John Blankenbaker's Germanna History Notes

Note 27

More information about the names of the Germans who came is provided by the Proofs of Importations , commonly called Head Rights .  These originated early in the 1600's, when it was desired to encourage immigration (to Virginia).  For every person, man, woman, and child, who came into the colony of Virginia, one could claim 50 acres of the Crown's land.  These rights were transferrable, and it quickly became the practice that the person who paid the transportation would get the headright.  To actually get the headright certificate, one went to court and swore to his arrival.  A certificate was issued to whomever was designated.

A number of these are recorded in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia.  Twelve heads of family from the First Colony went on either the 7th Apr or the 3rd June, both in 1724, and told who came and when they came; however, not all forty-two people are identified; there are gaps.

Among the Second Colony families, the following made their proofs of importations:

John Motz, wife Maria Pelona (Appollonia)

Hans Herren Burgud (Harnsberger), wife Anna Purve, son Stephen

Christopher Zimerman, wife Elizabeth, sons John and Andrew

Henry Snyder, wife Dorothy

Matthew Smith, wife Katherina

Michell Cook, wife Mary

Andrew Kerker, wife Margeritta, dau. Barbara

Christopher Parlur (Barlow), wife Pauera

All of the above stated they came in the year "one thousand seven hundred and seventeen".  Next, there are a group of people who stated they arrived "nine years since in Capt. Scott".  These statements were made 2 May 1727.  Exactly nine years earlier would have been May of 1718; however, just two months prior to that would have been, by the calendar then in use, 1717.  Thus it would appear that the following people also arrived in 1717 with the others:
Jacob Bryoll, (alone, but a member of the following family)

John Bryoll, wife Ursley, children Conrad and Elizabeth

Nicholas Yager, wife Mary, children Adam and Mary

Phillip Paulitz, wife Rose, children Margarett and Katherin.

Also, one man testified in 1729 (October, actually) that he came "about twelve years since in the ship called the Mulberry".  Exactly 12 years earlier would have been October 1717 and it is very unlikely that the 1717ers had even left London yet.  For a couple of reasons, including the above, it is doubtful that the following are 1717ers but for completeness here are names:
Georg Lang, his wife Rebecca.

We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.