Common problems when researching the Eymann / Iman surname

When researching my family records, I often stumble over some errors or misinterpretations. Two common problems are in the family name, and in the national geographics over the centuries.

On the name

The original Swiss/German family name is "Eymann" (with a double n). This translates to "the man" (Mann) from the meadow (Bernese Swiss German "Ey"). Family names came up in the middle ages, and the government tried to somehow label families with a unique name. The combination of Ey & mann seems to be unique enough that we can pinpoint the original heritage to being a farmer for a meadow between Oberdiessbach and Linden in the canton Berne, Switzerland.

For religious and economic reasons, members of that Anabaptist family migrated to France and Germany, starting around 1650. They settled mostly in German-speaking countries, so the name stayed as it was; it is pronounced differently when spoken, though. 

This changed with the emigration to America. On arriving in the US, the name underwent two changes over time. First of all, the second "n" vanished. An English man is still a German mann, and so it was easier to write Eyman without losing meaning. In the next generation, however, Eyman sometimes changed to Iman. Both Ey (in German) and I (in English) are pronounced identically, so it might have been easier for the clerks to write the name in the records as they heard it. 

On the geographics

The oldest records we have are from the Swiss canton of Berne; the newest ones from today's Europe and the US. In between, the names and affiliations of locations changed. That means that sometimes the same location is known by different names, depending on the date of the record. Some common examples:

The Eymann family settled after the original emigration from Switzerland in the 17th/18th century in the Alsace (today: France) and in the Palatinate (today: Germany). However, Germany was only united in 1871. Before that date, the Palatinate belonged to the Holy Roman Empire (until 1797), then to France (until 1815), and then to the Kingdom of Bavaria (until 1945). So this is, why you sometimes see the same Palatinate location data as being "in Germany" or "in Bavaria" -- the village did not change location! Similar problems arise with the Alsace, which changed ownership between France and Germany a few times during these centuries -- here we have the additional challenge that villages have both French and German names. In the US, we have sometimes reorganisations of counties in the same state, splitting of states (e.g. Virginia and West Virginia), and overall a multitude of villages and counties with the same name. So please double-check the entries before including them in your tree!

Jacob Eyman in the Revolutionary War

Found this on https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/11391888?h=f27e81 and had to replicate for posterity. Thank you, Gregory Eyman, for putting it all together and online.

Notes for Jacob Eymann (Eiman):

Jacob (1725) Eiman lived in Donnersburg, Germany prior to his immigration (this is a possible residence) between 1730-1749. He lived in Philadelphia Twp, Pa in 1749. He immigrated to the U.S. on the "St. Andrews" from Rotterdam, Netherlands, stopping in Plymouth, England; arrived in Philadelphia. Name listed as Jacob Eiman on 9 Sept 1749. He lived in Bethel Twp, Lancaster (now Daupin) Co., PA: a Jacob Eighman is listed in 1771. He served in the military in Bet 1775-1784, Nov or Dec 1775 (Enlisted as a Private in the Lancaster Co. militia under Capt. James Murray's Company, Col. James Burd's Fourth Battalion of Lancaster County.

9 Sept 1949 upon arrival in America, Jacob moved several times. It is unclear whether he brought his wife or met and married her in PA, although a 1864 genealogy of Peter Eyman indicates that they were married in 1746 before immigration. Jacob took a land partnership with Jacob Raeif (farmeer and distiller)in Upper Paxtang Twp.. Lancaster (now Dauphin) Co., PA. The warrent that interest had been paid on that hundred acres along Clark's Creek since 1770. The land was not surveyed nor was the land grant formalized until August of 1787, after which, it seems that the land was sold between then and 1801 to a Jacob Hutts. The 1787 warrent suggest that the land adjoined grants for James Manama, Ludwig Melsher (various spellings noted, although Ludwig used Minsker.Historians often refer to him as Maksker. Many stories are written of him.) Thomas Carn (sometimes called Kern) and James McNamara, who like the Eymans, served as a private in James Burd's Battalion, although McNamara served under Captain James Cowden. By 1787 McNamara had sold his property to Ludwig Mansker. Between 1787 and 1800, a William Clark had taken possession of the lands earlier owned by Thomas Kern (Carn/Cairn) adjacent to the lands previously of the Eyman/Raief warrent. Most likely this was the Clark after whom the valley and creek were named. This is one of the famous William Clarks of which there are three of that family who served America in many capacities.

