Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-09-25
TheoGermans of Virginia.

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Virginia from the beginning has
been essentially commonwealth Of
Englishmen; and because of this fact
we often fail to emphasize sufficiently
the elements in her population that
are not English. After the English,
perhaps the next place on the scroll of
Virginia's glory can be claimed by the
Scotch. Irish. To this hardy stock no
one will deny its full need of honor.
It's place in the history of the State
and nation is conspicuous and secure.
On the other hand, it may be that the
German element in our State life is
frequently not accorded its due share
of recognition. Persons who have
not given special attention to the SER
vices rendered by the Germans in the
building of our civil structure, would
be surprised to know how important
that Thai service mas been. Extract from
"The Germans of the Valley"
The Germans began to come to Vir-
ginia at an early date; and much of
the honor that three hundred years
have heaped upon the head of the
Mother of States has been due to the
sturdy, painstaking, industrious race
that came to America from the "Va-
terland." What is also generally ad-
mitted and constantly more generally
regretted, is the fact that 80 little has
been done by the writer's Of history to
place the Germans of Virginia in their
proper light, and to give to the world
any except comparatively brief ac-
counts of their manner of life, charac-
ter, and deeds.
Since the appearance of two install
ments of Mr.. John Walter Wayland's
essay, 1.-THE Germans of the Valley"
in the Virginia Magazine Of History
and Biography (RichmOnd), a remark
able stimulation of attention toward
the doings of this interesting people
has been noticeable, not only among
individuals OF German connection, but
also among many other persons of in
telligence and culture in various parts
of the country and to all such it will
be gratifying to learn that Mr.. Way
land proposes to continue the line of
study already begun, and at some
time in the near future to prepare an
account of the German element
throughout the State. He has decid-
ed to undertake this work only at the
urgent request of a number Of the
readers of his essay on the Germans
of the Valley. He realizes fully the
magnitude of the task nevertheless
he is willing, as student of history
to make patient effort, to the end
that the public stock of knowledge on
this important subject may be in
creased and to that end he earnestly
solicits the cooperation of all, in the
State or out of it, who may possess
any information on the subject. Penn
sylvania, for instance, has already
large collection of historical works
dealing specially with her German
population Virginia has very few,
but may still do much along this line
if she delay not too long. There are
hundreds of old deeds, family Bibles,
tombstones, letters, and family tradi-
tions that will throw foods Of light
upon the subject before us. Much
has already been lost through neglect:
let us no longer allow facts to perish
that may be a source of benefit to
those who shall study history, and Of
honor to those who have made it.
One hindrance to the work Of col
lecting information will doubtless be
the fact that many persons will think
that what they know is Of too little
Importance to be preserved. Here
great mistake is often made. AL
though many facts may be trivial in
themselves, they nevertheless are Of
ten necessary to the construction of
true history. Anything concerning
occupations. home life, religion, Gus
toms, or political attitude Of the Vir-
ginia Germans of past generations will
be of untold interest to coming ages
If possible the name Of every family
ought to be preserved. Not only this,
but the Christian names Of the first OF
each family in the State; from what
part of Germany they came; where
they first settled, and when; ETC., etc.
Any one interested In this question