USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania : from its first beginnings to the present time, including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material. Volume I > Part 50
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"Mack thus observes in his journal : 'Wyoming is in a critical condition. The New Englanders, in right of a royal Charter, lay claim to Wyoming. The Pennsyl- vanians hold it is within the Proprietary grant, and wish the Indians to sell it to them. Thus the Indians are in a dilemma, for if they yield to the solicitations of the Pennsyl- vanians and oppose the New Englanders who desire to settle here, and threaten to shoot their horses and cows (and the Pennsylvanians urge them to oppose them), they know there will be a war, as the New Englanders are a people who refuse to regard the Indians as lords of the soil, and will subjugate them if they refuse to evacuate the Valley. * * * Our convert Delawares and Mohicans have received a message from the Five Nations to send a deputation up to Onondaga to ask of them a district of their own somewhere on the river, and for permission to have religious teachers of their own. There is a general interest in religion among the Indians of the Valley. They desire the Moravians to send teachers to tell them the word of the true God. * *
* The recent floods have ruined all the plantations and destroyed the corn and beans.' "
In July, 1754, the Rev. Bernhard Adam Grubé,* a Moravian mis- sionary, visited Wyoming, accompanied by Carl Gottfried Rundt, a Moravian Brother. Grubé's diary of the journey has been preserved, and extracts from it are printed in Dr. Johnson's paper, previously referred to. They are, in part, as follows :
"July 22, [1754] .- Brother Rundt and I left our beloved Gnadenhütten at noon to go to Wajomick. John Martin Mack and - Sensemann accompanied us for a mile, and then, after they had sung a few verses for us, took an affectionate leave. It was very warm, and the mountains were very high. Traveled eighteen miles, and camped for the night at the foot of the mountain where Nutimus' hunting-cabin formerly stood. Muschgetters [mosquitoes] tormented us all night. July 23 .- Started early and reached Waphallobank [Wapwallopen]. It rained hard and we were drenched, so we passed by Waphallobank and spent the night near the Susquehanna.
"July 24 .- We went up the Susquehanna to Thomas Lehmann, an Indian acquaint- ance. He gave us milk and was very friendly. He told us of a nearer route to Wyoming, this [the east] side of the Susquehanna, which led over the mountains. It consisted of a narrow foot-path, which disappeared after awhile. We had to determine our course by notched trees ; but these became scarce, and soon none remained. We turned to the left towards a mountain, from which, to our great surprise, we could overlook the plain [of Wyoming. ]t We pushed our way through the forest with much difficulty. Came
* BERNHARD ADAM GRUBÉ was born in Germany in 1715. He was educated at the University of Jena, and came to Pennsylvania in 1746 to join the Moravian Brotherhood. He was first employed in the schools at Bethlehem. In 1752 he was stationed at Meniolagomeka, an Indian town about eight iniles west of the Wind Gap, in the present Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Here he studied the Delaware language, and acquired a good working knowledge of it. Some months after his return from Wyoming in 1754 he was sent to Shamokin, where he spent fifteen months in mission work. Then he was dispatched to North Carolina with a colony of Moravians to settle on the tract of 100,000 acres purchased of Earl Gran- ville. In 1758 he was sent to the Indian mission in Connecticut; and in 1760 he removed to Wechque- tance, on Hoeth's Creek, in what is now Monroe County, Pennsylvania. While here he translated into the Delaware tongue a hymn-book and a Harmony of the Gospels, which for many years were in use at the Moravian missions among the Delawares. In 1765 he retired from missionary work among the Indians, and, after serving as pastor of several rural congregations during a number of years, he died at Bethlehem March 20, 1808. For a more complete sketch of his life, and his portrait, see Pennsylvania Magazine of History, XXV : 14 (April, 1901).
+ The path here referred to started in at the Susquehanna, near the mouth of Little Wapwallopen Creek, about two miles north of Wapwallopen mentioned in the note on page 214. Thence it ran in a north-easterly direction through the present townships of Conyngham, Hollenback, Slocum and New- port-crossing over Penobscot Mountain into the last-named township at its south-eastern corner. Thence continuing on through a gap in Wilkes-Barré Mountain (through which the main line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad now passes), it ran near the present village of Alden and entered Hanover Township not far from the present borough of Nanticoke. A public highway was laid out along the line of this path about the year 1795. The missionaries Grube and Rundt lost their way, it would seem, when they at- tempted to follow this path in July, 1754. They bent their course west of north, and thus struck Honey Pot Mountain (described on page 48), whence they obtained their first view of Wyoming, as recorded in Grubé's diary. See the illustration facing the next page.
