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Mühleberg BE - unknown document - 1859 - Remund oo Herren - document type ?

PamelaCaruso1
PamelaCaruso1 ✭
January 15 edited January 15 in Social Groups

Mühleberg, BE - unknown document - 1859 - Maria Remund Herren

I have a copy of a 2 page document (approximately 730 words) that was found among papers belonging to my Herren family of Mühleberg, Bern, Switzerland. The letter is dated 1859 and appears to be "signed" by Maria Remund Herren. Maria (born 1803), married Christian Herren in 1824, bore 7 children 1824 to 1840, was widowed in 1840, and emigrated to America in 1854 with her adult children. Maria traveled with relatives from the Salvisberg family and I see that name in the document. The document seems to be more than a letter and mentions several locations in Kanton Bern, Switzerland. I can see many numbers that seem to values of items, so perhaps a sale of personal property that was left behind or repayment of some kind.

I'm attaching the first few sentences of the first page and the end "signature section" to see if someone could tell me what the letter might be about and if it might be worth sending to a professional to translate. I could attach more of the letter, if that helps.

Thank you

Maria Remund Herren 1859 cropped letter page 1 .jpg
Maria Remund Herren 1859 cropped letter end .jpeg
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Comments

  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 15 edited January 15

    Vielgeliebte Freundinn!
    Ich muß die Feder ergreiffen, und (um?) Euch einmal zu schreiben wie es sich mit uns befinde.
    Wir sind alle gesund und wohl, auch sind wir wieder glüklicher als wir je gewesen waren.
    Die Maria und die Elisabeth befinden sich in Murten bei der Herrschaft, aber sie sind noch
    unverheirathet. Die Eltern denken und sprechen sehr viel von Euch und sagen auch öfters
    wenn sie nur noch einmal mundlich mit Euch sprechen könnten. Der alte Statthalter ...
    [...]
    ... um Samuel Schmid im Forst, ferner die Frau Lenzinges (Leuzinger?) in Bern, ferner die Elisabeth
    Hänggeli in Murten, und die Frenili Hänggelis in Buch, ferner die Elisabeth Herrin in
    Buch, ferner die Familie Glauser in Buch, ferner die Familie Remunds in Oberin(?), ferner die Frau
    Schlub in der Eiau, ferner die zwei Schullehrer in Mühleberg, ferner die Frau Schori in
    Gümeren, ferner dem Müllerhans (= Hans Müller) in Marfeldingen seine Frau.
    An Maria Herren geborne Remund.
    Mühleberg den 21. Hornung 1859
    Samuel Salfisberg (today Salvisberg)

    Dearly beloved friend!

    I must take the pen to write to you once to tell you how things are with us. We are all well and healthy, and we are happier again than we have ever been. Maria and Elisabeth are in Murten with the Herrschaft, but they are still unmarried. The parents think and speak very often of you and often say that if only they could speak to you again verbally. The old governor ...

    [...]

    ... Samuel Schmid in the forest, also Mrs. Lenzinges (Leuzinger?) in Bern, also Elisabeth Hänggeli in Murten, and the Frenili Hänggelis in Buch, also Elisabeth Herrin in Buch, also the Glauser family in Buch, also the Remund family in Oberin(?), also Mrs. Schlub in Eiau, also the two school teachers in Mühleberg, also Mrs. Schori in Gümeren, also Müllerhans' (= Hans Müller) in Marfeldingen wife.

    An Maria Herren née Remund.

    Mühleberg the 21st of February 1859

    Samuel Salfisberg (today Salvisberg)

    =======

    The first part looks like a personal letter to inform a friend about her (and the family's) recent situation. The second part, however, looks more like quoting a will.

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  • Daniel57704
    Daniel57704 ✭✭✭
    January 16

    I was a bit confused when I read the two parts of the letter. I agree with WSeelentag on the first part. I also expected Maria Herren to want to describe her current situation to a close friend. I was all the more surprised by the second part, which a man (Samuel Salvisberg) signed, apparently with the request that the letter be forwarded to Maria Herren. I therefore interpret this content to mean that Samuel lists a whole series of people who send their regards to the recipient of the letter.


