USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 19
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daughters. William Kern, the third son of Nicholas, was born in 1725, and died August 18, 1800. He was of a jovial disposition, and given somewhat to joking. Because of this he was called "Trockener," in German signifying a joker or wit. This, in time, became corrupted to "Trucker," so that on the Evans map of 1755, as well as that of Edward Scull of 1770, one of the Kern mills, that in which we are inter- ested, was called "Trucker's Mill."
Franklin secured from Kern's mill lumber which was used at Fort Allen, as he states in his letter of Jan 25, 1756. William Kern oc- casionally conveyed stores and provisions from Bethlehem to Fort Allen, and a receipt dated April 1, 1756, at Bethlehem, reads: "Received of Province Stores, of Timothy Horsfield, one Barrel of Rum, containing 30 gallons, which I promise to deliver to Capt. Charles Folck, at Fort Allen. Wilhelmus Kern." His house, built of logs, stood where the residences of Benjamin Kern and the late Henry Kuntz now stand. It was torn down about 1858.
The map on next page shows the house occu- pying the site of the original homestead. The small log building attached to it, now weather- boarded, is said to be the original house. The stone barn, built in 1807, is also given, but the original barn stood as shown, on the other side of the road, just beyond. All these properties, in- cluding the mill, were on or near the only road then existing, which was made and used by the Indians. It crossed the Lehigh at a ford, some 500 feet above the bridge leading to Walnut- port, then followed along the Trout creek, as shown, past sundry wigwams and villages, to the north. Because of that fact it was called the "Warriors' Path," and the ford denomi- nated the "Warriors' Crossing." In 1761 a road was laid out, following its line, which still exists in Slatington.
The following letter from Gov. Morris to Capt. Weatherholt (Nicholas) mentions the Kern mill :
"PHILADA., 8th April, 1756.
"As there are Eleven of your men stationed at Trucker's Mill, I think it for the publick safety that they should be employ'd in rang- ing the woods, when the people of that town- ship are inclinable to Joyn them and assist in such service: I do, therefore, order that the said men stationed at Trucker's Mill, when they are not employ'd in escorting Provisions or Stores, shall employ themselves in scouring and rang- ing the woods; and I recommend it to the in- habitants to Joyn them from time to time for that purpose, and you are to take care that this, my order, be carry'd into full Execution."
1
e
in i
94
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
and Kern Mill, now Slatington
[BRIDGEN3 SPANS' 300 FT. LONG
MAIN
STREET LOWER SLATINGTON,
GRIST MILL
TAIL RACE
WHERE
FACTORY
TWO CHESTNU
SLATE FORMERLY SAW MILL.
TREES
AND
INDIAN
WIGWAMS STOOD.
TROUT CREEK
SCHUYLKILL
0
LEHIGH
R.R.
N
W-
Draft of Indian Road
DAM
MILL RACE
S
OLD SAW MILL SITE OF ORIGINAL
X
TRUCKERS MILL AND FORT
BARN ON SITE
ORIGINAL BARN
SLATINGTON
T.
MILL RACE
BARN 1807
HOUSE
SMALL PART IS ORIGINAL KERN LOGHOUSE NOW WEATHER. BOARDED HOUSE HENRY KUNTZ'S PROPERTY.
INDIAN ROAD.
BITNER'S CH HOTEL
LEHIGH VALLEY R. R.
STATION
OLD WARRIORS PATH.
STATION
SLATE HILLS AB 50 FT. HIGH
SLATE HILLS AB.50 FT.
CREEK.
INDIAN VILLAGE.
FORD ---
AB SOO PT | FROM
BRIDGE
TAIL RACE.
LEHIGH RIVER
---
95
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
"In a letter from Major Parsons to Capt. Orndt, of August 15th, 1756, he says, "Capt. Reynolds has powder and lead, and can spare 6 lb of powder & 20 lb of lead to the forces at Trucker's Mill, and if you order anybody for it they may show this letter."
