History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 21

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 21

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"If you could obtain the facts above mentioned, it would fill out an important link and be a great acquisition to the history pertaining to our sec- tion of country.

"With high regards, &c., "E. D. LEISENRING."

That these affairs also alarmed the Govern- ment of the Province of Pennsylvania, is evident from the fact that when Governor James Hamil- ton had received information of the murders in Northampton county he took the matter imme- diately in hand, called the attention of the As- sembly to the subject, and recommended to it, in the strongest terms, to devise means for the protection of the frontier inhabitants, in the fol- lowing message to the Assembly ;

"To the Assembly Recommending measures for the protection and relief of the inhabitants of Northampton County suffering from In- dian attacks :

"Observing by the returns which have been made to me, that your House, consists, for the most part, of the same Members that have served in Assembly for several Years past, I cannot but express my Satisfaction, that in the

present Critical Situation of Affairs, the Busi- ness to be transacted by me, is with Gentlemen whose long Experience in publick Concerns has rendered them so equal to the Task they have undertaken.

"I am sensible it is very unusual to enter upon Business of weight at your first meeting, that being set apart for, and employed in preparing the House for the better Reception & dispatch of it at some future time; yet, I flatter myself you will readily dispense with a Custom by no means essential, in favour of the measure I have recommended to you, which is of as great im- portance as can come under your Consideration, no less indeed, than the Safety and preservation of the Country.

"You will be pained, then to know that within a few days past, I have received well attested Accounts of many barbarous and shocking Mur- ders, and other Depredations, having been com- mitted by Indians on the Inhabitants of North- ampton County, in Consequence whereof, great numbers of those who escaped the rage of the Enemy, have already deserted, and are daily de- serting their Habitations; so, that unless some effectual aid can be speedily granted them, to in- duce them to stand their Ground, it is difficult to say where these desertions will stop, or to how small a distance from the Capitol our Fron- tier be reduced.

"The Provincial Commissioners and I, have, in consequence of the Resolve of the Assembly of the 6th of July last, done every thing in our Power for the protection of the Province, per- suant to the Trust reposed in us; But as our funds are entirely exhausted, and even a con- siderable Arrear become due to the Soldiers and others employed by the Government, for their pay, which we have it not in our power to dis- charge, it seems impossible that the Forces now on foot can be no longer kept together, without a Supply be speedily granted for that purpose.

"I do, therefore, Gentlemen, in the most ear- nest manner, recommend to your immediate Con- sideration the distressed State of our unfortunate Inhabitants on the Frontiers, who are continu- ally exposed to the Savage cruelty of a merciless Enemy; and request that you will in your pres- ent Session, grant such a Supply as, with God's assistance, may enable us, not only to protect our People. but to take a severe Revenge on our perfidious Foes, by pursuing them into their own Countries, for which purpose there prevails at present a noble ardour among our Frontier peo- ple, which in my opinion, ought by all means to be cherished and improved.

"I have, Gentlemen, only one thing more to re-

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

commend and request of you which is that, in contriving the ways and means for raising the Supply to be granted, you will carefully avoid whatever may occasion a Disagreement in Opin- ion between you and me, by means whereof your good Intentions may be frustrated and defeated, as has unfortunately happened on more than one Occasion before, and particularly in the last ses- sion of the late Assembly.

"JAMES HAMILTON. "October 15th, 1763."

The Assembly acted promptly in furnishing the proper means for defence, by passing a bill on the 22d of October, 1763, viz: "That the sum of twenty-four thousand pounds be granted to his majesty, for raising, paying, and victual- ling eight hundred men (officers included), to be employed in the most effectual manner for the defence of this Province."

