The first of four pages of the Charter issued to William Penn in 1681 for the Colony of Pennsylvania. The portrait (or cartouche) in the upper left corner is of King Charles II.
Early Colonial history in the area known today as Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, is told by Joseph H. Zerbey in Volume 4 of his History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County, beginning on page 1596. This chapter also states how the area known today as the Lykens Valley was specifically obtained from the Indians. The Tulpehocken Path and other Indian trails as well are included in the chapter. The book is available as a free download from the Internet Archive.
Today, some of the terminology used by Zerbey is considered racist, e.g., the words “savage” or “red men” to describe Indians. It is very rare in the time period that this was written to find any writings sympathetic to Indians.
Note also that the community referred to as Shamokin, is presently called Sunbury, and the community referred to as Millersburg, is presently called Bethel.
__________
EARLY COLONIAL HISTORY
CHAPTER II
The Charter conveying title to what is now the State of Pennsylvania was granted by King Charles II of England to William Penn in 1681 for a consideration of 16,000 pounds in extinguishment of a claim against the government of Great Britain.
In the autumn of 1682, Penn visited the province in the New World, took formal possession of the territory along the Delaware Bay, proceeded up the Delaware River and visited the settlements on its banks.
In the latter part of the year 1682 the first legislative body in the province was convened by the proprietor, who, though he was vested with all the powers of a proprietary Governor, saw fit in the furtherance of his original plan, to adopt a representative form of governmenet.
The first meeting of the general assembly was held at Chester on the fourth of December and continued till the seventh of December, 1682.
The wise, just and generous policy which Penn adopted in the administration of the government of his province made him exceedingly popular, and the tide of immigration from Europe shifted so strongly toward the province which he founded, that during the year 1682, twenty-three ships laden with settlers arrived.
When the province was granted to Penn no township or county organization existed. There was no need for these agencies of government because the settlements were limited and confined to the environs of the Delaware River.
The arrival of Penn marked the dawn of government. Within a month after his arrival, he caused three counties to be laid out, Bucks, Chester, and Philadelphia. County government then began and county representation in the Provincial Assembly was inaugurated. In these counties he appointed officers and made preparations for the election of a representative legislature.
Immediately after Penn had obtained his Charter for the Province, and had started the administration of its affairs, he negotiated with the Indians for the purchase of their lands. He regarded them as the rightful owners of the territory by virtue of their possession. Both he and his successors in their dealings with the Indians treated the Charter which he was received from the King of England as a grant of the right of pre-emption only, and by treaties and purchases at different times extinguished the Indian title to such portions of the province as were required for settlement by the influx of immigrants.
Most of the early settlers of the Province were Germans. Those who first emigrated came principally for conscience sake, but those who came later sought to improve their temporal as well as their spiritual condition.
The influx of Germans into the province began in large numbers in 1708. During the succeeding twelve years, thousands, known as Palatines, because they had come from the Palatinate in Germany, settled in New York and Pennsylvania.
The Palatinate embraced a section in the upper part of the Rhine Valley. With the revocation of the Treaty of Nantes in 1685, hundreds of Huguenots, were forced to flee from France, to escape religious persecution. They found a haven amongst the people of the Palatine, but only for a brief period.
The armies of France invaded the protestant Palatine countries, burned the towns of the inhabitants and drove thousands of these unhappy people into exile. Most of the refugees fled to England for protection, and at one time more than ten thousand were quartered in the streets and parks of London. By the fall of 1709 not less than 15,000 of these exiles had come to England. Their plight was distressing. Without proper food or clothing, there was untold suffering and privation among them.
Their misfortune was brought to the attention of Queen Ann of Great Britain, and she was so moved by their misery, that she resolved to assist them.
In the fall of 1709, ten vessels were fitted out to carry nearly three thousand to America. Most of these landed in Philadelphia and settled in the south-easterly part of Pennsylvania.
Some of the exiles sailed from Plymouth, England, in the spring of 1710 and landed in New York, June 10th of that year.
A considerable number of these refugees settled near what is now Newburg on the Hudson. Lands were leased to some of them by the authorities of the province, but most were put to work clearing the land and raising crops to pay for their passage.
They were later ousted from their lands when the title deeds were found fraudulent and subsequently settled in the Mohawk and Schoharie valleys of New York State.
