The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography

The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XI, No. 4 (Apr., 1904), page 387

On December 26th, in the afternoon, we left. We crossed the "Eschel" [Ashley] River six miles from "Charlestown," passing over a large bridge. We then lodged with an Englishman, who knew Bro. Spangenberg and the brethren in Georgia, having been especially impressed by their singing. On December 27th, we traveled thirty-five miles, crossing on the way the "Panpan [Ponpon]," "Eschelboo" [Ashepoo] and "Comby" [Combahee] rivers. The tavern in which we lodged was very noisy, because three servants, who had run away from Georgia, were captured there. On the 28th, at noon, we came to the "Cussahetschy " [Coosawhatschie] River.* We were very tired on account of the great heat, When we heard that we would not find a house for twelve miles, but only water, we stayed there and rested. On Sunday, the 29th, we passed for the first twelve miles continuously through water, one foot deep, but we reached " Purisburg" [Purysburg].† We visited Melchior Lichtensteger and handed to him the letter of Abr. Bininger. He received us willingly. We stayed with him over night. On December 30th, we visited, early in the morning, Mr. Ehrhard. He was very glad when I told him that I belonged to the Brethren. He regretted very much that the Brethren had left "Purisburg."‡ He accompanied me into the town, and when I took leave his little daughter, ten years old, cried very much. When the father asked her why she cried, she said * This must be the Broad River in Beaufort county, S. C., at which the town Coosawhatschie is now situated. † Purysburg was laid out in 1732 by John Peter Pury, from Switzerland. It was situated on the left bank of Savannah river, twenty miles from the city Savannah. Most of the original settlers were Swiss. Their first pastor was Joseph Bugnion, who, during his stay in England, received Episcopal ordination. See The Reformed Church in Pennsylvania, by Rev. Dr. Dubbs, p. 30. ‡ The stay of the Moravians in Purysburg had not been of long duration. Rev. Peter Boehler and George Schulius removed from Savannah to Purysburg in February, 1739. But Schulius succumbed to the climate and died of fever, August 4, 1739. Towards fall, Peter Boehier left Purysburg and returned to Savannah. See Early History of the Moravians, p. 76, f.