The Assembly also acted immediately on the following petitions, presented by Nicholas Marks praying for the relief of the daughters of John Schneider :-

"1765, May 15th .- A petition from Nicholas Marks, next friend and brother-in-law to Mag- dalena and Dorothy Schneider, daughters of John Schneider, of Whitehall township, in the county of Northampton, deceased, being both minors, was presented to the House and read, setting forth, that on the eighth day of October, in the year one thousand and seven hundred and sixty-three, the said John Schneider, his wife, and three children, were most cruelly murdered by the Indians, at their dwelling house in White- hall township aforesaid, one of the children be- ing supposed to be taken captive, having ever since been missing and never heard of; and the aforesaid girls barbarously wounded, one scalped, and left for dead upon the spot by the said enemy, whereby the whole remaining part of the family hath been left utterly impoverished. That one of the aforesaid girls, namely, Magdalene, through the mercy of God, and skill of the sur- geons who attended her, has happily recovered of her wounds; but the other, named Dorothy, is still in a languishing condition; and subject to fits, whereof she has frequent returns. That the accounts annexed to the petition have been brought by the surgeons against the said Mag- dalene and Dorothy, and amount, together, to forty-four pounds, three shillings and eight pence, which the estate of their deceased father (after just debts are discharged) is insufficient to pay ; neither is it in the power of the said sufferers to make any compensation to the surgeons. Where- fore the petitioner prays the House to take the premises into consideration, and give orders to

the Provincial Treasurer to pay off the said ac- counts as a public debt, or take such other method to discharge the same, and relieve a dis- tressed and helpless family, as the House shall think proper."

"May 16th .- The House resumed the con- sideration of the petition of Nicholas Marks, in behalf of Magdalene and Dorothy Snyder, sis- ters-in-law to the petitioner, and after some de- bate thereon, ordered: That Mr. Samuel Foulke, from Bucks, and Mr. George Taylor, from Northampton be a committee to take the opin- ion of some Physician in town upon the reason- ableness of the surgeon's accounts annexed to said petition, and report the same to the House."

"May 18th .- The members appointed to take the opinion of some Physician in town, on the ac- counts of certain surgeons, for the cure of Mag- dalene and Dorothy Schneider, wounded by the Indians, delivered the said account at the table, with a certificate under the hands of Doctor Thomas Cadwalader and Doctor Phineas Bond, that they had examined the same and do not find any of the charges therein contained exorbitant or unreasonable. Whereupon certificates were drawn at the table to John Matthew Otto, the Estate of Jacob Rein, deceased, and to Frederick Spiegel, amounting in the whole to £44 3s 8d, which, being signed by the Speaker, were de- livered to Mr. Taylor, of the County of North- ampton."

In M. Joseph J. Mickley's valuable pamphlet on this massacre, published in 1875, he makes this comment :

"When the condition of this part of the coun- try is considered, in which, one hundred years ago, a few families were living, without protec- tion, in a wilderness, deprived of almost every comfort, exposed to attacks from wild beasts and reptiles, and the danger of being murdered, and have their property destroyed by hostile In- dians, who kept them constantly in such fear that the members of the families bade each other farewell in the evening before retiring, being under the impression that they might not meet again on the next morning; when such a melan- choly state of affairs is compared with the pres- ent flourishing condition, where now the people are living in peace, themselves and property pro- tected, and where are seen numerous finely culti- vated farms, with convenient habitations, fur- naces, manufacturies, canals, railroads, improve- ments in every branch of industry, and the com- forts of a numerous population; when all this is considered, we are impelled to profound grati- tude. If any person exists who is unable to ap- preciate these advantages and blessings, he must

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INDIAN MASSACRE.

be a heartless and ungrateful being, unworthy of living in this community."

The stray band of Indians did not remain long in this region, but soon made their way back to their camps in the mountains. In a letter written by Rev. John Elder to Governor Hamil- ton, from Paxtang on Oct. 25th, he says :

"Sir: In a letter I wrote to your Honor the 17th inst., I acquainted you, that it was then impossible to suspend the Wyoming expedition. The party is now returned, and I shall not trouble your Honor with any account of their proceedings, as Major Clayton informs, that he transmitted to you, from Fort Augusta, a par- ticular journal of their transactions from their leaving Hunter's till they returned to Augusta. The mangled carcasses of these unhappy people presented to our troops a melancholly scene, which had been acted not above two days before their arrival; and by the way the savages came into the town, it appears they were the same party that committed the ravages in Northampton county, and as they set off from Wyoming, up the same branch of the river towards Wihilusing, and from several other circumstances, it's evident that till that branch is cleared of the enemy, the frontier settlements will be in no safety."

