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The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
On December 14, an armed group massacred six peaceful Conestoga Indians in their Lancaster County, PA, town, burning their homes. Sixteen more were killed in Lancaster prison despite protection. Survivors fled to Province Island; Governor Penn issued a proclamation for their safety and to pursue offenders.
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The following is a more particular and further Account of the Barbarity of a Number of People in murdering the Indians in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, than that published in our last.
On the 14th of December last, a Number of People armed and mounted on Horseback, unlawfully assembled together, and went to an Indian Town in the Conestoga Mannor, in Lancaster County,( Province of Pennsylvania ) where, without the least Reason or Provocation, they barbarously killed Six of the Indians settled there, and burnt and destroyed all their Houses and Effects ; the others precipitately fled towards Philadelphia; but 16 of them, being old and infirm, stopt at Lancaster, and applied to Authority for Protection ; they were accordingly put into Prison, as the Place of greatest Safety. Their Pursuers soon after arrived and being informed of the Place the Indians were in, demanded the Keys which being denied, they broke open the Doors, and in the most inhuman Manner massacred the whole Number. The others, about 150 Men, Women and Children, fled to Province Island, a little below Philadelphia; and some Soldiers with several Field-Pieces, were sent for their Protection.
The above party, we hear, could assign no reason for their behaving in this manner, except that they were the chosen people of God, and that all the Indians ought to be extirpated from among them.
As this inhuman Act, committed in the Heart of that Province,on the said Indians, who lived peaceably and inoffensively among the Inhabitants, called loudly for the vigorous exerting of civil Authority,- Governor PENN has issued a Proclamation, charging all Officers whatsoever within that Government, to detect the Offenders, if possible. The Governor has also signified, at the Peril of Transgressors, that none do molest or injure a Number of Indians lately removed at-their own earnest Request from the Frontiers of that Province to the Province Island, and other Places in the Neighbourhood where Provision is made for them at the Public Expence.
A considerable number of the principal inhabitants of Philadelphia have had a meeting to consult some measures for the protection of those Indians at Province Island ; and it was thought they would be transported to Nantucket. Various conjectures were formed of what would be the consequences of the above unhappy transaction ; but most were apprehensive that it would produce some ill effects.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Lancaster County, Province Of Pennsylvania
Event Date
14th Of December Last
Key Persons
Outcome
six indians killed in conestoga manor town, houses and effects burnt; 16 old and infirm indians massacred in lancaster prison; about 150 others fled to province island under protection; proclamation issued to detect offenders and protect remaining indians.
Event Details
A number of armed and mounted people unlawfully assembled and attacked an Indian town in Conestoga Manor, Lancaster County, killing six Indians without provocation and destroying their homes. Survivors fled; 16 sought protection in Lancaster prison but were massacred by pursuers who broke in. The attackers claimed religious justification for extirpating Indians. Governor Penn proclaimed for detection of offenders and protection of Indians relocated to Province Island. Philadelphia inhabitants met to plan further protection, considering transport to Nantucket; apprehensions of ill consequences.