USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 40
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Families from Mary- land wish to settle below Apoquini- my.
Permission was also, on request of William Tom, granted to " some families from Maryland, to come and settle upon the kill below Apoquinimy, within the government, to the end the said place may be inhabited and manured, it tending likewise to the increase of the inhabitants."5
An order is issued, permitting William Tom to take up, kill, or mark wild hogs, in the woods near his land.6
August 12.
The following order was directed by the governor to the
1 Breviat, p. 39.
2 Albany Records; Orders, &c., Minutes of Council, vol. ii. p. 234.
3 Ibid. p. 268, 269. 4 Ibid. p. 267.
6 Breviat, p. 39.
5 Ibid. th
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vernor to ar- rest Henry Coleman, connected with "Long
confiscate his property.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANCIS LOVELACE.
officers on Delaware, for the apprehension of a rebellious Swede, who created much excitement :
" Whereas I am given to understand that there is a certain Swede at Delaware, who gives himself out to be son of Con- Order of go- ingsmark, heretofore one of the king of Sweden's generals, and goes up and down from one place to another, frequently raising speeches, very seditious and false, tending to the dis- turbance of his majesty's peace and the laws of the govern- Finn," or ment in such cases provided, to whom is associated one Henry Coleman, one of the Finns, and an inhabitant at Delaware, who hath left his habitation, cattle, and corn, without any care taken for them, to run after the other person; and it being suspected that said Coleman, being well versed in the Indian languages, amongst whom both he and the other keep, may watch some opportunity to do mischief to his neighbours, by killing their cattle, if not worse; whereupon we have already, according to your duty, set forth your warrant to apprehend him, but he cannot yet be met withal. These pre- sents are to order, empower, and appoint you to set forth a proclamation in my name, that if the said Henry Coleman do not come in to you, and surrender himself up to answer to what shall be objected against him, within the space of fifteen days after divulging the same, that then you cause all the estate belonging to him within this government, to be seized upon and secured to his majesty's use, of which you are to send me an account with the first opportunity. Given under my hand and seal, at Fort James, in New York, 2d August, 1669.1
One Outhouse's goods were attached in New York, but Aug. 13 & 16. permitted to be transported to Delaware, to be deposited till debt be paid; the court, contrary to governor's orders, release them, and give longer time for payment. Governor requires court to secure all charges, &c. out of debtor's estate ; if they cannot, the court themselves are to make it good.2
Letters were received from Captain Carre by the council, Sept. 24. informing " that an insurrection was very much feared on Delaware; that the chief was in hold, and that several depo- sitions had been taken :" the following order was passed by the council :
" That a letter of thanks be sent to the officers there for Insurrection their great care. That the " Long Finn," in hold and in irons, feared.
1 Albany Records; Orders, &c. vol. ii. p. 266. " Breviat, p. 59.
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CHARLES II .- JAMES, DUKE OF YORK.
1669. be kept still in safe custody, in like manner as he is, until the governor, or some person commissioned from him, shall go over to examine into, and try the matter of fact, which is of Chief taken, so heinous and high a nature.
and in pri- son. Thanks to the offi- · cers.
" That all persons who have had a hand in the plot be bound over and enjoined to give security to answer their misdemeanours, and account be taken of their estates in the mean time."1
Sept. 25.
The next day, Governor Lovelace writes to Captain Carre, the schout, and the commissaries at New Castle :
Letter of Go- vernor Love- lace respect- ing Long Finn, &c,
" That he had received their letters and packets of 8th Sep- tember, in which were enclosed three other copies, two of them subscribed by Coningsmark, the other by Armgart Printz ; as also affidavits of several persons about the late insurrection occasioned by the long Swede, their prime incendiary, on which the governor and council determine, first, to applaud " their prudence and careful management, in circumventing and securing the prime instigator of this commotion, to- gether with the chiefest of his accomplices ; likewise, for your future animation, that so good and seasonable service both to his royal highness and the security and tranquillity of the country may not be buried in oblivion, I cannot but take no- tice of it, and do return thanks, withal assuring you to repre- sent this action to his royal highness with such characteristics as are justly due to so worthy an undertaking.
