Jacob Gallman, Jr.

http://www.palmettoroots.org/Family_Gallman.html

The family of immigrant Jacob Gallman lived in Mettmenstetten, canton Zürich, Switzerland. In 1734, they joined a large emigration-party led by de-frocked pastor Moritz Göttschi, with the intent of settling in Carolina. Despite the disapproval of local authorities, and highly-negative press coverage, the group left Zürich on 4 October 1734; they soon discovered that Göttschi had not arranged for the boats to carry them down the Rhine from Basel. A group of 31, including the Gallman family, left the main group to go overland across France and make their own arrangements for getting to Carolina. The group that remained with Göttschi suffered further delays and unexpected expenses, finally arrived at Philadelphia—not Charleston—on 28 May 1735. Pastor Göttschi died on the day of arrival.

The breakaway group reached their intended destination of Carolina. They sailed from London on the ship William, Capt. William Vitery, and arrived in Charlestown on 7 February 1735, per Jacob Gallman’s letter of 1738 describing the trip. Like most Swiss, he used the new Gregorian calendar. The equivalent English date, under the old Julian calendar, was 27 January 1734. The journal of the Upper House of Assembly of the Province of Carolina records a resolution on 6 February 1734/5 to pay the passage of those new arrivals who could not afford the fare, and had not traveled as indentured servants. On the next day, the journal listed the 19 Swissers whose fares were to be covered, including 10 members of the Gallman party. The shipfare paid was £780, 10 shillings SC money, equivalent to five Guineas (£5, 5 shillings Sterling) per passenger. The immigrants were sent to settle the newly-opened interior country at Saxegotha (modern Lexington County, SC), location of an Indian trading-post and a small fort.

Some individual traders had established residence in the back-country before 1735, but this group of Swiss families was the first official colony of settlers in Orangeburgh District. A plat of 350 acres was surveyed for widower Jacob Colerman [sic], and six dependents on 2 February 1735/6, granted on 17 September 1736. Eldest son Hans Heinrich had a separate 50-acre tract surveyed on 7 February 1735/6 for “John Coleman”, granted on 16 September 1738.

Jakob Gallmann was christened on 23 August 1674 in Mettmenstetten, Zürich. He was the son of schoolmaster Hans Gallmann (1631-1725) and Elsbetha Dubbs (1648-1709). On 28 October 1696, he married Verena Staheli (Stähli) in Mettmenstetten, where all their children were born. He died in Saxegotha SC on 20 October 1738.

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The family of immigrant Jacob Gallman lived in Mettmenstetten, canton Zürich, Switzerland. In 1734, they joined a large emigration-party led by de-frocked pastor Moritz Göttschi, with the intent of settling in Carolina. Despite the disapproval of local authorities, and highly-negative press coverage, the group left Zürich on 4 October 1734; they soon discovered that Göttschi had not arranged for the boats to carry them down the Rhine from Basel. A group of 31, including the Gallman family, left the main group to go overland across France and make their own arrangements for getting to Carolina. The group that remained with Göttschi suffered further delays and unexpected expenses, finally arrived at Philadelphia— not Charleston—on 28 May 1735. Pastor Göttschi died on the day of arrival.1

Most of the breakaway group reached their intended destination of Carolina. They arrived on the ship William on 7 February 1735, per Jacob Gallman’s letter of 1738 describing the trip. Like most Swiss, he used the new Gregorian calendar. The equivalent English date, under the old Julian calendar, was 28 January 1734. The journal of the Upper House of Assembly of the Province of Carolina records a resolution on 6 February 1734 to pay the passage of those new arrivals who could not afford the fare, and had not traveled as indentured servants. On the next day, the journal listed the 19 Swissers whose fares were to be covered, including the 10 members of the Gallman party. The immigrants were sent to settle the newly-opened interior country at Saxegotha (modern Lexington County, SC), location of an Indian trading-post and a small fort to protect the trade goods.

Some individual traders had established residence in the back-country before 1735, but this group of Swiss families was the first official colony of settlers in Orangeburgh District. A plat of 350 acres was surveyed for Jacob Colerman [sic], his wife, and the five youngest children on 2 February 1735/6, granted on 17 September 1736. Eldest son Hans Heinrich also had a separate 50-acre tract surveyed on 7 February 1735/6 for “John Coleman”, granted on 16 September 1738.3 The other members of Jacob Gallman’s party were daughter Anna and her husband Heinrich Buchman. Both became ill of a fever and died in September 1735, before there was time to survey any land for them.2

