A guide book of art, architecture, and historic interests in Pennsylvania
History
A guide book of art, architecture, and historic interests in Pennsylvania
Architecture -- Pennsylvania; Art -- Pennsylvania; Historic buildings -- Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania -- Guidebooks; Pennsylvania -- History
The Moravian missionaries, David Zeisberger and Gottlob Senseman, were
the first white men who dwelt here, long before the county was formed;
they migrated with the Indians from Bradford County, through Forest
County, and were the greatest missionary power to them. They were
visited by Glikkikin, a renowned warrior of great eloquence, who with
his escort, purposely tried to refute the doctrines of Christianity;
they were received by Anthony, a native convert, who treated them
courteously and made such an impressive speech on Christian doctrine
that he astonished the visitors; Zeisberger, coming in then, confirmed
his words, and Glikkikin, instead of delivering his speech, replied: “I
have nothing to say. I believe your words.”
On return to his town, he advised the savages to go hear the Gospel; he
made them another visit, informed them that he had determined to embrace
Christianity, and invited them, in the name of his chief, Packauke, to
settle on land on Beaver River, near his town Kaskaskünk, now New
Castle; this land was to be for the exclusive use of the mission. The
offer was accepted, and on April 17, 1770, they left Oil Creek in
fifteen canoes; in three days they reached Fort Pitt, proceeded down the
Ohio to Beaver River, and ascended that river to the locality given, now
Moravia, passing an Indian village, near present Newport, of women, all
single and pledged never to marry.
When encamped, they sent an embassy, Zeisberger, and Abraham, a native,
to Packauke, who were received by the chief at his own house; he gave
them welcome and pledged protection; they built houses, cleared land,
planted, and prepared for winter. The Indians began to visit them, the
Monseys from Goshgoshünk were the first to cast their lot with the
Christian Indians; Glikkikin soon came and became a Christian force.
Finally the Monseys adopted Zeisberger into their tribe; the ceremony
took place at Kaskaskünk; they invested him with all the rights and
privileges of a Monsey; this proved a complete triumph and was the
source of much good influence among Indians. White settlers began to
come after Wayne’s Treaty of Greenville, in 1795.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account