In the winter of 1708 and 1709, there was an unusual event in Europe. It was a winter which would remind one of the Arctic region. Coldness set in to the extent that the oceans along the coasts froze. Grape vines and even trees were killed. All the crops that been sown in the fall never survived. It was not a matter of putting more wood on the fire to stay warm, because wood was a scarce item, and what there was, was seldom under the control of the people. People who worked in the vineyards saw their livelihoods disappear. Farmers lost crops. The death toll of the animals was high. In short, everyone was pessimistic about the outlook, and they could not be sure that more winters like this would not follow.
Parish records reveal comments like these:
"...horrible, terrible cold...through France, Italy, Spain, England, Holland, Saxony, and Denmark...people and cattle frozen to death...",
"Mills brought to a standstill and a lack of bread...many cattle and humans...birds and wild animals...froze",
"(27 Oct 1708)...an unusually heavy snow...broke many branches of trees, especially in the forests...lack of wood and flour...",
"...trees have frozen, the autumn sowing...great damage and this year there will be no wine..."
There was circulating about this time a printed book or pamphlet that extolled America, especially Pennsylvania. It was a promoter’s dream. Simultaneously, the idea spread among the Germans along the Rhine that the Queen of England would help Germans go on to America, if they went to England. After a winter to end all winters, and with the vague idea that the Queen of England would help, emigration looked like a good idea. Especially after a man discovered that his neighbor was thinking of doing the same thing. Hysteria was the best description.
In the areas along the Rhine River, for fifty miles on each side, the response was tremendous. This was the area where the promoters, especially for Pennsylvania, had been working. The regions from which people came included what we call the Palatinate, Baden, Württemberg, and Nassau-Siegen.
Interviews with some of the Germans showed comments much like this:
"English agents at Frankfurt and writings brought by them."
"...heard of books about the Island...heard from people who were going."
"...people everywhere are talking about it."
"The Queen of England will give bread to the people until they can provide their own."
"The Queen will advance it to the people."
"From a book from English agents."
The quotations in this note come from Hank Z. Jones in "
The Palatine Families of New York 1710
."
(29 Mar 01)
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.