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 41
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In this letter, Samuel Peter Mei- huisen praises the country as a great place to produce milk and butter and cheese and meats; but he states that so much misery and unrest and an- guish exists because of the wars and the rumors of wars, and the cattle epidemic, and that it is very destruc- tive. He alone lost 19 head of cattle. But it extends all over the country. It made many people poor. This epi- demic came from Italy, was intro- duced into Holland and from there to Switzerland. It was all the people could do to endure it. There is no land here, too good for pasturage he these probably were other persons, he says. He also has 30 sheep and thinks. young horses and cattle in the pas- 1745 - Swiss Wandering in Germany and France. ture. He means that pasturage is the best use land could be put to; and not good enough for farming, at that Earnest Müller in his book (p. 248) particular place. Then further in his states, that about this date, Jonas
293
SWISS WANDERING IN GERMANY.
Stiegler of Schutzigen near Zurich, " [ cite this item to show the con- and Nicholas Knor of Goszwyl in tinual drifting of our persecuted fore- Buckeberg lived near France. Also he fathers
from Switzerland into the states in Päterlen about 1745 there Palatinate, and their further migra- lived Peter Lichty of Biglen, and tion to America. From this place, ad- Elizabeth Yobs of Bechigan, and Cath- erine Berger of Lauperville and Jacob Sprunger and
his wife Elizabeth Schmedly who came from Tannegg were of similar faith, from which the other Anabaptist families that went : to America, for causes growing out of the Reformation and to escape their sufferings.
At the bottom of p. 247 he says also, speaking of the year 1745, that on the 22nd of February in Perry, which seems to be a town in the Palatinate near the French border, there were fifteen Swiss families at that time, who had migrated from Switzerland. Among others were Michael and John Sieger who came from Rothenbach, and Michael Long- negger (Longenecker) formerly from Trub. John Burkholder, John Henry Turner, Jacob Marti, Peter Beck, Ul- rich Lerch, John Gauler of Sumis- wald, Michael Burky of Diesbach, Barbra Hertig, Michael Witmer of
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Lauperville, John Burky of Biglen, Christian Burkholder of Langnau, Peter Burkhart, and Witley Grenhen- y buhl (Graybill )of Trauschenwald,
Ulrich Burkholder of Luderswyl, Joseph Wenger of Amsoldinger. These towns, from which he says these peo- ple came are towns in Switzerland. But the place he says they were found this year, as we have stated above, are in Germany near the French bor- der.
He adds in this paragraph, that in 1724 there were 16 of these Taufer families, consisting of 50 members from Sumiswald, Hockstetter and Langnan and other places. About 1738 five other families came. Among others were Burkharts, Burkholders, Brobsts, Millers, etc.
ditional settlers in this county, were continually coming.
Müller also states (p. 248), that in 1745 there were in Peri La Hutt, near Sonzeboz-Christian Swartz who came from Langnau, Anna Myers from Rothenbach, Durs Rohr of Solligen- Benedict
Gauman and Christian Schnegg of Hochstetten, Nicholas Strohm and John Engle of Rochen- bach, John Lichty of Biglen, John Bumgardner of Lauperville, Abram Newswenger of Eggville, Peter Lugin- buhl of Runkhofen, Peter Sommers of Sumiswald. And that as early as 1724 there were also Catherine Berg- er, Andrew Bechtol or Bichsel, Eli Lehman all from Langnau. All this Müller recites under his chapter on "Im Fürstbistum Basel" (p. 233)-or the Anabaptists from Switzerland in and about the Principality of Basle. This item will show us the line of mi- gration out of Switzerland into .Ger- many and the Alsace, and later on to America.