    In two places in the second part, I read something slightly different: 'Familie Hänggelis' instead of 'Frenili Hänggelis' and 'Oberei' instead of 'Oberin'. But that doesn't change the meaning. The place names Forst, Buch, Oberei, Eiau and Marfeldingen are hamlets and are located around Mühleberg.


    I would like to ask you to post an excerpt with the numbers you mentioned. Perhaps this could help to better understand the second part.

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 16

    Thank you for this comment, Daniel - I hadn't grasped this: this is not a letter written by Maria Remund - she is the "Vielgeliebte Freundin" and recipient - but by Samuel Salfisberg. He reported to her (5 years after her emigration) (likely) what has happened to what she had left behind. It would indeed be interesting to see the entire letter - which is not supposed to imply I'm going to transcribe it all 😉.

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  • PamelaCaruso1
    PamelaCaruso1 ✭
    January 16

    Thank you so much. I was not expecting it to be a personal letter. I'm going to attach the entire letter and a side note that was along an edge of the original. I appreciate the interest and don't expect a full transcription. Maria Remund Herren''s paternal grandmother was a Salvisberg, her niece married into the Salvisberg family, and she traveled to America with a Salvisberg family (on immigration record next to each other). I have a whole new cast of characters and places to investigate around Mühleberg. You guys are great. I'm working my way through learning German and the old style script, but not at this level yet.

    Maria Remund Herren 1859 letter page 1.jpeg
    Maria Remund Herren 1859 letter page 2 1.jpeg
    Maria Remund Herren 1859 letter page 3.jpeg
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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 16

    I just had a first look: the list with numbers is a list of foodstuff and other daily needs with actual prices. Then there are short reports about the life (and illnesses) of persons from Mühleberg. So it is a personal letter after all - with a great insight into daily life in Mühleberg at the time.

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 18 edited January 18

    I have now transcribed a second part of page 1 - and have a question: do you need a translation into English - or could you cope with the German text (with some old orthography)?

    Question to Daniel: I am not not sure with Sanmerau - found a small hamlet Summerau in canton Fribourg.

    So here we go:

    [....] Der alte Statthalter
    schmerzt von einem Schlagfluße, man glaubt er werde nicht lange mehr leben. Die Magda=
    lena Schmid schmerzt noch an der gleichen Krankheit wie wo Ihr noch in unserer Heimath waret
    es freute sie sehr da sie sah daß Ihr noch an sie dachtet. Dem alten Statthalter seine zwei
    Töchteren Maria und die Marianna sind beide von einer Kindbettin gestorben. Laupers
    und Remunds in Oberei geht es so weit wir wißen sehr gut, Johannes Lauper ihr Sohn hat sich
    mit der Elisabeth Scherler von Allenlüften in Buttenried verheirathet und die Marianna
    hat sich mit einem Zimmermann verheirathet. Die zwei Schullehrer Fawer und Liechti
    befinden sich noch in Mühleberg. Johannes Salfisberg wo sonst in Buch gewesen, und jetzt
    im Kanton Freiburg in der Sanmerau (Summerau?) ist seine Frau ist ungefähr vor drei Jahren gestorben
    und die älteste Tochter Anna ein Jahr nachher von einer Waßersucht. Er hat sich wieder
    verheirathet, das Heimwesen darauf er sich befindet, hat er verheirathet, kurz so wie die
    Leute sagen hat er es sehr gut gemacht. Die Elisabeth Hänggeli befindet sich noch in Murten
    auf der Stadtmühle, es geht Ihnen sehr gut, und Kinder haben sie keins. Der Christen Salfis=
    berg Peters in Buch hat sich auch verheirathet, er hat eine sehr reiche Frau Tochter Buri
    von Niederbotigen (Niederboltigen), sein Vetter der Götti hat Ihm das Gut verkauft.
    Jetzt muß ich Euch noch .... [price list]

    "...das Heimwesen darauf er sich befindet, hat er verheirathet ..". - does that imply that the property where he used to live (before "emigrating" to Fribourg) was handed over to a son or daughter, after the child got married?

