Historical and Philosophical 
Society of Ohio. 



Zeisberger s Diary, 

1781-1798. 



NEW SERIES VOL. III. 



6oh)h)iffee of 



JULIUS DEXTER, 
ROBERT CLARKE, 
MANNING F. FORCE. 



DIARY 



OF 



DAVID ZEISBERQEE 



A MORAVIAN MISSIONARY 



AMONG THE INDIANS OF OHIO 



TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL GERMAN MANUSCRIPT 

AND EDITED 



BY 
E U G K N K F. BLISS 



II 



CINCINNATI 
HUBERT CLARKE CO 

FOR THE HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF OHIO 
1885 



E12 



THE INDIAN CHURCH 

IN THE 

WESTERN PART OF NORTH AMERICA, 1789. 



CHAPTER IX. 

NEW SALEM, ON THE HURON, OHIO (PETTQUOTTING). 

Thursday, Jan. 1. Br. Michael preached about Jesus, 
our Saviour, who came to heal the wounded, to seek the 
lost, and to save sinners. Then the baptized brethren had 
a service from last year s text : Grace be unto you and 
peace from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus 
Christ, whereby they were admonished to give and offer 
themselves up to him anew with their whole heart, to do 
with us as he pleased, to hold us fast in faith in him ; 
thus would the God of peace be with us. We commended 
ourselves anew to him, to his faithful guard and to the 
care of the Holy Ghost ; we awaited confidently all good 
ness from him, that in his mercy he would think of us 
and help us on our way, and that in the bad outlook of 
the times he would aid us and show us the way we 
should go, if again we were to take the pilgrim s staff; 
of this among the brethren nothing was heard, they for 
got their miserable life and earthly needs from the com 
fort the Saviour sent to our hearts. Through the whole 
day the brethren and the children came to greet us. We 
could read upon their faces an easy and cheerful look. 
An unbaptized woman with her husband, who has been 
here for some time, though not belonging here, goes now 
regularly to the meetings, though before they avoided 



jvi78850 



.them, and : the : woman especially was touched. Another 
woman, Jacob Cook s wife, who often shed tears during 
th^ s^rvices,^ said : " I do not very well understand what is 
said, but one thing I have heard and retained, namely, 
whoever there understands and feels that he is a sin 
ner, he has a Saviour that can help him and cheerfully 
will; such a one am I, therefore I believe he will, perhaps, 
have mercy upon me," and she wept sore. With her spoke 
also Br. David, and when she thus wept, her child a year 
old looked at her and wept heartily too. 

Saturday, 3. When last evening the brother of the 
Tawa chief with another man came here, and we heard 
that the chief lay with his people the other side of San- 
dusky Bay, having nothing to eat, we collected several 
bushels of corn, also tobacco, and sent them to him and 
his people. He had been on the way to us, but could not 
get over the bay, the ice not being strong enough, and 
had to remain behind encamped there. We heard he was 
on his way to Sandusky to find out why the nations had 
not gone to the treaty, and will himself go there, having 
learned that they have not stood by the resolve of the 
Council of the Miami, but departed therefrom, though 
there they had all voted for peace. We still hope he can 
bring it to pass that there will be no open and general 
war. 

Sunday, 4. David preached about the story of the mur 
der of so many innocent children in Bethlehem. Edwards 
held the congregation meeting. 

Tuesday, 6. At morning prayer we commended our 
selves to the grace of the heathen s Saviour, asked for his 
near presence and blessing for to-day (Epiphany) in all our 
services. Then was the service for the baptized from last 
year s text to this effect, that the mystery of our redemp 
tion is now made known through the prophets and the 
preaching of the Gospel, since the Saviour came into the 
flesh, to which we also, now that it is made known to us, 
should be obedient. In the afternoon was a love-feast, at 
which, there being many new people with us, it was ex 
plained why we celebrate on this day the feast for the con- 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 3 

version of the heathen, and the history was related. Br. 
Edwards made an end with a short address from the 
Scripture-verse and with the blessing of the church. The 
Saviour made himself known to us. There was a blessed 
feeling of his presence at all our services. We could have 
no baptism, though we had candidates, but either their 
husbands or their wives were not at home. This made us 
sad and we could hardly bear it. 

"Wednesday, 7. From Pittsburg came Mr. Bobbins with 
another man on their way to Detroit, and both had been 
longer than three weeks on their road here on account of 
high water. We were forced to send them food when 
they were still a day s journey from here, encamped on a 
creek which they could not cross, for they had nothing to 
eat. We had hoped since now there are so many oppor 
tunities from the Fort hither, to get letters or the Script 
ure-verses for this year, which we knew to be on their 
way, but we got nothing. We had now a chance to do 
good to Mr. Bobbins, who had shown us much kindness 
during our captivity in Sandusky, and had taken us 
especially Brs. Edwards and Michael Jung into.his house 
for several weeks, and entertained us, and to entertain 
him. This we did too, the more willingly that now he is 
very poor and has nothing in his possession. 

Thursday, 8. By Indian acquaintances from Sandusky 
we learned that the outlook is not so bad about the treaty 
on the Muskingum as we had heard, but that after Joseph 
Brant had several times exchanged letters with the Gov 
ernor, the latter finally answered him that he had nothing 
to do there at the treaty, it were better he went home, 
whereupon he, with several Mingoes, went back, but many 
are going there, the Wyandots, Delawares, Tawas, Chip- 
pewas, Shawanos, etc., so that we can yet hope that some 
thing good will occur. 

Saturday, 10. Renatus, the Mohican, came from hunt 
ing. He lost old Michael, who was with him, and has 
since not been found. It is conjectured that he went away 
and froze to death, for it soon became very cold, and he 



4 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

had when he went out little clothing, and had not taken 
with him his hatchet. 

Sunday, 11. Br. Edwards preached about the Gospel: 
And when he was twelve years old. Then the large hoys 
had a blessed service on their day, at which the Saviour 
made himself known, and a fine feeling was to be observed 
among them. In the evening David held the congregation 
meeting, when he sang some new verses, which had been 
translated, which treated of the Holy Ghost. His scholars 
soon came to acquaint themselves with them, and he wrote 
them out for them, for they can read writing as well as 
print, though they cannot write. They have a peculiar 
spirit in learning. They spend day and night over their 
books. Married brothers and sisters with three and four 
children go to school, and we cannot refuse them. The 
need is at hand we have long foreseen and feared, that if 
school should once begin, suitable books would be lacking, 
useful for them to read. We have been thinking about 
this, and make preparation to prepare something for print 
ing, yes, we wish we had something already, for it is much 
to be feared they will have to wait for them. Those who 
attended school on the Muskingum and are now married 
and have children, have not forgotten what they learned, 
the} 7 can read, and those who lately began with their a b c 
have in a few weeks learned to read. Thus among the 
Indians no trouble and labor, however little, is in vain ; it 
aids them, is for their good and future well-being, and to 
the Saviour brings honor and joy. 

Monday, 12. The brethren got wood for us. 

Wednesday, 14. A deep snow fell, hitherto there hav 
ing been little of it this winter, so that the hunters cannot 
do well without snow-shoes and get any thing. 

Thursday, 15. David, the Indian, came home from 
hunting, who, with his company, was absent during the 
holidays. 

Friday, 16. David baptized to-day the child of a savage 
woman, Frank s wife, that was very weak, with the name, 
Nathan. The mother, who is also very low, has been here 
since autumn, and not quite without movement in her 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 5 

heart, but on account of her husband, who is away hunt 
ing, she cannot yet quite make up her mind, not being free. 
Sunday, 18. Michael preached and David held the con 
gregation meeting. An Indian was here two days ago 
from his hunting in the bush, and yesterday went to an 
Indian brother here to liear something, but as he asked 
many questions and got very short answers, he was soon 
disposed of, for he believed the Indian merely wanted to 
find out every thing from curiosity s sake, but this was 
afterwards shown not to be so, for to-day, in the afternoon, 
which they had free on account of snow-squalls, there were 
no services till evening. Samuel went to Abraham s house, 
where several brothers and sisters were together, and when 
he began to speak the house was soon full and many had 
to stand outside. There came then old Beata, asking to be 
let inside, saying she would like to be saved. After a time 
came the above-mentioned Indian, who managed to get as 
far as in front of Samuel, and listened to him. He so di 
rected his discourse that he thought the Indian would re 
ply to him, or at least ask him questions, for he spoke 
about the ignorance and blindness in which the Indians 
live, knowing nothing of their Redeemer and Saviour; 
they put their trust and confidence in their sacrifices, idols, 
and superstitious, which help them yet not at all ; in their 
pretended worship of God they merely bring about their 
eternal damnation, which pleases Satan well enough, whose 
will they do with all pleasure. The Indian listened, but 
said not a word till, he came home to Boaz, his brother, 
and the latter s mother, an unbaptized woman. Then he 
began, and said: "I have heard all sorts of astonishing 
things, the like of which I had never heard in my life. 
Now I am convinced it is the truth. I must keep silent, 
lay my hand upon iny mouth, and say it is the truth. 
And this is not all I think, but here will I dwell and also 
so live. I also should like to be saved." He said to his 
brother and mother that they should go and tell what his 
mind was. They replied that he must do this himself. 
He said: " That will I too," but that they should first do 
it. He came, therefore, 



6 

Tuesday, 20, himself to Br. David, asking for reception. 
The assistants spoke about it with him, and advised him 
to bring his wife, who last summer wanted to live here, 
whom the doctors advised to come here, where she would 
get well. This, too, he was glad to do, the sooner the 
better. 

Wednesday, 21. Mr. Bobbins went away to Sandusky, 
after being here two weeks. 

Sunday, 25. David preached and held the communion 
quarter- hour, which was announced for Saturday. Ed 
wards held the congregation meeting. 

Tuesday, 27. We had a conference with the assistants 
about Renatus, the Mohican. It was laid upon them to 
search his things, which they did. We have lately heard 
all sorts of strange, disagreeable things about Satan s 
witchcraft among the Indians, which is very frequent. 
When we lived on the Muskingum, we heard there, now 
and then, something about like works of darkness, but it 
bore no comparison to what there is here. We see very 
well that Satan has here still great power, and we have also 
examples and indications that it has had effect upon some 
of our young women, who thereby come to harm, and are 
led astray. We have then to do with a bad kind of 
heathen, with whom we have to use foresight, and whom 
we have to watch well, that our youth be not seduced and 
the like come among them. For the savages, especially 
the women, gladly seek to strew abroad the wicked seed, 
which easily takes root with young people, for the tinder 
of nature still lies in them, and destruction is thereby 
brought about, and the Indians cannot well bear tempta 
tion. 

Saturday, 31. After the brethren- had been before 
spoken with, the communicants enjoyed the body and 
blood of the Lord in the holy sacrament. Two sisters, 
Mary Elizabeth and Lyclia, who some time ago came back 
to the church, were readmitted, to their unspeakable bless 
ing and the joy of all the brethren. Two, namely, Abra 
ham and Benigna, Samuel s daughter, were candidates. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 7 

For three days now the weather is the coldest we have 
had this winter. 

Sunday, Feb. 1. After the communion liturgy, Br. Ed 
wards preached and Michael held the congregation meet 
ing. Sudden sickness seized David, hut it soon passed 
off. Our Chippewa visited us here again, who was now 
come home from hunting, who, we had heard, had been 
so burnt by an explosion of powder that he would hardly 
get well, but he is pretty well cured. He was talking 
always of wishing to bring to us his family and all his 
friends. 

Tuesday, 3. Wyandots came here from Sandusky and 
stayed over night. The assistants spoke with Pemitsch- 
ischen and his wife, and made, peace between them. 

Wednesday, 4. Chippewas, from Huron River over 
the lake, came here to find out what the prospect was 
about the treaty, having heard that all who went there 
had been taken prisoners, which news Brant had brought 
to them, but this we neither knew nor had heard of. 
This Brant has for some years secretly labored to extir 
pate the Delawares, and on this account, has urged the 
Chippewas, Tawas, etc., to begin war with them. This 
plan, secretly formed, became manifest last summer, and 
at the same time found its end, for it came to naught. 
He then worked for this, that the nations should begin war 
afresh with the States, with the hope that in this the Del 
awares would be extirpated and blotted out. Since now the 
Governor has sent him home, and told him he had noth 
ing to do at the treaty, he has not very well succeeded. 

Friday, 6. A couple of white people, who, last autumn, 
went over the lake, leaving cattle here, came in two days 
time over the lake on the ice to get them. 

Saturday, 7. The assistants spoke with Moses and his 
wife, likewise with Mary Elizabeth, Reriatus daughter. 

Sunday, 8. Michael preached, David held the congre 
gation meeting. Two, namely, Tscholi and the son of 
John Cook, who came home yesterday out of the bush 
from his journey, announced themselves for baptism. 
A Chippewa chief, from Machinaw, whom we knew in 



8 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Cuyahoga, where, for a considerable time, he encamped 
near us, and had received from us much kindness, came 
back from the Muskingum, where he went three weel^s 
ago, but we could not learn much about the treaty, that 
was trustworthy, except that the Chippewas had declared 
for peace, but that the Wyandots must first give up their 
prisoners, which they were now doing, having sent men 
from there to fetch them ; that the States claimed the land 
and would not yield it. It appears, then, that we shall 
have no Indian war, at least, not a general war. More 
exact information we expect to hear from Grelelemend, 
when he comes, for he is now there. This chief knew 
nothing of him. 

Monday 9. Edwards held morning service. Susanna, 
Adolphus wife, gave birth to a daughter early to-day. 
The brothers yesterday spent half the night with a couple 
of strange Indians, who were come here out of the bush 
from hunting, praising to them the Saviour and his re 
demption. They gave out that .in the spring they /would 
come to us. They were present at the services and were 
very attentive. One of them, a counsellor, related that 
Pipe had spoken with the Wyandots in regard to us, it 
being asked, among other things, what they held about 
the believing Indians, and when they knew not how to 
answer the question at once, Pipe himself answered and 
said : " We have a model and example in them." Where 
upon they applauded and said : " Yes, that is true. We 
think so too." Thus also must Indians many times say 
somewhat and speak out what at another time they would 
not have said. 

Tuesday, 10. In the early service, which Br. David 
held, the little daughter of Adolphus and Susanna, born 
yesterday, Hannah, was baptized into Jesus death. 

Wednesday, 11. Weschnasch came in from hunting, all 
whose horses, on account of high water, have died in the 
bush. 

Thursday, 12. Gelelemend came back from the Mus 
kingum, whence he has been three weeks on the way. By 
him we got from there the Scripture- verses for this year, 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 9 

which, from letters, we had already long known to be on 
the way. Thus much we can depend upon as to how the 
treaty has gone. Certainly no perfect peace has been con 
cluded, since they were not all there, yet an agreement 
has been come to with those who were present, and the 
Wyandots, who have surrendered their prisoners, will 
have peace, likewise the Delawares and Indians this side 
of Gigeyuuk, Chippewas, etc., so that we can hope there 
will be no common war, and if the farther nations shall 
now be quiet, none at all ; that the States, in regard to the 
land, yield nothing, but wish to claim it. 

Gelelemend was nearly killed, was insensible for sev 
eral days and for three weeks in bed. Smaau freed him 
self and ot off well. 

O 

Friday, 13. Chippewas, who come from the Mus- 
kingum, and were present at the treaty, came here to get 
correct information as to what had been discussed and 
treated of there, for they, as they said, had heard and un 
derstood nothing, but had comforted themselves, that 
their grandfather, the believing Indians, would tell them 
every thing, which also the brethren did. 

Sunday, 15. We had with the Indian church a blessed 
day, when our dear Lord very graciously made himself 
known to us. Br. Edwards preached. In the afternoon 
meeting, after a discourse upon our day s text : I can do 
all things through Christ which strengtheneth me, a single 
man, Israel, the first child baptized on the Ohio, now 
twenty years old, and also two large girls, were taken into 
the church. In the service for the baptized, whicl} followed, 
about the Scripture-verse, absolution was given to David 
and his wife, Salome, who came to us last autumn from 
Gigeyunk. Both the reception and absolution caused 
much joy and awakened much praise and thankfulness to 
our dear Lord. 

Tuesday, 17. We had once again to endure a sad oc 
currence. We heard that one of our sisters, Anna Eliza 
beth, who has here in the church a husband and three 
children, wanted to marry a Chippewa. We spoke with 
her, but she denied it all, saying she knew nothing of it. 



10 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

The thing was, however, afterwards stopped, so that noth 
ing came of it. 

Wednesday, 18. Two Frenchmen came from Detroit, 
one a smith, with whom we were acquainted, and a third, 
also from Sandusky Bay. The smith brought ironware 
here and sold it for corn, and the next day went back 
again. 

Thursday, 19. Mingoes came here from the Muskingum, 
on their way to Niagara, where they live, to whom we 
had to give food for their journey; also several Delawares. 

Friday, 20. Anna Elizabeth at last left us. We always 
thought she would get over her difficulty, but all was in 
vain, though the assistants and we too took every care. 
In the evening was the betrothal of the two single people, 
Israel, Luke s son, and Salome, Joshua s daughter. The 
assistants spoke with Pemitschischen about his disorderly 
conduct. 

Saturday, 21. Israel and Salome were married. 

Sunday, 22. Michael preached. Mr. Abbot came from 
Detroit with another man, and as they were going to 
Pittsburg, we wrote to the church. We heard now that 
peace had been made and that the nations have come back 
satisfied and peaceful from the treaty. This was refresh 
ing and pleasant news to us. A. Elizabeth s three chil 
dren were taken from her and placed elsewhere. 

Monday, 23. David held early service. The white peo 
ple set out for Pittsburg, Thomas going with them as 
pilot. 

Tuesday, 24. Early in the morning at sunrise four suns 
stood in a circle in the heavens till nine o clock. All the 
Indians stood and wondered at the phenomenon, and 
some of them asked if the end of the world was at hand. 

Wednesday > 25. Some made the beginning of going to 
the sugar-places, but this whole month it has been se 
verely cold and has frozen worse than during the whole 
winter. 

Friday, 27. An Indian, a counsellor, came back from the 
Muskingum here, from whom we got certain information 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 11 

about the treaty, better than we had yet heard. There is 
peace, and the nations, well content, have dispersed. The 
Governor had also said to them, after all was over, that 
Congress had given the believing Indians their three 
towns, with so much land, and that he wished to invite 
them to settle there again, to which the nations offered no 
opposition. While now we have trustworthy news, we 
made it known to the brethren, to their unanimous pleas 
ure and joy. 

Sunday, March 1. Br. David preached and then con 
ducted the communion quarter-hour, announcing to the 
communicants the Lord s supper for next Saturday. 

Thursday, 5, and Friday, 6. There was speaking with 
reference to the communion, when there was much to be set 
right, but the Saviour sent grace, so that this time only 
one remains away. 

Saturday, 7. The communicants had the most blessed 
enjoyment of his body and blood in the holy communion. 
Two, namely, Abraham and Tobias, partook for the first 
time. Six, namely, two young men, Israel and Anthony, 
and four sisters, Anna Regina, Salome, David s wife, 
Esther, and Sophia, looked on for the first time. It was 
a communion especially blessed, and accompanied->with the 
Saviour s near presence. 

Sunday, 8. After the communion liturgy was the ser 
mon, and in the afternoon meeting, three adults and one 
child were baptized, namely, Luke s daughter s husband, 
with the name Simon, John Cook s son, with the name 
Isaac, and his wife, Rebecca, likewise their child, six weeks 
old, which was born here, with the name Martin. This 
ceremony was accompanied with the near presence of the 
Holy Trinity. Strangers and inhabitants shed many tears. 
A couple of white people from Detroit, who came here 
yesterday, on their way to Pittsburg, and had been pres 
ent at the services, said afterwards to some of our people 
that they had seen to-day what they had never seen .in 
their lives before, and they showed the greatest respect 
and regard for all this. We observe that people see and 
must bear witness that the Christian Indians have not that 



12 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

name vainly and to no purpose. The people in Detroit, 
except the French, have neither church nor worship of 
God. With this Isaac, who was baptized, there was a 
singular instance, a case of a sort we have never had. His 
father said that he was baptized as a child, though he was 
himself in doubt whether the baptism was valid. He was 
in the bush hunting, far away from any settlement, and 
this his son, then a little child, became very sick, so that 
he thought he would die. There came to him two French 
traders, who asked him if he would let his child be bap 
tized, saying that perhaps he would die. He replied : 
" Where shall I get him baptized ? There is here no 
preacher, and before I can get to one my child will long 
have been dead." One Frenchman said he would baptize 
him, for he had already seen people baptized, and knew 
how it was done. And, as the father of the child did not 
refuse, the two Frenchmen took the child, but what they 
did with him no one saw. They brought him back again, 
said he was baptized, and was named Jacob. We could 
not grant the validity of the baptism by a private person, 
and, still more, a very bad man, for what the traders are 
and what their character is, we know only too well. We 
declared*the baptism insufficient. On the other hand, old 
John Cook was baptized by a French priest, and this bap 
tism we let avail. 

Monday, 9. After the early service, which David held, 
the brethren were told they could go undisturbed to their 
labor in their sugar-camp, and were exhorted to be indus 
trious and to observe the time, so that in four weeks they 
could be together again. We heard much that was cheer 
ing about the effect the baptism had upon those still un- 
baptized. Some were cast down, who had announced 
themselves for baptism, that they must still wait, whom 
we urged to be patient Gelelemend, for instance. A 
woman, who does not belong here, but who has been here 
wi.th her husband for some time, could not, for weeping, 
control herself. Others did not sleep all the night, from 
thoughtfulness and reflection. Other strangers said they 
did not like to go to our meetings, they became so restless, 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 13 

and yet had no idea of being converted, therefore they 
avoided attending the meetings. 

Tuesday, 10. Most of the brethren went away to their 
sugar-huts, and the town became very deserted. 

Friday, 13. After the early service from the Scripture- 
verse : I will make a new covenant with the house of 
Israel, riot according to the covenant which I made with 
their fathers, a messenger came with the news that 
A. Charity on her way to the sugar-huts, eight miles 
from here, had fallen ill three days before, and had not 
since got up ; that she was so bad she would hardly re 
cover. It is a sort of sickness which prevails not only 
here, but everywhere among the Indians. We sent help 
to the sisters with her, but in the afternoon, before evening, 
another messenger came with the new r s that she was al 
ready departed. The body was brought here the next day. 

Saturday, 14. We sent out to summon the brethren to 
bury the corpse, and many came in. From Gigeyunk came 
an Indian, who had another message from the Delaware 
chief there for us, but since few of the brethren were at 
home, and there was also no time, he had to wait. 

Sunday, 15. Michael preached from the Epistle : Be ye, 
therefore, followers of God, as dear children, and in the 
afternoon was the burial of the remains of A. Charity, at 
which nearly all were present. 

Anna Charity came with her husband, Jeremy, to the 
brothers, 1760, just as they came to Goschgoschiink on 
the Ohio, 1 and heard the Gospel for the first time, she was 
dead in heart, but suffered and endured reproach and 
scoffing from the savages there, when it was a hard and 
dark time. She was baptized Jan. 21st, 1770, went in the 
spring with us to Languntoutenlink, 2 continuing blessed in 
the grace she had found and kept. Jan. 6, 1771, she came 
to the enjoyment of the holy communion, one of the first 
three on the Ohio to share this mercy. She was with us 
in 1772 when Schonbrunn was settled, and also in the year 

lr riiis place was really on the Alleghany River, Venango Co., Pa. 
2 On Beaver Kiver, Lawrence Co., Pa. 



14 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

76 at the founding of Lichtenau. In December, 1778, she 
became a widow. In the year 79 she moved again with 
the church to New Schonbrunn, where, in October of 
the same year, she was married to Luke, the present 
widower. She was chapel servant and assistant, had gifts 
and tact also ; if any work had to be done for the sisters, 
she was the" first, and was loved. She lost, however, much 
of this, for she came away from her h.eart, and was no 
longer what she had been, although exertion was always 
made to bring her to the right track. In the year 82, when 
the Indian church lost its laborers and teachers, who were 
taken away to Detroit, she moved with her husband to 
the Shawano towns, from where in the spring of 1783 
[May], she came to us again over the lake, on Huron 
River, but it was not easy for her, and she had to wait 
long before corning again to the enjoyment of the Lord s 
supper. In the year 86, when we were in Cuyahoga, on 
account of lying stories, she went away with her husband 
and others. She soon came back to us, and remained till 
we broke up from Cuyahoga, but to no purpose. They 
remained through the winter here in Pettquotting. The 
year after, in 87, they returned to us, when we came 
here. She could not, however, come to herself again, and 
sinful ness was hard upon her, but she at last became meek, 
so that it was intolerable, for her, and she turned to the 
Saviour, as a poor sinner, asking forgiveness and pity, and 
he took her again to grace. She came the 13th of last 
August to the holy communion, was then again easy in 
mind and cheerful. It could be seen she had found peace 
before his eyes. At the last speaking before the commun 
ion, a week ago, she was content, and spoke so feelingly of 
her heart that we took particular notice of it. Four days 
ago she went with sisters to the sugar-camp, but the snow 
was still deep and there was nothing but water. On their 
way they passed a night in the open air, when she became 
ill, complaining of pains in the breast, and her illness grew 
worse the next and the third day. The sisters with her 
asked her at the beginning of her illness if she thought she 
should die. She answered, no, she thought not, but when 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 15 

she became worse, she said she should go, and g6 quite 
willingly. She was not quite well when she set out, and 
said to some sisters that perhaps she should die, and not 
come back again. Since autumn, when also she had a 
bad sickness, she has often spoken about death; she be 
lieved she should not be here long below, and it was as if 
she was always making herself ready for death. Thus 
her soul took wing, very quickly, after an illness of three 
days, and on her account we were much consoled. The 
Saviour has done well in taking her to eternal rest and 
safety with himself, at a good and suitable time, out of this 
wretchedness. 

The assistants came together to hear the Indian s mes 
sage, for which most of them had slight inclination, and 
would rather not hear it. They said : " What good can 
we expect to hear from Gigeyunk " (Fort Wayne) ? It 
had to happen, however, and must be listened to. The 
message of the chief was as follows : " My friends, often 
when we are assembled in our councils, taking to heart and 
considering the welfare of our young people, ye should 
also be present, and I wish I had you again near me. I 
am troubled about you, especially as I have heard that 
the Indians, or nations, were told at the treaty that ye 
would move to the Muskingum and dwell again in your 
towns. I have no faith in the Virginians. They speak 
fine words, their heart is foul, therefore I do not wish that 
ye should be betrayed by them and be enticed thither, 
where the bones of your slaughtered friends still lie in 
heaps, unburied, and where ye also would suffer the same. 
Therefore I am distressed, for I am always fearing that 
some morning I shall hear the dreadful news that ye are 
already there, or on the way thither. I should then like 
to hear from you what your intention is and upon what 
ye have resolved." Thereupon followed a string of wam 
pum. As we knew something about this beforehand, and 
understood pretty well the contents of the message, and 
the assistants had learned already our disposition, they 
answered his speech with his own string, without first go 
ing apart, and said : " Friend, we have received thy words, 



16 

that tbfou wouldst be glad to see us nearer thee. Thou 
didst send us last autumn a message of just the same im 
port. We understand not whatthou meanest, and what 
thine endeavor and desire about us are. We formerly lived 
beyond the Alleghany Mountains, on the Susquehanna, 
whence the chiefs called us, not one alone, but the chiefs 
of all the tribes had come together and had agreed and 
arranged tliis with one another, telling us also the reason 
why they called us, namely, that the Indians might hear 
the word of God. They made ready for us a place where 
we could live alone by ourselves, apart from the savages, 
and when we came hither we found it so. The old chief, 
Netawatwes, and White Eyes, and others visited them 
selves our meetings, and urged their people to follow them. 
Welapachtschiechem (Capt. Johnny), afterwards Israel, 
thy grandfather, lived with us till his death. We have not 
forgotten, and it is still fresh in our memory, what kind of 
agreement we made with the chiefs, and what understand 
ing we had with them. Thereby we would yet stand. On 
our part we have yet broken nothing, and if it shall be 
broken, it will not be so by us. But all this, as it seems, 
has been forgotten. In both thy messages not a word was 
said about it. Always before it has been the custom with 
all chiefs, if they sent a message, to make mention of the 
old or former friendship, to conduct their matter from it* 
and to bind fast the threads there where they had before 
left them. If now it is different, or the chiefs have agreed 
upon something new among themselves, we have heard 
nothing about it. We get messages, each different from 
the other, many times very sharp, hard words and threats, 
by which an effort is made to frighten us and to throw us 
into terror, and each man speaks his own mind. There 
fore we do not understand it, there being nothing therein 
of that which the chiefs have agreed with us from the very 
beginning of our coming here, and we can also give no an 
swer. There is always a wish to unite us to the savages? 
that we should make one people with them, that is, they 
would ruin us and blot us from the surface of the earth. 
The second point in thy message is this ; thou hast learned 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 17 

that it was said to the nations at the treaty that we should 
again dwell in our towns on the Muskingum, and thou 
wouldst like to know certainly about the matter. If thou 
hadst thyself gone thither, as was right and proper, see, thou 
wouldst have heard plainly, and if thou hadst had any thing 
to offer to this, thou couldst have spoken and expressed thy 
thoughts, but now thou comest to us and wilt hear from 
us, who were not there, and also have not heard, what was 
said to them, and if also we wished to tell it to thee, it 
might not be the truth. We know nothing more than thou 
also. Thou wilt know our intention. We have not yet 
thought about it, and no- one has yet said any thing to us 
about it, except what we have heard by chance, as thou 
also. What shall we say to this? Know then, we sit here 
in Pettquotting. Pipe, the Wyandots, Tawas, and Chip- 
pewas have established us here, this it is which we can say 
to thee, and they told us to remain till they spoke farther to us. 
Wouldst thou have friendship with us, thou knowest where 
we are. Our purpose is this, to arouse the chiefs, that they 
may awake and reflect, seek and search, and if they do so 
they will find. They can think about this." (In the mar 
gin) 1^. B. The message to Gelelemend and his answer. 
He knows little indeed about our affair, therefore we will 
give him occasion to ask, for Pipe and others are still alive 
who know about it. The Indian related farther among our 
brethren that he was on his way to the treaty with the 
chiefs, but that Brant met them, who was on his way back, 
having been sent away ; he informed them they were al 
ready all killed, wherefore they also turned about. This 
Brant, a Mohawk, told the chief he should call away the 
believing Indians from Pettquotting, or, if he wished, 
kill them, that they might be out of his way once for 
all, or if he did not want to do this, the Mingoes would 
do it; it were better they were blotted from the sur 
face of the earth ; they caused only unrest among the In 
dians ; this was the reason and cause for his summoning 
us, fearing we should be killed by the Mingoes. It is a 
like story to that we also heard at our captivity on the 
2 



18 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Muskingum. We are a small number, not even a handful 
in comparison with them, why are they then always con 
cerned about us, and have their eyes upon us? Why do 
they not let us rest in peace? We put nothing in their 
way. Or why do they not make away with us, as they 
are always threatening and would gladly do, that at last 
they may be done with us ? We should not be even a 
breakfast for them, but they dare not venture, they are for 
bidden. He who is with us is stronger and above them 
all. Were that not so they would long since have done it. 

Monday, 16. After the early service, which Br. Ed 
wards held, the brethren w T ent again to their sugar-camp. 
Gelelemend s son, Henry, came and spoke out to us his 
heart, perplexed and troubled about his salvation, and 
asked what he should do to be rid of his unrest. He was 
answered that he should give himself up to the Saviour, 
corrupt and full of sin as he was, and beg for his grace 
and mercy, thus would he find peace. 

Wednesday, 18. For three or four days now the snow, 
which has been very deep, has gone off very fast, with a 
warm south wind, so that there is uncommonly high 
water, and on the w T est side of our town every thing is 
under water, and it looks like a lake. To-day there were 
showers and thunder-storms, one after the other. 

Sunday, 22. David preached upon the subject that be 
lievers from among the heathen are Abraham s children, 
according to the promise given him : In thee shall all fam 
ilies of the earth be blest, for his faith was imputed to 
him for righteousness, that we all by faith and not by our 
good w r orks become righteous and blessed. For also the 
heathen in our time, who yet know nothing of Gk>d, and 
have shown nothing good, nor can show any thing, wish 
to be saved, and if they wish to do good, must themselves 
acknowledge that they have no power, and thus see them 
selves lost and damned until they turn to the Saviour as 
such, and beg for his mercy and grace, who will then al 
ways have pity upon them, forgive them their sins, by his 
grace save them, adopt them as his children, and impart 
to them his spirit, who leads them to all truth, and gives 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 19 

them assurance that they are God s children, co-heirs with 
Christ. From Sandusky came Petty, Job Chilloway s for 
mer wife, who is on her way to us, with her children, to bor- 
row horses herein order to gejb them and her things here. 
Monday, 23. After the morning service by Br. Ed 
wards, a messenger came, whom a sick Indian of our 
neighborhood sent to us, begging the brothers to come to 
him and hear his mind and wish; he would much like to 
be baptized before he died. The Indian, Samuel, and sev 
eral others, had visited him daily during his illness, and 
the iirst, especially, had often praised to him the Saviour 
and redemption through his blood. Brs. David and Ed 
wards went to him with Samuel and Joshua, several sisters 
following, also, without having been requested, and we 
heard his frank confession, made in the presence of the 
brethren and his friends. IIe said: u I believe that the Sa 
viour died for me and poured out his blood for me. I be 
lieve that nothing on earth can help me, nor save me, ex 
cept his blood, that his blood alone can wash away my sins, 
and that he for his blood s sake will forgive my sins. And 
if he does this for me, and I again get well and live longer in 
the world, I shall not stay here, I shall come to you to live, 
yes^ if I could have come, I should already have come to 
you, and not have you call me first." Br. David said to him 
farther, that if he were baptized, he must then dismiss his 
Indian doctors and no longer be subject to them, aud this 
he promised to do, saying he had already dismissed them, 
and wished to have nothing more to do with them. Upon 
this, his belief and confession, Br. David baptized him* in 
the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, 
into Jesus death, and named him Paul, whereby a blessed 
feeling was aroused in the presence of all his friends. When 
we took leave of him and kissed him, he was very thank 
ful, seemed .quite cheerful, a bright and lively look shone 
from his eyes, and he said he would like to go with us 
at once, for he was there no longer content, but since a 
cold north wind was blowing, we promised to come and 
get him the next day, which pleased him and was a com 
fort to him. 



20 

Tuesday, 24. The brothers went with a couple of ca 
noes down the river and brought the sick Paul, with his 
family, up to us, where we had made ready for them a 
good hut. He was very joyful when they arrived, and 
said his heart was now right well and content, and while 
before, from thought and reflection, he could not sleep, he 
now had peace, and had rested right well the whole night. 
In the evening was the burial of little Martin, who died 
yesterday. 

Thursday, 26. The child of Simon and Jacobina, about 
a year old, became very sick in the sugar-camp. They 
hastened home with the child, and asked for its baptism. 
Br. David baptized it the same evening into Jesus death, 
and named her Sybilla. 

Friday, 27. From Sandusky came the father of Moses 
and Lamst, from whom we heard that there, in a drunken 
quarrel, two men had been killed. Abraham came home 
from the sugar-camp, soon visited the sick man, who 
longed to hear him, and talked with him, exhorting him 
to place his hope and trust in the Saviour, and to give 
himself up entirely to his will. The next morning, how 
ever, he took Indian beson, 1 which his son brought, which 
was not pleasing to us. 

Sunday, 29. Br. Edwards preached from the Gospel : 
Which of you convinceth me of sin ? Several came home, 
but SQOU went away again. 

Wednesday, April 1. We heard from Sandusky many 
rumors and complaints that the Indians are restless among 
themselves, talk about war, and it is said they will have 
war, yet we can hear no reason therefor, whether it is 
merely a flying rumor or whether there is something in 
the thing. 

Saturday, 4. Our brethren caine home from the bush all 
right joyful and pleased ; they were glad to. be together 
again after being, most of them, away for four weeks. 
From there Nicholas Smaan brought us pleasant news, to 



111 Their medicine or beson is not for a white man s stomach." 
Olden Time, Vol. I., p. 279. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 21 

whom a Chippewa came and told him the Tawa chief 
would come here to us and tell us we should stay here and 
plant, and not be persuaded to go to Gigeyunk; the Chip- 
pewas, Tawas, and all Indians this side the place men 
tioned, wished not to have war, but peace ; we had, there 
fore, nothing to fear. This news was very pleasant for us 
to hear, particularly as we had heard for some time many 
sorts of rumors which were not pleasant, and caused us 
much anxiety. The chief had probably heard of the mes 
sage we had received, which induced him to come here. 

Sunday, 5. Michael preached about the Saviour s en 
trance into Jerusalem for his passion, which he so willingly 
underwent in order to bring about our redemption. In the 
afternoon the Lord s supper was announced to the com 
municants for Thursday, and what St. Paul, I. Cor. xi, 23, 
wrote about it, was read to them. Paul, who had convul 
sions towards evening, was blessed for his death, for it was 
not thought he would live till evening, but he got better 
again. 

Monday, 6, and Tuesday, 7, there was speaking to the 
brethren with reference to the communion. 

Wednesday, 8. Early before day the sick Paul de 
parted, after lying speechless two days. His remains 
were buried in the evening, many strangers being at the 
funeral and listening attentively to what was said to the 
church about his last hours. He passed the two weeks he 
was with us quite contentedly. It pleased him when we and 
the Indian brethren visited him and spoke to him of the 
Saviour. The brethren having come home four days ago, 
most of whom had not seen him since his baptism ; that 
night he was especially aroused, when many brethren 
watched by him. He told them how it had been with him 
at his baptism, and how his heart had been comforted and 
lightened, that the Saviour had forgiven his sins and had 
washed him with his blood. He told, also, what idols he 
had when a heathen, wherein he had trust and assurance, 
but all this now he had given up for the Saviour, having 
renounced those things ; that he had given himself entirely 
to the Saviour, and if he should be well again he should 



22 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

go with the brothers wherever they went, and since he 
probably may have heard before that we should go to the 
Muskingum, he said he should not remain behind ; he must 
be with us, and would be ready for this. The last night 
that he could speak he made disposition of his outward 
things, how they should be held, and at last he said he had 
still a care, and that was his four children, who are still 
quite small, and cannot speak for themselves. The assist 
ant brothers understood him, and said to his wife that she 
should speak for herself and her children, that at peace 
about them he might go from time, but the woman kept 
silence and knew not what to answer, for she had yet no 
disposition to be in the church as widow. This was also 
the last time he spoke, for the day after he became speech 
less, lay for most the time with his eyes closed, and only 
gave the brethren to understand the condition of his heart- 
He, as a sinner, reconciled and washed with the blood of 
Jesus, is gone from time, who yet in his last hour came to 
him, longing for grace and mercy. In the evening the 
communion brethren, with a discourse from last year s 
text for this day, had a reading of the history, and, upon 
their knees, the prayer of absolution, and then the wash 
ing of feet, first the sisters apart, and then the brothers, 
which to the brethren is always a weighty, respectable af 
fair. 

Thursday, 9. The communicants, fifty-three in number, 
had the Lord s supper the night he was betrayed. Three 
brothers and six sisters enjoyed it for the first time with 
the church, all young brethren, born and bred in the 
church, except Abigail; but first was a reading of the 
history. 

Friday, 10. After the communion liturgy, began the 
reading of the martyr-history of our Lord, wherewith we 
divided the day into four parts. At the words : Jesus 
gave up the ghost, we read a newly translated liturgy upon 
our knees, which the savages, also upon their knees, went 
through with us respectfully and devoutly. The history 
was listened to with the greatest attention, both by the 
brethren and by strangers, a great number of whom were 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 23 

present, and many bad made a great point of being bere 
during the holidays, and to our brethren it was as if they 
heard it for the first time. We can surely believe that the 
story of our Lord s passion, outpouring of blood, and death 
will not have been published in vain here among these 
blind heathen. Here and there a seed falls, which in its 
own time Avill spring up and come to sight. A rich woman, 
what is called rich among the Indians, namely, who goes 
about well clad and can bedeck herself with silver, said : 
" Never in my life have I seen or heard any thing like this. 
I was in Stockb ridge, (in Mass.), where the Indians also 
have a minister who preaches to them, but I did not hear 
that which I hear here." [There they go to church not very 
much and hear nothing.] She said also to our Indians: 
"Ye have certainly the right way and the right doctrines." 
She omitted no meeting, listening with the greatest atten 
tion and curiosity, saying she wished also to come here and 
live with us and believe. Others are convinced of the truth 
of the Gospel and restless [for instance, Ihis] ; they would 
willingly be converted, too, but they cannot be done with 
thinking about it, for they are not yet willing to lay aside 
every thing which belongs to the world, and as they do not 
want to renounce every thing, they make it hard for them 
selves, and have no rest. 

Saturday, 11. We had Quiet Sabbath, in the afternoon 
a love-feast. 

Sunday, 12. Early, before daybreak, David was called 
to the sick Benjamin, who was perfectly content and happy, 
and with joy wished to go to the Saviour, of whom he 
talked much to the brethren, who filled the house, exhort 
ing them to remain with the Saviour, that in his presence 
they might come together and see one another again. We 
read the Easter litany in our chapel, which was before 
small and narrow, and during the holidays two hundred 
people were assembled in it ; on account of snow and water, 
for it snowed yesterday, all day long, we could not go to 
our grave-yard. We prayed for eternal communion in the 
perfected church, with those who had this year died, six 
brethren, among them a sister and two little boys. After- 



24 

wards was read the story of the resurrection, and then Br. 
Edwards preached about the same story. In the afternoon, 
after consideration of the text : He is the beginning, the 
first-born from the dead, that in all things he might have 
pre-eminence, etc. Jesus, my Redeemer, lives ! I, too, 
unto life must waken. Gelelemend was baptized into 
Jesus death with the name, William Henry, 1 and this was 
a blessed ceremony. It was as if he alone should have 
grace and honor, for in his whole family there was move 
ment and ferment, his wife, two grown sons, and yet oth 
ers begging with many tears for baptism [but they all fell 
away]. He sat and kneeled at his baptism like an honora 
ble old man. Already for many years he wished to be in 
the church, and although it was through many by-paths 
and crooked ways, the Saviour at last reached his end with 
him. May he help him farther and let him thrive ! 

Monday, 13. After the early service by Br. Michael 
Jung, the strangers from San dusky and Gigeyunk went 
back home again, the latter place being ten days journey 
from here. The rich woman was from there, who came of 
herself to us, took leave, and expressed her great thanks 
for all she had heard and enjoyed here. She said to us 
that if God were gracious to her and helped her, she hoped 
to see us again. Her whole circle of friends so far as we 
could make out mother, brothers, sisters, etc., are from 
Anohockquage, on the Susquehanna, where for many years 
a minister lived, till the war broke out, when he, as the 
woman said, went to the war also and died in it. The sis 
ters, who talked with her, said to her : " Our ministers do 
not go to war and we also not." At this she much won 
dered, and said we were certainly in the right way. She 
believed believers should have nothing to do with war. 
She will know how to say much about us in Gigeyunk, 
and Pettquotting will preach far around and shine. Oth- 

1 Taking the name of William Henry, of Lancaster, Pa., who, as early 
as 1769, had been of help to Zeisberger and Sensemann. Bishop de 
Schweinitz speaks of him as "Judge Henry, the Congressman." In 
the year 1797 he was one of the commissioners to survey the land in 
Ohio granted to the Moravian Indians. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 25 

erwise to-day we had a day of work for the assistants, who 
were busy all the time. A. Elizabeth came and begged 
hard for readmission, and she was again received. On the 
other hand, Pauline, Cornelius daughter, was sent from 
the church. What A. Charity left behind was distributed 
and settled, and besides we spoke with many. 

Wednesday, 15. Both yesterday and to-day the sisters 
went again to their sugar-camp and the brothers hunting. 

Thursday, 16. Petty came here with her husband, who 
is a Mohican, and said he wished to come here to live, but 
often if such people go among the savages they are forget 
ful, for much is said to them to persuade them against 
coming. Whoever seeks honor among men is easily held 
back. Thus it often happens that Indians go on for 
many years, longing ever for the church, but cannot find 
the way. 

Saturday, 18. By Mr. Abbot, who came back from 
Pittsburg, we received both the text and Scripture-verses 
for this } 7 ear, together with letters from the church, of 
January and February, to our hearty joy and refreshment. 
Petty went back. 

Sunday, 19. Br. David preached from I. John, v. 4 : 
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, etc. 
Only some few were come home, and they went back 
again to their work, which will now soon, probably, be 
over. 

Wednesday, 22. As most of the brethren came home 
yesterday, at the early service the greetings from the 
church, contained in our letters, were given to them. In 
the assistants conference the brethren were told to speak 
with Andrew and A. Pauline, Pauline, Cornelius daugh 
ter, who had been sent away, and now at their prayer were 
again received. 

Friday, 24. Michael held early service. From Detroit 
came here in a boat the smith, who again brought iron 
ware to sell. Both yesterday and to-day all sorts of bad 
rumors and stories came to us, as though it would come 
to a general war with the Indians, of which we heard 
to-day almost every hour one bad piece of news after the 



26 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

other, and though we had always comforted ourselves with 
the thought that the Wyandots would yet stand fast and 
with the Chippewas and Tawas remain at peace, having 
thus always heard from them, yet to-day we were told 
that they too were secretly getting ready and that the 
people of Sandusky were fleeing. We knew not what to 
think of all- this, could not make it out, and since we much 
wished to know how we stood, for it was already late in 
the spring, and it was needful for us to know positively 
whether we could plant here and not have to flee from 
here in the summer, we asked, 

Thursday, 25, the Saviour ahout it, in order to spare 
ourselves unnecessary concern : whether on this account 
we had any thing to ask him concerning our mission. The 
answer, however, was no, and thus we became quiet and 
comforted. Not long afterwards the French trader came 
and told us that the Tawa chief, whom we had always 
"been expecting, was come to the mouth of thic creek and 
would soon be here. This was joyful news for us, for we 
knew we should be freed from our anxiety and perplexity 
and hear the truth; how circumstances in the Indian king 
dom then were, and what we had to hope. It was not long 
before the chief, Ekuschuwe, came, with ten men of his 
body-guard, to visit us. We had already made ready for 
them the school-house, which is large and roomy, where 
we quartered them. We bade them welcome and were 
careful to entertain them the best we could, for which 
purpose one of the largest fat hogs was killed. After they 
had been greeted and had eaten, the Indian assistants 
made a speech to him, telling him that since last autumn 
we had wished to speak with him or to have opportunity 
to send him an answer to the message he had sent us the 
former year, and were now very glad that he himself was 
corne. We thanked him by a string of wampum for all 
he had then said to us. This was repeated to him, and 
he acknowledged it, and we showed him our joy and sat 
isfaction, and this is what was done to-day. 

Sunday, 26. Br. Michael delivered the sermon from 
the Gospel : I am the good Shepherd ; at this the chief 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 27 

was present with his people. There were farther no ser 
vices until evening, for we knew that the chief wished 
to speak to our Indians, and this happened in the after 
noon, for the assistants with some others went to him. 
He began the business in the following manner in his 
speech : " Grandfather, and ye believing Indians in Pett- 
quotting, last year when the nations were assembled in 
Detroit and took to heart and considered the good of our 
young people, our wives, and children, yes, of all the In 
dians, we thought of you too in our grand council, ye 
were not forgotten, we were concerned about you that 
ye are so alone here, as if forsaken, and no one interests 
himself for you. The nations, namely, the following : 
The Chippewas, Tawas, Potawatomies, and the Wyan- 
dots, have charged me personally to come here to you and 
in their name to bring you also the following message, 
likewise to inform you what we have agreed upon and 
to what conclusion we have come. This string is a pro<*f 
of the commission of the nations aforesaid." He then 
went on and said : " Grandfather, thou hast suffered much 
hardship and anxiety. Thou hast heard many evil ru 
mors, which have caused thee much uneasiness. I wash 
the tears from thine eyes, comfort thee for all thy suffer 
ing and take out of thy heart all trouble and anxiety. 
Cleanse thine ears and make thine eyes clear, that thou 
mayst see me and understand what I have to say to 
thee." He gave a string. " Grandfather, listen not to 
the songs of the birds in the thickets, whereby all sorts 
of lies have been brought to thine ears ; listen to me, 
from whom thou wilt hear all ^that is true. I say to 
thee now, in the name of the four nations, remain here in 
Pettquotting and plant, that thy young people and chil 
dren may have something to eat. Think not of going 
elsewhither, whereby thou wilt make thy life hard, and if 
any one comes and will drive thee away from here, give 
no heed to him, but let me know. Thou shalt always 
hear from me truthfully what goes on among the chiefs of 
the nations, and if any danger appears thou shalt come 
to know it betimes. This is what I have to say to thee 



28 

in behalf of the nations, who have agreed together for 
peace, and will hold together therefor until the other na 
tions shall give their assent thereto. And since we know 
of you that ye are a peaceful folk, having nothing to do 
with war, nor troubling yourselves about it, we have re 
solved to take you also into our agreement. Therefore, 
I say to you, remain firm in Pettquotting. Flee not. Ye 
are not alone, nor forsaken." Whereupon he gave a third 
string of wampum. 

"We received this speech for many reasons. It is the 
peace-party of the nations. The former speech, which we 
got this spring from Gigeyunk, where the seat of war is, 
we sent back and now we see that we did well. We 
thanked the chief for the news given to us of the good 
intentions of the nations towards us, and promised him 
to do as he had told us, and in confirmation of this we 
gave him both a string and a belt of wampum. There 
upon he answered that he would take this our answer 
with him to Detroit, where the same nations would now 
again come together, and we could believe that it would 
be received with joy. He said that the Mingoes, or Six 
Nations, had at present a council among themselves, but 
what they proposed he knew not, perhaps it was good ; 
likewise of those in Gigeyunk, and as soon as he had news 
of them we should learn ; that they, the nations aforesaid, 
make every effort that they shall yet all follow them, and 
be of one mind with them, i. e., for peace. They went 
away on the 27th, and we gave them several bushels of 
corn, for which they were glad and thankful. As they 
went off and were in the midst of the river, they greeted 
the town with two rounds from their guns, and they were 
answered in like manner on our part. 

If we make our reflections over this occurrence, we see 
in it a new phenomenon, for which we have contributed 
nothing. We should hardly have undertaken to make 
any application to a strange nation, but perhaps to the 
Delaware nation. We have not sought it, and if we had 
been seeking for it, we should not well have known how 
to find the thread thereto, so as to have a beginning and 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 29 

a chance to put it in execution. Thus the Saviour has 
done it quite alone, and we perceive now with wonder 
what will come from this. The Indian church in the In 
dian land must have at least one nation to protect it, and, 
so to speak, watch over it, or it cannot stand nor maintain 
itself, for it is among wolves where every one snaps at it 
and does his best to injure it. When the Indian church 
came to the Susquehanna, the Cayuga chief (Togahaju) 
was the man who had interest in it, gave it land and 
privileges, so that no one of the Indians dared put any 
thing in its way. It was afterwards invited to the Ohio 
by the chiefs of the whole Delaware nation and protected. 
Although the chief at that time, Netawatwes, did it with 
a certain fear, not knowing how this would he imputed 
to him and regarded by other nations, the Indian church 
found with him care and help, so that it throve, and in a 
short time grew very much. After Netawatwes and also 
White Eyes were dead, and Goschachgiink was destroyed, 
the Indian church was alone, forsaken, as the bird upon 
the tree. Thus it was easy to carry it away where they 
pleased. The Delaware nation had thus at first received 
the believing Indians, but afterwards helped ruin them, 
and most distinguished themselves thereby. But what is 
the Delaware nation now ? A nation disturbed and rent 
asunder, which cannot support itself, without head or ruler 
according to the Indian manner. We have been thinking, 
since we have been here, of again coming to a good un 
derstanding with them, but as there is no regular chief 
among them, we see not how it could fitly happen. We 
shall, however, in spite of this, neglect no opportunity to 
bring this about where it is possible. Yes, one could al 
most start the question, whether the Delaware nation has 
attacked and sinned against the Indian church. 1 Now it 
is taken from their hands since they did not esteem it, nor 
know how to protect it, though we have no doubt that 
the Saviour will get together many of them and save them 

1 Perhaps Zeisberger implies that after all the Delavvares had not 
very much harmed the believing Indians. 



30 

in the church, perhaps more than before. The Chippewa 
and Tawa nation thus takes the believing Indians to its 
arras, and takes upon itself to protect them from acts of 
violence and from harm, and to interest itself in them, 
that they shall not be given over as booty to any idle 
populace to exercise its caprice upon. We hope that this 
will contribute much to this result, that many Indians will 
come together to us for their eternal salvation. May the 
Saviour turn this to the eternal good of the Chippewa na 
tion, with which over the lake we had nothing to do, but 
this side the lake we first became well acquainted with it. 
To what shall we ascribe that which the Tawa chief also 
said to us? The agent of Indian affairs, the year before, 
at the council in Detroit, had said to the nation that they 
should still look to Pettquotting ; there were the Christian 
Indians forsaken, no one troubled himself about them, no 
one protected them; they knew what they had suffered, 
for many of their own friends had innocently lost their 
lives; this might happen again if the times should be dan 
gerous; they should think about their safety and care for 
them. He is also not unaware of this business of the Tawa 
chief with us, and it takes place with his approval. 

Tuesday, 28. Michael held early service. From San- 
dusky came Mr. Robbing, sick and poor, to us again. 
There also came from there a widow with two children, 
who last year was always herself wishing to come to us, 
and begged us to receive her, she wanted to live with us 
and be saved, and when we told her how it was here, and 
how she would have to conduct herself, set forth to her 
her widowhood, and gave her to consider whether she 
could be here as widow, she answered that she had 
thought about this and considered every thing, but that 
she wished to be saved. After she had been spoken to by 
the assistants, she was. received and established. So was 
also, 

Wednesday, 29, a sick woman brought here, who was 
here a long time last winter, keeping away from no meet 
ing, because the people in our neighborhood moved away, 
and, so to speak, threw her aside. She is a poor woman 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 31 

who has no friends to care for her. She entreated us, by 
means of strange Indians, to take her, she wanted much to 
die among the believing Indians, and she was very glad 
and thankful when she carne. Moreover, many strange 
Indians came from Sandusky and Gigeyunk, whence we 
heard again many tales, that on the Muskingum nine In 
dians had been killed, who had stolen horses, and that from 
Gigeyunk (Ft. Wayne) Avar-parties are continually going 
out. When Indians come here from that place, it is not 
otherwise than as if devils in person came into town. 
They bring the most frightful and abominable lies among 
our people, so that one would hardly think it possible to 
invent them. 

[Thus far sent to Bethlehem.] 

Thursday, 30. Nathaniel s people came here, daughter 
and Louisa s son, on account of his things, but left them 
here again, after hearing ho\v the circumstances were. 
They went in the autumn to harvest their fields, after 
wards moved around to the treaties, and now they are 
again among the wolves, and now from fear have fled far 
ther towards Gigeyunk with Indians. 

Friday, May 1. The sick woman, brought here two 
days ago, asked very longingly for baptism and was very 
weak. Upon her earnest request she was baptized into 
Jesus death \vith the name Anna Maria. Before her bap 
tism she answered all questions very intelligently, though 
she could not speak aloud. She was afterwards very con 
tented and smiled, having quite another look and ex 
pression. 

Saturday, 2. David held early service about this, never 
to forget how much it has cost the Saviour to redeem us, and 
to be thankful to him. By Mr. Smith, from Detroit, we 
sent our diary and letters to Bethlehem. The assistants 
had labor again to-day in speaking with some brethren, 
Renatus, Pauline, and others. The strangers, who.brought 
so many lies to town, went away. 

Sunday, 8. Br. Edwards held the early service, David 
the children s service. In the neighborhood was drinking. 

Tuesday, 5. Several sisters went to Sandusky, Helena, 



32 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

with the woman who lately came, also Mark, about whose 
return we doubt. Many Chippewas came here to trade all 
kinds of things. The Tawa chief has made known to all 
Chippewas this side the lake what he has arranged with 
us, and has ordered them to behave in a friendly way 
towards us, looking upon us as their good friends. And 
since this summer a great trade in flour will be carried on 
from Pittsburg to Detroit, by way of Cuyahoga, he has 
likewise ordered them not to think of going there, nor of 
stealing horses, nor of robbing, for the flour which is 
brought through was for their father over the lake, who 
has ordered it. This also is good for us, for we can hope 
it will be quiet in this country and that no warriors will 
pass through it. This, no doubt, the English over the lake 
will impress upon those nations. 

Friday, 8. The Indian brethren went together to fence 
in yet one more new piece of land for those who have come 
and have no fields ; thus we have spread quite a mile down 
the creek, and nearly as far up stream. William, Peter, 
Nicholas, and Joachim came home from hunting. 

Saturday, 9. We had the whole afternoon a strong party 
of Chippewas here, coming from their winter hunt in 
Cuyahoga, and getting some kindness from us. A Chip- 
pewa lad below here is said to have been driven out into 
the lake by a strong wind, in a little canoe. They set after 
him. but dared not follow him very far, and had to give 
him up to the lake, whether he came from it or not. He 
was for a night on the lake, and lost sight of land. For 
tunately, the wind changed, and drove him back towards 
land, so that the next day he got sight of land again, and 
about noon came to it, among the Chippewas, about 
twenty miles east of here. 

Sunday, 10. David preached about the history of the 
Holy Ghost, who convinces 1 the world of its unbelief, and 
punishes it for not believing in the name of the only be 
gotten son of God, in whom we have our life and salva 
tion, for which he was given us. We heard again many 
rumors from Sandusky, which caused much uneasiness 
among the brethren, though we are in no danger from war. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 33 

On the Miami, in the former Shawanese towns, a thousand 
white people are said to have come, to build a fort and lay 
out a settlement; that in a short time they would visit 
Gigeyunk, who have already stolen many horses from them 
and murdered people, and yet more of the like, if all be 
true. 

Wednesday, 13. Some of our people came hack from 
hunting on the Muskingum in our towns, where they might 
very easily have come to harm, for there came to them six 
Mingoes, who went to the river (Ohio), came back to them 
in a couple of days with eleven horses they had stolen, 
which they took to Sandusky. If now the white people had 
followed after them, they would have been in great danger 
of perishing with them, wherefore they at once started for 
home. The brethren at home got done to-day with fencing 
the new field. As last year we had trouble with our breth 
ren on account of the Chippewa stories, and were always 
hearing from Sandusky that they were corning and would 
plunder us, which now has an end, and the savages see we 
have no better friends than the Chippewas, this year they 
have invented something else to make our people anxious, 
namely, the Indians in Gigeyunk will come and take us 
off captive for not having accepted their message and in 
vitation; thus the chief had ordered the captains, and 
they would come with warriors to take us away. Although 
that is only a lie, yet there are always people among us 
who will believe it, making their life hard thereby, being 
afraid. 

Friday, 15. We heard by Chippewas that old Michael, 
who was lost in the winter, had been found dead in the 
Cuyahoga, as also were found his gun and clothes, which 
he must have taken off to wash himself in the water, but 
how he died is not known. Probably he broke through 
the ice and was drowned. At the same time we heard 
that a ship was come to the Cuyahoga. 

Saturday, 16. The brethren planted our fields. Ed 
wards held early service. 

Sunday, 17. Edwards preached, David conducted the 
3 



34 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

communion quarter-hour, and Michael held the congrega 
tion meeting. 

Monday, 18. David held early service about this sub 
ject, that those, wretched and distressed about their salva 
tion, have a Saviour, true and trustworthy, and who has 
confidence in him, will not come to harm. Loveless came 
here from Sandusky, where he went from the Muskingum 
to get prisoners, but he could get none, and, as it appears, 
they do not surrender them, so that the outlook is not 
good. The widow, baptized on the 1st of this month, A. 
Maria, died in peace in the evening. 

Tuesday, 19. In the evening the remains of A. Maria 
were buried, who was baptized on the 1st lust. She has 
passed right blessedly the seventeen days .she has been in 
the church since her baptism. She was a poor, forlorn 
widow, and when she begged for acceptance, Sophia re 
ceived her from compassion, and took tender care of her, 
for which the sick woman called her mother, and was al 
ways very well aware of what she and the sisters, who 
patched with her, did for her, and was thankful. After 
her baptism she seemed to grow better, as is usually the 
case with the sick, since their heart is then blessed and con 
tent, so that it was believed she would again get well, but 
two days ago there was a change in her, she began to fail 
and took nothing farther. When they spoke to her about 
the Saviour, that he had forgiven her sins, washed her 
with his blood and taken her to grace, she always showed 
her joy and thankfulness. Last evening she asked the 
sister with her whether it were well to go to the Saviour 
in the night also, and when she was told yes, that it was 
all the same, by day or by night, she was contented. She re 
mained in possession of her senses till her breathing ceased, 
which happened with the benediction for her death by Sis 
ter Susanna, when she departed easily and blessedly, the 
spoil of the Saviour, as a brand rescued from burning. 
Who will not rejoice thereover, blushing with shame ? 
N". B. Lobeia, her mother-in-law, was present at the 
burial, she who was so angry when Paul was baptized, and 
called him a fool. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 35 

Wednesday, 20. There came to us suddenly and in quite 
unexpected quickness Brs. John Heckewelder and Abra 
ham Stein er, 1 by way of Pittsburg, from which place they 
had had a tedious and difficult journey, giving us joy by 
their letters and news from the church. Their arrival was 
the more unexpected and pleasing from our knowing that 
the way was not quite safe from warriors and horse-thieves. 

Thursday, 21. Ascension Day, Br. Michael preached. 
There was a service for the baptized from the text : I will 
see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, etc.,, about in 
tercourse and acquaintance with our unseen Saviour, whom 
we love and in whom we believe, about which the brethren 
were told to be thoughtful. The brethren were greeted 
from the church. 

Friday, 22. -Heckewelder held early service about this: 
That it is labor in vain to try to live a life well-pleasing 
to God and holy, before the heart has been washed with 
Jesus blood and forgiveness of sins has been received. 

Saturday, 23. The communicants had the very blessed 
enjoyment of the body and blood of our Lord in the holy 
communion, at which a brother, Isaac, and a sister, Rahel, 
looked on as candidates. 

Sunday, 24. After the communion liturgy Br. Edwards 
preached from the Gospel about the Comforter promised, 
who leads us to all truth, and David held the congregation 
meeting. 

Monday, 25. Abraham Steiner held early service from 
the Scripture-verse to the effect that in us by nature noth 
ing good is to be found, that we are poor, depraved men, 
but that the blood of Jesus heals us and makes us blessed 
men, so that the nations round about see that they love 
God and are loved by him. Then the single brethren went 
down to have a view of the lake. 

Wednesday, 27. Heckewelder held early service. The 



1 Abraham Steiner was a Moravian missionary, the scene of whose 
labors was for the most part in N. Carolina and Georgia. Lie was in 
the year 18U1 a missionary among the CliQrokees in Georgia; stationed 
at Hope, N. Carolina, 180:2-1806; principal of the Salem (N. C.) Female 
Academy, 1806-1815, when failing health made him give up the place. 



36 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

brethren were busy planting. Praise be to God that all is 
so quiet. Boaz came from hunting. Ihis, with his wife, 
Jael. came here from hunting, also Moses, from Sandusky. 

Thursday, 1:8. Michael held early service. Brs. Hccke- 
welder and Steiner went up the creek to see an old Indian 
fort. 

Friday, 29. Abraham held early service. Joachim came 
back from Gigeyunk, where he saw his old mother, who 
will come here this summer. He told us the Indians were 
very anxious there on account of Virginians, and say that 
all of us here will be killed by them. Benjamin died. 

Saturday, 30. Edwards held early service from the 
Scripture-verse: I will gather the remnant of my flock 
out of all countries, etc. Towards evening was the well- 
attended burial of the young man, Benjamin. He came 
to us with his mother on Huron River (Michigan), from 
Niagara, and was baptized in Cuyahoga by D. Zeisberger, 
Jan. 1, 1787. He had a tender heart and loved the Sa 
viour. Nothing frivolous was to be seen in him, as with 
boys usually, but he had a weak tabernacle. When he 
did something wrong, and was admonished about it, he 
confessed and promised amendment. This winter he got 
the consumption, yet went to school and had the wish to 
learn, but was soon driven to his bed. Some days before 
Easter, when he was already quite wasted away, he had 
Br. David called, to whom he opened his heart, that he 
had not always been true to the Saviour since his bap 
tism, had not walked as he should, but had often sad 
dened the Saviour. Since we knew his conduct, and we 
were all aware that he had meddled with nothing and 
sinned, we said to him that the Saviour would willingly 
forgive him all; this he should believe and have no doubts 
about. He did this and got the assurance in his heart, 
and was as perfectly happy as if he were now first bap 
tized, so that he wanted to go to the Saviour Easter morn 
ing, exhorted his brothers and the brethren to stand fast 

O 

by the Saviour, also begging those who were baptized at 
the same time with himself to remain with the Saviour, 
so that they might meet above in his presence. His 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 37 

mother asked him and said, if he had to choose one of 
two things, either to die or to remain here, which, he would 
choose. He replied, that he chose to go to the Saviour, for 
he was no longer glad to be here, and if he should yet live 
and get well, he feared he might again make the Saviour 
sad and lose his feeling of blessedness. It was then 
thought already he could no longer be here below, but he 
was patient and resigned in his illness, was pleased when 
the brethren visited him, to whom he always showed how 
gladly he was going to the Saviour, and all liked to hear 
and visit him. He often sent his greetings to Br. David, 
which meant he was glad to see him, for it was an especial 
pleasure if he visited him, spoke with him, or sang verses. 
Thus he departed in peace with the blessing of the church. 
His conduct hi his long sickness preached much to bap 
tized and unbaptized. He is an example of a blessed 
youth, the like of which we have not yet had. 

Sunday, 31. Br. Heckewelder preached from the Gos 
pel : If a man love me he will keep my words, and my 
Father will love him, and we will make our abode with 
him, about the work of God, the Holy Ghost, to convince 
men of their unbelief, and to conduct them to the Saviour, 
our Redeemer, whom we have cost his blood, that thereby 
we should have forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salva 
tion. In the second service from the Scripture-verse: 
Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us 
confusion of faces, about the same subject, four were 
buried in Jesus death by the bath of holy baptism, 
namely, John Henry, Charles, Gottlob, Cornelia, by Brs. 
David, Heckewelder, Edwards, and Michael Jung, a cere 
mony accompanied by the near presence of the Holy 
Trinity. In the afternoon was a love-feast, which a whole 
troop of Chippewas attended, who came here to pass 
Sunday, and were all very friendly. In conclusion, the 
baptized had a service, praying upon their knees to God, 
the worthy Holy Ghost. We begged forgiveness of all 
our faults and failings, in which we had grieved him by 
giving no heed to his voice, thanked him for the care we 
had enjoyed from him, which he has bestowed upon us, 



38 

entreated him not to turn from us, nor to be weary in 
preparing us for our Saviour to his honor and joy, and 
vowed to him anew faith and obedience. 

Monday, June 1. Br. Heckewelder held early service, 
took leave of the brethren, and admonished them to abide 
by the Saviour and his wounds, who would bless them, 
make them fruitful, and let them shine, a light among the 
nations, and they would be a blessing. Afterwards, in the 
afternoon, they set out for Pittsburg with a great com 
pany of Indian brethren, nearly the whole town going 
with them a part of the way. 

Tuesday, 2. Micbael held morning service. School 
then began again, which, on account of the holidays and for 
other reasons, had been closed a week. Ibis and his wife, 
who had expressed their wish and wanted" to live here, 
were earnestly spoken to by Br. David and the assistants, 
and they held permission to be here. Land was also 
shown them to plant. We have all the time examples 
here in the church that a baptized husband brings into 
the church an unbaptized wife, or a baptized wife an un 
baptized husband, with children, and then both thrive. 
What fruit then has Satan from this, that he always seeks 
to seduce sinners? He must see to his sorrow that he 
works for his own harm. It happens quite right to him. 
Why does he not leave believers in peace? Why will he 
always be driving them back to heathenism ? If he ac 
complishes this, they do not remain with him, but bring 
others with them back to the church. As it seems, how 
ever, that is ceasing, and he will hereafter be more shrewd. 

Betsy Leeth, who was for a time so sick here that her 
recovery was despaired of it appears now that during 
her sickness she was not by herself, though she said every 
thing intelligibly, for three days ago she heard for the first 
time and was aware that the brothers from Bethlehem 
were here, wherefore she arose, went to them, and greeted 
them. She had convulsions seven times in one night, 
and afterwards miliary fever, and then lay unconscious, 
until, all at once, she came to herself. She then said she 
had not been sick, but only absent in a beautiful place 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 39 

where it was very pleasant for her, and whence now she 
was come back, and she was sorry for it, for she would 
have liked to stay there, but could not say how nor 
where. She had to go without the Lord s supper, being 
unconscious, and she missed the holidays too; thus the 
Saviour made recompense to her in her illness. 

Thursday, 4. Mr. Askin s ship from Detroit, which had 
come below here into the river and had taken in a cargo 
of corn and pelts near the Frenchman s, who trades here 
for him, sailed away to-day. We were alarmed again to 
day for a time by bad news, for it was said that two mes 
sengers from the Tawa chief were to tell us that the 
Chippewas and Tawas had taken up the hatchet and 
would go to war. When we made more careful inquiries 
it turned out that they were not sent, and that he who 
had spread abroad the stories was a great liar ; also that 
he lay there and was drunk, which no ambassador or 
messenger does or is allowed to do, wherefrom we could 
soon see that all was a lie, and we were comforted. 

Saturday, 6. Between twenty and thirty Chippewas 
came here, and as some came from over the lake, they 
told what they had heard, but there was nothing of con 
sequence. They were not sent, as they said themselves. 
Meantime they got something to eat and went away again 
down the lake. Mr. Smith came from Pittsburg on his 
way to Detroit. 

Sunday, 7. Michael preached from the Gospel about 
Nicodemus, and David held the congregation meeting 
from the Scripture-verse : To him that overcometh, about 
the hidden manna, the bread that comes from heaven and 
gives life. We read the church-journal. 

Monday, 8. Quite early came here Manitto, who was 
present at the early service, and said a messenger from 
Ekuschuwe was come, who would soon be here. White 
people from the States passed through on their way to 
Detroit. Wyandots arrived with liquor, but we at once 
sent them away on account of the Chippewas. At noon 
came the messenger with a large following of Chippewas, 
but in reality he did not bring much, except that the 



40 

chief would let us know that M(cKo)e had brought pow 
der and shot to the Indians and Twightwees in Gigeyunk, 
and had told them to defend their land and not suffer it to 
be surveyed, and since the chief cannot know exactly about 
this, he will go to Detroit and find out how the thing is, 
which will become clear this summer, as he said. With 
the message he left a belt here, which we shall send back 
again, if he gives us more exact news. 

Thursday, 11. Indians came from Pittsburg, bringing 
news that every thing was quiet there, and that Indians 
went there and came away undisturbed, though here we 
are always hearing that the Virginians will make an in 
vasion. We heard the like from Detroit, whence Chip- 
pewas came. Meanwhile a rumor had secretly spread 
among the sisters that we should not stay here, but must 
flee again, on which account they were already getting 
provisions ready. They had heard something from the 
Chippewa women, which they wove into something more, 
for women will always know more than the chiefs. 

Saturday, 18. A messenger came from the Miami here 
with a large company of Chippewas, who are on the lake 
here, bringing a message to the Chippewas of this import, 
that they should arise and all come to the Miami, bringing 
with them their grandfather in Pettquotting, for the next 
day the Virginians would be in Sandusky, and we should 
be surrounded. The Indian brothers, the assistants, ex 
amined the messenger, seeking carefully to find out whence 
the message came, and they told him they saw very well 
it was no speech from our chief, and when the messenger 
could think of nothing farther, he said it came from a 
Tawa chief in Gigeyunk, whereupon we sent him back 
with his message, and thereby made it known that we 
were ordered to receive none, and to listen to no one, 
except the chief, Ekuschuwe ; thus we had no ears for the 
message, whereupon they went away. It is probable that 
Welandaweckeu, the Delaware chief in Gigeyunk, whose 
message we sent back in the spring, was the author of 
this. 

Sunday, 14. David preached and held the children s 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 41 

service. In the afternoon were thunder-storms. We read 
the church-journal. We learned that two Tawas from the 
Miami, who were here yesterday, had gone to the war 
to-day. It is as if Satan begrudged us the quiet we would 
yet have and sought to disturb us. They seek to make us 
fearful, when no danger is present. 

Monday, 15. Michael held early service from the text: 
Woe to that man by whom the offense cometh. French 
men from Detroit, on their way to Cuyahoga, who have 
run into the river in a transport, on account of contrary 
winds, came here. From them we learned that ammuni 
tion had been given to the Indians in Gigeyunk. The as 
sistants spoke with Tutele and M. Magdalene. Both were 
told to go away from the church on account of unseemly 
conduct. 

Thursday, 18. By Joshua, who returned from San- 
dusky, we had news from there that nothing dangerous 
was to be feared from war ; that those there, as we here, 
had many lies sent them from Gigeyunk, but that the 
Chippewas far beyond Gigeyunk were quiet and wished to 
have no war, so that it is only those in Gigeyunk, the 
Shawanese and Twightwees, who also were become weary 
of it, but yet they had murdered on the Muskingum and 
thereabout. Samuel and his company came back from 
Pittsburg. By letters from Heckewelder and Steiner, as 
well as by word of mouth, we perceive that they arrived 
fortunately and had gone away down into the country. 

Friday, 19. A white man also came from Pittsburg 
with goods, such as salt, bacon, etc., to trade. Likewise 
Mr. Robbins came again. David held morning service. 

Saturday, 20. Edwards held early service. The breth 
ren hoed our plantation. An Indian came here with corn. 
Ihis brought good news from Sandusky that the chief in 
Gigeyunk at the present convention on the Miami had 
given his consent for peace. Pleasant news. 

Sunday, 21. Edwards preached, David held the quarter- 
hour for the married, and Michael held the congregation 
meeting. Many strangers were here. We read the church- 
journal. 



42 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Tuesday, 23. Edwards held early service. William 
spoke with Ihis, David with Mary Magdalene, who went 
away and is come back. She asked for readmission. 

Wednesday, 24. The assistants spoke with young mar 
ried people, and provided for what is right ; also with 
William Henry and his wife about their son, John. They 
also considered about the girl, Mary Magdalene, where she 
could be. In the afternoon died Adolphus, who for a 
year already has been sick with consumption, and for the 
last three months has always been more apparently ap 
proaching the end. He died blessedly and very peacefully. 
His remains were, 

Thursday, 25, buried. He came as a youth with his de 
parted mother, in 1770, to the church in Languntout- 
eniink (on Beaver River, Pa.), was baptized by, David 
Zeisberger in Schonbrunn, Feb. 13, 1774, and May 29 of 
the same year he was married to his present widow, whom 
he leaves with four children. He came to the enjoyment 
of the Lord s supper Aug. 13, 1780. By nature he was a 
wild, uncontrollable man, and nothing except the grace, 
the Saviour wrought in his heart, could have made him 
tame, for as soon as this got the upper hand with him he 
became a lamb ; it made him meek and humble, and he 
walked with it until the church, 1782, went asunder and 
was dispersed, when he relapsed to heathenism, falling 
into greater sins than before. In 1784 he came again to 
the church on Huron River. The spirit of murder, which 
had wholly possessed him, shone from his eyes, so that 
once, when he wanted to go to Detroit on business, we were 
forced to say to him that we could not let him go except 
under good oversight, fearing he would kill somebody, 
thus bringing scandal upon the whole church. Yes, we 
had reason to hesitate about receiving him again, but 
since we knew him and could hope that if the Saviour 
should again come to his heart and grace be master with 
him, he would become a lamb instead of a bear, we were 
not in despair about him. Praise be to God this happened, 
for after he once, late into the night, had with Br. David 
an upright, fraternal talk, confessing to him all his sins, of 



AT NEW feALEM, 1789. 43 

which no one among the brethren knew any thing, he re 
ceived absolution from the church. He soon became quite 
another man and was pliable clay in the hand of the pot 
ter. He was soon readmitted to the enjoyment of the 
Lord s supper, and became again a blessed man, only much 
more solid and firmer in the faith and in confidence in the 
Saviour, who in him had shown so great grace and mercy, 
than ever before. But he came not through without op 
position from his friends, who often beset him here, seek 
ing to lead him away from the church by crafty promises, 
since they proposed to make him a chief, whereto he had 
pretensions from his forefathers. He did not, however, let 
himself be moved, but always spoke out very freely to 
them that he should stay his life-long in the church ; he 
knew what he had found, namely, eternal life ; they 
should give themselves no trouble about him ; he would 
not exchange with them ; they should hold for themselves 
what seemed to them good and precious. A year ago this 
spring, in clearing land, he hurt himself by too hard lift 
ing at a log, so that he lay sick for a while. He became 
indeed somewhat better by remedies he used, but con 
sumption soon showed itself in.hirn, which continued and 
was the occasion of his death. 

The Quaker went back to Pittsburg. We learned late 
this evening that a party of Indians had come from Pitts- 
burg with thirty gallons of brandy, and had encamped 
half a mile from our town, probably because they knew 
that here in town they would not be masters of it, since it 
would be taken for safe-keeping. That we might have no 
drunkenness from it, for many Chippewas lay by the lake, 
we sent out a good party of Indian brethren already in the 
night, who took it away, and brought it into town, where 
it was kept till they went farther. 

Friday, 26. The assistants married John Henry and 
Anna Mary, Ignatius daughter. 

Saturday; 27. Michael held early service. We learned 
to-day that the two Chippewas, of whom mention was made 
under the 14th Inst. are come back without letting them 
selves be seen by us, with six horses they had stolen. 



44 ZEISBERGER 3 DIARY. 

Sunday, 28. Michael preached. David held the com 
munion quarter-hour and Edwards the congregation 
meeting. We laborers read the church-journal, and to-day 
the Memorabilia of the U. A. C. for 1787. 

Monday, 29. David held early service from the Script 
ure-verse : In this place will I give peace, saith the Lord 
of hosts. 

Tuesday, 30. Boatmen from Detroit arrived early, who 
went to Presque Isle to get flour there, to whom we had 
to give an Indian as pilot, for they did not know how to 
get by the rocks. There came upon us this morning, like 
a storm, all sorts of trouble and difficulty. Two other 
white people wished to have a pilot for Pittsburg, and as 
we knew and had heard that warriors were out, we could 
not very well refuse ; besides we had two parties of In 
dians, who had a great quantity of brandy with them, to 
be on our guard against, that we might have no trouble 
from them, by whom already last night we had been dis 
quieted. This is now a real evil, and for us like a land- 
plague, for the Indians can now safely and unhindered go 
to the Fort and bring away strong drink in such great quan 
tity, whereby are caused so much misfortune, murder, and 
deadly quarrels. 

Wednesday, July 1. The whisky-Indians finally went 
away, but encamped again not far off, where there was 
more drinking, and most vexatious was it that two of our 
people were there. 

Friday, 8. Yesterday and to-day was talking, always 
hard work, but when it is done it awakens praise and 
thanks to our dear Lord, who always does best thereby, 
and takes away many a difficulty, and thus it was this 
time, so that on Saturday the 4th we had a communion 
very gracious and blessed in his near presence. Two 
brothers, Isaac, John Cook s son, and Boaz, were par 
takers for the first time, and one brother and one sister 
looked on as candidates. In regard to admitting brethren 
who have lately been baptized to the Lord s supper, we 
have had to make a change in our principiis, and admit 
them sooner than was before customarv. The communion 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 45 

church grows, as does the church of the baptized. This 
shows the Lord is with us. 

Sunday, 5. After the communion liturgy, Br. David 
preached, and in the afternoon, after consideration of the 
Scripture-verse : Be strong, all ye people of the land, etc., 
old John Cook was taken into the church, and William 
Henry s wife was baptized into Jesus death with the name 
Rachel ; both the one received and she who was baptized 
were absolved. This was again a very blessed affair, and 
preached much. The strangers who were present shed 
many tears and were mightily moved. A Mohican woman 
said afterwards to some sisters that it came hard for her 
to go away from here, she would like to be here; she had 
often spoken with her husband about it, that he should go 
to the church with her ; she knew for a certainty that there 
the right way to life eternal was taught, and she should 
like to be saved, but he had no ears therefor, but said she 
might go, he had no thought thereof. 

Monday, 6. Michael held early service. One of John 
Cook s sons, with his wife, who for a year already has been 
here off and on [he is the one who last winter burnt the 
a b c board of his brother, a youth who is now baptized 
and can read, since he could not suffer that the children 
should learn any thing] they, to-day, upon their re 
peated request, got leave to live here. "When the assist 
ants spoke with them, the husband said he would not like 
to promise much, so as not to speak a lie, for he did not 
find in himself the power to keep it, though perhaps the 
Saviour would show him mercy, and send him a heart to 
live for him ; he saw that many times people came to the 
church, who promised much good, how they would pass 
their whole lives blessedly in the church, and wished to 
live for the Saviour, but before they had experienced or 
enjoyed any thing, yes, before they were baptized, they 
went away, having merely deceived the brothers, and this 
he did not wish to do. His wife, on the other hand, said 
that all her friends were dead, except her mother, who was 
still alive, not having heard God s word, as she now had 
an opportunity to do, which she looked upon as a mercy 



46 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

from God, who wished to let her feel his grace ; therefore, 
she woqld like to live and die in the church, and as it fared, 
well or ill, she wished to stand by it. 

Wednesday, 8. The boy Matthew was buried, three 
years old less three months, William s child, so beautiful 
a corpse that the brethren could not gaze at it enough. A 
Wyandot woman, who had indeed helped plunder us in 
Schonbrunn, came here and frequented the services. 
Since in her we had a merited case, we wished the Sa 
viour would give her eternal life, punishment for her, re 
venge for the devil. 

Saturday, 11. Many Indians from Sandusky, the Miami, 
and Gigeyunk arrived, all very hungry, to buy corn, for 
on every hand is famine. In Sandusky they sold their 
corn to the Detroit traders, since they always wished to 
flee, and many have fled. Now for this they must suffer. 
All, however, agree about this, that there will be peace. 
The Chippewas and Tawas have spoken very sharply and 
earnestly with the western nations and Indians, represent 
ing to them that they were in no condition to continue 
the war against the -white people; they should give it up, 
if they wished with their children to remain alive; they 
should know that the Chippewas, Tawas, Potawatomies 
would not stand by them. This speech brought them to 
reflection, and the Chippewas will be masters and attain 
their end, so that yet all nations will unite with them. 
Among those who came here, were also some who are 
strongly inclined to come to the church, but either the 
husband or the wife is not resolved, and thus there are al 
ways hinderances and objections. If the husband will 
come, the wife will not; at another time the wife would be 
glad to be here, and then the husband will not, and if at 
last they so far agree as to come to the church, then often 
difficulties still arise, merely in holding them together. 

Sunday, 12. David preached from the Gospel: Depart 
from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord, at which sermon 
many strangers were present. 

Tuesday, 14. David held early service. Indians from 
all quarters are all the time coming here, so that the town 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 47 

was full of strangers, among whom there are always some 
who are uneasy and think about coming to the church, 
with which thought some are busy for ten years or more, 
as, for example, one of Packanke s sons is here and has 
spoken much with Samuel about salvation, for it depends 
upon this, whether he can make up his mind. The 
strangers frequent the services assiduously, and one can 
see and observe, here and there, in this one or in that, that 
they do not hear in vain. The seed is sown and brings 
forth fruit in its own time. Among the heathen the Gos 
pel is certainly not preached in vain, and though it often 
appears as though it would bear no fruit, yet the time 
comes when it shows itself as God s strength. 

Wednesday, 15. Many brethren went oft to dig gin 
seng, in order to pay their debts. Here the house of Isaac 
and little Renatus was blocked out. 

Friday, 17. From Detroit two white people came here 
on their way to Pittsburg, who told us there was such a 
famine there, that mcst of the French were living upon 
grass, that neither corn, flour, nor bread were to be had in 
the city for money, and that already five children in the set- 
tlernent.had starved to death. There is a common famine 
in the whole country, and what was this year planted has 
been eaten by the worms, so that the fields stand bald and 
bare. We hear the same in a letter from Mr. Askin to 
Br. David. He adds that unless they soon get help, he 
does not know how they can get on. Not long since a 
boat went by here on its way to Presque Isle to get flour. 
Yesterday it came back by here empty, since people from 
Niagara had got there first and taken every thing away, 
where there is said to be even greater want of food, so that 
they have to kill and eat horses. We now first perceived, 
after the event, that the Saviour had wished to spare us 
the famine, and had helped us away from there. Were 
we still there, we should be with our Indians in extreme 
need and misery, greater than ever before, for the heavenly 
Father has blessed us here, so that Indians and whites 
cannot enough wonder at our fruitful, vigorous fields, and 
the white people said there was not in all Detroit so 



48 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

much and so fine corn to be seen as here. God is here 
praised. 

Sunday, 19. Many strangers thoughtfully attended the 
sermon, which Br. Edwards preached from the text: Ex 
cept your righteousness shall exceed, etc., about the right 
eousness that comes from the bloody merits of Jesus, upon 
which we are commanded to dwell, and David held the 
congregation meeting from the Scripture-verse : This is his 
name whereby he shall be called, the Lord, our Righteous 
ness. 

Monday, 20. The white people set out for Pittsburg, 
who hired an Indian to go with them as guide, by which 
opportunity we wrote to the church. Among them was a 
woman, who, as she said, with her father, Mr. Wit, had 
lived a couple of years near Bethany, in Carolina, a mile 
therefrom, had afterwards with her husband moved to 
Holston River, in eastern Tennessee, where her husband 
was killed, and she and her sister were taken prisoners by 
the Shawanese, among whom she was five years, and at last 
was brought to Detroit, and her sister too. A couple of 
white people from Bedford passed through on their way 
to Detroit, Germans. 

Tuesday, 21. David held early service. Samuel, with 
Thomas and his daughter, went to Sandusky to get his 
daughter Jael s corn, coming back on the 24th. 

Thursday 23. English came herein a boat, who in their 
boats together are surveying the lake shore from Niagara 
as far as Detroit. Old acquaintances, Sajipihillen and 
Helena s son and daughter, came here, and rejoiced to see 
the church and brethren, especially the daughter, to see 
where her parents had lived. Her father, an unbaptized 
man, died in Ptttsburg at the hands of the militia. 

Friday, 24. The brethren came back from the islands 
with ginseng in good quantity, where indeed there is a 
good deal of it, so that a man in a day can get a good half- 
bushel of it. 

Saturday, 25. Edwards held early service. Louisa, 
with her children, arrived from the Miami [Nathaniel will 
come again in the autumn], who long before our captivity 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 49 

went away from the church, and wherever we were and 
came she always followed, even to Detroit, but from afar. 
Thus it is with people; they cannot make up their minds 
to give themselves entirely to the Saviour and to be alto 
gether in the church, and yet they cannot remain away 
from us. 

Sunday, 26. Michael preached and David held the con 
gregation meeting. Susanna was sick with toothache. 
There was quite a large number of strangers here and of 
acquaintances. Helena s friends here. 

Tuesday, 28. David held early service from the text: 
There is no man that hath left home or brethren or sisters 
or father or mother, etc., to this effect, that many for the 
sake of their friends, who are dead or still alive, and who 
either have never heard Gocl s word or have not received 
it, would rather be lost than cut loose from them or leave 
them. Many strangers were present. William and sev 
eral others went to the islands, many sisters for whortle 
berries. 

Wednesday, 29. Michael held early service. French 
men from San dusky Bay came here to seek aid in their 
need, for they had nothing for themselves and their fami 
lies to eat, and they got something. Otherwise many 
strangers were here, and new ones are always coming. 

Friday, 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1. Still more strangers 
from Gigeyunk came here. 

Sunday, 2. David preached from the Epistle, Romans 
viii., 12: Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the 
flesh, etc., and Edwards held the congregation meeting 
from the Scripture-verse. From Gigeyunk came Petty 
with her husband and children. He is the son of David, 
the Mohican, grandson of Abraham, the first to be bap 
tized. Also from there, Johanna s son, Samuel, with his 
wife. 

Tuesday, Aug. 4. David held early service from the 

text: He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in 

white raiment ; and I will not blot out his name out of the 

book of life. Susanna was to-dav and the following days 

4 



50 

again very ill. William came from the Erie Islands and 
several families, others also came back from Cuyahoga on 
the 5th. 

Friday, 7. From Gigeyunk, whence new Indians are 
always coming here, we learned that old Eva, Israel s sis 
ter, was gone from time. She and her sister have always 
longed for the church, but they could not help themselves, 
and their friends would not do them the favor. This 
spring she sent word here and begged to be brought here, 
but it could not be done, and, as we now hear, she died at 
that very time. Doubtless the Saviour will take her to 
grace. 

Sunday, 9. Edwards preached about the unjust stew 
ard, David held the communion quarter-hour, and Michael 
the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 10. David held early service. The brethren 
built a hut for the single brothers. Samuel had on this, 
his baptismal day, a love-feast with those who, twenty- 
three years before, had been baptized with him and are yet 
alive, and with some assistants. They rejoiced in their 
election, for which they thanked the Saviour with many 
tears that he had kept them in the church and shown 
them much goodness. John Cook and William Henry, 
two new-comers, whom they had with them, did nothing 
but weep. 

Wednesday, 12. Abraham preached about the Gospel 
to a multitude of strangers, men and women, both how 
they had to conduct themselves during their visit here, 
and if they wished to live here in a disorderly way, and 
could not bear it so long, they should rather go away. He 
set forth to them also the salvation the Saviour has won 
for all without exception. In the point of order we have 
need of an Abraham, who holds eagerly to it, with un 
wearied zeal, day and night. 

Thursday, 13. The Saviour made this a day of especial 
blessing for the whole church, and particularly for the 
church of the communicants, and our Lord and Head 
showed himself gracious to his brown flock, especially in 
his supper, to which three brethren, namely, Simon, Re- 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 51 

becca, and Rahel, this last a single woman, were ad 
mitted for their first enjoyment of it, and two, namely, 
William Henry and Charles, father and son, looked on as 
candidates. In a common service, when there was a dis 
course about the Scripture-verse of the day : He will bring 
me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness, 
about the church of Jesus Christ, which he has assembled 
by his apostles, and has until now kept together and in 
creased, to which the Saviour has revealed the word about 
his sufferings and death, as the only cause and source of 
our salvation and redemption, of which he says: The 
gates of hell shall not prevail against it, whereby he has 
also got together a church from among the heathen, has 
imparted and revealed himself to them, to which we also 
by grace belong; he reveals himself to us and graciously 
calls us his, making us participators in his blood and 
wounds, and always brings together more from the world, 
to whom he lets his light shine, and reveals himself to 
them, so that they first see and find their unblessed and 
lost condition, and at the same time their weal and eternal 
salvation in Jesus wounds. Then an adult, named Levi, 
was buried by baptism in Jesus death. 

Friday, 14. Br. Edwards held early service about prais 
ing and thanking the Lord for all the goodness and mercy 
he has shown us, in having reconciled us to God by his 
death. The Indian brethren, with many strangers, men 
who were here, went out hunting in common for a couple 
of hours, but brought home only one deer. 

Saturday, 15. In the early service which Br. David 
held from the text : And the servant said, Lord, it is done 
as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room, many 
strangers listened very attentively, mostly young people. 
We see very plainly that if the word of God is preached 
to Indians it makes them tame. We see a great difference, 
and it makes us wonder how the young savage people, 
who by nature have frightful self-esteem and pride, when 
they come here and hear God s word, become so tractable 
and pliant, conducting and behaving themselves in an or 
derly and modest way beyond our expectations. How 



52 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

have they raved and stormed on the Muskingum, at Gna- 
denhiitten, like unreasonable beasts, and if one sees them 
now he can hardly believe they were the same men, and 
whence comes this? It is from God, he gives them respect 
and reverence for his church. 

Sunday, 16. Michael preached, and as it rained hard 
all day, there were no other services. Petty, who came 
here several days ago, spoke with us about coming to the 
church, asking advice, for she has an unbaptized husband. 
We had the assistants speak with both of them, and found 
the man not disinclined to come to the church. He was 
once formerly on the Huron River, over the lake, to make 
us a visit, before he married Petty, and promised then to 
come to us again, and he also told the Indians, after he 
got home, that he was going to the believers, and wanted 
to live with them, but they persuaded him against coming, 
telling him he should not do it, but wait, giving him ex 
pectancy of the office of chief, therewith to bind him to 
stay with them, of which he must first make himself free, 
if he will come to us, which will yet happen. We advised 
Petty to go with her husband and wait for him, mean 
while she left a boy here. 

Tuesday, 18. Edwards held early service. The stran 
gers, a multitude of whom has been here a long time, 
begin to go away again, after eating some of our brethren 
quite clean, for there were daily from ten to thirteen per 
sons to be entertained. It is well that the corn is already 
quite advanced, so that they find something to eat from 
their fields and will not starve. Among the strangers 
were also several families of the baptized, with .whom we 
spoke, reminding them what they had formerly enjoyed 
in the church, and encouraging them to seek again eternal 
grace. They gave us hope of their again being found 
here. 

Thursday, 20. David held early service. The brethren 
went again to the lake and islands for ginseng. From 
Gigeyunk came Polly, the former wife of lame Thomas, 
with her child, a little boy, baptized Christian. 

Saturday, 22. Michael held early service. Louisa, who 



1789. 53 

with her sons was here for a time visiting, went back 
again to the Miami Fork. When she took leave of us, 
she said she wished as soon as possible to come away from 
there, and to come again to us to stay. Really, her sons? 
who are grown men, are the cause of her coming to us, 
and if she will not leave them, she must be here with 
them. 

Sunday, 23. David preached about Pharisees and toll- 
gatherers. In the afternoon service, the little daughter of 
John Thomas and Cathrine, born yesterday, was baptized 
into Jesus death with the name Juliana. Towards even 
ing Wunanktis, who has been very sick for a couple of 
days, was buried in Jesus death by baptism in the presence 
of a company of brethren, and named Abel, whereby was 
an especially blessed feeling. Before this more than once 
he should have been baptized, but as he did not wish it, 
it could not happen till now, when he begged for baptism, 
for he was of a very modest and bashful character, and prob 
ably had not confidence enough in himself to go through 
the ceremony of baptism before the whole church, therefore 
the Saviour must bring it to pass with him in such a way. 
He had a very capable head for learning, and last winter 
from his a b c he learned to read, and taught himself to 
write without aid, for he often wrote to Br. David of his 
heart, which was easier for him than to talk by word of 
mouth, since thus he could better express himself. 

Monday, 24. Edwards held early service, Samuel, Bill, 
Henry, Isaac, and others went out for ginseng. 

Tuesday, 25. Michael held early service. From De 
troit, whence two white people came, we learned that the 
famine was somewhat lessened, for they had harvested 
something, but not enough ; there was little hope. In 
Mackinaw a hundred pounds of flour cost ten pounds. In 
Niagara many men have starved to death, likewise in De 
troit. 

Friday, 28. Michael held early service. William with 
a company of brethren came back from the lake and 
islands, who on the lake had been in much danger of go 
ing down, for as they came away from the islands it was 



54 ZEISBEKGER S DIARY. 

good sailing upon the lake, but when they were half-way 
over a strong wind suddenly sprung up, so that they all 
thought they should go down, for the waves struck into 
their canoes. Once they had to turn about. All said they 
had in their need from their hearts called upon the Sa 
viour. The children with them sang verses amid the 
great waves, which was their prayer, and all thanked the 
Saviour heartily when at night they first came to land. 
Towards evening the child Nathan, of unbaptized parents, 
not living here but he was born and baptized here 
seven months and eleven days old, was buried. He was 
an attrative child, who, when he was asked, or of his own 
accord, already knew how to point out the Saviour s 
wounds in his hands and feet, though he could not speak. 

Sunday, 30. Br. "Edwards preached. Tschuwisch or 
Sem, who came here two days ago, attended industriously 
the services, and said to the brethren that he thought 
much about again corning to the church. We had a love- 
feast with the unmarried brothers, for their feast-day, yes 
terday. 

Monday, 31. The widows, nine in number, and one 
widower, had for their feast-day to-day a blessed service 
and love-feast. The Saviour showed himself gracious to 
them and blessed them, of which the tears upon their 
cheeks bore witness. One brother, Luke, and one sister, 
Susanna, have this year been added to their number. 

Tuesday, Sept. 1. Polly, the former wife of lame 
Thomas, went back to the Miami, after making a visit of 
ten days here, but she had no thought of coming again 
to the church. Late in the evening, towards midnight, 
William s Martha was delivered of twins, both girls, but 
one of them was still-born. 

Thursday, 3. In the early service William s child was 
baptized with the name Gertrude. The Joachims came 
here from the Fort. We heard from them that the breth 
ren who went two months ago to Tschinque 1 to look for 

1 See note, p. 345, vol. i. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 55 

ginseng, 1 had gone about in vain (finding nothing that 
was good for any thing 2 ), and are now on their way home. 

Friday, 4. Most of them also arrived. 

Sunday, 6. Michael preached and David held the con 
gregation meeting. The assistants spoke with two new 
people, Samuel, Johanna s son, and a big boy, Sophia s sis 
ter s son, who had announced their wish to live here. 
Both got leave. 

Monday, 7. Morning service was early, when we beg 
ged the Saviour s recognition of us and his boody blessing 
out of his fulness for this day. In the service for the 
married from to-day s text, the Indian, Levi, was married 
to the single sister, Rahel. Afterwards was a common 
love-feast, at which the Chippewa, Manitto, with his wife 
and several others, was present. The brethren were re 
minded of and had impressed upon them our communion 
with all churches, since we were one people with all God s 
children, having received his word, loving him and be 
lieving in him, which was told us by the church, where 
fore we owe our thanks to him, so that, if we shall then 
be perfected, we shall be assembled together around him, 
praise and glorify him forever for his great grace and 
mercy. The children and young people were also exhorted 
not to forfeit righteousness, grace, and salvation by going 
their own ways. In conclusion Br. David held a service 
from the Scripture- verse : Sow to yourselves in righteous 
ness, reap in mercy ; break up your fallow ground, for it 
is time to seek the Lord till he come and rain righteousness 

1 Frequent mention of this root has been made in this diary. For 
many years now it has been a common object of traffic among the In 
dians. The Encyclopedia Brit, says : 

" Ginseng, the Chinese name for Panax quinquefolium, a small plant 
of the natural order Araliaciae, found in the northern parts of Asia 
and in America. It has a jointed, fleshy, tapered root, which, when 
dried, is of yellowish-white color, and has a mucilaginous sweet flavor 
somewhat resembling liquorice, accompanied by a slight bitterness. It 
is highly prized by the Chinese as a stimulant and restorative, or rather 
as a panacea for every ill. . . . Now the Americans carry it direct to 
China, which is its only market. 1 

2 The passage in brackets is conjectured. 



56 

on you. Thy blood-righteousness makes us blessed in 
time, and will also eternally be the only cause of our well- 
being. 

Tuesday, 8. David held morning service. Three fami 
lies of white people, with a great troop of children [20], 
who came here last evening, and are from Maryland, from 
the head of the Potomac, and were going to Detroit, gave 
us much to do, one family wishing to stay here through 
the winter, but this we could not permit. By them we had 
a letter from Br. Kiefer, 1 of July 17. They wanted to 
have canoes lent them and people to take them over the 
lake, since they could not go by land, but all had nothing 
more to eat. They went away, 

Wednesday, 9, some by land, but the women and chil 
dren by water, Renatus and Ignatius being their pilots 
over the lake. Michael held early service. An Indian, 
who had come a very roundabout way from Oswego, by 
way of Niagara, to Detroit, and from there by way of 
Gligeyunk here, and had already been here some time, 
came and begged to be permitted to live here. When we 
spoke to the assistants about him, we learned that he him 
self had told them, when first he went to the meetings 
and heard, that it was to him thus : " Here will I live ; 
from this place I will not go away." He had already 
arisen and gone to the table, and wished to beg admission 
before the whole church, but had again considered whether 
this was right and gave it up. From that time, how 
ever, he has so remained and has not forgotten. After 
our rules had been made known to him, to which he sub 
mitted, promising to comport himself thereby, he got per 
mission. 

Thursday, 10. In the early service from the text : All 
things are possible to him that believeth, Br. David bap 
tized Thomas little daughter, born yesterday, Ruth, into 
Jesus death, at which ceremony white people were also 
present, for it was quite new for them to see Indians lead 

X A Moravian missionary, who narrowly escaped massacre at Penn s 
Creek, Cumberland Co., Pa., in 1755, and was concealed for two weeks 
afterwards by a friendly Indian. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 57 

so Christian a life and conduct, for they said they had 
lived in the land there among the mountains without ser 
mon or worship of God. One was from Saucon (near 
Bethlehem), and was well acquainted in Bethlehem. They 
then went to Detroit with Ignatius and Renatus. 

Friday, 11. Edwards held early service. By some of 
our Indians, who came from their hunting in Cuyahoga, 
to whom Mingoes from Niagara came, telling them that 
there this summer there had been hail-storms and that 
hail-stones as big as apples had fallen and done great dam 
age. Something of the sort we have also had here, the 
biggest like hickory-nuts, but in no very great abundance. 
There, however, the night after, the cold and frost were so 
severe that all the corn was frozen and withered after the 
sun shone warm, so that men wept and have now nothing 
to look forward to except starvation, for they had to 
slaughter their horses this ye$r, and many died of hunger. 

Sunday, 13. David preached about the ten lepers, from 
the Gospel, and Michael held the congregation meeting. 
Strangers came here again yesterday, who showed a wish 
to remain here. We learned from Sandusky that there 
they have had hard night-frosts for sometime and that the 
tender corn has been injured, while we here have not been 
aware of any in our fields. Sicknesses prevail among the 
Indians, so that many are dying, and among the cattle, 
and especially among the horses, pestilence spreads, so 
that they perish in great number, and through the fre 
quent visits of strangers these (sicknesses) are brought 
here, so that many have died. 

Tuesday, 15. Boaz brother sent us word to pray for 
him, that the Saviour might help him to come to us, that 
he might not be held back by the Indians. 

Wednesday, 16. Abraham, Samuel, and Stephen went 
to Sandusky Bay to get various things, stone, cedar-wood, 
etc. From the new settlement over the lake Ignatius and 
Renatus returned, whither they had taken the white peo 
ple by water, some twelve miles the other side of the Miami. 
They brought news that in Detroit pestilence and sick- 



58 

nesses prevailed, of which many, people died. The Shaw- 
anese and Indians at the head of the Miami are said to 
have begun their cruelties again and to have burnt two 
captives. Ten Indians are also said to have died, of whose 
death horse-thieves are the cause, after whom the white 
people followed, and thus whom they fell in with must 
pay the penalty. The Tawa chief will soon visit us. 

Friday, 18. By the Indian, Moses, who came from the 
Fort, we learned that a brother 1 from Bethlehem was said 
to be there, who would like to come to us, and that our 
Cook s brother had agreed to bring him out, but we can 
hardly believe this, and are in doubt, and having no word 
by letter of it, we did nothing. 

Saturday, 19. In the early service from the Scripture- 
verse : Go up to the mountain and bring wood and build 
the house; and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glo 
rified, saith the Lord, the little daughter of Joachim and 
A. Maria, born yesterday, was baptized into Jesus death 
with the name Henrietta. He had gone several days be 
fore to his father in Gigeyunk, from whom he can by no 
means get away and whom he cannot give up. 

Sunday, 20. Edwards preached from the Gospel : ~No 
man can serve two masters. David held the communion 
quarter-hour, and Michael the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 21. David held early service. The assistants 
were told to speak with several girls, likewise to attend to 
fencing the grave-yard, at which they made a beginning 
to-day, and finally, to answer Pipe, to whom we owe an 
answer to his belt, and thereby to take occasion to say to 
the chiefs, that since they have abandoned Pettquotting to 
us, they should now hold to it, and no other Indians should 
settle in our neighborhood, as we have already heard of 
several ; that they should bear this in mind, and if it hap 
pens we must go away. 

Tuesday, 22. The brethren got clone with the grave 
yard, and then the sisters went at once and put it in order. 

Friday, 25. David, who became quite ill three clays ago, 



See under Oct. 19, next, p. 62. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 59 

was better again, yet he spoke to the brethren yesterday 
and to-day. Very man} 7 grow ill, and it is a very sickly 
time. 

Saturday, 26. The communicants enjoyed the body and 
blood of our Lord in the holy sacrament, to which two 
sisters were readmitted, one of whom, Jacobina, had gone 
from the church, married a savage and brought him to the 
church, who has now been baptized, and before her has 
come to the Lord s supper. One sister, Rachel, looked on 
as candidate. 

Sunday, 27. Michael preached after the communion 
liturgy. In the afternoon service Samuel, Johanna s son, 
born in Friedenshiitten, who lately came here from Gige- 
yunk, was taken into the church. This caused emotion in the 
whole circle of his friends, who had all been here long 
before him, so the last became first and the first last. At 
this service the assistant, Samuel, said to his mother and 
step-father : " Thou hast always made the excuse and said 
thou must think too much about thy son, that thy heart 
was ever in Gigeyunk, and that thou hadst no time 
to think of the welfare of thine own soul. Now thy son 
is here, and already farther along than thou, though thou 
wast here more than a year before him. Now thus art 
thou backward and not once a real friend of his." Such 
expressions, which mean much to the Indians, cut to the 
heart. 

Monday, 28. The brethren worked in common at the 
school-house, and at the same time to put in order the 
house of the sick Thomas. A woman, Mary Elizabeth, 
who went away from here some time ago and married a 
savage, Paul s son, for she was single, came to Br. David, 
begging for readmission to live here. He replied to her: 
"Thou hast gone from the church. Then thou wast un 
married, and couldst speak for thyself, but now thou hast 
a husband and art not thine own ruler. He must come 
and tell if he also is of that mind. We heed not what the 
wife says, but what the husband says." 

Tuesday, 29. In the early service the dear angels were 
thought of, who are sent to serve us and to turn away from 



60 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

us many harms and dangers, for which we ought to thank 
the Saviour. Joachim, who two days ago went to Gige- 
yunk, came back from there, bringing with him his old 
father, Joachim, who rejoiced to see the church again. 

Wednesday, 20. A family of seven persons, Renatus 
friend from Sandusky, named Wojanwes, upon their re 
quest and desire, got leave to live here. When he went 
from home he said to his brother that he was now going 
to Pettquotting, that he did not know whether he should 
come back again ; he wanted to go and see what they had 
there, for he believed the believing Indians had some good 
thing of which they did not know ; so if he should not 
come back again, he would know where he was, and might 
himself consider what he would do. 

[Thus far to Bethlehem.] 

Thursday, Oct. 1. Indians came here from the Fort 
with liquor, which we indeed took in charge until they 
went away, two days after, but they encamped not far off, 
having deceived us, so that there was drunkenness, and we 
were much plagued by vile people. 

Saturday, 3. Loveless, who went to the Fort from De 
troit, arrived, and with him young Isaac Williams, sixty 
of whose hogs the Wyandots had killed. He said they 
thought of moving away in the spring. 

Sunday, 4. Edwards preached. Many Indians came 
from the Fort with much brandy, fourteen casks, which 
we took in charge till their departure. 

Tuesday, 6. Samuel and Charles went with the white 
man to the Fort, by which opportunity we sent letters and 
our diary to Pittsburg, and wrote also about our things 
there, to send them to us. Many Chippewas here. 

Thursday, 8. The whisky-people nearly all moved far 
ther away, including a daughter of Cook. David held 
morning service. Old Ruth came with her son, Tobias, 
and his wife, and her grandson, a child, in order to live 
again in the church. They were for the time housed until 
they could farther be spoken with. 

Friday, 9. We brethren harvested our field, some three 
hundred strings of corn, besides the loose corn, and the 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 61 

fields have made a rich return, in spite of the fact that the 
birds have done much damage, for thus far this year in 
flocks of thousands they have covered the fields black. 
Every thing has thriven without harm from frost, which 
this year has injured nearly all places. 

Sunday, 11. Br. David preached from the Gospel about 
the great commandment. The assistants spoke with Ruth 
and her son, who longed to live again in the church, and 
though we know about it, and were acquainted with her 
of old, that she is a hard person to get along with, who 
would give us much trouble and care, yet we did not wish 
to reject her, for she was yet concerned about her salva 
tion and already quite old. 

Tuesday, 13. Michael held early service, as yesterday 
Br. David. The brethren were all very busy harvesting, 
to which the birds force them, which eat up all they find. 
Many Chippewas also helped, who wished to earn some 
corn, for they do not plant, but live by hunting, in the 
summer for the most part upon fish and musk-rats, and 
in winter from game in the bush, but yet they like to have 
corn when they can get any, but they do not like to plant, 
for they are accustomed to move about, and are nowhere 
at home. 

Wednesday, 14. David held early service. There were 
thunder-storms both yesterday and to-day. Frank, who 
came from the Fort yesterday, knew nothing about broth 
ers having been there and wishing to come hither, nor 
had he heard any thing about this. Indians arrived with 
whisky. 

Thursday, 15. White people from Pittsburg, with cattle, 
went through here, on their way to Detroit, likewise 
others, the Quaker, etc., by water to the same place. We 
hoped to get letters by Bobbins, who arrived with them, 
but they came not, and thus probably we sent for our 
things in vain. 

Saturday, 17. The white people set out by water for 
Detroit. David held early service. The brethren were 
busy bringing in their corn. 

Sunday, 18. Michael preached, strangers being present. 



62 

We permitted the brethren to labor in their need to-day, 
for there has been much rain, and the corn suffers harm. 

Monday, 19. By a family of Mennonites, with four 
children, from Maryland, on their way to Detroit, who are 
acquainted with the brothers and have attended their 
meetings, we got a letter from Br. Sydrick, 1 from Grace- 
ham, on the Monocacy, of Sept. 19th. The people were 
very glad to meet the brothers and brethren, and we 
served and helped them as much as we could. We now 
found out too who the people were who had been called 
brothers from Bethlehem, who had wished to come out to 
us, namely, a Dunker, and preacher from Redstone, Pa., who 
had wished to go to Detroit, but whose courage failed him 
on account of the difficult journey, and therefore he 
turned back. 

Wednesday, 21. A white man came from Detroit on 
his way to Pittsburg, who stayed here several days. 

Saturday, 24. This week the brethren have been busy 
harvesting, the weather having been tolerably good. We 
finished the potato harvest, so that we are done. On the 
Miami the nations have again had a meeting and got pres 
ents. The Delawares in Gigeyunk, we hear, are moving 
to the Spaniards, with whom many of them already are. 
Welandawecken went there not along ago to live. At the 
mouth of the Miami the English in Detroit have a plan to 
buy a strip of land from the Wyandots, to have a proper 
place where they can hold treaties with the nations, to 
which the Wyandots are said to have shown themselves 
not disinclined. 

Sunday, 25. Edwards preached, and in the afternoon 
David discoursed to the baptized about stealing. The 
brothers came together to take measures about buying 
and selling. 

Tuesday, 27. Edwards held early service. From De 
troit Mr. Askin sent us word in a writing that he will send 



1 Daniel Sydrick, 1727-1790. He came to America in 1750, was as 
sistant minister in several places, and ten years in charge of the church 
in Philadelphia, and afterwards in Graceham, Frederick Co., Md. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 63 

his son and buy all the corn which we could do without. 
There are also several other traders who want to buy corn, 
for in Detroit it will be again a dear time, and among the 
Indians we hear from every place that the corn has been 
touched with frost. In Sandusky most people have no 
harvest, and we hear that many Indians will come here and 
pass the winter with us, in order to find something to eat; 
thus the supplies of our brethren will be used up, and they 
also may then come to want. In the evening Samuel came 
from the Fort, but we got neither letters nor any of our 
things, which were not yet come. On the Wabash, and in 
that country, there was a fight between the whites and In 
dians, in which the latter were worsted and four hundred 
were lost, all warriors, whereupon the whites attacked a 
town and laid low whatever they found. 1 It is now said 
they are begging for peace, which before they would not 
take, but wanted to fight. 

Friday, 30. From Detroit came some white people here 
on their way to Pittsburg, two of whom were here sev 
eral days on account of sickness. 

Saturday, 31. The whole week, when the weather was 
tolerable, for it has rained now more than eight days, the 
brethren were busy harvesting their corn. 

Sunday, Xov. 1. David preached from the Epistle to 
the Ephesians vi, 10 : Finally, my brethren, be strong in 
the Lord and in the power of his might, and held the com 
munion quarter-hour. The assistants arranged matters 
between Helena and Lydia. In the evening service, which 
Br. Michael held, we thought of the church above and 
of our communion with the same. In the evening A. 

o 

Elizabeth arrived from the Miami, and desired to live here 
again. There all the corn is frosted and none of it ripens, 
so that now the Indians separate, and each one has to seek 
to find something to eat. 

Monday, 2. It was a dark morning till towards ten 
o clock, so that in the house nothing could be seen without 
a light. Edwards held the early service from the text : I 



1 1 find no confirmation of Samuel s report. 



64 

will not leave you comfortless, etc. A. Elizabeth came to 
Br. David, begging for readmission, but got no answer, for 
she was false. 

Wednesday, 4. A party of whites came through here 
from Detroit on their way to Pittsburg. They were here 
a day, and went, Thursday, 5th, farther. David wrote to 
Br. Sydrick to Monocacy. 

Friday, 6. There came another family of white people 
here from Detroit on their way down into the country. 
They stayed over Sunday and went farther, from whom 
their horses were stolen the first night. 

Saturday, 7. After the brethren had been spoken 
to the preceding days, we had the holy communion in 
the near presence of our Lord, in which the brethren, 
William Henry, his wife, Rah el, and their son, Charles, 
participated with the church for the first time, and Johanna, 
who came to us in the spring from Gigeyunk, was read 
mitted. John Henry and Louisa, Helena s daughter, 
looked on as candidates. The assistants have for several 
days, and to-day also, labored in speaking with the 
brethren, here and there arranging matters among them. 
They are our true helpers, and if they must sit and use 
up whole days, they become not weary until they have 
perfected their work, and we see and learn that the Saviour 
is with them, and leaves them in the lurch in nothing. 
We thank the Saviour that he gives us such help in them 
and through them, which is a great relief for us, for if we 
had to do every thing we should not be equal to the task. 

Sunday, 8. After the communion liturgy, in which the 
brethren were admonished, now that they are going out 
for their autumn hunt, and will be scattered in the bush, 
to take with them as food what they have received and 
enjoyed, and to watch over it as a precious treasure, so 
that towards Christmas they may come together again 
with joyful and blessed hearts, and lose nothing thereof, 
Br. Michael preached, and in the afternoon in the service 
the little daughter of Samuel Nanticoke s grandchild, Jael, 
was baptized with the name Charlotte. White people were 
present at the services, who, the next day, 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 65 

Monday, 9, travelled on, getting Isaac as pilot to the 
Fort. In the early service from the text: Where two or 
three are gathered together in my name, etc., Br. David 
told the brethren that now they could attend to their hunt 
ing, that they should indeed take with them the Saviour 
as their companion when they were in the bush ; they 
should hunt and do. all their work walking with him, and 
he gave them forty days therefor. Br. Edwards went 
down to John Askin, Jr., who came into the river yester 
day with his ship, and will trade with our Indians, buying 
corn and cattle. 

Wednesday, 11. The assistants made peace between 
Lewis and Esther. A. Elizabeth was again received, who 
came again to her husband. 

Thursday, 12. David held early service. Yesterday and 
to-day nearly all the Indians went off hunting. Many 
strange Indians were here, who are on their way hunting, 
remaining several days. Many who had cattle, left them 
herein charge of our Indian brethren through the winter for 
pay. Thus it is with Indians ; they like to have cattle, 
but as they move about almost the whole year hunting, it 
is hard for them, they cannot take care of them. There 
fore many for this reason like to live here, being weary of 
wandering about, for they see that our Indians in their man 
ner of life fare better than themselves, and have no lack of 
the means of life, and if they come to our town, they find 
all sorts of things to buy. 

Friday, 13. Br. Edwards, who held the early service, 
and Br. Michael Jung went down to Askin s ship to buy 
some flour. Several Indians drove hogs there, for which 
they took clothing in payment. 

Sunday, 15. Br. Edwards preached. There were to 
day, as there have been all the week every day and night 
continupusly, thunder-storms and rain. Many strangers 
have been here lately and are still here, who come for the 
sake of food, for among the Indians corn is nowhere to be 
found. In the quarter-hour for the married in the even 
ing Charles, William Henry s son, was married to Benigna 
^Tanticoke, both before unmarried. 
5 



66 

Monday, 16. Still always rain and snow, on which ac 
count there was no early service. Late in the evening 
came Susanna Minque here for a visit, who came to see us 
the next morning. Some white people from Detroit ar 
rived, who were going to Pittsburg. 

Tuesday, 17. David held early service from the text: 
Ye shall be witnesses unto me, etc. The weather cleared 
up and was very cold. 

Wednesday, 18. Edwards held early service. 

Thursday, 19. Michael held early service, and then went 
down to Askin, who sails to-day in his ship for Detroit. 
Susanna Minque spoke with us and asked for advice, what 
she could do to come again to the church with her chil 
dren, to whom and to her we spoke plainly and directly. 

Friday, 20. David held early service from the Scripture- 
verse : I have loved thee with an everlasting love, etc. The 
Quaker who traded here came back from Detroit. 

Saturday, 21. A boat came from over the lake with 
French people, and another beloAV here in the river, to 
pass the winter, for our Indians promised to build a house 
for him. 

Sunday, 22. David preached of the advent of the Sa 
viour for judgment after his advent in the flesh. There 
were snow- squalls all day long. 

Tuesday, 24. Various Indians arrived, but all only for 
the sake of food and corn. The Frenchmen bought it at a 
dollar a bushel, which they take to Detroit, and our In 
dians got clothing therefor, which also they were forced to. 

Thursday, 26. David held early service. Text : I seek 
not mine own will, but the will of the Father, etc. The 
assistants spoke with some strangers, asking what their 
plans were, and why they were here and stayed so long, so 
that they might not get established here. We heard also 
that the Tawa chief, Ekuschuwe, was on the way here, and 
soon to be expected. 

Friday, 27. Edwards held early service. Text : Behold, 
I come quickly, etc., about being ready for his advent, 
whereover we have to ask our hearts assiduously. 

Saturday, 28. Michael held early service : Thy faith 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 67 

hath saved thee, etc., that the faith, which the Holy Ghost 
works, is mighty and strong with those who are spirit 
ually poor. 

Sunday, 29. Michael preached from the Epistle about 
the incarnation of our Lord and Saviour, who is revealed 
in the flesh, which mystery is concealed from the wise and 
prudent and revealed to the simple. David held the con 
gregation meeting from the text : This is the work of God, 
that ye believe in him whom he hath sent. We heard again 
the old Chippewa stories, which are again revived and cir 
culated among the brethren. 

Monday, 30. Edwards held early service: It is not for 
you to know the time or the occasion. 

Tuesday, Dec. 1. Michael, from : Blessed are the poor 
in spirit, etc. An Indian. Elizabeth s sister, with her chil 
dren, came here visiting, and several others, Anna Eliza 
beth spoke with us, showing her perplexity about the for 
giveness of her sins against the Saviour and the church. 

Wednesday, 2. David held early service : No man 
knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any 
man the Father, save the Son. 

Thursday, 3. Edwards held early service : Every tree is 
known by his own fruit, etc. 

Sunday, 6. Edwards preached from the Gospel about 
the advent of the Saviour for judgment, wherefore we 
should be ready to receive him with joy, since then the 
redemption of believers draws nigh. David held the con 
gregation meeting from the text : Behold, I make all 
things new, that our chief care should be that we are re 
newed in spirit and put on Christ, be made into new men, 
and be born again through his blood ; but that heaven and 
earth shall pass away and be no more, this to leave to him, 
who after having brought about our redemption by his 
blood, went in his majesty to prepare a place for us. 
From Gigeyunk came Louisa with Lydia s daughter, an 
unbaptized woman, who as a child lived in the church, 
and afterwards married a Twightwee Indian, but since she 
always longed to come again to the church, she made her 
self free and at last is come hither. 



68 

Monday, 7. Louisa came to tell us her wish to live 
here. On this occasion we heard that several families of 
our Indians in Gigeyunk would come to us in the spring, 
for instance, Sara, Gideon s former wife, with her chil 
dren, Regina and Philippina. We know from experience 
that it is best to act as if we no longer took notice of 
them. For years, by every opportunity, we sent them 
word and greeting, of which they often made bad use and 
were ill-inclined, as if we wanted to entice them to us and 
get them here, so that they might fall into the hands of 
the white people and be destroyed. Therefore we have 
for some time stopped all this, and not once sent them 
greeting, but if any one of them has come here, we have 
shown him that we would force no one to come to us, if 
he were not so disposed of himself, but whoever came in 
the poverty of his heart, him we would not refuse. As it 
seems, this will have the best effect in making them sooner 
thoughtful. David held early service : Inasmuch as ye 
have done it, etc. 

