After this conference, and upon Mr. Oglethorpe's return to Savannah, the question of a change of location was again considered by the Saltzburgers, who resolved among themselves that a removal was essential to the prosperity of their colony.* Acting upon this determination the community, without delay, set about migrating to the site selected for the new town. This was on a high ridge, near the Savannah river, called "Red Bluff" from the peculiar color of the soil. It received the name of New Ebenezer; and, to the simple-minded Germans, oppressed by poverty and saddened by the disappointments of the past, seemed to offer future happiness and much coveted prosperity. The labor of removal appears to have been compassed within less than two years. In June, 1738, Old Ebenezer had degenerated into a cow-pen, where Joseph Barker resided and "had the care of the Trust's Cattle." William Stephens gives us a pitiable view of the abandoned spot when he vis

of February, wrote as follows: "The people at Ebenezer are very discontented and Mr. Von Reck and they that come with him, refuse to settle to the Southward. I was forced to go to Ebenezer to quiet things there and have taken all the proceedings in writing. Finding the people were only ignorant and obstinate, but without any ill intention, I consented to the changing of their Town. They leave a sweet place where they had made great improvements, to go into a wood."*

*Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, vol. III. p. 13. Savannah, 1873. Compare Harris' Biographical Memorials of Oglethorpe, pp. 130, 132. Boston, 1841. Wright's Memoir of Oglethorpe, p. 113. London, 1867.

* Strobel's Saltzburgers and their Descendants, p. 89. Baltimore, 1855.

Reverend Mr. John Wesley, writing in 1737, records in his Journal the following description of this abandoned settlement: "Old Ebenezer, where the Saltzburghers settled at first, lies twenty-five miles west of Savannah. A small Creek runs by the Town, down to the River, and many Brooks run between the little Hills: But the soil is a hungry, barren sand; and upon any sudden Shower, the Brooks rise several Feet perpendicular, and overflow whatever is near them. Since the Saltzburghers remov'd, two English Families have been placed there; but these too say, That the Land is good for nothing; and that the Creek is of little Use; it being by Water twenty miles to the River; and the Water generally so low in Summer-time, that a Boat cannot come within six or sevem miles of the Town."

*An Extract of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley's Journal, &c., &c., pp. 59, 60. Bristol, n. d.

ited it on the 26th of that month:-Indian traders, returning from Savannah, lodging for the night with Barker, who was unable to give due account of the cattle under his charge, and a servant, Sommers, moving about with "the SmallPox out full upon him."* Thus early did "Old Ebenezer" take its silent place among the lost towns of Georgia. Its life of trials and sorrow, of ill-founded hope and sure disappointment, was measured by scarcely more than two years, and its frail memories were speedily lost amid the sighs and the shadows of the monotonous pines which environed the place.

The situation of the new Town, Mr. Strobel says, was quite romantic. "On the east lay the Savannah with its broad, smooth surface and its every varying and beautiful scenery. On the south was a stream, then called Little Creek, but now known as Lockner's Creek, and a large lake called Neidlinger's Sea;' while to the north, not very distant from the the town, was to be seen their old acquaintance, Ebenezer Creek, sluggishly winding its way to mingle with the waters of the Savannah. The surrounding country was gently undulating and covered with a fine growth of forest trees, while the jessamine, the woodbine and the beautiful azalia, with its variety of gaudy colors, added a peculiar richness to the picturesque scene. But unfortunately for the permanent prosperity of the town, it was surrounded on

*Journal of the Proceedings in Georgia, vol. 1, pp. 226, 227. London, 1742.

In 1740 this Cow-Pen was still in existence at Old Ebenezer, the Trustees having a great number of cattle there. But," continues the narrative, "they were much neglected, there not being Horses or Men sufficient to drive up the young and outlying cattle."*

*A State of the Province attested upon Oath in the Court of Savannah, November 10, 1740, p. 9. London, 1742.

Compare An Impartial Enquiry into the State and Utility of the Province of Georgia, p. 48. London, 1741.

Harris' Complete Collection of Voyages and Travels, &c., vol. II, p. 337. London, 1748.

three sides by low swamps which were subject to periodical inundation, and consequently generated a poisonous miasma prejudical to the health of the inhabitants."*

The plan adopted in laying out the town was prescribed by General Oglethorpe, and closely resembles that of Savannah-the size of the lots and the width of the streets and lanes being in each case quite similar. To John Gerar, William DeBrahm, his Majesty's Surveyor General for the Southern District of North America, who in 1757 erected a fort at Ebenezer, are we indebted for an accurate plan of that town. As the village increased, this plan was extended; its distinctive characteristics being retained. From contemporaneous notices we learn that New Ebenezer, within a short time after its settlement, gave manifest token of substantial growth and prosperity. The houses there erected were larger and more comfortable than those which had been built in the old town. Gardens and farms were cleared, enclosed, and brought under creditable cultivation, and the sedate, religious inhabitants enjoyed the fruits of their industry and economy.

