The Moravians in Georgia, 1735-1740

cond Co

ion. The proposals were, in brief, that the Trustees should give credit to the Moravians to the extent of 500 Pounds sterling, which, deducting the 60 Pounds advanced to the first company, would provide passage money and a year's provision for fifty-five m

wenty-one years, or over, should be granted

ith the further favor that if the debt was not paid within five years it should draw intere

hree young men, and the other of thirteen men, women and children, who were joined at Leipzig by Jonas Korte, who went with them to London. On August 8th, five more person

r way by his work as ship's carpenter. By the same handicraft he supported himself and his companion for four months on the island of St. Thomas, where they preached to the negro slaves, and then, according to previous arrangement, he left Dober to continue the work, and returned to Germany. In 1735, it was decided that Bishop Jablonski, of Berlin, and Bishop Sitkovius, of Poland, who represented the Episcopate of the ancient Unitas Fratrum, should consecrate one of the

t wrote to him on the 19th of August, agreeing that he should go with the Moravians, at their expense, but saying that if he desired office he must first prove himself worthy of it by service with and for the others, even as the Count had always done. If the reports from Georgia justified it, the Count promised to send him proper powers later, and to find a good opportunity for his wife to follow him. Ros

therefore, consisted o

schmann,

ph von Hermsdo

ew Dober,

Zeis

eberger, a

son of David, a

e Nei

, a young lad, b

her, a lin

id

ael Meyer

b Fr

Marti

Seybold,

ieb D

hner, a

as Boe

Dober, wife of J

ger, wife of D

erine Riedel, Rosina Ha

eir husbands alr

a widow, to

eschke, a

colonists were orig

Bohe

m her home in London on a visit to her father. By this time the Moravian settlement at Herrnhut was coming to be well and favorably known in Holland, and every visit won new friends, many of whom came into organic f

s held them in port until the 13th, and it was not until Sunday, Oct. 2nd, that they reached London

s Korte moved into it, to wait for the sailing of Gen. Oglethorpe's ship, the General having offered them berths on his own vessel. The General was out of town

as Spangenberg had done, and knew no English, so that all of his conversations with Oglethorpe had to

ld be free from military service was admitted by all, but Oglethorpe thought three men must be furnished to represent Zinzendorf, Spangenberg and Nitschmann (the Hausmeister), the three free-holders, and suggested that Lieutenant Hermsdorf might take one place. Nitschmann said

uld be requested for Count Zinzendorf's son, and Nitschmann referred the proposal to the authorities at Herrnhut. In regard to the five hundred acre tract already granted, the General said that it had been located near the Indians, at the Moravians' request, but that se

es, to use this as a pretext for regaining the land, and if there was no male heir, a brother, or failing this, a friend, might take the title. (In 1739 the law entailing property in Georgia was modified to meet this view, and after 1750, a

hut who spoke French or Latin, preferably the latter, should be named as Count Zinzendorf's Agent, to handle funds for the English school, and to accompany later companies of Georgia colonists as far as London, his expenses to be paid by the Trustees. Of this the Trustees approved, and donated 40 Pounds st

ndon, and had spent 113 Pounds. "This will seem much to you, but when you look over the accounts, and consider the number of people, and how dear everything is, you will understand." Unfortunately the colonists had left Herrnhut without a suffici

gia, and a year's provision there, binding themselves jointly and severally to repay the money, the bond, dated Oct.

16 men, 8 wo

1/2 "heads". Po

bed-cloth

rovisions

bushels I

eat, 30 lb

alt, 27 lb

ad. 64

don for necessa

Pounds 2

years, further security to be given within twelve months if requested by the Tru

d the respect and confidence of those whom Spangenberg had introduced to the Moravian Church, and so strengthened its cause. A carpenter from Wittenberg, Vollmar by name, who was attracted to them, requested permission to go to Georgia with them, although not at their expense, and to this they agreed. A number of Salzburgers who were to go to Georgia with General Oglethorpe, though not on the same ship, were under the leadership of th

groups of five,-three below and two above,-the five persons occupying them also eating together. The Moravians chose their places in the center of the ship, on either side of the main mast, where the ventilation was best, and there would be most fresh air when they reached warmer latitudes. "The number of people

he came back to the ship, accompanied by Korte, who bade them an affectionate farewell. By the 27th all of the passengers, includ