Tuesday, 8. Michael held early service. John Leeth, 
Peter, and David, the Indian, went out with goods for 
Squirrel (a Frenchman) in the bush. 

Friday, 11. Various strange Indians have come here 
the last few days from their hunting-camps, among them 
Boaz brothers, one of whom came to Br. David, asked 
him many things, and among other things, whether in 
deed he would be received and get leave if he wished to 
live here. He was told that if he were really in earnest 
to be saved and to renounce his heathenish life of sin, at 
least willing to be free therefrom, he would not be refused. 
He replied that he was unmarried, and having heard that 
such were not readily received, he had been cautious 
about persisting from fear of rejection ; he was twenty- 
eight or nine years old, and had remained single and did 
not wish to marry ; he had, therefore, doubts about being 
received as an unmarried man, or that he would be com 
pelled to marry. Since he was so straightforward and 
gave sufficient reason, Br. David told him that he com 
pelled no one to marry against his will, who could give 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 69 

good reasons, only he must live in a quiet and orderly 
way and keep away from women. He said farther : u Why 
has God permitted that his children he called them his 
children on the Muskingum to be murdered? Why has 
he not pitied them and prevented the murder?" Answer : 
" God at times grants wicked men their will and lets it 
happen. Those who perished on the Muskingum have 
lost nothing thereby; they have been rescued from much 
trouble and sorrow and are now with God, where all is 
well forever and would no more come back if they could." 
As he had his hunting-hut hardly a day s journey away, 
Br. David asked him here for the Christmas holidays. 
This pleased him much, and he said he would come here 
in eight days with his mother and brother. 

Sunday, 13. Br. David preached from the Gospel 
about John in prison and Br. Edwards held the congrega 
tion meeting. From elsewhere and from Gigeyunk we 
heard that a Delaware messenger was come back from the 
Spaniards with news for the Indians conjointly, that 
next spring a great treaty would be held with the nations 
on the Miami, and from this news it appears as if the 
Spanish and French on the Mississippi would appear at 
the treaty, who would be the means of bringing about a 
stable peace between the nations and the States. We also 
learned that two hundred warriors, Twightwees and Shaw- 
anese, had gone out against the States, in spite of the 
chiefs and captains, after their sending messages to them and 
earnestly forbidding them. They would not obey; where 
upon the chiefs at once sent word to the Muskingum, giv 
ing them leave and freedom to do with the warriors what 
ever they would, or to kill them all, if they wished. 

Tuesday, 15. The brethren put together corn for the 
church love-feasts for the coming year, so also tallow for 
lights in the chapel. 

Wednesday, 16. The brethren have lately and to-day 
in part come home from hunting. William, who has been 
away several weeks, met on his way home strange Indians, 
who asked him how long it was to Christmas. They 
knew how to give him the precise number of days till 



70 

then, for lately many strangers have always been going to 
and fro, who have found out about this. 

Friday, 18. The hunters contributed pelts for the com 
mon expenses, such as tea for the love-feasts. 

Sunday, 20. Michael preached and David held the con 
gregation meeting. The assistants spoke with Louisa, 
Helen s sister, a widow, and with Lydia s daughter, an 
unbaptized woman, who as a child lived in the church, 
but is now a grown woman. Both are lately come from 
Gigeyunk, and upon their request were received to be 
dwellers here. At the same time measures were taken 
with the assistants to enlarge the chapel, which is be 
come too small and narrow, and to make an addition to 
it before the holidays, wherewith also, 

Monday, 21, they went at once to work, and Tuesday, 22, 
had finished it. Isaac came from the Fort. No letters. 

"Wednesday, 23. The assistants spoke \vith Mary Eliza 
beth, Jun., who again got leave to be here, for which she 
asked, although she had not been away, but she had been 
ordered to go away from here. They also spoke with 
John Cook s son and his wife, between whom trouble had 
arisen, and reconciled them. 

Thursday, 24. We began Christmas with a love-feast, 
rejoiced in God, our Saviour, in his holy incarnation and 
birth, and brought to him our thank-offerings that the 
eternal God had clad himself in our poor flesh and blood 
and had made us aware of his boundless love for us, poor, 
lost men, for which upon our knees we adored the Infant 
Jesus in his manger. At the end candles were given the 
children. The many tears of those present were a proof 
of the little Jesus recognition of us, his miserable peo 
ple. A multitude of Indians had come from the bush, so 
that, although we had made our chapel a good deal 
larger and thought there would be room enough, it was 
as if this helped little or not at all, for it was packed full, 
and yet all could not get in who wanted to. 

Friday, 25. Br. Edwards preached from the text : Unto 
us a child is born, unto us a son is given, to a great mul 
titude of strangers. In the second service from the 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 71 

Scripture-verse, three were buried in Jesus death by holy 
baptism, with the names Joel, Joseph, and Zipporah, the 
last John Cook s wife, by Brs. Edwards, Michael, and 
David, whereto the Holy Trinity showed itself mighty, and 
whereby strangers as well as inhabitants shed many a tear. 
[Joseph s stepmother wished to lead him away in a crafty 
manner a few days ago, and said to him he should go a 
part of the way with her and show her the way in the 
bush, but he answered her: " The way which thou goest, 
thou knowest best, but I not."] By the preaching of the 
Gospel to the heathen is fulfilled what stands written : Praise 
the Lord, all ye heathen, for the savages who also come 
hither see the work of God and hear what he has done for 
them, praise him therefor and with him adore the Infant 
Jesus in the manger, who is God eternal, Father, and 
Maker of all things. In the service for the baptized from 
the text : Before Abraham was, I am, Anna Elizabeth was 
absolved, who several months ago left the church, but 
could not bear it, and came back again, and then her 
child, with whom she was pregnant when she went away, 
was baptized with the name Lucy, two months old. 

Saturday, 26. Michael held early service. The breth 
ren, John Leeth, Peter, and others came home. 

Sunday, 27. David preached from Gal., iv., 4: But 
when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth 
his Son, made of a woman, and then (David) held the 
communion quarter-hour, which he announced for Wednes 
day. Several, yesterday and the day before, expressed 
their wish for baptism and reception into the church. 

Tuesday, 29. The assistants arranged dissensions be 
tween Charles and Benigna. 

Wednesday, 30. After the brethren had been spoken 
to yesterday, the day before, and to-day, the communi 
cants enjoyed his body and blood in the holy sacrament in 
the most blessed way, whereof Louisa, Helen s daughter, 
partook for the first time. Nicholas and Anna Maria, 
Joachim s wife, were readmitted after receiving absolu 
tion. John Cook, and young Joachim, were candidates. 
The joy of the brethren over Nicholas, whom % the Saviour 



72 

fully restored again, is not to be described. About a 
week before he had spoken with Br. David very openly 
and thoroughly, what the reason and occasion had been of 
his leaving the church in the year 77, whereto he was led 
together with Jacob Gendaskund, who was made chief, 
and the former became captain, of all which the well- 
known Indian preacher, Wangomen, of Groschgoschiink, 
was cause. 

Thursday, 31. In the morning, to the communion lit 
urgy, Nicholas came full of thankfulness of heart, with 
eyes full of tears, over the great grace the Saviour had 
done him, that he had taken the burden from his heart, 
which oppressed him, as he said, had forgiven him all and 
again loaded him with grace, so that he said it was as if 
something great had come to him so that he was quite 
ashamed. An upright, dear old man, whom we love. The 
Saviour be praised and adored therefor. 

We closed the year with a love-feast. At this was pres 
ent such a number of Delawares and Chippewas that our 
chapel was much too small, and many had to stand out 
side. It was well that the weather was mild, for thus far 
we have had no snow that has not melted. We found also 
in the past year many reasons for bringing praise and 
thanks to the Saviour, and to our dear Father in heaven, 
for the manifold kindnesses he has done us, and for all the 
goodness we have enjoyed from his mild hand outwardly 
and inwardly, and for the blessed care and watchfulness 
which he has shown for us, for soon after we made our 
blessed entrance into the new year we were always hearing 
rumors of preparation for war among the Indians ; and 
when spring opened, and the time for planting drew near, 
we were ourselves in doubt whether we could plant here, 
but we got directions from our Saviour to make no change, 
wherein afterward also we were strengthened by the Tawa 
chief, who encouraged us to plant in comfort, which we 
did, although many Indians, when they came here and 
saw our brethren so industriously at work, asked whether 
they expected then to harvest and enjoy any thing of this. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1789. 73 

They had their time with their lying tales, now they suffer 
want, and we can yet share with them. 

The numerous and frequent visits of savages through 
the summer have not been without fruit. Many have re 
mained affected by the church service, and many have 
heard the Gospel of God s plan for salvation, which will 
bring forth fruit in its own time. It is and must always 
remain to us a great and weighty thing that the Saviour 
has opened a door for us and made for us a place in the 
Indian land, where the word about his sufferings and 
atonement is openly preached, and many will yet hear and 
receive it to their eternal good. 

We can also thank the Saviour that he again brings to 
us, little by little, out of their error, our scattered and dis 
persed former brethren, restores them again and makes them 
sharers of the church s grace, and that will be fulfilled in 
them : the grayer the sinner the more mightily grace pre 
vails, and God s mercy over them, if they come to the 
church. 

Brs. Heckewelder and Abraham Steiner made us heart 
ily joyful in May by a visit of eleven days from Bethle 
hem, which was very pleasant for us. They went back 
there the 1st of June. 

The holidays, Easter, Whitsuntide, Christmas, etc., were 
days blessed by the Lord, which have always contributed 
somewhat to the brethren. 

For all, especially for his recognition of us and his 
walking among us, and for what we have already forgot 
ten, we thanked him upon our knees, begged forgiveness 
of our transgressions and shortcomings, which we con 
fessed to him, and gave ourselves anew to his care, to the 
conduct and oversight of the Holy Ghost, and commended 
our affair, which is also his affair and work, and ourselves, 
to his grace, so that his holy name by us may become 
known and glorified among the heathen to the honor of 
God, the Father. 

There were baptized this year 

Adults 16 

Children . 10 



74 



Taken into the church 5 

Admitted to the Lord s supper 20 

Married Three couples. 

There have died 

Adults 5 

Children 3 

At present there are living here 34 couples 
of married people and 2 single persons, 

among whom 6 are unbaptized 70 

Unmarried men (3 unbaptized) , 10 

Unmarried women (1 unbaptized) 8 

Widowers 3 

Widows (2 unbaptized) , 13 

Big boys (5 unbaptized) .. 9 

Big girls (1 unbaptized).. 9 

Boys 29 

Girls.. 33 



Total 184 

69 of whom are communion brethren, 19 more than at 
the close of last vear. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 75 



CHAPTER X. 

i 

1790. 
NEW SALEM, ON THE HURON RIVER, OHIO. 

Friday, Jan. 1. Br. Edwards delivered at the usual time 
the sermon from the Gospel about the name of Jesus, who 
is our Redeemer. In the second service from the Script 
ure-verse : I am the Lord, your God, dwelling in Zion, 
ahout his blessed rule in his church, which he has acquired 
by his own blood, whereto from time to time out of heath 
enism he collects his chosen as a reward for his sufferings, 
and makes them sharers of his merits and of the salvation 
gained for us, by forgiving their sins and washing them 
with his blood and giving them power to be God s chil 
dren, who believe in his name, etc. Three were buried in 
Jesus death by the bath of holy baptism, with the names 
Benjamin, Anna Rosina, and Justine, by Brs. Michael, 
Edwards, and David, whereby the Holy Trinity showed it 
self mighty and there was a reverential feeling. After the 
baptized had worshipped, received the blessing, and been 
led from the chapel, a child was baptized with the name 
Mark, the son of Simon and Jacobine. In conclusion the 
baptized had a service from the text : Lo, I am with you 
alway, even unto the end of the world, about the blessed 
intercourse and acquaintance with the Saviour, which was 
recommended and praised to the brethren, that they should 
be earnest for it, which would be for them the most blessed 
thing and preserve them, body and soul. At the. end they 
exchanged the kiss of peace. Many strangers, Chippewas 
and Delawares, came to wish us Happy New Year, in order 
to get something, and thus they took home from town 
great quantities of bread, corn, and all sorts of things. 
This comes about from their custom of so doing with the 



76 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

French in Detroit. Different brethren had for their bap 
tism-day love-feasts, as also yesterday. 

Sunday, 3. Michael preached from the Gospel about 
the Saviour s flight into Egypt and of the murder of the 
innocents at Bethlehem. David conducted the children s 
hour, whom he admonished not to hear in vain the word 
about our Saviour s incarnation, passion, and death, for 
many others have not the good fortune to hear it, but to 
make good use of it. Br. Edwards held the congregation 
meeting from the text : Neither pray I for these alone, etc. 
The weather was as fine and warm as in spring. We have 
yet had no snow, and the sisters brought us flowers from 
the bush, which is not usual at this time of year. 

Wednesday, 6. Early at morning-prayer we begged 
from the Saviour of the heathen his recognition, near 
presence, and blessing for the day, thinking also of the 
other heathen churches. In the second service the text of 
to-day : Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them 
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy 
Ghost, was considered and realized, and three were buried 
in Jesus death, through the bath of holy baptism, and 
brought to the church, whose names are Verona, Zachaeus, 
and James, by Brs. David, Edwards, and Michael. The 
first is John Cook s daughter-in-law, whose husband had 
always before laid upon her the blame that he could not be 
converted, since she had no desire therefor, but when Br. 
David spoke with him, telling him his wife would be bap 
tized, and therefore he should like to know his mind about 
it, and whether he would not also find it needful to be 
washed from sin, he was dumb and could not answer a 
word. This will give him occasion to find blame within 
himself. The second is the Indian who came here from 
Oswego by way of Niagara, Detroit, and Gigeyunk, naked 
and bare, bringing nothing with him except the Indian 
hackey, 1 otherwise neither blanket nor stockings, neither 
shirt nor shoe, neither knife, musket, hatchet, nor kettle. 



1 Iu Zeisberger s Delaware Indian Spelling-Book hackey is given 
with the meaning, body. The word occurs again under Aug. 24, 1791. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 77 

Afterwards was a love-feast, and then something was said 
to the brethren about the history of the day (Epiphany) 
and its purpose ; wherefore it is noteworthy, since the wise 
men from the East came and worshipped him. In conclu 
sion the baptized had a service and gave thanks with joy 
ful hearts for the blessing this day enjoyed. 

Thursday, 7. Michael held early service. We wrote 
to-day to Bethlehem. Indians arrived with brandy, which 
they willingly, however, gave over to our charge. 

Friday, 8. The Quaker went to the Fort, by whom we 
sent letters to Bethlehem. The brothers spoke with a big 
boy, whom his elder brother brought here, and who wished 
to live in the church, and confessed to the brothers he 
would like to be saved, therefore wishing to be in the 
church, for which he got leave, after they had found out 
his elder brother s mind and satisfaction thereover. As a 
little boy he had often been in the church, now and then, 
on the Muskinguin. Then the assistants asked the elder 
at last whether he did not think the same also about him 
self arid also wished to be saved. He answered: "Yes, 
indeed, I think about it, and therefore I am pleased and 
let my brother be in the church. Perhaps sometime it 
will be my lot also to come to the church, but now I have 
many hinderances in the way." 

Saturday, 9. Gertrude s daughter and her husband 
came here with liquor, which they gave to our charge. 
Pemitschischen visited him and they greeted each other. 
The stranger observed carefully our town, and the former, 
still unbaptized, spoke with him like a brother. 

Sunday, 10. Br. Michael preached from the Gospel : 
When Jesus was twelve years old. Then the boys had a 
blessed service, who were exhorted and admonished to 
follow after the boy, Jesus, to take him for model and ex 
ample, and to strive to be as he was, to learn obedience, 
thus would they also find grace with God and men. In 
the congregation meeting from the text : Except a man be 
born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the 
kingdom of God, two grown girls were taken into the 
church. 



78 

Monday, 11. Several brothers and sisters went to San- 
dusky to see Luke s daughter, Pauline, and if possible to 
bring her here, whom we heard to be paralytic and to be 
wasting away from hunger, and her child too, of which 
she had been there delivered. From the cold she must 
freeze, having no clothes, of which her disobedience is the 
cause, all exhortation and admonition having been fruit 
less with her. Thus must they suffer for their disobedience, 
but when we see them in their misery we must needs have 
compassion upon them and help them. We have had two 
or three illustrations of this since we have been here, that 
people by their disobedience have put themselves in great 
misery, and then again have turned back and taken refuge 
in the church. Otherwise would certain strangers, John 
Cook s daughter, for instance, be advised to go farther, 
for we see they cause discontent here. 

Tuesday, 12. A fine snow having fallen, the first also 
this winter, many deer were brought to town. The whisky- 
people went away. 

Wednesday, 13. Strangers were always here, who re 
mained during the winter, having themselves nothing to 
eat. 

Friday, 15. Pauline, Luke s daughter, was brought here, 
sick, with her child, which late in the evening was bap 
tized with the name G-ottfried, who that night, the morn 
ing after, died, and was buried on the 17th. 

Sunday, 17. David preached about the righteousness 
which God has revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, 
that we by faith and not on account of our works become 
righteous and blessed. In the afternoon the child, Gott 
fried, was buried, on which occasion our young people 
were admonished to take it for an example, and to think 
what ill results disobedience draws after itself, since, when 
they do not wish to be ruled by Grod s spirit, but rather 
give heed to their own spirit, which is worthless, they 
are sacrificed, since they will so have it, doing that which 
is of no use, and thereby coming outwardly to the great 
est misery. 

Tuesday, 19. Different brethren went out to their sugar- 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 79 

huts to make preparations, some also hunting; strange In 
dians from the bush came here, who attended the meet 
ings. 

Friday, 22. David held early service from the text : I 
am the light of the world. 

Saturday, 23. Michael held early service : If a man 
love me, he will keep my words. A strange Indian, who 
has already been here several days, Boaz brother, came to 
Br. David, who asked him if he was going away, and got 
for answer that he must go to a feast in the neighborhood, 
to which he was invited. Br. David replied that he would 
get no good from it; the Indians, as he well knew, believed 
in the like things and sacrifices which helped them not at 
all; they had among themselves nothing of the word of 
God, and whence should they know what availed for their 
salvation? they were dull of sight and did the works of 
Satan and of darkness, and that too willingly. He said he 
would not speak against him and dispute about this, 
whether it was really true. David answered : " I also not. 
My disposition is not to dispute, but I speak the truth. Who 
has not the Saviour, who is life, who does not know him, 
and is not acquainted with him, he is in darkness, and 
does the deeds of darkness arid of Satan, and is lost." 
He said there were many here who did not so live, that he 
saw from their conduct. Answer: "I know that well, 
but they are yet right in this, that they wish to live for 
the Saviour, and therefore, since they would like to, they 
have a Saviour. Thou, however, exaltest thyself, and 
thinkest to be better, but thou hast no Saviour, for thou 
wantest none, and actest thus still worse, for thou knowest 
not the Saviour, who has bought us with his blood, and 
by whom we get forgiveness of our sins and life eternal. 
Thou lookest merely upon others, but how bad it is within 
thyself thou dost not see. Look into thine own heart 
and search if thou canst find any thing good, certainly 
nothing but filth, and if thou art aware of it, go then to 
the Saviour, who has poured out his blood for such for the 
forgiveness of sins. Ask him to have mercy upon thee. 



80 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Thus thou wilt have no time to look upon others, but 
enough to do with thyself." 

Sunday, 24. Edwards preached, thereupon was the 
communion quarter-hour, which was announced to the 
brethren for next Saturday. Towards evening was the 
burial of the child, Mark, who died yesterday, twenty- 
three days old. A woman, baptized Sophia, the only sur 
viving daughter of the late Jacob Gendaskund, for in 
Schonbrunn he went from the church, and his whole fam 
ily has died, came here and desired to live in the church, 
but her husband, half Shawano and half Tutelee, the 
worst mixture of Indians, had no wish, saying he would 
not become a believer, nor hear any thing about it. With 
him the brothers talked much, and it went so far that they 
wanted to separate, and there was trouble that they should 
not do this here. Thus also Pipe s son has been here a 
considerable time with his wife, who cannot make up his 
mind, although his wife, who would like to be in the 
church, always urges him, and he can give no excuse for 
not making up his mind, save that he has no children, and 
perhaps he makes this a reason for leaving her. His wife 
replied to him about this : " How comes it that thou now 
first thinkest about this, thou hast known it for many 
years already, but hast never reproached me until now, 
when we are with the believers, with whom I should like 
to remain ?" Thus we usually find it ; if Indians come 
here, begin to think about conversion, and wish to be in 
the church, then they find so many difficulties of which 
they never before had thought, and when, even before 
they have lived together quite contentedly, dissension be 
gins, so that they wish to separate, and we have labor to 
keep them together, all which is the work of Satan, who 
well knows that if he can sow and cause discontent, noth 
ing will come of their conversion. 

Monday, 25. Michael held early service from the Script 
ure-verse : The Lord stirred up the spirit of all the rem 
nant of the people : and they came and did work on the 
house of the Lord, etc. A woman, related to Pipe, with 
her daughter, who have already been here ten days, begged 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 81 

for the baptism of a sick child, whose mother, the daugh 
ter of this old woman, died last summer, and upon her 
sick-bed had much wished to be brought to Pettquotting 
to the believers, where she wished to die, and when this 
could not be done, she wished very much that this, her 
child, might still be brought to the church. Pipe had also 
advised them to bring the child to the believers, perhaps 
some one there would take it and care for it. The woman 
and her daughter promised never to take the child from 
the church, but they said they would themselves like to 
live here with it, a proof that Pettquotting preaches more 
among the Indians than is known to us, for these people 
were unknown to us and strangers, and to our knowledge 
have never been here. The child, which was about a year 
and a quarter old, and already quite wasted, was baptized 
this evening with the name Lea, in the presence of her 
grandmother and many brethren, whereby a blessed feel 
ing of the Saviour s recognition prevailed. After the bap 
tism the child s grandmother thanked us repeatedly for 
the pity we had for her and her grandchild, and she is 
a savage. The Indian brethren present were much af 
fected, and praised God. 

Tuesday, 26. In the early service from the text: Go 
out into the highways and compel them to come in, etc., 
the little son of Jacob and Christina, born yesterday 
evening, was baptized into Jesus death with the name 
Martin. To the 25th belongs what follows : The brothers, 
Samuel and Abraham, remained after the baptism of the 
child yet a long time there, talking with the grandmother 
and friends of the child. She said that a year ago, after 
Pipe came back from the treaty on the Muskingum, he 
had once had all his friends and Indians come together, 
and had said to them that he knew nothing better in the 
world to advise them, which would be most advantageous 
for them and their children, than to go to Pettquotting to 
the believing Indians, and to be content to live as they 
lived. This would be best for them, and they would have 
a quiet and good life. Another time he said to them 
6 



82 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

again, when they were together, that they should not look 
to him, whoever wished should go to the believers ; he 
would hinder nobody, and were they his own friends it 
would please him so much the more; to be sure he was 
chief, but a poor chief could be helpful to them in nothing ; 
they should not depend upon him. He did not see of what 
use the chieftainship was to him, and would like to be quite 
rid of it. u Look to Pettquotting ; there is now one who 
was a great chief (Gelelemend), with whom I have myself 
often taken counsel. He has now made himself free, given 
up his chieftainship, and has chosen something better in its 
place. Things are now well with him, and he has a right 
pleasant life, whose example I will follow." Whereupon 
one of the company replied, that he should only make the 
beginning, and go before, they would all follow. He an 
swered : " I am getting ready for it. I must first make 
myself free, and this cannot be quickly done, but whoever 
will go, to him I say : Thou dost well." 

"Wednesday, 27. The child Lea, baptized day before 
yesterday, departed early in the day, who, 

Thursday, 28, was buried. 

Saturday, 30. After the brethren had been spoken to 
for several days, the communicants enjoyed the Lord s 
supper in his near presence, where these looked on as 
candidates, namely, David, Joachim, and Levi, and one, 
Joachim, Sr., who had been without it for eight years, 
wandering around in error, was readmitted, to the great 
joy of all the brethren. Since he has been here he has 
depended upon his own righteousness, and always repre 
sented himself to the brethren as pure, since, as he said, 
he had not forgotten the Saviour, nor had he joined in the 
heathen ways and customs, but had remained by himself, 
and it was hard to make him see that the near walk with 
the Saviour and God s peace were lacking to him, until 
Br. David said to him: ; But yet thou knowest the Sa 
viour s word when he says : Except ye eat the flesh of the 
Son of man and drink his blood, ye have no life in you, 
and this thou hast not enjoyed for many years. How 
couklst thou remain strong inwardly, when thou hadst to 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 83 

do without the nourishment and strength which are given 
us in the holy communion, and wherefrom we have life in 
our hearts?" Hereupon he burst into tears, and replied: 
"Ah ! it was deception. I thought I had something, but 
my heart was empty. I thought I had something, but if 
then I tried to seize it and sought for it, I found nothing. 
It was as if I grasped for a shadow." We have always found 
that it is the hardest with those who have once been as 
sistants and come again to the church, since consciousness 
of sin is not so easy for them. 

. Sunday, 31. After the communion liturgy Br. Michael 
preached from the Gospel about Christ s transfiguration. 
In the afternoon meeting from to-day s text: If thou 
wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the Glory of God, the 
son of Renatus, the Mohican, sixteen years old, was bap 
tized with the name John Adam, and a grown girl, Beata, 
Johanna s daughter, was taken into the church, whereby 
many strange Indians were present, and very attentive lis 
teners. The reception of children, baptized in the church, 
which now happens pleasingly often with us, is a very 
necessary thing for our youth, upon which a real blessing 
rests, so that we experience great joy in the youth of our 
folk. It is no common pleasure, and awakens much praise 
and thankfulness to the Saviour, to see such a number of 
unmarried people of either sex, grown boys and girls, who 
have been baptized, taken into the church, and many ad 
mitted to the Lord s supper, and to see how the strength 
of the body and blood of Jesus is manifested in them. 

Monday, Feb. 1. Edwards held early service. After 
wards there came two messengers from the Tawa chief, 
Ekuschuwe, with the following message, for he could not 
himself come, as he had much wished, being lame, which 
he announced: "Grandfather, a year ago I closed thine 
ears, so that thou shouldst not listen to others, who brought 
lies to thee, but I told thee thou shouldst wait until thou 
shouldst again hear from me. Now I open thine ears 
again, and thou wilt again hear me. I let thee know that 
we, Tawas, Chippewas, and Potawatomies, arranged to 
gether in the autumn to sit still, to look after our food and 



84 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

hunting, and not trouble ourselves about the Shawanese, 
who alone are out in war. We will let them act. They 
may see where finally they will remain. Thereby the na 
tions have likewise thought on their grandfather and the 
believers in Pettquotting, and have said: Our grand 
father will be glad to hear that we are peacefully dis 
posed, and they have charged me to inform thee of this, 
which now I do. Also Alexander McKee, in Detroit, has 
shown his satisfaction at this, that we had resolved to let 
thee know this, and has said that thou hadst nothing to 
do with war, and lovedst peace arid livedst in peace. But 
I must tell thee something, grandfather, though I do it 
not very willingly, for I see thou art well established where 
thou art, but if war should again arise, thou art just in the 
way of the warriors, who will make their march through 
thy place, when disasters of all sorts can happen to thee, 
therefore I should prefer to have thee nearer me, that thou 
mayst be out of the way of danger, but I must also tell 
thee I am too much in my dotage 1 to have thee near 
me, for our young people would do thee much harm, 
shooting thy cattle and the like. So long, therefore, as it 
is well where thou art, and if peace remains, it will not be 
needful, but should war arise, it must needs come to this. 
I do not therefore, say it shall happen, I announce it only 
beforehand. Thou canst think about it. The reason of 
my telling thee this is that we have got a message from 
the Spanish governor, which wonderfully sounds as if he 
would come to Detroit next summer, which circumstance 
gives us much anxiety. Since I did not quite hear the 
message, I can say and mark out nothing certain. As 
soon as I hear more of it I will let thee know." X. B. 
How the message sounded, about which we had doubts. 

Tuesday, 2. Michael held early service from the text : 
My sheep hear my voice, etc. The brethren made a be 
ginning of going to their sugar-camp. Here the brethren 
got corn together for families lately come here to live, who 
have planted nothing. 

1 The Bethlehem MS. supplies a word here, which in this diary is un 
intelligible. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 85 

Wednesday, 3. David held early service. The assist 
ants spoke with John Henry and his wife, likewise with 
Renatus two daughters, Cornelia and Mary Elizabeth, 
about their bad conduct, letting them know that we could 
no longer have patience with them, and be content merely 
to observe them. 

Thursday, 4. Gabriel, who has been here a consider 
able time, but has always wished to get away, but could 
not, came now to Br. David and announced his wish to 
live here altogether, and to remain with the church. He 
is deaf, hears with difficulty, but yet in the meetings under 
stood one word, which went to his heart, namely, that 
many times people were not disinclined to be converted, 
they are disposed thereto, but wish for a while to do and 
to prefer only this or that, lose their time thereover, and 
often their eternal weal and salvation. 

From the bush came John Leeth and Cook home, who 
have been away trading for the Frenchman, Hu.no. Quite 
a large number of strangers came to town also. 

Friday, 5. By Nicholas, who got in from the Fort late 
in the evening, we had letters both of September and of 
December of last year, at the same time we learned from a 
note of the arrival in Bethlehem of Br. Ettwein with his 
company from Europe; with these letters we busied and 
refreshed ourselves in the evening. 

Saturday, 6. David held early service from the text : I 
am the way, the truth, and the life. This afternoon old 
Beata departed, after a long illness, right blessedly. Paul 
ine, Cornelius daughter, gave birth to a son. 

Sunday, 7. David delivered the sermon, at which a 
goodly number of strangers were present, as also in the 
afternoon at the burial of the old widow, Beata, Luke s 
mother, who departed yesterday in peace. She was a 
widow and among the first of those who came in the year 
68 to the brothers at Goschgoschiink (on the Alleghany 
River). She was baptized Jan. 25, "69, in Lawunakhannek 
(three miles above Gosch.), and Nov. 3, 71, came to the 
enjoyment of the holy communion in Languntouteniink 
(on the Beaver River). She walked blessedly so long as 



86 

she was in the church. In the year 83 she came to us 
again on the Huron River, after the scattering of the In 
dian church, with her son and five grandchildren, and then 
in the spring of 86 to Cuyahoga, when from confusion 
and pretended fear of the white people she left the church 
and was away more than a half-year, though we could ex 
cuse her, from her age and helplessness, that she went with 
her family. But when the following spring, in 87, she 
came again to the church, it was found she had gone far 
from the Saviour, and it was hard with her to become a 
conscious sinner, to come to grace and to have a reconciled 
heart. Yet the Saviour showed her mercy, that she 
learned to know herself as a sinner, who had strayed 
from him and lost him from her eyes, and as such she 
sought forgiveness from him and found it too. She came 
again, May 10, 88, to the enjoyment of the Lord s supper, 
and was from that time a blessed heart, passing her days 
in the church quite content, attending all the meetings, 
though walking was hard and difficult for her. She often 
said : " I like to live in the church and for a long time, if 
the Saviour will so have it, but if he will have me go to 
him I shall go also willingly to him." About a week ago 
she lay down ill. When she was asked if she thought she 
should die, she answered yes, that she thought so, and 
should go quite willingly ; she wanted to go to the Saviour. 
Thus she peacefully died, with the blessing of the church. 
Many who have always seen and known her reckon her 
age about a hundred, but nothing childish was to be ob 
served in her. 

Monday, 8. Edwards held early service. The assist 
ants had to-day a day of work all day long with John 
Cook s house, wherewith we have always trouble, and in this 
may the Saviour be pleased to help us. Gabriel, who came 
here last autumn, and has always wished to go away, has 
now resolved and asked to live again in the church, for 
which he got leave, after both he and his wife, who is 
again a communion sister, had been spoken with. 

Tuesday, 9. Michael held early service. Then the as 
sistants spoke with old Ruth s son and his wife. Both 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 87 

came here last September with her old mother, but went 
away and now came back again. He was born in Frie- 
denshiitten, and when a child, baptized. Now he asks 
to live in the church, promising to be obedient to the 
brothers, whereto they got leave, not only on their per 
sonal account, but also for the sake of the old, helpless 
woman. Another Indian, Titawachkam s son, came two 
days ago out of the bush, from his father s hunting-lodge, 
and announced his wish to live with the church. Upon 
all sorts of questions, which were put to him, and which 
he answered very understandingly, 33 r. David asked him 
whether his father had been made aware that he wished 
to live here. He replied in the affirmative, that already a 
long time ago and just now when he left him, but that he 
had given no answer. He said he did not look to nor 
listen to his father, but wished to care for himself and his 
own soul. When it was afterwards said to him, he might 
well reflect upon it, that he might not afterwards repent 
what he had done, since people sometimes came here, 
asked to be in the church, promised much and then went 
their own way, he answered he had only too long consid 
ered already, for if he had sooner given heed to the re 
quest in his heart, that would not have come upon him, 
for which he must now suffer. He had been here at 
Christmas, when he heard that people many times had a 
call in their hearts and wished also to become believers, 
but thought first to attend to this and to that, thereby 
losing their time and often their eternal salvation ; he had 
first wished to make a prosperous hunt and bring some 
thing for himself, had sunk into a swamp while hunting 
in the bush, and had not only soaked every thing, but had 
suffered in his whole body from freezing, from which he 
was not yet well; therefore he wished to delay no longer. 
He had no intention of going away from here, if only the 
brothers permitted him to be in the church. The assist 
ants made him acquainted with our regulations, and said 
to him that we would first seek out a place where he 
could be and live, though giving him our permission to 



88 

live here. Last year he had been with Col. Morgan 1 to 
the Spaniards on the Mississippi, coming back from there 
last summer. 

Wednesday, 10. When we had already been busy two 
days with the aid of the assistants in making peace between 
Cook s son, who wanted to leave his wife, and her, for she 
is now baptized, but could not attain our object, it is to 
day known that he has gone away; against this we had 
nothing, for he had no disposition to live here. Thus it 
is if people come to the church only for their friends 
sake, having no inclination for the Saviour ; thence come 
war and discontent, so that married people separate, which 
before they would not have done, nor have thought of 
doing. Now also it will become plain with his wife 
whether she has a good mind and is upright. We have 
longed used patience with the family, and have always 
wished to help them, but could not well see where to take 
hold ; now the Saviour will take hold of them and help, to 
our consolation. There came again a family and announced 
their wish to live here. The brothers had once spoken 
with the husband in the winter, on account of his long 
stay here, when he answered that he did not intend to 
remain, but to go away in the spring, though it might be 
otherwise with him. He was advised to agree with his 
wife about this, so that if he were spoken to by the assist 
ants, he could give answer. 

Friday, 12. At the early service the little son of 
Pauline, Cornelius daughter, born on the 6th Inst., was 
baptized John Lewis, after the old man had been spoken 

1 " Col. Geo. Morgan, of New Jersey, was sent to New York by a land 
company in that State to negotiate the purchase of a large tract of 
land in Illinois from the Continental Congress. While there he be 
came acquainted with the inducements Gardaqui (a Spaniard) was of 
fering to emigrants from the United States, and determined to trans 
fer his negotiations from the confederacy to Spain. . . . His 
memorial was forwarded to the Spanish court, and a grant of some 
twelve to fifteen millions of acres was conceded to him. In the spring 
of 178S Morgan passed down the river," where he founded New Madrid. 
Albach s Western Annals, p. 505. Though Zeisberger was writing in 
1790, there can be little doubt that by last year he meant 1788. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 89 

with, for her husband is un.baptized, so that the child 
might not be taken from the church. 

Sunday, 14. Br. Edwards preached at the entrance of 
passion-time. In the service for the married, the widow 
ers and widows, from to-day s Scripture-verse, Abraham, 
Jun., and Anna Regina, the daughter of Johanna s sister, 
Charlotte, were married, after which in the evening the 
friends and the assistants had a pleasant love-feast with 
the new couple. 

Tuesday, 16. Edwards held early service about the 
word of God, our daily food and nourishment. We had 
to-day a hard day, partly on account of Verona, whose 
husband has left her, partly on account of Benigna, who 
was in the same way of leaving her husband, which was 
prevented in time and she was brought back again. Sam 
uel with others went out hunting, but many others to 
their sugar-huts. 

Wednesday, 17. From much rain the last two days 
the river rose so much as to put all our fields under wa 
ter. Samuel, who from the impulse of his heart turned 
about and came back, found great disturbance in his 
house and family, so that the next morning his two 
daughters left the church, who for several days have 
given us much trouble, perplexity, and uneasiness. They 
came, 

Saturday, 20, back again, and kept themselves there in 
the neighborhood, finding they had been deceived, but 
here they had so gone astray that they dared not come 
back, for to Br. David they had behaved too badly and 
shamefully. 

Thursday, 18. Early service from the text: My Father 
worketh hitherto and I work, about his rule in the church, 
for he often puts it in order, making manifest false hearts 
and putting liars out of the church, and he purifies it of 
all which is useless, and sweeps it away, and this is 
fidelity from him. 

Sunday, 21. Michael preached and David held the 
congregation meeting. Very few brethren had come 



90 

home. The ice in the river broke up and it was quite 
clear. 

Wednesday, 24. From much rain and many thunder 
storms last night, the river rose fast to day and put all 
the lowland under water. "We Jaad much labor in saving 
the cattle, which were in danger of being swept away. 

Friday, 26. Edwards held early service, as did David 
yesterday. The water this morning had fallen, and dry 
land was again to be seen in the fields. 

Sunday, 28. David preached from the Gospel about 
the Canaanite woman, more strangers almost than breth 
ren being present, for these were in their sugar-camp. 
Abraham, who is watchman in the town, preached the 
Saviour to the strangers often, telling them he spoke 
to them the words of life on this account, that they might 
not hereafter accuse him and us of having said nothing 
to them. The Lord s supper was announced to the com 
municants for next Saturday, and there was discourse 
about the text : Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, 
etc., of which we afterwards heard from different brethren 
that they had taken notice of it, and some found them 
selves hit. To-day, Benigna, Samuel s daughter, went 
away from this neighborhood, for which we were glad, as 
she was only a shame and vexation. 

Monday, March 1. Edwards held early service, and, 

Tuesday 2, some brethren came home from the sugar- 
huts, since it rained and there was nothing to be done. 

Thursday, 4. Br. David baptized Joachim, Jun. s, sick 
child, somewhat over three years old, into Jesus death, 
with the name of John Jacob. 

Friday, 5. The brethren were at home from the bush. 
Both yesterday and to-day the brethren were spoken to in 
reference to the communion, whereto the Saviour gave 
grace so that this time only one remained away. 

Saturday, 6. Edwards held early service from the 
Scripture-verse. At the Lord s supper, which the com 
municants enjoyed in the evening, young Joachim and 
John Henry were partakers for the first time, and Zac- 
chaeus, who has here recovered himself, body and soul, for 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 91 

he came in the autumn to the church, bare and naked, 
bringing nothing in the world save the Indian, was can 
didate, likewise Anna Maria, John Henry s wife. O, what 
does not the Saviour do for sinners ! On such, grace and 
boundless mercy are not expended in vain, but to good 
purpose, thence has he honor, glory, and thanks. 

Sunday, 7. After the communion liturgy Br. Edwards 
preached. Thereupon the brethren were dismissed to their 
labor in their sugar-camp. 

Monday, 8. David held morning service, at the end of 
which he gave notice that in three weeks the brethren 
should return for the Easter holidays, according to our 
reckoning, for we have received neither calendar nor 

O 

Scripture-verses, and if we do not reckon right we cannot 
help it. 

Tuesday, 9. Michael held early service about the all- 
blessed name of Jesus, which the angels plainly announced 
to Mary. The weather being milder somewhat, since for 
a few days the weather has been as cold as ever in the 
winter, most of the brethren went to their sugar-camp. 
Petty came here with her children to dwell again with the 
church, for she is now free, having no husband. 

Thursday, 11. Edwards held morning service. More 
and more brethren are ever going off to the sugar-huts. 
It snowed yesterday, to-day it was somewhat milder. Out 
of the bush we had news from Temsituslink that a certain 
Indian, who was following after our Jacob, seeking his 
life, had gone out to look for hin, of which we had sev 
eral times heard, though we had not believed it, and since 
Jacob was out in the same neighborhood in which the In 
dian is, we were not without anxiety for him. 

Saturday, 13. A messenger came early from the most 
distant sugar-huts with the news that Yerona was upon 
the point of death. We sent out word to the assistant, 
Stephen, to bury her there if she died, and to attend to 
her funeral, since it is too far and a bad way to bring her 
here. 

Sunday, 14. Only a few were present at the sermon, 
which Br. David delivered, and they soon went back again. 



92 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

We had news of Verona, from whom a messenger came, 
that she was yet alive and had recovered her senses, but 
was very low, and Pauline, who is in pitiable circum 
stances, was this evening absolved, in the presence of a 
company of brethren, upon her request and prayer, at 
which all present were moved with compassion in their 
hearts, and were aroused to pray to the Saviour for her. 

Monday, 15. In the early service, which Br. David held 
from the text: I am come that thej might have life, and 
that they might have it more abundantly, at which Joachim, 
Sen., translated for the first time, to the satisfaction of 
all present, the child of David and Salome, born last night, 
was baptized with the name Anna Margaret. 

Tuesday, 16. Both yesterday and to-day there was 
much thunder and^rain. We observe already that spring 
draws nigh, of which war-stories are always the fore 
runners, and so it goes now also. The Indians carry about 
with them tales that an Indian war is unavoidable. 
Just so it was last year that by their lying stories they 
put off their planting-time, so that afterwards what they 
planted was frozen, and then they came here in crowds to 
us, and eat up our people. Thus Satan plays with the poor 
folk, so that outwardly too they have a much plagued? 
pitiable life, thereby are in constant fear and, as it were, al 
ways in flight, of which we have to feel our share in one 
way or another. 

Thursday, 18. The child was buried that was born on 
the 15th, Anna Margaret, and died yesterday. From the 
most distant sugar-huts, a messenger came in with the 
news that Verona died this morning, and will be buried 
there, for it is twenty miles away. It has gone well with 
the woman that we were often anxious and not without 
much perplexity about her since her baptism, for it was 
her lot to pass through difficult circumstances. When, 
with tears, she begged for baptism, we were not without 
hesitation in proposing her for baptism, having doubts 
about her husband, that he had no real intention to be con 
verted, and this afterwards proved true. The Saviour, 
however, permitted her baptism at once, and we did it in 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 93 

faith and confidence in him, who knows all things best. 
She was baptized at the last feast for the conversion of the 
heathen, very thankful that the Saviour had forgiven her 
her sins and cleansed her with his blood. It was to her a 
great thing that she now belonged to God s church, and 
she rejoiced thereover, with tears in her eyes, as often as 
she thought of it. After her baptism she got word from 
her mother, who was somewhere in the neighborhood of 
Pittsburg, to come to her, and not to remain here. She 
sent her answer that she was now a believer, and belonged 
to the church of the believers, from whence she should 
not go away as long as she lived, and if she wished to see 
her daughter she must come hither, she would not go to 
her. The other thing, and the hardest for her and for us, 
was that her husband, one of Cook s sons, went away from 
her and left her, although we and the assistants did our 
best to keep them together, but all was in vain. She herself 
did what she could, for she held him dear. She had no 
sound body, and often had here severe fits of illness. About 
a week ago, when she was going with the brethren to the 
sugar-huts, she came to us and was very cheerful and 
lively, but five days ago she had another severe attack, so 
that she lay a long time unconscious, yet at last came to 
herself, and when she was asked if she thought she should 
die, she answered yes, that she believed so, that she went 
quite willingly, indeed she begged him to take her to him 
self, where she would be happier, for she had had a bad 
time here, her husband had made it hard for her, which 
was the truth, and we had pity for her. She was a choice 
woman for the church, and a prize for Jesus. She fell 
asleep so calmly and peacefully that those present were 
hardly aware of it. The assistant, Stephen, cared for her 
burial; instead of a coffin, they hollowed out a trough 
from a tree, for they had no tools. 

Sunday, 21. Br. Michael preached, very few being 
present, and they also afterwards went away again. 

Tuesday, 23. Early before day Pauline, Luke s daugh 
ter, departed, who had been brought here Jan. 11, from 
Sandusky, sick and paralytic. On the 24th her body was 



94 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

buried. She was born in Old Schonbrunn, July 30, 1772, 
and baptized by David Zeisberger, Aug. 2. She grew up 
in the church, but after she came to years, was always 
dead and unfeeling in heart, and though she saw other 
maidens, her companions, precede her and become sharers 
of the church s grace, in her could be seen neither life nor 
longing ; instead of this it could be seen since we have 
been here, that she went farther to destruction, and gave 
in to sin, and if we spoke with her and admonished her, 
then she often wept about it and promised amendment, 
but in her it was all in vain and without fruit. About 
two years ago she took a husband herself, and since she 
was born and brought up in the church, we did not like 
to send her away, particularly as she also did not wish to 
be away from us; we hoped much more that it would be 
better with her, but also this was of no use. She was 
lazy, unwilling to work, but liked to roam about; then, 
last summer, she was for weeks among the Chippewas on 
the lake, who did not want her, and told our Indians to 
come for her, and they did so. She went from place to 
place, and was nowhere at home, for here was no abode 
for her. In the autumn, therefore, we s.ent her to San- 
dusky to her friends, where, as we heard, she fell into the 
hands of a wizard, and was lamed in every limb, so that 
she could neither walk nor move. This was known from 
there, since an Indian offered to cure her, saying he would 
cure her, lie himself having brought the sickness upon 
her by magic, that she could not get well, and he told the 
reasons why, but this cure was not made, since the woman 
with whom she lived was too poor. In regard to search 
ing for the truth, whether this is possible or not, we wish 
to leave undecided, although we know there are Indians 
who practice such arts. This, however, we believe : had 
she remained in the church, she would never have in 
curred this trouble. She left the fold and fell into the 
teeth of wolves; she had given herself up to Satan and 
the pride of the world, and thus the works of Satan had 
power over her, so that in the flesh she was chastised, but 
in the spirit blessed even yet. Somewhat more than two 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 95 

months ago it happened that we thought much about her, 
though hefore we had been glad of her departure, and we 
wondered where she had gone, that we heard nothing 
farther about her. Once we learned by strange Indians 
that she lay sick in Sandusky, and was in the greatest 
misery, at the same time that she would gladly be here 
and be sent for. This was done, and she was brought 
hither Jan. 15. Her child, born there after she lay down 
sick, was baptized, and soon died. She was herself already 
so wasted that no hope of her recovery could be seen, but 
she was cheerful and thankful to be again here in the 
church. Ten days ago she had Br. David called, to whom 
she told her heart, that she was troubled about herself, 
would like forgiveness, she had sinned much against the 
Saviour and the church, and wished much to be received 
again into the church. It could be seen that this came 
from her heart, and that she was anxious about herself. 
One could not see her without feeling pity. Absolution 
was given her in the presence of several brethren by the 
laying-on of hands by Sister Susanna, for which she was 
glad and thankful, and from that time she became another 
person, and we saw in her life and feeling from the Sa 
viour, which we had never observed in her before. She 
was new-born, like a child. We had to love her, and yet 
with compassion. She had now a heart and confidence in 
the brethren, and Br. David, from whom before she ran 
away, had to visit her every day once or twice, and if he 
did not come, she sent for him, who then sang verses to 
her and told her something about the Saviour and death, 
for which she longed. She went in confidence in the Sa 
viour as a comforted sinner, who had met great com 
passion, as a prize of the Saviour. This was a child of 
our church whom the wolf had already half swallowed, 
but must again let her go, wherefore to him above are due 
glory, honor, praise, and thanks. Her remains were buried 
on the 24th. Her age was seventeen years, seven months, 
twenty-three days. 

Friday, 26. The brethren came home from the bush 
and their sugar-huts. They have this time had a good 



96 

year for sugar-boiling, and every family has made a good 
quantity, from one to two hundred pounds, accordingly 
as they had kettles. 

Sunday, 28. Edwards preached about the Saviour s 
lordly entrance into Jerusalem to his passion, death, and 
burial. Thereupon was the communion quarter-hour. The 
assistants spoke with Samuel and Polly, who had married 
of themselves. 

Tuesday, 30. Both yesterday and to-day there was 
speaking with the brethren with reference to the com 
munion. We heard now from a trustworthy Indian, well 
acquainted with the matter, the real connection and the 
truth, how it was in regard to our coming over the lake 
four years ago, and what had been announced and told to 
the Indians in regard to us. We had requested the then 
commandant and the agent, McKee, to tell the Indians 
and nations that we had thoughts of turning back to our 
land. This the latter did, but in a bad way, for we our 
selves could not, and dared not, send a message to the In 
dians. He, McKee, told them that we wanted to go back 
over the lake, since we could no longer live there, on ac 
count of the Chippewas, who killed our cattle and eat up 
our plantations, which was yet not true, nor hud they thus 
injured us, nor had any reason so to do. He told them 
farther, to keep good lookout in Miami Bay, and if they 
saw us arrive there, to stop us and direct us up the Miami, 
or if by chance we had already gone by, to bring us back 
again. This message the Indians got, but since it was 
held back until they were together, and it must so happen 
that we were sent over in ships, they did not hear it until 
they learned that we were come to Cuyahoga. No one 
wanted to say any thing about the message, save that Po- 
moacan said they had already once given heed to the En 
glish and done their will on us, and they saw what had 
come from it; to bring us back was not advisable, but 
they could let us know we were not to go farther, there 
being yet no peace, but other Indians had afterwards taken 
the liberty to plague us. 

Wednesday, 31. Edwards held morning service. The 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 97 

communicants had in the evening the washing of feet, in 
two divisions, the brothers and the sisters separately, 
whereby for the first time the assistants were employed, 
for our communion church is already above eight} 7 , namely, 
Samuel, William, Martha, and Sophia. Afterwards in the 
absolution service, after reading of the history, old Ruth 
and Louisa, who have been many years from the church, 
were absolved by the laying-on of hands, and three broth 
ers, David, Levi, and Zacchaeus, and one sister, Anna Maria, 
were confirmed for the first enjoyment. 

Thursday, April 1. In the evening was a reading of 
the history of our Saviour s anguish of soul on the 
Mount of Olives at his death and captivity, which was 
heard with sympathetic hearts. Then the communicants 
received his body and blood in the holy sacrament most 
blessedly. This the three brothers aforesaid, David, Levi, 
and Zacchaeus, and one sister, Anna Maria, enjoyed for the 
first time. [The grown girl, Anne, looked on as candidate.] 
Louisa and Ruth were readmitted. 

Friday, 2. After the communion liturgy in the morn 
ing there was reading of the history, and this was kept up 
during the day. This was listened to by the brethren and 
those present with the greatest attention. It was as if 
they had never heard it before, and the history of all his 
suffering and anguish of soul, of his trial before Pilate and 
Herod, of his being mocked, struck, and scourged, of his 
head torn by the crown of thorns, of his condemnation to 
death, of his crucifixion, death, and burial, made a deep 
and affecting impression upon our hearts, from which there 
is the most blessed food for heart and soul, by which we 
were much refreshed and revived. At Jesus death we 
read a liturgy upon our knees of newly translated verses, 
as: O behold your Saviour wounded Hanging on the 
accursed cross, etc., and, On thy dying look, dear Saviour 
I will fix my eyes forever. Strangers were present. 

Item. Titawachkam came here last evening and wanted 
to tell tales, but had no success. He spoke with his son 
and Guschachgis, an unbaptized man. The assistants 
7 



98 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

spoke with Schummis, who, upon her request, got leave to 
live here with her three children, two boys and a white girl. 

Saturday, 3. There was a love-feast, at which some 
thing was said and sung of the Saviour s rest in the grave, 
whereby rest is sanctified to our tabernacles and bodies, 
since he lay in the grave for us. 

Sunday, 4. We read early a part of the Easter litany 
in the chapel, and the other part in our grave-yard, and 
begged for eternal communion with the perfected church, 
especially with the twelve brethren, who have departed 
since last Easter, namely, two brothers, four boys, four 
sisters, and two girls. Afterwards the story of the resur 
rection was read, and then Br. Edwards preached. In 
the afternoon service two were taken into the church, 
namely, Tobias, old Ruth s son, born in Friedenshiitten, 
and the grown girl, Elizabeth, William s daughter. Then 
the wife of the former was baptized by David Zeisberger 
with the name Margaret, Lydia s daughter, a young 
widow, with the name Deborah, by Br. Edwards, and 
Bill Henry s boy, Christian Gottlieb, by Br. Michael Jung, 
into Jesus death, whereby many tears were shed, espe 
cially by those who were awaiting the same grace. Late 
in the evening, towards midnight, Br. David baptized a 
child sick unto death, six or seven years old whose 
mother was received here to live two days ago, with two 
other children, a white girl and a son already quite 
grown into Jesus death, with the name George. 

Tuesday, 6. David held early service. Then Petty, 
who now for three or four years has always been wishing 
to come back to the church, but could not succeed, was 
received again with her two boys and a girl. 

Friday, 9. There was a drunken bout in the neighbor 
hood, of which we had to know somewhat, for drunken 
men came here in the night, one of whom had to be 
bound, in order to have peace. 

Sunday, 11. Michael preached in the forenoon. In 
the service for the baptized, afterwards, from the text: 
Reach hither thy lingers and behold my hands, and reach 
hither thy hand and thrust it into my side, and be not 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 99 

faithless, but believing, the brethren who had been bap 
tized and received during the year were mentioned by 
name, and exhorted to make good use of the church s 
grace, of which they had become partakers, not to let it 
rest there, thinking this was enough, but to strive for yet 
more, so that they might grow and increase in grace and 
knowledge, and be perfect sharers of the salvation won 
for them by his blood, whereby many of the newly-bap 
tized shed tears, five of whom are already communion 
brethren. David held the congregation meeting from the 
Scripture-verse: The Lord is my portion, etc. 

Monday, 12. The assistants marked out new planta 
tions for those who have lately come here to live, and yet 
have none. Our town grows so large and full as we have 
had nowhere else, so that we wish a chance to lay out 
another settlement, only as yet we know not where. We 
wait then when and where the Saviour will show us a way 
thereto, and make open the doors. 

Wednesday, 14. The little boy, baptized on the 4th, 
six and a half years old, who died yesterday, was buried. 
He came to us in the autumn with his mother, liked to go 
to the meetings, and when he was sick, and had not yet 
been baptized, he had begged his mother to take him to 
the chapel, saying that, perhaps, he should be baptized if 
he went to the chapel. His mother promised him, if he 
died, to remain with the church, and follow after him. 
The brethren went out hunting to 4 get something to eat 
while they were making fences, and the sisters to dig wild 
potatoes. 

Thursday, 15. The hunters brought in six deer. From 
Paint Creek (Monroe Co., Mich.), came Joshua and Peter 
by water, having been kept upon the lake several days by 
wind. Several days ago there was a great storm, which 
laid all the trees low where they were, when they were 
wonderfully and evidently protected from harm, so that 
nothing happened to them. In order not to be swept 
away by the wind, they crept along the ground, holding 
on to the trees, until they could shelter themselves under 
the bank of the creek. They could not enough relate 



100 

how in their need they prayed to the Saviour, from which 
can be seen how they at once took refuge with the Sa 
viour, seeking protection and help from him, while, on 
the contrary, the savages know of no providence and 
refuge. 

Sunday, 18. David preached about the good Shepherd 
who lays down his life for his sheep, and is come to seek 
and save the lost. Then was the communion quarter- 
hour, in which especial mention was made by name of 
those brethren who, during the year, have come to the 
Lord s supper, of whom there are fifteen, and of those re 
admitted after many years, of whom there are seven, and 
the} 7 were commended to the Saviour and his Spirit to be 
lent grace; they were told to cling fast to^him, the Vine, 
as branches receiving from him their daily food, juice, and 
strength for living and thriving. Br. Edwards held the 
congregation meeting. In the neighborhood wrangling 
and strife arose among Tschuwisch s people, who wanted 
to kill his son and daughter [who in the night fled hither], 
and, as it seems, for this reason that they wish to be in the 
church, and he will not let them. 

Monday, 19. Micha el held early service. Isaac Will 
iams, who lies at the mouth of the river and trades, came 
here. The brethren were done with the fence about the 
new field, and now every one gets land enough to plant, 
and there is yet some left in case yet more should come 
here. 

Wednesday, 21. Yesterday and to-day the brethren re 
paired the fences. David held morning service about the 
new birth. 

Thursday, 22. Michael held early service. A woman, 
named Peggy, baptized when a child by Brainard l in the 
Jerseys, upon her request got leave to live here with her 
two children. 

Thursday, 22. The brethren were done with the com- 

1 Loskiel, p. 351, mentions the visit of a Presbyterian minister, 
Brainard, to Gnadenhiitten in 1749. He had been preaching to the 
Indians in New Jersey, and had baptized some fifty of them. Id., p. 
344. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 

mon work. Wojanwes, who came here/in the autnum with? 
his family, sick and wretched, having no thing to eat, f@F 
whom we not only built a house, so that he had a dwell 
ing, but whom we had supported with his whole family 
during the winter, having collected corn for him, now 
went away secretly, when he was cured here, and was be 
come strong, saying nothing to any body, like a cunning 
fox, but we had not much confidence in him, and had not 
observed in him any longing to be saved. The Saviour 
does well by us, in sweeping away what is good for noth 
ing, separating the wheat from the chaff. 

Saturday, 24. Now the war-stories begin again with 
might. We learned from Sandusky that a party of 
Cherokees from Gige} r unk had come there with thirty 
white prisoners and ten scalps, whom they had attacked 
in the Ohio on boats and had plundered. A party of 
Shawanese is said to be on the way back with prisoners. 

Sunday, 25. Edwards preached. Both yesterday and 
to-day we and the assistants had work, and were busy in 
bringing order among the brethren in regard to the lands 
for planting. Also another family, Tschuwisch s daugh 
ter s husband, got leave to live here. They had been here 
nearly all winter, or in the neighborhood. They had al 
ways wished to be here, and the wife s father would not 
give his consent, and yet he is baptized, but when he 
wished to go from this neighborhood, and his daughter 
would not go with him, he became angry, so that he 
first struck his daughter over the head with a club, then 
seized his hatchet and wished to tomahawk her, and 
when the mother prevented him, and look the hatchet 
from him, he got his musket and wanted to shoot her, 
but while he was loading it the woman ran off and came 
here by night in flight, and has since remained here, and 
although her parents have sent her word several times to 
come to them, she did not go, but said she would not 
come to her father as long as she lived. If he had been 
drunk this action towards his daughter, according to the 
Indian way, would have been pardonable, but as he was 
quite sober and in his senses, it is among the Indians some- 



102 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 



thing VYU&I and /in bu man. At the bottom, however, lies 
hostility to the Saviour and to all goodness. 

Monday, 26. The brethren went out for a hunt in com 
mon and the sisters to dig wild-potatoes, for corn begins 
to be scarce, and many have really nothing more to eat, 
who in the autumn sold too much to the French, who 
take it to Detroit, coming here in the autumn and troub 
ling our people, who thus afterwards come to want. 

Wednesday, 28. David held early service about the 
grace of our time, that we believe in the Saviour and 
love him, although we do not see him bodily, but with 
the eyes of the heart. Nicholas and David came home 
from the bush, having met Wyandots with a drove of 
stolen horses, from which they cannot desist. In the 
evening was a visible eclipse of the moon, whereat the 
Chippewas, a great party of whom is come to the lake 
from hunting, made some fifty shots. 

Saturday, May 1. David held early service. From 
Sandusky we learned that a message had come to Pipe 
from Detroit, wherein the Indians were encouraged to 
keep quiet, to plant, and not to turn to the Shawanese 
and Indians in Gigeyunk, who are only working for their 
own harm and downfall, which was for us a good message. 

Sunday, 2. Michael preached from the Gospel : But 
now I go my way to him that sent me, and David held 
the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 3. Edwards held early service. The brethren 
planted our fields to-day. 

Tuesday, 4. David held early service. We learned by 
strange Indians that the Quaker with our things was on 
his way out from Pittsburg, but had lost a pair of horses, 
on which account we sent two men with horses to meet 
him and bring him in. 

Wednesday, 5. The assistants sent away again the two 
girls, Mary Elizabeth and Mary Magdalene, who began 
again to run about, telling them to leave our town, since 
we had had patience with them too long to our harm. 

Friday, 7. Adam, who went day before yesterday to 
meet the Quaker, came back. He met him, who is now 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 103 

on his way hither, and brought us, to our joy, two letters 
from Br. Ettwein, one from Herrnhut, of July 8, 89, the 
other from Bethlehem of Jan. 10, 1790; likewise one from 
Hubner l of Oct. 5th, last year. 

Saturday, 8. From Upper Sandusky we had news that 
the Wyandots had again gone out in a strong party to 
murder and steal, so that we do not know what will yet 
be, and still we hear they are planting and not thinking 
of flight, many coming here for seed-corn. The Quaker 
arrived, who wished to bring our things, but they were 
not given to him, because Mr. Dibson was not at home, 
and thus we have yet none of them. 

Sunday, 9. David preached, and then held the com 
munion quarter-hour, which [was announced for Satur- 
urday. There was a conference of assistants about Niga- 
nelema, who wishes to live here, but her husband not, who 
therefore left her. She was, 

Monday, 10, received to live here. She has already for 
more than a year wished to be with us, and has been 
waiting for her husband, who put her off from time to 
time, until at last they quarrelled about it and separated. 

[Thus far to Bethlehem.] 

Thursday, 13. On Ascension Day Br. Edwards held 
early service, and then the baptized had a service from 
the text : I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice 
and your joy no man taketh from you, whereby the breth 
ren were exhorted to be eager for walking with the Sa 
viour, whom indeed we see not with the eyes of the body, 
but we believe in him and love him, and daily to be as- 
Bured of his promise : I am with you alway. . 

After reading of the history we adored him upon our 
knees, and asked from him his dear and blessed nearness 
BO long as we must be away from him, and we were con 
scious of his comfort and blessing. 

Saturday, 15. Both to-day, and yesterday, and the day 



1 John Andrew Hubner, 1737-1809. He came to America in 1790, 
and was pastor of the Bethlehem church. In 1790 he was consecrated 
bishop, and then lived at Litiz. 



104 

before the brethren were spoken to with reference to the 
Lord s supper. There came also people to Br. David, telling 
their desire to live here, and the cases were very much all 
alike. In the first place, a young woman, Quetindis, who 
had for the most part grown up in the church, and came here 
with her husband two years ago nearly, neither ever hav 
ing had permission to live here, for the husband never de 
sired it. Their child, of which the wife was delivered* 
was baptized and died. Her husband had now left her, 
and driven her from himself, but after straying about for a 
while, she came here again, begging to live in the church. 
Another, Cook s son, Verona s husband, left her, after 
she was baptized. Now he wishes to live here after his 
wife s death. A third was the woman s husband, who was 
received on the 10th Inst., since she came here with his 
permission. He spoke with Br. David for two hours, who 
asked especially about his wife, coming to an understand 
ing with him about her, and found that not only had he no 
objection to his wife s reception, but that he was glad of 
it. After he had finished his talk with Br. David, he was 
so affected in soul that he resolved to remain here with his 
wife and not to leave her, when before for more than a 
year he had thought of it and reflected, but could never 
make up his mind. At the Lord s supper, which the com 
municants enjoyed in the near presence of our dear Lord, 
Petty, who came to us this spring, was readmitted, and the 
young man, Joseph, and the great girl, Judith, looked on 
as candidates. 

Sunday, 16. In the communion liturgy the brethren were 
greeted fro in the churches in this land and from Europe, 
and they were told that Br. Ettwein had returned from the 
synod, 1 and had brought to them many hearty greetings 
from the churches; thereby was made plain and clear to 
them what the synod means ; that the laborers from all 
parts and quarters of the world come together to take to 
heart the welfare of all churches, and to consider what is 
needful to be done in the Saviour s kingdom ; that the Sa- 

lr rhis was the twenty-first general synod, held at Herrnhut, in 1789. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 105 

viour s kingdom is no earthly kingdom ; that we do not 
concern ourselves about earthly affairs, which are not our 
business, for these there were other people; to whom we 
cheerfully gave them over, thanking the Saviour therefor, 
if under their rule we could have a peaceful, quiet, and 
blessed life; our business was to urge on the Saviour s 
work in all parts of the world, this had been laid upon the 
brothers by him. It was found necessary to remind them 
of this, since often when we received letters it was con 
cluded that affairs of war were treated in them. They 
were also told that our town should be called New Salem, 1 
at the same time also that we expected one or two" broth 
ers from Bethlehem with us this summer. 

Thereupon Br. Edwards preached. In the afternoon 
the assistants had work, upon whom we had put the duty 
of speaking with the four new people mentioned above, 
and to take them here to live, and this happened, for 
which they were all glad and thankful. The assistants 
married the two people, Tobias and Anna Justina. 

Tuesday, 18. By the Quaker, who started for.Pittsburg 
with a couple of Indians, Adam and Charles, we sent let 
ters and our diary to Bethlehem. 

Thursday, 20. Joshua went over the lake to sell a 
canoe there for provisions, which are scarce with us, and 
are always becoming more so. William came from San- 
dusky, where he had bought corn for nine dollars, this was 
not so much as he could have carried. 

Friday, 21. We had again a pleasant occurrence. A 
young man, named Christian, Louisa s son she is a com 
munion sister; who came here a year ago, and was with us 
for some time, went off hunting with Indians, living with 
them and white people, and went this spring in the bush to 
the Chippewas, where he found a wife, with whom he then 
came here, called with his wife upon Br. David, and 
wished to live here. When now he wished to come here, 
he told his wife he wished to go to Pettquotting to the be 
lievers and beg to live there, whereupon she answered 

1 The first time Zeisberger has used the name. 



106 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

him : " So will I go with thee, for I should also like to 
know and learn what good they have and enjoy, and live 
as they live." Her parents and friends live in our neigh 
borhood, when at home, and have willingly let her 
corne hither with her husband. While he was speaking 
with Br. David, his wife said to him, he must speak for 
her also, for she too wished to live here, and he did so. 
Both were to-day spoken to by the assistants, and got 
leave to live here. Arrangements were also made that 
they might yet plant. "We look upon this as a special 
providence from the Saviour, for she is the first of the 
Chippewa nation who desires to be with us, which is al 
ready enough. If Indians come here and only hear the 
Gospel, we do not in the least doubt that it will show 
itself as God s strength in their hearts ; this we leave to 
the Saviour and to his spirit, who searches and opens 
hearts, and may this also happen. Amen. 

From Pittsburg a family of white people arrived, who 
were moving to Detroit, a part of whom we had to help 
thither by- water for pay. Among them was an English 
man, their pilot, who is known or lives in Detroit, and 
understands Chippewa. He had jeered at a Chippewa in 
the neighborhood, struck him, called him a dog, and other 
wise ill-treated him, at which he became angry and was 
upon the point of killing the white man, but he did him 
no harm, and kept silence. The next day, however, there 
came ten or twelve Tawas, who held before him what he 
had done, and wanted to have satisfaction from him, but 
he could no otherwise excuse himself than by saying he 
was joking. There were also Frenchmen there, all were 
upon him, and the Tawas said they would take him pris 
oner; to be sure here in the town would do nothing to 
him, but if they brought him to the lake they would bind 
him and take him to Detroit, where he would get his 
deserts. The man gave in and wanted to make up with 
the Chippewa, which at first they would not allow, but at 
last were persuaded, and they gave them a calf, which 
they took with them and drove off. 

Sunday, 23. Br. Michael preached about the outpouring 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 107 

of the Holy Ghost, his gifts and working in the hearts of 
believers, especially in convincing men of their lost and 
unblessed condition, and in bringing them to the Saviour, 
their Redeemer. In the second service from our Script 
ure-verse : I will heal their backsliding, I will love them 
freely, which the Holy Ghost does in us through the 
wounds and blood of Jesus, which he applies to our hearts, 
a widow, Schummis, by the name Theodora, and then a 
child, John Henry s, by the name Sally, were buried by 
baptism in Jesus death. White people were present, both 
at the sermon and the baptism. Then the baptized had a 
service, prayed to God, the worthy Holy Ghost, thanked 
him for his true care, asked forgiveness when they had 
been deaf to his voice and had not listened to it or had in 
deed grieved him ; that he would remain with us, would 
daily reveal in our hearts Jesus wounds and death as the 
only ground for our salvation, and would give us under 
standing of the mystery of the Gospel. At the same time 
the liturgy to the Holy Ghost was first sung in Indian. 

Monday, 24. By a Baptist named Missemer, who had 
come through Litiz, we got a letter from Br. Klingsohr. 1 
By the people we heard the contrary of what those who 
went through yesterday told us, namely, that one or two 
armies, each of three thousand men, would come out 
against the Indians, and that there was nothing in this. 
In such wise it often happens that the Indians are made 
restless, who are always in fear any way. 

Wednesday, 26. Many of our people went out hunting, 
to seek for meat, for corn becomes scarce among our 
people, and famine is always increasing, as we hear also in 
the land generally among the white people. 

Saturday, 29. Samuel, who wished to conduct to De 
troit two families of whites, came back again with them 
from Sandusky Bay, since for several days it has been 
stormy upon the lake. The white people, who are in great 

111 Rev. John Augustus Klingsohr, a graduate of the University of 
Leipsic, who came to America in 1783. He was stationed at Litiz and 
at Bethlehem, where he died in 1798." Letter from Bishop de 
Schweinitz. 



108 

want of food, resolved to turn back to Pittsburg, particu 
larly as it is not safe to travel farther from here on account 
of Indians. 

Sunday, 30. David preached about the Holy Trinity 
from the Gospel about Nicodemus, about the new birth of 
the heart. 

Monday, 31. Joshua came back from Detroit, where 
he sold his canoe. Many white people there, who had 
lived at the mouth of the river, eastwards on the lake, had 
fled, leaving everything, on account of the Chippewas, who 
killed their cattle and had robbed them. On this account 
the authorities have now, in the king s name, bought the 
land from the Indians, paid for it, and closed the business 
by discharge of cannon from the Fort. Moreover, we 
to-day had news that Wojanwes, who, in the spring, went 
away from here secretly, with his family, had become sick 
again at the mouth of this river, where, from stormy 
weather, he had to stay several days, but at last got 
through to Tawa River, where he lived but one day, and 
then died, which causes much reflection among our breth 
ren, and also among the savages. 

Thursday, June 3. The two families who came out 
from Pittsburg to move to Detroit, but found much diffi 
culty and vexation here, on which account they resolved 
to turn back, set out to-day from here, accompanied by 
Martin, Renatus, and others, who went that way hunting. 
They were very poor, having consumed all their substance, 
and we had to help them with provisions, so that they 
might get through, though here among our people there 
is great want. 

Sunday, 6. Br. Edwards preached from the text : God 
is love. Benigna, Samuel s daughter, who went away from 
here some time ago, came now again, since her husband, 
with whom she went away, has left her. 

Monday, 7. The brethren hoed our fields. Strange In 
dians came here with whisky. 

Thursday, 10. Anthony, who several days ago came 
here from the bush, went to Sandusky and again came 
here, went to the services. We had always heard of him 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 109 

that he accused the missionaries of being the cause that 
the brethren on the Muskingum must be a sacrifice. With 
other Indians he planted in Cuyahoga, as also Chippewas, 
where they never left us in peace. He did not let himself 
be seen by us. We hear also that Indians have planted on 
the Muskingum at Licking Creek. 

Friday, 11. An Indian family, that came here from the 
Fort with whisky, but would not give it up, caused drunk 
enness in the neighborhood, of which we were also some 
what aware. 

Sunday, 13. Michael preached about the great supper, 
to which God invites all mankind, but many in various 
ways seek to be excused. Thereupon was the children s 
hour, and Br. Edwards held the congregation meeting. 
From Pittsburg, by Adam, who came from there with our 
things, we had a letter from Heckewelder from Bethle 
hem ; likewise one from Tobias Hirte from Pittsburg. We 
had expected brethren, but all hope was vain. From San- 
dusky, Pipe sent us the Muskingum treaty, printed, with 
a belt, also a message to Pipe about the horse-thieves. 

Monday, 14. David held early service from the text : 
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my 
throne, that we through faith gain the victory, which is 
our strength. Michael rode out with two horses to meet 
Adam. The assistants had labor yesterday and to-day in 
speaking to several brethren in regard to Johanette. 
Early in the afternoon came Br, Michael with our things, 
when we got news from the churches here and from Eu 
rope and letters too, but all of last year. 

Wednesday, 16. We had news that different parties of 
Chippewas, chiefly Tawas and Potawatomies, had gone out 
for war. These can do much harm. The conjecture is 
that their chief business will be horse-stealing. 

Thursday, 17. Michael held early service. Him that 
overcometh will I make a pillar, etc. Our brethren in 
dustriously brought roots l here from down the creek, of 
which they got many loads to town, which they cut thin, 

1 Perhaps the yellow water-lily. 



110 

dry in the sun, pound and bake bread from, and this is 
now their principal food. They made a great mistake last 
autumn in selling so much of their corn to the French, on 
which account they now suffer. Yet in part they were 
eaten out by strangers. Our fields stand fair, blessed by 
the Lord, to the astonishment of all men who come here, 
and we hear that in Sandusky, Detroit, and elsewhere the 
worms have consumed every thing. From Detroit a mes 
sage came to the Indians to be industrious in planting, for 
from there they would get no corn. 

Sunday, 20. David preached, then held the communion 
quarter-hour, in which it was earnestly and precisely said 
that there was not harmony among the communion breth 
ren, and that it is against the greatest commandment of 
the Saviour that one should cherish in his heart against 
another, hatred and bitterness, that such had no advantage 
nor blessing from the holy communion, but eat death 
therein, and thus would do better to remain away. In the 
congregation meeting towards evening the little son of 
Tobias and Margaret, born yesterday, was baptized Chris 
topher. 

Monday, 21. Edwards held early service. Wyandots 
went through, who looked as if they were going to war, 
probably to steal horses. 

Wednesday, 23. From Sandusky we learned that the 
Indians are much afraid of the white people. This is no 
wonder, for they do much harm and are always going to 
war, so that they fear the white people will fall upon them. 

Thursday, 24. Samuel came back from Sandusky, where 
he went yesterday in hope of getting corn there from the 
traders, but all this had already been sent to Detroit. Our 
people have thus nothing left them except to wait until 
their plantations yield them something, which now give 
us a good prospect, for the plants stand fine, to the amaze 
ment of every one, in the dry weather, for we have- had 
no rain for quite two months. Our people industriously 
search for roots out of the water, which now are their 
only food. Samuel brought from there no good news, for 
most people told him it would not be long before the 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. Ill 

white people were upon them, but we believe nothing of 
all these rumors. 

Saturday, 26. At the holy communion, which the com 
municants enjoyed in the near presence of our Lord, Anna, 
a grown girl, was a partaker for the first time. Cornelia, 
Joachim, and Gottlob looked on as candidates. A sister, 
Johanna, came there without having been prevented. She 
was in the chapel till the enjoyment of the bread, but had 
not received it. Then she went out, which was the occa 
sion that it was manifest that she wished to go to the 
Lord s supper with a bitter heart towards a sister, but this 
the Saviour prevented in this way. 

Sunday, 27. Br. Edwards preached. Afterwards, in 
the communion liturgy, one thing and another was called 
to mind concerning the communicants at the Lord s sup 
per. We read the journal, Bethlehem report, which we 
now had from April of last year. In the afternoon, in 
the meeting was the baptism of two adults, namely, Leon 
ard and Jephtha, the former by Br. Edwards, the other by 
David Zeisberger. The Saviour does yet pleasant things, 
and we observe how wonderfully he does. That the last 
came to the church was owing to his wife, who, for more 
than a year, had always wished to come to the church, re 
maining here at times many weeks. Since her husband 
had no inclination for the church, but saw that his wife 
could not be contented, they separated, and his wife came 
here with his consent and approval. After the wife was 
here, the husband had no rest. He came here, but instead 
of going to any one of our Indians, he went to Br. David, 
talked out the matter with him for more than two hours, 
when he was convinced upon the spot, resolved to come to 
the church and to his wife, and now, when it is to-day 
just six weeks since he had permission to live here, he has 
also been baptized, and his wife, who was the cause of 
this, has not yet announced herself for baptism. Thus we 
have always to be learning the Saviour s ways with souls, 
that we may injure nothing; thereto may he give us his 
blessing. 

Monday, 28. From Detroit came back several German 



112 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

people, who went there in the spring with cattle, pleasant, 
agreeable people, by whom we wrote to Bethlehem. 

Wednesday, 30. Samuel, with several Indian brothers, 
went with a French trader in a boat to Detroit to get corn, 
for want becomes ever greater, and our people have noth 
ing to eat. 

Thursday, July 1. From Detroit we had an answer 
from Squire Askin, that the commandant there would 
take care that traders brought no more rum here, and 
that those who had settled so near us should go away/ 
As we hear from the traders themselves, there has been a 
thorough investigation of all those who trade here. From 
Gigeyunk old Anna Margaret came here to stay, sick and 
half-dead, who said she had longingly desired to be here, 
and had always said that could she only come here, she 
should be willing to die among the believers; now that 
the Saviour had so far helped her, she was very cheerful 
and could not be thankful enough therefor. The Dela- 
wares who lived there have all moved off, and were now 
on the way to the Spaniards, having planted nothing. 
Several of our Indians are still there, and such as do not 
wish to go with them thither, would come to us here, yes, 
it was said they would soon also send us another mes 
sage, and what will that be ? It is easy to guess, they will 
want to call us thither. 

Friday, 2. Ten Chippewa warriors came from ^San- 
dusky Bay to the French trader below here, who wanted 
to go to war, but were stopped, for the French trader, 
having just come from Detroit, could tell them that all 
Indians were told to keep still, to hunt, -and not to go to 
war. These ten warriors came, 

Saturday, 3, up here, and wished, after the manner of 
warriors, to dance from house to house here in the town, 
in order to get something. We sent them back forth 
with, telling them, if they were hungry and had nothing 
to eat, they should look for roots in the creek below here, 
as we did, whereupon they went away. Indians who have 
already been here several days and had concealed in the 
bush several casks of whisky, we sent away, that we 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. , 113 

might have no unpleasantness with the warriors, who, if 
they knew of it, would not rest till they found it. "We 
hear from Detroit that the States have given up and 
exchanged to the English all the posts arid forts upon the 
lakes. 

Sunday, 4. Michael preached, and David held the con 
gregation meeting. We read the Bethlehem report of 
January of last year. Our Chippewa woman, whom peo 
ple of her nation have several times already advised not 
to remain here, came and complained, saying a Chippewa 
had again said to her yesterday to go away from here, it 
was not well for her to stay here, she must die here, and 
at the longest would live till autumn, if she stayed here. 
She said, however, she liked to be here, and it pleased 
her. We said to her not to concern herself about all these 
tales, no harm would happen to her here, her life stood in 
no man s power, and this the Saviour alone, who is God 
over all, held in his hands and to him she belonged, having 
been redeemed with his blood ; the man who told her she 
would die, was a liar, and had not so much power as a 
croaking frog. The woman has somewhat to endure from 
her countrymen, but if she only bears it and holds out, 
something good can come from it. Another Chippewa, 
who was here yesterday, and again went home, and is al 
most entirely blind, said to one of our people, who brought 
liim on the way home, that in the autumn he also wished 
to come here to live. Manitto, on the other hand, who 
wished to live with us in the beginning, when we came 
here, still remains in the neighborhood, where he lives and 
is our friend, coming often to the meetings, for he under 
stands Delaware somewhat, but he fears his nation and 
friends, who, nevertheless, since he is not with us, call 
him a Gendowa. 1 It is not easy to come with the Gospel 
among the Chippewas, for they are fortified against it 

1 Here a Bethlehem MS., in English, uses the expression "Sunday- 
Indian." In Zeisberger s Indian Spelling-book, Sunday is Gendowen 
in Delaware, and from this is derived Gendowenke, on Sunday. 

8 



114 

with 1 , bulwarks and redoubts, which the Saviour alone 
must break through and open. 

Tuesday, 6. Michael held early service, that it is a 
blessing to suffer for the Saviour and his cause, etc. As 
only Abraham of the assistants was at home, there has 
been much to do to-day, for instance to speak with Sarah 
about her daughter, with Peggy, Ignatius, and liis friends, 
etc. 

Wednesday, 7. David held early service. Edwards and 
Michael went down to Squirrel, who told them to send a 
message to the Tawa chief. 

Thursday, 8. Edwards held early service. Abraham 
with several brothers went down to the Chippewas, by 
whom they sent a message to the chief, Ekuschuwe, wherein 
they reminded him of his promise, when he sent word to 
us here, namely, that no one should injure us or do us 
harm, but that now, since the Chippewas and Tawas on 
Sandusky Lake were beginning to shoot our cattle, and 
that such might no longer be done, he should send a 
message to them to desist, and in the future to do the 
like no more. To this the Chippewas here near by had 
advised us, and had themselves exposed their people who 
had done it. We learned likewise that a message was 
come from Detroit to the Chippewas and Tawas, that 
they should keep still and go not at all to war, which also, 
as we heard, had been commanded these nations, especially 
the Shawanese, Twightwees, and Cherokees, who had also 
promised to observe it, and thus improvement is to be 
hoped for. The Twightwees have replied to their father: 
" I have not done it of mine own accord, thou hast ordered 
me." . 

Friday, 9. A Frenchman, who has for a wife an Indian 
woman, our Rachel s sister, wanders about in the bush, and 
is nowhere at home, came here and wished to establish 
himself here, but we ordered him to leave our town, tell 
ing him we did not suffer such people to be here. We 
did this for this reason, having trustworthy information 
from many Indians that they had recently killed and rob 
bed a trader on the Muskingum. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 115 

Saturday, 10. Brs. Samuel, Stephen, and others, came 
back from Detroit with some flour and corn for sufferers. 

Sunday, 11. David preached from the Epistle: Know 
ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus 
Christ were baptized into his death? Then the children s 
hour, and Br. Edwards held the congregation meeting. 

Friday, 13. Most of our people went out hunting. 
Many strange Indians are here, who seek where they may 
find something to eat, for everywhere among them are 
famine and want. 

Thursday, 15. After a long drouth, for it has not rained 
for longer than two months, we had a twelve-hours rain, 
which has revived every thing, and helped our corn and 
crops betimes. "When we have already for many days 
been plagued by wandering women, and could not get rid 
of them, and saw no outcome, for they were nothing but 
harm, it happened to-day, all at once, that they went away 
over the lake, we helping them in this. 

Friday, 16. Moses and Levi also went over the lake, 
likewise bad timber, and thus at once we were rid of our 
care, but the latter came back again. 

Sunday, 18. Edwards preached and David had an hour 
of song instead of the congregation meeting. We read 
from the church journal the Memorabilia of the U. A. C. 
of last year, and Br. John s biography. (De "Watteville.) 

Tuesday, 20. Quetindis was delivered of a son. 

Wednesday, 21. After the early service, which Br. Ed 
wards held, the assistants spoke with a number of girls, 
who have not behaved well. Then the old, sick widow, 
Anna Margaret, who came to the church from Gigeyunk 
on the llth Inst., was absolved in the presence of a num 
ber of brethren, amid a blessed feeling of the Saviour s 
nearness. For this she had much entreated, that we 
should do her this favor before she died, while she was 
yet in her senses and was not speechless, for speech was 
hard for her. By Nicholas, who came back from the 
Fort, we had a letter from Br. Hiibner from Litiz of May 
31st, from which we learned the dangerous condition of 



116 

Br. Ettwein s health, as likewise Br. Sydrick s 1 death, 
and that we have to expect here Br. Sensemann and his 
wife by way of Monocasy and Hagerstown. 

Saturday, 24. To-day and for several days very many 
strange Indians have been with us, for this is the time 
when the work in their fields is ended and the corn is 
hilled. Then they either go hunting or wander about in 
other towns until their corn can be eaten or is already 
ripe. 

Sunday, 25. Michael preached and David held the con 
gregation meeting. We read the news of the U. A. C. 
from January of last year to April. This morning Rah el, 
Levi s wife, was delivered of a daughter. We spoke with 
the Frenchman who settled near here last autumn, and 
we earnestly ordered him to go a way, and no longer to 
remain here, for there is disorder there. 

Tuesday, 27. The assistants spoke with Abraham s daugh 
ter s husband, a Mohican, who had told his wish to live 
here, and they heard him, and since we found he was in earn 
est, besides that his wife had always for years been think 
ing of coming again to the church, he was advised to ac 
commodate himself to her circumstances, and as she had 
planted in Sandusky, to harvest her fields, to make him 
self quite free, so that hereafter they might be out of all 
need and trouble, and could be quiet here, and this they 
promised to do. 

Wednesday, 28. David held early service. Zephath s 
house blocked out. Anna Regina went from the church. 

Thursday, 29. Edwards held early service. The as 
sistants investigated Adam s affairs with Nicholas. He 
learned that Sir Johnson in Detroit is to confer with the 
nations. 

Friday, 30. From Detroit, whence traders came, we 
learned again as trustworthy news, as we had already heard 
several times, that the English would again take possession 
of the land this side the lake, in accordance with an agree- 

1 See before p. 62. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 117 

ment with the States, and that Sir Johnson, who is now in 
Detroit, is busy making a stable peace with the nations. 

Sunday, Aug. 1. David preached, and thereupon was 
the communion quarter-hour, when the brethren were 
told that this time we put off the Lord s supper until the 
13th of this month. In the sermon he baptized the little 
daughter, Maria Barbara, of Levi and Rahel. From 
Pittsburg came the Quaker, Mr. Parke, who trades here, 
but we got no letters from the church. From the journal 
we read a part of Br. Laaterbach s life. 

Tuesday, 3. We had again disagreeable circumstances, 
namely, Anna Regina, who went away from the church, 
led away Deborah also, and both went to-day from this 
neighborhood. 

Thursday, 5. The brothers made fences along the creek, 
from the plantations, on account of cattle. Many strange 
Indians came here of all sorts, bad material, too. From 
Sandusky we learned that two negroes, who went through 
from Detroit, had killed five Wyandots in the bush, where 
they met. From the Miami came the old widow Gertrude, 
with her two grandchildren, Levi and Frederica, to remain, 
by whom we heard that there were several of ours who 
wish to come. 

Saturday, 7. David held early service. Text : No rnan 
can serve two masters, etc. 

Sunday, 8. Since we had yesterday a message from 
Manitto, who notified us to drive away from his house and 
plantations bad women and rascals, we sent there the as 
sistants, who bade them go out of this neighborhood and 
to leave it, and this they did. Among them were Samuel s 
two daughters, who caused much trouble, raged like devils 
against God and the church, and so blasphemed that one s 
hair stood on end. Br. Edwards preached, and David held 
the communion quarter-hour, of which he gave notice for 
the 13th. We read the journal somewhat, and finished it 
to-day. 

Monday, 9. Early, through Chippewas, we had news 
that a messenger from Ekuschuwe was on his way with a 
message for us, who would be here to-morrow. We learned 



118 

also that the Chippewas had killed four Shawanese and a 
Cherokee on the Miami. This happened, it is said, to pun 
ish them for not wishing to keep peace. The assistants 
spoke with Tulpenejundam and his wife, who, upon their 
request, which they had already long expressed, got leave 
to live here. The like was given to the old widow Ger 
trude, and to her granddaughter Frederica. 

Tuesday, 10. Christian and his brother came out of the 
bush home, who had met Anthony, lying sick, quite alone, 
and blind besides, with whom they stayed until Indians 
came, who cared for him. He had been here four days 
before, and lay sick, but hardly was he a little better when 
he went away, without intimating that he wanted any 
thing, though the brothers often visited him. Now we 
hear he would like to come here, but is no longer able, 
arid will hardly recover. When he was here he seemed 
quite dead in heart, was yet twice at the meetings. More 
over, they met many Indians, and in one place nearly 
fifty, out hunting. This was Pemitschischen, an unbap- 
tized man, and Jacob. They were asked whether they 
came from Pettquotting, and when they answered them 
yes, they would have it that they should say something to 
them. The first, an unbaptized man, said he could tell 
them nothing, for he was not yet a believer, but only lived 
there, but the one with him was baptized there as a child, 
and perhaps he could say something to them, but he also 
did not know much, for he has not been in the church for 
many years. They said then there must be something and 
an especial case with us ; it was certainly the truth that 
was taught here ; some said they knew it was nothing but 
the truth, and they maintained it. They said : " For so 
many years we believed we should find something good 
among the Indians, but there is none to be found, save in 
Pettquotting; there is some good of which, however, we 
knew nothing." Many said they would soon come here 
to visit us. 

"Wednesday, 11. Edwards held early service. Ger 
trude s grandson, Levi, who had taken Deborah to wife, 
who several days ago was led astray and went away, came 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 119 

with her too, both asking for reception, whom we took 
upon trial, to see how they would conduct themselves. 
On the other hand, the assistant, Luke, on account of his 
scandalous behaviour, and the trouble he had given, was 
put out of the assistants conference, and likewise from the 
Lord s supper, and thus also Sarah ^"anticoke. 

Friday, 13, was a day of blessing for the communicants 
especially, but the others also did not go away empty, but 
had their share. Something was told them about this re 
markable day in all our churches for the glory of Jesus, 
that we also have been made partakers from grace of the 
blessing which has since rested on his church. Thereupon, 
in his near presence, we had the holy communion, of 
which one, namely, Gottlob, was a partaker for the first 
time, and Theodora, .a widow, looked on as candidate. 
Besides a messenger came here from Ekuschuwe, who let 
us know that there would soon be a treaty on Tawa River, 
to which also two or more of our Indians should come, 
where they would then learn why he had so long closed 
their ears, for he would make every thing clear and plain 
to them ; they should hold themselves ready for this, 
which, however, would probably take place towards au 
tumn. Both the message and string were likewise from 
Alexander McKee, in Detroit. Joel, whom his father had 
deceived, wishing to get him away from the church by 
guile, came now and showed his sorrow that he had let 
himself be blinded. His father sent him word that if he 
would come to him he would give him a gun, and he did 
so too when he went thither, but when he did not wish to 
stay there they took it away from him, and Joel said to 
him that not for the gun could he or would he remain 
with him, that he could not leave the church, he might 
then keep his gun, and so he left him and came hither. 

Saturday, 14. Edwards held early service. The Chip- 
pewa messenger went away, but took the Chippewa 
woman, Christian s wife, with him, and thus our hope of 
them has failed. 

Sunday, 15. Michael preached, and then was the com- 



120 

munion liturgy, and towards evening we had thunder 
storms, so that there could be no congregation meeting. 

Monday, 16. Three Wyandots passed through here 
with six stolen horses, which had gone through here a few 
days ago. 

Tuesday, 17. Now at last we have heard something 
trustworthy about Johnson s labor among the Indians, 
namely, to excite them to war against the Spaniards. So 
far as we learn, the Tawa chief is opposed, and will not 
give his consent thereto, and will gladly, therefore, have 
our Indians on his side, so as to be strong and able to 
stand in opposition, as has been made known to us by a 
good friend, a Chippewa. 

Thursday, 19. Michael held early service. The breth 
ren were told that we should hereafter have our daily serv 
ices in the evening, for in the morning the brethren must 
take care of their plantations, wherewith, 

Friday, 20, a beginning was made. 

Sunday, 22. David preached. Mingoes, among whom 
were our Cook s friends, came from Niagara. In the 
neighborhood of Cuyahoga, in a storm, they had suffered 
shipwreck, saving themselves with great difficulty upon 
the rocks. They brought news, which we had also heard 
from Detroit, that Congress gave back again to the In 
dians all the land on the west side of the Ohio, and that 
two of their chiefs had therefore been summoned by Con 
gress, who are gone there, where it will be made known 
to them. 

Wednesday, 25. We had a letter by an Indian from 
Br. Sensemann, from Graceham, in Maryland, by way of 
Redstone and Pittsburg, which gives us news of his pro 
posed journey to us. We likewise heard lying tales of 
armies to come out, by which our Indian brethren were 
alarmed for a while, but which we do not believe. 

Thursday, 26. From the Miami John Cook s father 
came here, a very old man, for his son is already old, and 
can no longer go hunting. He said he had for a long 
time wished to be here, and rejoiced now to have attained 
his purpose, for he wanted to end his course here among 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 121 

the believers, and also to become a believer. God help 
him thereto ! 

Friday, 27. The old widow, Anna Margaret, who died 
in peace yesterday, was laid to rest. She was baptized in 
Lichtenau, May 28, 1778, where one of her children was 
baptized and died. She came to the Lord s supper Nov. 
7, of the same year, had received grace from the Saviour, 
and experienced it in her heart, but was not true, and did 
not use it well, which was the reason of her taking her 
way at once to the savages in the Shawanese towns when 
the Indian church was scattered, and of being away from 
the church more than eight years. Her elder sister, Eva, 
who also went away with her, went from time about a 
year ago, in G-igeyunk, who had very much longed to 
come again to the church, but their friends would help 
neither of them to this. Anna Margaret longed for the 
church, and at last her daughter, an utterly bad person, 
brought her here. Thus she came, July 1, last month,, 
sick and weak, saying at once that she had long wished 
to be here, and since the Saviour had fulfilled her wish 
and longing, she was willing to close her course in this 
life in the church, and this soon happened, for her time 
was short. She was cheerful and thankful to be again in 
the church, yet one thing was wanting to her, namely, the 
assurance that the Saviour had forgiven her all her trans 
gressions, and was reconciled to her. This the Saviour 
vouchsafed her ; she believed it, was blessed, and waited 
from this time forward longingly for her departure. She 
made also arrangements with her daughter, a half- white, 
in the presence of some assistants, that she should remain 
in the church and with her sister Rachel. Two days ago 
she said finally that she had always been wishing and 
hoping that her daughter, Dorothy, would come while she 
was yet alive, for she had promised her to come to the 
church, but that she could not wait so long, it was too long 
before she came; she gave up seeing her now, and wished 
to go to the Saviour, that was the place where she longed 
to be and which she had been waiting for. She often 
asked the sisters who came to her to sing verses to her, 



122 

and they did so. She departed blessedly, free from all 
which is upon earth, and went to a better home than she 
had had here. 

Sunday, 29. Edwards preached from the Gospel about 
the good Samaritan and David held the congregation 
meeting in the evening from the Scripture-verse. There 
came here Wyandots, among them some horse-thieves, 
whom the white people had followed after, and in the Tus- 
carawas were thought to have overtaken and killed one of 
them, for he did not come back to them, and they had to 
abandon their stolen horses. 

Monday, 30. A Wyandot chief from over the lake, who 
came from hunting, called upon Br. David. He was for 
some time a hostage at Fort Harmar, now Marietta ; had 
a pass from Gov. St. Glair, which he showed to Br. David. 

Tuesday, 31. Fourteen widows and two widowers had 
a pleasant love-feast and then a blessed service for their 
festival to-day, to whom the Saviour showed himself gra 
cious and blessed them from his bloody plenty. Besides 
strange Indians came here, the well-known Titawachkam, 
with others, for a visit. 

Wednesday, Sept. 1. From over the lake came Moses, 
who went away some time ago, bringing word to Ignatius* 
friends to go to the treaty on Tawa River. 

Thursday, 2. Edwards held the evening service from 
the Scripture-verse and text : They shall look upon me 
whom they have pierced, and then shall appear the sign 
of the Son of man in heaven. 

Saturday, 4. From Detroit came fourteen prisoners, 
who are taking to Pittsburg by Wyandots, whom we 
helped on their way with provisions. There came through 
here from Sakunk (mouth of Beaver River, Pa.) a mes 
senger to the Wyandots and Pipe, to tell them they should 
deliver up with the messenger the horses which had lately 
been stolen, and if they should do this they could live 
safely in their towns, and that the army would not come 
near them, which was now in movement to hunt out 
thieves and murderers. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 123 

Sunday, 5. Michael preached and David held the con 
gregation meeting. 

Tuesday, 7. The married people celebrated their festi 
val with grace and blessing. The Saviour showed him 
self gracious to them and let his cheerful face shine over 
them. Early was a morning service, then their festival 
service from to-day s text : But that on the good ground 
are they, which having heard the word keep it and bring 
forth fruit. In the afternoon was a love-feast for all in 
habitants, and in the evening Br. Michael held the congre 
gation meeting from to-day s Scripture-verse. 

Wednesday, 8. The assistants spoke with Moses, with 
whcm, still having hope, we have yet farther patience, 
and therefore take him upon trial; likewise with Abra 
ham, Jan., and with his wife, Anna Rosin a. Edwards 
held the evening service. 

Thursday, 9. They spoke with Cook s father, who asked 
for leave to live here, which he received with the hearty 
wish that it might redound to his eternal life in the 
church. He has been this summer a year in coming to us 
from Gigeyunk. After he had gone about a hundred 
miles winter overtook him and he remained there. In the 
spring he continued his journey hither, coming at last to 
Sandusky, where he rested a few days, and then from 
there in four days got here, which is a usual day s jour 
ney. His provisions for the four days were a little In 
dian loaf of bread, which a man who is not very hungry 
could eat at once. At night he lay under a tree without 
fire, for he could make none, and he was more than glad 
when God helped him hither, and he said that here he 
wished to end his life among the believers. It is exactly 
as if a snail proposed to make a journey of a hundred or 
more miles, for which, to be sure time is required, but yet 
it attains its purpose. 

Saturday, 11. The brothers spoke with Renatus, the 
younger, about his plantation, concerning which a dispute 
had arisen between him and Amelia. Susanna, who be 
came sick already on the 7th Inst., was very bad. 

Sunday, 12. David preached from Galatians, v., 16 : 



124 

Walk in the spirit, etc. A message came from the Tawa 
chief that three or four of our Indians should be present 
at the treaty on the Miami, whereto the nations were now 
assembling. We took counsel therefore with the assist 
ants, that Samuel and William should go there, but first 
of all have an interwiew with the chief, and if it seemed 
advisable, to speak with him about another settlement, to 
hear what he said to this, and to make to him our propo 
sition. From Temsitasunk, a creek which falls into the 
Walhonding, came back John Cook s step-son, Gottlob, 
whither he went three days ago with his mother, to visit 
her sick brother, who lay there sick unto death. He sent 
Gottlob back to tell as that he had been here in the 
spring, had had a call to the church, but had wished to 
make a good hunting and then to come here and tell us 
his mind and wish. On this account he had left his two 
boys here, who likewise would be the pledge that he 
wished to come to the church, but now he had wasted his 
time through his disobedience, and must, perhaps, die 
there in the bush, for he could not again get well, but yet 
he wished to commend himself to the consideration of the 
brethren, to commit himself to them whatever they should 
say to him and advise him. 

Tuesday, 14. We sent Bill Henry with Leonard to the 
sick Indian, to speak with him, and to see whether 
they might possibly bring him here as he had longed. 
Here Br. Edwards was also very ill, and Susanna was not 
yet better. 

Thursday, 16. The brothers, William, Samuel, Zach- 
ary, and Lewis, set out for the Miami, where the nations 
have an assembly, to which they were asked. We labor 
ers strengthened and refreshed our thirsty hearts on 
the body and blood of our Lord in the holy sacrament. 
From Sandusky returned the messenger to the Wy- 
andots, mentioned on the 4th of this month, with three 
prisoners on their way to Pittsburg, whom we had to 
provide with food. They waited a couple of days here 
for a third prisoner, who was yet to be brought from the 
bush. Among our brethren fever and ague prevail, by 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 125 

which Sister Susanna and Br. Edwards have been afflicted 
more than a week. 

Saturday, 18. The brothers went away to the Miami to 
the treaty. Here we had labor with Jephtha, who for sev 
eral days has not been quite in his right mind, whom the 
brothers must examine. He was let blood, more than 
three quarts; whereupon he fell asleep, had a good sweat, 
and came to himself somewhat. 

Sunday, 19. Michael preached about the youth at N"ain ; 
then was the communion quarter-hour, notice of which 
w^as given for next Saturday. 

Monday, 20. From Detroit traders came here, who 
wanted some Indians to help them build a house, but we 
could not and would not grant them this, for they had rum. 

Wednesday, "22. Many brethren lay sick of fever and 
ague. Frenchmen came here by water from Detroit to 
trade, established themselves below us on the creek and 
built a town. 

Friday, 24. Both yesterday and to-day the brethren 
were spoken to in regard to the communion, for which the 
Saviour gave grace, for we thought that many of them 
would remain away, but no one remained away, and we 
enjoyed it, 

Saturday, 25, in his near presence, with hungry and 
thirsty hearts, to our indescribable blessing. There were 
many sick and weak in body still, among whom were Sis 
ter Susanna and Br. Edwards, but no one wo uld avoid it 
or miss it. The widow, Theodora, and the two girls, Ju 
liana and Judith, were for the first time partakers at the 
communion. 

Sunday, 26. The four brothers came early back from 
the Miami and received also their share in the holy com 
munion. They made their journey quite in vain, and 
found they had been deceived by a false message and that 
no one had called them. The agent, Capt. McKee, said 
to them it did not occur to him to invite them to the 
treaty ; he had summoned only horse-thieves and mur 
derers, to tell them to desist from their evil ways. If he 
had any thing to say to us, he should not send wampum, 



126 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

but a writing, for they had ministers who would read it 
to them, for they could at once all come together and hear. 
The Wyandot, Abraham Kuhn, 1 said: " It did not occur 
to us to invite you with thieves and murderers ; we know 
you are not such; we will not liken you with them." 
They did not meet with the Tawa chief, Ekuschuwe, and 
so could not speak with him. The brothers met Pipe 
there, whom they greeted. He said to them, among other 
things, that he and the Wyandots had given Pettquotting 
to the believing Indians to inhabit; they should now hold 
on tb it and not give it from their hands, nor let it go, nor 
be driven from it. He said farther that he was sad as 
often as he thought of it, and did not like to think of it, 
that he had treated us so badly and roughly upon the 
Muskingum, but that he was not the cause of it, the En 
glish in Detroit had forced him and the Wyandots to it. 
To the Indians who were there, presents had been made, 
but our brethren got neither presents nor any thing to cat. 
Then said Abraham Kuhn to them quite freely : "If you 
go stealing horses and murdering, then you will get pres 
ents, too, but since you do not thus, you get nothing, for 
only thieves and murderers get presents." 

Early was the communion liturgy, and then Br. Michael 
preached. In the congregation meeting was the reception 
of two persons, namely, Christian and Matthew, who as 
children had been baptized in the church, but for twelve 
years and longer had wandered about with their mother in 
error, and last year came again to the church. 

Tuesday, 28. The assistants went down to the lake to 
the creek, where a trader from Detroit was come with 
more than ten barrels of rum, who builds a house there, 
to speak with him, and to bid him leave our neighborhood 
with his rum, but they accomplished little or nothing, for, 
as we hear, a new commandant 2 is come, who, as he said, 
permits the traders to bring as much rum among the In- 

1 Written also Coon. He was the Wyandot war-chief from Lower 
Sandusky, a white captive, adopted by the Indians. 
8 Maj. D. W. Smith, as we learn, under Nov. 14th, next. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 127 

dians as they please, for this is the best trade, and other 
wise the traders could not stand, but must break; seeing 
that the States can sell their goods much cheaper to the 
Indians than they, most business passes over to Pittsburg. 
Since this is so, and we have from that quarter no help to 
expect, we must turn to Pipe and the Wyandots, and if 
nothing can be done with them, the next best thing will 
be to vacate Pettquotting and abandon it to the traders, 
for since we live here on the lake, where they can come 
by water in boats and transports, and since they know 
that here is so large a town, the like of which is not to be 
found among the Indians, the traders come here in crowds, 
and cause us nothing but trouble and disorder. 

Wednesday, 29. A party of brethren went to bring in 
the sick Indian, who has been on the way hither since the 
14th of this month, and now is not far off, for he cannot 
sit upon a horse, but must be carried in a litter. "When 
they reached him, however, he was already dead, but the 
next day they brought in his corpse here, where he was 
buried. Shortly before he had spoken with his sister, Zip- 
porah, saying he had much longed to come to the believ 
ers and to die there, but he knew he could not now ac 
complish it; his whole thought and longing had so been, 
but if it pleased God that he should no longer come here, 
he would resign himself to this. He exhorted his sister 
and friends to remain in the church to the last, and when 
he had ceased speaking he died. 

Friday, Oct. 1. Early before day a son was born to Is 
rael, which, in the evening meeting, was baptized with the 
name Lewis. 

Sunday, 3. Early came Mr. Parke from Pittsburg, as 
express, who brought us letters from Br. Sensemann and 
his wife and from the church, at the same time also the 
news that they were at the Fort and waited to be sent for, 
for which we made immediate preparations. This Parke 
was upon the point of setting out for Detroit with some 
goods and cattle, but he gave all this up, and hastened 
hither to bring us news. Br. David preached, after which 
the greetings from the church here and in Europe were 



128 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

delivered to the baptized and received ; also a letter from 
Br. Ettwein to the Indian church was read, to the great 
joy and encouragement of the brethren. 

Monday, 4. The brothers set out with Mr. Parke for 
Pittsburg. David, who was yesterday indisposed, was 
better to-day. We sent letters to Bethlehem. 

Wednesday, 6. The brethren harvested our plantations, 
as they have themselves been busy doing for more than a 
week. Every thing has done well and finely, nothing 
lost. The French from Detroit, however, begin again to 
wheedle our Indians out of their corn, come here with 
apples to exchange for it, and thus this week one of them 
has taken from here a great boat s load. This was the 
cause of the famine this summer among our brethren, for 
they had exchanged every thing, the apples enticing them, 
for which they gave every thing. 

Saturday, 9. Wyandots, who had taken prisoners to 
Pittsburg, came back from there, bringing news that the 
militia kept good watch on all roads, and that not long- 
before four Indians, who stole horses, died. The Indians 
had themselves found one lying in the bush, who was mor 
tally wounded and could not get away. He begged them 
to help him oft for he could again recover, but instead of 
this they struck him dead. 

Sunday, 10. Michael preached and David held the con 
gregation meeting. From the Miami, where the nations 
hold an assembly and council, carne back one of our un- 
baptized Indians, who had been invited there by his uncle. 
He had heard what occurred after our Indians came away, 
for he got there afterwards. There were Shawanese and 
Twightwees there, and one of the former arose, threw his 
belt high up before all the nations, and was so headstrong 
as to summon them all to rise at once and go to war against 
the States ; they should make a campaign this autumn 
and then rest until spring, and then begin anew. After a 
pause a chref of the Maschko 1 nation, from the south, 

lc The Wawiachtanos and Twightwees are found between the rivers 
Scioto and Wabash, also the Kickapoos, Moschkos, and Tuckashaws, 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 129 

arose and said that he had not come there to hear any 
thing of the sort, but would have been glad to hear some 
thing good ; he could give him no answer, for he was but 
one man, but he wished to take his words home, perhaps 
he would get an answer after a year, but he could not 
promise him when ; whereupon he rolled together the belt 
and threw it at the feet of the Shawano, saying : " Thou 
and the Twightwees may go to war alone ; of all the na 
tions here assembled, none will help you." This was, in 
short, the purport of his speech, for which he was praised 
by Pipe and the Wyandots, who thereupon, one after the 
other, arose and threw the war-belt at the feet of the 
Shawano. No greater insult can be done one than to 
throw at his feet his belt with his proposition. 

Tuesday, 12. The brothers were busy harvesting their 
fields, but rainy weather hindered them much, but we have 
a good, plentiful harvest, and all has thriven well. 

Thursday, 14. From Detroit, whence Squirrel came 
back, we heard wonderful news, that they are preparing 
for defence, raising soldiers, and the like; but what it 
means time must teach us, as though they expected trouble 
from the part of the Indians. It was said that traders 
had gone to the Wabash with goods, from whom every 
thing had been taken away by the Indians. 

Friday, 15. Already for eight days it has rained every 
day, which hinders the brethren much in their harvest, 
and the corn suffers damage. 

Sunday, 17. David preached about the wedding-gar 
ment, Christ s blood, and righteousness, wherewith we are 
clad, our sins covered, and we are sunk into the sea of 
mercy, if we come to the Saviour sinful, naked, and bare. 
Br. Michael held the congregation meeting. Sister Su 
sanna was able to go to the chapel again, the first time in 
five weeks, so also Br. Edwards. Squirrel arrived, who 

on both sides of the Wabash, though at some distance one from an 
other." 

Loskiel s Mission History. Germ. Ed., p .4. Loskiel is supposed to 
have had his information from Zeisberger. 

9 



130 

came from Detroit several days ago, who told us the rea 
son the traders brought rum to the river was that a new 
commandant was come, who knew nothing about us ; 
we must pay our respects to him and lay before him our 
complaints, then the matter would be remedied. 

Monday, 18. The Indian brothers built a house for Br. 
Sensemann and his wife, which they finished Thursday of 
this week. 

Thursday, 21. We got the first news and information 
about the army 1 which marched into the Indian land, that 
the Miami towns near Gigeyunk are all destroyed, burnt 
down, and all their corn ruined, but that all the Indians 
got away, leaving every thing in the lurch. They had also 
burnt the goods of the Detroit traders, and were build 
ing a fort in the old Shawanese towns. 

Friday, 22. In the evening in the marriage service 
Christian, Louisa s son, and the single woman, Johanette, 
Helen s daughter, were married. French came again into 
the river with rum and cider, to whom Abraham went and 
made known our rights, that they should here sell noth 
ing of the kind. 

Saturday, 23. Below here on the lake died- the Chip- 
pewa Manitto, and at the same time his Longus. 2 They 
asked help from us about his burial, which we could not 
give on account of the Chippewas, who are drinking about 
there. Along the shore of the lake there are said to be 

1 This army was under the command of Gen. Harmar, and the whole 
expedition is sometimes named " Harmar s defeat." Hist, of the Back 
woods, p. 289. A writer in Indian Antiquities, vol. ii, p. 179, protests 
against this appellation. Perkins, in his Western Annals, p. 344, says: 
The army as a whole effected all that the popular expectations of 
Clark in 1782 and of Scott and Williamson in 1791 did; we mean the 
annihilation of towns and corn, and was by Harmar and St. Clair con 
sidered very successful; but in reality, in the view of the Indians, it was 
an utter failure and defeat." 

2 This word, Longus, has occurred three times before, and may be 
found in vol. i., pp. 342, 408, 413, where the meaning, messenger, would 
be suitable, but it this conjecture be correct, the coincidence of Ma- 
nitto s and his messenger s death in the present passage is at least 
curious. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 131 

many Indians sick. With us the sickness is nearly over, 
and it now goes among the Chippewas. Not long ago 
they laughed at us that we had so many sick, no one of 
them being sick. It is said that Manitto three days in 
succession had diarrhoea and vomiting, which could not he 
stopped. Of his last hours we have learned that he repeat 
edly said he wished to be a believer, for it probably occurred 
to him what he had heard here, and he remained thereby 
to the last. Squirrel said to him : " Thou sayest that now 
indeed, since thou seest thou must die, but if thou shouldst 
again become well, thou wouldst again forget it." The 
Frenchman baptized him, soon after which he departed. 
8ince Joshua, who was also there at work, must make a 
coffin for him and see how the Tawas placed him in the 
ground, we will give the following account : He was 
painted red, clothed in new clothes in the best way, hung 
with much silver about the head, neck, and arms, then 
at last he was wrapped in a new shroud and placed in 
his coffin. Upon one side of his head lay apples, and 
upon the other onions. In the middle at his side were 
his tobacco-pouch, fire-tongs, pipe, and knife, his hunting- 
bag and powder-horn, furnished with powder and lead, 
upon the other a great wheat loaf. At his feet were the 
kettle, hatchet, bowl, spoon, and shoes, and thus was he 
buried. The Frenchman, who baptized him, placed in 
his hands a crucifix for his burial. His other property 
was divided among those who helped at his burial. In 
the evening service the little daughter of Samuel and 
Sarah, born this morning before day, was baptized with 
the name Mercy. 

Sunday, 24. Br. Edwards preached and Michael held 
the congregation meeting. We learned from Sandusky 
that our Cook s father, who had come here a long way 
from Gigeyunk, asked leave to live here, which he ob 
tained, but who soon afterwards went back again, when he 
came to Sauduaky fell sick, and is dead. He had brought 
here his doctor s tools, a tortoise-shell taken from the ani 
mal, wherein little stones are placed, which they rattle be 
fore the patient, and at the same time dance, sing, and 



132 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

mumble. When he was told that he must cease from this 
and put it away, if he wished to live here and become a 
believer, he promised so to do, went at once and carried 
away the tortoise-shell in front of the town, and thus ad 
dressed it, saying : " Now will I speak myself free from thee. 
I have served thee long enough, and am become old. 
From this time forth I will begin another life, and thou 
canst now go and seek another abode where it pleaseth 
thee." He put down his tortoise-shell and went away. 
The next day he went there again and found it still there. 
He took it and brought it home. Upon being asked why 
he brought it back, having wished to put it away, he re 
plied that it did not wish to leave him ; he had taken it 
away, and when he came there again it still lay in the 
very same spot, therefore he had taken it to himself again. 
With such silly things Satan holds people captive, since 
they believe in them. 

Sophia visited a sick woman in the neighborhood, who, 
for two years, has wished to come to the church, and was 
still of this mind, but her husband had no inclination for 
this. She advised the woman to have patience, and to 
wait for her husband ; she comforted her that if her dis 
position was from her heart, the Saviour would yet in the 
end help her to accomplish it. 

Wednesday, 27. We got our second intelligence about 
the army, that they had come to Gigeyunk eight thousand 1 
men strong, and that, six days before, there had been a skir 
mish in which three hundred of the whites were said to 
have fallen, that the army was surrounded and hemmed in 
by the Indians, and as soon as any one let himself be seen, 
he was shot down ; that all hastened there in the hope of 
blotting them all out. The news sounded frightful, that 
is, in Indian, but we cannot and must not believe every 
thing, for many lies are told. The Detroit traders had all 
gone away before the army came, having burnt their houses 
and forts. We committed ourselves to the Saviour for pro- 

1 " The total force of the expedition consisted of fourteen hundred 
and fifty-three men." Albach s West. Annals, p. 546. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 133 

tection. May he, in his grace, think of his inheritance out 
of the heathen. They were told to keep still, not to go 
far away hunting. A scalp was sent to the Sanduskians, 
and they were asked to the fight. 

Friday, 29. Still more traders come to this river from 
Detroit, and all bring rum. It must first become very bad 
that we may have reason and ground enough to make 
complaint, and as soon as we have a chance to meet the 
Tawa chief, we shall do something in the matter. Since 
the traders still come here in such number from Detroit, 
it is a sign that they fear nothing here; another reason is 
that they cannot go up the Miami on account of the army. 

Sunday, 31. Michael preached. A sick Mohican woman 
of the neighborhood here, who has been here already a 
couple of years, has attended our meetings and would 
always have liked to be in the church, but was held back 
by her husband, who has no inclination thereto, was now 
so sick that others, and she herself, had doubts of her re 
covery. The sisters had often visited her, to whom she 
showed her longing, and whom she asked to bring her 
here to us, where then she would willingly go from time. 
So to-day she was brought here in a canoe by the sisters, 
with the consent of her husband, who said that neither he 
nor his friends could be helpful to her in any thing she 
sought and desired ; he was glad we wished to take charge 
of her, but he would himself never leave her as long as 
she lived. After she was here, David and Susanna (Mr. 
and Mrs. Zeisberger) visited her, to whom she said she 
was thankfully glad to be here, but that this was not all 
she wished ; one thing was still lacking to her, namely, 
forgiveness of her sins and cleansing with the Saviour s 
blood. She was asked whether she believed that that 
alone could help, satisfy, save, and quiet her, whether she 
believed that the Saviour had died for her sins and had 
poured out his blood for the forgiveness of her sins. She 
answered : " Yes, I believe that, and therein put my whole 
faith and trust." As she was very weak, and we saw that 
the end was near, she was also baptized this evening with 
the name Mariane, and this Br. David told to the brethren 



134 

in the congregation meeting. A widow, the wife of the 
Indian brought here dead, got leave to live here with four 
children, after the assistants had first spoken with her. 

Monday, Nov. 1. As we were distressed in such troub 
lous times about Br. Sensemann and his wife, who re 
mained out beyond their time, and as we had an inkling, 
too, that the Chippewas and Tawas, many of whom were 
down at the lake, would fall upon and plunder Mr. Parke, 
who came out with them, and was driving cattle too, we 
sent a couple of Indian brethren to meet them, either to 
bring them in, or, if they were yet far away and the other 
side of the Cuyahoga, to warn them and tell them to do 
as they held it best, either to turn about or to continue 
their journey. We conferred with the assistants, whether 
we could not send a speech to the Chippewas to do no 
harm to Parke, since he had been of service to us, and 
was now coming out with Br. Sensemann and his wife, 
but they had no disposition for this, and as we saw this, 
we sent him word to turn about. While we were still 
deliberating about this, however, there came a white man 
from Detroit, with an Indian, to get the cattle. They 
went on with the brethren to meet the party, and thus 
were we helped in our need and perplexity. 

Of the army we got somewhat more exact news, and 
that it is not in such danger as had been said, namely, 
that the advance troops had been attacked as they came 
to Gigeyunk ; but they had cut their way through and 
pitched their camp in the town, which the Indians had 
burnt ; that the Indians had brought away their wives 
and children, arid that the men remained there, and many 
times made an assault, but, as soon as they were fired upon, 
they ran off, not standing firm. In the evening service 
we called to mind our communion with the church above, 
in the blessed hope of sometime with it kissing his 
wounds-, and we sang the song, Jerusalem. 

Tuesday, 2. Early before day died Mariane, who was 
baptized day before yesterday, thankful, joyful and blessed. 
She had believed, had given herself to the Saviour, and 
depended upon his blood and merits alone. Thus again 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 135 

is a brand saved from the fire, for which praise and honor 
are due the Saviour. Her remains were buried this even 
ing, for it was high time. Her things were divided 
among the sisters who had taken care of her. 

Wednesday, 3. From the Miami a Chippewa came as 
messenger, bringing news from the army that six days 
ago there had been a fight with the Indians, they could 
not muster more than two hundred men, did not stand, 
but ran away; it was said twenty Indians and one hun 
dred whites were killed, besides the wounded ; after the 
fight it was said farther, that the whites had burned down 
the town, of which they had taken possession, and where 
was much corn, that they had laid waste every thing, and 
had moved away to the head of the Scioto, where they 
had built a fort, and whither they came unmolested ; 1 that 
the Indians had left Gigeyunk and gone down the Miami 
to the Fork, where they were now altogether, but where 
they must eat up one another, which famine would cause. 

Saturday, 6. By a Chippewa messenger, who went 
back to the Miami to Ekuschuwe, we sent to the old chief 
a message with a piece of tobacco and a string, and re 
minded him that he had told us, if we had to suffer incon 
venience from any one, whoever he might be, to let him 
know it; that the traders now brought much rum here, 
whereby we were much disquieted, that he would know how 
this was to be helped. Here belongs the interview of Squir 
rel, who gave occasion for the message, with the chief in our 
behalf. This Frenchman, who has lived here many years? 
and as long as we have been here, has always shown him 
self our friend, who also stands in good relation and ac- 

1 0ct. 13th Col. John Hardin was sent with nearly seven hundred 
men to surprise the Indians, but found their towns deserted. The 
main army, under Gen l Harrnar, joined Hardin s force on the 17th, 
and the villages and their contents were destroyed, among them 
several thousand bushels of corn. The further operations of this 
army were far from successful, and they had begun their homeward 
march, when Harmar, at Hardin s request, sent back about four hun 
dred men to surprise the enemy. Owing to lack of co-operation on 
the part of the troops, many men were lost. See note on p. 130. 



136 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

quaintance with the Tawa chief, has spoken with him in 
our behalf, that since so many traders are here, and the 
rum-business is driven so hard, to our harm and preju 
dice, whereby we are made uneasy and are annoyed, and 
although it might be that he had his own advantage in 
the business, he had spoken for the existence and need of 
the Indian church. Upon this the Tawa chief replied, 
that he would like to have something immediately from 
us to push the matter, which gave occasion to the mes 
sage. The Tawa chief had farther expressed himself in 
speech about our existence and outcome, if another In 
dian war should break out, which was now quite proba 
ble, and it was not known to which side it might turn ; he 
had been considering within himself how he should act 
in such case, if it should really come to a war. The be 
lieving Indians, he said, could not remain in Pettquotting, 
and he saw, at the same time, the impossibility of his 
taking them away, it was too hard, it seemed impossible 
to help us; therefore he had resolved within himself, if 
things came to such a pass, as he feared, to ask the com 
mandant in Detroit for help, and to say to him : " Thou 
art strong enough. I know it is not impossible for thee, 
if only thou wilt. Thou hast ships, and canst bring them all 
away together at once and take them to a safe place, 
where they will be out of danger of being swallowed." 

