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^^-
History of the Mennonites
Daniel Kolb Casse
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HISTORY
or THE
MENNONITES
HISTORICALLY AND BIOGRAPHICALLY ARRANGED FROM THE TIME
OF THE REFORMATION; MORE PARTICULARLY FROM THE
TIME OF THEIR EMIGRATION TO AMERICA. CON-
TAINING SKETCHES OF THE OLDEST MEET-
ING HOUSES AND PROMINENT
MINISTERS.
ALSO, THEIR CONFESSION OF FAITH, ADOPTED AT
DORTRECHT, IN 163a.
BY
DANIEL K. CASSEL.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
PHILADELPHIA:
DANIEL K. CASSEL.
1888.
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Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1887,
By DANIEL K. CASSEL,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D, C.
Prsss of
Globb Printing House,
Philadblphia.
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^ DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY
I
OF
;;^ WILLEM RUDDINGHUYSEN [RITTENHOUSE],
I
FIRST MENNONITE BISHOP
IN AMERICA.
iC
.^"^
^\^
.p
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Introduction.
T^HIS volume, containing brief sketches of the Menno-
"■• nites in America, beginning with the first settlement
and organization at Grermantown, Pa., is the result of re-
searches originally intended as sketches for the public
press, but at the earnest solicitation of many friends it is
now offered in its present form, as a memorial of the two
hundredth anniversary of their first organization in
America.
A history of the Mennonites, and more especially of
those in America, is a task surrounded with many diffi-
culties. But few collections of their books exist in
America; in many of their churches no records have been
kept, or have been lost; and many old and valuable papers
and records that did exist, which would have been the
ordinary source of information, have been destroyed or
lost, not being regarded at the time of any value.
Material fects have been diligently sought after and
patient labor cheerfully bestowed upon the work ; events
and facts have been gathered, both from American and
European sources, in order to make it a valuable work
for the present and future generations. It is submitted
(V)
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VI INTRODUCTION^.
to a generous and intelligent people in the belief that it
will meet their approval.
Bancroft says of the Germans in America : " Neither
they nor their descendants have laid claim to all that is
their due." This is attributable partly to language, partly
to race instincts and hereditary tendencies. Quiet in their
tastes, deeply absorbed in the peaceful avocations of life,
undemonstrative to the verge of diffidence, without clan-
nish propensities, they have permitted their more aggres-
sive neighbors to deny them a proper place even on the
historic page.
At the close of the Thirty Years' War there ran through
Protestant Germany a broad line ; upon the one side of
that line stood the followers of Luther and Zwingli, of
Melancthon and Calvin — these were called the church
people ; upon the other side stood Menno Simons, Diet-
rich Philips, Casper Schwenkfeld, the Silesian Knight, and
"The Separatists" — these were called the sect people.
It was a line which divided persecution by new bound-
aries, and left the fagot and the stake in new hands, for
the Peace of Westphalia had thrown the guarantees of its
powerful protection only over one side of this Protest-
ant division. It was a line which in the New World,
though less discernible thad in the Old, is only becoming
obliterated in the widening philanthropy of our own
times.
"While the German Church people have some written
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INTRODUCTION. VII
history in America, the sect people have yet very little of
their history written/' — E. K. Martin.
Daniel Webster, in one of his speeches said, as if
to commend our kind of notices : " There is still wanting
a history which shaft trace the Progfress of Social Life.
We still need to learn how our ancestors, in their houses,
were fed, lodged and clothed, and what were their em-
ployments. We wish to see and know more of the changes
which took place from age to age in the homes of the
first settlers," etc.
We want a History of Firesides.
I have endeavored to some extent to cover this ground
— ^as the reader will find in the settlements of Germantown,
Lancaster, Ohio and Canada.
I believe the work to be as reliable as the nature of
things will permit.
Should the reader discover differences in dates or ages
of persons, he will remember that where the month is
designated by a number, that March counts as the first
month, April the second, etc.
The days also differ from our reckoning. The im-
proved Gregorian Calendar was not adopted in Pennsyl-
vania till 1752, which accounts for the great discrepancy
in ancient dates.
I have also endeavored to retain the old or ancient
phraseology in my quotations, as well as the old mode of
spelling, especially names of places and persons, in order
not to destroy the original.
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Vlll INTRODUCTION.
It is, therefore, in the hope of stimulating investigation
into the past life of this most interesting of all those sects,
who, during the last century or two, have landed upon
our shores, that these brief sketches of the Mennonites
have been given to the public.
Hoping that my efforts may be of some benefit to the
Mennonite Church and people in America.
The Author.
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Preface.
A LARGE portion of the material composing this volume,
•^ *• which more immediately concerns the Mennonite
Church in America, has to a considerable extent been de-
rived from original documents, some of which have never
been on historic pages before, and from the records of
churches wherever such existed, such as the records of
the Mennonite Church at Germantown, also that of Skip-
pack and- others, as well as the writings of Dr. Ludwig
Keller, Royal Librarian at Miinster ; J. T. V. Braght's
Martyrs' Mirror^ and Biographical Sketches^ by S. W.
Pennypacker ; The Mennonites, by E. K. Martin ; B. Carl
Roosen, Dr. A. Eby and a number of others.
Special thanks for assistance and valuable information
furnished during my labors in compiling this work, rend-
ered in various ways, are due to Abraham Blosser, of
Virginia ; John F. Funk, of Elkhart, Ind. ; Sam'l Stauf-
fer, Berks Co., Pa. ; John B. Bechtel, Boyertown, Pa. ;
Jacob S. Moyer, Bucks Co., Pa. ; A. B. Shelly, Milford
Square, Bucks Co., Pa. ; Sam'l K. Cassel, Blooming Glen,
Pa.; A. H. Cassel, Harleysville, Pa.; Abel Horning,
Telford, Pa.; William S. Godshall, Schwenksville, Pa.;
(0
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2 PREFACE.
Jacob C. Loux, Lansdale, Pa.; John C. Boorse, Esq.,
Kulpsville, Pa.; Herman Godshall, Souderton, Pa.; M.
S. Moyer, of Missouri ; George S. Nyce, of Frederick,
Pa. ; N. B. Grubb, Philadelphia ; John B. Tyson, Skip-
pack, Pa. ; Christian Schowalter, Primrose, Iowa ; Hon.
Horatio Gates Jones, Roxborough, Phila. ; Welty and
Sprunger, Berne, Ind.; and S. S. Haury, Cantonment,
Indian Territory. The author is also under many obliga-
tions to Prof J. G. De Hoop Schefifer, of Amsterdam,
Holland, and many others. The collection of the material
for this volume has been a tedious and difficult work;
and though conscious that this work is in many respects
incomplete and deficient, the author is encouraged in its
publication by the fact that his researches in certain
periods of the American history of the Mennonite Church
have not proved unsuccessful. The book is now sent
forth with all its imperfections, hoping that it may help
to awaken the members of the Mennonite Church to a
consciousness of their precious historical inheritance.
There are, no doubt, many inaccuracies and omissions,
and the author will be grateful for such information as
may hereafter enable him to give a more complete record.
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Contents.
Page.
Mknno Simons' Renunciation of the Church
OF Rome 9
Artici.es of Faith 25
General Adoption of the Articles of Faith 42
King Charles II and William Penn . . 46
Settlement of Germantown ... 49
Origin of the Sect of Mennonites . . 55
Arrival of Mennonites at Germantown . 64
Mennonite Meeting at Germantown . . 97
An Address. By S. W. Pennyp acker . . 117
Report of the Indian Mission . . .126
Virginia. A Historical Sketch of the Early Men-
nonites in Virginia 129
Trials and Afflictions of the Virginia Mennonites
During the Late Civil War . . .* .134
Mennonites in West Virginia ... 143
Christian Funk. The Schism among the Men-
nonites in 1777 150
(3)
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4 contents.
Manitoba Mennonitks 152
The Herrites (or Herrbnleute) . . .154
Mennonites in Missouri . . . . 156
EARI.Y SETTI^EMENT of THE MENNONITES IN
Ei<KHART County, Indiana . . .159
BioGRAPHiCAi, Sketch of Jacob Christophei< 165
First Amish Setti^ement in EItKhart County,
Indiana 167
Mennonites in Coi^orado 168
Mennonites in New York State . . 169
Maryi^and 171
Russian Setti<ements in the West . . 172
Russian Setti<ements in Nebraska . .173
Periodicai^ 175
Conferences . . . . . . .178
Mennonite Immigration to Pennsyi^vania 180
Christopher Dock 203
DER Bi^UTIGE SCHAUPirATZ ODER MARTYRER
Spiegel 211
SETTI.EMENT AT SkIPPACK 2l6
The Organization of the Mennonite Church
AT SA1.F0RD 221
Franconia ........ 225
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CONTENTS. 5
Kui^PSViLLE. Mennonite Church at Towaniencin,
Montgomery County, Pa 228
Lansdale, Montomery County, Pa. . .231
Bartoi.et*s Mennonite Meeting-house in Fred-
erick Township, Montgomery County, Pa. . 232
gottshai.l*s, or schwenksvii^le ... 234
Herstein*s 236
ROCKHILL, OR GEHMAN*S 237
PERKASIE, OR HiLLTOWN 24O
Deep Run Meeting-house .... 242
doylestown 247
Lexington 248
Historical Sketches of the Swamp Menno-
nite Chutrch 249
Springfield and Saucon 256
Deep Run. A Brief Sketch of the Incorporated
Mennonite Church at Deep Run (New School),
in Bedminster, Bucks County, Pa. . . 258
Hereford 260
BoYERTowN . . • 262
Mennonite Congregation in Upper Milford,
Lehigh County 264
Philadelphia (New School) .... 267
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6 contents.
Chkstkr County, Pa. 269
CuMBBRi<AND County, Pa. . . . . 271
Northampton County Mennonitks . . . 273
Bangor 275
York County, Pa 277
Mketing-houses in Juniata County, Pa. . 277
Lebanon County, Pa. . . . . . 278
Snyder, Juniata and Perry Counties, Pa. 278
Dauphin County, Pa 279
Frankun County, Pa. 279
Mennonite Generai, Conference . . 280
Mennonites in Lancaster County . . . 284
Eby Famii<y 296
Herr Famii^y ' . . 298
Hershey FAM11.Y . . . . . . 299
A Brief Sketch of the First Mennonite
SETTI.ERS IN Pennsylvania . . . 300
The Swiss Mennonites in Ohio . . . 303
A Sketch of the Mennonite Setti^ement in
Canada 309
Visit Among the Mennonites . . . 326
A Visit Among Russian Mennonites . . 329
Mrs. Catharine Gable 334
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CONTENTS. 7
Jacob Funk, Mennonite Minister at Germantown,
from 1774 to 1816 337
The KLkysers 342
Biography op the Koi.bs in America . 344
Cassei. Family in America . . . . 351
Gerhard Roosen. Mennonite Minister of the
Hamburg Altona Congregation. Bom 161 2,
died 171 1 358
BioGRAPHicAi. Sketch of the Rittenhouses 363
Emigration of the Stauffers to America . 367
Custom of Baptism in the Early Centuries 369
MUNSTERITES NOT CONNECTED WITH MENNO-
NITES 381
Origin of the Munsterites .... 383
German Translation of the Bible by the
Waldenses 387
The Community and the Church . . 390
Menno Simons' Memorial 391
Origin of the Old Evangelical Church . 395
Closing Chapter 399
APPENDIX
FiR^T Impulse or Motive of the Cassels Emi-
grating TO America .... 403
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8 contents.
The Mennonite Shipbuilder 405
Extract from an Address dei^ivered by Dr.
W. J. Mann 406
An Interesting Address. By Matteo Bro--
CHET, OF Rome ...... 409
The Mennonites and Temperance . . .411
Eari,y Churches of Germantown . . 412
O1.D Germantown. Its Division into Lots. — ^The
Curious Names of the Original Settlers and
Something of their Holdings . . . 414
Ephrata 420
O1.D C1.0CK 421
Indian Contract and Deed to Wii^liam Penn 422
Mennonites 425
Origin of New Year's Day, or First of
January 427
Undertakers for Funerai^ . . . . 429
First Mennonites Represented as Quakers 430
No Union of Church and State . . . 431
Habits of First Setti^ers 432
Obituary 433
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Menno Simons' Renunciation of the
Church of Rome.
THE names of CEcolampadius, Luther, Zwinglius,
Melanchton, Bucer, BuUingcr, Calvin and others,
whom God in His providence raised up as humble instru-
ments to reform to no small exten^ abuses which had
crept into the Church, are familiar to almost every ordi-
nary reader; while that of Menno Simons is little
known, although he was contemporary with Luther,
Zwinglius and others, and with some of whom he had
personal interviews — ^with Luther and Melanchton in
Wittemberg ; with Bullinger at Zurich ; and at Strasburg
with Bucer.
It has been a mooted question for many years whether
or not the Mennonites were descendants from the Wal-
denses, but the testimony of Dr. Ypeij, a professor of
theology at Groningen and a member of the Dutch
Reformed Church, in a book published by him in 1813,
ought to set the question forever at rest The eminent
Doctor says in his excellent work that the Baptists, who
were formerly called Anabaptists and in latter times Men-
nonites, were the original Waldenses. Testimony of this
character from such high authority in the Dutch Re-
formed Church must carry conviction with it
There is apparently no reason to question the antece-
(9)
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lo' HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
'dents of the Mennonites, but as misrepresentation has
always been more or less their bane, we suppose it will
so continue to be until the end of time, when, if not be-
fore, justice will assuredly be done them.
The name Mennonite came from Menno Simons,* a
native of Witmarsum, a small town about half-way be-
tween Bolsward and Harlingen, and the year of his birth
1492 ; he was reared as a Catholic. We find in his writ-
ings that he was appointed chaplain in Pingium, a small
town which he called his father's town, where he was
stationed as a priest and preached for two years, without
ever having read the Scripture, or touched it, for fear
he might be mislead.
In the third year (1527) he concluded to read the
Scripture and soon found that he was in error. He con-
tinued reading the Scripture daily, and was soon called
an evangelical preacher, but still, as he says, he loved the
world and the world loved him.
It occurred in the year 1531 that a very devout Chris-
tian named Sicke Schneider, a native of Switzerland, was
beheaded, being condemned by the Catholics as a heretic,
because he renewed his baptism. Menno Simons had
never heard of a second baptism, therefore it seemed to
him very strange. He then commenced to examine the
Scripture closely in regard to infant baptism, but, as he
says, he soon found that infant baptism had no founda-
tion in the Scripture.
Shortly after 1531 Menno Simons left Pingium and
was stationed in Witmarsum, his birthplace, as a Catholic
priest.
* Or Symons, read Seemons.
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MENNO SIMONS RENUNCIATION. I!
After remaining at the latter place about one year, the
first evangelical people teaching the doctrine of adult
baptism settled also in the neighborhood, and soon after,
the Miinsterites also made their appearance among them
and elected John Bockhold their king. A riot took place
and the Miinsterites were driven out, in 1534, by Count
Waldeck, its expelled bishop, and in February, 1535,
about 300 men, with their wives and children, entrenched
themselves in the so-called old cloister, near Witmarsum,
where on the 7th of April, 1535, they were overpowered;
many were taken prisoners, many were killed, women
were drowned. Menno Simons' own brother, Peter
Simons, also lost his life in this riot, and many of the quiet
and peaceable evangelical people who lived among them
suffered much.
All this* took place while Menno Simons was yet in the
Catholic Church, but his teaching and his life became
quite changed. During this time he wrote a book against
the Miinsterites, shortly before he left the Catholic
Church. In that book he speaks of John Bockhold, of
Leyden, as yet living, and who was executed January 22d,
1536.
Menno Simons left the Catholic Church January 1 2th,
1 536 (see Berend Karl Roosen, p. 24), According to the
foregoing statement it is clearly shown that Menno
Simons never had any connection or anything common
with the Miinsterites, because he was yet in the Catholic
Church.
Menno renounced the Catholic faith January 12th,
1536, and shortly afterwards he was baptized at Leeu-
warden (s^^ B. Karl Roosen^ p, 25) by Johann Matthys
(see Gemeindeblatt fur Mennoniten^ Bdnde 4. und s^Jahrg,
1836).
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12 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
After his severance from the Catholic Church he lived
retired, spent his time in reading and writing, until the
year 1537.
Ubbo Philipps, a brother of Dirk Philipps, was or-
dained to the ministry by Johann Matthys, says Berend
Karl Rooseriy of Hamburg, Altona, and Menno Simons was
ordained a minister by Ubbo Philipps in 1537, in the Old
Evangelical (Taufgednnten, or Waldenser) Church, after-
. wards called Mennonites.
Menno Simons* departure from the teachings of his
childhood naturally caused the greatest indignation in
Catholic circles, and from that time on he and his fol-
lowers were subjected to the basest persecution — a perse-
cution which has been transmitted through successive
generations and exists to-day, although not to such an
extent. ^
After Menno's ordination to the ministry in 1537, he
exercised an influence upon the remaining RTunsterites,
strong enough to cause them to renounce their warlike-
attitude and become peaceable Christians. He tried to
persuade them to hold peace, even when he was yet a
Catholic priest.
The quiet Old Evangelical Baptists, who strongly re-
nounced every kind of warfare, called upon Menno in
1537, after he had renounced his office as Catholic priest,
and only after much deliberation and prayer he con-
sented to accept the call and become their bishop ^see
B, K, Roosen, p. jj), and, being a learned and eloquent
man, he accomplished a vast amount of good, the effect
of which is felt in Mennonite circles to-day. His un-
questioned piety and sincerity, together with his elo-
quence, swayed the multitudes and many thousands en-
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Nach dem der Mennoniten Kirche in Hamburg und Altona gehorendem Bildnisse.
MENNO SIMONS.
BORN 1492. DIED 1559.
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MENNO SIMONS' RENUNCIATION. 1 3
listed in the good cause. In the year 1 537 Menno Simons
commenced traveling throughout Northern Germany as
a teacher of the Scriptural truth. Everywhere he went
his life was endangered by indignant followers of the
faith he had renounced, but he was not dismayed, and
went on in his laudable effort to convert men to be be-
lievers in and followers of the teachings of Christ. He
founded many congregations in Europe, and labored
assiduously in his undertaking until death put an end to
his earthly career.
The exact date of Menno Simons* birth and death is
somewhat shrouded in mystery. Nearly all writers in
the home of Menno Simons have fixed 1496 as the year
of his birth, and 1561 as the year of his death. We find
in his foundation book, in late German editions, "that it
[the dawning of the new spiritual light] occurred in 1524,
in his twenty-eighth year," which would make the year
of his birth 1496; but the first Dutch collected edition to
which we have access does not contain any such date.
It appears, then, he never wrote this sentence ; it has evi-
dently been added by some writer or printer in later years.
E. K. Martin, Esq., of the Lancaster Bar, in his pam-
phlet called the " Mennonites," fixes the year of Menno's
birth in 1492.
Professor J. G. De Hoop Scheffer, who has charge of
the Mennonite archives at Amsterdam, in Holland, whom
we must acknowledge as good authority, and have no
reason to doubt has better facilities of ascertaining than
many others, also fixes the year of Menno's birth, A.D.
1492, and that of his death 1559, on the 13th of January.
Much could be written on this subject and explana-
tions given, but this must suffice. The good that Menno
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14 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Simons had done in life did not end at his death; it lived
after him. The seed he had sown took deep root in the
hearts of those he had taught, and although some writers
accuse his followers of degenerating after Menno's death,
they continued to labor on in the good cause. There is
no evidence to prove the theory that his followers became
lukewarm after his death. There has been a disposition
in some quarters to depreciate the work accomplished by
Menno Simons, and much of the credit that rightfully
belongs to him was given to Luther and Calvin and others
of his contemporaries. The time will come, however,
when the concession will be made that he did as much
towards the enlightenment of mankind as did those illus-
trious personages who shed such lustre on the history of
the Reformation.
The persecution of the Mennonites continued long after
the death of Menno Simons. They were compelled to
flee from one country to another. The band of followers
of the Mennonite doctrine was compelled to disperse.
Some of them went to Russia, others to Prussia, Poland,
Holland and Denmark, and others to America.
The alleged peculiarity of the faith of the Mennonites,
even after they came to America, was still the subject of un-
favorable comment and much ridicule. The Mennonites
do not parade their doctrine like other denominations,
and their form of religious worship is free from every
semblance of ostentation. They prefer not to let their
good works be seen of men. Nevertheless, having en-
dured the ridicule of those antagonistic to their manner
of worship as long as they could, they prepared a work
called Articles of Faith, which was executed and finished
in the United Churches in the city of Dortrecht, April
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MENNO SIMONS' RENUNCIATION. 1$
2ist, 1632, subscribed by delegates from all the churches
(see Articles of Faith ^ page 25). One feature of their
faith, and one to which they cling with most praiseworthy
tenacity, is this: They believe that the doctrine of Christ
forbids the resentment of wrongs and the showing of any
spirit of revenge. They believe their mission to be one
which will redound to the benefit of all men, and they are
assiduous in their efforts to that end. They never turn
a stranger from their door, but they do not give alms to
be seen of men. They are very careful in this respect
If an enemy comes to them in distress, they help him.
What an example they set for many professing Christians!
One portion of their faith may possibly be termed pecu-
liar; yet when one looks at it in the right light, there is
nothing so objectionable in it. In forming marital rela-
tions, the Mennonites adhere to the doctrine that two
believers in the same faith should marry. This is a cus-
tom of the Church which is still strictly adhered to by
many. They base this portion of their belief upon the or-
dainment of God in the garden of Eden, when he insti-
tuted an honorable union between Adam and Eve. In
their code they cite many more Scriptural teachings which
carry them out in their belief that there should be no
marriage consummated except between two members of
the same Church.
The Mennonites do not believe in any great flourish
of trumpets; so they seldom make known the number of
their communicants. In short, they believe in doing all
the good they can, but in a quiet way. In this they ob-
serve a simplicity worthy of emulation. Too many of
our churches make a great flourish, and ministers and
members speak glowingly of what ought to be done; but
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l6 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
they seldom find time to do it. On the other hand, the
Mennonites indulge in no braggadocia, and go around
quietly doing the work which they believe has been made
imperative on them by the command of the Master.
Descriptive of the trials and tribulations that the ear-
lier Mennonites underwent, nothing can be more beauti-
ful than the following, which is taken from an ably written
pamphlet on the " Mennonites," composed by E. K. Mar-
tin, Esq., a member of the Lancaster Bar: "A recent his-
torian says: *The philologist who seeks to know some-
thing of the language of the primeval man of Europe,
finds amid the mountains of the Pyrenees the Basques,
who have preserved down to the present time the tongue
of their remote forefathers.'
" Whether we regard their personal history or the result
of their teaching, the Mennonites were the most interest-
ing people who came to America. There is scarcely a
family among them which cannot be traced to some an-
cestor burned to death because of his faith. Their whole
literature smacks of the fire. Beside a record like theirs
the sufferings of Pilgrim and Quaker seem trivial. A
hundred years before the time of Roger Williams, George
Fox and William Penn, the Dutch reformer, Menno
Simons, contended for the complete severance of Church
and State, and the struggles for religious and political
liberty which convulsed England and led to the English
colonization of America in the seventeenth century, were
logical results of docrines advanced by the Dutch and
German Anabaptists in the one which preceded. - This
is a bold and sweeping claim for a place in history for
the Mennonites ; but let him who challenges it look well
to the ground on which he stands.
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MENNO SIMONS RENUNCIATION. 1/
"The sixteenth century was a period of unrest in the
Old World. Europe was at length standing at the foot of
the long ascent which was to lead out of Middle Age
superstition and servitude to lalse and degrading relig-
ious pretensions. Of all the dreadful visitations to Europe
in which this sixteenth century spirit sought expression,
■ the Peasants* war of Germany was the worst A hundred
thousand of them fell in battle or were driven into exile,
and their cause was stamped out in blood ; not so, how-
ever, their ideas. The Middle Age spirit the brave peas-
ants had challenged, and it must henceforth fight for its
existence alongside of Popery and whatever else men
saw fit to condemn, when the smoke of the pillaged
castles and ruined vineyards had ascended to heaven, and
the earth had drunk up the blood from the hundred battle-
fields, and the last remnant of the warlike Anabaptists
had fallen under the mercenary's heel or the headsman's
axe, when the detonations of the fierce popular explosion
had ceased longer to terrify, and the empire, surfeited
with bloodshed, had begun to stay the hand of destruc-
tion, out of the vast chaos, the confusion of beliefs, the
contempt for creed, arose a new apostle with a new doc-
trine. And yet it was not new ; the same fundamental
belief had been promulgated by Waldus in the twelfth
century and by Wickliffe in the fourteenth. It was
Christianism in humility, and the apostle was Menno
Simons. In 1536 Menno renounced Popery altogether,
and shortly after a number of persons came to him, whom
he describes as of one heart and soul with himself, and
these earnestly besought him to take upon himself the
ministry of the Word. In this little handful of believers
we have the first Mennonite congregation, and the first
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1 8 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Mennonite pastor, and the continuation of the Apostolic
Church. They were undoubtedly Waldenses who had
survived the fire of persecution and the fury of the Peasant
war. There are many things besides creed and religious
practices, the implications of contemporary writers and
the direct testimony ofthe historians, Van Braght, Roosen,
Mehrning and others, that lead to this conclusion. The
Waldenses had been the valley people of the Alpine fast-
nesses, aliAost the only places in Europe where the cor-
roding influences of the Church had failed to destroy the
simplicity of primitive Christianity. Neander says : ' They
not only disapproved of oaths, but held it unchristian to
shed blood,' which are among the fundamental teachings
of Menno. Frank, a very ancient writer, speaking of the
Waldenses says : * They reject infant baptism, they live a
blameless, Christian life, invoke no saints or any creature;
they call upon God alone, they swear not at all, and main-
tain that no Christian is allowed to swear. They have no
mendicants among them, but they help each other as
brethren. These are the true Waldenses.' Since they
likewise opposed war and taking part in civil government,
the stricter of them could not become Lutherans, Zwing-
lians or Calvinists, and the inference is irresistible that
they lost their identity in that sect which has preserved
to our own day their practices and belief, and which in
the nineteenth century exacts the rigid simplicity and
stout self-denial which succesfully resisted Roman ab-
solutism in Europe during the fifteenth century. Of
course, the Mennonites inherited at the same time the
terms of opprobrium with which the Papists had for cen-
turies been pleased to stigmatize all those who differed
with themselves. The followers of Menno have frequently
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MENNO SIMONS* RENUNCIATION. 1 9
been confounded with the Miinsterites, or warlike section
of the Anabaptists, among whom the enthusiasm of the
Reformation led to frightful excesses. There is nothing
in ecclesiastical history better authenticated than not only
his lack of sympathy with, but his utter abhorrence and
detestation of, their practice, one of the first acts of Menno's
ministry being the preparation of a work stigmatizing the
Miinster king and his "ungodly doctrine." With refer-
ence to the unjust confounding of these sects, because
they agreed in the visible act of repeating baptism, history
is rapidly changing front, and the furious and fetnatical
are being separated from the gentle and pious, as it is
being discovered and brought to light that these terms
of opprobrium have been for centuries fastened upon great
numbers of people whom history has dealt with unjustly
and harshly, because historians were enemies or the tools
of enemies, and because the learning of the period was
sifted through bigotry and intolerance. A sect must be
judged by its principles, not by its slanderers.
**Herzog's German Encyclopcedia, a high authority,
thus treats of the great apostle: 'The ground thought
from which Menno proceeded was not, as with Luther,
justification by faith, or, as with the Swiss reformers, the
absolute dependence of the sinner upon God in the work
of salvation. The holy Christian life in opposition to
worldliness was the point whence Menno proceeded, and
to which he always returned. In the Romish Church we
see the ruling spirit of Peter ; in the Reformed Evangel-
ical, of Paul; in Menno we see arise again James the Just,
the brother of the Lord.'
" Luther's conception undoubtedly was that of a State
Church. It was in accordance with the spirit of his
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20 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
times, the religious temper of his age, and grandly did
the problem work itself out from the impulse he gave it.
Menno Simons had a scheme equally grand, more devout
and of more exalted piety. He saw the north of Europe
the home of haunted sects ; he saw in these, or thought
he saw, the outlines of the ancient religion, obscured and
distorted, it is true, by the traditions in which it had been
preserved, but consonant still with the teachings of Christ
the Redeemer as He interpreted them to the multitude
by the Sea of Galilee, and to the eleven on the Mount of
the Ascension. To gather these sects, which under vari-
ous names were becoming entangled in the dangerous
heresies of the Reformation period, and unite them under
one fold, free alike from the plagues of Rome and the de-
lusions of the world, was the work he set before himself
In order to accomplish this, Menno insisted on the most
careful attention to moral duties and exercised the
severest discipline towards offenders, employing even
the ban of excommunication from fellowship of the
Church. About Menno there grew up a large and flour-
ishing sect. On questions of discipline after a time they
became divided into the Flemings or Flandrians, and the
Waterlanders, from districts of Holland in which each
resided. These divisions led to intestine discords, which
were finally settled at a Synod held in Amsterdam in
1630. Their early history is a story of frightful persecu-
tions endured with rare and heroic fortitude. Three
thousand of them suffered martyrdom in Suabia, Bavaria,
Austria and the Tyrol ; six thousand under the rule of
Philip II of Spain.
" Pennypacker says : 'There were nearly as many mar-
tyrs among the Mennonites in the City of Antwerp alone
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MENNO SIMONS RENUNCIATION. 2!
as there were Protestants burned to death in England
during the whole reign of Bloody Mary.' Menno him-
self, during the greater part of his ministry, went about
with a price on his head; malefactors were promised
pardon and murderers absolution if they would deliver
him up. Sometimes clad like a peasant, with an axe on
his shoulder, to disarm suspicion, he would go into the
depths of the forest to minister to his scanty flock
assembled there; again in the caves of the earth he
gathered his faithful ones, and when persecution was
sorest they ofttimes held these Christian communions
in the dead of the night, purposely avoiding the knowl-
edge of each other's names, that, if apprehended and
put to the rack or instrument of torture, no unguarded
word in the awful extremity of the hour might escape
their lips to betray one another. Of course their meet-
ings and their practices were thus shrouded with an al-
most impenetrable obscurity, which was constantly taken
advantage of by their enemies to proclaim them as plotters
of sedition as well as practicers of heresy. They were
persecuted by Catholics and Protestants alike. In
Switzerland, the land of William Tell and Ulrich
Zwingli, when the Reformed Church was yet but five
years old and its members were themselves still the sub-
jects of persecution, the Protestant State Church inaug-
urated a frightful persecution of the Old Evangelical
Baptists, to be followed during the next century and a
quarter by every appliance of vengeance, until the perse-
cution of 1659, exceeding all its predecessors in severity,
almost totally annihilated the sect.
"These Swiss persecutions of the Mennonites must ever
stand as a blot on the pages of the Protestant Reforma-
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22 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
tion, and more especially as they were perpetrated chiefly
~by that Church which they most closely resembled of all
Protestant communions. We know there are excuses
offered, but they are the excuses of cowardice. It is
attempted to palliate the naked ugliness of these under-
takings by saying that to have permitted their religious
irregularities longer would have invoked the wrath of the
powerful emperor, and perhaps subjected all the cantons
to Papal persecution and the destruction of their ancient
liberties.
'" The Mennonite persecutions were then a bid for politi-
cal favor and protection. The extreme severity of the
Swiss Protestants against the Mennonites sent a chill of
horror through all Holland, and drew a memorable pro-
test from the burgomasters and lords of Rotterdam. An
ambassador went out from the Hague loaded with remon-
strances, but they seem all to have been of no avail, for
Swiss Mennonites, branded with the arms of the Canton
of Berne and chained to their seats, continued to pull
galleys in the Mediterranean, to work on the fortifications
of Malta, and to be sold to Barbary pirates, principally
because they differed from their Protestant brethren as to
whether a child should be held at the baptismal font as
soon as it could be carried there by its nurse, or whether
the age of discretion was the appropriate period to receive
the holy ordinance.
" But while the iron hold of persecution was tightening
its grip at one end of the Rhine Valley, it was relaxing
its hold at the other. Towards the close of the sixteenth
century a grand and historic personage advanced upon
the scene and became sponsor for the persecuted Men-
nonites. Mosheim says : * The Mennonites, after having
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MENNO SIMONS RENUNCIATION. 23
been4ong in an uncertain and precarious situation, ob-
tained a fixed and unmolested settlement in the United
Provinces, under the shade of a legal toleration procured
for them by William, Prince of Orange, the glorious
founder of the liberty of the Netherlands. This illustri-
ous chief, who acted from principle in allowing liberty of
conscience and worship to Christians of different denomi-
nations, was moreover engaged by gratitude to &vor the
Mennonites, who had assisted him in the year 1572 with
a comfortable sum of money, when his coffers were
nearly exhausted.
" * He was frequently urged to persecute the Mennonites,
and violently assaulted for his refusal to do so. His
trusted friend, Saint Aldegonde, the distinguished patriot
of the Netherlands, complained because he would not do
it; and Peter Dathenus denounced him as an atheist for
the same reason. Both civil magistrates and clergy made
a long and obstinate opposition to his proclaimed tolera-
tion towards this people, an opposition not entirely con-
quered by him at the time of his death, but which on
every occasion he resolutely discountenanced through his
whole life.*
"In 1 7 10, finding themselves studiously and persistently
misrepresented and misunderstood; the Swiss Mennonites
at length broke their long silence by publishing to the
world their Confession of Faith,* ai Amsterdam, which
* First, Of the Magistracy ; Second, Of Defence or Revenge ; Third, Of
Oath or Swearing. The above-named Articles are the same as the 13th,
14th and 15th Articles of the Dortrecht Confession of Faith adopted in
1632.
The above exiled petitioners requested us, the regents or burgomasters of
the City of Amsterdam, that we should have the above Statement or Con-
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24 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
secured them absolute tranquillity in Holland ever after.
(See Mennonite History, by Ben, Eby, Berlin, Canada, 184.1)
They, in common with all Holland, shared the advantages
which the revocation of the Edict of Nantes brought to the
Dutch nation, and grew rich and numerous. Many now
became well educated, and occupied high social and com-
mercial relations. The deft Flemish weavers, the rare
lacemakers, the skillful artisans who made the Low
Countries the home of superior trades found among their
sect unrivaled craftsmen. The famous linens and silks
of Crefeld were woven on Huguenot and Mennonite
looms, and there was an entire class of fabric known at
that time in the Dutch trade as Mennonite goods.
Mosheim said of them at a little later period : ' It is cer-
tain that the Mennonites in Holland, at this day, are in
their tables, their equipages and their country seats the
most luxurious of the Dutch nation. This is more
especially true of the Mennonites of Amsterdam, who
are numerous and exceedingly opulent* "
As the question is frequently asked. What is the belief
of the Mennonites, or in what respect do they differ from
other denominations, I will give the leading Articles of
the Christian Faith of the Churches of the United Flem-
ish, Friesland and other Mennonites, adopted in 1632,
at a conference held in the city of Dortrecht
fession Tn writing, that it might be preserved in our archives for tiiture
reference, but being they could not speak the Dutch language, and their
language (the Swiss) was hard to be understood, they had it translated by a
notary-public under a solemn promise.
And for the purpose of having a reliable record, we caused the town seal
to be appended to the Articles, and subscribed to by one of our secretaries,
dated May the 22d, A.D. 17 10.
By order of the authorities, bui^omasters or regents as above.
J. Hees, Secretary.
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Articles of Faith.
I. Of God, of the Creation of all Things, and
OF Man. — Since it is testified that without fciith it is im-
possible to please God, and that whosoever would come
to God must believe that God is, and that He is a re-
warder of all those who seek Him, we therefore confess
and believe, according to the Scriptures, with all the
pious, in one eternal, omnipotent and incomprehensible
God : The Father, Son and Holy Ghost ; and in no more
and none other; before whom there was no God, nor
shall there be any after Him ; for from Him, by Him and
in Him are all things ; to whom be praise, honor and
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
We believe in this one God, who works all in all ; and
confess that He is the Creator of all things, visible and
invisible, who in six days created heaven and earth, the
sea and all that is therein ; and that He governs and up-
holds all His works by His wisdom, and by the word of
His power. Now, as He had finished His work, and
had ordained and prepared every thing good and perfect
in its nature and properties, according to His good
pleasure, so at last He created the first man, Adam, the
father of us all ; gave him a body, formed of the dust of
the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,
so that he became a living soul, created by God after His
own image and likeness, in righteousness and true holi-
ness, unto eternal life. He esteemed him above all
(*s)
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26 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
creatures, and endowed him with many and great gifts ;
placed him in a delightful garden or paradise, and gave
him a command and a prohibition ; afterwards He took
a rib from Adam, made a woman, arid brought her to
Adam for a helpmate, consort and wife. The consequence
is, that from this first and only man, Adam, all men that
dwell upon the earth have descended.
II. Of the Fall of Man. — We believe and confess,
according to^ the tenure of the Scriptures, that our first
parents, Adam and Eve, did not remain long in the
glorious state in which they were created; but being
deceived by the subtlety of the serpent and the envy of
the devil, they transgressed the high commandment of
God and disobeyed their Creator, by which disobedience
sin entered the world, and death by sin, which has thus
passed upon all men, in that all have sinned, and hence
incurred the wrath of God and condemnation. They
were, therefore, driven of God out of paradise, to till the
earth, to toil for sustenance, and to eat their bread in the
sweat of their face, till they should return to the earth
whence they had been taken. And that they, by this
one sin, fell so far as to be separated and estranged fi-om
God, that neither they themselves, nor any of their
posterity, nor angel, nor man, nor any other creature in
heaven or on earth, could help them, redeem them or
reconcile them to God ; but they must have been eternally
lost, had not God, in compassion for His creatures, made
provision for them, interposing with love and mercy.
III. Of the Restoration of Man by the Promise
OF Christ's Coming. — Concerning the restoration of the
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ARTICLES OF FAITH. IJ
first man and his posterity, wc believe and confess that
God, notwithstanding their fall, transgression, sin and
perfect inability, was not willing to cast them off entirely,
nor suffer them to be eternally lost ; but that He called
them again to Him, comforted them, and testified that
there was yet means of reconciliation ; namely, the Lamb
without spot, the Son of God, who was appointed for this
purpose before the foundation of the world, and was
promised while they were yet in paradise, for consolation,
redemption and salvation unto them and all their pos-
terity; nay, from that time forth was bestowed upon
them by faith; afterwards all the pious forefathers, to
whom this promise was frequently renewed, longed for,
desired, saw by faith, and waited for the fulfillment, that
at his coming He would redeem, liberate and release
fallen man from sin, guilt and unrighteousness.
IV. Of the Coming of Christ and the Cause of
His Coming. — We further believe and confess that when
the time of His promise, which all the forefathers anx-
iously expected, was fulfilled, promised Messiah, Re-
deemer and Saviour, proceeded from God, was sent, and
according to the predictions of the prophets and the
testimony of the Evangelist, came into the world ; nay,
was made manifest in the flesh, and thus the Word was
made flesh and man ; He was conceived by the Virgin
Mary, who was espoused to Joseph, of the house of
David ; and that she brought forth her first-born son at
Bethlehem, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid
Him in a manger.
We confess and believe that this is He whose going
forth is from everlasting to everlasting, without begin-
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28 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
ning of days or end of life ; of whom it is testified that
He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the
first and the last ; that He is the same and no other who
was provided, promised, sent and came into the world,
and who is God's first and only Son, and who was before
John the Baptist, Abraham, and prior to the formation of
the world; nay, who was the Lord of David, and the
God of the universe ; the first-born of all creatures, who
was sent into the world and yielded up the body which
was prepared for Him, a sacrifice and offering, for a
sweet savor to God ; nay, for the consolation, redemp-
tion and salvation of the world ; we believe also in the
Apostles* Creed, as given by the Evangelists.
But as to how and in what manner this worthy body
was prepared, and how the Word became flesh, we are
satisfied with the statement given by the Evangelists;
agreeably to which, we confess with all the saints, that
He is the Son of the living God, in whom alone consists
all our hope, consolation, redemption and salvation.
We further believe and confess with the Scriptures, that
when He had fulfilled His course and finished the work
for which He had been sent into the world. He was,
according to the providence of God, delivered into
the hands of wicked men; that He suffered under
Pontius Pilate ; was crucified, dead and buried ; rose
again from the dead on the third day; ascended to
heaven, and sits on the right hand of the majesty of God
on high ; whence He will come again to judge the living
and the dead. And also that the Son of God died, tasted
death and shed His precious blood for all men, and that
thereby He bruised the serpent's head, destroyed the
works of the devil, abolished the handwriting, and
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ARTICLES OF FAITH. 2g
obtained the remission of sins for the whole human
family ; that He became the means {author) of eternal
salvation to all those who, from Adam to the end of
the world, believe in and obey Him.
V. Of the Law of Christ, the Gospel of the
New Testament. — We believe and confess that previous
to His ascension He made, instituted and left His New
Testament, and gave it to His disciples, that it should re-
main an everlasting testament, which He confirmed and
sealed with His blood, and commended it so highly to
them that it is not to be altered, neither by angels nor
men, neither to be added thereto, nor taken therefrom.
And that inasmuch as it contains the whole will and
counsel of His Heavenly Father, as far as is necessary for
salvation, he has caused it to be promulgated by His
Apostles, missionaries and ministers, whom He called and
chose for that purpose, and sent into all the world, to
preach in His name among all people, and nations, and
tongues, testifying repentance and the forgiveness of sins;
and that consequently He has therein declared all men,
without exception, as His children and lawful heirs, so
far as they follow and live up to the contents of the same
by faith, as obedient children ; and thus He has not ex-
cluded any from the glorious inheritance of everlasting
life, except the unbelieving, the disobedient, the obstinate
and the perverse, who despise it, and by their continual
sinning, render themselves unworthy of eternal life.
VI. Of Repentance and Reformation. — We believe
and confess, since the thoughts of the heart are evil from
youth, and prone to unrighteousness, sin and wickedness,
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30 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
that the first lesson of the New Testament of the Son of
God is repentance and reformation. Men, therefore, who
have ears to hear and hearts to understand, must bring
forth fruits meet for repentance, reform their lives, believe
the Gospel, eschew evil and do good, desist from sin and
forsake unrighteousness, put off the old man with all his
works, and put on the new man, created after God in
righteousness and true holiness ; for neither baptism, sup-
per, church, nor any other outward ceremony can, with-
out faith^ regeneration, change or reformation of life,
enable us to please God, or obtain from Him any consola-
tion or promise of salvation. But we must go to God,
with sincere hearts and true and perfect faith, and believe
on Jesus Christ, according to the testimony of the Scrip-
tures ; by this living faith we obtain remission or forgive-
ness of sins, are justified, sanctified, nay, made children of
God, partakers of His image, nature and mind; being
born again of God from above, through the incorruptible
seed.
VII. Of Baptism. — As regards Baptism, we confess
that all penitent believers, who by faith, regeneration and
renewing of the Holy Ghost are made one with God and
written in heaven, must, upon their Scriptural confession
of faith and reformation of life, be baptized with water,* in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost, agreeably to the doctrine and command of Christ
and the usage of His Apostles to the burying of their
sins, and thus be received into fellowship with the saints,
whereupon they must learn to observe all things which
* The Mennonites baptize by pouring water upon the head of the person
baptized when in a kneeling position*
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ARTICLES OF FAITH. 3 1
the Son of Grod taught, left to and commanded His dis-
ciples.
VIII. Of the Church of Christ. — We believe and
confess there is a visible Church of God, namely, those
who, as aforementioned, do works meet for repentance,
have true faith and receive a true baptism, are made one
with God in heaven, and received into fellowship of the
saints here upon earth : those we profess are the chosen
generation, the royal priesthood, the holy nation, who
have the witness that they are the spouse and bride of
Christ, nay, the children and heirs of everlasting life; a
habitation, a tabernacle, a dwelling-place of God in the
Spirit, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and
the Prophets, Christ being the chief corner-stone (upon
which his Church is built) — this Church of the living God,
which He bought, purchased and redeemed with His own
precious blood, with which Church, according to His
promise, He will always remain to the end of the world
as protector and comforter of believers; nay, will dwell
with them, walk among them, and so protect them, that
neither floods nor tempests, nor the gates of hell shall
prevail against or overthrow them. This Church is to be
distinguished by Scriptural faith, doctrine, love, godly
walk or deportment, as also by a profitable or fruitful
conversation, use and observance of the true ordinances
of Christ, which He strictly enjoined upon His followers.
IX. Of the Election and Office of Teachers,
Deacons and Deaconesses in the Church. — As re-
gards offices and elections in the Church, we believe and
confess^ since fh^ Church cannot subsist in her growth,
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32 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
nor remain an edifice without officers and discipline, that,
therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself instituted and
ordained officers and ordinances, and gave commands and
directions how every one ought to walk therein, take heed
to his work and vocation and do that which is right and
necessary ; for He, as the true, great and Chief Shepherd
and Bishop of our souls, was sent and came into the
world, not to wound or destroy the souls of men, but to
heal and restore them ; to seek the lost ; to break down
the middle wall of partition; of two to make one; to
gather together out of Jews, Gentiles and all nations a
fold to have fellowship in His name, for which, in order
that none might err or go astray. He laid down His own
life, and thus made a way for their salvation, redeeming
and releasing them when there was no one to help or
assist.
And further, that He provided His Church before His
departure with faithful ministers, evangelists, pastors and
teachers, whom He had chosen by the Holy Ghost, with
prayers and supplications, in order that they might govern
the Church, feed His flock, watch over them, defend and
provide for them ; nay, do in all things as He did, going
before them, as He taught, acted and commanded, teach-
ing them to do all things whatsoever He commanded
them.
That the Apostles, likewise, as true followers of Christ
and leaders of the Church, were diligent with prayers and
supplication to God in electing brethren, providing every
city, place or church with bishops, pastors and leaders,
and ordaining such persons as took heed to themselves
and to the doctrine and flock who were sound in the
faith, virtuous in life and conversation, and were of good
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ARTICLES OF FAITH. 33
repqrt, that they might be an example, light and pattern
in all godliness, with good works, worthily administering
the Lord's ordinances, baptism^ and supper, and that
they might appoint in all places faithful men as elders,
capable of teaching others, ordaining them by the im-
position of hands in the name of the Lord ; further, to
have the care, according to their ability, for all things
necessary in the Church ; so that, as faithful servants,
they might husband well their Lord's talent, gain by it,
and consequently save themselves and those who hear
them.
That they should also have a care for every one of
whom they have the oversight; to provide in all places
deacons who may receive contributions and alms, in
order faithfully to dispense them to the necessitous
saints with all becoming honesty and decorum.
That honorable and aged widows should be chosen
deaconesses, who, with the deacons, may visit, comfort
and provide for poor, weak, infirm, distressed and indi-
gent persons, as also to visit widows and orphans, and
further assist in taking care of the concerns of the
Church according to their ability.
And further, respecting deacons, that they particularly,
when they are capable, being elected and ordained thereto
by the Church, for the relief and assistance of the elders,
may admonish the members of the Church being ap-
pointed thereto, and labor in the Word and doctrine,
assisting one another out of love with the gift received of
the Lord ; by which means, through the mutual service
and assistance of every member, according to his measure,
the body of Christ may be edified, and the vine and
Church of the Lord may grow up, increase and be pre-
served.
3
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34 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
X. Of the Holy Supper. — We likewise confess and
observe a breaking of bread, or supper, which the Lord
Jesus Christ instituted with bread and wine before His
passion, did eat it with His Apostles, and commanded it
to be kept in remembrance of Himself; which they con-
sequently taught and observed in the Church, and com-
manded to be kept by believers in remembrance of the
sufferings and death of the Lord, and that His body was
broken and His precious blood was shed for us and for
the whole human family; as also the fruits thereof,
namely, redemption and everlasting salvation, which He
procured thereby, exhibiting so great love towards sin-
ners by which they are greatly admonished to love one
another, to love our neighbor, forgiving him as He has
done unto us, and we are to strive to preserve the unity
and fellowship which we have with God and with one
another, which is also represented to us in the breaking
of bread.
XI. Of Washing the Saints' Feet. — We also confess
the washing of the saints' feet, which the Lord not only
instituted and commanded, but He actually washed His
Apostles' feet, although He was their Lord and Master,
and gave them an example that they should wash one an-
other's feet, and do as He had done unto them ; they, as a
matter of course, taught the believers to observe this as
a sign of true humility, and particularly as directing the
mind hy feet-washing to that right washing, by which we
are washed in His blood and have our souls made pure.
XII. Of Matrimony, or State of Marriage. — We
confess that there is in the Church an honorable mar-
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ARTICLES OF FAITH. 35
riage between two believers, as God ordained it in the
beginning in paradise, and instituted it between Adam
and Eve ; as also the Lord Jesus Christ opposed and did
away the abuses of marriage which had crept in, and
restored it to its primitive institution.
In this manner the Apostle Paul also taught marriage
in the Church, and left it free for every one, according to
its primitive institution, to be married in the Lord to any
one who may consent ; by the phrase, in the Lard, we
think it ought to be understood, that as the patriarchs had
to marry among their own kindred or relatives, so like-
wise the believers of the New Testament are not at liberty
to marry except among the chosen generation and the
spiritual kindred or relatives of Christ ; namely, such and
no others as have been united to the Church as one
heart and soul, having received baptism and stand in the
same communion, faith, doctrine and conversation before
they became united in marriage. Such are then joined
together according to the original ordinance of God in
His Church, and this is called marrying in the Lord.
XIII. Of the Magistracy. — We believe and confess
that God instituted and appointed authority and a magis-
tracy for the punishing of the evildoers and to protect
the good ; as also to govern the world, and preserve the
good order of cities and countries ; hence, we dare not
despise, gainsay or resist the same, but we must acknowl-
edge the magistracy as the minister of God, be subject
and obedient thereunto in all good works, especially in
all things not repugnant to God's law, will and command-
ment ; also faithfully pay tribute and tax, and render that
which is due, even as the Son of God taught and practiced
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36 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
and commanded His disciples to do ; that it is our duty
constantly and earnestly to pray to the Lord for the gov-
ernment, its prosperity and the welfare of the country,
that we may live under its protection, gain a livelihood,
and lead a quiet, peaceable life in all godliness and
sobriety. And further, that the Lord may reward them
in time and eternity for all the favors, benefits and the
liberty we here enjoy under their praiseworthy adminis-
tration.
XIV. Of Defense or Revenge. — As regards re-
venge or defense, in which men resist their enemies with
the sword, we believe and confess that the Lord Jesus
Christ forbade His disciples, His followers, all revenge and
defense, and commanded them, besides, not to render evil
for evil, nor railing for railing, but to sheath their swords,
or, in the words of the prophet, " to beat them into
ploughshares."
Hence it is evident, according to His example and doc-
trine, that we should not provoke or do violence to any
man, but we are to promote the welfare and happiness of
all men; even, when necessary, to flee for the Lord's
sake from one country to another and take patiently the
spoiling of our goods, but to do violence to no man ;
when we are smitten on one cheek to turn the other,
rather than take revenge or resent evil. And, moreover,
that we must pray for our enemies, feed and refresh them
when they are hungry or thirsty, and thus convince them
by kindness and overcome all ignorance. Finally, that
we should do good and approve ourselves to the con-
sciences of all men ; and, according to the law of Christ,
do unto others as we would wish them to do unto us.
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ARTICLES OF FAITH. 37
XV. Of Oaths or Swearing. — Respecting judicial
oaths, we believe and confess that Christ our I^rd did
forbid His disciples the use of them and commanded them
that they should not swear at all, but that yea should
be yea, and nay, nay. Hence we infer that all oaths,
greater and minor, are prohibited ; and that we must, in-
stead of oaths, confirm all our promises and assertions,
nay, all our declarations or testimonies in every case, with
the word yea in that which is yea, and with nay in that
which is nay ; hence we should always and in all cases
perform, keep, follow and live up to our word or engage-
ment, as fully as if we had confirmed and established it
by an oath. And we do this, we have the confidence
that no man, not even the magistrate, will have just reason
to lay a more grievous burden on our mind and con-
science.
XVI. Of Ecclesiastical Excommunication or Sep-
aration FROM THE Church. — We also believe and pro-
fess a ban, excommunication, or separation and Christian
correction in the Church, for amendment and not for
destruction, whereby the clean or pure may be separated
from the unclean or defiled. Namely, if anyone, after
having been enlightened and has attained to the knowl-
edge of the truth and has been received into the fellow-
ship of the saints, sins either voluntarily or presump-
tuously against God, or unto death, and falls into the
unfruitful works of darkness, by which he separates him-
self fi-om God and is debarred His kingdom ; such a per-
son, we believe, when the deed is manifest and the Church
has sufficient evidence, ought not to remain in the con-
gregation of the righteous, but shall and must be'sep-
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38 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
arated as an offending member and an open sinner, be
excommunicated and reproved in the presence of all and
purged out as leaven ; and this is to be done for his own
amendment and as an example and terror to others,
that the Church be kept pure from such foul spots ; lest,
in default of this, the name of the Lord be blasphemed,
the Church dishonored and a stumbling-block and cause
of offense be given to them that are without ; in fine, that
the sinner may not be dammed with the world, but be-
come convicted, repent and reform.
Further, regarding brotherly reproof or admbnition, as
also the instruction of those who err, it is necessary to
use all care and diligence to observe them, instructing
them with all meekness to their own amendment, and
reproving the obstinate, according as the case may re-
quire. In short, that the Church must excommunicate
him that sins either in doctrine or life, and no other.
XVII. Of Shunning or Avoiding the Separated
OR Excommunicated — Touching the avoiding of the
separated, we believe and confess that if any one has so
far fallen off, either by a wicked life or perverted doctrine,
that he is separated-from God, and, consequently, is justly
separated from and corrected or punished by the Church,
such a person must be shunned, according to the doctrine
of Christ and His Apostles, and avoided without partiality
by all the members of the Church, especially by those to
whom it is known, whether in eating or drinking, or
other similar temporal matters, and they shall have no
dealings with him ; to the end that they may not be con-
taminated by intercourse with him, nor made partakers
of his sins ; but that the sinner may be made ashamed,
be convicted, and again led to repentance.
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ARTICLES OF FAITH. 39
That there be used, as well in the avoidance as in the
separation, such moderation and Christian charity as may
have a tendency not to promote his destruction, but to
insure his reformation ; for if he is poor, hungry, thirsty,
naked, sick or in distress, we are in duty bound, accord-
ing to necessity and agreeably to love and to the
doctrine of Christ and His Apostles, to render him aid
and assistance ; other\vise, in such cases, the avoidance
might tend more to his ruin than to his reformation.
Hence we must not consider excommunicated mem-
bers as enemies, but admonish them as brethren, in
order to bring them to knowledge, repentance and sor-
row for their sins, that they may be reconciled with God
and His Church, and, of course, be received again into
the Church, and so may continue in love toward him as
his case demands.
XVIII. Of the Resurrection of the Dead and
THE Last Judgment. — Relative to the resurrection of
the dead, we believe and confess, agreeably to the Scrip-
tures, that all men who have died and fallen asleep shall
be awakened, quickened and raised on the last day by the
incomprehensible power of God ; and that these, together
with those that are then alive and who shall be changed
in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last
trumpet, shall be placed before the judgment seat of
Christ, and the good be separated from the wicked ; that
then every one shall receive in his own body according
to his works, whether they be good or evil, and that the
good and pious shall be taken up with Christ as the
-blessed, enter into everlasting life, and obtain that, joy
which no eye hath seen, nor ear heard, nor mind con-
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40
HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
ceived, to reign and triumph with Christ from everlasting
to everlasting. And that, on the contrary, the wicked or
impious shall be driven away as accursed, and thrust down
into utter darkness nay, into everlasting pains of hell, where
the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched ; and that
they shall never have any prospect of hope, comfort or
redemption.
May the Lord grant that none of us may meet the
fate of the wicked, but that we may take heed and be dili-
gent, so that we may be found before Him in peace,
without spot and blameless. Amen.
Done and finished in our United Churches, in the city
of Dortrecht, April 2ist, A.D. 1632. Subscribed :
Dortrecht
Isaac de Koning,
John Jacobs,
Hans Corbryssen,
Jaques Terwen,
Nicholas Dirkson,
Mels Gylberts,
Adriaan Cornelisson.
Zeeland,
Cornelius de Moir,
Isaac Claasz.
Flissingen.
Dillaert Willeborts,
Jacob Pennen,
Lieven Marynehr.
Harlem,
Jan Doom,
Peter Gryspeer,
Dirk W. Kolenkamp,
Peter Joosten.
Bommel.
Wilhelm J. von Exselt,
Gispert Spiering.
Rotterdam,
Balten C. Schumacher,
Michael Michiels,
Israel von Halmael,
Heinrich D. Apeldoren,
Andreas Lucken.
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ARTICLES OF FAITH.
41
Germany.
Peter von Borsel,
Anton Hans.
Arnheim,
Cornelius Jans,
Dirk Rendersen.
Amsterdam.
Tobias Gewerts,
Peter Jansen Mayer,
Abraham Dirks,
David ter Haer,
Peter Jan von Zingel.
Middleburg,
Bastian Willemsen,
Jan Winkelmans.
Schiedam,
Cornelis Bom,
Lambrecht Paeldink.
Leyden,
Christian Koenig,
Jan Weyns.
Utrecht.
Herman Segers,
Jan Heinrich Hochfeld,
Daniel Horens,
Abraham Spronk,
W. von Brockhuysen.
Krevelt,
Herman op den Graff,
Wilhelm Kreynen.
BlockzieL
Claes Claesseri,
Peter Petersen.
Zurich Zee.
Anton Cornelius,
Peter E. Zimmermann.
Gorcum.
Jacob von Sebrecht,
Jan J. von Kruysen,
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General Adoption of the Articles of FaitL
The foregoing articles are received, accepted and main-
tained by all the Mennonites throughout the United
States, Territories, and in Canada, whereven they have
been dispersed; for since the first immigration of the
Mennonites to this country, they have been spread over
a great portion of Pennsylvania.
Bishops, elders or ministers and deacons are usually
chosen by casting lots. In general, their pastors neither
receive nor accept stipulated salaries, nor any kind of
remuneration for preaching the Gospel, or in attending to
the functions of their office. They are distinguished
above all others for their plainness in dress, economy in
their domestic arrangements, being frugal, thrifty, and
withal very hospitable. They take in strangers; treat
them kindly without charge. They suffer none of their
members to become a public charge. Nothing can be
purer and gentler than the inner motives of Mennoniteism.
What thought so near the practice of the blessed Master
and so far from the acrimony and bitterness of men, as
their scruple which makes all strife and warfare unchris-
tian, and the iron purpose they have exhibited now for
four centuries in maintaining their doctrine that the only
genuine baptism could be that in which the matured con-
sciousness of the individual took part ? Who dares to
assail it as an inexorable prejudice ? Then there is their
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GENERAL ADOPTION OF THE ARTICLES OP PAITH. 43
brotherly charity, which counts it so unworthy to leave
their poor to be cared for even by the public institutions
which their toil most largely contributes to maintain.
Hannibal is said to have complained that he made his-
tory, but the Romans wrote it So the history of the
subjects of this sketch has hitherto been written almost
exclusively by their enemies (see E. K. Martin's Sketclus,
p. 17). The Roman Catholics and the large Protest-
ant denominations, the Lutherans, the Reformed, and
even Episcopalians have been characterized by jealousy
towards new sects. To this day the State Churches of
Europe look down with disdain upon " the Separatists."
In the noisy clamor for worldly recognition the Men-
nonites have fared ill indeed. The story of the suffering
Puritans, which at most extended over a few generations
and a small area of territory, has been told and re-told
with almost distressing particularity. There is not an
event or object, from the departure at Delfthaven to the
chair of Carver and the pot and platter of Miles Standish,
that has not been held up to veneration, by poet, painter
and orator. Even the German school boy is taught to re-
gard these Pilgrim sacrifices of a handful of Englishmen as
the noblest ever laid upon the altar of conscience -and hu-
manity. Yet if he but turned to the history of his own
ancestors and read there the story of sufferings, persecu-
tions, stout abnegation through eight centuries, in which
cruel selfishness and heartless bigotry assumed the ward-
ship of conscience, he would find the trials of these Puri-
tans, great as they were, compared with the trials of his
own people but the waters of Marah beside the plagues
of Egypt; and while New England to-day laments the loss
of its sons, swept into the vortex of national life setting
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44 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
westward, in danger of losing her distinctive characteris-
tics by the Teutonic and Celtic influences that are
clambering into their places, complaining that her stony
acres must soon be tilled by an alien race or left barren
and valcieless, the Mennonite lands of Eastern Pennsylva-
nia still remain in the descendants of the first hardy stock,
who hold them by ancient indenturcs, supplemented by
grant from father to son, reaching backward in one evdr
strengthening chain of titles to the original patents of
Penn, implanting in a glorious Commonwealth a true
conservatism, and adorning it continually with renewed
evidences of prosperity and thrift.
The Lutherans have a well-defined literature which pre-
serves their achievements in Church and State. The Re-
formed Church of Germany and Switzerland points with
pardonable pride to the triumphs of Calvin, Zwingli and
Ursinus, and a literature which has preserved the almost
sacred teachings of their scholars and martyrs to our own
time. The Presbyterian will show you in Edinburgh
the monument of Margaret Wilson, who, fastened to a
stake driven in the sands where the Gal way overflowed
by the tide, was sustained by her lofty enthusiasm until
the waves drowned her prayers and the waters choked
her songs, and who tasted this death unflinchingly for
the faith that was in her. The Moravians will tell you
how the ashes of Huss were borne on the bosom of the
Rhine to the Scheldt, and on the bosom of the Scheldt
to the sea, fit type of the great missionary work they
were to record in the annals of every tongue and people
and clime.
But the poor Mennonites, in journeyings oftener, in
perils of robbers, in perils by their own countrymen, in
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GENERAL ADOPTION OF THE ARTICLES OF FAITH. 45
perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the
wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false
brethren, in weariness and painfulness, in watchings, in
hunger and thirst, in fastings, in cold and nakedness, the
thousandth part of which can never be known, who have
gone through the centuries their silent and uncomplaining
way, believing that the glory of this world was but the
mammon of unrighteousness, that it was enough for Him
to know their deeds by whom the hairs of the head are
numbered, and without whose knowledge the sparrow
falls not to the earth — ^their story is yet untold.*
* For the above I feel greatly indebted to E. H. Martin, of the Lancaster
Bar.
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King Charles II and William Penn,
We now come to where the widening influences of this
people touch the rim of our own age and history.
On the 4th of March, 1681, Charles II, of England,
granted William Penn a great tract of land^in the New
World. Penn was a Quaker. The Quakers may be
called the Mennonites of England, or English Menno-
nites. Professor Oswald Seidensticker, an eminent Ger-
man-American authority, thus treats of their relationship :
"The affinity between the religious principles of the
Friends and the Mennonites is so obvious, and in many
respects so striking, that an actual descent of the former
from the latter has been hinted at as highly probable."
" So clearly," says Barkley, " do their views (/. ^., those
of the Mennonites) correspond with those of George Fox,
that we are compelled to view him as the unconscious
exponent of the doctrine, practice and discipline of the
ancient and stricter parties of the Dutch Mennonites."
Arguments are cumulative on this point, but cannot be
indulged in here.
It is certain that the two visits of William Penn to
Holland and Germany in the years 1671 and 1677, and
his contact with the Mennonites there, had much to do
with preparing his philanthropic mind for erecting an
asylum for the persecuted of all classes in the New
World.
The following poem is from the Latin of Daniel Francis
Pastorius in the Germantown Records ^ 1688, first published
by Professor Oswald Seidensticker :
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KING CHARLES II AND WILUAM PENN. 47
Hail to posterity !
Hail, future men of Germanopolis !
Let the young generations yet to be
Look kindly upon this.
Think how your fathers left their native land,
Dear German land, O ! sacred hearts and homes !
And where the wild beasts roam
In patience planned
New forest homes beyond the mighty sea.
There undisturbed and free
To Uve as brothers of one family.
What pains and cares befell,
What trials and what fears,
Remember, and wherein we have done well
Follow our footsteps, men of coming years;
Where we have failed to do
Aright, or wisely Hve,
Be warned by us, the better way pursue.
And knowing we were human, even as you,
Pity us and forgive.
Farewell, Posterity ;
Farewell, dear Germany,
Forever more farewell ! — Whittier.
When the history of Pennsylvania comes to be thor-
oughly understood, it will be found that the Dutchman,
as he is generally called, occupies a position by no means
so inconspicuous as that which the most of us are apt to
assign to him. Every one is willing to admit that to
him is due much of the material prosperity for which this
State is so noted, that his hogs are fat, his butter is sweet,
his lands are well tilled, and his barns are capacious.
But the claims that there is anything distinguished in his
origin or brilliant in his career is seldom made, and that
he has approached his English associates in knowledge
of politics, literature or science, those of us who get our
Saxon blood by way of the Mersey and the Thames
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48 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
would quickly deny. The facts which tell in his fevor,
however, are many and striking. Pastorius possessed
probably more literary attainments and produced more
literary work than any ojher of the early emigrants to
this province, and he alone of them all, through the
appreciative delineation of a New England poet, has a per-
manent place in the literature of our own time. Willem
Rittinghuysen, the first Mennonite minister known in
America, came to Germantown in 1688,* and in 1690
built on a branch of the Wissahickon Creek the first
paper mill in the Colonies. The Bible was printed in
German in America thirty-nine years before it appeared
in English. The first edition of Christopher Saur's quarto
Bible was completed on the i6th of August, 1743, con-
sisting of one thousand copies; a second edition in 1763
-of two thousand copies, and a third edition in 1776 of
three thousand copies. The first English Bible printed in
America was the Aitkins' Bible, printed in 1782, the New
Testament of which was printed in 1781. The Douay or
Catholic Bible was printed in 1790. The first Protestant or
King James Bible in quarto was printed by Isaac Collins
at Trenton, and was completed in June, 1791. Isaiah
Thomas, of Worcester, Massachusetts, also undertook to
publish Folio and Royal quarto editions of the Eng-
lish Bible, and both editions were finished in December,
1 791 {from original documents in possession of A. H. Cassel).
No other known literary work undertaken in the Colonies
equals in magnitude the Mennonite " Martyr's Mirror" by
Van Braght, printed at Ephrata in 1748, whose publi-
cation required the labors of fifteen men for three years.
* From New Amsterdam; probably he lived there a few years.
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Settlement of Germantown.
An examination of the earliest settlement of the Ger-
mans in Pennsylvania, and a study of the causes which
produced it, may, therefore, well be of interest to all who
appreciate the value of our State history. The first im-
pulse followed by the first wave of immigration came from
Crefeld, a city of the lower Rhine, within a few miles of
the borders of Holland. On the loth of March, 1682,
William Penn conveyed to Jacob Telner, of Crefeld, doing
business as a merchant in Amsterdam, Jan Streypers, a
merchant of Kaldkirchen, a village in the vicinity, still
nearer to Holland, and Dirk Sipman, of Crefeld, each five
thousand acres of land to be laid out in Pennsylvania. As
the deeds were executed upon that day, the design must
have been in contemplation and the arrangements made
some time before. Telner had been in America between
the years 1678 and 1681, and we may safely say that his
acquaintance with the country had much influence in
bringing about the purchase. In November, 1682, we find
the earliest reference to the enterprise which subsequently
resulted in the formation of the Frankfort Company. At
that date Pastorius heard of it for the first time, and he,
as agent, bought the lands when in London between the
8th of May and 6th of June, 1683 {Pastorius MS, in the
Historical Society of Pa). ' The eight original purchasers
were Jacob Van de Walle, Dr. Johann Jacob Schutz,
• 4 (49)
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50 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Johann Wilhelm Uberfeldt, Daniel Behagel, Casper Merian,
George Strauss, Abraham Hasevoet and Jan Laurens, an
intimate friend of Telner, apparentiy living at Rotterdam.
Before November I2th, 1683, on which day, in the lan-
guage of the Manatawny patent, they " formed themselves
into a company**, the last named four had withdrawn and
their interest had been taken by Francis Daniel Pas-
torius, the celebrated Johanna Eleanora von Merlau,-
wife of Dr. Johann Wilhelm Peterson, Dr. Gerhard von
Mastricht, Dr. Thomas von Wylich, Johannes Lebrun,
Balthaser Jawert and Dr. Johannes Kemler.
That this was the date of the organization of the com-
pany is also recited in the power of attorney which they
executed in 1700.* Up to the 8th of June, 1683, they
seem to have bought 15,000 acres of land, which were
afterwards increased to 25,000 acres. Of the eleven
members nearly all were followers of the pietist Spener,
and five of them lived at Frankfort, two in Wesel, two
in Lubeck and one in Duisberg. Though to this com-
pany has generally been ascribed the settlement of Ger-
mantown, and with it the credit of being the originators
of German emigration, no one of its members, except
Pastorius, ever came to Pennsylvania, and of still more
significance is the fact that, so far as known, no one of
the early emigrants to Pennsylvania came from Frankfort.
On the nth of June, 1683, Penn conveyed to Govert
Remke, Lenart Arets and Jacob Isaacs Van Bebber, a
oaker, all of Crefeld, one thousand acres of land each, and
they, together with Telner, Streypers and Sipman, con-
stituted the original Crefeld purchasers. It is evident
* Both the original agreement and the letter of attorney, with their autO'
graphs and seals, are in the possession of Samuel W. Pennjpacker.
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SETILEMENT OF GERMANTOWN. 5 1
that their purpose was colonization and not speculatfon.
The arrangement between Penn and Sipman provided
that a certain number of families should go to Pennsyl-
vania within a specified time, and probably the other
purchasers entered into sin\ilar stipulations (see Dutch
deed from Sipman to Peter Schumacher in the German-
town Book in the Recorder's Office). However that may
be, ere long thirteen men with their families, comprising
thirty-three persons, nearly all of whom were relatives,
were ready to embark to seek new homes across the
ocean. They were Lenart Arets, Abraham Op den Graeff,
Dirk Op den Graeff, Herman Op den Graeff, Willem
Streypers, Thones Kunders, Reynier Tyson, Jan Seimans,
Jan I^nsen, Peter Keurlis, Johannes Bleikers, Jan Lucken
and Abraham Tunes. The three Op den Graeff's were
brothers. Herman was a son in-law of Van Bebber, ac-
companied by their sister Margaretha, and they were
cousins of Jan and Willem Streypers, who were also
brothers. The wives of Thones Kunders and Lenart
Arets were sisters of the Streypers, and the wife of Jan
was the lister of Reynier Tyson. Peter Keurlis was also
a near relative, and the location of the signature of Jan
Lucken and Abraham Tunes on the certificate of the
marriage of a son of Thones Kunders with a daughter of
Willem Streypers in 17 10, indicates that they too were
connected with the group by family ties (Streeper MSS. in
the Historical Society). On the 7th of June, 1683, ^an
Streypers and Jan Lensen entered into an agreement at
Crefeld, by the terms of which Streypers was to let Lensen
have fifty acres of land at a rent of a rix dollar and half a
stuyver, and to lend him fifty rix dollars for eight years
at the interest of six rix dollars annually. Lensen was
4
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52 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
to transport himself and wife to Pennsylvania, to clear
eight acres of Streyper's land and to work for him twelve
days in each year for eight years.
The agreement proceeds : " I further promise to lend
him a linen-weaving stool with three combs and he
shall have said weaving stool for two years . . and for
this Jan Lensen shall teach my son Leonard in one
year the art of weaving, and Leonard shall be bound to
weave faithfully during said year." On the i8th of June
the little colony were in Rotterdam, whither they were,
accompanied by Jacob Telner, Dirk Sipman and Jan
Streypers, and there many of their business arrange-
ments were completed. Telner conveyed two thousand
acres of land to the brothers Op den Graeff, and Sipman
made Herman Op den Graeff his attorney^ Jan Strey-
pers conveyed one hundred acres to his brother WiUem,
and to Seimens and Keurlis each two hundred acres.
Bleikers and Lucken each bought two hundred acres
from Benjamin Furly, agent for the purchasers at Frank-
fort. At this time James Claypoole, a Quaker merchant
in London, who had previously had business relations of
some kind with Telner, was about to remove with his
family to Pennsylvania, intending to sail in the Concord,
William Jeffries, master, a vessel of five hundred tons
burthen. Through him a passage from London was
engaged for them in the same vessel, which was expected
to leave Gravesend on the 6th of July, and the money
was paid in advance.* It is now ascertained- definitely
that eleven of these thirteen emigrants were from Crefeld,
and the presumption that their two companions, Jan
Lucken and Abraham Tunes, came from the same city
■* Letter Book of James Claypoole in the Historical Soc%ty.
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SETTLEMENT OF GERMANTOWN. 53
is consequently strong (5. W. Pennypacker), This pre-
sumption is increased by the indications of relationship,
and the fact that the wife of Jan Seimens was Merken
Williamsen Lucken. Unfortunately, however, we are
wanting in evidence of a general character. Pastorius,
after having an interview with Telner at Rotterdam, a few
weeks earlier, accompanied by four servants, who seem
to^have been Jacob Schumacher, Isaac Dilbeeck, George
Wertmiiller and Koenradt Rutters, had gone to America,
representing both the purchasers at Frankfort and Cre-
feld. In his references to the places at which he stopped
on his journey down the Rhine he nowhere mentions
emigrants, except at Crefeld, where he says : " I talked
with Tunes Kunders and his wife. Dirk, Herman and
Abraham Op den Graeff, and many others, who six
weeks later followed me '* {Pastorius MS), For some
reason the emigrants were delayed between Rotterdam
and London, and Claypoole was in great uneasiness for
fear the vessel should be compelled to sail without them,
and they should lose their passage money. He wrote
several letters about them to Benjamin Furly at Rotter-
dam. June 19th he says : " I am glad to hear the Crevill
ffriends are coming." July 3d he says : " Before I goe
away wch now is like to be longer than we expected by
reason of the Crevill friends not coming we are fain to
loyter and keep the ship still at Blackwell upon one pre-
tence or another," and July loth he says : " It troubles
me much that the friends from Crevillt are not yet come."
