Hello Carolyn; I have just pulled a book from my shelves which may be of interest to you or others searching for Hessians (or Ansbachers) in Virginia. It is a softcover written by Klaus Wust, published by the University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA., 310 pages. it was my Source #57, and it has some answers as to your questions re: Hessians. On page 87 and 88 he mentions that the Continental Congress in 1776 offered fifty acres of land to any Hessian private soldier deserting the British colors. In 1781 Governor Jefferson renewed and enlarged this offer during the invasion of Virginia, "further promising to all such foreigners who shall leave the armies of his Brittanic majesty while in this state and repair fortwith to me at this place, that they shall receive from this Commonwealth a further donation of two cows, and an exemption during the present war from all taxes for the support therof and fromall militia and military service." These offers, of course, did not apply to Hessians who were already prisoners of war. Inevitable contacts with the civilian population and with German-speaking militia guards resulted in the defection of many during the war. Some espoused the American cause whole- heartedly and soon differed in no way from the local Germans. -- I think I quoted enough from this book, it is interesting reading, mind you, it is the story of the German settlers of Virginia with naming the many pioneers long before the American Revolution. Having this book on my shelves will tempt me time and again to look for names, and this is against my retirement plans. Therefore I will put it up for sale on eBay this evening. Cheers, John Helmut Merz the-hessian btw. the name Bitter is not mentioned, neither Bittenholzer, but it lists a John Caspar Barth, a Jaeger, and some of his comrades. ..................................................... Subject: Heinrich Bitter-Hessian > Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 15:28:10 -0500 > Hello Carolyn, > > a little correction, if you have followed the postings on this list, > you will notice that the Ansbach-Bayreuth troops are NOT > listed in Hetrina, so this man I mentioned cannot be found there. > > Another clarification, if one was called a Hessian soldier by his > neighbours or enemies, didn't mean he still was serving as such. > It was a label all of them carried to their last day in life, even if > they had served in some patriotic units after their desertion from > the 'Hessians'. > Once a Hess, always a Hess! > > good luck in your search, keep your mind open, > Cheers, > John Helmut Merz.

What is the name of the Book Allan ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Merz" <hessian@sympatico.ca> To: <AMREV-HESSIANS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2004 6:23 PM Subject: [HESSIAN] Re: Heinrich Bitter-Hessian > Hello Carolyn; > I have just pulled a book from my shelves which may be > of interest to you or others searching for Hessians (or > Ansbachers) in Virginia. It is a softcover written by > Klaus Wust, published by the University Press of Virginia, > Charlottesville, VA., 310 pages. it was my Source #57, > and it has some answers as to your questions re: Hessians. > > On page 87 and 88 he mentions that the Continental Congress > in 1776 offered fifty acres of land to any Hessian private soldier > deserting the British colors. In 1781 Governor Jefferson > renewed and enlarged this offer during the invasion of Virginia, > "further promising to all such foreigners who shall leave the > armies of his Brittanic majesty while in this state and repair > fortwith to me at this place, that they shall receive from this > Commonwealth a further donation of two cows, and an > exemption during the present war from all taxes for the support > therof and fromall militia and military service." These offers, of > course, did not apply to Hessians who were already prisoners > of war. Inevitable contacts with the civilian population and with > German-speaking militia guards resulted in the defection of many > during the war. Some espoused the American cause whole- > heartedly and soon differed in no way from the local Germans. -- > > I think I quoted enough from this book, it is interesting reading, > mind you, it is the story of the German settlers of Virginia with > naming the many pioneers long before the American Revolution. > Having this book on my shelves will tempt me time and again to > look for names, and this is against my retirement plans. > Therefore I will put it up for sale on eBay this evening. > > Cheers, > John Helmut Merz the-hessian > btw. the name Bitter is not mentioned, neither Bittenholzer, > but it lists a John Caspar Barth, a Jaeger, and some of his comrades. > ..................................................... > > Subject: Heinrich Bitter-Hessian > > Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 15:28:10 -0500 > > Hello Carolyn, > > > > a little correction, if you have followed the postings on this list, > > you will notice that the Ansbach-Bayreuth troops are NOT > > listed in Hetrina, so this man I mentioned cannot be found there. > > > > Another clarification, if one was called a Hessian soldier by his > > neighbours or enemies, didn't mean he still was serving as such. > > It was a label all of them carried to their last day in life, even if > > they had served in some patriotic units after their desertion from > > the 'Hessians'. > > Once a Hess, always a Hess! > > > > good luck in your search, keep your mind open, > > Cheers, > > John Helmut Merz. > > > ==== AMREV-HESSIANS Mailing List ==== > 6000 Hessian soldiers remained in North America after the Peace in 1783, the majority settled in the Eastern United States and Canada. > A quick check http://archiver.rootsweb.com/AMREV-HESSIANS-L > >