Michael
Greissen – Michael Hyson – Michael Eisan
THE
EVOLUTION OF A NAME
By
Derek Eisan
* Note! Please see the end of this report for additional information on the history of the Palatinate.
Though
their numbers are insignificant within the context of emigration
in the eighteenth century, the experiences of a group of
emigrants in 1764 reflect those of thousands more. Driven by the
desire to improve their worldly lot and lured by the availability
of land, tens of thousands of Germans left their homes in the
years following the end of the Seven Years’ War. That war
had also been fought in the New World, where Canada became
British. In October 1763, George III offered land to officers and
soldiers -- from 3,000 acres for a captain to 50 acres for a
private -- of the British Army and Navy if they settled there. It
did not take long before discharged officers and adventurers of
all kinds petitioned the Board of Trade in London for land
grants, which they intended to colonize with Protestants settlers
from Continental Europe.
One
of these officers was Johann Heinrich Christian von Stümpel,
born in November 1736 in Hanover. Some time in 1760, he assumed
the noble title and joined the army of Ferdinand of Brunswick.
Utilizing his service for the British crown, he applied to the
Board of Trade and Plantations in the early summer of 1763 for a
land grant in Nova Scotia. The land was to be settled with 2,000
Protestant French and Germans "who are perishing under the
tyranny of the Roman Catholic Church," he wrote in his
petition. "Stumpelburgh" would raise revenue for the
crown and improve trade between Europe and Canada. To help defend
Canada from French and Indian attacks, he offered to organize the
colony into a militia commanded by himself as colonel.
On
30 August 1763, the Lords of Trade granted him two 100,000-acre
townships between the rivers of St. John and St. Croix. Within
the next ten years, Stümpel was to transport 4,000 settlers to
Canada and organize them into a militia. The settlers were to
have the land free of quitrents and fees for ten years. All gold
and silver mines were to remain the property of the crown; lands
not settled after ten years would revert to the crown. At its
meeting of 21 December 1763, the Privy Council reduced the grant
to 20,000 acres and added the stipulation that within three years
Stümpel was to plant at least six acres of land with hemp and
flax for use by the Royal Navy. Under these conditions the Privy
Council issued the deed on 10 February 1764.
Armed
with his deed, Stümpel returned to the continent to recruit his
settlers. His endeavours along the banks of the Rhine, in the
Palatinate and in Württemberg, were so successful, that by early
June he was already back in London with over 400 German colonists
and about a dozen former officers, apparently comrades from his
previous service, whom he had taken on for the purposes of
staffing his militia. It was this group of officers who informed
the Board of Trade on 18 July 1764, that Stümpel had disappeared
with their, and the settlers, money, leaving them without the
means to support themselves or to undertake the voyage to Nova
Scotia. The Board denied their request for assistance and told
them that there was no money available to pay for their passage.
There the matter rested for the Board, though it did publish a
warrant for Stümpel's arrest, which led to his apprehension in
Ansbach in December 1764.
In
the meantime the Germans emigrants recruited by Stümpel remained
on their ships moored along the Customs House quay, unable to pay
for their passage and using up whatever provisions they had
brought with them. On 29 August 1764, the Reverend Georg Anton
Wachsel, minister of the German Lutheran St. George's Church in
London, informed the public in a letter to Lloyd's Evening Post
that some 400 German emigrants were camped behind his church on
Goodman's Field. "Some of them have lain, during the late
heavy rains," Wachsel wrote, "and are now lying upon
the open fields adjacent to this metropolis, without covering,
without money, and, in short, without the common necessaries of
this life … . More than two hundred remain on board the ship
which brought them over, on account of their passage not being
paid for, where they are perishing for food, and rotting in filth
and nastiness." Between 8 August and 4 October, ten
emigrants died and were buried in the cemetery of St. George's.
The
very day Wachsel's letter was published, tents arrived from the
Tower of London by order of the Earl of Sandwich. Subscriptions
were opened in coffee houses and banks all over London. On 5
September, a committee of twenty-two members that included
Members of Parliament, merchants, and members of the German
community in London, was formed to manage the rescue operation.
On 6 September, the remaining freight charges were paid off and
passengers and baggage released. Over the next few weeks, more
than 1,200 donors had contributed over £ 4,000. The list was led
by King George III with £ 300, and George Montague and the Earl
of Cardigan with £ 100 each. Lord Hillsborough, the First Lord
of Trade, Thomas Penn and George Grenville, First Lord of the
Treasury, gave £ 50 each. Under the leadership of David Barclay
the Quakers of London collected almost £ 260…
September
12-14, 1764.
