| Ostpreußen: The Great Trek |
The Exiles were offered a new home in East Prussia by King Friedrich Wilhelm 1. It was an area
which had been devastated by plague and famine, and on February 2, 1732, permission was granted
for immigration. Commissioners were sent to arrange care for the exiles' transport and protection.
Long lines of refugees left together, many carrying Joseph Schaitberger's small book and singing his
song throughout the long, perilous trek from their mountain homes to this distant and alien frontier.
which had been devastated by plague and famine, and on February 2, 1732, permission was granted
for immigration. Commissioners were sent to arrange care for the exiles' transport and protection.
Long lines of refugees left together, many carrying Joseph Schaitberger's small book and singing his
song throughout the long, perilous trek from their mountain homes to this distant and alien frontier.
Whole villages had become deserted in the terrible plagues of the Middle Ages. Over 30,000 people
from the Memel area alone perished. In some areas around Tilsit, not one soul survived. In 1720, the
King of Prussia published an immigration patent which drew in Swiss Mennonites and settlers from
Pfalz, the Rhineland, Franconia, Swabia, Nassau, as well as some Dutch, Swiss, Bohemians, French
Huguenots and even a group of Scots who settled around Danzig and Elbing. The Historian Lucanus
stated in 1748: "In no European landscape was a greater mix of so many foreign nations."
from the Memel area alone perished. In some areas around Tilsit, not one soul survived. In 1720, the
King of Prussia published an immigration patent which drew in Swiss Mennonites and settlers from
Pfalz, the Rhineland, Franconia, Swabia, Nassau, as well as some Dutch, Swiss, Bohemians, French
Huguenots and even a group of Scots who settled around Danzig and Elbing. The Historian Lucanus
stated in 1748: "In no European landscape was a greater mix of so many foreign nations."
Those who survived the journey felt most grateful and humbled and were well received. The King,
an able administrator, set up districts where citizens were appointed to distribute the following to
everyone who had previously possessed a house and land in their former homeland: four horses, four
oxen, three cows and grain for the first sowing, the goods tentatively remaining in the State's
possession. Whoever farmed satisfactorily could later buy them back and make additional purchases.
an able administrator, set up districts where citizens were appointed to distribute the following to
everyone who had previously possessed a house and land in their former homeland: four horses, four
oxen, three cows and grain for the first sowing, the goods tentatively remaining in the State's
possession. Whoever farmed satisfactorily could later buy them back and make additional purchases.
Gumbinnen hospital, church and Farm scene, left
Of 15,508 Salzburgers who initially settled in the province, nearly 12,000 were first received at the
expense of the state and were placed in field, farm or timber cutting work. They received a 3 year tax
exemption, generous credits, subsidies to their various construction costs and long-term release from
military service. The King personally developed the highly sophisticated and advanced social program.
expense of the state and were placed in field, farm or timber cutting work. They received a 3 year tax
exemption, generous credits, subsidies to their various construction costs and long-term release from
military service. The King personally developed the highly sophisticated and advanced social program.
It took years, however, until the Salzburgers felt settled and they were not readily accepted by the
local aristocrats as laborers. Few exile families could afford a decent house, and there was disease,
lack of familiar food, an entirely foreign environment, and a flat, foreign landscape. They had to
adapt to survive, and they had to create a new culture to replace one which had been destroyed.
local aristocrats as laborers. Few exile families could afford a decent house, and there was disease,
lack of familiar food, an entirely foreign environment, and a flat, foreign landscape. They had to
adapt to survive, and they had to create a new culture to replace one which had been destroyed.
While the majority of Salzburgers made their new homes in the rural
countryside, 715 Salzburgers made a home in the city of Königsberg
itself, including 59 woolspinners, 28 woodcutters, 8 shoemakers, 2
butchers,53 carpenters, 2 flax binders, 1 coppersmith, 1 draughtsman
and a farmhand. The craftsmen enjoyed full freedom of city trade. The
new citizens were self sufficient, economical, careful and frugal. Many
would become educated and prosperous in the future.
countryside, 715 Salzburgers made a home in the city of Königsberg
itself, including 59 woolspinners, 28 woodcutters, 8 shoemakers, 2
butchers,53 carpenters, 2 flax binders, 1 coppersmith, 1 draughtsman
and a farmhand. The craftsmen enjoyed full freedom of city trade. The
new citizens were self sufficient, economical, careful and frugal. Many
would become educated and prosperous in the future.