While Jacob and his family lived in the area, Upper Paztang settlers were often attacked in Indian raids. Adjacent to the Eyman property was a John Elder (listed in 1779 Upper Paztang tax rolls). John was a preacher of the gospel and developed a Donegal Presbytery, which subsequently divided off to a Paxtang congregation. He took his "leadership of the flock" seriously and provided direction of political and military affairs as well as spiritual ones. In the face of the Indian difficulties he trained some of his congregation as scouts. He superintended the disipline of his men and mounted rangers, who became widely known as the "Paxtang Boys". During two summers at least, in the early 1760s, his parishioners went to church armed. The settlers were perplexed and angry by the lack of action on the part of the Quaker politicians and took steps of their own, which alarmed many and provoked widespread discussion. During the later part of the summer of 1763, amny murders were committed, culminating in the distruction of the Indians on Conestoga Manor at Lancaster. Although the men who exterminated the Indians were thought to have been part of the Paxtang Boys, it was never proven that Rev. Elder had previous knowledge of the plot, though Quaker pamphleteers of the day charged him with aiding and abetting those who took part in these acts. The Quaker authorities denounced the frontiersmen as "riotous and murderous Irish Presbyterians". John Elder took sides with the border inhabitants and sought to condone the deeds as noted in his many writings afterwards.

The "Paxtang Boys Affair" is seen by some quarters as having influenced the onset of the revolutio. In 1774 meetings were held in different townships, the resolvesof only two of which are preserved. The earliest was that of an assembly of the inhabitants of Hanover(now Dauphin). These "Hanover Resolves" struck a note of safeguarding liberty and a committe was nominated to act on the general populations behalf, asemergencies may require. Elected to that committee was the William Clark mentioned earlier.

30 June 1775bduring a Parliamentary Assembly of PA, deputies, it was resolved "That this House approves the association entered into by the good people of this colony for the defense of their lives, liberties, and property". A Committee of Safety, consisting of 25 citizens, was appointed and authorized to call into active service such number of the "associators" as they may deem proper. Organizations of "associators" were formed in most, if not all, the counties. The committee organized July 3rd by the choice of Benjamin Franklin, president. Congress, July 18, recommended that all able bodied effective men between sixteen and fifty years of age should immediately form themselves into companies of militia to consist of one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one clerk, one drummer, one fifer, and about sixty-eight privates. The companies to be formed into regiments or battalions, officered with a colonel... Congress, June 14, 1775, authorized the raising of six companies of expert fiflemen in PA, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia to join the army near Boston. On the 22nd the "Colony of Pennsylvania" was directed to raise two more companies making eight in all, which were to be formed into a battalion. Lancaster County furnished two companies instead of one... This battalion was the first unit raised in the area. This description is offerd  to provide a basis for how and why Troops were enlisted in the area and it serves as a prelude to the later formation of the 4th Battalion, which also included men of Lancaster Co., among which were the Eyemans .

Nov or Dec 1775 Jacob and his sons Jacob, Jr. and Christian volunteered in the militia, quite early and before strong pressures of muster began in 1776. Important items to note are that the Eymans were not serving with German speakers, but with neighbors who were of predominately Scottish and Irish backgrounds. This company of vounteers was among the veery first in the area and in the nation to get into the field battle. They also seem not to have been concerned about fighting to protect the community based on religious restrictions. There is some evidence that they avoided some subsequent calls to duty, with both Jacob (Jr. ?) and Christian paying fines. Son Peter Eyman enlisted around 1781 also serving under Captain James Murray.

