USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1
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USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1
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-
THE
HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHY
OF
DAUPHIN, CUMBERLAND, FRANKLIN, BEDFORD, ADAMS, AND PERRY COUNTIES :
CONTAINING A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FIRST SETTLERS, KOTICES OF THE LEADING EVENTS, INCIDENTS AND INTERESTING FACTS, BOTH GENERAL AND LOCAL, IN THE HISTORY OF THESE COUNTIES, GENERAL & STATISTICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE PRINCIPAL BO- ROUONS, TOWNS, VILLAGES, &C.,
WITH AN
APPENDIX:
EMBELLISHED WITH SEVERAL ENGRAVINGS.
COMPILED FROM NUMEROUS AUTHENTIC SOURCES
1
BY I. DANIEL RUPP, .Author of He Pasu Ekklesia, &c., &c., &c. Librar Grecs.
City of
- n.
GILBERT HILLS, PROPRIETOR & PUBLISHER,
Lancaster rity, Pa.
1846
FIET A18749
Entered according to an act of Congress, in the year 1816, BY GILBERT HILLS, PROPRIETOR, LANCASTER,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
... 11/23-840000 .. . .
2/3
1
PREFACE.
-
In this compilation, it has been my object to present, by way of introduction, a brief sketch of the earliest settlements made within the counties, of which a history and topography are attempted ; a detailed account is given of the adventures, sufferings and trials of pioneer settlers. I have studiously avoided giving place to any thing of a speculative character. Any remarks of my own, were made on a careful examination of such evidence as will stand scrutiny. The plan, I pur- sued, is that of making authentic documents speak for them- selves, from which the reader may draw his own deductions. In several instances, I have introduced well grounded tradi- tion ; and, as far as practicable, when exhibiting the suffer- ings of the first settlers, letters and narratives, written chen they suffered, are given, expressing, it is believed, in their own words, with all the freshness of novelty, their trials and difficulties, much better than I could have done.
The reader will readily perceive, that I have made no at- tempt, in this compilation, at what has the semblance of or- iginality-embellishments of style. This is not said to di- vert the critic in pointing out what is faulty .- Any defect, or inaccuracy, noticed by the reader, and pointed out, in a proper spirit, will be considered a favor.
That this compilation is defective, none can be more con- scious of, than I am. But none need look for a perfect his- tory of the kind, till a greater accumulation of historical facts, for this purpose, is extant. Whether I have, as the result of my researches, contributed any the least towards such a collection, is left to the decision of others. I strove to do so -This is all I could do.
vi
PREFACE.
To my personal friends, who have been pleased to promise contributions, and have redeemed their promises, I am under obligations. I am in a special manner indebted to the Hon- orable Jesse Miller, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and to his clerks, for facilities afforded me while examining the Archives of the State.
Lancaster, Pa. 1846.
COMPILER.
ERRATA.
For the errors noted in the following list, and for others, he may not have detected, the Compiler assigns, that circum- stances prevented him from revising the compilation in its progress through the press, and correct the proof sheet, as an apology.
D la means line from above ; Ib line from below ; l line; r read.
