HANS STAUFFER'S ACCOUNT BOOK. A STUDY
Arranged and Contributed by William T. Stauffer
of Newport News, Virginia
[Hans Stauffer, son of Daniel Stauffer, was born near Zurich,
Switzerland, about 1655. In 1685, he married Kinget Heistand, the widow of
Michael Reif, and the mother of Anneli Reif. They were Mennonites; and,
because of the persecution of the faith, fled to Alsheim in the neighborhood
of Strasburg, Germany, where he engaged in viniculture, renting an old
estate and castle. He inherited from his father 350 guldens and from his
sister, Anneli, 23 guldens. Through the influence of his step son - in -
law, Gerhart Clemens, Hans Stauffer migrated to America. He and his family
and his daughter's family, left their home on November 5, 1709, and after a
three days' journey embarked at Weissenau on the Rhine. After ten weeks'
intermittent travel they reached London on January 26, 1710. From London,
after a stormy and perilous voyage of sixty-seven days they reached
Philadelphia in the spring of 1710. They settled in Chester County,
Pennsylvania, near Valley Forge. Hans and Kinget Heistand Stauffer are
buried in a Mennonite graveyard near the place. No tombstone, or record of
their deaths has been discovered. Of their four Children:
Elizabeth and her husband, Paulus Friedt, settled near Grater's
Ford, Skippack township, Montgomery county. Their child, Mary, married Jacob
Grater.
The three sons, Jacob, Daniel, and Henry settled near Bally, Berks
County.
Anneli Reif, daughter of Kinget Heistand Reif, married Gerhard
Clemens. They settled in Salford township, Montgomery county.-W.F.S.
I.
Inheritance
Item. In Oswald's reckoning there cam from grandfather one hundred
and sixty-six guldens, thirty kreutzers, 100 and 66 R., 30 kr.-I: 20.
Moreover, I fetched from father, Switzerland money, three hundred
pounds: a pound in local money is half a gulden or 30 kr. It amounts
altogether to 100 and 50 R. [This was at the time of his marriage in
1685].-I: 101.
Anno 1687, I, Hans Stauffer. Conrad Aschbacher brought me 40 crowns
and five dollars. Local money 57 guldens, 30 dreutbers.- II 36.
Anno 1695, 26 February, Peter Zalifinger of Senxabach brought me
from my father from Switzerland 22 R. Local money twenty-two guldens.-I: 37.
Moreover, my brother's house... from my brother Uli or Holland
remitted to me 40 Swiss crowns, local money fifty guldens. [Ulrich was
living in Friesland, Holland, as appears from the inside of the cover, only
part which has een preserved].-I: 100.
Moreover, I have from my sister, Anneli, 23 R., local money, which
she inherited, 1707.-I: 100
Grand total- the whole amount yields three hundred and seventy-three
R., say 373 R. [This total probably includes the total inheritance from
his father].
Anno 1707, Hans Gerber bought me 15 crowns together with the interest
which I inherited from my sister, Anneli, 1707. Local money, 50
guldens.- II: 36.
II. Concerning Kinget Hiestand
Anno 1635, I took [from] my wife, Kinget Hiestand, of money and money's
worth 100 and 50 R., to say one hundred and fifty guldens.- I: 101.
My wife, Kinget Hiestand, had money from her mother from Switzerland,
29 R., say twenty-nine guldens.
Moreover, my wife, Kinget Hiestand, when I got her, had 100 R. from
Michael Reif from Metterheim, 1685.- I: 99.
III. Concerning Anneli Reif.
Anno 1702, Gerhart Clemens married Anneli Reif. - II: 54.
I gave out of that which came from Michael Reif for my daughter, Anna,
called Anel, toward her wedding: First, an ox weighted one hundred and
twenty pounds, a pound for a groschen. Is reckoned together six guldens,
say 6 R. Lasty of the ox and wether and hog makes together five guldens.
The groceries for the wedding, two guldens.
Moreover, I gave toward the wedding in linen cloth two guldens.
Moreover, I gave Anel two guldens for the chest, 1703, August. On the
second purchase in the drug store glory wax mixed with other wax.
Moreover, I gave Anel a cow and the calf. Is valued at twelve
Reichsthalers (Rixdollars).-I: 41, 42.
I, gave my step-daughter, Anneli Reif, from the Michael Rief heritage,
a cow with the calf, valued at eighteen guldens. I: 45.
Item. I, gave my step-child, Anli Reif, woolen cloth toward her wedding
for eighteen guldens and woolen cloth toward the wedding for 12 guldens.
August 9, 1702.- I: 45, 45.
