| Married in the 1700's |
Samuel Maurer and Katharina Kinzinger
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Maurer
| TEN Generations from Germany to the U.S.A. - DE1. Samuel Maurer, (b. in (?) Kaiserlauten, Rheinland-Pflalz; d. (?) in Gersweilerhof , Rheinland-Pflalz). His parents died in Sapmmer, Holland. Holland is a region in the central-western part of the Netherlands. Holland is a former country of the Holy Roman Empire, ruled by the Count of Holland and later the dominant province of the Republic of the Seven United Provinces (Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Provinciën, 1581– 1795). Married: (?) Katharina Kinzinger, (b. Kaiserlautern, Rheinland-Pfalz; d. Gersweilerhof, Rheinland-Pfalz ) They had 2 sons, their oldest was Johannes Maurer |
So we tentatively can trace the family line back to
Samuel Maurer born in Kaiserslauten, Pfalz, Duchy
of Baveria in the 1700's. His parents died in
Sapmmer, Holland; the Netherlands.
Samuel Maurer born in Kaiserslauten, Pfalz, Duchy
of Baveria in the 1700's. His parents died in
Sapmmer, Holland; the Netherlands.
Kaiserslautern is a city in southwest Germany, located in the Bundesland of
Rhineland-Palatinate at the edge of the Palatinate forest (Pfälzer Wald). The
historic centre dates to the 9th century and is within easy reach of Paris (459
kilometres) and Luxembourg (159 kilometres).
Prehistoric settlement in the area of what is now Kaiserslautern has been
traced to at least 800 B.C. Some 2,500-year-old Celtic tombs were uncovered at
Miesau, a town about 29 kilometres west of Kaiserslautern. The recovered
relics are now in the Museum for Palatinate History at Speyer.
Kaiserslautern received its name from the favourite hunting retreat of Holy
Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa who ruled the Holy Roman Empire from
1155 until 1190. The small river Lauter made the old section of Kaiserslautern
an island in medieval times. Ruins of Frederick's original castle, built 1152–
1160, can still be seen in front of the Rathaus (city hall). A second castle,
Nanstein Castle, was built at Landstuhl to guard the western approach to the
city. Because of the influence Frederick Barbarossa had on the town, it is
nicknamed a "Barbarossa town".
The Stiftkirche, Kaiserslautern's oldest church, was constructed in 1250–1350.
As the population of Kaiserslautern grew, King Rudolf von Habsburg chartered
the town in 1276. St. Martin's Kirche (church) was built from 1300–1350 for an
order of monks. Today a section of the original city wall still stands in the
courtyard of the church.
In 1375 the city of Kaiserslautern was put into pawn to the Kurpfalz and therefore
became subsequently part of the Wittelsbach heirloom. In 1519, Franz von
Sickingen became the owner of Nanstein Castle. He became a Protestant, and
in 1522 Nanstein was a stronghold for local nobles favouring the Reformation.
Sickingen and the local nobles began their battle against the Archbishop of
Trier; but the attack was unsuccessful, and they retreated to Nanstein. Nanstein
was then besieged by cannon-armed German Catholic princes. Sickingen died
after the castle surrendered, and the Protestant nobility of the Palatinate were
subdued by the Catholic princes.
Count of the Palatinate Johann Casimir, came to Kaiserslautern during the
Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). Harsh Spanish occupation in 1621–1632 ended
when Protestant Swedish armies liberated the area. But, in 1635, the ruthless
Croatian troops of the Austrian emperor's army entered Kaiserslautern and
killed 3,000 of the 3,200 residents in three days' plundering. Landstuhl was
saved from a similar fate by surrendering without a fight. It took Kaiserslautern
about 160 years to repopulate itself.
The trouble did not end with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. The Elector of the
Pfalz had difficulty with many of his subjects and ordered all castles, including
Nanstein, destroyed. The French repeatedly invaded and occupied the area,
residing in Kaiserslautern in 1686–1697. Nevertheless, after the treaty of
Utrecht it was restored to be part of the palatinate. During the unquiet episodes
in the 18th century, the Palatinate was the scene of fighting between French and
German troops of different states. In 1713, the French destroyed Barbarossa's
castle and the city's wall towers. From 1793 until Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo
in 1815, the area was under French administration.
