USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > Nazareth > The Moravian Graveyards at Nazareth, Pa., 1744-1904 > Part 1
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Che Moravian Graveyards at Nazareth, pa., 1744-1904.
BY THE REV. EDW. T. KLUGE.
The Moravian Graveyards at nazareth.
Comparatively few, who visit the graveyards of the Moravian Church at Nazareth, are aware, that in these beautifully located God's Acres many brethren and sisters have been laid to rest, who were prominent in the early history of the Church, whilst there are numbers of others, who, though never occupying positions entitling their names to be inscribed upon the annals of the Church, yet performed an important part in those first trying years of the Brethren's settlements in Pennsylvania. The names of many have been forgotten; the little stones, which marked their last resting place, have crumbled into dust; but in God's book of remembrance are treasured up their humble services, the sacrifices so willingly offered, the hardships endured, and, above all, the sterling Christian character of those first settlers, who labored, suffered and bore the heat and burden of those early days, not with any selfish object in view, not with the hope of accumulating wealth, or even a home of their own, but only to perform their part in establishing the Church in the wilds of the new world, and for the glory of God and the spread of His gospel of grace.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEATHS.
While in many churches the death of a member is made known by tolling of the church-bell, (the number of strokes of the bell indicating the number of years of the departed,) the old Moravian custom of making the announcement is by means of the solemn strains of the trombones from the steeple of the church. Formerly everyone was familiar both with the hymns and the melodies or tunes of the Church, and, as many of the latter were associated with a well-known hymn, there was no difficulty experienced in recognizing the significance of an announcement from the steeple of the church. This being no longer the case, the beauty and impressiveness of this custom, as well as the significance of the tunes by the trombonists in the early hours of a festival day, have, in a great measure, been lost. Believing that a list of the tunes used for the announcement of
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deaths may be appreciated by many, we here append the same. The first tune is 151A, which is to remind us of an old German hymn, which announces, in beautiful language, that a fellow- pilgrim has been called home: "Es schied aus unserm Bunde, Ein Pilgrim uns voran," etc. The second one indicates from which division or class of the congregation a soul has departed :
For Married Men, Tune 83. "Jesus ne'er forsaketh me, This my spirit greatly cheereth; And my constant trust shall be ; Yea, though death at length appeareth; Herein precious comfort lies; I shall in His image rise."
For Married Women, Tune 79. "His plea amid deep sighing, With bitter tears and crying, My soul with peace doth bless," etc.
For Widowers, Tune 132A. "Therefore my hope is in His grace, And not in my own merit; On Him my confidence I place," etc.
For Widows, Tune 149. "Oh, what happiness divine, Oh, the lot most precious," etc.
For Unmarried Men,,Tune 185. "Faithful Lord, my only joy and treasure," etc.
For Unmarried Women, Tune 37. "My happy lot is here the Lamb to follow," etc.
For Older Boys, Tune 23. "With new grace, dear Lord, array me," etc.
For Older Girls, Tune 14A. "Oh, that I may so favored be With them above to join ;" etc.
For Little Boys, Tune 39. "We thank Thee, that Thou wilt the children permit," etc.
For Little Girls, Tune 82. "Should not I for gladness leap, Led by Jesus as His sheep," etc.
The third tune is the same as the first one, viz. 151A, the hymn associated with this melody being a prayer, in view of our own departure : viz., "Be near me when I'm dying, Oh, show Thy cross to me !" etc.
The plaintive tones of these sweet melodies have touched hearts, spoken to souls, breathed comfort, peace, hope into many an one, and raised thoughts far above earth to heaven and the coming glory. On the occasion of a funeral, the tune, indicating the division of the congregation from which the departed has
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been called home, is generally performed on entering the graveyard.
The Moravians regarded the congregation as a large family ; all were brethren and sisters; and this idea was not disregarded when the departed were laid to rest on their God's Acres. No distinction is made between the wealthy and the poor, the learned and illiterate, the honored and the humblest of God's children. The brethren are interred in one plot, the sisters in another ; the children in a space allotted to them, etc. A simple slab of marble marks their resting places. There is a deep significance in the customs of our forefathers, though not always appreciated by all.
THE FIRST GRAVEYARD.
The first graveyard of the Nazareth settlement was consecrated on the occasion of the burial of George Kremser, on Jan. 18, 1744. The service was a brief one, on that cold winter's day, and amid the dangers which often threatened the Brethren on funeral occasions ; for we are told, that it was frequently deemed prudent for some of the Brethren to be armed, on account of possible attacks from hostile Indians.
