Tar and Pitch

Governor Hunter of New York saw the Palatine situation as something other than the burden it actually was; an opportunity.  He proposed a German settlement in the forests of New York to produce naval stores of tar and pitch.   There, the Palatines would also serve as a human barrier against the French and their Indian allies.

The primary producer of tar and pitch in the early 18^th century was Sweden.  Tar was used on a ship’s ropes to prevent rotting, and pitch was used to caulk the hulls.  As it was a necessary commodity for the British Navy, they had long been searching for a way to produce it for themselves. 

In early December, Hunter’s proposal was accepted by the British Board of Trade.  The money that the Palatines earned by the production of the naval stores would be used to pay off the cost of their settlement and subsidies.  After their debt was paid, each person would be granted forty acres of land. 

At last a plan that made sense; at least for the British.  As farmers, the Palatines were ill-suited to work in pine forests, nor did they want to.  However, regardless of how the Germans felt, ships were chartered to send 3,000 Palatines to New York.  They were finally on their way.  Almost….

 

Reference:  “Becoming German” by Phillip Otterness

Resettlement

The Palatine situation was getting out of control, and the British government had to take action.  They attempted to move small groups of Palatines to villages and towns throughout the country by offering to subsidize their settlement.  However, it had little effect.  The British citizens were not sympathetic to the Germans, and instead were concerned about diseases that the Palatines might spread from the squalor in which they lived.  Not in my backyard was the general consensus.  By mid-summer the government, out of desperation, came up with three new plans which involved other British holdings.

As they were working to strengthen the Protestant interest in Ireland, the British government offered the Palatines a small subsidy to settle there.  Over 3,000 of them took the offer and sailed for Dublin, but soon realized that it was no better than the situation they had left in Germany – they were tenant farmers again.  Just over a year after they left England, two-thirds of them had made their way back; once again looking to the British government to assume their care.

Another plan, North Carolina, was much more appealing.  Each family was offered 250 acres of land to settle.  The government carefully selected 600 young, strong and healthy Palatines to make the trip.  Unfortunately, it ended in disaster.  They suffered a voyage of over 3 months at sea in squalid conditions.  Half of the Palatines didn’t survive the trip, and more died in conflicts with the native Tuscarora Indians.

Jamaica, too, was an option, with a plan to send 1,000 immigrants to increase the British stronghold on the island.  The proposal, however, never got off the ground due to its complexities. 

The Palatines had made their way from Germany to Holland to England with each leg of the journey becoming more onerous.  The possibility of a free life and land was dashed each step of the way.  What was to become of them? 

Grateful to reside in beautiful Schoharie County, I wonder as I look back at the Palatines’ journey how close I came to being a citizen of England, Ireland, or even Jamaica?  What providence kept my ancestors, Gerhardt and Maria, from being chosen for one of those destinations? 

The British government had one more option that was beginning to take hold – the New York territory.  (YAY!)

 

Reference:  “Becoming German” by Phillip Otterness

 

London.

Once the first group of Palatines reached London in early May, the hardships only increased.  They were housed in warehouses and barns.  Their numbers were far greater than the space allotted to them.  Many had arrived in London very ill.  Many more became ill soon thereafter.  They were at the mercy, and extreme generosity, of the British government for their food, shelter and general wellbeing. 

By mid-June 6,000 more Palatines were shipped from Rotterdam to London.  More space was needed to house them, so the government established camps and provided them with thousands of army tents.  Their care was more of a burden than the British government could handle so the queen authorized a nationwide charity drive, with everyone, including servants, expected to donate.  This did not set well with the Londoners, many of whom were living in poverty themselves.

To ensure the proper distribution of food and supplies, the authorities selected certain Palatine men to act as camp supervisors.  Among their duties was to keep a record of what each family received.  These men were chosen because of their ability to read and write, and were thereafter referred to as the Listmasters.  They would play an important role in the future of the Palatines.

“Let us recollect it was liberty, the hope of liberty, for themselves and us and ours, which conquered all discouragements, dangers and trials.”  John Adams, in reference to America’s forefathers.  As we, today, wonder what could drive a person to embark on a journey of unbearable tribulations, “liberty” is the term best used.  The Palatines were not to be deterred, by circumstance nor adversity.

Reference:  “Becoming German” by Phillip Otterness

 

More Palatines

In April 1709 Johann and Rebecca Iffland left Tann Germany in search of a better life.  We know that they were among the first group of Palatines to actually make it to America.

Did they know Gerhardt and Maria Schaeffer?  Presumably not. 

Did their paths cross at some point during this journey?  Possibly so. 

Does it matter?  For Toby Semprevivo and me it does.

Travelling from Michigan, Toby and her husband, Phillip, visited the Palatine House last weekend and we spent an hour or more swapping stories about our Palatine heritage.  This is not uncommon.  We are often visited by people studying their family history.  They’ve spent years doing research and the Palatine House becomes another piece of the puzzle for them.  Not because they have a direct connection to it, but because it helps them to pull all those pieces together into a picture that’s been developing in their minds.   In many cases the Palatine House gives them the feeling of ancestral home.  We love to watch that happen. 

