The Journals of Johann Martin Boltzius

The previously unpublished fragments of the official diaries of Johann Martin Boltzius (1703-1765) authentically depict the everyday life of the Ebenezer congregation in Georgia, which was founded in 1734 by Protestant religious refugees from Salzburg. In addition to the reports intended for their patrons in Europe about the ministry of their first Lutheran pastor, the diary entries reflect the economic high point of the Salzburg emigrant community. At the same time, they already point to signs of crisis that would later intensify under Boltzius' successors in office and especially during the American War of Independence until the imminent dissolution of the Lutheran community. Introductions to the chapters, biographies of the most important protagonists, a register of hymns mentioned in the diaries and a list of the literature ordered or quoted by Boltzius offer valuable assistance in working with this edition. It is available in English and German. The document is supplemented by indices of persons, places and subjects, which provide a valuable reference tool.