Johann

by Everett J. Thomas

Eight-year old Johann and his family arrived in Pennsylvania in 1747 on a ship named Restauration. The Thomas family, Mennonite pacifists escaping persecution in Europe, arrived just in time to experience the end of the Friends' control of the Pennsylvania legislature with pacifism as the official state policy toward Native Americans. This historical fiction traces Johann's next ten years through the unfolding French and Indian War.

Genres: Historical Fiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Everett J. Thomas is author of the book, Johann, a historical novel about 18th century Mennonite immigrants to North America.

Everett J. Thomas graduated from Goshen College in 1972. He taught English and served as an adminsitrator at Bethany Christian High School for 15 years. In 1998, he earned an M. Div. from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

In 1991, he successfully ran for the Goshen, Indiana City Council, later becoming Council President. In 2000, he was appointed editor of The Mennonite magazine.

Reviews

[Clif Hostetler]

This is a historical novel that recreates the story of the author's ancestral progenitor, Johann Thomas, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1747 at the age of eight. I was particularly interested in the book because it closely parallels the story of my own ancestral progenitor, Jacob Hochstetler who came to North America in 1738 at the age of twenty-six. His ancestors settled in Martic Township 60 miles west of Philadelphia; mine in Berks County 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

The author does a good job of putting together an interesting fictional story complete with suspense and pathos that fits within the historical events of the time. Some of the historical incidents that are incorporated into the fictional story include; (1) Trans-Atlantic slave trade, (2) Loss of Quaker control of Pennsylvania colonial politics, (3) General Braddock's failed expedition against French-occupied Ohio Country, (4) French-Indian war, and (5) British Navy impressment of sailors from other ships on the high seas. The book's narration also touches on other social/cultural/political issues such as pacifism, dueling, commerce & trade, and the newspaper business. This is a story of religious people, so the book also describes some of their religious scruples.

In the book's description of the Indian raids against white settlers during the French and Indian War, my progenitor's name is mentioned and the fate of his family described:

"An Amish family living south of Kauffman's Creek at Blue Mountain had been attacked by fifteen Delaware, Shawnee and French soldiers. The attackers burned the house while the Jacob Hochstetler family took refuge in the cellar. Many hours later, assuming it was safe to come out, the Hochstetler family emerged, only to find their enemies waiting for them. Mrs. Hochstetler was killed with hatchets in a most vicious manner. A son and an infant girl were also killed. Jacob Hochstetler and two other sons were taken captive, now lost in the great wilderness west of the mountains and controlled by the French and Indians."

More information about this massacre is at this link:
http://www.berkshistory.org/articles/...

[Dnicebear]

I stayed up extra late to read this book. I found myself in 17th century Pennsylvania as an immigrant, which is how and when probably 60 percent of my ancestors began living on this continent. I appreciate the chance to 'experience' how the main character interfaces with a 'new world' while practicing Community, Non-violence and Gelassenheit. The dilemma involved in being faithful comes up within ten years of living in the new land, as heard in this conversation:

"Is it not wrong to enjoy prosperity provided by English protection without helping to defeat the King's enemies?"

"When Pennsylvania was governed by the Friends, they tried to have no enemies. This peacemaking was our English protection. But it will not be so long now until there are few Friends left in the government. Soon Pennsylvania will have a militia to fight the French and the Indians in this war. But this militia will only make more trouble. It will increase the fighting. When that happens, the only thing left for us is to stay quietly in our land."

Mr. Thomas lets us feel all the tensions involved in journeying by boat in the 1700s and making a new home in Pennsylvania. He also has a humorous way of making short asides about the unspoken. For example, when Johann's best friend from the ship, Stephen, writes the letter to his mother to tell her about his father's (her lover's) death, Thomas adds: "It did not occur to Stephen that his mother might also wish to know what caused the duel that took the life of the man who loved her and promised to take her on his next voyage."

This is great historical fiction.

[Prayerpilgrim]

ml

[Stephanie]

Fictionalized account of the author's Mennonite ancestor who came to PA in the 1700s