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House Inscriptions

In the search for our ancestors we soon found other witnesses besides personal documents telling us about the life of our forefathers. Here are the first examples.
A picture with higher resolution can be viewed whenever the original allows it. Just click the picture.



click to enlarge  --  größerThis house inscription is above the entrance of the building Göttingen-Grone, Greittor 7. The text in translation reads "Justus Beinhorn, Christina Beinhorn, born Alrutz,  31st May 1828." On this date the topping-out of the house took place. Both were the Gr.-Gr.-Gr.-Grandparents of Gerd Hillebrecht.

In the neighbouring house Greittor 9, there was the inscription: "Friedrich Beinhorn, Christina Beinhorn born Schlieper, 11th August 1827." This inscription is no longer visible.



click to enlarge  --  größerWe can trace our forefathers back to Andreas Hillebrecht 1603 - 1685 in Ellierode. Ellierode is now a part of Hardegsen.

An early house inscription "Hillebrecht" can be found in the Hinterstraße of Hardegsen. The inscription reads: "H.Hillebrecht   M. Grunewald".

According to "Karl Lechte, Geschichte der Stadt Hardegsen (History of the City of Hardegsen), 1968" Hillebrecht families belonged to the earliest citizens of Hardegsen. A taxation register of 1534 lists a Hans Hillebrecht. The Calenberg Mustering Roll of 1585 mentions a Marten Hillebregts, tailor. This mustering of Hardegsen citizens took place on 3rd July 1585 in Göttingen. The head tax list of the City of Hardegsen dated 11th February 1664 records a City Council Member Erich Hillebrecht in the City Government.


Material Witnesses

 
These are pictures of "Hillebrecht's Inn" in Ellierode as it was pictured on postcards of around 1920. The photos apparently were taken before World War One. Today (in the year 2000) the inn is closed but the building still exists at Sollingstrasse 34.
 

I did not establish a family link to the owners of the inn. It is likely, however, that they are also descendants of Andreas Hillebrecht (Ellierode 1603 - 1685). The Ellierode school teacher Spintig wrote in his contribution to "Heimatbuch des Kreises Northeim" (Regional Book about the District of Northeim) of 1920: "Families since  a long time are the Hillebrecht, Schrader and Wische."
 
 
 
 
 


click to enlarge  --  größer My Grandmother  Dorette Hische, born Knüppel was born in this house in Barterode now Adelebsen. The picture was most likely taken around 1930.

It has been renovated several times and still stands at the corner of Göttinger Straße and Sackstraße.
Already my Gr.-Gr.-Gr.-Grandfather Heinrich Christian Knüppel lived in this house, known as "im Sacke". He was burgomaster and taxation-secretary of Barterode. In 1811 he was dismissed by the French occupation authorities after he resisted the arbitrary measures of Napoleon's brother, King Jerome of Westphalia (King Ludicrous). The house is still owned by descendants of Heinrich Christian Knüppel.


click to enlarge  --  größerThis is the "surrender-document" of the Hannoverian Rifleman Christian Koch, the Great-Grandfather of Ursel Hillebrecht, born Marienhagen. It is dated 5th July 1866 and reads:
"3rd Rifle Bataillon, 4th Company
In compliance with the surrender conditions of 29th June 1866 the rifleman Christian Koch I is granted leave without pay for an indefinite period. He is obliged not to serve against His Majesty, the King of Prussia.
Celle,  3rd July 1866
Brandes, Capt. Comp. Chief"
On 4th July 1866 this document is recognised by the local authorities in Dassensen and two days later by the Royal Police Headquarters in Einbeck.
After the Hannoverian troops had originally won a battle against Prussia at Langensalza they ran out of food and ammunition a few days later and had to surrender. Hannover was occupied and annexed against the Laws of the German Federation. The Kingdom of Hannover ceased to exist.