The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 29

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017

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Netawotwes and the other chiefs favored peace, under the influences wrought upon them by the missions. Netawotwes had become their firm friend through association. White Eyes was unwaveringly the advocate of the Christians, and many other influential and warlike chiefs had been won to the cause of peace by the gentle influence of the Gospel. Guided by these leaders, the Delawares did everything in their power to prevent the surround- ing nations from going to war, though not always with success, so subtle and cunning were the British emissaries in instilling passion and hatred in the Indian mind. It has been computed that the Indians of New Yorh, Ohio and the lakes could muster at the beginning of the Revolution ten thousand warriors, and had all these tribes engaged offensively against the colonists at the opening of the struggle, the calamity would have been fearful. While Samuel Kirkland secured the neutrality of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, so that the Iroquois were divided, the labors of the Moravian teachers in the Tuscarawas Valley at this critical period prevented a general combination of the Western Indians until 1780, a date when the French alliance and the in- crease of population on the southern bank of the Ohio concurred to arrest its most disastrous consequences.

Zeisberger, in his manuscript history of the Indians, says: "If the Dela awares had taken part against the Americans in the present war, America would have made terrible experiences; for the neutrality of the Delawares kept all the many nations that are their grandchildren neutral, too, except the Shawnees, who are no longer in close union with their grandfathers." Gen. Richard Butler thus testified to Heckewelder: " Had the chiefs of the

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Delaware nation, together with the Christian Indians, pursued a different course than that which they adopted, all joined the enemy'and taken up the hatchet against the American people, it would have cost the United States much blood and treasure to have withstood them and checked their progress, besides weakening our already feeble armies on the seaboard, by draining them of troops for the Western service, and this might have proved fatal to the cause."

War preparations were made on all sides, and a lowering cloud hung over the missions. The missionaries were advised by the Government Agent to take refuge at Pittsburgh, but they chose rather to suffer whatever might be - fall them than desert a people committed to their care, and who now, they thought, were most in need of advice and consolation. The number of mis- sionaries was increased in November, 1776, by the arrival of William Ed- wards, an Englishman, who became Zeisberger's associate at Lichtenau. Heckewelder had joined Youngman at Schonbrunn, and Schmick remained alone at Gnadenhutten. All the American traders of respectability quitted the country in 1776. On the 12th of November, this year, the Christian In- dians were surprised to see Matthew Elliot, a well-known trader, enter their town on his way to the Shawanese country. He continued his course the next morning, but the same day was captured by six Sandusky Indians, his merchandise confiscated, and his life spared at the intercession of two Mo- ravian Indians who had followed him.

Internal dissensions arose. In the fall of 1776, the Muncey tribe on the Walhonding began to secretly inveigle their countrymen among the couverts into a plot both against the Delaware council and the mission. Newallike was the first to apostatize, and he in turn lent his influence to win over others. By the end of the year, a rebellious party existed that defied the authority of Youngman, and was fast relapsing into heathenism. In February, 1777, Newallike openly renounced the church, and betook himself to the Walhond- ing. The disaffected soon after held a secret conclave, at which they agreed to disown Christianity, forsake Schonbrunn, and join the Wyandots. But gaining strength, they became emboldened, and concocted a scheme to seize the teachers, remove them forcibly to Pittsburgh, and return to the faith and practice of their fathers. The machinations of the Munceys was fostered by jealousies and envy among the missionaries. Zeisberger says: "Schonbrunn was neglected. There was a want of harmony among the missionaries ; they were jealous one of the other, and the Indians were left as sheep without a shepherd." Zeisberger had hitherto been kept in ignorance of these troubles, but now his measures were prompt and authoritative. Supported by his col- leagues, he announced that the mission must be removed to Lichtenau. The faithful part of the membership assented, and some of the faction repented and joined them; the others refused obedience. Before the settlement could be broken up, and after Zeisberger had returned to Lichtenau, a false report was spread that the Mingoes were on their way to murder the missionaries. Youngman and his wife, accompanied by Richard Conner, a white ranger,

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who, with his wife had joined the mission two years previous, fled to Lichtenau; Heckewelder to Gnadenhutten. Thereupon the conspirators took possession of the town. On the return of Zeisberger, order was restored to some extent; a short religious service was held early in the morning of April 19, the chapel was razed to the ground, and the next day the converts left their pleasant town, beautiful spring and fair fields, and sorrowfully took their way to Lichtenau, Schonbrunn remaining in the possession of the Munceys. Heckewelder returned to Bethlehem. Youngman and Schmick also soon after returned to Pennsylvania, leaving Zeisberger and Edwards in sole charge of the two missions.