This graveyard is located on the highest point in this section of the country, and was selected by Captain N. Garrison, the well-known sea-captain and surveyor, not only on account of the fact just stated, but probably also as being convenient for the settlements of Gnadenthal, Christian's Spring, Old Nazareth, Friedensthal and the "Rose."
It is difficult to account for the strange misnomer, "the Indian Graveyard," which, in modern times, has been given to this spot. Only four Indians are buried here, viz .: Salome, an Indian woman; Maria Spangenberg, the daughter of Ruth, an Indian from Shekomeko, who was baptized at Bethlehem, May 13, 1746; Sarah, daughter of the Indian Nathaniel, a child from the school, baptized by Brother Christian Henry Rauch, and Beata, daughter of the Indian Philip, who died five days after her baptism.
The designations given by the Brethren to this graveyard were Ruheberg (the hill of rest), Hutberg, after the graveyard at Herrnhut, and the more common name, Gottesacker, or God's Acre.
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The first graveyard at Nazareth is beautifully located, the land- scape from this elevation being most picturesque, the Blue Mountains, like a mighty wall, limiting the view to the north, while to the south and east is spread out the country lying between Nazareth and Bethlehem, little villages and hamlets dotting the landscape, with the South Mountain in the back- ground.
It was a matter of deep regret that this beautiful and sacred spot passed out of the possession of the Church at the time when the extensive farms and woodland belonging to and constituting Gnadenthal, were sold to the County for the establishment of the Almshouse, and Christian's Spring and land, lying between that quaint little hamlet and Nazareth, to private individuals. This occurred about sixty years ago, the Brethren at Nazareth being filled with indignation and vainly protesting. The graveyard was included in the sale, the only condition being that the ground of this little plot should not be tilled. At that time the mounds of the graves were in a tolerable condition, covered with thyme and the beautiful mountain-pink, and the larger portion of the modest little tombstones were still in position and legible. The owner of the property, faithful to the conditions made in the deed, did not plough nor sow the graveyard, but, if possible, con- signed the sacred spot to a more ignoble use, making it the dump- ing-place for the large quantity of quartz stones and rubbish gathered from his land. Nazareth appears to have been power- less to prevent the desecration of this first God's Acre.
Finally, after many years and great difficulties, the plot was secured by the joint action of the Moravian Historical Society (soon after its organization), and the Board of Trustees of the church at Nazareth. It was purchased from Mr. Abraham Gruver, who had become the owner, for the sum of $150-a very large sum for so small a piece of ground in those days; and from Mr. Edwin P. Wolle and others a strip of land for an approach to the graveyard, at the rate of $125 an acre. The Trustees of Nazareth church hold the deed, the Historical Society having later received a perpetual lease.
It was no trifling undertaking to reclaim and restore this waste place to a condition worthy of the object for which it had been dedicated in 1744, as the Historical Society at that time had only
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a small membership and was almost without means. The ground was cleared, the few remnants of tombstones removed to the museum of the Society, and a monument, prepared by Mr. Robert Haas of Nazareth, was erected, while Mr. John Jordan had a small pavilion (a reminder of the one on the Hutberg at Herrn- hut), built at his own expense, the property being enclosed by a fence and some trees planted on the graveyard and the walk to this sacred spot.
On the 12th of June, 1867, the formal unveiling of the monu- ment and the re-dedication of the graveyard took place. A large number of members and friends of the Church from Bethlehem, Philadelphia, New York, Brooklyn, Lititz, Schoeneck and Nazareth had assembled. The trombonists from Schoeneck and Nazareth furnished music, alternating with one another, as the large pro- cession wended its way up the hills to the graveyard. The Nazareth church choir attended in a body, and in addition to leading the singing of hymns by the congregation, sang a pretty anthem, composed for the occasion by Brother Benjamin Clewell, the organist of the church at Nazareth. The burial litany was prayed by the Rev. Robert de Schweinitz, Principal of Nazareth Hall, and two addresses were made, the one by the Rev. Edward Rondthaler, pastor of the church in Brooklyn, and the other by the Rev. E. T. Kluge, pastor of the church at Nazareth. Bishop J. C. Jacobson, President of the Provincial Elders' Conference, pronounced the benediction.
On the monument are inscribed the names of those interred in this graveyard. The monument is made of American marble, the total cost being $448.30. Sixty-seven persons are here interred, viz., fifty-two children, eleven white adults, and four Indians, two of whom are children.
