[Walking south with Bros. Schnell and Brandmueller through the Shenandoah Valley]
Nov. 9, continued. When we inquired about the way in an English house, the woman asked us for an English sermon, but we answered that we were German preachers. We stayed overnight with Roger Dayer.
Nov. 10. We had to cross the South Fork several times. Then we came to several German families, where we appointed a sermon for the next Sunday.
On Nov. 11, I was sick. We lodged with Michael Probst. On the next day, I preached. About ten children were present, whose baptism was urgently requested, but I refused as most of the men were away hunting bears. The women complained very much.
Nov. 12. We had great difficulty to find out the way to New River. At night I went to see an Englishman who told me how to go. But he did not want me to return alone, because it was very dangerous on account of the wild beasts. He therefore accompanied me with two dogs to my lodging place. On the way we met a large wolf.
Nov. 13. We started early. A German woman gave us a piece of bread and cheese for our way. A man who traveled our way was of assistance to us as we had no house for twenty miles. Moreover, the forest was very dense and it was difficult to find our way. Today we came to the source of the South Fork, having crossed the water more than thirty times. We had been urged not to go this way without a horse but we were safely through with the aid of the Lamb.
[Note: The Brothers would have been in the extreme southern portion of Pendleton County, West Virginia, at this time.]
In the evening we lodged at an English cabin (this being what they call their houses here). It was very cold but the bear skins upon which we rested and the fire before us kept us warm. We had a piece of bread left, and as the people had none, we divided it with them. They gave us some of their bear meat which can be found in every house in this district.
On Nov. 14, we went on our way with a happy feeling though we had to wade through the water frequently. We stayed with a Welshman overnight but he did not trust us. The next day we engaged him and his horse to take us through the river. On the next day, we traveled with another Welshman who took us twelve times through the river. Traveling was difficult as we crossed high mountains and it rained on us. Furthermore, night overtook us before we reached a house. Fortunately we found a little hut where no one was home. We made fire and dried our clothes but we had to fast as we had nothing to eat.
[Commentary. These dates are before the calendar reform took place in the colonies. Unless the Brothers were using the German calendar, all dates should be advanced eleven days to find the correct time within the year. At this break, the date is November 25, quite late in the year to be traveling on foot. The Moravians observed both the Jewish Sabbath and the Christian Sabbath; hence there may be some confusion in the story as there seem to be too many "days of rest."]
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.