974.8 m. L-.
P3847P
V.10,pt.6
1596208
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
J ^
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02144 1057
enne^lpania:
THE GERMAN INFLUENCE |
IN ITS SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT. I
H IRarrative anD Critical "fcistorg.
PREPARED BY AUTHORITY OF
THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY.
PART VI.
THE DOMESTIC LIFE AND CHAR A CT ER-
ISTICS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA-
GERMAN PIONEER.
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.
The 1596208
5)omc5tic ILifc an^ Gbaracteristics
OF THE
|p»enn6^Ivania=(3erinan Ipioneer
Part VI. of a Narrative and Critical History
PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF
The Pennsylvania-German Society
BY
Rev. F. J. F. SCHANTZ, D.D.
Lancaster, Pa.
1900
»vjfu«>X
publication Committee
JULIUS F. SACHSE
DANIEL W. NEAD, M.D.
HENRY M. M. RICHARDS
Copyrighted 1900
BY THE
pcnnsvlvania=.^crman Socictv
Illustrations hj Julius F. Sachse
CONTENTS.
Prefatory.
Pennsylvania — Primitive condition — Indians — Present popula-
tion— First white settlers — Special interest in German and
Swiss immigrants — Purpose of immigration — Domestic life
and characteristics of the Pennsylvania-German pioneer —
Regard for the institution of marriage — Varied condition of
first settlers 3-6
CHAPTER I.
The FOUNDKfG OF A H03JE.
Immigrants first occupied caves, hnts, and tents — First log
house — Subsequent log and stone buildings — Barns and
other structures — Inventory of early dwellings 7-10
CHAPTER II.
Domestic Economy.
Early supplies — Primitive hardships — Subsequent abundance of
food — Preparation of food — Limited conveniences — Trials of
the housewife — The table and its ware — Varied dishes — No
cook books — Pennsylvania-German mothers superior cooks —
A Pennsylvania-German menu ii-i6
CHAPTER III.
Cin:.TIVATlNG THE SoiL.
Arduous labor — Garden and field — Preparation of the ground —
Enclosure of fields — Seed time and harvest — Primitive im-
plements— Luncheon on hay-making and harvest days —
Gathering, of other crops — Fall and winter work — Enlarge-
ment of farms — The mill and its service — Rich yield of gar-
den, orchard and field for home use — Supplies for the mar-
ket
17-22
CHAPTER IV.
Wearing Apparel of German Settlers.
Supplies brought from the Fatherland — Necessity of replenish-
ment—Flax raising — The treatment of flax — Tow and flax —
iii
iv Contents,
Spinning wheels and reels — The weaver's loom — Werg and
linen — Sheep raising — Sheep shearing — Treatment of wool —
The spinning and weav-ing of the same — Woolen goods for
various nses — The making of garments — Hats and caps —
Bonnets — Shoes, domestic goods and store goods — No speedy
changes of fashion 23-30
CHAPTER V.
The Barn-yard and its Denizens.
Domestic animals and fowl —The care of live stock — The horse
and the ass— Homed cattle and Swine — Dogs and cats — Poul-
try— Perquisites of a housewife — The widow's contribu-
tion— Novel way of awakening guests — Early sounds at rural
home 31-35
CHAPTER VI.
Domestic Piety and Religion.
The German immigrants generally Christian people — Bibles
and other books brought from the Fatherland — Desire for
church and school — Publication of German religious books
in Pennsylvania — First century of German printing in Amer-
ica— Supply of German books — Their use in the house,
church and school — Influences of home religion — Miihlen-
berg and Regina 36-50
CHAPTER VII.
Care of Children.
Many children in Pennsylvania-German homes — Supply of their
bodily wants — Mental training — Supply of spiritual needs —
Use of Solomon's rod — Taught to labor — Recreations — Penn-
sylvania-Germans favor education 51-56
CHAPTER VIII.
Servants.
Servants' labor necessary in many homes — Kind treatment by
good masters — Story of a Redemptioner — The master's in-
terest in the servant's welfare — Strong attachment between
master and servant — Pennsylvania- Germans able to retain
servants for long periods of time 57-59
Contents. v !
CHAPTER IX.
The Aged and Infirm. ,
Attention given to parents and gratidparents — Part of the
house specially assigned to them — Special dwellings pro-
vided— Comforting the aged — Blessed retreat — Precious
memories 60-61
CHAPTER X.
Hospitality.
Poor provided with food and shelter — Kind treatment of vis-
itors— Invited guests generously entertained — Influence of
genuine hospitality 62-64
CHAPTER XI. j
Speciai, Occasions.
Baptism of children — Marriages — Funerals — Excavations for
the buildings — Log raising — Apple-butter — Corn-husking — 1
Butchering days — Carpet-rag parties — Quilting bees — The
public vendue — Change of residence — Moving days — Jour-
ney to central or western counties — Family reunions 65-78
CHAPTER XII.
Characteristics of the Pennsylvania-German Pioneers.
The influence of sin — Blessings of Christian religion — Not all |
Pennsylvania-German pioneers good Christian pe pie — The \
great majority believers — The godly and ungodly at sea
during a storm — Prayers before building — Inscriptions on ;
date stone — Home worship — Observance of the Lord's Day — i
Sanctuary at home — Love of home — Regard for human life — I
Social purity — Honesty — Truthfulness — Honor of ancestry* —
Glory of Commonwealth — How attained — Prayers for house
and home 79-84 ;
APPENDIX. ■
Christopher Dock's Rxjles for Children.
At and after getting up in the morning — In the evening at bed-
time— Mealtime — School — On the street — In meeting or
church — Under various circumstances 85-95
LIST OF PLATES.
Facing page
1. Frontispiece.
2. Primitive Pennsylvania (A Scene on the Lehigh) 7
3. " Der Alt Feuerherd " (The Old Hearthstone) 14
4. Domestic Utensils (Bread Baskets, Tar Bucket, Skillet, etc.) 18
5. Domestic Utensils (Spinning Wheels) 24
6. Der Alt Weberstuhl (A Colonial Loom Shop) 28
7. Characteristics ofthe Pennsylvania-Germans (Piety and Lidustry). 36
8. Title page of Sauer Bible of 1743 38
9. Domestic Industries (Candle Moulds, Flax Hackles, etc.) 57
10. Zinngeschirr (Pewter Tableware) 62
11. An Old Colonial House 80
12. Specimen of Early Penmanship 85
Vll
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Headpiece 3
Arms, Wm. Penn 3
Tailpiece, Student 6
Headpiece ... . 7
Anns 7
Tailpiece 10
Headpiece, Cupid 11
Arms, Marienwerder 11
Indian Girl Grinding Corn 12
Primitive Well Curb 13
Kitchen Utensils 14
Vignette, School Boys x6
Headpiece 17
Anns, Bern 17
Ox Yoke and Flail 19
Harvest Scene 22
Headpiece 23
Arms, Uri 23
Twisting Wheel 24
Thread Reel 25
Upright Spinning Wheel 26
Wedding Gown 29
Tailpiece 30
Headpiece 31
Arms, Marburg 31
Vignette, Skaters 35
Headpiece, Cupid 36
Arm.s, Glogau 36
Title, Amdt's Christianity 37
Title, Weyrauchs Hiigel 38
Title, Catechism, 1744. 39
Title, New Testament, 1745 41
Title, Martyr Book 43
Title, Wunderspiel 45
Sconce 49
Domestic Scene 50
Headpiece 51
Arms, Krefeld 51
Sauer Almanac, Cover 56
Headpiece 57
Arms, Augsburg 57
Tailpiece 59
Headpiece 60
Vignette 60
Headpiece 62
Vignette 62
Door Lock 63
Sauer Almanac, 1776 64
Headpiece 65
Arms, Pastorius 65
Lard Lamp 71
Kitchen Utensils 73
Pottery Vase 74
Gourd Dipper 74
Travelling Outfit 75
Immigrants going West 76
Lancaster Almanac 78
Conestoga Wagon 79
Seal of Germantown 79
Ephrata Pilgrim 81
Old Oaken Bucket 84
▼ui
PREFATORY.
Z
HERE is only one
Pennsylvania in the
world. Its citizens have
many reasons to be proud of
the relation which it sustains
to the great union of States.
Before the beginning of
Pennsylvania and its grad-
ual expansion to its present
limits, the territory which it
embraces existed for thous-
ands of years and though
the hunting ground of In-
for a long time, it was before the settlements by
men, simply a wonderful expansion of territory,
rich in natural resources, to become the dwelling place of
a great population. Its rivers and' lesser streams followed
their respective courses, the great valleys with their rich
soil were long waiting to be turned into fields and meadows.
The extensive forests on lowlands, on ridges and on
mountain side, rich in timber, constituted a vast supply,
to be of use to those, whom God might in due time lead
to settle here. The earth itself covered valuable deposits,
(5)
dians
white
6 The Pennsyh'ania-Ger7nan Society.
which should in due time be of great service to men. The
rich deposits of limestone, iron, zinc, slate, coal, coal oil
and cement-making stone and other materials were all
here. Truly a wonderful country with vast resources.
Before white men came here the wigwam of the Indian
and his trail along streams and through forests were the
only impress of human beings on this vast territory. The
rivers and lesser streams were full of fish, wild animals
and birds of many names were abundant, uncultivated
trees and vines yielded their fruit in season. How
strangely white men must have been affected, when they
first viewed this vast expanse of country — its rivers with
no sign of human life, but the red man in his canoe, its
solid ground without roads and the habitations of civilized
human beings.
And yet this was the country to be named Pennsylvania
and to be filled in the course of time by a population that
now numbers millions, to be met in great cities, in inland
towns, in rural districts, in farming regions, in mines and
in industries of every variety, with happy homes, with
schools and churches, with public buildings, with business
houses, with improved methods of travel, of business ex-
changes and of communication of thoughts to others.
White men came to Pennsylvania ; Swedes settled on
the Delaware as early as 1638, Hollanders located in the
Minnisink region along the Delaware, north of the Blue
Mountains at an early period, the settlements on the Dela-
ware at and near Philadelphia in 1682, were followed by the
arrival of Penn and German colonists. Immigrants came
from different countries and occupied parts of the new
colony. Germans who had first located along the Hud-
son, the Mohawk and the Schoharie, made the memorable
journeys and settled on the Tulpehocken, the Swatara and
Prefatory. y
the Quitapahilla. Thousands of immigrants came by the
way of the port of Philadelphia and increased the num-
ber of settlers.
Whilst due credit is to be given to the English, the
Welsh, the Scotch-Irish, the Hollander, and those of other
nationalities for their part in the making of Pennsylvania,
the German and Swiss immigrants are of special interest
to us. We have been favored with full presentations of the
life of the immigrant in the Fatherland, the journey down
the Rhine and to England, the varied experiences of the
long ocean journey, when months w^ere required to reach
the new world, the heroic move of Palatinates from the
Schoharie to the Tulpehocken, and the arrival of the
thousands of German immigrants through the port of
Philadelphia and the varied conditions in which they
reached this western shore.
They came to settle in the new world and in the con-
sideration of their history in this country it is in order to
present the first want of the settlers and how it was met.
They came not like an army to be encamped for a season
in one part of the country and then to remove to another
and to be thus without a fixed habitation. Their first de-
sire was to secure a home in this new country.
We turn then with pleasure to the consideration of the
topic as announced :
^jetxixsijXuatxia^©«vnxaix '^Xtixiztx.
The German immigrant came from the fatherland in
which the institution of marriage was held to be of divine
appointment. The Catechism in the plain form in which
it is to be taught by the head of the family, contains in the
decalogue the divine commandment, " Honor thy Father
8
The Pennsylvania-German Society.
and thy Mother," and presents the duties of children to-
wards parents and superiors. The early records of con-
gregations in this western world contain with the entries of
other ministerial acts, the careful entries of marriages and
of the baptism of children. Whilst some of those who
settled in the new world formed communities with separate
quarters for brethren and sisters — the great body of Ger-
man immigrants settled as families.
The immigrants who came with larger means fared
differently than those who came with limited funds. The
man of means could soon secure a large tract of land and
was able to erect a comfortable house. But the greater
number of immigrants had but limited means and^many
were very poor and had become redemptioners.
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CHAPTER I.
The Foundixg of a Home.
HOUSE to dwell in and
other buildings to meet
existing necessities were the
first wants of the German im-
migrant. Whilst the man of
means could erect a comfort-
able dwelling, those of limited
means and poverty were very
glad when a log house could
be erected. Before the erec-
tion of the log dwelling some
men dwelt in caves along the
river's bank, others under the
wide spreading branches of great trees, in hastily con-
structed huts or under tents. The first log house was of
very plain construction. The abundance of timber af-
forded material for its erection. Its sides were of logs,
the openings between logs were filled with clay often mixed
with grass. Windows were of small dimensions. Doors
were often of two parts, an upper and a lower, hung or
fastened separately. The interior was frequently only one
room, with hearth and chimney, with the floor of stone or
(9)
lO The Pennsylvania- Gertnan Society.
hardened clay, with steps or a ladder leading to the attic,
with roughly constructed tables and benches, plainly made
bedsteads, shelving on the walls and wooden pegs driven
into logs. In this plain structure the pioneer deposited the
limited means brought from the fatherland or secured here
upon his arrival. In such a building the pioneer and his
family had their first home in the new world.
Not all log houses were of such limited dimensions,
many were larger and with wooden floors, with the space
within the four sides divided into rooms on the first floor
and in the attic. The pioneer and his descendants had as
their dwellings in successive periods of time, first the log
house of plainest construction, secondly, the new log
structure of enlarged dimensions, with a good cellar, w^ith
logs for sides of building carefully prepared and well
joined, with windows and doors of better make, with the
interior division of a wide central hall and with rooms
varying in number on the first floor, the attic also properly
divided into rooms, and when a second story was added
before the addition of the attic the inclosed space furnished
additional rooms. The first log house often ser\'ed only
until a stone structure could be erected. In some localities
houses were built of imported bricks. At a very early day
bricks were made in this country. The abundance of stones
furnished materials for the erection of substantial houses.
These substantial stone buildings varied in size and st3^1e,
often they were good solid structures of limited dimensions,
but frequently they were larger buildings of two stories,
with a large attic. The pioneer's house was not complete
without the large hearth and chimney often in the center
of the building and very often on one of the sides of the
house with hearth and chimney erected outside of the
building yet joining the same. Many of the buildings
The Founding of a Home. ii
erected by the pioneers and their descendants were ar-
ranged to serve as forts in case of attacks by Indians,
hence the ver}'- small, narrow windows in some of the
buildings and the attic built in such manner as to extend
considerably over the four sides of the building to allow
openings from which the occupants of the house could
repel attacks upon the building. The pioneer's house was
seldom without a porch, at first of limited dimensions, but
later of equal length with that of the house itself. Besides
the dwelling house, other buildings were erected.
The barn and other structures for the shelter of live
stock and the storing of the products of the field, the
meadow and the orchard were erected as rapidly as the
means of the pioneer increased. The spring house, the
wood house and the lar^e bake oven and smoke house
under one roof were also added in good time.
