History in Germany

 

Table of Contents

 

The Early Years, 1750-1853

            Phillip and Anna Maria Dahlheimer, 1750-1823

            Caspar Dahlheimer, 1798-1879

 

History of Bobstadt, Germany

 

St. Michael’s Church of Hofheim, Germany

 

Germany in the Mid-1800’s

 

Leaving the Fatherland, 1847-1852

             Valentine's Immigration to America

             Henry's Immigration to America

             Casper and Family's Immigration to America 

 

Voyage to America – What Was It Like?

 

 

The Early Years, 1750-1852

 

Phillip and Anna Maria Dahlheimer, 1750-1823

 

The first known ancestor of the Dahlheimers of Minnesota was Philipp Dahlheimer. Philipp was born in 1750 in Germany. He married Anna Maria Weisenbach, a woman 15 years younger than himself. He and Anna were farmers and lived in Bobstadt, a small community in the then Earlom of Hessen Darmstadt.

 

Map of modern day Europe, showing Germany:

Source:  http://www.maps.com/referenceProduct.aspx?cid=694&pid=12025&nav=MS

 

Map of modern day Germany showing Hessen:

 

Source:  http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/intrel/images/brdmap.gif

 

Map of Hessen, Germany, with approximate location of Bobstadt:

Source:  http://encarta.msn.com/map_701513135/Hessen.html

 

Map showing approximate location of Bobstadt:

Source :  http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/fra/dyn/controller/mapPerformPage?strAddress=&strCP=&strLocation=bobstadt&strCountry=240&image2.x=24&image2.y=7

 

Map of area around Bobstadt, near Worms and Burstadt:

Source :  http://www.multimap.com/wi/515.htm

 

Map showing Bobstadt and Hofheim:

Source:  http://www.multimap.com/wi/515.htm

 

According to St. Michael’s Catholic Church records in Hofheim, a town two miles east of Bobstadt, Philipp and Anna had a son Caspar Dahlheimer who was born on July 4, 1798. It is not known whether Philipp and Anna had any other children, although there may have been another son, also named Philipp.

 

Philipp lived to be 73 years old before dying of old age on September 11, 1823, just one month before Caspar’s marriage.

 

Following is Philipp Dahlheimer’s death record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

Translation:  Philipp Dahlheimer died on the 11th of September 1823 between 8 and 9 a.m., due to old age after having received the last rites of the Catholic Church. He was buried on the 13th of September.  Witnesses: Philipp Engert, Philipp Barth, Father J. Mueller

 

Caspar Dahlheimer, 1798-1879

 

Philipp and Anna Dahlheimer’s son, Caspar, was 25 years old when he married his first wife, Elisabeth Engert in Bobstadt on October 14, 1823. Elisabeth Engert was the daughter of Philipp and Catharina Engert. Philipp Engert was mayor of Bobstadt for several years.

 

Following is Casper and Elizabeth (Engert) Dahlheimer’s marriage record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

 

Translation: Marriage of Caspar Dahlheimer and Elisabeth Engert

 

In the year of Christ 1823 on the 14th of October were married after the third proclamation and with consent of both parents the twenty-five year old citizen and farmer from Bobstadt, Caspar Dahlheimer, legitimate son of the deceased citizen and farmer Philipp Dahlheimer from Bobstadt and his wife, Anna Maria hee Weisenbach and the twenty-one year old Elisabeth Engert legitimate daughter of the still living citizen and farmer Philipp Engert and his wife Katharine nee?Marsch.

 

Witnesses of this marriage were:

 

1. Caspar ?Vormehr, farmer from Bobstadt and godfather of the groom.

2. Franz Hartung, farmer from ?Wattenheim.

 

Same have signed this document together with me, the present pastor who executed the marriage.

 

Father Mueller, Pastor

 

Signed:

Franz Hartung

Caspar Vormehr

 

I herewith confirm the accuracy of all the documentations of the marriages performed during the year of 1823 which took place in the Catholic Church of Hofheim and the branch of Bobstadt, Hofheim on the thirty-first of December, 1823.

 

Present Pastor of the Catholic Church

Father J. Mueller

 

Caspar and Elisabeth's first child, Valtin, was born on July 12, 1824, and was named after his godfather, Valtin Engert, the brother of Caspar's wife. (Valtin hereafter is referred to as Valentine.)

 

Following is Valentine Dahlheimer’s birth record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

Translation: Birth of Valtin Dahlheimer

 

In the year of Christ 1824 on the 12th of July 1:00 a.m. was born to the citizen Caspar Dahlheimer and his wife Elisabeth nee Engert their first child, a boy, who was baptized the same day at 2:00 p.m. and given the name Valtin.

