1710
George and Veronica Hain arrived on AmericaÕs shores in 1710 after living as medieval surfs in Germany. This is their extraordinary tale of tragedy, survival, betrayal, eventual freedom and redemption. George and Veronica were among 13,000 migrants fleeing the Rhine River Valley to avoid starvation. They were headed for England where Queen Anne promised them refuge and were later dispersed throughout Britain.
George and Veronica were among 2,800 London refugees who sailed to New York, arriving in 1710, desperately sick from the voyage with 470 onboard dead or dying. Rather than gain their freedom, the British Crown declared them indentured servants, lorded over by New YorkÕs governor, a cruel tyrant.
A decade later, George and Veronica settled in Pennsylvania where they were able to purchase 1,739 acres of farmland. They had found their Promised Land. For honoring their life-long prayers, they give thanks by donating land on which to build a small log cabin church atop a hill overlooking the entire valley. From this modest beginning has grown the magnificent St. JohnÕs (HainÕs) Church, resting high upon the hilltop with its tall steeple reaching toward the heavens, still very much active after almost three centuries. Their legacy lives on.
Our story continues by tracing our family tree through countless branches and nine generations. During these years, our name was variously spelled as Haynes, Haines, Hains, Hain and Hein. Its many branches include Schneider, Armentrouts, Pence, Berry, Kenworthy, Smith, Stebbins, Chandler, Macurdy, and Jones.