Item. I, Hans Stauffer, owe my son-in-law, Gerhart Clemens, of the
goods from Metterheim, which comes from Michael Reif, one hundred and
sixty guldens, say 100 and 60 R.- I: 20.
I, Gerhart Clemens, acknowledge that my father-in-law made a reckoning
with me, sixty-six guldens, say 66 R., January, 1704. Gerhart Clemens.
1704. the 24... I gave my son-in-law, Gerhart Clemens, in money 5 R.,
say five guldens. - 1: 21.
On New-Years day, 1705, I again gave Gerhart Clemens 5 R.- I: 24.
1705, in February, I gave my son-in-law, Gerhart Clemens, at Lower
Pflorsheim, 12 R. in money; the horse and enough money to make 66 R.,
1705._I: 23.
Item, I, Hans Stauffer, gave my son-in-law in addition to the horse, 10
R., say 10 guldens.
1705, the 19 September, I gave my son-in-law four guldens.
Anno 1705, on Christmas day, I gave my son-in-law, Gerhart Clemens, in
money 3. R.- 44, 54, 24.
Item. I, gave my son-in-law 3 malters of oats, the 10 March, 1706. 3
malters of oats, a malter for a dollar, 4 R. 30 kr.-1: 42, 43.
Item, I, gave my son-in-law 2 R., the 27 July, 1706.- I: 44.
IV> Concerning Elizabeth Friedt
Item. Im Hans Stauffer, bought my daughter, Elizabeth woolen cloth for
the wedding 4 R., to say four guldens, and two guldens pure linen cloth.
Anno 1707, the 5 June.- I: 69.
V. Other Items
[Many not in Hans's writing].
I, Hans Stauffer. Made a lease with the Lord Fieldmarshal General, Van
Kaunter. for the citadel of the castle goods 1697 for three years 1700.-
II: 55.
Anno 1703, I, H. St., gave for toll and fare over the Rhine 12 R. of my
lord's crop as I took it to Geisenheim. I: 64.
1704, the 2 March, gave both burgomasters 5 guldens and 37 (kreutzers)
French.- I: 25
1704, the fifth March, gave defence-master, Fran, money, 3 R. - I: 25.
The girl's receipts. In October, 1704, I, Hans Stauffer, gathered
eighteen quarters (grapes). An aam is worth ten guldens. The third part
yields the girl two guldens and fifty kreutzers. - I: 55.
Johannes Stauffer paid in the name of his lord principal from my
vineyard in St. Holle 13 albuses, 7 pfennigs, for the years 1703 and
1704, with 27 albuses and 6 pfennigs. From the point of the garden back
of his house yearly 2 --; of Oberdorf two years 1 R., 2 albuses and such
rents [as] appertain to the... castle cellarage at Seemsheim. - I:65.
The 1 day January, 1705, I kept the horseman three days and board: 1
gulden, 30 kr.
The 16 day January, I kept the horseman 3 days and board, again 1 R.
The 30 day January, I kept the horseman 3 days and board, again one
dollar.
[This is repeated for February 13, March 1, March 22, April 7, April
29, May 15] p. 47.
1705, the 8 day February, I gave burgomaster 5 guldens (R) and fifth
seven kreutzers (57 kr.).- I: 22.
1705, March 26, sold malter for one dollar. I: 40.
The 24 April, gave burgomaster Kundlutz 1 (gulden). -I: 40.
The 25 May, 1705, with the burgomaster thirteen guldens and twenty
kreutzers. I: 47.
The 20 day October, 1705 year, I gathered grapes, one and one-half
aams, and the third part belonging to the girl amounts to one-half an
aam. A half aam is worth 5 guldens. Receipts 5 R.-I: 54.
Deed, Alsheim, the 15 day December, 1705.
I, paid to the burgomaster at Alsheim on the old Rhine for the lord
Chieftaim Junkheim for 7... and 4 R. 7 kr. Witnessed at Alsheim, the 16
December, 1705. David Hossman (Hoffman) John Scherff.
The 16 December, 1705. I gave lord administrator Krauss of the
foundation [charitable] at Oppenheim 1 R. 7 kr. 6 pfen. for 1703. -I:
67.
In the year 1705 I gave lord administrator Krauss of the foundation
[charitable] at Oppenheim 2 R. 15 kr. for the years 1704 and 1705. I:
67.
Hans Stauffer paid the burgomaster of Alsheim on the old Rhine... near
Metz 3. R. 2 kr. Witnessed at Alsheim, 28 December. David Hoffman, John
Scherff.
1705, the... gave Levler for 1704 of goods and oats, fifth-one
kreutzers. - I: 22.