13 Mar 1776 a return of Captain James Murray's (b. 1729 d. 15 Feb 1804 Dauphin Co., PA) company of Associators of the Fourth Battalion (Revolutionary Roll Records - PA. Jacket No. 71) of Lancaster County, commanded by Colonel James Burd (b. 10 Mar 1726 - Ornistan, Scotland d. 1795-98 Lancaster, PA.) (partial list as follows:) First Lieutenant; Peter Sturgeon; Second Lieutenant: John Simpson; Ensign: John Ryen; Privates:...Eyeman, Christopher , Eyeman, Jacob , Eyeman, Jacob ...

Captain Murray was captured by the British at the battle of Long Island, NY in 1776 (possobly held on a British prison-ship and later released (5 months) in aprisoner exchange along with others captured in that engagement, including Maj. William Henderson). Willian Bell, Sr. promoted to Captain, serving in the retreat from Brooklyn, Harlem Heights, Fort Lee. His company was then surprised at Fort Washington, a horrific loss for the Patriots with many killed and captured, including crucial weapons and supplies. A detailed accounting was later provided listing the loss of guns, powder horns and blankets. Jacob and or his son Jacob, Jr. is said to have suffered the loss of pouch and horn during this engagement on 16 Nov 1776 ("the reduction of Fort Washington"). Affirmation of the losses certified by Capt. James Cowden 8 Aug 1777.

Jacob, Jacob, Jr. and Christian are noted to have participated in the battles of Trenton and Princeton, NJ. They accompanied General George Washington during the famous crossing of the partiaaly frozen Delaware river on Christmas night, 25 Dec. 1776 daring a surprise raid on the Hessian mercenary encampment in Trenton. With only a portion part of his planned forces, the remainder either unable to make the crossing or not in time, Washington determined to press on with the attack on the morning of the 26th, catching the unsuspecting German's fully off guard as hoped, duled into a false sense of security resulting from their previous days Christmas celebration, completely routing the enemy and winning a much needed critical victory for Washington and his troops. The Patriots recrossed the river back into PA., but Washington, upon discovering that the British were sending a reactionary force against him from their position in Princeton, immediately reformed his forces,  crossing over once more into Trenton then marched a parallel path towards Princeton in an attempt to perform a flanking attack against the rear guard of the very forces that were indeed being sent towards him. Washington and his highly outnumbered troops out-manoeuvered their foes, scoring another successive victory, this time against the shocked British, 3 Jan 177.

6 Nov 1778 Jacob Eyeman (Eylman) signed an Oath of Allegiance in Town of Lancaster, Lancaster Co. He is also shown that year as Jacob Eyman in the Military card file. Signing this type of oath was often required of foreign born soldiers. In 1793 there is an apparent Dauphin Co., PA record of Letters of Administration for a settlement of jacob's estate granted for his wife Catherine Emen to Jacob Emen (Jr.). Once completed it appears that Jacob Jr. left to join his brothers in Hardy Co., VA (now WV).

Catherine Shaver emigrated from the U>S> with husband, Jacob Eymann on 9 Sept 1749.

Links to online obituaries

Always a good source of biographical information, obituaries get increasingly published. Some of these will be linked in this post.

An obituary for Commander Raymond P. Eyman, who served at NOAA 1915-1947.

An obituary for Jacob S. Eyman, Halstead, Kansas, d. June 29, 1916, and a record entry for Joseph L. Eyman, El Dorado, Kansas, from “A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans”, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, copyright 1918; transcribed 1997.

Biographical Information on Walter C. Eymann, 1907

Provided by Linda Carter, great-granddaughter of Walter C. Eymann.

History of the State of California and an Extended History of its Southern Coast Counties. By James Miller Guinn, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1907 . Calif. State Library History Room (RR). Call Number: [Alcove] 979.4G9 – 2 – Book NC. Eymann, Walter C Page 1782

WALTER C. EYMANN. Prominent among the highly esteemed and influential citizens of Ocean Park is Walter C. Eymann, a practical business man and a leading real-estate dealer, who has been an important factor in promoting the rapid growth of this beautiful coast city, and a liberal contributor towards the establishment of its varied enterprises. Distinguished not only as a native-born son of California, but for the honored ancestry from which he traces his lineage, he occupies a conspicuous position in the annals of Los Angeles county, and no person is more worthy than he of representation in a work of this kind. A son of Charles F. Eymann, M.D., he was born November 3, 1867, in Anaheim, Orange county. The Eymann family has long been prominent in Germany, among its members being doctors, lawyers and merchants of distinction, one of its members having served as court physician to the Czar of Russia.

