Diary
Written by George Kiess,
father of Catherine Kiess,
who was the wife of John George Waltz,
during the voyage from Germany to Philadelphia,
June 9 to September 18, 1804.
Translated from the German.
Introductory and bracketed annotations by John W. Arnett:
[George Kiess (1752-1836) was part of a group of German Brethern -- sometimes called Dunkers-- who immigrated to Lycoming Co., PA in 1804 and established the Blooming Grove community. His daughter, Catherine (1779-1853), made the trip also and was accompanied by her husband Johann George Waltz (1776-1858) and an infant child, probably Samuel Waltz. Kevin Sholder's website (http://www.siscom.net/~rdrunner/index.htm) gives a List of German Passengers aboard the Margaret which he found in the Division of Public Records, Harrisburg, PA. According to the list George Kiess was 52 yo, a farmer from Mohringen, and accompanied by his wife and five children. C.E. Gardner was the Master or Captain of the Margaret, and there were listed 83 men, 55 women and 146 children for a total of 284 passengers plus the crew. The duration of the voyage from Amsterdam to Philadelphia was 74 days. By way of comparison, the Mayflower traversed the Atlantic in 1620 from Plymouth to Cape Cod in 66 days wth 102 passengers.] [bracket notes are mine - John W. Arnett, husband of Carolyn Schmidt Arnett a descendant of George Kiess:
George Kiess m. __?__ >
Catherine Kiess m. George Waltz >
William Waltz m. Maria Hurr >
Caroline Waltz m. Frederick Foltz >
William E. Foltz m. Mabel M. MacNees >
Margaret Caroline Foltz >
Carolyn
The Diary
The 9th of June we left Moehringen [in the Black Forest area of Germany west of Stuttgart] and staid [sic] all night in Vaingen along the Enz.[Vaihingen an der Enz] We were all well, but the departure from our friends affected us very much.
The 10th, we went [overland] through Bruchsal [northwest of Vaihingen] to Langenbruchen [north of Bruchsal and about 15 mi. South of Heidelberg.], where we were entertained very kindly.
The 11th, we spent all night in Saxheim.
The 12th, we spent the night in Aller Heilige, and the 13th we arrived at Frankfort [on the Main]. Here we made arrangements with the shipmaster, that he should take us to Muiden [on the outskirts of Amsterdam] for 1,275 florins.
The 14th and 15th we staid in Frankfort.
On the 16th at 7 o'clock a.m. we set sail. The weather was beautiful. The lark played us a concert. I laid down on the deck. The anchor was my pillow. With all the disturbance outside there was peace and rest within me. We sang praise to God, and sailed down the Maine, separated from all people. At 4 o'clock we sailed past Mayence [? Mainz, where the Maine enters the Rhine] toward Elsfeld [? Eltville], where we spent the next night. Many of us slept on the deck. The weather was fine and our people were all well.
On the 17th, at 8:30 a.m. we sailed across the Bingerloch [where the Nahe enters the Rhine]. We crossed over [the Rhine] safely and sailed to Neuwied [just north of and downstream from Koblenz where the Mosel enters the Rhine] where we spent all night on our ship.
The 18th, we sailed till Kologne. We staid all night on the German side of the river near Deutz. Today we had windy weather.
The 19th, we sailed to Ruehrort [near the area where the Ruhr from Essen meets the Rhine]. The weather was very fine. I slept on the deck. The nightingale and robin wakened me at 2 o'clock. Every body was safe and sound.
The 20th, we set sail again. We sang out of Michael Hans' Morning Hymns, "Schwinge Dich Mein Geist Hinueber," [Rock-a Thou My Spirit Over There] and were very well contented. In the afternoon we had poor wind, and we soon had to land in Emmerich [on the Rhine just before it enters the Netherlands], where we spent the next night.
