Johann Antoni Terz (1688-†1764) – Guild writer and chronicler

Johann Antoni Terz was born in Chur in January 1688, the son of David Terz and Elisabeth Köhl. Johann Antoni was 12 years old when his grandfather, Mayor Bernhard Köhl, died and was one of over 18 grandchildren to accompany the funeral procession in his honor. He probably grew up in the house on Obere Gasse/Paradiesgasse, in which the Köhl/Terz families owned shares. Several aunts, uncles and cousins lived in the same house. In 1703, when Johann Antoni was 15 years old, the Terz family moved to the house “zum weisen Ochsen” near the Ochsenbrunnen fountain. His parents ran an inn there, perhaps even before 1703. Johann Antoni must have worked in the inn from an early age. Like his grandfather and father, Johann Antoni became a proud member of the shoemakers' guild in 1715.

His first marriage

Around 1709, he married Anna Maria Schwarz (1687-†1713), the eldest daughter of Landammann Georg Schwarz (1661-†1729) and Sereina Pitzarda (1665-†1735). A son named David was born shortly afterwards. His aunt Anna Maria Pitzarda-Köhl, stepmother of Sereina Pitzarda above, was a witness at his baptism. However, the boy died after a few months. Shortly afterwards, daughter Elisabeth was born. His uncle Joseph Köhl was a witness, as were Maria Sprecher, née Terz, and Fida Schwarz, the wife of Mayor Otto Schwarz. But the new happiness did not last long. His wife died, mourned by her large family, in June 1713 at the age of just 26.

Child of Johann Antoni Terz and Anna Maria Schwarz:

•     David Terz (1710-†1711), died in her 1st year of life.
•     Elisabeth Terz (1711-†after 1737), at least 26 years old.

The Schwarz family was to play an important role in Johann Antoni's later life. Some of Anna Maria Schwarz's brothers were to hold important offices in the Chur guilds. Georg Caleb Schwarz (1692-†1746), blacksmith's guild, was guild clerk, podestà, head guild master 1730-1746. His brother Abundi Schwarz (1697-†1764), tailor's guild, was town captain, town clerk, head guild master 1746-1756 and councillor 1757-1764. Johann Antoni dedicated many entries to them and their family in his family book and remained closely connected to the Schwarz family even after his wife's death. The grandparents must also have looked after their granddaughter Elisabeth.

Shortly after the death of his first wife, Johann Antoni married again. Madlena Beeli von Belfort (1690-†1720), daughter of Colonel Conradin Beeli von Belfort (1639-†1712). Conradin Beeli von Belfort, from the Fideris line, was a colonel in the Capol regiment in Dutch service and was killed as a brigadier in the service of Zurich in the 2nd Villmerger War on a reconnaissance ride near Ottenbach. Madlena thus came from a noble and wealthy family and had lost her father shortly before. Madlena had two brothers, Arnold Zacharias and Conradin Beeli von Belfort, both mercenaries in foreign service like her father.

His parents had probably already handed over the inn to their son and moved back into the house at Paradies. His son David was born in 1714. His christening was again attended by well-known personalities: Federal President Hercules von Salis, Councillor Baptista von Tscharner and Elisabeth Beeli von Belfort. Johann Antoni lived in the Weisses Ochsen with his wife, their son David and his daughter Elisabeth from his first marriage and ran the inn with her. But his son David was also to die soon, he was only 3 years old. There were no more children.

His second marriage

Shortly after the death of his first wife, Johann Antoni married again. Madlena Beeli von Belfort (1690-†1720), daughter of Colonel Conradin Beeli von Belfort (1639-†1712). Conradin Beeli von Belfort, from the Fideris line, was a colonel in the Capol regiment in Dutch service and was killed as a brigadier in the service of Zurich in the 2nd Villmerger War on a reconnaissance ride near Ottenbach. Madlena thus came from a noble and wealthy family and had lost her father shortly before. Madlena had two brothers, Arnold Zacharias and Conradin Beeli von Belfort, both mercenaries in foreign service like her father.

His parents had probably already handed over the inn to their son and moved back into the house on Paradies. His son David was born in 1714. His christening was again attended by well-known personalities: President of the Confederation Hercules von Salis1, Councillor Johann Baptista von Tscharner, Elisabeth Beeli von Belfort and Maria von Sprecher née Terz. In 1716, when his daughter Veronica was born, well-known people were again present: Councillor Gabriel Fries, Vicari Otto Schwarz, Apollonia Raschèr, Anna Kathrina Köhl (his aunt) and again Maria Terz, widow of Major Andreas Sprecher von Bernegg. Veronica, however, died in her first year, probably from one of the childhood illnesses that claimed many victims every year.

