Keystone Threads

I have to pick up where we left off with the last blog entry regarding Johannes Sechler. In 1750, he purchased 200 acres of land in Lynn Township, Northampton County. Some research suggests that Johannes moved the entire family to this property, but I believe the tract was purchased as an investment, with Johannes sending his sons Jacob and Andreas ahead to develop the new land, while he and the rest of the family maintained the family’s farm in Upper Hanover Township until his death in 1761.

To build some context in support of my theory, there are four main reasons I believe it was an investment property as opposed to a new “homestead”. First, the homestead was constructed in the 1750s. At this time, Johannes was in his 50s, making it physically challenging to clear trees, build a home from scratch, and battle the weather in Pennsylvania. Second, William Penn’s laws were created with the intent to improve and develop property. If Johannes was successful, he would secure the land for his family for the next generation. Third, Johannes had a considerable property to manage in Upper Hanover Township, and he also died there, which would make it unlikely that he moved to Lynn Township. Finally, it was customary for Pennsylvania Germans to buy frontier land, send older sons to develop it, and then pass it on after death. Since Johannes was considered “affluent”, it would make sense that he would follow cultural norms.

Back to the task at hand…clearing this 200-acre parcel at the foot of Blue Mountain was a huge task. Completing this would secure their land permanently according to William Penn’s laws. The following photos were posted on various websites that discuss the Sechler homestead in Lynn Township. The home was occupied until 1919, and was subsequently demolished in 1976.

THE LYNN TOWNSHIP RAID (ALLEMANGEL MASSACRE)

The expansion into the wilderness placed the Sechler family in immediate danger. The outbreak of the French and Indian War in 1754 transformed the Pennsylvania backcountry into a volatile border region. Because Lynn Township was located at the foot of the Blue Mountains, the Sechler property sat directly on the frontier line of this colonial conflict. By the summer of 1757, regional tensions were high due to frequent raiding parties pushing south into the valleys.

On July 9, 1757, at approximately 3:00 PM, a Native American raiding party ambushed a group of local settlers who had gathered to harvest corn at the neighboring farm of Adam Clauss. While five individuals managed to escape into the woods to sound the alarm, those caught at the dinner table suffered heavy casualties. Neighbors Martin Jager and his wife, along with the wife and child of John Croushore, were killed and scalped during the attack.

The Sechler family was also struck by the raid. One of Abraham Sechler’s children was killed (1756-1757), and his first wife, Barbara (Moll) Sechler (1735-1780) was captured, shot through both the side and thigh, and scalped. Despite the severity of her injuries, she survived the assault. A military report written immediately after the incident recorded that Abraham’s wife was “sculpt and is yet alive, but badly wounded. A transcript is posted below.

The above said Holder Informs me he had this Acco’t from good Authority, said Schlosser’s House is situated in Allemangle.” (Penn. Arch., iii, p .771.) We now give a characteristic letter which, in itself, would show that it came from Jacob Wetterholt, even if his name were not signed to it. It is written to Major William Parsons at Easton, and is headed:(Lehigh) Northampton County, Lynn Township, July 9, 1757.

Honored Sir: These are to Acquant you of A murder Happened this Day at the Houce of Adam Clance, in said Township of Lynn, whaire three or fore Nabors was Cutting said man’s Corn as they Was Eating thaire Diner they waire fell one By A Perty of Saviges, Indians, and Five of the Whits Took to there Heals, two men, two Women, and one Gerl, and Got saf out of theire hands. Was killed and Scalped, Martin Yager and his Wife, and John Croushores, wife and one Child, and the Wife of Abraham Secles and one Child of one Adam Clauce and the Wife of John Coucehere, and the wife of Abram Secles was Sculpt and is yet Alive, But Badly wounded, one Shot Thro’ the Sid and the other in the Thy, and two Children kild Belonging to said Croushere, and one to said Secles, and one Belonging to Philip Antone Not Sculpt, and this Was Don at Least three Miles within the out side Settlers, and 4 miles from John Everett’s and Philip Antone’s wife was one that Took her Tilit and came hom and acquainted her husband, and he came and Acquainted me, and I went Emeaditly to the Place with seven men Besides my Self and Saw the Murder, But the Indians was Gon and I Derectly Purs’ed them About 4 Miles and Came Up with them in the thick Groves weaire Wee met with Nine Indians, and one Sprung Behind a Tree and took Site at me and I run Direct at him, and another one the sid Flast at me, and then Both took to there Heals, and I shot one as I Goge Thro’ the Body, as he fell on his face, But I Loaded and after another that was Leding A maire, and ye meane time he Got up and Run away and I fired on the other, and I think I shot him in ye Buttux, and my Soldiers had ippertunity to shot three times, and then they Got out of oure Site in the thick Groves, and Wee Cold Not find them No more, But I Got from them one maire and tow Saddels, one Bridel and Halter, & one Bag with a Cag of Stil Licker in it, and Cloths and one Brace Cittel and fore Indian Cake Baked in the ashes of wheat meal and to Aquat you further, that I have Several New Soldiers that has No Guns, and were Little Powder and Led, and I have sent this Express to you Hoping that you Wold Help me with Arms and Ammenishan, and so I Remaine yours friend and Umble Servent JACOB WETHERHOLD
(Penn. Arch., iii, p. 211.)

A family member asked for some maps to help orient them. Here they are.

As a side note, I recently traveled to Sechler Road in Lynn Township while returning from a trip to Newark, NJ. I didn’t see much evidence of a homestead, but did snap this picture of the road sign.