The first Moorland lived as farmers of the cultivation of wheat. Starting from 1824 some craftsmen, carpenters, restaurant operators/barkeepers, cutters, bakers, and shoemakers began to settle in Vossbarg. Peat was harvested for personal fuel needs, however, there was no canal present and transportation of large quantities of peat became nearly impossible. After some years the moorland soil became depleted. The town, which had a promising beginning, began to experience poverty. The heads of families hired themselves out as day laborers to the moor companies in the neighboring towns of Spetzerfehn and Großefehn. Others sought work as harvest hands in the marsh areas or in the Netherlands. During time, Vossbarg citizens were persuaded to emigrate to America in response to the other citizens who had emigrated there. Between 1850 and 1900 numerous residents of Vossbarg emigrated because of the economic and political difficulties.