BISHOP A. G. SPANGENBERG'S JOURNAL OF A
JOURNEY TO ONONDAGA IN 1745. Berks & Schuylkill Northumberland County PA Part
May 24. We set out from Bethlehem, Brother Huber
accompanied us to our first night's encampment, which was
in the woods under a tree.
May 25. Arrived in Heidelberg, where we spent the
day.
May 26. Reached Tulpehocken. As Conrad Weiser
was not yet prepared for the journey, we called on friends.
We lodged at Michael Schaeffer's.
May 27. Bro. Spangenberg having determined to
advise the Governor of his journey, wrote him a letter, to
which Conrad Weiser added a few lines, and dispatched it
by John Joseph.
May 28. Bro. Spangenberg called on Pastor Wagner,
who is in charge of the Lutherans. Spent the night with
George Loesch. His wife assisted us in completing our
tent.
May 30. At Michael Schaeffer's Bro. Spangenberg
found Bro. John Joseph, who had returned with letters
from Philadelphia and Fredericktown ; he had traveled one
hundred and forty miles in three days. Gov. Thomas sent
greetings through Bro. Brockden, and that he approved of
my journey to the Six Nations. Our company met at
Christopher Weiser's, Conrad's brother. In the afternoon
we set out from Tulpehocken with Conrad Weiser and his
two sons. Michael Schaeffer accompanied us for a few
miles, and Philip Meurer and Bro. Nieke to our first night's
encampment. After traveling ten miles we came to Kitta-
tiny Hills (BLUE MOUNTAIN Ft. Henry Road to rt. 501), which are high and rocky, and difficult for horses
to climb. On reaching the top we came to " Pilger Ruh," (Pilgrims rest) (Top of Blue Mtn. along 501)
where we dismounted and rested. After descending we
entered Anton's Wilderness, (Pine Grove Twp) where we pitched our first
tent, built a fire, pastured our horses, partook of a light
supper and retired to rest. ("The Old Feeding Place") ( North Pine Grove, accross creek from Cycle shop) Our course to-day was N. W. (Towards Lincoln & Jeffs Swamp, Up to joliett, & Keffers, )
Observations: Noticed certain plants and roots, e. g. 1.
A certain plant which, with its root, is used for snake bites
— has blossoms like ''geese flowers." 2. Steer's root, as
the English call it, good for colic. 3. Hypocacooana, good
for vomiting. 4. Mountain tea.
May 31. Arose early, looked up our horses, took a little
breakfast, and then continued our journey in the Name of
God Our Saviour. Bro. Meurer and Nieke returned to
Tulpehocken, with letters to Mary Spangenberg at Beth-
lehem. After passing the Great Swatara, we climbed the
Thurnstein, (Broad Mountain) a high mountain, rocky, and almost impassable (between Lincoln & Joliett)
for horses. On the summit we refreshed ourselves at
Erdmuth's Spring, (Good Spring or Joliett) which flows through the valleys until
it empties into the Susquehanna. We were four hours in
crossing the mountain. At " Ludwig's Ruh," (Hegins near the bridge on Grove Drive) at the foot
of the mountain, we nooned. Here Laurel Creek ( Pine Creek) flows
past. After dinner our course was N. W. We passed
through Anna's Valley, (Hegins Valley, from hegins, to Valley View, to
Sacramento, to Fearnot, to eardman to klingerstown) beautiful and pleasing to the eyes, which lies in among- the hills.
At the Double Eagle, (Klingerstown) on
Benigna's Creek,(Mahantongo Cr.) we passed the night.
June 1. We set out early, crossed the Leimback, and
came to Jacob's Heights, the place where Bro. Jacob Kohn
lost Bro. Ludwig's Hebrew Bible, and subsequently found
it. At noon we reached " Cool Bank," on the Susquehanna,
where we dined on a mess of fish caught by Bro. Zeisberger.
Hence we passed through Joseph's Valley. Here four large
snakes, stretched on a fallen tree, opposed the brethren
who were leading the horses, and for a long time would
not budge. At " Marienborn " we rested, and afterward
reached the '' Spangenberg." The descent was perilous to
limb and life ; came to Eva Creek, and thence to Shamokin
to Shikellmy's house. We found neither him nor Andrew
Montour at home. The former had gone to the mill, a ride
of forty miles, and the latter was out hunting. We were
told that two ministers and an Indian had been lately here
— probably it was the Presbyterian Brainerd, and his inter-
preter Tatami. He had assembled the Delawares in
Shikellmy's house, and (as Shikellmy's people told us)
informed them that on Sundays they should assemble as
the whites do, and pray as they do. Hence he would build
a house for that purpose, and stay with them two years.
That the Governor had given him orders to that effect, and
he would be glad to see the Indians hearken to him. To
this Shikellmy said : " We are Indians, and don't wish to
be transformed into v/hite men. The English are our
Brethren, but we never promised to become what they are.
