USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > History of Delaware county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the territory included within its limits to the present time > Part 7
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It will be observed, that in the harangue of the Passayunk Savage, Upland is mentioned as a Swedish settlement. This is the first notice of that town under its Swedish name, on record ; but doubtless one or more of the plantations observed by Hudde, in November, 1645, was at that place. It may also be inferred from that harangue, that up to this time, the Dutch had not made, what the speaker considered, an actual settlement.
It is now observable, that the Dutch became more anxious to acquire an Indian title to the lands on our river, and particularly to those lands that had been granted by the savages to the Swedes. With this object, a committee of the high-council at Fort Amsterdam, consisting of Vice-director Dinclage and the Hon. La Montagne, were commissioned to proceed to the South river, where they arrived on the 7th of June, and on the 10th, obtained a confirmation, in writing, of a transfer said to have been formerly made to Arent Corson. This document is given at length, on page 18. By a reference thereto, it will be seen that the savage grantors claim to be " sachems over the district of coun- try called Armenverius." This country on the Dutch map is located on the Jersey side of the river, in the vicinity of Fort Nassau, and not at all likely to include "the Schuylkill and adjoining lands." Passayunk embraced" the Eastern shore of the Schuylkill from its mouth some distance upwards, and is given by Campanius as one of the "principal towns or places" of the Indians, on the river ; and Hudde him- self, but a little over a month previously, had recognized the authority of its sachems to make a grant for the erection of a
1 The East bank of the Schuylkill has a bold shore half a mile above the Penrose Ferry bridge, which continues some distance, and is the only suitable locality for a fort or trading post within the limits of Passayunk.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
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trading post on their lands, while it will be seen that these same sachems are not among those who joined in this pretended con- veyance, or rather confirmation without consideration, of a pre- vious conveyance to Arent Corson, of the same lands, by the same parties, part of the purchase money for which, was still due ! A late writer has very properly remarked that, "the readiness which the natives manifested to part with their terri- tory, was equalled only by their willingness to sell it again to any who might choose to purchase it."1 He might have added, as applicable to this period in the history of our river, that there was no lack of these purchasers, at second hand.
After the Hon. Committee of the Dutch Council had concluded their purchase and had taken public and lawful possession, they "with a becoming suite, sailed for Tinnekonk," where they met with a very cold reception from Commissary Huygen and Pape- goya, the son-in-law of Governor Printz, who kept them stand- ing in a constant rain about half an hour. After being admit- ted to an audience " they delivered, among others, their Solemn protest against the aforesaid Printz, against his illegal possession of the Schuylkill."> Governor Printz promised to give his answer before their departure, of which Hudde has made no note.
Places of settlement on the Schuylkill were now assigned to several freemen. On the 2nd of July, one of the number com- meneed to build, but was prevented by the son-in-law of the Governor, who caused to be pulled down and burnt what he had raised, and adding insult to injury, threatened, " that if he there * came again, he would carry off with him a good drubbing."3
Hudde records similar proceedings, though not so violent, on the part of the Swedes, towards one Thomas Braes who attempt- ed to settle and build at a place named by them "New Holm." This is probably the same occurrence mentioned by Acrelius as happening in 1646, in which Thomas Broen was the person de- siring to build. If so, " New Holm" was located in the neigh- borhood of Mantua Creek in New Jersey. Printz offered Broen permission to build under Swedish jurisdiction, which he re- fused.4
Commissary Hudde being temporarily absent on a visit to his superiors at Fort Amsterdam, Governor Printz erected a build- ing, about 30 feet long and 20 wide, immediately in front of the new Dutch Fort Beversreede on the Schuylkill, "so that the vessels that came to anchor under the fort could discover said fort with difficulty." The back gable of the house was only 12 feet from the gate of the fort and on the outer side of it. Alex-
1 Mr Armstrong's Introduction to Record of Upland Court, 15.
2 Hudde's Report, 440. 3 Ib. 440. Acrelius, 411.
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[1648.
ander Boyer, who had charge of the interests of the Dutch during Hudde's absence, very properly regarded the building of this house by Governor Printz, as intended more to insult his " lords and masters than to reap, for himself any real advan- tage from it," because, he said, "the ground in the same range with our fort is large enough to admit twenty similar build- ings."1
Boyer also reports two Swedes, as having been murdered by the Maquas2 -- the first instance on record of Swedish blood having been shed by the Indians.
