THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN SOCIETY
PENNSYLVANIA:
THE GERMAN INFLUENCE
IN ITS SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
A HISTORY
OF THE
GOSHENHOPPEN REFORMED CHARGE
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
(1727-1818)
Part XXIX of a Narrative and Critical History
Prepared at the Request of
The Pennsylvania-German Society
By Rev. William John Hinke, Ph.D., D.D.
Professor of Semitic Languages and Religions
in Auburn Theological Seminary, Auburn, NY
LANCASTER
1920
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CHAPTER III.
MINISTRY OF JOHN HENRY GOETSCHY, 1735-1740.
AFTER the departure of Peter Miller, Goshenhoppen remained without a pastor for nearly a year. In the summer of 1735, however, a new minister appeared in the person of young John Henry Goetschy. 105
On May 29, 1735, the ship Mercury, William Wilson, master, from Rotterdam, landed in Philadelphia with 186 passengers. Among them were Esther Goetschy, aged 44 years and her eight children: Henry, 17 years; Rudolph, 12 years; Mauritz, 10 years; Anna, 24 years; Barbara, 18 years; Esther, 16 years; Beat, 8 years; Magdalena, 6 years. With them came also Conrad Wuertz, who had married Anna Goetschy, and like John Henry Goetschy, became a minister of the Reformed Church.106
These people, who arrived in Philadelphia on May 29, 1735, with the ship Mercury, formed a colony from Switzerland, and, as it is one of the few colonies whose his-
105 For earlier accounts of John Henry Goetschy see Harbaugh, Fathers of the Reformed Church, Vol. I, pp. 292-296; Good, History of the Reformed Church in the United States, 1725-1792, pp. 171-189; Dotterer, "Goetschy's Colony," in Historical Notes, pp. 171-173, 179-186; Dubbs, Reformed Church in Pennsylvania, pp. 104-110; Corwin, Manual of the Reformed Church, 4th ed., pp. 489-492; also Life and Letters of Boehm, pp. 51-54.
106 Penna. Archives, 2d Series, Vol.. XVII, pp. 113-117.
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History of Goshenhoppen Reformed Charge. 97
tory can be told with some detail, it will be interesting to trace them in their journey from Zurich, Switzerland, until they step upon the shores of the New World.
The leader of this Colony was the Rev. Maurice Goetschy, whose son, John Henry, became pastor at Goshenhoppen in 1735.
The members of the Goetschy family had been for many generations citizens in Zurich, Switzerland. The first person of that name who is mentioned in the genealogical records of the city was Henry Goetschy, who in 1315 A.D., was mayor of the city. Maurice Goetschy was born in 1686.107 On December 4, 1702, he matriculated in the Latin school at Zurich. On February 24, 1710, he married Esther Werndli, and was in the same year admitted to the ministry. In 1712 he became first deacon at Bernegg in the Rhine valley (Canton of St. Gall), and in 1720 pastor at Salez. In 1733 he was deposed from the ministry. On March 8, 1718 his son John Henry was born. The younger Goetschy matriculated in the Latin school at Zurich on March 23, 1734. But before he had spent half a year at school, his father with his whole family left for Pennsylvania.
On October 7, 1734, the Nachrichten von Zürich, a newspaper of the city, published the following account of the departure of the colony of Maurice Goetschy:108
DEPARTURE OF MR. MAURICE GOETSCHY FROM ZURICH, OCTOBER 4, 1734
The past Monday [October 4th], Mr. Maurice Goetschy, together with his wife and children and with a considerable number
107 The statements regarding Maurice Goetschy and his family are taken from the Lexicon Geographico-Heraldico-Stemmatographicum, zusammengetragen von Johann Friedr. Meyss, A˚. 1740, Vols. I-VII, manuscripts in the city library of Zurich (Msc. E. 54), VOL II, Letters D-G, p. 806.
108 Printed by Mr. Dotterer in Historical Notes, p. 172.
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of country people, old and young, took passage on a boat, and started for the so called Carolina island, in the hope of meeting there with better fortune than he had found in his native land. He was urgently dissuaded by our gracious Lords [of the government] and by the local clergy, but he persisted in his resolution, and took his departure. Shortly afterwards another boat followed him with like, we must say, silly people, making a total of 174 persons for that day. Many thousands saw them depart with great pity for them, especially because they were under-taking so thoughtlessly, with wife and child, and but poorly provided for, the dangerous journey of 300 hours in cold, rain and wind, now, when the days are getting shorter. Nevertheless, kindhearted and distinguished persons supplied them with all kinds of articles, such as bread, shawls, caps etc. The following day the third boat started off. These were liberally provided, from the office of charities, with a large amount of bread, flour, stockings and other supplies. Especially the neighborhood of the exchange showed itself deeply sympathetic; nor will they be likely to forget what was given to them at the Salthouse for bodily refreshment. In like manner many merchants assisted them. Upon the last boat were 82 persons, who would have been worthy of more consideration if they had been compelled to leave for the honor or the truth of God. They must bear the consequences of their act, be they good or ill. At the same time, upwards of 20, induced by the wise representations of worthy gentlemen and citizens, changed their intentions, choosing the better part. They remained here and will be very kindly returned to their homes. Meanwhile we should pray God that the great number who have gone on this journey, may either soon return or reach the destination they so much wish for. May He fill their hearts with patience, and, as many sad hours are likely to embitter their voyage, may He comfort them with the thought that, if they remain faithful, a far better life is reserved for them.
