France to Philadelphia, PA: Guice, Sr., Christopher - immigrated 1740 from Alsace-Lorraine
When William Penn wanted people to populate his new territory of Pennsylvania, he sent men to the Palatine area of modern Alsace-Lorraine, France, offering free land and passage to those willing to come. No mention was made of the cost in lives and money and the poor ship conditions that these people would have to endure.
Modern-day Stops along the Rhine River from Strasbourg to Rotterdam (https://www.photo-alsace.com/thematique/dossier/rhin-source-river-mouth.php)
Working back from the arrival date, I’ve come up with a fairly realistic itinerary for our ancestor Christopher Guice, Sr.’s journey. If Penn's men wanted to put a positive spin on the journey, I imagine a printed itinerary would’ve looked something like this:
May 15 to Jun 12 - minimum length of the journey following the Rhine River from Strasbourg, France, to Rotterdam, Netherlands. Nevermind the numerous custom houses delaying the trip. Enjoy the beautiful scenery. Cost: 40 florins ($22 U.S.).
Jun 12 to Jul 10 - four weeks in expensive, seaside Rotterdam. Enjoy fresh fish and warehouses.
Jul 10 to Jul 12 - take in the views of the English Channel as we leave the Continent behind and say hello to the major naval port of Deal, England. The trans-Atlantic fare of 60 florins ($33 U.S.) will be collected upon boarding.
Jul 12 to Aug 9 - enjoy four weeks in historic Deal! Learn how a ship is built, or visit the old castles.
Aug 9 to Sep 27 - time to say good-bye to England and hello Philadelphia, British America! The last leg of the journey holds new experiences for those who’ve never crossed the Great Western Ocean (modern-day Atlantic).
Make no mistake: this was not a cruise ship. These ships were used to carrying cargo, and the passengers were “packed densely, like herrings so to say” along with water barrels full of black, foul water, old salty food, biscuits (hardtack) spoiled by worms and spiders’ nests, and even livestock. Because of the inhuman conditions, unclean food and water, and illnesses, many passengers did not survive. (From https://researchingfoodhistory.blogspot.com/2019/10/18th-century-immigrant-ships-provisions.html)
Commanded by Capt. James Allen, the ship Lydia departed Rotterdam headed for Deal (NE of Dover), England, then sailed to Philadelphia, PA. On board were 180 Palatines. It arrived on 27 Sep 1740 at the Port of Philadelphia located then at Weccacoe (South Philadelphia). Christopher Geist (Guice) was on the list of passengers. At the Philadelphia Courthouse, he subscribed to the Oaths to the Government. (From Pennsylvania German Pioneers, A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals In the Port of Philadelphia From 1727 to 1808, Vol. I 1727-1775, page 270, by Ralph Beaver Strassburger, LL.D. Pennsylvania German Society: Norristown, PA, 1934)
After marrying in Philadelphia, he made his way with his young family to Anson Co., NC, in 1756. In 1765, he received a land grant in Mecklenburg Co., NC. In 1773, he moved his family to the Natchez District under British control. From June to October 1780, Christopher moved to Fort Nashborough (now Nashville, Tennessee), leaving behind at least four grown, married children. On 15 Aug 1783, he received a voucher of payment for Revolutionary War service.
Christopher Guice, Sr., was part of the request to the North Carolina Assembly on 10 May 1784 for a land grant of 640 acres at Fort Nashborough according to the North Carolina State Papers (24-629 & 19-573). Because of his presence and service during this time, he is acknowledged by the First Families of Tennessee.
Meet the Guice family:
11) Hans George Jacob Guice b. 1696, France
10) Christopher Guice, Sr. b. 25 Jul 1718 Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France d. 3 Jul 1787 Nashville, Davidson, TN m. Margaret Plowhead b. 19 Apr 1728 England d. 1804 TN
9) Rachel Guice b. 21 Mar 1762 Anson Co., NC d. 1805 St. Helena Par., LA m. John G. Siddon, Sr. b. 1759 PA d. aft 1825 MS
8) James D. Siddon b. 1804 St. Helena Par., LA d. 1886 Holmes Co., MS m. Elizabeth Nobles b. 1810 GA d. 1885 Holmes Co., MS
7) Eliza Jane Siddon b. 21 Jul 1831 Claiborne Co., MS d. 10 Apr 1912 Goodman, Holmes, MS m. Pvt. Albert F. Bailey b. 24 Sep 1824 Lowndes Co., AL d. 12 Sep 1864 Auburn, Lee, AL
6) Frances Louisiana Bailey b. 9 May 1857 Holmes Co., MS d. 21 Nov 1904 Holmes Co., MS m. Rudolphus Edward Dodd b. 17 Apr 1852 Holmes Co., MS d. 16 Sep 1943 Durant, Holmes, MS
5) Vienna Dodd b. 3 Apr 1883 Owens Wells, Holmes, MS d. 7 Jul 1980 Jackson, Hinds, MS m. James Nicholas Hall b. 24 Jan 1874 Sturgis, Oktibbeha, MS d. 29 Jun 1930 Jackson, Hinds, MS
4) Rita Hall b. 13 Mar 1910 Tunica, Tunica, MS d. 7 Oct 1983 Jackson, Hinds, MS m. Louis Newbern Rockett b. 21 Sep 1912 Hattiesburg, Forrest, MS d. 25 Dec 1984 Jackson, Hinds, MS
3) Private (information withheld) and Private (information withheld)
2) Private (information withheld) and Private (information withheld)
1) HRB, daughter (living - information withheld)
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