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Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking

Gayle Richardson The Huntington Library February 2021 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California 91108 [email protected] URL: http://www.huntington.org

Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking 1 mssWalking Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library Title: Walking Purchase collection Identifier/Call Number: mssWalking Physical Description: 4.92 Linear Feet(2 boxes and 1 oversize box) Date (inclusive): 1700-1962 Date (bulk): 1727-1762 Abstract: A collection of correspondence and documents related to the Walking Purchase and the 1756-1758 Councils of Easton retained by the office of Pennsylvania's governor William Denny. Language of Material: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information. Conditions Governing Use The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher. Preferred Citation [Identification of item]. Walking Purchase collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Immediate Source of Acquisition Purchased from Donald A. Heald Rare Books and Fine Art by the Library Collectors' Council, January 18, 2020. Biographical / Historical The Walking Purchase was an alleged agreement between the Penn family, the original proprietors of the Province of Pennsylvania in the colonial era, and the Lenape Native Americans (also known as the Delaware Indians). In 1737, Thomas and John Penn, Proprietors, presented the Delaware Indians with what they said was the 1686 treaty that entitled them to a tract extending "as far as a man can goe a day and a half." They then hired several men who ran, not walked, for a day and a half along a set course in the Lehigh Valley; this yielded a territory the size of Rhode Island (nearly 1,100 square miles or 1.2 million acres). The Delaware Indians tried to challenge the deal, only to be forced off their ancestral land in 1742. Their land was quickly sold off to settlers who poured into Pennsylvania, netting the Penn family a considerable fortune. Despite several inquiries at the Councils of Easton (1756-1758) as to the legality of the original Walking Purchase treaty it was declared authentic and on June 23, 1762, Chief Teedyuscung signed a statement acknowledging the legality of the Walking Purchase. Scope and Contents A collection of correspondence, documents, and maps related to the Walking Purchase and the Councils of Easton retained by the office of Pennsylvania's governor William Denny (in office from August 1756 to October 1759). The bulk of the collection consists of the records of the Council of Easton (August 1757) and the inquiry into the legality of the Walking Purchase authorized by Denny. It contains affidavits, sworn testimony, exhibits, memorandum, correspondence, and notes; this material includes original documents dating back to the time of the fraudulent land deal as well as some military correspondence. The collection also includes several documents and letters concerning Native American troubles on the frontier in the 1740s, along with their protests to the Proprietors over rum being sold to their people. Important persons in the collection include, among others, William Allen, Benjamin Chew, George Croghan, William Denny, Benjamin Franklin, James Hamilton, William Markham, Israel Pemberton, Thomas Penn, Richard Peters, Nicholas Scull, Teedyuscung (Delaware Chief), George Thomas, and Conrad Weiser. Almost all of the material in the collection is docketed and bears the initials or signatures of W. H. Rolph, followed by hyphenated numbers. The collection also contains oversize material and a small group of 20th century newspaper clippings about the Walking Purchase and the material in this collection. Processing Information The collection was processed by Gayle Richardson in 2021. The decision was made to retain the original spelling of place names, as written on the documents, in the titles on the folders and in the finding aid. Also, the documents and letters most often use the term "Indian" to refer to Native Americans. The original terms have been preserved in the titles of the material listed within the collection. The Native American tribes mentioned in the documents include Delaware, Shawnee, Lenape, Mingo, and Six Nations. The tribe names are preserved in item titles below as they appear in the documents; as of 2021, the peoples described refer to themselves as Delaware Tribe of Indians; Shawnee Tribe; Delaware Nation, Delaware

Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking 2 mssWalking Tribe of Indians, Stockbridge-Munsee Community; Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma; and The Iroquois Confederacy. Arrangement Arranged chronologically. Existence and Location of Copies This collection has been digitized in its entirety and the digital reproductions are available in the Huntington Digital Library Subjects and Indexing Terms Delaware Indians -- History -- 18th century Delaware Indians -- Land tenure -- Pennsylvania -- History Indian land transfers -- Pennsylvania -- History Indians of North America -- Pennsylvania -- History Indians of North America -- Pennsylvania -- Government relations Quakers -- Pennsylvania -- History -- 18th century Pennsylvania -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 Pennsylvania -- Politics and Government -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 United States -- History -- French and Indian War, 1754-1763 Clippings (information artifacts) -- United States -- 20th century Legal documents -- United States -- 18th century Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 18th century Manuscript maps -- United States -- 18th century Allen, William, 1704-1780 Chew, Benjamin, 1722-1810 Croghan, George, 1720?-1782 Denny, William, 1718- Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 Hamilton, James, 1710-1783 Markham, William, 1635-1704 Pemberton, Israel, 1715-1779 Penn, Thomas, 1702-1775 Peters, Richard, 1704-1776 Scull, Nicholas, 1686?-1761? Tatamy, Moses Tunda, approximately 1690-1760 Teedyuscung, Delaware chief, 1700-1763 Thomas, George, 1695?-1774 Weiser, Conrad, 1696-1760 Pennsylvania. Militia. Pennsylvania Regiment Pennsylvania. Office of Lieutenant Governor

Box 3, Folder 1 Deed for Indian lands along the Susquehannah River, signed by the Sachems of the Susquehannah River, granting to William Penn… 1700 September 13 Scope and Contents This copy of the 1735 exemplified copy was most likely made in 1757, during the Walking Purchase investigation.

