The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography; 2, 117-138 Mennonite Emigration of Pennsylvania. Friendly Relations between the Mennonites in Holland and those in Pennsylvania

Citation preview

THE

MAGAZINE

PENNSYLVANIA OF

HISTORYAND BIOGRAPHY. IL

Yol.

No. 2.

1878.

MENNONITE EMIGRATION TO PENNSYLVANIA. Friendly

between

Kelations

the

Mennonites

and

in Holland

those

in

Pennsylvania.1 j. g. de hoop

by dr.

scheffer,

of amsterdam.

TRANSLATED PROM THE DUTCH, WITH NOTES, BY SAMUELW. PENNYP ACKER.

to the German indebted is so deeply settlers [Pennsylvania who found a home within her borders, for the rapid and sub towards prosperity, she early made stantial advances which we the that it is eminently of proper present day should con sider

causes

the

which

to seek fatherland at them home.

led

to leave their emigrants was denied which happiness

those

that domestic

In some cases the improvement of their worldly condition ; but in most instances it was may alone have been the motive the desire for freedom in the exercise of their religious views, or to escape from the persecution which the profession of those convictions at them. had brought upon least, Such, was the incentive which those followers of Menno prompted 1 The zinden

article hier

entitled

te lande

en die

4< Yriendschapsbetrekkingen in Pennsylvanie," appeared

Bijdragen" for 1869.

Vol.

il?9

( 117 )

tusschen in the

"

de Doopsge Doopsgezinde

118

Mennon?e

Emigration

toPennsylvania.

came

to Pennsylvania the Palatinate, so beneficial proved

from Switzerland, from whose and Alsace, industry, frugality, to the colony. and integrity element was to Pennsylvania the German How in valuable a speech of Gov. Thomas, in is attested well colonial days, one of the most of the deputies to of the Penns, intelligent " " This Province," in 1738. he said, has been the Assembly Simon,

who

from

for some years the Palatinate

the asylum of the distressed Protestants from other of I it and and believe parts Germany, condition truth be said that the present flourishing may with to the of those of it is, in a great measure, Industry owing divert them from should and any discouragement people; it well be that of the value may apprehended coming hither, to wealth lands will be much fall, and your advances your of the soil, but the goodness slower ; for it is not altogether a flourish that make the number and industry of the people, ing country." The following

article by Dr. SchefFer, of the Mennonite will be found to contain information at Amsterdam, College the early which will be new to most of our readers, regarding to this country ; the Mennonites of the German movements into the translator, whose investigations to his denomination give weight opinion, our at any time warrant would it; and it seems par printing at a time that it should be reproduced appropriate ticularly are receiving to our Western States when large additions of one whose from the followers their population disciples so materially a half ago aided in devel nearly a century and resources of this Commonwealth. the oping of the As we read Dr. Scheffer's paper, we are reminded indorsement of history

of

its

that

of the Mennon in the condition have occurred changes that it and of the widely which of ites since the period treats, to under which the present emigration circumstances different has been undertaken. in the West and other localities Kansas Then

the

agent of George from mountains

I. feared that the distance the sea-coast was so great,

to the that

it Allegheny to the offers made induce the of the would acceptance prevent of lands beyond settlement them, and with an accommodating

Mennon?e

Emigration

toPennsylvania.

119

he spoke of them as being about thirty miles (pro coast. Now the mem bably German ones) from the Atlantic of to the population bers of a community equal in numbers are one of their homes colonies, seeking George's King conscience

Then the shores. the Atlantic and Pacific between midway were more in Holland fortunate of the denomination being from Switzerland and by their needy brethren means of to a them for has the what proved Germany, reaching a founded the of land." Now "promised by professor college to a similar institu the Dutch Mennonites sends his greeting to the exertions of existence tion, whose is, in part, owing who had those poor men from the mountains of Switzerland, lived far from cities and towns, whose speech was rude and importuned

to understand and difficult ; who wore shoes heavily uncouth, with iron and large nails, and who were hammered very zealous to serve God.?Ed.] on the east by the land, bounded on the west the New York, Delaware, present by on the the south and mountains, by by Maryland, Allegheny has such an agreeable fertile soil, such an unusually climate, The

tract

extensive

of

on the north

and

so well adapted for trade, that it is as and twenty there, early as 1638?five are

its watercourses

not

that

surprising built the first house in New Am years after our forefathers sterdam European colony was established. (New York)?a soon The first but some Hollanders settlers were Swedes, on all sides by savage natives, them. Surrounded joined continually themselves

threatened with

and

the cultivation

often

harassed, they contented of but a small portion of the Charles II. had, in settlement of

land. After, however, King a debt, given the whole toWilliam Penn, there came province a great at his before invitation and There, change. long, his assistance, his oppressed fol fellow-believers, through lowers like himself of George Fox, found a place of refuge. and, united by the common suf They settled on the Delaware, endured for their convictions, they founded a city, to ferings which name the of the city of Brotherly they gave suggestive Love The itself received the name (Philadelphia). province

120

Mennonite

Emigration

toPennsylvania.

