Journals - Maria Rosina Unger
A JOURNAL kept at
BETHLEHEM BOARDING SCHOOL
begun in
December, 1789
by
MARIA ROSINA UNGER
INTRODUCTION
The interesting Journal of Maria Rosina Unger is a booklet, 4 by 6½inches, with a red cover, evidently a home made product. The writing is in English.
Maria Rosina was born in Lancaster, Apr. 27,1775, a daughter of the Rev. Frederick Unger and wife, Anna C., m.n. Rose, the latter a daughter of Peter Rose and wife, Catharine, m.n. Butmansky. The last named is the "dr. Grandmamy" referred to in the Journal.
Maria Rosina taught in the Bethlehem Seminary from 1793-1805. She married Nov. 25, 1804 at Bethlehem, John Constantine Mueller, born Sept. 24, 1762, a son of John Caspar, a merchant from Salzungen, Grand Duchy of Meiningen, and wife Anna Elizabeth, m.n. Schloder Mueller. At various times he served as overseer of the unmarried men at Bethlehem, and of the married people at Lititz. Following the death of his wife, he married Anna Sophia Christ, and served as minister of the congregations at Lancaster, and at York, where he died Sept. 30, 1821. Maria Rosina died in 1809 at Lititz.
The Journal came into the possession of her sister Anna Catharine Frederica, mentioned as Any in the Journal, who became the wife of Rev. Nathaniel Brown, pastor of the Congregation at Staten Island, N.Y. The latter's daughter, Charlotte Fredericka,, was also a teacher in the Bethlehem Seminary and later married Charles Frederick Beckel of Bethlehem,, the great grandfather of Clarence E. Beckel, the present owner* of the Journal.
Several pages in the rear of the book contain writing in the hand of Anna C.F. (Unger) Brown, sister to Maria Rosina, with extracts from the Bible and comments on her complete Trust in the Lord.
There are also several pages written in German by the mother, giving facts relating to the birth and early life of her three daughters: Anna Catharine Fredericka, born, Nov. 16 1772 Maria Rosina, born Apr. 27, 1775; and Johanna Elizabeth, born July 27,1779. The last named died Jan. 28, 1785 in Bethlehem.
The original spelling and punctuation were retained in copying the Journal.
Clarence E. Beckel
Thursday and Wednesday 2d-3d Dec.
Nothing particular happened.
Friday 4th. Dec.
We had singing school in the forenoon. In the
afternoon took a walk as it was a beautiful day.
Satturday 5th.
To day was our prayerday, the lst. meeting was kept by Br. Peter, the
next by Br. Huebener, he read a journal of Newyork. In the afternoon there
was a lovefeast in which we sung some verses of our Saviour's birth; afterward
was prostration to which 5 children had leave to go. It snow'd middling
hard to day for the 3rd time this winter. We employed ourselves with painting
for christmas. In the evening was private meeting I could not attend it,
on account of my having a bad toothache. Sr. Liesel Steiner and Sr. Langgaard
spent the evening with us, as Sr. Sulamith was gone to meeting.
Sunday Dec. 6th. 1789.
The first meeting was kept by Br. Huebner, he
read some lifes of deceased Brn. and Srs. The next was german preaching
kept by Br. Grube. At 3 oClock in the afternoon Mr. Huebner read a journal
from the indian country; which was in a whole hour & a quarter. The
snow melted all away today. I made a vesper with Miss Beyerhoudt and Polhemus
of chocolate. Sr. Mary was well enough to come downstairs and spend the
afternoon with us. Our supper was milk and appe pye [apple pie] after
which we went again to meeting & then to bed.
Monday 7th.
Miss Molly Barton returned home this morning,
who had been here some weeks. In the first school we read the prophesies
of Isaiah of our Saviour's birth. After diner I kept my music schools,
& then went on writing notes.
Tuesday 8th.
The schools to day were as usual. Brother Grube
kept the children's meeting. In the afternoon kept my music school.
Wednesday 9th.