It was not difficult to make an inventory of the contents
of the dwelling house. The large hall had but little furni-
ture besides a long, wooden chest, and a few benches or
chairs. The best room of the house on one side of the hall
contained a table, benches and later chairs, a desk with
drawers, and the utensils used on the special hearth in
heating the room. In the rear of the best room was the
Kammer (bedroorrf) with its bed of plain make, also the
trundel bed for younger children and the cradle for the
youngest, a bench or a few chairs and the chest of drawers.
The room on the other side of the hall was often not di-
vided,but when divided the front room was called the liv-
ing room (die Wohnstube) with table and benches or plain
chairs, with closet for queensware and the storage of
precious parcels, with the spinning wheel, with a clock as
soon as the family could possess one, and with shelving
for the books brought from the fatherland or secured in
this country.
12
The Pennsylvania- Gernian Society.
The kitchen contained the large hearth, often very
large, with rods fastened to a beam and later an iron bar,
from which descended chains to hold largre kettles and
pots used in the preparation of food ; the tripod also on
the hearth to hold kettles and pans used daily by the faith-
ful housewife ; the large dining table w^ith benches on
two long sides and short benches or chairs at each end ;
the large table for the use of those who prepared meals for
the family ; extensive shelving for holding tin and other
ware ; benches for water buckets and other vessels and the
long and deep mantel shelf above the hearth on which
many articles were placed. The second story of the house
contained bed rooms and often a storage room. The bed
rooms were furnished with beds, tables, large chests, and
wooden pegs on the partitions. The attic was of great
service for the storage of articles of the mechanism of man,
and the preservation of fruits of the field, the garden, the
orchard and the forest.
The cellar w^as an important part of the dwelling, with
its provision for keeping food prepared from day to day
and for the storage of abundant supplies gathered and kept
in bins, tubs and barrels.
CHAPTER II.
Domestic Economy.
EWafpen
©on ITlariencietberv
W
HE pioneer's first want
was a dwelling and
the second was food for him-
self and family. The first
year was often one of many
privations, and one in which
the closest economy was
necessary. The earliest set-
tlers used provisions brought
from foreign lands. By
means of these and such as
they found in this country
their wants were supplied
until they were able to secure from fields, gardens and
forests their daily bread. Wild animals of the forest,
fowls of various names and fish that abounded in rivers and
smaller streams were a rich provision for the pioneer before
domestic animals supplied animal food. The first great
want was that of grain and vegetables. The first flour
had often to be carried great distances. After the first
clearing of land, preparation of soil, sowing of seed and
(13)
H
The Pennsylvania- German Society.
^\
harvest of crops, the pioneer experienced many hardships
in carr3'ing grain to the distant mill and returning to his
home with the suppl}- of flour secured for himself and
family. The first gathering of the garden's yield was
likewise of great benefit and importance. After the first
years of hardship had passed, the pioneer family had an
abundance of food. As fields were enlarged they yielded
increased harvests, and gardens and parts of fields supplied
vegetables. In the course of time fruit trees and vines
added their contributions and domestic animals and fowls
in great numbers made animal food abundant.
Some supplies brought from
foreign lands could at first be
secured only at places far dis-
tant from the settler's home.
In later years — new centers of
supplies were opened in towns
and villages in different locali-
ties. The proper supply of food
was a great blessing for the
pioneer and family.
The preparation of food in
those early years was an important work of the mother
and daughters of the household. At first they had only the
hearth and bake oven ; later they were favored with stoves
built of suitable material. Many years passed before stoves
made of iron could be bought. The modern cook stove and
ranges of wonderful construction brought a great change.
The early settler knew nothing of coal, coal oil and
burning gas. His burning material was wood. He had
no matches to ignite the same. The tinder box with flint,
steel and punk was of great service. The sun glass could
be used only on days when the sun shone brightly. The
Indian girl grinding corn.
Domestic Economy.
15
flashing of powder in the pan of a gun was often neces-
sary to secure fire. No wonder that at night, the burning
log was carefully covered with ashes, that on the coming
morning embers might be found to secure fire for the new
day.
The pioneer had no hydrant, no turbine wheels and
pipes, no tanks on the attic
to supply the kitchen with
water. It had to be carried
from the spring — or first
drawn from the well and
then brought to the house —
before pumps were secured.
In the early days of settlers,
men knew nothing of the
modern refrigerator and
dumb waiter. The cellar
under the house and later
the ground cellar with many
steps leading down to the
arch of necessary dimen-
sions, the spring house, the
smoke house and the attic
of the dwelling house had to
be reached to secure the
supplies for the three meals
of each day.
The good housewife had her trials in the preparation of
food. The tripod on the hearth held kettles and pans and
other vessels ; the iron rod or chain fastened to the bar in
the chimney held kettles over the burning wood on the
floor of the hearth. The bake oven served not only for
baking bread but also in the preparation of other food. The
Primitive well curb, windlass and
puUej.
i6
The Pennsylvania- German Society.
large iron pot placed over the fire had a special cover, with
a heavy rim, to hold burning coal on the cover, and was
thus of varied service. The preparation of food was no
easy work — it had to be attended to regularly and with
great care. A failure on
baking-days affected the
whole family. A lack of
supplies for a single meal
could not be met or amend-
ed by a hasty visit of the
baker, the butcher or the
grocer.
The table of the pioneer
and his descendants was
for many years of plain
but substantial make. Be-
fore and long after a full
supply of chairs could be
secured benches afforded
seats at the table. Table
cloths were not always
used. The first dishes
were petVter and later of
domestic earthenware and
pottery. Platters, plates,
bowls and other vessels
held the prepared food.
Individual plates, cups
and saucers, and knives
and forks were not want-
ing. Food was often con-
veyed from a large dish directly to the mouth of the eater.
When such was the custom, each person was required to
Kiichen geschirr (kitchen utensils)
— waffle iron, skimmers, ladles and pan-
cake turner.
Domestic Economy. i7
keep to his own place in the platter. The ordinary meal
was plainly served. On special occasions the table bore
abundant evidence of special preparation. Napkins and
finger bowls were not always used. The basin and towel
near the water bucket, well or spring were for such service.
With many preparations of cereals boiled or baked ; with
soups of meat broth, milk, eggs, cereals, vegetables and
spices ; with animal food smoked, roasted, broiled, fried
or boiled ; with vegetables of numerous names ; with fruit
stewed, preserved or boiled like applebutter ; with bread,
butter, cheese of various makes ; with pies of plain dough
or raised dough and various contents ; with puddings of
many names; with cakes baked in the oven, prepared in
the pan or in heated lard ; with water, milk, coffee made
of boiled, dried and roasted barley, rye or wheat, for or-
dinary use and genuine coffee on special occasions ; tea
made of herbs for common use, and imported tea for visit-
ors and the household, when such were together at the
table ; the early settlers and their descendants had good,
substantial, wholesome food ; they fared well and did not
suffer from dyspepsia and other stomachical troubles.
The housewife and daughter of the first century had no
opportunity to attend special cooking schools, nor had they
the use of large cook books, now so common. Mothers
taught their daughters to prepare food and it was consid-
ered no disgrace for a daughter to serve with a family that
needed help, where she could learn more of good house-
keeping, including cooking. The Pennsylvania-German
housewife has had through all the years dating from the
settlement of this State the reputation of being a superior
cook, and may her posterity never lose it ! There seems
at present no danger that she will change in this respect,
for no one is more ready to make use of books and jour-
i8
The Pennsylvania- German Society.
nals to condemn what is faulty and to approve what is to
be commended, in the light of what she has been taught
by her mother and grandmother.
Some people are disposed to become merry at the men-
tion of the following : " Grumbire Supp und Mehl Supp,"
" Sauer Kraut und Speck," " Schnitz und Knopf," " Ge-
fiillter Saumage und Zitterle," " Brotwiirscht und Lewer-
wiirscht," " Walschhahne und Ganz," " Enteund Hinkel,"
"Rindsflesch und Kalbflesch," " Aepfelkiichelcher und
Drechter Kuche," " Fett Kuche und Fastnacht Kuche,"
«' Schnitz-boi und Zucker Kuche," ** Leb Kuche und
Week," *'Essig-Punsch und Heemgemacht Beer" and
«< Zuckersach und Niisse " ^ — and yet these names would
have appeared in the menu of the ancestors if such had
been printed in their day.
» " Potato Soup and Meal Soup," " Sour Kraut and Fat Pork," " Dried
Apples and Dough Buttons," " Filled Pig Stomach and Souse," "Sausage
and Liver Pudding," " Turkey and Goose," " Duck and Chicken," " Beef
and Veal," " Apple Fritters and Funnel Cakes," " Fat Cakes and Shrove
Tide Cakes," "Dried-apple Pies and Sugar Cakes," "Gingerbread and
Rusks," and " Vinegar Punch and Home-made Beer."
Vignette from an old schoolbook.
CHAPTER III.
Cultivating the Soil.
*■•■
.H"|'<l.'!lh>;||!iW^"^!?.M'
'T was a stupendous work
that the pioneer had to
perform. The log house was
built where all of mother
earth was in its primitive con-
dition. Gardens, orchards,
grain-yielding fields, and ex-
tensive fields and clean mead-
ows with only grass cover-
ing the same were wanting.
Where the earth was without
scrub oak and great forest
trees, weeds, briars and stones
were in abundance. Even the making of a garden required
days of arduous labor in the removal of weeds, briars
and stones and in picking, digging and raking the ground
before the deposit of seeds. The first harvest could only
be expected after the preparation of a tract of land. This
work embraced the removal of all that would prevent
the raising of a crop, hence the removal of lighter growths
by use of the axe, the saw, the pick and fire. The fell-
(19)
Wappen oon.Bem.
20 The Pcmisylvania- German Society.
ing of trees, the removal of timber or its destruction by
fire and the removal of stones were no light work. In the
preparation of the ground the poorer settler had often
only the use of pick, shovel and rake. Those who were
fortunate enough to have a plough and harrow of the
most primitive make, drawn by cattle, when horses were
still wanting, were considered to be better prepared for
the necessary work. The preparation of the ground was
followed by the sowing of seed by hand. The enclosure
of ground under cultivation required wearisome labor.
The felling of trees, the cutting and sawing of the same
in proper lengths, the splitting into rails, required much
time and hard labor. The removal of all incumbrances
from land and the opening of water courses for irrigation
to secure good meadows were also necessary. Whilst
waiting for the growth of the seed sown and the ripening
of the harvest, the pioneer was busy in extending the bor-
ders of land to be cultivated. Hence the further felling
of trees and the removal of wood to be used for a variety
of purposes, as well as the transfer of wood to be burned
on the hearth, added to the pioneer's work.
When the time for cutting grass and gathering the har-
vest arrived, all of the household were busy from early
dawn to the close of day. The dengel stock, the hammer
and the whetstone were of service in the preparation of
the scythe and sickle. Grass was mowed by the use of the
former. The wooden fork was used in turning the mowed
grass, and the hand rake in gathering the hay on heaps
before its removal to the primitive barn or stable, or the
formation of stacks in the open air.
Grain was cut by the use of the sickle before the cradle
came into use. Rakers and binders followed to make
sheaves and shocks. The removal of the gathered harvest
THE FENNSYLUANlA-QERnAN SOCIETY.
t. f. SACHSE, PMOl'O.
DOMESTIC UTENSILS.
(A) BREAD BASKETS. DOUOM-TROUCH SCRflfERS AND COrTEE-niLL.
(B) TflR-BUCKET. TEA-KETTLE. CRULDRON. SKILLET AND SCMAUM-LOFFELL.
Cultivating the Soil.
21
to barn or stables, or to places where it was stacked, fol-
lowed in due time.
During hay-making and harvesting the laborers had, be-
sides breakfast, dinner and supper, luncheon in the morn-
ing and in the afternoon, served under a tree by the good
mother and her aids. An abundance of cold meats, bread,
butter, cheese, applebutter, pickles, radishes, cakes, pies
and varied beverages were freely served.
The gathering of corn and other products of the field
followed later in each year and kept the husbandman busy.
New attention had to be given to the soil for new sowing
of seed and the expectation of a harvest in another year
and required the new use of the plough and harrow.
Ox yoke and threshing flail.
When fall arrived and winter came men were busy in
separating grain from straw and ear. The use of the flail
was common. Animals were used in treading out grain.
The separation of grain from refuse was trying work, but
it was necessary to secure grain for food.
2'2- The Pennsylvania-German Society.
But this work did not end the labors of the pioneer. In
order to have grain turned into flour and other forms for
man and beasts, it was necessary to take grain to the mill,
which was often at a great distance from the home of the
husbandman. Those who had no beast of burden were
obliged to carry grain on their backs to the mill and re-
turn home with the flour they had secured. Such as had
horses or oxen made use of the same in carrying grain to
the mill and bringing home flour and other products.'
Later when wagons, often with a very primitive kind of
wheels, made of sections of sawed logs, were secured, the
ox team was of great service in carrying grain to the mill.
Winter did not allow the pioneer to be idle. The daily
duties at home, the preparation of wood for the hearth, the
care of domestic animals, the hunting of wild animals for
food and valuable skins, kept him busy. New attacks had
to be made on the trees of the forest, that new soil might
be made ready for enlarged harvests. When spring came
the ground had to be put in order for spring sowing and
planting.
In the course of years when orchards yielded their abun-
dant crops new labors were necessary. When the yield
of the fields, the orchard, the meadow and forest became
more than what was necessary for the pioneer's home
wants, he had supplies to take to the distant market. The
long journey to the markets gave those who visited the
same the most varied experiences. In the earliest years
Philadelphia was the nearest market. So for the pioneer's
son, who for the first time accompanied his father to the
city, the trip afforded an opportunity to see many things
that were entirely new to him.
Those who see Pennsylvania today in its advanced
state of cultivation and observe what has been accom-
Cultivating the Soil. 23
plished by the introduction of agricultural and other imple-
ments used in the cultivation of the soil, the sowing of
seed, the reaping of the harvest, must ever remember the
arduous work of the pioneer and his descendants, who, be-
fore the introduction of modern implements, brought a
great portion of Pennsylvania under productive cultivation.
Whilst every pioneer needed a home and food and all
were engaged in labor, not all were exclusively husband-
men. Nearly every home had its garden and tract of land
to be cultivated. Even in towns and villages residents had
gardens and often orchards near their dwellings and fre-
quently lots at no great distance, which were carefully
cultivated. The miller, the sawmiller, the carpenter, the
cabinet-maker, the blacksmith, the tinsmith, the potter,
the weaver, the fuller, the tanner, the tailor, the shoe-
maker, the clock-maker, the gunsmith, the paper-maker,
the printer, the bookbinder, the merchant, the distiller,
the innkeeper, the officers of the colony, the lawyer,
the doctor of medicine and the minister of the Gospel were
all engaged in work. There was an abundance of work
and no necessity for the life of the tramp, who would eat
and yet not toil.