Jou

rsity of Oxford they, with two companions, had formed a little society for religious improvement, and by their strict and methodical habits gained the name of "Methodists"; both brothers had taken orders in the English Church, and were on their way to Georgia, John to serve as rector at Savannah, and Charles as Gen. Oglethorpe's private secretary. Benjamin Ingham was born in Yorkshire, and met the Wesleys at Oxford, where he joined their Methodist society. He, too,

ount of the voyage to Georgia was also printed, so that the story of those weeks is quite well known. Nevertheless, something of interest may be gaine

an Calendar had fallen ten days behind the seasons, so another calculation was made, and Pope Gregory XIII abolished the Julian Calendar in all Catholic countries, dropped the dates of ten days from that year, and established the "reformed", or "Gregorian Calendar". This was adopted in Catholic Germany, in 1583, in Protestant Germany and Holland, in 1700, but in England not until 1752, by which time the difference had increased to eleven days. Following the ancient Jewish custom the Year, for many centuries, began with the 25th

on which follows these are generally omitted; in the same way some paragraphs are left out of the Wesley

24 Oc

Diary. Oct.

, (the 'Simmonds',

to be once more

g we held our

, and that we may attain our object, namely, to call the heathen, to become acquainted with those w

25 Oc

nal. Oct. 14th, 17

boat for Gravesend, in order to embark for Georgia. Our end in leaving our native country was not to avoid want, (God having given us plenty of temporal blessings,) nor to gain the dung

the other. Theirs was made pretty large, so that we could all meet together to read or pray in it. This par

27 Oc

ann. Oc

m. In the evening we held our song service at the same hour that the English had theirs. I spoke with Mr. Oglethorpe and the two Engl

28 Oc

ann. Oc

de sure; I also wrote to the Congregation at Herrnhut. Mrs. Zeisber

. Oct.

o converse with the Germans, six a

vians and the Witt

29 Oc

ann. Oc

tenberg carpenter

30 Oc

ann. Oc

Band" meetings. (The "Bands" were small groups, closely associated for mutual re

31 Oc

ann. Oc

e sailed twelve mi

Oct. 20t

the use of flesh and wine, and confined ourselves to vegetable food,-chiefly rice and biscuit. In the afternoon, David Nitschmann,

1 Nov

ann. No

we read concerning new life in the soul; the preceding night was blessed to me, and t

ur members in office,-David Tanneberger as overseer, Dober as teacher and monitor, Sey

watch each night, of which Mr. Ogleth

. Oct.

ind suddenly failed. Had the calm continued till ebb, the ship had probably be

n account to one another what we had done since our last meeting, and what we designed to do before our next. About one we dined. The time from dinner to four, we spent in reading to those whom each of us had taken in charge, or in speaking to them severally, as need required. At four were the Evening Prayers; when either the Second Lesson was explained (as it always was in the morning,) or the children were catechised, and instructed before the congregation. From five to six we again used private prayer. From six

2 Nov

ann. No

pirit, and the means of preserving the bond of peace. In the song service many points o

3 Nov

ann. No

easant weather, so w

4 Nov

ann. No

', Capt. Thomas) where the so-called Salzburger

. Oct.

was exceeding sick for several days, Mr. Ingham for about half an hour. My brother

we had opportunity, on board the ship that sailed in company with

5 Nov

ann. No

that we might be one with it in spirit. In the even

no room

may shake

ments m

ament ma

safe-

8 Nov

ann. No

d, and was buried in t

11 No

ann. No

rd is with me, there

. Oct.

ound there was no danger. But the bare apprehension of it gave me a lively conviction

12 No

ann. No

anchored. Today Dober began to study English,

ov. 1st,

ut we waited for the man-of-war which was to sail with us. This was a happy opportunit

