Auction of Heini Rickenbacher's Property

This document details the auction of Heinrich Rickenbacher's personal property in Rünenberg. The first two pages were originally translated by the Archives in Liestal but I have reworked those pages somewhat. The remaining pages are my personal challenge.

I've spent most of my time on transcription since translation of the list is fairly straight forward with the exception of the old names for farm implements and household items. Some of those names can be a real puzzle. Where possible, I've attempted a literal translation since many such items have descriptive common names. A well known example is a hand winch used for tightening fences and other pulling tasks. It's universally known as a come-along.

Money - The purchase prices in this document are in "#" - Pfunds (Pounds), "ß" - Schillings and "d" - Denar (Pennies) which were the Swiss moneys of account. The nominal value of a Swiss Pound was 15 Batzen, a common coin of the time, but the conversion between money of account and real money (actual coins) could and did vary significantly from nominal. In 1738, 1 Swiss Pound was worth about one-twelfth of an English Pound Sterling or 1 Shilling 8 pence.

Page 59a - Image File

Rünenberg

Anno 1735 den 24 Tag Marti hat
Heini Rickenbacher von Rünenberg aûß
Bewilligûng des Ehren vesten für mehmen
für sichtigen Und weissen Herren Herren
Simon Bathier dis mahlen Schloß Schreiber
der Land Vogteij aûf Varnsbûrg seine
hernach beschriebene fahrnûs offentlich
aûß rûffen ûnd ver ganten laßen.
Und dar beij an gedinget dass ein Jeder
Käüffer seinen Bietenden gant Schillig was
Ein Pfûndt und dar Under in einem waß
aber dar über in Zweijen underschiedlichen Jahre.
Terminen al wegen aûf Ostern und -
Ao 1736 und 1737. Den Zihleren nach ohne
Zins aber aûch ohne Fehlen ordenlich abrichten
Und bezahlen. In dessen an nehmlich ver
bürgen zû lassen. Und Hanß Imber
Grieder der alte Kilch Meyer von Rünenberg
Verspricht für den ein Zûg ûnd die Liefer
ûng Bürg.

Gantmeisters Bürg in fol. Heinrich Jenni zu
Thürnen
Der Bürg hat angelobt

Page 59a

Rünenberg

In the year 1735 the 24th day of March has
Heini Rickenbacher from Rünenberg, by
permission of the honorable, high-ranked
prudent and wise master
Simon Bathier currently Castle Clerk
of the County Administrator at Farnsberg, his [Heini's]
hereafter described property publicly
announced and sold at auction.
And has posted that each
buyer his offered auction price what
One Pound and under in one what
but over in two different years.
Term is always at Easter and
in 1736 and 1737. The payment without
interest but also without deduction proper manner
and to pay. In this name gu-
arantee to authorize. And Hanß Imber
Greider, the old Church Mayor of Rünenberg
promises for the collection the de-
livery as guarantor.

Auctioneer's guarantor therefore Heinrich Jenni from
Thurmen
The guarantor has sworn

Notes for Page 59a:

The terms were payment in one year for items valued at 1 pound or less but in two years for those valued at more than a pound. The due date was Easter and the first payment was due the next year in 1736. Probably someone (possibly the guarantor) acted as a factor and provided Heini with immediate cash (most likely at a discount).

Apparently Hanß Imber Greider was supposed to act as guarantor but could not serve for some reason so Heinrich Jenni became the guarantor.

