Dennewitz - 1848 Village History
Copyright 2000, Dr. Elvire Necker-Eberhardt 

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

DENNEWITZ

1) As descendants of the original settlers of Beresina, Kulm, Tarutino, Marlojaroslawetz and other villages found themselves without land or farms, they had to establish themselves and their families elsewhere to make a living, so they began looking for places to resettle. Repeatedly, several settlers without farms contacted the former Mayor Widmer and asked him to assist them in obtaining the land formerly assigned to the colony Teplitz. This land had been surveyed for 64 farms. In the autumn of 1833, the former mayor then visited the Welfare Committee to voice the request of the colonists. The Committee granted the request. In the spring of 1834, the colonists settled there and began construction on their homes, happy and grateful to God and government. They layed out their fields and some vineyards at once.

2) The steppe land of Dennewitz is mostly an even plain intersected by three valleys, running north to south and merging at the end of the village. These valleys contain excellent and healthy spring water. The colony was established in the central valley and each farmer received a 20 X 80 faden(1) parcel to build their home and farmstead. Two rows of houses flank the slopes of the valley, separated by a gorge which was dammed up to create a manmade lake, used for watering the livestock and enhancing the beauty of the settlement. Quarries also exist on the site, so the new settlers have enough stone to build their homes, barns and walls.

The land of the colony borders the steppes of Plotzk, Taschlik, Fere Champenoise and Teplitz and is situated 75 werst(2) from the city of Akkermann, 65 werst from Ismail and 120 werst from the Governor's seat of Kischenew. The soil of the land is mostly rich and black and very fertile, if the weather is good and sufficient rainfall occurs, and it produces an abundance of produce specific to this area, as well as grain. Since the fruit trees were planted only recently, they have not produced well yet, but their yield is supposed to increase dramatically in the near future. The vineyards on the other side have rewarded the toil of work with quite some grapes. Actual forests do not exist; however, since a few years following the order of the government, each settler planted one-quarter desjatine(3) of forest trees a few years ago;  their growing green branches has delighted them.

3) At first, the settlement was named Hamburg (Chambur) after the name of the former tenant, but the name was later changed to Dennewitz by the government to commemorate the victory at Dennewitz in Prussia.

4) At first, only 15 farm families settled here, but more arrived later, some from the Kingdoms of Prussia and Wuertemberg.

5) The settlers did not arrive in large groups; rather they trickled in family by family.

6) At their arrival, the steppes were occupied by Russian tenants, who did not leave behind buildings, barns or equipment for the settlers.

7) The local colonists did not receive the benefits of tax-free years or other advances, which had been given their parents who had emigrated from a foreign country. They had to make do with their own money or monies received from their parents, the working of the fields, their major occupation, as well as crafts, complimented by the women's work of spinning, weaving, knitting, sowing and so on to sustain their families and pay their taxes and dues.

8) The community, by the grace of God, was not stricken by disasters, such as fires, epidemics or failed harvests. Only in 1845 did many suffer from a raging livestock pest, and most of the farmers lost three or four head of cattle, which was quite a set-back to them.

9) The current economical well-being of the community stems from the blessing and protection of the Lord (whose gifts could be used even better and so would improve the economy), as well as from the government with its wise and excellent rules and regulations.

The colony of Dennewitz, April 24, 1848

Mayor Schimpe (Schimke?)
Associates: Fischer, Mueller.
Church-School Teacher: Haas (author)

Translator's notes:
(1) 1 faden = 3 metres
(2) 1 werst = 1.06678 kilometres
(3) 1 desjatine = 11.0925 hectares

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