1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer
I live in the United States and I am attempting to find records relating to the Swiss Regiment commanded by the Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer de Soleure (regiment known as the de Kareer Regiment and also as the Hallwyl regiment).
I am attempting to find a list of soldiers that were enlisted in this regiment and who served in Louisiana (in present day United States) during the time frame of 1740 to 1750 (for sure in July 1743). My 6th great grandfather, Johann Georg Stahlin, served in this regiment and I am attempting to find records pertaining to his passage to Louisiana and the year traveled, his service in the regiment and the time frame he served, and any other info related to his service.
The de Karrer/Hallwyl Regiment I am looking for was created on December 15, 1719 when Francois Adam de Karrer signed an agreement with the French Minister of Marine to raise a regiment for the protection of the French colony of Louisiana. This agreement apparently took place in Besançon, Département du Doubs, France; service was to be under the pay of the Compagnie de Indies. The regiment was raised in Alsace and Switzerland and consisted of three companies.
On July 8, 1720 the regiment was transferred to the "Service of the Navy" and assigned to garrison La Rochelle and to guard the French establishments along the Mississippi River in Louisiana, which is where my 6th great grandfather would have served. The regiment was placed under the command of M. de Karrer. In June 1721, all companies, with the exception of the colonel company which remained in Rochefort, embarked for the American colonies (going to Louisiana). In 1731 a fourth company was raised and soldiers were once again sent to Louisiana; I am not sure if there were later regiments sent to Louisiana.
De Karrer served for the French Army in Louisiana starting in about 1720/1721 and continued serving until he turned the regiment over to his son Ignaz Ludwig in 1731. I believe that once he turned over control of the regiment, Francois Adam de Karrer then went back to France.
As indicated above, my 6th great grandfather served in the de Karrer Regiment and is listed on his July 9, 1743 marriage record in Louisiana as "a soldier of the Compaignie of the Fusilier Regiment" (as a musketeer). I have to believe that the reference to the Fusilier Regiment is an indication that he served in a regiment that patrolled a certain river area in Louisiana that is called the Bayou Fusilier OR one of his commanders was named Fusilier (there was a Gabriel Fusilier de la Clare from Lyons, France in the area at that time), but I could be wrong on my reasoning.
Obviously, these soldiers had to travel by ship to Louisiana and I am trying to find the year that my 6th great grandfather, Johann Georg Staehle/Stahlin, would have come to Louisiana. We had believed that he was on one of the German 'pest ships' of 1720-1721 but given the reference to his service in de Karrer's regiment, we now question that.
I am looking for a list of soldiers that were enlisted in the de Karrer or Hallwyl Regiment? Or does anyone know if there are passenger lists for the soldiers or military service records? I do know that at times they traveled on private passenger ships along with immigrants to the colonies, but I would guess that the French still kept records of the soldiers traveling to Louisiana. If a soldier decided to stay in Louisiana versus returning to France or Switzerland, was there any kind of record reflecting that?
I’m also wondering whether the de Karrer/Hallwyl Regiment allowed or encouraged individuals living in Louisiana to enlist? Especially if they were of German descent which is the nationality of Johann Georg Staehle.
If you are not able to assist me, could you please refer me to someone that might be able to help?
The information I have on my 6th great grandfather is as follows:
First Name: Johann
Middle Name: Georg
Surname: Stahlin [also known as Stahlen, Stahlen in Germany and Echstelly, Estelly, Etelly in
Louisiana]
Birth Date: [baptized] May 12, 1716
Birth Location: Alberhausen, Wurttemberg, Germany
Given his birth year of 1716, Johann probably would have enlisted sometime about 1734 to 1738-40. I do not know how many years the soldiers were required to serve, but I do know that he was apparently still serving in July 1743 when he married in Louisiana.
Johann could have come to Louisiana as a soldier in the late 1730’s or early 1740’s as a member of a "detached company of the Swiss regiment of de Karrer” but that is not known for sure.
I realize that this is a lot of information and more than people may want to know, but again, I am hoping that someone will be able to help me in locating records for the soldiers of the de Karrer Regiment and/or the Compaignie of the Fusilier Regiment.
Thank you –
More Replies:
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Re: 1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer
Jean Jacques Prignaud 11/11/12
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Re: 1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer
Toni Linn 11/11/12
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Re: 1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer
Jean Jacques Prignaud 11/12/12
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Re: 1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer
Toni Linn 11/12/12
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Re: 1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer
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Re: 1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer
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Re: 1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer
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Re: 1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer
Jean Jacques Prignaud 11/06/12
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Re: 1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer
Toni Linn 11/06/12
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Re: 1721 Swiss Regiment of Chevalier Francois-Adam de Karrer