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 42
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About two months ago the South- ern Indians killed and took nine of the Shawanese living on a branch of Potomack near the Greatt Moun- tains; the white impute to their own faults for settling so near their ene- mies.
I would myself go to warr had I
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ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
butt forty men at my command, but our number is so small we are nott Capable of making such attack; if I should call our young men together on such an ocation they have several excuses, one wanting shoes, another Powder and Lead; and tell them to provide for the same as fast as they get anything away itt goes for Rum, such is the Folly of our People.
So much for ye present. In time perhaps I may have more to say.
CIVILITY."
Edward Cartlidge also adds a note to this letter and says that a certain Indian with two others met him and said they knew nothing of the South- ern Indians being about.
1730-Mingo Indians Commit Depre- dations.
In Vol. 3 of the Coloniel Rec., p. 382, testimony was taken about some depredations of the Indians against the whites in Lancaster county as follows:
"The examination of Samuel Hornyhook and John Wilson, taken before one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Lancaster, touching the loss sustained by them by Depredations of the Mingoe In- dians and the reference of the house thereon being likewise read, the Board in Compassion of the low cir- cumstances of the said Sufferers, are of Opinion that they be allowed the amount of their loss, as set forth upon oath in their rexive Examina- tions, vizt: to the said Hornyhook Five Pounds and to the said Wilson Three Pounds ten shillings."
1730-James Mitchell of Lancaster County Wants Pay for the Ser- vices to the Indians.
In the same book and at the same page last mentioned, the following appears:
"An account was then exhibited by James Mitchell, of the County of Lancaster, for charges by him ex- pended on a message to and from the Indians, in the year 1722, and for his trouble of explaining to them the Treaty of Albany, by order of the Government, (he being then the only acting Magistrate in those parts of the Country), and it appearing that the said services were , performed, and that no allowance had hitherto been made to the said James Mitchell for the same, it is the opin- ion of the Board that the sum of six pounds and ten shillings and six pence be paid to him, in full for his trouble and expense aforesaid."
1730-The Indians Complain Against Isaac Miranda, An Indian Trader
on Susquehanna River.
The Indians of Lancaster county in a petition found in Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 266 make the fol- lowing complaint:
"To the Justices of the County of Lancaster.
Gentlemen:
I have recived a petition of Coch- uscunt and Memocollen, two Indians, seting forth a great abuse and impo- sition they have suffered from Isaac Miranda, which being committed within your jurisdiction properly comes under your Cognizance and therefore I have herewith transmit- ted to you the said petition, that you make a full and particular enquiry into the Truth of the facts sett forth thereof, and if you find allegations therein contained to be true, I desire you will order Mr. Miranda to make retribution of the goods which he has taken away and likewise to enter into recognizance for his good be- havior and appearance at your en- suing Court, I am
August 21, 1720."
P. GORDON.
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1730-Inquest Into the Death of In- have been murdered as aforesaid for dians in Lancaster County.
In Vol. 1 of the Pena. Archives, p. 267, the following inquisition is sett forth about Indian slaughter:
"August 28, 1730.
Lancaster County, ss .:
THIS INQUISITION, Indented and taken in the Township of Dorsey, in ye County aforesaid and ye province of Pennsylvania, before Joshua Lowe, Coroner for our Sovereign Lord ye King, and for ye said County in ye view of the bodies of three Indians, two men and one woman, there at a certain run lying dead, by ye oaths of John Postlethwait, Jonas Davenport, Patrick Campble, John Williams,Rice Price, John McCurry, John Gal- breth, David Campbell, John Taylor, William Hays, Patrick Hays, Chris- topher Vanlaer, John Carr, Thomas Hill, William White and Alexander E. Hutchinson, good and lawful men of the said County, who being charged on their said qualification to enquire how the said Indians came to their end, to say that according to several circumstances there being no evidence the said Indians were fel- loniously killed and murdered, there appearing in every one of their heads, One mortal wound (to Viz:) in the woman one mortall wound in the left side of her head like a cut with a small ax or Tom Hock, and one of ye men a cut or great bruise in ye left side of ye head on his temple, and the other man a briuse in the skul in ye fore part of his head, and a large cut in ye left side of his head near ye eye; and they wrapped up in their shrouds or blankets, and buried in the said run and covered with some logs earth and stones, and by ye bodies being so putrified and decayed ye suppose they may
the space of three months, but who they were or what Nation they were this inquisition finds not, nor can we find any reason or grounds to charge any Christians or white people with the said murder, nor can we find any to affix the said murder on. In testi- mony whereof the said Coroner as well as ye said jury have hereunto set their hands and seals this Twenty Eighth day of August in ye fourth year of ye Reign of our Souvereign Lord George ye Second King Over Great Britain, etc., and ye year of our Lord Christ One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty.
