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 30
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
223
ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
at Sasquehannah, after they had been at the pains to carry them some days journey on horseback, thither, and that we could advise them to no other method than what we took our- selves, which is that every man should bargain as well as he could for himself, but in the meantime as we had passed a law, that none call- ed Christians should offer them any injury, is if they received any they were desired to acquaint us with it and they should be redressed.
It was further pressed on them to be very careful on their parts that no difference arise between any of their and our people and if there should be they would acquaint us with it im- mediately, that we might duly inquire into it, and justice should be done them if they were anywise wronged.
Then provisions being ordered to be provided for them by the Treas- urer for their return home, and all the accounts to be discharged by him.
They were dismissed and the Coun- cil adjourned."
From all this we see that the mat- ter which was likely to be difficult was finaly settled with the Conestoga Indians.
1715-Our Conestoga Indians Make a Treaty With Virginia.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 87, Governor Spottswood of Virginia, writes to Governor Keith, referring to the treaty which the Conestogas and others had made with his Prov- ince, and says that they have not kept their engagements made on the last day of August, 1715, but that in vio- lation of those engagements they made war upon the Catawbas and upon the white settlments of Virginia in all which the Governor of Virginia puts the blame upon our Conestoga Indians. This ends all we have to say under the year of 1715.
1716-The Minutes of the Conestoga Treaty Lost.
In Vol. 2 of the Col. Rec., p. 613 a visit of the Conestogas and Dela- wares to the Council is set forth but it seems that the minutes of the pro- ceedings were not taken and we can not tell just what purpose took them to Philadelphia. The Colonial Rec- ords give the following account of it: "Sotayriote, the Chief of the Con- estoga Indians, Tagotelessah or Civ- ility their Captain, Sheekokonickan, a chief of the Delaware Indians being come to town, attended the Governor in Council; but ye clerk having neg- lected to enter ye minutes of what past as he did all other relating to these people, which J. Logan himself took not with his own hand, they are with others irrecovably lost."
1717-John Cartledge Sends Word of Disturbances Among the Con-
estogas.
In Vol. 3 of the Colonial Rec., p. 15 it is set forth under the date of June 19, this year, as follows: "The Secretary by the Governor's order laid before the Board a letter he had received this afternoon from John Cartledge of Conestogoe, giving him an account of some distuurbances amongst the Indians there; as also one enclosed from Lahya, Civility, and some others of the chiefs of the Indians on the Susquehanna, wherein they desired him to come to them without delay, to consult with them about affairs of great importance: They having no notice (it is pro- bable) of the Governor's arrival. The Governor hereupon thought it incum- bent on himself to give them a visit and to the end they might have time as they desired, to call their people together, he was pleased to appoint the seventeenth day of July next, to be the time he would see
224
OTHER LANCASTER COUNTY INDIAN TRIBES
them at Conestogoe; and in the meantime the Secretary was ordered to write a letter to them to that pur- port, and to send a belt of wampum as a token of friendship and confir- mation of this message."
We can at this date understand the extreme importance of the urgent visit which the Conestogas asked the whites to make to them, but we may rest assured that matters of impor- taince were to be adjpusted, espec- ially does this show, what caused Governor Keith to go to the Indians as soon as possible.
1717-The Delaware Indians are Now at Conestoga.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 19, it is stated that at a Council held at Conestoga the Chief of the Delawares was present. I do not believe that they were simply as visitors attend- ing this treaty but that they now lived on the Susquehanna River which may be seen under this same date in Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 45, where we are told that the Chiefs of the Delawares, formerly on Brandy- wine but now inhabitants on the Susquehanna River" were come to Philadelphia, therefore, I make this bit of history a separate item so that the fact of the Delawares moving from the Schuylkill river to the Sus- quehanna River may be made promi- nent. We shall see later that these Delawares caused us much grief be- cause it was they who in 1755 helped to slaughter Braddock's men at Fort DuQuense and later, who in and
about Carlisle and Cumberland stealthily butchered many of the white pioneers of these sections.
