Last updated: June 5, 2026
Article
The Pilgerruh Diary of a Moravian Missionary
National Park Service
Two firsthand accounts survive to tell their story, written by Moravian missionaries John Heckewelder and David Zeisberger. Heckewelder left the settlement with his family on October 9, 1786, and later recorded a narrative history of the experience. Zeisberger, however, remained for the entire ten months and kept a meticulous daily diary. His entries capture the rhythms, challenges, and defining moments of life in Pilgerruh. They provide an unusually vivid window into this brief chapter of Lenape history.
Ohio History Connection
Zeisberger’s account remains a valuable primary source: both for the detail it preserves and for the insight it offers into late 1700s settlement and cross‑cultural relationships in the Cuyahoga Valley. However, a word of caution is necessary. Everyone has biases. Zeisberger’s observations come through the lens of a Euro‑American missionary whose faith deeply shaped his interpretation of events. His conviction in the transformative power of Christianity influenced his views of the Lenape, the white traders who visited the settlement, and other Native nations. Also note that Zeisberger demonstrated empathy toward Native cultures—an attitude not always shared by other Euro‑Americans of his time.
Selections from Zeisberger’s diary appear below.
Stalked by Hunger and Sickness
Hunger quickly became a constant and unwelcome companion at Pilgerruh. The Christian Lenape and the Moravian missionaries had originally intended to settle farther south. At the time, they called this the Muskingum, but it is now known as the Tuscarawas River. Through the Land Ordinance of 1785, the US Congress of the Confederation had granted land here to the Christian Lenape as reparations for the Gnadenhutten Massacre. However, when the group reached the mouth of the Cuyahoga River in the second week of June 1786, the planting season was already slipping away. Pressed by the urgent need for food, they chose instead to settle roughly twelve miles upriver from Lake Erie.
Almost as soon as they arrived, the community began planting corn in a field long used by Ottawa (Odawa) people. They hoped that fertile soil would give them a head start. They supplemented their meager crops by foraging for fruit, hunting wild game, and purchasing flour from visiting traders. Even so, hunger shadowed the settlement. Zeisberger’s diary makes repeated, urgent mention of the community’s struggle to secure enough to eat. It reveals just how precarious life in Pilgerruh truly was.
Monday, June 12
. . . Hunger begins to fall sharply upon us. May the Saviour soon help us out of our need! Chippewas came to us, who have been hunting along the lake; they went and took away secretly many horse-loads of flour from that stored in the house above us. No one of our people took any of it, though they have much want and suffer hunger.
Sunday, June 18
We came to an old Ottawa town, where we stopped to examine the neighborhood. We considered what would be best for us, and found that we and our Indians could not hold out to keep up our journey as we had thought, namely, to come to Thuppekiink, where we had thought of planting yet. We saw that we should yet have several days labor, that our people had nothing to eat, and we dared not then think of planting. We resolved, therefore, to stay here this summer, when our matters would become clearer, for at present we are confused, and know not rightly how things are with us. We laid out our camp upon the east side of the creek, upon a height, and the day after.
Monday, June 19
We sowed the land on the west side, where we wished to plant, and found good and, in part, quite clear land for this purpose, only it was very wild, the weeds standing as high as a man, which we had to cut down, thus having much trouble and labor.
Monday, July 31
Several went away hunting. The Chippewa chief here in our neighborhood, with some women and children, visits us daily to get something to eat, for all their men have gone to Pittsburg, and they who are here have nothing to eat and we have little ourselves, but when they come we always give them something to eat. We ended the month with consideration of our Scripture verse.
. . . Hunger begins to fall sharply upon us. May the Saviour soon help us out of our need! Chippewas came to us, who have been hunting along the lake; they went and took away secretly many horse-loads of flour from that stored in the house above us. No one of our people took any of it, though they have much want and suffer hunger.
Sunday, June 18
We came to an old Ottawa town, where we stopped to examine the neighborhood. We considered what would be best for us, and found that we and our Indians could not hold out to keep up our journey as we had thought, namely, to come to Thuppekiink, where we had thought of planting yet. We saw that we should yet have several days labor, that our people had nothing to eat, and we dared not then think of planting. We resolved, therefore, to stay here this summer, when our matters would become clearer, for at present we are confused, and know not rightly how things are with us. We laid out our camp upon the east side of the creek, upon a height, and the day after.
Monday, June 19
We sowed the land on the west side, where we wished to plant, and found good and, in part, quite clear land for this purpose, only it was very wild, the weeds standing as high as a man, which we had to cut down, thus having much trouble and labor.
