The Bulloch County Historical Society met on Monday September 23, 2024, in the Pittman Park UMC fellowship hall for its monthly program. This month brought presenter Erika Bragg, Vice President of the Georgia Salzburger Society(GSS) to present on 'Georgia Salzburger Connections.'
The 90+ members and guests were offered a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of local history while honoring the enduring legacy of the Salzburgers in Bulloch County and other parts of Georgia.
Prior to the presentation, the guests enjoyed a ‘home cooked’ lunch catered and served by Touch of Class Catering by Annette. The menu included tossed salad and ranch dressing, sliced roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, yeast rolls and butter, and peach cobbler.
The Georgia Salzburgers and the German Lutheran community established at nearby Ebenezer are vital threads in the tapestry of Georgia's history, laying a foundational legacy for Effingham County and significantly influencing the broader region of South Georgia.
Brent W. Tharp, PhD, Director, Georgia Southern University Museum shared in his opening remarks, “This is a great opportunity to learn more about this unique community and its critical role in Georgia’s and Bulloch County's early history. Many never realize as they drive over local roads, named for Groovers and Zetterowers, where those names came from, and probably many in the community don't realize that their roots may connect to this incredible 18th century community.”
Bragg gave a very captivating and detailed presentation, providing each BCHS attendee an ‘Introduction to the Georgia Salzburgers’ to follow the early settlers' historical path and their foundational role in Effingham County and their influence throughout South Georgia, 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 being expelled by Prince Archbishop Leopold Anton Von Firmian. Led by Johann Martin Boltzius, they arrived in Georgia, and established the settlement of Ebenezer (1734), which is currently Effingham County.
The Salzburgers were a self-sustaining community that excelled in agriculture, cultivating crops like rice, corn, and indigo, and craftsmanship, contributing to the colony’s economy. Their commitment to education and faith fostered a unique cultural identity, blending European traditions with Southern customs.
Despite facing challenges, including conflicts and the harsh realities of colonial life, the Salzburgers' resilience laid a lasting foundation for the established region.
In the 1730s, Ebenezer's silk filature was an ambitious project by the Salzburgers aimed at boosting the colony's economy through local silk production. They imported mulberry trees for silkworm cultivation and established processing facilities, but the venture faced challenges such as climate issues and market competition.
Despite their entrepreneurial spirit, the silk filature ultimately did not thrive, yet it stands as a testament to their resilience and adaptability in early American life and culture.
Bragg explained the Georgia Salzburger Society, emphasizing its mission to preserve the memory and virtues of the early Salzburger and Germanic settlers of the Ebenezer and New Ebenezer communities (St. Matthew Parish) in present-day Effingham County.
“I am thankful for the opportunities to present an introduction to the Georgia Salzburger history and a genealogical workshop. This is a special heritage and I am glad to share it,” Bragg said.
Bragg introduced Gaye Royal, Executive Board Secretary for the Georgia Salzburger Society, as a bonus speaker. A self-described ‘history person,' she shared her family's ties to Southeast Bulloch County through the Cone Family and revealed her connection to the Salzburgers via her grandmother, Audrey Deloach Royal, linking her to Paulus (Paul) Zittraurer, who arrived in Savannah in 1734 on the ‘Prince of Wales.’
Royal noted that the earliest Zetterower in Bulloch County was Charles Ulmer Zetterower, whose descendant was Sallie Zetterower. There are records from 1830 showing he owned land off what is now Hwy 67. (Editor's Note: GC Managing Editor Whitney Lavoie is also a descendant of this family!)
The Salzburgers' legacy is celebrated annually in Ebenezer, Georgia, where museums and historical sites highlight their contributions. Modern descendants honor this heritage through festivals and community gatherings. As the society approaches its 100th anniversary in 2025, Bragg stressed the importance of continuing to share this special story. For more information, please visit https://govisitebenezer.com/.
The Bulloch County Historical Society will hold its last meeting of the year on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 11:30am at Pittman Park.