Walking Purchase Collection mssWalking
Gayle Richardson
The Huntington Library
February 2021
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Walking Purchase collection
Identifier/Call Number: mssWalking
Physical Description:
4.92 Linear Feet
(2 boxes and 1 oversize box)
Date (inclusive): 1700-1962
Date (bulk): 1727-1762
Abstract: A collection of correspondence and
documents related to the Walking Purchase and the 1756-1758 Councils of Easton retained by
the office of Pennsylvania's governor William Denny.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. Walking Purchase collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Donald A. Heald Rare Books and Fine Art by the Library Collectors' Council,
January 18, 2020.
Biographical / Historical
The Walking Purchase was an alleged agreement between the Penn family, the original
proprietors of the Province of Pennsylvania in the colonial era, and the Lenape Native
Americans (also known as the Delaware Indians). In 1737, Thomas and John Penn, Proprietors,
presented the Delaware Indians with what they said was the 1686 treaty that entitled them to
a tract extending "as far as a man can goe a day and a half." They then hired several men
who ran, not walked, for a day and a half along a set course in the Lehigh Valley; this
yielded a territory the size of Rhode Island (nearly 1,100 square miles or 1.2 million
acres). The Delaware Indians tried to challenge the deal, only to be forced off their
ancestral land in 1742. Their land was quickly sold off to settlers who poured into
Pennsylvania, netting the Penn family a considerable fortune. Despite several inquiries at
the Councils of Easton (1756-1758) as to the legality of the original Walking Purchase
treaty it was declared authentic and on June 23, 1762, Chief Teedyuscung signed a statement
acknowledging the legality of the Walking Purchase.
Scope and Contents
A collection of correspondence, documents, and maps related to the Walking Purchase and the
Councils of Easton retained by the office of Pennsylvania's governor William Denny (in
office from August 1756 to October 1759). The bulk of the collection consists of the records
of the Council of Easton (August 1757) and the inquiry into the legality of the Walking
Purchase authorized by Denny. It contains affidavits, sworn testimony, exhibits, memorandum,
correspondence, and notes; this material includes original documents dating back to the time
of the fraudulent land deal as well as some military correspondence. The collection also
includes several documents and letters concerning Native American troubles on the frontier
in the 1740s, along with their protests to the Proprietors over rum being sold to their
people. Important persons in the collection include, among others, William Allen, Benjamin
Chew, George Croghan, William Denny, Benjamin Franklin, James Hamilton, William Markham,
Israel Pemberton, Thomas Penn, Richard Peters, Nicholas Scull, Teedyuscung (Delaware Chief),
George Thomas, and Conrad Weiser. Almost all of the material in the collection is docketed
and bears the initials or signatures of W. H. Rolph, followed by hyphenated numbers. The
collection also contains oversize material and a small group of 20th century newspaper
clippings about the Walking Purchase and the material in this collection.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Gayle Richardson in 2021. The decision was made to retain
the original spelling of place names, as written on the documents, in the titles on the
folders and in the finding aid. Also, the documents and letters most often use the term
"Indian" to refer to Native Americans. The original terms have been preserved in the titles
of the material listed within the collection. The Native American tribes mentioned in the
documents include Delaware, Shawnee, Lenape, Mingo, and Six Nations. The tribe names are
preserved in item titles below as they appear in the documents; as of 2021, the peoples
described refer to themselves as Delaware Tribe of Indians; Shawnee Tribe; Delaware Nation,
Delaware Tribe of Indians, Stockbridge-Munsee Community; Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma;
and The Iroquois Confederacy.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Existence and Location of Copies
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Delaware Indians -- History -- 18th century
Delaware Indians -- Land tenure -- Pennsylvania -- History
Indian land transfers -- Pennsylvania -- History
Indians of North America -- Pennsylvania -- History
Indians of North America -- Pennsylvania -- Government
relations
Quakers -- Pennsylvania -- History -- 18th century
Pennsylvania -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
Pennsylvania -- Politics and Government -- Colonial period, ca.
1600-1775
United States -- History -- French and
Indian War, 1754-1763
Clippings (information artifacts) -- United States -- 20th
century
Legal documents -- United States -- 18th century
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 18th century
Manuscript maps -- United States -- 18th century
Allen, William,
1704-1780
Chew, Benjamin,
1722-1810
Croghan, George, 1720?-1782
Denny, William, 1718-
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Hamilton, James, 1710-1783
Markham, William,
1635-1704
Pemberton, Israel,
1715-1779
Penn, Thomas, 1702-1775
Peters, Richard,
1704-1776
Scull, Nicholas,
1686?-1761?
Tatamy, Moses Tunda, approximately 1690-1760
Teedyuscung, Delaware chief,
1700-1763
Thomas, George, 1695?-1774
Weiser, Conrad,
1696-1760
Pennsylvania. Militia.
