USA > Georgia > Status of the church in Georgia during the Revolutionary war > Part 3
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To the Glory of God In Memory of the Salzburg Lutherans Who Landed at Savannah, Ca., Mar. 12th, 1734 and built this
Jerusalem Churob in 1767 - 1769
Kreoted by the Georgia Soolety of Colonial Cases of America. 1
Two feote are here commemorated -- the landing of the Salgbargers, and the building of the historio church. This was not the first Jerusalem charoh built at Ebenezer, for, af- tor using their first frame sanctuary for almost a quarter of @ century, it was enlarged and remodeled in 1760. However, this one stood till 1767 when it was replaced by the present brick edifice. Finck says, "The pit is still pointed out where the clay was secured and where. with their own hands, they made the bricks."" Tradition says that men, women and children labored.
2 the children carrying the HO and the women the bricks and mortar
1. Finok. Lutheran Landmarks and Pioneers in America, p. 142. 2. Ibid, p. 144.
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for the men. After working for two years the pastor, Mr. Roben- horst, curved on the last brick before it was burned the date 1769, and had it laid in the spex of the northwest gable, and over the belfry was placed fathers coat-of-arms. The exterior measurements of the church are 50 feet by 70 feet, built high enough for two tiers of windowa. A tile floor was laid over the whole building, and the walls are 20 inches thick. It has withstood the ravages of three ware, in two of which it was need and abused for hospital and stable purposes. 2
Proporty Belonging to Jerusalem Church on January 16, 1775.
1. In the hands of Pastor Robenhorst a capital of L 649 169 54.
2. In the hands of John Casper Wertsoh, for the store L 300.
3. In the mill treasury, notes and money L 229 160 24.
4. Pastor Friebner has some money in hands (I 400), the appli- cation of which has not been determined by our Ber- erend Inthers.
5. Belonging to the church is a negro boy at ur. John Floorl's. and a negro girl at Mr. David Steiner'a.
6. A town lot and an out lot of which Kr. John Triebner has the grant in his hands.
7. An inventory of personal goods in the mille belonging to the estate.
8. And finally real estate with the mille 925 acres of land. 2
1. Finok. Lutheran Landmarks and Ploneers in America, p. 145. 2. Jones. History of Georgia, vol. I. p. 376. H. M. Muhlenburg Journal in the Evangelical Review, vol. III. p. 120.
.
57
A Description of Frederica.
Frederica was settled in 1736 on the Island of st. Simona, south of the Altausha, and on the west side of that Leland about the centre. The town stands upon a high bluff. It was defended by a strong fort, and several eighteen pounders were mounted in front. The town had two gates called the town and R'O poste; next to the latter was the guardhonse under Oglethorpe here owned the 1 which was a prison built of brick. a only home he ever had in the colony. It was the healthiest
of all the early settlemente in Georgia, The church was die-
3 banded about 1755 and never revived. They never had a regular minister. The Wesleys, Whitefield, Oglethorpe and many others worked and worshipped in this church,
In 1774 dev. Muhlenberg, who had been visiting the dif- ferent churches in Georgia drafted some new laws of discipline which were adopted at Ebenezer in Jerusalem church January 16. 1775.ยบ There were one hundred and twenty-four male zembers of the church present, who signed their names. In these lave 6 were defined duties of pastors, officers and ohurob members.
1. Arthar & Carpenter. History of Georgia, pp. 66-67.
2. Jones. Dead Towne of Georgia, p. 62.
3. Ibid, p. 57.
4. Ibid, p. 104.
5. strobel. History of the Salsburgers, p. 167. Muhlenburg Journal in svangelical seview, vol. IV,pp. 184, 185. 186, and 187.
6. Strobel. History of the Salzburgers. p. 182.
88
The Lutheran Churchen.
