November 6 - November 9, 1753 - - Diary of a journey of Moravians

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Nov. 6.

We took up our journey; Br. Hermanus remained behind to thrash oats for Mr. Johnsen. We had to drive through many muddy places and the wagon was often in danger of sticking fast. We had much work cutting out the road, which was so narrow that we could hardly get through, our long wagon could scarcely turn and twist along it, and we often had to use the tackle to get the wheels out of the holes. Two miles from camp we passed through a fence, had a great deal of marshy land, and drove perhaps thirty times across a creek that wound through the swamp. Br. Hermanus rejoined us bringing several bushels of oats which he had thrashed. Mr. Johnsen, a Welshman, had spoken freely with Br. Hermanus, had first asked him how he had come to join the Moravians, and when Br. Hermanus had told him he began to relate his own story for the last few years. At one time he had become very uneasy and could hardly bear the distress of his heart; then he had turned with all his misery to the Saviour, and He had let him feel the power of His blood and that had given him peace, and so it was with him to this day. And if at any time his heart was not quite right with God he turned again to the Saviour, and all was well. It was the same with his wife and eldest son. He had spoken of this only to those in whom he felt and saw the same spirit, for the World understands as little of such things as a horse, and therefore he kept silence. For nine years he had not heard a sermon; and he begged that when one of us should pass this way again he would stop with him. We all rejoiced when Br. Hermanus told us this, and were glad that also in this dark wilderness the Saviour had His people, who loved Him. At night we set up our tent in the swamp; in spite of all our labor and toil today we made only ten miles. Br. Gottlob held evening prayers, and then we lay down to rest.

Nov. 7.

Photograph of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, in the fall.

Because Pilot Mountain is so much higher than all the land surrounding it, it is visible from great distances. Image credit. About the photograph

At daybreak we started again and soon were out of the swamp, then immediately had a hill to climb that went down very steeply on the farther side. At the foot we crossed a medium-sized creek, then came another hill, and we had a hard time getting up for the ground was so slippery that the horses could not keep their feet. The road was good for one mile, then it led again into a swamp, several times crossing a creek. Our wagon was somewhat injured, for the banks of one creek were so steep and high that in going down the back of the wagon was strained and a board in the body broke. We soon mended it, and spent the noon rest by this creek. Br. Lösch went ahead to look over the road. We came at once to a very steep little hill, and then there was a long ascent. From the top we saw the Pilot Mountain in North Carolina, and rejoiced to think that we would soon see the boundary of Carolina and set foot in our own dear land. We drove one mile along the ridge, then there was a very steep descent. At the foot we crossed a large creek with very steep banks, and finally came to Smith’s River, driving a mile through beautiful lowlands where there were many grapes, which tasted very good to us. Br. Gottlob rode ahead to spy out the road. We came to a hill, thought we could cross it yet this evening, but on trying found it impossible for the ascent was too steep. Br. Gottlob came back and said it would not be possible to pull the wagon up fully loaded; so we set up our tent at the foot of the hill near the river. Several of the Brethren took the horses half a mile away to a meadow, and spent the night there. We had a comfortable, peaceful night.

Nov. 8.

At daybreak we prepared again for our journey, and carried half our goods to the top of the hill, and even then had much toil and trouble before we got the wagon up, for it was very steep. On the summit we reloaded our goods for the descent. In the valley we crossed a small creek and were scarcely over that when we came to a second hill and had to unload again and carry almost everything to the top, for this was the steepest hill we had yet crossed. We were all glad when we were over it. Going down we locked two wheels, hung a tree on behind, and made the descent safely. People had told us that this hill was most dangerous, and that we would scarcely be able to cross it, for Margan Bryand, the first to travel this way, had to take the wheels off his wagon and carry it piecemeal to the top, and had been three months on the journey from the Shanidore to the Etkin. At the foot of the hill we crossed a large creek with high banks; it runs into Smith’s River close by. We came to a plantation, and the people were kind, and without question showed us the right road, which one mile from here turns to the left, and is less traveled than the one going straight ahead. One mile beyond we came to a rather large creek with such high banks that we hardly knew how to get over it, but with labor and toil we accomplished it safely. We drove two miles further before camping, but the road was very bad, and we stuck fast several times. We set up our tent by a plantation; and today in spite of all our efforts we have advanced only seven miles. It began to rain, and we were all rather damp when we lay down.

Nov. 9.

Most of the Brethren rose very early; they could not sleep on account of the heavy rain, the water running under us so that we lay in it and could not escape it. The river had risen two feet during the night, and we saw that it was impossible to cross. We had numerous visits from the people living near, who were greatly surprised at our long wagon, and that so many unmarried men were traveling together. They asked about our Minister; and on this whole journey Br. Gottlob has won the affection of the people, who would gladly have had him baptise their children. Toward noon the rain stopped and we hoped for better weather, but it began again harder than ever, and we could hardly keep a little fire burning. We changed the position of our tent and dug a ditch around it to lead off the water, but the rain beat through the tent so that in a short time everything was most unpleasantly wet, and we were up most of the night.