History of Delaware : 1609-1888, Part 13

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. J. Richards
Number of Pages: 776

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Of these colonists who came to the Delaware with Printz in the fourth Swedish expedition there exists no complete list, but some of their names have been preserved. The most prominent char- acter of all, not even excepting the Governor, was the elergyman John Campanius, made famous by the journals which he kept, pertaining to New Sweden, from which his grandson wrote the cele- brated " Description of the Province of New Swe- den," a highly interesting, but in some respects untrustworthy work, and notable, too, as the finest translator of Luther's catechism into the Indian language. His name often appears as John Campanius Holm, the last word being added to designate Stockholm, the place of his nativity.3

The Governor brought with him his wife and daughter Armgott, and Lieutenant Mans Kling returned to the settlement.

Among those who were destined to become prom- inent among this last party, were Joran Kyu

! Campanins, p. 71.

: G. B. Kren has extracted sotue of the names from Swedish papers. (The Founding of New Sweden, note), Pennsylvania Jagname of History, Vol. III, p. 109.

3 The Rev. John Campanins was born at Stockholm, on the 15th of August, 1603. This father was Jonas Peter, derk of the congregation of st. Clara. He went through his studies With great reputation, and w. for a long time preceptor in the Dephat's House, at Stockholm. On the 34 of February, 1614, he was called by the government to arcompany "invernor Printz to America, where he remained six years pastor of the congregation there. On his return true, he was made first prosud heer of the Aantalty, and afterwards was pastor of Frost Holtz and Herenwys I'plande, where he translated Latlet's catechism, with other things, nto the Ane than Virgina indiaan) language, a work which he had tu zun in America, and which he here perfected. He died on the lith of ptomber, Inx3, at the age of eighty-two years, and was buried in the church of Frost Hults, where a battesome monument was erected to his methory .- " Campanius," (condeused by Vincenti, p. 183.

See Peanstronae Magazine of History, Vol. II., p. 327.

5 Tand-triun's accontit.

6 Letters to Chancellor Uxenstierna, April 14, 3+4 %.

: The Governor's Report. Pennsylvania Magazine of History, Vol. VII .. p. 272.

....

Constantin s Grüneheugh, same.

Peter ,Jochinisont. 8211 ;.

Juen Nilsson Shbeddere, satte

Juban Ofsun, provost at Christina, itt 1944, in lots a soldier.

Lars Jacobsson, a soldier at Christina, in 161 and In48

Th mas Juransson Timbermat, catpetiter in D.Il, ou the island at i histina.

Manten Mirtensson Glasere, in 1644, cultivating tobacco for the com. par y or the pleutation, at Christina ; in 1648 a freeman.

With the arrival of the fourth expedition and the settlement of its people, the Swedish colonies in America may be considered as fairly established, and the schemes first advocated by Gustavus Adolphus, were at last sufficiently advanced to afford a tangible promise of the rich fruition which that monarch, together with William Usselinx, Minuit and others, had fondly hoped. Printz wrote' " It is a remarkably tine land, with all excellent qualities a man can possibly desire on earth," and yet the outcome was far from being what this au-picious beginning would augur. The growth of the settlement, as a matter of fact, was feeble and tardy, a condition of things which is to be accounted for principally by the fact that the Swedish government did not appreciate the import- ance of the colonization project and was remiss in extending financial and other aid, when the struggling colony stood in sore need

During the first year of Governor Printi's administration many of the settlers died, which Printz stated in his 'report.7 was due to hard work

HISTORY OF DELAWARE.

and the scarcity of proper food. Immigrants con- tinued to arrive, and they appear to have been constituted of the same classes as in the beginning. Campanius says :

"The generality of the projde who went or were sent over from Sweden to America, were of two kinds The prompt of sem coment if of the company's servants, who were employed by them in vation- capacities; the others were those who went over to that country to better their fortunes; they engaged several privileges; they were at liberty to build and settle themselves where they thought proper, and to return home when they pleased. By way of distribution, they were called freemen. There was a third class, consisting of vacahands and oudefactors ; these were to remain in slavery, and were employed in digging the earth, throwing up trenches, and erecting walls and other fortifications. The others had Im intercourse with them, but a partiru- lar spot was appointed for them to posple upon

