I realize this video is two years old, but the soldier he mentioned is buried near the intersection of Brouse Rd and Tower Rd, at the very top of the hill. The tombstone is inside a small fence directly beside the road and is cared for by a retired veteran and his son. It is about a mile or so from the Leroy farm.
Hard to believe how many of us, including myself, were born less than 200 years from the massacre, and born right here in and near this area. It blows my mind how things change and quickly.
Just love the early American history, especially French & Indian war as did not know much about this. Thanks for the video and look forward to next chapter about the women taken captive and what life was like living with the Indians.
Hi Wandering Woodsman, I'm reading a history of my Pennsylvania ancestors The Weddells of Old Westmoreland 1757- 1957. My Great ×3 Grandfather, George Weddell, and his family became the First Family of Old Westmoreland. This publication is an historical gem. Here is an excerpt: " In order to appreciate the situation in which the Weddell family has now found itself it will be necessary to look into the movements and motives in the peoples interested in this section of the country at this time. Possibly no other decade in American history has had more significance than the ten years beginning with 1750...Here we find up to this time a vast wilderness peopled by scattered tribes of Indians living in peaceful existence together. These Indians were of three distinct tribes or origens. The powerful Iriquois Federation, or Six Nations, had long been in control of this territory, tho their home grounds were around the Finger Lakes in New York, and they came down here only on game hunting trips, a few camps staying the year long along the rivers. When the Delawares were crowded out of their homes along the seaboard, the Iriquois permitted them to settle and when the Shawanees were likewise crowded out of their Virginia and Carolina homes, they too were welcomed here. But they both were considered subject people...When LaSalle in 1669 came down the Allegheny with his exploratory force and went on down the Ohio, it did not disturb the Indians, for they did not realize that the French would, through this expedition, lay claim to the land." Onward the story goes, movement by movement, all the players, key figures- Celeron, Christopher Gist, George Washington, Captain Contrecoeur, King Shingess, General Forbes, on an on, and exact locations, all in staggering detail. This is an historical bombshell, you must read it!
Excellent video! Side note, but an interesting history fact as well: during the time of the massacre, Penn's Creek originally emptied into the Susquehanna just east of the location of your filming. During the 1840s construction of the Penna Canal system, the creek was diverted south using what was called the "Mud Dam." To this day, Penn's Creek joins Middle Creek and empties into the Susquehanna River farther south...this was done to prevent the construction of a single aqueduct onto the "Isle of Que" instead of two (over both Middle and Penn Creeks).
Hi Cliff, I really like when you make historical video's as they are always very interesting and engaging. I look forward to your next instalment of this historical war. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx 💖
Cant wait til next video to hear about the women n girl captives. I love this history. Nothing is ever taught nor said much of the French n Indian war. I live in Fulton cty pa and this area has a rich history from that time period along with several forts.
It's good, these sorta trips - instead of History being some dates and places one reads in a textbook for a test later.... this stuff makes it REAL. 👍🏽
The Leininger family are my ancestors, was always told this story as a child by my family, apparently there was a child that was that was with Regina when she was found by her mother in Carlisle where they took the captives when they were released to be identified by family. The child is quite the interesting story twist that was never really discussed to much but rightfully so, such a thing would have been hard to deal with back then, having native blood in the family would be traced back to this likely scenario.
Yes, the Leiningers are my ancestors as well....Sebastian Leininger is my 6th great grandfather, through the surviving son George, and his son George and his son Jacob, and his daughter Harriet....who married a Jackson...then on some more down to me....
Wow, old trail Selingsgrove. My father was born in a cabin on old trail somewhere. I need to get back up there soon and see my relatives, but this darn C thing is stopping me at the moment. Thanks for that bit of history. I'd actually never heard it before. My parents moved to the area I'm at in Chester County when I was only 3 months old. Looking forward to hearing the girls' stories as well.
Welcome to Mifflinburg Pennsylvania. I live just 4 miles west of that location. There is a farm house on the north side of Mifflinburg as well.. It has a clock on outside of the house wall. That is also Indian related. I don't know the whole story. But it is interesting as well. There is a another Indian story a man swimming to the north of the Susquehanna river from Sunbury. My father in law told me the story. May you return to our sometime again. Safe travels
Like one of your other viewers stated previously, : the victors always write the history. That makes it so we always get just one side of the story or a "jaded story," making the whole story or real history hard, if not impossible to find out about. I live in Lancaster County, Pa. I was born here and live on what's left of the family farm where I grew up. I've always loved history but it's rare that local history is ever taught in school so you grow up never knowing what happened right around you or even under your own feet. I appreciate your exploration into area and Pa. history.
