USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 29
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 29
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 29
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 29
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 29
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 29
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Opposite the town is an island occupied by Leonard Clem- son, noted for an "Indian Mound," which, it is said to con- tains the remains of Indians.
The following, from the Public Records, is here introdu-
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
ced, to afford the reader some idea as to the plan &c. of the Fort at the mouth of Armstrong's creek.
Col. William Clapham had been here some time before he received definite instructions to erect a Fort. He held a conference with an Indian chief of the Iroquois na- tion, June 10, 1756, as appears from the following minutes :
At a conference held at the camp at Armstrong's, June 10, 1756, be- tween Col. William Clapham, and Oghaghradisha, an Indian chief of the Iroquois on the waters of Susquehanna.
Present-Captains Lloyd and Shippen ; Interpreters, James Lowry and Lewis Montour.
My Brother,
Col. Johnston at my departure told me, thus brother, I find great difficulties in governing and supplying the wants of the Six Nations, in connection with me, 'tis therefore impossible I should also take charge of those seated at a distance on the waters of the Susquehanna, for which reason, I have recommended them by you, and this string of wampum to Col. Clapham (or Ugcarunthiunth) for that purpose. Brother,
The Iroquois living on the North Branch of Susquehanna have sent me as a representative of the whole, to treat with you (producing a belt of wampum) and will ratify all my contracts. Brother, they agree to your building a Fort at Shamokin, but are desirous that you should also build a Fort three days journey, in a canoe, higher up, the North Branch, in their country, at a place called " Adjouquay," and this belt of wampum is to clear the road to that place. Brother,
If you agree to my proposals in behalf of my nation, I will return and immediately collect our whole force to be employed, in protecting your people while you are building a fort in our country at Adjouquay, where there is a good situation and fine soil at the entrance of a deep creek on a level plain five miles extending, and clear of woods. " Ad- jouquay is fourteen miles above Wioming, and an old woman may car- ry a heavy pack of skins from thence to the Minisink, and return to Adjouquay in two nights.
My Brother-
The land is troubled, and you may justly apprehend danger, but if you will grant our request we will be together, and if any danger hap- pens to you, we will share it with you. My Brother, I have known this young man a good while (pointing to James Lowry) and have travelled far with him : he is a proper man, and knows the country well. I should be glad to recommend him as a companion on the march.
My Brother, (laying down a belt of wampum folded in the middle) this describes your path to Shamokin ; (unfolding the belt and ex- tending it to its full length) this is your road to Adjouquay.
Upon which he presented a belt, and offered his little son as a pledge of his fidelity, insisting at the sametime that Col. Clapham should visit their town, escorted by their warriors, who despising to turn out of their
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way, would conduct him thro' the Delaware town, to their village, in defiance of all opposition whatever. [Prov. Rec. O.]
Orders and Instructions to Col. W. Clapham.
I. With these instructions you will receive a number of blank commissions, under my hand and seal, for subaltern of- ficers in your regiment, which you are hereby empowered to fill up, with the names of such men as you judge most fit for the service, having regard to the merit and services of those already employed ; taking care that they be of the Protestant religion, and well affected to his Majesty's government, and you will administer to them the oaths to the government, as your name is inserted in the General Dedimus for this Pro- vince, under the Great Seal, or cause Major Burd to do it.
2. Herewith you will also receive two plans of Forts; the one a Pentagon, the other a square, with one Ravelin to pro- tect the curtain where the gate is, with a ditch covered way and glacis; but as it is impossible to give any explicit direc- tions to the particular form of a fort without viewing and considering the ground on which it is to stand, I must leave it to you to build it in such form as will best answer for its own defence, the command of the river, and of the country in i's neighborhood ; and the plans herewith will serve to show the proportion that the different parts of the works shouhl bear to each other.
3. As to the place upon which this fort is to be erected, that must be in a great measure left to your judgment; but it is necessary to inform you it is must be on the east side of the Susquehanna ; the lands on the west, at the Forks, be- tween the branches, not being purchased from the Indians ; besides it would be impossible to relieve and support a garri- son on that side in the winter time : from all the information I have been able to collect, the land on the south side of the east branch, opposite to the middle of the island, is the high- est of any of the lowland thereabout, and the best place for a fort. The guns you have with you will form a rampart of a moderate height, commanding the main river. But as this information comes from persons not acquainted with the na- ture of such things, I am fearful they are not much to be de- pended on, and your own judgment must therefore direct you.