Joshua Lowe, Cor'er. (L. S.) Jno. Taylor, (L. S.)
Jno. Postlethwait, (L. S.) Wm. Hays, (L. S.)
Jonah Davenport, (L. S.)
Patric'k Hays, (L. S.)
Patrick Campbell, (L. S.) .
Christ. Vanlear, (L. S.)
John Williams, (L. S.) Jno. Carr, (L. S.) Rice Price, (L. S.) Thomas Hill, (L. S.)
Jno. MakCurry, (L. S.) Wm. White, (L. S.) Jno. Galbreth, (L. S.)
Alexander Hutchinson, (L. S.) David Campbell, (L. S.)
We Ye Chiefs of ye Conestouges and Conoys Indians,, having been al- ong with the Christians or White People, Do say we are of ye same mind as above said and well are sat- isfied with what is Done By ye Christians, on this Account As Wit- ness our hands ye 29th of August, Annoq'e Dominy, 1730.
CAPT'N CIVILITY, his X mark. TAYSHAH.
his X mark. ALLOWAY, his X mark. POWAY BAYTO, his X mark. JOSHUA LOWE, Coroner."
.
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1730-The Coroner's Report to the Governor.
In the book last mentioned, at p. 268, the following report appears to be made by Coroner Lowe to the Governor:
"5th of September, 1730.
Sir: The Day after the Date of my last To the Governor, I heard a freash Reportt of the Indians being found dead, on which I went up to- wards the head of Swartarro, where I had a full account of the afare, though they wear 5 or 6 miles from whear ye Indians Tould us, I there- fore Came Down & gott sevarell In- dians & Christians along and went to the Place and Thear found the bodeys of three Indians, one young woman as apeared by her hand, one of which was whole, & 2 men as planely apeared were found a saddle, a pistell, a knife, some beads and shells, with some small things, by all which the Indians said they wear Delawares, wee also had acc'tt that Thear wos none wanting of ye Five Nations, however I and some others was very Desirous To Discover who they wear & from whence they came, And who had Done murder, I heard thear was 3 Tuskarorows wanting, so I went up to Pechston To Enquire whear I had the opartunety To hear by Patrick Boyd who was Coming Doune from Opessa Town, That an ould Delawar man Caled Oppenella, belonging to Augaluta a toune near Opessa, & his Squaws & his sone a young man and his Daughter, a girl about 14 years ould, Came doune with a Larg bundell of fine furr, and some time after ye Squaw came home and Tould a man that she had a mind for that he might marey her, for she had Dispatched her ould husband, & to prove it shewed him her husband's
arme bellts & a large neck Belt of wampum, Pettar Basalion & Pettar Sherfe being present when Boyd gave me the above account, Sherfe said that about ye midle of May Last thear Came to his house the above named Indian his Squaw & Chil- dren, with said furr & a sadle, but no horse, they went ovar the Rivar toward the 2rd Day affter the Squaw came back with The same bundell of furr, Pettar asked whear her husband was, she answer- ed he was gone, but he charged her that she had killed him, which she very fantly denied, so he bought the furr from her, and she Returned to- wards home, so that we are now all satisfyed that the ould man, his sone and Daughter was murdered by his squaw, that you may see by the Copy of the Inquisition what Care was taken, the Indians generally Expressed very great satisfaction with what was Done, and wear will- ing and forward to joyne in signeing with us a plan. It was carefully In- trepreted to them, I would have sent to ouar Governor but have had an account that he is gone to New York, & will not return in Less than 3 weeks, so I Thought it my duty to Acquaint Thee how far I have act- ed, which I hope will be content. I am they Reall well wishar & Ready to Serve my Countarey in aney Thing in my power.
JOSHUA LOWE.
Lon'd, 5, 7 mo., 1730.
P. S. If I hear aney more shall ac- quaint thee of it, but P. Basalion hath promised to Come and give thee a full acc'tt he hath been very ser- visable in This Affare. Their just now came an Indian to see the pistell yet that wee found, & Immediately sd it was Oppanella's pistell, all which Confermeth me in may said opinion.
