USA > Pennsylvania > Historical register : notes and queries historical and genealogical, chiefly relating to interior Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 25
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family, and their descendants, migrated to the West; Ham, his family and their descendants, to the South ; and Shem, his family and their descendants, to the East. Accordingly, these "Indians" may have descended from Shem.
A very long period must have elapsed till they became set- tled along the Atlantic coast. Yet it would seem that they had reached this point before the descendants of Japheth, who, in their developments and geographical movements, proceeded in an opposite direction. This was a remarkable meeting in the history of progressive civilization. Reckoning the flood to have transpired, according to sacred history, in the year 2348, before Christ, they met after the lapse of three thousand eight hundred and forty years ! On the one hand, the "In- dians" were guided alone by the "Great Spirit," preserving naught as they went from century to century, and from one continent to the other, but their instincts, their manners, and their languages, and apparently showing no improvements in social, mental, and spiritual development, without literature of any kind, excepting rude inscriptions on rocks and stones. On the other, the Europeans were guided by reason, producing one improvement after the other in every department of life, ac- companied by an abiding faith in God, by Revelation, and by the Bible, and developing literature as wonderful in extent as it was superior in character. What a vast difference in man- kind such a time had produced ! Who can explain it? Why were they not kept equal in the progress of time ? Eastwardly, though to catch. as it were, the rising sun, and, by getting into the dawning light of day, to become possessor of his Creator's excellence, the one went into barbarity and darkness; west- wardly, though after the setting sun and into darkness, the other went into civilization and light. This is a contrast, in- deed, wonderful to relate and truly surprising to understand ! A comparison of the manners and customs of the "Indians," as they have been given to us by early settlers and historians from the time of the first settlements in our country, say about 1600, A. D., with the manners and customs of Western Asia, as they have been transmitted to us by literature for an equal period Before Christ, say 1600, reveals many similarities,
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Indians of Pennsylvania.
especially in the daily affairs of domestic life. And in spir- itual life both believed in God, and knew what it was to be truthful and honorable in social and political life. Yet, of the two classes, which has distinguished itself the most in point of social honor and political integrity? The "Indians" have been universally praised for these qualities, notwithstanding their heartless barbarity and mental darkness ; but the Europ- eans have received continuous and general condemnation for the remarkable want of these qualities, guided, even as they claimed to have been, by the love of God and the light of the mind.
LENNI LENAPE.
The Indian tribes which dwelt in this section of the conti- nent, comprising Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware. and Maryland, were called Lenni Lenape. This name signifies original people. They gave this as their name to the first in- migrants. It is supposed that they, at a very early period, had wandered to this locality from the West. On their way East, at the Mississippi river, they came in contact with a tribe apparently descended from the same race, called Mengues. The interests of the two tribes being identical, they united and formed what they called a "New Union." In crossing the river they were opposed by another tribe, also of the same race, large in size, powerful in strength, and great in number. These were called the Alligewi. Great warfare was carried on by these opposing tribes for a considerable period. Finally, the Alligewi were beaten, and, to escape extermination, they fled southwardly. The conquerers then divided the country east of the Mississippi river-the Mengwes taking the country to the north, which adjoins the great lakes, and the Lenni Le- nape the country to the east, which adjoins the Atlantic ocean.
TRIBES, CLANS, AND CHIEFS.
The Lenni Lenape consisted of three tribes-the Unamis, or Turtle; the Wunalachtikos, or Turkey ; and the Minsi, or Wolf. By Europeans they were called the Delawares. The Unamis and Wunalachtikos possessed the country along the ocean from the Hudson river on the north-east to the Potomac on the
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south-west, and the Minsi the country round about the Blue Mountains, and all the territory lying between the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers. Each of these tribes had subordi- nate clans, named after the respective localities which they oc- cupied. The clans of the Minsi were the Susquehannas, the Neshamines, the Conestogas, the Assunpinks, the Runkakos, the Andastakas, and the Shackamaxons. The clans of the Minsi were regarded as the most warlike. Each clan had a chief to control its actions, and each chief was under the command of a "Grand Sachem." The sachems of the Lenni Lenape, from the time of the first English settlement till the Indians re- treated before the onward march of civilization, and disap- peared entirely from this part of the country, were, in succes- sion, Kekerappan, Opekasset, Tuminent, Allumapees, (afterwards also called Sassoonan,) and Teedyuscung. They had their head- quarters at " Minisink," on the Delaware river, some miles above the Blue Mountains, (now in Pike county, ) and at "Shamokin," on Shamokin creek, (at one time in Berks county for a period of twenty years, now in the eastern part of North- umberland county.) The chief of the Indian settlements along the Schuylkill river and Tulpehocken creek was Manangy.
