More than 263 years ago a group of 100 or so German colonists from the Alps of Europe established a town beneath where you are standing. Since 1987 the LAMAR Institute, Inc. (A non-profit research and education organization) has worked closely with the Jerusalem Lutheran Church, the Georgia Salzburger Society, the New Ebenezer Retreat Center, Historic Effingham Society, Coastal Georgia Archaeological Society, Effingham County citizens, and Salzburger descendants to bring New Ebenezer's past to light through archaeological research. In the early 1990s this cooperation was expanded to include the Elderhostel organization, Georgia Southern University, and the Society for Georgia Archaeology. These excavations have been directed by the husband-wife team of Daniel and Rita Elliott. This exhibit highlights these findings of the archaeological projects--Several reports of this work are available through the Georgia Salzburger Society, or through the LAMAR Institute. The investigation of New Ebenezer's archaeological heritage has only just begun and we welcome your support of our efforts.
The Survey...OR....How It all Began...
The survey of New Ebenezer developed out of archaeological research from 1984 to 1986 for the Fort James (formerly Fort Howard) Recycled Paper Mill plant site, located several miles down the Savannah River from here. That development was located in the mill and farming district of the Salzburgers. Survey results inspired several Salzburger descendants to invite archaeologists to investigate New Ebenezer. An intensive archaeological survey began in 1987 with the excavation of about 300 small shovel test holes spaced on a grid 20 meters (about 66 ft) apart across a major portion of the New Ebenezer town site. Additional portions of the town have since been surveyed at this level of scrutiny while other parts of the town remain unexplored. More than 1,000 shovel test holes have now been excavated and many important areas of town have been identified. Large sections outside of town, formerly garden lots, also were examined by archaeological survey.
How Do Archaeologists Know Where to Dig?
A chain of ownership for each of the 160 town lots in New Ebenezer was traced as part of the preliminary research for the archaeological study. This included a search of early Georgia colonial records and later Effingham County court records. The result of this work was a better understanding of the extent of settlement. It also set the ground work for studies targeting specific individuals and families. This research identified parts of the town that were never occupied; some that were only marginally settled; some that were kept within one or two families for the duration of the town's history; and others that were "hot properties" and were owned by many different families. The results of this work were published in a report entitled, Ebenezer Town Lots and Their Owners, which is available from the GSS. Independent research, conducted by Salzburger descendant Norman Turner, provides additional lot information, and more recent research has produced other new data. A revised edition of Ebenezer's Town Lots, is forthcoming.
A Blacksmith Named Rupert
Rupert (Ruprecht) Schrempff was a blacksmith, locksmith, and farmer. He was one of at least eight blacksmiths in New Ebenezer. Archaeologists chose the lot that Rupert, his wife Ottillie, and their family lived on as the first place to dig large excavation units in 1989. A major find was discovered almost immediately--a large cellar filled with debris from Rupert's house and blacksmith shop, which was important for a number of reasons: it was a treasure trove of Salzburger trash from a very short time period (1750-1753); it allowed the positive identification of this lot as Rupert's, which confirmed the archival research and map information; and it demonstrated that previous reconstructions of the original town lot boundaries were slightly in error. This was extremely useful in planning research, since a proper reconstruction of the boundaries is critical to a study that targets specific families. Two reports are available that describe the results of these excavation. One is a fanciful "lost diary" of Rupert Schrempff, which is available through the GSS. The other is a longer, technical report, entitled, Seasons in the Sun: 1989 and 1990 Excavations at New Ebenezer, which is available through the LAMAR Institute.
A Boatwright Named Nicolaus
Nicolaus Kronberger was a farmer and a boatbuilder who lived two lots west of Rupert (Lot 3, 8th Tything, East Ward). Archaeologists discovered and excavated part of a filled-in well on Nicholas' lot in 1989. They learned from a particularly type of English pottery that was contained in the well that the well was constructed after 1774, then abandoned and filled back with artifacts sometime prior to 1800. Could the cause of Nicolaus' death in 1776 possibly have been from drinking bad water? The key to understanding the age of the well was the recovery of distinctive early style blue hand painted pearlware pottery sherds, which were made in England, that were found in the well shaft and in its construction pit. This dig revealed some of the unique well construction techniques of the Salzburgers. Complete excavation of the well was impractical in 1989 however, and it was carefully refilled for future study. Undoubtedly, many dozens of similar wells are scattered about the town on individual house lots and these await careful archaeological exploration. The findings from Kronberger's lot are described in the Seasons in the Sun report by the LAMAR Institute.
