USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster and York Counties > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of Lancaster and York Counties > Part 13
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*His. N. Y. 39, Holmes, An. I. 501.
+Hallische Nachrichten, 973-98I
¿Diese Teutche Colonie solte Theer brennen und Hanf banen, fuer Erstattung ihrer. Fracht von Holland bis England, und von da bis nach Neuyork .- H. M. Muehlenberg, Hal. Nach. p. 974.
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not to do"-laid up no stores from which they could supply the wants of their white brethren-depending entirely upon Nature's store-house ; believing that their hands were not made to labor with, but to have rule over the birds of the air, the fishes of the stream, and the game in Nature's park.
In Schoharie, having permission from the Indians, this colony commenced, under discouraging circumstances, improving lands and building houses. They labored for ten years, when they were dispersed; and in 1723, a portion of them, surrounded by difficulties in travelling, rising of three hundred miles, seated themselves, some eighty or ninety miles from Philadelphia, at Swatara and Tulpehocken .* Among this number were the Weisers,i whose descendants are numerous and respectable; these are the Muhlenbergs and others.
*Hallische Nachrichten.
¿Conrad Weiser, who remained in New York, when his father came here in 1723, arrived at Tulpehocken in 1729. In a subsequent page the reader will find a notice of C. W.
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game; in return, they looked for nothing but bread and milk, of which they were very fond. When their supply of flour run low, they had to hide their bread. The Indians had no idea of any thing being withheld; whilst either party had it, all should partake." The descendants of these pioneers still reside in the county. This settlement soon attracted the attention of others .- Repugnant as they are in feelings, the Irish and Germans soon afterwards established themselves as neighbors, living on terms of intimacy for a while. In newly settled countries all is sociability, and perfect friendship prevails. Former distinct nationalities are not cherished; yet never forgotten. German and Irish are opposites.
The land back from the river was settled principally by Germans: Forrys, Stricklers, Garbers, and others .- Their first purchase was, it is said, from an old woman named Mary Ditcher,* who used to go through the country making what was called improvements-a few sticks piled together, a fire kindled, and a pot hung over it, constituted a first right. Those who could pay for the land had first choice, but these improvements were generally bought for a trifle by those able to pay for the lands.
This old Mary Ditcher seems to have been rather a singular personage. She is described as wandering through the woods, leading an old horse, her only property, with her knitting in her hand, and clad in, a garment chiefly of sheep-skin.
Hempfield township was so called from the great quan- tity of hemp raised there. Manor, from lands reserved by the proprietors. The settlers adjoining Barber's and Wright's, were Irish families, named Patton, who gave name to the hill and the current below, called Patton's;
*Haz. Reg. IX. 113.
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current. It has been said there was once a great slaughter of the Indians at that place, by a party of cruel men, headed by a person named Bell. In the neighborhood were many places said to be graves of the Indians, and it was believed that a piece of cannon lay sunk in the current. Below this, the settlers were Germans: Stinemans, Kauffmans, Herrs, Rupleys .- The township (where . Wright first settled) above, was called Donegal by the Irish settlers, Andersons, Cooks, Tates, Kays.
In the north-eastern part of the county, a settlement was commenced about the year 1723 or 4, by Everhard Ream, whose descendants still reside in the village called after the first settler and proprietor. This place, like many others, was occupied solely by the Indians, at the time Mr. Ream located here. He ventured with his wagon and horse into the woods, where he unloaded his "fix- tures and furniture," under a large oak tree that spread its extended boughs over him and his small family till he had put up a rude hut of logs, which he built upon what is now Lesher's farm. His nearest mill was on the Brandywine, and his nearest neighbors, the Mülbachers, then living on Mill creek. After clearing a small spot, he procured a warrant and located about four hundred acres; afterwards, in 1725, received a patent for the same.
Some of his first or early neighbors, who had been attracted by the improved spot and fine water, were Bucher, Huber, Walter, Keller, Schwarzwalder, Leader, Schneider, Killion, Dock, Forney, Rupp, Balmer, May, Mayer, Hahn, Resler, Beyer, Leet, Schlott, Graf, Wolf, Feierstein, Weidman, and others. .
At the very infancy of the Pennsylvania colony, a number of Welsh, of sterling worth and excellent charac-
.