Children of Johann Antoni Terz with Magdalena Beeli:

• David Terz (1714-†1738). Mentioned in David Terz's will in 1733. No further details found.
• Veronica Terz (1716-†1717), died in her 1st year of life.

Johann Antoni lived in the Weisses Ochsen with his wife, their son David and his daughter Elisabeth from his first marriage. In 1715, Johann Antoni was admitted to the shoemakers' guild and from then on probably also took over the Gasthaus zum Weissen Ochsen from his father.

The death of his second wife

On Thursday, February 27, 1720 at five o'clock, his wife Madlena collapsed at work in the cellar of the house and complained of a severe headache. The inn began to fill up, the guests were thirsty and his daughter Elisabeth was in bed with a fever. Johann Antoni told those present, cousin Antoni Cleric and servant Sebastian Gerber, that she had had this several times before, had recovered after 1-2 hours each time and ordered her to rest. The restaurant was full and so Johann Antoni only noticed after a while that his wife had not come back up from the cellar as expected. Madlena's condition had not improved, so Johann Antoni, his servant Sebastian and his cousin Antoni Cleric carried the unconscious woman to her room and laid her in her bed. No one seemed to be aware of the seriousness of the situation.

Johann Antoni served his guests in the inn and an hour later asked his cousin Antoni to check on his wife again. Madlena was no longer responsive. Only now did Antoni realize that his wife was in a very bad way and that he had misjudged the situation. He immediately called his uncle, Dr. Joseph Köhl, and informed his family and relatives. When Dr. Joseph Köhl arrived, he could only determine that Johann Antoni's wife had died. She had died of a stroke within 3 hours. Johann Antoni blamed himself for not calling the doctor sooner and his wife died while he was sitting in the inn with the guests.

Rumors about the cause of death quickly arose in the town of Chur. What had killed his wife? Had she fallen or been beaten? It was rumored that she had been murdered by her husband. The Siebner criminal court intervened and opened proceedings against Johann Antoni Terz. The court spoke to several witnesses, but could find no evidence of violence. According to Dr. Köhl, Madlena had suffered a stroke and died as a result. The stroke had announced itself in the days and weeks before with similar symptoms, but Madlena had always recovered quickly. Johann Antoni had therefore assumed that it was nothing serious this time either. However, the court found that Johann Antoni's behavior had been negligent. He should have helped his wife more quickly and assisted her in her final hours, and should have called in a doctor or other help more quickly.

The court sentenced him to pay the court costs and to 6 days in prison, which he was released from out of mercy and because he had shown himself to be understanding and remorseful.

Johann Antoni had now already lost 2 wives and several children. He continued to live in the Weisses Ochsen and ran his inn. It is not known what happened to his daughter Elisabeth. She presumably took in the Schwarz family. She is not mentioned again until 1733: “Wiese in Mannsmad auf klein Bruggerwyß als ein testamend von H[err] David Tertz ihrem H[err] Großvatter darvon 1/3 dem kindt oder tochter der ersten Ehe zuständig worden ist, laut verglich und 2/3 gebührt dem kindt oder söhnli der andern Ehe”.1 David Terz had therefore bequeathed 1/3 of a meadow on the Kleinbrugger to Elisabeth.

The death of his second wife

On Thursday, February 27, 1720 at five o'clock, his wife Madlena collapsed at work in the cellar of the house and complained of a severe headache. The inn began to fill up, the guests were thirsty and his daughter Elisabeth was in bed with a fever. Johann Antoni told those present, cousin Antoni Cleric and servant Sebastian Gerber, that she had had this several times before, had recovered after 1-2 hours each time and ordered her to rest. The restaurant was full and so Johann Antoni only noticed after a while that his wife had not come back up from the cellar as expected. Madlena's condition had not improved, so Johann Antoni, his servant Sebastian and his cousin Antoni Cleric carried the unconscious woman to her room and laid her in her bed. No one seemed to be aware of the seriousness of the situation.

Johann Antoni served his guests in the inn and an hour later asked his cousin Antoni to check on his wife again. Madlena was no longer responsive. Only now did Antoni realize that his wife was in a very bad way and that he had misjudged the situation. He immediately called his uncle, Dr. Joseph Köhl, and informed his family and relatives. When Dr. Joseph Köhl arrived, he could only determine that Johann Antoni's wife had died. She had died of a stroke within 3 hours. Johann Antoni blamed himself for not calling the doctor sooner and his wife died while he was sitting in the inn with the guests.