" In the beginning of Governor Punta - administration, there came a great number of those criminals, who were sent over from Sweden. When the Europy an inhabitants proposed it, they would not enfer them to bet their foot on shore, just they were all obliged to return, or that is great many of them perished on the voyage. It was atter thuis forbudden, utpler a penalty, to send any more criminal- to America, lest Almighty God should let his vengeance tall on the shipes, and goods, and the virtuous people that were on board ; it was sind that there was no strity of good and honest people to settle that country ; last such a great number of them had gone thither (as engineer Lindstrom stat, that on his departure from hence, more than a hundred fainthes of good and hourst Bien, with their wives and clubdren, were obliged to remain behind, as the ship had taken as many on board as she could holt and yet those honest peopde lowul sid all their property, and converted it into nomey, not imagining that they could be so disappointed, " 1

This statement of Campanius (like many others of his) is not to be relied upon as a whole. Printz's report (1647) shows that criminals were received up to that fime, and yet, they must have formed but a small portion of the community, for the whole number of colonists, in 1647, was only one hundred and eighty-three -ouls ( and many of them have already been shown to have been " freemen," or otherwise indicated as people of respectable character). The report alluded to says, that of the total number, "twenty-eight of the freemen had made settlements," and that a part of them were provided " with oxen and cows."?

Printz's ideas of tact and diplomacy resembled an elephant dancing. He was a bluff, coarse soldier, well described by the shrewd, observant, eaustie Pietersen De Vries, as "Captain Printz, who weighed four hundred pounds, and took three drinks at every meal." He lacked not in energy or decision of character. His alertness and ag- gressiveness made him a useful man in his time and place, and probably his administration was more valuable, to the colony at large, than would have been that of a really abler man, coupling with higher qualities than his greater weaknesses.

The Governor had not been long in New Sweden -and it will be remembered he landed at Chris- tina, February 15th, 1643-before he selected a home and the seat of government. To do this he went beyond the settlement already established, and beyond the present boundaries of the State

of Delaware, to the island of Tinicum (now al -. the township of Tinieum, Delaware County, Pon sylvania ) about two miles from the eastern limit- of the city of Chester, then called by the Indian- Tenacong, Tenicko or Tutarnung, "the com- venient situation of which suggested its selection." Here be built a fort or block-house, of which An dreas Hudde afterwards said,-" it is a pretty strong fort, constructed by laying very heavy hemlock (gnenen) logs, the one on the other;"' a mansion for his residence -- " very handsome " -- and a church, which preacher l'ampanius con- seerated to Divine use on the 4th of September. 1646.3 Around the residence, which was called " Printz Hall,"" orchards and gardens were laid out, and the ground was otherwise beantified. Tin. fort, which was named " New Guttenburg" +" Nye Gothborg"), had a "considerable armament." "On this island," says Campaniu-, " the principal inhabitants had their dwellings and plantations," and it is evident that it became the locality of chief importance in, and practically, the capital of New Sweden. Another fort was erected the same year ( 1643) on the east side of the Delaware, at Varkin's Kill, afterwards called by the English Salem Creek or Mill Creek. This was right along- side of the settlement of the New Haven people. on the opposite or south bank of the ereck, at it> confluence with the Delaware. It was named " Elfsborg " or " Wootwessung," and later was called Elsinborg or Elsingborough. " It had eight iron and brass guns, and one " Pot-hoof," and according to Hadde, was usually garrisoned by twelve men, commanded by a lieutenant. Thi- fort which was ready for occupancy in October. 1643, commanded the channel of the Delaware. "Its principal object," says Aurelius, "was to search the Holland ships which came before it, and ( which stuck very hard in their maw ) to make them lower their flag." Proud and sturdy David Pietersen De Vries, the founder of the first settle- ment on the Delaware (the unfortunate colony of Zwaanendael at the Hoornkill), when he attempted to pass up the river in October, 1643, was com- pelled to balt, duck his flag and give an account of himself, and must have experienced a grim sense of the change which a few years had wrought. Hudde says: " By means of this fort Printz closed the entrance of the river so that all vessels, either those arrived from hence (New Amsterdam ) or other places, are compelled to casi their anchor, not excepting those of the Noble Company (the Dutch West India Company), as is

1 " Campanins " (.p. 73, 7.) stys, " This was related to me amongst other things, by an off trustworthy man, named Nils Matson Utter, what, after his return home, served his majesty . hite guards."

: Report of Governor Prints for 1047. Translated from the swedish by Professor G. B. Korn .- Pennsylvania Magname of History, Vol. VII , page 272.

3 Verelins, Page 12. * Campanins,

S Forits original settlements on the Delaware, page 12.

This hall stond more than one hundred and sixty years, and was burned down by accident since the commencement of the present century. - FERRIS.

" Ferris, page 67.