To
the Editor of Lloyd's Evening Post,
Sir,
An
Advertisement in the Morning Papers gives the public to
understand, "That the Committee for the relief of the
Palatines met yesterday at Batson's coffee-house in consequence
of a summons from the Treasurer, who had received an immediate
answer by letter from Lord Halifax, acquainting them, his Majesty
had most graciously granted the full request of their petition,
and that the Palatines should be sent to, and established in
South Carolina; and that
150
stands of arms should be delivered out for the use of said German
Protestants; Where upon the Committee resolved to publish
proposals for contracting with Commanders of ships for their
immediate passage and maintenance to South Carolina."
Yours,
S. N.
October
5-8, 1764.
Last
Saturday morning the Palatines broke up their camp behind
Whitechapel Church. The Treasurer, and some other Gentlemen of
the Committee, attended on the occasion, and accompanied them to
the waterside. They were carried in lighters to the ships lying
at Blackwall, singing hymns all the way, and a great number of
boats filled with spectators attended them, who seemed greatly
affected with their devout behaviour and demonstrations of
gratitude to the nation which had so hospitably treated them.
Several of the Palatines, now going to South Carolina, we are
informed, are versed in the
culture of
raw silk.
All aboard for South Carolina.
The committee contracted for two ships, the "Union" and
the "Dragon," to carry 180 passengers each. When it
became apparent that these were inadequate to transport both
passengers and baggage, a third ship, the "Planters
Adventure," was engaged to carry the baggage of the entire
group and thirty-three of their number to watch over it.
Arrangements were also made with Messrs. Cathcart and
Woodrop in Charles Town, South Carolina, to serve as agents for
the committee. They were charged with the responsibility of
paying the ship captains and seeing to the outfitting of the
Palatines on their arrival. The immigrants were to be supplied
with tools, livestock and provisions as they were needed until
September 30, 1765.
A tearful departure.
During the several weeks that the Palatines were under the
benevolent care of Dr. Wachsel and other members of the relief
committee, strong bonds of Christian love and friendship were
formed, bonds which resulted in what must have been an extremely
painful experience when the time came to part. The account which
appeared in the London Magazine, Saturday, October 6, 1764, gives
us a glimpse of that emotional moment:
"The Palatines
broke up their camp behind Whitechapel church. The treasurer, and
some other gentlemen of the very benevolent committee, attended
on that occasion and accompanied them to the water side and
particularly the Reverend Mr. Wachsell, who has been
indefatigable during their abode in England and whose pious
labours are above all praise. His taking leave of them was a most
moving spectacle, tears flowing plentifully on both sides,
especially from the sick, and pregnant women who were near their
time. Many of the persons present could not refrain from
sympathizing with them. They were carried in lighters to the
ships lying at Blackwall, singing hymns all the way, and a great
number of boats filled with spectators attending them, who seemed
greatly affected with their devout behaviour and demonstrations
of gratitude to the nation which had so hospitably treated
them."
The ships Dragon
and Union sailed from Gravesend, England, on October 7, 1764,
arriving in Charles Town December 14th and 16th, respectively,
after a passage of ten weeks. The Planters Adventure departed
later and did not arrive until February 12th, causing
considerable inconvenience for the new arrivals since they were
without their belongings for nearly two months.
The Union suffered the loss of three
children during the ten week passage. Two were born. Those
who sailed aboard the Dragon were not so fortunate, however. Lt.
Governor William Bull reported in a letter to the committee that
all arrived sick and had to be placed immediately in an emergency
hospital which was established in the local barracks. Twenty had
died aboard ship and twenty more died shortly after arrival. It
was concluded that the disparity in the health of those aboard
the two ships was no reflection on the quality of care provided
by the captain of the Dragon, but rather was due to the fact that
those who were taken on board included all those who were sickly
from their stay in London and that the sickness had then spread
to the other passengers.
A careful analysis of the records shows
that 374 Palatines sailed from London aboard the three ships. The
Union carried 181, the Dragon 160, and the Planters Adventure,
which also transported the baggage, carried 33 along with
unrelated passengers and goods. During the passage, twenty died
on the Dragon, three on the Union and none on the Planters
Adventure. Two children were born on the Union, so that 353
immigrants actually reached their destination. Of those,
131 were under fourteen years of age.
Within six weeks after their arrival in
Charles Town, at least 44 more, including fifteen children, would
die from their illnesses, leaving only 309 of the original group
to find their way to the new life they had dreamed about and
travelled so far to experience.
A painful choice.
