USA > Pennsylvania > Early history of western Pennsylvania, and of the West, and of western expeditions and campaigns, from MDCCLIV to MDCCCXXXIII > Part 84
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[361]
APPENDIX -- NO. XXXIV.
" To this, we may add the dreadful rumors of war, heard about this time ; for which several murders, committed by the white people, seemed to hold out sufficient provocation. Many people were on these accounts led to forsake their dwellings, and to remove to Kaskaskunk and its neighborhood. Thus Friedensstadt was soon surrounded by troops of savages, from whom nothing but disturbance could be ex- pected ; which, alas, they too soon experienced. Some, who staid only a few days at Friedenstadt, proved exceedingly troublesome by their drunken and riotous behaviour, and even threatened to murder all the inhabitants and destroy the settlement.
" Brother Zeisberger, who by this time was well known among va- rious Indian tribes, was a marked object of their hatred and malice, and frequently in danger of being shot. Some malicious people came one evening very late to Friedensstadt, and would positively compel the in- habitants to get drunk. When they found all their efforts vain, they threatened to murder first the teachers and then the whole congregation, and made such a hideous roar, that the Indian sisters fled into the woods, and the brethren were obliged to keep a strong and strict watch around the dwerhug of the missionaries.
"Notwithstanding all these troubles, the work of God prevailed and increased in Friedenstadt, and the congregation grew in grace and num- ber. May the 27th, 1771, the foundation-stone of the chapel was laid, and on the 20th of June the building was dedicated unto the Lord, with praise, thanksgiving and prayer, as a place, where the Gospel should be preached to the poor. The number of constant hearers daily in- creased ; among these, there was one who had lost his scalp in the war, and one of the same party which destroyed the brethren's house on the Mahony in the year 1755. This man was often so moved in hearing the Gospel, that he shed floods of tears. Another visitor expressed a great desire to know, which was the true way to happiness. He said : ' The Quakers maintain that their doctrine is true, the English church asserts the same of theirs, and the brethren say, that the word they preach, is the word of God.' 'The Indian assistants told him, that if he was truly desirous to be informed, he should come to Jesus, who, through God blessed for ever, became a man and had been wounded for our transgressions. He would then soon learn to know him, and receive a certainty in his heart concerning the way to salvation : but that after- wards it was required, to be obedient to His commandments.
" After much opposition and hesitation, Chief Pakanke, hitherto an enemy of the Gospel, resolved at last to go 10 Friedensstadt. He staid there several days, heard the Gospel with great attention, changed his sentiments, and even exhorted his children to go to the brethren, hearken to their words, and believe on Jesus.
"October 21st, Brother John Heckenwaelder, who was appointed assistant missionary, and November 27th, the four families expected from Friedenshuetten, arrived safe at Friedensstadt. All rejoiced at the resolution of the two congregations to follow them hither, and willingly offered their assistance in making plantations and planting Indian corn for them.
[362]
BEAVER COUNTY.
" As the enmity of the greater part of the inhabitants of Kaskaskunk and other savage neighbors rather increased, and the latter encroached more and more upon the borders of Friedensstadt, the believing Indians petitioned the Chief and council at Kaskaskunk for protection, but were told that their request could not be granted. This was in the beginning of the year 1772. At the same time the brethren received a kind mes- sage from the Chief and council at Gekelemukpechuenk, inviting them and the two congregations at Friedenshuetten and Tschechschequannink to come and settle in their country, near the river Muskingum, upon whatever tracts of land they might choose. Upon mature consideration, it was found most expedient, that Brother Zeisberger should first take a journey to view the country on the Muskingum, and there fix upon a spot suitable for a settlement, that he should then consult and settle every thing relating to this affair with the Chiefs at Gekelemukpechu- enk, and soon after remove to the new place with a few families from Friedenstadt, and establish a regular mission there ; but that the congre- gations at Friedenshnetten and Tschechschequannink should first go and dwell in or near Friedenstadt, until it should be proper for them to move to the Muskingum.
"Brother Zeisberger set out on this expedition on the 11th of March, 1772, with a few Indian brethren, and on the 16th discovered a large tract of land situated not far from the banks of the Muskingum, about thirty miles from Gekelemukpechuenk, with a good spring, a small lake, good planting grounds, much game, and every other convenience for the support of an Indian colony. This place was about seventy miles from Lake Erie, and seventy-five miles west of Friedenstadt. It appeared, that formerly a large fortified Indian town stood on this spot, some ram- parts and the ruins of three Indian forts being still visible. After this discovery he went to Gekelemukpechuenk, and intormed the council that the converted Indians had thankfully accepted of their invitation, de- siring that the tract of land he had just now discovered, might be given to them. In answer to this request he heard with great pleasure, that this was the very spot of ground destined by the Chiefs and council for them. They also determined, in a solemn manner, that all the lands, from the entrance of the Gekelemukpechuenk Creek into the river Mus- kingum to Tuscarawi should belong to the converted Indians, and that no other Indians should be permitted to settle upon them : further, that all Indians dwelling on the borders of this country, should be directed, to behave peaceably towards them and their teachers, and neither disturb their worship, nor prevent people from going to them to hear the word of God.
