Peter J. Marcucci

Special Contributor

(hover over photos for descriptions)

In the early 1760s and throughout the tumult of the French and Indian War, Moravian settlers in the American colony of Georgia had been successfully sending missionaries from Bethlehem, PA to New York and New England along frontier roads, regularly passing through Greenland, New Jersey, a large area owned by Samuel Green, a Royal Surveyor for the Royal Governor of New Jersey. It was during these years that eventually the Moravians were befriended by Green and his wife, Abigail, and by 1768, the Greens had become so taken with the Moravians that they offered them approximately 1,000 acres – free. The Moravians did accept the land, but only after paying the sum of 1,000 British Pounds, as well as agreeing to supply food, hay, and firewood to the Greens for the rest of their lives. On March 7, 1769, a deal was finalized and the Moravians  began designing the town that was soon to be renamed Hope. This is part of their  story, and legacy, in photos.

Designed by Christian Christianson (the designer of the Bethlehem Pennsylvania waterworks) and constructed in 1770 by master mason Philip Maixel and carpenter Joseph Grotz, the grist mill was the first of many structures to be made from locally quarried rough-cut limestone. This renovated structure was made into a bed and breakfast in 1986 and is currently The Inn at Millrace Pond. Records show that the mill provided flour to General George Washington’s Continental army, while based at nearby Jockey Hollow, New Jersey.

Left:Now the First Hope Bank, the original Gemeinhaus, (a combination meeting house and Church) was built in 1781. Sermons were conducted in both German and English, the two principle languages that were spoken in Hope. Right:Hand carved through slate as deep as 22 feet deep in some areas, this millrace ran an approximate 1,000 feet before reaching its mill destination. It is now a lazy stream and just a trickle of its former self when it flowed from the mill pond and dam that housed an eel trap.

Most Moravian structures can be identified by the signature brick arches above the windows and the cut and placement of the cornerstones. The limestone quarry was under a mile away and the limestone blocks were delivered by draft horses and wagon. Mortar was made at the kiln with a mixture of ground limestone and locally dug clay. Most of the time it was then buried in the fall and dug up for use in the springtime. Right: This photo shows back of the mill where the rush of water entered to power the approximate 10 RPM paddle wheel, drive mechanism and grinding stones. The (clean) water was then discharged back to nature.

Left: This solid and functional fireplace is the real deal and one of two cooking areas in the kitchens of the Gemeinhaus. Note the baking oven in the back. Right: Believed to have been a bridge toll house, this handsome building is currently a combination realtors and law office.

The remnants of this water wheel serve to inspire curiosity while the wine on the left is kept at a perfect temperature in the cool, stone-lined room.