He also says p. 24S, "Weiter thalauf- wärtz folgt Gorgemont mit der gros- ten ein-wanderung des St. Immerthals oder Erguel." And that in 1745, were found here the families - Christian Weidner who came from Sumiswald- Ulrich Engel of Rothenbach, Joseph Bumgardner and John Steiner of Langnau, Peter Brobst and John New- comer of Eggville, Christian Gauman from Great-Hostetten - Samuel and James Geiser of Langenthal -- Ulrich Berger of Signau-Magdalena Burger and Elizabeth Dreier of Truh: Simon Siegenthal and David Ingold of Lau- perville. And that in 1729 there were Peter Siegenthaler, Ulrich Newcomer, Nicholas Luthi, Abram Bomgardner, Abram Grier, Ulrich Zolner, Hans Burky, Christian Jacob and Peter
294
SWISSERS IN THE HEART OF GERMANY.
Brobst, David Swartz and Andrew 1745-German Lutheran and Moravian Controversy in Lancaster County.
Bichsel all of Langnau-and J. Schön- auer of Hochstetten, Ulrich Berger of Signau, Nicholas König of Bucksee, Simon Seigenthaler, Barb Schild, and Nicholas Erb of Rothenberg and Jacob Kommer of Jurich there. In 1738 he finds the families of Joseph Bumgard- ner, Christian Berger, Barbara Kuller, Nicholas Imhoff, Peter Brobst, Peter Newswenger, - David Bomgardner, Christian Widmer, Elizabeth Gerber, Benedict Gauman there. And that in all there were 103 eingewanderte, or "in-wandering" persons or settlers from Switzerland, of whom 40 were Mennonites or Taufers.
Page 249 Müller says that in Tram- elan in 1745 there were Barbara Ger- ber from Langnau - Nicholas Maurer of Desbach. And p. 328, he says about this date the Lotsher (Lesher) family and the Gerbers were numerous about Groningen.
1745-Early Execution of a Woman in Lancaster County.
It is stated in the Pennsylvania Ga- zette of October 24, 1745, that Rebec- ca Moss of Conestoga Township was executed at Lancaster for the murder of her child. There was another in -: stance of a similar killing of a nat- ural born child by its mother in Con- estoga; but as the evidence was not conclusive a great number of the German friends of the women peti- tioned that her life be spared and this capital punishment in Pennsylvania: for burglary and many other crimes. --- This came about because of a reign of terror and lawlessness and the killing of a couple of judges, about 171S, which excited the people to en- act a very severe law.
This year the German Pastor of the Lutheran Church united a portion of his congregation with the Moravians. A great ferment was excited among the Lutherans. They carried their trouble to the Governor and repre- sented to him that they were com- pelled to hear a doctrine which they did not approve or resign their church. But the Governor told them he could not interfere; "that the law however, would protect them in their rights." (5 Haz. Reg. 22).
1745-Hans Burkholder's Labors
We have noticed Hans Burkholder's letters in a preceding part of these annals. We insert here another let- ter from him to the influential Gov- ernmental friends of his people in Holland. It is No. 1489 of the "Dutch Copies" in the Penna. Historical So- ciety at Philadelphia. He writes from Geraldsheim and addresses Barthole- mew Von Leivening and other religi- ous friends in Holland. After religi- ous greetings he says: "I cannot re- frain from writing to you as I wrote February 27, 1742. I do not know whether you received the same." Then he says that he gave the money which the friends sent to him to the most needy of the Mennonite Brethren of the congregation and states that he set cut the names and amounts.
Then he states that he heard early in 1742 that some of their brethren in the Palatinate near Heilbrom were was done. There was a great deal of thinking of going to Pennsylvania. He heard this from Henrick Kendig from about 1:25 onward during 30 the pastor of the congregation. He years or more, including punishment says he inquired whether these peo- ple were provided with necessary means, but that the pastor said they were not. Then he asked how they could go in such dangerous times. The minister told him they had friends in Pennsylvania who would pay their passage on landing and set
295
HANS BURKHOLDER'S LETTERS ON GRIEVANCES.
them free. Burkholder then says that | hearing failing, I must be relieved of it is against his advice that these peo- all burdens as I cannot hold out. ple go without ready money to pay their own way.