    And a comment for Pamela - as the family Schmid is mentioned: in the Geneal-Forum we have a topic on Schmid von Mühleberg BE - with a short chart (4 generations) including wifes Herren and Salvisberg. Reading the forum is free - to view the attachments, however, you have to be registered (which is free and without obligation). Once registered you'd be welcome, of course, to start topics e.g. on Remund or Herren and ask your questions there.

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 18 edited January 19

    I have located the marriage (in Burgdorf) of Christian Salvisberg and Magdalena Buri (Burren) - and have posted this (together with the comment in "your" letter) on Geneal-Forum.

    Have you got any connections to the families mentioned in the letter? If yes (and if you are interested) we could start topics on them.

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 19

    I have located the marriage (in Muri) of Johannes Lauper and Elisabeth Scherler, Jakob Schwab's widow - and have posted this (together with the comment in "your" letter) on Geneal-Forum.

    My assumption is that Johannes Lauper (the father) was married to a Remund - would you know this?

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  • Daniel57704
    Daniel57704 ✭✭✭
    January 19

    @WSeelentag: "Question to Daniel: I am not not sure with Sanmerau - found a small hamlet Summerau in canton Fribourg."

    I think you're right with your assumption. Johann Salvisberg moved to the canton of Fribourg, where German and French are spoken. 'Sanmerau' is neither French nor German, so it can only be a spelling mistake or an imitation of a French word. I then tried 'St. Mérau' and also found 'Summerau' southeast of Ueberstorf! This is not proof, but at least it is a strong indication.

    @PamelaCaruso1: I am attaching an attempt at a translation of Wolf's earlier post. One passage was not entirely clear to me in its meaning, as Samuel wrote in the same way as he spoke in his Swiss German dialect.

    The old governor
    is aching from a stroke, it is believed he will not live much longer. Magda=
    lena Schmid is still suffering from the same illness as when you were still in our homeland.
    She was very happy to see that you were still thinking of her. Maria and Marianna, the two daughters of the old governor,
    both died of childbirth. The Laupers
    and Remunds in Oberei are doing very well as far as we know. The son of Johannes Lauper [alternative meaning: Lauper's son could have been called Johannes] has married
    Elisabeth Scherler from Allenlüften in Buttenried and Marianna married a carpenter.
    The two school teachers Fawer and Liechti
    are still in Mühleberg. The wife of Johannes Salfisberg, who used to be in Buch, and is now
    in the canton of Fribourg in Sanmerau (Summerau?), died about three years ago
    and his eldest daughter Anna died a year later from hydrops. He has remarried,
    he married the homestead on which he lives [??? see Wolf's question], in short, as people say
    he has done very well. Elisabeth Hänggeli is still in Murten
    on the town mill, they are doing very well and have no children. Christian Salfis=
    berg, Peter's son in Buch, has also married, he has a very rich wife, daughter Buri
    from Niederbotigen (Niederboltigen), his cousin and godfather has sold him the estate.
    Now I still have to tell you ....

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 20 edited January 20

    I have now started new topics on Herren von Mühleberg and Remund von Mühleberg on Geneal-Forum. As mentioned before, I consider this letter very interesting - also for other researchers interested in the region, e.g. as it mentions prices for many goods. I therefore hope you give me permission to publish the letter within Remund von Mühleberg, This would also give us the chance to ask a wider audience about the potential meaning of "...das Heimwesen darauf er sich befindet, hat er verheirathet ..".

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  • PamelaCaruso1
    PamelaCaruso1 ✭
    January 23

    Sorry. I was just on a quick trip to Tromso, Norway to see the Northern Lights, so I was not able to respond to your questions. Such a beautiful place. Very cold…

    I'm so glad that this letter is of interest to other researchers and you may share this letter with anyone you wish. The original was donated to a small museum in Oswego, Illinois, where the Herren family settled. I plan to send a copy of the translation to the curator there, so he can attach it to the letter. The museum also has several photo albums of the Herren Family of Oswego, Illinois, including a photo of Anna Remund Herren circa 1870. The original immigration passport (written in French) is also there. I have a digital image of that. I am so glad the items were donated and not put into someone's attic or the trash.

