| The New World |
While the Salzburgers set out in relatively small numbers, the unfortunate refugees from Rhineland
Pfalz, or "the Palatinate" in the early 18th century flooded out in droves. Their experiences are
included here because they show the horrendous trauma emigrants of the era experienced. Exiles and
refugees were pawns in a power game played by monarchs and governments of Europe. Included
among their numbers were distillers, brewers and grape growers.
Pfalz, or "the Palatinate" in the early 18th century flooded out in droves. Their experiences are
included here because they show the horrendous trauma emigrants of the era experienced. Exiles and
refugees were pawns in a power game played by monarchs and governments of Europe. Included
among their numbers were distillers, brewers and grape growers.
The Palatinate had lost 457,000 out of 500,000 people during
the Thirty Years War as Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Dutch
and Swedish soldiers burned hundreds of cities and villages
throughout German realms. Alsace and Lorraine, two of the
richest countries of Germany, were stolen by France. The
country was a wasteland of human misery. Then, King Louis
XIV of France bade his generals to destroy what might have
miraculously remained and devastated entire Rhineland.
the Thirty Years War as Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Dutch
and Swedish soldiers burned hundreds of cities and villages
throughout German realms. Alsace and Lorraine, two of the
richest countries of Germany, were stolen by France. The
country was a wasteland of human misery. Then, King Louis
XIV of France bade his generals to destroy what might have
miraculously remained and devastated entire Rhineland.
The atrocities carried out by French troops in the war of aggression launched by Louis XIV against
the Palatinate roused hatred for the "Sun King" throughout Europe. The beautiful, ancient castles on
the Rhine were sacked, pillaged and utterly demolished, including the gorgeous castle of Heidelberg
In 1693, the French besieged Heidelberg for the second time, blowing up all fortifications and burning
the town. In 1689, the cities of Mainz, Wörms, Mannheim, Speyer and more of Heidelberg were
destroyed by the French, set on fire and burned. The mortar bombardment of Koblenz in 1688 is
analogous to modern bomber attacks, and the French used scorched earth tactics to devastate the
Palatinate. Villages and farmhouses were burned and people driven from their homes in the dead of
winter. Fruit trees were cut down and vineyards destroyed. For generations, German Rhinelanders
were terrified of their aggressive neighbor, France. Along with political and religious reasons for the
French invasion, King Louis XIV was angry about the large number of German toll castles along the
Rhine River that enriched the Palatinate coffers and cost France money.
the Palatinate roused hatred for the "Sun King" throughout Europe. The beautiful, ancient castles on
the Rhine were sacked, pillaged and utterly demolished, including the gorgeous castle of Heidelberg
In 1693, the French besieged Heidelberg for the second time, blowing up all fortifications and burning
the town. In 1689, the cities of Mainz, Wörms, Mannheim, Speyer and more of Heidelberg were
destroyed by the French, set on fire and burned. The mortar bombardment of Koblenz in 1688 is
analogous to modern bomber attacks, and the French used scorched earth tactics to devastate the
Palatinate. Villages and farmhouses were burned and people driven from their homes in the dead of
winter. Fruit trees were cut down and vineyards destroyed. For generations, German Rhinelanders
were terrified of their aggressive neighbor, France. Along with political and religious reasons for the
French invasion, King Louis XIV was angry about the large number of German toll castles along the
Rhine River that enriched the Palatinate coffers and cost France money.
