Document 4: Submission of Geometric Drawing of Proposed Parcels to be Allocated (18 Oct. 1800)

Narrative Overview

On 18 October 1800, the Ämter of Bückeburg and Arensburg sent a formal report to the Vormundschaftliche Kammer, responding to the Cammer’s directive of 11 March 1799 (Document 3).

The Ämter enclosed the geometric survey drawing for the two plots granted to Jobst Heinrich Krückeberg, No. 10 in Berenbusch, for enlarging his garden and homestead grounds:

19 rods 44 feet (garden expansion) 1 rod 90 feet (homestead grounds expansion)

In total, this corresponds to the areas established earlier by the sworn surveyor (Document 4½).

The Ämter proposed that Krückeberg be required to pay an annual fee for the granted land (Rottzins), starting on Michaelmas (29 September) of the current year (1800), in the amount of 2 Reichsthaler and 1 Pfennig, excluding any exchange fees (agio).

The letter was signed in Bückeburg by J. H. Hablick and Stöling.

How Large was the Allocated Land

Meaning of "Ruthe"

In the report, measurements were given in Ruther (rod) and Fuß (feet). A "Ruther" is a measure of area — a Quadratruthe (square rod). German officials in the 18^th–19^th centuries often shortened Quadratruthe (square rods) simply to Ruthe when the meaning was clear from context, as the word “Flächengehalt” (surface area) indicates.

The exact value of a Quadratruthe varied locally. In Schaumburg-Lippe, 1 Ruthe (area) was defined as:

1 Ruthe = 144 Quadratfuß (square feet of the local Fuß).

Each local Fuß (foot) measured about 0.291 m, so one Ruthe (area) ≈ 12.2 m².

Conversion to Modern Units (approximate)

Let’s calculate both parcels:

Historical measure	In square Ruthen	In square meters	In square feet
19 Ruthen 44 Fuß (dec.)	19 + (44 / 144) = 19.31 Ruthen	19.31 × 12.2 ≈ 236 m²	≈ 2,540 sq ft
1 Ruthe 90 Fuß	1 + (90 / 144) = 1.63 Ruthen	1.63 × 12.2 ≈ 20 m²	≈ 215 sq ft
Total	≈ 20.94 Ruthen	≈ 256 m²	≈ 2,755 sq ft

Historical measure

In square Ruthen

In square meters

In square feet

19 Ruthen 44 Fuß (dec.)

19 + (44 / 144) = 19.31 Ruthen

19.31 × 12.2 ≈ 236 m²

≈ 2,540 sq ft

1 Ruthe 90 Fuß

1 + (90 / 144) = 1.63 Ruthen

1.63 × 12.2 ≈ 20 m²

≈ 215 sq ft

Total

≈ 20.94 Ruthen

≈ 256 m²

≈ 2,755 sq ft

So the total extension was roughly ¼ of a modern tennis court in size.

When is Michaelmas?

Michaelmas (Michaeli) = Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, celebrated on 29 September.

Image of Document 4

Transliteration and Translation

Transliteration

Cam:Nr:322. Forstsachen

An Vormundschaftliche Kammer Bericht
der Aemter Bückeburg und Arnesburg

ad Rescr:no 11 Merz 1799.

Betr. Ausweisung
p[räsentiert]. 24 8br 1800

Indem wir die geometrische Zeichnung über die dem Jobst Henrich
Krückeberg No. 10 zu Berenbusch zur Vergrößerung seines Gartens und
Hofraums ad 19 Ruthen 44 Fuß dec: und 1 Ruthe 90 Fuß Flächengehalts
ausgewiesene Plätze unterthänigst übersenden, so bringen wir in ohnziel-
gebigen Vorschlag, daß derselbe davon und zwar auf Michaeli d.
I. zum erstenmal alljährlich 2 R. 1 ß Rottzinß excl. agio zu entrichten
angewiesen werden möge.

S. Bückeburg, 18ten Oct. 1800.

                   J. H. Hablick    Stöling

Translation

Cam: No. 322. Forestry matters

To
the Guardianship Chamber
from the Offices of Bückeburg and Arensburg

Regarding the decree of March 11, 1799
Subject: Land allotment

Submitted October 24, 1800

In humbly transmitting the geometrical drawing concerning the parcels of
land assigned to Jobst Henrich Krückeberg, No. 10 in Berenbusch, for the
enlargement of his garden and homestead yard—-amounting to 19 rods 44 feet
decimal and 1 rod 90 feet of surface area—-we respectfully submit the
obedient proposal that he be instructed to pay, beginning at Michaelmas of
this year, an annual fee for the granted land of 2 Reichsthaler 1
Schilling, exclusive of exchange charges (agio).

Bückeburg, 18 October 1800.

J. H. Hablick  Stöling

Glossary of Terms

Cam: Nr.: Abbreviation of Cammeral Nummer (Chamber Number) — an internal file number for bureaucratic or administrative tracking, often related to fiscal or forestry matters.
Betr.: Abbreviation of Betreff, meaning “Subject.” Used to label the topic of a report or document.
Ausweisung: Allocation or designation — typically of land or property, especially in relation to rights of use, ownership, or expansion.
Rescript: A formal written decision or decree from a higher authority (often a sovereign or government office), typically in response to a petition.
Ruthe (plural: Ruthen): Alos spelled Rute. Historical unit of length or area used in German-speaking territories. One square Ruthe varied by region but was roughly 3.6 to 4 square meters.
Fuß: Foot — an old unit of measurement (about 30 cm). Used in combination with Ruthe to express land dimensions.
Flächengehalt: Surface area or land size — literally “content of area.”
ohnzielgebigen Vorschlag: Non-binding proposal — a suggestion not formally imposed, submitted for consideration without directive force.
Michaeli: Feast of Saint Michael (Michaelmas), celebrated on September 29. A common traditional date in tenancy contracts and agricultural calendars.
Rottzinß: Clearance rent — a fee paid for use of cleared land (from roden, “to clear”). Often charged annually for newly allocated or deforested land.
Reichstaler (abbreviated R.): Silver coin used as currency in many parts of the Holy Roman Empire and German states; one of the standard units of account.
Groschen (abbreviated ß or g): Small denomination coin, often 1⁄24 or 1⁄30 of a Reichstaler, depending on region and time.
agio: A surcharge or premium, often related to exchange rate adjustments or coin value variation. In this context, excluded from the rent total.
ad ter: Latin shorthand, likely functioning here as “regarding” or “concerning,” pointing to a referenced rescript or decision.
S. Bückeburg: Abbreviation for Stadt Bückeburg (City of Bückeburg), used as a closing location designation in official documents.