Early times in the Susquehanna

Front matter

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Preface

Frequent inquiries are made for copies of " Early Times on the Susquehanna," which is an inducement to issue another edition, as the first was long since exhausted. Year after year interest increases in the past history of our lovely valley, and it is most important to foster with care every item of correct information.

The little volume written by Mrs. George A, Perkins (my mother), containing so much which, except for her, would have been lost, is sacredly preserved.

The more recent developments of our section of country have not been touched upon, but are left to the pen of the future historian. The hope is cherished that those who have wished for the perusal of these pages will welcome the new edition as cordially as the first was received by the dear friends of a former generation.

Sakah Perkins Elmer.

Contents

PAGE

Author's Introduction ...... ix

Sketch of the Life of Mrs. George A. Perkins . xiii

II Moravian Missions — Wyalusing

The first account we have of the labors of the Moravian Brethren among the Indians of Pennsylvania is from their own history. They commenced their missions in 1740; one in the State of New York, the other in Connecticut, twenty miles distant, under the care of Eev. Martin Mack, and were very successful in instructing them in the Christian religion. But they were so persecuted by the white people, that after four years the " Brethren " thought best to remove them, forty in number, to Bethlehem for protection, where they built huts for themselves, and called their settlement Friedenshuetten, or Tents of Peace. Their numbers increased so much that in a few months the Brethren bought a tract of land for them, near the Mahony creek and the Lehigh river.

Their missionary and others laid out the town, which they called Gnadenheutten, or Tents of Grace. They soon numbered five hundred Indians.

The war between the French and English commenced in 1755. The Christian Indians were friends to the British, while the savages were engaged for the French.

The French Indians threatened the Christian Indians, and were a constant terror to them. At last they attacked the mission house on the Mais hony one evening, and eleven of the inhabitants were murdered. Application was made to Governor Denny for protection. They were removed to the barracks in Philadelphia, where fifty-five of them died. They were buried in what is now Washington Square.

After the close of the French war, in 1764, the troubles being nearly at an end, the Brethren in Bethlehem considered in what manner to provide a settlement for these poor Indians, principally Delawares, where they might enjoy more safety.

It could not be expected they would remain long unmolested, in the neighborhood of the merciless whites, and they were therefore advised to settle in the Indian country, on the banks of the Susquehanna. Application was made to the Governor, who gave them permission, and supplied them liberally with necessaries " until their new planted corn should ripen." Schmidt and Zeisberger were appointed to accompany them. On the 20th of March the Moravian Indian congregation commenced their journey across the mountains and swamps, direct to Wyoming; from thence to Machiwilusing, where they arrived on the 9th of May, after a painful pilgrimage of five weeks.

Machiwilusing was the Indian name for Wyalusing creek, and has given name to the town. It empties into the Susquehanna, a little below French Town, on the opposite side of the river. Near the mouth of that creek, these Moravians made their missionary establishment in 1765. They called it after their old station Friedenshuetten or Tents of Peace. It was a village of forty

MORAVIAN MISSIONS— WYALUSING 15

houses, built of wood, after the European manner, and thirteen Indian huts. In the middle of the street, which was eighty feet broad, they built a large and neat chapel. The adjoining ground was laid out in gardens, and between the town and the river, about 250 acres were divided into regular plantations, for Indian corn. The burying ground was situated some distance back of the buildings. The mission grounds were about two miles below the present village of Wyalusing.

They were happy and greatly blessed, and prospered, at their new station, and were often visited by people of the Six Nations, many of whom believed the word which they heard, and embraced their religion, and were baptised. The natives heard of them at a great distance, and great numbers were added to them.