J. L."
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1730 - The Conestogas Much Dis- | some of our Chiefs will come down turbed by the Settling of the to you and have some Further treaty about ye matter. Germans Among Them.
In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 271, appears the following com- munication from Captain Cicility to Governor Gordon:
"May it please ye Honorable Gover- ner,
Some time since I was out at our County town of Lancaster, where I heard much talk that both Dutch and English was agoing to settle on ye other side of Susquehannah, like- wise Mr. Wright, and Mr. Blunston, hath surveyed a great deal of land and designs to dispose of it to others which giveth me and my brethren a great deal of trouble, itt being in our road in our hunting,
least our young men should break the chain of friendship which hath long been between us.
Wee are grieved that Mr. Wright should not mind his word, for when he first came to our parts he often said that no person should settle on that side of ye river without our Consent, but now wee find he to be the first and to encourage others.
When your honor was with us at Conestogoe your desire was that wee should not hurt any of your people, which we carefully have observed, and likewise that Ed. Parnell who was settled there should go off which he did, which now grieves our hearts to see how little our Counsels is minded. We hear that one of William Penn's family is coming in this country but the truth of it wee know not, we long to hear the truth of it for wee should be glad to see any of William Penn's family.
Wee are now agoing out to hunt, so desire you to suppress your people from settling there until wee return from our hunting, and then
From y'r Loving Brother, in the behalf of ye rest of my Brethren,
DECATTELEES,
alias CAPT. CIVILITY. Conestogoe, September 28th, 1730.
Directed-To the Hon'ble Patrick Gordon, in Philadelphia, these. Indorsed-Cap't Civility's Letter. September 28th, 1730."
1731-Indians Remind the Governor That Penn Promised They Would Never Be Disturb- ed at Susquehanna.
In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 295, Samuel Blunston writes a letter to Robert Charles, who was the Secretary to the Governor and fin- ally became his son-in-law. The let- ter is as follows:
October ye 3d, 1731. Friend Robert Charles:
About a week agoe, when Severall of the Majestrates Met at Lancaster to Assist at Raising ye Court House, Capt. Civility Came there, and by an Interpreter which he brought with him, (In behalf of ye Rest of ye In- dians,) Laying down the Enclosed String of Wampum, Desired the fol- lowing Message might be therewith Communicated to ye Governour, viz: That the Conestogoe Indians have al- ways lived in Good Friendship with the Christian Inhabitants of Penn- sylvania, And have behaved them- selves agreeable to their Treatys with them. That William Penn had promised them they should not be Disturbed by any Settlers on the west side of Sasquehannah, but now, Contrary thereto, Several Maryland- ers are settled by the river, on that side, at Conejohela; And one Cres- sop, particularly, is very abusive to
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ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
them when they pass that way, And they had captured on a Southern has beat and wounded one of their trip. I merely mention this to give it prominence. women who went to Get Apples from their own Trees and took Away her 1731-An Accident to the Delawares Because of Rum. apples. And further Says, that, as they shall Always take Care their people Do us no hurt, So they also expect we shall protect them.
We then Told him that the Gover- nor had wrote to the Goveruour of Maryland on that Subject, and that it was Contrary to his will they should be Disturbed by ye Marylanders, & would gladly do all that Lay in his power to prevent it.
I have further to add on the Indian Subject, That being informed the Governour Expected Some of ye Chiefs of ye Five Nations Down in a little time, it might be of service to acquaint him, that a few days agoe, about twenty of ye Five Nation war- riors Returning this way from the S. ward, brought with them three Ne- gros and a Mulatto. One of the Ne- groes, being lame with travelling they sold to a Cannoi Indian for about 20 Pounds; the Rest they took off. This being Contrary to the Last Treaty at Albany, & and if not Dis- couraged, Like to be of Dangerous Consequence, I thought fit to Com- municate, and am, with my best Service to ye Governour, they Assur- ed friend."
An interesting thing appears here and that is that Blunston says a week before writing the letter, he, with several other Magistrates of the County were in Lancaster helping to raise the Court House. This speak- ing of "raising" the Court House al- most leads us to infer that our first Court House was frame and not brick, as was supposed.
1731-The Conoys Have a Mulatto Captive.
In Vol. 3 of the Votes of Assembly, p. 156, a sad accident, through rum, befell the Chief of the Delawares and it is stated there that it may likely bring on war.
