I have learned fascinating historical information about the locality and time period of my Palatine Ancestors after they immigrated from Germany.Andrew (Andreas) Embury (Imberger) lived across the road from his niece/cousin Barbara Ruckle in Ballingrane. To gain access to his home a visitor would have to go between two massive gate post which he erected so that he could finish off a wall of field stones to around his farm.
The Irish-Palatine children worked with their hands completing many chores which include feeding pigs, chickens; weeding gardens, carrying materials for fires, weaving, etc. Sometimes children around the age of twelve would plough fields while driving four horses. When there was time to play, the children would be roaming fields, climbing trees and wall stones, exploring country roads, riding this parents to market, or fishing for salmon in the Shannon River. Music played a major part in their lives.
Historically, within twenty-five years there had been at least three or four famines but the Palatines were always prepared because of their farming skills. Eventually the colony couldn't escape privation so learning to be frugal and thrifty had to become ingrained habits for survival.
Rev. Philip Embury eventually studied at at an English School, was the schoolmaster to this little community and he taught the elements of German knowledge. Philip Embury was a carpenter apprentice at the Charter School in Rathkeale, while his brother John received business training.
Philip Embury had been one of Father Guier of Ballingrane promising students so he extracted a promise from my ancestor to go to Limerick with him. August of 1752 the Methodist preachers held their first conference in Limerick. By then Father Guier was officially appointed a Methodist minister to the Limerick Palatines. Philip Embury assisted Father Guier and Walsh with meetings on the Estate. Philip's religious beliefs were initially Lutheranism and because of his heritage and German Background it took him a while to deliberate and make a decision to join. On Monday, Dec 25th 1752, Philip was twenty-four years old when his personal salvation paid off through is soul-searching prayers and he made the decision to become Methodist.
Finding interesting facts about your ancestor can be really fun.
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To Their Heirs Forever
United Empire Loyalists
pages 50 - 54, 62-69
Camden Valley, New York to Upper Canada
Author Eula C. Lapp