In the year 1739, the hospital the king had planned in Gumbinnen could be finally established,
offering 40 beds. The king also sent accomplished commissioners to Salzburg to assure the sales of
the goods of the emigrants and the recovery of their assets and the Archbishop had been unable to
refuse these officials entry. Extra money was used for the Salzburg Institute. The settlers' hard work
and diligence paid off. The once depopulated plains blossomed with successful farms and villages.
Within a very short time, their unique dialect and old mountain customs vanished as they formed an
altogether new culture, the only remaining distinct signs of a Salzburg ancestry being their surnames.
Combined with the 8,000 Huguenots who had arrived in 1685, then the immigrants from French
Switzerland, Nassau, the Pfalz, Magdeburg and Halberstädt, the total population in East Prussia
between 1713 and 1740 rose from 400,000 to 600,000 inhabitants. East Prussia would be home to
the Salzburgers for over two hundred years.
offering 40 beds. The king also sent accomplished commissioners to Salzburg to assure the sales of
the goods of the emigrants and the recovery of their assets and the Archbishop had been unable to
refuse these officials entry. Extra money was used for the Salzburg Institute. The settlers' hard work
and diligence paid off. The once depopulated plains blossomed with successful farms and villages.
Within a very short time, their unique dialect and old mountain customs vanished as they formed an
altogether new culture, the only remaining distinct signs of a Salzburg ancestry being their surnames.
Combined with the 8,000 Huguenots who had arrived in 1685, then the immigrants from French
Switzerland, Nassau, the Pfalz, Magdeburg and Halberstädt, the total population in East Prussia
between 1713 and 1740 rose from 400,000 to 600,000 inhabitants. East Prussia would be home to
the Salzburgers for over two hundred years.
| The Soldier King |
Friedrich Wilhelm 1, der Soldatenkönig came to throne in 1713, and
developed an early passion for military life. A frugal man with simple tastes
and a bad temper, he took religion seriously and, although a devout, almost
puritanical Protestant, he was extremely tolerant of his Catholic subjects
because he detested religious quarrels. His lack of frivolities made him a
very able administrator, and his policies were upheld for generations after
his death. He established village schools, which he personally visited, and
in 1717, he decreed compulsory education in Prussia. In spite of his harsh
reputation, he was much beloved by his subjects and respected for his
honesty, practicality, and his strong sense of justice. He was not
unintelligent, and had a charitable side. Friedrich Wilhelm I. hoped to build
a feared army, one to act as a deterrent to the other formidable powers.
developed an early passion for military life. A frugal man with simple tastes
and a bad temper, he took religion seriously and, although a devout, almost
puritanical Protestant, he was extremely tolerant of his Catholic subjects
because he detested religious quarrels. His lack of frivolities made him a
very able administrator, and his policies were upheld for generations after
his death. He established village schools, which he personally visited, and
in 1717, he decreed compulsory education in Prussia. In spite of his harsh
reputation, he was much beloved by his subjects and respected for his
honesty, practicality, and his strong sense of justice. He was not
unintelligent, and had a charitable side. Friedrich Wilhelm I. hoped to build
a feared army, one to act as a deterrent to the other formidable powers.
From 1722 to 1740, his army grew to 80,000 well trained and
disciplined men, gaining him the title of "Soldier King." He was
devoted to his army, which made Prussia the third greatest military
power in the world. He "collected" the tallest men from all over to be
part of his Potsdam Guards, right, and he enjoyed personally
reviewing his troops. He also liked socializing and smoking with
friends in his nightly get-togethers called the Tobacco College.
disciplined men, gaining him the title of "Soldier King." He was
devoted to his army, which made Prussia the third greatest military
power in the world. He "collected" the tallest men from all over to be
part of his Potsdam Guards, right, and he enjoyed personally
reviewing his troops. He also liked socializing and smoking with
friends in his nightly get-togethers called the Tobacco College.
He continues to relate how his father, "Greatly agitated by the public misfortune, went there on the
spot and saw the great devastation which had followed the epidemic, such as the famine. There were
400 to 500 uninhabited, depopulated villages, 12 to 15 of which were hopeless.....The King spared
no expense in order to carry out his ideas and intentions to rebuild everything that the plague had
destroyed, and let thousands of families from all corners of Europe come." The country was
repopulated, with fields put back in order and trade established until "it again possesses over one
half million inhabitants and counts more cities and cattle than in former times, has more prosperity
and fertility than possibly any area of Germany. And all of that thanks to the King, who arranged the
execution personally and also led it. He alone sketched the plans and he alone implemented them; he
spared nothing . They and their posterity owe their well-being being to him alone."
spot and saw the great devastation which had followed the epidemic, such as the famine. There were
400 to 500 uninhabited, depopulated villages, 12 to 15 of which were hopeless.....The King spared
no expense in order to carry out his ideas and intentions to rebuild everything that the plague had
destroyed, and let thousands of families from all corners of Europe come." The country was
repopulated, with fields put back in order and trade established until "it again possesses over one
half million inhabitants and counts more cities and cattle than in former times, has more prosperity
and fertility than possibly any area of Germany. And all of that thanks to the King, who arranged the
execution personally and also led it. He alone sketched the plans and he alone implemented them; he
spared nothing . They and their posterity owe their well-being being to him alone."
