USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster county Indians: annals of the Susquehannocks and other Indian tribes of the Susquehanna territory from about the year 1500 to 1763, the date of their extinction > Part 20
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The reason that the Governor first leased these .same lands to Penn was to meet an old law, which required that in order that a perfect estate might be taken by a purchaser should first have a lease hold in the belonging on both sides of the Sus-
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ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
quehanna River, and near and adja- |1697- Erroneous Belief that the cent thereto, which he the said Shawnese Indians Came to Thomas Dongan, did at any time pur- Pequea in this Year. chase, or which were at any time given unto him by the said Indians It is generally stated that the Shawnese came to Pequea in 1697 from the South but as we have shown before this is the wrong date. They came here in 1678,-See on this same subject Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives. p. 312 and Vol. 3 of the Colonial Records, p. 441. or any of them which said islands and premises are in the possession of the said William Penn, by virtue of a lease thereof, for One Thousand years, bearing the date of the next day next before the date hereof, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD, to the said William Penn, his heirs and assignes 1697-Steelman Goes as Spy to Sus- quehanna River: Only 40 Origi- nał Susquehannocks Left. to the only use and hehooffe of the the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, AND the said Thomas Don- gan for himself, his heirs, Executors, and Administrators, doth Covenant, promise, grant and agree to and with said William Penn, his heirs and assignes by these presents, that he the said Thomas Dongan, and his heirs, all and singular, the said Lands and Premises, with the appurtes un- to the said William Penn and his heirs, against the said Thomas Don- gan, his heirs and Assigns and all other person and persons, having or claiming to have or claim from by or under him, them or any of them, and also against all and every the Senneca, Sasquehanna Indians, shall and will Warrant and forever defend. IN WITNESS whereof the said part- ies have to these present Indentures, Dy Certificates to the other Indent- ures of the same intents and date He reports that herewith interchangeably sett their hands and seals, dated the day and year first above written.
THOMAS DONGAN,
Sealed and delivered, being first Stampt according to Act of Parlia- ment, in ye presence of
SAM. VAUS,
WM. SPRINGETT,
FR. HARDING."
In Vol. 19 of the Maryland Archives p. 519 it is set forth as part of the proceedings of the Maryland Assem- bly that "the Speaker attended by the whole House came and Captain Hans Steelman being called into con- ference was required to give an ac- count of what he has done pursuant to the order of the Council given him in charge; and he says that accord- ing to the order he went to the Sus- quehannocks and other Indians at the head of the Bay; that the Dela- ware King and the Chanhannan King would have come along with him, but that their great men were gone abroad a hunting and because he understood that the rest were willing to come down about a month hence, he did not bring them with him.
at Carristauga (Conestoga) the Susquehanna and Seneca Indians have about 40 young lusty men besides women and chil- dren; that the Sheavana (Sawnese) Indians being about 30 men besides their women and children, are living within four miles of Carristauga lower down and submit themselves . and pay tribute to the 'Susquehanna Indians and the Senesas.
He says that the Delaware Indians live at Ninguannan about nine miles
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OTHER LANCASTER COUNTY INDIAN TRIBES
from the head of the Elk River and 15 miles from Christiana and 30 miles from Susquehanna River, and are about 300 men and are tributary to the Senecas and Susquehannocks, 50 of them being at Nuiguahannan and the rest upon Brandywine and Upland Creeks.
He says that the Susquehannocks, Delawares, and Shawnese do take themselves to be and are inclinable to be under this Province because of their hunting within the same be- twixt the Susquehanna and the Poto- macs; and finally he says that too many people trade with these In- dians,"-See also pp. 565 and 566.
1698-The Ganawese Indians Ask Permission to Settle In Penn- sylvania.
In Lyle's History of Lancaster County, p. 11 it is stated that this year the Ganawese Indians went to Philadelphia to obtain permission to settle in Pennsylvania. This date seems to be a year or two earlier than the correct date. In Vol. 2 of the Colonial Records, p. 191 under the date of 1705 it is stated that "five years ago the Ganawese or Piscata- ways settled in this Province near the head of the Potomac. Here they just had settled with the consent of the Proprietary and that the Conestoga Indians at that time became a guaran- tee for the good behavior of the Gana- wese but later in the year of 1705 these Ganawese asked to move to an- other part of Pennsylvania."
Miss Lyle in her History also says that the Ganawese settlement was about Washington Borough,-See p. 12.