4. When you have completed the fort, you will cause the
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
ground to be cleared about it, to a convenient distance, and openings to be made to the river, and you will erect such buildings within the fort, and place there in such a manner as you shall judge best.
5. Without the fort, at a convenient distance, under the command of the guns, it will be necessary to build some log houses for Indians, that they may have places to lodge in, without being in the fort, where numbers of themn, however friendly, should not be admitted, but in a formal manner, and the guard turned out ; this will be esteemned a compliment by our friends, and if enemies should at any time be concealed under that name, it will give themn proper notions of our vig- ilance, and prevent thern from attempting to surprise it.
6. In your march up the river you will take care not to be surprised, and always to have your forces in such a disposi- tion that you may retreat with safety.
7. You will make the best observations you can of the riv- er and the most difficult passes you meet with in your way as well by land as water, which you will note upon the map I gave you , that it may be thereby amended, and furnish me with your opinion of the best manner of removing or sur- mounting those difficulties.
8. If you should be opposed in your march, or gain any in- telligence of the a pproach of an enemy, for that or any other purpose, you will inform me by express of such intelligence or opposition, the situation you are in, and every thing else ma- terial that I may send you proper assistance, and be prepared for any thing that may happen, and in the meantime you are to use your best endeavors to oppose the enemy and to se- cure yourself.
9. As soon as you are in possession of the ground at Sha- mokin, you will secure yourself a breast work in the best manner you can, so that your men may work in safety, and you will inform me of your arrival there, and let me know what you will have occasion for, that I may apply to the commissioners to supply it.
10. You will order the company and others in whose hands you may trust any of the public provisions, or stores, to be careful and exact in the distribution thereof, and to keep exact accounts of every thing committed to their care.
11. Having suspected hostilities against the Delaware In- dians on the east side of the North East Branch of Susque-
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hanna, in order to enter into a treaty with them, I send you herewith a Proclamation for that purpose to which you will conform, and any friendly Indians that may join you in your march, or at Shamokin you will treat with kindness and sup- ply them out of the Province stores with such things as they want and you are able to spare·
12. Having sent the Indians, New Castle and Jagree again to the town of Diahoga, accompanied with some of the Jer- sey Delawares, all our friends, who may and probably will return by the Susquehannah, you will in about a fortnight after this, cause a look out to be kept for them, and if they return that way, you will receive and assist them in their journey. Their signal will be a red flag with "union " in the corner, or if that should be lost, they will carry " Green boughs " or "Club'd muskets," will appear open and erect and not approach you in the night.
R. H. MORRIS.
Given under my hand and seal at Arms Philadelphia, this 12th day of June, 1756.
Camp at Armstrong's, June 20, 1756.
To Gov. Morris :
Sir-I received your Honor's of the 12th inst., together with your Honor's instructions, your Honor's answer to the Indian Sachem, six blank commissions, and two plans of for- tification. Your instructions I shall obey with the utmost pleasure and punctuality. Your answer I delivered with due solemnity. In filling up the commissions I shall be par- ticularly careful to regard your Honor's directions; when arrived at the ground I shall conform as near as possible to the plans, and hope I shall find no difficulty in the execution which industry and application may not surmount, and shall rely on your Honor for the supplies necessary during that time. The progress already made in this Fort renders it im- practicable for me to comply with the commissioners desire to contract it, at which I am more surprised, as I expected every day orders to enlarge it, it being as yet, in my opinion too small. I shall leave an officer and thirty men with or-, ders to finish it when I march from hence, which will be with all possible expedition after the arrival of the blankets, the rum and the money for payment of Battoe-men, for want
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
of which, I am obliged to detain them here in idleness, not thinking it prudent to trust them on another trip, for fear of their desertion, which may totally impede the serviee. I could wish the comr." "ssioners would invent some expedient to pay these men without money, or at least without the dan- ger of trusting me with their money, the charge of which I am not ambitious of, or the much envied honor and trouble of expending it-this far is certain, that without such expe- dient, or the money, we cannot stir.
