Scammed

Coming from the River Parishes of South Louisiana, my family’s European roots are less among the French. In fact, they go back to a group of peasant farmers, who came from German-speaking lands for opportunity. During the 18th century an economist named John Law crafted a financial scheme that led to massive crises. Part of this scheme was bringing Germans to New France through promises of farming land with housing and equipment.

Law’s scheme sent invitations across the Germanosphere (yes, this is a real word), and drew 6,000 people to the banks of Brittany. Many were Protestant, from Lutheran and Reformed Churches, and converted to Roman Catholic for permission to set sail. Their vessels, called “Pestschiffe (Pest Ships)”, carried vermin and disease, and when the voyage ended less than 400 survived. Yet, despite these setbacks they went to Arkansas. The promised paradise which only brought more misery.

Helped

Upon reaching Arkansas the peasants found no farmland. Instead they found rough forests without housing and equipment. Worst of all they learned that John Law’s Company went bankrupt and had no obligation to assist them in their need. They then resolved to go back home and cut their losses. Back to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Alsace-Lorraine.

Thankfully, while petitioning for ship fare in New Orleans, the destitute German-speakers met Charles Frederic d’Arensbourg. He had a grant from Governor Bienville for a settlement, and invited them to join him on the Mississippi River. Under d’Arensbourg’s leadership four communities were founded called Karlstein, Augsburg, Hoffen, and Mariental. Overtime they become Louisiana’s German Coast in the parishes of St. Charles, St. James, and St. John the Baptist.

Embraced

In a recent post I talked about my Swiss-German ancestry, which came to light through updates on 23andMe. I also learned that I have German and Austrian foreparents, and even Dutch connections which are probably from Belgium. Of course, like all Black-Creoles from the River Parishes, these distant roots come down to me through people born enslaved. Yet, some of them are through the Gens de couleur libres. Free People of Color who left outstanding legacies.

In 2021 I visited the German Coast and walked through old plantations where my foreparents once lived. With those enslaved I thought about their German owners who left behind their peasant farms to build massive estates. Little did I know that I had blood ties to these owners whose stories, whether I like it or not, are etched upon my own. Some stories are negative and should not be beautified. Others are honourable and deserve greater attention. Yet, both good and bad I embrace my Louisiana German ancestors and admire those who went aboard the Pest Ships and survived.