The 1753 Travel Trunk

Waymire Trunk

From: The Tinberg Tales – Tinberg, Schmotz, Schwarz, Waymire and Sieg Families

Written by Kathleen Brandt

Published by a3Genealogy Publishing, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-9844019-0-1

In the summer of 1753, Johan Ludolph Wehmeyer (later spelled Waymire) took passage at Hamburg on the ship Leathley for the two month voyage to America. The ship Leathley landed on the shores of America in New York, September 19, 1753, with Johan, his wife, two children, two sisters and his father. Unfortunately, his mother did not survive the trip.

With them, they carried a family trunk filled with their belongings. In 1921 the trunk was in the possession of the Wayne County (Indiana) Historical Museum where it remains today. It is covered with the original animal hide and rawhide hinges and straps. One can only imagine the contents and the family value held for generations.

Not only did Johan (John – Americanized) lose his mother on the trip, his two sisters were separated from the family which was not uncommon. Girls of age, or any member of the family, were often offered to the Captain of the ship for payment of passage. Upon the destination’s pier the captain recouped his money by selling them as indentured servants to pay for the family’s voyage. This may have happened to the Waymire family. Needless to say, any memories of the Johan’s mother, and sisters would have been held in this chest.

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The Tinberg Tales – Tinberg, Schmotz, Schwarz, Waymire and Sieg Families

Written by Kathleen Brandt

Published by a3Genealogy Publishing, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-9844019-0-1