Items

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  1764 Message by Lieutenant Governor John Penn delivered to the departing Christian Indians through William Logan

  This document is a transcription of a speech prepared by Governor of Pennsylvania John Penn (1729-1795) for the Indians leaving for New York. The message was delivered by William Logan. Penn describes the sorrow and aggravation that each party feels when they kill each other. He promises justice for the Indians killed, offers protection, and proposes for both sides to "bury the hatchet".
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  1763 Petition in the name of John Jacob Schmick, written by Lewis Weiss, to Governor John Penn

  In this petition, missionary John Jacob Schmick asks Governor of Pennsylvania John Penn (1729-1795) for assistance in furnishing supplies to the Indian converts who are under the Brethren's protection. To His Honour the Governor of Pennsa. &c. in Council with the Provincial Commisioners The petiton of John Jacob Schmick Missionary among the Indians Sheweth That as the tender care of this Government for the Indian Families now at the Province Island by the unruly Behaviour of a City Mob has been in some measure disappointed, so that the same Indian Families are in immediate want of fire wood and Provisions which is owing to the remoteness of that placed from the Town and as the Season is daily growing severer it is apprehended it will often be difficult to provide for them in time and that your petitioner intends to go this day to the said Island to consider with the Brethren there in what manner the said Indian Families could be supported during this Winter at the least expense to the public. And Your Petitioner humbly prayeth that Your Honour will give him & his Brethrn leave to lay before Your Honour & to the Board of Commisioners a scheme for that purpose be. And Your petitioners shall ever pray &c. J.J.S. Phil. Nov. 14, 1763.
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  1763 Petition by John Jacob Schmick to Governor John Penn

  Missionary John Jacob Schmick is asking John Penn (1729-1795), Governor of Pennsylvania, to show hospitality in Philadelphia to the newly arriving Indian converts.
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  1763 Letter from Frederick Marshall to Lewis Weiss

  In this letter, Frederick Marshall asks Lewis Weiss for help in finding a place to settle Indian converts as they do not wish to remain living with their tribes nor do they want to settle with White Christians.
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  1763 Petition from Peter Boehler to Governor James Hamilton

  In this letter, Peter Boehler asks Governor Hamilton (1710-1783) for help to protect the Christian Indians from their own tribes but also from the White Christians. Boehler vouches for the good behavior of the Indians living at Nain and Wecquetank. He also asks the governor for protection for the Brethren in the province.
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  1757 Letter to the Governor [William Denny] from the Brethren Residing in the Forks of the Delaware

  The Brethren residing at the forks of the Delaware ask William Denny (who was Governor of Pennsylvania from 1756 to 1759) for authorization and assistance in setting up a watch to protect their settlements and plantations from being attacked by Indians.
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  Clavichord

  This is the oldest known clavichord made in America, as well as the oldest extant instrument made by David Tannenberg and the only one bearing his signature. Tannenberg built this clavichord while he was apprenticing with John Clemm. Tannenberg would later establish himself as an organ builder however this is a stringed keyboard instrument. A clavichord is a simple box that can sit on a table or rest in a stand with legs, as this one does. The sound is produced by striking the strings with a metal tangent attached directly to one end of the key. Construction materials include cherry wood, walnut, and pine. From the collection of the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
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  Spinet

  The bentside spinet was a favorite domestic keyboard instrument in the 1700s since it takes up less room than the harpsichord, is less complicated to maintain, and produces a powerful tone. David Tannenberg, renowned Moravian organ builder of Lititz, Pennsylvania, established his reputation building clavichords and pipe organs. This instrument shows that he was also capable of producing plucked-string instruments. Construction materials include mahogany and coniferous wood. From the collection of the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
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  1756 Letter to Foster Barham from Augustus Spangenberg

  This letter was written by Brother Augustus Spangenberg to Esquire Foster Barham regarding the proper recording of certain deeds in North America.
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  Alto Trombone

  Trombones were used in military bands and by composers throughout the 18th century in Europe, but it was the Moravians who brought the idea to the American colonies. Records from Bethlehem in 1754 mention the first use of trombone choirs, and the Bethlehem Moravians owned the only set of trombones in the colonies until 1765. Trombones did not accompany singing inside the church. Rather, they were used outside, to announce a worship service from the church belfry, or an outdoor balcony. Made of brass, 31 1⁄2” long,with 5” bell. Slide trombone, F, mouthpiece included. From the collection of the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
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  1752 Letter to Rev. Rogers from John Ettwein