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ter, arrived in the province in 1682. "They had early purchased of the proprietary, in England, forty thousand acres of land, and settled west of the Schuylkill. In a few years their number was so much augmented, that they had settled, before 1692, six townships in the lower counties.
The Welsh custom, and that of the Swiss and Pala- tines, in settling new countries, were similar in many respects. At first they would send persons across the Atlantic, to take up land for them, and made some preparations for the reception of their families. Among the Welsh, who acted as pioneer, was the well known Rowland Ellis, who sent over Thomas Owen and family to make a settlement, and as soon as Owen had made some improvements, in which he spent a few years, Ellis, and one hundred other Welsh passengers, arrived in 16S6.
In 1698, other Welsh families arrived; among whom were William Jones, Thomas Evans, Robert Evans, Owen Evans, Cadwallader Evans, Hugh Griffith, Edward Foulke, John Humphrey, Robert Jones, and others, who purchased ten thousand acres of land of Robert Turner, in Guinedd township, Chester county.
Another settlement was commenced, about the year 1722 or 3, by the Welsh, extending up as far as to the present site of Churchtown. Among the principal settlers were Torbet, Douglas, E. Davis, A. Billing, Z. Davis, Spenger, Henderson, Evans, Ford, Lardner, Morgan, Robinet, Edwards, Jenkins.
While the Welsh were making improvements, a few miles south of Allegany ;* a region on the Tulpehocken,
*The country along Alleghany creek, a small stream which enters Tulpehocken, is still known by that name.
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some Swiss and Germans settled in Weber Thal, south of Conestoga creek, so called from the Webers, or Weavers, who took up between two and three thousand acres of land, in 1723 or 4. , George Weber and Hans Guth, brothers-in-law, Jacob Weber and Henry Weber, all Swiss, were the first settlers contiguous to the Welsh. Guth located north-east from the Webers .- The plain, or thal, was timberless when the first settlers commenced. Guth or Good settled in Brecknock town- ship, where a numerous connexion of them reside.
The Webers and Guths had, previous to taking up land here, lived some twelve or fifteen years near Lancaster. They were a young family, seeking a place of permanent abode, where they have since become both wealthy and numerous .* George, the oldest of the three brothers, had three sons and two daughters: Hans, Henry, Samuel, Maria and Magdalena. The present generation of Weavers still possess the lands of their ancestors. Some of them have moved to the "Far West," others to Canada. The Webers were soon
*The following, which we copied at the house of Samuel Weaver, in 1842, may give the reader some idea of the numerical strength of the family. Christian Weaver's father was a native of Switzerland.
Christian Weaver was born in Earl township, Lancaster county, Pa. Dec. 25, 1731-married Sept. 30, 1749, to Miss Magdalen Ruth-lived 55 years in a state of matrimony, and 16 years as a widower. He was a member of the Mennonite church. Died of a lingering disease, Feb. 13, 1820, aged 88 years, 1 month, 1 week and 2 days. Had eight sons and five daughters. Of the seven sons and five daughters were born, before C. W's. death, and living at the time, 99 grand- children, 88 grand children's children, and 55 great grand chilhren's children. His lineal descendants were 309. Henry Martin preached his funeral discourse. Text, John, 14, 12, 13.
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joined by the Martins, Schneders, Millers, Zimmermans, Ruths, and many others, principally Mennonites.
During the year 1727, rising of one thousand Pala- tines arrived in Pennsylvania; among these were the Dieffenderfers, Ekmans, Meyers, Bowmans, Eberlees, Zugs, Shultzes, Funks, Frans, and others, whose descendants constitute a portion of the inhabitants of Lancaster county .* Two brothers, Alexander and John Dieffenderfer, sailed from Rotterdam,t arrived at Phila- delphia in the month of September; Alexander settled in Oley, now Berks county, and John at Saeue Schwamm, now New Holland, in the woods. His grand-son, David, son of Michael Dieffenderfer, now in his ninety- second year,¿ informed us that his grand-father's house-
*They were of those who first subscribed a "writing, de- claring their allegiance to the King of Great Britain, and fidelity to the proprietary of the province." The paper was drawn up in these words: "We, subscribers, natives and late inhabitants of the Palatinate upon the Rhine, and places adja- cent, having transported ourselves and families into this province of Pennsylvania, a colony subject to the Crown of Great Britain, in hopes and expectation of finding a retreat and peaceable settlement therein, do solemnly promise and engage, that we will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his present MAJESTY, KING GEORGE THE SECOND, and his suc- cessors, Kings of Great Britain, and will be faithful to the Proprietor of this province; and that we will demean our- selves peaceably to all his said majesty's subjects, and strictly observe and conform to the laws of England and of this province, to the utmost of our power and best of our under- standing."
