HISTORY OF WACHOVIA IN NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY OF WACHOVIA IN NORTH CAROLINA THE UNITAS FRATRUM OR MORAVIAN CHURCH IN NORTH CAROLINA DURING A CENTURY AND A HALF . 1 752-1902 From the Original German and English Manuscripts and Records in the Wachovia Archives^ Salem^ North Carolina BY JOHN HENRY CLEWELL, Ph.D. NEW YORK DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY 1902 Copyright, 1902, BY DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY. PtfBLisHED March, 1902. NortoDoU 3|res9 J. S. Gushing & Co. — Berwick & Smith Norwood Masa. U.S.A. TO MY WIFE 0lice aHolle Cleiuell THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED LIBRARY IXNIVERDITY OF CALTIP'OR^; SANTA BARBARA PREFACE This history is based chiefly on the original manuscripts and records of the Wachovia Archives, deposited in the building of the Historical Society, Salem, North Carolina. The manuscripts from 1752 to 1854 were written in the German language, and from 1855 to the present time in the English language. There is an unbroken file from the first year, and the value of these documents as a part of the general history of North Carolina and the special history of the Moravian Church in Wachovia cannot be overestimated. The chapters which follow do not attempt to give a full resume of the contents of these valuable papers. The future student of the history of Wachovia will find matter to fill a number of volumes ; biography, religion, educa- tion, adventure, finances, industries, are all treated in the Archive records, and we trust that this book may act as an influence to stimulate further research into the story of Wachovia, which is so rich in historical lore, but which has thus far not been given its proper place in the literature of the State and Church. The task of examining these records was beset with many difficulties. In fact, the writer could not have accomphshed the work of translation had it not been for the interested, able, and tireless assistance of Mrs. Jose- vm PREFACE phine Wurreschke, who has during the past four or five years given much time and effort to deciphering the papers, yellow with age and often in broken fragments. Mrs. Wurreschke's labour was not only that of a scholar and expert, but she was also influenced by the motive which comes from the good which she felt she was doing for the church. Additional sources of information are the following : — "Moravians in North Carolina." Reichel. 1857. " Forsyth County." Fries. 1898. " History of the Moravian Church." Hamilton. 1900. From Mr. James T. Leinback, Treasurer of the Wach- ovia Land Office, were received various documents and maps. Articles and tables have been furnished by Bishop Rondthaler, Miss Emma Lehman, Miss Adelaide Fries, Miss L. C. Shaffner, Mr. C. B. Pfohl. Valuable assist- ance in connection with the preparation and publication of the work has been given by Mr. H. E. Fries, Dr. H. T. Bahnson, Mr. W. S. Pfohl, Dr. J. F. Shaffner, Sr., Mr. J. W. Fries, Mr. Walter H. Page, and other friends, and their interest is thankfully acknowledged. This book has been written with the hope that church and community may be benefited by a study of our early and more recent history, and that it may in an humble way be instrumental in promoting the cause of Christ. J. H. C. Winston-Salem, N.C, 1902. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE Causes which led to the Founding of the Moravian Church in North Carolina i CHAPTER n Spangenberg's Exploration and Surveying Tour . 4 CHAPTER HI Journey of the First Inhabitants of Wachovia from Pennsylvania to North Carolina 13 CHAPTER IV The First Year in Wachovia 20 CHAPTER V Indian Troubles threaten Wachovia, and the Bethabara Fort erected 32 CHAPTER VI Wachovia during the French and Indian War . 44 CHAPTER VII The Founding of Bethania and a Time of Sorrow . 53 CHAPTER VIII Between the Indian War and the American Revolution 72 X TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER IX PAGB Salem founded 84 CHAPTER X Tryon, the Royal Governor, makes Two Memorable Visits to Wachovia 95 CHAPTER XI Wachovia during the Revolution 121 CHAPTER XII Friend and Foe 125 CHAPTER XIII With the Legislature . • 133 CHAPTER XIV "In the very Theatre of the Waji" 161 CHAPTER XV Provincial Affairs 172 CHAPTER XVI The Close of the Century 176 CHAPTER XVII Salem Church built 186 CHAPTER XVIII Salem Female Academy 191 CHAPTER XIX Half a Century iq8 TABLE OF CONTENTS xi CHAPTER XX PAGE Mission Work among the Cherokee Indians . 200 CHAPTER XXI Home Mission Work 204 CHAPTER XXII Winston founded 209 CHAPTER XXIII Transition Period 216 CHAPTER XXIV Salem Female Academy after Fifty Years . 220 CHAPTER XXV The Time of the Civil War 235 CHAPTER XXVI The Decade following the Civil War .... 256 CHAPTER XXVII A New Era 259 CHAPTER XXVIII History of the Water Supply and Fire Protection . 262 CHAPTER XXIX Growth of the Twin City 274 xii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER XXX PAGE Sunday-school Activity 278 CHAPTER XXXI Enlarged Church Work 283 CHAPTER XXXH Two Centennials 290 CHAPTER XXXIII The Moravian Church in Wachovia as it is To-day . 