Among Other Items…

AHSGR, Work Paper No. 13, December 1973

Research In Hesse
By Arthur and Cleora Flegel

(Excerpts)
(Page 26)
Among other items at Schlitz, we found copies of historical transcripts of the 1762-1767 emigrations. Excerpts from these articles in the original German with English translations follow (MY NOTES: I have included only excerpts in English.):

“…On the 8th of April, the first group of people left from Queck and Rimbach in the Schlitzerland for Russia. The man received 15 Kreuzers and his wife 10 Kreuzers daily stipend. This stipend was supplied by the Russian Commisars who had established recruitment stations throughout all of Germany and more specifically in Hess.” If the writer of the daybook reports that at that time the first people emigrated from our immediate area and refers specifically to Queck and Rimbach, it can be assumed that others also followed them. Unforunately more detailed information which would be of interest to us is missing as to the numbers and names of the emigrants….

…He writes in detail, “Well, I intend to list daily, every caravan of people passing through this district intent on leaving Germany for Russia with the reasons, for otherwise, no one can understand or comprehend why the people are leaving for a foreign land. The treks are composed of German people who gathered at Büdingen under the Russian Commission and have been accepted as immigrants to Russia. On the 13th of May, the first transport moved through Schlitz. Also farmers form the Schlitz area secretly joined the treks leaving their possessions and stating that those in authority were too demanding and the work too oppressive. Within the 7 caravans through Schlitz, an estimated 500 people per trek are happily looking forward to finding a better land than this. In reality, they are no better than swindlers. Mostly such, along with some who are leaving with heavy hearts because of their burdensome debts. The children no longer mind their parents but want to emigrate for Russia. Even the farmers no longer want to work. The cost of living continues to rise, also the money is stolen out of one’s purse due to the money devaluation….” No, it was the terrible economic distress which at that time drove the people from their beloved Hessian homeland. The Seven Years War, 1756-1763, brought with itself unusually difficult conditions into the Upper Hesse and Schlitzerland. – during the course of this war, 160,000 troops were quartered in Schlitz. – Weissbeck wrote, “Here is great distress with bread and money. On the 12th of April, bread was requested from Fulda and an entire wagonload of bread came from there.”…

(Translations.) “The Russian Ambassador at Regensburg… furthered the recruitment efforts by the employment of two Agents… and in spite of all hindrances was able to send a large number of willing Emigrants from this area to Russia. In February 1766, the Elector of Mainz brought to the attention of the Hessian government the promotional activities of the agents. –This overwhelming emigration would result in a depopulation of the area. –Thus, he pleaded for the checking of this imminent danger…. Through reference to ordinances of 1630, 1658, and 1697, secret emigrations were threatened with a punishment of confiscation of all possessions. – On the basis of this survey, a statement was sent to all courts, dated April 11, 1766, covering the following provisions: Emigration without specific approval would be punishable by confiscation of property. Those eager for emigration are to be under surveillance. Proceeds from previous sale of goods will be seized. Lazy and indolent subjects may, with rare exception, be permitted to leave after fulfillment of all obligations and payments of outstanding taxes, must however, forego any thought of possible return and acceptance. Borders would be carefully watched to prevent anyone from secretly leaving or an agent from sneaking in. – Anyone observing a Russian Agent operating in the principality of Darmstadt and reporting him, would receive 12 Florins reward. Subjects who have made themselves indebted to the recruitment would be subject to imprisonment.

A list of requests for departure lie among the articles of the State Archives. For instance, one Johan Adam Walther of Dauernheim wrote “I have not so much property as 15 alb is worth, (Ed. Note: Impossible to translate “alb”. Conjecture: possible error in original transmittal, could mean 1 Kalb – 1 calf.) – even if one should include his bed, to which all people hereabout will witness. Since I no longer can provide for my children with the day’s wages, I am determined to migrate to Russia where I can find livelihood through my own efforts.”