Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware, Part 1

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1850
Publisher: Philadelphia, Hazard & Mitchell
Number of Pages: 684

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GENEALOGY COLLECTION

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ANNALS

PENNSYLVANIA,

FROM THE

DISCOVERY OF THE DELAWARE.

SAMUEL HAZARD

EDITOR OF "THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA," AND "THE UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL AND STATISTICAL REGISTER," MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND OF THE AMERICAN STATISTICAL ASSOCIATION OF BOSTON.

1609-1682.

PHILADELPHIA : HAZARD AND MITCHELL, No. 178 CHESTNUT STREET. 1850.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by SAMUEL HAZARD, in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON & CO. PHILADELPHIA. PRINTED BY KITE & WALTON.

1227201 PREFACE.

THE appearance of the present volume has been delayed much longer than was anticipated when the prospectus was issued. Judging from the inci- dental allusions, in the works already published, to events prior to the arrival of William Penn, the author was impressed with the belief that few materials existed in relation to the early settlements on the River Delaware, and felt a desire that, if others did exist, they should be discovered, in order to render more complete our history from the period of the first European attempts at settlement and civilization. It was astonishing to find how little was known of these attempts, even by many persons well acquainted with our subsequent history; while, by a large portion of our citizens, the fact of settlements , having been made many years previously to the appearance of Penn, will be, perhaps, at this day, learned with surprise. With a strong desire to supply the defect, the author was induced to undertake the task of exploring this comparatively untrodden field. Happily, through the liberality and care of the Legislature of New York, (whose early history was intimately blended with our own,) the means of gratifying this desire were placed within his reach. Many of the original Dutch documents have been preserved, and, at the expense of that body, translated by a gentleman from Holland, fully competent to the task in all respects, except in a perfect knowledge of our language. The result of his labour is nearly thirty volumes, bound, and furnished with an ample index : these, with many other records in the Secre- tary's office at Albany, were, during a protracted visit there, diligently examined, and extracts made from them of such portions as suited the pur- pose ; generally in the language of the record. In them will be found an almost unbroken series of events, from the first connection of the settlements of the Dutch on the Delaware with those on the Hudson, illustrating at the same time the history of both. Further additions having been made, under the patronage of the same legislature, through the researches of Mr. Brodhead, their agent in Europe, which have been referred to on page 42,-to these, also, the author had free access : a portion of them, however, being from Holland, and in the Dutch language, was, on that account, not available, with the exception of some extracts which he caused to be translated. They are understood to contain important matter connected with our history, and it is believed that Mr. O'Callaghan (whose late excellent work on New Nether-

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Henuvres - $ 7.50

PREFACE.

lands has frequently supplied our deficiency) is engaged in the translation of them. It is therefore hoped, that, in a few years, they may add much to our present stock of knowledge. From the English documents, obtained also by Mr. Brodhead, has been ascertained, as the author thinks, with some degree of accuracy, the period of the arrival of the Swedes upon the Dela- ware, a question hitherto involved in doubt and uncertainty. For the remaining portion of the Swedish history, the documents furnished to the American Philosophical Society by our former Minister to Sweden, Mr. Rus- sell, and which were published some years since in the Register of Pennsyl- vania, have been chiefly relied upon. No doubt many valuable records remain among the archives of Sweden, which ought to be obtained, for the purpose of rendering the history of her people on our shores more complete.

Another desirable object of research connected with this early period, was the arrival and settlement of the English on our river, respecting which but little was known. As the first attempts were made by New Haven and other parts of New England, the author, (notwithstanding the records of the United Colonies had been generally examined by his father, and published in his Historical Collections,) supposing that some facts could be found which had not attracted his attention, carefully examined the records in New Haven, Hart- ford, Boston, and Plymouth, as well in the public offices as in possession of - Historical Societies there, and in New York; which research, though not very fruitful, furnished some documents, which appear in their proper places in this work. Besides these, the records at New Castle and Dover have been put under requisition for information respecting the English, after the dis- appearance of the Dutch and Swedes. Much valuable matter was thence obtained, especially at the former place, respecting the courts, (which then, under the governors at New York, managed affairs of both church and state,) early grants of land, the landing, and taking possession by Penn, &c. The records in our own public offices have not furnished much information rela- tive to this period, though they no doubt will be of value for the subsequent portion of the work.