Sunday, 7. David preached, and Edwards held the con 
gregation meeting from the Scripture-verse : Thousand 
thousands ministered unto him. By a blind alarm and 
lies which arose from misunderstanding, when a Chippewa 
messenger came from the Miami, our people were for a 
time very much alarmed, but were quieted upon our find 
ing out there was nothing in the thing. 

Monday, 8. Although five weeks have passed since we 
sent brethren to Pittsburg to bring here Br. Sensemann 
and his wife, and eight days ago we sent two messengers 
to see and to get news where they were, but no one came 
back, and when we were not a little anxious about them, 
and had many reflections, 

Tuesday, 9, early in the afternoon we were freed from 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 137 

our doubts all at once, for the Sensemanns came to us here 
well and fortunate, to the hearty joy of ourselves arid of all 
the Indian brethren. Old and young ran out and greeted 
them, the children heard shouting, and ran out to meet 
them. At the evening service the brethren were greeted 
from the church, and the Saviour was thanked from the 
heart for watching over their brethren and bringing them 
to us. Early before this Br. Jung went down to the lake 
and conducted the burial of an English trader who died 
there yesterday, and requested this before his departure. 

Wednesday, 10. In the evening service Br. David bap 
tized the little son of Lewis and Esther, born yesterday, 
into Jesus death, Caleb. 

Thursday, 11. John Leeth, who, in Cuyahoga, came 
again to the church from Pittsburg, and since then, with 
his family, has lived with us, but who in these troublous 
times does not think it safe here for his wife and children, 
went away from here to-day, with our blessing, for Pitts- 
burg, to go from there farther to the church, according to 
circumstances and opportunity, which we have already 
long wished for him to succeed in his purpose. 

Saturday, 13. In the forenoon, in the service for the 
baptized, the brethren were told of this important day, 
about our Saviour s office of Elder, and about his blessed 
rule in the church, at the end of which Gertrude was ab 
solved. In the evening the communicants enjoyed his 
body and blood in the holy sacrament. 

Sunday, 14. Early the communion liturgy, then Michael 
preached and Br. Sensemann held the congregation meet 
ing from the Scripture-verse. From Detroit we had a let 
ter from the commandant, Maj. D. W. Smith, in which he 
told us, that so far as we were said to have trouble with 
the traders in regard to the rum-business, we should only 
let him know, for what had happened had been without 
his knowledge. This letter Br. David answered at once. 

Wednesday, 17. A white woman, named Mary, of John 
Harris family, from the Susquehanna, who, as a little girl, 
in the first war (1763 ?), was captured, and since then had 
been around among the Indians, Shawanese, Chippewas, 



138 

and in Detroit, came with French people to this neighbor 
hood a year ago, and has often been to us and gone 
away again. She sent word to us and begged us, since 
she lay sick unto death, to have compassion upon her, and 
to help her hither, where she would like to die, and we did 
so. After she was brought here, she had Br. David called, 
whom before she had many times visited, and upon being 
asked what her wish and disposition were, she replied, that 
Jesus Christ might pity her, receive her through Jiis grace, 
and forgive her her sins. Whether then she knew and be 
lieved she was a sinner, and whether she believed that the 
Saviour had died for sinners, and poured out his blood for 
the remission of sins ? She answered, very intelligently : " I 
am a great sinner, this I know, I am lost unless the Sa 
viour have compassion upon me, therefore this is my only 
desire, the forgiveness of my sins. I gladly believe that the 
Saviour died for me and has redeemed me with his blood, 
I have to do with his grace and mercy, this is my greatest 
anxiety, wish, and desire." Br. David gave her absolution 
in the name of Jesus Christ, whereupon she was much com 
forted, and on the morning of the 18th early she peacefully 
died. Her remains were buried on the 19th. 

Thursday, 18. We began again to hold our daily serv 
ices in the morning. 

Friday, 19. A party of brethren went down and de 
stroyed a French trader s house, who two years ago had 
settled not far away, and whom we could not get to go 
away. Since now, however, he had died in Detroit, and 
the house was vacant, we took it away before other people 
should be in it. It was the resort of an utterly bad set, 
to our damage and prejudice. 

Sunday, 21. Br. Sensemann preached about faith in the 
only-born Son of God, whereby alone through faith and 
not for our good works we are saved and win life eternal. 
David held the congregation meeting from the Scripture- 
verse : Vow and pay unto the Lord your God ; let all 
that be round about him, etc. We read the journal. 

Monday, 22. Michael held early service. !N"ow we again 
have trouble about Mr. Parke, who "has begun to trade 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 139 

from Pittsburg here. We had already heard before now 
he came here that the Tawas were watching to kill him. 
Of this, to be sure, since he was here, we had heard noth 
ing, but had yet warned him and advised him not to re 
main here for the present, since we could not protect him 
against a plundering crowd. To-day Squirrel came quite 
early and told us they were quite determined to kill him; 
whereupon four Tawas also soon came after him, with 
whom the Indian brethren spoke, reminding them that 
their chief had placed us here, and had admonished all 
his people to put nothing in pur way and not to injure us; 
therefore they should not befoul our town with blood, and 
should they do so, they drove us away from here. We 
showed them also his strings and belts, to which, however, 
they answered that their chief had himself gone to war, 
much rather would they be blamed for not doing it. After 
handling Parke somewhat roughly and taking from him 
two pieces of linen, they went away, but they said this 
was not satisfaction enough ; they would yet tomahawk 
him. We then begged Parke to go away, and could 
hardly persuade him to it. In such times it is not fit that 
traders from the States should be here. They cause us 
nothing but trouble and perplexity, and they are not sure 
of their lives. Moreover they make pretensions to be pro 
tected by us, when we only put ourselves in danger on 
their account. Hitherto he has given no heed to our 
statements and warnings, but now he saw the danger be 
fore his eyes and got out of the way secretly for Detroit, 
by way of Sandusky. In Detroit he thinks he shall get 
help. 

Tuesday, 23. Edwards held morning service. 

Wednesday, 24. The Indian brothers got ready for 
their autumn hunt. From the Miami came back the mes 
senger, a Chippewa, by whom we had sent a message to 
the Tawa chief, but he told us he had delivered and made 
over this message, and that the chief was in Detroit, where 
in a short time we should hear from him, what sort of suc 
cess he had against the rum-business here in our neighbor 
hood. Of disquiet from war he knew nothing; likewise 



140 

about the army. All is quiet and the Indians go hunting. 
We recalled the occurrence upon the Mahony (1755). 

Sunday, 28. Br. David preached at the entrance into 
Advent time, exhorting the brethren to school their hearts 
and to be ready to go to meet God, our Creator and Sa 
viour, with joy, and to stand in expectation and readiness 
for what he would bring us good and blessed, of which 
also the congregation meeting treated, which Br. Seuse- 
mann conducted. 

Monday, 29. Edwards held early service. To-day most 
of the brethren went out for their autumn hunt, and only 
the old remained at home. 

Tuesday, 30. David held the early service in Indian 
from the Scripture-verse. 

Thursday, Dec. 2. Now all at once we got rid of our 
unpleasant neighbors, the traders, who were troublesome 
to us with their rum-business, who could not be induced, 
by all our representations, to move away from here, for 
two of them are dead ; from the third his rum was taken 
by the Indians with force, and thereupon he hurried away 
also, and the other two, still there, are not troublesome to 
us, but are our friends. 

Sunday, 5. From Gigeyunk we got news that misfor 
tune came upon some of our brethren too, and that sev 
eral of them were killed ; for instance, Philippina, with 
her son, Adolphus, his wife and Nathaniel, Gottlieb s son. 
They always thought themselves safer there than here 
with us. Here the word applies: Whoever^shall seek to 
save his life shall lose it. Generally more Indians have 
died than was at first asserted. Mr. Robbins, who came 
from Sandusky, on his way to Pittsburg, brought un 
pleasant news from every side, that the whites are making 
ready for war, and that fifty men are already prepared to 
go out; that through the last expedition, which turned out 
disastrously, they have become only the more bitter. We 
also heard the old story warmed up again about Br. David s 
writing to the Fort. This aroused in us the sigh : Help 
thy people, Lord Jesus Christ ! Br. Edwards preached 
and David held the congregation meeting, about the hope 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 141 

and trust we have in the Saviour in all the needs of the 
earth and in dangers, if only we hold fast to him. 

Wednesday, 8. Mr. Robbins, who came here a couple 
of days ago, went away to Pittsbnrg, whom an Indian 
brother accompanied more than half-way. We should have 
liked to write to the church by this occasion, but were too 
uneasy to venture it, since the old story has again shown 
itself, that we conduct a secret correspondence with Pitts- 
burg, besides the white people cannot be trusted. 

Thursday, 9. Br. Edwards held early service about the 
safety, rest, and peace, believers in Jesus enjoy in his holy 
wounds. 

We had trustworthy news that the Delawares on the 
Miami during these disturbances have made themselves 
prominent and have shown themselves our opponents, of 
which, to be sure, we had already heard several times, but 
had not believed, namely : In Gigeyunk, after the meeting 
with the army was entirely over, the Indians held a coun 
cil, whereby we were especially spoken of arid the believ 
ing Indians were mentioned, that none of them had come 
to the tight and helped, but only sat there and sent news 
to the States of what went on among the Indians. The 
captains had already resolved to come here with their 
power and to take us prisoners with the threat of killing 
the teachers, since they could do with the Indians what 
they would. In this they had one of our Indians for their 
aim. namely, Samuel Nanticoke, who, as they said, was a 
head-man among them, and whom they must put out of 
the way. This his own brother, who was present, heard, 
and he said to them : " I say to you if you do that, I shall 
not keep still regarding it. I shall also do something. If 
you wish to go there, you may go, but I will go with you, 
and some one of you shall lie there dead before you lay 
hands on my brother. You have already once robbed my 
brother and the believing Indians, and despoiled them of 
house and goods. You have a mind to do that again, 
since you know they have again got a little property to 
gether. You wish to rob and steal, this brings you to this 
thought, but when you should fight, about which you are 



142 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

ever boasting and making great promises, you run away." 
The chiefs who had not been present, but had heard of 
what he said to the Indians, had him called before them, 
stated to him what he was reported to have said, and 
asked him if it were so. He replied that it was the truth, 
he had said it and said it yet ; he did not wish to prevent 
their doing what they wished, but he wanted to do what 
he wished. Thereupon the chiefs said it did not come 
from them, they had not made the plan, but the captains 
among themselves, and they told them to desist from their 
scheme, for the Tawa chief, Ekuschuwe, had us in his 
arms and would care for us. They let this content them, 
but said that if he said nothing to us, they would come 
and tell us something. This w^as to us the foreboding for 
another pilgrimage, but whither ? This the Saviour knows, 
but not we. The world, which yet is great, and contains 
land enough, will soon be too small for them, a little hand 
ful of believing Indians, who are on this account reviled 
and despised, of whom the world is unworthy, because 
they believe in Jesus Christ. 

Friday, 10. In our conference we laborers considered what, 
for the use and advantage of the Indian church, we had 
most necessary to accomplish, and we were directed by the 
Saviour to take thought about increasing the number of 
assistants, which we did at once, and for the present ap 
pointed three brothers and three sisters, namely, Joshua, 
Bill Henry, Thomas, and Sophia, Martha, Salome. 

Sunday, 12. Michael preached from the Gospel of John 
in prison. In the children s hour, which Br. Sensemauu 
conducted, he baptized Eleonora, the little daughter of Br. 
Boaz and his wife Abigail, born on the 5th of this month. 
Br. David held the congregation meeting. From Pitts- 
burg came the white man, Walker, who weut there from 
Detroit some time ago, with an Indian and a negro. He 
went to meet Parke, but had missed him, and now he took 
his cattle to Detroit, which was pleasing to us. They had 
yet learned nothing in Pittsburg about the army and its 
doings. 

Tuesday, 15. The brethren began to come home from 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 143 

their autumn hunt. The white man went away to Detroit 
with Parke s cattle. 

Friday, 17. The brethren contributed corn for the love- 
feasts of the year to come. 

Sunday, 19. Br. Seusemann preached about this, that 
God in this last time, through his son, had spoken to us 
lost men, and had invited sinners to repentance, forgive 
ness of sins, to receive life and salvation, all which were 
won for us by his incarnation and bitter death. Br. Da 
vid held the communion quarter-hour, inviting thereto 
the poor and needy. Edwards held the congregation 
meeting. 

Monday, 20. Michael held early service. Polly gave 
birth to a son before her time. Most of our people were 
come home from hunting, having generally done very 
well, except David, who nearly broke his leg, and had 
been kept in by it the whole time. From Little Beaver 
Creek Abel came back, where he had left his father sick, 
who had accompanied John Leeth. 

Tuesday. 21. By William, who, while hunting, had met 
Pipe s brother and other Indians, we learned that both the 
first and the Wyandots are much cast down, and have 
given up longer advising peace and holding to it, saying : 
u What can we do ? We are but two, and all other nations 
are for war. We -must expect to have the nations fall 
upon us, if we do not agree with them." And so it is, too. 
They will, therefore, in the spring, all go away from there, 
and if this happens we also cannot and dare not remain. 
We await, therefore, what the chief Ekuschuwe will say 
to us and advise us. 

Thursday, 23. Polly s son, born on the 20th, was bap 
tized Nathan in her house. 

Friday, 24. To-day, yesterday, and the day before, the 
brethren were spoken to by the Zeisbergers and Sense- 
raauns. 

We began Christmas with a love-feast, rejoiced in the 
incarnation and birth of God, our Saviour, in a stall and 
manger, who brought peace into the world, and was called 
Jesus, because he saves us. We adored him and asked him 



144 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

to make plain to us this great, all-surpassing wonder in 
the hearts of us all. In conclusion, little lights, wax- 
tapers, were given to the children, whereupon all joyfully 
went home. 

Saturday, 25. Br. Sensemann preached about the mes 
sage of the angels to the shepherds about the birth of the 
Saviour, which was announced to the poor. In the after 
noon service, Peggy, a woman from the Jerseys, baptized 
when a child by Mr. Brainard, was taken into the church. 
In the evening the communicants received his body as he 
came from his mother Mary, and his holy blood, with hun 
gry and thirsty souls in the holy sacrament, to which the 
widow Gertrude was again admitted, likewise Tobias, who 
escaped the hands of the murderers on the Muskingum. 

Sunday, 26. After the communion liturgy Br. Michael 
preached and David then conducted the children s hour, 
whom he exhorted to love the Infant in the manger, who 
for us was born a man, with all their might, and to give to 
him their poor, sinful hearts. The conference of assist 
ants, with whom we had a meeting, was enlarged and 
strengthened by two brothers, Joshua and William Henry, 
and three sisters, Sophia, Martha, and Salome, to whom 
their office and duty were explained and recommended at 
length, to provide for good order in the church. Abel 
and Charles went to Little Beaver Creek to get the sick 
Thomas. 

Monday, 27. David held early service. A daughter 
was born to Tulpe. 

Tuesday, 28. Sensemann held early service. Edwards 
held the congregation meeting. 

Thursday, 30. Edwards held early service. From the 
Miami strangers were here, among others, the son of 
Joseph Snowshoe, who lived for a long time in the Broth 
ers home, in Bethlehem. He had never yet heard any 
thing about the brothers nor the Saviour. The assistants 
came together. They were charged to speak with Sam 
uel s daughter, who has again come here, but they got 
from her no answer. 

Friday, 31. Towards midnight we assembled for the 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 145 

close of the year, beginning with a love-feast. This year 
also we found much reason, and were moved, to bring 
to our good Lord honor, much praise, and thankfulness 
for all the grace, kindnesses, goodness, and faithfulness 
he has shown us, bodily and spiritually. In outward mat 
ters our dear heavenly Father has cared for us and be 
stowed upon us what was needful, and in our inward life 
our dear Lord has held us by his wounds, and has daily 
fed our hearts with his sufferings, and kept us in inter 
course with him. He has given blessing and success to 
the preaching of the Gospel, so that many strangers have 
heard it, not without fruit. The daily words of the apos 
tles and prophets, given through the Holy Ghost, and 
written for our instruction, exhortation, and comfort, 
were our daily food and nourishment, by which our hearts 
have been refreshed and revived. May he be pleased to 
give us more. 

And what a kindness it is he has shown us, that amidst 
all the unrest among the Indians he has let us enjoy peace 
and rest, so that we have experienced little or no disquiet, 
for through the whole year robbing, stealing, and murder 
ing on the part of the Indians have not ceased, and when 
in the autumn an army came to Gigeyunk, we remained 
in peace and undisturbed, except that we afterwards had 
to hear many threats from Indians ill-disposed towards 
us, but this is nothing new, we are accustomed to it. 

To be sure we have at present no distinct prospect that 
we shall have peace and quiet, for all the information we 
get from abroad is announcement of an Indian war, and 
so much the more now that an army has been to Gige 
yunk, whereby the Indians are the more embittered, but 
we commit ourselves to the eye and guard of Israel, 
and we pray the more earnestly: God, give peace in thy 
land, and we trust in him and believe he will care for our 
welfare and good, be a refuge for his church in time of 
need, and find for us a free city, as thus far he has always 
clone. Sometimes it falls upon us to think: Why must 
we yet be among a wicked, murdering people. All the 
10 



146 ZEISBEKGER S DIARY. 

Indians who live to the eastward, of whom there are not a 
few, have peace, why then can we not have things as 
good? Yes, if we did not know that we have not our 
selves chosen this place, but, much more, have planned to 
get away from it, we should have reproach and must 
blame ourselves, that up to the present time we have not 
come to rest. Since then we thus know that we have not 
established ourselves here of our own accord, but have 
been compelled against our will, we look upon it already 
as guidance on the part of the Saviour, who must have his 
own reasons therefor, that we must now be here in the 
midst of dark heathendom, among people the most bent on 
murder, that will hear nothing of peace. So must we 
comfort ourselves herewith, and think: Perhaps it is for 
this reason, the Saviour will break through darkness with 
the light of the Gospel, and use as an instrument for this 
his poor, weak, little Indian church. If this be so, he will 
requite us with strength therefor. Moreover, we put be 
fore us in advance, that towards spring again a storm will 
hover over us, and that we have to await a visit from hos 
tile Indians, of which we have information so far as the 
Saviour in his grace does not turn it from us. We 
thanked him humbly for all the mercy and kindness 
shown to us outwardly and inwardly, asked forgiveness 
of all our faults, and committed ourselves farther anew to 
the protection of our heavenly Father, to the mercy of 
our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to the care of the Holy 
Ghost. Besides we called to mind the arrival of Br. 
Sensemann and his wife at the mission on the 9th of 
November. 

Adults have been baptized 14 

Children 16 

Taken into the church 9 

Gone from the church 3 

Admitted to the Lord s supper, which we 

have had nine times 10 

Married Five couples. 

Died, adults 6 

" children , 5 



AT NEW SALEM, 1790. 147 

The inhabitants of New Salem are 

Married, 38 couples 76 

Single men 9 

Single women 6 

Widowers, 7 ; widows, 17 24 

Great boys, 13 ; great girls, 9 22 

Boys 37 

Little girls 38 



Total 212 

28 more persons than at the end of last year. 



148 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 



CHAPTER XI. 

1791. 

NEW SALEM, ON THE HURON RIVER, OHIO AT THE MOUTH OF THE DK- 

TROIT RIVER. 

Saturday, Jan. 1. Edwards preached. Br. Sensemanu 
held the service for the baptized from the Scripture- 
verse, and David held the congregation meeting from the 
text. Many Chippewas came here, not to listen, bat to 
beg. Several brethren had for their baptismal day a love- 
feast together, preaching and thanking God with heart 
and mouth for their salvation, and they recalled and re 
newed the grace received at baptism. 

Sunday, 2. Br. David preached from Tit., iii., 4, that 
God s goodness and mercy towards poor, fallen mankind 
were revealed in his beloved Son, who won for us by his 
blood, eternal redemption, forgiveness of our sins, ever 
lasting weal tind salvation. 

Tuesday, 4. In our conference with the assistants we 
arranged that Samuel with Stephen and Joshua should go 
to the Tawa chief over the lake, to converse with him, 
and to tind out how circumstances there were, and what 
we had to expect, for two days ago we heard very bad, 
dangerous news on the part of the ill-disposed Indians, 
of their wicked designs against us, of which and of other 
things we wanted much to hear the certain foundation 
and the truth. This gave occasion fora thorough con 
sideration of our affairs with the chiefs, since our assist 
ants had set Pipe too much aside, though we had often 
reminded them, and now they must themselves recognize 
their mistake. It was therefore resolved first to send a 
message to Pipe, since we had first received his belt, but the 
Tawa chief came afterwards. A Mohawk Indian woman, 
Mary Montour, sister of Cathrine, and of the former An- 



AT NEW SALEM, 1791. 149 

drew Montour, 1 who came here not long ago, upon her re 
quest and desire, got leave to be a dweller here. She 
knows too how to speak many languages, for example, 
Mohawk, her mother-tongue, Wyandot, Ottawa, Chip- 
pewa, Shawano, Delaware, English, and French. Her sis 
ter, Cathrine, and several of her friends, live not far from 
Niagara over the lake, and we have already many times 
heard that she would like to be here, for John Cook, her 
son, is here. The Saviour grant that they may thrive in 
the church, and if more should come, we must think about 
laying out a Mingo town. This Mary, when a child, was 
baptized by a Catholic priest in Philadelphia. 

Wednesday, 5. Daniel Tschitquieche was spoken to, 
who does not belong here, but is still always here, off and 
on, and has not behaved properly. He was advised to go 
away from here, whereupon he came to reflection and 
asked the assistant brethren to give him good advice. 
They therefore advised him first to come to an agreement 
with his wife, what they sought in the world, and then 
to come to them to tell their mind, and this he promised 
to do. His wife, who had gone away to her friends, came 
back to-day luckily. From the bush came also Anthony 
for a visit here, and several others, who first intended to 
celebrate Christmas here. From Detroit we had a letter 
from the commandant, wherein he mentions the receipt 
of Br. Zeisberger s letter, a copy of which he had sent to 
his excellency, the Governor, 2 whose answer he was ex 
pecting. 

Thursday, 6. We celebrated blessedly Epiphany, and 
the heathen s Saviour graciously made himself known to 
us and let his friendly face shine over us. At morning 

1 Andrew Montour was the son of an Iroquois chief by his French 
wife, Madame Montour. He had been a warm friend of Zinzendorf 
and of Spangenberg. In De Sch weinitz Life of Zeisberger, p. 112, is an 
amusing description of Montour s costume. On the same page it is 
said that Madame Montour " believed Bethlehem, the Saviour s birth 
place, to be in France and his crucifiers to have been Englishmen," 
having so been taught among the French Indians. 

2 At this time Lord Dorchester, formerly Sir<Guy Carlton. 



150 

prayer we asked for his presence and his blessing for this 
day to be plentifully shown us, and to let his grace pre 
vail. In the second service from the text : Thou wast 
slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of 
every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, two 
were incorporated into his church by the bath of holy 
baptism, and buried in Jesus death in holy baptism, one 
a woman, by the name, Anna Sophia, by Br. David, and a 
man by the name, Nicodemus, by Br. Sensemann. This 
was the first baptism during these holidays, though we 
had many subjects for it, but they fell away, whereover 
we had all manner of thoughts and considered what 
might be the cause, which time will teach. Yes, we 
thought, if it does not forbode bad times, we will be com 
forted. At the love-feast in the afternoon we praised the 
Lord for the mercy he has shown the heathen, and we 
thought of the churches among the heathen. In the ser 
vice for the baptized, which Br. Sensemann held from the 
Scripture- verse : Taste and see that the Lord is good, he 
gave absolution to Andrew in the name of Jesus Christ, 
wherewith we ended the day, blessedly, joyfully, and 
thankfully. 

Saturday, 8. The brethren, Samuel, Stephen, and 
Joshua, went on business concerning the church to Pipe, 
to commend the same to him, and to provide for the good 
of the Indian church. Four days ago we had proposed to 
the assistants to send an embassy to the Tawa chief, but 
after mature deliberation, we found it best and most prof 
itable to send the same to Pipe, and indeed for this rea 
son, Pipe was the first, after we came back from over the 
lake, to send us a message with a belt, and to invite us to 
Pettquotting, which belt, indeed, we did not regularly 
answer, but yet received and kept until we should get 
farther intelligence. After we were come to Pettquot 
ting, we were also settled and established here by the 
Wyandot chief and last by the Ottawa chief. The as 
sistants thus arranged the message : they bound the three 
chiefs together with a three-fold string of wampum, and 
sent this to Pipe, with the following words: "Friend, it 



AT NEW SALEM, 1791. 151 

is doubtless in thy memory that the three former Dela 
ware chiefs, Netawatwes, Packanke, and Weldpachtschie- 
chen, afterwards Israel, invited us from the Susquehanna 
to the Alleghany, and established us with our teachers on 
the Muskingum, at the same time telling us we should 
there continue our worship of God undisturbed, and no 
one should hinder us or be troublesome to us, and this we 
so found after we came there. Xot long afterwards, Net- 
awatwes moved with his people to Goschachgiink,and left 
to us the whole country from Gekelemukpechiink, 1 to 
make a place for us, so that we could extend and alone 
live there. It was not long before !N"etawatwes invited us 
and desired we would also lay out a place (Lichtenau) 
near Goschachgiink, that his people might have more op 
portunity to hear the word of God, and this also was 
done. They stood in friendship and good accord with the 
three chiefs of the Delaware nation, as is known to thee. 
A great storm, however, which came upon us, was the 
cause that we were all driven apart and dispersed ; our al 
liance and good friendship were rent and destroyed, and 
we believing Indians were driven over the lake. Five 
years later, after we had come back to this side the lake, 
first of all, we have again heard thy voice in Cuyahoga, 
where thou didst send us this belt [which was raised up], 
with the words : My friends, ye believing Indians, ye wan 
der about from one place to another, over the lake to the 
Chippewas, and now to Cuyahoga, of all which I know 
nothing. It is not yet time for you to go to the Mus 
kingum. Here in Pettquotting is a place made ready for 
you. Come here then and live in peace. No one shall 
disturb you here, still less injure you. We were glad 
when we heard thy voice again from afar, and it soon oc 
curred to us that thou wouldst call to mind the friendship 
which we had had one for the other, and that thou hadst 
not yet forgotten it. We obeyed thy voice, came to Pett 
quotting, and after we were settled there, we had assur- 

1 In the outskirts of the present Newcomerstown, Tuscarawas Co., 
Ohio. 



152 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

ances from the Wyandot chief and at last also from the Tawa 
chief [here three strings of wampum, one after the other, 
were raised up and shown to both these chiefs], which 
have strengthened thy words. While we have been in 
Pettquotting, we have enjoyed quiet and peace, for which 
we are grateful and thankful to you." Now follows the 
especial message to the three chiefs: "My friends, it 
seems, however, as if a storm would again arise, and the 
peace we have enjoyed for a short time would be dis 
turbed, for we hear much that is bad, therefore we wish 
herewith to call ourselves to your minds for your thought 
and deliberation, how in the future we can best and most 
fittingly remain in quiet. This we give over and leave to 
your wise consideration." Whereupon, a three-fold string 
was given. We found the message necessary, also, for 
this reason, to make ourselves secure from a mob. 

Sunday, 9. Br. Edwards preached, and afterwards the 
big boys had their service from their text: I would have 
you wise unto that which is good and simple concerning 
evil. From the bush, whence Indians came, we heard 
nothing but bad news, that the disposition to go to war is 
always growing among the Delawares, and that a party of 
twenty or more wished to attack the block-house, all 
which are bad tokens. One of our baptized, named 
Daniel, who married a Shawano wife, arid has three chil 
dren, came here some time ago, asked for leave to live 
here, whereabout they were spoken to by the assistants, 
and got permission. 

Tuesday, 11. Br. Sensemann began the school again 
with the children and young people, which was a new 
encouragement to them, for which they have long waited. 

Wednesday, 12. Samuel returned with the two brothers 
from Sandusky, where they were so lucky as to meet with 
Pipe, and to deliver our message, which was also well re 
ceived. He promised to confer with the Wyandot and 
Tawa chiefs about our affairs, to consider our welfare, and 
as soon as possible to send us their answer and resolution. 
He said to the brethren, however, that they should by no 
means think that perhaps in the spring we could still re- 



AT NEW SALEM, 1791. 153 

main here, of this there was no possibility, for no one 
would remain in Sandusky either; we should therefore be 
prepared soon for departure, since we were hard to move ; 
before that time we should learn whither the march would 
be, and where we could be in the future. Of this we had 
had an inkling for some time that we must soon again 
take the pilgrim s staff, after dwelling here for four years. 
We dare not think about this, we should be so anxious 
about going away, for we are very hard to be started. 
The assistants now made a little calculation, and found 
they would have to make forty canoes, besides thos*e we 
already have ; this would be a fleet of from fifty to sixty. 
Of all this the murdering people are the cause, who can 
not rest. The Delawares and Wyandots are all drawing 
together along the Miami, besides the Delawares from the 
Spanish county, go there, and those who have been driven 
away, so that in the neighborhood no place can be found 
for us, and according to every appearance we must go 
back again over the lake. At the service the hymn was 
translated : Lord, uphold me day by day Shed a light 
upon my way, etc., and make known thy might, Lord 
Jesus Christ. 

Thursday, 13. David held early service. 

Friday, 14. Michael held early service. The assistants 
had to intervene and settle matters between Renatus and 
a strange Indian, old matters. From Detroit came a 
French blacksmith, to work for the Indians, and as they 
have to make many canoes and have not axes enough, we 
allowed him to be here thus long and to work. 

Sunday, 16. Br. Sensemann preached from the text: 
There is one God and one mediator between God and 
men, etc. In the afternoon a party of "brethren went to 
Sandusky Island to get the French blacksmith. We read 
the news of the U. A. C. 

Wednesday, 19. Sensemann held early service. Differ 
ent Indians went hunting for a few days. 

Thursday, 20. Mr. Elliot came here from Detroit in a 
sledge, with a captain besides and a Wyandot interpreter, 
Isaac Williams, Jun. They had been to Sandusky with 



154 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Col. McKee, whence they came here to visit. This was 
pleasant to us and came very apropos, for we lived in un 
certainty, and could not learn to what we had to look and 
whereon to rely, for we had learned that we could not stay 
here, an Indian war being probable, of which Elliot, how 
ever, knew nothing. So we charged him to lay the mat 
ter before the agent, McKee, that he should speak with 
the Tawa chief, Ekuschuwe, to find out how circumstances 
were and whether an Indian war was to be feared, and if 
it were, as we had heard that the Indians were all going 
away from Sandusky, for then we too could not remain, 
they should be thoughtful for our safety and consult to 
gether where a place was to be found, so that we might 
not dwell among savages, which would be our ruin. This 
he not only promised to do, but gave us hope that if we 
had to withdraw from here we should also be supported 
by the English government and be helped with ships to 
make the change of place, but should there be nothing in 
the matter to cause anxiety and danger, and could we stay 
here undisturbed, he would soon let us know. Late in 
the evening Br. Sensemann baptized Daniel s sick child, 
John. 

Friday, 21. They went away early to Detroit, and El 
liot, who is a person of consideration, and was very active 
in our captivity on the Muskingum, was now in every 
way friendly and showed himself altogether eager to be 
of service to us. We had a conference with the assist 
ants. They were charged to speak with Helen and 
Lydia, a couple of bad women, and to look to the right, 
and as Br. David had already spoken with them and 
broken the ice, it was so much the easier to make peace. 

Saturday, 22. From Little Beaver Creek Thomas came 
home, where he has lain sick nearly two months and is 
not yet quite well. He related, with tears, that when the 
sickness was at its height, for three days and nights he 
could think of nothing, not even of .the Saviour, and had 
also no feeling in his heart [for probably he was not quite 
by himself], until on the fourth day, when he came to him 
self and prayed to the Saviour : " Dear Saviour, how is it 



AT NEW SALEM, 1791. 155 

with me; hast thou rejected me? Ah, throw me not 
aside, though I am a poor, sinful man, and if my time 
here is out, so take me to thyself and reject me not. Thou 
hast redeemed me with thy blood, in which alone I have 
my comfort." Upon this he became aware of a voice in 
his heart, which said to him : " Thou art not forsaken nor 
rejected. The Saviour has thee in his hand ; only hold fast 
to him. He is and remains thy Saviour." Whereupon he 
was comforted and at peace with the Saviour. We heard 
also that below Little Beaver Creek five white people had 
been killed by Indians. These are nothing but messengers 
of an Indian war. We have also information that the In 
dians have wished to attack and plunder the block-house. 

Sunday, 23. Michael preached and David held the con 
gregation meeting. We read the journal. We learned 
from the Chippewas that their remote nations would also 
in the spring move out against the States, and wished to 
destroy Detroit. 

Monday, 24. David held morning service. We learned 
by Indians from Detroit that Pipe had given our speech 
to the Wyandot chief, who delivered it to Col. McKee, 
now returned to Detroit, to give it to the Tawa chief, and 
that Pipe advised him to reach a speedy resolution, 
whither the believing Indians could be moved in safety. 
The matter thus goes through the right channel and comes 
to the right hands. 

Tuesday, 25. We heard that three Wyandots, one Del 
aware, and one Shawano, who went to war, had been 
killed. 

Wednesday, 26. Michael held early service. After 
school the assistants had to arrange matters between Will 
iam and Thomas. Several strangers were advised to go 
away from here, since they make nothing but trouble. So 
deceitful are the Indians, often when they come here they 
speak well, giving out they wish to be converted and to 
hear about Jesus, whereby they then get opportunity to 
stay here, knowing this, that such people will not soon be 
sent away. Under this pretext they begin after a while, 
when they have become a little known, secretly to live a 



156 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

sinful life and to follow harlotry, when we at times must 
use severity, and can hardly get rid of such people. 

Saturday, 29. Anthony, who was here for a time, and 
always accuses the brothers of being the cause of the death 
of the Indians in Gnadenhiitten, who is now quite blind 
and at the same time a cripple, and will doubtless have 
avenged himself enough, has no disposition to be converted, 
and went with his brother, Moses, an avowed murderer, to 
his home in the bush, which is his element, and during the 
winter lay sick unto death. 

Sunday, 30. Br. David preached and Sensemann con 
ducted the communion quarter-hour, announcing it for next 
Saturday. We read to-day the conclusion of Br. Layriz 1 
life. Mons. Huno 2 came here and said now himself there 
would be war. 

Monday, 31. Michael held early service. This morn 
ing died the child, John, baptized on the 20th of this month- 

Tuesday, Feb. 1. After the early service, which Br. 
Sensemann held, he attended the burial of the child John, 
who died yesterday. We have already for some time 
wondered what was the reason of our hearing nothing 
farther from Ekuschuwe, for he promised us if any thing 
occurred among the Indians, to let us know, so that we 
could conduct ourselves accordingly, especially that we 
have not a word from him in these critical circumstances. 
We have now come upon a trace, where the stoppage is 
and what the ground for it is, and that some one else, and 
not Ekuscbuwe, is the cause. Mr. Parke came back from 
Detroit, who was in danger here some time ago and had 
to flee, after being privileged to trade and placed out of 
danger therein. The general impression there is that an 
Indian war will occur. 

Wednesday, 2. A Mohican Indian, Joshua s friend, who 
came here several weeks ago from -over the lake, and is 

1 " Paul Eugene Layritz was a distinguished scholar, writer, and 
bishop of the Moravian church in Germany, who died at Herrnhut in 
Saxony, in 1788." Letter from Bishop de Schweinitz. 

2 The French trader who lived at the mouth of the river. 



AT NEW SALEM, 1791. 157 

now resolved to remain with the church, was spoken to by 
the assistants, and got leave therefor. He is the son of 
Joseph Snowshoe, who lived for a long time in the Broth 
ers house in Bethlehem. 

Friday, 4. Yesterday and to-day there was speaking 
with reference to the Lord s supper. The brethren paid 
their debts to Parke in corn. 

Saturday, 5. In the near presence of our Lord we had 
his holy supper. 

Sunday, 6. Br. Sensemann preached and David held 
the congregation meeting. It was very wet and dirty 
weather. We read the journal of the U. A. C. of the 
Synod. 

Monday, 7. After the early service, held by Br. Ed 
wards from the text : He that hath an ear, etc., the breth 
ren were admonished to attend to their labor, and though 
we could yet fix upon nothing certain, yet we knew thus 
much that we had to make ourselves ready; secondly, not 
to behave foolishly and sell all their corn, but to bear in 
mind that they would need the means of life wherever 
they went, so that hereafter another time they would not 
have to buy so dear and put themselves in poverty. The 
assistants had to speak with Mr. Parke, and were very 
straightforward and earnest. 

Tuesday, 8. Michael held early service. We got news 
from Sandusky that the Delawares were back from the 
Muskingum with four prisoners and ten scalps, and had 
taken much booty. The assistants arranged between Nico- 
demus and his wife. 

Friday, 11. About fifty brothers, young people, went 
to Paint Creek 1 to make canoes. We learned by an In 
dian from Pittsburg that there the Indians come and go, 
and trade, and that all is quiet there, and the Indians 
had nothing to be alarmed at. We awaited therefore long 
ingly for news from over the lake. Strange women gave 

1 Probably the creek in Monroe Co., Mich., so often referred to 
though it seems a long distance. 



158 

out that we should be told to live over the lake on the 
deep creek, a day s journey this side of Detroit. 

Sunday, 13. Br. Edwards preached. After this Samuel 
went to those making canoes, to look after things. The 
sisters went to their sugar-huts. 

Monday, 14. From the Miami, the seat of war, came 
Tatkenos here with another Indian, bringing a message, 
but as the brethren were not at home, we sent out, and at 
least had Samuel called, who, 

Tuesday, 15, came in, and we heard his words, which 
came straight from the assembled council of hell, and were 
thus: "My friends, we hereby make you aware and cer 
tain that ye can no longer abide in Pettquotting. Make 
yourselves ready for departure, and in two months time 
something will be told you ; then ye will hear exactly, but 
if ye refuse to arise ye will see and suffer the same as upon 
the Muskingum," whereupon a string was given. We an 
swered with his own string : " My friends, we have received 
your words, that we should prepare and make ready for 
departure. We are busy at this all the time, and already 
at the work which goes on well. We are also not in 
doubt, but know what we do, and are in a good way. We 
have made over our affairs to the chiefs, who consider our 
welfare and consult for us, from whom we are every day 
expecting a resolution. We thank you, meantime, for 
your admonition and encouragement." Whereupon, we 
gave him back his string. Had we kept this, we should 
have taken upon ourselves no little trouble, plague, and 
vexation. Their sending us a message came from this, 
that they had heard nothing of our message to Pipe and 
others, and it was well. We thanked the Saviour for giv 
ing us the idea of doing this betimes, whereby their scheme 
is brought to nought, for they had evil in their thoughts. 
We heard that all Monseys and Delawares from the Alle- 
ghany had this spring all been summoned, that is, for the 
war. 

Thursday, 17. We congratulated Susanna (Mrs. Zeis- 
berger) in a love-feast upon her forty-eighth birthday, 
and wished her the Saviour s nearness and aid, to 



AT NEW SALEM, 1791. 159 

strengthen her in the future, body and soul, and abun 
dantly to bless her. 

Sunday, 20. From Paint Creek, where the brethren are 
making canoes, several came home. Michael preached. 
It was colder than it has been this winter. From the bush 
we heard that the Indians are going in strong numbers to 
the war. Also a couple, and Levi, got leave to live here. 

Friday, 25. Frenchmen, who came here two days ago 
to buy corn, went away. During the whole week our 
town was quite empty, the brothers making canoes, and 
the sisters, for the most part, being in their sugar-camp. 

Sunday, 27. David preached from the Gospel about the 
sower. Thaw and rain set in, the river rose. Most of the 
brethren who have been busy at canoe-making came home; 
they have twenty ready, wherewith for the present we wish 
to stop, until we see farther whether we can man so many 
as we now have, thirty odd canoes, to go over the lake. 

Monday, 28. Sensemann held morning service. The 
river was so high from rain that much land went under 
water, together with the cattle. It was lucky for us that 
our young people were at home, who worked nearly all 
night in rescuing the cattle from the water, so that none 
were lost. Many stood in the water, and in the morning 
were frozen into the ice, until they could be helped out 
of it. 

Wednesday, March 2. Edwards held early service. 
Most of the brethren went to Paint Creek to bring into 
the water the canoes they had made. From the bush came 
Jacob home, who had been out hunting since last autumn 
in bad company. 

Friday, 4. By a senseless alarm, which arose from this, 
that the brethren came from Paint Creek, where they had 
launched their canoes, and were seen before they got to 
town, the brethren were frightened, the report being that 
white people had come, whereupon they all ran from town 
and fled until they became aware of their mistake, and 
were glad it was only such a report. The stolen horses, 
which wicked Indians, always wishing to bring mistor- 



160 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

tune upon us, brought here, caused this fear among our 
brethren. 

Sunday, 6. Br. Sensemann delivered the sermon, at 
which different brethren were present, and David held the 
congregation meeting. Some Tawas from over the lake ar 
rived on their way to war to get a prisoner. This is the 
Indian custom ; if the son or daughter of a man or woman 
dies naturally, or in any other way, they give to a captain 
a black belt of wampum, with the desire that he will go 
out and bring back a prisoner in the place of the dead. 
He gets together a company, goes out, and if he obtains a 
prisoner he shaves and paints his head, so that he looks 
like no white man, and he hangs this same belt about his 
neck, which is a token that he is to remain alive, and 
when he comes to the proper place he is delivered to the 
one who gave the belt, and taken into the family in place 
of the child. Such was the business of these warriors, 
who had with them such a belt. 

Monday, 7. Michael held early service. Since our river 
and lake will be open and traversable so far as ice is con 
cerned, we resolved in our conference that Br. Edwards 
with some Indian brothers should go to Detroit, make 
our compliments to the government, and in person seek 
for help, likewise, as we could find out nothing, to learn 
what was resolved upon about us in regard to our future 
abode. 

With an Indian, our Boaz half-brother, we had a 
pleasing and unusual occurrence. He came here some 
two years ago, and wished to live in the church, but he 
was then advised to get his wife, and if she was of the 
same mind, to ask again. This he did, but could not per 
suade his wife to come to the church, whereupon he gave 
up for a time his notion of coming to the church, believ 
ing he would not be received, but he left his wife and 
took another in hope that she would be of his mind. As 
often as he came to our town, however, which he fre 
quently did, he was shy and never said any thing farthar 
about living here, but yet had inwardly no peace, as can 
be seen from what follows. His sister was here last year 



AT NEW SALEM, 1791. 161 

for a time, who also wished very much to be in the church, 
but her husband, a Mingo, not. She went to Sandusky, 
fell sick, begged her mother to take her to Pettquotting, 
where she would willingly die, and hoped in peace to go 
from time. Her mother, however, could not bring her, 
and there was no hope besides. An Indian offered her 
his rifle, to pay the doctor, if she would be doctored, but 
she refused it, not wishing to be doctored, but told them 
if they wished to do her a service of love, to send a mes 
senger to Pettquotting, and merely make known that 
she lay at the point of death, so that the believing In 
dians might think of her with the Saviour and pray for 
her. This indeed was promised, but was not done. This, 
her brother, was present at her death, and heard how she 
admonished her mother and friends to be thinking of 
Pettquotting and looking thither, for that was the place 
where the way to eternal life was to be found. This im 
pressed his heart, and awakened again his yearning for 
the church, which he could not forget. Unrest followed 
him wherever he went, in the bush, hunting, or at home, 
which he could not conceal from his wife, telling her 
what he lacked, namely, rest for his heart; but when he 
told her he wanted to come to the church, and wished to 
know what she thought about it, and whether she would 
not also become a believer, she would hear nothing of it. 
To get rid of this restlessness of his heart, he resolved at 
last to make himself free from every thing and to come 
to Pettquotting, and the evening before he told his wife 
of it, and she replied he might go, but she would not go 
with him. To his mother he sent all of his silver orna 
ments, for he was rich, and then he came here, and in 
deed first to Br. David, whom he knew. To him he im 
mediately told why he was come, namely, to be with the 
church. Br. David sent him to speak with some one of 
the assistants, which he did, talking with Samuel till 
midnight. At first, indeed, we did not wish to receive 
him, and advised him to bring his wife, or even another 
one who would be of his mind. Upon this he began to 
10 



162 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

weep bitterly, begging us to have mercy on him, for in 
this way he would never come to the church, knowing 
that he would in vain exert himself and miss his time, as 
his sister had done, which so moved us to compassion 
that w r e could no longer refuse him, but received him, 
thinking, if he is one chosen, the Saviour will help him 
farther. This was sucli comfort to him and awakened 
such joy and thankfulness that he came to Br. David to 
express the same. Who then urges people to the church 
in such times of war ? We set before him every thing, 
and that we should not remain here, but he replied that 
he had thought about all this. 

Tuesday, 8. At the morning service Br. David baptized 
the little son of Br. Simon and his wife, Jacobina, born 
yesterday, with the name Solomon. We got news that 
a war-party was come back from the settlements, passing 
by not far from here, who had done much damage, hav 
ing murdered more than ten men, and bringing away 
several prisoners, whom they killed not far from here. 

Saturday, 12. Br. Edwards went away with four In 
dian brothers for Detroit. Br. David had written an 
account of our circumstances and position both to the 
commandant and to Col. McKee. We wished Br. Ed 
wards good success for the best interests of the mission. 

Sunday, 13. Br. David preached in Indian. From the 
sugar-camp we got news that Jacob, Job, and Jonas had 
the small-pox [measles], which the first had probably got 
in the bush from Indians who had it. We arranged that 
they should remain out in the bush and be cared for, and 
that none of them should come to town, and that no one 
should go thither. 

Tuesday, 15. John Cook s son, Henry, complained 
about his unblessed condition, that he could not come to 
rest and be rid of his longing. He was told that he must 
still be loving sin, which was the reason he could not be 
helped, for, if he knew and felt that he was a man un 
blessed and lost in sin, but yet would like to be helped, 
and would only give himself up to the Saviour, sinful as 
he was, he would soon be helped. He admitted that this 



AT NEW SALEM, 1791. 163 

was the truth, and that he was himself the cause of his 
unblessed condition. 

Thursday, 17. There was heavy rain, with thunder 
and lightning, from which the water so" rose that all our 
lields were overflowed, and the next day we could go 
about everywhere in canoes. For this reason, also, our 
cattle came into trouble and the brethren had work in 
saving them. Samuel came from Paint Creek by water 
with several canoes they had made and brought laden 
with grind-stones, ordered in Detroit. On the lake they 
had very stormy weather, a wild sea. The waves so 
struck into the canoes that they had always to be bail 
ing out. 

Friday, 18. Many brethren came home from the bush 
and the sugar-huts, and for this time had done with that 
work, in order to make ready for going away, having yet 
much to do in preparing the corn to take with them. 

Sunday, 20. Michael preached. In the afternoon the 
assistants had labor in speaking. The wife of the Indian 
mentioned under the 7th of this month, came here with 
her grandmother, and as the assistants were now at home, 
they summoned them both and asked the old woman 
whether she wished to leave her grandchild with her hus 
band, who now lived here. She was willing, whereupon 
they asked the wife also, who was found willing to remain 
with her husband. Thus was the Indian at once helped, 
to his comfort and joy, and we were not brought to 
shame in our hope, for it is much easier and better to 
receive unmarried persons, of which we have many ex 
amples, than the married, who separate one from an 
other. The assistants were advised to get the canoes here. 

Monday, 21. Br. Sensemann held morning service, 
after which all the young men were requested to bring 
the canoes here from Paint Creek, for which they 
made ready. Now the measles got to town, which the 
brethren had brought here from the sugar-huts. We put 
one family in a hut in the fields, who already had them, 
but before night they broke out in two other families, so 
that there was no hope of making head against them. 



164 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Several days ago the brethren were advised the sisters 
to get ready and to have the corn prepared for departure, 
and the brothers not to go far from home in hunting, so 
as always to be at hand if necessary. Two, .however, one 
baptized Nicholas, and the other, unbaptized, proposed to 
go away hunting for ten or fourteen days. They had 
gone hardly a mile when the unbaptized Indian was 
thrown from his horse and broke his rifle, whereby he 
was put out of condition for hunting. Nicholas advised 
him to go home, have his rifle repaired, and come back 
again, saying he would meanwhile wait for him. The un 
baptized man answered : " I see well enough that we are 
not in the right way, and therefore is my rifle broken. 
We were told not to go far away hunting, and we act 
contrary to the order. I have long enough followed my 
own head, but on this account I came to the church, not 
to live for myself, but for the Saviour, and in accordance 
with his word, therefore I will turn about and not come 
again, for something yet worse might happen to me." 
Nicholas remained fast by his purpose. They separated, 
and he went on to carry out his plan, but he had not gone 
far, before the bottom fell out of his powder-horn, and he 
lost all his powder, not having a grain left. Now he had 
to give up his hunting, and also go home. We saw from 
this his disobedience and waywardness, which foretold us 
something bad of him ; we had already observed in him 
that he opposed the regulations in the church, and acted 
contrary to them; the worst of this is that he seeks to 
lead others astray, innocent souls, although we always 
have an eye upon him, and have thus far found that he 
has no following. 

Tuesday, 22. David held morning service. The young 
brethren, more than twenty, went to Paint Creek to get 
all the canoes hither, so as to have them ready. 

Thursday, 24. They came back, having had very windy 
weather on the lake and their canoes half-full of water, thrown 
in by the waves. Three Indians came from Great Beaver 
Creek, bringing news that they had there been attacked by 
the militia, while they were drunk, where some Indians 



AT NEW SALEM, 1791. 165 

died, among them Matthew, Cornelius son, and an unbap- 
tized man, who had lived here. The former came over the 
lake to us on Huron River, stayed awhile and again went 
his own way. He came also here, often remained some 
time with us, so that at first we had hope he would yet 
bethink himself, but though we often spoke with him and 
set before him the danger in which he already stood, for 
he might die or be killed in the bush, and he was admon 
ished to think of the eternal welfare of his soul, all was 
yet fruitless, he never disclosed what hindered him or held 
him back. Last autumn he went away from here for the 
last time, and is now dead. He was a man who had no 
desire to live among the savages. He would have liked 
to live in the church, but thereby to go his own way, and 
such there are always. 

Friday, 25. In the morning service mention was made 
of this important day (Annunciation), when our Lord and 
God came into the flesh, who through his great sufferings 
and bitter death has redeemed us from death and everlast 
ing damnation, for which we thanked him with humble 
hearts. From Detroit came back Br. Edwards, bringing 
us an answer both from the agent McKee and from the 
commandant. When Br. Edwards got there and delivered 
our letter, both took our circumstances into consideration, 
and as the Ottawa chief had done nothing in our affairs, 
though they had given them over to him and to the 
Wyandot chief to reach a resolution as soon as possible, 
the commandant and Col. McKee were inclined to provide 
us with a place of abode ad interim, until the answer from 
the Governor and Superintendent-General of Canada ar 
rived, and also to help us with ships for our transporta 
tion. But after an express had come in from Niagara, 
while Br. Edwards was there, they came to the following 
resolution about us : We should remain a year and plant ; 
meanwhile they would get an answer, and our matters 
would be cleared up, when we could at once move to our 
land, build, and not perform useless labor; they did not 
suspect that the Free States would undertake any thing 
against the Indians, at least they knew nothing of it, and 



166 

had no news of it. As for the Indian nations he, McKee, 
would do his best for us, that they should not be trouble 
some. We were glad and thankful for the good inclina 
tion and explanation of the government, but since Br. 
Edwards departure circumstances had become much 
worse, tor, not to mention the occurrence on Beaver Creek, 
where five, or six, or more Indians died at the hands of the 
militia, we have also had news, of which indeed we have 
not the necessary certainty, that several Indian families, 
off hunting on the Tuscarawas, have either been captured 
or killed, for no one knows w T here they have gone and 
stayed. We saw beforehand and, had examples quite 
lately how the warriors, when they have done a murder 
ous deed, first hasten hither with their prisoners and scalps 
and put our brethren in fear and danger of the militia. Now 
we already know quite well the disposition and inclina 
tion of our Indian brethren, that they would like to be out 
of the w r ay, not feeling safe here, nor thinking themselves 
so. Now that Br. Edwards was come back, all looked 
with longing and awaited to hear from us something cer 
tain, whether we stay or go. Since now we had joy fulness in 
consulting the Saviour, being now bound to nothing and 
unhindered, we did so and got from him the answer: "In 
God s name break up from here. The Lord is with you." 
This was to us a real comfort, for which we thanked him 
with one accord, and now we could confidently go to 
work. We at once informed the assistants what sort of 
news and direction we had from Detroit, at the same time 
also of our own thoughts and disposition in regard to this, 
and that we held it best, in spite of this, to break up from 
here and to go over the lake so soon as we could possibly 
be ready for this, but that also Br. Edwards, with some 
Indian brothers, must on this account again go to Detroit, 
to make announcement of this, so that they might send 
ships to San dusky Bay, whither meanwhile, with the thirty 
odd canoes we now have, we would bring our goods and 
property, since there the harbor is good for ships to run 
into. This met with the full approbation of our assistants, 
and also of all the Indian brethren, to whom it was soon 



AT NEW SALEM, 1791. 167 

made known, whereupon all were very joyful, instead of 
being sorry, to leave their dwellings and fields. 

Sunday, 27. Br. Sensemann preached and Br. Edwards 
held the congregation meeting. David wrote to Detroit 
and to Bethlehem to give our brethren speedy news. 

Monday, 28. After early service, held by Br. Michael, 
Br. Edwards started for Detroit, with four Indian broth 
ers, commended to God s mercy. 

Tuesday, 29. From Tuscarawas and Sakunk (at the 
mouth of Beaver River, Pa.) Indians came here, who cor 
roborated the news received several days ago about Beaver 
Creek. Our brethren were fearful and wanted to get 
away from here, the sooner the better, not feeling them 
selves safe from the militia, and this caused commotion 
and uproar; but we encouraged them, saying that we had 
yet no reason to be anxious, nothing bad would over 
take us. 

Thursday, 31. We made the beginning of sending our 
goods and corn to Sandusky Bay, and some remained 
there to watch over them. From Lower Sandusky yes 
terday there came here a widow, with her grandchild, a 
girl, the sister of Akerlemann, and asked for leave to live 
with the church, and received it, after the assistants had 
spoken with her. From Ekuschuwe we learned secretly 
that he suspected us of having a secret understanding 
with the Virginians, and therefore had not thought that 
we feared any danger from them and so had no concern 
about us. In part too he has been vexed with us that 
none of us went to him. which indeed we often mentioned 
and strove for, but it was not done. He will now, how 
ever, be convinced of his error, and see that though he 
and they will not help us and set to work, we shall still 
be helped. Luke came and apologized. 

Friday, April 1. David held morning service. Sixteen 
warriors, "Wyandots and Mingoes, came here with one 
prisoner, a boy, who, not far above Pittsburg, had mur 
dered twelve white men. 1 They were here two nights, and 

1 In a little book, entitled "A Narrative of the Sufferings of Massy 



168 

told how they had deceived the people, who first gave 
them something to eat. The captain was the same who 
had taken Br. David prisoner on the Muskingum. 

Saturday, 2. Sensemann. held early service. Many 
strange Indians came here, who, at this time of our de 
parture, made us much trouble and hindered us. The first 
party, who had brought the things to Sandusky Bay, but 
had been much hindered by wind, came back from there. 
Esther, Anthony s wife, was delivered of a daughter. 

Sunday, 3. The white brethren sent our things away, 
and many brethren went, bag and baggage, in canoes to 
Sandusky. The Frenchmen here lent us three great 
boats, which did us good service. The warriors went 
away to Sandusky. 

Monday, 4. In the morning service Br. David baptized 
Anna Cathrine, the little daughter of Anthony and Es 
ther, born day before yesterday, into Jesus death. The 
brethren continued to go to Sandusky Bay with their 
things, and all were in movement. In this we laborers 
had our full share of work among the great .number of 
people, in helping the widows and the old to get oft . In 
this we were often forced to cry out : O Lord, help ! for 
one s head could hardly bear every thing. 

Tuesday, 5. Sensemann held early service from the 
Scripture-verse : praise the Lord, all ye nations ; praise 
him, all ye people. He, with his wife, went away in the 

Harbison," etc., Pittsburg, 1826, on p. 13, is to be found, perhaps, an 
account of this transaction : " On the night of the 22d of March 
(1791), seven Indians came into the house of Mr. Abraham Russ in a 
friendly manner, leaving their rifles at the door (a well-known token 
of Indian friendship), and solicited their supper. When they had 
supped, one of the savages went and placed himself against the door, 
to prevent any of the family from escaping, while the rest, with their 
instruments of death (the tomahawk), began an indiscriminate mur 
der of the inhabitants of the house. They succeeded in their diabol 
ical project so far as to tomahawk and scalp four men, old Mrs. Russ 
and six children. Mrs. Dary, daughter of old Mrs. Russ, stood and 
endured the appalling and heart-rending sight of an Indian taking 
her own child, of eighteen months old, and knocking its brains out 
against the head of her (Mrs. Dary s) mother." 



DEPARTURE FOR DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 169 

afternoon for Sandusky Bay in the boat, with all our 
household-goods and provisions, where already a number 
of brethren had gone and encamped, but Br. Zeisberger 
and his wife still remained behind with those in the town. 
Among those encamped near the lake below, the measles 
prevail, more than before in the town, all having them, 
even those who have already before had them. 

Wednesday, 6. Sister Anna Sensemann came up here 
from the lake, since from contrary winds and the rough 
ness of the lake they could not get on, but she went back 
thither in the evening, whither canoes are all the time 
going with loads. By strange Indians from Sandusky, a 
multitude of whom carne here, we learned that all the In 
dians there are coming together below the Falls and wish 
to remain there ; that the Wyandot chief was summoned 
to the Muskingum and had gone there too, but others 
said he had gone to the war [Pipe to the Miami]. Mean 
time, since some strange Indians hold it needless for us to 
move away, they cause among our brethren different in 
clinations. Some are for going, but others for remain 
ing, It is, however, quite a different thing with us and 
with the savages, who can load their possessions upon 
their backs, and go whither they will, as soon as danger 
is nigh, but our Indians cannot do that, unless they aban 
don every thing. Therefore we must use forethought in 
our matters, ere it is too late, and not remain here at hap 
hazard. 

Thursday, 7. Br. David baptized the sick child of un- 
baptized parents, Tschakeleunos, with the name Mark. 
The white brethren were now in four places, Br. Edwards 
on his journey to and from Detroit, Michael at Sandusky 
Bay, Br. Sensemann and his wife at the lake, and Zeis 
berger in Salem, Pettquotting. 

Friday, 8. After the early service, which Br. David 
held, he charged the male and female assistants, some of 
whom were still here, to speak with the wife of the slain 
Matthew, who had come to the Zeisbergers and said she 
wished to live in the church. Already more than two 
years ago she had asked this, but since her husband had 



170 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

no perfect inclination thereto, we could not receive her 
nor grant her this, though on this account she still always 
stayed here, and would never go away. Now that her 
husband is dead, and she is always of the same mind, and 
asked for this, we could not and would not longer refuse 
her. After the assistants had found out about her rela 
tives among the savages, and whether any opposition was 
to be feared from them, they gave her leave to go with 
us, whither we should go, whereupon she was comforted, 
glad, and thankful, and showed this by her tears. 

A perfectly strange Indian from the "Wabash and that 
country, who had gone to the Miami,. where he heard 
about Pettquotting, that believing Indians lived there, 
had prepared to come hither to see and to hear. When 
he was not far from here, he met Indians who had come 
from here, and who said that we had already all gone 
away, and that no one was here, whereupon he turned 
about, but another Indian on horseback overtook him, 
and told him, on being asked, that we were still here. He 
came here yesterday and wished to hear something, par 
ticularly to find out why there were preaching here and 
God s worship, and what sort of a thing that was, for as 
yet he knew nothing at all of it, and was a dull, blind In 
dian. The assistant, William, went to him, and set before 
him, in the Indian way, the condition of mankind, by na 
ture disinherited and lost, into which they had come by 
the fall, and said that therefore God himself, in his great 
mercy, had come down from heaven into the flesh, taking 
a body such as we have, and had informed us how we 
could be saved and attain to life eternal, which we had 
lost, that he was finally tortured, being struck and 
wounded in every part for our sins, was crucified, when he 
poured out all his blood, and had therewith redeemed us 
from eternal death and the power of the devil, building 
for us the way to life eternal ; that he arose from the dead 
and now lives eternally, and whoever believes in him and 
calls to him, he will be saved. " See," said William, " that 
is what is preached here, sung, and prayed. We wish to 
be saved. We believe it to be the truth, and since we so 



DEPARTURE FOR DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 171 

believe it, we are here already blessed, and whatever In 
dian comes hither, and will hear and receive the words of 
salvation, he is welcome, but whoever does not receive 
them, he will be forever lost." The Indian in the first 
place, after the manner of Indians, was always putting in 
an answer, but at last became quite still and listened, sit 
ting a long time in very deep thought. He went also to 
the meetings. 

Saturday, 9. We got news that warriors had gone by 
not far from here, having a white prisoner, also that In 
dians have again been killed, so that no hope will be left 
of a truce. From the mouth of the river, where our 
brethren are, some of them sick with the measles and 
others encamped on account of contrary winds, we learned 
that Br. Sensemann and his wife were already come to 
Sandusky Bay. 

Sunday, 10. Br. Zeisberger delivered the farewell ser 
mon here from the text in to-day s Gospel : Verily, ver 
ily, I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall 
never see death. Several brethren came up from the lake 
from the mouth of the river, and there were also strangers 
present. He said, among other things, that the word of 
God about our eternal salvation and redemption, that is, 
that God came into the flesh, suffered death for our sins, 
and becoming a sacrifice and pouring out his blood, 
thereby reconciled us to God, and won for us and brought 
back to us life eternal ; that we now through faith in 
him have been made righteous and saved ; this had been 
daily preached and made known in this place for four 
years, and to as many as had received it and believed it 
in their hearts, it had shown itself to be the truth and 
God s strength, and they were witnesses for it, and all who 
had made use of it were blessed ; but this would now cease, 
and in the future no word of God would here be preached ; 
we, however, who had received it, believed it and entered 
into enjoyment thereof, would take it with us in our 
hearts, and our Lord and Saviour, to whom we belonged 
and who recognized us as his own, would go with us 
wherever we went, and where we settled, there he would 



172 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

again dwell and walk with us, as he here had done. In 
conclusion, we thanked him filial^ for all the goodness, 
bodily and spiritual, we had enjoyed from him in this 
place, asked his recognition of us and his farther dwelling 
among us wherever we should be, to comfort us with his 
blessed nearness, and to refresh our hearts that we might 
shine and appear as a light amidst dark heathenism, for 
the blessing and rescue of many blind heathen. We 
sang: Attend me, Lord, in all my ways, etc. We ended 
with the blessing of the church. Then the bell was taken 
down from the meeting-house and carried away. In the 
afternoon, several brethren went away to Sandusky Bay. 
Of the strangers here some went off to war, a token that 
this ceased to be a place of the church, and they sang 
their war-song. 

Monday, 11. From up the lake we heard that Chip- 
pewas wno came from Cuyahoga brought news that they 
had seen thirty men, militia, at the mouth of the Cuya 
hoga, at which news all our people went away over the 
Sandusky. 

Tuesday, 12. A party of Chippewas came up from the 
lake, to whom Parke, who has bought up all the corn 
here we cannot take with us, and the cattle also, had 
to give a hog at their request. A number of brothers 
and sisters came from Sandusky with canoes to help on 
those who remained behind, to get the cattle, and to take 
Br. Zeisberger and his wife. 

Thursday, 14. The Zeisbergers, with some brethren 
who were yet in town, went away, leaving it to the sav 
ages, a multitude of whom was there, but as the lake 
was too rough they had to encamp at the mouth of the 
river, where many of the sick were still, and wait for 
a good wind. Abraham, who had to go back again to 
our town, came again in the evening, bringing news that 
from Pipe s town, whence Indians had come, all the men had 
gone to war and that the militia had been noticed a good 
day s journey from our town, and this moved the warriors 
to seek them out. Abraham said it was no longer a town 
of believers, for as soon as we left it, playing and shouting 



JOURNEY TO DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 173 

began, which was now the regular thing there. Many 
Ottawas and Chippewas were encamped at the lake, who 
were all going over and waiting for a good wind. Those 
who went out some time ago to get a prisoner, came back 
empty, having accomplished nothing. They are poor war 
riors. The Delawares, Wyandots, and Shawanese are the 
most eager for war. In the evening we had a meeting in 
camp : I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the 
qame of the Lord. 

Saturday, 16. As there was a favorable east wind, we 
set out at daybreak for San dusky, Br. Zeisberger and his 
wife being the tirst to start, but the others had not yet 
loaded (their canoes). Though the wind was not strong, 
the lake was quite rough, and the waves were high, the 
wind coming from the open sea, and the Zeisbergers were 
very sea-sick, but after they had come a part of the way 
the wind, changing to the north, became too strong and 
the waves too high, so that they had to land, and they did 
this not without danger, for near land it is always more 
dangerous than far out. The waves filled their canoe, but 
without other harm, they came fortunately to land and 
encamped on the shore, where they had ever before their 
eyes the foaming, raging lake. In the afternoon they had 
the joy of seeing two of their brethren, who had been 
to Detroit with Br. Edwards, and were going to Pett- 
quotting. From them they heard that not only Br. Ed 
wards had come back well, but that when they left San- 
dusky a ship had come there for us and run in, but as we 
had no letters we could learn nothing circumstantially. 

Sunday, 17. Capt. Elliot came with Capt. La Mot also 
to our camp to Br. David, on their way from Pettquotting 
to Sandusky, where they had arrived yesterday, from 
whom we first found out how affairs prospered over the 
lake. McKee had arranged with the Wyandots and the 
Tawa chief that we could plant and settle either on the east 
or the west side, or on both sides of Detroit River, where 
we were best pleased, where there are many old fields, but 
no fences. As to the ship which has come to get our pro 
visions, this is to be said : Having no answer from head- 



174 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

quarters, they could not send a royal ship for us without 
leave. Thus it came about that Br. Edwards had to hire 
a merchant-ship from Mr. Askin, in accordance with the 
resolution we had come to, for our help, one that could 
carry fourteen or fifteen hundred bushels of corn, so that 
our heavy baggage could all be carried. We heard also 
that there is hope that the troubles between the States and 
the Indian nations will come to an end. The English, on 
their side, will arrange their boundaries at a meeting of 
the nations, and if this happens, it will aid the States to 
settle their boundaries with the consent of the Indians. 
As many are yet behind in Pettquotting, and on account 
of the wind, cannot get away, Br. David spoke with Elliot 
about sending the ship there to take them in, so that we 
might soon get away, and this he promised to do if he 
could. Br. David informed Abraham, who had come to 
camp from Pettquotting, how our circumstances were, 
that he might tell them there, whence we heard much that 
was unpleasant. 

Sunday, 18. We had yet heard nothing of Br. Sense- 
mann and his wife. Br. David wrote to them, since he 
could not go on with his company on account of the wind, 
in case they should not meet, and the ship could not wait 
so long, that the Sensemanns and Br. Michael Jung, with 
some Indians, should depart, we others would follow after 
them in canoes when the weather permitted. In the after 
noon, however, the wind went down, and it was quite 
calm, and the Zeisbergers got to Sandusky Bay in the 
evening, to the common joy, and now they were again 
together. They had already made a good beginning of 
loading the ship, which lay at anchor some two miles oft 
in the bay, the water being too shallow for her to come 
nearer. When the Zeisbergers were on the point of going 
away, a messenger came with the news that Joachim s 
little daughter, Henrietta, had died of the measles in Pett 
quotting; they ordered that trie body should be brought 
to Sandusky Bay and buried there. 

Tuesday, 19. Early in the morning came Capts. Elliot 
and La Mot, and the captain of the ship, the Sagina [so it 



JOURNEY TO DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 175 

was called], to our camp. They first bought a canoe and 
went away to-day to the Miami, where McKee is holding 
a treaty with the nations and where also he will speak 
with them in our behalf. The three captains were very 
friendly and ready to aid us. McKee, Elliot, and La Mot 
have plantations near together, on which there are houses, 
and they offered them to us and our Indians to plant and 
make use of as we pleased, and the Wyandots then offered 
us their land and many old fields on the west side of the 
river, but all for a year only. Thus must all serve us, 
English, French, and Indians. Such things the Saviour 
brings to pass, who can do all he will in heaven and on 
earth. In Detroit there is common joy that we are coming 
there again, and every one wishes to be of use to us. Our 
people got every thing aboard to-day, making a full cargo. 
Br. Sensemann and his wife, and Br. Jung, with Samuel s 
family, also went on board, to go to Pettquotting as soon 
as the wind changed, when they will take in every thing, 
and then sail straight for Detroit. In the afternoon was 
the burial of Henrietta, Joachim s child. 

Wednesday, 20. Our brethren were to-day busy in 
bringing over their cattle. The ship tried to get out, but 
could not, and anchored again. She ran aground, but by 
help of the anchor got off" again. 

Thursday, 21. Early when we got up we saw the ship 
a mile out in the lake, lying at anchor. She had run out 
at night with a good, but weak wind. At noon our breth 
ren had got their corn from Pettquotting aboard, where 
upon the ship sailed for Detroit, getting at night a favor 
able south wind. Our people were busy as long as the 
wind and waves permitted, in bringing over their cattle. 
A multitude of Chippewas, who are encamped at the lake, 
came into our camp, likewise French and English trad 
ers. In the afternoon was the burial of Mark, son* of 
Tschakeleunos, born April 7th. In the evening was a 
meeting and consideration of our Saviour s anguish of 
soul and deadly trouble on account of our sins, which 
also the Saviour, in to-day s word for our comfort, prom- 



176 

ised to write in our hearts and minds, how much we have 
cost him.. 

Friday, 22. The whole day has been very windy, and as 
we are encamped near the lake, on account of the noise 
and roaring of the waves we could have no service, and 
had to celebrate Good Friday silently, and silently to 
think how our Lord and Saviour had suffered and endured 
in order to win for us salvation and life eternal. In the 
evening the storm was so severe, lasting till after midnight, 
that we were anxious about our Indian brethren, who are 
encamped along the lake in the bush, lest they might be 
hurt by falling trees, but the Saviour guarded them, and 
had his angels sing : They shall uninjured be, etc., as we 
called upon him. 

Saturday, 23. The weather being calm to-day, the cat 
tle were all brought over the river. From Pipe a messen 
ger came with a message from the Chippewas beyond 
Mackinaw, of this purport: "Grandfather, we let thee 
know that we are coming in great numbers, and wish to 
visit the Virginians. Thou must think nothing of it, if we 
eat up thy provisions and cattle, of whatever sort they may 
be. Thou must not think that any thing is thine own. 
If we come, we eat up every thing, for we are so hungry 
we must eat up one another." Pipe sent us this message 
as a warning, for he conjectured we were still in Pett- 
quotting. They said in this that they would make their 
march by way of Pettquotting, where they thought to 
find us. It is, therefore, well that we are out of the way. 
Pipe sent us word in regard to this, to send our cattle 
away. 

Sunday, 24. Br. Edwards preached from the Scripture- 
verse of last year. Then was the burial of the child, 
Nathaniel, that died yesterday. In our little grave-yard 
here at San dusky Bay we read the Easter litany, asking 
eternal communion with the brethren who have died dur 
ing the year, of whom there were three adults and five 
children. We were then busy with the assistants in ar 
ranging our passage by water, that all who had no canoes 
should be helped to get over. In this matter each of the 



JOURNEY TO DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 177 

assistants had his own work, and to-day every thing was 
arranged, in case we got a favorable wind, to depart. 
Hereby we came upon much that was unpleasant, about 
drunkenness, to which our young people have been led. 
An English trader filled the whole neighborhood with 
rum. 

Monday, 25. We intended to depart, and were fully 
prepared for this, but partly the wind was unfavorable, 
and partly there were other hinderances, so that we did not 
get off. We had much trouble with drunkenness and dis 
tress about our young folk. A trader from Detroit causes 
us great harm and ill. 

Tuesday, 26. Early before day died old Elizabeth, a 
widow, right blessedly. Her remains were buried in the 
evening, and thus we left behind us here a little grave 
yard, where four of our people rest, so long have we had to 
wait here in camp. 

Wednesday, 27. Early in the morning at last we broke 
up from here, with the Scripture-verse: He shall give his 
angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways, and 
this he did also to-day with us, that no one came to harm, 
when we saw several canoes coming, tossed by the waves 
so that it was a frightful sight. Br. .Zeisberger and his 
wife made the beginning. We sailed with a good wind 
from the west out of the bay, and along the lake west 
wards. Towards ten o clock the wind changed to the 
north-east, and the lake became so rough that we had to 
land, hoping it would go down, bat it was soon so strong 
that we had to unload and draw up on land all oar canoes, 
of which some thirty came here, it being a rocky shore, in 
order not to be wrecked by the high waves, which, like 
hills, came rolling in. All was done with pleasure and 
good will. The assistants took hold and encouraged the 
young people, so that it was a pleasure to look on. In 
travelling we have an easy time with Indians, for they 
help one another when needful. Meanwhile some canoes 
remained behind to avoid this, and now could not come to 
us. There are also some, for instance, Cook s family, and 
12 



178 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

others perhaps, of whom we do not know what they will 
do. also Helen and Louisa. 

Thursday, 28. The wind remained as it was yesterday, 
and we had to encamp. The young people went out 
hunting. A couple of sisters overtook Petty by land, who 
was said to have gone to Isaac in a canoe, but he re 
mained behind. 

Friday, 29. We broke up our camp, and our fleet made 
the lake quite lively. We passed Rocky Point, and to 
wards evening came up with the brethren who had driven 
the cattle along the lake, where we encamped together, 
but had in the evening, and nearly the whole night, thun 
der and rain. Here where a great creek (Portage Creek) 
falls into the lake, it is about a mile from the portage, 
about two miles (long), into Sandusky Lake, where strange 
Indians lay, who wished to come to us over the lake. 

Saturday, 30. After helping the cattle over the creek, 
which is deep, in the canoes, we continued our march. 
The lake was pleasant for travelling, and as smooth as 
glass. In the evening we encamped on a sandy shore, 
which lies very low, Locust Point, from locust-timber 
growing there, and the waves go over it if the lake is wild. 
In the evening an e.ast wind sprang up, and we had to 
draw the canoes ashore. 

Sunday, May 1. At noon, when the weather was still, 
we set out with a favorable wind, the Zeisbergers and Br. 
Edwards being the foremost, and came in the evening to 
Miami Bay, Cedar Point, where the brethren , who had quite 
outsailed them, and lost them from view, had all run into a 
good harbor, and the canoes, like bees, all came fluttering 
thither upon the waves, having left a good piece of the 
way behind them, for which, in the evening, we thanked 
the Lord in our camp, who had thus far so well helped us, 
that all had gone so well. The east wind continued, but 
the night was so stormy that we, 

Monday, 2, must encamp, since from here we have to go 
far over the bay, and must wait for calm weather. Here 
we lay in the bay, the entrance to the place where the 
treaties with the nations are held, and, secondly, it is the 



JOURXEY TO DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 179 

entrance to that nest of hell, Gigeyunk (Ft. Wayne). In 
the evening we had an hour of song, singing, among 1 other 
things: Day nor night, never let us hold our peace In his 
blood-bought congregation never shall his praises cease. 

Tuesday, 3. We left the bay early and came first to 
Stony Point (Monroe Co., Mich.), where we passed the 
night on land again. 

Wednesday, 4. We broke up early and set out in calm 
weather, and after going a piece of the way, got a good 
wind, but this became very strong and the waves ran very 
high. We made straight for the mouth of Detroit River. 
In the strong wind our fieet was scattered, which stretched 
out several miles in length and breadth. Some held their 
course to the islands in the mouth of the river, which is 
six miles wide, and sought shelter, others made the first 
best firm land, but shipped much water in their canoes, 
each one striving to save himself as well as he could. The 
settlers arid inhabitants looked at us and doubted about 
our all landing, for it seemed frightful on account of the 
high sea, but all got fortunately to land without harm, to 
the wonder of all, for which we praised the Lord and 
thanked him. from our hearts, who had brought us all for 
tunately to land. Old Abraham said he had already given 
up, and thought indeed he should be buried in the lake. 
Here, when we lauded, we met Br. Sensemann, his wife, 
and ^Michael Jung, with some Indian brethren, who saw 
us coming, and prayed for us. The others who had been 
separated from us in the storm came, some the next day, 
others not till three days afterward. We rejoiced together 
and thanked the Saviour, who had again- brought us to 
gether. The Sensemanns, who had sailed from Sandusky 
with a good wind April 21, got into the river here the 
same evening at ten o clock, and came to anchor. They 
found a house, which belongs to Capt. Elliot, where they 
took shelter, and the next day they unloaded the ship and 
scared every thing in the house, for which they got help 
from the inhabitants, so that in one day the ship was un- 

1 From a Bethlehem MS. 



180 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

loaded, and also sailed for Detroit. We examined the 
country and encamped with the Indian brethren for the 
most part on McKee s plantation, where no one lived, for 
it had been vacated for us, where there is much cleared 
land for planting. Next to this is Elliot s plantation, where 
also we got much cleared land and a house to live in. 1 

Thursday, 5. We considered together how we could 
most suitably arrange ourselves. The Zeisbergers, with 
Br. Michael Jung, took the house on McKee s land, and 
the Sensemanns, with Br. Edwards, the house on Elliot s 
land, so that they have between them the Indian brethren, 
who are all encamped upon the former plantation. We spoke 
with the assistants and charged them to point out and dis 
tribute the fields to the brethren, and this was in part done 
to-day. We found that they would all have cleared land 
for planting, though some of it waslhard to work, and yet 
this is easier than if they had first to clear the land, for 
which it is already too late. In the evening we had a 
meeting in the open air, and Br. David reminded the 
brethren of our last meeting in Pettquotting, and that now 
here also the word of Jesus death would dwell among us 
and our hearts have food therefrom. 

Friday, 6. The brethren were busy putting up huts on 
McKee s land, for which they found in abundance timber 
and material on the islands over against us. There live 
here only a few white settlers beyond Elliot s farm, near 
us. He came to day with McKee s son and two of 
ficers from Detroit, who remained here on the 7th, point 
ing out to us how far we had to go and could make use of 
the cleared land. We found, since we had all of McKee s 



1 " This little settlement, which they called the Warte, or the Watch- 
Tower, stood in full view of the lake. Opposite to it, on the American 
side of the river, was a Wyandot village. A few Canadian farmers 
lived in the vicinity, among them a Stewart of Elliot, with a number of 
negroes." De Schweinitz Life of Zeisberger, p. 624. It will have been 
noticed that Zeisberger seldom calls the Indian towns he founded by 
name, but rather makes use of the river on which they were placed 
to designate them. For instance he writes, I think, but twice the 
name of the town they have just left, New Salem. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 181 

land, that with Elliot s we should have enough for us all 
for planting. He and the officers were very friendly, and 
showed their satisfaction at our being here. The house of 
the Frenchman, La Mot, was too far away for us, and had 
we been willing to be separated, his land was overgrown 
with old turf, not good for Indians to plant, besides it was 
not fenced, and so we could make no use of it. 

Sunday, 8. Capt. Elliot sailed alway early in his bark 
for the Miami, where Col. McKee is, treating with the In 
dians, and it is said he will pass a couple of months there. 
Br. Jung preached about the good Shepherd, when some 
whites and blacks were present. Some of the assistants 
went over to the Wyandot towns, whither they were in 
vited. When they got there, they were first entertained 
with food in the best way, and every one exerted himself 
to be kind to them. Then it was made known to them 
in the council-house that their chiefs had resolved about 
us, to propose to us two places where we could dwell and 
plant, namely, on the great 1 river, the old towns, or up 
the deep creek, 1 where we liked best. Here they men 
tioned one inconvenience, namely, that they had many 
cattle, which would do us harm, if we did not make good 
fences ; now, however, it was come to this, that they 
heard the Wyandots from Sandusky were all coming over, 
since the Virginians were already on the way and upon 
the Scioto, coming here ; so they had resolved to offer 
them the old towns, which then we could not have. 
What was most pleasing to us, was their saying, that if we 
lived near them, they would have the opportunity of at 
tending our meetings, for they never heard the word of 
God and yet were baptized, and if they wished to hear 
any thing, they had to make a long journey to Detroit to 
the church. The brethren heard them, thanked them for 
their kindness, and told them then we had waited so long 
for an answer and got none that we had asked their father 

1 What streams are meant by the "great river" and the "deep 
creek," I have been unable to determine, but they seem, from the next 
sentence, to have been tributaries of Detroit River. Deep creek has 
been mentioned before, p. 158. 



182 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

to help us, who had given us cleared, fenced land to cul 
tivate this year, so that this year we needed nothing 
farther. Had we waited for their answer, we should still 
be in Pettquotting, having the journey before us, when 
now it is time for planting, and would still have had to 
clear land, so that it is well we were earnestly thoughtful 
in this betimes, the sooner the better, about coming over 
the lake. Yet soon more about this in the future. In 
the evening Br. David held the meeting from the Scrip 
ture-verse. 

Monday, 9. We saw now that the message we received 
in San dusky Bay, when we were warned against the 
Chippewas, was true, which then we had not believed, 
but yet had wished to lose no time in getting away. 
Sixty or seventy Chippewas, from Saginaw, were over the 
river, who were going to war against the States, and a 
party of fifty was still in Detroit, who had destroyed 
every thing where they had gone, and taken from the 
settlers all they found and shot their cattle. A party of 
them met Thomas, who was on his way back and arrived 
to-day, who had to give them a couple of bushels of corn. 
The time was well-chosen for our escaping their hands, for 
had they met us on the way, we should have paid dear for 
it. Now we see that it was high time for us to hasten from 
Pettquotting, and the Saviour has directed oar journey, so 
conducting us that we have indeed good reason to praise 
him therefor, and to thank him, especially for this, that 
he has himself so brought it about that we are upon the 
east and not upon the west side of Detroit River, where 
the warriors make their way, so that we are free from all 
trouble and danger, arid being upon McKee s and Elliot s 
land, who are agents, we find protection from the wild peo 
ple in case we should be troubled by them, but they do not 
easily come over to the east side, for their road to the 
Miami lies on the west side. Our Lord and Saviour again 
lets us see how he is master to help, to protect his folk, 
and if danger be nigh, to lead them away and rescue 
them. Let all churches praise and thank him, for he is 
worthy, and we are but a small number therefor. O, a 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 183 

true and veritable Saviour! In Pettquotting he promised 
to be with us. He has kept his word, and will further 
keep it. Amen. 

Wednesday, 11. The brethren went to fence-making 
about a piece of land, cleared, but unfenced, and in part 
to make repairs. David held evening service from the 
Scripture-verse. 

Friday, 13. We had the joy of hearing from Joshua, 
that the brethren who went with the cattle by land, were 
now successfully come to the other side of the river, while 
we had lately heard that on Tawa River, where a war- 
party is assembled, they had been stopped and their cattle 
shot, and we could hardly keep our brethren from going 
there to see how the matter was. Now we hear that all 
is not true, but that fifty Potawatomies met them, who 
wished to do so, but the brethren conceived the good idea 
of giving them the public bull, with which they were 
content, and thus none of the brethren has individually 
lost any thing, so that we can thank the Saviour for this, 
too, that this labor has been so well and fortunately ac 
complished without loss. 

They met the Tawa chief and spoke with him, who was 
very glad that their father, the English government, had 
received us and given us land, and he was still more glad 
that we are on the east side of the river, out of the way 
of the warriors march, for many more warriors go against 
the States than in former wars, so that it will be a more 
active war than ever before. On the Tawa River some of 
our Indians friends wished to persuade them to stay. A 
Wyandot captain gave Joshua and Bill Henry a string of 
wampum, with words for us, that the Miami River stood 
open to us and we should come and select a place for 
dwelling, that pleased us, for it was their land both sides 
of the river; but of this in these critical times of prepara 
tions for war we took no notice. \ 

Saturday, 14. Most of the brethren went over the river 
to get the cattle over, but found trouble there, for rum 
had been brought there, wherewith many of our people 
got drunk, and to-day only a few head were brought over. 



184 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Sunday, 15. As most were busy with the cattle, since 
many warriors were come, and they were in danger, we had 
to postpone the sermon and to work to get the cattle out 
of the way as soon as might be. This forenoon a ship 
sailed by to Detroit from Fort Erie. The captain, who 
knew us, greeted us. In the evening Br. Sensemann held 
the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 16. We were aware that a disagreement must 
have arisen among our people, but this, from our knowing 
it in time, was hindered and brought to an end. The or 
igin of this was that some Wyandot women had wheedled 
some of our people to build upon the west side, where, as 
they said, they would have much finer and better land, the 
land on this side being already old and hard to work. And, 
secondly, it was hard for them to get their cattle over, the 
mouth being six miles wide. They had not reflected that 
on the west side they might lose all from the warriors, 
and the Wyandots may well have had their own interest 
in this. If now, when May is half over, we must clear 
land, make fences, and so on, we can not expect to harvest 
anything. Why have they not let us know this before 
now we are come here ? We appeared early enough be 
fore them and asked [but, perhaps, the Saviour has so ar 
ranged and resolved], but we got no answer. David held 
evening service. 

Tuesday, 17. We brought all the cattle over the river 
by boat, and though this was a weary work, and often by 
windy weather not to be done, yet every thing went off 
well. In the evening Br. David addressed the brethren. 

Wednesday, 18. Now the brethren had nothing so 
needful as to care for their fields, at which they went 
earnestly. The ranger captain, Colvill, gave our Indians 
a field, where eight or more families could plant, good 
land and fenced, which we received with thanks, and thus 
are we helped in many ways. An old widow, named 
Rosina, quite lame, who has often and long lived in the 
church and often again left it, who some time ago came 
from Grigeyunk to this country and awaited* our arrival, 
having heard that we should come here she got leave at 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 185 

her request and entreaty to live in the church. Michael 
held evening service. 

Friday, 20. We heard that some, for instance, Jacob, 
with his family, who remained behind in Sandusky, but 
on their way here had come as far as Tawa River, could 
come no farther on account of warriors, so that McKee 
advised them to go aside into the bush until the way was 
safe to travel. Thus are many behind ; the families of 
Cook and of Boaz, Helen, Louisa, Petty, and Tulpe, an 
un baptized man, of whom we have not the least idea 
where they are. It is said that the Americans are on the 
march. Here among us a new trouble has broken out 
among the dogs, some of which have gone mad and in 
jured the cattle. In Sandusky already we were forced to 
shoot some, for the, Chippewa dogs had infected ours. 
Since then we have been aware of nothing, until now it 
breaks out afresh. Our brethren are not yet done with 
the measles either, which have broken out anew since we 
came here. 

Saturday, 21. Jacob arrived with his family, who were 
hindered on Tawa River by the warriors, and on account 
of the cattle they had with them they could come no far 
ther until the warriors had gone, who have all gone to the 
war. Some who are yet behind are coming by water, as 
we hear, whom we had already given up. Two ships went 
by for Fort Erie, and one up this morning, the Saginaw, 
our ship. Our fields were planted. 

Sunday. 22. David preached about the promised Com 
forter, who would comfort the world in its troubles. Sev 
eral whites were present. 

Monday, 23. Hard rain. Our town was overflowed 
with water, on which account our brethren had to tear 
down the huts they had built and rebuild them nearer the 
river s bank. 

Wednesday, 25. After the brethren were done with 
fencing they earnestly set about planting. We heard this 
morning that a hundred warriors went by yesterday on 
the west side of the river on their way to war, of which 
we had known nothing. We are always seeing more and 



186 

more how safely the Saviour has led us and taken us away 
from the present troubles of the earth by establishing us 
on this side of the river. This forenoon Boaz also with 
his family came to us. The others, such as Cook s fam 
ily, Helen, Louisa, Petty, Tulpe, and Tschakeleunos, the 
latter a short time ago having permission to live with us, 
are all on Tawa River, and plant there, but have nothing 
but trouble, living in fear, for they know not what will 
happen to them, of which their corruption is the cause, 
bad intentions being at the foundation. David held early 
service. 

Friday, 27. We got news that the traders are all flee 
ing from the Miami, for the Americans advance, and it is 
said they were on the Hockhocking, that is, in Assiinlink. 
Our brethren were very busy planting, in which they are 
yet much hindered by rainy weather, for as soon as raiii 
falls, the ground is at once too wet. 

Sunday, 29. At the sermon, which Br. Sensemann de 
livered, and which we had to have in the open air on ac 
count of the much needful work, especially in planting, 
many blacks [negroes] and also whites were present. Some 
Baptists, among them John Missetner, 1 the preacher, who 
have held meetings on the lake seven or eight miles from 
here, came back from there and called on us. They were 
very friendly and cordial, invited us to attend their meetings, 
and told us in what place it would be held a week hence, 
and where they would have the breaking of bread in two 
weeks. We did not accept the invitation on account of 
our Indians, and could not also make plain to them our 
reason. On account of rain we could have no evening 
meeting. 

1 Tuesday, 31. Samuel, who with several others went to 
Detroit yesterday, came back to-day, bringing news that 
the Chippewas had done much damage in the settlements 
they passed through, in some places having shot all 
the swine. The inhabitants are generally anxious, for if 

1 See before, page 107. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 187 

the Indians should get the worse in the battle, as they 
think they will, they will have to suffer. 

Thursday, June 2. It rained all day, and we could have 
no meeting. 

Saturday, 4. As this was the King s birthday, we 
heard here, though we are eighteen miles from Detroit, 
the cannon fired very plainly, at the same time a ship 
was launched there. 

Sunday, 5. Capt. Elliot arrived very early in a boat 
from the Miami, when we heard that about four thou 
sand Indians, more or less, are assembled there, many of 
whom were in the war, and that a strong army of militia 
was by this time expected in Gigeyunk, not, however, au 
thorized by Congress, which would rather make peace 
with the nations. At the sermon by Br. Michael Jung 
several whites of the neighborhood were present. After 
this the matter of building a meeting-house was brought 
before the minds of the brethren and given to their con 
sideration. They were reminded that they had heard in 
the farewell sermon in Pettquotting that wherever we 
went we should take God s word with us. This we had 
done, God s word dwelt with us, but the meeting-house 
we could not take with us, and therefore they should think 
about building one. 

Wednesday, 8. To our unexpected and no common joy 
we had letters from Bethlehem and Litiz, together with 
the Scripture- verses and texts for this year, and some 
church journals, wherewith we were much refreshed and 
revived. These letters came with a packet by way of Ni 
agara from Sandusky from thq^Secretary of War to the 
commandant in Detroit, whence forwarded to us, we got 
it this evening. This was the way it was, otherwise they* 
might well have remained over a year in Pittsburg. Chip- 
pewa warriors came in here, who went about our town 
singing and begging, but they soon took themselves off. 

Thursday, 9. Though we have now escaped the trouble 
and anxiety which stood over us, and threatened us in 
Pettquotting, yet it seems in spite of our being in safety 
and out of the way of the multitude of warriors, that we 



188 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

shall not yet remain altogether undisturbed, and we learn 
now, and that now comes to light of which we have already 
long had a presentiment, namely : we got to-day a message 
from that nest of hell on the Miami (Gigeyunk) that our 
Indians should come there, where now the warriors were 
assembling and should help fight for their land against the 
Americans. .N"ow becomes evident what they propose for 
us. They wish to disturb and utterly destroy the Indian 
church. They come with threats and say that if we do 
not go to the war they will come and root us out. For 
weak minds this is a very hard trial. They wish to force 
us to embrace again heathenism, saying we should put 
aside Christianity until the war is over; then we can again 
live according to God s command and will, and think 
thereof, for now there is no time for this, but for fighting. 
Thus the Scripture-verse of the day : I have hallowed this 
house which thou hast built to put my name there forever. 
Friday, 10. Since Brs. Sensemann, Edwards, and Michael 
were gone to Detroit, Br. David had a long conference and 
talk with the assistant brothers, when we took up and 
considered the message received yesterday, whereover the 
Indian brothers were no little troubled. They said it 
w^ould have among our young people no good effect, but 
cause disturbance, and something must be done in the mat 
ter, or they, the assistants, would be blamed if things should 
not come out well. They thought that in some measure 
the message must be complied with, unless we wished to 
incur danger, for it was threatened, in case we refused and 
sent none of our people thither, that all would be taken 
from us. We have never experienced any thing like this as 
long as there has been an Indian church. These are evil 
times. Br. David gave to the assistants his views, namely: 
that it would be best to be steadfast and let come what 
ever they would do to us; besides to hope for the help of 
the Lord, who would not abandon us, but in one way or 
another aid us ; since, however, we knew that many 
among our brethren had not good sense and were not 
strong in faith, and on account of their weakness we must 
yet do something to quiet the church, so that they might 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 189 

not fall upon the idea of helping themselves, and to make 
themselves safe, fall into sin, (he thought) that some of the 
assistants should go thither to get information about the 
truth of the message and to see what was to be done. But 
when they told him that not old people, but young, were 
required, Br. David replied that he and we would not and 
could not do this, send young people thither, which was 
nothing else than sending them into fire and into war, 
when we should soon hear that the war-song was sung in 
our town, and before permitting that he would rather die 
than live. We separated without reaching a decision. 
Towards evening Capt. Elliot came from Detroit, as if 
summoned, with whom Br. David took occasion to speak 
as soon as he landed, especially about this message, who 
gave us excellent information whence the message came, 
namely, from the wicked Delawares, out of that nest of 
hell, Gigeyunk, whence we are always treated with enmity, 
and that it was not at all needful for our Indians to be 
distressed about this, and even if none of them went there, 
they would not on this account suffer ill; we must not 
think that if the Indians should do us harm, the govern 
ment would merely look on, no, they would interfere. He 
assured our Indians that for twenty years they had lived 
in no place where they were so safe and quiet as here. 
This and yet more that he said was made known to our 
people in the evening and explained to them with a good 
and desired effect, and their minds were again, so to speak, 
revived, and thus will the Saviour help us out of this need 
too, to his glory. 

We had farther trustworthy information that the man 
who (carried) our letters, written to the church, some in 
Pettquotting, others in Detroit, had been taken prisoner 
by the Indians near Presque Isle, and taken to Detroit, 
where, however, he was released, since he had gone with 
the approval of the government, so that our letters yet get 
through, to be sure not to the Susquehanna, but to Pitts- 
burg, as we conjecture. Here the affair with Cornplanter 
should be mentioned for June 11. 

Saturday, 11. Br. Sensemann and others came back 



190 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

from the Fort. A war-party from Retrenche River 
(Thames) arrived, who have friends here. 

Sunday, 12. Br. Edwards preached and Sensemann 
held the congregation meeting, both treating of the gifts 
imparted to us by God, the worthy Holy Ghost, who is 
sent to us by the Father, who sanctifies us, cleanses us 
from sin, and makes us sharers of the salvation, won for us 
by Jesus Christ. In the afternoon we laborers had another 
conference, considering what in these evil times, when 
Satan is abroad, seeking to do harm among us, we should 
do to withstand him and avoid loss, for the message among 
many of our young people has had a bad effect and caused 
evil, so that many long to go to war, especially when now 
a war-party was encamped here, who this evening wished 
to dance their war-dance on the shore, but this we would 
not allow, telling them to desist from this until they came 
to their like in their own towns. However, we gave them 
something to eat, and they went away the morning after 
for the Miami, and at their departure struck up their war- 
song. With them went Ska, an unbaptized man. We re 
solved, since we had to do something for our young peo 
ple s sake, to send a couple of assistants to the chiefs, and 
to remind them of our covenant with them, which we 
made with them in Gekelemukpechiink, having made 
known to them our way of life, that we went not to war. 
As we did not quite know and could not find out whether 
the speech came from the nations or from the vile Dela- 
wares, we could come to no determination. 

Monday, 13. After the brethren had got timber for the 
meeting-house, they went to work to-day to build it, 
thirty-two feet long and twenty-four wide. We observed 
that in Cuyahoga and Pettquotting, when we wanted to put 
up the meeting-house, disturbance always came from fright 
ful stories, and so it is now here too, so that for two days 
the brethren have shown no desire and earnestness about 
it, and we had to encourage them that it might merely go 
on. David held evening service. 

Tuesday, 14. By young McKee, who arrived to-tiight 
from the Miami, we heard that the American armv had 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 191 

already got to the Miami towns, 1 and had a skirmish with 
the Indians three days ago, that the army is five thousand 
men strong, and has cannon. We heard at the same time 
that the Indians are much dissatisfied with us, in that our 
Indians do not come and help defend their laud, and a 
French captain, La Mot, spoke very sharply about this to 
our Indians, and so alarmed them that they wanted to go 
at once to the army. We saw and knew no better plan 
than to say to them, that if any one wanted to go, he 
might; but we did not bid him, and he went upon his 
own responsibility ; if they came to harm they could not 
blame us. In part, too, they feared the threats of the In 
dians, that if they did not appear they would be stripped 
of all their goods and possessions. Should we forbid 
them, then all blame would come upon us, and it would be 
said : " The teachers do not let us go, we wish it," as was 
the case on the Muskingum. We declared to them, how 
ever, that if they stood fast and let come what would, 
whatever the result might be, we would suffer with them 
and help bear w r hat came over us ; we would not leave them 
alone and would do for them what we could. Since we 
saw that some young people were getting ready to go, we 
sent the two assistants, William and Thomas, to the Miami 
to the chiefs, for which they had received instructions two 
days before, to speak with them, and if possible to declare 
to them that in the beginning, immediately upon our ar 
rival from the Susquehaima, we had made known to them 
that we had nothing to do with war, so far as they would 
have ears to hear, now that they had weapons in their 
hands. So to-day ten young people went away there with 
out asking us and without orders, among them some who 
never had a gun, and most of them went from curiosity to 
see and hear something new. This was sad, but we could 
not alter it. We commended the matter to the Saviour, 
and awaited what farther would come out of it. Already, 

1 1 do not find upon what M Kee s report was based, unless he refers 
to Gen. Chas. Scott s expedition against the Wabash towns, which had 
left the Ohio River, May 23d, reference to which is made under July 
8th following 



192 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

several years ago, the nations labored to form a union, so 
that all having a brown skin should help defend their land. 
This also so far succeeded that all called Indian, had to ap 
pear thereby, until it came to battle, but who will not then 
stand fast and runs away, no one can hold him, much less 
force him, as has been shown hitherto. It has never hap 
pened in former wars that the nations have been so united 
as at present, and for this very reason it is a hard time for 
our Indian church, such as has never been before. Had 
we remained in Pettquotting we could well have expected 
something of the sort that our Indians would be summoned 
to the war, but here, and particularly on English ground 
and soil, we had yet hoped to be spared this. Here the 
Saviour must help. He will tind ways and means we know 
not. I wrote, I think, two years ago : l The Indian church 
must have at least one nation in the Indian land to receive 
it, and in such cases to stand by it and take it to its arms- 
This the Delaware nation did, among whom for a short 
time we enjoyed peace and protection. With this, how 
ever, it is in all probability over, since they have fallen out 
among themselves. Pipe is indeed our friend, does for us 
what he can, but he has little authority. The other Del 
aware chiefs are not well disposed towards us. And we 
cannot be quite sure about Ekuschuwe. Apparently he is 
our friend, but he has given himself little trouble about 
our moving away from Pettquottiug, nor has he made any 
exertion. Whether the reason is this, that he has had to 
bear and suffer much on our account for taking our part 
and defending us against our adversaries, and now draws 
back from this, we cannot be quite sure. 

Friday, 17. McKee s son and Capt. La Mot, who came 
from Detroit, asked us for a couple of Indians to help 
them go with their boat to the Miami, which was granted 
them. 

Saturday, 17. Our meeting-house was so far done that, 

Sunday, 19, Trinity Sunday, we could have the first 

sermon in it, where we first read something, the first part 

1 See before p. 29. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 193 

of the church litany, at which were present whites and 
blacks from the neighborhood. In the afternoon we la 
borers read the church journal. "We had already yester 
day heard through Mingoes and to-day by Chippewas, 
who came from the Miami, got certain news that the 
army had come as far as the head of the Miami, had de 
stroyed a couple of Twightwee towns, whereby fifty In 
dians are said to have perished, and was back again, so 
that they have not come into that place on the Miami, 
where the Indians had assembled and were awaiting them; 
that the Chippewas from the Michilimackinac towns, etc., 
whence over a hundred had gone to the strife, had gone 
in full numbers back home, there being a" famine among 
them. This was interesting news for us, for from this we 
shall breathe again, and be freed from our trouble and 
anxiety, and our Indians will no more be summoned to 
the war. But, although the army is back again, the In 
dians do not cease on this account, but they go out stronger 
for murdering. Br. Sensemann held the evening service 
from the text. 

Tuesday, 21. Br. David held the evening service from 
the text : Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, 
etc., and then the communion quarter-hour, wherein, earn 
estly and directly, he spoke of the transgressions and sins 
which have lately been committed here, and admonished 
the brethren to cease doing evil, to seek forgiveness from 
the Saviour. He gave notice of the communion for next 
Saturday for such as had a communion-heart. The meet 
ing-house was to-day chinked, doors and benches made, 
and the bell put in place. 

Wednesday, 22, and Thursday, 23. Brs. Zeisberger and 
Sensemann and their wives spoke with the brethren, for 
there was much to be settled, and many must remain 
away from the Lord s supper. 

Saturday, 25. We had again the first communion since 

we had it in Pettquotting. Our number was small, for 

many remained away, who in the intervening time have 

made themselves unworthy of it, and have lost it. Much 

13 



194 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

also that was hid came to light. Those who enjoyed it, 
of whom there were forty odd, he blessed unspeakably. 

Sunday, 26. After the communion liturgy, Br. Sense- 
mann preached, after which we laborers heard the church 
journal read. A woman, baptized in Tlmppekiink, when 
a great girl, with the name Mariane, who, since the dis 
turbance, had lapsed into error, came here two days ago 
with her unbaptized husband and two children, request 
ing to be again in the church. She related how for three 
years she had longingly endeavored and desired to come 
to the church, but had been hindered by her husband, who 
had no such wish, and put her off from one time to 
another. She had resolved by herself that if she once 
had the good fortune to come to the church, she would 
not leave it as long as she lived. The assistants spoke 
with her husband, but found he had no inclination for the 
church, which indeed he did not speak right out, but he 
cheerfully left his wife and children here, and set the time 
in the autumn when he would again come to her. He 
wished first to speak with his friends and take counsel, 
but this the brethren did not allow him, for nothing would 
have come from it. He said afterwards to his wife, since 
he feared he might not keep his word, that he had indeed 
put the time as late as autumn, but he might come sooner. 
The assistants told him then, that so long they would be 
lieve of him that he would come, but if he did not come 
then, they should believe he would not come, but had 
abandoned his wife. So to-day he went away to the 
Miami, and his wife stays here with her children. 

Tuesday, 28. By Charles, who came with McKee s 
boat from the Miami, we learned that William, Thomas, 
and the others were still there, waiting for the chiefs who 
are summoned there, and that there is hope of our affair 
having a good termination, that McKee, Pipe, and the 
Mingoes had advised them not to go farther, we having 
thought they would have to go up to Grigeyunk, all 
which is a fine token of a good ending. In the after 
noon Capt. Elliot arrived in his boat from Detroit. 

Wednesday, 29. Elliot, who went back to Detroit, gave 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVEK, 1791. 195 

us news that McKee would now give his whole attention 
[it is now his chief business] to bringing the nations to 
incline their ears to peace, that they should propose what 
they asked and desired. We heard at the same time that 
the Chippewas from Mackinaw are going in good numbers 
home, others to the war. 

Thursday, 30. Samuel and young Renatus daughter 
went from the church. The former has not belonged to 
us for a long time, and has twice already been sent away, 
but had not gone. 

Saturday, July 2. In the morning service, which Br. 
David held, notice was given to make the disorders cease, 
which have lately been occurring among us. 

Sunday, 3. Michael preached and Edwards held the 
congregation meeting. Whites and blacks attended the 
services. 

Tuesday, 5. The assistants spoke with a party of sis 
ters who have been living in hatred and strife, and brought 
about peace, but Peggy out of perversity left the church. 
A Mohican, a near relative of our people, who visited 
here yesterday, and to-day went to Detroit, capsized in 
the waves, for it was rough. The Indian and his wife, 
who swam some four miles, came to land, but his child 
and brother drowned. Those who escaped, to whose as 
sistance our people in the neighborhood went and whom 
they saved, came then thither. At the same time we got 
news that Frank, Helen s son, who was coming back from 
the war, was drowned in the Ohio. He was much in the 
church, off and on, in Pettquotting, and had a call to 
come to the church, but opposed it. He was Helen s idol, 
for on his account she now remains away from the church, 
being unable to leave him. 

Wednesday, 6. We had the pleasure of seeing that 
William and Thomas with all the others, who of their 
own accord had gone thither, came to us from the Miami 
fortunately and without harm. When they came there, 
they learned at once that the army had gone back, and 
as all was over, they were no longer required. As long 
as they were there, they had encamped apart by them- 



196 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

selves, and McKee during this time supplied them with 
food. Our speech had been well received. The pleasant- 
est thing to us was that the matter for which especially 
they went there, had a good result, namely, since they 
had sent our Indians the hatchet and summoned them to 
the war, the Delaware chiefs Pipe, the Big-Cat, 1 and Ted- 
pachxit, not only excused themselves, but showed their 
displeasure that it had happened, and said that the Mon- 
seys had inconsiderately sent the message to us, which the 
nations had sent to the Delaw r are nation, adding to it 
many lies and wicked threats, of which they knew noth 
ing, having no part therein ; they well knew that we had 
nothing to do with war, and did not concern ourselves 
about it, did no man harm, and liked to live in peace with 
every one ; there were enough of their own people to go 
to the war without us, who in comparison with them were 
but a handful, and therefore they would have been glad 
to spare us. We had something else, from which we had 
more good to enjoy than they, of which he, the speaker, 
the Big-Cat, wished himself to have a share. This was 
so far good, and we were thankful to the Saviour for it, 
but now something hard followed, the speaker saying 
that last winter they had received a message from us of 
this purport, that they should consider where we should 
turn now in this unquiet time, when war and bloodshed 
were near, and had already begun, where we could be 
quiet and undisturbed; this message of ours was handed 
and given over for consideration to the Tawa chief, and 
they admitted it was a mistake that we got no answer 
within a fit time, and had therefore settled on English 
land and soil. Upon this discourse he drew out a string 
of wampum, and said : " My friends, hear ye now my 
words. The land there up the Miami has been given to 
us [the Delawares] to enjoy, thither we invite you too. 
Come and look at the country, seek out yourselves a place 



1 Among the witnesses to the treaty between the Shawanese and the 
United States, Jan. 31, 1786, appears the name of Big-Cat. In the 
Am. Pioneers, vol. 1, p. 54, is an affecting speech of his when his 
adopted (white) son leaves him ; there he is called Whingery Pooshies. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 197 

where ye are best pleased, there ye shall live quietly and 
no man shall disturb your worship of God, nor your man 
ner of life." That was a white string, to which a black 
one from the Tawa chief was added with the words : 
" Grandfather, and ye believing Indians, I learned from 
you in the spring that ye wished to go over the lake, 
since ye no longer thought it safe to be in Pettquotting. 
Then I thought ye would use your former abode on 
Huron (Clinton) River. I then heard farther that ye were 
on the way, but when I expected you on Huron River, I 
heard all at once that ye were corne to the other side and 
had there settled. Now arise and go thither, and if ye 
wish to live there I will send your teachers home and tell 
them they have themselves foolish people enough among 
the whites, to whom they must preach." With this 
speech of the Tawa chief the Delawares were not con 
tent, but they could not change it nor recall it, and said 
therefore to the Indian brothers to tell the assistants to 
speak as soon as possible with the Wyandots opposite us, 
and then soon to send an answer to them, the Delawares, 
whereupon the Tawa chief s speech would be brought to 
naught. 

The Chippewa chief met Thomas and asked him what 
he was doing there, whether he came to hear or was going 
into the war. Thomas replied : " How canst thou ask what 
my business here is ? Have ye not sent us the hatchet? 
That is why I am come." The chief said : " We have not 
sent it to you, but said something to the Delaware nation." 
This message, too, was nothing but politeness and craft on 
the part of the chiefs to deceive us and catch us with lies. 
Thus we cannot use caution enough, nor top much care, 
in finding them out. In the first place, a short time ago, 
they sent us the hatchet to frighten us, of which, however, 
they pretended to know nothing. Then they now come 
with an invitation to the Miami, after they believed they 
have frightened us, and think now the more easily to have 
reached their end, that from fear we shall at once say yes 
to this; and to give their affair strength, and to make it 
necessary, they add a speech from the Tawa chief, which 



198 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

is, indeed, not from him, but probably invented, so that we 
may have nothing to do with him. The Delawares would 
much like to have us with them and in their power. They 
themselves know and see very well that on the Miami 
there is no place for us, that we should have to dwell among 
savages, where we should be devoured, body and soul, 
for it is all thickly settled with Indians, and therefore all 
intelligent people, whites and Indians, have advised us 
against going thither, for there have hitherto been two 
chief reasons why we could not settle there 1st, because 
the seat of war is there ; 2d, because there is no place for 
us there. Before this they were always anxious for fear 
we might go to the Americans or to the Muskingum, the 
contrary of which they saw to their satisfaction, but now 
they are suspicious, thinking we shall give ourselves to 
the English, for there is already among them an outcry 
about this, that we have settled down on the English 
side, of which they are themselves the cause, for we first 
gave them notice in time, and asked them, but got no an 
swer. We wondered what the Delawares, several years 
ago, were seeking among the Spaniards, we believed they 
went out of the way of war, but now it is plain what work 
they had in hand. They have labored for this since the 
last war, and have also been aided by the whites in this, 
that all Indian nations should unite, stand together, and 
hold fast by one another. Among the northern nations, 
as appearances show, this has been done. They work for 
this now among the southern nations, and, as we hear, 
with good success. This is the work of the Delawares, and 
the object of their living there. They made peace among 
those who were at war, and labored for unity, that all who 
have a brown skin should hold together to maintain and 
defend their land against the white people. 

Friday, 8. Last night Capt. Elliot came in his bark 
from the Miami, and with him Joseph Brant and the 
deputies of the nations, on their way to Canada, there to 
be present at the negotiations for peace between the na 
tions and the States, wherein the English will be the in 
termediaries. As we hear, at this treaty, which has already 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 199 

been going on two months, and was interrupted for a time 
by the army, the nations have resolved on and fixed a 
line, and, as we hear, the Muskingum shall be the line, but 
not farther below, nor also above. If now the States are 
satisfied with this, they will make peace, if not, the war 
will then really begin. We heard farther, that it is true 
enough that an army was out from Kentucky, which, how 
ever, was not ordered by Congress, that it had destroyed a 
Wahweeahtenon 1 town, had killed twelve men, among 
them an old chief, whom they treated barbarously and 
worse than the Indians ; and had taken prisoners thirty 
women and children ; that the Indians followed them on 
their return, but made no attack on account of the 
prisoners. 

Sunday, 10. Br. Edwards preached about the lost sheep ; 
that the Saviour came to seek and save the lost ; that 
there is joy in heaven over a sinner that repents. Since 
Brs. William and Thomas had been told, who brought the 
last message from the Miami, that our assistants should 
speak with the Wy an dots before they gave an answer, 
they went over there to-day, having made the appoint 
ment and been told that this day towards evening they 
would be together, and they so found them. As they 
were assembled in the council-house [those too who lived 
near Detroit had been called], after the customary intro 
ductory speech of the following import in short : u Uncle, 
it is clear and pleasing to us that God has given us and 
appointed this day, when we see one another face to 
face by the council-fire and can address one another, so 
that we can speak right out together the thoughts of our 
hearts, which now we will do and tell thee nothing else 
than the truth, and we expect the same from thee, uncle." 
Samuel, who was spokesman, thereupon began and made 
known to the Wyandot chiefs the origin of the Indian 
church, that before the former war they had lived in Penn- 

1 This word is in part conjectured. This expedition was made by 
volunteers, under command of Gen l Chas. Scott. Wahweeahtenon 
was on the Wabash River, in Indiana. Albach s West. Annals, p. 561. 
The expedition was ordered by Congress. 



200 

sylvania where in that war they had been protected by 
the government there against wicked people, and when 
peace was made had been allowed to return to their 
friends. They had then lived above Wajomik [Wyoming, 
Pa.], whence, nineteen years ago now, they had been in 
vited by the chiefs, together with their teachers, to the 
Ohio, and had first lived in Kaskaskunk, 1 and soon after 
wards in Thuppekiink, on the Muskingum, where they 
had been placed by the chiefs, that there, qniet and undis 
turbed, they should have their worship of God, which also 
they found as long as we lived there. Eight years ago 
last autumn we were taken to Sandusky, afterwards lived 
four years on Huron River (Michigan), and had then gone 
back again over the lake. In Cuyahoga we had received 
an invitation from Pipe to move to Pettquotting, where 
we were afterwards placed and established by our uncle, 
the Wyandots, and lastly by Ekuschuwe, there to dwell. 
He had himself afterwards visited us and many times sent 
us messages, of which the strings and belts were shown 
and laid out. He had stopped our ears, so that we should 
give heed to no man, and never again unstopped them. 
This spring, while it was yet almost winter, we got a mes 
sage from Pipe, letting us know we could not remain nor 
plant there, as restless times were probable. We had, 
therefore, sent a message to Pipe and the Wyandot and the 
Tawa chiefs, begging them to consider where farther we 
could find in quiet and security un abiding place, and ask 
ing for a speedy answer, but we had received none, on 
which account their father had granted us night-quarters 2 
till we should find out where we were to live. Since we 
were here, we had sent us, not long ago, ( a string of wam 
pum, with a piece of tobacco, when the hatchet was sent 
us, though every one was well aware that we had noth 
ing to do with war. At the same time we had been threat 
ened, in case of refusal, of being stripped of all our goods 

1 A Monsey Indian town in Lawrence Co., Pa. 
2 i. e., a temporary abode. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 201 

and possessions. We had not thought, when we came 
into this land, that there would be thoughts of our taking 
up the hatchet, but the chiefs had told us that we should 
keep up our worship of God and trouble ourselves about 
nothing but our maintenance. We had now from Tawa 
River, from the Delaware chiefs, a message inviting us 
there; also a bad one from Ekuschuwe, who will place us 
on Huron River and then send away our teachers, and he 
stopped our ears and has not yet unstopped them. Thus 
we have no ears for his speech. They said to them finally 
that we got all sorts of messages, but in them no mention 
was made of what in the first place we had arranged with 
the chiefs and wherein we came to agreement. This had 
quite passed over into forgetfulness. We had received the 
word of God ; to that we would hold fast so long as we 
lived. We had renounced heathenish life and ways, and 
strove to live according to God s will. The Wyandot 
chiefs said then that they had never heard this ; it was 
pleasant to them at last to hear their cousins. They could 
not at once give an answer to so many weighty matters ; 
they would think them over and give an answer at the 
earliest day. 

Monday, 11. The assistants spoke with Andrew, Schel- 
lachpis and Ska, held before them their sinful life, and 
told them that they could not in this way be in the church. 

Tuesday, 12. Several Indian brethren, among them 
Samuel and Abraham, went to Detroit, the sisters with 
baskets and brooms, for now here they can again sell such 
things. A ship, the I^ancy, with the deputies of the 
Indian nations, and some soldiers also, went by on its way 
to Fort Erie. 

Thursday, 14. The brethren came back from the settle 
ment. A Chippewa woman had killed a man, whereupon 
she was put to death, and both were buried in the same 
grave. We have already heard more of the like, and more 
has come to our knowledge, for this is the Chippewa law. 
Thus six Indians came here within a few days, four were 
drowned and two were slain ; of the first, the bodies of 
two, a woman and a child, have been found. 



202 

Saturday, 16. The assistant, Samuel, who returned from. 
Detroit, had spoken there with Ekuschuwe, who told him 
he sent us word in Pettquotting, if he heard any thing cer 
tain that concerned us he would let us know ; he had 
stopped our ears, and told us if we heard any thing from 
him, and others told us any thing from him, for example : 
" Ekuschuwe has said so and so," or, " This he lets you 
know," believe it not, nor give heed to it, though I myself 
say it. Hitherto I have had nothing to say to you ; thus 
things remain as they were. But I am now going to Mich- 
ilimackinac to confer with the chiefs there, and ere I come 
hack, I expect also the deputies of the nations back from 
Canada ; then I shall have something to say to you, be it 
good or bad. This is proof enough that the last speech 
which we had with the Delawares was not from him, but 
invented by them to deceive us. Ekuschuwe s brother-in- 
law afterwards said to Samuel alone that he could not 
hitherto tell us any thing, for he wished first to wait for 
what news the deputies would bring, and whether it 
should be peace or war, but yet he had heard something, 
that the Tawa chief intended to settle us on the straits, 
between Lakes St. Clair and Huron, on the east side, by a 
creek, where the land is good and there are said to be 
walnut-bottoms and good hunting. 

Sunday, 17, was for us a hard day. There came a heavy 
storm over us, for there was drinking in the neighborhood, 
so that our people also were led astray, which brought 
upon us much trouble, for as it is harvest time there is 
among the white people nothing but drunkenness. 

Monday, 18. A ship, the Dunmore, 1 from Ft. Erie, with 
many passengers and soldiers, went by. Joshua went out 
to them, eight or nine miles into the lake. 

Tuesday, 19. Elliot, who came from the Fort yesterday, 
asked for some of our people to help in the harvest, which 



1 Spencer, in his " Indian Captivity," mentions the Dunmore, an old 
vessel of six guns, as anchored in front of Detroit in 1793. De Peyster, 
in his book, already referred to, in a poem entitled " Red River," says, 
" While frost-bound, the Dunmore, the Gage, and Endeavour." See 
vol. I, p. 33. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 203 

was granted under the condition that they should be kept 
sober, for Simon Girty has caused trouble in the neighbor 
hood among us, by making our Indians drunk, and he has 
paid them in rum. 

Thursday, 21. After early service we got the assistants 
together, spoke with them about the disorderly life in the 
church, and charged them to assemble the church, to speak 
with them and to learn whether they wished to cease doing 
ill, and we told them outright that we neither could nor 
would have any thing to do with such a people, that loved 
sin and persisted in drinking; they should admonish them 
to repent, to feel sorry and suffer for their transgressions, 
to see whether, perhaps, God would be gracious to them 
and forgive their sins; they should speak with each one 
apart and each should declare whether he wished to live 
for the Saviour or not, and whoever wished to live after 
the lusts of the flesh, to him the door stood open for de 
parture. This was done to-day. First they assembled 
the brothers and then the sisters and spoke with them, 
saying that if they persisted in leading so disorderly a life 
the teachers would leave them and let them live according 
to their own devices and lusts of the flesh. This had such 
a wholesome effect that nearly the whole church wept ; 
sorrow and sadness filled their hearts ; they were fright 
ened at themselves and each one acknowledged himself 
guilty, both those who had sinned and those in whom 
there had been no outbreak. It was a day of repentance 
for the whole church, and many came with tears and ex 
pressed their sorrow, both about themselves and about all 
and sought comfort. Some said they had never in their 
lives had so hard a day as to-day. They had grieved him 
and he in turn had grieved them, and this was directly for 
their salvation. Now indeed it was not our thought, far 
from it, to abandon them, for the greater number was yet 
innocent, but we wished to teach them to maintain order 
in the church, and hereby we reached our purpose. We 
had trouble and sadness over them, but were again com 
forted about them. We waited then until all had been 
spoken to, and each one had declared that he would be obe- 



204 ZErSBERGER s DIARY. 

dient and submit to the rules of the church. Then we as 
sembled the church on the 23d, and showed them that 
they all had wandered from the right way ; that even they 
who had not sinned were just as guilty as they who had 
sinned, in that they looked on with indifferent hearts and 
gave in. The brethren were reminded to be obedient to 
the teachers and assistants and to give heed to them, for 
if they did not listen to the assistants, they also did not 
listen to us, and if they did not listen to us it was all over 
with them. They were in general admonished to main 
tain order in the church, to renew their covenant with the 
Saviour, to live for him and for the glory of his name, 
and to be obedient to his word, therein to be of one mind ; 
and if this were their intention, we would remain with 
them, shunning neither trial nor danger, as we hitherto 
had stood by them in all kinds of trouble. For a time 
we had had much sorrow over them, but now that we again 
saw them sorry for this, we were comforted about them, 
for it was a grace from the Saviour and a repentance for 
their salvation. We then knelt with the church, and 
asked our dear Lord for forgiveness of all our trangres- 
sions, for the mercy of his look, for his acknowledgment 
of us, and for the enjoyment of his peace. 