13 No

ann. No

visits Bar

14 No

ann. No

. I went with Baron von Reck to Newport, one mile distant, it is a be

18 No

ann. No

hough we were in the midst of wild beasts, which are bound and cannot harm us

20 No

ann. No

ung Englishmen were

21 No

ann. No

well pleased when I explained our view, and that we did not think a Bishop must be a great lord a

23 No

ann. No

scoine) joined us. A boy was bea

25 No

ann. No

and must go ashore for treatment. Boehner has a sore arm, and Neisser a

29 No

ann. No

d wind, since we do not wish to l

1 Dec

ann. De

long after the wind fell, and we anchored, but I could not believe t

. Nov.

ack to Cowes. During our stay here there were several stor

an opportunity of complying with the desire of the min

2 Dec

ann. De

lock we retur

3 Dec

ann. De

we do not wish to annoy any one, and desired to be alone that we might celebra

4 Dec

ann. De

l, which reminds us to pray for him, and the English preacher, John Wesley, has promised to do the same. This preacher loses no opportunity to be present at our song service; he spare

Nov. 23r

hip, and roaring of the wind, and plainly sh

7 Dec

ann. De

thanked God that we

10 De

ann. De

k me by the hand, led me into the cabin, and gave me 1 Pound for the

18 De

ann. De

got under sail the wind changed again. We must st

Dec. 7th

we had been accustomed to, we agreed to leave off suppers

21 De

ann. De

God we sailed at nine o'clock from Cowes, whe

old our prayer-meeting, for our people help in all the work, and therefore the sailors treat us wel

lzburgers. Two of the Salzburgers were on shore, and were left behind when the ship saile

ec. 10th,

n the Bay of Biscay, the sea was very rough. Mr. Delamotte and others were more sick than ever; Mr. In

22 De

ann. De

sailed nine miles an hour,

23 De

. Dec.

-war, he not being able to sail as

25 De

ann. De

r prayer service. The wind had died down, every

27 De

ann. De

the middle hatch was open, and the water poured in, running into our cab

30 De

ann. De

r was agai

. Dec.

each of us, a part of the ship, and daily to provide the sick people with wa

1 Jan

nn. Jan.

Day, and Mr. Ogl

them out and presented them as a birthday greeting to Mr. Ogl

Dec. 21s

cants, which was our u

ople, which, with the smoothness of the sea, and the serenity of the sky,

lethorpe gave a hog and wine t

5 Jan

ann. Ja

ted on our ship. Br. Nitschmann spoke on the words, "Unto

9 Jan

. Dec.

h blow much the same way all the year round. The air is balmy, soft, and sweet. The ship glides smoothly an

inging as

at made us

m's Jo

10 Ja

ann. Ja

shed to adhere to their custom of initiating those who crossed the Tropic of Cancer for the first time, but Gen. Oglethorpe forbade it. The weak,

12 Ja

ann. Ja

the old style, we cel

20 Ja

ann. Ja

, saying that he thought it a sacrifice which consecrated and improved

e Tropic of Cance

21 Ja

ann. Ja

Trade wind, and sail

are all well, only Mrs. Demuth is a

23 Ja

ann. Ja

aw a

Jan. 12t

Dictionary in order to learn the

26 Ja

. Jan.

e appointed new officers to take charge of it. At this the old ones and their friends were highly exasp

27 Ja

ann. Ja

t all, in the Cabin and outside, should be treated alike, as long as the good water lasted. Mr. Oglethorpe and the preache

28 Ja

ann. Ja

who knew not God were frightened, but we were of good cheer, and trusted in the Lord

an. 17th,

state cabin, where three or four of us were, and covered us all over, though a bureau sheltered me from the main shock. About eleven I lay down in the great cabin, and in a short time fell asleep, though very uncertain whether I sh

29 Ja

ann. Ja

better, but the wind was contrary. We also saw a ship which was sailing northeast. In

Jan. 18t

f the sailors) denied we had been in any danger. I could not have believed that so little good would have been done by the

1 Feb

ann. Fe

. In addition to our usual allowance the Captain sent us fresh meat, which he has done thrice alre

3 Feb

ann. Fe

t storm, which l

Jan. 23r

die. About one in the afternoon, almost as soon as I had stepped out of the great cabin door, the sea did not break as usual, but came with a smooth full tide over the side of the ship. I was vaulted over w

