Johann Friedrich and Anna Margarthea Faulring
Their Journey to America
The Faulring family came to America in two separate groups. First,
Peter and Elizabeth Faurling made the journey in 1852, and then the remainder of the family
followed in 1853/54. To emigrate the family needed to obtain permission from the Duchy
of Coburg, which largely hinged on completion of an obligatory two-year military service, for
men, and settlement of any outstanding debts. This process, followed by most would be
emigrants from a German state, is typified by experience of Faulring family.
Peter and Elizabeth Faulring:
Papers found in the State Archive at Coburg show that Peter and Elizabeth applied to the Duchy
of Coburg for permission to leave for America on May 29, 185262. Their
application
resulted in publication on June 9th of an announcement in
the government, newspaper
shown below.
The announcement, in the lower portion of the image, reads, in translation::
One Johann Peter Faulring from Moggenbrunn intends, with his sister Margaretha
Elisabethe Faulring from the same place, to travel to America soon, and possible claims should
be brought here within 8 days.
Coburg, the 4th of June 1852
Duchy of Saxony Office of Justice
Fleischmann
i. 21.
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Peter and Elizabeth were approved to emigrate on June 22, 185262. The
image at the right shows the final entry in the official record pertaining to their
application. This entry appears to be a copy of the travel permit given to Peter and
Elizabeth. The two columns on the left are a description of their appearance and the
column on far right is the authorization to emigrate, part of which could not be copied due to the
tight binding.
Peter and Elizabeth left for America shortly after receiving their permit, probably in early
July. They likely traveled by train to Bremen, their port of departure, which might take a
few days. They sailed from Bremen on July 12, 185263, aboard the ship
Richard Anderson, and arrived at the Port of New York on August 11,
185263, along with 202
other passengers. In 1852, there were no immigration facilities in New York, so
passengers were deposited on the pier to fend for themselves. Arriving passengers would
be accosted by a variety of vendors, offering food, lodging and transportation, some legitimate,
others out to make a fast buck.
From New York City, Peter and Elizabeth would have traveled by boat up the Hudson to
Albany and by train across the State to Buffalo. Why and how they chose to settle in the
Town of Concord, Erie County is unknown. However, it is likely they knew someone
who had already settled there and had some prior information which influenced their choice.
Johann Friedrich and Family:
Johann Friedrich Faulring also had to apply to the Ducal Government for permission to
emigrate. In his case, however, the process was complicate because Johann Friedrich was
a tenant farmer (bestander). This meant he had obligations to the Duchy
of Corburg from whom he rented land. Thus, in the Spring of 1853, he requested release
from these obligations. The image at the left show the last section of a contract issued on
April 4, 1853, by the Immediate-Commssion for Domain-Discharge
(Immediat-Commission für Domainial-Ablösungen). Note
Johann Friedrich's signature on the bottom.
The contract included a Table outlining the various pieces of land (six in total) rented to
Friedrich and amount of rent due through the end of 1853. The total came to 38 Guilder
44 3/4 Franks. Upon payment of this amount, Friedrich would be discharged from any
future obligation to the Duchy. The contract was certified by the Commission on April
22, 1853. On May 2, 1753, the Ducal Chamber and Rent Office implemented the
discharge indicating that Friedrich had paid the required amount.
Johann Friedrich and family also applied for the normal emigration permit before leaving.
Records show that they received their permit in October5, and they probably left
for America in late November or early December of 1853. The family sailed from
Hamburg on December 9, 1853, and arrived in New York on January 9,
185463. The
Marine Intelligence column in the New York Times summarizes their voyage, as follows:
Monday May 3, 1956
Ship Herschel, (Hamb) Meyer, Hamburg 31 ds., mdse. and 264 passengers to Schmidt &
Balchen. Jan. 3, lat. 29 30, lon. 67 40 +chr. -------- of Philadelphia, with both masts gone, had
jury masts rigged and was lumber leaded. The H had experienced heavy weather; lost
starboard bulwarks, two jibs &c.
Clearly, crossing the Atlantic in the middle of Winter was not easy.
After being dropped on the docks of New York City, the Faulring family made their way to
Western New York, most likely be boat to Albany and then train to Buffalo. Surely, they
were met by Peter and Elizabeth in Buffalo, who would have accompanied them on the final leg
of their journey by wagon.