Saturday, 23. Br. David had a letter from Gottlob, on 
the Miami, whence Amelia came. A royal and a mer 
chant ship from Ft. Erie went by. The merchant ships 
have orders not to go through the lake without a royal 
ship which has cannon. 

Sunday, 24. Br. David preached from the Gospel, that 
the Saviour, from the beginning of the world since the 
fall of man, had revealed himself to mankind by signs 
and wonders, until at last he came himself and revealed 
himself by a supreme wonder in becoming man, suffering 
death, pouring out his blood and reconciling us to God, 
which now has since been preached in all the world, and 
in thinking about which, we have enough to do, and this 
is a blessed occupation. Michael held the congregation 
meeting. Sensemann, who consulted the Indians on this 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 205 

account and submitted to their treatment, lay ill from his 
trouble with his chest. 

Monday, 25. David held early service. In a ship which 
sailed for Ft. Erie, several Tawas went to Montreal to 
seek aid there from the government against the American 
States, having heard that a stronger army than ever before 
is in movement to invade the Indian land. 

Thursday, 28. David held early service from the Script 
ure-verse. Some went into the harvest to earn something, 
others for whortleberries. Many got work here from Elliot 
and Colville. We heard that the Americans are busy 
building boats in Presque Isle. 

Friday, 29. Edwards held early service. From the 
Miami came back David and Jacob, who went there with 
Elliot several days ago, bringing news that an army had 
advanced to the fork of the Miami and had surrounded 
an Indian town ; that another army advanced upon Gige- 
yunk, and a third fell upon the Wabash, and that the In 
dians were everywhere in flight; that the Americans were 
making boats in the Cuyahoga and at Presque Isle, and 
that among the Indians all is alarm. 

Sunday, 31. Michael preached from the Epistle to the 
Romans, vi., 3 : Know ye not that so many of us as were 
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 
From the Miami came a swarm of Indians in flight, to get 
out of the way of the army expected there. Elliot, who 
also came from there, thought we should send them all 
back again ; they should now fight, for they were always 
wishing to go to war; but we replied that to do this was 
neither in our power nor in that of our Indians. 

Tuesday, Aug. 2. Still more Indians, among them quite 
a strong party of Nanticokes, arrived. Though it is not 
usual for Indians to come here, yet they now come here in 
crowds because we are here, and the shore is full of them, 
but we notice no hunger for Grod s word, but only for 
bodily food, for they are now busied with other matters, 
war and anxiety for food, for the little which they planted 
on the Miami the warriors consume, who are constantly 
there, before it is yet mature for eating. The assistants 



206 

married a couple of young people, Charles and Theodora s 
daughter. An English officer, who came with Elliot, 
asked Joshua why he and they did not go to war. He an 
swered that they did not go to war and had never yet done 
so, that they did no man harm, loving all men, Indians, 
English, French, Americans, and whoever he was, and they 
tried and made effort to live at peace with every one. 
Whereupon the officer gave him a wicked answer, saying: 
u Ye will soon be compelled to go to war, and if ye will not 
so do a crown will be put upon your heads with the toma 
hawk." Joshua said : u That must be a very bad man." 

Friday, 5. Edwards held early service. Elliot went in 
his boat to the Miami, and with him Jacob. 

Saturday, 6. David held early service from the text. 
Soon after this, the little child, Lewis, somewhat over four 
months old, died, Joshua s grandchild. 

Sunday, 7. Br. Sensemann preached from .... to 
which a German preacher saw his way, and which he at 
tended. Br. David conducted the communion quarter- 
hour and gave notice of the Lord s supper for the 13th, and 
towards evening attended the burial of the little Lewis, at 
which whites and blacks were likewise present. 

Monday, 8. By a ship from Ft. Erie we got news that 
a strong army, in which were many New Englanders, was 
marching for the Miami. The deputies and Brant, who 
went to Canada, have sent back word that all the Indians 
should come together to receive them. Michael held early 
service. Sabina gave birth to a daughter, which, 

Tuesday, 9, in the early service from the Scripture- 
verse: And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had 
sworn with all their hearts, etc., was baptized by David 
Zeisberger, and named Willhelmina. 

Wednesday, 10. We wrote to Bethlehem. 

Saturday, 13. Michael held early service. A royal ship 
that came from Ft. Erie sailed for Detroit, in which carrie 
Willcock, who in the spring had taken our letters, bring 
ing with him the German preacher s wife from the States. 
In the evening sixty-four brethren received the sacra 
ment of the body and blood of the Lord in his near pres- 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 207 

ence, at which the brethren were told something of the 
importance l of this day, and Luke was readmitted. 

Sunday, 14. The sermon by Br. Michael Jung was at 
tended by Germans from Grose Isle, and English of this 
neighborhood. As the inhabitants here long as little for 
the word of God as the heathen do, perhaps they will be 
induced by Indians to become eager for it, for they live 
like heathen. If then the Indian church should be 
placed as a light to these so-called Christains, and be an 
example and blessing to them, so much the more must we 
be content to encamp here for a while. 

[So far to Bethlehem.] 

Wednesday, 17. Brs. David, Sensemann, and Michael 
Jung went to Detroit on business, returning on the 19th. 
They there settled with Mt\ Askin about the ship-hire of 
last spring, and sent a packet of letters and the diary to 
Bethlehem by way of Montreal and New York. They 
also made a visit to Maj. Smith, the commandant, by 
whom they were very kindly received. He told them 
that they had not yet received a letter from Quebec about 
us, but expected it by the first ship. They had also an 
opportunity to make the acquaintance of Judge Powell, 
who lives on the east side not far from Huron 2 church, 
with whom they talked much about the Brothers church, 
their missions, the beginning and growth of them, all 
which was to him quite new, but pleasant to hear, since 
he had yet never had so much information about this, 
how it happened that we had settled at the mouth of the 
river, where we were now waiting to see what farther 
would be done with us. He spoke likewise about this, 
that we with our Indians should not live among whites, 
nor be surrounded by them. It was becoming and right 
that the government should give land to us and our In- 

1 See vol. 1, p. 199. 

2 Conjectured. " The Huron village lay east of the river a short dis 
tance below Detroit. A missionary of the order of Carthusian Friars, 
by permission of the Bishop of Canada, resided there." Carver s Trav 
els, p. 92. "Coming round the point at Huron church." Hist. Sketches 
of Mich., p. 35. 



208 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

dians, and this would happen too, for which he made no 
unreasonable proposition, namely (a tract on Huron 
Streights Beth. MS.). We told him that if our Indians 
lived under and were received by the government, they 
should not be required nor encouraged to go to war, 
which would be the destruction of our mission, and if we 
were willing to agree to that, our mission was at an end. 
He thought it over and said it was true. About the Act 
of Parliament concerning the brothers, that they were 
free from bearing arms, he was not aware of this, and 
would not quite believe it, but would yet examine his 
books. He asked us to visit him as often as our way lay 
thither. 

Saturday, 20. After the early service was the burial of 
Eleonora, who died yesterday, child of Boaz and Abigail. 

Sunday, 21. David preached and Michael held the con 
gregation meeting. In the evening died John Henry s and 
Anna Maria s child, Sally. A boat-load of warriors went 
by for the Miami. A couple of white people, who live 
above here on the river, came and wished to buy horses, 
whom our Bill Henry recognized as having been among 
the militia, who at night in Pittsburg fell upon and mur 
dered the Indians, and also helped murder our Indians in 
Gnadenlmtten. We took them to breakfast. 

Monday, 22. Lydia died of slow consumption quite 
blessedly. 

Tuesday, 23. After the early service by Br. David, the 
child of John Henry and Anna Maria, that died day 
before yesterday, Sally, was buried, and then Br. Sense- 
mann baptized a sickly child of Nicodemus and an un- 
baptized mother into the death of Jesus, with the name, 
Lea. 

Wednesday, 25. After the early service from the Script 
ure-verse : I shall give peace in the land, and ye shall lie 
down, and none shall make you afraid, the remains of Sis 
ter Lydia, who died day before yesterday, were brought 
to rest amidst a great concourse. She was baptized Dec. 
26, 1766, in Friedenshutten (on the Susquehanna), came 
to the Ohio with the church in the year 72, and also to 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 209 

the Muskingum and Gnaclenhiiten to live, where, Jan. 10, 
73, she was married to the Mohican, Gabriel. She there 
became a partaker of the holy communion, March 9, 76, 
and went a blessed way in the church. When the In 
dian church was taken to Sandusky, in the year 82, and 
robbed of its teachers, she went to Gigeyunk, where she 
remained till 89, when she once came to Sandusky, and 
her sister, Helen, brought her with her children to New 
Salem, but at first she was shy and undecided about re 
maining with the church. The grace of the Saviour, 
however, and the general feeling gained her heart. She 
was swept on by them so that she gave herself anew to 
the Saviour to be his property, and wept for mercy and 
forgiveness, which too the Saviour soon gave her, and she 
again became a communicant. Her husband, who once 
came to Salem from the war, and showed inclination to 
be again in the church and with his wife, got leave for 
this. She did it from obedience, and received him again, 
but it was soon seen that he could not be in the church, 
and we had to let him go again, but she remained stead 
fast, though very helpless, weak, and sick, and obliged to 
live in poverty. This spring, when we left Pettquotting, 
and her two sisters, Helen and Louisa, again went from 
the church, and followed their own way, she remained, 
firmly resolved to go with the church wherever it went. 
She was therefore helped to come hither, but was for the 
most part sick, wasted away little by little, and at last 
was quite bed-ridden, and it could be seen that her 
departure drew nigh, but she was composed and re 
signed to the Saviour s will. The last communion, 
Aug. 13, which she received upon her sick bed, was es 
pecially impressive and blessed to her. She so expressed 
herself and said that the Saviour s body and blood had so 
worked in her that she felt it in her whole hackey (body 1 ). 
Her two children she commended to the church, and said 
that as she had no friends there, she would beg all the 
brothers and sisters to care for them, that they might not 

1 See before, p. 76. 
14 



210 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

be taken from the church, and this, too, was promised her. 
Day before yesterday, on the 22d, she had Br. Zeisberger 
and his wife called, who had often visited her, and asked 
them to bless her for her departure, saying she feared she 
might not longer be in possession of her senses, that she 
believed the Saviour would soon take her to himself. This 
was done, the blessing was given her by Sister Zeisberger 
in a sweet liturgy, several brethren being present, whereby 
she folded her hands and a blessed peace of God prevailed. 
In the evening we appointed to watch with her among sev 
eral others a sister. When she saw her she at once seized 
her hand and said: "Forgive me, sister, for many times 
we have had something against each other, whereby love 
was hurt. I have given every thing up to the Saviour. I 
love thee and have nothing against thee. I depart in peace 
to the Saviour." Hardly had she done speaking when her 
soul took night and she went to her Redeemer, in whom 
she believed, leaving behind a deep impression in the 
hearts of all present. 

Thursday, 25. Br. Michael held the early service 
from the Scripture-verse : But the more they afflicted 
them, the more they multiplied, and the text : If they have 
persecuted me they will also persecute you. We had to-day 
a hard day, on account of a circumstance which concerned 
our Indians. One of our neighbors, Colvill, in the spring 
gave our Indians land to plant two miles from here. We 
did not quite approve of it, fearing it might cause unpleas 
antness, but he said to our Indians much that was good 
and fair, and they let themselves be deceived. Now, from 
eight to fourteen days ago, a hog got into their fields and 
did much damage. They gave notice of this to the man 
to whom it belonged, but he replied that it did not belong 
to any one here, and our people were advised to shoot it, 
which they did, but as soon as all was done, this same Col 
vill knew at once that it belonged to Elliot, and sought 
most earnestly to blacken our Indians with him. This 
went so far that they threatened to arrest the participants 
and bring them into court, yes, they should be hanged. 
Br. Sensemann spoke in the morning with Elliot, who came 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 211 

last evening from the Miami, and sought also to show him 
the truth in the matter, but in vain. He got a rough and 
hard answer, and they then decided that the perpetrators 
should be apprehended. Br. David then got a letter 
wherein all their threats were contained, and we were or 
dered to go away from here without knowing whither. 
Br. David took now occasion to speak with Elliot alone, 
and found so far acceptance that the matter was put aside 
and stopped. lie saw very well himself that he could ac 
complish nothing under the law, but Br. David admon 
ished the brethren and young people, 

Friday, 26, so long as we are here, to behave in an or 
derly and peaceful way towards the people, and to give 
them no occasion to complain about us. We see, however, 
already what the results are if we live among white peo 
ple. They hire our people to work for them and will not 
pay them. They drive their cattle into the Indian fields, 
which have utterly eaten out some as bare as a tennis- 
court, and if they wish to complain about this, they get 
no hearing and no justice; we must have patience and 
endure. 

Saturday, 27. Elliot with his followers went to Detroit. 

Sunday, 28. Br. Sensemann preached from the Gospel : 
Jesus wept over Jerusalem, about the tears of Jesus, and 
David held the congregation meeting. We laborers had a 
conference, and considered our present situation with our 
Indian brethren, and whether we had any thing to care for 
and to do, but we found it well yet to wait, for we were, in 
part, of the mind that it would be well, in the autumn, to 
move elsewhere with a portion of our brethren, for many 
reasons. Peggy, who from perversity went away from us 
several weeks ago, came again and asked for reception, 
promising amendment. Among the Indians without, we 
heard that sickness prevails more than with us, where, for 
the most part, only our children are attacked. 

Monday, 29. Michel held early service. With the un 
married brothers we had a pleasing love-feast for their 
festival, we wish them much happiness and the Saviour s 
bloody blessing for their work in the Indian church. A 



212 

child was born to Tobias and Anna Justina. In the 
evening died the child, Lea, Nicodemus daughter, which, 

Wednesday, 31, after the early service by Sensemann, 
was buried. We heard from without again much about 
war and war-cries, so that we have from this not only 
much anxiety and care, but think: How will it go with us, 
and what will the end be ? But we have here also our own 
perplexity with our neighbors and our Indians, so much 
occurring that makes trouble, for if the white people s 
cattle are killed and stolen by strange Indians, all this is 
attributed to our Indians, and they are accused of it, for 
they say and give out that such things never happened 
before, and this may well be true, but Indians did not so 
easily come here before we were here, since now all sorts 
of bad company come hither, who do damage at the cost 
of our Indians, who must pay therefor. 

Thursday, Sept. 1. In the early service, from the 
Scripture- verse : And God saw every thing that he had 
made, and, behold, it was very good, and the text : Except 
a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, 
the little daughter of Tobias and Anna Justina, born on 
the 29th Ult., was baptized with the name Rebecca. In 
dians arrived from the Miami, from whom we heard that 
few Indians were there, and did not know whether and 
when an army would come, where yet the Indians will al 
ways be called together for a fight. 

Saturday, 3. Br. Edwards held early service. Three 
ships from Ft. Erie came to anchor here, and wait for a 
good wind. By them we had news that the Russians had 
taken Constantinople. 1 

Sunday, 4. Br. Edwards preached about the Pharisees 
and tax-gatherers. Then Br. David Zeisberger held the 
communion quarter-hour, of which he gave notice for 
Saturday, and invited the poor and thirsty. 

Wednesday, 7. The married brethren celebrated their 

1 The Russians under Gen l Suwaroff took the fortress of Jsniael Dec. 
22, 1790, and the road to Constantinople was thus open to them, but 
the jealousies of other powers hindered the Russians in the accomplish 
ment of their design. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 213 

festival in the near presence of our dear Lord, and his 
recognition of us filled our hearts with comfort and joy, 
and this awakened thankfulness and praise to our dear 
Lord. We recall very often that he promised us, when 
we had directions from him in Pettquotting, that he would 
be with us. We must confess and say : He keeps his word 
gladly, for he is truly with us, has already helped us through 
many difficulties and much trouble, and will farther do so. 
We firmly believe this and depend upon him. Br. David 
held morning prayer, and asked in the name of the church 
for his nearness and his blessing for us this day. Br. 
Sensemann held the festival service of the married, and 
Br. David the love-feast. He announced that this was the 
smallest part of the heathen church. 

Thursday, 8, and Friday, 9. Brs. Zeisberger and Sense 
mann, and their wives, spoke with the brethren in regard 
to the Lord s supper, to which speaking our dear Lord gave 
his blessing, so that we again find cause to thank him. 

Saturday, 10. The communicants enjoyed the body 
and blood of the Lord in the holy communion, in the most 
blessed way, and he. blessed us unspeakably in the enjoy 
ment of this holy sacrament. Ten brethren, who had not 
partaken of it here in this place, had again this mercy. 
The Saviour brings all again to the blessed fold and to 
salvation. He heals what has suifered harm, and cures 
what is weak and sick. Br. Sensemann conducted the 
Lord s supper, to whom Mr. Dolson has sent his two chil 
dren to school. 

Sunday, 11. After the communion liturgy, which Br. 
David read, Br. Michael preached. In the afternoon we 
had the first baptism here of adults, among them a white 
girl, who, when a child, had been taken in the last war by 
the Indians, and given to our Theodora in place of a 
child, before she came to us. Since she asked for bap 
tism, and we could not find out whether, when a child, 
she had been baptized, having reason to doubt about such 
a baptism, as she -was from a neighborhood on the frontier 
where there are few inhabitants, and where there were 
only a couple of houses, far away from the settlement, we 



214 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

concluded and thought : It is better at all events that she 
should be twice baptized than that she should live in 
doubt about her baptism all her life. Thus, at her request, 
with the approval of the Saviour, she was baptized by 
David Zeisberger into Jesus death, receiving the name of 
Anna Charity, and another by Br. Edwards, with the name 
Henrietta, at which blessed ceremony whites and blacks 
from the neigborhood were present. Sensemann took to 
his bed sick. 

Monday, 12. Br. Edwards held the early service about the 
Jight that has come into the world and shines upon all 
men. The Wyandots upon the west side, over opposite 
us, sent a messenger here with a piece of tobacco, painted 
red, and made known to us that some of their warriors 
had captured two prisoners from the Ohio on Tawa River, 
where they had been examined, questioned, and then 
killed. These had confessed that an army, 1 two thousand 
men strong, was on its way out, but they could not tell 
where it would make its inroad. Our Indians were re 
quired to hold themselves ready, so that if the army 
should march this way they would be prepared to meet it, 
which was then told them. We listened to the message, 
but gave no reply, answering it with silence. Our Samuel s 
brother, an Indian captain, who attends all the councils of 
the chiefs, without whose advice the chiefs neither do any 
thing nor deliberate, who then knows about every thing, 
visited us lately. .He is a Nanticoke, but our friend, who 
told our Samuel and gave him insight of what the chiefs 
of the nations at the Tawa River treaty deliberated and 
considered together about the believing Indians. He said 
that there had been present the Wyandots, Chippewas, 
Ottawas, Potawatomies, Mingoes, Delawares, and also a 
chief of the Wawiachtanos 2 from seven nations. In the 
council the well-known Jos. Brant, a Mohawk, made a 
speech to the chiefs about the believing Indians, of the fol 
lowing import : " Why should we wish to compel them to go 

lr Then preparing under Gen. St. Glair at Ft. Washington (Cincin 
nati). 

12 See before, p. 128. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 215 

to war? They have quite a different object; they have 
something other than we have to think of, and of this we 
know nothing. They have the word of God. About this 
they have to think. By this they wish to live and act. Why 
should we take them from it? Let them be, and disturb 
them not. They have chosen the right way and the best for 
us all ; yes, it were to be wished that we would all together 
make this our chief matter and concern. In Pettquotting 
already they sent us a message, asking us to care for them 
and be thoughtful to show them a place where they could 
be safe and out of the way of the present war, where they 
could hold their worship of God free and undisturbed, but 
up to this time they have had no answer. Come now, let 
us stir ourselves, and think about this. It is certainly 
time. Seek out a place for them somewhere near, but 
away from us, not here among us, where they can be by 
themselves alone. The time may come when we shall our 
selves be in such need that we shall not know where to 
bring to safety our wives and children. If then the be 
lieving Indians have once a place where they live con 
stantly and safely, we in time of need can take ref 
uge with them, and if not quite with them, they can. 
grant us, or our wives and children, a place near 
them, where they can support themselves by planting." 
This speech has Brant made to the chiefs, but when 
he was here with us he gave no hint of it, but yet told our 
Indians they had done well in choosing to remain here. 
The Saviour at times summons men in the world, if it be 
needful, who must prophesy and speak the best for his 
people and cause, and give good advice. More heed is 
given to such than if a brother spoke. Now we have been 
told from every quarter that the nations have thought of 
placing us on the river, between Lakes St. Glair and Hu 
ron. We, on our part, wait with patience how the Saviour 
will do with us, and we depend upon him alone. Thus far 
we have been quite inactive in the affair. Towards even 
ing the child, born Aug. "29, and baptized Sept. 1, Rebecca, 
was buried, having died yesterday. On this occasion it 
was said to the brethren, this being the fifth child that has 



216 

died here, that the parents were especially grieved when 
the Saviour took their children to himself; it was not well 
in them to misunderstandjthis nor to take it ill. They 
must not on this account be discontented with the Saviour. 
They should think that their children belong to him, that 
he can take better care of them than I or we, and he seals 
them from all sin and need of earth ; what he does is right 
and well ; we had also the comfort and certain hope, if 
we remained with Jesus, of seeing them with him where 
we shall all be assembled sometime, shall rejoice with 
them, thank and praise him for his grace and mercy eter 
nally. 

Tuesday, 13. Michael held the early service. Last 
night there was a greater storm than we have had since 
we have been here, so that it seemed as if no house would 
remain standing, and the lake roared like thunder. We 
thought of the ships upon the lake, for day before yester 
day twenty sailed by for Ft. Erie. The river became very 
high from the wind, and to-night, with a west wind, it fell 
five feet. 

Thursday, 15. After the early service, held by Br. Mi 
chael, sixteen brothers went to Grose Isle 1 hunting. They 
thought that some fifty deer would be on the island, for 
last winter they went there on the ice, and as the river 
broke up soon after, they were left there. This island is 
inhabited, but it is very great and mostly a wilderness. 
Other brethren went a day s journey eastward on the lake 
to make canoes, so as to buy clothing for the winter. 

Friday, 16. The Ottawa chief, Ekuschuwe, arrived 
from the Miami, by whom we learned that a couple of 
white people had come as messengers from Pittsburg, with 
letters for Detroit. The messengers reported that it was 
said an army, two thousand men strong, was coming out 
against the Indians, but it was not known where the inva 
sion would be made. The chief will insist upon it that 
their father shall help them or . 2 This evening died 

] A large island in the lower part of Detroit River. 
2 Here a blank, made purposely in the original. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 217 

Gertrude, daughter of William and Martha. Br. Sense- 
mann s sickness, from which he has suffered the whole 
week, grows worse all the time. It began with an injury 
upon the breast, and when he was better of this and quite 
cured, he got the diarrhoea, after which came a severe 
fever, so that it seems doubtful whether he will recover. 

Saturday, 17. Towards evening little Gertrude was 
buried. By Wenginund, who came here sick from the 
Miami, we learned that nearly all the Indians there are 
sick and every day two or three are buried, and how can 
or shall they go to war and who shall fight ? 

Sunday, 18. David preached from Gal. iii., about the 
blessing of Abraham, who by faith was justified and received 
the promise that in him the heathen should be blessed, and 
Br. Edwards held the congregation meeting from the 
Scripture- verse : With joy also say to the heathen, etc. 
Br. Sensemann s illness to-day seemed to be less, this being 
the ninth day. 

Wednesday, 21. David held early service. After this 
the assistants were directed to send away some strange 
Indians, who do not belong here, but have already been 
here two weeks, for last night they had a drunken bout. 
Among them was an old woman who wished to take away 
with her hy force an unbaptized grown girl, who lived with 
us and was nearly related to her. The girl, who did not 
want to go with her, got out of the way, taking refuge 
with the Zeisbergers until the woman was away, where she 
refrained from looking for her, and thus she escaped her 
hands. From Capt. Elliot, who came from Detroit, we 
learned that they had news that a strong army from the 
States was on the march out against the Indians. 

Thursday, 22. Edwards held early service. This even 
ing the assistant, William, died right blessedly, after a 
tiresome illness. His remains were, 

Saturday, 24, committed to the earth, for which we 
called in the absent brethren. In his youth he was much 
with the late Sir William Johnson, and, as he understood 
English, his interpreter at the treaties, was honored by the 
Indians and regarded by the whites as a man of conse- 



218 

quence. He came about the year 1770 to Friedenshiitten, 
but being unmarried and desiring to be in the church, he 
was advised to get a wife, and then to ask again. This he 
did and came again, when he got permission, with his wife, 
his present widow, who was from the Jerseys, to live in the 
church. He at once, upon his admission to the church, 
formed the resolution to live all his life in the church and 
to say good night to the world, Indian councils, the chiefs 
and their affairs, and kept it to the end. He was baptized 
Jan. 6, 1771, by Br. Schmick, in Friedenshiitten, and came 
to the enjoyment of the Lord s supper December 21 of the 
same year. In the year 72 he came to the Ohio, and in 
deed to Schonbrunn on the Muskingum, where he soon 
became interpreter, for which he had fine talent, and came 
into the body of assistants. When he preached to the 
savages and praised to them the Saviour he had a fine gift 
of making them understand plainly, after the Indian way 
and manner of speech, what served for their salvation, and 
his speech found admittance with them, for he was loved 
and respected by them, as in the church he was loved by 
all, and his intercourse with the brethren was upright, 
straightforward, and for their blessing and edification. As 
often as we had to treat with the chiefs about the common 
affairs, when we always made use of him, we could depend 
upon this, that our purpose would be accomplished, for 
herein he had more than others a successful hand. He 
considered well what he had to accomplish. He knew the 
manners and customs of the chiefs, and the Saviour was 
with him. The last labor of the sort in which he was en 
gaged was to take back the hatchet, sent to our Indians from 
Gigeyunk, and summoning them to war and fighting. He 
did not want to do this, but yet he did it from obedience, 
for he was not well, and the matter was unpleasant to him. 
And in this also he was fortunate, so that since that time 
we have had no farther trouble about this. He came here 
from there sick, and was hardly able from weakness to give 
account of his journey and what he had done. He said to 
Samuel, who was also sick: "We cannot know which of 
us two will first come to the Saviour, thou or I. If thou 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 219 

goest first, be assured that I shall remain with the Saviour; 
if I go before thee, do thou likewise, so that there we may 
see each other again." For some time he went to the 
chapel, but soon had to take to his bed. The sickness so 
seized upon him, he so lost all his strength that we had 
doubts about his recovery. Once the sickness seemed to 
break, his whole appearance seemed to be better, as indeed 
it really was, for he had no pain, and though he gained 
somewhat he was always weaker, and his legs could no 
longer carry him, though he always said that nothing was 
the matter with him, he would yet be well, as we also 
hoped. Day before yesterday, towards evening, Br. Zeis- 
berger was called to him, who soon saw that his end was 
near. Upon being asked if he thought he should soon go 
to the Saviour, he replied that he knew not and could not 
determine. Br. David said to him: ^ He will soon come 
for thee, and thou art near thine end." He answered : 
"With my whole heart if it pleaseth him. There is nothing 
more to hold me here." He asked still after some brethren 
he would like to see, but who were not here, and as soon 
as he had been blessed for his departure he fell asleep 
calmly and blessedly, quite conscious to his last breath. 

Sunday, 25. Michael preached, and in the afternoon 
meeting Br. David baptized the little son of Nicodemus 
and Henrietta into Jesus death with the name of Matthew. 
Two ships came to anchor here yesterday, and waited to-day 
for a good wind; from one of them the captain visited us, who 
knew us, and, to our no common joy and pleasure, brought 
us letters from Bethlehem, which came by way of New 
York and Montreal. From these we learn to our comfort 
that our letters of April had been duly received. All this 
was told the brethren for their participation, and the 
church was greeted from our dear churches. The ships 
brought artillery, stores, and much ammunition. 

Monday, 26. Br. David held early service. This even 
ing another ship went by for Detroit, in which was Mrs. 
Dolson, to whom and also to the captain, who called out 
greeting to us, we sent aboard some refreshment in the 
way of garden-sauce and butter, which were very wel- 



220 

come, as they came from the lake. Br. Sensemann had 
so far recovered from his illness that he could go out 

O 

again. Everywhere in the whole settlement and in De 
troit, likewise among the Indians, it is a sickly time, and, 
as we hear, in many houses all are down sick. 

Wednesday, 28. Warriors came here, going to the war. 
We heard that all Cornplanter s 1 young people had left 
him and gone to the Miami to take part in the war. 

Thursday, 29. In the early service we thought of and 
mentioned the dear angels, and we thanked the Saviour 
for their service and watchful care, which so often and in 
many circumstances we have been especially aware of and 
have experienced. The warriors, who came here yester 
day, went. 

Friday, 30, away, taking with them a baptized youth, 
before we were aware of it. Thus a d people come here 
merely to do harm among our people. At first when they 
come, they talk well until they have attained their pur 
pose and have accomplished their wishes. 

Sunday, Oct. 2. Br. Sensemann, for the first time 
since he was sick, preached, from the Gospel No man can 
serve two masters. Three ships went by for Ft. Erie, one 
of which came to anchor here, in which also Col. McKee 
came here for the first time, since we are here, for since 
spring he has been at Tawa River. Br. David made him 
a visit, and on this occasion said to him that we wished to 
have patience until spring to stay here, but we desired to 
get away then, for we must live with our Indians alone, 
not so near white people, for if any harm were done them 
by savages, our Indians were charged with this ; if wolves 
destroyed sheep or hogs, our Indians dogs were blamed ; 
on the other hand, we could not live among nor near the 
savages, for they corrupted our young people, killed our 
cattle, and we were plagued with drunkenness and steal 
ing, and had to suffer all sorts of trouble from them, and 
therefore it was better we should live somewhere apart by 
ourselves. He understood it all, and said it was the 



Who labored for peace with the Americans. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 221 

truth, that he was aware of it and well understood our 
circumstances, and had always been hoping to get an 
answer this autumn about our affairs. We learned also 
from him that there was ground for the report, and that 
they had trustworthy news, that an army was coming out 
this autumn, and was now soon expected. 

Wednesday, 5. Many of our people went into the new 
settlement eastward on the lake, to help the settlers har 
vest their corn. They were invited, for they came hither 
and asked us for them, and in this way our Indians can 
earn corn, for some of them planted very little; others, 
or, rather, the men, make canoes, and thereby earn food 
and clothing. 

Saturday, 8. For several days we harvest our fields. 
There is indeed no comparison with Pettquotting, but we 
are thankful for what we had not expected. The Zeis- 
bergers got their house ready for winter, and made their 
arrangements, for hitherto we had always hope of getting 
away from here this autumn, if not all of us, yet, per 
haps, half. The Indian brethren were also busy harvest 
ing their corn. 

Sunday, 9. We gave Br. Sensemann our good wishes 
for his birthday. Br. David preached and Br. Sensemann 
held the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 10. Michael held early service. There arose 
trouble again between our neighbor and our Indians, who 
had planted something in his field, and he wanted to have 
it taken away. He came here about our Indians, and 
wishes to use us to plague and enrage them, but we must 
needs be upon our guard to go the middle way, so that our 
brethren shall not lose heart in us, and our church thereby 
suffer. 

Tuesday, 11. David held early service. At the Script 
ure-verse : When ye were but few, even a few and 
strangers in it, and when they went from nation to na 
tion, and from one kingdom to another people, he suffered 
no man to do them wrong, it was mentioned that we were 
in like circumstances, had here no place and abode of our 
own, and knew not whither, but that we had not been for- 



222 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

gotten nor forsaken by our Lord, and had no reason to 
doubt also that he would care for us, protect us, and help 
us through ; only odr greatest anxiety should be to re 
main with him, to live for his honor, not to forget the 
kindnesses he had done us, to be thankful to him therefor, 
and to commend ourselves farther to his care. 

Thursday, 13. Brs. David, Sensemanri, and Michael 
went on business to Detroit, where we likewise by the last 
ships sent letters to Bethlehem by way of Montreal. Be 
fore we went away from there, two ships from Ft. Erie 
came in, and on one of them also the deputies of the na 
tions back from Quebec. What news they brought, we 
could not find out, except thus much we heard, that the 
nations would keep quiet if the States left them alone 
and sent no army out, but as Jos. Brandt had not yet 
arrived by land, all were waiting to hear from him exact 
and trustworthy news. Anna Rosina gave birth to a 
son. 

Saturday, 15. The brothers came to-day, with a 
strong, favorable wind, in three hours from Detroit back 
home. 

Sunday, 16. Michael preached, David conducted the 
communion quarter-hour, of which he gave notice for 
Saturday, and Br. Sensemann held the congregation meet 
ing. Some of the deputies came here on their way to the 
Miami. In Quebec they had seen and spoken with a 
royal English and a French prince, before w r horn they laid 
their request and complaints. He listened to them, and 
promised to take these with him to England, to lay them 
before his father, the king, to which they should hope for 
an answer in the spring; they wished to make as boun 
daries of their land, the Cuyahoga and the Muskingum as 
far as the Ohio, and if they obtain this they will make 
peace with the Americans, if they will keep peace with the 
nations and send no army into their land. 

Monday, 17. The deputies went away to the Miami, to 
whom we had to lend a couple of canoes to go in. 

Wednesday. 19. At the early service Br. Sensemann 
baptized the little son of young Abraham and Anna Ros- 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 223 

ina, born on the 13th Inst., into Jesus death, with the 
name Jonas. A ship, that took in ballast here in front of 
our house, and went to Fort Erie, took our letters. We 
went on board. 

Saturday, 22. The brethren having for several days 
been spoken to, the communicants had the most blessed 
enjoyment of the body and blood of the Lord in his sup 
per. Mary Magdalene partook for the first time in this 
place, whose husband had falsely accused her, but whose 
innocence now came to light. 

Sunday, 23. In the communion liturgy the brethren 
were exhorted to thankfulness towards the Saviour for the 
blessing received and enjoyed, to make good use of the 
strength of the food, and to do their work in intercourse 
with the Saviour, which he would bless, to think about 
our weak and sick, who had to do without the commun 
ion, to pray for them and to se.ek to make them whole 
again. Br. Edwards preached, Sensemann held the con 
gregation meeting. On account of contrary winds, the 
commodore came to anchor here, in his ship that carries 
twelve guns, and is on its way to Fort Erie. 

Monday, 24. David held early service from the text : 
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so 
must the Son of Man be lifted up. 

Tuesday, 25. Several went hunting, the sisters for nuts 
and chestnuts, others built houses for the winter. Care 
was also had for the widows, that they should find protec 
tion in the winter, for we can imagine that in this climate 
the winter will be severe. 

Wednesday, 26. We had news that the American armv, 1 
five thousand strong, was come to Gigeyunk, where, as is 
reported, they build a fort, that few Indians were there, 
but most of them scattered hunting. Last year the Shaw- 
anese boasted that they alone had beaten the army. This 

1 "After the completion of Ft. Hamilton, the troops moved on forty- 
four miles further, and on the 12th of October commenced Ft. Jeffer 
son, about six miles south of the town of Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio." 
Albach s Western Annals, p. 578. The army left Ft. Jefferson twelve 
days later. 



224 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

vexed the other nations, and therefore they now wished 
to let the Shawanese fight alone, and said they should now 
convince themselves that alone they were able to beat the 
army. 

Saturday, 29. Edwards held early service. Hearing 
that rum was sold in the neighborhood, Brs. Edwards and 
Michael went and warned the people, saying that so far as 
they sold the Indians rum, they would bring complaint 
against them before the authorities; we must keep the 
law, and according to this they had to expect a punish 
ment which would not be slight. They promised not to 
do so in the future, and begged us to spare them this time. 
A ship from Fort Erie went by. 

Sunday, 30. David preached and Michael held the con 
gregation meeting. 

Tuesday, Nov. 1. At early service we called to mind 
our communion with the church above, in the blessed hope 
of being sometime there present, of being incorporated 
therein, where the Lord is the Light and God the Head, 
with the redness of five wounds. 

Wednesday, 2. Cold weather came on with snow- 
squalls, so that we had to put off" the meeting. 

Thursday, 3. Michael held early service. Our dear, old 
Abraham, the trusty, aged assistant in the church, de 
parted this evening, after a sickness of fourteen days, into 
eternal rest, wherefor he had longed. 

Saturday, 5. His remains were brought to rest this after 
noon. He came in the year 1765, at the very beginning, 
when the Indian church went from the barracks in Phila 
delphia to Fried en shiitten on the Susquehanna, to the 
church, where two years before, upon Br. David -Zeisber- 
ger s visit, he had heard the word of life for salvation, an 
impression from which, always abode with him, and he 
could not forget it, as he said himself often. He was bap 
tized Dec. 25 of the same year, by David Zeisberger ; by 
the grace of the Saviour, which pervaded his heart, he 
made himself free altogether from Indian superstition and 
ideas, and gave himself entirely to the Saviour. This he 
proved in his own life, and the fruit of his belief was that 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 225 

he remained through his whole life to the very end true to 
the church, and he is therefore a rare example. He was 
formerly one of the greatest drunkards and fighters, so 
that all had to flee before him, though, on the contrary, 
after his baptism, he was a foe to this. He had put oft the 
old man with his works and had put on Christ, who lived 
in him. In the year 68 it was laid upon him to go to the 
Ohio with Brs. David Zeisberger and Sensemann, to found 
a mission there. He undertook this with joy, and there 
during all opposition, amidst reproach and persecution 
from the savages, he freely acknowledged Christ and 
praised him as the Redeemer and only Saviour of the 
heathen. He often ended his speeches made to the sav 
ages with these words : " Now, my friends, I have told you 
how ye will be happy and can attain to eternal life, and 
how ye shall do to get that. I have also told you what ye 
have to expect in case ye do not receive it. I have spoken 
every thing which one must know who wishes to be saved. 
It is dear to me and a comfort to have had this opportu 
nity of saying this to you, so that ye cannot on that day 
accuse me, and say : We were with the believers, but they 
told us nothing of this. He held the office of overseer 
in the church, which for many years, day and night, un- 
weariedly, in perfect fidelity, he cared for. He insisted 
upon the rules, and was sorry to his heart when they 
were violated, when then at times he showed himself very 
earnest against disorders and punished them, but if one 
was a conscious sinner, confessed his failings and repented, 
he could weep with him, and this from his heart. He was 
in Sept., 1772, a widower for the first time, and married 
Jan. 16, 1774, the widow Anna ; was in Sept., 83, again a 
widower, and was united in Feb., 1784, with the widow, 
Martha, his present widow. He went through much with 
the Indian church, suffering much hardship and unpleasant 
ness. His teachers, whom he certainly loved, were his sup 
port, and he was comforted, if only he had them near him, 
though from without matters seemed never so dangerous. 
Since we came here we have lately observed in him that he 
15 



226 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

was weary and did not perform the duties of his office with 
his usual activity, but loved solitude more than before, until 
he was called, for he was sickly also. Two weeks ago 
to-day he enjoyed the communion with the church, in the 
chapel, to his great blessing, but soon after, he took a 
severe cold, which much exhausted him, and left him not 
to the end. When he was asked whether he thought he 
should depart, he replied that he did not know, but if it 
were the Saviour s will it was well for him and he should 
go to him with joy as a poor sinner; he had nothing good 
to show, but only his grace and bloody righteousness ; that 
during his illness he still found much, about which he con 
sidered with the Saviour, seeking forgiveness from him, 
and he had comforted him, and now he only waited for 
him to come to get him. He was conscious to his last 
breath, and when the blessing of the Lord had been im 
parted to him, he gave thanks, and said: "Now, I am 
glad," and quietly departed at the age of seventy years. 
We have had but one Abraham, and at present have none 
at all. We shall miss him, but we do not begrudge him 
his blessed fate to rest upon Jesus wounds, and we thank 
him for lending him to us so many years. May he be 
pleased farther to think of us, to send us more such true 
laborers, supplying them with grace, courage, and strength 
for his praise. Amen. A Frenchman asked to marry one 
of our girls, but we refused him. 

Sunday, 6. Br. Sensemann preached about the words : 
Come, for all things are now ready. We had a conference 
about our future movements and place of abode, in which, 
however, we reached no conclusion, and all is still in dark 
ness, but we had nothing now to ask the Saviour. 

Monday, 7. Michael held early service. On a ship 
which goes to Ft. Erie and ran aground here, getting oft 
by help of the anchor, a couple of deserters from the army 
of the States were sent to Canada, after first having been 
examined; they had confessed that the army, which But 
ler commanded, was five thousand men strong, and had 
eighteen cannon, and had come as far as Woapikannikunk, 
on White River, which falls into the Wabash, but they 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 2*27 

did not know whither it would go. 1 The Chippewas and 
Tawas, however, give themselves no concern about this, 
but go off hunting, and say the Shawanese, who were al 
ways wishing to have war, may now alone fight with the 
army, they would take no part therein. 

Wednesday, 9. At early service Br. David baptized 
into Jesus death, with the name, Anna Benigna, the little 
daughter of Ignatius and Christina, born yesterday. Some 
brethren came back from the cast settlement, where they 
have helped the people in the autumn harvest and have 
earned some corn. Every one wishes to get the work of 
our Indians, a help and benefit for them and for both sides. 

Thursday, 10. Br. Sensemann held the early service, 
which was attended by some white people from the east 
settlement, from the text: If any man thirst, let him 
come unto me and drink. 

Saturday, 12. Some white people came back from De 
troit, who live on the lake, below us, and remained over 
night here. They brought news that on Tuesday, the 8th 
Inst., a battle occurred between the army and the Indians, 
but they could give us no certain information as to which 
side won, bat that the Indians had captured several can 
non and that Gen. Butler was said to be killed, which is 
not to be believed; that here on Tuesday on the lake they 
had heard cannon; that the battle must then have been 
this side of Gigeyunk. 2 We looked for the Scripture- 
verse of the 8th, being much interested, which reads : God 
had brought the counsel of our enemies to nought, and 
the text: In your patience possess ye your souls. 

Sunday, 13. Br. Michael preached, and then the breth 
ren had a service in reference to this noteworthy day. By 
occasion of the text: I am the good Shepherd, something 
was brought to the brethren s mind about the object and 
circumstances of the day fifty years ago, that the Saviour, 

J Gen l Butler was in St. Clair s army, which did not go to White 
River. Probably reference is made to earlier expeditions of the same 
year. See p. 101. 

2 The battle was fought Nov. 4, south of Gigeyunk, considerably 
more than a hundred miles from the lake. General Butler was killed. 



228 

since the time when he himself undertook to lead his 
flocks and to feed them, had especially made himself 
known to his church in all parts of the world, blessed and 
increased it, which blessing had extended to the heathen 
also, so that he had now got together many churches from 
the heathen, and given them increase, so that they praised 
and honored his name, and brought him thank-offerings 
for having told them of his martyr-form and for his revela 
tion, which also in his mercy he had done for us poor 
sufferers, who were indeed common, poor, sinful men, full 
of faults and offenses, but yet he has revealed himself to 
us, upholds us, protects us, and watches over us in every 
need and trouble, in all the temptations of Satan, for 
which we should be grateful and thankful. We asked 
absolution for our sins and shortcomings, we commended 
ourselves anew to his grace to provide for his poor, de 
spised Indian church in all circumstances, vowed to him 
new fidelity and obedience, and were comforted by him 
and aware of his peace. 

Tuesday, 15. By a ship which came to anchor here, in 
which Capt. Elliot, Assistant of Indian Affairs, came, we 
heard the affecting news that the army of the States had 
again been beaten in Gigeyunk, that twelve hundred men 
were killed, and that they had lost two-thirds of their 
cannon, namely, six and two cannon, 1 that two generals 
had fallen, but how many Indians is not reported. May 
God in his mercy look upon us and help us through 
these evil times, may he wish to do it, the trustworthy 
and true, amen, and not bring to shame our hope in him. 

Wednesday, 16. Michael held early service. We heard 
more accurate news about the battle of Gigeyunk. We 

2 The MS. first writes 8 cannon, then substitutes 6 for S, and inserts 
two cannon. " Six or eight pieces of artillery fell into their hands," 
says a letter quoted in Drake s Book of Indians, v. 75. The Indians 
claimed to have captured seven guns. " The killed and missing num 
bered thirty-seven officers and five hundred and ninety-three privates; 
the wounded, thirty-one officers and two hundred and fifty-two pri 
vates." St. Clair Papers, Vol. 1, p. 176. The Indians reported a loss 
of only sixty-five, but it was probably greater. Chronicles of Border 
Warfare, p. 299. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 229 

had hoped that not the whole army was beaten, but only 
a part thereof, but it becomes plain that the whole army, 
with cannon, cattle, horses, tents, provisions, and ammuni 
tion, in short, all has been lost. Gen l Butler with twelve 
hundred men killed, and the rest pursued, so that but 
few of them will get home. 

Saturday, 19. From the Miami came a party of Mon- 
sey warriors back, who had been present in the battle, all 
of whom continued what has already been told about it, 
and they said farther that they had made great booty, and 
that a strong party of Indians was following the fleeing, 
that women with children were taken also, who, in part, 
fell into the hands of the Indians. With these warriors 
came Nicholas also, who not long ago went to the Miami 
on business. 

Sunday, 20. Br. David, who for a week has not been 
very well, was better again, and preached. This evening 
he baptized a sick child, eight years old, son of Nicholas 
and Johanna, who asked for baptism, with the name Ben 
jamin, and an hour after he died. With some of our In 
dians, who came by water from Detroit, came also Mrs. 
Dolson, to visit her two children, who are at school here 
with Br. Sensemann. 

Monday, 21. A ship, the Nancy, ran in here from Ft. 
Erie, wherein Mrs. Dolson went, on the 22d, to Detroit. 
Gichteteno, who lost his way while hunting, and ran about 
in the bush for nine days, as far as the Retrenche River, 
came home. 

Wednesday, 23. Early, about nine o clock, Br. Sense 
mann conducted the burial of the boy, Benjamin, who was 
baptized three days ago, and soon after died. He was 
naturally a lively, active lad, but in him nothing bad or 
false was ever seen, but he always seemed in good disposi 
tion. His parents, who some time ago went to the Miami 
on business, took him with them. They now relate of him 
that he did not like to be there, and often said to them: 
" Let us go home. I can t bear to be with the savages." 
Three days before he came here he got a headache, and 
said to his mother: " Let us go home. I don t like to die 



230 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

among savages, for I shall never again be well, and for 
giveness of my sins is necessary, and therefore I want to 
go home to our teachers; perhaps I can still be cleansed by 
the Saviour s blood. And thou, mother, needest forgive 
ness," [for a time it was not well in her heart], " seek and 
strive therefor, so that we may see each other again by 
the Saviour, for before that thou wilt not see me again." 
This impressed the mother. He was brought here, three 
days ago, sick, baptized the same day, and an hour after 
died. As a corpse he was beautiful, much more so than 
when living, so that the brethren looked at him with 
pleasure. 

From Mr. Parke, who came here, we learned still more 
details about the battle, that Butler, Duncan, Gibson, Wil 
son, our acquaintance, and perhaps also Gen. St. Clair, 
were killed, that many women were brought in from the 
army, that thus the States, and especially white people, had 
never suffered such total overthrow from Indians as this. 
Perhaps for our good, for if it had fallen upon the Indians, 
apparently we should have to suffer for it, since our peo 
ple had not helped, though they were not summoned to 
the battle. 

Thursday, 24. By the Scripture-verses of yesterday and 
to-day, which we particularly applied to ourselves and the 
critical circumstances in which we are placed, namely, 
yesterday it read : Is the Lord s hand waxed short? He 
knows a thousand ways of rescuing from need, and to 
day : This day is a day of good tidings. When God s 
hour strikes for relieving Help breaks forth amazingly 
And to shame our anxious grieving It comes unexpect 
edly. We were in trouble from not knowing nor seeing 
the future before us, how, and in what way, we could, even 
in some degree, come to rest, for at present we see nothing 
before us, as indeed all the time since we are come here, all 
is hid from us. It is not, indeed, for our own persons that 
we have the least anxiety, but whither we shall go with 
our Indian church, which we would like to hide from the 
wicked, which is a stone of stumbling to Satan, who seeks 
to ruin it, and uses all his craft to bring it to nought. If 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 231 

this is so, we find great comfort that we are not forgotten 
by our dear Lord, and by his and our dear Father in 
heaven ; we seize new hope and courage that when his 
hour comes he will help us through with might and 
show himself in his majesty, so that we shall have reason 
enough to praise and glorify him. Yes, amen, but if only 
it were not so far away from us, for the time seems long 
to us ! 

Friday, 25. There was a severe storm last night, which 
unroofed our houses, and took the sand from the shore 
into the air and far in upon the land. During it a ship 
from Ft. Erie came to anchor here in the bay. 

Saturday, 26. Most of the brethren who have been 
away hunting and at work came home. 

Sunday, 27. Br. Edwards preached on this the first 
Sunday in Advent, and admonished the brethren to pre 
pare their hearts and to be ready to regard with joyful 
souls our dear Lord and Saviour, his incarnation and 
birth, in blessed expectation of all the good he will bring 
us, and of his blessing us. Br. David conducted the com 
munion quarter-hour, and gave notice of it for next Satur 
day. The assistants spoke with Andrew, who asked for 
readmission, likewise with Nicodemus and his wife, recon 
ciling them. 

Monday, 28. At the early service Br. David baptized, 
with the name Elias, into Jesus death, the little son of 
Andrew and Anna Paulina, born Nov. 26th, day before 
yesterday. Then the assistants spoke with Peggy, to 
whom they gave notice that she cannot be in the church, 
having herself lost her share and right in the church. 

Thursday, Dec. 1. Brs. Zeisberger and Sensemann and 
their wives spoke with the brethren in reference to the 
communion. The two last ships came back from Ft. Erie, 
arid sailed by with a good wind for Detroit. 

Friday, 2. We had a visit from Capt. Elliot and an 
American lieutenant, who was captured in the last battle, 
and is from Lower Maryland. John Henry brought us, 
from Grosse Isle, a package of letters and papers from 
Bethlehem, together with the Scripture-verses and texts 



232 

for the coming year, which Mr. McComb sent to us, to our 
no common joy; probably they came* in his ship a few 
days ago. The latest letters were of Sept. last ; the journals, 
1st the Bethlehem Diary, from Oct., 90 to Aug., 91, 
inclusive, and the Weekly Journal of the U. A. C., from 
July 18, 1790, to June 4, 1791, inclusive. We learn from 
them that our letters, etc., of Aug. and Oct. were not yet 
come. 

Br. David spoke with Capt. Elliot, and said to him : 
that since we lived here in so public a place, and 
should like to be more by ourselves, we should therefore, 
next spring, like to settle and cultivate according to our 
desire ; he proposed again, as he had done last spring, that 
the government should lend us a tract of land, by which 
it would suffer no loss, but would be a gainer by the culti 
vation and improvement of their land, which was now a 
wilderness. He asked Elliot to propose this to Col. 
McKee. He replied that the best advice which he and 
Col. McKee could give us was this : we should seek out a 
suitable place and settle on it, no one would drive us from 
it. He meant to say that it was neglect on the part of the 
government that no answer was come, for also Lord Dor 
chester had gone from Quebec to England. 

Saturday, 8. We had the holy communion, whereby 
two brothers, Nicodemus and Leonard, and Sister Hen 
rietta were spectators. 

Sunday, 4. After the communion liturgy Br. Sense- 
mann preached about the coming of our Lord for judg 
ment, which is pleasing for believers to hear, but frightful 
for unbelievers. 

Monday, 5. David held early service. We laborers 
had a conference, and considered, since our night-quarters 
here come soon to an end, and are already past, that the 
assistants and we would like to know w r hither we have to 
turn, if we move farther; about which \ve looked to our 
dear Lord, and asked him, who pointed us to seek a place 
to the northward for our Indian church, since it is also 
proposed to us to go eastward. 

Tuesday, 6. Several brothers went away hunting until 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 233 

Christmas, but hunting here is of little consequence, and 
little to be earned by it for our brethren ; on the other 
hand, they can earn more by working for the settlers, 
which they do, and the inhabitants like to have our In 
dians work for them. 

Friday, 9. At the Scripture- verse : I know him that 
he will command his children and his household after 
him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do jus 
tice and judgment, Br. Zeisberger said it were heartily to 
be wished that the Saviour could give us the same witness 
not only that we walked in his ways, lived according to 
his word and for the honor of his name, but that we 
sought to bring up our children also in confession of Jesus 
Christ and in love toward him, so that they might be par 
takers in the salvation won for us by his blood, which 
would sometime be required of the parents, and then also 
that our dwellings and houses might be God s temples, 
where he might be magnified and glorified by our life and 
daily walk; thus would the blessing of Abraham come 
upon us abundantly. 

Sunday, 11. Br. Michael preached. As few brethren 
were at home, being away and in the bush, there were no 
other services. We spoke with some young people, for 
instance, Joseph, who repented of the indifferent life he 
has lately been living, whom we encouraged to turn 
again to the Saviour, who receives sinners, and then with 
others. 

Tuesday, 13. From the eastward settlement on the 
lake came some white people, Germans and English, who 
stayed here a couple of days and attended our meetings. 
They had come to grief upon the lake, their boat having 
been buried in ice on account of high wind. Some of 
them set out on the 14th by land for Detroit, the others 
borrowed a canoe here, and likewise set out thither. A 
German s wife is from Lanin s family in Yorktown [and 
was baptized by the brothers], where also her husband 
lived for a time. They complained about their pastor, 
who is a German from the States, with whom they made 
an agreement for preaching, but since they could not pay 



234 ZEISBERGER s DIARY. 

enough, being poor, he gave the matter up, though they 
had huilt him a house and done other services for him, 
and besides this, they said, he was a hard drinker. 

Wednesday, 14. Elliot came from Detroit. Edwards 
held early service. Samuel came home from the bush. 
He and Bill Henry had looked for sugar-places and had 
found them, too, though the way to them [seven or eight 
miles] is all swamp and water, for such is the country 
here. 

Saturday, 17. Zeisberger held early service. In the 
afternoon the old widow, Gertrude, died right blessedly. 

Sunday, 18. Br. Zeisberger preached about the joy of 
believers in the Lord, our Saviour, who became man that 
he might be a sacrifice for us, and thus has reconciled us 
with God. In the afternoon was the burial of the widow, 
Gertrude, who died yesterday. She came in Languntou- 
teniink, 1 in the autumn of 1770, to the church from Gek- 
elemukpechunk, where she had heard of the Indian 
church, and had a great impulse to belong thereto, but 
since she dared tell none of her friends of this, for fear 
she would not be allowed to go, she came secretly upon 
the way with her daughter, giving out she was going for 
chestnuts, and came to the church, earnestly asking for 
admission, which also she got. Her daughter turned 
back and never came to the church. Jan. 20, 71, she was 
baptized in Languntoutenlink, 1 but, after her baptism, 
things were not so easy with her, until she learned to ap 
proach the Saviour with her trouble, and to hold fast to 
him, who receives sinners and saves them. So soon as 
she found the trace and this was clear in her heart, she 
was happy and content. Soon after her baptism a letter 
came, which a counsellor in Gekelemukpechiink had had 
written by a trader to the missionaries in hard terms, 
namely, they should deliver back to him his friend to 
come home, or he would himself come and get her, and 
then things would not go off well. Br. David Zeisberger, 
who then made a visit there and preached, took the letter 

1 Friedensstadt, on Beaver River, Pa. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. -35 

with him, read it out openly, and answered that- we had 
neither called the person to us, nor after she had come to 
us of her own accord, had we had reason to send her 
away. The Indians were a free people and not slaves. 
We receive whoever asks. The person was now bap 
tized, rightly belonged with us, and so much the less could 
we send her away. Upon this explanation, the then chief, 
!N"etawatwes, showed his displeasure at the hard express 
ions in the letter, and our Gertrude could remain quiet and 
blessedly pass her time in the church, which she did well 
use, too. In Languntout. Jan. 11, 1772, she came to enjoy 
ment of the holy communion, and was a blessed widow in 
the church, over whom we could be glad. She loved the 
whole church, and was loved by them. She was amiable 
and meek in manner, cheerful and thankful, and recog 
nized all the grace and mercy the Saviour showed her. 
In the spring of the year 1782, when the Indian church 
was scattered and by the war robbed of its teachers, she 
went among the savages, and when it was assembled 
again on Huron River, she was ready and upon her way 
to the church, but was held back by her friends, who told 
her she should wait awhile, and promised to help her and 
bring her to us, but this never happened, until last year, 
90, she tore herself away, abandoned her plantation, and 
came to us Aug. 5th. She was readmitted Dec. 25, there 
after, to the Lord s supper, and was glad and thankful that 
the Saviour had again helped her to the church, and she 
was again the blessed widow we had known before. She 
had satisfaction not in this alone that she was in the 
church, a partaker of its grace, but her heart must live 
in the Saviour, and she must have and feel in her heart 
the peace of God. Her two grandchildren, whom she 
brought to the church, went away again, from whom she 
had to be altogether separated, for they had no mind for 
conversion. Last spring she came here in the ship, and 
often thanked the Saviour and the brothers that she had 
had so pleasant and swift a journey. At the Lord s sup 
per, two weeks ago, she was present, sinner-like happy, 
and outwardly quite cheerful, but afterwards began to 



236 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

grow sick, though we did not think she would die, until 
three days ago there was a change in her, and we saw 
that she approached her end. She was reconciled to the 
Saviour s will, and she went in faith and reliance on 
Jesus merits to her rest, with the blessing of the church. 

Monday, 19. Michael held early service. With, the as 
sistants and chapel-servants, we had a pleasing love-feast, 
in which it was called to their memory what their duties 
are and what belongs to an assistant, namely, to lead a 
good life, to govern his house well, and to bring up his 
children well ; likewise the chapel-servants were told 
what their duty is. And since now two of this class, not 
long ago, William and Abraham, had been called home by 
our dear Lord, and we were thinking about an increase of 
their number, two couples of brethren were chosen and 
appointed assistants, Ignatius and Christina, Peter and 
Magdalene. The Saviour showed himself content there 
with, to our comfort and thankfulness, and the peace of 
God prevailed in the company, which now consists of 
seven brothers and six sisters. Samuel and Bathsheba, 
the widow, are still of the old. The others are all newly 
chosen. Their names are the following: Samuel, Ste 
phen, Bill Henry [al. Gelelemend], Joshua, Ignatius, and 
Peter, and Sisters Bathsheba, Sophia, Salome, Martha, 
Christina, and Magdalene. 

Wednesday, 21. In the early service, which Br. Ed 
wards held, he brought to the recollection of the brethren 
Thomas, who knew his Lord and God by the marks of 
the nails, and said that we indeed could not have the 
privilege of seeing him with our bodily eyes, but that we 
are saved by faith according to the word of the Saviour, 
and we have certain hope after this life of seeing him with 
his wounds, face to face, as Thomas did. 

Saturday, 24. We began Christmas with a love-feast. 
We sang and considered the incarnation and birth of our 
Saviour, the Infant Jesus, in the manger, praised him with 
mouth and heart, rejoicing in God, our Saviour, who 
came down to us from the throne and majesty of his 
Father, saved the world from its sins, brought peace upon 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1791. 237 

earth, and is called Jesus, the Saviour. Therefor, and 
that he has let us know this, has revealed himself as the 
Saviour of the heathen, and through his Spirit has en 
lightened our dark hearts, we brought him our filial 
thank-offering, with the prayer that he would never let it 
leave our hearts, how much our redemption had cost him. 
At the end we gave wax candles to the children and 
young people, whereupon they all went home, cheerful 
and rejoicing in the Infant Jesus. 

Sunday, 25. In the forenoon Br. Michael Jung preached. 
Elliot was present at the sermon. In the meeting in 
the afternoon, which Br. Sensemann held, he baptized an 
unmarried man, Nackquames, into Jesus death, with the 
name Bartholomew. Br. David, who is quite unwell, has 
been unable to go out for several days. 

Tuesday, 27. Xow at last it comes to light who the 
thieves are, who have shot the swine of the white people 
in the neighborhood, with which they always wished to 
charge our Indians, and though we indeed well knew that 
they were innocent in the matter, for such a thing could 
not possibly happen without its becoming known among 
so many men, although an individual wished to keep it 
secret, and thus we could be comforted in this affair, yet 
we could not make the people so believe. Tow it comes 
out that Frenchmen in the neighborhood and settlement 
have carried on this business a long time through the 
summer, and the Saviour has brought to light the inno 
cence of our Indians. These wretches had worked hard 
at the cost of our Indians, knowing that they would be 
accused of it and not themselves. 

Friday, 30. Though for some time the river has been 
closed and covered with ice, yet in milder weather it has 
all gone off", so that boats go to Detroit. 

Saturday, 31. We made the end of the year in the 
night-watch, Br. Sensemann conducting the services with 
a love-feast. Br. David, from sickness, could not be pres 
ent. We recalled thankfully the kindnesses, care, and 
oversight of our dear Lord and Father in heaven, which 
have been with us this year and through the summer. He 



238 

has watched over us, has held over us his mighty hand of 
grace, and has led us the way we should go. That he has 
"been with us, in spite of all our transgressions and short 
comings, has graciously recognized us as his people, his 
possession, has "blessed us and daily given us much good 
to enjoy, for this we filially thanked our dear Lord, 
asked forgiveness of our faults, and commended ourselves 
farther to his grace, to show himself as our Shepherd, so 
that his name through us may be made known, glorified 
and praised. For entrance into the new year the blessing 
of the Lord was sung and imparted to the church. 

Other things about this year in the Indian church are 
noteworthy and deserve to be mentioned for the praise and 
glory of our dear Lord, so that the churches may have 
occasion to unite with us in praising the Lord and in 
glorifying him in all places, for this he deserves. 

We made a blessed and joyous entrance into the past 
year with praising and thanking the Lord for all the good 
ness he had shown us, for his care, kindness and faithful 
ness, which had watched over us, and we committed our 
selves farther to his gracious oversight, to be thoughtful 
in all circumstances for the welfare and success of the 
church, which also we have richly experienced. Since we 
saw that an Indian war would break out, and we had also 
secret news that the Delawares in Gigeyunk were seeking 
for reasons and an excuse to mishandle and plunder us, as 
we could afterwards plainly gather from a message they 
sent us, soon after the new year we sent word to the chiefs 
and brought ourselves to their attention, to think about 
this, where we could be concealed during war-times from 
storms. But when, after long waiting, we got no answer, 
the reason of which we are not yet able to understand, we 
turned to the English government and begged them, in 
case of need, to grant us night-quarters, for which, also, 
they were willing. On April 14, then, we left Salem, where 
for four years we had enjoyed much goodness and blessed 
ness, and came here May 4, all well, without harm or loss. 
We saw after we were here how apparently the hand of 
the Lord led us, so that we got out of the way of the war- 



1791. 239 

riors, who shortly thereafter came in strong parties from the 
Chippewa land, marching towards the Miami, and had no 
trouble from them, wherefor also we were thankful to the 
Saviour from our hearts. But afterwards other weather came 
upon us ; we had yet to learn something of the trials of war. 
We twice had messages from Gigeyunk, and our Indians 
were summoned to come to the battle and to help fight, but 
both times the Saviour so arranged it that the message 
came too late, and we were spared. The first time it made 
the greatest disturbance among our young people, this 
being a new trial, such as we had not had before. The 
second effort had little effect. Thus in many a way and 
manner the Indian church is tried and purified, and what 
have we yet here to go through? Meanwhile these cir 
cumstances and the war have again given opportunity and 
occasion, that many, not wholly in sympathy with us, for 
the most part those unbaptized, who had leave to live in 
the church, have left us and gone their own way. Of the 
baptized are Cook s family and the three widows, Helen, 
Louisa, and Petty, with their children, these three now 
for the second time having left] the church. The saddest 
is that the children, already grown up, in whom we have 
more joy and hope than* in all the old, who have learned 
something in school, too, were led to perdition. 

If now we look only at the troubles and the unpleasant 
ness we have had to experience here, we cannot but thank 
the Saviour, who has thereby redeemed us and freed us 
from yet greater need, danger, and hardship. We cannot, 
without horror and amazement, think of what we should 
have had to suffer in Pettquotting ; had there been a pos 
sibility of staying there we should have been, as it were, 
in hell, should at once have been given over to the Satanic 
warrior-folk, who would not have spared us, while here we 
have remained protected from all and have heard little of 
war-stories. And, although at present we are still living al 
ways in uncertainty, and have no abode, yet we hold to the 
name of the Lord, trust in him, look to him, who led us 
here and will farther lead us, so that we shall praise him 
therefor. We have held here our daily meetings, have Jet 



240 

the word of Christ live plentifully among us, have had 
baptisms and communions, and the most comforting and 
blessed thing, for which we heartily thank the Saviour, is 
that he has shown himself to his Indian church with all its 
shortcomings. We wish, indeed, always more and more 
that all were better. Our best, most steadfast, and experi 
enced men, one after the other, the Saviour calls home to 
their rest, as this summer two of our assistants. What he 
does is right and well done. This we believe also, that he 
will fill their places, equipping others for them with spirit 
and grace. 

We have had the pleasure also here, three times, of get 
ting letters and papers, likewise the Scripture- verses and 
texts for the coming year, which we have never before 
received so early. 

Baptized this year, five adults and twelve children ; 
total, 17. Died, five adults and eleven children, who are 
buried in three places, one in Pettquotting, four at San- 
dusky Bay, and eleven here ; total, 16. 158 persons are at 
present living with us, 54 less than at the end of last year. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1 792. 241 



CHAPTER XII. 

1792. 
AT THE MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER FAIRFIELD ox THE THAMES, ONTARIO. 

Sunday, Jan, 1. Br. Edwards preached, and then Br. 
Senseraann held the service for the haptized. The- breth 
ren and children came to give us New Year s greetings. 

Monday, 2. Conference with the assistants, who made 
peace between Theodora s daughter and Charles, with good 
success. 

Tuesday, 3. Br. David Zeisberger, who for five days 
has been ill with colic, so far recovered as to be able to 
confer with the assistants, from whom we heard how they 
were disposed in regard to our moving from here in the 
spring. We saw and found that they were not inclined 
to have any thing farther to do with the chiefs, nor to 
ask them for any thing, but to depend upon the English 
government, for they gave us no answer if we did look to 
them. They thought also that if we dwelt on Indian 
land we should have little quiet, for they would always 
have much to say to us, and would wish to force us into 
the war, which, on English ground and soil, we should 
not so much have to fear, for there they would have noth 
ing to say to us. Thus we found it needful in the first 
place to confer with McKee about this, to hear what he 
will advise us, and whether he will accept our proposition. 
That the chiefs have given us no answer, we can readily 
pardon them, for they do not themselves know where to 
place us. On the south side of the lake there is no liv 
ing for us during the war, and upon this side the Chippe- 
was also have not much land near, and this they need 
themselves. On the Miami, where every thing is held by 
warlike people, they see themselves that there is no place 
16 



242 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

for us, though they have no objection to our being among 
them, only they have not the assurance to propose it to 
us, knowing we shall not accept. What should we do 
there ? How could we live in the midst of warriors, who 
are every day going out and in with shouts and songs? 
We should be swallowed and devoured. Therefore we 
do not wish to trouble the chiefs, we might be working 
for our own harm, and compel them to place us some 
where to our rain. They have now also no time to con 
cern themselves with other affairs than war, and if they 
will only leave us alone, we can be content. We must 
seek to get along with the Saviour s help, whose hand is 
not too short to help, and who has many thousand ways 
of rescuing from trouble. 

Wednesday, 4. We got news that the Indians had 
taken a fort on the Ohio, or in that neighborhood, and 
killed forty men, that two Indians at the fork of the Mi 
ami were said to have been slain and scalped, the blame for 
which is given to the Wawiachtanos, 1 of whom twenty men 
came out with the army and fought desperately, but most 
of them were killed, and two were taken prisoners. One 
of them was taken to Detroit to be burnt alive, but the 
commandant set him free. 

Friday, 6. The Saviour made an especially blessed day 
(Epiphany). He showed himself right gracious and per 
ceptible to his Indian church. At morning prayer we asked 
him to pour his blessing abundantly over us, to let his 
friendly face shine over us, and in all our meetings to let 
his near and mighty presence prevail. In the second 
service, after a discourse upon to-day s text : He is pre 
pared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the 
Gentiles, Br. David baptized a single woman with the 
name Justina, Br. Michael Jung, a single man, or wid 
ower, with the name Amos, and Br. Sensemann, a child, 
Mark, into Jesus death. In the afternoon was a love- 
feast, at which something was said and related about the 
history of the day, of the three wise men from the East; 



See before, page 128. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1792. 243 

that immediately upon the Saviour s birth, heathen came 
and worshipped him, and brought him gifts, that they had 
then already announced themselves, and wished to have 
part also in God s salvation, for he is a Saviour of all 
men, and thus of the heathen, too. As it was very cold 
we ended with the blessing of the church. The brethren 
were quite aroused. The peace of God and his near pres 
ence refreshed and made glad their hearts, so that they 
heartily rejoiced in the Lord. The brethren who have 
this as their baptismal day, of whom there are thirteen, 
came together in a love-feast in the evening, rejoiced in 
their election, and renewed their baptismal covenant and 
grace. 

Saturday, 7. The river and lake froze so far as could 
be seen. 

Sunday, 8. Br. Sensemann preached about this, that 
the Saviour, from his childhood to manhood, had left an 
example to us all, great and small, that we should follow 
his footsteps. David held the communion quarter-hour, 
and gave notice of the Lord s supper for next Saturday. 
The body of assistants married a couple of single people, 
Leonard and Johanetta. 

Monday, 9. David held early service from the Scripture- 
verse : And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 
Judge Powell came back from the farthest settlement on 
the lake in a sledge. He called upou us, and we had a talk 
with him about our moving away from here in the spring, 
and told him our plans, namely : That the government 
should permit us to live at the extreme bounds of their 
land until we had better information and outlook ; that 
this would do them no harm, but be of use to them, since 
their land would be improved and cultivated, if we lived 
on it a few years ; we should not look upon it as our own 
property, but as soon as we got rest from the present war, 
we would give it up to them again gladly. Inasmuch as 
we had been comforted in the spring by the thought of 
getting our own land, and letters about this had been 
written to Canada, but no answer had been received, and 
since now before spring nothing could be done in the mat- 



244 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

ter, the time being too short, we knew no other and better 
plan to propose than this. He approved the plan, for he 
saw himself that no better outcome was to be had. He 
advised us, therefore, to lay it before McKee in writing, 
who would bring it before the board. We heard from him 
that by an Act of Parliament this had been named a sepa 
rate government, beginning on the 31st of last December, 
that this might very well be the reason why, in regard to 
us, no answer had been given, since also Lord Dorchester 
has gone to England. 

Tuesday, 10. From the Miami we learned, by Indians, 
that many Indians there are dying, that Petty is dead, 
that many Indians wish t6 flee to us, since two Indians 
have been killed and scalped, and there are fears of an In 
dian war among the nations themselves. 

Thursday, 13. Yesterday and to-day there was speak 
ing with reference to the Lord s supper, to which the Sa 
viour gave his blessing. 

Saturday, 14. We had the supper of our Lord in his 
near presence, Br. Sensemann read the liturgy, Zeisberger 
serving among the sisters, the single brothers among the 
brethren. 

Sunday, 15. After the communion liturgy, read by 
David, was the sermon by Br. Michael. Brs. David and 
Sensemann went to speak with McKee, who came last 
evening from the Fort, but had already set out for the 
Miami with his company, where a meeting of the Indians 
is said to be, and something to be again afoot. Soon 
afterward there came a message, with a piece of tobacco 
painted red, to our Indians, in these words, that they 
should arise and repair to the Miami, where the Indians 
were now assembling for an expedition; they should not 
think that they alone could sit so quiet, and see others 
go to war for them. The message, as we conjectured, 
was especially from a Shawano captain, who was now in 
Detroit, and had there been made general, and as soon as 
the messenger had delivered it, he made off. Thus it is 
here. The minds of whites and Indians are filled with 
war. We have hardly had two blessed days in succession 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1792. 245 

with our brethren, and have strengthened and refreshed 
ourselves with them in the holy communion, when war 
must again disturb us. God help us, look into this, and 
soon free us from all our need. 

Tuesday, 17. We had a talk with the assistant broth 
ers, seeking why it was that we were now troubled with 
such messages, which before had never come to us, and 
the like had not been asked of us. The asssistants 
thought they had made a mistake the year before in re 
gard to their conduct with the chiefs, in having addressed 
themselves at once to Pipe, the Wyandot chief, and 
the Tawa chief. Thereby this was now come, that none 
of the three wished to do or undertake any thing, each 
shunning the others, and thus we were left by them, but 
every one sought to perplex and torment us, and in par 
ticular the Shawanese, who were yet nothing to us. They 
thought, however, that if we committed the matter to 
Pipe, who understands us, and is a reasonable man, he 
would treat of the matter with the other nations, and there 
would be a cessation of so many messages to us, and we 
could refer them to our chief. 

Wednesday, 18. Early before day Sabina, David s wife, 
was brought to bed with a son. There was a snow-squall 
and no early service. 

Thursday, 19. David held early service from the text : 
He [the Father] has given him the heathen for his inher 
itance. The female assistants were charged to speak with 
two sisters. 

Saturday, 21. Samuel and Stephen went to the Fort on 
business to get wampum. 

Sunday, 22. David preached. Samuel came from the 
Fort, having bought wampum there, into whose hands, 
among other things, came a belt, which he bought, and 
which they had given last summer to the Wyandots with 
Pipe s speech to us, not to keep, but to give back again, but 
which they had squandered for drink. From this we see 
plainly enough that they had no regard for our discourse, and 
that it is useless to say any thing farther to them. By this 
circumstance when we conversed seriously with the assist- 



246 

ants about our affairs with the chiefs and our former 
negotiations with them, we found out, and came upon the 
ground, and behind the whole mystery, of what they had 
secretly contrived among themselves when we were still in 
Pettquotting, even before this war broke out, namely : If a 
war should again break out they would so long torment 
the believing Indians about going to war until they were 
weary and would submit, and if they accomplished nothing 
hereby they would then put their teachers out of the way, 
when they would have to submit again to become 
heathen. Pipe and the Big-Cat 1 indeed had not agreed 
with them, and the former had answered them that before 
this he had been guilty of excess towards the believers, and 
had reaped no honor thereby ; he would never again make 
an attack on them, and would have no part in this. That 
they had something like this in view and still have it, is 
corroborated by a message from G-igeyunk to us last year 
in Pettquotting, towards the end of winter, when they 
threatened to ill-treat us again as they had done on the 
Mu skin gum. Now last summer the Big-Cat had said to 
Thomas that the plan was not yet laid aside, that he did 
not see also how their project would be in vain, unless the 
English interfered. We can see now more and more that 
it is an appointment of the Saviour s that we have been 
received here upon English ground and soil, for this can 
bring their wicked schemes to nought. We turned to the 
chiefs last year and begged them to care for us and appoint 
us a place where we could dwell apart and in peace. Up 
to the present time we have received no answer, and yet as 
soon as we came here commotion began, and enough was 
said about our having settled upon English and not upon 
Indian land. For this they are themselves to blame ; we 
had asked it of them, but got no hearing. We know very 
well that they would like to see us on the Miami, in the 
midst of them, surrounded by warriors on every side, and 
if we were there we have no doubt they would begin and 
carry through their project. Their secret plans are made 

1 See ante p. 196. 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1792. 247 

plain of destroying and rooting out the Indian church ; 
they should again relapse into heathenism. Yes, here they 
have to do with another man, who is called Jesus Christ, 
the Lord of hosts, and there is no other God beside. When 
they shall have brought him down from his throne, then 
first will the outlook for us be bad. 

Monday, 23. The assistants came together and consid 
ered what they could arid would say to the chiefs, and 
while they were deliberating they became all together of 
one mind to say nothing farther to them, since all they 
said and promised to us was lies and deceit, for their minds 
are busy and filled with war, and we, it is to be hoped, 
shall dwell for the present not upon their land. For when 
formerly we lived on Huron River (Michigan), we had 
nothing to do with them until we again came to their land. 
This was strange ; at the very time they were together and 
considering about this, we laborers were then also together, 
having the same matter under consideration, and we 
wished that our assistants and brethren would let the chiefs 
alone for the present, who help us not at all, but strive to 
do us harm, and now they were done with their considera 
tion and had put them all aside. 

Tuesday, 24. In the early service Br. Sensemann bap 
tized into Jesus death, Benjamin, the little son of David 
and Salome, born on the 18th Inst. 

Saturday, 28. Air. Dolson came from Detroit with his 
wife for a visit, and remained over Sunday. In the even 
ing was the betrothal of Joseph and Beata, Ignatius 
daughter, both single people. 

Sunday, 29. Br. Michael Jung preached from to-day s 
Scripture-verse: How beautiful upon the mountains are 
the feet, etc. In the evening, during the matrimonial 
service, the new couple, Joseph and Beata, were married. 

Tuesday, 31. Yesterday and to-day the weather was 
stormy, and there was snow, which the wind from the 
lake drove in clouds to the land. The brethren, how 
ever, got wood for us. We sent off letters to Detroit 
by the express, by way of Niagara, Montreal, etc., for 
Bethlehem. 



248 ZBISBERGER S DIARY. 

Friday, Feb. 3. Sensemann held morning service. The 
whole month there has been severe cold and windy, snowy 
weather, so that we had to omit the meetings for two 
days, we live so far apart, but mild, thawing weather 
sets in. 

-Sunday, 5. Sensemann preached. Few brethren are 
at home. They are away making preparations for sugar- 
boiling. Charles, whom we had sent yesterday with a 
letter for McKee to the Fort, in regard to our plans for 
moving away in the spring, came back, and was near 
having been very unfortunate in going over the ice. A 
man who wanted to go on with Elliot s horses and sledge 
had promised to go with him and did so. In the middle 
of the river they broke in. The horses drowned, though 
many men came to their help, but the men saved their 
lives. We thanked the Saviour that Charles had not come 
to harm, he having turned aside the calamity. Every 
year many men and cattle also are drowned, for they put 
themselves too much in danger on the ice. McKee sent 
word to us that he had now much to do, for the express 
for Niagara must be sent off , and he could not therefore 
answer at once, but would do so soon. 

Monday, 6. Most of the brethren went off to the bush 
to make preparations for sugar-boiling. 

Wednesday, 8. In the evening died the child which 
came into the world sick, Jan. 18, and was baptized on 
the 24th, Benjamin, son of David and Salome, which, 

Friday, 10, was buried. There was a bad prospect for 
the recovery of the mother of the child, but now she gets 
better. Sisters went with baskets and brooms into the 
settlement to sell them for food. 

Saturday, 11. Michael held early service. Parke, who 
came from the River Retrenche (Thames), told us it was 
a fine, pleasant country, that the land was good, and that 
it was an excellent place for us. 

Sunday, 12. David preached from the Gospel about 
the sower, and a few brethren were present. 

Monday, 13. Edwards held early service. Some breth 
ren went with baskets into the settlement to trade for 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1792. 249 

corn, whence yesterday Christiana came back, bringing 
news that McKee was again going to the Miami, from 
where Elliot was gone to the battle-field. 

Wednesday, 15. David held early service about the 
Word, which then in Bethlehem came into our flesh. We 
learned that a couple of messengers from the States were 
come to the Miami with the news that it was said that 
next summer an army would again come out. 

Saturday, 18. The brethren were at home from the 
bush. 

Sunday, 19. Edwards preached, Esto mihi Sunday, 1 
when the Saviour entered upon his journey to Jerusalem 
to his passion, which he told his disciples, but they could 
not understand it. Br. Sensemann held the communion 
quarter-hour. 

Tuesday, 21. David held early service from the text: 
He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. The 
assistants spoke with the boy, Michael, and sent him 
away, since he only runs about and is disobedient, likewise 
with his sister, Anna Sabina. 

Friday, 24. Yesterday and to-day was speaking, to 
which the Saviour gave his blessing. 

Saturday, 25. As McKee had come from Detroit, the 
brothers, Zeisberger and Sensemann, went to him and 
spoke to him about our moving away from here in the 
spring, to hear what sort of propositions he would make 
us. He advised us to seek out a place on the Retrenche 
River, pleasing to us, and to give him notice of this, then 
he would take measures with the Chippewas about it, and 
make the matter right. He said they would all go away 
from there any way farther westward. In the evening 
the communicants had the Lord s supper in his blessed 
presence. 

Sunday, 26. After the communion liturgy, read by 
Zeisberger, was a sermon by Br. Sensemann. In the 
afternoon we charged the assistants to consider about 

1 Quinquagesima Sunday is hereby indicated, Esto mihi being the 
first words of the Introit for that day. In the same way the first 
Sunday in Lent is called Tnvocavit, as is seen under Feb. 14, 1796. 



250 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

sending some brethren to the Retrenche River, to get in 
formation and select a settlement for us, where we could 
move as soon as the weather permitted in the spring, and 
who should soon learn this. 

Monday, 27. Zeisberger held early service. The as 
sistants worked to-day in regulating their business about 
Retrenche River. They also sent away Johanetta, who 
was wicked and disobedient, and had left her husband. 

Tuesday, 28. Edwards held morning service. Then 
the Indian, Samuel, with five young Indian brethren, set 
out for Retrenche River, to learn about the country, to 
examine the land, to seek out and determine upon a place 
where we can settle next spring, after they had first been 
prepared and instructed by us. As there was now severe 
winter weather, and the snow more than knee-deep, we 
had left it to them whether they would wait until the snow 
went off, but they thought best to go at once, for when 
a thaw sets in, it would be hard to get on from water. 

Wednesday, 29. The assistants spoke with Moses and 
his wife. Both begged for readmission, for which they 
got leave upon probation. They came hither some time 
ago from the wilderness, where they had wandered about 
in error longer than a year. 

Thursday, March 1. The brothers came back again, 
who had gone away to get information. After passing 
Detroit, they had met a man, Hasle by name, who came 
by land from Montreal, and told them he had spoken with 
the governor in our behalf, who would come here when 
the lake opened, when our business about the land would 
be put in order; that he had letters for Col. McKee, 
wherein every thing was set forth, and which would soon 
be told us; their going there would thus have little object 
and be of no use, as it was already quite well settled where 
we should dwell, and this was why they turned back. 
We heard also that the Monseys there, many of whom 
were here visiting last summer, had already made ready 
for us a place a day s journey from their town. These 
Monseys came from Niagara some years ago and remained 
there. As the weather was mild, the cold lessening, which 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1792. 251 

has lasted for two months without interruption, nearly all 
the brethren flew away to-day to the sugar-huts, and the 
town was quite deserted. A woman with two daughters, 
Zacchaeus mother, came here. She was here a long time 
last summer, but went to none of the meetings, and did 
not wish to hear any thing about the Saviour. Now she 
says she would like to hear and to be converted. 

Sunday, 4. Zeisberger preached about the healing of 
body and soul through the blood of Christ, from whom 
we have to seek and to find healing and cleansing from 
sin. Most of our brethren were away, dispersed in dif 
ferent places, only a few being at home. 

Tuesday, 6. Mr. Parke came from the west side over 
the bay, partly on the ice, partly by water. Sensemann 
spoke with Hasle. 

Thursday, 8. We had fine spring weather. Rive.r and 
lake were open, and now we hear a new kind of music, 
the roaring of the lake. 

Friday, 9. Rain, the first this year. 

Sunday, 11. Br. Sensemann preached from the text : 
Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. 
For this some of the brethren had come in from the bush, 
and soon went back again. 

Wednesday, 14. As a boat was going to Detroit, Br. 
Sensemann went in her to make arrangements with the 
agent about our departure, and to appoint time and 
place. 

Friday, 16. He came back, having met on the way 
there Judge Powell, who compelled him to remain over 
night with him, which he did, with whom among other 
matters he spoke also about the Act of Parliament, concern 
ing the brothers, nothing of which, he said, he could find 
in his books. "When now Br. Sensemann helped him, 
giving him the year and date, he at last found it in one of 
his books quite in full, for which he was as glad as if some 
one had made him a great gift, saying he ,would now 
give every man who wished it a copy. He spoke in De 
troit with the agent, McKee, about our moving farther 
this spring, as being the real object of his journey thither, 



252 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

and told him that we knew a place on the River Re- 
trenche, which the Indians living there recommended to 
us, and that they expected us; if, then, he had nothing 
against it, we thought of settling there, if only he would 
make arrangements with the Chippewas, so that hereafter 
w r e might have no trouble about it. He answered that 
we should so do ; for the rest he would have care, and do 
his best for us. He said farther that Sir Johnson had 
also written to him about us, and told him that our busi 
ness about land was now in the governor s hands, who, 
when he came, could make it right. This was for us a 
pleasant message, with which to-day s Scripture-verse 
agreed beautifully. It read : In returning and rest shall 
ye be saved. Trials must and will befall But with hum 
ble faith to see Love inscribed upon them all This is 
happiness for me. 

Sunday, 18. At the sermon, by Br. Edwards, some 
brothers and brethren were present, to whom afterwards, 
through the assistants, we gave notice that we had now 
the certainty of moving to the Retrenche River as soon as 
we could, and that we should break up from here soon 
after the Easter holidays, for which the brethren should 
prepare. 

Thursday, 22. The Sensemanns had, on the birthday 
of their little son, Henry, an anniversary love-feast. 
Bill Henry came from the sugar-camp, and had a dispute 
with a white man about his step-daughter, Anna Sophia. 

Friday, 23. Elliot, who came from Detroit, told us that 
the commandant would lend us a great boat or transport 
for the River Retrenche. 

Sunday, 25. Br. Zeisberger preached from to-day s 
text: The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the 
world, in view of this important day (Annunciation), that 
God, our Creator, had come into the flesh, had taken upon 
himself human nature, that through his passion and death, 
and through the outpouring of his blood, he might bring to 
pass eternal redemption, that we, through his Son, Jesus 
Christ, are reconciled with God, and through him have 
the grace that God lives in us and we in him, and all this 



MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER, 1792. 253 

by belief in his Son. Afterward the brethren again went 
to their sugar-huts and to their canoe-work, for the 
greater part must make canoes for their journey. 

Tuesday, 27. Several sisters went to the settlement 
to get food. They got it, too, and came home on the 
29th. 

Friday, 30. We had a visit from Elliot, two ship- 
captains, and other gentlemen. They pitied our Indians 
that they were short of provisions, and some said it was no 
more than right if the government helped and supported 
them. They were very polite and friendly. Thus we 
must bear witness that most of the inhabitants in Detroit 
and in the country have shown themselves good friends to 
us, even our wicked neighbor is changed, has become our 
friend, and has employed our Indians nearly the whole 
winter. 

Saturday, 31. Yesterday and to-day the brethren came 
home from all places, having ended their sugar-making, 
at which the brothers have also made canoes for their 
journey, and came home with them, joyful and content, 
for the holidays. 

Sunday, April 1. Br. Sensemann preached about the 
Saviour s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem to his death 
of atonement for the whole human race, and Br. Zeisber- 
ger conducted the communion service. He told the breth 
ren that this might well be the last communion here, and 
as we did not know how soon we could have it again, they 
should make right good use of it, strengthen themselves 
in the body and blood of the Lord in the holy sacrament. 
Br. Edwards went to McKee, who arrived yesterday on his 
way to the Miami, and took measures with him about our 
departure. He told him that he was going this spring to 
Canada, in the first ship, that Sir Johnson was going to 
England ; if then we had letters to send, he would safely 
take charge of them. Br. Samuel went with a couple of 
brothers over the bay to visit our Wyandot, who lies sick 
unto death. He had sent here, begging the brethren to 
think of him, for he should not live, and his time here was 
nearly at an end. 



254 

Monday, 2. Samuel went to Detroit, and took there 
with him Dolson s two children. 

Tuesday 3, and Wednesday, 4. There was speaking 
preparatory for the Lord s supper. We had then, 

Thursday, 5, the most blessed enjoyment of the body 
and blood of the Lord in the holy communion, in the 
night when he was betrayed. Three brothers, Nicodemus, 
Leonard, and Joseph, *and Sister Henrietta were partakers 
for the first time. First the history of this memorable 
day of our Saviour s atonement and agony on the Mount 
of Olives and of his captivity was read. 

Friday, 6. Early was the communion liturgy, then the 
whole day was passed in reading the history of our Lord 
and Saviour s passion and suffering from head to foot, to 
the deep impress of our hearts. At Jesus death we fell 
down and sang: behold your Saviour wounded Hang 
ing on the accursed cross, etc. There hangs the Saviour 
of mankind His visage marred, his head reclined. He 
let us especially and blessedly feel what great good lies in 
his passion. 

A brother, Adam, who for some time had sinned grossly 
against the church, and followed his own lusts, although 
he had not openly been put away from the church, but 
yet saw that he was out of its communion, could no longer 
bear it, and with tears begged for forgiveness, which was 
first given him by the assistants and then by all the breth 
ren, to his great comfort and refreshment, all the brethren 
assuring him of this with the kiss of peace. 

Saturday, 7. A love-feast in the afternoon, and Quiet 1 
Sabbath. 

Sunday, 8. Early in our chapel we read the Easter 
litany, and asked for eternal communion with the five 
brethren and eight children who had died since last 
Easter. Br. Sensemann preached about the triumphant 
resurrection of our martyred Lord and Saviour for our 
justification. In the afternoon Br. Edwards went to De 
troit to get a transport for our removal. We got news that 

1 From Christ s rest in the grave. 



JOURNEY TO RETRENCHE RIVER, 1792. 255 

three thousand Americans, from Kentucky, were come to 
the Miami towns, and that still more were expected. 

Monday, 9. The brethren were told in the early service 
to hold themselves ready to set out in three days. Br. 
Edwards, who yesterday went to Detroit, came back, bring 
ing a transport for our removal. The sick Wyandot, who 
is in the last stages of consumption, was, at his request, 
brought here by his mother and brother, and begged to be 
permitted to remain with us, saying he would move with 
us, and would like to die in the church. 

[So far the diary sent to Bethlehem.] 

Wednesday, 11. Edwards held early service. All were 
very busy preparing for departure and the assistants with 
making a division of the brethren, who should go by land 
with the cattle, and who by water, and they saw that all were 
helped. We laborers had for Br. Zeisberger s 72d birth 
day a love-feast, and wished him much good and pleasant 
ness, and God s blessing for all his acts and plans, that the 
Saviour might strengthen him therefor, body and soul. 

Thursday, 12. We assembled early for the last time 
here in our chapel, and after consideration of to-day s 
Scripture-verse: All flesh shall know that I the Lord am 
thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob, 
we thanked him after the collect in the Scripture-verse 
with heart, mouth, and hands for fc all the goodness he has 
shown us here, committed ourselves farther to his grace, 
to show himself henceforth among us as our Saviour and 
Shepherd, to be with us, and upon the way we shall go to 
be our protection and advice. The low rabble was sent 
away. Then the canoes were at once laden, and towards 
noon we went away, we whites making the start, and 
sailed with a good wind, but after we had gone half way 
this changed, so that we had to land upon Fighting Island 1 
and remain over night. Nine canoes followed us here and 
stayed by us. Br. Michael Jung, who could not be&r wind 
and cold, went with the brethren by land, whom we did 
not see again till we were at Retrenche. 



1 In the river, six miles below Detroit. 



256 

Friday, 13. In the forenoon we came to Detroit, ar 
ranged our matters with the commandant, McKee, and 
Askin, and got ready for farther travel. 

Saturday, 14. The wind was contrary and we had to 
lie to. 

Sunday, 15. We started with a favorable wind, the ship 
captain, Mills, accompanying us in his hunting-boat a part 
of the way, taking leave, and turning back again. Several 
Indian brethren went with us, but could not keep up, for 
we sailed very fast, and on account of the high waves they 
had to land and encamp. In the afternoon, when we 
came into Lake St. Clair, the wind blowing hard, our mast 
broke and went overboard with sail and all. This was the 
first accident and it detained us a couple of hours, until 
we could rig another sail, and then we sailed on very fast 
till evening, when the wind shifted to the west, and in the 
darkness we came to the mouth of the Retrenche. As our 
boatmen, whom we had hired, either could not see the 
channel or did not know it well, we were in great danger 
of shipwreck, for we came into shallow water, and first 
ran into a tree lying in the water, but got away from it 
without damage, save that the waves came much over the 
boat, and we were wet through. Soon, however, we stuck 
fast, and now in the storm and cold we had to pass the 
night upon the rough lake, the waves all the time going 
over us, and we wished it were day, for the wind blew 
from the north-west and was very cold. 

Sunday, 16. We saw the land, but could not go to it, 
yet we were aware that Chippewas lay there, whom we 
signaled to come aboard, which they did, and we sent the 
sisters ashore at once. Then we hired a couple of canoes 
from the Chippewas and unloaded our boat until we had 
her again afloat, and then came into the river, went then 
some distance, and stayed over night near a vacant house. 

Tuesday, 17. We came to Sally Hand, 1 where were a 
hundred bushels of corn we had bought in Detroit for our 

lf A colony composed of English, German, and French settlers." De 
Schweinitz Life of Zeisberger, p. 631. 



JOURNEY TO RETRENCHE RIVER, 1792. 257 

Indians, who had nothing to eat, and we had to take it in 
this place. On this account the Zeisbergers remained here, 
and waited for our Indians, but the Sensemanns and Br. 
Edwards, 

Wednesday, 18, went on with the boat as far as they 
,could get in the strong current. Here we were in the set 
tlement, lodged with a Mr. Row, who was last year steers 
man upon the ship that brought us from Sandusky. All 
the inhabitants here were very friendly to us, and were 
glad we were to be their neighbors, though we go far up 
the river. 

Wednesday, 19. The Zeisbergers visited in the neigh 
borhood those who invited them, most of whom knew us. 
In the evening Joshua arrived with his family, who set 
out the same day we did, and had waited for a time, that 
the wind might lessen, so that at last they got into the 
river. 

Friday, 20, was very windy. We could expect none of 
our people. 

Saturday, 21. Br. Michael Jung came with the breth 
ren who had travelled by land with the cattle, when we 
learned that the brethren are still all encamped near De 
troit, and from windy weather cannot get away. We 
must have patience. Meantime those with us were very 
busy earning something by their work, so that they got 
food. We met here old Wetterhold, 1 who came over here 
two years ago from the States, from whom we learned 
that the militia had a mind to come to Pettquotting, and 
wished to choose him captain. 

Sunday, 22. In the forenoon Br. David preached from 
the Scripture-verse : All flesh is grass, etc. Many people 
from the neighborhood were present, but the men are 
ashamed to hear God s word, and keep away. The people 
here are like heathen, who .say : " That may very well be 
good for the whites, but not for us," and the whites are 

l The only person of this name whom I find mentioned is said to 
have been murdered in 1763. De Schweinitz Life of Zeisberger, p. 
278. 

17 



258 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

the same. In the afternoon a whole war-party came 
through here. They went among the inhabitants from 
house to house, dancing their beggar-dance, when they do 
not go away till they get something. 

Monday, 23. Most of our Indians arrived. The wind 
had hindered them for days from travelling upon the lake. 
"We began at once to distribute the corn. We heard 
indeed of many bad things that had occurred. 

Tuesday, 24. Still more came, but there are yet three 
canoes behind. 

Wednesday, 25. We all went away together, and came, 
towards evening, to Br. Sensemann s camp, above the 
fork at the end of the settlement, and further on no white 
people live. Thus far they had come with the great boat, 
but had to stop here, the current being too swift, and to 
unload, that from here in canoes we may come to our 
appointed place. We held a conference here, and re 
solved, inasmuch as Bro. Sensemann had put up a good 
hut, and was under roof, that Br. Zeisberger should go 
on with the canoes to the end of the journey, and then 
send back canoes enough to bring Sensemann and Ed 
wards with their baggage, which we held best. The in 
habitants whom we addressed were everywhere very 
friendly and serviceable, and if we wished to buy bread 
or any provisions, they would take no pay, but preferred 
giving them to us, for they thought it mean to take pay 
from us. On the way we often had rain. The man who 
lives there was a well-read man in history. 

Thursday, 26. The weather being dull and seeming 
rainy, we let the young people go out hunting, for all 
were meat-hungry. 

Friday, 27. Zeisberger went away with the Indian 
brethren in some twenty canoes, coming at noon to the 
rapids, and in the afternoon had to advance against a 
strong current and very deep. We had to help get over 
those who had gone by land with the cattle. Along the 
river there is abundance of good and fine land, only in 
the spring it is flooded. We encamped betimes on a 
height, where we all came together. We were now again 



OX THE THAMES, 1792. 259 

in the bush, our own masters, and could do as we pleased. 
Here we saw the son carrying his old father out of and 
into the canoe. In the evening there was in camp a 
supper of turtles, taken^on the way, to which all were 
asked. 

Saturday, 28. In the forenoon we had to go through 
rough water, but in the afternoon it was better. Several 
sisters went for cranberries, and came to us in camp at 
night. We did not get a sight of those who went by 
land with the cattle to-day, but we saw their camp. We 
found out and saw that in the spring the river rises 
twenty feet or more, therefore all the bottoms are covered. 
Some canoes, being weak, stayed back. 

Sunday, 29. We had to get by some bad places, and 
help the cattle get over the river again, when some would 
have drowned, had we not come to their aid with the 
canoes. Here again, after many years, we found an oil- 
spring on the bank of the creek, but the water being high, 
we could get none, for the stream swept it away at once. 
We encamped at night above a French trader s house, 
which, however, was vacant. 

Monday, 30. As it rained in the morning, Br. Zeisber- 
ger went with a number of Indian brethren to see the 
great bend, which is six or seven miles in extent, but at 
the start hardly a half-mile over. They came back at 
noon, and as the weather had cleared we went on around 
the bend and encamped. To-day we examined two places, 
but found no site for a town. 

Tuesday, May 1. In the forenoon we visited the coun 
try farther up and found enough good planting-land, 
though wild, but no place for a town, since the places 
either go under water or are very high hills on the river. 
Finding now no fit place for a settlement, we resolved to 
turn back and to take the first best. We halted near the 
trader s house, and Samuel and others went by land down 
the creek, but came back in the evening, after finding a 
place. As for fields there are enough, but town-sites are 
rare. In the evening a meeting. 

Wednesday, 2. We went yet a bit of the way down 



260 

and took possession of a height, examined it well, and 
to-day staked out our town, and each one was busy getting 
his hut ready. The brethren prepared to go for Br. Sense- 
mann. We had meeting in the evening. 

Thursday, 3. In the forenoon the town-lots were dis 
tributed, and each one took possession. The brethren 
went away to get Sensemann. Those who remained looked 
about for fields and where it would be easiest to clear. 

Friday, 4. Some began to clear land in the bottom, 
others prepared to build houses. Strange Indians from 
the Monsey town came down, who told us we should have 
gone farther up, where there was a good place for us to 
dwell, but this was too near them. We blessed the sisters 
for their festival to-day in the church. Nicholas and An 
drew, who were not with us when we set out from the 
mouth on the lake, arrived, bringing news that Jacob, 
Joachim, Renatus, and Zachary would not come here, but 
remain in the lower settlement, having been wheedled by 
Callwell. 1 

Saturday. 5. The Sensemanns came with Br. Edwards, 
and now we were again all together. Thomas and Renatus 
came in sick. In the evening Br. Sensemann held the 
meeting from the text. 

Sunday, 6. Michael preached. The brethren were ex 
horted to give their attention to planting. The brethren 
looked farther around for fields, and found, somewhat far 
ther down the creek, a better and more suitable town-site, 
which, 

Monday, 7, we visited, and found better, on account of 
the plantations, which we shall then have above and below 
us on both sides of the river, where we can be in the 
midst. We resolved, therefore, to move thither, though 
we have done much work at the firs t place, upon which 
we all turned our backs. In the evening David conducted 
the meeting. 

Tuesday, 8. Most of the brethren moved to the new 
place. We remained behind until the next morning the 

1 Probably the man who has hitherto been called Colvill. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 261 

canoes should come and get us, for it is about three miles 
down the creek. When we came there this morning the 
brethren had already built a hut for us, so that we might 
be under a roof. We heard early this morning that 
Thomas was dead, who even yesterday got into a canoe 
without help, and said he wanted yet to see the new place. 
W"e got news that eight thousand Americans had taken 
possession of the Miami, but nothing exact and trust 
worthy, save that they insisted upon this, that they would 
not give up the land; the Indians had brought in from 
them a couple of scalps. We can make out this much, 
that peace is not to be thought of. They had. killed six 
messengers, 1 who had been sent out. 

Thursday, 10. In the forenoon was Thomas burial, for 
which purpose we had found and laid out a beautiful 
grave -yard upon a little height, and as it is sandy ground 
we are not forced, as was necessary in other places, to bury 
the dead in water. Br. Zeisberger on this occasion deliv 
ered an earnest discourse to the brethren, how necessary it 
is to remain with the Saviour, and not to go aside our own 
way, for no man knows how soon he may be called. Aker- 
lemann came to us again, also another family, Ignatius 
brother s, from the Miami, to live with us ; moreover, a 
woman, his sister, who last year had leave to live with us, 
but when we moved stayed behind. She now insisted 
upon this. Upon our building-place the" timber was cut 
down, which caused great confusion, the logs lying in 
every direction, for it is all hard wood. The brothers were 
busy dividing the fields, for which these great bottoms are 
needed, but it is such rich land as we have nowhere had, 
being like a dung-heap, and very easily cleared. In the 
evening. Br. Sensemann held a meeting in the open air. 

Friday, 11. We sowed garden seeds. All the brethren 
were industrious and busy in clearing land. Br. Edwards 

1 " Mr. Freeman, Maj. Trueman, and Col. Hardin, who were dispatched 
from Fort Washington on different routes, in the spring of 1792, with 
flags of truce and presents, were all murdered by the Indians." St. 
Glair Papers, Vol. I., p. 182. 



262 

held the evening meeting, and then we had a hard thun 
der-storm. 

Saturday, 12. The assistants spoke with Ignatius 
hrother and his family, and received them to live here, 
also the aforesaid woman with her grandson. The breth 
ren were busy, partly planting, partly building. 

Sunday, 13. David preached in the forenoon, and 
Sensemann held evening service. 

Monday, 14. The brethren went altogether and cleared 
our plantation, which they finished to-day. Edwards held 
the evening meeting. 

Tuesday, 15, and Wednesday, 16. The brethren cleared, 
each for himself, built huts in town, and all had enough to 
do. Michael held evening service. 

Thursday, 17. In the forenoon of Ascension Day, Br. 
Zeisberger held a service from the text, wherein the brethren 
were admonished to be eager to walk with the Saviour, at 
home and abroad, during their work, and at all times, for 
he is with us when we think of him. We have been hin 
dered by rain, which we have had for three days. The 
creek rises fast, and we have been much put back in our 
work. 

Friday, 18. The brethren were busy clearing land, for 
which they show real zeal, the land pleasing them, being 
the right sort for Indians, such as they like to have. 

Saturday, 19. They planted our three fields, which they 
had cleared for us, two acres perhaps. This morning and 
yesterday we had frosts, and it was quite cold, as is usual 
here when the wind comes from the north. We see that 
we have come here at the right time. Edwards held the 
evening meeting. 

Sunday, 20. In the forenoon Br. Sensemann preached 
from the Gospel : Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of Truth, 
is come, he will guide you into all truth, who will conduct 
the poor, anxious hearts, troubled about their salvation, to 
the source of salvation, the wounds of Jesus, and who will 
make us, in time and in eternity, sharers of the goods of 
salvation, won for us. David held the congregation meet- 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE TllAMES, 1792. 263 

ing from the Scripture-verse : I will lift up mine hand to 
the Gentiles. 

Monday, 21. The brethren went on with their planting, 
for which they have shown great zeal, for they have hope 
that their labor will be well rewarded. Certainly this year 
more than a hundred acres will be cleared and planted. 
The hundred bushels of corn are of unspeakable use to 
them. 

Wednesday, 23. Chippewas and a Gachnavvage 1 In 
dians came through here by water. Few Indians come ex 
cept such as come by water, for the way by land if far off. 
Brothers who came back from the Monsey towns, and had 
seen the country along the creek, have no where found a 
better nor so good a place for a town as we have here. 
Without doubt it is the best place for us on the creek. 
The Monsey town, they say, is no fine place, where the 
Indians, on account of swamp and marsh, are scattered 
about, and have to live in a couple of huts here and 
there. 

Saturday, 26. This week in part we planted, in part 
made preparations for building houses. On account of 
other many and necessary works, we had to be content to 
live in huts under the green trees, until after the planting 
we could make us better dwellings. The insects, mosqui 
toes and flies, were in vast numbers, and we were much 
incommoded by them, day and night. Some deer and a 
bear were brought to town, but the brethren took little 
time for hunting, having other and more pressing work. 

Sunday, 27. Br. Zeisberger delivered the Whitsunday 
sermon about the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, which all 
members of Jesus Christ received, and not only then re 
ceived it, but still do receive it, and are taught by him and 
led here in all ways, and who yet holds them in the only 
right faith in Jesus Christ, etc. In conclusion we sang 
from the liturgy to the Holy Ghost, and sounded praise 

1 In the Life of Heckewelder, p. 135, is found: "A number of Coch- 
nowago Indians, from La Chine, above Montreal." Probably Zeisber 
ger designates the same tribe. 



264 

and thanks to him with mouth and heart for his true care. 
Sensemann held the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 28. The brethren, this week, went on clear 
ing land and planting. We have had a few hot days, 
whereon followed thunder and rain, and then there were 
frosts this week, which shows a colder climate than we are 
accustomed to. 

Wednesday, 30. A daughter was born to John and 
Amelia Henry. Their houses were blocked out for the 
Zeisbergers and Sensemanns, for which they hired In 
dians. 

Saturday, June 2. A couple of Chippewas came about 
here with two pieces of tobacco to be sent to the Monsey 
and Chippewa towns, and to tell them to hold themselves 
ready for marching to meet the Americans, who were 
again in movement. A party of Mohawks went by for 
the war, whom, it is said, more will follow. 

Sunday, 3. Trinity Sunday. Br. Sensemann preached 
about the new birth, without which no man can see the 
kingdom of God, nor come therein. Then he bap 
tized into Jesus death, with the name Rebecca, the child 
born May 30. From the Monsey town some brethren 
came back, who had bought corn there, and this is another 
mercy, that they can get it there. Thus the heavenly 
Father always cares for us. The hundred bushels we 
bought and distributed among them, were of great use to 
them, for they have been able to clear the land and plant, 
which is a great help, and now they can sooner and better 
look about for corn, and not lose time for planting, in 
which they show industry, having cleared and planted 
much land. Michael held the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 4. The need for food increasing, for the 
hundred bushels were used up, which we bought for them, 
several brethren went to the Monsey town to buy corn, 
after finishing planting. From there a canoe, Wijan s, 1 
came here with corn. There is a stir among our young 
people. We heard that some wanted to go with the war- 

J See under Aug. 4 next. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 265 

riors, who are soon expected to go through here from the 
Monsey town, which we labor to prevent. 

Wednesday, 6. There was rain both yesterday and to 
day. We could therefore have no services, which we have 
to hold in the open air, until the pressing work is somewhat 
over, and we can build a meeting-house. Meanwhile the 
assistants have the duty of speaking with some brethren, 
and to look to the right here and there. Fences were 
made in the upper and in the lower field. 

Saturday, 9. Edwards held the evening service. In 
dian brethren came back from the Monsey town with 
corn. The Zeisbergers house was roofed and the Sense- 
man ns almost. From the hard rains the river rose very 
much, so that it is generally very muddy. It is therefore 
a fine thing that we have a good spring near by, back of 
the town. 

Sunday, 10. Br. Edwards preached from the Gospel 
about the rich man, and showed how necessary it is that 
here in the world we should concern ourselves principally, 
and above all things, to have part in the kingdom of 
God and his righteousness. Michael held the congrega 
tion meeting. 

Monday, 11. At last the war-party came from the 
Monsey town down the river, of which we have already 
heard for some time, and from which we awaited new 
trouble, which was not long in coming, for they came with 
a war-cry, encamped on our bank, and in the evening had 
a war-dance. The captain of the party delivered a speech 
to his people in the evening, admonishing them to behave 
towards us in an orderly, respectful way, for we were 
their friends. We heard, however, the next morning, that 
he told them after the dance, that four were going with 
them from this place, but he did not name them, and we 
hoped things would not go so far. He told our people, 
some of whom liked to listen to him, that they would 
soon get a summons to come to the war. If some 
would now go with him, he would speak for us, so that 
we might get no further annoyance, for then he could 
say there were so many of us with him. We held our 



266 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

evening meeting, undisturbed, from the Scripture-verse : 
The Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be 
your rereward. 

Tuesday, 12. They remained here, towards noon going 
in procession through the town with their begging-dance, 
and although they committed no excesses, and did no 
harm, it was yet as if Satan had moved in among us. 
We had to have patience, and could change nothing in 
the thing. Meanwhile we spoke with such of our people 
as we knew to be weak, warning them and admonishing 
them to be on their guard, and not to let themselves be 
cajoled, asking also the assistants to speak with this one 
and with that. But to our great sorrow we had to see, 

Wednesday, 13, ten of our young people go from here 
with the warriors, among whom were some boys, and for 
the most part bad subjects, with whom we had hitherto 
been troubled, and whom we had to endure. What made 
us saddest was that Nicholas and David were the chief 
men in the band, who had led others astray, the former 
secretly, the latter, however, more openly, with whom Br. 
David himself spoke, seeking to persuade him to turn 
aside from his undertaking, but it was in vain. It was 
easier for us after they left the town, though we bore it 
in sorrow. The captain said indeed that it was uncertain 
whether it would come to a battle or war, but they were 
summoned merely to be at hand, if there should be need. 
Yesterday, the Scripture- verse read : It is he that sitteth 
upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof 
are as grasshoppers, and to-day it was : I will contend 
with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy 
children. Boaz had a talk yesterday with one of the war- 
party, saying : " JSTo one is great and mighty save God, 
who is above us all and has created all. We are all 
like a little worm, if it be tapped with the finger it is no 
more," etc. 

Thursday, 14. A Chippewa came here up the river, 
bringing us a packet of letters and journals of the last 
and the present year, Oct. and March, which Mr. Askin 
sent us, whereby we were quite revived and refreshed 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 267 

after the sorrow we had gone through about our people, 
though we attach ourselves the more trustfully to those 
who remain, for Satan has swept them, separating the 
chaff from the wheat. 

Saturday, 16. The Zeisbergers and Sensemanns moved 
into their new houses, built for the time being, destined 
to be stables finally, when we have opportunity and time 
to build dwellings. Michael held evening service. 

Sunday, 17. Michael preached. We read the Bethle 
hem journal. The assistants met with the brethren to 
remind them of divers things, about keeping Sunday, 
about the discipline of the children, who carry about bows 
and arrows, etc. Br. Joseph s 1 letter, which we received 
in the packet, was read to the brethren, in place of the 
evening service, which they listened to with attention for 
the blessing of their hearts, of which we had many a proof 
and token. 

Tuesday, 19. Yesterday the brethren hoed our planta 
tion, and to-day they fished, for which they had made a 
bound, 2 but they caught few or none, for they had made 
a mistake. 

Thursday, 21. Some of our people, Renatus for in 
stance, went to the Monsey town for corn, where there is 
plenty to be had at a dollar a bushel, from there came, 

Friday, 22, Lohachkes, the Monsey chief, for a visit 
here, who had already visited us last year. Edwards held 
the meeting. 

Saturday, 23. After long continued dry weather, we 
got a fine, much desired rain. "We planted vegetables. 
Sensemann held evening service. 

Sunday, 24. Sensemann preached. David was quite 
unwell. Michael held evening service. 

Monday, 25. Lohachkes, the chief, went home. He 
attended no meetings, though he always gave out he 
wished to become a believer. We always see that it is 
very hard with them to be converted. They make a fine 

1 Augustus Gottlieb Spangenburg. See vol. i., p. 443. 

2 This word in the MS. is in English. Perhaps the same thing is 
meant as in Vol. I., p. 190. 



268 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

outward show, but secretly they strive to do harm in the 
church. This man sent word by the warriors to our 
Leonard, for he is his uncle, and had him told he should 
go to the war with them. Leonard replied to them 
that before this he had been a warrior, but had put aside 
this business of war, and thought never to take it up 
again ; his friends should not fancy that they had power 
over him to command him, in this he would not listen 
to them. 

Tuesday, 26. By Indians from the Fort we learned 
that now no Avar or expedition is planned, but that there 
is a truce and a hope of peace, that our people also will 
come again as they went away, and w r e look and watch 
for what will come from this. Ekuschuwe is said to have 
told our Nicholas that we could not remain here, since 
the nations had promised to make over to the English all 
the land from Grand River to Lake Ontario, and if there 
should be peace, as they hoped, we could go again over 
the lake, but he knows not what we know, that we have 
nothing to do with the nations, but with the English. 
The governor is expected in Detroit in a couple of months. 
From the mouth of the river at Lake Erie, Rahel came 
and took away her children, whom she and her mother 
had left with our brethren, when we moved in the spring. 
Jacob and Christiana, both Joachims, and Renatus, the 
Mohican, Zachary, and Susannna with her children, re 
mained there and have planted. 

Wednesday, 27. The strange Indians set out on their 
way home. They attended our meetings, and were very 
friendly. Michael held evening meeting. 

Thursday, 28. Samuel, Stephen, and Ignatius went to 
Detroit. David wrote to James Conner, 1 Sensemann to 
Detroit. 

Saturday, 30. There was great heat this week and dry 
weather, so that the brethren could hill their corn only 
mornings and evenings, for in the heat it does harm. 
Sensemann held evening service from the text : In whom 

1 Probably the son of Richard Conner. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 269 

are hid all the treasures of wisdom. The brethren built 
a great shed to hold the meetings in, two rods square. 

Sunday, July 1. Br. Zeisberger preached from the 
words of Jesus : Fora good tree bringeth not forth cor 
rupt fruit, neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good 
fruit. Luke vi. We read the church journal out of the 
weekly of the U. A. C. In hearing how the work of the 
Lord thrives in blessing in other places, we have to feel 
shame that it goes so slowly with us, and instead of in 
creasing, that we now decrease and become fewer, so that 
we might many times become discouraged. May the Sa 
viour help us and put new life into our church ! Among 
the savages no trace of hunger for God s word can be 
found, but all their aims and efforts are bent on war, and 
those who come here are content with this, that they are 
here. Michael held evening meeting. 

Monday, 2. Mr. Parke came from Detroit with corn, 
salt, and some goods for our Indians, of all which things 
they have great want. We heard that there would be no 
war, but a truce, so that they hope for peace, but yet 
war-parties are always at times going out; but that, 
among the Indians, there was great want of food, so that, 
on the Miami and in that neighborhood, a handful of 
corn costs a dollar; that the nations are coming together 
for a council, whereto our people also, who have lately 
gone thither, are present, as we hear, or are hunting. 

Wednesday, 4. Five Mohicans, 1 who live among the 
Oneidas in the territory of the States, came here and re 
mained over night. They had a message from Congress 
for the Indians and proposals for peace, on which account, 
they have appointed a place for a meeting, where they 
will speak together and satisfy them. One of them was 
in Bethlehem this year, where he was well pleased, and 
he praised much the conduct of the brothers towards the 
Indians. They said they had no idea so far in the Indian 
land of meeting with Indians who had God s word 
among them, and they exhorted our people to stand fast 

1 See Albach s Annals of the West, pp. 596, 597. 



270 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

thereby. Being in haste on account of their commission, 
they continued, 

Thursday, 5, their journey by water, and said they hoped 
to have opportunity on their way back to stay longer with 
us, to speak with the missionaries and to become better 
acquainted with us. At the same time they wished to see 
their land near Gigeyunk, which the nations gave them 
several years ago, the same to which our Mark always 
made pretensions and thought of taking possession of. 

Friday, 6. Samuel, Stephen, and others came back 
from the Fort. During their stay there warriors came 
with scalps, but were not well received nor welcomed, and 
the Chippewas and Tawas were tired of going to war, 
saying whoever had a mind thereto might carry on war, 
but they wished no more to do with it. 

Saturday, 7. The brethren made preparations to build 
a meeting-house for the time being, till we see farther and 
have time to build a proper one on the common lot in 
front. 

Sunday, 8. Br. Sensemann preached and Zeisberger 
held the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 9. All the brethren went to work on the 
meeting-house and kept at it all the week, and Thursday, 
12, we had the first service in it from the text : Which 
was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and 
all the peoples. 

Wednesday, 11. Chippewas, who lately went out with 
the warriors, came back and said the Monseys were all 
returning; there was no war, and that our people were 
gone to Pettquotting hunting. 

Thursday, 12, and Friday, 13. Strangers came here 
from the Mousey town, remained a couple of days and 
went down to the settlement, some of whom attended our 
meetings. Our meeting-house was quite ready, with 
doors and benches, and the bell was hung up. 

Sunday, 15. Edwards preached. Br. Zeisberger then 
conducted the communion quarter- hour, speaking earn 
estly about the backslidings and transgressions which had 
occurred among the brethren, and pointing out to them 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 271 

how weak in faith they were. He admonished them not 
to lose their trust and confidence in the Saviour, but with 
all their wretchedness to draw nigh him, who will heal 
and comfort them. He gave notice of the Lord s supper 
for the 18th Inst. Sensemarm held the congregation 
meeting. 

Monday, 16, and Tuesday, 17. The brethren were 
spoken to. 

Wednesday, 18. We had with the whole church a love- 
feast for paying our thanks that we again had a meeting 
house, where we could hear God s word in regular way. 
At the end of the day the communicants had the most 
blessed enjoyment of the body and blood of the Lord in 
the holy sacrament, which was the first communion in this 
place. Our dear Lord blessed us indescribably, gave us 
the comfort of his grace and to feel in our hearts the 
forgiveness of our transgressions, committed since spring 
and the last communion. This gave new life among the 
brethren, and only two of those at home did not partake. 

Thursday, 19. Br. Sensemann read in the morning the 
thanksgiving liturgy, admonishing the brethren to keep 
in their hearts the goodness and blessedness the Saviour 
had let them feel. 

Friday, 20. At the Scripture- verse : Rejoice ye with 
Jerusalem and be glad with her all ye that love her, Br. 
Zeisberger said to the brethren, since from want of food 
they were compelled to go into the settlement to the white 
people to support themselves and theirs by labor in the 
harvest until their corn was ripe, that as long as we live 
in the world we are many times forced to have to do with 
the children of this world, but that we should not share 
in the deeds of the flesh; that a heart that loves the Sa 
viour should depend on him and the church, should hasten 
as soon as the work was done to its home again and to 
the church, and rejoice to be in its own element as soon as 
possible, for in the world there is no pleasure to be found 
for us, for whoever finds pleasure in the things of the 
world and has inclination thereto, he is no true member of 
the church of Jesus. The assistants were authorized to 



272 

marry Abel and Salamis, who are disposed therefor, and 
this was done to-day. 

Of our often-mentioned Wyaudot, the son of the chief 
who lived on the east side of Detroit, but is now dead, who 
was always our friend, but died since we went to Pett- 
quotting, of this, his son, we heard that he was always 
longing to come to us. In the spring he wished to follow 
us, but since he could not of himself, for he is incurably 
sick and his brother has left him, this did not happen. 
The priests were already much about him, and asked him 
why he would leave them, fall away from his faith, and 
turn elsewhere. Hereupon he replied to them that for 
many years he had been with them, had been baptized by 
them, and heard them, but it was all like empty straw; he 
had found nothing with them which gave his heart rest 
and for which he especially sought, and this he had found 
among the believers, who had to move about from one 
place to another, being so much persecuted ; that he had 
tasted something that did his heart good, and for this he 
wished to seek farther. We find, however, that he is 
much entangled with worldly affairs. 

Saturday, 21. Very many, yes, most of our brethren, 
went into the settlement to the harvest. 

Sunday, 22. Br. Zeisberger preached. 

Tuesday, 24. From the south side of the lake, from 
Walnut Bottoms, in the neighborhood of Presque Isle, 
Monsey Indians went through here with a message, as they 
said, for Pipe and the Indians. They told us they had 
seen in Pittsburg and spoken with one of our brothers 
from Bethlehem, who would have liked to come out here. 
We conjectured it must have been John Leeth, for from 
Bethlehem no one would venture out through the Indian 
land. Moreover, at present, as regards war, the country 
is pretty quiet. McKee is not yet returned from Quebec, 
nor is the governor arrived. 