County
Parish
Location
Date
Chatham Christ Churob
Seyannah 1738 1
Effingham St. Matthew's Jerasalon
Her Ebeneser
1744 2
3
Effingham St. Nattbay's Zion
Four miles below Hey Ebeneser
Effingham St. Matthew's Bethany
On bluff above 1751
Fer Ebeneser.
Goshen 5
Effingham
The people who lived at Ebenezer were entirely satisfied and lived in great enjoyment. They held religious services three times on sunday and an evening service every day. Communion was celebrated every six weeks. In the churches which had been erected north and south of the town, cervice was held engh Sunday and several times during the week to mocommodate those people living on plantations in these districts. Eov. Mahlenburg and Rev. 6 Bolsius each visited Ebenezer and both exclaimed that it was one of the most spiritual centers in the colony and were elated over ite progress. 7 There was also much adversity in the colony as
is shown in another part of this paper. The people of Ebenezer. as well as all of Georgia, were soarcely ever without the rumors of wars. This was due to the fact that Georgia was between the Spanish province of Florida and the other colonies. The French
1. Strobel. History of the salzburgers, p. 131.
2. Ibid. p. 131.
3. Ibid, p. 206.
4. Ibid, p. 106.
6. Ibid. p. 131.
6. Finck. Lutheran Landmarks and Pioneers in America, p. 133.
% Ibid, p. 136.
1
and Indian War disturbed the whole colony. While these rumors never proved very serious, they were always the cause of much trouble and worry. 1 During the winter of 1823-24, Kev. Book- man of Charleston, 8. C., visited the Lutherans of Georgia, At Savannah he found the congregation poor and disorganized; no minister; and the church building was occupied by another denom- ination. At Ebenezer practically the same condition existed. except they had a pastor.' The early Lutherans of Georgia were much more isolated from those of the same faith in this country
than any other Latheren colony.
3
1. Finck. Lutheran Landmarks and Pioneers in America, p. 186 2. Bernheim. The Lutheran Church in North and South Carolina, p. 464.
3. Jacobs. American Church History Series, vol. IV, p. 177.
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Moravian Church. The history of the Korarians in
Georgia may be quickly told.
On April 4. 1733, an odlot of banishzant was pro- claimed against the Schwenkfelder refugees living in the off- onit of Gorlits. These people, about one hundred and eighty ia number, appealed to Count Zinzendorf to soonre for them a home in Georgia. Count Spangenberg was sent to London to prepare the way and had several interriowe with General Oglethorpe. A small cabin was built on the fifty acres granted to Spangenberg soon after their arrival at Savannah. Fields were cleared and the cropo were very good when faver broke out. This greatly hindered the work. 1
A Bobool house called Irene was builded near Tomo-chi- eni's village. This was for the instruction of Indian Children. In this school great interest was taken both by the Horavians and Indians. 3 They were a very valuable edition to the ool- ony for they not only raised oropa enough for themselves but had plenty for their neighbors. When the Spanish war broke out, they said they had no civil obligation to perform military service. They insisted that when they came to Georgia it had been expressly stipulated that they should be exempt from the performance of military duties. In January, 1737, Count Zin- sendorf had a personal interview with Oglethorpe and the Trustees
1. Hamilton. History of Moravian Church, vol. VI, p. 79. 2. Orans. Ancient and Modern History of the Brethren, p. 196.
3. Jones. History of Georgia, vol. I. p. 199.
41
in London. After come consideration, it was resolved that they would not have to do military duty. 1 This exemption caused the other religious denominations in the colony to be- come very angry.