Zeisberger was extensively known among the Indians. He understood the Delaware and Iroquois languages, and often attended the great councils at Onondaga, where he was treated with great respect. They gave him not only liberty to settle at Friedenshuetten, but additional liberties beyond Tioga.*

Among other places visited by the missionaries of Machiwilusing, was a town about thirty miles up the river called She Shequanunck (Old Sheshequin) in which a great awakening took place among the Indians, occasioned by the accounts from Friedenshuetten, brought by those who visited them. At the request of the natives, the mis-

* We have no account of the Moravians having gone farther North than old Sheshequin.

sionary Rothe \Yent to reside among them. His testimony of Jesus went to their hearts, the audience being frequently melted into tears. One of them remarked, " I would not have wept if my enemies had cut the flesh from my bones. That I now weep is of God, who has softened the hardness of my heart." For some time it appeared as if the whole town would turn to the Lord and be converted.

The mission at Machiwilusing continued to prosper greatly until the whites increased on each side of them, and introduced rum. The diflflculties also among the Pennsylvania and New England people were a hindrance to them, and the Iroquois were prevailed upon to sell all their lands East of the Ohio to the white people, and great was the sacrifice to give up their beautiful settlement on the Susquehanna. These peaceable, quiet. Christian Moravian Indians felt compelled to leave their " Tents of Peace " where they had lived seven years, and take up their march again westward, by the way of Sunbury, through forest and marshes, over rivers and mountains, till they arrived on the banks of the Ohio, where they met brethren under Heckwalder, the Moravian missionary, who guided them to their settlement. These poor creatures (two hundred and forty in number), were seven weeks on their sad journey.

A Congregational church was formed in Wyalusing in 1794, and was connected with the Luzerne Association. Rev. M. M. York preached alternately at Wyalusing and Wysox, for many years. The Association once met at the latter place, in the spring of , when Mrs. York, the mother of

MORAVIAN MISSIONS— WYALUSING 17

tlie clergyman, more than seventy years of age, residing at Wyalusing, rode across swollen streams and over dangerous passes, to be present at this assembly. Great surprise was expressed at her courage and heroism, when she replied, " I have been praying forty years for the upbuilding of Zion, and don't you think I would come to see it? "

Major Taylor's family were identified with the church there, and a son of his was a clergyman. His daughter was suddenly restored to the use of her limbs, in answer to prayer, as was supposed, after having been unable to walk for several years.

A settlement was made by the w^hite people, soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, which they called Wyalusing, from Mackhiwilusing, the Indian name of the Creek.

It is a beautiful settlement, about two miles above the site of the old Moravian Settlement, and contained a population of nearly five hundred inhabitants.

The late C. F. Welles, Esq., removed from Towanda to Wyalusing in 1822. He had been the Prothonotary, and Register and Recorder of Bradford county, from the times its name was changed from that of Ontario, March 24, 1812, until 1818, when he was succeeded by Geo. Scott and E, Mason. He married a daughter of Judge Hollenback, and was a prominent and talented man. He died in 1866.*

* Justus Lewis, Esq., who resides near Wyalusing, and is about 82 years of age, has a better knowledge, it is said, of our frontier history, than any other man now living, and could no doubt gi-^e valuable information to any one who might wish to prepare a more extended work.

Ill

To take a glance of the two states of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, as they now are, it might seem absurd that Connecticut could ever have claimed a tract of land over one hundred and twenty miles in length, and sixty in breadth, in the heart of this well proportioned state.

The Colony of Connecticut claimed jurisdiction by virtue of a charter from Charles 2d, dated April 23, 1662, granting Connecticut that part of his dominions in America, beginning at Narragansett Bay, from the 41st to the 42d degree of latitude, in width, and extending west on the same parallels of latitude, so far as England then owned the granting power, or, as some say, to the Pacific Ocean, supposing the Continent to be very narrow. The claims of the Dutch leading down to JSTew York Bay, were, of course, excepted, as her charter was the oldest.

The proprietaries of Pennsylvania, on the ground of a charter granted to Wm. Penn, in 1681, by the same sovereign, claimed all that tract of land in America, bounded on the east by the Delaware river, from the 40th to the 42d degree of north latitude, and to extend west through five degrees of longitude. Within these bounds was included Wyoming, " which," says Colonel Stone, " has been the theatre of more historical action, and is invested with more historical interest than any other inland district of the United States, of equal extent."