GANAWESE INDIANS.
The Genauese or Piscataway Indians, also one of the tribes of the Lenni Lenape, who had lived on the Potomac, were per- mitted by the Governor of the Province to locate among the Schuylkill Indians, near Tulpehocken, in pursuance of a re- quest of Manangy, the Indian chief on the Schuylkill, with a guaranty of their friendship by the Conestoga Indians. This request was made in 1705, (the earliest reference to any In- dians in this immediate vicinity.) because the Ganawese had been reduced by sickness to a small number, and desired to settle bere. It is not known whether they came here immedi- ately or not ; but four years afterward they were classed with the Indians in this vicinity, and in 1728 they were represented at Philadelphia by their king Manawkyhickon. Their chief was called Shekellamy, also Winjack. He was appointed by the " Five Nations," in 1728. It is supposed that he had lived
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Indians of Pennsylvania.
at Shamokin, and that by this time this tribe had removed thither beyond the mountains. After Conrad Weiser had set- ted in Tulpchocken, in 1729. an intimacy sprung up between this chief and Weiser. In 1732, they were appointed to travel between the Indians and the settlers, " in order to speak the minds of each other truly and freely and to avoid misunder- standings." They performed invaluable services in our early history by the satisfactory settlement of disputes. "They were universally respected for their wisdom in council, their dignity of manner, and their conscientious administration of public affairs."
FIVE NATIONS.
The "Five Nations" were a confederacy of Indians which inhabited the territory now the State of New York. As con- federates, they called themselves Aquanuschioni, or united peo- ple, and the French called them Iroquois. They comprised the Onondagas, the Cayugas, the Oneidas. the Senecas, and the Mo- hawks. The language of all these was radically the same, but it was somewhat different from that of the Lenni Lenape. The Mohawks took the lead in matters of warfare, and the Onon- dagas in civil matters. The Senecas were regarded as the most powerful tribe in numbers and military energy. The grand council-fire of the confederacy was held in the Onondaga val- ley, and it was guarded by the Onondagas. The Iroquois, as they were mostly called, were possessed of remarkable height, strength, and symmetry of person. These characteristics dis-
tinguished them from other tribes. They were as brave as they were strong. as cruel as they were ferocious, and as overbearing as they were treacherous. They effected an early alliance with the Dutch on the Hudson river in the vicinity of Albany. Through it they secured the use of fire-arms. By this power- ful auxiliary they were enabled to repel the encroachments of the French, and to exterminate or reduce to vassalage many other Indian tribes. It is said that they even conquered the Lenni Lenape, and held this great nation under subjection till 1756, when Teedyuscung forced from them an acknowledgment of their independence.
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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
The early settlers of Pennsylvania found the Indians pos- sessed of a kindly disposition and inclined to share with them the comforts of their rude dwellings. When they were guests of the Indians, their persons were regarded as sacred. Penn, among other things, said that they excelled in liberality, that they never had much, for they did not want much ; that their wealth circulated like the blood : that none wished for the prop- erty of another, and that they were exact observers of the rights of property. "They are not disquieted with bills of lading and exchange, nor perplexed with chancery suits and exchequer reckonings. We sweat and toil to live ; their pleasure in hunt- ing, fishing, and fowling feeds them. They spread their table on the ground anywhere, and eat twice a day, morning and evening. They care for little, because they want little. If they are ignorant of our pleasures, they are free from our pains."
They loved rum. Traders generally carried quantities of it in bartering with them. It was to them, as they called it, "fire- water," for it inflamed their passions and made them savage and destructive. Their chief complained to the Provincial Government about its introduction and sale. Sassoonan, in 1731, "desired that no Christians should carry any rum to Sha- mokin (where he lived) to sell ; when they wanted any they would send for it themselves; they would not be wholly de- prived of it, but they would not haveit brought by Christians ; they desired that some rum might be lodged at Tulpehocken and Paxtang to be sold to them, that their women might not have too long a way to fetch it." In some respects, the Council, it would seem, set a bad example to the Indians, for, in the pur- chase of land, among the articles given as a consideration, rum was included. Association with Christians and the introduc- tion of new manners may, however, have made such an article a daily necessity.