The journey of the colonists from Zurich to Basle down the Rhine is told at length in a pamphlet which Ludwig
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Weber, one of the emigrants, who returned to Zurich from Holland, wrote and published at Zurich in 1735 as a warning to later venturesome spirits.109 We shall follow his story in tracing the movements of the party.
The emigrant's turned from Zurich northward till they reached the Rhine at Laufenburg. Then taking a boat on the Rhine they came, on October 5, to Rheinfelden, where they had to show their passports. Towards evening of the same day they reached Basle. There they had to wait until a passport could be secured from Comte du Jour, the commanding general of the French army at Strassburg. It cost 44 guilders, which some gentlemen at Basle paid for them. After securing this passport they waited two days longer for the ships that were to carry them down the Rhine. Meanwhile several became impatient at the delay. A tailor from Lichtensteg advised them to take the road through France, claiming that he knew the way and was able to speak French. Thirty-one persons followed him, but nothing more was heard of them. From forty to fifty others resolved to travel through Lorraine by way of Namur to Rotterdam. They were fortunate enough to secure alms at several places along the route and, although they had many quarrels and difficulties, they finally reached Rotterdam eight days after the main party.
At Basle eighty refugees from Piedmont joined them in a separate ship. The main party, consisting of 194 persons, embarked in two ships. They suffered intensely on the ships through rain and cold, against which they were but poorly protected with scanty clothes and provisions.
109 The title page of this pamphlet reads: Der Hinckende Bott von Carolina oder Ludwig Webers von Walliselen Beschreibung seiner Reise von Zürich gen Rotterdam, mit derjenigen Gesellschaft welch neulich aus dem Schweizerland nach Carolinam zu ziehen gedachte, Zürich, MDCCXXXV, pp. 32. Only known copy in the city library at Zürich.
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After leaving Basle their first encampment was upon an island, covered with trees and shrubs, in the middle of the Rhine. Such continued to be their night quarters, although the nights were wet and cold. Moreover the ships were crowded so badly that there was hardly enough room to sit, much less to lie down. There was no opportunity for cooking on the ships; and as they were sometimes compelled to stay days and nights on the ships, the cries of the children were pitiful and heart-rending. Whenever they could get ashore they cooked, warmed themselves and dried their clothes. Many would have liked to return home, but as the armies of the French and the Austrians lay on both sides of the river, they did not dare to risk it. Quarrels among men and women were frequent. Mrs. Goetschy, the chronicler tells us, often quarreled with her husband, called him all kinds of names and one morning tore a cane from his hand and belabored his back soundly.
At night they saw the camp fires of the imperial troops on one side and of the French on the other, which terrified them by their ghostly appearance. As they were afraid of an attack from one or both armies almost at any time, they refrained carefully from making the least noise, so as to pass by unnoticed. Nevertheless, they were stopped repeatedly. At Old Breysach, in the Breisgau, all their chests were opened and examined. Goetschy, who called on the commandant of the fort, was advised to leave immediately, as the French on the other side of the river were aiming three field pieces at the boats. Of course they made off with all possible speed. At Ketsch, near Schwetzingen, west of Heidelberg, the dragoons of the imperial army stopped the boats and compelled Mr. Wirtz of Zurich, who acted as self-appointed commissary, to go to Heidelberg and secure a passport for 30 guilders, from
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History of Goshenhoppen Reformed Charge. 101
the Duke of Wurtemberg, the commanding general of the imperial army. They were also forced to make an extra payment of two ducats for each vessel.
Nine miles below Mayence the dragoons again rode after them and would not have allowed them to pass on, if their leader had not been of the Reformed religion. They took the meat away from Goetschy's plate with their sabers, which they swung about his head, so that he quite lost his appetite. Shortly before reaching Mayence from forty to fifty men had exhausted all their money, so that they did not even have enough to pay their boat fare. They were compelled to continue the journey on foot.
At Mayence they were delayed four days because they could not agree with the captain of the boats about the passage money to be paid to Rotterdam. Finally they agreed on three guilders for adults and half fare for children.
