New Post
Search
Help[Surname] Re: surname -- Ishee
in reply to a message by Tara
The Ishee name in America was derived from the Swiss surname Ischi. It's a name commonly found in the area of Obberbipp, Bern, Switzerland. The people of this area speak Swiss German. Most Ishee families in America, particularly ones with roots in Mississippi, are descendents of the family of Hans Ulrich Ischi.
Hans Ulrich Ischi emmigrated from Oberbipp, Bern,Switzerland in 1803. He brought with him his father, also named Hans Ulrich Ischi, his mother, Elsbeth (aka Elizabeth) Allemon Ischi, his wife, Barbara Lang Ischi and his 5 children: Johannes, Hans Jacob, Anna Marie, Friedrich and Anna Barbara. They decided to come to America due to the hardships caused by the Napoleonic Wars, particularly fear of their teenage sons being conscripted into Napoleon's army, and the promise of free, rich farmlands. They had little money or possessions. They traveled from Oberbipp, Switzerland to Amsterdam and got passage to America on the ship COMMERCE. On the passenger list, their last name was written as Ische. They were considered Redemptioners, meaning that their passage would be paid by an employer who would buy their contracts when they arrived in America. Per the ship's manifest, all of their possessions fit into 2 sacks. The Ischi family arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 10, 1803. They were not allowed off the ship until their passage was paid. It is known that Johannes' contract was paid by George Rine, owner of a grist mill. Other able-bodied family members likely had similar contracts. They would be no more than indentured servants and it would take years to pay off their debt. By December of 1803, the Ischi family had had enough. They ran away in the middle of the night and headed to the Mississippi Territory, which was then a wild, unsettled frontier of Indians and many dangers. They traveled through Georgia and Florida. The heat and humidity was far different from their native Switzerland and diseases such as malaria and yellow fever took its toll on the family. Eventually, the 3 brothers Jonannes (aka John), Hans Jacob and Freidrich (aka Fred) made it to what is now the state of Mississippi. They married, raised large families and farmed the land. Their family name went through many versions- from Ischi to Ishu, Eshu, Ishi, Eshe, Eshee until finally settling on the version we know today-Ishee.
Hans Ulrich Ischi emmigrated from Oberbipp, Bern,Switzerland in 1803. He brought with him his father, also named Hans Ulrich Ischi, his mother, Elsbeth (aka Elizabeth) Allemon Ischi, his wife, Barbara Lang Ischi and his 5 children: Johannes, Hans Jacob, Anna Marie, Friedrich and Anna Barbara. They decided to come to America due to the hardships caused by the Napoleonic Wars, particularly fear of their teenage sons being conscripted into Napoleon's army, and the promise of free, rich farmlands. They had little money or possessions. They traveled from Oberbipp, Switzerland to Amsterdam and got passage to America on the ship COMMERCE. On the passenger list, their last name was written as Ische. They were considered Redemptioners, meaning that their passage would be paid by an employer who would buy their contracts when they arrived in America. Per the ship's manifest, all of their possessions fit into 2 sacks. The Ischi family arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 10, 1803. They were not allowed off the ship until their passage was paid. It is known that Johannes' contract was paid by George Rine, owner of a grist mill. Other able-bodied family members likely had similar contracts. They would be no more than indentured servants and it would take years to pay off their debt. By December of 1803, the Ischi family had had enough. They ran away in the middle of the night and headed to the Mississippi Territory, which was then a wild, unsettled frontier of Indians and many dangers. They traveled through Georgia and Florida. The heat and humidity was far different from their native Switzerland and diseases such as malaria and yellow fever took its toll on the family. Eventually, the 3 brothers Jonannes (aka John), Hans Jacob and Freidrich (aka Fred) made it to what is now the state of Mississippi. They married, raised large families and farmed the land. Their family name went through many versions- from Ischi to Ishu, Eshu, Ishi, Eshe, Eshee until finally settling on the version we know today-Ishee.
1