As he had the names of the thirty-three persons, this
contemporary evidence is very strong, and it would seem
safe to conclude that all of this pioneer band, which, with
Pastorius, founded Germantown, came from Crefeld.
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54 HISTORY OP THE M£NNONtT£S.
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg says the first comers were
Plattdeutsch from the neighborhood of Cleeves {Hallische
Nachrichten), Despite the forebodings of Claypoole, the
emigrants reached London in time for the Concord, and
they set sail westward on the 24th of July, 1683. While
they were for the first time experiencing the dangers and
trials of a voyage across the ocean, doubtless sometimes
looking back with regret, but oftener wistfully and won-
deringly forward, let us return to inquire who these
people were who were willing to abandon forever the
old homes and old friends along the Rhine, and com-
mence new lives with the wolf and the savage in the
forests upon the shores of the Delaware.
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Origin of the Sect of Mennonites.
As the origin of the sect of Mennonites is somewhat
involved in obscurity, their opponents, following Sleid-
anus and other writers of the sixteenth century, have
reproached them with being an outgrowth of the Ana-
baptists of Munster. On the contrary, their own his-
torians, Mehrning, Van Braght, Schynn, Maatschoen and
Roosen, trace their theological and lineal descent from
the Waldenses, some of whose congregations are said to
have existed from the earliest Christian times, and who
were able to maintain themselves in obscure parts of
Europe against the power of Rome, in large numbers,
from the twelfth century downward. The subject has
of recent years received thorough and philosophical
treatment at the hands of S. Blaupot Ten Gate, a
Dutch historian.* The theory of the Waldensian origin
is based mainly on a certain similarity in creed and Church
observances; the fact that the Waldeness are known
to have been numerous in those portions of Holland and
Flanders, where the Mennonites arose and throve, and to
have afterward disappeared, the ascertained descent of
some Mennonite families from Waldenses, and a marked
similarity in habits and occupations. This last fact is
* Geschiedkundig Onderzock naar den Waldenzischen oorsprung van de
Nederlandsche Doopsgezinden, Amsterdam, 1844.
iss)
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$6 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
especially interesting in our investigation, as will be here-
after seen.
The Waldenses carried the art of weaving from Flan-
ders into Holland, and so generally followed that trade
as in many localities to have gone by the name of Tis-
serands, or weavers (see Ten Gate's Onderzock^ p. 42). It
is not improbable that the truth lies between the two
theories of friend and foe, and that the Baptist movement,
whi(^ swept through Germany and the Netherlands in
the early part of the sixteenth century, gathered into its
embrace many of these communities of Waldenses. At
the one extreme of this movement were Thomas Miinzer,
Bernhard Rothman, Jean Matthys and John, of Leyden ;
at the other were Menno Simons, Dirk Philips and
Casper Schwenkfeld. Between them stood Battenburg
and D^vid Joris, of Delft. The common ground of them
all, and about the only ground which they had in com-
mon, was opposition to the baptism of infants.
Menno Simons was educated for the priesthood, and
entered upon its duties early in life. The beheading of
Sicke Snyder for re-baptism in the year 1531 in his near
neighborhood, called his attention to the subject of infant
baptism, and after a careful examination of the Bible and
the writings of Luther and Zwinglius, he came to the con-
clusion there was no foundation for it in the Scriptures.
He left the Catholic Church in 1 5 36. Ere long he began
to be recognized as the leader of the Taufgesinnte, and
gradually the sect assumed from him the name of Men-
nonites. His first book was a dissertation against the
errors and delusions in the teachings of John of Leyden,
and after a convention held at Buckhold in Westphalia,
in 1538, at which Battenburg and David Joris were
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ORIGIN OF THE SECT OF MENNONITES. $7
present, and Menno and Dirk Philips were represented,
the influence of the fanatical Anabaptists seems to have
waned. (See Nippolds Life of David Joris; Roosetis
Menno Simons, p. 32). His entire works, published at
Amsterdam in 1861, make a folio volume of 642 pages.
Luther and Calvin stayed their hands at a point where
power and influence would have been lost, but the Dutch
reformer, Menno, far in advance of his time, taught the
complete severance of Church and State, and the princi-
ples of religious liberty, which have been embodied in our
own federal constitution, were first worked out in Hol-
land.* The Mennonites believed that no baptism was
eflicacious unless accompanied by repentance, and that
the ceremony administered to infants was vain. Their
meetings were held in secret places, often in the middle of
the night, and in order to prevent possible exposure
under the pressure of pain, they purposely avoided know-
ing the names of the brethren whom they met, and of the
preachers who baptized them. (See Van Braghfs Mar-
tyrer Spiegel^ A reward of one hundred gold guilders
was offered for Menno ; malefactors were promised par-
don if they should capture him. Tjaert Ryndcrtz was
put on the wheel in 1539 for having given him shelter,
and a house in which his wife and children had rested,
unknown to its owner, was confiscated. He was, as his
followers fondly thought, miraculously protected however,
died peacefully in 1559, ^^^ ^^^ buried in his own gar-
den. The natural result of this persecution was much
dispersion. The prosperous communities of Hamburg
* Barclay's Religums Societies of the Commonwelthy pp. 78, 676; Men-
fufs " Exhortation to all in Authority ^** Funk's edition, Vol. i, p. 75 ; Vol.
2, p. 303-
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$8 HISTORY OF THE MENNONlTES.
and Altona were founded by refugees. The first Mennon-
ites in Prussia fled there from the Netherlands, and others
found their way up the Rhine. (See Life of Gerhard
Roosen, p. 5 .) Crefeld is chiefly noted for its manufactures of
silk, linen and other woven goods, and these manufac-
tures were first established by persons fleeing from relig-
ious intolerance.
From the Mennonites sprang the general Baptist
churches of England, the first of them having an ecfclesi-
astical connection with the parent societies in Holland,
and their organizers being Englishmen, who, as has been
discovered, were actual members of the Mennonite
Church at Amsterdam. (See Barclay's Religious Societies,
pp. 72, 73, 95.) It was for the benefit of these English-
men that the well-known Confession of Faith* of Hans
de Ries and Lubbert Gerritz was written, and according
to the late Robert Barclay, whose valuable work bears
every evidence of the most thorough and careful research,
it was from association with these early Baptist teachers
that George Fox, the founder of the Quakers, imbibed
his views. Says Barclay : " We are compelled to view
him as the unconscious exponent of the doctrine, prac-
tice and discipline of the ancient and stricter party of the
Dutch Mennonites." {Barclay, p. yj^ If this be correct,
to the spread of Mennonite teachings we owe the origin
* The preface to that Confession, Amsterdam, 1686, says : " Ter cause,
also daer eenige Englishe uyt Engeland gevlucht ware, om de vryheyd der
Religie alhier te genieten, en alsoo sy een schriftelijcke confessie {van de
voomoemde) hebben begeert, want veele van hare gheselschap inde Du)rtsche
Tale onervaren zijnde, het selfde niet en konde verstaen, ende als dan konde
de ghene die de Tale beyde verstonde de andere onderrechten, het welche
cock niet onvnichtbaer en is ghebleven, want na overlegh der saecke zijn sy
met de voemoemde Gemeente vereenight."
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ORIGIN OP THE SECT OF MENNONITES. ^ $g
of the Quakers and the settlement of Pennsylvania, The
doctrine of the inner light was by no means a new one
in Holland and Germany, and the dead letter of the Scrip-
tures is a thought common to David Joris, Casper
Schwenkfeldt and the modern Quaker. The similarity
between the two sects has been manifest to all observers,
and recognized by themselves. William Penn, writing to
Jan>es Logan, of some emigrants in 1709, says : " Here-
with comes the Palatines, whom use with tenderness and
love, and fix them so that they may send over an agree-
able character ; for they are a sober people, divers Mqp-
nonists, and will neither swear nor fight See that Guy
has used them well.'* Thomas Chalkley, writing from
Holland the same year, says: "There is a great people
which they call Mennonists, who are very near to truth,
and the fields are white unto harvest among that people,
spiritually speaking." When Ames, Caton, Stubbs,
Penn and others of the early Friends went to Holland
and Germany, they were received with the utmost kind-
ness by the Mennonites, which is in strong contrast with
their treatment at the hands of the established Churches.
The strongest testimony of this character, however, is
given by Thomas Story, the recorder of deeds in Penn-
sylvania, who made a trip to Holland and Germany in
171 5. There he preached in the Mennonite meeting-
houses at Hoorn, Holfert, Drachten, Goredyke, Herveen,
Jever, Oudeboone, Grow, Leeuwarden, Dokkum and Hen-
leven, while at Malkwara no meeting was held because
"a person of note among the Menists being departed this
life," and none at Saardem because of " the chief of the
Menists being over at Amsterdam." These meetings
were attended almost exclusively by Mennonites and
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6o HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
they entertained him at their homes. One of their
preachers he describes as " convinced of truth," and of
another he says that after a discourse of several hours
about religion they " had no difference." Jacob Nordyke,
of Harlingen, "a Menist and friendly man," accompanied
the party on their journey, and when the wagon broke
down near Oudeboone he went ahead on foot to prepare
a meeting. The climax of this staid, good fellowship was
capped, however, at Grow, Says Story in his journal :
" Hemine Gosses, their preacher, came to us, and taking
me^ by the hand he embraced me and saluted me with
several kisses, which I readily answered, for he ex-
pressed much satisfaction before the people, and received
us gladly, inviting us to take a dish of tea with him.
He showed us his garden and gave us of his grapes to
eat, but first of all a dram lest we should take cold after
the exercise of the meeting, and treated us as if he had
been a Friend, from which he is not fcir, having been as
tender as any at the meeting."
William Sewel, the historian, was a Mennonite (says
Pennypacker), and it certainly was no accident that the
first two Quaker histories were, written in Holland
{Sewel and Gerhard Creese), It was among the Men-
nonites they made their converts {Sewel, Barclay and
Seidensticker), In fact, transition between the two sects
both ways was easy. Quakers became members of the
Mennonite Church at Crefeld {Life of Gerhard Roosen, p.
^\ and at Harlem {Story's Journal, pp. 490), and in the
reply which Peter Henrichs and Jacob Claus, of Amster-
dam, made in 1679 to a pamphlet by Heinrich Kassel, a
Mennonite preacher at Krisheim they quote him as say-
ing "that the so-called Quakers, especially here in the
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ORIGIN OF THE SECT OF MENNONITES. 6l
Palatinate, have fallen off and gone out from the Men-
nonites/**
These were the people who, some as Mennonitcs and
others, perhaps, as recently converted Quakers, after
being unresistingly driven up and down the Rhine for a
century and a half, were ready to come to the wilds of
America. Of the six original purchasers, Jacob Telner
and Jacob Isaacs Van Bebber are known to have been
members of the Mennonite Church ; Govert Remke
{Johann Remke was the Mennonite preacher at Crefeld in
1752), January 14th, 1686, sold his land to Dirk Sipman,
and had little to do with the emigration ; Sipman selected
as his attorneys here, at various times, Hermann Op den
Graeff, Hendrick Sellen and Van Bebber, all of whom
were Mennonites ; and Jan Streypers was represented
also by Sellen, was a cousin of the Op den Graeffs and
was the uncle of Hermannus and Arnold Kuster, two of
the most active of the early Pennsylvania members of
that sect Of the emigrants Dirk, Herman and Abraham
Op den Graeff were Mennonites, and were grandsons of
Hermann Op den Graeff, the delegate from Crefeld to the
Council which met at Dortrecht in 1632 and adopted a
Confession of Faith.f Many of the others, as we have
seen, were connected with the Op den Graeffs by family
ties. Jan Lensen was a member of the. Mennonite
Church here. Jan Lucken bears the same name as the
engraver who illustrated the edition of Van Braght, pub-
* This rare and valuable pamphlet is in the library of A. H. Cassel, at
Harleysville.
t Scheuten Genealogy in the possession of Miss Elizabeth Mflller, of
Crefeld, Extracts from MS. which begins with the year 1562 to Frederick
Miiller, the celebrated antiquary and bibliophile of Amsterdam.
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62 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
lished in 1685, and others of the books of the Mennonite
Church, and the Dutch Bible which he brought with him
is a copy of the third edition of Nicolaes Biestkens, the
first Bible published by the Mennonites.* Lenart Arets,
a follower of David Joris, was beheaded at Poeldyk
in 1535. The name Tunes occurs frequently on the
name lists of the Mennonite preachers about the time of
this emigration, and Hermann Tunes was a member of
the first church in Pennsylvania. This evidence, good
as far as it goes, but not complete, is strengthened by the
statement of Mennonite writers and others upon both
sides of the Atlantic. Roosen tells us " William Penn
had, in the year 1683, invited the Mennonites to settle in
Pennsylvania. Soon many from the Netherlands went
over and settled in and about Germantown." Funk, in
his account of the first church, says : " Upon the invita-
tion of William Penn to our distressed forefathers in the
faith, it is said a number of them emigrated either from
Holland or the Palatinate and settled in Germantown in
1683, and there established the first church in America."
Rupp asserts that " in Europe they had been sorely per-
secuted, and, on the invitation of the liberal-minded
William Penn, they transported themselves and families
into the Province of Pennsylvania as early as 1683."
Those who came that year and in 1698 settled in and
about Germantown. Says Haldeman : " Whether the
first Taufgesinneten, or Mennonites, came from Holland
or Switzerland I have no certain information, but they
came in the year 1683." Richard Townsend,an eminent
* The Bible now belongs to Abel Lukens, of North Wales, Montgomeiy
County, Pennsylvania,
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' ORIGIN OF THE SECT OF MENNONITES. 63
Quaker preacher, who came over in the " Welcome ** and
settled a mile from Germantown, calls them a ** religious,
good people/' but he does not say they were Friends, as
he probably would have done had the (acts justified it
(Hazard's Register, Vol. 6, p. 198.) Abraham, Dirk and
Hermann Op den Graeff, Lenart Arets, Abraham Tunes
and Jan Lensen were linen weavers, and in 1686 Jan
Streypers wrote to his brother Willem inquiring ** who
has wove my yarns, how many ells long and how broad
the cloth made from it, and through what fineness of comb
it has been through." {Deeds^ Strypcr's AfSS.)
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Arrival of Mennonites at Germantown.
The pioneers had a pleasant voyage and reached Phila-
delphia on the 6th of October, 1683. In the language
of Claypoole : " The blessing of the Lord did attend us
so that we had a very comfortable passage and had our
health all the way {Claypoole' s Letter Book), Unto Johan-
nes Bleikers a son Peter was born while at sea. Cold
weather was approaching and they had little time to waste
in ydleness or curiosity. On the 12th of the sarAe month
a warrant was issued to Pastorius for six thousand acres
" on behalf of the German and Dutch purchasers." On
the 24th Thomas Fairman measured off fourteen divi-
sions of land, and the next day meeting together in the
cave of Pastorius they drew lots for the choice of loca-
tion. Under the warrant 5,350 acres were laid out May
2d, 1684, having been allotted and shared out by the said
Francis Daniel Pastorius, as trustee for them and by their
own consent to the German and Dutch purchasers, after
named ^s their respective several and distinct dividends,
whose names and quantities of the said land they and the
said Pastorius did desire might be herein inserted and
set down, viz. : The first purchaser of Frankfort, Ger-
many, Jacobus Van de Walle 535, Johan Jacob Schutz
428, Johan Wilhelm Uberfeld 107, Daniel Behagel 356^,
George Strauss 1783^, Jan Laurens 535, Abraham Hase-
(64)
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOW'N. 6$
voet 535, in all 2,675 acres of land. The first purchasers
of Crefeld in Germany, Jacob Telner 989, Jan Stre>'pers
275, Dirk Sipman 588, Govert Remke 161, Lenert Arcts
501, Jacob Isaacs 161, in all 2,675 acres." In addition 200
acres were laid out for Pastorius in his own right, and
150 to Jurian Hartsfelder, a stray Dutchman or German,
who had been a deputy sheriff under Andross in 1676,
and who now cast his lot in with the settlers at German-
town. (Exemplification Records, Vol. i, p. 61. It is also
said t/iat Heinrich Frey^ was here before the landing of
Penn) Immediately after the division in the cave of
Pastorius they began to dig the cellars and build the huts
in which, not without much hardship, they spent the
following winter. Thus comhienced the settlement of
Germantown. Pastorius tells us that some people were
making a pun upon the name and called it Armentown^
because of their lack of supplies, and adds, " it could not
be described, nor would it be believed by coming genera-
tions, in what want and need and with what Christian
contentment and persistent industry this Germantownship
started." Willem Streypers wrote over to his brother
Jan on the 20th of second month, 1684, that he was
already on Jan's lot to clear and sow it and make a dwell-
ing, but that there was nothing in hand and he must
have a year's provision, to which in due time Jan replied
by sending a "box with 3 combs and 5 shirts and a
small parcel with iron ware for a weaving stool," and
telling him " to let Jan Lensen weave a piece of cloth to
sell and apply it to your use."
* Heinrich Frey and Joseph Blattenbach were the two first Gennan emi-
grants who came to Pennsylvania. They emigrated in 1680 and settled
in Fhiladeli^iia. {Hallische Nachrichten.)
5
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66 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
In better spirits Willem wrote October 22d, 1684 : " I
have been busy and made a brave dwelling house, and_
under it a cellar fit to live in, and have so much grain,
such as Indian Com and Buckwheat that this winter I
shall be better off than what I was last year/'*
Other emigrants ere long began to appear in the little
town. Comelis Bom, a Dutch baker, whom Claypoole
mentions in association with Telner, and who bears the
same name as a delegate from Schiedam to the Menno-
nite convention at Dortrecht, arrived in Philadelphia
before Pastorius. David Scherkes, perhaps from Miihl-
heim on the Ruhr, and Walter Seimens and Isaac Jacobs
Van Bebber, both from Crefeld, were in Germantown,
November 8th, 1684. Van Bebber was a son of Jacob
Isaacs Van Bebber, and was followed by his father and
brother Matthias in 1687. Jacob Telner, the second of
the six original Crefeld purchasers to cross the Atlantic,
reached New York after a tedious voyage of twelve weeks'
duration, and from there he wrote December 12th, 1684,
to Jan Laurens, of Rotterdam, that his wife and daughter
were "in good health and fat,** that he had made a trip
to Pennsylvania, which " he found a beautiful land with
a healthy atmosphere, excellent fountains and springs
running through it, beautiful trees, from which can be ob-
tained better firewood than the turf of Holland," and that
he intended to take his family there the following spring.f
He seems to have been the central figure of the whole
emigration. As a merchant in Amsterdam his business
* Streeper MSS.
f Two letters in Dutch from Bom and Telner to Jan Laurens were
printed in Rotterdam in 1685. The only known copy is in the Moravian
Archives at Bethlehem.
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOW'N. 6/
was extensive. He had transactions with the Quakers
in London, and friendly relations with some of the people
in New York. One of the earliest to buy lands here, we
find him meeting Pastorius immediately prior to the
latter's departure, doubtless to give instructions, and later
personally superintending the emigration of the Colonists.
During his thirteen years* residence in Germantown his
relations, both in a business and social way with the prin-
jcipal men in Philadelphia, were apparently close and in-
timate. Penn wrote to Logan in 1703: *' I have been
much pressed by Jacob Telner concerning Rebecca Ship-
pen's business in the town."* Both Robert Turner and
Samuel Carpenter acted as his attorneys. He and his
daughter Susanna were present at the marriage of Francis
Rawle and Martha Turner in 1689, and witnessed their
certificate. The harmonious blending of the Mennorfite
and the Quaker is nowhere better shown than in the fact
of his accompanying John Delavall on a preaching and
proselyting tour to New England in 1692. He was the
author of a " Treatise" in quarto, mentioned by Pastorius,
and extracts from his letters to Laurens were printed at
Rotterdam in 1685 {MS. Historical Society). About 1692
he appears to have published a paper in the controversy
with George Keith, charging him with "impious blas-
phemy and denying the Lord that bought him."t He
was one of the first burgesses of Germantown, the most
extensive landholder there, and promised to give ground
enough for the erection of a market house, a promise,
* Smithes History ^ HazarcTs Register ^ Vol. 6, p. 309. Smith adopts him
as a Friend, but in his own letter of 1709, written while he was living among
the Quakers in England, he calls himself a Mennonite.
t A True Account of the Sense and Advice of the People called Quakers.
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68 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
which we will presume, he fiilfilleA In 1698 he went to
London, where he was living as a merchant as late as
17 1 2, and from there, in 1709, he wrote to Rotterdam
concerning the miseries of some emig^rants, six of whom
were Mennonites from the Palatinate who had gone that
hr on their journey and were unable to proceed. " The
English friends who are called Quakers," he says, had
given material assistance.* Doubtless European re-
search would throw much light on his career. He was
baptized at the Mennonite church in Amsterdam, March
29th, 1665. His only child, Susanna, married Albertus
Brandt, a merchant of Germantown and Philadelphia, and
after the death of her first husband, in 1701, she married
David Williams (Exemp, Records ^ Vol. 7, p. 208). After de-
ducting the land laid out in Germantown, and the two thou-
sand acres sold to the Op den Graeffs, the bulk of his five
thousand acres was taken up on the Skippack, in a tract for
many years known as Telnor's Township. In. 1684 also
came Jan Willemse Bockanogen, a Quaker cooper from
Harlem.t October 12th, 1685, in the "Francis and
Dorothy," arrived Hans Peter Umstat from Crefeld, with
his wife Barbara," his son John, and his daughters Anna
Margaretta and Eve ; % Peter Schumacher, with his son
Peter, his daughters Mary, Frances and Gertrude, and his
cousin Sarah ; Gerhard Hendricks, with his wife Mary, his
daughter Sarah and his servant Heinrich Frey, the last
* Dr. Sheflfer's Paper in the Pmnsytvania Magazitu^ Vol. 2, p. 122.
+ Among his descendants was Henry Armitt Brown, the orator. The old
Bockenogens were Mennonite weavers, who fled to Harlem because of per-
secution about 1578.
t " He brought over with him the family Bible of his father, Nicholas Um-
stat, which I have inherited through his daughter Eve,** says S. W. Penny-
packer.
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 69
named from Altheim in Alsace ; and Heinrich Buchholtz 1
and his wife Mary. Peter Schumacher, an early Quaker
convert from the Mennonites, is the first person definitely
ascertained to have come from Kriesheim, the little village
in the Palatinate, to which so much prominence has been
given. Fortunately we know under what auspices he
arrived. By an agreement with Dirk Sipman, of Crefeld,
dated August i6th, 1685, he was to proceed with the first
good wind to Pennsylvania, and there receive two hundred
acres from Herman Op den Graeff, on which he should
erect a dwelling, and for which he should pay a rent of two
rix dollars a year.* Gerhard Hendricks also had bought
two hundred acres from Sipman {Deed Book, Ed. IV, vol.
7, p. 180). " He came from Kriesheim, and I am inclined
to believe that his identity may be merged in that of Ger-
hard Hendricks Dewees," says Saml. W. Pennypacker.
If so, he was associated with the Op den Graeffs and
Van Bebbers, and was the grandson of Adrian Hendricks
Dewees, a Hollander, who seems to have lived in Amster-
dam (see RatKs Buck), This identification, however,
needs further investigation. Dewees bought land of Sip-
man, which his widow, Zytien, sold in* 1 701. The wife
of Gerhard Hendricks in the court records is called Sytje.
On the tax list of 1693 there is a Gerhard Hendricks,
but no Dewees, though the latter at that time was the
owner of land (5. W, Pennypacker), Hendricks, after
the Dutch manner, called one son William Gerrits and
another Lambert Gerrits, and both men, if there were
two. die^ about the same time. Much confusion has re-
sulted from a want of familiarity on the part of local his-
* See his Deed in Dutch in the Gennantown Book.
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^0 HISTORV OF THE MENNONITES.
torians with the Dutch habit of omitting the final or local
appellation. Thus the Van Bebbers are frequently re-
ferred to in contemporaneous records as Jacob Isaacs,
Issac Jacobs and Matthias Jacobs, the Op den Graeffs as
Dirk Isaac, Abraham Isaacs and Herman Isaacs, and
Van Burklow as Reynier Hermanns. In 1685 also came
Heivert Papen, afterwards married to Elizabeth Ritten-
house, daughter of Willem Rittenhouse, and on the 20th
of March, 1686, Johannes Kassel, a weaver, and another
Quaker convert from the Mennonites, from Kriesheim,
aged forty-seven years, with his children, Arnold, Peter,
Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah, both having purchased land
from individual members of the Frankfort Company.
About the same time Klas Tamsen arrived. In the vessel
with Kassel was a widow, Sarah Schumacher, from the
Palatinate and doubtless from Kriesheim, with her chil-
dren Greorge, Abraham, Barbara, Isaac, Susanna, Elisabeth
and Benjamin. Isaac Schumacher married Sarah, only
daughter of Gerhard Hendricks. Their son Benjamin
and their grandson Samuel were successively Mayors of
Philadelphia, and a great granddaughter was the wife of
William Rawle ( W, Brooks Rawle^ Esq).
Among the Mennonite martyrs mentioned by Van
Braght there are several bearing the name of Schoen-
maker, and that there was a Dutch settlement in the
neighborhood of Kriesheim is certain. At Flomborn, a
few miles distant, is a spring which the people of the
vicinity still call the " Hollander Spring."* The Panne-
* This and other information is from Herr Johannes Pfannebecker,
Geheimer Regierungs-Rath (of Germany), living in Worms, who at the
request of Dr. Seidensticker and S. W. Pennypacker, made an investigation
at Kriesheim.
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AkklVAL 01^ MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. /t
bakkers went there at some remote date from North Bra-
bant in Holland. S. W. Pennypacker says : " I have a
Dutch medical work, published in 1622, which belonged
to Johannes Kassel." Many Dutch books from the same
family are in the possession of that indefatigable anti-
quary, Abraham H. Cassel, and the deed of Peter Schu-
macher is in Dutch. The Kolbs, who came to Pennsyl-
vania later, were grandsons of Peter Schumacher and
were all earnest Mennonites. The Kassels brought over
with them many of the manuscripts of one of their
family, Ylles Kassel, a Mennonite preacher at Kriesheim,
who was born before 1618 and died after 168 1, and some
of these papers are still preserved. The most interesting
is a long poem in German rhyme which describes vividly
the condition of the country, and throws the strongest
light upon the character of the people and the causes of
the emigration. The writer says that it was copied off
with much pain and bodily suffering November 28th,
1665. It begins: "O Lord! to Thee the thoughts of
all hearts are known. Into Thy hands I commend my
body and soul. When Thou lookest upon me with Thy
mercy all things are well with me. Thou hast stricken
me with severe illness, which is a rod for my correction.
Give me patience and resignation. Forgive all my sins
and wickedness. Let not Thy mercy forsake me. Lay
not on me more than I can bear." And continues : " O
Lord God ! Protect me in this time of war and danger,
that evil men may not do with me as they wish. Take
me to a place where I may be concealed from them, free
from such trials and cares. My wife and children, too,
that they may not come to shame at their hands. Let
all my dear friends find mercy from Thee.'* After noting
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72 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
a successful flight to Worms, he goes on : " O dear God
and Lord ! to Thee be all thanks, honor and praise for
Thy mercy and pity, which Thou hast shown to me in
thi3 time. Thou hast protected me from evil men, as
from my heart I prayed Thee. Thou hast led me in the
right way, so that I came to a place where I was con-
cealed from such sorrows and cares. Thou hast kept the
way clear till I reached the city, while other people about
were much robbed and plundered. I have found a place
among people who show me much love and kindness.
. . . Gather us into heaven of which I am unworthy, but
still I have a faith that God will not drive me into the
Devil's kingdom with such a host as that which now in
this land with murder and robbery destroys many people
in many places, and never once think how it may stand
before God. . . Well is it known what misery, suffering
and danger are about in this land, with robbing, plunder-
ing, murdering and burning. Many a man is brought
into pain and need and abused even unto death. Many
a beautiful home is destroyed. The clothes are torn from
the backs of many people. Cattle and herds are taken
away. Much sorrow and complaint have been heard.
The beehives are broken down, the wine spilled." *
The first to die was Jan Seimens, whose widow was
again about to marry in October, 1685. Bom died before
1689, and his daughter Agnes married Anthony Morris,
the ancestor of the distinguished family of tTiat name.
In 1685 Wigard and Gerhard Levering came from Muhl-
heim on the Ruhr, a town also for down the Rhine, near
Holland, which next to Crefeld seems to have sent the
* These papers also belong to A. H. Cassel, his descendant.
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 73
largest number of emigrants. In 1687 Arents Klinken
arrived from Dalem, in Holland, and Jan Streypers
wrote : " I intend to come over myself/* which intention
. he carried into effect before 1706, as at that date he signed
a petition for naturalization. All of the original Crefeld
purchasers, therefore, came to Pennsylvania sooner or
later, except Remke and Sipman. He, however, returned
to Europe, where he and Willem had an undivided in-
heritance at Kaldkirchen,and it was agreed between them
that Jan should keep the whole of it and Willem take
the lands here. The latter were 275 acres at German-
town, 50 at Chestnut Hill, 275 at the Trappe, 4448 in
Bucks County, together with 50 acres of Liberty lands,
and three city lots, the measurement thus considerably
overrunning his purchase.
Another arrival of importance was that of Willem Rit-
tinghuysen, in 1688, a Mennonite minister, who, with his
two sons, Gerhard and Klaas, or Nicholas, and a daugh-
ter, who later married Heivert Papen, came from Broich,
in Holland. His forefathers had long carried on the busi-
ness of manufacturing paper at Arnheim, and in 1690
he built the first paper mill in America, on a branch of
the Wissahickon Creek. There he made the paper used
by William Bradford, the earliest printer in the middle
colonies. It appears from a letter in the Mennonite ar-
chives, at Amsterdam, that he endeavored to have the
Confession of Faith translated into English and printed
by Bradford, and that he died in 1708, aged sixty-four
years.* The Mennonites had their Confession of Faith
* Jones' Notes to Thomas on Printing; Barton^ s Life of David Ritten-
house; Penna. Magazine^ Vol. 2, p. 120.
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74 ' HISTORY OF THE MfiNNONITES.
printed in English, in Amsterdam, in 171 2 ; and a reprint
by Andrew Bradford, in 1727, with an appendix, is the
first book printed in Pennsylvania for the Germans. The
erection of the paper mill is likely to keep his memory
green for many generations to come, and its value was
fully appreciated by his contemporaries. In a Description
cf Pennsylvania, in verse, by Richard Frame, in 1692, we
are told, " A papermill near Germantown does stand,"
and says the quaint Gabriel Thomas, six years later, *' all
sorts of very good paper are made in the German town."
About 1687 came Jan Duplouvys, a Dutch baker, who
married, by Friends* ceremony, Weyntie Van Sanen, in
the presence of Telner and Bom, on the third of third
month, of that year ; and Dirk Keyser, a silk merchant, of
Amsterdam, and a Mennonite, connected by family ties
with the leading Mennonites of that city, arrived in Grer-
mantown, in 1688, by way of New York. If we can rely
on tradition, the latter was a descendant of that Leonard
Keyser who was burned to death at Scharding, in 1527,
and who, according to Ten Gate, was one of the Wal-
denses (see Penny packer Reunion, p. 13). There was a
rustic murmur in the little burgh (Germantown) that year,
which time has shown to have been the echo of the great
wave that rolls around the world. The event, probably,
at that time produced no commotion and attracted little
attention. It may well be that the consciousness of hav-
ing won immortality never dawned upon any of the par-
ticipants, and yet a mighty nation will ever recognize it
in time to come as one of the brightest pages in the early
history of Pennsylvania. On the i8th of April, 1688,
Gerhard Hendricks, Dirk Op den Graeff, Francis Daniel
Pastorius and Abraham Op den Graeffsent to the Friends'
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ARRIVAL OP MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 75
Meeting the first public protest ever made on this Conti-
nent against the holding of slaves. A little rill there
started Which further on became an immense torrent, and
whenever thereafter men trace analytically the causes
which led to Shiloh, Gettysburg and Appomattox, they
will begin with the tender consciences of the linen weavers
and husbandmen of Germantown.
The protest is as follows :
This is to y" Monthly Meeting held at Rigert
Worrells.
These are the reasons why we are against the traffick
of mens-body, as followeth. Is there any that would be
done or handled at this manner ? viz. to be sold or made
a slave for all the time of his life ? How fearful & faint-
hearted are many on sea, when they see a strange vassel
being afraid it should be a Turck, and they should be
tacken and sold for Slaves in Turckey. Now what is
this better done as Turcks doe ? yea rather is it worse for
them, wch say they are Christians ; for we hear, that y"
most part of such Negers are brought heither against their
will & consent, and that many of them are stoUen. Now
tho' they are black, we cannot conceive there is more
liberty to have them slaves, as it is to have other white
ones. There is a saying, that we shall doe to all men,
licke as we will be done our selves: macking no difference
of what generation, descent or Colour they are. And
those who steal or robb men, and those who buy or pur-
chase them, are they not all alicke ? Here is liberty of
Conscience, wch is right & reasonable, here ought to be
likewise liberty of y* body, except of evildoers, wch is
an other case. But to bring men hither, or to robb and
sell them against their will, we stand against. In Europe
there are many oppressed for Conscience sacke ; and here
there are those oppressed wch are of a black Colour. And
we who know that men must not comitt adultery, some
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^(> HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
doe comitt adultery, in others, separating wifes from their
housbands, and giving them to others and some sell the
^children of those poor Creatures to other men. Oh! doe
consider well this things, you who doe it, if you would be
done at this manner ? and if it is done according Christi-
^anity? you surpass Holland & Germany in this thing.
This mackes an ill report in all those Countries of Europe,
where they hear off, that y* Quackers doe here handel
men, Licke they handel there y* Cattle; and for that
reason some have no mind or inclination to come hither.
And who shall maintaine this^your cause, or plaid for it?
True^y we can not do so except you shall inform us better
hereoff, viz. that christians have liberty to practise this
things. Pray! What thing in the world can be done
worse towarts us then if men should robb or steal us away
& sell us for slaves to strange Countries ; separating hous-
bands from their wife & children, Being now this is not
done at that manner we will be done at, therefore we con-
tradict & are against this traffick of men body. And we
who profess that it is not lawfuU to steal, must lickewise
avoid to purchase such things as are stolen, but rather
help to stop this robbing and stealing if possibel and such
men ought to be delivred out of y* hands of y* Robbers
and set free as well as in Europe. Then is Pensilvania
to have a good report, in stead it hath now a bad one for
this sacke in other Countries. Especially whereas y* Eu-
ropeans are desirous to know in what manner Y Quackers
doe rule in their Province & most of them doe loock upon
us with an envious eye. But if this is done well, what
shall we say, is don evil ?
If once these slaves (wch they say are so wicked and
stubbern men) should joint themselves, fight for their free-
dom, and handel their masters and niastrisses, as they did
handel them before; will these masters & niastrisses
tacke the sword at hand & warr against these poor slaves,
licke we are able to belive, some will not refuse to doe?
Or have these negers not as much right to fight for their
freedom, as you have to keep them slaves?
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. ^^
Now consider well this thing, if it is good or bad ? and
in case you find it to be good to handei these blacks at
that manner, we desire & require you hereby lovingly
that you may informe us herein, which at this time never
was done, viz. that Christians have Liberty to do so, to
the end we shall be satisfied in this point, & satisfie licke-
wise our good fi'iends& acquaintances in our natif Country,
to whose it is a terrour, or (airfuU thing that men should
be handeld so in Pensilvania.
This was is fi-om our meeting at Germantown hold y*
1 8 of the 2 month 1688 to be delivred to the monthly
meeting jtt Richard Warrel's.
gerret hendericks
derick op de graeff
Francis daniell Pastorius
Abraham op den graef.
"At our monthly meeting at Dublin, j^ 30 2 mo. 1688,
we having inspected y* matter, above mentioned & con-
sidered of it, we finde it so weighty that we think it not
Expedient for us to meddle with it here, but do Rather
comitt it to y* consideration of y* Quarterly meeting, y*
tennor of it being nearly Related to y* truth.
on behalfe of y* monthly meeting.
signed, pr. Jo. Hart."
"This above mentioned was Read in our Quarterly
meeting at Philadelphia, the 4 of y* 4 mo. *88, and was
from thence recommended to the Yearly Meeting, and
the above-said Derick, and the other two mentioned
therein, to present the same to y* above-said meeting, it
being a thing of too great a weight for this meeting to
determine.
Signed by order of y' meeting,
Anthony Morris.
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78 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Yearly Meeting Minute on the above Protest. ,
At a Yearly Meeting held at Burlington the 5th day
of the 7th month, 1688.
A Paper being here presented by some German Friends
Concerning the Lawfulness and Unlawfulness of Buying
and keeping Negroes, it was adjudged not to be so proper
for this Meeting to give a Positive Judgment in the Case,
It having so General a Relation to many other Parts, and
therefore at present they forbear It.
As to the origin of the above protest, there is a differ-
ence of opinion as to who is entitled to the credit Mrs.
Anna Brons, of Holland, writes in an historical sketch of
the Mennonites, stating that a copy of the above protest
was in possession of the chief burgomaster at Crefeld.
She further says : " The feeling of personal liberty
probably was the cause of several brethren meeting to-
gether on the 1 8th of April, 1688, and resolved to enter
a protest against slavery." Whether Garret Hendricks
was connected with the Mennoriite Church is not posi-
tively known, but the Hendricks generally were Menno-
nites; their descendants now living in Bucks County are
of that faith, and in an article published in the German-
town Independent of July 28th, 1883, it says : " It is held
quite probable that Hendricks was of that faith, and
Laurence Hendricks was a Mennonite minister in the
Palatinate, as appears in his letter written April 9th,
1 7 10.
Derick up de Graeff* and Abraham up Den Graef were
Mennonites, says S. W. Pennypacker, in his Biographical
Sketches, p. 28, and were grandsons of Herman Op den
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 79
Graeff,* the delegate from Crefeld to the Council which
met at Dortrecht in 1632, and adopted a Confession of
Faith.
Further, it is said by some that Pastorius was a Quaker
and by others that he was a Dunkard, but it appears by
close investigation that he was neither. It is held that he
was a Pietist ; on one occasion he called the Pietists his
friends ; afterward he wrote two pamphlets in the con-
troversy with George Keith, in 1697, printed at Amster-
dam, by Jacob Claus, to the so-called Pietists in Germany.f
Neither is it known where he is buried. If he had been
a Quaker his grave would undoubtedly be known.
Dr. Ludwig Keller, Royal Librarian at Munster, Ger-
many, in his history of the " Altevangelischen Gemein-
den," printed at Berlin, says the following on p. 5 1 :
" It is by no means yet generally known what promi-
nent merits these old congregations deserve, not only in
establishing freedom of conscience, but also in Ihe attempt
to abolish slavery and witchcraft."
" The German Mennonites were the first who protested
against slavery, as they found it in America, by entering
an earnest protest against it ; and to the Quakers belong
* Foot-note, p. 206, Historical and Biographical Skttclus^ by S. W.
Pennypacker, reads thus :
" When this article was written I had no knowledge of the Scheuten gene-
alogy. That valuable MS. says that Herman Op den Graeff was born No-
vember 26th, 15S5, at Aldekerk, a village near the borders of Holland. He
moved to Crefeld, and there married a Mennonite girl, Grietjen Pletjes,
daughter of Driessen, August 1 6th, 1605. He died December 27th, 1642,
and she died January 7th, 1643. They had eighteen children, among whom'
was Isaac, who was bom February 28th, 161 6, and died January 17th,
1679. He had four children, I^erman, Abraham, Dirk and Margaret,
all of whom emigrated to Germantown.
t See Pennypacker' s Sketches y pp. 17 and 49.
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80 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
the credit of having successfully carried the work further,
also the same with witchcraft."
Dr. W. J. Mann, of Zion's Church, Franklin Street,
Philadelphia {Lutheran), in an address delivered on the
bi-centennial of Germantown, and published in the
Philadelphia Press, October 8th, 1883, says: "Two
hundred years ago the first German emigrants came to
our beautiful Pennsylvania; they were small (few) in num-
bers, but they were an energetic, industrious and perse-
vering people. They came as Christians, and not being
provided with churches they united with the Quakers
and worshiped with them, and indeed, in 1688, undertook
to lay the first protest against slavery before the monthly
meeting of the Quakers."
In the Catalogue of the Library of the *' Vereenigde
Doopsgezinde Gemeente" at Amsterdam, by Prof J. G.
De Hoop SchefTer, we find the following on p. 46 :
'• Germantown Friends' protest against slavery, 1688
fol. (fotogr. afdruk 1880)."
"Yearly meeting minutes on the above protest.
Burlingt, 1788 fol. (fotogr. afdruck 1880.) (Van de
vier onderteekenaars van het protest zijn er drie doops-
gesinnten uit Crefeld afkomstig.)"*
It took almost one hundred and eighty years and a
mighty war which shook our whole Union to the founda-
tion, to bring about what those Germans in their simple-
heartedness had considered as the right and Christian
thing at too early a period. It is conceded generally
* Among the four signers of the above protest were three baptism-minded
from Crefeld.
Von den vier Untcrschreibem des dbigen Protests waren drei Taufge-
sinnten aus Crefeld.
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 8 1
that the Quakers and Mennonites worshiped together be-
fore the Mennonites had a meeting-house, but that they
connected themselves with the Quakers Dr. Mann does
not say. By reading the above protest carefully it can
plainly be seen that it has not been written by Quakers,
because if written by them they would not have used the
word Quakers, but Friends. Again, it accuses the Quakers
in strong terms of holding slaves and dealing in them
themselves, where they say : " Oh, doe consider well this
thing, you who doe it," and " That ye Quakers do here
handel men," and " Who shall maintain this your cause
or plead for it? " " Truly we can not do so except you
shall inform us better hereof," etc. Furthertheprotestgoes
on and says : " Now consider well this thing, if it is good
or bad ? and in case^^« find it to be good to handel these
blacks at that manner, we desire and require you hereby
lovingly that you may informe us herein, which at this
time never was done." (/ hereby follow the original as
to language and orthography,)
The residents in 1689, not heretofore mentioned, were
Paul Wolff, a weaver froni Fendern, in Holstein, near
Hamburg, Jacob Jansen Klumpges, Cornelis Siverts,
Hans Millan, Johan Silans, Dirk Van Kolk, Hermann
Bom, Hendrick Sellen, Isaac Schaffer, Ennecke Kloster7
man, from Miihlheim on the Ruhr, Jan Doeden and An-
dries Souplis. Of these, Siverts was a native of Friesland,
the home of Menno Simons (see Rath's Buch). Sellen,
with his brother Dirk, were Mennonites from Crefeld, and
Souplis was admitted as a burgher and denizen of the
city of New York, September 17th, 1685, with a right to
trade anywhere in his majesty's dominions. The origin
of the others I have not been able to ascertain, says
6
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82 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Pennypacker. Hendrick Sellen was very active in affitirs
at Germantown. According to Funk he gave the ground
for the Mennonite church there, was a trustee of the
church on the Skippack, and in 1698 made a trip to Cre-
feld, carrying back to the old home many business com-
munications, and we may well suppose many messages
of friendship.
On the 14th of January, 1690, two thousand nine hun-
red and fifty acres north of Germantown were divided
into three districts, and called Kriesheim, Sommerhausen,
from the birthplace of Pastorius, and Crefeld.
An effort at naturalization, made in 1691, adds to our
list of residents Reynier Hermanns Van Burklow, Peter
Klever, Anthony Loof, Paul Karstner, Andris Kramer,
Jan Williams, Hermann Op de Trap, Hendrick Kasselberg,
from Bakersdorf in the country of Brugge, and Klas
Jansen. The last two were Mennonites, Jansen being
one of the earliest preachers. Op de Trap, or Trapman, as
he is sometimes called, appears to have come fi-om Muhl-
heim on the Ruhr, and was drowned at Philadelphia in
1693. Gisbert Wilhelms died the year before.
Pastorius served in the Assembly in the years 1687
and 1 69 1, and Abraham Op den Graeff in the years 1689,
1690 and 1692, though th^y were both still aliens.
Francis Daniel Pastorius was a son of Melchior Adam
Pastorius, who was converted to the Protestant faith.
Francis Daniel was born at Sommerhausen, September
26th, 1 65 1. When he was seven years old his father re-
moved to Windsheim, and there he was sent to school.
Later he spent two years at the University of Strasburg,
in 1672 went to the high school at Basle, and afterwards
studied law at Jena. He was thoroughly familiar with
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 83
the Greek, Latin, German, French, Dutch, English and
Italian tongues, and at the age of twenty-two publicly
disputed in diflerent languages upon law and philosophy.
On the 24th of April, 1679, he went to Frankfort, and
there began the practice of law; but on June, 1680, he
started with Johan Bonaventura von Rodeck, " a noble
young spark,'* on* a tour through Holland, England,
France, Switzerland and Germany, which occupied over
two years. On his return to Frankfort, in November,
1682, he heard from his friends the Pietists of the con-
templated emigration to Pennsylvania, and with a sudden
enthusiasm he determined to join them, or in his own
words, "a strong desire came upon me to cross the seas
with them." He sailed from London June loth, 1683, and
arrived at Philadelphia, August 20th. His great learning
and social position at home made him the most con-
spicuous person at Germantown. He married November,
1688, Ennecke Klosterman, and had two sons, John
Samuel and Henry.
The village had now become populous enough to war-
rant a separate existence, and on May 31st, 169 1, a charter
of incorporation was issued to Francis Daniel Pastorius,
bailiff; Jacob Telner, Dirk Op den Graeff, Hermann Op
den Graeff and Thones Kunders, burgesses; Abraham
Op den Graeff, Jacob Isaacs Van Bebber, Johannes
Kassel, Heivert Papen, Hermann Bom and Dirk Van
Kolk, committeemen (council), with power to hold a court
and a market, to admit citizens, to impose fines and to
make ordinances. The bailiff and first two burgesses
were constituted justices of the peace — they did not want
their laws to go unheeded. It was therefore ordered that
" On the 19th 1st month in each year the people shall be
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84 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
called together and the laws and ordinances read aloud to
them." Oh, ye modern legislators ! think how few must
have been the statutes and how plain the language in
which they were written in that happy community. As
we have seen, the greater number of the first Crefeld
emigrants were weavers. This industry increased so that
Frame describes Germantown as a place
" Where lives High German people and Low Dutch,
Whose trade in weaving linen cloth is much ;
There grows the Flax as also you may know
That fix)m the same they do divide the tow ;*'
and Thomas says they made "very fine Grerman linen,
such as no Person of quality need be ashamed to wean"
When, therefore, Pastorius was
called upon to devise a town
seal, he selected a clover on
. one of whose leaves was a
vine, on another a stalk of flax,
and on the third a weaver's
I spool, with the motto " Vinum,
' Linum et Textrinum." This
seal happily suggests the rela-
tions of the town with the far past, and it is a curious in-
stance of the permanence of causes that these dmple
people, after the lapse of six centuries, and after being
transplanted to a distance of thousands of miles, should
still be pursuing the occupation of the Waldenses of
Flanders. The corporation was maintained until January
nth, 1707, but always with considerable difficulty in
getting the offices filled. Says Loher : " They would do
nothing but work and pray, and their mild consciences
made them opposed to the swearing of oaths and courts,
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ARRIVAL OF MEnKONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 85
and would not suffer them to use harsh weapons against
thieves and trespassers." Through conscientious scruples
Arent Klincken declined to be burgess in 1695, Heivert
Papen in 1701, Comelis Siverts in 1702, and Paul Engle
in 1703, Jan Lensen to be a committeeman in 1701,
Arnold Kuster and Daniel Geissler in 1702, Matteus
Millan to be constable in 1 703, and in 1695 Albertus
Brandt was fined for a failure to act as juryman, *' having
no other escape but that in court in Philadelphia he was
wronged upon the account of a jury." New comers were
required to pay one pound for the right of citizenship,
and the date of the conferment of this right doubtless
approximates that of the arrival {Ratk's Buck and Court
Records), In 1692 culminated the dissensions among the
Quakers caused by George Keith, and the commotion
extended to the community of Germantown. At a public
meeting Keith called Dirk Op den Graeff an " impudent
rascal," and since, as we have seen, the latter was a justice
of the peace, in the right of his position as a burgess it
was looked upon as a flagrant attack upon the majesty
of the law. Among those who signed the testimony of
the yearly meeting at Burlington 7th of 7th month, 1692,
against ICeith were Paul Wolff, Paul Kastner, Francis
Daniel Pastorius, Andries Kramer, Dirk Op den Graeff
and Arnold Kassel. The certificate from the quarterly
meeting at Philadelphia, which Samuel Jennings bore with
him to London in 1693, when he went to present the
matter before the yearly meeting there, was signed by
Dirk Op den Graeff, Reynier Tyson, Peter Schumacher
and Casper Hoedt. Pastorius wrote two pamphlets in the
controversy. The titles of these hitherto unknown pam-
phlets are :
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86 HISTORY OF THE MENNONlTfiS.
V
I. Ein Sendbrieff Offenheitziger Liebsbezeugung an
die so genannte Pietisten in Hoch Teutschland Amster-
dam, 1697.
II. Henry Bernhard Kuster, William Davis, Thomas
Rutter and Thomas Bowyer, four Boasting Disputers of
this world, Rebuked and Answered according to their
folly, which they themselves have manifested in a late pam-
phlet, entitled ''Advice far all Professors and writers"—^
{William Bradford, New York, 1697.)
On the other hand, Abraham Op den Graeffwas one of
five persons who, with Keith, issued the Appeal, for pub-
lishing which William Bradford, the printer, was com-
mitted, and a testimony in fevor of Keith was signed by
Herman Op den Graeff, Thomas Rutter, Comelis Siverts,
David Scherkes and Jacob Isaacs Van Bebber {Potfs
Memorial, p. 394). Op den Graeff and Van Bebber were
Mennonites. This furnishes us with another instance of
two known to have been Mennonites acting with the
Friends, and Sewel, the Quaker historian, says concerning
Keith, ** and seeing several Mennonites of the county of
Meurs lived also in Pennsylvania, it was not much to be
wondered that they who count it unlawful for a Christian
to bear the sword of the magistracy did stick to him."
Casper Hoedt, then a tailor in New York, married
there 6th month 12th, 1686, Elizabeth, eldest daughter
of Nicolaes De la Plaine and Susanna Cresson, who were
French Hugenots. James De la Paine, a relative and
probably a son of Nicolaes, came to Germantown from
New York prior to August 28th, 1692, on which day he
was married by Friends* ceremony to Hannah Cock.
Susanna, a daughter of Nicolaes, became the wife of
Arnold Kassel 9th month 2d, 1693.*
* Notes of Walter CressQU.
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ARRIVAL OF MENHONITES AT 6EftKANT0WN. 8/
A tax list, made by order of the Assembly in 1693,
names the following additional residents, viz : Johanna
Pettinger, John Van de Woestyne and Paulus Kuster.
Kuster, a Mennonite, came from Crefcld with his sons
Arnold, Johannes and Hermannus and his wife Gertrude.
She was a sister of Jan and Willem Streypers.
In 1662, twenty years before the landing of Penn, the
city of Amsterdam sent a little colony of twenty-five
Mennonites to New Netherlands under the leadership of
Pieter Cornelisz Plockhoy, of Zierik Zee. They were to
have power to make rules and laws for their own govern-
ment, and were to be free from taxes and tenths for
twenty years. E^ch man was loaned a hundred guilders
to pay for his transportation. They settled at Horekill,
on the Delaware, and there lived on peaceful terms with
the Indians. The hand of fate, however, which so kindly
sheltered Telner and Pastorius, fell heavily upon their
forerunner, Plockhoy. An evil day for this colony soon
came. When Sir Robert Carr took possession of the
Delaware on behalf of the English, he sent a boat, in
1664, to the Horekill, and his men utterly demolished the
settlement and destroyed and carried off all the property,
"even to a naile." What became of the people has
always been a mystery. History throws no light on the
subject, and of contemporary documents there are none. *
In the year 1694 there came an old blind man and his
* Col. W. W. H. Davis, in his « History of Bucks County, Pa.," states that
they were taken South and sold as slaves, but I had two interviews with
him on the subject, and he acknowledged that he could not give any authority
for said statement.
I also examined Egley's History, containing Capt. Carr's Day Book, but
found no mention of it there. — Author.
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88 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
wife to Germantown. His miserable condition awakened
the tender sympathies of the Mennonites there. They
gave him the citizenship free of charge. They set apart
for him on Ent Street, by Peter Kleever's corner, a lot
twelve rods long and one rod broad, whereon to build a
little house and make a garden which should be his
as long as he and his wife should live. In front of it
they planted a tree. Jan Doeden and Willem Ritting-
huysen were appointed to take up *' a free-will offering "
and to have the little house built. This is all we
know, but it is surely a satisfaction to see a ray of sun-
light thrown upon the brow of the helpless old man
as he neared his grave. After thirty years of untracked
wanderings on these wild shores friends had come across
the sea to give him a home at last. His name was
Cornelis Plockhoy.*
On the 24th of June of the same year Johannes Kelpius,
Henry Bernhard Koster, Daniel Falkner, Daniek Lutke,
Johannes Seelig, Ludwig Biderman and about forty other
Pietists and Chiliasts arrived in Germantown and soon
after settled on the Wissahickon, where they founded the
society of the " Woman in the Wilderness." The events
in the strange life of Kelpius, the hermit of the Wissa-
hickon, have been fully told by Seidensticker and Jones.
Together with Johannes Jawert and Daniel Falkner he
was appointed an attorney for the Frankfort Company in
1700, but he never acted. Falkner had more to do with
the affairs at Germantown, being bailiff in 1 701, and in
Montgomery County Falkner' s Swamp still preserves the
remembrance of his name. In 1700 he went to Holland
* Roth's Buck, Broadhead's History of New York, Vol. I, p. 688.
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 89
where he published a small volume in German, giving in-
formation concerning the province, to which he soon
returned.*
George Gottschalk, from Lindau, Bodensee, Daniel
Geissler, Christian Warner and Martin Sell were in Ger-
manton in 1694, Levin Harberdinck in 1696, and in
1698 Jan Linderman came from Muhlheim on the Ruhr.
During the fcist year the right of citizenship was conferred
upon Jan Neuss, a Mennonite and silversmith; William
Hendricks, Frank Houfer, Paul Engle, whose name is on
the oldest marked stone in the Mennonite graveyard on
the Skippack under date of 1723. and Reynier Jansen.
Though Jansen has since become a man of note, abso-
lutely nothing seems to have been known of his ante-
cedents, and I will, says Pennepacker, " therefore give in
detail such facts as I have been able to ascertain concern-
ing him." On the 2ist of May, 1698, Cornells Si verts,
of Germantown, wishing to make some arrangements
about land he had inherited in Friesland, sent a power of
attorney to Reynier Jansen, lace-maker at Alkmaer in
Holland. It is consequently manifest that Jansen had not
then reached this country. On the 23d of April, 1700,
Benjamin Furly, of Rotterdam, the agent of Penn at that
city, gave a power of attorney to Daniel and Justus
Falkner to act for him here. It was of no avail, how-
ever, because, as appears from a confirmatory letter of
July 28th, 1701, a previous power " to my loving friend,
Reynier Jansen," lace-maker, had not been revoked,
though no intimation had ever been received that use had
* Curuitse Nachricht von Pennsylvania in Norden America von Daniel
Falknem, Professor etc. Frankfurt und Leipzig, 1702.
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96 HISTORY OP tHE MENNONITES.
been made of it It seems, then, that between the dates
of the Siverts and Furly powers Jansen had gone to
America. On the 29th of November, 1698, Reynier Jan-
sen, who afterwards became the printer, bought of Thomas
Tresse twenty acres of Liberty lands here, and on the 7th
of February, 1698-9, the right of citizenship, as has been
said, was conferred by the Germantown Court upon Rey-
nier Jansen, lace-maker. These events faC with some
definiteness the date of his arrival. He must soon after-
wards have removed to Philadelphia, though retaining his
associations with Germantown, because ten months later,
December 23d, 1699, he bought of Peter Klever seventy-
five acres in the latter place by a deed in which he is de-
scribed as a merchant of Philadelphia. This land he, as
a printer, sold to Daniel Geissler October 20th, 1701.
Since the book called " Grod's Protecting Providence/* etc.,
was printed in 1699, it must have been one of the earliest
productions of his press, and the probabilities are that he
began to print late in that year. Its appearance indicates
an untrained printer and a meagre font of type. He was
the second printer in the middle colonies, and his books
are so rare that a single specimen would probably bring
at auction now more than the price for which he then
sold his whole edition. He left a son, Stephen, in busi-
ness at Amsterdam whom he had apportioned there, and
brought with him to this country two sons, Tiberius 'and
Joseph, who, after the Dutch manner, assumed the name
Reyniers, and two daughters. Amity, who married
Matthias, son of Hans Millan, of Germantown, and Alice,
who married John Piggot His career as a printer was
very brief He died about March ist, 1706, leaving per-
sonal property valued at ;^226 is. 8d, among which was
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AkRlVAL or MfiNNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 9I
included " a parcell of books from William Bradford £4
2s. od/* We find among the residents in 1699 Heinrich
Pennepacker, the first German surveyor in the province,
and Evert In den Hoffen, from Muhlheim on the Ruhr,
with Herman, Gerhard, Peter and Annecke, who were
doubtless his children, some of whom are buried in the
Mennonite graveyard on the Skippack.
Four families, members of the Mennonite Church at
Hamburg, Harman Karsdorp and family, Claes Bcrends
and feimily, including his father-in-law, Cornelius Claessen,
Isaac Van Sintern and family, and Paul Roosen and wife,
and two single persons, Heinrich Van Sintern and the
widow Trientje Harmens, started for Pennsylvania, March
5th, 1700, and a few months later at least fpur of them
were heti {Mennonitische Blaetter, Hamburg). Isaac Van
Sintern was a great grandson of Jan de Voss, a burgo-
master at Handshooten, in Flanders, about 15 50, a gene-
alogy of whose descendants, including many American
Mennonites, was prepared in Holland over a hundred
years ago. In 1700 also came George MuUer and Justus
Falkner, a brother of Daniel, and the first Lutheran
preacher in the province. Among the residents in 1700
were Isaac Karsdorp and Arnold Van Vossen, Menno-
nites; Richard Van der Werf, Dirk Jansen, who married
Margaret Millan, and Sebastian Bartleson ; in 1701, Hein-
rich Lorentz and Christopher Schlegel; in 1702, Dirk
Jansen, an unmarried man from Bergerland, working for
Johannes Kuster; Ludwig Christian Sprogell, a bachelor,
from Holland, and brother of that John Henry Sprogell
who a few years later brought an ejectment against Pas-
torius, and feed all the lawyers of the province; Marieke
Speikerman, Johannes Rebenstock, Philip Christian Zim-
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92
HISTORY OP THE MENNONITES.
merman, Michael Renberg, With his sons Dirk and Wil-
helm, from Muhlheim on the Ruhr, Peter Bun, Isaac
Peterson and Jacob Gerritz Holtzhooven, both from Guel-
derland in Holland, Heinrich Tibben, Willem Hosters,
a Mennonite weaver from Crefeld, Jacob Claessen Arents,
from Amsterdam, Jan Krey, Johann Conrad Cotweis, who
was an interpreter in New York in 1709, and Jacob
Gaetschalk, a Mennonite preacher, and 1703, Anthony
Gerckes, Barnt Hendricks, Hans Heinrich Meels, Simon
Andrews, Herman Dors* and Cornelius Tyson. The
last two appear to have come from Crefeld, and over
Tyson, who died in 17 16, Pastorius erected in Axe's
Graveyard at Germantown what is, so far as I know, the
oldest existing tombstone to the memory of a Grerman
in Pennsylvania. It bears the following inscription in
Dutch :
Dutch.
Obijt Meiy 9, 1716.
Cornelius Ticscn.
Salic sin de doon
Die in den Here sterye.
Theibric is haer Kron,
Tgloriric haer ewe.
GfiRMAN.
Gestorben den 9. Mai, 1716.
Cornelius Tyson.
Selig sind die Todten
Die in dem Herm sterben.
Zahlreich ist ihre Krone,
Glorreich ist ilir Erbe.
English.
Died May 9th, 1716.
Cornelius Tyson.
Blessed are the dead
Who die in the Lord.
Numerous is their crown.
Glorious is their reward.
On the 28th of June, 1701, a tax was laid for the build-
ing of a prison, erection of a market and other objects
for the public good. As in all communities the prison
preceded the school-house, but the interval was not long.
December 30th of that year " it was found good to start
a school here in Germantown," and Arent Klinken, Paul
Wollf and Peter Schumacher, Jr., were appointed over-
* One Herman Dorst, near Germantown, a bachelor, .past eighty )rears of
age, who for a long time lived in a house by himself, died there on the 14th
instant — American Weekly Mercury, October i8th, 1739,
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 93
seers to collect subscriptions and arrange with a school
teacher, and Pastorius was the first pedagogue. As early
as Janfuary 25th, 1694-95, it was ordered that stocks
should be put up for the punishment of evildoers. We
might, perhaps, infer that they were little used from the
fact that in June, 1702, James De la Plaine was ordered
to remove the old iron from the rotten stocks and take
care of it But alas ! December 31st, 1703, we find that
"Peter Schumacher and Isaac Schumacher shall arrange
with workmen that a prison house and stocks be put up
as soon as possible " {RatKs Bucfi).
February loth, 1702-3, Arnold Van Fossen delivered
to J[an Neuss, on behalf of the Mennonites, a deed for
three square perches of land for a church, which« how-
ever, was not built until six years later.
In 1702 began the settlement on the Skippack. This
first outgrowth of Germantown also had its origin at
Crefeld, and the history of the Crefeld purchase would
not bei:ompIete without some reference to it As we have
seen, of the one thousand acres bought by Govert Remke,
one hundred and sixty-one acres were laid out at German-
town; the balance he sold in 1686 to Dirk Sipman.
Of Sipman*s own purchase of five thousand acres, five
hundred and eighty-eight acres were laid out at German-
town, and all that remained of the six thousand acres he
sold in 1698 to Matthias Van Bebber, who, getting in
addition five thousand acres allowance and four hundred
and fifteen acres by purchase, had the whole tract of six
thousand one hundred and sixty-six acres located by
patent, February 2 2d, 1 70 1, on the Skippack. It was in
the present Perkiomen Township, Montgomery County,
and adjoined Edward Lane and William Harmer, near
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94 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
what is now the village of Evansburg (Exemp. Records,
Vol. I, p. 470). For the next half century at least it was
known as Bebber's Town, or Bebber's Township, atid the
name, being often met with in the Germantown records,
has been a source of apparently hopeless confusion to our
local historians. Van Bebber immediately began to col-
onize it, the most of the settlers being Mennonites.
Among these settlers were Heinrich Pannebecker, Johan-
nes Kuster, Johannes Umstat, Klas Jansen and Jan Krey,
in 1702; John Jacobs, in 1704; John Newberry, Thomas
Wiseman, Edward Beer, Gerhard and Herman In de
Hoffen, Dirk and William Renberg, in 1706; William
and Cornelius Dewees, Hermannus Kuster, Christopher
Zimmerman, Johannes Scholl and Daniel Desmond, in
1708; Jacob Johannes anS Martin Kolb, Mennonite
weavers from Wolfsheim in the Palatinate, and Andrew
Strayer, in 1709; Solomon Dubois, from Ulster County,
New York, in 17 16; Paul Fried, in 1727, and in the last
year the unsold balance of the tract passed into the hands
of Pannebecker. Van Bebber gave one hundred acres
for a Mennonite church, which was built about 1725,
the trustees being Hendrick Sellen, Hermannus Kuster,
Klas Jansen, Martin Kolb, Henry Kolb, Jacob Kolb and
Michael Ziegler. Their early preachers were Jacob Gaet-
shalk, Henry Kolb, Claes Jansen and Michael Ziegler.
The Van Bebbers were undoubtedly men of standing,
ability, enterprise and means. The father, Jacob Isaac,
moved to Philadelphia before 1698, being described as a
merchant in High Street, and died there before 171 1.
He had three grandsons named Jacob, one of whom waS
doubtless the Jacob Van Bebber who became Judge of the
Supreme Court of Delaware, November 27th, 1764. Mat-
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ARRIVAL OF MENNONITES AT GERMANTOWN. 95
thias, who is frequently mentioned by James Logan, made
a trip to Holland in 1701, witnessing there Benjamin
Furiy's power of attorney, July 28th, and had returned to
Philadelphia before April 13th, 1702. He remained in
that city until 1704, when he and his elder brother,
Isaac Jacobs, accompanied by Reynier Hermanns Van
Burklow, a son-in-law of Peter Schumacher, and possibly
others, removed to Bohemia Manor, Cecil Count}', Mary-
land. There he was a justice of the peace, and is described
in the deeds as a merchant and a gentleman. Their
descendants, like many others, soon fell away from the
simple habits and strict creed of their fathers. The Van
Bebbers, of Maryland, have been distinguished in all the
wars and at the bar, and at the Falls of the Kanawha,
Van Bebber's rock, a crag jutting out at a great height
over the river, still preserves the memory and recalls the
exploits of one of the most daring Indian fighters in
Western Virginia.
I have now gone over two decades of the earliest
history of Germantown. It has been my effort to give
the names of all those who arrived within that time, and
as fully as could be ascertained the dates of their arrival
and the places from which they came, believing that in
this way the most satisfactory information will be con-
veyed to those interested in them as individuals, and the
clearest light thrown on the character of the emigration.
The facts so collected and grouped seem to me to war-
rant the conclusion I have formed, that Germantown was
substantially a settlement of people from the lower Rhine
regions of Germany and from Holland, and that in the
main they were the offspring of that Christian sect,
which, more than any other, ba3 been a wanderer
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96 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
(says Loeher in his Geschichte und Zustande der Deut-
schen in Amerika^^, 35: "As the true pilgrims upon
earth, going from place to place in the hope to find quiet
and rest, appear the Mennonites. They were the most im-
portant among the German pioneers in North America"),
which endeavoring to carry the injunctions of the New
Testament into the affairs of daily life, had no defense
against almost incredible persecutions except flight, and
which to-day is sending thousands of its followers to the
Mississippi and the far West, after they have in vain
quest traversed Europe from the Rhine to the Volga*
In the compilation of this article I have been especially
indebted to Dr. J. G. DeHoop Scheffer, of the College at
Amsterdam, for European researches ; to Professor Os-
wald Seidensticker, of the University of Pennsylvania,
whose careful investigations I have used freely, and to
Abraham H. Cassel, of Harleysville, Pa., whose valuable
library, it is perhaps not too much to say, is the only
place in which the history of the Germans of Pennsyl-
vania can be found. In giving the orthography of proper
names, I have, as far as practicable, followed autographs
(see S. W. Pennypacker),
* See Historical and Biographical Sketches^ by Samuel W, Pennypacker.
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Mennonite Meeting at Germantown.
Denis Kunders or Conrad. — Pastorius had an inter-
view with Conrad at Crefeld, April I2th, 1683, on his
way to America. That Conrad was a Mennonite is gen-
erally conceded. His wife was a sister of the Streypers
and they were Mennonites, and a son of Conrad married
a daughter of Willem Streypers in 1 710, and Pastorius
says : " I talked with Denis Kunders and his wife, and
with Dirk, Herman and Abraham Op den Graeff, at Cre-
feld," and they were Mennonites. The first religious
meeting was held at Conrad's house in Germantown,
1683. It is said they first worshiped in private houses,
or under the shade of the trees during the pleasant days
of summer. Their first minister was Willem Ritting-
huysen,* who arrived in i688t from Broich in Holland,
and who in 1690 built the first paper mill in America, on
a branch of the Wissahickon Creek, and there was made
the paper used by William Bradford, the earliest printer
in the middle colonies.
Februry loth, 1702-3, Arnold Van Fossen delivered
to Jan Neuss on behalf of the Mennonites a deed for three
square perches of land for a church. The first meeting-
* Willem Ruddinghuysen van MUlheim.
f Some historians have it even earlier, but the evidence is merely circum-
stantial. In 1678 he was yet at Amsterdam and was made a citizen there.
7 (97)
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98 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
house was built in 1708. It was a log house, neither
large nor cosfly, but in keeping with those plain people.
The log. church was built at the southeast corner of the
lot where the present meeting-house stands, on Main
Street. It was used also as a school-house, and Chris-
topher Dock was for many years the teacher of this
school. Some of the hymns composed by him in Ger-
man are still preserved. The deed of the meeting-house
b^ars date September 6th, 17 14. It was given by Henry
Sellen to the Mennonite church of Germantown, and is
now in the possession of the author of this work and
reads as follows :
TO ALL PEOPLE to whom these presents shall come
I Henry Sellen of Kriesheim in the Germantownship in
the County of Philadelphia & province of Pensilvania Yeo-
man fend greeting. Whereas Arnold van Vofsen of Bcb-
bers-township in the sd County Husbandman & Mary his
wife by their Indenture duly executed bearing date the Sixth
day of September Annog. domi 1 7 14, for the consideration
therein mentioned did Grant and Convey unto me the sd
Henry Sellen, & to John Neus late of Germantown de-
ceased, a certain piece of Land fcituate lying & being in
Germantown in the sd County, Containing thirty five
' perches of land, to hold the sd piece of land with the appur-
tenances, unto us the sd Henry Sellen & John Neus, and
to the furvivor of us & to the heirs and afsigns of the fur-
vivor of us forever, as by the sd Indenture may at Large
appear. Which sd land & premifscs wereso as aforesd
convey'd unto us by the direction & appointment of the
Inhabitants in & about Germantown aforesd belonging to
the Meeting of the people called Mennonists (: alias Men-
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MENNONITE MEETING AT GERMANTOWN. 99
isten :) And the above recited Intenture was fo made or
Intended to us in trust to the Intent only that we or either
of us as should be & continue in unity & religious fellow-
ship with the sd people & remain members of the meeting
of the sd Mennonists (: whereunto we did & I now do be-
long :) should stand & be feized of the sd land ic premifses
in and by the sd Indenture granted. To the uses ic Intents
herein after mentioned ic declared & under the conditions
provisos ic restrictions herein after limitted ic exprefsed ic
to no other use Intent or purpose whatsoever, that is to
say. For a place to ere<5l a meeting house for the use and
service of the sd Mennonists (: alias Menisten :) and for a
place to bury their dead. Provided always that neither I
nor my heirs nor any other person or persons fucceeding
me in this trust, who shall be declared by the members of
sd Meeting for the time being to be out of unity with them
shall be capable to execute this trust or (land feized to the
uses aforesd, nor have any right or Intrest in the sd pre-
mifses while I or they (hall fo remain. But that in all
such cases as also when I or any fucceeding me in the trust
aforesd shall happen to depart this life, than it shall ic may
be lawful! to & for the sd Members of the sd Meeting as
often as Occasion shall require to make choice of others
to mannage ic execute the sd trust in stead of such as shall
so fall away or be deceased. And upon this further trust
& confidence that we & the furvivor of us and the heirs
of such furvivor should upon the request of the members
of the meeting of the sd Mennonists either afsign over the
sd trust or convey and settle the sd piece of land and pre-
mifses to such person or persons as the members of the sd
meeting shall order or appoint, to and for the uses Intents
and fervices herein before mentioned.
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100 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
NOW KNOW YE that I the sd Henry Sellcn do
hereby acknowledge, that I and the sd John Neus deceased
were nominated in the sd recited Indenture by and on the
behalf of the sd people called Mennonists (: alias Menisten :)
and that we were, and by furvivorship I now am therein
trusted only by and for the members of the sd meeting of
the Mennonists And that I do not claim to have any
right or Intrest in the sd land & premifses or any part there
of to my own use & benefit by the sd Indenture or Con-
veyance so made to us as aforesd or otherwise howsoever.
But only to and for the use Intent & fe|;yice herein before
mentioned under the Limitation and restriflion above ex-
prefled and reserved, And to no other use Intent or fervice
whatsoever. In witnefs whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & seal, dated the Eight day of December in the year
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & twenty four.
Hendrick Sellen
Signed sealed and delivered
in the presence of
Martin Kolb
DiRCK Keyser
The Mennonites have the honor of being the original
settlers in Germantown. That claim unquestiohably
belongs to them, for they are given that distinction in
every history that details the events pertaining to the
early settlement of Germantown. They believe in the
doctrine of faith, that it is wrong to take up the sword
against man; such a belief was first expressed by the
Mennonites, and the Quakers followed in their wake.
Certain it is that the Mennonites were the first to cham-
pion the cause which had its origin in their conscience.
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MENNONITE MEETmC AT GERMANTOWN. lOI
and it was solely through their efforts and some German
Baptists {Dunkards) that the Legislature of Pennsylvania
intervened and enacted that they and the Quakers should
be exempt from military service.* The passage of such a
law was the cause which inspired the Mennonites to for-
ward to the legislators jit Harrisburg the following, which
is from the original copy, now one hundred and eleven
years old, and the only English copy known and now in
my possession at Germantown. It reads as follows :
A fliort and fincerc DECLARATION,
To our Honorable Jffimbly^ and all others in high or low
Station of Jdminijiration^ and to all Friends and In-
habitants of this Country, to whofe Sight this
may come, be they English or Germans.
IN the firft Place we acknowledge us indebted to the
moft high God, who created Heaven and Earth, the only
good Being, to thank him for all his great Goodnefs and
manifold Mercies and Love through our Saviour Jesus
Christ, who is come to fave the Souls of Men, having all
Power in Heaven and on Earth,
Further we find ourfelves indebted to be thankfull to our
late worthy Aflembly, for their giving fo good an Advice
in thefe troublefome Times to all Ranks of People in Penn-
fylvania^ particularly in allowing thofe, who, by the Dodrine
of our Saviour Jesus Christ, are perfuaded in their Con-
fcicnces to love their Enemies, and not to rcfift Evil, to
enjoy the Liberty of their Confcience, for which, as alfo
for all the good Things we enjoyed under their Care, we
heartily tliank that worthy Body of Aflembly, and all high
* ConstitudoQ of Pennsylvania, Article I, Declaration of Rights, Section 3.
