Original diary in Lancaster County Historical Society Archives.
Summary
Francis Ziegler was born in Columbia, Pennsylvania in 1817 and he died in 1902. He was a school teacher and a telegraph operator.He recorded in this diary sporadically between 1854 and 1857. His entries describe personal experiences, but many entries pertain to events of the day, both local and national. His discontent with politics and the times, in general, is clear. The diary begins at the time of a cholera epidemic in Columbia during which many people died. He presents a picture of a very frightening time. Another highlight of the diary was his description of the invasion of Pennsylvania by Confederate troops during the Civil War. He witnessed the burning of the bridge over the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville. This action closed off a potential route for the Confederates to reach Philadelphia and Harrisburg after Gettysburg.
Issued in cooperation with the Northumberland County Historical Society.
Bibliography: p. 351.
Contents
Allummapees, king of the Delaware--Indian tribes of Shamokin--The Himmel church--Chillicothe (Chillisquaque) chief town of the Shawnee --The Moravians at Shamokin--Land grants to officers Pontiac War--The Shamokin indian traders--Spread eagle manor--The march of the Augusta regment--The committee of safety of Northumberland County--The palatine migration, Schoharie to Tulpehocken--Shikellamy--The construction of Fort Augusta--General John Bull--Alexander McKee, our most noted Tory--McKee's big island--New light on the battle of Fort Freeland--Indan incursions in old Northumberland County-- Our Lancaster triangle--Captain Hambright of the Augusta regiment--The captivity of the Fort Freeland prisoners of war--Peter Pence, avenger of Indian atrocities.
Chapters: The river in retrospect -- Geologist's river -- Indian's river -- Trader's river -- Missionary's River -- Soldier's river -- Refugee's river -- Boatman's river -- Lumberman's river -- Ironmaster's river -- Anthracite's river -- Farmer's river -- Rebel's River,almost -- Politician's river -- Culture's river -- New York's river part 1 -- New york's river part 2 -- Maryland's river.
