Hoffnungstal - 1848 Village Hist

Hoffnungstal - 1848 Village History

HOFFNUNGSTHAL

In 1806, 25 families emigrated to Russia and settled on the manorial estate of the knight Karl Bitch, who was employed by the king of Prussia. Nineteen of these families were from Wuertemberg. In 1841 they were driven from the estate. These families tried to find a new place to live. They chose the nearby Swiss Colony of Chabo, close to the city of Akkermann. However, the higher officials of the government heard about this displacement and offered to these homeless families steppe number 9 in the area of Kloestitz and its parish. This area is located 60 miles from the provincial capital Kischenew. Sixty miles from the district city Akkermann. About 36 and 2/3 miles from the city of Bender and 73 and 1/3 miles from the city of Ismail, In 1842 these people settled in this area, which was called the valley of Karatay, and formed a colony.

The valley Karatay runs into the larger valley Tschaga in which the colony Kloestitz was located. (Hoffnungsthal was the last of the mother colonies formed.)

Neighboring villages are: The Russian village Nicolaijewka 3 and 1/3 miles to the northeast. The German colony Borodino 6 and 2/3 miles to the west. In the south - west the German colony Kloestitz with the territorial posts and parish 6 and 2/3 miles. In the north an estate belonging to a Russian Countess Manfix 10 miles.

As required by upper level government, the houses were built on both sides of the small stream Karatay. From 1843 to the end of 1847 Other colonists from the Cherson District, namely the colonies of Worms, Gluecksthal, Bergdorf, Neudorf, Kassel, and Alt Hoffnungsthal also settled in this area. Therefore, by the beginning of 1848, the colony had been increased to 82 families. Since the families came at different times and at the request of the upper administration of the government, no organizer was needed.

The Colony had no official name. It was simply called number 9. In 1843 at the wish of the first settlers and with the permission of the upper colonial administrators, the colony was named Hoffnungsthal. The name Hoffnungsthal, (Hopeful Valley) expressed the colonists fervent hone for their future there. Owing to the wonderful soil, the authorities agreed that the name was a good fit. This was deep, black river soil, 10-13 inches deep, mixed with sand and was especially suitable for the cultivation of grain, fruit, and Cranes. Besides this, the settlers had a good supply of groundwater and an adequate stone supply for building purposes The stones had to be quarried from a depth of 16 to 18 feet. The entire area of the colony is marked with graceful alternating hills and valleys.

At the time the settlers were granted the steppe, the Count Etling was the lesser. The colonists found nothing on the land. It was bare, there was no forest, no housing, nothing. Their houses would have to be built through their own means. The 25 families obtained a loan from the Welfare Committee. An advance of 100 Rubels, interest free, which had to be paid back within 10 years. The money brought with them by these settlers varied. The poorest with 150 silver Rubels, to the richest with 1,000 Rubles. All of the colonist hard earned monies were decreased in the years of 1842, 1844, and 1845 because of crop failures. They were forced to use what little capital they had brought along with them.

However, thanks to God, the young colony was spared from accidents, epidemics among their livestock, and human epidemic illnesses. With God's help, the young colony was able to present in a short time, a friendly picture to the wanderer or traveler, what can be attained through perseverance, diligence, and hard work. With God's blessing and the faithful protection of their government, the colonists hope to gain greater prosperity, wealth and affluence. The name of their village was a continuous reminder, ever to be hopeful.

Colony Hoffnungsthal, the 20th of April 1848 Mayor: Obenauer Associate: Weishaar Secretary: Neitz Sexton/School teacher: L.A. Kurtz (Author)

as translated by: Irmgard Schlenker as Edited by: Ralph and Evelyn Ruff Coordinated with GRHS Village Research Clearing House Coordinated with AHSGR/GRHS Translation Committee Chairman