Summer 1712

Following the futile military expedition to Canada in September 1711, the Palatine men returned to the Camps where they and their families settled in for another difficult winter. 

In the spring Governor Hunter remained confident that the naval stores project would succeed, and to ensure that the work continued unhindered he instituted some changes.   First, he made a show of force by posting 30 soldiers around the Camps.   Second, instead of the men merely working off their debt, he allowed that half of the profits from the tar and pitch be paid to them while the other half went toward their expenses. 

With these changes in place the work in the pine fields began again.  The men continued to strip bark from the trees, but now they were also able to begin the process of making tar and pitch utilizing the pine knots gathered by the children.  The summer of 1712 was much quieter and more productive in the pine forests.  Back at the Camps the women were becoming accustomed to growing crops, such as corn, which had been previously unknown to them.  The Palatines were finally settling in.

For Governor Hunter, however, the problems continued.  His credit had run out and he had no more money.  Just as things were beginning to go well, he was forced to give up.  On September 6, 1712 the Palatines were told that the naval stores project was officially over and the government would no longer support them.  

 

Reference:  “Becoming German” by Phillip Otterness