USA > Georgia > Status of the church in Georgia during the Revolutionary war > Part 4
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Location Independent Presbyterian Churches.
Parish
Location
Minister Dato
Chatham-Christ Church-savanagh Bev. J. J. Zabli
not knowa. 4
1. Candler. Georgia Colonial Records, vol. I. p. 478.
2. Ibid. vol. VII. p. 813.
S. Harden. History of Savannah and South Georgia, vol. I. p. 136. Ibid. p. 134.
6
Corman Refora Church. Until about 1758 Nov. J.'S. Zubli remained pastor of the church in Charleston, s. C. It was a largo congregation, but seems to have been Independent of all ecclesiastical relations. 1 He moved to Savannah, da., in 1758, where he founded a German Reform Church. For many 2 yeare he regularly preached in German on Sunday morning, French in the afternoon, and English in the evening. This church la located on the map but there is no evidence that it was in ex- istence at the time of the Revolutionary War in 1775.
The German deform Churob.
County
Place
Minister Date
Chat han Savannah
J. J. Zubly 1758
3
1. American Church History Seriea, vol. VIII, P. 801.
2. Ibid, p. 301.
3. Ibid, p. 301.
55
CHAPTER II
THE ATTITUDE OF THE CHURCHES TOWARDS RUX, SLAVERY. EDUCATION AND THE REVOLUTION
The Episcopal Church.
Rua. While Mr. Oglethorpe was in Parliament, he was Instrumental in having two very important bills passed, the firat being an act to prohibit the importation and sale of ram, brandy and other distilled liquors within the limits of Goor- gia. In August 1733 soveral persone had died in Savunnah from the too free use of ram. On Bovember 21. 1733, the common counoil passed an anti-rum resolution "that the drinking of run in Georgia be absolutely prohibited and that all which shall be brought there be stored."
Slavery. The other bill forbade the introduction of lavery and was entitled "An Act for rendering the province of Georgia more defensible by prohibiting the Importation of black slaves or negroes into the same. The trustees feared that 2 if slaves were introduced the colonieta would fail to acquire the harita of labor and economy. Burke remarked "That while these regilations and restrictions were designed to bring about wholesome results, they were promulgated without a sufficient appreciation of the nature of the country and the disposition of the people to be affected by them." The coloniste petitioned
1. Harden. History of Savannah and south Georgia, p. 66. 2. Jones. The Listory of Georgia, vol. I. p. 189.
3. Ibid, p. 190.
56
many times for the removal of these prohibitions which they thought placed the colony at a disadvantage when compared with those of other colonies. So far as slave labor was concerned, it probably did retard its development.
The Trustees Against Slavery.
In one of the petitions from the colonists to the trastees in which they called their "personal misfortunes" in these words; "The want of the use of negroes, with propor lial- tations; which if granted would both occasion great numbers of white people to come here, and also render us capable to sub- sist ourselves by raising provisions apon our lands, until we could make some produce fit for export, and in some messaro balance our importation. Be are very sensible of the incon- veniences that bave already acd do daily rise from an malla- ited use of negroes; but we are as sensible that these may be prevented by a due limitation, such an so many to each white man, or so many to suob a quantity of lund, or in any manner which your Honour shall think most proper. This matter had been before the trustees several times. On June 20. 1739. they deolined to soses to the request of the magistrates and other citizens, in a letter addressed to the latter in which their answer was in part, "That they should deam themselves very anfit for the trust reposed in them by his Majesty on their behalf
1. Harden. History of Savannah and South Georgia, vol. I. P. 67.
57
if they could be prevailed upon by such an irrational attempt to give up a constitution formed with the greatest caution for the preservation of liberty and property, and of which the lane against the use of claves and for the entail of lands are the Bureat foundationa. .1
Oglethorpe reportes to the trustees that their cool- sion had been received and that ite good offeet was very notice- able for the good it had accomplished and that they had taken from the magistrates who had signed the potition their commissions.
George Whitefield favors Slavery.
While in 1734 6 lar was passed which forbado the in- traduction of Slavery into the colony, but strange to say among those who favored it was the Rev. George Whitefield who plays anch an important part in the history of Georgia in connection with his orphan house, with the aid of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, at Bethesda near Envaanah. He believed that the bringing of slaves from Africa was demanded by the claims of humanity, and declared that it was greatly to their advantage to be paraitted to toil in useful labor, and went so far as to may "that the colony could not prosper without the use of claro labor." Hin views were shared by the Hon. James Habersham who odze to "oorgia with him.