Pennsylvania Regiment
Pennsylvania. Office of
Lieutenant Governor
Box 3, Folder 1
Deed for Indian lands along the Susquehannah River, signed by the Sachems of
the Susquehannah River, granting to William Penn…
1700 September 13
Scope and Contents
This copy of the 1735 exemplified copy was most likely made in 1757, during the Walking
Purchase investigation.
Box 3, Folder 2
Jonathan Harrison map of the land between the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers,
with Indian towns and trails identified
1719 June 7
Scope and Contents
A manuscript map related to the boundary dispute between New York and New Jersey.
Box 1, Folder 1
Extracts from the Minutes of Property, concerning purchases of land from
Delaware Indians by Nicholas Depue, Daniel Broadhead and others…
1727-1737
Scope and Contents
Includes a true copy of a letter from James Logan to Joseph Wheeler concerning
purchases from Native Americans.
Box 3, Folder 3
Excerpt from the minutes of the Indian council at Philadelphia…between Governor
Patrick Gordon and the Chiefs of the Delaware and Shawnee, regarding Susquehannah River
lands
1728 June 5
Scope and Contents
Excerpts from the minutes of the 1728 treaty council convened to deal with unauthorized
settlements in the Delaware lands.
Box 1, Folder 2
A List of the Goods which Sassoman alias Allummapi Sachem of the Skuykill
Indians received in consideration of the Lands on Skuyhill…
1732 August 7-September 7
Scope and Contents
Signed by Sasonan, Alalapis, Pesqueetan, Mayeemo by "his mark."
Box 1, Folder 3
Thomas Penn note to James Steel
approximately 1732-1735
Box 1, Folder 4
Tattemey letter to Thomas Penn
1732/1733 March 22
Scope and Contents
This is a letter petitioning for the right to the land at the forks of the Delaware
River.
Box 3, Folder 4
Nicholas Scull map of the fork of the Delaware River
approximately 1735
Scope and Contents
This manuscript map was probably drawn for a 1732 deed.
Box 1, Folder 5
Jacob Knykendal, et al., letter to Governor George Thomas
1740/1741 January 3
Scope and Contents
This is a letter attesting to the character of Jacob Seaberring; signed by Jacob
Kuykendall, Abraham van Campen, Nicholas Dupui and Jacobus Kuykendall.
Box 1, Folder 6
Jacob Seaberring letter, Smithfield, to Governor George Thomas
1740/1741 January 3
Scope and Contents
Letter is heavily water stained.
Box 1, Folder 7
Chiefs of the Shawnee and Mingo Indians letter, Aleganie, to Governor George
Thomas
1741 September 19
Scope and Contents
With red wax seal. Letter is protesting that rum is being brought onto their lands by
Edward Shippen's traders.
Box 1, Folder 8
Governor George Thomas letter, Philadelphia, to the Chiefs of the Indians at
Alleghany
1741 October 20
Scope and Contents
Also includes a second copy; both copies also include the Chiefs' letter of September
19.
Box 1, Folder 9
Summary of a letter from Heads of Proprietors
1756 December 11
Scope and Contents
Letter from Thomas Penn to unidentified recipient, perhaps Richard Peters. Mentions
William Denny, Thomas Pownall, Benjamin Franklin and his instructions from the General
Assembly.
Box 1, Folder 10
Memorandum relating to the Delawares
1756
Box 1, Folder 11
William Denny Proclamation of peace with the Delaware and Six
Nations
1756
Scope and Contents
A draft with corrections, endorsed August 3 1757.
Box 1, Folder 12
Inquiry Committee summons letter to be sent to witnesses regarding the
Walk
1757 February 21
Scope and Contents
A draft of the summons to be sent to John Hyder, Edward Marshall, and Timothy
Smith.
Box 1, Folder 13
Edward Marshall's examination deposition relating to the 1737 Walk
1757 March 1
Scope and Contents
A corrected draft; also includes a second clean copy. Marshall was one of the 1737
walkers and the one who "finished."
Box 1, Folder 14
John Hyder's examination deposition relating to the 1737 Walk
1757 March 1
Scope and Contents
A heavily corrected draft.
Box 1, Folder 15
Alexander Brown's examination deposition relating to the 1737 Walk
1757 March 5
Scope and Contents
A heavily corrected draft. Brown was a witness to the 1737 Walk.
Box 1, Folder 16
Timothy Smith's examination deposition relating to the 1737 Walk
1757 March 15
Scope and Contents
A heavily corrected draft. Smith was one of the 1737 walkers.
Box 1, Folder 17
Memorandum with respect to Indian minutes in the Council Books
1757 July
Scope and Contents
List of excerpts from the minutes of the Provincial Council contained in Book K and
Book A.