They sailed in the Ship William and Sarah, William Hill, master. There were ninety Palatine families, making in all about 400 persons, in this ship .- Col. Rec. III. 390.
¿See a brief sketch of his public life, at the close of this chapter.
17
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hold goods were brought from Philadelphia, by one Martin, and unloaded under an Oak tree. In the course of a few days after their arrival, a hut or cabin was rected by the aid of the neighbors, who were kind; and the goods snugly housed, and the family comfortably situated. Michael, David's father, was then a child.
The neighbors were attentive in relieving their wants, ind supplying them with necessaries. Mr. Bear bestowed them a cow; Mr. Martin and Hans Graaf, come flour and meat. Shortly afterwards, other German families settled here; among these were Ranek, Bachert, Beck, Mayer, Brimmer, Koch, Hinkel, Schneider, Seger, Stehly, Brubacher, Meixel, Diller, and others.
The caprice of Keith, induced him to receive the application of the Swiss and Germans, with perfect indifference. They applied as early as 1721; but the consideration of their petition was procrastinated, days, months and years, till 1724, and then only was leave granted to bring in a bill to naturalize them, on the hu- miliating condition, provided each Swiss or German should individually obtain from a justice of the peace, certificate of the value of his property, and the nature of his religious faith-not enough yet-a representation is made (1727) to Governor Gordon Keith's successor; "that a large number of Germans, peculiar in their dress, religion, and notions of political Governments, had settled on Pequea, and were deter- mined not to obey the lawful authority of Government; that they had resolved to speak their own language, (a grave charge indeed !) and to acknowledge no sovereign, but the Great Creator of the Universe."
There was, perhaps, never a people who feel less disposed to disobey the lawful authority of Government than the Mennonites, against whom these charges were
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made. In justice to them, we shall digress from our narrative, and introduce their own & to th iments on this subject: "We dedicate ourselves to the veutity of good Government, and the preservation of hum, 2 life. As the Christ commanded Peter to pay tribute to in the so we shall always pay our taxes. We are subject W
) high authority, as Paul advises, for those in authority Luar not the sword in vain to execute wrath, but to exercise mercy. We hope and pray, that we may not offend. May God govern the hearts of our rulers, that they do those good thing's which will add to their own, and our happiness."
It is also well known, that it was owing to their con- scientious scruples to take up arms against the mother country, to whom they had vowed loyalty, that they were the last to resist a high authority; but no sooner had the American Independence been acknowledged- lawful authority established-than they obeyed the ' rulers of their country. They have never, as a class, or as individuals, so far as we know, been disloyal, trouble- some, or expensive to Government. They pay their taxes regularly ; support the poor of their faith, at their own expense: You look in vain in the poor-house for any of their brethren or sisters. ! : , 1
" To add food to: keep alive jealousies, and excite mis- givings against the Germans, "it was reported that some thousands were expected to arrive in the ensuing season of 1727." It is true that three hundred and forty-eight Palatine families, making in 'all twelve hundred and forty persons, did arrive :* " They came not as disloyalists, but :13
·The number of German emigrants, during 1728, was less than the preceding year, only 152 families, consisting of 390 persons arrived at Philadelphia ;)during 1729 it was still less; only 243 Palatine passengers arrived." Strange, that this num-
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were encouragefloat come to Pennsylvania to settle and improve the rys afry, upon the invitation of the proprie- tary. Theilindustry and utility had before that period been prous sial.