Rhineland-Palatinate at the edge of the Palatinate forest (Pfälzer Wald). The
historic centre dates to the 9th century and is within easy reach of Paris (459
kilometres) and Luxembourg (159 kilometres).
Prehistoric settlement in the area of what is now Kaiserslautern has been
traced to at least 800 B.C. Some 2,500-year-old Celtic tombs were uncovered at
Miesau, a town about 29 kilometres west of Kaiserslautern. The recovered
relics are now in the Museum for Palatinate History at Speyer.
Kaiserslautern received its name from the favourite hunting retreat of Holy
Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa who ruled the Holy Roman Empire from
1155 until 1190. The small river Lauter made the old section of Kaiserslautern
an island in medieval times. Ruins of Frederick's original castle, built 1152–
1160, can still be seen in front of the Rathaus (city hall). A second castle,
Nanstein Castle, was built at Landstuhl to guard the western approach to the
city. Because of the influence Frederick Barbarossa had on the town, it is
nicknamed a "Barbarossa town".
The Stiftkirche, Kaiserslautern's oldest church, was constructed in 1250–1350.
As the population of Kaiserslautern grew, King Rudolf von Habsburg chartered
the town in 1276. St. Martin's Kirche (church) was built from 1300–1350 for an
order of monks. Today a section of the original city wall still stands in the
courtyard of the church.
In 1375 the city of Kaiserslautern was put into pawn to the Kurpfalz and therefore
became subsequently part of the Wittelsbach heirloom. In 1519, Franz von
Sickingen became the owner of Nanstein Castle. He became a Protestant, and
in 1522 Nanstein was a stronghold for local nobles favouring the Reformation.
Sickingen and the local nobles began their battle against the Archbishop of
Trier; but the attack was unsuccessful, and they retreated to Nanstein. Nanstein
was then besieged by cannon-armed German Catholic princes. Sickingen died
after the castle surrendered, and the Protestant nobility of the Palatinate were
subdued by the Catholic princes.
Count of the Palatinate Johann Casimir, came to Kaiserslautern during the
Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). Harsh Spanish occupation in 1621–1632 ended
when Protestant Swedish armies liberated the area. But, in 1635, the ruthless
Croatian troops of the Austrian emperor's army entered Kaiserslautern and
killed 3,000 of the 3,200 residents in three days' plundering. Landstuhl was
saved from a similar fate by surrendering without a fight. It took Kaiserslautern
about 160 years to repopulate itself.
The trouble did not end with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. The Elector of the
Pfalz had difficulty with many of his subjects and ordered all castles, including
Nanstein, destroyed. The French repeatedly invaded and occupied the area,
residing in Kaiserslautern in 1686–1697. Nevertheless, after the treaty of
Utrecht it was restored to be part of the palatinate. During the unquiet episodes
in the 18th century, the Palatinate was the scene of fighting between French and
German troops of different states. In 1713, the French destroyed Barbarossa's
castle and the city's wall towers. From 1793 until Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo
in 1815, the area was under French administration.
Kaiserslautern is a district (Kreis) in the south of Rhineland-Palatinate,
Germany. Neighboring districts are (from west clockwise) Kusel,
Donnersbergkreis, Bad Dürkheim and Südwestpfalz. The city of Kaiserslautern
is enclosed by, but not belonging to the district. The district of Kaiserslautern
was established in 1939. Minor changes of the borders occurred in 1969 and
1972. But in Samuel Maurer's time they were one and the same
The district includes parts of the Palatinate forest (Pfälzer Wald) in the east and
the North Palatine Hills (Nordpfälzer Bergland) in the west, as well as the
lowlands between them.