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"June 24 .- Set out from Gnadenhütten. All the creeks were much swollen, and hence they did not enter the Valley till the 28th. The Susquehanna had overflowed its banks, so that where people usually dwelt and planted was now swept by a tearing stream. For a time they saw no living being, but afterwards saw a canoe and hailed it ; where- upon an Indian came to the shore and set Mack and his companion over. They had many callers, among others Paxinosa's young son. Mohican Abraham was at this time living in the Shawanese town [within the present limits of the Second Ward of Plymouth -as described on page 209, ante]. There they met Abraham and his wife Sarah. At the son's request Mack held a meeting in old Paxinosa's cabin. He was not at home. Abraham interpreted. Meanwhile the Delawares and Mohicans assembled and Mack preached to them. Then he had a conversation with the old Gnadenhütten converts. Although Paxinosa was absent, many Indians from up and down the Susquehanna had assembled at his town to take counsel with him in reference to a message to the Five Nations, who had sent them a belt of wampum. This crowd Mack also addressed, on request, after which he was invited to dine in Paxinosa's cabin. Meanwhile, more and more Indians arrived, and at last came Paxinosa.
"Mack thus observes in his journal : 'Wyoming is in a critical condition. The New Englanders, in right of a royal Charter, lay claim to Wyoming. The Pennsyl- vanians hold it is within the Proprietary grant, and wish the Indians to sell it to them. Thus the Indians are in a dilemma, for if they yield to the solicitations of the Pennsyl- vanians and oppose the New Englanders who desire to settle here, and threaten to shoot their horses and cows (and the Pennsylvanians urge them to oppose them), they know there will be a war, as the New Englanders are a people who refuse to regard the Indians as lords of the soil, and will subjugate them if they refuse to evacuate the Valley. * * * Our convert Delawares and Mohicans have received a message from the Five Nations to send a deputation up to Onondaga to ask of them a district of their own somewhere on the river, and for permission to have religious teachers of their own. There is a general interest in religion among the Indians of the Valley. They desire the Moravians to send teachers to tell them the word of the true God. * *
* The recent floods have ruined all the plantations and destroyed the corn and beans.' "
In July, 1754, the Rev. Bernhard Adam Grubé,* a Moravian mis- sionary, visited Wyoming, accompanied by Carl Gottfried Rundt, a Moravian Brother. Grubé's diary of the journey has been preserved, and extracts from it are printed in Dr. Johnson's paper, previously referred to. They are, in part, as follows :
"July 22, [1754] .- Brother Rundt and I left our beloved Gnadenhütten at noon to go to Wajomick. John Martin Mack and - Sensemann accompanied us for a mile, and then, after they had sung a few verses for us, took an affectionate leave. It was very warm, and the mountains were very high. Traveled eighteen miles, and camped for the night at the foot of the mountain where Nutimus' hunting-cabin formerly stood. Muschgetters [mosquitoes] tormented us all night. July 23 .- Started early and reached Waphallobank [Wapwallopen]. It rained hard and we were drenched, so we passed by Waphallobank and spent the night near the Susquehanna.
"July 24 .- We went up the Susquehanna to Thomas Lehmann, an Indian acquaint- ance. He gave us milk and was very friendly. He told us of a nearer route to Wyoming, this [the east] side of the Susquehanna, which led over the mountains. It consisted of a narrow foot-path, which disappeared after awhile. We had to determine our course by notched trees ; but these became scarce, and soon none remained. We turned to the left towards a mountain, from which, to our great surprise, we could overlook the plain [of Wyoming.]t We pushed our way through the forest with much difficulty. Came
* BERNHARD ADAM GRUBÉ was born in Germany in 1715. He was educated at the University of Jena, and came to Pennsylvania in 1746 to join the Moravian Brotherhood. He was first employed in the schools at Bethlehem. In 1752 he was stationed at Meniolagomeka, an Indian town about eight miles west of the Wind Gap, in the present Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Here he studied the Delaware language, and acquired a good working knowledge of it. Some months after his return from Wyoming in 1754 he was sent to Shamokin, where he spent fifteen months in mission work. Then he was dispatched to North Carolina with a colony of Moravians to settle on the tract of 100,000 acres purchased of Earl Gran- ville. In 1758 he was sent to the Indian mission in Connecticut; and in 1760 he removed to Wechque- tance, on Hoeth's Creek, in what is now Monroe County, Pennsylvania. While here he translated into the Delaware tongue a hymn-book and a Harmony of the Gospels, which for many years were in use at the Moravian missions among the Delawares. In 1765 he retired from missionary work among the Indians, and, after serving as pastor of several rural congregations during a number of years, he died at Bethlehem March 20, 1808. For a more complete sketch of his life, and his portrait, see Pennsylvania Magazine of History, XXV : 14 (April, 1901).