Jakob Gallmann was christened on 23 August 1674 in Mettmenstetten, Zürich. He was the son of schoolmaster Hans Gallmann (1651-1725) and Elsbetha Dubbs (1648-1709). On 28 October 1696, he married Verena Staheli (Stähli) in Mettmenstetten, where all their children were born. He died in Saxegotha SC on 20 October 1738.4

http://www.palmettoroots.org/Family_Gallman.html

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Translation of letter from Jacob Gallman to family in Switzerland, the original is in the state archives in Zurich. From Karolina God's Protection and Mercy, First my friendly regards and wishes for all the best, my very honored Godfather Major Walti and Godmother, your honored wife, also your dear son and daughters. I cannot fail to write you an answer, that we are still hale and hearty thanks to God's loving grace. To hear the same from you will give us great pleasure. Besides I ask you very kindly to report to us again about my daughter-husband Galmann and my daughter-husband Ulrich Biniger from Utikon, same my beloved brother Hans Jacob Gallmann, and sister Rudi Jagi, same all good friends and acquaintances, and the whole neighborhood and parish. It is now one and half years ago that I have written to you and received no answer, therefore I will report again how we fared on the journey. We travelled with Pastor Gottschi from Zurich to Bassel, in which place we stayed four days and did not know when Gottschi would get a ship. Then 28 persons of us joined together and got a passport from Bassel, also a passport from the commander of Hunigen. Then we went into France on foot, travelled through in what we would have had to pay for ship's fare, also could travel free and safe, had three weeks and three days to Calais. There we met a Londoner ship's captain, he contracted us on his ship, and each person had pay 1 thaler up to London, but we had to stay in Calais 8 days until his ship was loaded with wine. Then we set one and a half days and two nights until we got to London, where we had to stay 8 days. Then the governor called me and my family to the castle amid gave us a splendid meal, and that had been eaten, his servant had to guide us to the armory. There we saw something artful such as I had never seen in my life. Then we contracted for another ship, and each person had to pay 5 guine to travel to Carlistath (Charleston) and the persons that cannot pay must serve for it. One guine is 8 lb, and 1 lb is as much as 20 Swiss batzes. One must serve 4 years for it. And so went on the ship in God's name, and safely set out, from London and from the English coast, and got on the high seas where it was very warm so we had to take off our coats and camisoles, until we got to Braffeidenz, and had to ride 9 weeks. During that time we saw no land and met up with only one single ship which came from Africa. During that time we suffered considerable wind such as to break the rear mast in 2, but no harm was done to the ship and we were lucky all along. Up to Braffeidenz, we had several soldiers along that sailed with us. Braffoidenz is a pass where the Spaniards have to pay a large toll. Braffeidenz is not fertile land because every year the sea throws off salt and leaves it there 2 times a year. Braffidenz lies straight under the sun where it is very hot. We stayed there for 8 days because things had to taked on, our ship was loaded with Brazil-wood. Carlistath is 150 hours from Carlistath. We had another 8 days to Carlistath and arrived at Carlistath the 7th day of Hornung (February), the 1735th year. Thus our travel took 11 weeks from London to Carlinstath. But we took a ratger round about way because we had to go to Braffeidenz. Then we were supplied with new provisions, meat, rice and salt, and a special kind of potato the likes of which are grown all over the country, and which gentlemen and farmers like to eat. After three weeks we were taken to Ganganlist (Congaree) 50 hours to the north of Carlistath. There they gave each person axes and hoes, in the town of Farziganten (Saxa Gotha), one half acre of land for to have house and garden intown; after that 30 acres land for each person, men and women, and that for ten years free. Provisions they give enough for one year. By that time you cangrow you own, so you do not suffer want at any time. When the ten years are over, field rent and head taxes on one hundred acres comes to less than 4R. We were given an exdeedingly beautiful place only half an hour from town. The whole farm is garden-like ground. It is a good four and a half hundred acres in one piece, all black-brown earth, nary a rock, all even land, wheels need no brakes. I have given five acres land to each of the children, but Heini has 150 acres in one piece: Heiri, too has 100 acres in one piece, doesn't know yet how much he will get; Hanss, too has 100 acres in one piece. My children are all married, all except Hanss, he still serves and get 9 lb amonth, he tans deer skins. Heiri lives with me and has a wife from the Rhienthal and a little son. Heinni has Heiri's wife's sister, he lives on his farm and is doing well. He has 5 cows, milk and butter he has enough. I and Heiri have 14 cattle, cows, and others more, 3 horses, more than 20 pigs, bread and milk and butter we have enough. We can slaughter 2 fat oxen when we wnt to, 6 pigs besides, so in winter we have enough meat for every day, and in summer we have some too. Elssbeth is married to Master Jacob Schall from Taurgau and lives in town. He has his farmland near the town and lives well, has 4 cowss, is able to have more if he wants to. He had a little daughter that died. Annababeli has already another husband, from the first she has a liffle son, he was an Irishman. This time she has a husband named Eunicher, she comes dressed like our pastor's daughters. She has 20 head of cattle and many horses, also many pigs. She has 3 niggers, those are black people or Moors that one buys. They bring whole ship loads from Africa, and one of them costs 100 to 200 lbs (depending, on how they are, this year are a great many). And so we are doing well, indeed very well, and we owe nobody anything. I wish that the neighbors that are much in need could all be with us, and especially my children, Rudelli who is in Holland, and Anneli with her husband and children. I therefore ask very kindly, my dear godfather, that if my brother perchance is not alive anymore, that you would be so good and report to my son how things