NEW SWEDEN ON THE DELAWARE.

evident from several yachts coming from the orders, purchased from the Indians some lands on Manhattans, which, wishing to pursue their voyage towards the place of their destination without stopping often, were injured by eannon balls, and were in imminent danger of losing some of their crew; so that they must proceed with small craft, upwards of six miles, towards the afore-aid Printz, to obtain his consent, that they might sail higher up the river, no matter whether they are English- men or Netherlanders, without paying any regard to their commissions."

Printz was as arbitrary and violent towards the English as to the Dutch. The latter people, it will be remembered, had expelled the New Haven settlers from Varkin's Kill, and they now returned only to experience the peculiar tender mercies of the Swedish Governor. They were led by the same Lamberton who had before been their most prominent man, and it was doubtless his purpose to replant the settlement. While Lamberton's sloop, the " Coek," was lying at anchor somewhere in the river between Fort Elfsborg and Christina, Printz indueed him and two of his men to come to Fort Gottenburg where he placed them in irons, and threw them into prison. He put the irons upon Lamberton with his own hands, and he and his wife made the inferiors all drunk, and by promises of rich reward and other means, en- deavored to induce them to swear that Lamberton was ineiting an Indian insurrection. " They re- mained true, however, and Printz had after a few days to release his prisoners without accomplishing his purpose. Lamberton, before regaining his liberty, had to pay a "weight of beaver," and receive a vigorous eursing from the burly and irascible governor.' Printz expelled all of the English who would not take the oath of allegianee to the crown of Sweden, and the proceeding led to a long series of negotiations between the New England authorities, and the Swedish and Dutch governors.

Printz was swollen with the " insolence of office," and in 1645, when the Dutch placed Andreas Hadde in the position of commissary at Fort Nassau, he found that he had a more vigorous official to deal with than the deposed Jan Jansen Van Ilpendam. Hudde was quick to protest against everything that the Swedes did which might be construed as adverse to Dutch interests. and Printz either paid no attention whatever, to such proteste, or upon their reception committed acts even more outrageous than those which had called them forth. When Hudde, upon Kieft's

1 lholde's report (November, 1640), "Colomal Settlements on the ILAWAY " (New York Holmbad Records, Vol .II., B. Fernow ), page 2". " Substance of depositions made at New Haven.

. The court that tried Lamberton assendied on July 10, 1142, at Fort theatina, and was composed of the following persons : " Captain turis tinh Boy, Captain Mons. Ilingh, Hendrick Huyghen, Confissary Jan John. Commissary Schipper W. - el Everton, schipper > under Levert- erti. (Hoff Stille, Evert Sievers, Carl Jansen, David Davidson."

the west shore of the river ( where afterwards was built Philadelphia), and set up there the arms of Holland, Printz -ent Commissary Henrik Huy- ghens, of Fort Christina, to throw the insignia down. Thereupon Hudde arrested Huyghens, threw him into the guard-house, and sent word to Printz of what he had done. Some correspondence ensuing, the irate Governor contemptuously tossed aside Hudde's communication, regarding the rights of his company, and seizing a musket threatened to shoot the me -- enger. Printz was certainly irritatingly insolent towards those whom he re- garded as intruders upon Swedish soil. Hudde says that when visiting him at his own house, at table and in the presence of his own wife, in reply to his remark that the Dutch were the first settlers on the Delaware, Printz said that " the Devil was the oldest possessor of hell. but that he sometimes admitted a younger one," which was certainly not diplomatie language, or calculated to create or cement friendship.

The Governor had completely elosed the Schuylkill+ to the Dutch by the erection of a fortification at its month ealled " Manayunk," one at King-essing and another at Passayunk, called " Korsholm," and had besides, put a fort almost contiguous to the Dutch Fort Beversede, between it and the water, rendering it entirely useless. About midway between Christina and New Got- tenburg, a colony was founded comprising houses and a fort, 5 ealled Upland. North of this, also, several scattered settlements were gradually es- tablished. Printz built the fir-t water-mill on South River, at a place called Karakung, other- wise Water-Mill Stream ( Amesland or Carkoen's Hook), on what is now Cobb's Creek, near the bridge on the Darby road, at the old Blue Bell tavern, near Philadelphia. This was put up instead of the old wind-mill, which. Printz says, never would work and was "good for nothing." This mill ground both meal and flour, and found con- stant work.

Printz's zeal was rewarded by his government with the grant of New Gottenburg, as a perpetual possession for himself and his heirs forever. It passed to his daughter, married to Johan Papegoja, and often afterwards is spoken of as her property.

Through their Governor's energetic action the Swedes effectually became master- of the river and the greater part of the neighboring territory. He was prudent enough to keep on a good footing with the Indians andcut the Dutch off from their trade. The credit enjoyed with the natives by the Swedes was, indeed, so great that when, in

+ This stream was mained by the Dutch Seulk kill or holden creek, from the fact that its month was so comeraled that they at first sailed by without nothing it.

