Different People:The Dunkers

Near the Eder River in a village in Germany called Schwarnenau, a group of people of faith gathered to form a church. They were the Neue Taufer (or New Baptists) who wanted to distinguish them selves from the Anabaptist groups such as the Amish and Mennonites. These people were caller "Dunkers" by people outside the group because when they were baptized they were dunked or put fully under the water three times in nearby streams.

This church members were also part of seven branches of the Church of the Brethren that split off the original group. About 1719 to 1733 these members of the Brethren Church emigrated to the United States because intolerance in Europe was growing for religious group that did not align themselves with the more well know Protestant of Catholic churches.

When they came to America this group settled in eastern and southern Pennsylvania. Until they could build a native stone house for their first meeting house they held service in their homes, ironically the meeting house they built was nearly destroyed ten year later.

These very religious people were pacifist. They detested war and blood shed, but it didn't stop the rifle and artillery fire from both the Confederate and Union Armies on September 17th 1862 from devastating their church during the Civil War. It just happens that it was built in the middle of what became the Antietam battle ground. It still stands in spite of heavy damage however, a tribute to those that died and their faith. There are many of them buried in the large cemetery that surrounds the Mumma's Meetinghouse or Church.

These Dunkers were plain people, they wore no jewelry or even buttons on their clothes. The men usually had beard but no mustaches, wore broad brimmed hats and dark colored suit like the Amish. The woman wore white caps and caped-fronted dresses that were not very stylish.

They believed in non-violence and would not join in the fighting, so were often called cowards and humiliated. Many lost the land and home as they were burned to the ground. Some even their lives because of this stand and were considered unpatriotic, spies or traitors. They were anti slavery and thought it was evil. They even accepted blacks into their church congregations.

The woman were renown for their wonderful cooking and some of their recipes still survive today, in such things as raisin pie and burnt sugar cake. Here is a recipe taken from www.cooks.com for that cake, if you would like to try it.

BURNT SUGAR CAKE WITH CARAMEL FROSTING

1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 c. boiling water, 2/3 c. butter, 1 c. sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, 2 eggs, separated, 3 c. sifted cake flour, 3 tsp. double acting baking powder, 1 tsp. salt,
1 c. milk, Pecan halves

Heat 1/2 cup sugar slowly in small saucepan or skillet, stirring constantly. When sugar is melted and begins to smoke, add boiling water slowly, stirring constantly. Continue cooking until syrup measures 1/2 cup, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, cream butter well, add one cup sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and then egg yolks, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Stir in cooled caramel syrup; add sifted dry ingredients alternately with milk, beating until smooth. Beat egg whites at high speed until stiff but not dry. Fold into mixture.

Pour batter into three round 9" layer pans lined on the bottom with brown paper and greased. Bake in moderate oven, 375 degrees, for about 20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes, then turn out on rack to cool. Spread caramel frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with pecan halves.

CARAMEL FROSTING:
2 tbsp. butter, 1/3 c. heavy cream, 2/3 c. brown sugar, firmly packed, 1/8 tsp. salt
3 c. confectioners' sugar, Few drops vanilla

Mix butter, cream, brown sugar and salt in saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add vanilla, then gradually add confectioners' sugar to make frosting of spreading consistency.
.