Monday, July 31
Several went away hunting. The Chippewa chief here in our neighborhood, with some women and children, visits us daily to get something to eat, for all their men have gone to Pittsburg, and they who are here have nothing to eat and we have little ourselves, but when they come we always give them something to eat. We ended the month with consideration of our Scripture verse.
Wednesday, August 9
Joshua came from the Fort [Pitt]. The Pittsburgers, as we hear, have great pity for us, and consider together how they can help us and our Indians in our famine until orders come from Congress, which would delay too long if they should now first make the announcement there . . . Our brethren suffer great hunger; this can be seen in their faces, and this depresses their spirits much. We cannot but pity them, but we cannot help them, for we have nothing ourselves.
Saturday, August 12
Contrary to our expectations, many brethren were at home who had been to Pettquotting [Moravian settlements on the Huron River in Ohio] for corn, whence indeed they brought some, though not much. We had thereupon, upon the 13th, a very blessed communion. This gave the brethren new courage.
Joshua came from the Fort [Pitt]. The Pittsburgers, as we hear, have great pity for us, and consider together how they can help us and our Indians in our famine until orders come from Congress, which would delay too long if they should now first make the announcement there . . . Our brethren suffer great hunger; this can be seen in their faces, and this depresses their spirits much. We cannot but pity them, but we cannot help them, for we have nothing ourselves.
Saturday, August 12
Contrary to our expectations, many brethren were at home who had been to Pettquotting [Moravian settlements on the Huron River in Ohio] for corn, whence indeed they brought some, though not much. We had thereupon, upon the 13th, a very blessed communion. This gave the brethren new courage.
Saturday, September 16
William returned from the head of the Tuscarawas, where he had been hunting. He found there eleven swarms of bees, from one of which he brought the honey, and the rest he let alone till he could get them. Others besides have found from eight to ten and more. The bush swarms with bees. In the same neighborhood there had been not only slight frosts, but heavy ones, though we here have had none. Our corn is yet very backward, and should we get a hard frost, it would all go, and all our trouble and labor would have been in vain, and as it is, some will get no corn, either planting not the proper kind or too late.
Saturday, October 7
Samuel and Thomas came back from their journey. During almost the whole trip the first had to withstand a severe illness [coming home sick], for in all Indian towns a severe fever rages.
Wednesday, October 11
All the brethren who are at home and well, went out hunting to get meat to eat while building the meeting-house, and some sisters for chestnuts, of which there are many this year. Many sisters came back from Pettquottiug and Sandusky, where they earned corn in the harvest. Some of them were seized by the sicknesses prevalent everywhere among the Indians, such as fever and swollen necks, on which account they were so long away.
Saturday, November 25
Many brethren came home from hunting, content, with horse-loads of venison and bear-meat, and casks filled with honey they had collected in the bush, for there are many bees here; thus our Indians, after the hunger they have endured, will again for a time have enough to eat, and more, and can live well; they cheerfully gave to us.
William returned from the head of the Tuscarawas, where he had been hunting. He found there eleven swarms of bees, from one of which he brought the honey, and the rest he let alone till he could get them. Others besides have found from eight to ten and more. The bush swarms with bees. In the same neighborhood there had been not only slight frosts, but heavy ones, though we here have had none. Our corn is yet very backward, and should we get a hard frost, it would all go, and all our trouble and labor would have been in vain, and as it is, some will get no corn, either planting not the proper kind or too late.
Saturday, October 7
Samuel and Thomas came back from their journey. During almost the whole trip the first had to withstand a severe illness [coming home sick], for in all Indian towns a severe fever rages.
Wednesday, October 11
All the brethren who are at home and well, went out hunting to get meat to eat while building the meeting-house, and some sisters for chestnuts, of which there are many this year. Many sisters came back from Pettquottiug and Sandusky, where they earned corn in the harvest. Some of them were seized by the sicknesses prevalent everywhere among the Indians, such as fever and swollen necks, on which account they were so long away.
Saturday, November 25
Many brethren came home from hunting, content, with horse-loads of venison and bear-meat, and casks filled with honey they had collected in the bush, for there are many bees here; thus our Indians, after the hunger they have endured, will again for a time have enough to eat, and more, and can live well; they cheerfully gave to us.
Tuesday, December 12
It has snowed now for several days, and again to-day steadily. The snow always gets deeper, so that we are in a good deal of trouble about our cattle, while at this time of year on the Huron River [Ohio] we saw little snow, or almost none. The sisters brought our turnips from the field to the house for our cattle. Some of the hunters came home, for the snow is too deep for hunting, and our Indians are preparing to get snowshoes ready, a thing they had not expected, for on the Muskingum they never needed any, no deep snow ever falling.