Thenceforth the efforts of the Wyandots and Shawnees to involve the Delawares at Goshachgunk in the warfare against the colonies were incessant. In July, 1777, an embassy of twenty Wyandots arrived and thrice offered the war-belt, which was as often declined. Early in August, Zeisberger and Ed- wards were alarmed at the intelligence that 200 warriors, led by Pomoacan, the Half King of Upper Sandusky, were on their way to Lichtenau. After mature deliberation, they resolved to show no signs of fear, but gain their friendship if possible by giving a kind reception. A choice feast was prepared and for- warded by Christian Indians to the Half King and his band at Goshachgunk, where they arrived August 8. The ovation was well received, and in a speech Isaac Glickhican, a converted chief, won their friendship for the two mission- aries. The effect of the proceedings, however, was watched with the gravest apprehensions by the friends of the missions, and it was arranged that should the Half King reply in angry tones a messenger should be at once dispatched with all speed to Lichtenau, two miles below, that the Christians might take instant flight by boat. The joy was great that the affair took a favorable turn, and Half King with eighty-two warriors visited Lichtenau, where they were welcomed by Zeisberger and Edwards. The Kalt King then sent messengers to the English Governor at Detroit, and to the chiefs of the Huron country, that he had made a covenant of friendship with the believing Indians and had ac- knowledged the white brethren to be their fathers and would ever own them as such. It was two weeks before Lichtenau was relieved of the presence of these warriors. After their friendship was obtained, Edwards hastened back to Gnadenhutten and took charge of that forsaken station. Zeisberger re- mained at Lichtenau, and scarcely a week passed that a war party did not visit him and his station. He was kindly treated by them, but was obliged to fur. nish them with food. To all the Gospel was proclaimed. Painted braves with nodding plumes often filled the chapel at Lichtenau. Some new converts were obtained, and the majority of the apostate Munceys returned to the flock.

The hospitality which the missionaries were obliged to bestow upon visit- ing war parties was not without its danger, for it aroused the suspicions of the Americans that they were friendly to the British cause. Nor was the position of the Delawares any better. The colonists had not requested them to take up arms in their behalf, only to remain neutral; but as a neutral nation they could not prevent the visits of war parties from the neighboring tribes, and to

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refuse them food, when present, would have been the unpardonable sin in In- dian manners and customs. For thus harboring the hostile warriors, the Del- awares incurred the hatred of the frontier settlers, whose passions were excited by border outrages. In the early autumn of 1777, the Delawares, alarmed by a false report that an American army was marching against them, deserted their villages and took refuge in the forests. Their fears were allayed, how- ever, by letters from Gens. Hand and Morgan, assuring them of the unwaver- ing friendship of the Americans. In October, 1777, a party of freebooters from the Ohio settlements, in defiance of the commander's endeavors to re- strain them, crossed the Ohio with intentions to destroy the peaceable Dela- ware settlements on the Muskingum. They were met and totally defeated by Half King and his warriors. This affair, occurring so soon after the peace messages, created consternation among the Delawares, and Capt. Pipe's party could scarcely be restrained from taking the war-path. At one time it seemed that the nation would declare for war, but Zeisberger promptly interposed and threatened that the whole body of Christian Indians would leave the country the very day the Delawares took up the hatchet. Alarmed at this, Gelelemend and White Eyes convened the council and neutrality was re-affirmed.

