Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1884-10-23
FORSYTH COUNTY.
a OF IT'S HISTORY
AN INTERESTING REVIEW
OF the Early Settlement OF SaIem--Ets
Old Industries and Notes OF Its An
cient Houses.
Continued from the Raleigh Chronicle

Continued from the Raleigh Chronicle.
AS yet the keen eyes of Daniel
Boone, looking down from the craggy
peaks of the Alleghanies, had not
rested upon the green fertile lands of
Kentucky. Washington was still un-
known, and unrevered as the Father
of his Country" The cry of 'give me
/ liberty or give me DEATH had not vet
kindled the fires Of rebellion. I'm
known was be "whose name but yes
terday might have stood against the
world" and whose memory was to con-
secrate, as though twere an altar, the
| bleak coast OF st. Helena. The red
man had not then been remanded to
the Rocky Mountains, or to the smooth
pages of historic romance, but with
mournful and savage presence, stood
watching the progress Of q small band
Of German settlers, who leaving the
vast tracts of fertile lowlands, in the
rear, nerved by desire for social and
religious freedom, pushed on far be-
yond what were then the confines Of
| civilization, and at last selected with
that wise and prudent forethought, for
which emigrants of Teutonic origin
| have ever baen conspicuous those lands
which now form the county of Forsyth
as being most peculiarly adapted by
nature to furnish all the requisites of
| life to an isolated colony. The loca-
ton was selected by Bishop Spangen-
burg, after a search Of over four
months, during which time nearly the
whole of the western part of the State
was traversed, and the wisdom Of the
selection has long since been fully
demonstrated. These lands comprised
an area Of 96,985 acres and were con-
veyed to the Brotherhood, August Z,
1853, as has already been mentioned.
The first settlement took place in the
fall of the same year. The present
town of Salem around which cluster
the most interesting items Of history
connected with this county, was laid
out in 1865 and designed as center
ing point for the Moravian religion in
the South, which position it has con-
tinued to hold to the present time.
Many exclusive privileges, and le-
gal amenities were granted to the set
tiers of Wachovia, which they contin-
ued to enjoy up to 1881, when by leg
islatiye enactment they were rescinded.
It was not however, until 1857 that
complete separation Of the town and
church Offices took place, and the first
municipal election was held. We
have made this apparent depression
from the real purpose of this article,
believing that it is In great part to the
frugal and industrious habits of these
early settlers, as well as to the pecul-
lar customs and observances of the
Moravian church, that the present
prosperous condition of our county is
due. Lying CONTIGUOUS to the lands
which were subsequently to be chosen
for the ideal Republic of Transylva-
MIA, Wachovia is perhaps the only in
stance in modern times, in which the
principles Of Arcadian life have been
successfully applied, and adhered to
for period extending over nearly
century. A custom prevailed here
which required each man to seek
| through different trades or channels,
the means Of sustenance. This created
an army of trades and tradesmcn, and
though wisely abandoned in later years
as being too narrow for more pro-
| gressive and comprehensive state of
society, it is still recognized as form
ing basis upon which is built the
great diversity of manufactures, which
makes 50 distinguishing feature in
the industry Of our county. 1t is
fact worthy of notice, that the first
house ever built in Salem in 1866 is
now occupied rs pottery shop which
business has been uninterruptedly car
ried on for over a century, many of
the moulds dating back as far as 1774,
now in existence, and presenting GU
rioGs and antique appearance. 1t is
hardly possible that parallel can be
cited in the annals of American histo-
ry. The second house also standing,
built during the same year, was as his
tory tells US Immediately occupied by
Brother Prazel and Brother Holder"
who carried on the weaver's and sad
dler's business. These instances are
only given to show at what an early
period the seeds of manufacturing
were sown among us. In 1878, the
"iSalem Water Works" were construc-
tSet ~ OetIlcS NIduSS, Nulcn COHtlu-
ued in operation substantially as built
for exactly one hundred years, when
because of the inability to supply the
increased demand, they were sap
planted by the present system. They
were the first and for many years the
only water works in the State, and
were greatly admired by Gen. Wash
ington during his visit to Salem, in
1871. In 1871 the first paper mill in
the State was built in this county. It
continued in operation until 1873,
when it was destroyed by fire. There
is now nearly completed in Salem the
second paper mill, belonging to the
firm of Griffith & Jeoffry, which will
be in operation in a months time. It
has capacity Of ton day, and is
fitted with most improved machinery,
and driven by 40 horse and 20 horse
engines.
Ito be Continued.
Mr. Grogan's Candidate.
Floal the Charlotte Obseruer