It has snowed now for several days, and again to-day steadily. The snow always gets deeper, so that we are in a good deal of trouble about our cattle, while at this time of year on the Huron River [Ohio] we saw little snow, or almost none. The sisters brought our turnips from the field to the house for our cattle. Some of the hunters came home, for the snow is too deep for hunting, and our Indians are preparing to get snowshoes ready, a thing they had not expected, for on the Muskingum they never needed any, no deep snow ever falling.
Faith in the Face of Fear
While food and safety determined the physical survival of Pilgerruh, faith sustained the community’s spirit during their ten‑month stay. Zeisberger’s diary records countless moments when the inhabitants turned to their beliefs for strength, reassurance, and meaning in the face of hardship. Christianity was not merely a shared doctrine. It was the foundation that drew the Lenape and Moravian missionaries together and the framework upon which they sought to build their fragile settlement. In Pilgerruh, faith functioned as both anchor and compass, guiding the community through uncertainty when nearly everything else was beyond their control.
The community’s overriding concern was fear of another attack following the Gnadenhutten Massacre of 1782. Advice and news came from many quarters. Concern for personal safety was the main reason Pilgerruh was abandoned.
Thursday, August 10, and Friday, August 11
(W)e found the brethren cheerful and content, with a hearty longing for Jesus body and blood in the holy sacrament, which now we have not had for nearly five months, since Easter on the Huron River, and since we have been here, from the want of a chapel, for the Indian brethren have enough to do to support and maintain their families by hunting, and they cannot be expected to work until we have something to eat from our plantations.
Friday, November 10
We had the first services in our new chapel from the Scripture-verse: Look down from heaven and behold from the habitation of thy holiness. Thereupon was the communion quarter-hour, in which the holy communion was announced to the brethren for day after tomorrow.
(W)e found the brethren cheerful and content, with a hearty longing for Jesus body and blood in the holy sacrament, which now we have not had for nearly five months, since Easter on the Huron River, and since we have been here, from the want of a chapel, for the Indian brethren have enough to do to support and maintain their families by hunting, and they cannot be expected to work until we have something to eat from our plantations.
Friday, November 10
We had the first services in our new chapel from the Scripture-verse: Look down from heaven and behold from the habitation of thy holiness. Thereupon was the communion quarter-hour, in which the holy communion was announced to the brethren for day after tomorrow.
Monday, July 10
Goschachgiink Delawares came here from the Shawanese towns . . . all the Indians wished us not to go to the Muskingum for the time being, but to remain in Cuyahoga, since there was yet no stable peace. From this we perceive it will be pleasant for all the Indians that we stay here.
Thursday, August 17
Heckewelder and Edwards came back with cattle they had got from Mr. Wilson . . . He said we had done well in staying here and not going to the Muskingum; thinks also that it would not be advisable to move there in the spring or next year, for well-grounded reasons.
Friday, September 22
We heard unpleasant news, that without fail an Indian war would break out. The Indians are said through the summer to have murdered as wantonly in Kentucky and to have done as much damage as in the last war.
Goschachgiink Delawares came here from the Shawanese towns . . . all the Indians wished us not to go to the Muskingum for the time being, but to remain in Cuyahoga, since there was yet no stable peace. From this we perceive it will be pleasant for all the Indians that we stay here.
Thursday, August 17
Heckewelder and Edwards came back with cattle they had got from Mr. Wilson . . . He said we had done well in staying here and not going to the Muskingum; thinks also that it would not be advisable to move there in the spring or next year, for well-grounded reasons.
Friday, September 22
We heard unpleasant news, that without fail an Indian war would break out. The Indians are said through the summer to have murdered as wantonly in Kentucky and to have done as much damage as in the last war.
Thursday, August 17
Mr. Hutchins, with his surveyors and people, is out to measure and declare the boundary between the land of the States and of the Indians. It is generally believed that the undertaking will cause uneasiness among the Indians and indeed much murdering and killing sooner or later. Thus it is truly best we are far away. He says we have hit the best place on this creek, where the most excellent land lies, for he is well acquainted here.
Mr. Hutchins, with his surveyors and people, is out to measure and declare the boundary between the land of the States and of the Indians. It is generally believed that the undertaking will cause uneasiness among the Indians and indeed much murdering and killing sooner or later. Thus it is truly best we are far away. He says we have hit the best place on this creek, where the most excellent land lies, for he is well acquainted here.