The date of the Governor's letter was April, 1756, whilst Jas. Young's visit of inspection was in June, 1756, almost exactly the same time. In his letter the Governor even speaks of eleven men being stationed there, which agrees almost literally with the number (twelve) given by Mr. Young.
The old, original saw mill stood on the site of the present saw mill, on Trout creek, some 175 feet north of the bridge at Main street. It was subsequently removed to the place now occupied by the Slate (Mantel) Factory.
Kern's mill was an important point and one of great importance to the neighborhood, not only as a supply for much needed lumber, but from a military point of view also, as it com- manded the routes of intercourse between Al- bany township on the west to Nazareth and Easton on the east, as well as Bethlehem and vicinity on the south and Forts Lehigh and Al- len on the north.
Among the soldiers who served the province at this period was Lieut. Henry Geiger, a resi- dent of Heidelberg township. He was com- missioned an Ensign in the Second Pennsylvania Regiment, First Battalion, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Conrad Weiser, on December 20, 1755.
In 1756 he was stationed at Dietz' block- house, where on November 20th he had eight men. On May 14, 1756, he wrote to Timothy Horsfield that he had no meat or provisions and requested some to be sent him immediately. In June, 1756, he was stationed at Fort Allen and agreed to remain there with 21 men until fur- ther orders were received from the Governor. His record as an officer is very good and on De- cember 21, 1757, he was commissioned Lieu- tenant in Capt. Edward Ward's company sta- tioned west of the Susquehanna river. On Feb- ruary 5, 1758, he was in command of twelve men at a blockhouse situated between Forts Allen and Everett, twenty miles from the for- mer and ten miles from the latter, and was fur- nished by his commissary, Jacob Levan, Esq., with four months provisions. Geiger was an important figure for many years in the upper end of the county and subsequently became a Colonel in the Revolutionary War.
Conrad Wassum, another resident of Heidel- berg, was born in Germany in 1718. He en- listed as a Sergeant in Capt. John Nicholas Wetherhold's company of the First Battalion,
Pennsylvania Regiment, on September 1, 1757. He died in 1759, leaving his widow, Anna Mar- garet, and three brothers John, Leonard and George. Among the privates were Michael Laury, in 1756; Frederick Lieser, aged 19, a native of Germany, who enlisted June 21, 1757, in Capt. Wetherhold's company; Godfried Roth, aged 26, from Germany, blue dyer, and Jacob Roth, aged 23, a native of Pennsylvania, both of whom enlisted in Wetherhold's company, on September 6, 1757.
A number of local residents were employed by the Province to convey supplies to Gnadenhüt- ten and to Fort Allen. In an account of car- riage of Indian corn from Gnadenhütten to Bethlehem by Jacob Ehrenhardt, dated Novem- ber 30, 1755, occurs the following :
"To Michael Helfrich, 3 days with his
team and an armed man for defense, £1 13 0 To Peter Trexler, 3 days with his
team and an armed man for defense, 1 13 0 To Danl. Dorney, 3 days, being alone, I 7 0
To Geo. Shoemaker, 3 days, having no hired man, I IO O On Jan. 19, 1756, John George Clauss, went to Gnadenhütten :
3 days with 6 horses, at II shillings,
14 days with 4 horses at 12 shillings, £10 13 0 Rudolph Oberly, 13 days.
Jacob Scheimer, 23 days.
Feb. 20, 1756, Nichs. Oblinger, 9 days, 3 waggons to Ft. Allen.
Hans Peter Bauman, 7 days.
Frantz Roth, 7 days.
A list of owners of wagons and horses was made in 1758 and May 4, 1759, Brigadier Gen- eral Stanwix, commanding His Majesty's Forces in the Southern Provinces of North America, is- sued an advertisement for wagons, as follows:
"That a number of waggons will be wanted for His Majesty's Service, and in order to avoid impressing, and all other severe methods, I have thought proper to make the following very ad- vantageous proposals. The number of waggons now demanded from each county is as follows: From Philadelphia county, 80; Chester, 66; Bucks, 64; Berks, 60; Northampton, 30; Lan- caster, 200; York, 50; Cumberland, 30. Each waggon to load at the Grand Magazine at Car- lisle; and for every Gross Hundred weight, carried from thence to Pittsburg, (formerly Fort Duquesne) to recive forty-two shillings and sixpence.