I have, pursuant to your Honor's command, sent down two Indian Sachems properly escorted, and committed particu- larly to the care of Mr. Shippen, and hope his coming will fully answer the ends proposed by your Honor and your council. I have found Capt. McKee extremely useful, and have sent him also at the Sachem's particular request.
The carpenters are still employed in building Battoes and carriages for the canoes, and every body seems disposed cheerfully to contribute their services towards the public good, if there ever was any any prospect or assurance of be- ing paid for it. From your Honor's character of Capt. Busse, I am extremely sorry the Commissioners have not thought proper to comply with your Honor's proposal. I assure myself, your Honor, will omit no opportunity of ex- tricating me from embarrassments arising from the want of money, both for the Battoe men and the soldiers; twenty-six of whom being Dutch (German) are now in confinement for mutiny on that very account. I am with all respect, your Honor's obedient humble servant.
WILLIAM CLAPHAM.
P. S. The Fort at this place is without a name till your Honor is pleased to confer one.
D Philadelphia June 25, 1756 .- Geo. Morris writes :- "The Fort at Armstrong's, I would have it called, FORT HALIFAX."
Immediately on receiving instructions, Col. Clapham pro- ceeded to erect fort, as appears from the following :
Camp at Armstrong's, June 15, 1756.
Sir :- On the 13th inst., I seceived your Honor's procla- mation enjoining a cessation of hostilities for thirty days, and shall, as far as my judgment extends, pay all due deference to
27
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
it, but it not being accompanied with a single line of instruc- tions, I am vastly at a loss how to proceed, not being able to determine whether only marching into that country may or may not be deemed an act of hostility, and must in order to acquit myself, leave the decision of that matter to the opinion of a council of war. I am the more uneasy as the Fort is not in a condition to be left, the river daily falling, and this perhaps the only opportunity this season,may afford of a water carriage to Shamokin.
Having received a letter from the commissioners, I have transmitted to them copies of what I wrote to your Honor, except your Honor's private letter. Inclosed is an exact copy of what intelligence is communicated to me by Ogag- hadarirah, the Indian messenger now at camp, a copy of which I have also inclosed the commissioners. I wait the return of the courses with the utmost impatience, and am sir, with all respect your Honor's most obedient and humble servant,
To Gov. Morris.
WILLIAM CLAPHAM.
Hon. Gov. Morris : Halifax, July 1, 1756.
Sir: I received your favor by Commissary Burd and the £100 which I distributed among the Battoe men in pro- portion to their several demands, in not being sufficient to discharge the whole. The ship carpenters have finished the carriages for the canoe, and as soon as they have finished the Battoes in hand which I expect will be done to-morrow, I shall give them a certificate of their services and discharge them all except one who will be absolutely necessary in the passage and without whose assistance we may probably lose more than his pay can cost the Province ; now if my people are to be depended on in case of an accident on the water, and I can assure your Honor that I find fatigue and difficul- ties enough to conduct so amphibious an expedition, with all the assistance I can possibly command. I shall leave a sergeants party at Harris' consisting of twelve men, twenty- four at Hunter's Fort, twenty-four at McKee's store, each under the command of an ensign; and Captain Miles with thirty men at Fort Halifax, with the inclosed instructions, as I have removed all the stores from Harris' and McKee's to this place ; Mr. Galbreath's presence does not seem very ne-
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
cessary at either of those two places, and his refusal to at- tend here has laid me under the necessity of appoining a per- son to act in that capacity under the direction of Commissary Burd till your pleasure shall be known. I am at present ex- tremely engaged in embarking the regiments, stores, &c., for Shamokin, expecting to march time enough to night on the west side of Susquehanna, about five miles above Fort Hali- fax ; and promising myself the pleasure of congratulating your Honor from Shamokin-and in the meantime very res- pectfully your Honor's most obedient, humble servant.
WILLIAM CLAPHAM.
P. S. There are still one hundred blankets wanting in the regiment.
Orders to Captain Miles.
Sir:
Fort Halifax, July 1, 1756.