After leaving Mayence their journey was a little more comfortable, for they had at least a chance to cook on the ships. Their spiritual needs, however, were sadly neglected, for, if we can believe the chronicler of the journey, the pastor, Mr. Goetschy, always had the pipe or the wineglass near his mouth. Mornings and evenings, one of the men, Heinrich Scheuchzer from Zurich, read a prayer. When Goetschy actually did preach a sermon, in which he compared some of the leaders of the company to the followers of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, he almost caused a riot.
When they reached Neuweid, four couples were married by a Reformed minister:
1. Hans Conrad Wirtz and Anna Goetschy.
2. Conrad Naff, of Walliselen and Anna N.--
3. Jacob Rathgab and Barbara Mailer, both of Walliselen
4. Conrad Geweiller, a gardener.
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The Count of Wied desired them to remain in his territory, offering to give them houses and land, but as he did not promise as much as they expected to receive in Carolina, they did not accept his offer, but left.
From Neuwied they continued their journey down the Rhine until they reached Collenburg (now Culenborg) in Holland. There they were compelled to stop four days because of a strong contrary wind. Goetschy was invited to preach in the principal church at Culenborg, which he did with much acceptance. As a result a collection was taken up by the congregation for the party, so that each received one guilder. From Culenborg Goetschy sent, a party of three men to Rotterdam, where he said two English ships were waiting for them. The party consisted of Abraham Bunninger, a carpenter of Bachenbulach, Jacob Issler, a tailor, and Abraham Weidman, a blacksmith of Luffingen. At Culenborg they also sold their ships, which they must have bought at Basle, for 45 Dutch guilders, apparently a very small sum. Then, contrary to their agreement, they were compelled to take another ship to convey them to Rotterdam. In their hurry to get off several children fell overboard into the water, from which they were rescued with difficulty. Early the following morning they reached Rotterdam.
Having reached Rotterdam they heard to their dismay that no ships were waiting for them. Moreover the captain of the ship with which they had come wished to return at once, so they had to unload their goods quickly and, having no other place, they dumped them on the bank of the river on one heap.
Mr. Goetschy received a letter from a certain Mr. Schobinger, a native of St. Gall, who was living at the Hague, asking him to come to the Hague. So he left the
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emigrants to their own devices and with his son-in-law hurried off to comply with the request.
In a few days Mr. Wirtz returned and comforted them with the news that several oxen would be sent to them from the Hague, that the States General would send them to England at their own expense and that a large sum of money had been collected for them in England. Unfortunately none of these statements proved to be true. A few days later Goetschy also returned and reported that the State's General had offered him a position as a minister of great importance, that he and his family had thus received unexpected help and he advised them to secure similar help for themselves.
In this extremity some indeed tried to help themselves by begging, but in that they were soon stopped by the magistrate with a threat of a fine of 25 guilders. Meantime some became sick from want and hunger, and two of them died. A tailor from Buchs, Sebastian Neracher by name, who was married in Rotterdam, came to see them. Most of them were in an inn outside of the city. He took care of those from Buchs. He brought with him a Mr. Schapenhaudt, who interceded for them so successfully that many people took pity on them and distributed food and clothes among them. They also paid for their lodgings at the inn.
Mr. Schapenhaudt presented their sad condition to Rev. Mr.
Wilhelmi of Rotterdam, who advised them to go to the Hague and apply there to Mr. von Felss, at the English embassy, to present their needy condition to him. Three men were sent to the Hague. When they reached .the Hague, they first hunted up Mr. Goetschy and told him of their intention. He was greatly displeased with their plan and told them he had already spoken with Mr.
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Felss, who was sufficiently well informed about their plans and condition. Goetschy entertained the three men at dinner and then offered to send a letter with them to Mr. Wilhelmi at Rotterdam. After waiting an hour for the letter, he sent them word that he had already dispatched it with his boy. Hence they had to return to Rotterdam without having accomplished their purpose.
Meanwhile Goetschy had been very successful in his interview with Mr. Felss, whom he calls an antistes,110 but who was a prominent statesman, probably the Grand Pensionary himself.
In a letter, dated November 26, 1734, Goetschy gives a glowing account of this interview to Mr. Friess of Zurich,111 the city treasurer and a near relative of his. After having related their experiences to Mr. Felss, he answered him (according to Goetschy's letter) as follows:
My dear brother, for six years we have been searching for a man through whom the churches of God in Pennsylvania, which consist of more than 60,000 souls, of whom 20,000 have not yet been baptized, could be organized. Divine Providence has sent you to us. Now I shall promote your call as general superintendent of the whole of Pennsylvania, which has more than eight cities and more than 600 boroughs and villages. You shall receive a yearly salary of more than 2000 thalers, until all has been accomplished. I shall see to it that the people get support from the Dutch government. But first you must write to your government for the requisite testimonials and then you will be examined before the General Synod.
