History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 6

Author: Craft, David, 1832-1908; L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 812

USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 6

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The missionary's house was built February 16, 1769, of squared pine logs donated by James Davis, which he had prepared for a dwelling for himself. This served also for a church until July of the next year, when a chapel was erected, surmounted by a cupola containing a bell.

Ettwein served the mission from July 28 until August 22 of this year (1770). In this interval (August 16) Roth was married to Maria Agnes Pfingstag, at Bethlehem, and also received ordination to the full work of an evangelist. At the end of this year the mission numbered fifty-eight souls.

On May 28, 1771, the Susquehanna rose to an unpre- cedented height, inundating both the towns of Sheshequin and Wyalusing. At the latter place great damage was done by the water sweeping off fences and stock and covering the corn, just coming up, with mud. At Sheshequin the inhabitants were compelled to take to their canoes and retire to the wooded heights back of the town.

The character of the Christian work at Sheshequin, the employments and habits of the people, did not differ materially from those at Wyalusing. It was not so large a place nor so exclusively a Moravian town; but the good work done there was not in vain. The mission continued to in- erease in numbers and usefulness until the migration, at which time it numbered sixty souls.

This year ( August 4, 1771) the missionary Roth's wife gave birth to a child. . This was doubtless the first white child born in the county. It was almost in sight of Tioga, where, after a captivity of about six months, Susanna Nitschmann, the only captive taken at the massacre of the Moravian town on the Mahony, November 24, 1755, pined away and died May 9, 1756.

IHISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

THE MIGRATION.

No sooner was it known that the Proprietaries had effected the purchase of Nov. 5, 1768, of the Iroquois, than the removal of the mission was clearly forescen by those to whose care it was committed. Notwithstanding Governor Penn had promised that his surveyors should not run lines nearer than five miles to Wyalusing, and afterwards made the same promise with reference to Sheshequin, yet, in the spring of the next year, proprietary warrants were laid in sight of each town. This was expected, from the fact that the government of Pennsylvania refused to make any grant or enter into any agreement which would give the Christian Indians any claim to the least portion of the territory which had in 1766 been ceded to them by the Cayuga sachem, and confirmed by the great council of the Iroquois. In addition to this, the New England people, who were strug- ling to maintain possession of Wyoming, claimed the whole territory, in virtue of a purchase made in 1754. In order to secure a hold upon this disputed tract cach party sent their surveyors, who ran lines through the plantations be- longing to the mission, each claiming the land for his employer. The settlements at Wyoming and on the West. Branch had deprived the Indians of their hunting-grounds, and thus cut off the sources of their supply of food. It was with the greatest difficulty that the Moravian Indians, who kept up a constant intercourse with Bethlehem, to which the path lay through Wyoming, could avoid being entangled in the disputes which were then fiercely waged between the New England people and the proprietary government for the possession of that coveted spot. In addition to these things, the whites were constantly pushing their settlements up the Susquehanna, and the mission became more and more exposed to the irregularities, immoral- ities, and illicit trade in ardent spirits which almost uni- versally prevail in frontier settlements. These causes created a constant uneasiness at the mission, and those who had the care of it were watching with the deepest solicitude the progress of events which would render its removal beyond the reach of these influences an immediate necessity.

The mission board at Bethlehem, learning that the Indians on the Allegheny were desirous of hearing the gospel, sent Zeisberger thither in 1767. On October 16 he reached Goschgoschünk, a Monsey town, founded in 1765 by emigrants from Wyalusing and Tioga, situated on the eastern bank of the Allegheny, near the mouth of the Tionesta creek, and was the guest of some relatives of Papunhank residing there. Aware of the difficulties elus- tering about the Susquehanna missions, the Delaware chiefs of this county sent an invitation to the converts at Friedens- hütten and Schechschiquanunk to remove to the west, where they would be supplied with land. This invitation the Wyalusing Indians were not prepared as yet to accept, although during the years 1770 and 1771 several families, both from Wyalusing and from Sheshequin, removed there. For the purpose of seeing the work of the mission, and of consulting with the brethren on the ground as to the pro- priety of removing to the west, they were visited (May 15 to May 21, 1771) by Christian Gregor and John Loretz, members of the Unity's Elders' conference at