You are to command a party of thirty men at Fort Hali- fax, which you are to finish with all possible expedition, ob- serving not to suffer your party to straggle in small numbers into the woods, or to go any great distance from the Fort unless detached as an escort, or in cause of special orders for that purpose. You are to build barracks within the fort for your men and also a store house thirty feet by twelve- in which you are carefully to lodge all provisions, stores, &c. belonging to the province : if the boards purchased for that purpose are not sufficient to finish the banquette and execute the other designs herein recommended, your men are to be employed in sawing more out of the pine logs now lying near the fort. You are to keep a constant guard, and relieve re- gularly, to have continual one sentry in each bastion, and in case of an attack to retreat to the fort and defend it to the last extremity.
If any thing extraordinary occurs you are immediately to dispatch notice thereof to his Honor, the Governor, and to signify the same to me, if any relief or instruction may be necessary.
WILLIAM CLAPHAM.
To E. Shippen, Lancaster : Fort Halifax, Oct. 13, 1756.
Sir: As Col. Clapham is at Carlisle, and it being re- ported here that his Honor, our governor, has gone round by York, and therefore not knowing when he will receive an ex- press that is sent to him from Shamokin, I have thought fit
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
to send an abstract of Maj. Burd's letter to me that arrived here at daybreak this morning, that the gentlemen and mili- tia of Lancaster county might take such steps as they think most prudent.
I thought it proper to acquaiut you with a piece of intelli- gence that I have received by old Ogaghradariha, one of the Six Nations chiefs, who came here yesterday in the after- noon, and is as follows-That about ten days ago before he left Tioga, there were two Delaware Indians arrived there who had just come from Fort Du Quesne and informed him, that before they left said fort, there were one thousand In- dians assembled there, who were immediately to march in conjunction with a body of French, to attack his fort (mean- ing Fort Augusta) and he, Ogaghradariah, hurried down here to give us the information. He says further, that the day before he came in here, he saw upon the North Branch a large body of Delaware Indians, and spoke with them, and they told him, they were going to speak with the governor of Pennsylvania. Whatever intentions they have, they are marching towards our inhabitants.
I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
DAVID JAMESON.
P. S. The Major's letter is dated the 12th instant, in the afternoon.
Besides Fort Halifax, there were other forts above Fort Hunter, viz: McKee's Fort or Trading l.ouse, where Tho- mas McKee, the Indian trader was stationed. This place was about twenty-five miles above Fort Hunter. Edward Shippen, of Lancaster, makes mention of this place, in a let- ter dated April 17, 1756; and Fort Augusta, at Shamokin.
Hon. Gov. Morris: Lancaster, April 19,1756.
I have been at Captain McKee's Fort where I found about ten Indians, men, women and children; three of the women lying very ill in bed. The Captain tells me that Johny Shekallimy* is greatly dissatisfied with being there; and has several times been much out of temper, which he would hope was owing to nothing but the sickness of the Indians; and to their being often insulted by the fearful ig-
* John Shekallimy was a son of Shekallimy of Shamokin, who died in 1749 .- Compiler.
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
norant people who have sometimes told Shekallimy to his face, that they had a good mind to scalp him. Shekallimy let me know that he wished the Indians would be moved down to Barney Hughes', where Capt. McKee's woman and children live; and afterwards if the governor thought pro- per he would go to Wyoming, and endeavor to bring down Buckshenoath, a great man, a Shawanese Captain, who would have come with him, but the Delawares would not permit it ; he says that at the council at Wyoming, whither your Honor sent Silver Heels and the Belt, to know why the Indians struck their brethren, the English; this Shaw- anese Captain obsered, that it was not more than one night and a haf (meaning a year and a half) since he had taken the Governor by the hand, and heard every thing that he said, which was very kind and loving, and why should he forget bim so soon ? That he was then sitting between the Six Nations, and the Governor, takes one in each hand .-- That council consisted of Shawnese, Chickasaws, Mohick- ans and some of the Six Nations, and Shekallimy was ap- pointed to give the answer, who spoke and said : You, our young brothers, the Shawanese it may be, know the reason of striking the English, as you are always in council with the Delawares ; no, answered the Shawanese, directing their discourse to the Six Nations, saying : Old Brothers, we can- not tell why the hatchet was taken up against the English, but you know the reason of it who were always with them at General Braddock's battle.
