Theodorus (Durst) EBY (AEBI)

  General Notes:

THE SPELLING OF THE NAME

The name AEBI as it was originally spelled in Switzerland did not cause any problems to our ancestors who spoke the Swiss-German dialect. However, the problems began as they immigrated to other countries where the rules of pronunciation were different. For instance, the first change we record is when the family moved to Germany. In Switzerland the "A" in the name AEBI was was pronounced the same as in English (Ee-bee) but in Germany it would have been pronounced Ah-bee. For this reason the Aebis in Germany dropped the "A" in their names and spelled it EBI or EBY. Thus their new spelling when pronounced by the German people was consistent with the Swiss sound. These pronunciation problems continued when some immigrated to America, and as they tried to spell their names to preserve the correct sound, many variations were developed. These are the variations that were found by Groff and Newman in researching "The Eby Reports" : Abey, Abee, Abi, Abie, Aby, Abye, Aebi, Aebich, Aeby, Eabi, Eaby, Eavy, Ebbe, Ebby, Ebe, Ebee, Eben, Eber, Ebey, Ebi, Ebich, Ebie, Ebig, Eby, Evi, Evie, Evy, Ewi, Ewie, Ewig, Ewy, and Uebi. It is amazing that so many variations could have occurred to such a short name!

ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE AEBI FAMILY

"The Ebys belong to the Celts, an ancient race of people of Asiatic origin, who formerly inhabited southern, central and western Europe. During the early ages they lived in the northern part of Italy, where they were brought from heathendom to the worshipping of the true and living God through the labors of the Vaudois (Waldenses), with whom they came in contact at a very early date. They soon become strict adherents of the Vaudois faith. Which the Church of Rome was gaining power and extending her influence over western and northern Europe, these Vaudois, their mountainous homes, were for some time left unmolested. From the eighth to the eleventh centuries these primitive worshipping and God-fearing people (Vaudois) became very numerous, and were become quite a power to resist the influence of the Church of Rome. In order to gain full sway over civilized Europe, the Church of Rome adopted means where by these Vaudois were to be either subdued or expelled from their homes. But these people (Vaudois) were not so easily subdued or brought under the sway of Rome. The ministry, known as the Inquisitors, were first sent out to bring these people over from their faith to that of the Roman Catholic. This was as early as 1308. The Vaudois were most bitterly persecuted by their enemies, for not renouncing their primitive faith. History tells us that in 1487 Innocent XIII fulminated against these Vaudois a Bill of Extermination. In 1560 the persecutions became so fierce, that quite a number fled from their homes and were to the northern parts of Switzerland, where they led a wandering life for some time. They finally settled in Cantons Bern, Luzerne, Zurich and Schwyz. Among those Vaudois who thus settled in these Cantons we find the name Eby, then spelled EBEE. here they led a God-fearing life, and were rigid in the keeping of their primitive faith and forms of worship.

During the Reformation they were subjected to the same persecutions as other Protestants in northern Europe. After the founding of the Mennonite Church in AD 1537 by one of the early Reformers named Menno Simon, a native of Holland, these Swiss Vaudois, or Swiss Protestants, as they were then called, united with the Menno Simon party, now known as Mennonites. Among the parties who thus joined the Mennonites we find the names of Herr, Graaf, Mylin, Shank, Witmer, Landis, Eby and others. Some of these names are of Teutonic origin, which proved that the Vaudois had accessions from that source after their arrival in Switzerland.

As early as 1683 we find in some old records that Jacob Eby was ordained a Bishop of the Mennonite Church in Canton Zurich. The State party again getting the ruling power into their hands, laid the Mennonites open to persecution, and not wishing to resist the authority of State, a number of these Mennonite left Switzerland and went to the "Plantinate" or Pfaltz, an old German division, now discarded on maps. The chief towns in which they settled were Manheim, Zweibruecken and Heidelberg. Here they resided for but a few year, when they were again troubled by the enemies for not conforming to the laws and church of the State. The laws of the State were not so much violated by theses parties, only they would not take up arms, nor would they speak in favour of war, but took a decided stand against all manner of war, hence their frequent abuses by the State parties.

