Family Lore
Diary of Verena Spänhauer, 1840 - 1913 (called: Bäsi Vreni) from 1865 - 67
August 20, 1865. Last night, our sister Margareth left our home to seek happiness in
the 'Welschland' (the French part of Switzerland). It has long been her desire to learn
the French language - and now the opportunity has come to her through our friend Anna
Eptinger of Basle, who provided her a job as maid in Noutier.
Accompanied by the warmest wishes for good luck from our family and all those she had
begged good-bye, she left our circle with tears in her eyes. Her heart grew heavy to think
she was leaving us for a lengthy period of time. We also shed tears, but soon we regained
our happiness, knowing where she was going. If the good wishes of blessing from honest
people do help, she will be all right. Nay she be spared haughtiness and physical illness
and may God return her to us in due time safe and sound.
As for myself, I often have had the desire for a change, but my wish has not as yet
been fulfilled. However, I will trust in God and follow the way the One who put life into
me will lead me. In Him I trust with all my soul.
August 27, 1865. Two days ago, we received the first letter from our sister in
Moutier; it made us very happy and reads as follows:
"Moutier/Grand-Val, August 22, 1865.
Dear Parents, Brothers and Sister.
Today I received your letter of Sunday with great pleasure, and I will gladly adhere to
your wish and reply by return. My journey was quite pleasant. At the Post-Office in Basle,
I had to wait for a long time, that is until 8 p.m. Then our names were called and the
passengers had to board the stagecoach in the order we were registered. The first seat is
in the front of the coupé. Then, the second seat is the one father said I should try to
get, and the last one is up in the cabriolet. Myself and the maid, who also waited for so
long, sat next to each other. It was quite entertaining in the stage-coach, although the
conversation was mostly being led in French. Later in the night, I think everyone fell
asleep. My eyes were aching from looking out into the dark night, but I was too excited to
drop off asleep.
In Aesch, Laufen and Delémont, the horses were exchanged and some passengers changed,
too. Certainly, quite a bit could be told about the journey and the country-side. However,
since it was night, I could not see much, although I was constantly looking out of the
window. The little town of Laufen with its neat and high houses I liked very much, also
Delémont. A long way from Delémont, we passed a tremendous rock which looked almost like
a real mountain. At 2 o'clock in the morning, we finally reached Moutier. The postoffice
is at the right-hand side. The postman, who had to help with the unloading, awaited me in
Mr. & Mrs. Roy's staed. The trunk was delivered the next morning.
So I arrived here safe and sound, and I do like it. Mr. & Mrs. Roy have three
children, and four girls from the German part of Switzerland are boarding here, and they
also have a farm hand. They all are very kind to me. I often think of home, but I never
have time to get bored. One of the children is 13 1/2 , two of them 12 years old. In the
nearby institute, Louise Marchand is working, the one who learned German at the Hotel
'Rössli' in Muttenz. Yesterday, Sunday afternoon, Elisa Merilla, who also learned German
at the 'Rössli' in Muttenz, came to visit me. She lives some 30 minutes from here. You
see that I have enough entertainment and thanks God I am healthy. Last Sunday I attended a
French service in church. It is a new and very beautiful church. Every third Sunday a
service is being held in German. Thus I will have the opportunity to attend to one every
two weeks from now. At the present time, we have rainy weather.
I cannot write much about the village, since I have not seen much of it as yet. But I did
like the things I saw so far. Most of the people are working in the watch factory and do
farming besides. They wear excessively nice clothes. On Sunday, I saw two girls in church
without coats, and all the girls wear expensive hats decorated with flowers.
May I ask you to send my old shoes, as I have to get the potatoes from the field, and it
is a shame to mess up my new shoes. (Also Mrs. Roy says so). It will not cost much. Mrs.
Roy has paid me back the Frs. 7.30 for my traveling expense.
I have to say good-bye for now. Give my regards to everyone and tell my uncles and aunts
that I am sorry I did not beg them good-bye. Although I had plenty of time, I did not want
to show off in my new clothes!