"Next, I heartily wish myself, with you, to bring that grand impostor, together with the chiefs of his pack, to con- dign punishment, but the hourly expectation I am in of the arrival of some ships from England, by which I look for several instructions, which will require present despatch, the whole frame of government standing at this time still; neither mayor nor aldermen elected; the grand assizes likely
to be prorogued. * So that what I do recommend to you now must rather be with respect to stopping of the contagion, that it grow not further, than by any way of am- putating or cutting off any member, to make the cure more perfect. I would therefore have you to continue the long Swede in custody and irons, until he can have his trial, which shall be as speedily as my affairs can permit, with my pre- sence, or some of the council sufficiently authorized to hear and determine that affair. For those of the first magnitude
1 Albany Records; Council Minutes, vol. iii. p. 15.
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favour of Long Finn's associates ; rejected for etiquette's
DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANCIS LOVELACE.
concerned with him, you may either secure them by imprison- ment, or by taking such caution for them to answer what shall be alleged and proved against them. For the rest of the poor deluded sort, I think the advice of their own coun- trymen is not to be despised, who, knowing their temper, could prescribe a method for keeping them in order, which is severity, and laying such taxes on them as may not give them liberty to entertain any other thoughts but how to discharge them.
"I thought that Jeuffro Papegay, Armgart Printz had been so discreet as not to have meddled in so unworthy a de- sign ; for though what she hath committed was not of any dangerous consequence, yet it was a demonstration of her inclination and temper to advance a strange power, and a manifestation of her high ingratitude for all those indul- gences and favours she hath received from those in authority over her.
" I perceive the little domine1 hath played the trumpeter to this disorder. I refer the quality of his punishment to your discretion.
" I have received a petition from divers inhabitants of De- Petition in laware, in behalf of those that joined with the Long Finn ; it came enclosed in Mr. Peter Cousturier's letter, but I shall take little notice of it, since it came not by your hands ; however, if they shall make any further publication to you sake. about it, and you send it to me, with your advice thereupon, I shall do therein what shall be thought most fitting and convenient. I have no more, but to recommend the con- tinuance of your care of this and the rest of your public affairs in your parts, to your prudence and discretion, which is very much relied upon by government. Your affectionate and loving friend."2
Governor Lovelace confirms a patent granted by Stuyve- October 11. sant to Peter Cock, for an island in the Delaware, lying and being in a kill which runs into the Schuylkill, and by tides into the main river, containing, by estimate, about 25 mor- gens, or 50 acres of improved land. John Penn and Thomas Penn grant a deed for this in 1734, the original of which is in secretary's office at Harrisburg.
In council, the subject of the insurrection on Delaware by October 28.
1 Probably Fabricius.
Albany Records, Orders, &c. vol. ii. p. 271.
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CHARLES II .- JAMES, DUKE OF YORK.
1669.
the Long Finn, and a rape committed by an Indian, were taken up. The following is their minute :
Sentence and punishment of the Long Finn, for re- bellion.
" Upon serious and due consideration had of the insurrec- tion begun by the Long Finn at Delaware, who gave himself out to be the son of Coningsmark, a Swedish general, and the dangerous consequences thereof, it is adjudged that the said Long Finn deserves to die for the same; yet in regard that many others being concerned with him in the insurrec- tion, might be involved in the same premunire, if the rigour of the law should be extended, and amongst these divers sim- ple and ignorant people, it is thought fit and ordered, that the said Long Finn be publicly and severely whipped, and stigmatized or branded on the face with the letter R, with an inscription written in great letters, and put upon his breast, that he received this punishment for attempting rebellion ; after which, that he be secured until he can be sent and sold to the Barbadoes, or some other of those remote plantations. That the chiefest of his accomplices, and those concerned with him, must do and forfeit to his majesty half of their goods and chattels, and that a small mulct or fine be imposed on the rest that were drawn in and followed him, the which shall be left to the discretion of the commissioners, who shall be appointed to make inquiry into and examine the same.
Punishment of Indian for rape.