Wednesday, 25. At the evening meeting, conducted by 
Br. Sensemanu, were present Monsey Indiaiis, who came 
to-day from the Mousey town on their way to the Fort. 
They remained therefore over night here, -merely to attend a 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 273 

meeting. The man who was in the company said he had 
never yet heard any thing, but had always believed we had 
something good, and knew the right way for reaching 
eternal life. Brothers and sisters conversed much with 
the people, and announced to them God s salvation, which 
Jesus Christ won for us by great suffering and bitter death. 
The man said he had retained three words in the meeting 
and had them yet in his heart, and this he related to all 
the brothers whom he met on his way down. 

Thursday, 26. Davjd held evening service from the 
Scripture-verse : Strengthen ye the weak hands and con 
firm the feeble knees, and showed how that must happen, 
namely, by approaching the source of salvation and fol 
lowing the Saviour s word, which he proclaimed in the 
temple at Jerusalem : If any man thirst let him come unto 
me and take the water of life freely. 

Saturday, 28. Chippewas brought venison and ex 
changed it with our people for corn, milk, and butter, for 
none of our hunters are yet at home. 

Sunday, 29. Br. Sensemann preached about false 
prophets. 

Monday, 30. One of the Mohican Indians arrived, men 
tion of whom is made under the 5th Inst., from whom we 
learned that McKee is returned from Quebec ; about the 
governor s arrival we heard nothing; that our people who 
went from here with the warriors have all gone to Pett- 
quotting hunting; that the captain of the same company 
lay sick in the Fort, and that few Indians were at home 
on the Miami, but that all were away hunting. They are 
now waiting for Brant, what sort of news he will bring 
from Congress, and they hope for peace. 

Tuesday, 31. When we had had no rain, sufficient to wet 
the ground through, for more than two months, the 
heavenly Father sent us a rainy day. In May and June 
the insects, mosquitoes and flies, were very troublesome, 
but now are quite gone since we have cleared a little 
about us, and there is no comparison with what we had to 
endure last year on the lake, when it was an old settle- 
18 



274 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

ment and all cleared. We have here the finest springs, so 
cold as hardly to be drinkable. 

Wednesday, Aug. 1. Some of our people came home, 
who had helped harvest in the settlement, for instance, 
Joshua, Adam, with their families, having earned corn 
and flour. 

Saturday, 4. We had a peculiar circumstance. The 
Monsey captain, Wijan by name, who, in June 12, or 13, 
went through here to the war, went as far as the Fort, 
where he fell sick and turned about, was brought here sick 
day before yesterday. On the way he bade his people has 
ten and merety to bring him to us, for he had no longing 
for home. In the spring, when we came here, he had al 
ready wished to come to us, but said to his wife at last 
that they would plant once more, and come in the autumn. 
After this he got a message to go to the war, and he went, 
and with him also our people. We thought at the time 
that he had persuaded our people thereto, but now we 
found that he was not to blame, but our people them 
selves, who were glad to have such a chance. On the way 
to us they wished to doctor him, but he would not permit 
it, saying he wished nothing except to get to us. When 
they came with him to our bounds, at the lowest planta 
tion, without his knowledge and will, his people sent 
away in the night a couple of messengers to bring two In 
dian doctors, who came to-day from the Monsey town 
here, but said they would have nothing to do with him, 
but they left him to us, seeing he could not live. We con 
sidered together what we should and could do in this ex 
traordinary case, and, after thoroughly considering all the 
circumstances, we agreed and held it best and most profit 
able to baptize him. This was done in the presence of 
the strangers and of our brethren, on the bank of the river 
in their camp, and Br. David baptized him in the name of 
the Holy Trinity, with the name Jacob, after an address to 
the strangers and the brethren. The Saviour showed him 
self gracious, and he filled the hearts of the brethren with 
comfort, joy, thankfulness, and good assurance that a 
brand was saved from the burning. He died the night 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 275 

after, was in his senses but speechless when he was 
brought hither. 

Sunday, 5. Br. Michael preached from the words: Go 
ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them, etc. 
The strangers were present. Towards evening was the 
burial of Jacob, baptized yesterday, at which also the stran 
gers were present and took good notice of every thing, but 
the wife, who already appeared in her widow s garb, and 
sat near the coffin, at the head of the corpse, went away 
into the bush during the burial. 

Monday, 6. The strangers set out on their way home 
after seeing the captain buried here, and they gave the 
death-cry as they departed, for they had a scalp. 

Wednesday, 8. Yesterday and to-day the brethren got 
home from the settlement, where they have earned some 
thing to eat until now soon they can live from their 
planting. 

Thursday, 9. From the mouth of Detroit River carne 
back Esther and Polly, and with them Christiana Sche- 
bosh, who, with her husband and some others, had re 
mained there in the spring and planted, for they were yet 
making canoes. We found she had not yet gone so far as 
to leave the church, and in the autumn she will come to us, 
and likewise the others. We heard that a message and 
string were on their way from the the Tawa chief, to tell 
us there would be peace, and that we could go back again 
to Pettquotting, which land he had given the believers to 
dwell in. All are waiting for the Governor and Brant, 
and hope for peace. 

Friday, 10. To a family of Chippewas, who brought 
venison here to sell, Boaz spoke, preaching to them God s 
salvation, which the Saviour has won tor all Indians by 
his blood, and which is the only way to eternal life. He 
said they listened attentively. In the communion quarter- 
hour, Br. David gave notice of the Lord s supper for the 
13th Inst., for the brethren, whom we could expect, were 
all here. 

Sunday, 12. Br. Edwards preached, and David held 



276 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

the congregation meeting from the Scripture-verse : I am 
sought of them that asked not for me. 

Monday, 13. The brethren having been spoken with 
for several days lately, the noteworthiness of the day was 
first explained to them in a service, and they were re 
minded that they, by the preaching of the Gospel, which 
the brothers brought to them, and which they had re 
ceived and believed, had by grace been incorporated in the 
church of Jesus Chri*t by holy baptism, and were now 
members of Jesus body, and were one people with all be 
lievers upon the whole earth, that we, therefore, with the 
church, prayed the Saviour that communion might be 
among them, whereto we are called for the communion of 
the saints. We then kneeled, begging forgiveness of our 
shortcomings, and the rich comfort of his grace, of which 
we were assured by him, and were kindly looked upon. 
In conclusion of this commemorated day the communi 
cants enjoyed his body and blood in the holy sacrament, 
which Br. Sensemann conducted, Christiana enjoyed it 
with us, and Anna Charity was a candidate. 

Tuesday, 14. Early was the liturgy. Strange Indians 
came here, who attended our meetings. 

Wednesday, 15. The strangers went away to the Monsey 
town, whither also went Theodora, to visit her sick husband. 

Friday, 17. Brant s son went through here with six 
Mohawks with peace-propositions from Congress to the 
nations, who are now assembling upon the Miami. Brant 
could not himself come, being ill, but will soon follow. 
They stayed here a couple of hours and then went on. 
We had to lend them a canoe to go in, and now it will be 
decided whether the nations will accept the propositions. 
Christiana came back again, and will come to us as soon as 
possible. We sent by her a letter to Mr. Askin to be for 
warded to Bethlehem. Esther and Polly went with her 
to get their things. 

Sunday, 19. Br. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel 
about the Pharisees and tax-gatherers, arid Br. Sense 
mann held the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 20. Brothers went out hunting, Samuel, Bill 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 277 

Henry, and others. Some went to the upper town for 
corn. They came, 

Friday, 24, back from there, where we heard there had 
been a severe frost, and that some fields were quite ruined. 
May our dear Father in heaven yet give us a good har 
vest, for our corn is very backward ! We very well see 
that we are farther north, for the nights are very cool, 
yes, cold, though it is now dog-days. 

Upon Sister Sensemann s birthday, we had a pleasant 
love-feast, and we wished her much good and happiness, 
grace and blessing for her calling and business. The 
brethren were busy building, as many as were at home. 
We also made our buildings ready, Brs. Sensemann and 
Zeisberger their ad interim houses, designed for stables, 
for they cannot get farther on this year. 

Sunday, 26. Br. Sensemann preached, and David held 
the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 27. From the mouth of Detroit Eiver Jo 
hanna came back, and with her, Anna Justina, daughter 
of Anna Maria, to remain. She remained behind with 
her mother in the spring, who will also soon come with 
her husband, Joachim. Andrew also came again, who 
lately went away with the warriors, when we heard that 
the others, who went with him, were hunting in Pett- 
quotting, and would soon come also. There was very 
rainy weather. 

Wednesday, 29. We had with the unmarried brothers 
a pleasant love-feast for their festival, wishing and asking 
for them to enjoy much good and happiness from our dear 
Lord. The assistants spoke with Anna Justina and re 
ceived her again. 

Thursday, 30. The assistants were directed and in 
structed to speak with Andrew, to hear from him why he 
is come back, and to set before him his conduct in the 
church, but also to learn whether he intends to change 
and to become obedient ; if not, to tell him he cannot 
remain in the church, and this they gave him to con 
sider. 

Saturday, Sept. 1. Yesterday and to-day, and indeed 



278 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

all the week, we made our dwellings ready for winter ; the 
Indians were busy building. Br. Edwards held service 
from the text: The bridegroom. 

Sunday, 2. Michael preached from to-day s Gospel 
about the foremost commandment. Br. Zeisberger con 
ducted the children s hour, wherein he had much to say 
in regard to their conduct. 

"Wednesday, 5. Nicholas and the boy, Michael, came 
back, also Esther and Polly, who had accompanied Chris 
tiana. By them we had a letter from Schweinitz and 
Eeichel from Nazareth, 1 dated July 9, last. 

Friday, 7. We had .a blessed day with the married 
brethren upon their festival, at which the Saviour showed 
himself very gracious, let his friendly face shine over us and 
made us aware of his peace. Br. Sensemann held morn 
ing prayer and the love-feast. Br. Zeisberger conducted 
the festival service from to-day s text : He nourisheth 
and cherisheth the church. We labourers strengthened 
and refreshed ourselves at the end of the day with the 
body and blood of our Lord in the holy sacrament. 

Saturday, 8. The assistants spoke with Nicholas, plac 
ing before him his wayward walk in the church for some 
time, and now the cause of the same. He confessed and ac 
knowledged his transgressions, and begged for forgiveness. 
We found that he had been vexed and made confused, 
and upon this his bad conduct had arisen. As we could 
not but have compassion with him, we helped him right 
again and received him anew. By him we got to-day 
the message from Ekuschuwe, of which we had already 
heard, and which he himself had from him. First and 
foremost he told us that he had news that seven chiefs 
at the west, that is, seven nations, had united to work for 
peace, who had sent him a pipe of peace ; as he was 
quite well convinced of the truth of this message, he 
wished to let his grandfather know it, that is, us. Now 
follows the message proper : " Grandfather, and ye be 
lieving Indians, I have given you Pettquotting and that 

1 Seven miles north-west of Easton, Pa. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 279 

country to dwell in. This was indeed interrupted by the 
war. Ye had to retire for a time, but I abide by my 
word, and shall not change. Since now I -believe quite 
certainly that as the nations assemble on the Miami peace 
will be concluded, I tell you beforehand, make ready 
to move again to Pettquotting, into your town, and to take 
possession of it. Thus shall I do too, and get ready, and 
then go to live not far from San dusky Bay, where I shall be 
near you, and since I shall soon be coming back from the 
council, I will come myself and bring you farther news, 
which will be trustworthy." A string. The Scripture- 
verse to-day, when we had a message about peace read : 
Fear not for thou shalt not be ashamed ; neither be tbou 
confounded for thou shalt not be put to shame. When 
God s hour strikes for relieving Help breaks forth amaz 
ingly. 

Sunday, 9. Br. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel 
about the ten lepers. Br. Edwards held the congregation 
meeting from the Scripture-verse : Of the increase of his 
government and peace there shall be no end. 

Monday, 10. The assistants spoke with Johanna, 
Nicholas wife, who went from him and did not continue. 
She had transgressed by wicked discourse. 

Tuesday, 11. We spoke with the boy Michael. He 
asked forgiveness of his disobedience, that he had followed 
his own way and gone from us. He begged to be re 
ceived again and his request was granted. This morning 
Tobias was released from trouble and died. His remains 
were buried, 

Wednesday, 12. He was, when a youth, April 8, 1787, 
baptized in Cuyahoga, and came to the holy communion 
March 7, 1789. His father was the assistant, Tobias, who 
perished in Gnadenhiitteu. He was a pleasant youth, of 
whom we always had good hope. He walked a fine way, 
and the Saviour showed in him much grace. He learned 
to read well, and had always much pleasure therein, but 
he came from his heart and lost his guileless and blessed 
feeling. This went so far that when his brother, Michael, 
perished on Beaver Creek, which he took much to heart, 



280 ZEISBERGER S DIARY.- 

he wished to take revenge and go to the war, but yet suf 
fered himself to be held therefrom by admonition and to 
abandon his plan, but we were always in fear it might yet 
go so far with him. The election of grace, however, pre 
vailed with him ; the Saviour was pleased to watch over 
him and to secure him from temptation. In the winter 
last year, while out hunting, he took a severe cold, be 
coming so lame that he could not walk, and had always 
to lie down. In his sickness, which was tedious, he al 
ways had a book lying near him, written or printed, and 
passed much of his time reading and writing. Several 
days before his death, which was hastened by convulsions, 
he said he had always hoped to get well, but that now he 
gave up all hope, he wished the Saviour might blessedly 
take him to himself and forgive him all. Of this he was 
assured before his death by the laying on of hands, and 
he died happy. To-day young Joachim came up from 
the lake for a visit, with whom Br. Zeisberger spoke, re 
minding him of the grace the Saviour had shown in him, 
and encouraged him again to draw near him and to renew 
his covenant of grace. He was very much depressed, but 
said he would come to us in the autumn. 

To-day the news came in that three of our people, 
namely, David, his brother, Samuel, and Jacob, Christina s 
husband, in company with savages from Pettquotting 
where they were hunting, had gone to the war, but chiefly 
to steal horses, that the white people set after them and 
had killed three of the band, and that two of these are 
our Indians, namely, David, the leader-astray, and his 
brother, Samuel. If this be true they have received their 
dues, for not only had we done our best to turn them from 
their resolution, but the chiefs also had forbidden them, 
and yet they have done it. Meanwhile we await farther 
news. 

Sunday, 16. Br. Edwards preached and Br. Zeisberger 
held the communion service, inviting thereto the poor and 
thirsty. The assistants spoke with Tobias, Ruth s son, 
who also went away with the company of warriors, but 
yet had no mind to go to the war, but to go hunting, who 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 281 

now came begging us to receive him again, which indeed 
we did, but yet gave him not at once a complete answer, 
but only upon probation. The three, namely, David, Sam 
uel, and Jacob, with whom he was hunting, had been gone 
ten days to the war, when he came away hither, but he 
could say nothing more of them except that they wished 
to go above Wiliink (Wheeling) over the river. 

Tuesday, 18. A white man, Julin by name, came back 
with John Henry from Niagara [as likewise yesterday one 
went through here, whom we helped with provisions]. 
They came away from there three weeks ago. We heard 
that the governor gives good encouragement that the land 
shall be settled and inhabited. 

Wednesday, 19. Joseph came to us again, who went 
away with the warriors and was in Pettquotting hunting. 

Friday, 21. There was speaking w r ith reference to the 
Lord s supper. The assistants spoke with Joseph, who 
had heard nothing farther of his companions till he came 
to Detroit River, and just the same as already told, with 
the addition only that the whole party, ten in number, 
perished. He asked permission to be in the church and 
promised obedience. For two nights, last night and 
to-night, we had hard frosts, which have much injured 
our corn, that was not all ripe. We made a mistake in 
planting corn from- Pettqnotting, when we should have 
planted that grown here, which ripens sooner. 

Saturday, 22. The communicants, in the near presence 
of our Lord, had the blessed enjoyment of his body and 
blood in the holy communion. One brother, Nicodemus, 
was readmitted, and a sister, Anna Charity, was present 
for the first time. A couple of Chippewas. who came 
from Detroit, brought us, shortly before communion, a 
packet of letters from Bethlehem, of May 3, and Jan. 
1, last. 

Sunday, 23. There was early the thanksgiving liturgy, 
and then Br. Sensemaun preached. In the afternoon the 
assistants labored in speaking with the brethren, Ignatius 
and Joshua, about Joseph s marriage. Br. David held 
evening service from the text : Christ is our life. Dolson 



282 

had told us in a letter that he would like to build a house 
here and trade, about which we talked together and which 
we would by no means permit. 

Monday, 24. Br. Edwards held early service, and then 
the assistants came together and reconciled Joseph and 
his wife, who had fallen out, arid brought them together. 

Tuesday, 25. Samuel and Stephen went to the Fort. 
Michael held early service. 

Wednesday, 26. David held early service. 

Thursday, 27. Sensemann held early service. We cut 
all the corn in our fields, which was still in the milk, on 
account of the night-frosts, and put it in shocks. The 
Indians have learned by experience, if frost comes too 
soon, the corn not being ripe, that if they treat it in this 
way it becomes ripe and hard. 

Saturday, 29. Michael held early service about the 
work of the holy angels, which they joyfully perform for 
believers, for which, as well as for other kindnesses, we 
should thank the Saviour especially. At noon came the 
Mohawk, Brant, with some forty men of his people, 
through here on his way to the Miami. He said that the 
nations were laboring for peace, but that he had heard 
that the Shawanese and Twightwees would not receive 
peace ; that Congress was unwilling to give up the land 
on the west side of the Ohio, having already bought it 
and paid for it twice, and if this were not enough they 
had rather pay for it again than to let it go ; that they 
had promised the land on the Muskingum to the believing 
Indians, and therefore also could not let it go. He ad 
mitted himself that the nations could not justly claim the 
land, having been paid for it; if he came to the Miami 
and found the nations disinclined for peace, be should 
straightway turn back home. 

Sunday, 30. Br. Michael preached, and as the brethren 
had very necessary labor in their harvest we let them make 
use of the time and good weather. 

Monday, Oct. 1. The Scripture-verse : Lord, thou wilt 
ordain peace for us, we wished with our whole hearts soon 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 288 

to see fulfilled, and on this account sent many a sigh to 
our clear Father in heaven. 

Thursday, 4. To-day and for several days Chippewas 
have been going through here to their winter-hunt, where 
they remain out till spring. Among them was a family 
that had with them a lame Indian, whom they could not 
take by land, and they asked to leave him here with us, 
and also that from time to time we should give him some 
what to eat, that he might remain alive. The man in the 
family promised also to do what he could and to bring 
him meat from the hunt during the winter as often as 
possible. This request we granted gladly and thought: 
Who knows ? Perhaps the Saviour sends them to us and 
gives us an opportunity to do them good. This was told 
the brethren, and they were urged to impart to them 
bodily and spiritual food. They were told, however, that 
we should much prefer to have them with us in town, 
where they would be at hand i f they needed any thing. 

Saturday, 6. Mingoes went through here for Detroit, 
who bought a canoe from our people. 

Sunday, 7. Br. Edwards preached. The assistants 
spoke with Andrew, who showed sorrow for his bad life 
and conduct. He begged for forgiveness and readmission, 
which were granted him so long as he should behave ac 
cording to his promise. In the evening Samuel and 
Stephen came back from Detroit. We have not yet heard 
what the nations have determined in council, for they are 
now just assembling. 

Monday, 8. Mr. Dolson came here from Detroit with 
goods for our Indians. The Chippewas encamped here 
asked to bury a child of theirs that had died. In the 
evening they danced the death-dance. David* had held 
early service from the text. 

Wednesday, 10. Dolson returned home, having sold all 
he brought. Our brethren were busy at their harvest. 
Early frosts have much injured our corn by freezing it. 

[So far the Diary sent to Bethlehem.] 

Sunday, 14. Br. Sensemann preached and Michael held 
the congregation meeting. We wrote to Bethlehem. 



284 

Tuesday, 16. Brs. Sensemann and Michael went to the 
Fort. Samuel went to the lower settlement. 

Thursday, 18. Chippewas came here, who were going 
hunting. Zeisberger held early service in Indian also. 

Friday, 19. Our brethren were busy harvesting, but the 
yield has been little, there being damage from frost. In the 
forenoon Samuel came back, Anthony also. We heard 
nothing of David and Jacob. 

Sunday, 21. David preached about the wedding-gar 
ment. 

Monday, 22. Some went for their autumn-hunt. To 
the Chippewas encamped here, who have nothing to eat, 
we gave corn, etc. 

Tuesday, 23. Mr. Parke came, and returned, 

Wednesday, 24, home. 

Thursday, 25. Brs. Sensemann and Jung came back 
from Detroit. The former had there visited the command 
ant, England, 1 who was glad to speak with some one of us. 
He inquired about our condition and the progress of our 
settlement, how far up the river we lived, and said it was 
a pity we were so far away, and he thought we should 
have done better if we had selected a place nearer Detroit. 
It was pleasant for us to hear this, for we had been rather 
afraid we might be too near the settlement of the white 
people. He asked farther how many Indian families were 
with us, and said a township would not be too much for 
us, that is, nine miles square, and we should have it on 
both sides the river, for the river divides the townships, 
which are surveyed below us on both sides. He is presi 
dent of the Land Board, and said farther that if the Gov 
ernor came here next spring he would help us carry out 
our affairs ; as often as any one of us came to Detroit, he 
should call upon him. During the last war he was with 
Gen. Gage in Bethlehem, and also in the Wachau (in N. 
Carolina). The ships were all away and no letters had 
come for us. Ekuschuwe had Joshua called to him and 
said to him when he came : " I have something to tell you, 



1 Col. Richard England, of 24th Regiment. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 285 

but I cannot now, for I have drunk something, but come 
to me to-morrow." This he did, and the other said to him 
he wished to tell us that at the council on the Miami 
nothing had been determined upon, except that next 
spring there would be a treaty in Kaskaskia, and then 
peace would be concluded ; many were now gone to the 
war, but yet there should be peace. 

Friday, 26. The assistants spoke with Anthony, who 
said he was going to leave the church, because he so much 
liked hunting. 

Saturday, 27. Abraham absolved. 

Sunday, 28. Michael preached. David held the com 
munion service. Chippewas went through hunting. Nich 
olas came up from the lake. We had a house and farm 
conference. 

Wednesday, 31. Christiana came here to stay, with all 
her things and children, likewise also Zacchaeus, who has 
wandered about during the summer. We suspect that her 
husband, Jacob, and David, and the rest are yet alive, who 
were thought to have perished. 

Thursday, Nov. 1. In the early service we brought to 
mind our communion Avith the church above, and wished 
that each member of the church might make fast his call 
and election and let himself be prepared to be found 
worthy there, to belong and be admitted to the same. 

Afterwards was the burial of Abraham, which Zeisberger 
conducted, who died in peace day before yesterday in the 
evening. He was born in Friedenshiitten March 16, 1769, 
and baptized on the 19th by John Jacob Schmick. He was 
admitted to the church in Pettquotting May 11, 88, and 
came to the Lord s supper March 7, 1789. He was mar 
ried Feb. 14, 1790, to the single woman Anna Rosina. By 
nature he was a quiet man, of whom we had good hope, 
and he went a blessed way. For some time, however, he 
abstained of his own accord from the Lord s supper, was 
sickly also, and the death of his grandfather, Abraham, 
touched him to the heart, and he said many times that he 
no longer wished to be here, and would rather die. Sev 
eral days before his death, he sent for Br. Zeisberger, with 



286 

whom he talked over the whole matter, saying he should 
die, that nothing more held him here; he desired but one 
thing, namely, that the brothers and the Saviour would 
forgive him all ; he had himself wasted much time when 
he might have been saved, and this he was sorry for. 
This was granted him. He was absolved, waited with 
longing for the Saviour soon to take him, begged the 
brothers, who watched with him, to sing verses to him, 
which they did, and so he fell asleep unobserved in their 
presence, without giving a token of himself. His course 
through this time lasted twenty-three years, seven months, 
and nineteen days. He left behind him his widow and 
one child, Jonas. From the Monsey town came back 
brothers who had helped in the harvest and earned corn, 
likewise the old chief, Lokachkes. 

Friday, 2. The assistants were charged to care for the 
young widow s support, thereby witness was borne against 
superstition ; to speak with Zacchaeus, who asked for read- 
mission and made good promises. 

Saturday, 3. We had the holy communion, which 
Sensemann conducted, and Zeisberger served. French 
traders came here, also Mingoes, Brant s people, who went 
up the river. 

Sunday, 4. David read the liturgy and held the congre 
gation meeting. Edwards preached. 

Monday, 5. Samuel went to the Monsey town. Adam 
and Ignatius went up the creek to help the French work. 
Zachary with his family came to us. A doctor of med 
icine came here from Niagara on his journey to Detroit, 
and stayed overnight. Christiana and Cathrine came back 
from the Monsey town. 

Tuesday, 6. Michael held early service. We got in our 
turnips and corn. This morning before day Christiana gave 
birth to a daughter. 

Thursday, 8. In the early service, which Sensemann 
held, he baptized Christiana s little daughter, born two days 
ago, on the 6th, with the name Mary. Our men all went 
away to-day for the autumn hunt. In the evening came 
Joseph Brant back from the Mkmi with his suite of Mo- 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 287 

hawks, and remained over night, when we heard that the 
treaty would be held in the spring at Sandusky, and thus 
that nothing is now arranged and concluded about war 
or peace, but that three hundred warriors are away to 
make incursions into the States. 

Sunday, 11. Br. Zeisberger preached in Indian, and at 
the end read something from the church-litany. 

Monday, 11. Gottlieb held an hour of singing. 

Tuesday, 13. Br. Zeisberger held the service in Indian 
for the Elder s Day from the text : The bishop of our souls, 
and in conclusion he commended us in prayer to our 
Elder s grace anew, asked forgiveness of our faults and 
shortcomings and wherever we were guilty ; also that he 
would blessedly lead and conduct us under the staff of his 
rule, to which we wished to be subject and obedient ever 
more and more, and begged for his peace. 

Wednesday, 14. Samuel came back from the Mousey 
town. The brethren looked about for sugar-places, which 
they have here just at hand, as convenient as we have any 
where had. 

Thursday, 15. The old and the young Joachim arrived ; 
also Renatus w r ith his family and Peggy with her children, 
Zachary s family. Salome, Israel s wife, gave birth to a 
daughter. 

Friday, 16. Peggy came to see us, asking for admission 
and promising amendment. We spoke with her plainly 
and earnestly. 

Sunday, 18. Sensemann preached, and in the afternoon 
service, which Br. Zeisberger held, he baptized the little 
daughter of Br. Israel and Salome, born on the 15th List., 
with the name Eleonora. The whites had a conference 
about the brethren now come, who remained behind in the 
spring. 

Monday, 19. As many of the assistants as were at 
home spoke with Rehatus and his wife, who said to be 
sure that they were come to be in the church, but could 
not say whether their whole thought was to live for the 
Saviour. They spoke also with the Joachims and with 
Peggy, of whom we have hope they will find themselves 



288 

again. Their remaining behind was folly. They have 
thereby come to misery, outwardly and inwardly. 

Tuesday, 20. From the Miami three of the Mohicans 
came back, who went through here some time ago as mes 
sengers from Congress, with propositions for peace to the 
nations, but they had no answer or resolutions except 
that in the spring a meeting would be held at Sandusky. 
These Mohicans said they had not been pleased among the 
Indians on the Miami. There was nothing to be heard 
there but war-shouts, drinking, dancing, playing, etc. 
They said to this chief that he would probably look about, 
find out how many Indians lived there, and report to Con 
gress, to which he replied that it was unnecessary; Con 
gress knew long before how many of them there were ; 
they made it known themselves every year, for when they 
went to the treaty with the English to get gifts, they were 
asked how many there were of them, and each chief or 
captain delivered as many little sticks as there were per 
sons, from which the number of Indians could at once be 
known ; the Americans and the English were brothers, 
lived together in peace, and whatever one heard and knew 
he told the other. To this they had nothing to reply. 
The Mohicans set out on their way home, leaving here 
one sick man till he s*hould be better. 

Wednesday, 21. Edwards held early service. The as 
sistants spoke with Zachary and his wife. They declared 
themselves sinful, gave themselves all the blame of their 
unblessed life during the summer, and took courage anew 
for drawing near the Saviour. Indians from the Mon- 
sey town, here over night, set out for the Fort, also Lo- 
kachkes. 

Thursday, 22. Sensemann held early service. It snowed 
quite the whole day. 

Sunday, 25. Michael preached. The assistants spoke 
with Martha about forbidden medicine. We learned 
that a Monsey woman had stolen and taken away our 
swine. 

Monday, 26. Sensemann held early service. David 
had a long conversation with Johanna about her and her 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 289 

daughter, and had to speak with others the whole fore 
noon. 

Thursday, 29. David held early service from the 
Scripture-verse, about the veil hy which men are covered 
by nature, so that they cannot sec the clear light, which 
veil, the Saviour, upon Mt. Golgotha, has torn and taken 
away. 

Fricla} 7 , 30. Sensemann held early service. From the 
sick Mohican we learned that the Indians have all left 
Stockbridge (in Massachusetts), and now live with the 
Oneidas, who have given them land, that Samuel, also 
from Pachgatgoch (near Kent, in Conn.), lived there, and 
it was reported that the Indians from the Jerseys will 
also move thither. They have an Indian preacher, who 
studied in college. We killed our hogs. 

Sunday, Dec. 2. On the first Sunday in Advent, Br. 
Zeisberger preached about the coming of our Loud into 
our poor flesh and blood, arid Br. Edwards held the congre 
gation meeting from the text of the day. 

Monday, 3. Sensemann held early service. We charged 
the assistants to speak with Sabina about her daugh 
ter s marriage, etc. The brethren who were at home set 
about making a road to the settlement. Towards evening 
warriors arrived with the death-hallow. They were of 
Brant s people, coming from the war with a scalp. Three 
hundred warriors from the Miami had gone against a fort 1 
on the Ohio, where they attacked a convoy not far from 
the fort, captured and killed five men and lost two. They 
took many horses and much booty. 

Wednesday, 5. The warriors went away. 

Friday, 7. French traders came here, stayed over night, 
and went up the river. They had much rum with them, 
on which account we forbade them to sell any here, and 
they obeyed. 

Saturday, 8. Monseys came here drunk, from up stream, 
who had been at the Fort, where they received presents, 

1 Probably the attack made Nov. 6, 92, near Fort St. Glair (Eaton, 0,), 
where the Americans lost six men and many horses. 

19 



290 

and they encamped below our town. We spoke with their 
head-man, asking him to keep his people in order, that 
they might cause no trouble here, which he promised to 
do and did. 

Sunday, 9. Br. Edwards preached. 

Monday, 10. Michael held early service. 

Tuesday, 11. Sensemann held early service. Several 
came back home from hunting. 

Wednesday, 12. David held early service from the 
text: God was manifest in the flesh. The Mohican who 
remained behind sick, went with another of his nation up 
to the Mousey town. Joshua, with whom he was, spoke 
much with him while he was here, and told him it was 
not enough to be baptized, to hear preaching, to be able 
to read the Bible, and to arrange one s life like the white 
people, but it depended chiefly upon this, if a man sought 
to be saved, to get from the Saviour forgiveness of his 
sins, and to get from God a new life in his heart, which 
we cannot do of ourselves, nor deserve in any way, but 
must call upon him for it, who gives us it from grace. 

Thursday, 13. Bill Henry came home from hunting, 
who told Br. David that his son once came from hunting 
and said to him that he had come across t\vo bucks with 
their horns interlocked, but that he looked very anxious, 
His father, who understood, asked him if he thought much 
about it or was in fear. He said yes, whereupon the father 
said he cared nothing for it, and no longer believed such 

O O 

things, as he did formerly, took his gun, went with him 
and shot the buck that was still alive, for the other was 
already dead. The Indians have the superstition that he 
who comes across a pair of bucks with their antlers inter 
locked, will not live very long, on which account the 
son would not shoot him. 

Friday, 14. Michael held early service. It snowed, and 
for several days the river has run with ice, so as not to be 
travelled upon. 

Saturday, 15. The Indian brethren came home from 
making the road to the settlement, but they are not yet 
done with it. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 291 

Sunday, 16. Br. Sensemann preached. It was cold, 
snowy weather, wherefore there was no other service. 

Tuesday, 18. Br. David held the early service, and 
then the communion service. As the brothers had for the 
greater part come home, and a part would yet come, he 
gave notice of the Lord s supper for next Saturday, and 
he mentioned much whereby the brethren, by the deceit 
of Satan, who would like to deprive them of the commun 
ion, could lose this, and thus hereafter be not better, but 
worse. 

Wednesday, 19. In the conference of assistants, Judith 
was spoken of, who last year went away from us, and now 
came again. We spoke with her, and told her we would 
observe her for a while, whether she would behave accord 
ing to her promise. Mention was especially made of the 
conduct of the children and the bad oversight of the pa 
rents, wherefore, in the evening, the assistants got the pa 
rents together, talked to them and admonished them to 
take more regard for their children s welfare, to speak 
with them, and not to let them follow their own will and 
be Satan s prey, which admonition bore good fruit. 

Friday, 21. The assistants spoke with James, who 
again wished to live here, and got leave so to do. 

Saturday, 22. After having spoken to the brethren 
during the 1 preceding days we had the holy communion in 
the near presence of our dear Lord, which Br. Zeisberger 
conducted. Sensemann served among the sisters, David 
and Edwards among the brothers. 

Sunday, 23. Michael preached. Zeisberger conducted 
the children s hour, to whom he made a speech of exhorta 
tion, and Sensemann the congregation meeting. Peggy, 
a sinner, came, and with tears asked forgiveness of her sin. 
In the evening Frenchmen came here with rum, who stayed 
over night. They were forbidden to sell any here. 

Monday, 24. David held early service from the Script 
ure-verse : The name of the Lord shall be feared. In the 
evening we had a blessed Christmas-watch, which we be 
gan with a love-feast. We thanked our God, who became 
man, for his holy incarnation and birth, sang the little 



292 

Jesus in the manger, adored him, and vowed to him to 
give anew our poor hearts to hi in, since we have nothing 
else, and asked him to look kindly upon us, and to bless 
us, which he did abundantly. In conclusion, wax candles 
were distributed among the children. 

Tuesda} , 25. Br. Senscmann preached from the Gospel 
about the shepherds to whom the angel brought word of 
the Saviour s birth. Among other things the translator 
said that the Infant Jesus had lain, or had to lie, in the 
manger, upon hay or straw left by the cattle. In the 
evening could be heard in the houses here and there 
Christmas- verses and songs sung. The brethren were all 
much interested and the Infant Jesus showed himself 
gracious and friendly among us and made himself known 
to us. To him be honor, thanks and praise! 

Wednesday, 26. All the brethren went out to cut tim 
ber, to square it, and to split it into boards for a new 
school-house, with which labor they were to-day nearly 
done, and brought some here on sledges. *To the young 
people it was joyful news, they went to work gladly, say 
ing: " Now is there hope of our again having school." 
They were, 

Saturday, 29, busy with blocking out even to the roof. 
Chippewas sent here to ask when New Year would be, 
for they wanted to come here to beg according to their 
custom, but we sent back word that we had ourselves lit 
tle to eat, and many among us nothing at all. 

Sunday, 30. Br. Zeisberger preached from the Epistle: 
But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth 
his son, made of a woman, etc., and Br. Michael held the 
congregation meeting. 

Monday, 31. At the end of the year we came together, 
about midnight, to a love-feast, and brought to our dear 
Lord our filial thanks and praise-offerings for all the kind 
nesses shown us through this year in body and soul, for 
his recognition of us, poor and wretched creatures, though 
instead of making glad his heart, we had so often grieved 
him, causing him labor and care by our sins, so that he 
always found that to correct which we had put wrong, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1792. 293 

and this he did faithfully according to his endless pity, 
so that in the end Satan cannot boast, as if he had at 
tained his purpose, but he must feel shame and see that 
he has gained nothing. We see plainly that he does not 
sleep, but is always awake, to cause harm among believers. 
The savages he can let go, about whom he does not much 
trouble himself, for them he has in his power anyway; 
but he is most concerned about the believing Indians, 
lest they slip from his hands. Therefore we must learn 
from the Saviour to use patience and long-suffering towards 
our brethren, and seek to aid such as have strayed from 
the right way. We asked our merciful Lord for absolu 
tion from all our faults and sins, for his farther recognition 
of us, for his blessing upon all our deeds and plans, and 
we vowed to him new fidelity and obedience. In conclu 
sion, the blessing of the Lord was imparted to the church, 
and therewith we passed over into the new year. 

We still find cause to praise the Saviour; we came here 
in May and chose this place for a settlement, and accord 
ing to appearances, and so far as the country on this river 
is known to us, it is the best and fittest for us in all re 
spects, for we find every thing here which is requisite. It was 
a perfect wilderness, and the building-site thickly grown 
with heavy timber, and now already nearly thirty good 
houses stand here, among them many dressed block-houses. 
More than a hundred acres of land have been cleared and 
planted, and every one who comes here wonders how the 
much labor they see with their eyes could have been per 
formed. Indeed, without the help and aid of the Saviour, 
all could not have been done. lie has given us health, 
has imparted his blessing to our work, and has been with 
us. That by early frosts our corn was injured in the au 
tumn, and much of it frozen, is a great calamity for us, 
but it has not come upon us alone, but upon the whole 
land, upon Indians and white people, and it will cause 
scarcity. On account of war we had again disturbance, 
which caused us for some time much care and anxiety, 
but at the end all has come to nought, just as among the 
brethren, at the outset all these things appeared danger- 



294 

ous and frightful. Those of our people who let them 
selves be led astray, come again, one after the other, 
ashamed and humble, and beg for forgiveness. 

As for our settlement, we have from the beginning 
looked upon it as nothing certain and permanent, but 
thought if we could stay here a couple of years, safe and 
hidden from the excesses of Satan and the savages, we 
should attain our end and be thankful to the Saviour 
therefor; and nothing farther has occurred in this matter. 
We have, however, so much news, that the Governor has 
sent orders to the commandant not to have any more land 
surveyed, nor to give out what is already surveyed, for a 
good distance from our town, until he has himself spoken 
with the missionaries, in order not to lessen our settlement, 
and the commandant, who is president of the Land Board, 
told us we should have our land surveyed on both sides 
the river as we shall wish ; this is also well enough known 
among the white people, who have so said to our Indians. 

From strangers we have had no increase. In the spring 
two families came here to live, for which they had leave, 
but they went away again, and the heads thereof died 
soon after. Our people who in the spring remained on 
the lake below, have all come to us this autumn, except 
Susanna and her children, who are yet there. We have 
observed that the white people do much harm among our 
people, and were the cause of their staying there. Satan 
and the children of the world, white, black, brown, make 
attempts upon our people, and seek to lead them astray, 
while other savages are quiet towards them. 

Baptized this year were 3 adults and 5 children. Ad 
mitted to the holy communion, 5. 

One couple married. 5 have died, among them 1 child. 
There are in all 151 inhabitants here, among them two 
unbaptized adults. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 295 



CHAPTER XIII. 

1793. 
FAIRFIELD, ox THE THAMES, ONTARIO. 

Tuesday, Jan. 1. Br. Michael preached about the name 
of Jesus, who is called Saviour, in that he saves his people 
from their sins. Br. Zeisberger conducted the children s 
hour and Sensemann the service for the baptized. He ex 
horted the brethren to give themselves anew to the Sa 
viour as his property alone ; to let themselves be led, ruled, 
and made ready by his spirit for the praise and joy of our 
beloved Lord. There have lately been strangers present, 
who have attended the services, and to-day many came 
down here from the upper town. 

Friday, 4. Sabina, Thomas widow, brought forth a 
daughter. 

Saturday, 5. Mr. Parke came here. We heard there 
was a poor prospect for peace; that the nations made a 
point of having the Ohio the boundary of their land, which 
causes us much care and anxiety. 

Sunday, 6. We celebrated a blessed feast for the con 
version of the heathen (Epiphany), and the Saviour of the 
heathen showed himself gracious and apparent to us and 
made us aw r are of his presence in all our services. Br. Zeis 
berger conducted morning prayer. Sensemann preached 
from the Gospel about the three wise men from the east, 
to whom the star appeared, which they followed till they 
found the Child. In the afternoon was a love-feast, at 
which Br. Zeisberger presided, and in the concluding 
service he baptized into Jesus death, with the name Lea, 
the child born clay before yesterday. The brethren were 
much aroused, touched, and overcome by the mercy and 
presence of the heathen s Saviour, so that they gave them 
selves again to him, renewed their baptismal covenant, 



296 

and, as it were, lived afresh. Many who were drowsy 
awakened, took courage again to draw near to him, and 
sought forgiveness and rest for their souls. We observed 
also that among strangers there was movement to he seen, 
and we have hope that from the Monsey town the Sa 
viour will also yet get together people for the reward of 
his suffering. 

Monday, 7. Michael held early service. The brothers 
went to work on the school-house, already under roof, to 
complete it. 

Tuesday, 8. Edwards held early service from the 
Scripture-verse: Yea, in the way of thy judgments, 
Lord, have we waited for thee ; that if we wait for Jesus, 
he will send us the power, for his glory, to enter into his 
kingdom. 

Wednesday, 9. Mr. Parke went back, and with him 
some of our brethren to the settlement to get corn. A 
family of strangers, who were here during the holidays 
and till now, went home. The man thinks of moving 
here in the spring, on which account he has here several 
times spoken with his wife and asked her whether she 
was willing, and she will be glad to come to us. 

Thursday, 10. Several brethren went to the Monsey 
town. Here the Indian brethren had quite finished the 
school-house. Moses came, asking for readmission to 
live here. 

Sunday, 13. Br. Edwards preached, Sensemann con 
ducted the children s hour, and David held the congrega 
tion meeting. 

Monday, 14. Samuel and several others went for corn 
up to the Monsey town, and the brethren came back 
from the settlement, having, however, got but little, for the 
settlers are new beginners, and have themselves but little. 

Tuesday, 15. Some went bear-hunting, others to the 
Monsey town for corn. Thus far the winter has been 
very mild. The snow which has fallen is for the most 
part melted, for it thaws every day and freezes at night. 

Wednesday, 16. Michael held early service, who for 
several days had been kept indoors by trouble with his 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 297 

leg. The assistants spoke with Tobias, reminding him of 
his promise, and showing him he did not behave accord 
ingly. Br. David had already said to him that in this way 
he could not be here, and this so unsettled him that 
he could not sleep at night. He acknowledged and con 
fessed, begging forgiveness; wherefore we still had pa 
tience with him. 

Thursday, 17. Zeisberger held early service. French 
traders came here and remained over night, who last 
autumn built a house twenty miles above us, and trade 
there. 

Saturday, 19. Samuel and other brethren came back 
from the Monsey town with corn. He had preached the 
Saviour to the Indians there and had devout hearers. 
When he came away Indians called out to him two miles 
from town. He asked what they wanted. They asked if 
he would not soon come back again, for they had heard that 
he preached the night before in town, and wished him 
soon to come back again, for they also wanted to hear 
something. They met there white people from Niagara, 
who had been sent out to examine the land. They had 
orders also from the Governor to look at our town and the 
country about it, but as they had a long journey and their 
time was used up, they had to give up for the present 
going farther than they were. 

Old David, who lives there, an old lost sheep, since our 
captivity, whom the brethren often visited last summer 
and talked with, sent his greetings to Br. David and the 
message, that where he was he had nothing for his heart, 
all was dead and lifeless; that next spring he wished to 
come here to the church, but as he was old and helpless 
though he can still very well take care of himself he 
begged the brothers to be so good as to help him in this. 

Sunday, 20. Br. Zeisberger preached from the Epistle, 
Rom., xii., 7, about a godly walk, especially about broth 
erly love, which is the fruit of the spirit that dwells in the 
children of God. As there was tine spring-like weather, 
which the brethren wished to make use of, we dismissed 
them, and visited some brethren, in the neighborhood. 



298 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Wednesday, 23. The assistants spoke with Joseph, re 
minding him of his promise in baptism, and showing him 
that his walk was not in accordance therewith. He prom 
ised to give himself anew to the Saviour and to be obedient. 

Thursday, 24. Br. Zeisberger had a long conversation 
with Tobias, who called upon him. He led him to the 
acknowledgment of his wretchedness and thus with it to 
approach the Physician of our souls, who would free him 
therefrom, heal, and cure him. Different brethren went 
to the Mousey town for corn. 

Sunday, 27. Michael preached. Sensemann held the 
communion quarter-hour, giving notice of it for Saturday. 
An Indian came here from the Monsey town, bringing 
news to friends here that old Lokachkes was near dying, 
whom our brethren would have liked to bring to the 
Saviour on the cross, if they could, but he would not, when 
he was here not long ago. 

Monday, 28. Nicoderrms went to see him, pointed out 
to him the Saviour, who receives and saves sinners, and 
who alone can save all those who in their perplexity call 
upon him. The former came, 

Wednesday, 30, home from there. His uncle expressed 
his thanks that the brothers, the teachers, had thought of 
him, but the next day he had forgotten what had been 
said to him, and Nicodemus had to say it all over again to 
him, and he answered: "Ah, if God would only be 
gracious to me, and take me just as I am ! " 

Friday, Feb. 1. To-day and yesterday there was speaking 
with reference to the Lord s supper. Samuel s daughters, 
who came here and began to make trouble on every hand, 
we sent away. 

Saturday, 2. We had the holy communion, which Br. 
Sensemann directed, whereby the near presence of God 
mightily showed itself. 

Sunday, 3. Br. Zeisberger read the liturgy. Br. Sense 
mann preached. The assistants met with the brothers to 
see about paying the common debt. 

Monday, 4. Many went to the Monsey town to get 
corn. From Niagara Mr. Caldwell went through here, on 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 299 

his way to Detroit, where he lives. We heard somewhat 
about the affecting circumstances in France, 1 and that there 
would be peace between the Indian nations and the States, 
which we heartily desire. 

Wednesday, 6. David came here, having been away 
since last summer. 

Thursday, 7. An express, with a couple of Indians, went 
through here for Niagara. 

Sunday, 10. Br. Edwards preached at the approach of 
passion-tirne, about the Saviour s entrance into Jerusalem 
to his suffering. The assistants, who had come home from 
the sugar-huts, spoke with David to learn whence and 
wherefore he was come. They heard from him that he 
would like again to be in the church, to which, however, 
they gave no reply. In a service for the married, the wid 
ower, Luke, was married to the single woman, Cornelia, 
which marriage has been long in making. 

Monday, 11. Michael held early service. The assist 
ants sent Tobias away, with whom for several years we 
have had much patience on account of Ruth, his old 
mother, who yet needs help, but as he caused harm to the 
church, we could no longer suffer him, and he went forth 
to-day. 

Wednesday, 13. Our people were busy in the sugar- 
huts. French traders were here over night. 

Friday, 15. A white man arrived, who brought us news 
that the Governor 2 was coming over land from Niagara, 
and had passed the night not far from here. 

Saturday, 16. He arrived in the forenoon with some 
eight Mohawks and six English captains, but stayed only 
a couple of hours, and then continued his journey to De 
troit. He looked at every thing, went into our meeting 
house and the school-house, where we had fires in two 
chimneys; we entertained them at breakfast as well as we 



1 Probably the imprisonment of the royal family in the Temple, and 
the preceding circumstances. 

2 John Graves Simcoe, the first governor of Upper Canada, now On 
tario, which had been made into a separate province, 1791. See p. 244. 



300 

could, and it tasted right good to them. He had nothing 
to remark against our settling here, but said that our 
town stood on Ohippcwa land, for on the north side of the 
river the laud has not been bought farther than eight or 
ten miles from here; on the other hand, upon the south 
side, the river is the boundary up above the Mousey town, 
and thus towards Niagara ; the Cliippcwas would not drive 
us away; it had been arranged with them that they should 
let us live here, and upon the south side we could have as 
much land from the government as we should consider 
needful. He said, however, that no one could be or act 
in the land as a minister without taking the oath of alle 
giance to the king. We showed him the Brothers Act of 
Parliament, 1 and replied that none of us missionaries had 
either renounced our allegiance to the king or sworn it to 
the States, whereupon indeed he said that, this being so, 
the Act of Parliament was still in force with us, but he 
wished that our principal correspondence should be with 
England, and that we should get from them our instruc 
tions, directions, and books, for they wished to have as 
little to do with the States as possible. We replied that 
this, our mission, was begun under the direction of the 
church and its bishops in Bethlehem, and had now been 
conducted more than fifty years, whence we every year 
received our books, as lie expressed it, and writings, and 
if any thing also was sent to us from Europe, it first went to 
our bishops in Bethlehem, and through them to us ; there 
fore it would be hard for us if the correspondence with our 
mother should be broken off. He said his meaning was 
not that we should not correspond at all with Bethlehem, 
but that our chief correspondence should go directly to 
England. 

Sunday, 17. Br. Zeisberger preached. As there was 
fine, spring weather, we dismissed the brethren to their 
sugar-huts. At a love-feast we congratulated Sister Su 
sanna upon her birthday. 

1 See De Schweinitz Life of Zeisberger, p. 154. Among other mat 
ters, a " solemn affirmation " could be made instead of an oath. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 301 

Monday, 18. Tobias, who came here again, asked ear 
nestly for pardon and readmission, that we might have 
patience with him, saying lie had indeed thought that he 
would go far away, but he could not, and from pure unrest 
of heart he was come again to make trial. Towards even 
ing we heard cannon fired in Detroit, from which we could 
infer that the Governor was arrived there. A sledge- 
party from the settlement went out to meet them as far up 
the river as they could, which had hastened the time of 
their journey. 

Tuesday, 19. Many of our people went to the settle 
ment to earn food by work. On the other hand, others 
went, 

Thursday, 21, up to the Mousey town for corn, for many 
are quite out of it, the autumn frost having done much 
damage. 

Saturday, 23. In the morning after nine o clock we 
heard cannon discharged in Detroit, from which we could 
conclude that the Governor was setting out on his way 
back. Yet it is reckoned forty miles to the lake from 
here over land, and by water much more, fifty at least, 
and then thirty miles over Lake St. Clair to Detroit, which 
we have lying west-south-west from us. Frenchmen came 
here with rum and remained over night. We took charge 
of it till they went farther the next morning. 

Sunday, 24. Michael preached, and then the brethren 
returned to their sugar-camp. We spoke with several 
brethren. 

Monday, 25. In the afternoon came back his excellency 
the Governor from Detroit with his suite, and passed the 
night with us. He examined very carefully the bank of 
the river and the country, which pleased him. After they 
had dined we gave him an address in the mime of the mis 
sionaries, which he well and graciously received. We took 
this opportunity to speak farther with him, since before 
his time was too short. 

1st. About our correspondence, that it would be hard 
and long for us if we could not send our reports directly 
to Bethlehem, but to England, whence they must first 



302 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

write to Bethlehem and get an answer before giving us a 
resolution about a thing. He perceived this, and replied 
that it was not positively forbidden to write to the States, 
but an Act of Parliament had been passed that from His 
Britannic Majesty s lands no intercourse on the part of the 
aristocracy and the clergy, especially of the bishops, should 
be held with the States which we could report home, and 
they could themselves ask farther about this in London. 
"When we heard this we were concerned, for we had no 
letter last autumn, and have had none since, that perchance 
they are lost. 

2d. About the land whereon we live, he had informed 
himself more carefully, and found that it was included in 
the purchase, that the government was well disposed 
towards us, and would give us land in consideration of our 
having suffered great losses, but he thought that a town 
ship, fronting on the river, took away from them too much 
land, since they intended to settle it thickly, and we could 
not make use of so much land. We told him that on the 
Muskingum we had three towns, but during the war 
had much decreased in number, for a third part had been 
murdered, another third scattered among the savages, and 
a third now remained therefrom [which indeed was not un 
known to him, as he gave us to understand], but that we 
hope, especially if there should be peace, to grow again. 
The conclusion was that if the land should be surveyed 
and laid out, and it should be found necessary, one of us 
should be called to Niagara and there we should be well 
considered and advised. We asked farther if a deed for 
the land would be given, and when he said yes, we said at 
once we should like to have it made out in the name of 
the Society s trustees in England, which he not only ap 
proved, having nothing to say against it, but was pleased 
with. 

3d. We said to him that our Indians did not go to war, 
that we taught them according to the Scripture to live at 
peace with all men, as for as possible, for experience had 
shown us that if they went to war our mission was ruined 
and our labor vain. This he agreed to and confirmed, but 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 303 

said that on this very account the Indians were not well- 
disposed to our Indians, as also some of the whites in 
Detroit, which is well known to us, and we know the per 
sons, too, who do not approve our principles. 

Tuesday, 26. In the morning we spoke farther with 
him, setting- before him the want of our Indians in the 
necessaries of life, that this had not come from laziness, as 
is usually the case with Indians, but that failure of the 
crops and early frosts in the autumn were the causes of it, 
and we asked him, if it were possible, to come to their aid. 
Last year in the spring we had bought them at our own 
cost a hundred bushels of corn, and thus put them in con 
dition to clear their land and to plant, but from failure of 
the crops they were now in the same circumstances. When 
he found difficulty, and could not of himself do this, and 
we had proposed to him that if we could have advanced 
to us two hundred bushels of corn, we would return it as 
soon as we could, he was disposed for this, and said, yes, 
this he would and could do, and at once ordered his com 
missary to draw an order upon the commandant in Detroit 
to deliver us so much from the king s store so soon as we 
could take it away. His excellency asked to attend our 
worship and early service. It so happened that most of the 
brethren were at home, and he came with his officers, took 
good notice of every thing, especially of the brethren s 
singing, which pleased him well. Afterwards he bade us, 
when the Indians came together again, to express to them 
his satisfaction at their devout worship, and to say to them 
that he had been much edified to see Indians worshipping 
God so devoutly and humbly; they should continue there 
in, to grow and increase to God s glory and as an example 
to other Indians. Then he went to the Zeisbergers house, 
where he was alone, wrote an answer to our address, and 
gave it to us with these words, that he hoped to have oc 
casion to show his favor and inclination towards us more 
by deeds than by what was therein expressed. He took 
leave of us in a friendly and polite way, and continued his 
journey towards Niagara. 



304 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

This afternoon died our dear Cornelius, old and full of 
years, right blessedly. His remains were, 

Wednesday, 27, committed to the earth. He was bap 
tized by a Lutheran pastor in Walbeck, in Jersey, and 
thoroughly aroused, but as he afterwards went to the Sus- 
quehanna and Wajomik (Wyoming, Pa.), and had no far 
ther instruction, he remained as he was until in the year 
65 the church came to Friedenshiitten, where he came to 
it, and has so remained steadfast to the end. He was 
taken into the church Jan. 6, 68, and was admitted to the 
holy communion May 30, 67. In 1772 he went with the 
Indian church to the Muskingum, where he became a na 
tional assistant. He showed by word of mouth and by 
his conduct that he believed in Jesus Christ and in his 
bloody merits; he was a comfort and edification to the 
brethren, and did not cease, so long as weakness and age 
did not prevent, to exhort and encourage them to remain 
with the Saviour, who gives so much that is good and lets 
those enjoy it who hunger and thirst therefor. He loved 
and was beloved,, and his testimony and word found ac 
cess among the brethren, being confirmed by his conduct. 
When, after the dispersion, he came again to the church 
on Huron River (Michigan), he was very humble and like 
a repentant sinner, and said as he came: "I come very 
poor and wretched, for happy I am not, but take me just 
as I am. I will give myself anew to the Saviour. Per 
haps he will be gracious to me and send rne a joyful 
heart." This too the Saviour did for him, so that he 
could rejoice in God, his Saviour. In the year 86 or 87 
he lost his sight, so that he was quite blind, and as he had 
been busy and industrious all his life and never willingly 
idle, so did he when he was blind, and worked as much 
as he could. Since last autumn he has had noticeably less 
strength. On the 2d of this month he was present at the 
Lord s supper in the chapel, and from that time it could 
be seen that his mortal life was near its end. He was 
old and tired of living and often longed to go to the Sa 
viour, for which he was waiting. Sickness was not the 
occasion of this, for he felt no pain, but weakness. Many 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 305 

of the brethren believed, as he said himself, that he was 
over a hundred years old. He fell asleep quietly and hap 
pily amid the blessing of the church. 

Friday, March 1. We had a sad occurrence. Three 
white people, who had accompanied the Governor, with 
horses, came back and went through here. One of them 
met Samuel not far from town, who was coming from the 
sugar-camp, and who owed him a small sum. He followed 
him and struck him, so that he broke l his arm and suf 
fered great pain. As they passed the night in the sugar- 
huts, we sent some Indians out about midnight, who 
brought him in, so that he could see what he had done, 
and upon inquiring why, he could give no reason except 
that he had drunk too much, and asked us not to com 
plain of him in the Fort; promised also to help Samuel, 
so far as lay in his power, that he should get well again, 
and so we let him go. 

Sunday, 3. Br. Zeisberger preached in Indian, and 
most of the brethren were present. As many Indian 
brothers were at home, they set about putting Samuel s 
arm right, since hitherto all they had done had been in 
vain, and were lucky enough to bring it right again, and 
he was freed from pain, whereover all the brethren thank 
fully rejoiced and went back comforted to their sugar- 
camp. 

Monday, 4. In the evening Tobias and Abel came home 
from the Frenchman s drunk, causing disorder. The 
former had to be bound. The day after, 

Tuesday, 5, the assistants came together, sent him away, 
and informed his mother, Ruth, that if she could not do 
without her son, she must go with him, but she bethought 
herself and begged them yet to have patience with her. 

Thursday, 7. As we had a severe thunder-storrn two 
days ago, whereupon there followed yesterday the finest 
spring- weather, and the sugar-trees ran strong day and 
night, so that the brethren could hardly attend to them, 

1 Probably a dislocation. 

20 



306 

so now cold, snowy weather sets in, the like of which we 
have not had this winter. Frenchmen came here with 
rum, and remained over night, of which we took charge. 

Sunday, 10. 13 r. Sensemann preached from the Script 
ure-verse : lie was wounded for our transgressions; he 
was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our 
peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. 
Then the brethren went to their sugar-huts, having much 
labor before them. 

Tuesday, 12. The ice in the river broke up. The ex 
press from Niagara came back, who met the Governor not 
far from home. 

Thursday, 14. Young Daniel Dolson came here. The 
brethren in the sugar-camp had much labor. They say 
that in no place where they have been have the sugar- 
trees run so strong. 

Saturday, 16. For two days it has rained. The river 
rises very high. 

Sunday, 17. Br. Zeisberger preached from Heb., ix., 
about the perfect sacrifice of Jesus for our sins and those 
of the whole world, whereby alone we are justified in 
faith, and saved. Whoever does not receive it or despises 
it, is lost. Thereupon the brethren went away again to 
their sugar-camp, where they have much work before 
them, for the trees run strong. 

Tuesday, 19. The river has so been rising for several 
days that it has overflowed the lowland and many fields. 
The brethren were busy in the sugar-camp. 

Friday, 22. Tobias came from, the Mousey town, bring 
ing a wife with him, as we had advised, since we could 
not concern ourselves about his marriage. She came to 
ask for reception. She is a person who has already long 
wished to be with us, and said she would like to hear how 
she should and could be saved, but that she was dull and 
stupid, and knew not how to do any thing. 

Saturday, 23. Adam came from the Monsey town with 
a request from old David there that the brothers would 
help him come to the church, as he was old and helpless. 

Sunday, 24. Br. Edwards preached, Br. Zeisberger read 



FA1RFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 307 

the communion service, of which he gave the brethren no 
tice, and read to them what the apostle Paul wrote to the 
church about it, I. Cor., xi., 23. The assistants spoke with 
the woman who lately came, and heard her. They told 
her our laws, how she would hav>e to live if she wished to 
be in the churcl}, and received her; at the same time also 
with Tobias, with whom, upon his ceaseless entreaty, we 
wore willing again to make trial. We learned to-day that 
Jacob, Christiana s husband, had taken a Tawa wife in 
Pottquotting, and thus we cannot expect that he will come 
to us. Thus it is if one goes his own way apart from the 
church, little by little he gets so far away that he is quite 
ready for perdition. 

Tuesday, 26. Br. Zeisberger and his wife spoke with 
the brethren, and found in their hearts tokens of the grace 
and working of God s spirit. 

Wednesday, 27. The communicants, in two divisions, 
had the washing of feet, whereof the history was read, and, 

Thursday, 28, after the history had first been read in a 
public meeting, the communicants had the Lord s supper 
in the night of his betrayal. Leonard and Johanuette were 
readmitted. 

Friday, 29. We began the day with the reading and 
consideration 6f the passion-history of our Lord and Sa 
viour, and, at the consideration of his many sufferings and 
sorrows for us, many tears were given him from shame 
and humiliation that God should have taken upon him 
self and endured our punishment, and have reconciled us 
to God by his perfect sacrifice upon the cross, and have 
discharged our debt and done away with our sins. This 
made us sigh in heart: - Take us altogether to be thine 
own, a recompense for thy woes ! " 

Saturday, 30. We kept Quiet Sabbath, and had a love- 
feast in the afternoon, singing: In the tomb the Saviour 
lay, etc. 

Sunday, 31. Early in the morning we prayed, partly in 
our chapel, partly in the grave-yard, the Easter litany, 
thinking at the proper place of those who had departed 
since last year, five brothers, whose bodies are buried here. 



308 

Then Br. Michael Jung preached about the glorious resur 
rection of our Lord for our justification. In a service 
which followed this, held by Br. Sensemann, he baptized 
the old widow, Akerlernann, Boaz mother, with the name 
Erdrnuth, into the death of Jesus. And in the service for 
the baptized, which Br. Zeisberger held, he absolved John 
Thomas in the name of Jesus Christ; he had laid before 
Br. Zeisberger, in a written letter, the state of his heart 
and his repentance for his transgressions, and brought it 
himself, but for tears could say nothing. Both the service 
for the baptized, which three white people attended, and 
also this, were especially blessed by the Lord. 

Monday, Ajml 1. The brethren went all again to their 
sugar-camp, after first having contributed sugar for the 
love-feasts, 170 pounds. Nicholas and young Joachim, 
with their families, who had already separated themselves 
from the others in the sugar-camp of them we heard 
they were making ready to go from the church Br. 
Zeisberger had a straightforward talk with them, but they 
did not follow his advice. 

Tuesday, 2. Some went to the Monsey town for corn. 
Tobias wife s mother came from there, who thanked the 
Zeisbergers that her daughter had leave to live in the 
church. The brethren ended sugar-making. Many hun 
dred pounds have been made, by which they have paid their 
debts and bought corn and provisions. In no place yet 
where we have been has the yield been so great. 

Thursday, 4. Christiana, Renatus, and several others, 
went down to the lake to get their corn, and others to the 
settlement for provisions, Samuel, etc. 

Sunday, 7. Sensemann preached. We wrote to Beth 
lehem. 

Tuesday, 9. Brs. Sensemann and Michael went to the 
Fort on business with the commandant, at the same time, 
if possible, to forward our letters to Bethlehem. 

Thursday, 11. Boaz, who said he was going hunting, 
was asked who went with him. He replied : " No one, 
except the dear Saviour. Boaz and the Saviour go to 
gether. I hear always that in all places he is with us, and 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 309 

I believe it, and when I am alone in the bush I talk with 
him, as if my eyes saw him." The whites had a love- 
feast on Br. Zeisberger s seventy-third birthday. 

Friday, 12. Johanna visited the Zeisbergers, with 
whom they had a long and thorough conversation, for she 
had wished to leave the church for the sake of her wicked 
daughter, and as we saw she could not part from her 
daughter, we did not wish to persuade her to stay, but left 
it to her to consider. 

Sunday, 14. Br. Edwards preached about the good 
Shepherd who knows his sheep and calls them by name, 
and who know him, hearing and understanding his voice. 

Monday, 15. Br. Zeisberger held early service. Jo 
hanna and Anna Mary came and begged again to be per 
mitted to remain anew in the church. No one had sent 
them away, but they had themselves wished to go. The 
latter s daughter has married a savage, and as he has re 
solved to live in the church, we wish to make a trial with 
him. He said he could not now promise to live as did 
the believers, knowing nothing of them, how it was among 
us, and he had never heard any thing either, but if we 
w T ould have patience with him he would make a trial. 
This we promised him and bade them come together to 
town. 

Wednesday, 17. Bill Henry came last evening from the 
settlement, and as he had there been overcome with 
drink, in despair he wished to go away from us. We 
sent Joshua after him, who overtook him seven miles 
from here and brought him back again, when Br. Zeis 
berger helped him right again, and said to him that this 
was not the right way, but if he was sorry, he should 
turn to the Saviour and seek forgiveness from him. 

Thursday, 18, Br. Sensemann, and Friday, 19, Br. 
Michael, came back from Detroit with the Indian brothers, 
Peter and Adam. The former had accomplished with the 
commandant, 1 that we should get here the two hundred 
bushels of corn from a French trader, for which he 



Col. Richard England. 



310 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

brought back an order, and thus we shall not have the 
trouble of bringing it from Detroit, a long journey and 
dangerous for canoes upon the lake. The commandant was 
very friendly. J3r. Sensemann must dine with him. He 
asked many questions about the church, for he had been 
in Bethlehem, and he said that whenever any of us came 
to Detroit we should visit him. At his request we put in 
a memorial about the land we should get, he being presi 
dent of the Land Board, so as to submit something to 
him, which he well approved. 

Saturday, 20. David held early service. This week we 
sowed our garden vegetables. The Iiulian brethren were 
busy getting their fields ready, and clearing land also. 

Sunday, 21. At the sermon, which 33 r. Z^isberger 
preached, white people were present, a man with his wife, 
and her sister, devout hearers. Michael held the congre 
gation meeting. 

Tuesday, 23. The French trader brought us the above- 
mentioned corn, as much as he had, and promised to de 
liver the rest. We gave him a receipt, and thus our 
brethren were helped for the year, so that they could 
plant. 

Thursday, 25. Mr. Dolson came here with a couple of 
white people, and remained over night. lie told us he 
had sent our letters by way of Montreal in the lirst ship 
to New York. From the mouth of the river on lake Erie 
came back Christiana, Peggy, and others, who had brought 
the corn they left there, and had with them Susanna and 
her children. She came the next day and asked for ad 
mission, for we had told her to leave us, when we came 
away from there. The assistants spoke with her, 

Saturday, 27, and received her again, to her great com 
fort and thankfulness. 

Sunday, 28. Michael preached. In the afternoon the 
assistants had to speak with Renatus and the wife he had 
taken, also with Joseph on account of bad conduct, and 
his wife. 

Monday, 29. Early Anna Elizabeth was delivered of a 
daughter. From the settlement Mr. Parke came here 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 311 

with goods, flour, and corn, to trade with the Indians. 
He brought the Indians seed-corn and potatoes for plant 
ing. He will settle next to our township, when the town 
ship adjacent to us has been surveyed. lie went, 

Thursday, May 2, away with a heavy lading of pelts 
and sugar, over 1500 pounds, having had a good trade, so 
that one must wonder where he comes from. We also 
reckoned and settled with him. 

Saturday, 4. Br. Sensemann held early service about 
the love of Christ, which enters, masters, and overcomes 
the heart, so that we love him in return and hate all that 
is called sin in the world and is displeasing to him. The 
surveyor arrived in his boat and encamped with his peo 
ple by the river, in order first to survey the township below 
us, all of which has not yet been surveyed, and then to 
.measure off our land, especially all in one piece, and not 
to lay it out in lots. Therefore he must first see how the 
river runs. 

Sunday, 5. Br. Sensemanu preached, and the surveyor, 
MoN eff, with his people, was present. Then the com 
munion service, of which Br. Zeisberger gave notice for 
next Saturday, and in the congregation meeting towards 
night he baptized the little daughter of Zachary and Eliz 
abeth, born on the 29th of last month, with the name 
Margaret. Johannette was delivered of a son. 

Tuesday, 7. After the surveyor had first examined the 
country, he laid out to-day the third township below us, 
and found that the boundaries of it would fall a mile and 
a half from here. As this is too near, it will be lessened, 
and some lots in the upper part be made over to us [a lot 
is three hundred acres], so that we shall have room. It is 
found that we have the best and greatest piece of land, in 
one body, upon the river. 

Wednesday, 8. In the early service Br. Sensemann 
baptized the little son of Leonard and Johannette, born 
on the 5th List., with the name, George. Abigail was de 
livered of a daughter. The surveyor surveyed our town 
in order to make a draught of it, and then went with his 
people farther up the river. 



312 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Thursday, 9. Ascension Day. We prayed to our dear 
Lord, who for us is ascended into heaven, after fulfilling the 
work of our redemption, there also to prepare a place -for 
us, so that we may be with him forever ; until then we 
begged to enjoy daily his unseen presence. 

Friday, 10. A Frenchman, who came up here with rum, 
caused us great anguish and perplexity, for some bad peo 
ple of ours drank and made an uproar in town. 

Saturday, 11. After the brethren had been spoken to, 
the communicants enjoyed the body and blood of the Lord 
in the holy sacrament, at which JBr. Sensemann presided. 

Sunday, 12. After the communion liturgy, in which 
Br. Zeisberger called upon the communion-church to op 
pose with united hearts the evil spirit, by whom some were 
so possessed that they openly and wantonly sinned, and no 
longer had respect for the church ; that they should ask the 
Saviour to be pleased to stand by us and quench the evil 
spirit. Br. Edwards preached and in the congregation 
meeting, which Br. Sensemann held, he baptized the little 
daughter of Boaz and Abigail, who was born on the 3d 
Inst., with the name, Marianne. 

Monday, 13. The assistants spoke with David, An 
drew, and Joseph about their wanton behavior, and or 
dered them to leave our town, and this they promised 
to do. 

Wednesday, 15. The surveyor, McNeff, who had been 
up as far as the Monsey town, came back, having partly 
surveyed the country, partly examined it, in order to es 
tablish the bounds of our township, about which, however, 
he must first confer with the commandant, president of the 
Land Board. He said he had found our township to be 
the best on the river, containing the most good land, that 
is, the greatest bottoms. 

Thursday, 16. The Mohawk, Brant, got here early with 
eight or more canoes of his people, but did not stay long, 
for they were in a hurry to get to the treaty on the Miami. 
They brought news that the Americans had come with 
boats to Presque Isle by the portage, but with what object 
they knew not, that they had crossed the lake by Long 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 313 

Point, where it is only thirty miles wide, and had gone 
back again. Both yesterday and to-day in the morning 
there were frosts, so that much was frozen. 

Friday, 17. Monseys from the upper town went through 
here on their way to the treaty. 

Sunday, 19. Br. Sensernann preached about the out 
pouring of the Holy Ghost, and in the afternoon Br. David 
held a service for the communion brethren. We brought 
to God, the worthy Hoi} 7 Ghost, our thank-offerings for 
his faithful care, and gave ourselves over to his guidance 
and direction, and vowed to him fidelity and obedience. 

Monday, 20. Tobias wife s mother came here, wishing 
to take away her daughter, who did not care to go, on 
which account we had trouble for a time, which at last 
ended well. 

Wednesday, 22. The Frenchman brought the rest of 
the corn which was yet lacking to make up the two hun 
dred-bushels. Joseph was sent away. 

Friday, 24. Brs. Sensemann and Michael went to the 
settlement to get provisions and flour for us. The breth 
ren made a fish-dam here and got so many that the whole 
town for a time had enough to eat and more. 

Sunday, 26. Br. Zeisberger preached about this on 
Trinity Sunday, that the Holy Trinity has brought about 
the work of our redemption in that the Son of God has 
reconciled us to God by bis blood, and that we now are 
with him in grace and have communion with him. In the 
afternoon there was a conference with the assistants. We 
spoke in their presence with, some people, for instance, 
Abel and Sabina, who, by their disobedience, had incurred 
w T ant and trouble, and now sought help and advice from 
us to make good their faults. Brs. Sensemann and Michael 
came back from the settlement with provisions. The as 
sistants spoke with Boaz. 

Tuesday, 28. Br. Sensemann held the early service, as 
did Michael yesterday. Rainy weather both days. We 
planted vegetables, tobacco. 

Wednesday, 29. Tobias wife s mother and her sister 
came here and called upon the Zeisbergers. He preached 



314 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

the Saviour to them and pointed out to them the way to 
him. They listened attentively, and when they went away 
they said, one to the other: "To-day we have heard what 
we had never heard before." They are not unfit for the 
kingdom of God. 

Friday, 31. To-day Tobias at last went away from the 
church, whom we have often sent away, with his wife, a 
savage woman, for here it was too narrow for him. 

Saturday, June 1. David held early service. Six canoes, 
with Mohawks, Brant s people, went through here to the 
treaty. They stayed here a couple of hours and were fed. 

Sunday, 2. Michael preached. In the afternoon our 
statutes and church-ordinances were made known to all 
the inhabitants, and the brethren were admonished to obey 
them, so that they might not only have the name of 
Christian Indians, but might show it by their behaviour. 
If, however, these ordinances did not please them, or were 
too severe, the door was always open for them to go, yes, 
he who had no mind so to live would do better to go and 
not to plague himself in vain, for the land was given to 
the Christian Indians alone to live on, and not to the sav 
ages. 

Wednesday, 5. The brethren hoed our and the common 
plantations, for which they had shot a couple of bucks. 
Thus the brethren did throughout the week, and helped 
hoe one field after the other, and thus the sick and weak 
are assisted. 

Friday, 7. A little house was built for old Joachim, 
whom the brethren honor and love. Besides, he has served 
the church in translating, and is respected for his fidelity. 

Sunday, 9. Michael preached. David held the children s 
hour, then there was a conference of assistants. 

Monday, 10. The brethren built a house for Christiana, 
whose husband left her over a year ago, and lives by hunt 
ing near Pettquotting. 

Wednesday, 12. After the early service, which Michael 
held, there was a conference of assistants. They spoke 
with Renatus, the Mohican, and his wife, and reconciled 
them ; also with Tobias wife s mother, a savage, advising 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 315 

her to take her daughter away with her, who came here 
yesterday with her hushand, for they cannot stay here, and 
this she promised to do. 

Saturday, 15. We had the unexpected pleasure of 
seeing Br. Heckewelder 1 among us [by way of Niagara to 
Detroit]. By him we were heartily refreshed by letters 
and papers, both from Europe and Bethlehem, and with 
the Scripture-verses also. We had received nothing for 
longer than a year. On his way he had found some pack 
ets here and there, and had brought them with him, so 
that we were comforted and revived, for we had believed 
that correspondence between the States and this govern 
ment here had been stopped, and our letters lost. 

Sunday, 16. Br. Heckewelder preached about this, that 
the Saviour came to seek and save the lost. Sensemann 
read the communion service, of which he gave the breth 
ren notice for next Saturday. W"e laborers were refreshed 
by reading the letters and journals received. Br. Edwards 
held the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 17. Br. Heckewelder held early service from 
the Scripture- verse : Declare his glory among the heathen : 
His marvellous works among all nations. 

Tuesday, 18. Some white people came over-land from 
Niagara, who think of settling on this river, to look at 
the country. 

Thursday, 20. Mohawks arrived from Niagara and 
went to Sandusky to the treaty. The head-man asked our 
Indians if they were not going to the treaty, and whether 
Brant and the others had not admitted them, to which 
they replied, no. "So then I will not bid you go, un 
less you want to go." 

1 Mr. Heckewelder had come west with the American Commissioners 
to treat with the Indians. In his journal of June 15th, he writes: 
"From here (Daniel Dolson s) I proceeded on horseback, taking one 
of the brethren along as guide, and arrived at our station at six P. M. ; 
finding all our white and Indian brethren and sisters busy at work in 
their corn-fields and clearings. . . . The Moravian town is situ 
ated on the bank of the river. The houses, about thirty in number, 
are principally of logs." 



316 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Saturday, 22. We had in the near presence of our Lord 
the holy communion, at which Zeisberger presided. 

Sunday, 23. Brs. Sensemann and John Heckewelder, 
with some Indian brethren, set out early for Detroit, the 
former to go from there by ship to Niagara to the Gov 
ernor, who is expecting some one of us, and the second 
on business, to the treaty at Sandusky. We accompanied 
them with our blessing and hearty good wishes. Br. Ed 
wards preached. Zeisberger read the liturgy and held the 
congregation meeting. 

Tuesday. 25. By some Mohawk Indians and a negro of 
Brant s who came from the Miami, we learned that the 
Indians were still on the Miami, upon the point of going 
to Sandusky, but that many who had come had gone back 
home again. David held early service. 

[Thus far to Bethlehem.] 

Wednesday, 26. Edwards held early service about the 
light that enlightens all, which is the Saviour himself. 

Thursday, 27. Michael held early service. The Indian 
Peter s hive of bees, which he brought here from Pett- 
quotting, swarmed to-day for the second time. There are 
none here in the bush in the whole neighborhood. 

Note. Br. Joseph Spang(enberg s) death not to be for 
gotten. 

Friday, 28. From Detroit came back Samuel and the 
brethren who had accompanied Brs. Sensemann and 
Heckewelder, from whom .we learned that Sensemann, the 
very morning after their arrival, went by ship to Niagara, 
but that in regard to the treaty to be held matters looked 
dubious, and that many lies had been spread abroad to 
hinder it. The six Quakers, 1 to whose ears the need and 



1 These six Quakers were Wm. Savery, John Parrish, John Elliot, 
and Jacob Lindley, from Pennsylvania; Joseph Moore and Wm. 
Hartshorne, from New Jersey. They accompanied the American 
Peace-Commissioners. " The Quakers were rejoiced to see some of 
our Indian brethren (in Detroit), and finding, upon inquiry, that they 
were almost in a starving condition, resolved to give $100 to their 
chief, which was accordingly laid out in provisions and forwarded to 
them; and the Indian congregation afterwards sent their benefactors 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 317 

want of our Indians had come, and who had themselves 
spoken with our Indians, took compassion upon them, and 
gave Dolsen an order for a hundred dollars worth of pro 
visions for them at their cost, a part of which they brought 
thence with them, with a written message to the Indian 
church, which hereby follows, and was communicated to 
the church. 

Sunday, 30. Br. Michael preached, and towards even 
ing Br. Zeisberger held the congregation meeting. After 
wards, in the marriage service, two couples were married, 
namely, the unmarried Bartholomew and the unmarried 
Justina, and John Adam and the unmarried Anna Sophia, 
by Brs. Zeisberger and Edwards. From the lower settle 
ment Mr. Parke came here on business with the Indians. 

Monday, July 1. Br. Edwards held early service from 
the Scripture-verse : Whither thou goest I will go, and 
where thou lodgest I will lodge. The brethren divided 
among themselves the provisions, so much as they had 
brought, which they got from the Quakers. 

Tuesday, 2. Michael held early service. The assist 
ants spoke with Johanna about her daughter s conduct; 
that she should think about keeping her elsewhere, but 
should herself get rid of her, who has no inclination 
either to live in the church or to be converted, but loves 
the world and heathenism. Many went away to-day to 
the settlement to earn something by working. Mr. Parke 
also went back. 

Thursday, 4. Indians, from the Monsey town, came 
through here on their way to the Fort, and we heard that 
the Indians would all go thither, having nothing to eat 
and having drunk up all their property. 

Friday, 5. Salome, David s wife, became suddenly so 
ill that her death was expected. She had inward convul 
sions, and all remedies failed. Among other things was 
given her a vermifuge, whereupon she passed an extraor 
dinary strange sort of worm, such as is found in horses, 

a letter of thanks, written by Mr. Zeisberger." Life of Heckewelder, 
pp. 130, 132. Our MS. does not contain the Quakers message. 



318 ZEISBERGER s DIARY. 

wherefrom so many die in this country, and then she grew 
better. 

Saturday, 6. We sent an express with a packet of let 
ters into the settlement to Parke, who is going to Detroit, 
to take to Br. Heckewelder. We sent at the same time 
an answer and our thanks, in the name of the Christian 
Indians, to the Quakers, for their gift of one hundred 
dollars to our Indians. Br. Michael held early service. 

Sunday, 7. Br. Zeisberger preached from the Epistle : 
Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into 
Jesus Christ were baptized into his death. We read the 
Bethlehem journal of December last, January and February. 

Tuesday, 9. Many of our Indians went to the settle 
ment to work. Those who were at home cleared land for 
sowing turnips and made hay. 

Thursday, 11. A Shawano from below came up here 
for a visit; also from the same place Tobias, with his wife 
and her mother. 

Sunday, 14. Michael preached about the perfect giving 
up of the heart to the Saviour. Br. Zeisberger held the 
congregation meeting from the day s text: I have given 
them thy word and the world hath hated them, for they 
are not of the world. 

Monday, 15. Brs. Samuel, Stephen, and others went 
up the river in two canoes to get the corn the Quakers 
gave. A Shawano, who has been here several days, went 
up to the Monsey town, who said here the agent sent the 
Indians to the war, and it looks as if there would be no 
treaty. 

Wednesday, 17. By brethren, who came from the set 
tlement, we learned not much that was good about our 
people there in the harvest, also that the commissioners 
were not yet come to the treaty. We live in an anxious 
time of expectation. 

Thursday, 18. Samuel and the brethren came back, 
bringing nineteen bushels of corn ; they could get no more, 
yet this was something for those at home, so that they gut 
food. 

Saturday, 20. Br. Edwards held early service, as did 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 319 

Br. Michael yesterday . Joshua came from the settlement, 
when we learned from Detroit that there would he no 
treaty, and that Brant with his people was again gone 
home. 

Sunday, 21. Zeisberger preached from the Epistle, 
Rom., viii., 12, about the blessed walk with Christ Jesus, 
which is the fruit of the Spirit. Michael held the congre 
gation meeting. Samuel and Stephen went to Detroit, to 
bring Br. Sensemann here, whom we expect there from 
Niagara. 

Monday, 22. From Detroit," by a Mohawk, David 
Kenedy, and soon afterward by an Indian, we had letters 
from Br. Heckewelder, from which we saw that Brant and 
fifty chiefs of different nations had gone from the Miami 
to Niagara, to speak with the commissioners there, and to 
ask them beforehand if they have full power to give up 
the land as far as the Ohio, if not, then to prepare to go 
home again without coming to a treaty. 

Wednesday, 24. By Mohawks, who passed through here, 
we learned that a ship from Ft. Erie had come to Detroit 
on which Brant came, and that he had gone to the Miami, 
that the honorable commissioners would not go to the 
Miami, a token that there will be no treaty. 

Saturday, 27. The brethren at home made fences over 
the river. French traders came here and went up the 
river. 

Sunday, 28. Edwards preached. William Henry and 
his family came here from the settlement, where they had 
been working. The brethren at home resolved among 
themselves to build a house for the Zeisbergers this week. 
The laborers read the journal, the celebration of the Jubi 
lee 1 in Bethlehem in June last year. 

Monday, 29. The Indian brethren went in a body to 
cut timber for the Zeisbergers house, which they accom 
plished on the 30th, and on the 31st made preparations to 
bring in the blocks. Ignatius arrived with his family. 

1 The church in Bethlehem having been organized fifty years before, 
1742. 



320 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Thursday, Aug. 1. Br. Edwards held early service 
about this, that through Jesus Christ we must enter into 
eternal life, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 
The brethren brought in timber. 

Friday, 2. Br. Sensemann arrived early, well, and safe 
from Niagara. He got there at just the right time, for the 
council was sitting, to which he submitted our plans and 
reasons, whereupon it was concluded and established that 
we should have land six miles in length, fronting on the 
river on both sides; how many miles inland could not be 
determined, since the boundary line of the purchased land 
had not yet been run on the north side. We have gained 
thus much, that the white people who settle thickly on the 
river cannot press close upon us. He was also there pres 
ent at the meeting of the chiefs of the nations with the 
commissioners, and while hitherto there has been little 
hope of a treaty, much less of peace, yet there is now some 
likelihood for it, since the chiefs spoke to the commis 
sioners and invited them to the treaty, who, moreover, 
came at the same time with Br. Sensemann from Ft. Erie. 
Farther about this matter, especially about his journey, 
can be seen in his report. Br. Heckewelder, who has been 
in Detroit for some time, is now with the commissioners 
at the mouth of the river, at the Watch-Tower [Warte 1 ]. 

Saturday, 3. David held early service. The speech of 
the nations to the commissioners and their reply were 
made known to the brethren. 

Sunday, 4. Br. Sensemann preached and Zeisberger 
held the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 5. Br. Michael held early service. To-day 
the brethren finished blocking out the Zeisbergers house 
and began to work at Sensemann s. One of our neighbors, 
an Englishman, came here on business, bringing with him 
an unmarried woman, his wife s sister, who stayed a couple 
of days with the Sensemanns. 

Thursday, 8. Our people, who have been away, came 

1 This is, I think, the first time Zeisberger has so named the site of 
his former settlement, at the mouth of Detroit River. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 821 

home one after the other, for at home now they find some 
thing to eat, but most of them come not without having 
suffered great harm in their hearts, which is ever grievous 
to us. 

Friday, 9. We got a letter from Br. Heckewelder from the 
Watch-Tower, wherein he says that he and the commis 
sioners are still detained there, and that although they had 
been invited to a treaty, and had come there from Niagara 
and were waiting, there was yet doubt whether there would 
be a treaty. 

Sunday, 11. Br. Edwards preached. We read the 
church journal, and had a conference with the assistants. 
There was a communion quarter-hour, and Br. Zeisberger 
spoke earnestly about the needfulness and use of the 
Lord s supper, of which he gave the brethren notice for 
the 13th. 

Monday, 12. The Indian brethren continued working 
on Brs. Zeisberger s and Sensemann s houses in the mid 
dle of the town. 

Tuesday, 13. After the brethren had been spoken to 
yesterday and to-day, which brought about a fundamental 
examination, the communicants enjoyed the body and 
blood of the Lord in the holy communion. He blessed us 
perceptibly, so that it could be observed in the brethren 
that they had experienced something out of the usual 
course of things. Boaz was readmitted, but many stayed 
away. 

Thursday, 15. A party of Monsey Indians, who came 
from Tawa River, said that nothing had yet been done in 
regard to a treaty ; the English would like to have the 
land north of the Ohio, and should this happen there 
would soon be peace. This was hitherto a mystery, but 
now no longer so. 

Saturday, 17. Zeisberger held early service. Andrew 
came here again, who was sent away several weeks ago. 

Sunday, 18. Zeisberger preached from the Epistle, Cor. 
ii., about this, that the ground of our salvation is the Holy 
Spirit s work of grace, that we are made fit therefor, and 
21 



322 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

every thing was sent ns from grace, since naturally we 
can think nothing good. In the afternoon there was a 
conference of assistants and reading of the European 
news. The assistants spoke with Andrew and Samuel ; 
the latter had heen absent longer than a year, and also 
with the widow, Sahina. We got word from Ileckewelder 
that prohahly there will be no treaty, and that they think 
soon of going back home. 

Monday, 19. To-day Zeisberger s house was roofed, 
and on the 20th Seusemann s. 

Wednesday, 21. Edwards held early service, and, 

Thursday, 22, Zeisberger. Mr. Parke arrived, remained 
over night, and went on the next morning to Niagara. 
We got nothing trustworthy about the treaty. 

Saturday, 24. Michael held early service from the day s 
text : Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and 
spoke very earnestly about the words : Thou hast kept my 
word and hast not denied my name. He reminded the 
brethren how often this had happened, that they had not 
regarded his word and had denied him. 

Sunday, 25. Sensemann preached, and Zeisberger held 
the congregation meeting from the Scripture-verse and 
text: For thou art my lamp, Lord, etc., and neither do 
men light a candle and put it under a bushel, that we 
should walk in the light and be a light to the world, that 
it shall see our good works and glorify our Father in 
heaven, and this is the fruit of the Spirit. 

Tuesday, 27. Br. Edwards held early service about the 
Lord s prayer to our Father in heaven, which he taught 
us, and which contains all we have to ask from him for 
ourselves and for others. 

Thursday, 29. Zeisberger held early service from the 
Scripture-verse: Ye shall be holy: for I, the Lord, your 
God, am holy, that we have our consecration from the 
wounds of Jesus, who consecrated himself for us, expiated 
and abolished our sins. With the unmarried brothers we 
had a love-feast, and wished them much kindness from 
our dear Lord. 

Saturday, 31. To-day and lately Mohawks have come, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 323 

Brant s people, from the Miami on their way home, all 
saying there would be no peace, since the Shawanese, 
Twightwees, and some Dclawares do not wish to accept 
peace. Thus it is, as it ever has been, some wish it much, 
others, on the other hand, do not. A woman of the lower 
settlement, who is from Philadelphia, is here, and had 
spoken with the Quakers. She brought from them a let 
ter of recommendation to the missionaries, but we could 
by no means admit her. 

Sunday, Sept. 1. Michael preached, Zeisberger held 
the congregation meeting. More Indians came from the 
Miami. 

Tuesday, 3. Yesterday and to-day came nearly a hun 
dred Indians, Mohawks, Gachnawage, Chippewas, Mo 
hicans, and remained over night. We had a chance to 
hear all truthfully, 1 how things had gone, and what was 
the main reason of there being no treaty, and that no 
peace could be made. The nations were divided, but the ma 
jority was for peace, and the last message to the commis 
sioners was given in a hidden way, of which but very few 
knew. As they saw, from the last answer of the commis 
sioners, that they, namely, those who were for peace, had 
been deceived and betrayed, they broke up, each going 
to his own home, and they said at their departure, to the 
Shawanese, Wyandots, and Twightwees [for they were 

l The American commissioners sent from the mouth of Detroit River. 
Aug. 16, 1793, their final answer: 

" To the chiefs and warriors of the Indian nations, assembled at the 
foot of the Maumee Rapids: 

"Brothers: We have just received your answer to our speech which 
we delivered to your deputies at this place. You say it was inter 
preted to all your nations; and we presume it was well understood. 
We therein explicitly declared to you that it was now impossible to 
make the River Ohio the boundary between your lands and the lands 
of the United States; your answer amounts to a declaration that you 
will agree to no other boundary than the Ohio. The negotiation is 
therefore at an end. We sincerely regret that peace is not the result, 
but knowing the upright and liberal views of the United States, which, 
so far as you gave us an opportunity, we have explained to you, we 
trust that impartial judges will not attribute the continuance of the 
war to them." Quoted in Albach s Annals of the West, p. 631. 



324 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

the three who wished to have war], that they should soon 
do what they had in mind, hold themselves brave, and 
sho\v themselves men, but they wanted to go home and 
leave them alone. This means: " Ye may now light alone, 
and see how ye come out." Here also we will give an In 
dian story, which Capt. Pipe brought to the memory of 
the Mohican captain, Henry, who was here, and had told 
it himself, namely, to him Capt. Pipe said: "Thou hast 
brought me the Shawano who was a blind, little boy, and 
hast given him to me, with these words : Have pity upon 
this child, that it may remain alive, he can yet bring thcc 
water, and, when he is larger, can now and then shoot a 
squirrel for thee, and do little services. Out of compas 
sion I adopted him as my grandchild, for he was forsaken 
and thrown away, and I kept him near me. He was al 
ways with me, and I brought him up, but when he grew 
and waxed greater, he began to be disobedient, and, al 
though I admonished and punished him, he always kept 
on doing ill, yes, he did always worse, so that in the end 
he would give heed neither to ine, who brought him up, 
nor to any one else, and now it has gone so far that lie 
obeys no man, but his aim and endeavor arc only to do evil. 
Therefore I believe God made him not, but the devil." 

Friday, 6. Yesterday and to-day more Indians have 
come, among them some Onondagas, acquaintances of Br. 
Zeisberger, who then, when he was in Onondaga, were 
young people, in part boys, but were now quite old men, 
but they knew him well, and were quite attached to him. 
However, they no longer live in Onandaga, where there 
are now only twelve or thirteen families, but over the lake 
at Buffalo Creek, not far from Ft. Erie. We treated them 
well and furnished them provisions for the way. They 
complained that they had got little in Detroit, not belong 
ing to the war-party. We gave them a canoe to take their 
sick in. They said there would yet be peace, they had 
been betrayed, and knew nothing of the last speech to the 
commissioners. 

Saturday, 7. The Indians, Mingoes, all went away, 
after taking leave in a friendly manner. We had a day of 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 325 

blessing with our people. Br. Sensemann held morning 
prayer, Br. Zeisbergcr the first service from the text, and 
conducted the love-feast. Here he brought to mind with 
the Scripture-verse: The people shall dwell alone, etc., 
that we had wandered about for many years, having no 
abiding place, but that the Saviour had held his handover 
us; when once it seemed that the church would be utterly 
blotted out, he had assembled and re-established it, merci 
fully thought about us, as he had thought upon Noah in 
the ark, and had now given ns an abode, whence we could 
not be driven. The quiet, which the Saviour sent us, we 
should now make good use of, be thankful to him for it, 
go and edify ourselves, and increase and grow in grace to 
the honor of God, the Father. Of his recognition of us 
and of the grace he let prevail among us in our services, 
we got yet many a token and witness, which we heard 
from the brethren in the evening, who came and opened 
their hearts to us, many with tears for their falling away 
from the Saviour. We laborers had the Lord s supper, 
and bound ourselves to new fidelity. 

Sunday, 8. Br. Edwards preached from the Gospel : No 
man can serve two masters, etc. We spent the afternoon 
with the assistants, who afterwards had to speak with 
brethren to reconcile them and make peace among them, 
whereto the Saviour gave his blessing, so that all was ar 
ranged in peace and love. They spoke also with some 
who have been drinking here, who humbly confessed, and 
asked pardon. So they had, 

Monday, 9, still to be speaking with some young people, 
for instance, Michael, Paul, and others. 

Tuesday, 10. Stephen and several others went to De 
troit to buy apples. A Wonpano 1 Indian from Montreal, 
who came here sick from the Miami, and did not go away 
with his companions, remained here. He was to-day very 
low and died in the evening. Some hours before his death 



1(1 In some of his unpublished notes Mr. Heckewelder identifies the 
Wampanos, who lived in Connecticut, along the shore of Long Island 
Sound, and whose council-fire was where New Haven now stands, as 
Mohegans." Brinton s The Lenape, etc., p. 21. 



326 

he talked with Joshua, and said it was so with him that 
he wished to live altogether with ns, and if he got well not 
to go home. He was buried Wednesday, 11. 

Saturday, 14. Sensemann held early service. This week 
the brethren began gradually to harvest their corn, which 
this year has all thriven as well as was to be wished. 

Sunday, 15. Br. David preached and Br. Michael held 
the congregation meeting from the text : Ye are the salt 
of the earth, etc. 

Tuesday, 17. Stephen and others came back from De 
troit. The first brought us communion wine from there. 

Wednesday, 18. Chippewas carne and encamped here 
for several days, since they thus support themselves from 
our fields. Though we gave them food, they stocked them 
selves with provisions for their journey. 

Friday, 20. This morning before daybreak died little 
Ecbecca, the daughter of the Indian, John Henry, fifteen 
months fifteen days old. Another daughter of Nicodemus 
and Henrietta came into the world still-born. Both were 
buried on the 22d. 

Sunday, 22. Br. Sensemann preached, Zeisberger held 
the communion quarter-hour, giving notice of it for next 
Saturday, and attended towards evening the burial of the 
two dead children, two wee corpses. 

Monday, 23. Michael held early service. The brothers 
built huts for the widows, Amelia and Susanna. A white 
man from Lake Erie came here and stayed over night. He 
got his horse here, which a Chippewa had sold to our 
Joshua. 

Thursday, 26. Michael held early service. The breth 
ren harvested our fields for us. This year we have a good, 
rich harvest. Every thing, thanks be to God, has thriven, 
our corn as good and perfect as possible; nothing has been 
injured by frost. We have learned that here always, if it 
be a leap-year, the frosts 1 always come earlier than is other 
wise usual. 

Friday, 27. Zeisberger held early service. He and the 

1 Hence the failure of the corn crop the year before. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 327 

Sensemanns spoke with the brethren about the Lord s 
supper. 

Saturday, 28. Br. Sensemann held early service, and in 
the evening the communicants had the sacrament of the 
body and blood of the Lord, who blessed us unspeakably. 
Anna Sophia, a young sister, and half-white, looked on as 
candidate, and thereby shed many tears. Br. Zeisberger 
presided. 

Sunday, 29. Br. Sensemann read the thanksgiving lit 
urgy, and Michael preached. Tobias, with his wife, whom 
he married in the Monsey town, came here last evening, 
and asked for readmission. The assistants spoke with them 
and received them upon probation. They spoke also with 
Peggy, against whom charges had been made, but she 
cleared herself. 

Thursday, Oct. 3. Indians came here from the Monsey 
town. Our people found hardly half a mile from town on 
the bank of the creek a salt-spring, of which no one knew, 
at a place where the bank is so steop that cattle could not 
get to it, otherwise it would have been found before. 

Saturday, 5. During the week the brethren were busy 
harvesting their fields, which yield richly this year. 

Sunday, 6. Zeisberger preached from the Epistle about 
putting off the old man and putting on the new man who 
is patterned after God. In the afternoon was a conference 
of assistants. They spoke with Jacob, and asked what 
his intention was, but he was not resolved to stay here; 
also with Michael, who promised obedience. 

Monday, 7. In the forenoon departed blind Ephriam, 
after a short illness of a few days, whose remains were 
buried on the 8th. 

Wednesday, 9. Early in the morning the brethren 
brought in our corn. We congratulated Br. Sensemann 
by a home love-feast upon his forty-ninth birthday, wish 
ing him, and asking for him, the Saviour s blessing for all 
his doings in his service. 

Saturday, 12. Michael held early service. A couple of 
white people, John Cornwall, came here. They will set 
tle below us. Samuel, who with Stephen went to Detroit 



328 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

on the 7th Inst., came back from there. All were this 
week busy in the harvest. 

Sunday, 13. Br. Sensemann preached from the text: 
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear 
my voice and open the door, I will come to him and will 
sup with him and he with me. David held the congrega 
tion meeting and spoke about the Scripture-verse. 

Monday, 14. The brethren covered the school-house 
with clapboards. Jacob went away according to his cus 
tom. Edwards held early service after having been kept 
in-door ten days by his bad leg. 1 

Tuesday, 15. Mr. Parke came here, and another, too, 
Willcox. 

Thursday, 17. To-day and yesterday Parke disposed of 
most of his wares to our Indians, and with five of them 
set out for Niagara to get cattle. 

Friday, 18. Br. Edwards held earty service. The Zeis- 
berffers moved into their new house facing the street. 

o o 

Sunday, 20. Edwards preached from the Gospel. As 
the brethren found it very necessary to get in their corn, 
we let them attend to it in the afternoon, and there came 
in an immense quantity, for the whole town was busy and 
lively, and so also was it, 

Monday, 21, kept up, after Br. Zeisberger held early 
service. 

Thursday, 24. Br. Zeisberger baptized Susanna s sick 
child, with the name, Jonas, who died the following night. 
This morning Salamis was delivered of a daughter. 

Friday, 25. There was unpleasantness among the sis 
ter-assistants in town. 

Saturday, 26. After the early service was the burial of 
the child, Jonas, who died yesterday. There was harvest 
ing all the week, and the brethren were very busy ; all has 
thriven well and gives a rich return. 

Sunday, 27. Br. Sensemann preached from Peter s 
words: Ye know ye were not redeemed with corruptible 
things, as silver and gold ; but with the precious blood of 

1 Conjectured in part. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 329 

Christ, etc., and then baptized, with the name, Louisa, the 
little daughter of Abel and Salamis, born on the 24th. 

Wednesday, 30. Zeisberger held early service. A 
white man came here from Detroit, who left Philadelphia 
seven weeks ago, when the honorable commissioners ar 
rived there. Christiana came home from the settlement 
below us, where she had left her sick husband, who had 
been thrown from his horse and had broken two ribs. For 
him this is a nota bene, for he wanted to go back to Pett- 
quotting. 

Thursday, 31. French traders came up the river in two 
boats. The Sensemanns moved into their new house. 

Saturday, Nov. 2. A number of sisters went down to 
the settlement for apples. This week wo got in all our 
field crops. The weather was raw and cold, but again be 
came mild, so that there was a thunder-storm. 

Sunday, 3. Michael preached from the Epistle : Mark 
them which walk so, etc., and Zeisberger held the congre 
gation meeting. 

Tuesday, 5. Yesterday and to-day nearly all our In 
dians went away hunting to get skins for shoes, for the 
hunt brings in little, and our Indians must rely on 
farming. 

Wednesday, 6. From the many rains of the last few 
da} s the river has risen very high. The wolves begin to 
kill our young cattle, from which hitherto we have been 
free. 

Thursday, 7. Chippewas arrived, who are going up the 
river hunting. They remained over night, but came to no 
meeting. 

Sunday, 10. Br. Zeisberger preached, and strange In 
dians were present to hear. Sensemann held the early 
service, inviting the poor and thirsty to refresh themselves 
upon the body and blood of the Lord. Young Dolson 
came here from the settlement, by whom we heard that 
the Detroiters are in fear from the States, and think an 
invasion probable ; that the commandant has issued a 
proclamation, and ordered the militia to hold themselves 
ready in case of an attack, and if this should come he 



330 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

will burn down the town, since otherwise he cannot de 
fend the fort. They feared Gen. Wayne, whom they ex 
pected with a strong army, but whence they got this news 
is unknown to us. 

Wednesday, 13. In the morning we appeared before 
our dear Lord, the Shepherd of his sheep, and, guilty 
creatures, brought to him, our Elder, honor and humble 
thanks for his faithful care and attention, that he daily 
feeds our hearts upon his meritorious sufferings and death, 
and daily gives us much good to enjoy. We asked for 
giveness of our shortcomings, faults, and transgressions, 
and though we had not always observed his commands and 
rules, which he has given to his church, begged him .still 
to have his house and dwell with us and to walk with us. 
He made himself known to us, and gave us the comfort 
that he will so do. We heard to-day through John Henry, 
the Indian, who came back from the settlement, and who 
well understands English, that Gen. Wayne had come 
from the States with an army into the Indian land, 1 and 
in the very place where formerly the battle occurred there 
had been a conflict with the Indians, in which the latter 
were defeated, losing one hundred and thirty men killed, 
and many prisoners and wounded ; that they made two 
attacks; but the last time had taken flight, whereupon the 
army had fortified its position. 

Saturday, 16. After the brethren had been spoken to 
for several days, whereto the Saviour gave his blessing, so 
that much was put an end to and made right, we had a 
blessed communion under the gracious recognition of our 
dear Lord ; at this one brother, John Thomas, was re 
admitted. Sensemann conducted it. 

Sunday, 17. In the morning Br. Zeisberger read the 
liturgy and Br. Sensemann preached. From a Chippewa 
we heard this much, that a great army was coming out, 
but that the Indians had no disposition to fight. 

Monday, 18. Zeisberger held morning prayer, and by 
occasion of the text: And into whatever house ye enter 



1 Thus far the report was true. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 331 

first say, Peace be unto this house, said that we should 
not be ashamed of bearing witness about Jesus death and 
atonement and of what he thereby had done for our souls ; 
that we should not bury our talent like that unprofitable 
servant from whom was taken what he had and thrown 
away. The brethren contributed corn for poor old breth 
ren and for the church, which they do joyfully and with 
willing hearts. 

Tuesday, 19. Michael held early service. Samuel and 
Stephen went up to the Monsey town to get old David, 
who wishes to come to us. The sisters boiled sugar, for 
the weather was mild, with a south wind. 

Friday, 22. A white man from the settlement came 
here and stayed overnight. We heard from him that the 
Indians had fallen upon a convoy with provisions in the 
States and plundered it, but one seldom hears the truth. 1 
The sisters made a good amount of sugar this week. 

Sunday, 24. Br. Edwards preached from the Gospel 
about the coming of the Saviour for judgment, and Br. 
Scnsemann held the congregation meeting. 

Tuesday, 26. Br. Sensemann went down to the settle 
ment, returning, 

Thursday, 28. He brought news that Gen. Wayne was 
already come with an army as far as the forks of the Mi 
ami ; that the Indians skirmished with them certainly, but 
had no real disposition to fight; that McKee had sent 
from the Miami to the commandant for troops to help 
him, but that he had replied that he had no troops to 
send him, and moreover had no orders therefor; the In 
dians had had a good opportunity to make peace ; favor 
able offers had been made them, but they had not ac 
cepted them, and now they must figlit it out, for they had 
themselves so chosen. The fighting Indians are said to 
be no more than five hundred men, for the Chippewas, 
Ottawas, Potawatomies, and Mingoes will not help them. 

1 This occurred about seven miles north of Ft. St. Clair, twenty wag 
ons of grain and one with other supplies being captured, with the loss 
of fifteen men, Oct. 17. 



332 

Sunday, Dec. 1. Br. Michael preached the first Sunday 
in Advent, and exhorted the brethren joyfully to look for 
ward to the coming of our Lord into the flesh, who is 
born to bless and save the world. Br. Sensemann held 
the congregation meeting. We heard to-day that war is 
again desired and the hatchet sharpened against the States, 
so as to be in order in the spring, but whether all will 
take it remains to be seen. 

Tuesday, 3. The assistant, Samuel, who returned from 
the Monsey town, brought thence old David to stay here, 
who, since our dispersion, that is, more than eleven years, 
has wandered about among the savages and in error. 
Samuel pointed out to several there God s salvation ; to 
some not without fruit and blessing, who received it hum 
bly, among them a blind man, who liked to listen, and 
some wished to come here at Christmas for a visit. A 
couple of old men, however, put themselves forward to 
dispute with Samuel and to say something to him, ex 
pecting he could not answer them, but when they found 
that Samuel was more than equal to them, they applauded 
him and said : " Thou art right. We believe thou speak- 
est the truth," but merely that he might leave them in 
peace. 

Thursday, 5. Many of our people came from the set 
tlement home, most of them defiled. A party of Chippe- 
was robbed a trader on this river of his rum, and they 
came to blows, so that the people had to flee. 

Friday, 6. We learned from some of our people, who 
came from the Fort, that the army of the States was on 
the Miami, but that there had yet been no battle, that the 
agent had retired to an island, but would soon leave the 
place. It was reported among our people that they would 
soon get a message to appear there, and even if they would 
not fight, they should yet be there. What will come from 
this, time must teach. We shall not get through without 
trouble. The Shawanese send to the Chippewas one mes 
sage after the other to come and help them fight, but get 
for answer that they should themselves fight, and be strong 
like men. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 333 

Saturday, 7. It rained all day. Mr. Matthew Dolson 
came Lere from Detroit with goods for our Indians, for 
which he takes in payment corn and skins. We heard by 
this occasion that the plague 1 is said to he in Philadelphia, 
and already ten thousand men have died of it, among 
whom was Col. Pickering, 2 one of the commissioners here 
in Detroit in the summer. The army, 3 we now correctly 
hear, was at the place where the battle took place before, 
where they are intrenched. 

Sunday, 8. Zeisberger preached. It snowed, and there 
was no other service. Dolson s boat arrived. We had 
sent Indians to meet him, to help get it up in the high 
water. There came also a gentleman to see this country 
and our town, who is from Chester Co., below Philadel 
phia. He has travelled much about the country, and 
lived several years in Kentucky, whence upon request, he 
had undertaken in this neighborhood to release a girl who 
had been captured by the Indians, and to bring her back 
to her friends. In this the commandant in Detroit prom 
ised to help him wherever possible. The army is only six 
miles this side of Ft. Jefferson. 4 

Monday, 9. Br. Sensemann held early service, which 
Mr. Dolson and the gentleman, Isaac Taylor, attended. 
To the latter it was something quite strange and unusual 
to see Indians so devout and attentive, and he wondered 
not a little at it. lie is a man who takes notice of all he 
hears and sees, and makes observations upon it. For ex 
ample, he measured Niagara Falls, for he is a surveyor, 
and found their height 205 5 feet. He has been far up the 

1 The epidemic of yellow fever lasted from August to November in 
Philadelphia; and five thousand people are said to have died of it. 

2 The report of Pickering s death was false. July 4th, 1823, he was 
the reader of the Declaration of Independence in Salem, Mass., where 
he died in 1829, in advanced old age. 

3 Gen. Wayne was at Ft. Greenville, Ohio. Just before Christmas a 
detachment buried the remains of those slain in St. Glair s defeat. 

4 Six miles south of the town of Greenville, Danby Co., Ohio. Al- 
bach s Western Annals, p. 578. 

5 American 162 ft., Canadian 149 ft., really. 



334 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Mississippi, and gives information that all these lakes have 
their source in Lake Bourbon, 1 which flows into Lake of 
the Woods, also out of the same lake is a discharge into 
Hudson s Bay. He knew also about the Welch Indians, 2 
that they live up the Missouri River five hundred miles, 
and that they are a warlike people, and very numerous. 
Old David visited us. He was humble and like a re 
pentant sinner. 

Tuesday, 10. Michael held early service. Yesterday 
and to-day it has been here like a yearly market. Mr. 
Dolson displayed his goods and the whole town traded, 
buying from him for cattle, corn, and skins. 

Friday, 13. Mr. Dolson sent away yesterday his boat 
and a couple of canoes, laden with corn, etc., for the drift- 
ice begins to run strong, and to-day he departed. From 
the upper town an Indian family came here for a visit 
during the holidays, as they had promised Samuel when 
he was up there for a visit. 

Sunday, 15. Sensemann preached from the text: The 
poor have the Gospel preached to them. Afterwards was 
the service for all baptized, in which Br. Zeisbcrger ear 
nestly discoursed about the disorders, wrangling, and strife 
among the women, to cease therefrom, and the assistants 



lr rhis was probably the French name of Lake Winnipeg, Nelson 
River being called Bourbon, a fort on a small island between Cedar 
Lake and Mud Lake being named Ft. Bourbon. Of course it is the 
Lake of the Woods that flows into Lake Winnipeg. Carver in his trav 
els, Dublin, 1779, p. 101, says: "Lake Bourbon is composed of the 
waters of the Bourbon River. This lake is about 80 miles in length, 
north and south, and is nearly circular. Its latitude is between 5i> 
and 54 north." Edward Umfreville in his Present State of Hudson s 
Bay, p. 146, writes: "I passed the winters of 1784-5-6-7 on a large 
river which empties itself by many branches into that lake, which is 
laid down in maps by the name of Lake Bourbon. This lake was im 
properly so called by the French when in possession of Camida, but its 
real name is Cedar Lake, and it is thus named by the Indians on ac 
count of that kind of wood being found thereon." 

Harmon in his Journal, published in Andover, 1820, says that Lake 
Bourbon lies nearly north-west from Encampment Island, in " Little 
Lake Winipick." 

2 The Mandans. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 335 

were publicly charged to investigate, to establish peace 
and unity, and to send off a couple of whores, who had 
long ago been told to go, but who came back again. This 
they did, and peace and unity were again established by 
God s help and blessing. 

Tuesday, 17. To the strange Indian, already men 
tioned as Samuel s visitor, he preached God s help for our 
eternal salvation over half the night, setting perfectly be 
fore him the way to happiness, so that now it is only a 
question of his accepting it, for many Indians like first to 
hear every thing it depends upon, with which they are 
content and go their own way. 

Thursday, 19. Sensemann held early service. The In 
dian brothers began to cut timber to-day for a meeting 
house. Tobias wife came and begged for baptism, as she 
has often done. She is concerned about her salvation and 
perplexed, whom we referred to the Saviour, the Physi 
cian of our souls. 

Saturday, 21. Br. Edwards held early service from the 
text: Reach hither thy finger and behold rny hands; and 
reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side ; and be 
not faithless, but believing, and said that no one should 
be content merely with hearing, but that each one should 
make a trial with his own heart, and speak out to the 
Saviour its circumstances, and become acquainted with 
him. 

Sunday, 22. Edwards preached from the Epistle : Re 
joice in the Lord alway. Then Zeisberger held the com 
munion quarter-hour, and a conference of assistants. 
Mingoes came from Detroit, who went to Montreal, where 
they live. We heard that the nations no longer wish to 
carry on the war, unless the English help them. 

Tuesday, 24. In the evening we assembled for the 
Christmas festival, which we began with a love- feast, sing 
ing the little Jesus in his manger and in the stall. After 
reading of the history, Br. Sensemann discoursed about the 
text : Before Abraham was I am, whereupon kneeling, we , 
brought him our filial, sinful thanks and praise for his 
great condescension that he, the eternal God, put on our 



336 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

poor flesh and blood, by his blood redeemed us from fu 
ture wrath, and by his sacrifice of expiation brought us 
into grace with God. At the end tapers were given the 
children, and at the same time they were told why, and 
all went joyfully home. 

Wednesday, 25. Br. Michael preached in the forenoon 
from the Gospel : Behold, I bring you good tidings of 
great jo} 7 , and in the afternoon service from the text : 
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, 
but to minister, etc., a woman w T as baptized by Br. Zeis- 
berger, and a grown boy by Br. Sensemann, into Jesus 
death, the former with the name, Anna Helena, the other 
Benjamin, and one Anna Susanna was taken into the 
church. This meeting, as also the night-watch yester 
day and the sermon to-day, was attended by strangers, 
who were here for a visit. Many tears were shed. It was 
a joy for us to see and hear that God s spirit was busy 
among our people, for many came and acknowledged 
with tears their transgressions against the Saviour, seek 
ing forgiveness and comfort. 

Saturday, 28. For several days the brethren have been 
spoken to, and to-day we had the holy communion, at 
which old Erdmuth looked on as candidate. It was cel 
ebrated in the Zcisbergers house on account of their ill 
ness. A malady extends about the whole country, and 
few remain free from it. To-day arrived Mr. Parke from 
Niagara. 

Sunday, 29. Br. Sensemann read the liturgy and Mi 
chael preached. Mr. Parke started for home. 

Tuesday, 31. For the close of the year we came to 
gether towards midnight for a love-feast, bringing to our 
good Lord our proper, filial thanks for all the grace, good-, 
ness, and faithfulness shown us this year, for all the bene 
fits enjoyed without and within. We asked forgiveness 
of our faults, that instead of giving him joy we had so 
often grieved him, but that he would continue to walk 
among us, to comfort and make us glad by his dear near 
ness and presence, and that he would not cease to impart 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1793. 337 

his blessing to all our acts and plans. This we did and 
prayed for upon our knees, and thereto we said, amen, 
yes it shall be, so that, comforted and joyful, we passed 
over into the new year. 

There live here now 159 Indian souls, eight more than 
at the close of last year. 
22 



338 



CHAPTER XIV. 

1794. 
FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, ONTARIO. 

Wednesday, Jan. 1. Br. Sensemann preached, and in 
the afternoon held the service for the baptized, in which, at 
his request, absolution was given to old David, and besides 
he was admitted to the church, which gave the brethren 
much joy. Br. Zeisberger, who has been ill and indis 
posed fora week, had to stay in-door. Many strangers 
were here during the holidays, and attended the services. 
The brethren, who had this for their baptismal day, of 
whom there were eight, had a love-feast together, and 
sang so that the place resounded therewith. Chippewas 
went about the place begging, according to their custom. 
An old man said : " We are poor men. We know nothing 
of that which ye know." 

Friday, 3. Strangers from the upper town, who have 
been here during the holidays, went home again. It is to 
be hoped that many have not heard in vain. 

Sunday, 5. Br. Edwards preached, and Michael held 
the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 6. Br. Zeisberger again, for the first time, 
held morning prayer early, recommended to the Saviour 
of the heathen his Indian church, especially on this day 
(Epiphany) for his blessing, to our dear heavenly Father 
for his protection and oversight, and to the Holy Ghost 
for his fostering care. We thought also of the other 
churches among the heathen in ^NTorth and South America, 
and of all churches among the heathen, and commended 
them all to his grace and blessing. In the sermon from 
to-day s Gospel, about the three wise men from the East, 
who came to adore him and brought him gifts, Br. Sense 
mann baptized into Jesus death, with the name, Rebecca, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 339 

the little daughter of Luke and Cornelia, born on the 1st 
Inst. In the next service, for the baptized, absolution was 
given to Susanna by the Zeisbergers, after he had first dis 
coursed about to-day s Scripture-verse: For the eyes of 
the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth. In 

O 

the afternoon was a love-feast, at which something was 
said of the call and work of the brothers among the 
heathen, whereon the Saviour put his blessing, so that it 
went among thousands, and we are but a fraction thereof, 
but that we should not forget to be thankful to him that 
he has made known to us God s scheme for salvation, 
which we should highly and worthily esteem. This was 
an especial day of blessing, and there remained but few 
who were not mightily seized by God s spirit, which 
awakened in us, joy, praise, and thankfulness. 

Tuesday, 7. The surveyor came from Detroit, Mr. 
Mc^N"eff, to survey our township. In the river he lost tea 
of his people, soldiers, who broke through the ice and 
were drowned. We heard, too, that Elliot died in De 
troit, 1 

Wednesday, 8. Michael held early service from the 
day s text : I am the good Shepherd, etc., and towards 
evening died the child, Rebecca, born on the 1st Inst., who 
was buried on the 10th. 

Thursday, 9. David held early service. The surveyor 
with his people surveyed to-day our township below as far 
as the town. He has orders from the Governor to give us 
six lots from the adjacent township, and to bid those who 
have already settled on them to go away, so that thus 
our town comes quite in the middle of the township. A 
township has twenty-five lots, but ours thirty-two, since 
it lies on both sides of the river, namely, sixteen on each 
side. 

Sunday, 12. Zeisberger preached from the words of the 
Saviour: Wist ye not that I must be about my Father s 
business? and Sensernann conducted the children s hour. 



1 Butterfield, in his Crawford s Campaign, p. 178, says that Elliot 
took part in the War of 1812, but probably died soon afterward. 



340 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Levi, who had remained behind in Pettquotting, when we 
came away, now came again, asking for reception. The 
assistants spoke with him and gave him leave, for which 
he was glad and thankful. 

Tuesday, 14. Since yesterday the surveyor finished sur 
veying the upper part of our township, Br. Sensemann went 
with some Indian brethren up there, and blazed the line 
on both sides the river. There are thus above us, up the 
river, nine lots, and below us eight, and the lot whereon 
our town stands, he has also given, so that in all eighteen 
lots on each side of the river are ours, that is, thirty-six. 
On the north side of the river we are probably the last on 
the purchased land. The assistant, Samuel, went up to 
the Monsey town. 

Thursday, 16. The weather being now fine, a part of the 
brethren went to their sugar-huts to make preparations 
and others hunting. At home we had to speak with Br. 
Zacchaeus and his wife, as daily happens. 

Saturday, 18. We gave notice to a German, who set 
tled in the autumn not far from us, and had built a house, 
that his lot stood in our township, and that he must go to 
some other place ; this the surveyor bade us do. An In 
dian from the Monsey town came and said that sickness 
prevailed among them, on which account they wanted to 
make a sacrifice, so that the sickness might lessen; for 
this he wished to get rum and have an Indian from us as 
intrepreter, but this was refused, and he was told that we 
had nothing to do with their sacrifices, which besides would 
be of no help to them. 

Sunday, 19. Br. Sensemann preached, and the aforesaid 
white man was present. In the evening we were dis 
turbed by strangers drunk, who carne out of the settle 
ment with some of our Indians, and had enticed our peo 
ple too, but they went away in the evening. 

Wednesday, 22. In the early service, which Br. Sense 
mann held, he baptized into Jesus death, with the name, 
Lydia, the little daughter of John Henry and Anna 
Maria, born on the 19th lust. The surveyor, Mc^TefF, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 341 

came back, who had laid out two townships on the south 
of the river above us. With his people he went, 

Thursday, 23, back to Detroit. Oar people again set 
about cutting timber for the rneeting-house. Our brothers 
blazed the lower line of the township. We had to let 
Levi go, who was received again on the 12th, for not be 
having in accordance with his promise. 

Sunday, 26. Michael preached. We then had many 
visits from the brethren, with whom we had much to say. 

Monday, 27. After early service mention was made of 
the visiting by the young people in different houses. They 
were asked to put an end to it, for harm comes therefrom. 

Tuesday, 28. Chippewas, who have been encamped 
near by for more than a month already, wanted to boil 
sugar here, and as it seemed, drove our brethren away 
from there. We had them spoken with and awaited the 
outcome. The reason we do not wish to have them for 
neighbors is that they get drunk as often as they have a 
chance. 

Friday, 31. A white man from Niagara passed through 
here, and from Brant s town, in the same neighborhood, 
some Indians, as messengers for Detroit, to give notice 
there that now in the winter there can be no treaty with 
the Indians, but in the spring; yet not, as before, on the 
Miami, but the Chippewas wish to have it in Mackinaw, 
for on the Miami no peace can be made. Mr. Dolson 
came from Detroit, on business affairs with our Indians. 

Saturday, Feb. 1. The child, Lydia, baptized on the 22d 
Ult., died very suddenly. A dream which the mother had 
the day before. Frenchmen who came here with rum, and 
remained over night, were themselves taken in charge 
until they went farther. 