"For each Hundred Gross Weight, carried from Carlisle to Fort Ligonier to receive Thirty shillings.
"For each Hundred Gross Weight, carried
96
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
from Carlisle to Fort Bedford for the supply of the Garrison there, Seventeen shillings and six- pence.
"Provender for the Horses to be provided by the Owners. The Drivers to be furnished with Provisions as the King's Troops.
"The Waggons entering into the Service to be appraised and paid for, if taken or destroyed by the Enemy; and to have Fifteen Shillings for every twenty miles from the place of their abode to Carlisle; and Fifteen Shilling a Day, unto the day they set off from thence; and the same for every twenty miles on returning home. Prop- er and sufficient Escorts will be ordered with every Brigade of Waggons that goes from Fort Bedford.
"After the Waggons have made one trip, they are to be discharged, if the owners require it, and are to be immediately paid for their Load- ing, according to their Certificate of Delivery.
"The Counties of York, Lancaster, Cumber- land and Berks, to be paid at Lancaster, and the Counties of Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks and Northampton, to be paid at Philadelphia.
"The Waggons of Bucks and Northampton Counties to be at Carlisle on the Second of July.
"For the convenience of the Townships proper Persons, living in each County, will be appointed to contract with the Owners of the Waggons, and have them appraised.
"Each Waggon is to be provided with Forage sufficient to maintain the Horses to Pittsburg and back; and such as are ordered to unload at any of the other Posts, their surplus of Forage will be purchased for the King's Use.
"Each Waggon to be fitted in the following manner, viz: With four good strong horses, properly harnessed ; the Waggon to be complete in everything, large and strong, having a Drag Chain, eleven feet in Length, with a hook at each end, a knife for cutting grass, Falling Axe and Shovel, two Setts of Clouts, and five Setts of Nails, an Iron Hoop to the End of every Axletree, A Linen Mangoe, a two Gallon Keg . of Tar and oil mixed together, a Slip Bell, Hop- ples, two Setts of Shoes, and four Setts of Shoe Nails for each Horse, eight Setts of Spare Hames, and five Setts of Hamestrings, a Bag to receive their Provisions, a spare Sett of Linch Pins, and a Handscrew for every three Wag- gons. The Drivers to be able bodied Men capable of loading and unloading, and of as- sisting each other, in case of Accidents.
"The same Price by the Hundred will be paid to those who carry Provisions or Stores on Pack Horses to any of the Posts between Carlisle and Pittsburgh, and they shall also receive Eighteen Pence per Horse for every Twenty Miles from the Places of their Abode to Car- lisle.
"JOHN STANWIX."
In the archives of the State is preserved the following list of owners of wagons and horses:
"A List of the Number of Waggons, Draught and Pack Horses from the several townships from the County of Northampton returned to me by the Constables for his Honour, the Governor.
"June 10th, 1758
"JOHN RINKER, SHERIFF."
WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP.
Waggons.
Draught Horses.
Pack Horses.
Waggons.
Draught Horses.
Pack Horses.
Jacob Kohler,
I
2
Paul Tousing,
Peter Traxel.
I
2
Godfried Knaus,
Samuel & Christian Saeger,
Leonard Steininger.
2
I
I
William Plumstead, Esq.,
I
2
Samuel Wotring,
I
George Knaus,
I
2
Peter Slosser,
I
2
Jacob Shner,
John Griessemer,
2
Conrad Kolb
Conrad Grob,
2
Peter Traxel, Senior,
I
2
Michael Nyhart.
I
Peter Traxel, Junior, Daniel Traxel,
Ulrich Flickinger, ..