Here they built houses and improved lands and were seemingly prosperous, when the authorities informed them of the neglect to comply with the formalities of the law. They had secured permission from the Indians to occupy the land, but their titles were defective, and as a result they became involved in difficulties with the government. After long and trying litigation, leaders in the Mohawk and Schoharie settlements, heard of William Penn‘s desire for settlers in Penn’s land. They were told of the fertile country, at the base of the Kittatinny or Blue Mountains, drained by Tulpehocken and Swatara Creeks, which now constitutes part of the Lebanon Valley.
In the spring of 1723, sixty German families of the Schoharie and Mohawk valleys decided to move to Pennsylvania. They set out in a southwesterly direction, forging their way to the headwaters of the north branch of the Susquehanna River in central New York state. Here they built rafts and canoes and freighted their families and household goods to the mouth of Swatara Creek where Middletown is now located. From there they slowly worked their way up the Swatara until they were opposite the Tulpehocken Valley. They landed there and crossed gravel ridge where Mt. Etna is now located in Lebanon County and descended the eastern slopes to Tulpehocken Creek. They established the center of their settlement where Mill Creek empties into the Tulpehocken near Stouchsburg.
In 1729, about a dozen more families left the settlement in the Schoharie Valley and following the path of the earlier emigrants, came to the Tulpehocken region to establish permanent homes.
Among these was Conrad Weiser who was destined to become one of the most prominent characters in the early history of Berks County.
In his eighteenth year, while residing with his father at Schoharie, Weiser went to live with Indians for a year, returning to his father’s home in July 1714. During his sojourn with the Indians he acquired a considerable knowledge of the Mohawk language, and during the succeeding years he increased this knowledge by serving as an interpreter.
Conrad Weiser and his wife, their two sons, Philip Weiser and Philip Weiser and three daughters Anna Weiser, Madlina Weiser and Maria Weiser, located on a thousand-acre tract of land about half of a mile east of the present borough of Womelsdorf.
Soon after he became established in the Tulpehocken region his ability and success as an interpreter became known to the Provincial government, and the governor employed him constantly as an agent in negotiations with the Indians. He attended the great council house at Philadelphia regularly and represented the proprietaries at the making of numerous important treaties. he was appointed to the position of Justice of the Peace by the Governor of the province in 1741 and continued to serve in this office until Berks County was created in 1752, when he was appointed one of the first judges. He acted as president judge until he died in 1760.
He was one of the most prominent military figures in the French and Indian War, serving with distinction as a Lieutenant Colonel by commission of Governor Morris. He commanded the second battalion of the Pennsylvania regiment, and had charge of the major defenses in Eastern Pennsylvania.
When settlements were first started by the Germans in the Tulpehocken region they found the countryside peopled by the Indians. They established their homes in the midst of them arousing the immediate opposition of the Red Men.
Chies Sassoonan, who was also named Allumapees, sachem of the Schuylkill tribe of Indians, complained of the intrusion of the German settlers. At the council held at the great meeting house at Philadelphia, June 5, 1727, the aged chief in addressing Secretary Logan of the proprietary government, said he was growing old and was troubled to see the Christians settle on lands that had not been purchased from them.
This was in violation of the policy established by William Penn, who placed the sale of lands and the formation of new settlements in Pennsylvania under control of a Board of Land Commissioners, who were not allowed to sell, nor grant permission to settle on lands until they were purchased from the Indians.
The continued influx of German immigrants between 1725 and 1735 created new problems for the officers of the new colony. Each year marked the extension of the settlements until the frontiers were actually pushed to the base of the Blue Mountains. The prospect of further expansion induced the land commissioners to conduct negotiations with the Indians and in 1732, by a deed to John Penn, Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, title was acquired to all the lands “lying on or near the River Schuylkill or any of the branches, streams, fountains, or springs thereof” between the “Lechaig” (Lehigh) hills “and the Kekachtanemin hills” (Blue or Kittatinny Mountains), and between the branches of the Delaware on the eastern and those of the western side.
In 1736 a deed was executed to the same proprietaries of the Susquehanna River and all lands lying on both sides of it, “eastward as far as the heads or branches or springs which run into the said Susquehanna, and all the lands lying on the west side of said river to the setting of the sun, and to extend from the mouth of said river northward up the same to the hills or mountains called in the language of the said (Six) Nations, Tyannuntasacha or Endless Hills, and by the Delaware Indians the Kekkachtananin Hills.”
