PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE 295 



WHEREAS, Maria, Daniel Fiiehre's widow, aud her son, Daniel 

 Ferie, with his wife and six children, in view of improving their condi- 

 tion and in furtherance of their prosperity, purpose to emigrate from 

 Steinweiler, in the Mayorality of Bittingheim, High Bailiwick Ger- 

 niersheim, via Holland and England, to the island of Pennsylvania, to 

 reside there. They have requested an accredited certificate that they 

 have left the town of Steinweiler with the knowledge of the proper 

 authorities, and have deported themselves, and without cause for cen- 

 sure, and are indebted to no one, and not subject to vassalage, being 

 duly solicited it has been thought proper to grant their petition, de- 

 claring that the above named persons are not moving away clandes- 

 tinely. 



That during the time their father, the widow aud children resided 

 in this place they behaved themselves so piously and honestly that it 

 would have been highly gratifying to us to see them remain among us ; Commenda- 

 that they are not subject to bodily bondage, the Mayorality not being **°"^ 

 subject to vassalage. They have also paid for their permission to emi- 

 grate. Mr. Fisher, the Mayor of Steinweiler, being expressly inter- 

 rogated, it has been ascertained that they are not liable for any debts. 

 In witness whereof I have, in the absence of the Counsellor of the Pa- 

 latinate, etc., signed these presents, and given the same to the persona 

 who intend to emigrate. 



J. P. Dietrich, Court Clerk. 



Dated Bittingheim, March 10, 1708. 



Armed with these documents the party made its way to 

 Euglaiid to complete its arrangements for settling in 

 America. Madame Ferree sought and obtained an inter- 

 view with William Penn, to whom she told the story of 

 her misfortunes and her desires for the future. Penn was interview 

 deeply interested by her recital and agreed to give her a wm. Penn 

 tract of land in Pennsylvania. The day following her 

 visit he took her to see Queen Anne, and that generous ^id from 

 sovereign also became interested in the courageous woman Q"^^" ^""^ 

 aud promised her '' substantial aid, which she in due time 

 rendered." 



After a six months' residence in London the Ferrees and 

 Le Fevre joined a band of Huguenot and Palatine ref- LeFevre 

 ugees who were about to set out for America under the °°''"" ^^ 

 leadership of the Rev. Joshua Kocherthal. Arriving iu 



