The Volga colony of Schilling was founded today, 14 August 1764. Its Russian name given to it in 1768 was Sosnovka (Сосновка), by which it still goes today. Schilling was a port colony with large commercial cargo and passenger docks. During the famine of 1921, the port of Schilling received shipments of relief supplies distributed to the colonies on the Bergseite.
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| The Volga colony of Schilling, courtesy of Wolgadeutsche. Photo by Alexander Baskatov. |
Below is a letter published in Die Welt-Post, a German language newspaper read by many Volga German immigrants in the United States and Canada, published between 13 April 1916 to 18 September 1970. The translation is a part of the American Historical Society's village files.
Die Welt-Post, Thursday, September 11, 1924
Headline: Letters from Russia
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| The location of Schilling on Karte der deutschen Siedlungen im Wolgagebiet (Map of the German settlements in the Volga Region, AHSGR map #6) |
Schilling, 31 July
To John Roh, 222 Van Wagoner St., Flint, Michigan
Dear Children Johannes and Maria:
On 2 July we received your letter of 11 June and we are happy that
you are well. I would have written sooner but I had no money for
postage and had to wait and see how the harvest turned out.
From 3 Desjatinen (8 acres) planted in Rye, I harvested 12 Pud (132
lbs). With Wheat it was still much worse.
For 3 months there was not a drop of rain. Now almost every day
there are passing showers so we have hope for the Sunflowers and
Potatoes. As for Fodder, we here in Schilling have no problems because
we used our Wheat for it, but in other villages they cry out to heaven
in distress over the Fodder shortage.
The impending shortages have caused so much fear among the people
that markets are overflowing with cattle and prices are very cheap, but
produce prices are rising daily. The government has acted quickly to
put an end to the panic by sending a representative to the villages and
reprimanding them, telling them not to sell their property and to trust
the government to provide seed, bread and fodder. Also it was published
in the newspapers that the harvest failure was not widespread
throughout Russia. In Ukraine and the Caucusus and in many other parts
of Russia, farm production is such that Russia will not harvest any
less on average than it did last year.
This is easy to believe because thousands of Pud of Rye have
arrived for seeding, and thus the government will also provide for
others in need.
I sold my oxen for 170 Rubel and bought a pair of horses for 180
Rubel. Now I will sell Hay and buy a cow. We are in the midst of
harvesting hay.
Now, I ask of you, send a pair of eyeglasses for the 52 year old.
We have not been able to set aside anything for them for we would
otherwise lose the Hops and Malt because of the high release tax we
must pay.
Goebel's Feede was here recently on a visit. They are in Baku.
Your parents-in-law are well. We returned home yesterday from
mowing grass on the Wiesenseite where we were together with them.
The Rubel is once again strong and has more value than the
inflationary currency. There are perhaps those people who are going mad
counting their old money which now has no worth.
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| Location of the Volga colony Schilling, still known by its Russian name given to it in 1768, Sosnovka. |
Our family now consists of 7 souls. All will soon be adults and
will have to go to work for Faust. Then life will be easier.
We would like to send you some photographs but are not able to
afford the best packaging. Send us some money for it.
We do not know when we will next go to the market (words obscured)
children forgotten and do help.
As for you, Johannes, don't be so lazy and write to us more bits of
news. Of Strackbeins one can always hear something of interest.
With greetings from us, you parents:
J and E. Roh
Learn More:
American Historical Society of Germans from Russia – Village Files
Center for Volga German Studies – Schilling
Village of Schilling
American Historical Society of Germans from Russia – Village Files
Center for Volga German Studies – Schilling
Village of Schilling
2017 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Mother colonies along the Volga River. There are many events throughout the year to commemorate the anniversary, and the Germans from Russia Settlement Locations project joins in the celebration of this rich Volga German heritage.
The German immigrants that came to the Volga region were among first colonists to take up Catherine the Great on her manifesto. They came from Hesse, the Rhineland, the Palatinate and Württemberg. They are also among the most well researched and documented groups of German colonists in Russia. Thus far, the Volga Mother colonies settled between 1764 and 1767 are the only colonies that have precise dates they were settled.
For more historical and current events related to Germans from Russia, see our calendar page or link to our public Google calendar.
The German immigrants that came to the Volga region were among first colonists to take up Catherine the Great on her manifesto. They came from Hesse, the Rhineland, the Palatinate and Württemberg. They are also among the most well researched and documented groups of German colonists in Russia. Thus far, the Volga Mother colonies settled between 1764 and 1767 are the only colonies that have precise dates they were settled.
For more historical and current events related to Germans from Russia, see our calendar page or link to our public Google calendar.
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