| The Last Margrave of Ansbach The Wild Margrave. The last Margrave of Ansbach. Elizabeth Craven Hessians: The Ansbach-Bayreuth Army in USA, Deserters, Names |
| The Frankonian Colonies in Michigan Die fränkischen Colonien des Saginaw Thales im Staate Michigan Wilhelm Loehe. Frankenmuth. Frankentrost. Early settlers: Names |
Many exiled Salzburgers did not emigrate to East Prussia, America or Holland, but instead followed
the path of earlier banished Protestants and wandered into nearby Protestant areas in Germany such
as Frankonia (Franken), where they could enjoy the same general occupations as they once had and
even meet up with some old neighbors. In old Frankonian church books, they are called "Landler"
and designated as people from "over the Enns". In many places of upper and middle Frankonia
(Mittelfranken), they grew to constitute 25% and 50% of the population. However, to reach Franken,
the exiles had to travel through Catholic Bavaria, and some experienced indescribable misery because
they were regarded there as rebels and heretics. After several protests to the Archbishop, he devised
a "passport" so that the exiles could at least have safe passage at the border:
the path of earlier banished Protestants and wandered into nearby Protestant areas in Germany such
as Frankonia (Franken), where they could enjoy the same general occupations as they once had and
even meet up with some old neighbors. In old Frankonian church books, they are called "Landler"
and designated as people from "over the Enns". In many places of upper and middle Frankonia
(Mittelfranken), they grew to constitute 25% and 50% of the population. However, to reach Franken,
the exiles had to travel through Catholic Bavaria, and some experienced indescribable misery because
they were regarded there as rebels and heretics. After several protests to the Archbishop, he devised
a "passport" so that the exiles could at least have safe passage at the border:
In 1792, after 500 years of the mighty Margraves' rule, the map of Franconia began to change when
debt-ridden Margrave Karl Alexander of Ansbach, already unpopular for having sold local soldiers to
England to be used as mercenaries in the war with America, sold his principality to Prussia. In 1805,
Prussia in turn ceded Ansbach to France in exchange for Hanover. Napoleon elevated Bavaria to a
Kingdom after dissolving the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, and Bavaria acquired Ansbach and later
Bayreuth. Bavaria was formally granted all of its present day territory, including Franconia, at the
Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815. The old Protestant towns of Franconia were thence incorporated
into the Catholic Kingdom of Bavaria, much to the enduring resentment of much of its population.
debt-ridden Margrave Karl Alexander of Ansbach, already unpopular for having sold local soldiers to
England to be used as mercenaries in the war with America, sold his principality to Prussia. In 1805,
Prussia in turn ceded Ansbach to France in exchange for Hanover. Napoleon elevated Bavaria to a
Kingdom after dissolving the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, and Bavaria acquired Ansbach and later
Bayreuth. Bavaria was formally granted all of its present day territory, including Franconia, at the
Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815. The old Protestant towns of Franconia were thence incorporated
into the Catholic Kingdom of Bavaria, much to the enduring resentment of much of its population.
Dissatisfaction was strong in the early 19th century. Protestant Frankonia was given a back seat in
political matters. Beginning in 1817, when crop failures met an apathetic governmental response, the
Franconians were not happy with their lot. By the 1820's and 1830's, repression increased, and by
1833 the government decided to rid the Universities of Würzburg and Nürnberg of all suspected
reformers among their faculties. In 1838, when an edict came down from the King requiring the
soldiers to genuflect in certain parades, the mostly Protestant draftees from Upper and Middle
Frankonia refused, and although the order was withdrawn it had created even harsher feelings.
political matters. Beginning in 1817, when crop failures met an apathetic governmental response, the
Franconians were not happy with their lot. By the 1820's and 1830's, repression increased, and by
1833 the government decided to rid the Universities of Würzburg and Nürnberg of all suspected
reformers among their faculties. In 1838, when an edict came down from the King requiring the
soldiers to genuflect in certain parades, the mostly Protestant draftees from Upper and Middle
Frankonia refused, and although the order was withdrawn it had created even harsher feelings.
Trade, marriage and land ownership laws continued to be oppressive and, in a
series of events, there was ill will on virtually every social level. In 1844, cattle
succumbed to a lung disease, potatoes rotted in 1845, in 1846 a complete crop
of potatoes and grain failed, and in 1847 there was record cold.
series of events, there was ill will on virtually every social level. In 1844, cattle
succumbed to a lung disease, potatoes rotted in 1845, in 1846 a complete crop
of potatoes and grain failed, and in 1847 there was record cold.
| Salzburgers in Franken |
| In Greater Depth |
The agitated times of the 1840's resulted in a number of official proclamations and notices being
pasted up all over Franconia and carrying grave warnings to any potential revolutionaries. On behalf
of the Bavarian king, the country court at Cadolzburg also put out several warnings pointing out that
anyone who emigrated without permission would lose their citizenship and possessions or property,
and his heirs would lose their rights to inherit the same. People emigrated anyway.
pasted up all over Franconia and carrying grave warnings to any potential revolutionaries. On behalf
of the Bavarian king, the country court at Cadolzburg also put out several warnings pointing out that
anyone who emigrated without permission would lose their citizenship and possessions or property,
and his heirs would lose their rights to inherit the same. People emigrated anyway.