The Indians retreated beyond the Blue Mountains in 1732, they having then sold the territory south of the mountains lying between the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers, and in 1749 they left that portion of territory now included in Schuylkill county.
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Indians of Pennsylvania.
INDIAN VILLAGES IN BERKS COUNTY.
Some of the Minsi tribes had their villages in that part of Pennsylvania now included in Berks county. These Indian villages were numerous. They were located in different sec- tions of the county. more particularly along the Schuylkill and its principal tributaries. They are known as the Tulpewehiki in the western section of the county, a short distance east of Stouchsburg near the Tulpehocken creek ; the Sakunk, in the northern section, at the mouth of the Sakunk creek (now Sa- cony): the Maschilamehanne, some miles east of Sakunk, on the stream of same name now known as Moselem : the Machk- sithanne, still further east, now in Maxatawny township, near Kutztown; the Ganshowehanne, in the central section adjoining the Schuylkill at the mouth of the Rose Valley creek, now in- cluded in Reading, near the foot of Sixth street : the Varesink, a short distance below the Neversink Mountain near the Big Dam, and the Menhaltanink, at a large spring now in Amity township, a few miles north-east of Douglassville. All these localities were selected by the Indians for settlements because water was convenient. They were identified by the numerous stone implements of various kinds which were found there.
These villages were occupied by them until they sold the territory on which they stood. After the sale of the district which lies south of the South Mountain in 1718, they returned northwardly of this ridge; and, from this time onward, they did not have any fixed settlements for their dwelling-places. Inroads upon them by the settlers were constant on every side. The beginning of the eighteenth century would seem to have been the dawn of civilization in the district comprised in Berks county. Soon after certain Swedes, in 1701. and certain Hu- guenots, in 1712, had determined to locate in this particular dis- triet; the Indians must have felt that their habitations were doubtful. Every year brought new strangers. and. conse- quently, new trespasses upon their lands. Every year brought these strangers nearer the Blue Mountains. The Indians com- plained, but their complaints could not stop the growing settle- ments. The Provincial Government could not stop immigra- tion. The Indians, consequently, were foreed to sell their
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lands, and the government was forced to buy them. This alone put an end to the complaints.
RETREAT OF INDIANS.
After 1732, the Indians moved north of the Blue Mountains. About this time. the Friends had reached the Maiden Creek val- ley, and some years previously the Germans had settled in the Tulpehocken valley. Onward, persistently onward, along the streams and toward their sources, the settlers proceeded. Were these enterprising Christians bent upon ascertaining where the streams rose in their efforts to gratify a desire for the best set- tlements and, consequently, their worldly enrichment, just as the Indians-the Heathen as they were called-were bent upon as- certaining where the sun rose in their journey around the world to gratify a desire for spiritual enrichment ? Before 1750, they had got beyond the Blue Mountains, towards the sources of the Schuylkill. And thus as the one came the other went. The Indians had reached the Great Sea, but, for want of worldly genius or cupidity, they did not master its mighty rolling waters. Therefore, they began to return. not because they had no more worlds to conquer, not because they had completed their great journey, but because they had met the Bible! Wonderful revelation to them, indeed! Return? No; they had to retreat! The "Armor of God " prevailed against them. Cupidity had found this great country of theirs, but persecu- tion had peopled it. This persecution justified (?) the perse- cuted immigrants to take possession of their homes and hunt- ing-grounds, which they had possessed time out of mind, in order to spread the "Kingdom of God." These immigrants were forced to have a home where they could worship God freely, according to the dictates of their own consciences; and they got it. But the Indians had to lose theirs! The immi- grants, moved more by cowardice than by enterprise in leaving their homes, reasoned like the enterprising (?) men of the pres- ent generation in taking the property of others for the promo- tion of the public weal. First, the quiet possession of the In- dians had to be disturbed by the Christians for the public im- provement of morals; then, that of the Christians by corpora-
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tions for the public improvement of wealth. This is wonder- fnl. What agency is coming in the future to disturb the cor- porations? . Two hundred years were required to develop the right of eminent domain. What right will two hundred years more develop in the great interests of mankind ?
PRESENT LOCATION.