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I02 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
and low in Office, who have advifed to fuch a peaceful!
Meafure, hoping and confiding that they, and all others
entrufted with Power in this hitherto blefTed Province, may
be moved by the fame Spirit of Grace, which animated the
firfl Founder of this Province, our late worthy Proprietor
William Penn^ to grant Liberty of Confcience to all its
Inhabitants, that they may in the great and memorable Day
of Judgment be put on the right Hand of the jufl Judge,
who judgeth without Refped of Perfon, and hear of him
thefe blefTed Words, Come, ye blejfed of my Father^ inherit
the Kingdom prepared for you^ l^c. What ye have done unto
one of the leajl of thefe my Brethren^ ye have done unto me^
among which Number (/. e, the leaji of ChriJPs Brethren)
we by his Grace hope to be ranked ; and every Lenity and
Favour fhewn to fuch tender confcienced, although weak
Followers of this our blefTed Saviour, will not be forgotten
by him in that great Day.
The Advice to thofe who do not find Freedom of Con-
fcience to take up Arms, that they ought to be helpfull to
thofe who are in Need and diflrefTed Circumflances, we
receive with Chearfulnefs towards all Men of what Station
they may be — it being our Principle to feed the Hungry
and give the Thirfly Drink ; — we have dedicated ourfelves
to ferve all Men in every Thing that can be helpful to the
Prefervation of Men's Lives, but we find no Freedom in
giving, or doing, or aflifling in any Thing by which Men's
Lives are deflroyed or hurt. — We beg the Patience of all
thofe who believe we err in this Point.
We are always ready, according to Christ's Command
to Peter^ to pay the Tribute, that we may ofFend no Man,
and fo we are willing to pay Taxes, and to render unto Caefar
thofe Things that are Caefar* Sy and to God thofe Things that
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MENNONITE MEETING AT GERMANTOWN. IO3
are GocTs^ although we think ourfelves very weak to give
God his due Honour, he being a Spirit and Life, and we
only Duft and A(hes.
We are alfb willing to be fubjed to the higher Powers,
and to give in the manner Paul direds \x%\—for be hearetb
the Sword not in vain ^ for he is the Minijler of God^ a Re-
venger to execute Wrath upon him that doeth Evil,
This Teftimony we lay down before our worthy
AiTembly, and all other Perfons in Government, letting
them know, that we are thankfull as above-mentioned, and
that we are not at Liberty in Confcience to take up Arms
to conquer our Enemies, but rather to pray to God, who
has Power in Heaven and' on Earth, for JJS and THEM.
We alfo crave the Patience of all the Inhabitants of this
Country, — what they think to fee clearer in the Do£irine
of the bleffed Jesus Christ, we will leave to them and
God, finding ourfelves very poor ; for Faith is to proceed
out of the Word of God, which is Life and Spirit, and a
Power of God, and our Confcience is to be inftruded by
the fame, therefore we beg for Patience.
Our fmall Gift, which we have given, we gave to thofe
who have Power over us, that we may not offend them, as
Christ taught us by the Tribute Penny.
We heartily pray that God would govern all Hearts of
our Rulers, be they high or low, to meditate thofe good
Things which will pertain to OUR and THEIR Happi-
nefs.".
The above Declaration^ Jigned hy a Number of Elders and
Teachers of the Society of Menonijis^ andfome of the German
Baptijis^ prefented to the Honorable Houfe of AJfembly on the
Jth Day of November^ ^775^ ^^ ^^ graciously received.
X
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I04 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Among the earliest settlers of Germantown were the
Mennonites who came from Holland. Their emigration
has been portrayed in a very graphic style by Samuel
W. Pennypacker, Esq., in his Biographical and Historical
Sketches^ which is already given in this work. If these
articles were read by the residents of Germantown, they
would have occasion to feel proud of the early settlers.
It was in 1688 that Willem Rittinghuysen, now Ritten-
house, with his wife and two sons, Klaus (Nicholas) and
Gerhard (Garrett), and a daughter, Elizabeth, arrived in
Germantown from New York. He was the first Men-
nonite preacher in Germantown, or in America, as far as
known, but he was not yet ordained as Bishop, and the
congregation at Germantown had no Bishop, and, accord-
ing to the discipline of the Church, no one to ordain him,
consequently a letter wais sent from Germantown to the
congregation at Altona for advice.
Miss Anna Brons writes from Holland that said letter
was lost, but abstracts of an answer to further correspond-
ence, found in the archives of the Mennonite church at
Altona, show that the answer was directed to Claas
Behrend, Paul Roosen, Heinrich Van Sintern, Harmen
Van Karsdorp and Isaac Van Sintern, all Mennonites,
who left the Hamburg Altona Mennonite Congregation
and emigrated to America in 1700 and came to German-
town. The Ministers and Deacons of the Altona Con-
gregation took the matter under earnest consideration,
and as no one seemed willing at that time to undertake
so" tedious and dangerous a voyage across the sea to in-
stall a Bishop at Germantown, they wrote a letter to
the Germantown congregation, authorizing one of the
brethren to perform that duty, and admonished them to
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MENNONITE MEETING AT GERMANTOWN. 10$
pray .that Grod may be with them in their undertaking
and bless them in performing such an important duty.
This letter was signed by four ministers of the Hamburg
Altona congregation, viz. : Bishop Gerritt Roosen, aged
90 years, Pieter Van Helle, Jacob Van Kampen and Jean
de Lanoi. In consequence of the above instructions,
Willem Rittenhouse was installed as Bishop of the first
Mennonite church in America, at Germantown, about
1 701. In a letter written to Amsterdam, dated Septem-
ber 3d, 1708, from which these particulars are derived,
and which was signed by Jacob Gaedschalk, Harmen
Karsdorp, Martin Kolb, Isaac Van Sintern and Conrad
Jansen, they presented " a loving and friendly" request
for " some catechisms for the children and little testa-
ments for the young." Besides, psalm books and Bibles
were so scarce that the whole membership had but one
copy, and even the nieeting-house needed a Bible. They
urged their request by saying " that the community is
still weak and it would cost much money to get them
printed, while the members who came here from Grer-
many have spent everything and must begin anew, and
all work in order to pay for the convenience of life of
which they stand in need."
Willem Rittenhouse, as stated before, was the first
preacher in Germantown, afterwards elected as Bishop,
emigrated to Germantown in 1688 and died in 1708,
aged 64 years.
Jacob Gaetshalck, also a Mennonite preacher, arrived
and settled in Germantown in 1702.
After the death of Bishop Rittenhouse two new
preachers were chosen, names not known, but presum-
ably they were Klaus (or Nicholas) Rittenhouse and Dirk
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106 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Keyser, because Dirk Keyser officiated at the marriage
of Jacob Kolb with Sarah Van Sin tern in the year 1710.
The same year eleven young people were added to the
congregation through baptism, and two new deacons
accepted its obligations. From this time there is no reg-
ular record of the Germantown congregation until the
year 1770. Still it is a well-known fact that the meetings
have been kept regular, from the fact that the two new
ministers as stated above did officiate at the time. Nich-
olas Rittenhouse died in 1730. We have also accounts
of Jacob Gaetshalk being a preacher at Skippack in 1708,
but in 1 7 14 he lived yet in Germantown on the east side
of Main Street, on lot No. 7, formerly belonging to Abra-
ham Tunis, drawn in 1689 in the cave of Pastorius, which
plan I have and will give in a subsequent chapter. The
settlement of Skippack began in 1702, the first outgrowth
of Germantown, which had its origin at Crefeld. Van
Bebber gave one hundred acres of land^on the Skippack
for a Mennonite church and burying-ground. The church
was built about 1725. Samuel W. Pennypacker says,
" One of the oldest communities, if not the oldest of all,
was that at Schiebach, or Germantown." So it seems
Skippack and Germantown were considered one district,
or one community. Many of the members at German-
town moved to Skippack and attended the meeting at
Germantown until the year 1725, when the meeting-
house at Skippack was built. Afterwards ministers were
chosen at Skippack, among whom were mentioned
Martin Kolb, Henry Kolb, Claus Jansen, Michael Ziegler
and Isaac Kassel. They are also mentioned as preachers
at Germantown. Also Heinrich Hunsicker, who rode on
horseback from the Perkiomen to Germantown on a Sun-
day morning to preach.
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MENNONITE MEETING AT GERMANTOWN. IO7
Watson, the annalist, says that in 1740 Christopher
Dock taught school in the old Mennonite log church in
Germantown. Dock was also a Mennonite and lived in
Salford, Montgomery County.
In 1770, at a congregational meeting, the following
petition was prepared and agreed upon. It reads as fol-
lows : " Memorandum of the cost and charges and pro-
ceedings of the Building of the Baptists or Mennonists
Meeting-house in Germantown. When, on the 20th day
of January one thousand seven hundred and seventy,
met a number of the Inhabitants of Grermantown and
People called Mennonists, and Unanimously agreed on a
plan thereof, and appointed Jacob Keyser, sr., Nicholas
Rittenhouse, Abraham Rittenhouse, and Jacob Knor,
Managers of said Building &c. The following is a copy
of the subscriptions & subscribers names, and also the
cost of each particular of the aforesaid Building and the
amount of sale of sundry old roofs &c."
Then follow the names of fifty-eight subscribers, with
the respective amounts. The lowest was 7s. 6d., and the
highest ;£'ii. The whole amount raised by subscription
was ;^I95 2s. 7d.
From sale of roof, etc., of the old house, 923
Total amount of money raised, . . . ;^204 4s. lod.
Whole cost of new house, .... 202 5 o
Balance left after expenses paid . . . ;^i 19s. lod.
I have also in my possession the accounts of expenses
for the maintenance of their poor, from year to year, to
1838.
The records also show that Communion was held by
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I08 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Bishop Andrew Ziegler in 1780, when twenty-six mem-
bers communed; in 1783, thirty-one members; in 1784,
thirty-four members; in 1785, twenty-nine; in 1786,
twenty-four, and in 1789, thirty members, and sixteen
members being absent. There were twenty-five members
in the Germantown congregaition in 1770 when the new
house was built ; fifty-two new members were added in
the following nineteen years, according to the Church
records of those years, now in my possession. Andrew
Ziegler officiated as Bishop at Germantown, how long
afterwards the records do not show.
The first record that we find of Jacob Funk is in 1774,
and reads as follows: "In 1774 Jacob Funk, Preacher,
joined, and Ann his wife joined, and Catharine Funk
joined." According to the above lie was a preacher when
he joined the Germantown congregation. He was the
great-grandfather of the author of this work. His father
was a nephew of Bishop Heinrich Funk, who settled at
the Indian Creek in Franconia Township, Montgomery
County, in the year 17 19. They came either from Holland
or the Palatinate. He was a fluent and earnest speaker
and accomplished a great deal of good. He died March
nth, 1 816, in the 86th year of his age, and is buried in
the Germantown Mennonite burying-ground near the
church door. It is also said by some of the older Friends
that his father was a preacher, but nothing definite is
known or on record. Jacob Funk was quite a prominent
man in his day. He owned a farm on Willow Grove
Road, about two miles east of Germantown. The house in
which he dwelt remains there to this day, and is in good
condition. It is a quaint structure. The front room
was used as a reception room, and the back room was
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MENNONITE MEETING AT GERMANTOWN. IO9
used as a horse stable in Revolutionary times ; later it has
been renovated and- utilized as a parlor. To the right
of the reception room is a capaciotis room, which was
used by Mr. Funk as his library and study, and in the
rear of this room is another large room, which was
cemented and used for storing produce, cabbage, pota-
toes, etc.
Mr. Funk was also a great financial loser by the depre-
dations of the British at the time of the battle of German-
town. They took from him all his live stock, of which
he had a great quantity, and whatever else they could lay
their hands on; what they could not take away they
destroyed, and about all they left was the &rm itself
They wanted that portion of the earth, but could not very
well take it along. His daughter Elizabeth happened
to be in Germantown at the time of the fight, and could
not get away in time, and hid in a cellar until the batUe
was over; she was twelve years of age at that time.
She afterwards in mature years became the wife of Daniel
Kulp, and was the grandmother of the writer of this
work.
No indemnity was ever paid to Mr. Funk for these dep-
redations, probably for the reason that he never asked
for it. He lost pretty near all he had, but he managed
to purchase a yoke of oxen, with which he did his form-
ing, and in spite of his great reverses he again prospered
very substantially.
There is another bit of Revolutionary history attached
to this farm. It is a well-known historical fact that Gen-
eral Murray was killed at the battle of Germantown. It
is not generally known, however, that a vault was built
on Mr. Funk's farm wherein to place the General's body.
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no HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Such a vault was built, and it remains on the fcirm to-day ;
it is a great curiosity even now. This farm was in the
Funk family about one hundred and ten years. Prior to
the building of the present church edifice, the Quakers
and Mennonites frequently worshiped together, and most
amicable feelings existed between them until the time
when the Quakers rather presumed too much upon the
generosity of the Mennonites, by claiming the honor of
consummating such a thing as we have hereinbefore
briefly referred to, viz. : the honor of being the authors
of the protest against slavery, when it cannot be shown
that one of the signers was a Quaker. The two Op den
Graeffs (says S. W. Pennypacker) were Mennonites. It
is also presumed that Hendricks was a Mennonite.
Daniel Francis Pastorius calls the Pietists his friends even
nine years after the signing of the protest ; he wrote a
pamphlet to his friends the Pietists in Germany, which
was published at Amsterdam in 1697.* In the matter
of the proclamation against slavery, it is pretty conclusive
that the document does not bear a single Quaker signa-
ture, while it is known that at that time a number of the
Quakers were slaveholders.
The ministers up to the present time, after Jacob Funk
and Andrew Ziegler, were John Minnick, Mr. Hellerman,
Abraham Hunsicker, Henry A. Hunsicker, Frank Hun-
sicker, Israel Beidler, John Haldeman, A. H. Fredericks,
Albert Funk and Nathaniel Bartolet Grubb, the present
pastor.
The membership of the Germantown church at the
present time numbers about twenty, nearly the same
* Pennypacker' 5 Historical and Biographical Sketches^ p. 49.
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MENNONITE MEETING AT GERMANTOWN. Ill
number that communed in the new church for the first
time, December loth, 1770. Rather a remarkable coin-
cidence, is it not ? The small membership of the church
may be considered extraordinary; but there is nothing
so extraordinary about it when all the facts are consid-
ered. We have stated that the Mennonites are a form-
ing people — tilling the soil is their fevorite avocation.
When property in Grermantown -became very valuable, a
great number of the then Mennonite residents disposed
of their farms at almost fabulous sums, and purchased
ferms in Montgomery, Bucks and Lancaster Counties,
where many of them still reside. Those who have gone
before have left a posterity who still cling alike to the
form and to the old faith.
The Gennantown Independent, of July 28th, 1883, has
the following : " Of the doings of these early Mennonite
settlers we have but scanty materials from which to
draw." But Samuel W. Pennypacker, in his " Sketch of
the Settlement of Germantown," has brought forth a
document which " time has shown to have been the echo
of the great wave that rolls around the world." It was
the first public protest ever made on this continent against
the holding of slaves; it is dated April i8th, 1688, and is
signed by Francis Daniel Pastorius, Gerret Hendricks,
Dirk Op den Graeff and Abraham Op den GraeflT. The
last two were Mennonites, and it is held quite probable
that Hendricks was also of that faith. The protest was
sent to a Friends' meeting ; a copy of the protest is given
in a former part of this work.
The Schwenksville Item, of November 2d, 1883, says:
*' The Crefeld colonists, who landed at Philadelphia and
established themselves in German township, afterward a
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112 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
part of Grermantown, in October, 1683, transplanted from
the valley of the Rhine the spirit of the Mennonite fethers,
who had struggled for centuries against the persecutions
of the Church and State. These same Mennonites for-
mulated the doctrine of American freedom in a protest
against slavery as early as 1688, or almost a century
before the Declaration of Independence. In feet, the
history of the Mennonites of Pennsylvania is the history
of a symmetrical superstructure of real liberty and relig-
ion, reared upon the foundation laid by St Paul, and whose
doctrines were handed down in unbroken succession."
Pastor S. F. Hotchkin says in an article in the German-
town Telegraph, under date February 24th, 1 886 : " Stock-
ings had been made on hand frames in the Germantown
homes from ' the settlement of Germantown by the Men-
nonites.' " Also in the same paper, under date of June 2d,
1886, when speaking of the Axe's graveyard, a short
distance above the Mennonite church, afterward called
the Concord burying-ground, he says : " When German-
town was settled in 1683 to 1695, the Mennonites. and
Quakers were the two religious bodies of the town. At
first their meetihgs were held in private houses, and it is
supposed that at times they worshiped together in the
same house till the building of their meeting-houses. It
is not known that they had a special burying-place, and
the dead were probably buried in their own ground.
When the Mennonite church was built in 1708 it had its
graveyard adjoining it for the burial of their members."
In regard to the Axe's, afterward Concord, graveyard,
he says : " The front wall on the main road was begun
in May, 1724, by Dirk Johnson and John Frederick Axe."
A list of those who aided the work is added^ which
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MENNONITE MEETING AT GERMANTOWN. II3
should interest ancient Germantowners. We find the
names of Paul Engel, Garret Rittinghausen, Hans Reyner,
John Streepers, Johannes Jansen, Dennis Cunrads (Tunis
Kunders), Peter Keyser, John Gorgas, Peter Shoemaker,
Christopher Witt, Frantz Neff and many others. The
work cost ;^40 8s. 6d.
Dirk Jansen and his wife Katrina were one of the thir-
teen families who settled Germantown. They were the
ancestors of this family as well as of the other Johnsons
already noted, and were Mennonitcs. Paul Engel, above
mentioned, also a Mennonite, is buried at Skippack, and
the date on his grave-stone is 1723. In 1703 he declined
to be a burgess in Germantown for conscientious reasons.
Elizabeth Engel, wife of Charles, saw the wounded
General Agnew carried past her house on a door. One
of the fcimily's horses was taken by the English and a
poor one put in its place.
It was from behind a wall which separated the Men-
nonite burying-ground from the street that the British
General Agnew was fired upon while at the head of a
column of his soldiers and mortally wounded, during the
Revolutionary War. The name of the perpetrator of the
deed is carefully guarded to this day by the only person
who knows the truth. Hans Boyer, a half-witted fellow
of that day, claimed the credit of the deed, but it is said
to have not rightfully belonged to him. General Agnew
is buried in the Lower burying-gfround, now Hood's
Cemetery, Germantown.
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114
HISTORY OF THE MENNONTTES.
Names of the Members of the Metmonite Church at GermatUown in lyoS
when the first house was built.
Pastor Jacob Godshalk,
Bishop Willem Rittenhoose,
Hennan Carsdoip,
Martin Kolb,
Isaac Van Sintem,
Conrad Johnson,
Henry Kassel, and their wives,
Hennan Tejrncr,
John Fry,
Peter Connerts,
Paul KlumpkeSy
Arnold Van Vossen,
John Kolb,
Jacob Kolb,
W)mant Bowman,
John Gorges,
Comelious Classen,
Arnold Knster,
Mary Tu)men,
Helena Frey,
Gertrude Conners,
Mary Van Vossen,
The above is taken from Morgan
BaibaraKolb,
Ann Bowman,
Margaret Huberts,
Mary Sellen,
Elizabeth Kuster,
Margaret Tuysen,
Altien Revenstock,
John Nise,
Hans Nise,
John Lensen,
Isaac Jacobs,
Jacob Isaacs,
Hendrick Sellen,
John Connerts,
Peter Keyser,
Herman Kuster,
Christopher Zimmerman,
Sarah Van Sintem,
Civilia Connerts,
Altien Tjrsen,
Catharine Casselberry,
Civilia Van Vossen.
Edwards* History, 1770.
Names of the Members in 1770 when
they appear on the Records.
Jacob Keyser, Sen.,
& Margaret his wife,
William Rittenhouse, Sen.,
Nicholas Rittenhouse
& Sarah his wife,
Susanna Nice, grany,
Catharine Rife,
Mary Stonebumer,
Ann Heisler, grany,
Barbara Bergman,
Margaret Smith,
the present house was buUt as
William Hendricks
& his wife,
Mary Penninghausen,
Abraham Rittenhouse
& Ann his wife, ^
Jacob Rittenhouse, carpenter,
& Susanna his wife,
Nicholas Johnson
& Ann his wife,
Ann Houpt,
Jacob Rittenhouse,paper-maker^
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MENNONITE MEETING AT GERMANTOWN. 11$
Henry Roosco
& ^_-his wife.
1774
Jacob Funk preacher joined
& Ann his wife joined,
Catherine Funk joined
1775
Cornelius Engle baptued
& Teen his wife do
Susanna Keyser do
Continued on to 1789.
William Van Aiken,
John Rittenhouse
& Margaret his wife.
1771
John Keyser, cordwainer,
& Elizabeth his wife,
Jacob Knorr
& Hannah his wife,
Isaac Rittenhouse,
Susanna Knorr,
Isaac Kolb
& Barbara his wife.
He also says: "In about sixteen years (1727) this
church had branched out to Skippack, Conestoga, Great
Swamp and Manatany, and become five churches, to
which appertained sixteen ministers, namely, Jacob God-
shalk, Henry Kolb, Martin Kolb, Nicholas Johnson,
Michael Zigler, John Gorgas, John Conrads, Nichofes
Rittenhausen, Hans Burgholser, Christian Herr, Benedict
Hirschy, Martin Baer, Johannes Bowman, Velti Clemmer,
Daniel Langenacker and Jacob Beghtly."
Hupert Cassel, born and raised in Towamencin Town-
ship, now Montgomery County, was also a Mennonite.
He was the grandfather of Abraham H. Cassel, the great
antiquarian of Harleysville, and lived to the age of about
ninety years. He was for quite a number of years a deacon
in the Mennonite congregation in Hatfield, Montgomery
County, Pa.
On Sunday, July i6th, 1876, Pastor N. B. Grubb, of
Schwenksville, preached a Centennial sermon in the
Germantown Mennonite church, from the text Psalm
97 : I. Among the audience were persons from different
parts of this State, also from Massachusetts, New York,
New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island.*
* Church Records, p. 48,
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Il6 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
October 6th, 1883, Holy Communion was celebrated
in the morning, Pastor Albert Funk officiating, this
being Bi-Centennial day, or the two hundredth year since
the organization of the Mennonite church at German-
town. In the afternoon a meeting was held in com-
memoration of the first meeting held in Germantown in
the house of Thonis Kunders in 1683, when a small
band of those early Christians assembled to give praise
unto the Lord. Thjs was the first Mennonite meeting
known to have been held in America.
Upon this occasion appropriate addresses were made
by Samuel W. Pennypacker, giving sketches of the early
history of the Mennonites in America, more particularly
of them at Germantown, and was followed by Pastor
John Oberholzer in the German language.
On the same day, as mentioned above, religious service
was also held in Crefeld, Prussia, from whence the first
thirteen femilies came to settle Germantown. This
service was held for the purpose of celebrating the first
Mennonite meeting in America, which took place two
hundred years ago.
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An Address
At the Bi-Centennial Celebration of the Settlement
of Germantown, Pa., and the Beginning of
German Emigration to America.
By Samuel W. Pennypacker.
In the Philadelphia Academy of Music, on the evening of October 6th, 1883.
Ladies and Gentiemen :
The Teutonic races since the overthrow of the power
of ancient Rome, which they brought about, have been
in the van of thought and achievement The only rival
of the German and the Dutchman, in those things which
mark broadly the pathway of human advancement, came
from the same household. In the sixth century a tribe
of Germans found their way across the North Sea to an
island which in time they made their own, and to which
they gave the name of Angleland. Like all of their
stock, the men of this colony grew in substance and
developed in intelligence, but they have ever since, in
times of trial and difficulty, looked back to the Father-
land for guidance and support. In 147 1 a man named
Caxton was in Cologne learning the art of printing. He
returned to England to impart to his countrymen a
(117)
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1 1 8 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES,
knowledge of the new discovery, and the literature ol
Chaucer, Shakespeare, Scott and Dickens became a pos-
sibility. The impulse which Martin Luther gave to
human thought, when he nailed his propositions to the
church-door at Wittenberg, beat along the shores of the
Atlantic, and the revolution of 1688, bringing with it the
liberty of Englishmen, was one of the results. For the
attainment of that liberty, England drove her own royal
line beyond the seas and made the Stadtholder of Holland
her king. From this day down to the present time every
king of England has been a German.
Early in the seventeenth century an English admiral
went to Rotterdam for a wife. According to Pepys, who
described her later, she was " a well-looked, fat, short old
Dutch woman, but one that hath been heretofore pretty
handsome, and I believe, hath more wit than her hus-
band." The son of this woman was the Quaker William
Penn. He who would know the causes for the settle-
ment of Pennsylvania, the purest and in that it gave the
best promise of what the future was to unfold, the most
fateful of American colonies, must go to the Reformation
to seek them. The time has come when men look back
through William Penn and George Fox to their masters,
Menno Simons, the Reformer of the Netherlands, Casper
Schwenkfeld, the nobleman of Silesia, and Jacob Boehm,
the inspired shoemaker of Gorlitz. In that great up-
heaval of the sixteenth century there were leaders who
refused to stop where Luther, Calvin and Zwinglius took
a successful stand. The strong, controlling thought
which underlay their teachings was, that there should be
no exercise of force in religion. The baptism of an in-
fant was a compulsory method of bringing it into the
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AN ADDRESS. 1 19
Church, and they rejected the doctrine ; an oath was a
means of compelling the conscience, and they refused to
swear ; warfare was a violent interference with the rights
of others, and they would take part in no wars, even for
the purpose of self-protection. More than all in its
political significance and effect, with keen insight and
clear view, hoping for themselves what the centuries since
have given to us, they for the first time taught that the
injunctions of Christ were one thing and the power of
man another, that the might of the State should have
nothing to do with the creed of the Church, and that
every man in matters of faith should be left to his own
convictions. Their doctrines, mingled as must be ad-
mitted with some delusions, spread like wildfire through-
out Europe, and their followers could be found from the
mountains of Switzerland to the dykes of Holland. They
were the forlorn hope of the ages, and, coming into
direct conflict with the interest of Church and State, they
were crushed by the concentrated power of both.
There is nothing in the history of Christendom like
the suffering to which they were subjected, in respect to
its extent and severity. The fumes from their burning
bodies went up into the air from every city and village
along the Rhine. The stories of their lives were told by
tiieir enemies and the pages of history were freighted with
the records of their alleged misdeeds. The name of Ana-
baptist, which was given them, was made a byword and
reproach, and we shrink from it with a sense of only half-
forgotten terror even to-day. The English representatives
of this movement were the Quakers. Picart, afler telling
that some of the Anabaptists fled to England to spread
their doctrines there, says: "The Quakers owe their rise to
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I20 HISTORY OF THE MEXNONITES.
these Anabaptists."* The doctrine of the inner light was
an assertion that every man has within himself a test of
truth upon which he may rely, and was in itself an attack
upon the binding character of authority. The seed from
the sowings of Menno, wafted across from the Rhine to
the Thames, were planted on English soil by George
Fox and were brought by William Penn to Pennsylvania,
where no man has ever been molested because of his
religious convictions. Three times did William Penn,
impelled by a sympathetic nearness of feuth and methods,
go over to Holland and Germany to hold friendly con-
verse and discussion with these people, and it was very
fitting that when he had established his province in the
wilds of America, he should urge and prevail with them
to cross the ocean to him. On this day, two hundred
years ago, thirty-three of them, men, women and children,
landed in Philadelphia. The settlement of Germantown
has a higher import, then, than that thirteen families
founded new homes, and that a new burgh, destined to
fame though it was, was built on the face of the earth.
It has a wider significance even than that here was the
beginning of that immense emigration of Germans who
have since flocked to these shores.
Those thirteen men, humble as they may have been
individually, and unimportant as may have been the
personal events of their lives, holding as they did
opinions which were banned in Europe, and which only
the fulness of time could justify, standing as they did
on what was then the outer picket line of civilization,
* Picart was here cited because he makes the statement directly and in
few words. Upon this subject consult Barclay*s " Religious Societies of
the Commonwealth," Hortensius' " Histoire des Anabaptistes," and " Penn-
sylvania Magazine," VoL 4, p. 4.
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AN ADDRESS. 121
best represented the meaning of the colonization of Penn-
sylvania and the principles which lie at the foundation
of her institutions. Better far than the Pilgrims who
landed at Plymouth, better even than the Quakers who
established a city of brotherly love ; they stood for that
spirit of universal toleration, which found no abiding
place save in America. Their feet were planted directly
upon that path which leads from the darkness of the
middle ages down to the light of the nineteenth century,
from the oppressions of the past to the freedom of the
present. Bullinger, the great reviler of the Anabaptists,
in detailing in 1 560 their many heresies, says they taught
that " the government shall and may not assume control
of questions of religion or faith."*
No such attack upon the established order of things
had ever been made before, and the potentates were wild
in their wrath. Menno went from place to place with a
reward upon his head ; men were put to death for giv-
ing him shelter, and two hundred and twenty-nine of his
followers were burned and beheaded in one city alone.
But two centuries after Bullinger wrote there was put
into the constitution of Pennsylvania, in almost identical
language : " No human authority can, in any case what-
ever, control or interfere with the right of conscience."t
The fruitage is here, but the planting and watering were
along the Rhine. And to-day the Mennonites and their
descendants are to be found from the Delaware River to
the Columbia. The Schwenckfelders, hunted out of
Europe in 1734, still meet upon the Skippack on the
24th of every September, to give thanks unto the Lord
* " Die Oberkeit solle und moege sich der Religion oder Glaubens sachen
nicht annemmen.^' Der Widertoufferen Ursprung^ p. 18.
f Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Article I, Section 3.
*
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122 HISTORY OP THE MENNONITES.
for their deliverance. This is the tale which Lensen,
Kunders, Lucken, Tyson, Opdengraeff and the rest, as
they sat down to weave their cloth and tend their vines
in the woods of Germantown, had to tell to the world.
A great poet has sung their story, and you Germans
will do well to keep the memory of it green for all time
to come. It cannot be gainsaid that the influence upon
American life and institutions of that German emigration
which began with thirty-three persons in 1683, and had
swollen in 1882 to 250,630, has fulfilled the promise
given by its auspicious commencement The Quakers
maintained control of their province down to the time of
the Revolution, and they were enabled to do it by the sup-
port of the Germans. The dread with which the Germans
inspired the politicians of the colonial days was exces-
sive. In 1727 James Logan wrote to the Proprietary:
" You will soon have a German colony here, and, per-
haps, such a one as Britain once received from Saxony
in ye fifth century."
Said Thomas Graeme to Thomas Penn in a letter in
1750: "The Dutch, by their numbers and industry,
will soon become masters of the province." Many were
the devices to weaken them. It was proposed to
establish schools among them where only English
should be taught ; to invalidate all German deeds ; to
suppress all German printing presses and the importa-
tion of German books, and to offer rewards for inter-
marriages. Samuel Purviance wrote to Colonel James
Burd, in 1765, that the way to do was "to let it be
spread abroad through the country that your party intend
to come well-armed to the election, . . . and that you will
thrash the sheriff*, every inspector, Quaker and Mennonist
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AN ADDRESS. 123
to a jelly." But, as a disappointed manager wrote from
Kingsessing the same year : *' All in vain was our
labor. . . . Our party at the last election have loosed
(lost) all."
The Speaker of the first Federal House of Representa-
tives was a German, and with Simon Snyder, in 1808,
began the regime of the eight German governors of
Pennsylvania. To represent her military renown during
the Revolutionary War, Pennsylvania has put the statue
of Muhlenberg in the Capitol at Washington. The
terrific and bloody struggle with slavery in this country,
which ended at Appomattox in 1865, began at German-
town so long ago as 1688. The Murat of the Rebellion,
he who afterwards so sadly lost his life among the
savages of the West, had traced his lineage to the Men-
nonite, Paul Kuster, of Germantown, and if the records
were accessible, it could, it may be, be carried still further
back to that Peter Kuster who was beheaded at Saardam
in 1535. Another of the descendants of those earliest
emigrants, the youngest general of the war, planted his
victorious flag upon the ramparts of Fort Fisher.
The Schwenkfelder forefathers of Hartranft, Major-
General, Governor, and once urged by this State for the
Presidency, lie buried along the Perkiomen. He who
reads the annals of the war will find that among those
who did the most effective work were Albright, Beaver,
Dahlgren, Heintzleman, Hoffman, Rosecrans, Steinwehr,
Schurz, Sigel, Weitzel and Wistar.
The liberties of the press in America were established
in the trial of John Peter Zenger. Man never knew the
distance of the sun and stars until David Rittenhouse,
of Germantown, made his observations in 1769. (He
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124 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
was bom in Roxborough Township, near Germantown,
in 1732.) The oldest publishing house now existing on
this continent was started by Sauer, in Germantown, in
1738. The first paper mill was built by Rittinghuysen
upon the Wissahickon Creek, in 1690. (It was on a -
branch of the Wissahickon.) The German Bible ante-
dates the English Bible in America by nearly forty
years, and the largest book published in the colonies
came from the Ephrata press in 1749. From Pastorius,
the enthusiast, of highest culture and gentlest blood,
down to Seidensticker, who made him known to us, the
Germans have been conspicuous for learning. To the
labors of the Moravian missionaries, Heckewelder and
Zeisberger, we largely owe what knowledge we possess
of Indian history and philology. Samuel Cunard, a
descendant of Thonis Kunders, in the fifth generation,
established the first line of ocean steamers between
America and England, and was made a British baronet
If you would see the work of the American Germans
of to-day, look about you. Is there a scientist of more
extended reputation than Leidy ? Is there a more emi-
nent surgeon than Gross ? Who designed your Centen-
nial buildings, and in whose hands did you trust the
moneys to pay for them ? The president of your Uni-
versity, the most enterprising of American merchants,
and the chief justice of your State are alike of German
descent. The great bridge just completed, after years of
labor and immense expenditures, which ties Brooklyn to
New York, was built by a German. The financier of the
nation during the Rebellion undertook to construct a
railroad from the greatest of the inland seas to the widest
of the oceans. He fell beneath the weight of the task ;
a German completed it.
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AN ADDRESS. 1 25
But the time allotted to me does not permit me to
more than suggest a few points in the broad outlines of
, German achievement. The hammer of Thor, which at
the dawn of history smote upon the Himalayas, now
resounds from the Alleghenies to the Cascades.
The Germanic tide which then began to poiir into
Europe has now reached the Pacific. In its great march,
covering twenty centuries of time, it has met with na
obstacle which it has not overcome ; it has been opposed
by no force which it has not overthrown, and it has
entered no field which it has not made more fruitful.
America will have no different story to tell. The future
cannot belie the past Manners and institutions change ;
the rock crumbles into dust ; the shore disappears into
the sea, but their is nothing more permanent than the
characteristics of a race.
Already the rigidity and angularity which Puritanism
has impressed upon this country have begun to disappear;
already we feel the results of a broader scope, a sterner
purpose and of more persistent labor. And in the years
yet to be, America will have greater gifts to offer unto
the generations of men, will be better able to attain that
destiny which, in the providence of God, she is to fulfil
because she has taken unto herself the outpourings of
that people, which neither the legions of Caesar, nor Papal
power, nor the genius of a Bonaparte were able to subdue.
[The above address was delivered in the Academy of
Music on the evening of October 6th, 1883, by Samuel
W. Pennypacker, member of the Philadelphia Bar, and
great-grandson of Matthias Pennypacker, first Mennonite
minister and bishop of the Mennonite congregation at
Phoenixville, Chester County.]
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^ Report of the Indian Mission
Conducted under the Auspices of the General Con-
ference of the New School Mennonites.
By Pastor S. S. HAURY.
Cantonment, Indian Territory, May 4th, 1886.
The Mennonite Mission in Darlington, Indian Terri-
tory, was established in 1880, in the Spring, among the
Arapahoe Indians. One year later we erected a mission
house and began with a mission and boarding school,
having eighteen pupils, boys and girls, at the commence-
ment. The mission house had just been finished when
it was destroyed by fire on the 19th of February, 1882.
In this trial we lost our only child, nine months old, and
three Indian children. We carried on our school in
hospital tents until the fall of that year, when our mission
house had been rebuilt to double the capacity of our first
house.
This same year a military post, fifty-six miles north-
west of Darlington, was vacated, and we were urged by
the Indian agent, John D. Miles, to take charge of these
military buildings at Cantonment and make use of them
in educating, Christianizing and civilizing the Arapahoe
and Cheyenne Indians located in that vicinity, believing
that our Lord and Master had opened for us a new and
wider door,
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REPORT OF THE INDIAN MISSION. 12/
Brother H. R, Voth having received charge of our
mission work at Darlington, I moved with my family to
Cantonment in February, 1883, to raise up the Cross of
Christ, bringing the Gospel of goodwill to men in a place
where shortly before the ensigns of an army signalized
war and bloodshed.
In the Fall of 1883 we began at this place a mission
and boarding school for both the Arapahoe and Chey-
enne Indians. The school was begun with fifteen chil-
dren of both sexes. The school work, however, is not
our only mission work, although it gives us for the pres-
ent our strongest hold with our people to bring the
Gospel near their understanding and near their heart
We have Sunday-schools and regular meetings for our
older Indians. As the children are encouraged to learn
and to talk English, and as they are taught only in this
language, we have to speak to their people through inter-
preters in their own tongue.
I also wish to say here that our school work centres in
teaching our children the contents of the Bible and in
trying to lead them to Christ. As we teach our children
to read and to write, and as we daily and continually
point them to Christ as their only Redeemer, we do not
and dare not neglect to teach them to work. We preach
the Gospel in season and out of season, but unless we
convince our Indians by a true Christian life, daily and
continually exhibited before them, that to eat their bread
in the sweat of their brow is no curse and no shame, but
a blessing and honor for them as well as for the white man,
they will not be Christianized. In getting the Indians to
work, to provide for themselves, and to leave their life of
sluggishness and indolence, we are trying to colonize
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128 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
them and get them located in houses. We have now
eighteen families living in houses at this place, and several
are building houses for themselves this Spring.
As to the success of our missionary work, I can say
that it has not been in vain ; I can see how the Indians
have advanced in all respects very distinctly. But they will
not be Christianized in a few years ; it will take many
years of hard work, much patience and perseverance, and
a life of prayer. And not always that which seems suc-
cess is such, whilst often that which is real success
appears to be just the reverse at the time. Our school
at Darlington has an enrolment of forty-eight, and the
school at this place of sixty-eight children. In Kansas
we have now twenty children in school.
S. S. Haury.
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Virginia.
A Historical Sketch of the Early Mennonites in Vir-
ginia, communicated by Abraham Blosser,
Editor of the " Watchful Pilgrim,"
I WILL now give you some items and facts concerning
the Mennonites in Virginia, but the difficulty in getting
the exact dates of the first Mennonite settlers in the
Valley of Virginia is due to the fact that few, if any, of the
first Mennonite emigrants kept any records of either their
family or churches. Their education generally was meagre
and almost exclusively German, and in course of time the
mother tongue ceased to be taught in the schools, and
the English language almost entirely introduced in the
schools and generally spoken, so that few could read
German, and old records, account books and other papers
containing historic facts or records of the early Men-
nonites, were no longer saved or cared for. For this
reason we know so little of the early emigrants in this
valley. The following is an extract from a book entitled
Kerchevats History of the Valley of Virginia, by Samuel
Kercheval, printed by John Gatewood, at Woodstock,
Va., in 1850, second edition, chap. 5, p. 50: "A large
majority of our first emigrants were from Pennsylvania,
composed of native Germans and German descent. There
were, however, a number directly from Germany, some
9 (129)
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130 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
from Maryland and New Jersey, and a few from New
York. These emigrants brought with them the religious
habits and customs of their ancestors. They were com-
posed generally of three religious sects, viz.: Lutherans,
Mennonists and Calvinists, with a few Dunkards. They
generally settled in colonies, each sect pretty much to-
gether."
The Valley of Virginia is composed of all that scope of
country lying between the Blue Ridge and the Allegheny
range, varying from thirty to fifty miles in width and
about two hundred miles in length. The territory now
comprising the Counties of Page, PoweFs Ford and the
Woodstock Valley, between West Fort Mountain and
North Mountain, extending from the neighborhood of
Stephensburg for a considerable distance into the County
of Rockingham, was settled almost exclusively by Ger-
mans. They were very tenacious in the preservation of their
language, religion, customs and habits. In what is now
Page County the inhabitants were almost exclusively of
the Mennonite persuasion ; but few Lutherans and Cal-
vinists settled among them in other sections of the territory.
The Mennonites were remarkable for their strict adherence
to all the moral and religious observances required by
this sect. Their children were early instructed in the
principles and ceremonies of their religion, habits and
customs. They were generally farmers, and took gr^t
care of their stock ; and with few exceptions they strictly
prohibited their children from going to the dance or
juvenile amusements, so common to other religious sects
of the Germans." *<
On page ninety of the above named book, among
other accounts of Indian massacres is a statement of
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EARLY MENNONJTES IN VIRGINIA. I3I
the massacre of John Roads, a Mennonite minister, in
the latter part of August, 1766, by a party of eight In-
dians and a white villain, who crossed PowePs Ford to
the south fork of the Shenandoah River, where Roads
resided, and shot him standing in his door. His wife
and one of his sons were killed in the yard, another of
his sons in the cornfield. Elizabeth, his eldest daughter,
picked up her little sister, sixteen or eighteen months old,
and ran into the barn and through a hempfield to the
river, which she crossed and escaped One of his sons
running away was shot and killed when nearly across
the river. Two of his daughters and two sons were
captured, but one of the boys, the youngest, was sickly,
and as he could not travel fast enough they killed him ;
the two daughters refused to go further, and they also
were killed. The other son got away from the Indians
after three years of captivity, and came home to his friends.
This was the last Indian massacre in the Page Valley.
For a while the Mennonite Church was prosperous in
what is now the Page County (formerly part of Shenan-
<loah and Rockingham Counties), but in course of time
some dissensions took place and some of their children
joined the Baptist and other societies more popular in
the eyes of the world than the Mennonites. In later
times there were no ministers there, and the Church was
waited on by the ministers from Rockingham County,
and it is said that there were not over five members of
the Mennonite Church in Page County. In former times
there were a number of Mennonite families in the vicinity
of Woodstock, and northward towards Strasburg and
Stevens City (formerly Newtown) — ^Stauflfer and Graybill
were preachers there — but these have nearly all been
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132 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
swallowed up by other societies, as is so apt to be the
case in this our progressive age (progressive in worldly
popularity). There are yet some members in Shenan-
doah County, but the Mennohites at present have no
meeting-house in either Page or Shenandoah Counties.
As in former times the Mennonites of the Valley of Vir-
ginia had no meeting-houses, but held their meetings in
private houses, so there never were any built in what is
now Page County, nor in Shenandoah County, and by
the time building meeting-houses came more into vogue,
the Church in these two counties dwindled down al-
most to nothing, while the Church in Rockingham and
Augusta Counties increased. The first meeting-house in .
Rockingham was Frissers, built in 1822 and rebuilt in
about 1859. The one at the Pike was built in 1825 and
rebuilt in 1878; 40 feet wide and 50 feet long. The one
at Brenneman*s was built in 1826 and rebuilt in 1875;
40 feet wide and 50 feet long. The one at Weaver's
was built in 1827 and rebuilt in 1880; 50 feet wide and
70 feet long. That at Mt. Clinton was built in 1873; 30
feet wide and 40 feet long. The one at the Bank was
built in 1849, and the one at Zion in 1885. There are
several other meeting-houses in this county, which have
been built since the war, owned partly by the Men-
nonites, as that at the Plains, New Dale, White Hall,
North River and Dry River. Besides, meetings are held
in school-houses in different parts of the county. There
are three meeting-houses in Augusta County, viz. : Kin-
dig's, Hildebrand's and Mt. Pleasant. There were Men-
nonites in this vicinity as early as 1816, when a person
by the name of Bishop was officiating as Bishop, and
John Shenk and John Fauver were ministers. (This is
the statement of the present Bishop, Jacob Hildebrand.)
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MENNONITES IN VIRGINIA. 1 33
Formerly the Mennonites held their meetings in pri-
vate houses. In what year Kindig's meeting-house was
first used by the Mennonites my informant could not
tell, but it was bought by the Mennonites many years
ago. Formerly it was used as a school-house, called
Hairs school-house. It was then remodeled and used
as a meeting-house until the year 1885, when the whole
structure was taken down and a new one built in its place,
which is now completed, and the first meeting in the
new house was held May 30th, 1 886. The meeting-house
at Hildebrand's was built many years ago, and rebuilt in
1876. The house at Mt. Pleasant is a large one, built
about 1870. There is a meeting held also at Union
Chapel.
In Frederick County there are three regular places of
meeting, viz.: Keurstown Church, a large new house,
built in 1875 ; the other two places are school-houses,
Kauffman's and Macedonia. In Pendleton County, West
Virginia, there was a new meeting-house built in 1885,
32 by 38 feet, called Miller's Meeting-house. As there
is no minister in Pendleton County yet, the Rockingham
and Augusta County ministers have charge of that
congregation.
There are also meetings held by the Mennonites at
a place called Lost River, in Hardy County, West
Virginia.
There are also meetings held by the Mennonites in
Shenandoah County, at Haldeman's Creek school-house.
In former times there was a small community of Menno-
nites in Greenbriar County, West Virginia. A few mem-
bers live there yet, but they have had no resident minister
for probably fifty years. Coffman was their last minister.
They are occasionally visited by other ministers.
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134 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Trials and Afflictions of the Virginia Mennonites
During the Late Civil War.
When the war of i860 broke out the Mennonites, as
an anti-slavery party or society, were in danger of being
somewhat roughly treated or imposed upon, as this was
a war for slavery by the seceeded States. But fortunately
the Mennonites did not, comparatively speaking, cover
much of the seceded territory, and the extreme South
knew very little about them, while that of the Friends, or
Quaker denomination, was principally in the Northern
States. The principal body of the Mennonites within the
then so-called " Confederate States " was in the Valley of
Virginia ; so, also, were the Dunkers, or Brethren, as they
style themselves. Though many of the more rigid war
men among the Secessionists angrily denounced these
non-resistant anti-slavery societies in the most distasteful
manner imaginable, yet, strange to say, most of the prin-
cipal officers among those who knew them personally,
and their religious teachings, their modest, upright,
honest and inoffensive deportment, were inclined to favor
them, though some of the urtintelligent officers were
harshly against them.
There was a militia draft made in May, 1 861, and a
number of the Mennonites and Dunkers, and their sons
over eighteen years of age, were drafted, and from the way
the draft took in these non-resistants in several places it
looked very suspicious of fraud. They were taken into
the army, then near Harper's Ferry, Va., and though
they were brought into ranks, they could not, under the
severest threats, be made to fire a musket So they were
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MENNONITES IN VIRGINIA. 1 35
a dead drag in the army, and only in the way, or rather
a hindrance there.
About the middle of July, 1861, a call was made by
the Confederates for the entire force; i, e., every able-
bodied man between the age of eighteen and forty-five
years was called into the service of the government
Upon this many of the members of these societies, and
their sons, kept themselves hid, and many secredy
crossed the picket lines and came to the Northern States.
Some time in August or September about seventy men
crossed the mountains into West Virginia, intending to go
to the Northern States by that route, under the guidance of
Brother Daniel Suters, but they were captured by the
Confederate pickets near Petersburg, in what is now
called Grant County, West Virginia. They were taken
to Castle Thunder, in the city of Richmond, Va., as
prisoners for attempted desertion to the enemy. And as
regards myself, I escaped the aforenamed draft, but ex-
pected that another would soon follow, and was deter-
mined not to be dragged into the army if it could possibly
be avoided. I did not want to go to the-North and leave
my family, consisting of my wife and four small children,
in a land of terror. Though I could not stay with them
all the time, I thought I wanted to be, if possible, where
I could at chance times, perhaps, render them aid and
assistance, so I immediately began to make preparations
to hide in a secluded place in a deep hollow, some dis-
tance up the mountains, about sixteen miles away from
home, which distance I could go and come in a night,
being brisk of foot. But no one knows what a trying
crisis this was to me. One night I carried some pro-
visions to this hiding place and stayed about three days.
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136 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Living now away from all human beings, I earnestly
sought the aid and assistance of the Most High, with
fasting and prayer. I trust the Lord heard me, and it
seemed a way was opened for me. It was in July, 1861.
When I got home again word came to me by a friend
that a way to escape military duty was open through a
certain lame Methodist preacher, George W. Stanly, who
had been selling Bibles for the Bible Society before the
war. He was a poor man, with a family to support ; but
as his business was stopped when the war commenced,
he applied for and sent in a bid for a certain mail route,
and it was awarded to him at $igg per year, but after
carrying it a short time he found it a task too great for
his capacity, and was advised by a friend of his, who
imagined he saw a chance for him to sell his mail route
to one of us non-resistants, as an exemption from mili-
tary duty. This information was brought to me just at
the time I came home, and I immediately went to see Mr.
Stanly in Harrisonburg, our county seat, and offered
him ^1,000 for his route on condition that it exempted me
from military duty, which he accepted, and an instrument
of writing was prepared and signed to this effect. On the
same day a call was issued for every able-bodied man to
be pressed into the Confederate army. The excite-
ment then was great, and the news that the crippled
preacher sold his mail route and that a sound man was
taking his place, to be exempt from military duty, was
raised and spread over the town in a very short time
after the bargain was made, and finding that it aroused
public disapprobation, I immediately applied for and
got another mail route of the Confederate Grovern-
ment, as a continuation of the route that had been
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MENNONITES IN VIRGINIA, 1 37
let out to Stanly. The Post Office Department having
a few days before concluded that the two routes could
and should be carried by one carrier, I went right in and
got orders to take charge of the two routes next day, and
as soon as the indignant public was aware that I had the
two routes to carry, in place of one by Mr. Stanly (who
had a good reputation and the sympathy of the public),
which he could barely have carried ; all was right and
everybody was satisfied and became my friends, being
pleased that the poor crippled preacher had got one
thousand dollars. I now had an opportunity to be out
in public, instead of keeping hid (as I imagined I would
have to do during the war). I was not compelled to go
with the mail where there was danger, which I regarded
as a favor in war times, and people along my route ex-
pected me to bring the latest and most reliable news for
which they were very anxious, which I gave as I got it,
sometimes adding my opinion as to its correctness and
tried to avoid giving occasion to dangerous questions
regarding my sentiments. Thus I carried the mail for
nearly four years, by the help of the Most High, without
meeting with any serious difficulty, not considering the
depredations on my premises usual in times of war.
I will now give the reader a further statement concern-
ing the seventy men who were captured in the attempt
to cross the mountains into West Virginia under the
guidance of Daniel Suters, as above referred to. The
party consisted of a number of our Mennonite brethren
and some of the non-resistant Dunkards. They were
taken to Richmond as prisoners for attempted desertion.
Their time of imprisonment was about six weeks from
the time they left home until they reached home again.
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138 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
But this was a serious and solemn time, and during this
time they, as well as their loved ones at home, offered
many prayers to the throne of grace in their sore trials
and afflictions. Though the Lord suffered them to be
severely tried, which will show that the Lord cares for
his people as for the apple of your eye, He was yet mer-
ciful unto them ; though they were threatened to be
taken out and shot, yet the hand of the Almighty did not
permit their enemies to do so. The Lord undoubtedly
had let all this to come to pass for a wise purpose, as the
inspired Word tells us, " All things work together for
good to those who love God." Their prayers were heard
and answered in due time. About one-half of the above-
mentioned prisoners were Dunkards. They became very
friendly to us at the time the prisoners were tried. They
had no published discipline or confession of faith, as they
say the Bible is their discipline and confession of faith,
and when our confession of faith was brought into court
at Richmond by Algernon S. Gray, Attorney at Law,
the Dunkards claimed to hold exactly the same non-
resistant doctrine that we do in respect to war. And if
these seventy prisoners had not been captured and taken
prisoners to the Confederate Capital, and ^their doctrine
and belief been made known by this exciting occurrence,
and explained demonstratively by a high Confederate
official in a way that gave them credit, the non-resistant
anti-slavery societies would certainly never have gotten
the golden privilege of staying at home on their farms
with their loved ones in such a terrible war time, but
would most certainly have been very severely dealt with
as anti-war and anti-slavery men. What wonderful ways
the Lord has to protect those who love Him ! Later, a
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MENNONITES IN VIRGINIA. 1 39
bill was introduced in the Confederate Congress concern-
ing these non-resistant societies, and it happened that
one of the members of the Confederate Congress was the
above named lawyer, Algernon S. Gray, who came right
from their neighborhood, viz.: Harrisonburg, Va., who
knew all about these defenseless people, and it seemed
the Lord guided his tongue in explaining the case satis-
factorily to his fellow-members of the Confederate Con-
gress. He showed them a copy of their confession of
faith, a copy published by Bishop Peter Burkholder, of
Virginia, in 1857. He showed to them clearly that
these people were honest in their way of thinking. Be-
sides, they were frugal, industrious, and generally
farmers, who have the best land in the renowned Valley
of Virginia in their possession, and that they were thus
the producers of a great source of provisions to feed the
army. " Let them," said he, " stay unmolested on their
productive farms, and they will continue to produce pro-
visions that we need and must have to keep up the army.
But if you take these non-resistants away from their
farms, and force them in the army, they are utterly use-
less in the militia. We have already tried them, and
they were a dead drag there. They would suffer death
before they would fight. But let them stay on their
farms and they will do their duty promptly in support
of the army, in producing provisions more abundantly
than any other people put in their place would do ; we
are badly in need of just such farmers as these people
are." This argument prevailed; and the Confederate
Congress passed an act that the Mennonites, Dunkards
Quakers and Nazarites should be exempted from
military duty by paying five hundred dollars Confederate
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I40 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
money into the treasury. This these non-resistants
gladly accepted, and those who had not already left the
country stayed on their ferms up to near the close of the
war, when some of them left, when many of their homes
were desolated by the torch. But strange to say, and
something I cannot account for, a much greater percent-
age proportionately of the property belonging to the non-
resistants in the Valley of Virginia was desolated by fire
than that of the secessionists. At one time General
Sheridan gave orders that every building within a circuit
of ten miles around should be burned, in revenge for
the supposed assassination of his Chief Engineer, Meigs,
near Dayton, in Rockingham County, Va., and part of
this order was already executed when General Sheridan
learned that Meigs had been killed in a fair hand-to-hand
fight, and revoked the order. Nearly all the burned
property was that of non-resistants. The principal part
of the burning was right in a neighborhood where these
non-resistant people were most thickly settled. But
when Greneral Sheridan's army fell back again in 1864
they burned the mills, barns, etc., for the purpose of
destroying provisions, so that the country was much
devastated through this valley, and a much greater per-
centage of this burning proportionately, as referring to
non-resistants and rebels, was the property of non-
resistants, as also in the case of the stock driven away
and destroyed. There were many non-resistants in this
valley, as the conservative Dunkards numbered, perhaps,
about five members to our one, and many of them had
much property. They owned many of the mills that
were burned.
The Mehnonites of Virginia all belong to one General
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MENNONITES IN VIRGINIA. I4I
Conference, which is held semi-annually in the follow-
ing manner : First, those in Augusta County, or Upper
District, consists of the following members: Jacob
Hildebrand is their Bishop, and their ministers are Jacob
R. Hildebrand, Isaac Grow, Jacob N. Driver; their
deacons are Jacob Landis, Martin Brunk, A. P. Heat-
wole and Samuel Weaver.
Those in the Middle District in Rockingham County :
Bishop, Samuel Coffman ; ministers, Daniel Heatwole,
Gabriel D. Heatwole, Peter S. Heatwole, Joseph F.
Heatwole, Solomon Beery, Abraham B. Burkholder,
David H. Landis and Samuel Weaver; the deacons
are Frederick A. Rhodes, Simeon Heatwole, Christian
Good, Daniel H. Good, David H. Rhodes and Jacob
Showalter.
In the Lower District in Rockingham County are
Abraham Shank and John Geil, Sr., Bishops ; the
minister are Samuel Shank, George Brunk, Daniel Sho-
walter, Henry Wenger, Lewis Shank and John Geil,
Jr.; the deacons are Jacob Good, Jacob Geil, Peter Blos-
ser and Christian Shank.
There is no Bishop in Frederick County at present;
the ministers are Daniel Mellinger and Christian Brunk ;
deacon, John Witmer.
In Hardy County, West Virginia, is but one minister,
viz.: Jacob Teeds.
There is no record kept in Virginia as to communicant
members, consequently the exact number of their mem-
bership cannot now be given, but having consulted some
of those likely to be well informed, we estimated as fol-
lows by counties : Augusta County, about 60 member^ ;
Rockingham County, 500; Pendleton, Randolph and
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142 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Tucker Counties, West Virginia, 35 ; Hardy County,
West Virginia, 40 ; Shenandoah County, Virginia, 8 ;
Page County, 5 ; Frederick County, 25 ; or, in round
numbers, say about 700. I think this will not be very
fcir from the truth.
The above, as given under date of 26th day of April,
1886, by Abraham Blosser, of Dale Enterprise, Virginia.
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Meimonites in West Virginia.
Whereas we have been in Pendleton County, West
Virginia, engaged in building a church, and having had
many inquiries about the Church there, I thought that a
brief sketch of the rise and progress of that branch of the
Church might be read with interest and probably with
profit by many of our readers. During the late war,
while many of our people from the valley were seeking
shelter from military service by crossing the Federal
lines, some concluded to stop there, as they felt safe and
were not far away from home. Among them was a
brother who became somewhat attached to these people
by the kind treatment he received from them ; he con-
cluded to make his home there for a while. Through
him they learned some of our doctrine and also secured
our Confession of Faith, which seemed to be read with
interest and we hope with profit. They also became
desirous of having some of our ministers preach. In
the Fall of 1865 or '66, Bishop Samuel Coffman and Pre.
Christian Brunk, from this county, took a trip to
Upshur County, West Virginia, where Brother Coffman
was called to receive a man into the Church. On their
way home they came through Pendleton County and
filled an appointment there, which was well attended and
seemed to interest the people; and through their per-
suasion and the kindness with which they (our ministers)
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144 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
were treated, and also seeing the necessity of spiritual
labor there and the desire for spiritual food, they concluded
to visit them again and preach for them, which they did,
and still extended their labors further by filling appoint-
ments at different places: In the course of time they
began to receive members into the Church; the work
seemed to progress slowly at first, but through the faith-
ful labors of the brethren there have been since that time
thirty-four members added to the Church, scattered
through Pendleton, Randolph and Tucker Counties.
But of this number seven have since passed away ; two
have fallen from the Church, leaving twenty-five mem-
bers, and at present there are three applicants for mem-
bership.
Last Fall the brethren and sisters there began to
consider the necessity of building a house of worship.
Previously services were held in school and dwelling
houses, but the members there were not in a condition
financially to undertake the building of a meeting-house,
and the congregation in the valley under the charge of
Bishop Coffman assisted in the work. They also received
aid from friends outside and contributions from Maryland
and Pennsylvania ; so they succeeded in getting a house,
32 by 38 feet, situated on North Fork, near the mouth of
Seneca River, Pendleton County, West Virginia. The
house was finished August nth, and the first meeting
was held in it on the evening of August 28th, by Pre.
Joseph N. Driver, Gabriel D. Heatwole and Joseph F.
Heatwole. Services were also held by the above-named
brethren on Sunday, August 30th. The brethren labored
faithfully and endured many privations for the benefit of
this congregation ; the distance and the roads they had
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MENNONITES IN WEST VIRGINIA. I45
to travel made it very tiresome. I accompanied several
of the brethren on one occasion, and we traveled about
two hundred miles and filled thirteen appointments in
twelve days. They are generally gone from ten to four-
teen days; sometimes one brother goes two or three
times in a summer. Brother Joseph N. Driver, of Augusta
County, has made two trips this Summer and his dis-
tance is over two hundred and fifty miles. They make
no appointments for the Winter, as the country is very
mountainous through which they have to travel, and the
roads sometimes almost impassable on account of snow
and ice. They travel mostly on horseback, sometimes in
carriages. There are four considerable mountains to
cross, which also makes the labor on a horse very hard.
Bishop Coffman is on one of these visits now, September
20th. This is the fifl;h trip for the brethren this Summer.
He expects to receive some members into the Church,
and also to hold Communion meeting with them before
he gets back.
Truly the labors of the brethren seem great, but when
we consider the reward which is sure to follow if they
prove faithful to their Master to the end of their pil-
grimage, it admits of no comparison with their labors;
for Paul says : " For I reckon the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 3: i8.
Could they in all their travels but have been the means
of saving one soul, they would have accomplished a great
work ; but we hope many souls have been gathered by
them into the fold of God. And the Apostle Paul says.
Gal. 6:9: " And let us not be weary in well-doing, for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." James says:
10
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146 >IISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
" Let him know that he who converteth the sinner from
the error of his way shall save a soul from death and
shall hide a multitude of sins." James 5 : 20. When we
look around us are there not many doors open ? Are there
not many places where there is much spiritual labor
needed, which by a little more energy on the part of our
churches could be supplied ? There is much special
work needed, and it is indeed a lamentable fcict that our
Church is so slow in spreading the Grospel. There are
many places close around us where our doctrine is but
little known. Then, is it not high time that we awake
out of our drowsiness and work more effectually for our
Master's cause? Let us therefore labor that we may
enter into that rest which is prepared for the children of
God. S. M. BURKHOLDER.
Taken from the Watchfid Pilgrim of October ist, 1885.
Shenandoah and Rockingham Counties in Virginia
were settled by Germans from Pennsylvania prior to 1746.
Many of their descendants still ^eak the German
language. Shenandoah Valley, in the vicinity of Harri-
sonburg, was almost exclusively settled by Germans from
Pennsylvania prior to 1748. A traveler through this
part of Virginia, during the French and Indian war,
writes : " The low grounds upon the banks of the Shen-
andoah River are rich and fertile. They are chiefly
settled by Germans, who gain a sufficient livelihood by
raising stock for the troops, and sending butter down
into the lower parts of the country. I could not but re-
flect with pleasure on the situation of these people, and
think, if there is such a thing as happiness in this life,
they enjoy it. Far from the bustle of the world, they
live in the most delightful glimate c^nd richest soil
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MENNONITES IN WEST VIRGINIA. I47
imaginable. They are everywhere surrounded with
beautiful prospects and sylvan scenes — lofty mountains,
transparent streams, falls of water, rich valleys and
majestic woods, the whole interspersed with an infinite
variety of flowering shrubs constitute the landscapes sur-
rounding them. They are subject to few diseases, are
generally robust, and live in perfect liberty. They know
no wants, and are acquainted with b^t few vices. Their
inexperience of the elegancies of life precludes any re-
gret that they have not the means of enjoying them ; but
they possess what many princes would give half their
dominions for — health, contentment and tranquillity of
mind.'* (Rupp's Thirty Thousand Names, p. 460.)
In 1786 the community in Virginia is also specially
mentioned on the records in the archives at Amsterdam.
They have a Name List of the Mennonite Preachers in
North America, up to about 1800.
Additional Statistics of Bishop Burkholder and
His Family.
Said Bishop Peter Burkholder was born in Pennsyl-
vania, on the 27th day of August, 1783, and while yet
quite young his father emigrated to Rockingham County,
Virginia, with his family, where he spent the remainder
of his days. He was married,* October nth, 1803, to
Elisabeth CofTman, who was born February 24th, 1775 ;
was called to the ministry, October 27th, 1805; lost his
consort, April 26th, 1846; died himself, December 24th,
1846. He had nine children, as follows:
1. Margaret, bom September 26th, 1804, who was mar-
ried to Jonas Blosser.
2. Esther, bom August 21st, 1806, who was married
to John Hildebrand,
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143 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
3. Christian, born November 30th, 1807, who was
married to Frances Lehman.
4. Abraham, born February 20th, 1809, who was mar-
ried to Susanna Zimmers.
5. Peter, born July 20th, 181 2, who died in his minor
year.
6. David, born March 3d, 18 14, who was married to
Anna Beery. ^
7. Elisabeth, born October loth, 181 5, who was mar-
ried to David Hartman.
8. Martin, born February 7th, 181 7, who was married
to Rebecca Shank.
9. Maria, born March 26th, 18 18, who was married to
Henry E. Rexroad.
They all belonged to the Mennonite Church, also their
consorts, except Peter, who died in his minor years.
Besides the foregoing, the said Peter Burkholder com-
piled the Confession of Faith of the Christians known by
the name of Mennonites, in thirty-three Articles, with a
short extract from their catechism translated from the
German, and accompanied with notes, to which is added
an introduction. Also Nine Reflections, from different
passages of the Scriptures, illustrative of their Confession,
Faith and Practice, by said Peter Burkholder, pastor of
the Church of the Mennonites, written by him in the
German language, and /rom his manuscript translated,
together with the foregoing Articles, by Joseph Funk.
Printed by Robinson & Hollis, Winchester, Va.,in 1837.
Died.
Heatwole. — On September 4th, 1886, near the Mole
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MENNONITES IN WEST VIRGINIA. 1 49
Hill, Rockingham County, Va., of an inward rupture,
after a severe illness of nine days, Joseph Heatwole, aged
68 years, 5 months and 10 days. He was buried at
Weaver's Church on the 6th. Funeral services by Bishop
Samuel Coffman and John Geil, Jr., from Job 14, in the
presence of a very large audience. Said John Geil, Jr.,
was once a fellow-prisoner with the deceased — ^they were
captured with about seventy other ^ennonites and Tun-
kers, in the Fall of 1861, near Petersburg, in what is now
called Grant County, West Virginia, in the time of the war
of the Rebellion, in ah attempt to cross the picket lines
to the Northern States, by tSie Churchville cavalry (rebels),
who were then on picket in those mountain regions, of
whose position and whereabouts these refugees were not
minutely posted. At this instant, when the enemy closed
in upon them, the said deceased, who was then in front
of this defenseless company, turned to his fellow-prisoners
and said: "Brethren pray mightily unto God." This
remark of the deceased Bro. Geil said he remembered as
clearly as if spoken but yesterday, the words having made
a deep and solemn impression on his mind the instant
they were uttered. Although about a quarter of a century
has passed since this remark was made by the deceased
brother, I think it ought to be put on record on the page
of history for his posterity and those of his fellow-pris-
oners, and also many other persons to read and know
that the deceased was one of those who had put their
trust in God, and that God was his first thought when
caught in danger.
The deceased was a consistent member of the Menno-
nite Church for many years. He leaves seven children
and many relatives and friends to mourn his loss.
Abraham Blosser.
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Christian Funk.
The Schism among the Mennonites in 1777.
Christian Funk was born in 1731 ; was married in 1757.
About the same time, or shortly after, he was called to
the ministry by the congregation at Franconia, where he
worked fctithfully, as far as known, until the year 1774,
at which time the American war was about commencing
with England. The Mennonites as a body never had
any disposition to take part in civil government, so when
in the year 1774 a meeting was held for the purpose of
choosing three men who were to attend a delegation from
other parts of the Province, to deliberate whether Penn-
sylvania should join the other Provinces which were
already fully engaged in the Revolutionary contest^ there
was a stormy time, many of the Mennonites being still
somewhat anxious to be loyal in their allegiance to the
King of England. The meeting was largely attended,
and there was every indication that there would be seri-
ous trouble and probably serious dissension in the ranks
of the Mennonites. Happily, at this time. Funk arrived.
He asked if anything had been done at the meeting, and
being answered negatively, he said that it was no business
of the Mennonites to interfere in the matter. After much
debating it was decided not to oppose the joining of
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CHRISTIAN FUNK. i$t
Pennsylvania to the other Provinces, in the work of free-
ing this country from hateful and despotic rule.
A tax of £i IDS. was now laid, payable in Congress
paper money. Many of the ministers and members were
opposed to paying this tax. Funk, however, said they
ought to pay it, because they had taken the money issued
under the authorities of Congress and paid their debts
with it The dispute continued until about the year 1777,
when the division took place. (Funk's Mirror)
This schism lasted 'about twenty-five years, when its
members returned to the original faith of their fathers.
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Manitoba Mennonites.
Bro. Jacob Y. Schantz, of Berlin, Ontario, the Men-
nonite immigration agent, when examined before the
Immigration and Colonization Committee at Ottawa, in
April, 1886, said that when the Mennonites first came
into Southern Manitoba they lived in small villages of say
about twenty-four families, and worked land together as a
common holding, each sharing in the proceeds. They,
however, discovered that they had made a mistake, and
now took up homesteads and settled the same as formers
did. Some of the younger people were now speaking
English, and a few were attending English schools. The
Government had loaned the Mennonites $g6^oo to tide
over their difficulties, getting security for the money from
the people resident in that locality. Of that sum there
was some ;^65,ooo paid back, and he was in a position to
say, being Secretary of the Committee, that upwards of
3820,000 would be paid in the course of two or three
months. There was little prospect of further immigra-
tion, as young men could not get away owing to Russian
war troubles. Some few families had left and had gone to
Kansas. Speaking of Southern Manitoba, he said about
1,336 families located there, who were pretty successful.
They were more temperate in their habits than when
they first came into the country. Mr. Trow, in seconding
a vote of thanks to Bro. Schantz, paid a high tribute to
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MANITOBA MENNONITES. 1 53
that gentleman's energetic efforts on behalf of the Men-
nonite settlers.
In Manitoba, British America, are living at present
12,000 Mennonites, who are all in good circumstances.
They generally follow farming and find a good market
for their products, which they can ship at very low freight
rates on the Canada Pacific Railroad, which is greatly in
their fcivor. The first Mennonites in Manitoba came
from the southern part of Russia in the year 1874.
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The Herrites (or Herrenleute).
The Herrites {Herrenleute) of which we are now to
speak, is a schism of the Mennonite Church, and was
led by John Herr, of Lancaster County. They have at
present one congregation in Worcester, Montgomery
County. Their ways and views are so peculiar that some
of them are appended : " They do not or dare not, for
fear of the ban of separation (a sort of penance), hear the
ministers of another denomination preach. When one of
their members commits a sin or breaks their rules, he or
she is put under the ban, and is kept in avoidance ; then
they do not eat or sleep with him or her, nor sit at the
same table under pain of like censure." The "Herrites"
originated from the second schism of the Mennonite
Church, in about i8i i. (The first was Christian Funk's.)
The portion that withdrew erected for themselves a small
one story stone meeting-house over the Franconia line in
Salford Township, near the present turnpike leading to
Souderton. By 1850 they had diminished, so that the
building was used only for a school-house. In 1855 they
built a house just in Franconia, several hundred yards
north of the Harleysville and Souderton turnpike, near a
private burying-ground, usually called Delps' Graveyard.
Of those who sleep there, the stones give the family names
^f Yoder, Moyer, Kratz, Booz, Landis, Funk, Delp,
.Kline, Wisler, Godshall, Cassel and others; Jacob Lan-
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THE HERRITES (oR HERRENLEUTe). IJJ
dis, 1807; Christian Funk, aged 80 years; Valentine
Kratz, 95 years, and Abraham Delp, 81 years.
This old graveyard is certainly an object of interest.
It contains about a quarter of an acre, enclosed with a
substantial board fence, situated on elevated ground,
with a beautiful glimpse of the surrounding country into
the quiet valley of the Indian Creek.
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Meimonites in Missouri.
I WILL now try and give you some information about
the Mennonites in Missouri, and I shall truly rejoice if I
can assist you in your undertaking to write a history of
the Mennonite Church, a work requiring much labor to
get the necessary material.
There were, according to my knowledge, no Menno-
nite organizations in Missouri anterior to the great Civil
War, unless it be of the so-called Amish Mennonites,
about which I am not sufficiently informed to furnish
anything like a history. There are, to my knowledge,
Amish Mennonites in Hickory, Cass and Gentry Counties,
no doubt also in other counties. In Cass County there is
a very large congregation of Aniish Mennonites ; a man
by the name of Knaege is the Bishop.
Of the congregations going by the name of Menno-
nite Churches, there are five organized congregations.
Three of them are connected by conferential ties to the
Mennonites represented by the Herald of Truth (or Old
School Mennonites), and two have united themselves to
the General Conference (or New School Mennonites). Of
the former, one is in Jasper County, one in Shelby County
and one in Morgan County. Of the latter, one is in
Moniteau and one in Hickory County. The church in
Shelby County was organized soon after the war, perhaps
in 1867 or 1868, of which the following is an account
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MENNONITES IN MISSOURI. 157
Among the first settlers were persons by the name of
Lapp, one of whom was a preacher. Bishop Benjamin
Hershey moved there and has been their Bishop ever
since. A man by the name of John Brubacher was chosen
to the ministry since. The congregation is small, hardly
numbering over twenty-five members. The congregation
in Jasper County is still smaller, having a membership not
exceeding fifteen. Mennonites had settled there soon
after the war, but no organization took place until the
year 1877. The first Mennonite settler was Dr. Jacob
Blosser. They have no church building. Jacob Brenne-
mann and Joseph Weaver were elected to the ministry.
The congregation in Morgan County, called the Mt. Zion
Church, has a somewhat larger membership than either
of the two last referred to. The present preachers are
D. D. Kauffman, Bishop, and Daniel Driver. It origi-
nated as follows: A number of Mennonites moved to
Moniteau and Morgan Counties, Missouri, in the year
1867, and later from Ohio, Indiana, New York, Virginia,
Michigan and other places. They settled near the county
line, between the above-mentioned counties. The first
communion was held by Bishop John Schmitt, of Sum-
merfield, Illinois. But these people, coming from different
places, had different views and customs also in church
matter, and when they came to form a more complete
organization, if they would unite into one body, they had
to learn to tolerate one another's views. This they agreed
to do. This was especially the case with feet-washing,
which some regarded as a ceremony ,while others gave it a
spiritual interpretation, or regarded it as an act of hospi-
tality ; but the great zeal of a few to bring about a unity
of views, and, if necessary, by power, authority and dis-
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158 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
cipHne, produced a lively discussion of this point of differ-
.ence and resulted in a split, and each party has since its
own organization, though there is not that animosity be-
tween the parties which we sometimes find where such
schisms take place. The party practicing ceremonial
feet-washing is organized under the name of Mt. Zion
Congregation, while the other is called the Bethel Con-
gregation; the former is united with the Mennonites
represented by the Herald of Truths while the Bethel
Congregation has united with the " General Conference."