4 Feb

ann. Fe

ften swept over the ship. The storm rudde

5 Feb

ann. Fe

we did not let it prevent us from holding our song service. The text given to us was Psalm 115:14, which assured us that we were blessed of God,-may He ever bless us more and more. During the service the ship was covered with a great wave, which poured in upon us, and on the deck there was a great cry that the wind had split the one sail w

; the people, especially the English women, screamed and wept; the preacher Wesley, who is always with us in our song service, cried out against the English, "Now man can see who has a God,

Jan. 25t

ip not only rocked to and fro with the utmost violence, but shook and jarred with so unequal, grating, a motion, that one could not but with great difficulty keep one's ho

firming one another in a calm submission to the wise, holy, gracious will of God. And

y had given them occasion of showing a meekness, which no injury could move. If they were pushed, struck, or thrown down, they rose again and went away; but no complaint was found in their mouth. There was now an opportunity of trying whether they were delivered from the spirit of fear, as well as from that of pride, anger, and revenge. In the midst of the psalm wherewith their service began, the sea broke over,

ference in the hour of trial, between him that feareth God, and him that feareth Him n

6 Feb

ann. Fe

ides at once, lifted the water from the sea, bore it through the air and cast it on the other ship, where Baron von R

. Jan.

tween a smooth and a rough sea, except that which is between a mind cal

8 Feb

ann. Fe

er, so that a boat could be lowered to

. Jan.

isited the people. At my return I acquainted Mr. Oglethorpe with their

9 Feb

ann. Fe

le to us, but there was muc

. Jan.

y violent. The sky was so dark in a moment, that the sailors could not so much as see the ropes, or set about f

10 Fe

ann. Fe

y, and all night the wa

. Jan.

an splitting the foresail. Our bed being wet, I lai

12 Fe

ann. Fe

sailed toward them, and saw they were English; our sailors lowered the boat, we wrote in haste, and sent letters

Feb. 1st

e, in hopes some of them might be bound for England. One of them, that was bound f

13 Fe

ann. Fe

us, drawn up like smoke, so that the water reached up to the cloud

14 Fe

ann. Fe

twenty-eight fathoms of water, a

15 Fe

ann. Fe

ed out my heart to God, thanking Him, and praying that He w

eb. 4th,

rnoon from the main deck. In the Evening Lesson were these words

16 Fe

ann. Fe

o'clock we reached Tybee, and were all very happy. The song

y. Fe

We cast anchor near Tybee Island, where the grove of pines, running along the shore, mad

17 Fe

ann. Fe

thren, and we rejoiced to meet again. I found the Brethren well, and looked with wonder at what they had accomplished, went with Toeltschig and Spa

Feb. 6th

lethorpe led us to a rising ground, where we all kneeled down to give thanks. He then took boat for Savannah. When the rest of the people were c

18 Fe

ann. Fe

e us very glad and thankful. He told us of the death of Br. Riedel, and held the song

y. Fe

one of the pastors of the Germans. I soon found what spirit

9 & 20 F

. Feb. 19t

to come for us. Br. Spangenberg held the

y. Fe

uestions, both concerning hims

21 Fe

ann. Fe

e wind was so strong against us that we had to s

22 Fe

ann. Fe

ve built in the town. The Lord has done all things well, and has turned to our good all that has befallen us, even

27 Fe

. Feb.

he Altamahaw River. He took with him fifty men, be

6 Mar

eb. 24th,

took my leave of most of the passengers of

==

niza

es and friends were lodged in the new house, taken to the garden and the farm, and introduced to acquaintances in the town. No doubt poor Catherine Riedel's heart ached with loneliness, and her tears flowed fast, when, at the close of that long and stormy voyage, she heard of her husband's death, and stood beside his grave