" That the Indian who committed the rape on the body of the Christian woman, be put to death, (if he can be found,) for the foul fact, according to the sentence already passed upon him, and that the sachems under whom he is, be sent to, that they deliver him up, that justice may be executed upon him accordingly."1
Governor Lovelace being unable to proceed to Delaware December 2. to try the persons engaged in the rebellion, issues his com- mission to certain persons there, to attend to the trial, as follows :
Commission of governor to certain persons, to try and exe- cute sen- tences on those con-
" Whereas there has lately happened an insurrection at Delaware, by some evil-minded persons, enemies to his majesty and the peace of this government, which might have proved of dangerous consequence, had not the ringleaders been sur- prised, and so prevented of their wicked designs, by the vigi- lance and care of the officers there; all which having been cerned in the represented to me, I have, with the advice of my council, insurrection. made some resolutions thereon, which are speedily to be put 1 Albany Records, Council Minutes, vol. iii. p. 15.
379
1669.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANCIS LOVELACE.
in execution. I have thought fit, &c., to nominate and ap- point * * to be commissioners, to give order and take * care that the act of council be put in execution, according as you, or any five of you, of which Matthias Nicholls to be one and president, power to call for any such person or persons as are now in hold on this account, and to pronounce sentence against them, according to directions herewith, and also to summon all others suspected to appear before you, and lay such fines as you may think fit for the use of his majesty. You may administer oaths, commit the refractory to prison, or release as you see cause, &c."1
ish church at Wiccaco
This year, it is believed, or not long after, a building was First Swed- erected, which was afterwards fitted up as the first Swedish church, at Wiccaco, on the spot or near where the present built. one now stands. It had loop-holes, that it might be used as a place of defence against Indians or other enemies. The precise time, however, does not appear to be ascertained. See 1677.2
1670.
The council return thanks to the magistrates on Delaware February 4. for their conduct in the case of William Douglass, and con- sider the order of the special court at New Castle, that there be an officer appointed among them to keep the peace, &c.
Ordered, in regard to Douglass, who hath behaved himself so ill at Whorekill, he shall be continued in prison until fur- ther orders, but that his irons be taken off; however, if he transported. can give security not to return to Whorekill, &c., he may be discharged.3
Two orders issued respecting the Long Finn ;4 one to Mr. Orders re- Cousseau, to receive him, and the other to Captain Manning, specting the sheriff, to deliver him, according to sentence.
Long Finn.
The Long Finn was put on board Mr. Cousseau's ship, to February 5. be transported to, and sold at Barbadoes, according to the Long Finn sentence of the court at Delaware, and a warrant issued to sailed for the captain of the ship, dated at Fort James, to carry him to Barbadoes. Barbadoes, and sell him there as servants are sold, and to re- turn the proceeds to New York.
The governor informs Captain Carre that Douglass, who March 8. has been so troublesome on Delaware, has been sent off to
1 Albany Records; Court of Assizes, vol. ii. p. 93. 2 Clay, p. 641.
3 Council Minutes, Albany, vol. iii. p. 17. 4 Ibid. p. 16.
Douglass to remain in prison, or be
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CHARLES II .- JAMES, DUKE OF YORK.
1670.
March 10. Schout and commis- saries.
March 25. Duty of 10 per cent. re- newed.
New England, with orders not to return to New York, or amongst those on Delaware ; and also sends Carre a commis- sion to suppress any trouble he may cause.1
Schout and commissaries commissioned for Whorekill, to keep good order, try all differences under £10, among them- selves, viz. Hermans Fredrickson, schout, and Sanders Wat- son, Oele Walgast, and William Claeson, commissaries.2
The governor renews the custom and duty of 10 per cent. on all European goods imported into Whorekill, on all furs and peltry exported, and appoints Martin Krieger collector of it. Goods not paying to be confiscated ; returns to be made to governor.3
The following is the order :
" Whereas I am given to understand that all European goods imported at the Whorekill, in Delaware Bay, did here- tofore pay custom at the rate of £10 per cent., and all furs and peltry exported from thence at the same rate, . which turned to some advantage towards the support of government, upon mature advice and consideration had thereof, I have thought fit to renew the former custom, and do therefore hereby order and appoint Captain Martin Krieger, who is a per- son well versed in the trade of those parts, and very well known there both to the Christians and Indians, to be receiver and collector of the customs at the Whorekill, where, by him- self or his deputy, he is to receive 10 per cent. of all Euro- pean goods imported there, whether coming from this place, New Castle in Delaware, or any other part, and 10 per cent. also for all furs or peltry exported from thence, according to former custom and usage on that behalf; and all persons whatsoever trading thither, or from thence to any other place, are to take notice thereof, and to obey this my commission, under the penalty of confiscation of their goods, if they shall presume to do otherwise, the said Captain Krieger standing obliged to be answerable here, for all such customs as shall be received by himself or deputy there, of which he is to render unto me a due and exact account."4
The governor makes the following decision respecting Fabricius :
In consequence of several complaints last year made to the governor, " by the magistrates of Albany, against Magister
April 21.
