Journal of the Commission - 1752

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Journal of the Commission of the Brethren in Bethlehem began 7th February 1752.

Friday 7th February 1752

Present:
David Bischoff	the Commission
John Bechtel
Jasper Payne

Fred:k Ern:t Hermann - Assessors
Gottlieb Pezold

1st      Agreed That B.r Gattermeyer be Night-Watcher of our Congregation.—He being sent or appeared amongst us: it was proposed to him, he accepted the same & we heartily accompanied him with our Blessing.

2nd      As Bro. & Sis. Zangerhaussen have for some Time past given too much Cause to
suspect they had enticed Single Brethren to frequent their House & we fear it may hereafter have some ill Effect, therefore Br. Brandmüller being having some Knowledge of the Matter, we sent for him & he said that several Single Breth:n have in Time past, spent an Hour or two in Zangerhausson's House without any apparent Business: but that for he last Fortnight he had not observed it as formerly. We however, proceeded farther, & sent for Bro. & Sis. Zangerhaussen, who came. Then Br. Hermann declared to them, That it was quite contrary to our Church-Plan, that they had for some Time past, harboured Single Breth:n in their Room & such Behavior could by no Means be born with: therefore in Love we warned them against it, saying that otherwise they could not be allowed to live in Bethl:m. And disired they wo.d do no Work for any Body unless the same was ordered by himself or Br. Pezold. They acknowledged, that some Mistakes on their part had been made, promised for the future to act more orderly & thank'd the Commission for their Love and Care towards them.

Tuesdy 11th Feb:ry —the ordinary Day of our sitting Present the same Members as above
J. Brownfield related, "That he had been this morning informed by Br. Kleist that some Weeks ago Br. Andreas Betz made himself a Wolf-Trap in the Lock-Smith's Shop & promised Br. Kleist to pay for the Iron he used therein.—After a while he brought a Piece of Iron & said it was given him by Br. Richter (the Shepherd) It seemed to be a part of such an Iron as we use in breaking Stones & might probably belong either to Bethlehem or John Jones. — We fear'd if 'twas the latter's property, it might bring the Congregation into some Trouble or at least Suspicion, there- fore desired we might consider of it.

Br. Kleist being sent for, came & bore Witness to the same effect. We then Agreed that Br. Pezold, speak with Richter (the Shepard) about this Matter & acquaint us of the Issue thereof.

Wednesd.y 12th Feb:ry 1752

Present the four Members of the Commission & F. E. Hermann, Assessor

On considering the Case of Br. Digeon, we sent for him & he appeared.

    Br. Hermann declared to him our compassionate Heart, that we could not however believe his strange, fantastical behavior proceeded from the want of Sense & that it would much rejoice us all, as well as the whole Congregation, if he would lay himself at the Saviour's Feet: for we assured him of Freedom in our Lamb, from the Power of Satan & his own unhappy Fancys.

He was often intreated to tell us what his Resolution & Mind was, in this respect, but made no Answer.— It was then told him, that we could not be indifferent in the Matter & might be obliged to confine him, in order to prevent Blame from the Governm:t but should heartily rejoice to see him behave as an orderly Person ought to do.

Wednesd:y, 4th March

Present. J. D. Bischoff
Jn:s Bechtel                   of the Commission
Jn:s Brownfield

F. E. Hermann
G. Pezold                  Assessors

    Br. Richter the Shepherd's Case, was again considered of. Br. Pezold reported, that he had reproved Richter sharply for having not enquired of John Jones whether the piece of Iron he found by his House belong'd to him or not? Also for suffering And:s Betz to cut off some of it. That he had sent Br. Richter with the said Iron to J. Jones (who said it was his) ordered him to beg Pardon & say that the Brethren were exceedingly displeased with him with for his Misbehavior & took not the least Part in it. Therefore we
Agreed 1st That as Br. Richter hath been obliged to do Penance in the manner afore- mentioned, we will proceed no farther in it & especially as J. Jones declared himself quite satisfied.
2d That hereafter, all our Single Breth:n & large Boys that my be put to learn Trades of the Breth:n, shall be delivered to their respective Masters by the Commission.
3d That all those who shall hereafter be removed from the Trades Brethren the same is to be done by this Commission.

Tuesd:y 10 March, 1752

Present. J. D. Bischoff
J.Payne                   of the Commission
J. Brownfield

F. E. Hermann
G. Pezold                  Assessors

Agreed 1st     That all the little Gardens w:ch our B.rn have made (without the Congreg.ns consent) made on M.r Peters & Benizets Land) to be laid aside & the Fences taken away.
2d    That the small Gardens be thus laid side out
               1st The Single B.rns & the Boys to have theirs together inclos'd inclos'd in
                one Fence & a Path to seperrate each
               2d The Married B.rn another Piece of Land in the same order
               3d Proper Tools & Overseers to be Appointed in each Choir
3d     That Br. Richter be sent for this Evening after Supper Time & give us an Acc:t how he came by a Cow Bell (that was in his Possession last year) belonging to John Williamson

