ABSTRACT
John Frederic Oberlin's correspondence was particularly heavy in the time of the great famine, which in the Ban de la Roche assumed proportions unmatched since the Thirty Years' War. Oberlin honored Lezay as an honest and conscientious public official, while the prefect venerated the parson as a deeply religious man who to an unusual degree showed forth his faith in his good works. From the historic meeting in Strasbourg the whole company of the mayors went to Oberlin's home, informed him of the details of the settlement, and gave him as a souvenir the quill with which the instrument had been signed. The resources of the foundation were increased by funds solicited by the Legrands from other admirers of the great educator and by the continuing sale of the Oberlin statues. After Oberlin's death in 1826, Legrand devoted himself to keeping the memory of the pastor alive in the Ban de la Roche, in Alsace, and abroad.