The difficulties arising out of these opposing claims, between Connecticut and Pennsylvania, were serious and protracted. It was inexcusable that a monarch, assigning portions of territory to his subjects, should leave so much ground for controversy, by granting titles that conflicted with each other to so great an extent.

It was this that caused the trouble between the two states and the numerous claimants, and resulted in civil and disastrous wars.

Pennsylvania purchased of the Indians the right of soil in the province, but did not receive their deed until the treaty at Fort Stanwix, in 1768.

In 1754 the Connecticut Susquehanna Company, formed at Hartford, purchased of the Six Nations, at Albany, the land on the Susquehanna river, beginning at the 41st degree of North latitude, ten miles east of the river; and from thence, with a northerly line, following the river ten miles east of the same, to the forty-second degree of North latitude; and extending two degrees West longitude; from thence south to the 41st degree; thence east to the first mentioned boundary.

For this the Company paid the Indians the sum of two thousand pounds, current money, and the i deed was signed by eighteen Sachems.*

A gradual emigration was in progress from Connecticut many years, though interrupted consid- * See Miner's history.

erably by the French war; but in 1769 two hundred families, from the eastern part of the State, formed a colony and began to remove to the south part of the valley, with ministers, and implements of husbandry, and teachers for their children. After many wearisome days in the wilderness, they descended the mountain and took possession of that garden of nature, which had been honorably purchased of the natives.

Here, in their delightful Wyomin;?;, these noble Christian colonists expected to find a prosperous and peaceful home. But scarcely had they taken possession, when their claim was contested by the Pennsylvanians, whose charter also covered the charming valley; and a terrible conflict ensued. The contention was long and sharp; many lives were lost, and the sufferings of the colony were great. At three different times they were driven from their possessions by the Pennsylvanians; but they returned with increased numbers, supported by Connecticut, and established themselves strongly. They called their territory the County of Westmoreland, and for nine years sent representatives to the Legislature of Connecticut. They were a happy people among themselves, had civil and religious privileges, and all the enjoj'uients of refined social life. Their Puritan habits have blessed succeeding generations. Many clergymen, statesmen, teachers, missionaries, and other eminent Christian men and women have sprung from this stock.

Chief-Justice Tilghman states that " the unfortunate controversy between Connecticut and Pennsylvania was attended with riot, disorder and bloodshed, which continued until the commencement of the Revolutionary war, when the Congress of the United States, fearing the consequences which might result from a dispute of so serious a nature between two powerful States, recommended that all acts of force should be abstained from, and each person should remain in possession of the land occupied by him, until a proper season should come for determining the matter on principles of justice. This recommendation was complied with. The Connecticut settlers were the most numerous, and held possession during the war, in the course of which they suffered great hardships, and lost many lives ; being on a remote frontier, much exposed to the attacks of the British and Indians." *

While the struggle with Great Britain was in progress, in which Wyoming took an active part, there was comparative quiet between the Connecticut and Pennsylvania claimants; but scarcely was our independence acknowledged, when the contention about lands revived. It was found necessary that a subject of so much weight should be decided by a court established by Congress of Commissioners from the two contending states. They

* The fiery trials through which they passed, at the time of the invasion by the Tories and Indians, in 1778, cannot be better described than in the petition of Samuel Gore, for a pension, in his advanced age. He was a brother of Judge Gore, and kindly presented me with a copy of his petition, w^ritten with his own hand, near the close of his life. He had often visited us, and entertained us with his account of the Revolutionary w^ar, and the battle of Wyoming.

met at Trenton, N. J., in the month of December, 1782. The parties proceeded with their pleas, and after manj^ days the court decided that the right of jurisdiction belonged to Pennsylvania, and that the judicial power of Connecticut over Wyoming should cease. In this the Commissioners from each state acquiesced. It is supposed there was this understanding between the two states, from a conviction of its policy.