1731 -- Investigation on the Death of an Indian.
In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 299, is given the deposition of Jonah Davenport, in which he speaks of the killing of a couple of In- dians near Allegheny; and says that the Indian settlement there con- sisted of 300 Delawares, 260 Shawa- nese and many others. He says also on p. 301 in the same book that the number of Indians in that part of Pennsylvania were 60 Delawares, mostly men, 50 on Kythenning river and that the whole lot consists of 250 men and that there are also three Shawanese towns with over 200 inhabitants and that about 60 miles from Susquehanna there are 60 more, and various others.
1731-Edmund Cartiledge's Letter to Governor Gordon, and His In- dian Trade.
In this letter Cartlidge says that he can not now come to Philadelphia to look after the affairs of the Gov- ernment on account of his Indian trade. As this letter gives us a good light on the extent of his Indian trade, and the treaty covered by it, I will set it forth. It is as follows: "Lancaster, ye 5th of December 1731. Sir: May Itt Please Honour,
I Rec'd yours, dated ye 23rd of ye last month, my man, Butt being In-
The item last above mentioned sets ofrth that the Conoys bought a mul- atto from the Five Nations, which | disposed both in Body and in mind
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could not answer your exepctation, and Justt have received a letter from Mr. Charles and Justice Galbreth which puts mee to such a stand I know not whatt to do, for my Affairs so pressingly call me Back into ye woods, and my People and goods are already over Sasquehannah, thatt my coming all this distance to Philadel- phia will prove of fatall Consequence to mee. I have a large Intriestt in ye woods and if I should lose my winter's Trade, which may be done for not being up in time, would en- tirely ruin the whole and quite dis- able me from making returns to my Creditors to whom I am deeply en- gaged, in Consideration of which I humbly beg that your Honor will not take it amiss if I do not come. I can not tell what may just happen Butt itt does not appear to me at ye pres- ent that there is such an apparent danger as some makes it to bee. Itt is not long since I came from Allee- geening and all was quiet and well then, and if there be not any likely- hood of a Rupture at Home between England and France, I hope we are safe for the present, however, as to whatt Davenport and Le Tortt has declared in relation to a French gentt comeing for three years as a spy, I can not tell whatt to say as to thatt, I always looked upon itt that as ye French kept a Store att the head of ye River to Deal, he came down to trade for fur and Bears, Being Com- odity Very Scarce to ye Northward, hee and all along with him always behaved themselves very Civily, how- ever, I shall not say much least I should be mistaken. I would willing- ly serve your honor and ye Publick as far as lyes in my power, butt pray excuse at this time.
Your mostt Humble Servant,
Indorsed-Ed. Cartlidge, December 1, 1731."
For the above see Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 304.
1731-Cartlidge's Testimony Taken at Pequea, Lancaster County, about the Migration of Our
Indians.
In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 305 the following testimony of Edmond Cartlidge is given.
"The Examination of Edmund Cart- lidge, Indian Trader, taken on his Affirmation, at Pequea, in ye County of Lancaster, ye 7th day of Decem- ber, 1731, before Jno. Wright, Esq., one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for ye said County.
This Examinant says, that about two months since he left Allegeny, where there are settlements of Dela- wares, Shawanah, Asseekales & Mingoe Indians to the number of about five hundred. That for these five years past except that of 1729 a French Gentleman who calls him- self Cavalier has made it his prac- tice to come every Spring amongst the Indians settled there, and brings with him a small quantity of goods with which he deals for furs, that he keeps a store as this Examinant is well informed at the head of the Ohio River, and every year goes to Montreal, that he appears to be a man of sense and good understanding and that it is generally believed by all the traders at Allegheny as well as this Examinant that this cavalier is the Bearer of the Governor of Mon- treal's Messages to the Indians in these parts and is entrusted with ne- gotiating several affairs between the Governor and them. That after the treaty held at Conestogoe in the year 1728 between the Governor of Penn- sylvania and the Delaware Indians,
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several Shawanese who are settled near Allegheny went to the Governor of Montreal as this Examinant be- lieves, to seek protection from the French against the Five Nations,who they suspected would hinder their settling at Allegheny, that ever since that time there has been a great ap- pearance of Friendship and goodwill between the French and them. That Mr. Cavalier frequently holds consul- tations with the Shawanese, and this Spring when he was among them he delivered a message to them as this examinant is well informed from the. Governor of Montreal with a present of some powder, That the Shawannah king or chief Paguasse with seven or eight more of the Shawanese went to Montreal to answer the Governor's message and carried with them some bundles of skins for a present, but were not returned when this Exami- nant left Allegheney. That this Exam- inant has since heard from a Servant of an Indian Trader lately come from thence that they are returned and have set up a white Flag which is is said the French Governor has given them, denoting thereby as this Examinent verily believes that they united with the French and are come under that protection.