, word was brought that Gen. Oglethorpe wanted to see Spangenberg at once, so they retraced their steps, and Spangenberg received a hearty greeting from the General, and many compliments on what he and his party had accomplished. There is no record of the conv

lay at anchor, with all her passengers aboard. He also told Spangenberg about the English preacher whom he had brought over, and made

al had promised to take him to the Altamaha, where a new town was to be built. He also begged Oglethorp

h preacher, John Wesley. The two men liked each other at the first glance; Wesley wrote in his Journal, "I soon found what spirit he was of, and asked his advice in regar

n his new parish. He thought "it would be well if two of the Moravian women would dedicate themselves to the Indian service, and at once begin to study the language," and "as the early Church employed deaconesses, it would be profitable if these women were ordained to their office." He was also convinced "that the apostolic custom of baptism by immersion ought to be observed in Georgia." "He bound himself to no sect, but took the ground that a man ought to study the Bible and the writings of the Church Fathers of the first three centuries, accepting what agreed with these two sources, and rejecting all else." He requested the Moravi

gone to see the site to which the Salzburgers wished to move their settlement, Gen. Oglethorpe having given his permission. About the time the periagua arrived, a heavy rain came up, and fearing the effect on the new-comers, Spangenberg obtained permission to take them into the cabin. When ten o'clock came they decided to wait no longer, and started for Savannah, with the result that they spent

e, the grant to be made to Christian Ludwig von Zinzendorf, the Count's eldest son; (2) that no Moravian could accept a fifty acre tract without pledging himself to military service, but land could be secured for a number of them at the rate of twenty acres apiece, without this obligation. This land could be selected near Zinzendorf's estate, the town to be built on the

le to his fifty acres, but with the understanding that it was in trust f

milk, with the wish that "the Great Word might be to them as milk and honey." Tomochichi told of his efforts to keep peace among the tribes, in the face of rumors that the English meant to enslave them all, and of his success so far, but he feared the Indians were not in a fram

h sailed direct from Scotland, had landed in January, and begun a settlement at New Inverness, on the north bank of the Altamaha, and a second was now to be established on St. Simon Island, and was to be called Frederica. Oglethorpe had expected to take the Salzburg

, arms, ammunition, and tools, and in the evening Gen. Oglethorpe followed in a swift,

that he did not know at that time that Oglethorpe was going to the Altamaha, nor how far away the Altamaha was. But Spangenberg gravely told him that Gen. Oglethorpe had taken his word as that of an honest man, and that he would not attempt to hold him back, only he wished him to so demean himself as to br

ws in America." The effect may be summed up in his own words: "My chief business was daily to visit the people, to take care of those that were sick, and to supply them with the best things we had. For a few days at the first, I had everyb

d John Toeltschig was elected manager (Vorsteher), Gottfried Haberecht, monitor (Ermahner), and Gotthard Demuth to perform various minor duties (Diener). The name of the nurse (Krankenwaerter) is not given, but he was probably John Regnier, who acted as physician, not only for the Moravians,

leaders. The women were organized in like manner, though being few in number there was probably but one Band among them, under Mrs. Toeltschig who had been appointed Elderess before leaving Herrnhut. There is no reference to the celebration of the Holy Communion by the first company during their months of preparation in Savannah, nor had oppor

d on Sunday they had a Lovefeast, especially for those who had been selec

the ship, where the Wesleys were still living. Two days were spent with Oglethorpe, who promised to give them ground containing a good bed of clay, where they could make brick, which should be sold to the Trustees' agent at 15 shillings per 1,000, two-thirds of the price to be applied on their debt, and one-third to be paid them in cash. Moreover several English boys should be apprenticed to them to learn the trade

turned to Savannah, and Mr. Wesley and Mr. Delamotte took up their abode with the Moravians, as Mr. Quincy, Wesley's predecessor in the Savannah pastorate, had not yet vacated his house. Wesley writes, "We had now an opportunity, day by day, of observing their whole behaviour. For we were in one room with them from morning to night, unless for the little time I spent in walking. They were always employed, always cheerful themselves, and in good humor with one another; they had put away all anger, and strife, and wrath, and bitterness, and clamor, and evil speaking; they w

ore coming to the New, remaining under the control of the Bishop and of the Vicar Apostolic of London, while the Spanish Catholics were under the Suffragan of Santiago de Cuba, and the French Catholics under the Bishop of Quebec. Tradition mentions the secret consecration of two Bishops of Pennsylvania before this time, but its authen