" Zeisberger praised the Lord for his gracious help in the execution of this important commission, and having again visited the above-men- tioned country, took possession of it in the name of the Christian Indians, who were uncommonly rejoiced by the account of his success, given on his return to Friedenstadt.
" Five families, consisting in all of twenty-eight persons, were now appointed to begin the new settlement, and were willing to undertake it. Brother Zeisberger set out with them on the 14 of April, 1772, and after a safe but tedious journey arrived May 3d at the new land on the
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APPENDIX -- NO. XXXIV.
Muskingum. The day following they marked out their plantations, erected field-huts, and were all diligently employed in clearing land and planting."
In the same year, the Moravians commenced a settlement, Washing- ton visited the country on the Ohio, for the purpose of viewing lands to be apportioned among the officers and soldiers that served in the French war. He was accompanied by Dr. Craik, Col. Croghan, Capt. Craw- ford, and other friends, and by an Indian, called Pheasant, and Joseph Nicholson, an interpreter, and a young Indian warrior. The following extract from his journal relates to Beaver county.
Having arrived at Pittsburg, October 19, 1770, he proceeded down the river.
"Oct. 20. We emarked in a large canoe, with sufficient store of provisions and necessaries, and the following persons, besides D. Craik and myself, to wit: Capt. Crawford, Joseph Nicholson, Robert Bell, William Harrison, Charles Morgan and Daniel Rendon, a boy of Capt. Crawford's, and the Indians, who were in a canoe by themselves. From Fort Pitt we sent our horses and boys back to Capt. Crawford's, with orders to meet us there again on the 14th of November.
" Col. Croghan, Lieut. Hamilton, and Mr. Magee set out with us .- At two we dined at Mr. Magee's, and encamped ten miles below and four above Logstown. 21st. Left our encampment and breakfasted at Logstown, where we parted with Col. Croghan and company. At eleven we came to the mouth of the Big Beaver creek, opposite to which [now Phillipsburg] is a good situation for a house ; and above it, on the same side, that is the west, there appears to be a body of fine land .- About five miles lower down, on the east side, comes in Raccoon creek, at the mouth of which, and up it, appears to be a body of good land also. All the land between this creeek and the Monongahela, and for 15 miles back, is claimed by Col. Croghan under a purchase from the Indians, which sale he says is confirmed by his majesty. On this creek, where the branches thereof interlock with the waters of Shurtees creek, (Charter creek,) there is, according to Col. Crogan's account, a body of fine, rich, level land. This tract he wants to sell, and offers it at £5 sterling per 100 acres, with an exemption of quit-rents for 20 years; after which to be subject to the payment of four shillings and two pence sterling per 100 acres : provided he can sell it in ten-thousand-acre lots. At present the unsettled state of this country renders any purchase dan- gerous."
Washington mentions calling at the Mingo town, about 75 miles be- low Pittsburg, on the right bank of the Ohio, a little above the Cross creeks. The place contained about 20 cabins and 70 inhabitants of the Six Nations.
'The next event of interest in this county was the erection of fort M'Intosh in the spring of 1778, near the present site of Beaver. It was built of strong stockades, furnished with bastions, and mounted one 6 pounder. From here Gen. M'Intosh went on an expedition against the Sandusky towns, with 100 men, and erected fort Laurens on the Tus- carawa. There was also a blockhouse on the site of New Brighton, probably erected some time during the revolution.
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BEAVER COUNTY.
