Telling the story of the people of Salzburg: BCHS speaker talks about the heritage of local families

The Bulloch County Historical Society met Monday, September 23, 2024, in the Pittman Park UMC Student Hall to discuss its monthly program. This month brought the presenter Erica BraggVice President of the Georgia Salzburg Society (GSS), will make a presentation on “Salzburg’s Connections with Georgia.”

More than 90 exhibitors and guests were given a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of local history while honoring the enduring legacy of Salzburgers in Bullock County and other parts of Georgia.

Before the presentation, guests were treated to a home-cooked lunch prepared by Touch of Class Catering by Annette. The menu included lettuce and ranch dressing, sliced ​​roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, buttered yeast rolls and peach cobbler.

The residents of Georgia’s Salzburg and the German Lutheran community founded in nearby Ebenezer are vital threads in Georgia’s history, establishing a foundational legacy for Effingham County and having a significant impact on the broader South Georgia region.

Brent W. TharpPh.D., director of the Georgia Southern University Museum, said in his opening remarks, “This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this unique community and its critical role in the early history of Georgia and Bullock County. Many driving along local roads named after Gruvers and Zetterover don’t even realize where those names came from, and it’s likely that many in the community don’t realize that their roots may be tied to this incredible 18th century community.”

Bragg gave a very engaging and detailed presentation, providing each BCHS participant with “Meet the Georgia Salzburgers” to trace the historical path of the early settlers, their seminal role in Effingham County, and their impact on all of South Georgia, from past to present!

Bragg introduced the Salzburgers, 200-250 German-speaking Lutherans who fled religious persecution in Salzburg, Austria, and arrived in Savannah, Georgia, after the exile of Prince Archbishop Leopold Anton von Firmian. Led by Pastor Johann Friedrich Kieffer, they arrived in Georgia and founded the settlement of Ebenezer (1734), which is now Effingham County.

The Salzburgers were a self-sufficient community that excelled in agriculture, growing crops such as rice, corn and indigo, and in crafts that contributed to the development of the colony’s economy. Their commitment to education and faith fostered a unique cultural identity that blended European traditions with Southern customs.

Despite difficulties, including conflict and the harsh realities of colonial life, the resilience of Salzburgers laid a strong foundation for the established region.

In the 1730s, Ebenezer’s silk thread was an ambitious Salzburg project aimed at boosting the colony’s economy through local silk production. They imported mulberry trees to raise silkworms and set up processing facilities, but the venture faced challenges such as climate issues and market competition.

Despite their entrepreneurial spirit, the silk thread did not ultimately prosper, but it is a testament to their resilience and adaptability in early American life and culture.

Bragg spoke about the Salzburg Society of Georgia, emphasizing its mission to preserve the memory and virtues of the early Salzburgers and Germanic settlers of the communities of Ebenezer and New Ebenezer (St. Matthew Parish) in present-day Effingham County.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to present an introduction to Georgia Salzburg history and genealogy workshop. It’s a special legacy and I’m excited to share it,” Bragg said.

Bragg presented Gay RoyalSecretary of the Executive Board of the Salzburg Society of Georgia, as an additional speaker. Calling herself a “historical figure,” she shared her family’s connections to southeastern Bullock County through the Cone family and revealed her connection to the Salzburgers through her grandmother Audrey Deloach Royal, connecting her to Paulus (Paul) Zittraurer, who came to Savannah. in 1734 on the Prince of Wales.

Royal noted that the first Zetterauer in Bulloch County was Charles Ulmer Zetterauer, whose descendant was Sally Zetterauer. There are records from 1830 showing that he owned land near what is now Route 67. (Editor’s note: GC Managing Editor Whitney Lavoie is also a descendant of this family!)

The legacy of the Salzburgers is celebrated annually in Ebenezer, Georgia, where museums and historic sites highlight their contributions. Modern descendants honor this heritage through festivals and public gatherings. As the society approaches its 100th anniversary in 2025, Bragg emphasized the importance of continuing to tell this special story. For more information visit https://govisitebenezer.com/.

The Bulloch County Historical Society will hold its last meeting of the year on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. in Pittman Park.