Sold..., a malter for 1 (gulden), 12 kreutzers.- I: 40.
Moreover, I bought... paper, two sheets.. cost one gulden - I: 47.
Anno 1708, in the autumn on the apple trees, apples and blossoms hung
together on the same tree or twig. And this was found on many trees. II:
34.
Filled for Hans Meir 12 measures of wine the 27 November, 1708. -II:
35.
Praise the Lord, the Almighty King of Glory, my beloved soul, that is
my desire [part of a hymn]. - I: 99.
My man-servant, Daniel Spingel, 6 batzes to sole a pair of shoes.
Moreover, to Daniel Spingel 2... as he wrote, a twopice. Moreover, gave
Daniel Spingel 2 guldens - I: 102.
Henry Hiestand's two men-servants have eight ticking, the 29 day
December. - II: 34.
Grammes [probably Grimes] cut straw for us two and one half days.
Moreover Grammes cut for us one day. Moreover on day.- II: 35.
VI. The Journey from Wissenau to London.
[Book 2: 1,2,3.]
In the year anno 1709, I, Hans Stauffer, removed on the fifth of
November with wife and children: Jacob Stauffer 13 years; Daniel 12
years; Henry, 9 years; Elizabeth, with her huaband, Paulus Friedt, and
one child Maria by name, with myself, eight, we set sail from Weissenau
on the 8 day of November. At Bingen we remained one day and we left on
the 10 day of November. At Hebster we set sail on the 11 day November.
At Neuen Wirt we set sail on the 12 day November. At Erbsen we set sail
on th 13 day November and came to Millen. There we had to remain one
day. On the 15 we left Millen. At Eisen we lay two days. On the 17
November, 1709, we sailed away. On the 18 we came to Erding. And on the
20 day November we left Erding and sailed a half hour under the Wiesol
and on the 21 we went to the shore. Therewe had to remain until the wind
became calm. And on the 22 ditto we sailed as far as Emrig. There we had
to remain untill the wind became calm. And on the 24 ditto we left Emrig
and came to Schingen Schantzs. There we had to remian untill the wind
became calm. On the 27 November we sailed away from Schingen Schantzs
and sailed toward Arm. During the night to Rein and on the 28 ditto we
came to Wieg and thence we came to Ghert on the 29 day November. On the
first day of December we arrived at Amsterdam. And on the 17 December we
left Amsterdam and sailed a half hour before the City., There we had to
remain until the wind became favorable (good) and clam. And on the 19
day December we came to Rotterdam. There we had to wait until the tide
was ready for sailing. Thirteen days we had to remain. On the 29
December we sailed from Rotterdam nearly to Brielle. There we had to
remain untill the wind was favorble. On the 20 day January we left
Brielle and sailed six days on the sea to London.
Family of Jacob Stauffer.
My son, Henry Stauffer, was born to me in the year 1725, the 3 August.
My son, Christian Stauffer, was born to me the year 1728, the 18 day
December.
My daughter, Susan, was born to me in the year 1730, the 11 day April
in [the sign] Gemini.
My daughter, Ester, was born to me the year 1732, in June.
My son, Abraham, was born to me in the year 1734, in December.
My son, John, was born to me in the year 1737, October.
Children of Jacob Stauffer._ I: 70-71.
Anno 1754, in November, I, Jacob Stauffer, received from my son, Henry
Stauffer, 60 pounds money. This he paid on his land.- II: 9.
Anno 1757, the 22 day October, I, Jacob Stauffer, paid to Stoffel
Zigeler- pound money for my son, Henry Stauffer. _ II: 7.
Anno 1759, the 8 day April, I, received money from my son, Henry
Stauffer, 26 pounds. This he paid on his land.
Anno 1759, the 9 day June, received money from my son, Henry Stauffer,
8 pounds. This he paid on his land. II: 9.
Anno 1760, the 19 February, I, received money from my son, Henry
Stauffer. The amount is 50 pounds. This he paid on his land. - II: 10.
Anno, 1760, the 14 August, I, received money from my son, Henry
Stauffer, 7 pounds. This he paid on his land.
Anno, 1760, The 30 August, I, received money from my son, Henry
Stauffer, 10 pounds. This he paid on his land.
Anno, 1768, the 15 February, I Jacob Stauffer, paid my son, Henry
Stauffer, one hundred and fify pounds money on his inheritance. - II:
21.
Jacob Villweiller owes me two shillings and three pence. Henry
Stauffer.- II: 3.
Anno 1743, the 7 day December, I, Jacob Stauffer, paid on the land of
my son, Christian Stauffer, 145 pounds, and my son, Christian Stauffer,
also paid 25 pounds.
