The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

BOSTON. May 6.

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman at Georgia.

"Agreeable to your Desire, I have been to see Mr. Whitefield's Orphan-House, and will as near as I know give you a Description thereof. It consists of four elegant Fronts, with a Piazza all around, a very neat Chapel in it, two very handsome Parlours and Chambers over them, for Mr. Whitefield's own Use, it has on the same Floor with his Chambers four others very handsome; there is a genteel Dining-Hall for the Orphans on the Ground Floor, and a small neat well chosen Library, principally Books of Divinity. The other Story is a long Range of Chambers commodious for the Orphans, with good Feather Beds: About 40 Yards from the House is the School a neat small Building, the Stables, Store-Houses and Negro-Houses: There is the most elegant Garden in the Country, which is before the Front which faces the Road: The Parlour and Chambers are all very handsomely furnished with Pictures, all at the Expence of Mr. Whitefield.

It is governed by two Gentlemen of Whitefield's Appointment, who are Preachers without Orders, and the Morning Service is that of the Church of England, and the Evening Presbyterian: One of the Gentlemen has the Care of the Plantation in the Week, and the other of the School. This Plantation produces 150 Casks of Rice yearly, besides Boards, and Silk worth about 160 sterling, also Indigo to the Value of 130 sterling more. All Strangers on a Visit are entertained very handsomely gratis. But at present it can scarcely be called an Orphan-House, as there are but 5 Boys therein, Mr. Whitefield having put all out that were fit, when he was here last: He has now given it to the Province of Georgia for a College, together with Two Thousand Pounds, to be laid out in some additional Buildings for Lodgings to the Scholars, with a Reserve to himself of appointing Ten poor Youths as Servitors thereto, and to be educated with them.

Mr. Whitefield when here last had it attested on Oath by the Tradesmen's Bills that built the Orphan-House it cost him 12,800 Sterling. Many sensible People say that if it had not been for this House, the Province would have been deserted; the new Settlers (poor People) had recourse here after their Work was done to good Lodgings and Provisions on free Cost. On the whole I think it does Mr. Whitefield great Honor, and far surpasses any Idea of Him."