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Swiss and Palatines to New Bern

A List of Known Persons who left Switzerland and Germany to settle in New Bern, North Carolina in 1710.

Compiled by

Victor T. Jones, Jr.
Local History and Genealogy Librarian
New Bern-Craven County Public Library

As Local History and Genealogy Librarian of the New Bern-Craven County Public Library, one of the most frequently asked questions I have been asked is, "Do you have a copy of the list of settlers who came with Baron de Graffenried?" Unfortunately, the answer is, "No." No such list of passengers who sailed from England to Virginia/North Carolina in 1709/10 has survived; or if it has survived, it has not been located. A 1749 "List of Palatines and their Descendants who arrived in North Carolina around 1709" is mentioned in the Colonial Records of North Carolina (volume 4, page 967). This list, too, has not been located.

This site attempts to list some of those immigrants (or their descendants) who came with Christoph de Graffenried in 1710 to settle the area around New Bern, North Carolina. In all, about 100 Swiss and 600 Palatines left Europe for New Bern. Nearly all of the Swiss arrived; however, only about half of the Palatines survived the journey to New Bern. Still others were killed during the Tuscarora Indian Wars of 1712-1715. The names listed below are taken from several contemporaneous documents, which are listed in the bibliography. The names of the possible Swiss-Palatines at the end of the article are chosen due to their Germanic sounding name or due to "guilt by association" with known Swiss-Palatines.

This article originally appeared in the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal (February 1997). It has been expanded, corrected, and updated for this site on July 21, 2000.

