In 1898, Herrmann Schuricht published one volume entitled " History of the German Element in Virginia " and followed this by a second volume, same title, in 1900. The volumes have been reprinted, usually as one volume. In those sections of the book where I feel that I have some knowledge, I find many errors. I should have reviewed this book when I was writing about the errors in the history of Germanna. Actually, I seldom look at this book and had forgotten about it until it was mentioned recently.
Speaking of the emigration of many Germans to the Americas in 1710, Schuricht says more than 3000 were sent to New York and about 600 to North Carolina. I cannot quibble with these numbers. But he goes on to say that several shiploads were sent to Virginia. For this I find no evidence, nor have I heard anyone else make such a claim. (Schuricht credits " History of the United States " by E. Willard, published in 1871, for these statements.) This combination of known facts, mixed with dubious assertions, makes Schuricht a dangerous author.
Concerning Christopher Graffenried, he says that after he was released by the Indians, in 1711 in North Carolina, he removed to Virginia with a number of Swiss and Palatines, where he settled in the forks of the Potomac. Again, there is a mixture of true and false statements. None of the Swiss and Palatines in North Carolina moved to Virginia, and Graffenried certainly did not settle in the forks, though he visited the region. Schuricht notes that Spotswood said, ". . that a number of Germans came to Virginia on his inducement." As Schuricht gives it, the "his" would refer to Spotswood himself, but the original quotation makes it clear that "his" referred to Graffenried. So one of the faults of Schuricht is to take statements and present them in a way where they are misconstrued.
In another instance, notice how Schuricht gets the facts mixed up. He says, "Governor Spotswood induced a number of them [Germans] to enter his service and he erected, with their assistance, on the shores of the Rapidan, between Russell and Wilderness Runs, ironworks and the town of Germanna; the balance of the immigrants settled in the present counties of Stafford, King George, and Westmoorland." Again there is a mixture of true and false facts. It is true that the "town" of Germanna was erected on the shores of the Rapidan River with help from the Germans, and it was between Russell Run and Wilderness Run. The other statements are false, such as "induced," "ironworks," and the reference to other Germans and their locations of settlement.
I will return to the following statement, "By direction of Governor Spotswood, dwelling houses, a church, a court-house, and a residence for himself were built at Germanna and surrounded by palisades for protection against the Indians." Meanwhile, you can analyze the statement.
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.