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[Oct. 7 - Oct. 8, 1753]

At the evening service (”Singstunde“) we were prepared for our journey, received the blessing from our dear Brother, and finally partook together of the “Cup of blessing.” The next morning, that is

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the town the brothers left to begin their new settlement in North Carolina. The building visible through the trees is a tannery that was built in 1761. Image source. About the photograph

Oct. 8, 1753, we rose early and made ready for our start, our dear Br. Christian Seidel holding morning prayer for us. And so with a feeling of blessing and contentment we set out from our beloved Bethlehem, — the Brn. Grube, Jac. Lösch, Feldhausen, Erich Ingepretsen, Petersen, Lunge, Hermanus Lösch, Markli, Pfeil, Beroth, Lischer, Kalberlahn and Joseph Haberland, the last named to accompany us only to the Susquehannah. Our “Chor Jünger” Br. Gottlob, Hoffman, Eberhard, and several other Brethren went with us for a few miles, and when we had taken tender leave of each other we went our way humbly happy over the goodness that the Lamb of God had shown to us poor mortals in His congregation. The Brethren Gottlob and Nathanael followed us in a few hours, and in the evening we met at the Missellimer Mill and remained there over night, — the people were fairly civil in their entertainment of us though hitherto they have refused to let Brethren stop there. On the way we picked up several pieces of our baggage which had been left by our wagon when it stuck fast and had to be unloaded before it could be pulled out.

Oct. 9.

We arose very early to continue our journey, the Brn. Grube and Kalberlahn going a little in advance. A man came to them inquiring whether any one in the party knew how to let blood, saying that a poor servant lay sick at Uly Hui who had heard of us and begged that we would come to him; we therefore went and Br. Kalberlahn bled him, for which he was very thankful, and the people declared themselves as being friendly toward us. At noon we reached the house of Br. Jac. Müller; he was not at home but his son took us across the Tulpehokke in a canoe, it almost upset but our little boatman held it steady. Soon we reached Heidelberg Schoolhouse, and found Br. and Sr. Müller well and glad to see us again and to have us to a meal. There were other Brethren there working on a new hall who rejoiced to greet us once more. Toward evening we reached the home of Br. and Sr. G. Lösch, who gave us hearty welcome; we found there Br. Christ. Rauch who had arrived shortly before us. The Brn. Merk and Ziegler, who had preceded us thus far with the wagon, related their experiences by the way, that it had taken them four days to reach Tulpehokke, and that they had been obliged to abandon part of the baggage, because it had rained a great deal and the road was very muddy. Before we retired Br. Nathanael conducted a Singstunde, and then we laid ourselves down, as it were, in the arms of Jesus.

Oct. 10.

Br. Gottlob held morning prayers. Then we had a conference about our wagon, which is several inches too wide, and therefore does not keep in the beaten track. We finally unloaded it and took it to the blacksmith’s shop. The damp articles we dried in the sun. Mother Lösch prepared the necessary provisions for our trip. Br. Rauch took leave of us and returned to his home in Quittopehill. Br. Beroth crossed the Susquehannah to see his father once more, rejoining us at the river. Br. Nathanael wrote a note to Br. Pader, who is now in York on the Catores, telling him of our journey to Carolina. In the evening when our wagon was ready, having been made three inches narrower, we repacked it by moonlight so that we might make an early start nest morning. Some Brethren from Tonigal, on their way to visit in Bethlehem, arrived at the house; there was hardly room enough for everybody, but Br. and Sr. Lösch rejoiced to have so many Brethren under their roof. Br. Gottlob held a sweet Singstunde.

Oct. 11.

The wheel at a grist mill. Image source. About the photograph

We rose early and prepared for our journey. We gave letters to the Tonigal Brn. to be taken to Bethlehem. Father Lösch lent us his wagon to be used until we were across the Susquehannah, and Mother Lösch supplied us bountifully with bread and meat. Then we bade farewell to these dear people, thanking them heartily for all their trouble and care on our account; they both wept like children, realizing that now for a while they could not see their two sons, Jac. and Herm. At noon we reached our school-house in Quittopehill, and stopped there for lunch. The Brn. Neuser and Engel welcomed us heartily and we were glad to see them. Br. Peter Kucher fed our horses and rejoiced to see us once more. Several Brn. called on Johann Tanneberger, who was much pleased to have a visit from Bethlehem Brethren. When we started again the Brn. Neuser and Engel accompanied us as far as Xander’s, which we reached by evening. As we drove over the millrace bridge it broke in, and it was truly a wonder that our horses and wagon were not thrown into the water; we thanked our Heavenly Father for the escape and for the help of our companions, of which we had great need. Br. Xander was not at home, but his wife and daughter gave us good care. Br. Neuser and Br. Engel went home this evening. Br. Gottlob held a sweet Singstunde, and spoke on the text “Walk as the children of light,” referring feelingly to the blessing and joy that can come into the life of a child of God; and then we went peacefully to rest.

Oct. 12.

We rose at four and after morning prayers had breakfast at five and set out at six o’clock. Several young men who love the Brethren accompanied us a little way and were pleasant and cheery. We had traveled eight miles when suddenly a thick tree fell across our team, giving us a fright; however, the trunk fell just between the horses so that neither the horses nor the man who rode one of them were hurt, though a bush on the other side of the road was crushed. This was indeed a marked instance of the protection of our Father, and we thanked Him earnestly and besought His continued care. To-day we shot several fawns, partridges and squirrels. In the evening we made our first camp in the forest, one mile from the Susquehannah, by a creek. All busied themselves collecting wood and building a fire. Br. Erich undertook the cooking, and after we had eaten we spread our blankets and lay down to rest. We also considered whether we should not take Father Lösch’s wagon with us, for it was evident that we could hardly make the trip with only our heavily loaded wagon, but as we had not discussed it with Father Lösch we decided that we could not do it. We set our first night-watch, — Br. Nathanael took the first two hours, and was followed by Br. Grube, and he by Br. Lösch, and in the future three or four Brethren will watch each night. At midnight a drunken Irishman came and laid himself by our fire, but did not disturb us. Br. Gottlob hung his hammock between two trees and rested well in it.

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About this work

From Travels in the American colonies, ed. under the auspices of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, by Newton D. Mereness.

Original source available from Library of Congress.

This edition copyright ©2008. Terms of use

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Definitions

partake v.

To have a share or portion.

congregation n.

A group of people who share a common faith.

hitherto adv.

Until now.

millrace n.

The rapid current of water that causes a mill wheel to turn, or the channel for the water.

beseech v.

To beg earnestly for.