This story hits me close to home. Barbara Leininger was my 5x Great Grandmother! I remember my Grandmother telling me we had an Indian captive in the family, but she didn't know too much about it. I do genealogy and that's how I found it. Yes, the story about the girls is very interesting! Looking forward to that video! Barbara's father's name was Sebastian, and her brother that was killed was Conrad. George was with his mother, who was also named Regina that day. Barbara married Peter Ruffner. They are buried at the old section of the Allegeny Union Cemetery, Mohnton, Berks, PA. There are no tombstones.
@John Quarter Oh wow! Who was your relative? That's interesting! There is the narrative of Barbara and Marie on line. Did you see that one? It's their words. There is also another good book that came out recently, "Taken Beyond the Ohio", by Michael Wescott Loder. At the end of the book he lists many sources and information.
Thanks Cliff I drove up to state college today 123 21 and was in that area. What a beautiful area and the history!! So interesting. Love this video but have to ask you can you get over to the Susquehanna just south of there? The river is the most beautiful color almost like a Florida ocean color. My friend said it's because the water is so clear and it's so cold. I've never seen it like that might be interesting to include in one of your videos. There were also white caps on the river because of the wind. There must be some interesting Trails right along there too
This was very interesting. Having moved to Pennsylvania from Raleigh North Carolina, I find myself extremely happy with the way I have been greeted by the locals. They are wonderful! I am happy to be here.
I think it’s excellent that this man shares his love of history with the rest of us! If you don’t like it, turn it off or watch something else, do not give him a thumbs down for edjucating us !!!!!!
That graveyard is said to have leroy's in it.not sure never been up.the house there at farm owns that ground ,name of snooks .he you ask John should let you walk up.he can fill you in on more this story
I'm not from that area, but have been to the Penn's Creek area many times visiting Penn's Creek Bible College !! Your findings are very interesting and info I had never heard !! Love the area and always so happy to visit there !!!
Having grown up close to Penns Creek and having camped there for many many years (still do), it's amazing just really went on there during that time. Thank you.
Having helped the Lenape nation with some of this historical research, it seems that the more likely natives involved in these massacres were Haudenesaunee (Iroquois), Mohawk, and other northern tribes who had joined forces with the French. They'd stage a raid, kill as many strong men as they could, then retreat quickly with female and child prisoners who they could make the march out to be taken to upper Canada and traded to the French Military. Many of the children who survived the march were adopted into tribes in the north. My 6th G grandfather's 2 sons were killed in a raid like this (Delabole, PA). The wife and two sons were marched to Canada. The wife was taken by a French Officer as a servant. The two boys were adopted. When the war concluded and a prisoner exchange granted, the wife returned home, but the one son wanted to stay with the tribe. Eventually, he did return, but spoke well of his time with the tribe and retained some of their ways. The second son never returned. He either died during the journey or stayed with a tribe that adopted him. The Lenape still living among the Europeans often were scape-goated as being responsible, as whites did not recognize that not all the tribes operated together. There were many instances of whites helping warn or protect neighborhood Indians living among the whites who became wrongly accused (esp. refer to vigilantes like the Paxton's). Also note: thanks for correctly pronouncing Lenape!
Well thats added to the list. Love learning the history of this state with a specific interest in the F&I War. Great video, very informative. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for this series. My knowledge of the French and Indian war is limited to Spencer Tracy and James Fenimore Cooper. Thought it was mostly a New York State conflict. Good stuff!
Love the French and Indian War History. I live in North western P.a. Erie County,we have 2 different portages the French used from lake Erie to Fort Duquesne in Pittsburgh along with 2 forts.
I was born 20 miles from Fort Necessity and studied the F&I war in my area. Braddocks grave, Jumonville Glenn and others were frequent visits. Great informative video.