Mr. Miner says, " There is no doubt that the decision of Trenton was made on grounds of policy, and not of right. It was not designed, however, to affect the private right of soil. Immediately after this decree, Connecticut withdrew its jurisdiction, and the county of Westmoreland ceased to exist.

" The claims of Connecticut, west of Pennsylvania, were all ceded to Congress, excepting the Western Reserve, or New Connecticut, and she received the United States letters patent for that tract.

" The Pennsylvanians continued to treat the Connecticut settlers with severity, which induced the Assembly to pass an act, to restore to them the possessions from which they had been forcibly removed. On the 28th of March, 1787, an act was passed called the Confirming Act, ratifjdng the title of lands in their possession, prior to the decree of Trenton."

This law was not satisfactory to either party, and was repealed April 1st, 1790. On the 4th of April, 1799, an act was passed called the Compromising Act, " offering compensation to the

Pennsylvania settlers, within the seventeen townships of Luzerne. The object of this act was to offer a reasonable compensation in money to such Pennsylvania claimants as were willing to release their rights, in order that the Commonwealth, having thus regained the title, might confirm the estates of the Connecticut settlers, at a moderate price, fixed by Commissioners, who were authorized to give certificates to Connecticut claimants for no other land than such as may have been released by the Pennsylvania claimants. This title was confirmed by paying for first-class lands two dollars per acre; second-class, one dollar and twenty cents; third-class, fifty cents; fourth-class, eight and one-quarter cents.

To induce the Pennsylvania claimants to release, the Commissioners were authorized to classify the land, giving certificates to them; first-class lands to be paid for at the rate of five dollars per acre, etc.

On the 6th of April, 1802, a supplement was passed to the act of 1799, which gave to the Commissioners authority to certify to Connecticut claimants the title to their lands, whether released by the Pennsylvania claimant or not; forbidding recovery of the lands by the Pennsylvania claimant, and giving him a right of action against the Commonwealth for the value of his land.

By the act of 1807, all Pennsylvania claimants were admitted who had acquired title prior to the first confirming law, of March, 1787, and Connecticut claimants were not required to show that the lands were occupied before the decree of Trenton.

M EARLY TIMES

In the case of Mrs. Mathewson in the contest with J. F. Satterlee, Mrs, M. had taken out a warrant in 1812, and claimed an improvement back to 1785, under Connecticut title, (she having no certificate from the Commissioners,) and therefore had no title recognized by the laws of Pennsylvania to the date of her warrant (1812). Mr. Satterlee had purchased an old Pennsylvania title, going back to 1769, and had taken a lease of Mrs. Mathewson, after which an act of Assembly was passed, which allowed Mrs. M. to hold him as tenant. The same principles, when applied, will explain other cases also.* the petition of samuel gore^ esq.

"January, 1832.

^^ To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled, at the City of Washington:

" The petition and memorial of Samuel Gore, of Sheshequin Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, humbly showeth :

" That your petitioner's request is of a singular nature, differing from the common case of those who served in the War of the Revolution ; was not engaged for any limited time; that he resided at Wyoming Settlement at the commencement of the late Revolutionary War; that in the year 1777, in the month of May, he was enrolled in the militia

* The above statements have been furnished by a legal gentleman for this work.

of Captain Aholiab Buck's company, and took the oath of allegiance, to be true and faithful to the cause then at issue; that in December, the same year, he was draughted on a tour of duty up the river, as far as Wysox and Towanda; the command he was attached to took twenty-eight prisoners, men that had served under General Burgoyne, the preceding campaign; that in the year 1778 the Settlement was in almost continual alarm, the fore part of the season ; and what added mostly to our fears was, that three companies of soldiers had been enlisted in the Settlement, and had joined the main army of Washington.

" The militia that was left was on duty the principal part of the time, in fortifying, scouting, and learning the military discipline, till the month of July, when the settlement was invaded by the British and Indians, under the command of Colonel John Butler and Brandt, the Indian Chief.