Then he continues in his letter: "I have word from the minister of the so-called Amish congregation of Friesland, that some of his people are determined to go to Pennsylvania, too. I asked him if they had the money and he said they had and also had letters from Holland which told them to come and they would see that they landed safe. This seems strange to me because your friends in Holland encourage them and discourage our people. Those people (Amish) make no common cause with us; they do not associate with us, when we are in trouble. They try to bring us in- to dispute. They belong to the bet- ter classes. They consider them- selves the best and finest people. They are very prominent. As far as I am concerned I would not ridicule anyone; but they ridicule us.
Conditions are very hard among us here in the Palatinate. Our young men cannot be received as congregation men by the authorities here. To get a letter of protection we must pay 50 florins. This is
"I, Elizabetha, the widow of Hein- rich Landes, a brother to your father, double what others pay for safe con- Caspar Landes, a barber in Richters- duct. We cannot endure this much wil, but again married to Heinrich longer. We have no civil protection. End, desire to inform you as follows: Besides this, the oppression of the "herrschoft" or local magistrates is already too great-and the taxes provided by court are too heavy. We cannot provide them; let alone the money for bounty for our young men to escape army service.
I have tried to help others in my household; but I must give up house : Twice he had received some of the keeping and seek provision for my-' amount, so that now there is a bal- self elsewhere. I must get rid of my ance of about 300 Rix Dollars (about burdens because my bodily powers $210.00) remaining unpaid: as my are failing me as I am getting so old dear husband Heinrich Landes, so and on account of my sight and often informed and assured me. Since
Wishing all, God's Grace, etc .- HANS BURKHOLDER."
1746-Interesting Landes Letter of This Date.
The zeal of Bishop N. B. Grubb, of Philadelphia, in gathering up and translating information and letters from the original sources, concerning our German-Swiss ancestors, has put in form some interesting matter con- cerning the Landeses. In the Men- nonite year book for 1914, page 38, he gives, verbatim, a copy of a letter written by Elizabetha Landes of Ger- mantown in 1746, which letter in Ger- man, is the property of J. M. Landes. And in connection with the letter there is shown an excellent sketch of the Landes homestead in Switzerland, located at Hirzel erected in 1488.
The letter written by Mrs. Landes is addressed to her friends and rela- tives and especially to the children of the late Caspar Landes. She sets forth the following facts concerning the Landes family, and the following events that happened in the family:
When my former husband, Heinrich Landes, left Switzerland for the first time with his father, he entrusted to his brother Caspar a certain sum of money without taking from him any- thing in writing because he had ab- solute confidence in his brother's honesty; and had not the least doubt at all, that everything would be right.
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296
AN OLD LANDES SWISS HOMESTEAD.
then, my husband Heinrich Landes, entered orderly and publicly into the bonds of matrimony with me, Eliza- betha Hirt. born in Mark-Kirch, in Elsass, the daughter of Jacob Hirt, of the same place. This was in 1709. After having resided for ten years in different places in Germany, we final- ly, twenty-two years ago, came to Pennsylvania, fully intending again at some time to visit you, as he had promised his brother Caspar he would, and then bringing the balance of his money home with him. From this he was however prevented by my frequent solicitation and entreaty not to go until the year 1727 when he died, leaving me a widow with four children namely. one son and three daughters.
In addition she states that she has four children living, Elizabetha, Bar- bara, Henry and Dorothea. She also states that the money about which she is writing could be transferred to Dr. Hollinger, the Reformed Minister in Heidelberg, who is a native of Zurich, and by him can be sent, through cer- tain other persons to Philadelphia, ad- dressed to certain party in German- town by which it can be transferred to the proper owners. It is signed Aunt Elizabetha Landes, German- town, Pennsylvania, 20th Nov. 1746. It is addressed to be delivered to the surviving children of Casper Landes (barber) at Richtersvil, three hours from Zurich.
She states that she and her hus- band after living for 10 years in dif- ferent places in Germany. came to Pennsylvania in 1724.
mediately to the left of it stands an- other building somewhat in the gen- eral shape of the buildings erected by the Amish of Lancaster County, con- sisting of a main house and an at- tachment which seems to be "shed- roofed." And then to the left of it stands a frame or externally-plas- tered church, with a high steeple which appears to be hexagon in shape, standing upon a high square tower. It is , likely a Reformed .