    I can read some of the translation and can use a translation program to read the modern German translation. I don't want to ask for too much of your time. I'm learning so much by just following your discussion. I will review the responses above and write another "comment post" to answer your questions.

    Pam

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 23 edited January 24

    And here is the "price list":

    Jetzt muß ich Euch noch anzeigen über den Preis der Früchte. Dinkel das Malter Fr(anken) 10
    R(a)pp(en) 34 / Haber das Malter Fr 13 Rpp. 50 / Kernen das Mäs Fr 2 Rpp 29 /
    Weizen das Mäs Fr 2 Rpp 59 / Roggen das Mäs Fr 1 Rpp 44 / Mühlekorn
    Fr 1 Rpp 59 / Mischelkorn dergleichen / Gerste das Mäs Fr 1 Rpp 10 / Erbsen Fr 3 /
    Wicki Fr 2 Rpp 70 / Heu der Centner 4 und ½ bis 7 Fr / Stroh Fr 3 das Klafter /
    Buchenholz 36 und ½ Fr / Tannenholz 27 Fr / Wedelen das Stück 18 Rp / Schweinn(?)
    das Pfund 46 Rpp / Schmehr(?) das Pfund 1 Fr / Speck 1 Fr / Honig 90 Rappen / Eier 10 für 60 Rappen.
    Anken das Pfund fr 1 Rpp 2 und hat auch schon 130 gr golten / Aepfel saure d(as) Mäß
    Fr 1 Rpp 20 / süße dergleichen / Aepfelschnitze d(as) Mäß fr 2 / Birnen dergelichen, Birnenschni=
    tze Fr 2 Rpp 80 / Erdäpfel weiße Rapp 88 / rothe 92 Rpp / Euer Brief haben wir gut
    erhalten [...]

    @Daniel57704 : What do you read for Schweinn(?) and Schmehr(?)? Are you familiar with the measures (Malter, Mäs, Klafter, …) in canton Bern at the time - and could transform these into modern volumes?

    Now for the goods:
    Dinkel = Spelt
    Haber = Oats
    Kernen = Kernels (some sort of grain)
    Weizen = Wheat
    Roggen = Rye
    Mühlekorn = Grain as delivered to the mill (not defined which one)
    Mischelkorn = mixture of different grains
    Gerste = Barley
    Erbsen = Peas
    Wicki = Sweet peas
    Heu = Hay
    Stroh = Straw
    Buchenholz = Beech wood
    Tannenholz = Fir wood
    Wedelen = Brushwood bundle
    Schweinn(?) = ?
    Schmehr(?) = ?
    Speck = Bacon
    Honig = Honey
    Eier = Eggs
    Anken = Butter
    Aepfel saure = Sour apples
    Aepfel süße = Sweet apples
    Aepfelschnitze = Apple slices
    Birnen = Pears
    Birnenschnitze = Pear slices
    Erdäpfel weiße = Potatoes white
    Erdäpfel rothe = Potatoes red

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  • Daniel57704
    Daniel57704 ✭✭✭
    January 24

    @WSeelentag

    I'm reading 'Schweine' = porc and 'Schmehr' (today's spelling ist Schmer) which is porc belly fat.

    'Malter' is a measure of volume that was used inconsistently from place to place in Germany and Switzerland. I estimate that in Switzerland it corresponded to around 150 liters back then. 'Mäs' corresponded to about 1.5 liters and a 'Klafter' was almost exactly 3 cubic meters.

    I will provide a translation of the remaining part today or tomorrow. But now I have to go skiing with my son and his daughter 😁

    Thank you for your understanding!

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 24 edited January 24

    I wasn't sure about Schweinn/Schweine - would be the only meat in the list - but then would fit to Schmehr. I'm no good at food prices today - but one pound of porc less than 10 eggs made me suspicious - and less than half of lard and bacon.