Hudde returned on the 5th of October, with a few freemen, to whom had been delivered letters patent to settle and build on the Schuylkill. He says he "was directly informed that the Swede placed his best hope on the country of the Minquas against the bargain concluded by us," and "to prevent similar frivolous pretentions, and to shew that the contract, was by no means broken by the honorable committee," he addressed a note to Hendrick Huygens, intended to be shown to the Governor, of which the following is an extract :-.
" Honorable and obliging good friend, accept my cordial salutation. It was with deep regret that I was informed on my return, that our fugitives can find no residence in the Minquas country, against the good intentions indeed of our Director- general, who will not permit that anything shall be undertaken by his subjects against our contract, but expects that similar conduct shall be holden from both sides."3
It is evident from the foregoing extracts from Hudde, as has been before suggested, that a contract existed between the Swedes and the Dutch, that contained some specifications in re- spect to the trade and occupancy of the Schuylkill ; and it is but reasonable to conclude that the harsh conduct of Governor Printz towards the Dutch on that river, resulted from a belief that their acts were in violation of that contract. It may also be inferred that the Minquas maintained a kind of ownership over the coun- try about the mouth of the Schuylkill, as in my apprehension the allusion to their country in the quoted language of Hudde, had no reference to the usual place of residence of that power- ful tribe of savages, which will be shown hereafter was on the Susquehanna. This ownership might have been for the purposes of trade or fishing, and to serve their convenience during their periodical visits. Whatever, it was, Hudde was evidently appre- hensive, that the late act of the committee of the Dutch Council might be regarded with disfavor by these savages. In a subse- quent negotiation with the Dutch, in which some of the same
1 Hudde's Report, 441 ; Albany Records, Haz. Ann. 103.
2 Haz. Ann. 104.
3 Hudde's Reports, 441.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
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sachems who confirmed " the Schuylkill and adjoining lands" to the honorable committee, participated, when asked whether " they were chiefs and proprietors of the lands situate on the west side of this river, at present partly incorporated and settled by the Swede ?" replied that they "were great chiefs and pro- prietors of the lands, both by ownership and descent, and by appointment of Minquas and river Indians."1
The Schuylkill river was not the highway by which the Minquas reached the trading mart near its mouth, or at Kin- sessing, as might be inferred from the language of some writers. Their route passed diagonally over the whole extent of Delaware county, entering Philadelphia at the head of tide water on Cobb's creek near the site of the Swede's mill; doubtless a branch of the usually travelled path to their more southern trading post at Fort Christina.2
The land assigned to the freemen, who accompanied Hudde on his return, was located on the Schuylkill, at a place then known as "Mast-makers Corner," "Point," or "Hook." In their efforts to occupy and build on these lands, they met with the same determined opposition from the Swedes, that others had experienced. The officers to whom this work of demolition was assigned, did not hesitate to avow, that they were acting under the special instructions of Governor Printz. The exact position of Mast-makers Corner is not known. It was on the east side of the Schuylkill, and probably but a very short distance from the Dutch Fort Beversreede. An account of these harsh pro- ceedings on the part of the Swedes, forwarded to Fort Amster- dam by Hudde on the 7th of November, closes the often cited report of that vigilant functionary.3
Two days later, Adrian Van Tiedhoven, "Clerk of the court on the South river," also reported sundry of the Swedish out- rages above noted, but he arrives at the conclusion that these cannot cause much injury to the Dutch trade with the Indians. He, however, regards commerce here, as " nearly spoiled," as he says, "we are compelled to give two fathoms white, and one of black Seawant4 for one beaver; one fathom of cloth for two beavers ; every fathom of Seawant amounts to three ells, some- times one-sixteenth less, so that in my opinion, this barter is too much against us, as the Indians always take the largest and tall- est among them to trade with us."5
] N. Y. Col. Doe. i. 597.
2 See map of Early Settlements, and also plot of the survey for an Indian walk in this volume.
3 Hudde's Rep. 442, in N. Y. Hist. Col. N. S. For correction of date, see O'Callag- han's Hist. New Netherlands, ii. 83, (note.) An application for damages to the Dutch government, places the Mast-maker Hook affair in 1649, see N. Y. Col. Doc. i. 594.