1717 - A Great Treaty at Conestoga.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec .. pp, 21 and 22 it is set forth that the follow- ing proceedings took place, "at a
Council held at Conestoga, the 9th day of July, 1717." Then follows a list of the members of Council who journeyed with Governor Keith to Conestoga, and took part in this treaty. They were Richard Hill, Isaac Norris, James Logan, Anthony Palmer, Robert Ashton and · John French. The importance of this treaty is attested by the fact that these six men were perhaps the most prominent sextette in Pennsylvania at this time. The report of the treaty is as follows:
" Present the Chiefs, and others of the Conestogoe or Mingo Indians, the Delawares, the Shawanoise and Gun- awoise, all inhabiting upon or near the banks of the River Susquehan- nah.
A memorial from Captain Christo- pher Smith, of Virginia, having been presented to the Governor, was read at the Board in ye words following, viz:
To the Honorable William Keith, Esq., Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania and Coun- ties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex, upon Delaware; and the Honorable Council at Conestogoe, Capt. Christo- pher Smith humbly Sheweth,
That he being commissioned and instructed by the Honorable Alex- ander Spotswood, Esq., Governor of Virginia, to go to New York, and with the lycense and permission of the Governor of these said province of New York, to discourse with the In- dians or elsewhere concerning the murdering of some Catawba Indians at Fort Christianna in the Colony of Virginia, who are in amity with the said Government of Virginia, which said insult was then supposed to be committed by the Senequa Indians, and also to demand the Delivery up of the prisoners taken at the place aforesaid, with reparation for the in-
225
ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
sults done upon the said Catawba In- dians.
And whereas, the said Christopher Smith, by the assistance of his Ex- cellency Brigader Hunter, Governor of New York hath procured the con- fession of the said Senequa Indians, wherein they acknowledge that some of their men were concerned in the killing, of some of the said Catawba Indians near Fort Christanna afore- said, but do say that they did not know the said Catawba Indians were ín amity or upon a treaty with the Government of Virginia and have now ingaged for themselves, that all acts of hostility against the said Catabaw Indians or any others in amity with the said Government of Virginia shall leave, and if the woman Prisoner lately taken in Virgínia by some of their men, who (at present is escap- ed out of their hands) be taken up by any of their people, that she shall be safely delivered up to the Gover- nor of New York, in order to be sent back to Virginia; and the said Chris- topher Smith, being lately informed that some of the Shawanois Indians in the Province of Pennsylvania, and ín amity with this Government, were present and concerned in the murder and insult aforesaid, committed at Fort Christianna aforesaid, Humbly Request Your Honors assistance and Countenance in obtaining an inter- view with the said Shawanois Indians and an interpreter to assist him in discoursing with the said Indians; and if it appears that any of the In- dians in friendship with your Gover- nment have been concerned in the committing the aforesaid fact, that the said Christopher Smith may have your Honor's assistance and counte- hance in procuring reparation for the wrong done, but if it appear that none of the Indians in Covenant or
cerned in this cruelty, that then he may be assisted in making such terms of Friendship with the said Indians, which by his commission he is fully. empowered to do, as for the future may do for the safety and quiet of his Majesty's subjects, and the Indians in amity with the Gov- ernment of Virginia and Pennsyl- vania. CHRISTOPHER SMITH.
The said Capt. Smith (being desir- ed so to do), produced his commis- sion from the Governor of Virginia, under the seal of that Government .. together with his instructions refer- red to in his said commission both of which were also read.
And because the subject of the said memorial principally concerned the said Shawanoise Indians, Martin Chartiere who understood and spoke their language well, was sworn as an interpreter on this occasion.
The insult lately made on
the Government of Virginia, at the Fort. Christianna, as it is mentioned in the said memorial was then fully related to those Indians, and they re- quired to inform the Governor whether any of their nation were concerned in that fact, or know any- thing of it.