A native of Germany, Charles F. Eymann was born, reared and educated in Oldenburg, the home of many of his ancestors. Immigrating to the United States when a young man, he continued his studies in the medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequently going overland to California, he engaged in mining and prospecting with unusual success, amassing a fortune. As banks were unsafe in those days it was customary to bury money; one day he returned and was bitterly disappointed to find that some one had visited the spot where he had secreted his wealth, and robbed him. Afterwards settling in San Francisco, he built up a substantial business as a merchant, and became a large property owner. He married Amalia Hammes, whose father, Philip Hammes, immigrated to San Francisco from Germany in 1856, and there followed his trade of watchmaker, clockmaker and jeweler until his removal to Anaheim with the original German colony.

Leaving school when about sixteen year of age, Walter C. Eymann assumed charge of the vineyard of thirty-three acres, managing it successfully until the destruction of the vines by a disease that killed all of the vineyards of that locality and ruined the wine industry. He subsequently took a course of study at Heald’s Business College, after which he was a resident of San Francisco for two and one-half years, being employed as collector, salesman and bookkeeper, first for Hueter Brothers, and later for the Bass-Hueter Paint Company. Going then to Europe, he visited a favorite aunt at the home of his ancestors, after which he traveled extensively on the continent, visiting the principal art galleries, and other places of interest.

On returning to California, Mr. Eymann settled near Anaheim, on land left him by his father, and at once began its improvement, in the course of a few years developing a valuable walnut grove. He built a fine house and substantial farm buildings, making noteworthy improvements. This place he sold in November,1904, realizing a handsome profit from his expenditure of time and money. Coming to Ocean Park, he bought the Summerheim flats, which he has since managed, and continued in the real-estate business, with which he had previously been associated for three years. In the spring of 1905 he opened a real-estate office in the city of Los Angeles, but this he abandoned when the beach cities began to show signs of life and activity and has since maintained and office on ocean front. He not only deals in Southern California property, but also handles northern lands, owning property in the San Joaquin valley and Tulare county.

Mr. Eymann is a man of great inventive talent as well as a business man of ability. In 1895 he received from the United States government a patent that he then possessed, it being a valuable invention utilizing a combination of goal and gas ranges. In introducing it to the public he traveled over one-half of the states of the Union, and from the royalty now given him by its manufacturers, the J. L. Mott Iron Works Company, of New York City, he receives a good annual income. He also has other incomplete inventions, one contemplated one being the taking of electric currents from the earth using them in stationary engines. He is an expert in oil and water, and acted in this capacity in Southern California for a number of years, always with satisfactory results. He is a fine business man, and has acquired extensive property interests in Ocean Park, San Joaquin valley and Tulare county.

In Europe in 1894, Mr. Eymann married Dorothea H. Schellens, daughter of Richard Schellens, noted railway man, who is a government director of all the railroads in the Rhine provinces, and an inventor of the Schellens railway train blocking devices. Mr. And Mrs. Eymann has one child, Gilbert H. W. Eymann. Fraternally Mr. Eymann is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters.

 

A short history of the Eymann family, by Torsten Eymann 1997

by Torsten Eymann (torsten@eymann.net), 1997

The history of the Eymann family is closely intertwined with the history of the european anabaptists themselves. A profound summary about this history can be found in "The Story of the Mennonites" by C. Henry Smith, Newton, Kansas, 1957 (This book is also available in german: "Die Geschichte der Mennoniten Europas", ebda., 1964). The part about the historical background of the palatinate emigration is excerpted from the Website of Kraig Ruckel (http://www.cc.utah.edu/~pdp7277/palatine.html).

