Well here's my two cents on the subject. One of the happiest moments in my life was when a researcher obtained a copy of my Hessian ancestor's signature for me. When I shared the good news with John Merz, he poked a little fun at my astonishment and sent me the message below: "Marie, I am excited as well, I knew it, I knew it - he could write!!! It is his signature - Beautiful and clear - no doubt about it. This is like the 'first step on the moon', here you have the proof! I am so happy for you and Frieda. Cheers, John" So it seems to me that might indicate that it was not unusual for a German soldier of the time period to be able to sign his name. Regarding the level of his "literacy", I can say that an earlier family researcher shared stories that either my Hessian, or a son of his who shared the same name, was the first certified teacher in the area, and that my Hessian taught German to children in the area for parents who wanted their children to know the mother tongue. Besides these stories, there is also ample documentation that over the years that he was a vital member of his community in Russell County, Va., serving as juror, grand juror, road surveyor, buyer and seller of property; he appeared in numerous court proceedings and on tax lists; and served as surety in his brother-in-law's marriage bond in Shenandoah County, Va. My ancestor was only a poor, farmer lad while in Germany, but he was able to assimilate in his new country and learn a new language, and I am very proud to be his descendant! Marie Rasnick Fetzer -----Original Message----- From: Everett Spees Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 10:37 AM To: [email protected] ; [email protected] Subject: Re: [AMREV-HESSIANS] Reading and Writing Hello all: I want to add to the discussion of how literate the Hessian soldiers were during the 18th Century, especially those who served in North America during the Revolutionary War. In researching my Hessian forbear, I met with and corresponded with the Evangelical Pastor of his village, Schwebda, adjacent to Eschwege, in Hessen. I visited there in 2007, was shown the sacramental records of my forbear and his family by the pastor, and corresponded afterward. I have translated a few passages from the information he sent me about schooling. This indicates that most if not all Hesse-Kassel children received compulsory religious and academic schooling until adolescence (and/or confirmation in the Lutheran or Calvinistic Reformed/Evangelical Church). The Sovereign (Landgrave, Margrave, etc.) of each German principality dictated which religious faith would be in force in his dominion. This information is backed up by other puibllished references. If you are interested in these, please contact me off line. Half of the Hesse-Kassel officers were of noble families, and received military cadet training in a college in Kassel. Some educated enlisted men entered service in the rank of Corporal, and were eligible for promotion to officer (Ensign) rank in the field, at the pleasure of the Landgrave. Officers needed to be able to communicate in French, the language of the Hess-Kassel court. Here are the translated passages: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The school was funded and run by the village community. The priest had the right of visitation and had to see to it that the teachers taught right. (Pastor was a "Double Boss"). The teacher was allowed to cultivate land. That was worth a lot in the old days. In addition, they received a reward in money. Singing and music were in the land of Hesse-Cassel since the Reformation, in common worship. It had remained Lutheran with "improvement points", the bread was broken at the Last Supper, which counted 10 different commands - "banned" images in the churches. Reformed churches, therefore modified the style but remained almost entirely theological in Lutheranism. There were established, however, in the country Kurhessen (Hessian District) real communities of Huguenots from France, authentic Lutheran congregations in the area of Marburg, Uniate communities, where both creeds were equal (Frankfurt area) and the Reformed churches in Niederhessen. It was very complicated. Today we are a church in which all these creeds are equal. We are therefore simply called "Evangelical Church of Electoral Hesse-Waldeck." There is a special liturgy for worship. The Protestants use the Augsburg Confession. Always the Luther Bible lay on the altar. It was also an assignment in class at school. Religious education was compulsory until 1918. Since one could be freed at the request of parents or their (the students') own religious maturity, but must then complete additional ethics lessons. School attendance was compulsory