Sunday, 2. Br. Sensemann preached. Mr. Dolson went 
back early. It is an advantage for us that the Detroiters 
cannot come here in sledges, for the river from its strong 
current does not freeze over, otherwise we should be all 
the time overrun with all sorts of people. Lewis Esther 
was delivered of a son. 



342 

Monday, 3. Samuel and many brethren went to the set 
tlement, most of them to get kettles for sugar-boiling. 

Tuesday, 4. In the early service, which Br. Zcisberger 
held, from the text: The Son of Man hath power on earth 
to forgive sins, he baptized into Jesus death, with the 
name, Abraham, the little son of Lewis and Esther, born 
day before yesterday. 

Thursday, 6. Sensemann held early service. "We had 
a conference with the assistants about marriage circum 
stances. 

Friday, 7. From the settlement near Detroit seven Bap 
tists came here, Germans, on business, and from Detroit 
an express, Hasle, on his way to Niagara. By him Sense 
mann sent a letter to Bethlehem. With him went also a 
German to Pittsburg, but we dared send no letter by him. 
"We had news to the effect that the Delawares, Wyandots, 
Twightwees, and Shawanese had gone to the Americans 
at the fort 1 where the battle was, to make peace, but now 
we hear that they went thither to get by exchange two 
Shawanese prisoners, whom the Americans had taken. 

Sunday, 9. Br. Edwards preached, whereupon Br. Zeis- 
berger held the communion quarter-hour, giving notice 
thereof for next Saturday. Then we had a bless.ed love- 
feast with the assistants and chapel-servants, to whom was 
brought to mind and explained what their duty and busi 
ness should be, above all things to lead good lives and to 
go before the others with a good example, to seek to avoid 
harm in the church, and at times to give notice if any 
thing will not rightly come about, so that it may be bet 
tered. Adam was added to the number of assistants. Bill 
Henry, who is an assistant, was, with his wife, chosen to 
to serve, Stephen and Adam to attend strangers, also as 
overseers of the children and young people in town ; 
Joshua, together with Samuel, to look after outward mat 
ters in labor, especially among the brethren, as likewise 

1 Probably at Ft. Recovery, built on the site of St. Glair s defeat, 
Darke Co., 0. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 343 

Sophia, his wife, together with Magdalene, among the 
sisters. 

Monday, 10. Instead of the morning service, the above 
was made known to the church, and one thing and another 
were said about order in the town. One sister, Sabina, 
Adam s wife, had been chosen, "with her husband, to be an 
assistant, but she could not at once resolve to say yes, for 
she knew what the assistants had many times to endure 
from the disobedience of others, and that they must put 
up with much when judgment was pronounced upon them. 
She heard a word yesterday in the communion service 
which brought her upon the right way, so that she re 
flected : " I gave myself up to the Saviour in my baptism 
to be his, never to say no if he would have any thing from 
me. He has made me a partaker of his flesh and blood in 
the holy communion. I have become a chapel-servant, and 
he has blessedly held me therein and let me enjoy much 
goodness. Shall I now begin to refuse to do something 
for him in his church, whose life was not too dear for him 
to give up to death for me? N"o, that I will not do ; I will 
be and remain his, body and soul." Thus she was added 
to the assistants. 

Wednesday, 12. The assistants put together in marriage 
the widower, Amos, and Mary Elizabeth, whom for sev 
eral years, , once and again, we have sent away, but she 
could not stay away from us, but ever came back, and so 
we will make another trial, for no one will stay away from 
us who has once been with us. 

Saturday, 15. After the brethren had been lately spoken 
with, we had the holy communion in the near presence of 
our clear Lord. 

Sunday, 16. Br. Michael preached but Zeisberger first 
read the liturgy about the laborers in the vineyard. 

Monday, 17. Joseph, who was sent away last year, came 
again to-day from Pettquotting, by whom we heard all 
sorts of things, for example, that the Delawares, Twight- 
wees, Shawanos, etc., had gone to the Americans to the 
fort to treat about peace. 

Tuesday, 18. Early before day Abel s house took fire? 



344 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

which was not discovered till it was all in flames, and no 
longer to be extinguished, though there were men enough 
there, but they could only look on and take care for the 
nearest houses on each side. The greatest loss this family 
has suffered is twenty bushels of corn. We consider this 
no matter of chance, for he was disobedient, acting con 
trary to the rules of the church, and kept a bad house, 
where the young people met in the evening, contrary to 
orders, and did no good. 

Wednesday, 19. Samuel went up to the Monsey town. A 
woman from there, Moses mother, who already wished to 
come to the church in Friedenshiitten, but was hindered 
by her husband, who had no such thoughts, now said, 
being a widow, that she had always a call to come to the 
church, and thought of coming to us, being distressed 
about her salvation. 

Friday, 21. By occasion of Br. Zeisberger s informing 
himself from Bill Henry about certain circumstances in 
Lichtenau, he now learned that Netawatwes had really 
wished to establish the brothers and their teachers among 
the Indians, and had left this as his last will to Bill Henry 

and 1 to carry out, but that White Eyes had always 

labored to bring in English ministers to establish their re 
ligion, but had been able to accomplish nothing. 

Saturday, 22. A fine snow having fallen, though the 
weather was very cold, yesterday and to-day the brothers and 
sisters brought in timber for the meeting-house on sledges, 
getting done to-day. We now intend to build a reg 
ular meeting-house, such as we had, for example, in Schon- 
brunn, since which time we have got along with Indian 
houses. From the settlement a couple of white people 
came here, one of whom offered to build a mill for us, hav 
ing heard that we had a good mill-site on our land, but we 
told him that for the present we had no thought of build 
ing any. At the same time he offered to be our miller. 

Sunday, 23. Br. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel 
about the sower, and white people from the settlement 

1 The name is not given, but should probably be White Eyes. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 345 

were present. It was very raw weather, with snow and 
icy frost. 

Monday, 24. French traders from above went through 
our settlement for rum, to whom we* said they should not 
come with it to our town when they came back, but go 
straight by, and this they promised to do. The two assist 
ants and stranger-servers, Stephen and Adam, labored with 
people who do not live here, and bade them go away a bad 
set. 

Tuesday, 25. Samuel, with Zacchaeus and Michael, came 
back from the Mousey town. 

Thursday, 27. In the early service Br. Zeisberger said 
something about the fire on the 18th of this month, and 
advised the brethren to assist the afflicted family by a con 
tribution of corn, that they might not suffer too great need, 
and this was done to-day. 

Sunday, March 2. Br. Sensemann preached at the en 
trance to passion-time, and admonished the brethren to 
feed their hearts constantly upon Jesus death and suffer 
ings, since so bitterly he had gained won and for us, our 
eternal welfare. In the afternoon the assistants spoke 
with Joseph and his wife and her friends, to bring them 
again together. 

Monday, 3. From Zonesschio (near Geneseo, N". Y.) 
came here Nathan Allen, with a doctor besides, on their 
journey to Detroit, the former with a message from Con 
gress to the nations, which he had to deliver to McKee, at 
the same time also to examine the country. He said he 
had it in mind to settle on the river, for he was entitled to 
have two thousand acres of land. He had all sorts of 
projects, wanted to put his children in school with us, to 
settle them on our land, and to be helpful to us in all 
kinds of ways, for instance, to build school-houses and 
meeting-houses, mills, for which we gave him no hope that 
it would happen, but told him that in our mission it was 
a fixed rule to admit no white people. He told us he had 
been in Bethlehem last year with the Mingoes, who went 
to Philadelphia, and he praised their good reception and 



346 

treatment there, also the children s singing. They set out 
the next day, 

Tuesday, 4, upon their journey to Detroit, and we gave 
them an Indian and a horse to go with them as far as the 
settlement. 

Wednesday, 5. Mr. Parke came here with two other 
white people on business with our Indians; one of these 
was a man who for four years had traded on Lake Supe 
rior and the rivers flowing into Hudson s Bay. He said 
the Chippewas were very numerous there, those here were 
nothing in comparison. A pound of tobacco at Ft. Mary, 1 
on Lake Superior, costs twenty shillings, as it is sold 
among white people, but of course the Indians must pay 
more. A blanket or stroud sells for five great beaver 
skins. 

Friday, 7. An Indian came here two days ago, the 
uncle of Anna Helen, whom he strongly attacks and 
wishes to persuade to go away with him, but he must 
take her away by craft. He first made her all sorts of in 
quiries; how it was with her and how she felt since her 
baptism. She replied: "Better and more blessed than 
ever when I was with you. I wish only that ye had ex 
perience of it, but I pity you for your blindness and that 
ye know not how ye may be saved." He answered : " I 
also know what is good." Answer : " If thou knowest, 
why dost thou it not?" He said: " The way thou goest 
I will not go, for thou wilt be sold, led away, and put to 
death. Thy teachers, who betray thee, make indeed pre 
tense of goodness, but thou wilt have a bad end." She 
replied: "I shall be saved; therefore am I here, and if I 
get salvation I have enough here, and how it shall be with 
me after this life I leave to the Saviour, to whom I belong, 
and who is Lord over life and death." He said : " If thy 
teachers have so good a thing, why do they not preach it 
to the other Indians ?" Answer : " If any one is inter 
ested in this and would like to hear, he can come hither. 
Ye live not far away, but ye might not listen, and when 



Probably Saulte de St. Marie. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 347 

ye at times come here ye go not even once to the meet 
ings, and every one is welcome to go there." She came 
to the Zeisbergers and complained of her trouble, for she 
was afraid of his taking her away by force. We sent a 
couple of the assistants to him, who asked him what his 
business here was and why he was come, but this he did 
not like to say, making all kinds of evasions, and would 
enter into no conversation with them, whereupon he soon 
made off and away. 

Sunday, 9. Br. Michael preached from the Gospel: 
Jesus was tempted, and white people were present. In 
the afternoon was a conference of assistants, who were 
charged to speak with two families from the Mousey town, 
who had come here and wished to live here. This they 
did, and after explaining to them our rules [they got 
leave], to which they agreed. One of them said, when 
our rules were made known to him, how they had to be 
have and what they had to observe : "All this does not 
frighten me; if only the Saviour is merciful to me and 
has pity upon me, through his help I will observe all that." 
The woman, however, who was here before her husband, 
and had brought him, said : " I am quite stupid and know 
nothing, not even what one should speak and say, who 
would like to live here and become a believer; but how I 
shall do, thereof I know nothing." She was told that she 
would hear this every day in the meetings. Another was 
a half-Mi ngo, who had often been here, and now came 
away from his friends, many of whom wished to come 
here. Late in the evening came the aforesaid Allen back 
from Detroit, bringing news that there would be no peace 
with the Indians. 

Monday, 10. Allen set forth on his way to Niagara, 
having hired an Indian and a horse for as far as the Mon- 
sey town. At Detroit he bought a farm, and will move 
there this spring. 

Tuesday, 11. As the weather yesterday and to-day was 
fine and spring-like, our Indian brethren went for the most 
part to their sugar-huts. In the evening the express 
came back from Niagara, and with him Judge Powell s 



348 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

son and a white couple, and stayed over night. We heard 
the news of the beheading of the Queen of France; also 
that the States were required to unite in the war either 
with England or with France. We have regard for this, 
in which our mission is concerned, and we pray : " Take 
us to thy grace. Be good against all harm," for in this 
way there can be no peace. 

Wednesday, 12. Parke went farther to the Monsey 
town and our people to the sugar-huts, leaving the town 
empty. 

Thursday, 13. Anna Helen went away to her mother. 

Saturday, 15. The ice broke up in the river. At the 
beginning of this month was the severest cold of the win 
ter, the thermometer standing at 19, L and to-day already 
at 70. 

Sunday, 16. Br. Zeisberger preached. The brethren 
were mostly at home. Then the corn for the family lately 
come was collected, who had nothing to eat. Thus it 

o 

commonly is with Indians when they first come to us. 
The} T are poor in body and soul, bringing nothing with 
them save their bodies, so that it can well be said that 
they run away from the devil bare and naked and flee to 
the church. 

Tuesday, 18. The river ran strong with ice, coming 
from far up, and has risen very high. 

Wednesday, 19. Mr. Parke came back from the Monsey 
town and set out for home. 

Thursday, 20. A white man arrived from Niagara and 
went to Detroit. 

Saturday, 22. Samuel came by water from the settle 
ment and most of the brethren from their sugar-huts, 
there being little or nothing to do there. This year there 
is a poor sugar-harvest, such as we have never had, for first 
it was furiously cold, and then all at once came such warm 
weather that it was soon over. 

Sunday, 23. Br. Sensemann preached, and our neigh- 
perhaps 19 is meant. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 349 

bor, Bach, and another were present. Br. David held the 
congregation meeting. 

Tuesday, 25. For the feast of the Incarnation of our 
Saviour we had a service, at which all the brethren were 
present, and at consideration of our Saviour s becoming 
man our eyes became moist for thankfulness for the 
boundless love of God towards us, in sending us his only 
Son, so that through him we might have life eternal. 

Thursday, 27. A white man arrived, sent by the com 
mandant to ask whether we would let him have a lot upon 
our land, but we absolutely declined, writing to the com 
mandant that we could not and would not do this. 

Friday, 28. Samuel went up to the Monsey town about 
his business. 

Saturday, 29. Most of the brethren came home, having 
done with making sugar, which has yielded little this 
year, and the most any one made was not over a hundred 
pounds. 

Sunday, 30. Edwards preached, and in the afternoon 
the assistants had labor in investigating lies, which to our 
comfort were so found. 

Monday, 31. Towards evening his excellency, Gov. 
Simcoe arrived with a suite of officers and soldiers, and 
\vith eight Mohawks, from Niagara by water, and re 
mained over night. He at once asked for our school- 
house as a lodging, for it was cold and during the day 
had snowed, but he was much pleased when Br. Sense- 
mann offered his house, where he then lodged together 
with his officers, two of whom had been herewith him last 
year. Our sisters entertained them. The soldiers lay 
close by in the school-house, but the Mohawks were di 
vided between two Indian houses, whom also our Indian 
brethren abundantly supplied with food. He was glad to 
see so many houses built since he was here, also that our 
Indians had cleared much, land, and he praised their in 
dustry and labor. Still more, he wondered at seeing in 
the place such a great pile of timber, and when he learned 
that it was destined for a meeting-house, and also that the 
Indian brothers and sisters had brought it in on sledges 



350 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

without horses, he said : " Would that I could have seen 
this." 

Tuesday, April 1. After friendly leave-taking he set 
out for Detroit with four canoes. 

Wednesday, 2. Samuel came back from the Monsey 
town. 

Saturday, 5. An Indian, who came last winter from 
Oswego to the Monsey town, our Abigail s father, and 
who came here for a visit day before yesterday, said to 
Joshua that he had often heard of us from other Indians? 
but nothing good ; he was therefore come himself to see 
and to hear, and now he found that all was not true 
which he had heard, but he believed we had something 
good, and the right thing, of which he and the other In 
dians knew nothing. He said : " I care nothing for what 
I hear, but 1 speak of what I have seen with my own 
eyes." He added that the Mohawks in Niagara, Brant s 
people, had also meetings, wished to be Christians, that 
they had been baptized also, but that no difference was 
to be seen between them and the savage Indians ; they got 
drunk, they stabbed one another dead with knives, they 
went to war and did as the savages also ; of all this 
nothing was to be seen among us; these were Indians 
from whose faces something good shone out, and there 
fore he believed that among us something good must be 
found; he believed there was a God who had made every 
thing, and had many times already thought about this, 
and wished to know what he would have him do, that 
would please him, for he sought something good for the 
present and for the future life, and this he had never yet 
found. Joshua praised to him the great love of God 
towards us, poor men, who came into the world and be 
came man, such as ourselves, and who came to save sin 
ners. He told him he would hear daily in our meetings 
what he sought, where he and all who came and wished 
to hear, were welcome. He was pleased at hearing this, 
reflected, and said that now he wished to go to the meet 
ings, and this he did too. 

In the evening, when it was already dark, we learned 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 351 

that a trader was in camp on the other side of the river, 
who went up the river and had rum to sell. We sent 
some assistants there to get information, who brought the 
rum to town and took charge of it until he went away, so 
that there might be no drinking. The man at tirst de 
fended himself, but he had to give in, but was afterwards 
glad when he heard he would get it again untouched. 

Sunday, 6. Michael preached, whites and Frenchmen 
being present. 

Monday, 7. The brethren fenced in the grave-yard and 
were done with it. 

Tuesday, 8. Frenchman in two boats and canoes came 
here, stayed over night, and went to Detroit. By a letter 
from the settlement we learned that there would be war 
between England and the States. 

Wednesday, 9. The brethren in several canoes took 
corn down to Dolson. An unbaptized Indian, a Tutelee, 
who lived with us when a boy, and is now sick, sent a 
request to us to come for him. He was brought here to 
day and had trust in the Saviour that he would have mercy 
upon him before his death, wash away his sins with his 
blood, and make him happy. 

Friday, 11. At a love-feast with our home-church we 
heartily congratulated Br. Zeisberger upon his seventy- 
fourth birthday, and wished the Saviour to strengthen him, 
body and soul, and guard him in his service. 

Saturday, 12. By Indian brethren, who came from the 
settlement, we heard that the honorable Governor had 
gone with officers and soldiers to the Miami, there to lay 
out a fort. 1 

Sunday, 13. Br. Sensemann preached about the Saviour s 
entrance into Jerusalem for his passion, and Br. Zeis- 
berger held the communion-service. He urged the breth- 

1 " But the conduct of England in sending, as she did, Governor 
Simcoe in the month of April, 1794, to the rapids of the Maumee, then 
within the acknowledged territories of the United States, to erect a 
fort, was the strongest assurance that could have been given to the 
north-western tribes that she would espouse their quarrel." Albach s 
Annals of the West, p. 634. 



352 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

ren to give up their hearts, and especially in these days, 
to feed upon Jesus sufferings, and gave notice of the 
Lord s supper for Thursday. The assistants spoke with 
some people, Andrew and Pauline, Nicodemus and Theo 
dora, Pauline, Amelia s daughter, Abel, etc. 

Wednesday, 16. After speaking to the brethren yes 
terday and the day before, the communicants had the 
washing of feet, whereby the history thereof was read, 
and our dear Lord let his presence very perceptibly be per 
ceived, purifying and washing away from us all dust and 
stain, and comforting our hearts in all their shortcomings 
and transgressions. Old David had the mercy of being 
present after many years, and to be a partaker of the body 
and blood of Jesus in the holy communion. Also, the 
widow, Sabina, was readmitted. 

Thursday, 17. In the evening was read the account of 
our Saviour s agony and bloody sweat upon the Mount of 
Olives and of his captivity, at hearing which our hearts 
broke out into tears for thankfulness and love towards 
our dear Lord. Thereupon the communicants enjoyed 
his body, for us given over to death, and his blood, 
with hearts full of shame and humility. Sensemann con 
ducted it. 

Friday, 18. After the thanksgiving-liturgy, was read 
the story in four parts of the great martyrdom of our Sa 
viour, in consideration of which we passed the day. This 
the brethren listened to eagerly and attentively, and the 
Spirit of God was thereby very busy, making plain in 
our hearts the sufferings of our God. At the death of 
Jesus we recited the liturgy upon our knees, and at the 
opening of his side was sung: Larnb of God, thy precious 
blood Healing wounds and bitter death ; and sacred 
head, now wounded, etc. At the end of the blessed day: 
Be with him my members dead Be his sepulchre my bed. 
A messenger went by to-day to summon the Indians to 
the war. Our Indians said they had to-day no time to 
hear him, whereupon he went his way. 

Saturday, 19. Great Sabbath, was a love-feast, at which 
Sensemann presided, when we thankfully called to mind 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 353 

and comforted ourselves with the thought that for us our 
dear Saviour had lain in the grave and sanctified our 
place of rest, so that we shall follow him and in his time 
be like him. 

Sunday, 20. Early at daybreak we assembled in the 
chapel, and after the brethren had been greeted with the 
words : The Lord is arisen, we read the greater part of the 
Easter litany, it being rainy weather, and the last part in 
the grave-yard, praying for eternal communion with the 
brother and the four children who had died since last 
Easter. Thereupon was a reading about the resurrection 
of our Lord, and in the sermon, which Br. Sensemann 
preached, he baptized into Jesus death a grown girl with 
the name, Deborah. In the service for the baptized in the 
afternoon, which Br. Zeisberger conducted, there were 
absolved by the laying-on of hands two sisters, Cathrine 
and Anna Maria, Joachim s wife, and one brother, David, 
the younger. Both this and the baptismal service were 
accompanied by the near presence of God, and the breth 
ren were overwhelmed with blessing. During the day he 
has shown himself especially gracious to his Indian 
church, small as it is, and indeed no one has remained 
unblessed. To him be praise, glory, and honor! 

Tuesday, 22. Mr. Parke, who came with the boat, went 
away, with about a thousand bushels of corn he bought 
here, to Detroit, and Mr. Dolson has taken away quite as 
much. 

Wednesday, 23. Our people were busy in the fields, 
making preparations for planting. 

Thursday, 24. Abigail s father went to get his things, 
and will come again. His words : 

Saturday, 26. The Indian brothers who had taken corn 
down came back. We got news that very soon we must 
expect warriors, who go to the Miami against the States, 
when we may again await trouble. 

Sunday, 27. Michael preached. Zeisberger held the 
congregation meeting. With the assistants we had a con 
ference about regulating the plantations and about the 
23 



354 

warriors whom we have to expect, to prevent evil, so that 
they may cause no damage here. We heard threats again 
that if our Indians did not go to the war, they would 
come and shoot all our cattle ; whoever defended himself, 
to him the like would be done, and we should not be 
treated so mercifully as upon the Muskingum. It is the 
old story, to which we are wonted. 

Wednesday, 30. Michael held early service. The 
brethren are this week very busy in their fields, and begin 
to plant, which they do this year earlier than is usual. 

Thursday, May 1. We learned from Detroit that on 
the Miami a fort 1 had been planned, that the Governor is 
gone back to Niagara by way of Pettquottiug and Cuya- 
hoga. 

Sunday, 4. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel about 
the good Shepherd, and Sensemann held the congregation 
meeting. A couple of Chippewas brought here two strings 
of wampum and three pieces of tobacco, one of these for 
our Indians, the others to be taken elsewhere, with the 
words : " All the Indians should assemble at the Miami to 
go to war against the States or their troops, no one should 
stay behind, and if a wife was unwilling to let her hus 
band go, she should go with him, so that he remain not 
back." This again caused much reflection, trouble, and 
perplexity among our brethren, who said : " How often 
have we explained publicly and in a straightforward man 
ner to the chiefs and Indians that we wish to have nothing 
to do with war, how many messages, belts, and strings of 
wampum have we sent to them, but all in vain ? They do 
not leave us in peace, they are always making attempts 
upon us. What can or shall we do farther, that we may 
have rest from the wicked world ? We can think of noth 
ing farther. We are at the end." We told them we 
thought it best to listen to such messages and to consider 
them, that they were sent not alone to us, but to all In 
dians, and thus we too must hear them, but that they 

^ee note, p. 351. 



FA1RFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 355 

should be quiet in the matter, and they could yet do what 
they wished and what their hearts told them; such events 
we must reckon among those of which the Saviour has 
said to us : In the world ye shall have tribulation, from 
which he has not set us free, but we must suffer and feel 
somewhat also of the trouble of the world ; but that he 
had told us we should be comforted, for he had overcome 
the world; we should therefore look to him alone in the 
confidence of faith ; he would help us to get through and 
not abandon us. This gave the brethren courage, and to be 
rid of the piece of tobacco they resolved that the assist 
ant, Samuel, who approved, should go with the message 
to the Mousey town, and explain, in our name, that we 
had nothing to do with war, as was known to all nations; 
this also your father well knows, to whom ye can tell it 
likewise, and to send the tobacco back. We indeed told 
them that if the matter were ours we would throw it into 
the tire, but this they feared to do. 

Tuesday, ti. Samuel with other brothers went to the 
Mousey town, a part by land, a part by water, to bring 
down here for pay the corn which traders had bought 
there, and when they get. it down to the settlement on 
this river they receive two shillings a bushel. A Mingo 
woman, with three children, came here from the Miami 
sick, her people and friends, as she said, having all died 
there, leaving her alone. We gave them food and provis 
ions, for they had nothing at all. The brethren planted 
our fields to-day together, and also the common field. 

Saturday, 10. This week the brethren were mostly 
done planting. 

Sunday, 11. Br. Edwards preached about the peace 
and hope of believers, sinners for whom expiation has been 
made by Christ s blood, of sometime seeing with their bod 
ily eyes the Saviour, in whom they have here believed. 
Some white people were here visiting Br. Seusemann 
conducted the children s hour. 

Tuesday, 18. Samuel with the brothers came back 
from the Mousey town, in six canoes, with corn for Dol- 
son. He spoke there with the chief people, saying we 



356 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

had got a piece of tobacco to come to the war, but that we 
had nothing to do with it, and concerned not ourselves 
about it. He told them also the reason why, that we no 
longer lived as before, but, since it was pleasing to God, 
liked to live in peace with every one. He wished to give 
them the tobacco to take with them thither where it came 
from, but they wished to have a string of wampum be 
sides, to show something from us, and thus it remains until 
they come down here. 

Wednesday, 14. Jacob, John Henry, Michael, and Jos 
eph went over the lake, each on his own business. Six 
Mohawks, Mohicans, messengers from Brant to Detroit, 
were here over night. From them we learned that efforts 
are still making for peace, that an ambassador from Con 
gress has been in Niagara, bringing new propositions, 
which, however, were not accepted, and that he then wrote 
back to Congress, for whose answer they were now wait 
ing. Upon this it now depends whether there shall be 
peace or whether a new war shall begin, for which all 
preparations are made. 

Saturday, 17. A war-party of Chippewas on their way 
to the Miami, whither they a$e summoned, arrived and 
encamped on the river-bank. The brethren brought them 
food in abundance, tobacco also. When they had eaten, 
they made ready for their beggar-dance, according to their 
custom, when they dance from house to house, until some 
thing is given them. They smear themselves over the 
whole body with white clay and in the face with black, so 
that they are ugly, yea, frightful, to look at. Some assist 
ants went to them and told them we should be glad to 
have them omit this, they would make our children uneasy 
and anxious; if they wanted any thing, they should just 
tell us, and if we could, we would give it them without 
their dancing. Hereupon they asked for a hog, which 
they got, and thus they gave up their dance, but only for 
to-day ; in the evening they had their dance in their camp. 

Sunday, 18. Br. Sensemann preached from the Gospel : 
I go unto him that sent me. The Chippewa warriors as 
sembled in bands and listened quietly, but in the evening, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 357 

after the services were over, they set about their beggar- 
dance through the whole town, from house to house, and 
the next morning at daybreak went away. An unbaptized 
Indian, who had already leave to live here, a half-Mingo, 
went with them. We heard also that a great multitude 
of Chippewas from the upper lakes was come to Detroit, 
and that more^were arriving daily, but what they intend 
to do no one knows. These circumstances among the 
weaker hearts of our brethren arouse again a certain fear 
that the savage Indians are coming to destroy the church, 
to drive away their teachers, or to kill them together with 
themselves, because they go not to the war. Therefore we 
do not cease, privately and in the services, industriously to 
exhort them to rely upon the Saviour, to abide by him and 
his promise: Because thou hast kept the word of my 
patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of tempta 
tion, that they should believe they were a people pur 
chased with his dear blood, and that he will not forsake 
them, but rejoice over them, if he sees their faith. 

Monday, 19. A company of Monsey warriors, thirty 
men, arrived. They had hardly encamped below the town, 
when they also came and danced their beggar-dance 
through the whole town. They remained here the follow 
ing day, causing us and the assistants much concern and 
anxiety, since they wished to take with them some one 
from here, especially Nicholas. Thereupon we said we 
would send no one, that we might have no blame if they 
were unsuccessful and came to harm ; whoever wished 
might go. The tobacco, which they would not take with 
them, we said to them we would ourselves bring where it 
belonged. Moses child, that was brought here sick and 
quite wasted away, at the request of its parents, was 
to-day baptized with the name, Sara, and died half an 
hour after, as if it had only waited for this, for at the bap 
tism it was quite lively. 

Wednesday, 21. Early the warriors again danced their 
beggar-dance, and there was again trouble. There were 
some warriors who had lost relatives in the war, when 
Broadhead (in 1779) had made a campaign up the Alle- 



358 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

ghany, who accused Br. Bill Henry of being the one who 
did it, but he is innocent, and it is uncertain whether the 
man was an Indian or a white, but since he took part in 
the campaign and was a captain, he is held responsible for 
it. In order to be rid of them this time he had to give 
them an ox [and day before yesterday he gave them a hog], 
until the matter is arranged. When these ceremonies were 
over, there was the burial of the child, Sara, who died yes 
terday. Many strangers were present at this. 

Thursday, 22. In the forenoon the warriors went away 
with a war-cry, and fired off all their guns, after having 
caused us trouble and anxiety enough, mostly about our 
people, to whom the temptation is great. Indeed, upright, 
faithful hearts let not themselves so easily be persuaded, 
but there are ever weak spirits, who have little experience 
of the Saviour in their hearts, who are the most set upon, 
being easily recognized, and they must submit to it. Thus, 
three of our baptized people and three unbaptized, one of 
them quite an old man, who came to us in the spring, went 
away with them, whom we told not to come back here 
again. Then followed great stillness in town, and our 
King of Peace, to whom we are so gladly subject, came 
again to his rule. 

Saturday, 24. Dr. Freeman, a man from the States, 
came here, whom our Indians brought from the settlement 
here to take charge of a sister and of a girl, who have 
chronic troubles and vomitings, to whom he gave medi 
cine. 

Sunday, 25. Michael preached about this, how we 
should address and pray to our dear Father in the name 
of Jesus Christ, which the Holy Ghost teaches us, and dis 
poses of our prayer and of the answer so that we hear it. 
Br. Sensemann held the communion quarter-hour, and the 
assistants had labor. Dr. Freeman went home. 

Monday, 26. By a Chippewa Indian, who came back 
from the Fort, we heard that the warriors are all coming 
back, also that all the Chippewas from the upper lakes are 
going home. Although we cannot learn the cause, nor 
the connection of events, it was comforting news for us, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 359 

and gave us hope that circumstances would change to the 
better. 

Wednesday, 28. Senseraann held early service from the 
Scripture-verse about this, that the Saviour had reconciled 
us to God by his blood, and made us willing to serve and 
capable of serving him in holiness and righteousness. To 
day the brethren hoed our fields and the common fields. 

Thursday, 29. On Ascension Day Br. Zeisberger early 
held service, and discoursed from the text : It is expedient 
for you that I go away. He said that when our dear 
Lord and Saviour had brought about our redemption and 
made atonement for us by his blood and death, and when 
after his resurrection he had been forty days here below, 
and through his apostles had left behind him what was 
needful for us, he had ascended into heaven, sits now at 
the right hand of God with his wounds and makes inter 
cessions for us. He admonished the brethren to be eager 
for walking with the Saviour, whom indeed we see not, 
but who is not far from each one" of us. In conclusion we 
prayed to him and read the liturgy upon our knees from 
the English version. 

Saturday, 31. We had in the near presence of our dear 
Lord the holy communion, whereby Anna Sophia was a 
partaker for the first time and young Sophia came again. 
David Zeisberger administered it. 

Sunday, June 1. David read the liturgy, Edwards 
preached, and Sensemann held the congregation meeting. 

Tuesday, 3. From Detroit came Nicholas, who went 
thither to show himself, all Indians having been sum 
moned there, but McKee told him he could go home 
again, for they had no need of us. Thus was the trouble 
over for this time. Meanwhile these events have caused 
much harm among our people, and it is a wonder that 
any remain. We heard that they wish to besiege the 
Americans fort. 1 

Friday, 6. By Mr. Parke we got from Detroit a packet, 
containing a letter and the Scripture- verses and texts 



1 Ft. Recovery, on the site of St. Glair s defeat. 



360 

for this year, together with a writing from Br. Ettwein. 
The letter is dated Oct. 20th last. We heard that the 
Indians had fallen upon and beaten a convoy with pro 
visions, killing forty men, 1 that in the fort the Americans 
suffered from want of food, arid that the Indians had cut 
off all access to them. 

Sunday, 8. The sermon, at which a couple of our 
nearest neighbors from the settlement were present, was 
delivered by Br. Sensemann about the office and work of 
God, the Holy Ghost, who punishes the world for its un 
belief, but especially how he is busy in the hearts of his 
believers, comforting, leading, conducting, and blessing 
them, body and soul. In the afternoon, at a love-feast, 
we brought to him praise and thanks, and sang to him songs 
of praise for his faithful care of us, poor wretches. After 
a discourse from the text: Now he which stablisheth us 
with you in Christ is God, and given the earnest of the 
Spirit in our hearts, who is given us for aid and help, the 
grown girl, Elizabeth, daughter of Adam and Sophia, was 
admitted to the church. Towards evening an express 
came from Detroit on his way to Niagara to the Governor, 
to whom we had to give an Indian from here as escort, at 
the request of the commandant, which we did. By him 
we learned, for only four days ago he came from the 
Miami, that the army of the States had left the fort and 
was marching in full numbers to the Miami; a party of 
Indians had attacked a party of light cavalry and killed 
thirty men, but had to take flight, with loss of four 
Indians. 

Wednesday, 11. White people came through here from 
Niagara with cattle for Detroit. 

Thursday, 12. Anna Helen, who went away some 
time ago, and indeed from her husband, having herself 
taken another, came and begged to live again in the 
church, but we could not comply with her request. An 
thony s Esther was delivered of a daughter. 

Friday, 13. She (Anna Helen) came again and asked 



l l find no corroboration of this report. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 361 

leave to live here, but we could not grant her request, for 
we could not perceive that it would be well. There came 
Indian women back from the Fort, who told us much 
about a fight, that Pachgantschihillas 1 was dead. 

Saturday, 14. Samuel came back from the Fort, from 
whom we heard the real truth about the fight that oc 
curred, namely, eighteen whites and thirty-one Indians 
were killed, also that one hundred Chippewas had come 
from the upper lakes, who had been summoned. They 
said, however, that they could not remain long from home ; 
that they had themselves war with the Indians back of 
them, who had fallen upon them this spring and killed 
many. The chief said to the commandant and agent, 
that they set on the Indians and the States, one against 
the other, like two dogs, and that they merely looked on 
and did nothing; their father had deceived them, who 
had sent word to them, that if they came to Detroit, they 
would find there only women, children, and old men, for 
all that could go, had gone to the war, and now he saw the 
redcoats idly going about town ; he could not stay long 
there, but must soon go home. 

Sunday, 15. Zeisberger preached about the regenera 
tion of the heart, that the Holy Trinity has contrived and 
brought about the redemption of mankind by Jesus Christ, 
through whose blood we are cleansed of sin and born again. 
The assistants had to speak with Luke and Mary Eliza 
beth. Mr. Parke arrived. 

Tuesday, 17. Mr. Parke went home. 

Thursday, 19. The brethren hilled our corn early, and 
thet) the whole day was rainy. Late in the evening Israel 
came from the Fort, who got here without a blanket even, 
on account of Chippewas, and had to leave his gun and 
all in the lurch, for, as he said, they were after his life, and 
they fell upon him as he was passing by. 

Friday, 20. Anna Sophia was delivered of a son. 

Saturday, 21. By a Chippewa Indian from Detroit we 
heard many lies, whereby our Indian brethren were made 

1 A Delaware captain. The report of his death was false. 



362 ZELSBERGER S DIARY. 

fearful, for he said that the Delawares and those who were 
always for war, and would not accept peace, would be 
fallen upon. We learned also that commissioners from 
the States were again come to Detroit. We got our 
hay in. 

Sunday, 22. Br. Michael preached from the Gospel 
about the rich man. In the afternoon service from to 
day s Scripture- verse, Br. Zeisberger baptized two children, 
the one born on the 12th Inst. with the name, Lydia, the 
other, born day before yesterday, with the name, Lewis. 
Then there was a conference of assistants, considering 
about Anna Helen and Israel. 

Monday, 28. Motey, Anna Helen s mother, came to 
Samuel late at night and related her perplexity, that she 
had a call to the church, but on account of her children 
and friends could not make up her mind ; that yet she did 
not know how long she should live, yea, not even whether 
she should be alive the next morning. Samuel told her 
she was her own mistress. She could do as she thought 
best; she should think of her soul s salvation, and not be 
held therefrom by her friends, who could not help her, 
but she might be lost with them. 

Wednesday, 25. Bartholomew came back by way of 
Detroit from Niagara, whither he went by water on the 
8th Inst. with an express as escort. The Governor asked 
him if he was one of the Moravian Indians, and when 
he said yes, offered him a glass of rum, but he declined, 
saying he could not drink it. We learned that all was 
quiet, nothing to be heard about war. 

Saturday, 28. We learned that the Indian captain who 
had urged on the warriors against our Indians, and told 
them not to go away from Samuel s house until he prom 
ised that at least three should go from here to the war, 
likewise if they saw cattle near Bill Henry s house and 
knew they belonged to him, to shoot them that when he 
got to the Miami soon died. And if others had not 
stopped him, he would have been a real torment to us. 

Sunday 29. Sensemann preached about the great feast, 
whereto Jesus by his servants bids mankind who, how- 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 363 

ever, always know how to excuse themselves. The assist 
ants considered about the building of the meeting-house. 
Zeisberger held the congregation meeting. 

Tuesday, July 1. After the brethren had taken away 
yesterday the old meeting-house, and put it up in another 
place, as it was in the way, to-day the ground was made 
ready for the new. We assembled on the ground about 
it, and after some verses and a short discourse, Br. Zeis 
berger made a fervent prayer to our dear Lord, entreating 
for his recognition, for his blessing and presence ; that as 
often as we should assemble there we might be fed upon 
the words of his death and passion, and that to all those 
who came from far and near to hear, it should be shown 
in them as God s strength. Besides we commended our 
selves to the protection and guard of our dear Father and 
of the dear angels, that his blessing should accompany 
our labor. Thereupon the work was at once begun in 
comfort and cheerfulness. 

Wednesday, 2. From Niagara came a white man and 
a half-breed here, and told us that Brant had gone to 
Walnut Bottoms l to bid the white people go away from 
there, and that Allen was on his way hither. 

Friday, 4. By way of Niagara and Detroit we got let 
ters of April 29th last from Bethlehem and European news, 
to our great joy. 

Sunday, 6. Br. Edwards preached. In the communion 
quarter-hour, which Br. Zeisberger conducted, giving no 
tice thereof, he greeted the brethren from the churches, 
and assured them that they were lovingly remembered by 
them. Br. Sensemann held the congregation meeting 
from the Scripture-verse : The Lord is slow to anger and 
of great power. We refreshed ourselves by reading the 
papers received. 

Wednesday, 9. An express went through from Detroit, 
giving news that Indians and whites had attacked the 
fort, but had accomplished nothing, and that some twenty 

1 Near Presque Isle. See before p. 272. 



364 

Indians perished, and one Frenchman also. We were busy 
to-day blocking out the new meeting-house. 

Friday, 11. Indians came from the Miami, last from 
Detroit, by whom we heard that Pipe was dead. 1 Here 
the Indian brothers cut the first block of planks from wild- 
cherry timber, and all are eager to learn how. The Indian 
brothers set about plank-splitting. The surveyor, McKeff, 
sent us from Detroit the draught of our township. In the 
evening Br. Zeisberger baptized the sick Indian, the 
Tutelee, who was brought here April 5th, sick with con 
sumption, into Jesus death with the name, Clemens. 

Saturday, 12. Chippewa warriors came back from the 
Miami very hungry, having nothing to eat. The breth 
ren brought them food and gave them also provisions for 
their journey. They confirmed the news about the fight 2 
with the Americans, but that thirty Indians had fallen, in 
stead of twenty ; how many whites, they knew not, ex 
cept one. As they lost a man, a scalp was given them in 
his place, which they brought with them. In the evening 
the communicants enjoyed the body and blood of the Lord 
in the holy sacrament. Joachim was again a partaker, 
and Sensernann conducted it. 

Sunday, 13. Br. Zeisberger read early the thanksgiving- 
liturgy, and thereupon preached from the Gospel: Be ye 
therefore merciful as your Father also is merciful, apply 
ing it to the brethren. Our neighbor Bach was present. 
We read the Bethlehem journal. 

Wednesday, 16. Another war-party of Chippewas ar 
rived who had been in the fight. They gave news that 
forty Indians had died, and that the Chippewas from the 
upper lakes had lost most heavily, that the Americans had 
with them Tuckashaw 3 Indians, two of whom were killed. 



1 According to Butterfield, Crawford s Campaign, p. 172, Pipe died a 
few days before Aug. 20th, the date of Wayne s victory. 

2 Here and also under Wednesday, 7, reference is made to a skirmish 
under the walls of Ft. Recovery, where several hundred Indians fell 
upon one hundred and forty American soldiers. The fight was severe, 
but the Indians were repelled. 

3 See before p. 128. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 365 

Saturday, 19. Warriors came back from the Monsey 
town. 

Sunday, 20. Br. Sensemann preached ; Zeisberger held 
the congregation meeting. Chippewa warriors came back. 
We read the Bethlehem journal. 

Monday, 21. Chippewas arrived. In the morning before 
daybreak died, right blessedly, Clemens, baptized on the 
llth In st. 

Tuesday, 22. He was buried after the early service, Br. 
Sensemann conducting the funeral. He came with his 
mother to Huron River (Michigan) in 1784 to the church, 
when a boy, and when she died, in the spring of 1791, on 
her way from New Salem to Detroit, in Sand u sky, he 
showed her much faithfulness during her sickness, and was 
thoughtful for her, but in his heart little life or feeling 
could be observed, though he had once applied for bap 
tism. At the Watch-Tower he went away with the war 
riors, and then came with them to the river to the Monsey 
town, where he got the consumption, of which his mother 
had died, and when he wasted away more and more and 
could not recover, he sent to us and begged us to bring 
him here, which was done April 9 last, but his wife, by 
whom he had a child, left him, coming not with him. He 
still hoped for recovery, but when he saw that his strength 
was ever getting less and less, he turned to the Saviour, gave 
himself entirely to his will, came of his own accord and 
asked for baptism, saying it was his only care to be cleansed 
from his sins by Jesus blood, and then to go to him. This 
mercy he obtained on the llth Inst. on his bed of sickness, 
in the presence of a number of brethren, amidst a blessed, 
gracious feeling of the presence of our Lord. The grace 
the Saviour did showed itself mighty in his heart. He 
was now quite comforted that he was in grace with God, 
that his sins were forgiven , and he found joy in soon coming 
to the Saviour. He spoke now of nothing but his death 
and that he should soon see him. u There is in the world," 
he said, " nothing more to keep me. There is no pleasure 
for me. My joy is the Saviour, who has forgiven my sins, 
adopted me as his child and saved me, for now I feel quite 



366 

differently from what I felt before. Now I have no fear 
of him, but I love him dearly." To a young brother Who 
visited him he said : "We were always good comrades to 
gether, loved each other too, but now we are brothers and 
love the. Saviour above all, and hold each other dearer 
than before." Last night when brothers watched with 
him he entertained them with talk about death, how he 
rejoiced to see brothers and brethren who are with the Sa 
viour, whom he called by name. After midnight, when he 
heard the cocks crow, he said : " Now the Saviour comes 
for me, now I shall go," turned himself over, folded his 
hands, and died quietly and happily as a sinner redeemed 
by Jesus blood. 

Thursday, 24. Br. Sensemann went down to the set 
tlement on business, returning on the 26th. AnnaHelen, 
who went to the Monsey town to bring here her cattle and 
children, brought back her mother to stay. Some white 
people visited us and examined our place. 

Friday, 25. Warriors came, Abel also. We are ever 
hearing more about the loss of the Indians in the fight. 
One hundred and thirty were killed in the battle, and 
many who were wounded have since died. The Indians 
stabbed the sentinel in the Fort. There is some secret 
excitement among the Indians. 

Sunday, 27. Michael preached. A party of men and 
women came here from the settlement, fifteen miles from 
here, to see our place. Sensemann held the congregation 
meeting. 

Monday, 28. Brethren went to the settlement. Motey 
announced her wish to live here. She had a long discus 
sion with her friends about it, who told her she would 
here perish with the believers, for they would all be put 
to death. This comes from the fact that the Indians on 
the Miami are considering about taking us away into cap 
tivity. 

Tuesday, 29. More warriors came back, Monseys. All 
agree that the Indians have lost many men ; also that the 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 367 

Delawares on the Miami are planning to call us away from 
here. We shall await the time. 

Thursday, 31. Sensemaun held early service. Mr. Al 
len, who was here in the winter, came here by boat by way 
of Detroit to settle forty miles up the river. He stayed 
over night and went on the next day. 

Friday, Aug. 1. Joshua and many brethren came up 
from the lake, where they got meadow-grass. We were 
now compelled to send Israel away, and he went to-day. 
For some time the weather has been very hot and dry, so 
that many vegetables and fruits have wilted. The dry 
earth longs for rain and we likewise, for the corn begins 
to wither. The thermometer for several days has been at 
96, which it never was before. 

Sunday, 3. Br. Edwards preached. Michael held the 
congregation meeting. We took counsel with the assist 
ants about building houses for a couple of widows and 
their children, that they might at once have a place for 
their corn, for now the brethren have time for this, there 
being no pressing work. We read the journal. Towards 
evening we got a much desired rain. 

Monday, 4. White people went through here for De 
troit with cattle, who have begun a settlement forty or 
fifty miles up this river, thirty families strong, having 
lately come over from Europe. The land will be very 
thickly settled, and grows perceptibly. We should have 
gained nothing then if we had settled as far again up the 
river. A child, whose parents are strangers, left here by 
them, fell into the water and was taken out for dead, giv 
ing no token that life was in him. They brought him to 
a house, covered the body warmly, when, after half an 
hour, it began to get breath, and after a good quantity of 
water and slime had come out of his mouth he was well 
again. 

Tuesday, 5. Mr. Parke arrived, who in the spring gave 
us hope he would go to the States and visit Bethlehem, 
for whom we have been waiting, thinking to send letters 
by him, but now he does not do this, and we are disap 
pointed. Israel came back again, as he gave out, because 



368 

lie does not dare to go anywhere alone. Sensemann began 
the children s school again. 

Thursday, 7. Michael held early service. The assist 
ants spoke with Israel, who gave as reason for his return 
that he did not dare to go anywhere alone. It thus ap 
pears that he has no good conscience, and must conse 
quently be afraid of the Chippewas. 

Friday, 8. Zeisberger held early service. It rained 
all day. 

Sunday, 10. Sensemann preached. Zeisberger held the 
communion quarter-hour and the congregation meeting. 
"We got news by an express going to Niagara that uneasi 
ness prevailed ; that Gen. Wayne was come as far as the 
fork of the Miami, where they were building a fort. 1 It 
is said the Indians flee, leaving the fields in the lurch. 

Tuesday, 12. By Indians from Detroit 1 we heard that 
the Indians are again summoned to go to war, and this 
will again make disturbance among us. Some brought 
rum, of which, of course, we took charge. 

Wednesday, 13. The brethren have lately been spoken 
to, and the communicants enjoyed in the near presence of 
our dear Lord his body and blood in the sacrament of the 
holy communion, whereby he blessed us unspeakably. 

From the upper towns Indians came. A Mohican, the 
son of Joseph (Snow-shoe), 2 who had lived in the Broth 
ers house in Bethlehem, came here several days ago, and 
said of his own accord that his wife, who had been away 
from him more than two years, had also come to him here ; 
that here they had been reconciled and were of accord 
in wishing to live here and become believers. God 
strengthen them in their intention ! It seems they belong 
to us. 

Thursday, 14. A Mousey captain, the near friend of 
Anna Helen and her mother, after taking much pains 
to persuade them and to turn them from the church, 
since they have been here, when he saw that he could do 



1 Ft. Defiance. 

3 See before, p. 144. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 369 

nothing with them, and that they were firmly resolved to 
remain with the church, said to them at last : " Now I see 
ye remain therehy, and it is -your full intention to stay 
with the believers, I have nothing farther to say against 
it. I am glad that ye are so disposed. One thing, how 
ever, I will say to you, hold fast to your resolution, by 
no means ever go away from the church, wherefrom ye 
will be unhappy. Ye see yourselves how it is with those 
who leave the church. They are worse than the savages, 
and are unholy men, therefore I exhort you, remain fast 
with the church." This was his last advice to them. He 
left them and went home. 

[Thus far to Bethlehem.] 

Friday, 15. Samuel went with Boaz to Detroit about 
Bill Henry s affair, to bring to rest that of which he was 
accused, that he had killed an Indian, the friend of the 
Monseys here abov^e us. 

Sunday, 17. Michael preached and Zeisberger held the 
congregation meeting. Anna Helen s mother, Motey, 
was spoken with by the assistants, and as she has numer 
ous relatives who yearly make sacrifices, thereby to be pro 
tected from sickness and misfortune, she was told if she 
came to the church and wished to enjoy a blessed and 
pleasant life, she must keep away therefrom, and from all 
heathenish life and works, and if her friends made sac 
rifices and came to invite her thereto, she should always 
bear in mind that she no longer believed in them, but in 
the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, with a sacrifice for us 
all, had done enough, and nothing farther was needed, yea, 
it was a horror to God. 

Monday, 18. Br. Edwards held early service. After 
this Brs. Sensemann and Jung set out for Detroit, whom 
many brethren, going to the settlement, followed. An 
express for Niagara went through. 

Tuesday, 19. Zeisberger held early service. White 

people from the new settlement fifty miles above us went 

to Detroit. Chippewas brought meat here to exchange for 

corn and -produce of the fields. A Chippewa messenger 

24 



370 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

brought a string of wampum, together with a pipe filled 
with tobacco for all the Indians up the river, with the 
words: " My friends, as soon as ye have taken a couple of 
whiffs of tobacco, arise, for the Americans are near to 
take your land. Gome, I will go with you against them 
and send them back again." This message we had to 
send farther, for the messenger had only come thus far, 
not having hurried, for he had been five days in coming 
from Detroit, the Chippewas not liking to go to war. 

Wednesday, 20. Allen came here from his settlement, 
and remained over night with some of his people. 

Thursday, 21. Mr. Allen was at the early service, 
which Br. Zeisberger held. In the afternoon came back 
Brs. Sensemann and Jung, having done nothing, not hav 
ing been quite to the mouth of the river, for as soon as 
they came to the settlement, they heard and saw that all 
was in great confusion and alarm, for Gen l Wayne, with 
his army, was already at the Miami, and so, too, they 
heard, was it in Detroit, the gates being fast shut and no 
free passage. The shops are closed, the merchants have 
gone to the Miami against the foe, and all the militia and 
men in the country must go thither. In such critical cir 
cumstances, seeing certainly that they would not accom 
plish their purpose, if they went on, they turned about 
again. We heard also that the militia and Indians from 
Niagara have all gone thither by water. 

Friday, 22. We learned that Gen l Wayne had broken 
up at the Miami Fork and marched down the river, and 
had posted himself. 1 

Sunday, 24. Zeisberger preached. For Sister Sense- 
mann s birthday we had together at home a blessed love- 
feast, and forgot the wretched and burdensome life, 
wherein we now are, and know not what to ask from the 
Saviour, but will leave it entirely to him, and say: Lord, 
thy will be done, for never yet has he neglected any thing 
in his government, but in his grace thinks of us. Br. 
Michael held the congregation meeting. How good it is 

J At Ft. Deposit. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 371 

that we are here so quiet, out of the way of the trouble 
thnt harasses this land, as little children, who are care 
fully protected on earth. I know not where we could 
have found such a place. 

Monday, 25. Edwards held early service from the 
Scripture-verse: I, even I, am he who comforteth you; 
who art thou that thus shouldst be afraid of a man that 
shall die? The Indians went to work at the meeting 
house, upon which, for a while, they had ceased working, 
and as they were eating, there came an express through 
here for Niagara to the Governor, who, with his troops 
on his way to Detroit, is expected, and will also march 
through here. We heard that Wayne was posted in sight 
of the English fort. An express soon after came back 
from Niagara, who said there had been a skirmish, and 
that many French and Indians had been killed. This 
was the first of three hundred Indians, who knew noth 
ing of the Americans, and attacked them at once. Wayne 
then offered the Indians peace, but they dared accept 
none. The Indians and French are always urged to at 
tack Wayne, but have no courage. 

Tuesday, 26. The warriors came down here from 
above, encamping somewhat apart from the town, where 
they had their war-dance and ceremonies, of which we 
took little notice. Otherwise they were quite orderly and 
caused no further disturbance, except that, as usually, 
they held their beggar-dance, though we had abundantly 
provided them with food. They must have a hog. They 
remained, 

Wednesday, 27, and early on Thursday, 28, went away. 
A couple of hours later Joseph followed them secretly 
with John and James, without saying any thing about it 
to any one. To-day also many Chippewas went down by 
here. 

Friday, 29. Br. Edwards held the early service. We con 
gratulated the unmarried brothers upon their festival-day 
to-day at a love-feast, having hearty sympathy with them, 
and we blessed them, to pass all their days with the In- 



372 

dian church joyfully and with pleasure, for we now live in 
critical tihies, and cannot know what awaits us. 

Sunday, 31. Sensemann preached from the Gospel 
about Pharisees and tax-gatherers, and Michael held the 
congregation meeting. 

Monday, Sept. 1. We got news again about a fight be 
tween Wayne and the Indians] wherein the latter lost 
many. Wayne has gone by the fort, and on Reeson River 1 
has attacked a party of Indians, who were killed to a 
man. 

Tuesday, 2. By an express from Detroit for Kia gara 
we learned that there had been a fight in sight of the En 
glish fort on the Miami, in which again many Indians 
were killed, and thirty men of the Americans, who re 
mained masters of the field and buried the dead, but the 
Indians afterwards opened the graves to see how many 
were killed, but found they had themselves lost more ; 
that soon after the battle the army had again marched 
back, but for what reason is not known ; that before the 
English fort they spoke with them, saying they were go 
ing back from lack of supplies. 2 The Scripture-verse to 
day was : Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have 
called thee by thy name, thou art mine. 

Wednesday, 3. Mr. Allen, who came last evening from 
Detroit, and remained over night, set out for home to 
day. Chippewa warriors, on their way home, .said that 
Ekuschuwe had been mortally wounded in the head and 
body, that the Indians were angry with McKee, and. said 
he was the cause of the death of so many Indians; also 
that not a single Shawano was in the fight, though they 
were always instigating the Indians to go to war. 



1 Raisin River, Michigan, but Wayne did not go there. 

2 This battle, at the Rapids of the*Maumee, was fought Aug. 20, 1794. 
The Americans are said to have been less than a thousand, the Indians 
double this number. The savages soon fled, and the battle ended in 
sight of the British fort. The American loss in killed was thirty-nine, 
the Indian at least eighty. After remaining a few days near the Brit 
ish fort, Gen l Wayne returned to Ft. Defiance. Burnet s Notes, 
Chap. VIII. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 373 

Saturday, 6. The brethren worked at the meeting 
house this week. Mousey warriors came back, who, how 
ever, had been no farther than Detroit. Mohawks came 
from Brant s town, 1 on their way to the war, and remained 
over night. They asked some of our Indians why they 
did not go to the war. They answered : "We do not go 
to the war, for it stands not in Holy Writ that believers 
shall go to war; in olden times it indeed happened, but in 
the new time no longer, for then it ceased." They said it 
stood in their book that they should go to war; this was 
the English Book of Common Prayer, with some heads 
from the Old and the ^sTew Testament. They further said 
they had heard the ministers would not let them go to 
war. Answer : " The Indians are free people. Who 
wants to go, can go. It is true they are not ordered to go, 
but whoever goes, goes upon his own responsibility ; war 
was not for believers." 

Sunday, 7. Zeisberger held morning prayer, entreating 
the Lord for his blessing and presence this day, and for his 
recognition of us in all our services. Then Br. Sensemann 
held the festival services (for the married), Michael preached, 
and Zeisberger conducted the love-feast. The peace of 
God was in all services, and his near presence could be 
traced, his comforting nearness. 

Monday, 8. Edwards held early service. More war 
riors arrived, going home, but stayed over night here, and, 

Tuesday, 9, went farther. 

Wednesday, 10. Zeisberger held early service from the 
text : That good thing which was committed unto thee, 
keep by the Holy Ghost. O, Lord, protect from strange 
doctrines, 2 etc., and said he did not doubt but that the 
brethren believed they had the true ground and proper in 
struction for salvation, that they would seek no other 
way to salvation than that they had heard, only many in 
different persons were opposed. The thing was to them an 
old story, and it was a great loss to such that they did 

1 Probably at or near the present Brantford, on Grand River, On 
tario. 

2 This last sentence is from the collect. 



374 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

not stand in full enjoyment thereof. At noon came Brant 
with a company of Mohawks from Grand River (Ontario). 
They saluted the town with a salvo from their guns, and 
were answered in like manner. They stayed here a good 
while, and then set out on their way to the Miami through 
Detroit. Brant said he went to the war unwillingly, but 
he was compelled, and must go, for war was contrived 
merely for this, to exterminate the Indians, and our In 
dians did well and right in not going to war. He 
bought a canoe for his sick and weak. Among these 
Mohawks was a half-breed, who understood German well. 
He told us he had heard that in our town there was no 
drinking, dancing, playing, whoring allowed, whether it was 
so. We replied yes, for he who wishes to live in such sins 
cannot be here. " Yes," said he, " that is perfectly right, 
and so should it be with us also. These Mohawks were 
also Christians, went to Church, and had a school-house, 
but with all this, drinking and whoring were in full swing. 
At times they got together in the school-house, played, 
danced, and drank, and had already smashed nearly all the 
windows, and thus they live, no better than the savage In 
dians." Such Christianity, he thought, was not pleasing 
to God. After the uproar was now somewhat over, Brs. 
Sensemann and Michael Jung went to Detroit, together 
with other affairs, to forward a packet to England. Many 
brethren went to the settlement. 

Thursday, 11. There came about sixty warriors from 
Brant s town, encamping a little out of town, where food 
was taken them. They behaved in so quiet and orderly 
a way that nothing savage or unbecoming was seen or 
heard the whole night, the Monseys here making much 
more uproar, and being quite unrestrained. Their captain 
with a party of his people attended early service, held by 
Br. Edwards, Thursday, 11, listening devoutly, and then 
quietly withdrew. 

Sunday, 14. Br. Edwards preached. Zeisberger held 
the congregation meeting. Chippewas went through here, 
who related that McKee was gone to Niagara, and that 
he and Bawbee did not dare go to the Fort. We heard 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 375 

also that the Indians had fled from the Miami, part of 
them to Detroit for the deep creek, 1 where they bade us 
live, a part to the Spaniards, among them some of our 
people. 

Monday, 15. The brethren went out hunting to get 
meat for those working on the meeting-house. On the 
16th, they brought in three deer and several turkeys. In 
the bush they came upon a woman from the northern 
nations almost dead from hunger, whom they brought 
with them. 

Wednesday, 17. Still more Mohawks arrived on their 
way to the Miami, likewise Chippewas, all of whom we 
fed. To-day the brethren began to make sledges. 

Thursday, 18. Two families of Chippewas, who had 
been here and were going hunting, came to ask for corn 
for the hunt to take with them. They said they had 
been summoned to the war, and had gone ; that their cat 
tle had eaten up all their corn in the fields; they had 
spoken to McKee, but got nothing ; they had asked him 
for an order on the believing Indians here for corn, but 
since he refused this, too, they now begged us themselves 
for support. This we gave them, each family contribut 
ing a basket full of corn on the cob. Their women also 
helped ours in the harvest, thereby earning some corn. 

Friday, 19. From the settlement came Peter Skank, 
with another white man, and they stayed over night. 

Saturday, 20. Israel and Paul arrived. 

Sunday, 21. David preached and held the communion- 
service, of which he gave notice for next Saturday. The 
assistants spoke with Israel and Paul; neither had dis 
position to be in the church. 

Monday, 22. Brs. Sensemann and Jung came back from 
Detroit, whence they sent our letters to England and Beth 
lehem, and besides attended to many affairs. IT. B. Br. 
Sensemann baptized two children in the settlement here. 
In regard to the army from the States, matters were now 
quiet, for it is gone back to the nearest fort, but is again 

^See ante, p. J58. 



376 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

expected. The Delawares are going to the Mississippi 
from suspicion. They say they lose their land any way, 
whether the States win or not, either through them or the 
English, and their young people besides, and thus it is bet 
ter for them to leave their land and go away, not to men 
tion having nothing to eat, and the danger of starving 
here, for all their fields are laid waste. For this they now 
blame their father (the English), who is the cause of all 
their calamity, for they dared not make peace. Their loss 
in men is greater than was at first reported. White men, 
also, who were in the battle, perished. 

Tuesday, 23. Polly was delivered of a son. 

Wednesday, 24. By Indians from Detroit we learned 
that Gen l Wayne had again offered the nations peace, if 
they would have it. In these circumstances we now see 
how well and blessedly the Lord has led us at the right 
time, taking us away from the troubles of the world, and 
making us secure here before the disquiet began, for 
which we cannot be thankful enough. As little children 
we are carefully watched upon earth. Some time ago 
we heard that the Delawares had held a council on the 
Miami about calling us away from here, and now they 
must themselves be fugitives and have no settled place or 
abode. 

Friday, 26. Cathrine was delivered of a daughter. 

Saturday, 27. In the early service Br. Zeisberger bap 
tized, with the name, Nathaniel, the little son of Samuel 
and Polly, born the 23d List. We have lately heard that 
some of the Indians who fled to the Mississippi, would 
come hither to call away their friends; this seems now 
more probable, for Sabina s sister, who came here the 
other day, will now make preparation and take with her 
the grown daughter of the former. The communicants 
celebrated the Lord s supper in his clear nearness. An 
drew also came back to-day. 

Sunday, 28. Br. Zeisberger read the communion lit 
urgy, reminding the brethren to be thankful for the bless 
ing enjoyed, carefully to guard it, and then to think of 
the sick and weak and to pray for them, that the Saviour 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 377 

and his Spirit may bless them by making them sharers of 
the like blessing. Br. Michael preached from the Gospel : 
No man can serve two masters, etc., and in the afternoon 
service, which Br. Sensemann conducted, be baptized into 
Jesus death, with the name, Gertrude, the little daughter 
of Br. John Thomas and his wife, Cathrine, born two 
days ago. 

Monday, 29. In the early service, which Br. Zeisberger 
held, the dear angels were mentioned, whom and the 
Saviour we have to thank for their service given to be 
lievers, in that they turn from us many a misfortune and 
danger. Moreover, we had news to-day that the Indians 
now wish to make peace with the States, seeing now that 
if they longer carry on war they must go to destruc 
tion. It happens also that the agent is away, having gone 
to Montreal. They no longer ask their father whether 
they shall or not, but it is reported that they will adopt 
Congress as their father. 

Wednesday, Oct. 1. Chippewas, who were encamped 
here, and drummed, all went off hunting, a pleasant event 
for us. Our people were industrious about the meeting 
house. To-day they finished the roof and also the little 
tower, and the bell was hung up. The sisters, for their 
part, are busy harvesting. 

Thursday, 2. A white man arrived from Niagara, with 
a couple of Indians, going to the war. We heard by him 
that the Governor had gone by ship with McKee to the 
Miami. 

Sunday, 5. Br. Sensemann preached. A couple of 
Chippewa families, who have been in camp here for many 
days, went away hunting. The reason of their being here 
so long was that they mucb wanted to marry some of our 
young women to their sons, and they asked our Indians 
for their young women, but no hope was given them. 

Tuesday, 7. The brethren worked at the meeting-house 
and laid the lower floor. The assistants spoke with 
Andrew s brothers and sisters. 

Thursday, 9. We congratulated Br. Sensemann upon 
his fii tieth birthday and blessed him. To-day came from 



378 

the Miami John Henry and Jacob, Christiana s husband, 
John Cook s son. Among the Indians matters seem very 
confused, some wish to make peace, others not. They 
have got together and must be supported. The Delawares 
have their eyes upon us. They are not pleased that we 
are here, and they wish to call us away, but know not 
themselves whither. They would like to have Bill Henry 
for chief. 1 

Saturday, 11. Yesterday and to-day the brethren har 
vested our fields. Frenchmen went through with rum, 
whom a party from here followed and got drunk. 

Sunday, 12. Zeisberger spoke earnestly about certain 
people who cause disorder and disturbance in town, and 
said it was better they went away and lived after their 
wicked thoughts, for they would have in the church a hard 
life, and hereafter everlasting damnation. 

Monday, 13. The brethren went earnestly to work upon 
the meeting-house to get it done this week, and all were 
busy, sisters as well as brothers. 

Wednesday, 15. Chippewa and Delaware Indians ar 
rived from the Miami. There are general disturbances 
among the Indians and want of unity. The Delawares 
fully intend to leave this part of America, and to flee to 
the south and New Spain, but are not all agreed about 
this, but some go away secretly and come here. They 
have spoken the truth straight out to their father, namely : 
" Thou hast always hitherto urged us to go to war against 
the States. We have followed thee to our great loss. 
Look at the graves on the Miami, look farther on, where 
the bones of the young folk lie, on whom the beasts have 
fed. Thou art the cause of their death. Thou hast al 
ways preached to us and said: Behold, the States are 
taking away your land. Be brave, act like men. Let not 
your land be taken from you. Fight for your land. But 
now we have got at the truth.* The States have struck 
thee to the ground and overcome thee. Therefore hast thou 



1 It will be remembered that he was the grandson of Netawatwes, 
and before his conversion was called Gelelemend. See Vol. 1, p. 419. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 379 

given them our land in order to have peace from them, 
but thou tellest us to fight for it, so that we may all be 
blotted out. See, this is the truth. Thou urgest us to 
war, but sittest still thyself, and mayest not raise thy hand. 
So hast thou deceived us for many years. Therefore will 
we up and away. Thou mayest carry on war alone. We 
will no longer be deceived by thee." 

Saturday, 18. Our new meeting-house was done, so that, 

Sunday, 19, we dedicated it to the Lord in the first 
service, which Br. Zeisberger held, and asked him in a 
prayer from the heart for his presence and recognition, 
that as often as we assemble there in his name to hear his 
sweet Gospel he would lend us his blessing, yes, if strangers 
came to hear, that they might not go away empty ; also 
that he would give grace to his servants to bear witness of 
his death and atonement for all men, with the strength of 
God, that it may accomplish that for which he sent it. Br. 
Sensemann preached from the text : In all places where I 
record my name I will come unto thee and I will bless 
thee. In the afternoon was a love-feast, which Zeisberger 
conducted. He thanked the brethren for their industry 
and good-will in the work, whereby none was injured. In 
conclusion Michael held the service from the Scripture- 
verse : Turn us again, Lord God of hosts, cause thy 
face to shine and we shall be saved. Thus we had joy, 
and ended with the blessing of the church. Several 
strangers were also here, who all attended the services, and 
not in vain, as they expressed themselv.es. 

Monday, 20. The brethren brought our corn in from 
the fields. 

Tuesday, 21. Sensemann held early service. Mr. 
Parke came here from Detroit with goods for our Indians. 
To our joy he brought us letters from Bethlehem of Feb. 
9 and Sept. 6 last, with the Scripture-verses and texts for 
the half of next year, 95. From the Miami came many 
Mohawks, of Brant s people, who stayed here over night, 
with a couple of whites, who said war would soon break out 
between England and the States, which was told to the 



380 

Indians also, that they might prepare and set out anew for 
the war. 

Thursday, 23. Yesterday and to-day Mr. Parke gave 
out his goods, for which he takes corn in payment next 
spring. Most of the brethren went hunting. White peo 
ple and Mingoes from Niagara were present at the early 
service, which Zeisberger held, and again went homeward. 

Friday, 24. Early in the morning we had the first snow 
of this autumn. A runaway negro from Detroit came 
here, whom Mr. Parke, who went thither to-day, took back 
with him. 

Sunday, 26. Br. Edwards preached. There came also 
strange Indians from the Miami, where now they are scat 
tered, and each man must see where he will stay, for they 
are restless and disposed for flight, having nothing to live 
on, and yet when they wish to come to us they have to 
steal away, for the others forbid them, and thus perhaps 
some will be gained for the Saviour. Sabina was deliv 
ered of a son. 

Monday, 27. The brethren were busy getting in their 
corn-harvest, and so continued through the week. 

Tuesday, 28. Brethren off hunting. With Joachim, 
who did the same, David spoke, asking him how it was 
that nothing would succeed with him. He replied that 
the war was the reason. 

Thursday, 30. In the early service, which Br. Sense- 
mann held, he baptized into Jesus death, with the name 
of Adolphus, the little son of Adam and Sabina, born the 
26th. 

Saturday, Nov. 1. In the early service, held by Br. 
Zeisberger, our communion with the church above was 
brought to mind, to which we have been chosen from grace 
to belong. 

Sunda}^, 2. Zeisberger preached about the wedding- 
garment, Christ s blood and righteousness, wherewith our 
nakedness and sins are covered. The Indian and assist 
ant, Bill Henry, sent word to the Delaware chief, Chink- 
pussis, who had invited him to come to be their chief: 
" Thou knowest very well what kind of a will our chief, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 381 

Netawatwes, left. He said to us shortly before his death : 
* I have received the word of God, and it is my earnest 
will and wish that our young people and^childreri should 
follow it, and thus we can become a fortunate people. 
Now, however, I am going from you, for I shall not live 
longer. I therefore leave.it to you to admonish our young 
folk to receive the word of God, which will be preached 
us, to live in accordance with it, and to give heed to the 
teachers, and thus it will be well with them. See, this 
has our chief told us in his last will. Had we followed 
his advice, perchance we should not have been where we 
now are. We are ourselves the cause that the believing 
Indians, with their teachers, have had to wander about for 
so many years and suffer so much. It does not please you 
that we are here, and ye wish to have us away from here, 
and ye are they who have driven us hither. If thou 
wouldst like to see me and to come to me, it will please 
me, but I shall not go where thou art. We learn that the 
Six Nations have taken off from the Delaware nation the 
woman s garment, and wish to make them men again ; 
have thrown the garment among the bushes, and whoever 
wishes to put it on shall die. This has reference to the 
creatures who are in it. This is because the Delawares 
wish to go away and forsake their land." l 

Wednesday, 5. A trader came here from Detroit, who 
wished to pass the winter here, buying and selling, and 
when we would not permit him, he wanted to build a 
house near by to stay in, but as this would have much 
worse results, we took him into town until he shall dispose 
of his goods, and then he can go again. 

Friday, 7. Yesterday and to-day was hard work in 
speaking, for there was much to be made clear, but the 
Saviour graciously helped us, so that none remained away. 

Saturday, 8. The communicants had the most blessed 
enjoyment of the body and blood of the Lord in the holy 
communion, which we received with true hearts, contrite 
sinners as we were. 



See under June 15, 1795. 



382 

Sunday, 9. Br. Michael preached from the Epistle : Be 
strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. There 
was then a conference of assistants about the bad behavior 
of Widow Sabina and her children. Br. Zeisberger held 
the congregation meeting. Whites were present at the 
services. 

Tuesday, 11. The trader, Mackenzie, went to Detroit. 
He said to one of our Indians, when for the first time he 
came to our meeting and heard, that just so he thought : 
" Yes, that is really a religion. I believe as they preach 
here." Mr. Allen came here from Detroit, stayed two 
nights, and went home in his boat, fifty miles up the river. 

Thursday, 13. In the early service we brought to our 
High Priest and Elder praise and thanks for all the fidel 
ity, goodness, and mercy vouchsafed us and for his blessed 
government in the church, bought by his dear blood, which 
he has assembled from among the heathen, and like the 
good shepherd feeds upon the pastures of his suffering. 
We begged forgiveness of our sins and faults, and com 
mended ourselves in the future to his grace, oversight, and 
faithful care. 

Saturday, 15. Yesterday and to-day many Indians 
came here, who were without plans and in flight, know 
ing not whither to turn, for their fields and dwellings are 
laid waste and they have nothing to live on, who are in 
the greatest poverty too. Those who come here, we feed 
and support as long as they stay, having hope that the Sa 
viour will get some as the reward for his woes. 

Sunday, 16. Sensemann preached, strangers being pres 
ent. As we had now received the letters we had expected, 
we laborers chose a name for our place and township, 
namely, Fairfield, that is, Schonfeld. 

Tuesday, 18. The brethren cut some wood for us. Most 
of the brothers went away for the autumn-hunt. 

Wednesday, 19. The trader, Mackenzie, who came back 
from Detroit yesterday, spoke with us, and wished to live 
here with us, concerned, as he said, for his salvation. But 
we told him we could receive no white people, we had not 
come here on their account, but for the Indians, to bring 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 383 

them to a knowledge of Christ Jesus, our Saviour. If 
white people wished to hear the Gospel for their salvation, 
they would everywhere find opportunity therefor, but not 
the Indians. He promised to conform to all our rules and 
regulations, and to claim nothing more than the Indians. 
Br. Zeisberger refused him decidedly, advising him to give 
up all thought of living here, for we could not permit 
him this, and if we did so, more would soon come to in 
sinuate themselves among us, and at last drive us from our 
town. Several have already tried this here. Mohawks 
went through with two American prisoners. 

Friday, 21. White people came from Niagara with 
cattle, and passed the night. We learned there would be 
peace both abroad and here with the Indians. 

Saturday, 22. A man was here over night, who came 
down with a raft of timber, though drift-ice is already 
running. 

Sunday, 23. Zeisberger preached and Edwards held the 
congregation meeting from the Scripture-verse. 

Monday, 24. Sensemann began school again. 

Tuesday, 25. Strange Indians from the Miami came 
here, who now do nothing but drift about in search of 
something to live on, as many have already come here, 
and are still here. 

Thursday, 27. From the settlement here on the river 
we learned by our Indians, who came from there, that at 
the fork below us, some thirty miles, a fort will be built, a 
piece of land which they propose to lay out as a town. 

Saturday, 29. Zeisberger held early service. The ser 
vants arranged some matters about the chapel, a lock, 
window-shutters, and on the turret a covering against rain. 
For a month it has been very cold, with much snow, 
which all went off with a south wind and rain, and the 
weather was warm. 

Sunday, 30. First in Advent. Br. Sensemann preached 
about the incarnation of our Lord and Saviour, which we 
look forward to with joyful minds, and have to dispose 
our hearts to receive him with love ; to this sermon came 
two white people from the settlement. In the evening 



384 

Mr. Parke arrived, who went back the next day. We 
heard that there would be peace, that commissioners were 
corning over from England, and that next spring the 
boundaries would be settled with the States. 

Wednesday, Dec. 3. Fresh snow having fallen, the 
brothers went out hunting. Christiana came back from a 
visit to her husband. 

Thursday, 4. To John Henry was born a son, and, 

Friday, 5, to Nicodemus, a daughter. 

Sunday, 7. Br. Edwards preached about the end of the 
world, when great and awful things would happen ; we 
should therefore follow the Saviour s advice, be watchful, 
and pray to escape from all the trouble, and to be able to 
rejoice in his coming. In the afternoon meeting the son 
born to John Henry, on the 4th, was baptized by Br. 
Zeisberger, with the name, William. 

Monday, 8. In .the early service Br. Sensemann bap 
tized into Jesus death, with the name, Anna Salome, the 
little daughter born to Nicodemus on the 5th. 

Wednesday, 10. Jacob came and knows not what he 
will, nor whither to go, for it is not well with him in the 
church. 

Saturday, 13. As we had very fine weather this week, 
after having had last month nothing but snow and rain, 
one after the other, the. brethren made a good quantity of 
the finest sugar. 

Sunday, 14. Michael preached, strangers being present. 
Zeisberger held the communion quarter-hour, giving no 
tice of it for next Saturday. 

Monday, 15. The brethren contributed corn to pay the 
common debts. Mr. Dolson came here from Detroit to re 
ceive corn. 

Wednesday, 17. A dozen brothers helped our neigh 
bor, Tiefsler, block out a house, whom we earnestly ad 
vised to keep our Indians sober, since on such occasions 
there is much drinking, and he kept them sober. 

Friday, 19. There was speaking to the brethren yes 
terday and to-day with reference to the communion, but 
since, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 385 

Saturday, 20, such bad and rainy weather came on, 
the communion had to be postponed until, 

Sunday, 21, when Br. Zeisberger at the usual time 
preached about the joy of the children of God in their 
Lord and Saviour, who became flesh and our brother. At 
the communion the widow, Erdmuth, and Cornelia, Luke s 
wife, were partakers for the first time. Br. Sensemann 
conducted it. 

Monday, 22. Br. Zeisberger read the liturgy early. 
The brethren then cut wood for us. 

Tuesday, 23. An Indian with his wife and child fled 
here some time ago from the Miami to be out of the way 
of war. They have lived in the neighborhood, and have 
diligently attended the meetings. They made known 
their wish to live here. The man said: "I know indeed 
nothing. I am ignorant and stupid. I know indeed that 
there is a God who has made me and all, but I am not 
acquainted with him, nor do I know where he is, but if 
only I knew what he would have me do, I should like to 
do every thing to please him. It is a comfort to me that 
with you I can hear what I shall do to be saved, and 
therefore my prayer and request are, to be permitted to 
live with you, and since I now know that my wife is of 
the same mind, I speak to tell you of my desire." She is 
daughter of the Boaz who perished in Schonbrunn, a 
dearly beloved brother. Both are unbaptized, and it was 
the more pleasing to us that one of his children came 
again to the church, inasmuch as the mother had taken 
them all away from the church. Leave was given them 
by the assistants to live with us, and a place shown them 
where they could be. 

In the evening there was a general council in which many 
matters were brought forward, about giving up unseemly 
things in the church whence no good arose, for example, 
1st, when^labor is to be done in common, that some with 
draw from it and do not lift their hands, thereby showing 
how their hearts are; 2d, that . servants and assistants are 
appointed in the church, who have to provide for good 
25 



386 

order, with whom the brethren should not be angry, 
giving unseemly answers and words, if they are admon 
ished of something, for it is done for their good and that 
of the church ; 3d, that now in the winter-time, when the 
brethren have fires night and day, they should be careful 
and keep the chimneys clean, for we had an example 
last winter of a house burning down ; 4th, about the drum- 
mings among our young people, to stop them ; 5th, to put 
an end to the children and young people s running about 
and begging at Christmas and ISTew Year, which had crept 
in unobserved, and to employ such great days to better 
service, all which had the result wished for. 

Wednesday, 24. The assistants spoke with Levi, \vho 
came here with his wife likewise in the autumn, and now 
wished to be a resident here. He has been absent from 
the church since its dispersion (in 1781), when he was still 
unmarried, and his wife has not been baptized. They got 
leave to live here. 

Christmas Eve, which we began with a love-feast, we 
sang the Infant Jesus with glad and thankful hearts, re 
joiced in his holy birth, that to us a Saviour was born, 
who brought us peace and reconciled us to God by his blood 
and death. That he has taught us when we lived in blind 
ness and were far from God, and that we now stand in 
grace with God through our Saviour, Jesus Christ, for 
this we thanked him, adored him, and glorified his holy 
name upon our knees. At the end we gave the children 
wax candles. Many strangers being present, our chapel 
was as full as it would hold, for they come here eagerly 
for holidays. Among others, some Chippewas also came 
here, who asked permission to come at Christmas, which 
we gladly granted them. When, however, the strangers 
servant came to them, bringing them answer, and saw them 
painted, plumes upon their heads, and all kinds of adorn 
ment hung about them," he said to them : " Yes, ye can go 
to the chapel, but not until ye have washed yourselves and 
taken all that stuff off, for none of us goes in such gear to 
the meetings." They replied : " yes ; that we shall be 
glad to do," and they did it at once, and in the chapel 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 387 

were very attentive and devout, kneeling with us and 
adoring the Infant Jesus, though ignorant, and not very 
well understanding Delaware. 

Thursday, 25. In the forenoon Br. Sensemann delivered 
the sermon, at which several white people were present. 
Among them was a woman who, when food was offered 
her, said that she and her husband, who, however, was not 
present, had made a vow, which they wished to keep as 
long as the}? lived, namely, at the Christmas holidays, New 
Year s Day, and Easter to fast, which they promised when 
at sea near destruction. They are Germans. Br. Michael 
held a children s service in the afternoon, and Zeisber- 
ger one for the baptized. These holidays, too, were ac 
companied by the Lord s presence and blessing, of which 
we had sufficient evidence. The name of the Lord be 
praised! 

Sunday, 28. Michael preached. A couple of white 
married people brought their child here for baptism, which 
Br. Sensemann attended to. We passed the afternoon 
with the assistants, to bring about peace in Renatus house, 
and this was brought about, but first of all to bring back 
unity among the assistants themselves, for many things 
had occurred, and to this the Saviour gave his blessing. 
We left it to them, after we had first expressed our feel 
ings and wishes, to talk it out together, and after this was 
done and all had come to an understanding, of their, own 
accord, they collectively told us that they were reconciled 
one to another, and came to fulfil and confirm their recon- 
ciliqtion in our presence, when, after a short address, we 
kissed them, as they also kissed one another, sang a 
couple of verses with them, and dismissed them in peace. 
This was a short matter, accompanied with the tears of 
the brethren and the peace of God, who perceptibly 
came down to us, so that we laborers were abundantly 
comforted. 

Tuesday, 30. A party of Chippewas /was here, not, 
however, to hear God s word, but to go about begging 
on New Year s Day, a custom they learned from the 
French. The brother of the Indian mentioned on the 23d 



388 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

of this month visited him, and said he had somewhat to 
say to him. He replied: " Speak, then," but as he was 
not alone, but in Stephen s home, where he lived, he did 
not wish to speak, and said he must be alone with him^ 
and had him called to him by himself. Then he said he 
had come to get him, for their relatives had a work to do, 
to arrange a murder committed by himself upon his wife, 
and to propitiate the offended party and get together 
wampum for him, whereby he must also be. He an 
swered: "I a mnow a dweller here with the believers, and 
this because I wish to be saved and not to be lost. I pro 
nounce myself free from you, and will hereafter have 
nothing to do with your ways. Ye can do and live as ye 
will. I will do as I will and be saved." His brother re 
plied: "Thus thou wilt not live long, if thou abstainest 
from our old customs and sacrifices and pronouncest thy 
self free therefrom, which we perform to turn from us 
calamity, so that we may live long." The reply was : " I 
seek not temporal but eternal life, which none but God 
can give. We must all die, but if I attain to life eternal, 
I have no fear of death." And thus they parted. This is 
the Indian way of managing. First, they use craft, and 
if they accomplish nothing by this, they threaten, for the 
words : " Thou wilt not live long," means much with 
them, and is equivalent to : " Thou wilt lose thy life by 
witchcraft," of which the Indians are much afraid. 

Wednesday, 31. We ended the year with a love-feast, 
which Br. Sensemann conducted, remembered the mani 
fold benefits we have this year enjoyed from the mild 
hand of our dear heavenly Father, for outwardly he has 
richly blessed us and cared for our maintenance, and in 
wardly he has made us daily participants of the salvation 
won for us by his only beloved Son, our Saviour; that also 
he has sent us outward peace, when last summer till late 
in the autumn there was great disturbance among the 
whites and Indians, and the last suffered sore, for they lost 
more than ever hitherto, so that they like not to speak 
of it, and whites in Detroit, who were present in the bat 
tle, say that if the Americans had wished, not a man 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1794. 389 

would have escaped, but they spared them. Thus has he 
watched over us and protected us as his children. He has 
let the angels sing: They shall be unharmed. And when 
the Indians were summoned to the field, as were also the 
whites, he so turned events that our Indians remained un 
injured, either by Indians or by whites, and we were left 
in peace, save that some young people from curiosity went 
out to see the battle, which one nearly paid for by bis 
life, whereby he came to great anxiety and turned about; 
that we by the help and blessing of the Saviour have again 
a regular meeting-house, when for many years we have 
made use of huts for all this and yet more we brought him 
our filial and deserved thanks, asked forgiveness also of our 
transgressions and shortcomings, and that in the future he 
would be pleased to continue to make his grace prevail 
among us, to feed our hearts with the word of his merits 
and passion, to make us fruitful plants for the glory of his 
majestic name. There were many strange Indians pres 
ent, Chippewas, too, and the chapel was quite full. 

Baptized this year, 2 adults and 11 children. 

Admitted to the church, 1. 

Admitted to the communion, 3. 

Died, 1 adult and 3 children. 

At present there are living in Fairfield 165 Indian souls, 
six more than last year. 



390 



CHAPTER XV. 

1795. 
FAIRFIELD, ox THE THAMES, ONTARIO. 

Thursday, Jan. 1. Br. Edwards preached, and then 
Br. Zeisberger held the service for the baptized from to 
day s text: I am come that they might have life, and that 
they might have it more abundantly. He admonished the 
brethren to make their calling and election sure, and to 
let themselves be made full partakers of Jesus merits, to 
renew their covenant of baptism, and whoever has fallen 
back should begin to give himself anew to the Saviour, 
to be his, body and soul, and thus on his part he would 
let none suffer from want of his blessing. Different breth 
ren celebrated the day of their baptism with love-feasts, 
singing and encouraging one another. 

Sunday, 4. Zeisberger preached, and Sensemann held 
tihe congregation meeting. Then we had to speak with 
brethren. The assistants were authorized to marry a 
couple of unmarried people, and so did. 

Monday, 5. The Indian, Atschelis, came to Br. Zeis 
berger, and talked to him, when it came out that he had 
an idol he is unwilling to give up, it has cost him so 
much thirty dollars. 

Tuesday, 6. Early at morning-prayer, Br. Zeisberger 
asked for us the Saviour s presence and blessing, as the 
Saviour of the heathen, to bless us from his bloody fulness, 
to let his friendly face shine over us, who have nothing to 
give him but our poor hearts, who disclosed to him our 
souls with our many failings and transgressions, and asked 
for his peace. In the service for the baptized, which Br. 
Sensemann held from the Scripture-verse : Ye shall be 
unto me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation, a sister, 
Beata, was taken into the church. In the afternoon at 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 391 

the love-feast somewhat was said about God s promise 
made to the heathen and announced by the prophets; that 
it is quite false, when the Indians say that the preaching 
and promulgation of the Gospel are not for them, but for 
the white people ; and then the history was read. In the 
evening we had a lovely hour of song, and ended with 
the blessing of the church. The heathen s Saviour showed 
himself gracious very perceptibly to us, and the peace of 
God and his Spirit prevailed among us and made the day 
one of marked blessedness for every heart in particular. 
We could say : " We see with our seeing eyes that the 
Lord is with us." 

Thursday, 8. From Detroit came an express, a French 
man with a couple of Tawas, who are going to Niagara 
with letters from the commandant, and Indian messages 
accompanied with wampum, the Frenchman, who knows 
all the Indians on the Miami, having distributed provis 
ions to them, which they get weekly to live upon, for they 
have lost every thing, told us that they wanted to come 
here to live with us, among whom were the counsellors, 
Chiuquipoussis 1 and Petrilind; that the former said the 
Indians would not take his advice, nor give heed to him, but 
wished for his destruction, and therefore he wished to turn 
to the believers and associate himself with them. [We 
have never heard of either, that he was opposed to the 
brothers] ; the Indians lived wretchedly, and he had never 
so seen them, that of late forty-two had died, many days, 
two, three, or more. 

At the same time came an Indian from Niagara on his 
way to Detroit, bringing news that in Zonnesschio the 
States had held a treaty with the Six Nations, and now 
there would be peace ; that the States will now give up 
the land as far as the Ohio, which news we also heard 
from Detroit. 

Saturday, 10. Yesterday and to-day the brethren paid 
Mr. Parke in corn for their debts of last autumn for win 
ter-clothing. The brethren paid Mr. Parke the common 

1 Probably the same person who was mentioned before, p. 380. 



392 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

debt, for which they contributed corn, seven dollars 
worth. 

Sunday, 11. Sensemann preached, and Zeisberger held 
a children s service for the boys festival. Mackenzie came 
back from Detroit, whom we refused to let live with us, 
who now wishes to take a lot or two along our upper 
line, and will live thereon. 

Monday 12. The thermometer stood half a degree 
above zero, the coldest day. 

Tuesday, 13. There was a conference of assistants, who 
were charged to investigate Tobias case, and so did. 

Wednesday, 14. White people from Niagara and from 
the settlement below came here. 

Thursday, 15. Mr. Parke has been receiving corn for 
several days. We had to speak with him about much, 
about ill reports of us we had heard of from him. 

Sunday, 18. Michael preached, Zeisberger held the 
congregation meeting. Mr. Parke, who has been here 
the whole week, went back home. To-day was the cold 
est of the winter, the thermometer standing at 1. 

Monday, 19. The same. 

Tuesday, 20. Still cold. The thermometer at one above 
zero. In the night Abel and Joseph came drunk to town. 

Wednesday, 21. Thermometer at 8. An Indian, 
Simeon s brother, who a long time since, even in the au 
tumn, came here, and has since remained, diligently at 
tending the meetings, was at his request spoken to by 
the assistants, and received here to live, after first an 
nouncing his desire to Br. Zeisberger. Another, a wo 
man, who was here with her husband and omitted no 
meeting, also wished to live here, but her husband did not 
so wish, and came to no meeting, and at last persuaded 
her to go with him just to the settlement, where he 
weaned her from the customs here. 

Thursday, 22. Zeisberger held the early service from 
the text. Br. Sensemann went down to the settlement. 

Friday, 23. Edwards held early service. Mohawks 
from Brant s town went through for Detroit. They 
brought us one of their books, sent by Brant. It is the 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 393 

English book of Common Prayer, in which Mark s Gos 
pel l and some chapters from the Old Testament are trans 
lated into their tongue, and printed in 1768 in London. 

Sunday, 25. Zeisberger preached from the words : 
Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean, and Jesus 
answer : I will ; be thou clean. Br. Michael held the 
congregation meeting from the text : I thank thee, O 
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid 
these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed 
them unto babes. Br. Sensemann came back from the 
settlement, where he baptized three children and had other 
affairs. 

Monday, 26. Samuel went to the Fort. 

Wednesday, 28. The brethren got wood for us and 
brought it in. Levi, who went to Detroit, came back, 
bringing here his three children. 

Thursday, 29. A thaw, with rain began after the month 
of very severe weather. 

Sunday, Feb. 1. Sensemann preached from the text 
and Scripture-verse : Neither know we what to do ; but 
our eyes are upon thee. Zeisberger held the communion 
service from the text : My sheep hear my voice. 

Monday, 2. Samuel came back from Detroit. The 
Shawanese now begin to expostulate with their father 
(i. e. the English), saying: "For ten years now hast thou 
been saying that if we made peace with the States we 
should be unlucky ; we should fall into great poverty. 
Thou hast not even let the commissioners come to us, 
who came to make peace, so that we could speak with 
them. Thou hast barred their way to us, and the last thou 
didst write to them we have not asked thee to write, for 
we told thee to write quite otherwise. Thou hast betrayed 
and deceived us. What hath it availed us to have been so 
long obedient to thee? This we have. With our wives 
and children we suffer hunger and want, living in the 
direst poverty, and we shall yet all perish. Therefore will 
we no longer give heed to thee, but to the Americans, and 

1 Very likely translated by Brant himself. 



394 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

seek to make peace." This happened in Detroit ; where 
upon they arose and went away. All this, however, was 
in vain. They dared not make peace. McKee, however, 
set out after them the next day to the Miami. 

Friday, 6. To Frenchmen, who have carried rum 
through here all winter, we said, if they did not stop this, 
and it was forbidden, they would see that we would 
smash their casks, and then they could go and complain. 
Yesterday and to-day was speaking with reference to the 
communion. 

Saturday, 7. We had a blessed communion, when our 
dear Lord blessed us unspeakably in the enjoyment of his 
body and blood in the holy sacrament. John Henry was 
readmitted and Lewis and Zacchaeus were again partakers, 
who for a time had been cut off from it. Zeisberger ad 
ministered it. 

Sunday, 8. Sensemann read the liturgy. Edwards 
preached. A Wyandot woman, whose brother would 
have liked to be in the church, but could not be from sick 
ness and inability to help himself, and his friends did not 
help him she said that her brother spoke about this to 
the last, and had borne witness to them that among the 
believers was preached the true and saving word of God. 
Therefore the woman wanted to attend a meeting, and 
this she did, 

Monday, 9, and in hearing, shed many tears. Probably 
her brother s last words occurred to her. 

Wednesday, 11. Mackenzie came from Detroit. Mo 
hawks, and also an express from there for Niagara, came 
through here. The Mohawks said the Indians were much 
divided, some being for peace, others not ; they trust nei 
ther the English nor the States. In a letter from the sur 
veyor to Br. Sensemann it was mentioned that the gov 
ernment was disposed to buy from the Indians the land 
above us on the north side of the river. An express 
from Niagara came back, with whom seventeen Indians 
from Oswego Lake came to the Monsey town, whence the 
Indians came to this neighborhood. 

Thursday, 12. Boaz asked a Chippewa whether he did 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 395 

not want to go to the meetings and hear something about 
God. He replied that he was too poor for this, unable to 
pay the pastor so much ; the white people paid their wise 
men much money for preaching to them and supported 
them; that they could do it, being rich, but he was poor 
and could not do it. Boaz answered him: "But here 
thou canst hear for nothing how to be happy and blessed 
forever. We get our preaching for nothing, and pay not 
therefor, and all who come are welcome to hear, for it is 
for all." It was, however, only an excuse of his. 

Sunday, 15. Br. Michael preached the sermon at the 
entrance into passion-time. He exhorted the brethren to 
feed their hearts on Jesus wounds, and to enter into con 
sideration of them, whereby they could withstand the 
solicitations of Satan and of sin. Sensemann held an hour 
of singing. 

Monday, 16. Zeisberger held early service from the 
text: I am the good Shepherd, etc. This morning the 
thermometer was again a 1. Nathan Allen came here 
on his way to Detroit. 

Tuesday, 17. Seusemann held early service about this, 
that the strength of God is shown most majestically in 
those who are themselves poor and weak. We congratu 
lated Sister Susanna upon her birthday at a love-feast. 

Wednesday, 18. Michael held early service from the 
text: As Moses in the wilderness, etc. From the settle 
ment came a white man. Many cattle are dying among 
the settlers, but as yet we have lost none. Chippewas 
begged for corn, the man in the family being lame from 
having cut his leg, and we gave it them. 

Saturday, 21. Sensemann held early service. French 
men went by with rum, who, after we had warned them 
and told them that if they came into town again with rum 
they would see their casks broken up, now go around the 
town, and do not come in. 

Sunday, 22. Sensemann preached from the Gospel: 
When Jesus was tempted of the devil, that his tempta 
tions are serviceable to us, and whoever now holds fast to 
him in faith must not give in, but he can conquer. We 



396 

learned to-day, by Indians who came from the Miami, 
that John Cook died some time ago in Pettquotting, who 
was always thinking of coming back to us again, also 
Peter Sapan and old Helena are nearly dead, or quite so. 
We heard also that the Indians are going in large num 
ber to the Americans, and the head-man of the Shawanese 
goes also. 

Wednesday, 25. Many Chippewas came together in 
this neighborhood for an entertainment, at the -end of 
which is usually hard drinking, when almost always there 
is a murder, and the French, who are very busy in such 
affairs, sent them rum enough. 

Thursday, 26. Some white people passed the night 
here. It has been colder than before this winter, the 
thermometer standing this morning at 6. In the even 
ing the Chippewas had their dance, not far away. 

Friday, 27. The Chippewa chief came here, upon whose 
land we lived on Huron River, who informed our Indians 
that the nations had arranged together and decided to 
make peace with the States, that they were now making 
this known to all Indians, to be present at the Miami 
Fork, near the American Fort, and whoever did not ap 
pear, namely, chiefs, captains, or deputies, would be 
looked upon as a foe of the Americans and friend of their 
father. We gave the chief six fathoms of white wampum 
as a contribution for peace, and thus they cannot say that 
we have contributed nothing therefor, and for this he 
gave us an opportunity himself. The page is turned, and 
the Indians are all very much prejudiced and incensed 
against their father, so that their agent is not safe, this 
we heard both from Indians and whites. Now may God 
prevent the sworgl from coming to this country, though it 
has long needed it, and it would be righteous punishment. 

Saturday, 28. The chief with his people set out for 
Saginaw, where he lives, whence, immediately after his ar 
rival there, he will go to the Americans. 

Sunday, March 1. Br. Zeisberger preached, some Chip 
pewas being present. In the afternoon, to our great joy, 
we got letters from Bethlehem of Dec. 3d last. Sense- 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 397 

rnann held the congregation meeting. Frenchmen went 
through with rum, and caused drinking. 

Monday, 2. A somewhat aged Chippewa, with whom 
already, several years ago, Boaz had talked, 1 and found he 
had inclination to hear God s word, came here lately, went 
constantly to the meetings, and talked with Joshua, at 
whose house he lodged, laying before him his whole heart, 
as well as he could ; namely, that he believed that God 
came from heaven into the world, whom indeed he did not 
know, but would yet like to have for a friend and learn 
to know; he knew and believed that the Chippewas were 
poor, blind men, and all their feasts and sacrifices helped 
them not a bit, and of God they knew nothing at all. He 
believed that he heard here from his grandfather the 
words of eternal life, on which account he would like to 
be and to remain with his grandfather [the Chippewas call 
the Delawares their grandfather, and the latter call them 
grandchildren]. 2 He wished now to go and make known 
to his daughters and friends what he purposed, who lived 
half a day s journey from here, and in a few days come 
back and speak his mind, when we should hear him. 
When he went away to-day he gave us his hand, sought for 
Joshua, whom he found with the assembled assistants, to 
all of whom he gave his hand, and said he would soon come 
again. His son, who is with him, understands Monsey 
very well. This evening, after he had gone, two Chip 
pewas came, of those who last winter encamped on our 
land, and since the cattle had eaten up their fields, they 
got their subsistence among us, for we collected corn for 
them several times. They said that the old Chippewa 
came to their camp and made known to them his resolu 
tion to live here with his grandfather, so as to hear the 
words of life and learn to know God ; for they, the Chip 
pewas, were poor people, and knew nothing of the good 
which their grandfather knew, namely, after this life, life 
eternal. Both the Chippewas said that no one replied to 

T See before p. 275. 

2 And most of the believing Indians were Delawares. 



398 

the old man, but all were amazed at what he said; that 
one of the two said at last: " If the old man gets leave to 
live with our grandfather, perhaps, I also can be received, 
but I have nothing to give that I shall be received ; I will 
go hunting, and by spring I can catch a good number of 
raccoons, etc., which I will bring to the minister that he 
may speak to me about God." The other said he would 
do the same. The Indian brothers told them they must 
not think they had to pay any thing for this. It was 
preached to the Indians for nothing, and all was told them 
necessary for salvation. With the French priests it was 
indeed so, but with us not. Indians, of whatever nation 
they were, could here have the word of God for nothing, 
and they were indeed most welcome to hear it. 

Tuesday, 3. David, who continued his former work of 
seduction in the church, after having been received again 
last year, was told to leave our place, likewise his brother, 
Samuel, and to-day Sabina was advised to seek an abode 
elsewhere, on account of her wicked children, whose part 
she takes. 

Wednesday, 4. Zeisberger held early service. The 
weather being fine, the brethren went to their sugar-huts. 

Thursday, 5. This morning before day, little Lewis 
died, John Adam s son, and was buried Friday, the 6th, 
early. Whites from the settlement came here and passed 
the night. 

Saturday, 7. Jacob, Christiana s husband, came back 
here from the winter-hunt. Many lies were brought here 
by Chippewas. 

Sunday, 8. Michael preached. The weather was again 
very cold. The brethren went to the sugar-huts. 

Monday, 9. At the sugar-huts David and his company 
drank and behaved vilely. The old Chippewa came back 
again, but since all are now in the sugar-huts, he went 
away to stay with his sister until sugar-making should be 
over, and we could give him farther advice. 

Thursday, 12. By an express from Niagara we got 
news that the posts on the lakes would be made over to 
the States, and evacuated by the English in fourteen or 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 399 

fifteen months. What the Lord of all lords will, and 
what he has resolved, that must happen in spite of all 
opposition. 

Sunday, 25. The brethren were present at the sermon 
by Br. Sensemann, and some strangers. 

Tuesday, 17. Chippewaa came here to beg something 
to eat, for what they get by hunting they waste in drink 
ing, and then beg for food. They brought lying stories 
among our people that the teachers, one and all, would be 
killed. 

Thursday, 19. The old Chippewa came visiting, and as 
almost no Indian was at home, he came to us and was very 
friendly. We gave him tobacco and some corn, for his 
people were all away hunting and he had nothing to eat. 

Sunday, 22. Br. Zeisberger preached about the perfect 
sacrifice of Jesus, whereby we are reconciled to God and 
now stand in grace with him by faith in his dear sou, that 
therefore all sacrifices made by men to accomplish some 
thing are a horror to God, since they despise the sacrifice 
of Jesus. Strangers were present. 

Monday, 23. On account of the rain that fell last night 
the river broke up, when before there has been continued 
cold. 

Wednesday, 25. We had the first thunder-storm of 
this spring, whereupon the river rose very much, and the 
days after there was cold weather again. Sugar-making 
again this year goes on poorly, from the bad weather. 

Sunday, 29. Michael preached from to-day s Gospel 
about the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem to his passion, 
when he became a sacrifice for the sins of the world and 
a curse for us. 1 Then Br. Zeisberger held the service for 
the communion brethren, whom he reminded that our 
dear Saviour, before his passion, was yet thoughtful for 
his children, and left to them as a legacy and memorial 
spiritual food and drink, his body and blood, which we 
enjoy in the holy communion, which the brethren should 
now sufficiently prize and thankfully enjoy, for the 

Gal.,!!!., 13. 



400 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

strengthening of their faith. Sabina came and confessed 
her fault, in cleaving so closely to her children, especially 
to Abel. We had told her some time ago that with her 
children she could not be in the church, since she took 
their part, and maintained evil in her house. 

Tuesday, 31. The Zeisbergers and Sensemanns spoke 
with the brethren in reference to the Lord s supper, whom 
we found repentant and distressed over their short 
comings. 

Wednesday, April 1. The communion brethren came 
home from their sugar-huts. In the evening we had the 
washing of feet, the story about which was read. 

Thursday, 2. After the reading of the history had oc 
curred in the presence of all, we had with the communi 
cants the so blessed enjoyment of his body and blood in 
the holy sacrament. Two sisters, Sara Nanticoke and 
Christina, who had long been excluded, were readmitted. 

Friday, 3, we passed in the reading and consideration 
of the great martyr-story of our God and Saviour in all 
his sufferings, body and soul, from head to foot ; how for 
us he was tortured, buffeted, smitten, and martyred even 
unto death upon the cross, gaining and meriting for us 
grace and salvation from God. At the death of Jesus we 
read the liturgy, kneeling, and at the opening of Jesus 
side was sung the song of praise : For ever here my rest 
shall be, Close to thy pierced side ; This all my hope 
and all my plea, For me the Saviour died. 

Saturday, 4. At noon was a love-feast, at which some 
thing was said about his rest in the grave, whereby he has 
hallowed our graves, so that now we can rest in our 
graves until he awakens us. 

Sunday, 5. Early in the morning we read the Easter 
litany, in part in the chapel, and in part in the grave 
yard, which the brethren had decorated yesterday. At 
the proper place we were mindful of one brother, Clemens 
by name, and four children, who have died since last 
Easter, and we asked for everlasting communion with the 
perfected church of the just. Afterwards the history of 
the resurrection was read, whereupon Br. Sensemann 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 401 

preached. In the afternoon a number of the brethren, 
who keep this as their day of baptism, had a love-feast 
together, singing, praising the Lord, and exhorting one 
another. But as the brethren had had much delay and 
loss in sugar-making, we dismissed them to their labor, for 
it comes but once in the year and the time must be made 
use of, and, as at this very time the trees were running 
strong, we wished to let the brethren have the Sabbath 
free, so as not to lose too much, but this they would not, 
but wished to celebrate the great day when Jesus rested 
from his passion, to his honor, from love and gratitude 
towards him. 

Tuesday, 7. Chippewas came here to buy corn for 
sugar. An express from Detroit for Niagara went through. 
We learned that the States had asked the Indian 
nations to a treaty on June 1st, but where, we could not 
find out. 

Wednesday, 8. From the trader, Mackenzie, who came 
here, we heard that his uncle 1 had made a journey 
by land to the north-west as far as the sea, being two 
years about it, and is now come to Detroit. He took 
with him Indians from one nation to another, and he 
thinks he came to the sea [where he made many marks 
on the trees] northwards from California, for he met with 
much ice. The distant Indians had never seen a white 
man, were clad in skins, had bows and arrows as weap- 

1 This was the famous Sir Alexander Mackenzie, a native of Scot 
land. His second journey to the North Pacific is here referred to. He 
reached the sea in July, 1 793. It must be borne in mind that California 
was, a century ago, a very indefinite geographical term. Capt. Cook 
was killed in February, 1779, but as the Esquimaux " eight or ten win 
ters " in the following extract is rather vague, Zeisberger may have 
been correct in his supposition. In June, 1793, Mackenzie writes: 
" The Esquimaux informed them that they saw large canoes full of 
white men to the westward eight or ten winters ago, from whom they 
obtained iron in exchange for leather." In July, 1793, he observes: 
" We saw great numbers of the animals we had taken for sea-otters, 
but I am now disposed to think that a great part of them at least must 
have been seals." 

26 



402 

ons for the chase, and for cooking-ware earthen pots, 
which they made themselves. As rarities, among other 
things, he had otter-skins, whose body without the tail 
is six feet long and black, which the Indians gave him. 
The Indians who live along the sea told him that a few 
years ago they had seen a great machine going on the 
sea. Perhaps it was Capt. Cook sailing along the coast. 

Thursday, 9. After thunder-storms severe cold and frost 
set in again. 

Friday, 10. Our Indians helped Mackenzie block out a 
house on his lot, which they finished Saturday, llth. A 
boat with Frenchmen arrived, who got the corn they had 
bought here. For Br. Zeisberger s birthday (the 75th) we 
had a pleasant love-feast at home. 

Sunday, 12. Mackenzie and Bach were present at the 
sermon, which Br. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel : 
He showed unto them his hands and his side. Then 
were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. 

Tuesday, 14. White people from down the river, and 
others from Niagara arrived. For the Monsey Indians who 
have lived near Brant s town, a district of land here above 
has been surveyed, where now they are all coming to 
gether, but life is wretched there on account of hard 
drinking there prevailing. 

Friday, 17. Our brethren begin to come in and attend 
to sugar-making, about which they have been very busy 
this week, with much better success than last year. The 
old Chippewa came again, but said nothing about living 
here, but he begged something to eat. 

Sunday, 19. Br. Michael preached and Br. Zeisberger 
held a service for the communion brethren from to-day s 
text : I am the vine, ye are the branches, mentioning the 
sisters this year admitted to the Lord s supper, Anna 
Sophia, Erdmuth, and Cornelia. We wished that they 
as branches would cling fast to him, the Vine, and would 
thus find their daily strength and food. 

Sunday, 20. The Indian brothers got a dozen canoes 
into the water, which they have lately made near here, 
but still more elsewhere, most of them of walnut wood. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 403 

Tuesday, 21. The Indian brethren went with ten ca 
noes laden with corn down the river. This the traders 
had bought. Many strange Indians from above came 
down here, also Chippewas, who encamped here for several 
days. 

Wednesday, 22. Agnes, eleven years old, died very 
gladly. 

Friday, 24. Her remains were buried, strangers and 
Chippewas being present. 

Sunday, 26. Br. Edwards preached and Zeisberger held 
the congregation meeting. The brothers wished to speak 
with the old Chippewa, but, from misunderstanding, noth 
ing came of it. 

Sunday, 27. We got Mackenzie for interpreter when 
we conversed with him, and said we had heard he would 
like to live with us ; was this so ? and when he affirmed 
this, we said to him that whoever of the Indians wished 
to hear God s word, to become acquainted with him and 
be saved, to him the door was open ; only whoever wished 
to live with us must refrain from drinking, whoring, and 
stealing, and renounce heathenism. Whereupon he re 
plied that he wanted to do this, but he wished to speak 
only for himself personally ; if perchance his son or his 
friends wished to come hither, they must speak for them 
selves, he could not speak for them. And when we far 
ther asked him how he intended to support himself here, 
and he wanted to plant, we told him we would help him 
therein, and also to a dwelling. We all gave him our 
hands and permission to live with us. 

Wednesday, 29. Mr. Dolson came here to get his corn, 
and, 

Thursday, 30, went away again. 

Friday, May 1. A boat arrived which took in corn. 
Several assistants spoke with Chippewas, encamped on the 
river-bank, and told them they must not dance and drum 
here ; that we had no pleasure therein. They replied that 
they did it to please a woman, who had a bad arm, and 
then they thought we liked it. They stopped it after 
this. 



404 

Saturday, 2. For a poor English family, which is mov 
ing up the river, at their request, Br. Sensemann baptized 
two children. Br. Zeisberger spoke earnestly with Joshua 
about his bad behaviour, who thereupon went away with 
out saying why or whither, but at night he came again. 

Sunday, 3. Br. David preached in Indian from to-day s 
Gospel. Sensemann held the children s service, Bill Henry 
translating. 

Monday, 4. Zeisberger held early service in Indian. 
There arrived still more Chippewas, for whom those already 
here, because they had a man sick, killed a dog and made 
a feast of it, so that the patient should recover, at the 
same time singing and drumming. It can be seen that 
these Indians live in the midst of dark heathenism, care 
to know nothing, and are buried in superstition to the 
neck. 

Tuesday, 5. Sensemann held early service, old Joachim 
translating. "We had much to set right among the breth 
ren, on account of lies told, but the Saviour helped us, so 
that all came right and for the best. 

"Wednesday, 6. Michael held early service. The old 
Chippewa gave notice that he was going to the Fort. We 
shall perceive now what will happen to him and whether 
he can get rid of his friends, who besides have already tried 
to dissuade him. Frenchmen came here on business, who 
are worse than the Chippewas and cause more evil. 

Thursday, 7. The Chippewas who have been here 
moved away, and the old man with them. Mr. Parke 
came here from below to get his corn. 

Friday, 8. The sheriff, constable, and others, from 
Niagara, who had arrested a couple here in the settlement, 
went back. We heard it was certain the forts would be 
made over to the States. The brethren planted our fields. 

Sunday, 10. Sensemann preached and Zeisberger held 
the communion service, speaking and bearing witness 
against the slanders among the brethren, whereby they 
cause harm and are an injury to themselves. 

Monday, 11. Christina was delivered of a daughter. 

Tuesday, 12. Mr. Parke and many of our people went 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 405 

down with corn, likewise some strangers, who have lived 
here through the winter, went away. Upon the planta 
tion there was drinking. 

Wednesday, 13. Sensemann baptized Christina s daugh 
ter, Agnes. 

Thursday, 14. Ascension Day. We had a service from 
the text: Lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of 
the world. We had a melancholy feeling about many of 
the brethren who do ill against the Lord. But he blessed 
us, assembled in his name, with his nearness and recogni 
tion. 

Friday, 15. There arrived Philippina, a widow, a sheep 
who has wandered in error since our captivity, to remain 
here. She had long desired to come to us, but could not, 
being herself unable to manage a canoe, and kept back by 
her son. When once she was already on the way and 
wished to leave him, he followed her and persuaded her 
yet to remain away, promising to bring her hither as soon 
as peace should be made, but soon afterwards he was killed 
by Indians in a drunken brawl, whereupon she found a 
woman, who came with her and helped her hither. She 
was glad and very thankful to the Saviour for helping her 
again to the church. She was very kind to the teachers 
in their captivity when they suffered need and hunger, 
sharing with them the little she had, and this we can not 
forget. Once when she came to Sandusky she charged 
her husband in our presence to think of his teachers as 
often as he shot any thing, and to share with them, and 
this he did, and when.she came back she inquired whether 
he had kept his word. 

Saturday, 16. After the brethren had been spoken to, 
we had, like repentant sinners, the Lord s supper, from 
which many remained absent, some from drinking, others 
from quarrelling. Our dear Lord blessed us in the holy 
sacrament very comfortingly. 

Sunday, 17. Seusemann read the liturgy early. Michael 
preached. From the settlement came for a visit Baker, to 
see the place and the meeting-house. Strange Indians also 
arrived. 



406 

Monday, 18. Br. Sensemann went with a couple of In 
dians to the Fort, for many purposes, and with the letters 
for Bethlehem. 

Tuesday, 19. Mr. Parke arrived. The brethren were 
much hindered in planting by rainy weather and water. 

Wednesday, 20. Johanna went to her rest. Her re 
mains, 

Friday, 22, were buried. She was baptized in Friedens- 
hiitten by Br. Schmick, Sept. 11, 1768, came in the year 
72 to Gnadenhiitten on the Muskiugum, in which place 
she was admitted to the Lord s supper, Oct. 29, 74, and 
where her husband died, Sept. 20, 1778. Still a widow 
when the Indian church was dispersed at Sandusky, in the 
year 82, she went among the savages, until, in the spring 
of 1788, she came back to the church in Pettquotting with 
her second husband, Nicholas, and soon also was re 
admitted to the Lord s supper, happy, content, and thank 
ful that she was again in the church. This, however, did 
not last long, for, on account of her children, especially 
her daughter, who grew up, on whom her heart hung, and 
who had desires for the world, she fell away and lost her 
communion-privileges, and as her daughter did not stay in 
the church, nor could she be there, she herself was not 
altogether in the church, but always of disposition to leave 
it, though she was sickly. The hidden hand of the Lord 
held her, however, so that it came to nothing, till she was 
so weak, having the consumption, that she could do noth 
ing more. For two weeks it could be seen that she was 
nearing the end, of which she was herself aware. There 
fore she had Br. David Zeisberger called, acknowledged 
and confessed that for her daughter s sake she had wasted 
her time, but said that now she wished to be quite free 
from her, asking only that the brethren and the Saviour 
would forgive her all, whom she had often grieved. On 
the 20th, day before yesterday, she received absolution in 
the presence of several brethren, for which she repeatedly 
gave thanks, saying, to the brethren who visited her after 
wards : " Now it is well with me. I have gained content 
ment." To the inquiry: " Has the Saviour also forgiven 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 407 

thee ?" she replied : " Yes, he has forgiven me. My heart 
feels it and tells me so." Thus she departed a few hours 
after. She was a person about whom we were often anx 
ious and in despair, but we have also been comforted 
over her. 

Saturday, 23. A Chippewa chief came here with a mes 
sage of a singular sort. 1 

Sunday, 24. Zeisberger preached the Whitsunday ser 
mon, and then held a service for the baptized, bringing to 
God, the Holy Ghost, praise and thanks for his unwearied 
fidelity and care. We begged forgiveness of all our fail 
ings and disobedience, when we had given no heed to his 
admonition and voice, vowed to him anew obedience, and 
commended ourselves again to him that he would remain 
with us and not be weary in making us ready for the 
glory of him who had redeemed us by his dear blood. 

Tuesday, 26. Beata, Joseph s, wife was delivered of a 
son. 

Wednesday, 27. By occasion of the Scripture-verse : 
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit 
within you, Br. Zeisberger said to the brethren that they 
had received the Spirit of Truth, who lead them to all 
truth, if they wished to give him good obedience and to ob 
serve his voice, who would hold them in the truth and the 
right and not leave them in darkness, for a lying spirit 
was gone forth to lead astray and to sift those who were 
of impure and false heart they should be upon their 
guard that Satan, who is the father of lies, should not en 
snare them with his lies and lead them away from the 
the truth, for hours come when those who are righteous 
become known. At noon Br. Sensemann came back from 
the Fort. With him came a German from the States, 
named Frederick Weinland, to see the country, if not to 
settle here. The papers which Br. Sensemann brought 
with him confirm the news about the surrender of the 
forts to the States, and about a good understanding with 
England. 

1 We are not told this mysterious message. 



408 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Thursday, 28. Young Joachim with his wife left the 
church, also an unbaptized family, Atschelis , 1 who have 
been here through the winter, moreover a woman with 
several Indians, who have encamped here the whole 
spring, and have done no good among our Indians. We 
observe that when we advise people to go away from us, 
they do not go and will not, and then the Saviour takes 
occasion, and many times sweeps away and removes from 
us, without our help, impure, yes, shameful people. Every 
spring since we have been here, Joachim has wished to 
leave the church, but now he had so offended that at 
last he was ready. 

Friday, 29. Hearing, from strange Indians, who are 
moving from this neighborhood, all sorts of stories, that 
we could not remain here, since it would be unsafe, 
whereby with many of our Indians disquiet arose, which 
indeed we looked upon as lies the wicked Indians had 
brought, and we had paid no attention to them, we began, 
notwithstanding, to be thoughtful about this, for it is the 
Indian custom, when any thing bad is doing, or propositions 
for war are made, to call away their friends in a secret 
way, and so it appears here also to be the case, though we 
do not see in what way any such thing could happen, unless 
the Indians have some secret designs against the govern 
ment, for we have observed somewhat of this in the Chip- 
pewas. 

Sunday, 31. Trinity Sunday, Sensemann preached, and 
in the afternoon service Br. Zeisberger baptized, with the 
name, Ephraim, the child born on the 26th of this 
month. 

[Thus far sent to Bethlehem.] 

Monday, June, 1. When we wished to deliver the corn, 
which the government advanced to us two years ago, and 
which we had stored together, we found that it would in 
jure our farming, so that we could not then deliver it. We 
therefore resolved to deliver it next year, on which ac 
count we wrote to the commandant. Soon after we heard 



1 See page 390, under Jan. 5th last. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 409 

that the transport the commandant had sent to get it, had 
be.en wrecked on the lake. 

Wednesday, 3. We heard that Atschelis child, born 
here a couple of months ago, had died here at the mouth of 
the river. 

Saturday, 6. By the above-mentioned Weinland, who 
to-day set out from here down into the States, we sent a 
packet to Bethlehem. 

Sunday, 7. Two of our neighbors from the settlement 
were present as hearers of Br. Michael s sermon. 

Monday, 8. From Detroit, Allen came back, and many 
with him. There all is quiet, and few Indians are to be 
seen, having all gone to the States. The brethren hoed 
our plantations. 

Wednesday, 10. Strange Indians came here. Johanna s 
daughter, who has not been here since her mother s death, 
arrived, and when she heard what her mother had said to 
her children before her death, bidding them remain with 
the church, she said : " Now I will do that. I will receive 
the word." She came also and asked for readmission, 
promising henceforth to cease from her sinful life, and to 
give herself to the Saviour. Her mother was the cause of 
her falling into a bad life, and so we could have compas 
sion with her, and seek her rescue. 

Thursday, 11. Ignatius went to Detroit, and with him 
Mrs. Kessler. 

Saturday, 13. Zeisberger held early service. For sev 
eral days, off and on, there has been rainy weather, so that 
the brethren have been hindered in their field-work. 

Sunday, 14. Br. Edwards preached from the Gospel 
about the great feast, to which the Saviour, through his 
servants, invites all mankind. Adam had a fraternal talk 
with us, and confessed his sins. 

Monday, 15. Capt. Brant came through here with his 
suite in six canoes, encouraged us, and went on to the 
treaty in the States. That the Six Nations had now made 
the Delawares men is correct, and the ceremonies, usual 
thereby, have been performed. They had, among other 
ceremonies, shorn an Indian s head, leaving only a little 



410 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

hair at the top, adorned him with white feathers, as the 
warriors are accustomed to do, and painted him. They 
left him no clothing, except a breech-clout, and put a war 
beetle into his hands, and then presented him to the Dela- 
wares with these words: 1 "Cousin, beforetimes we put 
on thee a woman s garment ; hung at thy side a calabash, 
with oil to anoint thy head ; put into thy hand a grubbing 
axe and a pestle, to plant corn and to grind it, together 
with other house-gear, and told thee to support thyself by 
agriculture, together with thy children, and to trouble 
thyself about nothing else. Now we cut in two the band 
wherewith the garment is bound, and throw it among 
these thick, dark bushes, whence no man shall bring it 
again or he must die. Thou art thus no longer in thy 
former form, but thy form is like this Indian s, whom we 
now present to thee, that thou mayest see who thou now 
art, and instead of grubbing axe and corn-pestle we put 
into thy hand a war-beetle and feathers upon thy head. 
Thou goest about now like a man." Thus they have made 
the Delaware nation not only into men, but into warriors. 
What this means and forbodes time must teach, more 
about which hereafter. Afterwards they have conferred 
together and reached the conclusion : " Peace shall be 
made. What use have we for the deadly musket in our 
house ? We have no use for it, except we use it against 
our uncles, 2 who have already often deserved it of us." 

Tuesday, 16. Sensemann held early service. Some On- 
ondagas, 3 acquaintances of Zeisberger, went through to 
join Brant; whether they go to the treaty they know not 
themselves. 

