This collection contains items related to the Paxton Boys and Conestoga Massacre. April 1764 issue of The Gentleman's Magazine includes article on massacre by Benjamin Franklin. 10 January entry in Charles Mason's diary contains discussion of massacre. Manuscript copy of remonstrance, signed by Matthew Smith and James Gibson and sent to Governor John Penn, lays out grievances against provincial government and justifies attacks on Native Americans.
1 box, 5 folders,1 clamshell box on shelf,.25 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0614
Associated Material
Please see See Digital Paxton: Digital Collection, Critical Edition, and Teaching Platform for digital copies and transcriptions of orginal documents; related publications and scholary works; and educational materials
Please see the collections catalog for published works about the Paxton Boys and the Conestoga Massacre.
https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As historical resources, the items in this collection reflects the racial prejudices and actions of the era. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Restrictions noted at the item level.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please contact Research Staff or Archives Staff with questions.
Note: See Digital Paxton: Digital Collection, Critical Edition, and Teaching Platform for historical overviews and additional information,
Bookplate on a page from a Martyrs Mirror, done in the style of Ephrata Cloister with a flowing hand using strong, bold letters. Letters are black with green and orange infill. Bookplate simply reads: "Carl/ Christo/ phel." One flower is at top right and a stylized pot with plant having 3 flowers is at lower left. Page is float-mounted in a window mat with a handmade cherry frame.
Ephrata Cloister, Lancaster Co.
Removed from Martyrs Mirror by a previous owner (Evelyn Good) due to water damage to the book which was then discarded. The opposing page was also saved and is mounted in Mylar on reverse side of frame. It carries a ghost image of the bookplate; string from binding is visible.
Acquired with typewritten inscription mounted on back of frame states: "BOOKPLATE MADE FOR CARL CHRISTOPHEL FOR/ HIS COPY OF THE EPHRATA MARTYR'S MIRROR-1748./ WORK OF SISTER ANASTASIA THE PEN-ARTIST OF THE CLOISTER ABC PATTERN BOOK OF LETTERS."
According to Clarke Hess, the penwork is by an unknown Ephrata Cloister artist. Clarke notes that Carl Christophel was a deacon at New Danville Mennonite Church in Conestoga Twp.(now Pequea Twp.) He died in 1767.
In Masonic Lodge Fraktur exhibit for several years. Removed circa 2008.
On short-term exhibit at Historical Society of Cocalico Valley, 2010.
Unknown Ephrata Cloister artist
Provenance
Dr. Robbins purchased framed pages from Evelyn Yingst Good's sale, Sat., May 11, 1991, lot #152, for $3,800. Evelyn Good was an Ephrata librarian. Valued at $5000, Robbins sold to museum for $2,500, donating the other half. Irene Walsh then reimbursed museum for the $2,500.
Acid burned edges are brown; soiled along outside edges; stains and foxing. Moisture stain at top left. Remains of binding still attached at left. Moisture staining at upper left corner. Two minor tears at top center, with ragged edges overall. Paper losses within black ink.
Conserved by Marilyn Kemp Weidner of Phila.
Object ID
P.98.52.1
Place of Origin
Ephrata
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Irene Walsh and Dr. Warren Robbins, Heritage Center Collection
Printed document is a naturalization certificate infilled for "Jacob Dickart" (sic), a prolific gunmaker of Lancaster. Printed on now-brown laid paper, it is a printed form for naturalizing foreigners who did not swear oaths. Now mounted in a modern black frame.
The certificate was designed for non-Quakers who had resided in the Commonwealth for seven years and who had never taken an oath of allegiance to King George II because of conscience, eg. Mennonites, Moravians & other sectarians who believe the Bible prohibits the swearing of oaths. Although Jacob is believed to have been raised in a Lutheran home, he later followed the Moravian faith.
Edward Shippen, Jr., Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of the Province of PA filled out this form for Dickert, who appeared before Judges William Atlin, William Coleman, and Alexander Stedman, in Phila. on Sept 24, 1765. An embossed seal is created out of a small square of paper and affixed to the upper left corner of the document.