The 21st, we arrived at Arnheim (Holland), at noon. We were detained here quite a while on account of the toll. The wind was adverse. After sailing about three miles below the city, we stopped our ship and spent the night there. I slept on the deck. The full moon was my ship-lantern and the restless cuckoo wakened me soon after 2 o'clock with his cry.
The 22nd, we had contrary winds, and only sailed six hours. We were all safe and sound. The women are knitting, sewing, washing and cleaning the children. The men are passing their time near the rudder. Late in the evening we arrived at Wueck. I slept on the deck again in the warm air, and am, therefore, as well as I ever was in my life.
On the 23rd, we arrived at noon in the Canal. We ate our dinner in the same, and in the afternoon we arrived at Utrecht. The horses had to pull our ship. I slept on the deck again the coming night, and in the morning was covered with dew, only that I did not arise with bird's-claws like that proud Nebuchadnezzar. The last step that I expected to do, seemed very important to me. I wanted to either end my career on the same or reach the air of my desire and wishes.
Sunday the 24th. At noon we reached Meyden [? Muiden, their intermediate destination just east of Amsterdam on the Zuiderzee], and on the 25th several others and I went to Amsterdam to transact some business concerning our voyage. In the evening we came back and staid all night in the inn with the landlord, as pilgrims who were at home nowhere and everywhere, and as such , who had to commit themselves to God alone in composedness and still felt only a dim longing after their destination.
Tuesday the 26th. We made some arrangements with the captain concerning our freight. We have to pay our landlord sixteen florins a day and received for the same only two loaves of bread, some water, and a small room. It was very stormy.
Wednesday the 27th. I soon became used to the life of a pilgrim and was contented with the saying of our Master and Saviour: "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head," and I have still more.
28th. It was stormy and cool weather. We were all well and hearty. Often when being disturbed on the outside, I would go within myself and found there the rest which God himself is. But it was so small that the slightest thought of that, which was outside would disturb this peace. Yet one glimpse of this peace pleases more than the world.
29th. Today we had fine weather. We took a walk along the sea. The movement of the waves was admired by us. As strangers and pilgrims we were well contented.
30th. We still laid in our quarters crowded from inside and outside. The captain informed us that we would soon be able to leave. We had to commit ourselves to God and to him, and had to lose more of ourselves.
July
July 1st. Was a fine day but for me it was a day of suffering and humiliation. Everybody was safe and sound. We are expecting to leave almost any day.
July 2nd. Was a fine day. We had to make quite a number of arrangements yet concerning our journey. Tomorrow we are to leave. A small child died.
July 3rd. At noon a lighter (a small ship) started to take us to the large ship [Margaret], which we reached toward evening. It was a very fine day. A thunder storm in the distance saluted us. We were contented and sang the hymn. "Jesum, deinen Seraphinen." Etc. [Jesus, your Seraphim..] As I stepped upon the ship. [the Margaret], the first person that I met was a negro from Africa. I shook hands with him, because I considered him one of my brothers, who was a child of the same mother as mine, and on whom God desired to work out his plan of Salvation through Jesus.
July 4th. Today we had very stormy weather, and as a result nearly everybody was sick and had to vomit. I noticed that a delicate person or one used to elegant and fancy foods was first taken sick. I noticed also, that those who had a strong imagination, would be taken sick before others. Several others and I kept well this time.
July 5th. Early this morning we had favorable winds and we lifted the anchor. The wind came from the west and we sailed toward the northeast. The unsafe Zuyder Sea being filled with many sand banks, we had to sail south, then west, then east and north. The most of our people have recovered today from their spell of sickness. Only those that were not very strong, those that had a spoiled stomach, and those that had a strong imagination, were still sick. In the evening we dropped the anchor, because large ships cannot sail through these dangerous waters by night.
6th. We lifted the anchor early today. The wind came from the west. Nearly everybody was well again. We sang out of Hiller's "Ihr in der Welt Betruebte, etc." [You in the world be clouded.] The weather was fine, but on account of little wind we could not sail very far.
