Three Additional Rappite Letters

Three Additional Rappite Letters
Edited by John C. Andressohn*
Through the kindness of Henry A. Meyer of Central
High School, Evansville, Indiana, it is possible to publish
three additional letters containing references to the Rappites.
Meyer is an ardent philatelist and these letters come from
philatelic collections.
The letter dated Corydon, January 25, 1824, has several
points of interest. The writer was Samuel Merrill, the first
treasurer of Indiana, who went to New Harmony to interest
the Rappites in a loan to the state.
The letter of April 24, 1826, reveals that the Rappites,
after their return to Pennsylvania, maintained active trade
relations with Louisville. An effort was made to get some
information concerning the Isaac & Willis Stewart Co., but
as yet with little success. Meyer writes with reference to
this letter: “I bought it for the notation ‘P. St. Bt. Gen.
Pike’. The General Pike was a very early boat on the upper
Ohio. The absence of a postmark means that it was carried
as a favor by the boat’s captain or clerk and handed to any
Rappite who was at the landing when the boat stopped at
Economy.”
The letter dated October 12,1830, is especially interesting
because of the sidelights it throws upon the outside attitude
toward the Rappites. It was written in German without
regard to any system of orthography and practically devoid
of punctuation. It was sent by George Kurtz to Frederick
Rapp at Economy. Although Kurtz wrote the letter on October 12, 1830, he did not mail it until December 31, 1830.
He was a runaway Rappite and had been involved in illicit
relations with some woman either in Economy or near there.
When the woman was with child, he offered her one hundred
dollars if she would in writing release him from further obligations. She agreed on condition that he take her to her
sister, but the judge (or justice of the peace) declared the
paper worthless, whereupon Kurtz left Economy and took the
woman to Madison, Indiana, where the child was presumably
born. He began to yearn for a return to Economy but waited
two and a half months before sending the letter to Frederick
Rapp. According to his story he vigorously vindicated Frederick Rapp and the Community against the abusive accusa*John C. Andressohn is a member of the history department at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Three Additional Rappite Letters
185
tions current in Madison. His ardent defense is described at
length, probably in the hope of facilitating his return to
Economy.
Corydon Jan 25, 1824.
Dear Parents. Your letter containing Mr. Brown's Certificate arrived
some time since but from the session of the Legislature that is now
just closing, I have been so busy that I have not yet located it. I have
been trying to sell it but in this part of the County most of the good
land has been sold so that I shall not be able till the weather settles
in the Spring to get the worth of it. As soon as I can dispose of it
to advantage, I will inform you.
Our family have for the last year enjoyed good health, though
yesterday some little change took place by the birth of another daughter,
which I believe is to have the name of Catharine. The luck of the
Merrills seems at present not to lie in the boy tine, unless Hazen has
before this time done something to keep up the name, I fear it will be
in a bad way. Our winter has hitherto been very warm and wet, no
snow has fallen and grass fields are quite green.
The present Legislature has passed a Law to change the seat of
government from this place to Indianapolis which lies 108 miles north
of this place and about 90 miles west from Cincinnati. Three years
ago the town was laid out in the woods near fifty miles distant from
any settlements of white people, it has now 80 or 100 houses and
probably will have twice that number in a year. The County around
it also has 5 or 600 families. We shall not move however till late in
the fall.
I was not long since at a place called Harmony a settlement of
Germans containing about 800 people who are entirely under the
domination of one man. The town is situated about 25 miles from the
mouth of the Wabash, and is large enough to accommodate themselves well. They have two churches one for Winter and the other
for summer the latter of which is nearly twice the size of yours. Every
kind of manufacture that can be of use is there carried 'on, and the
value of their property is becoming immense. Though the head of them
is sufficiently polite yet it is very difficult to know much about their
real situation. Most of them do not understand English and those who
do have little disposition to gratify idle curiosity. It is certain I believe that they do not seek converts, and that it is very rare that
children are born among them. My business was to obtain a loan
for the State which kept me so much engaged that I had no time to
make so many observations as I wished.