Page 43, 16 lb, read $200 or $300; p 45, 11 lb, for fanielien, read familien (p. 45 and 46, a number of ortho- graphical errors) p 43, 3 1b, for often r after ; p 48, 15 lb, for not also, r unless ; p 48, 5 lb, for Schotter's, r Schlatter's; p 48, 1 b, for Gergans, r Germans; p 49, 1 la, strike out Reformirten after Schlatter ; p49, 3 1b, r East Pennsboro; p 50, 2 la, for Tustus, read Justus ; p 50, 6 1b, for Schniedt, r Schmiedt ; p 51, 14 lb, for occasion, r occasioned ; p 51, 5 lb, for disserting plan, r dissenting place ; 55, 10 la, strike out were, before granted ; 69, 8 la, for Floster, r Ffoster ; (similar errors in several pages) 77, 9 1b, for Bigboor, r Big cove ; 79,2 la, for effect, r effects ; 80, 9 la, for Anchmudy, r Auchmudy ; 8 6 1b, should read, I do not like their com- pany ; 83, 11 la, for writing, r waiting ; 87, 4 la, for nature, r nation ; 87, 8 lb, for any, r my ; 89, 4 la, insert an after from ; 94, 7 la, for buried, r burned ; 100, 14 la, for Eoldd- ward, r Old Edward ; 108, 11 1b, for deprivations, r depre- dations ; 104, 4 la, for Peter's, r Potter's ; 109, for raised in Bradford, r resided in Bedford ; on p 114, erase three lines at the bottom ; 116, 3 la, for Fronkstown, r Franks- town ; 116, 4 lb, for eft, r left ; 117, 26 lb, read fearful of being burnt, asked &c., not being &c., 119, 18 la, for Zachen, r Sachen ; 129, 25 la, for McCommon, r McCamman; 136, 4 lb, for shot two Indians, read shot by two Indians ; 136, 1 la, for what, r which ; 143, 9 1b, for Geo. r Gov. 147, 15 la, for Donnellon, r Donnellan ; 155, 7 lb, for Woodrock, r Woodcock; 157, 11 lb, for constitute, r constitutes ; 157, 2 1b, for agrressor, r aggressors ; 162, 2 la, for separated, r exasperated ; 163, 17 la, for greatly, r guilty ; 169, 13 lb, for pourpting, r purporting ; 172, 15 la, for spiritual, r spirited ; 190, 13 1b, for acquaint, r acquit ; 199, 1 la, for
viii
ERRATA.
· keys, r kegs ; 201, 2 la, for Buch, r Bucks ; 204, 20 1b, for Rinagel, r Binagel ; 208, 2 lb, for Mayhantayo, r Mahan- tango ; 213, 12 la, for husband, r husbandman ; 213, 11 lb, for operatives, r operations ; 218, 10 la, for 4,285, read 1,525; 248, 1 lb, for in, r into ; 264, 19 la, for their, r three; 278, for Michael Ausbach, r Ansbach; 281, for George Huyer, r Hoyer ; 282, opposite the name of Jacob Bucher, for £1, 104, r 1 shilling 10} ; 284, 61b, between the words vestry and contracted, r by their building com- mittee Jacob Bucher, John Kelker and John Zinn ; 289, 20 la, after the name Adam Boyd, insert Jacob Bucher ; 293, 11 la, for Stern, r Stem ; 294, 17 la, read, 1844, instead of 1846; 295, read Rauch, instead of Gauch ; 297, the Luth. Sab. School has 475 vols. instead of 225; 395, 3 lb, read compliment, instead of complement ; 391, 24 la, read is, not are ; 385, 13 lb, Potter, not Porter ; 414, 15 la, surmount- ed, not surmounts ; 431, 19 la, Croghad's, read Croghan's ; 341, 7 1b, contracted, read continued ; 439, 11 la, read Lou- ther : 440, 25 lb, for not, read none ; 440, 2 1b, Mary, read Martha ; 444, 23 1b, Cedar Hill, read Spring ; 446, 2 la, Fracht, read Tracht ; 447, 15 lb, years, read years ago ; 456, 21 lb, Anticturn, read Antietum ; 458, 21 la, when, read where : 467, 21 la, Conrad Mercer, read Colonel Mer- cer : 468, 27 Ib, Fishbite, read Tishbite ; 448, 7 lb, west read east : 471, 19 la, Diaguothian, read Diagnothian ; 480, 14 lb, doing, read daring ; 495,7 1b, Great George, read gorge : 496, 3 Jb, Jacob Riegler, read Ziegler ; 499, 26 ]b. Long Resch read Reach ; 499, 11 Ja, sutters, read suttleis : 499. 16 la, Loyel Harmer, read Loyal Hanna ;- similar er- rors in the sequel-505, 24 lb, Vicrey, read Vicroy ; 509. 6 1b, Sirco, read Lirio : 509, 4 lb, Satifolia, read Latifolia : 510, 1 lb. Encrim, read Encrini ; 510, 20 lb, Stoneycas ?. read Stonecast ; 513, 24 lb, Dauphin, read Dublin : 482. 13 lb, Schnechery, read Schneeberg : 459, 7 lb, Barru, read Barre : 493, Broad Tay township, read Broad Top ; 519, 1744, read 1749: 539, 6 lb, Torney's, read Farney's ; 553. 18 lb. bearing. read becoming ; 653, 4 lb, ore, read are : 561, 5 la, Lammer, read Tammer.
INDEX.
Armstrong John killed A.
