THE Settlements at Wyoming have been visited by so many calamities, and the inhabitants have so frequently been carried into captivity, that most of those papers from which a regular and circumstantial narrative of its early history might have been formed, have been destroyed; and altho' there are still living many who were actors in most of the principal scenes, yet there are none who bore a part in all. And the chain of events, where there are not documents to connect them, depends on the recollection of various individuals who frequently differ from each other concerning the same particulars. In the following compilation the author has endeavored to relate such facts only as are supported by indisputable testimony; and if, as is very probable, he is not in every instance correct, he relies with confidence upon the indulgence ofa liberal public, who are competent judges of the difficulty attending the acquisition of truth amidst a mass of error and misrepresentation. Wyoming, July 11, 1818. Since the MS. of the following pages came into the hands of the Publisher, he has been furnished with a Journal kept by Col. JOHN JENKINS during the time of the most serious disasters at Wyoming. The writer was particular in giving dates, &c. By this Journal, that part of the book which relates to the battle of Wyoming, has been carefully revised and corrected. The Publisher has also been furnished with the Journal of a sergeant-major in Sullivan's army which has aided in establishing the correctness of some parts of the narrative) SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF WYOMING. CHAPTER I. Description of Wyoming Valley-Remains of ancient fortifications-Etymology of the nameIndian Tribes-Indian tradition-DelawaresMonceys-Mingoes- Shawanese-Removal of the Shawanese from the Ohio-Their arrival at Wyoming Treaty with the Six NationsSpeech of Connassatego-Arrival of the Delawares at Wyoming-Arrival of Count Zinzendorf-His reception-Plot to assassinate him— Arrival of the Nanticokes-Disagreements between the English and French-The Six Nation's take part with the French-Battle between the Delawares and Shawanese-Removal of the Shawanese- -Gnaddenhutten built- Tadeuscund elected King of the Delawares-Fort Allen taken Gnaddenhutten burnt-General Congress at Albany-Removal of the Nanticokes-Massacre at Shamokin-Braddock's defeat-Revolt of the Delawares-First Treaty at Easton-Speech of Tadeuscund-Fort Oswego taken by the French -General Treaty at Easton. IT has been remarked by a celebrated historian*, that in the infancy of Society men are occupied with the business of the present hour, 66 *Gillies. "forgetful of the past, and regardless of the fu "ture;" and the experience of all ages and countries undoubtedly affords abundant testimony to the truth of this declaration. There are however, perhaps, few instances in which it has been more forcibly exemplified, than in a struggle to form a settlement among the mountains of the new world. That territory, the history of which, is attempted to be sketched in the following pages, has never been celebrated either for its extent or power; unless indeed, it may have been among the tribes composing its aboriginal inhabitants, of whom very little is now known, but of whom relicks have been found indicating a people of more importance than those tribes who subsequently occupied the country. That however, which renders it particularly worthy of notice, is the unexampled sufferings of its early settlers; and the frequent destruction of its infant settlements; subjects which have excited the notice of many modern historians, and have more recently been the theme of a celebrated English bard.‡ WYOMING is the name given to a beautiful Valley situate along the river Susquehanna in the North Eastern part of the State of Pennsylvania. It is about three miles wide, and twenty-five miles long, and is formed by two ranges of mountains nearly parallel to each other, extending from the North east to the South west. These mountains contain +Campbell. |