The two immigrants to Virginia, John Huffman, the 1714 immigrant, and Henry Huffman, the 1743 immigrant, had a brother Johann Wilhelm (William). Henry and William were 16 and 19 years younger respectively than John. William also immigrated to America, to Pennsylvania in particular, and not to Virginia where his brother John was living.
While he was still a young man, Johann Wilhelm (William) started a Diary and Account Book , into which he made entries over many years. It was not a true diary. More exactly, it was an account book of labor and services he performed for others plus taxes and fines he paid. The book begins with a prayer in 1733, when he was 21 years old. His words show his dedication to the German Reformed Church. He regarded the Catholics very unfavorably, even worse than "the Turks". His choice of religion was stressful to him as he lived in Eisern where the rulers were Catholics.
He had a low regard for the “overlords” who levied fines and required that services be performed. The overlords were Catholics and their position of power made life hard for the Reformed Church members. For example, the Reformed members were required to pay a fine because they had been spinning on the Catholic feast days. The Catholic hierarchy was against the Reformed members holding school on feast days.
William tried to rationalize life by saying that God had ordained overlords to rule over the peasants and to require services from them at the overlords’ command. He continued that whereas it has pleased God to make him a peasant in his fatherland which his Catholic rulers, may he live in peace with good health and fortune. “Therefore,” he wrote, “I, Johannes Wilhelm Hoffman from Eysern, intend to record the services I give to the overlords.” He then listed many of the services he performed such as mowing, making hay, hauling wood from the forest, hunting, and military service. Since he owned a horse, many of his services involved the horse.
Two services had a very negative effect on William. He had to perform military service and he had to quarter soldiers in his home. Quartering soldiers was a burden that fell almost exclusively upon the Reformed church members. The wars were not clearly spelled out, but foreign troops and citizens from other regions were involved.
Though William makes it clear that he believed an extra burden fell upon him because he was a member of the Reformed church, he never wavered in his faith in the church.
(24 Aug 06)
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.