When William Penn, by his agents, offered free homes to person of all religious denominations, quite a number of the Mennonites from Switzerland, Pfaltz and Holland moved to America and settled in Pennsylvania." - THE HISTORY OF THE Eby FAMILY - EZRA E. Eby, 1889

And:

In the first of The Eby Reports, Groff and Newman after researching extensively in Europe concluded that the original research by Ezra Eby was correct. Their research led to the Civil Administration in Grindelwald, Switzerland. "They referred us to a Mr. Aebi, who is an expert on the origin of Swiss family names. He states that the Aebi's were of Aryan extraction and they at one time lived in Asia. Several thousand years ago they traversed the plains of Europe and settled in what is present day Sweden. In the period from 900-1000 AD they moved south again across the North Sea to the northern parts of Europe. They continued to moved south across what is present day Germany and Switzerland to the Alps settling in what is now northern Italy, and in the Hasli, the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. In the years to follow they worked as foresters and farmers. Gradually they became assimilated with the other Swiss peoples. The Aebis finally moved into other areas in the Cantons of Aargau, Basel, Bern Freiburg, Luzern, Schaffenburg, Schwyz, Solothurn and Zurich." - THE EBY REPORT, VOL. I #1 - CLYDE GROFF AND GEORGE NEWMAN - 1975

These are the two main books used by Eby genealogists for the early history of the family. It may not be accurate but it's the best we have at this time.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE MIGRATION TO AMERICA

The winter of 1708-1709 was very long and cold in the Rhineland. It was a very bleak period. People huddled around their fires as they considered quitting their homes and farms forever. By early April, the land was still frozen and most of the Palatines' vines had been killed by the bitter weather. Since 1702 their country had been enduring war and there was little hope for the future. The Thirty Years War lay heavy on their minds, a period in which one out of every three Germans had perished.

The Palatines were heavily taxed and endured religious persecution. As the people considered their future, the older ones remembered that, 1677, William Penn had visited the area, encouraging the people to go to Pennsylvania in America, a place where a man and his family could be free of the problems they were now encountering.

To go to America meant a long, dreadful ocean voyage and a future in an unknown land, away from their past and family. Everyone knew that the German Elector would stop any migration as soon as it was noticed. Only a mass exodus from the Palatinate could be successful. Many wondered how they could ever finance such a journey even if they wanted to attempt it. Small boats, known as scows, would have to be acquired for the long ride down the Rhine River and then there was the price for the ocean voyage. While some of the people had relatives that could assist them financially, many were very poor. Soon enough, their minds were made up for them as France's King Louis XIV invaded their land, ravaging especially the towns in the Lower Palatinate.

In masses, the Palatines boarded their small boats and headed down the Rhine for Rotterdam. It was April 1709 and the first parties were afloat on the Rhine, many with only their most basic goods and their faith in God as their only possessions. The river voyage took an average of 4-6 weeks through extremely cold, bitter weather. By June, 1709, the people streamed into Rotterdam at a rate of one thousand per week. The Elector, as expected, issued an edict forbidding the migration, but almost everyone ignored it. By October, 1709, more than 10,000 Palatines had completed the Rhine River journey.

The Duke of Marlborough was assigned by Queen Anne to transport the immigrants to England. British troop ships were also used. The Queen assumed these Protestants would help fuel the anti-Roman feelings developing in England. The ships from Rotterdam landed, part, at Deptford and the refugees were sent to one of three camps at Deptford, Camberwell, and Blackheath outside the city wall of London. Many Londoner's welcomed the Palatines, but the poor were not, as they felt their English food was being taken from them to feed the Germans. British newspapers published mixed accounts of the Palatines, some praising them while others cursed them.

Over 3,000 of these Palatines were sent to Ireland, again to reinforce the Protestant faith in that land. The trip from england to Ireland was short, taking only about 24 hours.

Meanwhile, streams of Palatines went to America, with most going to Pennsylvania. The ocean voyage was harsh, with over-crowded, under-supplied, and unsanitary ships. What provisons were supplied were generally the least expensive available to the ship's master. Water frequently ran out, as did food. Dreadful mortality occurred on many voyages. In addition to those woes, the Palatines faced robbery, deception, and worse from those transporting them.

Estimates on the number of Germans in Pennsylvania during this period varies from author to author, but a common estimate is 10,000-15,000 by 1727 and 70,000-80,000 by 1750. A good source for reviewing German arrivals to Pennsylvania is Rupp's "Thirty Thousand Immigrants in Pennsylvania" which contains numerous ship passenger lists and has an excellent surname index. Another good resource is Walter Knittle's "Early Eighteenth-Century Palatine Emigration".

Immigrants not only came from Germany, but also Bohemia and Switzerland. Most were either Lutheran, Reformed, or Mennonite in religious belief. - 1996 by Kraig W. Ruckel ©

THE FIRST EBY IN AMERICA

The one thing that all the Eby historians do agree on is that Theodorus or Durst Eby 1 as he was really known, was the first Eby to settle in America prior to May 10, 1718. Family tradition has given his date of birth as 25 April 1663, probably in Berne, Switzerland.