" These forts were commonly more block-houses, intended especially for protection against the Indians.

HISTORY OF DELAWARE

the spring of 1644, some of the Minqua nation were murdered by the savages, sachems presented themselves before Printz to offer compensation and sue for peace. He closed the Schuylkill to the Dutchmen, adopted a policy of non-intercourse and sold the Indians arms and ammunition, this securing not only their good will but insuring larger returns of furs. He also persecuted or expelled every Dutchman in New Sweden who would not take the vath of allegiance to his sovereign.

The Swedish coloni-ts, however, had great didi- culties to contend with, not being able to produce their daily bread, with which they were provided partly at the cost of the company. The novelty of the climate and the various privations suffered caused the death of many persons (during 1643 not less than twenty-five), according to the Dutch account reducing the number of male inhabitants in 1645 to eighty or ninety. The situation of the survivors, however, rapidly improved; tobacco was diligently cultivated, and the raising of corn and breeding of cattle were duly promoted by the Governor.

In the spring of 1644 the ship " Fama " arrived from Sweden, having been equipped at the ex- pense of the Crown and setting sail the previous year, bringing, it is presumed, both emigrants' and merchandise, although we have not found any definite information concerning this, the fifth Swedish expedition to the Delaware. The vessel was despatched back to Sweden. June 20, 1644, carrying a cargo of two thousand one hundred and thirty-six beaver skins and twenty thousand four hundred and sixty-seven pounds of tobacco for the company, besides seven thousand two hundred pounds sent over by the Governor to be sold for his own aceount.

The ascension of Queen Christina upon the throne of Sweden, in 1644, and changes in the sys- tem of government largely contributed to the decay and final ruin of New Sweden on the Delaware. From June, 1644, until October, 1646, communi- cation was suspended with the mother country. Governor Printz was, however, zealously endeavor- ing to promote his enterprise. We have already seen how, by the action of Nya Korsholm, he secured the month of the Schuylkill : he also con- sidered it necessary to guard the route of traffic with the Minquas still farther to the interior. To this intent he eaused to be built some distance inland a strong block-house, "capable of defence against the savages by four or five men, well sup- plied with powder and shot." The place received

the name of " Wasa," and several "freeme settied there A quarter of a mile beyond, in th same " path of the Minquas," was constructed similar hoase where other peasants also setthe. This not was called " Moindal," ; because, sav. Printz. " I had a, water-mill erected there, runnin ; without intermission, to the great advantage c: the country." It was, as heretofore stated, the first within the limits of Pennsylvania. Further in .. proverients were also made at the old place - Christina, Elfsborg and Korsholm. On the 250. of November, 1645, Fort New Gottenburg wa- set rire to by u gunner and it was destroyed in at hour. The Governor and people suffered great los>; the company's goods consumed by the fit were valued at four thousand riksdaler. Notwith- standing this great calamity to the infant colony. on the 4th of September, 1646, Campanius con- secrated the first Swedish church on the spot, and Printz afterwards built his dwelling there.

The colony was largely reinforced on the 1st of October, 1646, by the arrival of the ship " Gyllene Hajen " (" Golden Shark ") with the sixth Swedish expedition. The voyage had occupied four month -. the vessel losing near all her sails and the entire crew being sick. The cargo consisted of Holland goods intended for barter with the Indians for furs. On February 20, 1647, the ship " Gyllene Hajen " sailed with a return cargo, consisting of twenty-four thousand one hundred and seventy- seven pounds of tobacco, only six thousand nine hundred and twenty pounds of which was raised by the colony, the remainder having been pur- chased in Virginia.

Being in a condition to revive his languishing beaver trade, Printz now sent Huyghen and Van Dyck, with eight soldiers fifty miles into the in- terior among the Minquas, with presents of all kinds, to induce them to trade with the Swedes. The jealousy which had existed between the Swell and Dutch from the beginning of the settlement. having broken out in open rupture in 1646, the following extract from Governor Printz's report "to the Most Honorable West India Company." gives a fair idea of the relations which then ex- isted between the rival colonists on the Delaware.