4 The Dutch name for Wampum.
5 Haz. Ann. 108 ; Hist. New Netherlands, ii. 83. The ells mentioned were probably Flemish ells. It might be inferred that the height of an Indian was taken for a fathom.
*
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
[1649.
The Swedish priest Campanius, after residing in the country six years, "sailed from Elfsborg in New Sweden" on the 18th of May, 1648. The Rev. Lawrence Charles Lokenius, succeeded Campanius, and for a time had charge of the churches at Tini- cum and Christina. After a time, he gave up the former but kept the latter till his death in 1688. The Rev. Israel Holgh was also a minister here in the time of Governor Printz, but soon returned to his native country.1
The disagreements between the Swedes and the Dutch are still continued, giving rise to a mutual hatred and jealousy. Stuy- vesant, in a letter to Hudde, complains of the encroachment of the Swedes-fears they will not stop, but admits that he does not know "what he shall apply as a remedy." Even plans by the Swedes are suggested, to interfere with the Dutch to and on the North river. Each party agrees to pursue the policy of obtaining additional grants of lands from the Indians, as the one most likely to strengthen its claims upon the river. As yet the Swedes maintain their ascendency.
As Campanius, the elder, left New Sweden in 1648, and it is probable that most of the descriptions of settlements, &c,, in the work of his grandson were derived from him, it may not be amiss at this time to notice some of them that have not already claimed our attention.
" Mecoponacka, or Upland,2 was an unfortified place, but some houses were built there. It was situated between Fort Christina and New Gottenburg, but nearer the latter. There was a fort built there some time after its settlement. It is good even land along the river shore."
" Passayunk was given by the crown to the Commandant Swen Schute. At that place there was a fort called Korsholm.3 After Governor Printz's departure for Sweden, it was abandoned by the Swedes, and afterwards burnt and destroyed by the Indians."
" Manayunk,4 or Schuylkill. This was a handsome little fort, built of logs filled up with sand and stones, and surrounded with palisades cut very sharp at the top. It was at the distance of four German miles east of Christina. It was mounted with great guns as well as the other forts. Those forts were all situated on the water side."
" Chinsessing was called the New Fort. It was not properly a fort, but substantial log houses, built of good strong hard hickory, two stories high, which was sufficient to secure the peo- ple from the Indians. But what signifies a fort without God's
1 Campanius, 108; ib. 109, Du Ponceau's note.
2 Now Chester.
3 For the probable location of this fort, see the map of First Settlers.
4 For the approximate location of this fort, see map of Early Settlements.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
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assistance ? In that settlement there dwelt five freemen, who cultivated the land and lived very well."1
" Karakung, otherwise called Water Mill stream, is a fine stream, very convenient for water mills : the Governor caused one to be erected there. It was a fine mill which ground both fine and coarse flour, and was going early and late ; it was the first that was seen in that country. There was no fort near it but only a strong dwelling house, built of hickory, and inhabited by freemen."
" Chammassungh, or Finland. This place was inhabited by Finns, who had strong houses but no fort. It lies at the distance" of two German miles east of Christina by water ; and by land, it is distant two long Swedish miles."
" Techoherassi, Olof Stille's place, was a small plantation, which was built by Swedish freemen, who gave it that name. They were frequently visited by Indians as it was on the river shore, and surrounded with water like a small island." The Indians named Olof on account of his thick black beard. This place was near the mouth of Ridley creek.2
The troubles of Governor Stuyvesant were not alone with the Swedes. He was constantly embroiled with his own people, and his New England neighbors gave him much trouble. His corres- pondence3 with the English, in which several transactions on the Delaware come under review, evinces much ability, while his domestic feuds show him to have been self-willed and arbitrary.
In a communication from Secretary Van Tienhoven, to the States General, dated February 22nd, he suggests the planting of a colony at Swanendale-one on the east side of the bay, and a third one, " at the company's redoubt, named Beversreede," as the best means of preventing the further "progress of the Swedes."+ The subsequent policy of the Dutch, on the Delaware, is foreshadowed in this letter.