During our discussion, I learned that Toby is a member of several historical societies including the DAR and the Colonial Dames of America. (I love that name!)  It’s wonderful that our past is preserved by organizations like those and small town historical societies, such as the Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association.  We owe an enormous thank you to the altruistic volunteers of these organizations for keeping history in the forefront of our minds.  

Johann and Rebecca, Gerhardt and Maria; their actions set a course that 306 years later brought Toby and I to meet on a sunny day in Schoharie.   This story continues to be amazing!

Next post…..back to the journey.

The First Leg of the Journey

Most of the Palatine emigrants began their journey by boat down the Rhine River, some leaving as early as late February when it was sufficiently clear of ice to permit travel.  By mid-March the earliest emigrants had arrived in Rotterdam, with no idea of how to continue their journey.  They camped pathetically on top of dikes, perched precariously above flood waters caused by melting snow and spring rains.  By this time, they were starving.

Rotterdam officials, as well as some private groups, couldn’t bear to witness this level of suffering so they raised funds to help support the Palatines.  To ease the burden on their city, they even paid for the passage of the first 800 emigrants to move on to London.  But as those 800 left, thousands more took their place.

Meanwhile, back in Germany, the principalities were becoming worried about this mass exodus.  In June many of them issued decrees that prohibited any more of their citizens from leaving.  Yet, still they went.

My mind continually goes back to Gerhardt and Maria Schaeffer.   Records indicate that they had two young adult children with them.  They left Germany in early May, but how were they travelling and what did they take with them?   As with all of the Palatines, they would have had to choose among their few possessions.  This probably meant the clothes on their backs and perhaps a few extras; sturdy walking shoes, if they had them; and a few loaves of bread.  In the case of Gerhardt and Maria, however, they also chose to bring their Bible.  That doesn’t seem like an odd choice, until you realize that the Bible was 9” wide x 14” long x 4” high, and weighed several pounds. 

“What to pack?” takes on new meaning when you also have to ask “How are we going to carry it?”  Carrying that enormous Bible was undoubtedly a hardship, but one they endured.  Sitting on the table next to me as I write this, is that very same Bible.  And I have come to revere it.

 

Reference:  “Becoming German” by Phillip Otterness

The Journey Begins

We know that a book penned by Lutheran Pastor, Joshua Kocherthal, was being spread across the German Southwest; but since many of the German peasants were illiterate, how could this one book have such a strong impact on so many people?  They certainly weren’t able to buy the book and spend a relaxing evening at home reading.  Instead the book had been read to them, possibly at the local tavern, or as they gathered in churchyards.  In this way much of what they were hearing was influenced by the orator.  Presumably there was some conjecture added to what was already a book full of misguided declarations about a rich life in America.  It sounded too good to be true.  And it was.

Migration was carefully regulated by the government.  Taxes had to be paid, both on the property that they took with them, as well as a departure tax.  And still that wasn’t enough.  They had to get permission from their principality to leave.  Some even had to renounce their right to ever return to their homeland.  They also lost the respect of the friends and neighbors who considered them to be opportunists, defying common sense and the will of God.

But still they went.   Among them were Gerhardt and Anna Maria Schaeffer; my great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandparents.  On May 26, 1709 a “Recommend” was issued by the Mayor and all the Court of Hilgert Dorf, Hesse-Nassau, Germany giving them permission to set out on this journey.  I get chills just thinking about it.

Reference:  “Becoming German” by Phillip Otterness

Who were the Palatines?

 

As with so many things in history, the term “Palatine” is a misnomer.  The Palatines were German farmer emigrants, some of whom originated from the Palatinate region of Germany.  Many of whom did not. 

The winter of 1708 – 1709 was an extremely harsh one in Germany.  All mills were brought to a standstill because of frozen waterways.  Many cattle, wild animals, and even humans froze to death.   Some said that birds froze in mid-air.  The region had also been under siege by France, with farms and villages being destroyed countless times.

These people lived under a feudalistic type of government and were, therefore, living in extreme poverty.  That was a typical reason for emigration, however, there was another reason for the Palatines to leave – propaganda.  In 1709 a book penned by Joshua Kocherthal, a Lutheran pastor, was being spread across the German Southwest.  The book hinted that Britain’s Queen Anne might give free land in America, and might provide them with transportation to get there.  That was all they needed to hear.  Over 15,000 farmers packed up what little they had and set out for the great unknown.

I find myself wondering if any of us today could be that brave.  Have that doggedness.  The perseverance.   I’m glad I don’t have to, and I’m grateful that they did. 

Stay tuned to for the journey to the “Promised Land” -  Schoharie, NY!

Reference:  “Becoming German” by Phillip Otterness