Page 59b - Image File

    Fahrnus

Erstlich ein stier kaûfft Hanß Joggi
 Gÿsi Ueli Baschis sel. sohn von
 Oltingen ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 34#
 Bürg Baschi Weitnaûer und Baschi
 Bûoss beÿde aûch von dar
Item ein dito kaûfft Hanß Grieder
 Görgen sohn von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  20#
 Bürg Hanß Joggi Rickenbacher Schû
 macher aûch von hier
Item noch ein dito den fläck kaûfft
 Hanß Bürgi, Zimmermanns sel. sohn
 aûch von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __  22#
 Bürg Joggi Bürgi sein Brûder
Item eine Kûh kaûfft Hanß Hafert
 Senn ûnderen Weissen Berg ___ ___ ___ __ 25#
 Bürg Hanß Sûtter von Rünenberg
Item ein Kalbi kaûfft Baschi Bûoss
 von Oltingen p ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _  30#   5ß
 Bürgen Hanß Joggi Gÿsi der Kilch
 meÿer und Hanß Joggi Gÿsi Ulli Hanß
 Joggi beÿde von dar
Item fünff Schaaff kaûfft Ulli Bûßer
 von Laûfelfingen ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 7#   8ß
 Bürg Daniel Gÿsi von dar
Item ein Trog kaûfft Hanß Heinrich
 Schaûb von Gelterkinden ___ ___ ___ ___ _  2#   5ß
 Bürg Görg Grieder der Jûng von
 Rünenberg

______________
140#  18ß          

Page 59b

    Property

First a bull buys Hanß Joggi
 Gÿsi, the late Ueli Baschi's son from
 Oltingen ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 34#
 Guarantor Baschi Weitnaûer and Baschi
 Buoss both also from there.
Also the same buys Hanß Grieder
 Görg's son from here ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  20#
 Guarantor Hanß Joggi Rickenbacher Shoe-
 maker also from here.
Also still the same a spotted one buys
 Hanß Bürgi, the late Carpenters son
 also from here ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __ 22#
 Guarantor Joggi Bürgi his brother
Also a cow buys Hanß Hafert
 herdsman under Weissen Berg ___ ___ ___  25#
 Guarantor Hanß Sûtter from Rünenberg
Also a calf buys Baschi Buoss
 from Oltingen ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __  30#   5ß
 Guarantors Hanß Joggi Gÿsi the Church
 farmer and Hanß Joggi Gÿsi, (aka) Ulli Hanß
 Joggi, both from there
Also five sheep buys Ulli Buser
 from Laûfelfingen  ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  7#   8ß
 Guarantor Daniel Gÿsi from there
Also a trough buys Hanß Heinrich
 Schaub from Gelterkinden ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 2#   5ß
 Guarantor Görg Grieder the younger from
 Rünenberg

______________
140#  18ß          

Notes for Page 59b:

A "Senn" (term used only in Switzerland) is more than a herdsman. A "Senn" is a farmer, who doesn't live in a village, but in a lonely farm in the mountains. There is little opportunity for agriculture and he lives primarily from his cattle, producing butter, cheese etc., and from selling his cows. A "Senn" lives year round in the mountains. - us

Page 60a - Image File

Item ein Schwein kaûfft Sammûel
 Straûß der Beck von Laüfelfingen ___ ___ __ 4# 16ß
 Bürg Hanß Jacob rudi schûlm[ei]ster von dar
Item ein Trog kaûfft Börg Gried_
 der Jûng von hier  ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  6ß  8p
 Bürg Hanß Grieder sein Brûder
Item ein kästli kaûfft Mathias
 Rickenbachers fraû von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ __ 10ß
 Bürg Friedlin Grieder von hier,,
Item ein Trog und bäßter kaûfft
 Friedlin Grieder von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __ 7ß  6p
 Bürg Görg Grieder der Jûng von dar,,
Item baûm strick kaûfft Mattis schaûb
 Decker von Häffelfingen ___ ___ ___ ___ __  1#   6ß
 Bürg Mattis Rümpi von dar.
Item ein Kasten kaûfft Emmanûel
 Bürgi von Weitiffeng ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _  7#
 Bürg Hanß Joggi Rickenbacher Schû
 macher von Rünenberg.
Item ein stieren komet kaûfft Heini
 Bürgi von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _  12ß
 Bürg Martin Gried_ der Vix von hier.
Item ein Hinder geschirr kaûfft Hanß
 Sûtter von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __ 1#   8ß
Item ein Büttenen kaûfft Heinrich
 Meÿers fraû von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 1#   1ß