50
sufferers 146
Arnold Woodward killed
59 Cample Joseph killed
Armstrong John Col. his let-
Conestogo Indians killed
163
ters, 02, 116, 126, 133, 135, 131, 344, 393, 421
Carlisle, Stump rescued at
17%
His expedition to Kittaning,
115
Early incidents at
3-5,412
Archer Elizabeth killed
122
Cunningham's deposition
219
Aquanuschioni, or Six Nations
456
Conjuror at Harris'
25)
456 Churches at Harrisburg
277
519
Catholic church
535
Bloomfield
552
B
Burns Patrick abducted
67
Coxtown
Burd James, his letter
82 Cumberland county
216
Bell James, his encounter
103 Conodogwinet
Blair James and John killed
114 Cedar Spring
571
Boyd William killed
101 Cave, near Carlisle
374
Barnet John killed
101
Centreville
Bigham Fort destroyed
109
Churchtown
432
Boyd Mrs. sons and daughters ab- ducted
115
Chartier Peter
435
Mrs. Bogg's made prisoner
113- Craighead's communication
Berrihill Andrew killed
125 129
Conococheague creek
435
Burd's letter to Gov. Morris
393
Chambersburg
461
Barton Thomas Rev. his letters
133, 257
Beaty Mr. murdered
131
Concord
Busse Christian his letter
132
Bouquet Henry Col. his letter
145, 151
Brown, a teacher and scholars killed 149 Bow run 220
D
Beaver creek
220
Bucher C. J. Revd.
233
Denny William killed
104
Bridge a: Harrisburg
269
Dickey Elizabeth abducted
131
Brainerd Rev. at Chambers'
Doctor John, an Indian. murdered
15-
Brushy Rockville
Dauphin county, 201; first township in, 203 ; names of early settlers 201 ;
Berrysburg
333
Big Čove, first settlers in removed
erected, 209; geological features, 209; census of, in 1:40 2215
Derry township organized
203
Bedford
Duncan's Island 333
Diekinson College 410
Dickey's rua
Boundary lime, &c
537
Baird's abduction
543
Evans John abducted 67
Elder John Rev. his lettera 95, 194, 302
Enslow Andrew killed
Exhumation of remains of, &c 15J
Last Berlin 531
Chambers Benjamin his letters
90,349 98
Culbertson Alexander killed
101
Chambers William killed
101
Finlay John killed 124
Culbertson John killed
122
Fincher killed 111
Craig John killed 125
Fishing creek 212
Cisnev and others abducted
129
Fisher George Capi. 273
5:25
Cashtown
53%
Braddock's letter to Gov. Morris Bridge Port
391 493 495
Bedford Springs
Benderaville
50% 536 536
Bonnaghiown
E.
Cetholics in 1757 C.
49
Croghan George his letter
71
Coxe's widow two sons abducted
F.
French Mr. & Mrs. killed
312
his reply 10 Gov. Morris
32:
Carson John his letter
331
Armstrong's creek 219
Clark's creek
350 Conewago creek
221
Amberson's run Antietum creek Adamz county Abbottstown
Clapham's instructions fromn Gov. ernor Morris 313
49-
Centre Square
433
44
Blair William killed
Cove run
Crunkleton
Conewago creek
Devoy Henry abducted 67
200, 331 30%
PAGE Christ Church of Phila relieved PAGE
X
INDEX.
Forts and block houses erected east of the Susquehanna river
299
Jameson's letters
315
Fort Hunter
301 331
Juniala, first white settlers on removed 350
Fairview
433
Frogtown
444
K.
Franklin county
449 King Jacob killed 79
Falling Spring
456, 461
Kerr William and Robert killed 101
Funk-town
482
Kelly John killed 104
Fannetsburg
481
Kerrel Hugh killed
122
Fairview
513
Kirkpatrick killed
129
Fort Littleton
513
Kingston
Fairfield
536
L.
G.
Le Roy Anne Mary abducted
80
Germans, brief sketch of 37
Layson John killed
104
German settlers in Cumberland 49
Leonard Long, his son killed
130
Galbreath James his letters 89, 123, 124
Gibson widow killed
113
Lutheran church at Harrisburg
286
Granville Fort attacked & destroyed
114
Gibson William killed
129
Letort creek
373
Graydon alludes to sickness at Har- risburg in 1792-'4
215
Licking creek
476
aliudes to western insurrection Governor Morris at Harris's
275
Loudon
512
Galbreath William his letters
262
Latimore creek
525
Littlestown
536
German Reformed church at Harris- burg
292
Liverpool, Landisburg & Loysville
551
Gern.an Lutheran church 201
303
Greer sburg or Dauphin
332
Morris' remarks on Braddock's defeat
100
McCoy Daniel killed
101
MeCarty John killed
104
H.