During this interview in 1737 with Oglethorpe and the Trustees of Georgia, they asked Count Zinzendorf to cond more missionaries to Georgia. He replied objecting that the Church of England would not acknowledge the Brethren as daly ordained. They sent deputies to consult the Archbishop of the Church of England upon this matter and obtained the fol- lowing answer; "That the Horarien Brethren were an apostolioal and episcopal church, not sustaining any doctrines repugnant to the 39 articles of the Church of England; that, they, there- fore, could not with propriety. nor ought to be hindered from preaching the gospel to the Heathen." 2 The question was not, whether the Brethren believe what the Church of England teaches, but whether their tenets are repugnant to the 89 articles sa the confession of the Church of England, which as to the os- sential part is not different from the Confession of Augsburg. 3 on February 7, 1736, the Moravian settlement was in-
eressed by the arrival of twenty additional iloravinna under the leadership of Bishop David Biteohmann. Their leader bad arranged with the Trustees of Georgia (1). that each man 21 years
1. Crans. Anoient and Modern History of the Brethren, p. 194. Jones. history of Georgia, vol. I. p. 199.
2. Crans. Ancient and Modern History of the Brethren, pp.814-215.
3. Ibid, p. 214.
2
of age or over be granted fifty aures near Count Zinzendorf'o tragt; (2) that Trustees should give credit to the amount of five hundred pounds Sterling to each now-comer. 1
By 1738 their number had greatly decreased, due to fevers and troubles arising from their refusal to bear arms In the war with Spain. Some had died, others returned to Europe and still others had left for Germantown in Pennsylvania. Then George Whitefield made his second trip to Georgia in 1740, ho offered the remnant of the colony free passage to Philadelphia,
Pa. They accepted the opportunity.
Whitefield, who was about
to buy from William Allen of Philadelphia five thousand soros in the "Forka of the Delaware River," in order to found a sobool for negroes and destitute English, came to Petor Bohler and ong- Bested that the Moraviens undertake the work and he himself sup- erintend the creation of the school. They accepted and arrived from Georgia on May 30, 1740, and took up the work. Very little is over heard of the Moravians in Georgia till after the Revo- lation. 2 Before leaving Georgia many of the Moravions refunded to the authorities all the money which had been given them to defray expenses from England. They then abandoned their farms in Georgia and moved to Pennsylvania. ,
On the invitation of Mr. Knox, Under-Secretary of State in London, in 1774, Lewis Muller and John Wagner were sent to
1. Fries. Morarians In Georgia, p. 85.
2. American Church History series, vol. VIII, p. 441.
8. Georgia Historieal Quarterly, vol. II, p. 47.
43
bis estate at Knoxborough in Georgia to attempt to renew mle- 1
alonary labor in harmony with the first purpose of the Brethren in coming to America. Early the next year Andrew Brosing from Wachovia joined them in their effort to bring the Gospel to the alaves, and preaching was commanded at the neighboring estates also.
But Muller died of fever in november, and the begin- ning of the struggle for national independence rendered the situation hopeless. 2 Brosing returned to zachovia sud Wagner to England. 3
At Goshen Dr. Mahlonburg refused the Moravians the privilege of using the Lutheran Church for missionary work. He was afraid the Moravian missionaries would endanger the Intherun Congregation by taking members from it. The Moreviens, however, did but very little in Georgia, and never made any permanent settlement. Some think that the Moravians were in- fluenced by the words of the great reformer, Martin Luther, who wrote in the Sixteenth Century "He that Says That Slavery is opposed to Christianity is a liar."" During the stay of the Moravione in Georgia missionary work was carried on among the Cherokee Indiane and Nogroes.
1. Hamilton. History of the dorsvian Church, p. 242. weorgia Historionl Quarterly, vol. II. p. 49.
3. Hamilton. History of the Horavien Church, p. 242.
4. Strobel. History of Blazburgers, p. 184. Ibid 80.
5. Amerloun Church History Series, vol. XI, P. 5.
6. Ibid, vol. VIII, p. 441.
Although the cojourn of the Beravians In Georgia waa short, yet the recollection of their quiet, industrione and plous lives is pleasant, and they have linked with the religious history of the colony under the trustees the names of Count Binsendorf, Spangenberg, Mitsobmann. Boehler, Mack, Layshart, Hayger and Zelsberger.