| Speaking of the merciless French incursions, one peasant said: "They collected all of the fruit in the village and loaded it up and took it away. They took the hemp, and all of the wine in the village with them. What they couldn't take of the wine they poured out. They broke all of the stoves and windows, tables, and benches, they broke the legs of the chairs, smashed the chests and cabinets. They collected all of the wagons, loaded them full with wine, fruits, shovels, axes, saws, wine shears, and all copper pots,..all of the flour and grain, they did not leave a sack in the mill. They took all of the plows in the fields and in the village. They broke the locks and scattered the straw and feed all through the streets...Not one loaf of bread was left in the village. All of the tools are gone. When they left the village they carried everything away on 68 carts and 16 wagons. This is already the fourth time that they have been in the village. At first they took all of the swine. Then they took the cattle. The third time, they took the horses; the fourth time they took everything which a farmer in the village needs" |
Not only were the thoughts of such utter ruination, death and misery fresh in
their minds, but the Palatines were compelled to change their faith several
times by various princes. After the especially severe winter of 1708-1709 had
decimated crops, English agents, seeing an opportunity to exploit the situation,
went to the Palatinate to lure even more of the unfortunate remnants of the
population to America. Palatine areas, left (click)
their minds, but the Palatines were compelled to change their faith several
times by various princes. After the especially severe winter of 1708-1709 had
decimated crops, English agents, seeing an opportunity to exploit the situation,
went to the Palatinate to lure even more of the unfortunate remnants of the
population to America. Palatine areas, left (click)
Hence, in the spring of 1709 the river Rhine was laden with boatloads of people fleeing with their
sorry few possessions. The emigrants crossed the channel from Holland to England and applied in
London for transportation to America. Precedents existed for governmental controlled immigration
for English dominions, mostly to further the Protestant cause. In 1679, Charles II sent French
Huguenots to South Carolina in order to introduce the cultivation of silkworms, grapes, and olives. In
1694, Baron de Luttichaw petitioned for permission to import 200 Protestant families from the
Germanies to his land in Ireland. In 1697, King William offered 500 pounds to some Jamaica
merchants to transplant men to Jamaica. In 1706, Governor Dudley of Massachusetts Bay and New
Hampshire, proposed that a colony of Scots be settled in Nova Scotia. In the same year, Colonel
Parke, governor of the Leeward Islands asked 10,000 Scots to fight against French Martinique and
offered to settle them there if they won. In England and Prussia, the Huguenots were welcomed.
Under James II, the resources of Parliament and the Crown urged immigration to unite all the
colonies under one government. Under Queen Anne, considerable money helped Protestant refugees
emigrate to the English colonies. In 1706, London considered a proposal to settle some "400 or 500
Swiss Protestants on some uninhabited lands in Pennsylvania or on the frontier of Virginia." The
proposal was approved with the suggestion that the government pay a cost of transportation of 8
pounds per head.
sorry few possessions. The emigrants crossed the channel from Holland to England and applied in
London for transportation to America. Precedents existed for governmental controlled immigration
for English dominions, mostly to further the Protestant cause. In 1679, Charles II sent French
Huguenots to South Carolina in order to introduce the cultivation of silkworms, grapes, and olives. In
1694, Baron de Luttichaw petitioned for permission to import 200 Protestant families from the
Germanies to his land in Ireland. In 1697, King William offered 500 pounds to some Jamaica
merchants to transplant men to Jamaica. In 1706, Governor Dudley of Massachusetts Bay and New
Hampshire, proposed that a colony of Scots be settled in Nova Scotia. In the same year, Colonel
Parke, governor of the Leeward Islands asked 10,000 Scots to fight against French Martinique and
offered to settle them there if they won. In England and Prussia, the Huguenots were welcomed.
Under James II, the resources of Parliament and the Crown urged immigration to unite all the
colonies under one government. Under Queen Anne, considerable money helped Protestant refugees
emigrate to the English colonies. In 1706, London considered a proposal to settle some "400 or 500
Swiss Protestants on some uninhabited lands in Pennsylvania or on the frontier of Virginia." The
proposal was approved with the suggestion that the government pay a cost of transportation of 8
pounds per head.
