(I leave Kentucky and return to Hesse.)
(This discussion of Hesse is continued from Note Nr. 1580, dated 27 January 2003 . GWD WebMaster)
A most difficult time for the peasantry came in the Fall after harvest, when most of their taxes and tithes fell due. Often they had to hand over such a large percentage of their production that it was impossible to live through the winter on the rest. One official reported that the peasants had barely enough wherewithal to last until the feast of St. Peter (February 22). As an example in 1786-88, the hamlet of Solms had to hand over almost two-thirds of it rye and four-fifths of its oats. The lower officials who were close to the problem asked that the taxes be remitted until later in the winter when the villagers had a better chance of selling their produce for better prices. With the taxes due so soon after harvest, everyone had to go the marketplace at the same time and prices were reduced. In the 1730s and 1780s this was a prevalent problem.
Hesse did not have particularly good farm land, but it did have a central location. Therefore, a lot of commerce passed through Hesse (especially to Frankfort) and it required good roads. Without decent roads, the merchants would find alternative routes around Hesse. I give you one guess as to who had provide the labor for keeping the roads in shape. Road work was periodically demanded of all farmers, usually in two major efforts each year. In the Spring and Fall the state road inspector would examine the roads and note any deficiencies. The communities had to turn out the manpower which had to bring their own shovels, picks, axes, etc., to make the needed repairs. The roller to smooth the road and to pack it was not in use yet. The alternative was heavy hammers. If you had to provide a man and you sent a child or a sick person, you were subject to a fine.
Some classes of people received exemptions from the standard services. Most state officials were exempt but if they were property owners they would have to see that labor from their farms reported for service. Shepherds , village heads, and judicial officials were exempt. Presumably the shepherds were let off on the grounds that the animals needed full time attention. Widows were reduced to 50% of the usual. These were the normal services. In times of disasters, emergencies, or war, all of the rules were off so that increased services could be expected.
At one time, when a farmer obtained a farm by a letter contract from the Landlord, the farmer had to host a celebratory banquet for his new Lord with food and wine. This became the recognized means of sealing the deal and making it fully legal. Gradually this was replaced by a cash payment to the Lord. If the farmer wanted to sell or lease his rights, he had to pay 5% of the cash value to the Lord. Sometimes, an inheritance would also require a cash payment, perhaps 10%.
A question to you. Has all that much changed from then until now?
(This discussion of Hesse continues in
Note Nr. 1584, dated 01 February 2003
. GWD WebMaster)
(29 Jan 03)
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.