The Trek Routes of 1789 and 1803
The Chortiza and Molostschna Colonies
Friday, January 10, 2014
7. Migration
To encourage the land owning Mennonites to continue with their decision to emigrate, the Tsar Paul I of Russia offered more privileges to counteract the taxes. Interest-free loans and 120,000 more dessiatines (about 300,000 acres) of land east of the Molotschna River near the Sea of Azov were given to Mennonite farmers. In 1803 records have 1,020 Mennonites leaving Prussia in horse-drawn covered wagons heading for their new home and religious freedom. Their farms were sold at reasonable prices and they started their over 1000 mile journey with their livestock and farm equipment. Records have 15 von Riesen families in this long trek from West Prussia to Russia.
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