1698-Chalkley's Visit to the Indians in These Parts
delphia in 1790. p. 16 says that he went about the head of the Chesa- peake Bay and from there to George Fruit's house; and that with this friend he went to an Indian town not far from his friend's house because he had a desire to see these people, having never seen any of them be- fore. I do not undertake to say, how- ever, that it was the Susquehanna Indians that he visited, there being several tribes along the Bay. Chalk- ley in the same year made another trip of which he tells us at page 23 of his works, saying that he travelled from Philadelphia to Maryland and visited friends on the western shore. Therefore he likely came through the Susquehanna Country and most cer- tainly did' if he reached the Western shore by going around the head of Chesapeake Bay instead of crossing it.
1698-The Location of the Susque- hanna Remnant Determined.
In Vol. 22 of the Maryland Arch., p. 50 a proceeding is set forth as follows: "It is proposed that the As- sembly advise whether the Susque- hannock Indians where they now live be within the bounds of the Province of Maryland or not,-(Md. Archives, 14). And it was decided that as to the Susquehannock Indians it is con- cluded they are not within this (Maryland) Government; and as to the method of holding an Assembly, the House do not think fit to draw up a method,"-(Do. p. 39). It was also proposed "that the house should give some answer whether they think it necessary that the Government of New York should be sent to about the Indians and if they are of opin- ion that the Susquehannock Indians do not live within the bounds of the Province of Maryland, his Excel-
Thomas Chalkley, the Quaker preacher in his collection of works printed by James & Johnson in Phila- I lency will have nothing to do with
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ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
them since the House are not willing that an ordinance should be passed against such persons as entice people out of the Province. Therefore this Board do quit themselves of incon- venience and danger that may ap- pear."
Here we see that the Susquehan- nock Indians or the remnant of the tribe are again on the Susquehanna River north of the Maryland line.
1698-Maryland Again Makes a Treaty With the Susquehannocks.
In Vol. 22 of the Maryland Arch., p. 168 the following note of a treaty is set forth, being a proceeding in the Assembly : "This House have read the treaty made with the Indians at the head of the Bay by Colonel Thompson and others and do con- ceive that the Shawnese came from the Southward and not in any ways belonging to the Government of New York; and the Susquehannock In- dians are at their old habitation supposed to be without the limits of this Province and that this House has no assurance of any nation of Indians at the head of the Potomac."
The treaty referred to as made by Colonel Thompson included the Sus- quehannocks.
1699-An Embassy Sent to Susque- hanna.
In Vol. 2 of the Maryland Arch., pp. 422 and 423 a report is given of a session of the Assembly of Mary- land wherein it is stated, "The Com- missioners think it necessary that James Frisby, Esq., or one of his Majesty's council should be called and also the members of the Bur- gesses of Baltimore County with what other persons shall be thought fit to be dispatched with all convenient speed to the Susquehanna Indians to see if they will ratify and confirm the league already made with them to | of 600 weight of pork and 1000 weight
enter into such further articles as may be proposed to them: and as to the Piscataway Indians which are daily expected to come and settle amongst us, if they should not come in before the return of the messeng- ers to the Susquehanna Indians, that the Governor shall use such measures as he thinks fit."
In this we see it is true that the Piscataways or Ganawese In- dians were moving their home about this time; and this corresponds with what we have quoted from the Colon- ial Records and other sources.
1699-An Act Proposed to Secure the Frontier of Maryland from the Invasion of the Susque-
hannocks.
In Vol. 22 of the Maryland Arch., pp. 509 and 510 under this date is set forth an Act of Assembly to pre- tect the frontiers of Maryland and it is as follows :-
"Whereas there has been a murder committed by Indians on the frontier plantations of Potomac River within this Province; for the prevention of the like for the future:
Be it enacted, etc., that Colonel Ninian Beall and Captain Richard Ownes with twelve troopers and six foot soldiers do range in and about the frontier plantations for the se- curity thereof, so long as his Excel- lency, the Lieutenant-Governor and Council; and the committee herein- after appointed shall see convenient to continue the said rangers and that the said rangers shall be allowed the sum of 2 Shillings and 6 Pence for each trooper per day, they finding themselves horses, arms and provis- ions; and that the two commanders be paid in money proportionate the same rate; and that Thomas French provide for the rangers the quantity
1
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of hisket to be deducted out of the pay, and the said rangers and foot soldiers to be levy-free during ser- vice, and they shall duly range and in case any be found to straggle and not perform their duty they shall lose three days' pay :
And finally, James Finley, Colonel Adderson Thompson and John Hale and what other persons they think fit be dispatched with all convenient speed to the Susquehanna Indians to ratify and confirm the league former- ly made with them and to enter to such further articles as by his Excel- lency, the Governor and Council and the committee hereinafter appointed shall propose to them that a present be given to the said Susquehanna In- dians and the said committee join with his Excellency, the Governor and Council in advising such meas- ures as will suppress any violence as may be offered this province by the Indians, after the breaking up of the present Assembly."