The following letters, written November 23rd and 24th, mention fifteen warriors who were probably the band that committed the murders in Whitehall and Allen townships :

"Ensign Kern's, near Fort Allen,

Nov. 23rd, 1763. "Sir: On the 16th inst., Job Chilleway ar- rived here, being sent by Papunchay to inform that he and about twenty-five Indians, (women and children included ) were on their way from Weyhelusing. The day after Job's arrival he delivered a string of Wampum, and the follow- ing message in behalf of himself, Papunchay, John Curtis, &c., which he desired might be transmitted to your honour, viz .:

" 'Brother,

"'We are very glad that you have taken pity on us, according to the promises you made us since we had any correspondence together.

"'Brother, we are glad to hear you have pointed out two ways to us, one to our brother Sir William Johnson, the other to you. Our hearts inclineth towards you, the Governor of Philadelphia.

" 'Brother, take pity on us, and keep the road open that we may pass without hurt by your young men.

" 'Brother, point out the place where you in- tend to settle us, and we shall be glad, let that be where it will.'

"Job informed us that there were fifteen Mun- sey warriors, who, for three nights before he left Papurchay had encamped close by their encamp- ment, how . far they intended to proceed, or what was their intentions, he could not find out. As it was expected that Papunchay was near the frontiers, Colonel Clayton marched with fifty men (mostly volunteers) on the 20th inst. with Job Chillaway, in hopes of surprising the war- riors; We were out three days without dis- covering either them or Papunchay, what hath detained the latter we know not. Job hath de- sired me to wait for them at this place a few days longer. On their arrival here I purpose to conduct them to Philadelphia, unless I receive orders to the contrary from your Honour.

"I am, sir "Your Humble Servant, "JAMES IRVINE. "Directed .- (On his Majestie's Service.)

"For the Honorable John Penn, Esquire, "Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania."

"BETHLEHEM, November 24th, 1763.

"Sir: On the 18th inst. I arrived at Ensign Kern's, where I found Job Chillaway, who in- formed me that there were fifteen warriors that for three nights before he left Papunchay had incamped close by them. As there were but two officers and seven men of Capt. Wetterholt's company there at the time, I applied to Capt. James Haes to raise his company of volunteers. He joined me on the 20th with two officers and 22 men; I then marched to Fort Allen, and in the evening was joined by Capt. Craig and 15 of his men. We sett off the next morning at day-break and marched 'till night, over an ex- cessive bad road, covered with snow two feet deep, without discovering anything of the In- dians. Job Chillaway set off next morning to see what had detained Papunchav, &c., and prom- ised if the warriors still followed them, to give me immediate notice. I returned the same day to Ensign Kern's, where I found Capt. Nicholas Wetterholt. I cannot help taking notice to your Honour of the alertness of Captain Haes and his officers on the occasion, and as there is a Lieutenant and Ensign wanted in these parts, I would recommend Captain James Haes and Ensign Alexander Boyd as gentlemen very suit- able to act in those stations, Mr. Haes as Lieu- tenant and Mr. Boyd as Ensign; they have already recruited twelve men fit for the service. I arrived here last night, and shall set off im- mediately towards the Minisinks.

"At present I cannot form a judgment in what manner I shall station the troops under my com-

IIO

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

mand, but from what I have seen and by the reports of others, think that three Companies will not be sufficient to defend so extensive a frontier. I am informed there is a certain Chris- topher Truby, who deserted in the year 1758 from the Pennsylvania troops, at present an En- sign in Captain Web's company, as it will be a hurt to the service to keep a person of his character any longer in commission, I hope your Honour will strike his name out of the list of officers for the future. Inclosed is a return of Captain Wetterholt's company.