1 Albany Records; Court of Assizes, vol. ii. p. 125. 2 Ibid. vol. xvii.
3 Breviat, p. 39. 4 Smith's Hist. N. J. p. 55. Reg. Penns. vol. i. p. 76.
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cius in trou- ble at Al- bany. Is suspended in his functions there, but at liberty in New York to exercise them.
wife have a pass to go to Delaware.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANCIS LOVELACE.
Jacobus Fabricius, pastor of the Augustan Confession, in 1670. that he intrenched upon the civil authority there, I then thought good to suspend his ministerial functions at Albany, until, either by letters, or mediation of friends, he should be Rev. Fabri- reconciled to the magistrates there, and I from them should receive a testimony of his reconciliation, the which he hath in no measure performed, and there being now a difference depending before me between the said magister and burghers of this city, for the reasons aforesaid, and for some other considerations, I have thought for the present to continue the suspension of said magister's ministerial functions at Albany; and think it not convenient, therefore to order that he go up thither until I go myself, which I intend this summer, when all differences between said magister and the magistrates or others there, may better be composed, or the occasion re- moved, by my presence. In the mean time, the said magister, Jacobus Fabricius, hath liberty to exercise his functions here in these parts as heretofore, without any disturbance, pro- vided he likewise give no trouble or molestation to others differing in judgment from him."1
Governor writes to Carre, " that he grants to Jacobus Fab- April 23. ricius, pastor of the Lutheran Confession, commonly called He and his the Augustan, who by the duke's license hath a congregation here, a pass to him and his wife to go to New Castle, or any place on Delaware, and requests him to show him all civil respect when he comes there, and take care that he receive no affront ; and presumes he will so comport himself with that civility and moderation as to give no just occasion of offence to others.". He also recommends to Carre a suit which the magister will have there in behalf of his wife, who was a widow of Sneaf Dircks Van Bergh, of New York, for a house and lot at New Castle.2
" There are very few inhabitants, and they mostly Swedes, Dutch, and Finns ; the people are settled all along the west Present state side of the Delaware, sixty miles above New Castle, which of the coun- try. is the principal town. The land is good for all sorts of Eng- lish grain, and wants nothing but people to populate it, being capable of entertaining many hundred families."3
Niel Nielson and others complain to the governor that
1 Albany Records; Court of Assize, vol. ii. p. 153.
2 Ibid. p. 156. See Paper-Book, p. 39.
3 Hubbard, in Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. vol. vi. p. 675, 2d series.
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1670. William Tom, through misrepresentation, obtained a patent on Trinity Hook, previously patented to them, and has, by order of the court, forbidden them to cut hay or feed the marsh. The governor decides they "shall enjoy what is granted on their patent, any patent, grant, or order of court to William Tom notwithstanding."1
May 26. Governor de- cides against the court.
Governor Lovelace, in a letter to Captain Carre, says, "I cannot but express my sadness for the misfortune these poor September 3. Governor censures ma- gistrates in people have suffered under, (alluding to a ' new' murder com- mitted,) so I cannot acquit the magistrates of New Castle, of too much remissness and security in relation to the Indians, case of mur- particularly in not avenging the last murder, committed on ders. Mr. Tom's servant, the commission of which may be a great inducement to the Indians to perpetrate this villany, which they have lately acted. Make discovery of the guilty ; strengthen the garrison by repairs of decayed works, and likewise men ; secure from surprise by watches ; summon your command, and consult with them the best mode of discover- ing the murderers, and demand or force the Indians to deliver up and punish.2
Governor and council abolish customs lately laid at Whore- kill, at request of inhabitants, " provided they do not sell too November 1. large quantities of liquors to the Indians, nor prejudice their Customs abolished. neighbours at New Castle, upon which they are to have their dependence."3
Peter Gronendike is allowed to trade with Indians at Whorekill.
Nov. 26. Soldiers dis- banded dur- ing winter.