are with us. If he does not wish to be a soldier all his life, that it would be my wish for him to come here. Carolina lies under the sun which makes it very warm. In summertime it is much warmer than in Switzerland wherefore it is called South Carolina, but in wintertime rather cold but there is now snow and summertime no hail. Theland is real good and fertile with all kinds of grain. You fell the trees, then you begin to till and sow corn. The first year you got plenty and good, after that there is wheat, too, then corn again, everything you wish that you can plant. Round the corn you plant peas and beans, melons, watermelons, a great number of all sorts plants. If the land is good you begin planting all sorts of grain, barley which turns out well here, rice is planted here aplenty, and there is a very large trade with r? to Carlistadt and other places. There are many strawberries, many blackberries, very many mulberry trees, peach trees in the woods, also many apple and pear trees, they do not have all of those trees here, some have to be brought in from far away. Cherries there are too but we don't yet have the trees, also very many grape vines butall which have small berries like juniper berries, black, make a good wine but are not so easy to get, grow way up in the tall trees. Also many nut trees, a great many with wild nuts so hard they have to be cracked with an iron mallet. There are countless numbers of oak trees on which the pigs can fatten themselves. They do not have fences here, only where things are planted, every else is left to itself. Cattle, horses and pigs are left to roam together, no fodder is made, no cattle herded, not even pigs, no horse is shod, and everyone can have as much livestock as he wishes or can handle. There are such that have as much as up to 100 or 200 cows, and if there were 10 times as many, they would all have enough to feed on. There are very many rabbits in hollow trees, turkey chickens, ducks, wild geese, in winter also wild pigeons, turtledoves, bees can also be found in hollow trees. There is water near our place, it runs down to Carlistath, a water full of ships and has much and good fish. One does not have work half as much here as in Switzerland. When the heat is greatest one goes in shade under the roof and lies down to sleep. One also doesn't walk much but goes on horseback to see one another. It is also very good here for tobacco smokers, each grows it himself This country is not at the end of the world, it borders on several other countries such as Virgioln (Virginia) and (West) India. That is where a wild people live; much trading is being done with them. These savages live mostly in par on shooting game. There is much deer here and there, for which reason, many traders ride there with 20 or 30 horses right through my pastures with brandy, also with shot guns, muskets, lead, bullets, belt straps, pouches and deer skins. Many savages come here too and shoot game. We don't do anything to them, so neither they to us. When we give them something they give meat in return. And so it is that Carlina is good and large. From here one can also go to Virginia by water and by land, it is 100 hours. One can also get to Pensillfanen, is 200 hours by water and by land. I could write you much more, must keep it short. We lived in our town Sageigten (Saxa Gotha) and build its. My daughter-husband Heirich Buchman from Trachsler had his own little house, worked hard, liked it here, but both died, one after the other within two days, he and the wife, and had been sick no more than 5 days. This happened in Autumn month (September) 1735th year. Cousin Heinrich Walder from Knonau left London with us and staved in Carlistatt with Naffen from Kappel, did not go with us to our beautiful splendid town of Sageigten (Saxa Gotha) but to Bris Bur, is 100 hours. There would be room for many people, whoever wants to can come. It is a real good country, could almost be compared with an earthly Canaan or paradise. Whoever wants to can come with this man, Master Hans Spring is a very honest man, stands in good credit. If some people, blacksmiths, shoemakers, came here, they would do well in all trades. They give to one that does planting 7 and half Swiss batzes a day, and to people with a trade they give much more. Flax is doing very well here, grows a little larger than in Switzerland. There is also very fine cotton. So one can see that I did well by my children in having left my father land and being here. God be thanked forever. We live under a good, mild government. The administration is quite favorable to us, which the dear Lord may save an preserve for us. Heiri send his regards to his godfather and godmother, wishes they were all here with us. My dear godfather and major, I send a thousand regards to all of you. Please do not leave the man (Hans Spring), that brings this letter unrewarded. The community of Metmenstetten will surely pay for it; give hime another letter to take along. Master Hanss Ulrich Stehrli is also with us, he too is doing well, There are all sorts of nations and people here, could write even more. Commend all of you to the care of the Most High and to the care of God. South Caarolina written in the town of Fassigaden the 15th of Autumn Tenth, the 1738th year. Jacob Gallman God be with all of us: My friendly regards and well-wishes to you, my der godfather and godmother Major Walti in Bondler. I cannot fail to send you some good news that we, through God's loving grace are still hale and hearty, thanks be to God, but I also report to you our mourning for our dear late father, because he died on the 20th day of Wine Month (October) and was abed no more than one day, about which I am very sad, and we are deeply sorrowful, and he was much mourned by the Germans and the English, and he has led a praiseworthy life. He had to baptize children and join people in marriage for we still have no pastor; and all that is written in my father's letter is true. I do not have anything else to write, you will find it all in my father's letter, except I, too, send many 100 regards to my brother Rudolff and sister Anna and my brother-in-law, and I and my 2 brothers and sister send many 1000 regards to all our friends and the whole community, and commend you to God's care. I ask you to please write me again whether or not you have received this letter, mine and my father's. the 12th of Winter Month (November). From the 1738th year. Heiri Gallman