As this graveyard was in use upwards of twelve years, the number of adult members buried here is small, especially if the fact is borne in mind, that those first settlers were subjected to many hardships and discomforts, and that, during these years, contagious diseases-amongst the rest, the small-pox-prevailed. The large number of little children who died, is easily accounted for. By far the larger number had lived in the nursery at Ephrata; for, on account of the peculiar conditions existing at that time, parents were obliged to place their little children in the
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nursery, so that they might receive the care and attention, which it was impossible for them to bestow, as the large majority in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and other settlements were occupied in felling the forests, preparing the land for tillage, and carrying on the various pursuits begun in the colonies, the women also being occupied in many ways. Besides, the homes prepared for the large numbers, who were constantly coming here from Europe and England, as well as from various sections of this country, were insufficient for their proper accommodation.
Of the names of families represented among those interred in this first graveyard, very few are now to be found in the Church. The names which occur, which are familiar, are the following : Samuel Krause, Andrew Kremser, Jacob Till, Clewell, Demuth, Christ, together with Michler, descendants still living in Easton, Büninger, (later spelled Bininger,) descendants having formerly been prominent members of the Church in New York, and some still living in that city; Mücke, descendants living in Lititz, Pa.
Of the adult members buried here, there are several, who deserve particular notice :
CHRISTOPH DEMUTH, a manufacturer of paper-boxes, came from Moravia. In 1726, being greatly troubled in spirit and longing for peace, he forsook his home, and by a wonderful leading of Providence, came to Herrnhut. Apparently he had not decided where to go, nor had he heard anything of Count Zinzendorf, nor of the refuge there offered by him for refugees from Moravia. A few weeks later he returned to Moravia for his wife and two children. Brother Demuth was present at the communion at Berthelsdorf, on August 13, 1727, and was a participant. In 1726, in company with Christian David, he went to Moravia, remaining there six months; and, although in danger of imprisonment, visited devout souls in various places, who, in their concealment, were longing for freedom to worship the Lord according to the dictates of their consciences and to enjoy the spiritual blessings which their fathers of the Brethren's Church had so highly prized. Living in Herrnhut, and support- ing himself by the labor of his hands, he made many journeys in the cause of the Lord. Amongst the rest, he went to Berlin in 1729, to various portions of Prussia in 1732, in company with
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Frederick Boehnisch, to Würtemberg in 1730, in order to accompany two young women from Switzerland to Herrnhut.
In 1743, together with 120 others, he and his family came to Pennsylvania, later serving in Mülhbach, Germantown, and Fredericktown as minister. He was an excellent singer, and when preaching to the people, he often proclaimed the gospel in song, which was very edifying and impressive, as was also his devout walk ("priesterlicher Wandel"). During the greater part of the time, Nazareth was his home, where "his example of holy living was not without blessed fruits." On the last day of his life, though with a feeble voice, he frequently repeated his favorite hymn, "Jesu Kreuze, Jesu Todesstunden, Jesu, über alles schöne Wunden, Jesu, Gottes-Leichelein, Soll mein Ein und Alles sein." Two of his children survived him : Ferdinand, and a daughter, married to Peter Thiel. His age was 64 years, 3 months and 20 days.
JOHANNES MUENSTER, one of the first exiles from Moravia and members of the Herrnhut congregation. He was born in Zauch- tenthal in 1700. In the great awakening in Moravia, he was deeply impressed, and, in consequence, came to Herrnhut in 1725. He too was a participant in the memorable communion on August 13th, 1727. In the service of the congregation, he was commissioned to make visits to various parts of the country, in one of which he became acquainted with the Dober family, which figures so prominently in early Moravian history. Twice he went to Moravia, the last time bringing with him his mother and three of his brothers and sisters. He was married to a daughter of Brother Nitschmann. In 1742, during the war be- tween Prussia and Austria, he was twice sent, with his wife, to Silesia, where they labored with blessing among awakened souls in that country. He and his family came to Pennsylvania with the "Second Sea Congregation," among the so-called " Fischer ·Gesellschaft." In this country he served in various capacities, in Oley, Skippack, Muddy Creek, Macungie, Bethlehem, Frie- densthal and Nazareth.
Others, deserving special mention, are the following :
ELIZABETH TILL, m.n. Stephan, wife of Jacob Till, was born in Switzerland. At her urgent request, her father took her to
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Herrnhaag, when quite young, as she "longed to be the Lord's property and to serve Him." This she did in Gnadeck, Herrn- hut, Marienborn, Zeist, Herrndyk, generally in Children's Homes. Together with a large company, she came to this country in 1753, on the ship Irene, and here rendered valuable services.
