Johann SANDFORT

Robert Sandfort writes: The chronologically next oldest record is a tax list from the year 1599. Again the first name of the owner of the Sandfort farm is not given. However, the farm was owned at this time by Johaann and Moedecke Sandfort as will be seen by the next record. Translated, the tax record from 1599 reads as follows: Fireplace and chimney tax, Farm Community Mintmelaghe. Sandfordt 3orth. There was no lack of ingenuity in developing new forms of taxation in those days in northern Germany. Chimneys were somewhat of a raity at that ime amoung the peasants in the countryside, mostcooking being done over an open fire built in a centrally located room.

However, some farm owners had received permission to build fireplaces and/or chimneys, amoung them the owner of the Sandfort farm. Because a fireplace and chimney were viewed as sign of affluence, they were taxable.

The next record dated June 6, 1602, involves the purchase of a church bench in the Badbergen Church and is translated (in part) as follows: I Gerardus Juetting, pastor of the Badbergen Church ... have sold ... to the honorable Johan Sandvort of Mimmelage, and to Moedecke his beloved wife ... reserved church bench sixteen...

Johan Sandfort wurde 1628 wegen "nächt. Tumulte und Uffruhre" zu 6 thl Strafe gebrüchtet

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