"I am, Sir,

"Your Humble Servant, "ASHER CLAYTON. "Directed .- (On his Majestie's Service. )

"For the Honourable John Penn, Esquire,

"Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania."

The unexpected attack of the Indians upon the inhabitants of Whitehall township alarmed the whole township and the people gathered to- . gether at the houses of those settlers best quali- fied for defense. As the alarm spread, hun- dreds of men, women and children crowded into the little town of Allentown, then only a year old, with about fifteen houses. Colonel James Burd had arrived there on the evening before, Friday, and had sent to Mr. Gordon at Easton to come to Allentown the next morning, Satur- day, to consult with him regarding the town. On Saturday morning, when the people began to crowd the town, saying that the Indians were a few miles away, killing and burning all before them, Colonel Burd gathered the men of the town together and organized a company of 25 men for the defence of the town. Mr. Burd waited until three o'clock for Mr. Gordon and then rode to Bethlehem. There he found the town also crowded with fugitives and wounded people and that Mr. Gordon had been there, but on hearing the news of the massacre did not alight from his horse, but returned at once to Easton. Col. Burd was compelled to leave Allentown Sunday morning by the Governor's orders for Fort Augusta, at Sunbury, where he was in command.

The murders by the Indians inflamed popular opinion against the Moravian Indians at Nain, in what is now Hanover township, and many threats were made against them and the Morav- ians at Bethlehem. Stenton's widow claimed to identify a young Indian of Nain, named Renatus, the son of Jacob, one of the first three converts of the Moravians in Oley in 1742, as one of the band who shot her husband. Renatus was arrested by a legal warrant from Philadelphia on October 29, 1763, by George Klein, of Beth-

lehem, a deputy of Sheriff Jennings. John Dick- inson was engaged for his defence and after seven months in prison in Philadelphia, his final trial took place at Easton, in June, 1764, and he was acquitted June 2Ist. He was taken back to Philadelphia under guard, for safety, as his life was threatened. November 5, 1763, an order reached Bethlehem for the removal of all the Indians at Nain to Philadelphia, 121 in number. They arrived at Philadelphia guarded by a sheriff and deputies, on November II. They were first placed in the barracks in the Northern Liberties, but the attitude of the peo- ple was so menacing that they were removed to Province Island. Peace with the Indians was declared in December, 1764. In March, 1765, the Moravian Indians were released from the barracks at Philadelphia. They arrived at Beth- lehem on March 22, 1765, 83 in number, and were taken to Nain to rest a few days. On March 31st a farewell service was held at Nain, preparatory to their journey to the Wyoming Valley, where the Government had ordered them removed. They arrived at Wyalusing on May 9th, 1765. Here they remained for seven years, when they were removed to Ohio. Wil- liam Allen, Jr., as the representative of the Gov- ernor, gave personal attention to their secure passage through the country between Bethlehem and the mountains. With the departure of the Indians on April 3, 1765, Moravian Indian Mis- sions in the Lehigh Valley came to an end. The houses at Nain were sold at auction to citizens of Bethlehem and were taken down and removed. Six of them were set up again in Bethlehem and one is still standing on Cedar street.

The following roll of one of the companies in service appears in the Archives:

Muster Roll of Captain Jacob Wetterholt's com- pany, enlisted for three months, stationed in Lower Smithfield township, Northampton county, July, 1763. [No., men's names, enlistment, born, age, height, ft. and in., face, eyes, hair, qualified.]

