History of fishing in Haljala or history of Pihuvere farmstead and its inhabitants

The farmstead originally belonged Võle manor. When Vanam]isa manor von Breven bought it, Pihuvere turned in cattle-breeding manor of Vanamõisa.

The first owner of the Estonian origin was the merchant from Karula Joosep Valterberg (1825-1889), who married in 1859 Marie Treuman (as Treiman) and held a shop in the house. For a long time it was the only shop in all district. Every day farm workers on horses brought the goods for the shop from Rakvere.

At the same time the owner of Pihuvere possessed the Suur-Mullamäe farmstead. This land was stretched from Võsu road to the north from Pihuvere, on an East side from the Vainupea road; one part was in a direction to Haljala. Inhabitants remembered that Valterberg built a new cattleman, a stable and a two-storied house for his workers. On the farmstead there was water-and windmills. In the beginning of 20 century on Pihuvere map there were 2 mills - water-mills: water mills to the right of Võsu road, there where now there is our enterprise, and a mill to the left of the road. The stream originating from springs of Pihuvere ran into Black river (or was even in an upper course of Black river). On farm was big apple garden.

Valterbergs were connected with the Estonian national movement. It is known, that on St John’ day in 1881 they organized in the garden holiday and an exhibition-sale in favor of the Estonian Aleksander school. Brass band from Kandle played there. Incredible was, that all girls on a holiday were wearing national clothes. The income, which later was directed to school, made 242 roubles. Joosep Valterberck died on July 7th 1889 at the age of 64 years.

30 th September 1889 nn newspaper “Postimees”was announcment “Near to Haljala church rooms of Pihuvere shop are being rented because of owners death”.

When Valterberg had died, his heirs were his wife Marie and daughters. Both daughters, Klaudine, that was born in 1860 and younger Puline Matilde (born 02.10.1867), were keen on handicraft. Klaudine married chimneysweep Seiboth from Rakvere, moved to the city and was doing handicraft there. She was mostly knitting and for everybody, who was interested in it, she organized courses.

Pauline Matilde, who was called Milda or Milde, stayed in Pihuvere. For that time she was quiet educated girl. She spoke several foreign languages, played piano. Later she became one of the most famous and reputable society figures. In cultural center she organized different celebrations, masquerades, dancing courses. She taught girls from suburbs handicraft, knitting, cooking and piano playing.

Handicraft courses in Pihuvere were popular all around Pihuvere. On 7th July 1888 married Karl (Kaarel) Vimberg (born 24.12.1861) from Varangu and on 1 April family bought from the sister the second part of the farmstead. Mother Marie could live in the farmstead till her death.

In the beginning, Vimbergs held the Pihuvere shop. But, when Haljala started ”wakind up” and a new big West Shop appeared there the Pihuvere shop was closed. Diary was opened in Pihuvere, one person was working there, cottage cheese was made, too.

It was decided to refuse Suur-Mullamäe farmstead. In 1909 it was sold to manor Kavastu owner. Since 21 th May 1913 Pihuvere owner was veterinarian Karl Saral, Milda’s daughter Ebba Marie husband. Neither Karl nor Ebba did live here, but visited this place very often. Karl Vimberg started working on mill.

During the war of independence Milda was engaged in providing of Estonian warriors- she gathered clothes and bed sheets. With other women the made bandages from sheets. She took packages to Tallinn with train by herself (at least once).

In January 1925 Karl Vimberg died. Very seldom, mostly in summer, farmstead owner Karl Saral came here. He was known as good veterinarian, who was always ready to help.

Arnold Laisaar bought 21th May1936 Pihuvere farmstead. Since 1926 Karl Saral was owner of the Aakrel farmstead in Southern Estonia. This farmstead he got during the war of independence, while he was cavalier, there in 1941 he was arrested.

Besides his work, Karl Saral was engaged in policy. In 1917 he was chosen as the deputy in Estonian Land Council. ??????? council. In time of t Estonian temporary government he was the chief of department of veterinary science. Also he took part in the war of independence war (the cavalier of a cross of freedom) and later was the veterinarian of 1st division. Since 1919 Saral was the teacher at veterinary science faculty, since 1926 he had been the professor. He is considered to be the first Estonian who became scientist in the field of veterinary science.

Ebba Marie Saral after her marriage and moving to Tartu (1922) became known chief and the organizer of handicraft in Estonia. She went to teach housekeeping and needlework to Finland, Sweden, Germany and Switzerland. She also was the head of department of knitting in magazine Taluperenaine, made knitting courses in the Female society of Tartu and supervised a workshop of handicraft. Also she was the founder and the head of the Tartu society of women protection. In Tallinn she had a largest handicraft shop in Estonia.

In 1941 Ebba, Karl and their two sons were banished to Siberia. The daughter of veterinarian Viiul managed to escape and has left abroad. Ebba Saar was shot on April, 20th 1942 in camp Sosva in Sverdlovsk area. Karl Saral died on February, 16th, 1942 in area Krivosejno of the Tomsk region. Sons returned from Siberia back.

In 1991 in the court yard of Pihuvere farmstead a memorable stone in honour of EbbaMarie Sara was openedl.

Mildaafter departure from Pihuvere during the summer lived in the Vainupea boarding house, during winter at Ebby’s house in Tartu. She died in 1949, was buried on a cemetery of Vainupea.

Pihuvere was the important place in our history - the progressive farmstead and the handicraft centre, shop, mills, a stable, the figure of national movement, the farmstead owner was the known scientist-veterinarian, the daughter of the farmstead owner, who was the soul of public life in a district and the teacher for young girls.