In the spring of 1778, complications increased at the Delaware capital. News was received that the British Governor at Detroit was determined to en- force all the Indians, including the Christians, to turn out and fight the Americans. Soon after, Simon Girty, Matthew Elliot and Alexander McKee, three renegades, deserted the American cause and passed from Fort Pitt down the Muskingum to Goschachgunk, where they were followed by twenty soldier deserters also, who spread terror at the Delaware Indian capital, and at the Moravian mission, Lichtenau, near by. They represented Washington as hav- ing been killed, the army dispersed, and the Americans coming West to kill all the Indians. Capt. Pipe called the Delawares to the council house, and in a violent speech urged the Indians to take up the hatchet against the colonies. Even the Indian converts at the mission Lichtenau were aroused, and many clamored for war. Capt. White Eyes replied to Pipe, and pronounced all these stories lies, at the same time asking the Indians to not take the war-path for ten days, and if word did not come in that time showing that these rene- gades were liars, he would go to war with his nation and be the first to fall. His eloquence stayed the torrent of Indian wrath let loose by Pipe, and all agreed to wait the time asked.

In the meantime, the Moravians at Bethlehem, Penn., having heard nothing from the Tuscarawas missions for six months, dispatched Heckewelder with his servant for information to Fort Pitt, with instructions to proceed to Lichtenau if the journey could be performed with safety. They arrived at Fort Pitt jaded and worn, but learning the reports that had come up from the valley, at once started on horseback through the forests, infested with marauding bands of savages, with peace messages and letters from Gen. Hand, commander at Fort Pitt, to the Delawares, assuring them that all the stories were false, etc. He and John Martin reached Gnadenhutten at midnight of the second day,

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and learning there that the ten days would be up on the morrow, again mounted, without rest or sleep, and rode into Goshocking the next morning at 10 o'clock. The Delawares were painted and ready for the war-path. His old friends, and even White Eyes, refused to shake hands with him. Seeing the crisis, he stood up in his saddle, his hair flapping in the wind, and waved the peace letters over his head, telling the Indians that all those stories were lies; that instead of Washington being killed, the American Army had captured Burgoyne's British Army, and that instead of coming West to kill the Indians, the Amer- icans were their true friends, and wanted them not to take any part in the war. White Eyes then spoke, and calmed the Delawares, who put off their war plumes, except Pipe and his Muncey band, and thus was peace restored and Zeisberger and his mission saved for the time from destruction.

In consequence of the disturbances caused by the war, and the refractory spirit of some of the young people, the Gnadenhutten Indians were, in April. 1778, brought to Lichtenau, where the entire body of converts was now con- centrated under the care of Zeisberger, Edwards and Heckewelder. Zeisberger regained his influence in the Indian council. and caused a deputation to be sent to Pittsburgh in response to Gen. Hand's dispatches In a letter to the board, written about this time, he said that the three united churches hoped to be able to hold out until the end of the war. If, however, this should prove impossible, he would put himself at their head and lead them to the South country far beyond the reach of danger.

The Delawares having again, in 1778, refused to take up the hatchet at the solicitation of Gov. Hamilton at Detroit, that official "hair buyer " devised an expedition against Goschachgunk and Lichtenau, consisting of Indians and a few British soldiers, with instructions to bring back, without fail, the heads or scalps of White Eyes, Gelelemend and Zeisberger. After the day of march- ing was fixed, the two Captains who were to command the expedition both died, and the Indians, regarding the event a bad omen, refused to proceed. Hamilton then incited the Wyandots, Mingoes and seceding Munceys to attack the Delawares. They refused, but began to frequent and intrigue at Goschach- gunk, and thus won many to the British side. White Eyes had died while on his way with the American army to Fort Laurens, and by his death the great- est friend to the Americans among the Delawares was lost.

The location of the mission at Lichtenau now became very undesirable. Within the last year, the warriors from Sandusky made their principal war- path pass through all the Delaware towns, ending at Lichtenau, and in the event of a pursuit of the Indians, the whites would be led straight into the mission village, and its inhabitants would probably suffer in consequence. Moreover, Goschachgunk, close by, was now almost constantly infested with painted braves who sought to molest their peace-loving neighbors by rob- beries, drunkenness in their village, and other outrages. The mission had grown large and possessed considerable stock, which could not now find past ure without going a great distance. It was again resolved to divide the mis- sion. Accordingly, April 6, 1779, Edwards, with a part of the converts re-

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occupied Gnadenhutten. The houses, buildings and fences were found to be just as they were when the town was evacuated the year before. Heckewelder remained in charge of those who staid at Lichtenau.