Box 3, Folder 2 Jonathan Harrison map of the land between the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers, with Indian towns and trails identified 1719 June 7 Scope and Contents A manuscript map related to the boundary dispute between New York and New Jersey.

Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking 3 mssWalking Box 1, Folder 1 Extracts from the Minutes of Property, concerning purchases of land from Delaware Indians by Nicholas Depue, Daniel Broadhead and others… 1727-1737 Scope and Contents Includes a true copy of a letter from James Logan to Joseph Wheeler concerning purchases from Native Americans.

Box 3, Folder 3 Excerpt from the minutes of the Indian council at Philadelphia…between Governor Patrick Gordon and the Chiefs of the Delaware and Shawnee, regarding Susquehannah River lands 1728 June 5 Scope and Contents Excerpts from the minutes of the 1728 treaty council convened to deal with unauthorized settlements in the Delaware lands.

Box 1, Folder 2 A List of the Goods which Sassoman alias Allummapi Sachem of the Skuykill Indians received in consideration of the Lands on Skuyhill… 1732 August 7-September 7 Scope and Contents Signed by Sasonan, Alalapis, Pesqueetan, Mayeemo by "his mark."

Box 1, Folder 3 Thomas Penn note to James Steel approximately 1732-1735 Box 1, Folder 4 Tattemey letter to Thomas Penn 1732/1733 March 22 Scope and Contents This is a letter petitioning for the right to the land at the forks of the Delaware River.

Box 3, Folder 4 Nicholas Scull map of the fork of the Delaware River approximately 1735 Scope and Contents This manuscript map was probably drawn for a 1732 deed.

Box 1, Folder 5 Jacob Knykendal, et al., letter to Governor George Thomas 1740/1741 January 3 Scope and Contents This is a letter attesting to the character of Jacob Seaberring; signed by Jacob Kuykendall, Abraham van Campen, Nicholas Dupui and Jacobus Kuykendall.

Box 1, Folder 6 Jacob Seaberring letter, Smithfield, to Governor George Thomas 1740/1741 January 3 Scope and Contents Letter is heavily water stained.

Box 1, Folder 7 Chiefs of the Shawnee and Mingo Indians letter, Aleganie, to Governor George Thomas 1741 September 19 Scope and Contents With red wax seal. Letter is protesting that rum is being brought onto their lands by Edward Shippen's traders.

Box 1, Folder 8 Governor George Thomas letter, Philadelphia, to the Chiefs of the Indians at Alleghany 1741 October 20 Scope and Contents Also includes a second copy; both copies also include the Chiefs' letter of September 19.

Box 1, Folder 9 Summary of a letter from Heads of Proprietors 1756 December 11 Scope and Contents Letter from Thomas Penn to unidentified recipient, perhaps Richard Peters. Mentions William Denny, Thomas Pownall, Benjamin Franklin and his instructions from the General Assembly.

Box 1, Folder 10 Memorandum relating to the Delawares 1756

Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking 4 mssWalking Box 1, Folder 11 William Denny Proclamation of peace with the Delaware and Six Nations 1756 Scope and Contents A draft with corrections, endorsed August 3 1757.

Box 1, Folder 12 Inquiry Committee summons letter to be sent to witnesses regarding the Walk 1757 February 21 Scope and Contents A draft of the summons to be sent to John Hyder, Edward Marshall, and Timothy Smith.

Box 1, Folder 13 Edward Marshall's examination deposition relating to the 1737 Walk 1757 March 1 Scope and Contents A corrected draft; also includes a second clean copy. Marshall was one of the 1737 walkers and the one who "finished."

Box 1, Folder 14 John Hyder's examination deposition relating to the 1737 Walk 1757 March 1 Scope and Contents A heavily corrected draft.

Box 1, Folder 15 Alexander Brown's examination deposition relating to the 1737 Walk 1757 March 5 Scope and Contents A heavily corrected draft. Brown was a witness to the 1737 Walk.

Box 1, Folder 16 Timothy Smith's examination deposition relating to the 1737 Walk 1757 March 15 Scope and Contents A heavily corrected draft. Smith was one of the 1737 walkers.

