Born about 1640 in Eparcy, Picardie, France, my ancestor Jean PLAIDEUR was a Protestant living in a predominantly Catholic land. In the late 1650’s, the French Huguenot decided to flee religious persecution to a place called Saarland, a war-stricken region that offered cheap land in hopes of repopulating. Best yet, this place did not discriminate against practicing Protestants.
Plaideur found a home here in a village called Bierbach, literally “Beer River.” He found a wife, taking 16-year-old Anna Eva SCHWARZ’s hand in marriage after an agreement with her father Wendel SCHWARZ. The SCHWARZ family, also Protestant, was one of just two that survived the Thirty Years’ War that devastated Bierbach and Wendel was determined to find a good mate for his daughter. He was impressed by PLAIDEUR, who had a superb work ethic. The man not only farmed, he opened up a restaurant and bar in town less than a year after his arrival.
PLAIDEUR brought new hope to a deserted village and he was one of the key figures in turning the Bierbach economy around. Several other families soon joined the community and PLAIDEUR was elected mayor. He served the people well while fathering eight children with Anna Eva – all daughters.
I descend of Jean PLAIDEUR in multiple ways – through his eldest daughter Johanna (married WANNEMACHER), his daughter Anna Catharina (married KOERNER), and his daughter Anna Eva (married MOSER). I actually descend of Anna Eva twice – through both her son Peter MOSER and her son Jacob MOSER.
Just one man, but one with a very interesting story, who helped repopulate and turn around a village that was devastated during the Thirty Years’ War. Since I go back to him through four different lines of my ancestry, I’ve always found him fascinating. May he be remembered.
Craig Kanalley 
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