The pioneer was a true expansionist. "Where once only
the log house and the simple structure for the protection of
animals and the storing of field and meadow products and
the enclosed small garden, and the limited number of acres
under cultivation were to be seen, there appeared in the
course of years, the large, well-built dwelling house, the
immense barn and many other buildings for various uses,
the large garden, the beautiful shade and fruit trees and
vines near the dwelling, the extensive orchard, the beauti-
ful meadows, the many large fields bearing a variety of
crops, the carefully made roads and lanes and the long
24
The Pennsylvania- Germa7i Society.
lines of fences enclosing the different parts of the farm.
Whilst the dwelling sheltered the family, the buildings of
the farmyard sheltered horses, cattle, sheep, swine and
many of the feathered tribes. The products of the farm
were so abundant that no one had occasion to suffer hunger,
and the supplies for the market became so great that other
means of transportation than the farm wagon were hailed
with joy by those who appreciated the advantages extended
by the same.
Harvest scene, from an old reader.
CHAPTER IV.
Wearing Apparel of the German Settlers.
E now come to the
consideration of the
wearing apparel of the pio-
neer. The immicrrants wore
at first garments brought from
the fatherland. The quantity
brought depended on the abil-
ity to procure the same. The
immigrants were often de-
prived of their supply of
clothing by the heartless sea
captains and their associates
who, in view of exorbitant
extra charges during the sea voyage, compelled the immi-
grant, who had not sufficient money to pay, to surrender
garments to meet their dema nds. To replenish the supply —
whilst no doubt those, who were able to do so, secured
imported goods for new garments — the great body of set-
tlers found it necessary to meet this want by raising flax
and later by raising sheep for furnishing a supply of wool,
so that materials for clothing and other uses could be
secured in this new world.
(25)
26 The Pennsylvania- German Society.
From the sowing of the flax seed to the completion of the
tow or linen garment there was work for men and women.
Men prepared the soil and selected the best part of a field
for sowing flax seed. It was sown at the time oats were
" WoU-rad " or " Zwirn-rad," " Wheel for Spinning Wool " or " Twist-
ing-Wheel." .
sown — and usually in the same field. It was gathered a
few weeks before oats harvest. It was drawn with the
roots in bunches, which were tied separately and shocked.
Ten to twelve bunches formed a shock. It was allowed
to stand on the field until the tops became dry and brown.
Straw-binders were laid on the ground, the flax placed on
the same, and larger bundles formed, which were taken to
the barn floor. Here the seed end of the flax was beaten
on an elevated plank or on a barrel, to remove the seed,
which was separated from the chaff by means of a fan
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Wearing Ap far el of the Germa7i Settlers. 27
(worfschaufel) and at a later period by a wind mill. The
flax seed was carefully stored, as it was a valuable product
to supply an oil which commanded a high price. The
flax was rebound and taken to a clean part of the field,
where it was spread on the ground and allowed to remain
a few weeks until rain and sunshine had made the inner
part of the flax brittle and the outer part tough. It was
rebound and removed to the barn or other building where
it could be kept. Then followed the breaking of the flax.
The first requirement was a fireplace and a fire, over
which, on elevated bars or rails, the flax was laid and dried
to become more brittle. The flax breakers, often four or
five in number, surrounded the fireplace and broke the flax
as best they could and
in time on a flax break.
When this process was
ended, the flax was
rebound in bundles
containing twenty-five
handfuls and again tak-
en to the barn. Then
followed the first hack-
ling to separate the boll
of the flax. This was
done on a coarse hackle.
The flax was then
swingled on a board or
plank by means of a
wand or wooden knife,
and in later years on a
break wheel. After the swingling followed hackling on a
hackle screwed to the top of a bench. The hackle con-
sisted of a board about ten inches long and three or four
Faden-haspel (Thread reel) on which
strands were stretched and then wound
into a ball.
28
The Pennsylvania- German Society.
inches wide, into which wrought-iron nails about five inches
long had been driven. The hackling separated the tow
from the fine flax and thus yielded tow and flax. The
tow was placed in boxes or barrels and the flax was formed
into switches, the ends of which were joined, and a number
of such switches were united by a cord and kept in bundles.
Upright spinning %vheel.
The spinning of tow and flax, the work of mothers and
daughters, who rose early and often retired late, required
much time and labor. The spinning wheel and reel were
not wanting. The spinning of tow was first in^ order.
Wearing Apparel of the German Settlers. 29
The tow was placed on the fork of the wheel and spiin.
The spinning of flax, which was wound on a specially
made holder, was done on the same wheel on which tow
was spun. The reel (haspel) was used for winding the spun
tow and flax. One hundred and forty-four revolutions of
the reel marked by the indicator were required for a cut.
These were formed into skeins, a skein of tow containing
four cuts and one of flax six cuts. The skeins of spun tow
and flax were boiled in a mixture of ash and water — to
make the same soft and tender, and were subsequently laid
on grass or hung on bars to dry and to be bleached.
In weaving the same loom was used for making tow
cloth and linen with different gearing for each. The
woven material was usually one yard wide. After the
web had been made ready a part of it was glued (ge-
schlicht). Whilst time was given for drying the weaver
was busy in spooling, and thus there was a constant change
from weaving to spooling. Tow cloth was often of differ-
ent stripes. The woof for the same was colored yellow by
means of the bark of hickory trees or peach leaves and
blue with indigo. After weaving, plain tow cloth and
linen were washed, spread on grass, sprinkled regularly
and given time to bleach. The proper bleaching often re-
quired several weeks of time. The materials thus obtained
and linen thread of various thicknesses, also spun at home,
were now ready for use.
The tow cloth was used for clothing, bedding, table
cloths, towels, bags, coverings and other articles. Linen
cloth of various decrees of fineness was used for shirts,
summer clothing, bedding, table cloths, towels and many
other purposes.
Linen goods were often checked goods — made of linen
colored differently.
30 The Pennsylvania- German Society.
In the course of years the pioneer and his descendants
raised sheep. A husbandman would have from ten to
twelve — but frequently also from twenty to twenty-five or
more sheep. Sheep shearing was in order in May of each
year. The wool secured was washed and then dried on
grass. It was then carefully cleaned and picked so that
no impurities might remain. It was taken to the carding
mill, where it was first carded on rollers, on which there
were strips of leather filled with fine wires and fine nails
and then passed between rollers on which there were ribs
which formed the rolls of wool, which dropped from the
cylinders. The wool, after being thus formed into rolls,
was taken home, where it was spun on the large and small
spinning wheels. The weaving of wool was the same as
that of tow and flax. When the supply of wool was yet
limited, in weaving the webb was often the product of flax
and the woof of wool. The material obtained was known
as the linsey-woolsey. It was a much better material for
winter clothing than tow cloth and linen cloth, and exten-
sively used for such purposes. Cloth woven entirely of
wool was for best clothing for wear on Sunday and special
occasions. The wuolen cloth was taken to the fulling-
mill (walk miihle). Here it was placed in large recep-
tacles, in which soap and water were used. The material
was beaten and turned and when it was removed from the
receptacles to be washed it was found narrower and thicker
than before. It was then colored black, brown, gray, deep
yellow or red. After being dried, trimmed and rolled it
was ready to be taken to the owner's home and was ready
for use. Flannels were of different colors and were used
xvi dresses and undergarments.
In those primitive years and in many years that followed
garments were made at home without any directions given
Wearing Apparel of the German Settlers. 31
by fashion books and without the aid of sewing machines.
In later years tailors were engaged to come to the homes
of families to make garments for men. The primitive
mothers and daughters had an abundance of work in mak-
ing garments for members of the household. They were
also frequently engaged in knitting to supply the family
with stockings, socks, mittens, scarfs and caps. They
likewise spent much time in making from tow, linen and
woolen materials a variety of articles for use and orna-
ment in the home.
Shoes were not constantly worn. In summer many
persons wore no shoes. In winter they were worn by all.
During the summer they were,
however, worn on special oc-
casions. Tradition informs us
that shoes were carried by hand
by church-goers until the vi- |^ v - * /''..w^
cinity of the church was reach- ^ / ;,''/^V '.. ,1 \ "m
ed, when they were put on and * I' J * ^- "^ -^^ ^t^> *-%^j>
removed again soon after the |i*a,£*^V^"
worshippers had left the church y [, ,^ ' - p ^
building. Shoemakers traveled ,*-**r V^K* " 't'WH
and did not only mend shoes, i^''^"^"!* * /-f I
but often also remained w^ith a ^*^^ ** ^^ X
family to make shoes for all its I* "p^fj'^*
members.
Hats and caps worn by men -' ,^^ ^^ ^[i
were made in this country at a "^"^ 1' ' 'l7*'^
IV
ver}- early period. An abund- wedding gown ^vorn by a grand-
ance of materials for making mother and a granddaughter.
the same was found here. Mothers and daughters made
hoods at home. A bonnet of large dimensions was a de-
sirable acquisition, to be made only by purchase in towns.
32 The Pcnnsylvayiia- German Society.
. With the increase of weahh and opportunities to secure
wearing apparel from the country store, the ancestors were
also able to purchase other materials for various uses.
There was a marked difference between clothing made of
domestic materials and clothing made of store goods.
People in the country began to follow the customs of the
people dwelling in towns, and in the course of years
people in the country also had fine clothing for their ap-
pearance on special occasions.
In earlier periods there was no constant change of fash-
ions as in our day. The good clothing worn by parents
was handed down to their children, who were not ashamed
to wear the same. Garments were worn for a much
longer time than in our day. The writer knew two men,
who lived within the last fifty years, the one, the senior in
years, remarked that whilst he wore a coat two years, the
younger man was not satisfied without two new coats in
each year. When journeys were made great care was
taken of extra apparel, if made on foot the knapsack was
carefully packed, if made on horseback then saddle bags
were of great service, when made later on in wagons and
coaches the requisites for the journey were placed in
wallets, in strong paper and leathern boxes of varied style
and in trunks covered with skins of animals.
CHAPTER V
The Barnyard and its Denizens.
H NOT HER important
branch of the domes-
tic life of the pioneer was the
raising and care of domestic
animals and fowls. The
horse, ass, horned cattle,
sheep, swine, dogs and cats
were regarded as necessary.
The peacock, turkey, goose,
duck, chicken and pigeons
supplied numerous wants.
Whilst the log houses and
stone structures were the
dwellings of families, the barns, stables, sheds, cotes,
kennels, hen-houses and dove cotes served for the protec-
tion of animals and fowls. The Pennsylvania-German
has ever been known for his careful provision for the care
of his live stock.
The horse and ass were of great service in farm work,
in ploughing and harrowing the soil to be seeded, in the
removal of hay and grain to the barn and to places where
(33)
ZDoj^en^oon tnarbnrg. i
34 The Pennsylvania- German Society.
the same were stacked, in the threshing of grain, in carry-
ing grain to the mills, in hauling stones from the fields, in
supplying the field with manure and lime, in hauling wood
for home use and timber to be sawed, and in carrying farm
products to market places. They were also of service in
the visitation of families, in the transaction of business at
distant places, in attending church services and public
gatherings and in extended journeys. No wonder that
early settlers cared so well for their horses and were in
favor of hanging horse thieves.
Horned cattle were also of great service. They often
supplied the place of the horse and ass in farm work and
in transportation. The cow supplied milk, from which
cream, butter and cheese were obtained. The flesh of
cattle furnished as a food, an abundance of veal and beef
and of salted and smoked meats. Tallow served in mak-
ing candles. The skins of animals, when tanned, fur-
nished leather for shoes, harness and other purposes.
Whole skins were of great service as covers. The excess
of horned cattle not needed for domestic use formed a sup-
ply of the markets. The pioneer was engaged in stock
raising, for pasture was abundant. Young stock was often
driven in spring to distant places for pasturage and brought
home in fall in good condition.
Swine served also for many purposes. Their raising in
early days was not difficult. They were allowed to roam
on commons and in forests in which they found an abund-
ance of acorns and other nuts. The swine, when killed,
supplied fresh pork, salt meats, sausages, hams and
shoulders and also an abundance of lard for home use
and the market. The lard lamp would have been of no
use without a supply of lard. Butchering days were im-
portant days in the life of the pioneer.
1596208
The Barnyard and its Denizens. 35
Dogs and cats were prized by the pioneer. No picture
of the early home would be complete without the dog and
the cat. The dog was often the companion of his master in
his work on the field and in the forest. He aided him in
herding his cattle. He was his aid in capturing or driving
off wild animals. He was the playmate of children in the
home, but also the faithful guard of the homestead at
night, promptly signaling the presence of the red man of
the forest, and the approach of thieves and wild animals.
No wonder that the faithfulness of the dog has often been
the theme of writers.
The cat also rendered good service as the enemy of rats
and mice and kept the house and other buildings as clear
of these destructive creatures as it could. The cat's play
often amused the inmates of the house. Its doleful cry at
night often disturbed the slumbers of many. But no one
would allow its banishment from the home.
Whilst the peacock, with its tail of long feathers of rich
and elegant colors, was the pride of the barnyard, the
turkey, goose, duck and chicken were raised not only for
a supply of eggs, but also to be served on the table on
special occasions. The feathers of some of them were
used in filling pillow cases and ticks for the comfortable
rest of the head and body of the weary and the cover of
all sleepers in winter. The quill obtained from the goose
afforded the pen for writing the love letter, the note of
indebtedness, the receipt of money paid and the death
warrant.
The surplus yield of feathers constituted one of the per-
quisites of the good housewife, and the money received for
the same enabled her to purchase many articles of value,
for personal use and gifts to others.
The mother of the household has always taken an inter-
36 The Pennsylvania' German Society.
est in the raising of fowls, and the sale of the same fur-
nished her money for many uses. The writer remembers
that in the year 1S67 he was collecting money for an im-
portant church work. He called at the houses of the dif-
ferent parishioners of a charge which he was visiting. At
one of these homes the mother met him with a cheerful face
and, as soon as he had stated the object of his call, said :
"Yes, I have two dollars and a-half to give you," and
added : '* And I wish to tell you how it is that I have this
money for you. I set a hen with turkey eggs and had a lot
of fine little turkeys, which however a heavy rain killed for
me. I felt very sorry. I said to the Lord that I would set
another hen with turkey eggs, and that if turkeys would
be hatched and I would be allowed to raise them and sell
them I would give Him the one-tenth of the proceeds of
the sale. The turkeys were hatched ; I was successful in
raising them, and sold them on the market for twenty-five
dollars, and now I will keep the promise I made to the Lord."
She handed the two dollars and a-half to the writer, and
they are today a part of the endowment of a fine institu-
tion of learning.
The writer remembers that a daughter in a rural home
had in the sixties of the closing century a novel method of
awakening her guests, which she said she had learned
from a professor of music, who had once stopped for a
night at her home. He had severe toothache and could
not sleep. He rose early in the morning and after a
walk returned to the house, entered the parlor and played
a number of selections on the piano. She was awakened
by the music and so delightfully entertained, that she con-
cluded in future to use this method of awakening her
guests. She observed her rule when the writer was a
guest at her home, and when he met the family in the
The Barnyard and its Denizens,
37
morning, she told him the above and added : *' I play first
a grand march to awaken my guests, then a polka and a
waltz to entertain them, and last of all a choral to signify
that it is time to rise." But visitors in rural homes in
earlier and later years have often been awakened by other
sounds — the cry of the peacock, the gobbling of the turkey,
the quacking of geese and ducks, the screeching of the
guinea hen, the crowing of the rooster, the cackling of
hens, the lowing of the cattle, the squealing of pigs and
the barking of dogs.