The Palatinate and neighboring German territories would later witnessed additional depredations in
the 1790s forcing the emigration of even more people. While liberating Europe from monarchies, the
armies of Revolutionary France did more harm to the people of Germany than the troops of Louis
XIV troops had done in the preceding century, and were responsible for more cultural destruction,
looting, pillage and abuse. Despite its crusade for liberté, egalité, fraternité, the soldiers of the
Revolution relied on local food supplies, and the French armies of the time were far larger than the
Sun King’s. When hungry civilians resisted selling food to the hungry soldiers, they took it, and then
exacted retribution. Germans hid in terror from the French for generations. Once in the new world
however, the early immigrants had different dangers to confront.
the 1790s forcing the emigration of even more people. While liberating Europe from monarchies, the
armies of Revolutionary France did more harm to the people of Germany than the troops of Louis
XIV troops had done in the preceding century, and were responsible for more cultural destruction,
looting, pillage and abuse. Despite its crusade for liberté, egalité, fraternité, the soldiers of the
Revolution relied on local food supplies, and the French armies of the time were far larger than the
Sun King’s. When hungry civilians resisted selling food to the hungry soldiers, they took it, and then
exacted retribution. Germans hid in terror from the French for generations. Once in the new world
however, the early immigrants had different dangers to confront.
After the immigrants had been quartered in two camps on both banks of the Hudson, for several
years they were considered to be "crown-laborers", obliged to pay back every penny of relief they
had received as well as their transportation and maintenance. They were forced to do hard labor and
furnish supplies to the navy. Eventually, their treatment by a sadistic contractor named Robert
Livingstone became so unbearable, that they refused to work and decided to go to the Schoharie
Valley in upstate New York, where local Indian chiefs (who had once visited London and seen the
emigrants there in camps) promised them free land. A delegation was sent to the Indians asking
permission to settle in their territory and it was granted. In March, 1713, the "Pfälzer" left their
camps and founded new homesteads in the Schoharie Valley. For years the settlers on the Mohawk
formed a strong frontier and founded prosperous communities such as Herkimer, Palatine and
German Flats. But even there they were tormented by greedy agents, and once settled, the Palatines
were surrounded by hostile Indians working for the very French who had burned their original
homeland, as the following account of one French/Indian invasion describes, causing the survivors to
once again relocate.
years they were considered to be "crown-laborers", obliged to pay back every penny of relief they
had received as well as their transportation and maintenance. They were forced to do hard labor and
furnish supplies to the navy. Eventually, their treatment by a sadistic contractor named Robert
Livingstone became so unbearable, that they refused to work and decided to go to the Schoharie
Valley in upstate New York, where local Indian chiefs (who had once visited London and seen the
emigrants there in camps) promised them free land. A delegation was sent to the Indians asking
permission to settle in their territory and it was granted. In March, 1713, the "Pfälzer" left their
camps and founded new homesteads in the Schoharie Valley. For years the settlers on the Mohawk
formed a strong frontier and founded prosperous communities such as Herkimer, Palatine and
German Flats. But even there they were tormented by greedy agents, and once settled, the Palatines
were surrounded by hostile Indians working for the very French who had burned their original
homeland, as the following account of one French/Indian invasion describes, causing the survivors to
once again relocate.
The Palatines formed a large part of the forces which were commanded at the battle of Oriskany,
"bloodiest battle of the whole Revolution", by General Herkimer (Herkheimer) himself the son of an
immigrant from the Palatinate, and in this battle, General Herkimer was killed. The emigration from
the Palatinate, initially directed to New York and later, as a result of their horrible experiences, to
Pennsylvania where they founded Womelsdorf and Heidelberg, became so strong during the first half
of the 18th century, that back in the Palatinate, the Elector threatened his people with capital
punishment if they tried to emigrate, but it was futile. The Dutch Ship owners growing wealthy from
this large emigration did all they could to keep it up. They sent "Newlanders", people who had been
in the "New Land", to travel through the Palatinate luring the people under all kinds of false
pretenses to leave their homes. They promised free transportation, money and clothing for the
journey. The profit was greatest with the poor, for by not paying in advance for their transportation,
they were charged so much in America after landing that they were compelled to work it off. After
the contract was signed, the victims were brought on the ship and stowed away in crowded,
miserable steerage.
