John Blankenbaker's Germanna History Notes

Note 359

Bill Martin from down under has commented that some of the facts in these notes were scrambled as they crossed the equator.  It just might be that the facts got mixed up in yours also.  Today, some of the simpler errors will be discussed:

Note 9.      In the last paragraph, the word "father" would read better as "husband."

Note 10.    John Fontaine's first visit to Germanna was in 1715, not 1713.

Note 21.    Rev. Hugh Jones left Virginia in 1722, not 1772.

Note 53.    Alexander Spotswood arrived in 1710, not 1716.

Note 121.  In the next to last paragraph, the sentence that reads "Zach and Els had only children after
1750" would read better as "All of the children of Zach and Els were born after 1750."

In notes 11 and 12, there was some discussion as to the identity of the forty-two people who constituted the first Germans at Germanna.  The number forty-two is Spotswood's count and he didn't care where the people came from.  B.C. Holtzclaw, a modern writer, attempted to enumerate these people and came up with a list.  But it is quite clear that he omitted Johann Justus Albrecht, the head miner.  Therefore, one of Holtzclaw's names should not be included.  On his list, the following names are problematic:  Catherine Koontz/Cuntze, John Weaver, the two sons of Harmon Utterback, or even Harmon himself.  It's your choice as to which one to omit.

In note 11, reference is made to Albrecht's own claim that he was the Head Miner.  There is, in the Spotsylvania Court House, a document written in German which had never been translated until Elke Hall did so (her work was published in Beyond Germanna).  The document was written in London by Albrecht.  By title, it is the "Shareholder's Book", and it is the charter for a mining company.  In it, Albrecht refers to himself as "Head Mine Captain."  The document was written between the initial recruiting efforts in Siegen and the departure of the Siegen people for London.  At another time, I will explore this document more.  It, the document, is also evidence that Albrecht came to Virginia.  The best evidence that Albrecht was in Virginia is the statement signed by Albrecht that he was engaged in mining and quarrying for about two years up, to December of 1718, along with Jacob Holtzclaw and others.  (Essex County, VA Deed and Will Book, vol. 16, May 17, 1720).

Note 267. Where "Orkney" appears alone without the preceding "Lord," it should read "Lord Orkney."  I am not up on the proper way to refer to titled people and even though my first reference was to Lord Orkney, all of the ensuing references should be made in this way.  He did refer to himself as Orkney but us lessor mortals should say Lord Orkney.