Magdalene briefly describes her childhood growing up in slavery. She was persuaded by her master to move to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She was reluctant at first but eventually found contentment. She received the Lord as her Savior and was baptized in 1748. The brief account was completed by another brother or sister and describes her marriage, her brief illness, and her death at the age of 89.
Rebecca was born in North Carolina and she became the property of Br. and Sr. Kummer. They all moved to Pennsylvania in 1819 with Rebecca's parents' faithful hope for her future and her freedom. She learned how to read. She is described as pious, faithful, and dutiful. She prayed often. The authors describe her short illness and her death at the age of 21.
This narrative of Josua's life was written by another brother or sister. Josua was born in Africa, taken prisoner, and sold as a slave. He ended up in New York and he worked with a brother of the Brethren in Long Island. In 1749, he moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he joined the Single Brothers' House. He was then baptized. He was always grateful, thankful, faithful, and obedient. He died of the pox in 1761.
This short biography was written by another brother or sister. The narrative recounts Thomas' birth in Germany and his arrival in America at the age of 6. He grew up in Pennsylvania, first in Philadelphia and then in Lancaster. He was very impressed and touched by a meeting with Spangenberg. He married and moved to Bethlehem in 1772 where he was well respected and loved. The account describes his very painful illness and his resignation in the Lord. There is another version of the memoir written in German in the pages preceding this account in English.
Susanna Zeisberger recounts her birth in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and her move to Lititz, Pennsylvania, at the age of 16. She was called to a mission to the Indians, along with her husband, where they were attacked and held prisoners. The whole time, her faith was unwavering. She went back to Lititz in 1809. Her memoir ends in 1816 and her last years and final illness are described by a member of her Choir.
This biography was written by another brother or sister. It recounts Marie's birth in Austria and how she was first raised as a Catholic and then a Lutheran. She then moved to Augsburg where she became acquainted with the Brethren. She felt a call to the Gemeine and moved to Herrnhag in 1740. She arrived in Bethlehem in 1742 where she married and worked in the nursery. The author describes Marie's very long and painful illness as well as her unwavering faith until her death.
This short biography was written by another brother or sister. It recounts Thorne's upbringing in the Church of England. Thorne was dissatisfied and left school to follow Wesley. He was then invited by the Brethren in London who sent him to North Ireland for a few years. In 1755, he left for America and died in Bethlehem. The narrative lists all of his children.
In this biography written by another brother or sister (but which includes some of his own words), the author recounts his childhood in Pennsylvania, his strict education, and his particular talent for music. During the Revolutionary War in Bethlehem, he fell into a "licentious state" that resolved after the war. He became a tradesman and a teacher of music. He spent a few years in Hope, New Jersey, and came back to Bethlehem in 1808 to be an organist and a teacher. The author recounts his last years in Bethlehem as well as his final illness.
In his memoir, Strehle recounts his childhood in Germany and the death of his parents. Even as a child, he promised to follow God's plan for him. He became a soldier in 1735 and his faith wavered. In 1737, he experienced a spiritual awakening but he did not have the communal support needed to help him in his faith and he became "dry". His prayers led him to Herrnhag where he was admitted after his military dismissal. In 1749, he received a call to go to Pennsylvania and his memoir stops here. The narrative was completed by another brother or sister. It recounts his life in Bethlehem as a mason and how his faith was strengthened by being a watchman. The account describes his marriage and his last years in Bethlehem.
The account was written by one of Johanna's brother or sister but contains many of her own words from her personal papers. She was raised in Bethlehem first in the Girls' Choir and then in the Single Sisters' Choir. She was a teacher. She was very close to God and always acted with humility and submission. She relied on God for everything. The biography describes her devotion and her unlimited trust in God. The account also describes her illness and her death at the age of 24.
This biography of Anna Rosina Schlegel was written by one of her fellow brother or sister. It recounts her childhood in Bethlehem while her parents were missionaries in the West Indies. She herself went to the West Indies with her husband and then returned to America where her husband died. She always felt that she was led by God and that she was called to follow his plan. She became a teacher in Bethlehem and then entered the Widows' House where she spent her last years.
This memoir by Andrew Schout describes his childhood in Copenhagen and his upbringing as a pious Lutheran. He became a merchant and then a sailor and traveled throughout the world. He had a conversion experience on one of his journeys. He met the Brethren in Amsterdam. The memoir ends in 1746 and another brother or sister completed it by recounting his multiple trips on the Irene with Garrison and the last years of his life in Bethlehem.
This short biography of Mary Elizabeth Ross was written by another brother or sister. It succinctly recounts her upbringing in Bethlehem and it describes her illness and her death at the age of 15.