This morning Br. Huebner came to teach us book
keeping. Our dr. Brother Frues kept the children's meeting, he indeed
spoke beautiful. In the afternoon we took a long walk to Mr. Clewels &
intended to drink tea there, but they being very busy, we drank by Mr.
Colvers, where we spend the time with innocent plays. Sr. Stehlin spend
the evening with us.
Thursday 10th.
As this was my day I swept the room. Our first
school was Geography, the rest were as usual. After diner we went over
the lehigh, to fetch moss & greens for christmas, of which we found
plenty.
Friday 11th.
We finish'd ancient History & began modern.
Mr. Grube kept our singing school, to learn christmas verses. After diner
I had my music school.
Saturday 12th.
The day was spent very agreeable, in various
occupations.
Sunday 13th.
Br. Frues kept a beautiful preaching from Matthew
11 chap. 2 verse. In the evening went to another, which Br. Huebner kept.
Monday 14th.
Our first school was reading in the Bible. In
the writing school I composed a letter to my Parents in which I enclosed
some of my paintings, In the evening Mr. Huebner was so kind as to instruct
Miss Blakeley & myself in music.
Tuesday 15th.
Our first schools were Gramar & Arithmetic.
It being fine weather we took an agreeable walk.
Wednesday 16th.
Our school from 8 till 9 treated of the origin
and progress of the turks. It was very-disagreeable weather, which prevented
us from meeting & walk.
Thursday 17th.
We read about Pensylvania it's different sects
& principle towns. It being a rainy day we could not take a walk,
but in the evening went to meeting.
Friday 18th.
We had a very agreeable history school. The
weather being somewhat better, we took a short walk.
Saturday 19th.
I was busy in making up my Sunday petticoat.
In the afternoon I drank tea with my Grandmamy accompanied by my Sister
Any. After which I had the pleasure to receive a letter from my dear Parents
& some money. We took a short but pleasant walk. In the evening had
the grace to go to the holy comunion.
Sunday 20th.
Sister Magdalena stayed with us as Sister Suly
was gone to the Lord's-supper. After which was Lord's-supper liturgy,
which I attended. After diner Miss Moore & myself made a vesper of
chocolate. Afterwards Mr. Huebner paid us a short visit & read my
letter. In the evening we at-tended meeting.
Monday 21st.
This morning we heard, that Sr. Artmut Langley
(had the last night) departed this Life. To day we had no schools, but
were busy in painting & preparing for Christmas.
Tuesday 22nd.
In the evening we spoke our dialouge for Brother
& Sister Huebner who were so kind as to present each of us with a
christmas cake.
Wednesday 23rd.
All the representations of the birth of Christ
were finished, which were all beautiful. In the afternoon the children
took a walk but Miss Bull & myself stayed on account of our bad shoes.
Sr. Liesel was so kind as to give me a plate full of cakes, some apples
a wax candle and one Shill. as a Christmas present.
In the evening Sister Huebner came to take all those children with herself
& Mr. Huebner, that had not been with the rest, with whom we took
a beautiful walk. In the evening we practised music in the conferenz room,
but as Mr. Weis and Mr. Huebner came, it prevented us from practising.
Thursday 24th.
To day being the night watch, we employed ourselves
with painting. Sr. Fisher was so kind as to present me with a small plate,
some cakes & pins. It snowed middling hard to day. Before meeting
we spoke our dialouge. Miss Kip was all day very sick, so that she could
not attend the night watch. After we had eaten some supper we went in
the meeting hall, in was very full, so that we could go without cloaks.
When it was.most out we were suprized by looking on the galary as it was
most beautiful illuminated. Afterwards all the
brethren came on our side, which (after we had sung our pieces) made
us soon go out. We all went happy to bed.
Friday 25th.
In the morning as we came from bed, we found
our lb. of cakes laying on the table with a slate pencil from Sr. Langgaar
by each, and some apples.. After being washed & comed we went to breakfast
where we found sugar cake & coffee. The first meeting was german preaching
afterwards english in both of which was beautiful music. At 10Clock,
in the afternoon we had our meeting, which was kneeling, kept by Mr. Huebner.