I
John Rynard Benny,
I
John Schnyder,
I
2
Christoph. Blanck,
Nicholas Traxel,
I
2
Frederick Nyhart, Jacob Yound,
2
Peter Steckel,
Adam Deshler,
I
3
Christopher Bar,
Peter Basler,
I
Lawrence Good,
I
I
Jacob Showalder,
I
Henry Bergy,
I John Showalder,
I
Jacob Schreiber,
I
Joseph Showalder,
2
.
I
Philip Leibengood, .
I
Daniel Road,
...
I
Jacob Mickly,
2
Daniel Harlacker, .. John Yound,
I
2
2
. .
I
John Shad,
2
2
2
2
Peter Herr,
I
Felix Arnert,
I
Jacob Heffelfinger,
2
Daniel Shnyder.
I
2
Arnold Eberhard, .
I
Adam Haberly,
I
3
2
Paul Balliet,
I
2
Michael Traxel,
2
4
I
97
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
Waggons.
Draught Horses.
Pack Horses.
Michael Hoffman, ..
2
3
2
Philip Fideler,
I
Total.
II
37
30
NICHOLAS HANDWERK, Constable.
WEISENBERG TOWNSHIP.
Conrad Grimm,
I
Jacob Greenewald,
I
Michael Braucher, .
H
I
Christian Seiberling,
I
I
Lawrence Holby, ...
I
I
Jacob Holby,
I
I
John Scharer,
I
Joseph Graver,
I
Abraham Knerr,
I
Daniel Knows,
I
Philip Smith,
I
Philip Kleinart,
I
Peter Weise,
I
Nicholas Kampe,
I
Total,
4
3
ANDREAS REASS, Constable.
HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.
George Rex,
I
2
Jacob Rex,
I
2
Michael Ohl,
I
4
Andreas Moyer,
I
3
France Guldner,
Daniel Burger,
I
2
Frederick Snyder,
I
2
I
Conrad Rader,
I
I
Jacob Aleden,
Peter Trexler, Esq.,
I
4
Herman More,
2
George Ruch,
I
I
Peter Mesemer,
I
2
George Shelhamer,
2
Leonard Fur,
I
Jacob Bender,
I
I
Jacob Ferber,
I
2
Henry Ferber,
3
Casper Peter,
I
Tobias Ebert,
I
2
Henry Rader,
3
John Kraus,
2
Michael Moser,
2
Frederick Seitz,
2
I
John Fogel,
I
I
Anna Maria Stiner,.
I
John Merckel,
2
Charles Ross,
I
Nicholas Moyer,
I
Henry Priner,
I Barnet Smith,
2
Henry Steininger,
I
I
Michael Kechele,
I
Peter Urich,
I
Philip Hamel,
3
John Kungel,
2
Michael Spiegle,
I
Jacob Guldner,
Jacob Slough,
I
John Moser,
Melcher Barr,
I
2
Frederick Kern,
Jacob Danner,
George Remely,
I
William Fegel,
I
2
Samuel Mill,
2
John Nicholas Moyer,
I
2
John Miller,
I
Jacob Harmon,
I
2
Peter Miller,
I Jacob Steven,
I
I
John Keck,
I Bartel Miller,
John Fieller,
I Jacob Waggoner,
2
Philip Mertz,
I Lorance Kenly,
I
Melchoir Seidel,
.
LYNN TOWNSHIP. I
I
George Breiner,
I
I
David Bilman,
I
Mathias Joron,
I
Charles Folck,
Philip Antony,
Peter Beisel,
I
I
Philip Miller,
John Martin Romig,
I
Samuel Fries,
I
I
Peter Ecrot,
Andreas Volck,
I
Henry Romig,
I
John Brown,
I
I
Christian Christ,-
I
Christian Miller,
I
Total,
6
I2
6
JOHN HOLDER, Constable.
MACUNGIE TOWNSHIP.
Jacob Kapple, Con- stable.
I
I
Christian Smith,
I
Conrad Lutz,
I
Jacob Fogel,
John Lechtenwalder,
I
I
Christopher Stettler,
I
4
John Berrett,
I
2
George Gorr,
I
I
I
Melchior Smith,
4
Peter Keiser,
2
Peter Trexler, Jun- ior, .