During this winter we have generally had excellent preaching which
is not common in this country. When the Missionary Society of the
East remembers, we t r y to subscribe and pay so much as not to be
a burthen to them. Exertions have been made here to procure a
regular Presbyterian preacher but as yet without success.
I hope some of you will write soon. Where is David and how do
the Dr. and Betsy come on?
I am your affectionate son
Sam] Merrill
Indiana Magazine of History
I did think of coming home this Summer but the removal of the Seat
of Government will prevent me.
Addressed to
Jesse Merrill Esquire
Pearham
Vermont
Louisville Monday Apl. 24 1826
Mr. Frederick Rapp
Sir
Enclosed please find bill of lading for nine bales of Cotton per
Steam Boat Genl. Pike, which is the remainder of the 41 bales rec’d
on Saturday per Steam Boat Lexington- We intended to have shipped
the whole on Saturday per Velocepede; but we could not get drays
enough in time to get the whole up, and she departed with 32 Bales,
of which we advised you by letter of 22d Inst.
Respectfully yours
Isaac & Willis Stewart Co.
PS.
We will soon be prepared to receive dry goods on ConsignmentShould you wish to send any of your Cotton goods here, we think we
could sell a considerable quantity of them-Spun
Cotton is a good
article here now, of which we have none on hand, & could sell considerable.
Resp. again
I & w St. co.
We intend to make a bill agst the Purchases of the Penn, for all
expenses attending the unfortunate bill & for interest, which we very
conscienciously think they are in honor bound to pay,-Whether they
will think so or not we do not know.
I & w s co.
Addressed to
Mr. Frederick Rapp
Economy
Paket Genl. Pike
Pa.
Madison, October 12, 1830.
Much beloved Father [George Rapp] and Frederick [Rapp],
If my letter finds you in good health I shall be happy. I too am
well, but not in good spirits. I am very sorry that I have left Economy; I find no rest by day or night; my conscience tells me that I did
wrong. Therefore I beg of you that you will plead for me to have me
again received into the Society, for it is terrible how those [of Economy]
are despised.
When I returned from Pittsburgh, I arranged with her [the woman
with whom he was involved] to give her $100 if she gave me a statement in writing, and she agreed on the condition that I take her to her
sister. This I agreed to do, but when I appeared before the Justice
[of the Peace?], he said that it was of no avail. Then I decided to go
down the Beaver [he means the Ohio]; when I arrived at Cincinnati,
I thought I would not reveal my identity, but there John Kurtz reeog-
Three Additional Rappite Letters
187
nizad me. With him I went into the city to Scheide’s. When I arrived,
he was full [of praise?] for the Society; then I spoke a few words
[probably mentioning his departure from Economy], whereupon a complete change took place in him [denouncing the Society]. He let me
read a letter, but would not let me read the signature, in which all
things which occurred [at Economy] were described. It is horrible
how dark they painted you.
I entered a grocery; there they mked me from where I came; when
I said from Economy, they asked whether my eyes had been opened;
then they said that you were the greatest swindlers that ever lived
on earth. I said that they would have to prove it to me or I should
not be satisfied. Then they told me that Frederick had visited a house
of ill-fame and got the pocks. Then I said it wasn’t true; then they
said they would prove i t to me. I said I would bet $100 that it wasn’t
true. I was so angry that I threw $100 on the counter and said, “If
you are not liars, put your $100 down.” Thereupon they slunk away
and I never saw any of them.
From there I went to Madison to Hiihr, and I left her there until
the child is born. With H6hr I had a total break; I could no longer
bear to hear how he calIed the good men [of Economy] scoundrels;
it was just as if one had thrust a dagger into my breast. They said
I was more ignorant than a dog or R eat; they begin to see in nine
days, but not I.
