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The Moravians in Georgia
The Moravians in
Georgia
Adelaide L。 Fries Winston…Salem； N。 C。
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The Moravians in Georgia
Chapter I。 Antecedent Events。
The Province of Georgia。
It was in the year 1728 that the English Parliament was persuaded by
James Oglethorpe； Esq。 soldier； statesman and philanthropist； to
appoint a committee to investigate the condition of the debtors confined in
the Fleet and Marchalsea prisons。The lot of these debtors was a most
pitiable one； for a creditor had power to imprison a man for an indefinite
term of years； and the unfortunate debtor； held within the four walls of his
prison； could earn no money to pay the debt that was owing； and unless
friends came to his rescue； was utterly at the mercy of the oft…times
barbarous jailor。The Committee； consisting of ninety…six prominent men；
with Oglethorpe as Chairman； recommended and secured the redress of
many grievances； and the passing of better laws for the future； but
Oglethorpe and a few associates conceived a plan which they thought
would eradicate the evil by striking at its very root； the difficulty which
many found in earning a living in the overcrowded cities。
In 1663 King Charles II。 had granted to eight 〃Lords Proprietors〃 the
portion of North America lying between the 31st and 36th degrees of
latitude； enlarging the boundaries in 1665 to 29 deg。 and 36 deg。 30 min。
By 1728 most of these Lords Proprietors had tired of their attempt to
govern the colonies they had established in 〃Carolina〃； and in 1729 seven
of the eight sold their interest to the English crown； the district being
divided into 〃North Carolina〃； 〃South Carolina〃； and a more southerly
portion； nominally included in the latter； which was held in reserve。
To this unused land the thoughts of Oglethorpe turned； and he and his
friends addressed a memorial to the Privy Council； stating 〃that the cities
of London； Westminster； and parts adjacent； do abound with great numbers
of indigent persons； who are reduced to such necessity as to become
burthensome to the public； and who would be willing to seek a livelihood
in any of his majesty's plantations in America； if they were provided with
a passage； and means of settling there。〃 They therefore asked for a grant of
land lying south of the Savannah River； where they wished to establish a
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The Moravians in Georgia
colony in which these unfortunate men might begin life anew； and where
Protestants； persecuted in some parts of Europe； might find a refuge。They
also offered to take entire charge of the affair； and their petition； after
passing through the usual channels； was approved by the King； George II；
a charter was prepared； and the great seal was affixed June 9th； 1732。
This instrument constituted twenty…one noblemen and gentlemen a
body corporate； by the name and style of 〃The Trustees for establishing
the Colony of Georgia in America〃； and in them was vested full authority
for the collecting of subscriptions and the expending of moneys gathered；
the selection of colonists； and the making and administering of laws in
Georgia； but no member of the corporation was allowed to receive a salary；
or any fees； or to hold land in the new province。The undertaking was to be
strictly for the good of others； not for their own pecuniary benefit。 The
charter granted to them 〃all those lands； countries； and territories situate；
lying and being in that part of South Carolina； in America〃 between the
Savannah and Altamaha； gave them permission to take over any British
subjects； or foreigners willing to become such； and guaranteed to each
settler the rights of an English subject； and full liberty of conscience；
Papists alone excepted。 This apparently pointed exception was natural
enough； since from a political standpoint the new colony was regarded as
a valuable guard for the Protestant English Colonies on the north； against
the Indians and Roman Catholic colonists to the south； who had been
keeping the border settlers in a continual state of uneasiness； even in times
of nominal peace。Moreover England had not forgotten the terrible
experience of the latter half of the preceding century； when it was war to
the death between Catholic and Protestant； and the latter party being the
stronger the former was subjected to great and unpardonable persecution；
many were executed； and all holding that faith were laid under political
disabilities which lasted for a hundred and fifty years。
The plans of the Trustees were very broad。They intended 〃to relieve
such unfortunate persons as cannot subsist here； and establish them in an
orderly manner； so as to form a well regulated town。As far as their fund
goes they will defray the charge of their passage to Georgia give them
necessaries； cattle； land； and subsistence； till such time as they can build
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their houses and clear some of their land。〃 In this manner 〃many families
who would otherwise starve will be provided for； and made masters of
houses and lands； * * * and by giving refuge to the distressed Salzburgers
and other Protestants； the power of Britain； as a reward for its hospitality；
will be increased by the addition of so many religious and industrious
subjects。〃
Each of the emigrants was to receive about fifty acres of land；
including a town lot； a garden of five acres； and a forty…five acre farm； and
the Trustees offered to give a tract of five hundred acres to any well…to…do
man who would go over at his own expense； taking with him at least ten
servants； and promising his military service in case of need。
But there was a commercial as well as a benevolent side to the designs
of the Trustees； for they thought Georgia could be made to furnish silk；
wine； oil and drugs in large quantities； the importing of which would keep
thousands of pounds sterling in English hands which had hitherto gone to
China； Persia and the Madeiras。Special provision was therefore made to
secure the planting of mulberry trees as the first step towards silk culture；
the other branches to be introduced as speedily as might be。
Filled with enthusiasm for their plan； the Trustees proceeded to spread
abroad the most glowing descriptions of the country where the new colony
was to be settled。
〃The kind spring； which but salutes us here；Inhabits there； and courts
them all the year。 Ripe fruits and blossoms on the same trees live At
once they promise； when at once they give。 So sweet the air； so moderate
the clime；None sickly lives； or dies before his time。 Heaven； sure； has kept
this spot of earth uncurst；To shew how all things were created first。〃
So wrote Oglethorpe； quoting the lines as the best pen picture he could
give of the new land； and truly； if the colonists found the reality less
roseate than they anticipated； it was not the fault of their generous；
energetic leader； who spared neither pains nor means in his effort to make
all things work out as his imagination had painted them。
The Trustees having； with great care； selected thirty…five families from
the number who wished to go； the first emigrant ship sailed for Georgia in
November； 1732； bearing about one hundred and twenty…five 〃sober；
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industrious and moral persons〃； and all needful stores for the
establishment of the colony。Early in the following year they reached
America； and Oglethorpe； having chosen a high bluff on the southern bank
of the Savannah River； concluded a satisfactory treaty with Tomochichi；
the chief of the nearest Indian tribe； which was later r