Their united membership may be about one hundred and
thirty-five members. There was no ministerial election
before the separation, but Daniel Brundage, now living in
the State of Kansas, who pioved from Indiana to Mis-
souri as a minister, was ordained as Bishop. The Mt.
Zion Congregation since elected David D. KaufTman and
Daniel Driver, and the Bethel Congregation elected P. P.
Lehmann.
M. S. Moyer, who was elected to the ministry in Ohio,
moved to Morgan County, Missouri, in the year 1878,
and was accepted as minister and afterwards, with P. P.
Lehmann, ordained as Bishop. The two churches are
five miles apart, Mt Zion in Morgan and Bethel in
Moniteau County. Another congregation is in Hickory
County ; Peter S. Lehmann, who moved there from In-
diana, is its preacher. The members came there from
Ohio, Indiana and other States. The membership may
be about forty. They have also sent their delegate to
the General Conference and are regarded as a part of
that body.
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Early Settlement of the Mennonites in
Elkhart County, Indiana,
In 1843 John Smith came from Medina County, Ohio,
and purchased the feirm now occupied by Martin Hoover,
near Harrison Centre, in Harrison Township. Two years
later, in the spring of 1845, Bishop Martin Hoover, then
already 85 years old, with his son, John, settled on the
farm now occupied by Joseph Rohrer, a short distance
north of South West. In the fall of the same year John
Smith, his son, Joseph, and Christian Henning, with their
families, arrived on the 3d of October from Medina
County, Ohio, and settled in the same township ; Jacob
Strohm also was here when they came. In the spring of
1848 Christian Christophel, Jacob Christophel and Jacob
Wisler, with their families, from Columbiana County,
Ohio, joined the little colony ; the latter two were minis-
ters of the Gospel, and on Ascension Day in that year
they appointed and held their first meeting, in the oH
log school- house, on the northwest corner of the farm
on which Joseph Rohrer is now living, opposite to the
Dunker meeting-house, built a few years ago. The three
ministers were present. The principal discourse was de-
livered by Jacob Wisler. Bishop Hoover was then 85
years old, and only made a few remarks sitting. No
hymn was sung, because no one present was able to lead
(^59)
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l6o HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
the singing. The meeting was attended by only sixteen
persons. From this time forward, however, regular ser-
vices were held every two weeks, sometimes, no doubt,
in the school-house, and sometimes in bams, private
dwellings, etc. During the summer of 1848, twenty-four
^milies more arrived from Wayne, Medina and Colum-
biana Counties, Ohio, among, whom were the Hartmans,
Holdemans, Moyers, Smeltzers and others. In the sum-
mer of 1849 a log meeting-house, 26 feet square, was
built on the same ground now occupied by the Yellow
Creek meeting-house. This building once took fire from
the stove-pipe, burned four of the ceiling boards and
charred the girder to coals half the length of the build-
ing, but of its own accord went out again and did no
further damage. An addition of 24 feet in length was
afterwards made to this house, and in 1861 the old house
was moved away and the new frame house, now standing,
40 by 60, put in its stead.
In 1850 Benjamin Hershey came from Canada and
settled here. He also was a minister and afterwards
removed to Whiteside County, Illinois, and from there
to Shelby County, Missouri, where he was ordained a
Bishop and still resides there. Daniel Moyer was chosen
to the ministry and served in that capacity for a number
of years. He was an earnest preacher, but his earthly
labors were brought to a sudden close by a collision on
the railroad, through which he lost his life while on his
way with two other ministers to visit the churches in
Canada, in December, 1864. In 1853, R- J- Schmidt and
N. J. Sijmensma, two ministers, and their families and a
number of their brethren and their families, on account
of their faithful adherence to the doctrine of non-resist-
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MENNONITES IN ELKHART COUNTY, INDIANA. l6l
ance, were compelled to emigrate from Holland, and
settled in this county, where Bro. Sijmensma died a few
years afterwards^ leaving the care of the charge to Bro.
Schmidt, who still holds services, at stated periods, in the
Holland language. Daniel Brundage, who was called to
the ministry in Canada, emigrated from there to this
county, and, after serving the church here for a time,
removed to Morgan County, Missouri, in the spring of
1869, if our information is correct, where he was advanced
to the office of Bishop on the 28th of May, 1870, and
later went to McPherson County, Kansas, where he
resides at the present time. Jacob Freed came from
Holmes County, Ohio, to Elkhart County, where he died
in April, 1868, in the 726 year of his age. He served as
a minister in the Church over thirty years. He was born
in Virginia, and probably was elected to the ministry in
Ohio. David Good was a deacon and came to Elkhart
County from Canada at an early date. He was a man of
excellent abilities, and faithful and zealous in the perform-
ance of his duty. He died on the i6th of March, 1864,
in the 60th year of his age. Benjamin Huber, also form-
erly from Canada, was a deacon, and died December 19th,
1866, aged 88 years. Henry Newcomer filled the same
office for a number of years, and died in November, 1867.
A meeting was also organized in Clinton Township,
east of Goshen, and for a time maintained by the minis-
ters in Harrison Township, until it could be supplied from
their own congregation. John Nusbaum, who is still
pastor of this church, came to Clinton on the 4th of Sep-
tember, i860. He was chosen and ordained to the
ministry in Ashland County, Ohio, in 1827.
The church in Elkhart County, in her earlier years,
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1 62 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
enjoyed a good degree of prosperity, receiving large
accessions, both by immigration and new converts ; on
one occasion forty-eight were baptized on the same day ;
but within the last several years this church has been
called to pass through a most severe trial, in which the
feith of many was brought to a severe test, and though
she lost some in numbers, there is no doubt she has been
confirmed and established in the faith; and we trust, by
the grace of God, she may in years to come be a bright
and shining light and lead many unto righteousness.
There are now irT Elkhart County six congregations,
and religious services are regularly held in eleven different
places (Funk's Mennonite Almanac).
There are now in the State of Indiana thirteen con-
gregations, as follows :
The church in Owen County, in charge of Daniel
Royer, Bishop,
The church in Adams County, in charge of Christian
Augspurger, minister.
The church in De Kalb County. The ministers in this
church arer James Coyle and Eli Stofer.
The churches in Elkhart County are as follows :
The Clinton Church, ministers John Gnagy and Peter
Y. LehmaH.
The Yellow Creek Church, ministers Noah Metzler
and Jonas Loucks.
The Holdeman Church, of which Amos Mumaw and
Jacob Loucks are the ministers.
The Shaum Church, of which Henry Shaum is the
minister.
The Elkhart Church, in the city of Elkhart. The
ministers here are John F. Funk, John S. Coffman and
Samuel Yoder.
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MENNONITES IN ELKHART COUNTY, INDIANA. 163
All the churches in Elkhart Cdunty are under the care
of Henry Shaum as Bishop, except the Clinton Church,
which is under the oversight of Henry A. Miller, Bishop,
of Lagrange County.
The Blosser Church, supplied by ministers from the
surrounding districts.
The Christophel Church, including the Holland breth-
ren, under charge of R. J. Schmidt
The Nappanee Church, of which David Burkholder is
the minister.
Besides these there are several places of meeting in
the surrounding districts supplied cheerfully by the
ministers of this county. J. S. Coffman, also one of the
ministers of the Elkhart City Church, devotes a large
portion of his time to evangelistic work among the
smaller churches and scattered members, having his ex-
penses met, partly from voluntary contributions and
partly from the evangelizing fund. This fund was estab-
lished by the Conference of the State of Indiana, and is
maintained by voluntary contributions from all parts of
the United States, where Mennonite settlements are
found. Joseph Summers, of Elkhart, is the treasurer,
and all disbursements are made through a committee
elected annually. The means are supplied to any min-
ister who goes out to preach the Gospel and labor for
the Church, at the discretion of the committee.
The Shore Church, in Lagrange County, where Rev.
J. J. Weaver and Bishop Henry A. Miller are the min-
isters in charge.
There is also a small number of members in Allen
County, which is supplied by the ministers in De Kalb
County.
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164 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
There is also a church in Branch County, Michigan, in
charge of Harvey Friesner. Also one known as the
Barker Street Church, near the State line.
The Caledonia Church, in charge of Christian Wenger,
and the Bourie Church, in charge of John P. Speicher
and Peter Keiih ; the two last mentioned are in Kent
County, Michigan, all of which are under the care of the
Conference of Indiana.
Besides these, there are in the State of Indiana some
ten or twelve congregations of Amish Mennonites.
The Conference of Illinois includes the church in
Livingston County, where the ministers are : Henry L.
Shelly, Peter Unzicker and Christian Schantz ; the church
in Tazewell County, under charge of Emanuel Hartman,
Bishop ; the church near Morrison, in Whiteside County,
where the ministers are Bishop Henry Nice and minister
John Nice ; the church near Sterling, in the same county,
where the ministers are Abraham Ebersole and
Riesner; the church near Freeport, in Stephenson
County, where the ministers are Snavely and Joseph
Lehman.
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Biographical Sketch of Jacob Christophel.
Jacob Christophel was born in Redenbach, in the -
Palatinate on the Rhine, in Europe, from which place he
emigrated and came to America in 1818. Hje settled in
Westmoreland County, Pa., where he lived three years,
after which he removed to Allegheny County. He was
a member of the Mennonite Church, and in 1827 he was
here chosen and ordained to the ministry. He was
ordained by Bishop David Funk.
From Allegheny County he removed to Columbiana
County, Ohio, and afterwards to Elkhart County, Indiana,
arriving there with his family on the 5th day of June,
1848. He bought a farm in Jackson Township, with a
small clearing, where he lived to the time of his death,
which occurred on the 3d of December, 1868. He was in
the ministry about forty-one years, though for several years
before his death he was not able, on account of his bodily
infirmities, to attend to the duties of his office. He
suffered with palsy for about three years, during which
time he was unable to walk and almost helpless. About
twenty-four hours before his death he was attacked with
a severe pain in the bowels. He died calmly and peace-
fully, as one lying down to pleasant dreams, and was
gathered to his fathers, as had been his desire for a long
time, at the advanced age of 85 years 1 1 months and 3
days. He was faithful in the performance of his min-
(165)
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1 66 HISTORY OF THE MENNONlTES.
isterial duties as long as his bodily health permitted him
to do so, and after he was no longer able to labor in the
ministry, it still seemed to be his delight to attend public
worship as often as he could. He was buried in the grave-
yard at Yellow Creek meeting-house, where his funeral
services were performed by J. Weaver and J. M. Brenne-
man from the text Luke 2 : 29, 30.
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First Amish Settlement in Elkhart
County, Indiana.
The first Amish Mennonite settlement in Elkhart
County, Indiana, was made in the year 184 1. At that
time Daniel and Joseph Miller, with Joseph and Christian
Borntreger, with their families, emigrated from Somerset
County, Pa., to Elkhart County, Indiana, and settled
about four miles east of Goshen.
The first meeting for religious worship held by these
new settlers occurred in August of the same year, at the
house of Joseph Miller. He was their Bishop. In the
winter of 1842 Emanuel Miller and family settled in the
same place. The church then consisted of five families.
Later in the same year seven other families came also
from Somerset County, Pa., and settled in the same
neighborhood. This was the beginning of the extensive
settlements of the Amish brethren now found in that
vicinity (Funk's Almanac y 1875).
(167)
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Mennonites in Colorado.
Jacob Roth writes from Harrisburg, Arapahoe County,
Colorado : " Our community here numbers ten brethren.
We have taken up homesteads and pre-emption lands,
and there is still land here to be taken up. This seems
to be a healthy place and the settlement is entirely new.
We expect to organize a Sabbath-school next Sunday, as
we hold meetings on the intervening Sundays. We trust
the brethren will pray for us that the Lord may bless us
and we may at last be found among the redeemed of the
earth" {Herald of Truth, April ist, 1888).
In Yuma, Colorado, is a settlement of Mennonites.
A number of Mennonites by the name of Wiens, of
Nebraska, have in contemplation the founding and build-
ing of a city, about forty-five miles south of Yuma. They
can obtain the land on very reasonable terms (Patriot and
Reformer, August i8th, 1886).
(168)
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Mennonites in New York State.
The first Mennonite who settled in Western New York
was Johannes Roth, who came from Lancaster, Pa., before
the Revolutionary war, and settled four miles west of
Williamsville. No more of the same persuasion arrived
until 1824; then came C. Leib, shortly afterwards A.
Leib, D. Lehm, Johann Scherer, P. Lehman, S. Martin
and his sons, A. Diller, Johann Diller, Walter J. Frick,
J. Metz and others, all from Lancaster, Pa. In 1828
came John Lapp ; then a Mennonite congregation was
organized and a new meeting-house was built, and John
Lapp was chosen as their first minister andjohn Martin
as their first deacon. In 1831 arrived Jacob Krehbiel
with his family, a preacher in the Mennonite congrega-
tion at Meyerhof, Rheinpfalz, Germany, so the congre-
gation increased by immigration and new converts who
were added by baptism, and became a pretty large con-
gregation. Abraham Lapp and Peter Lehman were
chosen as their ministers, and Frederick Krehbiel and
Abraham Leib as deacons. Now (1888) all have gone
to their eternal home.
At the present there are two congregations, one in
Qarence Centre, with Jacob Krehbiel (grandson of the
above-named Jacob Krehbiel) as their pastor and J.
Eberhard as their deacon ; the other is three miles south-
(169)
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I^^O HlSTORt OF THE MEl^NONITfiS.
west of the former, with Jacob Hahn as their pastor and
A. Metz as their deacon.
The first Mennonites who settled at the Falls, in Nia-
gara County, were Hans Wittmer, in 1810, and his
brother, Abraham Wittmer, in 181 1, both from Lan-
caster, Pa. Soon after more of their brethren came from
Lancaster and settled in Niagara County, and a congre-
gation was organized and the ministers from Clarence
Centre, Lapp and Krehbiel, had charge of the Falls con-
gregation. They held their meetings, presumably, in
private houses, as they had no meeting-house until shortly
after 1830, when a meeting-house was built and David
Habecker was chosen as their minister and J. Dreichler
as their deacon. Pastor Habecker is yet living, but not
able to perform the duties as pastor, on account of old
age, being nearly one hundred years old. The congrega-
tion, with U. Linkele as deacon, is at the present time in
charge of Jacob Krehbiel, of Clarence Centre.
John Krehbiel.
Clarence Centre, N. Y., March 20th, 1888.
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Maryland.
In Washington County are four congregations of
Mennonites, viz. : Reiff's Congregation — Michael Horst,
Bishop, Jacob Risser, minister, and Christian W. Eby,
deacon ; Stauffer's Congregation — Adam Bear, minister,
and Peter R. Eshleman, deacon ; Clear Spring Congre-
gation — Daniel Roth, Josiah Brewer, Abraham Ebersole,
ministers, Isaac W. Eby, deacon ; Miller's Congregation
— ^John Martin, Adam Bear, ministers, Peter. R. Eshle-
man, deacon.
(171)
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Russian Settlements in the West
The readers of this sketch, no doubt, have all heard
much about the emigration of the Mennonites from
Russia on account of their religious freedom, and their
settlement on the great prairies of the West Settlements
have been formed in Manitoba, Minnesota, Dakota,
Nebraska and Kansas. To those who have never been
in the West and have not had an opportunity to see the
opening of new settlements, let them imagine a sketch
which will give them a very good idea as to the manner
in which such settlements are commenced. They con-
struct their buildings of boards, in the most primitive
style. Sometimes they construct them also of sod, or of
rough, sun-dried brick, or of clay mixed with straw. In
Manitoba, where therejs more timber, we presume the
brethren have followed, to some extent, the manner of
the natives and built their houses of small logs, closing
the crevices with clay. They build their houses very
substantially, where they have the means and the
material. Those who have always lived in large, pleasant
and convenient houses may here form some idea of the
difference which exists in the comforts and conveniences
of life between those who commence new settlements in
the West and those who live in the old settled portions
of the country {Funk's Family Almanac, 1 876).
(172)
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Russian Settlements in Nebraska.
Nebraska is a very large State. It is 412 miles in
length and 208 miles wide. There are no mountains in
the State. The whole surface consists of rolling uplands
and rich valleys. The past twenty years have demon-
strated that in no part of the United States can a better
country be found for the raising of stock and the growing
of wheat, oats, rye, barley, com and vegetables. In 1880
the population of the State was 452402 and increasing
rapidly. The larger portion of these people dwell in the
eastern half of the State, where the i,500,CXX) acres of the
Burlington and Missouri River Railroad lands are
situated.
The Mennonite church near Beatrice consists princi-
pally of members who immigrated from Prussia in 1877.
Their present Bishop is Gerhard Penner; ministers, John
Heinrich Zimmerman, Peter Reinier; deacon, L. E.
Zimmerman. Their membership is about two hundred.
The congregation in Jefferson County consists of
several divisions, with a membership of about two hun-
dred and fifty. Their Bishop is Abraham Friesen,
Fairbury P. O.
The congregation in Hamilton County also consists of
several divisions and has a membership of about two
hundred and fifty. Their principal Bishop is Isaac
Peters. The last two congregations are Russians.
(173)
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174 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
The above-named congregation also includes the settle-
ment north of Sutton Station in Hamilton County ; also
those in Clay and York Counties.
The congregation in Adams County is an American
Old Mennonite church, in charge of Bishop Albrecht
Schiffler, formerly of Chester County, Pa., and has a
membership of about fifty.
The congregation in Seward County, near Milford, is
an Amish congregation, and has a membership of not
less than two hundred.
There is also a number of scattered members in new
settlements of whom we have no special accounts.
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Periodicals.
The periodicals published under the auspices of the
old Mennonite Church, are : First, The Herald of Truthy
established in 1864, in the city of Chicago, Illinois, by
John F. Funk. The office of publication was removed
to Elkhart, Indiana, in 1867, since which time it has been
published there. It has also been printed in the German
language, under the name of Her old der Wahrheit, Both
are now published by the Mennonite Publishing Com-
pany and have a combined circulation of over 6,000
copies. They have now nearly completed their twenty-
fourth year.
The same company also publishes a children's paper
in the English language, under the name Words of Cheer ^
and a German children's paper, under the title Der Christ-
liche Jugendfreund. They also publish a weekly news-
paper in the German language, circulating chiefly among
the Russian Mennonites, under the name of Mennonitische
Rundschau.
A large number of the Church books, as Martyrs'
Mirror in the German language ; the complete works of
Menno Simons, in the English and German languages ;
the different hymn books of the Church, Confessions of
Faith, tracts, etc., have been published and circulated,
and within the last four years the Martyrs' Mirror has
been translated from the Holland language into English
(175)
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1/6 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
and published in an illustrated, full bound volume of
1,093 pages.
The Watchful Pilgrim, a semi-monthly journal, in the
interest of the Mennonites, by Abraham Blosser, Editor,
Dale Enterprise, Virginia.
Der Christliche Bundesbote, a weekly paper, published
in the interest of the General Conference of Mennonites
of North America, the object of which is to bring the
several divisions of Mennonite communities more closely
together for the purpose of working more successfully in
the cause of home and foreign mission work, and for the
kingdom of God in general.
Address : Christliche Bundesbote, Berne, Adams County,
Indiana.
The Mennonite , a religious monthly journal, devoted to
the interest of the Mennonite Church and the cause of
Christ at large, published by the Eastern Mennonite Con-
ference.
Address: N. B. Grubb, 2136 Franklin Street, Phila-
delphia.
Der Kinderbote. — The Kinderbote is a monthly publi-
cation for Children and Sunday-schools. It is published
at Berne, Adams Co., Indiana, by the Publication Board
of the General Conference. The contents are especially
adapted for children. It is half German and half English.
European Journals.
Das Gemeinde-Blatt, by Pastor Ulrich Hege, assisted
by several ministers ; a monthly journal of eight pages,
published in the interest of the Mennonites, at Reihen,
Amt Sinsheim, Baden.
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PERIODICALS. 177
MennoniHsche Blatter, issued monthly by H. Van der
Smissen, minister of the Mennonite church at Hamburg,
Altona. This journal is now in its thirty-fourth year, and
will hereafter be published semi-monthly, instead of
monthly, as heretofore. This is the church where Ger-
hard Roosen and Jacob Denner preached nearly two
hundred years ago.
Der Zionspilger, published semi-monthly, in the interest
of the old evangelical non-resistant Taufgesinnten-Ge-
meine (Mennoniten) at Emmenthal, Switzerland, by
Samuel Buhler, Langnau, Canton Bern, Switzerland.
December 27th, 1887.
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Conferences.
When and where the first Conference in America was
held is not positively known. We have records that a
conference was held and the Confession of Faith approved
and received by the elders and ministers of the congre-
gations of the people called Mennonites in the year 1727,
and subscribed their names, as follows :
Skippack, Jacob Godschalk, Henry Kolb, Claes Jansen,
Michael Ziegler.
Germantown, John Gorgas, John Conerads, Clas Ritting-
hausen.
Conestoga^ Hans Burgholzer, Christian Herr, Benedict
Hirschi, Martin Bear, Johannes Bowman.
Great Swamp, Velte Clemmer.
Manatant^ Daniel Langenecker, Jacob Beghtly.
In the Lancaster County Conference there are about
seventy-five ministers, representing not less than fifty
churches.
The Franconia Conference meets semi-annually, in
May and October, in the Franconia meeting-house, in
Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pa. This
Conference has been meeting in Francenia long before
the Revolutionary War, even as early as 1760; how long
before that date we have no record.
The Virginia Conference represents abbut twelve or fif-
teen churches. They hold their meetings in three districts
(178)
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CONFERENCES. 1/9
alternately, the Upper District in Augusta County, the
Middle District in Rockingham County and the Lower
District in Rockingham County. This Conference is
composed of about thirty-two ministers and deacons ; they
hold their meetings semi-annually.
The Ohio Conference is composed of about fifteen
churches.
Then there are the Indiana, the Illinois, the Missouri,
the Iowa and the Kansas Conferences, all in one com-
munion, besides the Amish Mennonite churches, number-
ing about twelve or fifteen.
Places ef worship in several counties of Pennsylvania,
as far as I could get them : In Lebanon County, 4, Bishop,
Isaac Gingrich ; Dauphin County, 4 ; Adams County, 2,
Bishop, David Schenk; Juniata County, 5, Bishop, Isaac
Graybill; Franklin County, 5, Bishop, John Hunsicker;
Berks County, 4 ; Cumberland County, 7 ; York County,
10; Snyder County, 2; Perry County, 2; Washington
County, Maryland, 4, Bishop, Michael Horst ; Branch
County, Michigan, i, Harvey Friesner.
For the names of ministers and places of worship in
Lancaster, Montgomery and Bucks Counties, see the
Meeting Calendar of all the Mennonite churches in
Eastern Pennsylvania for the year 1887 (Old School),
New Holland, Pa., Clarion Printing Office.
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Mennonite Immigration to Pennsylvania.
By Dr. J. G. De Hoop Scheffer, of Amsterdam *
The extensive tract of land, bounded on the east by
the Delaware, on the north by the present New York, on
the west by the Ohio River, and on the south by Mary-
land, has such an agreeable climate, such an unusually
fertile soil, and its watercourses are so well adapted for
trade, that it is not surprising that there, as early as 1638
— five and twenty years after our forefathers built the
first house in New Amsterdam (New York) — a European
colony was established. The first settlers were Swedes,
but some Hollanders soon joined them. Surrounded
on all sides by savage natives, continually threatened and
often harassed, they contented themselves with the culti-
vation of but a small portion of the land. After, how-
ever, King Charles II had, in settlement of a debt, given
the whole province to William Penn,t there came a great
* The article here translated from the Dutch, and annotated, appeared in
the Doopsgezinde Bijdragen for 1869, under the title of " Vriendschaps-
betrekingen tusschen de Poopsgezinden hier te lande en die in Pennsyl-
vanie."
f The English Government owed Admiral Penn, father of William Penn,
;f 16,000 sterling for advances made and services rendered; in settlement of
the above debt the section of country lying North of Maryland was given to
William Penn, and was afterwards called Pennsylvania. — Author,
(i8o)
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MENNONITE INtMIGRATION TO PENNSYLVANIA. l8l
change. There, before long, at his invitation and through
his assistance, his oppressed fellow-believers, followers
like himself of George Fox, found a place of refuge.
They settled on the Delaware, and, united by the com-
mon sufferings endured for their convictions, they founded
a city, to which they gave the suggestive name of the
City of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia). The province
itself received the name of Pennsylvania from the man
who brought its settlers over from a land of persecution
to his own estate, and has borne it to the present time,
although its boundaries have been extended on the north
to Lake Erie, and on the west' beyond the Allegheny
Mountains to the present Ohio.
In accordance with the fundamental law established
April 25th, 1682, complete freedom of conscience was
assured to all religious communities, and William Penn
and his associates saw a stream of those who had been
persecuted and oppressed for their belief pour into the
colony, among whom were many Mennonites from
Switzerland and the Palatinate.
In Switzerland, for nearly half a century religious in-
tolerance had been most bitter. Many who had remained
there werfe then persuaded to abandon their beloved
native country and betake themselves to the distant land
of freedom, and others/ who hafcd earlier emigrated to
Alsace and the Palatinate and there endured the dreadful
horrors of the war in 1690, joined them, hoping in a prov-
ince described to them as a paradise, to find the needed
comforts of life. The traveling expenses of these ex-
hausted wanderers on their way through our Fatherland
were furnished with a liberal hand from the " funds for
foreign needs" which our forefathers had collected to aid
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1 82 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
the Swiss, Palatines and Litthauers. These emigrants
settled for the most part at Philadelphia, and to the north-
ward along the Delaware. One of the oldest communi-
ties, if not the oldest of all, was that at Schiebach, or
Germantown. The elder of their two preachers, Wilhelm
Rittinghausen, died in 1 708, and in his place two new
preachers were chosen (presumably Nicholaus Ritten-
house and Dirk Keyser). The same year eleven young
people were added to the Church through baptism, and
two new deacons accepted its obligations. Moreover, the
emigration of other brethren from the Palatinate, with
Peter Kolb* at their head, who were enabled to make the
journey by the aid of the Netherlanders, gave a favorable
prospect of considerable growth. Financially, however,
the circumstances of the community left much to be de-
sired. In a letter written to Amsterdam, dated September
3d, 1708, from which these particulars are derived, and
which was signed by Jacob Gaetschalck, Herman Kars-
dorp, Martin Kolb, Isaac Van Sinteren and Conradt Jan-
sen, they presented " a loving and friendly request" for
" some catechisms for the children and little testaments
for the young.'*t Beside, psalm books and Bibles were
* But Peter Kolb never came to America; he died in 1727 and is buried
at Manheim, aged 56 years 8 months. He was a Mennonite minister. —
Author.
f It is certainly worthy of attention that the first request these people sent
back to their brethren in Europe was for Bibles and Testaments. Jacob
Gaetschalck was a preacher at Skippack, but lived in Germantown. Martin
Kolb, a grandson of Peter Schuhmacher who died in Germantown in 1707,
was bom in the village of Wolfsheim, in the Palatinate, in 1680, and came
with his brothers, Johannes and Jacob, to Pennsylvania, in the spring of
1707. He married May 19th, 1709, Magdalena, daughter of Isaac Van
Sintem, who also united in this letter. Jacob Kolb married Sarah Van Sin-
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MENNONITE immigration to PENNSYLVANIA. 1 83
SO scarce, that the whole membership had but one copy,
and even the meeting-house needed a Bible.
They urged their request by saying " that the com-
munity is still weak, and it would cost much money to
get them printed, while the members who came liere
from Germany have spent everything and must begin
anew, and all work in order to pay for the conveniences
of life of which they stand in need." What the printing
would cost can to some extent be seen from the de-
mands of a bookseller in New York, who beside, only
printed in English, for the publication of the Confession
of Faith in that language. He asked so much for it that
the community could not by any possibility raise the
money, for which reason the whole plan had to be aban-
doned.*
The proposition was first considered because of con-
versation with some people there whose antecedents were
entirely unknown, but " who called themselves Menno-
nites," descendants, perhaps, of the Dutch or English
colonists, who in the first years of the settlement estab-
lished themselves on the territory of Pennsylvania. That
tern, May 2d, 17 10, a sister to Magdalena. Isaac Van Sintem was bom
September 4th, 1662, and was a great-grandson of Jan de Voss, a burgo-
master at Handschooten, in Flanders, about 1550. He married in Amster-
dam Cornelia Claasen, of Hamburg, and came to Pennsylvania with four
daughters after 1687. He died August 23d, 1737, and is buried at Skippack.
* It appears from a letter in the Mennonite Archives at Amsterdam that
William Rittenhouse endeavored to have the Confession of Faith translated
into English and printed by Bradford, and that he died in 1708, aged 64 years
(seejbms* Notes to Thomas on Printings Barton's Life of David Rittenhouse.
Penn Magazine, Vol. II, p. 120). The Mennonites had their Confession
of Faith printed in English in Amsterdam in 17 1 2, and a reprint by An-
drew Bradford in 1727, with an appendix, is the first book printed in Penn-
sylvania for the Germans.
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184 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
the young community was composed of other people
besides Palatines has been shown by the letter just men-
tioned^ bearing the Netherlandish signature of Karsdorp,
a name much honored among our forefathers, and which
has become discredited through late occurrences at Dor-
trecht
It is no wonder that a half year later the " Committee
on Foreign Needs" cherished few hopes concerning the
colony. They felt, however, for nine or ten families who
had come to Rotterdam — according to information from
there, under date of April 8th, 1709, from the neighbor-
hood of Worms and Frankenthal, in order to emigrate,
and whom they earnestly sought to dissuade from mak-
ing the journey. They were, said the letter from Rotter-
dam, " altogether very poor men, who intended to seek a
better place of abode in Pennsylvania. Much has been
expended upon them hitherto freely, and these people
bring with them scarcely anything that is necessary in
the way of raiment and provisions, much less the money
that must be spent for fare from here to England, and
from there on the great journey, before they can settle in
that foreign land." Naturally, the Rotterdamers asked
that money be furnished for the journey and support of
the emigrants. But the Committee, who considered the
matter useless and entirely unadvisable, refused to dis-
pose in this way of the funds entrusted to them. It was
the first refusal of the kind, and little did the Committee
think that for twenty-four years they must keep repeat-
ing it before such requests should entirely cease. It
would, in fact, have been otherwise if they had begun
with the rule which they finally adopted in 1732, or, if
the determination they expressed in letter after letter had
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MENNONITE IMMIGRATION TO PENNSYLVANIA. 1 85
been followed by like action, and they had not let them-
selves be persuaded away from it continually — some-
times from perplexity, but oftener from pity. The Pala-
tines understood the situation well. If they could only
reach Holland without troubling themselves about the
letters, if they were only urgent and persevering, the
Committee would end by helping them on their way to
Pennsylvania. The emigrants of April, 1709, accom-
plished their object, though, as it appears, through the
assistance ot others. At all events, I think they are the
ones referred to by Jacob Telner, a Netherlander Menno-
nite dwelling at London, who wrote, August 6th, to Am-
sterdam and Haarlem : " Eight femilies went to Pennsyl-
vania; the English Friends, who are called Quakers,
helped them liberally."*
His letter speaks of others who also wanted to follow
their example, and urges more forcibly than ever the
people at Rotterdam to give assistance. " The truth is,"
he writes, " that many thousands of persons, old and
young, and men and women, have arrived here in the
,\ hope and expectation of going to Pennsylvania, but the
poor men are misled in their venture. If they could
transport themselves by their own means, they might go
where they pleased, but because of inability they cannot
do it, and must go where they are ordered. Now, as
* But not only did the leaders of the early Society of Friends take great
interest in the Mennonites, but the Yearly Meeting of 1709 contributed fifty
pounds (a very large sum at that time) for the Mennonites of the Palatinate
who had fled from the persecution of the Calvinists in Switzerland. This
required the agreement of the representatives of above four hundred churches,
and shows in a strong light the sympathy which existed among the early
Friends for the Mennonites" (Barclay's Religious Societies of the Common-
wealthy p. 251).
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l86 HISTORY OP THE MEJ^NONlTfiS.
there are among all this multitude six families of out
brethren and fellow-believers, I mean German Menno-
nites, who ought to go to Pennsylvania, the brethren in
Holland should extend to them the hand of love and
charity, for they are both poor and needy. I trust and
believe, however, that they are honest and God fearing.
It would be a great comfort and consolation to the poor
sheep if the rich brothers and sisters, from their super-
fluities, would satisfy their wants and let some crumbs
fall from their tables to these poor Lazaruses. Dear
brethren, I feel a tender compassion for the poor sheep,
for they are of our flesh, as says the Prophet Isaiah,
chap. 58: 7, 8."
It was not long before pity for our fellow-believers was
excited still more forcibly.
Fiercer than ever became the persecutions of the Men-
nonites in Switzerland. The prisons at Bern were filled
with the unfortunates, and the inhuman treatment to
which they were subjected caused many to pine away
and die. The rest feared from day to day that the min-
ority in the Council which demanded their trial would
soon become a majority. Through the intercession, how-
ever, of the States General, whose aid the Netherland
Mennonites sought, not without success, some results
were effected. The Council of Bern finally determined
to send the prisoners, well watched and guarded, in order
to transport them from tljere in an English ship to Penn-
sylvania.
On the 1 8th of March, 17 10, the exiles departed from
Bern ; on the 28th, with their vessel, they reached Man-
heim, and on the 6th of April Nimeguen, and when they
touched Netherland soil their sufferings came to an end
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MENNONITE IMMIGRATION TO PENNSYLVANIA. 18/
at last; they were free, and their useless guards could
return to Switzerland. Laurens Hendricks, the preacher
of our community at Nimeguen, wrote in his letter of
April 9th (1710) : "It happened that very harsh decrees
were issued by the rulers of Bern to search for our friends
in all corners of the land, and put them in the prisons at
Bern, by which means within the last two years about
sixty persons were thrown into dungeons, where some
underwent much misery in the great cold last winter,
while their feet were fast in the iron shackles.
" The Council at Bern were still very much at variance
as to what punishment should be inflicted on them, and
so they have the longer lain in prison ; for some would
have them put to death, but others could not consent to
such cruelty, so finally they determined in the Council to
send them as prisoners to Pennsylvania. Therefore they
put them on a vessel, well watched by a guard of soldiers,
to send them on the Rhine to Holland ; but on coming
to Manheim, a city of the Palatinate, they put out all the
old, the sick and the women, but, with twenty-three men,
floated further down the Rhine, and, on the 6th of April,
came here to Nimeguen. When they heard that their
fellow-believers lived here, one of them came to me,
guarded by two soldiers. The soldiers then went away
and left the man with me. After I, with the other
preachers, had talked with him, we went together to the
ship, and there found our other brethren. We then spoke
to the officers of the guard, and arranged with them that
these men should receive some refreshment, since they
had been on the water for twenty days in great misery,
and we brought them into the city. Then we said to our
imprisoned brethren : The soldiers shall not get you out of
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1 88 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
here again easily, for if they use force we will complain
to our magistrates. This, however, did not happen. They
went about in freedom, and we remained with them and
witnessed ail the manifestations of love and friendship
with the greatest joy. We spent the time together de-
lightfully, and after they were entirely refreshed, they the
next day departed, though they moved with difficulty,
because stiffened from their long imprisonment. I went
with them for an hour and a half beyond the city, and
there we, with weeping eyes and swelling hearts, em-
braced each other and with a kiss of peace separated.
They returned to the Palatinate to seek their wives and
children, who are scattered everywhere in Switzerland, in
Alsace and in the Palatinate, and they know not where
they are to be found. They were very patient and cheer-
ful under oppression, though all their worldly goods were
taken away. Among them were a preacher and two
deacons. They were naturally very rugged people, who
could endure hardships. They wore long and unshaven
beards, disordered clothing, great shoes, which were
heavily hammered with iron and large nails; they were
very zealous to serve God with prayer and reading and
in other ways, and very innocent in all their doings, as
lambs and doves. They asked me in what way the com-
munity was governed. I explained it to them, and it
pleased them very much. But we could hardly talk with
them, because, as they lived in the mountains of Switzer-
land, far from cities and towns, and had little intercourse
with other men, their speech is rude and uncouth, and
they have difficulty in understandinrg anyone who does
not just speak their way. Two of them have gone to
Deventer, to see whether they can get a livelihood in this
country.'*
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MENNONITE IMMIGRATION TO PENNSYLVANIA. 1 89
Most of them went to the Palatinate to seek their kins-
men and friends, and before long a deputation from them
came back here. On the first of May we find three of
their preachers, Hans Burchi or Burghalter,* Melchior
Zailer and Benedict Brechtbuhl,t with Hans Rub and
Peter Donens, in Amsterdam, where they gave a further
account of their affairs with the Bern Magistracy, and
apparently consulted with the committee as to whether
they should establish themselves near the Palatinate
brethren on the lands in the neighborhood of Campen
and Groningen, which was to be gradually purchased by
the Committee on behalf of the fugitives. The majority
preferred a residence in the Palatinate, but they soon
found great difficulty in accomplishing it The Palatin-
ate community was generally poor, so that the brethren,
with the best disposition, could be of little service in
insuring the means of gaining a livelihood. There was a
scarcity of lands and farm-houses, and there was much to
be desired in the way of religious liberty, since they were
subject entirely to the humors of the Elector ; or, worse
still, his officers. For nearly seven years, often supported
by the Netherland brethren, they waited and persevered,
always hoping for better times. Then, their numbers
being continually increased by new fugitives and exiles
from Switzerland, they finally determined upon other
measures, and at a meeting of their elders at Manheim,
in February, 1717, decided to call upon the Nether-
landers for help in carrying out the great plan of remov-
* Hans Burghalter came to America and was a preacher at Conestoga,
Lancaster County, in 1727.
t According to Rupp, Bemhard B. Brechtbtthl translated the PVandelnde
Seele into the German from the Dutch.
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igO HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
ing to Pennsylvania, which they had long contemplated,
and which had then come to maturity. Strange as it
may appear at first glance, the very land to which the
Swiss tyrants had once wanted to banish them had then
become the greatest attraction. Still there was reason
enough for it ; reason, perhaps, in the information which
their brethren sent from there to the Palatinate, but, before
all, in the pressing invitation or instruction of the English
King, George I., through his agent (Muntmeester),
Ochse, at the court. " Since it has been observed," so
reads the beginning of this remarkable paper, " that the
Christians, called Baptists or Mennonites, have been de-
nied freedom of conscience in various plaqes in Germany
and Switzerland, and endure much opposition from their
enemies, so that with difficulty they support themselves,
scattered here and there, and have been hindered in the
exercise of their religion." The king offers to them for
a habitation the country west of the Allegheny Moun-
tains, then considered a part of Pennsylvania, but not yet
belonging to it. Each family should have fifty acres of
land in fee simple, and for the first ten years the use,
without charge, of as much more as they should want,
subject only to the stipulation that after this time the
yearly rent for a hundred acres should be two shillings,
i.e., about a guilder, less six kreutzers. There is land
enough for a hundred thousand families. They, shall
have permission to live there, not as foreigners, but on
their engagement, without oath, to be true and obedient
to the king, be bound as lawful subjects, and possess
their land with the same right as if they had been born
such, and, without interference, exercise their religion in
meetings, just as do the " Reformed and Lutherans."
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MENNONITE IMMIGRATION TO PENNSYLVANIA. Ipl
After calling attention to the fact that in Eastern Penn-
sylvania the land was too dear (;^20 to j;^ioo for a hun-
dred acres), the climate in Carolina was too hot, New
York and Virginia were already too full for them to
settle there with good chances of success, ah attractive
description of the country followed in these words :
" This land is in a good and temperate climate, not too
hot or too cold; it lies between the 39th and 43d
parallels of north latitude, and extends westward about
two hundred German miles. It is separated from Vir-
ginia and Pennsylvania by high mountains; the air is
very pure, since it lies high ; it is very well watered,
having streams, brooks and springs, and the soil has the
reputation of being better than any that can be found in
Pennsylvania and Virginia. Walnut, chestnut, oak and
mulberry trees grow naturally in great profusion, as well
as many fruit-bearing trees, and the wild white and
purple grapes in the woods^are larger and better than in
any other place in America. The soil is favorable for .
wheat, barley, rye, Indian corn, hemp, flax and also silk,
besides producing many other useful things much more
abundantly than in Germany. A field can be easily
planted for from ten to twenty successive years without
manure. It is also very suitable for such fruits as apples,
pears, cherries, prunes, quinces, and especially peaches,
which grow unusually well, and bear fruit in three years
from the planting of the stone. All garden crops do
very well, and vineyards can be made, since the wild
grapes are good, and would be still better if they were
dressed and pruned. Many horses, cattle and sheep can
be raised and kept, since an excellent grass grows
exuberantly. Numbers of hogs can be fattened on the
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192 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
wild fruits in the bushes. This land is also full of cattle
(Riindvieh), called buffaloes and elks, none of which are
seen in Pennsylvania, Virginia or Carolina. Twenty or
thirty of these buffaloes are found together. There are
also bears, which hurt nobody. They feed upon leaves
and wild fruits, on which they get very fat, and their flesh
is excellent. Deer exist in great numbers, beside Indian
cocks and hens (turkeys ?), which weigh from twenty to
thirty pounds each; wild pigeons mor^ than in any
other place in the world ; partridges, pheasants, wild
swans, geese, all kinds of ducks, and many other small
fowls and animals ; so that if the settlers can only supply
themselves for the first year with bread, some cows for
milk and butter, and vegetables, such as potatoes, peas,
beans, etc., they can find flesh enough to eat from the
many wild animals and birds, and can live better than
the richest nobleman. The only difficulty is that they
will be about thirty miles from the sea ; but this, by
good management, can be made of little consequence."
Apparently this description sounded like enchantment
in the ears of the poor Swiss and Palatinates, who had
never known anything but the thin soil of their native
country, and who frequently met with a refusal if they
sought to secure a farm of one or two acres. And how
was that land of promise to be reached? Easily enough.
They had only before the first of March to present them-
selves to one or another of the well-known merchants at
Frankfort, pay £i, or twenty-seven guilders each (chil-
dren under ten years of age at half rates), that is, £2
for transportation, and £1 for seventy pounds of biscuit,
a measure and a half of peas, a measure of oatmeal and
the necessary beer, and immediately they would be sent
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MENNONITE IMMIGRATION TO PENNSYLVANIA. I93
in ships to Rotterdam, thence to be carried over to Vir-
ginia. First, however, in Holland, one-half of the fare
must be paid and additional provision, etc., secured, viz. :
twenty-four pounds of dried beef, fifteen pounds of cheese,
and eight and a quarter pounds of butter. Indeed, they
were advised to provide theniselves still more liberally
with edibles, and with garden seeds and agricultural
implements, linen, shirts, beds, table goods, powder and
lead, furniture, earthenware, stoves, and especially money
to buy " seeds, salt, horses, swine and fowls," to be taken
along with them. All of these things would indeed cost
a large sum, but what did that signify in comparison
with the luxury which was promised them ? Should not
the Netherland brethren quickly and gladly furnish this
last assistance ? So thought the Palatinate brethren. It
is not to be wondered at, however, that the " Committee
on Foreign Needs ** judged differently. They knew how
much exaggeration there was in the picture painted by
the English agent; They thought they were not author-
ized to consent to a request for assistance in the payment
of traveling expenses, since the money was intrusted to
them to be expended alone for the persecuted, and the
brethren in the Palatinate were then tolerated; they
feared the emigrants would call for more money, and in
a word, they opposed the plan most positively and ex-
plained that if it was persisted in no help need be ex-
pected. Their objection, however, accomplished nothing.
In reply to their views, the Committee received informa-
tion, March 20th, that more than a hundred persons had
started, and three weeks later they heard from Rotterdam
that those already coming numbered three hundred,
among whom were four needy families, who required six
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194 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
hundred francs for their passage ; and thirty others were
getting ready to leave Neuwied. Though the Committee
had declared positively, in their letters, that they would
have nothing to do with the whole affair, they neverthe-
less immediately passed a secret resolution, that, " As far
as concerns our Committee, the Friends are to be helped
as much as possible ; " and apparently they took care
that there should be furnished from private means, what
as officials they could not give out of the fund. Among
the preachers who were at the head of these colonists
we find principally Hans Burghalter and Benedict
Brechtbiihl.
The desire for emigration seemed to be entirely ap-
peased in the Palatinate until 1726, when it broke out
again with renewed force. The chief causes were higher
burdens imposed upon them by the Elector, the fear of
the outburst of war, and perhaps also, pressing letters of
invitation written by the friends settled in Pennsylvania.
Moreover, the Committee were guilty of a great impru-
dence. Though they so repeatedly assured the emigrants
that they could not and would not help them, and
promised liberal assistance to the needy Palatines who
abandoned the joiirney ; still, through pity for a certain
Hubert Brouwer, of Neuwied, they gave him and his
family three hundred francs passage-money. Either this
became known in the Palatinate, or the stream could no
longer be stayed. Though some of their elders, together
with the Committee, tried to dissuade them, and painted
horrible pictures of the possibility that, in the war between
England and Spain, they might, " by Spanish ships be
taken to the West Indies, where men are sold as slaves,"
the Palatines believed not a word of it On April 12th,
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MENNONITE IMMIGRATION TO PENNSYLVANIA. 1 95
1727, there were one hundred and fifty ready to depart,
and on the i6th of May, the Committee were compelled
to write to the Palatinate that they " ought to be informed
of the coming of those already on the way, so that they
can best provide for them ; " and they further inquired
" how many would arrive without means, so that the
Society might consider whether it would be possible for
them to arrange for the many and great expenses of the
passage." -
Some did not need help, and could supply from their
own means what was required ; but on the 20th the Com-
mittee learned that forty-five more needy ones had started
from the Palatinate. These with eight others cost the
Society 327 if. ijst. Before the end of July twenty-one
more came to Rotterdam, and so it continued. No
wonder that the Committee, concerned about such an
outpouring, requested the community in Pennsylvania
" to announce emphatically to all the people from the pul-
pit that they must no more advise their needy friends and
acquaintances to come out of the Palatinate, and should
encourage them with the promise that, if they only re-
mained across the sea, they would be liberally provided
for in everything." If, however, they added, the Penn-
sylvanians wanted to pay for the passage of ihe poor
Palatines, it would then, of course, be their own affair.
This the Pennsylvanians were not ready nor in a condi-
tion to do. The Committee also sent forbidding letter
aft:er letter to the Palatinate, but every year they had to
be repeated, and sometimes, as, for instance. May 6th,
1733, they drew frightful pictures : "We learn from New
York that a ship from Rotterdam going to Pennsylvania
with one hundred and fifl:y Palatines wandered twenty-
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196 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
four weeks at sea. When they finally arrived at port
nearly all the people were dead. The rest, through the
want of vivreSf were forced t-o subsist upon rats and
vermin, and are all sick and weak. The danger of such
an occurrence is always so great that the most heedless
do not run the risk except through extreme want.*'
Nevertheless, the stream of emigrants did not cease.
When finally over three thousand of different sects came
to Rotterdam, the Committee, June 15th, 1732, adopted
the strong resolution that under no pretence would they
furnish means to needy Palatines, except to pay their
fares back to their fatherland. By rigidly maintaining
this rule, and thus ending where they undoubtedly should
have commenced, the Committee put a complete stop to
emigration. On the 17th of March they reported that
they had already accomplished their object, and from that
time they were not again troubled with requests for pas-
sage-money to North America.* In the meanwhile
their adherence to this resolution caused some coolness
between the communities in the Netherlands and in Penn-
sylvania. Still their intercourse was not entirely termi-
nated. A special circumstance gave an impulse which
turned the Pennsylvanians again toward our brotherhood
in 1742.* Their colony had increased wonderfully ; they
enjoyed prosperity, rest, and what the remembrance of
* This is, of course, correct as far as the Committee at Amsterdam is con-
cerned, but neither emigration nor Mennonite aid ended at this time. The
Schwenkfelders, some of whom came over only the next year, speak in warm
and grateliil terms of the aid rendered them by the Mennonites. Their
MS. Journal, now in possession of Abraham H. Cassel, says : " Mr. Henry
Van der Smissen gave us on the ship 16 loaves of bread, 2 Dutch cheese, 2
tubs of butter, 4 casks of beer, two roasts of meat, much flour and biscuit,
and 2 bottles of French brandy, and otherwise took good care of us."
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MENNONltE IMMIGRATION tO PENNSYLVANIA. I97
foreign sufferings made more precious than all, complete
religious freedom ; but they talked with some solicitude
about their ability to maintain one of their points of belief
— absolute non-participation in war, even defensive. They
had at first been so few in numbers that they were un-
noticed by the government, but now it was otherwise.
Could they, when a general arming of the people was
ordered to repel a hostile invasion of the neighboring
French colonists or an incursion of the Indians, refuse to
go, and have their conscientious scruples respected?
They were in doubt about it, and little indications
seemed to warrant their uncertainty. The local magis-
tracy and the deputed authorities looked favorably upon
their request for complete freedom from military service,
but explained that they were without the power to grant
the privilege which they thought existed in the King of
England alone. In consequence of this explanation the
Pennsylvania Mennonites resolved to write, as they did
under date of May 8th, 1742, to Amsterdam and Haarlem,
and ask that the communities there would bring their
powerful influence to bear upon the English Court in
their behalf, as had been done previously through the
intervention of the States-General when alleviation was
obtained in the case of the Swiss and Litthauer brethren.
This letter seems to have miscarried. It cannot be found
in the archives of the Amsterdam community, and their
minutes contain no reference to it, so that its contents
would have remained entirely unknown if the Pennsyl-
vanians had not written again October 19th, 1745, com-
plaining of the silence upon this side, and repeating in a
few words what was said in it Though it is probable
that the letter of 1742 was not received, it may be that
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198 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
our forefathers laid it aside unanswered, thinking it unad-
visable to make the intervention requested before the
North American brethren had substantial difficulty about
the military service; and it must be remarked that in the
reply, written from here to the second letter, there is not
a word said upon this subject, and allusions only are
made to things which, in comparison, the Pennsylvanians
surely thought were of much less importance.
In the second part of their letter of October, 1745,
which is in German, the Pennsylvanians write : " As the
flames of war appear to mount higher, no man can tell
whether the cross and persecution of the defenceless
Christians will not soon come, and it is therefore of im-
portance to prepare ourselves for such circumstances
with patience and resignation, and to use all available
means that can encourage steadfastness and strengthen
faith. Our whole community have manifested an unani-
mous desire for a German translation of the Bloody
Theatre of Tieleman Jans Van Braght, especially since in
this community there is a very great number of new-
comers, for whom we consider it to be of the greatest im-
portance that they should become acquainted with the
trustworthy witnesses who have walked in the way of
truth, and sacrificed their lives for it.''
They further say that for years they had hoped to
undertake the work, and the recent establishment of a
German printing office had revived the wish, but "the bad
paper always used here for printing " discouraged them.
The greatest difficulty, however, was to find a suitable
translator, upon whose skill they could entirely rely,
without the fear that occasionally the meaning would be
perverted. Up to that time no one had appeared among
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lilENNOKlTE IMMIGRATION tO PENNSYLVANIA. 1 99
th^m to whom they could give the work with perfect con-
fidence, and they therefore requested the brethren in Hol-
land to look around for such a translator, have a thousand
copies printed, and send them bound, with or without
clasps and locks, or in loose sheets, to Pennsylvania, not,
however, until they had sent over a complete account of
the cost. The letter is dated at Schiebach, and bears the
signatures of Jacob Godschalk, Martin Kolb, Michael
Ziegler,* Heinrich Funk, Gilles Kassel and Dielman
Kolb. Not until the loth* of February, 1748, did the
"Committee on Foreign Needs," in whose hands the
letter was placed, find time to send an answer. Its tenor
was entirely unfavorable. They thought the translation
"wholly and entirely' impracticable, as well because it
would be difficult to find a translator as because of the
immense expense which would be incurred, and which
they could very easily avoid." As "this book could cer-
tainly be found in the community, and there were some
of the brethren who understood the Dutch language," it
was suggested " to get them to translate into the German
some of the chief histories wherein mention is made of
the confessions of the martyrs, and which would serve for
the purpose, and have them copied by the young people."
By so doing they would secure "the double advantage
that through the copying they would give more thought
to it, and receive a stronger impression."
The North American brethren, at least, got the benefit
of the information contained in this well-meant counsel,
* Michael Ziegler, as early as 1722, lived near the present Skippackville,
in Montgomery County, Pa., and was, for at least thirty years, one of the
elders of the Skippack Church. He died at an advanced age about 1 763,
and left £^ to the poor of that congregation.
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200 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
sent two and a-half years late. In the meantime they
had themselves zealously taken hold of the work, and
before the reception of the letter from Holland accom-
plished their purpose. That same yeaV, 1748, the com-
plete translation of the " Martyrs' Mirror/' of Tielman
Jans van Braght, saw the light at Ephrata. It was after-
wards printed, with the pictures from the original added,
at Piermasens, in the Bavarian Palatinate, in 1780, and
this second edition is still frequently found among our
fellow-members in Germany, Switzerland and the Moun-
tains of the Vosges.
Though the completion of this very costly under-
taking gives a favorable idea of the energy and financial
strength of the North American community, they had to
struggle with adversity, and were compelled, ten years
later, to call for the charity of their Netherland brethren.
Nineteen families of them had settled in Virginia, ** but
because of the cruel and barbarous Indians, who had
already killed and carried away as prisoners so many of
our people," they fled back to Pennsylvania. All of one
family were murdered, and the rest had lost all their
possessions. Even in Pennsylvania two hundred families,
through recent incursions of the savages in May and
June, lost everything, and their dead numbered fifty. In
this dreadful deprivation they asked for help, and they
sent two of their number, Johannes Schneyder and Mar-
tin Funk, to Holland, giving them a letter dated Septem-
ber 7th, 1758, signed by Michael Kaufman, Jacob Borner,
Samuel Bohm and Daniel Stauffer. The two envoys,
who had themselves sorely suffered from the devasta-
tions of the war, acquitted themselves well of their mis-
sion on the 1 8th of the following December, when they
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MENNONITE IMMIGRATION TO PENNSYLVANIA. 20I
secured an interview with the Committee at Amsterdam.
They made the impression of being " plain and honest
people," gave all the explanations that were wanted, and
received an answer to the letter they brought, in which
was inclosed a bill of exchange upon Philadelphia for
£^o sterling, equal to £yS i is. 5d. Pennsylvania currency,
or 55of. The newly-chosen Secretary of the Committee,
J. S. Centen, adds : " We then paid their expenses here,
and supplied them with victuals and travelling money,
and they departed December 17th, 1758, in the Hague
packet-boat."
After this event all intercourse between the North
American Mennonites and those in the Netherlands
ceased, except that the publisher of the well-known
" Name List of the Mennonite Preachers " endeavored
until the end. of the last century to obtain the necessary
information from North America for his purpose ; but it
is apparent, upon looking at the remarkable names of
places, that very much is wanting. They wrote to him,
however, that he might mention as distinct communities
Schiebach (Skippack), Germantown, Mateschen, Indian
Kreek, Blen (Plain), Soltford (Salford), Rakkill (Rock-
hill), Schwanin (Swamp), Deeproom (Deeprun), Berkosen
(Perkasie), Anfrieds (Franconia), Grotenswamp (Great
Swamp), Sackheim (Saucon), Lower Milford, with two
meeting-houses, Hosensak, Lehay (Lehigh), Term,
Schuylkill, and forty in the neighborhood of Kanestogis
(Conestoga). In 1786 the community in Virginia is also
specially mentioned. For some years this statement re-
mained unchanged. The list of 1793 says that the num-
ber of the Mennonite communities of North America,
distinct from the Baptists, was two hundred, and some
estimate them at over three hundred, of which twenty-
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^02 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
three were in the Pennsylvania districts of Lancaster and
Konestogis (Conestoga). This communication was kept
unchanged in the Name List of 1810, but in the next,
that of 1815, it was at last omitted, because, according to
the compiler. Dr. A. N. Van Gelder, " for many years, at
least since 1 801, we have been entirely without knowledge
or information."
In 1856 R. Baird, in his well-known work, " Religions
in America/* says that Pennsylvania is still the principal
home of the Mennonites in the United States and that
they have four hundred communities, with two hundred
or two hundred and fifty preachers, and thirty thousand
members, who are for the most part in easy circumstances.
Perhaps these figures are correct, so far as concerns
Pennsylvania ; but according to the " Conference Minutes
of the entire Mennonite community in North America,
held at West Point, Lee County, Iowa, the 28th and 29th
of May, i860," the number of the Mennonites in all the
States of the Union amounted to 1 28,000. Afl:er having
for many years almost entirely neglected mutual relations,
and separated into many small societies, they finally
came to the conclusion that a firm covenant of brother-
hood is one means to collect the scattered, to unite the
divided and to strengthen the weak. The delegates of
the communities come together annually, as they did the
present year from May 31st to June 3d, at Wadsworth,
Ohio. On the 20th of May, 1861, they repeated in their
own way what our fathers did fifty years earlier; they
founded a seminary for the service of the Church, with
which, since that time, Dr. Van der Smissen, formerly
minister at Frederickstadt, has been connected as pro-
fessor and director. May it be to them as great a bless-
ing as ours has been to us.
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Christopher DocL
By Samuel W. Pennypacker.
The student of American literature, should he search
through histories, bibliographies and catalogues of libra-
ries for traces of Christopher Dock or his works, would
follow a vain quest. The attrition of the great sea of
human affairs during the course of a century and a half
has left of the pious schoolmaster, a^s the early Germans
of Pennsylvania were wont to call him, only a name, and
of his reputation nothing. Watson, the annalist, says
that in 1740 Christopher Dock taught school in the old
Mennonite log-church in Germantown ; the catalogue of
the American Antiquarian Society contains the title of
his " Schul-Ordnung" under the wrong year ; and these
meagre statements are the only references to him I have
ever been able to find in any English book. There may
be men still living who have heard from their grand-
fathers of his kindly temper and his gentle sway, but
memory is uncertain and they are rapidly disappearing.
Between the leaves of old Bibles and in out-of-the-way
places, in country garrets, perhaps, are still preserved
some of the Schrifflen and birds and flowers, which he
used to write and paint as rewards for his dutiful scholars,
but the hand that made them has long been forgotten.
The good which he did has been interred with his bones,
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204 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
and all that he did was good. The details of his life that
can now be ascertained are very few, but such as they
are it is a fitting task to gather them together. The eye
will sometimes leave the canvas on which are depicted
the gaudy robes of a Catherine Cornaro, or the fierce
passions of a Rizpah, and gratefully turn to a quiet rural
scene, where broad fields stretch out and herds feed in
the shade of oaks, cuid all is suggestive of peace, strength
and happiness. It may well be doubted whether the
story of the Crusades has attracted more readers than
the Imitation of Christ by Thomas a JCempis ; the Life of
John Woolman has found its way into the highest walks
of literature, while that of Anthony Wayne is yet to be
written ; and the time may come when the American his-
torian, wearied with the study of the wars with King
Philip to the north of us, and the wars with Powhattan to
the south of us, will turn his lens upon Pennsylvania,
where the principles of the Reformation produced their
ultimate fruits, and where the religious sects who were in
the advance of thought, driven out of conservative and
halting Europe, lived together at peace with the natives
and in unity among themselves, without wars. The
sweetness and purity which filled the soul of the Menno-
nite, the Dunker, the Schwenkfelder, the Pietist and the
Quaker, was nowhere better exemplified than in Chris-
topher Dock. It is told that once two men were talking
together of him, and one said that he had never been
known to show the slightest anger. The other replied
that, perhaps, his temper had not been tested, and pres-
ently, when Dock came along, he reviled him fiercely,
bitterly and profanely. The only reply made by Dock
was : " Friend, may the Lord have mercy upon thee/*
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CHRISTOPHER DOCK. 20$
He was a Mennonite, who came from Grermany to Penn-
sylvania about 1 7 14. There is a tradition that he had
been previously drafted into the army, but had been dis-
charged because of his convictions and refusal to bear
arms. In 171 8, or perhaps four years earlier, he opened
a school for the Mennonites on the Skippack. It was an
occupation to which he felt he was Divinely called, and he
continued it without regard to compensation, which was
necessarily very limited, for ten years. At the expiration
of this period he went to farming. On the 28th of 9th
month, 1735, he bought from the Penns one hundred
acres of land in Salford Township, now Montgomery
County, for £1$ ids., and, doubtless, this was the tract
upon which he lived. For ten years he was a husband-
man ; but for four summers he taught school in German-
town, in sessions of three months each year, and it would
seem to have occurred during this period. While away
from the school he was continually impressed with a con-
sciousness of duties unfulfilled, and in 1738 he gave up
his farm and returned to his old pursuit. He then opened
two schools, one in Skippack and one in Salford, which
he taught three days each alternately, and for the rest of
his life he devoted himself to this labor unceasingly.
In 1750 Christopher Saur, the Germantown publisl^r,
conceived the idea that it would be well to get a written
description of Dock's method of keeping school, with a
view to printing it, in order, as he said, that other school-
teachers whose gift was not so great, might be in-
structed ; that those who cared only for the money they
received might be ashamed; and that parents might
know how a well arranged school was conducted, and
how themselves to treat children. To get the description
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206 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
was a matter requiring diplomacy, because of the decided
feeling on the part of Dock that it would not be sinless
to do anything for his own praise, credit or elevation.
Saur, therefore, wrote to Dielman* Kolb, a prominent
Mennonite minister in Salford, and a warm friend of
Dock, urging his request and presenting a series of ques-
tions which he asked to have answered. Through the
influence of Kolb the reluctant teacher was induced to
undertake a reply, and the treatise was completed on the
8th of August, 1750. He only consented, however, upon
the condition that it should not be printed during his
lifetime. For nineteen years afterwards the manuscript
lay unused. In the meantime the elder Saur had died,
and the business had passed into the hands of his son,
Christopher Saur, the second. Finally, in 1769, some
" friends of the common good," getting wearied with the
long delay, succeeded in overcoming the scruples of
Dock and secured his consent to having it printed. It
met with further vicissitudes. Having read the manu-
script Saur mislaid it, and after a careful search con-
cluded that it must have been sold along with some waste^
paper. He offered a reward for its return through his
newspaper. People began to report that he had found
something in it he did not like and had put it away pur-
posely. The satisfied author sent a messenger to him to
say "that I should not' trouble myself about the loss of
the writing. It had never been his opinion that it ought
to be printed in his lifetime, and so he was very well
pleased that it had been lost." At length, after it had
been lost for more than a year, it was found in a place
through which he and his people had thoroughly
searched. It was at once published in a large octavo
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CHRISTOPHER DOCK. 20/
pamphlet of fifty-four pages. The full title is : " Eine
einfaeltige und gruendliche abgefasste Schul-Ordnung,
darinnen deutlich vorgestellt wird, auf welche weisse die
Kinder nicht nur in denen in Schulen gewoehnlichen
Lehren bestens angebracht, sondern auch in der Lehre
der Gottseligkeit wohl unterrichtet werden moegen. Aus
Liebe zu dem menschlichen Geschlecht aufgesetzt durch
den wohlerfarnen und lang geuebten Schulmeister Chris-
toph Dock; und durch einige Freunde des gemeinen
Bestens dem Druck uebergeben. Germantown, gedruckt
und zu finden bey Christoph Saur, 1770."
The importance of this essay consists in the fact that
it is the earliest written and published in America upon
the subject of school-teaching, and that it is the only
picture we have of the colonial country school* It is
remarkable that at a time when the use of force was con-
sidered essential in the training of children, views so
correct upon the subject of discipline should have been
entertained. The only copy of the original edition I have
ever seen is in the Cassel collection at Harleysville, re-
cently secured by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania,
and a ten years* search for one upon my own part has so
far resulted in failure. A second edition was printed by
Saur the same year, of which there is a copy in the
library of the German Society of Philadelphia. In 1861
the Mennonites of Ohio published an edition, reprinted
from a copy of the second edition, at the office of the
Gospel Visitor, at Columbia, in that State. This publica-
tion also met with an accident. A careless printer, who
was setting type by candlelight, knocked over his candle
* I know of no publication on the subject written earlier, and the biblio-
graphy of the American Antiquarian Society shows none.
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208 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
and burned up one of the leaves of the original. -The
work was stopped because the committee having tlie
matter in charge could find no other copy. Finally, in
despair, they wrote to A. H. Cassel, of Harleysville,
Pennsylvania, who, without hesitation, took the needed
leaf from his copy and sent it to them by mail. Mirabile
dictu! It was scrupulously cared for and speedily re-
turned. It is difficult to determine which is the more ad-
mirable, the confiding simplicity of a book-lover who will-
ingly ran such a risk of making his own copy imperfect,
or the Roman integrity which, being once in the posses-
sion of the only leaf necessary to complete a mutilated
copy, firmly resisted temptation.
Volume I, No. 33, of the Geistliches Magazien, an ex-
ceedingly rare periodical, published by Saur about
1764, is taken up with a " Copia einer Schrift welche der
Schulmeister, Christoph Dock, an seine noch lebende
Schueler zur Lehr und Vermahnung aus Hebe geschrie-
ben hat." It is signed at th^ end by Dock, and the fol-
lowing note is added : " N. B. The printer has considered
it necessary to put the author's name to this piece first,
because it is specially addressed to his scholars, though
it suits all men without exception, and it is well for them
to know who addresses them ; and, secondly, the beloved
author has led, and still in his great age leads such a
good life that it is important and cannot be hurtful to
him that his name should be known. May God grant
that all who read it may find something in it of practical
benefit to themselves."
No. 40, of the same magazine, consists of " Hundert
noethige Sitten-Regeln fuer Kinder." It may be claimed
for these Rules of Conduct that they are the first original
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CHRISTOPHER DOCK. 209
American publication upon the subject of etiquette. It
is not only a vory curious and entertaining paper, but it
is exceedingly valuable as an illustration of the customs
and modes of life of those to whom it was addressed, and
of what was considered " manners " among them. From
it a picture of the children, silent until they were ad-
dressed, seated upon stools around a table, in the centre
of which was a large, common dish wherein each child
dipped with his spoon, and of the homely meal, begun
and closed with prayer, may be distinctly drawn.
In No. 41, of the magazine, there is a continuation, or
second part, containing " Hundert christliche Lebens-
Regeln fuer Kinder." There is nothing said in either of
these papers concerning the author, but if the internal
evidence were not in itself sufficient, the descendants of
Saur have preserved the knowledge that they were
written by Dock.
In No. 15, Vol. II, of the magazine, are " Zwey erbau-
liche Lieder, welche der Gottselige Christoph Dock,
Schulmeister an der Schipbach, seinen lieben Schuelem,
und alien andern die sie lesen, zur Betrachtung hinter-
lassen hat."
He wrote a number of hymns, some of which are still
used among the Mennonites in their church services.
These hymns, so far as they are known to me, are as
follows, the first line of each only being given :
1. Kommt, liebe Kinder, kommt herbey.
2. Ach kommet her ihr Menschen Kinder.
3. Mein Lebensfaden lauft zu Ende.
4. Ach Kinder wollt ihr lieben.
5. Fromm seyn istein Schatz der Jugend.
6. An Gottes gnad und milden Seegen.
7. Allein auf Gott setz dein vertrauen.
14
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2IO HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
During the later years of his life Dock made his home
with Heinrich Kassel, a Mennonite former on the Skip-
pack. One evening in the Fall of 1771 he did not re-
turn from his labors at the usual time. A search was
made and he was found in the school-house on his knees
— dead. After the dismissal of the scholars for the day
he had remained to pray, and the messenger of death had
overtaken him at his devotions — a, fitting end to a life
which had been entirely given to pious contemplation
and useful works.
He left two daughters, Margaret, wife of Henry
Strykers, of Salford; and Catharine, wife of Peter Jansen,
of Skippack.
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Der Blutige Schauplatz oder Martyrer
Spiegel.
" Among all the things which men have or strive for
through their whole lives," said Alphonse the wise, King
of Arragon, "there is nothing better than old wood to burn,
old friends for company and old books to read. All the
rest are only bagatelles." The wise king was something
of a book worm, and mentioned last, by way of climax,
the treasures that lay next his heart. Doubtless Jie was
thinking all the while how the wood turns to ashes, that
sooner or later " marriage and death and division " carry
off our friends, and that the pleasure derived from old
books alone is pure and permanent. What can exceed
the delight of a connoisseur, familiar with authors, im-
prints, papers and bindings, and educated to an apprecia-
tion of the difference between leaves cut and uncut, upon
discovering a perfect copy of an extremely rare book ?
In the present age of the world we measure the value of
pretty much everything by the amount of money it will
bring. In Europe a copy of the first edition of the De-
cameron has been sold for ;^2,26o sterling, and one of the
Gutenberg Bible, on vellum, for ;^3,400. In this country
we have not yet reached to that height of enthusiasm or
depth of purse, but in the late sale of the library of Mr.
George Brinley a copy of the first book printed in New
York, by William Bradford, brought ;^i,6oo. Up to the
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212 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
present time the noblest specimen of American colonial
biography has remained utterly unknown to the most
learned of our bibliophilus.
Men, communities and nations have their origin, de-
velopment and fruition ; so have books. In Holland, in
the year 1562, there appeared a duodecimo of about two
hundred and fifty leaves in the Dutch language, called Het
offer des Heeren, This was the germ or starting point.
Of later years a copy of the same was secured by a pub-
lishing house in Philadelphia and sold for ;^I20. It con-
tained biographical sketches of a number of the early
martyrs of the Doopsgezinde or Mennonites, a sect which
was the antetype of the Quakers, and these sketches were
accompanied by hymns describing in rhyme not only their
piety and sufferings, but even the manner and dates of
their death.
To publish such a book was then punishable by fire,
and the title page therefore gives no indications as to
where it was printed or who was the printer. Meeting
together in secret places and in the middle of the night,
the linen weavers of Antwerp and the hardy peasants of
Friesland cherished their religious zeal cuid their venera-
tion for Menno Simons by singing and reading about
their martyrs. Next to the Bible this book was most in
demand among them; so sketches were gathered and
added to it, when later editions were printed in the years
1567, 1570, 1576, 1578, 1580, 1589, 1595 and 1599; but
many copies were, along with their owners, burned by the
executioners, and the book is now very scarce. It was
followed by a large quarto of eight hundred and sixty-
three pages, written by Hans de Ries and Jacques Outer-
man, and printed at Hoorn in 16 17 by Zacharias Cor-
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BLUTIGE SCHAUPLAT2 ODER MARTYRER SPIEGEL. 21^
nelisz. The next edition was a handsome black-letter
folio of ten hundred and fifty-six pages, printed at Har-
lem by Hans Passchier von Wesbush, in 1 631, and in
1660, Tielman Jans Van Braght, a Mennonite theologian
at Dortrecht, who was born in 1625 ^^^ died in 1664,
published " Het Bloedigh Toneel der Doops Gesinde en
Wereloose Christenen/' a folio of thirteen hundred and
twenty-nine pages. It was reproduced in 1685 in two
magnificent folio volumes, handsomely illustrated with
a frontispiece, and a hundred and four copper plates en-
graved by the celebrated Jan Luyken.
This book in its immense proportions is thus seen to
have been a gradual culmination of the research and
literary labors of many authors. It is the great historical
work of the Mennonites, and the most durable monument
of that sect. It traces the history of those Christians
who, from the time of the Apostles, were opposed to the
baptism of infants and to warfare, including the Lyonists,
Petrobusians and Waldenses ; details the persecutions of
the Mennonites by the Spaniards in the Netherlands
during the time of the Spanish Inquisition, and the Cal-
vinists in Switzerland, together with the individual suffer-
ings of many hundreds who were, burned, drowned,
beheaded or otherwise maltreated.
Many copies of the book were brought to America,
but they were in Dutch. No Grerman translation existed.
On the 19th of October, 1745, Jacob Godshalk, of Ger-
mantown, Dielman Kolb, of Salford, Michael Ziegler,
Yilles Kassel and Martin Kolb, of Skippack, and Henry
Funk, of Indian Creek, the author of two religious
works, sent a letter to Amsterdam asking assistance to
have the book translated into the Grerman language. No
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214 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
reply was received until February loth, 1748, when no
aid was promised. Without waiting longer the Ameri-
cans had, in the mean time, found a way to accomplish
their purpose. An agreement was then made with the
brotherhood at Ephrata, Lancaster County, to have
their great martyr-book, which was in the Dutch lan-
guage, translated and printed in German. The printing
of the martyr-book was then taken in hand, for which im-
portant work fifteen brethren were elected, and it took
them three years to complete the work. The price per
copy was fixed at twenty shillings. It was printed in
large folio, using sixteen quires of paper, and making an
edition of thirteen hundred copies. Heinrich Funk and
Dielman Kolb were appointed a committee by the Men-
nonites to make the arrangements with the community
at Ephrata and to supervise the translation.* This book
had, finally, in the revolutionary war, a singular fate.
There being great need of all war material and also
paper, and it having been discovered that in Ephrata was
a large quantity of printed paper, an arrest was soon laid
upon it. Many objections were raised, and among others
it was alleged that since the English army was so near
this circumstance might have a bad effect They were
determined, however, to give up nothing and that all
must be taken by force ; so two wagons and six soldiers
came and carried off the martyr-books. This caused
great offense throughout the land. Thus by an irony of
fate the story of the defenseless Christians was made to
envelope the powder and ball that were fired into the
faces of the British soldiers at Brandywine and German-
town. .
* The translator was Peter Miller.— Author.