I am now working in Madison a t my trade; I am getting along
fairly well, but of what use is that to me if I cannot find rest. I
beg of you that if one of you comes down this way, you will be so kind
as to look me up. You need only ask for the hatter Lee. Then I
shall relate everything concerning myself.
I remain your most faithful friend,
George Kurtz
Mattesen Oktober 12 1830
Vie1 Geliebter vatter und Friedrich wan euch mein Schreiben Gesund
antrift, so wirds mich freuen, ich bin auch gesund, aber nicht vergniigt, es hat mich sehr gereuen das ich die Economy verlasen habe
ich habe Tag oder Nacht keine Ruhe mein Gewisen sagt mir ich habe
nicht recht gethan deswegen bitte ich euch ihr m6chtet vor mich bitten
das ich wieder ihn die Gese!lschaft miichde aufgenommen werden dan
es ist schreklich Wie die verachtet seyt, als ich wieder zurukkam von
Pittsburch hab ich es m t ihr ausgemach ich wollte ihr 100 Thaler
geben Wan sie mir ein Schreiben gebe, und sie hat gesagt sie wollte es
thun, Wan ich sie zu ihrer Schwostern bringen wollte, ich habe gesagt
ich wolde es thun, als ich xu dem Justis kam sagt er mir es sey vor
nichts dan hab ich mich entschlosen den Beber hinunder zu gen als ich
nach Sensenade kam, hab ich gedach wolte mich nich zu erken geben
dan hat mich der Johannes Kurtz gekand dan bin ich mit ihm hin auf
fin die Statd zu dem Scheides als ich zu ihm kam war e r voll uber
die Geselschaft dan sagt ich ihm etliche Worde dan ist e r ganz anderrs
geworden er hat mich auch einen brif sehen lasen, aber den Namen
nicht wer ihn geschrieben hat, es ist alles darin geschrieben gewesem
wm sich zu getragen hat es ist Schriiklich, wie ihr so Schwan seyn,
188
Indiana Magazine of History
ich kam ihn eine Krosere da haben sie mich gefraget wo ich her komme
dan sagte ich ihnen ich kom von der Economy dan sagten sie ob mir
auch die Augen aufgegangen were dan sageden sie ihr wohren die
Grosten bedrtiger wo noch auf Erden Gelebt hatten dan sagt ich ihnen
sie Mussten es rnir beweisen oder ich sey nich zu frieden, dan haben sie
rnir gesagt der Friedrich sey ihn dem Huren Haus gewesen und habe
die Pax bekommen dan sagte ich ihnen es sey nich Wahr dan sagten sie
Wollten mir es beweisen ich sagte ich wolde hundert thaler wetten es
sey nicht war, es hat mich so bass Gemacht, dan hab ich hundert Thaler
auf den kannterd geschmissen und habe gesagt wan ihr keine liigner
seyn dan legt auch hundert Thaler hin, dan seyn sie hinaus geschlichen,
und habe keinen mehr gesehen, von dord ging ich nach Mattesen zu
dem Hohr, und habe sie dort gelasen bis sie ihr Kond hat, mit dem
Hohr bin ich Tothal ausgefallen ich hab es nicht Kiinnen horen wan e r
die Gueden Manner Spitzbuben geheisen hat das war mir gerath wie
wen man mir einen Dolch ihn die Brust gestosen hatte sie sagden ich
sey dummer als ein Hund oder eine Katz die werde do& ihn neun Thag
sehend aber ich nicht, ich Arbeid nun jezt ihn Mattesen auf meinem
Handwerg ich mach zimmlich gut aus, aber waa nutzts mich das, wan
ich keine ruhe habe ich mochte euch bitten wan jemandvon euch
herunderkomnt ihr mochten so gut seyn zu rnir zu Kommen ihr darf
nur nach dem Huthmacher Lee fragen dan will ich es euch alles
eniihlen wie es bey mir steht, ich verbleibe Euer Getreuster Freund
Georg Kurtz