Where are the brave and warlike Lenni Lenape now? Back again in the glorious wilderness which their great progenitors had occupied years and years before them. Like locusts be- fore the storm, they were swept by the tide of civilization west- ward-westward beyond the Mississippi. What a mistake they found they had made in searching too persistently after knowledge-in going the way of the world ! Instead of real- izing their fond hopes, they could only look-look to the east- ward into the restless sea. there to find at last an "armor- bearer" coming with the "cross of salvation" before him, di- rected, as it were, by the King of Day against the way of the world, and across the wide expanse of waters. And this was, apparently. the "light" which their tradition had inspired them to look for through centuries of time.
In 1789, they were placed on a reservation in the State of Ohio. But what was a reservation in the onward march of civilization ? It could not be reserved. The Christians were too many-too powerful for them. The poor, powerless In- dians had to go. They went. A generation afterward, in the year 1818, they located in Missouri. Numerous removals fol- lowed, till 1866, when they accepted land in severalty in the Indian Territory. They then gave up tribal relations and set- tled down to civilized life-to do as civilized people do. And now, it is said, they are at last useful and prosperous citizens of a united people, numbering, it is believed, one thousand. And there, it is to be hoped, after retroceding for a hundred years from stream to stream, from mountain to mountain, to- ward the setting sun, they will be permitted to grow, if not a stronger, a more submissive and a more honorable people, to be, nevertheless. a wiser, a better, and a more cultivated people, after our own day and generation.
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INDIAN NAMES IN BERKS COUNTY.
Allegheny-Fair water.
Ganshowehanne-Roaring stream, now known as the Schuyl- kill. In old deeds it was called Manaiunk. Gerret von Sweer- ingen, in his "Account of the Settling of the Dutch and Swedes at the Delaware," assigns a reason for the name, he stating "that the Swedes' ship sailed up as high as Tinicum, hiding themselves in a creek, which is called to this day the Schuylkill, from schuylen, to hide ; in English, the Hiding-creek. Also, when the Dutch, under Captain Hendricks, sailed up the Delaware, in 1616, and not knowing whence the river came, whose outlet they were passing, they named it Schuylkill-the hidden kill or stream.
Gokhosing-Place of owls; now Cacoosing.
Lechauweeki-Place of forks; now Lehigh.
Maschilamehanne-Trout stream ; now Moselem.
Machksithanne-Bear's-path creek; now Maxatawny. Menakesse-Stream with large bends; now Monocacy. Menhaltanink-Where we drank liquor ; now Manatawny.
Pakihmomink-Place of cranberries; now Perkiomen.
Olink-Hole, cavern, or cell ; also a cove or tract of land en- compassed by hills ; now Oley.
Ontelaunee-Little maiden; now Maidencreek.
Sakunk-Place of outlet, where a smaller stream empties into a larger; now Sacony ; also Saucon.
Sinne-hanne-Stony stream ; now Stony creek.
Sipuas-hanne-A plum stream ; now Plum creek.
Tulpewi-haki-Land of turtles; now Tulpehocken.
Tamaque-hanne-Beaver stream ; a stream across which the beaver throws a damn; now Beaver creek; also changed to Little Schuylkill.
Wyomissing-
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The Permanent Residence of Congress.
THE PERMANENT RESIDENCE OF CONGRESS.
[ Senator Maclay to Judge Yentes. ] NEW YORK, March 13, 1789.
SIR: I consider it as almost certain that the permanent resi- dence of. Congress will be agitated at the ensuing session, de- sirous as I am to bring forward information from every part of Pennsylvania to throw light on this important subject. You may guess my mortification at receiving no answer to my letters on this head from Lancaster. Let it suffice to say that you have been wrong, and be no longer so, but send me the in- formation which I requested. But you should not stop here. Mr. Hamilton should be spoke to and he should furnish some member of Congress with proposals under his hand relating to the terms on which he would give grounds for public Build- ings, and let lots for private persons. With all the pains you may take it is possible you may not succeed but without pains you need not expect it.
I am Sir your most obed. & very humble servt.
WML. MACLAY.
P. S. I write by the post my letters being generally frankd.
[Address of the Confirmation of Lancaster.] LANCASTER, March 17, 1789.
