Johann Paul Stollberg, author of a Chronicle of events in Obernjesa, stated that a rhinoceros was exhibited in Göttingen in October 1751 (source 6351). The writer might have seen the animal as he remarks on her enormous size. Göttingen is 150 km north of Meiningen / Witzelroda. It is believed that Clara was traveling in the direction of The Netherlands.
Literature
- Van der Ham 2022, p. 184 and note 228, after Kleinecke [sic] 2016, p.56
Source 6351. Pfarrchronik
Johann Paul Stollberg (no dates found)
Kleineke, D. 2016. Die Pfarrchronik der Kirchengemeinde Obernjesa-Dramfeld: Ein Rechnungsbuch mit chronikalischen Notizen 1737 bis 1807. Gottingen, Universitatsverlag.
[p.56] Pfarrchronik, page 128 verso
Original text (German)
Im Monath Octob. 1751 ist ein Nasehorn zu Göttingen gewesen. Es sollte über 500 Centner schwer seyn. War ein gewaltiges Thier. Es hatte Schuppen wie ein Finger dick u. eine Hand groß.
English translation
In October 1751, there was a rhinoceros in Göttingen. It was said to have weighed over 500 hundredweight. It was a massive specimen. It had scales as thick as a finger and as large as a hand.