Rumors about the cause of death quickly arose in the town of Chur. What had killed his wife? Had she fallen or been beaten? It was rumored that she had been murdered by her husband. The Siebner criminal court intervened and opened proceedings against Johann Antoni Terz. The court spoke to several witnesses, but could find no evidence of violence. According to Dr. Köhl, Madlena had suffered a stroke and died as a result. The stroke had announced itself in the days and weeks before with similar symptoms, but Madlena had always recovered quickly. Johann Antoni had therefore assumed that it was nothing serious this time either. However, the court found that Johann Antoni's behavior had been negligent. He should have helped his wife more quickly and assisted her in her final hours, and should have called in a doctor or other help more quickly.

The court sentenced him to pay the court costs and to 6 days in prison, which he was released from out of mercy and because he had shown himself to be understanding and remorseful.

Johann Antoni had now already lost 2 wives and several children. He continued to live in the Weisses Ochsen and ran his inn. It is not known what happened to his daughter Elisabeth. She presumably took in the Schwarz family. She is not mentioned again until 1733: “Wiese in Mannsmad auf klein Bruggerwyß als ein testamend von H[err] David Tertz ihrem H[err] Großvatter darvon 1/3 dem kindt oder tochter der ersten Ehe zuständig worden ist, laut verglich und 2/3 gebührt dem kindt oder söhnli der andern Ehe”.1 David Terz had therefore bequeathed 1/3 of a meadow on the Kleinbrugger to Elisabeth.

His 3rd family

In 1722, 2 ½ years after his wife's death, he married Johanna Heim.1 Johann Antoni had known Johanna for some time; she had also been present in the house when his wife was killed in an accident. His father-in-law, Lucius Heim, was a member of the town court and guild master of the shoemakers' guild, together with his cousin Bernhard Köhl. Johanna was Luzi Heim's youngest child. When her mother died, she was just 5 years old and grew up as a half-orphan. Johann Antoni ran Johanna's inn, the Weissen Ochsen. More children followed.

Children of Johann Antoni Terz with Johanna Heim:

• Elisabeth Ursina Terz (1724-†1728), died at the age of 5.
• Luzi Terz (1726-†1728), died at the age of 3.
• Johann Baptista Terz (1728-†1763), surgeon, Pfisterzunft 1750 ∞1757 Barbara Killias1, no descendants.
• Margreth Terz (1730-†1797), died of stomach cancer after long suffering and in great pain. She does not appear to have married and lived with her brother Bernhard.
• Bernhart Terz (1732-†1812), pastor and religious teacher. He became a member of the Rebleutezunft in 1757, pastor in Masein 1758-1764 and catechist in Chur 1766-1808. He lived with his sister Margreth in Weissen Ochsen. After her death ∞1798 Maria Katharina Christ2 (1768-†1838), no descendants. See about him: VII.c. Bernhard Terz (1732-†1812) - pastor of Chur.
• Johann Antoni Terz (1737-†1738), died in the first year of his life.
• Luzi Terz (1740-†1764), innkeeper, shoemaker's guild in 1760, died at the age of 24 from the infantile bladder.

In 1729, Johann Antoni was elected guild clerk of the shoemakers' guild.

The election took place in the guild house behind the Spanish wall1. His cousins, guild master Bernhard Köhl, head guild master Peter Reidt2 and councillor Bernhard Cleric3 were also influential members of the shoemakers' guild and are likely to have had a significant influence on Johann Antoni's election. Another guild member, councillor Johannes Fischer4, had been a witness to the baptism of his daughter Elisabeth Ursina. And the head of the guild, the president of the guild, Stephan Buol5, had been the successor and companion of his grandfather, Bernhard von Köhl. He was therefore very well connected within the shoemakers' guild. Johann Antoni was to hold this office for 29 years. In 1732, he was also elected gatekeeper of the Obertor.

His aunt Anna Katharina, who had recently married Captain Christian Mattli, now lived in the house next to the Weisses Ochsen, in the Pfisterei. Together with his mother, his aunt must have been an important source of support. The Terz family was now one of the wealthiest families in Chur. His mother owned two vineyards, orchards on the Bruggerwies and on the Plessur, parts of the Prixinerhaus and the Paradieshaus as well as a garden on the Kettbach.

But the winter of 1735/36 was to bring another turning point. Smallpox raged in Chur and claimed many victims, young and old. His son Bernhard also contracted smallpox, but survived. Georg Soliva1, husband of his sister Maria, was less fortunate, as was his beloved mother. They both died of smallpox within a few months of each other. Neighbor Captain Christian Mattli,2 husband of his aunt Anna Katharina Köhl, also died in April 1735.