Church. In the background there are undulating hills, dotted with a great many trees, and the whole picture is distinctively agricultural.
I find from the maps, that Hirzel is about 9 miles southeast from Zurich. on the south side of Lake Zurich.
1746-Germans Along the Susquehan- na Want Maryland Line Dispute Settled,
The dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania, over the line between them still continued. It had now de- stroyed the tranquility between the two provinces many years.
Certain phases of the dispute are set forth in Vol. 1, of the Pa. Ar- chives pp. 692 et seq. From these records, the following condition ap- pears: In August 1746 the Governor of Maryland wrote to the Governor of Pennsylvania, enclosing a letter from Virginia. A man opposite Conewago named Diggs, claiming that section to be Maryland, complained that the Pennsylvanians used him badly. The Governor of Maryland says allowance must be made for Diggs, because he is a Catholic and is opposed to the Government. Diggs replying to the charge, that he is a troublesome per- son says, that by a Maryland warrant dated 1727, he has settled on a tract called Diggs' choice, opposite the Susquehanna and received a patent
The cut of the old Landes Home- stead at Hirzel plainly shows it to be long and low, one story high with an attic, about one-half story high at the eaves. It seems to be of stone plas- tered on the exterior and stands on the side of a Commons, at least the in 1735. That he had his land sur- side of an unfenced road. Just im- veyed and the Dutch objected to this.
GERMAN-SWISS, IN THE PENNSYLVANIA-MARYLAND DISPUTE. 297
and he had them arrested for tres- there. This excited the Germans as they knew it included their land. pass. And since then a survey was - made including his land, by officers Page 709 of the above stated rec- ord, the case between the Germans and Diggs at Conewago is set out showing the difficulties of our people at that place. It there appears that the temporary Pennsylvania-Maryland of Pennsylvania, defying the Govern- ment of Maryland. That a man named Kittsmiller and others, threat- ened to shoot and kill Diggs if he did not move away. Another witness de- clared that he heard this land was line was furnished in May 1739, and laid out for John Lemon, David Young, Adam Messier, Adam Miller and others of Pennsylvania.
Another witness declared that when Diggs came for his land, he found some Germans plowing on it, Nich- olas and Adam Furney, who claimed they owned it. Furney said he would pay no attention to Maryland officers, and went on plowing. Adam Furney said that Mr. Cookson told him, if any land officers of Maryland came, to bind them and take them to Lancas- ter. These friends of Furney spoke Dutch to them. The upshot was, that Furney and his friends began to beat and club Diggs and the Maryland of- ficers, and one of the Maryland of- ficers attempted to draw his "banger" and Furney ran to the house to get his gun. It seems that then the Lan- caster County authorities took an ax and tried to use it on the Diggs party. The battle finally ended by the Maryland parties taking their band spikes and giving the Pennsyl- vania party a chase.
On the other side Herman Upde- graff, being a Quaker, said that 5 years ago he tried to buy a piece of land from Diggs at Conewago. He said the tract lay north of the Penn- sylvania line. Then too the deposi- tion of Adam Furney was taken on the dispute. He lived at Conewago, and he said that he and several other Germans had agreed to purchase some land of John Diggs, lying at Conewago, and they found that Diggs land was of great extent there, that Diggs claimed he had 14,000 acres | der, Thomas and Wagner.
as soon as it was run many Germans took out warrants for land, from the Pennsylvania authorities, lying north of that line at the Little Conewago, over the Susquehanna, adjoining the tract claimed by Diggs. This Diggs tract was found to be wholly in Penn- sylvania and surrounded by lands these Germans took up and paid for. These Germans did not interfere with Diggs; but asked him to mark his line so they could locate their land, and then he threatened them not to come near his place, etc. He warned them that their surveys were not good, as all that was Maryland property, etc. Then in 1743 Diggs applied to Pennsylvania to get as much land as would make his tract a regular square, and that this would take 1,000 acres. He was told he could have land at the same price the Germans were paying: but he could not interfere with their land. But he disregarded this and asserted title right over the German's land. See these conflicts fully discussed in Vol. 1, Pennsylvania Archives pp. 692 to 713.
