Book Excerpt

Quaker Sarah and the Indian

by Pippa Pralen

Many things barren in the eyes of the world

are not barren in the eyes of God.

 ~ William Penn

Many of these events actually happened.  A fierce struggle took place in the 1700s as the empires of France and England fought for control of the New World.  Hostilities spread to the beautiful lands of the Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  The Quakers sought peace amid the turmoil.

Journey to Pahaquarra

Sarah trundled behind the carts containing her family's worldly possessions.  The air was very clear, sweet and wholesome; in the height of summer it was hotter than in England. They traveled the Kings Highway along the Delaware river toward their new home in “Minisink”.  The river shimmered below.  

At the age of 17 Sarah was ready to face life’s challenges.  She often saucily tossed her black hair defiantly and not in a Quakerly way.  Her father saw her strong will, but wanted it disciplined and channeled, so the fire within not consume her.

There were few settlers in this hushed woods of New Jersey at the corner of Pennsylvania with its forest glens and cascading streams.  Hard to believe there had been such troubles here.

Settlers were still uneasy at night because bands of Munsee Indians prowled these ancient woods, especially on the Pennsylvania side of the river.  Relations had soured as the Indians resented the whites building cabins which rested on the bones of their ancestors.  The Indians were  called “Delaware” or “Lenape”, the Munsee were a local band.

Her father carried no gun.  Sarah and her family were Quakers, a religious group that called themselves "Friends", but the outside world called them “Quakers”.  They shunned violence of any kind.

Sarah wore the traditional "Quaker grey" plain clothes.  Many Friends refrained from colorful clothing dyed with indigo and other dyestuffs because slaves did the dying work.  However, the decision to wear plain clothes remained an individual commitment.

The name “Quaker” came from outsiders because Friends appeared to tremble or “quake” when inspired at their worship.  

Her younger sister Rebecca rode on their horse, and occasionally nodded off, sleepy with the rhythmic trotting of the horse.  

Their cow's bell made a comforting sound.  They hoped to arrive before nightfall at the Copper Mine Inn, one of the few inns in this remote area.  There was a copper mine on this road which the Dutch had mined, coming down from New York to mine the copper

since the early 1600s.

Sarah had seen a bear running in the distance yesterday.  And a cat-like creature moved swiftly as well through the forest, “was it a panther or bobcat?”  This land was certainly different from England!  So new and fresh with fertile lands and freedom.

Some of the early New Jersey settlers had written to William Penn and told him that "the Indian country on the west side of the Delaware is most beautiful to look upon, and only wanteth a wise people to render it, like ancient Canaan, 'the glory of the earth."  Mr. Penn wanted a home for his Quaker brethren where they would be quite free to worship God in their own way. Here was the land waiting for him. There were other settlers already here, Swedes, Dutch, and English.

In the early days the natives hunted the game on this road, paths made by the animals that they hunted. Then came the white man who followed these same paths.  Sarah’s father saw the Inn’s sign and dirt path leading to the Inn.  It would be good to rest.  

They passed Walepake, a tiny hamlet.  In Lenape language "wahlpeck," means "turn-hole," or whirlpool.. Eddies and rushing streams abounded in the Minisink area.  

They were the only Quakers at the Inn. Two traders were there and one other travelling Dutch settler family, whose blonde hair drew attention.  At supper they chattered away, a lively bunch, speaking Dutch.  “What a strange language” Sarah thought.  “The world is so big and full of wonder!”

The dining room was filled with the pungent smell of tobacco, as men puffed on clay pipes.  The Dutch girl Inga taught Sarah  that a lot of Dutch words end with “kill”  because “kill” means “river”  or “creek”.  They were a family of 6, all blonde-headed.  They were travelling to Trent towne", at the falls of the Delaware river in New Jersey.  

A steaming bowl of “seafood muddle” was served, consisting of mussels and fish from the river.   It tasted so good, Sarah had two bowls!

At dinner an argument erupted about the Indian troubles.  “Master Quick has the right idea. Kill them all!” shouted one of the guests, a ruddy faced man named Johann.  Tom Quick was known locally as “the Indian Slayer”, who had sworn to kill as many Indians as he could, after a group of Indians killed his father.  The Quick family were Dutch too and many felt sorrow and anger for their sufferings.  “A man must be ready for these savages!”

Sarah’s father listened intently with a sad look on his face.  Quakers believed strongly in non-violence.  They believed there was "that of God in  everyone”.  William Penn, a Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania, told fellow Quakers he “never felt more safe than when he walked “unarmed” through the hostile Indian villages.