Saturday, October 7
Samuel and Thomas came back from their journey . . . On their return they met Capt. Pipe, who was friendly towards them, and with a belt gave them a message which was as follows: "My friends, ye believing Indians in Cuyahoga, I have lately had news from the Goschachgiinkers in the Shawanese towns, that a great council will be held there, where to all nations assemble, which shall decide whether we shall have war or peace. Thereto also are ye invited to hear what the conclusion shall be." He turned the belt around and said to the other assistant: "Friends, ye believing Indians in Cuyahoga, ye have been moving about for several years, from Sandusky over the lake to the Chippewas, and now you have come back again to Cuyahoga, of all which ye have let us know nothing, While now the times are portentous and it seems as if a new war would break out. ye are in danger where ye are, of being again fallen upon by the white people. Therefore I take you. by the hand, and set you in the neighborhood of the Pettquotting [Moravian settlements on the Huron River in Ohio], which is intended for you; there seek ye cut a place that pleases you and is suitable for you . . . Accept this proposal for we mean well by you. I know well that your towns on the Muskingum are given to you, it may sometime happen—that ye go there, but for the time being it is not advisable . . ."
Samuel and Thomas came back from their journey . . . On their return they met Capt. Pipe, who was friendly towards them, and with a belt gave them a message which was as follows: "My friends, ye believing Indians in Cuyahoga, I have lately had news from the Goschachgiinkers in the Shawanese towns, that a great council will be held there, where to all nations assemble, which shall decide whether we shall have war or peace. Thereto also are ye invited to hear what the conclusion shall be." He turned the belt around and said to the other assistant: "Friends, ye believing Indians in Cuyahoga, ye have been moving about for several years, from Sandusky over the lake to the Chippewas, and now you have come back again to Cuyahoga, of all which ye have let us know nothing, While now the times are portentous and it seems as if a new war would break out. ye are in danger where ye are, of being again fallen upon by the white people. Therefore I take you. by the hand, and set you in the neighborhood of the Pettquotting [Moravian settlements on the Huron River in Ohio], which is intended for you; there seek ye cut a place that pleases you and is suitable for you . . . Accept this proposal for we mean well by you. I know well that your towns on the Muskingum are given to you, it may sometime happen—that ye go there, but for the time being it is not advisable . . ."
Tuesday, October 17
. . . late in the evening came a messenger from [Captain] Pipe, in Sandusky, telling us the Americans had made an incursion upon the Shawanese towns, killed ten men, among them a chief, and wasted and burnt everything. They conjectured the women and children were all taken prisoners, as they knew nothing about them; that they stayed there one night and then went back again; that they came to within four miles of the Delaware towns, when they turned about (which shows they have no intentions towards us). Farther, that a couple of Wyandots had brought in word they had seen many white people in Tuscarawas, and that more were always getting together, from which they conjectured an army was coming here this way . . . This news caused much fright among our Indian brethren . . . All the objections, however, by which we sought to set the brethren right, helped not at all; fright and dread were too great, they got ready and the sisters all fled to the bush till morning . . .
Wednesday, October 18
We considered with the brethren and found it best, for we saw them tilled with fear, to bring the sisters and children into the bush some distance from town, where by day they could go to and from. It was also not well to say much to them about the matter, having before us the example in Gnadenhuitten. The brethren could partly remain at home or go to and fro until, through our brethren, we had more exact news. This they did, and most of the sisters, with the children, went camping in the bush, but we remained at home, giving ourselves over to the providence of the Saviour. Abraham, while he wished to flee, thought, of his teachers, and fled not, but resolved with them to leave body and life.
Sunday, October 22
In the sermon, to which most of the brethren came, Br. David exhorted the brethren, and begged them not to let themselves be too much overcome by fright, nor seek to help themselves and find safety, but to take refuge with the Saviour, . . . by whom they would find comfort and advice. We were not as the heathen, without hope. We had a Saviour, the All powerful, to whom there was no want of wisdom, means, and ways to take his children through trouble, fear, and danger . . . We saw that this had effect upon our brethren’s hearts; they were encouraged and found comfort in the Saviour . . . In the evening, when it was already dark, we heard from afar a great uproar from white people and horses bells. We supposed it was the pack-horses with flour, but to the Indians, with ail our persuasions, this was not trust worthy, but they believed it to be the army of which we had heard, which would surround us, and no one would venture out to see, but every soul of them fled to the bush, and left us quite alone until, at dawn, Br. Schebosh went out and found it was the pack-horses, who by good luck had an Indian with them, a near friend of Pipe s, who told them that all they had heard was a lie. Then they were convinced, and recovered from their fear and timidity. If the Indian had not been with them, they would never have believed the white people. . .