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BLUTIGE SCHAUPLATZ ODER MARTYRER SPIEGEL. 21 i
Among the additions made at Ephrata were twelve
stanzas, upon page 939, concerning the martyrdom of
Hans HaslibaQher, taken from the "Ausbundt'l or hymn-
book of the Swiss Mennonites. Some of the families in
Pennsylvania and other parts of the United States, the
sufferings of whose ancestors are mentioned in it, are
those bearing the names of Kuster, Hendricks, Yocum,
Bean, Rhoads, Gotwals, Jacobs, Johnson, Royer, Zim-
merman, Shoemaker, Keyser, Landis, Meylin Brubaker,
Kolb, Weaver, Snyder, Wanger, Grubb, Bowman, Bach-
man, Zug, Aker, Garber, Miller, Kassel and Wagner.
The republication, at that early date, of a work so im-
mense, certainly marks an epoch in the literary history
of America. The war of 1812 called forth another
American edition, which was published in 18 14 by Joseph
Ehrenfried, at Lancaster. Shem Zook, an Amish Men-
nonite, had a quarto edition published in Philadelphia in
1849, ^^^ John Funk, of Elkhart, Indiana, issued another
in 1870. An imperfect English translation, by I. D.
Rupp, appeared in 1837, and in 1853 a translation by
the Hansard Knollys Society of London was in course
of preparation and afterwards published. The Mennonite
Publishing Company, of Elkhart, Indiana, published a
new edition of this work, which was translated from the
Dutch editions of 1660 and 1685, and was issued in the
spring of 1887, in a full bound illustrated royal octavo
volume of 1,093 pages, and more complete than any pre-
vious edition.
Among the literary achievements of the Germans of
Pennsylvania it surpasses, though eight years later, the
great quarto Bible of Christopher Saur, the first German
Bible in America printed at Germantown ip 1743 which,
for nearly half a century, had no English rival.
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Settlement at Skippack.
The first impulse followed by the first wave of emigra-
tion came from Crefeld, a city of the Lower Rhine, within
a few miles of the borders of Holland. On the loth of
March, 1682, William Penn conveyed to Jacob Telner,of
Crefeld, doing business as a merchant in Amsterdam,
Jan Streepers, a merchant of Kaldkirchen, a village in
the vicinity, still nearer to Holland, and Dirk Sipman, of
Crefeld, each 5,000 acres of land to be laid out in Penn-
sylvania. Telner had been in America between the years
1678 and 1 68 1, and we may safely infer that his acquaint-
ance with the country had much influence in bringing
about the purchase. On the nth of June, 1683, Penn
conveyed to Govert Remke (Johann Remke was a Men-
nonite preacher in 1752), Lenart Arets and Jacob Isaacs
Van Bebber, a baker, all of Crefeld, 1,000 acres of land
each, and they, together with Telner, Streepers and Sip-
man, constituted the original Crefeld purchasers. On
the 1 8th of June, 1683, the little colony was in Rotter-
dam accompanied by Jacob Telner, Dirk Sipman and Jan
Streepers, and Telner conveyed 2,000 acres of land to the
brothers Op den Graeff.
Of the six original purchasers, Jacob Telner and Jacob
Isaacs Van Bebber are known to have been Mennonites.
Sipman selected as his attorneys here at various times
Herman Op den Graeff, Hendrick Sellen and Van Beb-
(216)
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SETTLEMENT OF SKIPPACK. 21/
ber, all of whom were Mennonites. Of the emigrants,
Dirk, Herman and Abraham Op den Graeff were Men-
nonites. * Jacob Telner was baptized in the Mennonite
church in Amsterdam March 29th, 1665 ; his only child,
Susanna, married Albertus Brandt.
After deducting the land laid out in Grermantown and
the 2,000 acres sold to the Op den Graeffs, the bulk of
his 5,000 acres was taken up on the Skippack, about 2000
acres, situated on the east side of the Skippack, in a tract
for many years known as " Telner's Township.'* f
In 1702 began the settlement on the Skippack. This
first outgrowth of Germantown also had its origin at
Crefeld, and the history of the Crefeld purchase would
not be complete without some reference to it. As we
have seen, of the i ,000 acres bought by Govert Remke,
161 acres were laid out at Germantown; the balance he
sold in 1686 to Dirk Sipman. Of Sipman's own pur-
chase of 5,000 acres, 588 acres were laid out at German-
town, and all that remained of the 6,000 acres he sold in
1698 to Matthias Van Bebber, who, getting in addition
500 acres allowance and 415 acres by purchase, had the
whole tract of 6,166 acres located by patent February
22d, 1702, on the Skippack. It was in the present Per-
kiomen Township, Montgomery County, and adjoining
Edward Lane and William Harmer, near what is how the
village of Evansburg. J For the next half century at least
it was known as Bebber 's Township, or Bebber*s Town,
and the name being often met with in the Germantown
records has been a source of apparently hopeless confu-
* See Pennypacker^ 5 Sketches^ p. 28.
t See Exemplification Records, Vol. 8, p. 360.
X Exemplification Records, Vol. i, p. 470.
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2l8 HISTORV OP the MENNONITfiS.
sion to our local historians. Van Bebber immediately
began to colonize it, the most of the settlers being Men-
nonites. Among these were Heinrich Pannebecker, Jo-
hannes Kuster, Johannes Umstat, Klas Jansen and Jan
Krey, in 1702; John Jacobs, in 1 704; John Newberry,
Thomas Wiseman, Edward Beer, Gerhard und Herman
In de Hoffen, Dirk and William Renberg, in 1706;
William and Cornelius Dewees, Hermanns Kuster, Chris-
topher Zimmerman, Johannes Scholl and Daniel Des-
mond, in 1708; Jacob, Johannes and Martin Kolb, Men-
nonite weavers from Wolfeheim in the Palatinate, and
Andrew Strayer, in 1709; Solomon Dubois, from Ulster
County, New York, in 1716; Paul Fried,* in 1727; and
in the last year the unsold balance of the tract passed
into the hands of Pannebecker. Van Bebber gave 100
acres for a Mennonite burying-ground and church, which
was built about 1725, the trustees being Hendrick Sellen,
Hermanns Kuster, Klas Jansen, Martin Kolb, Henry
Kolb, Jacob Kolb and Michael Ziegler.
The first ministers in the Skippack congregation were :
Jacob Gaedschalk, Henry Kolb, Claes Jansen, Yilles
Cassel, Michael Ziegler, Martin Kolb, Andrew Ziegler,
Isaac Cassel, Matthias Rittenhouse, Heinrich Hunsicker,
John Hunsicker, Henry Bartolet, Elias Landes, Abraham
Wismer.
In the year 1848 the upper Mennonite meeting-house
in Skippack was built.
In 1849 John Van Fossen sold to Isaac Kulp one acre
* This is evidently the same Paul Fried who was married to Elizabeth
Stauffer, daughter of Hans Stauflfer, who came to America January 20th,
17 10. We do not find any other by that name at that time. See sketch of
the Stauffers. — Author.
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SETTLEMENt OF SKIPPACK. 2ig
of land adjoining Isaac Kulp's other land, and afterwards
Isaac Kulp sold one acre and sixty-three perches for the
meeting-house and graveyard to Jacob F. Kulp, Daniel
Landes and George Reiff, in trust for the Mennonite
congregation, the deed bearing date August 2ist, 1849.
It appears that the land had been selected, bargained for,
the house built and the burying-ground laid out in 1848,
and title was made the following year. In 1853 the
congregation bought eighty perches more from Abraham
Landes. The oldest grave in this graveyard is that of
Nathaniel, son of Henry and Mary Reiff, died September
9th, 1848, aged 2 years, 11 months and 19 days.
Their first ministers were Elias Landes and Abraham
Wismer ; deacons, John Kratz and John Landes, Isaac
Longaker, in Worcester, and John Gotwals, in Upper
Providence ; the two last named belong to the Skippack
district. George Detwiler was chosen to the ministry in
1 849. John B. Tyson was elected a deacon in 1 862 and
Jacob Mensch was chosen a minister in 1869. John B.
Hunsberger, of Worcester, was ^osen a minister in
1873 and was ordained a Bishop in 1877. Abraham
Kulp was elected a deacon in 1874. Joseph Gander
of Upper Providence, was elected a deacon in 1876.
Abraham S. Reiff was elected a deacon in Worcester in
1877. Christian Hunsberger was chosen to the min-
istry in the year 1879. Henry Wismer was chosen to
the ministry in 1883. George L. Reiff was elected a
deacon in 1881.
The above-mentioned names I have copied from the
Church Book containing financial accounts and other
records of the Skippack Mennonite church from the year
1738 down to 1887, and is in possession of John B. Tyson,
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220 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
the present deacon, and bears the following title : " Der
Menonisten Oder Taufgesinden Gemeinebuch. Von Die
Gremeinde in Bebberstown Anno Domini 1738."
The old or lower Skippack meeting-house was re-
built about the year 1835.
The division took place about forty years ago, when
the present occupants held possession of the house and
property, with Henry Johnson, Sr. (deceased), as their
minister. His son, Henry Jol\nson, now one of their
ministers, writes the following, under date of December
i6th, 1887: "We are generally called the 'Johnson
Mennonites ; ' we hold to the non-resistant Confession of
Faith. The number of our membership here is seventy-
five or eighty. The names of the ministers at present
are Amos K. Bean and myself."
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The Organization of the Mennonite
Church at Salford.
Of the origin and organization of the Mennonite Church
in Salford, Montgomery County, Pa., we have not the
records we desire, nor are they known to exist; it is there-
fore impossible to give an exact account of everything
pertaining to its organization. We have, however, infor-
mation that a deed was given for ten acres, dated October
4th and Sth, 1738. It was purchased by Henry Funk,
Dielman Kolb, Christian Meyer, Jr., and Abraham Reiff;
the two first were ministers and the two last were dea-
cons. All were residents of Franconia, except Dielman
Kolb, who resided in Salford. The said ten acres were
purchased of Henry Ruth, whose residence was where
John Clemmer's now is, from 17 18 to 1747, who men-
tions in his deed to Christian Staufifer, of the latter date,
that ten acres had been cut out of his land for the use of
the Mennonite Baptist Church ; presumably be did not
write the deed himself, or, if so, he would have left the
word Baptist out.
In what year the first house was built I have not been
able to ascertain, but presumably in the same year, be-
cause S. W. Pennypacker says, in his Biographical
Sketches, p. 93, "that Christopher Dock gave up his farm
and returned to his old pursuit; he then opened two
(221)
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222 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
schools in 1738, one in Skippack and one in Salford,
which he taught three days each alternately." There-
fore it seems as if the house had been built immediately
after the land had been bought. When or in what year
the second house was built we have nothing definite.
The house was built of stone, one story high, and of con-
siderable length, so that a room was partitioned off at the
east end for a school room. The writer of this work was
teaching school in that room in 1839. The present,
or evidently the third house, was built in 1850.
The earliest date on a tombstone in the graveyard is
1 74 1. This was Ann Reiff, wife of Hans Reiff.
Who the first ministers were we have no record.
Martin Kolb and Henry, his brother, the ancestor of
George Brubaker Kulp, member of the Bar at Wilkes-
barre, Luzerne County, came to Pennsylvania as early
as 1707, and was one of the earliest Mennonite preachers
in this country, says George B. Kulp in his pamphlet.
He further says, on page 4 : " Dielman, or Thielman
(as the name is sometimes spelled), Kolb, another
brother of Henry, came to Pennsylvania somewhat later.
He was at Manheim, where he attended as a preacher to
the Mennonite congregation, " making himself most valu-
able by receiving and lodging his fellow-believers who fled
from Switzerland," as appears from a letter dated August
27th, 17 10. He settled here in Salford about -the year
1 718 on a tract of one hundred and fifty acres. In 1721
he purchased two hundred and twenty-five acres more,
and afterwards a third tract, making altogether about five
- hundred and fifty acres. He married a widow, Snavely,
and had by her one daughter, named Elizabeth, who was
afterwards married to Andrew Ziegler, son of Michael
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ORGANIZATION OF MENNONITE CHURCH AT SALFORD. 22$
Ziegler, a Mennonite minister at Skippack. Dielman
Kolb died in the beginning of the year 1757. His will
was probated April 30th, 1757. The witnesses were
Robert Jones, Martin Kolb and Isaac Kolb. There is a
clause in his will which reads thus: "I nominate my
loving and trusty friends, Henry Funk and Ulriegh
Bergher (presumably now Bergey), both of Salford afore-
said, yeomen, trustees of this my last will and testament"
In 1750 Christopher Saur; the Germantown publisher,
conceived the idea of having Christopher Dock's method
of keeping school with a view of printing it. Saur, there-
fore, wrote to Dielman Kolb, a prominent Mennonite
minister in Salford, and a warm friend of Dock (says S.
W. Pennypacker). So it is evident that Dielman Kolb
was a minister and undoubtedly officiated at Salford; also
more likely on account of him and Dock being intimate
friends, and Dock commenced teaching school in Salford
in 1738. Andrew Ziegler, born March 14th, 1737,, died
October 26th, 18 11, aged 74 years, 7 months, 12 days.
Married to Catharine Lederach, was a grandson of Diel-
man Kolb and a Bishop in the congregation at Salford,
also officiated as Bishop in the Mennonite congregation
at Germantown.
Christian Haldeman was also one of the earliest min-
isters in Salford. He was born May 24th, 1743, old
style, and died July 3d, 1833, new style, aged 89 years,
I month and 1 2 days. Isaac Alderfer was also a preacher
in Salford. He was born October ist, 1773, and died
November 8th, 1842, aged 69 years i month and i day.
John Bergey followed Alderfer in the ministry. He was
born August 23d, 1783, and died December 6th, 1865,
aged 82 years 3 months and 13 days. Jacob Kulp bom
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224 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
November 2d, 1799, died April i8th, 1867, aged 67 years
5 months and 16 day, having been in the ministry a
number of years.
The ministers now living in Salford (September, 1887)
are Isaac Clemens, Henry Bauer and Jacob Moyer.*
* For part of the above information I am indebted to James Y. Heckler,
of Harleysville.
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Franconia.
Heinrich Funk emigrated from Holland or the Pala-
tinate and settled on the Indian Creek, in Franconia
Township, now Montgomery County, Pa., in 1719, sev-
eral miles from his nearest neighbor. Soon after his
arrival a number of his brethren also came from Europe,
and having considerably increased in numbers, formed a
congregation of which he was chosen minister. The first
Mennonite meeting-house in Franconia Township was
built of stone in the year 1730.* The second house was
also of stone, 45 by 75 feet, and was built in 1833, ^tnd has
a seating capacity of over seven hundred. The present
membership numbers about four hundred and fifty.
Josiah Clemmer was chosen to the ministry in the
year i860, and was elected Bishop in 1867, which he is
at present; his co-workers in the ministry are Jacob
Landis and Michael Moyer. Henry Nice was chosen to
the ministry in 1839 and died in 1883, aged 79 years 6
months and 21 days. Jacob Godshall was chosen to the
ministry in 1804, was elected Bishop in 181 3, and died in
1845, aged 75 years 9 months and 2 days.
Among the first ministers after Heinrich Funk, who
* J. D. Souder.
15 (225)
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226 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
died in 1760, was his son, Christian Funk* who was
chosen to the ministry in 1757. He was a faithful
worker until 1774, when the war broke out and his
troubles commenced.
Jacob Funk is also mentioned as a minister in 1765 in
the records of Franconia, and Christian Meyer a dea-
con. A Christian Meyer is also mentioned as a min-
ister. In 1770 Henry Rosenberger is mentioned as a
confirmed deacon {bestaetichter Vorsteher); he was the
last confirmed deacon in the Mennonite congregation
known. In 1775 Jacob Oberholzer is mentioned as a
minister; in 1779 Johannes Birkef is mentioi^ed as a min-
ister in Franconia; in 1760 Isaac Kolb was chosen
Bishop. Samuel Bechtel was also a minister about that
time.
S. W. Pennypacker says : " Henry Funk, always one
of the most able and enterprising of the Mennonite
preachers, and long a Bishop, settled on the Indian
Creek, in Franconia Township, now Montgomery
County, in 17 19. He was ever faithful and zealous in
his work, and did much to advance the interests of his
church. He wrote a book upon baptism, entitled * Ein
Spiegel der Taufe,* published by Saur in 1744, which
has passed through at least five editions. A more am-
bitious effort was the * Erklaerung einiger hauptpuncten
des gesetzes,* published after his death by Armbruster,
in 1763. This book was reprinted at Biel, Switzerland,
in 1844, and at Lancaster, Pa., in 1862, and is much es-
teemed. He and Dielman Kolb, of Salford, supervised
* Known as Qiristel Funk. ^
f Now Bergey.
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FRANCONIA. 22/
the translation of Van Braght*s * Martyrer Spiegel ' {Mar-
tyrs' Mirror), from the Dutch to the German, and certi-
fied to its correctness. Beside these labors, which were
all without pecuniary compensation, he was a miller by
trade and acquired a considerable estate. He died about
1760."
The Souderton meeting-house was built in 1879 ^^
brick, 40 by 50 feet, and is under the supervision of the
Franconia congregation.
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Kulpsville.
Mennonite Church at Towamencin, Montgomery
County, Pa *
In what year the first house of worship may have been
erected is given by the following records: In 1764,
August 27th, a deed was given from Herman Godshalk
to Christian Weaver, William Godshalk, Goshen Shroger,t
Peter Hendricks, Nicholaus Yeles and Garret Godshalk,
for eighty-two perches of land, not recorded ; and my in-
formant, John C. Boorse, states that the first house was
built the same year.
October 13th, 1807, ^ deed from Garret Godshalk to
the elders and members of the Mennonists for the same
ground was given and recorded in Book No. 24, page
331, etc. ; part of this ground is a burying-ground.
June i6th, 1798, a deed was given from John Boorse,
Sr., to Abraham Godwals and John Boorse, Jr., for
24 perches of land.
Also on June 29th, 1799, a deed was given from Cath-
arine Godshalk and Janiken Godshalk to Joseph Hen-
dricks and William Godshalk, trustees, for 60 perches
of land.
Again, on August Sth, 1837, a deed was given from
George Snyder to Joseph Hendricks, John Boorse, Sr.,
* The old spelling is retained in the above article so as not to destroy the
original.
f Goshen Shroger. We find Gerhardt Schrager in the list of those who
paid quit-rents prior to 1734*
(228)
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KULPSVILLE. 229
Daniel Boorse, Abraham Godshalk, Peter Metz and
David AUebach, Jr., trustees, for 1 14.48 perches of land,
recorded in Book No. 56, page 525, etc.
Again, March 23d, 1844, a deed was given from Abra-
ham Godshalk to John Boorse, Abraham Godshalk,
Daniel Boorse, Peter Metz, David Allebach and Henry
Boorse, for 46 perches of land, recorded in Book
No. 64, page 99, etc.
Again, on March 28th, 1862, a deed was given from
George Snyder to Peter Metz, Henry C. Boorse, David
G. Allebach, Abraham M. Nise, Christian Sauder and
Jonas K. Moyer, for 102 perches of land ; recorded in
Book No. 125, page 503, etc.
Again, on December 2d, 1876, a deed was given from
Elias Cassel to Peter Metz and others for 40 perches of
land; recorded in Book No. 235, page 76, etc.
Again, on August i6th, 1879, ^ ^^^^ was given from
Jacob B. Moyer to Peter Metz and others, for one acre of
land ; recorded in Book No. 250, page 284, etc.
It seems evident that an organization existed in that vi-
cinity long before the first house was erected, for the follow-
ing reasons : First, we find gravestones in the graveyard
bearing the dates of 1733 and 1741 ; many of the inscrip-
tions are in German, and many among the oldest have
become illegible. Consequently a graveyard was there
prior to 1733. Secondly, records show that the follow-
ing-named persons lived in that vicinity and paid quit-
rents prior to 1734: Peter Weber, Christian Brenneman,
Herman Godshalk, Henrich Frey, Yellis Yellis, Christian
Weber, Jacob Frey, Peter Tison, Gerhardt Schrager
(presumably afterwards Schrack) and Abraham Liiken.
About the year 1805 ^^ ^^st meeting-house was
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230 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
destroyed by fire, when the second house was built on or
near the same spot where the first house stood. The
third or present meeting-house was erected in the year
1862, considerably larger than the second. David AUe-
bach, Sr., has been their deacon (or Vorsteher) for many
years. He is now well advanced in years. Their present
minister is Christian AUebach, son of John AUebach,
preacher at Rockhill, Bucks County, Pa.
We now come to the most historic spot in the grave-
yard. Here repose the remains of General Francis
Nash, Colonel Boyd, Major White and Lieutenant Smith
of the Continental Army, either slain or mortally wounded
in the attack at Germantown. On the morning of Octo-
ber 4th, 1777, Washington retreated with his army and
established his camp nearly a mile northwest of Kulps-
ville, in the vicinity of the above-mentioned meeting-
house, near the Lower Salford line. The officers wounded
in the battle were brought to a farmhouse on the Forty-
foot road, about a mile southwest of the meeting-house.
Washington ordered that General Nash should be interred
at ID o*clock in the above-named burying-place. Over
the body of General Francis Nash has been placed a
white marble monument about twelve feet high, erected
in 1844 by the citizens of Germantown and Norristown.
He was a resident of Virginia, being also a descendant
of the Mennonite Church. The city of Nashville, Ten-
nessee, is named after him.
This congregation was generally attended by ministers
from neighboring congregations in turn. Jacob Kulp,
of Hatfield, Montgomery County, Pa., had charge of it
as Bishop in serving communion and baptism.*
* As far as the title to the above is concerned I am indebted to John C.
Boorse, Esq., of Kulpsville, Montgomery Comity, Pa.
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Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pa.
The Mennonite meeting-house above Lansdale, or
commonly called Plain, in Hatfield Township, Mont-
gomery County, Pa., is evidently a very old place. }Ay
informant says a deed cannot be found, therefore dates
cannot be given, but it is evident that a congregation
was organized and a meeting-house built before the Revo-
lutionary War, because David Ruth and Jacob Oberholzer,
ministers in the first house, are mentioned in the Christian
Funk controversy in the year 1774, of the Plain congre-
gation. The second meeting-house was built in 1815.
The following ministers served during the time of the
second house : John Krupp, Jacob Kulp and Joseph
Cassel. The third was built in 1867 ; ministers of which
were Jacob C. Loux and Henry Godshalk.
Bishop Jacob Kulp, of Hatfield, Montgomery County,
Pa., was born in 1799; was ordained a minister in 1838;
four "years afterwards he was elected a Bishop, in which
capacity he served faithfully until he died, in 1875, in his
seventy-sixth year. His father was Dilman Kolb, who
was married to Barbara Cassel, daughter of Hupert
Cassel, in 1779. Johannes Wireman is mentioned as a
deacon in the year 1 804.
(231)
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Bartolet's Mennonite Meeting-house
IN
Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pa.
Bartolet's old burying-ground existed about a hun-
dred years or more prior to the building of the meet-
ing-house ; the oldest stone with an inscription is 1 766.
It had been in existence many years prior to 1766. Of
those who sleep here, the stones -give us the family names
of Bertolet, Bertolette (two distinct families), Bliem, De
Nice, Dotterer, Frey, Godshalk, Grubb, Hummel, Huns-
berger, Nyce, Shoemaker, Smoll, Weidman, Zoller,
Schmidt. Schlick. Many of the first or oldest graves
have no inscription; among them are the Esterlines,
Hahn, Grode, Smith, etc. A colored family of former
timesV also a number of slaves, are buried here. Their
names are not known. Here also sleep the Lutheran,
Reformed, Mennonite, Dunkard, Moravian, Methodist,
Friend and Amish. In 1829 Daniel Bartolet and Jona-
than Nyce had this graveyard enclosed with a stone wall,
mostly at their own expense.
Bartolefs Mennonite meeting-house was built in 1846
on the ground purchased of Daniel and Catharine Berto-
let. The deed is dated April ist, 1847; the consideration
money was twenty-five dollars. The ground comprises
half an acre, and adjoins the old burying-ground above
(232)
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bartolet's mennonite meeting-house. 233
described. It was dedicated on Whitsuntide, 1847.
Pastor Henry S. Bassler of the Reformed Church
preached on this occasion; also John Oberholzer and
Abraham Hunsicker. In the Fall of 1847 ^^^ following-
named persons joined the congregation: Samuel Bertolet
and Elizabeth his wife, Abraham Hunsberger and Catha-
rine his wife, John Stauffer and Ann his wife, and Eliza-
beth Hunsberger.
The deed was given to Abraham Hunsberger, Henry
Bertolet and John Hunsberger, in trust and for the use
of a meeting-house for the Society of Mennonites, and for
the use of the inhabitants •who are burying in the bury-
ing-ground adjoining said tract known as Bartolet's bury-
ing-ground, that all* of them can at all times get their
ministers whereto said persons may belong, and shall
have a right in the house to hold their funeral services.
Further it says : In trust and for the society or congre-
gation of Mennonites, and the free use or right of all the
inhabitants in the neighborhood to take the meeting-
house in use when there is a funeral at said graveyard, to
have the house for holding their funeral services undis-
turbed at all times, and their successors.
On April 3d, 1874, there was purchased of Michael S.
and Elizabeth Wagner 39i% perches adjoining the old
burying-ground, for the use of a free burying-ground at
a cost of fifty dollars, which was all paid by Miss Esther
Bertolette, of Pottstown, Pa., with the understanding that
it should be free without distinction.
In the Summer of 1848 the first Sabbath-school in this
section of the county was opened in this house.
George S. Nyce, of Frederick.
April 1 2th, 1886.
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Gottshall's, or Schwenksville.
By William S. Gottshall.
This congregation, sometimes called Schwenksville,
received its name from its present Bishop, Moses Gott-
shall. The origin of this congregation and its present
location was brought about in the following manner.
Previous to i8i8 there was preaching by different min-
isters of the Mennonite Church in a school-house which
stood in the graveyard at (now) Keely's Church, there
being no church there at that time. On one cold Sunday
morning, when Heinrich Hunsicker came to preach, the
chimney was stuffed with wet flax and tow, so that no
fire could be made. The Mennonites, not wishing to
make any disturbance, immediately left and made arrange-
ments to build a meeting-house of their own. Gottshall
Gottshall offered them land about a mile and a half south-
west from where Andrew Ziegler also offered them some
land ; when a vote was taken the majority were for
Ziegler's, where, in 1818, a piece of ground, containing
one acre and seven perches, was bought for the consider-
ation of one dollar, in order to make legal title. The trus-
tees, who had previously been elected, were Henry Ziegler,
William Gottshall, Samuel Pannebacker, Jr., John Holde-
man, John Bingaman, John Keelor, Jr., and John Her-
stein. A stone meeting-house was erected thereon the
(234)
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gottshall's, or schwenksville. 235
same year. Services were held every four weeks by
different ministers of the Mennonite Churcli, and for
several years the deacon, William Gottshall, had to go
to the Conference to procure ministers to preach at stated
times, until the year 1847, when Moses Gottshall was
chosen as their minister, and three years later he was
ordained a Bishop. The congregation was under the
jurisdiction of the Skippack District. In 185 1 the present
brick meeting-house was erected, and in 1859 thirty-three
perches of land on the southwest side were exchanged
for thirty-three perches on the northeast side with John
Steiner. In 1884 an addition was made to the grave-
yard.
Moses Godshall was the first minister and Bishop.
Other ministers were S. H. Longaker, N. B. Grubb and
William S. Gottshall.*
* After the above was written, William S. Godshall was ordained a
Bishop, on the 25th day of November, 1886.— Author.
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Herstein*s.
This little place is located in Limerick Township, Mont-
gomery County, about four miles west from Schwenks-
ville. Tradition has it that Johannes Herrstein, a Men-
nonite, then living in that locality, took great interest in
the Mennonite Church ; accordingly he prepared himself
with money and went over to Europe and made arrange-
ments to have Jacob Denner's sermons printed and bound
for the use of his Mennonite brethren in America. The
books were printed at " Frankenthal am Rhein," in the
year 1792, as the title page states, at the expense of
" Johannes Herrstein und Johannes Schmutz." It is said
he brought to America about five hundred copies, which
were sold in Montgomery, Bucks and Lancaster Counties.
In 1 82 1 the Mennonites bought seventy-four perches
of land from Jacob Shoemaker, for the consideration of
one dollar, for the purpose of erecting a school and
meeting-house, and also a burying-place ; many of the
oldest Mennonites in that vicinity lie buried there. A
congregation has been organized there with a member-
ship of about forty, but no regular minister was ever sta-
tioned there. William Godshall was ordained deacon,
but afterwards united with the Mennonites at Schwenks-
ville, and services were held only occasionally during the
summer. The ministers who preached there from time to
time were Heinrich Hunsicker, Jacob Godshall, Christian
Halteman, John Minnich, Gebhard, High, Latshaw, Rit-
tenhouse and ^Moses Godshall. The Mennonites have a
permanent right here, which is kept up only for funerals
and pccasional services during the summer.
(236)
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Rockhill, or Gehman's.
I HAVE found the first deed given by Samuel Bechtel
and wife to George Derstine and Abraham Gehman,
trustees, dated June 2d, 1773, for one-fourth of an acre of
ground in Rockhill Township, Bucks County, for three
pounds, for the purpose of erecting a meeting-house and
a burying-place. The first house was built in 1773, and
was used as a meeting-house by the Mennonites for sixty-
five years. It was built of logs and plank, with light
weather-boarding. In 1 838 it was taken down and a large
stone house was built, 40 by 52 j^ feet, one story, with slate
roof, and seating capacity for three hundred people. The
building committee appointed by the congregation were
Jacob Derstine, Samuel Horning and John Moyer.
Since that time three or four additions of land have been
made, so that the whole tract now contains upwards of
three acres of ground. In 1875 Brother Samuel Landis
died. His will provided that ;^ i ,500 should go to this con-
gregation as a fund and be invested, the interest thereof
should be used to pay for the building of a house for a
sexton, to have care of the meeting-house, and after that
is paid for, the trustees can use it as they see proper.
In 1883 Samuel K. Detweiler offered a small tract of
land as a present to the congregation, providing they
would build a hou^e thereon, and some of the brethren
(237)
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238 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
offered to donate cash sufficient to pay for it, providing
the house would be built now. So the offer was ac-
cepted and at once a house was built, at a cost of about
;^i,SOO, including out-buildings and all.
As regards ministers, the above-named Samuel Bechtel
was a minister. When and where he was ordained I
could not learn ; he was ordained before the house was
built* He died January 15th, 1802, age not given on
his tombstone. Samuel Gehman, Bechtel's grandson,
and grandfather of Abel Horning, was ordained to the
ministry in 1798, and was a faithful watchman on the
walls of Zion* for forty-seven years, and died September
24th, 1845, aged 78 years 4 months and 15 days. He
was assisted by George Derstine, who served in the min-
istry about twenty-five years, and died in. 1837, aged 66
years 5 months and 8 days. After him Jacob Detweiler
was ordained in 1840. He served about thirty-nine years,
and died July 13th, 1879, aged 84 years 5 months and
4 days. Abraham Fretz was ordained to the ministry in
1843. He served faithfully through trials and afflictions
about thirty-two years, and died, April 23d, 1875, aged
81 years 11 months and 4 days. John Allebach was
chosen as deacon; after serving two years he was or-
dained to the ministry, in which capacity he has
served about forty years. He is now in his eighty-first
year, and is still attending the meetings regularly.
Abel Horning was ordained to the ministry in 1862 and
has already served about twenty-four years; he is now in
* He may have been ordained in Franconia, because Franconia meeting-
house was called Bechtel's, and a Bechtel is also mentioned in the Funk
controversy in 1777. — ^Author.
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ROCKHILL, OR GERMANS. 239
his sixty-first year. Samuel D. Detweiler was ordained
to the ministry in 1876; is now forty-five years old;
The deacons were as follows : First, Michael Derstine,*
John Detweiler, John Allebach, Samuel Souder, John F.
Detweiler, and at present (August, 1886), Joseph B.
Allebach.
* Michael Derstine is mentioned as a minister in 1765, in the Franconia
Record.
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Perkasie, or Hilltown.
The first Mennonite meeting-house in Perkasie was
built of log in 1753, about the size of one of our old
school-houses, on a small lot taken out of Henry Funk's
farm,, with a graveyard 44 feet square. Whether it was
bought or donated is not known, as there is no deed.
The above-named house stood seventy years, and was
torn down and a new one built in 1823, on a lot adjoin-
ing the above-mentioned lot, about 75 feet from where
the old Ipg house stood. This house stood sixty-nine
years. In \ht year 1882 this second house was torn
down and a new one built on the same spot where the
old or second house stood. The membership now is
about three hundred. A partition deed was made in the
year 1735 to John Penn, Thomas Penn, Richard Penn
and Magdalena Freame, daughter of William Penn, of
the Manor of Perkasie, and a tract adjoining the Pro-
prietory's Manor, making in all ten thousand acres.
About the year 1742 Germans from the Province of
Philadelphia commenced to buy these lands.
Amongst the first Mennonite settlers who settled in
the vicinity when the first meeting-house was built was
Henry Funk and Christian Lederach, in 1747; John
Funk, in 1748; Andrew Godshall, in 1752; Valentine
Kratz, in 1 748, and Hoopert Cassel, in 1758. Among the
(240)
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PERKASIE, OR HILLTOWN. 24I
rest who settled about the same time, or soon after, were
Moyers, High, Hunsberger, Kulp, Rickert, etc.
About the first ministers (I am informed) was a Wis-
mer and a Moyer, followed by Jacob Hunsicker and
Jacob Hunsberger.
The ministers now living (March, 1886) are Isaac
Overholt,* Abraham F. Moyer, Henry B. Moyer and
Henry Rosenberger.
* Since the abov^ was written the above-named Isaac Overholzer de-
parted this life on the 6th of November, 1887, aged 72 years 9 months and
18 days. He was born in Bedminister Township, Bucks County, Pa., on
the 9th of February, 181 5, moved to Hilltown Township and was ordained
to the ministry about 1847, ^^^ ^ short time after to the office of Bishop, in
what is now called the Blooming Glen Meeting (Perkasie), and served the
Church in the ministerial office about forty years. — ^Author.
16
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Deep Run Meeting-house.
The Mennonite congregation of Bedminster Town-
ship is one of the oldest of that denomination in Bucks
County, Pa. The meeting-house stands jn the southeast
corner of the Township, on the north side of a branch of
Deep Run, on a knoll facing the east. The land was
given by William Allen, together with a farm of fifty
acres adjoining, and the deed bears date the 24th of
March, 1746. It was executed in trust to Abraham
Swartz, Hans Friedt, Samuel Kolbe and Marcus Over-
holtzer, the Bishops and deacons of the Church at that
time. About the same time Mr. Allen presented them
with a silver cup, still used by the x:ongregation for sac-
ramental purposes. The above-named Abraham Swartz
emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania.* He was a
Bishop, and during the time of his ministry he lost his
eyesight and became perfectly blind, but he still con-
tinued to preach. He would get some one to read a
portion of Scripture, from which he would select his
text for the occasion. His faithfulness in the fulfilment
of his ministerial duties under this difficulty is indeed
commendable. The first house of worship erected was
built of logs, probably in the year the land was given,
♦ The probability is that he was ordained before he came to this country,
as already in 1746 he is mentioned as the first Bishop on the list to whom
Uie deed for the ground for the meeting-house was given. — Author.
(242)
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DEEP RUN MEETING-HOUSE. 243
which was used by the congregation until the year 1766,
when it was replaced by a stone house, 35 by 58 feet.
The old log house stood about fifty yards fi-om the pres-
ent one ; it was used many years as a school-house, and
Enlarged Meeting-house.
(Second House.)
taken down in 1842. The stone house was rebuilt or
repaired in 1794, at which time the accommodations for
worship were also increased by taking down a division
wall, which separated a portion of the building previously
used as a dwelling from the audience room. This whole
building was torn down in 1872 and a modern structure
erected in its place.
The next preacher was Jacob Gross, who also came
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244 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
from Germany, and was a noted and greatly esteemed
preacher. He was a Bishop, and took a prominent part
in the efforts which were made to settle the difficulties
existing between the Church in Franconia and Christel
Funk and his adherents. He is frequently mentioned in
this connection by Funk, in his little book, as late as the
years 1806 and 1807. Next in order followed Abraham
Wismer, Abraham Overholt and Daniel Landis ; the
latter was a mason by trade and a good preacher; he was
still living in the early part of the present century. Then
followed Christian Gross and Abraham Kulp, who were
ordained at the same time. The next were Abraham
Myers, Isaac Moyer, Samuel Godshall and John Gross.
Mr. Samuel Nash says : ** The deacons since my
recollection were my grandfather, Henry Moyer, who
died in 1832, in the eighty-fourth year of his age; my
grandfather, Joseph Nash, who died in 1830, in the
seventy-ninth year of his age ; Abraham Fretz, Abraham
Wismer, Samuel Shelly, Jacob Overholzer and Abraham
Moyer."
Shelly was ordained in Milford and afterward removed
to Bedminster.
The following is a copy of a letter written by the
above-named Bishop, Jacob Gross, to his congregation a
short time previous to his death :
" My last sincere words to the Church, whom I must
now leave, among whom I, as an unworthy servant,
preached the word, especially the churches at Deep
Run, Perkasie and New Britain. Brethren and sisters
and others : I embrace you in the arms of love, pre-
cious, blood-bought souls ; I regret that I must leave you
under the circumstances of which the Lord spake ; and
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bEEP RUN MEETING-HOUSE. 245
^because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall
wax cold, but he that shall endure to the end shall be
saved, Matt. 24: 12. O love! O indispensable love
to God and His Word, how little room findest thou in
the human heart towards Thee and Thy Word, towards
friend and foe ! O love of the world ! O lust of the eye,
and lust of the flesh ! O pride of life, how high hast
thou risen up ! But farewell ! This is my last admoni-
tion to you, written with my dying hand, therefore, re-
pent; come diligently to the public meeting and hear
the Word of God ; love your teachers and ministers, so
shall both they and you be strengthened, and if not, the
candlestick shall be taken away altogether. No more.
Any brother who is able to read so that he may be
understood by all, may read this befoi:e the Church, as it
is of interest to all of them.
Jacob Gross.
December 7th, 18 10."
Abraham Godshall, father of Samuel Godshall, already
mentioned in this Article, has also been a prominent
minister for many years. He was the author of a small
work of about one hundred pages, entitled " A Descrip-
tion of the New Creature, from its birth until grown up
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of
the fullness of CHRIST, with its necessity, ORIGIN,
. GROWTH, and final glorious and happy ^tate, through
JESUS CHRIST.^' This book was originally written in
the German language and printed at. Doylestown, in
1838, by Joseph Young ; a German copy is in possession
of the author of this work.
Afterwards it was translated by its author into Eng-
lish. It bears date 1838, and was printed by William
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246 HISTORY OF THE MfiNNONITES.
Large, at Doylestown. He was a farmer by occupation,
as he himself states in the preface of the book, but was, at
a pretty early age, called to the ministry of the Gospel,
and though not possessing the advantages even of a
common school education, he was a zealous and effective
laborer in the vineyard of the Lord, possessing a good
command of language, an extensive knowledge of Scrip-
ture, and maintained sound and well-defined theological
views. He also left, as a rich legacy to his children,
numerous productions, both poetical and in prose, which
have never been published.
By a clause in the Allen deed, it was provided that if
at any time the Society should be without organization
and not hold regular services for a period of five years,
the land granted was to revert to the heirs of the donor,
but if a minister would again be ordained, according to
the creed of the Mennonites and officiated at the church,
the title to the real estate was to reinvest in the Society.
We believe continued services have been maintained
there since the first house was built, in 1746.
On the pulpit is a German Bible, printed at Grerman-
town, Pa., by Christopher Saur, in 1743, with heavy
back and brass clasps, and beside it are two hymn
books also in German, which bear the imprint of 1803.
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Doylestown.*
About a mile ^est of Doylestown is an old-fashioned
stone Mennonite meeting-house, built many years ago,
and among the ministers who have officiated there w,e
find the names : Kephart, Jacob Kolb, Abraham God-
shall, John Gross, Isaac Godshall, Jacob Hiestand and
Isaac Rickert, and Samuel Gross, the present minister.
This is the old church edifice standing in middle Bucks
County. In the graveyard connected with this church
lies buried David Evans, the first and only Universalist
minister in Bucks County. He had gathered a small
congregation of that denomination in New Britain Town-
ship, to which he preached until his death, in 1824, in
his eighty-sixth year.
(247)
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Lexin^on.
In 1752 a lot of about one acre was bought of James
McCalister, in the northwest corner of New Britain
Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on which a log
meeting-house was erected. The lot was afterwards en-
larged to between three and four acres. The first deed
was made in trust to one Roar and Christian Swartz, of
New Britain, and Henry Shooter and John Rosenberger,
of Hatfield. When the log house was too small for the
growing congregation, it was torn down and a stone one
erected in its place. This was again enlarged in 1808,
and in 1868 it was torn down again and a new house
erected, 45 by 60 feet, built of stone. Services were held
in the German language until 1887, when the congrega-
tion decided to hold English services in connection with
the German. New Britain was one of the first town-
ships of Bucks County in which the Mennonites settled.
The Lexington congregation is one of the oldest
in the County. Pastor John Geil, son of Jacob Geil,
who emigrated from Alsace, near the Rhine, at the
age of eight years, and settled in Plumstead Township,
Bucks County, was one of the ablest ministers of this
congregation. He was called to the ministry in 18 10 or
181 1, and preached until 1852; he died in 1866, in his
eighty-eighth year. The congregationjs flourishing. Since
it has been decided to hold English services there seems
to be a greater interest manifested, and quite a number
have presented themselves for church membership.
In 1796 David Ruth is mentioned as a minister and
Bishop, and in 1784 Marks pretz as deacon.
(248)
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Historical Sketches of the Swaftip
Mennomte Church.
The Swamp Mennonite Church, in Milford Township,
Bucks County, Pa., was one of the earliest organized
churches of this persuasion in our county. German Men-
nonites from the Palatinate were among the first settlers
of this section of the county. Among the list of names
of early settlers we find the names Clymer or Clemmer,
Shelly, Musselman, Brecht, Hiestand, Yoder and many
others, whose descendants are still in part living in this
section, and almost invariably belong to the Mennonite
Church. In what year a church organization was formed
cannot now be accurately ascertained. History has it,
however, that as early as 1727 Mennonites held their
first regular church meetings,* and we may infer from
this that the organization of a congregation was effected
about that time. The first meeting-house is reported to
have been erected in the year 1735, on land now owned
by Christian Musselman. If this date is correct (of
which I have my doubts) the first Mennonite church
building was erected on the land of William Allen, an
English landholder, who was not a member of the Men-
nonite Church.
In the year 1743 Jacob Musselman came over from
Germany and purchased a tract of land from William
* Velty Clemmer is mentioned as a minister in Great Swamp in the year
1727.
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250 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Allen, to which tract the plot whereon this first church
building was erected belonged. As this Jacob Mussel-
man was either a Mennonite preacher when he emi-
grated, or was soon after called to that office, it is more
than probable that the first meeting-house was erected
on his land, and hence not before the year 1743. This,
however, is mere conjecture, as William Allen may, for
some cause, have given his Mennonite friends the
privilege to build on his land before his disposal of it
It appears that no burial ground was even connected
with this first church building, and that the dead were
buried at this early date in the graveyard now belong-
ing to the East Swamp Church, about a mile to the
east from where the first church building stood.
About the year 1771 another church building was
erected on the site where the present East Swamp Church
stands, upon a lot of ninety-one perches of land, con-
veyed for this purpose by Ulrich Drissel, Abraham
Taylor and John Ledrach, by an indenture bearing date
June 15th, 1 77 1, to Valentine Clemmer, Peter Saeger,
Christian Bieler and Jacob Clemmer, "trustees of the
religious society or congregation of Mennonites in the
great swamp." Other tracts were added to this original
lot by indentures made August 17th, 181 8; April 3d,
1848; April 13th, 1850, and February i8th, 1867.
After the completion of this new house of worship,
services were held in both meeting-houses alternately.
After some time the new house of worship was destroyed
by fire ; in what year this occurred cannot now be ascer-
tained. A substantial log house was then erected in its
stead, which served the double purpose of school-house
and meeting-house at the same time, which, no doubt,
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SWAMP MENNONITE CHURCH. 2$ I
had been the case with the former building, as well as
with most of the church buildings of that early day —
one portion being partitioned off for school purposes in
such a manner that the whole could be thrown open
for church purposes if needed. In later years no school
was held in this building, but it was used as a meet-
ing-house until 1850, when a large and substantial brick
church was erected on its site.
By an indenture made the 1 8th day of January, 1790,
Michael Musselman, son of the above named Jacob
Musselman, and owner of the land formerly belonging
to his father, and who, like his father, was a minister
in this congregation, with Margaret his wife, conveyed
to Peter Zetty, Christian Hunsberger and Michael Shelly,
" now the elders or overseers of the Mennonite congre-
tion,^' a tract of eighty perches of land *' for a church and
graveyard." To this lot, the site of the present West
Swamp Church, the original meeting-house was removed,
and services held therein as before until 18 19, when a
more commodious stone building was erected, which
also served the double purpose of meeting and school-
house until 1839, when a separate-school-house was built
and the church building was used for church purposes
only. A new and much larger church was erected in
1873, in order to better accommodate the increased
number of worshipers and the demands of the Sunday-
school.
Who the first ministers of this congregation were is
not now fully known. Tradition informs us, however,
that Felty (Valentine) Clemmer, who came to this
country in 17 17, and who was a minister and Bishop of
the Mennonite Church prior to his coming over, min-
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252 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
istered in this congregation. Whether he was a resident
minister here, or whether he merely came here to preach
and administer the Sacrament, the writer does not know ;
at all events, it seems certain that if he was not the first
minister, which, however, it seems probable he was, he
must have been among the first and was the first to have
the oversight of this flock and to administer baptism aijd
serve communion for them. The above Jacob Mussel-
man was also one of the most early ministers. Among
those that followed were his son, Michael, and grandson,
Samuel, who was called to the ministry and died Sep-
tember, 1847, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.
The other ministers serving this flock from time to time,
partly simultaneously, were Jacob Nold, Christian Bliem,
Christian Zetty, Jacob Hiestand, John H. Oberholzer,
William N. Shelly, Levi O. Shimmel and Andrew B.
Shelly, the present pastor. •
John H. Oberholzer was elected to the ministry in
1842. He being a man of more than ordinary intel-
ligence and of a progressive mind, his ideas were in ad-
vance of some of his fellow-ministers at the time ; his
more liberal views in regard to dress, and his advocating
a more systematic church organization, gave cause to a
schism, not only in this congregation, but throughout
the congregations connected with the " Franconia Con-
ference," to which this congregation belonged. Ober-
holzer, with a number of other ministers and deacons
siding with him, were, in October, 1847, declared sus-
pended from Conference. This gave rise to the organi-
zation of the so-called " New School Mennonite Con-
ference" by the following: John Hunsicker, Israel
Beidler, John H. Oberholzer, Abraham Hunsicker and
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SWAMP MENNONITE CHURCH. 253
Christian Clemmer, Bishop ; William Landis, Joseph
Schantz, William Shelly, Moses Gottshall and Henry
G. Johnson, ministers; and John Detweiler, William
Gottshall, Henry B. Shelly, Daniel Geisinger, Samuel
Moyer, Peter Young, John Latshaw, Samuel Kaufman,
John Bauman, Jacob Benner, Nathan Pennypacker, David
Taylor and Abraham Grater, deacons. This Conference
was organized October 28th, 1847. The Swamp Church,
of which Oberholzer was the principal minister at the
time, adhered to him and connected itself with the new
Conference. A small portion of the members, however,
who were dissatisfied with Oberholzer, left the church,
and in 1847, before Oberholzer's suspension from Con-
ference and the organization of the new Conference,
erected a church* building and organized a church of
their own. This church remained true to the old Con-
ference, and forms the " Old Mennonite Swamp Congre-
gation " of the present day. The persons regularly
ministering to this church, up to the present date, were :
Jacob Beidler, now deceased, and his son, John A.
Beidler, the present pastor, together with Abraham
Young.
The old churches constituted one and the same con-
gregation, holding its services alternately in both church
buildings for a long while. In the course of time, how-
ever, the eastern and western divisions, as they were
designated, became more and more separated, until some
years ago separate church organizations were formed, and
the one was called the East Swamp and the other the
, West Swamp Mennonite Church. They, together with
the Flatland Church in Richland, constituted the Swamp
charge of the same ministers, to which the Saucon
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254 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Church, near Coopersburg, was later added. The Flat-
land Church is a comparatively new one, it having been
organized in 1837 by members formerly belonging either
to the Springfield, or the Swamp churches. The mem-
bership is still very limited, and services are held there
regularly every two weeks in the afternoon by the pastor
of the Swamp charge.
The Swamp churches were among the first to intro-
duce the Sunday-school work. J. H. Oberholzer, at
an early date of his ministry, had general catechetical
instructions, for the young people introduced. These
meetings were attended by the young people generally
for a number of years, and were blessed with a visible
good effect to many of those who attended them. Later,
however, these catechetical meetings were for some cause
discontinued, and for several years no special meetings
for the young were held, until in the Spring of 1857 a
Sunday-school was organized in the West Swamp Church,
with A. B. Shelly as Superintendent. About the same
time, or soon after, a Sunday-school was also established
in the Eastern Church. These were the first Mennonite
Sunday-schools in existence ; they have both been main-
tained up to the present day. At first they were only
held during the Summer months, but for a number of
years they have now been kept open the year round.
They are both in a good and flourishing condition, the
West Swamp school under the superintendency of U. S.
Stauffer, and the East Swamp of A. S. Shelly.
Services have been held in the West Swamp Church
every Sunday since the Spring of 1872. The East
Swamp Church has services every other Sunday. The
West Swamp congregation numbers upwards of twp
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SWAMP MEJ4N0NITE CHURCH. 25$
hundred, the East Swamp about one hundred, and the
Flatland Church about twenty-five communicant mem-
bers. A. B. Shelley, who was called to the ministry
in 1864, is at present the principal minister of these
churches. Father Oberholzer, now almost eighty years
old, also assists in ministering to these flocks.
MiLFORD Square, April 9th, 1887.
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Springfield and Saucon.
The present Mennonite meeting-house in Springfield
Township, Bucks County, was built about sixty years
ago, or about the year 1826, and is the second house;
but in what year the first house was built my informant
could not tell, but might have been about the year 1775,
because on September loth, 1753, George Schimmel, one
of the first Mennonites in Springfield, came to Pennsyl-
vania and settled there; others of the same denomination
soon followed, so that it is presumable that the first meet-
ing-house might have been built about the year 1775,
probably earlier. Previous to the building of the first
meeting-house they worshiped in private houses.
According to accounts extant it appears that Saucon
is the oldest place, and an organization was effected and
a meeting-house was built previous to that in Springfield,
but the two congregations were united at that time. The
first members in Saucon were Moyer, Gehman, Funk,
Schleifer, etc. The names of the ministers were Jacob
Moyer, Samuel Moyer, Michael Landis, Valentine Young
and William Landis. The names of the ministers in
Springfield were Peter Moyer, Jacob Gehman, Peter
Moyer, Jr., Jacob Moyer, Abraham Geissinger; the latter
was ordained in 1836. ,
In 1847 a separation took place. The minister of the
New School Mennonites in Saucon was Samuel Moyer.
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SPRINGFIELD AND SAUCON. 25/
In Springfield, John Geissinger was ordained in 1849 and
Samuel Meyer in 185 1. Their deacons were John Schim-
mel, Elam Schimmel and Peter Moyer. Jacob Moyer
and Abraham Geissinger remained with the Old School
Mennonites as their ministers. The deacons in Spring-
field were: T. Schleifer, Abraham Oberholzer, Daniel
Geissinger and Jacob Kolb.
The New School Mennonite congregation at present
counts about eighty members. Its present pastor is
Jacob S. Moyer; deacon, Peter A. Moyer. The Old
School counts about twenty members and holds meetings
every two weeks, but has no stated minister. In Saucon
there are only a few families of the Old School Menno-
nites remaining; they hold service only occasionally.
Those few generally come over to Springfield meeting.
17
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Deep Run.
A Brief Sketch of the Incorporated Mennonite
Church at Deep Run (New School), in Bed-
minster, Bucks County, Pa.
The division of 1847, which affected a number of con-
gregations in Eastern Pennsylvania, also affected the time-
honored and flourishing Deep Run congregation.
Members of more progressive views and siding with
the progressive party, of which John H. Oberholzer, pastor
of the Swamp congregation at that time, was a leading
member, as already shown in the article of the Swamp
congregation, then met and framed a constitution as a
basis of a new organization, and on May 15th, 1848,
applied to the court of Bucks County for a charter of in-
corporation, which was granted on April 25th, 1849, and
recorded in Book No. 10, p. 465, May 4th, 1849.
On June i6th, 1849, ^^ members of the new corpora-
tion met at the house of Isaac Fretz, in Tinicum Town-
ship, Bucks County, and agreed to build a new meeting-
house, and to purchase a lot of ground near the old
meeting-house for that purpose. A lot of ground was
accordingly bought, and a substantial brick meeting-
house was built the same year, and services were held
weekly by ministers from other churches of the same
organization until 1883, when Allen M. Fretz was or-
(258)
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DEEP RtTN. 259
dained as their pastor. The congregation now has a
membership of about one hundred and fifty, and also a
flourishing Sunday-school, open nine months in the year.
This congregation is also Connected with the so-called
General Conference of Mennonites of North America.
This congregation also takes an active part in the Mis-
sion cause, both home and foreign.
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Hereford.
As early as 1728 it is known that two brothers by the
name of Bechtel, "both Mennonites," were among the
settlers of Hereford Township, now part of Washington.
These with others settled in Montgomery and Lehigh
Counties, and were on very friendly terms with Father
Theodore Schneider, the Jesuit Missionary. They co-
operated with him in building the first Catholic Church
in 1743, and as a compensation to them for their assist-
ance, an acre of land was granted to the Mennonites out
of the tract belonging to his society (Father Schneider's).
The deed of this tract bears date of 1755, but it. is not
known how soon after that the low wooden meeting-
house was built which still stands; but in 1790 an ad-
dition was built to it, which was used as a school-rqom.
To this tract, two additional tracts have been bought, so
that it now contains three acres.
It is traditionally reported that all that section of
country where the Hereford meeting-house stands for-
merly belonged to a Mennonite, who was, for some cause,
expelled from the congregation. He then threatened to
be revenged, and vowed he would plant them a thorn
bush. He then sold the land to Theodore Schneider,
the Jesuit, and on that very land the Catholic church in
Hereford was built. It is also asserted that a small frame
house was there prior to the present old house. The
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HEREFORD. 26 1
congregation obtained from Schneider the lot mentioned
above and got the title as above mentioned, dated 1755.
The above may be substantiated by the fact that Daniel
Longenaker and Jacob Beghtly were the ministers there
as, early as 1727, and attended a conference and signed
their proceedings.
It is claimed that a minister by the name of Bechtel
has always been connected with this congregation. The
present ministers (August, 1887) are John B. Bechtel,
Andrew Mack and John M. Esht
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Boyertown.
The Boyertown congregation was from the commence-
ment of its organization and is yet a bwmch of the Here-
ford congregation. About the year 1730 a number of
Mennonites settled in Colebrookdale Township, Berks
County, Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of the present
Boyertown, about six miles west of Hereford.
In the year 1790 a Mennonite named Heinrich Stauf-
fer gave one acre of ground for a burying-ground and to
build a school-house thereon for school purposes, and
also for divine worship ; later, when the house was no
longer needed for a school-house and was too small for
a meeting-house, the congregation built a new brick
meeting-house in the year 18 19, in which service was
held once in four weeks until the year 1876, when the
house was torn down again for the purpose of building a
new one, which was, however, through unforeseen cir-
cumstances, delayed until about the year 1882 or '83,
when the house was built.
The ministers in Hereford also had charge of the
Boyertown congregation. Their names as far as known
were Greorge B. Bechtel, Bishop, who died in 1754 ;
afterwards his son Johannes Bechtel, also a Bishop, who
died in 1795 ; then Johannes Boyer, also a Bishop, after-
ward moved to "Harmonie" in the year 18 16; then
Abraham Bechtel, who died in 181 5, and Heinrich Funk,
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fiOVERTOWN. 263
who died in 1826; then Johannes C. Bechtel, Bishop,
who died in 1843 ; then Johannes Gehman, who died in
1884.
The ministers now living (February, 1888,) are Jo-
hannes B. Bechtel, Andrew Mack, Bishop, and Johannes
Esht.
I also find that the following-named ministers were
present at a Conference held in 1727, which was, as far as
known, the first Mennonite Conference held in America :
Great Swamp — ^velte Clemer.
Manatant — Daniel Langenecker and Jacob Beghtly.
— ^Author.
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Meimonite Congregation in Upper Mil-
ford, Lehigh County.
A Short Historical Sketch.
By Samuel Stauffer.
The first Mennonite congregation in Upper Milford,
Lehigh County, was founded and organized as near as
can be ascertained between the years 1735 and 1760.
The founders of this congregation were: Ulrich Easier,
Heinrich Schleifer, Johannes Schwartz, Conrad Stamm,
David Jansen, Benjamin Meyer, Abraham Funk, Hein-
rich Funk, Johannes Mayer, Samuel Mayer, Conrad
Mayer, Michael Mayer, Johannes Gehman, George Weisz,
Kilian Weisz, Rudolph Weisz, Jacob Weisz, Jacob Hie-
stand, Abraham Hiestand, Daniel Greber and others.
At what time the first meeting-house was erected is not
definitely known. The land on which the first meeting-
house was built, together with the graveyard, included
one-half acre, which was cut out of a one hundred and
four acre tract of land, which, according to records yet
extant, and dated October 3d, 1740, was sold to Heinrich
Noll. He afterwards conveyed said tract to Heinrich
Schleifer, November i6th, 1745, who afterwards conveyed
to Johannes Schantz and Benjamin Mayer in trust for the
congregation, the above-mentioned half acre, dated Feb-
(264)
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MENNONITE CONGREGATION IN UPPER MILFORD. 265
ruary loth, 1772. Later the congregation bought three
small tracts of ground in addition to the above, so that
the whole lot now contains two and one-half acres of
ground. It is said that the above-mentioned tract of
ground had been used for a burying-ground many years
previous.
It is asserted that the first meeting-house was a log
house and was used for church and school purposes until
1 8 16, when a new building was erected of stone, which
was divided in two parts — one for worship and the other
for school purposes. In the year 1843 the house was
repaired, the walls built higher, new roof, floor, windows
and pews added. Again, in the year 1876, the congre-
gation agreed to build a new and more comfortable house,
and built one of brick, at a cost of ^7,000.
It is said that the Mennonite congregation in Upper
Milford, Lehigh County, is one of the oldest Christian
churches in that vicinity. It is not positively known
who the first minister of this congregation was. It is
traditionally reported that a man by the name of Hulz-
hauser was the first minister of this congregation. The
first one positively known to have been a minister of this
congregation was Hannes Gehman, who served for many
years. He was bom February 12th, 1741 ; died Decem-
ber 23d, 1806. After his death his son, John Gehman,
born March 22d, 1771, was ordained to the ministry of
this congregation and served thirty-five years ; died July
31st, 1848. About the year 1828 John Schantz was
ordained to the ministry. He was born December 19th,
1774; he served about twenty-seven years, and died Jan-
uary 8th, 1855. In the year 1844 his son, Joseph
Schantz, was ordained as a minister; he served about
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266 HISTORY OF THE MENNONIT^S.
thirty-seven years and died June 23d, 1 881, in his sixty-
seventh year.
In October, 1849, William Gehman was called to the
ministry, but on account of differences of opinion he, with
a portion of the members, separated themselves from the
congregation and formed a congregation of their own,
and called themselves Evangelical Mennonites, afterward
Mennonite Brethren in Christ
In the year 1874 a young man by the name of Uriah
S. Schelly was ordained as a minister of the Upper Mil-
ford congregation. He served several years faithfully
and with energy, but on account of his health failing he
was compelled to resign as their minister and withdrew
from the ministry.
After the death of Joseph Schantz the congregation
chose as their pastor Carl H. A. van der Smissen, who
was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, Europe, who is at
the present time (October, 1886) their minister and
Bishop. •
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Philadelphia (New SchooD.
The first Mennonite Church of Philadelphia was or-
ganized with thirty members on the 27th day of October,
1865, in a public hall which stood where Liberty Council
Hall now stands, on Germantown Avenue below Norris
Street. In January, 1 866, a chapel located on Diamond
and Managan Streets, the property of the " Church of
God," was bought, and the congregation fully organized,
with Pastor Moses H. Godshall, of Schwenksville, as
Bishop, and David Taylor (formerly Schneider), deacon.
In the Spring of 1868 a call was given Pastor Samuel
Clemmer, then assistant minister in Herford District, who
accepted and entered upon his duties on Aprit 5th, 1868.
The pastorate of Bro. Clemmer was crowned with suc-
cess; but in less than two years the Lord saw fit to call
him to his eternal home. Pastor A. B. Shelly, of Milford
Square, then took charge of the congregation, either
preaching himself or providing for their services.
In 1872 Pastor L. O. Schimmel was called from East
Swamp Congregation, who accepted and entered upon
his duties March loth, 1872, and continued for one year.
Albert E. Funk, having just returned from the Seminary
at Wadsworth, Ohio, was then chosen and ordained into
the ministry and continued until June, 1882, when he re-
signed. During the last year of the ministration of Pastor
A. E. Funk a new brick church building was erected at
(267)
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268 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
a cost of 119,000. Pastor N. B. Grubb, assistant minister
in the Schwenksville District, was next called and entered
upon his duties October ist, 1882. Under the ministra-
tion of Pastor N. B. Grubb the congregation became an
independent bishopric and the pastor was accordingly
ordained Bishop in May, 1884. The church is at pres-
ent (February, 1887) in a prosperous condition.
The address of the present pastor, N. B. Grubb, is
2136 Franklin Street, Philadelphia.
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Chester Couniy, Pa.
The Mennonite Church is one of the early churches
of Chester County. Between the years 1725 and 1785
three Mennonite churches had been built on the Schuyl-
kill, as appears from the name-list of the preachers, pub-
lished at Amsterdam* in the last-named year. These
must have been in Chester County, as the Montgomery
County churches are included in other districts. Prob-
ably the most ancient of these is the one on the Schuyl-
kill Road, in East Coventry Township, about three miles
below Pottstown. The date 1728 on the wall shows
that the building is now (1887) one hundred and fifty-nine
years old. The building is one story high and is very
small. It is accessible from the main road by a drive, on
each side of which is a graveyard ; the one on the south
side of the drive was laid out but a few years ago, but
the one on the north side contains graves one hundred
and sixty years old.
The first Mennonite church in the vicinity of Phoenix-
ville was located on the Ridge, near the residence of the
Heckel femily, now in Vincent Township. Abraham
Haldeman was their minister and Bishop for many years ;
* The Mennonite preachers in this section in 1785, as given in Amster-
dam name-list before referred to, were Martin Bechtel, Johannes Longe-
neaker and Joseph Showalter. •
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270 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
he afterwards moved to Juniata County, Pa., where he
died. Jacob Hunsberger and John Funk are the present
ministers. The date of its erection I was not able to
ascertain. S. W. Pennypacker, Esq., of Philadelphia,
says there was another in the valley where Israel Beidler
used to preach. In 1772 was erected the Mennonite
meeting-house in Phcenixville. It was located on Main
Street, near Nutt's Road, and since has been known suc-
cessively as Buckwalter's and Morgan's school-house.
It was designed by its founders both as a church and
school building, and was used as such for many years.
Among the original settlers of Phcenixville the Buck-
waiters were all of this faith. In 1794 they erected a
meeting-house at the southwest comer of Main and
Church Streets in Phcenixville, which is the oldest
place of worship now standing in the township. The
first preacher was Matthias Pennypacker, who for five
years previous had charge of the congregation at Buck-
waiter's school-house. Upon his death he was succeeded
respectively by John Buckwalter, Daniel Showalter,
George Hellerman and Jacob Haldeman, Jesse Beidler,
Joseph Haldeman, John Showalter and Israel Beidler.
The ministers at the present time are David Buck-
waiter, Jacob Hunsberger and Jacob Funk ; deacons,
John Latshaw and Jonathan Kolb;
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Cumberland County, Pa.
The Mennonites commenced to settle m Cumberland
County about 1800. Few, if any, lived in this county
prior to this date. At first they were few in number ;
they held meetings in their dwelling-houses. Their first
meeting-house was built about 181 5, in the eastern sec-
tion of the county. This house was torn down and a
larger one built in 1876, called the Slate Hill Church,
with about ninety communicant members.
Another meeting-house was built about three miles
east of Carlisle, about the year 1838, with a small mem-
bership at the time in that neighborhood.
In the year 1885 a comfortable meeting-house was
built in Churchtown, with a membership of about forty.
There is another congregation west of Boiling Springs
with a small membership.
Another congregation is organized near Newville with
a membership of about forty. Also a small organization
seven miles south of Newville.
It is said that the first resident minister in Cumberland
County was Hauser, the next Westhaser,
then Henry Rupp, ordained about 181 5, then Henry
Martin, then George Rupp, a son of Henry, ordained
about 1830, David Martin a few years later. Samuel
Zimmerman was ordained about the year 1865 and Jacob
Mumma in 1877; Samuel Hess in 1883, and Benjamin
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2/2 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Zimmerman in 1887. All the above-named ministers
were members of the Slate Hill Church.
In the church east of Carlisle the first resident minister
was John Erb ; the next was Christian Herr, who died
about the year 1863. His son, Jacob, was ordained soon
after, who also preached in the Boiling Springs church.
Henry Weaver was ordained in 1865, in Boiling Springs
congregation.
The ministers at Newville are Burkard,
Burkholder and Martin Wissler, who afterwards moved
to Hanover, York County, in 1884.
Slate Hill, Cumberland County, Pa.
December 13th, 1887.
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Northampton County Mennonites.
A Brief Sketch of the Mennonite Meeting-house and
Congregation, situated in Allen Township,
Northampton County, Pa., on the
Road leading from Bethlehem
to Kreidersville.
The last of the year 1798 had hardly passed into his-
tory before the question concerning the advisability and
practicability confronted the brethren of the Mennonite
congregation around Siegfried's Bridge and vicinity, to
select a suitable location, somewhat central, to erect a
meeting-house to the honor and glory of God. This
location was secured from Thomas Homer, in Allen
Township, Northampton County, Pa., consisting of half
an acre of ground, for the sum of twenty dollars. The
committee appointed to purchase said lot were Jacob
Baer, Jacob Heston, John Ziegler and Samuel Landis.
At a congregational meeting called by the brethren, the
following brethren were elected as a building committee,
viz. : John Ziegler and Samuel Funk. The lot was pur-
chased and the deed made in 1802, and the house was
built the same year.
The congregation passed the following resolution as
one of their first acts, viz. :
" The object shall be a meeting, or house of worship,
18 (273)
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274 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
for all such who believe in and love our blessed Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ sincerely, and are willing to be
guided and led by the precepts of the Gospel through
those who are entrusted with the Divine mystery to pro-
claim the glad tidings of good news. And as the Apostle
Peter did declare : Of a truth I perceive that God is no
respector of persons ; but among all nations, he that
feareth Him and worketh righteousness, is accepted by
Him. All those who belong unto Him must walk together
in the unity of the Spirit and love. For without love or
peace it is impossible to please God. Without Divine aid
it is impossible to build a house of God. Except the
Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it
But if it is erected in meekness and humility unto the
Lord, then the Lord will hear in His time."
In the above spirit the brethren of those days went to
work, in good faith and will, and secured their object.
They had imbibed the good old German custom, from
house to school, from school to church, from church to
heaven. Consequently they also made provision for the
young to be taught in the parochial school, which they
incorporated in the deed of the property. Thus school
had been taught in this building for a number of years,
till the present system of common schools has super-
seded the old custom.
In reference to its membership there is no record e^-
tant, but from what can be gathered there must have
been at one time a membership of from sixty to one hun-
dred members. Of its organization there is nothing to
be found, save what a few survivors still remember who
had been members at this place. The following ministers
officiated here from time to time: Valentine Young,
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NORTHAMPTON COUNTY MENNONITES. 2/5
Samuel Musselman, Christian BHem, John Bechtel, Wil-
liam Gehman, John Oberholzer, Christian Clemmer,
David Henning, William Shelly, Henry Diehl, Jonas
Musselman and Samuel Moyer, until about twenty years
ago, when the number was reduced considerably. Still,
there were some of the descendants who loved the old
place, and through their influence preaching has been
kept up by the following brethren : Samuel Landis, Lewis
Taylor and Jonas Y. Schultz, who still have stated ser-
vices every four weeks.
In August, 1884, steps were taken to raise funds to
defray the expense of having the meeting-house and grave-
yard thoroughly renovated and put in good repair, which
was accomplished, and of a truth it may be said that the
latter place of worship by far exceeds the former. The
graveyard must have been established at an early date.
We find the date on tombstones of the year 1805, 18 19,
also of 1802; we find the names on the tombstones as
follows: Bliem, Bechtel, Funk, Gerhard, Hiestand, Baer,
Landes, Latshaw, Swartz, Young, Ziegler.*
June I3th^ 1887.
* Since the above was put in t)rpe it has been discovered that several
errors occurred on the part of my informant.
I have since learned that a plan or draft exists yet, which shows that a
meeting-house was there prior to 1 761. ' It is traditionally reported that
their meetings had frequently been disturbed by Indians.
I also find that a deed was given for one acre of land dated March loth,
1770, for the use of the Mennonites for all times. In 1829, part of the land
was sold and the proceeds used to renovate the meeting-house and build a
stone wall around the graveyard. The right to sell was granted upon the
instance of a petition by Jacob Funk and others, dated February 6th, 1828
and the Act was passed January 29th, 1829, and signed by the Gk>vemor,
J. A. Schulze,
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2/6 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Bangor.
Minister David Henning of the above place died July
2d, 1881, from injuries received about six weeks before.
Deceased had been preaching in Bucks County, and on
his way home was thrown against the seat of a car
while getting on the train at Bethlehem ; he was injured
internally and had been confined to his bed most of the
time since the accident Father Henning was respected
by the whole community, and his death, which was quiet
and peaceful, was in keeping with his life. He was
seventy-five years of age and had been engaged in
preaching for the past twenty-five years ; he was the last
of the Mennonites in this vicinity. This section was
originally settled by the Mennonites, which fifty years
ago was a large and flourishing congregation and owned
the church property which recently passed into the hands
of the Lutherans. Death and removals to other parts of
the country gradually reduced the number of the Men-
nonites, until Father Henning was the sole remaining
representative.
He was buried July 6th, 1881, in the old cemetery
back of the church, which ha's been used by the Menno-
nites as a burying-ground for the past century. The
funeral services were conducted by a Mennonite minister,
William Gehman, of Bucks County, B. F. Apple, Lutheran
and James M. Salmon, Presbyterian.*
* For the above information I am greatly indebted to W. R. Grabb, pro-
prietor of tlie Bangor Observer,
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York County, Pa,
Strickler*s and Witmer*s. — Ministers, David Witmer
and Joseph Forry ; deacon, Michael Strickler.
Grallstown, Hershey's, Bare*s, Codorus, Gerber*s. —
ministers, S. L. Roth, Jacob Hershey, Isaac Kauffman ;
deacon, Andrew Hershey.
Bare's, Hanover, Hanover, Hostetter's and Zimmer-
man's in Maryland. — Ministers, Samuel Moyer, Martin
Whisler and Jacob Hostetter ; deacons, Samuel Groff and
Samuel Forry.
Meeting-Houses in Juniata County, Pa,
The first meeting-house was built about the year 1800,
of log, and in 1868 a new house was built of brick in its
place, about one and a half mile west of Richfield.
The next house was built in 18 19, called the Lost
Creek meeting-house, and was rebuilt in 1869;
Another meeting-house was built a half mile north of
Richfield, in Snyder County, in 1854, called Graybill's.
Another was built in 1867 called Lauver's, and an-
other in 1872 called the Delaware meeting-house.
Thomas Graybill, Solomon Graybill and William
Bergey, ministers ; these three withdrew from the Old
Mennonite Church in 1884.
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Lebanon County, Pa,
Gingerich's Congregation. — Bishop, Isaac Gingerich ;
Cyrus Witmoyer, minister, and D. Westenberger, deacon.
Dohner's, Light's and Krall's Congregations. — Min-
ister, Jacob Wenger ; deacon. Christian Krall.
Snyder, Juniata and Perry Counties, Pa,
John Graybill moved from Lancaster County to
Snyder County, one-half mile north of Richfield, about
the year 1774. This was the first Mennonite family in
this district. His son, John, was the first minister and
Bishop, Abraham Witmer was the next Bishop. Michael
Funk was a minister in Juniata County; Jacob Brubaker
Bishop in Snyder County ; Isaac Gilmer was a minister
in Juniata County; Christian Aucker minister in Juniata
County, and Christian Graybill minister in Snyder
County ; Henry Aucker minister in Perry County, and
Henry Shelly a minister in Juniata County.
Bishop Abraham Haldeman moved fi-om Chester
County, Pa., to Juniata in the year 1842. The ministers
in Juniata County are Jacob Graybill, Bishop, John
Scherk, Samuel Gehman, William Graybill; Samuel
Winny assistant Bishop in Snyder County, and William
Aucker, a minister in Perry County, Jacob Kurtz minister
in Juniata, and John Kurtz minister in Snyder County.
(278)
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Dauphin County, Pa.
Strickler's and Schopp's. — Ministers, John Strickler
and John Erb ; deacon, Christian Mumma.
Stauffer's and Halifax. — Ministers, Benjamin Lehman,
John Stauffer and John Ebersole ; deacon, John Snyder.
Franklin County, Pa.
THEChambersburg Congregation. — Bishop, John Hun-
sicker; ministers, Philip H. Parret, Peter Wadel, and
Samuel D. Lehman, deacon.