As little as we desire the preacher to become Indian, so
little ought he to desire the Indians to become preachers.
He should not build a house here, they don't want one."
They departed for Philadelphia the next day.
June 2. This morning Conrad Weiser dispatched a
messenger per horse to Shikellmy, for him to return with-
out delay, as we were waiting for him to guide us to Onon-
daga. Bro. Spangenberg called to see Shikellmy's daugh-
ter's child, a girl of fifteen years, who has had the fever
and ague over two weeks. He gave her some fever pow-
ders, and soon the fever left her. They are fine people.
Bro. Joseph also went over to the island, to visit Madam
Montour from Canada, who lately with her family had
become Indianized. Sattelihu's sister had a boil on her
neck, on which Spangenberg laid a plaster to soften it,
Bro. Joseph wrote to his wife. In a conversation with
Conrad Weiser, he proposed that the Moravians should send
a good blacksmith to live in Shamokin, to serve the Indians.
" These," said he, " would be glad, and agree to all reason-
able conditions ; the Governor, also, would not object." We
will take the matter into consideration. In regard to Wyo-
ming — Weiser yesterday expressed himself thus : " That
he deemed the exile of the Indian converts from Shecomeko
necessary for the salvation of the other Indians from their
misery." We must await developments at Onondaga.
June 3. Joseph and Conrad crossed the river to visit
the Indian King who lives there, and had the honor to smoke
a pipe with him. Spangenberg also visited Andrew Sat-
telihu's sister, and bled her, and bound up the boil which
had discharged freely. Shikellmy's grandchild has had a
relapse, having eaten bear's meat and fish. The Indians
have no regard for advice as to diet. A runner was sent
after Andrew Sattelihu, who is hunting on the West Branch,
to return at once, to go with us to Onondaga. Philip and
Frederick Weiser returned home to-daj^ and took our letters
to Michael Schaeffer for delivery. Visited John Hickman,
an intelligent Indian, and also his neighbor Daniel, w^ho
formerly lived in Tulpehocken. A number of the Indians
who reside here, had removed from Tulpehocken when their
lands were sold. Conrad Weiser stated that the proprietor
had recently written to him, that he should associate some
one with him who was conversant with Indian affairs, who
would in time be competent to succeed him. Query.
Whether not some of the Moravians — say David Zeis-
berger — to go and spend some time in the Six Nations to
acquire the language, with also the recommendation of
Governor Thomas?
http://www.archive.org/stream/moravianjournals00beau/moravianjournals00beau_djvu.txt
JOURNEY TO ONONDAGA IN 1745. Berks & Schuylkill Northumberland County PA Part
May 24. We set out from Bethlehem, Brother Huber
accompanied us to our first night's encampment, which was
in the woods under a tree.
May 25. Arrived in Heidelberg, where we spent the
day.
May 26. Reached Tulpehocken. As Conrad Weiser
was not yet prepared for the journey, we called on friends.
We lodged at Michael Schaeffer's.
May 27. Bro. Spangenberg having determined to
advise the Governor of his journey, wrote him a letter, to
which Conrad Weiser added a few lines, and dispatched it
by John Joseph.
May 28. Bro. Spangenberg called on Pastor Wagner,
who is in charge of the Lutherans. Spent the night with
George Loesch. His wife assisted us in completing our
tent.
May 30. At Michael Schaeffer's Bro. Spangenberg
found Bro. John Joseph, who had returned with letters
from Philadelphia and Fredericktown ; he had traveled one
hundred and forty miles in three days. Gov. Thomas sent
greetings through Bro. Brockden, and that he approved of
my journey to the Six Nations. Our company met at
Christopher Weiser's, Conrad's brother. In the afternoon
we set out from Tulpehocken with Conrad Weiser and his
two sons. Michael Schaeffer accompanied us for a few
miles, and Philip Meurer and Bro. Nieke to our first night's
encampment. After traveling ten miles we came to Kitta-
tiny Hills (BLUE MOUNTAIN Ft. Henry Road to rt. 501), which are high and rocky, and difficult for horses
to climb. On reaching the top we came to " Pilger Ruh," (Pilgrims rest) (Top of Blue Mtn. along 501)
where we dismounted and rested. After descending we
entered Anton's Wilderness, (Pine Grove Twp) where we pitched our first
tent, built a fire, pastured our horses, partook of a light
supper and retired to rest. ("The Old Feeding Place") ( North Pine Grove, accross creek from Cycle shop) Our course to-day was N. W. (Towards Lincoln & Jeffs Swamp, Up to joliett, & Keffers, )
Observations: Noticed certain plants and roots, e. g. 1.
A certain plant which, with its root, is used for snake bites
— has blossoms like ''geese flowers." 2. Steer's root, as
the English call it, good for colic. 3. Hypocacooana, good
for vomiting. 4. Mountain tea.