  From London, John Ettwein asks Reverend Rogers, who is in North America (either New York or Philadelphia), if he would be the Godfather for his newborn son.
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  1743 Letter to Brother Hagen from John Brownfield

  This is a letter from John Brownfield from Savannah, Georgia, to Brother Hagen of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It is dated January 1, 1743. Brother Brownfield humbly asks Brother Hagen for help as he would like to come back to the Bethlehem congregation.
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  Cittern

  This cittern has 12 strings (6 double courses) a carved head, peg box grated into its neck, and “Juliana D Bader” inscribed in the back of the peg box. Juliana Bader was a single sister in Nazareth and received the cittern from her father, Philip Christian Bader who came to Pennsylvania from Germany in 1751. The cittern is a wire-strung, plucked instrument in the lute/guitar family, popular in Europe during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Made in Germany of curly maple. From the collection of the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
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  Serpent

  This forerunner of a tuba is made of two pieces of wood, hollowed out, bent, glued together, and covered in leather. The brass rods which connect the coils indicate a “marching” version rather than a “concert” version, which has no connecting rods. Pitched at C, this serpent played a bass note. Serpents have been played in Europe dating back to the 16th century. Construction materials include pearwood, leather, brass, and ivory. From the collection of the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
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  Organ

  This instrument was made by David Tannenberg in Lititz, Pennsylvania for the chapel of the Single Brothers' House, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. David Tannenberg has been called the most important organ builder in 18th century America. He lived and worked in the Moravian communities of Bethlehem, Nazareth and Lititz, and he built organs for Moravian, Lutheran and Reformed congregations. Nine Tannenberg organs still survive. On July 25, 1782, General George Washington paid an unexpected visit to Bethlehem. The Moravian records note that he was taken to the chapel of the Single Brothers' House, provided with refreshment, and entertained with music played on the this very organ. Around 1920, this Tanneberg organ was brought to the Whitfield House in Nazareth, PA, where remains on display to this date. The organ is still in playable and largely in its original condition. It was restored in 1997 by R.J. Brunner & Co. Construction materials include white pine, maple, walnut, white cedar, cedar, ebony, fruitwood, ivory, leather, and metal. From the collection of the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
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  Clarinet

  Clarinet made by Heinrich Gottlieb Gütter, c. 1820-47, in Bethlehem, Pa. This clarinet made of boxwood has ebony bands and brass trim. It is stamped "Gutter Bethlehem," with an eagle trefoil. It is pitched in C, which is stamped on each joint. From the collection of the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
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  Clavicytherium (Upright Piano)

  A rare example of an early piano design, this instrument has few alterations and is in excellent condition. Made of North American hardwoods, ebony, brass, leather. Scholars believe it is one of two surviving instruments made by Johann Gottlob Klemm (1690-1762)(Anglicized as John Clemm), the first professional keyboard instrument maker in British colonial America. According to the wood analysis, this instrument was made in America. It is both one of the earliest forms of piano, and one of the earliest piano-type instruments in America. During a smallpox epidemic in 1746, this instrument was brought to the Whitfield House in Nazareth, Pennsylvania to aid in comforting the patients from the girls' school who were being attended to there. The principal, John Christopher Pyrlaeus, thought that music would raise the spirits of those students affected by the smallpox epidemic. It reportedly has been in the building—now the Moravian Historical Society—since that time. It is not known whether the instrument was made in Germany and brought to America by the Moravians, or whether it was made in the American colonies. Fewer than ten of these instruments can be found today in the United States. Unknown maker and date. From the collection of the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
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  Bass Trombone

  E flat bass trombone marked "G.W. Voight, Jr. Markneukirchen Sachsen". Made of brass with nickel silver mounts, 54 1⁄4” long, 10” bell. The handle attached to the slide of this trombone, allowed the player to extend the slide farther than an arm could reach to create low notes. Dates made is unknown. From the collection of the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
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  Violin

  This is the earliest known extant American violin. It was made by the versatile, American-born, John Antes (1740-1811) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It shows characteristics of Saxon violins of which he was familiar. With no master instrument maker to train him, Antes copied what he saw and improved his trade through ingenuity and necessity. In addition to being America’s first luthier, Antes was also a composer and a Moravian missionary. Raised in Moravian schools, Antes showed early promise as a musician, and also as an instrument maker. The only known Antes instruments which survive, however, are this violin made in 1759, and a viola made in 1764 (now in the collection of the Lititz Moravian Archives). A cello which he made in 1764 is thought to be in the Moravian Church collection in Gnadenhutten, Ohio. Antes was contracted to make a set of instruments for Lititz, Pennsylvania. The only known Antes instruments which survive, however, are this violin made in 1759, and a viola made in 1764 (now in the collection of the Lititz Moravian Archives). A cello which he made in 1764 is thought to be in the Moravian Church collection in Gnadenhutten, Ohio. This piece, made of maple, walnut, and ebony was restored by C.F Martin & Co., 1954, and by the Smithsonian Institute, 1967.
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  Tschoop: The Converted Indian Chief.

