My ancestor Johannes Broyles was the first of my family line who immigrated to America. He was part of the Second Germanna Colony, who were mostly Lutherans seeking to escape from the persecution of the French. They traveled up the Rhine River to board a ship at Rotterdam located in South Holland. Their ship departed on July 12, 1717 on their way to Pennsylvania. The ship was stopped in London for several weeks because their captain was put in jail for debts he owed. The Germanna Record reported that the people's food supplies were used up while the people on the ship waited for the release of their captain.
Many people starved and it is reported that as many as fifty people mostly children died. Captain Scott was finally released and the voyage across the ocean ended not in Pennsylvania as planned but in Virginia. The captain upon landing told Governor Spotswood that the passengers had not paid their passage money and refused to allow them to land until Governor Spotswood gave him the amount he demanded. Governor Spotswood made the immigrants agree to be indentured servants for eight years in payment for the monies Spotswood paid Captain Scott for their passage.
The immigrants were indentured to Governor Spotswood not the British Government. When the eight years was over, Johannes Broyles was granted land in Madison County, VA. Johannes died on February 5, 1733 in Spotsylvania, VA. Information from The Germanna Record Number Six, page 19. Amanda Broyles Hurley High School
1 comment:
Very interesting. I look forward to learning more about your family & community!
Post a Comment