While domestic animals yielded for the market a varied
supply of meats, milk, butter, cheese, lard and tallow, and
furnished hides for the tanner3% the domestic fowls also fur-
nished many supplies of eggs and coveted meats and yielded
the settler a good reward for his toil in the care of animals
and fowls.
Vignette from an old almanac.
CHAPTER VI.
Domestic Piety and Religion.
ZDappen con (Slogau.
tr
'HE German immigrants
were generally Chris-
tian people. In the old father-
land they had enjoyed the
privileges of churches and
schools. They came to this
western world with the faith
which had been wrought in
them by the Holy Ghost
through the means of grace.
Whilst but few came accom-
panied by pastors and teach-
ers, they brought with them
copies of the Bible, hymn-book, prayer-book, catechism,
sermon-book and other devotional books. Court Chaplain
Boehm, of London, rendered an important service to im-
migrants sent from England to x\merica by securing for
them, copies of Arndt's Wahres Christenthuni. Starke's
Gehet Buck was also used by many settlers.
The pioneers, when settled in this country, longed for
the favor of churches and ministers of schools and teachers
(38)
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Domestic Piety and Religion. 39
and others will in due time show how this want was sup-
plied. But religion entered into the daily life of the set-
tler, and on this account its consideration belongs to that
of his domestic life.
Religious books brought by immigrants were often
seized by sea captains on arrival in this country for the pay-
ment of most extravagant charges for services to immi-
grants during the sea voyage.
Religious books were imported from the fatherland and
sold in this country- and some were also donated. Copies
of these and of such as were i)rfSft/?i8i5$t^4mFf^rrrfr^
brnnaht hv the immigrants ^"f" 3ol)anii Stmbr^/
Drougnt oy me immigraiub .atot«n«d.e««mmamn< wswioapa*
themselves are thus to be eimtiidx ©eSW Siii&tc
found among descendants of ^.^ SSom 2Gcl)rm
the pioneers and prized as ^ ^ 1 1 II t U t V U Wl/
heirlooms. ^ v***«- „ , ., .. _. .
German rellgflOUS books onbroabtfinWautxn/audjbwiivmSfknuaCSauwo
were published in this coun- ^•^«3',^i:I^^^S:^^^r'*
trv at a very early day. In aa nbaaiotni euoih»rai «a» ««» *«*»»«'
^T %- -,1 11-1 oa dart 5atf4«ni(l}«iSinlmnj«« 383. 8t(>»»
1708 Justus Falkner publish- ^*^
ed the first book of a Luth- ^arabieg'^drtlein/
eran minister printed in Am- ^nft™>n Wenimj«^.5,ft«n^/^w^^
erica, a treatise in questions '^'^'^ -
and answers on the chief «cto/ jw*« «««» ^«t4 c«i*««^
doctrines of the Christian
religion. The first century of German frinting in
America, 1728-1830 — by Oswald Seidensticker, Phila-
delphia, is an exceedingly interesting and valuable publi-
cation, from which the following facts, touching the publi-
cation of religious books in this country have been gath-
ered.
In 1728 appeared Das Biichlein vom Sabbath, and IVeun
und neunzig mystische Sfriiche, by Conrad Beissel, the
40
The Pennsylvania- German Society.
ZIONITISCHER
Peijraiicpylu
ODtr:
former printed by Andrew Bradford, the latter by Benja-
min Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin also printed for the religious enthu-
siasts of Lancaster County in 1730 — Gdtttiche Liebes nnd
Lobesgethdne, in 1732 Vor spiel der X^^etien Well, and in
1736 J^acobs Kanipf und Rit'
ters-Platz. In 1739 Christoph
Sauer, of Germantown, printed
Zionitischer Weyrauchs Hilgel
oder Myrrhenberg for the
Ephrata Brethren. This was
the first American book in Ger-
man type. The book contains
654 hymns in 33 divisions,
with an appendix of 38 hymns
with separate title. ^
In 1742, Christopher Sauer
"^Tini^di Ausbtmd, a large hymn-
book highly esteemed by the
Mennonites. In 1742, Sauer
printed by order of Count Zin-
zendorf Hirteti-Lieder von Bethlehem, a collection of 360
hymns.
In 1743 Christopher Sauer, of Germantown, printed
Biblia, Das ist die Heilige Schrift Altes und Neues Testa-
ments, nach der Deutschen Uebersetzung D. Martin Luth-
ers, quarto, to which he added an appendix of his own;
Kurtzer Begriff von der heil. Schrifft. This was the first
bible printed in America in a European language. The type
was obtained from Heinrich Ehrenfried Luther in Frank-
furt, to whom Sauer made a present of twelve copies of
9B»nnnm alltrlfr) \WMjti unb nioM riejfcw
^n flUfrltp fit6f«.S;unfunafn Nr in ©OtX
giioligrmeedai, ir(;*tri in iisltr tnt man4trU»
tnpiiitai Dull UtMijn hcrcta ooi gciiUu.
ail ttorinnm
(in (EiTttes »uf untt^filC^Il*« CPtift
crtffU4 0119 ge&rucf culi ;
3i9 Dicnff
jyr in t>nn Slb«n6.fdnL'ifrf>«n OTtft'tfrir all
m »nii Uiierganj 6tr £:nrrti trorfim Xir4»
e>Olic5, una |U l^rrr Srircnrirtnj ouf 6ic
3Siiltni^<tiiac Su'u"']' B^ "^rduiisamt
• For a full account of the issues of the Ephrata press, see German Sec-
tarians of Pennsylvania, Volumes I. and II., by Julius F. Sachse, 1S99.
LI Aj
lit
'i iAk AdL <^s- '^^
l-j fl .4 t' f *
. Squill ^u^tt^f
^ebjl cittern ^hm
dtitttn ^iid)^ e« ssia«a6fler.
;.^^ ^^^ '■^^ \^ *^^ ^^- -^ ^Xr^-.^' "-^^ -^^ i^t^ ^ ^^^.^^ *■
erinantoion:
Pac-SimUe of Titio Page of ttc First Bible Printed la America,
in an European Language.
Domestic Piety and Religion. 41
his edition of the bible, all of which were given to distin-
guished persons.^
In 1744 he printed Der Kleine Catechismus D. Martin
Luthers. Mit Erldiiterungen heraiisgegeben zum Ge-
tlmt
in
# 1744%
branch der liitherischen Gemeinen in Pennsylvanien. This
catechism was edited, prefaced and annotated by Count
Zinzendorf.
1 For a critical account of Sauer and his German bible, see Sachse,
German Sectarians, Volume II., pp. 1-68.
42 The Pennsylvania-German Society.
In 1744, there was issued by the same press Das Kleine
Davidische Psalterspiel der Kinder Zions. This work
became quite popular with some sects — Dunkers, Men-
nonites, etc. — as is evidenced by the numerous editions of
the book. " Many of the hymns have the mystic coloring,
sentimental style and bold allegorism found in the Ephrata
books."
In 1745, Christopher Sauer printed Das JVctce Testa-
ment Unsers Herren und Hcylandes Jcsii Christ i. 12 mo.
This was the first separate edition of the New Testament
printed by Sauer. ^
In 1746, he published Der Psalter des K'dnigs tend Pro-
■pheten Davids. Verteutscht von D. Martin Luthers.
i6mo.
In 1747 appeared the first hymn-book printed at Ephrata
entitled, Das Gesdng der einsamen und Verlassenen Tur-
tel-Taube^ nemlich der Christlichen Kirche. It contains
only original material, consisting of 378 hymns, inclusive
of those already in the Franklin books of 1730, 1732 and
1736.
In 1748 the Ephrata Brethren completed the printing of
Tielman Jans van Braght's great work, translated into
German from the Dutch and entitled in German Der
Blntige Schau-Platz oder Mdtyrer-Spiegel der Tatiffs-
Gesinnten oder Wehrlosen Christen. It appeared in two
volumes, bound as one, the first containing Introduction 56
pages, Text 478 pages and the Index 6 pages, the second
containing : Introduction 14 pages. Text 950 pages, and
Index 8 pages. This splendid folio is the largest, and, in
some respects, most remarkable book of the colonial
period. Pennsylvania Mennonites requested their breth-
ren in Holland in 1745 to have the book translated into
»Ibid.
Domestic Piety and Religion.
43
a r| n n g y [| n
linferd
^^.^r^^r.
^^^
Qerf«utfc&f
S3on
D» Martin &k
van
Title page of first edition of New Testament printed in America. See
page 40.
44 l^he Peyinsylvajiia-German Society,
German, but were not gratified. The Ephrata Brethren un-
dertook the laborious task, making the translation, manu-
facturing the paper and doing the printing and binding.^
In 1749 Franklin and Bohm printed Dcr Klcine Cate-
chistnus des scl. D. Martin LiUher,
In 175 1 Benjamin Franklin and Johann Bohm printed
Arndfs Wahres Christenthiun. 8vo. Introduction, etc.,
32 pages, the text 1,356 pages and 65 copper plate illustra-
tions which were brought from Germany. This was the
largest book printed in Philadelphia during the last cen-
tury. The American preface was written by Rev. J. A.
Christopher Hartwig, a Lutheran minister.
In 1752 Christopher Sauer published Geistreiche
Lieder, a 12 mo. hymn-book of 562 pages, containing be-
side the hymns, an index, catechism, prayers, gospels, epis-
tles, and destruction of Jerusalem. This was the first Re-
formed hymn-book printed in America. In the same year
he published Der Klcine Catechisnius des Seligen D.
Martin Luther. Nebst der Morgen- Tisch- und Abend-
Gebeten — sieben Buss-Psalmen, ein Geistliches Lied und
das Einmal Eins. In 1753 this was followed with Die
Kleine Geistliche Harfe, a hymn-book for the use of the
Mennonites. In 1753 he issued 2^eit-vermehrt- U7id Voll-
stdndiges Gesang-Btich^ containing besides the hymns of
Geistreiche Lieder published in 1752 — the Psalms of Da-
vid (L. Ambrosii translation) and the Heidelberg Cate-
chism.
In 1753 th^ Lancastersche Zeitiing contained an adver-
tisement of Job. Habermann's Large Prayer Book. Both
the large and a small edition of this prayer-book attained
great popularity in America.
* Ibid., p. 222, et seq.
Domestic Piety and Religion.
45
6i^ auf bag 3al)r 1660, c *
kto&fiju $ioIiant)i|fl|jct ;£p;flcti ^nau^ s^c^M
»onT.J.V. BRAGHT.
Vita abtt fi»gfdlbjjj} in^^oc^tnttrc^iIBare^t uo Jutu ttltmnul oti ^t ^tftruttr.
EPHRAT A iit PienfyNahieti,
CMSut^tinb S8«rda^:bei:53nil?er|^Wft._ Anno MDCCXL\m
Title page of the celebrated Martyr Book. See page 40.
^6 The Pennsylvania- Gerrnan Society.
In 1754 t^^ Ephrata Brethren printed on writing paper
Paradisisches Wiindersficl.
In 1755 Christopher Sauer published a second edition
of the New Testament in German.
In 1757 Benjamin Franklin and Anthony Armbruster
published Der Psalter Davids.
In 1759 Christopher Sauer printed Habermann and Nau-
mann's Christliche Morgcn- und Abend- Gebeten.
In 1759 Christopher Sauer published VoUstdndiges Mar-
burger Gesang-Bitch. Zur Befdrderiing des so Kirchen
als Privat-Gottesdienstcs. Mit erbaiilichen Morgen-
Abend-Buss-Beicht- und Connnunion-Gebctlein vermehret.
This was the first German Lutheran hymn-book pub-
lished in America.
In 1761 Henrich Miller published Luther's Small Cate-
chism translated into English by Rev. C. M. Wrangel,
provost of the Swedish churches on the Delaware, and an
intimate friend of Patriarch Muhlenberg.
In 1762 the Brotherhood of Ephrata published a new
and enlarged edition of the hymn-book entitled Die ein-
same Tiirtel Taube. In the same year Christopher Sauer,
Jr., published a hymn-book for the Schwenkf elders, con-
taining 760 pages, a third edition of Der Psalter des
Konig ufid Propheteti Davids and a second edition of the
Marbnrger-Gesanghuch, of which the first edition ap-
peared in 1759.
In 1762 Anton Armbruster published Ktirtzgefasie
Grund-Lehren des Reformirtcn Christenthtinis, and Peter
Miller & Co. published Catechismns oder Kiirzer Unter-
richt Christlicher Lehre (in Reformirten Kirchen und
Schuhlen).
In 1763 Christopher Sauer, Jr., published a second edi-
tion of the Germantown bible in German. In his preface
Domestic Piety aiid Rcligio7i,
47
%^ ticfen Ic§tcn Beiten unD Sa^en
3n benm ^beub'Sdnbifdjen- 2BcIt'^l)eiIm alf cm (Sor^
fpicl l»er ncucn SBelt f)crt)or set^^in. i5c|lc5en^c
Sn cinev 5<in^ ncucit iinl) un^^mcinen ©ing*
3(rt auf 2Beifc tec (^ng(ifd)m unb ^imm'
(ifcfjcn S^orm cingcric^tet.
nU frmt noc6 inchtrtn SfU^nuiTf" ou* ^ "SiK'! unb onfmi JprJista
SBrout 6c< C*imm^, fammt Cft Subrrrtttrag uuf tea ^ajlujm
SlI«jW5$ (Jngtij^fn (rt)5r« (Dffang«=2iBrift mlt tiki 2Ilu§«:-Ba5.e»ffm 3Wj
outfacfctttgrt ten finmt
"^
*^
«,Ste|^.
EPKRATiE Sumptibus Societatis: i 7 5 4 •*
aS The Pennsylvaiiia- German Society.
he remarks: "So then the Holy Writ, called the Bible,
appears on the American Continent for the second time in
the German language to the renown of the German nation,
no other nation being able to claim that the Bible has been
printed in their language in this division of the globe."*
In the year 1763 the Germantown printer published Der
Kleine Darmstadt ische Catcchismus, Hcrrn D. Martin
Luther s, etc., also a second edition of the Reformed Hymn
Book first published in 1753.
In 1763 Johann Brandmiiller, of Friedensthal, near
Bethlehem, published The Harmony of the Gosfels and a
hymn-book, both in the Delaware language. The trans-
lation w^as by Bernhard Adam Grube, a Moravian mis-
sionary'.
In 1763 Henrich ^Miller printed Catechismus oder An-
fanlgicher Unterricht Christlicher Glaiihens-Lehrey a
Schwenkfelder Catechism. He also printed in the same
year "A hymn-book for the children belonging to the
Brethren's (Moravian) Congregations."
In 1765 Christopher Sauer, Jr., published Johann
Arndt's Paradies-Gdrtlein,
In 1766 the most extensive collection of Ephrata hymns,
numbering 725, entitled Paradisisches Wiinder-S^iel, was
published at Ephrata.
