Peter Galli, Swiss Mennonite

Galli, Galle, Galley, Gally

The following is based on research by Harry Galley, Heinz Sprenger and Lyle von Riesen.

The 30-year war in Germany ended in 1648 and was followed by years of plague and starvation. The lands of the Palatinate had been emptied of over 70% of the population. The ruler, Karl Ludwig, desperately needed to repopulate his kingdom. Adopting a tolerant policy to encourage new settlers, he sent invitations to the peoples of France, Switzerland and Austria. Soon the abandoned farms and villages began to fill with French Huguenots, Tyrolians, Swiss, and Mennonites, many of these groups attracted by the promise of religious tolerance.

Peter Galli was born 9 May 1664 and originated from Eggiwil in the Emmental valley, Canton Bern in Switzerland. He was among the many Mennonites from this area who fled to the Palatinate in Germany to escape religious persecution at the hands of Catholic officials. It is not known if he came alone or with his family. Some records indicate that he may have been a child when he arrived but this has not been proven. Here is a story told about Peter:

Peter Galli was the son of a Mennonite residing in one of the French Cantons of Switzerland . His father was a widower. At the early age of fourteen, Peter left home to learn the trade of weaving. During this time his father remarried, but the second marriage was not as fortunate as had been hoped, for the stepmother was not willing to bestow maternal affection upon Peter. After a number of years Peter returned to his paternal home. However, by this time the former boy of fourteen had become a young man, so that even his own father did not immediately recognize him in the dim oil light of the evening. Without identifying himself, Peter asked for lodging as a stranger. Possibly he had received information in some manner about his stepmother's attitude which he wanted to verify. But whatever the reason, he remained unknown for the night. There may have been only one room in the house, or possibly as was the custom in many communities of that day, the guest slept in the same room as his hosts. During the night he overheard his father say to his stepmother: "I believe we are housing my son Peter tonight"; and then how in turn his stepmother voiced strong disapproval --- that nothing could be more disagreeable than to have Peter in their home.

Grieved anew through this conversation, and convinced that never again could he experience a mother's affection, Peter arose at an early hour while the others were still sound asleep and left home. Instead of the hearty welcome a son might have expected, he was banished from the home he loved so much by the stepmother. But where could he go? With no place he could call home, and sick at heart, he wandered aimlessly away. As he wandered on, fortunately he met migrants of his own faith; people who had sacrificed all in Catholic-controlled France and Switzerland, and were leaving to escape religious persecution. They were migrating to the little province of the Palatinate of the Rhine to establish a new home. With these refugees, Peter arrived in a new country, which for him as well as for all Mennonites proved to be a fortunate location. Here through industry and a kind Providence they were able to earn a livelihood, and in due time became quite substantial in a material way.

NOTE: There is one other known Galli emigrant to the Palatine, Barbara Galli who was married to Daniel Stauffer in Eggiwil. Daniel and Barbara were exiled in 1671 and were first in Dirmstein, Germany and later at Gerolsheim. Barbara was an aunt to Peter Galli's father but it is not known if they had contact in Germany.

By at least 1685, Peter was settled in Erbesbüdesheim and his occupation was linen weaver. The name of his wife is unknown but two of his sons have been identified.

- Peter born approx. 1700
- Johann born approx. 1698

Galli to Galle

The Swiss spelling Galli soon became GALLE, probably because the Swiss pronunciation "swallowed" the "i" at the end, making it sound like a short "e" in local dialects.

Peter Galli's Sons

Johann

Johann Galle settled in the Sembach area where he was a Mennonite preacher. He died in 1764 at Herfingerhof. New information suggests that Johann is probably the ancestor of our Käfertal/Mannheim Galles. (see Johann Peter Galle)

Johann Galle born approx. 1698 died 1754 or 1764 wife unknown

Maria born approx. 1737 md Johann Bien
Johann Jakob Galle born approx 1740 at Herfingerhof, d. 12 March 1814 in Oggersheim, md Katharina Bien

Katharina born approx. 1765 Uffhofen md Johannes Höfli
Heinrich "Jean" Galle born 1766 md 29 Jul 1784 Charlotte Wenzel. Upon marriage Heinrich converted from Mennonite to Evangelical Lutheran.