In the 1718 through 1727 assessment rolls for Conestoga Township the name of Durst Eby 1, appears to further establish his residence in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Durst Eby 1, built his first home in 1727, at the line of Earl and Leacock Townships. It is located on Peters Road near the Zeltenriech Church, and we believe that he lived in this home for a short time before his death in late 1727. He was probably buried on his farm property across Peters Road about 500 yards from his home, where at one time two trees marked the grave, but today only one small tree remains to mark the spot.

Durst Eby 1's estate was filed on April 1, 1728, Chester County by John Eby(2), who appears to have been the oldest son. John Eby(2), was also granted Letters of Administration over his father's estate. We are sure that Durst Eby(1), had the following children: John Eby(2), Peter Eby(2), George Eby(2), Jacob Eby(2), Christian Eby(2), Barbara Bare(2), Mary Eby(2) and Elizabeth Eby(2). The Barbara Eby who signed the deed, which granted land in the city of Lancaster to Hans Moser, was his widow and second wife.

The line of Theodorus Eby(1), is essentially as we have reported it in the first two volumes of "The Eby Report" with the exception being the correction and preliminary assembly of the descendants of his son George Eby(2).
Groff(1978)

EZRA E. EBY'S HISTORY OF THE FIRST EBY'S IN NORTH AMERICA

The following is found in "The History of the Eby Family" by Ezra E. Eby, first published in 1889. Some errors in his data have been researched and corrected by Groff and Newman, however the original account is the history as it was remembered by those Eby's who migrated into Canada at the beginning of the 19th century. What follows is Ezra's account of Theodorus.

Theodorus Eby, son of Bishop Jacob Eby, was born in Canton, Zurich, Switzerland, on April 25, 1663. He, being a strict Mennonite in faith, left is native country about the year 1704 on account of the religious persecution. From 1704 until 1715 he resided in the "Palatinate" or Pfaltz, Germany. Finding persecution here equally severe as in the country just left, here, company with other co-religionists, left for Philadelphia in the spring of 1715. Some time in August of the same year he settled on what is now called Mill Creek, at a place now known as Roland's Mill, situated south of New Holland and near the line of Earl and Leacock Townships in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Here he resided until his death and enjoyed the privileges and freedom of religion for which he had to suffer persecution and trials in Europe.

Theodorus' family consisted of five sons and one daughter(since corrected by Groff and Newman). These sons were all skilled in the various mechanical arts, so that with their assistance the old ancestor Theodorus built a mill and erected such other buildings as were needed, without employing persons outside the family, except for the purpose of burning charcoal to supply the smith forge, which process they themselves did not sufficiently understand. History of the Eby Family p. 3

Durst first owned land in what is now old town in downtown Lancaster, and it was surveyed about 1718? by Andrew Hamilton. It is known as the Musser Tract. After Durst died c 1727 the land in Lancaster was sold to Hans Musser by the estate. It was after this land sold that Durst's two sons, Christian and George, moved north of Lititz along Hammer Creek. I assume the money from the sale of the 300 acres in Lancaster went to purchase the land for the homes and two mills along Hammer Creek.

One of two graveyards the Eby Family Association maintains is located on a hill behind the Christian Eby house on Hammer Creek. The mill is now Snavely's Mill and sells whole grain flour to Subway sandwich shops for subs. The George Eby mill also still stands nearby. Eby's are also buried in the Hammer Creek Mennonite Church yard. We purchased an old bench that we believe was used for services in the Christian Eby house before the first Hammer Creek Mennonite Church was built.

Christian Earl Eaby - current owner and resident of Durst's original home, which was completed in the year that he died.

Durst had two properties, one in Lancaster along the Conestoga Creek, and one in New Holland area along Mill Creek. I do not know of any being sold in 1727. The homestead where I live went to his son John, then to his other son Peter. After Peter died it was divided, with his eldest son Christian building the house across Peters Road near the cemetery. I do not have any indication that the family ever took up residence in Lancaster. But that is where they first appear on the tax records for Conestoga Township in the Chester County records because Lancaster County did not yet exist. I believe the land in Lancaster was sold by the estate, I believe in 1732, to Musser.

CEE

Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776:
A List of unmarried men, who arrived at Bethlehem, September 14th, 1753.
Theodorus Eby
Miller
First Resident Of Lancaster Township
Buried Probably Eby Mill Property
Mennonite
Cross Roads Of Peters Road And Hollander Rd

  Burial Notes:

Marker In (Isaac) Eby Cemetery, Leacock Twp., (Near Zeltenrieich's Church)

  Noted events in his life were:

• Immigration, 24 Aug 1717, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co, PA.

Theodorus married UNKNOWN about 1684 in Berne, , Bern, Switzerland. (UNKNOWN was born in 1664 and died before 1705.)

Theodorus next married Barbara UNKNOWN after 1704 in Germany. (Barbara UNKNOWN was born about 1684 and died after 1752 in Warwick, Lancaster Co, PA.)