John Amon Also Omend; listed on the 1714 Tithables and 1714 Claims List.
Vincent Ameat Also Amyett, Amiet; listed on a 1740 petition to establish a church for the use of the High Germans and the Church of England.
Peter Andrews 1740 petitioner.
William Barn 1740 petitioner.
Abraham Baver Listed on a 1747 petition to claim lands due to the Palatines.
Christian Baver Named on a 1715 Land List and the 1747 petition of the Palatines.
[NFN] Belstiler [spelling?] On de Graffenried’s map of 1710.
Heine Berger [spelling?] On de Graffenried’s map of 1710.
Johan Jacob Bötschi Clerk of Court; also possibly Gotschi; on map of 1710 and mentioned in letters to Switzerland.
Bränen, family Household consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Bränen, 2 children, and "my old father"; 2 other Bränen children d. in Holland; named in letter to Switzerland.
Abraham Busit Also Bussett, Bassett; 1747 petitioner
George Coons Also Cones, currently Koonce; orphaned in 1712, bound to Jacob Miller; 1740 petitioner.
[NFN] Dichtli Possibly Tetchey below; mentioned in letter to Switzerland.
Jacob Eibach Also Iback, (currently Ipock); listed on a 1716 Land Tax; 1740 petitioner; 1747 petitioner.
Peter Ender 1747 petitioner; possibly Peter Engel, who was orphaned in 1713 at age 14 and was apprenticed to Adam Moor.
Anni Engel Died on journey to America, related to Christen Engel, and mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
Dietrich [Engel?] Mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
Christen Engel Faust states Engel is from Eggiwil; is listed on the map of 1710, and is mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
Philip Feneyer 1747 petitioner.
John Martin Francks (also Martin Francks) He died ca. March 1744/45. He married the widow of John Gaspar Timmerman, Anna Civil Timmerman. She married Jacob Sheets between June 1745 and September 1746. Children of Martin: John, Barbary (Barbara) and Catrine.
William Frank 1740 petitioner
Daniel Fulch Also Futch; 1740 petitioner
Jacob Fulch Also Futch; 1740 petitioner
Samuel Jacob Gabley On map of 1710 (as Gobeli); possibly the same as Jacob Gobley below.
Christian Ganter 1747 petitioner
Michael Gesibel 1747 petitioner
Jacob Gobley Possibly on map of 1710 (as Gobeli); on a 1714 Claims List.
John Granade 1747 petitioner
Joseph Granade Listed in 1732 Craven County Court records; died ca. June 1747.
Henry Grist 1747 petitioner
Herman Grum 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List; 1715 Land List; 1716 Land Tax; 1747 petitioner
[NFN] Habentish possibly Haberstich; on map of 1710.
[NFN] Hanf Possibly Hopf; on map of 1710.
[NFN] Heimberger Possibly on map of 1710.
Woolruk Hess Listed on 1714 Claims List; was guardian to John Kinsey in 1713.
Jacob Himler of Madiswyl Named in a letter to Switzerland.
Johannes Stern Himler Son of Joseph Stern and Madalena Simon Stern; named in a letter to Switzerland.
Madlena Simon [Stern] Himler Daughter of Benedicht Simon, named in a letter to Switzerland.
Jacob Huber 1747 petitioner
[John] Jacob Huber (Hover, Hoover) 1714 Claims List (as Hover); 1733 petition (as However); died ca. 1744.
Samuel Huntziger Possibly Hunziker; on map of 1710.
Vallentine Iback (Currently Ipock) There is a John Valentine Eyeach (22 years old, single, wheelwright) listed in the first arrivals to St. Catherine's on 6 May 1709 in John Tribbeko and George Ruperti's article "Lists of Germans from the Palatinate who came to England in 1709." 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List; 1715 Land List.
Christian Isler 1747 petitioner.
Nicholas Isler 1714 Claims List.
Christen Jantz Named in a letter to Switzerland; also on map of 1710.
Christina Christler Jantz, from Sannen Named in a letter to Switzerland.
Dichtli Benedicta Jantz One of two daughters of Christen Jantz; named in a letter to Switzerland.
Zioria (?) Jantz Named in a letter to Switzerland.
Michaell Keesable (also Giessabel?) 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List; 1715 Land List; 1716 Land Tax
Simon Kehler 1714 Claims List (as Keyler); 1747 petitioner.
George Kenege 1733 petition (as Carnepy); 1740 petitioner (as Connegue); 1747 petitioner. Present spelling, Kornegay.
John Kensey 1747 petitioner, second time named.
Peter Kinse 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List.
John Kinsey Orphaned in 1713 at age 14, bound to Woolrick Hess; 1740 petitioner; 1747 petitioner. John Kinsey proved his headrights in March 1745/46, listing 8 whites. Possible children are John Kinsey, Jr., Christian Kinsey, and Esther Kinsey. These three children had their stock marks recorded in June 1731.
Christen Küntzli (Possibly Kinsey) with wife and 6 children, issued passport Mar 1710 (see Faust); possibly on map of 1710.
Benedicht KupferSchmeid Named in a letter to Switzerland; also on map of 1710.
Infant son KupferSchmeid Named in a letter to Switzerland; b. at sea, July 1710.
Mrs. Benedicht KupferSchmeid Named in a letter to Switzerland; daughter of Hans RüegsEgger.
Peter Lots 1714 Claims List (as Lutts); 1747 petitioner.
Caspar Lüntly von Cosmorgen [spelling?] On map of 1710
[NFN] Maritz, Mentioned in a letter to Switzerland as "the shoemaker"; d. in Carolina, 1711?
Frederick Market 1747 petitioner.
Christopher Miller 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List.
Jacob Miller 1714 Tithables; (as Captain) 1714 Claims List; will was proven December 1732. He married Katherine, the widow of Jacob Ziorjen.
Jacob Miller 1747 petitioner.
John Lecher Miller 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List; 1715 Land List; 1740 petitioner; 1747 petitioner.
Adam Moor 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List; 1715 Land List; 1716 Land Tax; 1733 petitioner; 1747 petitioner.
Dennis Moor 1747 petitioner.
Henry Morris Possibly also Morrisett; Craven County Deeds Book 1, pages 79 and 105, lists Henry Morrisett as a gunsmith with a wife, Sophia Elinor and daughter Mary; 1747 petitioner
Salome von Mühlenen, From Bottigen of the Flühli, Upper Simmenthal, Bern Canton; married Michael Ziorjen; mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