Germany. Neighboring districts are (from west clockwise) Kusel,
Donnersbergkreis, Bad Dürkheim and Südwestpfalz. The city of Kaiserslautern
is enclosed by, but not belonging to the district. The district of Kaiserslautern
was established in 1939. Minor changes of the borders occurred in 1969 and
1972. But in Samuel Maurer's time they were one and the same
The district includes parts of the Palatinate forest (Pfälzer Wald) in the east and
the North Palatine Hills (Nordpfälzer Bergland) in the west, as well as the
lowlands between them.
Erlenbach with Gersweilerhof is a part of the town of Kaiserslautern. Er
liegt erhöht im Norden der Stadt und grenzt an die Stadt Otterberg . He is
raised in the north of the city and adjacent to the city Otterberg. Die ersten
Erwähnungen des Ortes gehen auf das 12. The first mention of the place go
to the 12th Jahrhundert zurück. Century. Von Kaiser Otto IV. wurden dem
Zisterzienser -Kloster von Otterberg mehrere Landstücke von Erlenbach
geschenkt. From Emperor Otto IV were the Cistercian monastery of
Otterberg several pieces of land Erlenbach presented. Diese Schenkungen
werden 1159 zum ersten Mal urkundlich erwähnt. These gifts are 1159 for
the first time mentioned.
liegt erhöht im Norden der Stadt und grenzt an die Stadt Otterberg . He is
raised in the north of the city and adjacent to the city Otterberg. Die ersten
Erwähnungen des Ortes gehen auf das 12. The first mention of the place go
to the 12th Jahrhundert zurück. Century. Von Kaiser Otto IV. wurden dem
Zisterzienser -Kloster von Otterberg mehrere Landstücke von Erlenbach
geschenkt. From Emperor Otto IV were the Cistercian monastery of
Otterberg several pieces of land Erlenbach presented. Diese Schenkungen
werden 1159 zum ersten Mal urkundlich erwähnt. These gifts are 1159 for
the first time mentioned.
Pfalz, 1648-1742
The PFALZGRAFEN (in Engl. : Counts Palatine) were among the seven
electors of the Holy Roman Empire and thus had an exalted position
among Germany's many princes. In effect they had long been promoted
dukes, but as count was part of their title, it stuck. In the history of the
dynasty, the territory has repeatedly been split into several lines; the main
line would govern the KURPFALZ (Electorate Palatinate). Her capital was
HEIDELBERG. Other sidelines included PFALZ-SULZBACH,
PFALZ-NEUBURG, PFALZ-VELDENZ, PFALZ-ZWEIBRÜCKEN. The line of
Pfalz-Simmern was Calvinist; the population of the territory split in
Calvinist, Catholic and Lutheran communities.
With the TREATY OF WESTPHALIA (1648) the period of Bavarian
occupation ended and the county reverted to the dynasty. In 1685 the
line of Pfalz-Simmern went extinct and was succeeded by the line of
Pfalz-Neuburg, who also were dukes of JÜLICH and BERG. The Dukes of
Pfalz-Neuburg were Catholic; in the RECESS OF SCHWÄBISCH-HALL
(1685) they promised to respect the confession of the various
communities within the territory. However, King Louis XIV. of FRANCE
contested the Neuburg inheritance; the WAR OF PALATINE SUCCESSION
(1688-1697), in English often referred to as the War of the League of
Augsburg or the War of the Grand Alliance, unfolded. The magnificent
Heidelberg castle was besieged and taken by French troops (1689), most
of the territory annexed in what the French called REUNIONs. Heidelberg
again was destroyed in 1693. France faced a coalition of enemies and, in
the TREATY OF RIJSWIJK 1697, had to return the territory of the occupied
Pfalz. Meanwhile the French had enforced the COUNTERREFORMATION
while they had been in control, converting or forcing part of the Calvinist
and Lutheran population to emigrate. Emigrants settled a.o. in PRUSSIA
and in PENNSYLVANIA (since 1683). The Catholic Dukes of Pfalz-Neuburg
also, against treaties, favoured Catholicism.
