My connection to Herrnshiem

My ancestor, Peter Goehle, was born in 1852 in Herrnsheim, Rheinhessen, Hessen (Germany) the son of Louisa Harbauer and Franz Goehle, tailor. Peter immigrated to New York City in 1873. Peter married Catherine Christ in 1875. They had nine children between 1875 and 1888 when Catherine died from complications of the birth of their tenth child. Three months after Catherine's death Peter married Minnie Lindemann. Peter and Minnie had four children between 1889 and 1899. Peter Goehle died in New York City in 1917. Peter and Minnie's son, Frank, was my maternal grandfather.

Von Dahlbergs

Herrnsheim is a village just north of the city of Worms. At the northern end of the village is the Herrnshiem (Herrn's heim) or the "Gentleman's home" from which the village gets its name. This Schloss (castle or palace) was part of the estate of the von Dahlberg (Dalberg) family. The von Dalbergs were an ancient noble family and the Dahlberg nobility held high positions in the Palatine court in Mannheim. Herrnsheim's castle was built in 1460. It was severely damaged in 1792. The building that stands today is an Empire style villa which was altered in 1840. North of the Schloss are beautiful English gardens which were commissioned by the Lord of the Castle, Wolfgang Heribert von Dahlberg (Dalberg), circa 1790.

Wolfgang Heribert von Dalberg (1750-1806) was the brother of Karl Theodore Anton Maria von Dalberg (1744-1817) the archbishop of Mainz. Wolfgang Heribert was the father of Emmerich Joseph von Dalberg (1773-1833).

"The Prince Primate, Charles Dalberg, Bishop of Ratisbon, was the last Arch-Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire. On the dissolution of the Empire the Bishop had sided with France, and was appointed President of the Confederation of the Rhine. His nephew and heir, Emeric, attached himself to Napoleon and became a naturalized French subject - and Duc De Dalberg. He was a member of the Provisional Government of 1814 and accompanied Talleyrand as plenipotentiary to the Congress of Vienna. Of the great possessions of the Arch-Chancellor, the beautiful property of Herrnsheim on the Rhine alone escaped the effects of the long period of war and confiscations. It descended to Emeric Dalberg, and after him to his daughter and the child of her first marriage, the celebrated historian afterwards, Lord Acton."

The life of Granville George Leveson Gower: second earl Granville ..., Volume 1 By Edmond George Petty-Fitzmaurice Fitzmaurice

Dahlberg, von (Karl Theodor Anton Maria), LL.D., a German prelate and author, born of a noble family at Herrnsheim Feb. 8, 1744. He became in 1802 archbishop of Mentz and arch-chancellor of the empire. Napoleon gave him in 1806 the title of prince-primate of the Confederation of the Rhine. He wrote, besides other works, "Contemplations on tho Universe;" but in German literature his name is best known from the liberality he showed towards the young Schiller. Died Feb. 10, 1817.

Johnson's New universal Cyclopedia: a scientific and popular treasury of ... By Frederick Augustus Porter Barnard, Arnold Guyot

Emmerich Joseph, duc de Dalberg (1773-1833) the son of Baron Wolfgang Herivert was born in Mainz. He was the envoy to Paris from Baden in 1803. Napoleon made him a duke and councilor of state in 1810. He spent the later years of his life on his estates in Herrnsheim, Germany. Emmerich Joseph, duc de Dalberg died at his estate in Herrnsheim in April 1833. The property passed to his daughter, Marie Louise Pelline de Dalberg, who was married to Sir Richard Edward Acton, 7th Baronet. It subsequently became the property of her son the historian, John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton.