One didn't mess with the King: He had one Baron Schlubhut hanged for embezzling funds intended
for the Salzburgers, and he was a stern father to his son, the future Friedrich the Great. As a crown
prince Friedrich accompanied his father on a tour of East Prussia in the summer following the
Salzburgers' arrival, and was impressed at the success of the settlement policies. He wrote Voltaire in
1739, describing the area as "Europe's little known province, which deserves to be certainly more
well-known." He speaks of it being a "Creation of the King, my father," and he relates how the
province was devastated by the plague when over 300,000 inhabitants had died from the epidemic
and the misery that followed, the farms and fields all being overgrown and deserted, and even the
cattle dead: "Our most flowering province had been transformed into the most terrible desert."
for the Salzburgers, and he was a stern father to his son, the future Friedrich the Great. As a crown
prince Friedrich accompanied his father on a tour of East Prussia in the summer following the
Salzburgers' arrival, and was impressed at the success of the settlement policies. He wrote Voltaire in
1739, describing the area as "Europe's little known province, which deserves to be certainly more
well-known." He speaks of it being a "Creation of the King, my father," and he relates how the
province was devastated by the plague when over 300,000 inhabitants had died from the epidemic
and the misery that followed, the farms and fields all being overgrown and deserted, and even the
cattle dead: "Our most flowering province had been transformed into the most terrible desert."
During the Thirty Years War in East Prussia, 13 cities, 249 villages and 37 churches were plundered
or destroyed. 23,000 humans were killed, 34,000 sent into the slavery, and 80,000 died as a result of
hunger and plague. Plague hit East Prussia again from 1709 to 1711, and cost the lives of 240,000
children and 40 per cent of the general population. Part of the former Royal Prussia was merged with
the former Duchy of Prussia, and the newly annexed lands were to be known as the Province of
West Prussia, with former Ducal Prussia and Warmia becoming the Province of East Prussia in
1733. This is where our story with the Salzburgers begins.
or destroyed. 23,000 humans were killed, 34,000 sent into the slavery, and 80,000 died as a result of
hunger and plague. Plague hit East Prussia again from 1709 to 1711, and cost the lives of 240,000
children and 40 per cent of the general population. Part of the former Royal Prussia was merged with
the former Duchy of Prussia, and the newly annexed lands were to be known as the Province of
West Prussia, with former Ducal Prussia and Warmia becoming the Province of East Prussia in
1733. This is where our story with the Salzburgers begins.
By the time young Friedrich ll took the throne, Prussia had 2,400,000 people, 600,000 of them exiles
and or their descendants. In his reign, he introduced another 300,000 immigrants. By 1786, one third
of Prussia's population was of non-Prussian birth or foreign descent.
and or their descendants. In his reign, he introduced another 300,000 immigrants. By 1786, one third
of Prussia's population was of non-Prussian birth or foreign descent.
Although most public accounts carefully painted a rosy picture of the new inhabitants, some officials
in charge of helping the Salzburgers adjust to their new East Prussian homeland were not so
generous, and there are several accounts of mischief and bad behavior among some of the exiles.
Sources close to the King complained that they were "excessively stubborn, lazy and pig- headed"
and prone to gambling, excessive drinking, promiscuity and chronic complaining. It was said that the
young people would often flippantly run off to go looking for old friends. Sometimes described as
"discourteous, insolent and coarse, especially when drunk," they were not employed at the estates of
the Prussian aristocrats, some of whom viewed the Salzburgers as "hillbillies."
in charge of helping the Salzburgers adjust to their new East Prussian homeland were not so
generous, and there are several accounts of mischief and bad behavior among some of the exiles.