Wednesd.y 11 March

Present the same Members as Yesterday Br. Richter being sent for & ask'd about the Cow Bell he formerly found—said
        That in the last Strawberry Season he being with the Sheep in the Old Field beyond J. Jones's found the s.d Bell amongst the Shrubs & that the Strap thereof was Broke & almost Rotten. He told Br. Grabs directly of it. That indeed J: Jones had been (in his Absence) 2 or 3 Times With Br. Grabs about the Bell & 1 or 2 Times with him (Richter) about it it: but he would not deliver the Bell to J: Jones. and would (after he had shewn it to Him) carry it to the Owner J: Williamson in hopes of Drink Money. That He got 1/. for his trouble & the Owner was well satisfied & thank full. But that He (Richter) had done wrong in not making it more Publica, after he had found the aforesaid Bell. NB. He required of J. Williamson 1/6 for Drink Money, & J: Williamson left 6d in John Jones's Hands for Richter besides the 1/. before mentioned.
        Br. Grabs being sent for—said to the same effect in almost every Particular—Only that he knew no other Matters of this kind relating to Richter, but contrarywise always found him diligent & obedient in his Business also the Ocasion of his hearing that the Bell belong'd to J: Williamson was this—He (Br. Grabs) had found a Bridle in the Woods, & as he came by J: Jones's He Wanted to Buy it of him, which Br. Grabs refused, saying perhaps somebody had lost it, & directly J: Williamson came & own'd it & offered Him drink Money, or Indian Corn for his Trouble w:ch he refus'd tho J: Jones advis'd him to take it.
Agreed. That Br. Richter return J: Williamson the 1/.
        he rec'd for finding the Bell.

Mond:y 20 July 1752

Present    
J. D. Bischoff-
J. Bechtell-
J. Payne-
J Horsfield-         of the Commission

G. Pezold-
Labash -         Assessors

1st         Br Joseph propos'd our Meeting every Tuesday After Dinner in there was only 3 of our Members Ð whether we knew of anything or Not to be done.
2d          Br. Horsfield was Chose in the Room of our Dear Heart Brownfield who is gone to his beloved Bridegroom & Br. Labash is also to be present, while it belongs to his office & is also a fitting Person for it.
3d          This Commition to look into all matters where the Congregation which dos not belong to the Civil Majestrate & to look pertiularly into such matters where one may hinder Confusions, but in some certain matters to ask advise of the Elders Conferrence.
4th          Br. Horsfield to Examine the Law about Orphans, that somebody may be made out as Guardians to Br. Brownfields Child.
5th          To speak with Br. Jarvis & his Wife apart & advise him not to go to NYork, it being very Dangerous for them, but we must only tell him so ^but not her very Plain & to speak with each of them about the making an Indenture for their Child.n but in such a Nature that we have the liberty to return them if we dont like them.
6th          Br. Jarvis being call'd Br. Bechtel (to this effect) told Him.- that it was very Dangerous for Him & His Wife to live in NYork & especially as He as He knew his Wife's cercumstanceys & therefore the B.rn was so desireous to warn Him beforehand. but he seem'd determin'd to go -He then was ask'd if he was willing that his Child:n should be bound, so that we might have the liberty to return them to Him again if they did not suit for us to keep them
8th[sic]          Sis.r Jarvis was sent for & asked the same about her Child:ns being Bound, & of our returning them in Case we did not like them. & she said she was satisfied that it should be so. & he too after Wd:

Sep:r 1752

Present
G. Baterold
D. Bischoff
J. Bechtell
J. Payne

Agreed that we should Vote for
James Burnside          Assemblyman
Nichol Scull                   Sherrif
Soll.o Jenning              Corroner
Rob.t Gregg
Ephraim Colver            Commitioners

John Walker
John Holder
Benj. Shoemaker      Assessors
Jasper Payne
Joseph Eberhart

Wednesd:y 11th Oct. 1752

Present
G. Patesolt
Lawatsch
J. Bechtel
J. Payne

Made an Appraisement of Christ.
Hankeys things who went happily home to our Savior

The above Commition went & appraise'd our late Br. Bergman's things & is as foll.

Tuesd:y 31. Oct. 1752

Present J. Bechtel
               J. Payne

Br. A: Bomper spoke to his son that as his behavior was so very bad He could no longer stay in Beth:m & therefore he now would not have him begon lest he might hurt others as well as Isaac Noble to whom he had spoke last Night that he should Teze Br. Horsfield until he had sent him to NYork to be a Merch. & that he should not stay here to Chop Wood &c.

Tuesd:y 5 Dec. 1752
Present Lawatsch
               Bechtell
               Payne
               Godliep
               & Br. Teltstig was invited to this meeting who likewise came

Agreed to Send the Serv.t for Wm Lowther & that Br. Teltshig should examine him

Tuesd:y 26 Dec:r 1752

Br. Antone Schmit was sent for & spoke to about his being Mast:r of the Lock Smiths Shop in the room of Br. Kleis who is gone to Shomoco, & that he would have more to do then he had before when he was Master & therefore should take care to instruct his Apprentice well, in his Buisi= =ness, & be carefull of the 2 Brethren who help'd him as Journeymen. that he should take nothing to do from any B.r to do himself without Br. Pezolds leave & knowledge. & that no stranger work should be neglected but rather ours might stay Ôtill that was done if possible.

Then Xti. (Apprentice) D: Esterlien & Janker Journeyman) was sent for to let them know that Br. A. Schmit was now Master & they were desir'd to be deligent & Obedient to him &c.