"bloodiest battle of the whole Revolution", by General Herkimer (Herkheimer) himself the son of an
immigrant from the Palatinate, and in this battle, General Herkimer was killed. The emigration from
the Palatinate, initially directed to New York and later, as a result of their horrible experiences, to
Pennsylvania where they founded Womelsdorf and Heidelberg, became so strong during the first half
of the 18th century, that back in the Palatinate, the Elector threatened his people with capital
punishment if they tried to emigrate, but it was futile. The Dutch Ship owners growing wealthy from
this large emigration did all they could to keep it up. They sent "Newlanders", people who had been
in the "New Land", to travel through the Palatinate luring the people under all kinds of false
pretenses to leave their homes. They promised free transportation, money and clothing for the
journey. The profit was greatest with the poor, for by not paying in advance for their transportation,
they were charged so much in America after landing that they were compelled to work it off. After
the contract was signed, the victims were brought on the ship and stowed away in crowded,
miserable steerage.
In 1710, 845 Palatine families, a total of 3,100 emigrants,
boarded 11 ships for the long trip across the Atlantic from the
dreadful camps in England. Of the 3,100 who left England,
almost 500 died, many of typhus and one ship was wrecked
along the New York coast. 250 more met their death on
Governor's Island, where the City of New York, left, forced
the emigrants to stay for several weeks in a quarantine.
boarded 11 ships for the long trip across the Atlantic from the
dreadful camps in England. Of the 3,100 who left England,
almost 500 died, many of typhus and one ship was wrecked
along the New York coast. 250 more met their death on
Governor's Island, where the City of New York, left, forced
the emigrants to stay for several weeks in a quarantine.
From: The Frontiersmen of New York by Jeptha R. Simms; Albany, NY 1883; Volume I, Page 231.
"Palatine's Village. In its place I spoke of the settlement of German Palatines on the present site of Herkimer village,
known for many years as Palatine's village; which the industry and thrift of those settlers had at the end of 35 years given
comfortable homes and comparative wealth. Their village numbered 30 dwellings, with a neat little church and a settled
minister. And as quite a number of settlers resided on the south side of the river within the distance of a few miles, it is
presumed the village church was usually well filled."
"Palatine's Village. In its place I spoke of the settlement of German Palatines on the present site of Herkimer village,
known for many years as Palatine's village; which the industry and thrift of those settlers had at the end of 35 years given
comfortable homes and comparative wealth. Their village numbered 30 dwellings, with a neat little church and a settled
minister. And as quite a number of settlers resided on the south side of the river within the distance of a few miles, it is
presumed the village church was usually well filled."
However, this very large onslaught of German emigrants overwhelmed England, and as it became
impossible to shelter them all, camps were provided for them at the "Black Heath" near London.
Over 20,000 people from the Palatinate were exposed to great suffering because the English
Government, after luring them there, was unable to obtain enough ships for their ocean crossing.
Thousands died with the arrival of winter. The English Government then sent several thousands of
the unfortunate people back to Holland and to Germany. About 3,000 of them were taken to Ireland
where, in northern Munster, they founded a settlement (see next page). At least 5,000 others found
employment in England, many entering the English army. 600 were shipped to Carolina, several
hundred to Virginia. John Peter Zenger, who was among those who came to America as an
indentured servant from the Palatinate region of Germany, founded a newspaper.
impossible to shelter them all, camps were provided for them at the "Black Heath" near London.
Over 20,000 people from the Palatinate were exposed to great suffering because the English
Government, after luring them there, was unable to obtain enough ships for their ocean crossing.
Thousands died with the arrival of winter. The English Government then sent several thousands of
the unfortunate people back to Holland and to Germany. About 3,000 of them were taken to Ireland
where, in northern Munster, they founded a settlement (see next page). At least 5,000 others found
employment in England, many entering the English army. 600 were shipped to Carolina, several
hundred to Virginia. John Peter Zenger, who was among those who came to America as an
indentured servant from the Palatinate region of Germany, founded a newspaper.
