Lichtenthal- 1848 Village History
Copyright 1996, AHSGR    

Notes:  Please see the Introduction to the Village History Project for additional information.  

LICHTENTHAL -- Lichtental (Modern spelling)

I.  The Founding of the Colony
Lichtental was founded in 1834.  Pastor Lindl first came to Bessarabia in 1822 (when he established Sarata).  This land (for the three colonies of Sarata, Gnadental, and  Lichtental) was given to him by the Crown (Czar Alexander I) for this purpose (the establishment of the three colonies). After a short stay following the establishment of Sarata, Lindl left Russia (he was forced to leave because of religious animosity).  Consequently the settlement of this colony did not begin until 1834, when it began with the migration of settlers from Wurttemberg.

II.  The Location of the Colony
The colony, which is about 40 miles from the district city of Akkermann and about 75 miles from the provincial capital of Kischenew, lies in the north-to-south oriented Tschiligider Valley, which originates on the estate of Count Mansier and flows into the Kagelnik Valley about 31/2 miles below (south of) Lichtental.  The stream flows only during periods of rain and snowmelt, drying up completely in many places during periods of drought.  The village is rectangular in shape with four rows of houses situated on two north-south streets.  A large public square, upon which the church has been built, is located in the middle of the village.

Lichtental has a pleasant appearance and, when the deficiencies are corrected, will become one of the more beautiful communities of Bessarabia, thus living up to its name.  The name Lichtental was chosen by the Sarata Territorial Board and confirmed for adoption by the Colonist Welfare Committee.  It was chosen with the expectation that the colony would, in every respect, become an ornament to this valley.

The wells which are from 15 to 18 feet in depth have very good water. Gardens are tended in the rear of the living quarters and yards.

III.  Quality of the Land
In general the land is a flat plain with a slight rise toward the west.  Part of the land is strongly impregnated with saltpeter;  the ground has only 3/4 to one foot of good, black soil.  This is underlain by 8-10 feet of yellow loam and underneath this lies a strata of sand and gravel.

The colony has had very few productive grain harvests since its establishment. This is, however not entirely due to the soil, but chiefly because of drought and the dry periods prevalent during most of the growing seasons.  The soil does not lack fertility and the fields would yield rich harvests if sufficient rain would fall at the proper time.  The pasture lands produce a luxuriant growth of nutritious vegetation.  The clay soil detrimental to the vigorous growth of trees and grapevines.

Since its founding, the colony has taken great pains to plant fruit and forest trees but their efforts have been without much success.  Every year trees have to be replanted while those that survive are weak and stunted. Even so, viniculture has been carried on, however, with small returns for the work expended.  Now another site (for viniculture) has been chosen and we are awaiting a favorable result.  This area has no natural woodlands, quarry or springs.

IV.  The Settlement
In 1834 eight families settled here, four of these were from Wurttemberg, Waiblingen District, and the remainder were from Sarata Colony.  In the years 1838, 1839 and 1840 the flow of settlers increased from the districts of Ludwigsburg, Waiblingen and Marbach in Wurttemberg, as well as from Sarata, so that finally by 1847 the colony was complete with the established quota of 80 settlers.  The immigrants made the journey overland without a leader.  The first settlers found no houses for themselves.  The latter arrivals were taken into the homes of the earlier settlers until houses could be built for them.  At the time of the settlement, the steppes were occupied by Moldavians who used the land for pasturing their numerous herds of cattle.  The immigrants received no assistance (from the government).  Their possessions, brought with them, possibly averaged about 600 rubles for each family, the money being used mainly for the building of homes.  Most of the settlers were afflicted with intermittent fever; from which many suffered up to six months.

V.  Unusual Event
An earthquake of strong intensity occurred on 11 January 1838 at 9:00 o'clock in the evening; but no damage or injuries resulted.

VI.  The Welfare of the Community
The welfare of the community was promoted by:

1.   The use of all the community land from the time of the arrival of the first settlers until the settlement was complete with its 80 families.  As has been mentioned before, only eight families settled in 1834, the settlers came in greater numbers in the years 1838-40, but only by 1847 was the settlement complete.  The government allowed the community the use of all the community land to their best advantage.  So, for a number of years, a large part of the land was rented out, which was most profitable for the community. From the rent money they built a church which cost about 5,000 rubles.  In addition, the community had additional capital of about 1,200 silver rubles, partly in cash and partly in notes.  This significant governmental favor to the community will always be gratefully recognized; for it also advanced the welfare of the individual in that it was possible for each settler to have a large number of cattle, which were the main source of income in the poor grain-harvest years.

2.   By the local government.  The local government has always seen to it that dissolute living by gluttonous eating and drinking and other time-and-money consuming foolish diversions would not be tolerated.  I this they were assisted by the experience and active cooperation of the Sarata Territorial Board.

In addition, the Colonist Welfare Committee proved itself most cooperative and helpful in everything that concerned the welfare of the colonists.

Lichtental,  24 April 1848
Mayor's Report:
Mayor:    Messerle
Settlers: Gassler and Wildermuth
Church-and-schoolteacher:  Hahn (Author)

(NOTE:  Not a literal translation.  Phrases in parentheses are not a part of the original text but are given for explanation or clarification of the text which was readily understood by the residents of these areas.)

Coordinated with GRHS Village Research Clearing House
Coordinated with AHSGR/GRHS Translation Committee Chairman
Original translation: Adam Geisinger
Publication: AHSGR Work Paper No. 4 - September 1970
Scanned: Dale Lee Wahl
Permission granted for posting on GRHS:  May/2006

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