[NFN] Müller On map of 1710.
[NFN] Nussbaum On map of 1710.
Philip Omend Also Amon, Oman; 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List; 1715 Land List; 1747 petitioner.
Henry Perlipah Also Parlebar; 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List; 1715 Land List; 1716 Land Tax.
Margaret Pfund of Zweysimmen Wife of Samuel Jacob Gobley above; named in a letter to Switzerland.
Michael Pickel 1714 tithables (as Peekle); 1714 claims list (as Peackle); 1733 petitioner; 1740 petitioner.
Peter Pillman On map of 1710 as Buhlmann; 1714 Tithables; 1747 petitioner.
Joseph Pugar 1747 petitioner
Mathias Reasonover See also Rezenover; 1714 Tithables; 1747 petitioner.
[NFN] Rembley Possibly Raubly; on map of 1710.
Richard Remer See also Rimer; 1740 petitioner.
Jon. Peter Remm Also Rhem; 1740 petitioner; named as one of the four to build the Church for High Germans.
Michael Remm Also Rhem; 1740 petitioner
Peter Reütiger Married a daughter of Christian Jantz, named in a letter to Switzerland; also on map of 1710.
Peter Reyel 1747 petitioner. (Possibly Peter Reel.)
Jacob Rezenover 1740 petitioner; executor of Mathias Reasonover in 1747.
Matthew Rezenover 1733 petitioner; 1740 petitioner; possibly Mathias Reasonover above.
John Rimer 1740 petitioner (as Remer); 1747 petitioner.
Nicholas Rimer 1747 petitioner.
Michael Riser Possibly Kiser also Rasher (deed ca. 1744), 1747 petitioner.
Casper Risheed 1740 petitioner (as Reasheat); 1747 petitioner.
Rudy Ristler Possibly Kistler; on map of 1710.
[NFN] Rudy Listed on map of 1710.
Hans RüegsEgger Named in a letter to Switzerland; also on map of 1710.
Hans RüegsEgger, Jr., Named in a letter to Switzerland; d. 26 Feb 1710/11.
John Bernard Schonewolf Also Shanawolf, Shanewolf. 1714 Tithables (as Chaneywoolfe); 1714 Claims List (as Chaineywoolfe); 1715 Land List (as Chaney Wolfe); 1716 Land Tax; 1747 petitioner.
Jacob Sheets 1714 Claims List; 1715 Land List; 1740 petitioner; 1749 Court Records listed as a Palatine. His daughters were Mary and Catherine (stock marks recorded in 1738). Jacob married second between June 1745 and September 1746 to Anna Civil Francks, the widow of John Martin Francks (which see).
Lawd. Shelfer [Laudowick] possible Swiss-Palatine; 1714 Claims List; died before October 1715.
Michael Shelfer Possibly the same as Martin Shaver in 1714 Claims List and 1715 Land List; 1747 petitioner.
Tobias Shelfer Possible Swiss-Palatine; 1714 Claims List.
Andrew Shiding Possible Swiss-Palatine; 1714 Claims List.
Anna Margaretha Simon Daughter of Benedicht Simon; married Andreas Beinmann or Weinmann from Mentzingen; named in a letter to Switzerland.
Benedict Simon Named in a letter to Switzerland.
Mrs. Benedict [nee Schadeli] Simon Named in a letter to Switzerland.
Johannes Simon Named in a letter to Switzerland.
Katherine Simon [d. at sea] Named in a letter to Switzerland.
Maria Magdelina Simon Daughter of Benedicht Simon; stayed in London with husband Johann Heinrich Hans; named in a letter to Switzerland.
Daniel Simons 1747 petitioner.
John Simons 1740 petitioner; 1747 petitioner, possibly same as Johannes Simon.
Christopher Slobbock, Jr. 1740 petitioner; possibly the 1747 petitioner, as Christian Slubbach had died by that time.
John Slubak 1714 Claims List; 1733 petitioner (as Sabbark).
Christian Slubbach also Hubbach, Slapak, Sloboch, Slobbock, Slopah, Slubak; 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List; 1715 Land List; 1733 petitioner; 1740 petitioner; died ca. March 1743. His possible children are Christian, Jacob (d. 1746), and Nicholas (d. 1744, married Eliza). Also a Sarah Sloboch was listed as the orphan of Christian.
George Sneidor 1740 petitioner (as Snyder); 1747 petitioner.
Alexander Steel 1740 petitioner
Joseph Stern of Riggisberg; d. ca1711; named in a letter to Switzerland.
Daniel Tetchey could be Dichtli above; 1714 Claims List (as Ditehy); 1747 petitioner.
[John] Gaspar Timmerman 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List; 1715 Land List; 1716 Land Tax (as Temberman); 1722 will names wife Sevilla (Civil) and daughter Mary Magdalena Timmerman; also possibly Zimmerman. The daughter Mary moved to Pennsylvania where she is believed to have married John Steenson (Craven Deed Book 1, page 87). Upon the death of Gaspar, Sevilla married John Martin Francks, she then married Jacob Sheets upon Francks's death.
Jacob Visemer also Wismer, Wisemoore; 1714 Tithables; 1714 Claims List; 1716 Land Tax.
Jackob Währen And his brother (not named) of Zweysimmen; mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
Christen Walker With wife and eight children; Christen and wife d. ca1711, on map of 1710.
Christian Walker Son of Christen? 1747 petitioner.
Andrew Wallis 1747 petitioner.
Anna Margreta [Simon] Weinmann Mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
Andreas Weinmann Of Mentzingen, mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
[NFN] Weizer Possibly Werger; on map of 1710.
Johnes Wismer See also Visemer; on map of 1710; Jacob Wisimore, 1715 Land List.
Anna Wüll Of Rümligen; mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
Johannes Zant Also Zautin, Zaugg; d. 1711; mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
Katherine Zant d. at sea; mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
Anna Eva Zant From Eriswil in the Vogtei of Trachselwald (Faust, 2:10); mentioned in a letter to Switzerland.
Benedicht Zionien Also Ziorjen; mentioned in a letter to Switzerland and possibly also on map of 1710.
Michael Ziorien [Zionien?], And mother [not named]; mentioned in a letter to Switzerland and possibly also on map of 1710.
Jakob Ziorjen Also Zeorge, Leorge; possibly on map of 1710; wife, Katherine and children Jacob (d. 1737), Christian, and Mary (m. Hugh Stannaland by 1737). See Craven County Court Records for 1732, 1733, and 1737.
Caspar Zolbeiss Possibly Z’obrist or Zobrist; on map of 1710.
Peter Zusseman [spelling?] On map of 1710.
Monzua [No Last Name] A woman named in a letter to Switzerland; surname not provided.