Consequently Goetschy implored Mr. Friess to help him in securing the necessary testimonials. His son, John
110 Antistes is a term used in Switzerland for the chief minister of a town. It was originally a Latin term, used of the chief priest of a temple, literally it is one who stands at the head, antisto = antesto.
111 A copy of this letter is preserved in the city library of Zürich. De Rebus Saeculi XVII, Vol. XXXV.
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Henry, supported his father's request in a separate letter, saying that, if the testimonial from Zurich would be favorable to his father, Mr. Felss had promised him to send him to the University of Leiden to study there for the ministry, so that he might become the successor to his father.
Meanwhile Rev. John Wilhelmi [Wilhelmius] of Rotterdam wrote also to Switzerland, to the Rev. John Baptista Ott of Zurich, to learn more of Goetschy's past. On February 5, 1735, Mr. Ott replied to him. He sketched Goetschy's life as student in the Zurich Gymnasium, as deacon at Bernegg and as pastor at Salez. He praised him for his scholarly attainments, as an evidence of which he states that it was popularly reported that lie conducted family worship with the Bible in the original language before him. He acknowledged that he had been guilty of immorality, but expressed the hope that as the authorities in Zurich had dealt leniently with Goetschy, simply dismissing him as a minister, so the Dutch people would find him worthy to send him out as their missionary. 112
Whether this letter reached Holland before the time of the departure of the emigrants is doubtful, as Ludwig Weber states in his report that after his return to Switzerland he heard that the party had left Holland on February 24, 1735.
When Goetschy had received from Mr. Felss the assurance of his appointment as minister to Pennsylvania, he returned to Rotterdam and acquainted his party of emigrants with his changed plans. Most of them readily accepted his proposal to change their destination from Carolina to Pennsylvania. There were, however, some who refused to have anything to do with him. Weber reports
112 All these letters referred to above are in the city library at Zurich.
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88 as taking ship to England, but what became of them is unknown. The rest, 143 persons, signed their names for passage to Philadelphia. They agreed with the owner of a ship [Schiffpatron] to pay six doubloons for an adult and three for a child. . If any of them should die, the survivors pledged themselves to pay their passage money.
The names of those who registered to sail for Pennsylvania were, according to Weber's report, as follows:
EMIGRANTS IN GOETSCHY'S COLONY.
Home in Switzerland. Name of Head of Family. Number. Appenzell Jacob Mettler 1 Bachss Jacob Bucher, shoemaker 4 Basserstorff Heinrich Brunner 1 Basserstorff Heinrich Dübendorffer 5 Basserstorff Jacob Dübendorffer 2 Basserstorff Kilian Dübendorffer 5 Basserstorff Heinrich Hug, wheelwright 1 Bertschicken Rudolph Walder 3 Buchss Jacob Schmid 6 Buchss Jacob Murer (Maurer) 5 Buchss Heinrich Huber 4 Buchss Conrad Meyer 3 Diebendorff Jacob Dentzler 6 Esch Rudolf Egg 1 Flunteren Balthasar Bossart 5 Flunteren Jacob Schellenberg and servant 2 Greiffensee Johannes Heid 2 Hirsslanden Caspar Nötzli and his children Illau Rudolf Hotz 1 Iloten Verena Kern 3 Langenhuet Hans Ott 1 Luffingen Abraham Weidemann, blacksmith 2 Hennidorff Hans Ulrich Ammann 1 Mulliberg Jacob Possart 6 Opffikon Barbara Eberhardt 1 Riesspach Heinrich Schreiber,"blatmacher" 4 Rumlang Rudolf Weidman, tailor 3 Steinmeer, Upper Hans Meyer 4 Stein Conrad Geweiler, and 2nd wife. 2
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Sultzbach Jacob Frey 5 Wallisellen Heinrich Merck 6 Wallisellen Martin Schellenberg 3 Wallisellen Ludwig Lienhardt 1 Wallisellen Jacob Wüst 1 Wallisellen Hans Rudolf Aberli 1 Wallisellen Conrad Keller 3 Wallisellen Jacob Näff 5 Wallisellen Conrad Näff 5 Wallisellen Jacob Näff 2 Wangen Caspar Guntz 1 Windli Hans Ulrich Arner 6 Winckel Jacob Meyer 5 Zummikon Jacob Bertschinger 1 Zurich Heinrich Scheuchzer 1 N.-- Hans Müller 4 N.-- Jacob Müller and brother 2 N.-- Abraham Wäckerli 4 N.-- Hans Kübler 4
This company with some others who evidently joined them after Ludwig Weber had started on his return journey to Switzerland, and whose names he could not therefore record, reached Philadelphia on May 29, 1735, in the ship Mercury, William Wilson, master. It carried in all 186 passengers, 61 men, 51 women, 37 boys and 34 girls. The above list forms an important supplement to the list in the Pennsylvania Archives, as it gives in each case the place in Switzerland from which the several persons came.
