Orangeburgh Citizens Petition in Behalf of Rev. John Giessendanner
In 1749 Rev. John Giessendanner, who had been a Dissenter minister in Orangeburgh Township theretofore, went to England in order to be ordained to the Episcopal ministry. In order to strengthen his case a petition in his behalf was presented to His Majesty's Council of South Carolina by citizens of Orangeburgh Township. A copy of this petition was made by William Backshell, acting Secretary of the province, for Mr. Giessendanner to take with him. It bears evidence that Backshell was the poor copyist that Gov. Glen characterized him as on several occasions. This copy is now in Fulham Palace, London, and the following transcript thereof was procured therefrom by Mr. E. Alfred Jones, of London, for A.S. Salley, Jr.
"To his Excellency James Glen Esqr. Captain General Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of South Carolina
and to the Member of His Majestys Honourable Council.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Orang'burgh Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioners have been now upward of Eleven Years Inhabitants
of this Province and increaded to about ninety Famelys besides an agreable
Prospect of growing youth and under the expectiona of Enjoying the same
Priviledges and Imunitys in Society which their Fellow Subject do Enjoy
have at all time Willingly and Chearfully contributed their assistance
toward the Support and preservation of the Government--
That they hetherto have had the misfortune of being deprived of having a
Parson Qualifyed by his Lordship the Bishop in order to be duly authorized
to promote true Religion and Virtue among them and to instruct their
Younger ones in the Principles of their Christian Religion--
That John Giessendanner hath these Nine Years Employ'd his time and
Study to Officiate in the ministerial office and to Preach the Gospel to
their great Satisfaction--
That the same is a man of Piety and Knowledge in the holy Scriptures and
always behaved himself with Sobriety Honesty and Decency, Encouraging
Virtue and reproving Vice--
That Your Petitioners knowing his Merit and Commendable Character have
unanimously consented to gather to give him a Vocation to the Ministerial
Function among them--
That one Mr. Bartho. Zuberbuller having some years agone obtained a
Vocation to this Township and met with favourable Assistance from the
Government hath since his arrival from England in Carolina not shewn his
Person here but Engaged himself to the Service of the Coloney of Georgia
very much to Your Petitioners disappointment--
That the said John Gessendanner being now resolved by the leave of
Providence with the approbation of Your Excellency and Honours and the
Assistance of His Friends to Embark for London in Order to be duly
quallified for that Purpose--
Your Petrs. therefore humbly Pray Your Excellency and Honours to
take their above Grievance into your serious Consideration and to
be pleased to grant the said John Gessendanner such recommendation
and Ratificaiton of this our Vocation as Your Excellency and
Honours will think requisite and Necessary for his better
Succeeding in the Same And Your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall
every Pray &ca.&ca.
Ulrick Roth Jacob Giessendanner Henry Letstine
Michael Larry Henry Stratemann Johannes Acker Junr.
Thomas Puckeridge Geo. Geessendanner junr. Wm. Barrie
John Peter Roth Peter Huber Peter Nagely
Joseph Kryters Peter Hug Henry Hayn
Joseph Doramas Henry Hayn Godens Jennins
John Balsieger Joseph Deramas James Tilley
Joseph Robinson Geor. Shooler junr. Benj. Payton
Rob. Carter John Shaumloffel Jacob Wannenmaker
John Gieg'lman Seth Hatcher John Churchwill
Jacob Giegelman David Rumph Jacob Tshudy
Martin Tshudy Jacob Horger Martin Sally
Peter Grieffous Hans Jacob Myer Ulrick Baber
Leo Claus Martin Egly Adam Snell
Hen. Salley Junr. Jacob Roth John Chevillette
John Amacker Nicho. Yonn Jacob Kuhnen
Barnd. Snell Nichs. Shuler Christn. Minnick
Jacob Ott Lewis Linder Peter Larry
Casper Ott Benj Stedham Isaac Gottows
Hans Frydig Peter Hottow Joseph Huber
Peter Stehely Martin Kichren Philip Jennins
Gionnes Wolffy Ulrick Brunner Michl. Chr Row
John Jennings Gian Loi Wolf John Wetstein
Melchior Ott Johan Wolffy Hans Imdorff
Henry Rickenbacker Jacob Rumph Hans Jacob Strauman
Adam Frolich Jacob Wolfy Hen. Snell
John Fritchman Peter Mauer Junr. John Diedrick
Hans Frydig Junr. Hen. Wurtzer Charles Stotton
John Harrisperger Heny. Felder Abra. Ussenhut
Abraham Rumph Josep Grieffous John Cleaton
John Huber John Fairy John Roth
John Inabnitt Andr. Inabnit Francis Kuhnen
Hans Jacob Hessy Jno. Valentine Yootsy Heny. Sally
Francis Kuhnen Johannes Wolf John Nagely
Christian Roth Peter Moorer
George Giessendanner
Examin'd May 27, 1749 at ye Council Chamber in Charles Town So
Carolina-- a True Copy--
Wm. Backshell P.S.
Endorsed: Petition of the Inhabitants
of Orangeburgh in So. Carolina
Datd. May 27, 1749
The Township of Orangeburg
South Carolina in Favour of
Mr. John Giessendanner.
13 Septemr: Answered to Govr: Glen"
REF: South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. pgs. 48-51.