trying and revolting to the Salzburgers. Their fine brick church was
converted into a hospital for the accommodation of the sick and wounded,
and subsequently it was desecrated by being used as a stable for their
horses. To this latter use it was devoted until the close of the war and
the removal of the British troops from Georgia. To show their contempt for
the church and their disregard for the religious sentiments of the people,
the church records were nearly all destroyed, and the soldiers would
discharge their guns at different objects on the church; and even to this
day the metal “_Swan_” (Luther’s coat of arms) which surmounts the spire
on the steeple, bears the mark of a musket ball which was fired through it
by a reckless soldier. Often, too, cannon were discharged at the houses;
and there is a log-house now standing not far from Ebenezer, which was
perforated by several cannon shot.... The Salzburgers endured all these
hardships and indignities with becoming fortitude; and though a few were
overcome by these severe measures, yet the great mass of them remained
firm in their attachment to the principles of liberty.”[33]
It is suggested that the establishment of tippling houses in Ebenezer,
during its occupancy by the British, and constant intercourse with
a licentious soldiery, corrupted the lives of not a few of the once
sober and orderly Germans. That the protracted presence of the enemy,
the confiscation of estates, the interruption of regular pursuits, the
expulsion of such as clave to the Confederate cause, and the general
demoralization consequent upon a state of war, tended to the manifest
injury and depopulation of the town, cannot, for a moment, be questioned.
Indications of decay and ruin were patent in Ebenezer before the cessation
of hostilities. From the time of its occupation by Maitland, shortly after
the capture of Savannah by Colonel Campbell in December, 1778,—with the
exception of the limited period when its garrison was called in to assist
in the defense of Savannah against the operations of the allied army
under the command of Count D’Estaing and General Lincoln in the fall of
1779,—Ebenezer continued in the possession of the British until a short
time prior to the evacuation of Savannah in July, 1783. In his advance
toward Savannah, General Anthony Wayne established his head quarters
at this town. The Tory pastor, Triebner, who, during the struggle had
sided with the Royalists and remained unmoved amid the sufferings and
oppressions of his people, betook himself to flight so soon as the English
forces were withdrawn, and found a refuge in England, where he ended his
days in seclusion.
Upon the evacuation of Savannah, many of the Saltzburgers returned to
Ebenezer. Its aspect was sadly changed. Not a few of the abandoned
dwellings had been burned. Others had fallen into decay. Smiling gardens
had been trampled into desert places, and the impress of stagnation,
neglect, and desolation was upon everything. Jerusalem Church was a mass
of filth, and very dilapidated. Notwithstanding this sad condition of
affairs, much energy was displayed in the purification and renovation of
this temple of worship, and in the rehabilitation of the town.
The arrival of the Reverend John Ernest Bergman,—a clergyman of decided
talents and of considerable literary attainments,—and the revival of
the parochial school greatly encouraged the depressed inhabitants and
promoted the general improvement of the place. The population began to
increase. It assumed an apparently permanent character, and countenanced
the hope that the ante-bellum quiet, good order, thrift, and prosperity
would be regained. This expectation, however, was not fully realized. The
former trade never revived. The mills were never again put in motion.
Silk-culture was renewed only to a limited degree. Having for twenty-five
years more remained about stationary, New Ebenezer commenced visibly to
decline; and, when scarcely more than a century old, took its place, in
silence and nothingness, among the dead towns of Georgia.[34]
The act of February 26th, 1784,[35] provided for the erection of the
“Court House and Gaol” and for holding public elections in Effingham
County at Tuckasee-King, near the present line of Scriven County. The
situation proving inconvenient, three years afterwards the county-seat was
removed to Elberton, near Indian Bluff, on the north side of the Great
Ogeechee river.