7th. Today it is very quiet and rainy. Everybody was well again. At noon our baggage arrived and was loaded on to our ship. Everything was upside down.
8th, Sunday. The Netherlanders came on board today. There was a terrible confusion. Such a crowd of people and so little room in the ship. A person could hardly move around. Everything was upside down.
9th, 10th, 11th, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We laid at anchor. At last the captain came on board.
12th. In the morning we lifted the anchor and set sail. It was cold and rainy weather and we had contrary winds. Yesterday we sent our last letters to Germany. May I never forget this day. We sailed past the Texel (island) and saw many Dutch warships, transport-ships, and fast sailing vessels. We had very favorable winds but the motion of the ship made nearly everybody sick. We had a real hospital and only a few keep well, of which I was one. I was very tired thought and had to take care of my family the whole day long.
13th. Early this morning we met the first English war-ship. One of the ship's lieutenants came aboard our ship, searched it and afterwards let us sail again. We had very favorable winds and nearly all were well again.
14th. Early this morning before 2 o'clock I went on the deck and saw the beautiful lighthouse of Dover. At daybreak we were in the Dover channel [between Dover, Eng and Calais, France]. I was a beautiful sight to see the rising sun shine on the white shores of England. I thought how many hidden, real and figurative worshipers of the true God are here, over whom the wrath of God, (which this tyrannical ruler [? England] of the waters and people has caused), had not broken out yet, and how so much blood of nearly all nations, which is crying to its Creator for revenge in this world, has not had vengeance yet. With this thought I went to the bottom of the boundless love of God and found there, that he loves everybody and everything, and he will bring all creation around to love everything and to be loved by all. There was no creature remaining then, which would no find its rest in the great plan of God. Today we sailed past many English ships.
15th, Sunday. Early this morning we left the channel. We had very good winds and fine weather. In the afternoon we had less wind and clear, warm weather.
16th, Monday. We had little wind and clear weather. Were not able to sail very far. Everybody was well again. We had very quiet and warm weather. The ship hardly moved.
17th, Tuesday. Today we had more wind again but still we did not move very fast. Everybody seemed hearty. The thought, we are looked upon as sheep for slaughter, affected me very much. May my priest and leader execute my wish toward him, to which all circumstances seem to lead me. "But on his account we overcome, on his account who loved us all, etc."
18th, Wednesday. Today the wind was not very favorable. We are still sailing along the coast of England. This was a day of deep suffering and sorrow for me. Oh, God have mercy on me.
19th, Thursday. The sea was very restless and nearly everybody was sick. I was very weak and felt quite sick. A large number of people caused us much suffering. Nobody has died yet. [By this date they are probably out of the sight of land and heading on the open sea toward America.]
20th, Friday. This was a day like yesterday. The wind came from the side, which caused the ship to shake about quite a little, but still it moved ahead right fast.
21st, Saturday. The weather was fine. We all went on deck. The persons who had gotten over their sickness were still weak and exhausted. We are living in a crowd of people, who try to get their livelihood by stealing and robbing it from their fellow creatures.
22nd, Sunday. Today we had cloudy weather, but not quite so cool as usual. We are all very weak. The board on the ship was very poor for weak persons.
23rd, Monday. Today we had fine weather. I was continually on deck. The sea sickness has made us very weak; still I did not have to vomit. We are still sailing with the side wind. This is very difficult, because the one side of the ship nearly touches the water, and the other side raises up like a mountain. A gust of wind threw my grandchild out of the cradle. [This was possibly George and Catherine Kiess Waltz' son Samuel.]
24th. We are sailing today already below the 41st degree of North latitude [to the west of Portugal north of the Azores]. A constant North wind had cooled our warm climate considerable. Through the day we are always on the deck, where the wind cools us off and eases our fatigue.
25th. The wind is still from the north and we sail with half wind right well. In the course of time we are getting healthier and more used to the journey.
26th. We are still having good winds but not very much of it.