These deeds included the territory between the affluents of the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers below the Blue Mountains, which now form the southerly boundary line of Schuylkill County. The latter deed brought the Tulpehocken colony under the authority of the colonial government.
It cannot be determined with certainty when the first settlers crossed the Blue Mountain and established themselves along the Swatara and its tributaries. It is known, however, that the advance was made by settlers from the Tulpehocken before 1749, while the region was still in the possession of the Indians. The history of the country south of the mountain repeated itself. The hardy pioneers who settled in Pine Grove pushed forward in advance of treaties and located at great risk in the wild region along the Swatara and its tributaries. In fact the settlements were so numerous that complaint was made by the Indians to the provincial government.
Early in 1749 the grand council of the Six Nations at Onondaga discussed the settlements north of the Blue Mountain and sent a duputation of chiefs from each of these nations to Philadelphia to complain, amongst other things, that settlements had been made by the whites in the section that was later organized as Brunswick and Pine Grove Townships. The complaint of unlawful settlements was urged on behalf of the Indians by the chiefs of the Senecas, Onondagas, Tutatoes, Nanticoke and Conoy Indians.
In pleading their cause, they pointed out that no excuse could be offered for the violation of treaty agreement. “As our boundaries are so well known and so remarkably distinguished by a high range of mountains,” they stated, “we could not suppose this could be done by mistake; but either it must be done wickedly, by bad people, without the knowledge of the governor, or the new governor has brought some instructions from the King or the proprietaries relating to this affair whereby we are to be be much hurt. The governor will be pleased to tell us whether he has brought any orders from the King or proprietaries for these people to settle our lands; and if not we earnestly desire that they be made to move instantly, with all their effects, to prevent the sad consequences which will otherwise ensue.”
The governor assured them that the trespasses would be stopped and gave them many presents. The matter of removing the settlers was too serious to be dealt with lightly, and the provincial council, after investigation, agreed after numerous conferences, that the interests of the province demanded the purchase of the tract of land north of the Blue Mountain extending from the Delaware on the east to the Susquehanna on the west. The proposal was submitted to deputies representing the Six Nations and the subordinate tribes at the great council held at Philadelphia in mid-August 1749. The offer to purchase was made on August 18th and on August 22, 1749, it was accepted and a deed given to the proprietaries, Thomas Penn and Richard Penn.
The tract was thus described:
“Beginning at the hills or mountains called in the language of the Five Nation Indians the Tyannauntasacha or Endless Hills, and by the Delaware Indians the Kechacntany Hills (Blue Mountain) on the east side of the river Susquehanna, being in the northwest line or boundary of land formerly purchased by the said proprietaries from the said Indian Nations by their deed of the eleventh day of October, Anno Dom One thousand seven hundred and thirty-six; and from thence running up the said river by the several courses thereof to the first or nearest mountain to the north side of the mouth of the creek called in the language of the said Five Nation Indians, Cantagny, and in the language of the Delaware Indians, Maghonioy; and from thence extending in a direct line to be run from the said mountain in the north side of the aid creek to the main branch of the Delaware River at the north died of the mouth of the creek, Sechawshsin; and from thence to return across Sechawshsin aforesaid down the River Delaware by the several courses thereof to the Kekachtain Hills aforesaid; and from thence by the range of the said hills to the place of beginning.”
The tribes represented and the Indian Chiefs who signed were:
- ONEYDERS (Oneidas) – Anuchnaxqua; Saristagnoah; Watshatuhon
- SHAMOKINS – Tachneedorus; Sagoguchiathon; Cachnaora; Katack-ke
- CAYUIKERS (Cayugas) – Tawis Tawis; Kacnoarsaacha; Ta Kachquontas
- SHAWANES – Backsinosa
- TUSCURROROWS – Tyierox; Ralichwananachshy
- MOHOCKS – Peter Ontachsax; Christian Diaryhogon
- ONONTAGERS – Canasarege; Sataganackly; Kanalshyiacayon
- DELAWARES – Nutimus; Qualpaghach
- SINICHERS (Senecas) – Cayianockea; Hanatsany; Agash Tass; Caruchianachqui
The consideration was 500 pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania. The tract of land conveyed included all of Schuylkill, Carbon and Monroe Counties, the northerly part of Dauphin County, and the southerly parts of Northumberland, Columbia, Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties.