On the 18th of February, 1796, the Legislature of Georgia[36] appointed
Jeremiah Cuyler, John G. Neidlinger, Jonathan Rawhn, Elias Hodges, and
John Martin Dasher “commissioners for the town and common of Ebenezer,”
with instructions to have the town “surveyed and laid out as nearly
as possible in conformity to the original plan thereof, to sell all
vacant lots, and such as had become vested in the State, [reserving such
only as were necessary for public uses,] and appropriate the proceeds
to the erection of a County Court House and Jail.” Any over-plus was
to be applied to building a public Academy. For three years only did
Ebenezer remain the County Town of Effingham County. In 1799, its public
buildings were sold, and the village of Springfield was designated by the
Legislature as “the permanent seat for the public buildings of the County
of Effingham.”[37] David Hall, Joshua Loper, Samuel Ryals, Godhelf Smith,
and Drurias Garrison were appointed commissioners to carry this change
into effect.
In 1808 the Ebenezer Congregation received legislative permission to sell
the glebe lands which it owned. By degrees all the real estate held by
the society was disposed of. The proceeds arising from these sales were
invested in lands, mortgages, and securities;—the interest accruing being
applied to the payment of the pastor’s salary and the current expenses of
the church.[38]
Until about the year 1803 all the religious services observed by the
Saltzburgers were conducted in the German language; and, in the church
at Ebenezer, for a long time subsequent to that date, the religious
exercises continued in that tongue. Methodist and Baptist Churches
springing up in the neighborhood drew away many of the younger members of
the congregation. The introduction of the English language into all the
Saltzburger Churches was effected in 1824 through the instrumentality of
the Reverend Christopher F. Bergman.
Year by year Ebenezer became more sparsely populated. Many of its citizens
removed into the interior and upper parts of the county. Quite a number
formed settlements in Scriven County, while others went to Savannah, and
to Lowndes, Liberty, and Thomas counties. Others still,—more enterprizing
than their fellows,—sought new homes in South Carolina, Alabama, Florida,
Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
We close this sketch with a picture of Ebenezer painted by one of the
late Pastors[39] of Jerusalem Church,—a gentleman of cultivation and of
piety, who saw the last waves of oblivion as they closed over the town
and obliterated its decayed traces from the grass covered bluff of the
Savannah.
“To one visiting the ancient town of Ebenezer, in the present day [1855]
the prospect which presents itself is anything but attractive; and the
stranger who is unacquainted with its history would perhaps discover very
little to excite his curiosity or awaken his sympathies. The town has gone
almost entirely to ruins. Only two residences are now remaining, and one
of these is untenanted. The old church, however, stands in bold relief
upon an open lawn, and by its somewhat antique appearance seems silently,
yet forcibly, to call up the reminiscences of former years. Not far
distant from the church is the cemetery, in which are sleeping the remains
of the venerable men who founded the colony and the church, and many of
their descendants who, one by one, have gone down to the grave to mingle
their ashes with those of their illustrious ancestors.
“Except upon the Sabbath, when the descendants of the Saltzburgers go up
to their temple to worship the God of their fathers, the stillness which
reigns around Ebenezer is seldom broken, save by the warbling of birds,
the occasional transit of a steamer, or the murmurs of the Savannah as it
flows on to lose itself in the ocean. The sighing winds chant melancholy
dirges as they sweep through the lofty pines and cedars which cast their
sombre shades over this ‘deserted village.’ Desolation seems to have
spread over this once-favored spot its withering wing, and here, where
generation after generation grew up and flourished, where the persecuted
and exiled Saltzburgers reared their offspring in the hope that they would
leave a numerous progeny of pious, useful, and prosperous citizens,
and where everything seemed to betoken the establishment of a thrifty
and permanent colony, scarcely anything is to be seen, except the sad
evidences of decay and death.”
II.
FREDERICA.