The following is from a letter written by Mr. white-
1. Harden. History of Savannah and south "sorgis, vol. I. P. 68.
68
field, Lesember 6, 1748, to the trustees of Georgia, "I hood not inform you how the colony of weargis has been declining. and at whet great disadvantages I have maintained a large fas- ily in that wilderness. Upwards of 5,000 pounds have been ex- panded in that undertaking; and yet very little proficinasy has been made in the cultivation of my trest of land; and that entirely owing to the necessity I lay ander of making nee of white handa. nad negroos been allowed, I should now have had a sufficient amount to support a great many orphans without expending above one-half the eum that has been laid
out. An unwillingness to let such good a design drop in- duced me two years ago to purchase a plantation in South Care- lina, where negroes are allowed. This plantation has succeeded; and though I have only eight working hands in all probability there will be more raised in one year and with a quarter of the expense than has been produced at Bethesda for several years, past. This confirma me in the opinion I have long en- tertained that Georgia never can be a flourishing province unless negroes are employed. My chief end in writing this is to inform you that I am as willing as ever to do all I ona for Georgia and the orphan hense if either a limited use of negroes is approved of or some more indentured servants be sent from England. If not, I cannot promise to keep any large family or cultivate the plantation in any considerable manner."
1. Hardin, History of Savannah and south Georgia, vol. I. D.69.
£
39
Many other prominent men in Georgia was urging the trustees to rescind the set against the use of nagroes. w88 not till George Thitefield went from Georgia to England And persuaded the trustees of the colony to allow it, that alsvery was introduced in 1751. He is reported to have said, "I should think myself highly favored if I could purchase 6 good number of slaves in order to make their lives confortable And lay a foundation for bringing up their posterity in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." zbilo Whitefield was 1 in favor of slavery, he was not in favor of using them as the inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia, and North and South Caro- lina did. The following is taken from a "Letter to Slave- Owners", dated Savannah, Jannary 23, 1740; 1
"As I lately passed through your provinces I was touched with a fellow feeling of the miseries of the poor no. groen. Whether it be lawful for Christians to buy slaves I shall not take upon me to determine, (Soon after this White- field became a slave owner) , but mars I am it is sinful when 2 bought to use them worse than brutes. I believe your slaves work as hard as the horses whereon you ride, These, after they have done their work, are fod and taken proper care of; but many negroes when wearied with labor on your plantation have been obliged to grind their own corn after they return
1. American Church History Deries, vol. XI, p. 5.
2. Tyeruan. Life of whitefield, vol. I, p. 23.
8
home. Hay, some as I have been informed by an eye-witness have been, upon the most trifling provocation, out with knives. and baye had forka thrown into their flesh and some have even met death at your hands. I hope there are but few suoh mon- uters of barbarity ouffered to subsist among you. Some I hear have been lately exeonted in Virginia for killing claves. Indeed, considering the usage they comaonly meet with, I have wondered that we have not more instances of self-murder among them, or that they have not more frequently risen in arms against their owners. Virginia has been onoe, and Charlestowa more than once, threatened in this way. Khilet I have viewed your plantations cleared and cultivated, and have seen many spacious honees built, and the owners of them faring sumptuous- ly every day, my blood has almost run cold within me when I have considered how many of your slaves had neither convenient food to eat nor proper raiment to pat on notwithstanding most of the comforts you enjoy were solely owing to their indefati- gable labours. The Scripture says, 'Thou shalt not mussle the ox that treadeth out the cora.' Doas God take care of oxent And will he not take care of negroes? 1 Undoubtedly he will."
When slavery was introduced into Georgia, their spiritual welfare had been provided for in an Act of Angust 8,
1. Tyerman. Life of Whitefield, vol. I. p. 854.
61
1750, which is in part, "If any person or persons shall not porait or even oblige his or their negroe or negroes Black or Blacke to attend at some time on the Lord's Day for instruc- tion in the Christian religion in such place or places an Protestant Ministers of the Gospel within the said Province shall be able to attend them contiguous to the desidence of such negros or negroes Black or Blacks such person or persons shall for every such offence forfoit the sum of ten pounds sterling. " On April 8, 1751, the Trustees voted the sum of thirty pounds sterling to Mr. Joseph Otholongi "who is going to reside in Georgia as a Catechist for the Instruction of Bogroes." In addition to this sum an a Bonus, Me was for- 2 nished with passage for himself, his wife, end a servant. Eineation, Among the prominent namen associated
with education and charity in the colony of Georgia, fem, 12 any, are more widely known than that of the Rev. Egorge Shite- field. Among the charitable schomes devised for the support
and education of the penniless and bereaved children of the province, none soquired a more permanent reputation or served a more valuable purpose than the Bethesda Orphan House. 3
Whitefield was above medium stature, alender, finely
formed, graceful in every movement, and of fatr complexion and rezular features, with dark blue eyes, a voice with modulations
