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This page is about a letter written by the Palatine migrant Johannes Hain in 1752 back home.
Work in progress.
Contents |
Introduction
Dr. Adolf Gerber mentions this letter in his book "Die Nassau-Dillenburger Auswanderung nach Amerika im 18. Jahrhundert.", [1] published in 1930. Unfortunately he did not gave the exact location where he found it, but only mentioned that he used "some sources and lists" from the Hessian State Archives in Wiesbaden. However, after some research and inquiries to the relevant archives, it was possible to determine that this very interesting letter was removed from its original context and catagorized individually. It is now located under the shelfmark HHStAW Abt. 172 No. 7451 in the Wiesbaden State Archives.
Gerber seems to have been able to see it still in its context and give the whole story. He says:
- "If we now look into the causes of the strong emigration in 1753, the February 12, 1753 report of the Ebersbach bailiff, Bausch, shows that a letter from America was the main cause in his distict. When he heard that so many people wanted to move to "the Island" again, he had not wanted to believe it at first. But when he found out that even quite wealthy people, with assets of over 600 guilders and more, also wanted to sell their belongings, he inquired about the cause and found out that some "good letters from the island" had arrived and were passing from hand to hand. He had to make a real effort to get ahold of one of them and instructed the schoolmaster to copy one out for this purpose. This letter was from Johannes Hain, who had moved away from Rittershausen as a cowherd in 1751. Because this Hain had always led a quiet and honorable life, and mentioned in the letter many fellow travelers who still had relatives here in the area, whom he also greeted by name, people gave this letter more credence than other "wandering pamphlets" and made quite a few noises about their departure."
The bailiff enclosed the copy of this letter made by the schoolmaster with his report to the administration, which has survived in the files, albeit heavily yellowed. As said before, it is not clear now, where the rest of this report might be archived. One possibillity might be some files under the shelfmark HHStAW Fonds 3036 No KHA Inv. C08-5 with the title: "Stukken betreffende menigvuldige Emigraties van Onderdanen van Nassau naar de Amerikaanse Kolonies". Further research is necessary.
In contrast to Gerber, who only gives a few excerpts in his book, a complete transcript and translation can be reproduced here on the basis of the "original", the copy of the schoolmaster. In the transcription, the original spelling is largely retained, and only the capitalization and punctuation are adapted to modern style in order to facilitate readability. Proper names of persons and places are rendered in the translation according to the original, modern spellings are provided in brackets, and footnotes are used as necessary for more detailed explanations.
Transcription
Die Gnade des himlischen Vatters, die Liebe Jesu Christi, und die Erläuchtung des H. Geistes, Sey mit Euch allen, stat hertzlicher Begrüßung, Amen.
In Sonderheit Hertz aller Liebste Mutter, Geschwüster und Schwagern, und alle gute Freunde und Bekante; Weilen mir Gott das Leben und die Gesundheit noch gönnet an Euch zu berichten, ob wir glücklich in das Land gekomen sein, So kan ich und uns nichts anders rühmen, als Gottes gnätige Besuchung, dann Er hat zu rechter Stunde, vollkömlich und gesunte, Auf Seiner Engel Wagen, uns in das Land getragen.
- Er gübt uns zu erkennen, sein Wort das wir ihn nennen,
Ein Vatter und Ernährer, und alles guts Bescherer.
O Vatter Vatter gübe, das Deine große Liebe,
Wir inniglich betrachten, und so jering nicht achten.
O Vatter uns beschöre, zu Deinem Lob, und Ehre,
Das wir Dir recht vertrauen, und gäntzlich auf Dich bauen.
Wann wir nur dieses haben, so werten uns die Gaben,
Die wir zu dißem Leben, bedörfen wohl gegeben.
Eh Himmel und die Erde, zu nichte müßen werden,
Als solten sein verlasen, die Fleisches Sorge haßen.