" 'The Dahlbergs had been settled in Herrnsheim near Worms for many centuries. The legend runs that a relative of Out Savior who became a Roman soldier settled in Herrnshiem and was the ancestor of the Dalbergs. It is certain that the family was long looked upon as one of the most illustrious in Germany. After the coronation of the Roman Emperors it was always the custom when the honour of knighthood was about to be conferred upon an individual to ask if no Dahlberg was present. If so he would be the first to receive the honour. "Ist kein Dalberg da?" is a well- known expression in Germany.' " (Times, June 20, 1902)

A footnote in The life of Granville George Leveson Gower: second earl Granville ..., Volume 1 By Baron Edmond George Petty-Fitzmaurice Fitzmaurice, 1905

"Twice during the 1790s, their estates were place under sequester and subjected to the capriciousness of revolutionary justice and administration. The first one lasted a few months in 1795 and was lifted after Heribert Dalberg, Emmerich's father, provided evidence that he had not been an emigre, his primary domicile all along having been Mannheim. The second improsed in 1798, ended only in 1802, and crippled the family finically. Whereas in the early 1790s, Herrnsheim and Abenheim had brought in between 40,000 and 50,000 guilders annually, the four years between 1798 and 1801 yielded in total only 6,926 guilders....... Apart from these loses, the manor house in Herrnsheim was plundered and damaged, the properties otherwise ravaged by the conflagration, the leases on his holdings on the left bank auctioned off for three years by the French, and feudal rights and dues abolished without compensation."

Nobles and nation in Central Europe: free imperial knights in the Age of ... By William D. Godsey

French Herrnshiem

In 1798 the west bank of the Rhine was annexed by France. The area was divided into four départements. During the First French Empire AKA Napoleonic Empire (1804-1815) the southernmost département was known as Mont Tonnerre. Mont Tonnerre included the village of Herrnsheim and the city of Worms.

My thanks to Peter Schulz for making me aware that the area was known as Mont Tonnerre.

Lord Acton

John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton (Lord, later Baron Acton) was born in 1834. He inherited the estate in Herrnsheim from his mother. Lord Acton, a devout and active Roman Catholic, resided for many years in Herrnsheim. In a letter dated November 1, 1859 John D Acton gave his address as Herrnsheim, Worms, Hesse Darmstadt (The Correspondence of Lord Acton and Richard Simpson, Volume 2 By Josef L. Altholz, Richard Simpson, Damian McElrath)

In 1879 Financial difficulties let Lord Acton to sell his property in Herrnsheim.

See Lord Acton for more information.

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 1887, Is attributed to Lord Acton.

Information from Lord Acton by Roland Hill, 2000:

• Lord Acton had an excellent library in the round tower of the schloss at Herrnsheim.

• "Herrnsheim was the scene of memorable meetings prior to the first Vatican Council between Acton, Dollinger, Bishops Dupanloup and Ketteler, and others opposed to the dogma of Papal Infallibility"

  page 50

• "The spirit of nineteenth-century Marian devotions at La Salette and Lourdes came to dominate the popular Catholicism, and its statuary was also found in the Acton chapels at Herrnsheim, Naples and Aldenham.

  page 58

• Herrnshiem suffered military occupation during the Napoleonic Wars. (page 59)

• Referring to Dollinger:

  "He expressed his anxiety over the fate of Herrnsheim, then threatened by French troops crossing the Rhine in the Franco-Prussian War and occupying Worms nearby. But Herrnsheim was protected by the neutral Union Jack flying from its round tower. It was used as an army hospital but saved form the destruction it had suffered in the Napoleonic Wars"

  Page 224

• "The chapel, very dark, had a Madonna, a clock, and silver lamps and candlesticks. The fine terrace all round the house had black figs growing on its lower wall. Mamy always remembered the hugh drawing room that extended the height of two floors......

  Lack of proper management and dependence on inefficient and sometimes dishonest stewards mainly contributed to the Actons's encroaching poverty." page 287

  Lord Acton was apparently not very clever at dealing with business matters. The women in the family were selling off their jewels and Lord Acton was selling valuable furniture and silver. Much of it being bought by the next owner of Herrnshiem castle, Cornelius Wilhelm Heyl.