Marion and Williamson Congregations. — Benjamin
Lesher, Peter Wadel and Philip H. Parret, ministers,
and Michael Hege, deacon.
• Row Congregation. — Ministers, Peter Wadel, Philip H.
Parret; deacon, Peter Horst.
Strasburg Congregation. — Ministers, John Hunsicker,
John Lehman and Samuel D. Lehman ; deacon, Samuel
L. Horst
(279)
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Mennonite General Conference.
By A. B. Shelly, Pastor of the Swamp Church.
The Mennonite General Conference was organized
May 28th, i860, at West Point, Lee County, Iowa.
During the days previous to the organization of the Con-
ference a joint mission festival was held by the members
of the West Point Church and those from Zion's Church
in the vicinity. An invitation having been sent to
brethren in Eastern Pennsylvania to come and assist in
celebrating this festival, in accordance with this invitation
the brethren J. H. Oberholzer and Enos Loux, both min-
isters of the " New School Mennooites," went to Iowa
and assisted in the services of the festival. Besides these
a number of brethren from Iowa were present.
At the close of the mission festivaLit was resolved to
hold a conference of the brethren present on the follow-
ing day, with the view of further discussing the subject
of missions, a subject until then wholly neglected by the
Mennonite churches of our land. Accordingly the
brethren assembled on the day following (May 28th),
and organized themselves into a Conference by electing
J. H. Oberholzer, from Pennsylvania, President, and
Christian Schowalter, from Iowa, Secretary. The Con-
ference remained in session two days, the principal points
discussed being to devise plans for bringing in closer
(280)
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MENNONITE GENERAL CONFERENCE. 28 I
union the different divisions of the Mennonite Church
of our land, and to carry on mission work. A remarkable
degree of unanimity prevailed and a number of resolu-
tions pertaining to these subjects were adopted. These
resolutions were, by a Conference held at Wadsworth,
Ohio, May 20th to 23d, 1861, at which a greater number
of congregations were represented, reconsidered, revised
and as a basis for the " General Mennonite Conference
of America,*' adopted. At this Conference it was decided,
as soon as possible, to establish a Theological Institute
for the education of teachers and ministers. Pastor
Daniel Heges, from Summerfield, Illinois, was chosen to
visit the churches throughout our land and solicit sub-
scriptions towards the erection of said Institute.
The third meeting of the General Conference was held
at Summerfield, Illinois, October 19th to 24th, 1863. At
this session the plan for the Educational Institute, as it
was then termed, was consummated, and the erection of
a suitable building was, during the following year, begun
at Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio. This building was
dedicated the 13th and 14th of October, 1866, and a
school was soon after opened under the principalship of
Pastor Christian Schowalter, from Lee County, Iowa.
Later, Pastor C. J. van der Smissen was called from
Friedrichstadt, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, as Pro-
fessor of Theology and Principal of the Institute, which
for a number of years flourished, turning out a number
of young men who occupied prominent and useful posi-
tions in the Church. Later, the number of students
diminished, and lacking the necessary support, the Insti-
tute was discontinued and the building sold.
Meanwhile the General Conference, which holds its
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282 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
sessions every three years, established missions among
the Anq>ahoe and Cheyenne Indians at E>arUngton and
Cantonment, Indian Territory. These missions are still
carried on, and include two boarding and industrial
schools for the young Indians, as well as Sunday-schools
and religious services for the older ones. These missions
cost the Church ^,ooo to ^5,000 annually.
Besides the Indian mission work, the Conference carries
on the home mission work Besides a number of tem-
porary workers, it now has one permanent Home Mis-
sionary elected for three years, whose mission is to visit
the different churches belonging to said Conference, as
well as such other places and congregations as the Home
Mission Board may find proper. The Conference also
carries on the publication work. It has a central pub-
lishing house at Berne, Indiana, and pubUshes the
Christliche Bundesbote, a Grerman weekly Church paper,
and the Kinderbote, a monthly children's paper, printed
partly in German and partly in English.
Since its organization churches have continually been
added to this Conference, and it now numbers between
thirty and forty different congregations, embracing a
membership of nearly five thousand souls. The follow-
ing is a list of the churches belonging to the General
Conference :
Pennsylvania, — Bartolett's, Bowmansville, Boyertown,
Deep Run, Flatland, Hereford, Saucon, Schwenksville,
Springfield, East Swamp, West Swamp, Philadelphia,
Upper Milford.
Ohio, — Dalton, Wadsworth.
Indiana. — Berne.
Illinois, — Summerfield.
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MENNONITE GENERAL CONFERENCE. 283
Missouri, — Bethel, Elkton.
Iowa, — Zion's Franklin, West Point.
Kansas, — ^Alexanderwohl, Bruderthal, Christian, Em-
mans, Canton, Gnadenberg, Halstead, Hoflfnungsan, New-
ton, Zion's.
Dakota, — Salems.
New York, — Clarence, Centre, Niagara.
Canada, — Stevensville.
MiLFORD Square, Bucks Co., Pa.
February nth, 1888.
The New School Mennonite Conference for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania was organized October 24th,
1847. It meets semi-annually, on first Tuesday in May
and November, and is composed of the ministers, deacons
and delegates representing the congregations in Bucks,
Montgomery, Lehigh, Berks, Lancaster and Philadelphia
Counties. — Author.
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Meimonites in Lancaster County.
Bancroft says : " The news spread that William Penn,
the Quaker, had opened an asylum to the good and the
oppressed of every nation, and humanity went through
Europe gathering the children of misfortune." Out from
their hiding-places in the forest depths and the mountain
valleys which the sun scarce penetrated the Men-
nonites came, clad in their homeslpun dresses, their
dialects unintelligible, their feet shod with wood, and set
their faces toward that far-off land in which some strange
prophecy had told them " the Mennonites would be pros-
perous and happy."
About the beginning of the eighteenth century the
Holland Mennonites, whom, we have seen, had become
rich and powerful, determined to erect an organized sys-
tem of charity to assist their brethren in distant and
hostile communities. This determination culminated in
the formation of " The Committee on Foreign Needs,"
and the step was made necessary by the utter helpless-
ness of the many refugees on the one hand and by the
shameful impositions of the Dutch and English trading
firms who gave them passage, on the other. It was
under the direct supervision of this Committee that the
greater part of the Lancaster County Mennonite immi-
gration was made. The story of this Committee and its
♦ For the following I am indebted to E. K. Martin, Esq., of Lancaster.
(284)
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MENNONITES IN LANCASTER COUNTY. 285
extensive labors in behalf of the early colonization of
Pennsylvania is one of the interesting chapters of our
memory which yet remains to be written. It^xisted and
pursued its valuable labors for eighty years, and only
ceased when persecution relaxed its rigors and extortion
was regulated by law.
The first authentic account we have of the Lancaster
County settlement is that Hans Meylin, his son, Martin,
and Hans Herr, John Rudolph Bundly, Martin Ken-
dig, Jacob Miller, Martin Oberholtzer, Hans Funk,
Michael Oberholtzer, Wendell Bowman and others,
with their families, came as far as the Conestoga, in
1709, and there selected a tract of ten thousand acres
to the north of Pe^uea Creek. The warrant for this was
recorded and the land surveyed to them October 23d,
1 7 10. A very quaint account of them says the sect came
from a German Palatinate at the invitation of William
Penn. "The men wore long red caps on their heads.
The women had neither bonnets, hats nor caps, but
merely a string passing around the head to keep the hair
from the face. The dress both of female and male was
domestic, quite plain, made of coarse material after an
old fashion of their own. Soon after their arrival at
Philadelphia they took a westerly course, in pursuit of a
location where they could all live in one vicinity. They
selected a rich limestone country, beautifully adorned
with sugar maple, hickory and black and white walnut,
on the border of a delightful stream abounding in the
finest trout Here they raised their humble cabins. The
water of the Pequea was clear, cold, transparent, and the
grape-vines and clematis intertwining among the lofty
branches of the majestic buttonwood formed a pleasant
retreat from the noonbeams of a Summer sun."
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286 HISTORY OF THE MENNONTTES.
Rupp, who wrote in 1844, though commonplace and
sometimes tiresome, alone, of all the earlier chroniclers
of their people, has put us under obligations for the
scanty details he has preserved in an historical form of
the early colony. " On the 23d of October the land was
surveyed and divided among the Meylins, Herr, Kendig
and others of the company. Having erected' temporary
shelters, some set about it and put up dwellings of more
durableness. Martin Kendig erected one of hewed wal-
nut logs on his tract, which withstood the storms and
rain, the gnawings of the tooth of time, for more than
one hundred and ten years, and might, had it not been
removed in 1841, and its place taken up by one of more
durable material, have withstood the corroding elements
for generations to come. They now began to build
houses and add new acquisitions of land to their first
possessions. To depend upon their Indian neighbors for
provision was useless. The Indians depended mainly
upon game and fish. Of course, the supplies of pro-
visions were scanty, and what they had they were under
the necessity to transport from a distant settlement for
some time, till the seeds sown in a fertile soil yielded
some thirty, others sixty-fold. Fish and fowl were
plenty in the wilds. The season of their arrival was
favorable ; around them they saw crowned the tall hazel
with rich festoons of luscious grapes. After they had
been scarce fairly seated they thought of their old homes,
their country and friends. They sighed for those whom
they left for a season. They remembered them that were ^
in bonds as bound with them and which suffered adver-
sity, and ere the earth began to yield a return in kindly
fruits to their labors consultations were held and
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MENNONITES IN LANCASTER COUNTY. 28/
measures devised to send some one over to their ^ Vater-
land * to bring the residue of some of their families —
also their kindred and brothers in a land of trouble and
oppression to their new home — into a land where peace
reigned and abundance of the comforts of life could not
fail. They had strong faith in the fruitfulness and
natural advantages of their choice of lands ; they knew
these would prove to them and their children the home
of plenty. Their anticipations have never failed.
" A council of the whole society was called, at which
their venerable minister and pastor, Hans Herr, presided,
and after fraternal and free interchange of sentiment,
much consultation and serious reflection, lots, in con-
formity to .the custom of the Mennonites, were cast to
decide who should return to Europe for the families left
behind and others. The lot fell upon Hans Herr, who
had left five sons, Christian, Emanuel, John, Abraham,
and one whose name we have not learned. This decision
was agreeable to his own mind, but to his friends and
charge it was unacceptable. To be separated from their
preacher could be borne with reluctance and heaviness
of heart only. They were all too ardently attached to
him to cheerfully acquiesce in this determination. Re-
luctantly they consented to his departure, after much
anxiety manifested on account of this unexpected call of
their pastor from them ; their sorrows were alleviated by
a proposal made on the part of Martin Kendig that, if ap-
proved, he would take Hans Herr's place. This was
cordially assented to by all. Without unnecessary de-
lay, Martin, the devoted friend of the colony, made ready,
went to Philadelphia, and there embarked for Europe.
After a prosperous voyage of five or six weeks he
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28S HI-TOkV OF THE MEXNONITES.
reached the home of his friends, where he was received
with Apostolic greetings and salutations of jojr. Having
spent some time in preliminary arrangements, he and a
company of Swiss and some Germans bade a lasting
adieu to their old homes and dissolved the tender ties of
friendship with those whom they left. With this com-
pany, consisting of the residue of some of those in
America, and of Peter Yordea, Jacob Miller, Hans
Tschantz, Henry Funk, John Houser, John Bachman,
Jacob Weber, Schlegel, Venerick, Guldin and others, he
returned to their new home, where they were all cordially
embraced by their Others and friends. . With this acces-
sion the settlement was considerably augmented, and
now numbered about thirty &milies. Though they lived
in the midst of the Mingo or Conestoga, Pequea and
Shawanese Indians they were nevertheless safely seated,
and had nothing to fear from the Indians. They mingled
with them in fishing and hunting. The Indians were
hospitable and respectful to the whites and exceedingly
civil. The little colony improved their lands, planted
orchards, erected dwellings and a meeting and school-
house for the settlement, in which religious instruction
on the Sabbath, and during the week knowledge of
letters, reading and writing were given to those who
assembled to receive information." Other and more
numerous groups of colonists followed these pioneers in
171 1, 171 7, and a large settlement was made in the
more northern parts of Lancaster County and within
the limits of Lebanon in 1727. Very scanty, indeed, are
the details of these early Mennonite movements, but
scanty as they are, a little that may be regarded as
authentic of the Lancaster County settlers has lately
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MENNONITES IN LANCASTER COUNTY. 289
struggled into life through the labors of Professor Schef-
fer, of Amsterdam, among the old records of the " Dutch
Committee on Foreign Needs."
" It is no wonder that, half a year later, the Qommittee
on Foreign Needs cherished few hopes concerning the
colony. [This evidently refers to the Germantown settle-
ment.] They felt, however, for nine or ten families, who
had come to Rotterdam, according to information from
there under date of April 8th, 1709, from the neighbor-
hood of Worms and Frankenthal, in order to emigrate,
and whom they earnestly sought to dissuade from making
the journey. They were, said the letter from Rotterdam,
altogether very poor men, who intended to seek a better
place of abode in Pennsylvania. Much has been expended
upon them hitherto freely, and these people bring with
them scarcely anything that is necessary in the way of
raiment and provisions, and much less the money that
must be spent for fare from here to England and from
there on the great journey, before they can settle in that
foreign land. . . . The emigrants of April, 1709, accom-
plished their object, though, as it appears, through the
assistance of others ; at all events, I think they are the
ones referred to by Jacob Tellner, a Netherlander Men-
nonite, dwelling at London, who wrote, August 6th, to
Amsterdam and Haarlem : 'Eight families went to Penn-
sylvania :, the English Friends, who are called Quakers,
helped them liberally.'" Barclay, in his Religious Socie-
ties of the Commonwealth^ says : " But not only did the
leaders of the early Society of Friends take great interest
in the Mennonites, but the Yearly Meeting of 1709 con-
tributed fifty pounds (a very large sum at that time) for
the Mennonites of the Palatinate, who had fled from the
19
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290 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
persecution of the Calvinists in Switzerland." This re-
quired the agreement of the representatives of above four
hundred churches, and shows in a strong light the sym-
pathy which existed among the early Friends for the
Mennonites.
There can be little doubt that this was the group of
Mennonites who appeared in the autumn of 1709, on the
banks of the Pequea. The dates correspond exactly, as
does also the number and the nationality of them.
The first Lancaster County settlement of Mennonites
seems to have been composed of persons who had fled
fi-om the persecutions of the Swiss Cantons in the previous
century, and remained for some time settled at various
points on the Rhine, particularly in the Palatinate, the
Elector of which at that time seemed kindly disposed.
The group of 17 17, however, who settled higher up on
the Conestoga, came fresh from a new Swiss outbreak.
Professor SchefTer says : "Fiercer than ever became the
persecution of the Mennonites in Switzerland : the prisons
of Bern were filled with the unfortunates, and the inhuman
treatment to which they were subjected caused many to
pine away and die. The rest feared from day to day
that the minority in the Council, which demanded their
trial, would soon become a majority. Through the inter-
cession, however, of the States-General, whose aid the
Netherland Mennonites sought, not without success, some
results were effected. The Council of Bern finally deter-
mined to send the prisoners, well watched and guarded,
in order to transport them from there in an English ship
to Pennsylvania. On the i8th of March, 17 10, the exiles
departed from Bern : on the 28th, with their vessel they
reached Manheim, and on the 6th of April, Nimeguen ;
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MENNONITES IN LANCASTER COUNTY. 29 1
and when they touched Netherland soil their sufferings
came to an end at last. They were free, and their useless
guards could return to Switzerland. . . . Most of them
went to the Palatinate to seek their kinsmen and friends,
and before long a deputation of them came back here.
On the first of May we find three of their preachers, Hans
Burchi or Burghalter, Melchior Zaller and Benedict
Brechbiehl, with Hans Rub and Peter Donens, in Amster-
dam, where they gave a further account of their affairs
with the Bern magistracy, and apparently consulted with
the Committee as to whether they should establish them-
selves near the Palatinate brethren or on the land in the
neighborhood of Campen and Gronigen, which was to be
gradually purchased by the Committee on behalf of the
fugitives. The majority preferred a residence in the Pala-
tinate, but they soon found great difficulty in accom-
plishing it. The Palatinate community was generally
poor, so that the brethren, with the best disposition, could
be of little service in insuring the means of gaining a
livelihood. There was a scarcity of land and farm-
houses, and there was much to be desired in the way of
religious liberty, since they were subject entirely to the
humors of the Elector, or, worse still, his officers. For
nearly seven years, often supported by the Netherland
brethren, they waited and persevered, always hoping for
better times. Then, their numbers being continually in-
creased, they finally determined upon other measures,
and at a meeting of their elders at Manheim, in February,
171 7, decided to call upon the Netherlanders for help in
carrying out the great plan of removing to Pennsylvania,
which they had long contemplated, and which had then
come to maturity." Hans Burghalter, the leader of this
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292 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
movement, is mentioned by Rupp in his list of early
Mennonite preachers, and Penny^packer speaks of him as
still preaching on the Conestoga in 1727. On the 20th
of March, 1 7 1 7, the Committee on Foreign Needs received
information that over one hundred persons had set out,
and soon afterwards they learned from Rotterdam that
the number had been increased to three hundred souls.
In 1726 another movement began, and emigration
started afresh and with renewed force from the Palatinate.
Again: "On the 12th of April, 1727, there were one hun-
dred and fifty ready to depart, and on the i6th of May
the Committee were compelled to write to the Palatinate
that they 'ought to be informed of the coming of those
already on the way, so that they could best provide for
them,' and 'how many would arrive without means;' but
on the 20th the Committee learned that forty-five more
needy ones had started from the Palatinate. These, with
eight others, cost the society 327 if. I5st Before the
end of July twenty-one more came to Rotterdam, and so
it continued. The Committee also sent forbidding letter
after letter to the Palatinate, but every year they had to be
repeated, and sometimes, as for instance. May 6th, 1733,
they drew frightful pictures : 'We learn from New York
that a ship from Rotterdam going to Pennsylvania with
one hundred and fifty Palatinates wandered twenty-four
weeks at sea. When they finally arrived at port nearly
all the people were dead. The rest, through want of
vivres^ were forced to subsist on rats and vermin, and all
are sick and weak. The danger of such an occurrence is
always so great that the most heedless do not run the
risk except through extreme want' Nevertheless, the
stream of emigrants did not cease." God bless the
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MENNONITES IN LANCASTER COUNTY. 293
"Committee on Foreign Needs" of Holland ; and may the
people of Lancaster County learn the value of its friend-
ship to their stricken and persecuted ancestry. After
1733 we lose trace of any distinct Mennonite emigrations
to this country, though Mennonites came through the
entire remainder of the eighteenth century.
There is an address extant (it being a memorial of the
Amish Mennonites to William Penn) which breathes the
fervent spirit which animated them, and at the same time
illustrates their principles and aims in the land of their
adoption. It is dated May 20th, 171 8, the month and
year in which Penn died, and reads as follows :
To the most worshipful and respectable Proprietor of the
Province y William Penn^ and his Deputy Governor:
We came to Pennsylvania to seek an asylum from the
persecution to which we had been subjected in Europe.
We know the character of William Penn, and rejoiced
God had made such a man. We had been told that the
Indian right to the soil had been extinguished by pur-
chase, to enable the conscientiously scrupulous to settle
and enjoy their religious opinions without restraint. It
was with primitive notions like the Patriarchs of antiquity
we removed to the land of promise, but to our grief and
surprise and mortification the government neither re-
spected the conscience of the proprietary nor the faith of
the Amish. We were invited to settle in this land by
William Penn.
" Listen to us ; if you do not, who will ? We are re-
quired to obey laws in whose making we cannot par-
ticipate (the Amish differing from the other Mennonites
at that time in not voting). We are governed by the
laws of Grod, you by the laws of man. Those of human
authority cannot control us in opposition to His will
declared in the Holy Scripture. We do not attend
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294 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
elections. We enter not your Courts of Justice. We
hold no offices, neither civil or military. We did
not object to the payment of our land, because it was
purchased by William Penn, and you are entitled to
remuneration, but we hold it to be a grievance that,
entertaining nearly the same opinions as the respectable
Society of Friends, we should like them be subjected to
military and civil jurisdiction, especially when it is
recollected that the head and proprietor, whom we now
have the honor through you to address, is himself a
member of that Society. The Society of Friends at least
ought to have escaped such treatment. We are not a
little people, for our neighbors, the Mennonites and the
Tunkers, are. also liable to be insulted by the tyranny of
authority.
" We came to Pennsylvania to enjoy freedom of mind
and body, expecting no other imposition than that de-
clared by God. As we have been taught to hurt not
our neighbors, so do we expect that our neighbors will
do us no injury. As we cannot contract debts, we re-
quire no law for their recovery.
" If we should be so unfortunate as to have indigent
neighbors we shall provide for their wants. The same
inclination that tends to the preservation of our children
prompts to the care of every member of our flock. Con-
science, the voice of God, deters us from the commission
of crime. As we commit no crime, hard is it for us to
suffer for those of others. We ought not to be com-
pelled to pay for the maintenance of convicts.
" We ask you for permission to pass our lives in inno-
cence and tranquillity. Let us pursue our avocations un-
molested. We respect your rights, respect our customs.
We ask nothing of you but what the Word of God can
justify."
Here is a little of the lofty spirit of the first emigratidn ;
it is the spirit of the Swiss mountains. It brought the
answer. The deputy governor sent orders to the judicial
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MENNONITES IN LANCASTER COUNTY. 29S
officers to mitigate the civil duties imposed upon the
peace sects in the valley of the Conestoga, and they have
been mitigated ever since.
Their religious views were at an early date and since
misrepresented, and no small degree of prejudice excited
against them. To allay such unfounded prejudices they
had " The Christian Confession of Faith, etc., contain-
ing the chief doctrine held by them, translated into Eng-
lish, and published at Philadelphia in 1728." In the pref-
ace to that publication they say " that the Confession of
Faith of the harmless and defenceless Christians, called
Mennonites, is as yet little known. Therefore it hath
been thought fit and needful to translate, at the desire of
some of our fellow-believers in Pennsylvania, our Con-
fession of Faith into English.'* This Confession, which
is given in another portion of this work, is approved and
received by the elders and ministers of the congregations
called Mennonites. " We do (say they) acknowledge and
hereby make known that we own the Confession. In
testimony whereof, and that we believe the same to be
good, we have subscribed our names, A.D. 1727:
"Skippack: Jacob Gaedtschlack, Henry Kolb, Claes
Jansen, Michael Ziegler.
" Germantown : John Gorgas, John • Conerads, Clas
Rittinghausen.
" Conestoga : Hans Burgholtzer, Christian Herr, Bene-
dict Hirshi, Martin Baer, Johannes Bowman.
" Great Swamp : Velte Clemen
" Manatant : Daniel Langenecker, Jacob Beghtly."
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Eby Family.
The ancestor who first came to America, and from
whom the greater part of the feimily has sprung, was
named Theodorus ; he was a Mennonite in faith. Accord-
ing to the colonial records he arrived in 171 5. Five"
years later, in 1720, Peter Eby arrived. So far as can be
judged from the oldest known members, they must origin-
ally have been an active, quick-tempered, brown-eyed,
dark-haired family.
The name of only one of the sons of Theodorus is
now certainly known, which was Christian. He married
a Mayer, and settled in Elizabeth Township, about three
miles north of Litiz. He died in 1756 and left ten chil-
dren. His oldest son. Christian Eby, married Catharine
Bricker. He was an elder in the Mennonite Church,
and wore a long beard which in his later years had turned
white. Regulsfr stated Mennonite meetings were held at
his house, until a building for that special purpose was
erected in the neighborhood. He died in 1807, leaving
eleven children. ' The third son, Peter, moved to Pequea
Valley, and afterwards became a Mennonite Bishop.
The tenth son, Benjamin, moved to Canada, was made
a minister in the Mennonite Church, and succeeded his
brother Peter as Bishop of the Mennonites in Canada.
Christian, the third from Theodorus, left nine children.
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EBY FAMILY. 297
The sixth son, Benjamin, served as minister among the
Mennonites for many years, up to the time of his death.
Peter* Eby, married to Margaret Hess, moved to
Salisbury Township, near the Gap, in 1791, and followed
farming when his time was not taken up by his duties as
a minister of the Gospel or Bishop in the Mennonite
Church. He was ordained a minister in 1800, and was
the second in his denomination in that neighborhood.
Up to 1 8 14 he preached in private houses ; then a school-
house was erected, and afterwards a meeting-house for
that special purpose.
This member of the family deserves more than a pass-
ing notice. His fame as a preacher was widely known,
and served to fill the houses to their utmost capacity
wherever he was known to officiate. His preaching was
altogether extemporaneous, and its effect upon an audience
great. And yet he was not a sensational preacher. It
frequently happened that strangers hearing him for the
first time, although, otherwise informed, would not be
convinced that he was not a person regularly educated
and trained for the ministry. He died April 6th, 1843,
in his seventy-eighth year, leaving nine children.
* Peter the second.
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Herr Family.
Hans, or John, Herr came to this country in 1710,
from Switzerland, with his four sons; the fifth son,
Christian, had come to this country before the rest of the
family.
Christian Herr was a minister of the Menrionite Church,
and was the first of the family in this country ; he came
in 1709.
John Herr, son of Emanuel, who came over in 17 10,
was a minister in the Mennonite Church.
D. K. Herr, grandson of Martin, and son of Henry,
was married to Susan Musser, and was a Mennonite
minister.
Amos Herr, a son of Christian, was also a Mennonite
minister.
Benjamin, a brother of Amos, was a Mennonite minis-
ter and Bishop.
John Herr, the founder of the New Mennonite Church,
or Herrenleute, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsyl-
vania, September 1 8th, 1 78 1. His father, Francis, was
the son of Emanuel Herr, one of the five sons of Hans
Herr, who came over in 17 10.
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Hershey Family.
Andrew Hershey was born in Switzerland in the
year 1702, and moved with his father to the Palatinate.
In the year 171 9 he and his brother, Benjamin, sailed
for America and settled in Lancaster County. His
brother Christian also came to America, settling in Lan-
caster in 1739. Each of the three brothers was chosen
a minister in the Mennonite Church. Andrew died in
the year 1792, aged ninety years.
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A Brief Sketch of the First Mennonite
Settlers in Pennsylvania.
By a Non-Mennonite.
From the jjear 1537 until the present century the Men-
nonites were subjected to the most terrible persecutions.
On this account they saw the necessity of fleeing from
one country to another, consequently they were scattered ;
many of them went to Russia, Prussia, Poland, Holland
and Denmark, and by invitation of the noble and liberal-
minded William Penn,^he founder of the State of Penn-
sylvania, many families sought and found better honies
beyond the great sea. This happened in the year 1683.
Later, in 1693, a second party followed, and also settled
themselves at Germantown, where they erected for them-
selves a school and meeting-house in 1708. In the year
1709 a third party followed, consisting mostly of perse-
cuted Swiss families, who settled themselves in Pequea
Valley, Chester, now Lancaster, County. Among these,
we find the names of Herr, Meylin, Kendig, Miller, Ober-
holzer. Funk, Bauman and others. They settled them-
selves right in the midst of the Mingo or Conestoga,
Pequea and Shawanese Indians, where they were sub-
jected to many trials and hardships in establishing their
new homes. Notwithstanding all that they felt themselves
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MENNONITE SETTLERS IN PENNSYLVANIA. ' 3OI
more secure among those wild domestics than in the
midst of those raw hordes of antichrists of Europe.
In the years 1711,1717 and 1727 other emigrants came
from Europe, so that in the year 1735 they already
counted over five hundred families in Lancaster County.
For some time they held their meetings in school-houses
which were built very plain, as was the custom among
those people. As they were not possessed of large
amounts of money to spend for large or costly churches,
but were more inclined to spend for their home comfort,
they did not pay so much attention to beautifying out-
wardly. Their plain, clean way or habit in their houses,
more particularly in their apparel, has pleased the writer
very much. But it seems to me as if the beloved rising
generations were very indifferent in keeping up the old
customs of our devout forefathers, and are, I am sorry to
say, following the fashions of this world.
The Mennonites have spread themselves over almost
the whole of North America and Canada, so that already
twenty-five years ago (1847) their number was estimated
at one hundred and twenty thousand souls. In Pennsyl-
vania, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa
and other States they are found in the most fertile val-
leys, and are richly blessed with this world's goods.
On one occasion, when conversing with an old brother,
I remarked that he had selected a beautiful home for him-
self, he answered, " Our beloved Saviour said, * Blessed
are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth/ " There
is no doubt those old forefathers, noble, living children
of God, who had the grace of God to leave their all for
the sake of the Lord, there is yet a blessing from those
dear forefathers which will not permit the light to be
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302 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
extinguished. Oh ! that their mantle may fell on all of
us, and the Spirit of the Lord may awaken all mortal
bodies to be living spirits, to re-awake and resurrect ail
congregations that are called by His name. This is the
wish from the bottom of the heart of your humble
brother.
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The Swiss Meimonites in Ohio.
Many of the Mennonite congregations were organ^gpd
from 1820 to 1830 by Swiss Mennonites who came direct
from Switzerland. Six such congregations are in exist-
ence at the present time ; the oldest is called the "Son-
nenberg " congregation, in Wayne County, Ohio. The
next, also in the same county, is the ** Chippeway " con-
gregation. About one hundred and fifty miles further
west in Ohio, in the counties of Putnam aad Allen, is the
great Swiss and Alsace community, known as the Put-
nam congregation. Next is the congregation at Berne,
Indiana ; and lastly, two congregations in Missouri, viz. :
the Bethel congregation, at Tipton ; and the Elkton con-
gregation, in Hickory County. The two last named
have been organized since i860, principally by Swiss
Mennonites who came from the older congregations east-
ward. During the session of the Conference in Berne,
Indiana, November, 1884, representatives were present
from all these congregations. A number of visiting
brethren also came together in Berne, which created a
renewal of friendship and acquaintanceship by mutual
communications, and reminding each other of their trials
and hardships in olden times.
The Mennonites in Switzerland had to endure persecu-
tion as late as the seventeenth century and in the begin-
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304 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
ning of the eighteenth century, and as they were driven
from their homes they emigrated to the territory of
Basel, which belonged to the Archbishop of the city of
Basel. There they were tolerated under certain restric-
tions: they were compelled to live on the mountains,
and were only allowed to occupy the poorest land, and
they could not buy it, they were only allowed to rent it ;
neither were they tolerated in towns, nor to rent or lease
any land near a town. After a time all kinds of slander-
ous reports were raised by their enemies and brought
before the Prince Bishop of Basel ; consequently he
issued an edict that all Baptists (as the Mennonites were
then called) should leave the country by a certain time,
under penalty, which created much sorrow and grief.
They did not know what to do, and they wept and
prayed. In this time of affliction a prominent official
took pity on these poor people and interceded for them
before the prince. He told the prince how these people
tilled the land on the hillsides, which could not be culti-
vated with the plow, and they paid their rents, also the
tenth of their products to the government. Conse-
quently the edict was recalled by the prince, on the con-
dition that they should remain on the mountains. On
receiving information that the edict was recalled they
rejoiced and thanked God, and encouraged each other to
lead an humble and virtuous life, and the congregation
resolved to make a present to the prince of a piece of
linen cloth of their own manufacture, also the same to
each of his successors, as a token of fidelity to the
government David Baumgartner, who died in 1853, in
Adams County, Indiana, in his eighty-eighth year,
remembered and related in conversation, in the last
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THE SWISS MENNONITES IN OHIO. 305
year of his life, that his father helped to take a piece
of their cloth to the prince, which was accepted with
thanks.
To escape similar persecutions many Mennonites left
Switzerland and emigrated to other countries, viz. : the
Palatinate, Alsace- and later to America, so that from the
years 1709 to 1735 over five hundred families emigrated
to Pennsylvania from Switzerland and the Palatinate and
settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, among the
Indians. In other parts of America we also find large
congregations of Mennonites, of Swiss origin, which can
be shown by reliable writers.
About fifty or sixty years ago a prominent Swiss
writer, Heinrich Zschokke, traveled through the Jura
Mountains, in the Bishoprick of Basel, and gave a
description of its inhabitants. In regard to the Men-
nonites, he says : " More than one hundred families of
the Baptists (as the Mennonites were then called) live
here in the valleys and on the mountains, and through
their skill make the poorest soil productive. They are a
sturdy race, healthy, true-hearted,- peaceable and good
natured, beloved by their neighbors; Protestants and
Catholics would trust them rather than their own people.
These people were driven out of the country by the
government of Bern (the Calvinists) because they refused
to swear an oatlvand to take up the sword in war. This
shows that the Prince Bishop of Basel was even more
tolerant than the Protestant Calvinists."
He further says : " I was among the Baptists (now
called Mennonites) as content as if I were among the
first Chri^stians in olden times; they were merry, but
God-fearing, hospitable and industrious ; among them
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306 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
are no drunkards, no gamblers, no rowdies, no liars.
They assist each other when in need, and on Sunday
they meet at a neighbor's house to hold Divine service,
sometimes in the open air, sometimes in a barn."
The emigrants to Pennsylvania in 1815 and 18 18
were Benedict Schrag and family, from Canton Basel,
and a young man named Hans Burkholter. Schrag
afterwards settled in Wayne County, Ohio, and wrote a
long letter to Switzerland, which created a desire among
others to come to America, among whom were Peter
Lehman, Isaac Sommer (grandfather of the present editor
of the Bundes Bote, J. A. Sommer), Ulrich Lehman and
David Kilchhofer. They started on their journey in
1 8 19. In the year 1821 came Hans Lehman (deacon),
Abraham Lehman, Hans and Christian Lehman, Abra-
ham and David Zircher, Jacob Bichsel, Jacob Moser and
Peter Hofstettcr; in 1822 and 1824 sixteen &milies
arrived, and in 1825, 1828 and 1835 a number of other
families arrived, some from Alsace. The Chippeway
congregation was organized in 1825, and the Putnam
congregation in 1835, and the congregation at Berne,
Indiana, was organized about the year 1838.
At present a trip or journey to Switzerland and back
to America again, by steamer and railroad, would be only
a pleasure trip ; but what was it about sixty or more years
ago, when our forefathers first came over and settled in
Ohio ? When they had made up their minds to go to
America the first thing for them to do was to get a
wagon and a horse ; they had to see to get enough money
for that The next was to get a chest for their wearing
apparel, and a chest for their victuals, and beds; that was
about all they would or could take on the wagon with
the family. Then they commenced their journey, with ^
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THE SWISS MENNONITES IN OHIO. 307
" Good-bye, ye Alps, ye shepherds and ye brethren, God
be with you," then, with tears in' their eyes, gave their
last look over their mountainous home. They then pro-
ceeded on their journey, the father alongside of the
wagon, also the rest who were old enough to walk at
times. In this manner they traveled through France, by
way of Paris, to Havre (the seaport where they took the
sailing ship). So far they had already traveled a distance
of about five hundred miles. There they sold their horse ;
their baggage and wagon were put on board the ship for
America. A journey across the ocean generally took
from seven to eight weeks. The first four families landed
in New York ; then their baggage and wagon were taken
out of the ship, the wagon put together again and loaded,
a horse was bought and they proceeded on their journey
to the Far West — as it then was — the wilderness of Ohio,
a distance of about five hundred miles. Some of them
who had not the means to go any further remained with
their brethren in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia,
others in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where they were prop-
erly entertained, and provisions and money were given
them to enable them to finish their journey. Thus after
a tedious journey of five or six months they arrived in the
wilderness of Ohio, where those who h^d a little money
bought land from the pioneers that was already improved
to some extent; others who were without means went
right in the wilderness and bought government land that
was yet cheap.
In the first place they selected a suitable spot to build
a house. Then they commenced to clear the timber away;
then they cut the logs to a suitable length, and after they
had logs enough ready they all joined together one day
to put the house up, what they called " logging ; '* gen-
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308 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
erally by sundown the house was up, and after a merry
day's work the owner could look upon it with satisfac-
tion. Next it wanted a roof. They then had to split the
shingles and put them on the house and put heavy poles
across to keep them down, as they had no nails. Then
they had to cut out a door and windows, and build a
fire-place and chimney, as iron stoves were not then known .
in the West The nearest mills were from twenty to
thirty miles away and the roads very bad ; it would tal^e
a man two to three days to go and come, and time was
precious, so they had to find other means to crack their
corn to prepare it for food, but they soon overcame that
difficulty. The women made gardens, prepared the
ground and raised vegetables ; they got pigs, which would
fatten without any expense, and bought cows as soon as
they could, which would support themselves in the
woods. The greatest difficulty was to get clothing ; that
which they brought from Switzerland was soon worn
out, and for their produce they had no market nearer
than one hundred miles. Wheat was worth twenty-five
cents per bushel and muslin fifty cents a yard, and
other articles in proportion. Money was at that time
very scarce. In the whole settlement there was not
money enough to pay postage on a letter to Switzerland,
but they were ambitious, and one day one of them
traveled fifteen miles to a settlement of Amish brethren
to borrow twenty-five cents to pay postage to Switzer-
land. Under such circumstances they could not think
of buying new clothing, but made every effort to help
themselves. They planted flax, and as soon as they could
got sheep, raised wool, the women spun it into yam, the
men wove it into cloth, and then dyed it yellow or black
with bark frpm trees.
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A Sketch of the Meimonite Settlement
in Canada.*
By Dr. A. Eby.
About the year 1683 the first Mennonite emigrants
arrived and settled themselves in the vicinity of Philadel-
phia, and called the place Germantown. They came
from Crefeld on the Rhine. In the year 1709 a number
of Swiss Mennonites emigrated to Pennsylvania and
settled in Chester, now Lancaster, County, and others
soon followed. As they lived in peace and enjoyed
liberty of conscience, they understood well how to
value these blessings, which they enjoyed under the
English Crown. So that in the commencement of the
opposition to the English Government on the part of their
fellow-citizens they could not sanction such movements,
and they were in danger of losing the liberty which they
enjoyed heretofore, and consequently the privilege to
serve God according to the dictates of their own con-
science. As they believed it to be contrary to the doc-
trine of Christ to take up the sword against their neigh-
bors, neither could they sanction the doings or actions
of their fellow-citizens. At this point they were in a
very awkward predicament The English looked upon
them as rebels, because they refused to defend the
*This article was published in German in 187 1, and translated into
English by D. K. Cassel in 1887.
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3IO JIISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
English Government -with arms ; on the other hand, they
were looked upon by the Americans as sympathizing
with the English, because they would not take an active
part in throwing off the English yoke.
In the commencement of the war many American
soldiers advocated, and asked that the Mennonites and
other defenceless Christians should be deprived of their
citizenship. In order to escape that, they sent a petition
to the Continental Congress on the 7th of November,
1775, in which the doctrine and principles of these de-
fenceless people were explained. This petition was,
after due consideration, accepted by Congress, and their
privileges and doctrines were ratified by the new govern-
ment,* but, at the same time, there were many of the
Mennonites who were opposed to recognize and live
under a government that was established by revolution.
Under such circumstances many of these defenceless
people, not feeling exactly satisfied in their minds, be-
came desirous of living under the English Government
again. They heard of a country lying northwest of
Pennsylvania, then not much known, which was yet
under the government of George the Third, to whom
they were more or less inclined, perhaps for the reason
that he was a German, as they were themselves. There-
fore many came to the conclusion to emigrate to Canada.
In the year 1799 seven families emigrated and settled
in Niagara District, in Upper Canada; other families
soon followed, so that the settlement soon prospered and
spread in the Townships of Louth and Clinton, in Lin-
* A short and sincere declaration was then sent to the Continental Con-
gress as an acknowledgment, which I have already mentioned in the
article, " Mennonite Meeting at Germantown."
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MENNONITE SETTLEMENT IN CANADA. 3II
coin County, where the first settlement was established.
They spread themselves over the neighboring counties
of Haldimand, Welland and Wentworth, in which several
congregations are in existence at the present time. The
first Mennonite settlers in this district came fi-om Bucks
County, in Pennsylvania.
As early as 1801 Samuel Moyer wrote in the name of
the new settlers to the congregations in Bucks County,
asking them to advise, help and assist them in ordaining
a minister, as they had none yet. But none of the min-
isters in Bucks County felt inclined to undertake so long
and dangerous a journey, as it then was, to comply with
their request. After the matter had been carefully con-
sidered in a conference of the ministers in Bucks County,
it was resolved to advise their brethren in Canada,
through prayer and intercession for God's divine guid-
ance, to select by ballot, and from among those balloted
for by lot, a minister and a deacon. The letter contain-
ing this advice was written in Bedminster Township,
Bucks County, dated September 4th, 1801, and signed
by Jacob Gross, Abraham Wismer, Abraham Oberholzer,
John Funk, Rudolph Lahdis and Samuel Moyer.
Whether the above advice to the young congregation
in Canada was accepted and carried into effect is not
clearly known, as all the witnesses are dead, and no
written records of their proceedings in the matter known
to exist ; but it is a well-known fact that Valentine Kratz
was the first Mennonite minister in Canada, and was
ordained in 180 1. It would have required at lekst three
or four weeks to bring the letter containing the above
advice to its proper destination, which would then have
been the beginning of October before the congregation
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312 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
in Canada would have received it, so that the time would
have been too short to write to any other congregation
in Pennsylvania and await an answer, and ordain a min-
ister before the end of the year; it is quite evident, then,
that the congregation followed the advice of the brethren
from Bedminster, Bucks County, and selected Valentine
Kratz as their minister, without any other minister being
present to install him. This advice of the Bucks County
conference is sufficient to show that a minister can be
selected and installed, in case of a similar emergency,
without the presence of another minister. It is quite
certain that Valentine Kratz was chosen as a shepherd
of the little flock that was gathered in the wilderness of
Canada in 1801, in the house of Dillman Moyer, but it is
not certain whether he was chosen by lot, or whether he
was the only person voted for. It is said that he actually
had but one vote. He would have been entitled to have
been one of the number when the lot was cast if there
had been more candidates ; but as that is not known, it
is therefore not possible to decide whether he was chosen -
by lot or whether he was the only person voted for. In
the same year, but whether at the same time is not
known, John Fretz was selected a deacon in the same
congregation.
In the next year, 1802, Jacob Moyer was chosen a
minister, and five years later he was ordained a Bishop.
Why this congregation, yet so young and small, in so
short a time elected a second minister is not clear, but
probably for the reason that Kratz, although a very
devout and well-meaning Christian, was not a fluent
speaker, while Moyer was a fluent arid earnest speaker,
and a very energetic man in his actions. The two were
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MENNONITE SETTlI^MENT IN CANADA. 313
working together until 1824, when Kratz departed this
life in his sixty-fifth y^ar. About this time Jacob Moyer,
the second, was called to the ministry by the same con-
gregation by lot. He served until the year 1 83 1, when
he departed this life in the thirty-ninth year of his age.
About three months after the death of Jacob Moyer the
second, Daniel Hoch was chosen by lot as his successor
in the ministry. In the year 1833 Bishop Jacob Moyer
made a visit to Pennsylvania, where he was taken sick
while visiting his friends in Bucks County, and died in
the sixty-sixth year of his age (and is buried in the Men-
nonite burying-ground in Perkasi, Bucks County). In the
Fall of the same year Jacob Gross was chosen as his
successor in the ministry, and in the following year he
was ordained a Bishop ; on these two occasions Bishop
Benjamin Eby, of Berlin, Waterloo County, officiated.
Several years after Jacob Gross had been ordained a
Bishop, the congregation so increased that it was thought
necessary to have more ministers ; not only had the mem-
bership increased, but the settlements also, so that it was
necessary to hold meetings in different places.
About the time the dissension took place, in 1848, there
were at least three meeting-houses. To supply the in-
creased demands and to accommodate the membership,
Dillman Moyer and Abraham Moyer were called to the
ministry ; these were the sons of Jacob Moyer, deceased.
This was about the year 1850, and in 1872 they were
both yet living.
In the same year in which the settlement in the Niag-
ara district took place (1799), Samuel Betzner and Joseph
Scherch, two energetic young men, with their families, left
their homes in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and under-
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314 ttlStORY OF THE MENNONITES.
took the journey, which at that time required weeks, a
distance of over five hundred English miles, mostly
through the wilderness, in search of that country in which
the King of England was still honored. It is not neces-
sary for this subject to describe the many hardships they
had to endure; the mountains they had to climb, the
rivers they had to cross, and the swamps they had to
wade through were many hindrances in their way, but
they trusted in God and did not fear the hardships which
were before them. After a long and tedious journey they
arrived safely on the Canadian shore of the g^eat Niagara.
Here they left their families, while they went further in-
land to examine the country. They heard of a beautiful
and fertile country (presumably through hunters or In-
dians), which was watered by a magnificent stream, and
they resolved to see this district, which was reported to
be in a northwesterly direction from Ancaster, at that
time a place of importance, before they would settle them-
selves anywhere. They easily found their way through
the woods by following the path of the Indians until they
came to the Township of Waterloo, at that time said to be
the property of a certain Robert Beasley; but afterwards
It was found that the whole township was heavily mort-
gaged. But as this mortgage created a great draw-
back in the settlement of Waterloo, I will take it up again
in the future.
When Betzner and Scherch first came to Waterloo
there were no settlers there, except a few hunters or
traders, and surveyors perhaps never saw it. They soon
resolved to settle in the vicinity of Preston, so called after
the name of one of the traders who had been there to
locate a home for themselves for the future. After they
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mennOnite settlement in canAdA. ^15
saw the country and satisfied themselves, they went back
again to their families until the Spring of 1800, when
they with their families moved up to Preston, in Water-
loo County, and thus they were the first settlers in the
richest and now most populous district of Canada. Their
number was increased in the same year by two families of
Brethren, or Dunkards, who came from Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania.
In the year 1801 their number was further increased
by the arrival of seven families, of whom the majority
were Mennonites. Among other arrivals in the year
1802 were Joseph Bechtel and family. He was afterward
chosen to the ministry and was the first Mennonite min-
ister in Waterlo. He served alone until 181 1, when the
well-know^ and renowned Benjamin Eby was called to the
ministry and afterward elected the first Bishop in Water-
loo, in which capacity he served many years. He was
born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, about the year
1784, where he received only an ordinary common school
education; he afterward married a Miss Brubacher, and
in 1807 he came with his wife to Canada and settled in
the eastern part of the present town of Berlin ; his wife
was a sister of John Brubacher, deacon, at Berlin. Here
he lived highly honored and respected until his death in
1853. H^ wrote several small works, among others a
spelling and reading book ; also a condensed history of
the Mennonites.
In the beginning of this article I remarked that the
anxiety to live again under the English Crown was what
brought the first Mennonites to Canada. This was not
the case with all the first settlers in Waterloo. Where
true Christian love is manifested there is always a readi-
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3l6 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
ness to offer a brother a helping hand, otherwise there
would have been few of the Schneiders, Erbs, Schantzs,
Brubachers, Baumans, Webers, Martijas and the Ebys,
who, at the present time, form such an important portion
of the Mennonite population, to come to the province.
Ail the first settlers bought their land, for which they
paid the greater portion of their worldly goods, from the
above-named Richard Beasley. Bqt he did not tell them
that the whole Township of Waterloo was heavily mort-
gaged, and that he could not give them a good and clear
title. They themselves were so absolutely honest, and
so little were they acquainted with the trickery and char-
latanry of this world, that they could hardly think that
any man could be so extremely dishonest that he would
undertake to sell that which belonged to two others in
common, and besides that, yet covered by mortgage. As
they did not doubt the honesty of Beasley, they did not
think it worth the trouble to examine into the matter to
determine whether the title was clear or not^ He un-
doubtedly had intended to sell as much land as possible
before it would be found out that it was mortgaged, then
these poor people could see how they could settle with
the mortgage holders; but God, in His Providence,
watched over them and frustrated the intentions of
Beasley.
In the winter of 1802-3 Samuel Bricker, then quite a
young man, made a business tour to Toronto, then called
York. The previous summer he had come from Cum-
berland County, Pennsylvania, to Waterloo, and was
about to occupy an important position in the new settle-
ment. He stayed over night in a hotel in Toronto, where
a stranger, whose name we have not, took notice of him
^
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MENNONITE SETTLEMENT IN CANADA. 317
and asked where he came from. He told the stranger
he_j;ame from Waterloo, whereupon the stranger ex-
pressed his joy to have met with him, as he had heard
that a number of honest people had bought land there
which was mortgaged. Young Bricker at first could
not and would not believe such unpleasant news, but
the stranger directed him to the Register's Office, which
was at that time in the same town. Here he found the
next day the stranger's message only too true. With a
heavy heart he went home and told his brethren and
friends what he had learned. At first no one would be-
lieve him, but as he insisted upon his information being
correct, they agreed to send two out of their midst to
York to investigate the matter. When Beasley learned
that his fraud was detected he had at first refused to do
anything to make satisfaction, but when he learned that
no more settlers could be induced to buy land from him,
then he offered to sell to a company as much land as
would be required to pay the mortgage. Samuel Bricker
and Joseph Scherch were then sent to Pennsylvania to
make an effort to raise the required amount of money.
They first went to Cumberland County, the former home
of Bricker, but met with no success, and Scherch, being
quite discouraged, went home again; but Bricker, not
being so easily discouraged, went to Lancaster County,
where he met John Eby, brother of Bishop Benjamin
Eby, of Berlin, Canada, and to him he explained the cir-
cumstances. Brother John Eby took the matter to heart
and sympathized with his brethren in Canada in their
trouble;5. Through the night he considered the matter,
and the next morning he went out on horseback and in-
vited all his neighbors to meet at his house, to consult and
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3l8 HISTORY OP THE MENNONTTES.
determine what to do in the case. In consequence of this
conference an association was formed for the purpose _of
buying enough land to clear the township of the mort-
gage. Accordingly they bought 60,000 acres of land in
Waterloo from Beasley, which was sufficient to cover all
incumbrances. But Beasley tried another dodge to de-
fraud them. He wrote a deed for the land they had
bought from him, which he offered, but as they had been
defrauded once they would not trust him a second time.
. They engaged a competent lawyer to examine the deed
offered by Beasley and to close the purchase, who found
the deed prepared by Beasley worthless. He then made
an affort to bring the matter in proper shape for them
and succeeded. He not only saved their money, but also
prevented much trouble and worriment, which would have
been entailed upon them had they accepted the worthless
deed. Their deed was dated June 20th, 1805. They
could now take possession of their land without any
danger of being molested by anyone; but all trials and
privations of this life in a new settlement were not yet at
an end. The greater portion of the township was now
the property of the brethren of Lancaster County, ^Penn-
sylvania, and many emigrated from Lancaster to Canada
for a number of years, except through the war of 18 12 to
1815.
In '1 803, the same year in which Beasley's fraud was
detected, a number of families emigrated to Canada and
settled in Markham, about twenty miles north of To-
ronto. What induced them to settle there, I have not
learned, but I presume they turned their attention to
Markham when they learned that it was not safe to buy
land in Waterloo, One thing is certain^ in J803 no new
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MENNONITE SETTLEMENT IN CANADA. 3I9
emigrants came to Waterloo. From this it is to be sup-
posed that those who were about to emigrate to Waterloo,
which was without doubt the case^ when they leameil about
the trouble and difficulty there, concluded to go to Mark-
ham. Among the first settlers in that district was Henry
Weitman. He was afterwards called to the ministry, and
was the first Mennonite preacher in the congregation at
Markham. Several years later, as he was assisting in cut-
ting out a street, he lost his life by a tree falling on him.
We see from this that the Mennonite ministers in Canada
not only had to contend with ordinary difficulties as minis-
ters in thinly settled districts, but were also in danger of
losing their lives while they had to work for the support of
their families, and to engage in the same labor as their
neighbors ; as they served the congregation without any
remunerafTon, therefore they were directed to support
themselves and families the same as their neighbors. On
account of their voluntary service they were for many
years the only German preachers in Canada, and on many
occasions were called on to serve at funerals of their
neighbors of other denominations. Heinrich Weitman 's
successor in the ministry was his son, Adam, while at
the same time Andrew, another son, served as deacon.
After Adam followed his son, Jacob, in the ministry in
Markham. This congregation also extended over the
neighboring townships, and had several preachers and
Bishops.
A short time after the formation of the association
which bought the greater portion of Waterloo, another
association was formed in Pennsylvania with the intention
of buying another tract of land in Woolwich, located
north of W^terlpo, This purchase was effected in 1 807,
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320 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
consisting of 45,000 acres. This led to a further emigra-
tion from Pennsylvania, among whom the families of
Martin were largely represented. The year 1806 is
memorable in the early history of the Mennonites in
Waterloo, through the destructive forest fires that occur-
red in the spring of that year. The forests were full of
dry leaves, so that the fire would run over a large portion
in a very short space of time, and destroyed everything
within its reach. The first and greatest of these fires took
its start in the vicinity of (now) Blair, and by a south-
westerly wind it soon extended beyond the Grand River,
and spread itself out over a vast portion of clear land
and destroyed houses, barns, pasture and fences, also
cattle and sheep in its course. Among other sufferers is
to be mentioned Abraham Bechtel. Not only was his
barn burned but also his house, in which was stored a
large quantity of provisions, for the purpose of support-
ing some of his friends who were coming from Pennsyl-
vania. So scarce were provisions at that time in Waterloo,
that Bechtel, after his stock was destroyed by fire, was
compelled to go fifty miles to obtain enough to support
his family and friends until harvest time.
The second fire occurred a few miles east of where
Preston now is, on the farm of Martin Baer, who, with
much labor, saved his house, while everything else was
burned for him. Minister John Baer, Martin's son, then
a little boy of two years, has a vivid recollection of this
great fire. He well remembers how his father filled every
vessel with water and carried it on the house top to pro-
tect the house against the fire. The third fire occurred
in the district where the city of Berlin now stands, but as
the whole district was yet covered with timber, it was not
of SQ- much importance for our subject.
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MENNONITE SETTLEMENT- IN CANADA. 32 1
The above mentioned Martin Baer emigrated from
York County, Pennsylvania, to Canada in the year 1801,
and settled on the farm now occupied by his son, John
Baer, the preacher. He was called to the ministry several
years after Bishop Benjamin Eby, and was the third
preacher in the congregation in Waterloo.
From this time on the congregation in Waterloo in-
creased, not only in numbers, but they were also blessed
with this world's goods. Early steps were taken to edu-
cate the rising generation of the colony. A school was
opened in 1802 in the vicinity of Samuel Betzner's. Their
meetings for divine service were generally held in private
houses, or in school-houses where they existed.
The first meeting-house was built in 181 1, on the land
of Bishop Benjamin Eby. In 1838 it was rebuilt, as the
congregation increased and the old house was too small.
This meeting-house is at present known by the name of
Christian Eby's, or Berliner. The second meeting-house
in Waterloo was built in the vicinity of Preston by John
Erb, at his expense, after the war of 18 12. He was a
miller by trade, and was not compelled to leave his home
or family, like the rest of his neighbors, to do public
service on the frontiers; therefore determining to do
something for the general welfare of the community, he
concluded to build this house of worship. He built it
free for the use of all denominations without distinction,
but he had the bitter experience in later years, on several
occasions, of being locked out of the house which he built
and paid for, by other denominations.
What the spiritual condition of the Church was at that
time cannot be stated at present, because there are no
letters or journals at hand from which the feelings or de-
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322 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
sires of the brethren can be learned; but to judge by
what can be remembered from the early settlers of
Waterloo, we might say that only a small portion actually
tasted or enjoyed the water of life, while many who had
the appearance of piety had their hearts filled with the
things of this world, and many could much better tell
the stories of their dear Pennsylvania fatherland than
the narratives of the Gospel of Jesus. I wish that this
remark might not be correct and that I might be taught
better things in the future, but until then honesty re-
quires that which I have learned as the truth, even per-
haps a few who I otherwise would love, might have their
feelings hurt
The war of 1 8 12 was a time of trial and affliction for
the Mennonites in Canada, as they believed they were
entirely exempt from all military service in Canada. They
considered it a great wrong, so soon after their arrival, to
be compelled to leave their homes and families to do
public service in the army, while their neighbors, who
did not understand the doctrine of Christ the same as
they did, could not see why the Mennonites should not
be compelled to fight their enemies with the sword, even
if they personally were their friends. The government
compelled them to go into the ranks, but could not com-
pel them to fight. After the government had learned
this they were employed as teamsters, but they had to
furnish their own teams. This prepared for them a heavy
loss in property. Not only did they lose the time which
they should have had to work on their farms, but in the
battle on the Thames, where several of the brethren were
employed as teamsters, the English were compelled to
retreat; to escape the enemy, the soldiers took the breth-
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MENNONITE SETTLEMENT IN CANADA. 323
ren's horses from their wagons and fled, and the breth-
ren's wagons fell into the hands of the enemy. They
thus lost not only their wagons, but also many of their
horses. After the war they had to go to Pennsylvania to
get new wagons, and their trials and afflictions can better
be imagined than described. While the men were ab-
sent on duty the women and children had to attend to
the farm work, or would have been in danger of starva-
tion should the father for any reason not return. Hardly
had they enjoyed a little rest and peace before another
affliction was upon them. The summer of 1816 was so
cold that the crops almost entirely failed. It is said that
there was frost almost every week through the whole
summer. Potatoes, the chief article of food among the
new settlers, failed almost entirely. Food was so scarce
that many people were compelled to live on soup made of
bran. The following year was likewise cold, but the
crops were better. It is said that in 1817 some people
worked in the harvest field wearing their overcoats. It
is to be wondered that they did not leave the cold Canada
with disgust and select a home in a milder climate, but it
appears that the Lord had brought them here for the
all-wise purpose of carrying out His providential plans.
Have they fulfilled their mission ? Have they endeavored
to so spread the doctrine of peace so that the spirit of
war may not be the ruling power ?
After this their condition and the Church prospered
and increased, not only in numbers through the rising
generation, but also by emigration from Germany as well
as from Pennsylvania. New meeting-houses were erected
in different localities, and ministers ordained to take
charge of the congregations in Waterloo and surrounding
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324 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
townships. Among these ministers I will mention
Scherch and Baer. Both were born and raised under
laborious burdens and trials of life in a new settlement
Bro. Scherch was born in 1 80 1 and is the oldest person
born in Waterloo yet living ( 1 87 1 ). May the Lord spare
him yet through many years. Bro. Baer, previously men-
tioned, was born in the year 1804. Notwithstanding the
many hardships he had to undergo in his early life, he is
yet quite strong and robust bodily, but what is far better,
strong in his religious belief and a true teacher of Christ's
doctrine, and warning the sinners in their manifold ways.
He frequently made long journeys to localities where
there were but few members, for the purpose of preaching
the Gospel to them. He has all his lifetime been a dili-
gent student of the Scripture.
As the membership of the congregation increased the
more it became necessary to increase the number of min- .
isters and Bishops. During the last few years three
Bishops were ordained, one in each of the townships of
Waterloo, Dumfries and Woolwich. Everything seemed
to prosper until the year 1848, when a dark cloud threat-
ened the Lincoln Congregation. This storm increased
and extended itself until it ended in a separation, not
only in Lincoln County alone, but also in Waterloo and
Markham. This split, or separation, has not been healed
to this day.
The following is from Col. W. W. H. Davis' History of
Bucks County, Pennsylvania:
The First Mennonite Settlers in Canada.
It is generally considered that the first Mennonites
emigrated to Canada about the beginning of the year
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MENNONITE SETTLEMENT IN CANADA. 3^5
1800. We find, however, that Plumstead and the neigh-
boring townships of Hilltown, Bedminster and Tinicum
have sent a considerable number of emigrants to Canada
within the last century, principally Mennonites. The
immigration commenced in 1786, when John Kulp, Dill-
man Kulp, Jacob Kulp, Stofifel Kulp, Franklin Albright
and Frederick Hahn left Bucks County, Pa., and sought
new homes in the country beyond the great lakes. Those
who had families were accompanied by their wives and
children. These pioneers must have returned favorable
accounts of the country, for in a few years they were
joined by many of their old friends and neighbors, mostly
from Bucks County. In 1799 ^^^7 were followed by
Jacob Moyer, Amos Albright, Valentine Kratz, Dillman
Moyer, John Hunsberger, George Althouse, Abraham
Hunsberger and Moses Fretz; in 1800 by John Fretz,
Lawrence Hippie, Abraham Grubb, Michael Rittenhouse,
Manassah Fretz, Daniel High, Jr., Samuel Moyer, David
Moyer, Jacob High, Jacob Hausser, John Wismer, Jacob
Frey, Isaac Kulp, Philip High, Abraham High and
Christian Hunsberger. In 1802, Isaac Wismer and
Stoffel Angeny went to Canada from Plumstead — the
latter returned, but the former stayed ; a few years after-
wards Jacob Gross also moved to Canada. A number
of the Nash family emigrated to Canada, among whom
was the widow of Abraham Nash, who died near Dan-
borough, in 1823. Her three sons, Joseph, Abraham and
Jacob, and four daughters accompanied her. Bucks
County families generally settled in what is now Lincoln
County, near Lake Ontario, about twenty miles from
Niagara Falls.
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Visit Among the Mennonites.
It ntust be conceded that the disciples of Menno
Simons have more closely adhered to his teachings in this
respect than most others. We visited a large number of
their congregations, and it was a source of satisfaction to
notice how large a part of those we met with were clothed
in plain apparel, often strikingly resembling that worn by
consistent Friends. The similarity was increased by their
habit of not wearing a beard, so that many of the men
had far more the appearance of a Quaker minister than
some who come among us under that profession.
We found that there are several branches of the Men-
nonite family, differing from each other mainly in the
degree of strictness with which they observe the principle
of nonconformity to the world, to which I suppose they
all' adhere. We made frequent inquiries in regard to the
point of difference between the various Mennonite non-
resistant bodies, but were enable to find that there were
any differences in doctrine. All, so far as we can learn,
would adopt the Confession of Faith issued by the Con-
vention of their ministers at Dortrecht, in 1632, as repre-
senting their present belief Next in point are the Amish
Mennonites, who are so named from Jacob Amen, of
Switzerland, a zealous reformer in their earlier days.
In Germany the discontent of the peasants under the
oppression of their feudal lords led to political distur-
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VISIT AMONG THE MENNONITES. 327
bances, in which Thomas Miintzer, a Lutheran minister,
who zealously propagated Anabaptist views, became in-
volved. He attempted to establish by force an ideal
Christian commonwealth, with absolute equality and a
community of goods. The defeat of the insurgents and
the execution ot Miintzer, in 1525, proved only a tempo-
rary check to the movement. A second and more deter-
mined attempt to establish a theocracy was made at
Miinster in Westphalia (i 532-1 535). The town was
besieged in 1534 by Count Waldeck, its expelled bishop.
The supreme authority within its walls was in the
hands of Johann Bockhold, a tailor of Leyden, better
known as John of Leyden. Giving himself out as the
successor of David, he claimed royal honors and absolute
power in the new *' Zion." He justified the most arbi-
trary and extravagant measures by the authority of vis-
ions from Heaven. With this pretended sanction he
legalized polygamy, and himself took four wives, one of
>vhom he beheaded with his own hands in the market-
place, in a fit of frenzy. As a natural consequence of
such license, Miinster was for twelve months a scene of
unbridled profligacy. After an obstinate resistance it was
taken by the besiegers, and John and some of his more
prominent followers were put to death. It would be gross
injustice to confound these people with other Baptists, or
with the non-resistant Mennonites, who differ from them
in many points.
The customs and character of the Mennonites will be
further illustrated by a reference to some of the scenes
and incidents that were witnessed during our visit. The
first of the meetings which we attended was at Deep
Run, north of Ddylestown, in Bucks County, on third
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328 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
month 7th, where several hundred assembled. We found
a large, plain, one-story building, seated with plain, mov-
able benches, and provided with a narrow platform on
one side, elevated one step from the floor, on which was
a single bench for the ministers. A retiring-room was
partitioned off at one end ; and this was furnished with
shelves to receive the bonnets of the sisters, who leave
them there and enter the main room with their heads
covered only with simple clear-starched caps, very similar
to those worn by our plain women Friends. It was an
interesting spectacle. Bench after bench was filled with
nice-looking, plainly-dressed women, sitting in a reverent
manner, a number of them having their infant children
with them. Many of the men also were plainly dressed,
and looked like old-fashioned Friends. We were favored
with a comfortable meeting and warm feelings of affec-
tionate interest were excited, under the influence of which
we could greet them as beloved brethren. At Blooming
Glen meeting-house, in the same county, being some-
what early, we walked into the graveyard and noticed
that the graves were arranged in rows, which were not
parallel to the walls of the inclosure, but extended diag-
onally across ; we found the object was that the bodies
might be placed in an east and west direction, with the
feet pointing to the sunrise. — From The Friend, a relig-
ious and literary journal.
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A Visit Among Russian Mennonites.
When Stephen Grellet, a minister in the Society of
Friends, was paying a religious visit in Russia in the
year 1 819, he met with some settlements of Mennonites
in the southern part of that country. His journal speaks
of his visit to them as follows :
" Accompanied by dear Contenius we left Ekaterinos-
law early in the morning of the 23d of fifth month,
for the colonies of the Mennonites, on the Dnieper ; we
came sixty-five versts to the chief village of the fifteen
that form this part of their settlement. They are an inter-
esting people ; much simplicity of manner and genuine
piety appear prevalent amongst them. I felt my mind so
drawn towards them in the love of Christ, that I appre-
hended it my duty to endeavor to have a religious meet-
ing among them. Their Bishop, who resides in this village,
was sent for by Contenius to consult on the place and
most proper time to hold the meeting; the dear man,
who is very plain in his manners and way of living, was
at the time in the field behind the plough, for neither
he nor any of the clergymen receive any salary. They
maintain themselves and families by their honest industry.
They are faithful also in the maintenance of their testi-
mony against oaths, public diversions and strong drink.
The Empire exempts them from military requisitions.
The Bishop concluded that there was no better or more
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330 HISTORY OP THE MENNONITES.
suitable place than their meeting-house, which is large
and in the centre of the other villages ; the time was ftxed
for the next day, and he undertook to have notice spread.
At the time appointed they came from all the other vil-
lages ; the house was crowded with the people and their
ministers ; much solidity was evinced. The people gath-
ered at once into such stillness and retiredness of spirit,
that it seemed as if we were amidst our own friends in
their religious meetings. I was enlarged among them in
the Gospel of Christ Contenius interpreted from the
French into the German ; dear Allen had an excellent
communication to them which I first rendered mto
French, and then Contenius into German; we also had
access together to the place of prayer, our spirits were
contrite before the Lord; the dear children, who also
felt the Lord's power over them, were in tears.
** We went thence about thirty-five versts to Kortitz
Island, in the Dnieper, where we stopped awhile with
Peter Hildebrand, one of their pious ministers ; we had
with him and his wife a refreshing season before the Lord.
Then they accompanied us, in small boats, about eight
versts down the river to one of their villages below Alex-
androwsk, where we had that evening a large and satis-
factory meeting. We felt much concerned for parents in
that place ; their young people are exposed by being so
near a city of resorts and temptations. Before we took
our departure, the next morning, we had a tendering op-
portunity in the family, where also several others met us.
Peter Hildebrand's heart was full on parting with us. We
left with them, as we had done in the other villages, some
of our books in German.
" We then traveled sixty-five versts, over what is called
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A VISIT AMONG RUSSIAN MBNNONITES. 33 1
a steppe, where not even a shrub grows, only coarse
grass. That night we came to a village of German Luth-
erans, where are kept beautiful flocks of Merino sheep
for the use of thirty villages. We had some religious
service, but we did not find much piety among them.
Thence we went over the river called Molotschna, which
divides the settlement of the German colonies from a set-
tlement of the Mennonites, composed of twenty villages.
We stopped at their first village, where they have a large
cloth manufactory; their land is in high cultivation;
formerly not a tree or shrub was to be seen on these vast
steppes ; now they have fine orchards of various kinds of
good fruit. Traveling over these steppes we saw, as we
thought, at a distance large groves of beautiful trees, and
to our astonishment the scenery continually changed; at
first it appeared as if the trees were in motion ; on com-
ing nearer, we found that they were flocks of cattle feed-
ing. At other times we thought we saw large sheets of
water, like lakes ; but all this was an optical delusion, >
caused by the state of the air.
" The Mennonites here are preserved in much Chris-
tian simplicity, in their worship, manner of living and
conversation. They have also a testimony against mak-
ing the Gospel chargeable, and against wars and oaths.
I felt it my religious duty to have a meeting amongst
them. It was agreed to be held in the evening of the
next day, and the Bishop readily offered to have notice
of it sent to the villages around — ^ten in number.
" In the forenoon we had a meeting with the children
of several villages, collected on the occasion ; their so-
briety and religious sensibility gave pleasing proofs that
their parents have not attempted in vain to instruct them.
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332 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
by example and precept, in a Christian life. We also
visited with much satisfaction several of their families.
The meeting in the afternoon was largely attended. The
Lord owned us by His Divine presence, and gave us an
evidence that He has here a people whom He graciously
owns as members of His Church. We afterwards went
a few versts further, and lodged at an aged couple's;
Christians, indeed, they appeared to be ; we were much
refreshed with them in our bodies and spirits.
" Next morning we had another meeting with about
five hundred of their young people. I have rarely met
more general religious sensibility than among these. I
had not spoken many sentences when a great brokenness
and many tears gave evidence of their religious feelings.
In the afternoon we had a meeting with the people at
large ; a very satisfactory season. Dear Contenius is a
faithful helper to us ; he is so feeling in his manner of
interpreting. After visiting many of these people in their
families we went to another village, where we had a very
large meeting. Many of these dear people came to it
from fifteen different villages round, their meeting-house
being large. It may be said to have been a holy solem-
nity ; the Lord's baptizing power was felt to be over us.
" We then went to Altona, their most distant village,
which stands pretty near the colonies at the Duhobortzi.
We put up at the house of a Mennonite, a young man
who is a minister among them. The order of his family
and children is most gratifying ; piety seems to prevail
over them all; the simplicity and neatness of the house
are beautiful. Much quietness and simplicity is also ap-
parent in the religious meetings of this people. They are
very regular and punctual to the hour at which their
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A VISIT AMONG RUSSIAN MENNONITES. 333
meetings for worship are held. When gathered they all
kneel. They continue so in total silence, in secret medi-
tation or prayer about Tialf an hour. After resuming
their seats, their minister is engaged either in preaching
or in prayer, both extempore. Before they separate they
kneel down again, and continue for some time in silent
prayer. The Emperor grants them every privilege and
liberty of a civil and religious nature. They choose their
own magistrates, and are not under the authority of the
police of the Empire. This is exercised by themselves.
They are exempt from military requisitions, and have no
taxes, except those requisite amongst themselves for their
own government, and they are placed under the superin-
tendence of those persons who preside over the colonies
in the Crimea generally. Contenius is the chief person
on whom that care now devolves."
For the above account of Stephen Grellet's visit among
the Russian Mennonites in 1819 we are indebted to the
kindness of Friend Joseph Walton, of Moorestown, New
Jersey, editor of The Friend, — Herald of Truth.
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Mrs. Catharine Gabel.
Mrs. Catharine Gabel celebrated the one hundredth
anniversary of her birth on December 19th, 1884, and
the little village of Gabelsville, Berks County, about five
miles from Pottstown, where she lived for seventy-five
years, donned its holiday attire and did honor to the oc-
casion. Many neighbors long living in the vicinity
walked or drove to the house of the centenarian, while
the incoming train brought scores of relatives, who
gathered to do honor to their aged ancestor.
Under the same roof were assembled five generations
of the Gabel family, and it is questionable if among the
vast assemblage there was one who more thoroughly en-
joyed the occasion than the venerable hostess. Mrs>
Gabel is the daughter of John High (Hoch), and was
born December 19th, 1784, on the farm in North
Coventry, Chester County, now occupied and owned
by Samuel StaufTer, and situated about two miles and a
half from Pottstown. She was the eighth of a femily of
eleven children, and lived with her parents until 1803,
having married, in 1802, John Gabel, a farmer and miller.
In 1803 she removed with her husband to her present
home, and has all these years lived on the same property.
Her husband died in 1823, and a vow made by her a
few years after his death, when hearing of a second mar-
riage made by a friend which proved unhappy, that she
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MRS. CATHARINE GABEL. 335
would remain a widow the rest of her life, she has faith-
fully kept She bore her husband eleven children, of
whom eight still live, as follows : Mrs. Elizabeth Gabel,
wife of Henry Gabel, aged 80 years, and living in Potts-
grove Township ; Mrs. Magdalena East, aged 78 years,
of New Berlinville, Berks County ; Henry ^Gabel, aged
76 years, and one of this county's most valued and in-
fluential citizens, living on South Hanover Street, this
borough ; Mrs. Susan Landes, aged 72 years, living with
her mother at Gabelsville ; Mrs. Mary Gabel, widow of
David Gabel, aged 68 years, and living on the old home-
stead ; Jacob H. Gabel, aged 64 years, a bachelor, living
with his brother Henry in the borough ; Miss Barbara
Gabel, aged 62 years, living with her mother.
Notwithstanding Mrs. GabeFs great age her general
health is good, and although her memory fails her occa-
sionally in recalling events of recent occurrence, she
talks by the hour of events in the early part of this cen-
tury. Her eyesight, until recently very good, is now
becoming dimmed. Mrs. Gabel is a tall, muscular woman,
and up to within a few years always inclined to sparse-
ness of flesh.
Of her father's fcimily several other members attained
good old ages, the mother dying at the age of 90 years
and a sister at 91 years. The premises upon which Mrs.
Gabel lives came into the possession of the Gabel family
in the latter portion of the eighteenth century, her father-
in-law, Henry Gabel, in conjunction with a half brother,
Jacob Latshaw, having purchased a large tract of land
from Thomas Potts. A few years after the joint pur-
chase a division was made of the property, Mr. Gabel
retaining that portion upon which was located the family
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336 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
mansion of Thomas Potts, where many of the descend-,
ants of the Potts family were bom, and known in their
family records as " Popodickon," after a famous Indian
king named " Popodick," who is buried under a mag-
nificent chestnut tree. Mr. Gabel subsequently divided
his portion between his two sons, Jacob and John, the
former the husband of Catharine, and to whom was
assigned the portion upon which the old mansion was
located, and which Mrs. Gabel occupied from 1803 up to
1857, when she removed to the house which she has
occupied ever since. — Philadelphia Press.