Box 1, Folder 17 Memorandum with respect to Indian minutes in the Council Books 1757 July Scope and Contents List of excerpts from the minutes of the Provincial Council contained in Book K and Book A.

Box 1, Folder 18 Minutes of a portion of the proceedings of the Council of Easton 1757 August 1 Scope and Contents A draft with corrections made in different hands.

Box 1, Folder 19 Minutes recording an account of a meeting between Teedyuscung and Groghan at Easton 1757 August 1 Box 1, Folder 20 Minutes recording terms sent to Teedyuscung via Mr. Croghan 1757 August 1 Scope and Contents The terms offered a public reading of the Walking Purchase deed in lieu of an inquiry by Sir William Johnson.

Box 1, Folder 21 Return of the Garrison at Fort Halifax 1757 August 1 Scope and Contents Fort Halifax was located on the Susquehanna River.

Box 1, Folder 22 Benjamin Shoemaker and John Drake affidavit attesting to having witnessed a meeting between Teedyuscung and Pemberton at Easton 1757 August 2 Scope and Contents Document signed by Shoemaker and Drake.

Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking 5 mssWalking Box 1, Folder 23 Christian Budge and Edward Biddle deposition regarding witnessing a meeting between Teedyuscung and Pemberton at Easton 1757 August 2 Scope and Contents Document signed by Budge and Biddle.

Box 1, Folder 24 Council at Easton Treaty minutes 1757 August 2 Scope and Contents Incomplete portions of three documents; a corrected draft in multiple hands.

Box 1, Folder 25 George Croghan and Conrad Weiser affidavit regarding meeting at Easton with Teedyuscung 1757 August 2 Scope and Contents Document signed by Croghan and Weiser.

Box 1, Folder 26 Benjamin Chew's Memorandum of what passed at the Easton Conference 1757 August 3 Box 1, Folder 27 Conrad Weiser's account of the Indian reaction to Teedyuscung's words at the Easton Conference 1757 August 3 Scope and Contents Document signed by Weiser and Thomas McKee.

Box 1, Folder 28 Ephraim Goodwin's examination deposition being a witness to the 1737 Walk 1757 August 3 Scope and Contents A corrected draft.

Box 1, Folder 29 Governor William Denny's speech to Teedyuscung at the Easton Conference 1757 August 3 Scope and Contents A corrected draft; with corrections in Denny's hand.

Box 1, Folder 30 James Read letter, Reading, to Richard Peters 1757 August 3 Scope and Contents Signed autograph letter, with red wax seal.

Box 2, Folder 1 Extract from Conrad Weiser's journal, concluding the Treaty at Easton 1757 August 7-8 Box 2, Folder 2 James Young letter, Philadelphia, to Governor William Denny 1757 August 12 Scope and Contents Signed autograph letter.

Box 2, Folder 3 James Hyndshaw affidavit regarding a meeting between Teedyuscung and Israel Pemberton at Easton 1757 August 31 Scope and Contents A corrected draft.

Box 2, Folder 4 Mary Lisle deposition relating to witnessing of an Indian deed 1757 August Scope and Contents A heavily corrected draft.

Box 2, Folder 5 Plan of Business detailing legal strategy for presenting the Proprietors' defense against the Indian claims 1757 August Scope and Contents A heavily corrected draft.

Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking 6 mssWalking Box 2, Folder 6 W. P. remarks and brief diary entries relating to Easton Treaty 1757 August Box 2, Folder 7 Conrad Weiser deposition relating to Indian's request 1757 September 24 Scope and Contents A corrected draft; concerns the October 1736 treaty with the Native Americans and the sale of their land.

Box 2, Folder 8 James Hamilton, William Allen, Richard Peters, and Nicholas Scull affidavits relating to the 1686 Walking Purchase Treaty 1757 September Scope and Contents A corrected draft.

Box 2, Folder 9 William Allen, James Hamilton, Richard Peters, and Nicholas Scull affidavits relating to the 1686 Walking Purchase Treaty 1757 October Scope and Contents A fair copy.

Box 2, Folder 10 The Order of numbering the Papers 1757 November 11 Scope and Contents List of eighteen documents to be copied.

Box 2, Folder 11 Index to the Committee of Council's Report 1757 November Scope and Contents A draft; fragile, with heavy ink bleed-through, with some loss of text.

Box 2, Folder 12 James Hamilton, William Allen, and Richard Peters affidavits relating to the 1686 Walking Purchase Treaty 1757 December 6 Scope and Contents A heavily corrected draft.

Box 2, Folder 13 William Allen, James Hamilton, Richard Peters, and Nicholas Scull deposition relating to the 1686 Walking Purchase deed and the 1737 Council 1757 December 6 Scope and Contents A fair copy; with original string enclosed.

Box 2, Folder 14 Francis Inglish letter to Governor William Denny 1757 December 8 Scope and Contents A petition for clemency on suspicion of being a French spy, written from jail.