of Pennsylvania from the man who brought its settlers over own a to his from land of persecution estate, and has borne it its boundaries to the present time, though have been extended on the north to Lake Erie, and on the west the Alle beyond gheny mountains In accordance

to the present Ohio. the fundamental

with

law established was assured

April to all complete and William Penn and his associates communities, religious saw a stream of those who had been and oppressed persecuted for their belief pour into the colony, among whom were many from Switzerland Mennonites and the Palatinate. In Switzerland for nearly half a century intoler religious ance had been most bitter. who had remained there Many were then persuaded to abandon their beloved native country and betake to the distant themselves land of freedom, and to Alsace and the Palatinate, others, who had earlier emigrated and there endured the dreadful horrors of the war in 1690, a in as a para to described them joined them, hoping province dise to find the needed comforts of life. ex The travelling of these on exhausted wanderers their penses way through our fatherland were a liberal hand from the furnished with " funds for foreign needs" which our forefathers had collected to aid the Swiss, Palatines, and Litthauers. These emigrants settled for the most and to the north part at Philadelphia, ward along the Delaware. 25,1682,

One that

freedom

of conscience

of the oldest communities, at Schiebach or Germantown.

if not the oldest The

elder

of

of all, was their two

in 1708, and in his died preachers, Wilhelm BAttinghausen, new two were same year eleven chosen. The place preachers were to added the church young people through baptism, and two new deacons its obligations. the accepted Moreover, of other brethren from the Palatinate, with Peter emigration Kolb at their head, who were to make enabled the journey a favorable of by the aid of the Netherlanders, gave prospect considerable the circum growth. however, Financially, stances of the left much to be desired. In a letter community to Amsterdam, written dated September from which 3,1708, are these particulars and which was derived, signed by Jacob

Mennonite

toPennsylvania.

Emigration

121

H?rmen

Martin Isack Van Kolb, Karsdorp, "a and Conradt Jansen, they presented loving and " some catechisms for the children and request" for

Gaetschalck, Sinteren,

friendly little testaments

the young." Beside, psalm books and the whole membership had but one a even and Bible.1 the needed copy, They urged meeting-house " that the community is still weak, their request by saying to get them printed, while cost much money and it would the for so scarce

were

Bibles

came

that

from Germany have spent every and in order to pay all anew, work, begin thing of life of which for the conveniences they stand in need." cost can to some extent be seen would the printing What in New York, who beside of a bookseller from the demands for the in of the Confession publication only printed English, so He much asked for it that the in that language. of Faith members

who

here

and must

raise the money, for could not by any possibility community reason the whole plan had to be abandoned. The propo which some because of conversations with sition was first considered were whose antecedents there but entirely unknown, people 44 descendants who called themselves Mennonites," perhaps of or English in the first years of the colonists who the Dutch on the themselves established of Penn settlement territory was the young That of community composed sylvania. has been shown by the letter other people besides Palatines the Netherlandish of Kars bearing signature just mentioned, our name a honored much and which among forefathers, dorp, 1 It sent

is certainly to their

back

a

was

Gaetschalck Peter

worthy brethren

of Wolfsheim, village and Jacob, Johannes

great-grandson ders, about burg,

and

August

in the Palatinate, to Pennsylvania

Magdalena, Isaac Yan of Jan

1550. came

was

in Europe

the

first

for Bibles

these request and Testaments.

people Jacob

a grandson of Kolb, in the 1707, was born in 1680, and came with his brothers, in the spring of 1707. He married Isaac Yan who also united Sintern,

at Skippack. Martin preacher at Germantown died in who

Schuhmacher

19, 1709, May letter. in this

that

of attention

He

daughter Sintern

de Yoss, married,

to Pennsylvania

of was

born

a burgomaster in Amsterdam, with

four

23, 1737, and is buried at Skippack.

4, 1662, September at Handschooten, Cornelia

daughters

Claassen, after 1687.

and was

a

in Flan of Ham He

died

Mennonite

122 has

noted

become

toPennsylvania.

Emigration through

of Dordrecht. It is no wonder that

the existing

in the neigh

family

borhood

needs"

cherished

a half

year

later

the

44 committee

few

on

the

hopes colony. foreign concerning for nine or ten families who had come They felt, however, to information from there, under to Rotterdam?according the neighborhood ofWorms and of April 8,1709?from to in order and whom Frankenthal, they earnestly emigrate, to dissuade the journey. from making They were, sought said the letter from Rotterdam,44 very poor men, altogether to seek a better place of abode intended in Pennsyl who date

vania. and

necessary that must there

upon them hitherto freely, expended with that is them scarcely anything people bring in the way of raiment and shoes, much less the money and from be spent for fare from here to England,

Much these

been

on the great journey, before they land." the Rotterdamers Naturally

eign be furnished But

has

for

the committee,

entirely unadvisable," to them. entrusted

journey who considered

settle

in that for

that money the of support emigrants. " the matter useless and asked

refused to dispose in this way of the funds of the kind, and the first refusal It was

that for twenty-four years they should entirely such requests it before must keep repeating if they had cease. in fact have been otherwise It would in 1732, or the rule which adopted they finally begun with in letter after letter had if the determination they expressed been followed by like action, and they had not let themselves little

did

and

the

can

the committee

think

from per it continually?sometimes understood the The Palatines from pity. without If they could only reach Holland situation well. if they were the letters, about themselves only troubling end by helping would committee the and persevering, urgent of April, The emigrants them on their way to Pennsylvania. their object, though as it appears through 1709, accomplished At all events, I think, they are the of others. the assistance Mennonite a Netherlander to by Jacob Telner, ones referred and to Amsterdam who at 6, wrote, August London, dwelling " the to : went families ; Haarlem Eng Pennsylvania Eight be persuaded but plexity,

away oftener

from

Mennonite

toPennsylvania.