1. By-Laws and Laws of the Trustees in Colonial Records, vol. I. p. 59.
2. Journal of Trustees in Colonial Recorda, vol. I, p. 556.
3. Candler and Evans. Cyclopedia of doorgia, vol. I. p. 180.
.
accompanied with gestures that were most appropriate and im- pressive. He had a strong mind and was fearless in discharge of his duty. 1
, Ho embarzed for Georgia in December 28, 1787, and on the same ship was his companion and true friend, Hon. Jaaos Rabernhon. 2 Before hia departure from London the idea of founding an orphan house in Georgia had been suggested by the
After his arrival in Georgia and look- Bev. Charles Besley. 3 ing the situation over, he was soon convinced of the need of suoh & home. Having looked over the laws which prohibited slavery and rum. he remarked that due to the hot weather be thought the colony would be retarded and handicapped ifslaves were not introduced. He visited the Salsburgers' orphan house at Ebenezer, thence to other points in the colony and on Sep- tember 6, 1738, returned to London to get support for his own orphanage. When he laid his plans before the trustees in Bag- land, they were very much impressed and granted him five hundred Bores of land in Georgia as a home for his proposed institution. He at once began soliciting ald from the public by preaching open-air sermone. It is said that multitudes flocked to hear his. 4 Hle audiences often numbered 20.000. Lord Chester- field said of him, "From the common people, who came to listen
1. Jones. History of Georgia, vol. I. p. 400.
2. Whitefield. Journal of a Voyage to Savannah, p. 18.
3. White. Historical Collections of Georgia, p. 328.
4. Jones. History of Georgia, vol. I, p. 408.
63
to him at Hoorfield's, Kennington Common, Blackheath and elso- where, he collected for his orphan house more than one thona- and pounda." On August 14, 1739, he called for America ag- soapanled by a family of eight men, one boy, two children and his friend, Mr. Seward. Previous to his arrival, Mr. Baber- sham had located the tract of five hundred sores about ten miles from Savannah. 1 The first collection made in America in aid of the orphan house was at the church of Rev. Mr. dalth In Charlestown early in March, 1740. The contribution amounted to seventy pounds. On the 25th of March, 1740, with his own hand, he laid the first brick of the great house and called 1t Bethesda, 1.0, house of meroy. It was built of wood and was 70 feet by 40 feet. To this house poor children were sent to be supported partly by charity and partly by the prodaote of the land cultivated by negroos. Mr. Whitefield thought the location would be very healthful, but it proved moh the op- posite. He traveled over Europe telling the people of his undertaking and obtained from them money, books and olothes
to supply his poor orphans in Georgia.
2
The house was fin-
ished and furnished with an excellent library considering the times, owing mostly to the unhealthfulness of the situation, the Institution never flourished an Whitefield had hoped for · it to. He was a great orator and well liked. In places where
1. Whitefield's forks, vol. I. p. 185.
2. Arthur and Carpenter. History of Georgia, p. 61-62.
65
he would presoh people would gather long before time for him to appear. often when he presohed in a church a long line was extended outwarda, there being no room for them to go in. Many were satisfied only to see him, even if they could not hear. Lord Chesterfield suid of him, "Mr. Whitefield is the greatest orator I have ever heard and I can not conceive of a greater. 1
By the 5th of June, 1740, he had raised in Savannah five hundred pounds more. He now had about 150 orphans and poor waiting to enter the orphanage as soon as it was finished. After spending the remainder of the year in the province, he embarked for England in January 1741, leaving the orphanage in charge of Mr. Habershsa. Debts to the amount of one thousand pounds were outstanding against him. They had been inourred by the building and olearing lands at Bethes- da. The trustoes would not permit him to bring in slave labor for the cultivation of his plantation. He applied to scot-
land, England, America, and the Bermadas and Ireland, and they . all contributed. In 1747 be purchased 640 seres in south Care- lise and put slaves on it. He applied the proceeds toward the Bnpport of the orphan asylan ut Bethesda. The routine at Bethesda was described by an eye-witness as follows; "The bell ringe in the morning at sun rice to wake the family. Then the