Zeisberger, with a third portion of the congregation, mostly those who had come from Schonbrunn, proceeded farther up the Tuscarawas to build a town near the site of Schonbrunn, which had been destroyed in the course of the war. He encamped amid its ruins for eight months, while New Schon- brunn was in process of construction a mile or more farther up the river. The new village was situated on the west bank of the Tuscarawas, about a quarter of a mile south of Lockport, and one and a quarter miles south of New Phil adelphia. In constructing the Ohio Canal, a portion of its site was dug away. Zeisberger's colony moved into New Schonbrunn in December, 1779.

Zeisberger became the object of hatred of many savages, who desired the destruction of the missions, and on several occasions narrowly escaped death. He passed much time in visiting the other stations, and in July, 1779, while at Lichtenau, he learned that Girty was on his trail, with orders to either bring him or his scalp to Detroit. His friends sought to detain him, but he resolved to proceed to Schonbrunn. Heckewelder then persuaded him to take a guard of Indians. The horses not being found, he proceeded alone, calling back that the brethren should follow him when ready. A short distance from Lichtenau the trail forked, one branch leading to a salt-lick. Lost in meditation, be took this branch, and did not discover his mistake till he had advanced a consider- able distance. Retraciug his steps, he reached the forks just as his escort came up. If he had not missed the road, he would have been at the mercy of his enemies. For suddenly at the foot of a small hill Simon Girty and his band stood before them "That's the man," cried Girty to the Indian Captain, pointing out Zeisberger. "Now do what you have been told to do." But at that instant two athletic young hunters sprang through the bushes, placed themselves in front of Zeisberger, drew their tomahawks, and began deliber- ately to load their rifles. The Wyandot Captain recognized among Zeisber- ger's escort the great Glickhican, and, shaking his head, and motioning to bis men, he disappeared with them in the forest, Girty following. Not long after this an Indian, noted for his enmity to the Gospel, visited Schonbrunn, and sought an interview with Zeisberger. After the usual salutations of friend- ship were interchanged. the Indian suddenly drew his tomahawk, and savagely exclaimed, "You are about to see your grandfathers," lifted his arm to striko a fatal blow, when Boaz, a convert, who had been watching him, sprang for- ward and wrenched the weapon from his grasp.

Heckewelder, too, was several times waylaid by an Indian while passing from one station to another. On one occasion the would-be assassin lay behind a log beside the path, and had leveled his rifle, when discovered and thwarted by Christian Indians; at another time, he had concealed himself in a tree near the path Heckewelder was to pass. The same Indian made an attempt to break into his house and murder him, but was discovered by people without, and prevented from executing his design. Again, in 1781, Heckewelder was near

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being shot in his house by a Muncey Indian, while about to repair to the chapel for services. The sexton, an aged Indian named Tobias, who had come to call his teacher, arrived in time to save his life.

As Goschackgunk was constantly becoming more friendly to the cause of England, it was resolved to abandon Lichtenau and build a new town on the Tuscarawas. On the 3d day of March, 1780, the last service was held at Lichtenau. The chapel was then demolished that it might not be applied to heathenish purposes, and the converts proceeded by land and water up the river into what is now Salem Township, Tuscarawas County, and there on the site of an old Delaware village founded the town of Salem. It was situated one and a half miles southwest of Port Washington, on a beautiful plain, just opposite three bold hill-tops, and between the present track of the Pan Handle Railroad and the Tuscarawas River. With the assistance of the other two towns, Gnadenhutten and New Schonbrunn, a chapel, 36x40 feet, was built of hewed timber, and dedicated May 22, 1780.