A mile or two above the mouth of Beaver a small run, called Brady's run, comes dashing down a wild glen on the west side : and a road which winds up the hill behind Fallstown retains the name of Brady's road. These names originated no doubt from the following adventures related by "Kiskiminetas," in the Blairisville Record :
"In 1790, Gen. Washington wrote to Gen. Broadhead to select a suitable officer and despatch him to Sandusky, for the purpose of ex- amining the place and ascertaining the force of the British and Indians assembled there. Gen. Broadhead had no hesitation in making the se- lection. He sent for Capt. Brady, showed him Washington's letter, and a draft or map of the country he must traverse ; very defective, as Brady afterwards discovered, but the best, no doubt, that could be ob- tained at that time. The appointment was accepted, and selecting a few soldiers, and four Chickasaw Indians as guides, he crossed the Alle- gheny river and was at once in the enemy's country. Brady was versed in all the wiles of Indian "strategie," and, dressed in the full war dress of an Indian warrior, and well acquainted with their languages, he led his band in safety near to the Sandusky towns, without seeing a hostile Indian. But his Chickasaws now deserted. This was alarming, for it was probable they had gone over to the enemy. However, he deter- mined to proceed. With a full knowledge of the horrible death that awaited him if taken prisoner, he passed on, until he stood beside the town on the bank of the river. His first care was to provide a secure place of concealment for his men. When this was effected, having selected one man as the companion of his future adventures, he waded the river to an island partially covered with drift-wood, opposite the town, where he concealed himself and comrade for the night. The next morning a dense fog spread over the hill and dale, town and river. All was hid from Brady's eyes, save the logs and brush around him .- About 11 o'clock it cleared off, and afforded him a view of about three thousand Indians engaged in the amusement of the race-ground. They had just returned from Virginia or Kentucky, with some very fine horses. One grey horse in particular attracted his notice. He won every race until near evening, when, as if envious of his speed, two riders were placed on him, and thus he was beaten. The starting post was only a few rods above where Brady lay, and he had a pretty fair chance of enjoying the amusement, without the risk of losing any thing by betting on the race. He made such observations through the day as was in his power, waded out from the island at night, collected his men, went to the Indian camp he had seen as he came out; the squaws were still there, took them prisoners, and continued his march homeward .- 'The map furnished by Gen. Broadhead, was found to be defective .- The distance was represented to be much less than it really was. The provisions and ammunition of the men were exhausted by the time they had reached the Big Beaver, on their return. Brady shot an otter, but could not eat it. The last load was in his rifle. They arrived at an old encampment, and found plenty of strawberries, which they stopped to appease their hunger with. Having discovered a deer track, Brady followed it, telling the men he would perhaps get a shot at it. He had gone but a few rods when he saw the deer standing broadside to him .-
[365]
APPENDIX-NO. XXXIV.
He raised his rifle and attempted to fire, but it flashed in the pan ; and he had not a priming of powder. He sat down, picked the touch-hole, and then started on. After going a short distance the path niade a bend, and he saw before him a large Indian on horseback, with a white child before and its mother behind him on the horse, and a number of war- riors marching in the rear. His first impulse was to shoot the Indian on horseback, but as he raised the rifle he observed the child's head to roll with the motion of the horse. It was fast asleep, and tied to the Indian. He stepped behind the root of a tree and waited until he could shoot the Indian, without danger to the child or its mother .- When he considered the chance certain, he shot the Indian, who fell from the horse, and the child and its mother fell with him. Brady called to his men with a voice that made the forest ring, to surround the Indians and give them a general fire. He sprung to the fallen Indian's powder horn, but could not get it off. Being dressed like an Indian, the woman thought he was one, and said, " Why did you shoot your brother ?" He caught up the child, saying, "Jenny Stupes, I am Capt. Brady, follow me and I will save you and your child." He caught her hand in his, carrying the child under the other arm, and dashed into the brushı. Many guns were fired at him by this time, but no ball harmed him, and the Indians dreading an ambuscade, were glad to make off .- The next day he arrived at Fort McIntosh with the woman and her child. His men had got there before him. They had heard his war- hoop and knew it was Indians they had encountered, but having no am- munition, they had taken to their heels and ran off. The squaws he had taken at Sandusky, availing themselves of the panic, had also made their escape.
" In those days Indian fashions prevailed in some measure with the whites, at least with Rangers. Brady was desirous of seeing the Indian he had shot, and the officer in command of Fort McIntosh gave him some men in addition to his own, and he returned to search for the body. The place where he had fallen was discovered, but nothing more. They were about to quit the place, when the yell of a pet Indian that came with them from the fort, called them to a little glade, where the grave was discovered. The Indians had interred their dead brother, carefully replacing the sod in the neatest manner. They had also cut brushes and stuck them into the ground ; but the brushes had withered, and instead of concealing the grave, they had led to the discovery.