From these, and all other promising sources, the author has endeavoured, with much labour, time, and expense, to obtain the most authentic infor- mation of this early period, in which but little assistance could be derived from books or individuals. Only they who have been in the practice of examining ancient records, can appreciate the difficulty frequently attend- ing it, in deciphering the names of persons and places, &c. This is men- tioned to account, in part, for the variety used in printing names, it being often impossible to ascertain the correct mode of spelling, as well as the person or place intended. In general, the mode adopted by the writers has been employed. Many places cannot, at the present time, be identified by the name.

. PREFACE.

With regard to dates, it has also been sometimes found difficult to ascertain whether they belong to the old or new style, as the documents do not always occur in such juxtaposition as, in the absence of other marks, would indieate it. The Dutch having adopted the new style prior to 1600, their dates are so considered in this volume. The Swedes did not make the change till 1753, but the materials being few, and having nothing to mark the period to which they belong, the dates found in them are given, which we suppose to be old style. The English adopted the present mode in 1752, one year before the Swedes, and their dates are, of course, old style. The dates in the margin are designed to be new style; when they occur in the text, old style, which it has been thought best sometimes to preserve, as some doeu- - ments have been so long recognised by their dates as to be familiar to the memory. Dates in old style, by the addition of ten days, are converted into new style for the margin; by which means, if any apparent diserepaney between dates and events occur, they may be tested. Although great pains has been taken to render them correct, it is possible some errors may be notieed.

Throughout this work, therefore, the main objeet has been, by the intro- duction of faets, documents, and even personal correspondenee, of every variety of form and importanee, to trace the settlements on the river from their commencement, and by them to show the character and circumstances of the different nations who, for seventy years, had possession before the arrival of Penn; and the state of the country when he first appeared. We, at this day, ean hardly estimate the peculiar difficulties and dangers to which the handful of Duteh who originally seated themselves at Fort Nassau were exposed, in the midst of forests, and among savages, who then, for the first time, beheld the white man ; and, considering the natural ferocity and barbarity of the natives, we cannot but wonder that that feeble company was not imme- diately destroyed, and cvery subsequent attempt at settlement rendered abortive. With, however, the exceptions recorded, we find but few instanees of great eruelty exercised towards them. In a few years, another nation (the Swedes) approaches; confliets and jealousies ensue between the two races of white men, while the savages, as they gradually mingle with them, become still more peaceable and friendly, unless when stimulated to espouse the cause of one or the other of the rival parties. After dwelling together in this manner for some years, making but little progress, one nation drives the other from these shores, and for a while maintains the sole command of the river. A third power then appears, and both of the former nations vanish. Being a people homogeneous in their character and views, order is established,. as well as courts and churches; lands are taken up and settled on all sides; towns are erected ; the ferocity of the savages becomes more subdued, and the prospect brightens for the future. Still was wanting a man who, by his.

PREFACE.

prudence, wisdom, and enlarged views, should command 'the confidence and respect of the people and the natives ; who would improve the present favour- able condition of the country, though comparatively still a wilderness, and lay the foundation of a great and happy province. For this purpose, Provi- dence appears to have made provision, by opening the way, and selecting the person best fitted, under all the circumstances, for the occasion- our illustrious founder, WILLIAM PENN; whose course, from the time of receiving the charter to his taking possession of the country, and establishing the government, has been traced in this volume, by collecting and introducing all his public acts connected with that period. A desire to do this, and thus finish the first part of the plan, has increased the size of the volume beyond the stipulated limits. The present volume may be considered either as com- plete in itself, for the period embraced in it, or as preliminary to what may succeed it. As will be seen, it includes a large portion of the early history of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.

The form of annals, which has been adopted in this work, has been pre- ferred, as best suited to the introduction of isolated facts, but especially because, by a regular chronological series of events, their connection with each other is more apparent. It is from facts that history derives its import- ance, not from a selection of a few striking incidents, embellished by fascinat- ing language, and perhaps distorted by the views of the author. The habits, manners, and customs of a people are best ascertained by their prevailing practices and sentiments, as derived from their own records and correspond- ence. Under this impression the author has, in a great measure, confined himself to them, believing his readers as competent as himself to form a just estimate of the people, and draw the proper inference from the events. For the purpose of facilitating investigation, marginal notes have been intro- duced ; the names of the kings and governors during whose administration the events occurred, as well as the year, have been printed at the head of the page, and a reference to the authorities at the bottom of it. The docu- ments are placed in connection with the events. To the whole, a copious Index is added, of which necessary appendage, it is to be regretted, the pre- vious histories of this state, as well as of many others, are entirely deficient.