So wertet ihr hertz liebe Freunte noch wohl wißen, wann unsere Reise ist angegangen, ich meine den 21. May 1751 nach Millheim zu, allda wir bey 4 Wochen sein aufgehalten worten. Von dannen seint wir in 5 Tagen nach Rotterdamm, da haben wir witer 14 Tag gehalten. Von dannen seind wir nach Helfersschlos, da wir wider 3 Tag gehalten. Von dannen über den tollen Sund, bis in alt England nach Dill, da wir 3 Tag gehalten. Von dannen nach Kaus, und haben als 3 Wochen von Rotterdam bis nach Kaus in alt England zugebracht. Da haben wir witer 14 Dag gehalten. Da ist unßer Schiff gebrobiantiert worten. Van dannen seind wir nun auf die ofenbare See gefahren, 8 Schiff zu gleich und seind unter Gottes gnätigem Beystand glücklich in 7 Woche 2 Tag ohne einigen Sturm bis in die Refier gefahren. Da haben wir doch noch erfahren misen was Sturm ist. Ein gantzen Tag und Nacht iber. Wir haben die Ancker schon geworfen gehabt wie er angangen, das es uns nicht gehintert. Von dannen seind wir in 2 Tag an die Stad Vilatelvia gefahren, und haben nicht mehr verlohren als 13 Persohnen, 2 Alte und 11 Kinter, davon ist eins dem Johannes Heintz und eins der Barben Ann. Dagegen haben wir aber witer 7 junge Künter auf der See bekommen, unßer Schiff war nicht so gar gros, nur CC und 40 Frachten. Von dißen Kintern, die auf der See gebohren sein, ist eins meines Bruders Frau, das hat meine Frau jus der Tauf gehaben, dann wir hatten auch einen reformierten Pfarrer bey uns aus dem Hanauischen. Eß lebet noch und wir alle so lang als Gott will. Auch alle unsere Landes Leut. Wir sein aber nicht mehr beyeinander. Der Johann Jörg Henrich und sein Bruder seind mit dem Daniel Bäcker von Ebersbach ins Neu Jörgische, den Johannes Hennrich den hat sein Bruder verdingt. Was er aber vor ein Hantirung treibt, kan ich nicht wißen. Ich habe gehört, er hat sich verheirat, den Brief wirt er angebracht haben an die Freunde im Neu Jörgischen.
Wir haben in einer Bettstad gelegen auf der See, ich und die zwei Gebrider. Meine Frau hat sie auch verpleget, wie mich selbst und meine Kinder, mit waschen und flicken, mit Essen und Trinken. Ihr beite gute Freunte als Vormünter habt mir geschrieben ich solte doch vor den Kleinen sorgen, nun aber kan ich nicht wißen, wie es mit ihm gehet. Der grose hat Wahr gekauft vor das Gelt bis auf ein Fracht, die er vor sich bezahlet, der Kleine mus sein Frach verdienen. Dißes aber kan ihm nicht schaden, wann er ihm sein Theil wieter gibt. Ich aber will thun nach eurem Verlangen, wann er mich darin ersuchen. Ich und mein Bruter sein beyeinander in Fintzelfani, in Almengel genand. Wir haben Land aufgeraumt über dem Blauen Berg. Ich habe auch schon 2 Morgen Land eingesät. Wir ziehen aber nicht darauf bis auf das zukommende Jahr 1753.
Nun euch weiter von dißem Land zu berichten, so ist unser rechtmäßiger Herr, dem wir geschworen haben, Willhelm der 2te, König in England. Sonsten ist unßer gegenwärtiger Jubernier vom König eingesetzt, Recht und Gerechtigkeit zu befördern und das Böße zu strafen. Es ist aber nicht wie bey euch, das die Herrschaft die Untertanen plaget bis auf das Höchste mit Gelt geben und Frähntinste, dann wir sitzen fein ruhig unter unserer Herschaft. Sie regieren auch nicht lenger als ein Jahr, dann werten sie oder andere wieter erwählet von den Untertanen.