Sources close to the King complained that they were "excessively stubborn, lazy and pig- headed"
and prone to gambling, excessive drinking, promiscuity and chronic complaining. It was said that the
young people would often flippantly run off to go looking for old friends. Sometimes described as
"discourteous, insolent and coarse, especially when drunk," they were not employed at the estates of
the Prussian aristocrats, some of whom viewed the Salzburgers as "hillbillies."
| In Christian-Royal mercy and heartfelt sympathy of Our Evangelical co-religionists... since the aforesaid are being obliged to leave their Fatherland purely and entirely on account of their faith, We have decided to extend to them a mild and helping Hand, and to this end to receive them in Our Land, and to preserve and to care for them in certain districts of Our Prussian Kingdom. The Archbishop is requested in friendship to consider and treat them, as many of them as wish and intend to go to Our Lands, henceforth as Prussian subjects |
| Friedrich Wilhelm's Invitation to the Salzburgers; 1732 |
| O King of heaven and of earth, Hear Thou our prayer and plea, That we may soon in rapture be, And our beloved King may see, Creating, with His mighty hand, For us a newer Fatherland. Thy blessing on His noble reign, And keep in Him the soul and nerve, That blessed labour to sustain, That draws the eyes of all the world: Preservest Thou Him and his house, Then hear our praise in heart and voice. |
| 1732 Salzburger Poem |
Friedrich Wilhelm's response to his ministers’ recommendation to banish the Catholic religion from Prussia in
1724:"I have a lot of Catholic Lithuanians in the Tilsit lowlands as colonists. If I take away their church services
those people will run away. This is a mistake that Louis XIV made (banishing the Huguenots), and I will not copy
him. I am populating my land, not depopulating it."
1724:"I have a lot of Catholic Lithuanians in the Tilsit lowlands as colonists. If I take away their church services
those people will run away. This is a mistake that Louis XIV made (banishing the Huguenots), and I will not copy
him. I am populating my land, not depopulating it."
The King inspects his
giant troops.
giant troops.
15,000 craftsmen and farmers were assigned to the town
of Gumbinnen where they swore an oath of allegiance to
the King. The town had been tragically depopulated by
plague and famine before their arrival, and this excited
the genuine compassion of the king. The oldest
component of Gumbinnen was the market with old
highway leading to it, and the old city church was first
created around 1545. The basic plan for development of
the city, drawn up by a Königsberger building master,
was approved on December 18, 1723 by the king.
of Gumbinnen where they swore an oath of allegiance to
the King. The town had been tragically depopulated by
plague and famine before their arrival, and this excited
the genuine compassion of the king. The oldest
component of Gumbinnen was the market with old
highway leading to it, and the old city church was first
created around 1545. The basic plan for development of
the city, drawn up by a Königsberger building master,
was approved on December 18, 1723 by the king.
The town of Gumbinnen was the true center of East Prussian settlement, however.
Then came the Salzburgers. Only 6,000 refugees were originally expected, but over 20,000 applied.
Their exodus was divided into 32 journeys or treks. The displaced took three routes to Prussia; One
way via Frankfurt, a second via Magdeburg, Stendal and Stettin on the Baltic Sea, and the main
route which took them through Berlin.
Their exodus was divided into 32 journeys or treks. The displaced took three routes to Prussia; One
way via Frankfurt, a second via Magdeburg, Stendal and Stettin on the Baltic Sea, and the main
route which took them through Berlin.
From Berlin, they continued to their destination in northern East Prussia in two ways, by land
directly to Königsberg or by water from the port of Stettin. 10,780 Salzburg chose the sea, and from
there they took 66 vessels in 79 transports. 5,533 Salzburger chose the land in eleven well-organised
horse treks with 1,167 horses and 780 carts loaded with people. On April 30, 1732, the very first
843 Salzburgers arrived at their new home but the bulk of them came between May of 1732 and
November of 1733. Throughout their trek through Prussia until they poured into East Prussia,
pealing church bells and free meals, even for their animals, greeted them in a wave of enthusiasm
everywhere they went. The journey from Salzburg to Königsberg from June 2 until August 22,
amounted to 1,500 km. and was covered in just three months at about 20 km per day. 805 people
died while on the arduous journey.
directly to Königsberg or by water from the port of Stettin. 10,780 Salzburg chose the sea, and from
there they took 66 vessels in 79 transports. 5,533 Salzburger chose the land in eleven well-organised
horse treks with 1,167 horses and 780 carts loaded with people. On April 30, 1732, the very first
843 Salzburgers arrived at their new home but the bulk of them came between May of 1732 and
November of 1733. Throughout their trek through Prussia until they poured into East Prussia,
pealing church bells and free meals, even for their animals, greeted them in a wave of enthusiasm
everywhere they went. The journey from Salzburg to Königsberg from June 2 until August 22,
amounted to 1,500 km. and was covered in just three months at about 20 km per day. 805 people
died while on the arduous journey.