Other possible Swiss-Palatines

Wendale Blyler Also Blilelor, Blayer. Witnessed the December 1732 will of John Miller, Esq. and was guardian to Christian and Mary Zeorge during the same year.
Jos. Callio  
Peter Calvert With wife Saloma. His estate was probated in 1739 with Jacob Sheets and Peter Remm, Securities.
John Dept Also Depp, Deipt, Deep; named by Bernheim as German; on 1723 jury list.
Andreas Dorman Executor of Katherine Winn's will, October 1714.
John and Mary Durian  
John and Jane Filliaw Also Filleaw, Fillar, Fillyall, Fillyaw, Fillyew; several deeds in Craven County during the 1730s and 1740s.
Diderick Gible Will made 25 June 1720 and proven 19 August 1720 in Pasquotank County. He names his children Diderick, Frederick, and Mary. John Schonewolf witnessed the will.
John Jacob Grinder 1733 petitioner; Craven County Court Minutes, 1737.
Jacob Joven 1733 petitioner.
George Metts Also Mets, Metz. He is listed in the 1714 Tithables List, 1714 claims list, and the 1716 land tax with John Wyxdel. His will (15 Sept 1727) names son George Mets and daughter Anna Curtisse Mets, wife Susannah, and executors Adam More and Mathias Rissonover.
Abraham and Mary Minnett Orphans, 1713.
Anne Rashet Possibly related to Caspar Risheed; her son Lewis Hancock was apprenticed to William Whitehead, June 1747.
Martin Frederick Rasor  
John Rienset Also Riensett; early Craven County Deeds.
Christian Fred. Sharfield (Schoanfealt) Deed of Gift to Peter Andras, 1739.
John Jacob Sheibe Possibly also Jacob Scheive; petitioned for a mill on Mill Creek, 1738.
Jason Sonisborg 1733 petitioner
Caspar Sowbridge Will probated "28 XB 1713" naming son, Peter; possible daughters Susan[nah] and Jan[ten?]. Named James Callio, executor; also listed Andr. Roberts.
Jacob Treaver  
John Troat  
George Troutsetter Also Trantsetter; orphan bound to Andreas Dorman, complained of cruelty and was bound instead to John Schonewoolf, as a tailor.
John Vendrick 1733 petitioner as Wendrick; received Henry Perlipah's stock mark, 1738.
Benadictus Wendrick 1733 petitioner
Johann Wexel Also Waxdell, Wixedell, Wasell; with Henry Perlipah received land in April 1715 from Martin and Susannah Franck. Craven Deed Book 1, page 278 lists children of John Wasell as Catren (m. Robert Perry), Sivil (m. John Perry), and Mary (m. Thomas Brocker). His widow married Jacob Eibach (Ipock) before December 1739.
Katherine Winn Will probated in 1714 names John Schonewoolf as executor.
George Michael Woolf Also George Michaelwoolf, Mickellwoolf, Melchelwoolf; several deeds in Craven County during the 1730s and 1740s.