May 31. Arose early, looked up our horses, took a little
breakfast, and then continued our journey in the Name of
God Our Saviour. Bro. Meurer and Nieke returned to
Tulpehocken, with letters to Mary Spangenberg at Beth-
lehem. After passing the Great Swatara, we climbed the
Thurnstein, (Broad Mountain) a high mountain, rocky, and almost impassable (between Lincoln & Joliett)
for horses. On the summit we refreshed ourselves at
Erdmuth's Spring, (Good Spring or Joliett) which flows through the valleys until
it empties into the Susquehanna. We were four hours in
crossing the mountain. At " Ludwig's Ruh," (Hegins near the bridge on Grove Drive) at the foot
of the mountain, we nooned. Here Laurel Creek ( Pine Creek) flows
past. After dinner our course was N. W. We passed
through Anna's Valley, (Hegins Valley, from hegins, to Valley View, to
Sacramento, to Fearnot, to eardman to klingerstown) beautiful and pleasing to the eyes, which lies in among- the hills.
At the Double Eagle, (Klingerstown) on
Benigna's Creek,(Mahantongo Cr.) we passed the night.
June 1. We set out early, crossed the Leimback, and
came to Jacob's Heights, the place where Bro. Jacob Kohn
lost Bro. Ludwig's Hebrew Bible, and subsequently found
it. At noon we reached " Cool Bank," on the Susquehanna,
where we dined on a mess of fish caught by Bro. Zeisberger.
Hence we passed through Joseph's Valley. Here four large
snakes, stretched on a fallen tree, opposed the brethren
who were leading the horses, and for a long time would
not budge. At " Marienborn " we rested, and afterward
reached the '' Spangenberg." The descent was perilous to
limb and life ; came to Eva Creek, and thence to Shamokin
to Shikellmy's house. We found neither him nor Andrew
Montour at home. The former had gone to the mill, a ride
of forty miles, and the latter was out hunting. We were
told that two ministers and an Indian had been lately here
— probably it was the Presbyterian Brainerd, and his inter-
preter Tatami. He had assembled the Delawares in
Shikellmy's house, and (as Shikellmy's people told us)
informed them that on Sundays they should assemble as
the whites do, and pray as they do. Hence he would build
a house for that purpose, and stay with them two years.
That the Governor had given him orders to that effect, and
he would be glad to see the Indians hearken to him. To
this Shikellmy said : " We are Indians, and don't wish to
be transformed into v/hite men. The English are our
Brethren, but we never promised to become what they are.
As little as we desire the preacher to become Indian, so
little ought he to desire the Indians to become preachers.
He should not build a house here, they don't want one."
They departed for Philadelphia the next day.
June 2. This morning Conrad Weiser dispatched a
messenger per horse to Shikellmy, for him to return with-
out delay, as we were waiting for him to guide us to Onon-
daga. Bro. Spangenberg called to see Shikellmy's daugh-
ter's child, a girl of fifteen years, who has had the fever
and ague over two weeks. He gave her some fever pow-
ders, and soon the fever left her. They are fine people.
Bro. Joseph also went over to the island, to visit Madam
Montour from Canada, who lately with her family had
become Indianized. Sattelihu's sister had a boil on her
neck, on which Spangenberg laid a plaster to soften it,
Bro. Joseph wrote to his wife. In a conversation with
Conrad Weiser, he proposed that the Moravians should send
a good blacksmith to live in Shamokin, to serve the Indians.
" These," said he, " would be glad, and agree to all reason-
able conditions ; the Governor, also, would not object." We
will take the matter into consideration. In regard to Wyo-
ming — Weiser yesterday expressed himself thus : " That
he deemed the exile of the Indian converts from Shecomeko
necessary for the salvation of the other Indians from their
misery." We must await developments at Onondaga.
June 3. Joseph and Conrad crossed the river to visit
the Indian King who lives there, and had the honor to smoke
a pipe with him. Spangenberg also visited Andrew Sat-
telihu's sister, and bled her, and bound up the boil which
had discharged freely. Shikellmy's grandchild has had a
relapse, having eaten bear's meat and fish. The Indians
have no regard for advice as to diet. A runner was sent
after Andrew Sattelihu, who is hunting on the West Branch,
to return at once, to go with us to Onondaga. Philip and
Frederick Weiser returned home to-daj^ and took our letters
to Michael Schaeffer for delivery. Visited John Hickman,
an intelligent Indian, and also his neighbor Daniel, w^ho
formerly lived in Tulpehocken. A number of the Indians
who reside here, had removed from Tulpehocken when their
lands were sold. Conrad Weiser stated that the proprietor
had recently written to him, that he should associate some
one with him who was conversant with Indian affairs, who
would in time be competent to succeed him. Query.
Whether not some of the Moravians — say David Zeis-
berger — to go and spend some time in the Six Nations to
acquire the language, with also the recommendation of
Governor Thomas?
http://www.archive.org/stream/moravianjournals00beau/moravianjournals00beau_djvu.txt
