Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEWS Effingham P, Humphrey, jr. The Palatine Families of New York — 1710. A Study of the German Immigrants Who Arrived in Colonial New York in 1710. by Henry Z. Jones, jr., P.O. Box 8341, Universal City, California 91608. 1985. 2 vols., ixiii, 1298 pp. Indexes, map, illus., bibliography. $89.00 ppd. Of the many oppressed groups, like the Quakers and the Huguenots who fled European tyranny during the 17th and 18th centuries, few suffered as much as the Palatines. Wars, taxation and severe winters took a tremendous toll, until they were 'rescued' by the English and transported to New York, where they settled mostly along the Hudson River. Their dramatic and harrowing story is told here in vivid detail. Mr. Jones shares with the reader many genealogical lessons learned while studying this group lessons which will be of value to all. The main body of this impressive work, a scholarly account of the over 800 Palatines, follows the order in the Hunter Lists [previously published, with inaccuracies]. Thanks, in part, to the work of Mr. Jones's German associate, who went from town to town examining and deciphering the Parish Registers. From these, about 550 of the Palatines have had their hometowns identified, often with their immediate ancestry. More than that, most entries include biographical data; information on children and grandchildren; sponsors at baptism; spouses, and the like, so that a rounded picture is presented, and many previously unknown family connections revealed. This massive research required fifteen years to complete, and has 'paid off' handsomely to anyone interested in this remarkable group of survivors who left a large number of descendants now scattered throughout the United States. The work is enriched with many photographs of Palatine churches and towns, pages from church books, and emigrant lists. Also, a useful bibliography, some last-minute data in two addenda, and two indexes of persons and locations. These volumes constitute a significant and lasting contribution of the first order to genealogical studies, worthy of close and continued study. It is a distinct pleasure to give them our highest recommendation. 188 Book Reviews 189 German Immigrants. List of Passengers Bound from Bremen to New York, 18474854. Comp. by Gary J. Zimmerman & Marion Wolfert. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1985. xxiv, 175 pp. $21.25 ppd. Despite the well-known importance of Hamburg as a departure point for many emigrants to America from Central Europe, the port of Breman processed three times as many persons during the 5-year period studied here. Unfortunately, Breman's original passenger lists were destroyed (for the most part, deliberately), so these lists can be only a partial reconstruction. They are based on the "Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York", in the National Archives microfilm edition, (NA. M237). Only one-fifth of the "German" names are included here those with an indication of origin: town, district, region. Entries give names, ages, residence, and reference to another list showing the name of the vessel, date of arrival in New York and NA call number. Some 35,000 names are listed, providing an exciting opening for research in a specific German locality. The compilers wisely caution that there is a need to check these entries against the originals. The compilers promise future volumes of such lists.. This book is a welcome boon to research in German ancestry. The Faris Family of Washington County, Indiana . by David Faris. 502 pp. Index. 1984. $25.00 ppd. from the author, Box 8574, Philadelphia, Penna. 19101. [Penna. residents add $1.50 tax.) This impressive work deals with the descendants of William Farrie, of co. Antrim, Ireland. He settled in Chester County, South Carolina in 1772, and died as William Faries in York County, South Carolina, in 1805. In an historical introduction, that is a model of clarity and concision, Dr. Faris describes the religious background, especially the problems of. the Covenanters, that led the family to leave Scotland for Ireland, and thence to America. William Farrie and his wife Agnes Cowan had eight children and fifty-eight grandchildren. The family soon spread from the South to the Mid-West, and then throughout the entire United States. The family is traced into the 8th generation. Allied families include: Baird, Devinney, Ervin, Finley, Loudon, McIntyre, Martin, Steuart, Taggart, Tippin and Woods. Individual entries for families, are based largely on information from family members, giving the usual genealogical data, as well as, occupations; locations of birth, marriage, residence, burial; military service and church affiliation. 190 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine This compilation is more than 'just a genealogy", it is family history in the truest sense, with complete biographical data resting on a firm historical, social and religious foundation. The book will be of great interest not only to members of the far-flung Faris family, but also to all those who might wish to undertake a comprehensive family history. This genealogy is highly recommended. . PETITION FROM BERKS NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES, 1753 To the Honorable The Governor and Council of the Province of Pennsylvania. The Petition of Divers of the Inhabitants of the Counties of Berks and Northampton. Humbly Sheweth, That there is a great Occasion of a Road from Easton, in the said County of Northampton, to Reading, in the said County of Berks, the Roads now Commonly used, not being laid out by any Authority, either from this Board or from the respective Courts of the said Counties, are often diverting and obstructed, and rendered almost impassable. Your Petitioners, therefore, humbly Pray that the Honorable Board will please to take such Order in the Premises as your Honours, in your Honours, in your Wisdom shall see meet, And your Petitioners, as in Duty bound, shall ever pray. &c. Jacob Levan Conrad Weiser Lewis Gordon Wm. Parsons Thos. Craig Theobold Baum Will. Craig Henry Harpy Merrick Starr Hu: Wilson Jonas Seely James Starr Peter Haws James Read Lyon Nathan Conrad Bower Geo. Beale John Jones Jasper Scull John Hutton Isaac Levan Thos. Armstrong James Biddle Peter Weitner Benja. Lightfoot Richard Rigg Abraham Crosius Yost Henrich Moses Heyman Peter Weiser Sesmans-Huse Read in Council May 21 1753, PA. (1) II. p. 98