Wiesa near Kamenz, Saxony

The village of Wiesa near Kamenz is the home village of the Remus family. Wiesa is built along a road that follows a small valley carved out by a stream. In early days it was a farm village that supplied the town of Kamenz and village which produced cloth, particularly felt . The Remus family lived in this village and attended church in Kamenz. Some of the Remus family were also Burgers in the town of Kamenz so must have had trading relationships with those in the town; the Kamenz Burger Book shows entries for Remus family members as early as 1410. Some were millers that served Kamenz and Wiesa. For example, journeyman miller Johan Georg Remus was a Burger in Kamenz in 1707 and is recorded as marrying Maria Magdalena Melzer in 1708. His father Georg Remus was also a Burger. Johan George and his wife later migrate to Bergelau, Kreis Schlochau, West Prussia where Johan George was the village miller. Their sons also became millers.

The Remus millers lived in Wiesa and practice there trade in one of two places. I favor this first location as it was near to Kamenz. As you will note on the above map, Wiesa was a village that was located beside a stream. At the north end where the pen points, there was a pond called Tuchmacherteich (Clothmaker's Pond); this was the major location for the clothmaking industry of the village. On close inspection, I found this was also the site of a former mill known as Blinde Muhle. Here is a picture:

At the other end of the village, there was mill located by the B in Bischofswerder Strasse at the bottom of the map. This was also the site of a mill. The mill is now derelict, but here is a picture from 100 years ago:

I also know that some Remus family members were cooks, shoemakers, coopers, butchers, and soap makers. You can find what I know about the Remus family in Kamenz by clicking here. Many more records remain to be extracted so this is only a partial list. Johan Caspar Remus was a cook and Burger in Kamenz and he migrated to Schmirdau, Kreis Flatow, West Prussia to purchase and run the local inn (krug). He is my ancestor.

The village is much built up since 1700. So here are some pictures of the large estate building and also some of the small holdings.

Here are some old big farms and big barns along the road and here are pictures of them.

Also houses for small holders:

Please send any queries to Bill Remus at

Remus@hawaii.edu

September 5, 2013