History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 10

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1046

USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 10

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).

Conrad Weiser, in a letter to a friend, dated Heidel- berg, 1746, adverts to an interesting incident which occurred at the conclusion of this interview at Sham- okin. He says,-

"Two years ago I was sent by the Governor to Shamokin, ou account of the unhappy death of John Armstong, the Indian tra ler 174). After I bad performed my errand, there was a feast prepared, to which the Governor's messengers were invited; there wer- abont one hundred persous present, to whom, after we had in great silence devoured a fat bear, the eldest of the chiefs made a speech, in which be said : 'That by a great misfortune three of the brethren, the ulate men, bad been killed by an Indian ; that nevertheless the sun was not set imentiuz there was Do war), it had only heen somewhat darkened by asmall cloud, which was now doue away ; he that had dune evil was like to be punished, and the land remain in peace: therefore, he exhorted his people to thank- fulness to God;' and, therefore, he began to sing with an awful solemnity but without expressing any words; the others accompanied him with great earnestness of fervor, spoke these words. " Thanks, thanks be to thee, thon great Lord of the world, in that thou bast agata caused the sun to shine, and host dispersed the dark cloud; the Indian- are thine.""

From this time on, for a period of ten years, we hear of no Indian ontrages. The Indian referred to was not, as should have been done. tried and executed. The murder of Armstrong was an atrocious one, and the offender should have been promptly dealt with.

Like escaped murderers in these days. he was lior ized by "certain parties," and subsequently returned to his wigwam, from which in after-years he emanated when some scalping party or bloody fray was inaugu- rated.

In 1745 that pious Moravian, Bishop Spangenberg, in company with two other members of the mission board of the church, undertook a journey to Onon- daga to treat with the Six Nations for permission for his notes of travel, as his route lay through the north- ern part of Dauphin County, we make such extracts a- may be of local interest. The party set out from Bethlehem on the 24th of May. On the 30th, at Tul- pehocken, Conrad Weiser and his two sons joined them. Spangenberg then continues, -". . . After travelling ten miles we came to the Kittatinny Hiil -. 1 which are high and rocky, and difficult for horse- to climb. On reaching the top we came to Pilger Ruh,2 where we dismounted and rested. After descending we entered Anton's Wilderne-,,3 where we pitched our first tents, built a fire, pastured our hor-es, par- took of a light supper, and retired to rest. Our cour-e to-day was northwest.

"May 31-t. Arose early, looked up our horses, took a little breakfast, and then continued our journey in the name of God, our Saviour. Brother Meurer and Nicke returned to Tulpehocken with letters to Mary Spangenberg, at Bethlehem. After passing the Great Swatara we climbed the Thurnstein,' a high mountain, rocky and almost impas-able for horse .. On the high summit we refreshed ourselves at Erd- muth's Spring, which flows through the valleys until it empties into the Susquehanna. We were four hours in crossing the mountain. At Ludwig's Ruh," at the foot of the mountain, we nooned. Here Laurel Creek: flows past. After dinner our course was northwest. We passed through Anna's Valley,8 beautiful and pleasing to the eyes, which lies in among the hills.

! Written also Kechbuchtany and Kittochtinny,-in Delaware signifying endless hills.

2 " Pilgrims' Rest," a plain on the top of the mountain. The passage of the mountain way effected at the Great Swatara Gap, called Tultheo hy the Indians, corrupted into " The Hole."

3 Anthony's Wilderness is noted on Lewis Evans' map of 1740. It included the valley through which runs Stony Creek. It was named for Anthony seyfert, one of the nine colonists whom Spangenberg led to Georgia in 1735, where the Moravians proposed establishing themselves with a view of commencing missions among the Creeks and Chero- kees.

+ Peter's Mountain. It bas been stated that this name was given to it by Conrad Weiser, in honor of Zinzetolorf, when guiding him to Shamokin in 1742. This is certainly a mistake. As early is 1725, P-ter Allen was located at the foot uf that mountain, near the susquebauns, and in 1729 it was this named, and undoubtedly for him.