Jeorge abducted
67
Martin James killed
109
73 M'culloughi James abducted
113
¿ . Hance his letters
105, 115
86 Martin John killed
199
Hoops Adam his letters
93, 94, 115
Honday James killed
129
Miller Alexander killed
129
Henderson Allen killed
199
Mitchel Joseph and William killed
129
Harper Janet allucted
206
Mitchel Margaret her letter 129
130
Harrisburg, at present
265
M'eracken John killed
130
Halifax
305
Mauerer George killed
131
Hi!, Isiand
330 Mackey James murdered
219
Humnelstown
330 Mahantongo creck
220
331 Montgomery Revd.
251
Hoge's riu
430 Mount Airy Waterworks
269
Hognestown
535 Methodist church at Harrisburg
307
Hunterstown
536 McAllister'stown
326
536 Middletown
332
Millersburg Manor on conedogninette
353, 356
30 Means' run
373
37 Mountain creek
429
162 Middlesex
430
231 Milltown
444
273 Marsh run
456
Insurrection western
Indian wigwams in Cumberland co.
Imnagrants influx into North valley Intruders upon Indian lands removed 379 lckesburg
Marion
492
551 Martinsburg
511
4
PAGI
PAGI
Jones Jacob and Henry killed
104
Franklin
I.
Immigration westward Indial.'s friendship
374
"- Irish, or Scotch Irish
Indians killed at Conestoga ice Howul
467
352 Mercersburg
46€
35℃ Mayer Lewis, D. D.
219
Hampton
Heid ersberg
481
526
his letters, S1, 86, 88, 250, , :53, 254, 257
M'cafferty and A. McQuoid killed
122
int tarwemer. extract from
Mckinley William killed
125
129 M'cammon Jane abducted
129
Ilanover township erected
Harris settled at Peixtan
223
Manson William and son killed
109, 148
etween French & Eng.
M
Magenty Alexander abducted 67 -
Graiztown
333
Landis's mill
237
Linglestown
331
Lisburn
432
456
258 Licking creek
Galbreath Bartram, his letter
Mitchelltrec Mrs. killed
Miller Robert his daughter killed MeDonald James and William; B.
131
331 Manady creek
Iluana Mareus
373 Monacatoothın died at Harris'
51 Mechanicsburg
432
Jacobs Captain 352
INDEX. xi
M'connell's town Mummasburg McSherrystown Millerstown Milford
PAGE
PAGE
512 Rankin And. B. Esq. his letter 150
536 Rocktown 331
537 Roxberry
430
553 Roxbury
483
553 Rainsburg
513
N.
S.
Neulaender
42 Sauers Christopher his letter 42
Nicholson Owen abducted
67
Smith James killed 59
Nicholass Edwards killed
100
Smith James abducted 75
Newspapers published at harrisburg 276, at carlisle, at Shippensburg, at chambersburg, and Newville
428
Scott Franeis killed 104
Newburgh
428 .Shippen E. his letters, 74, 106, 171, 316, 426
New cumberland
435
Settlers fled in Dauphin co.
125, 120-
New Oxford
535
Springson killed
129
New Port
553
Steenson Robert killed
129
New Buffalo
"
Stanwix colonel his lettere 133
New Germantown
554
Stimble Isaac killed 152
155
O.
Stump killed ten Indians,
173, 178, 179
Oneidon Dennison killed
129
Shawana Ben's letter
177
Oak Dale
333
Seneca George's son shot
192
Orrstown
483
Susquehanna river
218
Opposum creek
525
Stoney creek
219
Spring and Swatara creeks
220
P.
State house 268
Pennsylvania, whence the name 25 Snyderstown and Silvers' spring 333,373
Penn's policy towards the Indians 29 Shippensburg
Petition from cumberland co.