In 1767 Johann Brandmiiller, of Friedersthal, near
Bethlehem, published Die tdglichen Loosungen der Bril-
der-Gemeinde fur das Jahr lySj.
In 1770 Henrich Miller, of Philadelphia, published
Augustus Hermann Francke's The Hah' and sure zc'ay of
Faith of an Evangelical Christian; German and English
on alternate pages. The author was the famous founder
of the Halle Orphanage.
^The first Indian Bible was printed in 1663.
Domestic Piety and Religion. 49
In 1776 the same publisher issued J. A. Freylinghausen's
Ordntmg des Heyls, nebst einern Verzeichniss der Wich-
tigsten Kern-Spruche der Heiligen Schrift, etc. Johann
Anastasius Freylinghausen (1670-1739) was a renowned
theologian and hymn writer of the pietistic school.
In 1787 Leibert and Billmyer, of Germantown, published
Erbauliche Lieder-sammlimg. This hymn-book was
published by authority of the Evangelical Lutheran Minis-
terium of Pennsylvania, compiled mainly by Patriarch
Muhlenberg. It superseded the Marburger hymn-book
reprints of which had till then been used by the Lutheran
congregations of America.
In 1790 Michael Billmeyer, of Germantown, published
Anhang zti dem Gesangbuch der Vereinigten Evangel-
tsh-Lutherischcn Gemeinen in Nord Amcrika. He also
published in the same year Etliche Christliche Gebete.
In 1790 Carl Cist, of Philadelphia, published an edition
of the Reformed Catechism. 124 pages.
In 1791 Michael Billmeyer published Erasmus AVeichen-
han's Christliche Betrdchtimgen uber die Evangelien, a
quarto of 7S5 pages, which reflects the religious views of
the Schwenkfelders.
In 1793 Michael Billmeyer published Rev. J. H. C. Hel-
muth's Betrachtungen der Evangelischen Lehre von der
Heiligen Schrift tend Tatife; samt einigen Gedanken von
den gegen-wdrtigen Zeiten. This was followed, in 1795,
with a second edition of the Lutheran Hymn Book of 1787.
In 1795 Peter Leibert, of Germantown, issued a new
edition of Dr. J. Habermann's Christliche Morgen- und
Ahend-gebeter an/ alle Tage in der IVoche, zvie auch
Magister Neumann' s Kern aller Gebetcr und Geistlicher
Siundenivecker .
In 179S, Steiner and Kammerer, of Philadelphia, pub-
50 The Pennsylvania-German Society.
lished a new Reformed text-book : Catechismus odcr Ktir-
zer Unterricht Christlichcr Lehre zvie dersclbe in denen
JReJbrmirten Kirchen tend Schtden Deutschlands zvie auch
in Ainerika gctrieben zvird.
In 1797, the same firm issued Das neiie nnd verbesserte
Gesang-Biich, zi-orinnen die Psalmen David's samt einer
Sammliing alter und netier Geistreicher Lieder — enthalt-
ent sind. Nebst einejn Anhang des Heydelbergischen Cate-
chismus^ Tvie auch erbaulicJier Gebdter^ a i2mo. of 7^6
pages. Heretofore the Reformed Churches of America
had been contented with reprints of foreign books (1752,
1753, 1763 and 1772). A synod having been constituted
independent of that of Holland in 1793, one of the first
steps taken was a resolution to have a new hymn-book
compiled, adapted to the needs of Reformed congrega-
tions in America.
In 1799, Michael Billmeyer, of Germantown, published
a second edition of the Reformed Hymn Book, of the ver-
sion of 1797.
The list of religious books published in America might
be continued, but enough have been cited for our purpose.
The reprint of so many books in this country and the
publication of books prepared in America show that there
was a demand for the same. Whilst many of the books
were used at regular church services, they were also
of great benefit to individuals and families in their respec-
tive homes. The Bible was read at home, the prayer-book
was regularly used and its pages soiled in the course of
years showed how highly it was prized, the Catechisms
and Sermon books {Hauspostille and others) were read at
home worship and the hymn-book w-as the delight of true
worshippers. Hymn tunes were often copied for home
use. The writer saw not long ago in a book containing in
Doinestic Piety and Religion.
51
manuscript a sketch of the life of the original owner of the
same and his drawings of designs for weaving, also at least
fifty melodies with the first verses of as many hymns for use
in the family. The reading of God's word and the pray-
ers of the prayer-book, the singing of hymns, the reading
of the sermons in the sermon-book, and the recital of the
Catechism strengthened the pioneer and his descendants in
their faith, quickened them in their walks in the truth and
comforted them in their trials of life in this new w^orld. The
influence of religion in the home is forcibly illustrated in
the life of Regina the captive. After her return to her home,
her mother and she visited Patriarch jMuhlenberg, who
gives in the Hallische Nachrichten, an extended account of
her capture, her life among the Indians, her surrender by
the Indians and her remarkable experience, when brought
with other captives to Carlisle, a town in the Cumberland
Valley in Pennsylvania and her remarkable restoration to
her mother. The account shows
that home religion had a wonderful
influence on Regina and sustained
her during the years of her captivity.
The simple repetition of the first
lines of two hymns Jesiim lieh ich
ezviglich, etc., and Allein und dock
nicht ga7iz allein bin ich in mei7ier
Einsamkeit, etc., by the distressed
mother, who had failed to recognize
her daughter among the returned
captives, was followed by the daugh-
ter's recognition of her mother.
The mutual embrace of mother and daughter that affected
the hearts of all the witnesses, has been the story always
heard with gratitude to God for the power of religion in
Sconce used in churches
in Lancaster county.
52
The Pennsylvania- German Society.
the domestic life of the pioneer. Regina's wish to have a
copy of the Bible and a hymn-book for herself was grati-
fied by Patriarch Muhlenberg who presented a copy of the
Bible to her and furnished her money to buy a hymn-book.
The Christian homes were the places where, before the
erection of churches and school houses, the first ministers
of the Gospel were welcomed to hold services. The house,
the barn, the grove and the forest were the places where
the pioneers gathered, hungry for the preaching of the Gos-
pel and where ministers preached the word and admin-
istered the Sacraments and the people united in prayer and
the praise of God.
Illustration from an old reader.
CHAPTER VII.
Care of Children.
a
MOST important part of
the domestic life of the
pioneer and his descendants
was the care of their children.
The Psalmist of old wrote,
" Lo, children are an heritage
of the Lord, and the fruit of
the womb is his reward. x\s
arrows are in the hand of a
mighty man : so are children of
the youth. Happy is the man
that hath his quiver full of
them : they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak
with the enemies in the gate" (Ps. 127: 3-5). The
Apostle Paul wrote, " But if any provide not for his own,
and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied
the faith and is worse than an infidel" (i Tim. 5: 8).
The records of baptism kept by pastors and the entries of
births and baptisms in the family Bibles show that Penn-
sylvania-Germans often had large families of children.
The care of children required the proper supply of their
bodily wants. Parents labored diligently that the home
(53)
54 The Penyisylvania- German Society.
might be well supplied with food, and this was freely given
at the appointed meals and at other times when children
asked for food. Children of the former century were
taucfhthow to behave at the table. The model schoolmas-
ter, Christopher Dock, considered it a part of his work to
teach children rules for good behavior at home as well as
in the school and in the church.
Prayers at meals taught children that their daily bread
came from the Giver of all good gifts. Parents also sup-
plied their children with clothing, suitable for wearing in
the different seasons of the year. They taught them the
proper care of garments, that there might be no sinful
waste. Parents provided comfortable beds for their off-
spring, that they might not suffer from cold in the days
in which houses were without furnaces in cellars, and
without hot-water and steam-heating plants. At the time
when the services of a doctor of medicine could not easily
be secured, a supply of remedies secured from the barn-
yard, the garden, the orchard, the meadow and the forest
was kept on hand for prompt use in days of sickness.
Parents also cared for the mental training of their chil-
dren. They were anxious for the schoolhouse as well as
the church, for the schoolmaster as well as the pastor.
The family sustained a close relation to the schoolmaster,
who was often entertained by families whose children were
his pupils. Children were not merely sent to school and
their entire mental training left to the schoolmaster. Par-
ents assisted their children in learning their lessons at
home, and when schools and schoolmasters v,-ere wanting
parents were the teachers of their children. Such home
instruction, though often very limited, showed the interest
of parents in the welfare of their children. When this
was neglected the young grew up very ignorant and were
Care of Children. 55
in a most deplorable condition, as is evident from the testi-
mony of Patriarch Muhlenberg and others, who in their
first labors in this country were not only pastors, but also
teachers and had adults advanced in years in schools at-
tended by children. The German ABC Book and
Spelling Book were frequently printed in this country, also
Arithmetics, Readers, including the New Testament,
Psalter and other books. The Catechism and Hymn-
Book were also used in teaching the young to read. In
many homes children would gather in the long winter
evening at the table, at which meals were served during
the day, that parents might assist them in learning their
lessons. Some years ago the writer had as a parishioner
an aged mother, a daughter of Jaebez Weiser, a descendant
of Conrad Weiser, who told him of the customs that pre-
vailed in her youth, which was that children gathered
around the table in the evening, and were assisted by adults
in learning their lessons, and were taught passages of
Scripture and hymns, and that such had been the custom
of her ancestors.
Parents also cared for the spiritual wants of their chil-
dren. They presented them for baptism at an early day,
as is evident from the old church records and pastors' pri-
vate journals. Parents read God's Word, prayed and
praised God not only for their own growth in grace, but
also for the spiritual blessing of their children. Children
were early taught God's word and were also taught to
pray. The Catechism was taught by the head of the fam-
ily and at a proper age children received further instruction
in the parochial school and in due time were instructed
by the pastor and learned the Catechism, Bible History,
prayers and hymns to be prepared for confirmation. Par-
ents encouraged them at home in learning the lessons as-
56 The Pennsylvania- German Society.
signed them. Parents encouraged their children to attend
church serv'ices and were not ashamed to havej them ac-
company them to and from God's House. The writer re-
calls the fact that [nearly sixty years ago he sat by the
side of his father in an old church, the floor of which was
of bricks, and in which there were movable plain benches
with backs. Home care for the spiritual welfare of chil-
dren led them early to think of God, of sin, of Christ the
blessed Savior, of the forgiveness of sin, of the Holy
Ghost — the new heart and holy life — of hell and the pun-
ishment of sin — of Heaven and eternal glory. Children
thus trained were given to the fear, love and service of
God.
Parents also cared for their children by the right use of
Solomon's rod. Because they loved their children and de-
sired them to grow up to be godly men and women, they
were faithful in instructing them and did what they could
by word and prayer for their improvement. But when
children would be disobedient or were guilty of wicked
deeds, parents did not hesitate to use the rod, and its
proper application resulted in saving many a child from
continuance in wickedness and brought them to earnest
thought and a change of life. Lasting impressions were
made upon some who are still living, by the use of a
mother's slipper and rod. The writer heard the Rev. Dr.
Christlieb state in an address at the meeting of the Evan-
gelical Alliance in New York in 1873, that he missed two
things in America that he still found in Germany : the one
was the poor by the side of the rich in the churches, and
the second was Solomon's rod in the home. He said that
in Germany the rod was still used and that their youth
became Krdftige Bengel. Dr. Christlieb visited the great
cities along and not far from the Atlantic Coast. Had he
Care of Ch ildren . 5 7
come to Falkner Swamp in Montgomery County, to the
Bushkill and Monocacy in Northampton, to the Jordan
and Cedar Creek in Lehigh, to the Moselem and Tulpe-
hocken in Berks, to the Swatara and Quitopahilla in
Lebanon, to the Cocalico and the Conestoga in Lancaster,
the Conewago and the Kreutz Krick in York and the
Conococheague in Adams and Franklin Counties, he
would have found the rich and the poor together in the
churches and that Solomon's rod was still in active use in
many homes.
The children of our ancestors were taught early in life
to work. Parents assigned such labors as their children
could perform. Thus boys and girls had their daily duties,
and they were expected to discharge them faithfully and
properly. As they grew up to be men and women they
were fitted for life's work. The sons and 'daughters were
prepared to take the places of their parents. No one
thought it a disgrace to work on a farm or to learn a trade.
They were proud of their ability to labor.
The young were allowed proper recreations. They had
their games in the house, in the yard, at the barn, on the
field, in the meadow and in the forest. Happy days were
spent by the young people of neighbors meeting succes-
sively at their respective homes. Aged parents witnessed
with pleasure the young in their various games, and cheer-
fully furnished refreshments on such occasions. Homes
were made attractive by proper privileges granted by par-
ents. The homes where the young were permitted to have
enjoyments suited to their age are ever remembered with
pleasure.
That Pennsylvania-Germans favor education is evident
from the existence of the parochial schoolhouse soon after
the first settlements, the schoolhouse in more limited dis-
58
The Pennsylvania-Gervian Society.
tricts, the private schools established in still more limited
sections, the academy, the seminary, the public school, the
normal schools, and colleges and universities of the pres-
ent century and the large number of German names on the
rolls of schools and in the catalogues of the many institu-
tions of our State.
^'5*>i^i
.I77'5.J I
"ir:* >;?^-; ---:";^.- - V?-~;"_J^>jiS'-'''55w*'
fiS^; '"'•■' ^>--
Cover of Sauer Almanac for 1776, Troublous Times, one-half size.
THE PE/NN5YLVANlA-0ERnA/N SOCIETY.
j-'in t ittt-ntia
■ r . : ■
f.- \
-^.>-^^^.v:i
.. F. 5*cH«, PHOTO. DOnESTIC INDUSTRIES.
(A) TALLOW CANDLE MOULDS. (B) FLAX HACKLES AND OTHER IMPLEME/iTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
Servants.
HNOTHER important fea-
ture of the domestic life
of our ancestors and their de-
scendants was the attention that
was shown to servants. Penn-
sylvania at a very early day
opposed slavery. Servant la-
bor was necessary in many
homes. Servants were usually
well cared for. Their treat-
ment depended on the charac-
ter of the masters and also on
the conduct of the servants.
Anns of Augsburg. There were cruel masters and
there were unfaithful servants. There were many kind-
hearted masters and mistresses who took a deep interest in
the welfare of those employed by them. Such was the
case even with the redemptioners/ who had German mas-
ters. Many have heard the story of the redemptioner,
whose request that the contract with his master should con-
tain the provision that he was to have meat twice in each
week, was cheerfully granted. Upon arrival at the mas-
1 A class of indentured servants confined chiefly to Pennsylvania.
(59)
6o The Pennsylvania-German Society,
tar's home, the redemptioner had meat at supper, his first
meal. When meat was given also at breakfast on the fol-
lowing morning, his face was filled with sadness. The
master asked why he looked so sad, the answer was that
it was true that the contract stated that he should have
meat twice in each week, but he did not expect to receive
meats at two meals so near together. So great was his
surprise when told that he had no reason to be sad for he
would have meat served him at three meals on each day
that he exclaimed that he wished that his back were also a
stomach !