Von Heyl

In 1883 the castle was sold to the wealthy Worms leather manufacturer, Cornelius Heyl (1843-1923) from 1886 Baron von Heyl zu Herrnshiem. Heyl was a Lutheran and a supporter of Bismarch.

Joseph Anton Sambuga

The Catholic encyclopedia;: an international work of reference on the ... edited by Charles George Herbermann, 1912

Sambuga, Joseph Anton, theologian, b. at Walldorf near Heidelberg, 9 June, 1752; d. at Nymphenburg near Munich 5 June, according to Sailer, but 5 January according to other statements, 1815. His parents were Italians who had come from the neighbourhood of Como. He went to school at Mannheim and to the monastic school of the Augustinians at Wiesloch and then entered the University of Heidelberg. In 1770 family affairs took him to Italy where he finished his theological studies and was ordained priest at Como, 2 April, 1774. After he had laboured at Como for a while as chaplain at the hospital he returned to Germany and in 1775 was made chaplain at Helmsheim, in 1778 chaplain and in 1783 court preacher at Mannheim, in 1785 parish priest at Herrnsheim. In 1797 he was again called to the Court at Mannheim as teacher of religion to Prince Louis (later King Louis I of Bavaria), the oldest son of Duke Maximilian Joseph. When Maximilian Joseph went to live at Munich as Elector of Bavaria (from 1806 King Maximilian I), Sambuga followed the Court to that city and was later the teacher of religion to the younger children of the Elector also. He was a pious, deeply-religious priest, and belonged to the school of Sailer whose friend he was. Among his writings should be mentioned: "Schutzrede fiir den ehelosen Stand der Geistlichen" (Frankenthal, 17S2; 2nd ed., Munich, 1827); "Uebcr den Philosophismus, welchrr unser Zeitalter bedroht" (Munich, 1805); "Ueber die Nothwendigkeit der Besserung, als Riieksprache mit seinem Zeitalter" (2 vols., Munich, 1807); "Untersuchung iiber das Wesen der Kirche" (Linz and Munich. 1809); "Der Priester am Altare" (Munich, 1815; 3ded., 1819). There were published after his death: "Sammlung verschiedener Gedanken tiber vcrschiedene Gegcnstandc", ed. by Franz Stapf {Munich, 1818); "Auserlesene Briefe", ed. by Karl Klein (Munich. 1818); "ZweiteSamrnlung",ed. by Franz Stapf (1819); "Predigten auf Sonn-und Festtage", ed. by K. Klein (Mannheim, 1822); "Reden und Aufsatze", collected and ed. by J. B. SchmitterHug (Lindau, 1834).

"A market town in Hesse-Darmstadt, Rheinhessen, near the Rhine, 25 m S Mainz with a R. Catholic church, parsonage, townhouse, school and castle" The imperial gazetteer: a general dictionary of geography, physical ... By Walter Graham Blackie, 1855

Population

According to the Gazetteer of the World the population of Herrnshiem in 1885 was 1,476.

View of the village of Herrnsheim with the Catholic Church in the background.

Posted 1940.

Main street with Catholic Church in the background.

Posted 1940.

Neubau [new construction]. This must be a "joke". Posted 1940.

Written on back in Pencil

"1917 - Joachim's Haus in Herrnsheim bei Wormes

Worms- Herrnsheim"

Printed on front

"Grus aus Worms-Herrnsheim - park mit weiher, Kriegerstein, Schloss, Kath. Kirche" [Greetings from Worms-herrnsheim - park with pond, War Memorial, Castle, Catholic Church]

Printed on front

"Grus aus Worms-Herrnsheim"

Castle on top left and Gottliebenkapelle on bottom right

Gasthauf zur Krone in the top middle.

Printed on back Gasthaus zur Krone. Bes. Leonh Adolf Herrnsheim bie Worms a Rh.