The roots of the anabaptist movement lie in the swiss city of Zurich, in the year 1523. Ulrich Zwingli developed his idea of a reformed faith; several of his radical followers split the group in 1525 and established an own branch with the main claim of a full segregation of church and government. This made them the radical left wing of all confessions of that era and is the reason for most of the persecution in the centuries to follow.

The first appearance of the Eymann name is in the village of Steffisburg near Thun/Berne in Switzerland. Here are two brothers mentioned; the elder one, Steffen, was born in 1533. From this point we are able to trace the family history unbroken until today, apart from lost branches. In that area of the southern Emmental (valley of the river Emme) there are today still anabaptist communities, the most famous in the village of Linden. Today a part of Linden, Oberdiessbach is considered to be the true hometown of the Eymann family; there can be found a small estate named "Ey" (medieval german: by the meadow). These villages are very remote and hidden in the mountains and gave shelter for the century of persecution to come.

The anabaptist movement spread in that time over the neighbouring countries, especially along the river Rhine as one of the biggest european trade routes. Several communities grew between 1525 and 1535, the most prominent ones in Strassburg (Elsass) and the Lower Rhine area (The Netherlands and Muenster in northwest Germany). After the fall of the infamous Taeuferreich in Muenster 1535, persecution got worse, although the Muenster incidents are considered not typical for the non-violent characteristic of the Anabaptists; but that was not the era of making fine differences... Menno Simons, a Dutch, who gave the movement its today known name of "Mennonites", appears as a missionary in 1536 and worked his whole life in northern germany, while the swiss anabaptists are known as "Taeufer" or "Taufgesinnte" until today (not as "Mennonites").

In the canton of Berne, the government issued a final ban edict in 1659, after a century of persecution and martyrdom. The dutch Mennonites, at that time the most established group in Europe, tried politically and financially to intervene. But nonetheless the swiss Anabaptists were expropriated and banished from their homes. The worst year was 1671, when 700 people were exiled. About 100 from them went towards the Elsass, the rest into the Palatinate; the latter followed an invitation by the government, which intended to repopulate the devastated (by the 30-year-war) country.

1671 also Hans, Hans II. and Ulrich Eymann left Oberdiessbach with most of their families and moved first to Niederroedern near Weissenburg/Wissembourg in northern Elsass on the left Rhine bank. Some months later they moved again for an unknown reason and finally settled in Ibersheim near Worms in the Palatinate. The restless times with small wars between France and his european enemies in the 17th century (beginning in 1688) lead to restless families, and so the immigrants moved twice again until they finally stayed around the Donnersberg mountain north of Kaiserslautern.Other family members emigrated to the Netherlands and to America in the west, and to the Banat and Galizia in eastern Europe.

The winter of 1708-1709 was very long and cold in the Rhineland. It was a very bleak period. People huddled around their fires as they considered quitting their homes and farms forever. By early April, the land was still frozen and most of the Palatines' vines had been killed by the bitter weather. Since 1702 their country had been enduring war and there was little hope for the future. The Thirty Years War lay heavy on their minds, a period in which one out of every three Germans had perished.

The Palatines were heavily taxed and endured religious persecution. As the people considered their future, the older ones remembered that, in 1677, William Penn had visited the area, encouraging the people to go to Pennsylvania in America, a place where a man and his family could be free of the problems they were now encountering.

To go to America meant a long, dreadful ocean voyage and a future in an unknown land, away from their past and family. Everyone knew that the German Elector would stop any migration as soon as it was noticed. Only a mass exodus from the Palatinate could be successful. Many wondered how they could ever finance such a journey even if they wanted to attempt it. Small boats, known as scows, would have to be acquired for the long ride down the Rhine River and then there was the price for the ocean voyage. While some of the people had relatives that could assist them financially, many were very poor. Soon enough, their minds were made up for them as France's King Louis XIV invaded their land, ravaging especially the towns in the Lower Palatinate.

In masses, the Palatines boarded their small boats and headed down the Rhine for Rotterdam. It was April 1709 and the first parties were afloat on the Rhine, many with only their most basic goods and their faith in God as their only possessions. The river voyage took an average of 4-6 weeks through extremely cold, bitter weather. By June, 1709, the people streamed into Rotterdam at a rate of one thousand per week. The Elector, as expected, issued an edict forbidding the migration, but almost everyone ignored it. By October, 1709, more than 10,000 Palatines had completed the Rhine River journey.