The discontent in the Frankish towns and villages came to a climax in the first months of the year
1848 after the food shortages and also due to pent up public indignation regarding the relationship
between Bavarian King Ludwig I and the Spanish dancer Lola Montez in Munich. By 1849, calm
was generally restored, but people..especially young people..had fled in droves, eventually resulting
in proclamations of amnesty and pardons. But by then it was too late. Simple farmers and honest
villagers who, by simply desiring basic freedoms, were turned into criminals by the arrogant Bavarian
crown, had found new homes elsewhere. Many young people from Franken emigrated together to
the New World and formed communities there, such as the Franconian settlements in Michigan.
1848 after the food shortages and also due to pent up public indignation regarding the relationship
between Bavarian King Ludwig I and the Spanish dancer Lola Montez in Munich. By 1849, calm
was generally restored, but people..especially young people..had fled in droves, eventually resulting
in proclamations of amnesty and pardons. But by then it was too late. Simple farmers and honest
villagers who, by simply desiring basic freedoms, were turned into criminals by the arrogant Bavarian
crown, had found new homes elsewhere. Many young people from Franken emigrated together to
the New World and formed communities there, such as the Franconian settlements in Michigan.
| Salzburgers in Franken and Franks in America |
WHEREAS the Bearer of this, who professeth the Protestant Religion, ---by Name, Servant at ---- in
the County of ----, is obliged to go out of these Archiepiscopal Dominions, and leave the Country,
the Magistrate is ready to assist him for that Purpose, and give him a well-attested Certificate of his
Birth, Pedigree, and Apology: and therefore I, as lawful Magistrate, do testify accordingly, that the
said ---- is born of honest Parents, viz. of ------, Farmer at -----, and ------ his Wife; and that he
behaved himself, to the best of my Knowledge, in his Service with a Farmer, honestly and faithfully;
but that he is obliged, upon the Account of having forsaken the Roman Catholick Religion, which
alone is exercised and suffered in these Dominions, to go out of them, and leave.
the County of ----, is obliged to go out of these Archiepiscopal Dominions, and leave the Country,
the Magistrate is ready to assist him for that Purpose, and give him a well-attested Certificate of his
Birth, Pedigree, and Apology: and therefore I, as lawful Magistrate, do testify accordingly, that the
said ---- is born of honest Parents, viz. of ------, Farmer at -----, and ------ his Wife; and that he
behaved himself, to the best of my Knowledge, in his Service with a Farmer, honestly and faithfully;
but that he is obliged, upon the Account of having forsaken the Roman Catholick Religion, which
alone is exercised and suffered in these Dominions, to go out of them, and leave.
Wherever they went, it was an adjustment from their old life.
One quarter of the exiles died within one year of leaving their
homes. Those who made it to Frankonia were treated well and
able to quickly assimilate. Names of early exiles on an memorial
in Thalmaessing, Mittelfranken (click)
One quarter of the exiles died within one year of leaving their
homes. Those who made it to Frankonia were treated well and
able to quickly assimilate. Names of early exiles on an memorial
in Thalmaessing, Mittelfranken (click)
Middle Franconia, or Mittelfranken, is a hilly region with meandering streams and rivers in what is
today Bavaria. Its more important cultural centers include Ansbach, Nürnberg, Fürth and Erlangen,
towns which gave refuge to many displaced Austrian Protestants and Salzburgers. Mittelfranken
belonged to Nürnberg and to two Margraveships who had ruled Franconia for over 500 years.
Frankish towns beckoned not only to displaced Salzburgers, but to other refugees. By 1686, the
many persecuted French Huguenots who had come to the small city of Erlangen outnumbered the
German residents 1,000 to 317. By 1750, the French had adopted the German language and culture
as they gradually assimilated until, at the end of the 18th century, they were completely "German".
Erlangen became a busy commercial center with a new university (image at the top of page).
today Bavaria. Its more important cultural centers include Ansbach, Nürnberg, Fürth and Erlangen,
towns which gave refuge to many displaced Austrian Protestants and Salzburgers. Mittelfranken
belonged to Nürnberg and to two Margraveships who had ruled Franconia for over 500 years.
Frankish towns beckoned not only to displaced Salzburgers, but to other refugees. By 1686, the
many persecuted French Huguenots who had come to the small city of Erlangen outnumbered the
German residents 1,000 to 317. By 1750, the French had adopted the German language and culture
as they gradually assimilated until, at the end of the 18th century, they were completely "German".
Erlangen became a busy commercial center with a new university (image at the top of page).
When a newspaper arrogantly suggested eating frogs' legs instead of bread, people were hopping
mad. Franconians especially felt more and more like second class citizens.
mad. Franconians especially felt more and more like second class citizens.