Emigration

123

them liberally."1 lish Friends, who are called Quakers, helped to follow letter speaks of others who also wanted their more ever at than the Rot and urges forcibly people example, " 44 The truth is," he writes, that terdam to give assistance. men old of and and and thousands persons, young, many of and in the here have arrived women, expectation hope going in their ven to Pennsylvania, but the poor men are misled own means, ture. If they could transport themselves by their of inability but because they might go where they pleased, are ordered. cannot must where do and Now, it, they they go as there are of our six families among all this multitude brethren and fellow-believers, I mean German Mennonites, who to in Holland the brethren go to Pennsylvania, ought

His

should extend to them the hand of love and charity, for they are both poor and I trust and that believe, however, needy. are a com honest and It would be they God-fearing. great fort and consolation to the poor sheep if the rich brothers and sisters from their superfluities would their wants and satisfy let some crumbs fall from their tables to these poor Lazaruses. I feel a tender compassion for brethren, are for they of our flesh, as says the Prophet and 8."

Dear

the poor Isaiah,

sheep, lxviii. 7

It was

not long before pity for our fellow-believers? was still more ever Fiercer the than became forcibly. of the Mennonites in The Switzerland. persecution prisons at Bern were filled with the unfortunates, and the inhuman excited

treatment

to which

and

die.

The

they were subjected rest feared from

away in the council minority soon become a majority.

which

to pine caused many day to day that the demanded their trial would

Through

the intercession,

however,

1 "But not only did the leaders of the early Society of Friends take great interest in the Mennonites, but theYearly Meeting of 1709 contributed fifty pounds

(a very

large

sum

at

that

time)

for the Mennonites

who had fled from the persecution of the Calvinista

of the Palatinate

in Switzerland.

This

the agreement of the representatives of above 400 churches, and required shows in a strong which existed the early Friends light the sympathy among for the the Common Societies Mennonites."?Barclay's Religious of 251. ivealth,

Mennon?te

124 of

the States

ites The

sought, Council

well

watched

toPennsylvania.

Emigration

the Netherland Mennon some were results effected. success, to send the prisoners, of Bern finally determined in order to transport and guarded, them from

General, not without

whose

aid

On the 18th of in an English ship to Pennsylvania. on from Bern the 28th, with exiles the ; departed 1710, March, and on the 6th of April their vessel, they reached Manheim, and when they touched Netherland soil, their suf Nimeguen; there

came to an end at last ; they were free, and their useless the Laurens Hendriks, could return to Switzerland. guards in wrote his letter our at of community Nimeguen, preacher " that very harsh decrees were It happened 9th : of April issued by the rulers at Bern to search for our friends in all corners of the land, and put them in the prisons at Bern, by means within the last two years about which sixty persons some of them underwent into dungeons, where were thrown their feet cold last winter, while in the great much misery at Bern were The Council were fast in the iron shackles. ferings

as to what should be at variance still very much punishment in prison ; lain the so have on and inflicted longer them, they could not others but to them some have would for death, put so in the determined to such cruelty, consent they finally as to There them to send Council Pennsylvania. prisoners fore they put them on a vessel, well watched by a guard of to Holland to send them on the Rhine ; but on soldiers, a city of the Palatinate, to Manheim, they put out all coming men but with the old, the sick, and the women, twenty-three came and on the 6th of April further down the Rhine, floated When here to Nimeguen. they heard that their fellow be came to me, guarded one them of lived here, lievers by two man the with left and went then The soldiers soldiers. away me. we

After went

I, with together then We

the other to

the

had preachers, there and ship,

talked with found our

him, other

spoke to the officers of the guard, and that these men should receive some re arranged for twenty days since they had been on the water freshment, the city. we into Then them and in great misery, brought : not shall soldiers The brethren we said to our imprisoned get brethren.

with

them

Mennonite

Emigration

toPennsylvania.

