Han's son Jakob Sidler was born 3 September 1671and died 1 January 1672. He lived 3 months 29 days. In his death record the profession of his father Jakob Sidler was noted by Pastor Hans Ulrich Wiesendanger as Wagner.
A Wagner is a wagon-maker, wainwright, or cartwright. They made the four wheels and the bridge out of wood. One or more horses or oxen had do draw the wagon. My grandfather was smith (Dorfschmied) and he made the iron profiles around these wheels. So virtually every community had a Wagner and a Schmied, also to make iron horseshoes. The same applies for Küfer or Küpfer, they made wooden barrels e.g. for washing or wine. In Germany these professionals have other names such as Boettcher.
A Wagner was not a transporter, the one who transported goods on a wagon (Fuhrwerk). Such a guy was named Fuhrmann here in Switzerland, plural Fuhrleute. They had the bad reputation that they fluchten like crazy all the time (they were cursing and swearing like Berserkers .........a case for our Ehegaumer / Stillständer. (Citizens that helped the Pastor uphold the moral standards of the villlage.)
What happened to their children?
Heinrich
Sidler 1663-1731 had three wives and each wife had two children, death date is unknown, he was a Wagner
Jakob
Sidler 1665-1741 was born 1665. when he was 25 he
married Verena Haberling from Bickwil who was 5 years younger, was a
Seckelmeister or cashier in Ottenbach, had 7 children, Verena lived to be 58
dying in 1728, Jakob died in 1741 at almost 76 years old, he lived alone for 13
years.
Anna
Sidler 1666-1728 married Marx Frey, had 8 children, large posterity, lived 62 years 1 month 4 days
Vronegg Sidler 1668-1669 deceased at 1
Melchior Sidler 1670- married Barbara Frey, had 8 children, 1 married Barbara died 10 days after delivering her last child, his exact death date unknown
Vronegg Sidler 1668-1669 deceased at 1
Melchior Sidler 1670- married Barbara Frey, had 8 children, 1 married Barbara died 10 days after delivering her last child, his exact death date unknown
Jakob
Sidler 1671-1672 Dec at 1
Anna Sidler 1673-1738 married Ulrich Frey, 5 children, lived 64 years 5 months 17 days
Vronegg Sidler 1675-1676 died at 1
Heinrich Sidler 1677-1678 died at 1
Heinrich Sidler 1678-1683 died at 4
Joss Sidler 1680- dies as infant
Margaretha Jlli 1687-1692 Hans Rudolf's second wife, unknown birth date, from Haptikon, had one child Marx below, died 1692, unknown years alive
Marx Sidler 1690 died as infant.
Anna Sidler 1673-1738 married Ulrich Frey, 5 children, lived 64 years 5 months 17 days
Vronegg Sidler 1675-1676 died at 1
Heinrich Sidler 1677-1678 died at 1
Heinrich Sidler 1678-1683 died at 4
Joss Sidler 1680- dies as infant
Margaretha Jlli 1687-1692 Hans Rudolf's second wife, unknown birth date, from Haptikon, had one child Marx below, died 1692, unknown years alive
Marx Sidler 1690 died as infant.
During their lives:
1618 - 1649 The balance of power between the Reformed and
Catholic estates leads the Confederation to stay out of the Thirty Years' War.
(Ottenbach Municipality Website)
1637 The Two Sides of Ottenbach Pastor Kaspar Müller
Hans Kaspar Müller has printed the two farewell sermons
which he gave in Rheineck and in Thal on May 18, 1637. The content of the sermons themselves does
not allow an individual characterization of Müller. More revealing is the thanks
to the congregation that is attached to the sermon in Thal: What else do I have
to say to you, dearest ones? I thank you alien friends for all the love, honor
and friendship you have always shown me in so many ways, and I cannot and will
not forget what happened to me from you dear ones. God will reward you
abundantly. "But he lacked," said Muller.
After the two farewell sermons, there was time to say
goodbye to the old and sick who had not been able to attend either of the two
services. He therefore called upon those present to greet them with his
greeting, "My heart and my spirit are grounded in your words". In the
kingdom of God he will meet them again . There they would "all be
righteous and perfectly honored", as he himself had already been on earth,
to whom he was called in his earthly existence to "teach and preach". He moved as quickly as possible to Ottenbach, where his
manuscript can be read for the first time on June 25, 1637 in the parish book:
" I, Hans Caspar Müllier, baptized voting children in Ottenbach .