Box 1, Folder 18
Minutes of a portion of the proceedings of the Council of Easton
1757 August 1
Scope and Contents
A draft with corrections made in different hands.
Box 1, Folder 19
Minutes recording an account of a meeting between Teedyuscung and Groghan at
Easton
1757 August 1
Box 1, Folder 20
Minutes recording terms sent to Teedyuscung via Mr. Croghan
1757 August 1
Scope and Contents
The terms offered a public reading of the Walking Purchase deed in lieu of an inquiry
by Sir William Johnson.
Box 1, Folder 21
Return of the Garrison at Fort Halifax
1757 August 1
Scope and Contents
Fort Halifax was located on the Susquehanna River.
Box 1, Folder 22
Benjamin Shoemaker and John Drake affidavit attesting to having witnessed a
meeting between Teedyuscung and Pemberton at Easton
1757 August 2
Scope and Contents
Document signed by Shoemaker and Drake.
Box 1, Folder 23
Christian Budge and Edward Biddle deposition regarding witnessing a meeting
between Teedyuscung and Pemberton at Easton
1757 August 2
Scope and Contents
Document signed by Budge and Biddle.
Box 1, Folder 24
Council at Easton Treaty minutes
1757 August 2
Scope and Contents
Incomplete portions of three documents; a corrected draft in multiple hands.
Box 1, Folder 25
George Croghan and Conrad Weiser affidavit regarding meeting at Easton with
Teedyuscung
1757 August 2
Scope and Contents
Document signed by Croghan and Weiser.
Box 1, Folder 26
Benjamin Chew's Memorandum of what passed at the Easton Conference
1757 August 3
Box 1, Folder 27
Conrad Weiser's account of the Indian reaction to Teedyuscung's words at the
Easton Conference
1757 August 3
Scope and Contents
Document signed by Weiser and Thomas McKee.
Box 1, Folder 28
Ephraim Goodwin's examination deposition being a witness to the 1737
Walk
1757 August 3
Scope and Contents
A corrected draft.
Box 1, Folder 29
Governor William Denny's speech to Teedyuscung at the Easton
Conference
1757 August 3
Scope and Contents
A corrected draft; with corrections in Denny's hand.
Box 1, Folder 30
James Read letter, Reading, to Richard Peters
1757 August 3
Scope and Contents
Signed autograph letter, with red wax seal.
Box 2, Folder 1
Extract from Conrad Weiser's journal, concluding the Treaty at
Easton
1757 August 7-8
Box 2, Folder 2
James Young letter, Philadelphia, to Governor William Denny
1757 August 12
Scope and Contents
Signed autograph letter.
Box 2, Folder 3
James Hyndshaw affidavit regarding a meeting between Teedyuscung and Israel
Pemberton at Easton
1757 August 31
Scope and Contents
A corrected draft.
Box 2, Folder 4
Mary Lisle deposition relating to witnessing of an Indian deed
1757 August
Scope and Contents
A heavily corrected draft.
Box 2, Folder 5
Plan of Business detailing legal strategy for presenting the Proprietors'
defense against the Indian claims
1757 August
Scope and Contents
A heavily corrected draft.
Box 2, Folder 6
W. P. remarks and brief diary entries relating to Easton Treaty
1757 August
Box 2, Folder 7
Conrad Weiser deposition relating to Indian's request
1757 September 24
Scope and Contents
A corrected draft; concerns the October 1736 treaty with the Native Americans and the
sale of their land.
Box 2, Folder 8
James Hamilton, William Allen, Richard Peters, and Nicholas Scull affidavits
relating to the 1686 Walking Purchase Treaty
1757 September
Scope and Contents
A corrected draft.
Box 2, Folder 9
William Allen, James Hamilton, Richard Peters, and Nicholas Scull affidavits
relating to the 1686 Walking Purchase Treaty
1757 October
Scope and Contents
A fair copy.
Box 2, Folder 10
The Order of numbering the Papers
1757 November 11
Scope and Contents
List of eighteen documents to be copied.
Box 2, Folder 11
Index to the Committee of Council's Report
1757 November
Scope and Contents
A draft; fragile, with heavy ink bleed-through, with some loss of text.
Box 2, Folder 12
James Hamilton, William Allen, and Richard Peters affidavits relating to the
1686 Walking Purchase Treaty
1757 December 6
Scope and Contents
A heavily corrected draft.
Box 2, Folder 13
William Allen, James Hamilton, Richard Peters, and Nicholas Scull deposition
relating to the 1686 Walking Purchase deed and the 1737 Council
1757 December 6
Scope and Contents
A fair copy; with original string enclosed.
Box 2, Folder 14
Francis Inglish letter to Governor William Denny
1757 December 8
Scope and Contents
A petition for clemency on suspicion of being a French spy, written from jail.