Parkrestaurant "Zum Grünen Baum" Worms-Herrnsheim

Printed on back

"Gasthaus "Zur Krone", Heribert Pattenhoholz, Worms-Herrnsheim, Schone Fremdenzimmer mit fl. wasser u. Zentralhelizung, Grosser Saal, Mod. Kegelbahn

Gasthaus Zur Krone, Heribert Pattenhoholz, Worms Herrnsheim, Beautiful guest rooms with running water and central heating, Great Hall, Mod. Bowling alley

The castle and the Catholic Church

Posted 1967

The castle and the Catholic Church

"Empire style mansion of the Barons of Dalberg"

Park side

Out buildings dating to the 18th century.

The village existed, in essence, as support of the "Gentleman's House".

The church of St Peter is situated just outside the gates of the Schloss as is the Rathof (Town Hall). The rest of the village extends south of Schloss.

Much of the surrounding are is planted in vineyards and the town is known for it's wineries.

Looking from the gate of the Schloss - a view of the Rathof (the yellow building on the right) and the spire of the church.

Accoding to a marker on the front of the church, the original church dates to the end of the 11th Century. Alterations were made in 1478, 1878 and 1904.

A hand-book for travellers on the continent: being a guide through Holland ...1847 By John Murray (Firm) dates the church in Herrnsheim to the 14th century and noted that it contained several von Dalberg monuments.

Joseph Anton Sambuga was born near Heidlelberg, Germany in 1752, the son of Italian parents. He began his studies in Germany but moved to Italy where he was ordained at Como in 1774. He returned to Germany where he became the parish priest in Herrnsheim in 1785. He remained there until 1797 when he was called to the Court at Mannheim to become the religious instructor to Prince Louis who later became King Louis I of Bavaria. See New Advent, Joseph Anton Sambuga

Unfortunately for the genealogist many Germany cemeteries do not contain an abundance of old grave markers. While some gravesites are owned by a single family many are leased for a 20 to 25 year period. Only graves with historical importance are sometimes maintained for a longer period. Even those graves owned by a family are frequently reused by later generations. Only 20th century military graves are not reused.

As this image of the Herrnsheim Cemetery indicates, Germany cemeteries are generally well maintained and often have a parklike atmosphere.

Gottleiben Chapel

Gabriel von Seidl (1848-1913), a prominent German architect, designed the Protestant St. Gottleiben (God of Love or God loves) Chapel in Herrnshiem in 1891. This chapel contains a cloister and is the mausoleum of the Baron von Heyl zu Herrnsheim.

The crucifix measures 39 inches by 16 inches. Its exact date of origin is not known but Dr. Adrian put it in the early Baroque around 1600 to 1650, but added "An antiquarian thought that the cross is presumably dating back to the early 1800, but was not sure." Dr Adrian wrote: "It was reported that at New Years Eve 1778 von Dalberg lost the whole estate in gambling. One of my ancestors served as custodian in the castle and was a confidant to the Herzog. Before the estate was transferred, von Dalberg asked him to take something form the Schloss which he would like to have as a memory. So he took the crucifix among other things that have been lost in the meantime."

Kunstdenkmäler im Grossherzogthum Hessen: Inventarisirung und beschreibende ..., 1877

Nordwestlich Worms, frü her in Urkunden Harlesheim Herlesheim (778), Herlesheim (1275), Herlissheim (1374), Hernssheim (1445), auf einem Gerichtssiegel von 1658 Herlisheim genannt.

Im Jahr 778 erscheint Herrnsheim zuerst und zwar als Ort, wo das Kloster Lorsch Besitz erwarb. Ursprünglich den Grafen von Leiningen gehörig, ging es von diesen als Lehen an die Kämmerer von Worms gen. von Dalberg über, welche im Weistum vom Jahre 1375 urkundlich zum erstenmale als Herren des Ortes auftreten. In einem Lehnbrief von 1415 belehnt sie Spanheim als Rechtsnachfolger von Leiningen. Die Dalberg halten nach dem Weistum sowohl die hohe wie die niedere und die Dorf-Gerichtsbarkeit. Sie gehö rten nachmals zur oberrheinischen Ritterschaft und blieben Herrn des Orts bis zur französischen Revolution.

