Johann Tobias Hirte was born in 1707 in Euba, Upper Lusatia. Growing to a young man, he served in the Saxon Army, and eventually was converted to Christianity by the Moravian Brethren there. He was married to Maria Kloss at the “Great Wedding” held at Herrnhaag on May 27, 1743: Count Zinzendorf officiating. They were one of 24 couples at this famous mass wedding ceremony.
Johann Tobias, else unknown to fame, became a master carpenter while with the Moravians and so was called to Nazareth when the need for his trade became evident. He was to build “Nazareth Hall” for the pending residence of Count Zinzendorf, who was expected to become an inhabitant of the Providence. Working harmoniously with men of seven nationalities, Hirte finished the noble structure in the record time of five months in 1755. It is architecturally faultless.
The important issue from the marriage of Johann and Maria Hirte was a son named Tobias, called Toby by his friends. Toby was nurtured in the traditional Moravian atmosphere of the time, and therefore, was provided with an excellent education including musical instruction. He was proficient with violin, spinet, and vocal talents, along with reading, writing, and arithmetic, and could repair musical instruments. He was known to be a bookworm even later in life. Toby’s personal motto was “Liberty and Independence.” He enjoyed social activities with friends and strangers and had an outgoing, congenial personality. His attributes did not go unnoticed, for in 1771, he was assigned as assistant schoolmaster at Lititz, at the corner of Main and Water Streets, under the supervision of Moravian Brother Roessler. He resided in the Brothers’ House: a sworn bachelor.