Ich kann euch vor dismahl nicht alles berichten, was ich gern wolte, sonsten würte mein Babier zu klein sein. Was ich euch aber schreibe mit einem halben Wort, das mus gantz wahr sein. Es ist alles frey, alle Hantierung und Profeßion. Es ist auch Gott gedanckt ein fruchtbahres Land mit allerley Gewächs, Frucht genuch, auch allerlei Frucht, ils keinen Hirschen habe ich noch gesehen. Wir haben die Zeit, wir hier sein im Land, lauter Weitzenbrod gebacken. Sie ist auch nicht so gar teuer. Mann kauft Beuschel um 4 Schelling, das ist bey euch 2 Kornmeste. Ein Schelling ist soviel an eurem Gelt als 9 alb und 20 Schelling ist ein Pfunt. Ich habe aber schon manchen Tag 3 bis 4 auch 5 Schelling vertind. Ein Wagen gilt allhier 3 Pfunt auch 4 Pfunt. Dabey braucht mann kein Holtz zu kaufen. Ich bin hier selber Förster. Ich und mein Bruder haben ein Stunte lang Walt, das schönste Holtz. Es gibt hier allerley Holtz 4erley Eichenholtz, Danne, beit Wallnis, Zettern, Kastanien, Hicher, Bappeln, allerley, das ich mein Lebtag in Teutschland nicht gesehen hab. Auch gesunt Waßer, gesunte Luft, auch Fieh genug. Es giebt hier Leut, die 10 bis 15 Geul haben, und haben nichts mit ins Land gebracht. Wer fleisig arbeitet, der kan sich hier wohl nehren, man gibt ja der Herschaft gar wehnig. Ein Mann, der 2 oder 3 oder 4 Hundert Ackerland hat, der gibt des Jahrs 2 oder 3 Schelling, das sein 9 alb, wie ich schon gemelt, auch manchmal garnichts.
Es gibt auch solche Bletz feil, wer Gelt mit ins Land bringt. Die Leute gehen als weiter fort. Es weis noch kein Mensch, wie gros das Land ist. Europa ist dagegen als Dillenburg gegen Franckfurt in der Landkarte. Das beste Land ligt noch wüst, sie wissen noch bis 7 Hundert Meillen und fünden kein Ende. Wann ein wohlstehenter Mann bey euch seine Sache zu Gelt hätte, und hätte Lust hieher zu ziehen, der kan hir in Ruhe sitzen, bäßer wie bey euch ein Edelmann. Die Armen auch, aber sie müßen klein anfangen, dann das Land bringet Frucht, wann mann das Holtz davon reiniget ohne Bäßerung. Aber das ist das Beste: wann sie nur ihre Fracht bezahlen können, so können sie sich darnach wohl nehren. Ein gemeiner Taglöhner hat 2 Schülling und 6 Bens. 12 Bens ist 1 Schelling, das ist bey euch ein halber Thaler. Soweit ist mein warhaftiger Bericht von dißem Land, von Frucht, Holtz, Wasser, des schönen Obst nicht zu vergeßen. Mehr Obst und Pörsing hat hier ein Mann, als bey euch ein gantzes Torf. Gottes Wort und Pretiger haben wir auch zur Genüge, wer es gerne höret. Es wirt euch wohl bewust sein, das Prätiger aus dem Dillenburgischen zu uns gekomen sein. Der Wisel ist bey uns Prätiger allhier. Der Otterbein ist in der Stad Längester. Es sein auch schon in dißem Jahr witer 14 Schif mit Leut ankommen. Da ist mein Bericht soweit vor dismahl.
Kan hat nun iemand Lust von Euch zu kommen, doch aber auf sein Belieben, und nicht auf mein Geheis, dann die Reise ist beschwerlich. Die Kinder Ißrael nusten erst durch die Wüsten Sur und Helim, auch durch das rothe Meer reisen, ehe sie in das gelobte Land kamen. Doch war der Herr ihr Geleitsmann, der da spricht: Wann du durchs Feuer gehest, so will ich bey dir sein, das dich die Flamme nicht anzünten, und auf dem Wasser, das dich die Ströme nicht ersaufen. Ich heise niemand kommen, aber wann mein Schwager Johannes Ekhart, und meine Schwägern Magtalena kommen, wann sie noch nicht geheyrat sein, und es der Mutter nicht zu witer, wann sie noch beim Leben ist, oder wann sie sich selbsten unterstehen wolte, auf diße Reise zu begeben; es solte uns hertzlich lieb sein. Auch hete ich gern, das sie es meinen Geschwüstern und der Mutter sagen täten. Die möchten vieleicht zu uns kommen. Mein Bruter will auch schreiben, aber mann weis nicht, ob es euch möcht ankomen. Wann etwann jemand von euch komen will, der bringe mir doch das Buch vom wahren Himmelsweg mit, auch ein par Büchse gezogene, auch ein halb tutzet Trumsege, auch ein breit Beil, wie es die Zimmerleit bey euch brauchen, auch ein gute Zimmeraxt. Will aber einer vor sich Wahr mitbringen, der bring Sense, Futermeser, Bohren, wollen Tuch, Leintuch. Aber ich rathe einem jeglichen, das er sein Frachtgelt und was er auf der Reise braucht vor sich bezahlt.
