Docket Item 4: Krückeberg’s Second Petition (21 Nov 1841)
Overview
On 21 November 1841, Colon Krückeberg of No. 10 Berenbusch submitted a second petition directly to the Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe. He described his plight: the leather debt inherited from his parents had led to long litigation; the Amt had permitted him to raise a loan of 200 Reichsthaler secured by his holding, but the Rentkammer had refused it. In desperation, he begged either for a loan against his property or for the Prince to take back the lands in the Söhren that his father had purchased in 1814 and 1818, rather than see his whole tenant holding lost.
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“Tenant holding” translates the 19th-century German term Colonie. In Schaumburg-Lippe a Colonie was not owned outright: it was a hereditary leaseholding held from the princely domain (overseen by the Rentkammer), with fixed dues/obligations. The holder (Colon) could often pledge or transfer his rights with official approval, but the land itself belonged to the domain. Throughout this edition, Colonie is rendered as holding to reflect this status. |
Four days later, on 25 November 1841, the Rentkammer issued its decision. Assessor Reck found that a loan could not be granted, since the collateral was inadequate. He considered it equally undesirable for the state to buy back the Söhren lands, suggesting instead that Krückeberg try to sell them privately. The Rentkammer officials then ordered Oberförster Kreutzinger to provide an expert report on whether the Söhren lands might be worth purchasing and at what price, and a copy of this instruction was entered into the case file.
Transliteration and Translation of Krückeberg’s Petition (21 Nov 1841)
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NC. 5203 pr. in Cam 24 Nov. 3 gl. Sthl[Stempelsteuer] [rdk] (clerk’s initials) Durchlautigster Gnädigster Fürst und Herr Durchlauchtigster Fürst Ich finde mich notgedrungen dem Durchläutigsten Fürst untertänigst zu bitten da ich wegen Leder Schulden von meinem Eltern, an die Hempelsöhne in Minden noch einen langwierigen Proceß Jetzt hart gedrungen werde zu bezahlen, so habe ich mich schon vielen mühe gegeben undas Geld anzuschaffen, aber ich kann in so kurzer Zeit Peinen antreffen der das herleichen kan[n], es ist mir gerichtliche Sicherheit bewilligt, ich habe es auch versucht. an die Hochfürstliche Renntkammen, um ein darlehn von 200 r. aus der Kammerkasse zu erhalten, aber welches mir abgeschlagen ist, so sehe ich jetzt keinen andern weg in meiner großen bedrängniß, als meine Bitte an einer Durchlauten zu richten, um ein darlehn von 200 rt aus der Kammerkasse gegen eine gerichtliche Sicherheit zu genehmigen, oder wenn das nicht sein könnte, so bitte ich unsere durchlauchtigsten Fürst. Meine Ländereien welche mein Vater 1814 und 1818 von der Her[r]schaftlichen Söhre[Söhren], für 835 rt 3 g gekauft hat mich wieder abzunehmen, weil mir vom Amte schon durch dem Amtsasse- sor Höcker Verkauf meiner Stätte gedrohet ist, übrigens außfändung meines eignes vermögens erkommt[erkommen] ist. so wollte ich doch lieber das angekaufte Land wieder abtreten als meine ganze Colonie nachzusehen. Den[n] durch diesen Ankauf stehen 700 rt Schulden in Meiner Colonie, übrigens habe ich 2 gebäude welche zu 525 rt in der Brandassecorand versichert Stehen so ist doch noch Sicherheit genug da, nebst einen garten zu 1 1/2 Morgen; So werden sie als gnädiger und Gütiger Landesvates Solches nicht zulassen können, das meine Colome verkauft wurde, weill ich an dieses Schuld ganz unschuldig bin und habe nichts dafür erhalten Sondern habe es müssen für meines Eltern Schuld annehmen, in Liefster ehsfurcht richte nochmals in Festen vertraun zu einer Durchlauten meine untertähnigste Bitte und Trost und bei stand zu erlangen, weill ich sonst Genß verlassen bin, und unverschuldet zu grunde gehen Miß, Untertänigster Colon Krückeberg Nro 10 in Berenbusch d 21ten November 1841 |
NC. 5203 presented in the Chamber on 24 November 1841 3 gr. stamp duty [rdk] (clerk’s initials) Most Serene, Most Gracious Prince and Lord, Most Serene Prince, I find myself compelled to most humbly petition Your Serene Highness, since, because of leather debts of my parents to the firm of Hempel & Sons in Minden, I am now hard pressed in a long lawsuit to make payment. I have already made every effort to raise the money, but in so short a time I can find no one who can lend it. I have been permitted to provide judicially approved collateral, and I have also sought from the High-Princely Rentkammer a loan of 200 Reichsthaler from the chamber treasury, but this was denied me. So I now see no other way, in my great distress, than to direct my plea to Your Serene Highness: that a loan of 200 Reichsthaler from the chamber treasury, against judicially approved collateral, might be approved. Or, if that cannot be, then I beg our Most Serene Prince to take back my lands, which my father in 1814 and 1818 purchased from the princely Söhren domain for 835 Reichsthaler 3 Groschen, since I have already been threatened by the Amt, through Amtsassessor Höcker, with the sale of my homestead, and in addition the distraint of my own property has been ordered. I would rather surrender the land so purchased than see my entire holding sold off. For through this purchase 700 Reichsthaler of debt rests on my holding. Besides, I have two buildings insured in the fire assurance for 525 Reichsthaler, and also a garden of one and a half morgen. So there is still sufficient security. Surely, as gracious and kind father of the land, you will not permit that my colony be sold, for I am entirely innocent of this debt and have received nothing for it, but have had to assume it for my parents’ obligation. In deepest reverence I once again, in firm trust in Your Serene Highness, direct my most humble plea to obtain comfort and assistance, for otherwise I shall be utterly forsaken and must go to ruin undeservedly. Your most humble servant, Colon Krückeberg No. 10 in Berenbusch 21 November 1841 |