Box 2, Folder 15 James Read letter, Reading, to Conrad Weiser 1757 December 24 Scope and Contents Followed by: note by Conrad Weiser to Governor William Denny.

Box 2, Folder 16 Richard Peters' affidavit regarding William Markham's diary 1757 Scope and Contents A heavily corrected draft.

Box 2, Folder 17 Abstract of the Bill, 1685 September 2, Penn v. Baltimore approximately 1757 Scope and Contents Manuscript bound with string. A copy concerning the Pennsylvania and Maryland boundary dispute.

Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking 7 mssWalking Box 3, Folder 6 List of goods purchased for the use of the Province and to be disposed of in such a manner as the Commissioners with the assent of the Governor shall think most conducive to the public interest approximately 1757 Scope and Contents Likely a list of gifts purchased for the 1757 council.

Box 3, Folder 7 We, Mayhkeerickkishsho, Sayhoppy, Taughhaughsey…: copia vera of the 1686 Walking Purchase Treaty approximately 1757 Scope and Contents A true copy of the allegedly lost 1686 Walking Purchase Treaty; the main document justifying the Walking Purchase. This copy was most likely produced by Richard Peters' office in 1757.

Box 2, Folder 18 Excerpt from the minutes of a 1737 August 24 Provincial Council approximately 1757 Scope and Contents A copy; most likely prepared in the course of the 1757 investigation.

Box 2, Folder 19 First meeting; The 3 Points Mentioned; Memorandum on Book C; wrapper for Conrad Weiser affidavit 1757-1762 Scope and Contents Miscellaneous manuscripts and fragments.

Box 2, Folder 20 The speech of Ackowano Mio an old Indian on Ohio in behalf of the Delaware Indians and others living on the waters thereof 1758 September Scope and Contents A speech copied out by Conrad Weiser.

Box 2, Folder 21 Richard Peters and Nicholas Scull, affidavit regarding the handwriting of the 1686 Walking Purchase deed 1758 December 30 Scope and Contents A heavily corrected draft.

Box 2, Folder 22 Benjamin Franklin Petition to the King's most Excellent Majesty in Counsel…on behalf of the Indians 1759 February Scope and Contents A contemporary copy.

Box 2, Folder 23 Board of Trade and Plantations. Response to Benjamin Franklin's petition to open an inquiry into the Indian complaints 1759 August 29 Scope and Contents A fair copy; incomplete.

Box 2, Folder 24 Conrad Weiser response to Charles Thomson's Enquiry into the Causes of the Alienation of the Delaware and Shawnees Indians 1759 Box 2, Folder 25 Richard Peters' affidavit regarding the handwriting of the 1686 Walking Purchase deed 1762 May 28 Scope and Contents A corrected draft.

Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking 8 mssWalking Box 2, Folder 26 An account of the conversation between Joseph Fox and the Governor on the 21st June 1762 about an accommodation 1762 June 21 Scope and Contents A corrected draft; also includes a second fair copy. This account concerns an attempt to settle the dispute at Easton.

Box 2, Folder 27 List of persons present and an account of the opening of the Easton conference with the Indians 1762 June 22 Scope and Contents Document in the hand of Conrad Weiser.

Box 2, Folder 28 Minutes relating to Israel Pemberton's defense of the Indians at Easton 1762 June 22 Scope and Contents A draft of the notes taken during the proceedings at Easton.

Box 2, Folder 29 Notes on the proceedings at Easton 1762 June 22 Scope and Contents A draft of the account of Sir William Johnson's and Israel Pemberton's speeches to the Indians at Easton.

Box 2, Folder 30 Account of the conversation between Joseph Galloway and Benjamin Chew 1762 June 24 Scope and Contents A corrected draft.

Box 2, Folder 31 Account of the meeting between the Committee of Assembly and James Hamilton 1762 June 25 Box 2, Folder 32 Extracts from Secretary William Markham's alleged 1686 August diary relating to the 1686 Walking Purchase 1762 June Scope and Contents A corrected draft; the excerpts were used by the Proprietors' lawyers to prove the authenticity of the 1686 treaty.

Box 3, Folder 5 Governor George Thomas letter, Philadelphia, to Lenape Indian Chiefs 1740 May 20 Scope and Contents Letter concerns an attack on a settler named Henry Webb by a Native American named Awannemeak near Menesinck.

Box 2, Folder 33 Papers examined and put into the London Box…respecting Teedyuscung's complaint 1762 June Box 3, Folder 8 Newspaper clipping 1915 January 3 Scope and Contents "Penn Manuscript gives evidence of Indian Treaty:" Public Ledger, Philadelphia.

Box 2, Folder 34 Newspaper clippings and envelope 1932-1962

Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking 9 mssWalking