According to Wiesendanger soil Reverend Müller, the priest embezzled the
property of the parish and left it to his heirs to pay for the damage. Pastor
Müller also came into conflict with the Ottenbach innkeeper when he set up a
wine tavern in the vicarage, (Ottenbach's population In the course of time by
Bernhard Schneider)
Pastors During the Lifetime of Rudolf Sidler
1636. Hans Kaspar Müller. Dean since 1642. A new rectory was
built under him. (This is shown in the first part of our parish register.)
1656. Hans Jakob Heiz. But he died before he started in
Ottenbach.
1656. Hans Ulrich Wiesendanger. Dean since 1668. Died 1677.
1677. Hans Kaspar Huber. Dean 1684. When he was employed in
Kappel, he suffered a stroke, the consequences of which he soon died.
1696. Hans Heinrich Nötzli. Teacher at the Karolinum in
Zurich. Died 1701.
1701. Johann Heinrich Zwingli.Died in 1707 from a stroke.
1707. Hans Konrad Eahn. Deposed in 1737 for offense. Died
1744. (Obfelden, Gedenkschrift zum 50-jährigen Bestand der Gemeinde, Oktober
1897)
Kaspar Muller
Hans Kaspar Muller, pastor in Ottenbach from 1637 to 1656,
left no doubt that he was a representative of the authorities in the territory
of his subjects; his role during the tax revolt of 1646 is at the centre of the
information about his person. Hans Konrad Rahn, who served as pastor in
Ottenbach from 1707 to 1737, was on the one hand an official reporter for the
authorities - as in the Second Villmerger War in 1712.
Thirty Years's War
The Thirty Years' War was a war fought in Central Europe
between 1618 and 1648. One of the most destructive conflicts in human history,
it resulted in eight million fatalities not only from military engagements but
also from violence, famine, and plague but the Swiss confederacy is a
"peaceful island." (Wikipedia and Ottenbach Municipality)
Pork, beef, poultry and other meats were processed and
preserved at home. Even the menus were seasonal; during the spring and summer,
more fruits and vegetables were eaten because they were fresh and ripe, while
in the winter families relied on preserved foods. (Wikipedia)
The Mennonite Church
1639 Hans Müller was a powerful factor in the Mennonite
Church and so zealous were the officers to find him, that like ravening wolves
they ran through his neighbors' houses to find him. He had escaped from his
house and when they came to it and broke it open and found he was gone, they
broke open chests and drawers and took all the property they could get. They
threatened his little children with bare swords that "they would kill them
if they did not reveal his whereabouts." They took his wife and put her
bound in the loathsome Ottenbach prison. Then a proclamation was announced in
the Reformed churches of Zurich, that no one would be allowed to lodge or give
food or drink to Hans Müller, from the Groeningen Bailiwick under severe
penalty. Then they deceived him and sent
abroad a proclamation that he would be
allowed a three weeks' safe conduct to argue with him, if he came forth. He
trusted this and went to the convent specified to discuss the matter but as he
was about to leave he was arrested in breach of faith and taken to Ottenbach;
imprisoned 60 weeks, of which he spent 16 weeks in chains. (Mirror, p. 1053)
1640 In Ottenbach there are 52 adults, 42 single, 319
inhabitants, 6.1 per household or 52 homes in the community. (Ottenbach Told by
Bernard Schnider and Salomon Schneider and Erika Schmid)
1689 - 1694 Hunger crisis leads to large population losses
1661 Construction of
the first Ottenbach schoolhouse
1645 - 1647 Construction of a mill wheel on the Reuss river
1638 Construction of
the Ottenbach rectory. (Ottenbach Municipality Website)
"Charitable farmers of Ottenbach provide for the beggar
children (1692) with a crust of bread….." (Schweizer Bauer imj Zeitalter
des Fruhkapitalismus, Berne 1932 page 80
and page 174 )
Jacob Baumgartner an old man of 70 years had been imprisoned
for his faith 5 times and each time escaped,
but was now again apprehended and
thrown into Ottenbach prison. He
was fastened to chains, deprived of
his clothes and clad in a gray coat,
fed on bread and water, put in irons
and hand-cuffed and his property sold
for 500 gilders and the money taken
by the government. (Mirror 1064)
1620 Kleinhanserchtold von Wasterkingen showed scant respect
for the authorities, wanting them to be struck by lightning. Jorg Haupt from Steinmauer was even more
explicit in 1650. He swore that lighting should strike the authorities, and
"by a thousand sacraments and the sacrament of blood, he wanted thunder
and hail to strike the Ottenbach (the local prison). Unsurprisingly, this insubordinate subject