Also regards from Mr. & Mrs. Roy. Please do write soon,
Yours daughter and sister Margreth'
Sept. 3, 1865. Today is my name-day, the Verena Sunday: At the same time, it is my dear
sister Katharina's 23rd birthday, which represents a rare coincidence. Yet, I am dominated
by changeable feelings, as we have, also today, escorted the mortal remains of a young
girl-friend of Katharina's to her last resting place. This virgin Katharina Leupin was a
virtuous and modest girl. Many a tear was shed at her open grave.
Sept. 14, 1865. Less than a fortnight after a blossom of youth was returned to the womb
of the earth, again a young girl aged 23 was carried to her last resting place. This Eva
Mesmer had always enjoyed good health, was introvert, faithful and almost indispensable to
her mother. Her early departure is deeply deplored, which was witnessed by the many
attendees at her funeral.
Oct. 1, 1865. Today, Father and Mother traveled to Moutier to pay a visit to my sister
Margreth and to present her with the sweetest fruits we have: Grapes, and also with a
piece of olive-green linen for a new winter dress.
The year is slowly drawing to its end. As I let my thoughts drift, mixed ideas cross my
mind - sad and joyful memories. But focusing into the future, I keep wondering how this
year may end. Yet, this should be left to The Lord's wise dispension.
I cannot recall a year with more unusual weather conditions than this one. At the
beginning of the year, we had cold, rigorous weather up to the end of March, and we all
were longing for Spring. On April 1st, the skies cleared, the temperature turned mild and
milder, and there was not a drop of rain all month long. The month of May brought a few
showers, yet the grass would not grow, so the hay was scarce and of bad quality. The rain
in June was good for the fruit. July was hot and dry all along. The cherry harvest was
abundant. For plucking cherries and taking them to the market we had dry weather all
along. The grain crop was good, too, but for the potatoes and grass it was far too dry.
September again was very hot and dry. This is the worst drought I have experienced. Yet,
the wine promises to be of excellent quality.
Good Friday, 1867. Today, at the anniversary of our Lord's death, there are exactly 4
weeks since we suddenly lost a brother in an accident. I shall try and dedicate a few
words of love and sorrow on his behalf.
Brother Friedrich was born on June 9, 1848 as the youngest of us five children. He was of
delicate health as a child, but gradually gained strength, especially during the last year
of his life. He was intelligent and quite knowledgeable and he had a tendency toward
music. Friedrich played the zither very well, much to our enjoyment. He was very friendly
with children, and there were always a few of them to keep him company when he was working
at home. Despite his weaknesses, which all human beings have, and which we now cover with
love, everyone seemed to like him. He was a loyal and faithful friend and he certainly
knew how to entertain, especially children.
Here, Verena's diary ends.
The following Information was told to the writer by Miss Margrit Gysin (1885 - 1984) -
'Bäsi Gritill'
Margaritha Spänhauer (b. 1846) - the teller's mother -who described her trip to
Grandval, was later married to Gottlieb Gysin.
In the year 1886, Dr. James Spainhauer (dentist) of Lenoir, N.C., approached the
Spänhauer families in Muttenz by writing. The letter came to Daniel (b. 1844) Spänhauer
- the writer's great-grandfather. (Edith B. Spänhauer)It was very difficult for the two
parties to correspond, since none of them knew the language of the other. James' idea was
to have a Spänhauer family from Muttenz come over to North Carolina and cultivate his
farm. To make his offer more tempting, he sent pictures of both the farm house and his
family. Daniel, having had a growing family and owning a major farm in Muttenz, did not
venture to make the suggested inspection trip to North Carolina. In his stead he delegated
his brother-in-law, Gottlieb Gysin. Gottlieb crossed the ocean in 1888. After a 14 days'
voyage, he was met (presumably in Philadelphia) and taken to Lenoir.
Upon his return home, Gottlieb described the land to be an absolute wilderness. 'There
were no bridges; horse and carriage had to cross the river beds. And there was no pub for
miles and miles around'.
Gottlieb found the whole prospect rather depressing, all the more as he could not make
conversation with his hosts. Having, at that time, had 6 children of his own and a wife
reluctant to leave her country, Gottlieb rejected Dr. James' offer.
Daniel, impressed by Gottlieb's report was only too happy to remain on his own soil.
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