______________
17#   7ß   2d     

Page 60a

Also a pig buys Sammuel
 Strauß the baker from Laüfelfingen ___ ___ _ 4# 16ß
 Guarantor Hanß Jacob Rudi schoolmaster from there
Also a trough buys Borg Grieder
 the younger from here  ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  6ß  8p
 Guarantor Hanß Grieder his brother
Also a (little castle)? buys Mathias
 Rickenbachers wife from here  ___ ___ ___ ___  10ß
 Guarantor Friedlin Grieder from here
Also a trough and (bäster)? buys
 Friedlin Grieder from here ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 7ß  6p
 Guarantor Gorg Grieder the younger from there
Also tree noose buys Mattis Schaub
 thatcher from Häffelfingen ___ ___ ___ ___ __  1#   6ß
 Guarantor Mattis Rümpi from there.
Also a box buys Emmanuel
 Bürgi from Weitiffeng ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 7#
 Guarantor Hanß Joggi Rickenbacher Shoe-
 maker from Rünenberg.
Also a bull collar buys Heini
 Bürgi from here ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 12ß
 Guarantor Martin Grieder the Vix from here.
Also a back harness buys Hanß
 Sutter from here ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 1#   8ß
Also a tub buys Heinrich
 Meyer's wife from here ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 1#   1ß

______________
17#   7ß   2d     

Notes for Page 60a:

"Decker" means roofer but, in this time period, he would have been a thatcher as most all village roofs were thatched.

Some of these translations are literal but I have no idea what the items are: "ein kastli" is a little castle, probably a cooking utensil or other household item; "baum strick" is tree noose; "ein hinder geschirr" is a back harness.

Page 60b - Image File

Item Zûgstrick und öhre kaûfft
 Baschi Straûb von Laüffelfingen ___ ___ ___ ___ 10ß
 Bürg Hanß Straûb sein Brûder von dar.
Item ein bächer kaûfft Hanß Hafert
 der Senn Underen Weissen Berg ___ ___ ___ __  13ß
Item ein fiertel? kaûfft Martin Gried_
 der Vix von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _  2# 15ß
 Bürg Hanß Marti Grieder von dar.
Item ein Kaß Mist gablen kaûfft
 Friedlin Gried_ negel Friedlin von hier ___ ___ __  3ß
 Bürg Hanß Sûtter von dar.
Item Haûwen und Karst kaûfft Hanß
 Marti Brieder? von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __ 16ß
 Martin Grieder der Vix von dar.
Item Etliche Sichlen kaûfft Hanß
 Bürgi gmeÿne Schaffner von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ 4ß
Item ein ring pfan kaûfft Baschi
 Straûb von Laüfelfingen ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __  8ß
 Bürg Hanß Jacob und Schûlmeister von dar.
Item ein kesselin kaûfft Hanß Hafert
 Senn Underen Weissen Berg ___ ___ ___ __ 2# 10ß
 Bürg Hanß Sûtter von Rünenberg.
Item ein Großes? Kess[l]in kaûfft Marti
 Grieder der Vix von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ __ 8#   3ß
 Bürg Hanß Joggi Grieder Schûlmeisters
 Sohn aûch von hier.
Item Vielen Kessin kaûfft Hanß Häffel
 finger von Dünnen ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  5#   6ß
 Bürg Daniel Jäni wirt von dar.
Item Holtz Leÿtern Kaufft Mattis
 Bürgi von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __ 10ß
 Bürg Hanß Bürgi sein Brûder.

______________
21#  18ß           

Page 60b

Item (pulling noose and ear)? buys
 Baschi Straub from Laüffelfingen ___ ___ ___ __ 10ß
 Guarantor Hanß Straub his brother from there.
Item a tub buys Hanß Hafert
 the herdsman under Weissen Berg ___ ___ ___ _ 13ß
Also a (quarter)? buys Martin Grieder
 the Vix from here  ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  2# 15ß
 Guarantor Hanß Martin Brieder? from there.
Also a Kaß Manure fork buys
 Friedlin Grieded negel Friedlin from Here ___ ___  3ß
 Guarantor Hanß Sutter from there.
Also pick? and Hoe buys Hanß
 Marti Brieder? from here ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 16ß
 Martin Grieder the Vix from there.
Also several sickles buys Hanß
 Bürgi village administrator from here ___ ___ ___ _ 4ß
Also a ring pan buys Baschi
 Straub from Laüfelfingen ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __  8ß
 Guarantor Hanß Jacob and Schoolmaster from there.
Also a kettle buys Hanß Hafert
 the herdsman below Weissen Berg ___ ___ _ 2 # 10ß
 Guarantor Hanß Sutter from Rünenberg.
Also a large kettle buys Marti
 Grieder the Vix from here ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 8#   3ß
 Guarantor Hanß Joggi Grieder Schoolmaster's
 son also from here.
Also many kettles buys Hanß Häffel-
 finger from Dünnen ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __  5#   6ß
 Guarantor Daniel Jäni innkeeper from there.
Also wooden ladders buys Mattis
 Bürgi from here ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 10ß
 Guarantor Hanß Bürgi his brother.