Thursday, 18. Still more Indians went through, Mon- 
seys, from above. 

Friday, 19. David held early service. We heard many 

1 Daniel Or. Brinton, in The Lenape and their Legends, Philadelphia, 
1885, has exhaustively treated upon the subject of the Lenape (Dela- 
wares) as women, in Chap. V., p. 109. All authorities on the subject 
will there be found quoted. 

2 That is, the Iroquois, who had made them into women. 

3 Into whose tribe Zeisberger had been adopted in 1745. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 411 

lying rumors, which the Indians hatch out, that the In 
dians here are entrapped by the white people, and will 
not be let go until they have all been sold as slaves. 

Sunday, 21. Sensemann preached about the prodigal 
son, and Zeisberger conducted the communion quarter- 
hour, notice of which he gave to the brethren. 

Monday, 22. The brethren hilled our corn-fields. 

Tuesday, 23. White people came here with all sorts of 
things to sell. Some also went through here to look for 
land farther up. 

Wednesday, 24. By occasion of to-day s text : Let lit 
tle children come unto me, etc., Br. Zeisberger reminded 
the brethren to be more thoughtful about bringing up 
their children, to speak with them at home, to tell them 
the great history that God became man, reconciled us to 
God by his blood and has bought us, and to sing with 
them songs of praise; thus should we have joy in them 
and pleasure in living with them, for by the conduct of 
the children can be estimated the position of the parents, 
how they stand in their hearts. 

Friday, 26. Mr. Parke came here and went back home 
the next morning. We got in our hay. Speaking with 
the brethren in regard to the Lord s supper. One said, 
when spoken with, that while hoeing corn lately he had 
shed many tears for his shortcomings and faults, and kept 
on hoeing. 

Saturday, 27. The dear Saviour blessed us in the en 
joyment of his body and blood in the holy sacrament 
very mercifully, and let us have the joy of again having 
as fellow-partakers those who had long been absent, such 
as the elder Sabina, Joshua, John Henry, and others. 
Sensemann conducted it. 

Sunday, 28. Early, Zeisberger read the liturgy, and ex 
horted the brethren to bring the Lord praise and thanks 
for the goodness and kindness he had shown us for the 
blessed enjoyment, to be glad in him alway and reckon 
all else as dross. To the sermon, which Br. Michael de 
livered, praying for the king and the authorities of the 
land, some white people from the settlement had come. 



412 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

In the service for the baptized, in the afternoon, the widow, 
Philippina, was absolved by the laying on of hands by the 
Zeisbergers, and admitted to the church, whereby she shed 
many tears and made -us and the brethren glad. 

"Wednesday, July 1. White people went through with 
horses for Niagara, one of whom did nothing but joke 
about the conversion of the Indians, saying not a single 
one among them was converted. Others went through by 
water, who caused drinking here. 

Thursday, 2. Joseph came from Pettquotting, where he 
has been hunting, and where all the houses save two have 
been burnt down. The Indians are all going to the 
treaty, and the Wyandots, it is said, wish to have a fort 
built by the States in Sandusky for their safety, for which 
seventy men are promised them. On the other hand, 
Cornplanter s 1 people have murdered people and taken 
prisoners on Beaver Creek. Horse-stealing still goes on, 
though peace is labored for. 

Friday, 3. "White people on their way up the river by 
water were here over night. The Indian sisters have this 
week gone industriously for whortleberries. 

Sunday, 5. At the sermon preached by Br. Sensemann 
white people from the settlement were present. 

Tuesday, 7. The assistant, Samuel, spoke with two 
families, Leonard s and Bartholomew s, where there was 
dissension among the women, and made peace, and thus it 
is often hard, each one holding his own opinion right. 

Wednesday, 8. Indians came here from the Monsey town, 
where they hunger, having nothing to eat, for they have 
consumed every thing in drink. 

Thursday, 9. Our old Chippewa came again who went 
hunting. 

Saturday, 11. A boat with white people went through 
for Detroit. 

Sunday, 12. Zeisberger preached, our neighbors being 



1 A Seneca chief friendly to the States, and this rumor was probably 
false. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 413 

present. We had to speak with Joshua s family and set 
them right. 

Tuesday, 14. Some brethren went to Huron River, 
above Lake St. Clair. Here the brothers built a hut for 
Bathsheba. From John Bininger 1 and his father, Br. Zeis- 
berger had a letter from Kenty Bay (Quinte). 

Wednesday, 15. Yesterday and to-day Mohawks, 
Brant s people, went through, coming back from the 
Wyandot village, who, like these, do not go to the treaty, 
and it seems as if there was discord among the nations, 
which may make trouble in the negotiations for peace. 

Thursday, 16. The Indian brothers went to make a 
deer-fence 2 from here to the lake, from which they expect 
much advantage and good hunting. 

Friday, 17. Brant came back with his suite, and set 
forth on his way home. Since the Wyandots, who 
live near Detroit, do not go to the treaty, he did not 
go, but he still thinks there will be peace. Meanwhile 
the merchants in Detroit buy up fallow land around De 
troit from the Chippewas for the States. The old Chip- 
pewa came here again begging, others also, but we could 
not help them, for our own people have nothing. 

Sunday, 19. Br. Edwards preached. We had to speak 
with Joshua and his family, and to investigate an extraor 
dinary circumstance. Br. Zeisberger held the congrega 
tion meeting. 

Tuesday, 21. Strange Indians arrived, and among them 
Regina, who had been baptized, whose head is already 
white. They caused uproar and drinking. The Indian 
brothers again set about their deer-fence. 

Wednesday, 22. Dwellings were got ready for Philippina 
and Bathsheba. For several days the weather has been 
hot, the thermometer at 92, and after quite dry weather 

lu \Vithin a few mijes of Kingston we passed the Bay of Cante. Here 
a number of Mohawks lived. They have a schoolmaster, a Mr. John 
Bininger, son of Abraham Bininger." Life of Heckewelder, p. 137. 

2 A picture of a deer-fence is given in some editions of Drake s Book 
of Indians after Book I. 



414 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

we got a thunder-storm and hard rain, which refreshed the 
ground and made it fruitful. 

Thursday, 23. On account of the great heat the breth 
ren came home from fence-making. They went about 
seven miles. 

Friday, 24. French traders came here and passed the 
night, whom we earnestly charged to sell no .rum here, 
and they complied. 

Sunday, 26. Br. Michael preached, and Br. Zeisberger 
held a service for the married brethren, reminding them 
of their old customs, to abstain therefrom. 

Monday, 27. Sensemann held early service. Chippe- 
was came here begging, to whom we gave some corn, for 
as they do not live from planting, but from hunting and 
fishing, they often suffer bitter hunger. 

Wednesday, 29. Many went down to the settlement, 
and here was building. 

Thursday, 30. Went away, Jacob and several others, 
Sophia also, with her daughter and son, she with the view 
of leaving her husband, and thus the church also. The 
reason of this was hitherto concealed from us, but is now 
clear enough, a circumstance which among the Indians 
has never before occurred, and has given us much consid 
eration and anxiety, for we could not gainsay the truth. 1 

Saturday, Aug. 1. Sensemann held morning service. 
Mr. Parke arrived, and in the evening Allen s brother and 
also another, with whom Parke went to Niagara. We 
gave them an Indian as guide, and they went away the 
next morning. 

Sunday, 2. Br. Sensemann went away early to the 
settlement to attend a wedding, and Br. Zeisberger deliv 
ered the sermon, at which a couple of white people was 
present. 

Tuesday, 4. Br. Sensemann came back from the settle 
ment, and from the same place young Sophia and Johan- 
netta. Br. Sensemann had seen many of our people there 

1 Here again we are told nothing farther. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 415 

in the harvest, and had told the white people not to give 
them strong drink. Samuel went down. 

Wednesday, 5, and Thursday, 6. Many strange Indians 
came here from above, went up and down the town, and 
sought something to eat, for they had nothing, and there 
fore they go among the white people. They went away 
the next day. 

Friday, 7. Samuel and others came from the settle 
ment. 

Sunday, 9. Sensemann preached from the Gospel : 
Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Br. Zeisberger held the com 
munion quarter-hour, and in the evening the congregation 
meeting. 

Monday, 10. The young people went away in a body, 
hunting, to get meat. Samuel, the assistant, and several 
brethren, had a pleasant love-feast on their day of baptism, 
rejoicing together over their election with thankfulness to 
the Saviour, who has thus far kept them with him and in 
the church, and let them enjoy so much goodness. 

Wednesday, 12. Both yesterday and to-day the breth 
ren were spoken to, and thereby through the Saviour s 
grace much was taken out of the way. 

Thursday, 13. From Detroit came a couple of gentle- 
people, who were from Montreal, and were going back 
there, and they passed the night here. In the evening, 
under the blessed recognition of our dear Lord, we had 
the holy communion, of which the Indian, Nicholas, was 
again a partaker, who for several years had been shut out 
therefrom, until now, when* his wife had died. 

Friday, 14. Zeisberger read the liturgy. The gentle- 
people, whom we had to help with a pair of horses and an 
Indian, as guide, set out for Niagara. 

Sunday, 16. Edwards preached and Sensemann held 
the congregation meeting. 

Since it concerns our mission, we will not leave unmen- 
tioned, now that we have obtained information and cer 
tainty in the matter, that in the spring we often heard 
through the Chippewas and Delawares that we should not 
be safe here and so could not remain, which, among some 



416 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

brethren, caused fear and anxiety, on which account, in 
the spring, all the unbaptized who lived here, and one 
baptized family, went away. It is not over yet, but still 
infects our weaker souls, who expect it. It was a mystery 
to us, arid we could not learn its cause, for if we asked for 
reasons, the reply was either: " The English will hem in 
the Indians on this river and not let them go till they have 
sold them all for slaves," or : " The Mohawks and Chip- 
pewas would come and clear us all away." We held both 
these answers for lies, though the latter, without our 
knowledge, came somewhat near the truth, namely, it has 
already been said that the Six Nations, and especially the 
Mohawks on the English territory, have not only made 
the Delaware Nation into men, but into warriors, to en 
courage them to continue war against the States and take 
it up anew, so that if they reached their end and the Dela- 
wares began war anew against the States, they would 
accuse them to the States, and say : u These are they 
who are fractious and will not have peace. Let us 
all fall upon them and root them out." That this was 
their purpose is to be seen from what follows : The Mo 
hawks have thereupon, for the third time, sent to the 
Chippewas a finger s length from a war-belt fathoms long, 
and offered them the Delaware Nation, or permitted them 
to make broth thereof. 1 This, indeed, they kept secret, but 
since the nations are now assembled in the States it came 
to light, for which they wished to make Brant answer 
when he should come, as the author of it, but when he 
heard of this on the Miami, that they were waiting for 
him, he did not go to the treaty, as he had intended, to 
wards which he had gone thus far. 

Now it is to be hoped the whole plan is come to nought, 
but had they attained their end, or should it yet be done, 
misfortune would overtake our mission, even should it not 
be the first object of attack, for only a finger is named, 
and all the propositions of the Indians are -sent abroad so 
obscurely that their meaning can only be conjectured. 

*See this expression, Vol. 1, p. 25. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 417 

Probably the matter will come up at the present treaty, as 
far as it is understood, or can it not be so understood? 
Satan, the contriver of this, will stir up war against the 
nation, in order, that the little band of believing Indians 
shall be made away with at the same time, but in this the 
Saviour will not let him succeed. 

Monday, 17. Zeisberger held early service from the 
text: It is not the will of your father which is in heaven 
that one of these little ones should perish, and said he had 
sufficiently shown us this in giving us his dearly beloved 
Son, who, by his bitter passion and death, had gained for 
us eternal redemption and life. 

Wednesday, 19. Michael held early service from the 
Scripture- verse : I will appoint a place for my people Israel 
and will plant them. Some brethren went out hunting, 
and the sisters for whortleberries, which they dry and 
keep. An Indian in the Monsey town has had a vision 
and revelation that the world will last four years more, 
and then be destroyed. 

Thursday, 20. Joseph came back, who went away with 
Sophia. Br. Zeisberger spoke with him, and admonished 
him not always to wish to serve two masters, to let his 
everlasting salvation be the main thing of his care, and 
this he promised to do. 

Saturday, 22. By some young people, who came from 
Pettquotting, where they had been hunting, we learned 
that the nations have concluded peace with the States, 1 
but it seems as if among the Indians themselves strife and 
quarrels would arise, for, as we have already said, the Mo 
hawks have already sent three war-belts to the Chippe- 
was, to urge them to war against the Delawares, which 
they at the treaty delivered to the States, and when the 
Mohawks learned this they became very angry and threat- 



1 This treaty was conducted at Greenville, Ohio, in the months of 
June and July, 1795, concluded July 30th, engrossed and signed Aug. 
3d, and finally acted upon Aug. 7th. " It was laid before the Senate 
Dec. 9th, and ratified Dec. 22d. So closed the old Indian wars of the 
West." Albach s Annals of the West, p. 661. 

27 



418 

ened the Delawares with death. This is the reason why 
all the Delawares wish to go away from this neighborhood 
and move over the lakes, and thus it will not pass over us 
without trouble. 

Sunday, 23. Michael preached. Sophia, with her 
daughters, came here, but encamped on the plantations. 

Wednesday, 26. Strange Indians, who came up here 
from below, and have already been here a couple of days, 
began to get drunk in the night, so that we had to send 
them away. In the settlement on Lake Erie three whites 
have been murdered by Chippewas and plundered, for 
which one of them is in prison. 

Thursday, 27. Mr. Allen arrived, who had been pres 
ent at the treaty with the Indians, from whom we learned 
that this is over and that peace has been made, to which 
indeed they were not forced, but as they found themselves 
too weak and helpless to continue the war with the States, 
they have chosen to make peace, but to this the Mohawks 
from Canada have not come. We likewise heard that the 
Delawares assembled on the Wabash after the treaty was 
over, and took counsel about moving to the Illinois, to es 
tablish themselves and to die there. 

Friday, 28. By a couple of gentle-people, who came 
from Niagara, we got into our hands a printed copy of the 
treaty of peace and commerce between the States and 
England. 

Saturday, 29. Inasmuch as we had last night drinking 
here in town, caused by strange Indians, who came from 
Detroit, wherein many of our people were involved, and 
caused disturbance, we had the brothers and sisters come 
together, and made preparations for hindering it in the 
future, for we had to await yet more of the same, and 
they were all found willing to aid in the matter. We had 
a love-feast with the unmarried brothers at their house. 

Sunday, 30. Br. Sensemann preached, and in the after 
noon Br. Zeisberger held a service for all who had been 
baptized, from the Scripture-verse : I will for their sakes 
remember the covenant of their ancestors, in that I might 
be their God ; I am the Lord, and said that the Saviour, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 419 

more than fifty years ago, had called them from heatheii- 
ism and chosen them to be his people, and had made a 
covenant with them, and they with him, which he had 
kept to the present hour, protecting them from all out 
ward and inward dangers to the present time, though 
many times it had seemed as if they would all be scattered, 
and the Saviour s work among them brought to naught, 
and so it had been to the present day, and since the Sa 
viour had made us a place where we have peace and quiet 
from without, the foe, to whom the Indian church was an 
especial hate, sought to disturb them in their blessed en 
joyment and to cause trouble in the church, for which 
purpose he made use of some people among us, who let 
themselves serve as tools of Satan to seduce others and to 
cause harm and vexation in the church. He exhorted 
them, therefore, to stand fast, to oppose Satan and his fol 
lowing, and not to suffer disorder and the wicked to get 
the upper hand. The Saviour, who is with us, would help 
us and save us from such people, whom, moreover, we had 
already sent away, but they would not go, wishing to make 
trouble here. 

Monday, 31. The strangers, who have caused us harm 
and anxiety, moved away. An Indian, Waniken, who 
has been known to us many years, went around the street 
in drunkenness, called to our Indians, and said they did 
not own a foot of land here, for the land on which they 
lived belonged to David (Zeisberger), who would make 
himself rich from it. No answer was given him, and he 
went away. 

Wednesday, Sept. 2. A Mingo Indian, from the Cayuga 
nation, came here from the late treaty, who told us that 
the Indians had indeed made peace with the States, but 
that even while the treaty was going ; on five families had 
been murdered on the west side of the Ohio, and every 
thing had been burnt. Of this Brant s people were sus 
pected, for they came not to the treaty. 

Friday, 4. The Indians in the Monsey town, who live up 
the river, wish to go away from there, a part of them 
this autumn and a part next spring, and move over the 



420 

lake. They labor also to get our Indians away from here, 
saying it would be sad here and impossible to stay here ; 
it were better for them to get out of the way, where they 
could live in safety. 

Saturday, 5. We got a letter from Br. Wollin from Lon 
don, with news of some things sent to us, but which we 
have not yet received. 

Sunday, 6. Br. Zeisberger preached from the Epistle 
about the works of the flesh, which he named and set forth 
to them. 

Monday, 7. At morning prayer Br. Sensemann com 
mended our little band of Indians to our dear Lord s 
grace, and in particular to bless the married brethren on 
this their festival, to let his friendly face shine over them, 
and to enliven them with new mercy. In the second serv 
ice the instruction for the married brethren from the 
heathen was plainly read to them. We find and perceive 
that they are yet much lacking in knowledge and compre 
hension of this, and have no proper conception of matri 
mony, but the Saviour will help us by his grace that they 
advance therein. For this we depend upon him. In the 
afternoon was a love-feast for the whole church. We 
could still rejoice at his recognition of us, in the firm 
hope that he would still farther show himself gracious 
among us, and form us according to his mind and heart. 
We laborers strengthened ourselves with the body and 
blood of our Saviour in the holy sacrament, and bound 
ourselves together in new fidelity, unity, and love. 

Tuesday, 8. Michael held early service. Chippewas 
came here with meat, which they sold to our brethren. 
From Sophia we had bad accounts again. 

Thursday, 10. Zeisberger held early service from the 
text: Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
Our old Chippewa came again with meat, whom Boaz 
asked whether he was not yet ready to be converted. 
Our brethren were busy on their plantations, beginning to 
get ready for harvest. 

Saturday, 12. John Askin came from Niagara on his 
way home, whom we had to help towards Detroit with 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 421 

horses, whither he set out the next day. We heard that 
the treaty with England had been signed by the States. 

Sunday, 13. Michael preached from the Gospel: No 
man can serve two masters, etc., and Zeisberger held the 
congregation meeting from the Scripture-verse : The Lord 
did not set his love upon you, nor choose you because you 
were more in number than any people, but because the 
Lord loved you. 

Monday, 14. Sensemann held early service. The In 
dian brothers made fences to keep the cattle in. We 
mowed our after-grass. 

Wednesday, 16. Abel came here again, who was sent 
away some time ago on account of his bad conduct and 
disobedience. 

Thursday, 17. By way of Detroit Br. Sensemann had 
a letter from Lancaster from Br. Rein eke, from which we 
learned the death of Sister Marshal!, 1 in the Wachau, and 
of Mrs. Werning in Bethlehem. 

Saturday, 19. This week the brethren have been busy 
harvesting their fields. 

Sunday, 20. Sensemann preached from the Gospel about 
the youth in Nain, and Zeisberger held the communion 
quarter-hour about steadfastness in clinging to the Saviour, 
the Vine, as his branches. The assistants spoke with Jo- 
hanetta and Leonard, who had quarrelled, but they could 
accomplish nothing. 

Tuesday, 22. A couple of white people arrived from 
Niagara, and remained over night. 

Thursday, 24, and Friday, 25. There was speaking to 
the brethren with reference to the communion. By In 
dians from the Miami we heard that the Delawares who 
wished to go farther south came back again, for the na 
tions there will not suffer them, for they exterminate their 
game, wherever they come ; on this account they have 
already lost nine men while hunting. 

1 She was the wife of Frederick de Marshall, who was at the head 
of the Southern District of the American Church. Mrs. de Marshall 
was Elizabeth Hedwig, daughter of Abraham von Schweinitz. She 
died at Salem, N. C., March 22, 1795. 



422 

Saturday, 26. At the holy communion, which we cele 
brated in the near presence of our Saviour and with his 
recognition of us, two brethren were readmitted, namely, 
the widow, Philippina, who has been absent from it four 
teen years in Gnadenhiitten on the Muskingum and 
John Thomas. 

Sunday, 27. Br. Zeisberger read the liturgy, and Br. 
Edwards preached. Zeisberger held the congregation 
meeting, and spoke about our young people and boys 
playing, that instead of this they should rather do some 
thing useful, and not give themselves up to idleness, from 
which comes nothing but ill. It had the desired effect. 

Tuesday, 29. In the early service Br. Zeisberger brought 
to the remembrance of the brethren the dear angels, whom 
the Saviour sends to turn from us much evil and danger, 
and who are ever busy among his believers, which we 
should recognize with thankfulness towards the Saviour. 
Our young people went out in a body hunting, to get meat 
for the harvesting of their teachers fields. They came 
back home the next day with four deer. 

Thursday, Oct. 1. They went to work in a body, and 
were done harvesting for us on the 3d. 

Friday, 2. White people arrive almost daily. The road 
to Niagara is much used, for it costs much by water over 
the lake. On the 3d were twenty such, one of whom asked 
to be married. 

Sunday, 4. Seusemann preached. It rained all day 
long, aad so there was no other service. 

Tuesday, 6. Early there was the burial of the child, 
William, who died yesterday, John Henry s boy, nine 
months and two days old. Zeisberger conducted it. 

Wednesday, 7. Br. Sensemann, who went down to the 
settlement day before yesterday, where he married a 
couple, came back. 

Saturday, 10. Our brethren were busy with the harvest 
all the week. Strange Indians arrived, but not to hear. 

Sunday, 11. Zeisberger preached about the conduct of 
believers, that it is not enough to bear the name and be 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 423 

looked upon as such, but to show it by conduct, and 
thereby to glorify "God. 

Monday, 12. After the early service, which Br. Sense- 
man n held, he went on business to Detroit with Samuel 
and Bartholomew. 

Thursday, 15. There was severe wind, which began 
with a thunder-storm, and lasted the whole day. It un 
roofed houses, and in the fields much damaged the corn, 
and in the bush around the town made great devastation, 
yet no one was injured, though many of those on the 
plantations were near suffering. 

Friday, 16. There was early the burial of the grown 
girl, Deborah, who died day before yesterday, daughter of 
Renatus, the Mohican. She had been sick for some time, 
and full of ulcers, so that all remedies were of no avail, 
but she wasted quite away. When we visited her she al 
ways showed a wish to go to the Saviour. She was bap 
tized last year at Easter, April 20. Since that time she 
has always grown weaker and weaker, but in her heart 
content. She said to her mother, when she was awaiting 
death, not to weep for her, she was glad to go to the Saviour, 
and wished to live no longer. She often asked the sisters 
who were with her to sing verses to her, and they did so. 
She departed in peace with the blessing of the church. 

Sunday, 18. Michael preached, and as it has been rainy 
the whole week, so that the river was unusually high, and 
the corn of several brethren was under water, they helped 
one another to save it, whereby all were busy who were 
able, and so they continued to do the next day, for the 
water was all the time rising. Since we have been here 
we have never had so wet and stormy an autumn as the 
present. 

Tuesday, 20. There being many chestnuts, which the 
wind has lately shaken down, most of the sisters went out 
to gather them, bringing home great quantities of them, 
which are very useful in their house-keeping. 

Thursday, 22. Br. Sensemann came back from Detroit, 
having been much hindered on the lake by rain and 
storm. We had hoped for letters from Bethlehem by the 



424 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

last ships, but in vain. Meanwhile, our things from Lon 
don arrived in good order while he was inhere. He learned 
in Detroit that Weinland, by whom, in June, we sent let 
ters and the diary to Bethlehem, had had trouble among 
the Wyandots, who took every thing away from him, our 
letters included, but yet afterwards he got them again. 
With him came Mr. Askin s clerk, to whom we had to 
give an Indian as guide to Grand River. Old Erdmuth, 
to whom the Chippewas, when they come here, always go, 
since she understands their speech, came and complained 
that the Chippewas had stolen her kettle, spoons, etc., and 
had gone away. She asked what she should do. Answer : 
She should follow after them, and seek to get the things 
again. She asked farther whether she should still hold 
them dear, and give them to eat when they came to her. 
Answer: 0, yes, she should still hold them dear, and do 
them good, but she should tell them she was glad to give 
them food when they came, only they should not steal. 
She replied that she would do so. 

Saturday, 24. Sensemann held early service. We heard 
from the Mousey town that in the high water their corn 
fields had been quite overflowed, and had been much in 
jured, and that in the storm a child had been killed by a 
tree. 

Sunday, 25. Edwards preached and Zeisberger held 
the communion service, to which he invited the brethren, 
as poor and needy creatures, to the enjoyment of the body 
and blood of Jesus, so that they might think of his death, 
and not let it leave their minds how much our redemption 
had cost him, which is the best safeguard against the 
wiles of Satan. 

Monday, 26. Zeisberger spoke with Bartholomew and 
his wife, Justina, and reconciled them. 

Tuesday, 27. Early, Br. Sensemann attended the burial 
of the J child, Nathaniel, who died yesterday, after being 
here below, thirteen months and three days. Our neigh 
bor, Kessler, ploughed for some Indians, and sowed wheat 
for them, as Bill Henry and his sons had worked in the 
harvest above us this summer. The weather being fine, the 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 425 

brethren were very busy getting in from the fields our corn 
and their own. We have again a good harvest, and a 
burden of corn. The heavenly Father has blessed us. 
Br. Zeisberger has spoken lately several times with Nich 
olas, who has now fully resolved to give himself up to the 
Saviour, holding fast to him and the church. 

Friday, 30. Yesterday and to-day there was speaking 
with the brethren with reference to the Lord s supper, 
which, 

Saturday, 31, in the near presence of our dear Lord, and 
with his gracious recognition of us, we celebrated. [Br. 
Sensemann sowed wheat, likewise Michael.] To him who 
filled our hearts with comfort and joy we brought, 

Sunday, Nov. 1, our filial thanks, honor, and worship. 
Amen. Then Br. Sensemann preached. 

Monday, 2. We called to mind our communion with 
the church, which is with him, and we stand in expecta 
tion of being incorporated therein sometime, and to be 
then near him forever. 

Thursday, 5. French and Indian traders arrived from 
Detroit, who went up the river with goods, but every 
thing is unusually dear. Our brethren, especially the sis 
ters, nearly all went out to gather chestnuts, of which 
there are many, this year especially, and also walnuts 
in the bush, very useful to the Indians in their house 
keeping. 

Sunday, 8. Br. Michael preached, and towards evening 
in a meeting took place the marriage of the widower, 
Nicholas, with the widow, Martha, formerly William s 
wife. They were betrothed several days ago. From 
Grand River came back Joshua with Mr. Askin s clerk, 
whom he had escorted thither and back. He visited there 
his sister, a Mohican woman, named Ruth, who was bap 
tized by the brothers, and has lived in Bethlehem, and she 
has not yet forgotten what she enjoyed there ; she would 
have liked to visit us, but is now too old and helpless, 
but she has charged Joshua to take her grandchildren to 
the church when he hears that she has passed from time. 

Monday, 9. Michael went early with a couple of In- 



426 

dian brothers down the river to get our things, which 
have come from England, if they have got there, other 
wise to go to Detroit. 

Tuesday, 10. Joshua, over whom comes one trouble 
after another, in spite of all our pains and admonitions, 
went away to-day in his confusion, and left every thing 
as it was. This causes us much concern, but we were 
still more amazed when, two days after, 

Thursday, 12, he came back. Samuel, to whom he 
went, received him out of pity. We advised him to go 
off hunting for a time, and this he did. 

Friday, 13. We came before our Elder and High Priest 
of his churches, presented ourselves to him as a poor, sin 
ful little band, but yet brought to him upon our knees our 
thanks and adoration for his long-suffering, patience, and 
rnercy, for his recognition of us with all our faults and short 
comings, asked for his gracious absolution and farther 
proof of his mercy to us, and vowed to him anew submis 
sion, obedience, and fidelity. 

Br. Michael Jung came early from the settlement with 
the things sent us from England. Upon examination, 
however, we found that not a little had been stolen, which 
happened at the portages, and is also not uncommon. All 
inquiry is in vain, and much less is any reimbursement to 
be hoped for. 

Sunday, 15. Br. Zeisberger preached. As it rained 
hard, and few were at home anyway, being away hunting, 
there was no other service. 

Tuesday, 17. From Niagara, or rather from the States 
by way of Fort Erie, came white people here with cattle, 
who the next day went on to Detroit. 

Wednesday, 18. Strange Indians arrived from the 
Miami. They came regularly to the meetings, but this is 
much, for most of those who come here, do nothing of the 
sort, and care not to hear. Now that there is again peace, 
may GTod let a living wind blow among them, so that they 
may turn to him, who now are dead in their sin. 

Saturday, 21. The Indian, Adam, came to Br. Zeisber 
ger and told him he was thinking of leaving the church, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 427 

for he saw he was of no use here. Zeisberger took occa 
sion to show him the reason of his unpleasant life and of 
his shortcomings in regard to the Saviour and the church, 
yes, to the teachers also, namely, his pride which has 
tripped him and brought him down. He spoke plainly 
with him, and told him all he thought of him, but, at the 
same time, that on this account he did not reject him, but 
to show him that he had reason enough to bend before the 
Saviour and. become a repentant sinner; if he did this, he 
would be to him the same gracious and merciful Saviour 
as at first. He complained about the hardness of his heart, 
about his distrust of the Saviour, and want of faith, for 
which he had no heart, but before he went away it could 
be seen plainly that his heart was breaking. 

Sunday, 22. Edwards preached. Renatus, the Mo 
hican, was absolved. 

Monday, 23. Elizabeth was delivered of a son. 

Tuesday, 24. Mr. Askin s clerk arrived from Detroit 
with goods to sell for corn, to be delivered in the spring. 
Sabina, Adam s wife, who has transgressed with her 
wicked speeches, began to acknowledge her fault and be 
come repentant. 

Thursday, 26. The hunters for the most part came 
home. Their hunting was of little value. 

Friday, 27. Early before day Renatus, the Mohican, 
died, whose remains were buried, 

Saturday, 28. Renatus was baptized in Gnadenhiitten 
on the Mahony (Pa.), Sept. 28, 1749, by Br. Cammerhoff. 1 
In the first Indian war, in 63, on account of a murder 



Christoph Frederick Cammerhoff was born near Magde 
burg, July 28, 1721. In 1738 he entered the University of Jena, where 
he became acquainted with Count Christian Zinzendorf and his tuto^ 
John Nitscbmann, by whom his natural inclination to a religious life 
was much fostered. He was married in July, 1746, consecrated bishop 
in September of the same year, in London, and sailed for America 
soon afterward. Here he was Bishop Spangenberg s assistant. In the 
spring of 1750 he went to Onondaga, having Zeisberger as companion 
and intrepreter. He died at Bethlehem, in 1751, at the early age of 
thirty. DeSchweinitz Some of the Fathers of the Am. Moravian Church. 



428 

committed by the savages, he was accused and imprisoned 
until he was set free by a jury chosen for him. He then 
went with the Indian church to Friedenshiitten on the 
Susquehanna, where he married, his first wife being dead, 
but he left this wife, went from the church, and wandered 
about among the savages, until, in 1783, he came with his 
family to the church on Huron River, and also remained. 
For a time he walked a beautiful way, was blessed and 
content, a partaker also of the holy communion, but he 
misused his time, so that he was not quite glad of the 
grace of being in the church, although he well knew from 
experience that nowhere else would he be so well, and there 
fore he never longed for another place. He understood 
very well discoursing how one should live and be in the 
church, nor was there much to blame in his conduct, only 
we could always have wished that he had more life and 
feeling in his heart. It was observed that he still busied 
himself with Indian ways and superstitions, which he had 
learned among the savages, and did not quite free himself 
therefrom, but for two years there has not been so much 
of this. Already for a year he had been sickly. It be 
came always more evident that he was nearing the end. 
He could no longer work. A short time ago he was still 
of much use to his son in hunting, and wanted to go with 
him, but he was. so bad that he had to take to his bed, 
when he said himself that this time he should die. Six 
days ago he called Brs. Zeisberger and Sensemann, whose 
forgiveness he asked for all in which he had grieved them, 
likewise that of the whole church. He confessed himself 
a sinner, giving himself the whole blame of his repeatedly 
unblessed position in the church. He was forgiven and 
absolved, whereupon his heart was easy and trustful in 
the Saviour, but he soon became speechless, and so re 
mained till his death. He was an example of God s pa 
tience and rnercy, who bore with him, attended to him, 
and helped him. 

White people with boats came up the river, who needed 
help. Joshua wrote a letter to us. Allen came from the 
States, bringing us no letters. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 429 

Sunday, 29. First in Advent. Michael preached about 
the coming of our Lord into the flesh. In the afternoon 
service Br. Sensemann baptized, with the name, Jeremy, 
the little son of Tobias and Elizabeth, born the 23d 
Inst. 

Monday, 30. We advised the Indian, Joshua, whose 
wife had left him and remained near by, where she 
thought of passing the winter, to go to her and to remain 
until they were reconciled, if this were possible ; and if this 
did happen, and they wanted to be in the church, they 
could come and ask. 

Thursday, Dec. 3. As hardly any traders have come 
here this year to trade, and the one who was here lately 
could by no means supply the wants of our Indians, differ 
ent ones went down the river to the lake to get clothing 
for the winter. 

Saturday, 5. Strange Indians came here, who attended 
the meetings also, a rare thing here, for they come here 
seldom, still seldorner to the meetings. 

Sunday, 6. Sensemann preached and Zeisberger con 
ducted the communion quarter-hour, notice of which he 
gave to the brethren for Saturday. From the neighbor 
hood came Mrs. Kessler for a visit. We learned to-day, 
by people from the States, that the plague prevails again, 
not only in Philadelphia but also in the country, and this 
may be the reason of our getting no letters. 

Monday, 7. Bill Henry and others came with wheat 
and corn they have had ground, from the mill, seven miles 
from here. 

Thursday, 10. In the early service Br. Zeisberger spoke 
from to-day s text, about God s gift, who gave us his only 
beloved Son, that through him we should have eternal 
life and salvation. White people went through for 
Niagara. 

Friday, 11. Yesterday and to-day there was speaking 
to the brethren. An express from Niagara for Detroit, 
with a couple of Mohawks went through. We learned 
rom these that the plague is not in Philadelphia, but in 



430 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

JSTew York, 1 at the same time also that France has war 
with the States. 

Saturday, 12. A girl, fourteen years old, who from 
bleeding at the nose was much reduced and very weak, 
had the brothers called to her, and said to them that per 
haps she should not get well, and as she reflected that she 
had not been obedient to the brothers, her teachers, and 
had often grieved them, she asked them therefore to for 
give her all, for she could not go from time in pea*;e other 
wise. We told her we would do this gladly, but she should 
also call upon the dear Saviour and beg his forgiveness, 
who would not bring her to shame, much less repulse her, 
for she belonged to him, having been bought by his dear 
blood. By this she was much comforted, and said after 
wards that she no longer feared death. Since the flowing 
of blood could be checked by none of the means employed, 
we tried letting a little blood from a vein, and this had 
the result wished for. She slept the night after and be 
came well. In the evening the communicants had the 
most blessed enjoyment of the body and blood of the 
Lord in the holy communion, which Br. Sensemann con 
ducted. 

Sunday, 13. Zeisberger read the liturgy and preached 
about this, that the Saviour, even to the present day, 
makes the blind see and those dead in sin alive; on this 
account he came into the world to seek the lost and save 
all who from their hearts believe this. 

Monday, 14. Since we heard of old Sophia that she 
had become of another mind and will again turn about, 
we sent to her two assistants, Bill Henry and Stephen, to 
listen to her, whereupon the assistants together, 

Wednesday, 16, went to her again to talk the whole 
matter out with her, and after she had become reconciled 
to her husband, they permitted her to come to town 
again. The assistants also spoke with Luke and his 

1 " In 1795 it (yellow fever) again made its appearance about the first 
of August (in New York), and raged with violence the remainder of 
the season, carrying off seven hundred and thirty-five of the citizens." 
Mary L. Booth s Hist, of City of New York, p. 612. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 431 

wife. Some people, disposed to be Baptists, came through 
here from Lake Erie, who offered to take letters for us, 
it being their intention to travel into the country below. 

Saturday, 19. A neighbor, Kessler, came here and ac 
cused our Indians of theft, just as last summer many 
times he had accused them of much trouble which had be 
fallen him, that they were the cause of it. As we had al 
ways found, and it came to light, that they were guiltless, 
so now we could not but affirm their innocence. Sophia 
was brought here to town with her corn, goods, and prop 
erty by the brethren, when Joshua s house, which for a 
time had been vacant, was again occupied. They both, 

Sunday, 20, came to us to express their thankfulness, 
that they were again out of error and in the church. We 
wished and advised them to acknowledge to the Saviour 
their transgressions, to seek forgiveness, to confess their 
guilt, so that they might better employ their time than 
hitherto. Br. Edwards preached. 

Monday, 21. At the early service Br. Sensemann 
preached about not seeing and yet believing, which is the 
blessedness of our time ; hereafter the time will come to 
see him in whom we have believed. Samuel and Joshua 
went to the mill. 

Wednesday, 23. An express with a couple of Mohawks, 
who lately, on the llth Inst., went through here on their 
way from Niagara to Detroit, came back. We learned 
from them that the government has received orders to lay 
out a fort at the mouth of Detroit River on the east side, 
which shows that Detroit will be transferred to the States 
next summer, as is reported. 

Thursday, 24. Two Germans went through here early 
for Long Point, and as one of them thought of travelling 
into the States, either to Lancaster or Bethlehem, we gave 
him letters. We began Christmas with a love-feast and 
with praising and thanking the Infant Jesus in his manger 
for his holy incarnation and birth, which brought peace to 
the world, who is called Jesus, because he saves. Two 
Frenchmen, who are passing the winter for trading, a 
day s journey from here, came here expressly for Christ- 



432 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

mas, and asked to be permitted to attend our celebration 
of it, whereby they were very attentive, and said after 
ward they had never imagined they should see such 
devotion and respect from Indians in the worship of God. 

Friday, 25. Br. Michael delivered the sermon, at which 
the Frenchmen were present. Sensemann held the chil 
dren s hour and Zeisberger the service for the baptized, 
in which one sister, Polly, was taken into the church, who, 
at the request of her mother, in the year 82, was baptized 
in Sandusky, when she was eleven years old, but she was 
now unwilling that this baptism should stand for the bap 
tism of an adult, saying she had then no longing in her 
heart, but her mother would so have it, since we were 
then taken from them, and she feared she might die un- 
baptized ; now, however, she felt that something was 
lacking, namely, being a member of the church and a 
partaker of grace. When this was granted her, it be 
came a real blessing, and there was a blessed feeling 
thereby. 

Sunday, 27. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel about 
Simeon, who in the temple took the Child, Jesus, into his 
arms, and joyfully praised God for having seen his salva 
tion. A party of Chippewas was here, but they came for 
no other reason than to beg. 

Monday, 28. The Chippewas went away, after getting 
that for which they came. The assistants spoke with 
Lewis, who began to trade here, and thereby fell into a bad 
course of life, and they reached a good result. 

Thursday, 31. We ended the year with a love-feast, 
praising arid thanking the Lord for all the kindnesses and 
goodness he had shown us in body and in spirit through 
the year, for our dear Father had blessed us outwardly by 
providing daily what was needful for our wants and sup 
port, which we thankfully acknowledged to have received 
from his mild hand as our dear heavenly Father. We 
thanked our dear Saviour and Lord that he daily let us 
find food and pasture for our hearts and souls, and like 
the good Shepherd has fed us upon his merits and passion, 
as his flock. We thanked God, the Holy Ghost, for his 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1795. 433 

faithful care, who has held us with Jesus Christ by faith 
in his name. We confessed ourselves before him as sin 
ners, and acknowledged our faults and digressions from 
him, having often been no honor to him, but a shame, and 
many among us had sinned against him and the church. 
We recognized it as a mercy from the Saviour that he had 
made known and brought to light every concealment, 
which was worthless and dishonorable to him, which was 
dissolved by the light and put aside, which shows that he 
dwells among us and will put all evil away from us. We 
acknowledged also our faults in regard to the assistants. 
We begged with repentant hearts forgiveness of all our 
sins and transgressions, and he gave us the comfort in our 
hearts that he heard our entreaty and had granted our re 
quests for the sake of his bloody merits. In conclusion, 
the blessing was imparted to the church. 

Baptized this year, three children. Admitted to the 
church, two. Married, one couple. Died, four adults and 
three children. 

In Fairfield there now live 158 Indian souls, great and 
small, seven less than last year. 
28 



434 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

1796. 
FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, ONTARIO. 

Friday, Jan. 1. Br. Sensemann preached and Br. Zeis 
berger held the service for the baptized, in which, after a 
discourse about the Scripture-verse : I am the Lord that 
healeth thee, a brother, Zachary, and a sister, Peggy, re 
ceived, kneeling, absolution in the name of the Saviour, 
which ceremony was attended with his near presence. 
Many came and bewailed their turning-away from the Sa 
viour. Different brothers and sisters celebrated their day 
of baptism with a love-feast, to which they generally in 
vited guests, called to mind God s mercy towards them, 
and thanked him for their call and election. Chippewas, 
who came here for the purpose, went about town begging, 
and late in the evening came yet more of them. 

Sunday, 3. Br. Edwards preached from the Gospel 
about the Saviour s flight into Egypt. A Chippewa, who 
claimed to be a chief, and came here to beg, spoke ill 
against our Indians, but was softened when he was granted 
that for which he came, and went away contented. 

Wednesday, 6. At morning prayer Zeisberger asked 
for the presence and blessing of our dear Lord, which he 
vouchsafed to impart to us in full measure for the day. 
Thereupon Seusemann held the service for the baptized, 
in which a grown girl, Mary, was taken into the church. 
At the love-feast the story was read and attentively lis 
tened to, and something was said. We ended with a 
blessed hour of song and the blessing of the church. 

Saturday, 9. The weather being fine, the brethren have 
lately made sugar. The (Indian) brothers went out to 
cut timber for a better school-house. 

Sunday, 10. Michael preached and Zeisberger held the 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 435 

congregation meeting. A couple from the neighborhood 
came here and had their child baptized. Now the Indian, 
Joseph, at last went away, who is a slave of sin, and that 
willingly. Old Sophia came and disclosed her heart, be 
gan to confess her faults and error, and to become a re 
pentant sinner, wherein she had been wanting. 

Wednesday, 18. Mr. Dolson came here from Detroit, 
and stayed a couple of days. It is now known that in. 
the spring the States will take possession of Detroit, for 
which preparation has been made of late by laying out a 
fort on the east side of the river. 

Friday, 15. Mr. Dolson went up the river to the upper 
settlement. Here sugar was boiled, the weather being 
fine, and the brethren paid their debts with corn.. 

Sunday, 17. David preached and Sensemann held the 
communion quarter-hour, notice of which he gave to the 
brethren for Saturday. 

Monday, 18. Dolson came back, bringing with him a 
white man. He received payment for his debts, and, 

Wednesday, 20, returned home. The brethren contrib 
uted to pay the common debt, among other things, to pay 
for a calf, killed by a felled tree, which caused complaint 
among the brethren. The river froze. 

Friday, 22. Yesterday and to-day, a little snow having 
fallen, they brought in the school-house timber. 

Saturday, 23. After the brethren had been spoken to 
for several days lately the communicants received the body 
of the Lord, given up to death for us, and his blood shed 
for us, in the holy sacrament. Ignatius was again pres 
ent. Zeisberger administered it. 

Sunday, 24. Br. Sensemann read the liturgy and 
preached. The assistants spoke with Abel, with whom 
lately Zeisberger has held a searching correspondence and 
exchange of letters concerning the condition of his heart, 
and this had the result desired, and, jt is to be hoped, will 
redound to his eternal welfare, for he has disclosed his 
heart completely, which he can better do in writing than 
by word of mouth. Thus several of our young people can 
better express themselves in writing than by speaking, and 



436 

all this in Indian. They often come, bringing the letter 
themselves, sit down and get their answer by word of 
mouth. 

Tuesday, 26. Martha, Nicholas, Peggy, and others 
went to the Miami, the first to get her cattle, which her 
sister had taken last spring. The brethren brought us 
wood. 

"Wednesday, 27. The thermometer to-day marked a 
degree below zero, colder than it had before been this win 
ter. Chippewas arrived who had rum with them. We 
told them if they abstained from this as long as they were 
here, they could stay here ; if not, they must go farther. 
They promised not to drink here, stayed and kept their 
word, but afterward they said to Boaz, who is their inter 
preter when they come here, that the Wyandots and Mo 
hawks were indeed Christians, as we are, but they drink 
their fill as often as they get a chance, like other Indians ; 
why then was it not so here ? Answer : Because it is a sin 
to get drunk, from which arise all sorts of ill, whoring, 
murder, and slaughter, which they knew well enough 
themselves and saw among them, therefore it was not per 
mitted among us. The Chippewas have more witchcraft 
and jugglery than other nations. For example, they say 
that at a festival they have all manner of sport, an otter- 
skin goes about the fire and their pouches give out a sound 
of their own accord ; snake-skins, which they have about 
their necks, show life, and so on. Boaz, who has seen all 
this, says Satan must have his share therein. 

Saturday, 30. A merchant, with a couple of French 
men from Detroit, was here over night, and then went 
away in the morning. 

Sunday, 31. Michael preached, and in the afternoon 
service Br. Sensemann baptized Abel s child, lately born, 
with the name, Maria Cathrine. 

Monday, Feb. 1. We learned from Indians that Indians 
from G-igeyunk (Ft. Wayne) had stolen horses in the 
States, whom the owners followed as far as their town, 
found their horses there, and spoke with the head-man 
about helping them get their horses again. He spoke with 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 437 

those who had them, and told them they should give them 
up, but they did not wish to, and the men had to go home 
without them. However, they soon came back again to 
the town with a stronger force, unexpectedly, when the 
head-man, with all the Indians who were there, took to 
flight, and left in the lurch all they had. Thereupon they 
took away their horses, all the cattle they found, and all 
house-utensils, plundered the town, and then went away, 
having, however, hurt no one personally. 

Wednesday, 3. Yesterday and to-day white people ar 
rived. Our people began to go to their sugar-places. 

Saturday, 6. Br. Sensemann went down to the settle 
ment. The express from Niagara went through, Barthol 
omew with him. 

Sunday, 7. Edwards preached. A white man arrived. 

Tuesday, 9. Sensemann came back from the settlement, 
where he baptized several children. 

Friday, 12. Adam visited us, whom Br. Zeisberger 
showed the reason of his transgressions, advising him to 
become a repentant sinner, and to draw near the Physician 
of his soul. 

Sunday, 14. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel, In- 
vocavit, 1 about the seductions of Satan, who blinds with 
his lies the Indians, whose king he is, and holds them in 
his power ; that he seeks especially to entice the believers 
from Christ and to lead them to destruction ; that we 
therefore, according to his word and advice, should hold 
fast to him, who will overcome Satan, whereby we shall 
escape his seductions and be made safe through Christ. 

Monday, 15. A New Englander came here for a visit to 
see the ministers and their Indians, to attend the meet 
ings, and to hear what is here preached. He stayed a 
couple of days. 

Tuesday, 16. The brethren prepared for sugar-making, 
which will now begin as soon as the weather is mild. 

Friday, 19. A white couple from the settlement came 

1 See before, p. 249. 



438 

here to get Br. Sensemann to attend a wedding, whence he 
came back the day after. 

Saturday, 20. Michael went to the settlement, seven 
miles away, to deliver a sermon which had been requested. 

Sunday, 21. Br. Sensemann preached and Zeisberger 
held the congregation meeting. Michael returned from 
the settlement, where he had preached, seven miles from 
here, having a fine audience. He was asked also to come 
again. Here Martha came with her cattle from the 
Miami, who, in the spring, without our knowledge, when 
Joachim and her sister went away from here, causing 
trouble and anxiety, had sent with them her cattle and 
household goods, to which she was induced by lies, for 
she was secretly informed we would all move away from 
here, only it was not yet made known. On this account 
she sent her property with them, thinking to get away 
then more easily. She has often been sorry for this, that 
she behaved so foolishly, and had not once made inquiries 
of us. All arises from the secret plotting of the Mohawks. 
Meanwhile Martha was the cause that the Joachims have 
turned about and come with her to the church, for when 
she reached them they both wept from shame and joy, and 
said if only they knew they would again be received and 
not sent away, they would like to go again to the church, 
for they were not well where they were, having an un 
pleasant life. Martha told them they had not been sent 
away, they had left of their own accord, and if they 
would like to be again in the church and conduct them 
selves by its rules, no one would send them away, and 
this gave them courage to come again. 

Monday, 22. Our young people, who go to school, and 
are so set upon it that they make it their chief business, 
and prefer it to every thing, got together, and went and 
cut wood for Br. Sensemann at his sugar-hut, so that he 
might not be hindered by work from keeping school. 
Many of them can write a good English hand, better than 
many clerks with the merchants in Detroit. 

Thursday, 25. For a week it had been quite cold, but 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 439 

now mild weather begins, and the brethren go to their 
sugar-places to get ready for work. 

Saturday, 27. There was rain, and the snow went off. 

Sunday, 28. Michael preached, and then the brethren 
were dismissed to their work. 

Monday, 29. Zeisberger held early service ; to him 
came Joseph, very angry that his house had been torn 
down from mischief. 

Tuesday, March 1. We learned that matters are not 
very peaceful among the Indians, for the Shawanese had 
killed a Chippewa counsellor, whereover the Chippewas 
were very angry, and the Senecas had followed a party of 
Potawatomies, who had stolen horses, until they came to 
a little Delaware town, where they killed all, for the trace 
led them there, and they thought they had caught the 
thieves. Meantime McKee invited the Shawanese to come 
over here and settle in this country. A lawyer from the 
States, who bought land in Detroit, went through here 
back home, to whom we gave an Indian as guide, whom 
he paid. 

Friday, 4. Allen went through here to the States. The 
weather was cold, and nothing to be done in sugar- 
making. 

Saturday, 5. Sensemann held early service. Elizabeth, 
Adam s daughter, died. 

Sunday, 6. Edwards preached. Christiana was deliv 
ered of a daughter. A man came here from the settle 
ment, who wished to build a mill on our land, to prepare 
every thing for it himself and to have a share in it, but we 
declined. We heard of great disorders in England. 1 

Monday, 7. Br. Zeisberger attended the funeral of the 
maiden, Elizabeth, Adam s daughter, who died day before 
yesterday. She was seventeen years old less two months. 
For two years she had the palsy and could not walk. She 
was born in Schonbrunn, May 5, 1779, baptized on the 
13th, by Zeisberger, and admitted to the church here June 



1 Probably the attack of the London mob upon the carriage of 
George III., Oct. 29, 1795, and the riots before and after this event. 



440 

8, 1794. She was sympathetic in heart, and distinguished 
herself beyond others of her age. She was eager to be 
saved, and was much pleased when any one visited her 
and spoke to her about the Saviour. She was, therefore, 
always glad to see sisters with her, and longed to be with 
the Saviour, and often said she had no longer any pleasure 
in the world. For a week before her death she thought 
over every thing wherein she had vexed any one, and 
had made it up. When she was near death she said to 
her mother : " Now I am going to the Saviour, now I leave 
thee," thus she departed, after first having received the 
blessing of the church. 

Thursday, 10. Yesterday and to-day white people came 
here, who passed the night. 

Sunday, 13. Zeisberger preached about the perfect sac 
rifice of Jesus for the sins of the whole world. We passed 
the afternoon in speaking to some brethren. 

Monday, 14. The river broke up, which has been frozen 
up to date, and only two hours before people crossed it. 

Tuesday, 15. Thunder, with rain, and the next night 
snow. 

Friday, 18. During the whole week was cold weather 
with snow, and thus little to be done in sugar-making. 

Sunday, 20. Sensemann preached at the entrance into 
Passion "Week, and Zeisberger held the service for the 
communion brethren, admonishing them to value this 
great good and worthily to enjoy it. 

Tuesday, 22. Yesterday and to-day the Zeisbergers 
spoke with the brethren, and found them prepared for the 
holidays, and in expectation of the great good. 

Wednesday, 23. The communicants had the washing of 
feet, after receiving absolution, and, 

Thursday, 24, after the story for the day had first been 
read, the communicants had the Lord s supper, to which a 
brother, Zachary, and a sister, Ruth, were readmitted, and 
Polly was a candidate. 

Friday, 25. During the whole day was a reading of the 
history, in four parts, of the great martyrdom of our Lord, 
which the brethren eagerly listened to, and with touched 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 441 

hearts, and this could be read upon their faces, and the 
spirit of God was thereby shown, of which we heard and 
saw proof among those of whom it was not expected, so 
that we were comforted and thankful to the Saviour. At 
his death we read the litany, and also at the piercing of his 
side. Mr. Dolson came with his son, and attended some 
meetings. 

Saturday, 26. At noon was a love-feast, when we sang 
Jesus body in the grave with entirely new songs and 
verses, which to the brethren were very impressive and 
affecting. 

Sunday, 27. We early prayed the Easter litany, a part in 
the chapel, and then we went to the grave-yard, and thought 
of the three adult brethren and the two children who 
had died since last Easter, and we prayed for eternal com 
munion with the church above. Then followed the read 
ing of the story of the resurrection, and during the ser 
mon, which Br. Sensemann delivered, he baptized into 
Jesus death, with the name, Kebecca, the little daughter 
of Jacob and Christiana, born on the 6th Inst., and then 
we dismissed the brethren to their sugar-huts. A person 
who was told it would be better for her to go elsewhere, 
for she did not get along well in the church, said : " I am 
always hearing that the Saviour receives sinners, and I am 
one ; therefore I do not give this up, and I will not leave 
the church." 

Monday, 28. Some brethren went down to the settle 
ment with corn. Here the brethren found, when they went 
back to their sugar-huts, that the Chippewas, during the 
holidays, had stolen every thing in them, who now roam 
about, knowing that the brethren are now all at home, 
and they steal whatever they find. The brethren con 
tributed sugar for the love-feasts. 

Thursday, 31. White people came up the river, who 
spoke with us, likewise yesterday, some on their way to 
Niagara, and spoke with Br. Sensemann in the sugar- 
camp, where our brethren are all now very busy. 

Friday, April 1. Frenchman loaded corn here, and 
went with it to Detroit. 



442 

Sunday, 3. At the sermon, by Br. Michael, were present 
our brethren and Kessler from the neighborhood. He 
had a dispute with Bill Henry about a tree for a canoe, 
which the latter had cut before the land was surveyed, but 
yet it was not upon the man s land, and he had no right 
to it, but, to have peace, we advised Bill Henry to give 
up the tree, and he was willing. And thus then there is 
much trouble with the white people. They come, borrow 
canoes from the Indians, promising to pay for them, then 
lose them and do not pay for them, for they do with the 
Indians what they will, knowing there is no law for In 
dians. 

Tuesday, 5. Nearly all the men went down the river 
with corn. 

Thursday, 7. An Indian, Beata s husband, came and 
asked leave to live here. 

Friday, 8. The brethren ended sugar-making, which 
has this year been profitable, but they have already sold 
much of it. 

Saturday, 9. Anna Sophia was delivered of a daugh 
ter. 

Sunday, 10. During the sermon by Br. Zeisberger he 
baptized, with the name, Levi, the little son of Boaz and 
Abigail, born on the 5th Inst. Br. Michael went early to 
the next township and preached to the people assembled 
there, and in the afternoon came back home. 

Monday, 11. Br. Sensemann came back from the lower 
settlement, where he preached yesterday, and baptized 
eleven children. The people live like Indians, hear no 
word of God, and have little longing therefor. 

Tuesday, 12. Askin s clerk came here from Detroit, 
and to our no common joy brought us letters from Beth 
lehem, which came by way of Montreal, of July 10 and 17 
of last year. Here there were sixteen canoes with Chip- 
pewas, who came down from upstream and encamped here 
several days. One night there was outcry among them, 
for there were some who wandered around in the bush, 
trying to kill one of those encamped here. They were 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 443 

seen by those in the camp one night and shot at. The 
Chippewas warned our Indians not to go out of town at 
night, so that they might not come to harm. 

Wednesday, 13. Ten canoes went away with corn for 
Mr. Askin. The assistants spoke with David, John, and 
Beata, together with her unbaptized husband, who wants 
to live here. 

Thursday, 14. Br. Sensemann, after holding early serv 
ice, set out for Detroit with Askin s clerk, who had a good 
transport in the river. We said to some Chippewas, who 
are encamped here upon the river-bank, and in the even 
ing begin to drum, that if they wished to have their camp 
here, they must give up the like, or, if they could not do 
this, they should pitch their camp elsewhere, and so they 
gave it up. 

Sunday, 17. Br. Edwards preached, and in the after 
noon service Br. Zeisberger baptized into Jesus death, 
with the name, Keturah, the little daughter of John Adams 
and Anna Sophia, born on the 9th Inst. Chippewas were 
present, both at the service and at the baptism. 

Monday, 18. Br. Zeisberger baptized, in the presence 
of the assistants, Beata s sick daughter, a half-Chippewa, 
with the name, Patience. Many Chippewas were en 
camped here, who are now leaving this river, having sold 
the land. At the early service Br. Zeisberger told the 
brethren that since during the past winter all sorts of 
people had come here, whom we did not like to send away 
as long as the winter lasted, but as it was now spring, we 
wished to rid our town of people who did not belong to 
us and had no disposition to be converted, that now each 
one of these would be spoken with, likewise those who 
lived in the church, but did not behave in accordance 
with our regulations. This was done, and this evening 
the assistants made a beginning. This discourse of Br. 
Zeisberger had a thoroughly good effect, for strangers and 
inhabitants during the whole week came and asked either 
for pardon or for reception. 

Tuesday, 19. The Chippewas went away to their home 



444 ZEISBERGEK S DIARY. 

on the next river northwards, Sneycarty. 1 Our people 
sowed much wheat. 

Thursday, 21. As there were many fish, which at this 
time of the year come up the river, oar people, both chil 
dren and the old, caught a great quantity of them. The 
sisters began work on the plantations. 

Friday, 22. Br. Sensemann came back from the Fort, 
where the soldiers are evacuating Detroit and going to the 
east side of the river. 

Saturday, 23. The assistants were almost done speak 
ing, and there was a great awakening among our people. 
We thought we should be rid of some with whom we have 
had much trouble, but none wished to go away. Not 
only strangers who do not belong to us, but also in 
habitants, asked pardon and admission, promising amend 
ment. Satan and the world try in every way to seduce 
our people. A couple of savages had led astray a couple 
of our young women and married them. We wished to 
be rid of them, but as the savages asked for admission, we 
made then a trial with them, for if Satan s wicked schemes 
have such result that they are brought to naught, and good 
arises from them, and more are rescued, we can rejoice, 
and this will be his greatest vexation to Satan. 

Sunday, 24. Br. Sensemann preached and Zeisberger 
held the congregation meeting. Br. Michael Jung preached 
to the people in the settlement, whence he came home. 
The assistants had still to speak. 

Wednesday, 27. A Chippewa captain came here and 
made a speech with a string of wampum, stating that they 
had arranged to sell all their land in this neighborhood to 
the English, etc. In conclusion he begged for corn, which 
he got. 

Thursday, 28. The Indian brothers came back, having 

1 " There is no river Snycarty, but that is the name of one of the 
channels forming the northern delta of Lake St. Clair. The true and 
original name was, in French, Le Cheval Ecarte, and this was easily 
metamorphosed by Englishmen into Snycarty. Snycarty Channel is 
the name appearing on some maps. The Lake Survey map gives the 
true name." Letter from Hon. James V. Campbell, of Detroit. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 445 

delivered the corn at the mouth of the river, and taken a 
receipt. We are glad to be done with this matter at last. 
We heard that Brant s secret plot against the Delawares 
makes a stir. When he saw that it had become known, 
he sent to the Six Nations and had them told that they 
were accused of having delivered man s flesh [meaning 
Delaware man s flesh] to make broth of; they should con 
sider who had spread this evil report, and the matter could 
be again set right. The Six Nations made an investiga 
tion among themselves to find out the instigator, and as 
they found nothing of the sort among themselves, so it is 
settled upon Brant that he is the instigator of it, and as 
his conscience is not clear in the matter, he has sent a sol 
emn embassy to the Chippewas, and asked them to take 
the matter into consideration and to make it straight. 
They have referred him to the Six Nations to find out the 
cause of this, but he cannot accept this, knowing well 
enough that they hold him responsible. 

Friday, 29. Many Monseys from above, on their way 
to Detroit, encamped here a couple of days. There were 
cold snow-squalls, after we had had a week of fine, dry 
spring-like weather. 

Sunday, May 1. Michael preached and Sensemann con 
ducted the communion quarter-hour. We passed the 
whole afternoon with the assistants, whom we charged 
to speak with the brethren and people, for as it is spring 
and planting-time, we wish to sweep away at once what 
does not belong to us, and what knows not why it is here, 
may leave. None, however, are found who wish to go 
from the church, but they ask for patience. 

Tuesday, 3. A hat-maker from the settlement came 
here with hats to sell, almost all of which he disposed of. 
The brethren were busy in the fields. 

Thursday, May 5. Ascension Day. We prayed to our 
dear Lord in the liturgy, and asked for his walking with 
us, and his unseen, but not unfelt, nearness, to hold us to 
him in faith till we have sight. 

Saturday, 7. The brethren planted our fields in the 
forenoon. At the Lord s supper, which the communicants 



446 

enjoyed under the blessed recognition of our dear Lord, 
Polly was a partaker for the first time, and three sisters 
were readmitted, Christiana, Anna Elizabeth, and Anna 
Pauline, who had been shut out for several years since 
Pettquotting. This awakened much interest among the 
brethren. 

Sunday, 8. Early was the liturgy, whereupon Br. Ed 
wards preached. Thankful to our dear Saviour, we re 
called to-day that it is four years since we came here. 
Who would have thought that in so short a time out of a 
wilderness such a pleasant place would be, and that so 
much would have been done? 

Tuesday, 10. Our Indian brethren were hard at work 
planting. An Indian, who had rum with him, and lay 
here, did not go away until he had caused us trouble. 

Thursday, 12. The assistants were charged to speak 
with some, and we sent Nancy away. 

Friday, 13. Sophia was delivered of a son, and Satur 
day, 14, Elizabeth of a daughter. 

Sunday, 15. Before the sermon, which Br. Sensemann 
delivered, the hymn was sung in Indian : Come Holy 
Ghost, come Lord, our God, and so we made known God, 
the worthy Holy Ghost, as our Teacher, Guide, and Com 
forter upon the way of our salvation, and in conclusion he 
baptized into Jesus death with the name, Arnold, the lit 
tle boy born on the 13th, and with the name, Frederica, 
the little girl. Afteward Br. Zeisberger held a service for 
the baptized, and sang with them at the end the song of 
praise to the Holy Ghost in adoration. Some brethren 
celebrated their day of baptism with a love-feast. 

Monday, 16. When the brothers were hunting in a body, 
unluckily, Peter was shot by a boy through the leg, whom 
in the evening they brought home on a litter, suffering 
great pain. 

Tuesday, 17. The Indian trader, Tuppenitsches, went 
away, who has encamped here several days. He had much 
rum with him, but gave us no trouble. 

Wednesday, 18. We learned by a white man that the 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 447 

Americans lie on Reeson River, 1 and are awaiting to take 
possession of Detroit not true. 

Thursday, 19. A white couple came here to be mar 
ried by Br. Sensemann. Mohawks from Detroit were 
here over night. 

Sunday, 22. Trinity Sunday. Br. Zeisberger preached 
from the Gospel about the new birth, which the Holy Trin 
ity won for us through Christ. Br. Michael preached in 
the neighborhood to a fine audience. 

Tuesday, 24. Samuel, the assistant, went with a couple 
of brothers to Oswege 2 to see a woman, who was ac 
quainted with him, and several times, more than a year 
ago, had sent word to him, and begged him to take her 
away and bring her to the church, not being able to come 
alone. She had sent word that she not only very much 
wished to be in the church, but that she had already, in 
Schechschiquaniink (near Shesequin, Pa.), twice heard 
God s word, and had not yet forgotten it, and wished to 
hear more. 

Wednesday, 25. The hat-maker, Chotes, came here to 
sell hats. 

Saturday, 28. The brethren were busy in their fields. 

Sunday, 29. As it rained hard, and poured all the fore 
noon, there was no sermon, until in the afternoon Michael 
held the congregation meeting from the text. 

Tuesday, 31. Indians from the Monsey town came here. 
They wish to have there a great festival, since all their 
fields went under water last year and their corn was 
ruined. Therefore, they wish to have a sacrificial feast, so 
that such calamity may be turned from them. The ap 
parition of a boy has given occasion for this, who re 
proached them for having omitted to do this, and admon 
ished them soon to make it good. 

Wednesday, June 1. White people from the settlement 
came here for seed-corn, their own, which they planted, 
not having come up. 

1 Raisin River, Michigan. 
3 0swego, N. Y., probably. 



448 

Friday, 3. From Grand River, or Swege, Samuel came 
back, after making a useless journey, for the woman whom 
he wished to bring hither had already planted. The Six 
Nations had a meeting there to confer about the death of 
the Cayuga chief, T gaaju, 1 and choosing another. 

Saturday, 4. A man named Francis G-laser came here 
from the States, by way of Bethlehem, who brought us 
letters of March last, to our joy. 

Sunday, 5. Br. Sensemann preached about the great 
supper, and then went into the settlement to marry a 
couple. Edwards held the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 6. A house was put up for Joachim, Sr. 
Salome, Joshua s daughter, was sent away. 

Tuesday, 7. Sabina took her daughter, Mary, to the 
settlement, to have her cured, at a woman s house there. 

Friday, 10. The brethren hoed our plantations. 

Saturday, 11. A pair of expresses for Niagara passed 
the night here. They brought news that Gen. Wayne 
was on the march for Detroit, and already at the fork of 
the Miami. A captain, with six light cavalry, were the 
fore-runners to announce him. 

Sunday, 12. In the sermon, which Br. Zeisberger deliv 
ered about the lost sheep, he baptized the little son of 
Leonard and Johanetta, born on the 8th List., into Jesus 
death, with the name, Cornelius. Thereupon Br. Sense 
mann held the communion service. Br. Michael came 
back from the settlement, where he had preached. Here 
the assistants had to speak and to admonish. 

Monday, 13. In the early service, from the Scripture- 
verse, which Br. Zeisberger held, much was said about 
the gadding about of the young people and of the old at 
night, whence evil arose ; the children should be well 
washed and combed when they came to the chapel, and not 
appear so bare, and the good effect of this was to be seen 
the next few days, when they were all dressed. Sense 
mann went to the settlement. From Detroit Indians came 
here, who stayed over night, with whom Salome went. 

1 Tgaaju is spoken of as a village in De Schweinitz Life of Zeisberger. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 449 

Tuesday, 14. Salome and Sophia, Joshua s daughters, 
went to the Monsey town. Sensemann returned from 
the settlement. 

Thursday, 16, and Friday, 17. We spoke with the 
brethren, whom we found hungry and longing for Jesus 
body and blood in the holy sacrament. 

Saturday, 18. As Indians yesterday arrived from De 
troit, who had rum with them, the assistants went to them 
to take it in charge, but they hid it, and said they had 
but little, and this they would not give up. Afterward, 
in the night, they caused drunkenness, but yet very quietly. 
The communicants strengthened themselves with the body 
and blood of the Lord in his supper, which Sensemann 
conducted. 

Sunday, 19. David read the liturgy. Michael preached. 
Zeisberger held the congregation meeting from the text : 
Watch ye therefore : for ye know not when the master of 
the house cometh. 

Tuesday, 21. A white man arrived, whom our Indians 
suspected of stealing a canoe here from the plantation, 
but it was found that a strange Indian had sold it to him, 
who gave out that he belonged here, and the poor man 
had to pay for the canoe a second time. 

Thursday, 23. Yesterday and to-day many of our breth 
ren went to Detroit, whence we heard that the Indians, es 
pecially the Shawanese, had behaved badly, yes, hostilely, 
towards the messengers of the States, and had danced the 
war-dance, so that they deemed it prudent to turn back to 
the army, and the commandant gave them a guard for 
protection. 

Friday, 24. After the early service, Br. Sensemann 
conducted the funeral of the still-born daughter of John 
Henry and Anna Maria. Sensemann, who had been to 
the next township, came back, bringing a letter from John 
Bininger, who corresponds with us from Kenty Bay, on 
Lake Ontario, who is an awakened man, according to his 
letter, and seeks the good. 

Sunday, 26. Edwards preached here, and in the settle 
ment Michael Jung. 
29 



450 

Monday, 27. We advised a strange Indian, of whom 
we had made trial, without success, to go away. We 
made hay. 

Wednesday, 29. A tailor, whom we had sent for to 
make us needful clothing, came yesterday, took our meas 
ure, and went home again. By Indians from Detroit we 
heard that the troops of the States, five hundred men, 
were come to the Fort on the Miami, where daily yet 
more were coming; that it is not true that the Indians 
are hostile to them. 

Saturday, July 2. Oar Indians came back from the 
Fort, by whom we had bad news about the assistant, 
Samuel, who is said to have got drunk, which cut us to 
the heart. 

Sunday, 3. Br. Sensemann preached and Zeisberger- 
held the congregation meeting. We spoke with some 
brethren, who were lacking in love one for another, and 
reconciled them. 

Monday, 4. The brethren hilled our corn. 

Tuesday, 5. Edwards held early service from the Script 
ure-verse. 

Wednesday, 6. In the early service, which Br. Zeis 
berger held from the text : Whosoever shall confess me 
before men, etc., he admonished the brethren, when they 
came among the savages, not to meddle in their works, 
but under all circumstances to conduct themselves as chil 
dren of God, and to show that they are not of the world, 
but believe in the Saviour. The brethren gave heed to 
this, for we heard afterwards that they talked much to 
gether about it. 

Friday, 8. Some of the Monseys, who live above us on 
the river here, came back from Detroit, having strong 
drink with them, whom we forbade to sell any of it here, 
either to strangers or to the inhabitants, for in this matter 
we cannot be too cautious. Often when they have made 
fine promises, they do not keep them, and cause us vexa 
tion. They are always on the alert to do us harm, and 
often they go not away until they have accomplished their 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 451 

purpose, and then they go quietly away, well knowing 
that they have not done right. 

Sunday, 10. Zeisberger preached from the text, Rom. 
vi. 19 : For as ye have yielded your members servants to 
uncleanliness and to iniquity unto iniquity, so now yield 
your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. At 
this a white man was present. Samuel came back from 
Pettquotting with five Indian brothers, where they had 
got whetstones, and where now all the houses are burnt 
down. They saw only a couple of Indians there. 

Monday, 11. A woman in the settlement, who had can 
cer, sent word to our Indians and asked them to take her 
for treatment, which one of our Indians undertook to do. 
Other white people, who were going up the river and were 
too heavily laden, hired a canoe and a man to help them 
along, and yet another hired an Indian to accompany 
him to Grand River, by whom we sent a letter to Bethle 
hem, by way of Pittsburg. 

Wednesday, 13. We heard that the States are expected 
every day to enter Detroit. The Indians, "Wyandots, Del- 
awares, Tawas, Chippewas, are all hunting in the territory 
of the States in the Tuscarawas, on Sugar Creek, and 
near White Eyes town. At the last two places many 
have planted, and traders go to and fro. Merchants in 
Detroit have bad trade, for the Indians all trade with the 
States. 

Tuesday, 15. By white people from the settlement, who 
went through here on their way to Grand River, we 
heard that the troops of the States, with beating of drums 
and discharge of cannon, made their entry into Detroit a 
week ago and took possession of it, which had also been 
heard here in the settlement ; l also that Gov. Simcoe has 
gone to England. 

1 A detachment of American troops, consisting of sixty-five men, 
under the command of Capt. Moses Porter, took possession of the 
evacuated fort at Detroit about the 12th of July. In September, Win- 
throp Sargent, Secretary of the North-western Territory, proceeded to 
Detroit, and organized the county of Wayne and established the civil 
authority in that quarter. Albach s Annals of the West, p. 734. 



452 

Saturday, 16. We sowed turnips. 

Sunday, 17. Br. Michael preached from the Epistle, 
that we are bound not to live according to the will of the 
flesh, which hrings death, having been redeemed from 
slavery by the blood of Jesus Christ and set free, adopted 
as children of God and heirs of life eternal. 

Monday, 18. Samuel went with his family down to the 
lake, whom others followed the succeeding days, some to 
get meadow-grass, others to earn somewhat among the 
white people. 

Tuesday, 19. At the text in the early service, which 
Br. Edwards held : What things soever ye desire when ye 
pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them, 
some of the brethren were impressed that their prayers 
were not of the right kind. 

Friday, 22. At the text : The foxes have holes, and the 
birds of the air have nests ; but the Son of Man hath not 
where to lay his head, the frightful pride was mentioned, 
which men, and especially the blind heathen, have natu 
rally, so that they oppose their Creator, who for our sake 
so humbled himself that he had nothing of his own in the 
world, whereby he has left us an example and model for 
following him, and he says : Learn of me, for I am meek 
and lowly in heart, which is the exact opposite of Satan s 
works and ways among the children of unbelief, and this 
yet prevails with many brethren, who cannot leave their 
sinful state, and without this they are still in danger of 
falling. 

Sunday, 24. Br. Edwards preached about disobedience 
of the Saviour and his word, whereby we often come to 
trouble and hardship. Br. Michael, who had preached in 
the next township, came back from there. 

Monday, 25. Several of our people went down to the 
lake. Sensemann, for the second time, had strong fever. 

Tuesday, 26. From Niagara, people went through here 
with cattle, moving to the river, from whom we heard that 
we have been disappointed, for we wished to send a packet 
of letters to Bethlehem by a man, Schafer, but he has 
changed his mind and will not go. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 453 

Thursday, 28. Nicholas came back from Swege (Oswego), 
bringing news that every thing is peaceful among the In 
dians, that they go to Tioga 1 and Wajomik 2 among the 
white people, to and fro. 

Friday, 29. Strange Indians, on their way down, brought 
meat here to sell to our people. 

Sunday, 31. Sensemann preached from the Gospel: 
Jesus wept over Jerusalem, as he is now sad over men 
who will not receive his grace, and who, of their own will, 
go to eternal destruction. 

Tuesday, Aug. 2. We began to reap. The brethren 
came back from the settlement, where the whites have 
themselves hard work to live, and they are waiting for the 
harvest, for many of our people are out of corn. 

Thursday, 4. More came back from the settlement, and it 
is not without profit that they have suffered and come home 
like timorous pigeons and are ashamed of their wicked 
conduct, and thus was it now the case with some. It 
makes us sorry that they do themselves harm and cause 
the Saviour and us trouble, for the Indians are of this 
sort, etc. 

Saturday, 6. Frenchmen, on their way up the river on 
business, were here over night. We heard that in the settle 
ment one of the cattle had been shot, of which they were 
inclined to accuse our Indians, but we knew that to-day 
only Adam had gone down, but without having with him 
gun or knife. Yesterday he and his wife sold an ox to a 
man, which he took away in the night and hid in the 
bush, but in the morning said it had run back home, and 
in this way wanted to steal away from the Indians and 
cheat them, but they searched for it and found it, tied in 
the bush. 

Sunday, 7. Br. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel 
about the Pharisees and tax-gatherers, and said, although 
he should not think there was any one among them who 
considered himself righteous, for each one would have 
nothing good to show, knowing that they had been 
heathen, but if they carefully reflected they could find 

1 Tioga, in Bradford Co., Pa. a Wajomik, Wyoming. 



454 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

that they did think themselves righteous, for example, if 
they had done wrong, instead of becoming repentant sin 
ners, they looked about upon others to see if they were 
not worse than themselves, and forgot themselves, seeking 
to recognize their own righteousness, and the Saviour 
came to call sinners, for the righteous need not his help; 
in short, the humble and those of contrite heart were in 
grace with God. 

Monday, 8. A house that stood near the chapel was 
moved, in place of which comes the new school-house. 

Tuesday, 9. Indians came here, who were going to 
Brant with a scalp. Indians from the south had killed a 
party of Shawanese. They were followed and one of them 
taken, and now Brant shall advise what is to be done, 
whether they shall have war with the nation or not. 
There is something of concern in this, they do not speak 
right out. It is still, as it appears, the Mohawk plot 
against the Delaware nation, and this was a Delaware 
scalp. 

Thursday, 11. "We finished reaping. The crop has 
thriven and yielded well. 

Friday, 12. We spoke with the brethren with refer 
ence to the next communion, and found them longing for 
the great good, which to them is beyond every thing in 
the world. With some there was much to be set right. 

Saturday, 13. In the near presence of our dear Lord we 
had his holy supper in communion with our beloved 
church, and he blessed us by the enjoyment of his body and 
blood, so that hearts and eyes overflowed from joy and 
thankfulness. This time only one stayed away. 

Sunday, 14. After the thanksgiving liturgy Br. Sense- 
mann preached, at which were present two of our neigh 
bors from the nearest township, one of whom was Francis 
Cornwall, from Connecticut government, in whose house 
Br. Michael Jung has preached every other week ; a man 
who loves the good and arouses his neighbors to hear 
the preaching of the Gospel. If there is no sermon he 
reads something to them. He came here to visit us and 
to get acquainted with us. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 455 

Monday, 15. The assistants spoke with some sisters and 
made peace among them, but two would not. 

Wednesday, 17. Chippewas brought meat here to sell 
for corn and other things. David held early service from 
the text : It is not the will of your father which is in 
heaven that one of these little ones should perish. 

Thursday, 18. Sensemann held early service. Some 
Indians went to the mill with grain. 

Sunday, 21. Edwards preached here and Zeisberger 
held the congregation meeting. Michael, who came from 
the settlement, where he had preached, brought a packet 
of the weekly journal of the U. A. C., together with the 
Scripture- verses and texts for the present year and a letter 
from Br. Gregor, 1 to our hearty joy, which Br. Wollin sent 
us, of March 28 last year, and from Br. "Wollin of Aug. 11. 

Tuesday, 23. Our Indians were very busy cutting their 
summer wheat and bringing it into their barns, the like of 
which has never been seen in any of the places were we 
have been, and all are following the example and wish to 
raise wheat, but yet do not give up raising corn, without 
which they could not well live. 

Wednesday, 24. On Sister Anna Sensemann s fiftieth 
birthday we laborers had a pleasant love-feast, and our 
hearts blessed her. 

Friday, 26. We charged the assistants to investigate a 
report among our people in regard to gadding about at 
night, and to oppose the lies that are told. The savage 
Indians tell many lies about our assistants, accusing them 
of all kinds of sin. They can lie in the most shameful 
way. 

Sunday, 28. Michael preached and Sensemann held the 
congregation meeting. The assistants spoke with Zac- 
chaeus and Susanna. The Mohawks came back from 
Brant s town, who went through here on the 9th Inst., with 
still more, nine in number. They stayed here over night. 
They are earnestly working to kindle war again, saying 

1 Christian Gregor was a distinguished bishop and hymnologist of 
the Moravian Church in Germany, who visited America in 1770, and 
died at Herrnhut in 1801. Letter from Bishop de Schweinitz. 



456 

quite openly that there should be a new war with the 
States, and they seek to arouse the Canada Indians. 

Tuesday, 30. With Indians from Miami Bay came 
Abigail, daughter of the late Abraham, to remain. In 
Pettquotting she came to us with her unbaptized husband, 
and both had leave to live with us, but first they wished 
to harvest their fields. However, as her husband had ,no 
disposition for the church, they did not come. Two years 
ago he died in battle, and she being now free and having 
a call to the church, let her fields go and came here. The 
assistants spoke with old Sophia about her corrupt daugh 
ter, who, however, showed herself very obstreperous to the 
assistants. 

Thursday, Sept. 1. A number of strange Indians, who 
had come from Detroit and encamped here a couple of 
days, went home. 

Friday, 2. The assistants spoke with Abigail, lately 
come, to whom they gave leave to live here. At a service 
in the evening we discoursed about sicknesses and how 
the savages deal with them, it being reported that such a 
one was bewitched, and a doctor must come and cure him ; 
that the doctors, however, were liars and deceivers, but 
that they believed in the Saviour, and should hold all such 
things folly, and have no faith in them ; no one could in 
jure them in life and health without the will of our dear 
Father in heaven, for the Saviour s words were nothing but 
truth when he says : Not one hair shall fall from the head 
of any of you without the will of your Father in heaven. 
Br. Zeisberger told them that he had no fear of Indian 
witchcraft hurting him, and still he was only a man like 
themselves ; he granted that if they believed in it, it could 
hurt them, but they had only themselves to blame if they 
believed in lies, and not in the Saviour ; they should be 
lieve that he alone had death and life in his hands, and they 
should not let themselves be again deceived by heathenism. 
We have always found it needful to be on our guard that 
Indian superstition shall not crop out and be again estab 
lished when we have peace from without. 

Sunday, 4. David preached from the Gospel : No man 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 457 

can serve two masters, etc., and said, there were many who 
would indeed like to be saved and live for the Saviour, but 
would also like to hold somewhat to heathenism, and this 
was trying to serve two masters, and as men usually care 
only for their body in the world, but were not concerned 
about their soul, the Saviour says: Take no thought for 
your life what ye shall eat and drink, nor wherewithal ye 
shall be clothed. Since, however, there were others who 
were lazy and did not wish to work, this was as bad and 
wicked as the other, for idleness was the source of much 
evil; we had examples enough that such could not thrive 
in the church as long as they persisted therein. Edwards 
held the congregation meeting. 

Wednesday, 7. The married brethren had a blessed feast, 
to whom the Saviour showed himself very gracious, and this 
extended over the whole flock, and he blessed us from his 
fulness. Br. Sensemann held morning prayer, asking for 
his presence and blessing. Br. Zeisberger then delivered 
the festival discourse from the text : This is a great mys 
tery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church, and 
at the love-feast in the afternoon all the inhabitants were 
present. In the evening Br. Sensemann conducted a 
pleasant singing-hour, and ended with the blessing of the 
church. 

[So far sent to Bethlehem.] 

Thursday, 8. Samuel went to Detroit with Stephen on 
business, but first the assistants spoke with Abel. 

Sunday, 11. Michael delivered the sermon, at which 
Cornwell was present with a couple of his neighbors and 
their wives, and as he was going to New York State we 
put in his charge a packet of letters to be forwarded to 
Bethlehem by way of New York. 

Tuesday, 13. The Indians went hunting and brought 
home meat. 

Wednesday, 14. Work was begun upon the school-house, 
which will stand near the chapel, where a site has been va 
cated and the ground made ready. 

Thursday, 15. Polly was delivered of a son. 

Saturday, 17. Samuel and Stephen came from Detroit 



458 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

and brought window-glass and nails for the school-house, 
which is already blocked out as far as the roof. There are 
said to be there 1500 Indians of all nations, who draw 
their rations every day, and our Indians drew them, too, 
which has never happened before. Boaz brought a sick 
Chippewa home. 

Sunday, 18. Sensemann preached here and Michael in 
the settlement. Zeisberger conducted the communion 
quarter-hour, giving notice of it for Saturday. 

Wednesday, 21. Sensemann, who held early service, 
baptized with the name, Paul, the son of Samuel and Polly, 
born on the 15th. 

Thursday, 22. We had with the assistants to make in 
vestigation among the brethren about heathenish doctor 
ing, about which we had to use earnestness and severity, 
for if that gets footing here, murder and deadly fights 
will arise. 

Friday, 23. Both yesterday and to-day the Zeisbergers 
and Sensemanns spoke with the brethren about the com 
munion. 

Saturday, 24. At the Lord s supper, which we enjoyed 
under his blessed recognition, Zacchaeus was again a par 
taker, after having been excluded for a long time. 

Sunday, 25. Br. Edwards preached. Zeisberger read 
the liturgy and held the congregation meeting. We had 
to take measures with the assistants about building the 
school-house ; to stop work on it for a time, there being so 
much other work at hand. 

Tuesday, 27. Yesterday and to-day most of the sisters 
went to Detroit to sell baskets in exchange for apples. 

Thursday, 29. Chippewas and Monseys, some of whom 
go hunting, others to Detroit, encamped here several days. 
In the early service Br. Edwards mentioned the dear an 
gels who are constantly near us. We sowed our winter 
grain. 

Friday, 30. We ended the month with praise and 
thanks to the Lord, who is God over all and our Redeemer, 
that he has happily led us through this summer, and has 
outwardly protected us from sickness, though we hear 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 459 

that ill the settlement, among the white people, very many 
are down with it. 

Sunday, Oct. 2. Zeisberger preached about the forgive 
ness of sins, so necessary for all men, for we are all sin 
ners, and where there is forgiveness of sins there are also 
life and salvation. Michael preached in the next town 
ship, and Br. Sensemann in the afternoon, with the sisters, 
visited a couple of our nearest neighbors, where they were 
welcome. 

Monday, 3. We harvested our potatoes and pumpkins. 

Wednesday, 5. The Indians began to be industrious in 
harvesting their fields. This is a year quite apart by itself, 
so long as we have been here. It was a late spring, a cool 
summer, and early autumn. There were early frosts, 
which have kept on, but since we made good use of plant 
ing-time, the corn ripened in good season. "With game, 
too, it has been unusual. Raccoons, squirrels, bears, 
wolves, and wild turkeys came in great number, and did 
great harm to the fields, here indeed not so much, for the 
Indians scared them away, but among the white people 
they ruined whole fields. Besides all sorts of vermin came 
from the south, tried to get over the river, and were 
drowned, whole heaps of which could be seen. 

Saturday, 8. Both yesterday and to-day our brethren 
came back from the settlement, bringing canoes full of 
apples, which they paid for with baskets. 

In the early service Br. Edwards discoursed about dis 
obedience and opposition to God, the Holy Ghost, what sad 
results it would have, if he should turn from us, for man 
would become the prey of Satan and the slave of sin more 
than ever before, which made a deep impression upon Br. 
Nicholas. He came and laid bare his heart, saying this was 
just the case with him, for he had not given obedience to 
God s Spirit, and thus was come to great wretchedness, 
and knew not how to get help. He was directed to the 
Saviour, who never repels a sinner, to get courage and to 
trust in him, where alone he could find help and comfort. 
It is a comfort to us when we see that they have ears to 
hear. 



460 

Sunday, 9. Michael preached, and Sensemann held the 
congregation meeting, on whose 52d birthday we had a 
pleasant love-feast at home. 

Monday, 10. The brethren went out hunting, to get 
meat for our corn-harvest. 

Tuesday, 11. They came home with three bears and 
two deer. 

Wednesday, 12. Br. Sensemaun started early for De 
troit. Bill Henry spoke with us about his son, who was 
sent away for bad conduct, and as he said it grieved him, 
and we told him that so it often was, not with us alone, 
but that it happened also in the church, 1 and parents had 
to send away their children. He replied that this was not 
so dangerous as here with us, for they were yet under law, 
if they were not in the church, but here they were sent 
out to heathenism, where they met not only their spiritual 
but their bodily death, for among the Indians nobody was 
sure of his life ; that thus they were always in danger of 
being lost. In this we had to approve what he said, and 
for this reason we often endure with people, especially 
with our children, as long as we can, seeing that they 
would be given over to Satan as his prize. 

Saturday, 15. This week the brethren harvested our corn. 

Sunday, 16. Br. Edwards preached. The weather be 
ing rainy, there were no further services. 

Tuesday, 18. Michael went to mill with wheat. The 
brethren were very busy harvesting their corn. 

Wednesday, 19. Again many strangers came here, 
which has not happened for some time. 

Saturday, 22. The chief men from the Monsey town 
came here, and went down to the lake to McKee, who is 
now there, since the States have occupied Detroit, to ask 
for his advice and help, for the Chippewas wish to have 
them away from here, and are always telling them it is not 
their land, they should go to their own land. Just so they 
did with us when we lived on Huron River, but this they 
cannot now do with us, for we do not live on their land. 



i. e., as distinguished from a mission station. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 461 

Br. Sensemann came back from Detroit, where, among 
other things, he spoke with Gen. Wayne, who invited him 
to dinner, and, besides other matters, inquired about our 
mission and its progess, and he had a very friendly conver 
sation with him. When Gen. Wayne marched in with his 
troops, the English commandant went away with the gar 
rison by water, and, when Wayne got to the city, the En 
glish commandant discharged his cannon from the ship, 
and was saluted in return, in like manner, from guns 
great and small, whereupon the new owners moved in, 
with music, undisturbed. In the settlement the inhabit 
ants wanted to choose Br. Sensemann to the Assembly, 
but he declined. 

Sunday, 23. Br. Sensemann preached, and Zeisberger 
held the congregation meeting. Michael preached in the 
settlement, where he took occasion to speak directly and 
plainly to his hearers, from his heart, whereby he was 
right well. 

Monday, 24. Br. Edwards held early service from the 
text : Obey them that have the rule over you. Some 
Frenchmen went through here by water, who looked at 
our meeting-house and had it shown them. We began to 
get in our turnips. 

Wednesday, 26. The surveyor came and stayed over 
night, on his way up the river to survey land. He knew 
about Bethlehem and the places round about it. 

Saturday, 29. The brethren were busy the whole week 
harvesting their corn. Our dear heavenly Father has 
again blessed us by giving us a good harvest. In the 
summer the storm had prostrated the corn completely, and 
it looked as if it would yield little, but, contrary to our ex 
pectation, that which was down turned out as well as that 
which stood, and became perfectly ripe. The squirrels 
also have not done so much damage here as in the settle 
ment, where they have laid waste whole fields. 

Sunday, 30. Michael preached, and David held the con 
gregation meeting, both treating of the Apostle Paul, who 
could know nothing higher or greater than the cross of 
Christ. 



462 

Monday, 31. Br. Sensemann went down to the settle 
ment, whence, 

Tuesday, Nov. 1, he came back. The brethren brought 
in our corn yesterday and to-day. It was already very 
cold. The early service treated of communion with the 
church above. 

Thursday, 3. An express from Niagara went through 
to Detroit, bringing news that an attack upon Canada was 
expected from the French, who were in the St. Lawrence 
River, with seven or nine ships, and had captured New 
foundland. 

Sunday, 6. Zeisberger preached about the communion 
with God we have through Christ, God having given us his 
dearly beloved Son, who gained us every good. Sensemann 
conducted the communion quarter-hour, and then we had 
to speak with the assistants, to whom we gave work to do. 

Monday, 7. Edwards held early service. Sensemann 
went to the mill. We sent a couple of the assistants to 
Chippewas, who were in camp on our plantation, to ad 
monish them not to have a dance here. This they prom 
ised, and they soon wished to go away. A canoe over 
turned, laden with corn, but as it was bound with cord it 
swam on the water, when they put it right again, and 
nothing was lost. 

Wednesday, 9. Many Chippewas came and encamped 
for several days on the shore. 

Thursday, 10. Sensemann came from the settlement 
and brought news that Parke had died in New York, who 
used to trade with our Indians, and that in Canada there 
was excitement among the French, so that they had to be 
put down by force of arms, that Quebec was blockaded by 
the French, and no ships could go out or in. 

Friday, 11 . Both yesterday and to-day there was speaking 
with reference to the Lord s supper. At the early service, 
which Sensemann held, an Indian from the Mousey town, 
totally blind, was present. We observe that usually during 
communion week unpleasantness and discord arise among 
the brethren, to keep them from the communion. Satan 
envies them this and will keep them from it, aud therefore 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 463 

we have to be watchful for this, that he attain not his end, 
for if they stay away they are thereby not only made no 
better, but things are much worse with them. 

Saturday, 12. Zeisberger, who held early service, gave 
notice of to-morrow, Nov. 13th, and invited those who 
had gone astray to turn again to their Shepherd to seek 
grace and forgiveness from him. The communicants en 
joyed the Lord s supper. Mr. Askin s clerk came here 
from Detroit with goods for our Indians, and went back 
again the next day. 

Sunday, 13. At morning prayer Br. Zeisberger begged 
for the presence and recognition of our High Priest and 
Elder of his churches, to let his friendly face shine over 
us, and to acknowledge us as his people and property, to 
forgive and bless us. This he graciously heard, giving us 
to feel in our hearts the assurance and experience thereof, 
and he filled the hearts of the church with comfort, joy, 
and thankfulness, so that we did him homage anew, and 
considered ourselves most happy and blessed to be under 
his rule. Br. Sensemann then preached, treating of the 
same matter, and in the service for the baptized the widow, 
Abigail, lately come to the church, was absolved by the 
laying on of hands, and again received, and so we ended 
this blessed day with praise and thanks. 

Wednesday, 16. Chippewas and Monseys came back 
from Detroit, where they got many gifts from the English 
agent, when a captain among them said to our Indians 
that if their teachers went there they would also get gifts 
for them as they themselves did, for McKee is reported to 
have said to them that if the ministers desired it, it would 
be so, but we did not think indeed of acting upon this, 
but we were thoughtful; 1 of this, however, they have no 
knowledge, but they wish to set our Indians against us, 
who better knew why they got no gifts. 

Friday, 18. As Br. Michael Jung was spoken to yester 
day and asked to conduct the funeral of a dead Baptist, 
he went there and preached to a goodly number of hearers. 

1 This line is in part conjectured. 



464 

Sunday, 20. Zeisberger preached about the coming of 
our Lord as Judge of the world. Br. Michael Jung 
preached in the settlement, where, at the same time he ar 
ranged about many matters with his hearers. A couple 
of white people were here over night from the new upper 
settlement, who said they had it in mind to build a church 
next year, in the hope that, now and then at least, they 
would be served by us with the preaching of the 
Gospel ; whereupon we replied that we indeed were of 
service to our neighbors here, but were not here to preach 
to whites, but to Indians, and that they were too far away 
from us. 

Tuesday, 22. The first snow fell. Hitherto we have 
had fine weather all the time. 

Thursday, 24. Snowy weather still holds, and many of 
our Indians have not yet harvested all their crops, and 
now that all is frozen fast, this cannot be done, but this 
trouble comes not to us alone, but yet much more to the 
white settlers on the river. 

Friday, 25. At a suitable time we let some of our peo 
ple know that we were not ignorant that they were the 
cause and had given occasion that our brother, Bill Henry, 1 
two years ago, was ill treated by warriors, since they 
spread among the savages false reports that he had killed 
one of their Indians in war, which we censured at the 
time, for they thought we either did not know of it or had 
forgotten it, and this caused a ferment. 

Saturday, 26. "White people were here over night, one 
a ranger, who talked much about his exploits. 

Sunday, 27. First Advent. Br. Michael preached 
about our Saviour s coming into the flesh, and Br. Zeis 
berger held the congregation meeting about the same mat 
ter, and sang it with the church in pleasing verses. The 
office of chapel-servant was given to Charles Henry and 
his wife, Anna Charity, which they humbly received, and 
which pleased the brethren, awakening praise and thanks 
that the Saviour makes use of their young people, when 

1 See before, Vol. I., p. 419, and Vol. II., p. 358. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 465 

some of the old, by their unexemplary conduct, have for 
feited their privileges. 

Tuesday, 29. The river froze above and below us, and 
we have continued cold weather. We must have the old 
and the weak provided with fire-wood by the brethren. 

Thursday, Dec. 1. French traders came, who had been 
frozen in with their boat. They hired here Indians and 
horses to carry their goods by land farther up, where they 
winter. 

Friday, 2. Esther was delivered of a son, who came 
two months too soon. He was at once in the night bap 
tized with the name, John. 

Saturday, 3. There comes much meat to town, for 
the hunters are lucky this year, shooting many deer and 
bears. 

Sunday, 4. Br. Edwards preached and Zeisberger held 
the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 5. A Chippewa chief was here with his peo 
ple over night, who said the English were uneasy about 
the French, and were therefore very kind to the Indians, 
and made them presents, as they had never done before ; 
also the Cherokees and Spaniards had war with the States, 
and here things were not quite in order. 

Tuesday, 6. In the evening service were married Chris 
tian Henry and Anna Susanna, David s daughter, both 
single. 

Wednesday, 7. The surveyor came by land, with his 
people, back from the bush, having been frozen in. 

Sunday, 11. Br. Sensemann preached and Zeisberger 
held the congregation meeting. Br. Michael Jung preached 
in the settlement, where he took measures with the peo 
ple, it being now winter time and often very hard to get 
there, to postpone the preaching, for the neighbors also, 
on account of bad weather, cannot always come together, 
but this they did not like and begged him to continue, 
wanted to buy him a horse, so that he should not have to 
go afoot, but he declined this and proposed to hire one 
30 



466 

when he had to go down, and this they approved and 
wished. 

Tuesday, 13. Boaz talked with a Chippewa, and asked 
him how it was that he had no disposition at all to receive 
God s word ; if they were hungry and wanted any thing 
they did not hesitate to ask their grandfather for food, 
guns for shooting, powder and lead, and many other 
things "beside, and if we could, we were always glad to 
help them ; they had also often deceived their grand 
father and stolen from him ; if, however, we spoke to 
them about God, who gives us not only bodily support, 
but life everlasting, and whose will it is that none should 
perish, of him they will hear nothing; indeed now they 
believed not what we told them, but they would some 
time see it and be sorry that they had not believed and 
accepted our word. The Indian replied that he would 
like to live with us and to hear us, but nothing came of 
it, for no one wished to be the first; they feared their 
chiefs, who, as we observe, are opposed, as is usual with 
the Indians. 

Wednesday, 14. The brethren contributed corn for a 
couple of old widows, Bathsheba and David s, who cannot 
help themselves in any thing, and we must now also pro 
vide clothing for them. 

Friday, 16. Deep snow fell and winter weather began. 
White people were here over night ; Mr. Shelton, who 
could write a book about his good and his bad deeds in 
this war, both among Indians and whites. 

Sunday, 18. Zeisberger preached about the joy of the 
children of God in our Lord and Saviour, of which the 
world knows nothing, for it sees and knows him not. Old 
Sophia came and complained of her unhappy condition 
for a year, being in confusion, whereby she was still self- 
righteous, not justified, nor could she be a repentant sin 
ner. Last night she was aroused by a thunder-storm and 
brought to self-knowledge, for as this is somewhat un 
usual at this time of year, it occurred to her and she 
thought : " Perhaps the Saviour is coming. How will it 
look with me? I do not stand well with him ; I am lost." 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 467 

Br. Zeisberger said to her : " Thou hast heen in the church 
many years, hast enjoyed much good, but thou lackest 
one thing, and that the chief. Thou hast not learned how 
to become a repentant sinner, but if thou hast done any 
thing wrong, thou seest not the fault in thyself, but else 
where. How then wilt thou stand with the Saviour? 
Thou hast almost daily heard that he came into the world 
to save sinners, and not the upright, for they have no need 
of it. Learn to understand that, and when thou findest 
the right way, with all thy misery and transgression, thou 
wilt be happy." She recognized this, confessed it, and 
said : " Yes, thus it is with me, but now I acknowledge 
myself guilty, and I have nothing to show except my great 
wretchedness, and I comfort myself with his grace, and 
would liked to be saved by grace." 

Monday, 19. Three merchants from the States [New 
York] came here by way of Niagara, on their way to De 
troit, who offered to buy all our corn here for cash or 
goods. An Indian woman in the upper town, who has 
often visited here, and at her request had permission to 
live here, but had been kept from it by her daughter, 
of her we heard, when she was already dead, that in 
her last illness she had begged her friends, of whom there 
were many, for eleven days, tbat they should bring her to 
us, where she would be glad to be cleansed of her sins 
with Jesus blood, in order to go from time in peace, but 
they gave no heed. To her daughter she said : "And thou 
art the cause that I now die here, for I did not like to 
leave thee." "When she had long asked in vain, she said 
they should yet do this for her and send some one down 
to us and let us know. But this was not done, either, and 
thus she died. We have many such examples with the 
Monseys, that if any one will come to us, and they learn 
it, they try by every art to keep him from it, make a 
feast and invite him thereto, to bring him to other 
thoughts, so that he shall forget, whereby they reach their 
purpose only too often. 

Tuesday, 20. The brethren got wood for us. 

Thursday, 22, and Friday, 23. There was speaking with 



468 

reference to the communion, to which the Saviour gave 
his blessing. John, horn on the 2d Inst., died. A Chip- 
pewa chief came here, expressing a wish to attend our 
Christmas services, which was allowed him, who was glad 
to see and hear, having heard something about it from his 
people. 

Saturday, 24. We had a blessed Christmas Eve, when the 
Infant Jesus, our Saviour, who became man, showed himself 
quite near to us, and let himself be felt among us, so that the 
brethren were much touched with grace and joy at his 
birth. We brought him our humble praise and thank- 
offerings with the shepherds, that he had made known to 
us the great wonder, and we adored him in the manger. 
Moreover it was a pleasure to us to have a Chippewa chief 
present with some of his people, adoring likewise the In 
fant Jesus. O, may he reveal himself to these brethren, 
still ignorant and blind, as their Redeemer and Saviour! 
At the end, after a short explanation, wax-candles were 
given to the children. Then the communicants had the 
Lord s supper, receiving his body and blood as a seal of 
his incarnation and birth so serviceable to us. Two sisters, 
Sophia and Anna Maria, who had been excluded longer 
than a year, were readmitted, after receiving absolution, 
which among the brethren awakened joy, praise, and 
thankfulness. 

Sunday, 25. Br. Edwards preached here and Michael in 
the settlement, where he had many hearers. In the after 
noon was the burial of little John, born and baptized on 
the d of the month, who died day before yesterday. 
Some brethren celebrated their day of baptism with a 
love-feast, rejoicing together and thanking the Saviour 
for their election. 

Tuesday, 27. The Indian, Metewonpi, Joseph s brother, 
a Mohican, who already since we have been here has 
wished to come to us, but had always been hindered by 
his friends, from whom at last he made himself free, came 
and again asked to live here. The assistants spoke with 
him, and received him. Joseph who lived in Bethlehem 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1796. 469 

in the brothers house [his Indian name was Snow-shoe] 
was his father. 

Thursdays, 29. Chippewas and Monseys came here. 
Among our people we observed the working of the Holy 
Ghost, since some of them had long lived in discord and 
with offense to one another, and others had gone astray 
in other ways ; some of whom began to be repentant sinners, 
and to seek the blame within themselves, at the same time 
also longing for peace and quiet in their hearts. We re 
gard the church as a hospital. They are always doing 
unrighteousness, making themselves unhappy and discon 
tented by their blindness and folly. The Saviour, on the 
other hand, out of his great mercy, always makes them 
well again, heals, comforts, and forgives them, and sets 
things aright with them. 0, what a good Saviour ! When 
his hour comes, for which we wait, in a short time he puts 
away every stain, so that we are astonished thereover and 
adore, and glorify him therefor. 

Saturday, 31. We assembled towards midnight, at the 
end of the year, and began with a love-feast. We brought 
him our filial and proper thanks for all the kindnesses 
shown us this year in body and soul, for the blessing of 
our dear Father in heaven, which he has abundantly pro 
vided for us, and whom we have felt every where in divers 
ways. We asked forgiveness of our manifold sins and 
transgressions, whereby we found still farther reason to 
praise him and glorify him for his boundless goodness, 
fidelity, and mercy ; we were richly aware of his comfort 
and grace, and ended with the blessing of the church. 

In this year baptized, 10 children, 5 boys and 5 girls. 
Admitted to the church, 1. Married, one couple. Died, 
one adult and one child. In Fairtield live 169 Indian 
souls. 



470 



CHAPTER XVII. 

1797. 
F AIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, ONTARIO. 

Sunday, Jan. 1. In the forenoon Br. Michael preached 
and Zeisberger held the service for the baptized, admon 
ishing the brethren to leave behind them all that was un- 
Jesus-like and unblessed, and to renew their wish to live for 
the Saviour ; to let abide with us this year the peace of God, 
shown to us in to-day s text, in every heart, individually, 
and as a whole. We gave ourselves anew to be altogether 
his property, and we commended ourselves to him for the 
days and hours to come, farther to bless us according to 
his great love and mercy, and to look upon us as the peo 
ple of his possession. 

Monday, 2. Chippewas and Delawares, who were here 
visiting, went home. The Monseys above us here, al 
though they have no disposition to be converted, yet can 
not keep away from us. Now and then they have to 
come to see us, and then they always hear the word of 
life, and when they are dying, something which they have 
heard among us occurs to them, and they long to come to 
us, when usually they can no longer attain thereto. 

Wednesday, 4. There was severe cold weather. We 
had to help the widows and the old to see that the brethren 
got their fire-wood, so that they might not freeze, for this 
is an especially cold winter. 

Friday, 6. The dear Lord, the heathen s Saviour, made 
a day of blessing. He showed himself gracious and 
mighty to us, and let his friendly face shine over us. Br. 
Michael conducted morning prayer, asking for us, and for 
all churches among the heathen, his near and blessed 
presence for the day. In the next service we had, after 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 471 

two years, a baptism, the first in our new chapel, where 
the Saviour blessed us in an especial way. The Mohican, 
Metewonpi, was baptized with the name, Jephtha, which 
caused a marked awakening of grace among the brethren. 
In the afternoon was a love-feast. The story of the three 
wise men was read to them. More tjian twenty brethren 
celebrated their day of baptism in the evening with a love- 
feast. Many strangers also were present at the services. 
Br. Sensemann was ill. 

Saturday, 7. Both at Christmas and to-day the ther 
mometer was at ten below zero. Every thing in the house 
froze, even near the fire. 

Sunday, 8. Br. Sensemann preached about imitation of 
Jesus, who has left us a model for every occasion as it pre 
sents itself, and Zeisberger conducted the children s hour, 
whom he reminded of the boy Jesus, and said they should 
make it their chief concern to learn obedience, as he was 
obedient even unto death upon the cross, which was their 
greatest need. 

Monday, 9. The severe cold continued, and to-day the 
mercury was at 12 below zero, lower than since we have 
been here. A ship from Niagara that was frozen in, and 
had sprung aleak, had to be unloaded on sledges. Two 
men who were coming ashore on the ice, were frost-bit 
ten before they arrived. 

Tuesday, 10. The brothers got timber in on the snow 
for Widow Amelia s house. 

Thursday, 12. At the early service Br. Zeisberger re 
minded the church, especially the brethren, if work is to 
be done in common, to stand together, and not to hold 
aloof without reason ; the young should always be fore 
most, and not let the old men work while they look on, 
still less keep away altogether. 

Friday, 13. The brethren got timber together over the 
snow for a bridge over a deep ravine and brook at the east 
end of the town, whereover it is almost impossible to get, 
especially in winter, on account of ice and the steep banks, 
where the water from severe showers, has already done 
much damage. The assistant, Samuel, went down to Lake 



472 

Erie, whence his brother had sent him word to come to 
get him and his family in the spring, who for several years 
already had heen wishing to come to us. This nation, the 
Nanticoke, has moved farther south, and has already so 
melted away that the number of families can be counted on 
the fingers of one hand, which before this war, when they 
lived on the Susquehanna, was still quite strong. 

Saturday, 14. In the forenoon died the lad, John 
Benatus, eight years, four months, and ten days old. 

Sunday, 15. Br. Sensemann preached and baptized with 
the name, Samuel, the little son of Michael and Peggy, 
born on the 8th Inst. In the afternoon Zeisberger at 
tended the funeral of little John Renatus, eight years, 
four months, and ten days old. In the autumn he fell 
from a tree and suffered from some trouble in the chest, 
which evidently hastened his death. He was a boy of 
good hope, and loved the Saviour, and liked to go to 
meeting. 

Wednesday, 18. A number of white people came here 
in sledges, on their journey to Niagara, in bad, snowy 
weather, the snow being already knee-deep, among them 
one named Allen, on his way to the States, to whom we 
gave a letter for Bethlehem. 

Friday, 20. A man came from the settlement in a 
sleigh to get Michael Jung to attend the funeral of a 
woman, who died from cancer, who made it her last re 
quest, and begged we might conduct her funeral. Where 
fore Michael, 

Saturday, 21, went thither. 

Sunday, 22. Zeisberger preached from the text : Lord, 
if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean, and Sensemann 
held the congregation meeting. An Indian, half Mohawk 
and half Mohican, came and asked for leave to live here, 
who two years ago went through here with warriors and 
attended our meetings. Br. Zeisberger talked with him, 
and learned that his parents, who died in Schohari (Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y.), had been baptized, as he was himself 
when a child, and named Moses, like his father. He said 
he was weary of moving about among the savages. Michael 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 473 

came from the settlement, where he conducted a funeral 
yesterday and had preached to-day, after which some of 
the neighbors brought a law case for Br. Michael to decide, 
but he declined, and yet urged them to bring their matters 
right among themselves, and if they could not do this, to 
take them before a justice. 

Monday, 23. The brethren got wood for us. 

Tuesday, 24. Chippewtts came here begging, for whom 
we got together some corn, namely, the brethren. 

Wednesday, 25. The Indian, Moses, who for several 
years has wandered in error, came here and asked to be 
readmitted, to be in the church, manifesting repentance 
and sorrow for having left the church, and thereby falling 
into the greatest wretchedness, so that his friends among 
the savages had driven him away. 

Friday, 27. Samuel came back from Lake Erie, where 
he had been much hindered by deep snow, for he tried to 
come home the nearest way through the bush, but had to 
turn about, the snow being above his waist, as was told 
him beforehand, that also the snow was deeper every where 
than here with us. He had to betake himself to the river 
to the ice, yet he got through, though it was a long, round 
about way. He found his brother just beginning to re 
cover from a severe illness, who in the autumn, on his way 
to us in the first place, was frozen in, with his family, and 
then became sick, and therefore he had sent word to Sam 
uel to aid him in getting here this spring. On this ac 
count Samuel made the journey, to speak with him him 
self, and to learn by word of mouth what his wishes were. 
He found him also resolved to come to the church, only he 
needs help when the lake opens. 

Sunday, 29. Edwards preached. Zeisberger held the 
communion quarter-hour, and told the brethren how God 
had blessed us in Christ, his Son, with manifold spiritual 
and heavenly goods, that he had especially blessed us in 
the enjoyment of his body arid blood in the holy sacra 
ment, that we might remain with him and not forget his 
death. The assistants had to speak with some brethren 
about disorders in the church. 



474 

Monday, 30, and Tuesday, 31. The brethren got timber 
for the bridge. 

Wednesday, Feb. 1. Rainy weather came on, and the 
snow for the most part went off. Frenchmen on business 
were here. 

Thursday, 2, and Friday, 3. There was speaking with 
reference to the Lord s supper. We found the brethren 
awaiting and longing for Jesus body and blood, which we, 

Saturday, 4, blessedly enjoyed, and at which the sick 
Mary, Adam s daughter, was a candidate, a grown girl, 
who has the consumption. 

Sunday, 5. Zeisberger read early the communion lit 
urgy. Sensemann preached about the weeds in the field, 
and Zeisberger held the congregation meeting. Michael 
Jung had preached in the settlement. 

Monday, 6. In the early service Br. Zeisberger baptized 
Beata s daughter, born yesterday, with the name, Deborah, 
and wished the parents of the child better thriving in the 
church. From Detroit the Chief Judge 1 came through 
here on his way to Niagara, staying here a couple of 
hours. 

Tuesday, 7. We ordered a Chippewa, who has been 
here for some time, and began to carry on heathenish 
things here, for which, near town, he made an enclosure, 
where he conjured spirits, to cease doing such things 
here. 

Wednesday, 8. Since now the weather was mild and 
warm, the brethren began to make preparations for sugar- 
boiling in their places, and some was made this week, and 
never since we have been here has any been made so early. 

Saturday, 11. After early service was the betrothal of 
Jephtha and Beata. 

Sunday, 12. Michael preached, and in the evening Br. 
Zeisberger married Jephtha and Beata, daughter of the 
departed Johanna. 

Tuesday, 14. Gentle-people went through here from 
Niagara for Detroit, who spoke with us. We learned that 

1 Perhaps this was Judge Osgood. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 475 

Gen. Wayne 1 had passed from time at Presque Isle. These 
had a misfortune, a. Mohawk Indian was shot. 

Wednesday, 15. Br. Sensemann went down to the set 
tlement, returning on the 17th. On Sister Susanna s 
birthday we had a pleasant love-feast at home. 

Sunday, 19. Zeisberger preached, whereupon we dis 
missed the brethren to their sugar-camp, the weather being 
fine and the trees running strong. 

Tuesday, 21. A mill-builder was here from the upper 
settlement, who told us he had discovered, at Niagara, a 
fire-spring, on the river from the rocks ; that if a pipe was 
placed there you could cook by it, though no fire was to 
be seen, except that then the flames came out of the pipe ; 
that many people flocked thither to see the wonder. 2 

Thursday, 23. After having had such fine weather that 
we could think it was spring, and after the brethren had 
already made much sugar, winter weather again came on 
and snow, the old snow having melted here with us, 
though not elsewhere. 

Friday, 24. There were many Chippewas in town and 
in the sugar-camp, for -they are always hungry, and have 
nothing to eat, except what they find in the bush, and 
only go about begging among our people, and if they can 
steal any thing they lose not the chance. 

Sunday, 26. Br. Sensemann preached the sermon at 
the entrance to passion-time, at which were present our 
nearest neighbors, men and women, and baptized into 
Jesus death the little son of John Thomas and Cathrine, 
born on the 23d, three days ago, with the name, Nathaniel. 
By a Chippewa, who came back from Philadelphia, we 

1 He was on his way from Detroit to Philadelphia, when he died on 
the lake of gout in the stomach, and was buried at Presque Isle. 
Afterwards his remains were transferred by his son to Radnor, 
Delaware Co., Pa. 

2 This burning-spring is half a mile north of Lundy s Lane, and 
within a few feet of the rapids. The water is charged with sulphur- 
reted-hydrogen gas. This is collected, as it arises, in a receptacle, and 
discharged through a tube, and can be lighted as it flows out of the 
tube. 



476 

learned that the Cherokees, Choctaws, Tuckashaws, 
Moskos, 1 of each nation ten men ; moreover, Shawanese, 
Chippewas, and others had been there, when they had 
negotiated with Congress and had been well received, and 
that there was peace with and among all nations. At the 
same time we heard, not only from him. but also from De 
troit, that England is at war with Spain, 2 and that the 
States join with the former to help her. 

Tuesday, 28. We sent away the Chippewa s wife, who 
had left her husband. 

Friday, March 3. The grown girl, Mary, died, who has 
been sick with consumption longer than a year. She was 
born Sept. 20, 1781, when the Indian church was carried 
away to Sandusky, where she was baptized Oct. 12. She was 
taken into the church Jan. 6 of last year, and was present 
as candidate at the last communion, when her end was not 
thought to be so near. Something out of the common 
course was always observed in her. She loved the Saviour, 
and the brothers, her teachers, and was not shy in their 
presence, especially since a year ago, when her sister, like 
wise a grown girl, died in peace [before her], when already 
tokens of consumption were observed in her. As long as 
she could she went constantly to the chapel and visited us. 
She was especially attached to Sister Susanna (Mrs. Zeis- 
berger), and when she became too weak to go out, she 
often sent for the Zeisbergers, who then talked with her 
and sang her verses. When she was asked whether she 
was going to die, she answered : " The sooner the better, if 
the Saviour comes soon and takes me." She said she had 
no longer pleasure in the world, nothing now opposed her 
going to the Saviour. When she had looked on at the last 
communion she came the next day and said how well it 
had been with her, but yet, she said, she would have liked 
to enjoy with us the Saviour s flesh and blood. After this 
her strength rapidly failed, so that she had to lie in bed 

1 See before, p. 128. 

2 In August a treaty of alliance was entered into between France and 
Spain, and in October following Spain declared war against England. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 477 

altogether, and to the sisters with her she spoke only of 
her departure, to whom she once said she could not (recall) 
some verses Br. Zeisberger had sung, and she was sorry for 
this, that she could not sing them when she came to the 
Saviour, and when the sisters replied that she could at 
once sing there, and sing hetter than here, she was con 
tent. Then she lay, in firm expectation of her release, 
which followed on the day mentioned, and she died 
happy, with the blessing of the church, after passing here 
below fifteen years five months and eleven days. 

Sunday, 5. Br. Edwards preached, and Br. Sensemann 
in the afternoon attended the funeral of the grown girl, 
Mary, who died day before yesterday. 

Tuesday, 7. There was a severe thunder-storm in the 
night, which lasted a long time, whereupon, 

Wednesday, 8, cold weather followed. It blew hard 
from the north-west, unroofing houses, and the brethren in 
their sugar-huts had, many of them, to flee home, for the 
wind struck down the trees, and they were in danger. 
Such a strong wind is usual every spring, and especially 
about this time. 

Friday, 10. By Mr. Abiah Parke, 1 who came overland 
from Niagara, we had the great joy of receiving a packet 
of letters from Bethlehem, together with much news from 
there by word of mouth, by which we were quite re 
freshed. All the Indians were glad to see him again, as 
if a brother from Bethlehem were come, for they saw how 
honorably and uprightly he dealt with them. 

Sunday, 12. Zeisberger preached and Sensemann held 
the communion quarter-hour. We had pleasure in read 
ing the Bethlehem Diary. The assistants spoke with a 
couple [Israel s] whom we received on probation, which 
was yet a great comfort to them, for twice already they 
had been refused, but they again persisted and gave us no 
peace. 

Thursday, 16. The Zeisbergers spoke with the breth- 

1 This is probably the Parke so often mentioned already, and whose 
death was reported. 



478 ZEISBERGER s DIARY. 



ren with reference to the communion, and to our joy found 
them in a blessed condition, in intercourse with the Sa 
viour. The river broke up from the thaw and rain, and 
rose very high. 

Friday, 17. On account of the high water many pine- 
timber saw-blocks came down the river, many of which 
our Indians secured. 

Saturday, 18. We had the holy communion, with the 
blessed nearness and recognition of our Lord. Rafts were 
here. 

Sunday, 19. Zeisberger read the liturgy, Sensemann 
preached, and Edwards held the congregation meeting. 
Michael preached in the settlement and baptized a child. 

Wednesday, 22. To-day and through the whole week 
the brethren have been in the sugar-huts very busy, for the 
weather has been fine and spring-like, and much sugar 
has been made. 

Sunday, 26. Michael preached, whereupon, in view of 
yesterday, the 25th (Annunciation), when the brethren 
were not at home, Br. Zeisberger held a service, having 
read to them the story, reminding the brethren that God 
from eternity, the Maker of all things and Lord of lords, 
had put on our poor flesh and blood, had redeemed us 
through the sacrifice of himself, and reconciled us (with 
God), for we should all have been lost had he not had 
compassion upon us ; for this we gave him thanks and 
honor. 

Wednesday, 29. White people, who were going up the 
river in a boat, hired a couple of Indians here to help 
them on. Here Sister Sensemann was taken suddenly 
very ill, becoming very dizzy, but after she was bled she 
became somewhat better. 

Friday, 31. After the high river had fallen, the snow 
having melted, hard rains came on, and it rose again. 

Sunday, April 2. Br. Edwards preached, and in the 
afternoon we read the church litany with the baptized and 
admitted brethren, whereby a blessed feeling of grace pre 
vailed, and many tears were shed. Afterwards the assist 
ants had to hold an investigation about an ox, belonging 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 479 

to Adam, which had eaten itself dead with corn, but they 
believed it had been killed. 

Monday, 3. Sugar-making being now ended, the In 
dians began to be busy in the fields, getting them ready 
for planting. Many sowed summer wheat, others made 
canoes. 

Wednesday, 5. Chippewas who have been encamped on 
the outskirts of the town, and commonly are a long time 
in camp there, do little good, for there are always young 
people who get into trouble with them, and they kill our 
cattle too. 

Friday, 7. Mr. Parke arrived to arrange matters with 
some of our people, his debtors. 

Sunday, 9. Br. Sensemann preached, thereupon Zeis- 
berger read the litany and held the service for the com 
munion brethren, telling them how the services would be 
held during the week. 

Tuesday, 11. Yesterday and to-day there was speaking 
with the brethren, who were rejoicing beforehand, and 
hoping in these days an especial blessing from the Saviour. 
We, the communicants, had on Wednesday, the 12th, the 
washing of feet in his near presence, and, 

Thursday, 13, the holy communion, after first the 
wonderful history of our Saviour s anguish of soul and 
sufferings on the Mount of Olives, and of his being taken 
captive, had been read with intermingled choral songs for 
the whole church, and listened to with eager and melted 
hearts. Two sisters, who had been a long time excluded, 
were again partakers. 

Friday, 14. The history of the martyrdom of our Lord 
was read in four parts through the day, and listened to 
with the greatest attention, no one omitting a service, and 
it could be seen that the Holy Ghost did not neglect to 
make clear to our hearts the sufferings and passion of 
Jesus, and we fed upon his woes and wounds, all of which 
he endured for us. At Jesus death we read a liturgy 
upon our knees, and at the opening of his side we sang, 
Lamb of God, thy precious blood, Healing wounds and 



480 

bitter death, of the blessed feeling then prevailing, the 
tears upon the cheeks of the brethren, bore witness. 