They answered that six of their men had accompanied that party of the Five Nations who had committed the fact, but that none of those six were here present, their settlement being much higher up the Susque- hannah River, and being asked such further questions as Captain Smith requested might be proposed to them in this affair, they answered to them severally as follows, viz:
That according to the information they had received from the six per- sons aforementioned of their Nation, after their return home, there was only eighteen persons of the whole friendship with you have been con- company imployed in that attack
226
OTHER LANCASTER COUNTY INDIAN TRIBES
near the said Fort at Christianna, and that the above mentioned six of their nations were with the rest, at some considerable distance by the side of a creek or brook, and were no way concerned in it, neither did they know anything of it until the return of the said party of eighteen who had killed six men on the spot, took one prisoner who soon made his escape, and a woman whom they carried along with them, and that this was all they knew of that matter.
Being further asked whether any of their Indians knew anything of killing Major Joshua Wynne, in Vir- ginia, about five years agoe, they said they did not know anything of it
Whether they knew anything of the Indians killing a negro man in Vir- ginia, belonging to Captain Robert Hicks, about four years agoe, they answer they knew nothing of it.
Being asked what they knew of some Indians of the Five Nations having about four years agoe plundered a company of Virginia In- dians, trading at Enoe River.
They answer that they had often heard talk about such a thing, but that none of them were concerned in it, or could give any account of it.
The Shawanoise and all the other Indians present were further asked whether they had any prisoners of the Catawba Indians, or of any other Nation in friendship with Virginia. The Shawanoise answered that they had one prisoner a young man taken some years ago, whom they produc- ed; but all the others answered they had none.
It was demanded of the Shawa- nois that this prisoner should be re- turned to the Catawbas, from whence he was taken. Their King or Chief answered that they had taken him
-
several years ago, when he was but a little lad; that he had now forgot his native language and spoke theirs and that they did did not think them- selves obliged to return him at this time.
Being further prest to it, the Chief answered that if the King of the Catawbas, whom he now understood were in league with Virginia, would come hither and make peace with him and his people .(the Shawanois), he might have the young man back with him, if it was desired; but that that Catawbas were a people of great extent, and there were many nations under that name.
The young man was asked whether he was willing to return, but would give no answer.
Captain Smith proposed that he might have liberty to treat with those Indians in order to make a league with them in behalf of the Govern- ment of Virginia, to which he was authorized by Colonel Spotswood commission and instructions.
The Governor answered that he did not conceive it to be necessary or useful that any person whatsoever should be permitted to treat with the Indians, except the Government of that Colony, to which the Indians respecively belonged; but if Colonel Spotswood (for whom the Governor had a very great regard) desired to make any treaty with the Indians who lived under the protection of this Government, for establishing a peace and good understanding between them and the Indians under the pro- tection of Virginia the Governor himself, with advice of his Council. would heartily endeavor to accom- plish a treaty upon such reasonable terms as Colonel Spotswood might propose in behalf of Virginia; and that in the meantime the Governor now would at this juncture (as it
7
227
ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
has been usual in this province) in- quest he had not provided,himself sist upon our Indians friendship too, with any presents for them, being they knew that Philadelphia has al- ways been the place of treaty with this Government, where they ought first to come and offer theirs. and a good correspondence with, all the English Colony's, with their de- pendent Indians, and Virginia in par- ticular.
The Governor then spoke to the Indians by the Interpreters, in the words and manner following.
That they must carefully remem- ber that all the several Government, (which the interpreters particularly inumerated), from New England to South Carolina inclusive; thought they have different Governors, yet they are all subjects to the great King and Emperor of the English; so that when any Government makes a treaty of friendship with the In- dians, they must also treat and make the same bond of friendship for all other English people, as well as themselves, by which means all the Indian nations who are in League and friendship with any English Gov- ernment, must also be friends to each other.
If, therefore, any of you shall hurt or molest the Indians, who are at this time in friendship with any English Government, you hereby break the league of friendship made with this Government, which, as it has been most inviolably observed on our part, we do positively expect the same to be done on yours; and if any of you receive damage or are in- jured by the Indians who are in peace with any English Government, if you can discover what Indians they were that did it, this Govern- ment, on your complaint, will en- deavor to procure satisfaction from that English Government, to which such Indians belong.
The Governor further told them by the same interpreters, that he having given himself the trouble to come hither at this time, upon their re-
But nevertheless, it being the first time the Governor had seen them he would take this opportunity to put them in mind of several parts o their duty, which they might more punctually observe, he had purchas- ed a few things from the traders, as a small testimony of his good will to them.