[Illustration: Plan of the Town of Frederica, on St. Simon’s Island,
Georgia
_J. Bien, Photo. Lith. N. Y._]
“As the Mind of Man cannot form a more exalted Pleasure than what arises
from the Reflexion of having relieved the Distressed; let the Man of
Benevolence, whose Substance enables him to contribute towards this
Undertaking, give a Loose for a little to his Imagination, pass over a few
Years of his Life, and think himself in a Visit to _Georgia_. Let him see
those, who are now a Prey to all the Calamities of Want, who are starving
with Hunger, and seeing their Wives and Children in the same Distress;
expecting likewise every Moment to be thrown into a Dungeon, with the
cutting Anguish that they leave their Families expos’d to the utmost
Necessity and Despair: Let him, I say, see these living under a sober
and orderly Government, settled in Towns, which are rising at Distances
along navigable Rivers: Flocks and Herds in the neighbouring Pastures, and
adjoining to them Plantations of regular Rows of Mulberry-Trees, entwin’d
with Vines, the Branches of which are loaded with Grapes; let him see
Orchards of Oranges, Pomegranates, and Olives; in other Places extended
Fields of Corn, or Flax and Hemp. In short, the whole Face of the Country
chang’d by Agriculture, and Plenty in every Part of it. Let him see the
People all in Employment of various Kinds, Women and Children feeding and
nursing the Silkworms, winding off the Silk, or gathering the Olives; the
Men ploughing and planting their Lands, tending their Cattle, or felling
the Forest, which they burn for Potashes, or square for the Builder; let
him see these in Content and Affluence, and Masters of little Possessions
which they can leave to their Children; and then let him think if they
are not happier than those supported by Charity in Idleness. Let him
reflect that the Produce of their Labour will be so much new Wealth for
his Country, and then let him ask himself, Whether he would exchange the
Satisfaction of having contributed to this, for all the trifling Pleasures
the Money, which he has given, would have purchas’d.
“Of all publick-spirited Actions, perhaps none can claim a Preference to
the Settling of Colonies, as none are in the End more useful.... Whoever
then is a Lover of Liberty will be pleas’d with an Attempt to recover his
fellow Subjects from a State of Misery and Oppression, and fix them in
Happiness and Freedom.
“Whoever is a Lover of his Country will approve of a Method for the
Employment of her Poor, and the Increase of her People and her Trade.
Whoever is a Lover of Mankind will join his wishes to the Success of a
Design so plainly calculated for their Good: Undertaken, and conducted
with so much Disinterestedness.”
By such suggestions did Benjamin Martyn[40] seek to enlist the public
sympathy in behalf of the then projected but not established Colony of
Georgia.
Mr. Oglethorpe, in a contemporaneous publication,[41] had assigned, among
the weightiest reasons for founding the Colony, the ample opportunity
which would be afforded in Georgia for persons reduced to poverty at home
and constituting a positive charge upon the Nation, to be made happy
and prosperous abroad and profitable to England. The conversion of the
Indians, the confirmation of the development and security of Carolina, and
a lucrative trade in silk, rice, cotton, wine, indigo, grain, and lumber,
were enumerated as additional inducements to the enterprize.
On the 9th of June, 1732, his Majesty, George the Second, by Charter,
granted to the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia in America
and their successors, all the Lands and Territories from the most northern
stream of the Savannah river along the sea-coast to the southward unto the
most southern stream of the Alatamaha river, and westward from the heads
of the said rivers respectively in direct lines to the south seas. Not
only the lands lying within these boundaries, but also all islands within
twenty leagues of the coast were, by this Royal feoffment, conveyed “for
the better support of the Colony.”[42]
During the first year of the foundation of the Colony, Mr. Oglethorpe’s
attention was directed to providing for the emigrants suitable homes
at Savannah, Joseph’s Town, Abercorn, and Old Ebenezer, to concluding
necessary treaties of cession and amity with the Natives, and the erection
of a fort on the Great Ogeechee river to command the main passes by which
the Indians had invaded Carolina during the late wars, and afford the
settlers some security against anticipated incursions from the Spaniards.
