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VISIT OF JOHN EVANS, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO PEIXTAN.

Peixtan (Harrisburg) is frequently spoken of in the Colonial Records. From these we learn that Honorable John Evans, Lieut. Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, in company with Messrs. John French, William Tonge, Michael Bazallion, one Mr. Gray, and four servants, visited Peixtan in June, 1707. The following is the journal of this visit:

"On Tuesday, the 1st July, 1707, we went to Conestoga, and lay there that night, and the next morning proceeded on our journey, and arrived in the evening within three miles of an Indian village called Peixtan. The Governor had received information at Pequehan, that one Nicole, a French Indian trader, was at that place, against whom great complaints had been made to the Governor, of which he acquainted the chief Indian at Peixtan, as also of his design to seize him, who willingly agreed to it; but advised the Governor to be very cautious in the manner, there being only young people at home, who perhaps might make some resistance if it were done without their being told of it. For this reason we lay short of the village that night; but early in the morning we went within a half mile of the town, and, leaving our horses, marched afoot near the same, from whence the Governor sent Martine to the village, ordering him to tell Nicole that he had brought two kegs of rum with him, which he had left in the woods, for fear any Christians were there; and withal to persuade Nicole to go with him and taste the rum. Martine returned with James Letort and Joseph Jessop, two Indian traders, but could not prevail with Nicole. Upon which Martine was sent back, with orders to bring down some Indians, and Nicole with them. Then we drew nearer to town, and laid ourselves in the bushes; and Martine returned with two Indians, whom the Governor acquainted with his intention of taking Nicole, telling at the same

time that he had spoken with the uncle of one of them upon that head, who ordered the Indians to submit to the Governor's commands, with which they were contented; though we perceived too well the contrary, by their inquiring how many we were, and how armed, and the concern they seemed to be in when they found we were in more number than they. But still Nicole was wanting; it was therefore resolved to try once more if he could be got into the woods. Accordingly, Martine went again to the place, and brought Nicole where we lay concealed, and asking him to drink a dram, he seized him; but Nicole started from him and run for it, when immediately we started out and took him, and presently carried him to the village, (Peixtan,) through which we were obliged to pass; and there we found some Indians with guns in their hands, who looked much displeased at what we had done; but being in readiness against any surprise, they thought it not fit to attempt anything. Here we staid about half an hour, and then started for Turpyhocken, [Tulphocken,] having mounted Nicole on a horse and tied his legs under the belly; we got within a mile of Turpyhocken about two of the clock. On Friday morning about seven, the Governor went to the town; from thence we went to Manatawney that night, and the next day to Philadelphia.”

It will be perceived by the date of the above incident that it transpired about twelve years previous to the time fixed for the settlement of John Harris in this vicinity. The village (Peixtan) alluded to was evidently the Indian town previously mentioned as having existed on the low ground below the site of the present borough.

A CLEARING COMMENCED BY HARRIS, AT THE MOUTH OF THE JUNIATA RIVER.

By the following extract from the Colonial Records, it appears that John Harris was desirous of extending his trading

operations further westward, and with this view had commenced clearing land at the mouth of the Choniata (Juniata) river, about 1732 or 1733:

"JUNE 19, 1733.

"At a Council held at Philadelphia, Shickalamy, a chief, by Conrad Weiser, as Interpreter, asked whether the Proprietor had heard of a letter which he and Sassoonan sent to John Harris, to desire him to desist from making a plantation at the mouth of the Choniata, where Harris has built a house and commenced clearing fields.

"They were told that Harris had only built that house for carrying on his trade; that his plantation, on which he has houses, barns, &c., at Peixtan, is his place of dwelling, and it is not to be supposed he will remove from thence; that he has no warrant or order for making a settlement on Choniata.

"Shekallamy said that though Harris may have built a house for the convenience of his trade, yet he ought not to clear fields. To this it was answered that Harris had only cleared as much land as would be sufficient to raise corn for his horses. Shekallamy said that he had no ill will to John Harris; it was not his custom to bear ill will; but he is afraid that the warriors of the Six Nations, when they pass that way, may take it ill to see a settlement made on lands which they had always desired to be kept free from any person settling upon. He was told in answer that care should be taken to give the necessary orders in it."

* "Shekallamy was an Indian of much consequence among the Five Nations. He was the father of the celebrated Logan. It appears he was a Cayuga Sachem, and styled by Loskiel, 'First Magistrate and head Chief of all the Iroquois Indians living on the banks of the Susquehanna, as far as Onondago.' He died at Shamokin, his residence, in 1749. He had been a great friend to Moravian Missionaries."—I. D. Rupp's History of Dauphin County.

HARRIS' REAL ESTATE POSSESSIONS.

George W. Harris, Esq., a great grandson of John Harris, relates "that the latter was once offered by the Penns all of the land from the western shore of the Susquehanna to Silver Spring, and extending across the Cumberland Valley from mountain to mountain, for £5,000. He offered £3,500, and refused to give more. At his death he owned about 900 acres of land, including the present site of Harrisburg; also 200 acres on the opposite shore, mostly owned by Judge Hummel, and including the old ferry-landing and Gen. Simpson's place below Yellow Breeches creek, extending to the South mountain, including Shreiner's Island; and seven or eight hundred acres at the mouth of the Conodoguinet creek, on the upper side, once the site of an Indian town."

PRESENCE OF MIND AND BRAVERY OF HARRIS' WIFE.

The same gentleman also narrates the following anecdotes of Esther, the wife of John Harris, which establishes the promptness and energetic character of that lady:

"The mansion house, situated on the river bank, as before mentioned, was surrounded by a stockade, for security against the Indians. An English officer was one night at the house, when by accident the gate of the stockade was left unfastened. The officer, clothed in his regimentals, was seated with Mr. Harris and his wife at the table. An Indian entered the gate of the stockade and thrust his rifle through one of the portholes of the house, and it is supposed pointed it at the officer. The night being damp, the gun simply flashed. Instantly, Mrs. Harris blew out the candle, to prevent the Indian aiming a second time, and he retreated."

Watson, in his "Annals," alludes to this affair as follows:

"We hear, says the editor of the Pennsylvania Gazette, July

20, 1758, from Harris' Ferry, that on Sunday night last, as Mr. Harris and some people were sitting in a room, a gun was attempted to be fired at them through a loop-hole, but luckily it happened not to go off, upon which the neighborhood was alarmed by some guns from the fort, and the next morning the track of an Indian was seen."

A DANGEROUS CANDLESTICK.

"It has been observed that John Harris kept articles for trade with the Indians. At one period, Mrs. Harris had an Irish girl in her employ. On one occasion she was sent up stairs for some purpose, and she took with her a piece of lighted candle, without a candlestick. The girl soon came down without the candle, and on Mrs. Harris asking her what she had done with it, replied she had stuck it into the barrel of Flaxseed. This, however, happened to be a barrel of Powder! Mrs. Harris instantly rose, and without saying a word, for fear of alarming the girl, went up stairs, and advancing to the barrel, cautiously placed her hands under the candle and lifted it out, and then coolly reproved the girl for her carelessness.

AN INDIAN'S REVENGE.

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"A party of Indians from the Susquehanna, at one time went off on a war or predatory excursion against the Southern Indians. In the course of the expedition a hostile Indian was killed, and one of his relatives determined upon revenge. is said to have come from the Catawba, in South Carolina. came alone, and eventually reached the bank of the river opposite the present site of Harrisburg. He there secreted himself to observe the fording place, and watching an opportunity of glutting his revenge. Having observed the ford, below the island now owned by General Foster, he one night crossed the river, and cautiously approached the Indian town a short dis

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