 

Godfather was Valtin Engert, unmarried son of the citizen Philipp Engert, who together with the father of the child and me, the officiating pastor signed this document.

 

Signed:

Caspar Dahlheimer

Valtin Engert

Father J. Mueller, Pastor

 

Three years later, on April 9, 1827, Caspar and Elisabeth's second child, Heinrich, was born. Heinrich was named after his godfather, Heinrich Engert, another brother of Caspar's wife. (Heinrich hereafter is referred to as Henry.)

 

Following is Henry Dahlheimer’s birth record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

Translation:  Birth of Heinrich Dah1heimer

 

In the year of Christ 1827 on the ninth of April at 10:00 p.m. was born to the citizen and farmer Caspar Dahlheimer and his wife, Elisabeth nee Engert, their second child, the second son, and was baptized the following afternoon at 2:00 p.m. and given the name Heinrich.

 

Godfather was Heinrich Engert, unmarried son of citizen Philipp Engert, who together with the father of the child and me, the officiating pastor, signed this document.

 

Signed:

Caspar Dahlheimer

Heinrich Engert

Father J. Mueller, Pastor

 

 

In 1829, Elisabeth became pregnant for the third time, but with unfortunate results. On October 17,1829, Elisabeth gave birth to a male stillborn child and died during childbirth.

 

Following is Elisabeth (Engert) Dahlheimer’s death record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

 

Translation: Death of Elisabeth Dahlheimer (Engert)

 

Elisabeth Dahlheimer, wife of Caspar Dahlheimer, died on the 17th of October 1829 in Bobstadt. She was 27 years old and died during childbirth. She was buried on the 19th of October together with her stillborn child.  Witnesses: Philipp Engert, Caspar Dahlheimer, Father Jos. ?Kurz

 

This tragedy left Caspar with two young children to raise, Valentine (5) and Henry (2). One and a half years later, on May 4, 1831, Caspar remarried at the age of 33. His second wife was also named Elisabeth (maiden name Weeber). She was 10 years younger than Caspar.

 

Following is Caspar and Elisabetha (Weeber) Dahlheimer’s marriage record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

Translation of marriage record of Caspar Dahlheimer and Elisabetha Weeber

 

In the year of Christ 1831 on the 4th of May were married with the consent of the district resident and the provivial court and after presentation of permit and discharge papers documented by the parish from Bobstadt on the 2nd of May 1831, and after the third proclamation in the church of Bobstadt, the thirty-three year old citizen and farmer from Bobstadt, Caspar Dahlheimer and the twenty-three year old legitimate Elisabetha Weeber, daughter of the citizen Paul Weeber and his wife Appallonia nee Brueckmann.

 

Witnesses were Philipp Dahlheimer, citizen and farmer from Bobstadt and Caspar Jakob, citizen and farmer from Buerstadt, who signed together with me, the present pastor performing the marriage, this document.

Signed:

Father Joh. ?Kurz, Pastor

Philipp Dahlheimer

Caspar Jakob

 

Less than one year later, on February 26, 1832, Caspar’s mother, Anna Maria (Weisenbach), died.

 

Anna Maria (Weisenbach) Dahlheimer’s death record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

 

Translation of death record for Anna Maria (Weisenbach) Dahlheimer:

 

Anna Maria Dahlheimer died on the 26th of February 1832 at 12:00 a.m. in Bobstadt at the age of 67. The widow Dahlheimer was buried on the 29th of February at 10:00 a.m. Witnesses:  Wilhelm Montag , Caspar Dahlheimer, Father Jos. ?Kurz

 

Between 1832 and 1841, Caspar and his wife Elisabeth (Weeber), had four daughters: Elisabetha, Apallonia, Barbara and Margaretha.

 

Following is Elisabetha Dahlheimer’s birth record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

 

Translation of Elisabetha Dahlheimer’s birth record:

 

Born August 28, 1832 at 4:00 a.m.  Parents: Caspar Dahlheimer and his wife Elisabeth nee Weeber their ?first? child, a daughter, baptized the same day at 3:00 p.m. Godmother: Elisabetha Montag Baptismal Document signed by: Elisabetha Montag, Caspar Dahlheimer, Pastor

 

 

Apallonia Dahlheimer’s birth record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

 

Translation of Apallonia Dahlheimer’s birth record:

 

Born January 4th, 1834 at noon.  Parents:Casper Dahlheimer and his second wife Elisabeth nee Weeber, their second child, their second daughter, baptized January 15th at 2:00 p.m. Godmother: Apallonia Stumpf .  Baptismal Document signed by: Apallonia Stumpf , Caspar Dahlheimer,

Pastor .