125

you out of here again easily, for if they use force, we will complain to our magistrates. did not happen. This, however, They went we in remained with them and witnessed about freedom, and all the manifestations joy. were

We

of love and friendship

spent the time

with

the greatest and after they

together delightfully, refreshed, entirely they the next day departed, though because stiffened from their long they moved with difficulty, I went with them for an hour and a half be imprisonment.

the city, and there we, with weeping eyes and swelling a each other, and with kiss of peace sepa hearts, embraced rated. returned to the to Palatinate seek their wives They and children, who are scattered in Switzerland, everywhere in Alsace, and in the Palatinate, and they know not where are were to be found.1 and cheerful very patient they They under oppression, were all their taken worldly though goods

yond

them were a preacher and two deacons. away. Among They were very rugged naturally people, who could endure hard cloth beards, disordered ships ; they wore long and unshaven were which hammered with iron great shoes, ing, heavily and large nails ; they were very zealous to serve God with and in other ways, and very innocent in prayer and reading all their doings as lambs and doves. me asked in what They was I explained it to them, way the community governed. and it pleased we them very much. But could hardly talk with them, because, as they lived in the mountains of Switzer little intercourse land, far from cities and towns, and had with other men, their speech is rude and uncouth, and they have difficulty in understanding one who not does any speak Two of them have gone to Deventer, to see just their way. can whether a in livelihood this they get country." Most of them went to the Palatinate to seek their kinsmen and friends, and before a deputation from them came long back here. On the first of May we find three of their preach 1This simple picture is fully as pathetic as that other, which it forcibly suggests,

beginning:? " Heu !misero conjunx, fatone erepta, Creusa erravit ne via, seu lassa residit, Substitit, Incertum ; nee post oculis est reddita nostris."

126

Mennonite

Emigration

toPennsylvania.

or Burghalter1, Melchoir ers, Hans Burchi Zaller, and Bene with Hans Rub and Peter Donens, in Am dict Brechtb?hl,2 a account further sterdam ; where of their affairs they gave with the Bern magistracy, and apparently consulted with as to whether themselves the committee they should establish near

or on the

lands in the neighbor to be gradually which was of Campen and Groningen, on The behalf of the the committee purchased by fugitives. a in residence the but Palatinate, they majority preferred soon found great difficulty in accomplishing it. The Pala was tinate poor, so that the brethren, community generally could be of little service in insuring with the best disposition, a the means of gaining livelihood ; there was a scarcity of lands and farm-houses, to be desired and there was much in were the way of religious since liberty, subject entirely they to the humors of the Elector, For or, worse still, his officers. seven often the breth Netherland years, nearly supported by the Palatinate

brethren

hood

and persevered, for better ren, they waited always hoping times. their numbers increased Then, being continually by new from exiles and de Switzerland, they finally fugitives termined of their upon other measures, and, at a meeting in February, elders at Manheim, to decided call 1717, upon for help the Netherlanders to Pennsylvania, of removing had then plated, and which

in carrying out the great plan which they had long contem come to maturity. Strange as it at first the to land which the Swiss very may appear glance, to banish them had then become tyrants had once wanted the greatest attraction. Still reason there was for enough it ; reason, perhaps, in the information which their brethren sent from there to the Palatinate, but before all, in the press or instruction invitation of the ing I., English King, George 44 Since Ochse, at the court. through his agent, (Muntmeester) so reads the it has been observed," of this remark beginning " or Mennon that the Christians, able paper, called Baptists 1Hans

came to America, and was a preacher Burghalter in 1727. Lancaster County, 2 to Rupp, Bernhard B. Brechtbuhl translated According from the Dutch. Seele into the German

at Conestoga, the Wandelnde

Mennonite

Emigration

toPennsylvania.

127

in various places ites, have been denied freedom of conscience and endure much in Germany and Switzerland, opposition from their enemies, so that with difficulty they support them here and there, and have been hindered in selves, scattered the exercise of their religion," the king offers to them for a of the Allegheny the country west habitation mountains, a part of Pennsylvania, but not yet belonging then considered Each family should have fifty acres of land in fee sim as for the first ten years the use, without and ple, charge, of to much more as they should want, the subject only stipula acres tion that after this time the yearly rent for a hundred i. e., about a guilder, and less than six should be two shillings, u for a hundred is land enough There thousand kreutzers. to live shall have families. there, not as permission They on their engagement, under but oath, to be true foreigners, to it.

and

obedient

to the king, be bound as the same right land with

lawful subjects, and as if they had been their religion exercise

their possess born such, and, without interference, as in meetings, the and Lutherans." do Reformed just

After

in eastern

the Pennsylvania a hundred to for ?100 acres), sterling (?20 and Virginia the climate in Carolina was too hot, New York were too full for them to settle there with already good of the country chances of success, an attractive description : 44 in these words This land is in a good and tem followed or not too too cold ; it lies between hot the climate, perate extends west of north and 39th and 43d parallels latitude, calling land was

attention

to the fact that'

too dear

It is separated from two hundred German miles. the air is very and by high mountains, Pennsylvania Virginia it is well it lies since very watered, pure, having high ; streams, brooks, and springs, and the soil has the reputation than any that can be found in Pennsylvania of being better ward

about

trees and Virginia. oak, and mulberry chestnut, Walnut, as well as many fruit-bear in great profusion, grow naturally wild and and the white purple grapes in the woods ing trees, are larger and better than in any other place in America. The soil is favorable for wheat, corn, rye, Indian barley, and also silk, besides producing many other useful hemp, flax,

128

Mennonite

toPennsylvania.