I. Capt. Jacob Wetterholt, July 19, Germany, 36, 5-7, round, brown, brown, Aug. 25.

2. Lieut. Dan. Hunsicker, July 19, Germany, 27, 5-9, long, gray, brown, Aug. 25.

3. Ens. Chr. Truby, July 19, Pennsylvania, 27, 5-9, long, brown, brown, Aug. 25.

4. Serg. Fr. Delius, July 20, Germany, 53, 5-10, round, brown, blonde, July 29.

5. Serg. Jacob Seckler, July 20, Penna., 23, 5-10, round, brown, brown, July 29.

6. Corp. George Breis, July 19, Germany, 25, 5-II, long, brown, brown, July 22.

7. Corp. Seb'ast. Werner, July 20, Germany, 25, 5-3, long, brown, brown, July 29.

8. Nickolaus Silvius, July 19, Penna., 21, 5-10, long, gray, blonde, July 29.

9. Michael Heidt, July 20, Germany, 25, 5-9, round, gray, blonde, July 29.

INDIAN MASSACRE.

10. John Claudius, July 20, Germany, 29, 5-6, round, gray, brown, a baker, July 20.

II. Adam Geis, July 20, Germany, 22, 5-9, long,

gray, blonde, a tailor, July 29.

12. Valathin Hack, July 20, Germany, 23, 5-6, round, brown, brown, July 29.

13. Stoffel Miller, July 21, Germany, 18, 5-7, long, brown, brown, a tailor, July 29.

14. George Kunckel, July 21, Germany, 20, 5-II, round, gray, brown, July 29. 15. Solomon Leckenton, July 21, Penna., 24, 5-8, long, brown, brown, July 29.