The journey itself and some of the later experiences of the Goetschy family are given in a letter which John Henry Goetschy, then a boy of 17 years, wrote on July 21, 1735, to Mr. Werdmüller, deacon at St. Peter's church in Zurich. As this letter has never been published and is quite interesting, we present it in full:113
113 0riginal in Zurich library, see Zusätze zum Lexicon Geograph.-Herald-Stemmatogr., Vol. II, F-H, pp. 196-199 (Msc. E. 62).
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LETTER OF JOHN HENRY GOETSCHY TO ZURICH, JULY 21, 1735.
Very Reverend, Very Learned Mr. Deacon!
I, the most submissive servant of my very reverend, highly and very learned Mr. Deacon, cannot forbear to report to your Reverence, how we are getting along. After we had left Holland and surrendered ourselves to the wild, tempestuous ocean, its waves and its changeable winds, we reached, through God's great goodness toward us, with good wind, England within 24 hours. After a lapse of two days we came to the island of Wicht [Wight] and there to a little town, called Caus [Cowes], where our captain supplied himself with provisions for the great ocean [trip] and we secured medicines for this wild sea. Then we sailed, under God's goodness, with a good east wind away from there. When we had left the harbour and saw this dreaded ocean, we had a favorable wind only for the following day and the following night. Then we had to hear a terrible storm and the awful roaring and raging of the waves when we came into the Spanish and Portuguese ocean. For twelve weeks we were subjected to this misery and had to suffer all kinds of bad and dangerous storms and terrors of death, which seemed to be even more bitter than death. With these we were subject to all kinds of bad diseases. The food was bad, for we had to eat what they call "galley bread." We had to drink stinking, muddy water, full of worms. We had an evil tyrant and rascal for our captain and first mate, who regarded the sick as nothing else than dogs. If one said: "I have to cook something for a sick man," he replied: "Get away from here or I'll throw you overboard, what do I care for your sick devil." In short, misfortune is everywhere upon the sea. We alone fared better. This has been the experience of all who have come to this land and even if a king traveled across the sea, it would not change. After having been in this misery sufficiently long, God, the Lord, brought us out and showed us the land, which caused great joy among us. But three days passed, the wind being contrary, before we could enter into the right river. Finally a good south wind came and brought us in one day through the glorious and beautiful
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Telewa [Delaware], which is a little larger than the Rhine, but not by far as wild as the latter, because this country has no mountains, to the long expected and wished for city of Philadelphia.
When we reached here our dear father, because of the great and tedious journey and the hardships so unbearable to old people, was very sick and weak. On the last day, when we were before Philadelphia, the elders of the Reformed congregation came to him and showed their great joy over him. They spoke with him as their pastor, who had been appointed to that position by the ruling persons in Holland, as was shown by his testimonials which be had with him. They discussed one or other church affair with him and showed their great joy. He spoke heartily with them, as if he were well. The following day they came and took him to the land. When he reached the land he was so exhausted by his sickness that he could not walk alone, but was carried in a chair to the house assigned to him. When they were there, they wished to talk with him about one or other subject. Of his own people none were with him but mother, the children were yet on the ship on the water. Then he said: "It is so dark before my eyes, let me lie down and sleep." As they did not want him to sleep in that room, since people were coming in continually and he would have been unable to sleep, they carried him upstairs to the bed room. In the middle of the stairway he sat down, lifted his hands to his heart and his eyes to heaven, heaved a sigh and died. On the third day a very distinguished funeral took place in the principal English Presbyterian church in Philadelphia, with a large attendance of people. All the members of the consistory of the Reformed church and very many of the congregation were present.
Now we, his wife and eight poor, forsaken orphans, are in a strange land among strange people, who do not know us, poor and without comfort. We, therefore, commend ourselves most submissively to all those in Zurich to whom our misfortune will become known and whose hearts will be touched, in order that they may graciously grant us their assistance. It can easily be sent into this country, if they will only send it through Mr. Wilhelmius at Rotterdam, for which I ask most humbly, for the sake of the merciful Jesus.
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Very Reverend Mr. Deacon, when I showed my testimonials, and the people saw that I had been engaged in study, they almost compelled me to preside over the congregations as well as I could.