1700-An Objection Made to the Bill for Defending Maryland.
In Vol. 24 of the Maryland Archives, p. 24 under this date the bill for the security of Maryland being read. Ob- jection was made against the whole bill, that his Excellency had lately made a peace with the Indians "wheth- er it was not more reasonable upon the renewing of the peace, instantly to withdraw the rangers and let the Indians have the assurance that we design firmly to observe our promise and expect the same observance from them; and to give no occasion to diffidence and to leave the disposal of the fort to them; to do them all the right they can by letting them quiet- ly enjoy their land; to secure the friendship of the Susquehannocks and the Eastern Shore Indians-and it was carried by a majority of
voices against the bill."
Here we see that one party believ- ed that the Susquehannock friendship would be more securely obtained by withdrawing all troops and not al- lowing the rangers in the disputed territory at all; so the bill was de- feated.
1700 - An Act for Quieting the Dif- ferences Between Maryland and the Indians.
In Vol. 24 of the Maryland Archives, pp. 102 and 103 is set forth an Act of Assembly by Maryland as follows: "Whereas, differences have and may arise and grow between the Eng- lish and the Indians which for the want of a speedy way of delivery the same may make great changes and ill conveniences, have and may happen therefrom by controversey being brought from the remotest parts of the Province to be heard and testi- fied before the Governor and Coun- cil, the great trouble of the persons concerned.
Be it enacted that the persons in the Act hereinafter mentioned and appointed be and hereby authorized and empowered to hear and deter- mine all matters of controverseywhat- soever that may arise or happen be- tween the English and the Indians in private or personal controversey not exceeding the value of twenty Shillings, that is to say. . . for the Susquehannock, Shawnese and Delaware Indians and others on those frontiers Col. John Thompson and Edward Blay be and hereby authoriz- ed to hear and determine any such matters and when judgment thereon is given, either party refusing to per- form the same the other party by way of distress take into his custody the goods and chattels of the offend- ed and out of the same make full satisfaction to the party which was
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ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
wronged, at the discretion so author- | Great men; whereupon our interpre- ized and the over-plus returned to the owner."
1700-An Order to Treat the Susque- hannock Indians With Respect.
In Vol. 25 of the Maryland Arch., pp. 104 and 106 there is set forth the following: "Pursuant to an order of his Excellency, dated May 9th, re- quiring these persons at the head of the Bay to treat with the Susque- hannocks, Shawnese and Delawares as soon as possible and to proceed; thereupon notice was given by one of the persons appointed to John Hans to acquaint the said natives, the Susquehannocks, Shawnese and Dela- wares, that on some certain time as soon as possible to meet us at John Hans's house, then there as well to communicate what by this Govern- · ment was given us in charge as to receive what by their Kings and Great men they had to communicate to us; at the day and place, to wit: the 28th of August 1700, we the said persons and one of the interpreters between five and six o'clock in the evening, it being late we first re- freshed ourselves, and acquainted those Indians that were then present, the Shawnese' and Delawares' Kings together with their Great men, that tomorrow morning we should pro- ceed on our said treaty; they seemed very willing so we gave them some drams and they shook us by the hand; and we went to our repose.
August 29, it being eight of the clock we, the persons nominated ac- quainted the said Indians that we would proceed upon the treaty and accordingly we took our places, when were present Ocahale, King of the Delaware Indians and his Great men with his interpreter, Captain Hagrup; and Ophesaw (Opessa), King of the Shawnese Indians with Boschaccus his interpreter, together with
ters, John Hans and Christian Mounts being sworn both to receive and truly deliver and honestly to interpret. The Susquehannocks King not being per- sonally present but only his great men, we showed ourselves much dis- appointed by reason of his absence, acquainting them that we expected him to be present as well as the other Kings; but one of the great men
named Cassawetoway allias "In- dian Harry' has the English tongue very fluently, begging his excuses, ac- quainted us that two other Kings,
Kindowagahaw and Sawwaydoggo- hay (Seneca Kings) were come give him a visit and that for these reasons he could not possibly at- tend but ordered him with the rest of the great men to give their at- tendance to hear what we had to communicate to them and what they enacted in that behalf should be con- firmed by himself.