The volume is commended to the candid attention of the reader, with the hope it may afford information and amusement.

Authorities referred to in this Bulum.

MANUSCRIPTS.

Albany Records, translated by Vanderkemp.

Holland Documents, in Dutch, procured by J. R. Brodhead.

London Documents,

New Haven Court and Colony Records.

Records of the United New England Colonies, at Hartford, Boston, and Plymouth.

Records in the Office of the Secretary of State at Boston.

Trumbull MSS., at New Haven, and in possession of Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.

New Castle Records.

Records at Dover, Delaware.

Records of Chester, at West Chester; and also Records of Upland Court, in possession of the Logan Family.

Records at Harrisburg. Records at Philadelphia.

Records of Bucks County, at Doylestown.

Records of Swedes' Church, Philadelphia.

Miller, and other MSS., in New York Historical Society.

MSS. in possession of American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. MSS. of Du Simitiere, in Philadelphia Library.

Letter-Book of James Claypoole, in possession of W. P. Foulke, Esq. Pemberton MSS., in possession of the family.

LIST OF PRINTED WORKS. (More particularly referred to where quoted in the work.)

E. Hazard's Historical Collections.

Stith's and Beverly's Histories of Virginia.

Smith's History of New York.

Collections of Historical Society of New York, (for Acrelius, and other early writers.) O'Callaghan's History of New Netherlands.

Collections of Historical Society of Massachusetts. Belknap's American Biography. Clarkson's Life of Penn.

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LIST OF AUTHORITIES.

Brodhead's Address to New York Historical Society.

Purchas's Pilgrims.

Argonautica Gustaviana, in Cambridge Library.

Loccenius's History of Sweden, (quoted.)

Trumbull's History of Connecticut.

Winthrop's Journal, with Savage's Notes.

Chalmers's Political Annals.

Smith's New Jersey.

Mickle's Reminiscences of Gloucester.

New Albion, by Plantaganet, in the Philadelphia Library.

Edwards's History of the Baptists in New Jersey.

Memoirs of Historical Society of Pennsylvania, (for Campanius, translated by Duponceau, &c.)

Histories of Maryland, by Bozman, McMahon, and McSherry.

Bancroft's United States.

Collection of Laws, &c., of New Jersey, by Leaming and Spicer.

Proud's and Gordon's Histories of Pennsylvania.

Watson's Annals.

Moulton's History of New York.

Thurlow's State Papers.

Votes of Assembly of Pennsylvania.

Mulford's History of New Jersey.

Gordon's Gazetteer of New Jersey.

Gorton's Biographical Dictionary.

Johnson's History of Salem.

S. Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania.

Breviat of Evidence in case of Penn and Lord Baltimore. Delaware Register.

Foote's Anniversary Address to Drawyers' Congregation.

Kingsley's Anniversary Address at New Haven.

King's Address to New Jersey Historical Society.

Clay's Annals of the Swedes.

Ferris's Early Settlements on Delaware.

Hawks's History of Episcopal Church.

ANNALS

PENNSYLVANIA.

1609.

WITHOUT noticing the labours and discoveries of the nu- merous navigators, (from the time of Columbus,) of the American continent generally, it is our intention to confine ourselves to those whose more immediate claim is asserted to the discovery of the Bay and River Delaware.

In an official report drawn up by a Dutch Chamber, from documents and papers placed in their hands, December 15, 1644, it is said that " New Netherland, situate in America, laware. between English Virginia and New England, extending from the South (Delaware) River, lying in latitude 382º, to Cape Malabar, in latitude 412º, was first frequented by the inha- bitants of this country in the year 1598, and especially by those of the Greenland Company, but without making any fixed settlements, only as a shelter in the winter; for which purpose they erected there two little forts on the South and North Rivers, against the incursions of the Indians."1

Sir Walter Raleigh and Lord Delaware have also been Sir Walter mentioned as discoverers of the Delaware. With regard to Raleigh. the former, it is by no means certain that he ever was in this country at all. It is true, he obtained a patent for Virginia, and was engaged in fitting out an expedition ; but Stith, the historian of Virginia, asserts that he " did not come himself, as hath been generally, though erroneously, thought."2

It is said that Lord Delaware " touched at Delaware Bay Lord

on his passage to Virginia, in 1610;" from this circumstance Delaware.

I See this report at length in O'Callaghan's History of New Netherlands, vol. i. p. 418. 2 Stitli's History of Virginia, p. 8.

