Johann Peter and Maria Elisabeth Pauly
Johann Peter and Maria Elisabeth Pauly (also Pauli and Paulÿ) were among the earliest settlers in Norka. Johann Peter (Peter) was born about 1733. He married Maria Elisabeth Wilhelm about 1755. The Pauly's were living in the former county of Isenburg in 1766.
Peter and Maria Elisabeth, along with their four children, arrived in Oranienbaum, Russia on September 13, 1766 aboard the ship Die Junger Dietrika which had sailed from Lübeck under the command of Skipper Christian Korsholm.
For unknown reasons, the Pauly's are not recorded in the 1767 census of Norka or any of the other Volga German colonies.
It is not known at this time if Peter Pauly is related to Philipp Jacob Pauly from Büdingen who was among the original settlers in Norka.
Peter and Maria Elisabeth are recorded in the 1775 census of Norka as household number 166. Also recorded are their four children: Georg Christian (born about 1756); Anna Maria (born about 1764); Anna Katharina (born about 1772); and Maria Sybilla (born in 1775). Another daughter, Katharina Elisabeth, was born in 1777.
The 1775 census contains additional comments about Peter stating that he is a Küster (church sexton) and a satisfactory farmer. Johannes Preisendorf states that Peter was the first Schulmeister (schoolmaster) in Norka. The role of Küster and Schulmeister were often combined. At that time, the school and educational system was operated under the authority of the church. Peter likely served under Norka Pastors Fuchs, Herwig and Cattaneo.
Peter and Maria Elisabeth, along with their four children, arrived in Oranienbaum, Russia on September 13, 1766 aboard the ship Die Junger Dietrika which had sailed from Lübeck under the command of Skipper Christian Korsholm.
For unknown reasons, the Pauly's are not recorded in the 1767 census of Norka or any of the other Volga German colonies.
It is not known at this time if Peter Pauly is related to Philipp Jacob Pauly from Büdingen who was among the original settlers in Norka.
Peter and Maria Elisabeth are recorded in the 1775 census of Norka as household number 166. Also recorded are their four children: Georg Christian (born about 1756); Anna Maria (born about 1764); Anna Katharina (born about 1772); and Maria Sybilla (born in 1775). Another daughter, Katharina Elisabeth, was born in 1777.
The 1775 census contains additional comments about Peter stating that he is a Küster (church sexton) and a satisfactory farmer. Johannes Preisendorf states that Peter was the first Schulmeister (schoolmaster) in Norka. The role of Küster and Schulmeister were often combined. At that time, the school and educational system was operated under the authority of the church. Peter likely served under Norka Pastors Fuchs, Herwig and Cattaneo.
The 1775 census of Norka showing the household of Peter and Maria Elisabeth Pauly. Source: Steven Schreiber.
The Peter and Maria Elisabeth Pauly household (number 174) is found in the 1798 census of Norka. The census states that their daughter Anna Katharina has paid all of her debts in Norka and owns a residence in the Moravian Brethren colony of Sarepta (supplemental household 69 and movement table 1996). She moved to Sarepta in 1794. Sarepta maintained close business and religious ties with Norka and helped establish the sarpinka trade in the colony. This census also states that daughter Maria Sybilla has paid her debts and moved to the city of Saratov (supplemental household 59). It is possible that the Pauly family first settled in either Sarepta or Saratov in 1767 and established longterm personal relationships there. This could explain their absence from the 1767 Norka census and their daughters later movement to these places.
Peter Pauly died in Norka in 1810. Maria Elisabeth's date of death is unknown. Both played an important role in the founding and successful development of the colony of Norka.
Peter Pauly died in Norka in 1810. Maria Elisabeth's date of death is unknown. Both played an important role in the founding and successful development of the colony of Norka.
Sources
Mai, Brent Alan. 1798 Census of the German Colonies along the Volga: Economy, Population, and Agriculture. American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1999.
Pleve, Igor. Einwanderung in Das Wolgagebiet 1764-1767 Kolonien Laub- Preuss. Nordost-Institut, 2005.
Pleve, Igor. Lists of Colonists to Russia in 1766: Reports by Ivan Kulberg. Saratov State Technical University, 2010.
Preisendorf, Johannes. "Auszüge aus der Chronik der Kolonie Norka and der Wolga." Der Kirchenbote. Date Unknown.
The 1775 and 1798 Censuses of the German Colony on the Volga, Norka: Also Known as Weigand. American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1995.
Pleve, Igor. Einwanderung in Das Wolgagebiet 1764-1767 Kolonien Laub- Preuss. Nordost-Institut, 2005.
Pleve, Igor. Lists of Colonists to Russia in 1766: Reports by Ivan Kulberg. Saratov State Technical University, 2010.
Preisendorf, Johannes. "Auszüge aus der Chronik der Kolonie Norka and der Wolga." Der Kirchenbote. Date Unknown.
The 1775 and 1798 Censuses of the German Colony on the Volga, Norka: Also Known as Weigand. American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1995.
Last updated January 5, 2019.