In the WAR OF SPANISH SUCCESSION 1700-1714, Duke JOHANN
WILHELM allied himself with the Emperor; in 1708 the Emperor returned
the OBERPFALZ (since 1648 held by Bavaria) to the Counts Palatinate; in
the TREATY OF RASTATT 1714, however, it had to be returned to Bavaria.
Duke KARL PHILIPP (1716-1742) signed the UNION OF THE HOUSE OF
WITTELSBACH (1724) with Bavaria, ending a century of hostility between
the two lines of the dynasty, Pfalz and Bavaria. In the WAR OF POLISH
SUCCESSION, the Pfalz remained neutral. In 1720 - the city of Heidelberg
still had not fully recovered from the war - he began with the construction of
the new residence at MANNHEIM.
The PFALZGRAFEN (in Engl. : Counts Palatine) were among the seven
electors of the Holy Roman Empire and thus had an exalted position
among Germany's many princes. In effect they had long been promoted
dukes, but as count was part of their title, it stuck. In the history of the
dynasty, the territory has repeatedly been split into several lines; the main
line would govern the KURPFALZ (Electorate Palatinate). Her capital was
HEIDELBERG. Other sidelines included PFALZ-SULZBACH,
PFALZ-NEUBURG, PFALZ-VELDENZ, PFALZ-ZWEIBRÜCKEN. The line of
Pfalz-Simmern was Calvinist; the population of the territory split in
Calvinist, Catholic and Lutheran communities.
With the TREATY OF WESTPHALIA (1648) the period of Bavarian
occupation ended and the county reverted to the dynasty. In 1685 the
line of Pfalz-Simmern went extinct and was succeeded by the line of
Pfalz-Neuburg, who also were dukes of JÜLICH and BERG. The Dukes of
Pfalz-Neuburg were Catholic; in the RECESS OF SCHWÄBISCH-HALL
(1685) they promised to respect the confession of the various
communities within the territory. However, King Louis XIV. of FRANCE
contested the Neuburg inheritance; the WAR OF PALATINE SUCCESSION
(1688-1697), in English often referred to as the War of the League of
Augsburg or the War of the Grand Alliance, unfolded. The magnificent
Heidelberg castle was besieged and taken by French troops (1689), most
of the territory annexed in what the French called REUNIONs. Heidelberg
again was destroyed in 1693. France faced a coalition of enemies and, in
the TREATY OF RIJSWIJK 1697, had to return the territory of the occupied
Pfalz. Meanwhile the French had enforced the COUNTERREFORMATION
while they had been in control, converting or forcing part of the Calvinist
and Lutheran population to emigrate. Emigrants settled a.o. in PRUSSIA
and in PENNSYLVANIA (since 1683). The Catholic Dukes of Pfalz-Neuburg
also, against treaties, favoured Catholicism.
In the WAR OF SPANISH SUCCESSION 1700-1714, Duke JOHANN
WILHELM allied himself with the Emperor; in 1708 the Emperor returned
the OBERPFALZ (since 1648 held by Bavaria) to the Counts Palatinate; in
the TREATY OF RASTATT 1714, however, it had to be returned to Bavaria.
Duke KARL PHILIPP (1716-1742) signed the UNION OF THE HOUSE OF
WITTELSBACH (1724) with Bavaria, ending a century of hostility between
the two lines of the dynasty, Pfalz and Bavaria. In the WAR OF POLISH
SUCCESSION, the Pfalz remained neutral. In 1720 - the city of Heidelberg
still had not fully recovered from the war - he began with the construction of
the new residence at MANNHEIM.
The liberal spirit of the French Revolution was in many cities, but still very long.
Auf dem Hambacher Schloss bei Neustadt an der Haardt feierten am 27. On the
Hambach castle in Neustadt an der Haardt celebrated on 27 Mai 1832 etwa
30.000 freiheitsliebende Bürger aus allen Teilen Deutschlands das „
Hambacher Fest “. In May 1832 approximately 30,000 citizens freedom from all
parts of Germany "Hambach Festival." Inzwischen gilt diese Demonstration als
Meilenstein auf dem Weg zur deutschen Einheit und das Hambacher Schloss
als die „Wiege der deutschen Demokratie“. Meanwhile, this demonstration as a
milestone on the way to German unity and the Hambach castle as the "cradle of
German democracy."
