Voyage To Georgia. Part 7.

1735. December.

In this time the Refreshments design’d for the Voyage were expended, and we were forced to lay in more at an excessive Price, by reason that the Squadron at Spithead had made every thing dear.

            Mr. Johnson, son to the late Governor of South Carolina, was taken ill here of a Fever, which prevented his going the Voyage.  There was a great Disappointment; for if he had gone to Carolina, as intended, a Man of his Interest and good Sense being at Charles-Town, whilst Mr. Oglethorpe was at the Southward, might have prevented the Misunderstandings which afterwards happen’d.

            On the 10^th of December, the Wind at E. S. E. and a moderate Gale, we, in Company with the Hawk, the London Merchant, and about forty Sail more, who had been forced to stay by the long Continuance of contrary Winds, stood out for Sea.

            When we had pass’d the Needles the Pilot left us.  The London Merchant lay by a little for three of the Passengers, who happen’d to be gone to Portsmouth when the Wind came fair; but it was all to no Purpose, for they not coming up in time, were left behind.

            On the 12^th we parted with the Hawk, the Wind blowing very hard.

            I believe a Journal of the Winds and Days of the Month will be but dry to the Reader, and that it may divert him more to hear which way our floating Colony were subsisted, and pass’d their time on board.

            We had Prayers twice a Day.  The Missionaries expounded the Scriptures,

 catechized the Children, and administer’d  the Sacrament on Sunday’s but Mr. Oglethorpe shew’d no Discountenance to any for being of different Persuasions in Religion.  The Dissenters, of which there were many on board, particularly the Germans, sung Psalms and served God in their own way.  Mr. Oglethorpe had laid in a large Quantity of live Stock, and other Refreshments, (though he himself seldom eat any but Ship’s Provisions);  Not only the Gentlemen his Friends eat at his Table, but he invited, thro’ the whole Passage, the Missionaries and the Captain of the Ship, who together made twelve in Number. 

            All those who came upon the Trust’s Account were divided into Messes; and, besides the Ship’s Provisions, the Trustees were so careful of the poor People’s Health, that they put on board Turnips, Carrots, Potatoes, and Onions, which were given out with the salt Meat, and contributed greatly to prevent the Scurvy.  The Ship was divided into Cabbins, with Gang-ways, which we call Streets, between them.  The People were disposed into these by Families; the single Men were put by themselves.  Each Cabbin had its Door and Partition.  Whenever the Weather would permit, the Ship was clean’d between Decks, and wash’d with Vinegar, which kept the Place very sweet and healthy.  There were Constables appointed to prevent any Disorders, and every thing was carried so easily, that during the whole Voyage there was no Occasion for punishing any one, excepting a Boy who was whip’d for stealing of Turnips.

            When the Weather permited, the Men were exercised with small Arms.  There were also Thread, Worsted, and Knitting-needles given to the Women, who employ’d their leisure time in making Stockings and Caps for their Family, or in mending their Cloaths and Linnen.

Mr. Oglethorpe, when Occasion offer’d, call’d together all those who were design’d to be Freeholders, recommended to them in what Manner to behave themselves, acquainted them of the Nature of the Country, and how to settle it advantageously.