Saturday, 15. We kept the Quiet Sabbath, and in the 
afternoon we had a love-feast, singing and considering the 
body of Jesus in the grave, who hallowed also our place of 
rest, so that now we can rest in peace. During these days 
many rafts of pine-lumber went by, which came down from 
far above, from the Pinery. 

Sunday, 16. We read the Easter litany early, partly in 
the chapel, and then we went to the grave-yard, and 
asked for everlasting communion with the two children 
and one grown girl who have gone from us since last 
Easter, in the church which is near him. After listening 
to the story of the resurrection, Br. Edwards preached, 
and in the afternoon service Br. Zeisberger baptized, into 
Jesus death, with the name, Gabriel, a little boy, born 
day before yesterday. Ten brethren, among them Bill 
Henry, celebrated their day of baptism with a love-feast. 

Monday, 17. By Mr. Askin s clerk we received, to our no 
common joy, a letter from Br. Ettwein, dated in New York, 
April 27th of last year, and now we received it with the 
greater thankfulness from having given it up for lost. By 
this we heard a somewhat more exact but affecting ac 
count of the distress and danger which had overtaken the 
brethren in iTeuwied, 1 with whom we had heartfelt sym 
pathy. 

[Thus far sent to Bethlehem.] 

Wednesday, 19. Mr. Askin s clerk, who was here sev 
eral days, took in corn, which he received in trade from 
our Indians. Our daily services we put off till evening, 
beginning to-day, and there was a number of whites pres 
ent, who were here over night. Samuel went to the 
Watch Tower to get his brother. 

Friday, 21. Many of our Indians went down to Askin s 
transport with corn, and some to Detroit, but this we like 
not, on account of drinking, for they seldom escape it, but 
we could not help ourselves. 

I 0n the Rhine, when bombarded by the French, in 1795. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 481 

Saturday, 22. The t traders, Askin s clerk and Parke, 
went away, and there was stillness in town. 

Sunday, 23. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel about 
Thomas, especially about the words : Blessed are they that 
have not seen and yet have believed, and showed what 
faith in the Saviour can do, whom indeed we see not, but 
with whom we have blessed days and hours of intercourse. 

Monday, 24. On Edwards birthday we had a pleasant 
love-feast. 

Tuesday, 25. Anna Helen came back from the Monsey 
town, who, under the 12th of last month, was mentioned 
as a repentant sinner, who got her cattle and things. Her 
uncle took away from her most of her property when she 
came here, saying to her : u Now thy teachers are thy god 
and thy .father." During his life he would be no Gen- 
dowa. 1 

Thursday, 27. White people were here, two families of 
whom are settling above our line. Henrietta bore a 
daughter. 

Friday 28. Instead of the evening service we made a 
beginning of the holidays by singing a liturgy, and began 
with the song : Christ, my Redeemer, Lord and God. 

Saturday, 29. Br. Sensemann went to the settlement to 
a sick man who had sent for him. As the fish are now 
coming up the river in schools, the children and those 
older were busy catching a great quantity, so that through 
the week the whole town eat nothing but fish. 

Sunday, 30. In the sermon, which Br. Sensemann 
preached about the good Shepherd, he baptized, with the 
name, Sarah, the little daughter of Nicodernus and Hen 
rietta, born on the 27th. Michael preached in the settle 
ment, and baptized a child. 

Monday, May 1. We and the brethren began work on 
the plantations, to get them ready. 

Wednesday, 3. Rafts came down. We bought some 
pine boards. 



under July 4, 1790, Vol. II, p. 113. 
31 



482 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Friday, 5. Samuel came back frpm the mouth of De 
troit ^River, whom his brother again deceived, for he made 
a journey to him in the winter, and arranged with him to 
bring him away in the spring, and now when Samuel got 
there, he was not ready, for he had to get from the Miami 
and bury the bones of some who were dead, according to 
the custom of the ^sTanticokes. Meanwhile he wanted to 
give Samuel some of his things as a token that he would 
yet come after the feast for the dead was over, but he 
would not take them, having no faith in him. At the 
same time our people came back from Detroit, many 
of whom had been drunk and had sinned, most of all 
Jephtha, who was lately baptized, which was a real heart s 
woe to us. In the evening twenty-four canoes with 
Chippewas came down stream. They encamped here, and 
begged for food and tobacco, which we gave them, and a 
couple of chapel-servants collected corn from house to 
house. 

From McKee, to whom Sensemann wrote, Samuel 
brought some clothing for our old, helpless Indians, with 
his promise to do more in the autumn, for at present he 
was short of goods. In the evening we sang : One view, 
Lord Jesus, of thy passion Will make the fainting spirit 
glad. 

Sunday, 7. Michael preached, Zeisberger read the 
church litany, and Sensemann held the congregation 
meeting. 

Monday, 8. White traders came here, who bought corn 
and sugar. Edwards held the evening service. 

Tuesday, 9. We sent Jephtha to get his wife, who on 
account of false reports had gone away. Thus one deceit 
ful piece after another is played. 

Thursday, 11. All were busy in the fields. Severe frosts 
at night have thus far continued, but now there is pleas 
ant, springlike weather, therefore we have put" off plant 
ing till now. 

Saturday, 13. The brethren planted our fields. White 
people from the States went through, bound for Ni 
agara. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 483 

Simday, 14. Sensemann preached. In the afternoon 
Zeisberger read the church litany and held the congrega 
tion meeting. 

Monday, 15. The brethren were busy planting. Nich 
olas and Joachim, who in the autumn went to Pettquot- 
ting hunting, and of whom since we had learned nothing 
of them we heard a rumor that they had perished. 
They were then to be gone only four weeks, and we were 
therefore anxious about them. 

Tuesday, 16. Sensemann went down to the mill. 
White people went by here, and some came here. Hardly 
a day passes that some or more do not come here. 

Friday, 19. Br. Sensemann, who came from the settle 
ment, had there baptized several children. In the even 
ing we sang: Behold the Saviour of mankind Nailed to 
the shameful tree. 

Sunday, 21. - Zeisberger preached from the Gospel : 
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will 
give it you. Strangers, white men, were present. Then 
he held a communion service. Jephtha, who had gone 
for his wife, came back without her, neither meeting her 
nor being able to hear any thing of her. We heard that 
new rumors of war are abroad. Spanish Indians have 
already come as far as the Miami, and have murdered 
several, both Indians and whites, and thus make every 
thing insecure. Sensemann held the congregation meet 
ing. He baptized to-day a child of white parents, who 
brought it here. 

Tuesday, 23. In the evening Br. Edwards discoursed 
from the text about the happiness of being in God s 
church, where our Saviour, the good Shepherd of his 
sheep, whom he knows and who follow him, daily feeds 
them on his wounds. 

Thursday, 25. Ascension Day of our dear Lord, we 
brought to our High Priest, who for us ascended into 
heaven, and now sits at the right hand of God and 
makes intercession for us, adoration, honor, arid thanks, 
kneeling, and asked for ourselves his unseen but percepti 
ble nearness and his walking among us. 



484 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Saturday, 27. After we had spoken with the brethren, 
when indeed we could rejoice over most of them, but yet 
found reason to be sad about some, the communicants en 
joyed Jesus body and blood in the holy sacrament, from 
which none stayed away, and one sister, Jacobina, was re 
admitted. 

Sunday, 28. Zeisberger read the liturgy, just as yes 
terday he conducted the communion, and Br. Sensemann 
preached. In the afternoon the former held the chil 
dren s hour, with whom he sang at the end the song : Thou, 
gracious Saviour, for my good Wast pleased a child 
to be. Edwards held the congregation meeting, and 
Michael had preached in the settlement. 

Monday, 29. Inasmuch as the frosts lasted so long this 
year, and the corn which was already planted rotting in 
the ground, did not come up, all had to be planted over 
again, for it is an extraordinarily late spring. 

Wednesday, 31. Mr. Parke came here on business with 
our Indians, and also other whites, who got seed-corn 
here, whom we helped with all sorts of things. 

Friday, June 2. In a common council much was said 
about order in the church, and the brethren were admon 
ished to hold to this. 

Sunday, 4. Br. Sensemann preached about the work 
ings of the Holy Spirit in bringing men to their Saviour 
and Redeemer and making them partakers of his mer 
its. Afterwards, in the service for the baptized, which 
Zeisberger held, we brought to God, the Holy Spirit, our 
Guide and Comforter, honor, adoration, and thanks upon 
our knees for his faithful pains in leading us to our Sa 
viour, who for us gave himself up to death, and by his 
dear blood has won for us eternal life and salvation ; who 
has held us in communion with him, and always directs 
us to our crucified Redeemer. We begged absolution and 
communion with him, and vowed to him new fidelity and 
obedience, having first sung the song of praise to the Holy 
Ghost. 

Tuesday, 6. By way of Pittsburg we had letters from 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 485 

Bethlehem and Litiz, to our no common joy, which J. H. 1 
and those "brothers had brought with them, who had come 
to survey the land for the mission on the Muskiugum, 
from which we saw that they would be glad to have one 
of us with them, but this could not be in our circumstances, 
and also from the shortness of the time. 

Thursday, 8. With Indians who are going to Detroit, 
Br. Sensemann went on business. 

Friday, 9. We sang : Behold the Saviour of mankind. 

Sunday, 11. Br. Edwards preached and Zeisberger read 
the litany and held the congregation meeting. Michael 
had preached in the settlement. 

Tuesday, 13. At the evening service one thing and 
another were mentioned, for instance, about making fences, 
etc. 

Wednesday, 14. Mr. Parke came here and some Indians, 
back from Detroit. 

Thursday, 15. The trouble begins again which we are al 
ways having with the white people, that if they lose cattle, 
or these are killed OF torn to pieces by wolves, they always 
accuse our Indians of it. We heard to-day that the peo 
ple in the lower township unite and wish to hand in a peti 
tion about this, though they know well enough, and it is 
as plain as day, that they themselves kill, steal, and slaugh 
ter the cattle of one another, and that sometimes the Chip- 
pewas do it, and this is then put to the account of our In 
dians. If they could drive us away from here, so as to 
take possession of our land, they would do so gladly. Are 
our Indians the only ones here ? Are there not others ? 
Why then do they not concern themselves about others ? 
Must they then blame only the innocent? There is also 
trouble when we dwell among the savages. We have had 
sufficient experience of both, but this last is easier to be 
borne than the false accusation of so-called Christians. 
In the world ye shall have tribulation. 

111 In the year 1797 Mr. H[eckewelder] travelled in company with 
William Henry, Esq., and others from Bethlehem to Gnadenhiitten, 
on the Muskingum, for the purpose of surveying some land." Life of 
Heckewelder, p. 140. 



486 

Friday, 16. There was so strong a wind from the 
north-west, with thunder, lightning, and rain, that few 
houses remained uninjured, and in the fields also much 
damage was done, and great devastation caused. We had 
no services. 

Saturday, 17. Br. Sensemann came hack from Detroit, 
who brought us a packet of the news of the U. A. C., to 
gether with the Scripture- verses for this year from Br. 
"Wollin, 1 sent to us, which Mr. Askin had received open, 
and would therefore send it by no man until some of us 
went thither, and he could deliver it to us in person. Br. 
Sensemann knew nothing about the storm until he was 
within three miles of here, and found the road blocked 
with trees, so that he could hardly get through on foot, 
and this as far as our town. 

Sunday, 18. Br. Sensemann preached. David read the 
litany and held the congregation meeting. A Quaker 
came to see us and the Indians during worship, who was 
from the States, and he was much pleased. 

Monday, 19. We all had work in the fields in clearing 
up what the storm had scattered about, which had carried 
a good piece through the air trees, fences, and roofs, some 
rare instances of which could be seen. The matter of 
greatest anxiety with all is that we see no prospect of hav 
ing corn this year, but this we leave to our dear heavenly 
Father and to his care. 

Tuesday, 20, and Wednesday, 21. The brothers went 
out hunting to get meat to use while hoeing our corn, but 
they got only one deer. 

Thursday, 22. They hoed our fields in common. Hungry 
Chippewas were here, whom we fed. 

Friday, 23. In the evening service we sang : head so 
full of bruises, So full of pain and scorn, for the first time 
in Indian. 

Saturday, 24. In the evening service, which Br. Sense 
mann held, he gave both parents and children instruction 
and admonition, telling the children to what they are 



1 Agent of the church in London. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 487 

called, to grow and thrive in the church for the honor of 
the Saviour; to the parents, how to bring up their children 
for him, which would sometime be required of them. 

Sunday, 25. Zeisberger preached here, and Michael in 
the settlement. Edwards held the congregation meeting. 

Tuesday, 27. Early in the morning died Jacobina, 
Simon s wife, Luke s daughter, who had been sick with 
consumption longer than a year. Her remains were, 

Wednesday, 28, buried. She was baptized on the Mus- 
kiugum, Feb. 4, 76, then a grown girl, and came to the 
enjoyment of the holy communion March 11, 1786. As to 
what can be said of her walk at this time, we had indeed 
always hoped to have more satisfaction in her than in any 
of her brothers and sisters, for her sister, Pauline, who was 
half-eaten by the wolf, had yet the good fortune, in the year 
90, in March, in Pettquotting, to go from time in peace. 
Two of her brothers wander about in the wilderness, and 
the one who is still in the church is good for nothing, be 
ing but a rotten log. Trouble also remained not away 
from her when she came to years, and though she had no 
thought for the world, nor pleasure in it, yet she wasted 
her time and that of others in the church, and suffered 
herself to be blinded by Satan. In the year 86 she mar 
ried a savage, came with him to the church, and for a time 
it was well with her. In her youth she was a quiet child, 
but when she came to years she changed all that with 
wicked haste, for then she began every manner of mischief 
among the sisters, and caused discontent. Hereby she al 
ways intended to be in the right, thinking the others 
wrong; she sought to find the blame with others ; she for 
got herself. She lost the enjoyment of the communion, 
yes, it went so far that it could be thought that through 
vexation and contempt she got the consumption, for she 
was always of strong constitution, and by her strength could 
endure any thing, and this disease has been seen in her up 
wards of a year. At last she had to take to her bed, arid 
could no longer do any thing. Under these circumstances 
she once was visited by Sister Zeisberger, who conversed 
with her and exhorted her to give up all her opposition to 



488 

certain sisters, to turn to the Saviour as a repentant sin 
ner, surrendering all to him, to seek rest for her heart, and 
peace with God for her soul, for she knew not how long 
she would yet be here below. She came then of her own 
accord, and talked with us about her heart, and showed 
that she would be glad to be rid of all which had hitherto 
made her discontented and unhappy, acknowledged her 
guilt, and longed for a heart reconciled with God. Now 
she forgot others, seeking and finding the fault within 
herself. At the communion, on the 27th of last month, 
after receiving absolution, she was again a partaker 
thereof with the church, when indeed it was not thought 
that this would be the last. Since then she has been 
lively and cheerful, but always showed how gladly she 
would go the Saviour. She conversed upon her sick-bed, 
for soon afterward she neared the end, a couple of days 
with the Saviour. For example : "Dear Saviour, so much 
time have I wasted that I had a hard, unhappy life. I 
have been afraid of thee, and could not pray to thee. 
I got out of the way of my teachers. I was afraid of them, 
and could not visit them and talk with them from my 
heart. Yet why was I so ? Thou w^ilt know it, show it 
me, for I cannot understand it, but thou knowest it better." 
"When now she had so talked with the Saviour, it came 
upon her like a flood, and she began to talk about her life 
since her baptism, speaking straight out all her deeds 
without concealment, but hereby she often repeated : 
" Dear Saviour, thou knowest all, but forgive me, for thou 
hast poured out thy blood for all my sins." She asked 
forgiveness from the sisters who visited her and watched 
with her. She asked her husband to pardon all her of 
fences, saying to him : " I have often treated thee not as I 
should have done. Forgive me, and bear it not against 
me." Both he and the sisters assured her that they had 
gladly from their hearts forgiven her, and begged her not 
to tire herself by much speaking, but to rest. However, 
she did not suffer herself to be disturbed till she was done, 
whereupon she lay still, lost her power of speech, but was 
yet conscious, though she could no longer talk, and when 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 489 

verses were sung to her, she very well showed that she 
understood. Thus she remained till the day mentioned, 
when she died in peace, with the blessing of the church. 

Wednesday, 28. Br. Sensemann mowed his meadow. 

Thursday, 29. Two whites were present at the evening 
service, which Br. Edwards held. 

Friday, 30. In the evening hour we sang : One view, 
Lord Jesus, of thy passion. 

Saturday, July 1. The Sensemanns got in their hay. 
In the evening and night a hard rain. 

Sunday, 2. Michael preached from the Gospel about 
the lost sheep. Zeisberger held the communion service, 
notice of which he gave for Saturday. From the settle 
ment came a number of men and women, with a child to 
be baptized, which Br. Sensemann baptized. 

Monday, 3. David s meadow was mown. 

Tuesday, 4. Anna Helen came, bringing her " bason," 
a fetish of Guinea negroes, which her mother, now dead, 
had bought for her at a high price, and about which she 
could not be at rest, and the Indians know not what to do 
to be rid of it, for they are fearful of some harm if they 
destroy it. Br. Zeisberger threw it into the fire before her 
eyes, telling her it was nothing but the delusion and de 
ceit of Satan; to keep such a thing might do her harm, 
but no good, for in the church she could not thrive 
with it. 

Wednesday, 5. The Zeisbergers got in their hay. 

Friday, 7. Both yesterday and to-day there was speak 
ing to the brethren with reference to the communion. 
White people came through with cattle from the States, 
from Wajomik (Wyoming, Pa.) We sent away Salome 
and Beata, who were here with Chippewas. 

Saturday, 3. We had the holy communion, whereby 
our dear Lord graciously made himself known to us, 
and blessed us in the happy enjoyment of his body and 
blood. 

Sunday, 9. Zeisberger read the liturgy. Sensemann 
preached. A white man was present, with whom Samuel 



490 

went to the Monsey town. Zeisberger held the congrega 
tion meeting. 

Monday, 10. The brethren hilled our corn. The as 
sistants spoke with Zacchaeus and his wife, Susanna, who 
lived in discord, and wished to separate, but they accom 
plished nothing with them, for the first said he was not 
going to be lost for an Indian s sake. This sort of thing 
often happens with Indians, so that at times patience will 
fail us to listen. 

Wednesday, 12. Mr. Parke arrived, who hired some 
of our Indians to build a house for him on his lot. 

Friday, 1.4. Some new houses were blocked out here 
this week. 

Sunday, 16. Zeisberger preached, and discoursed earn 
estly and plainly against disorderly conduct and scandal 
in the church, and admonished the brethren who intended 
to be honorable and upright with the Saviour to set 
themselves against these with earnestness, so that head 
might be made against evil in the church. He then read 
the litany, and Br. Sensemann held the congregation 
meeting. 

Wednesday, 19. By occasion of the text : Ye are the 
light of the world, Br. Zeisberger discoursed earnestly 
against bad conduct; that in place of this the brethren 
should be a light and example to others ; otherwise they 
gave themselves vexation and scandal, and to the Saviour 
were weakness and dishonor. 

Friday, 21. In the evening we sang : O world ! behold 
upon the tree Thy life is hanging now for thee. 

Sunday, 23. Sensemann preached. Zeisberger read the 
litany. Michael preached in the settlement, and brought 
a letter from Br. Meder from Philadelphia to Br. Sense 
mann. 

Tuesday, 25. The brethren set to work at the bridge 
at the east end of the town, where the water during se 
vere rains has already torn away much of the steep bank. 
In this Br. Sensemann directed them, but he had, 

Friday, 28, the ill-luck, by a misstep, to fall from the 
bridge, so that for a time he lay senseless, but soon came 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 491 

to himself and could walk home, when he was let blood. 
His chest, however, which was most affected, was inwardly 
hurt, and he suffered great pain. In the evening service 
we sang: One view, Lord Jesus, of thy passion. 

Sunday, 30. A couple of our nearest neighbors were 
present at the sermon, preached by Br. Edwards, about 
the bread of life, which is the Saviour himself, who came 
down from heaven into the world, giving the world life 
eternal. Br. Zeisberger conducted the children s hour, 
admonishing them not to forget nor to cease praising the 
Lord, singing to him in their homes songs of praise and 
thanksgiving for his great love, which he shows us by 
having become man and being born a child, for us and for 
all the world, and he has brought about our everlasting 
redemption. Anna Maria, John Henry s wife, was deliv 
ered of a daughter. 

Tuesday, Aug. 1. The brothers finished the bridge, a 
needful and useful piece of work, of which, also, the in 
habitants of the land will have the use, for the road to 
Niagara goes through here. Four years ago, the Governor 
and his suite, on account of ice in the winter, got over 
with much trouble. At the evening service Br. Zeisberger 
baptized, with the name, Anna Rosina, John Henry s little 
daughter, born day before yesterday. 

Friday, 4. Many strange Indians were here on their 
way down to the settlement, being out of food. Some of 
them attended our meetings. We heard that Brant s 
scheme against the Delawares is hot yet put aside, and 
that he is always plotting with the Chippewas about this. 
It is thought there will yet result a war among the Indians 
themselves. The Chippewas have war with the north 
western Indians. They brought into Mackinaw a hundred 
prisoners, a part of whom they sold to the whites, and 
eighty scalps. This is a nation with which they have 
waged war for many years. 

Sunday, 6. Zeisberger preached and held the com 
munion quarter-hour, Sensemann, the congregation meet 
ing again for the first time, since he is so far recovered. 



492 

Michael had preached in the settlement, and baptized a 
child. 

Monday, 7. Some of our people went to Detroit with 
corn. 

Thursday, 10. Early before day, died the child 
Cornelius, fourteen months old, who was buried the next 
day. In his sickness he often pointed and extended his 
hands towards heaven, and with his fingers showed on his 
hands the marks of the nails on the Saviour s hands. 

Saturday, 12. Br. Sensemann baptized, with the name 
Tobea, Anna Justina s sick child, two years, five months 
old. The mother is Anna Maria s daughter. 

Sunday 13. Br. Sensemaim preached. Somewhat was 
told the brethren about the beginning of the present 
church of the brothers, 1 how through the blessed enjoy 
ment of Jesus body and blood in the holy communion, it 
had been baptized to a body and spirit, and the*love of 
God had been poured upon them by the Holy Ghost ; that 
since that time the blessing had not remained with the 
church alone, but had spread over Christian and heathen, 
had also extended to us, so that now by grace we are called 
thereto, and we are chosen to be the people of his posses 
sion ; now the Saviour requires of us, and has given us 
this commandment to love one another, to let unity of the 
spirit and love prevail among us, which would destroy in 
the church all the wickedly planned schemes of Satan, 
and not to let any thing arise which could be injurious to 
us, yes, we would in intercourse with the Saviour, who was 
crucified for us, always meet with new blessings. We 
asked this for ourselves at the communion especially and 
gracious absolution for all our faults and shortcomings, 
whereupon he blessed us in the enjoyment of his body and 
blood in the holy communion unspeakably. 

Moreover to-day came the Indians, Nicholas, Joachim, 
and Joseph, from the territory of the States and Pittsburgh, 
where they had been absent nearly a year. 

Monday, 14. Early Br. Sensemann read the liturgy, 



See Vol. 1, p. 199. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 493 

who received a letter by the Indians mentioned, from 
Kampe, in Pittsburg, of April 3. We learned that the 
Mingoes had robbed and murdered traders from the 
States. 

Wednesday, 16. Several of our Indians went to Detroit 
with corn, where now there is much demand for it at a dol 
lar the bushel. 

Thursday, 17. At the beginning of this week we had a 
light frost, whereon followed thunder-storms and rain- 
pours. 

Sunday, 20. Edwards preached, Zeisberger read the 
litany, and Br. Sensemann held the congregation meet 
ing. The assistants were charged to speak with Nicholas 
and his wife, Martha. Michael had preached in the neigh 
borhood, and baptized a child. 

Monday, 21. Several of our brethren went with corn 
to the settlement to sell. 

Thursday, 24. On Sister Sensemann s birthday, we had 
a pleasant love-feast at home, her fifty-first, and wished 
her much blessing from the bloody fulness of Jesus. 
Chippewas who came here, attended the services. 

Sunday, 27. Michael preached, Zeisberger read the 
litkny and held the congregration meeting. Our people 
came back from Detroit. 

Tuesday, 29. With our unmarried brothers on their 
anniversary we had a home love-feast, and our hearts 
blessed them for their brotherly covenant. We wished 
them much blessing* and grace for their course through 
time. 

Thursday, 31. Mr. Parke arrived, to set his affairs 
right, and the next day went home. 

Saturday, Sept. 2. Mr. Parke drove cattle down from 
here, which he had bought. The Indians repaired the 
bridge, for the water from the heavy rain had damaged it. 

Sunday, 3. Zeisberger preached ; Edwards held the con 
gregation meeting, Michael in the settlement. Susanna 
was very ill, and Br. Sensemann not well. 

Monday, 4. Br. Sensemann baptized a couple of chil- 



494 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

dren of a family from the settlement, who passed the 
night here. 

Tuesday, 5. By way of New York and Niagara, we had 
a packet of letters and papers from Bethlehem of February 
last, to our no common joy. 

Thursday, 7. We had a blessed marriage festival, and 
though we were aroused to speak earnestly and plainly 
with the brethren, yet it was a blessing, and the Saviour 
made himself known. We showed them how it happened 
that discontent and discord arose among married people, 
namely, that they did not abide with the Saviour as the 
Vine; thence it came about that the old, heathenish, sin 
ful customs, which they had since renounced, and from 
which the Saviour had set them free, again crept in among 
them, for they then still committed the fault of seeking 
the guilt, not in themselves, but in others, having in mat 
rimony an unhallowed life. They were therefore admon 
ished to draw near the Saviour with their troubles and 
helplessness, to hold faithfully to him, to get strength and 
power from Jesus merits, and thus nothing would be im 
possible for them. At morning prayer Br. Sensemann 
asked for our dear Lord s near presence and blessing for 
the day. Zeisberger then conducted the service for the 
married, and afterwards the love-feast for all, and in the 
evening Br. Sensemann made an end with a pleasant hour 
of song. We laborers strengthened ourselves from the 
body and blood of Jesus in the holy sacrament, and bound 
us to new fidelity and faith in our catting. 

[Thus far sent to Bethlehem.] 

Sunday, 10. Br. Sensemann preached about the fore 
most and greatest commandment, for keeping which a new 
heart is required. Zeisberger read the litany and Edwards 
held the congregation meeting. We read the journal. 

Monday, 11. We had a hard, troublesome day. Strange 
Indians, who came from Detroit, got our people to drink 
ing, though we took every care to prevent it. 

Tuesday, 12. The brothers made peace between Boaz 
and his wife. The strange Indians moved off, after having 
done us harm. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 495 

Friday, 15. We got in our aftermath. In the evening 
we sang the passion-song : One view, Lord Jesus, of thy 
passion. 

Sunday, 17. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel about 
the ten lepers, saying to the brethren that it occurs among 
us only too often that people, to whom the Saviour has 
shown grace and mercy, forgiving their sins, and cleans 
ing them with his blood, become sooner or later not only 
unthankful, cold, and indifferent to the Saviour, but also 
give themselves again to be slaves of sin, slightly estimating 
the grace they have received, whereby they fall into the 
greatest wretchedness. The Saviour therefore says : He 
that abideth in me and I in him, . . . for without me 
ye can do nothing. Sensemann conducted the children s 
hour, and Michael held the congregation meeting. 

Tuesday, 19. From the Chippewas, not far from here, 
we heard that they fear the Mohawks, believing them to 
have evil intentions towards them, and they say, that they, 
the Mohawks, swarm about their town at night. 

Wednesday, 20. Parke s people came here to get corn. 
White people also from Wajomik, who went through here 
with cattle lately, passed the night here on their way back. 

Friday, 22. We sang : Christ, my Redeemer, Lord and 
God. 

Sunday, 24. Sensemann preached. Zeisberger held the 
communion service and congregation meeting. Mr. Parke 
came here, and at once set out for Albany. We sent by 
him a packet to Bethlehem. Michael preached in the set 
tlement and baptized a child. 

Wednesday, 27. A surveyor came here and stayed three 
days, when he went up the river to survey land. 

Friday, 29. In the evening service the dear angels were 
mentioned whom God sends for the service of those who 
are heirs of righteousness, wherefore we do not worship 
them indeed, but we owe thanks to the Saviour for their 
service. We sang to him, therefore, songs of praise and 
thanksgiving. 

Saturday, 30. Our dear Lord blessed us by the enjoy 
ment of his body and blood in the holy communion in the 



496 

most blessed way. Some brethren had to remain away, to 
our pain and sorrow. 

Sunday, Oct. 1. In the thanksgiving liturgy Br. Zeis- 
berger told the brethren that it was mournful and sad to 
us that in this meeting the benches upon the brothers 
side were so empty, brethren having lost the enjoyment of 
the Lord s supper, whereby commonly they became not 
better, but cold and dry in heart, and this had sad results. 
Michael preached from the Gospel about the youth in 
Nain, and Zeisberger held the congregation meeting from 
the text: The Son of man is come to seek and to save 
that which was lost. 

Tuesday, 3. Samuel and Stephen went down to Lake 
Erie to Mr. Elliot, who in the spring had promised to 
give some clothing, etc., to our old people, to get the 
same. 

Thursday, 5. The brothers went to work again upon 
the new school-house, and set the rafters to-day, and 
were very eager at it and industrious. 

Saturday, 7. From the Miami we learned through 
Abel, who came from there, where he had visited his 
friends, that the chief, Tedpachxit, 1 had the wish that the 
brothers would come to them and preach Christ s Gospel, 
which was pleasant news for us, which for a long time we 
should have been glad to hear, and we thought about soon 
sending a deputation to him. 

Sunday, 8. Sensemann preached, Zeisberger read the 
liturgy and held the congregation meeting. Miqhael 
preached in the settlement. 

Monday, 9. On Br. Sensemann s birthday we had a 
pleasant love-feast for encouragement to be faithful and 
industrious in the work of the Lord. 

Tuesday, 10. The Indian brothers worked at the 
school-house and got it under roof this week, for which 
they had to make lathes, rafters, and clapboards. 

1 A Delaware chief. His wish was gratified in 1801, when two Mo 
ravian missionaries settled on White River, Ind. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 497 

Thursday, 12. From the Watch-Tower came Samuel 
and Stephen, bringing some goods and clothing from Col. 
McKee for our old and needy Indians, and some powder 
and lead for our hunters, which were divided among them. 

Friday, 13. We sang: One View, Lord Jesus, of thy 
passion. 

Saturday, 14. By one of our neighbors, who journeyed 
to Pittsburg, Br. Seusemanu wrote to Meder in Philadel 
phia. 

Sunday, 15. Zeisberger preached about the greatest 
commandment: Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with 
all thy heart. We read the journal of the U. A. C., and 
Michael held the congregation meeting. 

Monday, 16. Having had news from the Miami as if 
the Indians there were longing to hear the word of God, 
we sent thither Bill Henry, with a couple of young men, 
for a visit to get more exact information about this. They 
set out thither to-day by water with our blessing. 

Wednesday, 18. The Indian brothers went out for a 
couple of days hunt in common to get meat for the har 
vest, whereupon, 

Friday, 20, they began to harvest our fields, but during 
the following days were hindered by rain. Strange In 
dians from up the river came here, some of whom at 
tended the meetings. 

Sunday, 22. Sensemann preached, Zeisberger read the 
litany, and in the evening held the congregation meeting 
from the text : My Father which gave them rne is greater 
than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my 
Father s hand. Michael had preached in the settlement. 

Monday, 23. The brethren were busy harvesting their 
corn, and so kept on through the week, but much of it, 
which was planted late, has not ripened, but has been 
frost-bitten. Moreover, blackbirds were there in flocks, 
and caused much damage. 

Wednesday, 25. Our people sowed wheat, some of 
them hiring white people to plough their lands, others had 
got ploughs for themselves. 



498 

Thursday, 26. The surveyor came down from up 
stream, having laid out some townships on this river forty 
or fifty miles from here, and thus this river will be thickly 
settled. Nicodemus with his family came back from visit 
ing his friends at Grosse Isle (in Detroit River). 

Sunday, 29. Edwards preached. Zeisbergcr read the 
litany and Sensemanu held the congregation meeting. 
We read the weekly journal of the IT. A. Conf. 

Tuesday 31. Esther, Lewis wife, was delivered of a 
daughter, and, 

Wednesday, Nov. 1, Anna Susanna likewise of a 
daughter* 

Friday, 3. Anna Sophia brought a son into the world. 
A great number of the sisters went for chestnuts, and 
brought many bushels of them home. 

Saturday, 4. Sensemann went to the lower settlement 
on this river. A boy, John Adam s brother, came to Br. 
Zeisberger, and asked for the baptism of his brother s 
boy, born yesterday, the father himself not being at 
home. There was rain both yesterday and to-day and no 
meeting. 

Sunday, 5. In the sermon Br. Zeisberger baptized into 
Jesus death the three children born this week, with the 
names, Antoinette, Jean, and Gottfried. He then held the 
communion quarter-hour, recommending uprightness of 
heart. Last night died old David, the Indian, eighty-one 
years of age, right blessedly. 

Monday, 6. In the afternoon was the burial of the In 
dian, David. Forty-four years ago, March 16, 1753, he 
was baptized in Gnadenhiitten (Carbon Co., Pa.) at a synod. 
He was own brother of the departed national assistant, 
Anthony, who died in peace in Schonbrunn. In the first 
Indian war, in the autumn of 1755, when the attack on the 
Mahony was made, he left the church, but came again as 
soon as the way was open, and remained too, for his heart 
hung upon the Saviour and the church, where he happily 
passed his time until in the spring of the year 82 the mis 
sionaries were all taken away to Detroit, and the Indian 
church was dispersed, when he also was separated from 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 499 

the church, and came at last to this river with the one, 1 
who had said that if his forefathers had gone to the devil, 
he also wished to go to him. He died soon afterward, and 
David remained solitary and alone on this river until the 
Indian church came hither. At this time, four years ago, 
at his request and prayer, he was brought here, when he 
was still in condition to support himself by planting and 
by the labor of his hands, which he still did for two years 
with the help of the brethren. The last two years, how 
ever, from his age and weakness, he had to be supported 
by the church. He was thankful for all that was done 
for him, and received it with gratitude. Especially it was 
to him a matter of no common grace and mercy of the 
Saviour that he was again in the church, and he knew how 
to appreciate this. He soon again became a partaker of 
the Lord s supper, which was to him great and important 
above all else. He and old Joachim, two honorable old 
fathers, who were loved by all, often sat together and con 
versed about the salvation of their souls, about God s great 
love and mercy towards them and all mankind, and all this 
so loud, for they did not hear well, that the whole town 
could hear, and all were edified. But for two weeks he 
could no longer go out, but as long as possible he omitted 
no meeting. He complained of no sickness or pain, but 
said : " I am now old and weak." Thus he died in peace 
with the blessing of the church, full of honor, as a heart 
that abides in its first love, with the text: If a man have 
an hundred sheep and one of them be gone astray, doth he 
not leave the ninety and nine and goeth into the mountains 
and seeketh that which is gone astray ? So mayest thou 
find thyself, dear soul, and flee to the salvation of Jesus 
wounds. There are still hours of grace, and this was ful 
filled and seen in our old David. His life lasted eighty- 
one years. 

From the settlement Br. Sensemann came back. We had 
heard from a gentleman in Detroit, who had been on the 

1 See Vol. 1, p. 296. 



500 

Little Miami at the fort 1 on the Ohio that he had seen 
there a packet of letters for us, which he should have been 
glad to bring to us, which, however, they would not let him 
have, the man wishing to bring it himself. 

Thursday, 9, and Friday, 10. There was speaking with 
reference to the communion. Otherwise the brethren were 
busy getting in their corn, having been much hindered by 
snow and rain. 

Saturday, 11. At the Lord s supper Adam was again a 
partaker, after two years, to our joy and that of the church. 
Soon afterward we had the pleasure of seeing come to us 
in good health Br. Bill Henry, with his son, John, and one 
other, John Thomas, from the Miami. Of their visit they 
spoke as follows : After having been detained upon the lake 
by successive days of bad weather, they arrived there and 
went to the chief s, Tedpachxit, where they were kindly 
received. Bill Henry, who was spokesman, set forth to 
him that they were come not only to see them, but having 
somewhat to say to them. He soon made preparations, 
calling the chief men together, and when this was done, 
Bill Henry said: My dear friends, it is a pleasure after 
many years to see you once again by God s guidance. The 
reason of our leaving our home and coming to you is this. 
We heard some time ago that you would be glad to have 
God s word heard and preached among you, that there 
are many who long therefor, that there are also some of 
our own baptized brethren who are waiting for this, and 
wish they had opportunity to hear God s word, being una 
ble to come to us, from our living so far away from them. 
This is the reason we have undertaken the journey hither, 
and no other, for if we hear that any one longs for God s 
word, the word of life, to hear it, we are ready to serve 
him therein, since we like to see our fellow-men and 
tnends having a share in this good and getting salvation. 
We are therefore come to see and to learn from you how 
ye are disposed and how the matter stands, so that we may 
bring trustworthy news to them who have sent us, and as 



1 This was Ft. Washington, now Cincinnati. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 501 

soon as we have heard you, we intend to return whence we 
came. 

It happened that also the captain, Pachgantschihillas, 
was present, who has always been a great foe to the 
preaching of the Gospel among the Indians. He asked 
us who had brought us the news. He was told one of our 
people, who had come back from there some time ago. 
He replied that we should not listen to such messages, for 
if they wished to send us a message we would see some 
thing with it, namely, a belt or string, but of this message 
they knew nothing. Now the truth was, the chief, Ted- 
pachxit, had so spoken with our Abel, but he dared not 
admit it before the great captain. This fact is established 
by the following, which this very captain related to Br. 
Bill Henry, namely, that some time before he had charged 
a certain Indian, who was going to us at Fairfield, to 
speak with our Indians, and to propose to them to come 
back again over the lake ; that the Indian had come back, 
bringing answer that we had no disposition for this, being 
so well established here. He asked whether the thing was 
really so. The answer was that the same Indian had been 
with us many days, but had expressed not a word about 
this to any one, and we knew nothing about it. Thus it 
appears that the captain would be glad to have us over 
the lake again, but will have nothing to do with the 
preaching of the Gospel. If then we only have an oppor 
tunity, we shall not ask the chiefs. They must yet ac 
commodate themselves thereto. They farther said to the 
brothers that the Quakers in Philadelphia had made them 
an offer and advised them to move together, not to live so 
scattered about ; that they would send people to build 
them houses and teach them agriculture ; they would send 
mechanics to teach them their work and to make them a 
civilized folk, for which they had much money ready to 
expend. If the proposition pleased them, they should 
come to Philadelphia, namely, the Delawares ; they would 
speak with them and set the thing going. And, as it seems, 
they are not disinclined, for they said they thought of 
going thither in the spring. Thus the brethren came 



502 

back. It is to be hoped their journey was not in vain, and 
they will without doubt think about the matter. They 
have also seen and spoken to Indians, who would like to 
come to us, and an old baptized widow is now on her way 
hither to remain. But what farther is to be said of the 
Delaware nation ; it is scattered at present from Canada 
to the Mississippi, and their present chief has little weight 
and authority. 

Sunday, 12. In the liturgy was the after-communion 
with the three brothers, whereafter Br. Sensemann preached 
and Michael in the settlement. Br. Edwards held the 
congregation meeting. 

Monday, 13. After consideration of the text we brought 
to our Elder of his churches honor, adoration, and thanks 
for his blessed acknowledgment of us, poor and wretched 
creatures, under whose rule we find ourselves so happy 
and are fortunately protected. "Wo asked forgiveness of 
our faults and shortcomings, and that he would farther 
show himself to us as our good Shepherd, and we vowed 
to him fidelity and to be obedient children. He blessed 
us sensibly, graciously and kindly condescending to us, 
so that heart and eyes overflowed. 

Thursday, 16. Already for several days we have had 
steady snowy weather, which this year began very early, 
so that our Indians and the whites also in the settlement 
could not harvest all their corn by any means, and much 
that was planted late was frozen. Yet all were industri 
ously at work, though it was already very cold, and the 
drift-ice in the river ran strong. 

Sunday, 19. Michael preached from the text : Lord, to 
whom shall we go ? Thou hast the words of eternal life. 
Zeisberger read the liturgy and Sensemann held the con 
gregation meeting. 

Monday, 20. Brs. Sensemann arid Michael went to the 
settlement on business, coming home in the evening. The 
settlers are in greater trouble about harvesting their crops 
than we are in here, on account of the early winter. 

Wednesday, 22. Many Chippewas came here, bringing 
meat, bear s fat, etc., to sell. Salome, Joshua s daughter, 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 503 

who married a Chippewa, was delivered of a son, which is 
also a great reason for the confusion in the family. 

Thursday, 23. Indian brothers wished to go to mill, 
but on account of drift-ice could not get over, it being 
dangerous. 

Friday, 24. In the evening service we sang: One view, 
Lord Jesus, of thy passion Will make the fainting spirit 
glad. 

Saturday, 25. From the lower settlement on the river 
came Mr. Dolson and his two sons with goods. 

Sunday, 26. Zeisberger preached from yesterday s 
Scripture-verse, and in the evening Sensemann held the 
congregation meeting. 

Monday, 27. Mr. Dolson displayed his goods, and then 
it was like a fair, and by evening he had disposed of every 
thing he brought; yes, he could have sold as much more, 
for many who would have liked to buy clothing for the 
winter got nothing. 

Wednesday, 29. Dolson went home, having bought 
cattle, corn, etc. 

Friday, Dec. 1. Many of the Mousey Indians came 
here. A strange Indian, who came here sick, wished to 
be doctored 1 here in town, but we would not permit it, 
telling him that if he wished to be doctored he should go 
from our neighborhood, for then he could do as he pleased. 
So he gave it up. In the evening we sang : Christ, my 
Redeemer, Lord, and God. 

Saturday, 2. Francis Cornwall 2 came from the neigh 
borhood, and from the States two men by way of Long 
Point, 3 who lost their way in the bush and suffered much 
cold and hunger for several days, their provisions having 
given out. We gave them food. 

Sunday, 3. First of Advent, Br. Sensemann preached, 
Zeisberger read the litany, and Michael in the settlement. 
With all those who have ever been assistants we had an 



1 That is, in the Indian way. 

2 A settler from Connecticut. Life D. Z. , p. 644. 

3 Island off Canadian shore of Lake Erie. 



504 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

interview, and set forth to them the reason why they 
could no longer be assistants, since they had caused vex 
ation and scandal in the church ; it was therefore well and 
needful for them before all to become repentant sinners, to 
confess and lament their falling away from the Saviour, 
and to seek forgiveness from him, so that others might im 
itate them and do likewise. Most of them confessed and 
acknowledged their transgressions, many with tears, but 
others were silent. 

Tuesday, 5. Many Monsey Indians came here, of those 
who live up above us, who are always seeking to cause us 
trouble. An Indian, who came here sick several days 
ago, could go no farther, and always became weaker >he 
was doctored by them here in town at night, and witch 
craft was used over him, whereupon early the next morn 
ing they made off in all haste for fear they might be sent 
off, a token that they knew well enough they were not 
doing right. From all this, however, the Indian was not 
better, but worse, who had expressed a wish to live here 
if he got well, which may well have been said from fear 
of death, for among the Indians this is great. 

Thursday, 7. Some brethren took down cattle which 
Dolson had bought here. Cold, snow, and severe winter 
weather continue. 

Saturday, 9. Inasmuch as on the 3d of this month we 
had an interview with the assistants, who, however, are 
now discharged, since they caused vexation and scandal in 
the church, but whom we now required to make a begin 
ning among themselves of confessing and repenting their 
transgressions, and of acknowledging themselves guilty 
before the church, and of making an apology, which they 
received in good part, declaring themselves willing, where 
upon many had already waited to have an opportunity to 
do this, and we were on the alert to find them such to 
day a new trouble was added to this, which has never be 
fore happened to us, namely, that an Indian, Jonas, while 
drunk down in the settlement, had stabbed Amos with a 
knife, though not mortally. This caused us anxiety and 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 505 

sorrow, but among our people was a subject for reflection. 
Thereupon we had, 

Sunday, 10, after the sermon by Michael, the whole 
church come together, little children excepted, and now 
they were almost all at home, when Br. Zeisberger deliv 
ered to them an earnest and straightforward discourse 
with grieved heart. He laid before them their sinful life 
in the church, displeasing to the Saviour, admonished them 
to desist from their wicked ways, which they had always 
secretly followed, and not to turn back again to heathenism. 
He told them that in their baptism they had renounced 
Satan and all his works, which the Saviour had forgiven 

O 

them, cleansing them from sin by his blood and relieving 
them thereof; they should not give themselves over to be 
again the slaves of sin and to fall into everlasting damna 
tion. They should no longer say : "Our assistants do the 
same, wherefore then not we?" There were no longer 
any assistants; they were all sinners together, one like 
another, and the assistants were no longer such. He 
named to them every thing which had crept into the 
church, also that some indeed had had witchcraft used 
over them by Indian doctors, and he showed them that 
such gave themselves to the devil, body and soul ; that 
consequently the fiery pit, which burns with fire and brim 
stone, prepared for the devil and not for them, would be 
their portion ; they should turn about, again approach the 
Saviour, have repentance and sorrow, so that he would 
again be gracious to them, forgive them, and again receive 
and acknowledge them as his own ; for, if they went on 
as they had done, they would cease to be a church of the 
Saviour s. Thereto he admonished them altogether, with 
out exception. To the large boys and girls, he said they 
were there to hear what was right or wrong in the church, 
what was pleasing or displeasing to the Saviour; since 
they saw among their elders much that was bad, they 
should imitate the good and not the bad; it had indeed 
been told them to be obedient to their parents, but if they 
required evil from them they should not comply. We left 
them with the admonition that they should now hear and 



506 

encourage one another, acknowledge themselves sinners, 
and begin anew to live for the honor of the Saviour, for 
which he would give them his blessing. This, indeed, was 
done at once by some of the old with many tears. They 
wept aloud, so as to be heard in the street. But, since it 
required too long a time for each one to make his confes 
sion, and the weather was cold, they separated, and the 
following days came together in companies, when each 
one confessed his sins and showed his heart and mind, to 
live anew for the Saviour. Each one acknowledged his 
guilt, and most of them said that Br. David had not said 
too much, but only the truth. Thus, after our sorrow, the 
Saviour again sent us comfort and hope for our people, 
wherefor we thanked him from our hearts. 

Thursday, 14. The Indian brothers were done with 
speaking to the brethren, whereby much that was secret 
and hidden came to light, and for the most part among 
those who had held themselves forth as better than the 
others, of whom it would not have been suspected, so that 
each one, without exception, found cause enough to be 
come a repentant sinner, which caused a thorough work 
ing. We recognized this as a kindness and mercy, and 
thanked the Saviour for having disclosed what was hid 
den, so that it was purified by the light and evil was put 
out of the church. It went so far that one from fear 
would not betray another. 

Saturday, 16. Br. Zeisberger delivered a discourse to 
the brethren from to-day s text : Remember, therefore, 
from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first 
works, saying to them that by this the Saviour wished to 
say to them and remind them to repent of their falling 
away from him, to seek forgiveness from him, and to 
call upon him that he would send us willing hearts to re 
ceive his words, which he daily makes known to us. He 
said to them that since now all, except a few who did not 
think it possible for them to keep their promise, had taken 
anew heart and courage for the Saviour, and had declared 
that they would again begin to live for the Saviour, we 
thanked the Saviour and also the Holy Ghost, who had 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 507 

turned their hearts to him ; we would now, however, all 
call upon him in common to send us fulfilment, for we 
had no power of ourselves, to forgive us all, to bury us in 
his death, to show himself anew to us, and to bless us. 
He then fell upon his knees, the church with him, asking 
for the new aspect of his grace and for absolution, and 
this amidst the tears of the church, and this so loud and 
common that we had to pause and finally break off, and 
concluded with the blessing of the church, amidst which 
we exchanged the kiss of peace. 

Sunday, 17. Br. Sensemann preached, Br. Edwards 
held the congregation meeting, and Zeisberger held the 
communion service, recommending to the brethren open- 
heartedncss, and not to come to the enjoyment of the 
Lord s supper with hearts full of secret sin, which would 
end at last in an open outbreak of sin, so that they would 
be disclosed before the whole church, and covered with 
shame. 

Tuesday, 19. Justina, Bartholomew s wife, died, who 
has been sick for a year. She met with an accident about 
a year ago in clearing land for the plantations, whereupon 
consumption followed, and all remedies used were of no 
avail. She was baptized Jan. 6, 92, and afterwards, June 
30, 1792, married to Bartholomew, a single man, but at 
first they lived not very unitedly and peacefully together, 
causing us anxiety and care. Of this her mother-in-law, 
Theodora, was the main cause, as is usually the case 
among Indians that they do not love their daughters-in- 
law. This, changed, however, and afterwards they loved 
each other so that upon her sick-bed he tended her as he 
would a child, which we had never before seen an Indian 
husband do. But since he wished to have her well again, 
and to leave nothing untried by which he thought she 
could be cured, secretly, and against her will indeed, he 
had her doctored by a savage Indian, and witchcraft used 
for her, for which we reproved him sharply, saying that if 
she should die thus, she could not be buried in our grave 
yard. She, however, was uneasy about this, could not be 
content, and said she could not thus go from time before 



508 

she had been absolved and had assurance from the Saviour 
that he had forgiven her all. This was then done in the 
presence of several brethren, amidst a blessed feeling of 
Jesus recognition, who now richly comforted her and as 
sured her of his grace, and then she was prepared to die. 
To her husband she said : "Be not sorrowful about me. I 
am going to the Saviour, and if thou givest thyself to 
him, and standest by him, thou wilt see me again, but if 
thou continuest as hitherto, thou canst not go to him nor 
see me again." She prayed to the Saviour : " Dear Saviour, 
have mercy upon me, take me soon to thyself. I long for 
thee," until her breath was still, and she departed in peace. 
Her remains were buried on the 21st. 

Saturday, 23. We had* the holy communion, which 
Sensemann conducted, with repentant hearts. The breth 
ren generally acknowledged themselves sinners, and re 
ceived Jesus body and blood with believing hearts, and 
he blessed us exceedingly. 

Sunday, 24. Edwards preached, and two whites were 
present. Zeisberger read the litany. In the evening, at 
a love-feast, we considered and sang with joyful and thank 
ful hearts our Saviour s birth, adored the Infant in the 
manger, as God from eternity, the Almighty, who revealed 
himself to us in human form, and is our Saviour and Re 
deemer. He was friendly and gracious to us, blessing us> 
so that the brethren, old and young, were touched with 
grace. 

Monday, 25. Br. Michael preached from the text : For 
the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to 
all men, and Zeisberger held a service for the children ex 
horting them to praise and thank the Infant Jesus in his 
manger, to rejoice in his birth, that he had become our 
Saviour; they should keep in mind the little child often 
sing to him songs of praise, which then he did with them. 

Wednesday, 27. Early in the morning, died the child, 
Jenny, daughter of Christian Gottlieb and Anna Susanna, 
born two months ago, less ten days. Instead of the 
evening service, there was a common council where one 
thing and another were brought up. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1797. 509 

Thursday, 28. Many Chippewas assembled from the 
whole country roundabout for a feast and dance, a couple 
of miles from here, for which they came to beg corn, but 
since what they thus got was not enough, they bought 
much. About the Saviour, however, they would hear 
nothing. They are sunk much deeper in heathenism and 
the works of Satan than the Delawares, and it is impossi 
ble to come at them with the Gospel. 

Friday, 29, was the burial of the child that died yester 
day. 

Sunday, 31. Br. Sensemann preached, and Zcisberger 
read the litany in the afternoon. Michael preached in the 
settlement. Towards midnight we assembled for the close 
of the year, beginning with a love-feast. We brought to 
him praise, honor, glory, and adoration for all the good 
ness and the kindnesses we had enjoyed from his hand in 
body and in soul. We confessed to him also our manifold 
faults and transgressions, for during this year often we have 
not only been no honor to him, but a disgrace. We asked 
for forgiveness and comfort, for his farther recognition of 
us, and for his walk among us. We ended the year in 
the comfort of his grace with praise and thanks, and en 
tered upon the new year with the blessing of the church. 

We this year baptized one adult, and two children. 
Died, five adults and three children. At present, at the 
end of the year there are living in F airfield, 172 Indian 
souls. 



510 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

1798. 
FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, ONTARIO. 

Monday, Jan. 1. Br. Michael preached, and afterward 
Zeisberger held the service for the baptized, and reminded 
them at the name of Jesus, which he was named a week 
after his birth, that he had this name from being our Re 
deemer and Saviour, for they also were baptized in his 
name and into bis death, and were heirs of his merits; 
that their names, according to his word, were written in 
heaven in the book of life; thus should the name of Jesus 
be written in their hearts, so that they should have him 
and his death in their thoughts and before their eyes until 
they saw him (face to face). For a number of brethren, 
who celebrated their day of baptism, he conducted a love- 
feast, and exhorted them heartily to bear in mind con 
stantly the grace they had received in baptism, and not to 
let the first love leave their hearts until their blessed death, 
that they might not lose confidence in the Saviour and 
comfort in his death. 

Tuesday, 2. Late in the evening there were three shots 
in a Chippewa camp not far from here. Some of our In 
dians hurried there to see what the matter was, and heard 
that a messenger was come with the news that in the set 
tlement below three Chippewas and a white man had been 
killed, which was said to have happened yesterday, New 
Year s Day. The Chippewas were off early the next morn 
ing, and went down to find out and investigate, and wanted 
to have some of our Indians with them to interpret, as 
they said, but we would not allow this, for it is not well 
for us to be involved in this, and hereby our Indians might 
get into trouble, and even be injured. 

As the townships below us have laid out and cleared the 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1798. 511 

road as far as our township, and it is now our turn to make 
the road through our land, our Indians set to work, begin 
ning to-day below our town. They kept at it all the week 
and finished it. 

Saturday, 6. "We celebrated a blessed feast for the con 
version of the heathen (Epiphany) and our dear Lord, 
who is the heathen s Saviour also, showed himself gracious 
to us, let his near presence be strongly felt and blessed us, 
all which Br. Zeisberger asked for us at morning prayer. 
Br. Sensemann then held the festival service, and the 
former the love-feast, and concluding service with the 
blessing of the church. In all services could be seen the 
peace of God and his Spirit blessedly among us. 

Sunday, 7. Michael preached and Zeisberger conducted 
the children s hour, whom he reminded of the boy, Jesus, 
to take him for the model and guiding star throughout 
their lives. Br. Edwards held the congregation meeting. 

Tuesday, 9. The Indian brothers cleared away the trees 
from the road in our town, and now they have a better road 
than the settlers in the other townships have made. 

Thursday, 11. Several of our Indians went to the set 
tlement, whom we admonished to be on their guard against 
temptation. The Indians threshed wheat for love-feasts. 

Friday, 12. Br. Sensemann went to the lower town 
ship. Amos, who was dangerously ill and had longed for 
absolution of his sins, was absolved by Br. Zeisberger on 
his sick-bed. 

Sunday, 14. Zeisberger preached from 1st Corinthians, 
iii., 11 : For other foundation can no man lay than that is 
laid, which is Jesus Christ, and in the afternoon he read 
the litany. The weather being rainy, there were no other 
services. 

Monday, 15. Towards noon Amos died, comforted and 
believing in the merits of Jesus. His remains were buried 
on the 16th. He came to the church at Pettquotting, 1790. 
By nature he was of quiet disposition, but inclined to do 
evil, and could not resolve to give himself up to the Sa 
viour. Therefore he went away and stayed for a time, but 
returned again, and the Saviour came to his heart, so that 



512 

he found pleasure in living for him and in saying good 
night to the world. He was baptized Jan. 6, 92, at the 
Watch-Tower, went with us to Fairfield, but his heart was 
not entirely with the Saviour, nor again altogether with 
the world ; he swayed between the two. He had no 
pleasure among the savages, and he was not happy in the 
church. For a year, however, it seemed as if the Saviour 
had the advantage, for he did not wish to leave the church, 
though he was advised to go where he would be better 
pleased. Thus he remained, but he was much given to 
drink, and this brought about his death, for, while drunk, 
he was stabbed in the side, and was kept in bed four 
weeks. Both he and we thought at the outset that he 
would recover, for the wound soon healed, but an ulcer 
broke out on his breast, with bad results, and he had to 
die. In his sickness he reflected about himself since his 
baptism, and found how unfaithful he had been to the Sa 
viour, how he had grieved the brothers and given no heed 
to admonition. In his trouble and helplessness he turned 
to the Saviour and begged forgiveness. He received him 
and showed him grace. Two days before his death he was 
absolved amidst a repentant, blessed feeling of God s 
peace, whereupon he was much comforted and cheered, 
longing for release and to go to the Saviour, praying to the 
Saviour to take him soon to himself, and he died with 
faith in Jesus and in his merits. The text read: Your 
sorrow shall be turned into joy. In his funeral discourse 
the brethren were admonished to learn somewhat from 
this example, such things serving for warning and amend 
ment. A savage Indian, Ignatius brother, who came 
here, told his friends to be peacefully disposed, and not to 
requite ill with ill. Thus is the Indian church tested in 
manifold ways, and what in the end will the accuser 1 
(have) won ! 

Tuesday, 16. The surveyor, who has surveyed from 
here as far as the lake, about twelve miles, came here and 
passed the night. 

1 That is, the devil, but this sentence is in part conjectured. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1798. 513 

Wednesday, 17. Sensemann came back from the lower 
settlement, where he preached and baptized several chil 
dren. The brethren, whom we use as assistants without 
naming them such, spoke with Bill Henry and David, with 
their wives, about their married children, who were dis 
contented. We had spoken with them, and found that 
the trouble lay with the old people, as is usual among the 
Indians. They made between them peace and unity. 

Thursday, 19. We spoke with James friends, saying 
to them that he could not be in the church, and charged 
them to send him away, which they did. In the evening 
we sang a passion-song: world, behold upon the tree. 
Many came back from the settlement. Amos death and 
our admonition have had a wholesome effect upon them, 
so that now they are learning to abstain from drink. 
There had to be an example, for things had gone too far, 
and our exhortations were of no avail. 

Sunday, 21. Sensemann preached, Zeisberger read the 
litany, and Michael held the congregation meeting. James 
went away. 

Monday, 22. We spoke with Jephtha and his wife, and 
with Christian Gottlieb and his wife, bringing about con 
cord, with the help of the assistants. 

Wednesday, 24. Salome, Joshua s daughter, was ad 
vised to withdraw from the church, having already caused 
much evil, on which account Zeisberger had already had 
an earnest conversation with her mother, and had shown 
her that she had contributed much to her daughter s 
trouble, and had suffered harm in her own soul and could 
not get rest. 

Thursday, 25. A couple of our neighbors came here. 

Sunday, 28. Michael preached. Edwards held the con 
gregation meeting. Sensemann had preached in the set 
tlement at Cornwall s. 

Tuesday, 20. The surveyor, with his people, came here 

again, who, in accordance with their business, went to the 

upper settlement ; others also went through, passing the 

night here. A trader, Mackenzie, caused drunkenness, 

33 



514 . 

whom we sharply reproved. He had sold one of our In 
dians [David] rum, which he had to get from below in the 
settlement, for he dared not bring it here. The result was 
that the Indian came to town drunk, but we at once 
spilled the rum, which is with us the regular rule, against 
which nobody can say any thing. For two days and nights, 
however, the Indian had no peace ; he could neither sleep 
nor eat until he had talked the matter out with his teach 
ers, asked forgiveness and been comforted, when he prom 
ised, by the Saviour s grace, to make himself quite free 
from this. We are getting much better acquainted with 
the Indians here, who are exposed to so manifold tempta 
tions, which they cannot well withstand, and it is as if at 
times Satan earnestly beset them, until he brought about 
their downfall. 

Thursday, Feb. 1. Anna Amelia s daughter,. John s 
wife, was delivered of a daughter. 

Saturday, 3. As there has been fine, thawing weather 
for several days, the brethren made some sugar, which has 
never before, since we have been here, been done so early 
in the year. 

Sunday, 4. In the sermon, which Br. Sensemann de 
livered, he baptized a child, Amelia s granddaughter, with 
the name, Blbiana. Zeisberger then conducted the com 
munion quarter-hour and the congregation meeting in the 
evening. 

Tuesday, 6. The sheriff went through to Niagara as 
express. The brethren were busy in their sugar-huts. 

Monday, 8, and Friday, 9. There was speaking with the 
brethren with reference to the Lord s supper. We had a 
peculiar case with the Indian, David, who for several 
years had led a bad life, thereby injuring and seducing 
others. He had often been advised, since all admoni 
tions were of no avail, to go where he could live 
according to the pleasure and lust of his wicked heart, and 
sin his fill, but this he did not wish to do, and made good 
promises, but in a short time he would always again go 
astray, especially in drinking, always falling in with those 
were like himself. We therefore advised his wife to 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1798. 515 

go away with him, in order to be rid of him, but this 
would not work. She was a communion sister, always 
sickly, and could not and would not leave the church. We 
knew not what was to be done, but left the matter to 
the Saviour, until he took hold and gave wholesome 
help, and in an unusual manner, too, for in the midst of 
sin he was seized by the Saviour. Although a short time 
before with the whole church in the presence of the Saviour 
he had promised to be converted from his heart, he did 
not keep his word. He arranged with a trader, who came 
here on business, so that he gave him an order to get in 
the settlement upon his account a quantity of rum. This 
he got, and came back to town drunk. As this rum, 
however, was at once poured out in the street, which is 
a rule with us, he gave no farther trouble. But now un 
easiness began with him. He came to himself awhile, 
began to see into and understand his foulness and his 
wicked heart, and for a week he had no rest day or 
night, could neither sleep nor eat, seeking advice and com 
fort, to see whether any help could yet be found, on which 
account he came to his teachers every day, not once alone, 
but several times, and said that if we thought mercy and 
grace were yet to be found, for him from the Saviour, he 
would henceforth with his whole heart be converted to 
the Saviour, give himself entirely to him, and if he freed 
him from slavery to sin he would be entirely his, body and 
soul. He asked also that we should pray for him, that he 
would again have compassion upon him, show him grace, 
and receive him ; he would all his life be on his guard 
against such anxiety of soul. We showed him that if he 
would like to be freed, and sin were really a burden to 
him, there was good hope for him ; he should only turn to 
the Saviour, who had bought him with his dear blood, 
and redeemed him, who receives and saves sinners ; hitherto 
he had not really felt and known what sin was; the 
Spirit of God had now shown him this and revealed to 
him that he should turn to the Saviour, who rejects no 
sinner ; that he should ask him for help and forgiveness 
and rest for his heart; he should only do this, ana ne 



516 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

would be helped. u E"ow," said he, "since I hear that 
there is yet hope for me, and the Saviour will be gracious 
to me, I will henceforth give myself entirely to him, live 
for him alone, and say good night to sin and the works of 
Satan. In this, brothers, help me ask his blessing." 
This also we promised to do for him. He now took 
courage, new heart, and confidence in the Saviour, and he 
became like a new man, and though hitherto he has al 
ways been shy and reserved towards us, he now became 
trustful, reflected upon his course of life since his bap 
tism, brought it all up, and talked with his teachers 
about it. We advised him now to go to his comrades, 
his brothers in drinking, and to tell them how heavy his 
heart had been, how the burden of sin had oppressed 
him, so that he had despaired of himself, and to exhort 
them also to enter into themselves, and to be converted 
from their hearts. This he did, and with good result. 
When now the time for the Lord s supper drew near, he 
came and said he knew what he had formerly enjoyed in 
the holy communion, but that he had lost this by his own 
fault; that he was also unworthy of it, but yet had great 
need of it, for he was a poor man, but yet believed that 
the enjoyment of Jesus body and blood would impart to 
him from God strength and new life, for whence should 
he get the power to withstand the temptations of Satan ? 
It was said to him : " Thou desirest something great, but 
if thou dost not remain faithful, and thy heart is not hon 
orable and upright, it may be a harm to thee." He re 
plied : " I have uttered my whole heart and kept noth 
ing back. May the Saviour help me, and send me ac 
complishment, for I should like to be thoroughly helped 
and cured. I give myself entirely to the Saviour and the 
brothers. Do with me what ye think good. I will be 
obedient and do what ye tell me." Although we were not 
without hesitation, others being concerned, about fulfilling 
his request, by proposing him for the Lord s supper, since a 
short time before he had given offense, yet we could not 
altogether give up the idea, hoping it would be a great 
blessing for him, and we asked about him, and the Saviour 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1798. 517 

permitted him to enjoy with us his supper. When he 
was told this, he shed tears of gratitude and repentance. 
Thus he was absolved amid many tears, both his own and 
of those present, after the communion-church had first 
been told the circumstances, and what had occurred 
to him, and after some questions had been asked him, 
which he answered in tears in the presence of the church, 
and the kiss of peace had been given him, whereby pre 
vailed a blessed feeling of the presence and peace of God. 
Afterwards, on the 10th, we enjoyed the holy commun 
ion. The next day he came, showing his thankfulness 
and comforted heart. He said he felt himself quite an 
other person, like a new man; the heavy burden had been 
taken from his heart, and his heart was now easy and 
cheerful, thankful for the grace the Saviour had shown 
him. Thus has he turned our mourning into joy accord 
ing to the text of 15th of last month at Amos burial. To 
him be honor and glory therefor, and may he continue 
thus farther. 

Sunday, 11. Br. Sensemann read the liturgy. Zeisber- 
ger preached here and Michael in the settlement. 

Wednesday, 14. Sensemann went to the settlement. 
Here all were in the sugar-camp. White people pass 
through here daily and stay over night. 

Friday, 16. We sang: head, so full of bruises. 

Saturday, 17. On Sister Susanna s birthday we laborers 
had a pleasant love-feast, blessing her for her calling. 
Salome was sent away. 

Sunday, 18. Sensemann preached. In the litany, which 
Zeisberger read, the Indian, Andrew, at his prayer and de 
sire, was absolved in presence of the church. He is the 
man who was followed in the battle by the light-horse 
men, for whom now the Saviour was too strong, mastering 
him, so that for many days, from perplexity, he could 
neither eat nor sleep, and became quite sick in body. 

Monday, 19. After having fine weather last month and 
the present one, without snow, the ground being bare, 
to-day winter set in, and severe, snowy weather. The In- 



518 

dian, David, complained that his former companions no 
longer visited him. 

Tuesday, 20. Br. Zeisberger asked Andrew, who came 
for a visit, how it happened that he looked so bad, and 
whether he was ill. He said that for more than a week, 
from anxiety and despair about himself, he could neither 
eat nor sleep, and had become quite weak in body ; now, 
however, his heart and body too were well; he could now 
eat and sleep, and his heart was well and thankful for the 
mercy the Saviour had let him feel, and from thankfulness 
he must now tell his companions how it had been with 
him, and how he now was. 

Friday, 23. We sang : Christ, my Redeemer, Lord and 
God. 

Saturday, 24. Through the whole week the brethren 
waited for sugar-weather, and made preparations, but in 
vain. The weather was snowy. Mr. Dolson arrived. 

Sunday, 25. Zeisberger preached from the Gospel : 
Jesus was tempted of the devil, and read the litany. 
Sensemann held the congregation meeting, Michael in the 
settlement. 

Tuesday, 24. Dolson went home. Here the brethren 
made some sugar, but the weather was too cold for this. 

Monday, 28. Several went to the mill and to the smith, 
whence we heard that drinking went on. It therefore al 
ways causes us anxiety and care when our brethren are 
compelled to go thither. As we cannot forbid them this 
we admonish them the more earnestly to be on their 
guard and to look out for their souls, for this is a godless 
people on this river, and if they can lead our Indians 
astray they do so gladly. 

Thursday, March 1. Sensemann held the evening serv 
ice from the text about the grain of mustard seed. White 
people from the settlement and from Niagara arrived. 

Friday, 2. In the evening service we sang: One view, 
Lord Jesus, of thy passion. This is always a matter of 
importance to the brethren. 

Sunday, 4. Michael preached from the Gospel about 
the Canaanite woman, and showed how we should cling 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1798. 519 

to the Saviour, and not cease to pray until he showed us 
grace and forgave us our sins and we had the peace of 
God in our hearts. Zeisberger then read the liturgy and 
Edwards held the congregation meeting, treating of the 
same matter as the sermon had treated of. Chippewas 
came here, telling lies on every hand, which they deliver 
to the Indians as the truth, that a war is preparing against 
them to break out this spring. Thus it is among the In 
dians every spring. They are a restless, and, consequently, 
timorous folk, always uneasy about their life, and the 
most common lie can make them anxious, so that they 
cannot sleep quietly at night. The Chippewas can lie, too, 
in a reckless way, without shame, and stupidly. 

Tuesday, 6. A trader came here from Detroit, who 
bought corn. Our Indians have now all gone to the sugar- 
camp, where we have always, when the time comes, much 
to regulate and to look to, that all may go on with order 
and propriety, for at such times sins will occur arid dis 
orders. 

Thursday, 8. Edwards held the evening service from the 
text : ISTow come I to thee, and these things I speak in the 
world that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 

Saturday, 10. Zeisberger spoke with Martha, Nic s wife, 
warning her to have an eye upon her sister s improper 
walk and behaviour, whereby she had often let herself 
be imposed upon to her bodily and spiritual harm, and he 
told her that we teachers could not always say to them 
what they would like to hear, but the truth. 

Sunday, 11. Sensemann preached from the Epistle: Be 
ye therefore followers of God, as dear children, and walk 
in love, and said that was a necessary admonition for us 
to remain in him, not to leave the first love, for thence it 
came about, and we had examples, that such as are unfaith 
ful to the Saviour, fall again under the yoke of sin, which 
is their punishment, for they have left the Saviour and 
again loved sin. There being wild snow-squalls, there 
were no other services. 

Monday, 12. Zeisberger spoke with Andrew. He is 
yet labored with by the Holy Ghost. 



520 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Monday, 12, and Tuesday, 13. Still more snow, and at 
daybreak a thaw. Zeisberger had a fraternal conversa 
tion with Joshua, warning him of the deceit of sin, and 
said to him that Satan was upon him, to catch him in 
his net. 

Wednesday, 14. By way of Niagara and Detroit, to 
our hearty joy, we got a letter from Br. Ettwein, probably 
from New York, of Feb. 23d. From this we had much 
for consideration. 

Thursday, 1.5. A gentleman from the States came here 
with two others. He was acquainted, in Philadelphia, as 
he said, with Br. Bagge, 1 from the Wachau, in whose praise 
he had much to say. They went to Detroit. 

Friday, 16. Sensemann baptized a sick Chippewa child, 
and named it Ursula, who died on the 18th, and was buried 
on the 19th. At the burial Br. Zeisberger said that since by 
grace we had all been chosen and assembled from heathen 
ism, and the Saviour had placed us here to be a light that 
our neighbors might profit therefrom and come to knowl 
edge of the truth, he had also brought this child, which 
was a stranger, to the church, cleansed it from sin by his 
blood, and placed it among his people; we wished, there 
fore, that he would soon let their hour strike, and assem 
ble more Chippewas to the church, with us to praise the 
Lord for his goodness. Yes, Lord Jesus, think of the 
Chippewas, who have cost thee thy blood. 

Sunday, 18. Zeisberger preached from: Christ hath re 
deemed us from the curse of the law, and read the litany. 
Michael held the congregation meeting. 

Tuesday, 20. Salamis was delivered of a son. 

Wednesday, 21. White people were with us over night. 
Still snow. 

Saturday, 24. During the whole week the brethren were 
out in the sugar-huts. The services were, therefore, for 

1 In a little book, "Moravians in Korth Carolina," I find, p. 179, the 
name of Traugott Bagge, who came to N. Carolina in 1768, and died in 
Salem in 1800. In the same book, p. 169, Lawrence Bagge is named 
as minister in Bethlehem from 1773 to 1784, having before been in 
Salem, 1764-1769. 



FAIKFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1798. 521 

the most part given up, but to-day most of the brethren 
were at home. 

Sunday, 25. Sensemann preached about the perfect 
sacrifice of Jesus for our sins and those of the whole world. 
In the afternoon service this noteworthy day (Annuncia 
tion) was commemorated,, when our Saviour became man, 
and a discourse was delivered from the text : The word 
was made flesh and dwelt among us, from which we can 
all profit, young and old, children and adults, and become 
partakers of his salvation, if only we do God s will and be 
lieve in his name. The story was read and sang. Nico- 
demus came, bringing news of Tobias, who had come to 
him and complained of his trouble in falliag out with his 
wife, for which he blamed himself. We sent Nicodemus 
to them, giving him instructions, and he made peace be 
tween them. Some time ago we said to the brethren that 
there were no longer any assistants, but since we often 
needed help, and could not do every thing alone, we would 
meanwhile appoint brothers and sisters, who had never 
been assistants [which now also we do], yes, we wished 
they were all assistants, and that each would be thought 
ful for the best interests of the church and brethren. 

Tuesda} 7 , 27. The river broke up with warm weather 
and high water. 

Wednesday, 28. A party of whites went up to the 
Pinery to send timber-rafts down. One of them offered to 
become smith here in town for our Indians, but we refused 
his offer. 

Friday, 30, and Saturday, 31. There was extraordinarily 
high water with drift-ice. Sugar-making was checked, 
the weather being too warm for it. 

Sunday, April 1. Br. Sensemann preached at the en 
trance into Passion- Week, exhorting the brethren to be 
ready, and in expectation of a new blessing from the 
Saviour, in contemplation of his great sufferings. He bap 
tized Salamis child, born on the 23d, with the name, 
William. 

Tuesday, 3. Yesterday and to-day there was speaking 
to the brethren with reference to the Lord s supper. The 



522 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

water is higher than it has ever been since we have been 
here, and we hear that the snow above us only three days 
ago was yet knee-deep, and therefore, the river will still 
rise, when it has already come up more than twenty feet. 

Wednesday, 4. In the evening we had the washing of 
feet in the sensible presence of the Saviour, and, 

Thursday, 5, after there had first been a common 
service, in which the history of our Saviour s anguish of 
soul and bloody sweat [for our sins] on the Mount of 
Olives was read, the communicants had the Lord s sup 
per to which one brother, Nicholas, and one sister, Helen, 
a widow, were readmitted. 

On Good Friday was early the thanksgiving liturgy, and 
then through the day the reading of the Passion-history, 
which was listened to with the greatest attention, and 
whereby the Holy Ghost left himself not without witness 
in the hearts of the brethren, of which tears also were a 
proof. 

Saturday, 7. On Great Sabbath was a love-feast, at 
which mention was made of the Saviour s rest in the grave 
after his great suffering, whereby he hallowed our resting- 
place. 

Sunday, 8. We read the Easter litany partly in the 
chapel, partly in the grave-yard, and we thought of the 
four adults who have left us since last Easter, two brothers 
and two sisters, and of the three children. In the service 
for the baptized in the afternoon, two brothers, Simon and 
Israel, were absolved by the laying on of hands. Soon 
after, died Sarah, Samuel s wife, after a long consumption. 
Her remains were buried Monday, April 9. She was by 
birth a Carib, and with her mother, who was also baptized, 
and who died in the church, was brought from the West 
India islands by the Nanticokes and adopted into their 
nation. She knew the speech of the Caribs, which has 
no connection with the language of the Indians here. She 
came to the church on the Susquehanna in Schechschi- 
quaniink, was baptized Jan. 26, 1772, in Friedenshiitten, 
came to the enjoyment of the holy communion, April 13, 
1775, in Schonbrunn. She was of quiet nature, loving 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1798. 523 

peace, walked a good walk, had the gift of getting along 
with sisters, and was loved too. Once when Samuel was 
off hunting for several days, her mother had persuaded 
her to go to their friends on the Susquehanna, but when 
he came home and could not bear to have all his children 
taken away from the church, he followed after them and 
took the children away, but left their mother, to do as she 
pleased, who soon came to her senses, and went after 
them and thus he brought them all back. Since her 
mother s death she has been in the church with her whole 
heart, and has been happy. For several years she was 
assistant. In her last illness we could have wished to see 
that she had more communion with the Saviour, and 
we often told her so, but she was too busy in thinking 
about recovery from illness, and too much taken up with 
her children, often too, she was not quite right in mind. 
She had had thirteen children, four of whom are yet 
alive. All the others died in the church. 

Wednesday, 11. Many of our people went down the 
river with corn. Upon Br. Zeisberger s birthday (the 78th) 
we laborers had a pleasant love-feast. 

Friday, 13. A doctor arrived, whom we had asked to 
see our sick. He is from the States, and gave them med 
icine. 

Saturday, 14. The Indians brought a boy of Dolson s 
here to go to school to Br. Sensemann. 

Sunday, 15. Michael preached. Zeisberger read the 
litany and held the congregation meeting in the evening. 
We sent away Sabina s three daughters, two of whom 
came here a few days ago. 

Monday, 16. Very cold weather and snow, as at Christ 
mas and on New Year s Day. 

Tuesday, 17. The Indians who took down corn came 
back. It was still cold, and there was hard freezing. 
Sensemann held evening service. 

Wednesday, 18. Somewhat milder. The Indians made 
sugar again after it had again frozen. 

Friday, 20. In the evening lightning and down-pours of 
rain. 



524 ZEISBERGER S DIARY. 

Saturday, 21. Yesterday and to-day timber and plank 
rafts went by. 

Sunday, 22. Sensemann preached about the Good Shep 
herd. Zeisberger held the children s hour, and Edwards 
held the congregation meeting in the evening. Mr. Dol- 
son arrived, and from the lake Nicholas* sister, named 
Susanna, who had often been with us in Schonbrunn, 
and was now in flight, being in danger of her life, as she 
said. 

Tuesday, 24. Many went down with the corn Dolson 
had bought here. Upon Edwards birthday we had a 
love-feast. Askin s clerk arrived, from whom we learned 
that a packet of journals had been lost. 

Wednesday, 25. The surveyor, Perin Law, 1 came down. 

Thursday, 26. Timber rafts came down. 

Saturday, 28. Our people came home from below, 
whence we again had bad news that two had been burnt 
with powder. 

Sunday, 29. Michael preached. Zeisberger read the 
litany, and then there was a meeting, where many things 
were talked over, for example, that no one should be per 
mitted to plant here who did not belong here, many hav 
ing passed the winter here ; about the young people, that 
they should not run about in idleness, but be at work- 
The parents were told that they were to blame for this, 
they let their children grow up wild and follow their own 
will ; when then they grew up and married, they were 
worse and more vicious than cattle, and not to be kept 
under. 

In presence of a number of brothers and sisters we 
spoke with Widow Sabina about the ill conduct of her 
children, some of whom were already grown. We told 
her since they were here on her account, and we, on her 
account, had to endure their disorderly life in the church, 
which we could not allow, we advised her, with her chil 
dren, to leave the church and to go with them, since she 

1 This name is written Per in Law. 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1798. 525 

could iiot be separated from them. This had the result 
that she sent away her children. 

Monday, 30. From the Monsey town came some of the 
old men, friends of James and Amos, and made satisfac 
tion together by some thirty fathoms of wampum and some 
goods for the loss of the dead, according to Indian usage, 
which upon occasion would be taken over the lake to the 
other friends. Against this we had no objections to make, 
since it conduces to mutual reconciliation. 

Tuesday, May 1. With Indians who went through here 
and were in camp several days, came three casks of rum, 
of which we took charge until they moved away. 

Wednesday, 2. James came asking again for reception to 
live here in the church, which, however, we could not per 
mit him. Thus there are many who force their way into 
the church, and when once there, cannot be got rid of, but 
wish here to continue their life of sin. 

Thursday, 3. The strange Indians went away, but got 
drunk as soon as they were beyond our bounds. 

Friday, 4. We began to get our fields ready for plant 
ing, clearing them of fallen timber. 

Sunday, 6. In the sermon, which Br. Sensemann 
preached, he baptized with the name, Lewis, the little son 
of Tobias and Elizabeth, born May 4. Zeisberger read the 
litany and held the congregation meeting. 

Wednesday, 9. Our fields were planted, which was done 
somewhat earlier this year than last, and generally the 
weather has been finer. 

Friday, 11. Our Indians were earnest and industrious 
in planting. Widow Sabina spoke with us, whom we on 
the 29th of last month had sent away on account of some 
of her children. She acknowledged that she was guilty, 
that she was the cause of her children turning out so bad, 
having always taken their part ; that she had herself suf 
fered harm, and for over a year had not been well in 
heart, but now she washed to be rid of them and to care 
for her own welfare, and for the sake of her children she 
could not abandon the church, she wished to be saved. 



526 

Thus many times they have to be aroused by severity, 
though we do not like to use it, and brought to reflection. 

Saturday, 12. The surveyor with some men arrived, 
and took Br. Sensemann with them to a neighbor, who 
had complained of him that he had not dealt fairly in sur 
veying, but this was found to be false, all these being wit 
nesses. 

Sunday, 13. Br. Sensemann delivered the sermon, at 
which a number of white people were present. He after 
wards baptized a child of white parents. Zeisberger then 
conducted the communion quarter-hour, inviting the hun 
gry and thirsty to the fountain of life. Michael held the 
congregation meeting. 

Monday, 14. We had a sad scene in town. Adam and 
Leonard came here drunk with strange Indians, and 
caused us vexation, but the strangers soon went away. 

Wednesday, 16. Adam now came and said he was go 
ing from the church, against which we had nothing to say, 
but we bade him go. 

Friday, 18. Both yesterday and to-day there was speak 
ing with reference to the Lord s supper, when there was 
much to be made right, for which the Saviour gave us his 
blessing. 

Saturday, 19. In the near presence and with the recog 
nition of Jesus we had the holy communion. Were this 
not so, did he not comfort us with his blessed nearness, we 
should often be cast down, but on such occasions we are 
mightily uplifted and strengthened anew, since we are 
aware that he is with us and among us. Andrew was can 
didate. 

Sunday, 20. Zeisberger read the liturgy. Sensemann 
preached, and the former held the congregation meeting. 
Michael preached in the settlement. Tne Indian broth 
ers spoke with Zachary, Leonard, and James. Our Hen 
rietta s mother came here from Lake Erie, fleeing from her 
husband, who has treated her so badly that she can no 
longer endure it, and she has left all her children. 

Tuesday, 22. We had the very especial joy of seeing 
come to us our dear brothers, John Hecke welder and 



FAIRFIELD, ON THE THAMES, 1798. 527 

Benjamin Mortimer, 1 from Bethlehem by way of Niagara, 
through the bush. They came so unexpectedly, for we 
had not thought of their coming before June or July, that 
we rejoiced the more, like children, on both sides, they 
too, for they had come a very hard way until they reached 
our bounds. In the evening service Br. Zeisberger made 
announcement of this with many hearty greetings from 
the church, at the same time also that Br. Benjamin Mor 
timer was come not alone for a visit, but to remain with 
us, which gave them much pleasure. We refreshed our 
selves by reading the letters-aud papers received, both to 
day and the following days, and the brethren all came and 
greeted the brothers. 

Wednesday, 23. We had pleasure in hearing news from 
the church by word of mouth, and in the evening Br. 
Benjamin Mortimer held the service, and showed the 
brethren the love he bore them, which had moved him to 
his calling. 

Thursday, 24. We had a conference, read and consid 
ered the letters from the church, reflected upon our cir 
cumstances, and resolved: 1st. That some Indian breth 
ren should now go with Br. John Heckewelder to the Mus- 
kingum, wherefore we proposed some ; also that Br. Ed 
wards should go with them, which he was glad and willing 
to accede to. 2d. That the Zeisbergers, sometime in July 
or August, should follow them thither with some In 
dian families. The Scripture- verse read : I am with thee 
to save thee, and the text: Watch ye, stand fast in the 
faith, quit you like men, be strong. This was announced 
early on the 25th to a chosen number of brothers and sis 
ters, and that now indeed a few brothers only would go 
with Brs. John and Edwards, but that in a couple of 

l ln the year 1798, Mr. H. accompanied one of the missionaries, Br. 
Benjamin Mortimer, to the establishment at Fairfield on the Thames. 
From Fairtield he set out to the Muskingum Kiver, with a view to take 
measures for renewing the mission if possible^ in that quarter. Life 
of Heckewelder, p. 140. 

Mortimer was by birth an Englishman. Before his death, 1834, he 
was pastor of the Brethren s church in New York. 



528 

months the Zeisbergers with Br. Benjamin Mortimer 
would follow with some Indian families. 

Saturday, 26. We made preparations for John Hecke- 
welder s departure, to get ready what was needful, and to 
select brothers for his company. 

Sunday. 27. In the forenoon Br. Mortimer preached, 
we first singing: Come, Holy Ghost, corne Lord, our God. 
He said that what the prophets foretold had been fulfilled, 
when the Holy Ghost was poured upon the apostles, that 
they by God s strength had preached God s salvation for 
the happiness of mankind, having converted thousands to 
Christ. He showed what unspeakable good, God, the 
worthy Holy Ghost, since that time had done and was 
still doing; what he had done in so many of us, blind 
heathen, bringing us to Christ, for which we should prop 
erly thank and praise him. Afterwards, at a love- feast, 
Br. Zeisberger read to them Br. Ettwein s letter to the 
church, with some explanations, and announced to the 
brethren the approaching change, and set them right in 
the matter, it having already caused much consideration. 
Afterwards Br. Zeisberger conducted yet one more love- 
feast for the brethren who celebrated their day of baptism, 
who had asked it of him, since, as they said, it would be 
the last. Michael then held the congregation meeting. 
We laborers strengthened and refreshed ourselves finally 
with the two brothers in the body and blood of Jesus, 
in the holy sacrament, binding ourselves to new fidelity 
in his service, for which we asked his blessing. 

[Thus far sent to Bethlehem.] 



THE END. 



INDEX. 



In this Index the Fixed Festivals of the Christian Church, and those days, Me 
morial and other, peculiar to the Moravians, mentioned in section VI, p. xxx, of 
the Introduction, are omitted, but can be found in the Diary under their respective 
dates. 

Easter will be given, and from it the preceding days of Passion-Week can be 
found. 

The removals and general history of the Mission will be found under the head, 
David Zeisberger. 



Abbot, Mr., ii, 10, Co. 

Abraham, i, 51, 73, 101, 107; ii, 224. 
Ackerlemann, i, 856; ii, 167. 
Albach s Annals of the West, i, 251 ; 

ii, 88, 132, 199, 223, 269, 333, 351, 

451. 

Allen, Mr., ii, 345, 367, 372, 395, 418. 
Alum, i, 335. 
American Army, i, 234, 365; ii, 130, 

132, 134, 193, 195, 199, 205, 216, 

223, 255, 261, 332, 360. 
Amochol, i, 375, 388, 390. 
Ancrum, Maj., i, 258, 261, 435. 
Anderson, i, 262, 265, 268. 
Anohockquage, ii, 24. 
Ascension Day, i, 150, 191, 225, 271, 

345, 408; ii, 35, 103, 262, 312, 359, 

405, 445, 483. 
Askin, Mr., i, 117, 144, 261, 353; ii, 

420. 

Askin, John, Jr., ii, 65. 
Assistants, i, xxviii, 47, 171, 230, 383, 

389, 413, 447; ii, 42, 144, 195, 203, 

236, 328, 342, 504, 521. 
Assuniink, ii, 186. 
Astechretschi, i, 349. 
Atschelis, ii, 390, 408. 
Bach, ii, 349, 402. 
Badger, the, i, 171. 
Bagge, ii, 520. 
Baptism, doubtful cases of, i, 391 ; ii, 

1*2, 213, 432. 
Baptists, ii, 342. 
Bawbee, i, 43, 93, 145, 200, 204 ; ii, 

374. 

Beaver Creek, Great, i, 327. 
Bees, i, 294, 310; ii, 316. 
Beson, ii, 20. 
Bian kasha ws, i, 378. 
Big-Cat, i, 456; ii, 196, 246. 
Binninger, ii, 413, 449. 

34 



Blickensderfer, i, 458. 

Bourbon Lake, ii, 334. 

Bradstreet, i, 277. 

Brainard, ii, 100, 144. 

Brant, Jos., i, 303, 441 ; ii, 7, 17, 198, 
214, 276, 282, 286, 312, 374, 392, 
409. 

Bread, price of, i, 197. 

Brinton, D. G., ii, 410 . 

Brodhead, Col., i, xx, 58; ii, 357. 

Brucker, i, 208. 

Burnet s Note?, ii, 372. 

Butler, Gen. Richard, i, 313, 325; ii, 
226, 227, 229. 

Butterfield, C. W., i, 21, 26, 68, 299, 
460; ii, 339, 364. 

Caldwell, ii, 298. 

Callwell^ii, 260. 

Carnmerhoff, i, xii; .ii, 427. 

Campbell, James V., ii, 444. 

Carib, ii, 522. 

Carver s Travels, ii, 207. 

Cassedy, i, 136, 243. 

Catholic Priests, i, 90, 98, 102. 

Cathrine, the French, i, 391. 

Cattle, ii, 65. 

Cayashoto, i, 321. 

Cayuga, ii, 419. 

Cedar Point, ii, 178. 

Census (1781), i, 34, ( 83) 177, ( 84) 
212, ( 85) 253, ( 86) 316, ( 87) 886, 
( 88) 464, ( 89); ii, 74, ( 90) ]46, 
( 91) 240, ( 92) 294, ( 93) 337, ( 94) 
389, ( 96) 433, ( 96) 469, ( 97) 509. 

Cherokees, i, xxvii, xxxii, 233 ; ii, 476. 

Chiloway, Job, ii, 19. 

Chinkpussis, ii, 380, 391. 

Chippewas, i, xxvii, 25, 87, 90, 128, 
135, 145, 193, 206, 256, 370, 488; ii, 
7, 182, 323. 396, 416, 441, 442, 479, 
482, 491, 510, 520. 

(529) 



530 



INDEX. 



Choctaws, ii, 476. 

Chotes, ii, 447. 

Christina, murdered at Gnadenhiit- 

ten, i, 80. 

Cincinnati, Ft. Washington, ii, 500. 
Clarke, Gen., i, 124. 
Climate Cold, i, 63, 119, 135, 172, 

175, 179, 185, 192, 213, 392, 413; 
ii, 7, 224, 243 277, 296, 306, 348, 
392, 396, 436, 470, 471, 504. Frosts, 
i, 162, 164, 199, 202; ii. 57, 63, 277, 
282, 326, 459, 484. Snow, i, 48, 62, 
125, 171, 181, 184, 224, 249, 311, 
389; ii, 9,1, 247, 250, 291, 383, 464, 
502, 519. Wind, i, 121, 194, 207, 
263, 333, 339, 347; ii, 54, 99, 164, 

176, 179, 216, 231, 423, 477, 486. 
Ram, i, 17, 51, 57, 136, 141, 322; 
ii, 18, 65, ( JO, 157, 159, 163, 185, 
262, 399, 440. Drought, i, 194, 243; 
ii, 115, 273, 367. #eaz!, i, 159, 249; 
ii, 264, 268, 367, 414. 

Clinton River, i, 91, 93, 104; land 
there, 125, 134. 

Collect, i, xxx, 69. 

Colvill, ii, 184, 210. 

Communion, i, 49, 112, 119, 134, 151, 
230, 238, 248, 392; ii, 22, 44, 90, 
193, 213, 321, 454, 494, 508. 528. 

Congress grant to Moravians, i, 205, 
215, 236, 237, 313; ii, 11, 120. 

Conner, Richard, i. xxviii, 21, 48, 
76, 96, 100, 141, 144, 152, 159. 266, 
434. 

Connolly, i, 406. 

Cook, John, i; 403, 418. 

Cornplanter, ii, 220, 412. 

Corn, price of, i, 24, 60, 66, 138, 185, 
342, 351, 356, 428; ii, 66, 105, 269, 
493. 

Cornwall, i, 265; ii. 327, 457, 503. 

Cornwall, Mrs., i, 217. 

Coshocton. See Goscbagiink. 

Crawford, Col., i, 96, 121, 123. 

Cuyahoga, i, 236, 278. 

Danielson, i, 64. 

Darlington, Wm. M., i, 120, 156. 

Dawson, i, 47. 

Delawares, i, xxvii, 19, 148, 373, 417; 
ii, 7, 28, 69, 192, 198, 202, 376, 378, 
409, 416, 418, 445, 502. 

Detroit, i, 33, 35, 88; Low state of 
religion in, 98, 149; Lack of clergy, 
men, 183; Sickness in, 250; Scarc 
ity, 432; ii, Religion, 12; Fear of 
Americans, 329; Americans oc 
cupy, 451 ; Famine in, 47, 53. 

Detroit River, i, 32. 

Dibson, ii, 103. 

Dobie, i, 117, 311. 



Dogs, ii, 185. 

Dolson, i, 204; ii, 213. 283, 310, 333, 

503, 518. 
Dorchester, Lord (Sir Guy Carlton), 

ii. 149. 
Drake s Book of Indians, i, 409, 419 ; 

ii, 228, 413. 
Douglass, Col., i, 156. 
Drunkenness, i, 86, 375, 447. 450; ii, 

44, .78, 109, 177, 183, 289, 305, 309, 

340. 398,418, 436, 449, 482. 
Duncan, i, 252, 254, 311. 
Duncan and Wilson, i, 282, 288, 327, 

346. 
Easter, i, (1782) 83, ( 83) 143, ( 84) 

187, ( 85) 223, ( 86) 265, ( ! 87) 331, 

( 88) 401 ; ii, ( 89) 23, ( 90) 98, ( 91) 

176, ( 92) 264, ( 93) 307, ( 94) 353, 

( 95) 400, ( 96) 441, ( 97) 480, ( 98) 

522. 

Eclipse of the iMoon, ii, 102. 
Edwards, Wrn., life, i, xxv, at Gna- 

denhiitten, 2; goes to Detroit, 29; 

lame, 75; visits Detroit, 146, 167, 

209; Pittsburg, 232; returns, 235 ; 

ii, ill, 125; visits Detroit, 162, 167; 

birthday, 481. 
Ekuschuwe, ii, 26, 83, 156, 167, 202, 

216, 278, 284. 
Elliot, Matthew, i, 3, 26, 30, 31, 94, 

182; ii, 174, 189, 194, 210, 232, 

253. 

England, Col. Richard, ii, 284. 
Erie, Ft., i, 225. 
Erie, Lake, i, West shore, 32, 45, 87. 

Rise and fall, 354. Islands, 269. 
Ettwein, John, i, 156; ii, 116. 
Fail-field, i, xxxi; ii, 239, 382. 
Farsithe, i, 417. 
Fighting Island, ii, 255. 
Fish, i, 234. 
Fish-bound, ii, 267. 
Fish-dam, i, 189, 190. 
Flour, cost of, i, 197; ii, 53. 
Food, want of, i, 47, 60, 63, 64, 71, 

95, 115, 181, 188, 194, 195, 344. 
Fort Wavne. See Gigeyunk. 
Frank, i, 189, 421. 
Freeman, Dr., ii, 358. 
Friedcnsstadt, ii, 234. 
Frey, Lieut., i, 262. 
Gaohnawage, ii, 263, 323. 
Gegascharnind (Abraham s son), i, 

380. 

Gekelemukpechiink, ii, 151. 
Gelelemend (Wm. Henry), i, 419, 

420, 433, 441; ii, 8, 24, 358, 369, 

378, 442, 497, 500. 
Gendaskund (Jacob), i, 457. 
Germantown, near Detroit, i, 144. 



INDEX. 



531 



Gichteno, ii, 129. 

Gigeyunk (Ft. Wayne), i, 201, 344; 
ii, 31, 134, 179, 188. 

Ginseng, i, 3G6, 309; ii, 48, 55. 

Girt} , Simon, i, 68, 112. 

Gisehikelema, i, 413, 415. 

Glaser, Francis, ii, 448. 

Glikkikan (Isaac), i, 14, 29. 

Gnadenhiitten, New, Mich., i, 106, 
162, 202, 434, 436. 

Gnadenhiitten, Ohio, i, 2. Massacre 
at, i, 73, 78, 83, 84, 85, 133, 148, 
281, 291; ii, 156. 

Gnadenhiitten, Pa., i, 168. 

Godsey, Capt., i, 284. 

Gokhosing, i, 18. 

Goschachgiink (Coshocton), i, 17,58, 
283. 

Goschgoschiink, i, 163. 

Goshen, i, xxi, xxxi. 

Graonrad, i, 289. 

Gregor, Christian, ii, 455. 

Grosse Isle, ii, 207, 216, 231,498. 

Grube, Adam, i, 191. 

Half-King. See Pornoacan. 

Haldimand, Gen., i, 110, 116, 130. 

Hamilton, i, 413. 

Huns, Sally, i, 248. 

Harbison, Massy, ii, 168. 

Hardin, Col. John, ii, 135. 

Harmar, Col., i, 284, 325; ii, 130, 
135.. 

Harris, John x ii, 137. 

Harvest, i, 176, 203, 246, 374,450; ii, 
61, 128. 221, 282, 284, 326, 425, 461, 
497. 

Hasle, Mr., i, 174, 268; ii, 250. 

Hay, Geo., i, 203, 237. 

Heckewelder, Anna Salome, i, 199. 

Heckewelder, Joanna Maria, i, 75, 
220, 226. 

Heckewelder, John, Life, i, xxv; at 
Salem, 2; made captain, 12; goes 
to Detroit, 29, 162, 169, 205, 218, 
227, 261; to Bethlehem, 300; at 
Ft. Harmar, 454; comes to New 
Salem, ii, 35 ; departs, 38 ; visits 
Fairfield (1793), 315; at the 
Watch-Tower, 321; on the Mus- 
kingum, 485; at Fairfield, 526. 

Heckewelder, SaraOhneberg, i, 237, 
263. 

Hehl, Matthew, i, 191, 285. 

Henry, William, Esq., ii, 24, 485. 

Heriot s Travels, i, 232. 

Hessen, i, 189. 

Histe, Tobias, 1 ii, 109. 

Homes, i, 160, 172. 

Hope s Cove, i, 271. 

Home s Hist. Col., i, 68, 303. 

Howell, W. H., i, 78. 



Hiibner, John Andrew, ii, 103. 

Huno, ii, 85, 156. 

Huron River, Mich. See Clinton 
liiver. 

Hutchins, i, 289. 

Ihis, ii, 36. 

Indians, i, xxvi Adoption, i, 10; ii, 
160, 213. Burial, ii, 131, 482. 
Character, ii, 519. Ceremonies in 
making the Dclawares men. ii, 
409. Councils, ii, 141, 199, 214. 
Cruelty, ii, 101. Dances, i, 423, 
424; ii, 112, 258, 266, 283, 356, 371. 
Dead, satisfaction for the, ii, 525. 
Diseases, Consumption, i, 209; ii, 
36, 42, 208, 487, 522. Gangrene, i, 
55. Fever and Ague, ii, 124. 
Measles, ii, 162, 163, 169, 174. 
Small-pox, i, 251, 362, 364, 373, 
407, 440. Ulcers, ii, 423, 512. 
Worms, ii, 317. Treatment, ii, 20 
131, 403, 404, 456, 503. Dress, i, 
412, 461; ii, 356, 386, 448. See 
Drunkenness. Food, Berries, i, 195, 
430; ii, 205, 259, 412, 417. Cher- 
ries, i, 194. Dead Animals, i, 64, 
172. Fish, ii, 444, 481. Game, i, 
181,286,321; ii, 375, 460. Honey, 
i, 310. Nuts, i, 128, 300, 309, 376, 
455, 498; ii, 223, 423. Wild Pota 
toes, i, 54, 187, 189, 335; ii, 102. 
Roots, ii, 109. Turtles Eggs, i. 352. 
Hunting, i, 126. Idols, i, 355; ii, 
390. Immorality, ii, 288, 350, 374. 
Improvidence, i, 181. Messages, i, 
257, 298, 330, 335, 336, 427, 437, 
439, 452; ii, 15, 27, 40, 69, 83, 114, 
119, 124, 129, 136, 150, 152, 158, 
176, 182, 196. 214, 244, 278, 500. 
Mission, i, xxviii. Sacrifices, i, 448 ; 
ii, 340, 369, 447. Scholars, ii, 53. 
438. Speeches, i, 37, 129, 244, 266, 
296, 297, 298, 330,407, 439; ii, 158, 
202, 265, 393, (a parable, ii, 324). 
Superstition, i, 297, 408; ii, 131, 
290, 388, 489. Treaties, ii, 323, 
417. Witchcraft, ii, 94, 388, 436, 
507. 

Indians, Christian, Hist, of, i, 39; ii, 
199. Mostly Monseys, i, 27. Not 
warriors, i, 41 ; ii, 206, 373. Sum 
moned to fight, ii, 197, 266, 268, 
354, 370. Cannot live near others, 
i, 399. Contrast with savages, i, 65. 
Mission not for whites, ii, 382. 
Without cost, ii, 395. Object of, i, 
179. Message to scattered converts, 
i, 293; ii, 500. Marriage, ii, 420, 
494. Mothers-in-law, ii, 507 

Indians, Repentant and Inquiring, 
Israel, i, 60; Joseph, 99, 121, 122; 



532 



INDEX. 



Indians, Repentant, etc. Continued. 
Ignatius, i, 119; a Monscy, 133, 
children, 149, Renatus, 150, 172; 
Thomas, 152; Daniel. 170; Abra 
ham s daughter, 198; Samuel s 
brother, 240, 241; Anton, 291; 
Cathrine, 319; Mamasu (Jeremy), 
322, 339, 394; a brother, 330; 
Mamasu s brother (Mark), 347; 
Luke, 347, 352; son of Astechrets- 
chi, 349; Abraham s son, 354, 356, 
357, 358, 359; a young man, 356, 
358; Mary Magdelene, 363; Amo- 
chol, 390; Beata, 395; Abigail, 
397; Leonard, 398, 402, 428; Jer 
emy s second brother (John Mar 
tin), 398, 400; John Cook, 401; 
Abigail s, sister, 405; a savage, 
proud Indian, 411; Gelelemend 
(William Henry), 420, 433, 441; 
Levi, 421 ; one having done noth 
ing wrong in his life, 397, 424; 
a Chippewa, 447. Jacob Cook s 
wife, ii, 2; an Indian, 5; Henry, 
18; Paul, 19; a Mohican woman, 
45; John Cook s son, 45; an In 
dian, 56; Boaz brother, 68, 79; 
Zacchaeus, 76; a big boy, 77; 
Joachim, Sr., 82; Gabrie l, 85; 
Titanachkam sson,87; people, 104; 
Jephtha, 111 ; a Chippewa woman, 
113; Indians, 118; Mariane, 133, 
194; Mary, 137; Boaz half- 
brother, 160; Henry Cook, 162; 
a perfectly strange Indian, 170; 
Adam, 254, 426, 437; a Wyandot, 
272; Wijan (Jacob), 274; Michael, 
a boy, 279; Tobias, 297, 298, 301; 
his wife, 335; Gelelemend (Bill 
Henry) 309: a Monsey, 347; 
Motey, 362; an Indian, with wife 
and child, 385 ; an aged Chip 
pewa, 397, 403;- Philippina, 405; 
one, 411; a girl of fourteen, 430; 
Abel, by letter, 435; a Chippewa, 
466; old Sophia, 466; Moses, 473; 
Anna Helen, 481; David, 514; 
Andrew, 517, 518; Sabina, 525; 
the whole church, 504-507. 

Indians, Christian, Obituaries of. 
Priscilla, i, 49; Nathaniel, 54; 
Anna, 163; Agnes, 168; Rebecca (a 
child), 170; Zipporah, 188; Anna 
Sophia, 209 ; Thomas, 281 ; Chris 
tiana Schebosh, 367; Jonathan, 
416 ; Lea, 418 ; Joseph, 431 ; Anna 
Charity, ii, 13; Paul, 21; A. Ma 
ria, 34 ; Benjamin, 36; Adolphus, 
42; Matthew (a child), 46; Beata, 
85; Verona, 92; Pauline, 94; a 
little boy, 99 ; Anna Margaret, 



121; Lydia, 208; William, 217; 
Abraham, 224; Benjamin (a boy), 
229; Gertrude, 234; Tobias, 279; 
Abraham (grandson of A.), 285 ; 
Cornelius, 301 ; Clemens, 365; Jo 
hanna, 406; Deborah, 423; Re 
natus, 427 ; Elizabeth, 439 ; Sam 
uel (a boy), 472 ; Mary, 476 ; Ja- 
cobina, 487 ; Cornelius, fourteen 
months old, 492; David, 498; 
Justina, 507; Amos, 511; Sarah, 
522. 

Israel, first child baptized on the 
Ohio, ii, 9. 

Jefferson, Ft., ii, 333. 

John, Martin, i, 11. 

Johnny, Capt. (Israel), i, 24. 

Johnson, Sir John, i, 116. 

Johnson, Sir Wm., i, 453; ii, 217. 

Johnston s Narrative, i, 353. 

Jones, Rev. Mr., i, xvii. 

Jorde^ i, 289. 

Julin, ii, 281. 

Jung, Michael, Life, i, xxiv ; at Sa 
lem, i, 2; made captive, 12; goes 
to Bethlehem, 162, 165; rejoins 
the mission, 338; goes to Pitts- 
burg, 415; returns, 423; in De 
troit, ii, 188. 

Junjrmann, John George, Life, i, 
xxiii; at Sehdnbrunn, 2; made 
captive, 12 ; goes to Bethlehem, 
226. 

Jungmann, Mrs., sixtieth birthday, 
i, 112. 

Kanawha, i, 251. 

Kaschajem, i, 234. 

Kaskaskunk, ii, 200. 

Kenedy, David, ii, 319. 

Kente (Quinte) Bay, ii, 413, 449. 

Kessler, ii, 424, 431, 442. 

Kiefer, ii, 56. 

Klingsohr, John Augustus, ii, 117. 

Kuhn (Coon), Abraham, i, 295; ii, 
126. 

La Mot., Capt., ii, 173, 174, 191. 

Lamst, ii, 20. 

Lane, Ebenezer, i, vii. 

Langgard, i, 377. 

Languntouteniink, i, 163; ii, 13. 

Lanin, ii, 233. 

La Trobe, i, 116. 

Law, Perin, ii, 524. 

Layritz, Paul Eugene, ii, 156. 

Lecron, Susan. See Mrs. Zeis- 
berger. 

Leeth, Elizabeth, i, 299, 460; ii, 38. 

Leeth, John, i, 299, 339, 460 ; ii, 137, 
272. 

Lennachgo, i, 148. 

Lichtenau, i, 15, 148. 



INDEX. 



533 



Licking Creek, i, 260. 

Lokachkes, ii, 267, 298. 

Long Point, ii, 431. 

Longus, i, 342, 408, 413; ii, 130. 

Loskiel, ii, 100, 129. 

Lot, consulting the Saviour by, i, 

xxviii, 6, 21, 72, 100, 121, 161, 206, 

231, 239, 285, 301, 320, 328, 347, 

436; ii, 26, 92, 142, 166, 516. 
Love-feasts, i, 348, 414; ii, 50, 70, 

143, 252, 271, 308, 528. 
Loveless, i, 189, 421 ; ii, 34. 
Mack, John Martin, i, xii. 168. 
Mackenzie, ii, 382, 392, 403, 513. 
Mackenzie, Sir Alexander, ii, 401. 
Mahoning, i, 303. 
Mahony, i, xiii, 168, 172. 
Mamasu (Jeremy), i, 322, 339, 394. 
Manitto, ii, 39, 130. 
Manuscript, Zeisberger, i, vii. 
Mark, i, 113, 114, 127, 138, 146, 170. 
Marriage of whites, i, 258. 
Maumee (Miami), i, 24, 30. 
McComb, ii, 232. 
McCormick, i, 4, 47, 50, 59, 63, 75, 

152, 260. 

Mclntosh, Ft., i, 251. 
McKee, Alexander, i, 23, 26, 44, 94, 

182, 218, 245, 247; il, 40, 84, 96, 

119, 125, 154, 165, 220, 249. 
McNeff, ii, 311, 339. 
Metier, Br., ii, 490, 497. 
Memekasink, i, 18. 
Mennonites, ii, 62. 
Miami. See Maumee. 
Michigan, Hist. Sketches of, ii, 207. 
Michilimackinac, i, 89, 154. 
Milk River, i, 179. 
Mingoes, i, xxvii, 52; ii, 10, 286, 

493. 

Missemer, ii, 107, 186. 
Mitchell, Col. Jos., i, 417, 423. 
Mohawks, ii, 276, 323, 350, 374, 436. 
Mohicans, i, xxvii; ii, 288, 323. 
Monseys, i, J 8, 22, 27. 
Montour, ii, 148. 
Moor, Sam., i, 365. 
Morgan, Geo., ii, 88. 
Mortimer, Benjamin, ii, 527. 
Moschkos, ii, 128, 476. 
Mosquitoes, i, 103, 106, 111, 194, 233 ; 

ii, 263, 273. 

Muskingum, i, 33 ; ii, 61. 
Nacquames, ii, 237. 
Nanticokes, i, xxvii ; ii, 482. 
Neal, i, 286, 289. 
Negroes, ii, 117, 142, 316. 
Negro, runaway returned, ii, 380. 
Netawatwes, i, 153, 167, 452; ii, 

29, 151, 344, 381. 
Neuwied, ii, 480. 



New Shore, i, 1. 

Niagara, i, 153; ii, 333, 475. 

Oil-spring, ii, 259. 

Onondagas, i, 321 ; ii, 324. 

Oswego, i, 160. 

Ottawas, i, xxvii, 25, 87, 287. 

Ottawa River, i, 32. 

Pachgantschihillas, ii, 361, 501. 

Pachgatgoch, ii, 289. 

Packanke, i, 409 ; ii, 151. 

Paint Creek, ii, 157, 159. 

Parke, Mr., i, 454; ii, 127, 134, 138, 

23!), 353, 391, 462, 477, 490. 
Pemitschischen, ii, 10, 77. 
Peter, Simon, i, 191. 
Pettquotting, i, 234, 275. 
Peyster, de, Col., i, 33, 88; letter, 

130, 156 ; leaves Detroit, 192, 219 ; 

ii, 202. 

Pfeiffer, i, 289. 
Pickering, Col., ii, 333. 
Pile, Isaac, i, 409. 
Pipe, Capt., i, 3, 29, 36; at Detroit 

council, 37, 52, 57, 70, 129, 298; 

ii, 8, 81, 82, 126, 143, 364. 
Pittsburgers, i, 287. 
Pomoacan (Half-King), i, 3, 4,17, 20, 

25, 53, 64, 68, 233, 373, 421. 
Potawatomies, i, xxvii, 87, 287. 
Potts, Capt., i, 116. 
Powell, Judge, ii, 207, 243, 251. 
Presents to Indians, i, 28, 32, 44. 
Presque Isle (Erie), i, 44. 
Providence, Divine, i, 196. 
Put-in-Bay (Pudding), i, 268. 
Quakers, ii, 316, 318, 323, 501. 
Quetindis, ii, 104. 
Recovery, Ft., ii, 342. 
Reeson River (Raisin), ii, 372, 447. 
Reichel, John Frederick, i, 2, 248. 
Reinke, Br., i, 423; ii, 421. 
Retrenche River. See Thames. 
Robins (Robbins, Robbinson), i, 50, 

63, 82, 360, 365 ; ii, 3, 6, 30, 140. 
Rocky Point, ii, 178. 
Row, ii, 257. 
Rum, i, 374, 412, ii, 43, 60, 77, 126, 

130, 1 37, 140, 224, 312, 351, 378, 

394, 514, 515. 
Rush-grass, i, 211. 
Rush River (Rouge), i, 32. 
Sakunk, ii, 122, 167. 
Sajipihillen, ii, 48. 
Salem, i, 2, 302. 
Salem, New, ii, 105. 
Sally Hand, ii, 256. 
Salt Lick, i, 302. 
Salt Spring, i, 244; ii, 327. 
Sandusky, Lower, i, 21, 61, 63, 69. 
Sandusky River, i, 20. 
Sandusky, Upper, i, 21, 82, 440. 



534 



INDEX. 



Satan, devices of, i, 108, 244, 305, 355, 
358; ii, 6, 92, 132, 291,417, 419. 

Scapp, i, 373. 

Schafer, ii, 452. 

Schebosh, John Joseph, i, xi, 21 ; 
captured, 44; goes to Bethlehem, 
64; to Clinton River, 155, 184; 
loses his wife, 367 ; dies, 442 ; obit 
uary, 443. 

Schebosh, Joseph, Jr., i, 64; mur 
dered at Gnadenhiitten, 87. 

Schechschiquaniink, ii, 447. 

Schellachpis, ii, 201. 

Schmick, John Jacob, i, 431. 

Schmidt, Elias, baptized,.!, 96. 

Schonbrunn (New), i, xviii, 2, 16,29, 
31, 120, 302. 

School, i, 388, 451, 455, 461; ii, 4, 
38, 152, 292, 438. 

Schweinitz, Edmund de, i, 26, 75, 80, 
115, 156, 166, 172; ii, 24, 149, 156, 
180, 256, 257, 360, 448, 455. 

Schweinitz, John 0. A., de, i, 261, 
288. 

Schummis, ii, 98. 

Scioto, i, 49. 

Seidel, i, xii, 54, 157. 

Senecas, i, 321 ; ii, 439. 

Sensemann, Anna, i, 8, 13. 

Sensemann, Christian David, born, 
i, 8; 75, 226. 

Sensemann, Gottlobb, i, xvi ; life, 
xxiii; at Gnadenhiitten, 2; made 
captive, 11; goes to Detroit, 29, 
169, 193, 207; to Bethlehem, 226; 
on the way from Pittsburg, ii, 134 ; 
arrives at New Salem, 137; de 
parts, 169; in Detroit, 188; ill, 
217; goes to Niagara, 316; re 
turns, 320 ; birthday, 377 ; ill, 452 ; 
visits Detroit, 485 ; accident, 490. 

Sensemann, Sara Ohneberg, ii, 455 ; 
birthday, 493. 

Shalachzink, i, 187. 

Shawanese, i, xxvii, 19, 51, 124, 259, 
408 ; ii, 393. 

Shewkirk, Br., i, 160, 173. 

Shikellimy, i, 115. 

Simcoe, Gov. John G., ii, 299, 301, 
349. 

Sinclair (St. Clair), Gov. (Eng.), i, 
89, 103. 

Six Nations, i, 25, 287, 351, 417; ii, 
381, 409, 416, 445. 

Ska, ii, 190, 201. 

Skank, Peter, ii, 375. 

Slosser, Ft., i, 232. 

Smallmann, i, 203. 

Smaan, Nicholas, i, 456; ii, 20. 

Smith, Maj. D. W., ii, 137. 

Snakes, i, 100. 



Snycarty, ii, 444. 

Snowshoe, Joseph, ii, 157, 368, 469. 

Spangenberg (Br. Joseph), i, 223, 

443. 
Squirrel (a Frenchman) ii, 68, 114, 

131, 135. 
St. Clair s Defeat, ii, 227, 228, 229, 

230 

St. Clair, Gen., i, 381; ii, 122. 
St. Clair, Lake, i, 103. 
St. Clair Papers, ii, 228, 261. 
Steiner, Abraham, ii, 35. 
Stockbridge (Mass), ii, 23, 289. 
Stone Creek, i, 333. 
Sugar-making, i, 63, 66, 137, 186, 

224, 324 ; ii, 96, 305, 311, 349, 384, 

442, 478, 514. 
Suns, four, ii, 10. 
Sydrick, Daniel, ii, 62, 116. 
Tackenos, i, 361. 
Tafelmeger, i, 189. 
Tawa. See Ottawa. 
Taylor s Hist, of Ohio, i, 215, 277. 
Tedpachxit, ii, 196, 496, 500. 
Temsitusiink (a creek), ii, 91, 124. 
T gaaju, ii, 448. 

Thames River, ii, 190, 248, 250. 
Thomas, lad scalped at Gnadenhiit 
ten, i, 80, 81, 281. 
Thome, Capt., i, 417. 
Thuppekiink. See Schonbrunn, i, 

120. 

Tiefler, ii, 384. 
Titawachkam, i, 301, 335, 342, 410 ; 

ii, 87, 97. 

Tobacco, i, 370; ii, 313, 346. 
Tschakeleunos, ii, 169. 
Tschinque (a creek), i, 349 ; ii, 54. 
Tscholens, i, 410. 
Tscholi, ii, 7. 

Tschuwisch or Sem, ii, 54. 
Tuckashaws, i, 361; ii, 128, 364, 

476. 

Tucker, Mr., i, 145, 203, 218, 256. 
Tulpenejundam, ii, 118. 
Turner, Chas., i, 216. 
Tuscarawas, i, 235. 
Tutelees, i, 115. 
Twightwees, i, xxvii, 199, 429 ; ii, 41, 

128. 

Tybout, Mr., i, 34. 
Wachau (in N. C.), i, 89. 
Wahweeahtenon, ii, 199. 
Wajomik (Wyoming), ii, 200, 453. 
Walhonding, i, 17, 229. 
Walker, ii, 142. 
Wallace, Geo., i, 432. 
Walnut Bottoms, ii, 272, 363. 
Waniken, ii, 419. 
Watch-Tower (Warte), ii, 180, 320, 

497. 



INDEX. 



535 



Wattcville, John de, i, 166, 217, 222, 

293. 

Wawiachtenos, ii, 128, 242. 
Wayne, Gen., ii, 330, 331, 368, 370, 

371, 372, 376, 448, 475. 
Wechquetauk, i, 367. 
Weigand, John, i, 155, 160, 162, 281, 

338, 352. 

Weinland, Frederick, ii. 407, 424. 
Welandawecken, i, 335, 379, 430, 

452. 

Weldpachtschiecben, ii, 16, 151. 
Wenginund, i, 23, 24, 29; ii, 217. 
Weschnat, i, 51. 
Weschnasch or Wis. (Frederick), i, 

242, 280, 294, 340, 446. 
Weskochk, i, 389. 
Wetterhold, ii, 257. 
Wheeling (Wiliink), i, 4, 360, 365, 

366. 

White Eyes, i, 366; ii, 344. 
White River (Ind.), ii, 496. 
Wijan (Jacob), ii, 264, 274. 
Willcock, ii, 206. 
Willcox, ii, 328. 
Williams, Isaac, i, 136, 162, 281, 301, 

351 ; ii, 153. 

Williams, Nathan, i, 189, 218. 
Wilson, i, 207, 216, 235, 248, 308. 
Wiliink. See Wheeling. 
Wit, Mr., ii, 48. 
Wittiger, i, 413, 417. 
Wittigo, i, 287, 
Woapikannikunk, ii, 326. 
Wojanwe*, ii, 60, 101, 108. 
Wollin, John G., i, 117; ii, 420, 455, 

486. 

Wolves, i, 198, 216, 333; ii, 329. 
Wonpanos, ii, 325. 



Wunanktis, ii, 53. 

Wyandots, i, xxvii, 10, 19, 20, 25, 
227 ; on Detroit River, 33 ; ii, 103, 
184, 199, 413, 436. 

Yankee Hall, in Detroit, i, 94, 109. 

Zahm, i, 377. 

Zeisberger, David, Life, i, ix ; re 
turns to Schonbrunn, 2; answers, 
Pomoacan, 5; Monsey adoption 
spoken of, 10; made captive, 10; 
goes to Detroit, 29; interview with 
de Peyster, 33; tried, 37; returns 
to Sandusky, 45; summoned to 
Detroit, 68; leaves Sandusky, 74; 
in Detroit, 88; moves to Clinton 
River. 103; visits Detroit, 109, 
115, 144; welcomes new families, 
147; visits Detroit, 154, 155, 162, 
188; leaves Clinton River, 265; 
in Detroit, 266; detained on Lake 
Erie, 271 ; lands near Sandusky, 
273; on the Cuyahoga, 280 ; starts 
for Pettquotting, 333; arrives, 
343; ill, ii, 7, 58 ; leaves New Sa 
lem (Pettquotting), 172; on the 
lake, 173; in Sandusky Ray, 174; 
sails, 177; at mouth of Detroit 
River, 179; visits Detroit, 222; 
ill, 241 ; departs for Fairfield, 255; 
in Detroit, 256; at Fairfield, 261 ; 
rebukes the assistants, 505. 

Zeisberger, Mrs. (Sister Susanna), i, 
xiv ; made captive, 12, 19; thirty- 
ninth birthday, 66; journey to 
Cuyahoga, 276; ill, 415; ii, 49, 
125, 493. 

Zinzendorf, Count, i, 94. 

Zonesschio, i, 345, 391. 



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