A Moravian brother ... Watercolor

Retire the conch shell and ring the bell

"In the future, instead of blowing (the conch shell) the bell shall be rung in the morning at 7, then about 1130, and in the evening about sunset, though not later than 7 o'clock in the summer.

Brother Koffler will take charge of this, and for the present assistance will be those who wait on the table in the brothers house.

The ringing of the bell shall be with only two strokes, as the sound will be more distinct, and all can more easily do it. Before preaching, and other solemn public meetings, the bell shall be rung somewhat longer, with one pause." -- 27 April 1772 - from Salem.

"Our bell for Salem, which we had made in Bethlehem (PA), arrived at last during the Passion Week, and immediately after Easter it was set up ..." 

"The bell weighed 275 lbs. and can be heard from one end of the town to the other" -- From the Salem Diary, April 25, 1772

Quotes from the Salem Tavern kitchen - #1

"The Elders Conference gave approval and consent giving Brother Blum permission for the adaption and arrangement of a side building to the tavern - now used as a woodshed - for a bakery, laundry, and smokehouse, now done in the kitchen but for lack of room and the addition to be built to the tavern we can no longer be done there." August 7, 1811

Quotes from the Salem Tavern kitchen - #2

"Moreover, we considered that the tavern keepers would feel a great relief if they would be enabled to open up a separate dining room, and thus win more space. Therefore, it was also found necessary that the kitchen is enlarged in such a manner that more people than before well have room to help and to cook." June 26, 1811

Quotes from the Salem Tavern kitchen - #3

"Brother Elrod reports that he needed and has secured a negress as cook. 

Several matters were discussed for the improvement of the Tavern namely, (1) plenty of fouls must be kept on hand, so that they could be served at each meal, also pickles, and other small items. (2) That the rooms should be supplied with good crockery ware and proper mirrors and in general with good furniture; and that a sufficient number of  silver teaspoons should be procured. (3) That the house (tavern) should be kept as clean as possible, and that Brother Elrod should have his servants attend to it properly, as it is impossible for him to do everything by himself."   July 17, 1804

Quotes from the Salem Tavern kitchen - #4

"In our Salem Tavern a change is to be made, namely, that our kitchen is not to be a public place for strangers (non-Moravians) as at present. 

Also the family yard and outhouse is to be separated from the public yard and outhouse. This matter is to be arranged in the Aufseher Collegium ..." (Elder's Conference)", November 21, 1774.

The Levering House

The Levering House 1820 

Old Salem, NC

Charles Joseph Levering was born in 1795 and moved to Salem from Lititz, Pennsylvania to work as a barkeeper at the tavern. However, within two years, he began tailoring. In 1819, Levering was granted this lot and his plans for the house were approved. Levering married Ruth Montgomery Rea in 1820, the same year the house was completed. 

The legacy of Rebecca Protten - Part One

Born a slave in 1718.

Kidnapped at an early age from Antigua;
Converted by her master to Christianity.

Gained her freedom and received a calling by God to bring others to Jesus.

A Moravian missionary in Saint Thomas assisted her in the faith and said about her that she "was very accomplished in the teaching of God."

She worked among and with the Moravians and was instrumental in the conversions of thousands of people, particularly slaves.

(Continued in next post)

The legacy of Rebecca Protten - Part Two

We continue our look into the life and missionary work of Rebecca Protten. 

Freidrich Martin, a German Moravian missionary mentored Rebecca. About her he wrote: "I have found nothing in her other than a love of God and his servants ... she has done the work of the Savior by teaching the Negro women and speaking about that which the Holy Spirit himself has shown her."

Rebecca went to the people that included: cane boilers, weavers, domestic servants and cotton pickers. But the people also came to her night meetings. Those who came were opposed to black men and women attending. Yet, they came.

She married a Moravian missionary and traveled back to Germany where her husband and daughter died. There she continued her tireless ministry.

She remarried and moved to Africa to found a school. 

Her course ended in Africa. 

The adventures of Brother Lung

4 April, 1772 - "Today there was an unfortunate occurrence, for as Brother Lung was putting the crupper on his horse the animal kicked him in the chest, so that he vomited much blood ... we bled him twice." 

28 September -  Brother Lung had an attack of colic.

24 October, 1772 - Brother Lung gave a breakfast to his Brethren, it being his 60th birthday anniversary. They rejoiced with him, and thanked the Savior for the grace bestowed upon him this year, and especially for two escapes when his life was in danger - Brother Graff composed a little poem for him." --The Bethabara Diary.

3 June 1772 - "We hear from Bethabara that last night a thief went through all the small houses behind the Brother's House there, but so as is known only Brother Lung's old gun and a few small articles were taken." -- Diary of the Salem Congregation

A 1790's inventory of the Tavern-keepers office and parlor

• Cash box 
• Shotgun

Personal furniture and large items

• Secretary
• One armchair
• One pair fire dogs
• Shovel and tongs
• One set of money scales
• One table for dining possibly Walnut 
• 4 to 6 chairs for the table
• One corner cupboard for tableware and linens
• Tablecloths-two

Small personal items of the Tavern-keeper

• 4 to 6 plates, tea cups, knives and forks, several serving bowls
• Two candlesticks and snuffer
• Account book-leather bound
• Pens and ink well
• Loose paper
• Map of Stokes County dated 1790 
• Law books related to the tavern keepers duties as Justice of the Peace