A 1

Claimants of the discove- ry of the De-

DISCOVERY OF DELAWARE RIVER.

1609.

the bay probably received his name, and may have given to him the credit of its discovery, as it was so called in a letter from Captain Argall, written from Virginia in 1612."1 But if this be the fact, it did not take place till one year after the well-known visit of Henry Hudson in 1609, to whom his- torians, almost universally, now concede the most rightful claim to the honour of the discovery.

Henry Hudson.

Henry Hudson was, by birth, an Englishman, but had been for some time previously to, and at the time of the discovery, employed in the service of the Dutch East India Company. The subject of a north-west passage to China at this time occupying much attention, he was engaged by that company as captain and supercargo of the ship or " yagt Halve- Maan,2 or Half-Moon, of 40 lasts or 80 tons burthen." She left the Texel, April 9, 1609,3 but did not reach the Dela- ware till 28th of August following; and though it does not appear that he was on shore, yet he examined its soundings and currents, and the appearance of the land.4 Both the English and the Dutch laid claim to the honour of the dis- covery, and the right to the land; the former, from the cir- cumstance of his birth; the latter, from the fact of his being actually in their service at the time, and under their flag.

Aug. 28.

The journal of Hudson, as well as that of Robert Juet, his mate, have both been preserved in "Purchas's Pilgrims ;"5 the former is republished in the first volume of the Transac- tions of the New York Historical Society, and the latter in vol. i. N. S., of the same, page 320. Of Hudson's, De Laet, in his "New World,"6 has furnished the following summary :

Hudson's Journal of voyage.

" The Directors of the authorized East India Company, in the year 1609, despatched the " yacht Half-Moon,' under the command of Henry Hudson, captain and supercargo, to seek a passage to China by the N. E. But he changed his course, (owing to ice,) and stood over towards New France, and having passed the banks of Newfoundland, in lat. 43º 23', he made the land in lat. 44º 15', with a W. N. W. and N. W. course, and went on shore, at a place where there were many

1 N. Y. Historical Collections, N. S., vol. i. p. 320.

2 Brodhead's Address to N. Y. Hist. Soc., p. 14.

Ibid. The date heretofore given for her sailing is 6th of April. The pre- 3 sent date was obtained by Mr. B. from a document still in existence.

4 Belknap's Am. Biog. vol. ii. p. 397.

5 Purchas's Pilgrims, vol. iii. pp. 510, 567, London ed. 1625.

See N. Y. Hist. Coll. N. S., vol. i. pp. 85, 290.

JOURNALS OF HUDSON'S VOYAGE.

of the natives, with whom, as he understood, the French came every year to trade.1 Sailing hence, his course was to the S., until running S. S. W. and S. W. by S., he again made land in 41° 43', which he supposed to be an island, and gave Hudson's to it the name of New Holland; but afterwards discovered that it was Cape Cod. Pursuing his course to the S., he again saw land, in lat. 37° 15'. The coast was low, running N. and S., and opposite to it lay a bank or shoal, within which was a depth of 8, 9, 10, 11, 7, and 6} fathoms, with a sandy bottom. This he called Dry Cape, (supposed to be Chesapeake Bay and Cape Charles.) Changing his course to the northward, he again discovered land, in lat. 38º 9', where there was a white sandy shore, and within appeared a thick grove of trees, full of green foliage. The direction of the coast was N. N. E. and S. S. W. for about 24 miles ; then N. and S. for 21 miles, and afterwards S. E. and N. W. for 15 miles. They continued to run along this coast to the N. until they reached a point from which the land stretches to W. and N. W., where several rivers discharge into an open bay. Land was seen to the E. and N. E., which Hudson at first took to be an island, but it proved to be the main land, and the second point of the bay, in lat. 38º 54'. (This was, without doubt, Cape May, now laid down in lat. 38º 57', varying only 3' from the observations of Hudson; the re- mainder of the description applies well enough to Delaware Bay and River, now first discovered by the Dutch.) Standing in upon a course N. W. by E., they soon found themselves embayed, and encountering many breakers, stood out again to the S. S. E. Hudson suspected that a large river dis- charged into the bay, from the strength of the current that set out, and caused the accumulation of sands and shoals. They then continued along the coast towards Sandy Hook."2

The following is the mate's account, or log-book, of that portion of the voyage :

" Friday, Aug. 28. Fair and hot weather ; wind S. S. W. In the morning at 6 o'clock we weighed, and steered away N. 12 leagues till noon, and came to the point of the land ; and being hard by the land, in 5 fathoms, on a sudden we came into 3 fathoms; then we bore up, and had but 10 feet

1609.