Debate and argument was not the way of the Quakers.  So Sarah’s father listened respectfully, then said “Well, let us hope and pray for peace.”  

The others stared, perplexed.  As usual, his demeanor commanded respect and even the rowdy traders stopped their yelling.  The tone of conversation had changed, and after some low murmurs and grumbling the Innkeeper arrived carrying steaming hasty pudding, a welcome treat.  This pudding was filled with local berries unlike the plain pudding Sarah’s mother made, but both puddings were delicious!

Hasty Pudding Recipe

(A  "quick" or hasty pudding)

3 cups milke (milk),
 1 cup cream, 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, 1 cup molasses, 1 teaspoon salt,  
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon,
 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves,
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger ,
4 large eggs, 
4 tablespoons butter

This is to be boyled (boiled) or Stewed with a gentle fire, till it be tender, of a fit consistence, as of Rice so boyled, into which Milke, or butter be put either with Sugar or without it, it is a food very pleasant, but it must be observed that it be very well boyled, the longer the better, some will let it be stewing the whole day: after it is Cold it groweth thicker, and is commonly Eaten by mixing a good Quantity of Milke amongst it. .

~~~~~~~~~~.

The next day a Quaker family came to welcome them, carrying a dish of succotash (corn, beans and cranberries) and a strawberry pie.  

Each day that followed was filled with exhausting chores and work. Sarah ravenously ate her suppers, but especially “Johnny Cakes”, which were common at meals.  Corn was plentiful and cornmeal was a staple food.

Johnny Cakes Recipe

1 cup cornmeal

¼ cup flour

1 tablespoon molasses

Take thee hot water and make moist the meal so it holds together

Make small flat cakes, cook in buttered pan over fire, until the first side is brown.  Turn and cook the other side.

END OF STORY EXCERPT

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

William Penn and the Quakers

The Quaker religion or ”Religious Society of Friends” was founded in England in 1650 by George Fox.  Among their basic beliefs is the priesthood of all believers.  Another belief is a commitment to nonviolence.

William Penn. an early Quaker, was born to a rich, noble family in England.  The wealth of William Penn can only be described as prodigious. His father had played a central role in restoring the Stuart monarchs, and in the course of it had conquered for the Crown the enormously valuable property of the Island of Jamaica. For these efforts, the father had been rewarded with extensive properties in Ireland, and a highly influential position at Court.

His father lent a large sum to the King of England.  As a debt repayment, the American territories which have now become the states of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania were given to Penn.  In 1681, Charles II of England granted a land tract to William Penn for the area that now includes Pennsylvania.  William Penn established a colony based on religious tolerance; it and its chief city, Philadelphia was settled by many Quakers.

Lenape or Delaware Indians

Most Lenape were pushed out of their homeland by expanding European colonies during the 18th century after losses from intertribal conflicts.[  Lenape communities were weakened by newly introduced diseases, mainly smallpox, and violence by Europeans. Iroquois people occasionally fought the Lenape. Surviving Lenape moved west into the upper Ohio River basin. The American Revolutionary War and United States' independence pushed them further west. In the 1860s, the United States government sent most Lenape remaining in the eastern United States to the Indian Territory under the Indian removal policy. In the 21st century, most Lenape now reside in the US state of Oklahoma, with some communities living also in Wisconsin, Ontario (Canada), and in their traditional homelands

Quaker Plain Speech

Some Quakers still use plain speech today.  Many customs and manners, such as speech, were used to indicate one’s position in society, such as which class one belonged in.  The Quakers objected to class consciousness.  The Quakers changed the more formal “you”, to “thou”.  “Thou” had been anciently in use, but that it had been deserted for “you” for no other purpose, than that of flattery to men.

Visit Hostile Indians to Quaker Meeting House

In 1775 in Easton, New York during a time of renewed Indian hostilities, Chief “Fierce Feathers” and his warring band of Indians unexpectedly visited the small Quaker meeting house. The Indians came with raised bows and necked arrows, but their leader, glancing around, saw the Quakers were unarmed.  The Indian leader told his warriors to put down their weapons, and directed them to sit quietly at the back of the meetinghouse.

When the Quakers were finished with their silent worship, they greeted the Indians. But it turned out that the Indians spoke only French, and none of the Quakers did -- except Robert Nesbitt, a visiting Quaker.

With Nesbitt translating, the Indians explained they had come with the intention of killing the Quakers. When they saw that the Quakers were unarmed and seemed to welcome them instead, they changed their minds. Then the leader realized that white people were worshiping the Great Spirit in Silence, the same way his people did, so he had men to join them.