In the evening, we spoke our dialouge for our beloved Mr. Frues. After
meeting we had the pleasure to go & see
the Illuminate of the brethren's house, which was delightful.
Saturday 26th.
The first meeting was reading, the rest were
as yesterday. We spoke our dialouge for Sister Ebert, & some more
sisters, Sr. Ebert was so kind as to make us a lovefeast of wine &
cake. I afterwards drank tea with my dear Grandmamy & Sister. Afterwards
some of us took a walk with Sr. Magdalena in some houses to see the Illuminations.
Sunday 27th.
It was a very dull & disagreeable day we
attended meeting as usual.
Monday 28th.
Sister Langgaard was so kind as to begin to
teach us Chronology. In the afternoon I kept my music schools in the Sisters
house. In the evening we went to practice our music in the conferenz room.
Tuesday 29th.
We went on in the same study. This
forenoon it snowed very hard. In the evening
we again went to practice our music.
Wednesday 30th.
The schools were as usual. In the evening we
again went to practise but were interrupted by Mr. Huebner and Mr. Weiss
who made beautiful music.
Thursday 31st.
To day we had no schools, it being Newyear's
eve. After diner we were rejoyced to hear of Mr. Ettwein's arrival at
Hope, but had not the pleasure to see him that evening. I drank Coffee
with my dr. Sister Any. This evening we went to meeting which lasted till
12, & concluded the old year. Miss Kip could not attend it, being
unwell.
Friday Jan. lst.
My dear Mamy had her birthday, I therefore breakfasted with my Grandmamy and Any. There was english and german preaching in which was beautiful music. In the afternoon drank tea & supped with my Grandm. Afterwards we went to meeting, whilst we were in Mr. Ettwein arrived at Bethm. which was a great joy to all.
Satturday 2nd.
In the morning all the children in our room recd. letters, & some also got goodies. This morning I saw Mr. Ettwein & welcomd him in Bethm. Miss Moore & myself made us chocolate & invited Sr. M.M. afterwards Mr. Ettwein paid us a visit. We took a beautiful walk.
Sunday 3rd.
The day past as usual.
Monday 4th.
The first shool was reading in the Bible of
king Solomon's temple. Br. Beck kept children's meeting. In the evening
we heard the sorrowful news, that our dr. Mr. Huebner would move to Lititz,
& Mr. van Vleck would take his office. Br. Benzien with his wife arrived
here.
Tuesday 5th.
In the afternoon Br.& Sr. Benzien came to
see us.
Wednesday 6th.
Our shools fell out this forenoon, as Miss Lydia
Palmer who had resided here 2 years and returned home, we lost by her
going an amiable companion.
Thursday 7th.
We spend the day as usual, nothing particular
happened.
Friday 8th.
In the afternoon we were honoured by a visit
of Mr.& Mrs. van Vleck & several other European Brn. & Srs.
Satturday 9th.
Our dear Sister Jacobson celebrated her Birthday.
The Misses received a great many bundles from their Parents. I drank tea
with my dr. Grandmamy.
Sunday 10th.
We attended several meetings & at 2 a lovefeast
of Coffee & cake to welcome the europeans in the evening. attended
a german discourse.
Monday 11th.
Miss Patty Hammon entered the school a Miss
of about 12 years of age from Boston. At 3 Miss Mary Ann Vandainy (a Lady
that came to instruct in our Academy) came to see us.
Tuesday 12th.
Nothing particular happened.
Wednesday 13th.
We had very agreeable Schools & in the evening
attended meeting, a pretty hard snow fell to day.
Thursday 14th.
Susel Bagin celebrated her birthday & as
she lives in our room we made her a lovefeast of wine & cake.
Friday 15th.
We had a very agreeable school at I attended
the funeral of a married sister.
Saturday 16th.
Mr. van Zandt & Moore arrived from New-york
company visited the school.
This transcription is from the holdings of the Bethlehem
Area Public Library.
The original can be found in the collection of the
Moravian Museum of the Historic Bethlehem Partnership.
Updated: 9 August 2005
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