Lancaster County names, as their 1727-More Neighbors on Octorara. names are not familiar here; and there are only a few of them. They are Bernard Van Lear, Arent Hassert, Michael Smiths, Wm. Selliger, Arnolt Bambarger, Wm. Hilligart and Ulrich Haggeman. The Statute states that they are born under the allegiance of the Emperor of Germany.
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