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CHAPTER III

THE 1709 EMIGRATION IN ENGLAND


Scarcely had the harsh winter season of 1708-9 begun to relax its hold in February, when various inhabitants of the Rhine Valley hopefully began their preparations to go to England. These consisted mainly of gathering up their few possessions and securing a recommendation from the local authorities. One of these documents has survived during these two centuries. Gerthart Schaeffer, preparing to emigrate in 1709, secured the following certificate of good character from the Mayor and the clerks of court of Hilgert Dorf, in Hesse-Nassau: "He has lived with us in Hilgert Dorf with his housewife for 24 years and has conducted himself well and honestly, so that all his neighbors regarded him as a faithful neighbor and were entirely satisfied with him, and the neighbors would have been much pleased if it had been God's will that he should remain longer here.ԠIt was signed by the Mayor, duly sealed and witnessed.

This passage down the Rhine to Holland took from four to six weeks. This journey was beset with many delays and inconveniences. Fees and tolls were frequently demanded. On the other hand philanthropic assistance was not lacking, Along the river the Palatines were presented with money and food by pious countrymen, many of whom, regarded the pilgrims with envious eyes, wishing they too might be seeking their fortune in the New World. Bread, meat, butter and cheese and even an occasional gift of clothing brightened the slow journey. Ever present too must have been the fear that the authorities would halt, them temporarily for some trifling matter, as often occurred, or turn them back definitely, as frequently threatened.



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