Our German Heritage
During the 17th century, the Palatinate region of Germany was an area where invasion and war were a way of life. The Swedish invaded in 1653, and that resulted in the "Thirty Year War." During the Thirty Year War, the Palantine country and other parts of Germany suffered from the horrors of fire and sword as well as from the pillage and plunder by the French armies. This war was based upon both politics and religious hatred, as the Roman Catholic armies sought to crush the religious freedom of a politically divided Protestantism. While the land of the Palatinate was good for it's inhabitants, many of who were farmers, its location was unfortunately subject to invasion by the armies of Britain, France, and Germany.

The winter of 1708-1709 was very long and cold in the Rhineland of Southern Germany. The Thirty Year War lay heavy on the Palatinate's minds, a period in which one out of every three Germans had perished. As the people considered their futures, the older ones remembered that in 1677, William Penn had visited the area, encouraging the people to leave the homeland and sail to Pennsylvania, in America, a place where a man and his family could be free of the problems they were now encountering. To go to America meant a long and dreadful ocean voyage and a future in an unknown land. Many wondered how they could ever finance such a journey even if they wanted to attempt it.



Many of the Palatinate Germans decided to leave their homeland and chance the trip across the ocean to a new world and new beginning, where they would be free to live and worship as they wished. To get there they agreed to work for the English a couple of years, repairing the English ships and when finished they were to receive forty acres of land. Sometime after they arrived, the English decided not to comply with their arrangement with the Germans, so fearing they would not be able to support their families, a group of Germans, decided to leave the camps, and go to the Schoharie Valley. They had heard that the Schoharie Valley was beautiful and would be a wonderful place to settle. One of these men was, JOHANNES BALL,  my gggggggrandfather.

During the American revolution, Schoharie County, NY was practically under martial law. The local government was in the hands of local patriots who had formed a "Committee of Safety". All of Schoharie settlements represented were on the Committee. The committee consisted of six members, with JOHANNES BALL, elected Chairman. The Committee of Safety, enlisted soldiers, bought food, guns, and ammunition for the soldiers, and collected taxes. The British and Tories offered rewards for the capture, dead or alive of Chairman JOHANNES BALL, but efforts to take them were unsuccessful.



The Old Stone Fort
The Old Stone Fort was built in 1772 as a house of worship by the Dutch Reform Church of Schoharie. In 1777 it was enclosed by a stockade of logs and used for the protection of the Valley and a place of safety for the Germans during the British and Indian raids. The fort still stands and is now a museum, in Schoharie County. It is said that the German settlers donated stones to build the fort, and as they built it they engraved their names on the stones. If they remained loyal to the revolution, then the name was left on the stone. The name of  JOHANNES BALL still remains engraved on a stone, ensuring us that he remained loyal to his new home.



    Johannes Ball 1772
Engraved in stone on the Old Stone Fort


Based on this information, there is no doubt that JOHANNES BALL and his family played a very important role in the Independence of our country. It is something that our whole family should know and be proud of. JOHANNES BALL, my grandfather was a great man, and through his many efforts, many years ago, we have the freedom we share today. Thank you Grandpa!
 
 

Our German Heritage Continued

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Mike Weber

101 Summit Dr.

Waynesville, MO. 65583



 
 
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
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