ELIZABETH PAYNE, mother of the Rev. Jasper Payne, a minis- ter of the church. She was born in England in 1669. Through her son she became acquainted with the Brethren and united with the Church. In 1743, although in her 74th year, she came to this country, with her son and 120 others, in the vessel Little Strength. On the voyage she was of much service to the Eng- lish Brethren and Sisters of the company ; and during her stay in Bethlehem, was very helpful to missionaries and others. When no longer able to serve others, on account of her age and infirm- ities, she prayed for them. She died in Nazareth in the 87th year of her life, her death being the first which occurred in the Widows' House.
ANNA MARGARETHA NILSON, m.n. Henckel , was another valued woman, who came to this country, as a member of one of the "sea-congregations."
Two others, CATHARINE HILLMAN, m. n. Kaiser, and ARIANCHY COUNTRYMAN, her sister, the wife of Henry Countryman, both from England, should also be mentioned. They became acquainted with Brother Burnside, while on their way to Virginia, and were so deeply impressed by the preaching of the Brethren, that they decided to abandon the idea of moving to Virginia and remained in Dansbury (in what is now Monroe County), in order to be under the spiritual care of the Moravian Brethren. The Indians having threatened the place, all fled, taking refuge in Nazareth. Here, after a stay of only a few weeks, both died on the same day, probably from the effects of their flight.
JOHANN BAUMAN, a married man, whose father was a Mennonite in Conestoga, is also buried here. He had been baptized by the Mennonites ; but, having been deeply impressed by the teaching of the Brethren, his father bought land, about five miles from Gnadenthal, upon which the young man and his wife were to live so that they might be near the Brethren, "because his son loved.
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them so dearly." Young Bauman was shot and scalped by the Indians. His father brought the remains to Gnadenthal, with the request that his son might be laid to rest with those whom he loved and who had been so great a blessing to him.
Although the number of persons interred on the first graveyard is very small, only 67, of whom 52 are children, II white adults,. and 4 Indians, two of whom were children, -the spot is worthy of being held sacred; the few to whom reference has been made. being pious men and women, who contributed, in no small degree, to the work of the Church, and whose lives preached eloquently to many, both in Europe and this country, of the love and grace of the Saviour ; men who belonged to the number who forsook home and kindred for the sake of the gospel, and who link us to- the Ancient Church of the Brethren. The few Indians, first fruits of missionary labor in this part of the country, and the large number of little children, whose early death speak loudly of the privations and sacrifices made by the first Christian settlers of this portion of Pennsylvania ; they also add to the sacredness of this. spot. Surely it is Holy Ground; the "Ruheberg," the resting. place of many wearied followers of the Saviour.
COMPLETE LIST OF THOSE INTERRED ON THE FIRST GRAVEYARD.
1744.
Jan. 18. George Kremser, married man. Born in Silesia.
Apr. 16. Elizabeth Hanke, m. n. Henckel, wife of Matthew Hanke. Born in Wetteravia.
1745.
Thomas Adolph Schaaf, a child.
Feb. 25. 1746.
Jan. 2. John Michler, infant son of John and Barbara Michler.
Feb. 4. Christian Fritsche, child.
Apr. 30. Anna Maria Klotz, married woman, wife of Ludwig Klotz, of Bethlehem.
Aug. 12. Rebecca Burnside, daughter of James Burnside. Died in the nursery.
Aug. 19. Beata, daughter of the Indian Philip. 5 years old. Nursery.
Aug. 22. Sarah, daughter of the Indian Nathaniel. 6 years old. Nursery. Funeral held by Brother Christian Henry Rauch.
Aug. 29. Nathaniel Grabs, son of John and Anna M. Grabs.
Nov. 19. Maria Bresier (Brashier).
1747.
Aug. 15. John Klotz, infant son of Albrecht and Marg. Klotz.
Sept. 16. Maria Michler, infant daughter of John and Barbara Michler.
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1748.
Jan. 14. Anna Elizabeth Kohn, child from the nursery.
Jan. 18. David Reichard, ) Children from the nursery. Both buried at the
Jan. 20. Anna Fritsche, S same time.
Mar. 27. Maria Spangenberg, an Indian from Shekomeko. Daughter of Ruth. Baptized May 13, 1746, at Bethlehem. Aged 11 years. A pupil in the school.
Dec. 21. Salome, an Indian woman.
1749.
Mar. 6. Beata Boehmer.
Mar. 12. John Michael Muecke, son of Michael and Cath. Muecke. Died in the nursery.
Apr. 17. Joseph Hussey, child from nursery.
Aug. 5. Sophia Jarvis, child from nursery.