Auf dem Hambacher Schloss bei Neustadt an der Haardt feierten am 27. On the
Hambach castle in Neustadt an der Haardt celebrated on 27 Mai 1832 etwa
30.000 freiheitsliebende Bürger aus allen Teilen Deutschlands das „
Hambacher Fest “. In May 1832 approximately 30,000 citizens freedom from all
parts of Germany "Hambach Festival." Inzwischen gilt diese Demonstration als
Meilenstein auf dem Weg zur deutschen Einheit und das Hambacher Schloss
als die „Wiege der deutschen Demokratie“. Meanwhile, this demonstration as a
milestone on the way to German unity and the Hambach castle as the "cradle of
German democracy."
Europe was experiencing a tremendously violent upheaval as the axis of power shifted the
nation from the vice grip of religious control which for centuries held the nation within the iron
fist of religious suppression. Zwingli and his disciples became the first to renounce
allegiance to Rome in 1520, and within 50 years 40 percent of the inhabitants of Europe
observed a "Reformed Theology." The Swiss COnfederation embraced the new faith, and the
cantons of Zurich, Berne, Basel and Shaffhausen were Protestant. But the Catholic church
exercized resistance, with the 30 Years War a tumultuous and difficult era for the Palatinate
region, and other areas vitally impacted by it. The war was primarily a religious war, which
included the witchhunts from 1622-28. Witches were said to communicate with the devil and
were blamed for many of the hardships and illnesses.
In 1688, King Louis XV of France sent troops into the Palatinate to secure it for France. Again
in 1702 the people of the Palatinate endured the hardship of war, with thoughts of
abandoning homes and farms in the Palatinate looming largely as their major hope for the
future, as the war dragged on. During winter of 1708-1709 people huddled around their fires
to keep warm, with frequent discussions of immigration. Difficult questions were asked:
What about the travel documents? Which family members would go? What month to leave
in? How would they obtain the necessary finances? What possessions would they take with
them? What ship would they travel on? As they faced the difficulties, and formulated travel
plans, France's King Louis XIV invaded their land, ravaging especially the towns in the Lower
Palatinate, forcing them to flee in their small boats, called scows on the Rhine River, to
Rotterdam. The trip to Holland was not an easy journey, but took on an average between four
to six weeks.
In 1689 William III was even crowned as King of England after he defeated the Roman
Catholics in Northern Ireland. This event is still celebrated today with the yearly Orange
marches in Northern Ireland.
William III was called to fill the office of Orange of dignity and authority which had been held
by his ancestors of the house of Orange, and the Stadtholdership was declared to be
hereditary in his family. But William died without issue and a Stadtholderless period, during
which the province of Holland was supreme in the union, followed till 1737.
This change was effected smoothly, for though William III had many differences with
Amsterdam and Dordrecht, he had in Anthony Heinsius (van der Heim), who was Grand
Pensionary of Holland from 1690 to his death in 1720, a statesman whom he thoroughly
trusted, who worked with him in the furtherance of his policy during life and who continued to
carry out that policy after his death in 1702.
The period between 1702 and 1795 was dominated by incompatible Stadtholders and local
disasters in the Lowlands (Floods, Storms, Plaques). The Netherlands slowly lost their
military and trade-power.
After the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), in which the Dutch were allies of the
British against the French, the economic and political power of the Netherlands began to
decline. Eventually the Dutch Republic was overshadowed by the expanding power of Great
Britain on the sea and France on the land.
When William III died without heirs in 1702, a distant relative of his, John William Friso,
successfully claimed the Orange title. In 1747 his son became stadtholder in all seven
provinces as William IV.