My family came from Union and Snyder counties sometime after the Civil War. My wife and I drove there to meet up with family that I had recently identified. Our family here in Ohio lost contact after my great grandfather and grandfather died. I really enjoyed seeing many of the same sights again that you visited and looking forward to more videos
Omg I grew up in Penn's creek I'm surprised you knew or found out about it I learned about in the 4th grade because my teacher at that time was in love with Pennsylvania history
Kudo's on your account of history, especially the French and Indian war that has many times not been accurately depicted. I have ancestors that fought in that war and researched their history as well as to the causes of the war and the consequences. You obviously have done your homework! You get an A !
Have you ever visited the site of Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley Massacre? In this action native Americans under a female clan mother named Queen Esther, captured a large number of militia men that had been sent against them, the prisoners were surrounded and each was taken and placed upon a large rock that is still there today, Queen Esther then took a large war club and beat each man's head in screaming her murdered sons name ( Gancho) with every stroke only two men managed to escape one of whom Lebue Hammond hid in a nearby swamp until the warriors were finished and left the area, he then fled to the nearest settlement, with news of the attack.
You are finding places and markers of our past, while we are allowing markers and monuments to be removed or destroyed. The brave people of BOTH sides need to be remembered. Not discarded cause some people don't know how to honor our past. Sorry off the soap box now. Thank you Cliff for telling what is known of Both sides.
My great grand father x5 was John George Obermier. In 1770 He was the first settler west of Penns creek after the massacre. He lived where Switzers run hits Penns creek. His massive log home was called Fort Obermier and they built a log fort later. There is a historic marker up at the road.
Thanks for sharing! Our ancestors were linked in a couple of ways. My 7th Great-grandfather was Johann Georg Etzweiler II. He was stationed at Fort Obermeier (Obermier or Overmeyer), and served under your ancestor, outside of New Berlin. He was 1 of 4 men killed by the Delaware Indians who were helping the British, in the Revolution. The men at your ancestors fort were Long riflemen, who specialized in night attacks, and were part of George Washington's "Rangers on the Frontier". They were North of Mifflinburg, protecting a Frenchman's Mill, when they were caught in a surprise attack, while "washing their linens in the creek." Georg Etzweiler was buried along Brouse Road, at the edge of a farm field, if you turn left at the end of Tower Road, which he mentioned in the video. He mistakenly heard that the soldier was from the French and Indian War. Another ancestor of mine George Hacker (misspelled on the list) was on the same Ship passenger list as your John George Obermeier. A double connection. Nice to meet you!
Just found your channel. Love it! I live just outside of Athens PA. In litchfield township. My great great ....great and so on Grandfather Thomas Park was wounded at the Wyoming Valley massacre. He was out warning sugar men of the possible attack and was shot twice . A ball in his hip went with him to his grave. He was with Gen Sullivan on his campaign. The fort of old Tioga was built at the point of the susquehanna and Chemung rivers in what is now Athens. He was the first settler of litchfield. There are canal remnants old ghoast towns of Barclay,Laquin,Long valley, Foot of the plains. Stone works of all kinds scattered through the woodlands. This area is rich with history. Your work is an inspiration to folks to get out take a walk into there heritage and local history. I used to walk the river flats after the spring plowing. And have found a few dozen arrow heads and spear points over the years. I enjoy your channel alot. Thank you
I enjoy the early American history and thank you for sharing and talking the history. Looking forward to the story of the girls being in captivity. Probably is a private farm cemetery across from the monument. Thank you for sharing these locations.
The 5 Nations who defeated the Leni Lenape in battle considered them women and no longer able to sell the land. When they found out what the Lenape had done, they sold the land again to the Penn family and sold the land the Lenape were living on as punishment. As to the timing, the forts were built to defend Penn land from the French who were encroaching on English land. Braddock was defeated trying to build a road to Fort Duquesne to attack the French but the Lenape were already fighting on the side of the French. Braddock was shot by an officer in his own ranks, and also George Washington was at that battle and succeeded in removing Braddock before he died. They buried him at a crossroads and ran the horses over the grave so it would never be identified. I think it was though, because I have seen a drawing of Captain Jacobs of the Lenape wearing Braddock's waist high boots. LOTS of very interesting stories from the Indian wars, Captain Jacob's deserves a lot of recognition, to the NA he was a hero. Spoke English as well as an Englishman and had a white wife who chose to be his wife.