Rose's memoir was written by a brother in Bethlehem. Rose was raised as a Lutheran in Germany. He had an inclination to come to America since childhood. He arrived in Baltimore in 1758 and worked as a farmer in Maryland. He then became a soldier during the war. He was injured and deserted. He requested permission to stay in Bethlehem, it was first denied and then granted. He experienced an awakening on Good Friday 1765. After a short stay in Salem, North Carolina, he returned to Bethlehem with his wife where he spent his last years.
This memoir was written by another brother or sister. It recounts Rice's childhood in Bethlehem. As an adult, he ran the tavern and then the brewery. He had good business skills but a weak faith. Rice experienced an awakening during his illness and he spent his time in constant prayer while ill.
In his memoir, Johann Friedrich Peter describes his childhood in Holland and in Niesky. He attended the seminary in Barby and joined the Single Brothers' Choir in 1770. In 1779, he was called to Salem, North Carolina. He then served in several congregations like Graceham, Maryland, and Hope, New Jersey. Peter's memoir ends in 1792. Another brother or sister finished it by recounting his last years in Bethlehem where he served with "exemplary faithfulness".
In this memoir, George Nixdorf describes his birth and childhood in Silesia. He was raised by a very pious mother and he remembers the awakening of the children of Silesia in 1708. Later in his life, he met Moravians (including Christian David) in a tavern where he was working. After a much troubled life, he arrived in Herrnhut in 1742. The following year, he and his wife traveled to Pennsylvania serving multiple congregations including Lancaster. The memoir was finished by another brother or sister who describes Nixdorf's unwavering faith and recounts his last years.
The author of this short biography wrote this account of George Niesser's life towards the end of the 19th century. He recounts his birth in Germany then his journeys to first Georgia and then Pennsylvania. He was the pastor of various congregations including Philadelphia where he died in 1784.
In this memoir, Elizabeth Lewis recounts her childhood in England and her awakening when she entered the Sisters' House. She ardently describes her deep faith and the comfort that she finds in her Savior. In 1767, she moved to Herrnhut where she learned German. In 1783, she answered a call to join the Sisters' Choir in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The memoir was finished by another brother of sister who describes her health issues and her last years in Bethlehem.
In this memoir, Otto Christoph (Christian) Krogstrup recounts his birth and pious childhood in Denmark as well as his awakening during his higher education. He also describes his "spiritual birth" as an adult. He was ordained and served congregations in Denmark. But he was dismissed because he wouldn't grant absolution to people who came to him for confession. After 1748, he traveled through Herrnhut, Marienborn, Herrnhag, and Barby. He left in 1753 for America where he served several Moravian congregations. Another brother or sister finishes the memoir recounting his faithful heart and the last years of his ministry and the state of his declining health. Written in calligraphy.
This memoir written by Catherine's daughter recounts Catherine's difficult childhood as she was raised by a conservative Catholic father and a pious (Protestant) mother. Both had to hide their faith and their spiritual longings. Catherine ran away from home in 1725 and moved to Herrnhut where her mother eventually joined her. She and her first husband were called to Georgia where she played an active role in the mission to the Indians. After meeting with Count Zinzendorf, she moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she married for a third time. She became a widow again and spent the rest of her life between Nazareth and Bethlehem, faithfully answering the communities' calls. Written in German calligraphy.
Elizabeth's children describe her Huguenot family ancestry and how they escaped France to finally arrive in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her family was acquainted with Brother Spangenberg and Count Zinzendorf. Elizabeth received a liberal education in Philadelphia and moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania when she was 21, a Moravian community in which she spent the rest of her life. Her children mentioned that she suffered from "nervous affections" and forgetfulness but she never lost her love for her Savior.
This memoir is written in calligraphy by another brother or sister upon Johann Gold's death. It recounts his childhood in Moravia and then Herrnhut as well as his call by the Moravian Church to St. Thomas. The narrator recounts that, for a very long time, Gold was a "bitter enemy" of the Moravian Church. Eventually, the love of the Lord overwhelmed Gold and it took over his life as a missionary.
In his memoir, Nicholas Garrison describes his early years as well as his early experience as a sailor when he was overtaken by sin and lived only an "outward appearance of piety." In his life, he met with prominent Moravians like Brothers Spangenberg and Count Zinzendorf. He recounts his conversion experience as he got close to the Brethren. He also narrates his experience as a prisoner and how he enjoyed the Lord's protection amid the difficult experiences. Garrison was the captain of the Irene that transported Moravian missionaries to and from Europe to America and the Eastern West Indies. He ended his life in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Another brother or sister finished his memoir recounting his last days and remembering his service to the Lord.
John Ettwein's memoir in which he recounts his ancestry, his religious education, his pious childhood, and his conversion experience as a teenager. He talks about his experience in Hernnhut during the Sifting Time. He recounts his travels throughout Germany and England and his call to America in 1754. He talks about his "pilgrimage" throughout his missionary work in 12 states. He highlights his pious devotion and the Lord's protection throughout his life. The memoir is completed by another brother or sister who recounts the last years of his life. Written in German calligraphy.