Mrs. Gabel died May 24th, 1886, at the great age of
lOi years, 5 months and 5 days, and is buried at the old
Mennonite Church at Boyertown, where she had been a
member for many years.
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Jacob Funk,
Mennonite Minister at Germantown from
1774 to 1816.
Heinrich Funk came to America and settled at the
Indian Creek, now Franconia Township, Montgomery
County, Pennsylvania, in the year 17 19. When the
Franconia Mennonite congregation was organized he
was chosen their minister, in which capacity he served
for many years and became very prominent. He died
in 176©. He made his will June 13th, 1759, which was
witnessed by Jacob Funk, Jacob Oberholzer and Benedict
Geman, and his two sons, John Funk and Christian Funk,
were appointed as his executors. His wife Anne died
July 8tli, 1758. She was a daughter of Christian Meyer.
His daughter Esther -being lame and helpless he set
aside ;^400 good current money for her maintenance.
In this case he appointed as directors the elders in the
Congregation of Christ, named the Mennonites, namely
Christian Meyer and Michael Dirstein. Henry Funk
had ten children, four sons and six daughters, viz. : John,
Christian, Abraham and Henry, Esther, Barbara, Anne,
Mary, Fronica and Elizabeth. His second son Christian
was born in 1731, married in 1751, and was called to the
ministry in 1757 in the Mennonite congregation in Fran-
22 (337)
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338 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
conia. He died in 1811 in his eightieth year, and is
buried in Delp's graveyard in Franconia.
On May i6th, 1734, a patent was granted by the
Honorable the Proprietors of Pennsylvania to Jacob
Fynk, Sr., who emigrated to Pennsylvania shortly be-
fore. He was a nephew of the above-named Heinrich
Funk. This patent is recorded in the Roll's Office at
Philadelphia in Patent Book A, Vol. 6, page 311, etc., for
one hundred and forty acres, and six per cent allowed for
roads, etc., situate in the Township of Franconia, County
of Philadelphia. Jacob Funk, Sr., made his last will in
writing, bearing date May 15th, 1756, and bequeathed to
his son, Jacob Funk, Jr., all that tract of land mentioned
above under said patent He says : " I appoint my loving
friend and cousin. Christian Funk, and my wife, Barbara
Funk, as my executors." The will was probated June
14th, 1756, and is registered in Book K, page 407, at
Philadelphia, and a deed was given by the executors to
Jacob Funk, Jr., dated April 20th, 1759. The above-
named will of Jacob Funk, Sr., is witnessed by Christian
Meyer, Samuel Meyer and Henry Funk. He had four
children, viz. : two sons,. Jacob Funk, Jr., and Samuel
Funk, and two daughters, Barbara Funk and Maria
Funk.
Jacob Funk, Jr., was chosen a minister in the Menno-
nite congregation at Franconia in 1765.* His name also
appears on the name list of American ministers in 1770,
in the Mennonite Archives at Amsterdam, Holland, as a
minister at Indian Creek. On May 7th, 1774, Jacob
Funk, Jr., and Anna his wife, of Franconia Township,
Philadelphia (now Montgomery County), conveyed to
____^ . ^
* Sec MSB. Congregational Records,
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JACOB FUNK. 339
Andrew Hans their right and title in a tract of land
situate in Franconia Township, Philadelphia County (now
Montgomery), recorded in Book No. 9, page 290, at
Norristown. On March 4th, 1 774, Jacob Funk, Jr., bought
of Jacob Keyser a tract of land containing 125 acres, and
shortly afterwards an additional tract of 35 acres, making
in all 160 acres, situated in Cheltenham Township, now
Montgomery County. I also find that Jacob Funk, of
Cheltenham Township, and Anna his (second) wife, late
widow of Sebastian Benner, released Abraham Benner
and Christian Benner, said releases bearing date Sep-
tember 30th, 1774, recorded in Book No. 3, page 485, at
Norristown.
According to the records of the Germantown Menno-
nite congregation, Jacob Funk, preacher, and Anna his
wife connected themselves with the Mennonite Church at
Germantown in 1774, where he served as a minister for
forty-two years. He made his last will and testament in
writing dated September iSth, 1802, which was proven
April i6th, 1816, and is registered No. 43, Book 4, page
221, at Norristown, and was witnessed by Michael
Leppert, John Minnich and Jacob Knorr. He had six
children, two sons, John and Samuel, and two daughters,
Barbara and Mary, by his first wife, and two daughters,
Anna and Elizabeth, by his second wife. Jacob Funk
was born on the 13th of the third month, 1730, and died
on* the 14th of the third month, 18 16, aged eighty-six
years and one day, and lies buried near the door of the
church in the Mennonite graveyard at Germantown.
His children were : John Funk, married to Catharine
Knorr, first wife, Margaret Fitzgerald, second wife;
Samuel Funk, married to Esther Kolb ; Barbara Funk,
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340 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
married to Christian Souder; Mary Funk, married to
David Kelter ; Anna Funk, married to Matthias Kolb ;
Elizabeth Funk, married to Daniel Kolb.
John Funk, the oldest son of Jacob Funk, Jr., occupied
the old homestead in Cheltenham after the death of his
father Jacob. He was a deacon in the Germantown Men-
nonite congregation for many years. The old farm had
been in the Funk name and occupied by them about one
hundred and ten years. On this farm General Murray,
who lost his life in the battle of Germantown in 1777, lies
buried in a vault which still exists. Mention is made of it
in Jacob Funk's will in regard to a division line in divid-
ing his farm between his two sons, John and Samuel.
John Funk had five children, viz. : Hannah Funk, married
Abraham Springer ; John Funk, married Catharine Sling-
luff; Elizabeth Funk, married Joseph Lenhard; Susanna
Funk, married Samuel Harmer ; Catharine Funk, married
Mark Brannan.
Samuel Funk married Esther Kolb, April 29th, 1788.
They had eleven children, viz. : Jacob, died single ; Isaac,
died single; Samuel, died single; Anna, married Jesse
Gilbert, and died in her eighty-ninth year; Abraham,
died single; David, married Mary Heiser; Maria, died
single; Martin, died single in his eighty-first year ; Daniel,
died single; Nellie, married John G. Wolf, and died in her
eightieth year; Wilhelmina died single.
Christopher Funk settled himself in Germantown.
He bought fifty acres of land adjoining the Friends' meet-
ing-house and Main Street in Germantown, on May loth,
1726, recorded in the Germantown Book. He had one
son and five daughters, viz. : Henry Funk ; Elizabeth
Funk, married to George Kaschke; Sophia Funk,
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JACOB FUNK. 341
married to Anthony Gilbert; Barbara Funk, married to
John Keyser; Sarah Funk; Susanna Funk.
After the death of Christopher Funk his son Henry
took the old homestead in Germantown, and was to pay
certain amounts to his sisters, in order to make equal
shares. Auditors were appointed by the Court, March
'20th, 1749,* and on May 20th, 1750, he sold it again
to John Keyser, his brother-in-law. It is presumable
that Christopher Funk was a brother to Heinrieh Funk,
of Indian Creek, by comparing dates and the similarity
of family names.
Abraham Funk, a son of Heinrieh Funk and brother
of Christian Funk, of Indian Creek, moved to Springfield
Township, Bucks County, Pa., and built the mill in
Springtown known as Funk's Mill from that day to the
present. Abraham Funk had a son named John Funk,
who then moved from Springtown to near Dublin, Bucks
County, Ea., about the year 1 800, and died there when
about forty-eight years of age. He then had a son
named Jacob Funk, who also lived in Hilltown Town-
ship, Bucks County, Pa., the greater part of his life, and
died at Line Lexington in 1875, and was the father of
minister John F. Funk, of Elkhart, Indiana, who was
called to the ministry in the Mennonite church in the
spring of 1865. He is also'the President of the Menno-
nite Publishing Company at Elkhart, Indiana, and editor
of the Herald of Truth, published in the interest of the
Old Mennonite Church.
* See Gennantown Records.
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The Keysers.
The Keyser family was notable in Europe on account
of their strict adherence to the doctrine of the Old Evan-
gelical Church, in consequence of which one of its great
ancestors, Leonard Keyser, was publicly burned to death
at the stake, near Scharding, Bavaria, on the i6th day of
August, 1527. On account of the then raging persecu-
tion, the family appears to have shifted about from place
to place, until they settled at Amsterdam, the chief city
of Holland ; from whence Peter Dirk Keyser emigrated
to America in 1688, and was one of the original settlers
of Germantown.
His marriage certificate I have copied from an old Hol-
land or Dutch Bible, now in possession of Gideon Key-
ser, in Germantown, where it is recorded in the language
of Holland; also in English in the following words:
" That Dirk Keyser and Joanna Snoeck, upon their de-
sire after three Sundays having been published at Amster-
dam in all the churches, on the undersigned date in the
church at Buiksloot, lawfully and in presence of the
Lord's congregation are married, declare I, the under-
signed Secretary at Buiksloot, the 22d November, 1683,
and was signed. B. Vredenhuis, Secretary.
This must have been the same Dirk Keyser of whom
S. W. Pennypacker, Esq., makes mention in his Bio-
(342)
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THE KEYSERS. 343
graphical Sketches, p. 41, where he says: "And Dirk Key-
ser, a silk merchant of Amsterdam, and a Mennonite,
connected by femily ties with the leading Mennonites of
that city, arrived in Germantown in 1688.** He was
chosen a minister in the Germantown Mennonite congre-
gation and officiated at the marriage of Jacob Kolb and
Sarah Van Sintern, May 2d, 17 10, in the presence of the
full congregation, in the old log meeting-house in Ger-
mantown. His son, Dirk Keyser, Jr., was born in Ger-
mantown, September 26th, 1701, who then had a son,
born August 8th, 1732, named Peter Keyser, who was a
tanner by occupation, and was the first Keyser who united
himself with the Dunkards or Brethren. He had a son,
Peter Keyser, Jr., born November 9th, 1766, who was the
renowned Dunkard preacher. He was a very tall man,
being six feet three inches high. He was married March
30th, 1790, to Catharine Clemens, of Horsham Township,
Montgomery County. She was the daughter of Garret
and Keturah Clemens. He died in Germantown, in the
same house in which he was born, in May, 1849, in his
eighty-third yecU*.
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Biography of the Kolbs in America.
Peter Schumacher came to Germantown in 1685 and
died in 1707, aged eighty-five years.
His fifth child, a daughter, married Dielman Kolb. She
died in 1705, aged fifty-three years, and is buried at Wolfs-
heim, in the Palatinate. He died in 171 2, aged sixty-four
years, and is buried at Manheim. Their children were :
Ann Kolb, Peter Kolb, Martin Kolb, Johannes Kolb, Jacob
Kolb, Dielman Kolb and Henry Kolb. The two first
named died and were buried in Europe ; the other five came
to America about the year 1 707, with the exception of Diel-
man, who came later, between 17 10 and 1720. Peter,
Martin, Dielman and Henry were Mennonite ministers.
Ann Kolb, born 1676, married Balthasar Kolb. She
died February 26th, 1738, at Wolfsheim.
Martin Kolb, born 1680, married May. 19th, 1709, in
the house of his bride's father, Magdalena, daughter of
Isaac Van Sintem, born September 4th, 1662, and was a
great-grandson of Jan de Voss, a burgomaster at Hand-
schooten, in Flanders, about 1550. He^narried in Am-
sterdam, Cornelia Claassen, of Hamburg, and came to
.Pennsylvania with four daughters after 1687. He died
August 23d, 1737, and is buried at Skippack. Martin
Kolb had seven children, five daughters and two sons —
Dielman and Isaac.
Dielman married Wilhelmina Rittenhouse, a first cousin
(344)
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BIOGRAPHY OF THE KOLBS IN AMERICA. 345
of David Rittenhouse, the astronomer, and daughter of
Henry Rittenhouse and great-granddaughter of Willem
Rittenhouse, the first Mennonite minister and Bishop in
Germantown, also the first in America. Dielman had
eight children, as follows: Esflier, married to Samuel
Funk; Magdalena, married to Isaac Cassel, minister;
Wilhelmina, married to Dirk Keyser; Henry, married to
Esther Metz; Daniel, married to Elizabeth Funk; Mat-
thias, married to Anna Funk; Martin, died single; Isaac,
moved to Maryland^ and married Kiser. Their
descendants are now numerous in Chester, Montgomery
and Philadelphia Counties, also in Maryland.
Jacob Kolb, born May 2ist, 1685, married to Sarah
Van Sintern (a sister to Magdalena, Martin's wife), May
2d, 1710, in the presence of the full congregation, in the
Mennonite church at Germantown, by Dirk Keyser.
They had nine children, six daughters and three sons —
Isaac, Henrich and Dielman.
Isaac was generally called *' der grosse Isaac," or " der
sehr Starke Mann."
Henrich, the second son of Jacob, married Elizabeth
Cassel, May loth, 1744. Their first son, Jacob, born
March 2d, 174S, was the grandfather of Henry Kplb, at
the Branch Creek, in Upper Salford, Montgomery County,
now deacon (Vorsteher) in the Salford Mennonite con-
gregation. Their fourth son, Yelles, was the father of
Joseph Kolb. Their sixth son, Isaac, lived at North
Wales, and was the father-in-law of Hubert Cassel and
grandfether of big Jesse Cassel, of Franconia, and Isaac
Cassel, at Kulpsville.
It appears by examining records and dates, that Isaac
had a son named Isaac, or Isaac the younger, who died in
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346 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
1862, at the great age of eighty-two years, and was the
father of several children, now landholders in that vicinity
His wife was a Miss Hoxworth, sister of the wife of Benja-
min Hancock, of Norristown, father of General Hancock.
This is how the present Kulp family is related to that
distinguished commander, General Winfield Scott Han-
cock, late Democratic candidate for President
A number of the Kulps are yet living in Gwynedd.
John B. Kulp, who died several years ago, and his sister,
Mary B. Kulp, are both buried at.Germantown, in the
Mennonite graveyard. Their parents are also buried
there. John B. Kulp provided in his will that " five hun-
dred dollars" should be paid, clear of all taxes and other
charges, to the Society of Mennonites at Germantown in
trust, to be invested forever, and the interest to be used
to keep in repair and in order the graves of his and his
late father and brother. His estate was settled April ist,
1885, by Algernon S. Jenkins, executor, and the money
paid over to Daniel K. Cassel, Treasurer of the Board of
Trustees of the Society of Mennonites at Germantown,
and by him invested in real estate on mortgage, in trust
for the Society.
Jacob Kolb the first, Martin's brother, lived in Skip-
pack. An obituary notice of him says : " On the 4th in-
stant (October, 1739) Jacob Kolb, of Skippack, as he
was pressing cider, the beam of the press fell on one side
of his head and shoulder, and wounded him so that he
languished about half an hour, and then died, to the ex-
ceeding grief of his relatives and family, who are numer-
ous, and concern of his friends and neighbors, among
whom he lived many years in great esteem ; aged fifty-five
years.*' "*
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* BIOGRAPHY OF THE KOLBS IN AMERICA. 347
Of Johannes Kolb, a brother of Martin, we have no re-
liable records.
Henry Kolb came to America with his brothers, Mar-
tin and Jacob. He died in 1730, leaving a family of seven
children, three sons and four daughters, viz. : Peter Kulp,
David Kulp, Tielman Kulp, Mary Karsdorp, Dorithy
Gotshalk, Annie Swarts and Agnes Kulp. Peter died in
1748. Jacob was the eldest son of Peter, born March
7th, 1740; he died June 28th, 18 18, aged 78 years. His
bones lie away in the Mennonite churchyard, at Kulps-
ville, Montgomery County, Pa. His marriage certificate,
dated November 6th, 1766, states that he was a resident
of Whitepain Township, County of Philadelphia, in the
Province of Pennsylvania, It is in the possession of
George B. Kulp, member of the Bar of Wilkesbarre, Lu-
zerne County, Pa., and is a remarkably well-preserved
document, which is historically interesting, and com-
mences as follows :
** Whereas, Jacob Kulp, of the Township of Whitepain,
in the County of Philadelphia, in the Province of Penn-
sylvania, and Mary Cleamans, daughter of Abraham
Cleamans, of Lower Salford, in the County and Province
aforesaid, having published their intentions of marriage
with each other, according to law in that case provided,"
etc., with thirteen names attached as witnesses, some written
in German.
The above-named Jacob Kulp had three sons and five
daughters, viz. : Abraham, Jacob, David, Elizabeth, inter-
married with Lloyd; Catharine, married to Abra-
ham Sellers ; Mary, married to David Reiner (father of
Jacob K. Reiner, minister of the Dunkards or Brethren) ;
Susanna, married to Christian Stover, and Nancy, mar-
ried to John Snare.
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348 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Abraham Kulp, the eldest son of Jacob, was bom July
19th, 1 770. His first wife, the grandmother of Greorge B.
Kulp, was Barbara Sellers. His second wife was Eliza-
beth, daughter of Daniel Wampole. Abraham died Feb-
ruary nth, 1847, near Linden, Lycoming County, Pa.
His only son by his first wife is Elder Jacob S. Kulp, of
Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, Ky.
David C. Kulp, a brother ot Abraham, was one of the
most prominent and distinguished men of his native
County of Montgomery. He was a Justice of the Peace
in the County named for over forty years, and also held
the positions of Treasurer, Auditor, Commissioner and
other County offices, all acceptably to the people he
served.
Dielman Kolb, a brother of Martin, came from Man-
heim, where he attended as a preacher to the Mennonite
congregation, " making himself most valuable by receiv-
ing and lodging his fellow-believers who had to flee from
Switzerland," as appears from a letter dated August 27th,
1 7 10. He settled himself in Salford, now Montgomery
County, where he purchased at different times about 500
acres of land. He married widow Snavely, and had by
her one daughter named Elizabeth, who was afterwards
married to Andrew Ziegler, son of Michael Ziegler a
Mennonite minister at Skippack.
Dielman Kolb appears to have been prominent in the
affairs of the Mennonite Church. He was very intimate
with Henry Funk, also a minister and Bishop of the Men-
nonite feith. It was through the perseverance and zeal
of those two men that the Mennonite congregation in
Salford was organized in 1738. Dielman Kqlb and
Heinrich Funk were appointed a committee by the Men-
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BIOGRAPHY OF THE KOLBS IN AMERICA. ' 349
nonites to arrange and supervise the translation of the
Martyrs' Mirror from the Dutch to the German language.
It was through the influence of Dielman Kolb that
Christopher Dock was induced to wrjte his method of
keeping school, which was afterwards printed by Christo-
pher Saur.
On th^Sth of July, 1748, Dielman Kolb made his last
will and testament, in writing, and he must have lived
nine years after that, for his will was not proved before
April 30th, 1757. His witnesses were Robert Jones,
Martin Kolb and Jacob Kolb; his executors were his
widow, Elizabeth Kolb, and his son-in-law, Andrew
Ziegler.
The Kolbs, as already stated, were among the leaders
of the Mennonite Church. All the Kolbs or Kulps of
the older time lent their efforts to good works, and from
the earliest settlement of the Grermans in Pennsylvania to
the present time there has been a large number of Men-
nonite preachers of the name of Kulp, particularly in the
Counties of Bucks and Montgomery^ in this State.
Jacob Kolb, Martin's brother, had a son Heinrich, born
September 26th, 1721, who was married to Elizabeth
Cassel, May loth, 1744.
From Jacob Kolb's family Bible, which he bought Feb-
ruary 28th, 1728, we have the foltewing:
Mother died February 7t^, 1705.
Father Dielman Kolb died October 13th, 171 2.
Mother-in-law Neltgan Van Sintem died May 29th,
1735.
My father-in-law, Isaac Van.Sintern, died August 23d,
1737.
Jacob Kolb born May 21st, 1685, died at the age of 54
years, 4 months, 1 3 days.
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350 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
My wife was bom January 6th, 1690, died at the age
of 76 years 2 months 15 or 16 days.
Isaac Kolb, a son of Dielman and Wilhelmina Kolb, as
stated above, moved to Maryland, in the vicinity of Fred-
erick City, and married a Miss Kiser, by whom he had
three sons, named David, Samuel and Matthias, and two
daughters; tlieir Christian names I could not obtain.
One married Isaac Meach, the other Samuel Franer —
both Pennsylvanians. Isaac died August 30th, 1828, and
is buried in the burying-ground near Utica Mills, in
Frederick County, Maryland. Both daughters moved
West and died there, and we have no accounts or record.
David Kolb was born in 1793; died in 1862 ; was mar-
ried to Elizabeth Caston, of Pennsylvania, June 13th,
181 3 ; she died about 1826.
His children by the first wife were: David Ritten-
house Kolb, John Wesley Kolb, Samuel Kolb, Susan
Kolb, Catharine Kolb.
By the second wife, Magdalena Staup: George W.
Kolb, James T. Kolb, Martin L. Kolb, Charles Kolb,
Isaac Kolb, Ann *Kolb, Elenora Kolb.
John Wesley Kolb, a son of David, married Eliza
Hitchew, March 14th, 1847. Their children were: John
Dkvid Kolb, Oliver Grason Kolb, Calvin Wesley Kolb,
Laura Virginia Kolb, Mars Alice Kolb, Susan Elizabeth
Kolb, two of whom are married.
Matthias Kolb's children were: Josiah Kolb, Reuben
Kolb, William Kolb, Michael Kolb, Mary Ann Kolb.
Samuel Kolb, son of Isaac, died single, in the State
of Ohio.
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Cassel Family in America.
YiLLis Kassel came to Pennsylvania in the year 1727,
and was a preacher at Skippack and one of the represen-
tative men of the Church. His father, Yillis Kassel, was
also a Mennonite preacher at Kriesheim in 1665, and
wrote a confession of faith and a number of MS. poems,
which are now in the possession of his descendant,
Abraham H. Cassel, of Harleysville, the noted antiquary;
They describe very vividly the horrible condition of the
Rhine country at that time, and the sufferings of the
people of his faith. The composition was frequently
interrupted by such entries as these : "And now we must
flee again to Worms." " In Kriesheim, to which we have
again come home."
From one of them is extracted the followirig:^
<*DeDD es ist bekannt und offenbar,
• Was Jammer, Elend und Gefahr
Gewesen ist umher im Land.
Mit Rauben, PlUndeni, Mord and Brand,
Manch Mensch gebracht in Angst und Noth,
Gesch&ndeliert auch bis zum Tod.
Zerschlagen, verhauen manch schdnes Haus,
Vielen Leuten die Kleider gezogen aus ;
Getreid und Vieh hinweggefUhrt,
Viel Jammer and Klag bat man gehdrt."
A copy of the first German edition of Menno Simons*
Foundation (1575), which belonged to the younger Yillis,
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352 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
and is, so £ir as known, the only copy in America, is now
in the library of Abraham H. Cassel.
Yillis Kassel was bom before 1618 and died after 1681.
Johannes Kassel, a weaver, with Mary, his wife, and
five children, viz. : Arnold, Peter, Elizabeth, Mary and
Sarah, Germans from Kriesheim, came over by way of
London in the ship Jeffries, and landed at Philadelphia
on the 20th of November, 1686, and died April 17th,
1 69 1. His son, Arnold, married Susannah Delaplaine
in 1693, 9th day of April. She was the daughter of Nico-
laes Delaplaine.* Arnold was Recorder in Germantown
during 1692 and 1693. There is a number of old deeds
in existence in Germantown with Arnold KasseFs name
as Recorder, and his brother, Peter Kassel, was "Aus-
rufer" (town-crier) in 1695 and 1696. Arnold had eight
children, five sons and three daughters : Johannes, Daniel
(died young), Arnold, Jr., Nicholas, Daniel, Veronica,
Susannah and Elizabeth.
Hupert Cassel, a weaver by trade, then a single young
man, emigrated to this country about the year 17 15 or
1720 from the Palatinate. On his arrival in America he
stopped at Germantown, and during his stay there he
hired his services to different individuals both as a hus-
bandman and weaver, until he became acquainted with a
Dutch girl (a native of Holland), whose Christian name
was Psyche, with whom he afterwards joined in the holy
bonds of matrimony. The above-named Hupert Cassel
occupied afterwards about one hundred and fifty acres
of land in what is now Skippack, Montgomery County,
Pa., which he bought from Dirk Renberg on the i6th
* See Notes of Walter Cresson.
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CASSEL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 353
day of November, 1725, which was constantly occupied
by his descendants until the year 1855, a period of about
one hundred and thirty years. The last occupant of the
Cassels was Samuel, son of Henry Cassel, who died
without issue.
On October i6th, 1727, Illes or Yelles, and Johannes
Cassel, brothers of the aforesaid Hupert, arrived. Yelles
and Johannes then lived with Hupert, who received them
with kindness. Johannes soon afterward moved to Lan-
caster. The above-named Yelles was a noted preacher
among the Mennonites in Skippack. The father of this
Yelles, John and Hupert was also named Yelles. He
was a very pious • and talented man and a pretty good
poet, as numerous pieces, in the possesion of Abraham
H. Cassel, the antiquarian at Harleysville, will testify.
He appears to have been the brother of the above-named
Johannes Cassel, which will make him our ancestor's
(Hupert Cassel's) uncle, as above stated, and accounts for
the perpetuation of the name, but he was very sickly,
and died in Germany just about the time that Johannes
emigrated.
The above-named Hupert Cassel had five children,
viz. : Yelles ; Abraham, married Catharine Oberholzer (?);
Magdalena, married Nicholas Halteman, no issue;.
Henry, died single, 1807 ; Mary, no record.
Yelles CasseP had six children, viz. : Hupert, grand-
father of A. H. Cassel, of Harleysville, married Magda-
lena Jantz, daughter of Nicholas Jantz, or Claes Jansen ;
Barbara, married Isaac Wisler ; Christian, married Susie
Henrich ; Henry ; Elizabeth, married a Benner (not pos-
itive) ; Abraham,^ married Feige Grimly.
Abraham^ had five children, as follows ; Jacob,^ married
23
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354 HISTORV OF THE MENNONITES.
Susanna Clemens; Catharine, married Abraham Haas;
Elizabeth, married John Reiff (no issue) ; Mary, married
Jacob Kline ; Magdalena, married Henry Musselman.
Jacob Cassel,*son of Abraham Cassel, married Susanna
Clemens, daughter of Abraham Clemens and Catharine
(Bachman) his wife, and granddaughter of Gerhard
Clemens, who arrived in America and settled in the
neighborhood of the present village of Lederachsville
prior to 171 2.
Jacob Cassel* and Susanna had seven children, viz. :
Abraham, born March 15th, 1782, married Polly Bean;
Catharine, born March nth, 1784, married Jacob Bergey;
Elizabeth, born February 22d, 1786, married Abraham
Kratz; Mary, born October 17th, 1789, married Samuel
Bergey*; Jacob,* born July 5th, 1792, married Wilhelmina
Kulp ; John, born November i8th, 1794, married Sallie
Bean; Susanna, born September nth, 1799, married
Daniel Pennypacker.
Jacob Cassel* had four children, viz.: Daniel,* bom
April 22d, 1820, married Elizabeth Kulp; Abraham,
born March, 20th, 1822, married Mary Kulp; Samuel,
born July 20th, 1826, married Elisabeth Hendricks;
Jacob, M.D., bom November 13th, 1834, married Kate
Weeks ; Daniel,* author of this work.
There was also a Heinrich Cassel, who was of con-
siderable note in Germany, who with some of the other
Cassels first worshiped with the Quakers, because they
had.no church or congregation, but in 1708 he identified
himself with the Mennonites again. He was also of the
same family as Johannes and Yelles, Sr.
Hupert Cassel (probably a son of Yelles Cassel and
brother of Abraham Cassel, as the records appear), a
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CASSEL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 355
joiner by trade, bought a tract of land containing about
one hundred and six acres in Hilltown Township, Bucks
County, Pa., in 1 75 8. He was married to Susanna
Schwartz, a sister of Abraham Schwartz, who was the
first Mennonite minister at Deep Run, Bucks County,
Pa. It appears that Hupert Cassel had two brothers liv-
ing in Skippack, Montgomery County, viz.: Abraham
and Isaac.
It further appears that Hupert Cassel had only four
children, viz. : Barbara, married to Dillman Kolb, father of
Bishop Jacob Kolb, of Hatfield Township, Montgomery
County, Pa. ; Molly Cassel was married to Gottschall Gott-
schall, of Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County,
Pa. ; Elizabeth Cassel to Joseph Mangle, and Isaac Cassel
to Catherine Trumbore. Abrah^ Cassel, brother of
Hupert, resided in Skippack, Montgomery County, Pa.
Isaac Cassel, also a brother of Hupert, was a Men-
nonite minister, and officiated in Skippack and German-
town. He was married to Magdalena Kolb, daughter of
Dielman and Wilhelmina Kolb. Their children were
Abraham, Jacob, Susanna and Catharine.
For further information of Johannes Cassel, who settled
at Columbia, Lancaster County, Pa., mentioned in the be-
ginning of this sketch, see Biographical History of Lan-
caster County,
Abraham H. Cassel, the self-taught scholar and noted
antiquarian of Harleysville, Montgomery County, Pa.,
the son of Yelles Cassel and grandson of Hupert Cassel,
of Towamencin Township, Montgomery County, Pa., has
an extensive collection of very rare and valuable books,
pamphlets and Colonial documents, etc., many of which
could not be found elsewhere. Among many other
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356 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
rarities he has about fifty different editions of old Bibles
in their various translations. A number of them are
over three hundred years old, and among them is the
very rare Uralte Deutsche Bibely bearing date 1470-73,
said to have been printed from wooden blocks, mov-
able types not then being in use, leaving blank spaces
for the capitals, which were afterwards inserted with a
pen and red ink. This whole Bible was completed about
ten years before Martin Luther was born, and about fifty
years before he made any attempt at translating it, but
Luther still has the, honor of having given the first (Ger-
man Bible to the world. Mr. Cassel has also a very fine
copy of th^ first edition of King James* English Bible,
printed in the Gothic, or old English black letter, and an
English translation of the ancient Jewish, or Massoretic
Bible, also the Mormon Bible by Joe Smith, the seer,
and the Pentapla or Jive translation Bible, besides al-
most innumerable other matters of interest that cannot
here be mentioned.
According to records it appears that Johannes Cassel,
a brother of Yillis, the preacher at Kriesheim, and uncle
of Hupert Cassel, who came over in 1715, shortly after his
arrival moved to Lancaster County and settled in the
vicinity of Columbia. It also appears that his son,
Abraham, moved to Sporting Hill, then a wilderness.
Here Abraham Cassel the second was born on the 1 8th
of April, 177s; his oldest son, Henry Cassel, was bom
March 12th, 1776. In after years he located at Marietta.
He was one of the leading men of that place, and was
President of the old Marietta Bank. He had three chil-
dren ; the youngest, A. N. Cassel, was a member of the
Legislature in 1838 and 1839, and was afterwards one
of the most honored citizens of Marietta.
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CASSEL FAMILY IN AMERICA. 357
Abraham Cassel, the youngest of these three children,*
owned a farm in Rapho Township, the old homestead.
He was a sound and practical thinker, and served in
several public positions. He had three sons and two
daughters. The oldest son, Dr. John H. Cassel, studied
medicine with Dr. Washington L. Atlee, and afterwards
located at Pittsburgh.
An incident occurred shortly after the arrival of the
Cassels at Germantown, which we find recorded in Harris'
Biographical History of Lancaster, They were members
of the Mennonite church at Germantown, and the in-
cident will show, in a very striking manner, the sim-
plicity of the Church at that tim^ A letter came from
Europe to the Cassels that a large legacy was left them
by the death of a relative, amounting to nearly a million
dollars, and that they should send out and get the
treasure. A Church council was called and the matter
freely discussed, when it was decided by a unanimous
vote not to receive the money, as it would have a ten-
dency to make them proud. Simplicity of manner, plain-
ness of dress, frugality, honesty and economy were some
of the characteristics of this people.
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Gerhard Roosen.
Mennonite Minister of the Hamburg Altona Con-
gregation. Born 1612, died 171K
/
His first ancestor known to us was Kord Roosen, who
lived in Kassembrook, now Prussia, Rhine Province,
before Menno Simons renounced the Catholic faith.
There were many at that time who advocated the doc-
trine of adult baptism, and Kord Roosen was one of
them. It is said that his parents were Waldenses, which
sect was numerous in that province, and in the vicinity
of Koln, in the latter part of the fourteenth century, and
that many families of the Hamburg and Altona Mennonite
congregation were also of Waldens origin. Be that as it
may, Kord Roosen had four children by his first wife,
three sons and one daughter, but we have not the dates
of their birth.
In the year 1 5 3 1 he married his second wife ; her parents
were Catholics. By her he had one son, who was named
Geerlink Roosen, but before this son was born, Kord
Roosen was compelled to choose either to join the
Catholic Church or leave wife and home. He remained
true to his faith, and chose the latter, and fled with his
four children, the two youngest being so young that he
had to carry them the greater part of the way, a distance
of about sixty miles. The whole journey he made on
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GERHARD ROOSEN. 359
foot, and settled in Holstein, in the year 1532, in the
vicinity of Liibeck, and commenced to manufacture
powder. His wife, who was not permitted by her
Catholic parents to accompany him, stayed at home,
against her and his will, but she never forgot him. His
son Geerlink, who was born shortly after his flight, was
nearly grown up when his mother and her parents died.
Young Geerlink Roosen then made up his mind to go
to his father; so he left his home in the year 1554, at the
age of about twenty-two years, but when he arrived he
found that his father had died about six months before
his arrival. But he stayed with his half-brothers and
half-sister, who were all living at a place called Steen-
rade. In 1563 Geerlink Roosen married a Mennonite
widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Van Sintern,
in the vicinity of Meierhofe Holzkamp. Geerlink Roosen
then leased the above-named place and lived there, and
died in the year 161 1. He had five children. The oldest
son remained on the premises, so the place was in the
Roosen name over one hundred years.
Paul Roosen, the youngest son of Geerlink Roosen,
was born in 1582. He Weis a tanner by trade, at Oldes-
loe. He was a Mennonite, and a member in the Fries-
enburg congregation, and in 161 1 he moved to Altona
and continued the tannery business and prospered. He
had a place of his own, and also owned a warehouse in
Hamburg. Altona was not a place of much note until
1 60 1, when the Mennonites and German Reformed
settled there, and started into business, when the place
began to improve, so that in 1604 it was incorporated
into a borough. Paul Roosen must have been a promi-
nent man. He was the first deacon (Vorsteher) in the
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360 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
new Mennonite congregation at Altona; he gave the
congregation the privilege of building a church on his
own ground, which is the same place on which the first
Altona Mennonite preacher, Frangois Noe, built his
house. The Altona Mennonite church still stands on
the same ground.
Gerhard Roosen, son of Paul Roosen, was born on
the 8th day of March, 161 2, between five and six
o'clock in the morning. His mother (Hanchen) Han-
nah was the daughter of Hans Quins, the first Mennonite
in Hamburg who had to flee from Brabant in 1570.
Gerhard Roosen often spoke of his grandmother Eliza-
beth, Geerlink Roosen's widow, who was eighty-nine
years old when she died, and had been personally ac-
quainted with Menno Simons, and frequently heard him
preach. Geerhard Roosen was personally acquainted
with an old minister who moved to Altona from the
Friesenburg congregation, who was ordained as a Bishop
by Menno Simons, and was the third minister in the
Altona congregation.
Paul Roosen, Gerhard's father, died February 27th,
1649, at the age of about sixty-seven years, and Gerhard
was selected a deacon (Vorsteher) in his father's place.
In his forty-ninth year he was called to the ministry, and
on the 15th of April, 1660, he preached his first sermon,
text, Micah6: 8. On the 6th of July, 1663, Gerhard
Roosen was installed a Bishop by Bastiaan Van Weeni-
gen, a Bishop from Rotterdaih, and on the 20th of March,
1664, he held his first baptismal service and baptized
eleven persons, when he selected for his text Matthew
28 : 1 8-20. Eight days later he held his preparatory
sermon and chose for his text i Cor. 5:7; eight days
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GERHARD ROOSEN. - 36 1
after that he administered Holy Communion and preached
from the text i Cor. 1 1 : 23. In his ninetieth year he
signed a letter with three other ministers, namely, Pieter
Van Helle, Jacob Van Kampen and Jean de Lanoi, in-
structing the brethren at Germantown, Pennsylvania, to
ordain Willem Rittenhouse as Bishop of the Germantown
congregation.
Gerhard Roosen died November 20th, 17 1 1, aged 99
years S}^ months. He had the good of the congre-
gation at heart, and therefore recommended Heinrich
Teunis de Jager, who was chosen as preacher in the
Hamburg Altona congregation, July 12th, 171 1, to the
great satisfaction of Gerhard Roosen, as his successor.
In the year 1702, when Gerhard Roosen was in his
ninetieth year, we see, as proof of his fidelity to the
Church, how he had the welfare of the Altona congre-
gation at heart, as he manifested great interest in getting
an honest and God-fearing Christian man as one of his
followers. Such a man he found in Jacob Denner, son
of Balthaser Denner, a Mennonite minister, who died in
Hamburg, December 15th, 168 1, in his fifty-seventh
year.
Jacob Denner wrote a large work called " Denner's
(Predigten) Sermons," containing 1,502 pages, a copy of
which is now in my possession, printed at " Frankenthal
am Rhein " in 1792 j his introduction to it is dated No-
vember, 1730. He was born September 20th, 1659, at
Hamburg. He was chosen a minister of the Altona
congregation, September 29th, 1684, and remained in
Altona till 17 14, when, after the great fire, he lived at
Friedrichstadt ; in 171 5 he moved again to Altona,
where he remained and preached his last sermon, in the •
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362 HISTORY OF THE MENNONlTES.
latter part of 1745, not quite two months before he died,
which was on the 17th of February, 1746, at the age of
86 years 4 months and 22 days. It is believed that he
read the Bible through more than fifty times, besides
reading many of the best theological works he could
procure. — Berend Karl Roosen.
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A Biographical Sketch of the Ritten-
houses.
In Holland they were called Ruddinghuysen, Ritten-
husius and Rittenhausen, finally in this country Ritten-
house.
In 1688 Willem, Wilhelm or William Rittenhouse, his
wife, two sons, Glaus, Klaus or Nicholas and Gerhard,
Gerrit, and a daughter named Elizabeth arrived in Ger-
mantown from New Amsterdam (New York), where they
lived a short time only. Barton, in his History of David
Rittenhouse, S3.y^ he came from Arnheim prior to 1674
and settled in New Amsterdam, which must be an error,
because the following records show that he was yet in
Amsterdam in 1678. He built the first paper-mill in
America in 1690, on a branch of the Wissahickon, in
Roxborough Township, Philadelphia, near Germantown.
He was elected the first Mennonite minister in the Ger-
mantown congregation; afterwards, in 1 701, he was
ordained Bishop in the same congregation. It appears
from a letter in the Mennonite archives in Amsterdam,
that he endeavored to have the Confession of Faith trans-
lated into English and printed by Bradford. He was
born in 1644, and died in 1708, aged sixty-four years.
His daughter Elizabeth married Heivert Papen, who
came from Kriesheim in 1685. He declined to be Bur-
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364 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
gess of the Borough of Germantown in 1701 on account
of conscientious scruples.
On the opposite page is a fac-simile copy of the " Oath
of Citizenship ** of Willem Ruddinghuysen subscribed at
Amsterdam June 23d, 1678, taken from the original copy
printed on parchment now in the possession of Hon.
Horatio Gates Jones, of Roxborough, Philadelphia, to
whom I am greatly indebted for the use of it. It is
printed in the Holland or Dutch language.
Translated into English it reads as follows :
OATH OF CITIZENSHIP.
You do swear that you will be a good and true citizen
of this city, and be subject to the Burgomasters and
rulers, and take part in watches, beats and other protec-
tions and burdens of this city ; and that you will apprize
them of any threatening danger of which you may be in-
formed ; and that you will, by advice and act, further
its welfare to the utmost of your power ; and that you
will perform and omit all that a good citizen should per-
form and omit.
So truly may God Almighty help you,
Willem Ruddinghuysen Van Miilheim, papermaker,
took the above-mentioned oath and paid the citizen fee
to the gentleman of the Treasury.
Done in Amsterdam the 23d day of June, 1678.
J. Geelrinck.
The ^bove document conclusively proves that he was
not a Mennonite at the time, for had such been the case
he most decidedly would not have affirmed such an oath
as the above, but have limited himself to a vow or a
promise. It may be that he joined one of the congrega-
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A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE RITTENHOUSES. 365
tions in Amsterdam later on, or perhaps after he came to
America.
Nicholas Rittenhouse, a son of William, was born June
15th, 1666; married Wilhelminat Dewees,and died in 1734,
aged sixty-eight years. He was also a Mennonite minister
at Germantown, ordained as such shortly after the death
of his father. He had seven children, viz.: William,
Henry and Matthias, Psyche, Mary, Catharine and
Susanna.
William, the first son of Nicholas, had a son named
Nicholas, born in 17 19, who had a son, Martin, born
February 12th, 1747, old style, who had a son, Nicholas,
born July 2d, 1774, who had a son, Nicholas, Jr., born
October 20th, 1806, who is yet living (1887) in Roxbor-
ough, Philadelphia, and in his eighty-first year, a near
neighbor of his esteemed friend, Hon. Horatio Gates
Jones, a Vice-President of the Historical Society of
Pennsylvania, to whom I am indebted for valuable in-
formation.
Gerrit, or Gerhard, had the paper-mill after the death
of his father. Afterward Jacob, a son of Gerhard, owned
the mill.
Henry, the second son of Nicholas, had one daughter
only, and several sons, of whom I have no record. The
daughter, Wilhelmina, born August 5th, 1721, died May
5th, 1 79 1, aged 69 years 9 months, was married to Diel-
man Kolb, who was born March 2d, 17 19, and died Oc-
tober 19th, 1799, aged 80 years 5 months and 6 days.
Both are buried at Skippack Mennonite Church, Mont-
gomery County, Pennsylvania. For their children see
Biography of the Kolbs in America,
Matthias, the third son of Nicholas, was born in 1703;
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366 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
and in 1727 married Elizabeth Williams, the daughter of
a native of Wales. Matthias was the father of David
Rittenhouse, the philosopher, who was born April 8th,
1732, and on February 20th, 1766, married Eleanor
Colston. She died December, 1 770, and in December,
1772, he married Hannah Jacobs, his second wife. He
died June 26th, 1796, aged 64 years 2 months and 18
days. Among Matthias' three elder children, David was
the eldest who survived the age of infancy. The house
in which David Rittenhouse was born is still standing
(1887), right back of the Rittenhouse Baptist Chapel. It
was built in 1707, as appears from the date-stone in the
gable end.
A monument of granite, about twelve feet high, was
erected to his memory a few years ago in the court-
house yard at Norristown, Montgomery County, Penn-
sylvania.
In 175 1, Thomas Barton, of Lancaster County, Penn-
sylvania, an alumnus of Trinity College, Dublin, who
afterwards married the sister of David Rittenhouse, and
became a Professor in the University of Pennsylvania,
supplied him with books, and taught him Latin and
Greek.
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Emigration of the Stauffers to America.
The original " Vaterland " of the Stauffers was Switzer-
land. According to tradition they owe their origin to a
generation of Knights called Stauffacher, at Hoen-
stauffen, who, at the time of the freeing of Switzerland
by William Tell, were wealthy farmers and rendered
great assistance. Definite information only is given as
far back as Hans Stauffer, son of Daniel Stauffer. Hans
was married in Switzerland in the year 1685, to a widow
named Kinget Heistand (who was first married to Michael
Risser). He was a Mennonite, and was driven out of
Switzerland shortly after his marriage by the followers of
Zwingli, on account of his religious faith. He fled to
the Palatinate and had to leave his father behind.
On November 5th, 1709, he started with his family on
his great journey, by way of London, to America. After
many hindrances on his journey he landed in London
on the 20th of January, 17 10. Further we have no
record, except that they had a stormy passage. They
landed in America in the Spring of the same year, and
settled in the vicinity of Valley Forge, in Chester County,
Pennsylvania. His family consisted of eight persons:
hiriiself and wife, three sons, Jacob thirteen, Daniel
twelve and Henry nine years old ; and one daughter,
Elizabeth, who was married to Paul Friedt, and one child,
Maria. The sons afterwards bought large tracts of land
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368 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
in the vicinity of Colebrookdale, Berks County, Pennsyl-
vania, which was at that time almost a wilderness.
The Stauffer descendants multiplied fast, so that they
are at present numerous in the counties of Bucks, Mont-
gomery, Berks, Lehigh, Chester, York and Lancaster,
also in the West and Canada. It is remarkable that the
majority of them remained true to the Mennonite Church,
to which their fathers belonged, and as far as this world
is concerned, the majority of them are in moderate cir-
cumstances. The writer of this article wishes that he
might be furnished with all possible information in re-
gard to their immigration.
Milford Square, Pa. J. G. Stauffer.
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Custom of Baptism in the Early Centuries.
Benjamin Eby, a prominent Mennonite minister and
Bishop at Berlin, Waterloo County, Canada, in his History
of the MennonitcSy published by Henry Eby, in 1841,
writes about the Second Commandment as follows :
Christ said, " Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,*'
and also commanded His disciples, Matt. 28 : 19, as
follows : "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptiz-
ing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost/' The above commandment was
closely observed by the Apostles and their followers ; they
held strictly to the teachings and doctrines of Christ.
They taught that taking up the sword against their fellow-
men in times of war, and swearing an oath, were not in ac-
cordance with the doctrine of the New Testament or the
teachings of our Saviour ; neither would they baptize any
person before they had been instructed in the doctrine of
Christ, and then baptized them upon their own confession
of faith.
Many Jews and heathens were converted and adopted
Christ through the preaching of the Gospel by the
Apostles, and were organized as a congregation at An-
tioch, where they were first called Christians, Acts 1 1 : 26.
The evangelical doctrine of Christ was extensively spread
throughout Asia, Africa and Europe, notwithstanding
the severe persecutions they had to endure on account
of their teachings, and though many were put to death,
24 (369)
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370 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Still they prospered and increased in numbers, as the
blooming roses among the thorns.
Through the first two hundred years we do not find,
through any reliable history or any records, that any of
the Christians deviated fi*om the true doctrine of Christ.
But in the third century men appeared who commenced
to advocate infant baptism, but it was accepted only
by a few. The ingenious and renowned Tertulianus,
about the year 204, remonstrated in strong terms against
baptizing too young, and strongly advocated the order
of baptism according to the doctrine of Christ. But it
was impossible for the pious and zealous teacher at that
time to keep the Christians as St. Paul says, i Cor. i : 10,
all of one mind.
In the time of Cypriani, about the year 250, in a Council
held at Carthage, it was resolved that young children
should be baptized, but it was not generally observed, and
many Christians held that faith should precede baptism,
and therefore baptized only adults upon their own con-
fession of faith. They also denied the swearing of an
oath, also the taking up the sword against the enemy;
but the hatred of their opponents steadily increased, so
that at a Council held at Rome, in the year 470, it was
resolved and an edict issued to anathematize and put in
the ban and treat as heretics those who would not
baptize infants.
This was a terrible edict, but the old Christians could
not be persuaded to deny Jesus, and to abandon His doc-
trine and seek the friendship and favors of this world, but
preferred to follow the will of God and His intentions as
harmless sheep, to subject themselves rather to suffer as
martyrs, and in consequence many have sealed their con-
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BAPTISM IN THE EARLY CENTURIES. 37 1
fession with their blood. For more than sixteen hundred
years were the harmless defenders of adult baptism kept
in fear by persecution, through imprisonment, and many
other kinds of cruel punishment, by fire, sword, hunger
and drowning ; nevertheless, there have been, through
many centuries, even from the time of the Apostles, many
Christians who advocated adult baptism and preached
the true doctrine of Christ, notwithstanding the severe
persecutions they had to endure.
The year 1160 is remembered at all times and men-
tioned with joy, by many devout and v/ell-meaning
Christians at that time, and principally a short time after-
wards, when the true doctrine of God's Word lifted its head
with joy and flourished in glory. The doctrine against
infant baptism, and against swearing an oath, and against
carrying on war, was preached and defended openly and
without fear. The beginning of this liberty or freedorti of
speech was made through Peter Waldus, at'Lyons, which
was afterwards carried out by his successors, as the follow-
ing will show.
T. J. Van Braght, in his Martyrs' Mirror^ Part I, p.
217, etc., writes as follows :
About the year 1160 several prominent citizens were
assembled together at Lyons, in France, conversing
together about matters and things occurring at that time,
and it happened that one of them fell down suddenly and
died. Over this terrible occurrence and example of the
mortality of man, Peter Waldus, a very rich merchant,
who happened to be among them, was so terrified at this
occurrence that he took it to heart and resolved (and
through the motive of the Holy Ghost) to repent and
live in the fear of the Lord, He commenced with his
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372 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
own household and his friends, as they assembled at con-
venient times, to exhort and admonish them in piety and
godliness. As he had done much good to the poor for
some time, the people began to assemble more frequently.
From time to time he began to preach the Holy Scripture
to them in the French language. He remained strictly
in the doctrine and teachings of Christ and the Apostles,
and endeavored to imitate the customs and teachings of
the first Christians.
His confession of faith corresponded with that of the
(Taufgesinnten) adult-baptism Christians. He advocated
the baptism of adults only, and against swearing an oath,
and against taking up the sword to carry on war. His
followers were called Waldenses, Albigenses, Poor of
J^yons, etc., and afterwards were called by various other
names according to the names of places where they lived,
or the names of the preachers they had.
Peter Waldus' doctrine met with great approval in
France and Italy, but then persecution commenced again
and they met with much opposition ; many were banished
from the country, others suffered martyrdom in various
ways, many others fled in large numbers into various
other countries. Their departure from Lyons, their
flight to strange countries and towns, their innocent and
patient sufferings, their firmness until death, and all this
without any resistance, revenge or self-defence, is ample
proof of their faith and the spirit which guided them.
Sebastian Frank divides the Waldenses in three parties.
First, those who accepted Peter Waldus as their teacher
and followed his teachings, says he, hold in all things
with the Taufgesinnten (adult-baptism Christians), because
they do not baptize infants, they do not swear an oath,
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BAPTISM IN THE EARLY CENTURIES. 3/3
in any form, they believe that it is not proper for a
Christian to do so ; they suffer no beggars among them,
but assist each other in a brotherly way; they lead a
Christian and unspotted life, etc. These are true Wal-
denses, whose name at the same time agrees with their
deeds, as well in their faith as in their conduct, showing
that they are Christians indeed, which is the topic of our
sketck.
The second party are those who deviated from the
teachings and doctrines of their leader, and accepted
and followed other doctrines, but still call themselves
Waldenses.
The third party was improperly called Waldenses, or
Albigenses, because they suffered or allowed a few of
the Waldenses to live among them and protected them.
T. J. Van Braght, Vol. I, p. 220, says that Jacob
Mehrning in his book remarked by what name the harm-
less Christians were first designated. With us as Germans,
he says, they are, with contempt, called Anabaptists, but
in the Netherlands they are called Mennonites, after
Menno Simons, one of their most influential teachers,
but their proper and true name is and properly should
be. Christians, or Christian-baptists, because, according to
the order and command of our Saviour, they baptized none
but those who, according to Christ's command, confess
Christ and His Holy Gospel and believe on Him, and
upon such confession they are baptized in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Among the Waldenses, or Taufgesinnten Christians,
arose Hans Koch and Leonhard Meister, two excellent
and educated men, who have done much towards spread-
ing the doctrine of their people, but on that account they
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374 HISTORY OP THE MENNONITES.
were imprisoned at Augsburg, in tiie year 1524, and suf-
fered martyrdom. Besides them, there were several
others who gave evidence of the truth of the teachings
of the above, who acted as instruments in getting ready
for the ^reat work of the Reformation, namely, Felix
Mantz, who at the same time was instrumental in bring-
ing about a better condition in religious matters of faith
in Germany, but was eventually drowned at Zurich, in
the year 1526, by the enemies of their doctrine ; also the
highly learned and firm Michael Sattler, who was im-
prisoned at Horb, in Germany, in the year 1.527, and tor-
tured, and torn to pieces, and afterwards burnt
Leonhard Kaiser (S. W. Pennypacker, in his Biograph-
ical Sketches, p. 41, mentions him as the ancestor of
Dirk Keyser, who came to Germantown in 1688, 3d
day, 3d month, a silk merchant and a Mennonite), an
eloquent and zealous preacher at Scharding, in Bavaria,
who was sentenced to be burnt in 1527, was tied on a
ladder and with it was pushed into a great fire to bum
him to ashes ; after the wood was all burnt, he was taken
out unharmed. Wood was gathered a second time, and
a great fire was built, and he was pushed in sigain ; after
the wood was all burned the second time, he was found
among the ashes smooth and clear, unharmed. Then
they cut him into pieces, threw them into the fire, but
they could not burn them. Then at last they threw
them into the River Inn. This was a miracle of "God,
and should have served those bloodthirsty people as a
warning.
Thomas Herrman, a zealous and devout preacher of
the Gospel, was taken a prisoner in the year 1527, at
Kitzpil, and was tortured and sentenced to be burned.
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BAPTISM IN THE EARLY CENTURIES. 375
but his heart they could not burn ; at last they threw it
into the lake which was close by.
Leonard Schoener, a defender of the doctrine of Christ,
was burned to ashes at Rotenburg, in the year 1528.
George Blaurock, who spread the Gospel truth in
Switzerland, also traveled to Tyrol, to carry out the
duties of his calling and to preach the Gospel there,
was taken a prisoner there in the vicinity of Clausen, in
the year 1 529, and was burned at the stake.
All these and many others taught that, first, the swear-
ing an oath was not in accordance with the New Testa-
ment and doctrine of Christ, and therefore not allowed.
Second, they believe that taking up the sword to carry
on war is contrary to the doctrine of Christ, therefore it
cannot be sanctioned. Third, that infant baptism has no
foundation in the New Testament.
The above is evidence that the doctrine of the (Tauf-
gesinnten) adult-baptism Christians has been preached
at all times among nations, and was believed and car-
ried out, whose authors, since their existence, had many
names, whose confession and the devout conduct they
followed could be recognized as the true Church of
Christ.
According to the following evidence it is clear that the
(Taufgesinnten ) adult-baptism Christians, Waldenses
and Mennonites were in close similarity with that of the
first Christians. T. Jan Van Braght, Part I, page 95,
states that from the time of Sylvester, about the year 315,
the doctrine which has been preached and defended by
the (Taufgesinnten) adult-baptism Christians and Wal-
denses has been preached and sanctioned by an innumer-
able multitude of people, and was at that time preached
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376 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
and sanctioned — ^yea, the same churches that existed in
the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and following centuries
were called Waldenses, Albigenses, and lastly Mennonites,
or (Taufgesinnten) adult-baptism Christians^ who had
also existed a long time before.
A certain celebrated author in the Romish Church
made the following complaint in his book : " That the
above-mentioned Christians at all times had many sects
among them, but among all that ever existed, none were
more dangerous to the Romish Church than the Wal-
denses, or (Taufgesinnten) adult-baptism Christians, be-
cause they had been in existence at so early a period,
even at the time of Sylvester, yea, others will date them
back in the time of the Apostles."
Jacob Mehrning writes about the above-mentioned peo-
ple, in his book, the following: " This is by no means a
new sect, that became popular through the revivals of
Peter Waldus ; it is a well-known fact that Papist writers
themselves acknowledge that they already existed at the
time of Pope Sylvester — ^yea, long before him, even at
the time of the Apostles."
He also writes again that Flaccius made mention of the
same, which he took out of an old book written by a
Papist, stating " that the above- mentioned sects existed
at the time of Sylvester, yea, at the time of the Apostles,
and that Thuanus does mention of those people and says
they existed through many centuries back."
T. Jan Van Braght, Part I, p. 120, makes mention of a
controversy between the Inquisitor of Leuwarden and Ja-
ques d'Auchy,a martyr. The Inquisitor based his remarks
on the Edict of Caesar, and said : " It is already twelve
or thirteen hundred years since Caesar Theodosius issued
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BAPTISM IN THE EARLY CENTURIES. 37/
an edict that all heretics should be killed, namely, those
who at that time had been re-baptized, even as your sect,
being, the Inquisitor said, that they were re-baptized."
" Even as your sect," he gives to understand, or acknowl-
edges that such people as Jaques d'Auchy was, and
those (Taufgesinnten) adult-baptism Christians, who, at
the same time, namely, in the year 1558, left their lives
for the same doctrine as those against whom the Edict
had been issuecj twelve or thirteen hundred years ago.
T. Jan Van Braght, Part I, p. 293, gives a remarkable
history of the Oriental Christians previous to the year
1 540, and says 1 " Likewise have we information that
there are yet at this time Christians at Thessalonica, who,
. in all religious points, agree with the Mennonites, two of
them lived yet at the time of our forefathers (written in
1 540), with the brethren at Moravia, afterwards in the
Netherlands among the Mennonites and communed with
them. They explicitly stated that those at Thessalonica
had in their possession, in their archives, two epistles
written by St. Paul's own hand, in perfect preservation.
There are even yet many of their brethren in Greece and
other Oriental countries, scattered here and there, who,
from the beginning of the Apostles, have held on to the
ancient custom of adult baptism, to the present time ; so
it seems God has preserved His own through all times to
the present."
About the year 1536, the highly educated and enlight-
ened Menno Simons, that great Reformer, left the Cath-
olic priesthood and adopted the principles of the Wal-
denses, and commenced to preach for them. From that
time they were called Mennonites.
The following is from Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, D.D.,
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378 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
Dean of Westminster, Episcopal, entitled, "Christian In-
stitutions ; or, Essays on Ecclesiastical Subjects," pp. 23
and 24 : " In the Apostolic age, and in the three cen-
turies which followed, it is evident that, as a general rule,
those who came to baptism, came in full age, of their
own deliberate choice. We find a few cases of the bap-
tism of children ; in the third century we find one case of
the baptism of infants. Even amongst Christian house-
holds the instances of Chrysostom, Gregory, Nazianzen,
Basil, Ephrem of Edessa, Augustine, Ambrose are de-
cisive proofs that it was not only not obligatory, but not
usual. All these distinguished personages had Christian
parents, and yet were not baptized till they reached ma-
turity. The old liturgical service of baptism was framed
for full-grown converts, and is only by considerable
adaptation applied to the case of infants. Gradually the
practice of baptizing infants spread, and after the fifth
century the whole Christian world. East and West,
Catholic and Protestant, Episcopal and Presbyterian
(with the single exception of the sect of the Baptists
before mentioned) * have adopted it. Whereas, in the
early ages, adult baptism was the rule, and infant baptism
the exception ; in later times infant baptism is the rule,
and adult baptism the exception."
Also, on page 27, he says further : " It declares that
in every child of Adam, whilst' there is much evil, there
is more good ; whilst there is much which needs to be
purified and elevated, there is much also which in itself
* AH denominations who rejected infant baptism and only baptized adults,
were called Baptists, or Anabaptists. By the Catholics they were called
heretics, and those who lefused to recognize the state church were called
sects.
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BAPTISM IN THE EARLY CENTURIES. 379
shows a capacity for purity and virtue. In those little
children of Galilee, all unbaptized as they were, not yet
even within the reach of a Christian family, Jesus Christ
saw the likeness of the kingdom of heaven ; merely be-
cause they were little children, merely because they
were innocent human beings. He saw in them the
objects, not of Divine malediction, but of Divine bene-
diction. Lord Palmerston was once severely attacked
for having said, ' Children are born good.' But he, in
fact, only said what Chrysostom had said before him,
and Chrysostom said only what in the Grospel had been
already said of the natural state of the unbaptized Galilean
children, * Of such is the kingdom of Heaven.* '*
As authority for the above article, I will give the fol-
lowing :
"The well-known Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, D.D.,
LL.D., Dean of Westminster, and member of the English
New Testament Company of Revisers, born December
13th, 18 1 5, was a favorite student of Dr. Arnold, at
Rugby ; distinguished himself as a student in the pre-
paratory school and in the University College, where he
graduated in 1838, and where he subsequently taught
and held many honorable offices. He became Chaplain
to Prince Albert in 1854; to Queen Victoria and the
Prince. of Wales in 1862 ; became Dean of Westminster,
January, 1864. He made a tour of the East, accompany-
ing the Prince of Wales, in 1862. He has been one of
the most prominent men of the English Church for many
years. He married Lady Augusta Bruce, the Queen's
most intimate friend, in 1862. His works are of immense
value, and altogether he was one of England's most
scholarly men. He died July i8th, 1881."
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380 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
The question whether the proper mode of baptism is
by sprinkling or immersion was, with Menno Simons,
like all other Baptists of the sixteenth century, entirely
strange. Morgan Edwards, D. Benedict, J. N. Brown
and other American writers refer to two claims in Men-
no's writings, where immersion is said to be given as the
proper mode of baptism, but the citations are errors, as
the passages do not appear in Menno's explanation of
Christian baptism, where they are said to appear, nor in
any other of Menno's writings.
The best biography of Menno is, *' Het leven en de
verrichtingen van Menno Symons." **The life and do-
ings of Menno Simons, by A. M. Cramer, Amsterdam,
1837," afterwards translated into English, and from the
English into German, by J. N. Brown, and published by
the American Baptist Publication Society of Philadelphia,
1854. — American Conversations Lexicon^ ]\x\y i6th, 1872,
p. 203.
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Munsterites not Connected with
Mennonites.
In a book printed by Henry Eby, in Berlin, Canada,
in the year 1846, entitled " Christian Duty," and " Con
fession of Faith of the Mennonites," with an Appendix
on non-resistant Christians, we read the following, p.
187 : " Herewith this report might be closed, if our ex-
perience had not taught us how many people, through
ignorance and not being properly acquainted with us, or
for want of (to our sorrow and without cause) love con-
tinued to trouble and molest us with scandalous remarks
about the riots and riotous enthusiasm of Thomas Miin-
'zer and his associates, who, about the time of the Ref-
ormation, or shortly afterwards, came into existence.
After so many prosperous congregations of defenceless
Christians already existed in many localities who held
meetings, public as well as private (on account of the
severe persecutions), and after so many excellent and
enlightened men had been persecuted, tormented and put
to death on account of their non-resistant doctrine and
belief, then finally the Miinster riots started, in the year
1533, not by the Mennonites, as their enemies would
charge them ; neither were they supported, assisted or
even recognized by the Mennonites.* The Miinster riots
* When the Miinster riots occurred and the battles at Mtinster were
fought, in 1533 and 1535, Menno Simons was yet a Catholic priest in Wit-
marsum, his birthplace. He left Popery January 12th, 1536, one ^ear after
the battle at Miinster was fought. — B. Karl Roosen, p. 24, at Hamburg,
Altona,
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382 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
were supported and carried on by men who left the dark-
ness of Popery, and saw a glimmer of light, yet inex-
perienced. They, with Johann Von Leiden,* through
several Lutheran ministers, were persuaded to take up
the sword, and to establish the kingdom of Christ by
force and compulsion, by the sword. They also adopted
adult baptism and rejected infant baptism, therefore the
enemies of the non-resistant Christians have tried to
classify them with the Mennonites."
We also read, p. 1 88, the following : " See the *Onnoosel-
heyts Peyl,' that is, fundamental searches of the innocence
on the part of the Mennonites in the Miinster riots, in
print, whereby Schleidanus, Guido de Vres, Heinrich
BuUinger and Heinrich Dorzio, definitely, and on various
occasions, mention has been made of the Miinster Process
and can be seen in their writings, that the following
named persons were the principal authors of the Miinster
riots, viz. : Bernhard Rottman, Heinrich Rollins, Gott-
fried Stralen, Herman Staprede, all Lutheran ministers,
who caused and started the Miinster riot."
N. B. — Whereas, we do not baptize infants, but only
such persons who can be baptized upon their own con-
fession of faith, according to the Word of God; they call
us Anabaptists, when the followers of Zwingli retained
infant baptism and other customs of the Romish Church
and are called Reformers. We will let the reader judge
impartially who is nearest the truth, or nearest the Word
of God, or who has reformed best and who is most de-
serving the name of Reformer.
* Generally called Johann Von Leyden by historians. His proper name
was Johann Bockhold, a tailor of Leyden. — Encyclopedia Britannica,
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Origin of the Munsterites.
For more than a century, up to the present day,
people have been made to believe that the Anabaptists,
contemptuously so-Called, have but recently sprung from
some erring spirits — some say from the Munsterites, etc.,
whose fabulous faith, life and conduct the true Anabap-
tists have never recognized ; for no one will ever be able
to show with truth, so far as we have been able
to ascertain, that the articles of religion of those Munster-
ites, whereby they have drawn the attention of the world
upon themselves, and which consist in commotion, re-
bellion and such like, have ever been adopted or acknowl-
edged as good, much less professed and lived by any
formal church of the Anabaptists, or by any well-known
member of the same. But, on the contrary, they have
from that time on and ever since declared that they
would have neither lot nor part with them or their trans-
actions, and admonished one another not to follow such
ways, because these could not stand the test before God
and H]s Word, nor before the mind of a true and meek
Chqstian, as being contrary to the Gospel of Christ and
the most holy faith. Were we disposed to pay them in
their own coin, we might say the Munsterites were fel-
low-members of those who sanction war and claim that
one must propagate and defencj hh religion with the
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384 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
sword, for this is what they did ; but we speak against it
with heart, soul and mind.
Aside from the fact that the Anabaptists did not spring
from the Miinsterites, but have existed through all the
times of the Gospel, as has been sufficiently shown, we
would, moreover, state that the pernicious and evil pro-
ceedings which took place at Miinster about the year
1 534 cannot, according to the truth, be laid to the charge
of the Anabaptists, who, at that time, like innocent doves
fleeing before the talons of the hawk into clefts of the
rock, or into hollow trees, had to hide themselves ; but
must be placed to the account of some Lutheran
preachers, to whom a certain Jan van Leydeti had recom-
mended and taught Anabaptism. According to old and
authentic authors, these proceedings happened as follows :
In the year 1532, Bernaert Rotman, a Lutheran (at
that time called Evangelical) preacher, began to preach
at Miinster, in St. Maurice Church, against the doctrine
of the Papists ; when, however, the Papists of Miinster
came to know this, they bribed him with money to go
away. But repenting of it a few months afterwards, he
came back and drew such crowds that he, being sustained
by some of the chief men of the city of Miinster, erected
his pulpit in the entry of the church. He also sought to
have other churches opened in order that his doctrine
might be propagated the more widely — if this were not
done, they should be opened by force, etc. In the^mean-
time, on the 14th of February, 1533, there arrived at
Miinster Jan van Leyden,* a strange, odd and opinionated
man, who, though he maintained baptism upon faith, yet
* Whose proper name was Johann Bcckhold, a tailor of Leyden.
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ORIGIN OF THE MUNSTERITES. 385
in most other points never agreed with the Anabaptists.
To be brief, after much controversy, he brought the mat-
ter so far that not only Bernaert Rotman, who had at
first opposed him, but also his colleague, H. Staprede,
and various others began to preach against the practice
of infant baptism. On the other hand Jan van Leyden
learned from them, especially from B. Rotman, the doc-
trine that one might defend and propagate his religion
with external weapons.
In the meanwhile, the magistrates, apprehending se-
rious mischief which might be expected to spring from
this, forbade those whom they thought were giving the
most occasion to it in the city ; they indeed left the city,
yet on the instigation of B. Rotman, entered it again by
another way. Finally matters came to such a pass that
the aforementioned, and supporters of the Lutheran (or
miscalled Evangelical) doctrine, who had become agreed
with Jan van Leyden in the article of baptism, collected
together and resolved to bring about a total restoration
of religion ; deciding also, that to this end, as it could
not be effected quietly, it should be ^done by force of
arms ; further, that in Miinster the beginning should be
made. Jan van Leyden was constituted the leader ; and
through B. Rotman's proclamation (many)- ignorant and
simple people from the surrounding places were sum-
moned to help carry out said restoration, which, however,
was not made known to them at first. These were prom-
ised that in Miinster they should receive tenfold for their
goods which they had to abandon on this account. With-
out loss of time they opposed the power of the Bishop.*
* Count Waldeck.
25
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386 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
They erected fortifications, seeking not only to defend
themselves, but also to exterminate their opponents —
that is, the true adherents of Rome and the Pope. But
matters took quite a different turn from what they had
intended ; they were defeated and the Bishop and those
of the city triumphed. Rotman himself (notwithstand-
ing that his associates were in equal distress), despairing
of his life, ran to the enemies to be killed by them ; so
that he might not, like Jan van Leyden, be taken alive
and come to a shameful end.
This, then, was the tragedy enacted at Miinster; the
instigation, progress and execution can and may not be
attributed to the so-called Anabaptists, but to the first
risen Lutherans, especially to B. Rotman and his fol-
lowers. Had this restoration been successful, the Luth-
erans would not have been ashamed of* it; on the con-
trary, they would have boasted of it, and never would
have left the honor of it remain in the hands of the Ana-
baptists. To this alludes the following old ditty :
Had successful been the glorious restoration,
Never would the much- despised Anabaptists
Have obtained the honor; Luther or some other,
By the sword of Rotman, lord would have been crowned.
[Compare tract Onnooselheyds Peyl, etc., edit. Harl.
Anno. 163 1. Annex Hist. Mart, a little before the in-
troduction: with the various attestations of Bernhard
Rotman, Godfrey Stralensis, Rollins, and other Luth-
eran leaders at Miinster; whose writings concerning this
matter were published shortly after the transaction, and
have also come down to us. Also the notes of Melanch-
ton, Guido, Sleydan ; and also in the great atlas, old edi-
tion.] — The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs' Mirror, by
Thielman J. Van Braght,p. 16.
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German Translations of the Bible by the
Waldenses.
By Dr. Ludwig Keller.
In the fourteenth century, under the administration of
Kaiser Ludwig, of Bavaria, the great opposition of the
Roman Catholic Church to Protestantism was broken. ,
This was an important period in the history of the
Germans, when public opinion began to awaken and the
enthusiasm began to develop itself in natural affairs as
well as in religion, which was of much importance to
coming centuries, when the opposition to the Roman
Catholic Church began to grow stronger than ever be-
fore, and the " heretics " (so called by Roman Catholics)
commenced to establish their churches everywhere. The
history of the translation of the German Bible was a
remarkable period in the fourteenth century, which has
been brought about through the introduction of the
German music, which was followed by a number of
German translations of the Bible (more particularly the
New Testament), many of which have become extinct.
There are nine hymns in the Catholic hymn books com-
posed by Bohemian brethren. The States Library at
Miinchen contains twenty-one different copies of Gospels
and Epistles translated into German by Waldenses. Only
one of the German Bibles of the fourteenth century be-
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388 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
came particularly popular; it was called the Tepler
Bible, and was issued in parts ; also a German version of
the New Testament, including an Epistle of Paul to the
Laodiceans, a copy of which is now in the Gymnasial
Library at Freiburg, in Saxony, and another in posses-
sion of J. M. Goeze. After printing was invented in the
year 1466, the first German Bible was given to the press.
In the same year a second edition was issued by John
Mentel, in Strasburg, and another edition in 1473, at
Augsburg. The names of the translators, also that of
the printers, were carefully withheld on account of the
severe persecution at that time.
It is an important question to consider that the German
translations of the New Testament by the different trans-
lators, almost word for word agreed with the first or
Tepler Bible ; not only those three above-mentioned edi-
tions, but all editions from 1470 to 1522, both. High
German and Dutch, have the Tepler version as their
basis. These are the editions printed without the printers*
names (except one printed at Niirnberg or Augsburg),
two by Giinther Zeiner, between 1473 ^^^ 1477, at Augs-
burg; further, the two editions by Anton Sorg, also at
Augsburg, 1477 and 1480; the Anton Koburg edition,
1483 ; the Griininger, of Strasburg, 1485 ; the fifth and
sixth of Augsburg (Hans Schoensperger), 1485 and 1490;
the seventh and eighth of Augsburg, by Hans and Silvan
Otmar, 1507 and 1518. The Dutch, translations ap-
peared at Coin in two editions; at Liibeck (1494) and
at Halberstadt, 1522. Further information maybe ob-
tained by referring to Kehreins' History of the German
Translation of the Bible before Martin Luther, Stuttgart,
1851, p. 33, also p. 49. According to the statements of
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GERMAN TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE. 389
Kehreins, it appears that the " Tepler " Bible was exten-
sively circulated and became very prominent.
Thus far we have an account of the German editions of
the Bible prior to 1522. Translations of parts of the
Bible appeared in large numbers prior to 15 18. The
Gospels of the New Testament appeared not less than
twenty-five times prior to 1 5 1 8, and the Psalter thirteen
times prior to 15 13, and other Epistles in large numbers.*
The following is taken from the " History of the Revi-
sion " of the New Testament, and corresponds with the
above. It reads as follows :
" Portions of the Bible were translated into German as
early as the latter part of the ninth century. These trans-
lations increased in number until the invention of printing.
Five undated editions were issued before 1477, all of
them from the Vulgate. The first of these is thought to
have been printed as early as 1466 in Strasburg. Between
1477 and 1522 nine other editions followed, besides trans-
lations of detached portions.
" Luther's New Testament appeared in 1522. It was
published at Wittemberg in two folio volumes. In 1524
the whole Bible, with the exception of the prophetical
books, was published in three folio volumes at Nurem-
berg. Luther's Bible was translated from the original
languages.
"The Zurich Biblef was published shortly after Luther's,
and was a combination of his translation with the trans-
lations of Leo Juda and other German scholars."
* See Dr. Keller, Leipzig, p. 43. Waldenser und die Deutschen
Bibel uebersetzungen,
t In 1530, by Christopher Froschaner. My ancestor, Martin Kolb, brought
one of them from Holland in 1707. It is now in the possession of Jonathan
Kulp, of North Coventry, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and is (1888) 358
years old.— Author.
