In Their Own Words
December 19, 1735
Oglethorpe Sacrificed for Colonists
Benjamin Ingham traveled to colonial Georgia in 1735 with John and Charles Wesley, and James Oglethorpe on a return trip. Ingham kept a journal of his experiences; on this day he recorded how hard Oglethorpe worked on the voyage across the Atlantic - and how kind he could be to the colonists:
“…Mr wesley & I, with Mr. Oglethorpe’s approbation, undertook to visit each of us a part of the Ship, and daily to provide the Sick people with Water, Grace and such other things as were necessary for them. At first we met with some difficulties, but God enabled us to persevere in the constant performance the rest to the end of our Voyage. Mr. Oglethorpe likewise himself went several times about the Ship, to comfort and encourage the people, and indeed he has never been wanting in this respect: He is a pattern of fatherly Care and tender compassion, being always ready night or day to give up his own ease or Conveniencys to serve the poorest Body among the people. He seldom eat above once a day, and then he usually chose Salt provisions, tho’ not so agreeable to his health, that he might give the fresh to the sick. …”
Source: Our First Visit in America: Early Reports from the Colony of Georgia, 1732-1740 (Savannah: Beehive Press, 1974), p. 171.
