Person:Gerhard Kreyenhagen (1)

Born: MEIER (he was a Colon)

Surname: generally Kreyenhagen in Europe.

Surname: generally Kreinhagen in the USA.

The Kreyenhagen Estate, was known as a "Half Heir" farm, located near the small village of KALKRIESE. The Kreyenhagens never knew it, but their farm was on the battlefield of one of the most famous battles of all time. In 9 AD, three Roman Legions were returning back to their winter quarters, on the west side of the Rhine River. One of the leaders of the long column of Roman Legions, and allied forces, was a Cherusci prince, who had been trained in Rome. Suddenly, the Cherusci prince turned on the column, and began attacking it with his forces. From out of woods, attacking the narrow column of Romans, came various German tribesmen, attacking on the flanks. In three days of fighting the Roman Legions were annihilated, with no armies left between the German tribes, and the Roman capital. Written by P. Cornelius Tacitus in circa 100 AD. His is the only history of this event that is known.

About 6 years later, the Romans returned and avenged their major defeat.

Beginning in perhaps 400 AD, Saxon tribesmen began moving into the region, from what is now southern Denmark, and if they found any people there, they destroyed any evidence of them. The whole area became totally Saxon in every way.

The city of Osnabrueck, about 9 miles away from Kalkriese, was made an episcopal see by Charlemagne in circa 785 AD. The city became the capital of the Hanseatic League member. In the 1200s, the city became the capital of the independent country of the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrueck. It lasted for 600 years until Napoleon came calling.

--White Creek 22:14, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

GERHARD WILHELM KREYENHAGEN

KREYENHAGEN FARM

1. ↑ Udo Thoerner. Venne in America. (Arbeitskries Familienforschung Osnabrueck e. V.)
   2008.
2. ↑ German Immigrants in American Church Records
   Volume I: Indiana Protestants.
3. ↑ Dwayne Meyer of Milpitas, California.
4. ↑ Serena Steventon of Kansas.
5. ↑ Died of "Swamp Fever" (malaria)