The Search for Silk
Salzburger widows and orphans toiled long hours in the silk factory, or filature, at New Ebenezer raising silkworms and unwinding cocoons. In 1990, archaeologists found the location of the filature that was in ruins by the American Revolution. Stephan Rottenberger, Georg Koegler, and Rupert Schrempff applied their special skills in constructing the filature in 1752. The silk filature was so important to the town's economy that, in 1757, a fort was constructed around it. The archaeological study identified the ruins of a large building, 42 x 22 feet, flanked by brick chimney falls, as described in the previously cited report. Funds are presently being raised through the GSS for a full-scale archaeological investigation of this unique colonial feature.
Fire!
In the 1740s a devastating fire consumed a kitchen in New Ebenezer. Archaeologists and Elderhostel participants uncovered this burned ruin on Lot 2, 3rd Tything, West Ward, which was originally owned by either Stephan Christoph Rottenberger or Georg Koegler. The historical documents present conflicting information. Both Rottenberger and Kogler were carpenters, mechanics, and farmers. The Detailed Reports of the Salzburgers... describes a fire at a Mrs. Rheinlander's lot in 1741, which may be the one identified archaeologically. Archival records suggest she may have owned the lot at one time. The Detailed Reports... do not mention if a peach brandy still was responsible for the explosion! Several pottery vessels were recovered from the ruins and reconstructed. This collection probably represents the type of kitchen wares that the Salzburgers owned in the late 1730s and early 1740s. The predominant form was a drab, dark green lead glazed coarse earthenware shallow creampan. Archaeologists also discovered many charred peach pits and a Rhenish stoneware jug that had exploded into many fragments during the fire.
Parsonage Relocation Excavations
In 1995, a chain of events related to the construction of the new Ebenezer Elementary School resulted in the relocation of the 161 year old Ebenezer Parsonage and related archaeological salvage excavations at Lots 6 and 7, 1st Tything, West Ward. The old parsonage was originally located about 2 miles from town. Excavations focused on the area of a proposed septic tank and wheelchair access ramp. These excavations were important because they provided a glimpse of life in the first years of New Ebenezer. Lot 6 was owned by the orphanage master Ruprecht Kalcher and his wife. Their occupation of Lot 6 was brief since they moved into the orphanage after it was completed in 1737. Most of the archaeological evidence indicates a very early occupation, but the lot was occupied briefly by others, including Reverend Christian Rabenhorst. Excavations revealed architectural features and a small sample of colonial artifacts. Lot 7 was owned by Simon Reiter, a farmer, who spent most of his time on his plantation. His family may have lived in town less than one year. Only a few colonial artifacts were found on his town lot but an early building, which probably burned, was located.
The Tavern
Chance discovery of important artifacts that were eroding in the driveway of the Retreat Center during a thunderstorm in the Spring of 1992 led to the test excavation of Lots 9 and 10, 5th Tything, East Ward, which were owned by John Rentz. John Rentz was a baker and a tavern keeper and his tavern was probably located in this area. Judging from the military related artifacts that have been excavated here, it likely served the soldiers who were stationed at a fort just south of his tavern. Several thousand soldiers passed through New Ebenezer during the war and nearly 1000, including Scottish Highlanders from the 71st Regiment, Hessian mercenaries, regular British troops, Loyalist militia, and others were stationed there for several months. British musket fragments, musket balls, and a Scottish 71st Highlander's uniform button were recovered. Rentz's tavern greeted all arrivals to New Ebenezer via the Savannah-Augusta Road. Excavations in this area found more liquor bottles than cooking utensils here. Customers at Rentz's tavern were more interested in consuming drink than food. Analysis of the artifacts from these excavations and future excavations at the tavern promise to provide a better account of John Rentz's Tavern. A report detailing the results of this work should be available in January, 2000.