found himself in court. (Dealings with God: From Blasphemers in Early Modern
Zurich to a Cultural History of Religiousness By Prof Dr Francisca Loetz)
1639 The same year Jacob Egle, a Mennonite, of Gruningen district
near Zurich, was arrested and after a short trial at Zurich was imprisoned in
the Ottenbach dungeon, during a year and
a half. He was so miserably treated that he died in prison, rather than give up
his faith. (Mirror 1054)
1637 - Hans Meyli (Meili) was imprisoned as an old man in
1637 with sons, Hans (Jr.) and Martin, for about 3 years for their religious
beliefs. Two women named Barbara and Elizabeth, probably the wives of Hans and
Martin, were imprisoned in 1639 and escaped the prison (Ottenbach prison). Hans
Martin's property was confiscated, and they were all held in chains and
handcuffs; his sons' children were put out among strangers. Hans was a
Swiss. (Mirror p.1052)
Documents related to Hans Rudolf Sidler:
These Census reports (BV) of the local protestant pastors had to be sent to the Zurich central church (Grossmünster) from 1634 to about 1740 every May (or second or third year) to the head of the reformed church (Antistes) to be discussed at the Congregation of all pastors. They served as control of how many souls (sheep) there were in the local parish and the knowledge of Christian literature. The kids had to learn by heart all kinds of things according to age. Every year the pastor went to the family to check them out. Did they have a bible ? How religious were the parents ? The kids were asked test questions. This was a kind of school - because they learned at least spelling and a lot by heart, Older than 15 years boys and girls were allowed to go and participate at the Abendmahl sermon. They also had to learn the 10 Gebote (Commandmends), Psalms, Katechisms etc. The right hand column lists the Religious Knowledge of each member of the family:
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Hans Rudolf Sidler born 6
December 1635 film 8014328 page 128
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Hegetschweiler and Sidler
Temple Record by Julius Billeter page 18
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| Jakob Sidler death 1 January 1672 film 8014328 page 371 Translation: 1672, January 1, Jakob, Hans Rudolf Sidler, Wagner This is the only document which gives Jakob's profession. |
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| Jakob Sidler death 1 January 1672 film 8014328 page 371 |
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Jacob Sidler and Margaretha
Grob 1670 Church Census film 7765846
page 381. They
are living with another Sidler couple.
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Rudolf Sidler and Margaretha
Grob 1670 Church
Census film 7765846 page 381
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Above: Hans Rudolf Sidler Family 1670
Ottenbach Census Rudolf and Margaretha listed along with four children:
Heinrich 7 years old, Jakob 6 years old, Anna 4 years old and Melchior 1
years old, (Source: Film 007765846, page 381)
Approximately every three years lists of the members of all family
households and those in Church service were made and sent in to the rector
(Antistes) in Zürich. In addition to the names of each member of the
household, ages, and often, exact baptism dates are given, especially for the
children, but often for the parents as well.
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| Jacob Sidler 1608 and Rudolph Sidler 1635 in 1678 Census film 8126303 page 467. Note: the word after his name is translated as Widower. |
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| 1682 Church Census Rudolph Sidler b 1635 family film 8126301 page 735 |
Hans Kaspar Huber did a great job on this Church Census. This census is
well organized and the handwriting is excellent. Hans Rudolf Sidler's b 1635
family is represented. So is his father and brother above his name. This
document also gives us Margaretha Grob (in added to show gender) and her
birthdate: 15 July 1683. All children are shown with their religious progress
described. (Kent Gardiner)
Bevölkerungsverzeichnisse or Church Census Reports
In the Zürich Canton Pastors were expected to write Bevölkerungsverzeichnisse or Church Census Reports from 1634 to 1750. Every few years a report was made and sent to the Senior Pastor. The local Pastor listed the names of his congregation and the level of religious education each child achieved. These Bevölkerungsverzeichnisse or BVs are very good. Dr. Pfister from the Zürich Archives said we are in a unique position in the Canton Zurich to have these. Of all the Swiss documents these are far and away the easiest to read.
