American Colony (Jerusalem)

Variant names
Dates:
Active 1786
Active 2007
English, Turkish, Hebrew, Arabic, Swedish,

Biographical notes:

Religious community in Jerusalem founded by American emigré Christians, Horatio Gates Spafford and his wife, Anna T. Spafford, and perpetuated by their daughter, Bertha Spafford Vester, and others.

From the description of American Colony in Jerusalem collection, circa 1786-2007 (bulk 1870-1968). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71073521

Organizational History and Biographical Note

American Colony in Jerusalem

1881 A group of fourteen adults and four children led by Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888) and Anna T. Spafford traveled to the Holy Land from Chicago, Ill., and formed a Christian utopian community in Jerusalem 1888 Horatio Gates Spafford died; Anna T. Spafford became leader of the group 1895 Custody trial concerning guardianship of Ruth Whiting and John D. Whiting, children of American Colony member, Mary E. Whiting, Chicago, Ill. 1896 Groups of Swedes joined the American Colony; members of the Swedish Evangelical Church, led by Olaf Henrik Larsson, arrived from Chicago, Ill., in April and others from the village of Nås in Dalarna, Sweden, arrived in August 1898 American Colony Photo Department established 1902 American Colony began operating a hostel for visitors to the Holy Land 1904 1948 Operation of Fr. Vester and Co., American Colony Store, managed by Frederick Vester and John D. Whiting, inside Jaffa Gate in the Old City, Jerusalem 1915 1918 Colony members engaged in relief efforts and charitable activities for the local populace during World War I circa 1918 1922 Administered an orphanage supported by Christian Herald 1923 Anna T. Spafford died; Bertha Spafford Vester assumed leadership role 1926 Started a baby home; over the years it became the Anna Spafford Baby Home, the Spafford Children's Hospital, and the Spafford Children's Center 1927 Infant Welfare Center established 1929 Opened a playground in the Old City 1929 1930 American Colony organized into a corporation, American Colony of Jerusalem, resulting in a split in the group and the departure of many of the Swedish members 1929 American Colony Stores, Inc., established 1931 Vester and Co. New York store sold to Nils Lind 1960 Vester and Co., Ltd., established 1980 Management of American Colony Hotel taken over by Gauer Hotels of Switzerland following retirement of Horatio Vester

Horatio Gates Spafford

1828, Oct. 20 Born, Lansingburgh, N.Y. circa 1856 Moved to Chicago, Ill. 1856 1881 Practiced law, Chicago, Ill. 1861 Married Anna Tubena Lawson (originally Larsson) 1871 Suffered financial losses in the Great Fire, Chicago, Ill. 1873 Lost four daughters in the sinking of the Ville du Havre circa 1873 Wrote lyrics for the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” 1878 Published Waiting for the Morning and Other Poems. Chicago: F. H. Revell 1881 Following family tragedies and a split from his church, led a group of people to Jerusalem and set up a Christian utopian community that became known as the American Colony circa 1882 1888 Taught English, Alliance Israelite boys' school 1888, Oct. 16 Died, Jerusalem, Palestine

Anna T. Spafford

1842, Mar. 16 Born, Stavenger, Norway 1846 Emigrated to United States 1861 Married Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888) 1873 Survived sinking of the Ville du Havre, but lost her four daughters 1881 Traveled to Jerusalem and helped found the American Colony 1888 Assumed leadership of the American Colony following the death of her husband 1923, Apr. 17 Died, Jerusalem, Palestine

Bertha Spafford Vester

1879, Mar. 24 Born, Lake View, Chicago, Ill. 1881 Moved to Jerusalem, Palestine 1897 Director, Moslem girls school, Jerusalem 1904 Married Frederick Vester (died 1942); first marriage allowed in American Colony 1925 Founder, Anna Baby Home which later became the Anna Spafford Baby Home, the Spafford Children's Hospital, and the Spafford Children's Center, Jerusalem circa 1931 Established American Colony Aid Association 1950 Published Our Jerusalem: An American Family in the Holy City, 1881-1949. New York, Doubleday & Co. 1962 Published Flowers of the Holy Land. Kansas City, Mo., Hallmark Cards 1964 Published new and enlarged edition, Flowers of the Holy Land. Kansas City, Mo., Hallmark Cards 1963 Awarded Jordan Star by Hussein, King of Jordan 1968, June 27 Died, Jerusalem, Israel

From the guide to the American Colony in Jerusalem Collection, 1786-2007, (bulk 1870-1968), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

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Subjects:

  • American
  • Americans
  • Charities
  • Charities
  • Christian communities
  • Christian communities
  • Consuls
  • Consuls
  • Consuls
  • Earthquakes
  • Earthquakes
  • Hymns
  • Israel
  • Jewish
  • Locust
  • Locusts
  • Medical care
  • Medical care
  • Shipwrecks
  • Shipwrecks
  • Swedes
  • Swedes
  • Tourism
  • Tourism
  • World War, 1914-1918
  • World War, 1914-1918

Occupations:

not available for this record

Places:

  • Israel (as recorded)
  • Turkey (as recorded)
  • Palestine (as recorded)
  • Jordan (as recorded)
  • Israel (as recorded)
  • Turkey (as recorded)
  • Jerusalem (as recorded)
  • Middle East (as recorded)
  • Palestine (as recorded)
  • Atlantic Ocean (as recorded)
  • Jerusalem (as recorded)
  • Jordan (as recorded)

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