This fortified post,—as a compliment to his honored patron John, Duke of
Argyle,—was called _Fort Argyle_, and was garrisoned by Captain McPherson
and his detachment of Rangers. At this time no English plantations had
been established south of the Great Ogeechee river. Having confirmed the
Colonists in their occupation of the right bank of the Savannah, and
engaged the friendship of the venerable Indian Chief, Tomo-chi-chi, and
the neighboring Lower Creeks and Uchees, in January, 1734, Mr. Oglethorpe
set out to explore the coast, and determine upon such settlement as
appeared most advantageous for the protection of the southern confines
of the Colony. During a heavy rain on the 26th of that month, he and his
party landed “on the first Albany bluff of St. Simon’s island” and “lay
all night under the shelter of a large live-oak-tree and kept themselves
dry.” This reconnoissance, which was continued as far as the sea-point
of St. Simon’s island, and Jekyll island, convinced Mr. Oglethorpe it
was expedient and necessary for the proper defence of the Colony that
a military station and settlement should be formed, at the earliest
practicable moment, near the mouth of the Alatamaha river; and that, as an
outpost, a strong fort should be built on St. Simon’s island.
This plan was in part compassed in January, 1735, when one hundred and
thirty Highlanders, and fifty women and children, who had been enrolled
for emigration at Inverness and its vicinity, arrived at Savannah, and,
a few days afterwards, were conveyed in periaguas to the southward.
Ascending the Alatamaha river to a point about sixteen miles above St.
Simon’s island, they there landed and entered upon a permanent settlement,
which they called New Inverness. Here they erected a fort,—mounting
four pieces of cannon,—built a guard-house, a store, and a chapel, and
constructed huts for temporary accommodation preparatory to putting up
more substantial structures. These Scots were a brave, hardy people,—just
the men to occupy this advanced position. In their plaids, and with their
broad-swords, targets, and firearms, Oglethorpe says they presented “a
most manly appearance.”
Upon their arrival in Savannah some of the Carolinians endeavored to
dissuade them from going to the southward by telling them that the
Spaniards, from the houses in their fort, would shoot them upon the
spot selected by the Trustees for their future home. Nothing daunted,
these doughty countrymen of Bruce and Wallace responded[43] “we will
beat them out of their fort and shall have houses ready built to live
in.” This valiant spirit found subsequent expression in the effective
military service rendered by these Highlanders during the wars between
the Colonists and the Spaniards, and by their descendants in the primal
struggle for independence. To John Moore McIntosh, Captain Hugh MacKay,
Ensign Charles MacKay, Colonel John McIntosh, General Lachlan McIntosh,
and their gallant followers, Georgia, both as a Colony and a State, owes a
special debt of gratitude.
On the 5th of February, 1735,[44] two hundred and two persons, upon the
Trust’s account, conveyed in the Symond and the _London Merchant_, and
conducted by Oglethorpe in person, arrived at the mouth of the Savannah
river. It was his intention to locate all these emigrants at St. Simon’s
island, but, in compliance with their earnest entreaty, such of them as
were German Lutherans were permitted to join their friends at Ebenezer.
Upon leaving London it was contemplated that the Symond and the London
Merchant should sail directly for Jekyll sound, and land their passengers
at the point where it was proposed that the new town should be located.
The timidity of the captains, however, who, in the absence of experienced
pilots, feared the dangers of an unknown entrance, caused this deviation
in the voyage.
Having engaged the services of fifty Rangers and one hundred workmen, and
having dispatched Captain McPherson with a part of his command to march by
land to the support of the Highlanders on the Alatamaha, Mr. Oglethorpe
who, since his arrival, had been busily occupied in arranging matters at
Savannah and Old Ebenezer, returned to the ships which were still lying in
Tybee roads. Finding their captains unwilling to risk their ships without
having previously acquired a knowledge of the entrance into Jekyll sound,
he bought the cargo of the sloop _Midnight_, which had just arrived, on
condition that it should be at once delivered at Frederica, and with the
understanding that captains Cornish and Thomas should go on board of her,
acquaint themselves with the coast and entrance, and then return and
conduct their vessels to Frederica. During their absence these ships,—the
Symond and the London Merchant,—their cargoes still on board,—were to
remain at anchor at Tybee roads in charge of Francis Moore, who was
appointed keeper of the stores. Mr. Horton and Mr. Tanner, with thirty
single men of the Colony, and cannon, arms, ammunition and entrenching
tools, were ordered to proceed to the southward with the sloop Midnight.
