Dear Diary

Five daily accounts taken from the 1753 diary

of the Moravian Brethren coming from Bethlehem to the wilds of North Carolina. If you wish to read their diary to their arrival (click here). The continuation of the diary will continue at the date of October 13, 1753.

The following excerpts from the diary were translated from German by Adelaide L. Fries, an archivist at Winston-Salem from 1911 to 1949.

The word "Singstunde" references  A Moravian song service.  

October 7, 1753

At the evening service (”Singstunde“) we were prepared for our journey, received the blessing from our dear Brother, and finally partook together of the “Cup of blessing.” The next morning, that is.

Oct. 8, 1753

We rose early and made ready for our start, our dear Br. Christian Seidel holding morning prayer for us. And so with a feeling of blessing and contentment we set out from our beloved Bethlehem.

We went our way humbly happy over the goodness that the Lamb of God had shown to us poor mortals in His congregation. In the evening we stopped at the Missellimer Mill and remained there over night. 

The people were fairly civil in their entertainment of us though hitherto they have refused to let Brethren stop there. On the way we picked up several pieces of our baggage which had been left by our wagon when it stuck fast and had to be unloaded before it could be pulled out.

Oct. 9, 1753

We arose very early to continue our journey, the Brn. Grube and Kalberlahn going a little in advance. A man came to them inquiring whether any one in the party knew how to let blood, saying that a poor servant lay sick at Uly Hui who had heard of us and begged that we would come to him; we therefore went and Br. Kalberlahn (the Moravian doctor) bled him, for which he was very thankful, and the people declared themselves as being friendly toward us. 

At noon we reached the house of Br. Jac. Müller; he was not at home but his son took us across the Tulpehokke in a canoe, it almost upset but our little boatman held it steady. 

Soon we reached Heidelberg Schoolhouse, and found Br. and Sr. Müller well and glad to see us again and to have us to a meal. There were other Brethren there working on a new hall who rejoiced to greet us once more. 

Toward evening we reached the home of Br. and Sr. G. Lösch, who gave us hearty welcome. The Brn. Merk and Ziegler, who had preceded us thus far with the wagon, related their experiences by the way, that it had taken them four days to reach Tulpehokke, and that they had been obliged to abandon part of the baggage, because it had rained a great deal and the road was very muddy. Before we retired Br. Nathanael conducted a Singstunde, and then we laid ourselves down, as it were, in the arms of Jesus.

Br. Gottlob held morning prayers. Then we had a conference about our wagon, which is several inches too wide, and therefore does not keep in the beaten track. We finally unloaded it and took it to the blacksmith’s shop. The damp articles we dried in the sun. Mother Lösch prepared the necessary provisions for our trip. 

In the evening when our wagon was ready, having been made three inches narrower, we repacked it by moonlight so that we might make an early start nest morning. Br. Gottlob held a sweet Singstunde.

Oct. 11, 1753

We rose early and prepared for our journey. Mother Lösch supplied us bountifully with bread and meat. Then we bade farewell to these dear people. 

At noon we reached our school-house in Quittopehill, and stopped there for lunch. Br. Peter Kucher fed our horses and rejoiced to see us once more. 

As we drove over the millrace bridge it broke in, and it was truly a wonder that our horses and wagon were not thrown into the water; we thanked our Heavenly Father for the escape and for the help of our companions, of which we had great need. 

Br. Gottlob held a sweet Singstunde, and spoke on the text “Walk as the children of light,” referring feelingly to the blessing and joy that can come into the life of a child of God; and then we went peacefully to rest.

Oct. 12, 1753

We rose at four (AM) and after morning prayers had breakfast at five (AM) and set out at six o’clock (AM). 

We had traveled eight miles when suddenly a thick tree fell across our team, giving us a fright; however, the trunk fell just between the horses so that neither the horses nor the man who rode one of them were hurt. This was indeed a marked instance of the protection of our Father, and we thanked Him earnestly and besought His continued care. 

To-day we shot several fawns, partridges and squirrels. In the evening we made our first camp in the forest, one mile from the Susquehannah, by a creek. All busied themselves collecting wood and building a fire. Br. Erich undertook the cooking, and after we had eaten we spread our blankets and lay down to rest. 

We set our first night-watch, — Br. Nathanael took the first two hours, and was followed by Br. Grube, and he by Br. Lösch, and in the future three or four Brethren will watch each night. 

At midnight a drunken Irishman came and laid himself by our fire, but did not disturb us.