16. John Steed, July 22, New Jersey, 17, 5-5, long, brown, brown, July 22.

17. Nick. Sheirer, July 22, Penna., 21, 5-5, long, brown, blonde, a mason, July 29.

18. Reichert Prosser July 23, New Jersey, 18, 5-5, round, gray, brown, July 27.

19. Peter Ladig, July 25, Penna., 20, 5-6, long, brown, black, a smith, July 29.

20. Daniel Kell, July 26, Penna., 21, 5-6, round, brown, brown, a smith, July 29.

21. Barthol Huber, July 26, Penna., 29, 5-1I, long, brown, black, a shoemaker, July 29.

22. John Schwartz, July 26, Penna., 19, 5-7, long, gray, black, a carpenter, July 29.

23. Samuel Coofe, July 27, Penna., 30, 5-8, long, brown, brown, July 29.

24. Cornelius Stack, July 28, New Jersey, 30, 5-10, round, gray, blonde, July 29.

25. Daniel Hill, July 29, Penna., 21, 5-2, round, brown, brown, July 29.

26. Jo. Geo. Kunckel, July 30, Germany, 21, 6-0, long, gray, blonde, Aug. 8.

27. Martin Meyer, July 30, Penna., 20, 5-8, round, gray, brown, Aug. 8.

28. Edward Williams, July 30, Penna., 21, 5-5, long, brown, blonde, Aug. 8.

29. Nickol Diehl, July 31, Penna., 28, 5-7, round, gray, black, Aug. 9.

30. Ulrich Housser, July 31, Penna., 21, 5-5, long, brown, brown, Aug. 4.

31. Herman Stoltz, July 31, Penna., 20, 5-7, long, brown, brown, Aug. 4.

32. John Rosel, Aug. I, Penna., 26, 5-7, round, gray, black, Aug. 4.

33. Uriah Clerck, Aug. I, New Jersey, 28, 5-9, long, gray, brown, Aug. 4.

34. Adam Shauers, Aug I, New England, 20, 5-9, long, gray, brown, Aug. 2.

35. Ferd. Miller, Aug. 2, Penna., 21, 5-6, round, brown, black, Aug. 4.

36. Thos. Bird, Aug. 2, Old England, 25, 5-6, round, gray, blonde, Aug. 8.

37. Samuel Vandermerck, Aug. 2, Sooter, 17, 5-6, long, gray, brown, Aug. 4.

38. Michael Meyer, Aug. 8, Penna., 18, 5-5, round, gray, brown, Aug. 4.

39. Jacob Buss, Aug. 6, Penna., 18, 5-8, long, gray, black, Aug. 12.

40. Jost Kocker, Aug. 5, Penna., 18, 5-10, long, gray, black, Aug. 12.

41. Joseph Kuss, Aug. 7, Germany, 24, 5-10, round, brown, black.

42. Michael Ropi, Aug. 7, Penna., 24, 5-10, round, brown, black.

43. James Stuart, Aug. 7, New England, 28, 5-II, long, gray, black.

44. Benjamin Chambers, Aug. 8, Penna., 21, 5-0, round, gray, black, a shoemaker.

45. Will Chambers, Aug. 8, Penna., 23, 5-7, round, gray, brown, Aug. 12.

46. James Borck, Aug. 8, New Jersey, 21, 5-5, round, gray, brown, Aug. 12.

47. John Johnson, Aug. II, New Jersey, 24, 5-10, long, gray, brown, Aug. 12.

48. Rut. Holben, Aug. 17, New Jersey, 15, 5-6, long, brown, brown.

49. Rot'er. Frescher, Aug. 18, New Jersey, 35, 5-10, long, gray, blonde.

50. John Sorter, Sept. 2, Penna., 24, 5-9, round, gray, black.

Deshler's Fort.

Adam Deshler's house, to which the settlers fled when threatened by Indian attacks, stands on the north bank of the Coplay creek, near the Ironton railroad, between Coplay and Egypt. It was built by Adam Deshler in 1760. It is a substantially built stone structure, forty feet long and thirty feet in width, two and a half stories high, with walls two feet thick. There were originally but a few small windows, each with four panes of glass, and one door, but more have since been added. In the gable ends were square loopholes through which the occu- pants could fire without exposing themselves to the enemy. A large hearth or chimney occupies the center of the house and divides the lower and upper stories into two apartments. The oaken beams in one of the rooms are smoothly finished and grooved. Two of the original walnut doors, with Dutch locks, still remain. The house was built to withstand any attacks, and it is said there was a well within the walls.

Adjoining the house on the north was a large frame building, sufficiently large for quartering twenty soldiers and for military stores. The ruins of this building were seen in 1815 by the antiquary, Jos. J. Mickley. Here a number of soldiers were stationed at the time of the Indian troubles in 1763.

Adam Deshler, a native of Switzerland, pur- chased the land on which he later built this house, a tract of 2031/2 acres, from Frederick New- hard. The history of the tract dates from Oc- tober 28. 1737, when a warrant was issued to John Reinberry for "a tract of land situated on Indian Conelin's creek, in the county of Bucks, containing 400 acres and allowance." It was surveyed November 14, 1737. The adjoining land-owners were William Allen on the east, and Jacob Colar (Kohler) on the north. By warrant of February 1, 1743, George Kern and Frederick Newhard became the possessors of the tract, each having a moiety of 203 acres, the tract being divided November 30, 1744. Fred- erick Newhard conveyed his right to the 2031/2 acres to Adam Deshler in 1746, who received a patent for the land on February 9, 1750.

Adam Deshler was employed, during the French and Indian war, to furnish provisions for

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

PAOLO End.CO. W. V

FORT DESHLER IN 1860.

FORT DESHLER IN 1910.

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INDIAN MASSACRE.

the provincial forces, as shown in his account with the province of Pennsylvania, viz:

1756 Feb. 26 To Adam Deshler, for provisions furnished to Captain Wetterholt's

Company, £59 18s. II1/2d.

1756 May 28 To Adam Deshler, for provisions furnished to Captain Wetterholt's

Company, ..... £47 IIS. 2d.

1756 Oct. 29 To Adam Deshler, for provisions furnished to Captain Wetterholt's Company, and the Pro- vincial forces, ...... £259 18s. 7d. 1757 April 16 To Balliet and Deshler, for provisions supplied the forces at Forts Allen, Norris, and Hamilton, .£807 4S. II1/2d.

1757 Aug. 26 To Deshler and Balliet, for provisions supplied Provincial forces and Indians, £996 9s. IId. 1757 Nov. 8 To Deshler and Balliet, for provisions supplied Provincial forces and Indians, £550 19s. 5d. 1758 June 9 To Levan and Deshler,

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 21

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1158

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158