Johann Antoni had already bought his siblings' shares in the house and stable at the Ochsen in 1735 and was now the only male heir to inherit his mother's entire estate. After his mother's death, Johann Antoni and his family moved back into the Weisses Ochsen. He noted in his family register: “On May 15, 1736, on a Saturday, we moved to the oxen, God Almighty give us His holy blessing for all our plans. ”3 He seems to have lived in a different house beforehand, presumably with his mother, in order to be able to look after her better. His daughter Elisabeth, now 24 years old, lived with his brother-in-law Thomas Schwarz and helped the family with the housework.

His wife Johanna gave him 7 children, 3 of whom died in their early years. Antoni ran the Weisses Ochsen with his wife, regularly wrote entries in his family book and continued to work as a guild master in the shoemakers' guild.

The neighborhood at the Ochsenbrunnen

The Ochsenplatz square with the Ochsenbrunnen fountain was an important place in Chur. Muleteers, traders and other travelers arrived here every day via the Obertorbrücke bridge and through the Obertor gate. They watered their horses at the Ochsenbrunnen, drank a cup of wine in one of the inns, spent the night, repaired their wagons and continued their journey. The families who lived here made a living from the travelers and offered a wide variety of services. The Killias family ran a smithy directly on Ochsenplatz1. Hungry guests ate at the Rebstock2, the Goldener Schlüssel3 and the Weisses Ochsen4. The Weisses Ochsen also had several guest rooms where they could relax. Or they could buy bread and other food in the Haus zur Pfisterei5. Right next to the Obertor was a pharmacy that sold all kinds of remedies. And of course the gatekeeper also lived here. This function was performed for many generations by the Bener family, who lived in house no. 2186. From 1732, Johann Antoni Terz took over this office. Customs officer Andreas Bener, who collected the customs duties levied by the town of Chur, also lived at the Obertor. His father had also been the bailiff of the Ochsenbrunnen well.

The residents of Ochsenplatz often spent their entire lives here and knew each other from an early age. The Terz family was also very well connected here. Johann Antoni met his friend, guild master Herkules de Cadenat1, every morning for a chat[52]2. Cadenat lived right next door to the Weisses Ochsen, in the Wirtshaus zum Rebstock. Johann Antoni's sister Elisabeth, who had married Paulus Paravicini, also lived there. On the other side of Ochsenplatz lived the Killias family, who owned several apartments here. Right next door, in the Pfisterhaus, lived his aunt, Anna Katharina Köhl, with her husband, Captain Christian Mattli. After his death in 1735, the Terz family looked after her until her death in 1748. Later, his cousin, Captain Christian Mattli (1704-†1785), lived here, who sold his part of the house to guild master Johann Bavier in 1757.

The Weisses Ochsen not only had guest rooms and a wine tavern, the Terzens also rented out a large room which could be used for parties, weddings, christening dinners and other occasions. Sometimes it was noisy, which sometimes led to complaints from the neighbors.

Johann Antonis Sons

Johann Antoni's sons brought him much joy. Johann Baptista, the eldest, had completed an apprenticeship as a bather or barber and now worked as a surgeon. A surgeon in the 18th century was a healer who specialized in surgical procedures. In contrast to academic physicians, who focused on the medical treatment of diseases, surgeons were responsible for performing operations. They were also known as wound doctors and were often found in the military. They may have had their own practice. In addition to the panacea of the time, bloodletting, the main task of the surgeons was to treat external wounds. In 1756, Johann Baptista bought an apartment in his father's house from the heirs of the late Rudolf von Salis (1652-†1735) and shortly afterwards married Barbara Killias (1729-†?), the daughter of his neighbor Johann Georg Killias.

His son Bernhard had attended the Collegium Philosophicum and began his theological studies in Bern in 1753, which he successfully completed in Basel in 1757. In the same year he was elected to the synod in Filisur. Johann Antoni was very proud when his son was allowed to preach the main sermon in St. Martin's Church and perform his first baptism. Johann Antoni noted in his family register: “Anno 1757. 29. Juny, Hatt der Sohnn Bernhardt, Vor St. Martin für Ihro Erwürden Herr Antistes Grest die Haupt Predig gehalten. As the first time and had the service in the Gospel of St. Luke the 13th chapter on the 24th verse. NB also baptized a son named Hanß Jacob for Peter Jeglin1 , the first child he baptized. “2 Bernhard is also likely to have lived in the Weisses Ochsen again after his return from Basel.

His youngest son Luzi was admitted to the shoemakers' guild in 1760 and is likely to have taken over the Weisses Ochsen inn from then on. Daughter Margreth was unmarried and probably supported her brother in the inn. Johann Antoni now retired and received a dog from his cousin Simeon Damur3, which he named Margis.