. . . late in the evening came a messenger from [Captain] Pipe, in Sandusky, telling us the Americans had made an incursion upon the Shawanese towns, killed ten men, among them a chief, and wasted and burnt everything. They conjectured the women and children were all taken prisoners, as they knew nothing about them; that they stayed there one night and then went back again; that they came to within four miles of the Delaware towns, when they turned about (which shows they have no intentions towards us). Farther, that a couple of Wyandots had brought in word they had seen many white people in Tuscarawas, and that more were always getting together, from which they conjectured an army was coming here this way . . . This news caused much fright among our Indian brethren . . . All the objections, however, by which we sought to set the brethren right, helped not at all; fright and dread were too great, they got ready and the sisters all fled to the bush till morning . . .
Wednesday, October 18
We considered with the brethren and found it best, for we saw them tilled with fear, to bring the sisters and children into the bush some distance from town, where by day they could go to and from. It was also not well to say much to them about the matter, having before us the example in Gnadenhuitten. The brethren could partly remain at home or go to and fro until, through our brethren, we had more exact news. This they did, and most of the sisters, with the children, went camping in the bush, but we remained at home, giving ourselves over to the providence of the Saviour. Abraham, while he wished to flee, thought, of his teachers, and fled not, but resolved with them to leave body and life.
Sunday, October 22
In the sermon, to which most of the brethren came, Br. David exhorted the brethren, and begged them not to let themselves be too much overcome by fright, nor seek to help themselves and find safety, but to take refuge with the Saviour, . . . by whom they would find comfort and advice. We were not as the heathen, without hope. We had a Saviour, the All powerful, to whom there was no want of wisdom, means, and ways to take his children through trouble, fear, and danger . . . We saw that this had effect upon our brethren’s hearts; they were encouraged and found comfort in the Saviour . . . In the evening, when it was already dark, we heard from afar a great uproar from white people and horses bells. We supposed it was the pack-horses with flour, but to the Indians, with ail our persuasions, this was not trust worthy, but they believed it to be the army of which we had heard, which would surround us, and no one would venture out to see, but every soul of them fled to the bush, and left us quite alone until, at dawn, Br. Schebosh went out and found it was the pack-horses, who by good luck had an Indian with them, a near friend of Pipe s, who told them that all they had heard was a lie. Then they were convinced, and recovered from their fear and timidity. If the Indian had not been with them, they would never have believed the white people. . .
Saturday, October 7
. . . Samuel s brother, Augustus, blasphemed and said, among other things: "I was in Philadelphia [site of New Philadelphia, Ohio], in danger of my life, and have seen with my own eyes those who made attempts upon my life, and I got out of danger with difficulty. On the Muskingum the white people have at last attained their purpose, murdering so many of ave all gone to the devil; there will I go also; where they are there will I also be." Samuel heard him quite through, and answered him: I have heard thy mind and was horrified at it, but I will tell thee my mind . . . I say to thee, nevermore will I come to you and live with you . . . Perhaps if you lived nearby I would sometimes come to see you and visit you, but that will all be as it will. My forefathers nothing shall take me from the Saviour and the church so long as I live; neither trouble nor fear, neither hunger nor persecution nor danger to my life . . .
. . . Samuel s brother, Augustus, blasphemed and said, among other things: "I was in Philadelphia [site of New Philadelphia, Ohio], in danger of my life, and have seen with my own eyes those who made attempts upon my life, and I got out of danger with difficulty. On the Muskingum the white people have at last attained their purpose, murdering so many of ave all gone to the devil; there will I go also; where they are there will I also be." Samuel heard him quite through, and answered him: I have heard thy mind and was horrified at it, but I will tell thee my mind . . . I say to thee, nevermore will I come to you and live with you . . . Perhaps if you lived nearby I would sometimes come to see you and visit you, but that will all be as it will. My forefathers nothing shall take me from the Saviour and the church so long as I live; neither trouble nor fear, neither hunger nor persecution nor danger to my life . . .
Saturday, December 23
Having spoken with the brethren for several days, we found cause in part for joy, in part for sorrow. We had the number of thirty at the Lord s supper, which was accompanied by the Saviour s near presence. Three sisters and two brothers remained away this time. Samuel and Thomas were not yet back from Pittsburg, and we cannot conceive why they remain away so long. We conjectured that one of them must be ill, for Samuel was not right well when he went away.
From Gen. Butler, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, we had likewise a friendly letter, from which we learn his good intentions in offering us his services. Only it is a pity the winter is so hard and the way to him yet almost impassable, for I should like to see him to accomplish something for ourselves in the Indian land with the chiefs. Samuel told him the chiefs wanted to have us on the Pettquotting, but he advised him against accepting this call, telling him they would do ill to go there and would have an unquiet, pitiful life.