GENTLEMEN : The Corporation of this Borough have been instructed by the inhabitants thereof and of the adjoining Townships to address you. The New Constitution, to which we anxiously look up as the means of establishing the Empire of America on the most secure and solid Basis, is even now in motion, and one of the objects of Congress will be to fix on a permanent Place of Residence where their Exclusive Jurisdic-
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tion can be conveniently and safely exercise l. Should the General Interests of the Union point out an Inland. Centrical (sic) Situation as preferable to that of a Seaport, for the future Residence of that Honorable Body, We humbly presume to offer ourselves as Candidates for that distinguished Honor. We feel ourselves more emboldened to enter into the lists as we find this Borough has been lately put in nomination by the Honorable Congress under the former Confederation. and we suffer ourselves to be flattered that the Reasons which then existed for such a choice exist more strongly at the present moment. As an Inland Town we do not perceive ourselves inferior to any within the Dominion of the United States. Our lands are remarkably fertile and in a high State of culti- vation, -Our Country is possessed of every convenience for Water works as will appear from the draft herewith sent, and peculiarly healthy. Our water is good, every necessary material for building is to be had in the greatest quantity de- sired & at the most reasonable Rates, & we venture to assert that there is no part of the United States which can boast, within the Compass of Ten Miles, the same number of Wagons & good Teams with ourselves.
We are sensible that Dealings in General will not effect those with dispassionate and temperate minds, we venture there- fore to descend into more Minute Recapitulation, and pledge ourselves to you for the Truth & Correctness of the following statement which has been made upon the most thorough Ex- amination and in the Carefullest manner in our Power without Exaggeration-(sic).
The Borough of Lancaster is a Square incompassing a por- tion of Ground of One Mile in length from the Center, the . Court House, by the main Streets which intersect it at right angles. We have five Public Buildings, including an elegant Court House 58 ft. by 48 ft. In the second story there is a very handsome room 44 ft. by 32 ft. in the clear and two con- venient adjoining rooms, each being 22 ft. by 16 ft. in the clear. There are seven places of Public Worship, besides a temporary Synagogue, belonging to the respective Societies of Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Reformed Church
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of Heidelberg, Moravian. Quaker & Catholics. Within the compass of the Borough an ennumeration of the Dwelling Houses was actually taken in 1786, and the number then built was 678, Which since that period has considerably increased. Many of the Houses are large, elegant & Commodious, & would in our Idea accommodate Congress and their Suite at this period without Inconvenience. Boarding & Lodging are to be had at very easy terms. According to the best compu- tation we can make there are within this Borough about 4.200 souls. A number of great Roads pass through this Place. We are a thorough-fare to the 4 Cardinal Points of the Com- pass. Labor is to be had at the rate of 2/ pr. day.
The current Prices of Provisions are, Wheat 5/6. Rye 3/, Indian corn 2/6, oats 1/6 per Bushel. Best Hay £3 per ton. Pork & Stall fed Beef from 25/ to 30/ per cwt. Veal 3d and Mutton 33d per lb. All kinds of Poultry in great abundance & reasonable. Shad, Rock & Salmon are plentifully supplied to us from the Susquehannah in their Seasons. The prices of Fire wood have been last season --- for Hickory 12/6 & Oak 8/6 per cord.
Within the distances of 9 & 30 miles from this Place we have 6 Furnaces & Forges, 2 Slitting Mills & 2 Rolling Mills for the manufacture of iron.
Within the Compass of 10 miles square, we have 17 Mer- chant Mills, 2 Boring and Grinding Mills for gun barrels, 16 Saw Mills, 1 Fulling Mill. 4 Oil Mills, 5 Hemp Mills. & 8 Tan yards. There are a great number of convenient sites for water works still unoccupied.
Within the Borough also are the following Manufacturers & Artisans, viz. 14 Hatters, 36 Shoemakers, 4 Tanners, 17 Saddlers, 25 Taylors, 22 Butchers, 25 Weavers, 3 Stocking Weavers, 25 Blacksmiths & Whitesmiths, 6 Wheelwrights, 21 Bricklayers. & Masons, 12 Bakers, 30 Carpenters, 11 Coopers, 6 Plaisterers, 6 Clock & Watch makers, 6 Tobacconists, 4 Dyers, 7 Gunsmiths, 5 Rope makers, 4 Tinmen, 2 Brass founders, 3 Skin dressers, 1 Brush maker, 7 Turners, 7 Nailors, 5 Silver- smiths, 3 Potters, and 3 Coppersmiths, besides their respective Journeymen and Apprentices. There are also 3 Breweries, 3
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