Melchior Rasp

[1] Rasp is described as having played an important role in the early Moravian architecture in Old Salem over three decades.

[1] His most notable work is the Single Brothers' House, built in the fachwerk (or half-timbered) style in 1769.

He remained there for five years, then moved to Wachovia, Province of North Carolina, around the same time as carpenter Christian Triebel.

[1] Rasp was one of eight men selected to move to nearby Old Salem to begin constructing the settlement's buildings, with material brought in from Bethabara.

During one of his journeys between Bethabara and Old Salem, he fell and drove a pipe stem through the roof his mouth, which made him unable to work for two months.