Streams of Palatines went to America, with most going to Pennsylvania. The ocean voyage was harsh, with over-crowded, under-supplied, and unsanitary ships. What provisons were supplied were generally the least expensive available to the ship's master. Water frequently ran out, as did food. Dreadful mortality occurred on many voyages. In addition to those woes, the Palatines faced robbery, deception, and worse from those transporting them.

Estimates on the number of Germans in Pennsylvania during this period varies from author to author, but a common estimate is 10,000-15,000 by 1727 and 70,000-80,000 by 1750. A good source for reviewing German arrivals to Pennsylvania is Rupp's "Thirty Thousand Immigrants in Pennsylvania" which contains numerous ship passenger lists and has an excellent surname index. Another good resource is Walter Knittle's "Early Eighteenth-Century Palatine Emigration". Immigrants not only came from Germany, but also Bohemia and Switzerland. Most were either Lutheran, Reformed, or Mennonite in religious belief.

The transatlantic emigration continued with parts of the family for two centuries to come. Most of the emigrants to America left Europe in Le Havre and Rotterdam. In America they appeared first in Pennsylvania, then moved further west to Indiana and Ohio. Some of them fought in the Indepence Wars. Today they are spread over the whole United States.

The author descends directly from those Palatinate families. The american immigrants often disappear from our genealogy and can not be further traced; we would welcome anybody who can trace his Eymann family back to immigration. Please write - the sheer quantity of our genealogic material makes it impossible for us to send self-speaking documents at the moment, but we would love to share our material when specified. As you can see by the very rough history above, we are currently in the hunter-and-collector-phase; if anybody with profound historical knowledge can contribute to that "moving" family history of ours, we would be very thankful.

Some open questions still remain:

The oldest records about an Eymann family are found in the church-records and stock-books of the village of Alfhausen near Osnabrueck in northwest Germany. There lies, at the road to Bramsche, a large farm, the Eymann farm; although it is not possible to prove the direct relation to our family yet, it can be assumed that the Eymann family originally descends from this farm. One can also guess that by the derivation of the name itself. The Eymann farm is quoted in the stock-books way back in 1350; it was called "tor Eye" (medieval german: by the meadow). The farm was an estate in fee. In 1490, Hanneke "tor Eye" owned 5 horses, 2 oxen, 5 cows, 6 cattle, 14 pigs and 5 sheep and paid a feudal 'cattle tax' of one Taler and four Schillinge. Alfhausen was at that time part of the bishopric Osnabrueck. There still exists a catholic Eymann family in that area, but there is no connection yet between the two genealogies. The swiss Eymanns are said to have immigrated themselves before 1535, but from here? Or is it pure coincidence with the same name; the heraldic shield shows an egg, leading to the supposition of rooting the name in "Ei" rather than in "Ey", a craft rather than a geographic description? Why should anyone emigrate to a country of Berne where persecution was worse than at home, the alternative of the Netherlands only a 100km away?

The similar problem occurs with a lutheran family Eymann in Saxony, whose history is yet completely unknown.

Memories of St. Peters - a narration by Anna Eyman Hofacre

I found the following in a booklet that's been laying around for years, and thought you might enjoy.  The booklet was written at the time of the dedication of the educational wing of the church. Annie Hofacre was a sister to Grandpa Charles Eyman. (Greta Wells, SNGWells@prodigy.net)

MEMORIES OF ST. PETERS

by Anna Hofacre I, Anna Eyman Hofacre, was born May 3, 1875 in a tavern in Apple Creek, once called Edenburg. People traveling by horse and buggy from southern part of Wayne County stopped to eat and feed and water their horses on their way to Wooster. My parents, S. B. and Isabelle Eyman, cared for the tavern for one year, then we moved to West Salem for one year, then back to my grandfather's home, David Eyman, making our home there. This is now the farm owned by my grandson, Delno Orr.