Nun segne euch Gott der Herr, ihr Vieljeliebte mein. Trauert nit allzusehr über den Abschied mein, beständig bleibt im Glauben, wir werden in kurtzer Zeit einander witer schauen in jener Ewigkeit. Dißes Mahl nichts mehr als der Früle Gottes, welcher höher ist als aller Engeln und Menschen Vernunft. Der bewahre dann unser und euer aller Hertzen und Sinnen in Christo Jesu bis zu dem ewigen und seligen Leben, Amen.
Verbleibe euer dinstwilliger Schwager und Schwester bis in den Tod. Johannes Hein in Fintzelfania in Allenmengel bey Ludwig Hantz. Da mist ihr auch anschreiben. Wann ich nicht mehr bey ihm bin, so wirt er den Brief an mich liefern. - Heut Tado den 5. October 1752.
Ihr werdet so gut sein und den Brief bezahlen mit 20 alb. Wann ihr nun witer einen Brief schreibet, so törft ihr auch nichts zahlen. Mann läst einen jeten bey seiner Religion in dißem Land. Bringet mir doch eine gute Mahlinger Dobackspfeife mit. Eß gibt hier kein auf solche Art.
Translation
The grace of the heavenly Father, the love of Jesus Christ, and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, be with you all, with heartfelt greetings, Amen.
Especially to the hearts of all my dearest mother, siblings and brothers-in-law, and all good friends and acquaintances; while God still grants me life and health to tell you whether we have arrived happily in the country, I and we all can boast of nothing other than God's gracious visitation, for He has carried us into the country at the right hour, full-fledged and healthy, on His angel's chariot.
- He gives us for our knowing, His Word, on Him bestowing
The name of kind supplier, and gracious rectifier.
---------------------- still has to be translated ---------------------
Grant for Thy glory, Father, this boon o’er every other:
That we may trust Thee solely and build upon Thee wholly.
If but this pray’r be heeded, the gifts which here are needed
While we this life are living, He surely will be giving.
Far sooner earth and heaven to ruin would be given,
Than they should be forsaken, who Thee by faith have taken.
So, you dear friends will still remember when our journey started, I mean May 21, 1751 towarts Millheim (Mülheim),[2] where we were delayed for 4 weeks. From there we traveled in 5 days to Rotterdamm (Rotterdam), where we stopped for another 14 days. From there we went to Helfersschlos (Hellevoetsluis), where we stayed for another 3 days. From there across the "tollen Sund" (Strait of Dover) to Dill (Deal) in old England, where we stopped for 3 days. From there to Kaus (Cowes), and so it took us 3 weeks from Rotterdam to Kaus (Cowes) in old England.[3] There we stopped for another 14 days. Then our ship was loaded with provisions. From there we finally sailed on the open sea, 8 ships at the same time, and under God's gracious assistance we sailed happily in 7 weeks and 2 days without any storms to the Refier (River = Delaware). That's when we had to finally learn what a storm is. A whole day and night. We had already thrown the anchors as it started, so that it didn't blow us back. From there we sailed to the town of Vilatelvia (Philadelphia) in 2 days.
In total we lost no more than 13 people, 2 old ones and 11 children, one of whom belonged to Johannes Heintz and one to "Barben Ann". On the other hand, we gained another 7 young children born at sea. Our ship was not so big, only 240 freights.[4] Of these children born at sea, one was given birth by my brother's wife, and then baptized and sponsored by my wife, for we had a Reformed priest with us from the "region of Hanau".[5] The child is still alive and all of us as well, as long as God is willing. Also all our fellow countrymen. But we are no longer together. Johann Jörg Henrich and his brother went with Daniel Bäcker from Ebersbach to Neu Jörg (New York), where Johannes Henrich was hired out by his brother. But I do not know what craft he is doing or what he is up to. I have heard that he has married, he will have brought the letter to our friends in Neu Jörg (New York).
We were lying in one berth at sea, me and the two brothers. My wife cared for them, as well as for myself and my children, with washing and mending, with food and drink. You two good friends as guardians wrote to me that I should take care of the little one, but now I can't know how he's doing. The big one has bought goods for the money, except for one freight, which he has paid for himself; the little one has to earn his passage. But this cannot harm him as long as he gives him his share later. But I will do as you wish if he asks me for help in this matter. My brother and I are together in Fintzelfani (Pennsylvania), in Almengel (Allemaengel) as it is called.[6] We have cleared land beyond the Blue Mountain. I have already sown 2 acres of land. But we won't move on it until the coming year 1753.