Herrnhut, Saxony (then on a visit to the Moravian church in the provinces), accompanied by Nathaniel Seidel, who were received at Wyalusing with every demonstration of joy. All work was laid aside, and the time was given to religious services, social enjoyment, consultations with refer- ence to the welfare of the mission, and the ministrations of the house of God. The festival of Pentecost, which fell in the interval, was solemnized by the celebration of the Lord's Supper. In the evening of Whit-Sunday the rite of baptism was administered to four catechumens, of whom the visitors and Schmick baptized one each. Gregor adds, " The last day of our sojourn I baptized also a little child as it lay in swaddling clothes ; her I named Johanna, and commended her to the keeping of her crucified Master. Hereupon we set out on our return to Bethlehem, with hearts grateful for all we have here seen and experienced."

On the return of the party to Bethlehem, Zeisberger was summoned to meet them, who, in view of the advantages afforded a Christian town in the Tuscarawas valley, and the urgent invitation extended to the Moravian converts on the Susquehanna by the grand council of the Delawares to settle in their country, recommended the removal of the Wyalusing and Sheshequin missions to that place. The conference adopted his views, and commissioned him to lay the subject before the Indians at Friedenshütten and Schech- schiquanunk. Accordingly Zeisberger visited Friedens- hütten in the beginning of September, and convened a council of the converts from both stations. After a full and careful deliberation, in which the growing difficulties of their present situation and the promised advantages of the west were freely canvassed, they unanimously resolved to accept the offers of the Delaware chiefs, and to emigrate to the west in the spring.

Measures were at once set on foot to carry into effect the resolution of the Susquehanna converts. Zeisberger repaired to the Tuscarawas valley, where, gathering the Delaware converts about him, they proceeded to clear ground, build huts, and make other needful preparations for the reception of their castern brethren. At Wyalusing and Sheshequin, surplus stock and grain were sold, new canoes were built, and other arrangements made for their departure.

In the month of May their preparations for the journey being in a state of great forwardness, Ettwein, at their re- quest, was sent to Friedenshutten to superintend the journey, where he arrived May 20, 1772. In his diary of this journey he writes : " During the 8th, 9th, and 10th of June, all was bustle at Friedenshiitten, with preparations for the impending journey ; and the pestles of the corn- mortars were plied night and day." The emigrants were divided into two companies ; one under Roth were to go by canoe down the North and up the West Branch as far as the Great Island (Lock Haven), where they were to meet the company who were to go overland with the horses and cattle, the heavy articles being transported by water.

Early on the morning of June 11, they met for the last time in their chapel in the town for divine worship. Says Ettwein, " I remarked on the Scripture passage for the day, in effect that all our temporal and spiritual welfare de- pended upon the presence of the Lord's Spirit with us, and of His being pleased with His people. Then we knelt in

IIISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

prayer and again thanked Him for all the numerous bless- ings which had been vouchsafed to us in this spot, and for the evidences of His love and patience. Hereupon we commended ourselves to His keeping and guidance on the way, asking Him to supply our wants, both by land and by water. At the close of this service, the canoes were laden, the bell was taken from its turret, the window-sashes were removed from the church, and the dismantled windows nailed shut with boards. At two o'clock in the afternoon, brother and sister Roth set out in their canoe, followed by the others, thirty in number. Timothy, who carried the bell in his canoe, rang it for some time as the squadron moved down the stream, never again to ring out its call to the house of prayer over the waters of the lovely Susque- hanna. After all had left the town we locked the doors of the chapel and the missionary's dwelling, took leave of Job Chillaway, and commended to him the oversight of the houses and improvements, to which he consented, at the same time he made fair promises. He and his wife were the only two who appeared to regret our departure, as they shed tears. All the others manifested satisfaction. One hundred and forty souls went with brother and sister Roth ; with me, by the overland route, were fifty-four. There are others also to proceed by land from Schechschiquanunk,* so that the entire migration will number two hundred and eleven souls. A short time before our departure the measles had been brought to Friedenshütten from Schechschiqua- nunk, which place had been infected by a white man. The epidemic soon appeared among the party with Roth, and a maiden of my company was taken with them on the third day out. Our journey consumed five days; that of the company by water ten days; when we met at the mouth of Muncy creek, on the 20th of June."