 

Barbara Dahlheimer’s birthrecord from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

Translation of Barbara Dahlheimer’s birth record:

 

Born February 12,1837 at 11:00 a.m. Parents: Caspar Dahlheimer and his second wife Elisabeth nee Weeber.  Barbara is the seventh child, their third daughter and she is the fourth child of the second marriage, baptized February 12th at 3:00 p.m. Godmother: Barbara Schuster. Baptismal Document signed by: Barbara Schuster, Caspar Dahlheimer, Pastor.

 

Following is Margaretha Dahlheimer’s birth record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

Translation of Margaretha Dahlheimer’s birth record: 

 

Born September 6, 1839 at 3:00 p.m.  Parents:  Caspar Dahlheimer and his second wife Elisabeth nee Weeber.  Margaretha is the seventh child, the fourth daughter, the second marriages fifth child, baptized September 8th at 3:00 p.m.  Godmother:  Margaretha Warmeisen.  Baptismal Document signed by:  Margaretha Warmeisen, Caspar Dahlheimer, Pastor.

 

 

On Qctober 2, 1841, Caspar and Elisabeth (Weeber) gave birth to Philipp, their first son. He was named after his grandfather Philipp Dahlheimer, or perhaps a brother or cousin to Caspar. Young Philipp was Caspar's third surviving son and his last child.

 

Following is Philipp Dahlheimer’s birth record from St. Michael’s Church, Hofheim: 

 

Translation of Philipp Dahlheimer’s birth record:

 

In the year of Christ 1841 on the 2nd of October 3:00 p.m. was born to the citizen Caspar Dahlheimer and his wife Elisabetha nee Weeber the eighth child, the fourth son, the sixth child of the second marriage, second boy, who was baptized the following day at 2:00 p.m. and given the name Philipp. Godfather was Philipp Dahlheimer, citizen and farmer from Bobstadt, who together with the father of the child and me, the officiating pastor, signed this document.

Signed:  

Philipp Dahlheimer

Caspar Dahlheimer

Father J. Mueller, Pastor

 

In all, Caspar had nine children although only seven survived childbirth. [1]

[1] Church Archives Catholic Priesthood Hofheim, Book C-l, 1808-1875; Hessisches Staatarchiv Darmstadt, Schloss, 6100 Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany

 

Caspar Dahlheimer’s Children: 

Front, seated - Henry, Valentine

Back - Margaretha, Elizabetha, Appalonia

Corners - Philipp, Barbara

 

History of Bobstadt, Germany

 

The community of Bobstadt was founded over 1200 years ago on October 1, 776 A.D. At that time the land was owned by Eufemia, the daughter of Duke Kankor and his wife Angila. At Eufemia's death the land was given to the Cloister Lorsch.

 

Between the 15th and 18th centuries some of the noble families that owned the area of Bobstadt and had jurisdiction over it were the von Wattensteins, the von Frankensteins, and the von Wattenheims.

After 1780 the village and jurisdiction belonged to the Archdiocese of Worms.

 

Between 1750 and 1852 when Caspar and his family lived in Bobstadt, the citizens paid their tithe to the landowner, the duke or the church. This caused the farmers, like Caspar, great hardship, especially during difficult: times of floods and wars. The following dates show some of the early events recorded in the history of Bobstadt [2]:

[2] Summary of Bobstadt, translated by Ann Thorson from:

  1. Stumpf, Philipp, Bobstadt im Wandel Der Zeiten:  Zusammenstu11ung fur die Freiwi11iqe Feuerwehr Bobstadt.
  2. Zehnbauer, Friedrich, 1200 Jahre Bobsltadt: Veroffent1ichungen zur Geschichte der ehema1igen Gemeinde und des jetzingen Stadttei1s Bobstadt, page 125. 
  3. Muller, Wilhe1m, Hessisches Drtsnamenbuch, pages 79-80.
  4. Dammann, Walter H., Die Kunstdenkma1er Des Kreises Bensheim, pages 113-114.
  5. Zehnbauer, Haupt1ehrer Friedrich, Festschrift zum 25-jahriqen Jubi1aum verbunden mit Bannerweihe am 17., 18. und 19. Ju1i 1954: Zur Geschichte von Bobstadt.
  6. Notter, Heinrich, Kath. Pfarrkirche St. Michae1 Hofheim/Ried.

 

1624 - During the 3D-Years War the inhabitants fled Bobstadt and sought refuge in Worms.

 

1626 - Beginning of Bobstadt's protocols.

 

1717 - Beginning of Bobstadt's community invoices.

 

1799 - The local school was established.

 

1824 - Second to the last great Rhine floods on November 3rd put the village under water.

 

1845 - Construction of the road from Bobstadtto Hofheim.

 

1850 - The old City Hall used as a school and teachers residence burns to the ground.