Hence, through the goodness of God, I preach twice every Sunday and teach two catechetical lessons. For this I make use of the books which I have brought with me and through good diligence I am enabled, thank God, to perform this in such a way, that each and every person is well satisfied with me. Now the first Sunday I preach in Philadelphia both in the forenoon and the afternoon and always give with it catechetical instruction. On the second Sunday in Schippach, which is a very large congregation, a sermon and catechetical instruction in the forenoon. In the afternoon at Old Goshenhoppen, two hours [six miles] from Schippach, a sermon and catechetical instruction. It is also a pretty large congregation, as large as any in the canton of Zurich. On the third Sunday I preach in New Goshenhoppen and have catechetical instruction there in the forenoon. In the afternoon at Great Swamp [Grossen Schwam], which is also one of the large congregations. All this I can do through the strength given me by God's spirit, to the great satisfaction of the people. I expect to be consecrated next Christmas by the English Presbyterians, in order that I may be able to administer the communion, unite people in marriage and baptize children. With the help of God I intend to do this. I would be able to do this all the better and put forth greater efforts for the souls of abandoned and confused sheep, if I had my library, which is in charge of Mr. Gorchen [George] Kromer. I therefore ask your Reverence most humbly, if at all possible, to send it to me very kindly, not only for my sake and the large number of poor orphans left by my sainted father, but also for the sake of the many thousand strayed and shepherdless sheep, who go about in error and in a destitute condition, yea for the sake of the many heathen, who thereby might be led to the Lord Jesus, as has already been done.
Given on the 21st of July 1735.
HENRY GOETSCHIUS,
Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.
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The condition of the land, is as follows: There are in it Englishmen, Germans and French from all parts of Europe. Most of them are Reformed. The others are people of all kinds of imaginable sects, Atheists, Anabaptists, Quakers, Arians, Enthusiasts, Nestorians, Pietists, Mennonites, Waldensians etc., etc, many hundred kinds, for in this country there is perfect liberty of conscience. The Reformed are scattered through seven congregations land thus there is among many thousand sheep no shepherd.
This letter bears the following inscription:
Letter of Henrich Goetschi, minister at Philadelphia to Mr. Werdmüller, "Diacon" at St. Peters in Zurich.
In order to prepare himself for the next -important step in his life, his ordination, Mr. Goetschy wrote on September 26, 1735, to John Lavater, professor of Latin and Greek in the "Collegium Humanitatis" at Zurich, asking him for a certificate of his work and conduct while there. This certificate was written on May 28, 1736, 114 and it testified to the fact that, after having been instructed in the fundamentals of the arts and ancient languages by his father he had entered the Latin school and spent there a year and that he had been "faithful and diligent in his studies, upright in his life and morals, modest and pious in his conduct."
On May 27, 1737, Goetschy applied to the Presbyterian Synod of Philadelphia for ordination. The minutes of that meeting115 state that,
...a letter was brought in from Mr. Henricus Goetschius to Mr. Andrews, signifying his desire and the desire of many people of the German nation, that he might be ordained by order of Synod to the work of the ministry, upon which the said Mr. Goetschius was desired to appear before the Synod, that they might see his credentials and have some discourse with him; which being done, he
114 Archives of Classis, Pennsylvania Portfolio, new letters, No. 11.
115 Records of Presbyterian Church, Vol. I, p. 1
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***END OF PAGES THAT I HAVE FROM THIS BOOK***
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***HERE FOLLOWS A PASSENGER LIST FROM A LATER PUBLICATION OF
THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY, pages 146 &147: ***
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PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN SOCIETY
VOLUME XLII
of the
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY
PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN PIONEERS
BY
RALPH BEAVER STRASSBURGER, LL.D.
EDITED BY
WILLIAM JOHN HINKE, Ph.D., D.D.
VOLUME 1
1727-1775
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY
1934
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146 Pennsylvania German Pioneers
...
{***There is a list here of Germans that also sailed from Cowes***}
...
[List 38 A] Liste Van de Schwitzers Soo op Schiep genant de Mercurius, Van d'Heer Capitain William Wilson, in Philadelphia arriveert.* [Qualified May 29, 1735.]
MEN AGES MEN AGES Henrdryk Götschy,absent 17 Jacob Bossart 40 Conrad Wuertz 26 Jacob Schenkel 27 Abraham Weidman 25 Hendryk Huber 30 Rodolph Weidman 26 Jacob Naf 39 Jacob Rathgep 24 Jacob Dentzler 40
* This Dutch heading of the list read, in English: "List of Switzers who arrived in Philadelphia on the ship called Mercury, Captain William Wilson."
