An historical and geographical account of the province and country of Pensilvania in America : the richness of the soil, the sweetness of the situation ... the first planters, the Dutch, Sweeds, and English with the number of its inhabitants : as also a touch upon George Keith's new religion, in his second change since he left the Quakers : with a map
Gottlieb Mittelberger's journey to Pennsylvania in the year 1750 and return to Germany in the year 1754 : containing not only a description of the country according to its present condition, but also a detailed account of the sad and unfortunate circumstances of most of the Germans that have emigrated, or are emigrating to that country
Gottlieb Mittelbergers Reise nach Pennsylvanien im Jahr 1750.
Place of Publication
Philadelphia
Publisher
J.J. McVey,
Date of Publication
1898.
Physical Description
129 p. : facsim. ; 21 cm.
Notes
With facsimile t.p. of original German ed.: Stuttgard : Gedrukt ben Gottlieb Friderich Jenisch, 1756.
Summary
"Mittelberger's travelogue provides a firsthand historic account of the misery and exploitation of German immigrants during the US colonial period. In his work, he tries to convince his fellow Germans not to immigrate to the American colonies, as the forfeiture of freedom, cost of money, lack of health, and loss of life are too exorbitant to risk and sacrifice. Although never an indentured servant, Mittelberger's written testament is one of several surviving historic works describing the hardships of the redemption system. His meticulous account of his sea voyage to the British Atlantic colonies and subsequent experiences in Pennsylvania has become academically notable, due to the scarcity in primary source material concerning several of the issues he details. Such topics include religious practices in colonial Pennsylvania, European passenger fares for children and adults, as well as the nature and consequences of epidemics on colonial era ships.The work is also noted for its lengthy discussion of sexuality and social mores, including an account of a bigamous threesome and the status of illegitimate children, as evidencing the religious and sexual tolerance of colonial America. Gottlieb Mittelberger traveled to Pennsylvania from Germany in 1750 on a ship primarily filled with poorer immigrants who would become indentured servants upon arriving in Philadelphia. Mittelberger was not a servant, and worked as a school master and organist for three years before returning to Germany in 1754." [from Wikipedia]