Having spoken with the brethren for several days, we found cause in part for joy, in part for sorrow. We had the number of thirty at the Lord s supper, which was accompanied by the Saviour s near presence. Three sisters and two brothers remained away this time. Samuel and Thomas were not yet back from Pittsburg, and we cannot conceive why they remain away so long. We conjectured that one of them must be ill, for Samuel was not right well when he went away.
From Gen. Butler, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, we had likewise a friendly letter, from which we learn his good intentions in offering us his services. Only it is a pity the winter is so hard and the way to him yet almost impassable, for I should like to see him to accomplish something for ourselves in the Indian land with the chiefs. Samuel told him the chiefs wanted to have us on the Pettquotting, but he advised him against accepting this call, telling him they would do ill to go there and would have an unquiet, pitiful life.
Friday, December 29
. . . In the evening, since now the two brothers have come from the Fort [Pitt], we made known to the assistant-brethren the resolve of Congress concerning our Indians and the orders sent out in their favor. Likewise that in the spring, by the grace of God, we should move to the Muskingum, it being the advice and direction of the Saviour and of the brethren. Br. David told them he was determined and ready to go and had thereby but one trouble, namely, whether all the brethren would be willing . . . He told them they had their choice. The chiefs had summoned them and wished to have them with themselves, with no other intention than utterly to destroy the Indian church, for from them we had nothing good to expect, either bodily or spiritually. If now they accepted the invitation of these chiefs it would not look well, Congress having made them such good offers and wishing to help them. If they went to the Muskingum, they would, perhaps, be done with the chiefs, but this would not hurt them, for they already knew from experience what they could expect from them . . . We found that the assistants all agreed with us, thinking as we did. They believed also that most of the brethren would agree and that perhaps none would remain behind. As far as we have observed among the brethren, they have no desire for the Pettquotting, still less for Sandusky.
. . . In the evening, since now the two brothers have come from the Fort [Pitt], we made known to the assistant-brethren the resolve of Congress concerning our Indians and the orders sent out in their favor. Likewise that in the spring, by the grace of God, we should move to the Muskingum, it being the advice and direction of the Saviour and of the brethren. Br. David told them he was determined and ready to go and had thereby but one trouble, namely, whether all the brethren would be willing . . . He told them they had their choice. The chiefs had summoned them and wished to have them with themselves, with no other intention than utterly to destroy the Indian church, for from them we had nothing good to expect, either bodily or spiritually. If now they accepted the invitation of these chiefs it would not look well, Congress having made them such good offers and wishing to help them. If they went to the Muskingum, they would, perhaps, be done with the chiefs, but this would not hurt them, for they already knew from experience what they could expect from them . . . We found that the assistants all agreed with us, thinking as we did. They believed also that most of the brethren would agree and that perhaps none would remain behind. As far as we have observed among the brethren, they have no desire for the Pettquotting, still less for Sandusky.
Sunday, December 31
David preached. Towards midnight, we assembled at the close of the year, called to mind the kindnesses of his gracious guidance and direction, and his help through all difficulties . . . A year ago we knew not how we should fare, and there was little likelihood of our getting away from the Huron River this year, but when we spoke in February with the commandant in Detroit, we found that the Saviour was beginning to make us a way . . . We celebrated Easter in peace, having blessed holidays, but soon thereafter, April 20th, we broke up and started upon our travels. In Detroit, where we stayed several days with the Indians and had to wait, the commandant gave orders that two ships should be fitted out for us to take us to Cuyahoga; with these we sailed away April 28, and on the 29th, came to the islands in the lake, where, owing to adverse winds, we lay, and used up a whole month, until, at last, it was so arranged . . . that we, partly by land along the shore, partly by water, all came, on the 8th of June, to the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Now was the trouble over, fortunately and without harm, but another met us, which was still harder than all, namely, famine . . . We settled here in the bush, where far and near was no Indian settlement, and for a long time saw no ways or means of getting that by which we and our Indian brethren could live, but the Saviour helped, so that . . . we were aided for pay, and also planted . . . that, with what the Indian brethren have got here from other places, we shall have enough to eat until spring. We trust our heavenly Father further to care for us and to give us advice . . . We stayed here on the Cuyahoga quite quiet as regards the savages and their chiefs until October, when we got a message from Sandusky, and the chiefs sent us an invitation to come to Pettquotting and settle there, and soon after a second [that we should go to Lower Sandusky] was so involved in lies that it put our Indian brethren in such fear that for a week they fled into the bush, from fear lest the white people should fall upon them to murder them . . . At last our brethren saw they had been deceived, and again came to their senses. After consideration of our Scripture-verse and text, we thanked the Lord upon our knees for all the goodness he had shown us. . . We were richly comforted by him and he let us feel his peace . . . We have had the holy communion six times, thrice over the lake on the Huron and thrice here, whereto five brethren have been admitted . . . At present there are with us of married people sixteen couples and one individual woman. Single men 2, of whom one unbaptized. Widowers 2. Single women 6, of whom two unbaptized. Widows 3. Big boys 8, of whom six unbaptized. Big girls 7, of whom three unbaptized. Boys 13, of whom two unbaptized. Girls 21, of whom one unbaptized. Total 95 Indian souls, among them 34 communion brethren, without those in Pettquotting.