    So Schmer would be another word for Schmalz = Lard

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  • Daniel57704
    Daniel57704 ✭✭✭
    January 25

    Pamela

    Instead of adding more fragments, I have compiled and translated the whole text. The difficulty in translating was that the author directly adopted phrases from the local colloquial language into standard German, contrary to all grammar.
    It is a very interesting testimony to the times, even if comparisons with the present day are difficult because of the changed masses. The economy of the Swiss Confederation, which has only been in existence for 11 years, is dominated by agriculture. With the exception of Sommerau, all the villages and hamlets mentioned are within an 8km (5 miles) radius of Mühleberg.
    The letter reads:

    Vielgeliebte Freundinn!
    Ich muß die Feder ergreiffen und Euch einmal zu schreiben wie es sich mit uns befinde.
    Wir sind alle gesund und wohl, auch sind wir wieder glüklicher als wir je gewesen waren.
    Die Maria und die Elisabeth befinden sich in Murten bei der Herrschaft, aber sie sind noch
    unverheirathet. Die Eltern denken und sprechen sehr viel von Euch und sagen auch öfters
    wenn sie nur noch einmal mündlich mit Euch sprechen könnten. Der alte Statthalter
    schmerzt von einem Schlagfluße, man glaubt er werde nicht lange mehr leben. Die Magda=
    lena Schmid schmerzt noch an der gleichen Krankheit wie wo Ihr noch in unserer Heimath waret
    es freute sie sehr da sie sah daß Ihr noch an sie dachtet. Dem alten Statthalter seine zwei
    Töchteren Maria und die Marianna sind beide von einer Kindbettin gestorben. Laupers
    und Remunds in Oberei geht es so weit wir wißen sehr gut, Johannes Lauper ihr Sohn [1] hat sich
    mit der Elisabeth Scherler von Allenlüften in Buttenried verheirathet und die Marianna
    mit einem Zimmermann verheirathet. Die zwei Schullehrer Fawer und Liechti
    befinden sich noch in Mühleberg. Johannes Salfisberg wo sonst in Buch gewesen, und jetzt
    im Kanton Freiburg in der Summerau [1] ist seine Frau ungefähr vor drei Jahren gestorben
    und die älteste Tochter Anna ein Jahr nachher von einer Waßersucht. Er hat sich wieder
    verheirathet, das Heimwesen darauf er sich befindet, hat er verheirathet, kurz so wie die
    Leute sagen hat er es sehr gut gemacht. Die Elisabeth Hänggeli befindet sich noch in Murten
    auf der Stadtmühle, es geht Ihnen sehr gut, und Kinder haben sie keins. Der Christen Salfis=
    berg Peters in Buch hat sich auch verheirathet, er hat eine sehr reiche Frau Tochter Buri
    von Niederbotigen, sein Vetter der Götti hat Ihm das Gut verkauft.
    Jetzt muß ich Euch noch anzeigen über den Preis der Früchte [2]. Dinkel das Malter [4] Fr. 10
    Rpp 34. Haber das Malter Fr. 13 Rpp 50. Kernen das Mäs [5] Fr. 2 Rpp 29.
    Weizen das Mäs Fr. 2 Rpp 59, Roggen das Mäs Fr. 1 Rpp 44. Mühlekorn
    Fr. 1 Rpp 59. Mischelkorn dergleichen, Gersten das Mäs Fr. 1 Rpp 10. Erbsen Fr. 3.
    Wicki Fr. 2 Rpp 70. Heu der Centner [6] 4 und 1/2 bis 7 Fr. Stroh Fr. 3. Das Klafter [7]
    Buchenholz 36 und 1/2 Fr. Tannenholz 27 Fr. Wedelen das Stück 18 Rpp. Schweine
    das Pfund 46 Rppen. Schmehr das Pfund 1 Fr. Speck 1 Fr. Honig 90 Rappen. Eier 10 für 60 Rappen.