296 PART TWO The Doctrinal Position of the Moravian Church . 301 Historical Sketch of the Moravian Church . 308 Biographical Sketch of the Principals of the Salem Female Academy 317 Lists and Statistics 336 MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS Salem Church Frontispiece PAGE Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg .... Facing 4 Map of Wachovia 11 The First Buildings in Wachovia 19 HoRTUs Medicus 22 Map of Bethabara and Plan of Fort .... 39 Frederick William de Marshall . Facing 86 Congregation House, Salem, 1771 . Facing 90 Proposed Plan for Salem 94 Salem Graveyard Facing 120 Cedar Avenue, Salem Facing 158 Bethabara Church, 1788 Facing 180 First Building of Salem Female Academy, 1805 Facing 196 Evolution of Winston and Salem Corporations. Map . 210 First Forsyth County Court-house, Winston . .212 Second Forsyth County Court-house, Winston Facing 214 In the Park, Salem Academy and College . Facing 218 Main Hall 221 The Dell 223 A Favourite Retreat 225 The Spring 227 On the Hillside 229 A Peaceful Spot 230 xiii XIV MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE A Graduate .... A Corner in Salem Square . • 234 George Frederick Bahnson . Facing 238 Robert William de Schweinitz Facing 250 Emil Adolphus de Schweinitz Facing 260 Edward Rondthaler Facitig 284 Salem Academy and College Facing 294 HISTORY OF WACHOVIA CHAPTER I CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE FOUNDING OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH IN NORTH CAROLINA ^ When the Moravians came to America they were in- fluenced by two motives. The one was to preach the gospel to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania and other colonies, somewhat in the same manner that the Diaspora work was and is now carried on in Europe. The Diaspora work is spiritual work done within the State Church, but without causing a separation from the State Church. Tens of thousands of members of the Lutheran Church in Germany are ministered to in this way by Moravian pastors. A century and a half ago, when the Moravians came to America, the condition of affairs was pitiful. The various little sects were without pastoral oversight, and what was worse, were engaged in bitter struggles with each other. The first object of the Moravians was to preach the pure gospel of love to these neglected and con- tentious inhabitants, and if possible to introduce friendship and harmony into their midst. The second object was missionary work among the Indians. Neither of these objects was fully realized, but the ^ For a brief historical sketch of the Unitas Fratrum or Moravian Church, and also its doctrine, see Part II. 2 HISTORY OF WACHOVIA second, viz. mission work among the Indians, was actively prosecuted both during and after the Indian War. A secondary result of the work in the northern portion of the American colonies was the founding of a number of towns, such as Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Lititz, in Pennsylvania, as distinctive Moravian towns, and these grew and flourished, becoming centres in the further history of the Moravian Church in America. In the meantime certain causes were at work in the Moravian Church in Europe, which tended to bring about the purchase of the large tract of land in North Carolina, later known as "Wachovia." The foreign mission work was growing in importance and called for an outlay of money far beyond the ability of the church to provide, without the aid of friends. Some of their undertakings were not successful, and this occasioned great loss. Then, too, as a result of persecution, misfortune fell to their lot, and notwithstanding liberal gifts on the part of members and friends, the financial troubles about the middle of the eighteenth century were very great. A business enterprise which is temporarily embarrassed is sometimes rescued by placing into the business more capital. So it was deemed advisable to make an effort to enter upon new and enlarged work in the mission fields, and begin a settlement in some section, later to be selected, which by its size and magnitude would strengthen the church, and restore full confidence in the Moravians. This was at a time when noblemen had been given large grants of land in America. These noblemen desired worthy settlers for their possessions. It was hoped that mines would be discovered, the land cultivated, and towns and cities built. The Moravians were well known for their thrift and industry, and Lord Granville made them FOUNDING OF MORAVIAN CHURCH 3 a liberal offer in connection with his North Carolina estates. This offer was carefully considered and later accepted. The general plan of the authorities was to secure a tract of land sufficient in size to permit the building of a cen- tral town in which to locate the administration offices, where trades and industries could be established, educa- tional institutions founded, and which would be a centre for conducting missionary work.