" Your petitioner was in the memorable battle and massacre of Wyoming, and narrowly escaped the fate of five brethren, the officers, and principal part of the Company to which he belonged.

" In addition to his misfortune, in running across a bay or morass, the Indians in close pursuit, every step over the knee in mud and mire, by over exertion, caused a breach in his body, which has been a painful and troublesome disorder ever since. •

" It is unnecessary to describe the entire destruction of the settlement, by the enemy, the dispersions and hardships of the fugitives. Old men, women, and children, fleeing through the wilderness, carrying with them scarcely enough to support nature by the way.

" The place was retaken in August or September following, by Colonel Zebulon Butler and Captain Simon Spalding, and a garrison replaced there. Your petioner returned soon after, and served as a volunteer, during the years of 1779, 1780, and 1781, and was subject to be called on, in ever}^ case of emergency.

" The expedition of General Sullivan to the Gennesse country, did not prevent wholly, the depredations of the enemy, being frequently harassed by small parties. In the year 1782 Captain Spalding's company was called to join the main army, at headquarters, and a company of invalids was stationed at the post, commanded by a Captain Mitchel, soldiers that were not calculated for the woods, scouting, etc. Colonel Dennison gave orders to have the militia organized and classed, which took place.

" John Franklin was chosen Captain. Your petitioner was appointed a Sergeant, and had the command of a class, which was ordered to be ready at the shortest notice, to scout the woods, and to follow any party of the enemy that should be sent on their murderous excursions. That he performed four tours of scouting that season, of about eight days each.

" Your petitioner never drew any pay, clothing or rations, during the contest for Independence, but ammunition, he was supplied with from the continental store.

" Had the charge of the family at the time, ( his father being dead) ; had to support himself as well as he could, by laboring between spells, and frequently ploughing with his musket slung at his back.

" Being informed by the newspapers that a bill has passed the House of Eepresentatives, by a large majority, to compensate all those that were enlisted in the service of their country from three months to six, and nine; to compensate according to the time of their engagement, let their circumstances be what they may. Encouraged by the liberality and generosity of our National legislators, I take the liberty to request of your Honorable Body, to take my case into consideration; and if you, in your wisdom and justice, should think that your petitioner is entitled to any remuneration, to do what you may think right and just; and your petitioner will ever pray."

A letter addressed to Philander Stephens, Esq., a Member of Congress, was folded within the petion, which I also copy:

" Sheshequin, April 3, 1832.

" Philander Stephens, Esq. — Dear Sir: I have been waiting with considerable anxiety, for some time, expecting to hear from you, as I think you promised to write to me. I would take it as a favor, if you would inform me what is the prospect of the bill for the general compensation of old soldiers and volunteers of the Revolution ; whether it is like to pass the Senate, the present session; also whether you have presented my petition, and if any encouragement therefrom. Some cheering information on this subject would revive my spirits, which have been almost exhausted during the severity of the past winter — the hardest I have experienced since the return of Sullivan's expedition to the Indian country, in the year 1779.

" On reflecting back in these trying times, I would state some particulars respecting our family, at the commencement of the Revolution. My father had seven sons, all zealously engaged in the cause of liberty. Himself an acting magistrate, and a committee of safety, watching the disaffected and encouraging the loyal part of the community.

/ " Three of his sons, and two sons-in-law, fell in the Wyoming massacre. Himself died the winter following. One son served during the war, the others served in the Continental army for shorter periods.

" Let any person at this time of general prosperity of our country, reflect back on the troubles, trials and suffering of a conquered country by a savage enemy. Men scalped and mangled in the most savage manner. Some dead bodies floating \ down the river in sight of the garrison. Women collecting together in groups, screaming and wringing their hands, in the greatest agony; some swooning and deprived of their senses. Property of every description plundered and destroyed, buildings burned, the surviving inhabitants dispersed, and driven through the wilderness, to seek subsistence wherever they could find it. This, sir, is a faint description of Wyoming destruction in

1778. The savages continued their depredations in a greater or less degree, until 1782.

" Lest I intrude on your patience, will conclude. " I am, with respect, your humble servant,

" Samuel Gore."