 

1852 - Beginning of the Emigration of Bobstadt families to North America. The Baron of Wamboldt buys the acres and meadows from the emigrants.

 

1856 - The new road (44) leading from Frankfurt to Mannheim and leading past the edge of the village of Bobstadt is finished.

 

1861 - A branch post office is established.

 

1872 - Opening of the railroad line from Frankfurt to Mannheim Neckarstadt; passengers have to use the railroad station in Burstadt.

 

1882 - Last big Rhine flood after the dam breaks in Lampertsheim. Some houses were in water up to their roof and three houses collapsed completely. The flood lasted 14 days. The water level is marked on the City Hall. Today there are better dams and a regulated Rhine River bed.

 

1900 - The railroad now stops in Bobstadt.

 

1910 - A new cemetary is established in Bobstadt

 

19l4-1918 - During the first World War Bobstadt had 31 casua1ties from the town. A monument was erected in their honor.

 

1927 - For centuries both Protestants and Catholics of Bobstadt had to go out of town to worship. Their mother church was in Hofheim. Now a Catholic Church was built, a wooden structure, dedicated to St. Josef on July 5.

 

1939-1945 – More casualties during World War II

 

1945 - On March 26 Bobstadt is occupied by American troops.

 

1946-1950 - Resettlement of many refugees.  This brings a rise in population from 814 to 1200

 

1953 - A small Protestant church is built, named Gustav Adolf Haus, and dedicated on August 2.

 

1957 - Bobstadt establishes a central water supply for the village.

 

1959 - The coat of arms was approved for the Community of Bobstadt on May 29, consisting of a golden shield on which one finds a vertical iron hatchet under which there are two blue crossed keys.

 

1960 - A sewage systecm for the village is constructed. Cooperation with Burstadt for a waste water treatment plant. Modern road system established in Bobstadt.

 

1963 - Since the wooden church structure built in 1927 was outgrown by the congregation, a new Catholic church was built and dedicated on February 2.

 

1965 - New school building constructed next to St. Josef’s Church.

 

1971 - A chapel was built at the cemetary for funeral services.

 

1972 - Bobstadt is incorporated into Burstadt on January 1.

 

1976 - Celebration of the 1200th anniversary of the founding of Bobstadt on October 1, with the dedication of a new sports center.

 

1979 - The old school remodeled as City Hall. A foot and bicycle path is constructed from Bobstadt to Burstadt.

 

 

The family name of Dahlheimer is found in the records of Bobstadt as early as 1710 [2b]:

[2b] Zehnbauer, Friedrich, 1200 Jahre Bobsltadt: Veroffent1ichungen zur Geschichte der ehema1igen Gemeinde und des jetzingen Stadttei1s Bobstadt, page 125. 

 

 

Translation:

 

Dahlheimer (may also be written Dahlhammer or Dolhammer)

 

 

Although Bobstadt remains a small community, its population has grown over the years [2e]:

[2e] Zehnbauer, Haupt1ehrer Friedrich, Festschrift zum 25-jahriqen Jubi1aum verbunden mit Bannerweihe am 17., 18. und 19. Ju1i 1954: Zur Geschichte von Bobstadt.

 

Statistics of Population Qrowth

 

Year     Inhabitants      Protestants         Catholics     Other     Inhabited Houses

 

1828         325                    87                   238                                45

1871         431                  138                   293                                84

1900         562                  164                   398                                96

1910         657                  200                   456                 1            112

1925         786                  225                   560                 1            121

1954       1204                  329                   867                 8            236

 

Today (1987), the majority of the citizens of Bobstadt earn their living in the industries of Mannheim, a larger city to the south of Bobstadt. Only 30 or so farmers still live and work in Bobstadt, along with a few artisans and business people. The village of Bobstadt has, like so many others in the Mannheim area, changed from a farming community to a worker's community.

 

 

St. Michael’s Church of Hofheim, Germany

 

Caspar and his family were Catholic and attended St. Michael's Church in Hofheim, a small community two miles east of Bobstadt.

 

Map showing Bobstadt and Hofheim:

Source:  http://www.multimap.com/wi/515.htm

 

Map of Hofheim and location of St. Michael’s Church:

Source: http://www.multimap.com/wi/515.htm

 

St. Michael’s Church was built in 1750 by Balthasar Neumann, Germany’s greatest baroque builder.  Balthasar Neumann was employed by the family of Schonborn who showed great interest in Baroque architecture and employed many famious builders and craftsmen.  The Coat of Arms of the Schonborn Family appears above the main entrance of the Church.