Governor Stuyvesant had been advised by the Directors of the West India Company of their intention to apply to the Queen of Sweden, for the establishment of limits between the Swedes and Dutch on the South river.5 This may have been, in part, the inducement for the visit of his excellency to the Delaware, which happened this year. Upon his first arrival, it does not appear that he had a personal interview with Governor Printz-as their negotiations are said to have been conducted by means of " let- ters and messengers." After communicating to the Governor,
1 This location has already been designated. See also map of Early Settlements.
2 See Lindstroom's map in Campanius, 46.
3 The correspondence of Governors Kieft and Stuyvesant with the English, and which extended through several years, has been extracted from Haz. Hist. Col. and published in N. Y. Hist. Col. i. 189-290.
4 N. Y. Col. Doc. i. 361.
5 Haz. Ann. 122.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. [1651.
the rights of the West India Company, by reason of first dis- covery, possession and purchases from the Indians, "which included the Schuylkill district," he demanded him, "to show in like manner, by similar evidence, what lands there had been purchased by him or his, and were consequently conveyed to them by the natives and proprietors."
" The result was only a simple writing, wherein the aforesaid Governor designated the Swedish limits wide and broad enough," alleging, that the deeds of the purchase were "in the chancery at Stockholm."! This allegation, Stuyvesant regarded as a mere subterfuge and destitute of truth. He endeavored to sustain this serious charge against Printz by adducing the fact, that he (Printz) then,"" for the first time, had tried to buy from a certain sachem or Indian chief named Waspangzewan, such lands as he already occupied, and insisted, were included within his limits." The fact relied on by Stuyvesant proves nothing-it being more likely that the offer to purchase was to get rid of a troublesome claim, than to liquidate a just one. This is rendered more pro- bable by the fact, that before Stuyvesant left the river, the Indian sachem who refused to sell to the Swedes, made a " free donation and gift" of the same lands to the Dutch.2
This occurred on the 30th of July. On the 9th of that month, the very singular, and rather suspicious negotiation, was con- ducted, by which the Dutch pretend to have extinguished the Indian title to the land from Christiana kill to Bompgens hook, before adverted to. This was also a "free gift" except that one of the ceding sachems, made a condition, "that when anything was the matter with his gun, it shall be repaired ;" and also, that when he came empty among the Dutch, they were to give him some maize. The grantors in this case were Amattehoorn, Pemenatta and Sinques-who, although they claim to be the right owners of the west bank of the river from the Schuylkill downwards, declined selling the lands between that river and Christina, to the Dutch. They, however, do admit, that the Swedes did purchase the lands they occupy, but deny that it was from the right owners, which they now claim to be. No deed was executed at this conference, that ceremony having been postponed for four years, when another grantor named Ackehoorn joins in a regular Indian conveyance for the same premises-the consideration being as usual, duffels, kettles, guns, powder, &c. What is remarkable in this deed. the right of fishing and hunting is reserved to the Indians.3
That the Swedes were the first to purchase from the Indians, the lands included within the bounds of Delaware County, has already been shown. The object of Governor Stuyvesant, was
1 N. Y. Col. Doc. i. 589.
2 For this conveyance, see ib. 596.
3 N. Y Col. Doc. i. 599.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
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to make it appear, that the Swedish title was imperfect, because their purchase was not made from the rightful owners. Of this he brings no proof but the testimony of the adverse claimants, who themselves refuse to sell to him this particular part of their dominions.
