第 17 节
作者:
一半儿 更新:2021-02-20 18:38 字数:9321
had come with them to Hamburg to meet her husband; returned with him
to their home in Holstein; and on account of Rosina Neubert's serious
illness; she and her husband reluctantly agreed to leave the company; and
wait for another opportunity to go to Georgia。In 1742 they carried out
their intention of emigrating to America; though it was to Pennsylvania;
and not to Georgia。
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The Moravians in Georgia
The 〃second company〃; therefore; consisted of twenty…five
persons:David Nitschmann; the Bishop。 Christian Adolph von Hermsdorf;
a volunteer。 John Andrew Dober; a potter。 David Zeisberger。 David
Tanneberger; a shoemaker。 John Tanneberger; son of David; a boy of ten
years。 George Neisser。 Augustin Neisser; a young lad; brother of George。
Henry Roscher; a linen…weaver。 David Jag。 John Michael Meyer; a tailor。
Jacob Frank。 John Martin Mack。 Matthias Seybold; a farmer。 Gottlieb
Demuth。 John Boehner; a carpenter。 Matthias Boehnisch。 Maria Catherine
Dober; wife of John Andrew Dober。 Rosina Zeisberger; wife of David
Zeisberger。 Judith Toeltschig; Catherine Riedel; Rosina Haberecht; Regina
Demuth; going to join their husbands already in Georgia。 Anna Waschke; a
widow; to join her son。 Juliana Jaeschke; a seamstress。*
* Fifteen of these colonists were originally from Moravia and
Bohemia。
During an enforced stay of three weeks at Altona; the Moravians
experienced much kindness; especially at the hands of Korte and his
family; and Mrs。 Weintraube; the daughter of a Mennonite preacher; who
had come from her home in London on a visit to her father。 By this time
the Moravian settlement at Herrnhut was coming to be well and favorably
known in Holland; and every visit won new friends; many of whom came
into organic fellowship with them。A few years later; when the Unitas
Fratrum was confronted by a great financial crisis; it was largely the
loyalty and liberality of the Dutch members that enabled it to reach a
position of safety。
On the 9th of September; the company went aboard an English boat;
homeward bound; but contrary winds held them in port until the 13th; and
it was not until Sunday; Oct。 2nd; that they reached London; after a long
and stormy crossing; which gave many of them their first experience of
sea…sickness。
Nitschmann and Korte at once went ashore to report their arrival to
Secretary Verelst; and on Monday a house was rented; and the twenty…five
colonists and Jonas Korte moved into it; to wait for the sailing of Gen。
Oglethorpe's ship; the General having offered them berths on his own
vessel。 The General was out of town when they reached London; but
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The Moravians in Georgia
called on Monday evening; and showed them every kindness;
〃Oglethorpe is indeed our good friend; and cares for us like a father。〃
Nitschmann found a good deal of difficulty on account of the language;
for he could not speak Latin; as Spangenberg had done; and knew no
English; so that all of his conversations with Oglethorpe had to be carried
on through an interpreter; nevertheless a number of important points were
fully discussed。
On the question of military service he could reach no definite and
satisfactory conclusion; and thought it a great pity that there had not been
a perfect mutual understanding between Zinzendorf and the Trustees
before the first company sailed。 That Zinzendorf's 〃servants〃 should be
free from military service was admitted by all; but Oglethorpe thought
three men must be furnished to represent Zinzendorf; Spangenberg and
Nitschmann (the Hausmeister); the three free…holders; and suggested that
Lieutenant Hermsdorf might take one place。Nitschmann said that would
not do; that the Moravians 〃could not and would not fight;〃 and there the
matter rested。Nitschmann wrote to Zinzendorf; begging him to come to
London; and interview the Trustees; but advised that he wait for
Oglethorpe's return from Georgia some nine months later。
On this account the members of the second company agreed that it
would be better for them not to accept land individually; but to go; as the
others had done; as Zinzendorf's 〃servants〃; to work on his tract。
Oglethorpe suggested that an additional five hundred acres should be
requested for Count Zinzendorf's son; and Nitschmann referred the
proposal to the authorities at Herrnhut。In regard to the five hundred acre
tract already granted; the General said that it had been located near the
Indians; at the Moravians' request; but that settlers there would be in no
danger; for the Indians were at peace with the English; there was a fort
near by; and besides he intended to place a colony of Salzburgers fifty
miles further south; when the Moravians would be; not on the border but
in the center of Georgia。
Gen。 Oglethorpe assured Nitschmann that there would be no trouble
regarding the transfer of title to the Georgia lands; for while; for weighty
reasons; the grants had been made in tail male; there was no intention; on
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the part of the Trustees; to use this as a pretext for regaining the land; and
if there was no male heir; a brother; or failing this; a friend; might take the
title。 (In 1739 the law entailing property in Georgia was modified to meet
this view; and after 1750; all grants were made in fee simple。)He also
explained that the obligation to plant a certain number of mulberry trees
per acre; or forfeit the land; was intended to spur lazy colonists; and would
not be enforced in the case of the Moravians。
Nitschmann told Gen。 Oglethorpe of the wives and children who had
been left in Herrnhut; and suggested the advisability of establishing an
English School for them; that they might be better fitted for life in Georgia。
Oglethorpe liked the idea; and; after due consideration; suggested that
some one in Herrnhut who spoke French or Latin; preferably the latter;
should be named as Count Zinzendorf's Agent; to handle funds for the
English school; and to accompany later companies of Georgia colonists as
far as London; his expenses to be paid by the Trustees。Of this the Trustees
approved; and donated 40 Pounds sterling; partly for Nitschmann's use in
London; and the balance; about 4 Pounds it proved to be; for the
Herrnhut school。An English gentleman also gave them 32 Pounds; with
the proviso that within four years they in turn would give an equal amount
to the needy; which Nitschmann readily agreed should be done。
Various other gifts must have been received; for when the company
sailed; Nitschmann reported to Count Zinzendorf that; without counting a
considerable amount which Korte had generously expended on their
behalf; they had received 115 Pounds in London; and had spent 113
Pounds。 〃This will seem much to you; but when you look over the
accounts; and consider the number of people; and how dear everything is;
you will understand。〃Unfortunately the colonists had left Herrnhut without
a sufficient quantity of warm clothing; thinking that it would not be
needed; but letters from Georgia gave them quite new ideas of the climate
there; and they were forced to supply themselves in London; though at
double what it would have cost in Germany。
In addition to these expenditures; the second company borrowed from
the Trustees the funds for their passage to Georgia; and a year's provision
there; binding themselves jointly and severally