______________
21#  18ß           

Notes for Page 60b:

"Zûgstrick und ohre" translates as pulling noose and ear but I haven't a clue what this is.

It's a guess that "fiertel" means "viertel" or quarter. Possibly that was a common name for a volume measure of some kind. "f" and "v" were often used interchangably in Old German.

A "kessel" is a kettle or pot and they come in all sizes. The "large kettle" is likely what we called a "wash pot", a large (2 to 3 feet in diameter) cast iron kettle with short legs for use over an open fire.

Page 61a - Image File

Item ein Pflûg kaûfft Heini
 Bürgin ramsen Heini von hier___ ___ ___ ___ __ 14ß
 Bürg Hanß Bürgi sein Brûder.
Item noch ein dito kaûfft Matthiß
 Schaûb Decker von Häffelfingen ___ ___ ___ 1# 14ß
 Bürg Hs Joggi Grieder Schûlmeisters
 Sohn von rünen burg.
Item ein Kriegscheit kaûfft Heini
 Bürgin ___ Heini von hier  ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  5ß
 Bürg Hanß Bürgi sein Brûder.
Item ein Dangel kaûfft Joggi Wagner
 Schumacher von Laüffelfingen ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 6ß
 Bürg Samuel Gÿsi von dar.
Item ein Egten kaûfft Hanß Joggi Bitterli
 the late Under Vogts Sohn von Weißen___ _  4# 10ß
 Bürg Hanß Bûoß von Kilchberg.
Item Stock Leuchten und Pfer Scheiter
 kaûfft Hanß Bürgi gemaine Schaffner von hier ___  8ß
 Bürg Heini Sacken Heinis s. Sohn von hier.
Item Zwo Viertyel Korn kaûfft Daniel
 Schneider von Dünnen ___ ___ ___ ___ __ 15#
 Bürg Daniel Jäni Wirt von dar.
Item etwas garn kaûfft Heini Sackers
 Baschis s. Sohn Fraû von hier ___ ___ ___ _ 1#  4ß
 Bürg Heini Geÿger von Ormalingen.
Item ein Batron Täschen kaûfft Joggi
 .Pfeiffer von Häffelfingen  ___ ___ ___ ___  1#  5ß
 Bürg Adam Möschinger von dar.
Item ein Betschafft kaûfft Emanûel
 Bürgi von Weitißburg ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  1#  2ß
 Bürg Hans Joggi Rickenbacher Schû
 macher von Rünenberg.
Item ein ror kaûfft Hanß Joggi Grieder
 Hansen Joggis Sohn von hier ___ ___ ___ __ 6#
 Bürg Hanß Joggi Sacker aûch von hier.