Then we acquainted them that we were very glad to see them here and that if the King together with the other Kings had come to us, we would have kindly received and en- tertained them, which they kindly. took
We proceeded to acquaint them that our coming and calling of them was to ratify and confirm the treaty of friendship they had already enter- ed into with us and several other articles herewith sent which being consented to and signed by the sev- eral nations. We gave them nine match coats and 40 yards of printed dimity equally distributed among them, the more firmly to oblige them to the stricter performance of these articles, now made, ratified and con- firmed.
We further inquired of them wheth- er any neighboring Indians were de- sirous of entering into friendship his and amity with us and the said In-
to
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dians. answered that at present there were not any they knew of; and so we concluded with the Indians and drank the King's health. Dated at John Hans' this 29th day of August, 1700. The Indians in token of their affection presented the Government with 15 undressed deer skins."
"Signed by us :- JAMES FRISBY, JOHN THOMPSON, EDWARD BLAY."
"On the same day we proposed to the Susquehannocks, Shawnese and Delawares the following questions:
(1) Whether they are willing still to confirm that former peace and amity made with us; to which they answered that they were all very willing and we entered into a gen- eral amity and peace with them for this Province that shall stand firm and good forever.
(2) Whether they are willing if any other Indians should commit any in- juries upon the inhabitants of this Province that they should be answ- erable for them and to this they re- plied that it is just and reasonable; and that they would be accountable.
(3) Whether they are willing up- on any hurt or damage committed or acted by any neighboring Indians to any persons of this Government to assist and help us. To this they an- swered they were not only willing but would also pursue and take if possible them or any of them and bring them to be dealt with all as the Government shall think fit. Where- upon they shook hands with us in a token of sincerity of their affection and they have set their hands and seals to this instrument this 29th of August, 1700.
THE DELAWARE KING, His Mark X KING OF SHAWNESE, His Mark. 11. MARK OF SUSQUEHANNOCKS, -1 -.
1700-The Above Mentioned Treaty Confirmed in the Maryland Assembly.
In Vol. 24 of the Maryland Arch., p. 151 it was ordered that the treaty made with the Susquehannock, Dela- ware and Shawnese Indians by James Frisby, Esq., Colonel John Thompson and Captain Edward Blay should be laid before the House which was done; and the same was confirmed by the said House.
1700-The Susquehanna Chiefs Make Another Deed to William Penn.
In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 133 is set forth the following deed from the Susquehannock Chief to William Penn :-
"We Widdaagh, alias Orytyagh, and Andaggy-junkquagh, Kings or Sachemas of the Susquehannagh In- dians, and of the River under that name, and lands lying on both sides thereof, do declare that for and in consideration of a parcel of English goods, unto us given, by our Friend and Brother, William Penn, proprie- tary and Governour of Pensilvania, and also in consideration of the for- mer much greater costs and charges the said Wiliam Penn, hath been at in treating about and purchasing the same. We do hereby Give, Grant and Confirm unto the Said William Penn all the Said River Susquehannagh, and all other Islands therein, and all the lands situate lying, and being upon both sides of the said River, and next adjoining to ye same, to the utmost confines of the lands, which are of formerly were the Right of the People or Nation called the Susque- hannagh Indians, or by what name soever they were called or known
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ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
-
thereof, and also all Lakes, Rivers, Rivulets, Mountains, Streams, Trees, Woods, Underwoods, Mines, Royal- ties, and other Mines, Minerals, Quarries, Hawkings, Huntings, fish- ·ings, fowlings and other Royalties, Privileges. and Powers, whatsoever to them or any of them belonging, or by them enjoyed as fully, and amply in all respects, as we or any of our ancestors have, could, might, or ought to have, had, held, or enjoyed. And also, all the Right, Title Inter- est, Possession, Claim and Demand, which we or any of us may claim, to have in the same. And we do here- by ratifie and confirm unto the said William Penn ye bargain and Sale of said Lands, made unto Coll. Thomas Dongan, now Earl of Limerick, and formerly Governor of New York, whose deed of sale to the said Gover- nor Penn we have seen. To have and to hold, the said Rivers, Lands, and premises, hereby granted, and confirmed with their and every of their rights, Members and Appurte- nances. unto ye sd Will. Penn, his heirs and assigns, to the only proper Use, and behoof of the said Will. Penn, his Heirs and Assigns forever. In witness whereof the said Will. Penn, his Heirs and Assigns forever. In witness whereof we have, for our- selves and Nation, hereunto set our Hands & Seals, the thirteenth day of September, 1700.