1. Arthur and Carpenter. History of Georgia,pp. 61-62.
2. Cillieu. Memoirs of George whitefield, p. 48.
66
children arise, they sing a short byan, prey by themselves, go down to wash, and by the time they have dene that, tho bell calls to publio worship. when a portion of coripure io read and expounded, a pealm sung, and the exercises begin and end with prayer. They then breakfast and afterwards some . go to their trades and the rest to their prayers and schools. At noon they all dine in the same room and have confortable and wholesome diet provided. A hyun ie mang before and af- ter dinner. Then in about half an hour to school again; and between whiles they find time for recreation. A little after Uanset the bell calls to publie duty aguin, which is performed in the same manner as in the morning. After that they Bap and are attended to bed by one of their masters, who then prays with them, as they often do privately." Whitefield became
1 so enthusiastic that he employed most all the carpenters and bricklayera in Georgia. He went in debt and could not pay them. He wsa accused of taking some of the money that bad been subscribed.
Benjamin Franklin, in allading to the suggestion Mr. Whitefield's enemies that he applied these collections to his private uses, says, "I, who was intimately acquainted with him, being employed in printing his sermons and journals, naver had the least susploion of his integrity, but am to this day 1. Jones. History of Georgia, vol. I, p. 405.
67
decidedly of the opinion that he was in all his conduct a per- feotly honest man; and me thinks my testimony in his favor ought to have the more weight as we had no religions connection. He need, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers vers heard. Ours was a mere civil friendship, sincere on both sides and lasted to his death.
Converting the Bethesda Orphan Kouss into a seminary of Literature and Academical Learning: On December 18, 1764. dr. Whitefield submitted to Governor James Bright and the nem- bers of the council a memorial. In this he tells of the work that has been done at the orphan house since it was established in 1740. He explains that "there is no seminary for noadenical studies as yet founded southarard of Virginia; and consequently if a college could be established here (especially as the last addition of the two Floridas renders Georgia more central for the conthern district) it would not only be highly serviceable to the rising generation of this colony, but would probably onession many youths to be sent from the British Jest India 2
Island and other parts."
At the time this was presented the
ssseably was in session in Savannah. They considered the prop- osition very carefully and both houses passed on it favorably. It was taken to Gov. Bright who signed it and urged the King
1. Yrenklin'a Autobiography, p. 166.
Tyerman. Life of whitefield, vol. I. p. 375.
2. Jones. History of georgia, vol. I, p. 409.
to accept it. Kr. Whitefield, however, went to England in person to obtain from the Crown the necessary sanction and assistance. Whitefield agreed to give up and make a gift of all the lunda, negroes, goods, and chattles which he now pos- sessed in Georgia for the present founding and towards the future support of a college to be called "Bethesda College" in the province of Georgie. He estimated about thirty alsyes already there and that by repairing the houses a little the annual income would be about one thousand pounds from which could be paid a master, professora, tutors, eto. He also resom- mended that negro children be instructed. Pleasing as word these anticipations, they were never realised. 1
When Thitefield died at newburyport, Kass., in 1770. he left seventy-five claves in connection with his orphan house plantation in Georgia. The law of 1734 was not repealed but after 1751 the colony allowed alave traders to mail to Savannah and seel their heathen victims to the highest bidder. The legislature of Georgia appropriated a sun of money by a unanimous voice for bringing his remains to Georgia to be interred at his orphan house; but the inhabitants of newburyport, being auch attached to him when living, objected 3 to the removal of his body, and he was buried at newburyport.
-
1. Jones. History of Georgia, vol. I. p. 412.
2. Arthur and Carpenter. History of Georgia, pp. 61-62. 3. Ibid, p. 65.
69
Shortly after his death the buildingo at Bethesda were consumed by fire. So rapid was the conflagratien that but little of the furniture and only a few of the books were saved. 1 "Happy was it", exclaims KoCall, "for the zealous founder of this institution that he did not survive the ruins of a fabric on which his heart was fixed und to the comple- tion of which he bad devoted so much time and labor." 2
In Whitefield's will he bequeathed all his possessions in Georgia, Including the orphan House, to the Right Honorable Selina, Countess Dowager of Huntingdon, that she might continue the work. But if she dies before him, it is left to the Hon- orable Jamos Habersham. 8 Lady Huntingdon sent over a house keeper to manager the domestic affairs of the institution. continued the Rev. Kr. Crosse as teacher and constituted Mr. Percy, President and General Manager. Her plans, however, were violently frustrated by the fire. 4
1. MoCall. History of Georgia, vol. I. p. 168.
2. donea. History of Georgia, vol. I, p. 414.