until about 1720 to the level of the 4th Educational Category. Thereafter until about 1770 to the 6th Category. After 1770 to the 8th Class, followed by confirmation. Then the students progressed into training as a craftsman or took an easy job. Higher education was acquired at the high school from 5th grade, at extra cost. In the village school, the students had to bring wood or briquettes for heating. The school building and the teacher's home were funded by the community. The teacher was paid by the state from tax (civil servants). The school through grade 8 school was free (funded by taxes). So it is today. Elementary School Grades 1-4 Primary school grades 5-10 high school grades 5-10 high school class 5-10 Teaching + Vocational school 3 11-13 years Gymnasium upper class. Higher education free of charge except for accommodation and free food In the village school, the students had to bring wood or briquettes for heating. The school building and the teacher's home were funded by the community. The teacher was paid by the state from tax (civil servants). The school through grade 8 school was free (funded by taxes). So it is today. Elementary School Grades 1-4 Primary school grades 5-10 high school grades 5-10 high school class 5-10 Teaching + Vocational school 3 11-13 years Gymnasium upper class. Higher education free of charge except for accommodation and free food ++++++++++++++++++++++End Everett Spees Descendant of Johann Friederich Spies, Company 3, Hesse-Cassel Erbprinz Regiment, whose brother Henrich was in the same company, and whose brother Conrad was in the Garrison Regiment von Buenau - all served in America during the Revlutionary War -----Original Message----- From: Robert Sulentic <[email protected]> To: amrev-hessians <[email protected]> Sent: Mon, Apr 30, 2012 9:47 am Subject: Re: [AMREV-HESSIANS] Reading and Writing Hi Nelda, It's a confessional thing. You're supposed to be able to read the criptures--not just have a priest tell you what's what--so most Protestants (in ermany anyway) stressed some sort of basic education. I think that's mentioned n one of the church books that Burgoyne translated--not only was the pastor nstructing the children in religious instruction, he was also teaching them to ead. Everybody should remember, that 18th century Germany is a settled place, it is ot a frontier like America, where the various amenities of civilization don't ecessarily exist yet. -Robert Sulentic ww.vondonop.org ----Original Message----- From: Nelda Percival <[email protected]> Sent: Apr 29, 2012 4:46 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [AMREV-HESSIANS] Reading and Writing HiWhat makes you think MOST could read and write? Not to get into an argurement ere, but in the 1700s education was not a paid for item. No ones government put he common person though any type of schooling. Look at the records we do find, or any of our ancestors from that time period how many signed with an X . Yes, there are some diaries and such but that percentage, if you look at it, is o wheres near most... I'd be happy to find out that the Hessians connected to my families could read nd write. Nelda Nelda L. Percival, Administrator of Y-DNA surname projects Gilpin, Cupp, onstein and Gillock My Genealogy - http://freepages.folklore.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bonsteinandgilpin/index.htm GeneticGenealogy - http://www.geneticsand.us Blog - http://aircastles-lets-talk.blogspot.com/ GilpinGenetics: http://www.gilpingenetics.us/ Web Mistress for LCRG - http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~molcgdrg PLEASE CHECK ALL OF YOUR SUBJECTS! ~~~~~~~~~ FOUNDER: John H. Merz 1924-2006 Created 1998 ~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://freepages.military.rootsweb.com/~bonsteinandgilpin ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ADMINISTRATOR<Kerri> [email protected] ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] ith the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of he message PLEASE CHECK ALL OF YOUR SUBJECTS! ~~~~~~~~ OUNDER: John H. Merz 1924-2006 Created 1998 ~~~~~~~~~~~ ttp://freepages.military.rootsweb.com/~bonsteinandgilpin ~~~~~~~~~~~ DMINISTRATOR<Kerri> [email protected] ------------------------------ o unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] ith the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of he message PLEASE CHECK ALL OF YOUR SUBJECTS! ~~~~~~~~~ FOUNDER: John H. Merz 1924-2006 Created 1998 ~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://freepages.military.rootsweb.com/~bonsteinandgilpin ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ADMINISTRATOR<Kerri> [email protected] ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message