5 The beadwaters of Wiconi:co t'reek, named in honor of the Countess Erdmuth, the first wite of Zinzendorf

& Lewis' Rest, in Wiconisco township, Dauphin County. Zinzendorf was often familrirly called Brother Ludwig by the M ravians.

: A branch of the Mahantango, noted on Lewis Evans' map of 1.19.

& Named in honor of Anna Nitschman, who accompani- I Zinzendorf to shamokin i 1742. It is what is now so widely known as Lybets Valley.

HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

AL tine Double Eagle,1 on Benigna's Creek,? we passed the night."

After their stay at Onondaga, about ten days, Spang- 1 enberg and his party began their return journey on the 29th of June. On the 10th of July they had reached the Double Eagle, on Mahantango Creek. The journal thus concludes :

' .. . Here we found encamped a family of Indi- aus, who, on learning from whence we had come, said we must be tired, and the man said to his wife, 'Give them some -pit- full of venison." In return, Bro. Spangenberg gave them knives and thimbles. Noonea at Benigna's Creek, and at nightfall came to the Thurn-tein. A, we were leading our horses down, Bro. Spangenberg, who was in advance, heard the rattle of a rattlesnake and called to us to come and kill it, but it could not be found. Encamiped at the base of the Thuinstein on the Swatara.

"July 11. Our course was southeast. We early entered ' Anton's Wilderness,' thence over the Kitta- tinny Mountain, and nooned on the Little Swatara. From thence we proceeded to Christopher Wei- ser's."

The year 1740 is remarkable in the annals of Penn- sylvania for the labors of the celebrated enthusiastic itinerant Whitefieldl. He landed at Lewistown in November, 1739, and soon after came to Philadelphia. His arrival disturbed the religious harmony which had hitherto prevailed. He drew to himself many followers from all denominations, who, influenced by the energy of his manner, the thunder of his voice, and his flowing eloquence, were ready to subscribe his unnatural and incomprehensible faith, profes-ing their willingness to endure eternal damnation that they might be forever saved. His disciples were chiefly the illiterate and uninformed, who made up in zeal what they lacked in knowledge. Their num- ber seems to have awed the journalists, who would not venture to correct the misstatements of his friends without an apology for interference. Like most re- formers, he turned the force of his artillery against the amusements and pleasures of society. He visited the Susquehanna, and remained some time in and about Harris' Ferry, preaching repeatedly to the people, who flocked from all quarters to hear him. Many of the settlers neglected the cultivation of their farms, and their fields were lett unsown. Parson Elder, Mr. Harris, and others remonstrated with them on their improvidence, but ineffectually, and the consequences were likely to prove seriou-, since not a few at the end of the season found themselves in want.

It may be interesting to know the value of produce at this period :

Barley, per bus

Wheat,

3 0

Corn, 44

Bacon, per Ih 0

One Shrep ....

7 6

Butt-1, per lb

Salt, per bus ..

"Stilling," pri bus ..

" One Burk skin".

Bref, per lh.

131

Rice,

The prices of wearing material at the same period give our readers some idea of the "ways of the world" in the days of our forefathers, and the follow- ing may interest many of our readers, especially as the prices refer to ladies' wear :

For making a gown.

For a Bonnet

11 11

Shalloon, for a petticoat.

Linen, 234 yos 3

One pair of Shoes.

21. yds. of Linsey at 24. Sd. per ya ..

Footing a pair of stockings

2 Handkerchief's

One stick of Dobbin.

3 yds. of Flan't at 24. 102.

Making 2 shifts and 1 petticoat and 2 Aprons. 0

15 paper of pins at 9d ...

41 .

11g yils. Calico at 3s. 3d. per yd .....

101

For a pattern of a Grown.