 

Franz Georg of Schonborn was archbishop of Trier and, at the same time, bishop of Worms when St. Michael's Church was under construction. Balthasar Neumann is famous for the construction of the Wurzburg Residence, many famous churches, the staircases in the castles of Bruchsal and Bruhl, the high altar in the Cathedral of Worms and many other gems of Baroque architecture. Today, St. Michael's Church is cqnsidered the most beautiful Baroque church in the southern part of Hessen. 

 

From its beginnings, St. Michael’s Chruch in Hofheim served both Catholics and Protestants.  Bobstadt itself did not have a Catholic church until 1927.  Thus, Caspar and his family attended Mass inHofheim.  In 1953, the Protestants built their own church in Hofheim, and today, St. Michael’s provides Catholic services only [2f].

[2f] Notter, Heinrich, Kath. Pfarrkirche St. Michael Hofheim/Ried.

 

 

St. Michael’s Church - aerial view:

Source:  [11] Postal card photograph: "Kath. Kirche Hofheim/Ried: erbaut von Balthasar Neumann 1750", Darmstadt, DDR: Luftbi1d Technik.

 

St. Michael's Church - exterior view:

Sources:  [10] booklet, "St. Michael Hofheim/Ried”, Hofheim, DDR: Verlag Schnell & Steiner Gmbh & Co., 1985.

 

Howard Dahlheimer and his daughter, Jane Heinrich, at the main entrance of St. Michael's Church (below the Schonborn Coat of Arms), 1985:

 

Jane Heinrich and her father, Howard Dahlheimer, by the Crucifix in front of St. Michael's Church, 1985

 

St. Michael’s Church - main altar and side altars:

Source:  [9] Postal card photograph: "Kath. Kirche HpfheimjRied: erbaut von Balthasar Neumann 1750", Munich, DDR: Verlag Bi1d & Drack.

 

St. Michael’s Church - altar of the Madonna:

Source: [8] Postal card photograph: "Kath. Kirche Hbfheim/Ried: Madonna von Joh G.Riege1 um 1750", Munich, DDR: Verlag Bi1d & Drack.

 

 

Germany in the Mid-1800’s

 

In the mid-1800's, the living conditions in Germany caused many citizens to immigrate to America in search of a better lifestyle. Such was the case with Caspar and his family. The primary reasons why Caspar and others left Germany included the poor political conditions stemming from the 1848 Civil War, depressed economic conditions, and lack of worthwhile employment.

 

In 1848, political revolutions were sweeping Europe:

 

"Their cause lay deep in the intellectual and social soil of that time. They represented the forces of liberalism on one hand, and the fundamentals of monarchical rule on the other. Politibally the revolutions represented the last of a series of struggles to bring democratic rule to Germany. Socially, the revolutions concerned the first rise of the proletariat agains the middle class property holders. The 1848 uprising was, in a sense, the first outburst of a movement that was not to gain a single victory until...the October Revolutions of 1917 [in Russia]. In l848 the [German] rulers in power triumphed over all the upstart elements of the revolution. The result was that intellectuals and political activists were either expelled or they fled from the country." [3]

 

[3] Rippley, LaVern, “Of German Ways”, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Dillon Press (1970): pages 36, 41.

 

In addition to its political problems, Germany was also suffering economically. Between 1618 and 1648, Protestants throughout Europe fought against Catholic. This war was called the Thirty Years War and it "is estimated that in many sections of Germany 75 percent of the inhabitants were killed in the struggle. Equally bad, 66 percent of the houses, 85 percent of the horses, and 82 percent of the cattle were wiped out. Statistics show further that until 1850 the number of houses and inhabitants in these German territories had not yet been regained." [3]

[3] Rippley, LaVern, “Of German Ways”, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Dillon Press (1970): pages 36, 41.

 

To make economic matters worse, Germany's population grew tremendiously between 1800 and 1850. "In 1800, the population of Germany was about 24.5 million. In 1850, it had increased by almost 11 million to 35.4 million... But the possibilities of employment had not kept pace with this population explosion, either in agriculture or in the craftsmen's trades." [4]

[4] Museum fur Hamburgische Geschichte, “Hamburg Portrait: Hamburg als Auswandererstadt (Hamburg as Emigration City), Helf 19/84.

 

The politica1 and economic conditions in Germany in 1852 made life difficult for Caspar and his family; thus "when reports and rumors of a promised land reached Germany, potential emigrants everywhere were willing to listen to the shipping agents and the semi-official government representatives who encouraged them to leave their country." [3]

[3] Rippley, LaVern, “Of German Ways”, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Dillon Press (1970): pages 36, 41.