63, 120
Plan of defence
79
Shepperdstown, Shiremanstown 433
Penn's creek, petition from
79
Potter John his letters
91
St. Thomas 483
513
Peace John killed
104
Perry Samuel killed
122
Pendergrass' daughter killed
129
Terrance Adam, his declaration
Tull and family killed 152
Peshtank or Paxton twp. organized
203
Theol. Sem. of Ger. Reformed church 467
Powel's creek
219
Paxton creek
219
U.
-
Pumpkinflood
231
Union Bethel 297
Presbyterian church at harrisburg at carlisle
420
Portsmouth
328
W.
Path Valley first settlers removed
382
Wright Thomas killed 59
Weiser Conrad at Shamokin 61
Packhorses
376
Papertown
429
Wilson Alrs. killed 113
Woods John and wife killed 122
William Walker killed 128
129
Watson James killed
130
Williams Isaac his wife killed
131
Q.
Quarrels between Irish and German Quincy
4.92
Wallace Joseph his letter
273
R.
Redemption servants 46
48 Wisconisco 333
Whites intrude upon Indian lands 367
Robinson James killed
104
Worleystown 421
43-
Robinson nugh abducted
110
Waynesboro, Woodberry
492, 513
Reed Adam his letters 124, 127
Waynesburg, Werefordsburg 512
Rush Robert killed
130 Warm Springs
541
Sporting hill, Snow hill 444,492
Paynter Jacob killed
·101
Shellsburg, Stonerstown
T.
Patterson's letter to John Penn to Shawana Ben
177
Trindle Spring 430
Publie improvements in D. 00
221
Unior. W. M. church, at Harrisburg 23€
258
Upton church, and Upper Strasburg 484 -
Peter Richard his report on removing intruders from Indian lande
379
his letters, $3, 81, 85, 87, 249, 255, 300, 319 Whitehill Robert $38
Pennsylvania college
532
Petersburg
531
Perry county
515
Petersburg
553
Woodcock valley, persons killed Wisconiseo creek
156
55
219
Western insurrection Washington at Harrisburg, 273, at Carlisle, 418; at Bedford.
Reformed German number of
Reynolds John killed
101
Ramsey Betty and son killed
110
Wormleysburg, Whitehill
77
Shingas, notice of
Sheridan and his family killed
100
Smith Adain his letter
421
Stoughstown, Springfield, Smoketown 4.29
176
Wiley John, and Wilson's son killed
xij
Y
Yellow run Young James his letters Yellow Breeches creek -
INDEX.
PAGE
York Sulphur Springs
PAGE
534
220
321, 394, 461
373
Zinachson, or Shamokin
2.
INTRODUCTION.
CHAPTER I.
Pennsylvania named in honor of Sir William Penn-William Penn receives a charter from King Charles II .- Boundary of the Province -Penn's policy towards the aborigines-Similar policy had been pursued, in some measure, by others-Markham, in obedience to Penn's instructions, purchases lands from the Indians-Repeated purchases made-Deeds to John Penn, Thomas Penn and Richard Penn-Deeds of 1749 and 1754-William Penn's stay in, and depar- ture from, the Province-His return to the Province : return to Eng- land : his death-Influx of immigrants-Settlements extend west- ward-Swiss settlement-Huguenots settlement-Scotch, Irish, and Irish settlements in Lancaster county, &c .- Settlements extend up along the Susquehanna river-Settlements commenced on the west side of the Susquehanna, in York county-Settlements west of the Susquehanna in North, or Kittochtinny Valley-Earliest settlements first among the Indians-Indians' friendship towards the first settlers.
If it were in accordance with the general design of this compilation, much might be said of the spirit of the age in which the founder of the Province of Pennsylvania lived. The main object in view, is to notice some of the leading incidents, events, and historical facts, in connection with the present state or condition of several counties of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania, or the Province of Pennsylvania, was named by King Charles II., in honor of the son of Giles Penn, Sir William Penn, an Admiral of the English Navy, who com- inanded the British fleet in Oliver Cromwell's time; and in - the beginning of the reign of Charles II.
In a letter to Robert Turner, William Penn says, that the King would have it called " by the name of Pensilvania," in honor of his ( William Penn's) father. The following is a copy of the letter :
" To Robert Turner,
5th of Ist Mo. 168J.
DEAR FRIEND,
My true love in the Lord salutes thee, and dear friends that love the
3
-
26 -
INTRODUCTION.