    Anken das Pfund Fr. 1 Rpp 2. und hat auch schon 130 gegolten. Aepfel saure d[as] Mäß
    Fr 1. Rpp. 2O. süße dergleichen. Aepfelschnitze d[as] Mäß Fr. 2. Birnen dergleichen, Birnenschni=
    tze Fr. 2 Rpp. 80. Erdäpfel weiße Rpp. 88. rothe 92. Rpp. Euer Brief haben wir gut
    erhalten und gesehen daß Ihr Euch in Eurer neuen Heimath sehr glücklich befindet. Eines
    muß ich Euch nachmelden, von dem Rudolf Zehnder wie er am Munde den Krebs gott=
    phütis [8] darvorgehabt und ein sehr großer Theil hat müßen heraus schneiden laßen fünf
    Wochen lang mußte er in der Jnsel [9] bleiben. Die alte Frau Pfarrerin ist letzten Herbst auch
    gestorben. Ueber unser langes Schreiben haltet Euch nicht auf, ein jedes die Ihr hattet
    grüßen laßen, hat gesagt, wir sollen warten ein wenig sie wollen dann auch ein kleines
    Brieflein schreiben und es mitgeben, aber nichts. Ich will enden mit meinem schreiben, neues
    weiß ich Euch nicht viel zu schreiben. Wir laßen Euch alle freundlich grüßen. Ferner
    laßen Euch noch grüßen die Magdalena Schmid in Großmühleberg ferner die Mutter Schmid
    um Samuel Schmid im Forst, ferner die Frau Leuzinger in Bern, ferner die Elisabeth
    Hänggeli in Murten, und die Familie Hänggelis in Buch, ferner die Elisabeth Herren in
    Buch, ferner die Familie Glauser in Buch, ferner die Familie Remunds in Oberei, ferner die Frau
    Schlub in der Eiau, ferner die zwei Schullehrer in Mühleberg, ferner die Frau Schori in
    Gümenen, ferner dem Müllerhans [= Hans Müller] in Marfeldingen seine Frau.
    An Maria Herren geborne Remund.
    Mühleberg den 21. Hornung 1859
    Samuel Salfisberg

    Bendicht Hänggeli im Teufthal ist auch in das Ewige hinüber gegangen
    und das wo Ihr uns hinterlaßen habt, haben wir empfangen und laßen Euch
    noch höflich dafür danken. Und noch eins, wenn Ihr noch mehr nach der Schweiz
    schreibet wenn Ihr wollet so gut sein und uns auch eine Antwort schicken
    oder hinterlaßen werdet.

    Dearly beloved friend!

    I must take the pen to write to you once to tell you how things are with us.
    We are all well and healthy, and we are happier again than we have ever been.
    Maria and Elisabeth are in Murten with the landowner, but they are still
    unmarried. The parents think and speak very often of you and often say
    that if only they could speak to you again verbally. The old governor
    is aching from a stroke, it is believed he will not live much longer. Magda=
    lena Schmid is still suffering from the same illness as when you were still in our homeland.
    She was very happy to see that you were still thinking of her. Maria and Marianna, the two daughters of the old governor,
    both died of childbirth. The Laupers
    and Remunds in Oberei are doing very well as far as we know. The son of Johannes Lauper [1] has married
    Elisabeth Scherler from Allenlüften in Buttenried and Marianna
    married a carpenter. The two school teachers Fawer and Liechti
    are still in Mühleberg. The wife of Johannes Salfisberg, who used to be in Buch, and is now
    in the canton of Fribourg in Summerau [2], died about three years ago
    and his eldest daughter Anna died a year later from hydrops. He has remarried,
    he married the homestead on which he lives [???], in short, as people say
    he has done very well. Elisabeth Hänggeli is still in Murten
    on the town mill, they are doing very well and have no children. Christian Salfis=
    berg, Peter's son in Buch, has also married, he has a very rich wife, daughter Buri
    from Niederbottigen, his cousin and godfather has sold him the estate.
    Now I have to tell you about the price of the food [2]. Spelt 10 Francs (Fr) 34 Cents (cts) per Malter [4]
    Oats 13Fr 50cts per Malter. Kernels 2Fr 29cts per Mass [5]
    Wheat 2Fr 59cts per Mass. Rye 1Fr 44cts per Mass. Grain
    1Fr 59cts like mixed grains. Barley 1Fr 10cts per Mass. Peas 3Fr.
    Sweet peas 2Fr 70cts. Hay 4Fr 50cts up to 7Fr per hundredweight [6]. Straw 3Fr.
    Beech wood 36Fr 50cts per Klafter [7], fir wood 27Fr. Brushwood bundle 18cts a piece. Porc
    46cts per pound. Lard 1Fr per pound. Bacon 1Fr. Honey 90cts. 10 eggs for 60cts.

