American Colony (Jerusalem)

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)