 

 

Leaving the Fatherland, 1847-1852

 Valentine's Immigration to America

 

In the spring of 1847, Valentine, Casper’s first son from his first marriage, decided to immigrate to America.  He departed from Antwerp (Belgium) and arrived in New York on 22 April 1847.  Valentine was 23 years old at the time.  There were 103 passengers onboard his ship. A copy of the ship passenger list follows:

 

District of Antwerp – Port of Antwerp

I, Nathan A. Yarwell, do solemnly, sincerely, and truly Swear that the following List or Manifest of Passengers, subscribed with my name, and now delivered by me to the Collector of Customs for the District of New York, contains, in the best of my knowledge and belief, a just and true account of all Passengers received on board the Bark Epervier whereof I am Master, from Antwerp.  Sworne this 22 April 1847, so help me God.  Nathan A. Farwell.  (264 tons)

 

?Rubentin/Valentinz Dahlheimer, age 23, masculine, occupation ?, from Oberflorsh?..., going to America

(Note: The spelling of the first name is questionable and his origin indicates a city called Oberflorsh…  It is not 100% certain this is our Valentine, but the age is correct based on his birthdate.)

 

Valentine's ship was a "bark", a type of ship similar to the following: 

Sketch of a "bark" ("barque")

Source:  http://www.norwayheritage.com/articles/templates/ships.asp?articleid=22&zoneid=5

Bark or Barque:  This vessel is a typical Bark. The reason why this ship is called a bark is the way it is rigged. It has three masts, with the foremast and mainmast square rigged and the mizzenmast fore-and-aft rigged. It wasn't unusual for Barks to be re-rigged as Ships or vice-versa. A "bark" rigged vessel, could sail with fewer crew members than the "ship" rigged.

 

 

 

 

 Henry's Immigration to America

 

Two years later, Valentine’s younger brother Henry, Casper’s second son from his first marriage, also decided to immigrate to America.  He departed from Antwerp (Belgium) and arrived in New York on 3 Jul 1849.  Henry was 21 at the time.  There were 255 passengers aboard his ship.  A copy of the ship passenger list follows:

 

District of New York – Port of New York

I, John E. Rockwell, do solemnly, sincerely, and truly Swear that the following List or Manifest of Passengers, subscribed with my name, and now delivered by me to the Collector of Customs for the District of New York, contains, in the best of my knowledge and belief, a just and true account of all Passengers received on board the Ship Peter Hattrick whereof I am Master, from Antwerp.  Sworne this 3 July 1849, so help me God.  John E. Rockwell.  (555 tons)

 (passenger) 228 Henry Dalheimer, age 21, male, Labourer, from Darmstadt, going to America, one chest clothes

(Note:  This must be our Henry, as the age is correct, based on his birthdate, as is the origin, Darmstadt).

 

Henry's ship, Ship Peter Hattrick, was called a "ship", so called according to the following:  A Ship is square rigged on all three masts, and it has a gaff sail on the mizzen mast. It was often called a "full rigged ship" or in Norwegian "fullrigger" and "fregattskib". A "ship" is a vessel of at least three square rigged masts, each composed of a lower-mast, top-mast, and topgallant mast. Each is outfitted with a yard and a full complement of square sails. Many ship rigged vessels were converted to barks to reduce the number of crew member, and therefore will appear both as a ship and a bark in the lists.

Source:  http://www.norwayheritage.com/articles/templates/ships.asp?articleid=22&zoneid=5

 

The Ship Peter Hattrick of New York, was built in Essex, Connecticut (not Massachusetts!), in 1841 by Richard P. Williams, Master Builder for Essex and New York owners.  She was built in the New City Shipyard and registered 555.89 tons, was 133 feet x 30.4 feet x 21 feet, and had a figurehead of a man.  Cost to build was $38,235.  She was first commanded by David Rawson Post, followed by John E. Rockwell, his nephew.  It was sold foreign at New York in 1855.  Following is a photo of a painting on glass by P. Weytz of Antwerp, Belgium, showing the Ship Peter Hattrick of New York passing Ostend (Oostende, Belgium) on May 3, 1842.    History and photo source:  Connecticut River Museum at Steamboat Dock, Essex, CT, http://www.ctrivermuseum.org/  

  

Sketch of Ship Peter Hattrick

 

 

 

Click here for a complete transcription of the Ship Peter Hattrick passenger list on this date. Henry is number 228.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

For more information on the Ship Peter Hattrick, see the following: 

  

  

Based on the 1850 US Federal Census, it appears that both Valentine and Henry eventually settled in Ohio.