The Rhenish Palatinate flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries, and its capital, Heidelberg, was a
center of the German Renaissance and Reformation. The French, under Louis XIV, invaded the land
and laid waste the countryside, destroying nearly all the castles and villages along the Rhine.
center of the German Renaissance and Reformation. The French, under Louis XIV, invaded the land
and laid waste the countryside, destroying nearly all the castles and villages along the Rhine.
The enemy claimed that they had not a man killed, and only four or five wounded. They boasted of having destroyed large
quantities of grain and hay, many hogs, 3,000 each of cattle and sheep. They claimed to have taken 1,500 horses, 300 of
which they took along to feed the detachment on its return. The narrative says, also, that the property in furniture, wearing
apparel, merchandise and liquor, might form a capital of 1,500,000 livres. The mayor of the village alone has 400,000
livres. The French and Indians have acquired as rich a booty as they could carry off. They have in specie more than
100,000 livres. One Indian alone has as much as 30,000. There was likewise plundered a quantity of wampum, silver
bracelets, etc., scarlet cloth and other merchandise, which may form a capital of 80,000 livres more. All this damage, says
the account, could not be done short of 48 hours. The account adds that on the 13th, at 7 A. M., 50 Englishmen and
some Mohawks left the fort across the river to attack them, but were driven back by the French and Indians, and that at
noon, of that day, the detachment was ordered on its return march."
quantities of grain and hay, many hogs, 3,000 each of cattle and sheep. They claimed to have taken 1,500 horses, 300 of
which they took along to feed the detachment on its return. The narrative says, also, that the property in furniture, wearing
apparel, merchandise and liquor, might form a capital of 1,500,000 livres. The mayor of the village alone has 400,000
livres. The French and Indians have acquired as rich a booty as they could carry off. They have in specie more than
100,000 livres. One Indian alone has as much as 30,000. There was likewise plundered a quantity of wampum, silver
bracelets, etc., scarlet cloth and other merchandise, which may form a capital of 80,000 livres more. All this damage, says
the account, could not be done short of 48 hours. The account adds that on the 13th, at 7 A. M., 50 Englishmen and
some Mohawks left the fort across the river to attack them, but were driven back by the French and Indians, and that at
noon, of that day, the detachment was ordered on its return march."
Eventually, however, many letters of emigrants and pamphlets came to Germany describing the
suffering both during their journeys and after arrival in the New World. Gottlieb Mittelberger, a
teacher, published a report of his experiences. Mittelberger came to Pennsylvania from Germany in
1750. He served as a schoolmaster and organist in Philadelphia for three years and returned to
Germany in 1754.
suffering both during their journeys and after arrival in the New World. Gottlieb Mittelberger, a
teacher, published a report of his experiences. Mittelberger came to Pennsylvania from Germany in
1750. He served as a schoolmaster and organist in Philadelphia for three years and returned to
Germany in 1754.
"At three o'clock A. M. the attack was ordered, and so alarmed were the inmates of the first fort saluted which was a
fortified dwelling-that the mayor of the village-as the narrative calls its commandant opened his doors and asked for
quarters. Benton, in his History of Herkimer County, says : This man, who was the master spirit of the place, was John
Jost Petrie, who was among the captives made, lived to return and died some years after. Belletre passed rapidly from
one to the other of the five forts, all of which surrendered at discretion, and were burned. The invaders also ravaged and
burned the 60 dwellings of the place- 30 houses, says the French "Topography " of country made at the time *-with their
barns, other out-buildings, and a saw-mill and water-mill (a small grist-mill), both of which mills were on creeks upon the
south side of the river above Fort Herkimer. The French account says that about 40 of the English (meaning German
citizens) perished at this time, either killed or drowned, and 150 men, women and children were made prisoners, including
the surgeon and some militia officers.
fortified dwelling-that the mayor of the village-as the narrative calls its commandant opened his doors and asked for
quarters. Benton, in his History of Herkimer County, says : This man, who was the master spirit of the place, was John
Jost Petrie, who was among the captives made, lived to return and died some years after. Belletre passed rapidly from
one to the other of the five forts, all of which surrendered at discretion, and were burned. The invaders also ravaged and
burned the 60 dwellings of the place- 30 houses, says the French "Topography " of country made at the time *-with their
barns, other out-buildings, and a saw-mill and water-mill (a small grist-mill), both of which mills were on creeks upon the
south side of the river above Fort Herkimer. The French account says that about 40 of the English (meaning German
citizens) perished at this time, either killed or drowned, and 150 men, women and children were made prisoners, including
the surgeon and some militia officers.