David preached. Towards midnight, we assembled at the close of the year, called to mind the kindnesses of his gracious guidance and direction, and his help through all difficulties . . . A year ago we knew not how we should fare, and there was little likelihood of our getting away from the Huron River this year, but when we spoke in February with the commandant in Detroit, we found that the Saviour was beginning to make us a way . . . We celebrated Easter in peace, having blessed holidays, but soon thereafter, April 20th, we broke up and started upon our travels. In Detroit, where we stayed several days with the Indians and had to wait, the commandant gave orders that two ships should be fitted out for us to take us to Cuyahoga; with these we sailed away April 28, and on the 29th, came to the islands in the lake, where, owing to adverse winds, we lay, and used up a whole month, until, at last, it was so arranged . . . that we, partly by land along the shore, partly by water, all came, on the 8th of June, to the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Now was the trouble over, fortunately and without harm, but another met us, which was still harder than all, namely, famine . . . We settled here in the bush, where far and near was no Indian settlement, and for a long time saw no ways or means of getting that by which we and our Indian brethren could live, but the Saviour helped, so that . . . we were aided for pay, and also planted . . . that, with what the Indian brethren have got here from other places, we shall have enough to eat until spring. We trust our heavenly Father further to care for us and to give us advice . . . We stayed here on the Cuyahoga quite quiet as regards the savages and their chiefs until October, when we got a message from Sandusky, and the chiefs sent us an invitation to come to Pettquotting and settle there, and soon after a second [that we should go to Lower Sandusky] was so involved in lies that it put our Indian brethren in such fear that for a week they fled into the bush, from fear lest the white people should fall upon them to murder them . . . At last our brethren saw they had been deceived, and again came to their senses. After consideration of our Scripture-verse and text, we thanked the Lord upon our knees for all the goodness he had shown us. . . We were richly comforted by him and he let us feel his peace . . . We have had the holy communion six times, thrice over the lake on the Huron and thrice here, whereto five brethren have been admitted . . . At present there are with us of married people sixteen couples and one individual woman. Single men 2, of whom one unbaptized. Widowers 2. Single women 6, of whom two unbaptized. Widows 3. Big boys 8, of whom six unbaptized. Big girls 7, of whom three unbaptized. Boys 13, of whom two unbaptized. Girls 21, of whom one unbaptized. Total 95 Indian souls, among them 34 communion brethren, without those in Pettquotting.
Sunday, January 7
. . . We thought the news might be true, there was no impossibility about it, for ever since we have been here we have heard that the Indians are eager for war . . . On the other hand, it may also be deceit on the part of the chiefs, who secretly spread abroad such news . . . wishing to arouse fear and dread among our Indians, so that they may take refuge with them and accept their messages. Since now we were in uncertainty, and knew not what to believe, . . . we turned to the Saviour and begged his advice. We asked him whether, considering our circumstances, we had now anything to ask him, and the answer was, yes. In the consultation hereupon we made the following lots: 1st. The Saviour is for our soon going away from here; hereto we put a blank and the first was drawn. 2d. The Saviour tells us to go to the place on the Muskingum pointed out by the conference in Bethlehem, and hereto a blank, and the first was drawn. We had still one matter of concern, namely, to know whether we should soon set out upon our journey to the Muskingum, having for some time such fine weather, the ground free from snow, and the Cuyahoga perfectly clear from ice. The Saviour let us know that we had no need of haste, but could await the spring.