The purpose of these population registers was originally to record the Protestant Reformed Church membership in the parishes of the Synod of Zürich. Approximately every three years lists of the members of all family households and those in Church service were made and sent in to the rector (Antistes) in Zürich. In addition to the names of each member of the household, ages, and often exact baptism dates are given, especially for the children, but often for the parents as well. (These (BV's) are accessed free in FamilySearch for many communities.
These Census reports (BV) of the local protestant pastors had to be sent to the Zurich central church (Grossmünster) from 1634 to about 1740 every May (or second or third year) to the head of the reformed church (Antistes) to be discussed at the Congregation of all pastors. They served as control of how many souls (sheep) there were in the local parish and the knowledge of Christian literature. The kids had to learn by heart all kinds of things according to age. Every year the pastor went to the family to check them out. Did they have a bible ? How religious were the parents ? The kids were asked test questions. This was a kind of school - because they learned at least spelling and a lot by heart, Older than 15 years boys and girls were allowed to go and participate at the Abendmahl sermon. They also had to learn the 10 Gebote (Commandmends), Psalms, Katechisms etc. The right hand column lists the Religious Knowledge of each member of the family:
For more on how to read: Church Censuses
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1689 Ottenbach Census film
8014133 page 336.
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| 1689 Ottenbach Census film 8014133 page 336. Rudolf Sidler and Margaretha Jilli, (they have been married 2 years and will have a child next year) 4 children listed Jokob 18 June 1665, Melchior 26 March 1670, Anna 26 Oct 1673 and Jos 22 Feb 1680 |
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1690 Haushaltunsrodel
Film 2060954 Note: I cannot locate this. It
came from an Ancestry tree. It must be a 1690 census based on the ages of the children, particularly Marx who was born in 1690. |
Hans Rudoph Sidler 1690
Haushaltunsrodel Film 2060954 Rudolf Sidler born 6 Dec 1635. There are 4
living children with birth info. The first is Melchior b 26
March 1670 the second is Anna 26 Oct 1673, third is Jos born 20
Feb 1880, and Marx 21 April 1890.
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| 1695 Church Census Jakob Sidler b 1635 first entry film 8014130 page 472 By this time both wives have passed away. |
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| 1708 Church Census three years before Rudolf dies |
Above is an interesting Church Census. Here we have Hans Rudolf Sidler 72+ years living with two of his children, a daughter in law and 3 of Melchior's children:
1. Marx b 1690, 18 years old, he is Jakob's 12 child from Jakob's second mother, Margaretha Jlli who died 16 years previous in 1692 when this boy was 2
2. Melchior b 1670 He is Jakob's 5th child, first mother
3. Barbara Frey b 1674 (birth not found by Julius Billeter) She is Melchior's first wife. She will pass in 3 years, 1711. She delivers 8 children and dies 10 days after the birth of a still born unnamed child 4 May 1711
4. Veronica b 1698, This is Verena, child of Melchior, who dies as a child
5. Anna b 1700 Child of Melchior actually born 1701 according to Billeter
6. Hans Jacob b 1705 Child of Melchior who will die in childhood, no date given.
3. Barbara Frey b 1674 (birth not found by Julius Billeter) She is Melchior's first wife. She will pass in 3 years, 1711. She delivers 8 children and dies 10 days after the birth of a still born unnamed child 4 May 1711
4. Veronica b 1698, This is Verena, child of Melchior, who dies as a child
5. Anna b 1700 Child of Melchior actually born 1701 according to Billeter
6. Hans Jacob b 1705 Child of Melchior who will die in childhood, no date given.
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| Hans Rudolf Sidler death 21 December 1710 film 8014328 page 396 |