In the late 18th century a struggle broke out between the party of the house of Orange, which
had become conservative, and the Patriot Party, which desired democratic reforms. The
Orange Party enjoyed a brief triumph with the help of an invading Prussian army in 1787, but
in 1795 French troops and a force consisting of self-exiled Dutch citizens replaced the
republic of the seven United Provinces with the Batavian Republic, which was modeled on
the revolutionary French Republic.
nation from the vice grip of religious control which for centuries held the nation within the iron
fist of religious suppression. Zwingli and his disciples became the first to renounce
allegiance to Rome in 1520, and within 50 years 40 percent of the inhabitants of Europe
observed a "Reformed Theology." The Swiss COnfederation embraced the new faith, and the
cantons of Zurich, Berne, Basel and Shaffhausen were Protestant. But the Catholic church
exercized resistance, with the 30 Years War a tumultuous and difficult era for the Palatinate
region, and other areas vitally impacted by it. The war was primarily a religious war, which
included the witchhunts from 1622-28. Witches were said to communicate with the devil and
were blamed for many of the hardships and illnesses.
In 1688, King Louis XV of France sent troops into the Palatinate to secure it for France. Again
in 1702 the people of the Palatinate endured the hardship of war, with thoughts of
abandoning homes and farms in the Palatinate looming largely as their major hope for the
future, as the war dragged on. During winter of 1708-1709 people huddled around their fires
to keep warm, with frequent discussions of immigration. Difficult questions were asked:
What about the travel documents? Which family members would go? What month to leave
in? How would they obtain the necessary finances? What possessions would they take with
them? What ship would they travel on? As they faced the difficulties, and formulated travel
plans, France's King Louis XIV invaded their land, ravaging especially the towns in the Lower
Palatinate, forcing them to flee in their small boats, called scows on the Rhine River, to
Rotterdam. The trip to Holland was not an easy journey, but took on an average between four
to six weeks.
In 1689 William III was even crowned as King of England after he defeated the Roman
Catholics in Northern Ireland. This event is still celebrated today with the yearly Orange
marches in Northern Ireland.
William III was called to fill the office of Orange of dignity and authority which had been held
by his ancestors of the house of Orange, and the Stadtholdership was declared to be
hereditary in his family. But William died without issue and a Stadtholderless period, during
which the province of Holland was supreme in the union, followed till 1737.
This change was effected smoothly, for though William III had many differences with
Amsterdam and Dordrecht, he had in Anthony Heinsius (van der Heim), who was Grand
Pensionary of Holland from 1690 to his death in 1720, a statesman whom he thoroughly
trusted, who worked with him in the furtherance of his policy during life and who continued to
carry out that policy after his death in 1702.
The period between 1702 and 1795 was dominated by incompatible Stadtholders and local
disasters in the Lowlands (Floods, Storms, Plaques). The Netherlands slowly lost their
military and trade-power.
After the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), in which the Dutch were allies of the
British against the French, the economic and political power of the Netherlands began to
decline. Eventually the Dutch Republic was overshadowed by the expanding power of Great
Britain on the sea and France on the land.
When William III died without heirs in 1702, a distant relative of his, John William Friso,
successfully claimed the Orange title. In 1747 his son became stadtholder in all seven
provinces as William IV.
In the late 18th century a struggle broke out between the party of the house of Orange, which
had become conservative, and the Patriot Party, which desired democratic reforms. The
Orange Party enjoyed a brief triumph with the help of an invading Prussian army in 1787, but
in 1795 French troops and a force consisting of self-exiled Dutch citizens replaced the
republic of the seven United Provinces with the Batavian Republic, which was modeled on
the revolutionary French Republic.
Holland is a region in the central-western part of the Netherlands with a
population of 6.1 million people. Holland was a county of the Holy Roman
Empire, ruled by the Count of Holland, and later became the dominant
province of the Republic of the Seven United Provinces (1581–1795).
population of 6.1 million people. Holland was a county of the Holy Roman
Empire, ruled by the Count of Holland, and later became the dominant
province of the Republic of the Seven United Provinces (1581–1795).
Kaiserslautern in 2007
Samuel Maurer's parents are recorded as dieing in Sapmmer, Holland
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