  Tschoop: The Converted Indian Chief is a book written in 1842 by the American Sunday School Union. The book tells the story of Tschoop, a Native American chief who converted to Christianity in the mid-18th century. The book follows Tschoop's life, from his early days as a hunter and warrior to his conversion to Christianity and his eventual role as a missionary to his own people. The book also explores the challenges and struggles that Tschoop faced as a Christian Native American, including discrimination and mistrust from both his own people and the white settlers who were colonizing their land. Digitized from text held by the Reeves Library, Moravian University & Theological Seminary, 2000.
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  Joseph Oerter (1764-1841)

  This is the notification in the church register of the death of Joseph Oerter, which occurred in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1841. The entry contains a biography. German transcription: Joseph Oerter, ein verwitw. Brüder. Er war geboren hier in Bethlehem, d. 25tn July, 1764. Seine Eltern waren Christian Friederich u. Anna Oerter, geb. Boolen. Er erlernte zuerst die Sattler Profession, u. spaterhin die Buchbindery. Auf letzterem Geschäft etablierte er sich, u. trat in den Ehestand mit der led. Schwr mit der led. Schwr Maria Justine Hasse, den 16tn July, 1793. In dieser Ehe schinkte ihnen Gott 4 Kinder, davon 3, neml. 2 Söhne u. 1 Tochter noch am Leben sind. viz. 1, der verh. Br. John Oerter, Buchbinder allhier 2, der verh. Br. Lorenz Oerter, Missionar in West Indien 3, die verwitw. Schwr Lydia Rice, geb. Oerter Von 11 Enkelkindern, sind noch 7 am Leben. den 21st. Juni, 1818 wurde er in den Witwerstand versetzt Seit schon 30 Jahren litt er an rheumetischen Beschwerden olt sehr schmerzlich, genoß aber in der Zwischenzeit gute Ge- sundheit. Am 17tn dieses Monats wurde er von einem hitzigen Fieber befallen, trug sein Leiden mit xxxischer Geduld u. Ergebenheit in dem Willen des HErrn, u. entschlief ganz sanft mit dem Segen des Hl. u. der Gemeine, am [Samstag], d. 24tn um 3 Uhr P M. seines alters 76 J 9 M. weniger 1 Tag. English translation: Joseph Oerter, a widowed Brother. He was born here in Bethlehem on the 25th of July, 1764. His parents were Christian Frederich and Anna Oerter, born Boolen. He first learned the saddler’s trade and then later bookbinding. He established himself in the latter business and entered into the state of marriage with the Single Sister Maria Justine Hasse on the 16th of July, 1793. In this marriage God granted them 4 children, of which three, namely 2 sons and 1 daughter, are still alive, viz., 1. the Married Brother John Oerter, bookbinder here; 2.the Married Brother Lorenz Oerter, a missionary in the West Indies; 3. the Widowed Sister Lydia Rice, born Oerter. Of 11 grandchildren, 7 are still living. On June 21, 1818 he became a widower. For the last 30 years he has suffered from rheumatic troubles, often very painful, but in the mean time he has enjoyed good health. On the 17th of this month he was stricken with a high fever, bore his suffering with christian patience and resignation to the will of the Lord, and fell asleep [died] quite peacefully with the blessing of the Savior and of the congregation on Saturday the 24th at 3 o’clock P.M. at the age of 76 years and 9 months, less 1 day.
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  Philadelphia Burials of Moravian Indians in 1764

  This is an itemized list of the names of the Moravian Indians of Philadelphia who were buried in 1764.
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  Eleonora Elisabeth von Seidlitz (1724-1789)