Shekallimy says there are about 400 Indian warriors at Tiaogo of the Six Nations, Delawares, Munsees and Shaw- anese, and about 40 more at Wyoming, viz : ten Mohickans, ten Mingoes, and 20 Shawnese ; he says if we attempt to go up to Shamokin to build a fort, we may expect to be at- tacked by a body of 500 Indians in our march.
According to your Honor's instructions to Mr. Burd, I have prevailed with Shekallimy to stay where he is till we can hear again from your Honor. I pity the sick Indians much, because there is neither sheep, calves or poultry to be got in that part of the country, and tho' game is very plen- ty, yet the Indians dare not venture out of the Fort for fear of being murdered ; and the Captain informs me that the garrison has been but poorly served; the provisions having been very ordinary ; but they are now a little better used ; 27*
.
-
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yet he would fain believe, the persons employed about them did their best ; he finds that one pound of Burlington pork will go as far as two pounds made in that country.
John Harris has built an excellent stoccade around his house, which is the only place of security that way, for the provisions for the army, he having much good cellar room, and as he has but six or seven men to guard it, if the gov- ernment would order six men more there to strengthen it, it would in my opinion, be of great use to the cause, even were no provision to be stored there at all, though there is no room for any scarce in Capt. McKee's fort : Hunter's house indeed would answer such a purpose were it stoccaded, but as it is quite naked, and stands five or six hundred feet from the Fort, the enemy may surround it in the night and kill the people, and set the roof on fire in three or four places at once ; and if the sentry should discern the fire as soon as it begins to blaze, it might be too difficult a task for them to quench it without buckets or pails. I speak with submission; but this stoccade at Harris' ought by all means to be sup- ported, for if for want of this small addition of men above mentioned, the Indians should destroy it, the consequence would be the most of the inhabitants within twenty miles of his house would immediately leave their plantations. The enemy can come over the hills, at five miles distance from McKee's fort. But notwithstanding all I have said on this head, I am convinced that the number of stoccades set up and down the country do more hurt than good.
By the best intelligence I can get, it will be best for Colo- nel Clapham to march his regiment on the west side of Sus- quehanna, after first marching 8 or 9 miles on this side ; the only difficulty will be in crossing the river. I know there are several bad passes, as far as Capt. McKee's plantation where I have been ; it is but twenty-five miles from Hunter's mill.
I ought to have acquainted your Honor before, that I have cautioned Capt. McKee against suffering any body to abuse the Indians for the future ; and by all means advised him to keep a strict watch over the young Frenchman whom he has under his care.
Inclosed is a letter from Mr. Harris, and also a memoran- dum. At the request of a poor neighbor of his, who has but one hand to work with for his living, I send an account
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
of some losses which he assures me he has sustained by the Indians, whom Mr. Harris maintained at the charge of the government.
Please pardon my prolixty, and permit me to say, that I am, your Honor's &c.
EDWARD SHIPPEN .*
In 1749, Conrad Weiser, on his way to Shamokin with a messenger from the government to the Indians there, met the sons of Shickalimy at the Trading House of Thomas McKee and delivered them the messages there ; because he had been informed that all the Indians were absent from Shamokin .--- In a letter addressed to Richard Peters he mentions these facts:
Sir-By these lines I let you know that I returned from Shamokin on the 18th inst. I happened to meet the eldest and the youngest son of Shickelimy at the Trading house of Thomas McKee, about twenty miles this side Shamokin, by whom I was informed that all the Indians had left Shamo- kin for this present time, for want of provisions ; so I thought best to deliver my message there to the sons of Shickelimy. There were also present three more of the Six Nations In- dians; one of them was Toyanogow, a noted man among the Cayukers. All what I had to do was to let the children and grand-children of our deceased friend Shickelimy know that the governor of Pennsylvania and his council condoled with them, for the death of their father ; which I did accord- ingly, and gave them a small present, in order to wipe off their tears, according to the custom of the Indians. The present consisted of six stroud match coats, seven shirts, with a string of wampum to Taghneghdoarus, Shickelimy's eldest son, and desired him to take upon him the care of a chief, in the stead of his deceased father, and to be our true correspondent, until there should be a meeting between the governor of Pennsylvania and some of the Six Nation chiefs, and then he should be recommended by the governor, to the Six Nation chiefs, and continued if he would follow the foot- steps of his deceased father. He accepted thereof, and I
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