t The path here referred to started in at the Susquehanna, near the mouth of Little Wapwallopen Creek, about two miles north of Wapwallopen mentioned in the note on page 214. Thence it ran in a north-easterly direction through the present townships of Conyngham, Hollenback, Slocum and New- port-crossing over Penobscot Mountain into the last-named township at its south-eastern corner. Thence continuing on through a gap in Wilkes-Barré Mountain (through which the main line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad now passes), it ran near the present village of Alden and entered Hanover Township not far from the present borough of Nanticoke. "A public highway was laid out along the line of this path about the year 1795. The missionaries Grube and Rundt lost their way, it would seem, when they at- tempted to follow this path in July, 1754. They bent their course west of north, and thus struck Honey Pot Mountain (described on page 48), whence they obtained their first view of Wyoming, as recorded in Grubé's diary. See the illustration facing the next page.
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to the Susquehanna, where we had to cross a swampy creek* ; and then traversing a plain this side of the river, we arrived at a former Nanticoke town. We followed a foot-path to the right, and were soon met by Joachim, Simon and another Indian, who greeted us in a friendly manner, and showed us a fallen tree on which to cross the creek.t Towards evening we arrived at several plantations; along the Susquehanna, where we found the aged Moses and his wife and several sisters hoeing corn .? They came and shook hands and greeted us. Then Moses took us across the Susquehanna to a Shawanese town. || We greeted the Brethren and Sisters, who were glad to see us-especially Brother Abra- ham, who kissed us and gave us a place in the center of his hut. Our Brethren and Sisters [the Mohegans, formerly of Gnadenhütten] were about the only ones in town, as the Shawanese had gone hunting. After an hour the aged Nathaniel returned from hunt- ing, and with him Joshua, the Delaware from Gnadenhütten ; likewise Marcus, Jacob's son, Elias, Andrew's son, and Appowagenant. They all took up their quarters in our hut. About twenty-two of us were assembled.
"July 25 .- Gideon [Teedyuscung] and his son came from across the Susquehanna and said the visit of the Brethren pleased him very much, and he wished that we might live amongst them. Towards evening the wife of the old Shawanese chief Paxinosa returned home with her children. She greeted us very cordially. We also crossed the river and visited two Delaware huts. Isaac of Nescopeck, [ who was there, said he had been baptized by Mack at Gnadenhütten. I told him more about the Savior, and then recrossed the river and entered the Shawanese town. Abraham had in the meantime called a meeting, and the hut was quite full. Brother Nathaniel acted as interpreter. At the close of my address I asked them if they would like to hear more about the Savior each night, and they all signified assent with 'Gohanna ! Gohanna !'
"July 26 .- Early this morning we continued our journey, accompanied by Abra- ham, Nathaniel and Moses, up the Susquehanna for eleven [sic] miles. On the way Abraham showed us the place where he intended to build his house-namely, half a mile further on, where Zinzendorf's fourth resting-place had been .** The land is elevated and near a creek. The locality has a large spring, and is not to be surpassed. The land is level and fertile. Wood abounds. There is an outcropping of limestone several miles long and one-fourth mile distant from the Susquehanna.
"In the afternoon we came to the end of Wyoming, where we were taken across the river. We came to a Minisink town, tt which consisted of eleven houses. We called upon the chief, who had told Abraham that if the Brethren should come from Gnadenhütten they should visit him. We were therefore heartily welcomed. They gave us food. Soon after most of the Indians, as well as our Brethren, went into the 'sweat-house.'}} The chief made preparations for a meeting in an empty hut, large enough for two fire- places. The chief summoned all the people. The women sat around one fire and the men around the other. I then sang a few Delaware verses and Nathaniel translated them. I said that I was very glad that they had a desire to hear something about our God, and would therefore tell them words of life. We concluded by singing a few verses, and then retired to our stopping place.
* Muddy Run, or Nanticoke Creek, described on page 55.
+ Sugar Notch Creek, described on page 220.
# On the Upper Hanover Flats, at and above the mouth of Buttonwood, or Moses', Creek (described on page 56); which stream undoubtedly received its name of "Moses" from the Mohegan Indian mentioned in Grubé's diary.
