USA > Pennsylvania > Historical notes relating to the Pennsylvania Reformed Church, V. I > Part 23
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It was stated at Zurich, before sailing, that a paper mill would be creeted in Carolina, and fine post paper only would be made; that the best material would be sent from Switzerland to make the paper.
At Nouwik (Neuwied ?) four coupks were married by a Reformel clergyman:
1. Commissari Hans Conrad Wirtz and Anna Götschi. -
2. Conrad Näff, from our dorf, and Anna N.
3. Jacob Rothgeb and Barbara Haller, both of our dorf.
4. Conrad Geweiller, a gardener.
The count here wished the entire company to remain in his district, and offered to furnish homes and needful supplies.
At Collenburg we remained four days, on account of strong winds. Gotschy preached here for us. The people here collected money for the emigrants, amounting to about one Dutch guiller for each prisen. Gartschy and his family were also cared for, and they were invited ashon. daily. We were frequently called upon to sing psahus for the citizens, for which we were liberally rewarded, in money, meats, kabis, potatoes and beer. Our quarters were in a barn, for which we had each to pay one steuber every morning. We cooked mostly on the bank of the Rhine. A child of plattmacher Heinrich Schreiber, from Riespach, died here.
From here Gutschy sent timer passengers to Rotterdam-Abraham Bünninger, carpenter, from Bachenbülach, tailor Jacob Issler, and Abra- ham Weidmann, smith, from Luffingen,-under pretense that two Eng- lish ships were there, anxiously waiting for us, and that in England pro-
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
vision had been made to care for us during the Winter. This was not so. He and his son-in-law sold, here, both boats which we had brought from Zurich, for 45 Holland guilders, of which we received nothing. We had to pay 3} steuben per adult and half that for children, to Rotterdam, in spite of the bargain that the Mayence ship's people should take us there for what all had paid them. All, were now transferred to one ship, much too small for convenience. The next morning before daylight we reached Rotterdam.
When we landed the three men sent ahead informed us there was no English ship awaiting us. Getschy could give us no relief; on the con- trary, he said he could do no more for us, and that each one must look out for himself. The ship master discharged our baggage in a heap, and hurried away.
WHAT HAPPENED AT ROTTERDAMI.
Gotschy received a letter from The Hague, from a certain Mr. Schobinger, of St. Gall, desiring him to come to the latter at The Hague. Gotschy and his son-in-law at once complied with this request.
In a few days Wirtz returned from The Hague, and said several oxen would be sent us from there, that the States-General would take care of us, and that a large sum of money had been collected for us in England. Gotschy also returned, and informed us that a position as a minister, of great importance, had been promised him by the States-General; that he and his family had been helped, and that we should see that we too re- ceive assistance. Meantime poverty and misery among us became steadily greater. No one dared beg, because in Holland beggars are put in the house of correction. Many became sick from want and hunger. The wife of Hans Meyer, of Ober-Steinmur, died, and also her two-year old child. A tailor from Buchss, Sebastian Neracher by name, who is mar- ried in Rotterdam, visited us, and took us, especially those from Buches. kindly in hand. He brought with him a Mr. Joh. Schapenhaudt, who lived with him. These friends were instrumental in procuring us much assistance.
At this stage some of our party went over to England.
After this we received much kindness from the people, who sent us food and drink, and furnished us night lodgings. Mr. Schapenhaudt pre- sented our case to Rei. Mr. Wilhehn, who advised three of us to go to The Hague to apply to Mr. von Felss, at the English embassy. Three went, but applied first to Getschy, who disapproved of their calling upon von Felss, whereupon they returned to Rotterdam without accomplishing their errand.
Several days afterwards Gotschy came and informed us that certain gentlemen recommended that we go to Pennsylvania. Most of our party were willing, and allowed themselves to be booked, and those who could write wrote their own names. These went to a shipping agent (schiff-
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
patron) and engaged to pay 6 doubloons passage money for a grown per- son, and 3 doubloons for a child; and for those who died on the voyage the living should pay the same sum. I have heard since I am home in Switzerland that they started from Rotterdam for that country on the 24th of February (1735). The agreement for passage does not mean that they will pay the money; but when they arrive in Pennsylvania they are to be sold to earn the required sum.
The 22 persons from Klotten also came to Rotterdam, and on Christ- mas another vessel landed several passengers from various places.
Others besides myself would have come back from Rotterdam, if they. had had the means. Caspar Notzli, of Hoissland, and his son, woukl gladly have come with me, but he had no money; besides he had pre- viously pawned his clothing for 5 guilders to purchase necessaries while sick for several weeks in Rotterdam.
