English Records

First Wave of Immigration of Palatines

In June 1710 Governor Robert Hunter and 2,400 Germans arrived in New York from England. Over 3,000 had left London England almost 6 months previously and over 1/5 died en route. These were the Palatines from Germany.

The passenger lists for the ships carrying these refugees are lost, but we have the names of some from various records and correspondence. Preceeding the Palatine immigration were various letters and petitions in England, where the Palatines were waiting to sail to America. These provide us with some names of the first immigrants.

Before leaving on ships from England to New York, many of the Palatines stranded there received Letters of Denization. These were dated 25 August 1708 before the first wave of immigration from England to New York. Since the first ships passenger lists carrying Palatines to New York have not survived, we can refer to these Letters of Denization for the names of some of the first 52 German Protestants (Palatines) sent at Queen Anne’s expense to New York. We can also compare this list of Denizens with the list of those who received tools in April 1710.

Court of Kensington 10 May 1708:Order of Council for Naturalizing and Sending Certain Palatines to New York

Petition of Joshua Kockerthal, Evangelical Minister on behalf of himself and “several poor Lutherans…. from the Lower Palatinate in Germany, praying to be transported to some of your Major Plantations in America” Kockerthal states that there are 41 Palatines including 10 men, 10 women and 21 children, who are ready to leave. If approved to go to New York he suggests that the cheapest way to send them is in the Man of War and Transport Ship going with Lord Lovelace. He also requests that they be made “Denizens of this Kingdom” before their departure. The petition was approved.

10 Aug. 1708 Letter from Mr. Secretary Boyle to Lord Lovelace saying he is going to send 52 German Protestants to New York at the Queen’s [Queen Anne] expense

25 Aug. 1708 Letters of Denization dated found in Deed Book X. 241 Secretary’s Office naturalizing the following:

• Joshua Kockerthal, Sybylle Charlotte his wife, and children Christian Joshua, Benigna Sibylle, Susanna Sibyyle
• Lorentz Schwisser, Anne Catherine his wife, Johannes their son
• Heinrich Rennau, Johanna his wife, Lourentz and Heinrich their sons
• Susanna Liboschain, Marie Johanna Liboschain
• Andreas Volck, Anna Catharine his wife, Heironemus, Maria Barbara and Anne Gertrude their children
• Michael Weigand, Anne Catherine his wife, Tobias George and Anne Maria their children
• Jacob Weber, Anne Elizabeth his wife, Eve Maria and Eve Elizabeth their daughters
• Johannes Jacob Piettel, Anne Elizabeth is wife, and Margaret, Anne, Sarah and Catharine their children
• Johannes Fischer and Maria Barbara his wife
• Melchior Gulch, Anne Catharine his wife, Heinrich and Margaret their children
• Isaac Turck
• Peter Rose and Johanna his wife
• Mary Wiemarin and Catherina Wimarin his daughters
• Isaac Feber, Cathrein ehis wife and Abraham his son
• Daniel Fiere, Anne Maria his wife and Andrew and Johannes his sons
• Hubert Hubertson and Jacob his son
• Herman Schuneman

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