Book Report:
Moravian Journals in
Central New York 1745-66

Edited by Rev. Win. M. Beauchamp, S.T.D.

I would like to share the following with you. It’s an excellent account of Moravian Missioners and their journeys by foot and water from Bethlehem Pennsylvania, up the Susquehanna River, not far from the Schoharie Valley to Oneida, Onondaga and Seneca country. They came in contact with a great number of Indians from the Conestoga, Delaware, Oneida, Onondagas, Nanticokes, Tuscaroras, Maqua (Mohawk), Sennakes (Seneca), Cayuga, Shawnees, Tutelo, Munsies and French Indians.

In their travels they met Conrad Weiser, the noted Indian interpreter from Telpehocken (named from the Delaware Indian’s, Tulpewihacki, Land of the Turtles). They also mentioned Michael Scheffer and wife who came from Schoharie to Pennsylvania in 1725 and also Loesch, a Schoharie Palatine, who went to Tulpehocken in 1723 from Schoharie.

“Conrad Weiser, interpreter and Moravian, was born in Wurtenberg in 1696, coming to New York in 1710 (with his father, John Conrad Weiser, and seven brothers and sisters). They eventually settled in the Schoharie Valley.” The village where they settled bore his name Weisersdorf, present day Middleburgh. In 1729 he went to Berks County, Pennsylvania and became an interpreter. He died July 13, 1760 and was buried in the family graveyard near Womelsdorf.

Many years ago, with my family, I visited the Weiser home in Womelsdorf. When the Schoharie license plate on our station wagon was recognized we received a warm welcome.

Thursday 14 June - “We refreshed ourselves with some cittamun (Indian corn roasted in the ashes and pounded into flour).

Saturday 16 June - “While visiting, Oneshsagerat’s, an Indian chief, he told us he was on the point of accompanying another Indian who was going to Schochery.”

Monday 18 June - Met an Indian who told us he was acquainted with Conrad Weiser and enjoyed a good drink in his house.

July 26 1752 - “The party left Bethlehem, arriving at New York July 3rd, and leaving there on a sloop, August 3rd. They were in Schenectady on the 11th, and the next day came to William’s Fort, a Maqua Town, where many Indians live who were baptized by a minister of the church of England, by name Ogilby. We found but few at home. Conrad Weiser’s son (Samuel born April 25, 1735) resided here last summer, to learn their language.” At another time the Moravians called Fort Hunter, Williams’ Fort.

“We left the low Dutch Church and entered the High Dutch settlements, stopping 8 miles east of Canajoharie, the Indian Town. High and Low Dutch settlements referred to people from Holland and Germany. The Later were Palatines.”

“The salt spring found by Le Moyne was of considerable size. The Indians did not then use salt.”

“The English called the Indians brothers, the French termed them Children.”

“The Moravians carried wampum with them. Wampum was necessary as credentials.

“We went on and reached Oneida Lake - It is eight German miles long and eight English miles wide.”

“They (Indians) have planted 40 acres of corn. The men hoed and the women planted.” They met French traders, watched Indians war parties leave the villages they were in but did not encounter any fighting. It was the time of the French and Indian War, 1754-1763.

“It is not land that we are after unlike the ministers who travel through wilds occasionally. We came to learn their language and as soon as we were sufficiently advanced we wished to bring them the words of the creator.”