§ Count Zinzendorf, in his "Narrative" written in 1742, and previously referred to, states: "Such is their [the Indians'] repugnance to labor that, rather than engage in it, they cheerfully undergo severe privation. An Indian that is given to work, you may rely upon it, is either a child of God, or else one that has been infected with the spirit of avarice, the root of all evil, by contact with the whites. It . prompts him, however, merely to provide a sufficiency of clothing and of rum ; the acquisition of wealth he never entertains."
| This was Paxinosa's village, within the bounds of the present borough of Plymouth.
I NUTIMUS, mentioned in the note on page 225.
** On the banks of Abraham's Creek, not far from the borough of Forty Fort. See page 210.
++ ASSERUGHNEY, or Adjouqua, near the base of Campbell's Ledge, and referred to on pages 187, 234 and 236.
## The "sweat-house," or "sweat-lodge," was used by the Indians in taking steam baths for the heal- ing of diseases, and in connection with certain religious rites. The lodge, which was large enough to accommodate several persons at once, consisted of a frame work of poles and boughs covered over with earth and other materials, and having only one small opening at the bottom. Stones were heated and placed in vessels in the lodge containing decoctions of roots and herbs ; or, stones having been heated and placed in the center of the lodge, water was dashed over them, and then the Indians would crawl into the steam-filled lodge and sit there for some time.
The following description of a modern Indian sweat-house is from Grinnell's "The Story of the Indian" : "Down by one of the sweat-lodges a woman is kindling fires and heating the stones in the center of the lodge and outside. She covers the frame with robes or skins so as to keep the heat in. A bucket of water stands near the fire. Soon half a dozen young men come to the place, and, following them, an older man who carries a pipe. As they reach the lodge they drop their blankets and creep naked beneath the covering. After a little the old man is heard singing his sacred songs, and in monot- onous voice praying for the success of those who are about to start on a journey which will be full of danger. The woman passes a vessel into the sweat-house ; the water hisses as it falls on the hot stones, and steam creeps forth from the crevices in the covering. Then there is more singing, and other low- voiced mumbling prayers in different voices, and at length, after an hour, the coverings of the lodge are thrown off, the men creep out, rise, and, all wet with perspiration, and bleeding where they have cut themselves in sacrifice, file down to the stream and plunge into its cold waters. This is the medicine sweat, and the young men who have taken part in it are about to start off on the war-path."
VIEW UP THE SUSQUEHANNA FROM HONEY POT MOUNTAIN. fostulat a listin ware aneth of the tools ridere seen in the picture onnosite the western end of the bridge.
COD TT 1 TIL
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"July 27 .- Early in the morning we visited Anton's father, who spoke to us much about his spiritual affairs. After having partaken of a meal in our quarters, we bade farewell and were about to leave, but the chief asked us to remain a little longer, as he wished to summon his people again, for they desired to hear once more about our Savior. They were soon assembled. The people were attentive and quiet and responded to every sentence with a loud 'kehella !' Before the meeting a mian had spoken with the Indian Brethren Abraham and Nathaniel, saying he was a poor sinner and wished to learn to know our God. We took leave of each one and continued on our way rejoicing. On the journey we heard that Joshua, the Mohican from Gnadenhütten, had come. We were surprised, but when we arrived home he had already gone, much to the regret of Abraham. As the Shawanese chief Paxinosa had returned home with his sons we went to visit him. He was very glad to see us. Abraham said Paxinosa desired to have a meeting to-night, because he would like to hear about the Savior. About thirty Indians and the whole family of Paxinosa assembled. The nien sat at one end of the hut and the women at the other, while we were in the middle. Then I preached the Gospel to them. Both before and after the address we sang a few Delaware verses. The youngest son of Paxinosa and another Shawanese came to us with two violins, and desired to hear our melodies. We played a little, at which they and our Brethren and Sisters were well pleased. It rained very hard during the night, and as the roof was very poor we became quite wet.
"[Sunday], July 28 .- Old Nathaniel awakened us by singing a Mohican verse. Paxinosa visited us, and I read several Delaware verses for him. He prepared his empty hut for us, so that we could speak in private with some of the Brethren and Sisters. Abraham and Sarah spoke very nicely. What grieved them the most was that they had to dispense with the Lord's Supper here. We also conversed with Nathaniel. He said, 'If only the Brethren at Gnadenhütten would again receive me.' He was very humble and penitent. We then spoke with Moses and Miriam, Adolph and Tabea, John and Deborah, and also Joachim, who said, 'I know I am a wicked man, but I cannot help myself.' By this time the hut was quite well filled. The subject of my preaching was 'Jesus accepts sinners.' The unusual attention which was shown made my heart rejoice. In the afternoon we went out on the plain* to see the old Mohican mother.t She was anxious to be baptized, but was not yet decided. She said : 'About twelve years ago, when Martin Mack's wife spoke to me, I felt something of the Savior in my heart. Since then I could not forget it. A year ago I was at Gnadenhütten, and although I felt I was a sinner, I went three times and asked to be baptized. However, I was not baptized, and returned to Wajomic. Ever since that time I have had a longing for the Savior. Mack promised that he would baptize me when he came in the Fall.' I asked whether she considered it proper to be baptized now, and she replied 'Yes.' I told her that the Savior would baptize her to-day and receive her as His child, at which she greatly rejoiced. She grasped our hands and said : 'Oneewe ! Oneewe !'
