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1774, Between Apr 30 and May 21 - Extract of a Journal of the United Bretheren's Mission on Muskingum, 1774

Extract of a Journal of the United Bretheren's Mission on Muskingum, 1774. From February 21st [April 30th] to May 20th, 1774.

April 30th. Youngman & Schebosch returned from Pittsburg who brought Information that the Government was changed and the place now belonged to Virginia, That they were afraid of the Shawanese and it was supposed they fall upon the white People below the Ohio and opposite them, but the Message from Sir Wm. Johnson is come to all the other Nations warning them not to join the Shawanese.

May 6th. Several Indians from Mochwesung came to visit us and we received the account that one Shawanese Chief on Ohio was killed by the white people, and another wounded. It seems an Indian war will break out. We hear the Virginians on Ohio threaten to fall upon the Shawanese Settlements and to destroy their Towns.

[May] 8th. In the Evening arrived an Express from Gekelemukpechunk with the disagreeable News that the white people on Ohio had killed 9 Mingoes and wounded two, the Messenger arrived making a terrible Noise as it is usual in war time, he had also a Message from the Shawanese which the Chief of Gekelemucke sent to us to take Notice of, "that their Grandfather the Delaware Nation should not be "concerned, but be easy and quiet, let the Traders trafick among "them, and not hurt them or any white people in that quarter" that the women should continue to plant untill they could further "see what would happen." This seems to signify as if they intedned to keep the Road to Pittsburg clear, and not hurt the Pennsylvanians, but only to contend with the Virginians.

May 9th. In the evening arrived Mr. Anderson and another white man in Company with the Indian Chief White Eye who came from Pittsburg, and went towards the Shawanese, little wanted, or these Messengers would have fallen into the Hands of the Mingoes who had fled from the other Side of Ohio, and kept by the Road leading to Gekelemuckepuck, But'some of our Indians going from here to Kaskaskum warned them so that they turned off the common Road and arrived here safely. They are sent to make another Trial to persuade the Shawanese to peace and to desist from all Hostilities, So as we now hear it is a gang of white people on Ohio who committed the Murdes of the Indians, and the people of Pittsburg don't believe that they were acting by order of the Governor of Virginia, they have also kill'd some Traders because they carry Merchandize & Ammunitino to the Indians. We also heard that many People about Pittsburg and below on the Ohio have fled to the Settlements.

May 15th. In the Morning arrived a Messenger inviting some of our Indian Brethren to a Council at Gekelemuckepuck, at the Return of one of them we heard that the Shawanese and Mingoes had left Gekele, &c, very angry and threaten to kill all white people they met with. These Mingoes about 20 in Number were present at the aforesaid Massacre at Ohio, stirring up the Shawanese who have not suffered much, but the Delaware will do their utmost to hinder them. The Indians at Gekel, &c, have taken all the white people there within protection, and keep a watch in the Night that they may not be surprized.

[May] 18th. Another of our Indians returned from the Council who brought an imperfect account but some hopes that all would turn out well, The Chief has spoke to the Shawanese who have heard him and promised to give their answer this day.

[May] 19th. A Messenger arrived from Mr. Croghan at Pittsburg to the Delawares, Mingoes & Shawanese, advising them to be quiet, not to think of war, and not hurt the Traders, that the people of Pittsburg did their utmost to apprehend the white people that have committed the murder, and that they had taken one of them.

May 20th. The rest of our Indians returned and brought the agreeable news that the Shawanese had accepted of the proposals made to them, so that we hope peace will be re-established, and that they will not hurt the Traders among them, but rather assist them, that they may return to their Friends. There were about 50 Delawares & Monsy's in their first days Journey from Gekelemuckepuck arriving to Mochwesung were mostly Monsy's live, they see them dance the war dance, and they said how they heard war was declared for some of the Mingoes had passed by having a white Scalp, three of our Brethren who were of the Monsy Nation told them to leave of and keep to the Resolves of their own Nation and of the Delawares.

Extract of the Missionary's Letter, dated May 21st, 1774

"This moment we are informed that another Company of Traders "from the lower Shawanese Country have arrived Gekelemp: "whom we expect to receive here this night, and from hence they "will proceed to join the others.

Sources:

Pennsylvania Archives, Series 1, Vol. 4, Pennsylvania Archives 1774, Page: 495-497, Extract of a Journal of the United Bretheren's Mission on Muskingum, 1774. View @ Footnote