Then the presents being laid upon the ground before the Indians the Governor proceeded to tell them.
1st That he expected their strict observance of all former con- tracts or friendship made between them and this Government of Penn- sylvania.
2dly. That they must never mo- lest or disturb any of the English Governments, nor make warr upon any Indians whatsoever who are in friendship and under the protection of the English.
3dly. That in all cases of suspic- ion or danger, they must advise and consult with this Government before they undertook or determined any- thing.
4thly. That if through accident any mischief of any sort should happen to be done by the Indians to the English, or by the English to them, then both parties should meet with hearty intention of good will to obtain an acknowledgement of the mistake as well as to give or receive reasonable satisfaction.
5thly. That upon these terms and conditions the Governor did in the name of their Great and Good friend William Penn, take them and their people under the same protec- tion and in the same friendship with
228
OTHER LANCASTER COUNTY INDIAN TRIBES
this Government, as William Penn himself had formerly done, or could do now if he were here present.
And the Governor hereupon did promise on his part to encourage them in peace, and to nourish and support them like a true friend and brother.
To all which the several chiefs and their Great Men presently as- sented, it being agreed, that in testi- mony thereof they should rise up and take the Governor by the hand, which accordingly they did with all possible marks of friendship in their countenance and behavior."
In addition to the fact of the treaty it seems important here to notice that the Conestoga Indians desired to know what Christians were settled back of them in the woods and to what nation they belonged, which at- tests the fact that a good many whites were now coming into this section. It is also worthy of notice here that this item would seem to in- dicate that Peter Bezalion at this time lived at or near Conestoga.
1717 - Governor Spotswood Again
Complains Against the Cones-
toga Indians.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 84, in a letter to Governor Keith, Governor Spotswood says that while he was holding a treaty on the Virginia frontier with the chiefs of the Cataw- bas, a party of Conestoga Indians (and likely some of the Five Nations from New York) learned from the Tuscaroras that the Catawbas were unarmed, making a treaty and then came among them, killed some and carried others away.
1717-Five Hundred Young Five Na- tion Warriors at Susquehanna.
In the same book last cited. p. 85, Governor Spotswood further com- plains that there was a march in
August and September of five hun- dred young warriors of the Five Na- tions and that they advanced as far as Susquehanna River; and declared that they were going on down to the Maryland settlements.
I cite this simply to show that the Conestoga country was a famous place of resort at this time for the tribes of the Five Nations and other Indians, and to show the prominence of this section. It is further shown that at the same time there was a great deal of Indian butchering and massacreing going on about Cones- toga and Susquehanna.
Governor Spotswood also com- plains in this letter that they fell on a company of men. women and chil- dren, and that they killed many of them, and that one woman eccaped after much cruelty and went to Virginia famished with cold and hunger.
1717-A Line Thrown Around the Conestoga Indian Camp for Protection.
In Vol. 3 of the .Col. 'Rec., p. 48, there is set forth a statement of Gov- ernor Keith to the Conestoga Indians some of which were in Phiadelphia at that time that "We have had a line thrown around them (the Con- estogas) that none might come near them; and had their corn fields fenc- ed in by John Cartiledge's care, whose house alone was placed in
those lines so that he could look after the tract and also the bounds of it." This shows the care that the authorities were now taking of the Indians at Philadelphia."
1717-Notes on the Conestoga Treaty. In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 168, appears the following:
" Extracts from Council-Book E., 18th July, 1717.
Fo. 12. Governor Keith's treaty with
229
ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
the Chiefs of ye Conestogoe or Min- goe Indians, ye Delawares, ye Shaw- anoise and Ganawoise, wherein are no complaints about land.
16th June, 1718.
At a treaty with ye Chiefs of the Conestogoe Indians, a Chief of ye Shawanois, a Chief of ye Delawares, and one from the Ganawais, they were pressed by ye Governor to be free, and if they had anything to complain of that want to be redres- sed, they should without reserve communicate it. Had nothing to complain of, but that some bad straggling people brought too much rum amongst them and debauched their young men. And after pre- senting a new King of ye Conesto- goes, and ye delivery of presents on both sides, departed, expressing themselves very happy in the friend- ship, and under the protection of this Government."