  This is the notification in the church register of the death of Eleonora Elisabeth von Seidlitz, which occurred in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1789. The entry contains a biography. German transcription: Eleonora Elisabeth v. Seidliz, eine ledige Schwester und ehe malige Vorsteherin des Chores, war geboren 1724 d. 7tn Februar zu Rackau ohnweit Breslau in Schlesien. Ihr Vater war Joachim Friedrich von Seidliz und ihr Mutter Sophia Elisabeth v. Bibran. Im 10tn Jahre ihres Lebens verstarb ihr Vater und hinterließ ausser ihr noch 6 Kinder. Die Mutter heyrathete ao. 1736 einen Baron v. Seidliz auf Conradswaldau, der aber das Vermögen der Kinder meist durchbrachte. Ihre Oncles sonderl. der alte Herr v. Seidliz nahm sich der Kinder väterlich an, u. diese kamen nach und nach zur Gemeine nach Gnadenfrey. Die sel. Schw. Elisabeth und ihre Schw. Sophia kamen am 5tn Oct. 1743 da an. Sie, Elisabeth wurde am 27tn Sept. 1744, nachdem sie sich hatte kennen lernen und Glauben zum Heiland gefaßt, eine Mitgenossin beim Heil. AMhl mit der Gemeine, wurde nachher Vorgesetzte und Mitarbeiterin dasiger ledigen Schwestern, mit denen sie 1748 d. 2tn Jan. das neue Chor- haus bezog. Ao. 1750 kam sie nach London, und ao. 52. als Arbei- terin des Mädgen-Chores nach Fullneck, ao. 54. wieder als Vor- steherin der led. Schwn Oeconomie nach London, nachdem sie vor- her am 11tn Dec. in Lindseyhouse zum Diaconisse eingesegnet worden. Ao. 1761 kam sie als Arbeiterin der led. Schwn nach Ockbrook und 1763 nach Pennsylvanian als Vorsteherin des led. Schwn Chores allhier, wo sie mit Capt. Jacobsens Schiff am 4tn Nov. ankam. Sie wurde d. 7tn Nov. vorgestellt, welches Amt sie bis im July 1781 mit Treue bekleidet, da sie ihrer Kräncklichkeit wegen durch die Schw. Anna v. Marschall in ihrem Amt abgelöst wurde. Ihre Brustbeschwerden, die mit Blut Auswurf ver- bunden waren, continuierten, bis sie am abgemeldeten Tage Morgens 3/4 auf 4 Uhr das Ende aller Noth erreichte ihres Alters 65 Jahr u. 16 Tage. English translation: Eleonora Elisabeth v. Seidliz, an unmarried sister and former warden of the [Single Sisters’] Choir, was born in 1724 on the 7th of February at Rackau, not far from Breslau in Silesia. Her father was Joachim Friedrich von Seidliz and her mother was Sophia Elisabeth v. Bibran. In the 10th year of her life her father died, leaving 6 children besides her. In the year 1736 the mother married a Baron v. Seidliz from Conradswaldau. He, however, went through most of the children’s fortune. Their uncles, especially, the old Mr. v. Seidliz, acted as fathers to the children, and gradually the latter came to the [Moravian] congregation at Gnadenfrey. The departed Sister Elisabeth and her sister Sophia arrived there on October 5, 1743. She, Elisabeth, became a participant in the Holy Communion with the congregation on September 27, 1744, after she had learned to know herself and had accepted faith in the Savior. Thereafter she became the superior and [pastoral] coworker of the Single Sisters there, and on January 2, 1748 she moved into the new choir house with them. In the year 1750 she went to London, and in the year 52 to Fulneck as worker in the Older Girls’ Choir. She returned to London in the year 54 to be the warden of the Single Sisters’ Economy after she had previously been consecrated a deaconess at Lindsey House. In the year 1761 she went to Ockbrook as worker with the Single Sisters and in 1763 to Pennsylvania as warden of the Single Sisters’ Choir here. She arrived with Capt. Jacobsen’s ship on November 4th. She was installed in office on November 7th and carried it out faithfully until 1781 when, because of her ill health, she was relieved by Sr. Anna v. Marschall. Her chest pains, which were accompanied by coughing up blood, continued until, on the above-mentioned day at 3:45 in the morning, she reached the end of all her distress. Her age was 65 years and 16 days.
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  Tschoop (aka Johannes) (d. 1746)

  This is the death notification in the church register for Tschoop, aka Johannes, which occurred in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1746. The entry contains a short biography.
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  David Tanneberger Sr. (1696-1760)

  This is the death notification in the church register for David Tanneberger Sr., which occurred in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1760. The entry contains a biography.