1746-Ship Records of This Year.
During this year we find two ship loads of these German-Swiss people.
Among the common Lancaster County names we find the following:
Three Bohns - 2 Kauffmans - 2 Reinharts-2 Zimmermans and 2 Mil- lers.
We find one each of the following: Beck, Herman. Pieffer. Reith, Sny-
298
HANS BURKHOLDER'S LETTERS AND LABORS.
These people came over in the Ship bailiwick, who directs the person to "Ann Galley," William Wilson Master the high electoral government which -Ship "Neptune," Thomas Wilkinson Master. sends him to the exchequer to a clergyman of the church, who must 1747-More Labors of Hans Burk- holder. pass his judgment about it, and so he all the time has his hand in his pocket and by the time he has fin- ished it costs much money as well as
Among the "Dutch Copies" in the Pennsylvania Historical Society at labor, and often it is a quarter of a Philadelphia is a letter of Hans Burk- year or even a half a year, before he holder, which is No. 1510 among the can come to the end. Now if your said paper, and is as follows:
Heroltzheim, March 16, 1747. Johannes Deknatel:
Much loved and worthy friend and brother in Christ Jesus, together with other fellow workers of our congre- gation in Amsterdam. May your Honor be blessed now in time and hereafter in the blessed eternity, Amen.
Very dear friend. I cannot in Chris- tian love refrain from once more making known to you our hard con- dition regarding the marriage of our children, as also concerning the burial of the dead. We are not per- mitted to bury them in certain places without great expense. But we do not wish to make too much of this as we desire to attend to our own burials when it can be done elsewhere and so do not make much more of this. But concerning the marriage of our children that is very trying for us that no one will accept any one from a common or middle class fam- ily as they do not wish to increase the number of poor grave lots.
honor could give us good advice in this matter, we would be very glad. Among those who cannot help them- selves the poverty is very great. If things cannot be changed, we fear a falling off in the congregation among the young people. God will, however, cause all this to work for good and graciously assist us.
As concerns myself, I grow from time to time more decrepit and infirm in my body with tremblings and weakness and my calling and service become more and more a burden and yet at Easter I administered to five congregations, the Holy Communion, and had to travel three or four hours, which was very fatiguing to me. I hope with Paul, soon to lay down this tabernacle and to obtain a better, which I greatly desire. If, your Honor. is not fully opposed to me as heretofore seen, I hope your Honor will pity me. and grant me graciously, your Christian support and contribu- tion, as you deem proper, and be to me a cordial friend in my old days. I hope the great God will again richly recompense you for all. Wherewith İ close for the present and remain with friendly greeting and recommenda- tion to God's protection. your affec- tionate friend and brother in Christ Jesus,
When, however, the parents have died or the housekeeping has been broken up (as I also have done my- self) a boy can be brought into the father's place only with great labor and expense; for then a certificate HANS BURKHOLDER. must be procured from the mayor and other proper officials with which Beloved and worthy friend, I have just learned with great astonishment that some of our friends from Ober- one enters on the office and duties of a father. And then the subordinate office directs one to the superior Pfalz (in the Palatinate) wish. in
299
DISEASE AND HORRORS ON SHIPBOARD.
these dangerous and difficult times, to set out on the journey to Pennsyl- vania. If your Honor would only give us your advice as to what is to be done under the circumstances about this journey we would thank you. I await an early answer. Adieu.
HANS BURKHOLDER. 1747-Infected Germans Were Com- pelled to Submit to Examination Before a Ship Doctor.