I
Balser Yeckel,
I
Nicholas Handwerk,
I
William Rex,
I
Michael Leh,
I
I
I
I The Widow Cune,
I
Total,
II
73
17
JACOB RAWN, Constable.
Waggons.
Draught Horses.
Pack Horses.
John Handwerk,
2
Jacob Fetter,
2
I
I
Philip Holpy,
I
I
George Kistler,
I
I
Nicholas Harman,
2
I
I
John Everett,
2
I
Peter Burckholder, . Jacob Kern,
98
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Pack
Waggons.
Horses.
Waggons.
Draught Horses.
Horses.
Peter Walvert,
2
Frederick Romig,
2
Jacob Yoder, Philip Geissinger, Junior,
I
2
Michael Helfrich, ..
I
2
Yost. Seewitz,
John Wetzel,
I
2
...
John Appel,
I
3
Michael Resbel,
I
2
.......
John Musselman,
I
T
George Shoemaker, .
I
.... .
Henry Seaner,
2
John Maxler,
I
Jacob Gongenwer,
I
2
Christian Ruth,
2
Henry Weeber,
I
I
Jacob Grim,
T
I
Baltzer Beil,,
2
Conrad Culp,
I
Jacob Moory,
I
2
George Steininger,
I
John Tool,
I
2
Total,
I3
47
I8
Henry Brunner,
3
SALISBURY TOWNSHIP.
Total,
18
80
Michael Hettler,
I
Philip Cunius,
I
Elizabeth Roth,
I
2
UPPER MILFORD TOWNSHIP.
Lewis Klotz,
2
Frederick Shoemaker,
I
2
Henry Cune,
I
2
Christian Stringer,
I
Henry Keck,
I
2
Henry Reass,
I
Peter Rithl,
I
2
George Stout,
I
I
David Geesey,
I
2
Vallendine Dull,
I
I.
Frederick Kemerer
I
Bernhard Stroub,
I
Bastian Truckenmiller,
I
Adam Weder,
I
George Shombach,
I
Richard Freeman,
I
John Hiestand,
I
Stevan Bobenmyer,
.....
I
Philip Hertzog,
I
2
Frederick Kern,
I
2
Christian Crall,
T
I
Adam Grames,
T
2
UPPER SAUCON TOWNSHIP.
Horses.
Andrew Erdman,
I
2
Michael Seider,
2
Henry Sell,
I
2
John Joder,
Henry Shliffer,
I
I
Jacob Meyer,
Adam Stacker,
2
Abraham Tonnohoer,
T
2
I
I
David Owen,
I
I
John Shantz,
1
Thomas Owen,
I
Benjamin Moyer,
I
Andrew Ohlewein,
I
I
David Straip,
2
George Reinhart,
I
I
2
Philip Geissinger,
I
3
Felix Brunner,
I
2
John Newkomer,
I
3
Jacob Car,
I
2
John Bachman,
I
I
I
I
George Bachman,
Samuel Mechlin,
I
2
Philip Seller,
I
I
I
2
George Passel,
Balser Krauss,
I
I
Nicholas France,
I
John Stooferd,
I
I
Peter Fuchs,
I
3
Daniel Stoufer,
I
I
Jolın Reeser,
John Reiswig,
I
5
Conrad Fuchs,
I
Michel Kehler,
I
Peter Gill,
I
Henry Ox,
I
'Towias Pole,
2 Jacob Wetzel,
I
2
Jacob Esherman,
I Jacob Dubs,
2
Philip Trap,
I
2 Peter Long,
I
Isaac Sammel,
2 Michel Flores,
I
1
Total,
5
IO
13
HENRY RITTER, Constable.
Nicholas Stahler,
Jacob Christman,
I
I
Nicholas Rotenberger,
I
I
Francis Wasgo,
I
I
George Wise,
I
2
Christopher Heisler,
T
2
2
John Myer,
George Kershner,
I
Dewald Mechlin,
I
Jacob Shifferd,
John Derr,
2
Casper Alshouser,
2
I Ulrich Reaser,
. ..