HJ Kauffman notes that Dickert was born in Mainz, Germany in 1740, came to America with his parents in 1748. Family settled in Berks Co. and later, son Jacob moved to Lancaster in 1756, where he likely apprenticed with the gunmaker Matthias Roessor (as did Wm. Henry). Dickert worked c. 1760-1820. In 1764, he married Johanetta Hofer of York, PA, and the following year he travelled to Phila. to obtain this document. Kauffman states he was active in the Moravian church.
He died 1822.
See G90.7.1 file on Dickert rifle with family info. Transparency of a document with
General signs of age: soiling, minor foxing, dog eared corners with some minor losses. Fold line 3" from top, small holes along bottom. There is a backing of acidic paper which is attached with adhesive.
Mounted in a modern black frame by Lancaster Galleries for 2006 exhibit.
Pewter chalice, part of the Warwick Congregation's (now known as the Brickerville United Lutheran Church) communion service.
High straight-sided flaring cup on a stem wih knop created by joining two pewter salt stems. A tankard lid is used for the base. Both the knop and edge of base are beaded. Attributed to William Will (working 1764-1798) .
Engraved on the side of the cup are the initials "HIA/ MWM" within a decorative wreath with bow. Engraved on the bottom of the base is "1799", likely indicating the year the chalice was presented to the church for ceremonial use. Segments of wrigglework are also found nearby.
Provenance
The engraved date of 1799 likely signifies the year the chalice was presented to the church. The two sets of initials on the cup are certainly the individuals who presented it. The entire communion service remained in use over the years until the congregation decided in 1997 to find a safe place for this valuable communion set. Purchased by the Heritage Center of Lancaster County
Pewter paten, part of the Warwick Congregation's (now known as the Brickerville United Lutheran Church) communion service.
Flat bottom, rounded booge and wide, flat rim with single reeded edge.
Engraved initials on top of rim appear to be "W.W." or V.W." Touchmark on underneath at center is "GIFFIN/ -ONDON".
Provenance
The entire communion service remained in use over the years until the congregation decided in 1997 to find a safe place for this valuable communion set. Purchased by the Heritage Center of Lancaster County.
Photocopies (2) of items originally printed in The Gentleman's Magazine
Description
Photocopies (2) of items originally printed in The Gentleman's Magazine. The original items are housed in Folder 4.
1. Photocopy of "Account of the Murder of a Tribe of Indians in Pennsylvania," by Benjamin Franklin and submitted by "J. H." The Gentleman's Magazine, St. John's Gate, London, pages 173 to 178. The account provides a narrative of the Conestoga Massacre, decries the act, emphasizes that the victims were ostensibly under English protection, and unfavorably compares the massacre to guest right customs of other cultures. April 1764. Text varies slightly from the original pamphlet and from the reprint in The London Chronicle or Universal Evening Post, April 1764.
2. Photocopy of "A Letter from Pennsylvania to a Friend in England; containing valuable Information with Respect to America," by L. S. Jardine, M.D., The Gentleman's Magazine, St. John's Gate, London, pages 1024 to 1025. Generally favorable description of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. This letter advertises Northumberland County as a developing community, a juxtaposition to the frontier described thirty years earlier. December 1795.
Admin/Biographical History
This collection contains items related to the Paxton Boys and Conestoga Massacre. April 1764 issue of The Gentleman's Magazine includes article on massacre by Benjamin Franklin. 10 January entry in Charles Mason's diary contains discussion of massacre. Manuscript copy of remonstrance, signed by Matthew Smith and James Gibson and sent to Governor John Penn, lays out grievances against provincial government and justifies attacks on Native Americans.
1 box, 5 folders,1 clamshell box on shelf,.25 cubic ft.
Object Name
Photocopy
Language
English
Object ID
MG0614_F01
Associated Material
Please see See Digital Paxton: Digital Collection, Critical Edition, and Teaching Platform for digital copies and transcriptions of orginal documents; related publications and scholary works; and educational materials
Please see the collections catalog for published works about the Paxton Boys and the Conestoga Massacre.
https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this document reflects the racial prejudices and actions of the era. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Restrictions noted at the item level.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please contact Research Staff or Archives Staff with questions.
Note: See Digital Paxton: Digital Collection, Critical Edition, and Teaching Platform for historical overviews and additional information,