John Wesley attributed his conversion to Bar. Peter Boehler. More Indian obildren were instructed in the little schoolhouse at Irene, built and supported by the Horariana. during the few years of ite existence than at all other places in the colony combined. 1 They did not tarry long enough in Georgia to create anything like a lasting impression upon the semper and institutions of the province.
With the exception of the Lutheran and Moravian sot- tlements, the Georgia communities, ap to this time, 1743, had not been remarkable either for their religions devotion or Subserviency to pastoral rule. The trustees, however, bad done what they could to sustain the worship of Almighty dod. and to enjoin upon the colonists an observance of the rules of morality and religion. 2
1. Jones. History of Georgia, vol. I. p. 448.
2. Stevene. History of Georgis, vol. I. P. 368.
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Jerich Cherche When a company of forty Jewish colo- niste arrived in usorgis in 1733, they osumed great alara." charter, as has been noted, prohibitod Catholics from settling in the province, but nothing wes said that could be construed sa being unfavorable to the Jews. In fact as early as Septen- ber 21. 1732, the minutes of the trustees show that "Conamisalons wero desired by Thomas Yroderick, Esq., Mr. Anthong da Costa. iir. Yroncis Salvadore, Jr., and kr. Alvaro Lopes Suasso to take subscriptions and collect money for the purposes of the charter. 2
"Ordered Accordingly.
"Sealed Commissions for taking subscriptions and col- leoting money for the parpose of the Charter Granted to Thomas Frederick, Saq., Mr. Francis Salvador, Jr., Mr. Anthony da Costs, and Ur. Alvaro Lopen Spasso." 3
Those men were Jews and the trustees knew it. 4 January 31, 1733, the trustees in meeting again took up the Jewish problem.
"crier'd.
"That the secretary do vait on Mr. Alvaro Lopes Suasso, Mr. Francis Salvador, Jr., and Hr. Anthony da Costa with the following message in writing: 'Whereas, comissions were granted to the said Hr. Alvaro Lopes Sunsao, Er, Francis
1. Harden. History of Savannah and south Georgia, vol. I. P. 44.
2. Colonial sesords of Georgia, vel. I. p. 75.
3. Ibid, P. 75.
4. Earden. History of Savannah and South Georgia, vol. I. P. 45.
6
Salvador, Jr., and Mr. Anthony as Costa, to collect auch monies. as should be contributed for establishing the colony of Georgia in America and to transmit the sane to the trustees, by them to be applied to the purposes in their charter mentioned; and the trustees being informed that certain expectations have from thence been raised contrary to their intentiono, which may be of ill consequence to their said designs. therefore, to obviato any difficulties that way attend the same, they desire the said Kr. Alvaro Lopes Suasso, Mr. Francis Salvador, Jr., and Mr. Anthony da Costa will redeliver to lir. Hartya, their zee- rotary the sald Comaiselona. elona." On February 5, 1733, the secretary reported to the trustees that he had waited on the above named and hod left a copy of the minutes of January 3las with ir. da Costa. 2
The trustens were being criticised for granting the commissiona and the following is an extract, dated March 27, 1734, and written by Thomas Coram to a friend. Corea had pre- viously been a member of the Board of Trustees.
" I beg leave to say something of the Jews who to the number of between forty and fifty have procured themselves to be already settled there contrary to the will and without the consent of the truatees and there are more of their nation now going over to them. I humbly conceive these shocking matters
1. Georgia Colonial hoogrdn, vol. I. p. 98.
2. Ibid, p. 99.
47
require your most serious attention, for unless you speedily take some vigorous resolution to suppress effectually the two great evils aforesaid ( the first was that he conceived to be an error in the matter of land grante) Georgia will soon be- come a Jewish colony, for that all the Christians there will fall off and desort it so louves from a tree in Autumn until there will not be a valuable Christian remaining except some fes carpenters, sawyers, smiths, etc., whom the Jews will find most necessary, useful, and encourage them to romain to be employed in the building and otherwise, and that all Christian benefaotions for that colony will soon cease. Therefore, for these considerations I beg leave to recommend the speedy on- tering into proper measures for preventing the rain of the colony of Georgia as well as the reprosch and soundel of the trustees .- 1
In short the trustees were willing to have the Jews take part in the charitable work of soliciting subscriptions, but at the same time the Jews muat understand that none of their race should expect to partake of the benefite froa their snoesesful efforts of soliciting money for the charter, yot Georgia was to be a free colony established as an asylum for the poor and imprisoned.