 

Casper & Family - Immigration to America

 

In 1852, three years after Henry's departure and perhaps encouraged by his sons in Ohio, Casper, his second wife and their remaining five children decide to immigrate to America.  They first travelled from Germany to England, however we do not know the details of this part of their voyage.   This first step was called "transmigration" and the following website provides more details on how this may have worked.

http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/transmigration.html

 

On 18 May 1852, Casper and his family departed Liverpool on the Ship Onward for New York, arriving on 14 June 1852, after 27 days at sea.  A copy of the ship passenger list follows:

 

 District of New York – Port of New York

I, George Welsh, do solemnly, sincerely, and truly Swear that the following List or Manifest of Passengers, subscribed with my name, and now delivered by me to the Collector of Customs for the District of New York, contains, in the best of my knowledge and belief, a just and true account of all Passengers received on board the Ship Onward whereof I am Master, from Liverpool.  Sworne this 14 June 1852, so help me God.  George Welsh.  (968 tons)

 

Casper Dolhamer, age 54, male, laborer, from Germany, going to America

Eliza, age 42, female, wife

Eliza, age 19, female, servant

Barbara, age 12, female

Anolina, age 18, female

Margaretha, age 11, female

Philip, age 9, male, laborer

 

There were 396 passengers, most of whom were from Ireland, some from England, and a good portion from Germany.  Most were destined for America with a few heading to Canada.  It was a fairly large ship carrying a burden of 968 tons.

 

Following is further information about the Ship Onward, obtained from various sources:

  

Sources:

 

History of the Ship Onward:

 

 

According to Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool, England:

 

Between 1830 and 1930 over nine million emigrants sailed from Liverpool bound for a new life in the "New World" countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia.  For much of this period Liverpool was the most popular port of departure for emigrants from Europe to the Americas and Canada because she already had well established transatlantic links based on the import of cotton and timber.  Liverpool was also well placed to receive the many emigrants from the countries of northwestern Europe, who would cross the North Sea to Hull [on the east coast of England] and then travel to Liverpool [on the west coast] by train.  

…

Emigrants could often spend from one to ten days or more, waiting for their ship in a Liverpool lodging house.  In the late 1840s and 1850s, lodging houses were often inhospitable, dirty and overcrowded.  In the mid-19th century emigrants passing through Liverpool were also subject to harassment and fraud by local confidence tricksters, known as 'runners', who would frequently snatch emigrants' luggage and would only return it upon payment of a large fee.

…

Until the early 1860s most emigrants left Liverpool on a sailing ship.  The voyage to the United States and Canada took about thirty five days.  Most emigrants travelled in the cheapest class of accommodation, known as the steerage.  This was similar to a dormitory with bunks down the sides and tables in the centre.  It was frequently overcrowded with poor ventilation.  Emigrating in a sailing ship could be unpleasant, particularly during a storm.  Seasickness was a particular problem on the stormy North Atlantic westbound voyage, and diseases such as cholera and typhus frequently reached epidemic proportion as infection spread throughout the confined decks.  Scores of emigrants died from these diseases.  Conditions improved following the 1855 Passenger Act which laid down minimum standards for rations, space and sanitation.

 

Source: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/archive/displayGuide.aspx?sid=20&mode=html&sorStr=s_no%20ASC%200&serStr=&pgeInt=1&catStr

 

All of the Dahlheimers arrived at the port of New York.  Before 1855, there was no immigrant processing center. The shipping company presented a passenger list to the Collector of Customs, and the immigrants made whatever Customs declaration was necessary and went on their way.

Source:  New York Castle Garden Immigration Center, http://www.castlegarden.org; search this site using the following search criteria: 

                Casper’s family:  Search by last name:  Dalharmes*

                Henry :  search by last name Dalheimer*

                Valentine:  search by last name *

 

 

The Voyage to America – What Was It Like?

 

Emigrants like Caspar and his family began their preparations for the trip to America months in advance of the departure date. They had to make clothing for the journey and strong chests to hold, all of the, their family goods. Many, emigrants left Germany in the spring, as did Caspar and his family. They hoped for fair weather which would give them the best chance for a smooth voyage.

 

Most German emigrants that arrived in America prior to the United States' Civil War came from southern Germany, the same area as Caspar and his family. In order to reach their point of departure emigrants traveled long distances overland. [5]

[5] Robbins, Albert, “Coming to America: Immigrants from Northern Europe”, New York: Delacore Press (1981): pages 80, 83-85, 103.

 

"The main emigration regions were at first the upper and central Rhine areas. Before the railway age the great rivers naturally formed the main arteries of transport to the ports for overseas. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Le Havre were consequently the preferred destinations for emigrants from the German southwestern areas." [4]

 

[4] Museum fur Hamburgische Geschichte, “Hamburg Portrait: Hamburg als Auswandererstadt (Hamburg as Emigration City), Helf 19/84.

 

For a map of the main ports of immigration in Europe in the 1800’s, see: www.theshipslist.com/Maps/MapEurope.htm

 

At this time such travel tended to be haphazard and there were no regulations that governed conditions aboard these ships. Caspar and his family took quite a chance in selecting a ship for the voyage. Most of the ships in those days carried immigrants as a sideline, with supplies and goods being their primary concern.

