Anna in Salem, North Carolina - IIII

Anna was too busy now to see much of the building of her house as much as she would have loved to. She was now head of all the women serving in the meeting hall and had to be at every service. She and her husband were very involved in their services to the congregation. They both were members of the Helpers Conference. The purpose here was not to control but to make sure they had someone in all professions that were needed in the congregation. To have too many of one profession would be bad for these individuals not only the congregation so it helped everyone have a use and finances to get them through life. They helped build up the American frontier with much intelligence and upstanding principles.

When finally the day came Anna and Christian’s house was done they had two separated rooms and a small kitchen add on from the porch and then an attic room and a basement. For two people it was ample Anna felt and Christian kept her fresh water from the spring in the brethren's house. She had a garden spot out back to grow their own vegetables.

Salem was 3000 acres of the almost 100,000 acre Wachovia land purchase. It was a busy place now and Anna was happy there. She was asked by a father and agreed; to take in a young girl named Elizabeth to school there in Salem. She and Christian paid for her schooling but she would be a help and company for Anna when Christian was gone.

Christian had now suffered a second stroke that affected his speech although Anna alone could understand him well enough. She cried and begged him not to leave her alone in this frightening time but he told her God would look after her as He always had. She agreed and laid her head on his hand she had been clinging to. Up until his second stroke Christian had manage to come around some and do some of his duties but now there was little he could do and they were feeling the financial pressure of his decreased wage. Seeing the hardship of this loyal couple the leaders decided he deserved a small monthly salary and it got them through but Christian was failing quickly and no doubt had even a third stroke which not only took his speech but his hearing. He left Anna on December the 30th and was buried on the New Year Day. After his funeral they had a lovefeast for the many who had helped with Christian on his long suffering time. Many came to mourn him.

This winter after Christian died found these settlers really suffering for want of food, especially outside the Salem settlement. They were down to eating grass and roots. The ones in Salem suffered some but usually they were taken care of in all matters even if tribulation seemed a constant.

Anna married her third husband, Casper Heinzmann, a small man of few words and they were off to minister to country folks in Friedland. Anna was proud to do her part. Her house was given to another couple with the understanding she and her husband would always have a room whenever they had cause to return on visits to Salem.

Word came in about the Whigs and Tories and as if the frontier hadn’t enough problems, one might have something to fear from either side. Wagons were robbed of their horses and at Salem soldiers came in drunk with their captain and took all they wanted until one of the brethren shamed them and said they were no better than the Tories. The captain then made them give all back.

The Whig party came about in the 18th century. It supported the great aristocratic families, the Protestant Hanoverian progression and made allowances for the eccentric Protestants, being considered rebels, such as the Presbyterians. Some Tories supported the expatriate Stuart royal family's right to the throne (Jacobinism), and almost all Tories were for the well-known Church of England and the gentry. The Whigs finally drew backing from the developing businesses and wealthy merchants, as the Tories had backing from the powerful royal family. The Whigs were also identified as the "Country Party" while the Tories were the "Court Party".

The Moravian, as always, simply held fast that God would look over them and indeed He seemed to. There at Shallow Ford of the Yadkin these two parties had a skirmish and later at the battle of King’s Mountain and there were some badly wounded men that ended up at Bethabara, besides prisoners and captains holding prisoner in peoples home. The Moravian were much put out for supplying all the demands of these soldiers beyond the feeding and doctoring. They had made it through though and their towns still survived and stood.

There was then another round of trouble that affected Bethania, Bethabara, Salem and now at Friedland. Men came in and had Anna and Casper waiting on them and cooking until all was gone and Anna could no longer stand. They finally left and just as Anna went to lie down more came in and would not believe there was no more and were just preparing to get physical with a sword drawn to Casper when several of the brethren entered, scaring the intruders away.

The Battle of Guilford Court House pulled the large military away from Wachovia being the best for this war worn weary people. All winter it had not snowed and now in mid-April they had a snow storm hurting the rye and killing most of the fruit. Then on May 11 there came a heavy frost ruining the gardens. Replant they did though and the bounty was full! Always it seemed as bad as things would get the Moravian lived upstanding Christian lives and were brought through one tribulation after another.

According to records of Anna by this author Adelaide L. Fries, her new husband called her Catharine. There seems to be more sharing of information as a couple with this husband. She is teaching in their schools, working in the gardens and doing their sewing. They made many trips back to Salem for varying reasons other than communion, and Anna being at least up in her sixties by now seems to be more active than ever. She seemed to have managed only a church business life up until this husband and moving to the country. What I wouldn’t give to know even more. Yet I may have a surprise for many of an event started right here with this group of people that was certainly news to me.

The Moravian are entertaining large groups at Salem and whether by invitation or not they are doing it right. They made chocolate pottery which is apparently a special thing for entertaining. Their leader of twenty years passes away and a new one is elected.

The year 1783 brings about the end to the eight- year Revolutionary War. America and England are finally at peace. The Assembly requests the governor to set this 4^th of July as a special day of thanksgiving. In 1776 Thomas Jefferson signs the Declaration of Independence, yet this year the Moravian ask it become a recognized day of thanksgiving! This is North Carolina and a dedicated Christian group, it appears, to start our 4^th of July holiday.

The first 4^th of July celebration was an elaborate program of hymns, choir anthems and instrumental music. There were several verses written and this is the first one.

Peace is with us, Peace is with us,

People of the Lord

Peace is with us, peace is with us,

Hear the joyful word!

Let it sound from shore to shore,

Let it echo evermore.

Peace is with us, peace is with us,

Peace, the gift of God

They invited neighbors to celebrate with them and although the Governor proclaimed this day to all in this state, if any celebrated it, they had no word of it and so it is pretty safe to say no doubt they were the only ones. Word had a way of traveling then and about any happening was news worthy.

In November, Casper, Anna’s husband awoke feeling dizzy, so laid back down and by seven he had went into his final sleep, in the manner in which he wished.

Anna was asked to stay on and teach the girls and be an advisor to them. The congregation had doubled since she and her husband had been there and many requested she remain.

The tavern and a house burned in Salem and a passerby only yelled the message; so Anna jumped on a horse and hurried to Salem. No one knew the cause and visitors were there that night but no lives were lost, only possessions and grain on the upper floor. Now they must build quickly so that passersby would have a place to stay rather than with differing families as it must be until the tavern was rebuilt. Anna must give up her home even longer which she agreed to quickly. Yet come another year when the tavern was rebuilt Anna returned to Salem and her house, which I thought she just might.

Brother Johannes came to Anna and requested she marry a brother six years her junior for which she informs him she has already been married thrice! She is against it but Brother Johannes reminds her of the oath she took. This man has asked for her by name! Anna is sixty years old! Husband number four.