3. Knight. Georgia's Landmarks, Memoriala and Legenda, vol. I. p. 82.
4. voorgio Historical Quarterly, vol. I. p. 108.
70
Debil
General Account of monies expended for the Orphan House taken from the authentic book, from December 1738 to February 1770.
1746. Apr. 16.
To Sundries per audit this day
5511
17
1752, Feb. 25. -
2026
13
1755. Feb. 19.
.
1968
18 2
1765, Feb. 9.
-
2548
17
16404 R
Credit
Monies received for the use of the same, taken from the authentic book from December 1738 to February 1770.
By Benefactions and Collectione in England
4471 0
R
Bootland
978
2
.
.
Georgia
278
8
.
®
Beaufort
16
10
(Bouton
.
-
.
" (Hoz York
1809
6 108
( Phila., eto. )
.
®
· Lisboa
12 0
..... .
8120 19 101
By cash received for payment of bogruera. cocoona, rice, lumber, indigo, provi- siona, eto.
3983 19 8
By the Rev. Mr. Whitefield benefnations being the suns expanded more than re- ceived, aa apneura by the soyeral andits, carofully examined.
8299 3 '32
Grand
15404
By an authentic Bocount of the state of the family at the Orpaan Lonse from the year 1739 to 1770. 140 Boye ) 43 wirls) have been clothes, educated, maintained 183 Total) and suitably provided for.
1. Whitefield's Borke, vol. III, p. 492.
2. Ibid, p. 497.
.
8349
16 10
1770, Feb. 2. .
...
Charlestown
567
1
71
Revolution. Mr. Soyour was an S. P. G. Missionary and was very persistent in his efforts during the Revolution. He was a staunch loyalist and after losing everything he had he escaped to Florida and ministered there until the Spaniards took possession in 1783. 1
Zov. Eaddon Smith, Sector of Parish of Christ Church, on July 22, 1775, was called upon by a company of men, includ- ing Peter Tarling of st. John's Pariah, Jonathan Cochran of St. Andrew's Parish, both plantera, MAward Talfair of Savannah, a merchant, and vsorge Walton of Savannah, Esq. 2 They appeared on the minister's porch. he answered from upstairs but when he saw who it was, he came down at once. Peter Tarling held a written paper from which he read to the minister the follow- ing: "Sir, from your late conduot in disobeying the ordera of Congress, you are deemed an enemy to America and by order of the committee we are to inform you that you are to be suffered no longer to officiate in this town." The company at once left before the minister had time to ask a question, but the 8
minister presohed no more in the parish of Christ Church.
1. American Church History Series. vol. VII, p. 265.
2. Haden, Savannah and south weorgia, vol. I, p. 186.
3. Ibid. D. 186.
72
The Baptist Church.
Revolution. Edmund Botsford, a Baptist Minister. who presched at Botsford's church in Her Savannah, embraced the American cause in the revolution. When the British on- tered Georgia, he fled first to South Carolina and then to Virginia when in the spring of 1779 Georgia was taken by the British. 1
"General Boriven of Georgia, the grandson of Rev. William Seriven, was a brave soldier of the war. After Say- annah fell into the hands of the British forces, the officer in command ordered him to give up Sunbury but received this answer: 'Come and take it. . Afterwards he was killed in an ambusonde of British and Tories at Laurel Hill."
Education. The Baptists did little for education. Rev. Botsford maye, "That at lew Savannah and in other parts of Georgia he found the population very rude and in' an an- cultivated condition, who had bat little concern for the conso of religion in any form; others were fast bound with the principles of tradition and the power of bigotry."
1. Cathoart. Baptist Encyclopedia, vol. I. p. 442.
8. Armitage. history of the Baptiste. p. 792.
3. Bonediot. History of the Baptista. p. 725.
73
The Congregational Church,
Revolution. The Midway Congregational Church was burnod on Friday morning, November 27, 1778, by Lient. Colonel 1 Provost and the British Army, their reason being that it was being used as a kind of fortification or barruoka. Nothing escaped the fury of the British for tombs in the cemetery were destroyed by tursing heavy guns on then. 8 This broke up the church congregation till after the war .. In 1773 the
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