One type of servitude has a lengthy history beginning with the early Germanic tribes.
Although slavery was not a natural institution, it did occur. However, even slavery was
usually turned into serfdom. Unlike the Romans, the slaves of ancient Germans had
separate households and paid their masters with corn, cattle or clothes. This system
evolved into one with numerous classes of serfs. Under Bavarian law of the 7th century,
serfs settled on the church estates and had to work three days in the week for their masters
and were subject to varying rents and payments. Serfdom in German lands was not unlike
that in the rest of Europe in medieval times. The evolution of serfdom in Germany was also
effected by external factors.
Although slavery was not a natural institution, it did occur. However, even slavery was
usually turned into serfdom. Unlike the Romans, the slaves of ancient Germans had
separate households and paid their masters with corn, cattle or clothes. This system
evolved into one with numerous classes of serfs. Under Bavarian law of the 7th century,
serfs settled on the church estates and had to work three days in the week for their masters
and were subject to varying rents and payments. Serfdom in German lands was not unlike
that in the rest of Europe in medieval times. The evolution of serfdom in Germany was also
effected by external factors.
As colonization accelerated in the eastern provinces, defensive struggles against the marauding Slavs ensured a stronger
more powerful concentration of aristocrats and demanded more rigorous treatment of serfs. In complete serfdom, one's
very body belonged to his lord (Leibeigenschaft) while other serfs were only bound to perform certain duties and were
not further oppressed by the landowners on whose soil they were settled. Social evolution brought about emancipation,
chiefly by governmental measures, for example through reforms in Prussia. Personal serfdom (Leibeigenschaft) was
abolished first, hereditary subjection (Erbunterthanigkeit) followed next.
more powerful concentration of aristocrats and demanded more rigorous treatment of serfs. In complete serfdom, one's
very body belonged to his lord (Leibeigenschaft) while other serfs were only bound to perform certain duties and were
not further oppressed by the landowners on whose soil they were settled. Social evolution brought about emancipation,
chiefly by governmental measures, for example through reforms in Prussia. Personal serfdom (Leibeigenschaft) was
abolished first, hereditary subjection (Erbunterthanigkeit) followed next.
In the 18th century Leibeigenschaft, or personal servitude, took on a slightly different meaning, but was still the legal
status of up to 10 percent of the population in southwestern Germany. Although not a slave and able to work his own
land, the subject still had financial obligations, usually in the form of an annual recognition fee. In this system, the
restrictions of marriage stirred up the most displeasure and were an important cause for the farmer wars. Few Leibeigene
had enough money to buy their freedom, and in order to relocate, one had to purchase the right.
status of up to 10 percent of the population in southwestern Germany. Although not a slave and able to work his own
land, the subject still had financial obligations, usually in the form of an annual recognition fee. In this system, the
restrictions of marriage stirred up the most displeasure and were an important cause for the farmer wars. Few Leibeigene
had enough money to buy their freedom, and in order to relocate, one had to purchase the right.
Under the Leibeigenschaft, which was inherited only through the mother, women paid more than men for their freedom.
Anyone wishing to emigrate would have to not only pay a fee and a percentage of the value of their property for their
Ledigzehlung, or release from servitude, they had to also fork out a local emigration tax..all of which could end up
consuming half of an emigrant's assets. Therefore, many saved themselves the money and left secretly. The tax emigrants
in much of Germany were required to pay for their release from serfdom and feudal obligations was often called a
manumission.