This ends the story of the journey down the Rhine as told by Lud- wig Weber.
GOETSCHY'S DOINGS.
Mr. Gartschy wrote an account of the journey down the Rhine, dated at The Hague, November 26, 1734, addressed to Seckelmeister (Treas- urer) Friess, of Zurich. After narrating the principal events of the trip he states that he has been offered by von Fells, the Antistes of the Neth- erlands, the general superintendence of the Reformed Churches in Penn- sylvania, provided he could furnish the requisite credentials and would submit to an examination by the judicatory of the General Synod. The number of souls in the churches of Pennsylvania was estimated at 60, 000, of whom 20, 000 had not received baptism. The superintendent was to have the oversight in the whole of Pennsylvania, of eight towns and more than six hundred smaller places, and his income was to be 2000 thalers. which was to be provided by the Dutch Government until the plans were se worked out that the people themselves could provide the support. In conclusion he asked most humbly the aid of the Sockehneister in ob- taining the required attestations from the Zurich anthorities. This im- portant letter was addressed:
Hochgeachter, Wohl, Vornehmer, Fronnner, Hoch u. Wohl Weisser. mein Insonders Hochgeorter, Grossgunstiger Hr. Gevatter Sockel Mr .: 8. hoher Patron.
The signature was:
Meines insonders Hgh. Hr. u. Patronen Ergebenster Knecht, Mauritius Gotschius V. D. M.
Haag, d. 26t. 9- 1734 In höchster Evl.
Accompanying this letter was one written by Heury Gretschy, student, saying that in case the testimonial from Zurich should result favorably to his father, Mr. von Felsen bad promised that he (Henry) should finish
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his studies at the University of Leyden at the public expense, and that he should be sent as future successor to his father.
The replies, if any, made by the Seekohneister have not come to my notice.
Two other letters of great import to Getschy's welfare were written about this time. They are both in Latin. The first was by Rev. Mr. Wilhelmius, of Rotterdam, to Rev. J. B. Ott, in Zurich. The second was by Rev. Joh. Bapt. Ott, dated Zurich, February 5, 1735, to Rev. Mr. Wilhchnius.
Mr. Wilhelmius says: Unexpectedly Gutschins arrived here with 400 Swiss, in the middle of Winter, bare of means. Gæetschi proceeded to The Hague to obtain from the English plenipentiary permission to emi- grate to Carolina. The remainder of his party he left in Rotterdam. where two citizens and myself cared for them to the extent that they were not obliged to beg for bread. Wilhehnius then proceeds to explain at length that since the year 1682, at the instance of the Heidelberg Consis- tory, the two Synods of Holland had been endeavoring to find ways and means to supply to the emigrants in Pennsylvania with religious needs. It was determined to send a faithful, industrious, pious man thither, to take charge of the circumstances and of the distribution of the building of churches and the engagement of ministers and teachers. In Gotschi they think they have found the right man for this work. Wilhelmins applied to Ott for information in this connection respecting Goetschi and reports which had come to Holland concerning him.
Ott replied at considerable length. Among other statements he made these: Gotschi was trained in the Zurich gymnasium, and was a zealous student, and reached the dignity of a V. D. M. (minister of the Word of God. ) He then became Diacon at Bernegg and afterwards at Saletz, and performed satisfactorily his official duties, and showed such earnestness that he gathered around him zealous adherents, but also opponents as well. Ott touches leniently and considerately the subject of Getschy's tarnished reputation. Goetschy had acquired. by persevering ofort. a range of erudition far beyond the needs of a minister of the country folk. He manifested, for example, great zeal and diligence in the study of the Oriental languages, in which he made progress so successfully (it is re- porte:l at least ) that he used the original text as the foundation for the the daily services in his family, sons and daughters.
One result of the efforts of van Fels in behalf of Gertschy was the donation of 2000 guilders by the Government of the Netherlands. (the Edel Groot Mogenden, ) given to him for the particular object of getting a trustworthy report of the condition of the churches in Pennsylvania.
The arrival of Goetschy's colony in Holland was brought to the atten- tion of the States-General on the 11th of December. 1734. The minutes state: From time to time large numbers of persons from the Palatinate
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
and elsewhere in Germany come to these Provinces with the purpose of sailing by way of England to the colonies of that kingdom in America. At this time divers persons from the canton of Zurich, having the same object, have come here. Of the little they had, they have been robbed by wicked persons in Germany, and in consequence they have asked assistance in Rotterdam and elsewhere. The towns along the Maas asked that the ingress of persons of this character be prohibited.