The Shawnee also had a war chief who was born white, his name was Blue Jacket, and he was captured as a youth by a war party, after he killed a deer at a very long range using a bow the Indians were so impressed by his skill, that they decided to adopt him on the spot. In order to get him to go with them willingly, they threatened to kill his younger brother who was with him, if he did not, years later the brother was taken prisoner by a war party, and taken to his brothers village to be put to the stake, his brother recognized him and claimed him as a slave, saving his life, and later released him, when Blue Jacket died he was reputedly buried on wildcat creek in Indiana a short distance above ( to the North of) the Interstate 70 bridge, the grave site is on railroad property and I don't know if it's marked.
I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan( the Eastern end). The French & Indian War played a prominent place in the local area. The conflict between France, Britain & the local native Americans is centered on St.Igance, Mackinac Island & the Straits between Lake Michigan & Lake Huron. The massacre at Fort Michimilimacinac is well known. Detroit of course played a prominent role in the War as well. Torture of captives was horrific. I have read accounts by those who witnessed it, from this time period.
I like the perspective that you have on this. The native Americans got a raw deal so they did what they felt was right. Was it the right thing?... probably not but what would you do? The “massacres “ happened against them too
What they did to the natives was horrific and I've got ties to this through my grandparents when they came to America heartbreaking what they did they were here first
Among them the massacre at Gnadhutten in this action Militia invaded a town built by the Moravian religious sect where converted natives lived in peace and farmed, the survivors were rounded up and placed in their church, the door was nailed shut and the building torched, any who tried to escape were shot or tomahawked, this action was praised as a great victory, but in reality only further inflamed the tribes.
@@brittanyhayes1043 so when the white man came to the new country and started claiming land thousands and thousands of acres of land and the occupants came back to find that their land was overtaken by white men in which they were scared because they have never seen a white person before I could go on and on study up on your history heartbreaking what they did absolutely heartbreaking there are trash this day that are not existent because they did a genocide here and killed them all because they came back to their lands. I've got a very long history of my ancestors being in these wars since the 1600s and it bothers me very much I think what they did was terrible to the tribes. We not only stole their land we brought disease corruption on and on and on I could go
@@lisasmith7854 There not all dead there are 13 million Native Americans still alive today and I know my history and love it. I love my Settler Ancestors and my Colonial ones.
This is a case of injustice on both sides. Nevertheless, no tract of land no matter how vast is worth even a single scalp. I doubt the massacred settlers were the decision-makers who defrauded the natives, especially not those three kidnapped girls. Great coverage of little-known history.
Great job. I'd love to see you do more around that area - from the logging in Williamsport to the ferries and canals down to Clarks Ferry. The Susquehanna river is rich with local history and remnants. I did archaeology on 11&15 in Liverpool when the highway was widened. We investigated some of the canals that still remain (but that was not the focus of the dig). All of the hundreds/thousands of artifacts that we unearthed are housed at the PA State Museum in Harrisburg. And the Penns Creek is a curiosity in many ways from the headwaters at Penns Cave to the delta at the river. A common kayak trip in the lower Penns is to put in right where you were in New Berlin and float down to Mill Road, or down to Selingsgrove if you have the water level to do it. I have to ask WHAT camera you are using?? when you zoomed in on the Stees cemetery it took my breath away.
Excellent piece of history glossed over in typical schools. A lot of nasty stuff happened during that whole period. Being an early settler was a very risky business.
Thanks for the video. First time I have seen one of your posts. I really enjoyed this and look forward to following your future videos, especially a followup of the daughters, and of course any other historical items you may post. Actually seeing these historical sites adds a reality that is fascinating. Thanks!
The French Indian War was not the first attack on English settlers, the great run away was the first attacks up and down the Susquehanna basin , it was earlier then French Indian War. There was the second great run away is the french Indian War, There is some forts like one in Sunbury, Muncy, Pine Station and Lock Haven. There is a sign in between mcelhattan and pine Station where the fort was. Which was taken down by pennsylvania railroad. There was some captured during the great run away near Muncy which the Fort was burnt but rebuilt then burnt again, There was much about this great run away
Certain family buried in Mifflinberg cemetery. Albright. Revisited this summer - charmed small town, but much was closed with the Covid stress. Great state to spend time exploring-