Anyone wishing to emigrate would have to not only pay a fee and a percentage of the value of their property for their
Ledigzehlung, or release from servitude, they had to also fork out a local emigration tax..all of which could end up
consuming half of an emigrant's assets. Therefore, many saved themselves the money and left secretly. The tax emigrants
in much of Germany were required to pay for their release from serfdom and feudal obligations was often called a
manumission.
| Buying Freedom |
Settlers from Krefeld established the first sizable, distinctly German settlement in America at
Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1683. An English Schooner named the Concord brought these
religious non-conformists to the port of Philadelphia where they answered William Penn's call to
share the "Holy Experiment" and settle on the land granted to Penn's father for his services to the
English crown.
Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1683. An English Schooner named the Concord brought these
religious non-conformists to the port of Philadelphia where they answered William Penn's call to
share the "Holy Experiment" and settle on the land granted to Penn's father for his services to the
English crown.
When, after a 75-day voyage, the thirteen Krefeld Mennonite families landed in Philadelphia on
October 6, 1683, they were met by a young German lawyer named Francis Daniel Pastorius, who
had arrived himself on August 20, 1683. He and a group of rich, religious Pietists had made plans
with the Frankfurt Land Company which never materialized and instead he and thirteen families
found a home in Germantown.
October 6, 1683, they were met by a young German lawyer named Francis Daniel Pastorius, who
had arrived himself on August 20, 1683. He and a group of rich, religious Pietists had made plans
with the Frankfurt Land Company which never materialized and instead he and thirteen families
found a home in Germantown.
The first settlement of the Krefeld colonists was named "Armentown" (town of the poor) and was six
miles north of Philadelphia. They built log, and later stone, homes where they raised flax and began
weaving. True to form, they also established vineyards. By the end of the 1600s, "Germantown" had
a wide avenue bordered by fruit trees, with a central market, a cemetery and a number of mills. As
they grew in numbers, they founded 884-acre Kriegsheim, 900-acre Sommerhausen and-1166 acre
Crefeld. Pastorius became Germantown's its first burgomaster in 1689, and established a school
system. Pastorius would write the first resolution in America against Negro slavery.
miles north of Philadelphia. They built log, and later stone, homes where they raised flax and began
weaving. True to form, they also established vineyards. By the end of the 1600s, "Germantown" had
a wide avenue bordered by fruit trees, with a central market, a cemetery and a number of mills. As
they grew in numbers, they founded 884-acre Kriegsheim, 900-acre Sommerhausen and-1166 acre
Crefeld. Pastorius became Germantown's its first burgomaster in 1689, and established a school
system. Pastorius would write the first resolution in America against Negro slavery.
| Escape from Utter Devastation: The Palatine Refugees: The Pfalzers |
| From the Frying Pan into the Fire |
British explorers often took Germans with mining expertise on their voyages to perform labor and to
manage and/or supervise assay work. Martin Frobisher was an English seaman and state-sponsored
pirate who made three voyages to the New World looking for the Northwest Passage and, hopefully,
gold. Between 1576 and 1578, Frobisher led three expeditions to the vicinity of Baffin Island, taking
with him German experts in the mining field, including Jonas Schutz and Burchard Kranach. Soon
after, twenty-two of the nearly 280 unfortunate colonists who went to "The Lost Colony" of
Roanoke between 1585 and 1587 were not English-born, and Germans are believed to have been
included in this minority. The Roanoke Germans may also have been mining specialists who had
worked in tin mines of Cornwall and other parts of England. Another group of German immigrants
apparently arrived in 1608 on the ship "Mary and Margaret" and settled in Jamestown as glass
makers and carpenters. And in 1620, there were even Germans on the Mayflower, among them
more German mineral specialists and saw-millwrights from Hamburg who opened the first sawmill.
