-
Title
-
Andrew (Ofodobendo Wooma) (1729-1779)
-
Alternative Title
-
Andreas (Ofodobendo Wooma) (1729-1779)
-
translator
-
Dreydoppel, Otto, Jr.
-
Publisher
-
Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
-
Date
-
1779
-
Type
-
Text
-
Format
-
image/jpg
-
Description
-
This Moravian memoir recounts the life of Andrew the Moor, originally named Ofodobendo Wooma, who was born in Africa and sold into slavery before arriving in New York in 1741. After meeting Moravian Brethren while enslaved in New York, he learned about Christianity, taught himself to read, and developed a deep faith in the Savior. He moved to Bethlehem in 1746, was baptized into the Moravian Church, married, raised a family, and lived a faithful and devoted life within the congregation. In his final illness he longed to be united with Christ, and he died peacefully surrounded by the Moravian community.
-
Subject
-
Andrew, 1729-1779
Moravians--Biography
Bethlehem (Pa.)--History--18th century
Enslaved persons--United States--History--18th century
Biographies
-
Source
-
https://www.moravianchurcharchives.findbuch.net/php/main.php#4368526567x11
-
Identifier
-
MemBeth 0257
-
Church Register, Bethlehem, 1756-1801, p. 334
-
Place
-
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
New York City, New York
Iboland, Africa
-
Language
-
German
-
Extent
-
4 pages
-
Rights Holder
-
Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
-
transcript of
-
German transcription:
[Samstag] d. 13tn Mart. 1779
Andrew, der Mohr, war in Ibo in dem unbekannten Theil von
Africa geboren u. da er 8 Tag alt nach Landes Gewohnheit beschnitten.
Sein Name war Ofodobendo Wooma, er wurde jung von einem
Ort zum andern verkaufft, bis er 1741. nach Nyork gekauft wurde,
wo ihn ein Jude kauftte u. York nannte, der wolte ihn nach Madeira ver-
kauffen, dß klagte York einigen Nachbarn, sie sagten sie könnten ihm nicht
helffen, er soll Gott bitten daß Er ihm helffe, er fragte: wie er beten
soll? Sie lernten ihm das Vater Unser. Des abends kniete er wieder u.
sagte: O Herr, unsre Nachbare sagen Du seyest so sehr gut u. gäbest jeder-
mann was er von dir bethet, wenn du mir zu einem guten Meister in
dieser Stadt helffen willst, so will ich dich denn lieb haben. Tages drauf
bat ihn sein Meister den Mr Noble an, denn er schuldig war, er wurde
zu ihm gebracht er refusierte ihn aber weil er zu schwach schien. Dß gechah
zum 2tn Mal, York erzählte es den Nachbarn daß Mr Noble ihn kaufte
wenn er nur stärcker wäre, sie sagten ihm: Es sey kein beßerer
Meister in Nyork als Noble, er soll Gott beten ihn zu disponiren
ihn zu kauffen. York bat denn wieder wie oben und versprach Gott ihn
zu lieben wenn Er es so fügen wolle daß ihn Mr Noble kauffe u. den
anderen Tag wurde er mit einem Andern auf 4 Woche zur Probe
angenommen u. zu Ende derselben von Mr Noble gekaufft. Zu der Zeit
kamen die ersten Brüder nach Nyork u. logierte bey Mr Noble, die sagte
dem York vom Heiland der sein Blut auch für die Neger vergoßen
u. es wurde ihm treue zu thun es zu verstehen: Ob es wahr sey, daß Er
auch ihn lieb habe u. betete fleißig in seiner Cammer, so wie er sah u.
hörte von seinen Meister, der ihn auch in die Schule schickte u. York
lernte innerhalb 6 Monath lesen u. las fleißig im N. Test. u. andern
guten Büchern u. kam in ein gesetzliches Eigenwürde, so daß er einmal
entschloßen war, seinem sündigen Leben selber ein Ende zu machen,
u. da er schon in der Öfnung eines Fensters stund sich hinaus zu
stürzen, so war es ihm: als ob ihn jemand zurückzöge u. er kam
darüber zu sich selbst u. bat Gott um Vergebung seiner Sünden.
D. 9tn Janr 1746 kam er nach Bethlehem wurde d. 15tn Febr. drauf
getaufft u. Mr Noble schenckte ihn dem Br. Spangenberg. 1762. wurde
er verheurathet u. zeugte 3 Kinder die ihn woran gegangen.
Er gieng einem erfreulichen seligen Gang in der Gemeine u. seiner
Gnaden-Wahl war ihm gros u.wichtig In seiner Kranckheit seufzete
er oft; O my dear Saviour come soon & fetch me. Das geschah d. 13tn
Merz abends. D. 16tn wurde er beerdigt.
-
translation of
-
English translation:
Saturday, March 13, 1779
Andrew the Moor was born in Ibo in the unexplored part of Africa and was circumcised when he was 8 days old, according to the local custom. His name was Ofodobendo Wooma and as a child he was sold from one place to another until 1741 when he was shipped to New York where he was named York and bought by a Jew who wanted to sell him in Madeira. York complained about this to several neighbors who told him that they could not help him and that he should ask God for help. He asked how he should pray and they taught him the Lord’s Prayer. That evening he knelt down again and said: "O Lord, our neighbors say that you are very good and that you will give everyone what he requests of you. If You will help me find a good master in this city then I will love You." That day his master offered him to Mr. Noble, in whose debt he was. He [York] was brought to him [Noble], but the latter refused him since he appeared to be too weak. When this occurred a second time, York told the neighbors that Mr. Noble would buy him if he were stronger. They said to him that there was no better master in New York than Mr. Noble and that he should pray to God that he would be disposed to buy him. York then prayed again as above and promised God to love Him if he would arrange it so that Mr. Noble would buy him. The next day he and one other were taken on for a 4 week trial, at the end of which Mr. Noble bought him. At that time the first [Moravian] Brethren came to New York and lodged with Mr. Noble. They told York about the Savior who had shed his blood also for the Negroes [as well as for the whites], and he tried faithfully to understand. Is it true that He also loves him? And he prayed diligently in his room just as he saw and heard his master do, who also sent him to school. Within 6 months York had learned to read and he read diligently in the New Testament and in other good books. He began to think that he had no self-worth and he decided himself to put an end to his sinful life. As he stood in an open window ready to throw himself out he felt as if someone were pulling him back, and thereby he came to himself and asked God for forgiveness of his sins. On the 9th of January 1746 he came to Bethlehem and was baptized on February 15th and Mr. Noble gave him to Br. Spangenberg. In 1762 he was married and produced 3 children who have gone before him [in death]. He lived a pleasant and blessed life [literally: followed a pleasant and blessed course] in the congregation and his election by grace was great and important to him. In his [final] illness he often sighed: "O my dear Saviour come soon & fetch me." That occurred on the 13th of March in the evening. He was buried on the 16th.
MemBeth_0257-Andrew