Thised. Amation, and the report of expected arrivals, weresalud before the Assembly, whereupon William Webb,x Samuel Hollingsworth, and John Carter, were appointed a committee to inquire into the facts, and make regort to the next House. These gentlemen investigated the grave charges, and in 1728, made a report favorable to the Germans and Swiss, who had been invited by the original proprietary, William; "that they had honestly paid for their lands, and were a quiet and industrious people, honestly discharging their civil and religious duties. But that some had made a settlement on lands without any right, and refused to yield obedience to the Government; that those persons had entered this colony from that of New York," says the report, &c .- These some, were but few who had settled "upon Tul- pahaca creek," about the year 1722, or 23. These, "from New York," had settled on the Tulpehocken lands, by Governor Keith's permission. They were thirty-three families in 1723 with other natives of Germany, who were by the bounty and goodness of Queen Anne induced to transport themselves and
ber should alarm the Government so much as to pass an act laying a duty of forty shillings, per head, on aliens, i. e. Ger- mans, Swiss, Dutch and French !!! The influx of. paupers -- not Germans-which was so great during 1729, should have excited more alarm, than the few aliens.
During the year 1729, there were of English and Welsh pas- sengers and servants, 267, Scotch servants, 43, Irish passengers and servants, 1155, Palatine (alien, or 40 shilling head) passen- gers, 243; by the way of New . Castle, chiefly passengers and servants from Ireland, 4500 .- Hugh. His. Acct. 163.
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families to the colony of New York, in 1710, or 1711, where they settled. But their families increasing, and being in that Government confined to the scanty allow .- ance of ten acres of land to each family, whereupon they could not well subsist, being informed of the kind recep- tion which the Germans usually met within the province of Pennsylvania, and hoping they might, with what substance they had, 'acquire larger settlements in the province of Pennsylvania, did leave their settlements in New York, and came with their families; applied to the Governor, who granted them permission to settle."
The names of many of these are still preserved recorded, viz: Johannes Yans, Peter Ritt, Conrad Schitz, Paltus Unsf, Toritine Serbo, Josap Sab, Jorge Ritt, Godfreyt Filler, Johannes Claes Shaver, Io. Hameler Ritt, Antonis Shart, Johan Peter Pacht, Jocham Michael Cricht, Sabastian Pisas, Andrew Falborn .*
As the settlements were now becoming numerous, and settlers located in various parts, they came frequently and more closely in contact with the Indians; and in despite of the efforts of the Government to prevent bloodshed, owing to some violence on the part of both whites and natives, a person named Thomas Wright was killed by some Indians at Snaketown, forty miles above Conestoga. John Wright addressed a letter, carried by Jonas Deven- port, to Secretary Logan, at Philadelphia, which was laid before the council, Sept. 27, 1727. The account in the letter stated, that on the 11th of September, several Indians, together with one John Burt, an Indian trader, and Thomas Wright, were drinking near the house of Burt, who was singing and dancing with the Indians, and the said Wright; Burt bade Wright to knock down the Indian, whereupon Wright laid hold of the Indian,
*Col. Rec. III. 341.
17*
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but did not beat him, that afterwards Burt struck the Indian several blows with the fist, that the said Wright and Burt afterwards returned into the house where the Indians followed them and broke open the door, that while Wright was endeavoring to pacify them, Burt called out for his gun, and continued to provoke them more and more; that hereupon said Wright fled to the hen- house to hide himself, whither the Indians pursued him, and next morning he was found dead .. The inquisition on the body set forth, that the said Wright came to his death by several blows on his head, neck and temples, which the jurors said, they believe, were done by the In- dians. This quarrel arose from too free use of rum, sold by Burt, the Indian trader .*
About this time the colonists of Pennsylvania were much annoyed by non-resident Indians, who frequently, in small parties, roved on the borders of the settlements, and stimulated by drink and cupidity, committed out- rages upon the persons and property of the inhabitants. This was the case in the settlements on Manatay creek, which empties into the Schuylkill, thirty miles above Philadelphia.t
In the spring of 1728, the inhabitants of the upper part of Chester county, were considerably alarmed, in view of a quarrel that was likely to ensue between the Indians of these parts and the Shawanese, who had killed two of the Conestogoe Indians. Mr. Wright acquainted the Governor by letter that the Indians seemed to prepare for war, and that therefore his presence was desired as necessary to settle these differences, which might, in the end, affect the peace of the people of the province. In the back parts of the county, whole,
*Col. Rec. III. 302.
+Gordon, 206.
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families had left their habitations, through fear of being. attacked by the Indians ..