Box 2, Folder 15
James Read letter, Reading, to Conrad Weiser
1757 December 24
Scope and Contents
Followed by: note by Conrad Weiser to Governor William Denny.
Box 2, Folder 16
Richard Peters' affidavit regarding William Markham's diary
1757
Scope and Contents
A heavily corrected draft.
Box 2, Folder 17
Abstract of the Bill, 1685 September 2, Penn v. Baltimore
approximately 1757
Scope and Contents
Manuscript bound with string. A copy concerning the Pennsylvania and Maryland boundary
dispute.
Box 3, Folder 6
List of goods purchased for the use of the Province and to be disposed of in
such a manner as the Commissioners with the assent of the Governor shall think most
conducive to the public interest
approximately 1757
Scope and Contents
Likely a list of gifts purchased for the 1757 council.
Box 3, Folder 7
We, Mayhkeerickkishsho, Sayhoppy, Taughhaughsey…: copia vera of the 1686
Walking Purchase Treaty
approximately 1757
Scope and Contents
A true copy of the allegedly lost 1686 Walking Purchase Treaty; the main document
justifying the Walking Purchase. This copy was most likely produced by Richard Peters'
office in 1757.
Box 2, Folder 18
Excerpt from the minutes of a 1737 August 24 Provincial Council
approximately 1757
Scope and Contents
A copy; most likely prepared in the course of the 1757 investigation.
Box 2, Folder 19
First meeting; The 3 Points Mentioned; Memorandum on Book C; wrapper for Conrad
Weiser affidavit
1757-1762
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous manuscripts and fragments.
Box 2, Folder 20
The speech of Ackowano Mio an old Indian on Ohio in behalf of the Delaware
Indians and others living on the waters thereof
1758 September
Scope and Contents
A speech copied out by Conrad Weiser.
Box 2, Folder 21
Richard Peters and Nicholas Scull, affidavit regarding the handwriting of the
1686 Walking Purchase deed
1758 December 30
Scope and Contents
A heavily corrected draft.
Box 2, Folder 22
Benjamin Franklin Petition to the King's most Excellent Majesty in Counsel…on
behalf of the Indians
1759 February
Scope and Contents
A contemporary copy.
Box 2, Folder 23
Board of Trade and Plantations. Response to Benjamin Franklin's petition to
open an inquiry into the Indian complaints
1759 August 29
Scope and Contents
A fair copy; incomplete.
Box 2, Folder 24
Conrad Weiser response to Charles Thomson's Enquiry into the Causes of the
Alienation of the Delaware and Shawnees Indians
1759
Box 2, Folder 25
Richard Peters' affidavit regarding the handwriting of the 1686 Walking
Purchase deed
1762 May 28
Scope and Contents
A corrected draft.
Box 2, Folder 26
An account of the conversation between Joseph Fox and the Governor on the 21st
June 1762 about an accommodation
1762 June 21
Scope and Contents
A corrected draft; also includes a second fair copy. This account concerns an attempt
to settle the dispute at Easton.
Box 2, Folder 27
List of persons present and an account of the opening of the Easton conference
with the Indians
1762 June 22
Scope and Contents
Document in the hand of Conrad Weiser.
Box 2, Folder 28
Minutes relating to Israel Pemberton's defense of the Indians at
Easton
1762 June 22
Scope and Contents
A draft of the notes taken during the proceedings at Easton.
Box 2, Folder 29
Notes on the proceedings at Easton
1762 June 22
Scope and Contents
A draft of the account of Sir William Johnson's and Israel Pemberton's speeches to the
Indians at Easton.
Box 2, Folder 30
Account of the conversation between Joseph Galloway and Benjamin
Chew
1762 June 24
Scope and Contents
A corrected draft.
Box 2, Folder 31
Account of the meeting between the Committee of Assembly and James
Hamilton
1762 June 25
Box 2, Folder 32
Extracts from Secretary William Markham's alleged 1686 August diary relating to
the 1686 Walking Purchase
1762 June
Scope and Contents
A corrected draft; the excerpts were used by the Proprietors' lawyers to prove the
authenticity of the 1686 treaty.
Box 3, Folder 5
Governor George Thomas letter, Philadelphia, to Lenape Indian
Chiefs
1740 May 20
Scope and Contents
Letter concerns an attack on a settler named Henry Webb by a Native American named
Awannemeak near Menesinck.
Box 2, Folder 33
Papers examined and put into the London Box…respecting Teedyuscung's
complaint
1762 June
Box 3, Folder 8
Newspaper clipping
1915 January 3
Scope and Contents
"Penn Manuscript gives evidence of Indian Treaty:" Public Ledger, Philadelphia.
Box 2, Folder 34
Newspaper clippings and envelope
1932-1962