 

Valentine traveled to America on a “Bark (or Barque)”, while Henry, Casper and the rest of the family traveled on a “Ship”.  The following website describes the difference between a bark and a ship and gives a photo and information about what it was like travelling as a passenger.

http://www.norwayheritage.com/articles/templates/ships.asp?articleid=22&zoneid=5#bark

 

Depending upon the weather, the trip across the Atlantic Ocean took approximately 45 days in 1852. This trip could be comfortable only for those immigrants who could afford to travel first class. Since Caspar and his family were not rich they, like most immigrants, made the trip under less than ideal conditions. [5]

[5] Robbins, Albert, “Coming to America: Immigrants from Northern Europe”, New York: Delacore Press (1981): pages 80, 83-85, 103.

 

Emigrants were allowed to bring on board as many supplies as they could carry, resulting in weeks at sea crammed between other passengers and their belongings. [6]

[6] The German-American Connection: A Historical Sketch with Tips for Sightseeing Adventures and for Tracing Family Roots in the Federal Republic oflGermany, produced by Lufthansa, Baltimore, Maryland: Heinz Moos Publishing Co. Inc.: pages 18, 17.

 

"The emigrant's normal, accomodation was tween deck or steerage, i.e.: the space between the upper deck and the cargo hold... The quality of the provisions taken on board naturally...suffered from the lengthy voyages of the sailing vessels, and from the completely inadequate food preservation methods of that time". [4]

[4] Museum fur Hamburgische Geschichte, “Hamburg Portrait: Hamburg als Auswandererstadt (Hamburg as Emigration City), Helf 19/84.

 

A Dutch tailor described his own trip to America in 1856:

 

"We left on our journey to America...sailing from Rotterdam. This was a small American ship, not equipped to transport human beings. But [the crew] hastily erected some crude shelters, in which we were to sleep... Our quarters were hardly fit for passengers. Such was the stench below deck, that my wife's first thought was that she could not stand it... Our food was of meager quality. Dinner was best, at other times we were served hard ship bisquit. This was so hard that we had to ration hot water with which to soak it so that we could eat it, for the water was not plentiful on board our ship." [5]

 

[5] Robbins, Albert, “Coming to America: Immigrants from Northern Europe”, New York: Delacore Press (1981): pages 80, 83-85, 103.

 

Many times, passages on ships were advertised in brochures which promised comfortable berths, ample food and water, and a smooth passage. But,

 

"after being on board ship for a while...the dismayed passengers found that in the galley there was a large stove; but as there were always a lot of people who wanted to cook, the only law that prevailed...was club law. The strongest and most aggressive could always, although with difficulty, get something cooked, while the weaker and more timid got nothing or had to content themselves with being the last in line... [The passengers] were promised all sorts of things--for instance, that the food would be excellent... Every Saturday [they received their] provisions; [this] consisted of six or seven bisquits, about three-eighths of a pound of brown sugar, a little wheat flour, some rice and groats, and ten pounds of beef; the meat was to last for the whole passage, but most of it was bone..." [5]

 

[5] Robbins, Albert, “Coming to America: Immigrants from Northern Europe”, New York: Delacore Press (1981): pages 80, 83-85, 103.

 

 

Antwerp and Le Havre advertised regularly in the German newspapers for emigrants (advertisements from the Aligemeine Auswandererzeitung of 1855 and 1852): 

 

    

 

 

  

 

Above illustrations from Hamburg Portrait [4].

[4] Museum fur Hamburgische Geschichte, “Hamburg Portrait: Hamburg als Auswandererstadt (Hamburg as Emigration City), Helf 19/84.

 

Despite all of these potential hardships Caspar and his family survived their trip to America in the spring of 1852.  Most immigrants from Germany disembarked at east coast ports such as Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore or New Orleans. [6]

[6] The German-American Connection: A Historical Sketch with Tips for Sightseeing Adventures and for Tracing Family Roots in the Federal Republic oflGermany, produced by Lufthansa, Baltimore, Maryland: Heinz Moos Publishing Co. Inc.: pages 18, 17.

 

For a map of the main ports of arrival in the U.S. in the 1800’s, see www.theshipslist.com/Maps/MapNAmerica.htm

 

"Between 1820 and 1900 at least 5 million Germany immigrants arrived in the U.S... [They generally] settled in Ohio, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, giving such cities as Cincinnati, Milwaukee, St. Louis and early St. Paul a distinctly German atmosphere." [7]

[7] Johnson, Hi1degard Binder, "The Germans" in They Chose Minnesota, page 153.