EDMD. CARTLIDGE.
Coram Jno. Wright.
Indorsed - Examinant Edmd. Cart- lidge, Dec. 7th, 1731."
1731-The Governor Wants the Shaw- anese to Come Back.
It will be remembered that the Shawanese used to live on Pequea Creek but suddenly they move in 1729 out near Allegheny. This disturbed the Governor very much and he wrote them a pressing letter in 1731 to come back. The letter is found in Vol. I of the Penna. Archives and is as fol- lows:
On p. 302 Ollepoonoe, Achquaill- emoe, etc., Chiefs of the Shawanese and Assekelaes, at or near Alleghen- ing, To the Chiefs of the Shawanese Indians at Allegheny.
My friends and Brethren:
I find by our records that about Thirty-four years since, some num- bers of your Nation came to Susque- hannah and desired leave first of our Brethren the Conestogoe Indians, and then of Coll. Markham, who at that time was Governour under William Penn, at Philadelphia, that they might have leave to settle on Pequea Creek, which was granted. About three years after, William Penn, the father of this Countrey, who was as father also to the Indians, for he lov- ed them as his own Children, came from England to Philadelphia with his wife and family, which when our Brethren of Conestogoe heard, Conn- edechtoe, their King, Oretyah, Anda- ggyjunquah, and others of our good friends, came with Opessa, and many more of the Shawanese desiring leave for the Shawanese to live in this Countrey, to enter into a League with our Indians and with us, and to be accounted as our people, which, as they requested, our father William Penn readily granted, he then took the Shawanese by the hand, and ad- mitted them as friends; they promised to be his children, and from that time to this, in all the treatys held with our Indians, the Shawanese were al- ways included as our friends and brethren, and so we hope that still continue mindful with their engage- ments and of the friendship, Civility and brotherly that has always been shown them. Yet we now hear that others have taken you by the hand, in which if you mean to be friends with them who, they say, were formerly your enemies, we do not blame you,
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for you should live in peace with all; but if through a lightness of temper you would throw off old friends, for- get all the former treaties made with us by your people, all their promises and the Friendship. that has been be- tween us, You are then unkind and I must blame you, but I shall not be- lieve this. I will still believe you true men, and in order to Confirm amongst your old friends at Cones- togoe. I have sent messages to the Five Nations or Mingoes, who I heard this, I desire to speak with some of your old wise men at Philadelphia or were angry with you, to make them your friends, and it is our desire that we may all be friends, and all live in Peace as brethren. In the meantime, I exepct of you that you will in all respects shew yourselves true and good men to all our people who come on account of Trade, but next Spring William Penn's son is to be here from England, and then he will renew his father's Leagues and Covenants with your Ancients, and will expect your visit to him as the son of a true friend and father, who was a true father to all the Indians. In confir- mation hereof, I send you a token and some Liquor that you may re- member us with Cheerfulness and particularly me,
Who am your friend and brother, P. G.
Indorsed-Copy of the Message to the Shawanese Chiefs at Allegheny .- December, 1731."
1731-The Governor Writes a Similar Letter to the Delawares.
We remember that the Delawares moved from the Schuylkill to the Susquehanna early in the Eighteenth Century. They also went West and became enemies of the English. Gov- ernor Gordon desires them to come back and he writes a letter pressing
them to do so, which may be found in Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 303. The letter is general in character and therefore I will not quote it.
1731-Letort's Cabin - Burned
In Vol. 15 of Haz. Reg., p. 82 it is stated that James Letort seems to have penetrated to Cumberland Valley as early as 1731. His first Cabin was burned by the Indians and it stood at the head of the Spring. He received for his services twelve pounds an- nually.
1732-The Shawanese Hold a Treaty at Philadelphia.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 349 appears a treaty under the date of 1732 between the Shawanese and the Government but as it dos not relate to Lancaster County and is entirely devoted to an effort of the Govern- ment to get them back to Lancaster County, we will say nothing more about it. In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 325 the speech of the French to the Shawanese is given.
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