Anno 1755, in May, I, paid on the land of my son, Christian Stauffer,
the sum of 90 pounds, money.
Anno 1756, the 10 day July, paid on the land of my son, Christian
Stauffer, the sum of 70 pounds. - II: 44
Anno 1757, in January, paid on the land of my son, Christian Stauffer,
the sum of 27 pounds, 3 shillings.
Anno 1757, the last day of June, paid on the land of my son, Christian
Stauffer, with the 15 pounds which Jacob Buchwalter gave me on his
wife's inheritance, the remaining 20 pounds I paid. Makes altogether
thirty-five pounds. - II: 45.
Anno 1768, the 6 January, paid my son, Christian Stauffer, one hundred
and fifty pounds money on his inheritance. -II: 21.
Anno 1769, the 14 day November, my daughter, Susan, intermarried with
Peter *Allibach, and I, Jacob Stauffer, paid on her inheritance one
hundred and fifty pounds money. -II: 22.
1782, I paid Peter *Allebach on his inheritance 18 pounds.
1784, May 27, I paid Henry Stauffer 17 pounds for Peter *Allebach's
inheritance. [these two are in the writing of John Stauffer.] - II: 11.
Anno 1760, the 29 day May, my daughter, Ester, married, and I paid her
one hundred and fifty pounds money on her inheritance. - II: 22.
Anno 1763, in September, I, gave my son Abraham Stauffer, money. It is
400 pounds and 20 pounds and 5 shillings. This he paid on his land.
Anno 1764, in February, gave my son, Abraham Stauffer, money, 7 pounds.
This he paid on his land.
Anno 1764, in April, sold my son, abraham Stauffer, a mare for 12
pounds and a horse for 8 pounds. -II: 13.
Anno 1768, the 16 January, gave my son, Abraham Stauffer, money. The
amount is 25 pounds, which Jacob Clemer received from me. - II: 14.
Anno 1769. the 2 day May, I, Jacob Stauffer, lent my son Abraham
Stauffer, money, 8 pounds. - II: 11.
John Bailey. I sold Hans Belli one bushel of wheat for 3 shillings 4
pence and a half bushel of corn for 15 pence.
1741 he got 3 bushels of wheat at 4 shillings a bushel. And he got two
bushels at 3 shillings. And he got one break for 5 shillings. And he got
one plow for 5 shillings and he sold me one swarm of bees for 7
shillings.
I made a plow for Hans Belli for 5 shillings year 1745.
Anno 1746 in March, Hans Belli got one sieve 2 shillings. _ II: 4.
Christian Gehman, I sold Christian Geman wheat, 3 bushels, a bushel for
4 shillings in the year 1741 in May.
November 24, 1740, I sold Geman 3 bushels and one half of corn at half
a crown a bushel.
April 18, 1740. I lent Christian Geman 6 bushels of corn.
June 16. I lent or sold Christian Geman 3 bushels of wheat at 2
shillings 6 pence a bushel. Moreover, he got 1 bushel of seed wheat at 3
shilling.
April 11, 1745, Geman got a plow for 5 shillings.
1747 in August, Christin Geman got a bushel of wheat for 3 shillings. -
II: 5.
Ulrich Conrad. Anno 1758, the 24 October, I, Jacob Stauffer, sold for
Ulli Cunrat dried apples, one bushel for half a crown.
Anno 1758, the 8 December, sold fabric for Ulli Cunrat, 12 pounds for 2
shillings.
Anno 1759, the 12 January, sold dried apples for 18 pence for Ulli
Cunrat. - II: 7.
I, Jacob Stauffer, got from Ulli Cunrat a wash tub for 9 shillings.
Anno 1763, I sold wool for Ulli Cunrat for half a crown. - II: 8.
I lent Casper Bauman three pounds money and 17 shillings in the year
1741 in December. Paid 25 Shillings.
And I made a plow for 5 shilings in the year 1743, the 20 April - II:
5.
Anno 1755, 9 July, sold wheat to Peter Allerbuch for half a crown.
Family of John Stauffer.
My son, Henry, was born in the year 1767, the 20 November.
My daughter, Sally was born to me in the year 1771, the 11 November.
My daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1779, the 19 October.
1785, the 6 day September, my son, Jacob Stauffer, was born. - II: 73.
My daughter, Elizabeth, died in the year 1793, in June. - I: 74.
Date, 1821, May 31st day, my Son, Henry Stauffer, died. His training,
for the most part, was in reading and writing, and in brass and sliver
work very apt. - I: 72.