Servants were allowed on ordinary occasions to be
seated at the table with the family at meals. Their wants
were as abundantly supplied as those of the children of
the home. They had comfortable beds and were allowed
sufficient time for proper rest after the labors of the day.
They were expected to work, for they were not employed
simply to be witnesses of the diligence of the master and
the mistress. When they labored faithfully they were
commended, and when they were indolent they were re-
proved. The faithful servant was loved by the master and
well cared for in times of sickness. In a home where
God was feared and religion was a saving power, servants
were also blest by its influence. The God-fearing master
and mistress by word and deed made lasting impressions
on those whom they employed. A strong mutual attach-
ment was often formed by masters and servants. The ser-
vant frequently showed the love of a son or daughter and
the master and mistress the love of parents. Those who
served whilst young were fitted like children of the family
for life's earnest duties. Separations were often marked
by mutual regrets and friendship cherished throughout life
by those who were once related as masters and servants.
Servants.
6i
The question has often been asked why Pennsylvania-
Germans are able to retain servants for a much longer
period of time than others. It is entirely owing to the
treatment which masters and mistresses give their servants.
The latter have bodies and souls as well as the former.
When this fact is duly recognized, those who employ ser-
vants will treat servants as those who with them may be
ultimately heirs and joint heirs with Him who declared that
the greatest is he who serves. The writer's paternal an-
cestor was a redemptioner, and a recent examination of an
old church record shows the friendly relation that existed a
hundred years ago between the family of the writer's an-
cestor and the family of the one in whose service the re-
demptioner had been for many years.
From Sauer almanac.
1^
CHAPTER IX.
The Aged and Infirm.
zr
O the history of the domestic life
of ancestors belongs also the
attention that was given aged and
infirm parents and grandparents.
Memory ever recalls with pleasure
the love that was shown to those who
could no longer labor as in earlier
years. A part of the home was spe-
cially assigned to aged parents or grandparents in which
they could spend their declining years in peace. Their
bodily wants were faithfully supplied. After the labors of the
day were ended by those who could toil, it was considered
a great privilege to cheer the aged. Sometimes a separate
dwelling was erected for the aged and their home w^as
eagerly sought by their descendants. Often a faithful un-
married daughter considered it a duty to remain with the
aged father or mother to the end of their life. The home
of the aged had limited but sufficient dimensions to make
them comfortable. The plain furniture of the living room
included stove, wood-chest, tables, chairs, corner cupboard,
clock, shelving for the Bible, prayer-book, hymn-book
and book of sermons. The bedroom contained bed with
(62)
The Aged and Infrvi. 63
canopy and vallence, wash-stand, looking-glass, desk,
high chest of drawers, wardrobe, large arm chair or rock-
ing chair, and a few quaint pictures on the wall.
Blessed hours were spent with the aged, who loved to
recall events of their earlier years but also loved to hear
their offspring tell of their daily experiences. Valuable
lessons were taught by the aged. Their counsel was al-
ways for the welfare of the young, whose future course in
life was often determined by the influence exerted in the
home of the aged. What a blessed retreat for those who
experienced many of life's trials and sorrows. Here they
could unburden their minds and hearts without fear of
abuse, here they found sincere sympathy and heard words
of genuine comfort, here they received good counsel to
correct errors in life, to restore peace between those who
needed reconciliation, to prevent entrance upon engage-
ments that would bring nothing but ruin.
No man or woman has ever had occasion to regret the
attention shown to the aged and infirm. A mother's
prayer and a father's blessing are rich legacies, that cheer
men in life's arduous duties, that make better men and
women here and help in directing their thoughts to and
fitting them for the eternal home in the kingdom of glory
on high, in the Father's home of many mansions. God's
commandment : " Honor thy Father and Mother, that thy
days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God
giveth thee " — contains not only a commandment but also
a promise. Wise are they who profit by heeding the ex-
planation given by the great reformer, "We should so
fear and love God as not to despise and displease our
parents and superiors, but honor, serve, obey, love and
esteem them."
CHAPTER X.
Hospitality.
.OSPITALITY was ever
shown in the genuine Penn-
sylvania-German home. The man
who had occasion to ask for food
and sheher was kindly received
and his wants were cheerfully sup-
plied. " God reward you for your
kindness " was the expression of
the gratitude of many whose
hunger had been supplied and who
had peaceful slumbers when they
were permitted to rest without fear of harm.
Unexpected visitors were not permitted to think that
they were not welcome. Their arrival was cheered by
hearty greetings. The horse was speedily stabled and the
host and guests were soon in the best room in the house
and engaged in pleasant and profitable conversation. The
good housewife and her aids attended to the preparation of
the meals to be served. Nothing was too good to be given
to visitors. Whilst an apology might be offered that for
the want of time the preparation was not as ample as it
would have been if the coming of the visitors had been
(64)
o
rn
:3i
(/»
o
O
rn
H
-<
Hospitality .
65
known, there was always an abundance of good food.
Intervals between meals were hours of most delightful en-
tertainment. Visitors were pressed to remain during the
night and when they consented to do so, the evening was
spent in a cheerful and profitable manner.
When, however, visitors had previously announced their
coming or had accepted an invitation to visit, extensive
preparations were made for their reception and entertain-
Wrought-iron door lock and latch.
ment. The house, the porches, the walks in the yard ad-
joining the house, the barn and its yard received special
attention. The day preceding the arrival of visitors was
a very busy day for the housewife and her aids. An abun-
dance of food was made ready for the occasion. All of
the family arose early on the appointed day. The house
was set in order, children were neatly dressed and adults
also wore better clothing than on working days. The ar-
rival of guests was anxiously awaited and their coming
was speedily announced by the one who first saw their ap-
proach. All special work had been declared off during
the stay of the visitors and the time was given to their best
entertainment. They were kindly greeted upon their ar-
66
The Pcnnsyhania-German Society.
rival and their entire stay was made as agreeable as possi-
ble. Conversation seldom flagged and for a change the
garden, the orchard, the meadow, the fields under cultiva-
tion, the spring house, the barn, the sheds and often even
the different rooms in the house were shown to visitors.
At the table there was the best evidence of special prepa-
ration by the good mother and her helps, and after grace
was said, there was the special word to the visitors to feel
at home, to help themselves and eat heartily. The hos-
pitality that was shown was genuine. It strengthened the
bonds of friendship and added to the happiness of those
who had many experiences in life of a different nature.
By such entertainment they were cheered to labor with
greater diligence and patience, knowing that human life
has also a bright side.
■2) et
Sluf k§ S^f)C
;^€rm un& |)ci)Iau&cg 5€fii £&rifli
1776.
t{i: Jlfrtoin t(c T!"""!!!. fa:nai Mr a)i!i;ri rj; C:i T'^^rlirrs "; -fij:?, eu5= Jlc; ur.D un!:r>
(mii Dtr 2t!!in '?:^f= itnjunrtriiin?; I'frrt-iif, CSfS 2;cr;.ti. o>'iS:n8;2itra)) •i'i;f;4i:J
?j:,ti;:-(j Bir '5ic,';cr:iiT(, tiurua, Jartn, .-t. it
(Jfngmc^tetcor 4o©ra6v!ctDcr:ibmtt, ^onDttlicI)>^or<Pft1^^^[Bly»!o^!
3c5o<t ID 6«n«n anjrtns.nlin £a-5en oljnt irercfaien Unt(rfd)itD iu ficbtauiep^
J)«r rtgi'crtn&e pUntt uer bi>fc8 U jJjr i|l B
®fi(6*nf S^bl iC| <£onnm>€irr<( ai
Cpattoi 91 Sonncq* f<;M;5iTsf» G F
Sum a^t UP.B Drfsg:i!l.n rral t?tr.-^8 geatbnt.
■)tetfJ«£aUil«'i'olru3r!r'<3fr[jl*:«:3l!?r.kein'3oIfn:5PfrB rT-j.pfu^.(i!Dt)iU5rie56
baif!V,»»<Tint»nci!icr;eo£u5aigiaunijiin,iar!tarordt::j;i;iitl<io!fiTvann,a.«r:DtTn.
Title page of Sauer Almanac for 1776, one-half size.
CHAPTER XL
Special Occasions.
yy HE domestic life of
\^ the pioneer was fre-
quently brightened by spe-
cial occasions which were
not alone of interest to the
family but to neighbors
and friends as well.
The baptism of children
took place in churches as
soon as such were erected.
Old records of pastors and
of congregations often
Arms of Pastorius family. give the reason for bap-
tism in private houses. The records give not only the
names of the parents, the name of the child, the date of
birth and the date of baptism, but also the names of the
sponsors, the number of which varied from one to six
or even more.
After the baptism of a child the friends gathered in the
home of the parents and partook of a rich provision for
(67)
68 The Pennsylvania-German Society.
the festive occasion. Certificates of baptism were care-
fully preserved. The relation of the sponsor to the child
baptized was often very close. The character of the spon-
sor was often effective in determining that of the child.
TjIVARRIAGES took place, after the bans had been
'^'**^ called thrice in the church, in the church build-
ing itself or at the pastor's residence, at the home of the
bride and occasionally at the office of the magistrate in
cases where a license was first procured from the Gov-
ernor. "Wedding feasts were usually well attended. Rich
provisions had been made for the same. Whilst for the
aged they were days of pleasant reunions, for the young
they were days of great merriment and at times of excesses
that were not to be commended. Wedding trips to distant
places were not then in fashion. At times when the conve-
niences of travel were very limited, the wedding party, for
the want of suitable conveyances, proceeded to the church
or pastor's residence on horseback.
'^'HE death of a member of the family brought a sad ex-
^*^ perience to all the members of the same. Prompt at-
tention was given to the preparation of the body for burial.
Frequently the body was laid on a strip of sod. Watchers
spent the nights preceding the burial in the house of mourn-
ing. Due notice of the date of burial and invitations to the
funeral were given by sending out a number of messen-
gers, who requested those whom they met to extend the no-
tice and invitation to others. Extensive preparations were
made for the entertainment of attendants at the funeral,
who often came from distant places. Funerals were gener-
special Occasions. 69
ally numerously attended. Before the beginning of the ser-
vice at the house, refreshments were offered to attendants.
The custom was to hand cake and wine to all. The ser-
vice at the house was frequently held outside of the house
after the coffin had been brought from the house and
placed on chairs and the mourners gathered around the
same. The service included a hymn, a short address and
a prayer. After this service the coffin was placed on a
wagon or sled (before the regular hearse was used), and
the procession was formed to accompany the remains to
" God's acre " near the church, and in the days when car-
riages and other conveyances were not over abundant and
many rode on horses, frequently the wife was seated on a
pillion in the rear of the rider. On arrival at the burial
ground the coffin was placed on a bier, the lid of the coffin
was removed and the remains viewed for the last time.
As soon as the coffin lid was replaced and fastened, a hymn
was begun and frequently the pastor and cantor at once
moved and led the procession towards the grave, singing
until the grave was reached. iVfter the coffin was de-
posited in the grave the regular burial service was con-
ducted by the pastor, and frequently all remained until the
pall-bearers, who in early days also made the grave, had
filled the grave with ground. The minister was always
expected to preach a funeral sermon whether the burial
took place in God's acre near the church, or in a private
burial ground near the home of the deceased. When the
burial took place in God's acre near the church, the ser-
vice including sermon was held in the church. When
the burial was on a private burial ground the sermon was
often preached in a barn. Frequently the text of the
funeral sermon had been selected by the deceased long be-
fore his or her death. The funeral sermon was of great
7© The Pennsylvania-German Society.
importance in the early days when there was not as fre-
quent preaching as in later periods. Then the minister's
service was not simply to comfort the sorrowing, but also
to benefit all others by a faithful presentation of the divine
word. After the service in church or other place and
burial the mourners and other attendants returned to the
house of mourning to partake of the funeral feast. This
custom was regularly observed.
There were, however, many abuses connected with serv-
ing cake and drinks before the service at the house and
the funeral feast after the burial. No one wished to be
charged with a miserly spirit or a lack of consideration for
the wants of those who came great distances to attend the
funeral service.
The writer knew in his childhood a minister, who put an
end to the first custom in his parish in a heroic way.
When the bottle containing drink was handed to him he
took the bottle and dashed it to the ground. After the
pastor's most decided disapproval the custom was no longer
observed by his people. " Another minister who had oc-
casion to bury a person who had been supported by a
township, embraced the opportunity of expressing his dis-
approval of the funeral feast by announcing, after he had
read the sketch of the life of the deceased, " Die Zubereit-
ung ist nicht grosz, die Zubereitung ist nicht grosz, doch
konnen die Grabmacher und das Gefress mit nach Haus
gehen."
HMONG other special occasions that brought changes
into the experience of families, we may mention the
erection of buildings. The necessary excavation was often
made with the help of neighbors, who gathered on an ap-
pointed day or days and by their combined labors not
S fecial Occasions. *li
only executed the work in a short time, but also by their
kindness placed their neighbor under obligations to them
and strengthened the bond of union between them. The
family that was able to give proper refreshments to those
who thus favored it, was sure to secure for itself an un-
enviable reputation by neglecting to provide abundantly
for such an occasion. In one of our eastern counties a
village bore for a long time and may bear yet the name
of Crackersport — a name given to it, it is said, to com-
memorate the fact that one of its inhabitants, who had been
kindly served by his neighbors by making the necessary
excavation for a building, served refreshments in the form
of crackers.
After the necessary preparation of timber, another day
of kind neighborly service was that of log raising. The
framing of a house or barn was hard and dangerous work,
but was accomplished by the combined services of men
who had willing hearts and strong arms. Such occasions
were often days of merriment as well as labor for the par-
ticipants. The best of food and the best of drinks were
freely furnished by those who appreciated the aid rendered
by neighbors.
^ N occasion of light work and much merriment was that
^^ of apple paring and cutting and boiling applebutter.
The family itself was expected to attend to cider-making
and apple-gathering before the day on which neighbors
assembled to assist in special work. Apple paring and
cutting were marked by much merriment. Old and new
stories were told — and popular songs were heartily ren-
dered. The boiling of cider, the addition of divided ap-
ples and the necessary stirring required careful attention.
But as the number of persons assembled was always much
y2 The Pennsylvania- German Society.
larger than the number at work during the boiling of the
cider and the apples — those, who awaited their turn at
work, found time to engage in games that were common
in those days and thus the night was spent in merrymak-
ing as well as work. A member of the Lebanon County
Historical Society, who is also a member of the Pennsyl-
vania-German Society, some time ago read a paper upon
"The Cider Press and Applebutter Making," before the
County Societ}', a most valuable addition to the domestic
history of our ancestors.
CORN-HUSKING was regularly attended to by fami-
lies, who were kindly aided by their neighbors. It
was often a night work on the tloor of a barn or another
building. The dimly lighted place was not only the scene
of faithful work, but also of much merriment. When the
work was ended games of various kinds were indulged in
and an abundance of refreshments partaken of.
/^N butchering days families were also assisted by their
^^ neighbors. The killing and dressing of the cattle
took place on the preceding day. On butchering day fires
were started early and breakfast served before sunrise. The
killing of swine was promptly followed by the scalding,
scraping, cleansing, dressing and quartering of the same.