In the years that followed, time and a
preoccupation with survival no doubt dimmed the memories of those
hardy Germans and much of the hardship and bereavement of the
early days in South Carolina may have been forgotten. But they
could never forget the kindness, mercy and generosity of those
who had cared for them so unselfishly during their sojourn in
London. Nor could they forget the king by whose grace they were
not forced to return to Germany, but were instead provided with
free land and protection in the New World. So, when the time came
just a few years later for the choice to be made between Whig and
Tory, it is not surprising that the majority elected to support
their benefactors. Those who made that choice lost their lands
and were forced again to leave their homes and their homeland.
I believe
that the patriarch of our family and the first man to bear the
name “Eisan” was on board one of these ships called the
“Dragon” as with many German immigrants the spelling of
his name changed when he arrived in the new world. Many of
the original German surnames underwent rather drastic revision as
they were anglicized during the years before and immediately
after the Revolution. For example, the "Loyalist
Claims" of 1783 list John Swillan (Zwilling), Christian Sing
(Zang), Nicholas Crane (Gream), George Weaver (Webber) and others
whose names had changed beyond recognition. The Zimmermans became
Timmermans and Schieldknechts became Shelnuts, so it is not an
inconceivable jump from Greissen to Eisan.
As the list below shows all the immigrants that arrived on the
ship “Dragon” the one that stands out to me, and I
believe that Michael Greissen Frein & Michael Eisan are the
same person.
* NOTE A larger write up on this subject is available from Derek Eisan. You can contact Derek at his e-mail address on the main page and he will send you by e-mail the complete document.
| Hans
Gall Herman Smith Johan Grubert Christian Gallin Madelina Zemferin Sus'a Regina Seveitzerin Margaret Gallin Anna Eva Ansman George Michael Ama Maria Hagin Agnes Franklin Johan Cheves Regina Seveitzenn Johan Mathew Metzer George Shoemaker Frank Witten Michael Greissen Frain Jacob Shoeber George Michael Kennern Philip Jacob Sheildknecter Jacob Walts Anna Margarta Braunen Maria Elizabeth Rousen Catherine Shieldkneighten Catherine Walts Maria Miswillering Andrew Rouson Henry Gast Henrick Sanbrick Henrick Cam John Freidweismiller Anna Maria Rouson Rudolph Rouson Maria Eliz. Shieldknightin John Hen Ferdinand David Stanhold Johan Jacob Messersmith John Clame Johan George Pericot George Sheuer Nicholas Glasser Andreas Kentzen Jonahs Boshert Philip Wm. Bundles Catherine Ferdinand Apolonia Stanford Eva Catherine Messersmith Eliza’s Clem Maria Glasserin Catherine Kentzem Barbara Keiterin John George Walts Catherine Sheurin Martha Waltzin Anna Cara Edemansin Jacob Stanhold George Frederick Pericot Eliza’s Keuterin Albrecht Beckman Johan Frederick Beckman Eva Eliz'h Albrickten Anna Barbara Beckman Susannah Beckman Josie’s Beckman Maria Dorothea Beckman Maria Beckman Johannes Flick Peter Bradshern Henrick Snark Christopher Hamel Abram Frietz Sabina Flicken Am Marg'ta Bradsherer Anna Schwartz Anna Eliz'h Hanon Ana Catherina Freitz Eva Flicken Etiz. Schwartzin Maria Hamelin Henrietta Flicken Barbara Flicken Margaretta Schwartzin Peter Dorst Philip Zimmerman Johannes Welling George Webber, Sr. George Wilhelm Christian Zang Anna Maria Dorsts Apolonia Zimmerman Maria Zwilling Catherine Webber Maria Wilhelm Julianna Zang Barbara Webber Susanna Webber Christian Wilheim Peter Strum Belshazer Mark Valentine Khunn Maria Strum Eliz'h Mark Anna Maria Khunn Catherina Knabin Eliz'h Knabin Elizabeth Strum Maria Eva Strum Susannah Merk Conrad Merk Maria Barbara Strum Johan Jacob Strum Locenty Merk Rosina Mark Barbara Khunn Adam Boner Philip Keiss Frederick Zimmerman Frederick Erlbeck Michael Zinman Catherine Bruser Maria Keiss Margaret