Since the arrival of the Swedes, the names of the Indian sachems who were owners, or who set up a claim of ownership to the country embracing Delaware County, are-Siscohoka, Meche- " kyralames, Kyckesycken (Live Turkey,) Amattehoorn or Matte- hoorn, Pemenatta, Sinques, Wappingzewan and possibly Aqua- hoorn. These are given on Dutch authority.1 It will be seen hereafter, that the dominions of a chief named Naaman, may have extended within our limits.2
During General Stuyvesant's detention on the Delaware, a petition for indemnity on account of injuries sustained at the hands of the Swedes, at different times, and by sundry persons, was presented to his Excellency. Several of these have been noticed already ; but in addition, a garden had been made back of Fort Beversrcede, which was at once destroyed and the fence burnt by order of Printz. Also two persons had commenced the erection of buildings on the Island of Harommuny, or Aharom- muny, "west of the Swedes' plantation,"-one having " laid the ground timbers and set up the ties"-the other had "brought his clap-boards." In the first instance the timbers were cut into fire wood, and in the second the building was forcibly pre- vented, by the deputies of the Governor, Huygens and Papegoya, " fully armed."3 No clue is given to the location of this Island Aharommuny, except that it was "west of the Swedes planta- tion." This expression could not have applied to Tinicum, because there was no island west of it. It must refer to the Swedish fort on the Schuylkill, and assuming that to be the case, I have assigned the above name on the map of early settlements, to the island situate next westerly from that on which the Swedish fort is located, and at present occupied by farm buildings. This island was confirmed to Peter Kock on the 1st of October, 1669.4
Having acquired an Indian title to the west bank of the river below Christina kill, Governor Stuyvesant at once determined to erect another fort, " for the greater security of the company's jurisdiction, and the protection of its people," and to raze Fort Nassau, which " lay too high up and toc inconvenient a distance." The new fort, which was called Casimir, was erected on "a tol- erably suitable spot" about a league from the Swedish Fort Christina. Its site was within the limits of the present town of New Castle. Governor Printz protested against the erection of
I N. Y. Col. Doc. i 598. 2 Campanius, 76.
4 Albany MSS. Rec., " Abstracts of Patents," ii. 63.
3 N. Y. Col Doc. i. 595.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
[1653.
this new fort,1 but appears afterwards to have been reconciled to the measure, as before Stuyvesant took his departure from the river, " he had divers verbal conferences with Johan Printz, the Swedish Governor, and they mutually promised not to com- mit any hostile or vexatious acts against one another, but to maintain together all neighborly friendship and correspondence, as good friends and allies are bound to do."2
The doings of Stuyvesant on the Delaware were wholly upon his own responsibility, not having given to the West India Com- pany "so much as a hint of his intentions." The news was un- expected to the directors, and they declined to give any opinion on the subject until they "had heard the complaints of the Swedish governor to his queen, and ascertained at her court how these have been received."3
The erection of Fort Casimir rendered the Swedish Fort Elsinborg useless for the purpose of its original design. If any acts of submission were now required from Dutch vessels in pass- ing that fort, the same would be exacted from Swedish vessels in passing Fort Casimir. Elsinborg was therefore abandoned, as it does not appear to have been a place of trade. The Swedes allege that it had become untenable from the great number of musquitos, and gave it the nickname of " Myggenborg or Mus- quito Fort."4
Governor Printz having been accustomed to an active military life, became wearied of his present position, and requested per- mission to return to Sweden, at the same time soliciting a speedy reinforcement, in order to be prepared for the more threatening aspect that the affairs of the river had lately assumed. Not waiting for the arrival of his successor, he sailed for his native country during the present year, leaving the government in charge of his son-in-law, John Papegoya. Some writers have placed his departure in 1652,5 but this is disproved by a trading commission issued by him from Fort Christina the 1st of Oeto- ber, 1653.6
In Sweden, three persons had been convicted, each of killing an elk on the Island D'Auland. Two of them were sentenced to run the gauntlet, cach three times,-the third " to be sent to New Sweden."7 This is perhaps the last Swedish criminal sent to New Sweden.
On the 20th of August of this year, Queen Christina granted to Captain John Amundson Besh, and to his wife and to his heirs
1 Holme's Ann. 356, Sub. 1651.
2 N. Y. Col. Doc. i. 590.
3 Haz. Ann. 133, from Albany Rec. iv. 73.
4 Campanius, 80 ; Clay's Annals, 23.
5 Clay's Annals, 24.
6 Mr. Hazard gives this doenment entire in his Annals, 139, as copied from the Plymouth Records, Deeds, &e.
7 Haz. Reg. iv. 374.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
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and their heirs, "a tract of land in New Sweden extending to Upland kill." This grant has been supposed to embrace the present site of Marcus Hook, but this is not probable.1
On the same day, another grant was made by her Swedish Majesty, to the "brave and courageous Lieutenant Swen Schute," and to his wife and to his heirs, "a tract of country in New Sweden, viz., Mockorhulteykyl, as far as the river, together with the small island belonging thereto, viz., the island Karinge and Kinsessing, comprehending also Passuming."2
To those acquainted with this region of country it will not be difficult to give the above grant an approximate position, but I have not met with anything that enabled me with any degree of certainty to decide upon the island embraced in the grant.
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