The cleaning of entrails, the preparation of hams and
shoulders, the rendering of lard and tallow, the chopping
of meats and the making of sausage, the boiling of meats
and the making of liver sausage, the preparation of meats
for the brining tubs and the smoke-house kept all busy to
the approach of evening and often to a late hour in the
special Occasions. 73
night. On butchering day no one suffered hunger or
thirst. Breakfast was a full meal. At dinner often the
largest turkey was served, with an abundance of other
dishes. At supper the new sausage was usually a part of
the meal. When the neighbors left for their homes they
carried samples of the new sausage and pudding for them-
selves and those who had remained at home.
^OR a long time our ancestors had no carpets in their
*U houses and their beds were without the quilts that be-
came so common among later generations. Thus, carpet-
rag-parties and quilting-parties followed in later years.
They both helped to make the history of the Pennsylvania-
Fett-licht or lard lamp upon stand.
German homes and both occasioned interesting'events'in
the life of the family. They were occasions on which the
mothers and daughters of a neighborhood gathered in^a
74 The Pennsylvania-German Society.
house to assist the mother and daughters of the same.
Whilst rags were carefully sewed for the carpet and the
materials stretched on the frame quilted according to the
pattern traced on the goods, many revelations were made
touching life in the different families represented on such
occasions and also in families not represented. The par-
ticipants heard on a single day the news of months and
years. If any felt inclined to report what they had heard,
and were asked what authority they had for what they
said, they cited the carpet-rag or quilting party. The good
housewife would invariably serve good food, including ex-
cellent tea, and none of her friends had occasion to com-
plain of a want of liberality.
^1 PUBLIC sale or vendue was also a special experience
'^^ of the family leading a quiet life. Before the day of
sale extensive preparations were made in arranging the ar-
ticles to be sold. A large quantity of food was provided —
not only for the men engaged to conduct the sale and spe-
cially invited friends, but also for those whose chief interest
at a vendue was a good square meal. When the appointed
time for the sale arrived, the reading of the conditions of the
sale was often a very ceremonious act. The crier of the
sale held an important position. His praise of the articles
offered for sale was to cause high bidding, his pleasantries
were to entertain the people assembled and the faithful use
of his strong voice was to increase his reputation as a crier.
Parties not specially interested in the purchase of goods
found the public sale a favorable occasion for the trans-
action of private business. The scandal-moncrer embraced
the opportunity to spread injurious reports concerning his
neighbor. The politician also made use of the occasion
special Occasions.
75
bv \xy\ng to secure votes for himself. The young people
found parts of the house, the yard, the barn, the barnyard,
the orchard and the fields good places for their games.
The huckster with his hot
soup and a variety of cakes
was also present and usually
well patronized. Enemies
who met at public sales
would often engage in bod-
ily conflicts, and their shed-
ding of blood was of interest
to themselves and to those
who witnessed their bloody
combat.
An appeal to a magistrate
after such a conflict at a
public sale or at a gathering
of people on an occasion of
a different character, was
not always followed by the
prompt issue of a warrant
for the arrest of the party Kitchen utensils, carving knife and
against whom the complaint fork, ladles, skimmer and cake turner.
was made. A magistrate of
nearly a hundred years ago was asked by a party, who had
been whipped in a fight, for a warrant for the arrest of his
opponent. The magistrate answered that the appellant
ought to be ashamed that he allowed the other party to whip
him, that the appellant could whip the other party, if he but
.tried rightly to do so. The words of the magistrate inspired
the appellant with courage, and he whipped the previous
victor, who after his defeat also appealed to the magistrate,
who commanded the vanquished victor to leave promptly,
76
The Pennsylvania-German Society.
as the other party had already applied for his service. Of a
magistrate of a still earlier period it was said, that he would
at times take parties, who appeared before him as plaintiff
Specimen of early Pennsylvania-
German pottery.
Calabash or gourd
dipper.
and defendant, from his office to a back yard to settle their
disputes by a bodily conflict. He was, however, not a
Pennsylvania-German.
HNOTHER special occasion in the home life of our an-
cestors was caused by a change of residence. When
the new home was not at a great distance from the old,
moving was often quietly attended to by the aid of a few
neighbors, who on successive days assisted in removing the
special Occasions.
77
effects of a family to their new home. But when the re-
moval required a journey of lo, 15, 20 or more miles and
all the effects were to be carried to the new residence on
the same day, then great preparations were necessary be-
fore moving day. An abundance of food was prepared
and carefully packed to be carried securely. On the day
and night preceding moving day neighbors arrived with
their large wagons, on which household goods and farm
utensils were safely packed. The journey was begun as
TjTjical Pennsylvania-German traveling outfit, the large box for the
wife's bonnet.
early as possible on moving day. A day without rain was
the cause of great joy, and a day with rain brought many re-
grets. The journey itself was often accompanied with in-
cidents of interest, but at times also with accidents not soon
forgotten. The safe arrival at the new home was followed
by work of busy hands in unloading goods and placing ef-
fects in the house and other buildings. The first meal in
the new home was made of the abundant supply that was
brought from the old. When the neighbors from the old
home were obliged to tarry for a night before returning,
and the neighbors of the new home visited the newly arrived
family there was a social gathering in the new home, to be
remembered long by all participants. When, however, the
78 The Pennsylvania- German Society.
change of residence required a long journey from some
part tn eastern Pennsylvania to a place in a central or
western countv or possibly in a county on the western
border of the" State, then a family had a still greater
variety of experiences. All the articles that could not
well be carried on the journey were sold privately or at
a public sale. Large covered wagons were secured for
packing and carrying the heavier goods to be removed.
Other covered wagons were necessary for carrying
lighter goods and provisions for the journey. Whilst
German immigrants crossing the Alleghanies.
often places were found in wagons already named for those
who made the journey, special conveyances were at times
provided for the family and friends. When a number of
families moved at the same time and to the same region of
countrAS the journey was marked by increased interest.
At meal times the caravan would halt, fires were kindled
by the side of the road, or in the forest, and food was care-
fully prepared and served abundantly. Horses were sup-
plied with provender and allowed to graze. When the
special Occasions. 79
nif'ht had to be spent where no lodging could be secured,
the pilgrims slept in their wagons. During the past sum-
mer the writer met a number of very aged persons in a
county on the western border of our State, who in the thir-
ties of the closing century made such a journey from an
eastern county to the county in which the writer met them.
The company who made the journey numbered between
thirty and forty persons and had varied experiences, in-
cluding the following : One day the company felt glad to
learn that lodging for the night could be secured in a hotel
located at the foot of a mountain. They were, however,
surprised when they reached the hotel to find that the house
had only one large room with a bar at one end. Bedding
was brought from the wagons and laid on the floor of the
one room. Here the entire number of pilgrims slept dur-
ing the night. In the morning they were surprised to find
the landlord and his wife rising from behind the bar.
Whether they had slept there during the night or watched
their supply of liquors was not stated. Such a moving and
location in a new place was a new period in the life of a
family. To trace the history of a single family would
often require a volume. The writer, by special invitation,
attended several reunions of the Bortz family in Mercer
county, which were attended by many claiming relation-
ship. He also, by special request, attended a reunion of
the Gangaware family in Westmoreland county. The an-
cestors of both families moved from Lehigh county, for-
merly part of Northampton county, to these western coun-
ties. Last summer the Lichtenwallner family held their
first reunion at Allentown. They all descended from Jo-
hannes Lichtenwallner, who came to America in i733 ^i^d
settled in Lehigh county. The intensely interesting his-
tory of the family, published since the reunion — shows not
8o
The Pennsylvania- German Society.
only the large number of descendants in Pennsylvania, but
also the large number of persons descended from the Ohio
branch of the family. By removals from eastern and cen-
tral Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania-German families became
important factors in the settlement of territories beyond the
borders of our State and in the making of other States of
our glorious Union.
£)« Sf?euc, ©rmcinnu^i^e
«nfc?^ ^errn S^fu Si^riili,
1802.
CBdcfea <{« gctncin^ ^fafir ten 5^5 tagcn if!.
^orinntn, n«fcf». rlctitiget ^'f^'^nunS/ "M' Scnn< nn^ 5'^on^« » ginl^ttniffc/
»c« IXooej (Bfffalt bob airttcl, KMti^anfjan^, SStntf ^Jei^m, afjmfij tei
f l«»rni bbB ffiittjrnnj, €enntn SIuf= un6 Unfrr^jnj, Ct6 SKbmjjfiirnJ
Cifjiag, en^fIJ5 nne Uotirjang, ttr 2fnn« ffuf.'nnb Untfrgonj,
»«» t»t« Saffft )u ^bilatjlfbia, dcurini, %i::t, unS ancne
|a nntm eiUnCcr gc^brigt Cai^i:i }a finCra.
Sinsleis^jn, I«f)mic^e nnB unt«t!)a!!tn&{ (S<ftl)i<^t«n, se^
BOi ftMnttrra J'nt ot^ Mn pranfylDaniWtn uni bn •ngrmjrnMa euatn jorljCBt
3»ni ggnfithni cnraal t<taat9<8«b(a.
K?/ in t« ')>nnj/(ha(T<> taS 2U 43au8/ n6r>li(9»em ©efviiifini§.
Title page of Pennsylvania-German Farmers' Almanac.
.^,,^^^^^^
CHAPTER XII.
Characteristics of the Pennsylvania-German
Pioneer.
fNTRODUCTIONof
sin into the world
affected the relation of
man to the Superior Be-
incj, his relation to his fel-
lowmen and his own pri-
vate life. The separation
of man from God left
him in darkness and all
his own devised ways fail
to restore him to the rela-
tion he first sustained to
God. Sin has made man
extremely selfish and cruel in his relation to his fellowmen,
hence the deeds of violence, the acts of base abuse of sex-
ual relations, the deeds of dishonesty and fraud in dealing
with others, the untruthfulness in his associations with
others and the constant manifestation of the evil desires
for the. property and the associates of his neighbors, and,
in his private life, the abuse of God's good gifts, hence a
(8i)
.G erxnah Ibv^rnT^a.^j
•1691
82 The Pennsyh'ania-Gennan Society.
life of intemperance, a life of lewdness, a life worse than
that of the brute creation.
The Christian religion is not only to restore the right re-
lation of man to the Superior Being, but also to effect a
proper relation of man to man and to affect his own private
life. St. Paul, the great Apostle, wrote, "The grace of
God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this
present world : Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar peo-
ple, zealous of good works."
Not all Pennsylvania-German pioneers were good Chris-
tian people. With such as were not, sin did abound, and
men were given to idolatry-, giving to the creature what is
to be given to God only ; they abused God's name by pro-
fanity, by superstitious practices, by lying and deceiving
by the same ; they cared not for God's day, God's house
and God's word ; the right relation between parents and
children was wanting ; they hesitated not in doing bodily
harm to their neighbors ; they were given to all grades of
sins of the flesh ; they made light of untruthfulness and
were given to many evil deeds which evidenced the cov-
etousness of their depraved hearts.
Of the great number of pioneers, whose minds were
enlightened by the word of God and whose hearts were
under the influence of His grace, it could be said that they
feared, loved and trusted in God above all things. When
vessels that bore them to this countrv encountered storms,
there was a marked difference between immigrants who
feared, loved and trusted in God and those who were the
r'r^vsite^ tl'-^^^-*^"' s^v-'''^-'';'. ; -YM V A- ^•■' -■ j/ ^^>
The Pennsylvania- German Pioneer.
83
very opposite of God's people. Those who were ungodly
were filled with despair, and those in fellowship with God,
manifested their trust in Him, by their prayers and hymns
and humble submission to His dealing with them. Upon
arrival in this country and when be-
ginning their new homes in this new
world, they asked God to bless their
work, and often in the erection of a
building, they showed their trust in
God, by placing a stone in the wall
of the building, bearing an inscrip-
tion which showed their confidence
in the most High and asking Him
to bless their home.
God's name was dear to them and
they made use of it in every time of
need and in daily prayers, praise
and thanksgiving, hence their desire
to have God's word, the hymn-book
and the prayer-book to aid them in
their devotions.
The Lord's-day was properly kept, the people fre-
quented the sanctuary- and joined reverently in the right
worship of the most High and received with gladness the
message of salvation. The remaining hours of the Lord's-
day were precious to them, giving them time for home
worship and private devotion. The work necessary on
the Lord's-day was performed in the most quiet way and
the home was marked by true devotion on the part of its
occupants.
The pioneer was characterized by a strong love for
home. His ambition was to have a house for himself and
family. For this he labored and happy was he when he
An Ephrata pilgrim.
84 The Pennsylva7iia- German Society.
had secured it. He also had a great love for his house-
hold. He prized his godly wife and loved his children
and did not murmur when their number was increased. But
not only did parents love their home and children, the lat-
ter also loved their home and their parents and other mem-
bers of the family. Harbaugh's Heumveh shows the in-
fluence of parental piety and right care of children and
the longings that are awakened in those who profited by
having godly parents and a good home.
The good pioneer was characterized by a proper regard
for human life. Murder and suicide were to him great
sins. When he witnessed or heard of either he was
shocked. Not only did he regard the preservation of his
own life a great duty, but also the prevention of harm to
others and the assistance of all who were in want.
The old church records contain the entries of the birth
and baptism of children. The fact that they faithfully
state the illegitimate birth of children shows that there was
no inclination Tto hide the sins of the people. The fact,
however, that the number of illegitimate births was small
compared with the number born in wedlock, shows plainly
the regard which pioneers had for the state of matrimony.
Adultery was a grievous sin to them. Divorces were ab-
horred by them. Parents counselled their children to lead
pure lives and gave them good advice concerning the
choice of a husband or a wife.
The godly pioneer had a high regard for man's right to
what God granted him of earthh' possessions. Not all
that men have is held by them — with God's approval.
Men have a right to call their own what they have secured
by godly labor, by economy void of covetousness, by in-
heritance, or by gift. Robbery, thieving and fraud are all
condemned by "thou shalt not steal." Pioneers taught
The Peimsyhania-Gervian Pioneer. 85
their children not to steal, but to labor with their hands —
that they might have to give to him that needeth. Dishon-
esty in children was severely punished. Honesty in all
dealings was encouraged and constantly commended. A
promise to pay was a solemn obligation of which God was
a witness — and in His fear it was promptly met.
Truthfulness is important in all the relations of men —
not only in the more extended circles in life — but also in
the quiet home. No wonder that the pioneer prized it
highly — and as readily discharged a servant who lied as
one who stole. Parents were shocked when they found a
child given to lying and made such child the subject of
earnest prayer as well as of faithful instruction. The man
whose word was as good as his bond was ever honored.
The present descendants of pioneers can best honor the
memory of their ancestors by striving to make their homes
the abodes of parents and children, who are characterized
by the fear and love of God, by the right use of His name,
by love for His house and His word, by mutual love of
parents and children, by love for the well-being of all
others, by purity of life, by honesty, industry-, economy and
charity, and by truthfulness in all their relations with men.
