Copy of the Baden decree of 1614, which mentions that the Rapperswiler decree of 1604 had not yet been accepted by all cantons, or by our gracious Lord Abbot of Pfäffer.
The Councillors and delegates of the towns and lands of the seven confederate districts which govern Sargans, assembled on the day of the annual reckoning at Baden in Aargau at the behest of their lords and masters, assert and announce, that their regional governor Johannes Trinkler has appeared before them and has given notice that Joan Pietrio Widrigo from the Bellenzer valley has settled in the named county (Sargans) and has submitted himself as a bondsman to the church at Pfäfers, as his grace (the abbot of Pfäfers) has hitherto collected the tythes and death duties. He (the Governor of Sargans) was of the opinion that he (Widrig) was as a bondsman according to the Rapperswiler decree subject to the sovereignty of the seven governing districts. It was now a matter for the delegates to decide, whether Widrig owed allegiance as a bondsman to the church at Pfäfers or to the local authorities.
Hans Kuonz, mayor, declared in the name of the abbot, he had only to listen to the proceedings and to request, that the monastery be left its rights according to the Golden Book. The delegates postponed their decision to a more opportune time in order to inform themselves about the content of the Rapperswiler Decree and of the Golden Book, especially since the before mentioned Decree had not been accepted by all districts or by the abbot. Sealed by the Governor at Baden in Aargau, Melchior Marti, of the Council at Glarus: 9 July 1614
Agrees with the original, certified P. Flavian Bood, Archivist.
Document of the 11th/18th November, 1614
Hans Peter Widrig (Widerico) , a citizen of Walenstadt, declares on the 18th November, 1614 that he had hitherto been a serf to the abbot Michael of the place of worship of our dear lady of Pfäfers and his monastery. According to the letter of discharge from the named abbot and monastery, dated 11th November 1614, cited word for word in this document, the aforementioned Widrig, on his request to be made a citizen of Walenstadt, after he had moved from Ragaz to Walenstadt, was on payment of the proper charge to the monastery, declared free of bondage for himself, his wife and children. This also happened in recognition of the faithful service given by Widrig and by his forefathers. The absolution was received with the condition that it would lapse, that is Widrig and his family would be bound to the monastery of Pfäfers, as soon as they left Walenstadt, no matter where they went. If they were to settle again in Ragaz, they would not have to pay entrance money and will again become citizens of Ragaz entitled to receive revenue.
Document of the 12th November, 1619
Hans Peter Widrig (Widerigo) citizen of Walenstadt, documents the existence of a tythe dispute between him and Abbot Michael, the dean and chapter of the monastery at Pfäfers. The monastery claimed all wine tythes. Widrig was of the contrary opinion that no tythes were payable on a certain vinyard belonging to him. The dispute could not be decided in the Walenstadt court; it was then taken to Jodocus Helmlin, of the Lucerne Council and governor of the county of Sargans and the dispute was finally settled amicably through Governor Helmlin and Gregorius Steiner, former standard bearer at Schänis, then resident at Weesen. The monastery recognised that Widrig’s vineyard, the boundaries of which were transferred, was free of wine tythes. Widrig paid for this to the monastery the sum of 250 guilders. The deed of the abbot, dean and chapter about the settlement of the dispute the dated on the same day (12th November 1619) is quoted in full in the document which is to hand.
The origin of the Widrig family
The name Widrig occurs in the whole of Switzerland only in Bad Ragaz. Formerly this family also existed in Mels and Weisstannental. The local pronunciation is Widrig with the romansh accent on the last syllable.
The name can be explained in two ways. Formerly it was also written Widrigo, Vidrigo, Viderigo. Today the name Viderigo still stands on a tablet on the east wall of the church in Bad Ragaz. It probably comes from the Italian Federicus, Fridericus, Frithuric is translated as prince of peace. - Another explanation is that Widrig derives from Witiih, Vidiricus, Viduricus, that is the prince of the forest. This puts one in mind of the roman god of the forest Silvanus. Both derivations derive from the Italian speaking area, from which the forebears of the Widrigs must have migrated. It used to be supposed that the Widrig family had come to Ragaz from the Giacomo valley above Chiavenna, since a gravestone with the inscription Widrigo is to be found there. There is, however, no documentary evidence of this migration.
On the other hand a paper in the Foundation archive at St Gallen points to another place of origin. This document from the Pfäfers archive expressly attests, that the Widrigs emigrated from the Bolzen valley, that is to say the Blenio valley. This is a new finding backed by written evidence. The document is the property of the foundation library. It can be viewed and copied at any time. The Widrig who died in the Giacomo valley must have been an exception.
The Widrigs came therefore from Tessin into present day Saganserland. There they became subjects to the Abbot of Pfäfers. The first mention of a certain Hanspeter Widerigo is dated 9th July 1614 [Foundation archive St Gallen, Pfäfers archive section]. The following documents about the apparent first Widrigo are to to be found in the file entitles " Documents and files of the parish of Ragaz":
9th July 1614 A letter from the seven governing authorities to the abbot about the serfdom of Hanspeter Widrigo.
18th November 1614 Hanspeter Widrigo’s discharge from serfdom.
12th November 1619 Declaration of fief against Abbot Michael
There are no documents about the Widrigo family from 1615-1650. Later on in a register of Ragaz parishioners this family is strongly represented. Each family group is entered with its occupation. The Widrigs came over the Alps at a time when there was a big increase in commerce. For that reason they found sufficient business opportunities as they crossed the Tamina river. Before the French revolution they worked as agents in forwarding goods, in warehousing and in through traffic from Chur via Walenstadt to Zürich.
The Widrigs chose their coat of arms according to their occupation. An eagle spreads its wings on the upper half. This indicates the political role of the Widrigs in their community. On the lower half are three small fir trees against a blue background (green crown, silver trunks and roots). The Widrigs transported wood along the Rhein and unloaded it in Ragaz and transported it on to the lakes at Walen and at Zurich.