Bibliography

Bernheim, G.D. History of the German Settlements and of the Lutheran Church in North and South Carolina, from the Earliest Period of the Colonization of the Dutch, German, and Swiss Settlers to the Close of the First Half of the Present Century. Philadelphia, 1872: Reprint. Baltimore: Regional Publishing Co., 1975.

Cain, Robert J., ed. Records of the Executive Council, 1664-1734. Vol. 7 of The Colonial Records of North Carolina [Second Series]. Raleigh, N.C.: Division of Archives and History, 1984. "Petition of Craven Precinct for Altering the Seat of Government" (ca. April 1733) is found on pages 301-303. Cited as 1733 petition above.

Cobb, Sanford H. The Story of the Palatines: an Episode in Colonial History. New York: Putnam's Sons, 1897.

Faust, Albert Bernhardt and Gaius Marcus Brumbaugh. Lists of Swiss Emigrants in the Eighteenth Century to the American Colonies. 2 vols. in 1. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1972. Volume 2, pages 6-14, gives an account, using contemporaneous sources, of about 151 persons believed to have left Switzerland for North Carolina.

Haun, Weynette Parks. Craven Precinct-County Court Minutes. 7 vols. to date. Durham, N.C.: Haun, 1978- . Volumes 1 and 2 contain court minutes from 1712 to 1741, with the years 1716-1729 missing. These early volumes were consulted for names and are cited as Craven County Court Records or Minutes above, with the year.

Haun, Weynette Parks. Craven County North Carolina Deed Abstracts. 1 vol. to date. Durham, N.C.: Haun, 1996- . Volume 1 contains deed books 1 and 5 (1707-1775) and is cited above as Craven County Deeds Book with the appropriate book number and page number of the original deed.

"The High German Chapel." Carolina and the Southern Cross (May 1914): 8. Contains the 1740 petition for the building of a church for the use of the High Germans and the Church of England. This same petition is found in Haun, Craven County Deed Abstracts, on page 69 (Craven Deed Book 1, page 417).

Holloman, Charles R. "Craven County, North Carolina -- It's Origin and Beginning." Seminar notes prepared for Local History Students, Craven Technical Institute, 1973. Holloman includes transcripts of the 1714 claims list, 1714 tithables list, 1715 land tax list, and 1716 land tax list.

Knittle, Walter Allen. Early Eighteenth Century Palatine Emigration: A British Government Redemtioner Project to Manufacture Naval Stores. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1970.

"The Palatines and Their Descendants." Carolina and the Southern Cross (March 1914): 15-19.

Saunders, William L., ed. The Colonial Records of North Carolina. 10 vols. Raleigh, N.C.: State of North Carolina, 1886-1890. Volume 4, pages 954-956, contains the 1747 petition of the Palatines to King George II and gives a brief history of their settlement. Cited above as 1747 petition.

Schelbert, Leo, ed. America Experienced: Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Accounts of Swiss Immigrants to the United States. Camden, Me.: Picton Press, 1996. Includes some of the same letters in Todd's volume, as well as accounts of Swiss immigrants to other states.

Todd, Vincent H., ed. Christoph von Graffenried's Account of the Founding of New Bern: Edited with an Historical Introduction and an English Translation. Spartanburg, S.C.: The Reprint Co., 1973. Includes letters written ca. 1711 by Swiss from New Bern to their relatives.

Tribbeko, John and George Ruperti. List of Germans from the Palatinate Who Came to England in 1709. Reprinted from The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record 1909-1910. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co. for Clearfield Company, 1996.

Watson, Alan D. A History of New Bern and Craven County. New Bern, N.C.: Tryon Palace Commission, 1987. The standard history of New Bern and Craven County includes a detailed chapter on the settlement of New Bern.

(Updated July 21, 2000)

This page was last edited: November 20, 2014