I remember of my great uncle's funeral, Henry Bott. He lived near the old Baptist Church where we once held church services. Rev. Kemmerer, an elderly former minister of our congregation, was called to conduct the funeral service. When the family was being seated for the noon meal, Rev. Kemmerer couldn't be seen. Someone said, "He always rests five minutes before eating," so he was found upstairs resting. Rev. Mayer was called to minister to our flock as soon as he graduated from Heidelburg University, Tiffin. He did many improvements. He organized the Sunday School, The Women's Missionary Society, Ladies Aid; and then the first catechetical class. My brothers Charlie and Alva were in the second class. My brother Ed and I were in the third class with others. This was in 1888. My sister Minnie was confirmed later; all by Rev. Mayer.

We were taught to prepare for the Sabboth as a day of worship and rest. No unnecessary work was ever allowed. When quite small we children with our parents went to S. S. and church in a double-seated spring wagon. Our grandparents went in a low surrey. My Grandmother Eyman passed away in 1884 and Grandfather in 1888. The service for Grandmother Eyman was the first funeral service conducted by Rev. Mayer. I well remember the interior of our church ?? the lovely dark wood of the beams overhead, the Amen corner, two box stoves which heated the church one near center front and one near back. The stoves were about 3 1/2 feet long and 2 feet wide. Men of the congregation gave trees, prepared wood for the stoves and hauled it to the church. Later a second set of stoves were installed to north and south positions in the church. There were two kerosene lamps on each side. There was a black mohair sofa back of the pulpit and a door to exit in front of the church. The ceiling was later lowered because it was too difficult to heat the church.

Peter Fox was our Janitor many years. His son Ward Fox many years. Then Martin Hursh and his son Barkley Hursh many years. Rev. Mayer lived with the Fred Nussbaum Family when he first came to Apple Creek. The parsonage was built when he married. Twenty young men pledged $25 a piece and the rest was soon forthcoming. Adam Deneke built the parsonage. Rev. Mayer preached one Sunday in German; three in English. The congregation at Black Creek, now Glenmont, was part of his charge. Then all services were in English and his salary was raised a little over $450 a year.

I remember attending S. S. as a child. We sat near one of those stoves near the back of the church. Josephine Knoble was my first S. S. teacher. Later Mrs. Fred Nussbaum Sr. was my teacher in a group of girls eighteen years old. When she stopped teaching, I was asked to teach this class. Many years later I taught a class of teenage girls and still later, a junior boys' class. Music has always meant a lot to me. Tamer Clark, who was my first music teacher, was the first organist of our church. She was followed by Hermena Deneke, Ida Brown and by that time I was teaching music and playing the organ at our church. My father directed the choir and later my brother Alva did.

Some of the families belonging to our church in early 1890 were Lautenschlager, Bott, Numbers, Eyman, Nussbaum, Buss and Hartel. Many lasting friendships were made with the wonderful guidance from Rev. Mayer who was loved by all. Other ministers followed to help us ? Rev. Hartzel, Renter, Wolbach, Flohr, Shuey, R. E. Zechiel, Limbacher, Meckstroth, and Charles Zechiel. Over the years many improvements and additions have been accomplished such as basement, the electricity and new organ. Now with the help of Rev. and Mrs. Hartmann we are dedicating this new educational building. May God help us to grow in peace and good will for his Kingdom.

Story by Peter Eymann about the emigration from Switzerland to the Palatinate, 1864

Eymann FAMILY HISTORY AND GENEALOGY

BY

PETER Eymann

SON OF

CHRISTIAN EYMANN AND ANNA KREMER

1-9-1864

In order that my children, and, the Eymann Family in general, might be aware of where our ancestors or forbears came from, I will, to the best of my knowledge, write the history and record the genealogical data of the family, as I can recall it to my mind.

My great great grandfather lived on the Sionerhof by Alzey in the Palatinate, and it was here that my great grandfather, Christian Eymann, was born in the year of 1701. He first resided on a leasehold estate in Niederroedern in Alsace, then at Donnersberg., then in Kindenheim on the Von Der Muehlenschen farm where he passed away in the year of 1767.