The workmen who had been engaged at Savannah, and Tomo-chi-chi’s Indians
were directed to rendezvous at convenient points whence they might be
transported as occasion required. The sloop sailed for St. Simon’s island
on the morning of the 16th, and at evening of the same day Mr. Oglethorpe
set out in the scout boat to meet the sloop at Jekyll sound. Captain
Hermsdorf, two of the Colony, and some Indians went with him, and Captain
Dunbar accompanied him with his boat. They passed through the inland
channels lying between the outer islands and the main. “Mr. Oglethorpe
being in haste,” says one of the party, “the Men rowed Night and Day, and
had no other Rest than what they got when a Snatch of Wind favoured us.
They were all very willing, though we met with very boisterous Weather....
The Men vied with each other who should be forwardest to please Mr.
Oglethorpe. Indeed he lightened their Fatigue by giving them Refreshments,
which he rather spared from himself than let them want. The Indians seeing
the Men hard laboured, desired to take the Oars, and rowed as well as any
I ever saw, only differing from the others by taking a short and long
Stroke alternately, which they called the Yamasee Stroke.” On the morning
of the 18th they reached St. Simon’s island and found that the sloop had
come in ahead of, and was waiting for them. Mr. Oglethorpe at once set
all hands to work. The tall grass growing upon the bluff at Frederica
was burnt off, a booth was marked out “to hold the stores,—digging the
ground three Foot deep, and throwing up the Earth on each Side by way
of Bank,—and a roof raised upon Crutches with Ridge-pole and Rafters,
nailing small Poles across, and thatching the whole with Palmetto-leaves.
Mr. Oglethorpe afterwards laid out several Booths without digging under
Ground, which were also covered with Palmetto Leaves, to lodge the
Families of the Colony in when they should come up; each of these Booths
was between thirty and forty Foot long, and upwards of twenty Foot
wide.... We all made merry that Evening, having a plentiful Meal of Game
brought in by the Indians.
“On the 19th, in the Morning, Mr. Oglethorpe began to mark out a Fort with
four Bastions, and taught the Men how to dig the Ditch, and raise and turf
the Rampart. This Day and the following Day were spent in finishing the
Houses, and tracing out the Fort.”[45]
Such was the simple beginning of Frederica.[46] Near the town Mr.
Oglethorpe fixed the only home he ever owned in the Province. In its
defence were enlisted his best energies, military skill, and valor.
Brave are the memories of St. Simon’s island. None prouder belong to the
colonial history of Georgia.
Three days afterwards arrived from Savannah a periagua with workmen,
provisions, and cannon, for the new settlement. Captains Cornish and
Thomas returned from the southward to Tybee roads on the 26th and,
although assured of the fact that there was ample water for the conveyance
of their vessels to Frederica, still refused to conduct the Symond and
the London Merchant to the southward. Mr. Oglethorpe was consequently
compelled to consent that their cargoes should be unloaded into the
“_Peter and James_,” which could not carry above one hundred tons, and the
rest transferred in sloops to Savannah for safe storage until such time as
opportunity offered for conveying it to its destination. He was also put
to the great inconvenience of collecting periaguas[47] sufficient for the
transportation of the Colonists.
Much incensed at the conduct of the Captains of the transports, and
inconvenienced by the demurrage consequent upon their timidity, he was
also indignant at the delay thus caused in the consummation of his plans,
annoyed at the additional charges for transfer of passengers and cargo,
and solicitous for the health of the colonists who would be exposed in
open boats, at an inclement season, during the passage from Tybee roads to
Jekyll sound.
It was not until the 2nd of March that the fleet of periaguas and boats,
with the families of the Colonists on board, set out from the mouth of
the Savannah river. Spare oars had been rigged for each boat. With their
assistance,—the men of the Colony rowing with a will,—the voyage to
Frederica was accomplished in five days. Mr. Oglethorpe accompanied them
in his scout-boat, keeping the fleet together, and taking the hindermost
craft in tow. As an incentive to unity of movement, he placed all the
strong beer on board one boat. The rest labored diligently to keep up;
for, if they were not all at the place of rendezvous each night, the tardy
crew lost their ration. Frederica was reached on the 8th, and there was
general joy among the colonists.