Subsequent to the agreement most of the Delaware Indians left the great region north of the Blue Mountains for thousands of square miles, departing with the avowed intention of remaining away.
The location and establishment of the first settlements in Pine Grove Township were influenced by the various Indian trails that entered and traversed the wilderness between the Schuylkill and the region west of the Swatara. This region before the advent of the white man, was named, “St. Anthony’s Wilderness,” and is so designated on the early maps of the colony. The Indian trails provided the only avenues of travel before public roads became established.
Prominent among the Indian trails was a widely traveled pay which followed Swatara Creek northward through Swatare Gap at Inwood to Suedburg where it divided. The easterly path continued along Swatara Velley to the present site of Pine Grove Borough where it joined the Tulpehocken trail. The westward path followed Mill Creek to a point near the school house at Ellwood where it divided. One continued along Mill Creek, passing through the gap at High Bridge and continuing over the mountain near Kalmia into Williams Valley. The other crossed the mountain near Ellwood Station and joined the former trail near Kalmia Colliery. There was a secondary trail that left the Tulpehocken Trail at St. Peter’s Church in Pine Grove and continued over the hills where it joined the trail that passed over the mountain near Ellwood station. These trails converged with the main trail in the Williams Valley.
The Tulpehocken Trail afterward designated as “the Old Sunbury Road,” was the best known and probably the most important path traversing the region north and south of the mountain.
This trail so frequently referred to in the journals of Conrad Weiser and the early Missionaries, led from Reading through the Tulpehocken region, thence along the route of the Millersburg Road across the Blue Mountains. It crossed the Swatara Creek south of the present borough of Pine Grove, thence northward on the westerly side of the Swatara through the gap in Sharp Mountain. The path crossed Broad Mountain, passing a little east of Keffers, thence down its northern slope into Pine Valley through what is now the town of Hegins. It continued down the valley to a point where it crossed Mahantongo Mountain and valley to Shamokin, now Sunbury.
There was an Indian trail still nearer the Susquehanna that led from the Lebanon Valley through Indiantown Gap and then across the Blue Mountain at Cold Spring on the Schuylkill and Susquehanna branch of the Reading Railroad, thence across Sharp and Stony Mountains to what is known as the Sand Spring in Clark’s Valley and thence north by west across Peter’s and Berry Mountains to near the early improvement of Andrew Lycan in Lykens Valley. The trail passed out of the county by way of the present site of Uniontown [Pillow] in Stone Valley thence to Shamokin (Sunbury).
At the outbreak of the French and Indian War, the region which later comprised Pine Grove Township, was sparsely settled. The territory included all of the present townships of Pine Grove, Wayne, Washington, South Manheim, Tremont and that part of North Manheim west of the Schuylkill River.
Most of the settlements were contiguous to the Indian paths that traversed the region. The most numerous were along Swatara Creek and extended from Green Point in Lebanon County as far north as the present borough of Pine Grove, in what is now called, Swatara Valley.
Early land purchases, indicate the sale of mountain lands on the north side of the Blue Mountain along the Tulpehocken Trail soon after 1750, and the establishment of settlements along Little Swatara Creek as far east as Rock, as early as 1745.
A small colony was founded near Hammond and Moyer’s Station along the Shamokin Trail. This important path crossed the mountain midway between two places, and continued its winding way to Long Run, and thence north-easterly to a point near Cressona, where it joined the main trail that followed the Schuylkill.
The first settlements in what now comprises Pine Grove Township and Pine Grove Borough were made along the foot of the Blue Mountain, and extended from Stanhope to the lower part of Swope’s Valley. Clearings were established near Seudburg, and along the Tulpehocken Trail as far north as the northerly part of the borough.
Most of the earliest settlers were Germans. Some of these were indentured for their passage, and, after working their terms of indenture, crossed the mountain from the Tulpehocken region where they squatted on the domain of the Indians. German immigrants, pressed by want of funds, likewise encroached on the lands of the Indians, and made clearings where they hoped to live.
The names of most of these early settlers are unknown, but the names of others have been preserved in the writings of that period, which deal so intimately with the local history of the French and Indian War.
________________________________________________
Image of the Penn Charter is from the Pennsylvania Archives.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.