Sickness, rain-storms, and high head-winds delayed the movements of the fleet, but otherwise the trip was made with comparative comfort. Not so, however, with the over- land party. They took the " Wyalusing path," which, after crossing the river, takes up a steep hill, striking the main branch of the Sugar Run a short distance below Welles saw- mill; thence to the Muncy valley. The way led through swamps, dark with a heavy growth of timber, through tangled masses of laurel, sometimes so dense that a man could not be seen the distance of six feet, over rocks and precipitous hills on the divide of the Sugar Run, Loyal Sock, and Muncy creeks, and again through swamps until they reached the lowlands, near the mouth of the Muncy. Along this route, tormented with sand-flies (punkies), to this day the pest of this wilderness, drenched with daily rains, in constant danger from rattlesnakes, this band of pilgrims, having under their care sixty head of cattle, and fifty horses and colts, forced their way, losing but one young coW.

Arriving on the West Branch, it was found to be utterly impracticable to take all their goods over the mountains, between there and the Allegheny. Arriving at the Wallis farm, they sold many of their cattle, their canoes, bowls, firkins, and other wood- and iron-ware, which would prove

too great an encumbrance on their journey. Leaving the West Branch, their way led through the wild, rough country of that mountainous region, until they reached the Alle- gheny, whence, by canoe, they reached their destination on the 5th of August, and the missionary adds : "Scarce a day passed that we could not distribute rations of meat, and never did a soul go to bed hungry. Those who had aught shared it to the last crumb. None received injury to his person, although dangers were without number. Rattle- snakes were numerous. I knew that upwards of fifty were killed. Among the rocks and timber we fell countless times. Sister Roth fell from her horse four times, once with her child into a bog up to her middle, once into the bushes backwards from the horse with her child in her arms, and once her foot hung in the stirrup." As one reads the narrative of these trials and labors we are amazed at the fortitude, patience, skill, and unwearying labor of these self-denying missionaries, and at the transforming power of the gospel upon the minds of their converts.

" This migration," remarks Rev. W. C. Reichel, " marks a new era in the history of the Moravian missions among the aborigines of this country, which era was characterized by perpetual disturbances and unrest ; it being also the era of its gradual decadence, extending down into our own times, when there is but a feeble remnant of Christian Indians ministered to by Moravians, dwelling at New Fairfield, Canada, and West Field, Kansas. In the veins of some of these there flows the blood of the Mohicans and Delawares of old Friedenshutten, the ' deserted village' of the flats of Wyalusing."

To mark the spot of Friedenshutten and perpetuate the memory of this Christian Indian town, a monument bear- ing fitting inscriptions was erected under the auspices of the Moravian historical society, which was dedicated with appropriate services in the Presbyterian church of Wyalu- sing, and on the site of the mission, June 14 and 15, 1871. This monument, which is thirteen feet high, of stone quarried from Campbell's ledge, above Pittston, and within an appropriate inelosure, bears on the die the following in- scriptions. On the northern face-

" To mark the site of Friedenshiitten (M'ehwihilusing), A settlement of Moravian Indians hetween 1765 and 1772."

On the eastern face --

" This stone was erected on the 15th day of June, in the year of Redemption 1871, by members of the Moravian Historical Society."

The western and southern faces bear respectively the words of Scripture-

" And my people shall dwell in a peaceahle habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places."

" Remember the days of old, consider the years of many genera- tions; ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee."

The Indians at Schechschiquanunk, who were not con- nected with the mission, gathered at a village four or five miles above, opposite the junction of the Tioga and Susque- hanna, on the west bank, and formed what was known as Queen Esther's town. This town was destroyed by Col. Hartley, in the autumn of 1778. Of the early history or

* Of theso were the Davises, Jo Peepy, Isaac Stille, and two sons of Tadeuscund (Teedynseung ?), all noted Indians.

HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

family connection of the woman who was known in this valley as Queen Esther, for whom this town was named, but very little is known, except that her father was a white man, probably a Frenchman, and her mother a squaw of the Senecas. The evidence of her relationship to the Montour family is very unsatisfactory. The similarity of parentage has probably given rise to the tradition so widely spread that she was a cousin to Madame Catharine Montour, or even Madame Montour herself. Her house was large and commodious, and surrounded with many of the appliances of civilization. IIer influence was so great with the In- dians that she was called Queen Esther by the people of the valley. She is described as a large, heavy-built woman, walking ereet, of commanding appearance, and ordinarily kind in her disposition. All her intercourse with the whites, both here and at Wyoming, previous to the battle of Wy- oming, was marked with uniform kindness and courtesy. She was a frequent visitor in the family of Mr. Van Val- kenburg, at Wysox, and well known through the country. She was present at the battle of Wyoming, where her fiend- ish brutality obliterated every kindly recollection, and made her name a synonym for cruelty. In the "History of Buffalo and the Senecas," by William Ketchum, occurs the following paragraph :

" Mrs. Cambell (one of the captives from Cherry valley), thus speaks of a female who occupied a very prominent and influential position among the Indians : 'Among the per- sons driven into the fort (Niagara) by the American army was Catharine Montour, who had signalized herself by her inhumanity at Wyoming. She had two sons who were leaders of bands, and who consequently imparted additional consequence to her. This creature was treated with con- siderable attention by some of the officers.'"-P. 325.

She had a sister Mary, who frequently accompanied her in her visits. The remnants of the old Schechshiquanunk were destroyed by Hartley in 1778. In 1790 the party who settled Aurora, in the State of New York, found on the shores of Cayuga lake, a little south of Springport, a band of thirty or forty Tuscarora Indians, under Steel Trap and Queen Esther. Where they went or what became of them I can learn nothing further.

At Wyalusing, Job Chillaway and some others did not join in the emigration. Chillaway, though at one time con- nected with the mission, had cither voluntarily left it or had been excluded previous to its removal. It will be remembered that as early as 1769 he made application to Governor Penn for the land on Wyalusing plains, but, on account of the opposition of Papunhank and others con- nected with the mission, the warrant was not issued until May 20, 1772, after the removal of the mission had been determined. The survey included the plain bounded by the river, the Wyalusing creek, and the base of the moun- tain, as far as the little run near D. W. Brown's, contains six hundred and twenty-three aeres and six per cent. allow- ance, was made by John Lukens, surveyor-general of the province, Sept. 16, 1773, returned to the secretary's office, March 10, and patent issued March 12, 1774. Chillaway conveyed this land to Henry Pawling, of Montgomery county, by deed bearing date May 4, 1775.

In 1774, Chillaway and an Indian named Hendrick were

living at Wyalusing, and are spoken of as showing great kindness to the early emigrants to this county, assisting them in the selection of land, supplying them with food, and encouraging their settlement. They continued to re- side here until the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, when Hendrick joined the Indians at Tioga Point, whoni he accompanied to Wyoming at the time of the battle, while Chillaway moved to the English settlements down the river, and espoused the cause of the colonists. A captain's commission was given him, but he did not engage in any active military movements. He was born near Little Egg Harbor, in the southeastern part of New Jersey ; removed first to Easton, and then on the Susquehanna. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, possessed a good knowledge of English, frequently acted as Indian inter- preter, adopted the dress and habits of civilized life, and was greatly respeeted and trusted by both whites and In- dians. He died on the West Branch in the winter of 1778-79,-

" By strangers honored, and by strangers mourned."

In March, 1778, an expedition of one hundred and fifty men under Lieut .- Col. Dorrance came up to Wyalusing for the purpose of aiding the few remaining Whig families there to remove to Wyoming. They tore down the church and some of the best log houses of the town, and made a raft of the timbers, on which were placed the families and their goods and floated down the river. The remaining part of the town was destroyed by Hartley in 1778.

The march of civilization for more than a century over these homes of the red men has well-nigh obliterated every vestige of their former occupancy. The woodman's axe has leveled their forests, the plow of the husbandman has de- faced their fields, the white man's home stands upon the site of their ancient villages, and the railroad train thunders along the trail of their war-path, while in many instances their bones have been torn from the soil, and vandal hands have polluted their graves. In their march towards the setting sun, their fugitive tribes have left behind them no track nor trace.

An enumeration of the Indian families residing at Frie- denshütten, with the number of members in each, and of the improvements made by them, 1771 :

John Papoonhank, wife Ann Johanna, and daughter, three mem- bers ; two dwellings of squared logs, covered with shingles, one small do., covered with split boards, a stable, and a garden.

