John Blankenbaker's Germanna History Notes
Note 1701
Perhaps some of you have been wondering whether I have strayed from the purpose of these Notes by the choice of some of the recent subjects. There is really only one purpose, and that is to keep subscribers "tuned in". The most fun is when a discussion gets going about an early individual such as Nicholas Yager. It is desirable to have as much input as possible, and one way to get it is to have as many readers as possible. These notes are intended to put out something of interest so that there will be a reasonable group of readers who might contribute. Actually, I have found that a variety helps. No matter what I take for a subject, it is usually of interest to someone.
Right now, I would wish that some of the recent travelers to Germany would write comments on their experience. I have been there and I have some opinions but I would like to hear what others think about the experience of visiting the old "home places". The one universal opinion is probably a desire that the trip had been longer.
To any newcomers who may be reading this, the Germanna Colonies were the first permanent settlements of Germans in Virginia. There were earlier Germans, even at Jamestown in the first days of it, but they did not live. There were a larger number of Germans in the Shenandoah Valley, but they were not as early. Perhaps I err a bit by not emphasizing this point. I usually choose to say, "They lived east of the Blue Ridge Mountains." This of course is true but it leaves out some of the significance of this early colonization.
Why Germans fell into these early roles in Virginia is debated and discussed. If you used the word "accidentally", you would not be too far off the mark. To say that the First Colony came because Alexander Spotswood had a source of iron ore and he wanted miners is false. To say that the Second Colony wanted to go to Virginia is false, and it probably was not a storm that was responsible. In short, there is a lot of history involved with the Germanna Colonies and much of it has been told incorrectly. There is enough recorded information that we can put together a much more likely story. We can also make a good stab at the early family histories. Trying to complete the story is fun and a challenge.
Every reader should remember that this list is not an "Einbahn". (Let's see if some of our travelers picked up the meaning of that word.) Contributions from all, even if in the form of questions, are desirable. If you have a question, probably someone else has a question also.
I really do hope that some of the travelers respond with their stories. Take as much space as is necessary, Jim, Betty, Barb, and Thom. (We might have to excuse Thom, as he is going to be a very busy man for a few weeks.)
(24 Jun 03)