56. Zweisimmen folks knew all about New Bern, North Carolina

Why do I dwell on the circumstances of the 1710-11 settlement in North Carolina?   First, to show that migrations from Europe, specifically Switzerland, were taking place early in U.S. history.

Second, to point out that communications went back and forth between Europe and America.   People all around Switzerland were aware of the American colony's beginnings -- for these letters of the settlers were posted home (certainly through Mr. Ritter of Bern!) and distributed.   These letters requested money, supplies, equipment, knives and axes, among other things.  Don't you know that the distribution of these letters was widespread among Swiss as well as Germans.   The English were already there, having arrived in 1705.   One Swiss man wrote,

We live along a stream called Neuse.   There six years ago the first [people], English, until two years ago [when] the Swiss people [came], began the cultivation.   They are, as it seems to me, rather rich in cattle, all sorts of crops, the finest tree-fruit, and that, the whole year [except for] two months.   From the nature of things we were behind in that regard, so that we do not have it yet;  but we hope, through God's blessings to get it.   We came shortly before Christmas and we have by God's blessings ... much stronger houses than the English; have also cleared land in addition, and the most have put fences around."(Note:  the writer of the letter says the Swiss people came "two years ago," and it is possible that there were early Swiss experimenters in this project of attempting to settle an American shore.)

News that brilliant and full of dreams could not be hidden in Europe.   The hope of a new beginning of life in the Americas was tempting, especially to those who were not among the rich and ruling classes.

Third, this relates directly to  Zweisimmen.   One of the letter writers, Samuel Jacob Gabley, writes that he married Margreth Pfund of Zweysimmen.   Another one, Jacob Waehre, writes that he is "of Zweysimmen."   Their letters certainly would have found their way to Zweisimmen and been read by all who could read!   The Treuthardts read the letters from people who were their friends and acquaintances.    

Fourth, similar names to Treuthardt are mentioned in the letters.   Jacob Waehre sends greetings to "Truwhart and their whole house";  and "Heinrich Egender of St. Stephan's Court and his whole house for his sons Jacob and Peter Treuthart."

Another writer identified only as "V. H. T." sends greetings to several. 

I am delivering the greeting of us all to our dear and faithful pastor, to the whole number of honored persons, especially Godfather Kilchmeyer Dreuthart and Andreas Aescher, Christen Jantz.   

There are in these letters three variant spellings of Treuthardt -- Truwhart, Treuthart, and Dreuthart.   ("D" was a precursor to "T", notably at a time before spellings were standarized.)   Because Dreuthart was Godfather to V. H. T., it might be that V. H. too was a Treuthardt.   

Because I cannot see the original letter, I don't know whether Kilchmeyer is transcribed correctly.  It may be that the word is actually Kirchmeyer.   When I googled for "Kilchmeyer" it directed me first to "Kirchmeyer," so my theory is not unrealistic.  However, Kilchmeyer is actually a name that was prominent in Reformation Switzerland, and it might have been an unusual first name?   I doubt it though.   The Swiss did not try to be creative with first names.     It must remain unknown whether the word is Kilchmeyer or Kirchmeyer.   If it turns out to be Kirchmeyer, you can guess what I would say about that.   (See Post #35)    As for whether any of these Truwharts, Treutharts or Dreutharts are persons of interest to our family history, you can probably guess what I would say about that too.