Lord's precious truth in those parts. Thine I have, and for my business here, know that after many waitings, watchings, solicitings and disputes in council, this day my country was confirmed to me under the great seal of England, with large powers and privileges, by the name'of Penn- silvania, a name the king would give it in honor of my father. I chose Neto Wales, being as this, a pretty hilly country, but Penn being Welsh for a head, as Penmanmove in Wales, and Penrith in Cumberland, and Penn in Buckinghamshire, the highest land in England, called this Penn- silvania, which is the high or head woodlands ; for I proposed when the Secretary-a Welshman-refused to have it called New Wales, Sylvu- wia, and they added Penn to it ; and though I much opposed it, and went to the king to have it struck out and altered, he said 'twas past, and would take it upon him ; nor could twenty guineas move the under secretarys to vary the name, for I feared least it should be lookt on as a vanity in me, and not as a respect in the king, as it truly was to my father, whom he often mentions with praise. Thou mayst communicate my graunt to friends, and expect shortly my proposals : 'tis a clear and just thing, and my God that has given it me through many difficultys will, I believe, bless and make it the seed of a nation. I shall have a tender care to the government, that it will be well laid at first : no more now, but dear love in truth.
Thy true friend,
W. PENN.
Sir William Penn, the Admiral, for services rendered, and in consideration of sundry debts, due him from the crown, had a promise made him, from King Charles Il., of a large tract of land in America; but he died before he obtained it.
William Penn, son of Sir William, while at Oxford, pursuing his studies, hearing the distinguished Thomas Loe, a Quaker, preach, imbibed religious sentiments of the Friends; and seemed, for some time to care little about the promised grant which the King had made his father; he, therefore, did not urgently press his claims upon the crown; till at last finding that those, whose sentiments he had imbibed, and whose cause, in common with the cause of all the oppressed, he espoused, were harassed every where in England by spiritual courts, resolved to put himself at the head of as many as would go with him, and remove to this country; of which he had ob- tained a grant from Charles II.
There were several acts passed about the middle of the seventeenth century that were oppressive to non-conformists. The Oxford act of 1655 banished non-conforming ministers five miles from any corporate town sending members to Parlament, and prohibited them from keeping or teaching schools. The Test act of the same year was still more se- vere. The dreadful consequences of this intolerant spirit was. that not less than from six to eight thousand died in prison in the reign of Charles II. It is said that Mr. Jeremiah White had carefully collected
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INTRODUCTION.
a list of those who had suffered between Charles IL and the revo- lution, which amounted to sixty thousand-De Laune's Plea, &c.
The Province, or the lower part of it, had been called " New Netherlands," and was begun to be planted by some Dutchmen and others. It is called Pennsylvania in the orig- inal Patent, bearing date March 4th, 1681. It contained all that tract of land in America, with all the Islands belonging to it, from the beginning of the 40th to the 43d degree of north latitude, whose eastern bounds, from twelve miles above New Castle, otherwise Delaware town, run all along upon the side of the Delaware river-these bounds and extent were set down in the original grant ; but Mr. Penn having after- wards obtained part of Nova Belgia from the Duke of York, it was added to the country given in the first grant, so that it extends now to the 38th degree and 55 minutes north lati- tude."*
Soon after Penn had obtained a charter, he made sales to adventurers, called first settlers, who embarked the same year, and arrived in America, at Upland, now Chester, December 11, 1681. Penn, with many of his oppressed friends, sailed next year, landed at New Castle, October 27, 1682.
Penn, who was wholly devoted to the best interests of his colony, did all that lay in his power to secure the continued friendship of the aborigines, or Indians, to whom, of right, belonged the soil-" the woods and the streams"-though, according to the custom of conquest, and in conformity to the practices of the whites of Europe, a contrary principle had generally, if not universally obtained; and, in conformity to that principle, and by virtue of his charter, Penn might le- gally have claimed an indisputable, or an undoubted right to the soil granted him by Charles II .; but he " was influenced by a purer morality, and sounder policy, than that prevailing principle which actuated the more sordid. His religious prin- ciples did not permit him to wrest the soil of Pennsylvania by force from the people to whom God and nature gave it, nor to establish his title in blood; but under the shade of the lofty trees of the forest, his right was fixed by treaties with the natives, and sanctified, as it were, by smoking from the calu- met of peace."t
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