Christian Gottlieb Priber facts for kids

Christian Gottlieb Priber (born March 21, 1697 – died 1744) was a German man who moved to America. He had a big dream: to create a perfect community. He wanted to build this special place with the Cherokee and other Native American groups. They lived in the southeastern part of North America.

The Cherokee people saw Priber as a "beloved man." This was because he respected their culture. He also disagreed with many European ways. However, the British rulers did not like his ideas. Priber believed people should not own private land. He also thought Native American lands should be a safe place for people who had run away from difficult situations.

The British authorities demanded that Priber be handed over. In 1743, the Creeks, who were allied with the British, captured him. He was then imprisoned by the British. Priber died in 1744 while he was held in Frederica, Georgia.

Early Life and Education

Christian Gottlieb Priber was born on March 21, 1697. His hometown was Zittau in Electorate of Saxony, Germany. His father, Friedrich Priber, was a linen merchant and owned a beerhouse. His mother was Anna Dorothea Bergmann.

Priber studied law at Erfurt University. In October 1722, he published his main paper. It was about how important Roman law was and how people ignored it in Germany.

Priber's Dream in America

Priber came to America with a special vision. He wanted to create a new kind of society. He focused on the Cherokee people. At that time, the Cherokee were very powerful in the southeastern colonies.

The Cherokee welcomed Priber. They called him a "beloved man." This was because he truly liked Native American culture. He also felt that European culture had become very unfair.

A Vision for a United Community

Priber chose the Cherokee because he thought they were perfect for his dream. He worked within their community. He promoted the idea of a shared society. This idea was based on Plato's Republic, an ancient book about an ideal city.

He imagined a strong group of all the Native American tribes. This group could work with and against the different colonial powers. These powers were Spain, France, and England. This would help the tribes keep their land safe.

Challenging Colonial Rules

Priber had strong beliefs that went against the British. He believed that people should not own private land. He also thought that Cherokee land should be a safe place. It should offer refuge for people who had run away from difficult situations or debts.

Because of these ideas, the British authorities wanted him. They demanded his capture in 1739. In 1743, the Creeks captured him while he was traveling. He was then given to the British and put in prison.

Priber's Family and Death

Priber married Christiane Dorothea Hoffmann in November 1722. She was the daughter of a merchant and a senator. They had five children together.

Christian Gottlieb Priber died in 1744. He passed away while he was imprisoned in Frederica, Georgia.