I
Henry Bachman,
2
John Shleyver,
I
Joseph Eberhard,
2
Joseph Albright,
I
William Morry,
I
Henry Ritter,
3
Melcher Fetter,
I
Jacob Mohr,
I
Michael Kister,
I
Christian Cassel, Peter Boger,
I
I
Anthony Beam,
2
Philip Tresher,
I
I
Villatin Buchacker,
2
2
John Albright,
I
Martin Appel.
Henry Grim,
Villatin Young,
I
2
.
t
John Jennings,
2
I
Waggons.
2
George Blanck,
I
99
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
Waggons.
Horses.
Waggons.
Horses.
Jacob Dillinger,
I
2 Jacob Billshaus,
I
Mathias Ox,
I
John Ard,
Adam Trump,
I
John Ohlwine,
I
I
Henry Koken,
2 George Stalnacker,
I
I
Casper Strom,
I
Jacob Smith, Benedick Gemon,
I
Jacob Hoover,
I
Christopher Guthman,
John Shoemaker,
I
Peter Shlosser,
2
Jacob Kamrer,
I
Christian Miller,
I
Michel Smith,
I
2
Stoffel Heller,
I
2
Andrew Grauer,
I
Adam Shooler,
I
John Helfrich,
I
2
Total,
37
94
·
The year 1758 closes the record of Indian atrocities in old Northampton county, for a period of five years, when occurred a brief in- vasion by scattered bands which deserves separ- ate treatment.
[Colonial Records-Pennsylvania Archives-Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania-Manuscript Collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania-Northampton County Court Records- The Perkiomen Region-Moravian Records-Lehigh County Historical Society Proceedings, Vol. II .- David Schultz Diary.]
-
2
I
John Godwofel,
2
CHAPTER VII.
THE INDIAN MASSACRE OF 1763.
For the space of five years after the Indian atrocities of 1758 there followed a period of peace with the savages, after which the short and bloody outbreak called Pontiac's War, again brought an invasion of the peaceful farming community along the Lehigh river. Heckewel- der's Account of the Indian Nations, gives the following explanation of one of the causes of the Indian outbreak in the valley of the Lehigh.
"In the summer of the year 1763, some friendly Indians from a distant place came to Bethlehem to dispose of their peltry for manu- factured goods and necessary implements of hus- bandry. Returning home well satisfied, they put up the first night at a tavern,1 eight miles dis- tant from Bethlehem. The landlord not being at home, his wife took the liberty of encourag- ing the people who frequented her house for the sake of drinking, to abuse those Indians, add- ing, 'that she would freely give a gallon of rum to any one of them that would kill one of these black devils.' Other white people from the neighborhood came in during the night, who also drank freely, made a great deal of noise, and increased the fears of those poor Indians, who,- for the greatest part understood English,-could not but suspect something bad was intended against their persons. They were, however, not otherwise disturbed; but in the morning, when after a restless night they were prepared to set off, they found themselves robbed of some of the most valuable articles they had purchased, and on mentioning this to a man who appeared to be the bar-keeper, they were ordered to leave the house. Not being willing to lose so much property, they retired to some distance into the woods, when, some of them remaining with what was left them, the others returned to Bethlehem and lodged their complaint with a justice of the peace. The magistrate gave them a letter to the landlord, pressing him without delay to restore to the Indians the goods that had been taken from them. But, behold! when they delivered that letter to the people of the inn, they were told in answer, that if they set any value on their lives they must make off with themselves im- mediately. They well understood that they had no other alternative and prudently departed without having received back any of their goods.