27th. We came to the island [possibly the Azores] again to get some sweet water, which we procured in the afternoon. Men and children came to the ship and brought us onions and many other articles. Amongst them was an officer. They were very friendly; they looked at us , admired our company, and after giving three cheers left us again, swinging their handkerchiefs over their heads. One of them gave my grandchild a good tasting apple.
29th. Today we had very good wind and very warm weather.
30th. Today we had quiet and warm weather. Everybody was hearty.
31st. Another day of calm and warm weather. We did not get very far today. The ocean was as level as a looking glass. Some of our fellow travelers cause me much sorrow. There were some persons amongst them like cannibals.
August
August 1st. During the night we had wind again and in the morning a rain. I slept on the deck. On awakening I happened to think of the verse, "Who has asked thee where your soul, etc." In my suffering condition I was comforted very much through these words. The clear sky with its innumerable number of stars helped to liven me up from my sorrowful condition. We had a strong and good wind today.
2nd. Today we had little wind and our journey seemed to be getting tiresome. Today they commenced to give us less food and water than before. All but a few of us were well.
3rd. This night we met an English war-ship and we had to let them search our vessel. After examining us they sailed away again. I slept on the deck again and woke up with the thought, "And if it lasts till the night and until the morning again, etc." We had a right good but not very strong wind today. Our interpreter, a Quaker, gave me several tracts about the beginning of the earth, the Kingdom of God, and about mankind. These were very profitable. The principles expressed in these tracts about the light and the Kingdom of God, in us, were nearly the same as mine and they called forth the ambition in me again, which I had after my conversion. I wish I could spend the rest of the days of my life in such company and at last reach the goal of my desires on this earth, which I have been trying to reach. Lord, Thy will be done.
4th. Today we had a small but good wind. For a long time we have seen nothing but a ship in the distance, which we saw about a week ago, and occasionally, a sea bird. We are sailing on the wide ocean with great expectations.
5th. Last night and today we had very favorable winds, and our ship flew like a bird. We had very fine and not very warm weather, which helped to ease the misery of our ship. Whenever it was possible I slept on the deck.
6th. Today we had a right favorable wind and beautiful weather. Occasionally we would see schools of fishes and a kind of whale, which would send the water high up in the air. Everybody seemed to be well.
7th. Today we had a favorable but side wind. We saw some flying fish, the largest of which were about the size of our sparrows.
8th. Today we had very little wind and very warm weather. Our drinking water commenced to stink and the beer was getting sour. Today George Bruckhart's child died.
9th. Today we had hardly any wind and very warm weather.
10th. Today we had only a slight wind and hot weather.
11th. We had a good and healthy north wind today. Most of the time we had side winds and generally north wind, which cooled off our warm climate and helped to keep us in a healthy condition.
12th, Sunday. We had nearly a perfect calm today and very warm weather. I slept on the deck again, and when I woke up thought of these words, "Shall I be with you on Tabor, etc." With a hasty glance I thought over all the days of my life and considered them nothing but days of suffering and misery. And besides I thought of my own perdition and the losing of my god-like image. This brought forth in me the desire to take part in the holiness after much suffering through the mercy of my Saviour. Today I could not help but think of my brothers, Israel Kaufman of Prflieningen, and Jacob Hinke of Rohr. In thinking of them, I was put in a very downcast condition. Something unusual must have happened with them today. I had a strong desire aroused within me to see them again.
13th. Today we had contrary winds.
14th. We had strong and contrary winds. The wind threw the water up on the sails.
15th. Today we had the wrong kind of wind again but had fine weather.
16th. Contrary winds again.
17th. We had a thunder storm today and were in danger of life for some time, but the danger was luckily averted.
18th. We had little wind and warm weather. A woman on our ship has given birth to a child.
19th, Sunday. We had very warm weather and a south wind. We are sailing the Virginian Sea and hope to see the end of our journey soon. During the night we had another storm and after that less wind again.
20th. Today we had rain and gusts of wind.
