Post # 7 ~ Picturing Hamburg

Attention! Artists
~ One Thousand Dollars: Rush Job! ~

I wonder if Mr. Shultz, Founder of Hamburg, ever found a workmanlike artist. What I wouldn't give to see that Correct Drawing.

From The Charleston Daily Courier, 1836-04-05. LOC

  

I haven't seen further mention of this artistic project in the old newspapers. But I did find a written description
of Hamburg and its environs, written by the Founder and Proprietor himself. This caught my attention because I want to get a sense of the town during those years. How did it look? Was it a great place to raise kids?

It happened in 1838 that Mr. Shultz needed to sell his lots in Hamburg in order to adjust his affairs (pay his debts). 

From The Charleston Mercury, 1838-03-01. LOC

Mr. Shultz, never at a loss for words, then wrote a description of Hamburg which tells me much about the experience of the Jeffers kids growing up there. Adults reading Mr. Shultz's paean probably filtered his enthusiasm through a more realistic lens; but children, especially children in a comfortable home with kindly parents, would be likely to view their hometown in the loving light portrayed by artist Shultz.

~ Hamburg's Great Natural Benefits ~

To help sell his lots, Henry Shultz placed a promotional article in the Charleston papers, pointing out the many benefits of living in Hamburg.

From The Charleston Daily Courier, 1838-03-03. LOC

This does indeed help me picture the hometown of the Jeffers siblings. Sounds like a nice place to grow up.

TEXT TRANSCRIPTION

A SALE OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE — Having passed the meridian of human life, and being in a feeble state of health, I am desirous to wind up the several attempts of my successful enterprises, and settle up myself, finally, all the just demands due by me to mankind, instead of leaving it for others to do for me, after I have ceased lo be.

One hundred and sixty valuable TOWN LOTS, improved and unimproved, also some whole square of Lots, will be sold in the town of Hamburg, according to the above advertisement, by the Sheriff of Edgefield District, South-Carolina. Bringing so much property into market, it is evident that great bargains will be obtained. That the town of Hamburg will become a flourishing city, is now beyond contradiction, being favored with many great natural benefits, not merely as a place of commerce, but also in health, comfort and pleasure — first it has the immediate benefit of the noble stream, Savannah — second, it is one end, and the boundary of this State, of the great Charleston and Western Rail Road — thirdly, it has four or five noble Springs of pure and wholesome Water, some of which can be directed through different parts of the town, and raised to the second stories, it will not only serve as a convenience, but also as a safeguard against fire.

The hill side and woodland part, between the town and the towering eminence, called the Park, is laid out in walks, and serving as a promenade for the enjoyment of pleasure, which daily draws the attention of many visitors. The eminence called the Citadel, is 120 feet above Hamburg and Augusta, and within one mile distant of both towns, a romantic situation which furnishes the eye with a most picturesque view, that an eye may behold, and is immediately at the junction of the great thoroughfare, by land and by water, between the North, the South, and the West.

The receipts of Cotton alone, the present season, has been from 1st Sept. 1837, up to 16th Feb 1838, 39,668 bales. And as respects the titles to the property, the purchaser will get all the title that the State of South-Carolina and her Courts can give.

HENRY SCHULTZ,

Founder and proprietor of the town of Hamburg.

Hamburg, Feb. 26

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PS. Lest you worry about Mr. Shultz's feeble state of health, he having passed the meridian of human life - rest assured that he lived another 13 robust years, energetically pursuing his enterprises.