Emigration

more than in Germany. A field abundantly things much can be easily planted for from ten to twenty successive years manure. It is also very suitable for such fruits as without and especially peaches, apples, pears, cherries, prunes, quinces, in three years from well and bear fruit which grow unusually of the stone. All the planting crops do very well, garden can are wild since the be and vineyards grapes made, good, were dressed be still better if they and pruned. and would since Many horses, cattle, and sheep can be raised and kept, an excellent be fattened full

of

of hogs can land is also elks, none of

Numbers grass grows exuberantly. on the wild fruits in the bushes. This

called buffaloes cattle and (rundvee), seen are in Pennsylvania, Virginia,

or Carolina. or are found of buffaloes these There Twenty thirty together. are also many hurt feed upon bears, which nobody. They leaves and wild fruits, on which they get very fat, and their in great numbers, Deer beside exist In flesh is excellent.

which

to from twenty (turkeys ?), which weigh more in wild than other any each, pigeons thirty pounds wild swans, geese, pheasants, partridges, place in the world, other small fowls and animals ; all kinds of ducks, and many can so that if the settlers for the first only supply themselves dian

and hens

cocks

and butter, and vege bread, some cows for milk year with peas, beans, etc., they can find flesh tables, such as potatoes, can enough to eat from the many wild animals and birds, and The only difficulty is live better than the richest nobleman. from the sea ; but this, be about thirty miles that they will can be made of little consequence." by good management, like enchantment this sounded in description Apparently who had never known the ears of the poor Swiss and Palatines anything

but

the

frequently met with of one or two acres. be

thin

soil of

and who country, secure a farm a refusal if they sought to how was that land of promise to And

reached?

of March merchant

Easily enough. to present themselves at Frankfort, pay

under each (children guilders that is, ?2 for transportation,

their

native

the 1st They had only before to one or another well-known or twenty-seven ?3 sterling ten years of age at half rates), and ?1 for seventy pounds of

Mennonite

Emigration

toPennsylvania.

129

a measure and a half of peas, a measure of oatmeal, biscuit, would be sent and the necessary beer, and immediately they over to to in ships to Rotterdam, be carried thence Virginia. of the fare must be paid viz.: secured, provisions, twenty-four of fifteen dried of beef, cheese, and eight and a pounds pounds Indeed, they were advised to pro quarter pounds of butter. vide themselves still more and with edibles, liberally with seeds and linen, shirts, beds, implements, garden agricultural in Holland,

First, however, and additional

etc.,

table goods,

and

lead, furniture, earthenware, stoves, to buy 44seeds, salt, horses, swine, and All them. of these things along with

powder especially money to be taken fowls,"

and

would

one-half

cost

indeed

a

sum, but what did that signify in was them? comparison luxury which promised Should not the Netherland brethren and quickly gladly fur nish this last assistance ? So thought the Palatine brethren. 44 It is not to be wondered on that the committee at, however, needs" knew how much foreign judged differently. They with

there was

exaggeration

large

the

in the picture painted by the English to consent to they were not authorized in the payment of travelling expenses,

agent. They thought a request for assistance since the money was intrusted to them to be expended alone for the persecuted, and the brethren were in the Palatinate then tolerated call for more ; they feared the emigrants would ; and in a word they opposed the plan most positively, money that if it was persisted and explained in no help need be ex Their objection however In pected.1 accomplished nothing. 1

on a sound was based committee for we judgment, was made to carry out the offer of the any provision of George I. On the contrary, on the 17th of agent 1717, Gov. September, " Sir Win. of Pennsylvania, informed that a great number Keith, his council of fforeigners from Germany" in the Province, had arrived and had dispersed find

The no

themselves whence and

decision

evidence

of

the

that

over

they left there

the country, without from any certificates producing showing it That that they had first landed in Britain, appeared without On the recommen any license from the government.

came.

dation of the Governor, a proclamation was all the emi issued, requiring " to to take such Oaths alluded as are necessary grants appointed by Law to give assurance of their being well affected to his Majesty and his Govern some of these ment are said to be Menonists, ; but because who foreigners

130

Mennonite to

reply March

their

views, that more

20th, weeks

three

the committee than a hundred

later

they numbered

already coming four very needy

toPennsylvania.

Emigration

families

heard three who

received

persons had from Rotterdam hundred,

information, started, and that

among whom 600 f. for

required were getting

those were their

ready to leave thirty others in declared had committee the positively Though the to do with their letters that they would have nothing whole passed a secret affair, immediately they nevertheless " as our concerns the friends as far committee, that, resolution,

passage, Neuwied.

and

that

are

as much as possible to be helped they ;" and apparently took care that there should be furnished from private means what as officials they could not give out of the fund. Among the preachers who were at the head of these colonists, we find Brechtbuhl. and Benedict Hans Burghalter principally to be entirely seemed The desire for emigration appeased in the Palatinate it broke out again with until 1726, when renewed force. The chief causes were higher burdens imposed of war, the fear of the outburst upon them by the Elector, and perhaps also pressing letters of invitation written by the the settled in Pennsylvania. committee friends Moreover, were so re of a great they imprudence. Though guilty could not the that assured and would they peatedly emigrants not help them, and promised to the needy liberal assistance who abandoned Palatines, a certain Hubert Brouwer

the journey, of Neuwied,

through pity for they gave him and his 300f. passage-money. Either this became known in family or the stream could no longer be stayed. the Palatinate, some of their elders, the committee, together with Though tried to dissuade and horrible of the them, painted pictures war in the between and that, England Spain, they possibility " Indies where ships be taken to the West by Spanish might men are sold as slaves," the Palatines not a word believed of

it.

dred cannot upon ?Col.