21st. Today we has a strong side wind. Toward evening it changed into a storm which nearly upset our ship.
22nd. Today we had not very strong and only side winds.
23rd. We had a stronger wind today again, but side wind as usual.
24th. Today we had a strong wind from the side which ended with a thunder storm.
25th. Today we had favorable winds and a hard shower, which lasted till evening and then changed into a storm, which tore our sails. We had to pull all the sails in. Luckily this storm passed by without doing any harm. There was quite a little dissatisfaction on our ship on account of the board. This caused me much sorrow.
26th. This morning we had a good but weak wind. Everybody was in a healthy condition. We were all discouraged on account of our journey lasting so long.
27th. This day began with cloudy weather and rain. At noon it cleared off and we had favorable but low winds.
28th. This day began with cloudy weather and rain. At noon it cleared off and we had favorable but low winds.
29th. We had a very good wind and fine weather, which continued till evening.
30th. In the morning we had rain and a very good wind, but in the afternoon we had hardly any wind. In the morning we met an American ship from Richmond [Virginia], which had been sailing seven and one-half days.
31st. We had rain and a little wind. In the afternoon we had side winds. We did not get very far today.
September
September 1st. We had slight and contrary winds. Today we saw the first bird from the shore. It was caught on one of the masts. In the evening we noticed a terrible thunder shower to the side of us, and during the whole night the sky looked like a fire.
2nd. Today we had a perfect calm day.
3rd. No wind today an sultry, hot weather. In the evening we met an American schooner from New York that had been sailing five days till it met us.
4th. Today we had no wind and a terrible heat. We have no beer, water that stinks, and poor food. During the night the wind raised again.
5th. We had a little wind today. The weather was not so warm anymore, and the expectations of being at the end of our journey soon inspired us somewhat. WE saw large flocks of birds, and a swallow was caught on our ship, which we thought was a sign of land being near. In the evening the wind raised.
6th. This day began with a very heavy thunder shower. The wind was strong and favorable. We saw some more birds.
7th. Today we had a favorable but not very strong wind.
8th. Hardly any wind and warm weather.
9th. No wind and warm weather. Today we saw quite a number of small and large fish. Everybody is anxious to see land. Our captain assures us that we are close to land. We need nothing but land. Oh, God have mercy on us.
10th. Today about noon the wind raised and lasted the rest of the day.
11th. We had a strong but contrary wind. We met four ships from the West India Islands.
12th. Today we had rain and a whirlwind. Yesterday and today we found bottom with the lead and line. We expect to see land soon now.
13th. This morning about 2 o'clock our pilot came to us. At day break we saw land to both sides of us. Everybody was happy. Only my joy was moderated very much through the sorrow, which my own family and al on board the ship caused me. My senses had been so stupefied, that my joy was only like the dawn of day after a terrible night. Today we had little wind and sailed the coast toward the Delaware.
14th. Today we had poor and contrary winds and were able to sail only a short distance along the coast. In the evening we dropped the anchor.
15th. Toward noon we lifted the anchor. We had a good but very mild wind. We sailed along the shores of the Delaware. It was a beautiful sight. We seemed to breathe in the freedom of the country through the air, and a quiet peace and joy touched my heart, which had been crushed down through much suffering. I seemed to be livened up again.
16th. About six o'clock we lifted the anchor. We had little wind but the tide carried us slowly along. We sailed past Newcastle and Wilmington. The fine farms, the beautiful woods an grain fields, and the splendid trees and forests drew our attention. WE arrived at the hospital where a doctor examined us. There was not a sick person on board the ship. After the cleaning of our ship we will set sail for Philadelphia.
17th. We laid at anchor near the hospital till we received permission on the 18th to set sail again. In the afternoon we arrived at the harbor of Philadelphia. Several others and I left the ship and went to the city and staid all night with a brother, who showed us much love and respect in entertaining us.
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transcription and annotations copyright © 1999, John Arnett
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