DISPOSITION OF THE EMIGRANTS.
Of the ardent emigrants brought to Rotterdam through the instru- mentality of the elder Gasschy eighty-eight were led to England, about one hundred and fifty took passage for Pennsylvania; a few found their way back to Switzerland: the remainder are unaccounted for.
Ludwig Weber in his pamphlet gives the list of those conducted is England, as follows:
From.
Name of head of family. Number. 5
Hochfelden 6
Elans Maag. self and family
Johannes Maag
Heinrich Gassman 4
66 Mettneenstetten Bachenbudlach Zwillikon
Heinrich Gallman
Abraham Buenninger 4 Ilans Grob S
One of Hans Grob's daughters died: also her infant child. Hans Dutweiler
6
Escl
Hans Gut, chief of the watch
1
Affhofteren
Margreth Bader, whose brother remained at Namur Hans Stierli
7
Caspar Meyer
6
Heinrich and Jacob Gakanman
Jacob Gik tli
Basserstorff
Barbel Brunner
1
-Jacob Issler
5
Mettmenstetten
Heinrich Gassmann
Psessikon
A widow
Hans and Jacob Selnuid Hans Enderli 1
The names of those who were registered to sait for Pennsylvania, according to Weber's account, were these:
From.
Name of head of family. Number.
Appenzell
Jacob Mettler
1
< Bachss
Jacob Bucher, shoemaker, self and family
-
Basserstorff
Heinrich Brummer
.1
Heinrich Duebendorffer
Jacob Pnebendorffer
Kilian Diobendorfer
1
Bertschicken Buchss
Jacob Schmid
Jacob Marer
Heinrich Huber
4
Diebendorff
Jacob Dentzler
Esch
Rudolf Fag
Flunteren
Balthassair Bossart
Jacob Schellenberg and his servant
Greiffensee
Johannes Heid
66
Heinrich Hng, whociwright
Rudolf Walder
Conrad Meyer
Basserstorff
Heinrich Engeler 5
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
From.
Name of head of family.
Number.
Caspar Noetzli and his children
Hirslanden Illan
Rudolf Hotz
Kloten
Verena Kern
Langenhuet
Hans Out
1
Luftingen
Abraham Weidmann, smith
Mennidorff
Hans Ulrich Annan
Mnelliberg
Jacob Possart
C
Opflikon
Barbara Eberhardt
1
Riespach
Heinrich Schreiber, blatmacher
4:
Ruemlang
Rudolf Weidmann, tailor
-1
Sultzbach
JJacob Frey
Wallisselen 66
Heinrich Merck
C
Martin Schellenberg
Ludwig Lienhardt
1
Jacob Wuest
1
Hans Radolf Aberli
1
60
Conrad Keller
66
Conrad Naff
·)
Wangen
Caspar Guntz
1
Wondli
Hans Ulrich Arner
Winckel
Jacob Meyer
Zmikon
Jacob Bertschinger
1
Zurich
Heinrich Scheuchzer
1
Hans Mueller
4
Jacob Mueller and brother
·)
Abraham Wiekerli
1
Hans Kuchler
-1
The ship Mercury brought those of the emigrants who were sent to Pennsylvania. They qualified at Philadelphia May 29. 1735. The names of the passengers on this ship-among them several that were probably not members of Gatsby's band-appear in the archives pub- lished by the State of Pennsylvania. Rev. Moritz Gutschy's name does not appear on the list; but he is said to have been in the company. Dr. Good, in his History of the Reformed Church in the United States (page 181), states that Getschy did arrive in this ship, but sick, and that he died a day or two after landing.
It was a merciful Providence -- I cannot regard it otherwise -- thai look away Goetschy at this juncture, and delivered the infant Reformed Church of Pennsylvania from the sinister influences which a man of his character would have brought to hear upon it.
Skippack Church Officers.
The officers of Rev. John Philip Behm's congregation, on the 27th of October, 1734, were:
Johan Ulrie Stephen, eller. Jacob Arent, senior elder. Philip Heinrich Soller, elder. Christian Leeman, elder.
Johannes Dintenmeyer, deacon. Adam Kind, deacon.
1
Steinmur-ober-boy-Stein Hans Meyer
Jacob Naff
Jacob Naff
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
History of the Reiff Case.
BY PROF. WM. J. HINKE.
IV. THE EFFORTS OF THE AUTHORITIES IN HOLLAND.
We have seen that all the efforts of the Reformed people in Pennsyl- vania to settle the Reiff Case proved fruitless, mainly owing to the lack of documentary evidence. The only tangible result was the displacement of Rev. Rieger from the pastorate at Philadelphia and the consequent elec- tion of Rev. Bohm.