Zimmerman Sophia Erlbeck Elizabeth Zinman Eva Keiss Johannes Zants Andrew Merks George Dorsen Martin Blumenhart Melchor Flugell Johannes Taylor Michael Plieffer John Baker Wm. Bonnet George Feltman Margaretta Durin Margaretta Sank Barbara Marskin Anna Eliz'h Dorren Marg't Zebberdeen Elizabeth Feltman Rachel Duerin ELiz'h Keiss Peter Kenn Peter Knabb Philip Peter Knabb Henrick Adolph Nicholas Keiss George Shieldknight Peter Mehl Maria Adolph Eva Keise Cath'a Shieldknight Cath'a Shwartz Anna Maria Mehl Maria Knabb Catherine Keiss Marg't Shieldknight Anna Schwartz Henry Rupert Nicolas Rumpe Henrick Strum Philip Grateworth Carl Weidman George Webber, Junior Adam Ken Catherine Rumpe Eliz'h Strum Anna Gratewohl Eva Weidman Barbara Webber Anna Eliz'h Kenn Elizabeth Rupert Frederick Webber Christopher Rupert Eliz'h Kenn |
Hans
Gall Herman Smith Johan Grubert Christian Gall (Female) Magdalena Zeuser Susanna Regina Sweitzer Margaret Gall Anna Eva Ansman Gall George Michael Gall Anna Maria Haag Agnes Franklin Johan Cheves Regina Sweitzer Johan Mathew Metzer Johan George Shoemaker Frank Witten Michael Greissen Frein Jacob Sauber George Michael Kennern Philip Jacob Schieldnecht Jacob Waltz Anna Margaret Braun Maria Elizabeth Rouson Catherine Schieldnecht Catherine Waltz Maria Weissmiller Andreas Rouson Heinrich Gart Heinrich Lambrick Heinrich Kain Johan Frederick Weissmiller Anna Maria Rouson Rudolph Rouson Maria Eliz. Schieldnecht Johan Frederick Ferdinand David Hunnold Johan Jacob Messersmith Johannes Clem Johan George Pericott George Sherer Nicholas Glasser Andreas Kentzen Johannes Boshert Philip William Rundler Catherine Ferdinand Apolonia Hunnold Eva Catherine Messersmith Elizabeth Clem Maria Glasser Catherine Kentzen Barbara Kentarin Johan Jacob Waltz Catherine Sherer Martha Waltz Anna Caradassin Edelmans Jacob Hunnold George Frederick Pericott Elizabeth Kentarin Albrecht Beckman Johan Frederick Beckman Eva Elizabeth Albrecht Anna Barbara Beckman Susanna Beckman Johan Michael Beckman Maria Dorothea Beckman Maria Beckman Johannes Flick Peter Bradshern Heinrich Schwartz Christopher Hamel Abram Fritz Sabina Flick Anna Margaret Bradshern Anna Schwartz Anna Elizabeth Haag Anna Catherine Fritz Eva Flick Elizabeth Schwartz Maria Hamel Henrietta Flick Barbara Flick Margaret Schwartz Peter Dorst Philip Zimmerman Johannes Zwilling George Weber, Sr- George Wilhelm Christian Zang Anne Maria Dorst Apolonia Zimmerman Maria Zwilling Catherine Weber Maria Wilhelm Julianna Zang Barbara Weber Susanna Weber Christian Wilhelm Peter Straum Balthasar Merck Valentine Khunn Maria Straum Elizabeth Merck Anne Maria Khunn Margaret Catherine Knabb Elizabeth Knabb Elizabeth Straum Maria Eva Straum Susanna Merck Conrad Merck Maria Barbara Straum Johan Jacob Straum Locenty Merck Rosina Merck Barbara Khunn Johan Adam Bauer Philip Keiss Frederick Zimmerman George Frederick Erlbeck Michael Zinman Anna Catherine Weiser Maria Keiss Margaret Zimmerman Magdalena/Sophia Erlbeck Elizabeth Zinman Eva Keiss Johannes Zang Andrew Merck George Dorn Martin Blumenhart Melchor Flugell Johannes Seiler Michael Plieser Erdman Speed ? William Bonneth George Feltman Margaret Dorn Margaret Zang Barbara Merck Anne Elizabeth Dorn Margaret Zimmerman Elizabeth Feltman Rachel Dorn Anna Elizabeth Keiss Peter Kenn Peter Knabb Philip Peter Knabb Heinrich Adolph Michael Nicholas Keiss George Shieldknecht Peter Mehl Maria Adolph Eva Keiss Catherine Schieldnecht Catherine Schwartz Anne Maria Mehl Maria Elizabeth Knabb Maria Catherine Keiss Margaret Schieldnecht Anna Schwartz Heinrich Rupert Nicholas Rempi Heinrich Straum Philip Gradwahl Carl Weidman George Weber, Jr. Adam Kenn Catherine Rempi Elizabeth Straum Anna Gradwahl Eva Weidman Barbara Weber Anna Elizabeth Kenn Elizabeth Rupert Frederick Weber Christopher Rupert Elizabeth Kenn |
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Dragon
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