History > Norka 1775
Norka 1775
The relative economic success reported by Peter Simon Pallas during his visit in 1773 were followed by several years of instability in 1774 and 1775. The economic position of the colony was destabilized because of attacks by Pugachev's rebels in 1774. Added to this calamity was the loss of approximately 300 cows and 200 bulls from disease (Tierseuche) between December 1774 and April 1775, damage from rodents, and a significant number of stolen or disabled horses. These combined blows forced the villagers to ask the Kontora for help because, in their own words, they were no longer able to farm.
A portion of the first page of the 1775 census of Norka. Courtesy of Steve Schreiber.
The 1775 census revision reports that most of the colonists living in Norka are diligent workers but about 50 people are "not overzealous" especially in the maintenance of their homes and outbuildings. The Russian officials believed that the colonists had enough grain to last until the next harvest, but an additional 80 strips of wheat were allocated by the Kontora to help ensure that all were adequately fed. The census takers noted a lack of adequate forestland and harvest of hay to feed the cattle. Johannes Preisendorf states that the first forester in Norka was Jacob Huck (Note: It may have been Johannes Huck, born about 1746, who was among the first settlers). Cattle were being fed on unharvested grain. Some of the colonists requested to be transferred to another colony and be paid for their homes and personal property. Government officials suggested resettling colonists from Norka to Pobochnaya where sufficient forestland was available.
The Vorsteher at this time was Johann Georg Bauer and the Beisitzer were Johann Jacob Schmer, Friedrich Köhler and Andreas Hardt.
In April 1775, seed grain was provided to each household in Norka. In total, 395 chetvert of wheat, 117 chetvert of barley, and 345 chetvert of oats was provided to the colonists. A chetvert is the equivalent of about 210 liters or 55 gallons.
The Vorsteher at this time was Johann Georg Bauer and the Beisitzer were Johann Jacob Schmer, Friedrich Köhler and Andreas Hardt.
In April 1775, seed grain was provided to each household in Norka. In total, 395 chetvert of wheat, 117 chetvert of barley, and 345 chetvert of oats was provided to the colonists. A chetvert is the equivalent of about 210 liters or 55 gallons.
Sources
The 1775 and 1798 Censuses of the German Colony on the Volga, Norka: Also Known as Weigand. Lincoln, Neb.: American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1995. Print.
Litzenberger, Olga. Deutsche Evangelische Siedlungen an Der Wolga. Trans. Johannes Herzog and Paul Höringklee. Nürnberg: HFDR, 2013. 441-452. Print.
Preisendorf, Johannes. "Auszüge aus der Chronik der Kolonie Norka an der Wolga." Der Kirchenbote. Date Unknown.
A report by Lt. Ivanov listing the colonists able to farm and the amount of seed grain allocated to each household. April 1775. The English language translator is unknown. The original document is held by the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (RSAAA or RGADA in Russian) located in Moscow (Fond 283, File 172 - Office of the Guardianship of Foreigners under the Senate).
Litzenberger, Olga. Deutsche Evangelische Siedlungen an Der Wolga. Trans. Johannes Herzog and Paul Höringklee. Nürnberg: HFDR, 2013. 441-452. Print.
Preisendorf, Johannes. "Auszüge aus der Chronik der Kolonie Norka an der Wolga." Der Kirchenbote. Date Unknown.
A report by Lt. Ivanov listing the colonists able to farm and the amount of seed grain allocated to each household. April 1775. The English language translator is unknown. The original document is held by the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (RSAAA or RGADA in Russian) located in Moscow (Fond 283, File 172 - Office of the Guardianship of Foreigners under the Senate).
Last updated March 14, 2021.