ernoon and evening in rest, prayer, and conference, and o

d Toeltschig led the Congregation in most earnest prayer. Then Nitschmann delivered an earnest charge, setting before him the importance of his office, which made him the foremost member of the Congregation, especially in times of danger, for in the early Church, as well as among our forefathers in Moravia, the bishops were ever the first victims. He was asked if he would freely and willingly give up his life for the Congregation and the Lord Jesus. He answered, 'Yes.' Then he was reminded of the evil which arose when bishops, seeing their power in a Congregation, began to exalt themselves, and to make outward show of their pre-eminence. He was asked whether he would recognize as evil, abjure, and

d "is Anton a bishop?" and was answered, "yes, FOR OUR CONGREGATION." This was in view of the fact that Bishop Nitschmann, in ordaining Seifert, had empowered him to delegate another member to hold the Communion, baptize, or perform the marriage ceremony in case of his sickness or necessary absence. At that time the Moravian Church was just beginning to form her own mini

of the day was given up to s

re came a time when it hindered further progress, and was therefore abandoned. In religious matters, the organization of the Savannah Congregation had been modeled after that at Herrnhut, so far as possible, but in material things the circumstances were very different. At Herrnhut the estates of Count Zinzendorf, under the able supervision of the Countess, were made to pay practically all the general Church expenses, and many of the members were in the service of the Saxon nobleman, Nicholas Lewis, Count Zinzendorf, in various humble positions, even while in the Church he divested himself of his rank and fraternized with them as social equals. But the men who emigrated to Georgia

action of the early Church at Jerusalem can be duplicated and made financially successful, it is worth while to rescue the resolutions of the Moravian Congregation at Savannah from the oblivion of the ma

y individuals all would fear to give one of us credit, for they would think, 'he might die', but nothing will be denied the 'Society', for each stands for the other. Each member must work diligently, since he does not labor for himself alone but for his brethren, and this will prevent much laziness. No one must rely on the fact that he understands a handicraft, and so on, for there is a curse on him who relies on human skill and forgets the Divine power. No one will be pressed to give to the 'Society' a

course to be pursued in dealing with a recreant member! They had come to preach the Gosp

been without distinct agreement as to his standing. This did not make him a communicant member of the Church,

t be persuaded. He grew worse during the voyage and was now very ill with dropsy, but in such a beautiful Christian spirit that no one could deny his wish for full membership in the Church. Having given satisfactory answers to the searching questions put to him, the blessing was laid upon his head, and he expressed so great a desire to parta

sh equivalent for them, though they are always apt when the meaning is understood. Perhaps the best example of this is "Diener", which means "servant", according to the dictionary, and was used to designate those who "served" the Congregation in various ways. Until quite recently a Lovefeast, held annually in Sa

affair, was the proposed departure of Spangenberg for Pennsylvania. Most faithfully had he fulfilled his commission to take the first company of Moravians to Georgia, and settle them there, patiently had he labored for and with them during their days of greatest toil and privation, controlling his own desire to keep his

o Episcopate, but the Moravians, influenced by Count Zinzendorf, himself a Lutheran by birth, broad-minded, liberal, and devout, did not hesitate to fraternize with the Lutherans, or even to accept the Sacraments at the hands of Pastor Rothe, in charge of the Parish Church of Berthelsdorf. At the same time they prized the Episcopate lately transferred to them from the ancient Unitas Fr

iving in America! From Port Royal he went by land almost to Charlestown, the last short distance being in a chance boat, and from Charlestown he sailed to New York. From there he proceeded to Philadelphia, and to the Schwenkfelders, making his home with Christopher Wiegner

tion, and learning all he could about Carolina, and the conditions there. On the 28th of April he reached New York, and left on the 9th of May for Philadelphia, going partly by boat, and partly on foot, reaching t

t from those in Georgia and better suited to the Moravian needs, the Quaker Governor was not likely to force military service upon people who held the same theories as himself in regard to warfare, and there were large tribes of Indians within e

n on the island of St. Thomas, returning to Pennsylvania