" He was buried about two feet deep, with all his implements of war about him. All his savage jewelry, his arms and ammunition were taken from him, and the scalp from the head, and then they left him thus stripped alone in his grave. It is painful to think of such things being done by American soldiers, but we cannot now know all the excusing circumstances that may have existed at the time. Perhaps the husband of this woman, the father of this child, was thus butchered before his wife and children ; and the younger members of the family, unable to bear the fatigues of travelling, had their brains dashed out on the thresh- hold. Such things were common, and a spirit of revenge was deeply seated in the breasts of the people of the frontiers. Capt. Brady's own family had heavily felt the merciless tomahawk. His brave and honored
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C n
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BUTLER COUNTY.
father and a beloved brother had been treacherously slain by the Indians, and he had vowed vengeance. After refreshing himself and men, they went up to Pittsburg by water, where they were received with military honor. Minute guns were fired from the time Brady came in sight until he landed. The Chickasaw Indians had returned to Pittsburg, and re- ported that the captain and his party had been cut off near Sandusky town by the Indians.
[ NO. XXXV. ]
BUTLER COUNTY.
Butler county was erected, March 12, 1800. It was formed out of Allegheny, and then bounded :- " Beginning at the mouth of Buffalo creek on the Allegheny river; thence by a straight line running due west, until it strikes the line on Beaver county ; thence north by the line of said county to the northeast corner of said county ; thence by a line north thirty-five degrees east fourteen miles ; thence by a line run- ning due east, continuing said course to where a line running due north from the mouth of Buffalo creek, the place of beginning."
Adiel McLure, James Amberson and Wm. Elliott, were appointed to purchase or receive a grant of land and erect a Court House and prison thereon. The place of the county seat was not to be a greater distance than four miles from the centre of the county. By an act, March 8th, 1803, the trustees were directed, " to cause to be surveyed three hundred acres of land, which Robert Graham, John and Samuel Cunningham, had granted to the Governor, for the use of the county, on the north side of Conequinessing, near Cunningham's mill, to lay out a lot, &c., for the public buildings, and the residue in town lots, to be sold by auction."
BUTLER COUNTY is bounded on the north by Venango; on the east by Armstrong; on the south by Allegheny ; and the west by Beaver and Mercer. Length 33 miles, breadth 23, area 785 square miles ; and contains 502,400 acres of land. Pop. in 1830, 14,681 ; 1840, 22,378.
The adult male population were variously employed. In mining 6 ; agriculture 3,856 ; commerce 87; manufactures and trades 816; navi- gation of canals and rivers 3; learned professions 76.
This county belongs to the secondary formation. The face of the country is diversified by a succession of hills and valleys, forming a rolling surface. Near the larger streams the hills are high, and some- times rocky and precipitous ; yet is said by those well acquainted throughout the county, that there is not much waste land. A large pro- portion of the soil is rather of a sandy character and but moderately productive ; in the southern part of the country it is more loamy and more fertile. The soil and climate are well adapted to raising wheat, rye, oats and corn are raised in considerable quantities. Bituminous coal abounds in almost every part of the county ; and in the middle and northern portions, iron ore of good quality is found in sufficient abun- dance to render it worthy of prominent consideration among the natural
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APPENDIX-NO. XXXV.
resources of this region. Several strata of limestone occur in different parts of the county, furnishing an inexhaustible source of improvement to the soil, as well as yielding a supply of lime for architectural pur- poses and use in the arts and manufactures.
The following table exhibits the population of each township.
TOWNSHIPS-BOROUGHS.
POPULATION.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1840,
Buffalo,
375
582
1,012
1820.
Clearfield,
288
515
617
1,103
Donegal,
671
960
1,085
1,615
Centre,
742
972
1,322
1,834
Parker,
399
659
945
1,364
Venango,
377
353
499
822
Mercer,
588
641
771
1,233
Middlesex,
538
1,010
1,231
1,692
Cherry,
625
Slippery Rock,
658
865
1,541
1,507
Butler borough,
580
861
Muddy creek,
395
868
1,317
1,998
Conequenessing,
1,284
977
1,944
2,692
Cranberry,
543
765
1,046
1,822
Butler,
. 453
472
768
1,389
Total,
1,346 10,193 14,683 22,371 The following abstract of the census of 1840, gives the most impor- tant products of the county :
Mineral, Agricultural, Horticultural, Commercial, &c., Statistics of Butler County, of 1840.
Three furnaces produced 625 tons of cast iron, capital $16,500 .- Dug 1000 tons of anthracite coal and 102,300 bushels of bituminous.
Live stock, &c .: Horses and mules 7,962, neat cattle 26,051, sheep 51,191, wine 40,144. Value of poultry $22,759.