.A company of Portuguese Jewa came to Savannah, da .. in 1733. This party arrived just as Oglethorpe was giving a
1
1. Harden. History of Savannah and South veorgia, vol. I. P. 45.
48
public dinner to the colonists who had assembled for the par- pose of alloting to each settlor his proportion of land and of organizing a local government. The industry of the Jews. with the thrift of the Scotch who cama a little later, made & Bnogess of Oglethorpe's Boheme, for it is a well-known fast that the colonists were dissoluto and unwilling to protect the colony from the Spaniards who threatened its destruction. 08200 thorpe had great respect for the Jews and to a proposition of the trustees that the Jews should have no lands alloted them in the colony, Oglethorpe had the pluck to stand against the trustees in this matter, deolaring that if the Jews were dealed land grants they would lose some of the best settlers in the colony. Then Oglethorpe left Georgia for England the trustees became so hostile to the Jewe that many of them moved to Charleston. 1 Those who remained in Georgia rented a house in Market Square, Savannah, organized a congregation and hold di- vine worship. This was called "K. K. Miokra Israel." Hero they continued to worship till 1740 when the congregation was 2
dissolved on account of so many removala to Charleston. LA 1774 it was determined that now efforts should be made to re- eusoitate their congregation, and accordingly Mr. Mordeca! Sheftall, a man well-fitted for the work, at his own expense. rented a house and worship was regularly observed until the Boy- olutionary War broke out, when again the congregation was tom- porarily dissolved till 1786. 3
1. Peters. The Jews who Stood by washington. p. 19. Smith. Story of Georgia and Georgia People, p. 499.
3.
2. Harden. History of Savannah and south Georgia, vol. I. p.48. Chito. Statistics of Georgia, p. 102.
Esrden. History of Savannah and South Georgia. vol. I.p.48.
Sunker Church. The Quakers in Georgia were never very unmorons. There was a body of Cuakers before 1754 who had settled nome lands on Little River at a place which was called Blendon. This was in st. Paul's parish and was near the spot where Wrightsboro was afterward loested. These Quak- ors were led by Bamond Cray. The Indians, however, menages these pesce-loving settlers and they decided to abandon the settlement. 1 The project was, however, revived during the time of dovernor Wright, under the care of Joseph Hattook and Jona selle. These man led a company of Quakers from Borth Carolina and settled near srightabors in 1973. There is near wrightsboro a quaker graveyard, but the Gnaker settle- ment was abandoned during the Revolution. No mention is made of any church ever being established in Georgia.
1. Smith. Story of Georgia and Georgia People, D. 41. 2. Ibid, p. 61.
8. Ibid, p. 42.
60
Scotch Presbyterian Immigration.
Presbyterian Church. In 1735 the Trustees comis- Bloned Lieutenant lugh Mackey to reornit a company among the Highlands of Scotland. Le soon had the promise of one hundred and thirty Highlandors with fifty women and children, who on the 18th of October. 1735, set sail for Georgia, and landed at the mouth of the Savannah River the following January. "These", says Dr. Stevenu, "were not reckless adventurers or reduced emigrante volunteering through necessity or exiled by Insolvenoy and want. They were men of good character, and were carefully selected for their military qualities. In fact, they were picked men, numbers of them coming from the Clen of Stralbdean, about nine miles distant. They were com- manded by officers most respectably connected in the Highlands. some of their descendants have held and still hold high of- fines of honor and trust in the United Kingdom. 1
These people were accompanied by a minister when they themselves chose, the Rev. John Mcleod, a native of the Ialo of Skye. 2 Soon after their arrival at Savannah they moved southward and sagended the Altamaha River and stopped about sixteen miles above St. Simons Ieland. They called their settlement New Inverness after their old home in Scotland.