Die katholische Pfarrkirche, dem h. Petrus geweiht, ist ein stattlicher Bau der spätgotischen Zeit, der, schon in seiner Gesamtanlage bemerkenswert, besonders hervorragt durch die reiche Ausführung der Details und die grosse Zahl

and more.

Northwest Worms, formerly known in documents Harlesheim Herlesheim (778), Herlesheim (1275), Herlissheim (1374), Hernssheim (1445), on a court seal Herlisheim of 1658.

In 778 Herrnsheim first appears as a place where the monastery of Lorsch acquired property. Originally belonging to the Counts of Leiningen, it went from a fief to the treasurer of the Dalbergs of Worms, in the year 1375 Weistum they were documented for the first time as masters of the place. In a Lehnbrief of 1415 it invested Spanheim as the legal successor of Leiningen. Die Dalberg hatten nach dem Weistum sowohl die hohe wie die niedere und die Dorf-Gerichtsbarkeit. ??? They belonged afterwards to the Upper Rhine knighthood and remained masters of the place until the French Revolution.

The Catholic parish church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a handsome building of the late Gothic period, which stands out, already remarkable in its total investment, especially by the rich design details and the large number historically important art monuments and graves hosed in the interior. It is the grave of the great Dalberg family. The construction year is given as 1478 as indicated above the entrance to the south aisle. But the tower dates from the Romanesque period. The nave is divided into thirds by two rows of three octagonal pillars.

(More)

The aisles are plastered with a flat wooden ceiling. The choir and south chapel are decorated with a network star shaped vaults. The keystone of the choir contains the following relieves: An angel holding a handkerchief, St Peter (the largest capstone) the Dalberg arms, Helmet with air, the Dalberg crest in flight.

(More, including some Dalberg genealogical references)

The castle was now owned by the Baron von Heyl zu Herrnsheim.

The on the entrance door of the parsonage is a well executed Rococo alliance crest of Dalberg and Eltz and above a statue of the Virgin. Above the door of house No. 139, we see a niche in the figure of the Virgin Mary with the inscription: Tota. pulchra. it. amica. mea. et. macula. non. Est. Inter. cannot. I. V. I. P. H. E. H. 1769. At the same home, the house brand of a cooper. House No. 197 has on the door intersecting pointed arches - ornamented rods and the number of years 1553. At the gate we see 1596.

Philipp born in 1418, died in 1492. His wife died in 1483. He is beardless and in full armor. She is draped in a mantel.

Wolf von Dalberg (died 1549) and his wife, Elizabeth nee Fetzer died 1534. The larger than life figures are standing in prayer side by side in two niches. He is bearded and in full armor. She is in a elaborate robe.

Worms-Herrnsheim, Rheinland-Pfalz: Names on the 1870-71 Memorial in Herrnsheim

Peter Goehle was born in Herrnsheim Germany in 1852. For information on the Goehles in Herrnsheim, Germany go to Goehles in Herrnsheim

Carl Franz Geohle was married to (Anna) Maria Magdelena Arnold, the daughter of Peter Arnold for more information on the Arnolds in Herrnsheim go to Arnold in Herrnsheim

Bardong in Herrnsheim

Johann Bardong born 1725 married Anna Marie Hartbauer For more information on the Bardongs go to Bardong

Cornell in Herrnsheim

Johann Harbauer married Maia Francisca Cornell. They were the parents of Wendelin Harbauer. For more information on the Cornell go to Cornell

Dannfald in Herrnsheim

Heinrich Bardong married Anna Margarethe Dannfald . For more information on the Dannfald family go to Dannfald

Goehles in Herrnsheim

For information on the Goehle family in Herrnsheim go to Goehles in Herrnsheim

Peter Goehle in New York City

For information on Peter Goehle and his family in New York city go to Peter

Kirkebye

Katherine Goehle married Emil Kirkebye, for more information on the Kirkebyes go to Kirkebye