My great grandmother, a Gerber by birth, was born in Switzerland, in the so called Schwamboden, during the year of 1706. Her father was a member of the Reformed Church and fought in the Civil War.

During the Reformation period when the Church and State, as a Unit, tried to force everybody to follow their edicts, as far as religion was concerned, many a pitched battle was fought and wholesale murder was committed where not even the old people were spared.  At a time when the Reformed people and the Catholics were all living in the same Cantons and the reformed people were victorious, the tables were turned. On a certain day, my great grandmother's father, together with another Reformed Comrade (during the time they were persuing and persecuting the Catholics and some others, in their homes), came to a house and found no one inside. My great great grandfather went outside to take a look around and spied an old barn with one of the doors ajar and entering thereby to search the interior, came upon an old man kneeling and praying.

This made such a profound impression on him, that he silently turned to leave the barn and as he came out through the door, his comrade, who had just emerged from the house, met him and inquired if he had found anyone in the barn.  Since my great great grandfather was so astounded by the scene he had just witnessed, his mind was still pondering on the matter, he could not give an immediate answer to his query, thereupon his comrade took his sword and placing it against my great great grand-father's chest, said, "I should run you through with this sword, if you as much as spare any of them (The Catholics)“, then entered the barn, found this old man kneeling and praying and slew him with his sword.

This incident affected my great great grandfather still more and after giving it some serious thought, he said to himself: "I can not stand by and see any more of this, much less carry it out.“

From all indications this incident did not happen too far from his home because he went to his home in the night and told his family all that had happened, stating further that he could not stand the sight of it anymore and had made up his mind that they would all leave the country together but they could not do so openly.  So the mother spoke up, or it might have been his grandmother (because she was quite elderly) "You folks go with your children, Go in God's name. I will remain here to die because I will not be able to go along anyway." To which my great great grand­father replied: "If you will not come along with us, none of us will go.“ She must have made up her mind to go along for they left in the night and while the elderly grandmother could not walk, he took her upon his shoulders and carried her.  The children carried bundles of clothes, along with as much food as they could possibly carry. Everything else was abandoned and left behind. They travelled during the night and secreted themselves in the woods and forests during the day. The elderly grandmother could not stand the rigor of the trip and passed away under a large tree where they buried her remains and continued the trip they had so earnestly and hurriedly undertaken.

This was the manner in which the family came out of Switzerland and settled in the Palatinate, which twenty years earlier had been destroyed by fire and sword by the French Army in the War of Orleans.

Here, the family found much peace and contentment from 1775 to 1820, a period of forty five years.  He died in Kindenheim in the year of 1827 at the age of ninety one years and several months.  I was thirteen years old at the time and knew him very well.

The Eymann pamphlet by Carl E. Eymann, 1969

Carl Eymann wrote in1969 an interesting document about the assumed heritage of the Eymann family. It has been made available by the late Ralph Eymann in 1999. You can download it here at my personal web.de space.

I think it is very well written, but needs to be commented by several historical facts we know today (by comparing many informations through the Internet), which were not available back in 1969.

First of all, the name Eymann is not of noble or aristocratic heritage. The crest has been manufactured at some time between 1850 and 1900, probably upon request of one of the family members.

Second, there are at least two separate Eymann families in Germany, from both of which family members emigrated at one point or the other to the US. The family originally from Alfhausen, Germany (near Osnabrück) is different from the family originally from Oberdiessbach, Switzerland. The Swiss family was of Anabaptist/Mennonite faith, the Alfhausen family not.

Carl Eymann (the author of the pamphlet), is a descendant of the Swiss family. Ewald Eymann (read page 4) was a descendant of the Alfhausen family. Carl did not know this, and thus mixed both families. In the remainder of the pamphlet, and when talking about his own family, Carl references the Swiss family.

Ewald Eymann, who appears prominently on the first pages of the pamphlet, was a seaman, first in WWII in the German navy (as 3rd officer on a small vessel), later as merchant captain travelling to the US, Brazil and Panama. There is no proof that his story about being a German spy, even about speaking Russian language, is true.