1750.
Mar. 18. Johanna Schaefer, infant daughter of John Nicholas and Johanna Schaefer. The first death in Gnadenthal.
1751.
Jan. 23. Joseph Schneider, infant son of Adam and Eliz. Schneider. Died in the nursery.
Feb. 7. Anna Margaretha Nilson, m.n. Henckel. Born in Langen Diebach, near Hanau. Awakened in Herrnhaag, 1741. 1743 married Jonas Nilson, at the same time with thirty other couples, destined for Pennsyl- vania, and who formed part of one of the " sea congregations." Aged 30 years.
Feb. 12. Gottfried Grabs, child of John G. and Anna M. Grabs.
Mar. 17. Anna Maria Grabs, sister of the foregoing. Both from nursery.
April 2. Samuel Krause, infant son of Samuel and Rosina Krause.
May 9. Anna Maria Jorde, infant daughter of John and Mary Jorde.
June I. Ludwig Enerson, infant son of Ebert and Marg. Enerson.
June 19. Elizabeth Werner, married woman, m.n. Blum, from Gnadenthal. 1752.
Jan. 27. Johannes Reichardt, son of David and Elizabeth Reichardt. Born in Fredericktown, April 22, 1750.
Feb. 20. Anna Maria Biefel, child from the nursery.
Feb. 6. Julianna Schmidt, daughter of John and Dorothea Schmidt. Nursery.
Mar. 29. Benigna Roseen, daughter of the Rev. Sven and A. M. Roseen. Nursery.
Apr. 13. Elizabeth Mueller, daughter of J. H. and Rosina Mueller of Bethlehem. Died in nursery
Apr. 16. Paulus and Petrus Fritsche, twin children of Paul and Rosina Fritsche.
May 14. Johannes Stoll, son of John and Mary Stoll, Friedensthal. Nursery.
Sept. 30. Anna Schneider, daughter of John and Elizabeth Schneider, Gnaden- thal. Nursery. "Wurde in der Nursery heimgeküsst."
Oct. 25. Johannes Kremser, son of Andreas and Rosina Kremser, Frederick- town. Nursery.
Nov. 17. Beata Anderson, daughter of Gottlieb and Christina Anderson, Nursery. (Eleven children in one year.)
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1753.
May 19. Beatus Schulze, son of Gottfried Schulze, Gnadenthal.
June 14. John David Michler, infant son of Wolfgang and Rosina Michler.
Oct. I. Anna Elizabeth Goetje.
1754.
Jan. 26. Margaretha Christ, daughter of Rudolph and Anna Christ, Gnadenthal. Born in Würtemberg.
Jan. 28. Paulus Fritsche, son of Paul and Rosina Fritsche. " Kehrte bald wieder zu seiner Mutterstadt."
Mar. 5. Christoph Demuth, born in Cathelsdorf, Moravia. Aged 64 years, 3 months and 20 days.
April 2. Martha Bueninger, infant daughter of Abraham and Martha Bueninger. Nursery.
May 30. Johannes Muenster, one of the first exiles from Moravia. Aged 54 years.
Aug. 21. John Henry Moeller, son of John Henry and Rosina Moeller. Nursery.
Sept. 2. Elizabeth Hafner. Nursery.
Sept. 17. Magdalena Mordick, Gnadenhütten on the Mahoney. Nursery.
Sept. 18. Anna Maria Engel, from York. Nursery.
Oct. 22. Elizabeth Till, m.n. Stephan. Born in Mühlhausen, Switzerland, March 28, 1724. One of the members of the "Sea Congregation " in 1753. A highly valued attendant in the nursery ; motherly and kind.
1755.
June 5. Elizabeth Payne, m.n. Banister. Born in England, April 26, 1669,- the oldest member in this country. Mother of Jasper Payne. Came to this country in the Little Strength, as one of the "Sea Congregation." Aged 87.
Sept. 15. Louisa Partsch, daughter of George and Louisa Partsch.
Dec. 2. Beata Mueller, daughter of Joseph and Verona Müller. 1756.
Jan. 20. Johann Bauman. Born in Conestoga, 1727. Shot and scalped by the Indians.
Feb. 1. Arianchy Countryman, m.n. Kaiser, sister of Mrs. Hillman and wife of Henry Countryman. Died on the same day as her sister.
Feb. I. Catharine Hillman, m.n. Kaiser, wife of John Hillman, from England. Both she and her sister were refugees on the occasion of Indian troubles in Dansbury, now in Monroe County. Died seven weeks after reaching Nazareth. She had 13 children. Aged 42.
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