On

the

and fifty

12th

ready

of April, to depart,

one hun 1727, there were and on the 16th of May, the

sake take any oaths, assurances any Equivalent giving Records j vol. iii. p. 29.?Ed. for conscience

their

still,

that

those

in their

persons own way

be

admitted

and manner."

Mennonite

Emigration

toPennsylvania.

131

to write to the Palatinate that committee were compelled " informed of the coming of those already on they ought to be so that they can best provide for them ;" and they the way, " so how many would arrive without further inquired means, consider whether it would that the Society might be possible to arrange

for them

for

the many

and great

expenses

of the

passage."

did

Some means

not

need help,

and could supply from their own but on the 20th the committee

was required; that forty-five more needy ones had started from the 3271f. These with Palatinate. eight others cost the Society more came to Rot 15st. the end of July twenty-one Before that the committee, No wonder terdam, and so it continued. an concerned about such requested the community outpouring, " to all the people to announce in Pennsylvania emphatically no more advise their needy that they must from the pulpit to come out of the Palatinate, and friends and acquaintances if the promise them with should encourage that, they only what

learned

for be liberally provided the in everything." Pennsylva If, however, they added, it to pay for the passage of the poor Palatines, nians wanted This the Pennsyl then of course be their own affair. would to do. The com vanians were not ready nor in a condition letter after letter to the Palatinate, mittee also sent forbidding but every year they had to be repeated, and sometimes, as, for "We drew pictures: frightful 6, 1733, they instance, May to a from Rotterdam that York learn from New ship going remained

across

the sea, they would

wandered one hundred and fifty Palatines at port arrived sea. When at weeks they finally twenty-four want the were dead. The rest, through nearly all the people and are of vivres, were forced to subsist upon rats and vermin, is of such an occurrence The all sick and weak. danger do not run the risk so great that the most heedless always the stream of Nevertheless extreme want." except through over thousand three cease. When not did finally emigrants June 15, the sects came to Rotterdam, of different committee, no that under the strong resolution, pretence 1732, adopted to pay means to furnish would Palatines, except needy they

Pennsylvania

with

132

Mennonite

toPennsylvania.

Emigration

fares back to their fatherland. By rigidly maintaining should have this rule, and thus ending where they undoubtedly a to committee the stop commenced, put complete emigration. that they had already On the 17th of March they reported their object, and from that time they were not accomplished to North for passage-money troubled with requests again to this resolu their adherence America.1 In the meanwhile their

in the some coolness between the communities Still their intercourse was and in Pennsylvania. an circumstance A terminated. gave special our toward turned the Pennsylvanians which again

tion

caused

Netherlands not entirely impulse brotherhood

colony had increased wonder the remem rest, and what prosperity, fully ; they enjoyed more than all, of foreign made brance precious sufferings some solici with freedom but talked ; they complete religious one of their points of to maintain tude about their ability in 1742.

belief?absolute

Their

non-participation been so few

even

in war, in numbers

defensive.

they were otherwise. but by government, Could they, when a general arming of the people was ordered colonists to repel a hostile French invasion of the neighboring or an incursion refuse to go, and have their of the Indians, ? They were in doubt about conscientious respected scruples at first

had

They unnoticed

now

the

seemed it, and little indications The local magistracy and the upon their request for favorably that tary service, but explained

to warrant deputed complete they were

that

it was

their uncertainty. looked authorities freedom from mili

the power without to grant in the existed the privilege which they thought alone. In consequence of this explanation of England King as they did to write, resolved Mennonites the Pennsylvania 1 This

is of

tubs

but

course

correct

as far as the

committee

at Amsterdam

is con

nor Mennonite aid ended at this time. The emigration some of whom came over warm in next the Schwenckfelders, year, speak only terms of the aid rendered and grateful them by the Mennonites. Their " now in the MS. of Abraham H. Cassel, Mr. Henry journal, possession says der Smissen Van 2 Dutch 2 gave us on the ship 16 loaves of bread, cheeses, cerned,

neither

4 casks of beer, 2 roasts of meat, of butter, of French and otherwise took brandy,

2 bottles

much very

flour good

and biscuit, of us."

care

and

Mennonite

toPennsylvania.

Emigration

133

under date of May and Haarlem, 8th, 1742, to Amsterdam and ask that the communities there would bring their power ful influence to bear upon the English in their behalf, Court as had been done the of intervention previously through the States-General was obtained when alleviation in the case of

the

Swiss

and

Litthauer

brethren. This cannot be found in

to

letter

seems

have miscarried. It the archives of the Amsterdam and their minutes contain no community, to it, so that reference its contents would have remained unknown

entirely October

if the Pennsylvanians of the complaining

had not written

again upon this side, in a few words what was and repeating said in it. Though it is probable that the letter of 1742 was not received, it may be that our forefathers laid it aside unanswered, it thinking to make unadvisable the intervention the before requested

North

19,1745,

American

brethren

had

silence

substantial

about the difficulty that in the reply service, military from here to the second letter there is not a word written said upon this subject, and allusions to things only are made in the which, comparison, Pennsylvanians surely thought were of much less importance. In the second part of their letter of October, 1745, which is in German, the Pennsylvanians "as the flames of war write, no to mount man can tell cross whether the and appear higher, and

it must

be

remarked

of the defenceless not soon come, Christians will persecution to prepare ourselves and it is therefore of importance for such with circumstances and use all and to patience resignation, means can available that steadfastness and encourage faith.