Check for Apron

A Comb

1 yd. of Lawn at Ss Od.

In 1747 there were great fears of an invasion of the frontiers of Pennsylvania by the French and their Indian allies. The inhabitants mustered for their de- fense, and two associated regiments were formed in Lancaster County, one on the east, the other on the west side of the Susquehanna. Of the regiment organized east of the river, fifteen of the eighteen companies were raised within the present limits of Dauphin and Lebanon Counties. They were in truth "a fighting people," were strong in defense of their rights, and in true loyalty and patriotism were not equaled by any settlement in the colonies of America. The officers were :

Lieutenant- Colonel. James Galbraith, of Derry.

Major. Robert Baker, of Paxtang.

Captain-Hugh Patrick.

Lieutenant-Thomas McDowell. Ensign-Thomas Grubb.

Captains-James Gillespie,-to lientenant-colonel of regiment for West End ( Cumberland Valley ) of Lancaster County. John Harris, from En-ign Aug. 4, 174 ..

Lieutenant-James Gilchrist.

Ensign-Samuel Jemison. Captain-Gabriel Davis. Lieutenant-Robert Ellis. Eusiyo-Edward Davis, Jr.

Chptoin-Samuel Crawford. Lieutenant-William Rowland. Ensign-Richard MeDonald.

I The spread Eagle is noted ou scull's map of 17.

- The Mabantango of Kind Creek. Zinzendorf, on his way to Shamokin, gave st this bamse in honor of his daughter, the Countess Benign4

مـ

Cloak Dressing ..

534 yd -. Coarse Cloth at 1s. G. per yd. 0

For tafety & A ribon and sowing silk. 0

GENERAL HISTORY.

Captain-Andrew Green. Lieutenant-William Crawford. Ensign-Samuel Simpson.

Captain-Jame- Snodgrass. Lieutenant-John Alexander. Ensign-John Snodgrass.

Captain-James Galbraith, Jr. Lieutenant-James Sample. Ensign-John Harri-, to captain Ang. 4, 1748. - Captain-John Smith. Lieutenant-William Crum. Ensign-Joseph C --.

Captain-Adam Reed. Lieutenant-John Crawford. 1

Ensign-John Young.

Captain-John McEwen.

Lieutenant-James Anderson.

Ensign-James Finney.

Captain-David MeClure. Lieutenant-Thoma- Foster. Ensign-Andrew Boggs.

Captain-James Arnistrong. Lieutenant-Alexander Armstrong.

Ensign-John Dougherty.

Captain -- Thomas Mckee. Lieutenant-Robert Smith.

Ensign-William Baskins.

Captain-James Graham.

Lieutenant-John Purrins.

Ensign-William MeMullin.

Captain-Robert Baker.

Lieutenant-William Mitchell.

Ensign-Henry Rennick.

In the years 1751 and 1752 the cereal crops were very abundant, as we find by the following from the Chronicon Ephratensis. These years were followed by a season of scarceness from 1753 to 1755. and upon this came the Indian war. The Ephrata Chronicle says,-

"The years 1751 and 1752 have been so fruitful in wheat and other grain that men in wanton careless- ness sought to waste the supply; for the precious wheat, which might have supported many poor, they used to fatten hog, which afterwards they consumed in their sumptuousness. Besides, distilleries were erected everywhere, and thus this great blessing was turned into strong drink, which gave rise to much disorder."

Emigration to Pennsylvania was continually on the increase, and by reference to the early warrantees and such assessment-lists as have come down to u-, it will be seen that there was a continual stream of Scotch-Irish settlers, who halted a while among their friends and former neighbors in Paxtang. Hanover. and Derry, from whence they followed the tide of migration into the beautimi and fertile valleys to the southward. Homes-permanent homes-were being built, and the hardy pioneer was beginning to look

for his reward from the broad acres which began to delight his eye, and the dreams of years were ahout to be realized when, like a demon of desolation. came the atrocious border wars from 1754 to 1764.

