Appendices
47
Preface
The following family history notes were prepared by several chroniclers over the years. Who prepared the following English version of these historical notes about the Müller family is not known – See the DISCUSSION section at the end of this appendix.
- WHAT: Müller mill headquarters house
- WHEN:
- WHERE: Scheeßel, Germany
- SOURCE: Jochen Homann shared on 20 May 2020
Wilhelm Cord Müller (1830-1915)
The following notes were collected for the years up to 1800 by Wilhelm Cord Müller of the Scheessel Mill.
The earliest information about our family and the local mill was transmitted orally. No other family has ever been an inhabitant of the mill. It has been a respectable and honest family. No member of the family ever had a criminal record.
Apparently in the early days the mill stood behind the church near Nötel’s house, on the Scheeßel Bach1. Not only the tales, but also the terrain hint at that presumption. On several occasions the remains of mill wheels have been excavated. According to old stories the church once stood at a lower level than the mill. There was a disagreement with the pastor and the miller threatened: “I will get St. Lucas’ feet wet” [the church had been dedicated to St. Lucas]. On an Easter Sunday the miller dammed the water right up to the church, even up to the altar. As punishment for his arrogance the mill dam suddenly collapsed and the whole mill was washed away. Thereafter the mill was built on its present site. The oldest date in the documents still available state that a new mill was built in 1507. The relevant document is from 5 Dec. 1764 and comes from the tenant miller Erich Borchard Müller, who in it applies to the chamber for permanent ownership of the mill. He claims that part of the land now belonging to the mill had previously been the site of the miller’s house, as an inventory dated 14 May 1707 stated.
At the time of the 30-year war (1618-1648)[The Thirty Years War began in Prague in May 1618 when Protestant Bohemian nobles rose up against the Catholic King Ferdinand. It was fought mainly in Germany and involved petty German Princes, together with foreign powers from France, Sweden, Denmark and England, against the unity and power of the Holy Roman Empire represented by the Hapsburgs in Germany, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. The war ended with the Peace of Westphalia of October 1648.] the millers had suffered much at the hands of the passing troops.] The tenant at that time was “Tönjes Müller” and he feared having to leave the mill. These circumstances forced him to seek help from Archbishop Friederich, at that time regent of the duchies of Bremen and Verden. Friederich sent a letter on 24 Dec. 1620 to the miller:
“As indicated our miller from the Scheessel mill and his forefathers have been in possession of the mill for many years. They have been trustworthy and honest millers and they shall remain valued and receive our support.”
Friederich
[The only bishop by the name of F