manage and/or supervise assay work. Martin Frobisher was an English seaman and state-sponsored
pirate who made three voyages to the New World looking for the Northwest Passage and, hopefully,
gold. Between 1576 and 1578, Frobisher led three expeditions to the vicinity of Baffin Island, taking
with him German experts in the mining field, including Jonas Schutz and Burchard Kranach. Soon
after, twenty-two of the nearly 280 unfortunate colonists who went to "The Lost Colony" of
Roanoke between 1585 and 1587 were not English-born, and Germans are believed to have been
included in this minority. The Roanoke Germans may also have been mining specialists who had
worked in tin mines of Cornwall and other parts of England. Another group of German immigrants
apparently arrived in 1608 on the ship "Mary and Margaret" and settled in Jamestown as glass
makers and carpenters. And in 1620, there were even Germans on the Mayflower, among them
more German mineral specialists and saw-millwrights from Hamburg who opened the first sawmill.
| Where was Tyrker? The First German Americans |
According to Norse sagas, the first German to set foot in the New World was Tyrker, the German
foster-father of Leif Ericson who lived in the 11th century and accompanied Leif on his voyage of
discovery in the year 1000. Although historians differ as to where they ended up, they sailed from
Greenland to an unknown country to the west which some believe to have been New England. Leif
divided his men into two parties to explore the neighborhood and warned them to stay together arid
return by evening. But one evening Tyrker did not return with his party because he was too busy
gaping at grapes which could be made into wine. The Norsemen made Tyrker's "grapes" a part of
their cargo when they sailed away, and in honor of the fruit, Leif called the land "Vinland."
*From "Viking Tales" by J. Hall; 1902
foster-father of Leif Ericson who lived in the 11th century and accompanied Leif on his voyage of
discovery in the year 1000. Although historians differ as to where they ended up, they sailed from
Greenland to an unknown country to the west which some believe to have been New England. Leif
divided his men into two parties to explore the neighborhood and warned them to stay together arid
return by evening. But one evening Tyrker did not return with his party because he was too busy
gaping at grapes which could be made into wine. The Norsemen made Tyrker's "grapes" a part of
their cargo when they sailed away, and in honor of the fruit, Leif called the land "Vinland."
*From "Viking Tales" by J. Hall; 1902
"Where is Tyrker?"
No one knew. Then Leif was angry.
"Is a man of so little value in this empty land that you would lose one?" he said.
"Why did you not keep together? Did you not see that he was gone? Why did you
not set out to look for him? Who knows what terrible thing may have happened to
him in these great forests?"
Then he turned and started out to hunt for him. His men followed, silent and ashamed.
They had not gone far when they saw Tyrker running toward them. He was laughing
and talking to himself. Leif ran to him and put his arms around him with gladness at
seeing him. "Why are you so late?" he asked. "Where have you been?"
But Tyrker, still smiling and nodding his head, answered in German. He pointed to the
woods and laughed and rolled his eyes. Again Leif asked his question and put his hand
on Tyrker's shoulder as though he would shake him. Then Tyrker answered in the
language of Iceland: "I have not been very far, but I have found something wonderful."
"What is it?" cried the men.
"I have found grapes growing wild," said Tyrker, as he laughed and his eyes shone... *
No one knew. Then Leif was angry.
"Is a man of so little value in this empty land that you would lose one?" he said.
"Why did you not keep together? Did you not see that he was gone? Why did you
not set out to look for him? Who knows what terrible thing may have happened to
him in these great forests?"
Then he turned and started out to hunt for him. His men followed, silent and ashamed.
They had not gone far when they saw Tyrker running toward them. He was laughing
and talking to himself. Leif ran to him and put his arms around him with gladness at
seeing him. "Why are you so late?" he asked. "Where have you been?"
But Tyrker, still smiling and nodding his head, answered in German. He pointed to the
woods and laughed and rolled his eyes. Again Leif asked his question and put his hand
on Tyrker's shoulder as though he would shake him. Then Tyrker answered in the
language of Iceland: "I have not been very far, but I have found something wonderful."
"What is it?" cried the men.
"I have found grapes growing wild," said Tyrker, as he laughed and his eyes shone... *
Germantown's seal shows three leaves of clover bearing a weaver's spool, a flax blossom, and a grape vine.