The Governor and council paid strict attention to the. representations of Mr. Wright, and made necessary arrangements to go to the seat of disturbance to recon -. cile those at enmity. The Governor, attended with some members of the council, and divers other gentle -. men, to the number of about thirty, set out from Phila- delphia, May 22, 1728, and on the evening of the 23rd, arrived at the house of Mr. Andrew Cornish, about a mile distant from Indiantown. Here they spent the 24th and 25th, in waiting for some other persons expected at the treaty and in mutual civilities; and on the 26th, the treaty began at the Indian town of Conestogoe.
Present: The Hon. Patrick Gordon, Esq., Lieut. Go- vernor, some members of council and divers other gen- tlemen. Present, also, viz: Ganyataronga, Tawenna, Tanniatchiaro, Taquatarensaly, alias Captain Civility, chiefs of the Conestogoe Indians; Oholykon, Peyeas- hiskon, Wikimikyona, chiefs of some of the Delaware Indians, on Brandywine; Howickyoma, Skayanannego, Onneygheat, Nanamakamen, Peyhiohinas, chiefs of the Ganawese Indians; Weysow-walow, Keyscykakalow, Nichtamskakow, chiefs of the Shawanese.
Shakawtawlin, or Sam, interpreter from the Delaware into the Shawanese and Mingoe, (alias Conestogoe) .- Pomapechtoa, interpreter from the Delaware. into the Ganawese language. Nicholas Scull, John Scull, and Peter Bizallion, assistant interpreters.
The Governor spoke as follows: My friends and brethren, you are sensible that the great William Penn, the father of this country, when he first brought his people with him over the broad sea, took all the Indians, the old inhabitants, by the hand, and because he found
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them to be sincere, honest people, he took them to his heart and loved them as his own. He then made a strong league and chain of friendship with them, by which it was agreed that the Indians and English, with all the christians, should be as one people. Your friend and father, William Penn, still retained a warm affection for all the Indians, and strictly commanded those whom he had sent to govern this people to treat the Indians as his children, and continued in this kind love for them until his death.
His sons have now sent me over in their stead, and they gave me strict charge to love all the Indians as their brethren, and as their father, William Penn, loved you. I would have seen you before this time, but I fell sick soon after I came over, and continued so until next spring. I then waited to receive some of the Five Nations who came to see me at Philadelphia, and last fall I heard you were all gone hunting.
I am now come to see you, and to renew the ancient friendship which has been between William Penn's people and you. I was in hopes that Sassoonan and Opekasset, with their people, would have been likewise here; they have sent me kind messages and have a warm love for the christians. I believe they will come to me at Philadelphia, for since they could not get hither I have desired them to meet me there. I am now to discourse with my brethren, the Conestogoes, Delawares, Ganawese and Shawanese Indians upon Susquehanna, and to speak in love to them.
My brethren, you have been faithful to your leagues with us, your hearts have been clean, and you have preserved the chain from spots or rust, or, if there were any, you have been careful to wipe them away. Your leagues with your father, William Penn, and with his
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1
Governors, are in writing on record, that our children's children may have them in everlasting remembrance .- And we know that you preserve the memory of those things amongst you by telling them to your children, and they again to the next generation, so that they remained stamped on your minds never to be forgot.
The chief heads or strongest links of this chain, I find are these nine, viz:
1. That all William Penn's people or christians, and' all the Indians should be brethren, the children of one father, joined together as with one heart, one head, and one body.
2. That all paths should be open and free to both christians and Indians.
3. That the doors of the christian's house should be open to the Indians, and the houses of the Indians to the christians, and that they should make each other welcome as friends.
4. That the christians should not believe any false rumors or reports of the Indians, nor the Indians believe any such rumors or reports of the christians, but should first come as brethren to inquire of each other; and that both christians and Indians when they hear such false reports of their brethren, should bury them as in a bot- tomless pit.
5. That if the christians heard any ill news that may be to the hurt of the Indians, or the Indians hear any such ill news that may be to the injury of the christians, they should acquaint each other with it speedily, as true friends and brethren.
6. That the Indians should do no more any manner of harm to the christians, nor their creatures, nor the chris- tians do any hurt to any Indians, but each trust the other as their brethren.
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7. But as there are wicked people in all nations, if either Indians or christians should do any harm to each other, complaint should be made of it by the persons. suffering that right may be done, and when satisfaction is made, the injury or wrong should be forgotten, and be buried as in a bottomless pit.
S. That the Indians should in all things assist the christians, and the christians assist the Indians against all wicked people that would disturb them.
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