Saturday, March 10
We had a message from Lieut.-Col. Harmar from Fort Harmar, at the mouth of the Muskingum [who received the order from Congress and was to execute it], wherein he made known to us the resolve of Congress in our favor and told us we should send for the five hundred bushels of corn mentioned, twenty axes and twenty hoes and one hundred blankets in the aforesaid Fort Harmar. Also Gen. Richard Butler, Agent (for Indian Affairs), sent us word in a letter to Br. David that he had good hope that during the summer all differences with the Indians would be put aside and everything brought into good order. Trustworthy news from the assembly of the nations, he wrote, made this very credible to him. Messrs. Duncan and Wilson, however, advised us at the same time in their letter to remain here a year longer and to plant. They did not, indeed, allege their flour business, which they thought safe under our oversight, but because they believed that during this summer a stable peace would be made again with the Indians.
We had a message from Lieut.-Col. Harmar from Fort Harmar, at the mouth of the Muskingum [who received the order from Congress and was to execute it], wherein he made known to us the resolve of Congress in our favor and told us we should send for the five hundred bushels of corn mentioned, twenty axes and twenty hoes and one hundred blankets in the aforesaid Fort Harmar. Also Gen. Richard Butler, Agent (for Indian Affairs), sent us word in a letter to Br. David that he had good hope that during the summer all differences with the Indians would be put aside and everything brought into good order. Trustworthy news from the assembly of the nations, he wrote, made this very credible to him. Messrs. Duncan and Wilson, however, advised us at the same time in their letter to remain here a year longer and to plant. They did not, indeed, allege their flour business, which they thought safe under our oversight, but because they believed that during this summer a stable peace would be made again with the Indians.
Monday, March 26
. . . Since we were now prepared to break up from here after the Easter holidays, but the news which we heard both from Pittsburg and from the Indian laud, caused us much consideration and concern. . . indeed it seemed as if we were again hemmed in on all sides . . . So we brought our circumstances before the Saviour, and begged him most earnestly and pressingly to advise us according to his own heart, and to make known to us his gracious, good, and agreeable will. After much consideration and after our moving to the Muskingum at present was not opposed by him, and our other plans fell through, we saw that the way thither was barred for the time being; to remain here was also impossible, and we had no other resource than to go again out by the lake, whence we came a year ago, and finally as we had but this one plan in reserve wherewith all our schemes, thoughts, and considerations came to an end, the Saviour approved that we should seek a place of refuge between the Cuyahoga and Pettquotting, and there remain.
Sunday, April 1
. . . the brethren were told we had hitherto thoughts of going to the Muskingum, when we broke up here, but that we found our circumstances such that it was not yet time ; to remain here we also found not well; we should then select a place for a temporary abode between here and Pettquotting, but meanwhile always consider our appointed place on the Muskingum the object of our endeavors.
. . . Since we were now prepared to break up from here after the Easter holidays, but the news which we heard both from Pittsburg and from the Indian laud, caused us much consideration and concern. . . indeed it seemed as if we were again hemmed in on all sides . . . So we brought our circumstances before the Saviour, and begged him most earnestly and pressingly to advise us according to his own heart, and to make known to us his gracious, good, and agreeable will. After much consideration and after our moving to the Muskingum at present was not opposed by him, and our other plans fell through, we saw that the way thither was barred for the time being; to remain here was also impossible, and we had no other resource than to go again out by the lake, whence we came a year ago, and finally as we had but this one plan in reserve wherewith all our schemes, thoughts, and considerations came to an end, the Saviour approved that we should seek a place of refuge between the Cuyahoga and Pettquotting, and there remain.
Sunday, April 1
. . . the brethren were told we had hitherto thoughts of going to the Muskingum, when we broke up here, but that we found our circumstances such that it was not yet time ; to remain here we also found not well; we should then select a place for a temporary abode between here and Pettquotting, but meanwhile always consider our appointed place on the Muskingum the object of our endeavors.
Thursday, April 19
After the early service, in which, at the end, we thanked the Saviour in prayer for all the goodness, kindness, and blessing we had here enjoyed from him, and had further recommended us to his grace and guidance and after we had thereupon loaded our canoes, we went, some by water down to the lake, while, at the same time, they who went by land began their journey with Br. Zeisberger and his wife, but Br. Edwards with those by water.
After the early service, in which, at the end, we thanked the Saviour in prayer for all the goodness, kindness, and blessing we had here enjoyed from him, and had further recommended us to his grace and guidance and after we had thereupon loaded our canoes, we went, some by water down to the lake, while, at the same time, they who went by land began their journey with Br. Zeisberger and his wife, but Br. Edwards with those by water.
Learn More
These quotes by David Zeisberger were taken from Zeisberger’s Diary, 1781- 1798 (R. Clarke & Co. for the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio, 1885). This narrative of Zeisberger’s time with the Lenape (Delaware) Indians is available online and at libraries. Several different versions were published after his death.
The Delaware Nation at Moraviantown also maintain records of their history.