I quote this principally to show that there were no land disputes at this time about Conestoga with the Indians; but we shall see that later than this there were some few dis- putes.
1717-Lands Surveys at Conestoga Disturb the Indians.
It is set forth in Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 37 that "The Governor ac- quainted the Board that the Proprie- tor's Commissioners of Property had lately represented to him in writing, that certain persons from Maryland had under color of rights from that Province, lately surveyed out lands not far from Conestoga, and near the thickest of our settlements to the great disturbance of the inhabitants there, and that for preventing the dis- orders which might arise from such incroachments, they desired that magistrates and proper officers should be appointed in those parts in
order to prevent the like for the fu- ture."
1717-An Indian Town in Conestoga Manor Laid Out.
In Vol. 9 of the Pennsylvania Arch. p. 49, appears the following:
"1, Feb'y, 1717. The Commission- ers of Property by their warrant dir- ected to Jacob Taylor, Surveyor General of Pennsylvania, order him to survey a tract of land lying be- tween Susquehanna River and Cones- togoe Creek from the mouth of the said Creek as far up the river as the lands granted to Peter Chartier and they by a line running from the said river to Conestogoe Creek and make return thereof to the Secretary's of- fice for the proper use and behoof of William Penn, Esq., proprietary and Governor in chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, his Heirs and Assigns forever.
The said tract was surveyed pur- suant to the above warrants and re- turned into the Secretary's Office and called 16000 acres in which is includ- ed the tract of land called the In- dian Town.
It is suggested that the said Wil- liam Penn by some instrument of writing gave permission for an old Indian named Johass and his In- dians to live upon the said Tract of land called the Indian Town contain- ing about five hundred acres and the same was alloted to them as a place of residence by the said William Penn. In or about the year 1763, some of the descendants of the said Johass then residing on the said tract of land were there killed and the remainder (except one or two that escaped) were sent for by the Magistrates of Lancaster and put in- to the work house for protection and safety but were there all killed.
230
OTHER LANCASTER COUNTY INDIAN TRIBES
Upon the decease of the above In- dians the Proprietary's Agents im- mediately took possession of the said tract called Indian Town and his tenants have quietly occupied it and paid the rent to the proprietary's till his grant in September last."
Several things are to be noticed in connection with this item (1) that as the months were formerly reckoned January and February instead of being the first months of the year were the last two months of the year, and this February, 1717 was likely really Febraury, 1718; (2) That the old Indian Johass seemed to be the principal resident in that part; and the Indians that were kil- led by the "Paxton Boys" are here stated to have been his descendants so that the tribal government was maintained at that time. The docu- ment or certified copy and plans re- ferred to in this item by a foot note at the bottom of p. 50 are said to have been found with the papers. As further evidence of the survey of Conestoga Manor, Paper No. 3349 of the Taylor Papers contains this item, "The proprietor, Dr. October 21, 1717, to the survey of Conestoga Manor, being with the allowances of 6 per cent., 16,500 acres; and to chaining, marking and calculating, 1 Pound, 14 s. 8 & 1/2 d." And under the date of May 19, in the same paper appears, "a survey of 2100 acres at Shickasolongo, chaining, marking and accounting, 8 Pounds; so here we find a provision made by this big survey of Manor township for the whites, and within it an Indian Town for the Conestoga Indians.
1718-Conestoga and Shawnese Chiefs on a March to Philadelphia.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 45 occurs the following, under the date of June 16, 1718. " Tagotolessa or
Civility, the preent chief or Captain of the Conestoga Indians with Wee- aywais, Soohywais, Cannatellan and Calhaheherot of the same Nation, George, an Indian sent to represent the Ganawais and Sheeckokonichan, a Chief of the Delawares, formerly on Brandywine, all at present inha- bitants on Sasquehannah, being late- ly come from their respective habi- tations to pay a visit to this Govern- ment they now waited on the Gover- nor and Council, and John Cartledge and James Hendricks being inter- preters, both skilled in the Delaware tongue.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.