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Archiver > OHMERCER > 2001-04 > 0987870222


From: "Jason Gaerke" <> (by way of Wally <>)
Subject: [MERCER] 1838 Letter from Mercer County Ohio to Hannover
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2001 09:23:42 -0700


Hello to you all,
In the past, this list has showed an interest in German culture during the
time of immigration. Also, others have asked how long it takes back in the
1800's to sail to the USA.

My modern day relative in Döthen Germany has found a letter written from
Mercer County Ohio to Hannover Germany (Döthen) in 1838. It has a lot of
information, and I thought I'd share it with everyone. The letter was in
old German and needed to be translated.

The Stallotown or New Münster described below referers to modern day
Minster, Ohio, and perhaps New Bremen. The church he referrs to is St.
Peter Church in Mercer County, Recovery Township.

_____________________________________________________
We sailed 7 weeks and 5 days across the sea and another 4 weeks we had to
travel through the country and now we are here, about 100 miles from
Cincinnati away in Mercer County, and all we who have left Germany are doing
well. The wifes (his wife and his mother in law) often were sick at the sea,
but my fahter in law and i have beard it very well.
This springtime in March we moved to our land, we have bought 80 acre, built
our little house and a huge stable and we now have 2 cows, 2 calves, 2 other
cows (mabe oxes) and 7 pigs.
Next winter we are planning to build a church or a churchhouse, about 1 mile
away, we have already cleared up the estate.
Just the other side of the way (horse riding way or something like that) my
brother in law Heinrich Krämer with his wife Maria Loxterkamp (i think they
have 2 sons) has settled. When we open our front doors we are able to talk
together very good.
My brother in law Diederich Krämer with his wife and father and children is
living 12 miles away from us, more to direction of Stallotown or New
Münster, about 5 miles to Münster, and we are about 19 miles away from
Münster.
Also are living here Hermann Loxterkamp and Bernhard Loxterkamp and their
brother in law Heinrich Möllmann and (here the letter is dammaged) and G.
Schwage and H. Gers. (...) Gers has bought his land about 3 miles away
(maybe the others did, too).
The land is fat for five years and than you do not plant for a while and
land is ok for next time.
Last summer was dry and not rainy, so summer fruits did not grow, but wheat
grew very good.
When we need money we go to the channel near by and work for 16 Dollar a
month for 26 days of work, and we get our food for free.
Please give the greetings to H. Büter from his father and mother and sister.
And give greetings from B. Bärtke to ...
We all are feeling good here.

Letter from Diederich Gärke to his father, mother, brothers and sisters in
law, dated Oct 7, 1838



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