"When we made preparations for the baptism Saraht clothed the candidate in a white dress. When the people had assembled§ she brought her in and seated her in the center of the hut upon a pounding-block. Upon another block in front of her, which was covered with a cloth, stood the water. There were present about thirty persons, baptized and unbaptized. Paxinosa was present with his whole family. We first sang in the Delaware tongue. Then I spoke about baptism as the Savior gave me utterance. Then followed the singing of a verse, after which I offered prayer in behalf of the candi- date. I then baptized her, giving her the name 'Marie.' Not the least disturbance was made.
"July 29 .- We had a farewell meeting. Abraham and Sarah accompanied us as far as the plain. We then crossed the plain till we arrived at the great [Nanticoke] fall, where we caught a mess of fish. At night we arrived this side of Thomas Lehmann's place, and encamped on the banks of the Susquehanna for the night. July 30 .- We rose early and had ourselves taken across the Susquehanna. With Thomas Lehmann I entered into conversation, making use of the opportunity to tell him the motive of our concern- ing ourselves so much about the Indians. He understands English well, having had much to do with the whites. We passed Waphallobank, and as it began to rain hard we built a hut of bark in which to pass the night. July 31 .- We arrived at Nescopeck, where we lodged with old Nutimus. He and his son Pantes were very friendly. In the afternoon we crossed the Susquehanna and went a distance of four miles to visit our dear old Solomon, whom we found at home with his son John Thomas. They were very glad to see us and have us lodge with them over night. August 1 .- Early in the morning we again started for Nescopeck. Solomon kissed us at parting, and asked us to greet the folks at home. At noon we continued our journey and arrived at this side of the Deer Mountain, encamping on the banks of a creek for the night. August 2 .- We crossed the other mountains gladly and cheerfully, and at night arrived at our dear Gnadenhütten."
* "Shawnee" Flats. + The Mohegan woman mentioned on page 209.
# The wife of Abraham (Schabash) mentioned on page 238.
¿ In the cabin of Paxinosa, in the present borough of Plymouth.
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In the early Autumn of 1754 Capt. Robert Dixson (mentioned on page 251), Timothy Woodbridge, Esq. (mentioned on page 256), and two or three others representing The Susquehanna Company, came to Wyoming to look over the lands which had been purchased in July. That these men explored the country pretty thoroughly is indicated by the statement made by Mr. Woodbridge at Albany in the Spring of 1755-that he "had traversed all those [the Wyoming region] woods." (See page 288.) The following account of the visit of these New Eng- landers was given to Conrad Weiser by Moses Tatemy (mentioned on page 202), interpreter for Teedyuscung in 1756, and is printed in "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," VII : 432.
"A company of New England men came down the Susquehanna and took openly drafts of all the good spots of land, and perhaps of all. When the Indians asked why they did so they boldly answered that so many hundred families from New England would come and settle there. "This is our land,' said the Indians settled on it. 'No,' answered the others, 'the land is none of yours ; it belongs to the Mingoes. You are only their tenants-slaves-dogs !' That thereupon the Delawares sent a large body of their people as their deputation to the 'Mohawks' country to protest against the New England people, or any other whites, to settle there, and to complain of the Mohawks' proceedings, and to tell them plainly that if they, the Mohawks, would not prevent the New England people from settling on Susquehanna they, the Delawares, would go over to Ohio to the French, in hopes to receive better usage from them. That the Mohawks then denied everything, and said the New England people stole there, and had no leave of them for any lands on Susquehanna, and never would sell them any ; and that neither the New England people nor any whites should ever settle there. That the deputation went home again, and they, the Delaware and Minisink Indians, being so far satisfied ; but that soon they were informed by some of the Mingoes themselves that the lands had actually been sold to the New England people, and that the Mohawks had received large considerations for them, and that the Mohawks had deceived the deputies," etc.
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