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The Community and the Church.
Dr. Keller writes in the '*Badisches Gemeindeblatt"
about the names " Mennoniten/* ** Taufgesinnten," "Alt-
evangelische Taufgesinnte." He maintained that when
the several confessions of the "Taufgesinnten," from
1 591 to 1665, be thoroughly examined, it will show that
the above-mentioned people invariably only designated
themselves as the congregations (Gremeinden), the con-
gregations of Christ (" die Gemeinden Christi *'), or con-
gregations of God ("oder Gemeinden Grottes*'), also
"Taufgesinnten Gemeinden Gottes."
On the other hand, the name Mennonite does not ap-
pear in a single instance in all their official acts previous
to the year 1664, even in their conferences, where the
Flanders, the Frieslanders and the German congrega-
tions were partakers. In the year 1665, for the first time,
we find the name Mennonite in a single instance only.
It is certain that the above-mentioned conferences pre-
ferred the name " Gemeinde Christi *' to the name Men-
nonite, but it should be observed that the name Menno-
nite only became general in later years.
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Meiino Simons' Memorial.
The following sketch I found among a lot of waste
paper, and as it is so full of interest I placed it on these
pages. It seems there was an illustration attached to it,
which I was not able to obtain.
One of the Places where Menno Simons after his
Renunciation of the Church of Rome first
preached the Gospel.
There are many localities in the world that will be
long remembered, and around which cluster many pre-
cious memories. The places in themselves may not be
more than a thousand other places, and indeed may pos-
sess less of beauty and less of the romantic than a hun-
dred other places of which no notice is taken ; but the
events that transpired there, and men who have lived and
labored and suffered in them, make these places of in-
tense interest to all who possess a knowledge of them.
With what solemnity of feeling do men, to-day, walk
the streets of ancient Jerusalem, the pathway across the
Brook Kedron, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Mount of
Olives and many other places in Palestine, the soil of
which, more than eighteen hundred years ago, was pressed
by the sacred feet of the Son of God ; and because here
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392 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
He labored and suffered and died to save us from our
sins; and here, too, the Gospel was first preached, and
here transpired the tragic scenes of sorrow and suffering
connected with the lives and death of many who loved
the poor, despised Nazarene. All these things give a
deep and lasting interest to localities of this character,
which is precious to every Christian.
With similar feelings we must ever regard the localities
where God's children in the ages past have lived and
suffered and died, and especially so is it with those who
have held like faith and maintained like principles with
ourselves. When we follow the fortunes of God's peo-
, pie through the Eastern countries, when we think of the
Donatists, the Paulicians, the Waldenses or Poor Men of
Lyons, the Albigenses, the Mennonites and others, every
spot, where the precious blood of these faithful ^martyrs
flowed, must be to the Mennonites to-day, as it were,
hallowed ground.
" So the place represented by the illustration on the op-
posite page has a historic record, which will forever en-
dear it to all the followers of that noble champion of
Gospel truth, who here so boldly, against all opposition,
declared the whole counsel of God unto the people. The
place is a parcel of ground containing only a few acres
near the village of Witmarsum, in the province of Fries-
land, in Holland.
Witmarsum was the birthplace of Menno, as he him-
self relates in his Renunciation of the Church of Rome,
and to this place he again returned and preached, after he
had served as priest for a time in his. father's village,
called Pingjum, and gained some notoriety as an ex-
pounder of the Scriptures.
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MENNO SIMONS MEMORIAL. 393
On the parcel of ground above referred to there was
still standing, in 1828, a small, dilapidated, old building,
which throughout that vicinity was known as Menno
Simons' Oud Preekhuis (Menno Simons' Old Meeting-
house), and was then still used by the Mennonites of that
day as a house of worship.
In this place, according to old traditions, Menno Simons,
for some time after his renunciation of the Church of
Rome, preached the Gospel, and it is even claimed that
he preached in this very house, but it is hardly probable
that on this rough coast, so much exposed to the storms
and tempests of that locality, the house could have with-
stood the ravages of time for a period of three hundred
years.
In 1828 the old house, which so long bore the name
of Menno, was taken down and a new one erected in the
same place and in the same style as the old one, with the
exception that a small cupola was added in the middle
of the roof The illustration on the opposite page is a
representation of this house, built in 1828. In later
years, during the winter, when the weather was more
rougli^nd the roads muddy, it seemed too severe and un-
pleasant a task for the people to go from the village,
through storm and rain against the bleak winds and
through marshy roads, to the meeting-house, and for this
reason it was determined, in 1876, to build a new meet-
ing-house in the village of Witmarsum, which was done
in 1877, and in December of the same year the congre-
gation vtook l«ave of the old meeting-house, and later
on the place erected a memorial stone or monument, on
the sides of which are the following inscriptions:
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394 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE^.
IN MEMORY OF
MENNO SIMONS,
Bom in Witmarsum 1492.
Heb. XIII, Vs. 7.
According to tradition
Menno here preached to his
first followers.
For a period of three hundred years
the Anabaptists of Witmarsum
met in this place for worship.
I Corinthians III, Vs. 1 1.
1536.
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Origin of the Old Evangelical Church.
The first Christians from the time of the Apostles
did not bind themselves down to any system of teaching,
or any symbol, only the plain doctrine and example of
Christ and the Apostles. Of theology or theological
education they knew very little, and just so little did they
consider ceremonial forms essential to salvation. Baptism
only followed the teaching of religious belief, and in that
whole epoch, to the year A.D. 15b, not the least trace of
infant baptism can be proven ; only adults were baptized
upon their_own confession of faith, -and such baptism was
called the seal of faith. For the performance of all these
religious exercises no temples nor altars were needed,
consequently no churches were needed down to the year
A.D. 175. (Dr. Keller.)
Since the year A.D. 300 we find the Church was
called the Church of the Novatians, or sometimes in the
Oriental countries were called the Congregations of the
Katarer, who from the third to the fifth century spread
themselves from Syria to Spain.
Novatian, a prominent leader, but not the originator of
these churches, was already by their opponents or enemies
charged as a schismatic and heretic. Caesar Constantine,
who for a while tolerated them, at last treated them as
heretics, forbade their religious meetings, took away their
churches and ordered their books to be destroyed. Caesar
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396 HI-STORV OF THE MEXNOXITES.
Honorius, also, in the year A.D. 412 included tbem in
his edict against the heretics, and Theodosius tbe Second
followed the same example, but notwithstanding all these
persecutions these churches maintained themselves and
prosf)ered throughout the Orient until the sixth and
seventh century, when they still claimed to be the **True
Kvangelical Church."* And it is an established iactth^
they possessed some very valuable literary works.
The question is, were these Katarers (Albigenses), who
were also called Bogomilen (friends of God) since the
seventh and eighth century in the Orient and Occident,
as also later the so-called Paulicians, who simply called
themselves Christians, in close connection with the older
Katarers in any respect? Certain it is that all those
churches claim to be in immediate historical connec-
tion with the Apostolic times.
These Katarer or Albigenser churches continued down
to the twelfth century, when Peter Waldus, so prominent
in the Church, became their principal leader, and from
that time were called Waldenses, or Evangelische Chris-
ten, until the Lutherans and others also called themselves
Evangelische, then, to distinguish, they called themselves
the Altevangelische Gemeinden until the sixteenth cen-
tury, when Menno Simons, the highly educated and en-
lightened Dutch Reformer, connected himself with the
Church and became a leader among them, in the year
1537. After that time they were called Mennonites by
their enemies only, but they invariably designated them-
selves as the Congregations, or Congregations of Christ.
Even Heinrich Funk, of Franconia, Pa., in his will dated
June 13th, 1759, says, "ye Elders in the Congregation
* Sec Herzog 6r* Plitt Realencydopcedia^ Bd. X, p. 666.
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ORIGIN OF THE OLD EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 397
of Christ/' " named ye Mennonists." The name Menno-
nite does not appear in a single instance in all their offi-
cial acts previous to the year 1664.
The same principle claimed by those Middle Age
Katarern corresponds also with hiany of the later so-
called sects, above all, the so-called ** Waldenses '* or
" Tisserands" (weavers), ** Friends of God,'* " Pickarden,"
" Anabaptists," etc. (as these sects may be called by their
enemies), was taught through all ages from the time of
the Apostles down to the present, no matter by what name
they were called. They were at the same time known
as the " True Congregations of Christ," or Evangelical
Christians. And that they existed from the Apostles
down to the present is plainly shown by the following :
An old writer in the Romish Church said, among all
sects none were so injurious to the Romish Church as
the Waldenses or Taufgesinnten, because they existed at
so early a time, even the time of Sylvester or the time of
the Apostles. Jacob Mehrning also writes about the
above-named sects thus : This is by no means a new sect
that took its start with Peter Waldus ; Papist writers
themselves acknowledge that they existed at the time of
Pope Sylvester — yea, even at the time of the Apostles.
These so-called sects claim continual connection from
time to time with the old Christian, Apostolic, or Old
Evangelical churches through all times. But their
enemies continually claim that they were nothing else
than new and self-constituted sects, except some few who
are better informed, as above-mentioned, and who do
acknowledge that they already existed at the time of
Sylvester — yea, long before him, even from the time of
the Apostles.* The time of Sylvester was A.D. 315.
* See T. J. V. Braght, 1st part, p. 95. '
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39^ HISTORY OF THE MEKNONITES.
If any of the churches or denominatioiis of the present
day will go back and claim those old sects, as they call
them, as their starting point, or foundation, or their prin-
ciples, are they also willing to accept and adc^t those
principles or confessions of feith that they preached and
practiced, and lived up to and testified to, and sealed with
the blood of thousands of them who were persecuted
and murdered by the Roman Catholics in Spain and the
Netherlands, and by the Calvinists in Switzerland, viz. :
1st. Against swearing an oath.
2d. Against taking up the sword and waging war.
3d. Against infant baptism as not in accordance with
the Scripture.
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Closing Chapter.
We must say, it is indeed a very remarkable history
which greets us in the records of the idea and experience
of these old evangelical churches. They have been per-
secuted through centuries; they have been stigmatized
as heretics ; they have been slaughtered as outcasts ; yet
their opponents have never succeeded in exterminating
them and rooting out their principles and ideas. On the
contrary, in spite of all opposition, they have gained
ground more and more as the centuries marched on.
Out of the graves of the martyrs of these churches there
sprouted up new blossoms of life, exhaling the fragrance
of a true, living, Christian faith among the nations, thus
verifying the words of Christ : " If a grain falleth into the
ground and die, it beareth much fruit."
Penetrating into the details of their history, the reader
is struck with astonishment to find these annals replete
with records of most heroic suffering without equal ; they
show the fulfilment of Christ's words : " Behold, I send
you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves," and " If they
have persecuted me, they will also persecute you ;" but
at the same time these records prove the truth of the
statement, " They have hated me without a cause."
Let me close with pointing to the words of a circular
which has lately been sent to the Protestant denomina-
tions, in which attention is solicited to the old Waldensian
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400 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
churches. It is there set forth that a Church which has
become remarkable and venerable through a long history
of suffering and persecution, naturally claims the sym-
pathy of all those that take a true interest in the pure
doctrines of the Gospel. What is said here in respect to
the venerable Waldensian churches of Italy might, as I
believe, be fitly applied also to the descendants of the
old evangelical churches of all centuries and those who
have adopted their principles. These churches may well
claim to have gained through long and intense suffering
a citizenship among other Protestant denominations ; this
citizenship carries with it, it is true, duties and obligations,
but it also carries with it a most just claim, the only one
which the evangelical churches make in accordance with
their principles — the claim of liberty of conscience ; the
claim of being tolerated and permitted to live according to
their principles of faith^ as they see them laid down in tlu
Word of God,
FINIS.
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APPKNDIX.
26 (401)
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First Impulse or Motive of the Cassels
Emigrating to America.
William Penn made his first visit through Germany
in 1 67 1 as a missionary, and only followed the example
of his brothers in faith, and stopped at Emden, Crefeld
and Westphalia.
His second visit he made in the year 1677, in the thirty-
third year of his age, and not yet known as the founder
of Pennsylvania. Four years later, it appears, he made a
third trip ; and from Cassel he gave notice of a meeting he
proposed to hold at Frankfort. From Frankfort he went
to Kriesheim, where he arrived August 23d, 1681, and in-
tended to preach. A meeting had been previously an-
nounced for that purpose ; but upon the urgent request of
a Calvinist minister, all preaching was forbidden by the
bailiff's deputy. However, a silent meeting vyas held, in
which all took part ; also those from Worms, who followed
them in a wagon. Penn, however, got permission from
Count Karl Ludwig to preach again, consequently, on Sun-
day, August 26th, Penn traveled on foot from Worms to
Kriesheim, a distance of six miles, and preached to the
•people of Kriesheim in a barn. Count Ludwig quietly
entered the barn, and stood behind a door listening ; but
Penn did not know it. Ludwig afterwards reported to
the Calvinist minister, that nothing of a heretical nature
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k
404 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
I
occurred, but, on the contrary, all that he heard was ac-
tually very good. Penn preached in the German lan-
guage, which he had learned from his mother, she being
a Dutch woman from Rotterdam. During his discourse
he pictured the then raging persecutions of the non-re-
sistant Christians; how they were denied the right to
worship God according to the dictates of their conscience,
and how they were driven from one place to another, and
their property confiscated.
He further explained their principles of faith regarding
swearing an oath and waging war, and of revenge, which
corresponded very nearly with that of the Mennonites,
and gave great satisfaction to those present. Among
them were Heinrich Cassel and Yilles Cassel, who were
so well pleased with his remarks that as soon as the
meeting closed they took him by the hand and embraced
him, and invited him to go with them, which he did.
Then they had a long consultation about matters of re-
ligion. He told them that he had a large tract of land in
America, which had been granted to him by King
Charles II, March 4th, 1681, and made it free by purchase
to enable the conscientiously scrupulous to settle and en-
joy their religious opinions without restraint. Thus by
promising them perfect freedom and liberty of conscience
to worship God according to the dictates of their con-
science, was given the first impulse or motive of the
Cassels emigrating to America.*
* From MSS. in the library of A. H. Cassel at Harleysville.
* r I
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The Mennonite Shipbuilder.
At the time of the truce between the Spaniards and
the Dutch, in 1609, there lived at Hoorn, in North Hoi-
land, a Mennonist, Peter Jansen, who took the notion
that he would build a ship of the same proportions as
Noah's ark, only smaller, that is, 120 feet long, 20 feet
broad and 12 feet high. While it was building every
one laughed at him ; but, Dutchman-like, he kept stur-
dily on, and found in the end that it justified his expecta-
tions, for, when launched, it proved to be able to bear a
third more freight than other ships of the same measure-
ment, required no more hands to manage it than they,
and sailed much faster. The result was that the Dutch
built many others like it, calling them Noah's arks, and
they only ceased to be used after the close of the truce
in 162 1, because they could not carry cannon, and thus
were not safe against privateers. — ^J. D. Michaelis.
(405)
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Extract from an Address delivered by
Dr. W. J. Mann.
Dr. Wiluam J. Mann delivered a most interesting
historical sermon in the Zion Church, on Franklin
Street, Philadelphia {German Lutheran), which we find in
the Philadelphia Press, Monday, October 8th, 1883, basing
his remarks on Genesis 21 : 33, 34, viz.: Abraham, whose
name the confessors of the three most important forms
of religion on the earth keep in reverence, is by Israelites
called the father of their nation ; by the Mahomedans,
a prophet ; and by us Christians in a higher sense, the
father of the faithful and the friend of God. Two hun-
dred years ago the first German emigrants came to our
beautiful Pennsylvania. They were small in numbers,*
but they were an energetic, industrious and persevering
people. They came as Christians,t and not being pro-
vided with churches they united with the Quakers and
* Thirteen families, consisting of thirty-three souls.
f Dr. W. J. Mann failed to mention here that those Christians, as he
says, were the thirteen families of Mennonites, viz. : Lenart Arets, Abraham
Op den Graeff, Dirk Op den Graeff, Herman Op den Graeff, Willem Strey-
pers, Thonis Kunders, Reynier Tyson, Jan Seimens, Jan Lensen, Peter
Keurlis, Johannes Bleikers, Jan Lukens and Abraham Times, who arrived
October 6th, 1683.
(406)
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ADDRESS DELIVERED BY DR. W. J. MANN. 407
worshiped with them,* and iadeed,in 1688, undertook to
lay the first protest against Slavery before the monthly
meeting of the Quakers. f It took almost 180 years and
a mighty war which shook our whole Union to the foun-
dation to bring about what these Germans in their
simple-heartedness had considered as the right and
Christian thing at too early a period. J Within the course
of a few decades other Germans arrived in Pennsylvania,
and some of them of very peculiar notions, deeply inter-
ested in the Kingdom of God, and thinking that leading
a hermit § life they could best serve their Lord, settled
around our romantic Wissahickon. || Lutherans and
Reformed churchmen also followed the invitation given
by William Penn, that great and good man, who through-
* The first religious meeting held by these people was held in the house,
of Thonis Kunders, in 1683. From that time they held their meetings in
private houses. Sometimes in Summer, in the shade under the trees ; some-
times they worshiped with the Quakers, and the Quakers with them, but
were not connected with them. In 1708 these Mennonites built their first
meeting-house at Germantown Road and Herman Street, Germantown.
f This protest was drawn up in Germantown in the year 1688 and signed
by Garret Hendricks (it is held that he was a Mennonite, see Germantown
Independent of July 28th, 1883), Derick Op den GraefF and Abraham Op
den Graeff, both Mennonites (see Biographical Sketches by S. W. Penny-
packer, p. 28), and Francis Daniel Pastorius, who was a Pietist (see notes
on his Pamphlets, pp. 17 and 49, by S. W. Pennypacker).
X The Mennonites never held slaves, even those who lived in Slave States
did not ; they believed it to be contrary to the doctrine of Christ.
2 There was only one person at that time near Germantown who lived
a hermit life, named Herman Dorst. He died October 14th, 1739, at the
age of eighty years.
II In 1694 Johannes Kelpius,the Hermit of the Wissahickon^, and others
of his followers, all Pietists, who were expelled firom the College at Helm-
stedt, arrived and settled on the Wissahickon near Roxborough, where they
founded the Society of the " Woman in the Wilderness." The Mennonites
had no connection with them.
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408 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
out his province at once established perfect religious
tolerance. In 1703 we discover the first German Luth-
eran congregation on this continent, at New Hanover,
thirty-six miles from Philadelphia.
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An Interesting Address.
By Matteo Brochet, of Rome.
An interesting address was delivered some time ago
in Berlin by Dr. Matteo Brochet, of Rome, President
of the Evangelization Committee of Italy. He touched
briefly upon the early history of the Waldenses, not only
those of the twelfth century, but those of the tenth cen-
tury. He mentions thirty-three persecutions, where their
towns had been burned, their members and brethren tor-
mented and killed, and yet they have been wonderfully
preserved in their Church and their principles through
all the persecutions they had to endure. It seems to
have been the object of the All-wise Preserver of the uni-
verse that through these people the Gospel should be
preached to all the Italian inhabitants. Although it
would have been much more convenient for them to have
remained at home on their farms in the valleys, yet since
religious liberty was guaranteed in Italy (1848), the
twelve or fourteen thousand members of the Waldenses
commenced their mission work.
In 1855 they founded a theological seminary at Flor-
ence and sent preachers and Bible colporteurs through
all Italy. In 1 860 they had fifteen stations and the same
number of messengers in Italy. At present (1887) their
field of labor extends from Mont Blanc to the south
point of Sicily. They have 44 organized congregations,
38 stations and 120 missionaries, and among them 36
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410 HISTORV OF THE MENNONITES.
ordained ministers and 57 teachers ; they visit many cities
and towns. During the last year they counted (inde-
pendent of the old valley congregations) 4,000 com-
municant members, 1,961 scholars in their elementary
schools and over 3,000 scholars in their Sunday and even-
ing schools. They raised about 70,000 francs to defray
expenses.
The conduct toward these Waldenses on the part of
the Italians is very favorable, but the Romish clergy try
to put every obstacle in their way, viz. : that the Bible
only originated from Luther, and they were buying souls,
and other reports. They also hinder and injure the
Waldenses in their business. In the year 1560 a min-
ister of the Waldenses was publicly burned to death in
the presence of the Pope and his cardinals ; in 1 860 an
attempt was made to burn a house occupied by Wal-
denses.
At present there is in Rome an Evangelical church, at
the Piazza di Venezia, open with the following super-
scription : " Light shineth out of darkness," and the
Evangelical preacher there has many attentive listeners
in his audience. At present many of the Catholic popu-
lation take part in religious affairs with the Waldenses.
In an Evangelical school, among 200 children there are
180 children of Catholic parents; that is a great blessing
for the Waldenses, for which they are thankful to God,
but at the same time they in return are very thankful for
the privileges they received on the part of the govern-
ment of Italy. May Italy and Germany, not only in
matters of science and politics, but in matters of religion,
go hand in hand. God bless them.
July 4th, 1887.
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The Meiinonites and Temperance.
Already in the founding of the Mennonite Church in
this country, two hundred years ago, at Germantown,
Pa., we find them taking a decided stand on the temper-
ance question, and they have ever since been noted for
their temperance principles, and as the liquor question is
becoming the most prominent that the public and the
religious world has to deal with, it is only fitting that
they should declare their principles now.
At the last session of the Semi-annual Conference of
Eastern Pennsylvania, held in Churchville, Berks County,
May 3d and 4th, 1887, and to which a number of the
churches of said denomination in Bucks County belong,
the following resolution was passed without a dissenting
word or vote :
" Acknowledging the pernicious influence on the body
and soul which the manufacture, sale and use of intoxi-
cating drinks exert on mankind, we rejoice at the steps
which our State government has taken for the suppres-
sion and final prohibition of this evil. We acknowledge
it to be the duty of every Christian to take a decided
stand in suppressing this evil, and in no way, either by
word or action, to promote the sale or use of intoxicat-
ing drinks." — Bucks County Intelligencer,
(411)
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Early Churches of Germantown.
The Mennonites held their first religious service in the
house of Tonis Kunders (afterwards called Conrad, later
Cunard), in 1683 ; from that time the 'Mennonites date
their organization. Some historians call them the Ger-
man Friends. As soon as the Friends settled in German-
town they frequently worshiped together, until in 1705
the Friends or Quakers built a meeting-house of their
own, but the Mennonites continued worshiping in private
houses until the year 1708, when they built their first
meeting-house, which was a log house, on the 'same lot
where their present stone house now stands (built in
1770).
The Dunkards came to Germantown in 17 19. The
log house was built in 1731 by John Pettikoffer, for his
dwelling, who procured his funds by asking gifts there-
for from the inhabitants. Because it was the first house
in the place and procured by begging, it was called
" Beggarstown." The stone church on the same prem-
ises was built in 1770.
The German Reformed built their first meeting-house
opposite to the market-house about the year 1733. The
front was first built; the back part was added in 1762.
The Methodists began to preach in Germantown about
the year 1 798, and in 1 800 they built their stone meeting-
house in the lane opposite to Mr. Samuel Harvey's house.
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EARLY CHURCHES OF GERMANTOWN. 413
The Lutheran churcli. — It is not accurately known
when this was built, but it is certain there was a Lutheran
church in Germantown before the first one * in Phila-
delphia, which was erected in 1743. The first ordained
minister, Dr. H. M. Muhlenberg, came to Philadelphia
in 1742.
The Protestant Episcopal church of St. Luke was built
in the year 18 19.
The lower burying-ground of half an acre was the gift
of John Streeper, of Germany, per Leonard Aret, one of
the first Mennonites at Germantown ; it is now called
Hood's cemetery. The upper one was given by Paul
Wolff, afterwards called Ax's graveyard, now Concord
burying-ground. Paul Wolff was a Mennonite, and a
number of the old Mennonites are buried there.
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Old Germantown.
Its Division into Lots. — The Curious Names of the
Original Settlers and Something of their
Holdings.
The German Township, first called "The German
Town," and when incorporated by William Penn as a
borough was named Germantown, was laid out by virtue
of three warrants — one for six thousand acres to Francis
Daniel Pastorius for the German and Dutch purchasers,
dated October 12th, 1683, another to Francis Daniel
Pastorius for two hundred acres, dated February 12th,
1684, and the third to Jurian Hartsfelder, who was at
one time the owner of the district of the Northern Lib-
erties, for one hundred and fifty acres, dated April 2Sth,
1684. The land was laid out on April 3d, 1684, and the
patent was issued in 1689.
Germantown began fourteen perches below Shoe-
maker's Lane (now Penn Street) and extended to Abing-
ton Road (now Washington Lane). The town lots num-
bered fifty-five and were divided into twenty-seven and a
half on each side of the main road (now Germantown
Avenue). The original settlers cast lots for the ground,
in the cave of Francis Daniel Pastorius, in Philadelphia,
and the following curious document was in existence
fifty years ago, and is probably still in preservation ;
(414)
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OLD GERMANTOWN. 415
" We, whose names are to these presents subscribed,
do hereby certify, unto all whom it may concern, that
soon after our arrival in this province of Pennsylvania, in
October, 1683, to our certain knowledge, Herman Op der
Graff, Dirk Op der Graff, and Abraham Op der Graff, as
well as we ourselves, in the cave of Francis Daniel
Pastorius, at Philadelphia, did cast lots for the respective
lots which they and we then began to settle in German-
town ; and the said Graffs (three brothers) have sold their
several lots, each by himself, no less than if a division in
writing had been made by them.
Witness our hands this 29th November, A.D. 1709.
Lenart Arets,
Jan Lensen,
Thones Kunders,
William Streypers,
Reynier Tysen,
Abraham Tunes,
Jan Lucken."
The lots were numbered from the north southward,
and the names of the original holders, as well as the
owners twenty-five years later, were as follows :
East Side of Main Road.
1689. 1 7 14.
1. Peter Keurlis. Peter Keurlis.
2. Tunis Kunders. Tunis Conrad.
3. John Lensen. John Lensen.
4. Lenart Arets. Leonard Arets.
5. Rynier Tyson. Isaac Van Sintera
0. John Lucken. Herman Carstorp,
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4i6
HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
1689.
1714.
7. Abraham Tunis.
Jacob Gottschalk.
8. Gerhard Hendricks.
Isaac Schumacher.
David Sherges.
9. Walter Simon.
Walter Simon.
10. Dirk Kolk.
James Delaplaine.
Wiggert Levering.
1 1. Herman Van Bon.
Herman Van Bon.
12. Gerhard Levering.
John Doeden.
Henry Sellen.
13. Isaac Scheffer.
John Henry Sprogell.
Henry Buchholtz.
Frankfort Co.
14. Cornelius Bom.
Paul Kestner.
15. Isaac Dilbeck.
Daniel Geissler.
16. Enneke Klosterman.
Francis Daniel Pastorius.
17. John Doeden.
John Doeden.
18. Andreas Souplies.
Christian Warner.
19. William Rittenhouse.
Arnold Van Fossen.
20. Claus Rittenhouse.
Paul Engle.
2 1 . Claus Rittenhouse.
Hans Henry T,ane.
22. Dirk Keyser, Sr.
Dirk Keyser.
23. William Streypers.
Paul Engle.
West Side of Main Road.
I. John Streypers.
Joseph Shippen, Jr.
2. Dirk Op de Graeff.
Widow Op de Graeff.
3. Herman Op de Graeff.
Joseph Shippen, Sr.
Abraham Op de Graeff.
4. John Simons.
John Neiss.
5. Paul Wolf.
Conrad Jansen.
6. John Bleikers.
Herman Tunes.
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OLD GERMANTOWN. /^
1689.
1714.
7.
Frankford Co.
John Henry Sprogel.
8.
Jacob Schumacher.
Quaker Meeting-house.
9-
J. Isaac Van Bebber.
Jacob Tellner.
John Jarrit.
lO.
Heivert Papen.
Heivert Papen.
II.
J. Jansen Klinges.
Tunis Conrad.
12.
Cornelius Siverts.
Cornelius Siverts.
13.
Hans Peter Umstad.
Geo. Adam Hogermeed.
14.
Peter Schumacher.
Peter Schumacher
15.
Jacob Tellner.
Jurian Hartsfelder.
John Williams.
16.
Claus Thompson.
Claus Thompson.
17.
Hans Millan.
Dirk Johnson.
18.
Henry Fry.
Philip C. Zimmerman.
19.
Johannes Kassel.
John Henry Sprogel.
20.
Abraham Op de Graeff.
Anthony Klinken.
Anthony Klinken.
21.
John Silans.
Paul Engle.
417
Fifty years later these lots were owned principally by
Edward, Joseph and William Shippen, Theobold Endt,
Jacob Ritter, Christopher Saur (printer of the first Bible
in America), Justus Fox, John Bockius, Abraham Griffith,
John Wynne, William Ashmead, O. Bensell, Christopher
Meng, Mathias and John Knorr, John, Frederick and
Peter Ax, John Weiss, Jr., George Dannenhower, Godfrey
Bockius, Christian Eckstein, John Bringhurst, John
Wister, Benjamin Shoemaker, Thomas Rose, Casper
Wister, Paul Kripner, Jacob Bowman, John Lehman,
Daniel Lucken, Christian Lehman, Wendell Heft, Conrad
Reiff, Christian Warner. The descendants of many of
27
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41 8 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
these early property-holders are still residents of and take
a prominent part in the affairs of Grermantown.
The roads leading from Germantown, as appeared on a
map made by Christian Lehman, in 1746, were, as are now
known, on the east, Fisher's Lane or Logan Street ; Duy's
Lane or Wister Street ; Shoemaker Lane or Penn Street ;
Church Lane or Mill Street; Methodist Meeting Lane or
Haines Street, and Keyser's Lane or Washington Lane ;
Queen Lane, now Queen Street; Bensell's Lane, also
known as Ashmead's Road, and Schoolhouse Lane, now
School Street; Rittenhouse's Mill Road, afterwards Poor
House Lane, and now Rittenhouse Street; Johnson's
Lane, near where Walnut Lane is now, and Keyser's
Lane, from Roxborough, now known as West Washing-
ton Lane. The above account is given, as part of Men-
nonite history or their doings, because all the signers
of the " curious document " above mentioned were Men-
nonites, and the greater portion of the lot-holders were
also Mennonites. Jacob Godshalk, owner of lot No. 7,
in the year 17 14 was a preacher, and came over in the
year 1702.
Enneke Klosterman (lot No. 16) afterwards became
the wife of Francis Daniel Pastorius ; they were married
November 26th, 1688, and had two sons, John Samuel
and Henry. Pastorius wrote many books and poems in
various languages, and many have been lost. The follow-
ing letter is characteristic :
Dear children, John Samuel and Henry Pastorius:
Though you are (Germano Sanguine nati) of High Dutch
parents, yet remember that your father was naturalized,
and ye born in an English Colony, consequently each of
you Anglus nattis an Englishman by birth. Therefore,
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OLD GERMANTOWN. 4I9
it would be a shame for you if you should be ignorant of
the English tongue, the tongue of your countrymen, but
that you may learn the better I have left a book for you
both, and commend the same to your reiterated perusal.
If you should not get much of ye Latin, nevertheless read
ye the English part oftentimes over and over and over.
And I assure you that Semper cUiquia hoerebit. For the
dripping of the house-eaves in time maketh a hole in an
hard stone. Non vi sed scepe cadendo, and it is very bad
cloath that by often dipping will take no colour. — F. D. P.
The book he left, as stated above, is a large volume,
written in Greek, Latin, German, French, Dutch, English
and Italian. The book is in a good state of preservation
and is in possession of the Pastorius family in German-
town, corner of Main and Pastorius Streets.
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Ephrata.
At Ephrata, Lancaster County, was located an institu-
tion of learning which was for many years the seat of
learning and the fine arts, and many families of Phila-
delphia and Baltimore resorted thither to have their
children educated. There the Declaration of Indepen-
dence was translated by Peter Miller into seven different
languages, to be sent to the Courts of Europe.
The first Sabbath school, too, on record was established
there; for as early as 1740, full forty years earlier than
Robert Raikes' much applauded system was known in
England, this one at Ephrata was begun by Ludwig
Strecker.
" God willing." — ^This was once of universal declara-
tion, in announcing forthcoming sermons to be preached
at given places. Now it is almost as universally discon-
tinued, and ministers come and go without any such rest
on contingencies. No cause has been published for the
change. — Watsotis Annals^ Vol. II.
(420)
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Old Clock.
In the house of Mrs. Thomas Gtvens, in Rittenhouse-
town, is an old-fashioned tall clock, which has struck the
hours for more than three centuries since it was first
wound up by the manufacturer in Holland. It has but
one hand ; this, however, works around the silver dial-
plate, and indicates the exact time.
The clock was the property of the late Jacob C. Ritten-
house, son of John Rittenhouse. It then became the
property of Mrs. Spencer, daughter of Jacob C. Ritten-
house, and is now in possession of Mrs. Thomas Givens,
daughter of Mrs. Spencer, and a member of the Menno-
nite Church at Germantown. The clock was evidently
brought over from Holland by Willem Rittenhouse, the
first papermaker in America, also the first Mennonite
minister and first Bishop of the Mennonite Church in
Germantown, and the first in America.
(421)
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Indian Contract and Deed with William
Penn.
The following contract of peace brought about with
the wild Indians or savages, without the use of
musket or sword, is recorded in a survey book, No. 14,
in the Land Office, and extracts from the warrant of
survey by Holme :
" Philadelphia.
" To my very loving fTriends Shakhoppah, Secaming,
Malebore, Tangoras — Indian Kings ; and to Maskecasho,
Wawarrin, Tenoughan, Tarrecka, Nesonhaikin — Indian
Sakamackers, and the rest concerned :
" Whereas, I have purchased and bought of you, the
Indian Kings ^nd Sakamackers, for the use of Governor
William Penn, all your land from Pemapecka Creek to
Upland Creek, and so backward to Chesapeake Bay and
Susquehanna, two days* journey; that is to say, as far as
a man can go in two days, as under the hands and seals
of you the said kings may appear; and to the end I may
have a certain knowledge of the land backward, and that
I may be enabled and be provided against the time for
running the said two days* journey, I do hereby appoint
and authorize my loving fifriend, Benjamin Chambers, of
Philadelphia, with a convenient number of men to assist
him, to mark out a westerly line from Philadelphia to
Susquehanna, that so the said line may be prepared and
(422)
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INDIAN Contract Ane) deed. 4^3
made ready for going the said two days' journey back-
ward hereafter, when notice is given to you the said
kings, or some of you, at the time of going the said line;
and I do hereby desire and require, in the name bf our
said Governor Penn, that none of you, the said Kings,
Sakamackers, or any others, Indians whatsoever, that
have formerly been concerned in the said tracts of land,
do presume to offer any interruption or hindrance in
making out the said line, but rather I expect your ffurther-
ance and assistance, if occasion be herein ; and that you
will be kind and loving to my said friend, Benjamin
Chambers, and his company, for which I shall, on the
Gove;rnor's behalf, be kind and loving to you hereafter, as
occasion may require.
" Witness my hand and a seal, this seventh day of the
fifth month called July, being the fourth year of the
reign of our great King of England, and eighth of our
Proprietary, William Penn's government.
"Thomas Holme."
A true copy from the original, by Jacob Taylor. With
the foregoing paper is a diagram of the ground plot of
the survey. It goes direct from Philadelphia City to a
spot on the Susquehanna about three miles above the
mouth of the Conestoga, near to a spot marked, " fort
demolished."
In the book of " Charters and Indian Deeds," page 62^
is given the deed of the foregoing granted lands, to
wit:
" We, Shakhoppah, Secane, Malebore, Tangoras, Indian
Sakamackers, and right owners of ye lands lying between
Macopanackan, alias Upland, now called Chester River
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424 HI -STORY OF THE MENKOKITES.
or Creek, and the River or Creek of Pemapecka, now
called Dublin Creek, beginning at a hill called Consho-
hockin, on the River Manaiunck, or SchooUdll, from
thence extending a parallel line to the said Maccyanackan
(alias Chester Creek), by a southwesterly course, and
from the said Conshohocldn hill to the aforesaid Pema-
pecka (alias Dublin Creek), by the said parallel line north-
westerly, and so up along the said Pemapecka as &r as
the creek extends, and so from thence northwestemly
back unto the woods, to make up two full days' journey,
as far as a man can go in two days from the said station
of the said parallel line at Pemapecka, as also begfinning
at the said parallel at Mecopanackan (Chester Creek), and
so from thence up the said creek as far as it extends, and
from thence northwestemly back into the woods, to make
up two full days* journey, as far as a man can go in two
days from the said station of the said parallel line at the
said Macopanackan, alias Chester Creek, For and in
consideration of 200 fathoms of wampum, 30 fathoms of
dufifells, 30 guns, 60 fathoms of strawed waters, 30 kettles,
30 shirts, 20 gun belts, 12 pairs shoes, 30 pairs stock-
ings, 30 pairs scissors, 30 combs, 30 axes, 30 knives, 21
tobacco tongs, 30 bars of lead, 30 pounds powder, 30
awls, 30 glasses, 30 tobacco boxes, 30 papers of beads,
44 pounds red lead, 30 pairs of hawks' bells, 6 drawing
knives, 6 caps, 12 hoes — to us in hand well and truly
paid by William Penn, Proprietary and Governor of
Pennsylvania and territories,
" Do BY THESE VRiES^^TS grant, bargain, Sell, ^/^r., all 'right,
title and interest that we or any others shall or may claim
in the same, hereby renouncing and disclaiming forever
any claim or pretence to the premises, for us, our heirs
and successors, and all other Indians whatsoever.
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INDIAN CONTRACT AND DEED.
42s
" In Witness whereof, we set our hands and seals, etc.,
this thirtieth day of the fifth month called July, and in
the year 1685.
Signed,
Shakahappoh, Secane,
Malebore, Tangoras.
"Sealed and delivered to Thomas Holme, President
of the Provincial Council, in the presence of us :
Tareckhoua, Lasse Cock,
Penoughant, Mouns Cock,
Wesakant, Swan Swanson,
Kacocahahous, Ism Frampton,
Nehallas, Sam'l Carpenter,
Toutamen, Will Asley,
Tepasekenin. Arthur Cook,
Tryall Holme."
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Mennonites.
A SECT of Baptists in Holland, so called from Mennon
Simonis of Frizeland, who lived in the sixteenth century.
This sect believes that the New Testament is the only
rule of Faith ; that the terms Person and Trinity are not
to be used in speaking of the Father, Son and Holy
Ghost ; that the first man was not created .perfect ; that
it is unlawful to swear or to wage war upon any occa-
sion ; that infants are not the proper subjects of baptism,
and that ministers of the Gospel ought to receive no
salary. They all unite in pleading for toleration in
religion, and debar none from their assemblies who lead
pious lives and own the Scripture for the Word of God.
The Mennonites meet privately, and every one in the
assembly has the liberty to speak, to expound the Scrip-
ture, to pray and sing. They assemble twice every
year, from all parts of Holland, at Rynsbourg, a village
about two leagues from Leyden, at which time they re-
ceive the Communion, sitting at a table where the first
distributes to the rest ; and all sects are admitted, even
the Roman Catholics, if they please to come. — Dictionary
of Arts and Science. London. Printed for W. Owen
at Homer's Head, in Fleet-Street, 1764.
(426)
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Origin of New Year's Day, or First of
January.
Anciently the year began with March. This was in
the day of Romulus, the founder of the once famed city
of Rome. That legislator, for the use of his people, di-
vided time into several periods; but, being more of a
military man than an astronomer, he made his years to
consist of ten months, fancying the sun to pass through
all the seasons in three hundred and four days. This
distribution occasioned great inconvenience. It, how-
ever, continued to exist until Numa Pompelius ascended
the throne, when a remedy was suggested which, it was
thought, would obviate the difficulty. The introduction
of two additional months was recommended, and, finally,
under the names of January and February, were inter-
polated between December and March. The year was
than made to begin with January. Respecting the
origin of this name, we are taught that it came to
us from the Latin Januarius^ a word given to it by
the Roman?. The latter derived it from Janus, one of
their divinities, who was said to preside over all new
undertakings. In all sacrifices the first libations of wine
were offered to him and all prayers prefaced by a brief ad-
dress to the same distinguished personage. When in the
flesh, he is said to have ruled as the first king over Italy,
and to have endeared himself to his subjects by his gen-
(427)
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428 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITES.
erous and merciful conduct towards strangers and by the
kindness and consideration which he showed to them-
selves. - His reign was marked by wisdom, judgment
and prudence and by the reforms which he brought
about. It was he who taught them that civility raised
the standard of their morals, and instructed them how to
improve the vine, raise the corn and make bread.
So great and powerful a king could not fail to impress
by his actions a simple-minded and superstitious-loving
people. What more natural than for them to love and
serve him while living, and, when dead, to deify and
place him on the pinnacle of heaven as an object of
admiration and worship? No longer blessed with his
presence, and unable to see him with the bodily eye as
he sat enthroned on high, they must needs have some-
thing tangible.
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Undertakers for Funerals.
This is wholly a modem afifair. It was formerly the
case that long trains of friends, male and female, walked
in procession. It seemed more solemn than now ; and
when the coffin was accompanied by pall and pall-
bearers for respectable funerals, it was more dignified
and imposing. It was a kind of willing homage of
friends, who thereby signified a willing respect and re-
gard for the deceased.
(429)
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First Mennonites Represented as Quakers.
The Germans who originally arrived came for con-
science sake to this land, and were a very religious com-
munity. They were usually called Palatines, because
they came from a Palatinate, called Cresheim and Cre-
feld. Many of the German Friends had been convinced
by William Penn in Germany. Soon after their settle-
ment, in 1683, some of them, who were yet in Phila-
delphia, suffered considerably by fire, and were then
publicly assisted by the Friends. — Watson's Annals y Vol.
II, p. 19.
The above is a specimen by which the reader will see
how the Mennonites are represented as Quakers. Those
who originally arrived were thirteen families, all Men-
nonites, who came from Cresheim and Crefeld in 1683.
The Friends mentioned above were a different party.
(430)
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^ No Union of Church and State.
In Bullinger's Widertoufferen Vrsprung, page 165,
printed by Froschower, at Zurich, 1 560, we find the fol-
lowing :
Dan sy haltend styff das widerspyl, vnd leerend, die
Oberkeit moge und solle sich der Religion vnd Gloubens
sachen niit annehmen. * * Es bedunckt die Touffer
vngebiirlich syn, dass in der kirchen ein ander schwardt
dan nun dess Gottlichen worts solle gebrucht werden ;
vnd noch vil vngebiirlicher, dass man menschen, das ist,
denen die in der Oberkeit sind, solle die sachen der
Religion oder Gloubens hendel vnderwerffen.
(431)
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Habits of First Settlers.
In their early days all the better kind of houses had
balconies in the front, in which, at the close of the day,
it was common to see the women, cK most of the houses,
sitting and sewing or knitting. At that time the women
went to their churches generally in short gowns and pet-
ticoats, and with check or white flaxen aprons. The
young men shaved smooth and wore white caps; in
summer they went without coats, wearing striped home-
spun trowsers, and barefooted ; the old men wore wigs.
— Watson's Annals,
Watson says, when speaking of the first settlers of
Germantown: — "They used no wagons in going to
market, but the woman went and rode on a horse with
two panniers slung on each side of her. The women,
too, carried baskets on their heads, and the men wheeled
wheelbarrows — being six miles to market. Then the
people, especially man and wife, rode to church, funerals
and visits both on one horse ; the woman sat on a pillion
behind the man."
Another writer states : — Pastor John Minnich, one of
the old Mennonite preachers, used to come each Sunday
from Dolly Lolly Corner, near Shoemakertown, on horse-
back, his wife, Nanny, riding on behind. Preachers in
his day did not require a coach and six.
It was also no uncommon occurrence to see Pastor
(432)
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/
HABITS OF FIRST SETTLERS. 433
Heinrich Hunsicker, of Perkiomen, go out on a Sun-
day morning at two o'clock, and fetch his horse from
pasture, and put a saddle, which he had made of straw,
on the horse, and then he and his wife would ride to
German town, both on one horse, a distance ^ of twenty-
miles, where he was to preach.
How does the above compare with many of our six
thousand dollar preachers of to-day ?
In going to be married the bride rode to meeting
behind her father, or next friend, seated on a pillion ; but
after the marriage the pillion was placed, with her, behind
the saddle of her husband. — Watson's Annals.
28
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Obituary.
William F. Williams died Friday, April 9th, 1885,
in the seventy-sixth year of his age. The deceased was
a member of the Mennonite Church at Germantown, and
was elected one of the Trustees for the last eight years,
and succeeded Peter Schriver, as sexton of the church,
until about two years ago, when he moved to his son-in-
law, in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County,
where he died. He was a devoted Christian gentleman,
and was universally respected. The funeral services
were conducted by N. B. Grubb.
Samuel Rittenhouse died September's th, 1885, in the
eighty-fourth year of his age. Deceased was a deacon
in the Germantown Mennonite Church for many years,
and was the Secretary of the congregation, and had in
his possession and care all books and papers belonging
to the congregation. He is buried in the Mennonite
graveyard at Germantown. He was highly respected,
and served in his official capacity to the satisfaction of
all. The burial services were conducted by N. B.
Grubb. — Church Records,
(434)
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Index.
An asterisk * denotes a Minister.
Address by Amish Men-
nonites, 293
Agnew, General, 113
Albigenses, 372, 376, 396
*Alderfer, Isaac, 223
'•'Allebach, John, 230, 238
*Allebach, Christian, 230
Allen, William, 242
Allen, Deed, 246
*Amen, Jacob, 326
Amsterdam Synod, 20
Appomattox, 75
Arets, Lenart, 50, 51, 62,
413
*Aucker, Christian, 278
*Aucker, Henry, 278
*Aucker, William, 278
*Augspurger,Christian, 162
Axe, John Frederick, 112,
413
*Baer, Martin, 115
*Baer, John, 320
Baptism of Adults, 371,
372, 373, 376
Baptism of Infants 10, 18,
22,30,56,57, 118,369,
370, 371, 378
Baptists from Mennonites,
58
Baptist or Mennonites in
Holland, 425
*Bartolet, Henry, 218
Bartolet, Daniel, 232
*Bauer, Henry, 223
Baumgartner, David, 304
*Bean, Amos K., 220
*Bear, Adam, 171
Beasly, Richard, 313, 316
Bechtel, Abraham, 320
*Bechtel, Joseph, 315
*Bechtel, Abraham, 262
* Bechtel, Johannes, 262
* Bechtel, George B., 262
*Bechtel, Johannes B., 263
*Bechtel, Johannes C, 263
♦Bechtel, John B., 261, 275
*Bechtel, Samuel, 226, 237
*Beghtly, Jacob, 115, 261,
263
(435)
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436
INDEX.
Behagel, Daniel, 50
♦Beidler, Israel, 252, 270
♦Beidler, Jacob, 253
♦Beidler, John A., 253
*Beidler, Jesse, 270
Berends, Claes, 91, 104
*Bergey, John, 223
*Bergey, William, 277
Betzner, Samuel, 313, 314
*Birke, Johannes, 226
♦Bishop, , 132
^ *Blaurock, George, 375
Bleikers, Johannes, 5 1
*Bliem, Christian, 252, 275
*Blosser, Abraham, 135,
149
Blosser, Dr. Jacob, 157
*Boehm, Jacob, 118
Bokanogen, Jan Willemse,
68
Bom, Cornelius, 66, 72
Bom, Herman, 81, 83
*Bowman, Johannes, 115
*Boyer, Johannes, 262
Boyer, Hans, 113
Bradford, William 73, 74,
86, 91
Brandt, Albertus, 68, 85
*Brechtbuhl, Benedict, 189,
194,291
*Brenneman, Jacob, 157
*Brenneman, J. M., 166
*Brewer, Josiah, 171
Bricker, Samuel, 316
Brons, Anna, 104
♦Brubacher, John, 157
*Brubaker, Jacob, 278
Brubaker, John, 315
*Brundage, Daniel, 158,
161
*Brunk, Christian, 141, 143
*Brunk, George, 141
Buchholz, Heinrich, 69
*Buckwalter, David, 270
*Buckwalter, John, 270
Bullinger's WiedertauflFer
Ursprung,43i
*Burgholzer, , 115
*Burghalter or Burchi, 291
*Burkholder, Peter, 139,
147
*Burkholder, Abraham B.,
141
Burkholder, S. M., 146
*Burkholder, David, 163
*Burkhalter, Hans, 189,
194, 291
*Burkhalter, , 272
*Burkhard, , 272
Calvin, i,44, 57
Calvinists, i, 18, 398
Calvinist Minister, 403
Carr, Sir Robert, 87
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INDEX.
43;
Cassel, Abraham H., 71,
96, us, 196, 208, 351,
.404
Cassel, Hubert, 115
*Cassel, Yilles, 213, 218,
404
*Cassel, Isaac, 106, 218
*Cassel, Joseph, 231
Cassel, Hoopert, 240
Cassels, 35 1-2-3-4-5-6-7
Fonnerly the Cassels wrote their
name with K as the following will
show. They have been given as
found in old records without
changing any of them. In later
years it became a custom among
them to write with a C. They
are, however, all the same family.
*Kassel, Heinrich, 60, 210,
404
Kassel, Johannes, 70, 71,
83
Kassel, Arnold, 70, 85, 86
Kassel, Peter, 70
Kassel, Elizabeth, Mary
and Sarah, 70
*Kassel, Yilles, 71, 199,
351
Kassels, 71
Cate, Ten, 74
Charles II, 46
*Christophel, Jacob, 1 59,
164
Classen, Cornelius, 91
*Claus, Jacob, 60, 78
Claypoole, James, 52, 53,
54,66
*Clemens, Isaac, 223
*Clemmer, Velti, 115, 251,
263
♦Clemmer, Josiah, 225
♦Clemmer, Christian, 253,
• 275
*Clemmer, Samuel, 267
♦Coffman, John S., 162, 163
*Coffman, Samuel, 133, 141,
143, 145, 149
Committee on Foreign
Needs, 184, 185, 194,
195, 196, 199, 201, 289,
293
Confession of Faith at
Amsterdam, 23
Confession of Faith at
Dortrecht, 25
*Conrads, John, 1 1 5
Cotweis, Conrad, 92
Council at Carthage, 370
Council at Rome, 370
*Coyle, James, 162
Cunard, Samuel, 124
Dathenus, Peter, 23
Declaration to Hon. As-
sembly, ID I
Digitized by
Google
438
INDEX.
Deed of Germantown
Church, 98
De Hoop Scheffer, Prof. J.
G.,96
De la Plaine, Nicholas, 86
De la Plaine, James, 86, 93
*De Lanoi, Jean, 105
Delavell, John, 67
*Denner, Jacob, 236
*Derstein, George, 238
*Detwiler, George, 219
Detwiler, Samuel K., 237
Detwiler, Jacob, 238
*Detwiler, Samuel D., 239
Dewees, William and Cor-
nelia, 94
♦Diehl, Henry, 275
Dock, Christopher, 98,
107, 221, 203
Doeden, Jan, 81, 88
*Ebersole, Abraham, of
Ind., 164
*Ebersole, Abraham,of Md.,
171
*Ebersole, John, 279
*Eby, Christian, 296
*Eby, Peter, 296
*Eby, Benjamin, 296, 313,
315, 321
*Eby, Benjamin, Jr., 297
*Eby, Peter, Jr., 297
Eby, John, 317
Eleanora, Johanna, 50
Engle, Paul, 89, 113
*Erb, John, 272, 279, 321
*Esht, John M., 261, 263
Falkner, Daniel, 88, 89
Falkner, Justus, 91
♦Fauver, John, ij2
*Fox, George, 16, 58, 118
*Forry, Joseph, 277
Frame, Richard, 74
Frank, , 18
Frankfort Purchases, 64
*Fredericks, A. H., no
* Freed, Jacob, 161
*Fretz, Abraham, 238
*Fretz, Allen M., 258
Fretz, John, 312
*Friedt, Hans, 242
Fried, Paul, 94
*Friesen, Abraham, 173
*Friesner, Harvey, 164
*Funk, John F., 62, 82,
162, 341
*Funk, Jacob, Jr., 108, 109,
225, 338, 339» 340
Funk, Catharine, 108
*Funk, Heinrich, 108, 199,
213, 221, 225,226, 337
*Funk, Albert E., 1 10 1 16,
267
Digitized by
Google
INDEX.
439
Funk, Joseph, 148
*Funk, Christian, 150, 225,
337
*Funk, David, 164
Funk, Martin, 2(X>
Funk, Henry, 240
Funk, John, 240
*Funk, Heinrich, 262
*Funk, John, 270
*Funk, Jacob, 270
*Funk, Michael, 278
*Funk, John, 311
Funk, Jacob, Sr., 338
Furly, Benjamin, 52, 53,
89, 95
*Gehman, Samuel, 238
*Gehman, Jacob, 256
*Gehman, Johannes, 263
*Gehman, Hannes, 265
*Gehman, John, 265
*Gehman, William, 265,
27s
*GehmaiT, Samuel, 278
*Geissinger, Abraham, 256
*Geissinger, John, 257
Geissler, Daniel, 85, 90
*Geil, John, 141
*Geil, John, Jr., 141, 149
*Geil, John, 248
Germantown, Seal, 84
Gerritz, Lubbert, 58
Gettysburg, 75
*Gilmer, Isaac, 278
*Gingerich, Isaac, 278
*Gnagy, John, 162
*Godshall, Jacob, 225, 236
*Godshall, Henry, 231
*Godshall, Moses, 234, 235,
253, 267
Godshall, Godshall, 234
♦Godshall, William S., 235
Godshall, William, Sr., 236
Godshall, Andrew, 240
*Godshall, Samuel, 240,
245
*Godshall, Abraham, 245,
247
*Godshall, Isaac, 247
Gottschall, George, 89
*Gottschall, Jacob, 92, 105,
106, 115, 182, 199,213,
218, 295, 418
Good, David, 161
*Gorgas, John, 113, 115
*Goses, Hemine, 60
Gray, Algernon S., 138,
139
Graeme, Thomas, 122
*Graybill, -, 131
*Graybill, Thomas, 277
*Graybill, Solomon, 277
Graybill, John, Sr., 278
*Graybill, John, Jr., 278
Digitized by
Google
440
INDEX.
♦Graybill, Christian, 278
♦Graybill, Jacob, 278
Graybill, William, 278
*Gross, Jacob, 242, 31 1
♦Gross, Christian, 244
♦Gross, John, 244, 247
♦Gross, Samuel, 247
♦Gross, Jacob, 313
♦Grow, Isaac, 141
♦Grubb, Nathaniel B., no,
115,235, 268
♦Habecker, David, 170
♦Hahn, Jacob, 170
♦Haldeman, Christian, 223,
236
♦Haldeman, John, no, at
New Britain, Bucks Co.,
Pa., and Germantown.
♦Haldeman, Abraham, 269,
278
♦Haldeman, Jacob, 270
♦Haldeman, Joseph, 270
♦Hartman, Emanuel, 164
Hasevoet, Abraham, 50
♦Hauser, , 271
♦Heatwole, Daniel, 141
♦Heatwole, Gabriel D.,
141, 144
♦Heatwole, Peter S., 141
♦Heatwole, Joseph R, 141,
144, 149
♦Heges, Daniel, 281
♦Hellerman, George, 270
♦Hellerman, , 1 10
♦Hendricks, Peter, 60
Hendricks, Gerhard, 68,
69,70,74, 78, no. Ill
Hendricks, Dewees Ger-
hard, 69
Hendricks, Dewees Adri-
an, 69
♦Hendricks, Laurence, 78,
187
Hendricks, William, 89
Hendricks, Barndt, 92
♦Henning, David, 275 .
♦Herr, Christian, 115
♦Herr, John, 154
♦Herr, Christian, 272
♦Herr, Jacob, 272
♦Herr, Hans, 287, 298
♦Herr, Christian, 298
♦Herr, John, 298
♦Herr, D. K., 298
♦Herr, Amos, 298
♦Herr, John, 298
♦Herr, Benjamin, 298
♦Hershey, Benjamin, Bish-
op, 157
♦Hershey, Benjamin, 160
♦Hershey, Andrew, 299
♦Hershey, Benjamin, 599
♦Hershey, Christian, 299
Digitized by
Google
INDEX.
441
Herstein, John, 234, 236
* Hess, Samuel, 271
*Hiestand, Jacob, 247
*Hiestand, Jacob, 252
*Hildebrand, Jacob, 132,
- 141
Hildebrand, Peter, 330
*Hirschi, Benedict, 115
*Hoch, Daniel, 313
Hoedt, Casper, 85
*Hoover, Martin, 159
Horekill, 87
♦Horning, Abel, 238
*Horst, Michael, 171
Huber, Benjamin, 161
*Hulzhatiser, , 265
*Hunsberger, Christian, 219
♦Hunsberger, John B., 219
Hunsberger, John, 233
*Hunsberger, Jacob, 241
*Hunsberger, Jacob B., 270
♦Hunsicker, Heinrich, 106,
218, 234, 236, 433
*Hunsicker, Abraham, no,
233» 252
*Hunsicker, Henry A., 1 10
*Hunsicker, Frank, no
*Hunsicker, John, 218, 252
*Hunsicker, Jacob, 241
*Hunsicker, John, 279
♦Huss, John, 44
Indian Contract with Wil-
liam Penn,422
Indian Deed to William
Penn, 423
Jacobs, John, 94, n 3
*Jansen, Claus, 82, 94, 106,
218, 295
Jansen, Reynier, 89, 90
Jansen, Peter, 405
Jansen, Dirk, 91, 113
Jansen, Dirk, 91
Jansen, Conrad, 105
Jawert, Balthaser, 50
♦Johnson, Nicholas, 115
♦Johnson, Henry, Sr., 220
♦Johnson, Henry, Jr., 220
Johnson, Henry G., 253
Jones, Hon. Horatio Gates,
364, 365
♦Kaiser, Leonard, 74, 374
♦Kauffman, D.D., 157, 158
Karsdorp, Herman, 9 1 ,
104, 105, 182, 184
Karsdorp, Isaac, 91
Karstner, Paul, 82, 85
Kasselberg. Hendricks, 82
♦Keim, Peter, 164
Keith, George, 67, 79, 85
Keller, Dr. Ludwig, 79
Kelpius, Johannes, 88
Digitized by
Google
442
INDEX.
Kemler, Dr.^Johannes, 50
Kendig, Martin, 286, 287
♦Kephart. , 247
Kercheval, Samuel, 129
Keurlis, Peter, 51
Keyser, Dirk, 74, 106, 342,
343
Keyser, Jacob, 107
Keyser, Peter, 113
Keyser, Peter, Jr., 343
Kleever, Peter, 82, 88, 90
Klinken, Arents, 73, 85,.
92
Kiosterman, Ennecke, 81,
83, 418
Klumpges, Jacob Jansen,
81
*Kneage, , 156
Knorr, Jacob, 107
Kolb, Jacob, Johannes
and Martin, 71, 94
Kolb, Jacob, 94, 106, 345
Kolb, Johannes, 94, 344
*Kolb, Martin, 94, 105,
106, IIS, 182, 199, 213,
218, 344
*Kolb, Henry, 94, 106, 115,
218, 295, 344
*Kolb, Dielman, 199, 206,
213, 221, 222, 344
*Kolb, Isaac, 226
*Kolb, Samuel, 242
♦Kolb, Jacob, 247
Kolb, Dielman, 344
*Kulp, Abraham, 344
*Kulp, Jacob, 223
♦Kulp, Jacob C, 230, 231
Kramer, Andries, 82, 85
Kratz, Valentine, 240
♦Kratz, Valentine, 31 1, 312,
313
*Krehbiel, Jacob, 169
*Krehbiel, Jacob, Jr., 169
Krey, John, 94
*Krupp, Jacob, 231
Kunders, Thonis, 51, 53,
83» 96, ii3» 116,412
*Kurtz, Jacob, 278
♦Kurtz, John, 278
Kuster, Arnold, 61, 85
Kuster, Paulus, 87
Kuster, Johannes, 94
Kuster, Hermanus, 94
Kuster, Peter, 123
♦Landis, David H., 141
♦Landis, Elias, 218
♦Landis, Jacob, 225
Landis, Samuel, 237, 275
♦Landis, Daniel, 244
♦Landis, William, 253
♦Landis, Rudolph, 311
♦Langenacker, Daniel, 115,
261, 263
Digitized by
Google
INDEX.
443
*Lapp, John, 169
*Lapp, Abraham, 169
Laurens, Jan, 50, 66
Lederach, Christian, 240
Lehbrun, Johannes, 50
*Lehman, P. P., 158
♦Lehman, Peter S., 158
*Lehman, Peter Y., 162
*Lehman, Joseph, 164
*Lehman, Peter, 169
* Lehman, Benjamin, 279
* Lehman, Samuel, 279
* Lehman, John, 279
Lensen, Jan, 51,61, 65
*Lesher, Benjamin, 279
Levering, Gerhard, 72
Ley den, John of, 56
Liberty of Speech, 371,
372
Liberty of Conscience,
loi, 1x8, 119, 121, 310
Loher, , 84, 95
Logan, James, 59
Loof, Anthony, 82
*Loucks, Jacob, 162
*Lbucks, Jonas, 162
*Loux, Jacob C, 231
*Loux, Enos, 279
Lucken, Jan, 5 1
Luther, Martin, i, 18, 19,
56,57, 118
Lutherans, 43, 44
Mack, Andreas, 261, 263
Mann, Dr. W. J., of Zion
Church, 80
Martin, E. K., 13, 16,43
*Martin, John, 171
*Martin, David, 271
*Martin, Henry, 271
Martyrs* Mirror, 48, 200,
211
Mastricht, Dr. Gerhard
Von, 50
*Matthys, Johann, 12, 56
*Mehrning, 18, 376, 397
*Mellinger, Daniel, 141
Mennonites, 10, 12, 14, 16,
18, 22, 24, 43, 44, 86,
381, 392, 412,413
*Mensch, Jacob, 219
Merian, Casper, 50
*Metzler, Noah, 162
*Meyer, Christian, 226
*Meyers, Abraham, 224
*Meister, Leonhard, 373
Millan, Hans, 81 .
Millan, Matteus, 85
*Miller, Henry A., 163
*Miller, Joseph, 167
Miller, Peter, 420
*Minnich, John, no, 236,
432
Moravians, 44
Mosheim, 22
Digitized by
Google
444
INDEX.
♦Moyer, M. S., 158
*Moyer, Daniel, 160
*Moycr, Jacob. 223
♦Moyer, Michael, 225
Moyer, Abraham F., 241
Moyer, Henry B., 241
Moyer, Isaac, 244
Moyer, Peter, 256
Moyer, Peter, Jr., 256
* Moyer, Jacob, 256
* Moyer, Samuel, 256, 275
* Moyer, Jacob S., 256
Moyer, Samuel, 311
*Moyer, Samuel, 311
* Moyer, Jacob, 312
* Moyer, Jacob, 313
*Moyer, Dillman, 313
*Moyer, Abraham, 313
Muhlenberg, Henry Mel-
chior, 54
*Mumaw, Amos, 162
*Mumma, Jacob, 271
Miinster, 19
Munsterites, ii, 18, 381,
383
Murray, General, his vault,
109
♦Musselman, Jacob, 250,252
♦Musselman, Michael, 251,
252
*MusseIman, Samuel, 251
*Musselman, Samuel, 275
♦Musselman, Jonas, 275
Name List of Mennonite
Ministers, 261,202, 269
Nash, FrancTs, General,
230
Nash, Joseph, 244
Nash, Samuel, 244
Neuss, Jan, 89, 93
Newcomer, Henry, 161
*Nice, Henry, 164
♦Nice, John, 164
*Nice, Henry, Sr., 225
*Noe, Francois, 360
*Nusbaum, John, 161
*Oberholzer, John H., 1 16,
233, 252, 253, 254, 255,
258,^275
*Oberh6lzer, Jacob. 226
Oberholzer, Jacob, 23 1
*Oberholzer, Marcus, 242
♦Oberholzer, Abraham, 3 1 1
♦Overholt, Isaac, 241
*OverhoIt, Abraham, 244
Op den Graeff, Abraham,
51, 53,61,68, 70, no,
III
Op den Graeff, Herman,
51,53,61,68,69,70,74,
78,83
Op den Graeff, Dirk, 51,
Digitized by
Google
INDEX.
445
53,61,68,70,74.78,83,
no
Op de Trap, Herman, 82
Papen, Heivert, 73, 83, 85
Papists, 18
*Parret, Philip H., 279
Pastorius, Daniel Francis,
46,50,53,64,74,78,82,
83,85,93,110,111,415,
418
Pastorius, Melchior Adam,
82
Penn, William, 16, 44, 46,
49, 50, 51,62, 118,403,
414
Penn, Thomas, 122
Pennypacker, Samuel W.,
20, 71, 78, 82, 87, 106,
no. III, 116, 2^1
Pennypacker, Heinrich,
91, 94
*Pennypacker, Matthias,
125, 270
*Penner, Gerhard, 173
*Peters, Isaac, 173
Peterson, Dr. Johann Wil-
helm, 50
Pettikoffer, John, 412
*Philipps, Ubbo, 12
*Philipps, Dirk, 12, $6, 57
Pietists, 86, 88, no
Plockhoy, Cornelitz, 87, 88
Quakers, 46,60, loi, 121,
139, 185,212,232,343,
412
Quakers' Visit among the
Mennonites in Russia,
329
Quakers' Visit among the
Mennonites in Pennsyl-
vania, 326
Quakers; Tho Story's
Visit in Germany, 53
*Remke, Govert, 18, 55
*Remke, John, 61, 73
Renberg, William, 94
* Reiner, Peter, 173
Reyner, Hans, 113
*Rickert, Isaac, 247
Ries, Hans de, 58
*Riesner, , 164
*Risser, Jacob, 171
*Rittenhuysen, Willem, 70,
73,88,97,104,124,182,
363
Rittenhuysen, Willem, be-
came a citizen at Am-
sterdam, 364
Rittenhuysen, Willem, first
Mennonite Minister in
America, 48
Digitized by
Google
446
INDEX*
Rittenhuysen, Willem ,
built first paper-mill in
America, 48
Rittenhuysen, Willem, in-
stalled first Mennonite
Bishop in America, 105,
361,365
Rittenhouse, Elizabeth, 70,
73. 104, 363
*Rittenhouse, Nicholas, 73,
104, i^, 107, 115, 363,
365. 366
Rittenhouse, Gerhard, 73,
104, 113 363
Rittenhouse, Abraham, 1 07
Rittenhouse, David, the
Philosopher, 123, 366
* Rittenhouse, Matthias,
218, 236, 365, 366
Rittenhouse, Jacob C, 42 1
Rittenhouse, Samuel, 434
*Roads, John, 131
Rohrer, Joseph, 159
*Rosenberger, Henry, 226,
241
*Roosen, Gerhard or Ger-
ritt, 18, 55, 105
Roosen, Paul, 91, 104, 359,
360
Roosen, Kord, 358
Roosen, Gerhard, 358, 360,
361
Roosen, Gerlink, 359, 360
Rothman, Bemhard, 53,
384, 385, 386
♦Roth, Jacob, 168
♦Roth, Daniel, 171
*Royer, Daniel, 162
♦Rupp, George, 271
*Rupp, Henry, 271
Rutters, Koenradt, 53
♦Ruth, David, 231, 248
Ryndertz, Tjaent, 57
Sabbath School, the first
on record, 420
Saint Aldegonde, 23
Saur, Christopher, Sr., 48,
124, 205, 2106, 207, 215
Saur, Christopher, Jr., 206,
208^
Schaffer, Isaac, 81
♦Schank, Abraham, 141
♦Schank, Samuel, 141
Schantz, Jacob Y., 152
♦Schantz, Christian, 164
♦Schantz, Joseph, 253
♦Schantz, John, 265
♦Schantz, Joseph, 265
♦Scheffer, Dr. J. G. De
Hoop, 13, 80, 96, 290
Scherch, Joseph, 313, 314
♦Scherch, , 324
♦Schiffler/Albrecht, 174
Digitized by
Google
INDEX.
447
♦Schimmel, Levi O., 252,
267
*Schmitt, John, 157
*Schmidt, J. R., 160, 161,
163
Schmutz, Johannes, 236
Schneider, Theodore, the
Jesuit, 260
Scholl, Johannes, 94
*Schowalter, Christian, 280,
281
Schumacher, Peter, 5 1 , 68,
69,71,92,93,95, 113
Schumacher, Jacob, 53,
236
Schumacher, Sarah, 70
Schumacher, Benjamin,
70
Schumacher, Samuel, 70
Schumacher, Isaac, 93
Schultz, Dr. Johahn Jacob,
49
*Schulz, Jonas Y., 275
*Schwartz, Abraham, 242
Schwenkfeld, Casper, 56,
118, 121
Schwenkfelders assisted
by Mennonites, 196
Seidensticker, Oswald, 46
Seimens, Jan, 51, 72
Sellen, Hendrick, 61, 81,
82, 94
Severance of Church and
State, 57
Sewel, William, 60
*Seijmensma, N.J., 160, 161
Silans, Johann, 81
*SimonS, Menno, 10, 11,
12,13,14,16,17,18,19,
' 20,21, 56,57,358,377,
394
Sipman, Dirk, 49, 50, 51,
52,61,73,93
Siverts, Cornelis, 81,85, 89
Slavery Protest, 75, no,
III
Sleidanus, 56
*Smith, John, 159 ''
♦Snyder, Sicke, 56
*Shank, Lewis, 141
*Shaum, Henry, 162, 163
*Shelly, Henry L., 164
*Shelly, William N., 252,
253
♦Shelly, Andrew B., 252,
267
♦Shelly, Uriah, 266
♦Shelly, William, 275
♦Shelly, Henry, 278
♦Shenk, John, 132
Sheridan, General, 140
♦Sherk, John, 278
Shiloh, 75
♦SHowalter, Daniel, 141
Digitized by
Google
448
INDEX.
♦Showalter, Daniel, 270
*Showalter, John, 270
*Snavely, , 164
Souplis, Andries, 81
Spencer, Mrs., 431
*Speicher, John P., 164.
*Stanly, George W., 136,
State Churches, 19, 43
State and Church, 21, 1 19
*Stauffer, , 131
Stauffer, Daniel, 200
Stauffer, Heinrich, 262
*Stauffer, John, 279
Stauffer, Daniel, 367
Stauffer, Hans, 367
*Stofer, Eli, 162
Story, Thomas, 59
Strauss, George, 50
Streypers, Willem, 5 1 ,
65
Streypers, Jan, 49, 50, 52,
73,96, 113
*Strickler, John, 279
Suters, Daniel, 135, 137
Swamp Church Deed, 250
Swamp Church destroyed
by fire, 250
*Taylor, Lewis, 275
*Teeds, Jacob, 141
Tell, William, 21
Telner, Jacob, 49, 50, 52,
53,61,66,67,83, 185
Telner, Jacob, baptized, 68
Telner's Township, 68
Thomas, Gabriel, 74
Tresse, Thomas, 90
Trow, Mr., 152
Tunes, Abraham, 51
Tyson, Reynier, 51
Tyson, Cornelius, 91
Uberfeldt, Johann Wil-
helm, 50
Umstat, Hans Peter, 68
Umstat, Johannes, 94
Unzicker, Peter, 164
*Van Braght, 18
Van Bebber, Jacob Isaacs,
50, 66, 83
Van Bebber, Isaac Jacobs,
66
Van Bebber, Matthias, 93,
94, 106, 217, 218
*Van der Smissen, Carl H.
A., 266
*Van der Smissen, C. J.,
202, 281
Van der Werf, Richard, 91
*Van Helle, Pieter, 105, 361
*Van Kampen, Jacob, 105
361
Digitized by
Google
INDEX.
449
Van Kolk, Dirk, 8i, 83
Van Sintern, Isaac, 91,
104, 105, 182
Van Sintem, Heinrich, 9 1
Van Vossen, Arnold, 91,
93, 97
*Van Weenigen, Bastiaan,
360
Voss, Jan de, 91,
*Voth, H. R., 127
*Wadel, Peter, 279
Waldenses, 18, 55, 358
Waldenses in three divis-
ions, 372
♦Waldus, Peter, 17
Walle, Jacob Van de, 50
* Weaver, Samuel, 141
*Weaver, Joseph, 157
*Weaver, J. J., 163 *
♦Weaver, J., 166
*Weaver, Henry, 273s
♦Weitman, Adam, 319
*Weitman, Henry, 319
*Weittnan, Jacob, 319
*Wenger, Christian, 164
*Wenger, Henry, 141
Wertmiiller, George, 53
*Westhaser, , 271
Wickliffe, 17
William, Prince of Orange,
23
29 .
Williams, Jan, 82
Williams, William F., 434
Wilhelms, Gisbert, 82
Wilson, Margaret, 44
*Winny, Samuel, 278
*Wisler, Jacob, 159
*Wissler, Martin, 272
*Wismer, Abraham, 218
*Wismer, Henry, 219
*Wismer, Abraham, Sr.,
244
* Wismer, Abraham, 3 1 1
Wister, John, 417
Wister, Casper, 417
*Witmer, Abraham. 278
*Witmer, David, 277
*Witmoyer, Cyrus, 278
Wolf, Paul, 81, 85. 92
Woman in the Wilderness,
88
Wylich, Dr. Thomas Van,
50
*Yoder, Samuel, 162
* Young, Abraham, 253
*Young, Valentine; 274
Zaller, Melchior, 189, 291
*Zetty, Christian, 252
Zschpkke, Heinrich, 305
*Ziegler, Michael, 94, 115,
I99> 213, 218, 222, 295
Digitized by
Google
450
INDEX.
*Ziegler, Andrew, 108, 110,
218, 223
Ziegler, Andrew, Sr., 222
Ziegler, Andrew D., 234
Zimmerman, Christopher,
94
♦Zimmerman, John Hein-
rich, 173
♦Zimmerman, Samuel, 271
*Zimmerman,Benjamin,272
Zwingli, Ulrich, 9, 21, 44,
56, 118
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