1. Jones. History of Georgia, vol. I. p. 200.
2. Ibid, p. 200.
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They arested a fort, a store, mounted four places of cannon, built a guard house and a chapel. They were a brave, hardy race and named the district in which they lived Darian. 1
This was the first Presbyterian church in Georgia. Rev. MoLeod did not romain here long but went to South Caro- lina. There was no other Presbyterian church in Georgia till the one was erected at Midway in St. John's Parish in the early fifties, however, it is considered Congregational. & 1752 the Dorchester colony of South Carolina moved to Midway and strengthened the congregation.
In
In 1760 a body of Sooteh Presbyteriana in St. George's Parish organised a church on Briar Creek and one at old Chareb and Walnut Branch with the Rev. Josiah Levis as pastor. 3
The Rev. Hr. Osgood came with the Presbyterians from South Carolina. Ro is claimed to be a Presbyterian by that church, and a Congregationalist by the Congregational Charob. Like his parishioners, he was a planter and a man of some estate. He was the first Presbyterian Minister who had a 4 charge in Georgia; for while Midway was a Congregational Church during its entire history, the pastoral office was filled by Presbyterian Ministers, with whom the Congregationalists of 5
en early day in America were always in sooord.
1. Jongs. History of Georgia, vol. I, p. 201.
2. Smith. Story of Georgia and the Georgia People, p. 494.
3. Ibid. p. 495.
4. Ibid. p. 67.
5. Ibid, p. 47.
The Presbyterian Churches.
County
Parlaa
Iogation
Minister Date
1
Burzo
St. George's Briar Crook
Bev. Joalab Lowla 1760
Burzo
St. George's
old Charch and
Rev, Josiah Lowie 17601
Telnut Branch
Her Invernosa
Bev. John Holeod. 1736 in Durian
This church, however, only lasted a for years.
The Independent Presbyterian Church.
The axnet date of the ezganisation of the church is
2
A grant was obtained in 1755 on which to oroot
net kaovn.
a obaroh in Chatham County near Savannah. The confession of faith was substantially the deotrines of the Church of Scotland, agreeably to the "westminster Confession of Faith," but not in coolesiestical connection with that church for they had do- clared thamelves to be an Independent Presbyterian Church. They wers incorporated and organized ander this asse and have always been known as euch, The Rev. John J. Zably, D. D., was the first pastor and following him in 1778 was the Ber. dr. Phil- lips who left in 1790. Very little is known of this denomina- tion in Georgia till about 1800. 3
In 1745 the German and Swiss settlers at Vernonburg brought a petition to the trustees for a minister, stating. "That they were more than 240 in number -- men, women and children."
1. Smith. Story of Georgia and Georgia People, p. 47.
2. White. Historical Collections of Georgia, p. 305,
Harden. History of savannah and South weorgla, vol. I.p.186. Georgia Historical Collections, p. 306.
3. White.
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The trustees took thie under consideration and on the minutes of November 1. 1745, they appointed Rov. Zouberbuhler as an Bestetant.2 There was made at the same meeting an allowance of ten pounds per annum to Gay. Zubli. The village of Vernon- burg le located on the Vernon hiver. It is now called White Bluff.
On the 16th of January, 1786, a grant signed by J. Reynolds in the name of George II conveyed to " Jonathan Bryan and James Edward Powell, Esqs., Robt. Bolton, James Miller, Joseph Gibbons, william Gibbons, Benjamin Farley, William Wright, David Fox, the younger, and Jobn Fox in frust a lot in Savan- nah for & Presbyterian meeting house, known by letter "X", in
Deckar's Werd. 2 There was a proviso in the grant that if the meeting house should not be built within three years from the date of the grant the lot should revert to the Crown. 3 County
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