Johannes Jakob born 28 Jul 1786 died 12 Jul 1847 md Maria Margarete Backmaus

? Johann Peter Galle born approx. 1770 died Käfertal/Mannheim md (1) Katharina Brennemann (2) Anna Magdalena Schmitt
Michael born approx. 1775 at Glashall near Otterberg md (1) Catharina Barbara Kaess (2) Johanna Elisabeth Koch

Anna born approx. 1742 md Daniel Müller
Johannes Galle born approx. 1745 at Herfingerhof, md Maria Neff

Christian Galle born 1774 died 4 Aug 1814 at Rohrhof
Regina Galle born 1775 md ?Christian Ellenberger

Gertrud born approx. 1748 md Johann Bien (widower of sister Maria)

Peter II

Peter II was born approx. 1700 and died on the 3rd day of Easter 1762. He married about 1721 to Agnes Anna Kolb. In 1734 he purchased the Geistermühle near Uffhofen about 3 miles north of Erbesbüdesheim. These are his known children:

Susanna born approx 1722
Barbara born 28 Jul 1724 md (1) Valentin Dahlem 21 Apr 1748 (2) Heinrich Borkholder 10 Feb 1762
Dorothea md (1) unk Zerger approx. 1747 (2) Johannes Neff approx 1757
Johannes born 25 Nov 1728 md Maria Anna Kägy
Christina born approx 1730 md Georg Steiner
Jakob born 11 Dec 1732 md Anna Hahn
Anna Margaretha born approx 1735 md Joh. Weber
Maria
Peter III

Click on the picture for more on the Geistermühle

Galle Emigrants

Galle to Galley

Peter Galle III, youngest son of Peter II, emigrated to Pennsylvania, arriving in Philadelphia on the ship "Crawford" in 1772. He married Sophia Stern in 1774 and had only one son, Philip, before his untimely death in 1781. Sometime after 1815, the spelling of Galle became GALLEY as it remains today in this branch of the family. These Galleys are no longer Mennonites.

Philip Galley born 1 Dec 1774 married Magdalena Newcomer in 1797. They had 11 children.

1. Peter born 10 Jan 1798

2. Catherine born 16 Dec 1799

3. John born 18 Apr 1801

4. Jacob born 4 Apr 1803

5. David born 9 May 1805

6. Elizabeth born 3 Oct 1807

7. Samuel born 23 Dec 1809

8. Jonathan born 26 Feb 1812

9. Barbara born 14 Feb 1814

10. Abraham born 28 Sep 1816

11. Henry born 12 Jun 1819

There are many descendants of Philip Galley - see The Galley Web Page

Other Galle Emigrants

Peter II Galle's first son Johannes was married to Maria Anna Kägy. They lived at the Schloßmühle in Monsheim. Johannes died quite young in about 1757. His son Jakob born approx. 1751 and daughter Maria born approx. 1753 emigrated to America in the late 1700's. Nothing further is known.

Peter II Galle's second son, Jakob I Galle born 11 Dec 1732 was married to Anna Hahn. Jakob I took over the Geistermühle from his father as did his son Jakob II born 8 Jul 1768. The son of Jakob II, Jakob III born 15 Jan 1802, was the last Galle at the Geistermühle. He gave up the mill and emigrated to Iowa arriving in 1850 with his wife Anna Kägy and 7 children. This branch of the Galle family remained Mennonite for many generations in America.

Another son of Jakob I Galle (son of Peter II) was Peter born 26 Dec 1758 who was a miller at the Beutlermühle near Otterberg. His son, also Peter born 10 Aug 1801, emigrated to America. Nothing further is known.

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Last update January 15, 2006