Journal con- tinued.

Robt. Juet's Journal of the voyage.

1 Supposed near the mouth of Penobscot, or a small French settlement, now Annapolis, N. S.

2 N. Y. Hist. S. Coll. vol. i. N. S. p. 290. De Laet's description.

NAMES OF THE DELAWARE.

Juet's Journal con- tinued.

1609. water, and joined to the point. Then as soon as we were over, we had 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13 fathoms. Then we found the land to trend away N. W. with a great bay and rivers. But the bay we found shoal, and in the offing we had 10 fathoms, and had sight of breaches and dry sands. Then we were forced to stand back again, so we stood back S. E. by S. 3 leagues, and at 7 o'clock we anchored in 8 fathoms water, and found a tide set N. W. and N. N. W., and it rises 1 fathom and flows S. S. E. And he that will thoroughly discover this great bay, must have a small pinnace, that must draw but four or five foot water, to sound before him. At 5 in the morning we weighed, and steered away to the eastward on many courses, for the more northern land is full of shoals ; we were among them, and once we struck and we went away, and steered away to the S. E., so that we had 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 fathoms, and so deeper and deeper."1

Names of Bay and River.

The bay and river have been known by different names at different times, according to the nations who have occupied. Thus, for instance, the Indians called it Poutaxat, Mariskit- ton, and Makerish-kisken ; Lenape Wihittuck ; the Dutch, Zuydt, or South River, Nassau River, Prince Hendrick, or Charles's River ; by the Swedes, New Swedeland Stream ; by the English, Delaware; Heylin, in his Cosmography, calls it Arasapha. The bay has also been known as New Port May, Godyn's Bay.

Owing to the destruction of documents in Holland, there is no satisfactory information of events for several years after this period.

1614.

leges granted to discover- erg.

In consequence of numerous petitions, " by certain mer- March 27. chants interested in maritime discovery," presented to the High and Mighty States-General of Holland, a general edict was passed in favour of all persons who had, or should there- after, discover "any new courses, havens, countries, or places, of the exclusive privilege of resorting to, and fre- Special privi- quenting the same for four voyages." Persons contravening it were liable to the confiscation of their vessels, and a fine of 50,000 Netherland ducats, to the profit of the discoverer. The discoverer, in fourteen days after his return from the

1 N. Y. Hist. S. Coll. vol. i. p. 130; vol. i. N. S., p. 320. De Laet, pp. 302, 320. Proud, ii. 294.

VISIT OF CAPTAIN MEY TO THE DELAWARE.

voyage, was required to deliver to the States-General, " a pertinent report of his discoveries." ` If one or more com- panies discover the same countries " within the same time," then they unitedly were to enjoy the privilege of the four voyages, the time when they shall cease to be determined by the States, who were also to settle any differences arising.1

Five vessels were fitted out by merchants of Amsterdam, &c., under this edict, one of which, called the " Fortune," belonging to Hoorn, was commanded by Captain Cornelis Jacobsen Mey ; he, with Captain Adriaen Block, and Hendrick Cortiansen, of the Tiger, and another vessel also named For- tune, besides two others, proceeded on an exploring expedition to the mouth of the Manhattan River, where Block's vessel was unfortunately destroyed by fire. In order to supply its place, he immediately commenced building a yacht of 38 feet keel, in the Dela 44} feet long, and 11} feet wide. This was the first vessel ware. constructed in this country by Europeans. She was called the "Restless," of about 16 tons burden. All these vessels were employed in making discoveries at the eastward, except the Fortune, Captain Mey, who went south, and arrived at the Delaware Bay ; from him the eastern cape was called Cape May, and the western, Cape Cornelis, while the princi- pal cape was named Hindlopen ;2 some say after a town in Friesland, and others from Ilmer Hinlop. These explora- tions being completed, the vessels all returned to Holland, to make their report, except the "Restless," which being placed under command of Captain Hendrickson, was left for the purpose of more minute examination of the coast. She pro- ceeded to the Delaware for information regarding the country, as well as the native trade.3

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Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware, Part 1

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1850 Publisher: Philadelphia, Hazard & Mitchell Number of Pages: 684

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1850
Publisher: Philadelphia, Hazard & Mitchell
Number of Pages: 684