New Ebenezer's British Neighborhood
In 1996 a search to locate evidence of the British Redoubt shown on early maps on the south end of Center Street, east of the Jerusalem Church cemetery included additional shovel tests and one small test excavation. The archaeologists were disappointed at first because little evidence of the British fort was found. Then, they were excited by the discovery of an unknown part of town occupied after 1790. As New Ebenezer slowly became a lost city, two attempts were launched to revive it. The first, in 1790, included reissue of grants of vacant town lots on the southern edge of town. A map that was drawn during that period shows additional rows of town lots on the southern end, which are not shown on previous maps of the town. Most of the recipients of these lots had non-Salzburger surnames, such as Foy, McCall, and Russell. A second attempt to revitalized the town in 1825 failed and by midcentury only a few families remained. Archaeological evidence tentatively indicates that this southern enclave was abandoned by about 1830. The concept of a British neighborhood within a predominantly German town is intriguing and it represents an excellent opportunity to compare Anglo and Germanic ethnicity.
No Doubt About Redoubt
The main southern invasion force of the British Army, led by General Prevost, established its headquarters at New Ebenezer, Georgia in 1778. Although some previously existing fortifications had been constructed by the American forces, including a magazine, these earlier works were soon dwarfed by the accomplishments of the British Engineer, John Wilson. A map of the British works, undated and unsigned but attributed to John Wilson, 71st Highland Regiment, depicts a string of redoubts and a palisade (or abatis) line that stretched for more than seven miles in an arch, which protected New Ebenezer from inland attack. Two, and possibly a third, of the redoubts along this palisade line have been identified by previous archaeological survey. A fourth redoubt, which is located within the town of New Ebenezer and was not connected to the defensive perimeter, remains unidentified. The redoubt that guarded the main entrance to town, via the Augusta Road, was the subject of an archaeological search several years ago by an Elderhostel/LAMAR Institute team led by the Elliotts.
Several years ago, systematic shovel tests were excavated at regular intervals over an area that included the suspected redoubt location. One 1 m x 2 m test unit also was excavated as part of the search. The results of the initial search were disappointing, at least as far as the search for the redoubt was concerned. A renewed effort was made to locate the British earthworks in March, 1999 with another Elderhostel group, and the research team was richly rewarded.
An exploratory trench, formed by 2 m x 1 m test units, was placed north of
the previous test. Portions of a substantial palisade ditch were intersected in
two of these tests. While only a small portion of the redoubt was thus exposed,
the implications of these findings are more far reaching. It may be possibly to
completely delineate the outline of the earthworks through archaeological means,
even in areas that appear to be completely destroyed (such as the route of
Georgia Highway 275, which is located east of the excavation).
Selected Bibliography
Report No. 15. Seasons in the Sun: 1989 & 1990 Excavations at New Ebenezer. By Daniel T. Elliott & Rita Folse Elliott, 1991. [Archaeological report of two seasons of fieldwork at New Ebenezer (9Ef28), privately funded]
Report No. 17. West Effingham Survey. By Daniel T. Elliott, 1992. [Intensive archaeological surface survey report of selected areas of western Effingham County in an attempt to locate "non-Salzburger" archaeological sites of public interest, funded by Historic Effingham Society]
Report No. 19. The Lost City Survey. Archaeological Reconnaissance of Nine Eighteenth Century Settlements in Chatham and Effingham Counties, Georgia. By Daniel T. Elliott, 1990. [Archaeological reconnaissance report of 9 colonial town sites, funded by Georgia DNR]
Report No. 31. Vernonburg Village: An Archaeological Study. By Rita Folse Elliott and Daniel T. Elliott, 1994. (In Press, Georgia Department of Natural Resources). [Report on intensive archaeological survey and testing project designed to place Vernonburg in the National Register of Historic Places, funded by Georgia DNR]
Report No. 34. The Parsonage Relocation Survey. By Daniel T. Elliott, 1995. [Archaeological report on the intensive survey for the relocated parsonage building in New Ebenezer]
VanCleave, Denice 1998 Unearthing New Ebenezer. Savannah Morning News, West Effingham Closeup, May 3, 1998.
To Learn More!
Contact us have any specific questions regarding New Ebenezer, the Salzburger settlements, or archaeology in Georgia.
To Visit New Ebenezer, head East on Georgia Highway 275 to the Savannah River.
Return to
Lost City Survey page.