Arrived at Nescopeck, on the Susquehanna, they fell in with some other Delaware Indians, who had been treated much in the same manner, one of them having his rifle stolen from him. Here the two parties agreed to take revenge in their own way for those insults and robberies for which they could obtain no redress, and this they de- termined to do, so soon as war should be again declared by their nation against the English."2
Scarcely had these Indians left, when, in an- other place, about fourteen miles distant from Stenton's, another outrage was committed, of which the following account is given in Los- kiel's History of the Missions of the Indians in America :-
"In August, 1763, Zachary and his wife, who had left the congregation in Wechquetank3 (where they had belonged, but left some time previous), came on a visit, and did all in their power to disquiet the minds of the brethren re- specting the intentions of the white people. A woman called Zippora was persuaded to follow them. On their return they stayed at the Buch- kabuchka4 over night, where Captain Wetter- holt lay with a company of soldiers, and went unconcerned to sleep in a hayloft. But in the night they were surprised by the soldiers. Zip- pora was thrown down upon the threshing floor and killed; Zachary escaped out of the house, but was pursued, and with his wife and little child put to the sword, although the mother beg- ged for their lives upon her knees."
To these outrageous acts the conduct of Jona- than Dodge, a lieutenant in Captain Nicholas Wetterholt's company, added greatly to exasper- ate the Indians. This person, who had been sent by Richard Hockley, of Philadelphia, with
2Note by Heckewelder: "This relation is authentic. I have received it from the mouth of the chief of the injured party, and his statement was confirmed by communications made at the time by two respectable magistrates of the county. Justice Geiger's letter to Tim. Horsfield proves this fact."
The Rev. John Heckewelder was born in Bedford, England, March 12, 1743. He came to America, with his parents, when quite young; during forty years was a missionary among the Indians in different parts of this country, exposed to many hardships and perils. He wrote several interesting works on the Indians, which are instructive and interesting on ac- count of his having been familiar with their languages, man- ners and customs. He died at Bethlehem, January 21st, 1823. 3Wechquetank was on Poca-peca (Head's) Creek, north of the Blue Mountain; settled by Moravian Indians.
4Buchkabuchka. Heckewelder gives the following explana- tion of this word: "This is the name the Munseys have for the Lehigh Water Gap. The word implies: 'Mountains butting opposite each other.' At this place the Lehigh River runs through the Blue Mountains."
1John Stenton's tavern.
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INDIAN MASSACRE.
a letter to Timothy Horsfield,5 dated July 14, 1763, recommending him as "very necessary for the service," proved to be very troublesome soon after he entered the same. He committed many atrocious acts against his fellow-soldiers and the inhabitants of Northampton county, and particu- larly the Indians, which is proved by witnesses and his own statements, viz :-
In a letter to Timothy Horsfield, dated Aug. 4th, 1763, Dodge writes :- "Yesterday there were four Indians came to Ensign Kern's. I took four rifles and fourteen deer-skins from them, weighed them, and there was thirty-one pounds." After the Indians left him, he con- tinues :- "I took twenty men, and pursued them, then I ordered my men to fire, upon which I fired a volley on them, . could find none dead or alive."
Those happened to be friendly Indians, who had come from Shamokin (Sunbury), on their way to Bethlehem. Jacob Warner, a soldier in Nicholas Wetterholt's company, made the fol- lowing statement, September 9th :- That he and Dodge were searching for a lost gun, when, about two miles above Fort Allen, they saw three Indians painted black. Dodge fired upon thein, and killed one; Warner also fired upon thiem, and thinks he wounded another; but two escaped ; the Indians had not fired at them. The Indian was scalped; and, on the 24th, Dodge sent Warner with the scalp to a person in Philadelphia, who gave him eight dollars for it. These were also friendly Indians.
In a letter from Capt. Nicholas Wetterholt to Timothy Horsfield, Bethlehem, dated Oct. 3, 1763, at Nicholas Oplinger's, he says : "HONORED SIR :
"This is to acquaint you that according to your Directions I sent Lieut. Dodge to take his sta- tion at John Rhoads and to range from the River Lehay to Berks County line and other places."
On the 4th of October, Dodge was charged with disahling Peter Frantz, a soldier; for strik- ing him with a gun, and ordering his men to lay down their arms if the Captain should blame him about the scalp. In a letter of this date, Captain Wetterholt wrote to Timothy Hors- field: "If he (Dodge) is to remain in the com- pany, not one man will remain. I never had so much trouble and uneasiness as I have had these
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