His
- --
WIDAAGH X Mark. Alias ORYTYAGH. His ANDAGGY X
Mark. Alias JUNQUAH.
Sealed and Delivered In the pres- ence of
EDW. ANTITT, HEN. TREGENC, Esq ..
EDWARD SINGLETON, DAVID POWELL,
JAMES LOGAN. Recorded page 73, &c.
N. B. BOILEAU, Secy.
The second day of August, in ye Year of our Lord, One Thousand, Seven Hundred and thirty-five James of the Northern Liberties, of the City of Philadelphia. Esq. Upon his solemn affirmation, according toLaw, Doth declare and depose, That he was present and did see the within men- tioned Kings, or Sachemas, named Widaagh, its Orytyah, al's Andaggy- junkquahSeal and as their deed de- liver the Writing or Conveyance, within contained. and that the name of this Affirmant thereon indorsed, as a Witness of the same, is of his own handwriting. JAMES LOGAN. Affirmed.
At Philadelphia, the Day and Year, above said, before me, Thomas Grif- fits, One of the Justices of Peace &c., WITNESS my hand & Seal.
THOMAS GRIFFITHS ...
Entered in the office for recording of Deeds, for the City and county of Philadelphia. In Book F. Vol. viii., page 242, &c., the 26th day of August, A. D., 1735. Witness my hand and Seals of my office, the day and year above. C. BROCKDEN, Recd'r."
This deed is endorsed, "Susque- hanna River and Islands therein, and Lands on both sides, granted by Wid- aagh, and Andaggy-junkquagh. Con- firming Governor Dongan's old Deed to Governor Penn."
This deed needs very little com- ment as it explains itself fully. It was meant to be another confirma- tion of the main purchase by William Penn from the Indians on the Sus- quehanna River. In this sale the Susquehannocks as a Nation practi- cally ended their existence. They now confirm to Penn completely this large tract of land. A large number
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of the Susquehannocks are in New | the Shawnese, Ganawese and Potomac York State living with the Five Na- tions, another portion of them are about the old original Susquehan- nock Fort Country, along the West- ern edge of what is now Manor
township. The whole of them are completely under the Five Nations and now they finally sell out their Susquehanna Lands and become one remnant of the conglomerated tribe of Lancaster County Indians, the cen- tral factor of which were called the Conestogas. It is true that on the Second of April. 1701, together with
Tribes and representatives of the Five Nations they joined in a treaty confirming this deed of the 13th of September, 1700. Among other things their joining in was more a matter of form than substance. When we speak of the Conestoga hereafter it will be understood that some of that mixed tribe of Conestogas were the decendants of these ancient Susque- hannocks but as a Nation of dignity and strength the Susquehannock tribe is now ended. We will, however, occasionally speak of individual Sus- quehannocks as we proceed.
END OF PART FIRST.
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OTHER LANCASTER COUNTY INDIAN TRIBES
PART II.
THE CONFEDERATED INDIAN
TRIBES OF LOWER SUSQUE- HANNA VALLEY - CONESTOGAS -SHAWNESE - CONOYS - DE- LAWARES - GANAWESE - AND IROQUOIS. (THE FIVE NA- TIONS).
1700-The Conestoga Indians and Others Petition Against the Abuses Upon Them.
In Vol. 1 of the Penn & Logan Correspondence, p. 1 there is a peti- tion from Conondahto, King of the Susquehanna or Conestoga Indians and of Mecallona, King of the Shaw- nese against Garland, Askin and Reed, setting forth that lately four strange Indians came from the Northward among them which they supposed from their clothing to have been servants of the Christians and Mecallona talking with them found a squaw and her son nearly related to your naked Indians; who were a powerful tribe and often molested these petitioners both in their towns at Susquehanna and their hunting grounds; and these petitioners are now the frontier inhabitants of the Province of Pennsylvania. These pe- titioners also complain that last win- ter Garland and Askin produced a paper with a large seal and said it was a warrant from the Governor to deliver these Conestogas and Shaw- nese but they did not go. Then ten days later Garland and Askin came again with James Reed and had an- other paper with a large seal; and Reed said he was the next man to the Governor and to show that he was, he pulled off his wig and said, "You see. I have two heads."
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