The glor}' of our Commonwealth has not been attained
alone by the services of men in schools, in churches,
in the many departments of industry and in the various
branches of civil government. None has rendered more
important ser\-ices than the homes of godly pioneers and
their descendants. Good homes make good citizens and
these are the strength of the Commonwealth. Men who
seek homes for themselves, and men who have secured
homes for themselves and their families, are the strongest
86 The Pennsylvania- German Society.
supporters of good government ; law-abiding citizens not
through fear, but in view of their respect for constituted
authority. With such is not found the initiative step that
leads to strikes and the disturbance of social relations in
the State. When men pray for the prosperity of the State
they should ever pray "God bless our homes," for if
these are made by God's favor what they ought to be,
then may we hold as true that such is one of God's ways
to save the Commonwealth and also the Republic.
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APPENDIX.
CHRISTOPHER DOCK'S ONE HUNDRED NECES-
SARY RULES OF CONDUCT
FOR CHILDREN.^
(Translation by Hon. Samuel W. Pennjpacker.)
I. Rules for the Behavior of a Child in the House
OF ITS Parents.
A. At and after getting up in the mornings.
1. Dear child, accustom yourself to awaken at the right
time in the morning without being called, and as soon as
you are awake get out of bed without delay.
2. On leaving the bed fix the cover in a nice, orderly
way.
3. Let your first thoughts be directed to God, according
to the example of David, who says. Psalms cxxxix, 18,
" When I am awake I am still with Thee," and Psalms
Ixiii, 7, "When I am awake I speak of Thee."
4. Offer to those who first meet you, and your parents,
brothers and sisters, a> good-morning, not from habit simply,
but from true love.
5. Learn to dress yourself quickly but neatly.
6. Instead of idle talk with your brothers and sisters or
others, seek also, while dressing, to have good thoughts.
Remember the clothing of righteousness which was earned
* These Rules of Conduct were published about 1764, in Saur's Geist-
liches Magazien. For a full account of Christopher Dock, see Penny-
packer's Historical and Biographical Sketches. Philadelphia, 18S3.
(87)
88 The Pennsylvania-Gennan Society.
for you through Jesus, and form the resolution not to soil
it on this day by intentional sin.
7. When you wash your face and hands do not scatter
the water about in the room.
8. To wash out the mouth every morning with water,
and to rub off the teeth with the finger, tends to preserve
the teeth.
9. When you comb your hair do not go out into the
middle of the room, but to one side in a corner.
10. Offer up the morning prayer, not coldly from cus-
tom, but from a heart-felt thankfulness to God, Who has
protected you during the night, and call upon Him feel-
ingly to bless your doings through the day. Forget not
the singing and the reading in the Bible.
11. Do not eat your morning bread upon the road or in
school, but ask your parents to give it to you at home.
12. Then get your books together and come to school at
the right time.
B. In the evenings at bed-time.
13. After the evening meal do not sit down in a corner
to sleep, but perform your evening devotions with singing,
prayer and reading, before going to bed.
14. Undress yourself in a private place, or if you must
do it in the presence of others, be retiring and modest.
15. Look over your clothes to see whether they are torn,
so that they may be mended in time.
16. Do not throw your clothes about in the room, but
lay them together in a certain place, so that in the morning
early you can easily find them again.
17. Lie down straight in the bed modestly, and cover
yourself up well.
18. Before going to sleep consider how you have spent
Necessary Rules of Conduct for Children. 89
the day, thank God for His blessings, pray to Him for the
forgiveness of your sins, and commend yourself to His
merciful protection.
19. Should you wake in the night, think of God and His
omnipresence, and entertain no idle thoughts.
C. At meal-time.
20. Before going to the table where there are strangers,
comb and wash yourself very carefully.
21. During the grace do not let your hands hang toward
the earth, or keep moving them about, but let them, with
your eyes, be directed to God.
22. During the prayer do not lean or stare about, but
be devout and reverent before the majesty of God.
23. After the prayer, wait until the others who are older
have taken their places, and then sit down at the table
quietly and modestly.
24. At the table sit very straight and still, do not wabble
with your stool, and do not lay your arms on the table.
Put your knife and fork upon the right and your bread on
the left side.
25. Avoid ever}^-thing which has the appearance of
eager and ravenous hunger, such as to look at the victuals
anxiously, to be the first in the dish, to tear off the bread
all at once in noisy bites, to eat quickly and eagerly, to
take another piece of bread before the last is swallowed
down, to take too large bites, to take the spoon too full, to
stuff the mouth too full, etc.
26. Stay at your place in the dish, be satisfied with
what is given to you, and do not seek to have of every-
thing.
27. Do not look upon another's plate to see whether he
90 The Pennsylvania-German Society.
has received something more than you, but eat what you
have with thankfulness.
28. Do not eat more meat and butter than bread ; do not
bite the bread off with the teeth ; cut regular pieces with
the knife, but do not cut them off before the mouth.
29. Take hold of your knife and spoon in an orderly
way and be careful that you do not soil your clothes or the
table cloth.
30. Do not lick off your greasy fingers, wipe them on
a cloth, but as much as possible use a fork instead of your
fingers.
31. Chew your food with closed lips and make no noise
by scraping on the plate.
32. Do not wipe the plate off either with the finger or
the tongue, and do not thrust your tongue about out of
your mouth. Do not lean your elbows on the table when
you carry the spoon to the mouth.
33. Do not take salt out of the salt-box with your
fingers, but with the point of your knife.
34. The bones, or what remains over, do not throw
under the table, do not put them on the table cloth, but let
them lie on the edge of the plate.
35. Picking the teeth with the knife or fork does not
look well and is injurious to the gums.
36. As much as possible abstain from blowing your nose
at the table, but if necessity compels, turn your face away
or hold your hand or napkin before it ; also when you
sneeze or cough.
37. Learn not to be delicate and over-nice or to imagine
that you cannot eat this or that thing. Many must learn
to eat among strangers what they could net at home.
38. To look or smell at the dish holding the provisions
too closely is not well. Should you find a hair or some-
Necessary Rules of Conduct for Children. 91
thing of the kind in the food, put it quietly and unnoticed
to one side so that others be not moved to disgust.
39. As often as you receive anything on your plate,
give thanks with an inclination of the head.
40. Do not gnaw the bones off with your teeth or make
a noise in breaking out the marrow.
41. It is not well to put back on the dish what you
have once had on your plate.
42. If you want something across the table be careful
not to let your sleeve hang in the dish or to throw a glass
over.
43. At table do not speak before you are asked, but if
you have noticed anything good at church or school, or a
suitable thought occurs to you relating to the subject of
discourse, you may properly bring it forward, but listen
attentively to the good things said by others.
44. When you drink you must have no food in your
mouth, and must incline forward courteously.
45. It has a very bad look to take such strong draughts
while drinking that one has to blow or breathe heavily ;
while drinking to let the eyes wander around upon others ;
to commence drinking at table before parents or more im-
portant persons have drunk ; to raise the glass to the mouth
at the same time of one of more importance ; to drink
while others are speaking to us ; and to raise the glass
many times after one another.
46. Before and after drinking, the mouth ought to be
wiped off, not with the hand but with a handkerchief or
napkin.
47. At the table be ready to help others if there is
something to be brought into the room or other things to
be done that you can do.
48. When you have had enough, get up quietly, take
92 The Pennsylvania- Gertnati Society.
your stool with 3'ou, wish a pleasant meal-time, and go
to one side and wait what will be commanded you. Still
should one in this respect follow what is customar}'.
49. Do not stick the remaining bread in your pocket,
but let it lie on the table.
50. After leaving the table, before you do anything else,
give thanks to your Creator who has fed and satisfied you.
II. Rules for the Behavior of a Child in School.
51. Dear child, when you come into school, incline
reverently, sit down quietly in your place, and think of
the presence of God.
52. During prayers think that you are speaking with
God, and when the word of God is being read, think that
God is speaking with you. Be also devout and rever-
ential.
53. When you pray aloud, speak slowly and deliber-
ately ; and when you sing, do not try to drown the voices
of others, or to have the first word.
54. Be at all times obedient to your teacher, and do not
let him remind you many times of the same thing.
55. Should you be punished for bad behavior, do not,
either by words or gestures, show yourself impatient or
obstinate, but receive it for your improvement.
56. Abstain in school from useless talking, by which
you make the work of the schoolmaster harder, vex your
fellow pupils, and prevent yourself and others from pay-
ing attention.
57. Listen to all that is said to you, sit very straight
and look at your teacher.
58. When you recite your lesson, turn up your book
Necessary Rides of Conduct for Children. 93
without noise, read loudly, carefully and slowly, so that
every word and syllable may be understood.
59. Give more attention to yourself than to others, un-
less you are placed as a monitor over them.
60. If you are not questioned, be still ; and do not help
others when they say their lessons, but let them speak and
answer for themselves.
61. To your fellow-scholars show yourself kind and
peaceable, do not quarrel with them, do not kick them, do
not soil their clothes with your shoes or with ink, give
them no nick-names, and behave yourself in every respect
toward them as you would that they should behave toward
you.
62. Abstain from all coarse, indecent habits or gestures
in school, such as to stretch with the hands or the whole
body from laziness ; to eat fruit or other things in school ;
to lay your hand or arm upon your neighbor's shoulder,
or under your head, or to lean your head forwards upon
the table ; to put your feet on the bench, or let them dan-
gle or scrape ; or to cross your legs over one another, or
stretch them apart, or to spread them too wide in sitting or
standing ; to scratch your head ; to play or pick with the
fingers ; to twist and turn the head forwards, backwards
and sideways ; to sit and sleep ; to creep under the table
or bench ; to turn your back to your teacher ; to change
your clothes in school, and to show yourself restless in
school.
63. Keep you books, inside and outside, very clean and
neat, do not write or paint in them, do not tear them, and
lose none of them.
64. When you write, do not soil your hands aiid face
with ink, do not scatter it over the table or bench, or over
your clothes or those of others.
94 T^^^ Pennsylvania- Gertna7i Society.
65. When school is out, make no great noise; in going
downstairs, do not jump over two or three steps at a time,
by which you may be hurt, and go quietly home.
III. How A Child Should Behave on the Street.
66. Dear child, aUhough, after school, you are out of
sight of your teacher, God is present in all places and you
therefore have cause upon the street to be circumspect be-
fore Him and His Holy Angels.
67. Do not run wildly upon the street, do not shout, but
go quietly and decently.
68. Show yourself modest, and do not openly, before
other people, what ought to be done in a private place.
69. To eat upon the street is unbecoming.
70. Do not stare aloft with your eyes, do not run against
people, do not tread purposely where the mud is the thick-
est, or in the puddles.
71. When you see a horse or wagon coming, step to one
side, and take care that you do not get hurt, and never
hang behind upon a wagon.
72. In winter do not go upon the ice or throw snow-
balls at others, or ride upon sleds with disorderly boys.
73. In summer do not bathe in the water or go too near
it. Take no pleasure in mischievous or indecent games.
74. Do not stand in the way where people quarrel or
fight, or do other evil things ; associate not with evil com-
panions who lead you astray ; do not run about at the an-
nual fair ; do not stand before mountebanks or look upon
the wanton dance, since there you learn nothing but evil.
75. Do not take hold of other children so as to occupy
the street, or lay your arm upon the shoulders of others.
Necessary Rules of Conduct for Children. 95
76. If any known or respectable person meets you,
make way for him, bow courteously, do not wait until he
is already near or opposite to you, but show to him this
respect while you are still some steps from him.
IV. Rules for the Behavior of a Child in Meet-
ing OR Church.'
77. Dear child, in meeting or church think upon the
holy presence of God, and that you will be judged accord-
ing to the word you hear upon this day.
78. Bring your Bible and hymn-book with you, and
sing and pray very devoutly, since out of the mouths of
young children will God be praised.
79. During the sermon be attentive to all that is said,
mark what is represented by the text, and how the dis-
course is divided ; which also you can write on your slate.
Refer to other beautiful passages in your Bible, but with-
out noise or much turning of the leaves, and mark them
by laying in long narrow bits of paper, of which you must
always have some lying in your Bible.
80. Do not talk in church, and if others want to talk
with you do not answer. During the sermon, if you are
overcome with sleep, stand up a little while and try to
keep it off.
81. When the name of Jesus is mentioned or used in
prayer uncover or incline your head, and show yourself
devout.
82. Do not stare about the church at other people, and
keep your eyes under good discipline and control.
83. All indecent habits which, under Rule No. 62, you
ought to avoid in school, much more ought you to ivoid in
church.
96 The Pennsyl-jania-German Society.
84. If you, with others should go in couples into, or out
of the church you should never, from mischief, shove,
tease or bespatter, but go forth decently and quietly.
V. Rules for the Behavior of a Child under
VARIOUS Circumstances.
85. Dear child, live in peace and unity with every one,
and be entirely courteous from humility and true love of
your neighbor.
86. Accustom yourself to be orderly in everything, lay
your books and other things in a certain place and do not
let them lie scattered about in a disorderly way.
87. When your parents send you on an errand, mark
well the purpose for which you are sent, so that you make
no mistake. When you have performed your task come
quickly home again and give an answer.
88. Be never idle, but either go to assist your parents,
or repeat your lessons, and learn by heart what was given
you. But take care that you do not read in indecent or
trifling books, or pervert the time, for which you must give
an account to God, with cards or dice.
89. If you get any money, give it to some one to keep
for you, so that you do not lose it, or spend it for dainties.
From what you have willingly give alms.
90. If anything is presented to you, take it with -the
right hand and give thanks courteously.
91. Should you happen to be where some one has left
money or other things lying on the table, do not go too
near or remain alone in the room.
92. Never listen at the door, Sirach 21, 24. Do not
run in quickly, but knock modesdy, wait until you are
Necessary Rides of Conduct for Children. 97
called, incline as you walk in, and do not slam the door.
93. Do not distort your face, in the presence of people,
with frowns or sour looks ; be not sulky if you are asked
anything, let the question be finished without your inter-
rupting, and do not answer with nodding or shaking the
head, but with distinct and modest words.
94. Make your reverence at all times deeply and lowly
with raised face. Do not thrust your feet too far out behind.
Do not turn your back to people, but your face.
95. Whether a stranger or good friend comes to the
house, be courteous to him, bid him welcome, offer him a
chair and wait upon him.
96. In sneezing, blowing the nose, spitting, and yawn-
ing be careful to use all possible decency. Turn your
face to one side, hold the hand before it, put the unclean-
liness of the nose in a handkerchief and do not look at it
long, let the spittal fall upon the earth and tread upon it
with your foot. Do not accustom yourself to continual
hawking, grubbing at the nose, violent panting, and other
disagreeable and indecent ways.
97. Never go about nasty and dirty. Cut your nails at
the right time and keep your clothes, shoes and stockings
neat and clean.
98. In laughing, be moderate and modest. Do not
laugh at everything, and especially at the evil or misfor-
tune of other people.
99. If you have promised anything try to hold to it, and
keep yourself from all lies and untruths.
100. Let what you see of good and decent in other
Christian people serve as an example for yourself. " If
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on
these things." Philippians iv, 8.
2561
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