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to the Moravian tract； which Johnson surveyed； the Moravians acting as
chain…carriers。Spangenberg was much pleased with the tract。 It had a half
mile frontage on the Ogeechee； extended two miles back into the forest；
and gave a good variety of land； some low and damp for the cultivation of
rice； sandy soil covered with grass for pasturage； and dry uplands suitable
for corn and vegetables。A rapid stream furnished an abundance of pure
water； and site for a mill； while the thick growth of timber guaranteed a
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supply of material for houses and boats。Near the river rose a high hill；
where it had once been the intention to build a fort； and a house had really
been erected。This the Indians burned； and later another site had been
chosen for Fort Argyle； but the place retained the name of 〃Old Fort〃； and
the hill would serve as the location for the Moravian dwelling。
Indian tribes which were friendly to the English lived at no great
distance； and the trail to Savannah and Ebenezer led directly by Old Fort；
while the opening of two roads would bring both those towns within a four
hour's ride of the settlement。
Well content； therefore； with their new acquisition； the Moravians
returned to Fort Argyle； whence Johnson rode back to Savannah； leaving
them to follow with the boat。At the mouth of the Ogeechee they
encountered a severe storm； against which they could make little headway；
try as they would。 Their anchor was too light to hold against the current；
and there was a marsh on one bank and rocks on the other； but at last； after
night…fall； in the face of a terrific thunder storm； they forced their way to a
place where they could land； and where they passed the rest of the night；
enduring as best they could the heavy rain； and the attack of insects；
against neither of which they were able to protect themselves。〃This place
takes its name； ‘Rotten…possum'； from an animal frequently found
here； which they call a Possum。I am told that it has a double belly； and that
if pursued it puts its young into one belly； runs up a tree until it reaches a
limb； springs out on that until it is among the leaves； and then lays itself
across the branch with one belly on each side； and so hides itself； and
saves its life！〃 The rest of the journey was uneventful； and on Friday
morning； September 2nd； they reached Savannah； having been absent ten
days。
It seems a great pity that the Moravians were unable to establish
themselves on this tract； where their industry would soon have made an
oasis in the wilderness； but one thing after the other interfered； and the
〃second company〃 which arrived early in the following year； found them
still at Savannah。
In Savannah matters moved toward a fair degree of prosperity for the
Moravians。About four acres of Spangenberg's garden were cleared in time
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The Moravians in Georgia
for the first summer's crop of corn； which yielded them sixty bushels。They
also raised some beans； which came to maturity at a time when provisions
and funds were very low； so helping them greatly。
The two farm lots were laid out during the summer； Spangenberg
assisting with the survey。By the close of the year twenty…six acres had
been cleared； on the uplands this meant the felling of trees； and gradual
removal of stumps as time permitted； but on the rice lands it meant far
more。The great reeds； ten to twelve feet high； grew so thick that a man
could scarcely set foot between them； and in cutting them down it was
necessary to go 〃knee…deep〃 below the surface of the ground； and then the
roots were so intertwined that it was difficult to pull them out。
Every acre of land that was cleared and planted had to be securely
fenced in； for cattle roamed in the woods； and ruined unprotected crops。
Indeed； the colonists in Georgia derived little benefit from their cattle；
which ran at large； and when a few were wanted for beef or for domestic
purposes； they were hunted and driven in。 The Moravians had to wait until
midsummer before they could get their allotment； and then they received a
cow and calf； six hogs and five pigs； with the promise of more。Before the
others came the cows had again escaped to the woods； and the swine had
been drowned！
In July Spangenberg wrote to Herrnhut that he had given his fifty acres
of land； including the town lot； to the Moravian Congregation at Savannah；
and that he would at once apply to the Trustees to vest the title in that body；
and if he left Georgia before this was accomplished he would give a full
Power of Attorney to Toeltschig。 From the first his land had been used as
the common property of the party； and he desired that the nine men； who；
with him； were bound to the repayment of the 60 Pounds； borrowed from
the Trustees； should have the use of it until that obligation was met； and
then it should be used as the Savannah Congregation thought best。
Nitschmann's land seems to have been held in a different way；
although granted at the same time； and under similar circumstances。 July
11th； Spangenberg sent him a detailed description of the town and garden
lots； explaining the advantages and difficulties of cultivation； suggesting
several methods by which it could be done； and giving the approximate
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cost； urging that instructions be sent as to his wishes。Later he wrote that
the company had decided not to wait for Nitschmann's reply； but to clear
the garden on the terms usual in Georgia； e。g。； that the man who cleared a
piece of ground held it rent free for seven years； when it reverted to the
owner。 This had been done； and the garden was ready to plant and fence；
and if Nitschmann approved they intended to clear the farm； and would
build a small house on the town lot。Zinzendorf had suggested that negroes
be employed on Nitschmann's land； but at that time slavery was prohibited
in Georgia； and any negroes who ran away from Carolina were at once
returned to their masters。
The two farms lay side by side ab