Funds received from Germany for that purpose were employed in the erection of an Orphan House, in which, for lack of a Church, the community worshipped for several

years.

We presume the account of the condition of Ebenezer in 1738-9, furnished by Benjamin Martyn, is as interesting and reliable as any that can be suggested. It is as follows: "Fifteen miles from Purysburg on the Georgia side, is Ebenezer, where the Saltzburghers are situated; their Houses are

* Strobel's Saltzburgers and their Descendants, p. 91. Baltimore, 1855.

+ History of the Province of Georgia, &c., Plan facing p. 24. Wormsloe, 1849.

‡ An Impartial Enquiry into the State and Utility of the Province of Georgia, p. 47. London, 1741.

neat, and regularly set out in Streets, and the whole Economy of their town, under the Influence of their Ministers, Mess. Bolzius and Gronau, is very exemplary. For the Benefit of their Milch Cattle, a Herdsman is appointed to attend them in the Woods all the Day, and bring them Home in the Evening. Their Stock of out-lying Cattle is also under the Care of two other Herdsmen, who attend them in their Feeding in the Day, and drive them into Cow-Pens at night. This secures the Owners from any Loss, and the Herdsmen are paid by a small Contribution among the People. These are very industrious, and subsist comfortably by their Labour. Though there is no regular Court of Justice, as they live in Sobriety, they maintain great Order and Decency. In case of any Differences, the Minister calls three or four of the most prudent Elders together, who in a summary Way hear and determine as they think just, and the Parties always acquiesce with Content in their Judgment. They are very regular in their public Worship, which is on Week-Days in the Evening

Another contemporaneous account is almost identical; "On the Georgia side [of the Savannah river], twelve miles from Purysburg, is the Town of Ebenezer, which thrives very much; there are very good Houses built for each of the Ministers, and an Orphan House; and they have partly framed Houses and partly Huts, neatly built, and formed into regular streets; they have a great deal of Cattle and Corn-Ground, so that they sell Provisions at Savannah; for they raise much more than they can consume."*

*A State of the Province of Georgia attested upon Oath in the Court of Savannah, November 10, 1740, p. 5, London, 1742. See also idem, pp. 29, 31. An Impartial Enquiry into the State and Utility of the Province of Georgia." p. 13. London, 1741. Compare Harris' Complete Collection of Voyages and Travels, &c., vol. II, p. 337. London, 1748.

The Rev. Mr. John Wesley's description is as follows: "New Ebenezer, to which the Saltzburghers removed in March, 1736, lies six Miles Eastward from the Old, on a high bluff, near the Savannah River. Here are some Tracts of Fruitful Land, tho' the greatest Part of that adjoining to the Town, is Pine-barren. The Huts, 60 in number, are neatly and regularly built; the little Piece of Ground allotted to each for a Garden, is everywhere put to the best Use, no spot being left unplanted. Nay, even one of the main Streets, being one more than was as yet wanted, bore them this year a crop of Indian Corn."

An Extract of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley's Journal, &c., p. 60.

Bristol, n. d.

after their Work; and in the Forenoon and Evening on Sundays. They have built a large and convenient House for the Reception of Orphans, and other poor Children, who are maintained by Benefactions among the People, are well taken Care of and taught to work according as their Age and Ability will permit. The Number computed by Mr. Bolzius in June, 1738, whereof his Congregation consisted, was one hundred forty-six, and some more have since been settled among them. They are all in general so well pleased with their condition, that not one of their People has abandoned the Settlement."

General Oglethorpe received a letter, dated Ebenezer, March 13, 1739, signed by forty-nine men of the Saltzbur gers and verified by their Ministers, in which they assured him that they were well settled and pleased with the climate and condition of the country; that although the season was hotter than that of their native land, having become accustomed to it, they found it tolerable and convenient for working people; and that their custom was to commence their out-door labor early in the morning and continue it until ten o'clock; resuming it again from three in the afternoon until sun-set. During the heated term of mid-day, matters within their houses engaged their attention. The General was also informed that they had practically demonstrated the falsity of the tale told them on their arrival that rice could be cultivated only by negroes. “We laugh at such a Talking," so they wrote, "seeing that several People of us have had, in last Harvest, a greater Crop of Rice than they wanted for their own Consumption. Of Corn, Pease, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Cabbage, &c., we had such a good Quantity that many Bushels are sold, and much was spent in feeding Cows, Calves and Hogs." The letter