This year, the ship Vernon, from Rotterdam, arrived in Philadelphia with foreigners from Switzerland and the Palatinate. Captain Ricks, com- mander, reported he had on board a great number of these people, and asked an order to be given to two doctors to examine the health of his passengers. The ship landed quite a distance below Philadelphia. It could not come up to the city, and unload passengers in the city. until the exam- ination was made. The Council sent Dr. Graeme and Dr. Bond to examine them; and gave them authority to de- cide whether they should be allowed to land or not. (See Vol. 5. Col. Rec. p. 100).
When we turn to the list of passen- gers who came in this ship, (p. 256 of the Sec. Ser. of Pa. Vol. 17), we find among the names, Christopher Barr, Jacob Lesher, Abram Funk, Samuel Witmer, Rudolph Huber, Fred Wertz, Michael Eiselmian, Jacob Shavely, Peter Bowman and Henry George Schar and others. This en- ables us to determine that they were likely persons who were destined to settle in Lancaster County.
1747-Ship Records of This Year.
During this year we find five ship loads of these German Swiss people coming into this country.
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Hoffmans-4 Hermans-2 Hubers-2 Kaspars-2 Lantzs-3 Myers-2 Mil- lers-2 Rohrers-3 Snyders-4 Smiths -4 Wagners-2 Wises and 2 Wengers.
We also find one each of the fol- lowing:
Adams, Alleman, Bowman, Bau- man, Buck, Fox, Hahn, Kline, Kurtz, Kauffman, Lesher, Lutz, Mosser, Pief- fer, Roth, Reith, Roop, Reese, Shaef- fer, Steinmetz, Streiker, Wolfe. Weid- ner, Witmer, Young and Ziegler.
They came in the ship "Billander," Thomas Ricks master-"Lydia," Wil- liam Tiffin master - "Restauration," James Hall master-"Two Brothers," Thomas Arnott master, and This last ship seems to be unknown.
1748 -- Ship Records of This Year.
During this year we find six ship- loads of these German Swiss people coming to this country.
Among the common Lancaster County names we find the following:
Three Adams-3 Diehls-3 Myers -- 2 Millers-2 Smiths-4 Steins and 2 Wagners.
Also one each of the following:
Antes, Brown, Eberhard, Foltz, Ger- hart, Grove, Hoffman, Hartman, Hel- ler, Hollinger, Keller, Hensel, Kline, Metzler, Mann. Moore. Shoemaker. Stauffer, Stout, Weber and Wolf.
They came in the ship "Edinburgh." James Russell master-"Hampshire." Thomas Cheeseman master - "Mary Galley," George Lawson master - "Two Brothers." Thomas Arnatt mas- ter-"Patience," John Brown master - "Patience and Margaret," John Povan, master.
1748-Crowds of These German Swiss People Emigrating, Taxes Holland's Resources.
It is related by Müller (p. 365) that Among the common Lancaster County names we find the following: Two Arnolds-3 Beyers-2 Becks -- the number of emigrants coming from the Palatinate, (but originally from Switzerland and other sections), has 2 Eberhards-2 Freys-3 Frantzs-3 | greatly increased in late years. A
300
SHIP RECORDS AND SHIP PASSAGE HORRORS.
commission of the Mennonite breth-| the doctrine, practice and discipline ren in or near Amsterdam, was doing: of the ancient and stricter party of all they possibly could to aid these the Dutch Mennonites." (See Barc- emigrants to Pennsylvania. As these lay's Religious Societies of the Com- monwealth p. 77). emigrants became more numerous the commission was compelled to To this thought, ex-Governor Pen- nypacker adds that "To the spread of Mennonite preachings in England, we therefore owe the origin of the Quaker and the settlement of Pennsyl- vania." (See Pennypacker's Settle- ment of Germantown, p. 66). cease its financial aid. About 1732 there had arrived at Rotterdam more than 3000 inhabitants of the Palati- nate, among whom, of course, there were some Reformed and some Luth- erans. A portion of these founded the congregation at Skippack (Sche- bach), Montgomery County, Pennsyl- vania. By the year 1748 they had thrived so far in their new home, as to own a paper mill and printing of- fice. Müller also tells us (p. 369) that
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