The governor recommends to Captain Carre, as it is winter, to disband some of his men, as there is no danger at this season from the Indians ; diminish expenses, and enlist again in the spring. To let governor know if he requires any force from New York.3
1671.
January 19.
James Mills is commissioned by Governor Lovelace, " as surveyor of land at Whorekill and parts adjacent, he behav- ing according to the custom and practice of surveyors in these his royal highness's territories."4
1 Albany Records ; Breviat, p. 39.
2 Albany Records ; Council Minutes, p. 232. New Castle Records, lib. A. p. 63. Breviat.
3 N. Y. Records; Breviat, p. 39. 4 Breviat, p. 40.
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DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANCIS LOVELACE.
Governor grants " a license to William Mills, to purchase 1671. land south of the town, at the Whorekill."1
The governor informs the inhabitants of Delaware that the affair with the Indians is respited till Captain Carr's March 6. arrival.2
The governor instructs Martin Krygier on various matters, March 27. as follows :
" Instructions from the governor to Martin Krygier, being bound to Whorekill :
M. Krygier's instructions.
" 1st. To bring him an account of the increase or decrease of the inhabitants there, and whether any new families are re- solved to settle there under protection of his royal highness.
"2d. To give him an account of the civil officers, and whether the schout is to be altered this next ensuing year, and that the person to succeed be recommended to me, whom I will authorize for two years.
"3d. To inquire concerning those Indians that murdered John De Caper's people, and to let me know under what jurisdiction they live.
"4th. To bring the mill-stones, with the appurtenances, with you, unless the inhabitants have need of them, and agree with you for them in present pay ; this to be proffered to Mr. Mills first.
"5th. To remove the customs, and restore them to their ancient liberty."3
A pass is granted by Governor Lovelace, at New York, for April 14. the ketch "Prudence," to and from New Castle.4 A pass.
At a meeting of the council in New York, the murders April 25. committed by Indians, and the selling of strong drinks to Murders. them, are considered. They say, " the murderers are known, Selling li- but for the present it is not thought convenient to prosecute quors. to the utmost."
Captain Carr "relates the desire of many families to Many fami- come and settle below New Castle, at Apoquinimy and lies propose to settle at Bombay Hook; to be considered of. The most eminent Apoquinimy. amongst them are Mr. Jones, Mr. Wharton, Mr. Whale. A letter is to be written to some of them about the settlement."5
The officers on Delaware are ordered to bring a man from May 5. New Castle to New York, for a debt to one Peter Jego."
1 Breviat, p. 40. 2 Ibid.
3 Court of Assizes, vol. ii. p. 135, 325.
4 Albany Records ; Court of Assizes, vol. ii. p. 332.
5 Council Minutes, vol. iii. p. 57. 6 Court of Assizes, vol. ii. p. 335.
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CHARLES II .- JAMES, DUKE OF YORK.
1671.
May 13. Grants con- firmed to the Swensons.
Governor Lovelace confirms to Swen Gonderson, Swen Swenson, Oele Swenson, and Andrew Swenson, a patent granted by the Dutch governor, dated May 5, 1664, for " a certain piece of land lying above Moyamensing kill, and so stretching upwards in breadth 400 rods, and in length into the woods, 600 rods, amounting in all to 800 acres, or 400 morgen ; quit-rent to his majesty, 8 bushels wheat."1 (May 3, 1669.)
These dimensions are about two miles by one and a half. It is not, we believe, precisely known, which was Moyamen- sing kill; some suppose it the present Hay Creek. Penn made an exchange with these proprietors, by lands on Schuyl- kill, finding the above to interfere with his plans in the southern part of the city.
The council have before them "Captain Krygier's business about the Whorekill," and direct that the " purchase of the Whorekill by the Dutch be recorded," (where ?) and various other matters ; among which is the shipwreck of Captain Jan de Caper's sloop, and the loss of her crew, who were at first supposed to have been destroyed by the Indians, which seems to have excited much sympathy, as an examination had been made by Captain Krygier, and three papers received from Captain Carr in relation to it, from which they say, "in regard of the uncertainty of the manner of that disaster, and where certainly it fell, whether in his royal highness's dominions or in Maryland, it is ordered, that a letter be sent to the governor of Maryland, to know what their opinion is hereupon, but for some time to suspend the sending it, some persons being expected from thence suddenly, who may give further light therein. The matters from Whorekill are well approved of."2
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