    Butter 1Fr 2cts per pound but had been up to 130cts. Sour apples
    1Fr 20cts per Mass, sweet apples the like. Apple slices 2Fr per Mass, pears the like, pear
    slices 2Fr 80cts. White potatoes 88cts, red potatoes 92cts. We received your letter well
    and saw that you are very happy in your new home. There is one thing
    I must tell you about Rudolf Zehnder, how he had cancer of the mouth, God
    beware [8], and had to have a very large part of it cut out, he had
    to stay in the Insel [9] for five weeks. The old lady priest also
    died last fall. Don't worry about our long letter, everyone you had sent
    greetings to said, we should wait a little while, they also wanted to write a little
    letter and give it to us, but nothing [happened]. I will end with my writing,
    I don't know much to tell you. We send you all our best wishes. Furthermore
    greetings from Magdalena Schmid in Grossmühleberg and also from Mother Schmid
    of Samuel Schmid in Forst, also Mrs. Leuzinger in Bern, also Elisabeth Hänggeli in Murten, and the family Hänggelis in Buch, also Elisabeth Herrin in Buch, also the Glauser family in Buch, also the Remund family in Oberei, also Mrs. Schlub in Eiau, also the two school teachers in Mühleberg, also Mrs. Schori in Gümmenen, also Müllerhans' [= Hans Müller] in Marfeldingen wife.
    To Maria Herren née Remund.
    Mühleberg, February 21, 1859
    Samuel Salfisberg

    Bendicht Hänggeli in Teuftal has also passed into eternity
    and we have received what you have left us and thank you
    politely for it. And one more thing, if you write more to Switzerland
    be so kind as to send us a reply
    or leave one.

    [1] It is not clear from this wording whether the father's name was Johannes Lauper or the son's
    [2] Summerau is the most likely guess for an unknown location
    [3] Samuel writes 'Früchte' = fruit, but he probably meant goods in general
    [4] 'Malter' is a measure of volume that was used inconsistently from place to place in Germany and Switzerland. It could weigh up to 300kg but I estimate that in Switzerland it corresponded to around 150 liters back then
    [5] 'Mäs' or 'Mass' corresponded to about 1.5 liters
    [6] In the old days a hundredweight was 50kg, not 100kg!
    [7] In my understanding 'Klafter' (= 3 cubic meters) was used for wood only, not for straw. However, the wording in the letter also allows a reference to straw.
    [8] Samuel probably fears that speaking out about the illness could lead to being affected by it himself. That is why he pronounces divine protection here.
    [9] 'Insel' is the name of the university hospital in Bern.

    Daniel

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  • PamelaCaruso1
    PamelaCaruso1 ✭
    January 25

    Thank you for your interest and help in translating this letter. It is so special to know that Maria (my 2XGGM) was happy in America and was missed by her family and friends in Switzerland. I recognize many of the names in the letter from baptism and marriage records that I have found, but I do not have them all sorted according to how they are related to each other.

    I signed up for the General Forum and and I am waiting for approval. I appreciate your help furthering my genealogy research. I will be going to visit Mühleberg this summer and hope to know more about the Remund and Herren families before I go.

    Pam

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 25 edited January 25

    I signed up for the General Forum and I am waiting for approval.

    Good idea 😉 … approval may take a day or so: after a severe spam attact last year (up to 100 registrations a day, followed by spam posts), the admin decided to approve all requests manually.

    Once you can log in, make sure to "subscribe" to all topics of interest to you (happens automatically if you post a contribution to the topic) - then you will get an email notification each time a new contribution is posted.

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    January 27

    I have now posted the letter plus a transcription (in German) on Geneal-Forum.

    If you have "subscribed" to the topic, you should have been notified via email.

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    February 3

    @PamelaCaruso1

    I hope you have "subscribed" to Remund von Mühleberg BE - if you have, you should have been notified about the correction of a mistake in my transcription - see Johannes Salvisberg oo 1857 Anna von Niederhäusern.

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  • WSeelentag
    WSeelentag ✭✭✭✭✭
    February 3

    Under the topic Salvisberg von Mühleberg you'll find information on two Salvisberg families mentioned in the letter.

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