The venerable man received his pension and was much comforted by it during his surviving years. He died in 1836. The petition and letter are copied verbatim.

While the battle was raging, and the women and children were in the fort for protection, Mrs. Gore, the anxious mother, Avas watching at the door of the fort, to hear the first report that should arrive ; she was told by one who approached her that three of her sons, Asa, Silas, and George, were slain; and that John Murphy and Timothy Pierce, her two sons-in-law, were lying by them all scalped, tomahawked, and mangled corpses! Who can conceive the agony of this mother as she exclaimed, " Have I one son left? " She died many years ago, and a monument has recently been set over her grave, together with that of her son,* Obadiah Gore, and his wife, by their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The next day after the battle, when the fort was pillaged, all the feather-beds that could be found, the labor of many a careful mother and daughter, were carried out near the bank of the river, and there opened for the merriment of the savages, and the feathers scattered to the winds.

They went to Mr. Gore's house, built a fire in

* Obadiah and Asa married sisters — Avery.

the hall, and stood by it until it was enveloped in flames, and the distressed family dared not whisper an objection. The feathers of the " Wyoming Bed " were gathered up by the children of the family, placed in the first case they could find, and secreted while the Indians were sacking the fort.

There was great wailing as one after another came in, bringing appalling reports from the battle-field, while the savages were entertaining themselves by a general confiagration of the buildings in the settlement, and the despairing inhabitants were fleeing.

In their terror, dismay, and haste, the family procured a horse, threw this bed across it, and started for the Delaware, seventy miles through the wilderness, called the " Shades of Death." The old people and the little ones rode alternately, and thus they pressed on their way, in hushed silence. One of the children hurt her unprotected feet, and cried aloud. From terrible necessity, the heavyhearted mother said, " Stop crying, child, the Indians will be after us." The little girl was quiet, and trudged • along without complaining. There were scenes of suffering among the fugitives all the way, such as cannot be described. Hunger, sickness, and death were common.

An infant child of Mrs. Fish died on the way. The mother could not bury it in the wilderness lest the wolves might devour it. She therefore carried it in her arms twenty miles to a German settlement, where it was buried.

An aged lady of 85, who has just died, said she was born in Mr. Stroud's barn, on the way to Delaware, just after the massacre, and there were many such cases.

The Wyoming Bed was ever an object of great interest to the children, and often, while making it, and turning it over, we imagined an Indian inside of it, and springing to the floor, would make rapid flight, with more than fancied terror.

The bed has been preserved, and is still among our treasures. Little Francis Slocum, Ave years old, was taken from her mother's side, carried into perpetual captivity, and never heard from until she became so accustomed to Indian life that she preferred it to that of returning to live with her friends, who heard from her, and went to her after a separation of near sixty years, and endeavored to persuade her to return to her friends at Wyoming. But no arguments could prevail with her to go home with them. She preferred to be the Indian Queen of the Miamees. The language seemed to be:

" Let me stay at my home in the beautiful West, Where I played when a child : in my age let me rest, Where the bright prairies bloom, and the wild waters play. In the home of my heart, dearest friend, let me stay."

Her own account of her captivity was, " After the Indians took me to the woods, ' Tack Horse ' dressed my hair in Indian fashion, and painted my face; he then dressed me up, and put on me beautiful wampum beads, and make me look very fine. They were very kind to me." Thus she was diverted, and as they were passing up the river, in the canoe, to Tioga, where they took their captives, this little one was allowed to amuse herself by paddling in the water, and when on land to practice with her little bow and arrow, for entertainment. In 1789 Mrs. Slocum made a journey to Tioga Point, hoping to find her child among some prisoners who were to be surrendered — but she found her not.

Frances died in 1847, and had a Christian burial, at the " Deaf Man's Village," near Fort Wayne, Indiana. This touching account is given at length in Mr. Pike's history of Wyoming.