But when the zeal of the people in this country was flagging in the Reiff Case, the authorities in Holland were stirred up to renewed activity by the letters which they received from Pennsylvania. The Classis of Amsterdam was the first to push the case vigorously.
1. Efforts of the Classis of Amsterdam, 1734-1739.
In the year 1734 a large number of letters were sent from Pennsyl- vania to the Classis. Rieger and Diemer, as well as Bohm and his con- sistories, wrote stirring appeals to Holland. Especially the ketter of Rieger and Diemer, dated February 23, 1734, caused important resolu- tions and actions. It was laid before Classis on June 7, 1734, and on July 19, resolutions were passed regarding it. In one of them Classis gave its opinion to the effect "that Mr. Reif ought to be compelled by all pos- sible means to render an account of the moneys already sent over." The suggestion "to send a special order to Rev. Weiss to purge himself by an oath" seems to have been followed, for in obedience to this command "Weiss affirmed solemnly under oath, on November 3, 1735, that the money was still in the hands of Reiff." On September 3, 1736, another letter of Weiss is reported in the Classical minutes, stating that "his Reverence had already brought the matter of the collected money before the Court and was prosecuting Reiff. In answer to this letter of Weiss, the Classis wrote to him as follows, on October 1, 1736:
"We take the liberty of assuring you that there is a determination among us that not only shall the Christian Synod not rest until it is made plain where the love gifts collected in Holland have gone to, but also that they have been properly accounted for and expended ad pias usus (for benevolent objects ) for which they were given. Else the foun- tain of benevolence will run dry, as long as this satisfaction is not given, as well as if no explanation be given on your part which shall be satisfac- tory. You can therefore easily see that if your name is to be free from blame and if you are not to be the cause that to all those churches the lavish hand shall over remain closed, the above mentioned funds, still diverted from their proper design, must be brought to light. Therefore we advise you, in casa Reiff cannot be compelled to render a full account, that the 2000 guilders be unreservedly produced, to which you also seom to be inclined. This surely would have a very good effect in reference to
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Roll
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
yourself as well as in behalf of the church in general." Urged by these demands of Classis, Weiss resolved to make a supreme effort to bring this troublesome case to a final settlement. He therefore visited Pennsyl- vania in May, 1738. The circumstances of this visit are described in a letter of Bohm, dated July 25, 1741. Brehm writes: "With his asso- ciate Jacob Reiff, he (Weiss) called the reputed elders of Reiff's party together, they all being inexperienced men, stating to them that the Rev. Classis had demanded an account of the collected money in order that This account had been the money still in Holland might be sent over.
rendered by himself and Reiff. It only needed their signatures. He would send the account to Holland as soon as possible and the money still held there would be sent over immediately. If it had not been for one man, who appeared at the meeting and was experienced in these things, the signatures would have been obtained, for they had the pen already in hand. This man, however, prevented it. They took a copy of the account, but returned the copy of Weiss to him. I knew of it at the time, but could obtain no proof of it, because they all belonged to the party of Reiff, but now I have obtained a copy through the man who prevented it, and who has become my friend. He is a reliable man, who told me the whole affair, which would be too long to relate. But this I will state, that when Mr. Weiss talked with them about the account which they demanded in Holland, he remarked that the Rev. Classis had written to him, which letter he said was at Philadelphia, and he felt sorry that he had forgotten it, for he would like to show it to them. When Reiff heard this he was silent, but sent a man, without the knowl- edge of Weiss, to Philadelphia, and gave him commission to ask for the letter in the name of Weiss and bring it to him. The messenger did so and succeeded in getting the letter. When Reiff read the letter (as I have been told by three men) he found in it the statement that Weiss should see to it to arrange this matter properly, for Reiff could not be forced to a settlement, since he (Weiss) had been the receiver of the money and he would be held responsible for it. Whereupon Reiff laugh- ed and said to the people present: 'See here, this is the prof that I our you nothing; you have to ask Weiss for it; and what he can prove against me, for that I will answer and pay it to him.' It is this upon which Reiff relies, for Weiss has not a single letter to prove that Reiff has received any money from him. Besides, I was also informed that these were the words of Reiff: 'As much as is found in the account I have spent, they may sign it or not. I do not care for that, and if it comes to a settlement I want to know who is to pay the money unnecessarily spent and the expenses." Does all this mean to seek the best interests of the church and to act in good faith ? Let any mem- ber of the church, or any pious soul, who loves Christ and his Word in true faith, decide this question!"
