Glassmakers part 12. [Last Part] In 1708 Duke Leopold ruled in the favor of Count Antoine in a suit brought by his brother, Walter of Lutzelbourg about property rights. Some authors believe that pending that decision the glassworkers began to transfer to Plaine-de-Walsch. It is from this period that we see an important family exchange among the workers in the County of Bitche. Georges Walter, in his memoirs tells of visiting Eigenthal to see his great-aunt, Ursule Walter, wife of Pierre Stenger who had not participated in the exodus to Troisfontaine. He describes her emotion as she remembered her youth in Soucht and Meisenthal. The glass families best remembered are the Gerards and the Stengers. Less is known about the Andres, Schwerers, Fischers and Mosers. The Gerard family was represented by Gaspard, spouse of Marie Stenger who with Samuel Moser established the glassworks at Harreberg; and by Martin Gerard, spouse of Anne Stenger, manager of the glassworks at the end of 1723 and who is represented on the tombstone described earlier. At the same time as the glassworks at Biberkirch was being established on the right side of the stream that descends from the Freywald, the left side was being settled by French speaking colonists whose names have almost disappeared. That stream and the Bievre formed the linguistic frontier. = The glassworks was situated in the angle formed by the roads near the town hall at Troisfontaine. The owner of the house at #1 Rue de la Valle discovered numerous artifacts while digging a wine cellar about twelve years ago. In a survey map of Biberkirch in 1825 the "Rue de la Verrerie" location agrees with the above address. When were the glassworks closed? Some writings say that they probably closed around 1707, after the interference of the owners of the glassworks at Portieux. One can also think that it closed in 1723 after the creation of the glassworks at Harreberg by a group from Troisfontaine. In 1727, Martin Gerard was named master glassmaker and manager of Troisfontaine. Guillaume Andres was a glassworker the same year. In 1712 we find Gaspard Cressel and Samuel Moser listed as glassworkers at Eigenthal. One can suppose that a small group of workers continued the glassworks on a limited basis but in reality, the glassworks in Troisfontaine was still in operation in 1729. A lease extracted from records in Chartres in 1729 confirms that this is so. The Duke Francois confirms the lease passing to the benefit of the inhabitants of Troisfontaine from Jacques Antoine of Luzelbourg. = In the text it is recalled that there were no inhabitants in Troisfontaine thirty years before and in order to establish a village, the Count created the glassworks which he leased to ten individuals for thirty years. In order to reward Antoine of Lutzelbourg, the Duke of Lorraine approved a lease giving the glassworks, surrounding lands and buildings to the inhabitants of area to operate for "the good of the state". In this way Troisfontaine was designated a village. Glassworks of Harreberg (page 66) Contract of Establishment The creation of the glassworks at Harreberg was authorized by an act of September 9th, 1723. Drafted by the counselor of the Chamber of Hanau-Lictenberg at Bouxwiller, ratified the 22nd of January, 1724 by the Count of Linange-Falkenbourg, Charles Reinhardt at his residence in Heydesheim. By this act, Gaspard Gerard and Samuel Moser, glassmasters from Troisfontaine "whose honest origins and good reputation has been recognized", obtained perpetual and hereditary title for themselves, their spouses Anne Marie Stenger, Anne Marie Walter (widow of Jean Stenger) and their children the right to establish the glassworks with the following conditions: The glassworks will be established at Harthberg below the fountain called Mettbach and consist of eight or ten places (furnaces). The homes will be two stories. The wood necessary will cost only tariff for cutting. The wood will be brought as soon as possible for the establishment of these homes. The glassworkers subject to the tithe will work the land as necessary. Should the glassworks cease to operate for lack of wood, they will pay the same tithes as the other subjects of the Count. They may use the pasture for their cattle and for their pigs which they are raising for their own usage. = They may use designated wood for the glassworks and their homes but must respect the forest laws and not damage the forests. The oaks are strictly reserved for the lord. = The glassworkers will have priority for the purchase or manufacture of the ashes. They may employ as many people as necessary for the efficient operation of the glassworks. All the employees of the glassworks are exempt from taxes and charges which the lord might impose. The managers have permission to produce wine for themselves, workers or visitors without paying the tax. The lord reserves to himself the execution of justice, the right of the hunt and the disposition of the oak woods. The owner of the glassworks and their workers are under his authority. The signers agree for themselves, their heirs and successors to maintain the establishment in good order and pay 150 Strasbourg florens. Once the glassworks is in operation they will pay on the Feast of St. Martin a total of 200 florens. In the case of non-payment for a period of three years the lord will take back all the property and all the rights. In the case of war which might lead to the stoppage or abandonment of the glassworks an agreement can be reached about the fees. Any sale or different use of the glassworks requires the approval of the lord. If a sale should take place 1/10 part of the price is reserved for the lord. Locality (page 68) This glassworks originally named Karlshutte in honor of the Count of Dabo, Karl Reinhardt, lasted until about 1859. *** This ends what Janet Nichols sent me. ==== KUNKEL Mailing List ==== If you have any problems with this list please contact Janet Reinhold, [email protected]