CHAPTER IV.

The French and Indian War-Petition of the Inhabitants for Protection -Bra block's Expedition-The Atrocities of the Savages -- Corres[ n ]- ence of John Harris and others relating to the Frontiers.

THERE were few Indian outrages committed within the limits of Dauphin County prior to 1755. The in- habitants, however, were, owing to several murders on the Potomac in Virginia and on the frontier- of Cumberland County, becoming very uneasy. They had little faith in the friendship of the Indians, and they apprehended war, knowing full well the influ- ence of the French over the savages, and white devilish propensities needed but little prompting to have them desolate the pioneer homes of Pennsylva- nia. On the 22d of July, 1754. the following petition was laid before the Governor of the Province :

The humble petition of the inhabitants of the townships of Pexting. Derry, and Hanover. Lancaster Co., humbly showeth that your petition. ers, being settled on and near the river susquehanna, apprehend theos- Belves in great danger from the French and French Indians, as tis in their power several times in the year to transport themselves, wien amu- unition, artillery, and every necessary, dowa the said river; and thei: conduct of late to the neighboring provinces increases our drend f a speedy visit from them, na we are as near and convenient as the pour- vinces already attacked, and are less capable of defending our-elves. a. we are nnprovided with arms and amunition and unable to purchase them. A great number are warm and active in these parts for the de- fense of themselves and country were they enabled so to do although not such a number as would be able to withstand the enemy !. Wr. your | petitioners, therefore humbly pray that your Honor would take our distressed condition into consideration and make such provision for u4 as may prevent ourselves and families from being destroyed and ruined by such a cruel euemy ; and your petitioners, as in duty bound. will ever pray. Jeremiah Sturgeon,

Thomas Forster,

James Armstrong,

Thomas King,

John Harris,

Robert Smith.

Thomas Simpson,

Adam Reed.

Samuel Simpson,

John Crawford,

John Carson,

Thomas Crawford,

David Shields,

John Mct'inre,

William McMullen,

Thomas Hume,

Jobn Coit,

Thomas steene,

Willian Armstrong,

John Hume,

James Armstrong,

John Craig,

William Bell,

Thomas Mcclure,

John Daugherty,

William MeClure,

James Atkins,

John Rodgers,

Andrew Cochran,

James Peterson,

James Reed,

John Young,

Thomas Rutherford,

Ez. Sankey,

T. MeCarter.

Johu Forster,

William Steel.

Mitchell Graliam,

Samuel Hunter,

James Toalen,

Thomas Mays,

James Galbreath,

James Coler.

James Campbel.

Henry Renichs,

Robert Boyd,

Kich. MeC'lure,

James ('bambers,

Thomas Dugat,

Rubert Armstrong,

John Johanou,

John Campbell. Elagh Black,

Peter Fleming,

Thomas Sturgeon, Matthew Taylor,

Thonias Black.

HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

An alarming crisis was at hand. The French, now hovering around the great lakes, sedulously applied themselves to seduce the Indians from their allegiance to the English. The Shawanese had already joined them; the Delawares waited only for an opportunity to revenge their wrongs; and of the Six Nations, the Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecits were wavering. To keep the Indian- in favor of the Province required much cunning diplomacy and expensive presents. In this alarming juncture the old flame of civil dissen- sion burst out with increased force. The present- to the Indians, with the erection of a line of forts along the frontier, and the maintenance of a military force, drew heavily upon the provincial pure. The A- sembly, the popular branch, urged that the Proprie- tary estates should be taxed, as well as those of hun- ble individuals. The Proprietaries. through their deputies, refused, and pleaded prerogative, charter, and law ; the Assembly in turn pleaded equity, com- mon danger, and common benefit, requiring a com- mon expense. The Proprietaries offered bounties in lands yet to be conquered from the Indians, and the privilege of issuing more paper money ; the Assem- bly wanted something more tangible. The Assembly passed laws, laying taxes, and grauting -upplies, but annexing conditions ; the Governor- oppo-ed the eon- ditions, but were willing to aid the Assembly in taxing germ- of revolution, not fully matured until twenty years later. In the mean time the frontiers were left exposed, while these frivolous disputes continued. The pacifie principles, too. of the Quaker- and Dunk- ard-, and Mennonites, and schwenkfeluers, came in to complicate the -trife ; but a- the danger increased, they prudently kept aloof from publie office, leaving the management of the war to sects les, scrupulou -. The pulpit and the press were deeply involved in the di-enssion, and the population wa- divided into oppo- sing factions upon this question.

