re frequently made by them into the
interior. The establishments, which had been made in the Conococheague
valley, were altogether broken up and scenes of the greatest
barbarity, on one side, and of the utmost suffering on the other, were
constantly exhibiting. A few instances of this suffering and of that
barbarity, may not be improperly adduced here. They will serve to
illustrate the condition of those who were within reach of the savage
enemy; and perhaps, to palliate the enormities practiced on the
christian Indians.

In the fall of 1754 about forty or fifty Indians entered that
province, and dividing themselves into two parties, sought the
unprotected settlements, for purposes of murder and devastation: the
smaller party went about the forks of Delaware--the other directing
their steps along the Susquehanna. On the 2nd of October, twelve of
the former appeared before the house of Peter Williamson, (a
Scotchman, with no family but his wife,) who had made considerable
improvement near the Delaware river. Mrs. Williamson being from home,
he sat up later than usual, and about 11 o'clock was astounded at the
savage war whoop, resounding from various directions, near to the
house. Going to the window, he perceived several Indians standing in
the yard, one of whom, in broken English, promised that if he would
come out and surrender he should not be killed; threatening at the
same time that if he did not, they would burn him up in his house.
Unable to offer an effectual resistance, and preferring the chance of
safety by surrendering, to the certainty of a horrid death if he
attempted an opposition, he yielded himself up a prisoner.

So soon as he was in their power they plundered the house of such
articles as they could conveniently take with them, and set fire to
it, and to the barn, in which was a quantity of wheat, some horses and
other cattle. After inflicting some severe tortures on Williamson, and
forcing him to carry a heavy weight of the plunder, which they had
taken from him, they went to a neighboring house, occupied by Jacob
Snyder, his wife, five children and a servant. The piercing cries, and
[77] agonizing shrieks of these poor creatures, made no impression on
the savages. The father, mother, and children were tomahawked and
scalped, and their bodies consumed by fire together with the house.
The servant was spared that he might aid in carrying their plunder;
but manifesting deep distress at his situation as