Our whole have manifested an community for a German translation of the Bloody of Tieleman Theatre Jans Yan Braght, since in this especially a is there number of for very community great newcomers, whom we consider it to be of the greatest that importance strengthen unanimous

desire

with the trustworthy wit they should become acquainted nesses who have walked in the way of truth, and sacrificed their lives for it." They further say that for years they had to undertake the work, and the recent establishment hoped Vol.

ii.?10

134

Mennonite

Emigration

toPennsylvania.

the wish, but 44the office had revived printing bad paper always used here for printing" them. discouraged was to find a suitable trans The greatest however, difficulty, whose skill could without the lator, upon entirely they rely, would the meaning be perverted. fear that occasionally Up to that time no one had appeared among them to whom they could give the work with and they there confidence, perfect to look around in Holland the brethren for fore requested have a dozen copies printed, and send them such a translator, of a German

clasps and locks, or in loose sheets, to until not, however, they had sent over a com The of the cost. letter is dated at Schiebach,

or without

bound, with Pennsylvania, plete account and bears Michael

the signatures of Jacob Godschalck, Martin Kolb, Gillis Heinrich and Diel Funck,2 Kassel,3 Ziegler,1

1 Michael

as early as 1722, lived near the present ville, Ziegler, Skippack one of the elders at least thirty years, and for in Montgomery was, County, He died at an advanced of the Skippack Church. 1763, and left age about ?9

to the poor

of that

congregation. one of the most able and enterprising of the Men always on the Indian in Fran and long a bishop, settled Creek, was ever now Montgomery in 1719. He faithful conia Township, County, to advance and did much the interests of his church. in his work, and zealous " a book upon baptism, Ein Spiegel entitled der Taufe," He wrote published at has least A more in which five editions. Saur 1744, through by passed " effort was the des Gesetzes," ambitious Erkl?rung einiger haupt-puncten in 1763. This book was reprinted after his death by Armbruster, published in 1862, and in 1844, and at Lancaster, is much at Biel, Switzerland, Pa., 2

Funk,

Henry nonite preachers,

Diel man

the translation of Yan supervised to and to its the certified German, Braght's Martyr's were all without Beside these labors, which correctness. compen pecuniary a considerable He died and acquired about estate. he was a miller, sation, esteemed.

He

and

from

Mirror

Kolb

the Dutch

1760. 3 Yillis

came

Kassel

at Skippack, or grandfather,

and

one

to Pennsylvania the representative

of

in the year men of

1727, the

and was church.

a His

preacher father

was also a Mennonite at Kriesheim Yillis Kassel, preacher a Confession of MS. and a number of Faith and wrote in 1665, poems, Abra are now in the possession of his descendant, the noted antiquary, which of the describe the condition horrible ham H. Cassel. very They vividly Rhine

country

at

that

time,

and

the

sufferings

of

the

people

of his

faith.

" The composition was frequently interrupted by such entries as these : And

Mennonite man

toPennsylvania.^

Emigration

135

the 10th of February, until Not 1748, did the on in the letter was hands whose Foreign Needs," an answer. was tenor find to Its send time placed, entirely " the translation unfavorable. and en They thought wholly as to it would be difficult well because tirely impracticable, as because of the immense find a translator expense which Kolb.

"Committee

would As

be incurred, and which book could certainly there were some of the

"this

and

they could be found brethren

it was

Dutch

who

"to get suggested some of the chief histories

language," into the German is made of the confessions

very easily avoid." in the community, understood them

the

to translate

wherein

mention

of the martyrs, and which would serve for the purpose, and have them copied by the young " so secure the double advan would people." By doing they more that the would tage they through give thought copying to it, and receive a stronger impression." The North American at least, got the benefit of brethren, the information in this well-meant contained counsel sent two and a half years late. In the mean time they had themselves taken hold of the work, and before the reception of zealously the letter from Holland their That purpose. accomplished same year, 1748, the complete translation of the Martyr's saw the Mirror Jans Van of Tieleman Braght light at was It with afterwards the from Ephrata.1 printed, pictures now we must home."

" toWorms," In Kriesheim, to which we have one of them I extract :? " Denn es ist bekannt und offenbar, Was Jammer, Elend, und Gefahr ist umher im Liand Gewesen Mit Rauben, Pl?ndern, Mord, und Brand. Manch Mensch gebracht in Angst und Noth Gesch?ndeliert auch bis zum Tod. verhauen manch schoenes Haus, Zerschlagen Vielen Leuten die Kleider gezogen aus ; Getreid* und Vieh hinweggef?hrt, Viel Jammer und Klag hat man geh?rt."

flee

From

again

come

A copy of the first German edition of Menno Simon's Foundation (1575), to the younger Yillis, belonged is now in my in America, library.

which

and

is, so far as known,

the only

copy

1This publication fills so important a place in American bibliography

that

it merits

that

it was

a one

special of the

article largest,

in this connection to say ; but it is sufficient if not the largest, of the in press productions

Mennonite

136

toPennsylvania.