the people, but not the Proprietaries. Here were the , and the inhabitants of the frontiers were all in a panie.

Iu his message to the A -- embly in August, 1754, the Governor says, " The people of the upper parts of Lancaster County are so apprehensive of danger at this critical juncture from the nearness of French and savages under their induence, that the principal in- habitants have in the mo-t earnest manner. petitioned me to provide for their protection ; representing withal, that a great number would be warm and active in defense of themselves and their country, were they enabled so to be, by being supplied with arms and ammunition, which many of them are unable to pur- cha-e at their own private expen-e. The substance of these several petition-, which I shall likewise order to be laid before you, appears to me, gentlemen, to be of the greatest importance, and well worthy of your most serious attention. You may be a -- ured that nothing which depends on me shall be wanting towards affording them the protection they desire; but you cannot at the same time but be sensible how little it is in my power to answer their expectations

without the aid of your house. It becomes then my indispensable duty, and Feannot on any account whatever, excuse myself from pressing you to turn your thoughts on the defenseless state of the Prov- ince in general, as well as of our back inhabitants in particular ; and to provide such means for the security of the whole, as shall be thought at once both rea- sonable and effectual to the ends proposed ; in which, as in every other matter, consistent with my honor, and the trust reposed in me, I promise you my hearty concurrence."

It soon became known that many of the savages, heretofore " friendly Indians." were disaffected. and fa- vored the French interests in the West, ready to aid them in their schemes. The government of the Provinces of Pennsylvania and Virginia were there- fore anxious not only to have the continued friend- ship of those who still professed to be friendly, but, if possible, to regain the friendship of the disaffected. For that purpose Conrad Weiser wa- sent, in the month of September, 1754, to Aughwick, where George Croghan, the Indian agent, had quite a num- ber of different tribes under his care. Notwithstand- ing that Mr. Weiser, as the agent of the government, did all in his power, aided by liberal donations of money, to secure the continued friendly as-istance of the Indians, murders were committed by the Indians ;

At this juncture, the English government became alarmed, and at length determined to put an end to French encroachments, French intrigues, and French-Indian atrocities. Several of the royal regi- ment, were sent to America, in command of whom was Maj .- Gen. Edward Braddock. This army arrived from England early in March, 1755, landing at Ales- andria, in Virginia, whence they marched to Fred- ericktown, in Maryland, preparatory to the contem- plated expedition against Fort Duquesne, on the Ohio. The place of debarkation was selected with that ignorance and want of judgment which distin- guished the British ministry. That Province could furnish neither provisions nor carriages for the army, while Penn-ylvania, rich in grain and well stocked with wagons, eould readily supply food and the means to transport the army to any point. The Pro- vincial Assembly, apprehending the general to be prejudiced against them, sent Benjamin Franklin to undeceive him, with instructions, however, not to as- sume the character of their agent, but to present him- self a- postmaster-general, disposed to make his office subservient to the gen ral's plans. While Franklin was with the army a return of the wagons obtainable was made, from which it appeared that there were not more than twenty-five, and not all of those ser- viceable. Braddock was surprised, declared the ex- pedition at an end, and exclaimed against the minis- ter- for having sent them into a country destitute of the means of transportation. On Franklin express- ing his regret that the army had not been landed in

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GENERAL HISTORY.