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Mercury 1735 147
MEN AGES MEN AGES Hs. Ulric Aner 42 Jacob Schmid 32 Johannes, Weys 43 Jacob Schmid, absent 15 Balthasar Bossart 30 Conrad Meyer 51 Hendryk Merck 19 Melchior Meyer, absent 15 Killian Merck, sick 16 Jacob Naf 24 Johannes Meyer 39 Caspar Gut 19 Caspar Notzly 45 Caspar Bleiler 47 Caspar Schweitzer 20 Jacob Matzinger 37 Hendryk Oswald 20 Abraham Wackerly 30 Jacob Frey 50 Conrad Rutschy 27 Jacob Homberger, sick 16 Christian Erhard Neumeister Jacob Meyer 39 Johannes Moelig 40 Jacob Bertschinger 19 Phillipp Willem Kleyn 23 Hendryk Brunner 17 Hendryk Forst 19 Hans Kubler 43 Jacob Weidman 40 WOMEN Conrad Keller 36 Esther Götschy 44 Conrad Naf 22 Barbara Götschy 18 Jacob Bucher, sick 39 Esther Götschy 16 Jacob Metler 17 Anna Götschy 24 Hs. Muller 23 Magdalena Steininger 30 Hendryk Muller, sick 21 Marie Weber 30 Johannes Ott 19 Barbara Haller 23 Johannes Heid 24 Cleovea Schenckel 30 Hendryk Schreyber 22 Elizabeth Possart 17 Martin Schellenberg 20 Ursula Grendelmeyer 27 Conrad Zuppinger, sick 36 Anna Naf 19 Jacob Maurer 40 Magdalena Phister 37 Johan Hend. Maurer 19 Verena Krebser 30 Hendryk Scheuchzer, ab. 43 Verena Kern 30 Jacob Schellenberg 45 Verena Eberhard 27 Hendryk Muschque 23 Elizabeth Winckler 31 Hendryk Surber 50 Barbara Weys 18 Hendryk Surber, absent 15 Elisabeth Weys 16 Ulric Amman 24 Susanna Bindschedler 30 Rodolph Aberly 22 Elisabeth Wettstein 39 Jacob Wiest 24 Elisabeth Peter 21 Rodolph Egg 19 Regula Appell 39 Rodolph Walder 39 Barbara Weidman 36 Conrad Naf 52 Anna Isler 43
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148 Pennsylvania German Pioneers
WOMEN AGES AGES Barbara Meyer 39 Jacob Dentzler 9 Barbara Eberhard 30 Rodoph Dentzler 5 Regula Stoltz 37 Abraham Dentzler 3 Barbara Glaur 31 Margareth Dentzler 4 Catherine Isler 34 Abraham Dubendorffer 9 Barbara Albrecht 40 Anna Brunner 11 Regula Maurer 23 Hs. Ulrich Brunner 6 Catherine Ruegg 20 Verena Aner 9 Verena Bentz 19 Felix Aner 7 Ursula Schelleberg 17 Hs. Ulrich Aner 5 Regula Eberhard 19 Margareth Aner 4 Marguerit Zupinger 19 Catherine Weys 9 Margueret Maurer 42 Susanna Weys 3 Elisabeth Maurer 19 Anna Weys 6 Anna Stuz 30 Caspar Possart 10 Barbara Dappeller 52 Hendryk Possart 3 Magdelen Krebser 49 Rodolph Possart 2 Barbara Schmid 15 Hans Merck 6 Magdelene Weidmenn 49 Hs. Conrad Merck 5 Elisabeth Haller 20 Leonard Meyer 14 Anna Naff 19 Jacob Meyer 9 Magdel. Mantz 29 Barbara Meyer 4 Catherine Meyly 29 Anna Barbara Frey 10 Barbara Lips 30 Elisabeth Frey 8 Juliane Catherine Bartin.. Hendryk Frey 6 Marie Cather. Kirberger 39 Hs. Jacob Meyer 8 Marguerit Kentzing 29 Magdalena Meyer 6 Jacob Kubler 5 CHILDREN Elisabeth Kubler 5 Rodolph Götschy 12 Rodolph Dubendorffer 8 Mauritz Götschy 10 Anna Dubendorffer 6 Beat Gotschy 8 Jacob Weidmann 5 Magdalena Gotschy 6 Mathias Keller 1 Juduth Weidmann 2 Jacob Bucher 10 Barbara Weidmann 3m. Hendryk Bucher 8 Rodolph Possart 10 Marie Muller 5 Anna Possart 6 Anna Cleophe Schreik 2 Rodoplh Hueber 6 Hs. Ulrich Zupinger 12 Lisabeth Hueber 3m. Hendryk Zuppinger 6 Elisabeth Naf 4 Anna Marg. Maurer 7
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Mercury 1735 149
CHILDREN AGES CHILDREN AGES Verena Surber 5 Jacob Rutschy 10 Jacob Walder 4 Hendryk Rutschy 7 Hans Jacob Naf 9 Hs. Jacob Rutschy 2w. Jacob Naf 7 Ennreich Moelig 7 Felix Schmid 12 Veronica Gertrut Moelig 15 Barb. Schmid 5 Andreas Moelig 4 Hs. Hend. Bleuler 13 Marie Cath. Moelig 1½ Catherine Bleuler 9 Gottfried Moelig 10 Hs. Jacob Blueler 8 Felix Matzinger 8 A true List. Verena Wackerly 2 Wm. Wilson.