Emigration

in the Bavarian the original added, at Pirmasens Palatinate, is still frequently found in 1780, and this second edition our in the members and fellow Switzerland, among Germany, of the Yosges. mountains the completion of this very costly undertaking Though a of of idea the favorable energy and financial strength gives the North American community, they had to struggle with were ten and years later, to call for the compelled, adversity, brethren. Nineteen families of Netherland of their charity " them had settled in Virginia, but because of the cruel and barbarous and carried away Indians, who had already killed so many as prisoners of our people," fled back to Penn they one were All of and the rest had murdered, family sylvania. in Pennsylvania two hundred of the savages in May and and their dead numbered In this June, lost everything, fifty. for sent two dreadful asked and they help, deprivation they and of their number, Johannes to Martin Funck, Schneyder a letter dated them Holland, 7,1758, September signed giving lost all their possessions. recent families, through

Even

incursions

Samuel Jacob and Borner, B?hm, two envoys, who had themselves sorely of the war, acquitted from the devastations them suffered on the 18th of the selves well of their mission following an interview the com when with December, they secured Kaufman, by Michael The Daniel Stauffer.

the impression of being the all that gave explanations people," "plain an answer were wanted, to the letter and received they in which was inclosed a bill of exchange upon Phila brought, at Amsterdam.

mittee

and

They

made

honest

for ?50 equal to ?78 11s. 5d. Pennsylvania delphia sterling, or chosen secretary of the com 5 5 Of. The newly currency, " then paid their expenses adds : We J. S. Cent?n, mittee, them with victuals and travelling money, and here, supplied the

being

art. still war

tionary volume.?Ed.

is a folio

It

colonies.

graphical

An

unbound for

edition were

cartridge

and is a fine specimen of typo was printed, but many of them copies the revolu taken army during by the American was 20 shillings The per original paper. price of

1511

of

1300

pages,

Mennonite and

they departed

toPennsylvania.

Emigration

December

17, 1758,

137

in the Hague

packet

boat."

between the North After this event all intercourse Ameri can Mennonites and bthose in the Netherlands ceased, except " of the well-known that the publisher Name Lists of the until the end of the last Mennonite Preachers" endeavored, to obtain the necessary information from North for his purpose ; but it is apparent, upon looking at the remarkable nan?es of places, that very much is wanting. to as dis wrote that he mention him, however, They might tinct communities In Schiebach,1 Germantown, Mateschen, dian Kreek, Bien,2 Soltford,3 Eakkill,4 Schwanin, Deeproom,5 Lower Mil Anfrieds, Berkosen,6 Sackheim,8 Grotenswamp,7 two meeting ford, with houses, Hosensak, Term, Lehay,9

century, America

and forty in the neighborhood of Kanestogis.10 Schuylkill, In 1786 the community in Virginia is also specially men tioned. For some years this statement remained unchanged. com The list of 1793 says that the number of the Mennonite was munities of North distinct from the Baptists, America, some over two hundred, and them at estimate three hundred, of which Lancaster

were twenty-three and Kanestogis.

in the Name List unchanged was at last omitted, it 1815, Dr. A. N. Yan Gelder, piler, we have been 1801, entirely

in the Pennsylvania districts of was kept communication of 1810, but in the next, that of to the com because, according " for at least since many years, or without informa knowledge

This

tion."

" In 1856, R. Baird, in his well-known in work, Religions is still the principal home says that Pennsylvania America," of the Mennonites in the United States, and that they have four hundred with two hundred or two hundred communities, and

and

who are, thirty thousand members, circumstances. these easy Perhaps ; but, ac figures are correct, so far as concerns Pennsylvania " to the Conference Minutes Mennonite of entire the cording for

fifty preachers the most part,

1 s

9

Skippack. Deep Kun.

Lehigh.

in

2 6

Plain.

Perkasie. 10 Conestoga.

5 Salford. 7 Great

4 Rockhill. 8 Swamp.

Saueon.

138

Mennonite

Emigration

toPennsylvania.

held at West in North Lee Point, America, Community 29th the of the 28th and number Iowa, 1860," May, County, to in all the States of the Union of the Mennonites amounted for many years almost entirely neg After 128,000. having into many and small socie lected mutual relations, separated a came to the conclusion firm covenant that ties, they finally to collect the scattered, to unite is one means of brotherhood to strengthen the weak. The delegates of as come did the annually* they together 31 to June 3, at Wadsworth, Ohio. year from May present own in their On the 20th of May, 1861, they repeated way our fathers did fifty years earlier ; they founded a semi what the divided, and communities

the

since that of the church, with which, at Frederick Smissen, formerly minister as professor and director. it stadt, has been connected May as ours has been to us. be to them as great a blessing

nary

for

time,

Dr. Yan

the

service der

October, 18G9.