Cereal grains, &c .: Wheat 254,914 bushels; 2,742 rye; 629,179 oats ; 91,261 buckwheat; 125,097 corn. Wool 76,267 pounds ; hops 2,199; wax 1,810 ; potatoes 286,158 bushels ; hay 22,990 tons ; 3,831 pounds of sugar manufactured. Value of the products of the dairy. $76,492; of the orchard $23,114; of home-made goods $78,016 .- Stores 32, capital $88,800. Men employed in internal transportation; 110. Fulling mills 3; woollen manufactories 4; value of woollen manufactures $4,380, capital $5,950. Value of hats and caps manu- factured $3,750. Tanneries 22, tanned 3,275 sides of sole, and 11,071 upper leather, capital $28,700. Distilleries 13, produced 7,483 gallons, 2 breweries, 2,900 gallons. Value of carriages manufactured, $3,522, Grist mills 54, saw mills 64, oil mills 4. Houses built : Brick 72, wooden 111. Total capital invested in manufactures $249,662.
The aggregate amount of property taxable in 1845, was $2,361,209, whereof $2,079,395 was real estate.
No rivers pass through this county ; but the Allegheny touches the [368 ]
BUTLER COUNTY.
north-east and south-east corners of it : notwithstanding this, the county is still well watered by a number of creeks, which intersect in almost every direction : the principal of which are the Conequenessing in the southern, and Slippery-rock* and Muddy Creeks in the northern, all of which flow westward towards Beaver creek. Besides these are Kearn's branch, Great and Little Buffalo, Break-neck, Yellow, Brush, Bear, Wolf creeks ; and Thorn and Glade runs, &c. These streams afford
* One of Capt. Brady's adventures occurred on the waters of this river, pro- bably somewhere in this county.
The injuries inflicted on the Indians by the troops under Gen. Broadhead quieted the country for some time. He kept spies out, however, for the pur- pose of watching their motions, and guarding against sudden attacks on the settlements. One of these parties, under the command of Capt. Brady, had the French creek country assigned as their field of duty. The captain had reached the waters of Slippery rock, a branch of Beaver, without seeing signs of Indians. Here, however, he came on an Indian trail in the evening, which he followed till dark without overtaking the Indians. The next morning he renewed the pursuit, and overtook them while they were engaged at their morning meal. Unfortunately for him, another party of Indians were in his rear. They had fallen upon his trail, and pursued him, doubtless, with as much ardor as his pursuit had been characterized by : and at the moment he fired upon the Indians in his front, he was, in turn, fired upon by those in his rear. He was now between two fires, and vastly outnumbered. Two of his men fell; his tomahawk was shot from his side, and the battle yell was given by the party in his rear, and loudly returned and repeated by those in his front. There was no time for hesitation ; no safety in delay ; no chance of successful defence in their present position. The brave captain and his ran- gers had to flee before their enemies, who pressed on their flying footsteps with no lagging speed. Brady ran towards the creek. He was known by many, if not all of them; and many and deep were the scores to be settled between him and them. They knew the country well: he did not; and from his running towards the creek they were certain of taking him prisoner. The creek was, for a long distance above and below the point he was approaching, washed in its channel to a great depth. In the certain expectation of catching him there, the private soldiers of his party were disregarded, and throwing down their guns, and drawing their tomahawks, all pressed forward to seize their victim.
Quick of eye, fearless of heart, and determined never to be a captive to the Indians, Brady comprehended their object and his only chance of escape, the mnoment he saw the creek ; and by one mighty effort of courage and activity, defeated the one and effected the other. He sprang across the abyss of waters, and stood, rifle in hand, on the opposite bank, in safety. As quick as light- ning, (says my informant.) bis rifle was primed ; for it was his invariable practice in loading to prime first. The next minute the powder-horn was at the gun's muzzle, when, as he was in this act, a large Indian, who had been foremost in pursuit, caine to the opposite bank, and with the manliness of a generous foe, who scorns to undervalue the qualities of an enemy, said in a loud voice, and tolerable English, " Blady make good jump!" It may be doubted whether the compliment was uttered in derision ; for the moment he had said so he took to his heels, and, as if fearful of the return it might merit, ran as crooked as a worm-fence-sometimes leaping high, at others suddenly squatting down, he appeared no way certain that Brady would not answer from the lips of his rifle. But the rifle was not yet loaded. The captain was at the place afterwards, and ascertained that his leap was about twenty-three feet, and that the water was twenty feet deep. Brady's next effort was to gather up his men. They had a place designated at which to meet, in case they should happen to be separated ; and thither he went, and found the other three there. They immediately commenced their homeward march, and re- turned to Pittsburg about half defeated. Three Indians had been seen to fall from the fire they gave them at breakfast.
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