Pennsylvania, where such means abounded, Braddock the 9th the main body followed. From that date eagerly seized on his words, and commissioned him, on liberal termi-, to procure one hundred and fifty wagons and fifteen hundred pack-horses. Franklin, on his return, circulated advertisements through the counties of York, Lancaster, and Cumberland, and by un artful aldress obtained, in two weeks, all the wagons, two hundred and fifty pack-horses, and much popularity for him-elf. He stated in his address that he found the general incensed at the delay of the horses and carriages he had expected from Philadel- phia, and disposed to send an armed foree to seize the carriages, horses, and drivers necessary for the service, but that he, apprehen ling the visit of British soldier- in their present temper would be very inconvenient to the inhabitants, was desirous to try what might be done by fair and equitable means, and that an oppor- tunity was now presented of obtaining thirty thou- sand pounds in silver and gold, which would supply the deficieney of the Provincial currency. He ex- pended eight hundred pounds received from the gren- eral. advanced two hundred pounds himself. and gave his bonds for the payment of the value of -ueh horses as should be lost in the service, the owners refusing to rely upon Braddock's promise, alleging that he was unknown to them. The claims made against him in consequence of this engagement amounted to twenty thousand pounds, and were not settled by the govern- ment until after much delay and trouble.I

Gen. Braddock removed his army to a post on Wills' Creek, since called Fort Cumberland, where he awaited the wagons and other necessary supplies from Penn- sylvania. From this place, confident of success, he informed the Governors of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, that, should he take Fort Duquesne in its present condition, he would, after some additions, garrison it, and leave there the guns, ammunition, and stores he should find in it. But, should the enemy abandon and destroy the fortifieations, a- he apprehended. he would repair the fort, or construct another. In the latter ea-e he required the necessary means of defense to be furni-hed by the colonies, and to be forwarded immediately. that he might not be delayed in his progress to Forts Niagara and Frontig- nac ; he also gave information of the enemy's inten- tion to attack the frontier settlements as soon as he should have marched beyond them.

On the 8th of June Gen. Braddock left Fort Cum- berland. Scarooyadi, -nece -- or to the Half-King of the Senecas, and Monacatootha, whose acquaintance Washington had made on the Ohio on his mission to Le Boeuf, with about one hundred and fifty Indians, Senecas and Delawares, accompanied him. George Croghan, the Indian agent of Pennsylvania, and a frontier-man of great value called the " Wild Hun- ter" or Captain Jack, were also with him. The first brigade, under Sir Peter Halkett, led the way, and on

until the 7th of July following the army had only reached the eastern branch of Bushy Run, called Turtle Creek, and the place of encampment was a short distance northerly of the present village of Stewartsville, Westmoreland Co. It was Gen. Brad- dock's intention to eross Turtle Crock, and approach Fort Duque-ne on the other side; but the banks were so precipitons, and presented such obstacles to croo -- ing with hi- artillery and heavy baggage, that he hesitated, and Sir John St. Clair went out with a party to reconnoitre. On his return, before night, he reported that he had found the ridge which led to Fort Duquesne, but that considerable work would be necessary to prepare a road for erossing Turtle Creek. This route was finally abandoned, and on the sth the army marched eight miles, and eneamped not far from the Monongahela, west of the Youghiogheny, and near what is ealled, on Seull's map, "Sugar Run." When Braddock reached this place, it was his design to pass through the narrows, but he was informed by the guide, who had been sent out to explore, that the passage was very difficult, about two miles in length, with a river on the left, and a high mountain on the right, and that much work must be done to make it pa -- able for carriages. At the same time he was told that there were two good fords across the Mononga- hela, where the water was shallow, and the banks not steep. With these views of the case he determined to cross the ford the next morning. The order of march was given out, and all the arrangements were made for an early movement.

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History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 10

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901 Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1046

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1046