Now to tell you further of this land, our lawful lord, to whom we have sworn, is William the 2nd, King in England.[7] Otherwise, our present governor is appointed by the king to promote law and justice and to punish evil. It is not, however, as with you, that the rulers plague their subjects to the utmost with giving money and services, for we dwell quietly under our leadership. They also do not rule for more than a year, then they or others are re-elected by the subjects.
I cannot tell you everything I would like to for now, otherwise my paper would be too small. But what I write to you in half a word must be entirely true. Everything is free, all craftsmanship and profession. It is also, thank God, a fertile land with all kinds of crops, fruit enough, all kinds of fruit, but I have not yet seen any millet. In the time we have been here in this country, we have only baked wheat bread. It's not that expensive either. You can buy bunches for 4 shillings, that's 2 "Kornmeste" for you.[8] One shilling is as much as 9 Albus in your money,[9] and 20 shillings is a pound. But I have earned 3 to 4 or even 5 shillings many a day. A cart here is worth 3 or 4 pounds. And you don't need to buy any wood. I am a forester here myself. Me and my brother have an hour of forest, [10] the most beautiful wood. There is all kinds of wood here, 4 kinds of oak, fir, both walnuts, cedar, chestnuts, hickory, poplar, all kinds that I have never seen in the German lands in my life. Also healthy water, healthy air, and plenty of livestock. There are people here who have 10 to 15 horses and have brought nothing with them into the country. If you work hard, you can make a living here, because you give very little to the authorities. A man who has 2 or 3 or 4 hundred acres of land gives 2 or 3 shillings a year, which is only 9 Albus, as I have already mentioned, and sometimes nothing at all.
There are also plots of land for sale if you bring money into the country. Because people are moving further into the country. People still don't know how big the country is. Europe is like Dillenburg compared to Frankfurt on the map. The best land is still unclaimed, they have already explored up to 700 miles and still can't find an end. When a well-off man of yours would turn his things into money and would like to move here, he can live here in peace, better than a nobleman amongst you. So can the poor, but they must start small; but the land bears fruit, when the wood is cleared of it, without further improvement. And that is the best thing: even if someone can only pay their passage, they can be well self-sufficient afterwards. A common day laborer earns 2 shillings and 6 pence. 12 pence is 1 shilling, which is half a Thaler for you. So much for my true account of this land, of crops, wood, water, and not forgetting the beautiful fruit. One man here has more fruit and peaches than an entire village in your territories. We also have plenty of God's word and preachers for those who like to hear it. You will be well aware that preachers have come to us from Dillenburg. Wisel is our preacher here. Otterbein is in the city of Längester (Lancaster). This year again 14 ships with people have already arrived. That's my report so far for this time.
Now if any of you wish to come, but at your own will and not at my command, for the journey is arduous. The children of Israel first had to travel through the deserts of Sur (Shur) and Helim (Elim), and also through the Red Sea, before they reached the Promised Land. But the Lord was their guide, saying, "When you pass through the fire, I will be with you, so that the flames will not scorch you, and on the water, so that the rivers will not drown you." (Isaiah 43:2) I do not urge anyone to come, but when my brother-in-law Johannes Eckhart and my sister-in-law Magdalena come, if they have not yet been married, and if it is not against their mother's wishes, if she is still alive, or if she would like to go on this journey herself; it would be most welcome and pleasing to us. I would also like you to tell my siblings and mother. They might like to come to us. My brother also wants to write, but nobody knows whether it will reach you. If any of you want to come, bring me the Book of the True Way to Heaven, a couple of rifles, half a dozen two-man saws, a broad axe like the ones the carpenters use in your region, and a good carpenter's axe. But if someone wants to bring his own goods, he should bring scythes, forage sickles, drills, cloth and sheets. But I advise everyone to pay their own passage and whatever they need for the journey themselves.
Now may The Lord, our God, bless you, my beloved ones. Do not grieve too much over my parting, remain steadfast in faith, in a short time we will see each other again in that eternity. This time nothing more than the will of God, which is higher than the understanding of all angels and men. May He then preserve our and all your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus until this eternal and blessed life, Amen.