Joshua, Sr., wife Bathsheba, and brother, three members; one dwelling of squared logs, covered with shingles, a stable, and a garden.

Shebosh, wife Christiana, and two children, four members; im- provements same as last-named.

Mark, wife Aun Elizabeth, and two children, four members; one dwelling of squared logs, covered with shingles.

John Martin, wife Regina, brother, and three children, six mem- bers ; improvements same as last.

Joshna, Jr., wife Sophia, and three children, five members ; ono dwelling, covered with shingles, and a stable.

Billy Chillaway, wife, and two children, four members; one dwell- ing of squared logs, covered with shingles.

Augustus and wife, two members; one dwelling of squared logs, covered with shingles, with stable and garden.

HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

David and wife Charity, two members; one dwelling of squared logs, covered with shingles, and a stable.

Joseph, wife Ann Mary, and three children, five members; one dwelling of squared logs, covered with shingles,

Cornelins, wife Amelia, and four children, six members ; one dwell- ing, covered with split boards, and u stable.

Daniel, wife Johanna, father, and three children, six members; ono dwelling of hewed logs, covered with shingles.

Philip, Jr., wife, father Philip, Sr., and five children, eight mom- bers; one dwelling of squared logs, covered with shingles.

Gottlieb, wife Ann Rosina, and five children, seven members ; one dwelling, same as last.

Andrew and wife Ann Justina, two members ; one dwelling, samo as last.

Moses, wife. Julianna, mother, and three children, six members ; one dwelling of unhewn logs, covered with split hoards.

Zacheus, wife Catherine, his son and wife and their three children, seven members; one dwelling, covered with bark.

Esther (widow), one member; one dwelling, covered with split boards.

Mary (widow), one member; one dwelling, same as last.

Phoebe (widow), one member ; one dwelling, covered with bark.

Helen and three children, four members; same as last.

Sam Evans, wife Ruth, and three children, five members; one dwelling of unhewn logs, covered with shingles.

Amos, wife, and child, three members; one dwelling, covered with split boards.

Louisa and two children, three members; one dwelling, covered with shingles.

Timothy, wife Martha, and daughter, three members ; one hut.

Thomas, wife Rachel, grandson, and two children, five members ; one hut.

Sarah (widnw), one memher; one hut.

Bartholomew, wife Elizabeth, soa, and two girls, five members ; one hut.

Christiana, Abraham, and Kaschoosh, three members; one hut.

Joha ( Mohican), wife Elizabeth, and four children, six members ; one but.

Lucia and mother, two members; one hut.

Christian, wife Angustina, mother, brother, and two children, six members ; one hut.

Hannah and her grandchild, two members; one hut.

Patty, her son, and daughter, three members ; one hut.

Abel, wife, and two children, four members; one hnt.

Amy (widow), one member; one hut.

Magdalene, Erdmuth, and one child, three members; one but. Total number of families, 37.

The missionary has two dwellings adjoining each other, both cov- ered with split boards, a stable, and a large garden, in which there is a well. The meeting-house, thirty-two by twenty-four feet, built of squared logs, and covered with shingles, stands in the middle of the town plot; and adjoining it is the school-house, a log building covered with split boards. Number of log houses in the town, 29; number of huts, 13; total number of dwellings, 42. Land cleared for planting, and converted into meadows, measures 250 aeres. The fencing on two sides of the settlement measures almost two miles in length. Number of adults in the town, 94; number of children, 48; total inhabitants, 142 .- Bethlehem Archives.

Some changes ocenrred during the following year, some having died, some removed to the west, and others having joined the mis- sion. Its status, at the time of the exodus in June, 1772, was as follows :

Communieant members, 52; non-communicants, all baptized, 72; members of the mission, not baptized (adults, 10; children, 11), 21; other persons, 6 ; total of souls at Friedenshutten, 151. Members re- siding at Seheehschiquanink : communicant members, 4; non-com- munieants, all baptized, 15; members of the mission not yet baptized, 31; Roth, wife, and child, 3; total, 53. Total of souls attached to the mission on the Susquehanna, June 1, 1772, 204.

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History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 6

Author: Craft, David, 1832-1908; L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 812

Author: Craft, David, 1832-1908; L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 812