______________
32#   7ß            

Page 61a

Also a plow buys Heini
 Bürgin ramsen Heini from here ___ ___ ___ ___  14ß
 Guarantor Hanß Bürgi his brother.
Also another the same buys Matthiß
 Schaub thatcher from Häffelfingen ___ ___ ___  1# 14ß
 Guarantor Hans Joggi Grieder Schoolmaster's
 son from Rünenberg.
Also a [war log]? buys Heini
 Bürgin rambsen Heini from here ___ ___ ___ ___ 5ß
 Guarantor Hanß Bürgii his brother.
Also a [Dangel}? buys Joggi Wagner
 Shoemaker from Laüffelfingen ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 6ß
 Guarantor Samuel Gÿsi from there.
Also a harrow buys Hanß Joggi Bitterli
 the late Under Vogts son from Weißen___ __ 4# 10ß
 Guarantor Hanß Buoß from Kilchberg.
Also a lantern stick and [Pfar Scheiter]?
 buys Hanß Bürgi Commons Admin. from here ___ 8ß
 Guarantor Heini Sacken the late Heini's son from here.
Also two viertels of grain (wheat) buys Daniel
 Schneider of Dünnen ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  15#
 Guarantor Daniel Jäni Innkeeper from there.
Also some yarn buys Heini Sacker's,
 the late Baschi's son, wife from here ___ ___  1#  4ß
 Guarantor Heini Geyger from Ormalingen.
Also an ammunition pouch buys Joggi
 .Pfeiffer from Häffelfingen ___ ___ ___ ___  1#  5ß
 Guarantor Adam Moschinger from there.
Also a Bed[stead]? buys Emanûel
 Bürgi von Weitißburg  ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  1#  2ß
 Guarantor Hans Joggi Rickenbacher Shoe-
 maker from Rünenberg.
Also an (oven)? buys Hanß Joggi Grieder
 Hans Joggi's son from here ___ ___ ___ ___  6#
 Guarantor Hanß Joggi Sacker also from here.

______________
32#   7ß            

Notes for Page 61a:

I believe "Zwo Viertyel Korn" means two viertels of grain. Alternatively, it could be "Zwo Viertig _? Korn" meaning fifty-two _? of grain. In any case some quantity of grain was purchased for fifteen pounds.

The last item must be "ror" which is Old German for "Rohr" = "reed", but six pounds for "a reed" doesn't make a lot of sense. In the eighteenth century, "Ror" was also a regional term for "backrohr" or oven (literally baking tube) and that's the way I've translated it.

Page 64b - Image File

Item Dihlen garben bänden als
 zû sammen kaûfft Daniel Jäni
 der Wirt von Dürnen ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 5# 10ß
 B. Hs Jacob rûdi Schûlmeister Zû
 Laüffelfingen
It. strow K. Joggi Bürgi Zimmermans
  s_ Sohn von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___  1# 10ß
 Bürg Hanß Bürgi sein Brûd_.
Item strow kaûfft Hanß Bürgi
 gmeine Schaffner von hier ___ ___ ___ ___ _ 1#   2ß
 Bürg Mattias Bürgi sein Brûder.

______________
8#   2ß            

8#   2ß     .      
17.    9. __.      
Sa   328#  5ß  4d       13.    4. __.      
18.  17. __.      
10.  18.   6.      
25.  16.   8.      
21.    8. __.      
32.    7. __.      
21.  18. __.      
17.    9.   2.      
140.  18. __.      
---------------       
328.    5.   4.      

Page 64b

Also Threashing floor sheave borders, all
 together buys Daniel Jäni
 the Innkeeper from Dürnen ___ ___ ___ ___  5# 10ß
 Guarantor Hanß Jacob Rudi schoolmaster at
 Laûfelfingen
Also (straw)? buys Joggi Bürgi the late Carpenters
  son from here ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __  1# 10ß
 Guarantor Hanß Bürgi his brother.
Also (straw)? buys Hanß Bürgi
 village administrator from here ___ ___ ___ _ 1#   2ß
 Guarantor Mattias Bürgi his brother.

______________
8#   2ß            

8#   2ß     .      
17.    9. __.      
Sa   328#  5ß  4d       13.    4. __.      
18.  17. __.      
10.  18.   6.      
25.  16.   8.      
21.    8. __.      
32.    7. __.      
21.  18. __.      
17.    9.   2.      
140.  18. __.      
---------------       
328.    5.   4.      

Notes for Page 64b:

"Dihlen [dielen] garben bänden" is something to do with threashing. "Threashing floor sheave borders" is a literal translation.

"Strow" is probably "Straw".

References:

Terrel, Peter et al.Harper Collins German Unabridged Dictionary, Fourth Edition. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc., 2000.

Thode, Ernest. German-English Genealogical Dictionary. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2000.