During all the troubles that had befallen the Christian Indians thus far from the commencement of the war, converts had been constantly added to the missions, and the need of additional laborers was now realized, particularly in instructing the children. In the summer of 1780, the venerable veteran mis- sionary, Adam Grube, left Bethlehem to pay an official visit to the valley, and Rev. Gottlob Senseman and his wife and Miss Sarah Ohneberg accompanied him. Several national assistants or Indian teachers escorted them through the forests, and while on the way three American scouts fired upon the party, fortunately without wounding any one. A bullet however passed through the sleeve of one of the Indians. Grube spent six weeks at the missions. While there, he united in marriage, Rev. John Heckewelder and Miss Ohneberg, doubtless the first wedding of a white couple in the present State of Ohio. Michael Young arrived during the autumn of 1780. Heckewelder remained pastor at Salem; Young became the assistant of Edwards at Gnadenhutten; and Senseman was stationed at New Schonbrunn, while Zeisberger was super- intendent of the entire mission.

In the meantime, Capt. Pipe had gained the ascendency at Goshachgunk. Gelelemend and those of his councilors who still sided with the Americans, about thirty in number, retired to the site of the old capital, Gekelemukpechunk. The majority of the Delawares remaining at Goshachgunk, yielded to the persuasions of the British Indians in 1780, and joined them. Capt. Pipe and his party, now bent on war, withdrew to Upper Sandusky. The defection of the Delawares becoming known, Col. Brodhead in the spring of 1781, or- ganized an expedition of about 300 men, and marched rapidly from Wheeling to Goshachgunk, surprising that village, April 19, killing fifteen warriors and capturing twenty. Among the latter were five Christian Indians from Salem. They were released, but on their way home were fired upon by a band of soldiers, and one of their number was wounded. The other prisoners were killed.

On his march to Goshachgunk, Col. Brodhead encamped a few miles be-

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low Salem, and while there addressed a note to Heckewelder, requesting a supply of provisions and a visit to his camp. Heckewelder complied and was informed by the Colonel that his troops should not molest the Moravians, " as these Indians had conducted themselves from the commencement of the war in a manner that did them honor." While he was yet speaking, an officer hastily entered, to inform him that a body of militia "were preparing to break off, for the purpose of destroying the Moravian settlements up the river, and he feared they could not be restrained from so doing." Col. Brodhead at once took measures to prevent this outrage, but it was with great difficulty that he, assisted by Col. David Shepherd, of Wheeling, could restrain the men from carrying their murderous design into execution. Col. Brodhead after- ward proposed to the missionaries that they and the Christian Indians should accompany him to Pittsburgh, an invitation which was not accepted. Gelele- mend and his band, however, were glad to take advantage of a similar offer, and put themselves under the protection of the United States. The entire val - ley of the Tuscarawas was now without any Indian inhabitants, except in the three mission towns, and these were left without friends between enemies, and with a very uncertain fate before them.

CARRIED INTO CAPTIVITY.

A few days after the departure of Col. Broadhead, two Christian Indians, while looking for strayed horses, about twelve miles below Salem, fell in with a party of eighty Delawares, who took them prisoners, saying they intended them no harm, but did not want their presence in the neighborhood known. They advanced toward Gnadenhutten, and early the next morning surrounded the town and demanded the delivery to them of Gelelemend and other peace 'chiefs, whom they said they must have, dead or alive. Being informed that the chiefs had already gone to Pittsburgh for safety, they instituted a thorough search and finally became satisfied that they had been told the truth. They then demanded a conference of the principal men of the three towns, and, the National assistants having convened at Gnadenhutten. Pachgantschililas, the head war-chief of the Delawares, addressed them, and sought to induce them to remove to the Miami Country, as a place of safety from the Americans. The Christians replied declining the offer. expressing no fear of the whites. The war-chief then requested that each individual member of the missions be per- mitted to exercise his own will, either to go or stay. This was granted, and one old Indian, Joseph Pepee, and his wife accepted the offer to remove. The Delawares then visited Salem, where they were generously entertained. The warriors deported themselves decorously, not giving the accustomed yell when approaching the village. When they arrived at the center of the village, op. posite the chapel and the residence of Heckewelder, Pachgantschililas ordered a halt, and pronounced a warm eulogy on the believing Indians. He dismissed his warriors to the Sugar Grove where a feast had been prepared for them, while the chief himself, accompanied by two Shawnees and two Delaware war-captains, repaired to the house of Heckewelder, whom he recognized as

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 29

Author: Warner, Beers & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1017

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017