"At the Courthouse of Philadia, May 29th, 1735.
Fifty four Palatines, and Switzers, who with their Families, making in all one hundred seventy six Persons, were imported her in the Ship Mercury, of London, William Wilson, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, as by Clearance from thence, were this day qualified as usual." From the Minutes of the Provincial Council, printed in Colonial Records, Vol. III, p. 593.
[List 38 B] Palatines and Switzers, Imported in the Ship Mercury, of London, William Wilson, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, by clearance thence. Qualified May 29th, 1735.
Conrad Wuertz * Jacob (X) Tanzler Abraham Weidman Johan Ulrick (X) Ahaner Rutolff Weidman H. Hansen Weyss Hans Jacob Radtgäb Balsahar (X) Bosserd Jacob Boshaar Henry (X) Merck Jacob (JS) Schenker Hans Weimer Heinrich Huber Caspar (X) Netzlji Jacob (X) Naff Caspar (X) Schweitzer
*Regarding the history of this colony see History of the Goshenhoppen Charge, pp. 96-130. The leader of the colony was the Rev. Moritz Goetschy, who died on his arrival in Philadelphia. His place was taken by his son, John Henry Goetschy. The business manager of the colony was John Conrad Wirtz (Wuertz), the brother-in-law of John Henry Goetschy. Wirtz was at first a schoolteacher, but from 1742-1763 officiated, in numerous German and Dutch Reformed churches as pastor.
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150 Pennsylvania German Pioneers
Henry (O) Oswald Henry (H) Surber Jacob Frey Hans Ulrich (H) Amon Jacob Meyer Rudolph (H R) Aberly Jacob (O) Perdschenger Jacob (X) Wüst Henry (O) Bruner Rud[ol]ff Eyg Hans Küber Rudolph (X) Walter Jacob Weidman Jacob Conrad (X) Naffe Hans Cunrath Käller Jacob (X) Schmit Conrad (X) Naffe Conrad (X) Meyer Jacob (XX) Madler Jacob Näff Hans Müller Kaspr Gut Hans Odt Caspar (X) Plauler Johannes Heit Jacob Matz[inger] Heinrich Schriber Abraham (X) Weckerly Martin (O) Shelberger Cunrath Rütschi Jacob (O) Muumer Christoph Neumeister Hendri Scheuchzer Johannes Mölich Jacob (O) Scheichser Philibs Klein Henry (X) Mosock Hennrich Forst
[List 38 C] At the Courtho of Phila, May 29th, 1735. Present, The Honble Partrick Gordon, Esqr, Lt Govr, Thomas Lawrence, Charles Read Esqrs.
That Palatines whose Names are underwritten, imported in the Ship Mercury, of London, William Wilson, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, did this day take & subscribe the Oaths to the Government.
Conrad Wuertz * Hans Weimer Abraham Weidman Caspar Netzly Rutolff Weidman Caspar (K) Schweitzer Hans Jacob Radtgäb Henry (O) Oswald Jacob Boshaar Jacob Frey Jacob (S) Schenker Jacob Meyer Heinrich Huber Jacob (X) Pertschinger Jacob (X) Naff Henry (O) Bruner Jacob (X) Tanzler Hans Küber Johan Uhlrick (X) Ahaner Jacob Weidman H. Hansen Weyss Hans Cunrath Käller Balsatzar (X) Bossert Conrad (X) Naffe Henry (X) Merck Jacob (XX) Mädler
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Mary 1735 151
Hans Muller Rudolph (X) Walter Hans Odt Jacob Conrad (X) Naffe Johannes Heit Jacob (X) Schmit Heinrich Schriber Conrad (X) Meyer Martin (O) Shelleberg Jacob Näff Jacob (M) Maurer Kaspr Gut Hendri Scheuchzer Caspar Pleuler Jacob (O) Shelleberg Jacob Winger Henry (X) Mosoke Abraham Wekerly Henry (H) Surber Cunrath Rütschi Hans Uhlrig (H) Amman Christoph Neumeister Rudolph (H R) Aberly Johannes Mölich Jacob (X) Wyst Philibs Klein Rud[ol]ff Eyg Hennrich Forst
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[List 39 A] A List of Palatine Passengers from on Board the Mary, [James Marshall, Master, from Liverpool. Qualified June 28, 1735.]
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***SEE THE PAGE OF OATH SIGNATURES OF SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS (PAGES 138 &139)***
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There are some names on this web page that have vowels with umlauts. I am listing the names here, without the umlauts, for the benefit of those using a search engine to look for these names:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have Goetschi ancestry listed in my Wurts Family Database and Ancestors of Me database.
Reed's Genealogy Page
reed@wurts.net
9/15/98