" Il is of the utmost necessity for us to hive the Dutch from the Ive. for they oppose us on every side. Ih They destroy our trade ever. where. (2) They strengthen the savages with guns, shot and puis i publicly trading with these against the edict of all Christians 's !! stir up the savages against us, who, but for our prudener, wonid ali have gone tou tar. (4) They brain to buy Total from the svagrs w. our hondaries, which we had purchased already eight years a . have the ingualence in several places to erect the arms of the W - India Company, calling them then arms, au reaver, they give Me. Sweden the name of New Netherland, and date to Fuld their he there, as can be learned from the Ihitch Governor's letter, here anita \ atid by my answer to it . in short, they apja priate to themselves al every right, hort high their own flags, and wonid surely not pay least attention to Her Majesty's tags and forts, Were they not Tellit by cannon shot. They must be driven from the tiver, either by wat agreement or other means ; otherwise they will disturb our whole with

"Called by the Indians Kakarikonk. It was near the present Coll . Creek, a branch of Darby Creek.

1 Besides Johan Papegoja, only five are mentioned in a list of person4 living in New sweden March 1, 1648, viz .: The barber, Hans Jan he, from Konigsberg, who "settled in New sweden in the service of the Crown, March 31, Int4;" Jan Mattson, gunner at Furt Elfsluitg ; Andery JueDason, sobhier, engaged by Papegoja December 1, Infl; Wolle Lobe, s Mier, Utto : Sven svrhason, a lad .- Pennsylvania Muga- ine, Prof. G. B. Keen, translator, Vol. VII., page 419.

NEW SWEDEN ON THE DELAWARE.

De lutter to accomplish their intention, some of the Hollanders have inly pitted the Christians, resorting to the Minquis, behaving with -ash more museenliness than the ravages themselves. I have written -veral times to their Governor about all these improprieties, and also and their arms to be cut down, but it did not make any diferente ; ter am very well that we have a weak settlement ; and, with no -ardestuess of our side, their malice against us indieses more and

Notwithstanding these difficulties the colony vemed to prosper, for it was successfully engaged in agriculture and trade, and numbered one hun- dred and eighty-three souls. It was greatly in need, however, of skilled mechanics and soldier-, "and, above all, unmarried women as wives for the unmarried freemen and the rest." In consequence of l'rintz's report, on the 25th of September, 1647. the seventh expedition set sail from Gottenburg, on the ship " Svanen," Captain Steffen Willemsen, carrying emigrants and a valuable cargo. Among the former were two Lutheran elergymen, Lars Carlsson Loock ( Laurentius Lockenins ) and Israel Fluviander, Printz's sister's son, with Johan Pape-

GOVERNOR PETER STUYVESANT.

goja who had returned to Sweden. On the 1tith of May, 1648, the ship " Svanen " sailed from New Sweden with a return cargo, and after a re- markably short voyage of thirty days, arrived at Helsingor, and on the 3d of July, at Stockholm.

In 1647 the Dutch Director-General Kiett was succeeded by Peter Stuyvesant, who began his ad- ministration on May 27th. Printz found him a very different man from Kiett. When the two governors finally met on May 25th, 1651, the Dutch director-general, while quite as soldierly, bluff. and irascible as Printz, showed himself to be head and shoulders above the latter in diplomacy.

During all these disputes and high-handed dealings in the period of Printe's administration, the Dutch had sedulously pursued the policy of acquiring, by public and private purchase, Indian titles to all the lands on both sides the Delaware from Salem and Christinaham up. The Swedes had latterly adopted the same policy, but with less success. Stuyvesant came to the South River in person in 1651, "to preserve and protect the company's rights and jurisdiction." He sent į roof- to Printz of the company's rights in the premises, and demanded in return that the Swedish governor should produce proof of what lands he had pur- chased and his authority to hold them. Printz could merely define the limits of his territory, and say that his papers were on file in the chancellory of Sweden. Then Stuyvesant is said to have detected Printz in an attempt to secretly buy title from an Indian -achem called Waspang Zewan, whereupon the Dutch governor forthwith dealt with the Indians hinself, and was by them pre- sented with a title to both sides of the Delaware from Christiana Creek to Bombay Hook, they at the same time denying that they had ever sold any lands to the Swedes. Finally, Stuyvesant determined that he would build another fort, Fort Nassau being too much out ofthe way, and in spite of Printz's protests he built Fort Casimir on the Delaware side of the river, about one Dutch mile from Fort Christina and near the present city of New Castle, where he stationed a garrison, with cannon and two ships. The central point of the Dutch power on the Delaware, was now trans- ferred to Fort Casimir, and soon after Fort Nas- sau was abandoned. Printz and Stuyvesant had several interviews with each other, and the final result was that " they mutually promised to cause no difficulties or hostility to each other, but to keep neighborly friendship and correspondence together, and act as friends and allies."

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History of Delaware : 1609-1888, Part 13

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : L. J. Richards Number of Pages: 776

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. J. Richards
Number of Pages: 776