Remaining faithful, your brother-in-law and sister until death. Johannes Hein in Fintzelfania (Pennsylvania) in Allenmengel (Allemaengel) with Ludwig Hantz. You must also write to that place. When I am no longer with him, he will deliver the letter to me. - Given today, October 5, 1752.
PS: You will be so good as to pay 20 Albus for the letter. If you now write a letter back, you will not have to pay anything. Everyone is left to his religion in this country. Please bring me a good "Mahlinger" tobacco pipe. There are none like that here.
Sources and Footnotes
- ↑ Gerber, Dr. Adolf: Die Nassau-Dillenburger Auswanderung nach Amerika im 18. Jahrhundert: Das Verhalten der Regierungen dazu und die späteren Schicksale der Auswanderer.; Flensburg 1930.
- ↑ Mülheim is a town on the right banks of the river Rhine, opposite to the city of Cologne. In former times it was a port for transporting agricultural goods on the Rhine downstream to the Netherlands. It was also used as starting point for emigrants, as one of the easierst ways to get to go to port of Rotterdam, where most of the ships left from Europe to America.
- ↑ According to the law in force at the time, all ships wishing to sail to the English colonies were obliged to dock in an English port beforehand. Cowes was the most suitable option for ships from Rotterdam. The stop was also used to load provisions for the crossing one last time.
- ↑ The cargo capacity in old sailing ships was divided into "freights". Larger ships had up to 500 freights, normally the capacity was 300. as the transport of emigrants became more and more commercialized in the 1700s, the term freights gradually came to be used by the trading companies for passengers, who were also regarded as nothing more than "goods". An adult passenger had to pay one "freight" for a crossing. This also included the calculated space required for food and other everyday items, such as straw for the bedstead and the luggage brought along. Children between the ages of 4 and 14 had to pay half a freight, while toddlers under the age of 4 could often travel free of charge.
- ↑ The "Hanauerland" (French: Pays de Hanau) refers to a former dominion north of Strasbourg on the French side and around Kehl in central Baden on the German side on both sides of the border formed by the Rhine. After the death of the last Count of Hanau, Johann Reinhard III, in 1736, the County of Hanau-Lichtenberg fell to Hesse-Darmstadt.
- ↑ Allemaengel refers to a historical region in Pennsylvania. It is situated in the southeastern part of the state, primarily within Berks County, but it also extends into neighboring counties such as Lehigh and Schuylkill. The exact boundaries of Allemaengel may not be precisely defined, as it is more of a cultural and historical designation rather than an administrative division. The history of Allemaengel is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of German immigration to Pennsylvania. Allemaengel's history begins in the early to mid-1700s when German-speaking settlers, often referred to as the Pennsylvania Dutch, began arriving in the region.
Probably the best overview of the topic gives John Levan Kistler in his Book "The history of Jerusalem "Allemaengel" Church; Albany Township, Berks Co., Pa."; published 1947. - ↑ The reigning King of England at that time was not William but George II. This obvious confusion of names can perhaps be explained by the fact that for decades only princes with the name William reigned in the Nassau territories, and Johannes Hain never knew a prince with any other name.
- ↑ It has not yet been possible to clarify what the term "Kornmeste" represents for an entity. It is certainly a local hollow measure for determining the quantity of grain, as it was used in the Nassau territories.
- ↑ The Albus was a currency used in parts of the Holy Roman Empire, especially in the Rhineland, from the late Middle Ages onwards. The name "albus" is Latin and means "white". Due to the higher silver content, this lighter-colored coin differed in color from the other inferior coins.
- ↑ In some parts of the Holy Roman Empire, time units were used to describe the size of areas or to represent distances. The most widely used unit was the "hour". This meant the distance that could be comfortably covered on foot in one hour. As you can see, however, this is a very subjective measure. From possible comparisons, it is known today that an average of 4 km or 2.5 miles was considered "comfortably manageable". For land, the relative indication by time units then corresponded to the area that took 1 hour to walk around. It is understandable that the size depends heavily on the shape of the land. In the end, this specification never caught on and today can only be understood as not more than a metaphorically imprecise indication for a "quite large plot of land".
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edited by Michael Schell
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"O Vater, Vater, giebe, dass deine große Liebe Wir inniglich betrachten, und so gering nicht achten."