Heinrich Michael Emmerich

For complete Emerich Family History to Generation 7 (early-to-mid 1800s), see the entry under Christoff Emmerich, Sr. (b. August 1586 in Mobendorf, Striegistal, Chemnitz, Sachsen, Germany, d. August 16, 1632 in Wadrill, Wadern, Saarland, Germany) at Christoff Emmerich, Sr.

3.HEINRICH3 EMMERICH (CHRISTOFF2, CHRISTOFF1) was born July 19, 1652 in Delkenheim Hesse, Germany, and died 1693 in Delkenheim Hesse, Germany.He married ANNA MARGRETHA GRUNAGEL December 10, 1678 in Delkenheim Hesse, Germany, daughter of NICHOLAS GRUNAGEL and CATHARINE.She was born September 25, 1653 in Delkenheim Hesse, Germany, and died 1711 in West Camp, Ulster, NY.

The winter of 1708-9 was the most severe since 1683-4 and cattle, sheep, and birds froze to death in the forest. Corn was scarce and fruit trees were killed. Frost followed, killing the corn and calamity and desolation prevailed. In addition, the people had suffered the devastation of wars, heavy taxation, and religious quarrels. The French Army had invaded the area that year and had driven many of the inhabitants out, most of whom wound up in England.

Thus, after the death of Heinrich, his widow Anna Margretha used a portion of the estate to immigrate to the New World, in the year 1709. She traveled with three families from Delkenheim and Massenheim, and brought along her five children, including Johann Michael.

Travelling from the Rhineland to America was accomplished in three phases. The first phase was the journey down the Rhine to Rotterdam. This journey down the Rhine lasts from the beginning of May to the end of October, fully half a year, amid such hardships as no one is able to describe adequately with their misery. The cause is the Rhine boats from Heilbronn to Holland have to pass by 26 custom houses, at all of which places the ships are examined, which is done when it suits the convenience of the custom house officials. In the meantime the ships with the people are detained long, so that the passengers have to spend much money. The trip down the Rhine lasts therefore four weeks. When the ships come to Holland, they are detained there likewise five weeks. Because things are very dear there, the poor people have to spend nearly all they have during that time."

In England there was another delay of two weeks, with the ship waiting for favorable winds. When the ship had for the last time weighed its anchor at Cowes in England, the real misery began with the long voyage. For the ship must sail eight weeks before she reaches Philadelphia. The third phase of the journey, the ocean voyage proper, was marked by much suffering and hardship. The condition of the passengers was that of being packed densely, like herrings, without proper food and water. The passengers were soon subject to all sorts of disease, such as dysentery, scurvy, typhoid, and smallpox. The children were the first to be attacked by these illnesses and several died en route.

When at last the Palatines (German Emigrants from the Rhineland) reached the harbor of Philadelphia another delay occurred. A health officer visited the ship and discovered infectious disease on the ship, the ship was then ordered to be removed one mile from the city for one more month before they were finally landed in America.

The journey was a long and perilous one. Surviving it, she became the first Emerich to arrive in the new land. She first settled near Schoharie, New York. She only lived for two more years and died in 1711.

Children of HEINRICH EMMERICH and ANNA GRUNAGEL are:

• JOHANN MICHAEL4 EMERICH, b. March 02, 1681/82, Delkenheim Hesse, Germany; d. June 01, 1744, Tulpehocken, Lancaster Co., PA.
• ELIZABETHA CATHARINE EMERICH, b. August 17, 1684.
• ANNA MARIE EMERICH, b. October 09, 1687.
• ANNA CATHARINE EMERICH, b. July 25, 1680, Delkenheim Hesse, Germany.
• CHRISTINA EMERICH, b. June 28, 1692 [1].

[1] https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/emrich/97/

• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Dec 8 2019, 3:21:13 UTC