Memel is a name found in sources from even before the 13th century. The city was near the lower
reaches of the Neman River in East Prussia. The Bishop of Courland founded castle Memelburg in
1252, and by 1258 a town was granted Lübeck City Rights. The castle and environs were transferred
from Livonia to the Teutonic Order in Prussia in 1328, and it faced war between the Order and the
Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the castle being attacked every 15 to 20 years by Samogitians and
Lithuanians, hindering the growth of the town. With the Peace at Melno-See in 1422, the border was
permanently set between the Teutonic Order and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, with Memel
remaining as part of Prussia. It became an important trading center during the Middle Ages when it
was part of the Hanseatic League. Ducal Memel adopted Lutheranism in 1525, and after 1618, a
defence was erected around the entire town in 1627. This paid off when a small army of Swedes
tried to capture the town in 1678. Memelfestung was one of the strongest fortresses in Prussia. The
border was one of the longest lasting unchanged borders in Europe until 1919.
reaches of the Neman River in East Prussia. The Bishop of Courland founded castle Memelburg in
1252, and by 1258 a town was granted Lübeck City Rights. The castle and environs were transferred
from Livonia to the Teutonic Order in Prussia in 1328, and it faced war between the Order and the
Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the castle being attacked every 15 to 20 years by Samogitians and
Lithuanians, hindering the growth of the town. With the Peace at Melno-See in 1422, the border was
permanently set between the Teutonic Order and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, with Memel
remaining as part of Prussia. It became an important trading center during the Middle Ages when it
was part of the Hanseatic League. Ducal Memel adopted Lutheranism in 1525, and after 1618, a
defence was erected around the entire town in 1627. This paid off when a small army of Swedes
tried to capture the town in 1678. Memelfestung was one of the strongest fortresses in Prussia. The
border was one of the longest lasting unchanged borders in Europe until 1919.
Devastated East Prussia was renewed with 6 cities and 332 new villages, and 180,000 parcels of
overgrown land were newly cultivated. 3,569 farmhands and farm servants found work as well. Two
hundred or so exiled Salzburgers found a new home in Tilsit and mingled with French, Scottish and
Dutch refugees already settled there. Tilsit had grown up around a Teutonic knights' castle known as
the Schalauner Haus which was founded in 1288, receiving its city privileges in 1552. It sets on the
left bank of the Niemen between Memel and Konigsberg. At this time, Tilsit had a lively trade with
ports as far away as Russia. Never very large, Tilsit was a peaceful place with a variety of churches.
overgrown land were newly cultivated. 3,569 farmhands and farm servants found work as well. Two
hundred or so exiled Salzburgers found a new home in Tilsit and mingled with French, Scottish and
Dutch refugees already settled there. Tilsit had grown up around a Teutonic knights' castle known as
the Schalauner Haus which was founded in 1288, receiving its city privileges in 1552. It sets on the
left bank of the Niemen between Memel and Konigsberg. At this time, Tilsit had a lively trade with
ports as far away as Russia. Never very large, Tilsit was a peaceful place with a variety of churches.
In 1732, over 3,000 exiled Salzburgers found refuge and a new home in
Memel. It has been sorely devastated by plague before their arrival and they
were greeted heartily. Left: The centennial token issued on July 25, 1832
commemorated their arrival. It was an important date for all Salzburger
descendants. The commemorative coin was embossed with a Salzburger
kneeling before the figure of Borussia (Latin for Prussia) had an inscription
which read: "My new sons, your new fatherland."
Memel. It has been sorely devastated by plague before their arrival and they
were greeted heartily. Left: The centennial token issued on July 25, 1832
commemorated their arrival. It was an important date for all Salzburger
descendants. The commemorative coin was embossed with a Salzburger
kneeling before the figure of Borussia (Latin for Prussia) had an inscription
which read: "My new sons, your new fatherland."
Other Salzburgers settled in the East Prussian region of rivers and lakes called the Masurian Lakes
area, comprised of the German rural districts of Osterode, Neidenburg, Ortelsburg, Sensburg, Lyck,
Lötzen, Johannisburg and parts of the districts of Angerburg, Rastenburg and Goldap.
area, comprised of the German rural districts of Osterode, Neidenburg, Ortelsburg, Sensburg, Lyck,
Lötzen, Johannisburg and parts of the districts of Angerburg, Rastenburg and Goldap.
