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A SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY |
Halifax, in 1751, was in the second year of its founding, and settlement in the area was underway. Emigrants had already begun to arrive in Halifax. The British government had proclamations posted in the towns of Germany, and with the help of a gentleman by the name of John Dick, they were inviting Foreign Protestants to be settled in Nova Scotia. It was during this drive for new settlers, in 1751, that the two Wenzel families accepted the invitation of the British government to come to Nova Scotia. On June 25, 1751, Wilhelm Wenzel and his family arrived in Halifax along with 99 other families of Foreign Protestant decent, on the ship "MURDOCK" mastered by Robt. Hamilton. A few days later, on July 2, 1751, Johann George Wenzel and his wife were amongst the 85 families to arrive in Halifax on the ship "PEARL". The new emigrants were lodged in Halifax during the next two years until sites for settlement were properly surveyed and the land made ready for allotment to the settlers. The men were employed by the British government in the development of the headquarters in Halifax. During the early years in Halifax, and latter at the settlements against attacks by the Indians and the French residents who were being uprooted by the settlers. Between 1750 and 1752, the British government had succeeded in bringing about 2000 emigrants to Halifax. It was decided in 1752 that a number of them would be settled at Merliguishe, which the English Council, in Halifax, renamed Lunenburg on May 10, 1753. On May 28, 1753, 1453 German and other European emigrants, including the two Wenzel families, were boarded on 14 transport ships and were taken to Lunenburg. They arrived in the Lunenburg harbor June 7, 1753. The settlers were placed under the charge of Colonel Lawrence who was sent there with 92 regular troops and 66 rangers, under his command, to oversee the settlement. On their arrival, the settlers were employed at clearing land spacer for building temporary shelters for themselves, for food supplies, tools, building materials, firearms and ammunition, ect. Eventually the settlers were allotted a 40 X 60 foot town lot and were supplied with seven hundred feet of boards, 500 bricks and a quantity of nails for building a suitable hut on their lot. During the first year of settlement, the settlers were occupied at building on, and enclosing their town lot with a strong, high, fence. It was deemed expedient that the settlers be sheltered in a compact manner to prevent any attempts that might be made on them by the Indians. It appears that the two Wenzel families worked together at building on the one town lot and that the two families shared the same hut. During the first year, the settlers were also allotted a 75 by 165 foot garden lot and a 30 acre track of land outside the town. During the second year of settlement, the settlers were occupied at enclosing, clearing and cultivating their garden lot. Eventually, they were able to work at clearing their 30 acre lots and build a more comfortable home for themselves and a barn for some farm animals. In 1754, Wilhelm was allocated one cow and one sheep. The first six years of settlement were very distressing and very discouraging for the settlers. Little progress could be made as some of the inhabitants were killed or taken prisoner by the Indians. Many felt very exposed and were very apprehensive of danger. The men had to spend much time with the Militia, fighting off attacks. By the end of 1753, Johann George and his wife, Maria Gerhardt, had left the settlement. Their son, Johann Jacob, was left with the family of Wilhelm for a few years longer. By 1755, he too, had disappeared from the settlement. By 1762, the land that had been granted to Johann George was declared abandoned and was allotted to somebody else. During these early difficult years, Wilhelm and Anna Maria Wenzel gave birth to a set of twins, a boy Lorenz, and a girl, Catherina. These births occurred in 1754, making them the first Wenzel descendants born in Lunenburg. On March 8, 1758 Anne Maria Wenzel gave birth to yet another set of twins, Gottlieb and Elizabeth, both these last children died in infancy. Also, on April 9, 1754, Anna Elizabeth Wenzel, daughter of Wilhelm and Anna Maria, married Martin Zinck and soon after left the settlement. It was not until 1760 that peace was made with the Indians, and vast progress was made in agriculture and cattle. By 1762 Wilhelm, his wife and two sons, Conrad and Lorenz, were firmly established on their 30 acre farmland at Center, Lunenburg, N.S. In 1762, Wilhelm and his son, Conrad, were each allotted a 300 acre track of land at Center. On August 30, 1763, Conrad Wenzel, son of Wilhelm married Anna Margareta Conrad. This was to be his first of two wives. Conrad and his new wife set out to establish themselves on their own farm. It was late in the year 1763, Wilhelm Wenzel, the first Canadian ancestor of the Wenzel families in Lunenburg and Queens Counties, passed away. The exact date is not known. Eventually, Lorenz Wenzel was allotted a 300 acre track of land in Center. Lorenz became involved with making wheelbarrows, two wheeled carts and other wheeled vehicles. He became known as a cartright and wheelright. Lorenz Wenzel had 3 wives. He married his first wife, Anna Margaretha Deupert, on March 19, 1776. Anna Margaretha died on January 14, 1788, during childbirth of her fourth child. On April 1, 1788, Lorenz married his second wife, Marie Elizabeth Hausler, of Petite Riviere. After this marriage, Lorenz moved to Petite Riviere, with his family, and sold his land at Center. On May 22, 1800, Lorenz's second wife, Marie Elizabeth, died after giving birth to twins. She had given Lorenz 6 children at Petite Riviere. On September 21, 1800, Lorenz married a third wife, Anna Margeretha Rhemby. Shortly after his third marriage, Lorenz moved to Eagle Head, near Liverpool in Queens County. Some of his older sons did not follow him there. Thus, Lorenz became the first Wenzel ancestor to live in Queens County, N.S. Lorenz died at Eagle Head in 1838. Anna Maria was a widow when she married Lorenz. She outlived him until 1842. She was buried in Liverpool, N.S. on April 26, 1842, at the age of 89. | |
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