The account referred to in this letter is as follows:
ה
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
"Schipbach, May 8, 1738.
"Account, made with J. Reiff, concerning the collected money, which he received in my presence in Holland at Rotterdam, Harlem and AAm- sterdam, from the respective persons, of which he made the following disposition, namely:
"Receipts, according to the collection book added together in sum total A. 2104. "Expenditures, being necessary expenses:
"1. "For voyage from Philadelphia to London without the provisions taken along
342. For provisions in London during abont one month, with the duty for my- . 18 € self and Jacob Reiff .5.67 .ch. 6d. "3. For passage from London to Rotterdam for each 15 sch. i chini (?) for the bed and 3 seb. sterling for board . 1 $ 16 sch. "4. Expenses for half a year's board in Holland and necessary journeys, 700 Dutch guilders . 700 11. "5. At Rotterdam, shortly before my return to London, Jacob Reiff gave me 250 Dutch guilders. Of these I paid the passage from Rotterdam to London, 15 sch., one chini (?) for the bed 6 sch. for the board. The passage from London to Mary- land, 8 pounds, without the provisions taken along. The journey from Maryland io Philadelphia by sea and land 3 € 12 sch. 1 d. Board in London 16 sch.
"In addition for my labor and trouble I ask $50 for the year . .
. . 50 €
"N. B. Jac. Reiff declares to have paid to me for clothes and books 110 f. 14 stivers.
"When pounds and schillings are referred to, sterling money is meant."
With regard to this account Bohm adds in the above quoted letter:
"This account is a proof of subtle treachery by which Weiss, besides the unnecessary extravagance in spending the money, demands fifty pounds sterling for his trouble and work, nor should the postscript be overlooked.
"Under the first head the amount of provisions is not mentioned, nor how much Reiff asks for his time and trouble, and it seems this has heen kept back purposely, in order to lay claim to the rest of the money that might be left : fter the other expenses are paid."
Boehm was right in calling attention to the extravagance shown by the account, for Weiss and Reiff claimed to have spent in all about five hundred dollars, besides the doubtful forty-four dollars mentioned in the postseript. If the £50, or $242. which Weiss claimed, had been allowed. the whole bill would have amounted to $786, or but 854 less than all the collected money amounted to. Fortunately the attempt to settle the case by such wholesale fraud did not succeed, and Weiss was compelled to re- turn to Albany without having accomplished his object. He therefore wrote to the Classis, offering to pay back the money with his own salary. A few years before, the Classical Commissioners had urged him to do this. but now the members of the committee had changed and the new mem- bers showed no longer the determination of the former committee, and hence they allowed the matter to drop by writing in January, 1739:
"We indeed commend your offer to reimburse the collected money by means of a reduction of your salary. But, dear brother, we under- stand that this would be troublesome to you and inconvenient. We learn also that the elder Reiff is in a condition to pay and we are informed that if the Lord Bishop of London were approached on the subject, his Right
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£
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
Reverence would immediately take steps to oblige Reiff to make a settle- ment." There is no evidence that this appeal was over taken, and hence- forth Classis made no other active efforts to settle the case. But when the Classis was losing interest, the case was taken up with new energy by another body, the Synod of South Holland, through their Synodical deputies.
2. The Efforts of the Synodical Deputies, 1731-1744.
When the Classis of Amsterdam abandoned its efforts, in 1739 a new' and most important factor appeared upon the scene, the Deputies of the Synods of North and South Holland. It must however not be supposed that the efforts of the Deputies in the year 1739 were the first attempt which they made to settie the case. They were in reality the climax of a long series of operations extending through many years. It will therefore be necessary, in order to put the efforts of 1739 into their proper historical setting, to review briefly the previous operations of the Deputies, leading up to the events of the year 1739.
After the departure of Weiss from Holland in the spring of 1731, the Deputies waited patiently about half a year for news from Pennsylvania. Meanwhile they learned, through a London merchant, the name of a cor- tain Arent Hassert, who was said to be a member of the Reformed con- gregation at Philadelphia. Hence Deputy Jacob van Ostade was asked to write to him and three other parties, Rev. Weiss and his consistory, Rev. Bohm, and the Dutch ministers at New York. These four letters, writ- ten on December 1, 1731, were the first communications addressed by the Synods to the Reformed Church in Pennsylvania.
Writing to Rev. Weiss and his consistory, Do. van Ostade informs them that "the Christian Synods have resolved to send no more donations to Pennsylvania, until Do. Weiss and the Rev. Consistory of Philadelphia shall have sent hither not only a report that the money already given was actually received, but also a proper specification for what it was spent."
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